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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-02-11Regular Meeting of the Euless City Council February 11, 1969 CALL TO ORDER 1 The regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8 :05 P. M., in the Council Chambers of Euless City ._ Hall, with Mayor W. G. Fuller presiding. Councilmen present are listed as follows: Messrs. Frank Douglass, Dan Shull, Bill Byers, Don R. Warren and Harold Samuels. Also present were City Manager C. J. Griggs, City Attorney James Cribbs and Recording Secretary Florence Murr. INVOCATION The invocation was presented by Councilman Harold Samuels. VISITORS Visitors in attendance are listed, as follows: Messrs. Ivan Gregory, Donald C. Lincoln, C. J. Soles, George W. Barrowcl iff, Roe English, Les Vionotte, Jerry Brackman and Bill Ratliff, Consulting Engineer; Mesdms. Kathy Lincoln, David A. Martin, Martha Hand, representing the Fort Worth Star Tele- gram, and Betty Potthoff, representing the Mid - Cities Daily News. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the regular council meetings dated November 26, 1968, and January 14, 1969, were approved as written. CORRECTION CF MINUTES DATED JANUARY 28, 1969 City Attorney James Cribbs stated that he recommends t h a t ITEM 1 1 , CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT - ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM, of minutes of the regular council meeting dated January 28, 1969, be corrected as follows: "Emergency vehicles owned by the City of Euless are not covered by l i a b i l i t y insurance -- that they have only comprehensive coverage; therefore, the City's insurance carrier did not act on the claim resulting from an accident involving Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Baley and a fire truck owned by the City of Euless. Mr. Cribbs stated t h a t it is almost impossible to o b t a i n l i a b i l i t y coverage on emergency vehicles. Mr. Cribbs informed the Council that he has advised the attorney representing Allstate Insurance Company that he would recommend that their claim, i n the amount of $2,487.28, be denied by the City of Euless because of contributory negligence on the part of the driver bf the other vehicle and because of governmental immunity." 2 (Page Two, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City Council, February 11, 1969.) Councilman Douglass moved to concur with the City Attorney's recommendation and correct ITEM II, CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT - ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM, and approve the minutes of January 28, '1969, as corrected. Councilman Samuels seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels, Warren and Shull Nays? None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. II. DENIAL CF CLAIM FROM ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY I n a discussion of Allstate insurance Company's claim, in the amount of $2,487.28, resulting from an accident experienced, by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence E. Baley on July 23, 1968, in which a Euless fire truck was involved, Mr. Cribbs advised that Allstate Insurance Company paid the property damage claim, as insurance carrier for Mr. and Mrs. Baley; however, they are not subrogated to any part of the hospital claim. Mr.- Cribbs stated that Mr, and Mrs. Baley did have cer- tain coverage under their policy, but not enough to cover the entire amount of $1,455.73 incurred for medical expenses. Mr. Cribbs stated that he recommends, the City Council deny Allstate insurance Company's claim because of contributory negli- gence on the part of the driver of the other vehicle and because of governmental immunity. Councilman Byers made the motion to concur with the recommendation of the City Attorney and deny the claim from Allstate Insurance Company, i n the amount of $2,487.28, concerning the accident involving Mr. and Mrs. Baley and a City owned fire truck, because of contributory .negligence on the part of the driver of the other vehicle and because of governmental' immunity. Councilman Samuels seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels, Warren and Shull Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. III. SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 349 REZONING 5.73 ACRES OUT OF SOLOMON HUITT SURVEY FROM "R -1" SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE 10 "L -1" LIMITED INDUSTRY, AND 5.74 ACRES FROM "R -1" SINGLE FAMILY RES I DENISE 10 "R -3" MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCE (ZONING CASE 183) Councilman Shull made the motion to approve Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 349, rezoning 5.73 acres out of the Solomon H uitt Survey, from "R -1" Single Family Residence to "L -I" Limited Industry, and 3 (Page Three, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City Council, February ll. 1969.) 