HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-23 Town HallTOWN HALL MEETING
SECRETARY'S NOTES
EULESS CITY HALL
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2014
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL AND STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Panel members included Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, Pro Tem Leon Hogg, and Council
Members Tim Stinneford, Linda Martin, Linda Eilenfeldt, and Glenn Porterfield
participated in the panel along with staff department directors. City Manager Gary
McKamie, Police Chief Mike Brown, Director of Planning and Economic Development
Mike Collins, Public Works Director Hal Cranor, Parks and Community Services Director
Ray McDonald, and Fire Chief Wes Rhodes
Staff members present included City Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell, Assistant
City Manager Chris Barker, City Secretary Kim Sutter, Director of Administrative Services
Dale Harwell, Director of Finance Janina Jewell, Fire Marshal Paul Smith,
Communications /Marketing Manager Betsy Deck, Police Captain Steve Eskew, Library
Administrator Sherry Knight, Police Captain Gary Landers, Police Lieutenant Joe Kraft,
Human Resources Administrator Carolyn Marshall, Texas Star Conference Centre
Manager Magen Morton, Senior Police Officer Chris White, Information Services
Administrator Dan McLain, and Code Inspectors Brian McGarry, James Patterson and
Rene Rodriquez, Goose Wall.
VISITORS
Donna Bauer
Vince Bassett
Lou Baum
Jay Bonham
Carmen Dietloff
John Dietloff
Robert Eilenfeldt
Iris Elliott
J.R. Goad
Gary Haecker
Kathy Haecker
Jana Harwell
Jan Hogg
Anniece McKanna
John Luna
Kenny Olmstead
and approximately 20 other attendees.
Sally Olmstead
Betty Overstreet
John Schleeter
Barney Snitz
Jeremy Tompkins
Laurie Tompkins
Peggy Vandiver
Assistant Police Chief Bob Freeman introduced the Panel and opened the floor for
questions and comments.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
Planning and Economic Development Director Mike Collins gave a brief presentation
regarding potential new commercial development around the city, including Glade Parks.
Planning and Development Director Collins responded to questions from the audience:
- Glade Parks development: He advised that the development includes an urban
loft and single family home development.
- Clearing of the land at State Highway 10 for the construction of a Temple: He
advised that the developer is reevaluating the onsite drainage and has hired a
new engineer who will be submitting a new drainage plan.
- Status of the Riverwalk development: He advised that the development
includes a single - family home development, an urban loft development and the
developer continues to search for commercial development opportunities.
- Vacant 99 cent store located at the corner of Harwood Road and Main Street:
He advised that the owner is seeking the `right user' for the property. (John
Luna)
City Manager Gary McKamie responded to questions from the audience:
- Activity at the Glade Parks gas well pad site and the impact of water restrictions
to the drilling process: He advised that the pad site was approved as part of
the site plan, but no user has been identified and no drilling is taking place at
this time (John Schleeter).
Future plans for the old fire station located at the corner of Westpark Way and
Pipeline Road: He advised that the city is searching for a user and considered
the possibility of utilizing the building as a `business incubator' (Peggy
Vandiver).
- Senior housing development: He advised that the city is not aware of any plans
at this time (Peggy Vandiver).
- Future projects: He advised that the facility plan includes the remodel of the
Planning and Engineering building. Additionally, the City will continue to
evaluate the streets, consider an additional phase at the Parks at Texas Star,
as well as the extension of the reclaimed water line (Jeremy Tompkins).
Public Works Director Cranor presented information related to the SH183 Managed
Lanes project, the completion of Rio Grande Boulevard and the bridge at Glade Parks,
Cullum Drive construction, the 2014 road construction projects, and the planned street
overlays with Tarrant County. Additionally, he advised of the addition of information
related to reservoir water levels to the City's website, and responded to questions from
the audience:
- Work related to the SH 183 managed lane project will go out to bid this
summer. (John Dietloff).
- A dedicated right turn lane will be added at the intersection of State Highway
183 and FM 157 and that some reconstruction will be necessary as
construction of the highway continues east as part of the SH 183 Managed
Town Hall Meeting January 23, 2014 Page 2
Lanes project (John Schleeter).
- The city will continue to monitor and treat for mosquitos in response to the
West Nile Virus. Additionally, City Manager Gary McKamie advised that the
chemicals used to abate mosquitos are approved by the Environmental
Protection Agency and deemed to be safe to the public and no negative effects
to other species has been confirmed.
- The city will evaluate the condition and viability of the city's three water wells as
the wells account for approximately 10 percent of the city's water usage. (Jay
Bonham).
Council Member Linda Eilenfeldt reiterated that the existing free lanes along SH183 will
remain free of toll charges.
Vince Bassett commended the city for hosting a Christmas tree recycling event, concerts
at the library, and town hall meetings. He stated that he has noticed an increased police
presence in the neighborhoods and recognized the nextdoor.com program, a private
social network for neighborhoods, and requested follow -up on an abandoned house in his
neighborhood. Additionally, he asked that the city consider offering memberships to the
indoor pool only.
Parks and Community Services Director Ray McDonald responded to questions from the
audience:
John Dietloff commended the City for building the indoor pool.
- Staff will evaluate the request for an
Bassett)
indoor pool only membership (Vince
- The city is seeking grant funding to extend the trail system to Glade Parks and
should be notified by July if the project is selected.
In response to a citizen's concern regarding teenagers in the Morrisdale Estates
neighborhood, Police Chief Mike Brown responded that the neighborhood officers are
addressing the situation.
Police Chief Mike Brown announced the upcoming citizen's police academy and advised
that the class begins February 20, 2014, and six to seven openings remain.
Fire Chief Wes Rhodes advised that the next citizen's fire academy is set to begin
February 19 and run through May 14, 2014, and anyone interested in participating can
contact the Fire department administrative office.
Assistant Police Chief Freeman advised that the city will implement a WeatherBug site,
including lighting detection by the spring.
Town Hall Meeting
January 23, 2014 Page 3
The Mayor and City Council expressed their appreciation to those in attendance for their
questions and comments.
ADJOURN
The Town Hall Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
PREPARED BY:
i S ter, TR C
City -cretary
Town Hall Meeting January 23, 2014 Page 4