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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-03-13MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL March 13, 1984 CALL TO ORDER 1984 -O% A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8 :10 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 1984, in the Council Chambers of the Euless Municipal Building, by Mayor Harold D. Samuels. Councilrnernbers present were Mayor Pro -Tem Willie Mae McCormick, Councilman Glenn Walker, Councilman Robert Pippin, Councilman Bob Eden, and Councilman Ron Sternfels. 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 Liz Newlin, Mid - Cities Daily News Frances Aslacn C. E. Bright Lynn Kadieck John "Morris Al and Brenda Hankins Turner and Jenny Rayburn Mike and Sheryl Kilgore Jack Soy Mrs. Wm. K. Johnston and Son Ed and Susie Cole Mr. and Mrs. John Voss Chris McKinney Helen Lightbody and other interested parties The invocation was given by Councilman Glenn Walker. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting on February 28, 1984, were approved as written. 1984 --057 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Two • OLD BUSINESS ITEM 1: CONSIDERATION OF SECOND AND FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 781 Mrs. McCormick moved to approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 781, for a change of zoning from "PD" Planned Developrient and '`CC -2" Community, Business District to "PD" Planned Development, on certain property out of a portion of Tract 4, Block 1, Harwood Plaza Addition, relating to Zoning Case No. 84 -02. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes: Mrs. McCormick, Messrs. Pippin, Eden, Walker and Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2: CONSIDERATION OF FINAL PLATTING OF BEAR CREEK PARKWAY Mayor Samuels announced this item was for consideration of the final platting of the right -of -way dedication of Bear Creek Parkway (Harwood Road to Ash Lane) in the city limits of the City of Euless, located north of Harwood Road, east of Fuller-Wiser Road, south of Ash Lane, and west of Minters Chapel Road. John Morris, Operations Manager, Triland Corporation, Dallas, Texas, presented the request for the right -of -way dedication of Bear Creek Parkway. Mr. Morris stated that the City Staff had reviewed the plans and they were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, with the exception of one iterr,. Triland Corporation was requesting that the City Council not require a left -turn lane on this roadway. Mr. Morris stated that he felt the reasons a left -turn lane would not be required were: (1) Thoroughfare plan calls for a 'four -lane 44 -foot undivided roadway and Terra / Triland built more than this amount; (2) Master Plan calls for local access not from a major collector street; (3) No change in the level of service would be provided with an additional left -turn lane. Mr. Morris referred to a letter of March 13, 1934, from J. Michael Starek, P.E., Vice President, DeShazo, Starek & Tang, Inc., Engineers and .Planners, 330 Union Station, Dallas, Texas. 1984 -058 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Three ITEM 2: CONSIDERATION OF FINAL PLATTING OF BEAR CREEK PARKWAY (Cont.) Mr. Sternfels - inquired why Triland did not want to install a left -turn lane. Mr. Morris answered that they felt it would encourage through traffic, thereby utilizing the street in a manner not intended. City Engineer James Knight stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission had been concerned with vehicles making left turns, and inhibiting or blocking the flow of traffic in the lane from which they would be turning. Mr. Pippin asked if Mr. .Morris had a copy of the traffic study referred to in the March 13, 1984, letter. Mr. Morris stated he did have one copy of ..the study and could let Mr. Pippin review it at this time. The study was provided to Mr. Pippin. Mrs. McCormick inquired if Traffic Safety Coordinator Jay Heilman had studied the report. 3arnes Knight stated that Mr. Heilman had reviewed the situation and agreed with. Staff's recommendation. Mr. Eden moved to approve final platting of the right-of-way dedication of Bear Creek Parkway (Harwood Road to Ash Lane) in accordance with the recommendation of the Euless Traffic Safety Office, and the Euless Planning and Zoning Commission.. Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Eden, Sternfels, Pippin, Walker, Mrs. McCormick Nays; None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. City Attorney Bob McFarland advised Mr. Morris that there needed to be a different dedicatory language on the final platting before it could be recorded w ith the County. He suggested Mr. Morris get with Mr. Knight and correct this feature before recording. Mr. Morris agreed to do so. ITEM 3: AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY HELEN VOSS Mayor Samuels recognized Ms. Helen Voss, 1201 Hillcrest Drive, Euless, Texas; who wished to speak regarding fencing within the City of Euless. Ms. Voss stated that she resided in the Meadowview Addition and that the Park Place Townhomes were being constructed behind her residence. The townhomes' plan calls for installation of a six -foot wooden fence between her property and theirs, and this would be inadequate to ensure privacy to her yard. The townhomes will be two- stories tall, with windows upstairs. The windows are very large picture windows, and a person looking out of them could easily see down into her yard and