Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-01-25Regular Meeting Euless C i ry Council January 25, 1977 CALL TO ORDER 113 The regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Euless City Hall by Mayor Pro Tem Mrs. Wi 11ie Mae McCormick. Other members present were Councilmen Charles Hunt, Raymond Ozebek, Glenn Walker and Robert Pippin. (Absent was Mayor Harold Samuels.) Also present were City Manager W. M. Sustaire, City Secretary Della Houy, City Attorney James Cribbs, City Engineer B i l l Flowers, and Assistant City Manager John Lynch, IV. VISITORS Visitors in attendance were: Messrs. Don Calhoun, Gary L. Fitts, Gaylen Roberts, Charles McKinney, Tim Meador, Mike Lake, Mickey Meador, Jimmy KI iever, C. E. Decker; Mesdms. Myrtle Hall, Deidra Early, Ala Joy David, Peggy Waller and Marie Decker. I NVOr'AT I ON The invocation was given by Councilman Charles Hunt. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -rue minutes of the regular meeting aated January 11, 1977, were approved as written. PUBLIC HEARING - IMPROVEMENTS TO KIDDIE CARR PARK AND RESOLUTION NO. 3.98 APPROVING APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDING Mayor Pro Tem Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick opened the public hearing on improvements to Kiddie Carr Park. Mayor Pro Tem McCormick asked if there were any proponents to the improvements; there being none, she asked if there were any opponents; there being none, she declared the public hearing closed. Mi -s. McCormick stated that there was a previous public hearing on the park site when the City was anticipating building a service center on this location and the citizens were very receptive to having a park at this iocation; that the purpose of this is that the City is going further with it and this Community Development Funding will be money that will be used to make improvements to the park, to bring it up to a better state. 114 (Page Two, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) Mr. Hunt moved to approve Resolution No. 398, approving application for Community Development Funding for improvements to Kiddie Carr Park. Mr. Hunt stated that Euless has applied for $20,000 for these improvements and t h i s w i l l be an extension of Carr Park. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Mr. Pippin stated that it should be read into the minutes the improvements t h a t w i l l be at Kiddie Carr Park. Mrs. McCormick read the improvements, as follows: pavilion with storage, security light installation, minature golf course, water fountains, croquet courts, grass seeding, foot bridge, obstacle course, picnic tables, jogging trail, flag pole installation and outside grills with slabs, in addition to the access and parking lot construction. The vote on Mr. Hunt's motion is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Hunt, Walker, Ozebek, Pippin and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem McCormick declared the motion carried. AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY MRS. DEIDRA EARLY FOR ONE -WAY STREET AT OAKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mayor Pro Tem McCormick recognized Mrs. Deidra Early, who stated that she is Health and Safety Chairman of Oakwood Elementary School. Mrs. Early stated that Ranger Street is a two -way street that runs on the east side of Oakwood Elementary School and there is a bad traffic problem at this location between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Early stated that she has talked with the residents that live in the nine (9) houses on Ranger and they have signed a petition requesting Ranger Street be one -way during the above hours. Mrs. Early stated that Euless Code of Ordinances, Section 14 -76, states that the City Council may designate any highway or roadway under its jurisdiction for one -way traffic and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof. Mrs. Early stated the street being two -way, cars come from both directions and then get blocked in. Mrs. Early stated that they would appreciate it if the Council would designate it one -way during the hours requested. Mrs. Early presented the petition to the City Secretary for the official record. Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Jay Heilman, Traffic Safety Officer, has taken a look at the area in question and has recommended some a1 ternat ives. N° 115 (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) Mrs. Early stated that Mr. Heilman did mention an extension, but that would take time and the school has a problem that needs to be solved now. Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Heilman recommends that the City approach the school board for some assistance and is against making it a one -way street. Mr. Hunt further stated that he can see where making it one -way during that hour would be of help, but he is concerned about enforcing it. Mrs. Early stated she sees no problem as the people would be more than willing to cooperate if the City were to post the signs, because most people are picking up their children or they live on that block. Mr. Pippin stated that this problem exists at Stonegate Elementary School and he knows of two (2) streets that they have one -way, part time, at that school, and we can try and see what the school board will do, but he doesn't think they will be willing to extend the driveway. Mr, Walker inqui re3 if part of the problem wasn't caused by cars parked out on the street. A lady in the audience stated that the only cars parked on the street are for the people waiting to pick up their chi ldren. Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Heilman thinks the ideal solution would be for the school district to provide a paved driveway for off - street parking and passenger loading, and inquired if Mrs. Early thought this would be the ideal solution. Mrs. Early stated that this would be nice, but would not eliminate the problem that exists now, that the paved driveway would take time to draw the plans and construct. Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Heilman says that plans are already in the working for the three area safety officers to meet with M. Wages and present him with a proposal to up -date traffic safety at the schools. Mr. Pippin stated that there has been a reluctance on the part of the school board to spend money at Oakwood school in the past, but he is willing to support the plans for a solution to the probiem. 1r, Walker moved that Ranger Street be made one -way from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., on a temporary basis, for ninety days, and Jay Heilman to observe it during the ninety day period and do a study and see if it improves or hampers the conditions that exist and see if it justifies continuing it on a permanent basis. N° 116 (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) . Mr. Hunt seconded the motion. Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Heilman doesn't say why he is opposed to making Ranger Street one -way in his report and this would give the Council the oppor- tunity to hear why he doesn't particularly like this plan. Mrs. McCormick stated that she is in favor of Mr. Heilman meeting with the school board to see if they can come up with a solution. Mr. Walker stated that Mr. Heilman, i n his recommendations, states that he is opposed to designating Ranger Street as a one -way street, and doesn't say whether permanent or during specific hours, but he does say that before such a move be undertaken, he would recommend a complete survey of traffic and the ten (10) tax - paying residents on the street. Mr. Walker further stated that if the Council did th is on a ninety day basis, it would give Mr. Heilman time to conduct the study, as well as see if the temporary one -way street made an improvement and helped the situation. Mr. Cribbs inquired about the feasibility of advising the superintendent of the schools or the school board of the City's intention of making the street one -way, just as a courtesy to the school. Mrs. Early stated that Mr. Duncan has been in contact with the administration office on these recommendations, because they wanted to be sure this would be approved by the school, before bringing it to the Council. Mr. Pippin stated that in Mr. Heilman's recommendation he stated that as a remedy he would recommend that the driveway exit be posted no left turn or restricted hours for left turn and this is something that should go along with any move the City takes and the City should approach the school to get this done because it needs to be done whether we have a one -way street or not. Mr. Pippin stated he would l i ke to amend the motion to include that the school be contacted about making Ranger Street one -way and be asked to post a sign that there would be no left turn from the driveway at the school onto Ranger Street. Mr. Walker accepted the amendment. Mr. Sustaire stated that as a matter of enforcement that's going to be required on this, the City will need an ordinance drawn to make it effective. The Council instructed the City Attorney to prepare the required ordinance for the February 8, 1977 meeting. Mr. Calhoun stated that if this is going to be successful, the people who brought this before the Council will have to help educate the people involved. N° 117 (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) . The vote on Mr. Walker's motion is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Pippin, Hunt, Qzebek, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem McCormick declared the motion carried. