2003-05-06 CC MinutesCity of Farmers Branch
City Council Regular Meeting Agenda
City Hall Plaza
13000 William Dodson Parkway
Farmers Branch, Texas
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
7:30 p.m.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor Bob Phelps
Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Bird
Councilmembers Bill Moses
Jim Robbs
Calla Davis
The following member of the City Council were absent:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Paul Walden
The following members of the Administration were present:
Interim City Manager John Burke
Assistant City Manager Linda Groomer
City Secretary Cindee Peters
Assistant to the City Manager Margaret Somereve
Assistant to the City Manager John Roach
City Attorney Doug Conner
Director of Finance Charles Cox
Fire Chief Kyle King
Deputy Police Chief Scott Roder
Library Director Mary Jane Stevenson
Director of Engineering Jerry Murawski
Director of Public Works Mark Pavageaux
Director of Community Services Michael Spicer
Director of Equipment Services Don Moore
Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Fuller
Director of Economic Development Norma Nichols
Recording Secretary Suzanne Reynolds
Mayor Phelps called the City Council meeting of May 6, 2003 to order at 7:31
p.m. The meeting was televised.
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A.1 INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Phelps stated the record should show that Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden
was not in attendance due to being out of town on business
Vic Cassad of Christ United Methodist Church gave the invocation and Brownie
Troop 1115 of the Tejas Council gave the pledge of allegiance.
A.2 PRESENTATION OF AN APPRECIATION AWARD FOR THE
TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT TO THE
CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH.
Tournament Director Renee Putter presented a plaque to the City of Farmers
Branch and staff members of the Parks and Recreation Department for all their
hard work and dedication in making the tournament a success.
A.3 PRESENTATION OF PLAQUES AND CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
FROM COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS, INC. TO THE CITY OF FARMERS
BRANCH AND EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERS.
Mayor Phelps introduced Leigh Anne Hope, Volunteer Coordinator for
Communities In Schools, Inc. who presented plaques and certificates to the City
of Farmers Branch and City employee volunteers Robert Carerra, Melody Drake,
Robin Edwards, Norman Reynolds, and John Roach. Melody Drake was also
given a plaque recognizing her Outstanding Volunteer Commitment to helping at-
risk youth.
The awards recognize outstanding volunteer commitment in the community for
participating in mentoring and tutoring programs. The awards also reflect the
commitment of the City and employees who volunteer for these programs in
addressing the needs of youth in the community. The City encourages employees
to volunteer and make a difference in the life of a child.
A.4 CONSIDER PROCLAIMING MAY AS OLDER AMERICANS' MONTH IN
FARMERS BRANCH.
Mayor Phelps presented Katie Roberts with a proclamation declaring "May as
Older Americans' Month" in Farmers Branch.
Ms. Roberts presented appreciation plaques to Councilwoman Davis and
Councilman Robbs from the Senior Advisory Board.
A.5 CONSIDER PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF MAY 11-17TH AS "NATIONAL
POLICE WEEK" AND MAY 15TH AS "POLICE MEMORIAL DAY" IN THE
CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH.
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Mayor Phelps presented a proclamation to Deputy Chief Scott Roder proclaiming
May 11-17t as "National Police Week" and May 15th as "Police Memorial Day"
in Farmers Branch.
David Marshall with Boy Scout Troop 734 introduced himself and stated he was
working on his Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge.
A.6 REPORT BY THE FARMERS BRANCH VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
COMMITTEE.
Mayor Pro Tem Bird, Past Chair of the Farmers Branch Veterans Day
Celebration, gave a report on behalf of the Veterans Day Celebration Committee
and Councilman Robbs gave a report on the last Veterans Day activities.
Mayor Phelps and Mayor Pro Tem Bird presented Councilman Robbs with a
plaque for his outstanding leadership as Chair of the Veterans Day Celebration
Committee 2003.
A.7 OATH OF OFFICE AND PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF
ELECTION.
Mayor Phelps administered the oath of office and the certificate of election to Ben
Robinson who will serve the office of Councilmember Place 5, and to Junie Smith
who will serve the office of Councilmember Place 3.
