1972-10-02 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
October 2, 1972
Members of the City Council present were:
Mayor George G. Grimmer
Councilmen: Ray Flaherty
Bill McClung
Ken Quevreaux
Bill Binford
Mayor Pro Te.m Linn was out of town representing the city which
was recognized as an excused absence.
Members of the City Administration present were:
City Manager Paul M. West
City Attorney George M. McDonald
City Secretary J. W. Wade
Director of Public Works Roy Patton
Fire Chief Bob Yager
Secretary Ruth Ann Parish
Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of October 2, 1972 to
order at 7:30 P.M.. Roy Patton gave the invocation.
DECLARING AN EMERGENCY FOR AGENDA ITEM.
Upon a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Flahery,
all voting "aye", declared an emergency and placed on the agenda as
Item 6.A. -"Discuss Letter From Trinity Improvement Association
Concerning Proposed Principles And Standards For Planning Water
And Land Resources".
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by
Councilman Flaherty, approved the minutes of the Council meeting of
September 11, 1972 with the following correction and addition:
1. Correction -On Page 506, third paragraph, let the last two
sentences read: "Mr. Garry Weber should be aware and advised that
school district property tax recodification is going to be applied to the
city and county eventually, if the Legislature sees fit to do so. So why
duplicate the process of hiring the L. B. J. School of Public Affairs?"
2. Addition - Information attached to the minutes and inserted
in the budget showing that the Operating Expenses this year for the Library
is increased over last year's Operating Expenses.
Page 516.
PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS.
Mayor Grimmer presented service awards to the following:
Fifteen years service awards to Velia Ferrell of the Staff Services
Department and Lee Wayne Darnell of Public Utilities Department.
Five years service awards to Ralph E. Stegman, Jerry W. Pritchett,
Jerry G. Soward, and Donald W. Webster of the Fire Department.
PARKING ON VERONICA LANE FROM PRIMROSE LANE TO ERIC
LANE DISCUSSED.
Mayor Grimmer gave the following information. Mr. Orval C. Dickson,
2948 Phyllis Lane, is requesting that a "No Parking Zone" be established
by ordinance along the east side of Veronica Road from the southeast
corner of Primrose Lane, south to Eric Lane. The Engineering Depart-
ment recommends that this ordinance be passed to relieve the traffic
congestion caused by patrons of the Post Office using letter boxes to
deposit mail and, thereby, blocking driveways and closing one lane of
this section of Veronica Road to through traffic at different times of
the day.
A. transparency was shown showing the location in concern.
A letter was sent to the property owners involved on September 20, 1972
informing them of this discussion.
Mayor Grimmer asked if there was anyone in the audience to speak in
favor or against the request.
Mr. Basil Weaver, 2948 Primrose, spoke in concern of the postal
employees parking on Veronica. He stated that he did not believe that
passing the ordinance would solve the problems because this would create
parking on the side streets. Mr. Weaver suggested to have a one hour
parking limit from 8 A. M to 5 P. M. on Veronica Lane. He stated that
there were "No Parking" signs up on the west side of Veronica but were
taken down when Skaggs Albertson was constructed.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by
Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", adopted the following captioned
ordinance as recommended by the Engineering Department; and that
the City Manager write a letter to the Superintendent of the Post Office
informing therm of the complaint and the action taken by the Council:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH,
TEXAS, ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ON THE
EAST SIDE OF VERONICA. ROAD FROM THE SOUTH-
EAST CORNER OF PRIMROSE LANE TO THE NORTH-
EAST CORNER OF ERIC LANE, MAKING IT UNLAWFUL
FOR ANY PERSON TO STOP, STAND OR PARK ANY
VEHICLE, EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW OR
THE DIRECTIONS OF ANY POLICE OFFICER OR TRAFFIC
CONTROL OFFICER OR TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE IN
THE DESCRIBED NO PARKING ZONE; AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER OR HIS AGENT TO CONSTRUCT TRAFFIC
Page 517.
SIGNS WHICH WILL PROHIBIT ANY STOPPING, STANDING
OR PARKING ON THE ABOVE PORTION OF THE SAID
ROAD; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY NOT EXCEEDING
$200. 00 FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND DECLARING AN
EMERGENCY.
VERONICA LANE DISCUSSED AS REQUESTED BY BASIL WEAVER.
