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1961-04-17 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS April 17, 1961 The City Council convened in a regular meeting on April 17, 1961 at the Community Building at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Pro--Tem John Wilsey Councilmen Sam Page Don Knox Bill Hamilton City Manager J. M. Orman Assistant City Manager John C. Dodson City Secretary Dorthanna Williams Mayor Attebery and Councilman Mallon were absent. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey called the meeting to order. Mr. Jack Ramsey, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church gave the in°vocation. The minutes of April 3 were considered and approved. NEW GARBAGE COLLEC'T'ION PROCEDURE City Manager Orman reported the new collection procedure would go into effect on April 17. Cards describing the provisions of the new ordi- nance in brief have been mailed to all householders in the City. COOK'S BRANCH CHANNEL CHANGE City Manager Orman reported two sets of drawings on this project have been received from Powell and Powell. One set of these has been sent to Mr. Williams, Supervising Resident Engineer, of the Texas Highway Department who will be in charge of the work on the extension of Stem- mons Expressway. Bids will be opened April 16, 1961. The City has received word that Dr. Thompson is now asking payment for the dirt which will be removed from his land and used in connection with this project. Mr. McMullen had had inquiries about this dirt and has been referring all to Dr. Thompson for negotiation. PROPOSED MEDICAL CENTER Mr. Orman said, a suit has been filed date the ordinance which was recently out the special permit provisions for Nichols and Mr. Steger, attorney for and Mr. Nichols hopes to get an early in 68th. District Court to invali- passed by the City Council setting the Medical Center. City Attorney the Center, are preparing an answer court date. SUBURBAN FIRE STATION The Council discussed a site for this proposed substation. Councilman Page said, suppose this will be a bond issue, he likes the proposed location at Rawhide Drive and Webb Chapel but if it is possible there is another piece of land available he would prefer to use it. Page 75 Councilmen Knox and Wilsey said what they had in mind was that the City already owned this land and money to purchase more land could be used elsewhere. The City Manager was instructed to inquire about another tract of land near this location. DENNIS ROAD CONNECTION Two bids were opened at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 14 for the construc- tion of curbs and gutters along Dennis Road north of Valley View Lane. Matt Smith Construction Company - $6,555.25 J. C. Boney Company - 7,984.90 Mayor Wilsey asked if there was any reason why the low bid should not be accepted. Mr. Orman said the City Engineer had investigated the company and would recommend the low bid be accepted. Councilman Knox moved, award the low bid in the amount of $6,555.25 to Matt Smith Construction Company, seconded by Councilman Page, all members present voting "ayes". CONSIDER STREET NAME CHANGES The City Manager explained that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended last November that the following street name changes be made: (1) South Rawhide Parkway to Golfing Green Drive; (2) North Raw- hide Parkway to Rawhide Parkway; (3) Green Acres Terrace to Longmeade Drive. He said, this is included at this time because the final plat of Brookhaven No. 7 has been completed and approved. Mr. Blythe of Brookhaven Development Company said they name the streets in their development after famous golf courses across the country. He requested the Council defer action on this street name change and give the people who have bought homes here a chance to speak. Councilman Page asked, is Green Acres Terrace pretty well developed? Mr. Blythe said, yes, that is where they had one of the Parade of Homes. Mayor Wilsey said he thought it was pretty well understood that they were going to change the name of the street. He then asked the Council if they would like to defer action. Councilman Knox said they could put off any name changes for approximately 30 days, see what other street names need changing, put out some publicity and let the people know these changes will be made. Councilman Page said, I would like to make the change before any more people are told it is Green Acres Ter- race and will remain so. Councilman Hamilton suggested they defer action until all members are present to act. Councilman Knox moved, make all three changes as recommended effective July 1, 1961, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes". Page 76 PUBLIC HEARING-REQUEST BY MRS. VIRGINIA B. Hg7LME5 Mayor Wilsey read the request by Mrs. Holmes to consider a zone change from "R-5" Residential Zone to Special Permit for Private School on Lots 7, 8, g and the west one-half of Lot 6, Valley View Addition No. 1 located at 2620 Valley View Lane. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval under special permit subject to these four conditions: 1. That a fenced playground be provided with solid fence facing Valley View Lane and Rawhide Parkway. 2. That future building expansion conform with the present structure. 3. That a minimum of ten (10) offstreet parking spaces be provided. 