CM 1991-05-28 MINUTES OF MAY 28, 1991
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in regular called session on Tuesday, May 28, 1991
at 6:45 p.m. for Executive Session and at 7:00 p.m. for Regular Session in the City Council
Chambers of the Town Center, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas. The following
members were present:
Mark Wolfe, Mayor
Bill Smothermon, Mayor Pro Tern
Peyton Weaver, Councilman
Tom Morton, Councilman
Jim Cowman, Councilman
Ron Robertson, Councilman
John Nelson, Councilman
Councilman Thomas was not present at the meeting. Also present were City Manager Alan D.
Ratliff, City Secretary Dorothy Timmons and City Attorney Lawrence W. Jackson.
Item 1 Call to order
Mayor Mark Wolfe called the meeting to order.
Item 2 Work Session
Those items discussed during the work session included:
1) Coppell Chamber of Commerce request for funds.
2) Appearance of a citizen wishing to discuss tax issues.
3) The engineering consultant will be interviewing Council members and Staff
Thursday and Friday, May 30 and May 31, 1991.
Item 3 Invocation
Councilman Morton led the invocation.
Item 4 Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Wolfe led those present in the pledge of allegiance.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)
Item 5-ES A. Article 6252-17, Section 2 (e) and Senate concurrent Resolution Number
83, discussion with City Attorney concerning matter involving privileged
communications between attorney and client.
1. Coppell/Grapevine Boundary
2. North Lake Park
3. Markey
4. Beltline East/West Engineering
B. Article 6252-17, Section (f) discussion concerning the negotiating position
of the City with respect to agreements involving interests in land and the
value of real property.
1. Library Architectural Contract
The City Council convened into Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 1991 as
allowed under the above stated articles. Mayor Wolfe adjourned the Executive Session and
opened the Regular Session at 6:45 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
Item 6 Approval of minutes May 14, 1991
May 16, 1991
Councilman Nelson moved to approve the minutes of May 14, 1991 as submitted and to approve
amended minutes of May 16, 1991, with an amendment to reflect that the vote on the
compensation proposal is 6-1, with Councilman Weaver voting against the motion, rather than
7-0. Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor
Pro Tem Smothermon and Councilmen Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting
in favor of the motion.
Item 7 Citizen's Appearances
There were no citizens who wished to speak at this time.
Item 8 Appearance by Terry Eastman to discuss tax issues.
Terry Eastman of 509 Leavalley Lane, Coppell came forward to address his concerns regarding
increasing taxes at the government and state level.
Item 9 Consider designating or redesignating a voting representative to the North Central
Texas Council of Governments for 1991-92 requested by Mayor Mark Wolfe.
Councilman Robertson moved to approve redesignating Councilman Morton as the voting
representation to the North Texas Council of Government for 1991-92. Mayor Pro Tern
Smothermon seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon
and Councilmen Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the
motion.
Item 10 A. Consider approval of an Ordinance amending Sections (6-2-3, 6-2-4, 6-2-5
and 6-2-8) of Article 6-2 of the Code of Ordinance more commonly
known as the City of Coppell Peddler's and Solicitor's Permit Ordinance.
B. Appointment of a Council Study Committee to assist staff in review and
development of a revised Peddler's and Solicitor's Ordinance.
Councilman Nelson moved to approve Ordinance 91-507 amending sections (6-2-3, 6-2-4, 6-2-5
and 6-2-8) of Article 6-2 of the Code of Ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon seconded
the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon and Councilmen
Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the motion.
Councilman Morton moved to approve the appointment of a Council Study Committee to assist
staff in review and development of a revised Peddler's and Solicitor's Ordinance, with
Councilmen Nelson and Robertson serving on this committee. Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon
seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon and
Councilmen Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the motion.
Item 11 Discussion and consideration of directing staff to negotiate a contract for
designing the new Coppell Library facility.
Planning and Community Services Director Gary Sieb made a presentation to Council. He
stated that the number of architects who had originally applied had been narrowed down to 6,
and after interviewing these 6, it is the recommendation of Staff that a contract be negotiated
with the architectural firm of F & S Partnership. Councilman Weaver moved that Staff be
directed to negotiate a contract to design the new Coppell Library facility with F & S
Partnership and in the event that satisfactory agreement cannot be made with that firm, that Staff
be further authorized to negotiate a contract with one of the other five firms. Councilman
Robertson seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor Pro Tern Smotbermon and
Councilmen Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting in favor of the motion.
Item 12 A. Presentation on 6th Annual Local Economic Development Conference.
B. Discussion and consideration of participating in the 6th Annual Local
Economic Development Conference and providing partial funding of
publication for participants.
Professor Sherman Wyman, School of Urban and Public Affairs, of the University of Texas at
Arlington made a presentation to Council. He stated that Metrocrest cities are being asked to
share in the cost of printing a volume of local economic development essays developed from last
year's conference. The volume would then be provided to each conference registrant and to
officials of the participating cities. Council discussed the pros and cons of supporting both the
Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce and the Coppell Chamber of Commerce. Councilman
Morton moved to approve participation in the Sixth Conference on Local Economic Development
on August 1 and August 2, 1991 and the expenditure of $625 for the printing of a volume of
local economic development essays developed from last year's conference which will be
distributed at the conference. Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon seconded the motion. The motion
failed 4-2 with Mayor Pro Tem Smothermon and Councilman Morton voting in favor of the
motion and Councilmen Weaver, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting against the motion.
Item 13 Mayor's Report
The following items were reported during this time:
A. Mayor Wolfe reminded those present that the Coppell Chamber of Commerce has
a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 1991 in the Tom
Thumb Page Shopping Center at the dental offices of Dr. Wayne Scott.
B. Mayor Wolfe wished to remind Council that the Texas Municipal League dinner
is Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Brookhaven Country Club with the
Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce.
C. Councilman Morton reported that HB 916 (a bill which will give affected cities
the ability to call an election to levy a 1/2 cent sales tax for the sole purpose of
economic development) had been signed by the Governor and went into effect
immediately. This is a tax which, prior to being passed, must be passed by
Council and voted on by the citizens of Coppell. Staff was asked to bring to the
next Council meeting a report on the process to approve the sales tax.
D. Mayor Wolfe stated that there needed to be some clarification to the community
in perhaps the form of a letter to the editor from himself as to the use of the
funds which will be received from curbside recycling. The funds have not been
designated for any specific project as of yet. He stated that he had received mail
from citizens in regard to this. Councilman Weaver stated that the funds
generated from recycling would be used exclusively for some item which citizens
could benefit from. He suggested that it might be beneficial if some group within
the City, whether it be the Sports Council, Library, etc. were to work to increase
participation in the recycling effort as a means to fund their particular project
within the City. He stated that he has discussed this with Councilman Thomas,
who is the liaison for the Finance Committee and that they will be speaking
further on this.
E. Councilman Weaver had some questions regarding the purchase of police radios.
He stated that he would like to see the radio upgrade plan, along with the
agreement which states that the system the City plans to join is under the control
and supervision of the City of Carrollton Communications Manager. He
questioned the sole source of purchase recommendation for the radios, which are
anticipated to be in the vicinity of $2,500 each. He asked that more information
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be given to Council on these ite~. He asked that the release of the purchase
order for these items be :tlelayed arid ~ither ail questions answered satisfactorily
or brought back to a later Council meeting. City Manager Alan D. Ratliff and
Councilmen Weaver and will be working with Staff in getting together some of
the answers to these questions.
F. Councilman Weaver informed Council that two letters complimenting Building
Officiai Dale Jackson and Commerciai Building Inspector Travis Crump for their
assistance near the new school on Mockingbird had been received. A citizen also
wrote a letter commending the prompt attention to a problem by Water
Superintendent Howard Pafford.
