Minutes August 20, 1996CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES'
AUGUST 20, 1996
The Council convened into a Closed Meeting on August 20, 1996 in
the Civil Defense Room of City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Brook; Council Members
Beasley, Cott, Krueger, and Young.
ABSENT: Council Member Biles
1. The Council considered the following in Closed Meeting:
Ac
Legal Matters -- Under TEX. GOV'T CODE Sec. 551.071
1. Considered and discussed possible settlement of
City of Denton v. Karvouniaris.
e
Consulted with attorney regarding status and
strategies of RPS/Webber and Barnes v. City and
considered mediation or settlement.
B. Real Estate -- Under TEX. GOV'T CODE Sec. 551.072
Personnel/Board Appointments -- Under TEX. GOV'T CODE
Sec. 551.074
The Council convened into a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, August 20,
1996 in the Civil Defense Room of City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Brock; Council Members
Beasley, Cott, Krueger, and Young.
ABSENT: Council Member Biles
1. Pledge of Allegiance
The Council and members of the audience recited the Pledge of
Allegiance to the U. S. and Texas flags.
2. Council considered approval of the minutes of July 9, 12, and
16, 1996.
Beasley motioned, Brock seconded to approve the minutes as
presented. On roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye",
Krueger "aye", Young "aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried
unanimously.
3. Citizen Reports
A. Council received a citizen report from Joe Dodd regarding
illegal closed meetings regarding the Dell Deal.
Mr. Dodd presented the Council with lollipops which represented his
feelings that the Council had been played for suckers. He hoped
that the attorney's advice regarding Closed Meetings was good
advice as the attorney would not be the one going to jail with bad
advice. He stated that the Council could not have Closed Meetings
to discuss tax implications of a land transfer, to discuss the
merit~ or demeritm of the Council forming an economic development
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 2
53
district, to discuss a land transfer in which the City was neither
the buyer nor seller, and talking about another political
subdivision buying the land. The agenda portion of prior meetings
included "consider acceptance of a possible assignment on behalf of
a 4B non-profit economic development corporation to be formed by
the City". If the Council had meetings regarding the County
forming a 4B corporation, those meetings were illegal meeting. He
had been told that all of those meetings had been preclearedbythe
Attorney General's office. That was not true. The Attorney
General's Office had no history of, no inclination to and no power
to approve illegal meetings. The single voter in the election was
on the City's legal staff. If that person had not been on the
legal staff, as a private citizen, he would not have known to
volunteer for the job of voting there. That person was working as
an agent of the City. The City Manager and the City Attorney never
should have let that employee serve in that manner. If the
District bought TI, it would be taken off the tax roll. If the
District sold bonds and the program fell apart, the City would be
responsible for those bonds.
2. The Council received a citizen report from Jerry C. Drake
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Drake stated that the first time the Council approved the
creation of the economic development district at the old TI plant,
no debate was entertained on the subject. He presumed that all of
the Council's questions had already been answered before entering
the Council Chambers. He knew from watching the video taped
minutes of the meeting that the Council was provided with packets
of information regarding the creation of this EDP. He read the law
and studied the documentation related to the creation of this kind
of special district and had many q~estions. How could the City
Council endorse a real estate scheme of this nature which ran
exactly counter to the spirit of the law which enabled it. The
intent of the legislature was to further the public purpose of
developing and diversifying the economy of the State by providing
incentives for the location and development of projects in certain
counties to attract visitors and tourists. The law did not include
a big corporation or low paying, high tech jobs. The TI deal was
not for tourism as indicated. Dell would not bring tourism to the
area and the deal was not in the spirit and intent of the law. He
asked the Council to not continue to deceive the taxpayers of the
City.
Council Member Krueger stated that CDD stood for County Development
District. Why was Mr. Drake at the City and not at the County.
Drake replied that the Council asked for approval of this District.
Krueger stated that the Council held a public hearing and no one
spoke regarding the issue.
city of Denton city Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 3
Drake replied that the public hearing was advertised in the legal
notices section of the paper exactly in accordance with the law. He
did not hear about it until the Dallas Morning News carried the
story two days before the election.
Council Member Krueger stated that notices were posted by law on
the doors of Courthouse and did not understand why Mr. Drake was at
the City.
Drake stated that he was here to ask the Council to get the City
out of the deal. It was his right as a citizen to voice his
opinion to the Council.
Council Member Krueger understood Mr. Drake's feelings and rights
as a citizen but it was still a County issue.
Drake replied that the City had voted for the issue andhe resented
having to justify being at the meeting.
Council Member Young asked Mr. Drake what he wanted the Council to
do.
