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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-08-10Regular Meeting of the Euless City Council August 10, 1965 CALL TO ORDER IN\ 1(1(`OTI(NKI Councilman Frank Douglass presented the invocation. APPROVAL CF MINUTES 71 The minutes of the regular council meeting, July 27, 1965, were approved with the following correction made by Councilman Frank Douglass -- Item V. Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Warren, Samuels and Douglass - Nays: None. (Councilman Douglass' name was deleted in error.) (Official minutes corrected in Office of City Secretary.) _ The minutes of the called council meeting, July 29, 1965, were approved as written. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were: Messrs. Lawson, Gene Purdy, Merrill Morong, Henry Keller, J. M. Cox, H. L. Wadsworth, Aubrey Parker, Jack B u l l a r d , W . J . Hyde, B i l l Ratliff, Johnny Tackett (Fort Worth Star Telegram), Jon Long, (Euless Herald), Mrs. Betty Potthoff (News Texan), and Mrs. R. L. Lawson. ORDINANCE NO, 260 - PUBLIC HEARING HIGHLAND AND CRESTHAVEN STREETS CONSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT Mayor Fuller announced that a public hearing was in order for discussion of the construction of Cresthaven and Highland Streets and the assessment of the property owners as set forth in the Capital Improvement Program. Mayor Fuller inquired if there were in- terested persons present who desired to comment on the proposed construc- tion to the streets. Mrs. R. L. Lawson stated that she was not in favor of the improvements to the streets because of the location of the sewer lines in that area. She stated any work to be done to the sewer lines would necessitate considerable excavation on the street which would result in the street being torn up for sometime and that usually, after repairs, the streets were not adequate. She stated that if the streets were constructed to be good usable streets in all types of weather that trucks and vans would use them more than they are used at this time. Mr. B i I I Ratliff, consulting engineer, stated that the engineers are attempting to Mayor W. G. Fuller called the regular meeting of the Euless City Council to order at $;30 P.M. in the council chambers of the Euless City Hall with the following members present: Council- man Bobby Fuller, Councilman Frank Douglass, Councilman B i I I Byers and Council- man Don Warren. (Absent: Councilman Harold Samuels - on vacation). Also pre- sent were City Manager Lee Cowell, City Attorney James Cribbs and City Secre- tary Vada Ferris. IN\ 1(1(`OTI(NKI Councilman Frank Douglass presented the invocation. APPROVAL CF MINUTES 71 The minutes of the regular council meeting, July 27, 1965, were approved with the following correction made by Councilman Frank Douglass -- Item V. Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Warren, Samuels and Douglass - Nays: None. (Councilman Douglass' name was deleted in error.) (Official minutes corrected in Office of City Secretary.) _ The minutes of the called council meeting, July 29, 1965, were approved as written. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were: Messrs. Lawson, Gene Purdy, Merrill Morong, Henry Keller, J. M. Cox, H. L. Wadsworth, Aubrey Parker, Jack B u l l a r d , W . J . Hyde, B i l l Ratliff, Johnny Tackett (Fort Worth Star Telegram), Jon Long, (Euless Herald), Mrs. Betty Potthoff (News Texan), and Mrs. R. L. Lawson. ORDINANCE NO, 260 - PUBLIC HEARING HIGHLAND AND CRESTHAVEN STREETS CONSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT Mayor Fuller announced that a public hearing was in order for discussion of the construction of Cresthaven and Highland Streets and the assessment of the property owners as set forth in the Capital Improvement Program. Mayor Fuller inquired if there were in- terested persons present who desired to comment on the proposed construc- tion to the streets. Mrs. R. L. Lawson stated that she was not in favor of the improvements to the streets because of the location of the sewer lines in that area. She stated any work to be done to the sewer lines would necessitate considerable excavation on the street which would result in the street being torn up for sometime and that usually, after repairs, the streets were not adequate. She stated that if the streets were constructed to be good usable streets in all types of weather that trucks and vans would use them more than they are used at this time. Mr. B i I I Ratliff, consulting engineer, stated that the engineers are attempting to 12 (Page two, minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965, continued): formulate an agreement with the utility company to stub -out service lines prior to the street construction and paving. Mr. Ratliff explained that these streets would be residential type streets and stated that necessary grading and construction would be done in order for the water to drain to the south east (Pipeline Road). In