G. Councilman Morton voiced concern over the fact that the City has been asked to
take over the maintenance and upkeep of the Coppell Middle School Baseball,
stating that he feels an interlocal agreement spelling out what the City is
responsible for and what the City's liabilities are. At present, there are no funds
in the budget for this. At this point, this item would have to be a supplemental
budget item, unless the Park Board would be willing to use other funds which
they have. Councilman Robertson stated that he would take this to the School
Liaison Committee and see if anything could be worked out. City Manager Alan
D. Ratliff stated that some of these concerns could possibly be broached with
School Superintendent Buddy Echols on Friday, May 30.
H. Councilman Robertson stated that the Recognition Committee has been looking
at the possibility of an Employee of the Month award. Councilman Nelson stated
that the committee is also looking at various forms of recognition for citizens and
organizations. Councilman Robertson informed Council that recommendations
from this committee should be forthcoming at the June 11, 1991 Council meeting.
I. Councilman Smothermon wished Council to know that someone from another city
had called him to tell him that, during a retreat he had attended, the City of
Coppell small plat speed-through process that been held up as an example of how
to do small plats economically and efficiently.
J. Mayor Wolfe stated that all of the Special Study Committees would be reviewed
at the next City Council meeting.
Item 14 Liaison Reports
A) ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR TOWN CENTER
There was no report at this time.
B) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon reported that the Coppell Chamber of Commerce Trade
Fair of May 25 had 49 business which had signed up for exhibits at the fair, with
approximately 1,500 people who attended the fair.
C) COPPELL HISTORIC DISTRICT
There was no report at this time.
D) DCAD
There was no report at this time.
E) ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon reported that the task force for the Economic and Business
Development had broken into three groups, one to work with marketing, one to work
with tax abatement and incentives, and one to work with the platting process.
F) FINANCE ~"~
There was no report at this time.
G) LIBRARY
There was no report at this time.
H) METROCREST RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN COMMI'I~EE (DRUG AWARENESS)
There was no report at this time.
I) MUD ABSORPTION
There was no report at this time.
J) NCTCOG
There was no report at this time.
K) PARK
There was no report at this time.
L) RECYCLING COMMITTEE
There was no report at this time.
M) SCHOOL
There was no report at this time.
CONSENT AGENDA
Item 15 A. Consideration for awarding of bid for supply of uniforms to Cannon
Uniforms of Garland, Texas and rejecting all bids pertaining to Nomex
Uniforms.
B. Consider approval of an Ordinance transferring school zone traffic
guidelines from Section 8-1-5 of the City Code Book to Section 8-2-12 of
the City Code Book.
C. Consideration of removing from the table the contract with Jensen-Oldani
& Associates, Inc. to conduct an executive search for a City Engineer.
D.Discussion and consideration of approving a contract with Jensen-Oldani
& Associates, Inc. to conduct an executive search for a City Engineer.
E. Consideration of approving three (3) Drainage Easements and one (1)
Utility Easement dedication document, regarding Heartz Road
Improvements, by the Parks of Coppell Trust, and authorizing the Mayor
to sign.
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Councilman Morton moved to approve Item 15 A, 15 B (Ordinance # 91-506), 15 C, 15 D, and
15 E. Mayor Pro Tern Smothermon seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor
Pro Tem Smothermon and Councilmen Weaver, Morton, Cowman, Robertson and Nelson voting
in favor of the motion.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)
Item 5-ES A. Article 6252-17, Section 2 (e) and Senate concurrent Resolution Number
83, discussion with City Attorney concerning matter involving privileged
communications between attorney and client.
1. Coppell/Grapevine Boundary
2. North Lake Park
3. Markey
4. Belfline East/West Engineering
B. Article 6252-17, Section (f) discussion concerning the negotiating position
of the City with respect to agreements involving interests in land and the
value of real property.
1. Library Architectural Contract
The City Council convened into Executive Session at 8:22 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 1991 as
allowed under the above stated articles. Mayor Wolfe adjourned the Executive Session and
opened the Regular Session at 9:07 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Wolfe,~
ATTEST:
Dorothy Timm~r~y secret~ry