City Council

Farmers Branch City Hall City of Farmers Branch 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy Farmers Branch, TX 75234 Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Tuesday, March 17, 2015 6:00 PM Council Chambers Study Session Meeting held at 4:00 PM in the Study Session Room A. STUDY SESSION Mayor Phelps called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. Absent: 3 - Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Harold Froehlich, Jeff Fuller and Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Fuller Presiding: 1 - Mayor Bob Phelps Present: 3 - Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally, Council Member Ben Robinson and Council Member Ana Reyes Staff: 18 - Gary D. Greer City Manager, Charles Cox Managing Director - Administration, John Land Managing Director - Operations, Peter G. Smith City Attorney, Tom Bryson Communications Director, Allison Cook Economic Development Manager, Sidney Fuller Police Chief, Andy Gillies Director of Community Services, Jeff Harting Parks & Recreation Director, Kevin Muenchow Fleet & Facilities Director, Steve Parker Fire Chief, Randy Walhood Public Works Director, Mark Samuels Information Services Director, Mitzi Davis Special Projects Manager, Gary Spoerl Street Superintendent, Kevin Barrett Court Administrator, Angela Kelly City Secretary and LaJeana Thomas Executive Assistant A.1 Discuss regular City Council meeting agenda items. (A.4) Council Member Reyes asked is Agenda Item A.4 could be moved to the next City Council meeting since Council Member Froehlich was not in attendance. She also requested Agenda Item I.2 to be moved after Items I.3 and I.4. Mayor Phelps read an email he received from Mayor Pro Tem Fuller reporting he was out due to health related problems and asked that Agenda Item I.2 be moved to the next council meeting. The general consensus was to move Agenda Item A.4 to the next meeting. A.2 Discuss traffic issues on Valwood Parkway, Bee Street, and Spring Valley Road. Public Works Director Randy Walhood reported on the following: (1) Reducing speed limit on Valwood between IH35E and Josey Lane - Due to the results of the speed study for that area, City Administration does not recommend a reduction (2) Installation of a flashing sign or notice to enhance pedestrian safety at intersection of Valwood and Albemarle - After some discussion, the general consensus of the Council was to install a pedestrian operated flashing sign at the crosswalk (3) Installation of larger, brighter signs prohibiting "No through trucks over two axles and trailers over 18-ft long along Valwood - General consensus of Council was to add another sign (4) Replace damaged delineators on Valwood at Bee Street - Damaged delineators City of Farmers Branch Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 have been replaced (5) Repair potholes on Spring Valley - The potholes have been patched; the asphalt recycling of the entire roadway will begin in April as part of the bond program A.3 Receive findings on the creation of an Office of City Marshal to function within the Municipal Court division. Kevin Barrett, Court Administrator, provided findings on the efficiency study conducted relating to the Warrant Officer position. A proposed ordinance, along with budget costs, will be presented at the next Council meeting. A.4 Receive a presentation on the current Master Plan for the Station Area and potential projects for the district, with specific emphasis on property north of Valley View Lane. Council Member Reyes requested this item be moved to the next City Council meeting since Council Member Froehlich was not in attendance. The Study Session Meeting concluded at 4:54 pm. B. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Phelps called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Connally gave the Invocation and Council Member Reyes led the Pledge of Allegiance. C. CEREMONIAL ITEMS C.1 Consider Board and Commission appointments and take appropriate action. A motion was made by Council Member Robinson, seconded by Council Member Reyes, appointing the following: Zoning Board of Adjustment/Building Code Board of Appeals - Move Ruben Rendon from Alternate to Regular position; appoint Cory Plunk to Alternate position Historical Preservation & Restoration Board - Appoint Jan Blair, subject to background check completion, and Scott Ames Family Advisory Board - Appoint KayLynn Lyon The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes D. REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS Council Member Robinson reported on the following: Traffic issues on Valwood, Bee, and Spring Valley - (1) Reducing speed limit on Valwood between IH35E and Josey Lane - Due to the results of the speed study for that area, City Administration does not recommend a reduction (2) Installation of a flashing sign or notice to enhance pedestrian safety at intersection of Valwood and Albemarle - After some discussion, the general consensus of the Council was to install a pedestrian operated flashing sign at the crosswalk (3) Installation of larger, brighter signs prohibiting "No through trucks over two axles City of Farmers Branch Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 and trailers over 18-ft long along Valwood - General consensus of Council was to add another sign (4) Replace damaged delineators on Valwood at Bee Street - Damaged delineators have been replaced (5) Repair potholes on Spring Valley - Will be completed in April as part of the bond program Creation of Office of City Marshal - City Administration provided findings on the efficiency study conducted relating to the Warrant Officer position; a proposed ordinance, along with budget costs, will be presented at the next Council meeting regarding the creation of Office of City Marshsal E. