CM 1999-08-24 MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 1999
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in Regular Called Session on Tuesday,
August 24, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Town Center, 255 Parkway
Boulevard, CoppeR, Texas. The following members were present:
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
Marsha Tunnell, Mayor Pro Tem
Greg Garcia, Councilmember
Jayne Peters, Councilmember
Pat Keenan, Councilmember
Doug Stover, Councilmember
Larry Wheeler, Councilmember
Bill York, Councilmember
Also present were City Manager Jim Witt, Interim City Secretary Libby Ball and City
Attorney Robert Hager.
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. Update on Logo Development
B. Discuss Municipal Court of Record Legislative Changes.
C. Status Report on Council Priorities.
D. Review of Park Master Plan Process
E. Discussion of Agenda Items.
REGULAR SESSION (Open to the Public)
3. Invocation.
Coundlmember Keenan 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.
There were no citizens signed up to speak under Citizen's Appearances.
6. PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Consider approval of a proclamation that September 13 through 17,
1999 be designated "National Payroll Week"; and authorizing the
Mayor to sign.
B. Consider approval of a Proclamation naming the week of September 17
through 23, 1999 as "Constitution Week"; and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
A. Mayor Sheehan read the Proclamation for the record and presented the same to
Misty Roper, City of Coppell Payroll Administrator. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell moved
....... to approve a Proclamation naming September 13-17, 1999 as National Payroll Week,
and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion;
the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia,
Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
B. Mayor Sheehan read the Proclamation for the record and advised the DAR had
requested this proclamation. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell moved to approve a
Proclamation naming the week of September 17 through 23, 1999 as Constitution
Week, and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember Peters seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers
Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
7. Consider approval of minutes: August 10, 1999.
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to approve minutes from the August 10, 1999 City Council
meeting. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and
York voting in favor of the motion.
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8. PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive citizen input regarding bond proposal for enhancements for streets,
drainage, and parks.
The Public Hearing remained open from the August 10, 1999 City Council meeting. Mayor
Sheehan asked for those persons wishing to speak in favor of the proposal. Chris Ruska,
233 Chestnut Lane; Peggy Uzelac, 216 Hollywood Drive; Ginger Lindsey, 113 Spyglass
Drive; Brad McClew, 121 Dobecka Drive; Gary Tanel, 316 Crooked Tree Drive; Graydon
Vandament, 829 Crane Drive; Kay Gill, 216 Pecan Hollow; Gerry Ross, 204 Jeb Court; Carl
Rehling, 209 Bay Circle; Len Gillespie, 124 Dickens Drive; Oscar Arras, 213 Pecan Hollow;
Jack Crocker, 402 Waterview Drive; Thomas Barnes, 500 Villawood Circle; Sergio
Grimaldo, 235 Aspen Way Drive; and Chris Claudio, 724 Villawood Lane spoke in favor of
the proposal. Mayor Sheehan asked for those persons wishing to speak in opposition of the
proposal. Mike Kincade, 428 Parkview Place; Chrissy Webster, 509 Parkview Place; Jim
Cheatham, 508 Parkview Place; Fred Pensotti, 615 Lake Park Drive; Lindsey Thomas, 513
Parkview and Bill Ayo, 520 Parkview Place spoke in opposition to the proposal. Mayor
Sheehan closed the Public Hearing. Councilmember Stover discussed scheduling of games
on practice fields and game fields with Mr. Claudio. Councilmember York called on Mr.
Branchau and Mr. Faught to make a short presentation reviewing the committee's
recommendations. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell discussed some of the aspects of the funding
from CRDC. City Manager Jim Witt gave an overview of the values of property adjacent to
the parks. Councilmember Stover advised he was in favor of exploring the alternatives of
Wagon Wheel Park before placing the lighted fields on Andy Brown East. Councilmember
Garcia inquired as to the cost of putting lights on after the fields are in. Brad Reid, Park
Planning Manager, addressed the cost of lighting. Councilmember Keenan discussed the
city's debt load and the impact the bond would have. Councilmember Wheeler stated Andy
Brown East was designed to be a large park and they need to move forward. Mayor Pro
Tern Tunnell advised that all of the city's parkland was adjacent to someone's home.
