Minutes June 26, 2001225
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
June 26, 2001
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas
convened in a Work Session on Tuesday, June 26, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Work
Session Room in City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tern Beasley; Council Members Fulton, McNeill, and
Redmon
ABSENT: Council Members Burroughs and Phillips
3. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding the
architect's schematic design of Central Fire Station.
Ross Chadwick, Fire Chief, introduced James Kirkpatrick, the architect of the project. Mr.
Kirkpatrick stated that they had been working closely with the Fire Chief and a committee of
selected Fire Department members. He stated he had been working with the Greater Denton Arts
Council, the Historic Landmark Commission, and other community groups.
Bruce Henningon, Director of Facilities Management, stated that a structural analysis had been
done and the foundation was sufficient to build a second floor to the existing structure. He stated
that tests would be done for possible lead paint and asbestos. He stated that a hydrogeologist
would do a study of the site for any underground water problems.
Mayor Pro Tem Beasley stated she was amazed at the solution for the drive-thru bays. Beasley
asked if there would be adequate parking.
Chadwick stated that they had met with Planning regarding issues with parking. He stated they
had discussed closing Mulberry Street or making Mulberry one way and parking on one side of
the street. They had also discussed purchasing or renting the lot across the street owned by the
Denton Record Chronicle and Belo Corporation.
Council Member Redmon asked what the square footage of the building would be.
Kirkpatrick stated approximately 25,000-26,000 square feet.
The Mayor asked whether they had checked for ground water.
Hennington stated they had dug down 12 feet and then another 4 feet and there was not a
significant amount of ground water. He stated they would be digging six holes and putting tubes
down them in order to measure the ground water that accumulated.
2. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding TXU
Gas Distribution's request to change rates in the Northwest Metro Mid-Cities Distribution
System as it affects gas rates to eugtomer~ within the City of Denton, Texas.
Herb Prouty, City Attorney, introduced Steve Taylor and Autry Warren with TXU and Dan
Lawton with Diversified Utility Consultants.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
June 26, 2001
Page 2
Steve Taylor, TXU, stated that this was a distribution system filing that actually covered 40
cities. He stated the proposed rates would result in an increase of about $2.00 per month for
residential customers and about $1.67 per month for commercial customers.
Mayor Brock excused herself from the meeting due to a possible conflict of interest.
Council Member McNeill asked about TXU's return on investment.
Autry Warren, TXU, stated that TXU was currently earning a 7.4% return on invested capital
and proposing to earn a 9.69% return on invested capital.
Dan Lawton, Diversified Utility Consultants, recommended that the Council go with the Steering
Committee's recommendation but take the industrial rate increase out of the application.
Consensus of the Council was to go with the Steering Committee's recommendation and leave
the industrial rates out.
4. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding Code
Enforcement procedures.
Captain Joanie Housewright stated that the current procedures were implemented in 1998. She
reviewed the procedures followed by Code Enforcement Officers in response to citizen
complaints regarding grass and weeds, trash and debris, and junk vehicles.
Housewright stated that a door hanger was left at the location notifying the tenant/owner of the
violation. If the property was a vacant lot or appeared vacant, the door hanger was mailed to the
property owner. A reinspection date was set for seven days from the date the door hanger was
left at the location. The property was reinspected no earlier than the date on the door hanger. If
the violation had been taken care of, no other action was taken and the case was closed. If the
violation still existed, a certified letter was sent to the property owner.
The property was reinspected 14 days after the certified letter was sent. If the violation was
abated, the case was closed. If the violation still existed, Code Enforcement attempted to call the
property owner to discuss the violation and agreed to a deadline for the violation to be abated. If
compliance was gained within the agreed time, the case was closed. If compliance was still not
gained, Code Enforcement would initiate administrative action or file a case in Municipal Court.
An owner had thirty days to remit payment or a lien was placed on the property.
Council Member Redmon stated that (1) the punishment should fit the person - some people
worked out of town and some needed more time, such as elderly citizens; (2) he wanted to know
where the $80 administrative fee came in; and (3) what happened in a boundary dispute.
