Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-05-24175 Regular Meeting Euless City Council May 24, 1977 CALL TO ORDER 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 Harold Samuels. Other members present were Mrs. Willie Mae McCormick, Messrs. Raymond Ozebek, Charles Hunt, and Robert Pippin. (Absent was Councilman Glenn Walker.) Also present were City Manager W. M. Sustaire, City Secretary Della Houy, City Attorney Jess Holloway, City Engineer B i l l Flowers, and Assistant City Manager John Lynch, IV. V IS I TORS Visitors i n attendance are as follows: Messrs. Ed Robison, Don Calhoun, David Bayless, Walter Elliott, J. A. Meddendorf, Jim Watts, Steve C. Box, and Mrs. Myrtle Hall. 1 NVOCAT I ON The invocation was given by Councilman Charles Hunt. APPRffOL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting dated May 10, 1977, were approved as written. FURTHER CONSIDERATION CF RATE INCREASE REQUEST CF TEXAS POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY City Attorney Jess Holloway read the caption of an ordinance concerning the rate increase request of Texas Power and Light Company, as follows: An Ordinance approving certain electric power rate schedules as filed with the City Secretary of the City of Euless, Texas, and providing conditions under which such rate schedules may be changed, modified, amended or withdrawn, declaring that such rate schedules are to be complied with by Texas Power and Light Company, the Utility franchised to do business in the City of Euless, Texas. N° 176 (Page Two. Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1977) Mrs. McCormick moved to approve the rate increase by Texas Power and Light Company on first reading of ordinance. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Mr. Hunt stated that at the last rate increase request, the Council received a breakdown of the overall rate the Council was authorizing, aid he was wondering if the City has received such a breakdown for this increase request. Mr. Sustaire stated that he has apercentage breakdown from Dr. Carolyn Smith, rate analyst for the Public Utility Commission in Austin. ORIGINAL REQUEST EULESS REQUEST GRANTED Residential 39.96 4.45 Commercial 25.93 18.51 Industrial 24.93 21.76 Yard Light 22.86 21.08 Schools 40.07 19.44 Municipal Services 36.98 10.97 Municipal Pumping 38.84 20.93 Total overall increase 26.84 13.44 Mr. Hunt inquired the overall increase allowed Texas Power and Light Company. Mr. David Bayless stated that the overall increase is 11.6% compared to 31%o requested; that the Public Utility Commission grants rates that are based on a system wide rate. Mr. Hunt stated that the City Charter gives the responsibility of setting utility rates in the City of Euless to the Council. He stated that he has done a lot of research in exercising this responsibility in the Dallas offices of TP&L with their officers and some of the officers of the Texas Utility Company. He stated he has attended many, many electric rate hearings and related meetings and has become familiar with the plans and goals of TP &L and the Texas Utility Company. He stated he disagrees with one very basic concept being pursued by these companies that w i l l prevent him from favoring any but the very minimal increase in the electrical rates. He further stated that here in Texas, a state that is rich in natural resources, a state where lignite coal is abundant and has proven to be an excellent and cheap fuel source for producing electricity, that a recent survey indicated there was a 200 year supply of lignite coal in Texas, so why are we in such a hurry to break into the nuclear power plant age. He stated that the nuclear power plait in Glen Rose originally was to have cost 600 million dollars and as development began, the word was let out that the cost was approaching 1 billion dollars. He said that at that time NI 177 (Page Three, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1977) everyone began to squirm and there was talk to abandon the project, because of the cost, that back in some other parts of the country, some of these nuclear power plant projects were abandoned. He said that from the time the Comanche Peak plant is put on the line producing electricity, 1981 -1982, the cost of that facility is estimated to be 2 billion dollars. He said that we, the consumers, are the ones that will have to pay for that facility. He said he won't, at this time, get into why we formed the Public Utility Commission, and doesn't want to get into, at this time, the efforts of the Texas Municipal League, as they've been a great help to us, and he doesn't want to get into, at this time, the unified rate study made by an independent rate study group, Touche -Ross Report, and he doesn't want to get into, at this time, the pressure put on this Council dictating that we have no choice but to approve the rate as submitted, and he doesn't want to get into, at this time, the higher cost per killowatt hour output of the nuclear power plant as compared to lignite coal, and he doesn't want to get into, at this time, the accelerated cost of the nuclear fuel to run this giant power plant. He stated that it was once believed that the price of nuclear fuel was nailed down by contract, but that is no longer so, as proven in the Westing- house case. He said he would not like to get into, at this time, the potential danger of a catastrophic breakdown that would endanger the health and lives of people all over Texas, and he doesn't want to get into, at this time, the subject of the radioactive waste produced by such a plant and the problem of what are we going to do with the waste. He said that the answer he received to his question of why do we need a nuclear power plant in Texas was not what you might expect - the answer - it is because we want to have the experience and expertise and knowledge of operating a nuclear power plant, and they wept: the consumer to foot the bill for the Texas Utility Company to have the experience and prestige of owning and operating an atomic plant here in our state - now what do you think about that! The vote on Mrs. McCormick's motion is as follows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Ozebek and Pippin Nays: Mr. Hunt Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. CONSIDER PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT APPROVAL LOT 4, TRACT D, J. P. HALFORD ADDITION - REQUEST CF WHAT -A- BURGER SYSTEMS, INC. Mayor Samuels recognized Mr. Walter Elliott, of Elliott and Hughes Engineering, who stated he is representing What -A- Burger Systems, Inc. Mr. E I I i ott stated that What -A- Burger Systems is requesting approval of the preliminary and final plat of lot 4, N° 178 (Page Four, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1977) Tract D, J. P. Halford Addition, and introduced three (3) men representing What -A- Burger Systems, J. A. Meddendorf, Jim Watts, and Steve Box. Mr. E l l i ott located the property as being on the south side of Spur 350, east of Byers Drive, and adjacent to Long John Silver. He further stated that they w i l l get t h e b u i l d i n g permit immediately, and they have met a l l the City requirements. Mr. Pippin moved to concur with the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and approve the pre- liminary and final plat of Lot 4, Tract D, J. P. Halford Addition. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion. Mr. Hunt inquired what the building will look like. Mr. Meddendorf stated that the building will be a modern A- frame, with brick walls, drive through window, uncovered parkway, carpeted f l o o r s , padded booths, and w i l l contain approximately 3000 square feet, with a dining area of approximately 1200 square feet which will seat approximately 100 people, with a total investment in the building of $150,000. The vote on Mr. Pippin's motion is as fo I lows: Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Ozebek, Hunt, and Pippin Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. III. RESOLUTION NO. 1+03 ON GRANT APPLICATION FOR 701 PLANNING FOR AERIAL MAPPING OF CITY Mr. Lynch presented an aerial map similar to the one planned for the City of Euless with the 701 Planning Grant. Mr. Pippin inquired concerning the cost to the City. Mr. Lynch stated that the City's portion would be $4,000 to $5,000, with the total cost of the project between $12,000 and $15,000. Mr. Pippin moved to approve Resolution No. 403, authorizing the City Manager to make grant application for 701 Planning for aerial mapping of the City. Mr. Hunt seconded the motion. I1° 179 (Page Five, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1977) Mr. Hunt inquired if there would be any provisions made for updating the map. Mr. Lynch stated the only way to update the map would be to refly and take photographs and the cost would be the same as the original cost. The vote on Mr. Pippin's motion is as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Hunt, Ozebek, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. IV. RESOLUTION NO. 404 REGARDING A LOCATION AND PLANNING GRANT FOR NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY AIRPORT Mr. Ozebek moved to approve Resolution No. 404, regarding a location and planning grant for Northeast Tarrant County Ai rport. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote i s as follows: Ayes: Messrs. Ozebek, Pippin, Hunt, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. V. CONSIDER SETTING PUBLIC HEARING FOR RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO ORDINANCE NO. 347, CITY'S ZONING ORDINANCE City Manager Sustaire stated he, recommends setting the public hearing for the recommended changes to Zoning Ordinance No. 347 for June 28, 1977. Mr. Hunt moved to concur with the recommend- ation of the City Manager and set the public hearing for the recommended changes to Zoning Ordinance No. 347 for June 28, 1977. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion and the vote i s as follows: N° 180 (Page Six, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1977) Ayes: Messrs. Hunt, Pippin, Ozebek, and Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. VI. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Holloway stated he didn't have anything to report. Mr. Hunt inquired the status of acquiring the Manning Grinnan right -of -way on North Main Street. Mr. Lynch stated that he hand carried a check to the City Attorney's office for Mr. Grinnan, as the attorney has a written agreement from him. Mr. Holloway stated that a I I right- of- way on the east side of North Main Street has been acquired. Mr. Hunt stated that over a year ago a house a t the corner of Blanco and Harwood Road burned and t h e house is s t i l l setting there in the same condition and the City needs something in our ordinances to have the authority to require the site to be cleaned. Mr. Sustaire stated that the City does have an ordinance on this but this house is involved in a lawsuit between the owner and the insurance company and the City has been advised that they cannot do anything about th is property. Mr. Sustaire stated that Mr. Cribbs is doing some research on this and will report back and advise us what we can do. Mr. Holloway stated that if the property is in litigation, the City could have a restraining order on them if they did anything t o the property, but he w i l l look into the matter and have a report at the next meeting. VI 1. COMMENTS Mr. Ozebek inquired concerning the letter received from Linda Martin concerning garbage and trash around the houses in Midway Park Addition. Mr. Lynch stated that he turned this matter over to Mr. Barnes and there have been several occasions where Mr. Geer, the Inspector, has gone out and made several contacts with the people in that area. He stated that there are several houses involved and they N° 181 (Page Seven, Regular Meeting, Euless City Council, May 24, 1971) were pursuing it before they received the letter. He stated that when he received a copy of the letter, he turned it over to the Inspection Department and he is anticipating a report back from them. He stated it may involve having to issue citations to some of the residents to get them to clean their property, but he is following up on it, giving the people time to clean up their property. Mayor Samuels instructed Mr. Lynch to write a letter to Mrs. Martin and advise her what the City is doing, with copies to each one on the petition. Mr. Lynch stated he hopes to have a report back for the Council at the next meeting. Mrs. McCormick stated that she went to the Texas Water Quality Board meeting and had the resolution that was passed by the City Council put in record. Mr. Sustaire stated that the City Secretary has given each Council member a copy of the original request of the department heads for the 1977 -78 budget, and also the estimated revenue. He stated that the budget work session is set for June 17 and 18. Mr. Pippin stated he wanted to direct the City Manager's attention and the Inspection Department's attention to the fence between Euless Skateland and the apartment complex north of it, as we need to enforce the ordinance and get it repaired. VIII. ADJOURNVENT The meeting adjourned into executive session at 9:10 P. M. to discuss possible litigation. ATTEST : /s/ Della Houy City Secretary APPROVED: /s/ Harold D. Samuels Mayor N? 182