Loading...
1972-12-04 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING December 4, 1972 All members of the City Council were present: Mayor George G. Grimmer Mayor Pro Tem W. R. Linn Councilmen: Ray Flaherty Bill McClung Ken Quevreaux Bill Binford Members of the Administration present were: City Manager Paul M. West City Secretary J. W. Wade Director of Public Works Roy Patton Secretary Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of December 4, 1972 to order at 7:30 P. M.. Victor Lyon gave the invocation. Mayor Grimmer recognized some visitors from Cub Scout Den 1 of Pack 711 and their Den Leader, Ronald Bowers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of December 4, 1972 as submitted. VALLEY VIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH'S ASSESSMENT FOR MARSH LANE IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Bob Land, Chairman of the Board of Valley View Christian Church, requested the Council to reconsider the assessment on the Church's pro- perty; and that they be assessed as the other residential property owners along Marsh Lane. He stated that the plat filed shows that the Valley View Christian Church dedicated a 20' right-of-way along Marsh Lane for street widening purposes. Mr. Land referred to statements made in the petition by the Church that was addressed to the City Council and filed with the City. The petition states their request for reconsideration on the assessment and gives information about the Church property. 546. Mayor Grimmer explained the rate at which they were assessed. He stated that the Church had been assessed on residential rates. City Manager Paul West explained the requirements for platting property. There was a discussion on the percentage of the cost of the project that was being assessed. There was a discussion on the percentage of the assessment that was to be paid by the Valley View Christian Church. Mr. Land stated that they felt it was unfair for the Church to pay more than $1. 00 per foot as was assessed on the other residential property. He requested again for reconsideration. After some discussion, Councilman McClung made a motion to reconsider the assessment for the Valley View Christian Church. Councilman Quevreaux seconded the motion. The motion failed 3 to 2, with Councilmen Flaherty, Linn and Binford voting "nay" and with Councilmen McClung and Quevreaux voting "aye". Mayor Grimmer stated that by the vote the assessment stands as it is. TEMPORARY ZONING FOR CIVIC AND PHILANTHROPIC USE, REQUESTED BY THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Mr. William Schraufnagel, Financial Secretary of the Knights of Columbus, made a request for their organization to operate a Christmas tree sales lot on the Mary Immaculate Church property located on Dennis Lane west of the north Church building and north of the Church parking lot. The sale is requested for the period from December 15, 1972 through December 25, 1972. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Linn, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution No. 72-057 which grants the temporary zoning for Civic and Philanthropic Use to the Knights of Columbus as requested. SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TEMPORARY SIGN, REQUESTED BY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS. Mr. William Schraufnagel requested permission to erect a temporary sign on the Mary Immaculate Church property advertising the Christmas tree sale (as in above item. ) The sign will be a wooden sign, no larger than 4' x 8' and facing Dennis Lane, to be located north of the church's north driveway and 20' from the curb line of Dennis Lane in the front yard of the church. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Linn, a second by Council- man McClung, all voting "aye", authorized the erection of the sign as requested by the Knights of Columbus. Page 547. CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE SET FOR JANUARY, 1973 Due to the fact that the first regularly scheduled City Council meeting date falls on January 1, 1973, Councilman McClung made a motion that the City Council have only one Council meeting in January and that be January 15, 1973. Councilman Linn seconded and all voted "aye". MEMBERSHIP DUES TO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AUTHORIZED. The Annual Membership dues in the amount of $1, 712. 10 to the North Central Texas Council of Governments for the fiscal period October 1, 1972 to September 30, 1973 for the City of Farmers Branch were presented to the Council for consideration. Mr. West, City Manager, explained that the dues were based on 06 per capita on the population of 28, 535. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Flaherty, a second by Councilman Linn, authorized the amount of $1, 712. 