1976-01-19 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR. MEETING
January 19, 1976
Members of the City Council present were:
Mayor George G. Grimmer
Mayor Pro Tem W. R. Linn
Councilmen: John Dodd
Bill McClung
Bill Binford
Member of the City Council absent was:
Councilman Ken Quevreaux
The Council recognized and excused the absence of Councilman Quevreaux.
The absence was due to Councilman Quevreaux being out of town on business.
Members of the City Administration present were:
City Manager Paul M. West
City Secretary J. W. Wade
City Attorney Doug McCallon
Director of Staff Services Glenn Moore
Secretary Ruth Ann Parish
Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of January 19, 1976 to
order at 7:30 P.M.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 1. -INVOCATION
J. W. Wade gave the Invocation.
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY AND PLACED ITEMS ON AGENDA
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council-
man Dodd, all voting "aye", declared an emergency and placed the following
items on the agenda for consideration:
Item No. 5, a. Discuss A Request for Change in Median Opening
Item No. 6, a. Consider Resolution Concerning Unemployment Com-
pensation Extension.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 2. -APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 5, 1976
After some consideration, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council-
man Binford, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting
of January 5, 1976 with the following addition made to page 14 under Agenda
Item 14 to the last paragraph: "Councilman Dodd voted against the motion
because the low bid was not accepted. "
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3. -PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD.
Mayor Grimmer presented a 5 year service award to Dean Youngblood of
the Building Inspection Division for employment with the city.
Vol. 25, Page 17.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4. -PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED: TO CONSIDER.
WHETHER. THE ZONING SHOULD BE CHANGED FROM PD-12 AND PD-13
(MF-2) TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT WITH USES
ALLOWED AS SHOWN ON APPROVED SITE PLAN, OR ANY OTHER
DISTRICT WHICH IS MORE RESTRICTED BY REASON OF LAND USE
OR HEIGHT ON THE FOLLOWING TRACT: OA KBROOK-ON-BROOK-
HAVEN, PHASE 1-B, PHASE 1-C, AND PHASE III AS PLATTED AND
RECORDED WITH THE COUNTY OF DALLAS AND CONTAINING
77.041 ACRES OF LAND MORE OR LESS.
Mayor Grimmer reopened the public hearing for the consideration as stated
in the above captioned.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council: Mr. Louis Nichols, attorney for the Hemisphere Corporation, the
developers of the Oakbrook-on-Brookhaven development has requested 'a
90 day continuance of the Public Hearing. Mr. Nichols has stated that the
Hemisphere Corporation has met with the Oakbrook Homeowners Association,
and the City Administration has prepared a rough alternate site plan. The
90 day continuation is needed to more carefully study the preparation of the
final alternate plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission has continued the
Public Hearing for the rezoning of Oakbrook-on-Brookhaven for a 90 day
period, until April 12, 1976.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends the Public Hearing be
continued until April 19, 1976 for the City Council.
Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone present to represent the Hemisphere
Corporation. No one was present.
Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone present to speak for or against
this consideration. The following spoke:
Mr. Bob Linker. 14435 Valley Hi, reviewed the status of the past months
action of continuance of the zoning hearing of the Oakbrook-on-Brookhaven
development. Mr. Linker requested the City Council to consider a 30 or
60 day continuance instead of the suggested 90 days.
After some discussion, Councilman McClung made a motion to continue the
public hearing for 60 days. Councilman Dodd seconded the motion.
After some discussion concerning the wording of the motion, Councilman
Dodd withdrew his second to the motion and Councilman McClung withdrew
his motion.
Councilman Linn made a motion to request the Planning and Zoning Commission
to reconsider the request of the Hemisphere Corporation but to continue the
public hearing in approximately 60 days and set the date of March 8, 1976 for
the public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission; and set the
date of March 15, 1976 for the City Council consideration. Councilman Dodd
seconded the motion and all voted "aye".
Vol. 25, Page 18.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5. -PUBLIC HEARING: TO CONSIDER REQUEST FOR
A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW MORE THAN TWO DRIVEWAYS TO BE
PERMITTED FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2270 VALLEY VIEW LANE.
REQUESTED BY SEARS ROEBUCK AND COMPANY.
Mayor Grimmer opened the public hearing to consider the request as described
in the above caption.