Mr. Basil Weaver, 2948 Primrose, stated that he wanted to point out
some problems that exist in the area of Skaggs Albertson and Veronica
Lane. He stated that the trucks in their loading and unloading operations
at Skaggs Albertson created a very disturbing noise 24 hours a day.
He said the trash receptables were in need of repair and when they were
emptied they were set against the wall making it impossible to close the
lids. He said the garbage was collected at about 11:00 P. M. which caused
noise. Mr. Weaver complained about the odor and particles that came
out of the incenterator. He stated that the 6 foot fence behind Skaggs
along Veronica Lane is a traffic hazard that made it impossible to see
adequately in and out of Skaggs. He made statements concerning the
amount of truck traffic on Veronica Lane. He made statements
concerning the high grass and weeds behind the service stations and
the other stores on Valley View Lane that adjoined the Skaggs property.
Mr. Weaver presented some photographs of the area of the existing
conditions.
Mr. Weaver listed the following suggested solutions:
1. That the 6' fence be scaled down to 2' at each end for traffic
safety.
2. That the garbage receptables be moved from the present
location to a location behind the service stations on Valley View Lane.
3. That trucks other than government vehicles be banned from
Veronica Lane.
The Council thanked Mr. 'Weaver for bringing this to the attention of
the Council.
After some discussion, City Manager Paul West stated that the areas
in questioned would be studied by the Administration and would report
back to the Council at their next .meeting.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING PROPOSED LEGISLATION CONCERNING
SALES TAX ADOPTED.
City Manager Paul West stated that Resolution No. 72-052 recommends
the Texas Municipal League to adopt a resolution asking the State Legis-
lation to pass legislation whereby the City of Farmers Branch and other
cities will be able to determine if they are receiving sales taxes
that they are entitled to.
Page 518.
After some discussion, Councilman Flaherty made a :motion to adopt
Resolution No. 72-052. Councilman Quevreaux seconded the motion with
the amendment of sending the proposed legislation to the Dallas County
Legislative delegation. Councilman Flaherty agreed. All voted "aye".
RESOLUTION ADOPTED CONCERNING THE OMNIBUS AUTHORIZATION
BILL, H. R. 16832.
Mayor Grimmer read Resolution No. 72-053 that favors the provision
in the Omnibus Authorization Bill which prohibits making any changes
in the discount rate for the next 15 month period on Federal water projects.
City Manager Paul West stated that the City had received this date
a letter from the Trinity Improvement Association requesting favorable
action for the Omnibus A.uthorization Bill, H. R. 16832. He explained
that there had been past publicity about changing the interest rate used
in calculating benefits of the water projects so that the interest rates
used by raising them would delete alot of the Federal water projects.
He stated that it showed they were not beneficial economically because
the money would be increased in these calculations. He stated that H. R. 16832
is being recommended by the Water Resources Council so it would
not change the benefit cost ratio in the Federal projects. He state that
this would kill the entire Trinity River Project.
The Trinity River Project was discussed.
After more discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by
Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 72-053
that was read by Mayor Grimmer.
BIDS FOR. AUTOMOBILES REJECTED.
City Manager Paul West stated that the city had received only one bid
for the 10 automobiles to be used in various departments of the city.
He recommended that the city reject this one bid and authorize the re-
advertisement of bids for the 10 vehicles.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second
by Councilman Binford, all voting "aye", rejected the bid submitted
for the 10 automobiles and authorized the readvertisement of bids.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR POLICE RADIO EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED.
After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by
Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", authorized the advertisement
of bids for radio equipment for the Police Department as recommended
by the City Manager.
MAYOR GRIMMER STATED THAT THE ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA FOR
EXECUTIVE SESSION WAS EXPLAINED IN A MEMO THAT WAS SENT
TO THE COUNCIL AND THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DELETED FOR DISCUSSION.
Page 519.
MAYOR GRIMMER RECOGNIZED AND WELCOMED SOME YOUNG
BOY SCOUTS THAT WERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
ADJOURNMENT.
Upon a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Quevreaux,
all voting "aye", adjourned the meeting of October 2, 1972 at 8:25 P. M.
Mayor G org G. im.mer
4
4 , tA) ~~14
City S retary J. W. Wade
Page 520.