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1970-04-20 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING April 20, 1970 7:30 P. M. All members of the City Council were present: Mayor Mayor Pro-Te.m Councilmen City Manager City Attorney City Secretary George G. Grimmer W. R. Linn Ray Flaherty Bill McClung Al Korioth Bill Binford Paul M. West H. Louis Nichols Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Grimmer called the meeting of April 20, 1970 of the City Council to order at 7:30 P. M.. Chief of the Police Department Pete Green gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Councilman Korioth, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", considered and approved the minutes of a regular Council meeting of April 6, 1970 after correction was made on page 95 concerning Ordinance 842. Let the record show that Councilman McClung opposed the motion of adopting this ordinance. MAYOR PRO-TEM ELECTED Upon a motion by Councilman Korioth, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", elected Councilman W. R. Linn to the office of Mayor Pro-Tem. PRESENTATION OF PROGRAM ON OPERATIONS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief R. L. "Bob" Yager gave a presentation on the operations of the Fire Department. The presentation was most informative and appreciated by all that were present. 5-YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTED Mayor Grimmer presented 5-Year Service Awards to Mr. Jack Chandler of the Public Works Department and to Mr. Norman Sloan of the Street Deparment. The Council congratulated Mr. Chandler and Mr. Sloan for their dedication and hard work. Page 100 PUBLIC HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ZONING SHOULD BE CHANGED FROM PD NO. 6 (LR-1) TO PD NO. 6 (LR-1) WITH A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR RESTAURANT WITHOUT DRIVE-IN SERVICE ON A 4. 001 ACRE TRACT ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF VALLEY VIEW LANE AND JOSEY LANE - REQUEST BY MR. BILL SKIPPING Mayor Grimmer opened the public hearing. Mayor Grimmer asked if anyone was present in the audience to speak for or against the request by Mr. Skipping to change the zoning from PD No. 6 (LR-1) to PD No. 6 (LR-1) with a specific use permit for a restaurant without drive-in service on a 4. 001 acre tract on the Northeast corner of Valley View Lane and Josey Lane. The Mayor stated that the hearing before the Planning and. Zoning Commission that was scheduled for April 13, 1970 was rescheduled by the Planning and Zoning Commission for April 27, 1970 because the representative from Mr. Skipping's office failed to appear. There was no one present to speak for or against the request. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Korioth, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", continued the Public Hearing requested by Mr. Skipping until 7;30 P. M. , May 4, 1970. STREET LIGHTING ALONG RAWHIDE DRIVE Mayor Grimmer stated that this item for Council discussion was requested by Mr. W. W. Jones of 13629 Rawhide Drive. Mr. Jones was not present. The Council agreed to continue the City's street lighting program. EXTENSION TO SQUIRE PARK Mr. Dick Jones, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave an up-to-date status report on the property that is proposed to be in the extension of Squire Park. Mr. Jones pointed out on transparencies the plan that is intended to expand the play area facilities for Squire Park, Mr. Jones stated that 3 of the 5 property owners hate already given the City contracts of s ale. Mayor Grimmer read a letter from Mr. John Oechsner, one of the property owners whose property is in the expansion of Squire Park, which asked the Council to consider some of his feelings on the expansion of the Park. Mr. Oechsner stated in his letter that there is a school ground within one half a block from the proposed playground and that Police control, supervision, an traffic control will be required at both locations at an expense to the city. His second objection was that the playground would be immediately adjacent to the property lines of six residential dwellings and in one case it would be not more than eleven feet from a bedroom. He stated there were bound to be numerous complaints about noise, trespassing, damage to property, etc., which would be costly to the city. He stated that the lighting that would be required for security may not be co.mpatable with these adjacent residences. Page 101 Mr. Oechsner stated that the North Dallas Truck Farms Addition might some day be redeveloped and this proposed extension to the park would damage the adjacent property. He stated that much of the frontage of the park is only 100 feet deep and this creates a bad situation of children playing in the street. He made comments on the two streets that are involved and the patroling of these streets. He stated that he hoped the Council would reconsider and send the proposal for this playground to the Planning and Zoning Board for review. Mr. Oechsner asked the following questions in his letter. Would I or you want a playground next to .my home and eleven feet from .my bedroom? Is the playground practical or is it too small? Is it safe? Will it be an asset or a nuisance? Can the City put its money to better use? Mr. Oechsner was present and questioned the size of the proposed park and discussed a buffer