Housewright stated that if the property owner/tenant needed help complying with the deadlines,
there was a phone number on the door hanger to call and Code Enforcement could send a
volunteer that would assist the citizen. The $80 administrative fee was a way for Code
Enforcement to recover some of the costs associated with the cases. Tax records were used to
establish the current property owner.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
June 26, 2001
Page 3
Housewright stated that 95% of the cases were in compliance before going to court.
5. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding the
Capital Improvement Process and the status of 1996 and 2000 Bond Program Projects.
Kathy Dubose, Assistant City Manager of Fiscal & Municipal Services, stated that the Council
had approved the formation of the Blue Ribbon CIP Committee in 1999. The committee
members gathered ideas for capital improvement projects and reviewed and prioritized each
project. The committee made a recommendation for the January 2000 Bond Election which was
approved by the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission, which the voters
approved on January 15, 2000.
DuBose stated that a CIP Oversight Committee was appointed by the City Council in February
2000 to monitor, evaluate and report the progress of the Capital Improvement Program.
22t
Ed Hodney, Director of Parks and Recreation, gave a brief update on the Downtown
Improvement Project. He stated that the objectives of the project were to establish a more
pedestrian-friendly setting, improve traffic flow, improve wheelchair access, and reduce minor
drainage problems in the parking zones. These objectives were to be accomplished through new
sidewalks, curbs, and brick paver treatments to sidewalks and crosswalks that were currently
under construction by the City's contractor. The contractor was expected to complete its work
by October 2001.
6. New Business
The following items of New Business were suggested by Council Members for future agendas:
A. Council Member McNeill suggested that staff consider putting the meetings on
the intemet.
B. Mayor Brock requested that at a future work session an ethics policy for the
council be discussed.
C. Council Member Redmon requested that we review our economic development
plans pertaining to the parcel of land bordered by Woodrow Lane, Spencer Road, Loop 288, and
McKinney Street to be considered with the possible extension of a road out to Loop 288 and
extension of infrastructure. He also requested that the extension of Scott Street be addressed.
7. There was no official action on Closed Meeting item(s) under Sections 551.071-551.086
of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Following the completion of the Work Session, the Council convened into a Special Called
Meeting and considered the following:
1. The Council considered nominations and appointments to the City's boards and
commissions.
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City of Denton City Council Minutes
June 26, 2001
Page 4
Beasley motioned, Fulton seconded to approve the nominations made at the June 19 meeting
with the exception of the TMPA nomination. On roll vote, Beasley "aye", Fulton "aye",
McNeill "aye", Redmon "aye", and Mayor Brock "aye". Motion carded 5-0.
The Council made nominations to the various boards and commissions as noted in Attachment
A.
Discussion followed about the Community Development Advisory Committee, Historic
Landmark Commission, Human Services Advisory Committee, and the Traffic Safety
Commission having more than seven members and that not all of the council districts had the
same representation on these boards. The Council directed staff to have the chairs of these
boards poll the board members to see how they felt their board would function best.
2. The Council considered approval of a resolution requesting the Denton County
Commissioners Court to place the City of Denton in one county commissioners' district.
Dottie Palumbo, Sr. Assistant City Attorney, stated that this resolution was requesting the Denton
County Commissioners to allow the Mayor of Denton to serve on the redistricting sub-committee
and to put the City of Denton in one County Commissioner district.
Council Member Redmon expressed concern that this item had been placed on the agenda after the
Agenda Committee Meeting.
Mayor Brock stated that an emergency situation regarding this item had been brought to her
attention and it was placed on the agenda.
Diane Edmundson, 110 E1 Paseo, spoke concerning this item. She stated that she was a member of
the redistricting committee appointed by the Denton County Commissioners Court. She told the
Council that the City of Denton would be best served if it remained in two of the county
commissioners' districts rather than being placed in one commissioner's district.
Edmundson recommendedthat the Council not approve the resolution.