4. All parking areas and driveways be paved in accordance with the precedence set for other special permits. Mrs. Holmes discussed a State is not required for this type one on her school in Dallas. degree teachers and she has a does not take children under care. license. She said in Dallas a license of school, therefore, she does not have Her first grade teachers are qualified kindergarten and dancing school. She years of age, it is a school, not child Councilman Knox asked about size and type of sign planned. Mrs. Holmes said she will have one small sign. Councilman Page asked, how long have you been in business? Mrs. Holmes said this is her fourth year at Singing Hills. Councilman Hamilton asked, how many do you estimate you will have? Mrs. Holmes said, three class rooms. Councilman Page asked, how many in each class? Mrs. Holmes said, 4 year olds, 17; first grade, 20; kindergarten, 20. Councilman Page asked, do you have fire exits? Mrs. Holmes said, not as such, the children cannot read and they are never left unattended. Mayor Wilsey asked, if the Fire Marshal makes recom- mendations are you prepared to follow them? Mrs. Holmes said, yes, she felt sure they could and would follow any recommendations by the Fire Marshal. Councilman Knox moved, the Council express approval of the zone change request, the City Manager to have the ordinance prepared for the next regular meeting, seconded by Councilman Page, all present ,noting "ayes". COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS BEAUTIFICATION Mayor Wilsey told Mrs. Dyer he was glad to see the progress that has been made on the project at Valley View Lane and Highway 77. Mrs. Dyer said she was there to notify the Council that they have the $300.00 from other sources as requested and required by the Council and to express their appreciation for the assistance and encouragement they have received from the City. Page 77 NAMES FOR CITY PARKS Mr. Orman told the Council that the Park Commission had been asked to suggest names for two City parks, Town North and Dutch Village, a name for the park in Dutch Village has been recommended. This name is in honor of all the children who have died in Farmers Branch. Councilman Knox said, I can see naming the parks other than Dutch Village and Town North, but I am not in favor of naming them after the deceased. After some discussion Councilman Knox moved, turn down the recommenda- tion by the Park Commission, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes". CONSIDER CLAIM FOR CROP DAMAGES Mr. Orman explained, when the deed granting the right-of-way for the extension of Dennis Road north of Valley View Lane was granted the farmers who had the lease for crops on this property was not notified by the grantor of this action. Consequently this Spring he planted a crop on this 100 foot right-of-way and is now asking the City to reimburse him for the cost of the seed and labor and rental equipment charges involved. He is asking $50 to $60 damages. After a short discussion the Council decided they did not feel it is a liability of the City. Councilman Hamilton moved the request be denied, seconded by Councilman Knox, passed unanimously. STREET REPAIRS The City Manager reported on the patching work on Mark `Twain, the rain has delayed the work but a crew is working now and the new tamper is being used to great advantage. Councilman Knox suggested Mr. Orman ask the County, for help on patching Valley View Lane. Mr. Orman said he would see what he could do. INSURANCE FOR RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS The City Manager reported the study is being continued on this. An agent is checking now to see if severa of the smaller cities can be combined in having this insurance written. CABELL SCHOOL TRAFFIC The City Manager reported that Mr. Napier has come up with a plan on one way, clockwise, traffic around the school, he will have signs made and installed as soon as possible. Councilman Hamilton moved, authorize the City Manager to make streets one way, clockwise, on three sides of school, the exception being Myra Lane, seconded and passed. Page 78 FLASHING SIGNALS ON SCHOOL BUSES Mr. Orman said he has asked the City Attorney to look into this sug- gestion and he will advise. Councilman Page said, these flashing lights would signify the bus is either loading or unloading children. It is his understanding they can make a State Law more restrictive but not less restrictive. Councilman Hamilton said they should check into the number of children that buses should carry, he believes they are overloading the buses with children and thinks it is dangerous. Councilman Knox moved, authorize the Mayor to sign the quit-claim deed, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes". LOCATION FOR CITY SHOP There was some discussion of acquiring property on Valley View Lane (west) for the City Shop. Councilman Knox said he thought the City has about 4 acres where the sewage disposal plant used to be. It seems Mrs. Dyer wanted to trade some property for this at one time. They may be able to trade for acreage to put the Shop. Mr. Orman asked, would the Council want to trade in the area on Bee Street? Mayor Wilsey said, when Bee Street area was bought it was bought with the idea of trading or selling at a later date when more area was needed. LOST VALLEY TRAIL TO CABELL SCHOOL Councilman Hamilton instructed the City Manager to survey Lost Valley Trail. and to decide the most feasible way to get a walkway to Cabell School. It it takes legal action he is in favor of it. It is very necessary to have an all weather walk. Councilman Knox said they tried this before and he would like to see what can be done now. QUIT-CLAIM TO ALLEY ON LOT ON BEE STREET Mr. Al Hayes asked the City to sign a quit-claim deed to an alley on the lot next to the City Shop on Bee Street. He said the alley has been designated but not used or recorded and dedicated. He would like to have it removed from the plat. MISCELLANEOUS The City Manager explained his ideas on what he would like to do on Student Government Day to be held next year. The Council expressed approval of his ideas. 1 The City Manager announced the six-months revision of the budget will be ready for the next regular meeting. Councilman Knox asked if they could run a piece of wire through the top of the fence on Valley View Lane to straighten it up. Mr. Orman said he thought it could be done. Adjournment. Dorthanna Williams, City Secretary Page 79