CM 1975-03-25STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF DALLAS
The City Council of the City of Coppell met in regular session on March Z5, 1975
in the Council Chambers of the First Bank of Coppell.
The following members were present:
Hulen Scott, Mayor
Sam Tiner, Mayor Pro Tem
Frank Wilkins, Councilman
Hazel Beal, Councilwoman
Bill Harris, Councilman
Councilman Don Carter and City Attorney Larry Jackson were not present.
Also present was City Administrator George Campbell and Acting City Secretary
Margaret Johnson.
The meeting was called to order and everyone asked to stand while the Reverend
McBride gave the invocation.
Councilman Wilkins moved that the reading of the minutes of March 11, 1975 be
waived; Mayor Pro Tem Tiner seconded the motion and motion carried 4-0 with
the mayor showing his approval.
Mayor Pro Tem Tiner moved that the minutes of the meeting of March 11, 1975 be
approved with no corrections; seconded by Councilman Wilkins and motion carried
3-0 with Councilman Harris abstaining.
Item 4, Report from Citizen's Advisory Committee was given by Councilwoman
Beal. She advised that the Bicentennial Committee was going to have a paper
called the "Town Crier" and that they would like for flag to be lighted 24 hours
a day somewhere in Coppell in conjunction with the Bicentennial Celebration.
Two sites were discussed; the library and the flag at City Hall. The cost was
to be researched and a recommendation made. The Community Easter Egg
Hunt is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. March 29, 1975, at the City Park. It was also
advised that some help would be needed to put the play ground equipment for
the park together.
Motion was made by Councilman Wilkins, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner that
the First Assembly of God Church be granted permission to place a 11/4 inch
gas service line in the right-of-way of Heartz Road, between a gas company
transmission line and the church property, a distance of approximately 600 feet;
at a depth of 36 inches and with the stipulation that the City would receive a letter
from the Church stating that all maintenance and repair to the line in the future
would be the responsibility of the church and also stating that the church under-
stands that permission to continue use of the line in the public right-of-way could
be revoked, at any time by the City, upon 30 days written notice from the City to
the church. Motion carried 4-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Next item for consideration was item 6, consider adopting a resolution concerning
a Mutual Aid Pact among the airline companies. Captain Moss from the Airline
Pilots' Association came before Council to explain the Texas International
strike and the Mutual Aid Pact and asked that Council pass a resolution re-
questing the Congressional Delegations be petitioned to investigate the provisions
of the Mutual Aid Pact to ascertain the relationship between the pact and strikes
in the airline industry. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner, seconded
by Councilman Harris, that this resolution be passed. Motion carried 4-0 with
the mayor showing his approval.
Item 7, consider a request to partially fund improvements to soft ball diamond
for girl's soft ball league, was next on the agenda. Rev. Foy Layton was present
to discuss and request that the City participate in this funding and presented a
statement showing cost of these improvements and stating that the School Board
would pay one-half of the cost, $72-9.75, total cost being $1,459.50. After
'discussion, Councilman Harris moved that the City agree to buy the portable
bleachers at a cost of $341.2.5 each, total $682.. 50, and make up the differenceof
$47.2.5, for a total of $72.9.75, with the stipulation that the City retain ownership
of the bleachers so they they could be used for other functions within the city
and that a letter be requested from the School Board agreeing to this. Motion was
seconded by Councilman Wilkins and motion carried 4-0 with the mayor showing
his approval.
Item 8, consider proposals for contract between the City and Coppell Municipal
Utility District #1, was next and Mr. Paul Phy and Mr. David Short were present
for this discussion, along with other members of the Board of Directors of the
MUD District #1. After discussion and explanation by Mr. Phy, motion was made
by Councilman Wilkins, seconded by Councilwoman Beal, to approve the two
contracts subject to the City Attorney' s review and approval and motion carried
4-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Item 9, HB-62.4; HB-178 and HJI~ 2.0, Texas Legislation concerning volunteer '
emergency ambulance corps was considered next. Motion was made by Council-
man Harris, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner that a resolution be adopted
supporting these three bills and motion carried 4-0 with the mayor showing his
approval.
Item 10, was considered next, this being a discussion of funding for a continuous
part-time clean-up program for the City, with Councilwoman Beal bringing up the
possibility of hiring Mr. Ed Harris on a part-time or contract basis to pick up
debris along city streets in an effort to beautify the City. Councilwoman Beal
advised that Mr. Jim Cooksey of Dallas County was to contact the City Administrator
Campbell concerning the possibility of funding through C.E. T.A. for this person
and the city later considering subsidizing the salary.
