1960-05-16 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
Farmers Branch, Texas
May 16 , 1960
The City Council convened in a regular meeting on may 16, 1960
at the Community Building at 7:30 P.M. with all members present:
Mayor
Councilmen
City Manager
City Secretary
Oley Attebery
Sam Page
H. N. Mallon
John Wilsey
Don Knox
Bill Hamilton
J. M. Orman
Dorthanna Williams
Mayor Attebery called the meeting to order. Councilman Wilsey gave
the invocation.
VISITOR
Mr. Bill Davis, 12801 Epps Field Road, was at the meeting represent-
ing the Park and Recreation Commission. He explained that the Com-
mission plans to have a member attend each Council meeting and report
to their meetings. He also asked if a copy of the Council minutes
could be mailed to their secretary. The Council's decision was that
a copy of the minutes should be mailed to the secretary of all advisory
commissions when action is taken concerning that commission. Then Mr.
Davis asked if any action was being taken for tennis courts in the
parks. Mr. Orman told him Mr. Napier has been working on the drain-
age problem at the swimming pool and as soon as that is completed he
will start on the plans for the tennis courts. Mayor Attebery said
before the tennis court is located in Waterworth Park they should
decide if they will ever have a swimming pool there and plan accord-
ingly. Mr. Pointer, builder of the apartment buildings, has talked
with him about being interested in cooperating on a pool in this
park since he does not plan to have one in connection with his apart-
ment project. Councilman Wilsey suggested this would be something
the Park and Recreation Commission could look into. Mr. Orman said
the City's Planning Consultant said this park should be what is called
a "quiet park".
Mr. Davis said since he was at the meeting he would like to ask about
the plans for paving Epps Field since a lot of his neighbors were
asking him about this. It was explained to him the paving of Epps
Field was not mentioned in the Bond Program, only the storm drainage,
but Mayor Attebery said it would be more economical to go ahead and
pave now than go back and pave it later. A copy of the bond program
plans issued before the election was given to Mr. Davis for his
information.
P,7~
BUS SERVICE FOR FARMERS BRANCH
Mrs. Hy Yellin, Epps Field Road, was present to discuss with the Council
the possibilities of getting Dallas Transit System to serve Farmers
Branch with limited bus service. Mrs. Yellin has been doing some research
on this and said all is needed from the City is a franchise. She has
been talking with a Mr. Jones who said he has been checking this area
for some time but is not sure yet if they can do it. Her idea was to
run one bus in the morning and one in the afternoon for about a year on
a trial basis. Councilman Knox asked if the fare had been mentioned?
Mrs. Yellin said, no. Councilman Wilsey asked if they have expressed
an interest in this? Mrs. Yellin said, yes, they have. Mayor Attebery
said this would be good for the City because of industry and also loans
on homes. The Council authorized City Manager Orman to contact Dallas
Transit and thanked Mrs. Yellin for her good work.
ORDINANCE NO. 238-ADOPTING NEW PAVING SPECIFICATIONS
In discussion of this ordinance Councilman Hamilton asked, is an 8-foot
alley adequate for the large trucks? Mr. Orman said it is standard for
all alleys. Then Mr. Hamilton raised the question whether or not some
provision should De made to take temperature in the snade and away from
artificial heat for concrete the same as provided for asphalt. This was
discussed and then Councilman Knox moved the ordinance be adopted with
the provision the City Engineer add this requirement if he thinks it is
necessary, seconded by Councilman Mallon, passed unanimously. Caption
of the ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 238
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
PAVEMENT, SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAYS PLACED BY THE OWNERS OR
THEIR CONTRACTORS ON STREETS, ALLEYS AND EASEMENTS WITHIN THE
CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH; REQUIRING APPROVAL OF PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS WHERE WORK IS BEING DONE BY THE OWNER OR BY A
CONTRACTOR FOR THE OWNER; PROVIDING FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO THE
CITY FOR CERTAIN EXPENSES; REQUIRING ALL PAVING, INCLUDING
CURBS AND GUTTERS, TO BE INSTALLED ACCORDING TO THESE
SPECIFICATIONS; REPEALING ORDINANCES NO. 75 AND NO. 103 OF
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH.
ORDINANCE NO. 240-SIX-MONTHS REVISION OF BUDGET
City Manager Orman presented the revision to the Council explaining the
procedure was the same as last year on a six-month basis and he had met
with each Department Head and they had made a study of their accounts.
