Minutes May 24, 1988CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 24, 1968
The Council convened into the Work Session at 5:30 p.m. in the
Civil Defense Room.
PRESENT:
Mayor Stephens; Council Members Alexander, Ayer,
Boyd, Gorton and McAdams.
ABSENT:
Mayor Pro Tem Hopkins
1. The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
authorizing the Director of Utilities to execute contracts with
electric utility customers to reduce electrical power demand
and authorizing credits on utility bills for customers who
execute such contracts.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 86-091
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES TO
EXECUTE CONTRACTS WITH ELECTRIC UTILITY CUSTOMERS TO
REDUCE ELECTRICAL POWER DEMAND; AUTHORIZING CREDITS ON
UTILITY B1LLS FOR CUSTOMERS WHO EXECUTE SUCH
CONTRACTS; AND PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Bob Nelson, Executive Director of Utilities, stated that the
purpose of the ordinance was to reduce the City's peak demand
which would hold down the City's wholesale purchase costs.
McAdams motion, Ayer second to adopt the ordinance. On roll
call vote, McAdams "aye," Alexander "aye, "Gorton "aye," Ayer
"aye," Boyd "aye," and Mayor Stephens "aye." Motion carried
unanimously.
2. The Council held a discussion regarding the proposed
Landscaping and Tree Preservation ordinance.
Frank Robbins, Executive Director of Planning, presented a
slide presentation detailing the provisions of the ordinance.
The ordinance contained two major components. The first
component protected trees. It prohibited clear-cutting and
required a permit to cut trees. A protected tree was 10" in
diameter and 12" above the ground. The tree preservation
ordinance and landscaping ordinance had been combined in order
to protect trees in an area of future development and
incorporate those trees into the development later. The second
component of the ordinance was the landscape ordinance. The
ordinance would require landscaping between the street and
buildings, between the street and parking lots and within
parking lots.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
May 24, 1988
Page 2
Robbins reviewed the standards for landscaping, the
requirements for tree planting/tree preservation, standards for
parking lot landscaping and standards for screening parking
lots. Staff was suggesting an effective date of 3-6 months
after passage in order to adequately educated the community
regarding the specifics in the ordinance.
Bill Holt, Director of Economic Development-Chamber of
Commerce, expressed some concerns regarding property zoned
industrial. He felt that perhaps that type of property would
be better suited if it had different specifications from
property zoned commercial or retail. He asked Council to allow
him to work out different considerations for industrial versus
commercial or retail zoning, make comparisons with other
communities and present those considerations at the next
regular Council meeting.
After discussion, it was felt that the Chamber should work with
some members of Planning and Zoning and some members of the
Beautification Committee to draft the issues Holt was
discussing.
Bill Claiborne, Chairman - Planning and Zoning Commission,
stated that he felt this ordinance defined commuhity
standards. It improved the quality of life in Denton and
created a balance between cost for developers and benefits for
citizens.
Jeanne Morrison, Chairman Beautification Committee, stated
that the Committee was ready to work with staff members on
whatever changes were necessary for the ordinance.
Virgil Strange, Denton Home/Apartment Builders Association,
expressed some concern regarding a single standard for various
uses. He stated that there were items in the ordinance that
the builders did not agree with but that they could live with.
3. The Council held a discussion regarding an ordinance
amending Articles 4.01 through and including Article 4.06 of
Chapter IV of Article III of Appendix A (Denton Development
Code) of the Code of Ordinances to provide for new and amended
regulations and requirements for streets, driveways, parking
lots, and sidewalks; repealing Articles 4.17 and 4.18 of
Appendix A.
Cecile Carson, Urban Planner, addressed questions from the
Council noted at the last work session. (1) Cutting sidewalks
already in place for utilities - current regulations require
sewer lines to extend to the property line and water lines end
City of Denton City Council Minutes
May 24, 1988
Page 5
at the property line. In order to place sewer lines, a sleeve
would have to be installed or bore under the sidewalk to make
the connection. Thus once the sidewalk was in place, it would
not be necessary to cut it in order to accommodate utility
lines. (2) Sidewalk exemptions along State/Federal Highways -
staff recommended changing the wording of the ordinance in
order to grant a sidewalk exemption in those cases where
perimeter street paving exemptions were granted. (3) Use of
alternate materials in parking lots suggestions for
alternatives for paving materials would be included and
required to meet the same weigh tests for parking
construction. (4) Multiple permit process for
driveway/parking lot permits - no separate permit would be
required if all needed information was submitted in any other
permit required. Double permitting would not be required.
