CM 1998-05-26 MINUTES OF MAY 26, 1998
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday,
May 26, 1998, at 6:00 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 Tern
Greg Garcia, Councilmember
Chuck Sturges, Councilmember
Pat Keenan, Councilmember
Doug Stover, Councilmember
Larry Wheeler, Councilmember
Bill York, Councilmember
Also present were City Manager Jim Witt, City Secretary Kathleen Reach and City
Attorney Peter G. Smith.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
1. Call to order.
Mayor Sheehan called the meeting to order and adjourned into Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Closed to the Public)
2. Convene Executive Session
A. Section 551.071, Texas Government Code - Consultation
with City Attorney.
1. Review of City Litigation.
a. Sowell vs. City of Coppell, et al.
b. Waltman vs. City of Coppell, et al.
c. Reitman vs. City of Coppell.
B. Section 551.074, Texas Government Code - Personnel
Matters.
1. Evaluation of City Council appointed employees.
C. Section 551.072, Texas Government Code -Deliberation
regarding Real Property.
1. Land acquisition.
a. Wagon Wheel Park.
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Mayor Sheehan convened into Executive Session at 6:12 p.m. as allowed under the
above-stated article. Mayor Sheehan adjourned the Executive Session at 6:58 p.m.
and opened the Work Session.
WORK SESSION (Open to the Public)
3. Convene Work Session A. Discussion of Coppell Recreation Development
Corporation Roles and Responsibilities.
B. Discuss Council appointments to the Coppell Recreation
Development Corporation.
C. Discussion of Copperstone Trail Access.
D. Discussion of Agenda Items.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
4. Invocation.
The Reverend John Rosenberg from the First United Methodist Church led those
present in the Invocation.
5. Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Sheehan led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
6. Recognition of Community Credit Union Scholarship Winners.
Ashley Farley from the Community Credit Union presented scholarships to Coppell
students Paige Reeve and Christine Borowy. Councilmembers Stover and Wheeler
congratulated the students. Mayor Sheehan thanked Community Credit Union for
their support of Coppell's youth and of the community.
7. PROCLAMATION:
A~ Consider approval of a Proclamation naming May 16-22,
1998 as National Safe Boating Week, and authorizing the
Mayor to sign.
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A. Mayor Sheehan read the proclamation for the record and presented the same
to Eric Luxo representing the U. S. Coast Guard. Mr. Luxo thanked the
Council for their support and stressed safe boating, advising that Lake
Lewisville was the deadliest lake in Texas. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to
approve a Proclamation naming May 16-22, 1998 as National Safe Boating
Week, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. C0uneilmember York seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and
Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting
in favor of the motion.
8. Citizen's Appearances.
Mayor Sheehan advised that the one person who had signed up to speak under this
item had spoken at Work Session and had left the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
9. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:
A. Consider approval of minutes: May 5, 1998
May 12, 1998.
B. Consider approval of a Community Development Block
Grant application, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
C. Consider approval of a resolution naming parkland
acquired by the City, located on West Glade Pointe Drive,
as Riverchase Park, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
D. Consider approval of a resolution naming parkland
acquired by the City, located north of Mansions by the
Lake, as Denton Creek Park, and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
E. Consider approval of an agreement to transfer tax
abatement and sales tax abatement considerations given
to Quill Corporation to the newly merged Quill
Corporation and Staples, Inc., and authorizing the Mayor
to sign.
Items A and D were pulled for further consideration.
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Items B, C and E --
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to approve Consent Agenda Items B, C carrying
Resolution No. 051298.1 and E. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the
motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia,
Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
Item A --
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnel] had questions regarding the May 12th minutes as to who
called for the Executive Session on Item 20 and asked that the motion for Item 29
include that the franchise agreement was for a period of 6 years. Mayor Pro Tern
Tunnell moved to approve the Minutes from the May 5, 1998 City Council meeting
and table the approval of the Minutes of the May 12, 1998 City Council meeting
until June 9, 1998. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried
7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan,
Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
Item D --
Mayor Sheehan asked that the naming of parkland to Denton Creek Park be
returned to the Park Board to consider another name since the new elementary
school would be named Denton Creek School. Gary Sims, Director of Leisure
Services, advised that the school had not been named when the Parka and
Recreation Board had met and recommended the name. Councilmember Wheeler
inquired as to the limited Amount of parking for the park. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell
moved to refer the naming of the park back to the Parks and Recreation Board to
consider an alternative name. Councilmember Garcia seconded the motion; the
motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia,
Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
10. Considor approval of an additional staff position for the
Municipal Court.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to Council. Councilmember York
asked if the position would be offered to the temporary worker who had been
working in the Court. Mr. Witt advised that the job would have to go through the
usual posting process. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell clarified that the full time position
would replace the temporary position and was assured that was the case.