Mr. Earnest Randall, Vice President of Vantage Company and owners of the
property at 2270 Valley View Lane and the building that is under construction,
stated that Sears, Roebuck and Company has leased the property for 10 years
with a 20 year option for a service center. The service center will house a
parts warehouse and appliance repair center. Mr. Randall requested a specific
use permit be approved to allow three entrances to the property. They pro-
pose one entry off Valley View Lane and two off Valley Branch Lane.
Mr. Randall stated that Sears needed the additional driveway for their business.
The service center will service equipment purchased from the stores in the
North quadrant of Dallas County.
Section 9-502, paragraph (1) of the City Zoning Ordinance states that in the
LI zoning district only two drive approaches not exceeding 40 feet in width
may be located in the front ,yard. Additional driveways may be obtained
with a Specific Use Permit.
Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone present to speak in favor or in
opposition of the request. No one spoke.
A motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting
"aye", closed the public hearing.
After some consideration, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by
Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye01, granted the request for a Specific Use
Permit by adopting the following captioned Ordinance No. 1090:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED; BY
GRANTING TO SEARS, ROEBUCK AND COMPANY A SPECIFIC
USE PERMIT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A THIRD DRIVE-
WAY IN A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL (LI) ZONING DISTRICT;
SAID DRIVEWAY TO BE INSTALLED ON THEIR PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 2270 VALLEY VIEW LANE ON A 1. 8506 A CR E
TRACT OF LAND; PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO
EXCEED TWO HUNDRED ($200. 00) DOLLAR S FOR EACH OFFENSE;
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. "
Vol. 25, Page 19.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5, a. -DISCUSS A REQUEST FOR CHANGE IN MEDIAN
OPENING.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council from the City Administration: A furniture store is planned on
Dallas Parkway at the location of the old Trinity Concrete Products Company
plant. An additional opening in the median is desired by the owners for
access to this property. The proposed opening is not in compliance with
the existing policy. Similar request have been denied in the past. A
reasonable alternative plan to provide access to this property has been
prepared by the Administration. Consideration of the proposed request
should take in to count the effect to traffic on Spring Valley Road and the
additional requests which can be anticipated if this request is granted.
Mr. Lee Housley, President of HousleY Brothers from Oklahoma City
introduced Floyd Simon, a registered engineer; Earnest Randall of
Advantage Corportion; and, Bob Medaris of Hank Dickerson Company,
Realtor. Mr. Housley distributed to the Council members a printed out-
line of his presentation and a location sketch of requested median opening,
Mr. Housley proposes to construct a large retail furniture store on Spring
Valley Road and requests a median cut for access to their property.
Mr. HousleY stated that based on a letter from the City of Farmers Branch
dated September 19, 1974 stating that a median opening would be provided,
Housley Brothers have spent monies for engineering, architectural and
administrative work, plus processing a permanent loan for the planning
of construction for the furniture store. Mr. Housley told of the need for
the median opening. Mr. Housley stated the median cut as outlined oft
their plans was a condition of their land contract. He said they
had this letter of median cut approved before they signed the land contract;
and further, had the median cut outlined in the contract.
Mr. HousleY discussed reasons for not using entry as now suggested by
the City Engineering Division.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by
Councilman Dodd, all voting "aye", granted the request of a median opening
as requested by HousleY Brothers.
Vol 25, Page 20.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6. -CONSIDER RESOLUTION SETTING POLICY ON
FURNISHING PROTECTION FROM LIABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND
CITY EMPLOYEES.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council from the City Administration: A recent trend in civil liability suits
against public officials, such as City Council members, City Managers and
City employees, have increased and monetary judgments awarded in such
instances have also increased. In order to better protect the City and its
public officials and employees, Resolution No. 76-002 authorizes the Adminis-
tration to seek public official and city employee liability insurance as well as
explore other available legal defense avenues against such suits and monetary
awards.
After some consideration, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council-
man Binford, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 76-002.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6, a. -CONSIDER, RESOLUTION CONCERNING UN-
EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENSION.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council from the City Administration: From information received from the
National League of Cities, the House Ways and Means Committee has intro-
duced House Resolution #10210. This bill would revise the current unemploy-
ment compensation law and provide a mandate to extend the unemployment
coverage to all state and local employees. The Congress of Cities has adopted
a policy calling for the exclusion of local employees from any federal law
mandating payments for unemployment compensation. The Senate has yet
to take any action on the question of unemployment compensation, but is
expected to begin consideration of such a proposal in late January or early
February. The City Administration recommends the Resolution No. 76-004
be adopted which opposes including local employees under any federal law
mandating the payment of unemployment compensation.
