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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-09-27MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL September 27, 1983 CALL TO ORDER 1983 -199 A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 27, 1983, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building, by Mayor Harold D. Samuels. Councilmembers present were Mayor Pro -Tem Willie Mae McCormick, Councilman Robert Pippin, Councilman Glenn Walker, Councilman Ron Sternfels, and Councilman Bob Eiden. Staff Members Present W. M. Sustaire, City Manager James Knight, City Engineer Tom Hart, Assistant City Manager INVOCATION Bob McFarland, City Attorney Kay Rainey, City Secretary Visitors Beverly Wharton Walter Wharton Sneed Kaker Bill Flowers C. W. Needham Mr. and Mrs. Grady Addington Louise Cloud Debra Davis James Slovak Jim Miller Louis Porter The invocation was given by Councilman Glenn Walker. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting on August 23, 1983, were approved as written, with a correction made on Page Three, Paragraph Two, regarding Mrs. McCormick's comments. The minutes of the regular meeting on September 13, 1983, were approved as written, with corrections made on Page Nine, Paragraph Three, regarding Mr. Sternfels' statement. 1983 -200 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1983 - Page Two ITEM 1: SECOND AND FINAL. READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 756 Mr. Pippin moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 756. regarding Zoning Case No. 411, for a change of zoning from "R -1" Single - family Dwelling District to Community Unit Development conforming to the "R -2 " Single-family Attached Dwelling Standards, and "C -2 " Community Business District on certain property out of the E. Taylor Survey, A -1550. Mrs, McCormick seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr. Pippin, Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Walker and Sternfels Nays: None Abstentions: Mr. Eden Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 2: SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 757 Mr. Eden moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 757, relating to Zoning Case No. 413, for a change of zoning from "I -2" Heavy Industrial District to "I -1" Light industrial District with Specific Use Permit for Dance Hall, on certain property out of the International/ Regional industrial Complex. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Eden, Walker, Pippin, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: N o n e Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 3: SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 758 Mr. Walker moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 758, for establishment of a new "R-IA" Single- family Attached Dwelling Dis- trict, amending Ordinance No. 347, Zoning Ordinance of the City of Euless. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr. Walker, Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Pippin, Eden, Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1983 -201 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1983 - Page Three ITEM 4: SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 759 Mr. Pippin moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 759, adopting the official budget for the City of Euless for fiscal year 1983 -- 1984, and setting the tax rate for 1983 at 70 cents per $100 evaluation. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Eden, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 5: PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING CASE NO. 414 Mayor Samuels explained the public hearing process and opened the public hearing for Zoning Case No. 414, a request of Keith Wallace for a change of zoning from "R --1" Single -- family Dwelling District to '°C -2' Community Business District and "R--5" Multi- family Dwelling District with "CUD" limited to 20 units per acre, on Tracts 4, 48, and 4C, Levi Franklin Survey, A --513, located east and adjacent to FM 157, and north of proposed Cheek- Sparger Road. Mr. Keith Wallace, Washington /Wallace Engineers, 803 Forest Ridge Drive, Bedford, Texas, presented the rezoning request. He outlined the location of the property, the surrounding zoning, and the action taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission on August 2, 1983, which limited the units to 20 units per acre for a total of 283 units. Mr. Wallace explained the 100 -foot wide utility transmission easement that borders the east boundary of this property, creating a buffer between this property and the "R -1" zoning directly to the east. He further explained the many trees that were in the area, especially along the east portion, the topography and economic situation that existed in the development of the property, and the drainage problems that existed. He stressed the easy access to the property from FM 157, which would be good for apartment development. Mr. Wallace also stressed the quality of the work of the company that would be developing this property. Mr. Eden was concerned with the lack of a buffer zone between the proposed "R -5" : and the existing "R -1" zoning to the east. Mr. Wallace stressed the 100 -foot easement for power lines, as well as the many trees in the area that would obstruct the view and noise between the "R -5" and "R -1" dwellings. James Knight stated there would be a 25 -foot building setback and a screening fence would be required. Mr. Wallace stated that they would be willing to locate the parking and building configurations to :provide the best buffer, area between the "R -5" and "R-1" that would be possible. 