Drake asked the Council to dissolve the District and re-evaluate
the City's position.
'C. The Council received a citizen report from chris Coil
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Coil stated that he had concerns about the CDD and the
Council's role in the process. The Bill talked about inhabited
land and was designed to give the people a role in the process. It
did not mention about the Council or the County being able to make
these types of decisions. The voters were supposed to be able to
decide whether to create a district or not. This was a scandal.
The Assistant City Attorney was sent out to live in a trailer for
the minimum days in order to be a registered voter to vote on the
issue. He had a concern about zoning of the property which was
Light Industrial. He was told from the Zoning Office that the only
way an individual could be living there and claim that that was his
Dermanent address was to be the owner of the property or an
employee of TI. A special use permit could have been issued to
allow someone to live there but none was approved. If the property
was not zoned correctly, that was not his legal residence. Mr.
Drake had admitted that the trailer was not his and he questioned
who it belonged to and was Drake paying rent and utilities. This
was a city employee and if he was not Daying these, he was
receiving a considerable amount of money to either vote a certain
way which was illegal or, as a representative of the City, was
receiving in-kind contributions which was a conflict of interest.
Coil expressed concerns about access to the polling site. The
public was not allowed in for any early voting and when they
entered the day of the election their licenses and names were taken
down. Mr. Drake did not allow access to the polling site on
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 4
55
election day and no poll watchers. The public had no access to
information regarding this issue.
D. The Council received a citizen report from Mark Atkins
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Atkins felt that there might be a possible violation of voting
rights. Voting rights were recognized as a fundamental right by
the Supreme Court. There had to be a compelling need to set aside
voting rights and even if demonstrated, the governmental body had
to show that no less restrictive alternative existed. Voting
rights were predicated on three principles. Each vote had to count
equally, the franchise must be broadly available, and to be a
meaningful vote, the ballot must reflect a sufficiently represented
choice. In this case, all three were violated and he felt there
was a compelling interest to look into this procedure for voting
rights violations.
E. The Council received a citizen report from Phyllis Atkins
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Ms. Atkins stated that she was a small business owner in the City.
She had a concern about how the vote on this issue was taken and
felt that it needed to be undone. Her concern was from the point
of view of a small business owner. She had done a survey regarding
this issue and the feeling she received was that any time there was
a tax abatement, small business was hurt. When large corporations,
which had the m'oney, did not pay the taxes, the small businesses
were hurt.
F. The Council received a citizen report from Eric Posa
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Posa stated that he was concerned about the County Development
District. His main concern dealt with the question of precedence
and what precedence had been set by the development of this
district and the manner in which it was developed. The ethical and
legal manner under which the election was held to create the
district was questionable. He was concerned that this might not be
the only time this would occur. A single person employed by the
City created a district under which substantial tax breaks would be
given to a corporation. Money which would be taken out of the tax
base. He wanted to warn the Council of a potential problem. When
would be the next time the Council would have an opportunity to
have a major corporation come to the city and would this happen
again at another site. The County had the power to add whatever
land they chose to the district. What if this was expanded to
include other businesses and neighborhoods and how much would this
take from the tax base.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 5
G. The Council received a citizen report from Mark Davis
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Davis stated that he was a long term resident of the City of
Denton. He was teaching his children how to vote and how to
address grievances. The City's action was showing that it was
alright to circumvent the electorate and to represent the will of
a few over the will of the people. Any time the people were denied
say on how their economic future would be decided, the community
was given a great injustice. Were the children in Denton being
taught that the police were needed at'elections to protect city
servants from peaceful citizens, that it was alright to violate
zoning ordinances in order to expedite a cause, and a new math as
far as taxation went. The actions of Council went beyond the realm
of ignorance into the area of willful disregard of office. Dell
Computer was a corporation with a Board of Directors whose job was
to act in the best interest of the corporation. The city of Denton
was a corporation which had a city council whose job was to act in
the best interest of its citizens. Davis asked the Council to void
the election and to stop giving tax incentives.
Council Member Cott asked if Davis had a monthly or quarterly
meeting of his organization.
Davis replied that he belonged to several organizations.
Council Member Cott asked if the speakers here were from a single
organization and if so could he attend their meetings.
Davis replied that he was speaking on public actions. He belonged
to the Denton County Labor Party and all were invited to their
meetings.
H. The Council received a citizen report from Chuck Norton
regarding concerns for the new economic development district in
north Denton.
Mr. Norton stated that he had served as an election judge for many
county elections and felt that the election process was very
sacred. The election process should be open to public inspection.
The event which happened on August 10th at TI was not an election.
