Loading...
2005-10-03 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch City Council Regular Meeting Agenda City Hall Plaza 13000 William Dodson Parkway Farmers Branch, Texas Monday, October 3, 2005 7:30 P.M. The following members of the City Council were present: Mayor Bob Phelps Mayor Pro Tern Charlie Bird Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Ben Robinson Councilmembers Junie Smith Tim O'Hare The following member of the City Council was absent: Councilmember Bill Moses The following members of the Administration were present: City Manager Linda Groomer Assistant City Manager Mary Jane Stevenson Assistant City Manager Greg Vick Assistant to the City Manager John Roach City Attorney John Boyle City Secretary Cindee Peters Director of Economic Division Norma Nichols Reed Finance Director Charles Cox Director of Public Works Mark Pavageaux Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Fuller Police Chief Jimmy Fawcett Fire Chief Kyle King Director of Community Services Michael Spicer City Engineer Jerry Murawski Director of Communications Tom Bryson Director of Equipment Services Don Moore Library Director Danita Barber Recording Secretary Suzanne Reynolds Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of October 3, 2005 to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was televised. Volume 95, page 120 A.I INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. Brother Eddy Ketchesid gave the invocation and Mayor Phelps presented the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Phelps announced that Councilman Moses would not be present due to illness in his family. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilman Robinson, all voting "aye," excused Councilman Moses' absence. A.2 RECOGNITION OF MICHAEL VANCE, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE OMNI PARK WEST, FOR RECEIVING THE OMNI MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. Michael Vance, General Manager, of the Omni Park West Hotel, and Chairman of the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce, received the top award as the Omni General Manager of the Year at the annual conference of Omni Hotels in Orlando, Florida in July 2005. Based in Irving, Omni Hotels is a privately owned company operating 40 first-class and luxury hotels and resorts throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. In addition, the Omni Park West Hotel received an honorable mention award for Marketing at the same annual conference. These awards solidify the Omni's status as one of the finest hotel properties along the LBJ corridor and underscore the Farmers Branch hotel community as among the best in the Metroplex. On behalf of the City Council, staff and citizens of Farmers Branch, we congratulate Mr. Vance on this prestigious honor and wish him the very best in all future endeavors, not only at the Omni Hotel, but also at the helm of the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Phelps, along with the Tourism Division, presented Michael Vance, General Manager of the Omni Park West Hotel with a proclamation honoring him for receiving the "Omni Manager of the Year Award." A.3 RECOGNITION OF JIMMIE MAY FOR HER EFFORTS IN SUPPORTING THE FARMERS BRANCH SENIOR CENTER. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. For over 10 years, Jimmie May has committed her time, attention and energy to the Farmers Branch Senior Center. From 1995 to 1999, Jimmie served as a member of the Senior Advisory Council, and the next six years as one of the original board members of the Senior Advisory Board. In addition to holding the office of Vice Chair of the Board, she also served as the Entertainment Program Director for the monthly breakfasts and Volume 95, page 121 volunteered numerous hours for the Get-Acquainted, Get-Together Program. To the City's loss, on September 8, Jimmie submitted her resignation as a Senior Advisory Board member. Jimmie has been a constant on the Board and has provided leadership and thoughtful insight to tough questions that face the Board. Jimmie usually had a strong opinion but was always ready to listen to all sides of an issue. She served as a strong advocate and champion for Farmers Branch seniors. Mayor Phelps stated the City Council, members of the Senior Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Department would like to honor Jimmie May with a certificate for the hours she has donated to the Farmers Branch Senior Center to make it the premier place for seniors that it is today. A.4 RECOGNITION OF THE FARMERS BRANCH SISTER CITY COMMITTEE AND OF CITY STAFF FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2005 SISTER CITY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the City Council. Earlier this month, the City of Farmers Branch staged a massive celebration for more than 100 visitors from our Sister Cities, the District of Bassetlaw, England and Garbsen, Germany, along with our Friendship City of Schonebeck, Germany. This year marks the 25th anniversary of our City's relationship with Bassetlaw, 15th anniversary with Garbsen and 10th anniversary with Schonebeck. The weeklong event featured dedication ceremonies of each of the three walking trails in Rawhide Park in honor of each of the three cities; a western-themed celebration in the Farmers Branch Historical Park and official recognition ceremonies at Farmers Branch City Hall, as well as other events, tours and group meals. Through it all, the entire undertaking was coordinated and executed with the finest attention to detail by the members of the Sister City organizing committee with valuable and unfailing assistance from numerous members of City staff. Mayor and City Council showed their appreciation for the months of work the committee devoted to organizing the various activities for the Sister City Anniversary Celebration and the 107 visitors. Mayor Phelps presented a certificate and commemorative key chain to Janie Scarbrough, Nancy Hardie, Ruth Ann Parish, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Robinson, and Traci Leach. Recognized but unable to be in attendance were committee members Romona Upfield, Elaine Grubbs, Calla Davis, Margaret Young and Joel Lebsack. Volume 95, page 122 Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Robinson thanked the Mayor and City Council for their support and presented them with key chains. A.5 CONSIDER ACCEPTING A $1,000 DONATION FROM PRIME TIME SPORTS FOR THE CITY'S YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. Prime Time Sports, a private enterprise dedicated to providing boys and girls an opportunity to play competitive basketball, would like to donate $1,000 to the City of Farmers Branch for its Youth Scholarship Program. Prime Time Sports held a portion of its National Basketball Tournament in Farmers Branch on July 28-30, 2005. Forty teams played at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and at Vivian Field Middle School. The tournament generated 215 room nights for Farmers Branch hotels. The Youth Scholarship Program, which began in 1992, gives many local children the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. The Youth Scholarship Program assists with athletic league registration fees, provides children with many types of equipment or supplies that may be needed for recreation activities, and allows many children the opportunity to participate in recreation activities they otherwise would not be able to afford. The Youth Scholarship Program is funded strictly by donations and grants from individuals, civic organizations and businesses like Prime Time Sports. Jason Maupin, Director of Operations for Prime Time Sports, presented a $1,000 donation to the City to be used for the Youth Scholarship Program. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilman O'Hare, all voting "aye," accepted the $1,000 donation from Prime Time Sports, with appropriate letter. A.6 PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2005 AS "FIRE PREVENTION MONTH" IN FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The Fire Department will be busy throughout the month of October presenting fire prevention programs at schools in Farmers Branch. The programs are age specific and teach a variety of fire and life safety topics. The Branch Brigade Clowns, made up of Fire Department personnel, will perform for the youngest students. Fire Administration and the Fire Prevention Division personnel will use storytelling, games and demonstrations to teach the older children about safety. The Fire Department is also sponsoring the Tenth Annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest for the third grade students in Farmers Branch schools. Volume 95, page 123 Mayor Phelps read and presented a proclamation to Chief King, Division Chief/Fire Marshal Tim Dedear, and Fire Prevention Training Coordinator Wendi Kimpton, proclaiming October 2005 as "Fire Prevention Week" in Farmers Branch, Texas. A.7 PRESENTATION OF AWARDS FOR FIRE PREVENTION POSTER CONTEST. The Mayor and Fire Department staff presented awards to winners in the Tenth Annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest. All third grade students from Cabell Elementary, Farmers Branch Elementary, Janie Stark Elementary, Dave Blair Intermediate, Parish Episcopal School and Mary Immaculate School were invited to participate. The Best of Show went to Ruby Acosta of Farmers Branch Elementary. A.8 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS. There were no applications presented. A.9 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. 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 Tern Bird, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Robinson, all voting "aye," accepted the Consent Agenda as submitted. B.l APPROVED MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2005. I I B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2005-112 APPROVING AN ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH FUGRO CONSULTANTS LP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MERCER PARKWAY FROM VALLEY VIEW LANE TO 300 FEET EAST OF LUNA ROAD. Volume 95, page 124 [l B.3 ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 2834 AMENDING THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 82, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 6, SECTION 82- 95; RELATIVE TO PROHIBITING PARKING ALONG DAVIS LANE AND ON KEENAN BRIDGE ROAD FROM VALLEY VIEW LANE TO APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET WEST OF DAVIS LANE. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 82, TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, ARTICLE II, OPERATION OF VEHICLES, DIVISION 6, PARKING, SECTION 82-95, NO PARKING ZONES; PROVIDING A PENALTY; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. C.1 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. John Wells, 13521 Heartside Place, stated he was concerned about being in the Rawhide Creek flood plain. He asked if it would be possible to let citizens know through the City's newsletter if they were in the flood plain. I C.2 PUBLIC HEARING: CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 2833 APPROVING THE REQUEST BY JOHN P. BROOKS FAMILY CORPORATION TO AMEND A SITE PLAN ASSOCIATED WITH AN EXISTING SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, AND TO ALLOW FOR AN APPROXIMATE 2,166 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ADDITION TO AN EXISTING FUNERAL HOME LOCATED AT 2710 VALLEY VIEW LANE WITHIN THE OFFICE ZONING DISTRICT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The proposed site is currently developed with an approximate 8,849 square foot, one-story building that has been used as a funeral home under an existing specific use permit approved in May 2000. The proposal seeks approval for an approximate 2,166 square foot, two-story building addition, which requires an amendment to the site plan associated with the existing approved specific use permit. The addition will be used for storage, a preparation area, and an employee break room. The proposed addition is compatible with the design and materials of the main structure and complies with all Office zoning district standards. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the amended site plan associated with an existing specific use permit and an approximate 2,166 square foot building addition to an existing funeral home. Mayor Phelps opened the public hearing. Volume 95, page 125 Speaking in support of Mr. Brooks' request were: Judy Byrd, 2980 Eric, John Dinger, 1307 Lamp Post Lane, Mike Wiley, 14221 Rawhide Parkway, James Ballard, 13951 Birchlawn, Kim Moore, 2787 Mountview, and Bea Escamilla, 14148 Heartside Place. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all voting "aye," closed the public hearing. There being no further discussion, a motion by Councilman O'Hare, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Robinson, all voting "aye," adopted the following captioned Ordinance No. 2833 approving the amended specific use permit. 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 A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR A 2,166 SQUARE FOOT TWO-STORY BUILDING ADDITION AND AMEND A SITE PLAN ASSOCIATED WITH AN EXISTING FUNERAL HOME LOCATED AT 2710 VALLEY VIEW LANE AND WITHIN THE OFFICE ZONING DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2542; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND ($2,000.00) DOLLARS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. D.1 CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR FUNDING AS PROVIDED IN THE 2005-06 BUDGET AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. A. SENIOR ADULT SERVICES B. METROCREST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE C. METROCREST SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER D. METROCREST FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC E. FARMERS BRANCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mayor Phelps presented the following information. Agreements have been prepared for the organizations that are funded in the 2005-06 budget. Generally the agreements are similar to the 2004-05 agreements, with financial reporting requirements on a quarterly basis, where appropriate, and submission of a fiscal year financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant. There being no discussion, a motion by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Robinson, seconded by Councilman O'Hare, all voting "aye," authorized the City Manager to execute agreements with the following organizations: Senior Adult Services, Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce, Metrocrest Social Service, Center, Metrocrest Family Medical Clinic and Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Volume 95, page 126 D.2 CONSIDER NOMINATING A CANDIDATE FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DALLAS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. Mayor Phelps presented the following information. The Texas Property Tax Code provides for the election of a five-member Board of Directors to govern the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) and represent each of its five constituent governmental agencies. Three of these agencies, the City of Dallas, Dallas Independent School District (DISD), and Dallas County, are each allowed to appoint one member to the board. The remaining two agencies, comprised of suburban cities and towns other than Dallas, and suburban independent school districts served by DCAD, other than DISD, are each allowed to nominate one candidate to serve on the board. Entities wishing to nominate a candidate must do so by official resolution by October 15, 2005. A slate of all the nominees will be prepared by DCAD for each city to vote on by official resolution by December 15, 2005. The Chief Appraiser will declare winners by January 1, 2006. To be eligible to serve on the board, an individual must be a resident of DCAD and must have resided in the district for at least two years immediately preceding the date the individual takes office. Members of the board serve two-year terms beginning on January 1 of even numbered years with no term limitations. Mr. Bill Binford of Farmers Branch is currently serving on the DCAD Board of Directors. However, Mr. Binford has advised that he does not wish to be reappointed to serve on the DCAD Board of Directors. No nominations were presented by Council. D.3 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE AND THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. There were no nominations to the School-Community Relations Committee and the Community Watch Committee. A motion by Mayor Pro Tern Bird, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Robinson, all voting "aye," moved Gene Bledsoe from Alternate Place 1 to Place 8, moved Peggy Pyle from Alternate Place 2 to Alternate Place 1 and appointed Clyde Phillips to Alternate Place 2 on the Senior Advisory Board. DA PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION REPORTS. Volume 95, page 127 Councilwoman Smith reported five health care companies have responded to the Metrocrest Hospital Authority Request for Proposals. D.5 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. There were no travel reports or requests. MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE 4:30 P.M. WORK SESSION. MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 4:30 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 5:34 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 551.086. Discuss economic development incentives for businesses with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations. 1 Mayor Phelps stated that staff was present to discuss this item with the City Council. E.2 DISCUSS LAND ACQUISITION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.072. Discuss land sale, purchase, trade or lease of properties in the DART Station Area located in Farmers Branch, Texas. Discuss status of Economic Development Project. Mayor Phelps stated that staff was present to discuss this item with the City Council. F.1 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. Mayor Phelps called for action on items discussed in executive session. A motion by Councilwoman Smith, a second by Councilman O'Hare, all voting "aye" authorized the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement for the property located at 13402 Dennis for one hundred dollars a week with the first week free for no more than six months. Volume 95, page 128 F.2 ADJOURNMENT. A motion by Councilman Robinson, a second by Councilman O'Hare, all voting "aye," adjourned the City Council meeting of October 3, 200 t 8:38 p.m. Bob Phelps, Mayor Cinduuee Peters, City Secretary 1-1 17-~'_ur7--05, pngc 129