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1973-04-02 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING April 2, 1973 Members of the City Council present were: Mayor George G. Grimmer Councilmen: Ray Flaherty Bill McClung Ken Quevreaux Bill Binford Mayor Pro Tem W. R. Linn was absent because he was out of town on business and this was recognized as an excused absence. Members of the Administration present were: City Manager Paul M. West City Attorney Doug McCailon City Secretary J. W. Wade Manager of Staff Services Glenn Moore Secretary Ruth Ann Parish Mayor Grimmer called the City Council meeting of April 2, 1973 to order at 7:30 P. M.. Glenn Moore gave the invocation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Upon a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", approved the minutes of the City Council meeting of March 19, 1973 as submitted. LETTER READ FROM MELVIN A. JENSEN, 14155 BIRCHLAWN Mayor Grimmer read a letter from Melvin A. Jensen as requested by Mr. Jensen. Mr. Jensen stated in his letter that he wanted to publicly express his appreciation to the Fire Department and the Police Department for their performances when he had suffered a cardiac arrest at his home recently. RESOLUTION ADOPTED FOR TAX EXEMPTION FOR PERSONS 65 AND OVER A resolution was submitted to the Council for consideration that grants $3, 000 homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes for persons 65 years and over. This was put on the agenda for consideration by the request of Mayor Pro Tem Linn. Councilman Flaherty gave a report on the results of the election of the precincts of the City of Farmers Branch that was voted on the Constitutional Amendment providing for this tax exemption. Mayor Grimmer read the resolution that is attached. Page 603. Councilman Quevreaux made a statement concerning the procedures of applicants filing for this exemption. He spoke in concern of other citizens having to pay for these exemptions within their taxes. After more discussions, Councilman Flaherty made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 73-019 that grants persons of 65 years of age and older filing for the exemption. Councilman Quevreaux seconded the motion and all voted "aye". PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED TO CONSIDER BUDGET OF GENERAL REVENUE SHARING FUNDS. Mayor Grimmer opened the public hearing to consider a budget for Revenue Sharing Funds that was continued from the February 19, 1973 meeting. Mayor Grimmer stated that several proposals for the Revenue Sharing Funds has been considered. He stated that one plan in consideration is as follows: Site Improvements at Showman Park $ 76,000.00 $18,500 of this would come from Revenue Sharing Funds; and $57,500 would come from Recreation Building Bond Funds Library Improvements $250,000.00 $62,000 of this would come from Revenue Sharing Funds; $96,000 would come from 1972-1973 Budget Payments; and $92,000 would come from 1973-1973 Budget Payments Purchase of Park Sites $350,000.00 $350,000 would come from Revenue Sharing Funds Mayor Grimmer stated that an alternate proposal was the same as above with the addition of $20,800 for a reserve for contengencies, which makes a total of $696;800. Mayor Grimmer explained that the figures are based on the break down of what the city has received to present date from Revenue Sharing, plus estimated revenues based on what has been received. Mayor Grimmer asked if there were citizens present who would like to speak in regards to this hearing. The following spoke: Mr. Tommy McClain, 12112 Ridgefair, member of the Library Board, questioned the amount that had been quoted for Library Improvements in regards if it represented a certain amount of footage in the total construction for a library. Mayor Grimmer answered. At the present time this would be merely an appropriation of funds in the amount of $250,000 for the library construction and does not specify any specific area. At a later date, the design, the size, location and etc. would be considered. The estimate is based on the figure of 10,000 sq.ft. as had been discussed. Estimates from Architects would have to be received to arrive at an actual figure. Mayor Grimmer explained that this amount of $250,000 is an estimated amount. Page 604. Mayor Grimmer stated that this does not limit the amount of the expenditure on a library if this plan is adopted. Hestated that after estimates had been received for the library improvements and the plans adopted for the library cost more, the allocation of funds could be changed or adjusted. Mr. Quinton Johnson, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board, read the attached letter. Mrs. M. L. Archer, 2710 Selma, asked , if the allocation of $250,000 is not sufficient, will this mean that the cify will have to have a Bond Issue to raise the rest of the money. Mayor Grimmer answered that he did not contemplate on having to have a Bond Issue. He stated that if the price is too high, it may be necessary to rearrange some of the funds mentioned. He mentioned that one of the proposals includes a reserve for contengency in the amount of $20,800. He stated again that the figures given for Revenue Sharing are estimates based upon what has been received and are possibly lower thanwhat will be received. He explained why the city would possibly receive more Revenue Sharing Funds by the Internal Revenue Service Department requiring everyone to designate the city of their location