County Commissioner Don Hill called it a charade. He was disturbed
that members of the City Council, who were elected members,
supported that election process. He hoped that Council would
revoke the resolution in support of the CDD. It set a bad example
for the children on how the democratic process worked.
Council Member Young stated that when he was first elected there
were not enough jobs in Denton for young people. It was the
Council's job to bring in good paying jobs for the City. The Dell
deal came with high paying jobs and in order to have Dell, an
economic development district had to be created. He believed in
open government and he did not like the process from the beginning
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 6
as he was told he could not talk about the proposal. As it was not
sure that the Dell deal was finished, there was a need to complete
the creation of the district. The citizens were kept from knowing
what was going on until the end of the issue. This kind of
election was not American but with the new bill from the
Legislature, it could be done in this manner. This was an attempt
to have good jobs in Denton. The mechanism might have seemed un-
American but it was done for the good of the city.
4. Public Hearings
A. The Council held a public hearing and considered adoption
of an ordinance to rezone Lots 6-9, Block A, of the Willowwood
Addition from the Multi-Family 2 (MF-2) zoning district to the
Single Family 7 (SF-7) zoning district on property located on the
west side of Golf Court, north of Willowwood. (The Planning and
Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0.)
Frank Robbins, Director for Planning and Development, stated that
this case was a result of transferring the zoning map to the GIS
system. The 1969 zoning map did not follow property lines in this
area. Development had occurred in the multi-family 2 zone. If
approved, the single family zoning district would follow the
property lines.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
No one spoke during the public hearing.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 96-179
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR A
CHANGE FROM THE MULTI-FAMILY TWO (MF-2) ZONING DISTRICT
CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION TO THE SINGLE-FAMILY SEVEN
(SF-7) ZONING DISTRICT CLASSIFICATIONAND USE DESIGNATION FOR
PORTIONS OF LAND LOCATED WITHIN LOTS SIX THROUGH NINE, BLOCK
A, OF THE WILLOWWOODADDITION, LOCATED ON GOLF COURT, WEST OF
WISTERIA AND NORTH OF WILLOWWOOD; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY IN
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Brock motioned, Young seconded to adopt the ordinance. On roll
vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye", Krueger "aye", Young
"aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
B. The Council held a public hearing and considered adoption
of an ordinance to rezone .82 acres from the General Retail (GR)
zoning district to the Commercial conditioned, (C[c]) zoning
district. The tract was located on the south side of University
Drive, approximately 135 feet east of Primrose and wa~ known as
58
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 7
1815 W. University Drive.
recommended approval 7-0.)
(The Planning and Zoning Commission
Frank Robbins, Director for Planning and Development, stated that
this zoning ordinance included conditions which added to the list
of uses to be allowed in the general retail district plus deleted
some uses from the general retail district. Additional conditions
included no additional lighting would be allowed to shine directly
on adjoining property or within 25 feet of the property lines.
This was an adaptive reuse situation and another condition was that
the existing landscaping in front and rear of the property would
have to be maintained.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
No one spoke during the public hearing.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
The following ordinance was considered:
NO. 96-180
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR A
CHANGE FROM THE GENERAL RETAIL (GR) ZONING DISTRICT
CLASSIFICATION AND USE DESIGNATION TO THE COMMERCIAL
CONDITIONED (C[c]) ZONING DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION AND USE
DESIGNATION FOR 0.82 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 1815 W.
UNIVERSITY DRIVE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY IN THE MAXIMUM
AMOUNT OF $2,000.00 FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Young motioned, Beasley seconded to adopt the ordinance. On roll
vote, Beasle¥ "aye", Brock "nay", Cott "aye", Krueger "aye", Young
"aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried with a 5-1 vote.
C. The Council held a public hearing with regard to the
proposed annexation of a 29.115 acre tract located north of Blagg
Road and east of Geesling Road and gave staff directions~ (A-73)
Frank Robbins, Director for Planning and Development stated this
was the second public hearing with no action required by the
Council. Council had asked to make sure the residents knew of the
possible annexation which had been done.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
No one spoke during the public hearing.
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the annexation
process.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 8
59
D. The Council held a public hearing with regard to the
annexation of a 96.78 acre tract located north of Mingo Road and
west of CoOper Creek Road and gave staff direction. (A-72)
Frank Robbins, DirectOr of Planning and Development, stated that
this was the second public hearing on this petition for annexation.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
Dennis Jerke, representing the EDS Corporation, stated that EDS was
requesting the annexation of the property for zoning purposes. A
zoning application would be made after annexation.
The Mayor closed.the public hearing.
