2007-08-06 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
City Hall Plaza
13000 William Dodson Parkway
Farmers Branch, Texas
Monday, August 6, 2007
6:30 p.m.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor
Bob Phelps
Mayor Pro Tern
Tim O'Hare
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern
Ben Robinson
Councilmembers
Jim Smith
David Koch
Tim Scott
The following members of the Administration were present:
City Manager
Gary D. Greer
Assistant City Manager
Mary Jane Stevenson
Assistant City Manager
Greg Vick
Assistant to the City Manager
John Roach
Director of Economic Development
Norma Nichols Reed
City Attorney
John Boyle
City Engineer
Jerry Murawski
Director of Equipment Services
Kevin Muenchow
Director of Community Services
Michael Spicer
Finance Director
Charles Cox
Director of Public Works
Mark Pavageaux
Director of Parks and Recreation
Jeff Fuller
Library Director
Danita Barber
Police Chief
Sid Fuller
Fire Chief
Kyle King
Director of Communications
Tom Bryson
Recording Secretary
Suzanne Reynolds
Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of August 6, 2007 to order at 6:30
p.m. The meeting was televised.
A.1 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Councilman Scott gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance
A.2 REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS.
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Mayor Phelps and the City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed
in Study Session.
A.3 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS TO
THE COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE AND THE SENIOR ADVISORY
BOARD, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
There were no applications presented.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tern O'Hare, seconded by Councilman Koch, all voting
"aye," appointed Mike DeValle to the Community Watch Committee.
Mayor Phelps stated the Senior Advisory Board would be brought back to the
August 21, 2007 City Council meeting.
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B.0 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps stated consent items are items that are to be considered that may
not need discussion individually. Any member of the City Councilor 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 O'Hare, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Robinson, all voting "aye," approved the Consent Agenda as submitted.
B.l APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING OF
JULY 11, 2007, MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY
16, 2007 AND THE MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL
MEETINGS OF JULY 18 AND JULY 30, 2007.
B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-093 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH TRAVELCLICK,
INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $101,577.72.
B.3 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-098 AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH HCK2
PARTNERS FOR THE CITY'S BRANDING CAMPAIGN IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000.
B.4 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-102 APPROVING THE 2007-2008
OPERATING BUDGET OF THE NORTH DALLAS COUNTY WATER
SUPPLY CORPORATION.
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B.5 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-101 APPROVING AN
ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FUGRO
CONSULTANTS LP IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,000 FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING ASSOCIATED WITH THE
RECONSTRUCTION OF SENLAC DRIVE.
B.6 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2007-103 AWARDING THE BID FOR
IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING FOR FIRE STATION NO. 3 TO
BLUEGRASS MAINTENANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,500.
C.1 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2921
APPROVING THE REQUEST OF DALTEX REALTY LP TO CHANGE THE
ZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 40.4894 ACRES GENERALLY LOCATED
SOUTH AND EAST OF ALPHA ROAD, NORTH OF BLUE LAKE CIRCLE
AND WEST OF MIDWAY ROAD FROM PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NO. 1
(PD-1) TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NO. 90 (PD-90), ESTABLISHING
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND APPROVING A CONCEPTUAL
MASTER PLAN AND CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The subject properties are
presently developed with office buildings and comprise the majority of the office
park development known as The Centre. The applicant is proposing to redevelop
multiple lots, approximately 40.4894 acres in area, into a mixed-use community,
including urban-style multifamily residential, retail and office uses. The subject
properties are presently zoned Planned Development No. 1 (PD-1), which does
not allow any type of residential use.
The proposed Planned Development No. 90 (PD-90) would allow development of
up to 2,000 urban-style apartments or condominium homes and require a
minimum of thirty-three square feet of retail space for every dwelling unit built.
Therefore development of the maximum number of dwellings would concurrently
require development of at least 66,000 square feet of retail space. A minimum of
30,000 square feet of retail space must be concentrated in the heart of the project
on Tract 3, which comprises approximately 16 acres situated between McEwen
Road and Blue Lake Circle.
Other key features of the proposed zoning change and development concept
include: elimination of Light Industrial uses; development of new privately-
maintained streets; providing for on-street and shared parking; conversion of
existing private open space to privately-maintained, public open space; a
Conceptual Master Plan for the entire 40.4894-acre area; and a more detailed
Conceptual Site Plan for Tract 3.
The Planning & Zoning Commission, by unanimous vote, recommends approval
of proposed Ordinance No. 2921, establishing the Planned Development No. 90
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(PD-90) zoning district, including a Conceptual Master Plan and Conceptual Site
Plan.
Mayor Phelps opened the public hearing.
Planning Director Andy Gillies gave the City Council an overview of the
proposed Planned Development District.
There followed a discussion between the developer and City Council.
A motion by Councilman Smith, seconded by Councilman Koch, all voting "aye,"
closed the public hearing.
Following a lengthy discussion regarding the proposed project, it was moved by
Councilman Koch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem O'Hare, to table proposed
Ordinance No. 2921 to the August 21, 2007 City Council meeting, with
Councilmembers Smith, Robinson and Scott voting "nay." The motion failed
with a two to three vote.