Councilmember Sturges moved to approve an additional staff position for the
Municipal Court. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried
7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Couneilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan,
Stever, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
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11. Consider approval of appointment of two Councilmembers to .....
serve on the Coppell Recreation Development Corporation.
Mayor Sheehan advised that Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Couneilmember Garcia
had volunteered to serve on the Coppell Recreation Development Corporation. City
Manager Jim Witt advised that the terms would expire on September 30th along
with the other terms and all positions would need to be filled for the coming .year.
Couneilmember Sturges moved to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and
Couneilmember Garda to fill the vacant unexpired terms on the Coppell Recreation
Development Corporation, said positions to expire on September 30, 1998.
Couneilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor 1~o
Tern Tunnell and Couneilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and
York voting in favor of the motion.
12. Consider approval of awarding a contract in the amount of
$605,657.00 for the construction of an Athletic Complex at
Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park East, western section, and
authorizing the Mayor to sign.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to the Council. Gary Sims, Director of
Leisure Services, made a presentation to the Council stating that the fields would
be multipurpose and that funding Would come from the Park Development fees and
no other source. Brad Reid, Park Planning and Landscape Manager, presented
each of the elements of the project to the Council, stating there would be two
softball fields, two football/lacrosse fields and a parking lot. Councilmember York
stated he had been involved in this project and it was a unanimous decision of All
the sports organizations. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell inquired as to how close the
closest homes were to the fields and asked about the availability of restroom
facilities. Councilmember York stated that no homeowners had any opposition to
the fields. Mr. Reid stated that no restroom facilities were planned at this time.
Councilmember Stover asked about fencing and advised he was against fencing the
football fields. Mr. Reid stated the fields would not be fenced. Councilmember
Sturges moved to approve awarding a contract in the amount of $605,657.00 for the
construction of an Athletic Complex at Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park East,
western section, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember York seconded
the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and
Couneilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in
favor of the motion.
Mayor Sheehan asked Leisure Services to have the Parks and Recreation Board
look at naming the western section of Andrew Brown, Jr. Community Park East.
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13. Consider approval of a Resolution supporting the City of
Grapevine's submittal of a request to the Texas Transportation
Commission for approval and funding for the widening of the
existing State Highway 121 bridge at Bass Pro Drive (Formerly
Bethel Road) in Tarrant County, Texas, and authorizing the
Mayor to sign.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to the Council. Mayor Sheehan stated
this project would not take funds from priorities of the Regional Transportation
Council and that the project had the support of the Council of Governments.
Councilmember Wheeler stated he would like to be supportive but the narne of the
road was changed from Bethel Road without any notice to our commun/ty and he
asked for a letter to have Bethel Road put back on the overhead sign. City Manager
Jim Witt suggested that Mayor Sheehan write a letter to Mayor Tate to that effect.
Councilmember York reinforced Councilmember Wheeler's request for the name to
be put on the sign. Councilmember Wheeler moved to approve Resolution No.
051298.2 supporting the City of Grapevine's submittal of a request to the Texas
Transportation Commissionfor approval and funding for the widening of the
existing State Highway 121 bridge at Bass Pro Drive (Formerly Beth& Road) in
Tarrant County, Texas, and authorizing the Mayor to sign; with the request that a
letter be written to ask the City Managers and Mayors of both communities to meet
regarding the signage. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion
carried 6-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges,
Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion and Councflmember Keenan
voting against the motion.
14. Status report on Airport issues.
Mayor Sheehan brought everyone up to date regarding the ongoing work with the
airport issues. She stated there would be a meeting on May 13, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. in
the second floor conference room of Town Center with the Task Force. She advised
that the menol point was set to go in September or October; the GPS point had been
submitted to the FAA and changes at Love Field were being monitored.
15. Necessary action resulting from Executive Session.
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a purchase contract with Galatyn Park to purchase approximately 37 acres
of parkland at $23,400 per acre; and authorize the Mayor to sign. Councilmember
York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and
Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in
favor of the motion.
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16. City Manager's Report.
There was no report under this item.
17. Mayor's Report.
A. Mayor Sheehan reminded everyone that there would be a Special Called
Council meeting on June 2nd at 6:00 p.m. to canvass the vote of the run-off
election and that the CRDC would meet at 7:00 p.m. on the same evening.
B. Mayor Sheehan also advised that a Budget Workshop would be held on June
4th at 6:00 p.m. in the second floor conference roam of Town Center.
C. Mayor Sheehan announced that the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
would be held on June 8th.
D. Councilmember Sturges reminded everyone to vote on Saturday, May 30th at
Town Center.
E. Councilmember Sturges advised that he would be out the first week of June.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
adjourned, l~'~~
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kathleen Roach, City Secretary
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