answer to a question, City Manager Cowell stated that, after construction to the streets, the city assumes the maintenance of the two streets and repairs thereafter. In answer to a question as to why the construction is designated for residential -type streets when the property is zoned commercial in this area, Mr. Ratliff, consulting engineer, stated that, in preparation of the Capital Improvement Program plans, the engineers did not foresee this property being used as commercial property within the next twenty (20) years. Therefore, they designated the streets as residential -type streets. Councilman Warren proposed this question: If the streets are constructed at this time as residential streets under the present Capital Improvement Program and assessment procedure followed, who w i I I be responsible for financing the street construction should it be determined at a later date that the streets should be paved for commercial traffic? City Manager Cowell stated that, more than likely, there will be another Bond Program and this could be handled at that time. After considerable discussion, Councilman Byers made the motion that the charter provision requiring ordinances to be read at two regular council meetings be suspended and that this ordinance be passed on first reading as an emergency measure. (Ordinance No. 260 closed the Public Hearing and levies an assessment for a portion of Cresthaven Drive from Highway 183 to Pipeline Road and Highland Drive from Highway 183 to Pipeline Road.) Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Byers, Douglass and Warren. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 260 passed and approved on f i r s t reading. ( O f f i c i a l copy o f Ordinance No. 260 on f i l e in Office of City Secretary.) Consulting Engineer, B i l l Ratliff, was showing cost of residential -type streets and construction of a street for industrial traffic. PUBLIC HEARING= PROPOSED 1965 -66 BUDGET City Manager Cowell had presented each council member with a copy of the 1965 -66 Proposed Budget and copies were distributed to visitors in attendance, Mr. Cowell reviewed the budget for the Mr. Gene Purdy inquired about the financing of the construction of the two streets. He was advised by City Manager Cowell that the bond money pays a portion of the cost and that the assessment to the City and the property owner is necessary to complete the financing. Also, that the assessment can be paid over a period of five (5) years at a rate of interest of 6 %after the first year. In answer to a question as to why the construction is designated for residential -type streets when the property is zoned commercial in this area, Mr. Ratliff, consulting engineer, stated that, in preparation of the Capital Improvement Program plans, the engineers did not foresee this property being used as commercial property within the next twenty (20) years. Therefore, they designated the streets as residential -type streets. Councilman Warren proposed this question: If the streets are constructed at this time as residential streets under the present Capital Improvement Program and assessment procedure followed, who w i I I be responsible for financing the street construction should it be determined at a later date that the streets should be paved for commercial traffic? City Manager Cowell stated that, more than likely, there will be another Bond Program and this could be handled at that time. After considerable discussion, Councilman Byers made the motion that the charter provision requiring ordinances to be read at two regular council meetings be suspended and that this ordinance be passed on first reading as an emergency measure. (Ordinance No. 260 closed the Public Hearing and levies an assessment for a portion of Cresthaven Drive from Highway 183 to Pipeline Road and Highland Drive from Highway 183 to Pipeline Road.) Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Byers, Douglass and Warren. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 260 passed and approved on f i r s t reading. ( O f f i c i a l copy o f Ordinance No. 260 on f i l e in Office of City Secretary.) Consulting Engineer, B i l l Ratliff, was showing cost of residential -type streets and construction of a street for industrial traffic. PUBLIC HEARING= PROPOSED 1965 -66 BUDGET City Manager Cowell had presented each council member with a copy of the 1965 -66 Proposed Budget and copies were distributed to visitors in attendance, Mr. Cowell reviewed the budget for the 73 (Page three, Minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965, continued): council and stated that the City Manager's Budget message explains the various changes in this budget over last years' budget. He stated that, in his opinion, the City is in sound financial condition and that at the next regular council meeting, an item on the agenda w i I I be the selection of an auditor for the present fiscal year, 1964 -65. Mr. Cowell expressed appreciation to Mrs. Ferris