10 to be paid to the North Central Texas Council of Governments for membership dues for the period October 1, 1972 to September 30, 1973. The motion carried 4 to 1 with Councilmen Flaherty, Linn, McClung and Binford voting "aye" and Councilman Quevreaux voting "nay". CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO SIGN CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT WITH KATY RAILROAD COMPANY FOR SQUIRE PLACE CROSSING. By letter to the city, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Company requested the execution of a Construction Agreement be authorized that grants the City of Farmers Branch to cover the right of way necessary for the Squire Place crossing of their spur tract. City Manager Paul West stated that the City will be required to pay the cost of this crossing, and this cost is estimated to be $500. 00. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman Binford, all voting "aye", authorized the City Manager to sign the Construction Agreement with Katy Railroad Company; and authorized the payment of the estimated amount of $500. 00 for the cost of the Squire Place crossing. STATE LEGISLATION DISCUSSED - MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL TAX. City Manager Paul West stated that one of the legislative matters discussed and voted upon at the Texas Municipal League meeting in November in Dallas was a resolution supporting legislation levying an additional 2~ per gallon motor vehicle fuel tax. He stated that 37 cities voted for it and 24 cities voted against it. Some of the cities voted against it because they felt that restrictions should be placed upon the ability of the Texas Highway Depart- ment to determine the location of highways within cities. Others voted against it because the additional highway tax would go to State Highway Depart- ments for payment, right of way, curb and gutter, drainage, utility relocation, signalization and lighting within cities. Some cities felt that it would have Page 548. been better to return the money to the cities and let them spend it as they might deem best in the maintenance and construction of their street systems. Mr. West requested the desire of the Council concerning this legislation. Councilman McClung made a motion to pass a resolution opposing the proposed legislation for a 2~ per gallon motor vehicle fuel tax increase that was adopted favorably at the Texas Municipal League .meeting. Councilman Linn seconded the motion. After some discussion, Councilman Linn withdrew his second to the motion and Councilman McClung withdrew his motion. Councilman McClung made a motion to authorize the City Manager to prepare a resolution opposing the 2~ per gallon motor vehicle fuel tax as the legis- lation is now being presented, and in this resolution provide that the City would give due consideration for any type of gasoline sales tax whereas, the money would be governed by the local municipalities. After some discussion, Councilman McClung withdrew his motion. Councilman McClung made a motion to authorize the City Manager to draft a resolution for consideration whereas the City of Farmers Branch opposes the additional 2~ per gallon gasoline sales tax legislation that is now being presented. Councilman Binford seconded the motion and all voted "aye". OAKBROOK ON BROOKHAVEN REQUESTS PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS IN STREET RIGHT OF WAY. The following information was given to the Council. Oakbrook on Brookhaven has erected lights along the south side of Oakbrook Parkway near its inter- section with Webb Chapel Road. The lights are within the City's right-or-way for Oakbrook Parkway. The lights do not comply with the City's street lighting ordinance, nor were the location of these lights approved prior to their erection. Oakbrook on Brookhaven feels that the lighting as installed will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the street, and will be essential in providing pedestrians using the sidewalk along Oakbrook Parkway with a safe well lit walkway. Mr. Jim Biddle of Oakbrook on Brookhaven stated that he was under the assumption that the street lighting plan was approved along with the land- scaping and fencing plans that were presented previously. Mr. Biddle stated that he agreed that the lights along Oakbrook Parkway have been located too close to the curb and agree to move them. He requested permission to set the lights within the 10 foot strip along either side of Oakbrook Parkway but no nearer than 4 feet to the curb line. There was a discussion on the need of an easement agreement between the City and the developer. Page 549. After more discussion of protecting the City from legal standpoints, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", authorized the City Administration to work with the developers of Oakbrook on Brookhaven for an easement agreement. x ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Councilman Flaherty, a second by Councilman Binford, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of December 4, 1972 at 8:25 P.M. Ma, or eorge G. immer L-I 9. ed- X,74 J. W ade, City Secretary 0 Page 550.