on their reporting forms. He explained that by having a Dallas Post Office, there has been sales tax that should come to Farmers Branch that have gone to Dallas. Mr. C. H. Miller, 14636 Southern Pines Drive, stated that he was in full agreement with the recommendation presented in the letter from the Parks and Recreation Board. Mr. Miller asked if the city had outlined the expenditure for the improvements to Don Showman Park in the amount of $76,000.00. City Manager Paul West stated that the estimated amount of $76,000.00 represented the estimated cost of providing concrete dual-purpose parking lots, the lighting of the parking lots, and the landscaping of the lots. He stated that the parking lots could provide additional tennis courts as well as required parking facilities. Mr. Jack Pugh, 3738 Blue Trace, asked what was the total amount of money that will be coming in from Revenue Sharing. Mayor Grimmer stated that the total of $600,800.00 was estimated thru 1975. Mayor Grimmer stated that the city had received from January I, 1972 thru June 30, 1972 the amount of $77,078; from July 1, 1972 thru December 31, 1972 the amount of $73,962.00; and the rest thru 1975 is estimated at $37,480.00 per quarter. Mr. Pugh stated that the city may or may not continue receiving this money. Mayor Grimmer stated that the city would continue receiving the Revenue Sharing money, unless Congress acts to cut it off. With no other comments from persons in the audience, Councilman McClung made a motion to close the public hearing. Councilman Binford seconded the motion. All voted "aye". Page 605. The alternate plan that has been discussed is outlined on the four pages attached. Councilmen's comments. Councilman Quevreaux verified that $96,000 budgeted in the 1972-1973 budget for library improvements was included in the amount discussed for the library. City Manager Paul West stated that it was included. He stated that the decision that is needed is a plan for spending the Revenue Sharing Funds. He stated that the amount of $96,00 was included in the total for library improvements but is not included in the plan for expending the Revenue Sharing Funds. He stated that if the plan discussed is adopted, the actual outlay of the Revenue Sharing Funds is shown on page four. The second page of the plan shows the funds coming for each project including those funds other than Revenue Sharing Funds. Councilman Quevreaux spoke in concern of the site improvements on Don Showman Park, relating to the multiple parking-tennis court facilities, if the plan were to be adopted. He asked if this plan adopts this particular program. City Manager Paul West stated that it does not adopt this program but does mean that a plan has been adopted to spend $76,000 for site improvements on Don Showman Park. He stated that this does not mean that you can not change it if desired. Councilman Binford stated that by adopting this plan, this does not mean that a library is going to be built for the limited amount of $250,00. He stated that this was his understanding. Councilman Flaherty reviewed page two of the plan presented, giving the amounts and accounts for the money for the library expenditure. Councilman McClung questioned the fact of being tied to these figures. He spoke in concern of utilizing the money in the purchasing of raw land. He suggested the approval to allocate the Revenue Sharing Funds for library and park facilities without designating amounts. There was a discussion of specifying the amounts for the projects. City Manager Paul West stated that a plan had to be published for expending the Revenue Sharing Funds. He stated that the city will be forced to comply with the Davis-Bacon Act if any of the contracts is financed by the Revenue Sharing Funds to the extent of 25% of the contract. Councilman McClung stated that there would be no Davis-Bacon Act attached if we purchase raw land. Councilman Quevreau agreed. City Manager stated that at this time, all the Council is required to do is adopt a plan for the expenditure of Revenue Sharing Funds. He stated that as far as the library is concerned, if this plan is adopted, there is no commitment to build a specific size building, but $62,000 of Revenue Sharing Funds would be allocated for library improvements. City Manager Paul West stated that there is nothing to prohibit the Council from revising the plan. There was a discussion of the amounts in money being discussed being estimated figures. Page 606. City Manager stated that he thinks a plan needs to be adopted that actually says the city is going to spend approximate amounts for certain purposes. The expenditure for the automotive equipment and the construction and main- tenance equipment in the plan was discussed. City Manager Paul West stated that the equipment items are a means to release General Funds to replace the Revenue Sharing Funds on the projects so this would be below the 25%. There was a discussion that it is the desire of the Council to build an adequate library for Farmers Branch. There was some -discussion that this plan be a flexible guideline. Councilman Flaherty requested that the tape record of this meeting be held because it might be used and referred to until this library and other items are completed. There was more discussion that the library improvements are not limited to the amount of $250,000 as shown in the plan. After more discussion, Councilman Binford made a motion to adopt a plan for expending Revenue