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1960-08-01 CC Minutes1 1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS August 1, 1960 The City Council convened in a regular meeting on August 1, 1960 at the Community Building at 7:30 P. M. with the following members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Councilmen City Manager City Secretary Mayor Attebery was absent. John Wilsey Sam Page H. N. Mallon Don Knox Bill Hamilton J. M. Orman Dorthanna Williams Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey called the meeting to order and welcomed the visitors. Mr. Carl Matthews, Pastor of Valwood Baptist Church gave the invocation. The minutes of the following meetings were approved: Regular Meeting- June 20; Special Meeting-June 27; Regular Meeting-July 18. four or five years. DENNIS ROAD OPENING Mr. Claude McClennahan, leasing agent, Mr. Bill Earnhart and Mr. Folsom, owners of Farmers Branch Shopping Center met with the Council to discuss the opening of Dennis Road from Valley View Lane north. Mr. McClennahan said they are willing to help pay for the opening of the road with the money being spend by them to be refunded by taxes in the next two, three, City Manager Orman said he had talked with Mr. Lawther and Mr. Clinger of the County and they are willing to put in a bridge for only one lane. Mr. McClennahan said they had asked for a four-lane double bridge even though only one lane may be built at the present. Councilman Wilsey said for some years the Council has been anxious to help get this road through. Councilman Knox said he thinks to cut taxes in any way for the Shopping Center would be an illegal procedure. Councilman Page said he had talked with Attorney Nichols and he said the same. Councilman Wilsey said, we are so afraid of what the law will allow us to do, we wind up doing nothing. Councilman Knox said they may be able to let the shopping center put up the money for the road thazlet the City pay them back. Councilman Page asked, aren't we getting into the same thing, isn't it true a City cannot borrow money from an individual? Councilman Hamilton suggested they get Attorney Nichols to advise the Council on this. Also, ask Mr. Lawther what he will do then ask Mr. Nichols what the City can legally do. 16W RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL City Manager Orman said he had checked with the Railway Company and they have completed their traffic count on Valley View and are now comparing with traffic counts at other crossings. They said they work on a budget and have to take care of their worst problems first. Mr. Orman said the alternative would be to get the trains to slow down at this crossing. Councilman Knox said he thinks they should notify them if something isn't done soon the City will have to do something be- cause of the increasing traffic at this crossing. MISCELLANEOUS Councilman Hamilton asked if the City has heard anything on the request for bus service for Farmers Branch: Mr. Orman said, no, with the prob- lem the City of Dallas is having with the Company now, it is not a good time to bring this up. Councilman Hamilton asked about the traffic signal at Valley View and Webb Chapel. City Engineer Napier has completed the traffic count and the results show that one is warranted. He has asked to have the con- trol set in the center but when the roads are improved would like them set in the corners. Mr. Orman is working this expenditure in the new budget. Councilman Hamilton said, some gates are needed in the school walk fence along Valley View because of the new streets in Johnston Park. He also suggested some work be done to improve Templeton Trail since it is the main thoroughfare from Johnston Park to Cabell School. He then asked if something should be done about a walk-way along Webb Chapel Road to the new Webb Chapel School. These projects were to be checked by the City Manager to see what could be done. Councilman Hamilton said, it seems there are a lot of signs along Valley View Lane. Mr. Orman told him they are locater signs they have permitted the developers to put up on Friday to be removed on Monday. CITY MANAGER'S SALARY FOR 1960-1961 FISCAL YEAR Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey discussed with the Council the City Manager's salary for the coming year. He said he was sure Mr. Orman would not make any provisions in the budget for an increase in salary for himself; that Mr. Orman has not asked for an increase; all the Council agreed that he is very deserving and felt that he should have an increase; his present salary is $11,400. In discussing the amount most of the Councilmen felt that $100 per month would be a fair increase. Mr. Orman said he appreciated all the things said by the Councilmen but he did not want to price him- self out of a job. He said he thought for a City the size of Farmers Branch that $12,000 per year is an adequate salary. Councilman Mallon said he would like to express his appreciation for the City Manager, the good work being done by him and his confidence in him. Councilman Knox moved the City Manager be instructed to include in the budget a figure of $12,000 per year for his salary, seconded by Councilman Page, passed_.unan. 1.2 ~le Councilman Mallon called Mr. Lawther (on the telephone) and gave a report on this call; Mr. Lawther said the County would build a box just wide enough for a two lane road across Rawhide Creek, he suggested the Council write a letter to Mr. Clinger to be presented to Commissioner's Court next Monday night for immediate action because he is going to be away for the following three weeks. Mr. Lawther said the letter should state exactly what is wanted by the City of Farmers Branch. Councilman Knox said, they should drop the approach of the shopping center and change to "need for schools, fire and police protection". Councilman Mallon said he would to stress; "the need to connect Forest Lane with Belt Line Road, the big gap in the middle which nullifies all the money spent, a missing link in a major County improvement, ask