5.74 acres from "R -1" Single Family Residence to "R -3" Multi- Family Residence, as requested by Main Development Company, Inc. in Zoning Case No. 183. Councilman Byers seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels, Warren and Shull Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. IV. RESOLUTION NO. 227, AGREEMENT 10 SUPPORT BEAR CREEK SANITARY SEWER MAIN PROJECT City Manager Griggs presented Resolution No. 227, prepared by City Attorney James Cribbs, expressing the intent of the City of Euless to participate with the Trinity River Authority and the Cities of Irving and Grand Prairie in the Bear Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Project. Mr. Griggs advised that this resolution is similar to the resolution which has been adopted by the Cities of Grand Prairie and Irving and the Airport Board. He explained that no contracts have been executed at this time -- that this resolution is an expression of intent lahat the City of Euless w i l l support the project. In a discussion of the proposed project, it was determined that the City of Euless will pay for the transportation and treat- ment of its sewage -- that no capital funds will be expended. Mr. Ratliff, Consulting Engineer, advised that all construction contracts pertaining to this project will be let simultaneously - that Trinity Piver Authority received a federal grant for this project on February 4, 1969, with the stipulation that they are to be under contract within one hundred, twenty (120) days after acceptance. . . Mr. Cribbs stated that he had been advised by Trinity River Authority that the line will be operational in 1969. Councilman Samuels made the motion to approve Pesolution No. 227, endorsing participation in the Bear Creek Sanitary Sewer Trunk Main Project, as presented. Councilman Warren seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels, Warren and Shull Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried, V. RESOLUTION NO. 228, AUTHORIZING INVESTMENT OF WATER AND SEWER RESERVE BOND FUNDS C i tv Manager Gri gc9s presented Resolution No. '228, authorizing Bankers Trust Company of New York to invest $5,500.00 Water and 4 (Page Four, Minates of regular meeting, Euless City Council. February 11, 1969.) Sewer Reserve Bond Funds in United States Treasury Notes. Councilman Shull made the motion to approve Resolution No. 228, as presented. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion, and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels and Shull Nays: None (Councilman Warren was absent from the room at the time of the vote.) Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. VI. ANNOUNCEMENT CF TOWN HALL MEET I NGS, FEBRUARY 13 AND FEBRUARY 17, 1969 Councilman Shull stated that he would like to invite all of the visitors to attend the Town Hall Meetings to be held in the Community Building on Thursday, February 13th and Monday, February 17th, at 7 :30 P. M. Councilman Shull advised that these meetings have been called for the pur- pose of discussing the proposed City Charter amendments to be voted on in the Special City Election, to be held on February 18, 1969. He requested that visitors present tell their friends about the meetings and encourage them to be present and, take an active part in the discussions, VI11 REQUEST RJR INFORMATION FRCM CITY LAND PLANNER, MR, ROBERT CALDV'E L L Councilman Samuels made the motion to in- struct the City Manager to write Mr. Robert Caldwell, with a copy of the letter to the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, suggesting that Mr. Caldwell obtain a copy of the new ordinance pertaining to apartment developments which was recently approved by the Hurst City Council, and requesting information, as follows: 1. A recommendation on density of apartments i n terms of people per acre or units per acre, in order to amend the City's zoning ordinance at onee; 2. A recommendation of total ultimate ratio of apartment units to individual dwelling units at the time Euless is fully developed. Councilman Douglass seconded the motion, and the vote i s as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Byers, Douglass, Samuels, Warren and Shull Nays: None Mayor Fuller declared the motion carried. (Page Five, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City Council, February 11. 1969.) VIII. REPORT FROM NORTHEAST CITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL JOINT -USE CF FACILITIES Councilman Douglass advised that the North- east Cities Advisory Council met on February 6, 1969, at which time the program was devoted to Amendment No. 11, which was recently approved by voters in the State of Texas, concerning Tarrant County and El Paso County. Councilman Douglass stated that guest speakers fo r th is meeting were two gentlemen from the Texas Research League, Messrs. Jack Belles and Bob Norwood, who are completing a study on the feasibility of con- solidation o f offices and services in this area. Councilman Douglass advised that a County "Shopping Center of Municipal Services" may be made available to smaller cities which may need certain services -- that the services could be contracted from the County on a fee basis. Councilman Douglass stated that this program could in- volve police and fire protection, street and drainage improvements, parks, central purchasing, and possibly other services. Councilman Douglass stated that Messrs, Ballas and Norwood are of the o p i n i o n a copy o f t h e i r report t o Tarrant County Com- missioners w i l l be made available to the Northeast Cities Advisory Council. JOINT - PURCHASE AND USE CF FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT Counci Iman Shul 1 reminded the Counci 1 that he had been instructed to advise the Northeast Cities Advisory Council that the City of Euless desires to make an investigation to determine i ts needs for a snorkel or ladder truck before committing itself for the joint - purchase of this equipment. Councilman Shull stated that he would like to have a recommendation concerning th is matter to present to the Advisory Counci 1. City Manager Griggs advised that the County has recently stationed a piece of equipment in this area and has encountered a difficulty in, its use because the equipment i s not self - propelled and permanently manned. Mr. Griggs