Minutes October 23, 1990224
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 23, 1990
The Council convened into a Special Call Meeting at 5:15 p.m.
in the Civil Defense Room.
PRESENT: Mayor Castleberry; Council Members Ayer, Gorton,
Hopkins and Trent.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Boyd; Council Member Alexander
1. The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
amending Chapter 26 (Vehicles for Hire) of the Code of
Ordinances to provide for a temporary increase in taxicab rates.
Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, stated that this would be a
temporary increase in the rates with a consideration for a
permanent change following a public hearing.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 90-166
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS AMENDING
CHAPTER 26 (VEHICLES FOR HIRE) OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN
TAXICAB RATES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Hopkins motioned, Ayer seconded to adopt the ordinance.
Council Member Gorton expressed concern that there was no
sunset clause included in the ordinance.
City ~nager Harrell replied that it was cleaner to adopt the
ordinance w{thout a time limit as the rates would not change
based on the proposed sliding scale for rates.
Council Member Alexander joined the meeting.
The Council voted on the motion. On roll vote, Trent "aye,"
Alexander "aye," Hopkins "aye," Gorton "aye," Ayer "aye," and
· Mayor Castleberry "aye." Motion carried unanimously.
2." The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
approving a contract retaining R. William Wood to represent the
City in claims against August International Company and
Washington National Insurance Company.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 90-167
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON APPROVING A
CONTRACT RETAINING R. WILLIAM WOOD TO REPRESENT THE
CITY IN CLAIMS AGAINST AUGUST INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
AND WASHINGTON NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 23, 1990
Page 2
Hopkins motioned, Gorton seconded to adopt the ordinance. On
roll vote, Trent "aye," Alexander "aye," Hopkins "aye," Gorton
"aye," Ayer "aye," and Mayor Castleberry "aye." Motion carried
unanimously.
Council Members Ayer and Trent expressed concern regarding the
high amount of legal fees.
3. The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
amending the schedule of electric rates by deleting Schedule RW
(Religious Worship); and by adopting a new schedule TGS
(General Service Time of Use Rate).
Bob Nelson, Executive Director for Utilities, stated that
subsequent to a City Attorney's office opinion that the
Religious Worship (RW) electrical rate was probably unlawful,
the Utilities Board reviewed the rate schedules. He stated
that that particular rate class was not subsidized by the City
or by any other customers. If the RW rate was abolished and
those customers put on the general service rate, smaller
customers would come out better but medium to large customers
would experience a 25-30% increase. Time of use rates and
other rates were looked at in order to accommodate those
customers. The Public Utilities Board recommended adopting
both alternatives which included a modified time of use rate
and a weekend use rate. The time of use rate would be
available to anyone. There would be a facility charge of
$25-30 per month. Once the rate was set for this rate, it
would remain in effect for 12 months. The weekend rate would
probably be the category most of the churchs would do best in.
Council Member Hopkins asked what would be done between now and
June for those customers wanting to go on the time of use rate.
Nelson replied that they would initially go to the GS rate for
small churchs and the others would go to the weekend rate.
Then an analysis would be done to determine the best category
for those customers.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 90-168
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTONt TEXAS, AMENDING
THE SCHEDULE OF ELECTRIC RATES BY ADOPTING AN AMENDED
SCHEDULE TGS (GENERAL.SERVICE TIME OF USE RATE); AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Hopkins motioned, Alexander ~econded to adopt' the ordinance.
On roll vote, Trent "aye," Alexander "aye," Hopkins "aye,"
Gorton "aye," Ayer "aye," and Mayor Castleberry "aye." Motion
carried unanimously.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 23, 1990
Page 3
4. The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
amending the schedule of electric rates by deleting Schedule RE
(Religious Worship); and by adopting a new Schedule WK (Weekend
Rate).
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 90-169
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AMENDING
THE SCHEDULE OF ELECTRIC RATES BY DELETING SCHEDULE RW
(RELIGIOUS WORSHIP); BY ADOPTING A NEW SCHEDULE WK
(WEEKEND RATE); AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Gorton motioned, Ayer seconded to adopt the ordinance. On roll
vote, Trent "aye," Alexander "aye," Hopkins 'aye,' Gorton
"aye,' Ayer "aye,' and Mayor Castleberry "aye." Motion carried
unanimously.
5. The Council received a report and held a discussion
regarding an update on the strategic planning session of the
City of Denton Executive Staff.
Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, presented an update on the movie
proposed to be filmed in Denton and the requirements presented
by the movie people to staff.
Betty McKean, Executive Director for Municipal Services and
Economic Development, presented a tentative schedule for the
shooting. Shooting would begin November 6. November 6, 7, 8
and 9 shooting would be at Evers Hardware and the downtown
area. November 13 would be shooting in the City Hall hallway.