into the back of her home, She, as well as many of her neighbors, were - present tonight to request that City Council consider some sort of remedy to their situation. Ms. Voss stated that their 1984 -059 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Four ITEM 3: AUDIENCE REQUESTED BY HELEN VOSS (Cont.) privacy was hindered, their homes were not as safe due to the visibility of their backyards, and was at this time creating temporary problems involving construction and subcontract workers on the the townhorre project. Ms. Voss stated that the construction crews were parking in areas where they shouldn't, plus were taking up parking spaces that the homeowners could utilize and needed. There was also a bad problem with excessive .titter in the area and building and construction materials being stacked against presently installed fences, Tony Alzedo, 1113 Hillcrest Drive, and Jack Joy, 1217 Hil.icrest Drive, also stated that the workers had taken fill dirt from behind their backyard fences, thereby, removing the support from the ferices and causing there to weaken and fall. The developer has apparently taken dirt from behind the fences and moved it over to where the buildings now stand, making the buildings set about five feet higher than the original ground level. This also aggravated the visibility situation. They also pointed out the .problems with the large picture windows being installed, the parking abuses, and danger from some ways materials were being moved about the property. Mr. Alzedo stated that a forklift lifting very heavy materials had lifted the materials at least six feet within his yard. He considered this a very definite danger to his •children and his property. Mayor Samuels advised the citizens that City Staff would investigate the situations brought to light tonight, and would contact their group at a later date. Mayor Samuels asked each of the persons present to please leave their name and address with ' the City Secretary, and information would be related to then-, when. answers were found. City Manager Sustaire stated that the zoning of the property would be researched to see if any violations were being committed, and the Fire and Inspection Departments would check into the other matters.. Mr. Walker assured the group that the present City Council would not have permitted the privacy violation, and that they had been especially protective of this type situation occurring between single- family and multi - family residences. He added that the City will try to get the windows changed, if it can be legally done so. If it cannot, the City will try some other solution to their problem, within whatever legal remedies are at their disposal. ITEM 4: CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE FOR THE SCHOOL ZONE Mr. Pippin moved to approve first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 14, Article IV, relating to the establishment of school zone regulations. Mr. Eden seconded the motion, A.ves: Messrs. Pippin, Eden, Cv'aiker, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1984 -060 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Five ITEM 5: CONSIDERATION OF FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE Mayor Samuels announced that this would be consideration •of first reading of an ordinance amending the electrical code for the City of Euless, Texas. Mrs. McCormick inquired if this ordinance would eliminate aluminum wiring. Mr. Pippin stated that he would prefer it.be stricken entirely from our ordinances. Mayor Samuels stated that he believed the utility companies did use aluminum wires. Mr. McFarland stated that certain sizes and pigtailed assemblies were allowed by the National Electrical Code. Discussion was had regarding whether or not to allow aluminum wiring on residential buildings within the City of Euless. Mr. Pippin was also concerned with Section V, Paragraph 1., of the proposed ordinance, in the last sentence where it relates to persons undertaking electrical work. He felt that the phrase "on behalf of another" should be added sornewhere in that sentence. Discussion was also had on this matter. Mr. Walker moved to approve first reading of an ordinance to amend the electrical standards within the City of Euless, with the following changes: and V. ELECTRICAL LICENSES 1. If . . No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in the City of Euless in the business of installing, altering or repairing any electrical wiring, device or equipment, or the installation, alteration or repair, -.or replacement of starters, motors, generators, signs or stationary electrical apparatus or appliances, nor shall any person, firm or corporation in any manner undertake to execute such work on behalf of another without an Electrical Contractor's license issued by the City of Euless, Texas. . . n, VII. ELECTRICAL WIRING REQUIREMENTS 1. " . . . Aluminum wiring rnay not be used in any residential construction. Aluminum wiring in other than residential construction may be used as designated in the National Electrical Code. However, aluminum wire smaller than 6 -AWG shall not be used. . . ." Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes. Messrs. Walker, Pippin, Eden, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. 