Consensus of the Council was to continue with the annexation
process.
5. Variances
.A. The Council consider exaction variances of the following
sections of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Denton, for Lots
6-12, Block A, Hickory Creek Estates. The subject property was in
the Agricultural (A) zoning district and was located on the
northwest corner of the intersection of Jim Christal Road and Egan
Road, Variances included Section 34-114 (5) providing for
perimeter street paving, Section 34-114 (17) providing for
sidewalks, Section 34-116 (c) requiring fire hydrants, and Section
34-116 (e) requiring adequate water .capacity for fire protection.
(The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of all of
the requested variances 7-0.)
Frank Robbins, Director of Planning and Development, stated that
these variances were for property which was located outside the
City limits. Exaction variances were those which exceeded any
reasonable benefit for the property. These three variances could
be voted on as a group or individually. The first two variances
dealt with perimeter street paving and sidewalks. The cost of
those improvements would be in excess of $175,000 which the
Planning and Zoning Commission felt was excessive for the benefit.
The cost for the improvements for the fire hydrants and water
pressure in excess of $368,000.
Brock motioned, Cott seconded to approve the variances as a group.
On roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye", Krueger
"aye", Young "nay", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried with a
5-1 vote.
6. Consent Agenda
Brock motioned, Beasley seconded to approve the Consent Agenda as
presented. On roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye",
Krueger "aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
60
City of Denton city Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 9
A. Bids and Purchase Orders:
2.
3.
4.
5.
Bid #1777 - Health Insurance and Actuarial
Consulting Services - 2nd year renewal
Bid #1924 - Analytical Testing
Bid #1926 - Jim Christal Electric Substation
Package
RFSP #1925 - Automated Metering Pilot System
Bid #1929 - Cooling Tower Renovation
7. Consent Agenda ordinances
Beasley motioned, Brock seconded to adopt Consent Agenda Ordinances
7.A. - 7.C. On roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye",
Krueger "aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
A. NO. 96-181
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND AWARDING A
CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES OR
SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS THEREFOR; AND
PROVIDING FORAN EFFECTIVE DATE. (5.A.1. - Bid #1777, 5.A.2. -
Bid $1924, 5.A.5. - Bid #1929)
B. NO. 96-182
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING COMPETITIVE BIDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE
AWARD OF CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC WORKS OR IMPROVEMENTS; PROVIDING
FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS THEREFOR; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. (5.A.3. - Bid #1926)
C. NO. 96-183
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A COMPETITIVE SEALED PROPOSAL AND
AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT,
SUPPLIES OR SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
THEREFORE; AND PROVIDING FORANEFFECTIVE DATE. (5.A.4. - RFSP
#1925)
8. Ordinances
A. The Council considered adoption of an ordinance
authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract for professional
legal services between the City of Denton and Lloyd, Gosselink,
Fowler, Blevins & Mathews, P.C., a Texas Corporation.
Bob Nelson, Executive Director for Utilities, stated that the City
hired this firm several months ago to assist the City with work
related to transmission rates. The rate package had been put
together and was before the PUC. The legal aspects were more
involved than anticipated and more contract work was needed.
The following ordinance was considered:
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 10
61
NO. 96-184
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL LEGAL
SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF DENTON AND LLOYD, GOSSELINK,
FOWLER, BLEVINS & MATHEWS, P.C., A TEXAS CORPORATION;
AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS THEREFOR; AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Cott motioned, Brock seconded to adopt the ordinance. On roll
vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott."aye", Krueger "aye", and
Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
9. Resolutions
A. The Council considered approval of a resolution allowing
Habitat for Humanity of Denton to sell items in Civic Center Park
on September 28, 1996.
Ed Hodney, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that this was
the third year for Habitat 'for Humanity to conduct a fund raising-
event in'the Civic Center Park. In prior years, the event was held
in the Civic Center and permission was not needed from the Council.
Per City ordinance, the organization needed Council approval to
sell items in 'the park.
The following resolution was considered:
NO. R96-038
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A DENTON PARKS ANDRECREATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS, AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
DENTON FOR THE USE OF THE CIVIC CENTER PARK ON SEPTEMBER 28,
1996; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Beasley motioned, Krueger seconded to approve the resolution, on
roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye", Krueger "aye",
and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
B. The Council considered approval of a resolution
authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the
pubic transportation contract with the Texas Department of
Transportation for funding public transportation.
Joseph Portugal, Assistant to the City Manager, stated that
approval of this resolution would authorize an amendment to the
fiscal year 1995-96 contract with the Texas Department of
Transportation. It allowed the City to spend $26,260 in State
funding for vans for the demand response system and extended the
time frame to December 31, 1996.
