2007-04-02 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
City Hall Plaza
13000 William Dodson Parkway
Farmers Branch, Texas
Monday, April 2, 2007
6:30 P.M.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor
Bob Phelps
Mayor Pro Tern
Ben Robinson
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Tim O'Hare
Councilmembers
Charlie Bird
Bill Moses
Jim Smith
The following members of the Administration were present:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Secretary
City Attorney
City Engineer
Director of Economic Development
Assistant to the City Manager
Finance Director
Director of Public Works
Director of Parks and Recreation
Library Director
Police Chief
Fire Chief
Director of Community Services
Director of Communications
Director of Equipment Services
Recording Secretary
Gary Greer
Mary Jane Stevenson
Greg Vick
Cindee Peters
John Boyle
Jerry Murawski
Norma Nichols Reed
John Roach
Charles Cox
Mark Pavageaux
Jeff Fuller
Danita Barber
Sid Fuller
Kyle King
Michael Spicer
Tom Bryson
Don Moore
Suzanne Reynolds
Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of April 2, 2007 to order at 6:30 p.m. The
meeting was televised.
A.1 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Phelps gave the invocation and pledge of allegiance.
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A.2 PRESENTATION OF SERVICE AWARD- LT. JEFF ASHABRANNER -
POLICE DEPARTMENT-20 YEARS.
Mayor Phelps presented a 20-year employee service award to Lieutenant Jeffrey
Ashabranner with the Farmers Branch Police Department.
A.3 ACCEPT DONATION OF $10,000 TO THE FARMERS BRANCH ANIMAL
SHELTER FOR THE SPAY AND NEUTER OF DOGS AND CATS.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. A very generous donor, who
wishes to remain anonymous, has presented the City with a check for $10,000 to
be used exclusively to fund a spay and neuter program for dogs and cats kept at
the shelter. With the acceptance of this donation, the City will be able to provide
the service of sterilizing dogs and cats prior to their adoption or release to new
and current pet owners. A licensed veterinarian would perform the operations.
Such a program will greatly aid in the control of the City's pet population.
A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem. O'Hare, seconded by Councilman Smith, all
voting "aye," accepted the anonymous donation of $10,000 to the Farmers Branch
Animal Shelter for the spay and neuter of dogs and cats.
A.4 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS TO
THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, LIBRARY
BOARD, COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE, TAX INCREMENT
FINANCING REINVESTMENT ZONE NO. ONE AND TWO, AND THE
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND TAKE APPROPRIATE
ACTION.
There were no applications presented.
A motion by Councilman Bird, seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting "aye,"
appointed City Manager Gary D. Greer to the Tax Increment Financing
Reinvestment Zone No. One and Two.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem. Robinson, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.
O'Hare, all voting "aye," reappointed Mark Saiter, Charles Beck, Johnathon
Bingham and Robert Baxter to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
A.5 REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS.
Mayor Phelps and the City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed
in Study Session.
B.0 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
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Mayor Phelps stated consent items are items that are to be considered 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 consent items is to
speed up discussion for those items that need more time for discussion.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Robinson, seconded by Councilman Smith, all
voting "aye," added Agenda Item D.1 to the Consent Agenda.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Robinson, seconded by Councilman Smith, all
voting "aye," approved the amended Consent Agenda.
B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF
MARCH 19, 2007.
B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-041 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH PACKAGING
CORPORATION OF AMERICA TO PROVIDE A PRIVATE SWITCH
FOR BUSINESS EMERGENCY 9-1-1 SERVICES.
B.3 ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 2911 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.
2908 ESTABLISHING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
KEENAN CEMETERY.
ORDINANCE NO. 2911
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH,
TEXAS, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2908 ESTABLISHING
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR KEEENAN
CEMETERY.
D.1 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-046 AWARDING BIDS TO
VARIOUS VENDORS FOR CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS FOR
THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
C.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Jose Galvez, 2661 Danny Lane, stated he is opposed to Ordinance No. 2903 and
is disappointed with the negative publicity that the City of Farmers Branch is
receiving.
Jim Davis, 2548 Hearthstone Drive, stated he supports the proposed illegal
immigration ordinance. He made comments regarding code enforcement and
would like to see changes made in the issuance of citations.
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Berry Grubbs, 3521 Brookline, reviewed a past lawsuit with the City of Dallas
and how it was settled after 17 years. He suggested the City look at options to
settle the existing immigration related lawsuits. He also stated he does not want
his tax dollars used to fight these lawsuits.
Tim Scott, 3008 Eric Lane, stated he and his opponents are working hard to make
this election a debate about the issues.
Tony Salerno, 2519 Danny Lane, stated at the mid-year budget meeting he
noticed a $444,000 adjustment to the legal fees. He stated if Ordinance No. 2903
passes, the legal fees would have to be increased.
David Koch, 3243 Brincrest, reported on the weekly certificate of occupancy
report and the lowering of the crime rate.
C.2 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER THE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE
FINAL PLAT OF WELCH QUAD, BEING A REPLAT OF LOT 6, BLOCK 1
OF THE REVISED METROPOLITAN COMMERCIAL PARK ADDITION
AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The proposed Final Plat of
Welch Quad is a 1.0735-acre site consisting of an office/warehouse facility and
vacant land located at 13725 Welch Road, south of Sigma Road. The owners of
the property, Surinder Mittal and Terry B. Kafka, have requested the replat of Lot
6, Block 1 of the Revised Metropolitan Commercial Park Addition to subdivide
one lot into two lots for ownership purposes.
The proposed Final Plat of Welch Quad creates Lot 1, which is 0.4989 acres of
vacant land, and Lot 2, which is 0.5745 acres containing an existing
office/warehouse facility. A future furniture showroom facility is proposed on
Lot 1. The plat dedicates a 24-foot fire lane, access, and utility easement on Lot 1
and a 20-foot street and utility easement on both Lots 1 and 2.
