1991-04-01 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 1, 1991
COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY HALL
7:31 P.M.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor
Mayor Pro Temp
Councilmembers
Dave Blair
Ron Pyle
Bob Phelps
Jeff Binford
Calla Davis
Bill Moses
The following members of the City Administration were
present:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
City Secretary
City Management Assistant
Communication Director
Economic Development Director
Director of Community Services
City Engineer
Director of Finance
Director of Parks & Recreation
Police Chief
Director of Public Works
Recording Secretary
Richard L. Escalante
Steve Carpenter
John Burke
John Boyle
Ruth Ann Parish
David Reedy
Donna Huerta
Norma Nichols
Tom Scales
Jerry Murawski
Doug Vanderslice
Jeff Fuller
Jimmy Fawcett
Mark Pavageaux
Brenda Anderson
Mayor Blair called the City Council Meeting of April
1, 1991 to order at 7:31 p.m. The meeting was
televised.
A.1 INVOCATION.
Councilman Moses gave the invocation and led the pledge
of allegiance to the flag.
A.2 PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARDS.
Mayor Blair presented a 20 year employee service award
to Virgil Ellzey of the Police Department. Mayor Blair
also presented an award to Lieutenant Ellzey for his
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excellent attendance record with the city for the
twenty years of employment.
Mayor Blair presented a 5 year employee service award
to Sandy Bell of the Library.
Mayor Blair presented a 5 year employee service award
to John Roach of the Engineering Department.
Mayor Blair presented a 5 year employee service award
to Pete Pistole of the Sanitation Division.
A.3 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS.
There were no applications presented.
B.1 - B.5 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE
THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Blair stated that under the title of consent
items are items that are to be considered and action
taken that may not need discussion individually. Any
member of the City Council or the audience may request
to withdraw any item from the consent items and place
the item before the Council for full discussion. The
concept for the consent items is established in order
to speed up discussion for those items that need more
time for discussion.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, a second by Councilman
Moses, all voting "aye", approved adding agenda items
C.8, C.9, D.1 and D.2 to the Consent Agenda.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, a second by Councilman
Binford, all voting "aye", approved the following
Consent Agenda items with the addition of C.8, C.9, D.1
and D.2.
B.1 APPROVED MINUTES OF COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 18,
1991.
B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 91-045 APPROVING AN
AGREEMENT WITH TU ELECTRIC IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,727
FOR THE INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS ON VALWOOD
PARKWAY BETWEEN JOSEY LANE AND DENNIS
ROAD.
B.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 91-048 APPROVING A
CITY/COUNTY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY
OF DALLAS TO PERFORM ROTO-MILLING SERVICES ON,
ALBEMARLE FROM RUGBY TO VALWOOD FOR AN ESTIMATED
COST OF $4,000.
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B.4 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 91-053 APPROVING CHANGE
ORDER NO. 3 IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,163.80 DECREASING
THE CONTRACT AMOUNT TO $2,035,088.20 RELATIVE TO A
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH EAGLE CONTRACTING
CORPORATION, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WICKER
STREET 5MG GROUND STORAGE
RESERVOIR.
B.5 ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING CAPTIONED ORDINANCE NO. 1933
GRANTING A LICENSE TO PRENTISS PROPERTIES
LIMITED, INC., TO CONSTRUCT, INSTALL, OPERATE AND
MAINTAIN A CABLE WITHIN STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY.
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A LICENSE TO CONSTRUCT,
INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN
TELECOMMUNICATIONS/FIBER OPTIC CABLE WITHIN A
DEDICATED PUBLIC STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY TO LUNA ROAD;
PROVIDING RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS; PROVIDING
AN ANNUAL FEE: PROVIDING FOR REVOCATION AND
TERMINATION; PROVIDING FOR A HOLD HARMLESS
AGREEMENT AND INSURANCE; PROVIDING FOR WRITTEN
ACCEPTANCE BY THE LICENSEE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE
C.8 ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING CAPTIONED ORDINANCE NO. 1928
ON SECOND READING GRANTING TEXAS UTILITIES
ELECTRIC COMPANY A 25-YEAR FRANCHISE.
AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC
COMPANY A FRANCHISE FOR THE PURPOSE- OF
CONSTRUCTING, MAINTAINING AND USING AN ELECTRIC
POWER UTILITY SYSTEM IN THE CITY OF FARMERS
BRANCH, TEXAS; REGULATING THE CONSTRUCTION WORK
DONE BY THE GRANTEE IN THE CITY; REQUIRING JOINT
USE OF POLES, TRENCHES, AND CONDUITS IN CERTAIN
INSTANCES; PRESCRIBING THE RELATIONSHIP AND
RELATIVE RIGHTS BETWEEN GRANTEE AND OTHERS WITH
RESPECT TO CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY AND LOCATION
OF FACILITIES; PROVIDING FOR THE QUALITY OF
SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED BY GRANTEE; PRESCRIBING THE
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND RULE MAKING AUTHORITY
OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY WITH RESPECT TO
ADMINISTRATION OF THIS FRANCHISE; REQUIRING
CERTAIN RECORDS AND REPORTS AND PROVIDING FOR
INSPECTIONS; RESERVING TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF
THE CITY THE RIGHT TO SET CHARGES AND RATES OF
GRANTEE; PROVIDING THE PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING THE
RATES OF GRANTEE AND PROVIDING THE RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNING BODY IN SETTING
THE RATES; PROVIDING FOR CUSTOMER SECURITY
DEPOSITS; PROVIDING FOR SUSPENSION OF SERVICE TO A
CUSTOMER; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE
FRANCHISE; SETTING FORTH THE TERM OF THE FRANCHISE
AND ITS RENEWAL; REPEALING ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES
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GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC
COMPANY OR ITS PREDECESSOR; PROVIDING FOR
ACCEPTANCE OF THE FRANCHISE BY GRANTEE; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C.9 AUTHORIZED THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
METROCREST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR FUNDING OF
$7,500 AS PROVIDED IN THE 1990-91 BUDGET.
D.1 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 91-057 APPROVING THE
FOLLOWING STREETS FOR INCLUSION IN THE STREET
RESURFACING PROGRAM.
Albemarle Drive between Rugby and Valwood
Avenel Drive between Bee and Albemarle
Elder Street between MKT Railroad and Havenhurst
Ermine Way between Onyx and Golfing Green
McClintock Street between Fruitland and Richland
Olympic Court from Olympic Drive to Cul de Sac
Onyx Lane between Glenside and Golfing Green
Rugby Lane between Bee and Albemarle
Sinbad Trail and Circle between Onyx and Golfing
Green
Springlake Road from IH35 to 600' west of IH35
Sunbeck Circle
Tom Field Road between Farmers Branch Lane and
Valley View
D.2 APPROVED THE FIREWORKS CONTRACT WITH ATLAS
ENTERPRISES, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$8,000 FOR THE JULY 6, 1991, FOURTH OF JULY
WEEKEND CELEBRATION AT THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL.
MAYOR BLAIR RECOGNIZED TOM PARSONS, REPRESENTING T U
ELECTRIC, WHO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO THE CITY STAFF AND
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PLEDGED T U ELECTRIC'S COOPERATION AND
DEDICATION TO SERVE THE CITY.
C.1 CITY MANAGER REPORTS.
City Manager Richard Escalante gave an informative
report of the happenings and status of projects in the
departments of the City.
C.2 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER THE REQUEST OF PETER KAMAN'S,
ON BEHALF OF FARMERS BRANCH SHOPPING CENTER JOINT
VENTURE, TO AMEND THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED HEIGHT WITHIN THE
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 8 (PD-8) ZONING DISTRICT FOR
RADIO, TELEVISION OR MICROWAVE TOWERS AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Blair presented the following information for
consideration. At its March 18, 1991 meeting, the City
Council continued the public hearing until April 1,
Vol. 60, Page 63
1991 in order to allow the applicant additional time to
evaluate possible alternative locations for the
proposed antenna and use of a metal pole in lieu of the
proposed wooden pole.
The applicant was asked to investigate locating the
antenna on the existing TCI Cablevision tower on
Veronica Road, or moving the proposed antenna location
to the north, toward Valley View Lane, still within the
Shopping Center service alley.
The applicant has no objection to using a metal pole in
lieu of a wooden pole but has determined that sharing
use of the TCI tower is not feasible due to potential
radio frequency interference and equipment overload of
the tower structure itself. The applicant also finds
that no other lease space is available within the
recessed service area behind the shopping center and
consequently, no alternative location within the
shopping center is being proposed.
Prior to the proposed antenna being considered for
council approval, amendment of the PD-8 height
restriction standard must be approved. The proposed
amendment would increase the maximum allowable height
for antenna towers from 28 feet to 65 feet and require
approval of a Specific Use Permit. The maximum height
of other structures would remain at 28 feet.
The Planning and Zoning Commission, by a 5 to 1 vote
recommends that proposed Ordinance No. 1929, amending
Planned Development No. 8 to allow "radio, television
or microwave tower" to a height of sixty five feet with
a specific use permit, be approved as submitted.
Mayor Blair opened the public hearing and recognized
Peter Kavanagh, representing Southwestern Bell Mobile
Systems. Mr. Kavanagh made a short presentation as to
the need and reasoning of the location of the antenna.
