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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-26 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 26, 1996 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Euless City Council was called to order by Mayor Mary Lib Saleh at 4:25 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 1996, in the Administration Building Conference Room. Those present included Mayor Mary Lib Saleh, and Council Members Carl Tyson, Leon Hogg, Charles Miller, and Katie Edwards. Mayor Pro Tern Bobby Baker and Council Member Glenn Walker were not present. A closed session was held to discuss land acquisition, and personnel matters as authorized by Sections 551.072, and 551.074 of the Texas Government Code. Precouncil discussion was held on agenda items and other scheduled items. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF SCHEDULED ITEMS - COUNCIL CHAMBERS The Euless City Council continued their meeting in the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m. for consideration of scheduled items. __ Staff Members Present Tom Hart, City Manager; Joe Hennig, Assistant City Manager; Bob McFarland, City Attorney; Susan Crim, City Secretary; Tom Cox, Director of Support Services; Gary McKamie, Police Chief; Bo Bass, Director of Development; Diana Ortiz, Director of Finance; Rick Herold, Director of Community Services; Rick Lyle, General Manager, Softball World; Andrea Baxter, Assistant City Engineer; Clyde Cullum, Public Works Superintendent and Reserve Police Officer;Jenny Kratz, Municipal Relations Coordinator. Visitors Planning and Zoning Commissioners Billy Owens and Keith Eggers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE City Manager Tom Hart led the pledge of allegiance. INVOCATION Council Member Carl Tyson gave the invocation. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26. 1996 PAGE 2 ITEM NO. 1: PRESENTATION FROM GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION Diana Ortiz, Director of Finance, introduced Nell Lange, Government Finance Officers Association State Representative, to make a presentation to the City of Euless for achieving the Distinguished Budget Award for FY95-96 and the Achievement of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the annual audit for FY94-95. Ms. Lange stated that these two awards are the highest recognition a city can receive in governmental finance and attainment of them represents a significant accomplishment for the City of Euless. Ms. Lange stated that to receive the awards the reports from the City of Euless must be submitted to an impartial board for evaluation, where they are evaluated using comprehensive criteria. The Budget award is evaluated as a policy document, an operational guide, a financial plan, and a communication device. The Annual Report is evaluated for standardization and terminology, making sure that it is a clear communication of a city's financial well being. It has to be independently audited by an auditing firm and it must be published in a timely manner. Ms. Lange said to receive these awards, the documents must be rated as proficient in all categories. She said that by meeting the standards of the program, the documents should be much more useful for our citizens, the media, and other persons interested in finding out about the City of Euless. Ms. Lange stated that these awards reflect commitment of many individuals to the high standards of reporting and the expertise and high professionalism of the staff. Ms. Lange presented the awards to Mayor Saleh. Mayor Saleh thanked Diana Ortiz for the great job she is doing. ITEM NO. 8: REPORTS c) Staff Mayor Saleh stated that the report from Rick Lyle would be moved to this point on the agenda because of another commitment Mr. Lyle had that evening. Director of Community Services Rick Herold reported that Softball World was purchased with revenue bonds which allows the City to pay for not only the facility and future updates, but also for the debt service in purchasing the park. The City's taxpayers have no burden for the facility, yet have a wonderful softball complex. Mr. Herold introduced Mr. Rick Lyle, who stayed on with the City of Euless to continue to manage Softball World as General Manager. Mr. Lyle commended the staff of the Parks and Leisure Services Department and stated that the transition from private ownership to municipal facility went very COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 3 Now. smoothly and far exceeded his expectations. He said there had been no lost time for renovation work and the Parks' employees had put forth a tremendous effort, not only to keep up with a seven-day schedule but by improving the park along the way. Mr. Lyle reported there have been seven major tournaments held this year, and they were very successful. There were 927 league teams and 900 tournament teams that played in the park between February 25 and September 30. Mr. Lyle distributed a report from the concession stand to Council Members and commended Ann Hajek on the great job she is doing handling the concession services. City Manager Tom Hart stated a by-product of Softball World is the number of hotel rooms utilized by participants in town for the tournaments, and the City will begin to track this economic measure better in the future. Council Member Tyson suggested the hotels might be encouraged to give some type of package deal for tournaments that would draw the players to our hotels. Mr. Lyle agreed and said they have done that