CM 1997-09-23 MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1997
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday,
September 23, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Town Center, 255 Parkway
Boulevard, Coppell, Texas. The following members were present:
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
Marsha Tunnell, Mayor Pro Tem
Norm Alexander, Councilmember
Chuck Sturges, Councilmember
Danny L. Watson, Councilmember
Lanny Mayo, Councilmember
Larry Wheeler, Councilmember
Bill York, Councilmember
Also present were City Manager Jim Witt, Deputy City Secretary Libby Ball and City Attorney
Peter G. Smith.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
1. Call to order.
Mayor Sheehan called the meeting to order.
2. Invocation.
Councilmember Mayo led those present in the Invocation.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Sheehan led those present in thc Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Consider approval of an Ordinance mending Section 9-11-1lB of the Code
of Ordinances to provide for one alternate member to the City Tree Board,
and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Watson moved to approve Ordinance No. 97811 amending Section 9-11-1lB
of the Code of Ordinances to provide for one alternate member to the City Tree Board, and
CM092397
Page 1 ot'8
authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Mayo seconded the motion; the motion carried
7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo,
Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
5. Swearing in of Board/Commigsion/Committee appointees.
Mayor Sheehan conducted the swearing in of the Representative and Alternate to the American
Red Cross and the new members of the City's Boards, Commissions and Committees.
6. PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Consider Proclamation honoring Eagle Scout Brent Wallace Lacey and
authorizing the Mayor to sign.
B. Consider approval of a Proclamation naming the week of October 23
through October 31, 1997 as Red Ribbon Week, and authorizing the
Mayor to sign.
C. Consider approval of a Proclamation naming the week of October 5-11,
1997 as Fire Prevention Week, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
A. Mayor Sheehan read the Proclamation for the record and presented the same to Brent
Wallace Lacey. Councilmember Sturges moved to approve a Proclamation honoring
Eagle Scout Brent Wallace Lacey and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember
Alexander seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and
Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor
of the motion.
B. Mayor Sheehan read the Proclamation for the record and presented the same to Police
Chief David Miller. Councilmember Mayo moved to approve a Proclamation naming
the week of October 23 through October 31, 1997 as Red Ribbon Week, and authorizing
the Mayor to sign. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carded 7-0
with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo,
Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
C. Mayor Sheehan read the Proclamation for the record and presented the same to Fire
Chief Bob Kruse. Councilmember Sturges moved to approve a Proclamation naming the
week of October 5-11, 1997 as Fire Prevention Week, and authorizing the Mayor to
sign. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor
Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and
York voting in favor of the motion.
CM092397
Page2 of 8
7. Report from DFW Airport Advisory Task Force.
Marcia Szerlip, Chairman of the Citizens Airport Advisory Committee, made a presentation to
the Council concerning the work of the Task Force. Dave Lewis made a presentation to the
Council concerning the outer marker, visual approach point, turbo-props, departures, and various
other matters the Task Force has been working on.
8. Citizen's Appearances.
There were no persons signed up to speak under this item.
CONSENT AGENDA
9. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:
A. Consider approval of minutes: September 9, 1997.
B. Consider approval of accepting the resignation of Dale L. Griffiths
from the Library Board.
C. Consider approval of extending a contract for Medical Control and
Continuing Education for the Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic
Program to be provided by Metrocrest Medical Services (MMS) to the
City of Coppell in the total amount of $20,691.12 and authorizing the
Mayor to sign.
Item A was pulled for further consideration.
Items B and C --
Councilmember Mayo moved to approve Consent Agenda Items B and C. Councilmember York
seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers
Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
Item A --
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell pointed out the following three corrections for the minutes: 1) On Item
16 the minutes should be corrected that the City Council will be the authority responsible for
the approval of the Final Plat; 2) On Item 20 the minutes should be changed to strike that the
monument sign will be moved behind the 60' setback and add instead that "Condition number
5 on Engineering comments include that the monument sign be shown moved back behind the
Freeport Parkway right-of-way; and 3) On Item 25 the minutes should be changed to show that
CM092397
Page 3 of 8
the motion was seconded by Councilmember Wheeler. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to __
approve the minutes of September 9, 1997 with the changes as indicated. Councilmember
Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and
Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the
motion.
10. PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive citizen input regarding a public Internet Access Policy for
William T. Cozby Public Library.
Jeanne Heath, Library Board Chairman, made a presentation to the Council and indicated the
Library Board had last voted 4 to 2 for non-filtered public internet access. Steve Goram,
Director of Information Services, read a written statement to the Council. The statement is on
file in the City Secretary's Department. Mayor Sheehan advised that Council would be setting
a policy only and would rely on Staff to acquire the mechanics of implementing the policy.
Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and asked for those persons wishing to speak in favor
of this proposal. R. G. Harrell, 548 Oak Grove, stated he was not for the entire policy even
though he favored filtering for minors; Dean and Pam Wilkerson, 538 Rolling Hills; Kevin
O'Teter, 475 E. Parkway Boulevard; James Hair, 900 Tupelo Drive; David Norman, 504 Oak
Grove; Craig Johnson, 128 Oak Trail; Jerry Brawner, 524 Meadowood; C. A. McBride, 451
E. Sandy Lake; Henry Asher, 509 Edinburg; and Amy Florence, 626 Hawk spoke in favor of
the policy. Mayor Sheehan asked for those persons wishing to speak against this proposal. --
There were none. Jason Marshall, representing the City Attorney's office, made a presentation
to the Council. Councilmember Sturges asked Mr. Marshall if Draft Policy #2 meets the
minimum requirements stated in his presentation. Mr. Marshall stated that Draft Policy #2 did
meet the minimums he had stated. After making a statement in support of the policy,
Councilmember Mayo moved to close the Public Hearing and approve Draft Policy g2 of
William T. Cozby Public Library Internet Access Policy. Councilmember Sturges seconded the
motion. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell cautioned about rushing into the matter and indicated she felt
she needed more information to make a decision. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell said it was her
understanding that the schools did not filter and asked that Lex Anne Seifert address the matter.
Lex Anne Seifert, Library Board member and the librarian at Pinkerton Elementary School,
addressed Council and indicated that there was no filtering in place at the schools. Mayor
Sheehan stated she would like to make sure that the Internet Policy matches, and is similar to,
the material selection policy at the Library. Steve Goram, Director of Information Services, and
Judi Biggerstaff, Library Director, addressed the material selection policy with Council.
Councilmember York inquired of the City Attorney whether the City would have any liability
if there were discrepancies between the material selection policy and the Internet Policy. Mr.
Marshall addressed the questions regarding liability. Couneilmember Alexander discussed the
material selection policy, local interest and community standards. Mayor Sheehan reiterated the
fact that it was not Council's responsibility to choose the f'fltering device or software program,
and that Council was to only set the policy and Staff would be responsible to find the instrument
to implement the policy. Councilmember Sturges advised that he believed there was a
CM092397
lh~ge 4 of 8
compelling case to offer the Internet now at the Coppell Library because of the immediate
availability of a vast amount of information to the community. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell
discussed the matter and stated she would like to seewhat the schools' ultimate decision would
be about filtering before Council approved going online. Councilmember Wheeler indicated he
saw the Internet issue as no different than the library making selections of books and video
materials that they offer at the present time and voiced his support of Draft#2. Councilmember
Mayo called the question; the motion failed 2-5 with Councilmembers Mayo and Wheeler voting
for calling the question and Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges,
Watson and York voting against calling the question. The discussion continued on the proposed
policy. Mr. Goram advised that the cost of the filtering would be $25 for initial installation and
$125 over the next 12 months. Councilmember Watson indicated that given the low cost for
implementing the filtering program the City should go ahead with it and if it were to become
a problem, the City could turn it off. Councilmember Mayo indicated that there was no mention
of a software program on the policy and that the motion was made and seconded to accept the
policy; that the mention of a software program to be used was only on the agenda request
narrative. Councilmember Mayo again made the motion to approve the Internet Policy Draft
#2 listed as Item No. 11 without specifics as to the software to be used. Councilmember Sturges
continued his second to the motion. City Manager Jim Witt inquired if the system could be
overridden to produce a legitimate site which was locked out. Mr. Goram stated that the system
could be overridden by library staff. Vote was taken on the motion; the motion passed 5-2 with
Councilmembers Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion and
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmember Alexander voting against the motion.
11. Consider approval of a public Internet Access Policy for William T. Cozby
Public Library.
Item 11 was considered under Item 10. See Item 10 for minutes.
A short recess was taken at this time.
12. PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive citizen input in regards to the Leisure Services Department
submitting an Indoor Recreation Program Grant to the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department for the proposed Coppell Aquatics/Recreation Center.
Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and announced that no one had signed up to speak.
Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell advised that her understanding was that in order to apply for the grant,
the City would be locked into some design features and asked for clarification. Brad Reid, Park
Planner and Landscape Manager, stated that the grant application did not limit the City to any
particular items, but that the grant would call for particular "rooms" such as the aquatic center,
gymnasium, meeting rooms, etc. Councilmember Mayo moved to close the Public Hearing and
CM092397
Pa~e 5 of 8
approve Resolution No. 092397.1 authorizing the Leisure Services Department to submit an
Indoor Recreation Program Grant Application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for
the proposed Coppell Aquatics/Recreation Center, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell
and Couneilmembers Alexander, Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor
of the motion.
13. Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the Leisure Services Department
to submit an Indoor Recreation Program Grant Application to the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department for the proposed Coppell Aquatics/Recreation
Center, and authorizing the mayor to sign.
Item 13 was considered under Item 12. See Item 12 for minutes.
14. Consider approval of a Resolution providing for a Bicycle and Safety
Education Program for the children who reside within the City of Coppell
between the ages of seven and ten years of age, and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
Councilmember Mayo inquired as to the methods of educating the children below 7 years of age
and above 14 years of age. Police Chief David Miller addressed the concerns of Councilmember
Mayo and stated the younger children would pick up the program when they began school and
the older children would not be instructed at this point in time. Councilmember Mayo inquired
as to whether the ordinance had been publicized through the schools. Chief Miller advised that
process was beginning at the present time. Councilmember Mayo also suggested that the City
might want to hold an annual bicycle rodeo safety program. Councilmember Sturges suggested
placing signs on City thoroughfares promoting the use of helmets. Councilmember Wheeler
moved to approve Resolution No. 092397.2 providing for a Bicycle and Safety Education
Program for the children who reside within the City of Coppell between the ages of seven and
ten years of age, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander,
Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
15. Consider approval of a revised Saturday night youth program and onetime
funding for start up equipment.
Diana Raines, head of committee which studied a Saturday night youth program, made a
presentation to the Council. Councilmember Watson stated he would like to see the cost per
child to attend be decreased and would like to look at the possibility to offer scholarships for
children who could not afford to attend. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell inquired as to the number of .......
participants expected and as to the cost that was charged for the Friday Nite Live program. Ms.
CM092397
P~ge 6 of $
Raines stated that Friday Nite Live had been $6 per child. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell also
expressed concern about the maintenance fees to maintain the equipment purchased. Gary Sims,
Director of Leisure Services, stated that Some of the events offered would be things that are
rented and they wanted to be sure to charge enough to cover any repairs needed to the
equipment. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell inquired as to the proposed startup date. Mr. Sims stated
they would like to start within the next four to six weeks. Mayor Sheehan addressed the
scholarship question posed by Councilmember Watson and stated that the community's civic
organizations had always been willing in the past to participate in such programs where a need
had arisen. Councilmember Mayo moved to approve a revised Saturday night youth program
and onetime funding for startup equipment. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell seconded the motion; the
motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Alexander, Sturges,
Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
16. Consider approval of a Resolution for the purpose of nominating a member
of the Board of Directors of the Dallas Central Appraisal District, and
authorizing the Mayor to sign.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to the Council and recommended a renomination
of Dr. Ralph Poteet. Councilmember Mayo moved to approve Resolution No. 092397.3 for the
purpose of nominating Dr. Ralph Poteet to the Board of Directors of the Dallas Central
Appraisal District, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember York seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern TunneH and Councilmembers Alexander,
Sturges, Watson, Mayo, Wheeler, and York voting in favor of the motion.
17. City Manager's Report.
A. City Manager Jim Witt advised the Economic Development Partnership would hold their
reception on Thursday, September 26, 1997 at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Town Center.
B. City Manager Jim Witt announced that the Council group picture would be taken at the
next Council meeting on October 14, 1997.
C. City Manager Jim Witt stated that the school board and the City had executed a joint use
agreement pertaining to the parking for the arts center.
D. City Manger Jim Witt addressed the comments about the corrections to the minutes and
asked all of Council to pay attention to the minutes and bring any discrepancies to staff
as soon as possible. Staff does the best job it can to sort out some of the long
discussions and debates.
P~e7
E. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell stated that she had attended a seminar where it was stated that
"it is not as important what we do as we put in the minutes we do." She stated that the
minutes are the official record and what the City has to defend itself with.
18. Mayor's Report.
A. Mayor Sheehan advised that a Public Hearing had been set by the Coppell Recreation
Development Corporation for Tuesday, September 30, 1997 at the library.
B. Mayor Sheehan announced that she had introduced Leadership Coppell at the Chamber
of Commerce meeting and it was very well received and that applications would start
October 1 at the Chamber, City Hall and the library. The first 25 applicants would be
accepted for the class.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned.
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Libby Ball,Deputy City Secretary
CM092397
Page 8 of 8