A motion by Councilman Smith, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Robinson,
with Councilmen Smith, Robinson and Scott voting "aye," and Councilmen Koch
and O'Hare voting "nay," approved the following captioned Ordinance No. 2921
establishing the Planned Development No. 90 (PD-90) zoning district, including a
Conceptual Master Plan and Conceptual Site Plan, as recommended by the
Planning and Zoning Commission. The motion carried with a three to two vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 2921
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH,
TEXAS, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS,
AS HERETOFORE AMENDED; BY REZONING A PORTION
OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 1 (PD-1) ZONING
DISTRICT TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 90 (PD-
90) ZONING DISTRICT INCLUDING ESTABLISHING
PERMITTED USES, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND
PROCESSES ON AN APPROXIMATELY 40.4894 ACRE
TRACT LOCATED SOUTH AND EAST OF ALPHA ROAD,
NORTH OF BLUE LAKE CIRCLE, AND WEST OF MIDWAY
ROAD; AMENDING AND REPEALING ORDINANCE
NUMBER 2589 AS IT PERTAINS TO THE SUBJECT
PROPERTY ONLY; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE;
PROVIDING FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OF
FINE NOT TO EXCEED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS
($2,000.00); AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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D.1 CONSIDER ADOPTING A MOTION PROPOSING THAT THE CITY
MAINTAIN A $0.4945 PROPERTY TAX RATE, SCHEDULE TWO PUBLIC
HEARINGS FOR AUGUST 21, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, SCHEDULE
ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2007, AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The 2007-08 proposed
budget was submitted to the City Council by July 31, 2007, and is also available
to the public for review on the City's Website and at the Manske Library. The
City Council will discuss the 2007-08 proposed budget in a workshop during the
afternoon of August 21, 2007. The proposed budget contains a recommendation
to maintain the property tax rate at $0.4945 per $100 assessed value. This
recommendation meets the City Council's goal to prepare and implement a
budget that assures a stable tax rate and provides needed services.
The Dallas Central Appraisal District recently certified the City's taxable property
values. Including new construction and a minimum value for property values
under protest, these values reflect a 10.8% increase overall, primarily due to
growth in commercial values. Overall residential values increased 3.8%.
Increased property values will result in an increase in property tax revenues even
though the property tax rate is not being increased. The 2007-08 budget contains
recommendations for the use of the added revenues. The primary use is to fund
operations of the new Fire Station No. 3.
Maintaining a 49.45-cent tax rate will require the publication of a notice in the
newspaper notifying taxpayers of the proposed effective tax increase. Dallas
County is responsible for calculating and certifying the information on this notice,
which is expected to be finalized and published in the Dallas Morning News on
August 17`". Under the State Property Tax Code, maintaining the 49.45-cent tax
rate requires that the City Council first pass a motion to propose a tax rate and set
two public hearing dates. Tonight's motion proposes to maintain the current tax
rate, but does not adopt any tax rate. The public hearings are proposed to take
place on August 21 and September 4, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall during the
regular City Council meeting. City Council will adopt a tax rate at the regular
City Council meeting of September 18.
City Administration recommends that the City Council adopt a motion proposing
that the City maintain a 49.45-cent property tax rate for 2007-08, set public
hearings for August 21 and September 4, 2007 at the City of Farmers Branch City
Hall, and schedule adoption of the tax rate on September 18, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem O'Hare, seconded by Councilman Scott, all voting
"aye," proposed that the City maintain a 49.45-cent property tax rate, schedule
public hearings for August 21 and September 4, 2007, and schedule adoption of
the tax rate on September 18, 2007.
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D.2 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2007-104 AUTHORIZING THE
DEFEASANCE OF AND CALLING FOR REDEMPTION OF THE
OUTSTANDING CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS COMBINATION
ASSESSMENT AND UTILITY SYSTEM REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS,
SERIES 2002; AUTHORIZING THE DEPOSIT OF FUNDS WITH THE
PAYING AGENT/REGISTRAR; AND, ENACTING OTHER PROVISIONS
RELATING TO THE SUBJECT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. In 1993, the City issued
$11,360,000 in Combination Assessment and Utility System Revenue Certificates
of Obligation to pay for a sewer interceptor and tunnel system to service the
City's eastside. Repayment of this debt comes from annual assessments on the
properties that benefited from the improved sewer system. These certificates were
partially refunded in 2002 due to a large number of assessments being paid-off
early. The last payment on this debt is currently scheduled during the 2010-2011
fiscal year.
Additional assessment pay-offs, interest earnings, and contingency project
balances, which are no longer required, provide an opportunity for the City to pay
the entire outstanding bond balance of $2.3 million three years early. Over
$100,000 in interest savings is expected from this early pay-off.
City Administration recommends adopting Resolution No. 2007-104 authorizing
the defeasance of and calling for redemption of the outstanding City of Farmers
Branch, Texas Combination Assessment and Utility System Revenue Refunding
Bonds, Series 2002.
A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Robinson, seconded by Councilman Smith,
all voting "aye," adopted Resolution No. 2007-104 authorizing the defeasance of
and calling for redemption of the outstanding City of Farmers Branch, Texas
Combination Assessment and Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series
2002.
D.3 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS, AND
COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS, AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
There were no travel reports or requests.
Mayor Pro Tem O'Hare stated he attended a meeting with a developer the
previous week.
MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE TO BE DISCUSSED AFTER THE 4:00 P.M. STUDY
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SESSION. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:57 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 8:31 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 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
Valentine Reyes, et.al., v. City of Farmers Branch
Mayor Phelps explained that the City Attorney would be present to discuss this
item with City Council.
F.1 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mayor Phelps called for necessary action on items in Executive Session.
F.2 ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Robinson, a second by Councilman Scott,
all voting "aye," adjourned the City Council meeting of August 6, 2007 at 8:31
p.m.
Bob Phelps, Mayor
e
Cindee Peters, City Secretary
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