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1960-08-15 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL Farmers Branch, Texas August 15, 1960 The City Council convened in a regular meeting on August 15, 1960 at the Community Building at 7:30 P. M. with the following members present: Acting Mayor Pro-Tem Don Knox Councilmen Sam Page H. N. Mallon Bill Hamilton City Manager J. M. Orman City Engineer F. L. Napier Tax Assessor & Collector Howard Perdue City Secretary Dorthanna Williams Mayor Attebery and Mayor Pro-Tem Wilsey were absent. Acting Mayor Pro-Tem Knox called the meeting to order. Mr. Edward L. Wagner, Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church gave the invocation. DENNIS ROAD CONNECTION City Manager Orman read a letter from Dallas City Engineer of the action of the Commissioner's Court on the August 8 meeting. The Court said the County would build a bridge for one side of the road only. Councilman Mallon asked about indicating to the Court that this is unsatisfactory. He said he still thinks the County will make the con- nection. Councilman Knox suggested Mr. Orman be authorized to contact Mr. Lynn Lawther upon his return from his vacation. All Councilmen agreed. FRISCO RAILROAD CROSSING City Manager Orman told the Council the Railway Company had given him a report on the traffic count at this crossing, approximately 950 to 1000 cars daily. The Railway Company has asked that the city partici- pate in the cost of a signal at this crossing, they will advise on the cost. Councilman Mallon asked, isn't it customary for the railroad to pay full cost. Mr. Orman said, no, only a part and in many instances only a small part. Councilman Knox suggested they contact the property owner on the southwest corner about cutting the trees back, this would eliminate the worst feature of the crossing. TEMPLETON TRAIL REPAIRS City Manager Orman reported the city has made measurements of this and other streets that are badly in need of repairs. The County will be contacted to do the work with the City paying the cost. CONSIDER ORDINANCE ON SALE OF INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS City Manager Orman read an ordinance prepared on prohibiting the sale of inflammable liquids in glass containers. There was much discussion on the wording of the ordinance. Mr. Paul Waller, 2559 Greenhurst, appeared before the Council and said he had been to a drug store in Farmers Branch to see how this would affect the retail stores. He said he found many items in glass containers that this ordinance would affect. The Council agreed this was not the purpose of the ordinance and tabled it so the wording could be clarified. ORDINANCE NO. 247-PLACING OF POSTERS Upon a motion by Councilman Mallon, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes", an ordinance was passed prohibiting the placing of posters on public property. Caption of the ordinance reads as follows: AN ORDINANCE MAKING IT AN OFFENSE TO PASTE, STICK OR PLACE ANY ADVERTISEMENT, HANDBILL, PLACARD OR PRINTED, PICTURED OR WRITTEN MATTER OR THING FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES UPON ANY FENCE, RAILING, SIDEWALK, TELEPHONE, ELECTRIC LIGHT OR UTILITY POLE OR OTHER PUBLIC PROPERTY; PROVIDING A SEVERA- BILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED $200.00 FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. PUBLIC HEARING-PAVING EASEMENTS AND/OR ALLEYS City Manager Orman opened the Public Hearing by reading the ordinance as prepared by City Attorney Nichols. Councilman Mallon asked if there were areas in the Brookhaven Development that would be affected? Mr. Napier answered, yes, in the northern part. Councilman Mallon asked, how about where it abuts another development which does not have paved easements? This was covered in the ordinance and would not have to be paved by the developer. Mr. Lee Folse of Brookhaven Development Company said one thing that wasn't mentioned was playground areas. Mr. John Gibson, Engineer, said Richardson and Mesquite were the only towns in the area who have such an ordinance. Councilman Mallon said he thinks the ordinance could be changed to read 'or other public property where such paving would be suitable'. Councilman Knox suggested 'to the dis- cretion of the Plan Commission and the City Engineer'. Councilman Hamilton said he would like to study the ordinance more thoroughly be- fore passage. Councilman Mallon asked, if passage is postponed will we have to call another public hearing? City Manager Orman explained the hearing could be continued. Councilman Knox announced the hearing would be continued until the next regular council meeting. LINE CHANGE ON 16" WATER LINE City Manager Orman asked the Council for a voice of approval on changing the route of a 16" water line around the south end of the city because of the City's inability to obtain the Bee Street extension easement from the Glidewell property without condemnation proceedings, The additional cost will be $2,700 which would probably be less than the cost of condemna- tion. Councilman Hamilton moved approval of the change after determining the money was available, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes". SPECIAL PERMITS AREA WEST OF HIGHWAY 77 City Engineer Napier presented the following requests for special permits. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that these requests be granted. Mr. Carl Mirkes requested building permit for a building in connection with a utility yard. This building has been moved onto the property now being used for an equipment yard. Mr. Napier said it will actually be a continuation of the present use. Councilman Hamilton asked if this building was moved into the City before permission was granted? Mr. Napier said, it was. Councilmen Page and Hamilton expressed their feelings on such a procedure and said the City should be able to con- trol this type move in. It was explained to them the ordinance just passed on inspecting buildings before moving them in would go into effect within a few days (30 days after publication of the Caption of the ordinance). Councilman Mallon moved approval of this request but said we should have procedure where it cannot happen again seconded by Councilman Hamilton, all voting "ayes". Consider Mr. C. G. Thomas' request for operation of a mortar-mixing plant on Mr. Toombs property at Valley View and Nicholson Road. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a one-year temporary permit with option for a longer period unless conditions had changed and the property was in demand for better uses. The sand and water for mixing the mortar will come from Mr. Toombs. Councilman Mallon said industry needs to be encouraged in the area but a mixing plant can be a terrible looking operation. He added, he would like to have them submit the building plan so the Council can see if the operation and building can be a credit to the area. After discussion of the appearance of the plant and the route the trucks will take through the City, the request was tabled for more information from Mr. Thomas. Consider request of Gifford-Hill Company to mine highway materials in an area south of Farmers Branch Creek and west of Rock Island Railroad for construction of IH 35-E. Mr. Napier explained that members of the Plan Commission had visited the site and recommended the request be granted since most property around the area is being or has been exca- vated. Councilman Hamilton said, this would be against what the Coun- cil has been thinking of preventing. Councilman Mallon asked, is it customary to have them fill the pits? Mr. Napier said, no. Councilman Mallon said he could not see how they can be stopped with pits all around, it would not create an additional problem. Mr. Napier said, it would be difficult to use the area for anything else, the creek is north boundary of area. Councilman Hamilton asked if it would increase the problem of changing the channel for drainage. Mr. Napier said he did not see how it would. Councilman Mallon moved approval of the request provided the material be used for construction of IH 35E, seconded by Councilman Page, all voting "ayes". WESTERN DAY IN CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH Mr. Bob Burns, representing the merchants of Farmers Branch Shopping Center, requested permission to hold a city wide Western Day celebra- tion on the shopping center property in honor of the Center's first anniversary. He said this will be a one-day event and asked the Mayor for a Proclamation which was granted. PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET Councilman Hamilton moved the Public Hearing on the 1960-1961 Budget be held on Wednesday, August 31, at 7:30 P. M., seconded by Councilman Mallon, passed unanimously. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Dorthanna Williams, City Secretary 1 n 1'~9 /off