1984 -061 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Six ITEM 6: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER. Mr. Walker moved to approve authorization to the City Manager to proceed with preparation for the sale of bonds for the City of Euless, Texas, Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs.. Walker, Sternfels, Pippin, Eden Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. (City Secretary's Note: Mrs. McCormick was absent from the room during vote.) ITEM 7: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER Mr. Sternfels moved to approve authorization to the City Manager to proceed with. certain capital improvement projects relating to street and drainage improvements within the City of Euless, Texas. Mr. Walker seconded the motion.. Ayes: Messrs. Sternfels, Walker, Pippin, Eden Lais: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. (City Secretary's Note: Mrs. McCormick was absent from the room during vote.) ITEM 8: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER Mr. Pippin moved to approve authorization to the City Manager to proceed with obtaining right -of -way properties for street improvements within the City of Euless, Texas. Mr. Walker seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Walker, Eden, Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. •(City Secretary's Note: Mrs. McCormick was absent fro m the room during vote.) 1984 -062 Euless City Council 'Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Seven ITEM 9: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER Mr. Walker moved to approve authorization to the City Manager to advertise for bids for a new computer system for the City of Euless, Texas. Mr. Eden seconded the motion.. Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Eden, Pippin, Sternfels Nays: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. (City Secretary's Note: Mrs. McCormick was absent from the room during vote.) ITEM 10: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY 'MANAGER Mr. Pippin moved to approve authorization to the City Manager to begin an assessment prograrn in conjunction with capital improvement projects within the City of Euless, Texas. Mr. Sternfels seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Pippin, Sternfels, Eden, Walker, Mrs. McCormick Na ys: None Mayor Samuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER Mr. Walker moved -to authorize the City Manager to proceed with the development of certain employee benefit programs, but to implement the long -terra disability, sick leave, vacation, and longevity as soon as possible in accordance with the cash constraints of the city budget. He further stated that this is something that is long overdue, and Mr. Sustaire and the City Staff have put in a lot of hard work on the project. He added that the Council needs to commend them for all the work they have done on this, and on the work they will do in the future on it before it is fully implemented. Mayor Samuels asked if those items that cannot be funded at this time will be considered at the budget worksession. Mr. Walker answered "yes" to this Mr. Sternfels stated that this authorization was to update the benefit package making it more compatible and more in line with our competitors and sister cities. He added that the update is a very serious matter, and that the intention of this particular update was done to ,attract and retain quality individuals as employees of the City of Euless. He emphasized that the Council was interested in moving along as quickly as Possible in this endeavor. 1954 -063 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Eight ITEM 11: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO CITY MANAGER. (Cont.) Mr. Eden asked Mr. Sustaire if this authorization would give him what he needs for the proper direction.. Mr. Sustaire stated that it would; that as the motion was rnade, it will give the direction to implement as soon as funds are available. The longevity Will be included in the next budget; the long -term disability is estimated to be an annual expenditure of. $22,500, with $8,000 to $10,000 being needed for this budget •year. The other items require no sizable cash demand on the City. The long -term disability will. have to be bid; so the Council will be asked at a future date to award a bid. Mayor Sarnuels stated that the City was apparently three years overdue on long -term disability, and that Mr. Sustaire was correct. Mr. Walker asked if the $8,000 to $10, +000 was available in this year's budget. Mr. Sustaire responded that it was. Mr. Pippin seconded the motion. Ayes: Messrs. Walker, Pippin, Eden, Sternfels, Mrs. McCormick Nays: None Mayor Sarnuels declared the motion carried. ITEM 12: CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. McFarland stated that he had nothing to report. ITEM 13: CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Knight stated that he had nothing to report, COMMENTS Mr. C. E. Bright, 1503 Pebble Creek, Euless, Texas; inquired about the status of closing the two streets in Morrisdale Addition. Mayor Samuels advised him about the City's efforts to go through the legal steps necessary to accomplish this. City Attorney Bob McFarland explained the steps to Mr. Bright and stated the matter is being handled at this time, and someone would be approaching him in the near future relative to legal documents to be executed to accomplish this abandonment. Mr. Bright thanked the Council. for their consideration and their assistance in solving this problem with the homeowners. 1984 -064 Euless City Council Regular Meeting March 13, 1984 - Page Nine ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. APPROVED: Harold D. Samuels, Mayor ATTEST: