CM 1998-06-23 MINUTES OF JUNE 23, 1998
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday,
June 23, 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
Greg Garcia, Councilmember
Chuck Sturges, Councilmember
Pat Keenan, Councilmember
Doug Stover, Councilmember
Larry Wheeler, Councilmember
Bill York, Councilmember
Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell was absent from the meeting. Also present were City
Manager Jim Witt, City Secretary Kathleen Roach 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 Work Session.
WORK SESSION (Open to the Public)
2. Convene Work Session A. Discussion of City Council Procedures.
B. Discussion regarding Animal Shelter Design and Bid
Process.
C. Discussion of formation of Charter Review Commission.
D. Discussion of Agenda Items.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
3. Invocation.
Father Broderick of St. Ann's Catholic Church led those present in the Invocation.
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4. Pledge of Allegiance. ....
Mayor Sheehan led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Citizen's Appearances.
A. Jerry Baker, 215 Salem Court, addressed the Council concerning the
formation of a Charter Review Commission.
CONSENT AGENDA
6. Consider approval of the following consent agenda items:
A. Consider approval of a contract for the renewal of the
Dallas County Health Services Agreement, effective
October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999, in the amount of
$3,131.00, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
B. Consider approval of a resolution naming the western
section of Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park East, as
Andrew Brown Jr. Community Park Central, and
authorizing the Mayor to sign.
C. Consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement between
the City of Coppell and Coppell Independent School
District to allow for payment for the reconstruction of the
driveway to Coppell Middle School west on Wrangler
Drive; and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
D. Consider approval of a License Agreement to allow the
encroachment of an existing swimming pool and decking
in a utility easement located at Lot 1, Block E Northlake
Woodlands Phase 7 Addition; and authorizing the Mayor
to sign.
Mayor Sheehan advised that Item D would be pulled at the Applicant's request.
Couneilmember Sturges requested that Item C be pulled.
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-- Items A and B --
Councilmember Sturges moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A and B carrying
Resolution No. 062398.1. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion
carried 6-0 with Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and
York voting in favor of the motion.
Item C --
Councilmember Sturges moved to amend Item C by inserting in the second sentence
of Section I the phrase "or to provide the City with an irrevocable letter of credit in
said amount acceptable to the City," and approve Consent Agenda Item C.
Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0 with
Counilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in
favor of the motion.
7. Consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of
Dallas concerning the relocation of the City of Dallas' 30" water
line in Sandy Lake Road; and authorizing the City Manager to
..... sign.
Ken Griffin, Director of Engineering and Public Works, made a presentation to the
Council. Councilmember Sturges moved to approve an Interlocal Agreement with
the City of Dallas concerning the relocation of the City of Dallas' 30" water line in
Sandy Lake Road; and authorizing the City Manager to sign. Councilmember
Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 6-0 with Councilmembers Garcia,
Sturges, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
8. Consider approval of a Municipal Consent agreement with
CoServ, L.L.C., an affiliate of Denton County Electric, for the
use and occupancy of the public rights-of-way to provide
telecommunication services and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Steve Goram, Director of lnformation Services, made a presentation to the Council.
Councilmember Keenan inquired as to whether a franchise fee would be collected
on this agreement. Mr. Goram affirmed that was correct Councilmember Sturges
moved to approve a Municipal Consent agreement with CoServ, L.L.C., an ~t~llate
of Denton County Electric, for the use and occupancy of the public rights-of-way to
provide telecommunication services and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
.... Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 5-1 with
Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover, and York voting in favor of the
motion and Councilmember Wheeler voting against the motion.
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9. Consider approval of a resolution naming parkland acquired by
the City, located North of Mansions on the Lake, as Denton
Creek Park, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Sturges moved to approve Resolution No. 062398.2 n~ming
parkland acquired by the City, located North of Mansions on the Lake, as Denton
Creek Park, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Wheeler seconded
the motion; the motion carried 5-1 with Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan,
Stover, and Wheeler voting in favor of the motion and Councilmember York voting
against the motion.
10. Consider approval of CRDC expenditures in the amount of
$437,924 for the following items: 1) Trail connection
construction at the new Denton Creek Bridge in the amount of
$413,000, 2) Design services for the site Master Plan of Wagon
Wheel Park in the amount of $24,924.
City Manager Jim Witt made a presentation to the Council. Councilmember
Sturges moved to approve CRDC expenditures in the amount of $437,924 for the
following items: 1) Trail connection construction at the new Denton Creek Bridge
in the 9mount of $413,000, 2) Design services for the site Master Plan of Wagon
Wheel Park in the amount of $24,924. Councilmember York seconded the motion;
the motion carried 6-0 with Councilmembers Garcia, Sturges, Keenan, Stover,
Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
11. Presentation by R. G. Harrell.
Mayor Sheehan made opening remarks concerning citizen presentations in general
and not directed solely to this item. R. G. Harrell made a presentation to the
Council concerning alleged City Attorney, City Manager and police misconduct.
12. Presentation byEd Caldwell.
Mayor Sheehan restated the opening remarks made at the beginning of Item 11 as
Mr. Caldwell was not present at that time. Mayor Sheehan advised that the item
concerning CISD corruption would not be heard due to the fact that CISD is not
City business. Couneilmember Stover advised that he had an obligation at 8:30 and
would be leaving the meeting at that time. Ed Caldwell made a presentation to the
Council regarding corruption in the City.
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13. City Manager's Report.
A. City Manager Jim Witt advised that the July 14, 1998 agenda would contain
an item to proceed with the design and bid schedule for the Animal Shelter.
14. Mayor's Report.
Mayor Sheehan advised that she and the City Manager had discussed a joint
meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commission sometime in August.
B. Mayor Sheehan announced that the City Council would hold a Budget
Workshop on Wednesday, June 24, 1998 at 6:00 p.m.
C. Mayor Sheehan stated that she and City Manager Jim Witt had met with
Mayor Tate and the City Manager of Grapevine concerning an overhead
highway sign for Bethel Road and airport issues.
D. Couneilmember York advised that he and Mayor Sheehan had attended the
Rotary Club meeting where the Rotary members inquired about the
disruptive amount of loss of electricity. Couneilmember York suggested that
-- TU Electric be contacted to bring the City up to date on the progress being
made with that issue.
E. Councilmember Wheeler commended the Mayor on her leadership during the
meeting and the citizens' presentations. Councilmember Wheeler stated he
believed that Mr. Harrell and Mr. Caldwell were sincere in their belief of the
law but that he saw nothing to lead him to believe there had been any
corruption or violation of the law by City officisls. Mayor Sheehan agreed
and stated that the matter was closed.
F. Councilmember Stover advised that he, Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and
Councilmember Wheeler had attended the Economic Development
Partnership meeting. He indicated that Chad Beach, Assistant Finance
Director, gave a fabulous presentation on Coppell's tax abatement policies
and specifically the Freeport Tax Exemption. Mr. Beach had discussed the
potential impacts the exemptions have and the effects of the school di.~trict
not recognizing the exemptions. Doug Shaw from the CISD School Board is
going to take the matter to the Board and see if the Board is open to a
presentation regarding the Freeport Tax Exemption.
G. Couneilmember Sturges complimented the Mayor on her chairpersonship
during the meeting and complimented the Council as a whole in applying
Roberts' Rules of Order.
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H. City Attorney Peter G. Smith reminded Council and the citizens watching the
Southwestern Legal Foundation short course for Planning and Zoning would
be held Thursday at the Omni Hotel in Richardson.
I. Councilmember Stover announced that Coppell is hosting the All Star
Baseball Tournnment the upcoming weekend and in two weeks and he
wished to pass along the compliments he had heard regarding the great
shape of the fields.
J. Councilmember York reminded everyone of the Budget Workshop on
Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
K. Councilmember Keenan stated his feelings that if anyone believes the City is
involved in any type of corruption they should go to the FBI or the Texas
Rangers.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
adjourned.
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kathleen Roach, City Secretary
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