A.8 PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL CERTIFICATES TO COUNCILMEMBERS
CALLA DAVIS AND JIM ROBBS.
Mayor Phelps presented a certificate, a watch and a Council pin to
Councilmember Calla Davis for 16 years service on the City Council. He also
presented a certificate and watch to Councilmember Jim Robbs for his 6 years
service on the City Council and recognized his 9 years prior service on the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
Councilman Moses, Mayor Pro Tem Bird, Interim City Manager, John Burke,
Former City Manager Richard Escalante, and Former Mayor Dave Blair, spoke in
appreciation of the service of Councilwoman Davis and Councilman Robbs.
Mayor Phelps stated Council would recess until 9:10 p.m. for a reception
honoring Councilmembers Davis and Robbs.
A.9 ELECT MAYOR PRO TEM AND A DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM.
Mayor Phelps stated that because Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden is out of town
on business, this item would be brought back to the Council meeting of May 19,
2003.
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A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded Councilman Robinson, all voting
"aye," excused Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Walden's absence and tabled this item
until May 19, 2003.
A.10 REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS.
Mayor Phelps and the City Council gave a brief summary of the items discussed
in Study Session prior to the regular meeting.
A.11 PRESENTATION OF BOARD APPLICATIONS.
There were no applications presented.
B.0 CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING AS CONSENT ITEMS AND TAKE THE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps stated consent items are items that are to be considered and action
taken 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 the consent
items is established in order to speed up discussion for those items that need more
time for discussion.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all voting
"aye," approved the Consent Agenda as submitted.
B.1 APPROVED OF MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL
21, 2003.
B.2 ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2003-016 ACCEPTING A SANITARY
SEWER EASEMENT ON PROPERTY ADDRESSED AS 14045
NORTH STEMMONS FREEWAY DONATED BY TRANSMAX, INC.
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SANITARY SEWER MAIN ON
VALWOOD PARKWAY.
B.3 ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 2718 AMENDING THE CITY OF
FARMERS BRANCH CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 82,
TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 5, SECTION 82-
73, RELATIVE TO THE PLACEMENT OF A STOP SIGN AT THE
WESTBOUND APPROACH OF BROCKWAY DRIVE AT SHAHAN
DRIVE.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH,
TEXAS; AMENDING THE CITY OF FAMRERS BRANCH
CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 82, TRAFFIC AND
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VEHICLES, ARTICLE II, DIVISION 5, SECTION 82-73,
SPECIFYING THE PLACEMENT OF A STOP SIGN ON THE
WESTBOUND APPROACH OF BROCKWAY DRIVE AT
SHAHAN DRIVE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING
ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY CLAUSE AD
PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.
C.1 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.
Dave Blair, 3324 Gatwick Place, congratulated Councilwoman Smith and
Councilman Robinson again for their election. He congratulated the Council and
City Staff for their efforts in bringing the Dr. Pepper Stars facility to Farmers
Branch.
DA CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 2717 AMENDING THE CITY'S
2002-03 FISCAL YEAR OPERATING BUDGET, AMENDING THE CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM BUDGET, AND DIRECTING THAT CITY
EXPENDITURES BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET AS
AMENDED, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps presented the following information. City staff presented City
Council with updated operating and capital improvements program budget
projections as part of the Mid-Year Budget Review on April 21, 2003.
Ordinance No. 2717 amends the 2002-03 fiscal year operating and CIP budget to
reflect the mid-year budget changes discussed during the Mid-Year Budget
Review. This budget amendment includes expenditure and revenue adjustments
made within each operating fund.
A copy of the proposed amended budget is available for review at the Manske
Library and on the City's website.
There being no discussion, a motion by Councilman Moses, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Bird all voting "aye," adopted the following captioned Ordinance No.
2717 amending the 2002-03 fiscal year operating and capital improvements
program budget.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS,
AMENDING THE CITY'S 2002-2003 FISCAL YEAR OPERATING
BUDGET, AMENDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROGRAM BUDGET, AND DIRECTING THAT CITY
EXPENDITURES BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET
AS AMENDED.
