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1958-11-17 CC Minutes1 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF COUNCILMEN FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS NOVEMBER 17, 1958 The City Council convened in a regular meeting on November 17, 1958 at the Community Building at 7:30 P.M. with the following present: Mayor Councilmen City Manager Administrative-Aide City Planner City Attorney City Secretary Lawson Lewis Thomas Reeder H. N. Mallon Oley Attebery Don Knox J. M. Orman Bill Mallery Bob Hollin Louis Nichols Dorthanna Williams Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order. Rev. Wagner, Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church gave the invocation. 1 The minutes of a regular meeting of November 3rd. were corrected and approved. ORDINANCE TO CREATE PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION There was a thorough discussion of all phases of the ordinance, such as appointments, number on Commission, asking uncooperative and/or inactive members to resign so that a complete membership would be ac- tive and take full part in all meetings and activities. Also, there was a discussion of a portion of the panel being women. Attorney Nichols was asked to make several changes in the Ordinance and pre- sent it to the Council at the next regular meeting. PLANNER BOB HOLLIN'S REPORT T Mr. Hollin brought a work map so the Council could more easily follow his discussion of the Dennis Road project. He has had four meetings with the County officials; one with Lynn Lawther, one with Clinger and two with Marvin Springer. He expressed his surprise and delight in that the County is moving so fast on this project. The City still needs deeds from the Fry and Clark property. Mr. Hollin plans a future meet- ing with Dallas City Manager Crull and Mr. Stirman to discuss Dennis Road where the Farmers Branch line and Dallas line meet. Carrollton is ready to start on the north end of the project right away and wants the County's help as soon as possible. In answer to a question by Councilman Mallon, Mr. Hollin reported that in his original contract approximately 75% of the work is completed, how- ever, Mr. Hollin has done considerable work not covered in the Contract. Mr. Hollin has actually been acting as Consulting Planner to the Coun- cil as well as the Director of Planning to the Planning and Zoning Com- S® mission and City Manager; also, he has attended numerous meetings with both bodies. Mr. Hollin gave itemized hours and amounts in General Ad- ministration, preparation and negotiation in Park Planning, his costs for typing and drafting. Councilman Mallon expressed his desire to retain Mr. Hollin for his very valuable services. Councilman Attebery agreed and suggested we set up a yearly contract with him since the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission does not have time or actual technical knowledge of administrative planning affairs. Council- man Knox expressed his agreement if it is possible to do so out of our budget. Manager Orman reported it was not set up in the present budget. Mayor Lewis pointed out our filing fees should take care of most of it. Attorney Nichols was instructed to prepare a Contract to cover services to be rendered as Director of Planning which services are not covered in the present contract for the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan. RAWHIDE CREEK PARKWAY City Attorney Nichols led in a discussion on our agreement, made at a meeting held in June 1958, between Grady Cates and the City on Twilight Trail bridge crossing Rawhide Creek. Councilman Attebery said his un- derstanding in a conversation with Grady Cates that they would build the bridge and connect to Parkway, also pay for storm and drainage sew- ers. Engineer Bob King and Joe J. Rady prepared the cost sheet. Council- man Mallon questioned the amount Cato Corporation a-greed to pay. Council- man Knox said the City should not pay half of the paving cost on Twilight approaches. Attorney Nichols said Cato Corporation wants the Contract closed within a week, and asked if Mayor Lewis and Manager Orman could sign contract if prepared in next few days. Attorney Nichols told the Council that Cato Corporation also wants assurance we will do at least a definite amount this fiscal year. Councilman Mallon asked Attorney Nichols what amount he would suggest so that Cato Corporation would be satisfied and if we might promise this amount for the Calendar year rather than fiscal year. Councilman Attebery asked cost of planting grass and trees. Mr. Goodnight reported on costs of other projects of grass planting. Councilman Attebery said we would have to seed or sod to eliminate erosion. Manager Orman asked for approval of Council to make payment of $30,950 for purchase of Rawhide Creek Park property. Councilman Reeder moved, duly seconded by Councilman Attebery. Passed unanimously. Councilman Attebery questioned the approaches to Dennis and Webb Chapel roads on the Twilight Trail project. Council was in general agreement Cato Corporation would make connections with all weather surfacing. Councilman Attebery added we should have deed to park property east of the apartment house project in Brookhaven. 1 Councilman Mallon moved, duly seconded by Councilman Attebery thay May- or Lewis sign ordinance after Manager Orman and Engineer King check ordinance thoroughly. Passed unanimously. SIDEWALKS Councilman Knox asked for ordinance for s, Councilman Mallon asked Planner Hollin if Mr. Hollin said that not all developments Hawn's development. Councilman Knox said idewalks in all developments. it might restrict development. would need walks, such as Mr. the City should not be requir- 15-1 ed to put in walks. Councilman Mallon asked if we could tie-in with different size lots. Attorney Nichols explained zoning regulations may be applied according to lot sizes. Councilman Attebery reported too many children are having to walk in the streets in traffic. Councilman Knox said the problem is getting larger every year. Planner Hollin was instructed to prepare a review and recommendations for side- walk installation in Farmers Branch. FIRE & POLICE