and her staff for the financial reports and the fine job of handling of the city's funds. The meeting was opened for discussion and Councilman Douglass made the following inquiries: Account No. 11 F -2 -- Hire of Equipment (Car Allowance): This account was for $1,200, in the previous budget and the proposed 1965 -66 budget lists $1,800. City Manager Cowell explained that the City Manager is allowed $1,200, annually ($100.00 monthly) as a car allowance and that the remaining $600.00 in the proposed budget w i l l be used for the Mayor's car expense which the council has allowed in the present budget. Mr. Cowell explained that the Mayor's travel expense in the present 1964 -65 budget has been paid from Account 11 F -6, Travel Expense and Meetings, but, in order to be coded properly, it should be expended from 11 F -2. Account No. 11 X -1, Lands and Buildings - Mr. Douglass inquired as to why only $825.00 is proposed in the 1965 -66 budget and the 1964 -65 budget shows an estimated figure of $11,967.28. City Manager Cowell explained that in the -"' 1964 -65 budget figure, a large portion of the $11,967.28 was for the purchase of some of the property on Sheppard Drive (a portion of the civic center site) and that the balance is for the payments on the house and property located at 132 Sheppard Drive which is also a portion of the Civic Center site. He stated that the $825.00 is the amount that will be paid on the loan on the property at 132 Sheppard Drive during the coming fiscal year. Account No. 12 F -4a, Tax Office: Councilman Douglass stated there is a difference in the tax office figure in the work copy of the budget and the proposed figure in the 1965 -66 budget. Mr. Cowell explained that after the preliminary work copies of the budget had been prepared for the council's consideration, he had been informed that the expenses of the tax attorney is charged to this account as well as the monthly payment to the school district for the assessing and collecting of taxes for the City of Euless, and, that this necessitated the increase. Account No. 31 - Engineering Department: Councilman Douglass inquired as to the difference in the preliminary work budget and the proposed budget. City Manager Cowell explained that at the time the budget was being prepared, Mrs. Ferris had made extensions of the Manager's proposed monthly salaries and had discovered that the extensions in the preliminary budget were in error. Councilman Douglass inquired of the City Manager the procedure for preparing the budget - -are department heads given consideration during the budget preparation? City Manager Cowell stated that each department head is given forms to prepare two budgets; one budget request for maintaining their department on the same level of operation for the current year and a supplemental budget for personnel and items they wish to have in order to establish a higher level of efficiency for their department. City Manager Cowell further stated that each department budget request is transferred to large ledger type sheets and that he discusses each budget request with the department head. 74 (Page four, minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965): Councilman Douglass inquired of the City Manager if he planned to transfer bond funds to the General Fund for the use of the Engineering Department and Park Department on Capital Improve- ment projects only. C'ty Manager Cowell stated that, techincally, his answer is in the affirmative. However, he stated that, as an example, a portion of his salary could be charged to bond funds, as well as the City Secretary and some of the other employees as a great amount of time is spent on work relating to the Capital Improvement Program. Councilman Byers studied the state- ments of expenditures for engineering services for the period October 1, 1964, through July 14, 1965 and inquired of the City Manager if the City would save money on engineering services if a city engineering department was established. City Manager Cowell stated that he would not have recommended the creation of an engineering department had he not been of the opinion that this department could be financed at a savings to the city. He stated that the city needs someone as a liason person between the contractors and consulting engineers - -and the city. Councilman Byers asked if the engineer or someone in the engineering department would act as a right -of way agent for the city. City Manager Cowell explained, that at this time, a right -of -way agent is employed by the city on an hourly basis but co- ordinates his work through the consulting engineer. Manager what bond account the the portion of the General Fu Program. City Manager Cowell on an actual basis when it is diture is for. Mr. W. J. "Doc" Hyde asked the City bond money would be taken from to finance nd applicable to the Capital Improvement explained that the money would be pro -rated definitely determined exactly what the expen- After further