D.2 CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
AND RESTORATION BOARD, THE COMMUNITY WATCH COMMITTEE,
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THE LIBRARY BOARD, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION,
THE SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, AND THE
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Mayor Phelps explained that there is one vacancy on the Historical Preservation
and Restoration Board and a vacancy on the Community Watch Committee.
A motion by Councilman Robinson, seconded by Councilwoman Smith, all
voting "aye," reappointed Susan Saiter, Ruth Ann Parish, Betsy Armstrong, and
Matt Wenthold to the Library Board with appropriate letter to be sent.
A motion by Councilman Moses, seconded Mayor Pro Tem Bird, all voting
"aye," reappointed David Merrit, Stan Armstrong, and Joe Patterson to the
Planning and Zoning Commission with appropriate letter to be sent.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded by Councilman Moses, all voting
"aye," reappointed Jane Cowser, Barry Webster, and Frank Shor to the School-
Community Relations Committee Board with appropriate letter to be sent.
There is a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Board due to Barney Wood being
named a Board Member Emeritus.
A motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bird, seconded Councilman Moses, all voting
"aye," moved Jimmy Thompson from Alternate Place 1, moved Joan Abbey from
Alternate Place 2 to Alternate Place 1, and appointed Robert Davis to Alternate
Place 2 to the Parks and Recreation Board.
D.3 CONSIDER COUNCIL TRAVEL REPORTS AND REQUESTS AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
There were no travel reports or requests.
D.4 PRESENTATION OF COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ORGANIZATION
REPORTS.
Mayor Phelps stated on April 23rd he attended the Metrocrest Chamber Luncheon.
In the afternoon he, John Burke, and staff attended a candidate briefing, and a
Metrocrest Chamber Board Meeting. On April 24th he attended the Council of
Government Board Meeting and attended the Stars announcement of the Star
Center in Farmers Branch at American Airlines Center. On April 28th he attended
the Promotion of Fire Department personnel at City Hall. On April 29th he had a
breakfast meeting with Dennis Haskel, Speaker of the House to discuss DART.
On May 1St the attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. On May 2"d he had a
DART meeting with Mark Enoch, John Burke, and Dave Davis. Also on May 2na
he attended the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition Meeting and then met with
Gary Thomas of DART. Also he met with Derrick Birdsall at the Farmers Branch
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Historical Park to discuss the museum accreditation meeting scheduled for May
6th. On May 6th he met with the museum inspectors at the Historical Park for
inspection of the park for accreditation. Mayor Phelps stated Saturday was
Election Day and on Sunday, May 4th he attended the service at Webb Chapel
United Method Church, which was celebrating its 100th birthday.
MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE 6:00 P.M. WORK SESSION.
MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. AND THEN CONCLUDED AT 7:28 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 LAND ACQUISITIONS -TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 551.072.
Discuss sale, lease or trade of real property in Branch Crossing at 2655 Mount
View Drive.
Mayor Phelps stated Staff was present to discuss this item with the City Council.
E.2 DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 551.087.
Discuss Economic Development Incentive and Sales Agreement with
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company concerning two tracts of land north of
Valley View Lane and on the east side of Denton Drive.
Mayor Phelps stated Staff was present to discuss this item with the City Council.
E.3 DISCUSS PENDING AND CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - TEXAS
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071.
Discuss pending litigation relative to Anthony Anderson, et al, vs. The City of
Farmers Branch, Texas, Cause No. 0207695.
Discuss status of environmental cleanup efforts at the former St. Stephens Dry
Cleaners site located at 2788 Valwood Parkway.
Mayor Phelps stated Staff was present to discuss these items with the City
Council.
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F.1 CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mayor Phelps explained Staff updated the City Council on items in Executive
Session and no action was necessary.
F.2 ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Moses, a second by Mayor Pro Tern Bird, all voting
"aye", adjourned the City Council meeting of May 6, 2003 ,e":30 p.m.
G~LQ
Bob Phelps, Ma or
Cindee Peters, City Secretary
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