1960-02-01 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
FARMERS BRANCH,TEXAS
February 1, 1960
The City Council convened in a regular meeting on February 1, 1960
at the Community Building at 7:30 F.M. with all members present.
Mayor
Councilmen
City Manager
Director of Public
Works
City Secretary
Lawson Lewis
Thomas Reeder
John Wilsey
H. N. Mallon
Don Knox
Oley Attebery
J. M. Orman
Lyman Goodnight
Dorthanna Williams
Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order. Mr. Tom McClain, Pastor
of Valley View Baptist Church gave the invocation.
Minutes of January 4, 1960 were approved. Page 5 of the minutes of
January 18 was corrected to read: Councilman Knox moved that they
approve the request for a Special Permit for the Shopping Center in
Brookhaven Estates Addition on the following conditions, seconded
by Councilman Reeder, passed unanimously. After this correction the
minutes were approved.
JOSEY LANE IMPROVEMENTS
Councilman Mallon presented County Commissioner Lynn Lawther, County
Engineer Clinger and County Supervisor Roy Rasberry to discuss with
the Council the possibilities of improving Josey Lane from Valwood
Parkway to Belt Line Road.
Mr. Lawther said they could pave and curb and gutter Josey Lane to
Crosby Road if they cannot get the right-of-way through the Carroll-
ton shopping center. Mr. Rasberry said all except a small portion
of that area has been secured. Mr. Mallon told the Council that any
help they can get from the County should be accepted and the City
should do everything possible to help.
Councilman Attebery asked, why the discussion? Do they need to know
how much money the City has for the project and what kind of road is
planned, paved? Mr. Lawther said no, just like Dennis Road between
Forest and Valley View Lanes. Councilman Mallon asked if the City
has some of the right-of-way? Mr. Orman said the Valwood Baptist
Church is willing to give right-of-way and Cato Corporation has their
right-of-way instrument now. Councilman Mallon asked if this project
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will take about all the money the City has in the Street Fund? Mr.
Orman said it would.
There followed a discussion of projects proposed in the Bond Elec-
tion, Epps Field Road storm drainage and Tom Field improvements. _
Councilman Mallon asked Mr. Lawther_if there was any way they can
go ahead with the improvements and pay the County at a later date?
Mr. Lawther said he would be the wrong one to answer such a question,
then asked how much the City could pay on the storm sewer.
Councilman Knox asked, on rebuilding Tom Field Road, could the City
get some help from the County? Mr. Lawther said he believed not be-
cause the road doesn't go anywhere, just from Farmers Branch Lane to
Valley View Lane.
Councilmen Wilsey and Mallon asked if the City could pay all the curb
and gutter, part of the storm sewer, the City would lack about $16,000
and would make monthly payments on this amount the next year. Mr.
Lawther said it would probably be better to make it one payment rather
than monthly payments. He said he would need to do some figuring but
will present the plan to Commissioners Court. Councilman Attebery said
the City will have to take care of their commitments made when the
bond program was presented to the citizens of Farmers Branch.
Councilman Mallon moved the City Council approve expenditure of $10,200
for curb and gutter, another $10,000 for storm sewer, leaving approxi-
mately $16,000 to be paid in October, 1961; seconded by Councilman
Attebery (who added they want to make sure they have enough money to
cover commitments first), approved unanimously.
Councilman Mallon moved an amendment to this motion--valid only if the
City of Carrollton agrees to pay their share of curb and gutter,
seconded by Councilman Knox, passed unanimously.
Councilman Knox moved they have the City Engineers check into work to
be done on Tom Field and Epps Field Roads and report to the Council as
soon as possible, seconded by Councilman Mallon, passed unanimously.
CONSIDER REQUEST FROM DR. MASSAD
Dr. Eugene M. Massad told the Council since his request for a hospital
has posed a problem in the past he has located another piece of property
outside Farmers Branch on Forest Lane. He is now working with other
doctors to build a hospital on this property. He is rescinding his
request for a hospital in connection with his clinic on Webb Chapel
Road. He has just purchased the Duncan property next to his clinic
and now requests Clinic Zoning there so he can expand his clinic and
bring in other doctors. The property has no other use except church,
clinic or rest home or something related to such buildings.
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Councilman Mallon said he would like to know if the Plan Commission
would be for clinic zoning, he asked if anyone knew how the Commission
feels about it. Councilman Wilsey said as a matter of courtesy they
should get the Commission's reaction before the Council acts. Council-
man Mallon asked Dr. Massad if he is granted this request would he
commit himself to building within two years. Dr. Massad said, no,
this would not be fair to him or to the City. Councilman Wilsey and
Mayor Lewis expressed their opinions that it would not be fair to Dr.
Massad any more than it would be fair to anyone else to tell them
when to build on their property.
The Council authorized City Manager Orman to check with the Plan Com-
mission to get their view on the proper procedure with this request.
WATER BILL COMPLAINT FROM HARRY LEMMONS
City Manager Orman told the Council that Mr. Lemmons' attorney was
invited to come to the Council meeting but refused, he wanted to know
the thinking of the Council first. Mr. Goodnight explained the situa-
tion to the Council. He said he believes Mr. Lemmons has used the
water and owes the amount charged to him.
Councilman Mallon said they should let him pay under protest then take
what ever legal action he wishes but believes it will do the City the
most good to compromise. Councilman Knox said if they compromise they
should have it understood that the meter will be checked; if the meter
is wrong the City will pay for having it checked, if the meter is
correct Mr. Lemmons will pay, otherwise disconnect Mr. Lemmons service.
Councilman Mallon said he thought this was reasonable. Councilman
Attebery agreed and said the proposal should come from Mr. Lemmons.