in the past and they will be working with the out-of-town teams more in the future. ITEM NO. 2: APPROVAL OF A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHRISTMAS TREE LOT AT 2206 W. EULESS BOULEVARD Bo Bass, Director of Development, presented a request of R. E. Bean for a temporary use permit for a Christmas tree lot at 2206 West Euless Boulevard. Council Member Tyson asked Mr. Bass if the security is adequate. Mr. Bass stated that the Police Department is represented on the Development Review Committee that approved the request. Council Member Hogg asked Mr. Bean if the trees are going to be on a vacant lot. Mr. Bean stated that the trees would be behind the building. Mayor Saleh asked which organization is sponsoring the lot, and Mr. Bean stated that it was for the Masonic Lodge. Council Member Hogg motioned to approve the temporary use permit. Council Member Edwards seconded the motion. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 4 Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Edwards, Miller, and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 3: APPROVAL OF A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A CHRISTMAS TREE LOT AT 1501 BACCARAC COURT Bo Bass, Director of Development, gave a brief description of the request and stated that the only concern is that last year a large majority of the trees were placed on the State Highway 10 right-of-way creating a dangerous situation. Mr. Bass stated that he discussed this with Mr. Whitmore and was assured this would not occur again this year. Mayor Saleh asked Mr. Bass if he had found that the clean ups after the Christmas season were sufficient. Mr. Bass stated that yes, they are requiring a $100 deposit as part of the permit process and the individual obtaining the permit will receive $75 back if the clean up of the area is sufficient. Council Member Tyson asked Keith Whitmore, Whitmore & Son Landscaping located at 1501 Baccarac Court, if any of his customers parked on State Highway 10 last year. Mr. Whitmore stated that they did, and they had tried to direct them to the parking lot and the side road. He said they do have 30 foot of right-of-way, and as he had discussed with Mr. Bass they would move the trees back and put them more on the side road this year. Mr. Tyson asked if this would be south of the sidewalk. Mr. Whitmore stated that was correct. Mr. Tyson asked Mr. Whitmore if he would have any objections if the City put up "No Parking" signs along State Highway 10. Mr. Whitmore said he would not object and that it would probably be a good idea. Mayor Saleh asked if it was possible to put up a temporary sign that says"Parking on Baccarac Court Only". Mr.Whitmore stated that the City could put up a temporary sign on his property, but Mr. Tyson pointed out that Mr. Whitmore's property is on the other side of the sidewalk and the signs probably wouldn't be seen. City Attorney, Bob McFarland,stated that possibly red plastic cones along the right-of-way might route the customers to the appropriate parking location. Mr. Whitmore stated he would have no objection to that. Mr. McFarland suggested getting the red cones and sticking a "No Parking" sign in the cones. He added that he felt the State Highway Department would not object to this. Mr. McFarland responded to Mr. Tyson that the City cannot put up any permanent or temporary signs on the State Highway right-of-way without State approval. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26. 1996 PAGE 5 Council Member Miller asked if there was adequate parking on Baccarac Court to handle 10 cars. Mr. Whitmore stated that there were 10 parking spots in his parking lot alone. Council Member Edwards asked if trees would be taking up any of those parking spots. Mr. Whitmore responded that no, the trees would be in the grass area. Council Member Tyson asked Mr. Whitmore if some of the trees would actually be inside the building. Mr. Whitmore stated that no, the yard art would be inside the building. Mayor Saleh asked Mr. Whitmore if he would be willing to put the trees on Baccarac Court and the yard art up in the corner on Highway 10. Mr. Whitmore stated yes. Council Member Miller asked if he would keep them beyond the sidewalk line, south of the sidewalk. Mr. Whitmore stated yes. Mr. Tyson asked Mr. Whitmore if he would have any problems if Council required him to put the cones out there as well. Mr. Whitmore stated that he would not. Council Member Hogg motioned for approval of the temporary use permit with the stipulations that all the items for sale be kept within the sidewalk area of the property and that the applicant provide cones and temporary"No parking" signs on State Highway 10. Council Member Miller seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Edwards, Miller, and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 4: APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 1222 Council Member Miller motion for approval of Ordinance No. 1222 amending the Code of Ordinances to concur with the terms of the contract with Laidlaw which covered the operational aspects of solid waste management and that was approved November 12, 1996. Council Member Edwards seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Edwards, Miller, and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26. 