The following resolution was considered:
62¸
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 11
NO. R96-039
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT
NO. I TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FUNDING PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Beasley motioned, Brock seconded to approve the resolution. On
roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye", Krueger "aye",
and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
C. The Council considered approval of a resolution
supporting the City of Denton remaining in the 817 area code.
This item was included in Agenda Item $12.
10. The Council considered nominations/appointments to the City's
Boards and Commissions.
Council Member Cott nominated Jim Gwilliams to the Cable T. V.
Advisory Board.
Council Member Young nominated Johnny Stracener to the Pl!!mbing and
Mechanical Code Board.
Council Member Beasley nominated Charles Ridens to the Traffic
Safety Commission.
11. The Council received and considered information on the 1996-97
fiscal year budget and gave staff direction.
City Manager Benavides stated that staff had presented Council with
recommendations for allocation for the Lalor funds. There would be
an item on the September 3rd agenda to award those contracts.
There was also some additional information on SPAN, the seizure
fund and the library fund.
council Member Young asked if the Phoenix Park expansion and the
Oakwood Cemetery expansion were going to be considered in the
budget.
City Manager Benavides stated the Phoenix Park expansion could be
budgeted in the General Fund. The Cemetery did not meet the
requirements. The State did not allow the City to go into new
cemetery business unless the property was adjacent which this
particular property was not. There was still capacity in the
existing cemetery for the next 10 years.
Council Member Young asked for consideration for money to purchase
the right-of-way for the extension of Newton Street to Scott
Street.
Council Member Beasley questioned the amount for a Civic Center
bridge.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 12
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, stated that the City had a
consultant examine the project. One problem was that if a new
bridge was built, it would have to be lengthened as it was in a
flood way and would have to be wider. There were also six pipes
which would have to be moved.
Mayor Pro Tem Brock stated that any bridge built would need to be
part of the Park Master Plan. She wanted to make sure it would fit
into the plan for the future.
Council Member Krueger stated that he was not satisfied with the
budget and felt that it needed to be looked at more. There was a
proposal for a lowering of the tax rate but not lowering taxes. He
asked staff to show him what a 3-5% cut in every budget would do..
What would that do and how much money would it generate. He felt
that the employees were not happy with the lump pay which was not
increasing their salary. He did not like the idea of a lump pay.
He also asked the Council to give serious consideration to removing
Main Street from the Lalor funding and fund through the General
Fund. He wanted to give the remaining dollars as a percentage
rather than a lump sum amount.
Council Member Beasley asked what would happen next year with SPAN
and its funding.
Joseph Portugal, Assistant to the City Manager, Stated that staff
was working on a five year strategic plan.
council Member Young stated that he agreed with Council Member
Krueger's request for a 3-5% cut across the board.
12. The Council considered a request to allow the Mayor to submit
to the Public Utilities Commission the City's need to remain within
the 817 area code.
Gary Collins, Director of Information Services, stated that
currently the 817 area code went from Waco to Wichita Falls. It
was estimated that the 817 area code would run out of numbers by
January of 1998. The Public Utility Commission had two alternative
plans to break up the 817 area code to two other area codes. One
plan was to create a metro area Fort Worth and all other areas
would be in another area code. The second alternative was to have
one area code starting at Waco and going north to Fort Worth.
There would still be a metro in Fort Worth and another area code at
Wichita Falls. In both plans, Denton would not be in the metro
area. He had presented the City's position at the Public Utilities
Commission's public hearing last week.
Krueger motioned, Young seconded to approve a request to the Public
Utility Commission to have Denton remain in the 817 area code. On
roll vote, Beasley "aye", Brock "aye", Cott "aye", Krueger "aye",
Young "aye", and Mayor Miller "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 20, 1996
Page 13
13. Vision Update
Mayor Pro Tem Brock stated that the Entranceway Committee would be
having a meeting soon to plan a presentation to the Development
Policy Committee so as to avoid duplication of efforts. She had
been giving presentations to neighborhood groups and giving out the
new Vision brochure which detailed the recommendations of the
various Vision groups.
14. Miscellaneous matters from the City Manager.
City Manager Benavides did not have any items for the Council.
15. There was no. official action taken on items discussed during
the Closed Session.
16. New business
The following items of New Business were suggested by Council for
future agendas:
A. Council Member Young felt that another traffic light was
needed on Spencer and Loop 288.
17. The Council did not meet in a continuation of the Closed
Meeting.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
WaLTeRS
ITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
ACC00335