Mayor Blair recognized David James, 2909 Eric Lane, who
stated his three concerns were the preferred use of a
metal pole in lieu of the wooden pole, reducing the
rack size on the pole, and the possibility of limiting
the permit to seven years.
Mayor Blair recognized Nancy Whitefleet, 2802 Escada,
representing the Tara Place Homeowners, who stated
opposition due to the appearance and view.
Mayor Blair recognized H. L. Baccus, speaking on behalf
of Francis Adams of Tara Place, who spoke in opposition
to the permitted use stating it would be an aesthetic
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degradation of home owners as well as the shopping
center.
Mayor Blair recognized Bruce Carlin, 13450
Challaburton, who asked were there any benefits the
City would derive from the permitted use?
Mayor Blair recognized Tom Mann, 2813 Estelle, Tara
Place, who stated he did not oppose the placing of the
antenna.
There being no one else wishing to speak, a motion by
Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, a second by Councilman Phelps, all
voting "aye", closed the public hearing.
Mr. Kavanagh addressed the concerns that were stated in
the public hearing. Mr. Kavanagh responded that the
metal poles would be acceptable and he would
investigate obtaining the smallest size rack for the
pole available. He also stated the City would receive
property tax on the approximate $500,000 value of the
equipment if placed in the shopping center as desired.
The service would also be beneficial to businesses who
use cellular mobile phones and the police department.
Mr. Kavanagh stated he did not feel that limiting the
SUP would be necessary because if cellular systems
improve, the Company would change out the antenna in
order to improve and upgrade its technology.
Discussion followed with the council concerning
searching for another location that would not be so
visible especially to the adjoining residential
area.
A motion was made by Councilman Binford, a second by
Councilman Phelps, to continue this item until it is
ascertained there is no other space that can be used.
After a short discussion, the motion passed with a vote
of 3-2, Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, Councilman Phelps and
Binford voting "aye", and Councilmembers Davis and
Moses voting "nay."
C.3 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER THE REQUEST OF PETER KAVANAGH,
ON BEHALF OF FARMERS BRANCH SHOPPING CENTER JOINT
VENTURE, FOR APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR A
CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE ANTENNA WITHIN THE PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 8 (PD-8) ZONING DISTRICT AT 12895
JOSEY LANE, SUITE 132 AND TAKE APPROPRIATE
ACTION.
Mayor Blair presented the following information. At
its March 18, 1991 meeting, the City Council continued
the public hearing until April 1, 1991 in order to
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allow the applicant additional time to evaluate
possible alternative locations for the proposed antenna
and use of a metal pole in lieu of the proposed wooden
pole.
The applicant was asked to investigate locating the
antenna on the existing TCI Cablevision tower on
Veronica Road or moving the proposed antenna location
to the north, toward Valley View Lane, yet still within
the Shopping Center service alley.
The applicant has no objection to using a metal pole in
lieu of a wooden pole but has determined that sharing
use of the TCI tower is not feasible due to potential
radio frequency interference and equipment overload of
the tower structure itself. The applicant also finds
that no other lease space is available within the
recessed service area behind the shopping center and
consequently, no alternative location within the
shopping center is being proposed.
Consideration of this Specific Use Permit request for
an antenna 65 feet tall is contingent upon adoption of
the PD-8 amendment to allow such structures to a height
of 65 feet.
City Staff has contacted both the Dallas County
Appraisal District and the Federal Communications
Commission regarding this request. The DCAD stated
that the antenna should not adversely affect property
values. The F.C.C. stated that it has not received any
complaints regarding cellular telephone antennas and
that by their operational nature; it is extremely
unlikely that a problem with interference would occur.
The Planning and Zoning Commission, by a 4 to 2 vote,
recommends that ordinance Number 1930, approving the
specific use permit for a cellular mobile telephone
antenna at 12895 Josey Lane, Suite 132, be approved as
submitted.
Mayor Blair opened the public hearing. A motion by
Councilman Phelps, a second by Councilman Binford, was
made to continue the public hearing until the next
meeting of April 15, 1991. The motion passed with a
vote of 3-2 with Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, Councilman Phelps
and Binford voting "aye", and Councilmembers Davis and
Moses voting "nay."
C.4 CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 1931 APPROVING A
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT - INTERIM USE FOR A CELLULAR MOBILE
TELEPHONE ANTENNA WITHIN THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER
22 (PD-22) ZONING DISTRICT AND. LOCATED AT 1641 KEENAN
BRIDGE ROAD AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Vol. 60, Page 66
Mayor Blair presented the following information for
consideration. At the March 18, 1991 meeting, city
Council approved a Specific Use Permit-Interim Use and
associated site plan for a cellular mobile telephone
antenna for a period of 20 years, to expire no earlier
than March 31, 2011. The approved development occupies
2000 square feet of the northeast corner of the
"Gregory Addition" at 1641 Keenan Bridge Road and
includes a steel monopole antenna tower 92 feet tall
and a 286 square foot computer equipment building
enclosed by a chain link fence 6 feet tall. As
directed by City Council action, Staff has prepared
Ordinance No. 1931 which limits the life span of the
SUP to 20 years and approves the site plan for the
installation of the antenna.