STATION RADIO EQUIPMENT Mayor Lewis introduced to the Council Mr. L. C. Bridges of Greenville Avenue Patrol for the purpose of discussing his contract with the City. Mayor Lewis explained to Mr. Bridges the City is now in a position to put in equipment of their own and would like to work something out to his satisfaction. Mayor Lewis continued, we believed, with Civil De- fense help, we would be able to do our own equipping and staffing. Councilman Attebery asked what portion of the equipment actually belongs to Bridges. All of the equipment, except Mobile Units belong to him. Manager Orman explained we have taken bids on radio equipment. Council- man Attebery explained due to the size of the City we would like to set up our own base station and have our own dispatchers. The radio fre- quency being used by Bridges actually belongs to the City. Attorney Nichols explained to the Council that we have no contract that could not be terminated at any time with Bridges. Mayor Lewis said we have only a verbal agreement we would pay $400 per month so we could have dispatchers on duty 24 hours a day. Councilman Knox moved, duly second- ed by Councilman Attebery we award contract to low bidder Motorola Com- munications & Electronics, Inc. Passed unanimously. The City of Mesquite has asked for a letter from the City of Farmers Branch to the effect that we are agreeable to operate on the same fre- quency. Councilman Attebery said Mobile to Mobile Units would not in- terfere. Mayor Lewis said Police Chief Courtney was agreeable and thought it a good idea. We should find out what Wattage Mesquite will use and if not more than ours should be all right. Councilman Attebery explained in about a year we would be on narrow-band and there would be even less interference and it was good in many ways to be on a frequency with others. Motorola's bid in the amount of $4,121 plus Antenna plus monthly maintenance in the amount of $130 was accepted. We now have a contract with Carter for maintenance on Mobile Units only and should give a months notice on Nobember 25, then December 25 award the mainten- ance contract to Motorola. Councilman Knox moved we accept maintenanbe contract, duly seconded by Councilman Attebery. Passed unanimously. BUILDING CODE City Manager Orman presented the 1957-1958 revision of the Southern Stan- dard Building Code as ready to be passed as an Ordinance. Building Ins- pector Gentry explained the changes which are improvements in that bet- ter grades of lumber must be used. Councilman Reeder moved, duly second- ed by Councilman Knox we accept building code. Passed unanimously. PAVING FRUITLAND & KATY RAILROAD CROSSING Manager- Orman asked authorization for paving of Fruitland Avenue at the Katy R.R. Crossing which work is now in progress. Councilman Reeder .5-1;b moved, duly seconded by Councilman Mallon this authorization be given. Passed unanimously. AWARD CONTRACT TO VANDERGRIFF Manager Orman asked the Council to award a contract to low bidder Van- dergriff Chevrolet Company for three (3) new cars, two (2) for the Po- lice Department and one (1) for the City Manager, total amount $5,055. At the same time Manager Orman explained to the Council there is no money in the funds from which this amount should be paid. He has talk- ed with Lewis Lyne and other sources and found it is not usual to spend bond money for equipment yet it is done. We also owe for a sedan for the Tax Office and a Station Wagon for the Fire Department. Councilman Attebery suggested we borrow money from bond funds and pay back out of the Revenue fund when it is available. Councilman Mallon expressed his agreement. Mayor Lewis asked for an, ordinance to borrow this money for equipment and pay back out of next years budget. Councilman Reeder moved, duly seconded by Councilman Knox we follow this procedure. Pass- ed unanimously. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS Manager Orman explained briefly our purchase order system and asked for approval to pay the following expenditures from Bond Funds: a. $ 891.23 Joe J. Rady & Co. Sewer System Bond Fund b. 1,195.63 Same Water Ditto c. 135.30 Same Street Impvt.Bond Fund d. 6,870.00 Mercantile & Underwood Prorated e. 545.04 Joe J. Rady & Co. Water System Bond Fund f. 212.15 Same Sewer Ditto g. 857.67 Same Water Ditto h. 10,102.48 Elm Fork Const. Co. Sewer Ditto i. 150.00 Joe J. Rady & Co. Sewer Ditto j. 2,250.00 R. W. Hollin, Planner Street Impvt.Bond Fund k. 2,262.76 G.M.A.C.(Sta.Wagon) 1. 1,842.76 G.M.A.C.(Sedan-Tax) M. 7,742.00 Browning-Ferris Machy, Co. n. 9,776.10 Uvalde Const. Co. Street Impvt.Bond Fund o. 159.53 Joe J. Rady & Co. Street Ditto Councilman Mallon requested a financial report for each month so the Council would be alerted of the financial condition of the City. Mr. Lewis Lyne has recommended we invest bond funds we are not planning to use in the next few months. Councilman Mallon moved, duly seconded by Councilman Knox that the Council approve the above payments and invest funds available as recommended by Lewis Lyne. Passed unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS Councilman Knox read a letter from the Chairman, Mrs. Katherine Knox, of the Juvenile Commission that new members were needed to help carry out their program. Four names were presented; Mary Davis, Margaret Gurtler, Cliff Taylor and Avery Bradley. Councilman Attebery moved, duly seconded by Councilman Reeder that these four be accepted as mem- bers. Passed unanimously. ,5-.Y Mayor Lewis read a letter form the League of Texas Municipalities in- viting all elective officers and top administrative employees to a Re- gional Meeting at the Hotel Dallas at 7:00 P.M. Monday, November 24. All of those invited were urged to attend. Mr. L. G. Moore, ex-superintendent of Sanitation Department appeared before the Council in protest of Manager Orman putting him under the Director of Public Works, Lyman Goodnight. Mr. Moore and two of his men resigned after this move by Mr. Orman. The Council explained to Mr. Moore that Manager Orman was in charge of City Employees and his orders would have to be followed. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 12:15 A.M. City Secretary u I