Dumping within the City of Coppell was discussed and it was mentioned that signs be
put up and enforcement of these signs and the ordinance be stressed. This is the
reason the City needs additional clean-up personnel. Also, it was requested that
H & J Disposal be asked to pick-up large objects and accumulations of trash as
needed. Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner to submit this to C. E. T.A.
and if Mr. Harris is not eligible, then Council would discuss some other possibility.
Motion was seconded by Councilman Wilkins and motion carried 4-0 with the mayor
showing his approval.
Item 11, Old Business was next on the agenda. Under this, Item A, consider passing
a resolution concerning Community Development Funds was discussed and also the
cost of sending Mr. Morgan Dring, from Dallas County, to Washington D.C. in
regard to application for these funds, with a cost of approximately $70.00 to $12.5.00
to Coppell. Motion was made by Councilman Harris, seconded by Councilwoman
Beal to pass this resolution and pay Coppell's part of the expense to send the
representative to Washington, D.C. Motion carried 4-0 with the mayor showing his
approval.
Item B, under Old Business, Mayor Pro Tem Tiner asked about the status of the
Bethel Road Project and what the county had done about this. City Administrator
Campbell advised that he had talked with Mr. Jimmy DeFord of Dallas County in
this regard and he was working up sketches and estimates but that the county might
wait until after a Bond Election is called, sometime this spring, before taking any
action. Council indicated that they want something done and something to review by
the next meeting in this regard, with the possibility of asking for a two lane road
instead of a four lane thoroughfare. Council asked that City Administrator Campbell
consult with County Commissioner Jim Jackson concerning this.
Item 12, New business was considered next. Item A, motion was made by
Councilman Wilkins, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner that a fund be set up,
designated as Park Development Escrow Fund, and a transfer be made from
General Government Special Projects Fund to this fund in the amount of $660.30,
which is the balance of $1,000.00 in the special projects fund that was a donation
from the Coppell Historical Corporation. These funds are to be used for develop~
ment 6f the City Park. Motion carried 3-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Councilman Harris was excused at 10:00 p.m.
Item B, under new business was discussion of paying a quarterly premium on
hospitaIization insurance for Margaret Johnson, in the same amount paid for
other employees, on a private insurance policy, as Blue Cross-Blue Shield
denied her coverage under the group due to a clause in the Master Policy that
was not pointed out to the City when the insurance was adopted. Motion was made
by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner, seconded by Councilman Wilkins, that this premium
be paid with the stipulation that the City Administrator investigate the possibility
of getting a new group policy for city employees, due to the fact that this would
be a benefit that could not be promised to new employees in the future until after
they were employed and would be a problem in recruiting desirable employees.
Motion passed 3-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Item C, under New Business, a discussion was held on a work session with
General Telephone Company. It was suggested that a committee be appointed to
talk with the city attorney of Highland Village concerning the rates charged and
those to be increased and then toward the end of April, possibly April 24, 1975,
Council would meet at 6:00 p.m. for a special session and would meet with General
Telephone Company at 7:30 p.m. The committee would consists of the city admini-
strator and at least three council members, or two council members and the mayor.
Item D, New Business, a suitable site for landfill, was discussed and city admini-
stator Campbell advised that, in conjunction with the county and other area cities,
Coppell participate in a study to find a 300 acre site and the pro-rated cost for
Coppell would be $303.00. Motion was made to participate by Mayor Pro Tem
Tiner and seconded by Councilman Wilkins, motion carried 3-0 with the mayor
showing his approval.
Item E, New Business, City Administrator Campbell advised that the First Bank
of Coppell was to host a reception for the candidates for the City Official Election
and the School Board Election at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 28, 1975, and
all council members were invited to attend.
Item F, New Business, a discussion was held concerning preparing the City park for
the Easter Egg Hunt, and mowing of the park was discussed and Councilwoman Beal
advised that mowing was to be done in the area where the park had been cleared of
mesquite by the citizens.
Item 13, was next considered. approval of bills. Motion was made by Mayor Pro
Tem Tiner, seconded by Councilwoman Beal, that the bills be approved as listed,
motion carried 3-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
Item 14, Executive Session (closed to the public)
A. Article 6252-17, Section 2 (g) discussion concerning personnel.
The executive session was not held due to the fact that all council members were
not present.
Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Tiner that the meeting be adjourned, seconded
by Councilman Wilkins and motion carried 3-0 with the mayor showing his approval.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Hulen A. Scott, Mayor
ATTEST:
Margaret Johnson, Acting City Secretary