discussion, Councilman Douglass asked the City Attorney to give a legal opinion on the use of bond funds as proposed by the City Manager in this budget. City Attorney Cribbs explained that the law states that Capital Improvement Funds cannot be used for Operating Expenses and the City cannot create a department to be solely operated out of bond funds. Bond funds can be used for engineering services in connection with the Capital Improvement Program and for construction of park facilities, provided proper records are kept to show that bond fund ex- penditures are directly related to the Capital Improvement Program. City Manager Cowell stated that if the Council so desires that time sheets may be kept on all city employees who perform services in any phase of the Capital Improvement Program and a portion of their salaries be paid from bond funds, however, he explained that this would create additional accounting procedures which would necessitate the employment of an additional person to help in the accounting office, be- cause this office is taxed to the limit at this time on the amount of work that is necessary to carry on the city's business. After still further dis- cussion, Councilman Douglass stated that, in his opinion, the budget should not d e f i n i t e l y state t h a t the t o t a l engineering department and park depart- ment operating expenses w i l l be financed from bond funds -- the budget should state a projected percentage of engineering and park construction expendi- tures that the proposed city departments could accomplish. 7el (Page five, minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965): City Manager Cowell stated that if the c o u n c i l is agreeable, he w i l l change the budget, to reflect-that'bond funds, not to exceed $53,695.00, would be transferred to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year to finance Capital Improvement expenditures in all depart- ments rather than finance the engineering and park departments. After further discussion, Councilman Warren made the motion to approve the budget with the change in the budget message to reflect the use of bond funds generally and not specifically. Councilman Fuller seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Douglass, Byers and Warren. Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. ORDINANCE NO. 259 - APPROVING 1965 -66 BUDGET City Manager Cowell read Ordinance No. 259 adopting the 1965 -66 Budget for the City of Euless, Texas, for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1965 through September 30, 1966, levying taxes for the year 1965 and setting the tax rate at $1.00 per $100. 10 valuation. Councilman Warren made the motion to suspend the rule requiring ordinances to be read and passed at two separate meetings and that Ordinance No. 259 be passed and approved as of this date. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Douglass, Warren and Byers. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried and Ordinance No. 259 passed and approved and in full effect. (Official copy of Ordinance No. 259 on file in Office of City Secretary.) ilk SECOND READING: ORDINANCE NO. 261 BELL RANCH TERRACE City Manager Cowell presented second reading of Ordinance No. 261 rezoning lots 18 and 19, Block 14, of the Bell Ranch Terrace Addition -- from "A" Residential to "C" Commercial, as requested by Mrs. Bertha Plisko. Councilman Douglass made the motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 261. Councilman Fuller seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Warren, Douglass and Byers. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Official copy of Ordinance No. 261 on file in Office of City Secretary.) 76 (Page six, minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965): V. POLICY: USE CF PARK FACILITIES City Manager Cowell stated that he had submitted a draft of a proposed policy on the use of park facilities to City Attorney Cribbs to be presented in policy form to the council. City Attorney Cribbs stated that he had prepared a policy as requested by the City Manager but did not have sufficient copies for the council members at this time, and due to the length of the policy, he requested council permission to submit a copy of the policy to each member prior to the next regular council meeting. This was agreeable w t h the c o u n c i l and C i t y Manager and t h i s item w i l l be on the agenda for the August 24th council meeting. VI. GENE SCHRICKEL AND ASSOCIATES MIDWAY PARK PROJECT AND PARK MAM IAI PROGRESS OF MIDWAY PARK PROJECT Mr. Kent Besley presented a progress report on the construction at Midway Park and Bell High School. He informed the council of the completion of the tennis courts, and ball diamonds, the removal of dead trees and brush, the planting of banana palms and small flowering plants, restoration of the restroom areas at the park site moving of the concession stand, addition of drains and water fountains, placing of gravel on parking