Councilmember Stover thanked all the members of the bond committee for their work on
this vroiect.
A short recess was taken at this time.
9. Consider approval of an Ordinance calling a General Obligation Bond
Election for November 2, 1999, and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
City Manager Jim Witt advised that four ordinances had been prepared: 1) with motor
voting and short ballot language; 2) with motor voting and long ballot language; 3) without
motor voting and short ballot language; and 4) without motor voting and long ballot
language. Mayor Sheehan asked Councilmember Wheeler to repeat his remarks from the
Work Session. Councilmember Wheeler stated that voting is a right and a privilege and
should not be taken lightly and if the citizen is interested then they will exercise their
responsibility and go to vote at the regular polling place. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell concurred
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with Councilmember Wheeler. Councilmember Stover disagreed with Councilmember
Wheeler and Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and indicated his desire to motor vote.
Councilmember Keenan stated he did not care one way or the other about motor voting, but
that if the city was going to do it at this election, they should do it consistently and not just
pick and choose the elections to hold motor voting. Council was advised that voting would
only be held at one location at a time and not in concurrent locations because of the
integrity of the voting record. Councilmember York moved to deny motor voting. Mayor
Pro Tem Tunnell seconded the motion; the motion to deny motor voting carried 6-1 with
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Wheeler and York
voting in favor of the motion and Councilmember Stover voting against the motion.
The next item of discussion concerned the wording on the ballot and whether it would be
general or specific. City Manager Jim Witt advised that Mark Malveaux with McCall,
Parkhurst, the City's bond counsel, was in attendance to answer questions. Mr. Witt read
the ballot language which would be included in both the short and long versions.
Councilmember Stover recommended changes on the long version to include striking
"Phase II" from the Wagon Wheel Park item and to add an action word to the Andy Brown
East item. Councilmember York moved to approved the ordinance containing the short
ballot language. Councilmember Keenan seconded the motion; the motion failed 2-5 with
Councilmembers Keenan and York voting in favor of the motion and Mayor Pro Tern
Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Stover and Wheeler voting against the motion.
Councilmember Stover stated he felt the ballot should be specific enough to let the voters
know what they are specifically voting on. Councilmember York discussed the mailout to
the voters giving them all the information available regarding the proposals.
Council discussed wording changes to the ballot language on the ordinance containing the
more descriptive ballot language. Proposition #1 was acceptable. The wording of
Proposition #2 was edited to read "The issuance of $8,685,000 of Park Improvement and
Equipment Tax Bonds, including but not limited to the development of MacArthur Park,
Wagon Wheel Park, Andrew Brown Park East, Town Center Commons, a new Senior
Citizen Center; Tennis Courts, extension of Trail System in North Zone and renovation of
Grapevine Springs Park." Proposition #3 would be in the amount of $1,700,000. City
Attorney Robert Hager read the propositions as amended by Council. Councilmember
Peters moved to approve Ordinance No. 9988-5 99893 with the propositions amended as
read by the City Attorney. Councilmember Stover seconded the motion; the motion carried
7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover,
Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
10. PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive public comment concerning the Proposed 1999-2000 Municipal
Budget.
Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and advised that no one had signed up to speak.
Mayor Sheehan closed the Public Hearing. Jennifer Armstrong, Finance Director, made a
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presentation to the Council. Chad Beach, Assistant Finance Director, made a presentation
regarding the Water and Sewer Fund.
11. PUBLIC HEARING:
To receive public comment concerning the Proposed 1999-2000 tax rate of
.6486.
Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and advised that no one had signed up to speak.
Mayor Sheehan closed the Public Hearing.
12. PUBLIC HEARING:
Consider approval of Case No. S-1077R, Sonic Restaurant, zoning change
from C-S.U.P. and C (Commercial and Commercial, Special Use Permit) to
C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permit), to incorporate approximately
5,422 square feet of land to an existing .658-acre site and allow the
development of 13 additional parking spaces, 9 to include menu boards,
located at 201 N. Denton Tap Road.
