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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-06-2589 Regular Meeting Euless City Council June 25, 1974 CALL TO ORDER The'regular meeting of the Euless City Souncil was called to order at 8 :05 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Euless City Hall by Mayor Pro Tem Harold Samuels. Members present were Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick; Messrs. Harold Copher and Wayne Wright. (Absent was Mayor A. C. Krause.) Also present were City Manager C. J. G r i g g s , C i t y Secretary Vada F e r r i s , C i t y Engineer B i l l Ratliff, and City Attorney Bob McFarland. VISITORS Visitors present were as follows: Messrs. Don Perkins, Kenneth Taylor, James H. Fuller, Noah Cureton, J. T. Koon, R. T. Reinmiller, C. D. Davis, Reid A. Rector, Robert Power, Don L. Armstrong, Ray Ozebek, David C. Hughes, Bob Eden, Walter A. Elliott, Carl P. Hankins, W. R. Zieschang, Christopher Zieschang, Hugh Waite, and Troy M. Fuller; Mesdms. Annie Fuller, Betty Fuller, Don L. Armstrong, W. R. Zieschang, Dorothy Starnes, W. G. Rag1 ey and Troy M. Fuller. INVOCATION The invocation was presented by Mr. Bill Ratl iff. APPROVAL CF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated May 28, 1974 were approved as written. PUBLIC HEARING: ZONING CASE NO. 242 REQUEST CF LAVVLER CORPORATION FOR CHANGE CF ZONING FROM "C -2" COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT TO "R -5'° MULTI - FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT ON LOT A -1, BLOCK 1, OAKWOOD TERRACE ADDITION, (PROPERTY LOCATED SOUTH CF SH 183 BETWEEN VINE STREET AND NORMAN DRIVE.) Mayor Pro Tem Samuels opened the Public Hearing and recognized Mr. Robert Power, who informed the Council he represents the Lawler Corporation, owners of approximately four acres just off of Hwy. 183, between Norman Drive and Vine Street. Mr. Power 90 (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, June 25, 1974) stated that his client requests the zoning change in order to build apartments on this property and that his client has owned the property since March o f 1959 and the property has been vacant a l l of this time. He stated that on the east and west side of the subject property are apartments buil• in the early 1960's and, at the time, the City did not have the building requirements as it has now. Mr. Power stated that the property was zoned "C -2" Community Business District and apartments could be built in this zoning classification. However, his client was advised several months ago when he came to City Hall to obtain a building permit that the City ordinance had been changed and that apartments could no longer be constructed in "G -2'! zoning. He stated t h a t h i s c l i e n t believes t h i s i s the best use o f t h i s property and w i l l provide a good buffer between the residential section of the south and the commercial on Hwy. 183. M r . Power stated t h a t there w i l l be no traffic problems; that ingress and egress is adequate because you do not have to go through a residential area to get to the subject property. He stated there are many projects which could be built in this area which would be less desirable than apartments as far as pollution, traffic and noise are concerned. He stated that his client is of the opinion that the ,apartments will ,be an asset to the City and that he requests the Council's consideration of this zoning change for apartments,to, be built on subject property. Mayor Pro Tem Samuel's inquired i f there were other proponents in the audience. There being none, he called for opponents. There being none, he declared the Public Hearing closed, and advised Mr. Power that the City's policy is to consider zoning cases at its next regularly scheduled meeting following the Public Hearing. LIBRARY PERSONNEL AND HOURS Mayor Pro Tem Samuels recognized Mr. Hugh M. Waite, Chairman of the Library Board, who stated that the Library Board requests the Council consider additional hours for the Library and the employment of one additional fu I I time person. He stated that the Library Board has conducted two City wide surveys which pin - pointed area needs, showed high standard courtesy of the library staff and indicated that citizens of Euless desire that the library be open add- itional hours. He stated that there has been an 80% increase in the circulation and the survey indicated three to one for additional hours. He stated this would necessitate the employment of one full time person for approximately $5,000.00 a year. He commented that the City Council had previously authorized $2,500.00 a year for the initiation of the summer library program in the area schools and that this program was dismissed due to lack of success; that this $2,500,00 could be used to pay a portion of a salary for one additional fu l l time person. .He commented that if the library is open additional hours it can provide better services for the citizens of Euless; and when the City of Euless reaches 25,000 population, the library will become a size two library instead of a size three, which will make the library available for additional ,Federal funds. He stated that in order to be eligible for Federal Funds after reaching 25,000, one member of the 1 ibrary staff has t o have a Library Science Degree. 