CM 1995-11-28 MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 28, 1995
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday,
November 28, 1995 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Town Center, 255 Parkway
Boulevard, Coppell, Texas. The following members were present:
Tom Morton, Mayor
Ron Robertson, Mayor Pro Tern
Norm Alexander, Councilmember
Chuck Sturges, Councilmember
Danny L. Watson, Councilmember
Marsha Tunnell, Councilmember (late arrival)
Lanny Mayo, Councilmember
Candy Sheehan, Councilmember
Also present were City Manager Jim Witt, City Secretary Linda Grau and City Attorney David
Berman.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
1. Call to order.
Mayor Morton called the meeting to order and adjourned into Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)
2. Convene Executive Session
A. Section 551.072, Texas Government Code - Deliberation regarding real
property.
1. Discussion of Economic Development prospect and acquisition of
property.
2. Public Works and Park site.
B. Section 551.071, Texas Government Code - Consultation with City
Attorney
1. Regarding Economic Development Grant under Section 380 of
the Texas Government Code.
C. Section 551.074, Texas Government Code - Personnel Matters.
1. City Manager
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Councilmember Tunnell arrived prior to Executive Session. Mayor Morton convened into
Executive Session at 6:12 p.m. as allowed under the above-stated article. Mayor Morton
adjourned the Executive Session at 7:21 p.m. and opened the Regular Session.
WORK SESSION (Open to the Public)
3. Convene Work Session
A. Discussion of Agenda Items
No work 'session was held.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
4. Reconvene Regular Session.
5. Invocation.
Councilmember Sturges led those present in the Invocation.
6. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Morton led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. Citizen's Appearances.
There were no citizens signed up to speak under this item.
8. Proclamations:
Consider approval of a proclamation naming Saturday, November 25, 1995
as NATIONAL NIGHT OUT APPRECIATION DAY, presentation of the
award to Officer Jason Shanks who spearheaded the campaign, and
authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Mayor Morton read the Proclamation for the record and presented the plaque to Officer Jason
Shanks. Officer Shanks commended the Council and the citizens of the City for their help.
Mayor Pro Tem Robertson moved to approve a proclamation naming Saturday, November 25,
1995 as .National Night Out Appreciation Day, presentation of the award to Officer Jason
Shanks, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Mayo seconded the motion; the
motion carried. 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Robertson and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges,
Watson, Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
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CONSENT AGENDA
9. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:
A. Consider approval of minutes: November 11, 1995
November 14, 1995
B. Consider approval of an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement between the
City of Coppell and Dallas County in conjunction with the
TxDOT/County Agreement regarding certain CMAQ transportation
improvements within the City of Coppell and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
C. Consider approval of a Resolution approvinga Tax Abatement
Agreement between the City of Coppell and MEPC Quorum Properties
H, Inc., for Phase H, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Item 9 A --
The minutes of the November 14, 1995 Council Meeting were pulled for separate consideration.
Item 9 A, B and C --
Mayor Pro Tem Robertson moved to approve the minutes of the November 11, 1995 Council
Meeting, Item 9 B and C carrying Resolution 112895.1. Councilmember Mayo seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Robertson and Councilmembers Alexander,
Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
Item 9 A --
Councilmember Watson pointed out that on the November 14, 1995 minutes under Liaison
Reports, Park Board, that the three committees should be Athletic, Trail Development and
Aquatic Facilities. Councilmember Sturges stated that he also had attended the Metrocrest-wide
Domestic Violence symposium. Councilmember Watson moved to approve the minutes of
November 14, 1995 as amended. Councilmember Sturges seconded the motion; the motion
carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Robertson and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson,
Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
10. Consider approval of a Resolution supporting the Fort Worth and Western
Railroad Company's efforts to secure the abandoned Cotton Belt Railroad line
in the City of Coppell, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
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Mayor Morton made a presentation to Council and referred to a rail link article in the Dallas
Morning News. The Council of Governments is to form a committee of representatives from
every city connected to the old Cotton Belt Line. City Manager Jim Witt expressed .concerns
regarding traffic flow with Dart lines. Ed Spalding of Creekview EStates made a presentation
to Council and voiced his concerns regarding freight cars, safety and monetary ~value to the
surrounding houses. City Manager Jim Witt clarified that the resolutiOn was specifically for the
tarantula train and local freight service. Councilmember Mayo moved to approve Resolution
No. 112895.2 supporting the Fort Worth and Western Railroad Company's efforts to secure the
abandoned Cotton Belt Railroad line in the City of Coppell, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Alexander seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem
Robertson and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan
voting in favor of the motion.