Gary Sieb, Director of Planning and Community Services, made a presentation to the
Council. Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and advised that no one had signed up
to speak. Mark Wainscott, Applicant, asked for approval of the proposal. Councilmember
Wheeler questioned the moving of the dampster. Mr. Sieb advised it was a safety issue
rather than an aesthetic issue. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell advised that a neighbor of this
business had informed her that Sonic was a good neighbor and they were in favor of this
proposal and did not have a problem with moving the dumpster. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell
moved to close the Public Hearing and approve Case No. S-1077R, Sonic Restaurant,
zoning change from C-S.U.P. and C (Commercial and Commercial, Special Use Permi0 to
C-S.U.P. (Commercial, Special Use Permi0, to incorporate approximately 5,422 square feet
of land to an existing .658-acre site and allow the development of 13 additional parking
spaces, 9 to include menu boards, located at 201 N. Denton Tap Road, subject to the
following conditions:
1) Landscaping requirements must be met or obtain appropriate relief from the
Board of Adjustment;
2) Hours of operation shall be the same as existing hours as follows:
Sunday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight;
3) The trash dumpster be moved north, outside the sight-visibility line, but in an
accessible location.
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Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem
Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in
favor of the motion.
13. PUBLIC HEARING:
Reconsider approval of the Sonic Addition, Replat of Lot IR, Block A and
Minor Plat, to incorporate approximately 5,422 square feet of land to an
existing .658-acre site and allow the development of 13 additional parking
spaces located at 201 N. Denton Tap Road.
Gary Sieb, Director of Planning and Community Services, made a presentation to the
Council. Mayor Sheehan opened the Public Hearing and advised one person had signed up
to speak and had to leave, but had spoken with the Mayor and several Councilmembers
during the break. City Attorney Robert Hager advised there would have to be a motion to
reconsider and then a motion on the proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to close the
Public Hearing and reconsider the Sonic Addition, Replat of Lot 1R, Block A and Minor
Plat. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor
Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York
voting in favor of the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell moved to approve the Sonic
Addition, Replat of Lot IR, Block A and Minor Plat, to incorporate approximately 5,422
square feet of land to an existing .658-acre site and allow the development of 13 additional
parking spaces located at 201 N. Denton Tap Road. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the
motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia,
Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the motion.
14. Consider approval of an Ordinance amending Articles 5-1 and 5-2 of Chapter
5 of the Code of Ordinances to establish and regulate a Municipal Court of
Record; providing for the appointment of the Municipal Judge and Alternate
Municipal Judges; providing for the powers and duties of Municipal Judges;
providing for the duties of the Municipal Court Administrator; providing for
the recording of proceedings and for appeals from the Municipal Court of
Record; providing a transcript preparation fee; and authorizing the Mayor to
sign.
City Attorney Robert Hager made a presentation to the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell
moved to approve Ordinance No. 99886 amending Articles 5-1 and 5-2 of Chapter 5 of the
Code of Ordinances to establish and regulate a Municipal Court of Record; providing for
the appointment of the Municipal Judge and Alternate Municipal Judges; providing for the
powers and duties of Municipal Judges; providing for the duties of the Municipal Court
Administrator; providing for the recording of proceedings and for appeals from the
Municipal Court of Record; providing a transcript preparation fee; and authorizing the
Mayor to sign. Councilmember York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with
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Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and
York voting in favor of the motion.
15. Consider approval of an Ordinance amending Article 5-2 of Chapter 5 of the
Code of Ordinances to add a new section 5-2-4 to establish a Municipal Court
Technology Fund; providing for the imposition of an additional court cost of
$4.00 for persons convicted of a misdemeanor offense; providing for the use
and disposition of monies deposited within the Municipal Court Technology
Fund; and authorizing the Mayor to sign.
