2000-08-22 CC MinutesCITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
CITY COUNCIL JOINT MEETING WITH
SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
AUGUST 22, 2000
STUDY SESSION ROOM
13000 WILLIAM DODSON PARKWAY
5:30 P.M.
The following members of the City Council were present:
Mayor Bob Phelps
Mayor Pro Tern Bill Moses
Councilmembers: Jim Robbs
Charlie Bird
Paul Walden
The following member of the City Council was absent:
Councilwoman
Calla Davis
The following members of City Staff were present:
City Manager
City Attorney
Assistant City Manager
Director of Parks & Recreation
Director of Communications
Athletic Coordinator
City Secretary
Richard L. Escalante
Matthew Boyle
John Burke
Jeff Fuller
Tom Bryson
Anne Coe
Cindee Peters
The following members of the School-Community Relations Committee were
present:
Chairman Frank Shor
Committee Members: Pam Binford
Jim Barrett
Shirley Call
David Merritt
Lloyd Yost
Ruth Yost
Pam Silver
Debra Marshall
Barry Webster
Sharon Williams
Jane Cowser
Pat Link
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Those absent were:
Johnny Marshall Marcia Murray
Betty Burns-Hastings Robert Hernandez
Mark Gregory Mariellen Gregory
Mayor Phelps called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m.
DISCUSS A PROPOSAL BY THE CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ACQUIRE A PORTION OF FARMERS
BRANCH PARK, TO REDESIGN THE FIELD LAYOUT FOR THE REMAINDER
OF THE FARMERS BRANCH PARK TO TRADE OTHER PROPERTY AND TO
DISCUSS ITS IMPACT ON PARK AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Ms. Annette Griffin, Superintendent, stated she would like to see the School
District and the Farmers Branch City Council jointly decide where the school
should go.
Mr. John Tepper, President of the School Board, thanked the School-
Community Relations Committee for the invitation to present the proposed
school site.
Mr. Mark Hyatt, Assistant Superintendent, gave a brief presentation on the
proposed school site and the exchange of property owned by the School
District to the City. Mr. Hyatt explained their architect was present to
answer any questions.
There followed a lengthy discussion on the exchange of property by Cox
Park, the amount of money the school district has to acquire a site and build
the new school, and the acquisition of approximately three acres by Farmers
Branch Park to be given to the City.
Ms. Shirley Call, member of the School-Community Relations Committee,
asked if the School District would be willing to help with the demolition of
buildings located on the three acres and to help with landscaping of the site.
Mr. Hyatt explained it would depend if monies were left over after
completing the new school.
Mr. John Burke, Assistant City Manager, gave a history of events dealing
with the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District from the
bond election to the current proposal by the school board.
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Ms. Anne Coe, Farmers Branch Athletic Program Coordinator, gave a brief
presentation of how the proposal would affect Farmers Branch Park. Ms.
Coe showed several charts on the current layout of Farmers Branch Park and
the proposed layout of Farmers Branch Park as presented by the School
Board.
Mr. Burke gave a report on the financial ramifications to the City should a
school be built on park property including environmental testing, demolition
of existing buildings in the area, and redesign of Farmers Branch Park.
School Board President John Tepper asked if he could get copies of the
charts showing the impact of the new school.
Mr. Escalante explained the legal requirements for the City to exchange
property with the school district, eminent domain procedures and read the
state statue concerning special provisions for selling or trading of public park
property to allow a different use of an existing park.
Mr. Escalante gave a summary of how Cox Park may be affected by any
exchange of property offered by the School Board in exchange for a portion
of Farmers Branch Park. Mr. Escalante also stated staff has looked at other
alternative locations to build a school as follows: (1) current proposal; (2)
move the proposed school to the three acres and lose less of Farmers Branch
Park; (3) property owned by the School District on Fyke Road; and (4)
expansion of Montgomery Elementary.
Mr. Frank Shor explained the City Council needs a recommendation from this
Committee on the proposal as presented by the School District.
There followed a lengthy discussion on layouts and locations for the new
school, eminent domain, Farmers Branch Park used only as a neighborhood
park versus its current function, and acquisition of additional property just
north of the proposed site.
Mr. Hyatt stated he would go out on a limb by saying the School Board may
be willing to purchase a piece of undeveloped property for the City to use as
a sports complex.
The School-Community Relations Committee voted unanimously to
recommend to the City Council to not consider this proposal presented by
the School Board.
Mayor Phelps explained it was not the City's responsibility to find the
location for the future school.
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A motion by Councilman Bird, a second by Mayor Pro Tem Moses, all voting
"aye", recessed to Executive Session in the Parks and Recreation Conference
Room as allowed by Texas Government Code - Section 551.072.
AT 7:52 P.M. MAYOR PHELPS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ITEM ON THIS
AGENDA WAS RECESSED INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. AT 8:17 P.M.,
MAYOR PHELPS EXPLAINED THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED INTO
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:52 P.M. AND CONCLUDED AT 8:17 P.M.
TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 OF THE OPEN MEETING LAW
PROVIDES THAT SUCH ITEMS AS LAND ACQUISITION MAY BE
DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION.
MAYOR PHELPS RECONVENED INTO GENERAL SESSION IN THE STUDY
SESSION ROOM.
CONSIDER NECESSARY ACTION ON LAND ACQUISITION DISCUSSED IN
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mayor Phelps stated the City Council was updated on this item and no action
is necessary.
Mayor Phelps stated this item would be on the September 11, 2000 City
Council meeting for action.
ADJOURNMENT.
A motion by Councilman Bird, a second by Councilman Walden, all voting
"aye", adjourned the meeting of August 22, 2000 at 8:18 p.m.
Volume 84, page 89
City Secretary