91 (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, June 25, 1974) Mr. Waite stated that after two years of work on the Library Study Committee, the Euless Library Board has succeeded in getting the Tarrant County Commissioners to provide 25 per capita instead of a flat $2,000.00, which resulted in an additional $3,000.00 for the library. He stated that although this must be spent for books, the Library Board feels their request is justified. Mrs. Zieschang stated that as a size two library, the City will be eligible for a grant up to $25,000.00 and that library services and personnel would be greatly enriched by these grants. Mr. Copher inquired if the Library Board wants this change in this years budget or the 1974 -75 budget. Mr. Waite stated the Board requests this change as soon as possible. .Mrs. McCormick moved to approve the additional library hours and an additional full time person with a salary up to $5,000.00 annually and that the fu I I time person must have a Library Science Degree from an accredited school. Mr. Copher seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick; Messrs. Copher, Wright and Samuels Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem Sarnuels declared the motion carried. GIFT CF FLAGS 10 CITY OF EULESS Mayor Pro Tem Samuels announced that Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Fuller have given eighteen (18) flags to the City of Euless which have been placed in the Fuller Room of the Euless Public Library. He expressed appreciation for this gift and instructed the City Secretary to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. I V. REPRESENTATIVE CF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DISCUSSES COUNCIL POLICIES REGARDING ZONING DISTRICT CHANGES AND THE SUBDIVISION CF PROPERTY. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels recognized Mr. Ray Ozebek, who stated he is appearing on behalf of Mr. Bob Pippin, a member of'the Planning and Zoning Commission who was supposed to appear before the Council with the request that the duties and responsibilities 92 (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, June 25, 1974) of the Planning and Zoning Commission be discussed. He stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission members are concerned to what extent the Commission should weigh their recommendations to the Council with regard to street construction, utility extension, etc. tie commented that at this time there is a difference of opinion among the Planning and Zoning Commissi.on members as to whether or not they should turn down zoning requests for lack of existing facilities. Mr. Ozebek stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission are desirous of doing a good job for the City and City Council and that they request guidelines for future planning. The City Secretary was instructed to notify the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission that the City Council and Planning and Zoning—Commission w i l l meet for a dinner work session on July 9, at 6:00 P` M. v. INTRODUCTION CF COUNCIL CANDIDATE Mayor Pro Tem Samue s called attention t o the J u l y 20 e l e c t i o n t o f i l l a Council vacancy and stated that Mr. Ozebek is a candidate for this Council Place. VI. CONSIDER ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PRO - RATA CHARGE FCR THE COST CF SANITARY SEWER INSTALLATION Mrs. McCormick stated that when this matter was discussed at the last meeting it was announced that a Committee had been appointed several years ago to give consideration to the pro -rata charge for the cost of sanitary sewer installation. She stated that she has searched the minutes of City Council meetings and has also requested the City Secretary to check on the appointment of this committee and there is no record of such a committee being formed. She stated that the last mention of this ordinance was January 9, 1973, at which time the ordinance was tabled. She referred to Mr. Rat.l iff's letter dated May 21, 1974 in which he commented that the engineer's would estimate that this project might recover as much as 60% of the cost of these sanitary sewer prpjects, which have been accomplished by the City over the past few years. She stated she wants to know how the engineer's arrived at 60 %. Mr. Ratliff stated that he recalls that the 60 %was mentioned as undeveloped property presently in the City of Euless. Mr. Copher stated that he recalls that a committee was appointed and some of the members were Mr. Troy Fuller and Mr. Hugh Waite. (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, June 25, 1974) Mr. Troy Fuller was present in the audience and stated that he has never served on a committee to give consideration to this ordinance. Mr. Walter Elliott stated that he and Mr. Waite and Mr. Fuller were on a Policy Development Committee but not on a committee to consider this pro -rata sewage charge ordinance. Mrs. McCormick stated that she has called several area cities and that their water and sewer extensions are financed by water and sewer revenue. . Mr. E l l i o tt was recognized and stated that he would like to express his opinion; that several years ago, the City of Euless bought the water and sewer system and that the City of Euless, at that time, announced that improvements would be made to the system and financed from water and sewer revenue. He commented that in 1969 the citizens voted a bond issue which was to extend water and sewer lines. He stated that he is not in opposition to a pro -rata cost, however, this ordinance seems to propose double taxation and that some developers w i l l shy away from the City of Euless if too many extra charges are attached. He commented that the City has been very fortunate to have Mr. Griggs because he is conservative in programming which has been successful in acquiring a good bond rating for the City. He stated that if the City keeps raising prices, that developers and businesses will not locate in the City of Euless. He requests the Council give careful consideration to the ordinance before approval. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels recognized Mr. Carroll Davis, who stated he is a homeowner and he does not want to- pay again for something that has already been paid for, but he does think that new people moving into the City of Euless should pay their pro -rata portion of the water and sewer. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels recognized Mr. Troy Fuller who stated that the average cost of a single family dwelling is $23,.000.00 and that in ten years the same house will probably sell for $50,000,00. However, that single family dwellings with large lots will be prohibitive in ten years; that single family homes are going to be extinct. He stated that bonds voted three years ago in the amount of $5,500,000.00 was to build new lines and extend existing lines. He doesn't know what has happened to this bond money. He stated that if the City Council passes th is ordinance, it will retard the growth of the C i t y o f Euless; developers w i l l not come into the City of Euless with this kind of policy. He stated that this is like the Park Board give away of requiring 10% of land to be donated to the City from developers. He stated that he thinks all citizens should pay for these services but not i n the manner proposed in this ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels recognized Mr. Bob Eden, who stated that it seems that the opinion is that vacant land i s not paying i t s way i n the City of Euless, but that if you are paying taxes on vacant land, you are paying your way. He stated he wants to see the City of Euless grow, but he opposes double taxes as proposed in 94 (Page Six. Regular Meeting, . Euless City Council . June 2C. 1974) this ordinance. Mr. Wright stated that he would like to discuss this ordinance further with the City Manager and City Engineer before council action is taken. Mr. Copher stated that there is a difference in tax money and pro -rata charges; that he.does not think that people on a fixed income or low income bracket should have to pay if they have lived here a long time; that people coming into the City should have to pay through a pro -rata charge. Mr. Troy Fuller stated he is concerned about the people in the low income bracket and fixed income also, but he does not feel that the City should have a pro -rata charge which would require developers to pay to develop in the City of Euless because this w i l l keep developers away and e v e n t u a l l y w i l l mean t h a t the C i t y w i l l have increase water and sewer rates which will put a burden on these same people with fixed incomes and in low income brackets. Mr. Wright moved to hable this .pro- posed ordinance for further study. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion and the vote i s ias follows: Ayes: Mr. Wright, Mrs. McCormick and Mr. Samuels Nays: Mr. Copher . motion carried. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels declared the VI I. APPOINTMENT TO HURST -EULESS -BEDFORD HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPLACING MR. BLEASE TI BBETS WHO RESIGNED Mrs. McCorrnick moved that .Mr. Elden Traster be appointed to serve as a member of the Hurst - Euless- Bedford Hospital Authority replacing Mr. Blease Tibbets. Mr. Wright seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick; Messrs. Wright, Copher and Sarnuels Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem Samuels declared the motion carried. VIII. APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL ALTERNATE JUDGE Mayor Pro Tem Samuels announced that (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, June 25, 1974) M r . Bruce Ebert, Municipal Court Judge, w i l l be vacationing in a few weeks and in order not to have a back log of court cases, an additional alternate judge is needed to carry on the court's business. Mr. Samuels moved that Mr. George Boring be appointed as an additional alternate Municipal Court Judge. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Mr. Samuels, Mrs. McCormick, Mr. Wright and Mr. Copher Nays: None motion carried. Mayor Pro Tem Samuels declared the IX. AUTHORIZE RECEIPT CF BIDS FCR CHANNEL LINING OF EAST HURRICANE CREEK AND NORTH MAIN STREET BRIDGE Mr. Griggs suggested that the Council consider July 16 as a date to receive bids on these two projects. He stated that there are a few easements that have not been acquired at this time on the Hurricane Creek project, however, ifthe City is unable to obtain these, the City Engineers have an alternate route which would not delay the project and would only cause the concrete to be placed a little higher. Mr. Copher moved that the City accept bids on the North Main Street bridge and channel lining of East Hurricane Creek on July 16, Mr. Wright seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Copher, Wright, Samuels; and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem Samuels declared the motion carried. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P. M. APPROVED: ATTEST: /s/ Vada Ferris City Secretary 95 96