Loading...
1997-07-11 CC MinutesL CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING JULY 11, 1997 STUDY SESSION ROOM 1:30 P.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmembers Bob Phelps Calla Davis Berry Grubbs Bill Moses Charlie Bird James Robbs The following members of the City Administration were present: City Manager Richard Escalante City Secretary Cindee Peters City Attorney John Boyle Assistant City Manager John Burke City Engineer Jerry Murawski Director of Economic Development Norma Nichols MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Phelps announced that the items in Executive Session would be heard before the General Session agenda items. MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 1:37 P.M. AND CONCLUDED AT 2:07 P.M. FOR THE GENERAL SESSION. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMSS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION. DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE - SECTION 551.071 DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION RELATED TO THE CARROLLTON/FARMERS BRANCH INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT Volume 75, page 45 ATTENDANCE ZONE ISSUE. City Attorney John Boyle updated the City Council on the attendance zone issue. CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON LITIGATION DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Phelps asked if there was anyone in the audience that wished to speak on this item. Mr. Fred Johnson, 12212 Ridgefair, stated he has loved Farmers Branch for over 30 years. Mr. Johnson felt it may be necessary for a higher authority to rule on the differences between the City of Farmers Branch and the School Board. Mr. Johnson explained the crime rate may possibly worsen because under educated children may gravitate toward a life of crime. Mr. Johnson explained no advance classes will be offered at R. L. Turner because there will be no demand for these type classes. Mr. Johnson felt these grievances must be addressed. Mr. Jim Barrett, 3411 Gatwick, stated he has children in the district. Mr. Barrett explained he discussed his concerns regarding the attendance zones with the Superintendent last year and was told there was no need to worry. Mr. Barrett stated he was very disappointed and believes there is an equity problem. Mr. Barrett stated the meeting held by the School Board last night was not a meeting but a lynching. Mr. Barrett stated the issues were not addressed during the meeting, just a personal attack on the City Council. Mr. Barrett thanked the City Council for looking after the children in Farmers Branch. Ms. Judy McClung Tepper, stated her children cannot wait to attend R. L. Turner, and also explained it is a great school now and will always be a great school. Mayor Phelps called for necessary action on litigation. A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Bird, a second by Councilman Moses, all voting "aye", authorized and directed the City Attorney and City Manager to file complaints with the Department of Justice, Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights and the Texas Education Agency and to take such other action to process those complaints. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 97-098 TO APPROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CRITERIA FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT ALPHA LINK AND VALLEY VIEW LANE. FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps gave the following information for consideration. Granite Properties contacted the City in 1997 to determine interest in selling a 3.498 acre tract of property, a Volume 75, page 46 portion of the city right-of-way at Alpha Link and Valley View. The property was "left over" right-of-way from the construction of Alpha Road. After a series of negotiations, the City Council agreed to sell 3.498 acres to Granite Properties for $2.50 per sq. ft. for a total of $380,940. City owned property is normally sold under a sealed bid process in accordance with State Law. Chapter 380 of the Texas Tax Code allows for a negotiated sale procedure if a city develops an economic policy allowing for the sale and conveyance of property under said law. The City Council approved a Comprehensive Policy Statement on Local Economic Development and Business Incentives on January 6, 1997 that provides for the sale and conveyance of certain city owned property through a negotiated sale to promote quality development. Economic Development criteria projecting economic impact, including job creation and income generation is necessary in order to sell city owned property under this program. The contract for sale of the property is a related item on this agenda. Staff recommends that City Council adopted Resolution 97-098. A motion by Councilman Moses, a second by Councilman Robbs, all voting "aye", adopted Resolution 97-098. CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO 97-104 APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH BLUE LAKE PARTNERS, LIMITED FOR THE PURCHASE OF RIGHT-OF- WAY ON ALPHA LINK AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps gave the following information for consideration. Blue Lake Partners, Limited, also known as Granite Properties, is the owner of the office complex along Midway Road called The Centre. The City needs to acquire property from Blue Lake Partners, Limited, for the widening of Midway Road. Blue Lake Partners, Limited, wants to purchase from the City excess right-of-way adjacent to The Centre to be developed as a high rise office site. The right-of-way presently includes Alpha Link Road and excess right-of-way at Valley View Lane and Alpha Road. An agreement has been negotiated between Blue Lake Partners, Limited, and the City that provides for the purchase of right- of-way by the City in the amount of $193,599 and the sale of right-of-way to Blue Lake Partners, Limited in the amount of $380,940. The agreement also provides reimbursement to Blue Lake Partners, Limited, up to $77,000 for replacement of the landscaping and irrigation that will be removed for the widening of Midway Road. Approval of economic development criteria is a related item on this Council agenda. Staff recommends adopting Resolution No. 97-104 approving an agreement with Blue Lake Partners, Limited for the purchase of right-of-way for Midway Road and the sales of excess right-of-way on Alpha Link Road. Volume 75, page 47 Mr. Mike Moray, of Granite Properties, stated he was available to answer any questions the City Council might have. City Manager Richard Escalante stated the agreement was just handed to the City Council prior to the meeting. Mr. Escalante stated staff would be available to answer any questions. Mayor Pro Tem Davis asked if Holiday Park would be retained by the City. City Manager Richard Escalante stated the City would retain ownership of Holiday Park. Assistant City Manager John Burke stated Holiday Park is approximately one acre. Councilman Grubbs asked if the City had other agreements that were similar. City Attorney John Boyle stated this was an original. City Manager Richard Escalante explained regarding the sale it is contingent upon all zoning and platting processes taking place. Mr. Escalante stated the agreement has a condition that the City will receive additional compensation or the property will revert back to the City should the building not be constructed. A motion by Councilman Robbs, a second by Mayor Pro Tem Davis, all voting "aye adopted Resolution 97-104 approving an agreement with Blue Lake Partners, Limited for the purchase of right-of-way for Midway Road and the sales of excess right-of-way on Alpha Link Road. ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilman Grubbs, a second by Mayor Pro Tern Davis, all voting "aye", adjourned the special City Council meeting of July 11, 1997 at 2:32 p.m. Iyor t City Secretary Volume 75, page 48