He explained they took the cash on hand, added what they thought would
be received, compared this with the proposed expenditures for the next
six-months hoping to work this out without raising the water rates. The
end result is that they can make ends meet without raising the water
rates. Councilman Mallon asked, why should we not raise our rates in
comparison with what we are charged? Mr. Orman told him we have one of
the highest water rates in the area. Councilman Page asked, why are
our rates so high? Mr. Orman answered, because the income would be
instant and the tax rate would be a year coming in. Councilman Wilsey
moved the revised budget be accepted, seconded by Councilman Page,
passed unanimously.
FINAL PAYMENT-WATER PROJECT NO. 59-1
Councilman Mallon moved a resolution be passed approving final payment
in the amount of $8,007.07 to Elm Fork Construction Company and authori-
zing City Manager Orman to make this final payment from funds previously
allocated to this project for the construction of 12" and 16" water
mains which have been completed in accordance with the plans and specifi-
cations, seconded by Councilman Knox, passed unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Mayor Attebery said he would like to see three new committees formed;
1) study garbage problem; 2) study Cooks Branch; 3) study side walks;
these three committees to point up a bond program.
Councilman Hamilton said he would like to see Mr. R. W. Holman added to
the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. George Hixon and Mr. Howard
Dennis are up for reappointment to this committee. Councilman Mallon
asked about appointing Dewayne White to this committee since it is one
of the most important committees. Councilman Knox said Mr. Hixon and
Mr. Dennis are two men who have worked and been good members; Mr. Hixon
has made enemies but so have some councilmen. Councilman Mallon said
his first two choices would be Hixon and Dennis, but maybe more members
could be added to this committee. Councilman Hamilton said when Mr.
Hixon was Chairman he did not like the way he handled some of the meet-
ings. Councilman Knox said Mr. Hixon got stepped on,toq at many of
these meetings. Councilman Wilsey said in a position such as this
some toes have to be stepped on, you can have only one set of recommen-
dations, Mr. Hixon has spent a lot of time and hard work and he has a
good background on this committee. Councilman Hamilton said he felt Mr.
Hixon showed a lack of consideration of the town as a whole. Councilman
Page said there are good arguments on keeping men with experience, also,
good arguments on getting new blood. He said he feels before any new
people were appointed the Council should talk with them and get to know
them personally. Councilman Mallon said, any member of the Council
should be respected and if someone feels strongly enough to keep a
person off a committee they should be considered. Mayor Attebery sug-
gested no action be taken until the Council has more information. Council-
man Mallon said they should get the qualifications of new prospective
members and evaluate them to see who can do the best job.
Councilman Mallon moved Ollie Bullock, Addison Bradford and Bob Langdon
be appointed to the Board of Adjustment for a one-year term, seconded
by Councilman Knox, passed unanimously.
OPENING OF DENNIS ROAD
The Mayor and Councilmen had received a letter from Mr. Claude McClanna-
han of Farmers Branch Shopping Center regarding the opening of Dennis
Road from valley View Lane to Rawhide Parkway. Quotation from the letter,
117T
"Mrs. Fry has expressed her willingness to deed to the City the land
for opening of the road; Mr. Lawther to do the bridge work; owners of
the Center to pay for the curbs and gutters; the City to do the paving".
Mrs. Fry has said she would give the land with the understanding she
would never be assessed for any improvement. Councilman Mallon suggested
they go to Mr. Lawther to see if he will recommend this to Commissioner's
Court; as long as Mrs. Fry is owner the property will not be assessed
but will not apply to any other owner; contact Louis Nichols to suggest
a way this can be done without any cost to the City.
MISCELLANEOUS
Councilman Hamilton asked what has been done about a traffic signal at
Valley View and Webb Chapel? Mr. Orman said Mr. Napier would like to
take a traffic count--not to determine the number of cars but the
timing of the signals. Also, the cost is important and he plans to
include this in next year's budget. Mayor Attebery said this is some-
thing to work into their two-year plan.
Councilman Hamilton asked, is there any way the speed of a school bus
can be controlled? The bus driver in Johnston Park drives entirely too
fast and something should be done about it. Mr. Orman said he would
advise the Police Department of this and Councilman Knox added he might
contact the Dallas County School Superintendent.
Councilman Knox wanted to know if anyone ever gets an annual report
from the Police Department such as the one the Fire Department prepares?
He said copies should be available for Chamber of Commerce and anyone
who would like or need one.
Monday, May 23, was set as date for a joint meeting of the Council and
the Planning and Zoning Commission if a quorum of each group would be
able to attend.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
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Dorthanna Williams, City Secretary
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