that he build a bridge (or box) that will take the ultimate finished road divided with four lanes, grading of the road and the gravel, request this matter be handled at Commissioner's Court meeting on the eighth". Then, make arrangements with the shopping center to black top. City Manager Orman called Attorney Nichols about entering into an agree- ment with the shopping center on their help with the road. Mr. Nichols advised; there is no way the City can enter into a legal agreement they can only have a gentlemen's agreement, can have a letter to that effect (which would never hold up in court), the City would have to re- pay out of the General Fund and can pay no interest. Councilman Wilsey said, the shopping center has agreed to a gentlemen's agreement is the Council agreeable to this, too? Councilman Page said he would like to have a letter from the shopping center. Mr. Folsom said they need to know what the County will do before they write the letter. All Councilmen werw agreeable to this action. There was a discussion whether or not the money would be spent wisely on this type road. Mr. Orman said the engineer's figures show a perma- nent type road will cost approximately $22,000 exclusive of storm sewers and there are no funds available at this time. Councilmen Knox and Hamilton said they think the City needs this road now. All Councilmen agreed they would get the County to do all possible and would wait for the court's action. SANITARY SEWER FOR PYRAMID & RICHLAND STREETS City Manager Orman told the Council the engineer's estimate for this sewer is $4,935. This figure includes 1200 feet of 10" sewer line and one manhole. He explained that Elm Fork Construction Company is now doing a contract job in Farmers Branch and has the equipment here, they might ask them for a price on the job and add it to their present con- tract. The City has the money for this job and Mr. Orman recommended this work be done. Councilman Knox moved, City Manager Orman be authori- zed to negotiate with Elm Fork Construction Company if the price is in line with the estimate, if not, to advertise for bids, seconded by Councilman Page, passed unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 251-TENNIS COURTS-PARK PROJECT NO. 3 City Manager Orman told the Council four bids for the construction of three tennis courts had been opened at 2:00 P. M. on this date. The three lowest bidders were: Robert Burns - - - - - - - - $12,070 Uvalde Construction Company - 13.531 S. & F. Concrete Company - - 14,056 Councilman Page asked, what does this include? Mr. Orman answered: concrete base, fencing, nets, posts and lines, a finished court. Councilman Hamilton asked about a water fountain being installed near the court in Waterworth Park. Mr. Orman said the City forces could install a fountain there. Councilman Knox asked if an apron could be put around the base, he said there is always a lot of water around the fountain in Showman Park which creates a problem. Upon a motion by Councilman Mallon, seconded by Councilman Knox and passed unanimously the lowest bid was accepted and the contract awarded to Robert Burns Concrete Contractors by Resolution. Upon a motion by Councilman Page, seconded by Councilman Hamilton, all members voting "aye", $12,500 was appropriated out of the Park Bond Fund Unappropriated Surplus to Park Project No. 3 for payment of these three tennis courts; two for Don Showman Park, one for Gussie Field Waterworth Park. Caption of the ordinance reads as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 251 AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING THREE TENNIS COURTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF OUT OF THE PARK BOND FUND UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS. TAX EQUALIZATION Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey explained to the Council that Mayor Attebery would like to have each of them express his views on the Mayor preparing a letter of explanation for publication to the citizens of the City telling Why tax adjustments have been made. Some 200 people have appeared before the Tax Equalization Board and because of the furor it has created he feels it would be good public relations, also, consider 1960 as a base for tax values and review it every three, four or five years. Council- man Knox said they have talked about setting the base then working on this base each year, either money-wise or percentage-wise. Councilman Page asked, shouldn't re-valuation be set about every five years to check additions, etc? He said he felt they should set a definite period of time they will not re-valuate property and advise the people of this. Councilman Mallon said this would be hard to do, every so often they have to have an appraisal of property to be fair to everyone. Council- man Hamilton said they need to get a set formula that is fair and equit- able to everyone, Councilman Mallon said he believes they have, of course some errors have been made as in any job of this size, but most of these have been corrected. Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey asked if the Council approves a letter being written by Mayor Attebery, letter to be approved by the Council before publication, and get a publicity program under way. Each member of the Council gave his approval. PUBLISH AGENDA City Manager asked the Council tentative agenda in the Dallas or Saturday before the regular the idea was a good one, if an lished they could plan to atte: if they would approve his putting the Times Herald to be published on Friday session on Monday. The Council agreed item of interest to the Citizens is pub- ad. City Manager Orman said the Mayor has suggested they make the unfinished business the first item on the agenda rather then the last. He wanted the thinking of all Councilmen on this. It was agreed the unfinished business should come first so that it could be finished rather than taking a chance on it's being postponed again. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. City Secretary 7-7 I I ~u ~'/DD