CM 1996-05-28 MINUTES OF MAY 28, 1996
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday, May 28,
1996 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
Lanny Mayo, Mayor Pro Tern
Norm Alexander, Couneilmember
Chuck Sturges, Couneilmember (late arrival)
Danny L. Watson, Councilmember
Marsha Tunnell, Councilmember
Ron Robertson, Councilmember
Candy Sheehan, Councilmember
Also present were Deputy City Manager Clay Phillips, City Secretary Linda Gmu and City
Attorney Peter G. Smith.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
1. Call to order.
Mayor Morton called the meeting to order and adjourned into Executive Session.
Councilmember Sturges arrives prior to Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)
2. Convene Executive Session
A. Section 551.072, Texas Government Code - Deliberation regarding real
property.
1. Park acquisition - West Sandy Lake Road.
Mayor Morton convened into Executive Session at 6:07 p.m. as allowed under the above-stated
article. Mayor Morton adjourned the Executive Session at 6:14 p.m. and opened the Work
Session.
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WORK SESSION (Open to the Public)
3. Convene Work Session
A. Discussion of Mayoral appointments to Council's Committees.
B. Review of Learning Park concept.
C. Discussion of procedures and cost of providing Public Information.
D. Discussion of Agenda Items.
City Manager Jim Witt arrived during Work Session.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
4. Invocation.
Mayor Pro Tern Mayo led those present in the Invocation.
5. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Morton led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
6. Citizen's Appearances.
A. Joe Shirley, 582 Villawood Lane, spoke to Council concerning Item 17 regarding the
Procedures and Costs for Public Information and asked Council to table this item until
a future meeting so public discussion can be held.
B. Andy Wagner, 601 Wellington, addressed the Council concerning the desire to annex
southeast Coppell into the Coppell Independent School District. Councilmember Sheehan
advised that discussions were being held to discuss how the issues can be directed to
those children in Can'ollton/Farmers Branch School District.
7. PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Consideration of a Proclamation recognizing Paragon Cable for its
involvement in the political process which increased voter awareness.
A. Mayor Morton read the Proclamation for the record and presented the same to
representatives from Paragon Cable. Councilmember Tunnell moved to approve a
..... Proclamation recognizing Paragon Cable for its involvement in the political process
which increased voter awareness. Councilmember Sturges seconded the motion; the
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motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges,
Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
8. Presentation of Award to BeckY Garcia, Executive Director of the Coppell
Family YMCA.
Mayor Morton advised that Becky Garcia was leaving Coppell and relocating to Phoenix,
Arizona. A plaque was presented to her in appreciation of her dedication and commitment to
the community.
9. Presentation of Innovation Award to Darlene Greene.
Mayor Morton presented a plaque and a check to Darlene Greene, Secretary in Water Utilities,
for an Innovation Award.
10. Consider appointment of Coppell Woman of the Year for 1996.
Mayor Morton announced that the selection committee had recommended that Colleen Cherrett
be named the Coppell Woman of the Year for 1996. Councilmember Robertson moved to
appoint Colleen Cherrett as the Coppell Woman of the Year for 1996. Mayor Pro Tem Mayo
seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Mayo and Councilmembers
Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
CONSENT AGENDA
11. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:
A. Consider approval of minutes: May 9, 1996
B. Consider approval of the resignation of Peter Nikolai from the Library
Board.
C. Consider approval of remodeling Fire Station #1 into a Senior Citizens
Center and awarding bid to Bailey Construction Inc. in the amount of
$76,989.00.
D. Consideration and approval of a Resolution approving a Tax Abatement
Agreement between the City of Coppell and Quill Corporation and
CoppeH Mill Limited Partnership, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Robertson moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A, B, C, and D carrying
Resolution No. 052896.1. Councilmember Sheehan seconded the motion; the motion carded
7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell,
Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
12. Consider approval of a resolution directing pubfication of notice of intention
to issue Certificates of Obligation, Series 1996, to acquire land for park
development, in the amount of $2,650,000.00, and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
Jennifer Armstrong, Finance Director, made a presentation to Council confirming that the
certificates would be 20 year certificates for acquisition of a park yet to be named. Mayor
Morton advised that this was only the intent to issue and not the approval of the issuance. City
Manager Jim Witt stated a correction needed to be made on the Certificate of Resolution
changing Mayor Pro Tem to Lanny Mayo. Mayor Morton raised the question of Tarrant County
not being included in the heading of the Resolution. Councilmember Sheehan moved to approve
Resolution No. 052896.2 directing publication of notice of intention to issue Certificates of
Obligation, Series 1996, to acquire land for park development, in the amount of $2,650,000.00,
and authorizing the Mayor to sign with changes being made to reflect Lanny Mayo as Mayor
Pro Tern, adding Councilmember Sturges, and verifying the appropriate counties.
Councilmember Alexander seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern
Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan
voting in favor of the motion.
13. PUBLIC HEARING:
To consider designation of tax abatement reinvestment zone pursuant to
Section 312.201 of the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act. The
property to be considered for Reinvestment Zone designation is that property
owned by MEPC American, Properties, Inc., described as "Tract 5" (27.8527
acres out of Freeport North, Tr. 4).
Gary Sieb, Director of Planning and Community Services, made a presentation to the Council.
Mayor Morton opened the Public Hearing and asked for those persons wishing to speak
regarding this proposal. There were none. Couneilmember Robert.son moved to close the
Public Hearing and approve Item 13 and Item 14 carrying Ordinance No. 96763 designating Tax
Abatement Reinvestment Zone #11; pursuant to Section 312.201 of the Property Redevelopment
and Tax Abatement Act, said area being the property owned by MEPC American Properties,
Inc., described as "Tract 5" (27.8527 acres out of Freeport North, Tr. 4). Councilmember
Mayo seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and
Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor
of the motion.
