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1975-10-06 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING October 6, 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 Binford 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 A. Moore Secretary Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of October 6, 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 Linn, a second by Council- man Dodd, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of September 15, 1975 after the word "check" was changed to "checked" in the last .sentence of the first paragraph under the Agenda Item No. 8, on page 75, AGENDA ITEM NO. 3, -PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS. Mayor Grimmer presented service awards for employment with the city to the following: Edna Kelly of Finance Department for 10 years of service; Delbert J. Dyer and William L, Moore of the Fire Department for 15 years of service; and, Lowell C. Tribble of the Police Department and Tom Scales of the Building Inspection Division for 5 years of service. Vol. 24, Page 89. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4. -CONSIDER PETITION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ALPHA ROAD. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo from the City Administration: There is one unplatted tract of land on the south side of Alpha Road near Beta Road. The right-of-way for Alpha Road has not been dedicated and the street has not been paved adjacent to this tract. Alpha Road and Spring Valley Road are the only east-west streets in this area which provide access to the east of Dallas Parkway. The paving of this section is needed for better access. The estimated cost of the required right-of-way is $4, 500. 00. The estimated cost of the paving is $5, 000. 00. Ninety percent, or $4, 500. 00, of the paving cost can be assessed against the property owner. The initial cost to the City will be approximately $9, 500. 00 for both paving and right-of-way. The net cost, after assess- ments are levied, will be approximately $5, 000. 00. A petition had been presented to the city containing 382 signatures, requesting the City of Farmers Branch to finish paving an approximate 100 linear foot by 30 foot section of the 4300 block of Alpha Road. Mr. Tate Welton of Western Union, whose office is located on Alpha Road, spoke in behalf of the petitioners making the request because they believe since Alpha Road carries a tremendous amount of daily traffic it is a definite safety hazard. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Council- man Quevreaux, all voting "aye", authorized the City Manager to acquire the required right-of-way and that the paving improvements be made a part of the contract for proposed improvements on Midway Road, and authorized the construction of paving improvements in accordance with assessment procedures. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. -CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 75-033 INITIATING IMPROVEMENTS ON A PORTION OF MIDWAY ROAD AND ALPHA ROAD. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo from the City Administration: The proposed improvement to Alpha Road are those which were considered in Agenda Item No. 4. The improvements to Midway Road include the construction of bridges across Farmers Branch Creek, and paving of Midway at the bridges. This paving, together with the temporary transi- tion paving, will connect with existing pavement. The north-bound lane between the bridges and Spring Valley is not a part of these improvements, and will be constructed by the subdivider at the time the adjacent property is platted. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council- man Quevreaux, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 75-033 that declares it a necessity to improve a section of Midway Road and Alpha Road. Vol. 24, Page 90. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6. -HEAR REPORT ON BLUEBONNET SEEDING. A slide program was presented showing that selected parks and medians have been seeded with bluebonnets. The program explained that the - bluebonnet seeds were put through the hydromulch machine for in hopes of a much faster germination period. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7. - CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP IN AMERICAN ASSOCIA- TION OF SMALL CITIES. REQUESTED BY MAYOR GRIMMER. Mayor Grimmer stated that he requested that this item be placed on the agenda because small cities are under-represented in Washington, D. C. and he is concerned about this. The Council reviewed information from Al Koebig, Mayor of Seguin concerning the organization of a steering committee composed of representatives of smaller cities throughout Texas that is named American Association of Small Cities. This new association can provide the opportunity all of the small cities have long sought to solve with the many problems with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. Mr. Koebig in the information sent, encouraged the city's participation as a charter member. Annual dues are minimal: 1/2~ per capita population, based on 1970 Census figures. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", authorized to enter a membership in the American Association of Small Cities. