2004-12-20 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 20, 2004
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ROOM
13000 WILLIAM DODSON PARKWAY
FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS
5:00 P.M.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor
Councilmembers:
The following members of City Staff were present:
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Attorney
City Engineer
Director of Community Services
Assistant to City Manager
Deputy Police Chief
Project Manager
Project Manager
Director of Economic Development
Director of Parks and Recreation
Assistant Director of Parks
Finance Director
Human Resources Director
City Secretary
Bob Phelps
Bill Moses
Charlie Bird
Ben Robinson
Junie Smith
Paul Walden
Linda Groomer
Mary Jane Stevenson
John Boyle
Jerry Murawski
Michael Spicer
John Roach
David Hale
Randy Walhood
Mike Martin
Norma Nichols
Jeff Fuller
Jeff Harting
Charles Cox
Brian Dickerson
Cindee Peters
Mayor Phelps called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
A.1 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2004-144 DEDICATING A 15-
FOOT WIDE STREET AND UTILITY EASEMENT FOR VALLEY VIEW
LANE AND KEENAN BRIDGE ROAD ON THE CITY'S 7.36 ACRE TRACT
OF LAND AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF VALLEY VIEW LANE AND
KEENAN BRIDGE ROAD AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Volume 94, page 79
Mayor Phelps gave the following information. The City owns a 7.36 acre tract of
land at the northwest corner of Valley View Lane and Keenan Bridge Road. The
property is bounded on the south by Valley View Lane and on the east and north
by Keenan Bridge Road.
The City intends to convey the 7.36-acre tract for private development. Prior to
conveying the tract, the City desires to dedicate an easement to the public to
encompass existing water lines that are within the City property adjacent to
Valley View Lane and Keenan Bridge Road and to provide for future
improvements to the streets when the improvements are needed. The street
improvements will include the widening of Valley View Lane to the eight lanes
specified in the City's thoroughfare plan and the installation of sidewalks along
Valley View Lane and Keenan Bridge Road. City staff has prepared a street and
utility easement document for dedicating the easement to the public.
The City Engineer recommends the adoption of Resolution No. 2004-144
dedicating a 15-foot wide street and utility easement for Valley View Lane and
Keenan Bridge Road on the City's 7.36 acre tract of land at the northwest corner
of Valley View Lane and Keenan Bridge Road.
Councilman Walden asked when Valley View would be widened.
City Engineer Jerry Murawski stated this project would be done in two phases.
The first phase would begin in early 2005, when the two inside lanes would be
widened. Mr. Murawski stated that last two outside lanes would be widened in
approximately two years.
A motion by Councilman Bird, a second by Councilman Robinson, all voting
"aye", approved Resolution No. 2004-144.
A.2 CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2004-097 AWARDING THE BID
FOR MIRA LAGO, PHASE 1 ADDITION IMPROVEMENTS TO LACY
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps gave the following information. The Mira Lago Addition is a
proposed development located southwest of the Omni Hotel, south of IH 635, east
of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, and west of Farmers Branch Creek and Luna
Road. Phase 1 of the development, the Laguna Vista Apartments, will be a four-
story building that will have 206 residential units, first floor retail and office
space, and a parking garage. The developer is scheduled to close on Phase 1
financing in December 2004.
The proposed development is entirely within Tax Increment Financing
Reinvestment Zone No. 1. There is $2,000,000 in funds allocated in the 2004-
2005 Capital Improvement Program Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone
No. 1 for public improvements where the Mira Lago Addition is being developed.
Volume 94, page 80
On August 10, 2004, seven bids were received and opened for the construction of
the public street, water lines, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers associated with
Phase 1. The bids met all specifications. The lowest bid was received from Lacy
Construction Company in the amount of $787,763.50. Lacy Construction
Company has provided adequate references for similar work. There are sufficient
funds available for the improvements. The time of completion for this work is 180
calendar days.
Since the public improvements are needed only if the Laguna Vista Apartments
proceed to develop, it is proposed that the award of the bid be subject to the
developer closing on the Phase 1 financing by the end of December 2004.
The City Engineer recommends adopting Resolution No. 2004-097 awarding the
bid for Mira Lago, Phase 1 Addition improvements to Lacy Construction
Company in the amount of $787,763.50 and that the award of the bid be subject to
the developer closing on the Phase 1 financing by the end of the December 2004.
City Engineer Jerry Murawski stated a revised resolution had been prepared with
clarification that if the developer does not close on the project financing before
December 31, 2004, this bid award would become null and void. He further
stated that the Property Owners Association has not reviewed the plans and given
the developer its approval, which could subject the bid for rejection.
Councilman Robinson asked if this is the project for which the City would be
using the TIF funds. Mr. Murawski replied that was correct.
Councilman Robinson asked if staff felt this project would close. Mr. Murawski
explained the mortgage company had agreement upon the HUD requirements, but
they would like to review the paperwork one more time. Mr. Murawski stated it
was probable that this project will close before the end of the year.
City Manager Linda Groomer reiterated that the resolution provides that the City
will reject the bid if the property does not close.
Mayor Phelps asked if the contractor Lacy Construction fully understood the
conditions. Mr. Murawski stated they did understand the conditions and were
looking forward to this project because their home office is in Farmers Branch.
City Attorney John Boyle stated the language protects the City one hundred
percent.
Councilman Bird asked if the developer could start the project when the
improvements begin.
Mr. Murawski stated that the developer will work concurrently with the
contractor.
Volume 94, page 81
Councilwoman Smith asked if the proposed apartments would be well insulated.
Mr. RL Lemke, representing the developer, stated the contractor who will
construct the apartments has done incredible work in the past, that no shortcuts
would be taken, and they would be built according to the approved plans.
A motion by Councilman Robinson, a second by Councilman Walden, all voting
"aye", approved Resolution No. 2004-097 as amended.
A.3 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY
RELATIONS COMMITTEE, HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND
RESTORATION BOARD AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps stated there are five vacancies on the School-Community Relations
Committee, one vacancy for Alternate Place 2 on the Historical Preservation and
Restoration Board, and a vacancy on the Planning and Zoning Commission due to
the resignation of Jim Barrett.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tern Moses, a second by Councilman Bird, all voting
"aye", appointed Barbara Sisserson-Honnoll to Alternate Place 2 on the Historical
Preservation and Restoration Board.
A.4 ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilwoman Smith, a second by Councilman Bird, all voting
"aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of December 20, 2004 at 5:20 p.m.
Bob Phelps, Mayor r
Cindee Peters, City Secretary
Volume 94, page 82