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1975-06-02 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING June 2, 1975 All members of the City Council were present: Mayor George G. Grimmer Mayor Pro Te.m W. R. Linn Councilmen: John Dodd Bill McClung Ken Quevreaux Bill Binfor d 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 June 2, 1975, to order at 7:30 P. M. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1. -INVOCATION. J. W. Wade gave the invocation. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2. - APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 19, 1975. After some consideration, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Binford, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of May 19, 1975 as submitted. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3. -HEAR DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS IN CONNECTION WITH PROPERTY ON SUNBECK CIRCLE. REQUESTED BY THE PASTOR OF THE LOVE FIELD ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH. This item was withdrawn from the agenda at the request of the Pastor of the Love Field Assembly of God Church. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4. -CONSIDER REQUESTING THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE. After some consideration, Councilman Linn made a motion requesting the Planning and Zoning Commission to hold public hearings and to recommend that a specific use permit be required for the building of a church in a residentially zoned area within the city and that the previous moratorium that no building permits be issued for construction of any church in a residentially zoned area continue, pending the study and final determination by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. Councilman Dodd seconded the motion and all voted "aye". Vol. 24, Page 23. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. -PUBLIC HEARING: TO CONSIDER A REQUEST BY 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. Mayor Grimmer opened the public hearing to consider a request for a zone change from 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. Dr. Deon Holt, Vice Chancellor of Banning of the Dallas County Community College District, requested the approval of a zone change from R-2 to R-3 with a specific use permit to allow them to build a college on the property at the northeast corner of Valley View Lane at Marsh Lane. Mayor Grimmer stated the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the zone be changed to R-3 and the specific use permit be granted allowing college uses 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 the 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 proposed development to and on adjacent property. 2. If the property is developed other than for college uses, the development should comply with R-2 standards. Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak in favor of the request. The following spoke: Mrs. Anna Crowder, 3538 Cloverdale, Farmers Branch, spoke in favor of the request. She spoke of the value of college training and of the need for higher learning facilities. Dr. Jerome Keating, 2513 High Trail, Carrollton, Texas, spoke in favor of the zone change request. He stated that Brookhaven College would provide the opportunity for one to further their education. Mrs. Clara Rosenthal, 4050 Crestpark, Farmers Branch, spoke in favor of having a college in Farmers Branch. Mrs. Rosenthal spoke in concern of projected traffic increase on Marsh Lane if the college is built. She questioned the plans for streets going through the college property. Vol. 24, Page 24. Mrs. Joan Holliday, 14424 Hague, Farmers Branch, urged the City Council to get the college built in Farmers Branch as soon as possible. Mrs. Nancy Benedict, 3028 Selma, spoke in favor of the request. Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak in opposition of the request. The following spoke: Mr. O. R. Rains, 3604 Tanglewood Circle, Farmers Branch, stated that he was for the college but not at all costs as indicated by some. He requested the Council to first consider the city's financial obligation and then the traffic problems. There being no other speaking, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", closed the public hearing. Councilman Dodd made a motion, with a second by Councilman Linn, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1062: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, BY CHANGING THE ZONING DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION OF A 204.784 ACRE TRACT OF LAND GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF MARSH LANE AND VALLEY VIEW LANE, FROM R-2 TO R-3 WITH A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT ALLOWING COLLEGE USES; AND GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ALLOWING COLLEGE USES; PRO- VIDING FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200. 00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6. -CONSIDER PROPOSAL OF AN ALTERNATE ROUTE OF THE ALPHA ROAD EXTENSION. REQUESTED BY MRS. EDITH ROMAINE. Mrs. Edith Romaine, 3062 Randy Lane, Farmers Branch, presented a report compiled by Carol Dingman, 3605 Tanglewood Circle, Farn-e rs Branch, Ann Zwald, 13761 Littlecrest Drive and herself of a study on the proposed Brookhaven College. Mrs. Romain stated the study was made for the membership of the American Assoication of University Women, Farmers Branch - Carrollton area. The report contained comments concerning the following: city services, such as police and fire protection; taxes and land value; jobs created that would be within the college; community benefits from the college; past history on the property, and, Sam Wyse's report. The report gave two alternates to the road plan for the college property: 1. Build the college and leave the roads the way they are now. People will find their own alternate routes or leave earlier in order to arrive on time. 2. Extend Alpha Road west to dead-end into a new north-south road running along the east edge of the campus from Valley View to Spring Valley. Have Alpha Road start again at Marsh and run diagonally to Valley View. Vol. 24, Page 25. 0 A copy of the report presented by Mrs. Romaine will be filed with this minute book for record. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7. - DISCUSS SYSTEM OF VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENT FUND. REQUESTED BY COUNCILMAN DODD. Councilman Dodd presented an idea to the City Council whereby citizens would be asked to contribute 50~ a month which would be included on their water bill to be put into a capital improvement fund for parks and recreation. He stipulated that citizens would be doing this on voluntary contribution procedure. He stated the idea has been a success in another community nearby. The fund could be used for more tennis courts, buying equipment and other park and recreation facilities. Councilman Dodd mentioned that this idea could be worked in with Bicentennial programs. Councilman Quevreaux opposed the idea of asking citizens for voluntary contributions. There was discussion of possible problems and the need of educating the citizens on the idea if considered. Councilman McClung made a motion that citizens could be notified by the next month's newsletter requesting their opinions on whether or not they would voluntary contribute for a park improvement fund. After some discussion, Councilman McClung withdrew his motion. Mr. Ray Thacker, 14527 Tanglewood, was to be as a Bicentennial program, the Bicentennial Committee. Farmers Branch, stated if the idea he requested it be requested through Mrs. Joan Holliday, 14424 Hague, Farmers Branch, spoke in favor of Councilman Dodd's proposal. Councilman Dodd made a motion to table this consideration for further study by the Administration and be brought back to the City Council at the next meeting. Councilman Linn seconded the motion, and all voted "aye". AGENDA ITEM NO. 8. - CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1063 AMENDING FENCE REQUIREMENTS. Ordinance No. 1063 is proposed to allow decorative and ornamental type fences. The ordinance permits these fences in residential zones only. The proposed ordinance would prohibit solid screening type fences in the front yard. Vol. 24, Page 26. After some discussion of correcting the second sentence of No. 1 on the first page to read: All portions of fences shall be of rigid construction with an expected life of not less than fifteen (15) years. , a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1063 with the correction as discussed: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED BY AMENDING SECTION 8-39, FRONT YARDS; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO - HUNDRED ($200. 00) DOLLARS FOR EACH OFFENSE; PRO- VIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9. - CONSIDER AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF MUNICIPAL FUNDS FOR PERMANENT EQUIPMENT TO BE USED IN THE JOINT CITY - SCHOOL RECREATION PROGRAMS. City Manage Paul West explained that the city has been asked by the Farmers Branch-Carrollton School District to supply funds for the purchase of perma- nent type recreational equipment to be used inthe school gymnasiums. The equipment that would be placed in the school's gyms would be used both by the city and the school, whether it be physical educational classes run by the school during the day, or recreational activities that may be run by the city after school hours and possibly/ on weekends. This request by the School District also includes funds for installation of a score board at Vivian Field Junior High and electrical service for a possible restroo.m- concession stand facility. Equipment to be used in both the elementary schools would include climbing ropes, high jump standards, volleyball nets, table tennis tables, tumbling and gymnastic .mats, vaulting horse, reuther boards, gym dollies and game cones. Total cost for the equipment and service hook ups would be approximately $5, 000. 00. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", authorized the appropriation of $5, 000. 00 to be placed in the Recreation Division's budget for purchase of recreation equip- ment for gymnasiums at Valwood and Farmers Branch Elementary schools and a score board and electrical connections at Vivian Vield Junior High. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10. - CONSIDER AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 72" ROTARY MOWER AND TRAILER AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR PUR C HA S E. City Manager Paul West gave the following information: Three bids were received for a 72" rotary mower and trailer to be used by the Parks Depart- ment. Goldthwaite's of Dallas was the only bidder meeting the specifications. Goldthwaite's bid $3, 480. 75 for the mower and $955. 00 for the trailer. The total bid was $4, 435. 75. Mr. West stated that it was the recommendation of the City Administration to appropriate funds and award the contract to Goldthwaite's of Dallas for the mower and trailer. Vol. 24, Page 27. After reviewing all bids, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman Linn, all voting "aye", awarded the contract to Goldthwaite's of Dallas for the 72" rotary mower and trailer in the total amount of $4, 435. 75, and authorized the appropriation of funds for the purchase. OTHER COMMENTS. Mrs. Joan Holliday, 14424 Hague, Farmers Branch, commended Council- man Dodd for taking the time to attend a meeting of citizens and discuss the Brookhaven College situation. Mrs. Mikey Canterbury, 3539 Cloverdale, Farmers Branch, also thanked Councilman Dodd. Mr. Ray Thacker, 14527 Tanglewood, commended the City Council on what a good job they are doing. MAYOR GRIMMER ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL SESSION HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED AND THERE ARE 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, Land Acquisitions, and, Pending and Contemplated Litigation may be discussed in closed session. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11. - EXECUTIVE SESSION a. Discuss Personnel Matters An appointment to the Library Board was discussed. b. Discuss Land Acquisition There was discussion concerning landfill facilities. There was discussion concerning the Valley View Elementary School property. c. Discuss Pending and Contemplated Litigation City Attorney Doug McCallon gave a status report on the Oakbrook suit. THE MEETING WAS OPENED BACK INTO GENERAL SESSION. Upon a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", appointed Ray Flaherty to serve on the Library Board for a term to expire May 2, 1977. AGENDA ITEM NO. 12. - ADJOURNMENT. Upon a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of June 2, 1975 at 10;12 P M. . a, or eor G. immer City cretary J. W. Wade Vol. 24, Page 28.