CM 1973-12-11STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF DALLAS
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in regular session on December 11,
1973, in the fire station .meeting room.
The following members were present:
Hulen Scott, Mayor
Bob Hefner, Mayor Pro Tem
Don Carter, Councilman
Sam Tiner, Councilman
Bill Harris, Councilman
Hazel Beal, Councilwoman
Also present were City Administrator George Campbell and City Secretary
Dorothy Timmons.
The meeting was called to order and the audience asked to stand while Councilman
Sam Tiner gave the invocation.
Mayor Pro Tem Hefner moved that the reading of the minutes be waived; Council-
man Harris seconded and motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilwoman Beal abstaining
and the mayor showing his approval. A correction was noted that on the vote for
the additional street light at Carter Estates the vote was 4-0-1 with Councilman
Carter abstaining and the mayor showing his approval. Councilman Tiner moved
that the minutes be approved as corrected; Mayor Pro Tem Hefner seconded and
motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilwoman Beal abstaining and the mayor showing
his approval.
Mr. John Hendricks and Mr. Mark Gordon representing Texas Power and Light
Company were present to request a general rate increase for this company. Mr.
Hendricks stated that this is the second general rate increase that the company
has had in sixty-one years. The last increase was granted January, 1972 with
an effective date of April, 1972, which was a 6% general increase. At this time,
Texas Power and Light Company is requesting a 10% general rate increase
effective March, 1974. After considerable discussion on this subject and the
different classifications of rates, Councilman Carter moved that the Council
offer to accept a rate for Coppell for a Class "A" city; Mayor Pro Tem Hefner
seconded the motion. The reasons for Coppell feeling that they should have a
Class "A" rating is that-all the town surrounding the area are classified this
way and in order to be cornpetitive for future business and industrial projects,
this rating would be needed. Texas Power and Light has also proposed to increase
the franchise tax from 2% to 3% when the increase goes into effect. Councilman
Carter amended his motion to approve a Class "A" city rate and that the franchise
tax stay at 2%. The amendment died for lack of a second. Mayor Scott called for
a vote on the original motion which carried 4-1 with Councilman Tiner against
and the mayor showing his approval.
The animal control ordinance was discussed under old busines,, City hall has been
receiving numerous complaints concerning this ordinance, and it was put on the
agenda to consider making the ordinance more strict which in effect wohld put the
lease law back into effect. Mayor Pro Tem Hefner asked to be excused during the
discussion because of his back problem. After considerable discussion on this
subject, it was decided that a record of all animal complaints would be kept for
a period of one month to get an accurate record of the number of calls received.
The question was raised about the counter that was used to determine the number
of cars crossing the railroad tracks at Coppell Road and at Moore Road. At this
time there was no report. The city administrator was instructed to write the
St. Louis Southwestern Railroad and contact them about putting up warning signals
at these two sites.
City Administrator George Campbell informed the Council that there has been a
few problems that have come up regarding the General Telephone sewer line,
but that possibly the problems can be worked out. It. was decided to get the city
attorney's recommendations on these problems.
Water Superintendent A.P. Vanbebber advised the City Council that there would
be a possibility that in the near future that the City would be asked to take over
the lift station at the Highland Oaks Mobile Home Park. There in definitely a health
problem and the water superintendent will be keeping a close watch on it to see if
anything is being done about it.
City Administrator George Campbell informed the City Council that Barbara Austin
will be turning in her resignation as chairwoman of the Citizen's Advisory Committee
effective January 1, and that the Council needs to be thinking about a replacement
for this position.
Mayor Scott stated that the discussion concerning the proposal for construction of
a sewer line along Grapevine Creek south of the City had been deleted from the
agenda.
City Administrator George Campbell stated that he had been asked by Dick Thomas,
president of the First Bank of Coppell to request two street lights for the bank.
It was decided that since the bank will be paying the monthly bill for these lights,
it would be their responsibility to request the lights.
Councilman Carter moved that the next meeting of the Council be held on Tuesday,
December 18; Councilman Tiner seconded and motion carried 4-0 with the mayor
showing his approval.
City Administrator George Campbell stated that he had been approached by the
land owners south of the City about the possibility of construction of connecting
the two existing portions of Esters Road. This would make the complete road
go from S.H. 114 to Bethel Road, and the land owners were wanting to know if
the Council had any objections to this construction. The right-of-way would be
100 feet which would be donated, but the actual road itself would be 24 feet. The
donation of the right-of-way .by the landowners carried the stipulation that the
road would be built within one year. The funds for the road would come from the
maintenance fund of the County. It was the consensus of the Council that they
had no objections to this road connection as long as it did not in any way jepordize
the Bethel-Beltline Road extension being planned in the City of 'Coppell.
Fire Chief Richard Lee was present to request that the fire station addition be
altered to be 16' x 40' rather than the previously approved 18' x 30'. This would
provide space for an office at the back of the building. The estimated cost of $4, 200
has been amended to approximately $3,800. Councilman Carter moved that the
change in the fire station addition be approved; Councilman Harris seconded and
motion carried 4-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Councilwoman Hazel Beal requested that something be done to help the water
pressure problem from Ruby Road around to Sandy Lake Road. After discussion
on this subject, it was decided that Water Superintendent A.P. Vanbebber would
check into the possibility of tying onto the existing line at the Golden Triangle
which is in the City's right-of-way.
Councilman Tiiner moved that the bills be approved for payment; Councilman
Harris seconded and motion carried 3-1 with Councilman Carter against and the
mayor showing his approval.
The meeting was then closed for an executive session. In this session, it was
decided that the building official would be paid 10S a mile for mileage incurred
while on City business retroactive to the date of his employment.
9
The meeting was then adjourned.
Hulen A. Scott, Mayor
ATTEST:
Dorothy Timmons, City Secretary