The Final Plat of Welch Quad is consistent with the Texas Local Government
Code and with City requirements for a final plat.
The Texas Local Government Code requires that a public hearing be conducted
for all replats that do not vacate a preceding plat. Written notifications are not
required.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval of the proposed
Final Plat of Welch Quad.
Mayor Phelps opened the public hearing.
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A motion by Councilman Moses, seconded by Councilman Bird, all voting "aye,"
closed the public hearing.
There being no discussion, a motion by Councilman Bird, seconded by
Councilman Moses, all voting "aye," approved the proposed Final Plat of Welch
Quad.
C.3 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 2910
APPROVING THE REQUEST OF CLUB SOCCER, INC. FOR A SPECIFIC
USE PERMIT FOR AN OUTDOOR COMMERCIAL AMUSEMENT
FACILITY, INCLUDING VARIANCES TO PAVING AND BUILDING
SETBACKS, FENCING, AND PARKING REQUIREMENTS,
APPROXIMATELY 18.54 ACRES LOCATED AT 1777 KEENAN BRIDGE
ROAD, WITHIN PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NO. 77 AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The proposed request is for a
specific use permit to allow for an outdoor commercial amusement comprised of a
soccer facility with six fields, parking, lighting and fencing, as well as future
clubhouse, concession, storage and restroom buildings. Club Soccer, Inc. has
leased from the City of Farmers Branch the subject property that is located at the
northwest corner of Keenan Bridge Road and Davis Lane.
This request also seeks approval of variances to paving and building setbacks,
fencing, and parking requirements. The Planned Development 77 zoning
ordinance allows for variance requests to development standards to be considered
as a part of the site plan approval process. These variances would allow for
maximum use of the subject property for an outdoor commercial amusement
facility while meeting the intent of the ordinance.
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the
requested specific use permit, including the requested variances, with the
following conditions:
1. If the City determines at any time that the parking area as shown on the site
plan and the parking being provided on the neighboring Golden D'Or property
to the west are insufficient or that the parking areas are not being utilized,
Club Soccer, Inc. shall be responsible for providing sufficient parking on-site
to accommodate parking demand and/or make arrangements to ensure that
their patrons are using the provided parking areas, subject to review and
approval by the Building Official. Should Club Soccer, Inc. not provide
sufficient parking to meet the parking demands generated by the facility, then
Club Soccer, Inc. shall limit their activities and operations to comply with
parking available to meet their demand.
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2. Building elevation drawings, including dimensions and materials, for all
buildings or structures shall be subject to review and approval by the Director
of Planning, prior to issuance of building permits.
3. Any minor modifications to the site plan shall be administratively approved,
unless it is determined by the Director of Planning that a revised site plan
should be forwarded to Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council
for review and approval.
4. The final photometric plan and electrical plan shall be subject to review and
approval by the Director of Planning, prior to issuance of construction permits
for electrical and lighting installation.
5. Portable toilets may be utilized until September 1, 2008 or until such time
when permanent restrooms are provided, whichever occurs first.
6. The applicant shall dedicate all rights-of-way and fire lane and utility
easements, prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or use of playing
fields.
Mayor Phelps opened the public meeting.
A motion by Councilman Moses, seconded by Councilman Smith, all voting
"aye,' closed the public hearing.
Councilman Bird asked if the applicant was in agreement with the conditions
recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Director of Planning
Andy Gilles replied that the applicant was in agreement with the conditions.
There being no further discussion, a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Robinson,
seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting "aye," adopted the following
captioned Ordinance No. 2910 approving the specific use permit, including the
requested variances, with the conditions recommended by the Planning and
Zoning Commission.
ORDINANCE NO. 2910
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS, BY GRANTING A
SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR AN OUTDOOR
COMMERCIAL AMUSEMENT FACILITY, INCLUDING
VARIANCES TO PAVING AND BUILDING SETBACKS, FENCING,
AND PARKING REQUIREMENTS, LOCATED ON
APPROXIMATELY 18.54 ACRES LOCATED AT 1777 KEENAN
BRIDGE ROAD, GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF KEENAN BRIDGE ROAD AND DAVIS LANE, WITHIN
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THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER NO. 77 (PD-77) ZONING
DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;
PROVIDING A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF
TWO THOUSAND ($2,000.00) DOLLARS; PROVIDING FOR
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
D.1 CONSENT
D.2 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS, AND
COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS, AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps stated he and City Manager Gary Greer traveled to Austin on
March 27th to testify on legislative issues.
MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED PRIOR TO THE REGULAR CITY
COUNCIL MEETING. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL
CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 5:00 P.M. AND CONCLUDED AT
6:25 P.M. TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING
LAW PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMS AS PERSONNEL MATTERS, LAND
ACQUISITION AND PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION MAY BE
DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
E.1 DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES - TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.087.
Discuss economic development incentives for businesses with which the City is
conducting economic development negotiations.
Mayor Phelps explained there was no new information to present to Council on
this item.
E.2 DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071.
Ramos v. City of Farmers Branch
Barrietos, et al., v. Farmers Branch
Villas at Parkside Partners, et.al., v. Farmers Branch
Alfredo Vasquez, et.al., v. Farmers Branch
Mayor Phelps stated the City Attorney was present to update the City Council on
this item.
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F.1 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
r
F.2
Mayor Phelps explained the City Council was updated on the items in Executive
Session and no action was necessary.
ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Smith, a second by Councilman Moses, all voting
"aye," adjourned the City Council meeting of April 2, 2007 at 7:06 p.m.
Bob Phelps, Mayor
Cindee Peters, City Secretary
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