around the park. The Council discussed the expansion of the park thoroughly. Upon a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", agreed to continue the City park program as recommended by,the Park and Recreation Board and as in the application to H. U. D. for open space. Mr. Oechsner made the statement that since his property which is in the proposal, would damage the rest of his property; he might be interested in selling the whole lot instead of just 50 feet. CLEAN-UP WEEK Mr. Terry Kearns explained that he was from Youth 170, an organization from Code'70 that worked against drugs. Mr. Kearns stated that Youth 170 would like to have a clean-up day and asked for Saturday, April 25, 1970. He said they had asked Carrollton for this same day and explained they wanted to create a better relation between the youth and the adults in the area. He said they would clean up the mayor thoroughfares through the city and stated he had made arrangements for the City to give them some sacks. Mr. Kearns suggested that maybe this could start off a clean up week for Farmers Branch. The Council encouraged Mr. Kearns to be sure his group was organized. Mr. Kearns stated they were going to meet at 10:00 A.. M. Saturday morning at the High School and work from there, then that night they were going to meet back on the parking lot of the High School for a dance with bands. Mr. Kearns stated he had already received permission from the so- hool, when asked by the Council. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Korioth, a second by Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", that starting Saturday, April 25, 1970, through May 1, 1970, be designated as clean-up week in Farmers Branch. Page 102 Mr. John Oechsner, owner of some property that is being considered for additional park land to Squire Park, addressed the Council with some questions concerning the addition to the park. Mr. Oechsner stated he did not think an addition to Squire Park was need and gave several reasons why it was not needed. Mayor Grimmer explained to Mr. Oechsner that because of a new law the Council could not consider any item that was not on the agenda but was interested in his statements and asked Mr. Oechsner to write these statements and submit them to the Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION Goldware Property Mr. West reported to the Council that Mr. Goldware has agreed to sell the right-of-way needed along L. B. J. Freeway for service road for $2. 00 per sq. ft. . Squire Park Mr. West and Mr. Wade gave an up-to-date report on the status of acquiring the property for the extension to Squire Park. The Council agreed, after some discussion, to continue with the plans to acquire the land for the extension to Squire Park. Property Discussions The Council discussed the Brin Property; and the Fulkerson Property and asked the City Manager to find out and give them all the information concerning building on this land, facts concerning the right-of-way he sold for Webb Chapel widening, and any other. Mr. West reported that the Durrett Property was going to condemnation. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION After some discussion, Councilman Linn moved that Mr. Ken Quevreaux, Mr. Dick Thomas, and Mr. Charles McKee be appointed to the Board of Equalization. Councilman McClung seconded the motion, motion carried with all voting "aye". APPOINTMENT TO ZONING COMMISSION After some consideration, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", appointed Mr. J. C. Foster as a member to the Planning and Zoning Commission to serve an unexpired term that expires in May, 1970. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Linn, all voting "aye'; adjourned the regular meeting of the City Council's April 6, 1970 meeting. Page 98 PAINTING NAME ON WATER TOWER DISCUSSION City Manager Paul M. West displayed a picture of the Marsh View Water Tower with the letters "Farmers Branch" on it. Mr. West asked for consideration authorizing him to execute a change order on the Marsh- View water tower contract in order to paint "Farmers Branch" on the tower, Mr. Tommy Lyons of the audience commented on the size of the lettering that was to go on the tower. He stated they looked awfully small. Mr, Quinton Johnson of the audience commented that he opposed to the name being on the tower, as all small towns have this and stated that Farmers Branch is not a small town but a large city. Councilman Korioth made a motion to accept the reco.m.rr. ^ndation of the City Manager. The motion died for the lack of a second. After some discussion, it was the will of the Council that the name "Farmers Branch" not be put on the Marsh-View Water Tower. OTHER INFORMATIVE COMMENTS Mr, John Oechsner informed the Council that the State Highway Department was changing up the intersection of L. B. J. and I. H. 35E and asked the Council to check into this for it affects property at the city limits of Farmers Branch. Mayor Grimmer called a Special City Council Meeting for Monday, April 27, 1970, at 6:30 P. M. , One major consideration will be the tabulation of bids for the storm sewer for Windmill, Joanna, and Mark Twain. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Councilman Korioth, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of April 20, 1970 at 8:50 P.M. Mayor eorge G ri.m.mer a C y Secretary i Page 103