11. Consider appointment of an alternate Municipal Court Judge and authorizing
the City Manager to negotiate an agreement for services to be rendered and
compensation.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to Council and recommended Kim Robin Nesbitt
of Coppell to serve as alternate Municipal Court Judge. Mayor Pro Tem Robertson moved to
appoint Kim Robin Nesbitt as alternate Municipal Court Judge and authorize the City Manager
to negotiate an agreement for services to be rendered and compensation. Councilmember Mayo
seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Robertson and
Councilmembers ^lexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan voting in favor of
the motion.
12. Report on Economic Development Partnership Program and Projects by
Chairperson.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to the Council. Bronwyn Brock, Chairman of the
Economic DevelOpment Partnership, made a presentation to the Council and thanked the
members of the Partnership Committee, Council liaisons, Jim Witt, Gary Sieb and the staff of
the Planning Department, and also the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Brock stated she felt one
of the key developments in the last year was the consultant study by PHH Fantus. Ms. Brock
advised that at a recent annual conference of the Texas Economic Development Council, the City
of Coppell was a nominee, in the category of communities with a population of less than 25,000,
for an outstanding community economic development award and presented the award to the
Mayor.
13. DiscUssiOn and review of speed limit considerations on MacArthur Blvd.
City M~ager Jim Witt stated that Ken Griffin, Assistant City Manager/City Engineer, and
David Miller, Police Chief, were present to make presentations to the Council. Ken Griffin
stated that Staff had done speed studies on MacArthur Boulevard and could not recommend
raising 'the sPeed limit on MacArthur even though the study indicated a raise was warranted.
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Staff advised that their position was to keep the current speed limit on MacArthur Boulevard.
Chief Miller addressed the Council and circulated a report not included in the packet which was
compiled by Sgt. Danny Harm. The lights at Samuel and Sandy Lake Road are the only breaks
in traffic on MacArthur from the north city limits to Beltline. Chief Miller suggested that a
traffic light at Parkway Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard might help enforce the speed limit.
Traffic lights might be needed in the future at MacArthur and Condor or Bethel School. Mayor
Pro Tem Robertson stated he would also like to look at the traffic issue on Moore Road and
consider bringing the speed on that roadway down to 30 m.p.h. Lowering of the speed on
Denton Tap Road was also discussed. Mayor Morton asked that Councilmembers contact the
City Manager regarding their thoughts on the speed limit on Moore Road. Councilmember
Sheehan asked that Ken Griffin explain the Child Watch Neighborhood Program. Ken Griffin
was asked to bring information back to Council at the second meeting in January.
14. Necessary action resulting from Executive Session.
Mayor Pro Tem Robertson moved to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with
Wagon Wheel Properties to purchase three acres of land for a future water facility and to enter
into a proposal for a possible future purchase of an additional 43 acres. Councilmember Mayo
seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Robertson and
Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Mayo, and Sheehan voting in favor of
the motion.
15. City Manager's Report.
City Manager Jim Witt recognized Bill Harris from Rediform for their support on Economic
Development.
16. Mayor's Report.
A. Mayor Morton announced that the Responder Magazine contained an article written by
Clay Phillips, Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief.
B. Mayor Morton reminded everyone of the Christmas Parade to be held on Sunday,
December 3, 1995.
C. Mayor Morton also recognized the decorations at City Hall and the department wreaths.
17. Liaison Reports.
City/Coppell ISD Liaison -- Councilmember Sheehan advised she had attended a School Board
Meeting and Officers Ledet and Shanks were in attendance representing DARE. Three Coppell
Middle School students won an award for producing and advertising DARE. Councilmember
Sheehan stated a motion was made to delay construction of Elementary School No. 10 by one
year because the growth hasn't been what was anticipated.
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Councilmember Sheehan stated that the Women's Club would be' having'a luncheon on
December 6 and the donations this year would go to Make a Child Smile,.
Councilmember Sheehan announced she had met with some homeowners from Riverchase
regarding their plans to ask the Coppell School Board to Support bringing Riverchase into the
Coppell Independent School District. ' '
Mayor Morton interjected that the Make a Child Program was going extremely, well this year
and that Craftmade, a new company moving to Coppell, had picked 50 names from the Make
a Child Smile tree.
Councilmember Tunnell discussed the FunFest and stated they will have a meeting on Thursday,
and the pig theme is back.
Councilmember Tunnell advised that an ordinance would be reviewed at the Sign Committee
meeting on Wednesday.
Telecommunication Board -- Councilmember Sturges announced that Danny Green had been
elected as secretary of the Board.
YMCA -- Councilmember Sturges was asked to convey thanks and compliments to Mayor
Morton, Council, City Manager and City Staff from the YMCA for the work that went into the
completion of the Joint Use Agreement. Councilmember Sturges also announced that the YMCA
Board had chosen Brad Lowry for special recognition for all his work. Councilmember Sturges
advised that six high school students were participating in the YMCA Youth in Government
Program.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Tom Morton, Mayor
ATTEST:
Linda Grau, City Secretary
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