Minutes August 22, 2000CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 22, 2000
After determining that a quorum was present and convening in an Open Meeting, the City
Council convened in a Closed Meeting on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 5:15 p.m. in the City of
Denton Council Work Session Room, Denton City Hall.
PRESENT:Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs, Cochran,
Durrance, Kristoferson and Young.
ABSENT:None
1.The Council considered the following in Closed Meeting:
A.Deliberations Regarding Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters ---
Under TEX. GOV’T. CODE Section 551.086.** Deliberations Concerning Real
Property --- Under TEX. GOV’T. CODE Section 551.072. Consultation With
Attorney --- Under TEX. GOV’T. CODE Section 551.071.
(1)Received information from Staff, discussed, deliberated, considered, and
provided Staff with direction respecting the valuation of, and the possible
sale, transfer, assignment, or other divestiture of real property pertaining
to the City of Denton’s electric utility system, including, without
limitation: the Gibbons Creek generation facility located in Grimes
County, Texas; the Spencer generation facility located on Spencer Road in
Denton County, Texas; the two hydroelectric facilities located in Denton
County, Texas; and other components of the City’s electric generation
assets. Conduct a consultation with the City’s attorneys in order to obtain
the advice and recommendations of the City’s attorneys concerning the
above-referenced issues, where to discuss such issues and matters in a
public meeting would conflict with the attorneys’ duties and professional
responsibilities to their client under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of
Professional Conduct.
Special Called Session of the City Council on Tuesday, August 22, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at City Hall.
1.The Council received a report, held a public hearing, and held a discussion regarding the
future of Central Fire Station.
The Mayor opened the public hearing.
The following individuals spoke during the public hearing:
Carol Ridens, 1204 Amhurst, Denton, 76201 - favor of new station; not destroy old station
Ross Chadwick, Fire Chief, made a presentation regarding the options available for Central Fire
Station as noted in the agenda materials. He reviewed the information gathered from the surveys
regarding the options and indicated that they would continue taking the information until the end of
the week. Thus far, the overwhelming majority of responses were in favor of Option Three.
The public hearing continued after Chief Chadwick’s presentation.
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August 22, 2000
Page 2
Tim Charles, 36 Oak Forrest Circle, Denton, 76205 – representing the Greater Denton Arts
Council Board – consider use of new fire station for public use and alternatives for the
current building; make outside of building compatible with Center for Visual Arts; place
public art on grounds.
Sue Burt, 216 W. Oak, Denton, 76201 – fire station should stay in downtown square area –
option 2
Ken Gold, 2512 Natchez Trace, Denton, 76201 - favor of option 3 – consider drive-through
at station
Mike Holdsclaw, 1812 Audra Lane, Denton, 76209 – favor of option 3
John Schrader, 1910 Main Marion, Denton, 76209 - favor of option 3 but put a fire zone on
one side of Hickory Street and flashing red light controlled by Fire Department on Locust
Street
The following speaker card was submitted:
James Fykes, 2217 Holly Hill, Denton, 76205 – favor of option 3
The Mayor closed the public hearing.
Mayor Brock indicated that this issue was part of the Council’s budget decision process and a final
determination would be made in the next few weeks.
2.There was no official action on Closed Meeting Item(s) under Sections 551.071-551.086 of
the Texas Open Meetings Act.
The Special Called Session was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Following the completion of the Special Called Session, the Council convened into a Work
Session in the City Council Work Session Room.
1.The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the
City’s response to litter, facility maintenance and signage issues identified through the Raise the
Bar Campaign.
Ed Hodney, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that Council had received periodic reports
on the progress of the issues raised during the Raise the Bar Campaign. In particular, the issues
raised were litter on City property, the appearance of the City buildings, and the need for better
signage. Recommendations regarding these issues were reviewed and were included in the
agenda materials. Staff was requesting direction on signage proposals.
Council debated the design of the directional signs and suggested staff continue finalizing the
design.
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2.The Council held a legislative briefing and identification of issues for the 77 Legislative
Session and identification of legislative issues for Texas Municipal League (TML) Resolutions.
Dottie Palumbo, Assistant City Attorney, presented an outline of legislative issues for TML
resolutions. Staff had been working with affiliate organizations to seek introduction and passage
of legislation and as yet had not identified issues for TML resolutions.
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August 22, 2000
Page 3
Council agreed to continue to monitor the bills that would be presented this year and to work
with legislators on issues affecting Denton.
3.The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding
potential annexation strategy options for the Ryan/Country Club Road area.
Doug Powell, Director of Planning and Development, stated that Council directed staff to pursue
a broad annexation strategy for the Ryan/Country Club Road area. The need for coordinated
transportation services to the Ryan Elementary School and a potential voluntary annexation
petition and proposed development for the Weatherford tract were the reasons this issue was
brought forward to Council. The Ryan Elementary and Weatherford parcels were not contiguous
to the city limits and could not be annexed by the city given current conditions. Staff completed
a preliminary analysis of the area and identified several parcels to be considered for annexation.
Staff was recommending annexation of those properties as identified in the agenda materials.
Council discussed the pros and cons regarding annexing these areas. There was a feeling that
there needed to be a consensus of the Council in favor of annexing the property before beginning
the process as a super majority vote of the Council would be needed to pass any annexation
ordinance.
Consensus of the Council was to begin annexation procedures for the properties identified.
4.The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding
potential annexation strategy options for the I-35W/U.S. 377 area.
Consensus of the Council was to begin annexation procedures for the properties identified.
5.The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the
2000-2001 operating budget and the 2001-2005 capital improvement program.
Kathy DuBose, Assistant City Manager for Finance/Municipal Services, stated that Council had
received answers to questions asked at the last budget session. She asked if Council had any further
questions regarding the budget.
6.The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding an
airport development strategy.
Mark Nelson, Airport Manager, stated that staff met with the Texas Department of Transportation
Aviation Division to discuss proposed airport infrastructure projects. Staff was requesting that
TxDOT consider the Denton Municipal Airport a candidate for a proposed air traffic control tower
match grant program to be developed during the fiscal year 2001. Staff and the Airport Advisory
Board were recommending Option 1 that was to approve the development strategy as presented.
This option would provide needed improvements to the infrastructure and operations at the Airport
at a significant reduction in local and state expenditures. If the strategy was successful, TxDOT
could approve funding of a joint use facility at the end of fiscal year 2001. The planning and design
phase would begin immediately after. The $500,000 approved in the January 15, 2000 CIP Bond
election would be used for two matching grant programs - $250,000 for a proposed tower and
$250,000 for a state airport terminal grant program. $80,000 would be applied toward additional
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August 22, 2000
Page 4
planning documentation necessary for the proposed runway extension.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the recommended staff strategy in Option 1.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
__________________________
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
___________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS