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Minutes October 30, 1990230 CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 30, 1990 The Council convened into the Special Call Session at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. PRESENT: Mayor Castleberry; Mayor Pro Tem Boyd; Council Members Alexander, Ayer, Gorton, Hopkins and Trent. ABSENT: None Pledge of Allegiance Council and members of the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Castleberry presented a proclamation for "Up With People Day". 2. The Council held a public hearing regarding a temporary closing of the intersection of Bell Avenue and Eagle Drive and considered for further action. Betty McKean, Executive Director for Municipal Services/ Economic Development, stated that there was a dedication to the arts in Denton. The downside of the proposed movie project was the traffic problems. The upside was the positive economic advantages to the City of Denton including hotels, meals, supplies, etc. to be spent here in Denton. The production company anticipated spending over a million dollars on the Denton location with an estimate of three-quarters of a million dollars to be spent in the City of Denton. A tentative schedule had been prepared with the following dates: (1) November 6 - begin filming on the Square and at Evers Hardware, (2) November 10 and 12 - filming on Locust Street, (3) November 13 - filming on the Square and in City Hall, (4) November 15 - filming outside of Denton and (5) November 16 - Dec. 1 - filming at the Wye motel site. Staff was continuing to work on a letter of agreement with the movie company for the expenses of the barricades, signs, off-duty police officers, etc. The company had already made a direct deposit in a local bank for paving expenses for the detour area. Payment for the use of City Hall would be in the form of two bicycles donated to the COPS program to be used in community interaction in the affected area. A certificate of insurance had been received for protecti6~' o~ the City's liability in the amount of ~5 million. Truck rerouting would go along Willow Springs Drive to McKinney or if going, in the other direction, they would be diverted by Teasley. Car traffic would begin a detour on Johnson Street to Wye and Cook Streets. One lane of traffic would be open south Bell to Eagle. No light would be working to allow for a smooth flow of traffic. McKean read a memorandum from Catherine Tuck indicating a message of support from John Gavin, General Manager of the Sheraton Hotel. City of Denton City Council Minutes October 30, 1990 Page 2 Joann Ballentine, Staff Director of the Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that the. Holiday Inn and the Sheraton Hotel would be housing many of the crew and actors for the movie. It would generate more than $50,000 for the hotel properties which did not include miscellaneous items such as meals. A production house had been secured for approximately two months. Many other businesses had already been impacted by the production. Morrison Milling and Trinity Industries had been visited and did not have a problem with the plan and had signed a petition stating that fact. Businesses which used Morrison's scale had also been contacted and they indicated they did not have a problem with the detour route. Ballentine read a letter of support from David King - Shoney's. The Mayor opened the public hearing. George Gilkeson felt that the movie would be a opportunity to help the Hispanic community in Denton. extras would be hired to work in the movie. He recommended the Council approve the street closings. wonderful Hispanic strongly Fred Pole, Chamber of Commerce, stated that the movie project could be considered an economic development project for the City of Denton. He hoped the Council would approve the project. Barbara Russell stated that the City was looking for economic development and although the project was not permanent, it was a good asset to the City. Fred Hill stated that he was not sure what the impact would be on his business but he was willing to take a chance on what the impact would be. David Biles stated that the Main Street Program supported the project and encouraged the Council to support the project. He had not personally heard any negative comments regarding the project. Alvin Whaley stated that although he was not in opposition to the project, it would have a great negative impact on his business. He had not been contacted until today regarding the roject. He had calculated that he would lose approximately 4,000-~5,000_~or~ the 14 days the intersection would be closed. He asked who he was to contact regarding the loss. Council Member Trent asked for his hours of operation. Whaley replied 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 231 232 City of Denton City Council Minutes October 30, 1990 Page 3 Council Member Alexander stated that there would be one lane of traffic open from Bell to Eagle. Was that considered in Mr. Whaley's calculations. Whaley replied that it would help but he would still lose money on the project. Mayor Pro Tem Boyd felt that staff was to have contacted everyone in the area. Whaley stated that on a percentage basis, he would be affected more than anyone in the area. Mayor Castleberry stated that the lane of traffic next to his business would be open. Did Whaley know that before he made his calculations. Whaley replied that the Chamber of Commerce had contacted him today as did a representative from the newspaper. His calculations were based on that information. John Whaley stated that he did not want to put a kink in the production but did want to know where to seek compensation regarding lost revenue. The Mayor closed the public hearing..~ Mayor Pro Tem Boyd requested an answer from the City Attorney regarding Mr. Whaley's revenue question. Debra Drayovitch, City Attorney, stated that the City would not be responsible for losses connected with the movie production. Council Member Hopkins stated that she understood the closing would be for a shorter period of time rather than 14 days. McKean stated that the plan suggested was a worse case scenario. It might be possible for periods of time to reopen the streets for dinner breaks, lighting changes, etc. There was room for some easing of the impact. She felt that no one was left out when contacting businesses. Many contacts were made on Friday and Monday and businesses were contacted as quickly as po~ble. She felt that anyone seeking compensation should approach th~ movie company. Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, stated that the original memo had indicated 10 days for the street closing but that the schedule was lengthened during the last week. He stated that although there were many positives with the production, the proposed intersection was the second busiest in the City and closing that intersection would bring a substantial number of complaints. City of Denton City Council Minutes October 30, 1990 Page 4 Discussion was held concerning alternative routes for the detour in the Wye/Cook Street area. Council Member Gorton asked where the six police officers would be stationed. Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, stated that two officers would be on Dallas Drive, one on Johnson Street, one on Teasley, one on Eagle and one on Robertson. After discussion of Council regarding the positive economic benefits to the City and the negative traffic concerns, Hopkins motioned, Boyd seconded to direct staff to prepare the necessary legal documents for closing the proposed streets for the movie filming. On roll vote, Trent "aye," Alexander "aye," Hopkins "aye," Gorton "nay," Ayer "aye," Boyd "aye," and Mayor Castleberry "aye." Motion carried with a 6-1 vote. Miscellaneous matters from the City Manager. Lloyd Harrell, City Manager, stated that he had no items for the Council. 4. New Business: The following items of New Business were suggested by Council Members for future agendas: A. Mayor Pro Tem Boyd requested Council consider a number of alternatives presented for the television broadcasting of City Council meetings. 5. The Council convened into the Executive Session to discuss legal matters, real 'estate, and personnel/board appointments (continued annual evaluations of the Municipal Judge, City Attorney, and City Manager). The Council returned to open session and took the following action: A. Boyd motioned, Alexander seconded to grant the Municipal Judge a 2% annual salary increase, the City Attorney a 2% annual %~ar~ increase and to furnish the City Manager a leased automobile. Motion carried 6-1 with Council Member Trent casting the "nay" vote. 233 234 City of Denton City Council Minutes October 30, 1990 Page 5 With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. i FE~/WALTERS Y SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS CI,TY OF DE~ 3313C