City Council

Farmers Branch Senior City of Farmers Branch Center 14055 Dennis Lane Farmers Branch, TX 75234 Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Thursday, November 13, 2014 7:00 PM Senior Center Town Hall Meeting A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mayor Phelps called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm and welcomed everyone. He announced Council Member Froehlich was out of town attending two family funerals. Mayor Phelps also announced translation services were also being offered during the meeting; Council Member Reyes translated. Tom Bryson, Communications Director, presented a video entitled "Farmers Branch: In the Air 2014". Absent: 1 - Council Member Harold Froehlich Presiding: 1 - Mayor Bob Phelps Present: 4 - Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally, Council Member Ben Robinson, Council Member Ana Reyes and Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Fuller B. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS B.1 Discussion of City activities, plans and operations that affect the City regarding the following topics: Public safety, police and fire, IH 635 and I35 expansions, economic development, park and recreational activities, recent land use and zoning actions of the City Council, revitalization of neighborhoods, capital projects and public infrastructure improvements. The following persons spoke: Marty Giehrl (3404 Bevann) - Mr. Giehrl asked the status of the storm water utility program. Randy Walhood, Public Works Director, reported the fee was adopted and will go into effect January, 2016. Mr. Giehrl also asked if shredding services could be added at the Citizens Collection Center. Shane Davis, Solid Waste Administrator, reported it will not be available there but will be at the two CleanUp events the City holds each year. Mr. Giehrl also thanked staff for the recent Veterans Day celebration. Janice Crozier (2939 Harlee) - Ms. Crozier asked when residents would have public wi-fi available. City Manager Gary D. Greer reported staff has met with AT&T on this and that they are updating their services; he estimated approximately 4-5 years. Bruce Crozier (2939 Harlee) - Asked if the City could eliminate AT&T and get broadband through Verizon. Mr. Greer reported multiple providers are allowed in the same area; Verizon service to Farmers Branch is a business decision on their part as City of Farmers Branch Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 13, 2014 to where they choose to provide service next. Mike Del Valle (3161 Whitemarsh) - Mr. Del Valle asked about the status of development on the West Side. Mayor Phelps reported this item will be on the November 18, 2014 city council agenda. Mic and Janet Austin (13531 Heartside) - The Austins recently moved to from Mesquite to Farmers Branch and love it here! Maxwell Brodrick (13531 Rawhide) - Mr. Brodrick asked if there is a limit to the number of barking and aggressive dogs a resident can have. Miguel Gauna from Environmental Health reported the limit is four dogs per household; if barking is a problem residents can notify the Animal Adoption Shelter and they can notify the owners of a complaint. Deborah Bowe (3464 Chapparal) - Ms. Bowe asked how much the Trail Master Plan cost and why the City is doing another study on this. Mitzi Davis, Program Manager, reported there was a study done on sidewalks and roads, and that the cost of the Trail Master Plan is $89,945. Paul Heller (13806 Wooded Creek) - Mr. Heller inquired about the open carry supporters that have been present recently. Police Chief Sid Fuller reported they have had two peaceful events in Farmers Branch due to the City's prohibition of open carry at city council meetings, sporting events, etc. Brenda Brodrick (13531 Rawhide) - Ms. Brodrick asked for an update from Managing Director John Land regarding development on the east & west side of the City, and a financial update from Managing Director Charles Cox. Mr. Land and Mr. Cox provided updates. Paula Cooper (14216 Shoredale) - Ms. Cooper asked the schedule for the street sweeper. Gary Spoerl, Street Superintendent, reported that is a contracted service that is done quarterly; the sweeper just ran in October. Larry Bryant (13326 Veronica) - Mr. Bryant stated he moved here from Irving and was very complimentary of City services. He did report water pools in the street in front of his house. Randy Walhood, Public Works Director, reported he would have staff take a look. Judy Byrd (2980 Eric) - Ms. Byrd loves living in Farmers Branch and complimented the employees and city services. Beth Pirtle (3131 Berrymeade) - Ms. Pirtle stated she had moved here 33 years ago from University Park; she commented on the great turnout for the recent National Night Out. Phillip Atha (2019 Lavita) - Mr. Atha inquired about the placement of the recently proposed Fire Station and how that was based. Fire Chief Steve Parker reported the proposed location is at the Valley View and Alpha Road split; he reported the location was strategically chosen based on calls and response times. C. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:27 pm. City of Farmers Branch Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final November 13, 2014 ______________________________ Jeff Fuller, Mayor Pro Tem ATTEST: ______________________________ Angela Kelly, City Secretary City of Farmers Branch Page 3