1963-01-21 CC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS
January 21, 1963
The City Council met in a regular
January 21, 1963 at 7:30 p.m. with
Mayor
Mayor Pro-Tem
Councilmen
meeting in the Council Room on
all members present:
A. J. Airoldi
Bill Hamilton
Frank Tippitt
Ed Rhodes
W. D. Oradat
Dan Regan
J. M. Orman
John C. Dodson
Dorthanna Williams
City Manager
Assistant City Manager
City Secretary
Mayor Airoldi called the meeting to order. Mr. 0. M. Barger, Webb
Chapel Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon a motion by Councilman Regan, seconded by Councilman Hamilton,
all voting "ayes", the minutes of January 7, 1963 were considered,
corrected and then approved: Page 34, paragraph 7, insert
Councilman Oradat took exception to the inference that the City would
not have to spend money on improving the channel. There followed
an extended discussion on the merits of Mr. Heiser's plan. Council-
man Oradat said, we have had the same situation on Cooks Branch which
cost the City $100,000 to correct. This creek was supposed to be an
asset when the houses were constructed adjacent to the creek.
Page 39, Permanent Library Board Councilman Oradat moved appoint
Larry Siegler to the permanent Library Board with his term expiring
in May, 1963, seconded by Councilman Rhodes; Councilmen Rhodes,
Hamilton, Oradat and Regan voting "ayes", Councilman Tippitt voting
"nay".
1
Page 40, last paragraph Councilman Tippitt said the main exclusion
he had mentioned was "storage and sales of used auto parts and
accessories when located inside building and in which no automobile
or parts of automobiles for sale is stored or displayed in the open;".
He said that it seemed to him it did not say what it meant to say and
he thought it should have different wording.
CONSIDER APARTMENT SITE PLAN - G. M. POINTER
Mayor Airoldi told Mr. Pointer that the Council has not had an
opportunity to study the site plan he is presenting and also that
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they have not had an opportunity to study the recommended ordinance
on apartment zoning.
Mr. Pointer said, this area is under special permit, this site plan
meets all specifications of the special permit ordinance, therefore,
I ask the Council for approval.
Councilman Oradat asked, do you plan to build these right away? Mr.
Pointer said, yes, I was waiting for the apartment zoning but I need
to get it underway as soon as possible.
After discussion on parking areas, pavement, drainage, density, recrea-
tion area and placement of the buildings, Councilman Hamilton moved
that the Council take the request for approval under advisement until
the next regular Council meeting; seconded by Councilman Oradat, all
voting "ayes".
PLANS FOR SUBURBAN FIRE STATION
Mr. Charlie Witchell, Architect, and Fire Chief Yager were present
with the plans for the new fire station. The plans were presented
for the Council's consideration.
After discussion Mayor Airoldi asked Mr. Witchell, if we approve
these plans this evening when will you be able to advertise for
bids? Mr. Witchell said, within 30 days.
Councilman Rhodes moved approval of the plans as presented, seconded
by Councilman Hamilton, all voting "ayes".
REPORT FROM LIBRARY BOARD
Mr. Will Cooper, Chairman, gave a report on the first meeting of
this Board. Mr. Peter Geilich was selected as Vice Chairman with
Mrs. McClain, Secretary. Mr. Cooper said that they will meet the
second Friday of each month at the Library. He reported three com-
mittees have been appointed: Book Committee, Building and Grounds
Committee and a Budget Committee.
Mayor Airoldi appointed Councilman Regan as the Councilman to work
with the Library Board since he had been a member of the Interim
Board.
BEAUTIFICATION OF VALLEY VIEW LANE AT 35E
Councilman Regan said he
had talked with the builders about
the wall
and they said they will
month.
have the grade beam in by the end of
this
Mrs. Dyer reported that
the Council of Garden Clubs has been
told
that they can enter the
Texas State Garden Clubs Contest aga
in this
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spring if the wall is in. If they win again they will not spend
the money on this project but will start on another project at
another location.
Mayor Airoldi told Mrs. Dyer that if the grade beam is not in by
February first that Mr. Dodson and his park crew will put it in.
Mrs. Dyer said that the sign there has some rusted places on it
and she asked that it be painted.
STREET PROJECT NO. 20 - FARMERS BRANCH LANE RESURFACING
Upon a motion by Councilman Hamilton, seconded by Councilman Oradat,
all voting "ayes", a resolution was passed that this work has been
completed by the County of Dallas as outlined in the agreement;
that this project is hereby approved and the payment in the amount
of $13,634.54 is hereby authorized, payment to be made from funds
previously allocated to this project.