lots, construc- tion of two new wooden press boxes, and at the poo - new signs, diving board, fence, new clorinator, fan in pump house and addit onal concession stand. Mr. Jim Harris, member of the planners firm, presented a copy of the Parks Manua to each member of the city council. Mr. Harris explained that this parks manual was created for operating and maintaining Midway Park and other parks which the city may acquire. He stated that this manual has been based on experiences of the park planners and others. This booklet was prepared exclusively for the City of Euless and approxi- mately 100 copies were presented to the City of Euless. City Manager Cowell ex= pressed appreciation to Mr. Schrickel, Mr. Besley and Mr. Harris for the parks manual and stated that he considers it would be a valuable document to rank with the city budget, Capital Improvement Program and other manuals which aid the City in the administering of services to its citizens. (Official copy of Parks Manual on fi le in Office of City Secretary.) Mr. Schrickel stated that Midway Park was facilitated as a playground area for the summer of 1965, and that now that the summer is ending, plans should be made to consider the park as a park site rather than a playground area, stating that this does not mean the ball diamonds, and other recreat'onal facilities will not be cared for, nor will they be dispensed with, but plans w i I I be made to beautify the area and thereby make it a community= type park. He commented that sodding, planting of flowers and plants w i I I add color to the park and there are some areas where guard posts should be placed to prohibit cars from this area in order for grass to be planted which will not only beautify the area but w i l l assist in drainage problems. Mr. Schrickel stated that, in his opinion, the drainage channel in the park area needs consideration in the next year's budget; also, at this time, in order to proceed with the plans for Midway Park( landscaping, roadways, etc.) he has proposed an approximate expenditure of $1,500.00 to City Manager Cowell for this work..(not including the channel.) w (Page seven, minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965): After discussion, Councilman Fuller made the motion that the Park Planner be authorized to proceed with plans for the Midway Park project in the amount of $1,500.00. Councilman Warren seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Byers, Warren, and Douglass. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried, Mr. Schrickel presented plans(drawings) showing his conception of the type construction for the drainage channel. He stated that the portion of the channel in the park area which he proposes for construction in the coming year will cost between $30,000. and $33,000. He commented that his recommendation is to use city personnel and lease heavy equipment for this project rather than take bids and let a contract, stating that this procedure would permit a considerable savings to the City. In answer to a question, City Manager Cowell stated that city personnel would be available for this project. It was agreed that City Manager Cowell should co- ordinate with the consulting engineers and park planner for a portion of this channel to be financed from the Street and Drainage Bond Fund. Mr. Schrickel reported that, at the request of the City Manager, he had investigated the use of funds for future park projects and that the city can secure a federal grant which will aid in the construct on and development of future park sites. He stated, however, that information was very limited at this time and that on or about September Ist, he will be in a position to be more informative on this matter. After discussion, Councilman Fuller made the motion that the City of Euless submit its name as an interested municipal- ity in the Federal Free Land Grant, Councilman Douglass seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Byers and Douglass. Nays: Councilman Warren. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Mr. Schrickel explained that the City may withdraw its application for a free land grant at any time prior to the actual ac(;eptance of the money.) After discussion, City Attorney Cribbs was instructed to prepare an amendment to Ordinance No. 105 to regulate the VII. VENDOR'S LICENSE (ORDINANCE NO. 105) Mayor Fuller informed the council that the City receives numerous calls from citizens in regard to the ice cream ven- dors being permitted to operate in the City of Euless during the evening hours. Ordinance No. 105 - vendor's license - under which the City now operates - established the license fee and bond for vendors in the City of Euless, but does not designate the hours which the vendors may operate. After discussion, City Attorney Cribbs was instructed to prepare an amendment to Ordinance No. 105 to regulate the i (Page eight, minutes of regular meeting, August 10, 1965): hours for vendors services in the City of Euless - this amendment to be pre- sented at the next regular council meeting, August 24, 1965. , UM 1965 -66 TAX ROLL City Manager Cowell stated-that tax assessor - collector, W. E. Smith, has presented the 1965 -66 tax roll for the city council's inspection and approval. The total taxable property amounts to $30,285,610.00 - and the tax levy in the amount of $302,856.00. Mr. Cowell ex= plained that the tax assessor - collector had a meeting scheduled for this evening and was unable to attend, but has expressed a desire to appear before the council at a later date if the council desired an evaluation of the tax roll. Councilman Fuller made the motion to approve the tax ro I I as presented. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Warren, Fuller, Byers, and Douglass. Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Mayor and council members affixed signatures to tax roll which was attested by Mrs. Vada Ferris, City Secretary). IX. NORTH MAIN STREET CONSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE City Attorney Cribbs stated that he had prepared the necessary documents for the acceptance of North Main Street and the assessment to the property owners of the property involved, however, in the absence of Mr. B i I I Ratliff, consulting engineer, who had left the meeting earlier, this item was tabled until the next regular council meeting, August 24, 1965. 0 EXPENDITURES City Manager Cowell presented Certifi- cate No.. 5 from Jarvis, Putty and Jarvis, which requests payment of $8,898.17 to KAS Construction Company for the construction project on Euless Fire Station No. 2. Councilman Douglass made the motion to approve the payment of this statement as recommended by City Manager Cowell. Councilman Byers seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Douglass, Byers, and Warren. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. ADDITION AND DELETION TO 1964-65 TAX ROLL City Manager Cowell stated that tax City Manager Cowell informed the council that the completion of the new fire station is scheduled for August 23rd and t h a t the open house w i l l not be held for several weeks after that date. However, he will contact the city council members several days prior to August 23rd, in order for them to tour the fire station facility prior to the City of Fort Worth occupying _. same. ADDITION AND DE[ ET LON_S TQ x964 -65 TAX R01I Flu City Manager Cowell stated that tax '$9 (page nine] minutes of regular council meeting, August 10, 1965): assessor - collector W. E. Smith, had presented a recap of deductions and additions to the 1964 -65 tax roll. The additions amount to $75.00 - the deductions to $496.88, thereby making a deduction to the tax roll in the amount of $421.88, Mr, Cowell briefed the council on the reasons for the deductions and additions, and, after d scussion, Councilman Douglass made the motion to approve deductions and additions as presented. Councilman Fuller seconded the motion and the vote is as fol lows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Douglass, Warren and Byers. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Copy of tax deductions and additions recap on file in Office of City Secretary,) llp INCINERATOR - VILLAGE FOCD STORE (AGREEMENT) City Manager Cowell informed the council that a copy of an agreement of lease had been submitted to the city offices by the Village Food Store for the Midway Park property adjacent to the Village Food Store on which this store desires to construct an incinerator, He stated that he had submitted a copy of this agreement to the City Attorney for evalua- tion and the City Attorney informed the council that this agreement is the one that he had prepared several months ago: for consideration, with the exception of Item No, 5 which perta ns to the city's right to use the incinerator. City Attorney Cribbs informed the council that the signing of this lease would not be valid because it is illegal to lease city -owned property to private orgainzations, After discussion, Councilman Douglass made the motion that the agreement of lease be denied as it is illegal to lease park property for private use. Councilman Fuller seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Fuller, Warren. Douglass and Byers. Nays: None. Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried, X I I I I COMMUNICATIONS City Manager Cowell informed the council that Mayor Fuller had received a communication from Governor John Connally requesting the city's cooperation with the Texas Research League in their undertaking of a project to secure information from municipalities in order to comprise a report concerning service status of local governmental units and the laws under which they are established and administered. After discussion, it was agreed by the c o u n c i l t h a t the City w i l l comply with the governor's request, 4r1 101 IonInnGnIT ATTEST:�� �r City Secretary Ulm The meeting adjourned at 11 :30 P.M. APPROVED : � . _,-?,« MAYOR so