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8. -CONSIDER REQUEST FOR CIVIC AND PHILANTHROPIC USE. REQUESTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES. Mrs. Ruby Smith of the Farmers Branch-Carrollton Association for Children with Learning Disabilities presented a request for permission to have a garage sale to raise money for the organization. They request to locate their garage sale at the old Farmers Branch Elementary School on Valley View Lane. The Association plans to use the hallway, one room and the outside breezeway areas for displaying items for sale. The sale is scheduled for October 17, 18, and 19. It will be conducted from 9:00 a, m, tit 5:00 p.m.. There was discussion of the organization obtaining permission from the School District to use the premises for this request. After some consideration, a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Council- man McClung, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 75-034 granting the Farmers Branch-Carrollton Association for Children with Learning Disabilities permission to hold the garage sale as requested, conditioned upon the organization securing permission to use the property of the Farmers Branch-Carrollton School District. Vol. 24, Page 91. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9, -HEAR REPORT ON SWIMMING POOL OPERATION, 1975 SEASON. A slide program was presented showing slides representing a day by day pictorial survey as to the number of swimmers in the pool at any given time. The slides were taken from the same location as to give a true and accurate picture as to the swimming loads for the 1975 season. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10. -CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1077 -REVISIONS TO THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE. Information sent to the City Council in a memo from the Administration: The Subdivision Ordinance was amended at the last meeting to provide for City Council approval of final plats. The requirement for a General Develop- ment Plan was deleted by that revision. Other changes are needed to realize the advantages obtained by Council approval of final plats and to provide better administrative control prior to the time that a final plat is submitted to the Council for consideration. These changes are incorporated in the proposed Ordinance No, 1077 that is being presented for consideration. A summary of the changes were reviewed by the Council from the memo from the Administration. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Council- man Dodd, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1077: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, ADOPTING CERTAIN RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PLATTING AND SUBDIVIDING OF LAND AS PROVIDED FOR IN ARTICLE 974 (A) OF VERNON'S REVISED CIVIL STATUES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS; AND UNDER THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. AGENDA ITEM NO. 11. -CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1078 - DESIGNATING SCHOOL GONE AT TOM FIELD ROAD AND FARMERS BRANCH LANE AND AT JOSEY LANE AND FARMERS BRANCH LANE. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from, a memo from the City Administration: A number of school children cross Farmers Branch Lane at Tom Field Road to follow the sidewalk on the south side of Farmers Branch Lane to Janie Stark School. The proposed Ordinance No. 1078 establishes a 20 M. P. H. zone during limited partsof the day so that a crosswalk may pro- vide for better protection of these children. There is another group of children who cross Farmers Branch Lane near Josey Lane to use the crosswalk across Josey Lane on the south side of Farmers Branch Lane. Proposed Ordinance No. 1078 will establish a 20 M. P. H. zone for the protection of those children and which will also serve as an indication to a driver that he is entering a school zone on Josey Lane. Vol. 24, Page 92. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council- man Dodd, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1078: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1075 BY ADDING ADDITIONAL SECTIONS OF STREETS AS SCHOOL ZONES, REGULATING THE SPEED OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO 20 M. P. H. IN SAID SCHOOL ZONES; ESTABLISHING A MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF 20 M. P. H. AT DESIGNATED SCHOOL ZONES; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THIS ORDINANCE NOT TO EXCEED TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS ($200. 00); REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND PROVIDING AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE. AGENDA ITEM NO. 12. - CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1079 - REVISING RATES FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo from the City Administration: Proposed Ordinance No. 1079 being presented increases the charge for ambulance service to a single fee of $25. 00. The last adjustment in ambulance service charges was May, 1957. The present charges are $10.00 to hospitals in Farmers Branch or Carrollton and $17. 50 to all other hospitals. Councilman McClung opposed increasing the ambulance service charge. He stated that he would like to see the service free rather than increasing it. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Council- man Linn, adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1079: The motion carried 3 to 2 with Councilmen Dodd, Linn and Quevreaux voting "aye", and with Councilmen Binford and McClung voting "nay". AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS FIXING A FEE OF $25. 00 FOR EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE TO BE PAID BY THE PERSON RECEIVING SUCH SERVICE OR THE PERSON CONTRACTING FOR SUCH SERVICE; EXCEPTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. AGENDA ITEM NO. 13. - CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1080 - APPROVING ROLLS AND ESTIMATES AND SETTING DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR SPUR TRAIL PAVING PROJECT. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo from the City Administration: Spur Trail is being improved between Webb Chapel Road and Brookhollow Drive with City forces. The adjacent property owners are being assessed for the cost of the ribbon curbing at the edge of the pavement. These property owners have previously agreed to pay $2. 00 per foot for these improvements. The rolls and estimates have been prepared and is being presented in Ordinance No. 1080 for approval. The proposed Ordinance also sets the date of November 17, 1975 as the date for the public hearing. Vol. 24, Page 93. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council- man Binford, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned Crdinance No. 1080: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE WRITTEN STATEMENT AND REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER, SHOWING THE ESTIMATES OF THE TOTAL COSTS OF ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS OF SPUR TRAIL, THE ESTIMATES OF THE COSTS PER FOOT PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE ABUTTING PROPERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF, WITHIN THE LIMITS HEREINBELOW DESCRIBED AND OF OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO; DETERMINING AND FIXING THE PORTION OF SAID COSTS AND THE RATE THEREOF PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST AND PAID BY THE ABUTTING PROPERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF; DETERMING THE NECESSITY OF LEVYING AN ASSESSMENT AGAINST SAID ABUTTING PROPERTY, AND THE REAL AND TRUE OWNERS THEREOF FOR THE PORTION OF SAID COSTS APPORTIONED TO THEM; ORDERING AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING IN FARMERS BRANCH AT 7:30 O'CLOCK P.M. ON THE 17 DAY CF NOVEMBER, 1975, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE POLICE BUILDING OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE HEARING OF SAID ABUTTING PROPERTY AND ALL OTHERS INTERESTED IN SAID ABUTTING PROPERTY OR IN ANY OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND CONTRACT CONCERNING SAID ASSESSMENTS, PROCEEDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS; DIRECTING THE CITY SECRETARY OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, TO GIVE NOTICE OF SAID HEARING AS REQUIRED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UPON ITS PASSAGE. AGENDA ITEM NO. 14. -CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 75-032-AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF CARROLLTON IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTER- SECTION OF MARSH LANE AND BELT LINE ROAD. Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo from the City Administration: There is an offset of approximately 600 feet in the alignment of Marsh Lane where it intersects with Belt Line Road. This alignment causes a traffic problem for traffic on both Marsh Lane and Belt Line Road. A plan has been proposed which will eliminate this offset. Dallas County has agreed to assist in the financing and it is believed that they will assist in coordinating the project. The present and proposed paving passes through the cities of Farmers Branch, Carrollton and A ddison. The exact alignment has not been established. The obligation of each individual city will not be known until this has been done. After some discussion, Councilman Binford made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 75-032 that authorized the City Administration to participate with the County and the cities of Carrollton and Addison in improvements to the intersection of Vol. 24, Page 94 Marsh Lane and Belt Line Road. Councilman Dodd seconded the motion. The motion carried 3 to 2 with Councilmen Binford, Dodd and Linn voting "aye", and with Councilmen McClung and Quevreaux voting "nay". OTHER COMMENTS. Mrs. Carol Dingman requested the investigation by the Administration of providing the flashers to flash in the school zones for the morning kindergarten children when they are dismissed from school. Mrs. Tom Ravell, 3465 Rockmartin, reported of having low water pressure at her home. 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. THE MEETING WILL BE OPENED BACK INTO GENERAL SESSION AFTER THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Grimmer explained that Article 6252-17, Section 2 of the open meeting law provided that such item as Land Acquisition may be discussed in closed session. AGENDA ITEM NO. 15. - EXECUTIVE SESSION. a. Discuss Land Acquisition There was discussion of possible interest of the acquisition of the Mallon Estate property. There was discussion of acquiring the necessary right-of-way for Alpha Road improvements. THE MEETING WAS OPENED BACK INTO GENERAL SESSION. A motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman Binfor d, all voting "aye", authorized the City Administration to make an offer of fair market value for the necessary right-of-way on Alpha Road and if not accepted proceed with condemnation. Councilman Quevreaux made a motion to dispense with any further investigation for possible purchase of the Mallon Estate property. Councilman Linn seconded the motion. The motion carried 4 to 1 with Council- men Quevreaux, Linn, McClung and Binford voting "aye", and with Councilman Dodd voting "nay". Councilman Dodd stated he voted nay because he did not know enough information on this matter. Vol. 24, Page 95. AGENDA ITEM NO. 16, -ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of October 6, 1975 at 8:40 p. m. . r Mayor eor rimmer /,J City Se etary J. W. Wade Vol. 24, Page 96.