WATER PROJECT NO. W-9 - WATER STORAGE RESERVOIR
Upon a motion by Councilman Hamilton, seconded by Councilman Oradat,
all voting "ayes", a resolution was passed that the second 1.5 M.G.
water storage reservoir at Valley View Lane and Templeton Trail has
been constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications of
this project by United Contracting Company; that this project be
hereby approved and final payment in the amount of $9,652.50 is hereby
authorized, payment to be made from funds previously allocated to
this project.
AUTHORIZE BIDS FOR RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT
City Manager Orman reported, the Park and Recreation Commission has
approved the list of recreational equipment that has been prepared.
Authority to advertise for bids is requested, payment for which will
be made from Park Bond Funds.
Councilman Rhodes moved authorize advertise for bids, seconded by
Councilman Regan, all voting "ayes".
A discussion was held on the tentative agenda for the opening
ceremonies for the Recreation Center. A firm date will not be set
until such time as the completion date on the building is known.
Generally speaking the Council felt that the format was good and
they were well pleased with the work of the Park Board. The Council
would prefer that the opening be held on Sunday rather than Saturday
if the Ministerial Alliance will support such a program on Sunday.
Mr. Dodson said that they will have a Park Board meeting on Monday
night and they will discuss these recommendations.
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ORDINANCE 00. 379
- ADDITIONAL FUNDS
TO PARK PROJECT NO. 8
Upon a motion by
Councilman Rhodes,
seconded by Councilman Hamilton,
all voting "ayes"
, an ordinance was
passed appropriating an additional
sum of $27,000.00
for this project.
Caption of the ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH THE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION REQUIRED TO
COMPLETE THE RECREATION CENTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR OUT
OF THE PARK BOND FUND UNAPPROPRIATED SURPLUS.
STUDY OF PRESENT WATER RATES
The City Manager explained that he deemed this study necessary in
view of the new contract with the City of Dallas and also due to
the fact that the latest study and adjustment of rates was put into
effect three months before Dallas increased the City's rate from 15~
to 25(~ per 1000 gallons.
After discussion Councilman Oradat moved, authorize Joe J. Rady
Associates to make a study of the water rates, the amount not to
exceed $300.00; seconded by Councilman Hamilton, all voting "ayes".
PROPOSED PRO RATA ORDINANCE
Members of the Council requested more time for study of this proposed
ordinance before they enter into a discussion.
SWIMMING POOL FOR COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES
Councilman Hamilton moved that Mr. Harold G. Weil's request for a
swimming pool in the Country Club Estates be denied, seconded by
Councilman Tippitt, all voting "ayes".
PAVE PARKING AREAS FOR LIBRARY AND RECREATION CENTER
Councilman Tippitt moved, authorize advertisement for bids for this
item that was omitted from the bids on the Recreation Center,
seconded by Councilman Oradat, all voting "ayes".
MORTON'S FOOD COMPANY
The Council discussed the release of the publicity on Morton's Food
Company's locating in Farmers Branch. It was decided that the
publicity should be prepared for the Council's consideration and
released with the Company's publicity.
RESURFACING VALLEY VIEW LANE
Councilman Tippitt reported that the coating on Valley View Lane is
coming off. City Manager Orman said it is only the prime coat.
Councilman Tippitt also wanted to know if any utility crossings will
be required along Valley View Lane. If so, they should do something
about them before the final surface is applied. Mr. Orman said, we
do not know, none of the land is platted and it would be guess work
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at this time. The Council agreed that any future utilities crossing
improved Valley View Lane, east of Marsh Lane, will be tunneled under
the road.
FINANCIAL REPORT
City Manager Orman presented each Councilman with a copy of the
First Quarter Financial Report.
Adjournment - 10:45 p.m.
Dorthanna Williams, City Secretary
AMENDMENT
INVESTMENT OF IDLE FUNDS
The City Manager told the Council that they had been very lenient in
letting him go ahead and investing idle funds as he saw fit, but that
he had one now that he didn't know which course to take. He stated,
there was $190,000 available that could be invested for 91 days. The
Central Bank and Trust Company in Farmers Branch offered 21-2% on a
certificate of deposit which will yield $1,187.50 interest in the
three months. Mercantile National Bank had a certificate of deposit
available for $120,000 that paid 3a% interest, the remaining $70,000
could be placed at 2.9% in government bills (91 days) making a total
of $367 more interest than by placing it with Central Bank and Trust
Company. "The question is," the City Manager said, "whether or not
we should keep the money in our own home town and let the bank here
have the advantage of it."
The discussion that followed resulted in the Council agreeing that
the money should be placed where it would earn the most interest,
that it could not be justified otherwise and that they could see no
objection in getting the best interest rate as long as the money
would not be placed where it could not be obtained at the end of
90 days.
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