Sharing Funds in the following manner, estimated: Site Improvement Showman Park $ 18,500 Recreation Building Improvements 57,500 Library Facilities 62,000 Purchase of Park Land 350,000 Automotive Equipment 25,000 Library Services 46,000 Construction & Maintenance Equipment 21,000 Reserve for Contingencies 20,800 Total Amount $ 600,800 Councilman Quevreaux seconded the motion. All voted "aye". Councilman Quevreaux expressed appreciation to the Library Board, the Friends of the Library, the Park and Recreation Board with advisory from the Sports Council for their recommendations. He stated that he wanted to go on record that the city is going to do this without a Bond Issue as far as he was concerned. Councilman Flaherty agreed. After some discussion, Councilman McClung made a motion to authorize the City Manager to proceed with negotiations with any and everybody for any raw land that he deems necessary to implement or compliment this Revenue Sharing Program. Councilman Flaherty seconded the motion. All voted "aye". Page 607. REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL OF FRED MARSH AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Mr. Ben Atkinson, a principle of Fred Marsh Automotive, Inc., requested site plan approval to enlarge his building by adding a 20' x 41' addition to the north side of the building. The building is located at 13201 Denton Drive and is located in PD-5, (C) zone. Mr. Atkinson stated that the addition would be for storage area. He stated that it would comply with all the codes of the city. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the site plan be approved. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", approved the site plan for Fred Marsh Automotive, Inc. as requested. REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL OF OAKBROO K-ON-BROO KHAVEN, PHASE 1. Mr. Bob Sanders, Vice President and Project Manager of Oakbrook-on-Brookhaven, requested site plan approval to amend the Site Plan of Phase 1 of Oakbrook-on- Brookhaven by adding a recreation building and swimming pool. He stated that the recreation area in Phase 1 would be approximately 892 sq.ft.. The recreation building and swimming pool is proposed to be constructed within the common open area of Phase 1. The recreation building will be of wood-frame construction with brick and glass siding. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the site plan be approved. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman McClung, a second by Councilman Flaherty, all voting "aye", approved the amended site plan for Phase 1, of Oak- brook-on-Brookhaven, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. REQUEST OF WEBB CHAPEL METHODIST CHURCH FOR PERMISSION TO ERECT A SPECIAL EVENTS SIGN. Mr. Gerald Hook, representing the Administration Board of the Webb Chapel Methodist Church, requested permission to erect a temporary 4'x 8' sign to advertise their annual rummage sale which will begin on April 11 and end on April 14. He requested that they be permitted to erect the sign for the period beginning April 6, 1973 through April 14, 1973. The sign would be made of wood and located on the church property at the northeast corner facing Valley View Lane. Mr. Hook stated that the sign will be located approximately 15' from the curb. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Flaherty, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", granted the request of Webb Chapel Methodist Church for permission to erect a special events sign. APPROPRIATING FUNDS AND AWARDING THE CONTRACT FOR A SCRUBBER-VAC MACHINE FOR THE BUILDING MAINTENANCE DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. City Manager Paul West stated that four bids had been received for a scubber-vac machine, with only one meeting the specifications. It was the recommendation of the Administration that the Council appropriate funds and award the contract for the Page 608. purchase of the machine to Southwest Sanitary Company for a TB-24 Clarke-a- Matic in the amount of$2,616.60. Mr. West stated that the machine has been demonstrated and the Administration feels will do a good job, not only for the present recreation building but also for the new addition to the building. Mr. West stated that this was not a budgeted item and would require the money to be appropriated for this expenditure. Mr. West told of having complaints about the building not being clean. After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Council- man Binford, all voting "aye", awarded the contract to the Southwest Sanitary Company for the TB-24 Clark-a-Matic scrubber vac in the amount of$2,616.60; and authorized the appropriation of funds for this expenditure. OTHER DISCUSSIONS Mr. Jack Pugh, 3738 Blue Trace, a candidate for the City Council, made statements supporting the ad valorem tax exemption for persons age 65 and over. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was a discussion on the letter the Mayor had received from Rodger Meier. Appointment to Parks and Recreation Board After some discussion, a motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Councilman Quevreaux, all voting "aye", appointed Barney Wood to serve on the Parks and Recreation Board for the unexpired term of Charles Forsee. ADJOURNMENT Upon a motion by Councilman Quevreaux, a second by Councilman McClung, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of April 2, 1973 at 8:40 P.M.. Mayor George G rimmer *-J Cit ecretary J. W. Wade Page 609.