Councilman Reeder, acting as Mayor, said they would suggest having the
meter checked first then a proposal from Mr. Lemmons for settlement.
All Councilmen agreed.
ORDINANCE NO. 221 - ABANDONING PORTION OF OLD WEBB CHAPEL ROAD
Upon a motion by Councilman Mallon, seconded by Councilman Knox, and
passed unanimously an ordinance was passed abandoning a portion of
Old Webb Chapel Road in order that Mr. Fritz Hawn may consummate a
transaction for the sale of the tract of land adjacent to this aban-
doned road. Caption of the ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 221
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH ABANDONING
A PORTION OF A PUBLIC STREET HERETOFORE DEDICATED TO
THE COUNTY OF DALLAS, AS HEREINAFTER MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED; PROVIDING THAT SUCH ABANDONMENT SHALL BE
ONLY INSOFAR AS APPLICABLE TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT, TITLE
AND INTEREST IN AND TO THAT PORTION OF SUCH STREET
BELONGING TO THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH; AND DECLARING
AN EMERGENCY.
ORDINANCE NO. 222 - FIRE STATION PROJECT NO. FS-1
Upon a motion by Councilman Knox, seconded by Councilman Attebery
and passed unanimously, the additional sum of $1,787.13 was appro-
priated to cover the cost of this Station. Caption of the ordinance
reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 222
AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING
AND EQUIPPING FIRE STATION NO. 1; APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR OUT OF THE FIRE AND POLICE STATION BOND FUND
UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
ORDINANCE NO. 223 - FINAL PAYMENT ON POLICE STATION PROJECT NO_._,_PS-l
Upon a motion by Councilman Knox, seconded by Councilman Attebery and
passed unanimously, the sum of $44,238.90 was appropriated for the
construction and equipping of a Police Building. Caption of the
ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 223
AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE COST OF REMODELING
THE OLD CITY HALL FOR A POLICE BUILDING; APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR OUT OF THE FIRE AND POLICE STATION
BOND FUND UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Upon a motion by Councilman Mallon, seconded by Councilman Attebery
and passed unanimously a resolution was passed that this project has
been completed and accepted and authorized the City Manager to make
final payment to Bock Construction Company in the amount of $5,392.35.
That this payment be made from fund previously allocated to Police
Station Project No. PS-1.
APRIL 2, 1960 SET AS CITY ELECTION
The City Charter provides that the regular City Election shall be
held every even numbered year on the first Saturday in April for the
election of the Mayor and the members of the Council.
CORRECTING AMOUNT OF TAX ASSESSMENT ON EARL WOMACK PROPERTY
Upon a motion by Councilman Knox, seconded by Councilman Mallon and
passed unanimously a resolution waR passed:
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WHEREAS, certain property belong/to Earl Womack and comprising 0.312
acres of land in the Thomas Keenan Survey, Abstract 733, was prematurely
increased in valuation in comparison with adjoining property: and
WHEREAS, the ad valorem tax assessment placed on the property was
$87.15; whereas it should have been $23.25.
Section 1. That the following revision in the 1959 tax roll be hereby
made and for the reason stated:
Name Amount of Deletion Reason
Earl Womack $63.90 Incorrect appraisal
INVEST CITY'S FUNDS IN 91-DAY GOVERNMENT BILLS
Upon a motion by Councilman Mallon, seconded by
and passed unanimously, City Manager Orman was
the following funds in 91-day Government Bills:
Water & Sewer Construction Fund
Street Bond Fund
Sanitary & Storm Sewer Bond Fund
Total
Councilman Attebery
authorized to invest
- $120,000
- 10,000
- 10,000
- $140,000
REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
At the end of January 98% of the ad valorem taxes had been collected.
Distributed and explained the new Budget; new account numbers and
classification of expenditures. The Council expressed their approval
and appreciation for the wonderful job that Mr. Orman had done in
compiling this Budget.
Explained the system now being followed in water billing and collecting.
He believes it will prove more effective and it saves much time in the
water department.
Grand Prairie is having a school on paving specifications this week.
City Engineer F. L. Napier, Inspector Clyde Adams and Director of
Public Works Lyman Goodnight will attend. Mr. Orman will have Mr.
Napier have a report for the Council at the next meeting.
Reported that Fire Chief Yager and Engineer Napier have been requested
to make a study over the City on Fire Zones. Example: No. 1 Fire zone
would require different construction than in No. 2 Fire Zone.
HARKEY BRICK & SUPPLY COMPANY
Councilman Knox asked if Mr. Harkey had requested an extension on his
Temporary Permit for a temporary building on Inwood Road. This permit
has expired and if Mr. Harkey plans to keep his business at this loca-
tion he should get another temporary permit. Mr. Orman said he would
contact Mr. Harkey and report to the Council.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
City Manager Orman gave a report from the Park Commission on one of
their members. Mr. Jim Payne attended about 30 minutes of the first
meeting. Since that time he has not attended a meeting or called.
The Commission has requested that when a member is absent two consecu-
tive meetings with no excuse they will require his resignation.
Councilman Mallon said missing two meetings did not sound fair, but
maybe missing 50/ of meetings. Mr. Orman said he had talked with Mrs.
Payne and she said Mr. Payne is out of town most of the time. Council-
man Attebery suggested Mr. Payne be removed from the Commission. The
Council asked Mr. Orman to ask the Commission for suggestions for a
replacement.
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There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
City Secretary
Note: To Farmers Branch City Council
Thank you so very much for the beautiful flowers. It was
so thoughtful of you to send them to me. Juanita Lewis.
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