1983 -202 Euless City Council Regular Meeting _ September 27, 1983 - Page Four ITEM 5: PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING CASE NO. 414 (Con.) Mayor Samuels asked if there were any additional questions of the Council. There being none, he asked if there were additional proponents for the zoning case. There being none, he asked if there were any opponents to the zoning case. There being none, he asked if there were any further discussion or questions of the Council. There being none, he declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Sternfels stated that he was still very concerned with the density factor, and asked if the developer would agree to an "R -4" density. Mr. Wallace stated that he did not feel that low a density could be developed' on the property and still provide a suitable profit for the owner. He outlined the many problems existing with this particular site, drainage topography, etc. Mr. Pippin pointed out that this case is a good example of the inflexi- bility of the zoning ordinance, concerning topography, economics, aes- thetics, incentives, density, etc. He stated he felt a point had been reached where such things should be considered and the property developed to its best potential. Mr. Eden suggested that perhaps a planned development designation could alleviate some of these problems, and perhaps ensure the best possible buffer between the "R -5" and "R-1" Mayor Samuels asked the size of the "C -2' Commercial Business District portion of this zoning case. Mr. Wallace stated it would be a 300-foot wide strip adjacent to FM 157, extending for the length of this particular property. Mr. Sternfels moved to table a decision on this zoning case until a future meeting, when some of the items for which concern has been expressed could be more thoroughly considered and addressed. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr, Sternfels, Mrs. McCorr *pick, Messrs. Pippin, Eden, and Walker Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. Mayor Samuels advised Mr. Wallace that the Council seemed to be concerned with the overall density, additional screening, and the best possible buffer between the "R -5" and "R -1" areas. He stated this item would be carried forward to a future agenda until these factors could be addressed more thoroughly. 1983 -203 Euless City Council Regular Meeting -- September 27, 1983 - Page Five ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION Mayor Samuels stated this item was a resolution to the City Council from the Euless Planning and Zoning Commission regarding garage conversions and carports. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended that City Council make no changes to the present ordinance regarding these stan- dards; therefore, the City Council would take no action at this time. ITEM 7: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION Mr. Eden moved to accept the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding their resolution concerning amendments to Section 7- 1300 and Section 9 -301 (8) of Ordinance No. 347, said resolution dated August 16, 1983, and to direct the Planning Department to prepare an ordinance which will amend those sections for the accommodation of parkway signs within the City of Euless. Mrs. McCormick seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr. Eden, Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 760 Mr. Pippin moved to approve Ordinance No. 760, amending Section 7 -1002 of Ordinance No. 347, relating to Specific Use Permits for the Sale of Certain Alcoholic Beverages within the City of Euless, declaring an emergency, and approving the ordinance on the first reading. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Eden, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. City Attorney, Bob McFarland, stated that this ordinance clarifies wording and adds specific districts in which such permits would be allowed. 1983-204 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1983 - Page Six ITEM 9: CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE Mr. Eden moved to approve first reading of an ordinance to increase the rate of deposits to the Texas Municipal Retirement System by the employees of the City of Euless from 5 percent to 7 percent, effective October 1, 1983. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Eden, Walker, Pippin, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 10: AUDIENCE RE- QUESTED BY BEVERLY A. WHARTON Mrs. Beverly A. Wharton, 904 Elmwood Court, Euless, Texas, presented a request to the Euless City Council for the purchase of a van equipped with a wheelchair lift to be used for handicapped and retarded citizens as well as senior citizens, in the Hurst- Euless- Bedford area. Mrs. Wharton stated she had already addressed the Hurst City Council and the Bedford City Council. Both Mayors had mentioned meeting with the City of Euless Mayor, possibly at the October 3, 1983, County Council of Mayors meeting, and possibly discuss this subject. also. Mr. Jim Miller, 1205 Storm Court, Bedford, Texas, representing the Northeast Tarrant County Y.M.C.A., stated that the purchase price of the van would be approximately $22,000, and the yearly operating costs for the van would be approximately $32,000. This would figure out to a cost of approximately $17,340 per city for the first year. This figure would include all liability insurance, all personnel costs, and all other costs pertaining to operation of the van for eight hours a day, five days a week. Mrs. McCormick asked Mr. Miller if the van now owned by the Y.M.C.A. had been recommended to be turned over to the Red Cross. Mr. Miller stated "yes, it had been recommended." The van had been funded through a donation by employees of General Dynamics (CON-- TRIBClub), and was actually owned by the federal government, but paperwork for the title reflected the Y.M.C.A, as the owner. Mrs. McCormick asked if the van had been 50 percent paid for by the United Way and 50 percent paid for by grant funds. Mr. Miller stated that was correct. Mrs. McCormick asked if this $22,000 to $32,000 figure would not be funded by the United Way. Mr. Miller stated that it would not fund an additional van. Mrs. McCormick asked what percentage of the people who would need the usage of the additional van would be Euless residents. Mr. Miller stated that their statistics related to the entire H-E-B area, and were not broken down by city. Mrs. McCormick stated that the City of Euless Recreation Department now furnishes a bus for Euless senior citizens, so she was 1983-205 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1983 - Page Seven ITEM 10: AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY BEVERLY A. WHARTON (Con.) concerned with the number of Euless citizens that would benefit from an additional van. She asked Mr. Miller if he knew the percentage of medical cases that would need the van, and the percentage of students that would need the van to go to school. Mr. Miller stated that at the present time the Y,M.C.A. van was being used 60 percent for medical persons, 10 to 15 percent for students during school terms, and the remainder percentage for employment purposes. No senior citizen usage was being provided at this time by their van. Mrs. McCormick asked what percent of their passengers were able to pay any fees for the service. Mr. Miller stated that 90 percent of the persons pay according to their capabilities, however, some have a gross income of only 530 or 540 a month. Mayor Samuels asked what the load limit was of the Y.M.C.A. van. Mr. Miller stated it would carry 12 persons, plus two wheelchairs. Mayor Samuels stated that the Euless van would carry 20 passengers at this tune, so perhaps it could carry 16 passengers, plus two or three wheelchairs. Mrs. McCormick stated that she was certainly for people having a way to get to the services they need, in fact she was one of the persons who had worked so hard to obtain the van in Euless. Since the City of Euless does presently have a van providing some of this service, however, she was concerned with a duplication, as well as the additional expense imposed. Mayor Samuels asked Mr. Miller if he knew the cost of a wheelchair lift. Mr. Miller stated that it was approximately 52,000, plus the door change, which is approximately 51,700. Mr. Pippin stated that we do need to get serious about providing for all the people, and we do need to consider some form of transportation for the handicapped, but he was concerned with integrating it into the entire community, Mr. Sternfels stated that he thought it would be a good item to consider at the October 3rdMayors° meeting, but maybe Euless could provide this service to its citizens by adding the lift to the new present van. Mayor Samuels stated that he would attend the October 3rd meeting and report the status back to the Council into Mrs. Wharton. ITEM 11: AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY MRS. GRADY ADDINGTON Mrs. Grady Addington, 900 Fayette, Euless, Texas, addressed the City Council regarding the taste of the water. in Euless. She stated that from the months of March to September each year the taste of the water in the City of Euless becomes very bad. She stated that it would contain too much sodium and too much sulphur. She could not drink it, could not get her laundry clean, and it was unpleasant to bathe in the water, It was often yellow or brown, had a very had odor and would make you sick to drink it. She stated that the Trinity River Authority had been out to her home and tested the water, and said it was not good to drink. Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1083 - Page Eight ITEM l] AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY MRS. GRADY ADDINGTON (Con.) City Engineer, James Knight, stated that the Trinity River Authority had not reported any such testings to the City of [uless. They do regularly check the water, and report that it is safe to drink and meets all health standards. There have been no negative reports about the water. Mr. Eden stated that if there are such reports by Trinity River Authority or anyone else, he would like to see them and have them submitted to the City of Euless in writing. Mrs. Addington stated that she had a petition to present which had signatures of persons who objected to the taste of the w3ter. She turned the petition over to the Mayor. Mrs. McCormick stated that she would like the City to request Trinity River Authority to make tests throughout the City and submit a written report to the City Council. Mayor Samuels stated that it may be too late in the year at this time to obtain any negative results of the water. City Attorney, Bob McFarland, stated that even if the tests show no problem at this time, it will he a good comparison for future testing of the water next spring, when the problems usually begin. Bill Flowers was present in the audience and Mayor Samuels asked him if he had any thoughts as to what the problem could possibly be. Mr. Flowers stated that it was pure speculation On his part, but possibly the problem could lie with the Trinity River Authority when it applies chemical treatment to the water. He stated that if the person who introduces the chemicals into the system changes, or changes the method, this can strip the chemical coating within the pipes, making the pipes release the coating into the water. It is normal to have such a coating, but if it becomes dislodged and goes into the water, then you will have similar problems to those described. Mr. Sustaire stated that he felt possibly the water could be reversing its flow in some areas. Mr. Flowers stated that could be possible, and it would produce similar results. Mrs. Addington stated that she noticed after the City fire hydrants were flushed out, that the water tasted good after that. Mayor Samuels asked the City Manager to present a Staff report on the situation and report back to the City Council. 1983 -207 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - SeptemOer 27, 1983 - Page Nine ITEM 12: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATIOON TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS Mrs. McCormick moved to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for motorized equipment for the City of Euless. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs, Walker, Pippin, Eden, Sternfels Nays.: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 13: CONSIDERATION OF A RATE INCREASE REQUEST Mr. C. W. Needham, 1010 Slayton Drive, Fort Worth, Texas, representing Fort Worth Cab & Baggage Company, d /b /a/ Yellow- Checker Cab, presented the request for a change in rates for their taxicab franchise within the City of Euless. City Attorney, Bob McFarland, explained that the cab company's franchise would expire at the end of this month, at which time their franchise fee would be due again. He stated that if the City Council wished to change the rates, a new document entitled "Amended Certificate of Convenience" would be prepared for the next ,year. Mr. Needham explained the difference in the rates, the zone areas from the DFW Airport, and the special incentive to the elderly and handicapped persons. Mayor Samuels asked if anyone would like to comment or ask questions concerning the rate increase request. There were no further questions asked. Mr. Eden moved to grant the new amended rates proposed by Fort Worth Cab & Baggage Company d /b/ a/ Yellow Checker Cab Company, effective October 1, 1983, after the annual franchise fee is paid. Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Eden, Sternfels, Pippin, Walker, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 14: CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. McFarland stated that he had nothing to report. 1983-208 Euless City Council Regular Meeting - September 27, 1983 -- Page Ten ITEM 15: CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Knight stated that he had nothing to report. ITEM 16: CONSIDERATION OF BID AWARD Mr. Bill Flowers, Knowlton- English- Flowers, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 550 First State Bank Building, Bedford, Texas, presented the bid results from September 22, 1983, regarding the traffic signalization at FM 157 and Midway Drive. He stated that the lowest bid received was not a complete hid and did not meet specifications, and therefore, could not be considered. The next low bid was from Aust :in Road Company, P. O. Box 2285, Fort Worth, Texas, 76113. The bid for Division One was $63,800 and for Division Two was $98,300, for a total bid of $162,100. Their bid stated they would have the construction completed within 1.61 calendar days, which would start after delivery of the equipment. The equipment delivery would run 120 days. Mr. Pippin asked if in the future a milestone chart could be submitted with the bid package, Mr. Flowers stated that he would be happy to have this done on future projects. Mr. Pippin moved to award the `aid to the low bidder, Austin Road Company, at a price of $162,100. Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Sternfels, Eden, Walker, Mrs. 'McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. ATTEST: Kay Rain, Cf Y b.,...., !" , City Secretax;r... ,, APPROVED: / xJ :::- 't�';y arold D. Samuefs, Mayor