Council held a lengthy discussion regarding driveway access on
collector streets. Concerns centered on rear access versus
front access, shared access versus single access. Changing
classifications of streets to add a sub-collector
classification was also discussed. It was suggested that staff
continue working on three alternatives to access on collector
streets including the suggestions by Assistant City Attorney
Joe Morris, the addition of a sub-collector classification to
the street classification and rear access versus front access.
4. The Council held a discussion regarding the proposed
time schedule of the Denton Development Plan.
Harry Persuad, Urban Planner, stated the the neighborhood
meetings had been very successful. A public hearing on the
Plan was being proposed. Before that public hearing, a work
session would be planned for the Council regarding the Plan.
Item 10 was considered.
10. The Council met in Executive Session to discuss legal
matters, real estate, personnel and board appointments. No
official action was taken.
Item 6 was considered.
6. The Council held a discussion regarding the median
design on Teasley Lane.
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, stated that the State Highway
Department was giving the City the option on the median design
for Teasley Lane. He presented several options to the Council
with the main plans being a continuous left turn lane versus a
raised median. Staff was recommending a raised median as a
safer alternative to a continuous left turn lane.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
May 24, 1988
Page 4
Svehla reviewed problem areas connected with the raised median
with no cuts versus a raised median with one mid-block cut with
a turn in both directions.
Staff would work with residents and businesses in the
regarding the raised median and report back to Council
later meeting.
The Council returned to the regular agenda order.
5. The Council held
solicitation ordinance.
area
at a
a discussion regarding the proposed
Debra Drayovitch, City Attorney, reviewed the provisions of the
ordinance with Council. She stated that the formal ordinance
would be placed on the June 7th agenda for Council approval.
7. The Council held a discussion regarding the collection
of delinquent taxes.
John McGrane, Executive Director of Finance, stated that the
current contract with Heard, Goggan, Blair and Williams would
expire June 30, 1988. Council had the option to send out for
proposals or renew the contract for one year. Staff 'was
recommending a renewal of the contract for next year and send
out for proposals for the following year. A formal
recommendation would come before Council to renew the current
contract at the next Council meeting.
8. The Council held a discussion regarding the timing of
a Utility Revenue Bond sale.
John McGrane, Executive Director of Finance, stated that
interest rates were rising and the sooner the bonds could be
sold, the better it would be for the City. He stated that
staff was recommending beginning the process for the bond sale
at the June 7th Council meeting.
9. The Council held a discussion
feasibility study of the TWU pool.
regarding the
Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, reviewed the back-up materials
presented to the Council especially the letter from Bob
Benfield, TWU, detailing the costs for revitalization of the
old gym. He stated that it appeared that TWU was not
interested in any type of joint venture with the City in this
area and that demolition of the gym had already begun.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
May 24, 1988
Page 5
10. The Council reconvened into Executive Session
discuss the following items:
to
Legal Matters -- Under Sec. 2(e), Art. 6252-17
V.A.T .S.
Held a discussion on Maverick vs. Cit7 of
Denton.
Be
Held a discussion on Robertson and Perez
claims·
Real Estate -- Under Sec. 2(f), Art. 6252-17
V.A.T.S.
Personnel/Board Appointments -- Under Sec. 2(g),
Art 6252-17 V.A.T.S.
Considered appointments to the Low/Moderate
Income Housing Task Force.
Considered appointments to the Solid Waste
Blue Ribbon Committee.
The Council reconvened into open session and took the following
action:
A. Gorton motion, Alexander second to approve the
following members to the Blue Robbon Task Force for Solid
Waste. Motion carried unanimously.
Ivan Glasscock, Larry Luce, Todd Kerr, Matt Gohlke,
Richard Edyvean, Ralph Morrison, George Gilkeson, Jim
Stone, Ray Stephens.
B. Ayer motion, McAdams second to approve the
following members to the Low/Moderate Income Housing Task
Force. Motion carried unanimously.
Mariella Cornell, Isabell Miller, Deborah Darley, Phil
Shea, Lucy Campbell, Reginald Logan, Harry Down, Paul
Ephraim.
Formal resolutions would be presented at the June 7, 1988
Council meeting for adoption.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:54
J]~fNIIZE~r ~A]~TERS, CITY SECRETARY
C~I~Y--ITOF DENTON, TEXAS
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
2924C
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