14. Consider approval of an Ordinance designating Tax Abatement Reinvestment
Zone #11; pursuant to Section 312.201 of the Property Redevelopment and
Tax Abatement Act, said area being the property owned by MEPC American
Properties, Inc., described as "Tract 5" (27.8527 acres out of Freeport North,
Tr. 4).
This item was considered under Item 13. See Item 13 for minutes.
15. Request for Council support for establishment of a Learning Park for the
community.
Steve Goram, Director of Information and Customer Services, made a presentation to the
Council. Mayor Morton expressed his desire to see a resident from southeast Coppell on the
committee. Councilmember Tunnell moved to approve support for establishment of a Learning
Park for the community. Councilmember Sheehan seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0
with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell,
Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
16. Consider appointment of an elected official to serve as the City's voting
representative to NCTCOG's General Assembly ........
Mayor Morton asked to be considered for this position. Councilmember Tunnell moved to
appoint Mayor Morton to serve as the City's representative to NCTCOG's General Assembly.
Mayor Pro Tern Mayo seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo
and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan voting in
favor of the motion.
17. Consider approval of a Resolution establishing procedures and cost of
providing Public Information, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Robertson moved to approve a Resolution establishing procedures and cost of
providing Public Information, and authorizing thc Mayor to sign. Mayor Pro Tem Mayo
seconded the motion; the motion failed 2-5 with Mayor Pro Tern Mayo and Councilmember
Robertson voting in favor of the motion and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson,
Tunnell and Sheehan voting against the motion. Councilmember Sturges referred to Mr.
Shirley's comments from Citizen's Appearance, and recommended that this item be deferred
until the next Council meeting. Councilmember Sheehan requested Assistant City Attorney
Jason Marshall discuss Item C2 on the Resolution. Mr. Marshall made a presentation to the
Council. Council agreed to table this issue and hold a Public Hearing at the June 11, 1996 City
Council meeting
_ 18. Consider approval of an Ordinance amending the City of Coppell Code by
amending Section 1-5-6, in accordance with state statutes, to provide authority
to the City Manager to make purchases, execute contracts and approve change
orders on behalf of the City, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to Council stating that this ordinance lays out step-
by-step what the City Manager has authority to do with regard to purchasing equipment and
professional services. City Attorney Peter G. Smith also addressed the Council.
Councilmember Watson moved to approve Ordinance No. 96764 amending the City of Coppell
Code by amending Section 1-5-6, in accordance with state statutes, to provide authority to the
City Manager to make purchases, execute contracts and approve change orders on behalf of the
City, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Robertson seconded the motion; the
motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges,
Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan voting in favor of the motion.
19. Consider approval of Mayoral appointments to Council's Committees.
Mayor Morton advised that a new policy was being adopted for internal committees. The
Council would not have anyone serve as liaison for these committees. Mayor Morton announced
that the committees would report to Council on a regular basis. Liaison positions will be
retained in the external committees. The following liaisons were established:
City/Coppell ISD Liaisons: Councilmembers Sheehan and Watson
Trinity Trail Advisory Committee Councilmember Watson
Change Staff Liaison on Trinity Trail Advisory Committee to Gary Sims
Dallas Central Appraisal Advisory Board Councilmember Sturges
Economic Development Partnership Councilmembers Tunnell and Sturges
Finance Committee Mayor Pro Tem Mayo and Councilmembers
Robertson and Sheehan
Change Staff Liaison on Finance Committee to Jennifer Armstrong
Metrocrest Hospital Authority Councilmember Tunnell
NCTCOG Mayor Morton
NCTCOG (Resource Conveasation Council) Mayor Morton
North Texas Commission Mayor Morton
Office on Senior Adult Services Councilmember Robertson
Personnel Policy Development Task Force Councilmember Robertson and Mayor Pro
Tem Mayo
Tax Abatement Committee Councilmember Robertson
Town Center/Architectural Committee Councilmember Alexander
Mayor Pro Tem Mayo moved to approve the appointments to the Council Committees.
Couneilmember Tunnell seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem
Mayo and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Tunnell, Robertson, and Sheehan
voting in favor of the motion.
20. Necessary action resulting from Executive Session.
There was no action taken under this item.
21. City Manager's Report.
A. City Manager Jim Witt reviewed the upcoming schedule for the selection of the members
of the Economic Development Corporation. A work session was set for June 18, 1996
at 6:00 p.m. to review the applications, and recommendations for approval will be
considered at the regular City Council meeting of June 25, 1996. There had been no
submissions of applications as of this date.
B. City Manager Jim Witt stated he would be visiting with the Finance Committee regarding
a meeting date for some general discussion regarding the budget.
C. City Manager Jim Witt reported of a meeting with First Southwest regarding the bonds
to be issued on for the sales tax.
22. Mayor's Report.
A. Mayor Morton stated that the apartment occupancy was the highest it has ever been in
the last ten years in the Dallas area with average monthly rent being $545 per month.
Also single family housing has seen its highest growth in ten years.
B. Councilmember Watson inquired as to whether a special session was needed to review
the applicants for the Economic Development Corporation. Mayor Morton stated the
need to be sure and have enough applicants. City Manager Jim Witt stated that if there
are not enough applications filed by June 14th, a press release would be sent to the media
asking for applicants and the meeting on the 18th would be cancelled. Mayor Morton
stated there needs to be at least 10 applications by the 14th.
23. Liaison Reports.
D/FW Airport Expansion -- Councilmember Sturges advised that he and Councilmember
Tunnell and School Board Member Robert Keys had taken a tour of the tower at D/FW and
reviewed the plans for the workings of the new runway.
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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