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FCR BIDS FCR MID -SIZE TRIM AND GROUNDS MOWER Mr. Hunt moved to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for a mid-size trim and grounds mower. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Hunt, Pippin, Walker, Ozebek and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Pro Tem McCormick declared the motion carried. IV. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION C F C I V I L SERVICE COMMISSION ON ELIGIBILITY LIST FCR FIREMEN Mr. Ozebek moved to approve the recommendation of the Civil Service Commission to extend the present el igibili:tyl ist for firemen for an additional six (6) months. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Mr. Hunt inquired if this will become the order or routine to extend the eligibility list or will this be a one time thing. Mr. Sustaire stated that the Civil Service Rules and Regulations state that a request can be made by a depart- ment head to the Council to set aside the rules on any given circumstance and in this case, the Fire Chief has asked for permission to set aside the rules on this instance for additional time on this eligibility list only. Mr. Sustaire stated they do not like to carry a list on this long, but the fire department is developing their own entrance examination, and since the City has to purchase their examinations, and to get the required number it cost the City $105.00, the Fire Chief is trying to save the City some money, and he concurs with the recommendation. N° 118 (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) The vote on Mr. Ozebek's motion is as f o l lows: Ayes: Messrs. Ozebek, Walker, Hunt, Pippin and Mrs. McCorrnick Nays: None motion carried. Mayor Pro Tem McCormick declared the V. RESOLUTION NO. 399 CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING CASE NO. 256 - REQUEST OF WHITELEY, BORING & MORRISON FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "C -1 " 1LEi ruRORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT AND "R-2" TWO - FAMI LY DV'EILI NG DISTRICT TO "R -1" SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT ON LOTS 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, AND 24, BLOCK 2, J. E. WHITENER ESTATES Mrs. McCorrnick stated that if there are no objections, the public hearing on Zoning Case No. 256 will be held on February 8, 1977. VI. RESOLUTION NO. 400 CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON ZONING CASE NO. 258 - REQUEST OF M. W. SIMMONS FOR CHANGE OF ZONING FROM "R -1" SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING DISTRICT TO "C -2" COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT ON TRACT 1. A. J. HUITT SURVEY, ABSTRACT 684 Mrs. McCorrnick stated that if there are no objections, the p u b l i c hearing on Zoning Case No. 258 w i l l be held on February 8, 1977. CITY ENGINEERS' REPORT VII. Miscellaneous Water and Sewer Extensions Mr. Flowers stated that the water and sewer extensions are complete and have had the f i n a l inspection, and the f i n a l estimate is in to the City. Mr. Flowers stated that the City had a good contractor on this job. Chlorination Facility Mr. Flowers stated that this project was scheduled to be complete by November 26, 1976, and the equipment was installed N° 119 (Pam Seven, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1.9.7-7-) and essentially complete by December 1, 1976, but was not installed in accordance with good workmanship; that there have been two (2) final inspections and they have come back w i t h a punch l i s t with miscellaneous items to be repaired or replaced. Mr. Flowers stated they are hopeful the third inspection will be the final one. Mr. Flowers stated that the contractor has some final grading of the sites to do and the City st i I I holds approximately $13,000 on the contractor's money. VIII. RESIGNATION OF REV. JOHN MILLER Mrs. McCormick stated that Rev. John Miller has resigned from the Council of Social Concerns Committee, but he did not send his letter of resignation because he did not know he needed to do this. Mrs, McCormick stated that Rev. Miller has done an outstanding job on the committee. IX. REQUEST ON CHRIST IAN RECREAT ION CENTER Rev. Fitts stated that he is present to request assistance in opening a Christian Recreation Center. Mr. Lynch stated that Rev. Fitts has been talking with the City staff concerning a special use permit for a commercial recreation facility. Mr. Lynch stated that Rev. Fitts wants to have some b i l l i a r d tables in the center and the City's ordinance requires a license and the owner must he a resident of the City of Euless to acquire this license and Rev. Fitts is requesting a waiver to the ordinance. Rev. Fitts stated he knows the City has had a problem with recreation centers in the past, and the basic reason for this recreation center is the changing world we live in. Rev. Fitts