City Attorney Robert Hager made a presentation to the Council. Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell
moved to approve Ordinance No. 99887 amending Article 5-2 of Chapter 5 of the Code of
Ordinances to add a new section 5-2-4 to establish a Municipal Court Technology Fund;
providing for the imposition of an additional court cost of $4.00 for persons convicted of a
misdemeanor offense; providing for the use and disposition of monies deposited within the
Municipal Court Technology Fund; and authorizing the Mayor to sign. Councilmember
York seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell and
Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in favor of the
motion.
16. Consider approval of the prioritization of proposed park projects as
determined by the Parks and Recreation Board.
Mayor Pro Tem Tunnell inquired regarding improvements made on school properties and
the play area at Grapevine Springs Park. City Manager Jim Witt addressed the school
issues and Gary Sims, Director of Parks and Leisure Services, discussed the Grapevine
Springs Park play area. Councilmember Stover asked whether the shelter at the Andy
Brown East 4-plex would be an awning or a permanent structure. Mr. Sims stated it had not
been defined yet but would probably be an awning. Councilmember York moved to approve
the prioritization of proposed park projects as determined by the Parks and Recreation
Board. Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor
Pro Tern Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York
voting in favor of the motion.
17. Consider approval of a professional services contract in the amount of
$46,780.00 for the design and construction documents for trails and other
Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Grant related items, and authorizing the
City Manager to sign.
Councilmember York moved to approve a professional services contract in the amount of
$46,780.00 for the design and construction documents for trails and other Texas Parks and
Wildlife Outdoor Grant related items, and authorizing the City Manager to sign.
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Councilmember Wheeler seconded the motion; the motion carried 7-0 with Mayor Pro Tem
Tunnell and Councilmembers Garcia, Peters, Keenan, Stover, Wheeler and York voting in
favor of the motion.
18. Necessary action resulting from Work Session.
There was no action necessary under this item.
19. City Manager's Report.
A. City Manager Jim Witt distributed a priority list to Council for theft review and
stated he would review them at the September 14' City Council meeting.
B. City Manager Jim Witt clarified that the Public Works facility would not be $4.5
million. The property it would be located on was purchased for $4.2 million and the
facility could cost approximately $1.5 million.
20. Mayor's Report.
A. Mayor Sheehan stated she had been approached by a citizen who suggested the
__ present service center site be turned in to a neighborhood park.
B. Mayor Sheehan thanked State Representative Ken Marchant for his work and advice
about the SIB (State Infrastructure Bank) Loans.
C. Mayor Sheehan discussed the new Citizens' Police Academy that has begun in the
City.
D. Mayor Sheehan advised she had distributed to Council a letter she had received from
a local citizen asking about an issue that concerned him. Mayor Sheehan stated she
had responded and asked Council if they wanted to have an agenda item or if they
were confident with the response made by the Mayor. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell
stated she had no interest in investigating this matter. Councilmember York stated
there was nothing to investigate. Mayor Sheehan also asked the citizen to please
refrain from faxing messages to her home during hours that are not considered
working hours such as 5:00 and 6:00 a.m.
E. Mayor Sheehan discussed the parking lot the YMCA wishes to build and a joint use
agreement and asked if there was any interest on the part of Council. Mayor Pro
Tern Tunnell clarified that the parking lot was not an expansion of the Y's current
lot, but to build the lot shown on the Town Center Commons plan. City Manager
Jim Witt stated that was true. Councilmember York inquired as to the amount
--- involved. Mr. Witt stated the amount would be mid-one-hundreds at least. Council
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asked for the City Manager and Deputy City Manager to meet with the Y and bring
a work session item back in September.
F. Mayor Sheehan advised that the Youth Leadership class was really kicking off.
G. Councilmember York stated he and the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern and
Councilmember Garcia had attended a leadership seminar.
H. Councilmember Wheeler advised the City had received a tree and brush chipper.
City Manager Jim Witt stated the chipper was purchased through a grant.
I. Councilmember Stover discussed the Police Academy program and thanked all those
involved in putting the project together.
J. Councilmember Stover announced that Board and Commission interviews were
under way.
K. Mayor Pro Tern Tunnell urged everyone to go by Andy Brown East to see the
progress on the Aquatic/Recreation Center.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
adjourned.
'
Candy Sheehan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Libby Ball, Interim City Secretary
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