stated that he has discussed this matter with the City Managers of Hurst and Bed §ord. The City Manager stated that, in his opinion, the City of Euless does not need a ladder truck for its exclusive use, at this time. A discussion followed, and Mayor Fuller stated that he recommends that the City Manager submit a written report concerning the City's need for ladder or snorkel equipment at the next regular council meeting. IX. REPORT ON MEETING WITH TEXAS HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT City Manager Griggs reported that he and Mayor Fuller recently met with officials of the State Highway Department in Fort Worth to discuss proposed highways in the area. Mr. Griggs advised that the district 6 (Page Six, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City`.'OounCil,FFebruary111,19 69:) office has been authorized to proceed with plans for Highway 121A, from Spur 350 northeast to Highway 157, and for Highway 360, from its present connection with State Highway 183 to the North. Councilman Shull inquired concerning the status of signalization of Highway 183 at Wilshire Drive. City Manager Griggs stated that he was ad- vised by officials of the State Highway Department of their inability to obtain certain critical items necessary for installation of traffic signals at this lo- cation. Mr. Griggs advised that the Highway Department plans to proceed with this project, as soon as all necessary materials have been obtained. Councilman Sarnuels inquired concerning the possibility of breaking the median on Highway 183 in the vicinity of the entrance to Sotogrande Apartment Development. City Manager Griggs advised that this inter- section is in the City of Hurst and he is of the opinion Hurst has-been contacted concerning this matter. Mayor Fuller advised that the State 'High- way Department is working out a system of highways in the vicinity of the airport which w i l l give the citizens of Euless an, outlet. without going through the mixmaster, it was determined that no definite informa- tion has been released concerning streets and thoroughfares to be extended into di_� the airport area. X. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT ON REGIONAL AIRPORT CONFERENCES City Attorney Cribbs advised that attorneys for area cities are ready to begin an evaluation of the Letter of Agreement which was executed with Dallas, Fort Worth and the Airport Board concerning tax base, joint zoning board and various other questions. Mr. Cribbs stated that he has a tentative appointment tiro meet with representatives from Grapevine and Irving on February 12, 1969, to begin the discussion. Mr. Cribbs inquired if it is the Council's desire that he proceed with negotiations concerning these problems. Mayor Fuller stated that it is his recom- mendation that the City Council go on record as recommending that the City Attorney meet with these people and report to the Council. M r . Cribbs stated t h a t c o u n c i l action w i l l be required on a l l matters and he w i l l be reporting to the Council from time to time. XI. DISCUSSION CF SIGN CONTROL, MR. IVAN GREGORY Mr. Ivan Gregory inquired if the City of Euless has an ordinance pertaining to the erection of signs along the highway. (Page Seven, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City Council, February 11, 1969.) Mayor Fuller stated that the State controls signs erected within the right -of -way; however, the new zoning ordinance does contain regulations pertaining to signs on abutting property; however, there are a number of signs which were erected priortto adoption of the new ordinance. XI I. CITIZEN'S SERVICE REQUEST, MR. GEORGE BARROWCLIFF, 300 EAST FULLER Mr. George Barrowcliff, 300 East Fuller, in- quired as to when the street sweeper was last on East Fuller Drive. The City Manager advised that the sweeper is in the shop for repairs. Mr. Barrowcliff stated that he has a drainage problem in the vicinity of his residente -- that a new pipeline is being installed across the street from his residence and rain water flows from this area onto his yard -- that the drainage ditch will not accommodate the excess waters; therefore, dirt washes into the street and it is most unsightly, City Manager Griggs assured Mr. Barrowcliff t h a t an i n v e s t i g a t i o n w i l l be made -- that he supposes the line referred to is a new Sinclair gasoline line. Mayor Fuller stated that he hopes the citizens of Euless wi I I take advantage of the City Administration and report their problems to City Hall. The Mayor expressed appreciation for the visitors' attendance at the Council Meeting. XIII. DISCUSS ION CF SIGNALIZATION AT HIGHWAY 183 AND NORTH MAIN Mr. Les Veinotte inquired concerning the reason for lack of a left turn signal on North Main at Highway 183. Mayor Fuller advised that the traffic signals are installed by the State Highway Department -- that the State has requested that the streets in this vicinity be made one -way before improvement to signalization at this location will be considered. The Mayor advised that a traffic study was made by the State Highway Department and, apparently, they saw no need for a left turn signal at this location. City•Attorney Cribbs advised that he is of the opinion the traffic control at this location is considered temporary at this time, and possibly, a left turn signal wi l l be installed when they become permanent. 8 (Page Eight, Minutes of regular meeting, Euless City Council, February 11, 1969) ADJOURNMENT ATTEST : C' i 'ty 1%1'1-Wea ry IX. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 P. M. APPROVED: Mayor