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT AND ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST Topics for the City Manager's Report included: City Wide CleanUp - due to the large turn out for this event, the services will be spread out in different locations and times: Electronics Recycling is available every week at the Citizen Collection Center from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday; A Prescription Take Back box will be available permanently at the Police Department for drop-offs Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Dallas County has scheduled a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event in Farmers Branch for June 27 (time and location to be announced later); the Public Works Department is working to secure dates and locations for a Shredding Event Women of Farmers Branch - the "Women of Farmers Branch" exhibit is going on now through March 27 in the Art Gallery at the Manske Library celebrating the women that have made Farmers Branch strong through the years; the exhibit was created by the Farmers Branch Historical Park and is presented in partnership with the Library Mark Your Calendars - Date Night will be held on Saturday, April 25, at the Historical Park, featuring food trucks, music and an outdoor movie; Fishin' Fun will be held on Saturday, May 2; Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings, featuring the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in concert at the Historical Park on Saturday, May 23 F. CITIZEN COMMENTS The following people spoke: Wayne Baham (3620 Cedar Lane) - thanked the Police Department for their fast work in apprehending a suspect last week Gale Parker (14037 Albemarle) - thanked Council for repairing Spring Valley Road; stated he has noticed more noise near Valwood & Albemarle area due to loud pipes on vehicles and boom boxes G. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of the Consent Agenda A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Connally, seconded by Council Member Robinson, to approve Consent Agenda Items G.1 through G.9. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes City of Farmers Branch Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 G.1 Consider approval of minutes of the City Council meeting held on March 3, 2015 and take appropriate action. The Minutes were approved. G.2 Consider excusing the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Fuller at the March 3, 2015 City Council meeting and take appropriate action. This Procedural Item was approved. G.3 Consider a request for final plat approval of Three Valwood Park, Lot 1, Block A, located on the west side of Senlac Drive, at the intersection with Delegate Drive, and take appropriate action. This Plat was approved. G.4 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-020 authorizing the City Manager to purchase security software, equipment, and implementation services from Knight Security Systems, LLC, utilizing the State of Texas Department of Information Resources contract pricing for automated information systems, and take appropriate action. This Resolution was approved. G.5 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-023 awarding the 2014-2015 annual contract for the purchase supply of small water meters to Mueller Systems, LLC and take appropriate action. This Resolution was approved. G.6 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-026 authorizing negotiation and execution of a professional services agreement for the preliminary design of the Service Center Project in the total amount of $66,750 from Quorum Architects, Inc.; providing an effective date, and take appropriate action. This Resolution was approved. G.7 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-027 authorizing the purchase of a replacement concrete mixer truck for the Public Works Street Division in the total amount of $127,585 from MHC Kenworth Dallas through the Buy Board Purchasing Cooperative; providing an effective date; and take appropriate action. This Resolution was approved. G.8 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-028 establishing a Municipal Drainage Utility System Advisory Committee and take appropriate action. City of Farmers Branch Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 This Resolution was approved. G.9 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-031 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the Purchase and Resale Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, and take appropriate action. This Resolution was approved. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no Public Hearing items on the agenda. I. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS I.1 Consider a request from The Firehouse Theatre for repairs to the former Central Fire Station and take appropriate action. The following person spoke: Judy Byrd (2980 Eric Lane) - Ms. Byrd asked if the City has a clear title to the property? City Manager Gary D. Greer reported, yes, the City does have a clear title to the property. Ms. Byrd asked if the heirs that donated the property to the City have given permission to use the property in the manner the City is using it? Mr. Greer reported the City is contracting with an organization to provide performing arts classes/performances, and that the City is not relinquishing ownership of the property, the Firehouse Theatre is providing services on the City's behalf. Action on this item was postponed until the next City Council meeting. I.2 Accept resignation submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Fuller, District 3; appoint a Mayor Pro Tem; appoint a Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, if needed; and take appropriate action. Mayor Phelps read an email he received from Mayor Pro Tem Fuller reporting he was out due to health related problems and asked that Agenda Item I.2 be moved to the next council meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Robinson, seconded by Council Member Reyes, to accept the resignation. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes I.3 Discuss request by Pat Edmiston dated March 3, 2015 for an investigation of allegations regarding Mayor Pro Tem Fuller. Ms. Edmiston stated this is the third time the issue of improper conduct by Mayor Pro Tem Fuller has come up in two years and asked how do we know other City Council members are not doing the same thing? In the interest of transparency, she is asking the City Council to order a full investigation of Mayor Pro Tem Fuller's action while serving on the City Council and while a City employee to ensure more damage hasn't been done. She also requested other City staff and City Council members be included in the investigation, and that it be conducted by citizens and independent City of Farmers Branch Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 auditors to ensure a fair and thorough investigation. City Attorney Pete Smith reported the two other items were investigated and final reports for both were made public. He asked if an outside investigation occurs, what specific things she would like investigated? The following spoke: Tom Bohmier - 2949 Maydelle Rick Johnson - 2930 Harlee David Koch - 3243 Brincrest I.4 Consider request by Charles Barton for the City Council to conduct a public hearing to consider removal of Mayor Pro Tem Fuller regarding the statement of charges submitted by Charles Barton against Mayor Pro Tem Fuller for alleged violations of the City Charter, Section 2.02(c)(2)(3) and (7), and Code of Ethics, Sections 2-281(a), (c) and (d) and 2-287(2). Mr. Charles Barton stated he agrees that a person is innocent until proven guilty, but Mayor Pro Tem Fuller has been investigated before. He stated we do not know what else may be discovered and asked the City Council to consider having a public hearing. The City Attorney reported the information provided by the City has been given to the District Attorney for an independent investigation. I.5 Discuss request from Sima Cheregosha to allow chickens on commercial property for educational purposes. Ms. Sima Cheregosha requested this item be moved to the April 7, 2015 City Council meeting. I.6 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-029 authorizing execution of a Residential Demolition/Rebuild Program Incentive Agreement for the owner of the property located at 14541 Tamerisk Lane and take appropriate action. Economic Development Manager Allison Cook, reported the current improvement value is $115,080 and the estimated value of the new dwelling will be $434,000. A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Connally, seconded by Council Member Robinson, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes I.7 Consider approving Resolution No. 2015-025 authorizing the purchase of replacement cubicles and office furniture for City Hall in the total amount of $309,000 from Business Interiors through the State of Texas Multiple Award Schedule; providing an effective date, and take appropriate action. A motion was made by Council Member Reyes, seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Connally, that this Resolution be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: City of Farmers Branch Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes J. CLOSED SESSION Closed Session was not held. L. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Connally, seconded by Council Member Robinson, that this Meeting be adjourned. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3- Mayor Pro Tem Connally, Council Member Robinson and Council Member Reyes The meeting adjourned at 7:14 pm. ___________________________________ Bob Phelps, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Angela Kelly, City Secretary City of Farmers Branch Page 7