1996 PAGE 6 ITEM NO. 5: APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL TEEN COURT FUNDING FOR FY 1996-97 SHARING THE TOTAL COST OF THE EXPENDITURES WITH BEDFORD Council Member Edwards motioned for approval of additional Teen Court funding in the amount of $14,180 for Fiscal Year 1996-97, bringing the City's contribution to $28,180, to share the total cost of the court with Bedford. Council Member Miller seconded the motion. Council Member Tyson asked about the amount of the fees charged by the City of Euless through the court and stated he would like to know what other cities are charging to see if our fees are enough to take care of some extra expenses. Diana Ortiz, Director of Finance, is going to check into the fee structure and submit the information in the next status report. Council Member Hogg added that it would help if we also had a report on the benefits that we are receiving back in man hours. Council Member Miller asked Council Member Edwards to keep the City Council updated on the progress of the Teen Court Advisory Board's preparation of next year's budget. ,•■ Ms. Edwards stated that she would check at the next advisory board meeting and find out when they begin the budget process. Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Edwards, Miller, and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 6: APPOINTMENTS TO A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY BOARD Council Member Hogg motioned for approval of appointments to a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Advisory Board as follows: Local Police Representative: Gary McKamie Local Prosecutor: City Prosecutor, Paul Tomme Local Court: Judge George Boring Public School: Carl Miller Non-Profit Group: Lou Baum COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26. 1996 PAGE 7 r.. Council Member Edwards seconded the motion. Mayor Saleh stated this Board is required in order for the City to receive the grant which has been approved in the amount of $27,322. Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Edwards, Miller, and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 7: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council Member Edwards motioned to approve the minutes of the special called meeting of October 17, 1996, and the regular meeting of November 12, 1996. Council Member Tyson seconded the motion. Ayes: Council Members Tyson, Hogg, Walker, Edwards, Miller, Mayor Pro Tem Baker and Mayor Saleh Nays: None Mayor Saleh declared the motion carried. ITEM NO. 8: REPORTS a) City Manager City Manager Tom Hart reported that the TML Board of Directors has nominated Mayor Saleh to be on the National League of Cities Board. He stated that this is a first in our city and it is an honor to be nominated, because there are only three people from the entire State of Texas nominated. b) City Attorney City Attorney Bob McFarland had no report. c) Item 8 (c) was given earlier in the meeting. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26, 1996 PAGE 8 d) City Council Council Member Tyson stated that he attended the Texas Municipal League(TML) annual conference in Corpus Christi and that it was a very good meeting. Mr. Tyson thanked Diana Ortiz for her hard work in the Finance Department. Council Member Hogg reported he also attended the TML conference and enjoyed getting to see some of the equipment we buy, especially the latest purchase of the CUES camera,which is used to view the interior of the sanitary sewer system. Mr. Hogg thanked Diana Ortiz for her work. Council Member Miller expressed appreciation to Diana Ortiz for what she does for the City. He commented on having a balanced budget in the City. Council Member Edwards commended Diana Ortiz also. Ms. Edwards stated that the City of Euless won the Excellence in Programming award for the Arbor Daze festival and commented that it is nice to have this type of alcohol-free, family entertainment in our City. Ms. Edwards reported she also attended the TML conference and learned a great deal. Mayor Saleh stated that it was great that we have two new Council Members that took the time from their jobs to attend the TML conference, that it was a good meeting and that the council members learn a great deal by attending these conventions. Mayor Saleh reminded everyone of the Christmas Parade to be held on Saturday, December 14. Mayor Saleh asked if anyone in the audience would like to add anything. Clara Bonner, who resides at 202 Laurel Lane, introduced herself and stated she recently attended the public hearing held by the Texas Department of Transportation on the proposed reconstruction of Mid Cities Boulevard. She requested the City Council consider the comments made at that public hearing by the citizens who live near Mid Cities Boulevard regarding the proposed expansion of that street. She stated that her neighborhood is very concerned about the safety of their families, particularly those that live right next to Mid Cities Boulevard. She added that a street light is needed at the entrance to McCormick Farms. Ms. Bonner requested the Council intercede on their behalf to work with the Texas Department of Transportation for the safety of their families. Mayor Saleh stated that one of the McCormick farms residents approached her after the TXDOT meeting and shared concerns with her about the dangerous situation at the intersection of Mid Cities Boulevard and State Highway 360. COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 26. 1996 PAGE 9 ITEM NO. 9: ADJOURN There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Saleh adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:00 p.m. APPROVED: � A € I ck Mary Lib baleh Mayor ATTEST: ,, Susan Crim, C/AAE City Secreta