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1975-05-05 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING May 5, 1975 Members of thQ City Council present were: Mayor George G. Grimmer Councilmen: John Dodd Bill McClung Bill Binford Members of the City Council absent were: Mayor Pro Tem W. P. Linn Councilman Ken Quevreaux vlra -:Linn- and Mr .__Quevreaux were out of town. on business and the absence was recognized as being excused. Members of the City Administration present were: City Manager Paul M. West City Attorney Doug McCallon City Secretary J. W. Wade Director of Staff Services Glenn Moore Secretary Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of May 5, 1975 to order at 7:30 P. M. . AGENDA ITEM NO. 1. - INVOCATION. Glenn Moore gave the invocation. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2. - APPROVAL OF MINUTES. After some consideration, a motion by Councilman McClung; a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of April 21, 1975 as submitted. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3. - PRESENTATION OF MERITORIOUS CITIZEN AWARD. Mayor Grimmer presented a Meritorious Citizen Award to Mr. Richard Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds alerted and removed Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs and their 10 year old daughter from a burning apartment unit on Fyke Road. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4. - CONSIDER SETTING A DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEAR ING TO HEAR THE REQUEST OF THE -DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE _ DISTRICT FOR A ZONE CHANGE FROM F-2 TO E-3 WITH A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW COLLEGE USES, ON THE 204.784 ACRE TFACT AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF VALLEY VIEW LANE .ANT'S MARSH LANE. Vol. 24, Page 9. Mayor Grimmer stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the request by the Dallas County Community College for a zone change from a current zoning of R-2 to R -3 with a Specific Use Permit permitting college uses on a 204. 784 acre tract of land located at the northeast corner of Valley View Lane at Marsh Lane, with the following conditions: 1. Prior to any development or improvements on the property, a site plan be approved by the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The site plan shall show proposed public and private streets, building sites, drainage systems, utility easements, parking lots, and any other details that are necessary to determine the relationship of the proposed development to and on adjacent property. 2. If the property is developed other than for college uses, the development shall comply with R-2 standards. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", set the date of June 2, -1975 as the date for a public hearing to consider-the request of the Dallas County Community College for a zone change. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. - CONSIDER REQUEST FOR RATE INCREASE BY SOUTMVESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY. Mr. Ray Horak, Unit Manager of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, presented a request for a rate increase for local exchange service for the Farmers Branch telephone exchange. Mr. Horak stated that on August 9, 1974 the Telephone Company presented a request to the City of Pallas for a telephone rate increase and on August 12, 1974, the City of Dallas and some area cities chose to obtain the services of the Stanford Research Institute to make a study of the rate increase request. After some 8 months, the Stanford Research Institute report was completed and recommended that Southwestern Bell Telephone Company be granted a rate increase amounting to 22. 5 Million Dollars. This figure was exactly what the Telephone Company had originally requested to the City of Dallas. The City of Pallas Utilities Depart- ment had obtained "another recommendation which documented a revenue deficiency of $19, 923,000 in the Pallas Metropolitan exchange area. This recommendation was accepted and a rate ordinance was passed by the City of Dallas on April 28, 1975. Mr. Horak stated that the Telephone Company needs the rate increase because of rapid inflation, increasing capital investment requirements and in order to maintain and to improve the quality of telephone service in the Dallas Metro- politan area. Mr. Horak requested the passage of an ordinance approving the new schedule of telephone rates for local service that was filed with the City Secretary on April 29, 1975 and to become effective May 1, 1975. i Vol. 24, Page 10. There was discussion between Mr. Horak and the City Council members concerning: coin operated telephone service; maintaining and improving service in Farmers Branch; and, the amount that would be increased on the telephone bill to the customer. After more discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Bin ford, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1061: AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AND PRESCRIBING THE RATES TO BE CHARGED FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE WITHIN THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, BY SOUTHWESTERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY; PROVIDING FOR. THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RATES; PROVIDING FOR. RATES AND CHARGES FOR MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBMITTED IN FORMS OF TARIFFS; PROVIDING THAT BILLS AND STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNTS SHALL NOT BECOME DELINQUENT UNTIL 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF BILLING; PROVIDING FOR A SPECIAL RESERVE; PROVIDING; FOR AN ANNUAL DETERMINATION OF REVENUE REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING FOR ACCEPTANCE BY THE COMPANY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING THAT TELEPHONE FRANCHI`~ ORDINANCES AS AMENDED SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE ANT) EFFECT. Councilman Binford noted that the City of Farmers Branch participated in i the Stanford Research Institute study which the city has a copy of the report. MAYOR GRIMMER RECOGNIZED BOY SCOUT TROUP NO. 835. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6. CONSIDER COUNCIL'S POSITION ON THE PROPOSED DALLAS COUNTY BOND PROGRAM. Commission Jim Jackson for Dallas County District No. I stated that the County has had conversations with City Manager Paul West concerning the proposed County Bond Program. Commissioner Jackson stated that he believed the items discussed with Mr. West could be done concerning the bridge on Valley View at the river. Mr. Judson Shook, Director of Public Works of Dallas County, displayed some charts for viewing and discussion, The charts showed: 1. Approximate length of bridge on Valley View over river to be 1700'; 2. Original proposal for improvements for: Valley View Lane (a 3 lane bridge and road) in the amount of $2, 000, 000; Marsh Lane (Brookhaven to Belt Line Road) in the amount of $1, 717, 000; Valley View Lane (Templeton to Marsh Lane -4 lanes) in the amount of $739, 000; total of estimated dollars available May, 1978 to be $4, 456, 000. 00; Vol. 24, Page 11. 3. Available May, 1975 Dollars to be $3, 427, 000 for projects less engineering of $242, 000. 4. Cost of Six Lane Bridge at $25 per sq, ft. (90' x 17001) without approaches = $3, 825, 000 5. Cost of Four Lane Bridge (66' x 17001) at $25 per sq, ft. without approaches = $2, 805, 000, with $228, 000 left to build approaches. Mr. Shook stated that the County feels confident in getting a 4 lane bridge but hesitate in planning for a 6 lane bridge because of the cost, if the city was willing to abandon the widening of Marsh Lane from Brookhaven to Belt Line Road and Valley View lane from Templeton to Marsh Lane. Mr. Shook. stated that he hesitated to say that the bridge could be built for $20 a sq. ft, instead of the projected $25 amount. Mr. Shook stated that alternate bids could be requested for the 6 lane bridge. Mr. Shook and Commissioner Jackson stated that the County would hesitate to alter the bond program to exclude the two road projects in favor of the wider bridge if Carrollton and Addison oppose dropping the Marsh Lane widening project. Commissioner Jackson stated that he had talked with three of the four other Commissioners and they have given consent to do whatever is decided upon as long as it did not increase the money. There was discussion that the proposed money allocated for Projects No. 50 and 76 could be allocated to the project on the bridge on Valley View Lane. There was discussion of the building of a 4 lane bridge versus the 6 lane bridge. There was discussion of the straightening of the intersection of Belt Line Road and Marsh Lane> Councilman Dodd stated he felt there is a need to open access to the area for industrial development in the western portion of Farmers Branch, He stated he feels this is in the best interest for the citizens of Farmers Branch. Councilman McClung spoke opposing the proposed County Bond Program, He stated he feels the citizens of Farmers Branch are not getting enough out of the program compared with what they will be paying. Mayor Grimmer stated that by opening up the area with a 6 lane bridge, the city could offset the higher taxes which would be required to finance the Bond Program by having a larger tax base because of more valuable land. d There was discussion on the interchange plans for Valley View and I. H. 635, 4 Vol. 24, Page 12. City Manager Paul West stated he feels the city will get the greatest benefit out of the bond money if the bridge is built because of the tax base increase and because of the County is the only one that can build the bridge since there is overlapping jurisdiction. Mayor Grimmer encouraged the Council to consider changing their stand on the bond issue, and support the bond program. There was more discussion of taking all the monies allotted for the proposed projects in the Bond Program for Farmers Branch and putting them on for the building of a 6 lane bridge. There was discussion that the 6 lane bridge is more advantageous for Farmers Branch but a 4 lane bridge would be acceptable if we cannot get the 6 lane bridge. There was discussion,_that if the Dallas County Bond Program passed there would be an average of 27% increase in taxes by the County. After more discussion, Councilman Dodd made a motion instructing the City Administration to draw up an appropriate resolution that would be in support of the Dallas County Bond Program proposal provided the County designates the funds of the Marsh Lane project and the Valley View Lane (from Templeton to Marsh Lane) project to the Valley View i bridge and street project for a six lane bridge. Councilman Binford seconded the motion. The motion carried 2 to l with ` Councilmen Dodd and Binford voting "ayeand Councilman McClung voting "nay,'. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7. - CONSIDER. AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR BRIDGES ON MIDWAY ROAD AT FARMERS BRANCH CREEK WITH CONNECTING PAVING. City Manager Paul Vest stated that plans and specifications are nearing completion on the Midway Road bridges over Farmers Branch Creek. These plans include two three-lane bridges and 354 L. F. of 8" concrete pavement. It is proposed that the property owners be assessed for the concrete pave- ment. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Council- man McClung, all voting "aye", authorized the advertisement for bids for bridges on Midway Road at Farmers Branch Creek with connecting paving. MAYOR GRIMMER ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL SESSION HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED AND THERE IS ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Grimmer explained that Article 6252-17, Section 2 of the open meeting law provided that such items as Personnel Matters may be discussed in closed session. Vol. 24, Page 13. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8. - EXECUTIVE SESSION. a. Discuss Personnel Matters Appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commision were discussed. An appointment to the Library Board was discussed. Appointments of Councilmen to the Regional Transportation Policy Advisory Committee were discussed. There was discussion of having a meeting with the Dallas County Community College Board before the public hearing in June. THE MEETING WAS OPENED BACK INTO GENERAL SESSION. Upon a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", appointed Pete Sherman to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Place 1 for a term of three ,years, and reappointed Basil Weaver to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Place 2 for a term of three ,years, conditioned upon their acceptance of the appointment. Upon a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", appointed Mrs. DeWitt Moffett to serve on the Library Board for a term of two years, conditioned upon the acceptance of the appointment. Upon a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", appointed Councilmen Binford and Quevreaux to continue serving on the Regional Transportation Policy Advisory Committee. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9. - ADJOURNMENT. Upon a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of May 5, 1975 at 9:30 P.M. . ayo Ge e Gr mer Z C) City S retary J. W. Wade Vol. 24, Page 14.