November 16 would begin the shooting at the corner of Eagle and
Dalla~ Drive. Shooting there would be for approximately 11
days and would require the intersection to be closed from 11:00
a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for those 11 days. Police officers would be
hired to direct traffic all along the route during the closed
periods. Signs and barricades would be in place all the way
from Teasley at Dallas Drive, south to Prairie and Dallas
Drive. A map as well as information about the shooting, would
be in the newspaper several days prior to the actual date.
Businesses and home owners on the detour route, as well as
those surrounding-the movie shooting would be notified. The
movie company would be expected to pay costs for the police
officers, for all signage and barricades as well as
improvements to Johnson/Wye/Cook streets, in order to
accommodate the heavy traffic and to assure safety.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 23, 1990
Page 4
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, stated that the main problem
was the traffic under the overpass with sounds echoing there.
A complication was the one way streets in the area and the lack
of bypass streets in the area. Svehla presented the detour
route around the area. Traffic would be routed to Johnson, Wye
and Cook streets. Wye street would be changed to a one-way
street temporarily to accommodate traffic. The changes would
be substantial and would affect approximately 25-30,000
vehicles. The first two days of the closing would be the
hardest. Trucks .would not use the detour and would go to
another route. Lots of signing would be needed, at least six
off-duty officers would be needed to help with the traffic flow
and some paving would be needed to accommodate the traffic on
the detour route.
Council Member Gorton asked if the businesses knew yet of the
truck route.
Joann Ballentine, Denton Chamber of Commerce, stated that
personal visits would be made to the businesses in the area to
inform them of the truck route.
Jerry Cott stated that there were about 40 Hispanic men who
wait on South Locust every morning for work and wanted to make
sure that those men did not loose.~ny money due to the street
closing.
Council Member Ayer wanted to make sure that the movie company
would pay the costs involved in closing the intersection.
Before he could vote for the issue, he wanted a formal contract
detailing all the expenses the movie company would pay for. He
asked what Denton would receive for the street closing, etc.
McKean replied that there would be a lot of money spent in
Denton during the shooting of the movie. She would be able to
detail that amount further at the next Council meeting.
Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, stated that he would like to bring
Council up-to-date on the exercise the Executive Staff
participated in during its planning seminar. Ideally, the
Council would be involved in that process and provide immediate
feedback but it was difficult to schedule due to everyone's
calendars. The Executive Staff participated in three days of
intensive work involving an assessment of the current
organization, identifying strengths and weaknesses, seeking
opportunities to do new and better work and formulating
strategies to pursue those opportunities. The Executive Staff
had met with the Department Directors to discuss the results of
the session and were prepared to begin work on action plans.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 23, 1990
Page 5
Council review and approval was needed in order to ensure that
staff was properly articulating, the desires of the Council.
The Mission Statement from the seminar was "To be a leader
among cities in delivering outstanding quality services and
products through citizen involvement, innovation and efficient
use of resources". To be successful and achieve the mission
statement, strategies must be developed to achieve success
elements and if the success elements were achieved, the mission
statement would be reached. Success elements and strategies
included:
(1) Involve citizens and businesses to help deliver services
create neighborhood and business owner organizations
implement a volunteer program
implement an "Adopt-A- Program"
implement a work release program
implement training programs for citizens that would
reduce City costs and /or improve service delivery
(2) Aggressively involve citizens in mutual goal setting
process of the election and delivery of services and products
conduct citizen surveys
initiate a comprehensive neighborhood planning program
establish a 2000 Committee
conduct periodic town meetings
perform the function of a public information officer
(3) Identify and implement new revenue sources
implement a demand side energy and water program
implement a drainage utility
implement special and public improvement districts
establish payments in lieu-of-taxes and other state aid
(4) Become a unique and special city in the Metroplex
promote unique architecture
aggressively market University activities and
opportunities
emphasize cultural attractions
promote entryway regulations and beautification
programs
implement greenbelt including water feature in Civic
Center Park
Mak~az~ Fest and Festival of Lights regional events
(5) Expand and diversify local economy by attracting and
expanding desirable commercial, industrial and education
enterprises
develop partnerships with large developers
locate a research center in the City limits
City of Denton City Council Minutes
October 23, 1990
Page 6
establish an aggressive marketing program including
the 1-35 corridor
complete utility expansion program
implement an aggressive business retention program
complete Hwy 2499 and Loop 288
Harrell continued that after staff received Council feedback
and made any adjustments Council desired, staff would take the
plan out to the whole organization, initiate some task forces
and work plans to make sure that the strategic strategies
happened.
6. The Council convened into the Executive Session to
discuss legal matters, real estate, and personnel/board
appointments (considered annual evaluations of the Municipal
Judge, City Attorney and City Manager, and considered an
appointment to the Park and Recreation Board.)
The Council convened into open session and took the following
action:
A. Alexander motioned, Trent seconded to appoint Tom
Judd to the Park and Recreation Board. Motion carried
unanimously.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
C~ITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
BOB CASTLEBERRY, MAYO~
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS~
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