stated that the young Christians do not have a good place to go and this center wi l l be a Christian recreation center with a wholesome Christian atmosphere. Mrs, McCormick stated that Rev. Fitts would need to appear before the Planning and Zoning Commission for the request before the Council could hear it Mr. Lynch stated that Rev. Fitts is aware of the obstacles and realizes he has to appear before the Planning and Zoning Commission for the Specific Use Permit but he is trying to get the feeling of the Council before appearing before them, Mr. Lynch stated the center will be located in the Wilshire Shopping Center. Mrs. McCormick stated that others have had difficulty obtaining zoning for this type of center as the requirements are rather strict. N° 120 (Page Eight, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) Rev. Fitts stated he understands why the Council has strict requirements because unless they are very well super- vised, they could be very disruptive to the City. Mr. Walker inquired if Rev. Fitts is aware of the requirements put on the previous request to include off -duty policemen, uniformed guards, hours they are required to be there and in- quired if Rev. Fitts was willing to comply with these requirements. Rev. Fitts stated that he doesn't think the Council w i l l t h i n k it is necessary when they hear a l i t t l e more about the center. He stated the b u i l d i n g has 6,500 square feet, and w i l l be c a l l e d The F i r e Escape. He stated i t w i l l have a Christian juke box, w i l l have a stage and they w i l l have gospel groups come in and s i n g , they w i l l have an evangelist come in and b r i n g forth the messages and there w i l l be Bible readings. Rev. Fitts stated that it will be promoted and advertised over the Christian radio and the Christian section of the newspapers and on t e l e v i s i o n , and w i l l be established as a Christian Recreation Center which w i l l e l i m i n a t e a l l the problems of the other types of recreation centers. Mr. Cribbs stated that Rev. Fitts is talking about a waiver of the ordinance and the Council cannot grant a waiver of an ordinance on a one time basis. He further stated that the Zoning Board of Adjustment is the only board that can grant a waiver to an ord finance. Rev. Fitts inquired if the Council can give him an idea of their feelings on this Christian Center. Mr. Ozebek inquired why Euless was selected as the location for this center. Rev. Fitts stated he did not know, he just felt compelled to come here and found the place in the center of the metroplex and they can draw from the neighboring cities. Mrs. McCormick stated she appreciated Rev. Fitts coming, but there is nothing the City Council can do, and there would have to be a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and then a hearing before the Council, and if a waiver is required, it would have to go before the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Pippin inquired what enterprise or organization Rev. Fitts represents. Rev. Fitts stated he is a self - employed businessman, is a member of the Bible Way Fellowship and a licensed evangel ist. Mr. Walker inquired what type of business Rev. Fitts is in. ■° 121 (Page Nine, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, January 25, 1977) Rev. Fitts stated he was in concrete construction for the past four (4) years, and is now active in the church. Mr. Pippin inquired if there were any similar enterprises in the state. Rev. Fitts replied negatively. Mr. Hunt inquired if Rev. Fitts has considered moving to Euless. Rev. Fitts stated yes, but a friend has a lake house in Grapevine that he will lease. Mrs. McCormick stated that she didn't want to say they are against it because they do not have enough information about the enterprise to make a decision. Mr. Pippin inquired if Rev. Fitts has discussed this with any of the ministers in the City. Rev. Fitts stated, no, that he doesn't live here but the ministers he has talked with in other cities are excited about it Mr. Hunt stated that there is going to be a number of stumbling blocks and if Rev. Fitts is willing to pursue and follow up, he would support Rev. Fitts. Mr. Lynch stated he can bypass the waiver, as the ordinance states that the owner of any business that has a pool table must be a resident of Euless, and if he didn't have any pool tables, he wouldn't need the waiver. Rev. Fitts stated there would be fifteen (15) pool tables, foose ball tables, electronic games and ping pong tables. Mr. Walker suggested that Rev. Fitts talk with the area ministers and have their support and there would be more favorable action from the boards. ADJOURNMENT ATTEST : /s/ Della Hwy C ity Secretary X. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. APPROVED: /s/ Harold D. Samuels Mayor N° 122