Staff recommends that Ordinance No. 1931 be adopted as
submitted.
A motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Mayor Pro
Tem. Pyle, all voting "aye", approved the following
captioned Ordinance No. 1931 approving the specific use
Permit-Interim Use for a cellular phone antenna at 1634
Keenan Bridge Road for a period of 20 years.
0
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED; SO AS
TO GRANT APPROVAL OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT - INTERIM
USE (TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 31, 2011) AND ASSOCIATED SITE
PLAN FOR A CELLULAR MOBILE TELEPHONE ANTENNA WITHIN THE
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 22 (PD-22) ZONING DISTRICT
AND LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE GREGORY
ADDITION; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING
FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO
THOUSAND ($2,000.00) DOLLARS; PROVIDING FOR INJUNCTIVE
RELIEF; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
C.5 CONSIDER REQUEST TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE
INTERSECTION OF VALLEY VIEW LANE AND WEBB CHAPEL ROAD
AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Blair stated this item has been placed on the
agenda at the request of Bruce Carlin, 13450
Challaburton.
Mayor Blair recognized Bruce Carlin who requested
residents not be allowed to park their cars on the
north side of Valley View Lane east of Webb Chapel Road,
because it created a safety hazard as well as traffic
congestion.
Vol. 60, Page 67
Mayor Blair recognized David James, 2909 Eric Lane, who
stated that the residents had been granted this
easement to allow parking, but he could see that safety
could be a problem.
Discussion followed that a study had been made which
reflected that no accidents had occurred there relating
to the parked cars and that by not allowing citizens to
park on the street only added eight seconds to the
traffic flow. Therefore, Council did not feel it
necessary to make any changes at this time.
C.6 CONSIDER REQUEST OF EDDIE MCKIBBIN TO DISCUSS ORDINANCE
NO. 1777 RELATING TO NECESSITY OF RESTROOM FACILITIES
ON A MOBILE FOOD UNIT.
Mayor Blair stated that Mr. Eddie McKibbin,
representing Independent Caterer's Inc., had requested
that this item be placed on the City Council agenda to
discuss ordinance No. 1777, Section 8-107 (c) relating
to the necessity of restroom facilities on a mobile
food unit.
The City Staff recommends the item be continued to the
April 15, 1991 City Council meeting.
Mayor Blair recognized Eddie McKibbin who stated his
concern regarding the requirement of restroom
facilities on a mobile food unit.
Mayor Blair stated that this request would be taken
into consideration and reviewed. A motion by Mayor
Blair, a second by Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, all voting
"aye", approved to continue this item to the April 15
City Council meeting.
C.7 CONSIDER REQUEST OF DR. CARL FOULDS FOR RELIEF FROM
SEVERAL REQUIREMENTS OF FARMERS BRANCH ORDINANCE NO.
1918 AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Blair stated that Dr. Foulds has requested that
this item be placed on the City Council agenda.
The Staff recommends that Ordinance #1918 not be
amended.
Mayor Blair recognized Dr. Carl Foulds who expressed
consideration for changing ordinance No. 1918 relating
to the requirement relating to the necessity of
restroom facilities on a mobile food unit. Dr. Foulds
stated that he felt this was unnecessary and an expense'
to the vendors.
Vol. 60, Page 68
Discussion followed regarding the requirements of the
ordinance and procedures in regards to health and
safety reasons.
A motion by Mayor Blair, a second by Councilman
Binford, all voting "aye", agreed to not amend
Ordinance No. 1918.
C.8 'Consent item
C.9 Consent item
D.1 Consent item
D.2 Consent item
D.3 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND
TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Blair stated this item is placed on the agenda
for Council discussion and consideration.
Councilman Binford stated there was a need for the City
Manager to have authority to travel on an emergency
basis such as the emergency meeting at the Texas Air
Control Board in Austin earlier today.
A motion by Councilman Binford, a second by Mayor Pro
Tem. Pyle, all voting "aye", authorized for City Manager
to travel on an emergency basis as he deems necessary
and travel reimbursement be reviewed by Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Pyle, Councilman Phelps and City Manager
Escalante reported on an informative legislative trip
to Austin with the Metrocrest Chamber.
D.4 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
There was no one wishing to speak.
F.1 ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Phelps, a second by Councilman
Binford, all voting "aye", adjourned the City Council
meeting of April 1, 1991, at 9:24 p.m.
F
Mayor
~~LyY1-r~ ~7
City Secretary
Vol. 60, Page 69