After some consideration, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council-
man Binford, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 76-004.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7. -CONSIDER AWARDING BID FOR PAINTING ELEVATED
TANKS. - -
City Manager Paul West gave the following information: Two bids were received
for painting the elevated tanks. The low proposal meeting the specifications
for the painting is from Neumann Company in the amount of $49, 800.00.
The proposal from Water Tank Service Company included the cost for repair
in the lump price for painting the interior of the tank. The listed $86, 000.00
for painting services may be reduced by $20, 000.00 if repairs are to be paid
for as provided in the specifications. The bid received from Neumann
Company had a notation on the proposal form stating that the bidder proposed
to paint the riser pipe with a material not meeting the requirements of the
Vol. 25, Page 21.
specifications. The Company was contacted by telephone for a clarification
of this and requested to furnish prices for performing the work in compliance
with the specifications. A verbal quotation of $49, 800. 00 for painting items and
to perform the work in accordance with the specifications was given. This
verbal quotation on January 2, 1976 was followed by a Mailgram.
It is the recommendation of the City Administration that the low bid meeting
the specifications, submitted by Neumann Company, be accepted with repair
work at the unit prices shown on the bid tabulation form.
Mr. Bob Linker, 14435 Valley Hi, stated he would like to see the name
Farmers Branch and the logo on the tanks so to be seen from all sides.
Only the logo will be put on the tanks. which was specified in the specifications.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by Council-
man Binford, all voting "aye", awarded the bid for painting the elevated tanks
to low bidder, Neumann Company, in the amount of $49, 800. 00, with repair
work at the unit prices as shown on the bid tabulation form.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8. -CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISEMENT
FOR BIDS FOR VEHICLES.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council from the City Administration: Permission is requested to advertise
for bids on seven 1976 vehicles for the Police Department and 2 vehicles for
the Building Inspection Division. All 9 units are replacing existing vehicles
and are budgeted in the 1975-76 Budget.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Council-
man Linn, all voting "aye", authorized the advertisement for bids for the
9 vehicles as requested by the City Administration.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9. - CITY MANAGER REPORTS.
City Manager Paul West gave a report on the various happenings and projects
of the various departments of the city.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 10. -CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 1089 APPOINTING
ADDITIONAL MEMBER TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FARMERS
BRANCH HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information from a memo to the City
Council from the Administration: This is the same item that was considered
at the last Council meeting. At that time the City Council requested that the
Hospital Board communicate to the City Council what the wishes of the Hospital
Board were. The Board has responded by letter requesting the City Council
Vol. 25, Page 22.
to appoint Dr. Graham Bolton to the Hospital Board.
Mr. Ray Flaherty, 13220 Challaburton, member of the Board of the Farmers
Branch Hospital Authority, personally recommended and stated it was the
recommendation of the Board that Dr. Graham. Bolton be appointed to the
Board.
Mr. Steve Jordan, 14432 Valley Hi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Farmers Branch Hos.pital Authority, respectfully submitted Dr. Graham
Bolton to be appointed to the Board.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by
Councilman Linn, all voting "aye", placed the discussion of Agenda Item
No. 11 in the Executive Session; and after discussion in Executive Session,
the City Council will return in Open Session for the desired action.
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 8252-17, Section 2 of the open meeting
law provided that such item as Personnel Matters may be discussed in closed
session.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 11. -EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Discuss Personnel Matters
The appointment of Dr. Graham Bolton to the Board of Directors of the
Farmers Branch Hospital Authority was discussed.
A status report of Brookhaven PD-10 lawsuit was given by City Attorney
D oug'•McCallon.
THE MEETING WAS OPENED BACK INTO GENERAL SESSION.
A motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Dodd, all voting
"aye", adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 1089 appointing Dr.
Graham Bolton to the Board of Directors of the Farmers Branch Hospital
A uthority;
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 1088, SECTION 1, APPOINTING AN ADDITIONAL
DIRECTOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
Vol. 25, Page 23.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 12. -ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Dodd, a second by
"aye", adjourned the City Council meeting
Mayor George G. Grimmer
ZLZZ~~~
City Secretary J. W. Wade
Councilman Binford, all voting
of January 19, 1976 at 9:28 P. M. .
Vol. 25, Page 24.