Beasley motioned, Redmon seconded to take no action regarding the resolution. On roll vote,
Beasley "aye", Fulton "aye", McNeill "aye", Redmon "aye", and Mayor Brock "nay". Motion
carried 4-1.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
ASST. CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON
EULINE BROCK, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON
229
BOARDS/COMMISSION NOMINATIONS
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
1 Hal Jackson Richard Franco 1999-01 Redmon
Larry Luce 1999-01 Fulton
2 Rick Woolfolk approved 6/26
6 Don Smith 1999-01 Burroughs
4 Joe Roy 2000-02 McNeill
ANIMAL SHELTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
7 Bob Roh~ Susan Weinkein 1999-01 Brock
approved 6/26
3 Lynn Stucky 1999-01 Phillips
Jennifer Walters 1999-01 McNeill
4 Jennifer Walters approved 6/26
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
Harry Bell 1999-01 Redmon
1 Harry Bell approved 6/26
2 Pat Colonna 1999-01 Fulton
Hank Dickenson 1999-01 McNeill
4 Diane Crew approved 6/26
6 Peggy Fox 1999-01 Burroughs
CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY & APPEALS BOARD
Dist Specialty Current Member Nomination Term Council
1 General Contractor Bill Redmon 1999-01 Redmon
3 General Contractor Jay Thomas 1999-01 Phillips
5 General Contractor Scott Richter Scott Richter 1999-01 Beasley
6 Rep. from electrical Doug Grantham 1999-01 Burroughs
industry
Rep. from Frank Cunningham Frank Cunningham 1999-01 Brock
7 plumbing industry approved 6/26
23
DENTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
Seat Current Member Nomination Term Council
7 Rosemary Rodrigucz 1999-01 Brock
7 Katie Flcmming 1999-01 Brock
7 Mark Chew 1999-01 Brock
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
2 Lanelle Blanton 1999-01 Fulton
4 Barry Vermillion 1999-01 McNeill
5 Peggy Capps 1999-01 Beasley
6 John Baines 1999-01 Burroughs
Steve Boedeker
1 Steve Boedeker 1999-01 Redmon
approved 6/26
3 Steve Johansson 1999-01 Phillips
HUMAN SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
4 Audrey Bryant 1999-01 McNeill
5 James McDade 1999-01 Beasley
Mae Nell Shephard 1999-01 Redmon
I Mae Nell Shephard approved 6/26
3 Betty Tomboulian 1999-01 Phillips
5 Peggy Kelly 1999-01 Beasley
6 Kent Miller 1999-01 Burroughs
7 Elinor Hughes 1999-01 Brock
LIBRARY BOARD
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
5 Ken Ferstl Ken Ferstl 1999-01 Beasley
6 Adrienne Norris 1999-01 Burroughs
2 Carroll Trail Judy Deek 1999-01 Fulton
approved 6/26
PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATIONBOARD
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
5 Don Edwards Don Edwards 1999-01 Beasley
6 Teresa Andress 1999-01 Burroughs
Dalton Gregory 1999-01 Brock
7 Dalton Gregory approved 6/26
Shalaura Logan 1999-01 Redmon
1 Gwendolyn Carter approved 6/26
4 Vacant Geri Aschenbrenner 2000-02 McNeill
231
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
4 Elizabeth Gourdie Susan Apple 1999-01 McNeill
Joe Roy 1999-01 Brock
7 Susan Apple approved 6/26
1 Carl Williams 1999-01 Redmon
Bill Keith 1999-01 Fulton
2 Rudy Moreno approved 6/26
PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
6 Charldean Newell 1997-01 Burroughs
Bill Cheek, Jr. 1999-03 Fulton
2 VACANT approved 6/26
TMPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Current Member
Sandy Kristoferson
Nomination Term Council
Perry McNeill 1999-01 ALL
TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
3 Marshall Smith 1999-01 Phillips
4 Michael Monticino 1999-01 McNeill
Pat Cheek
7 Pat Cheek 1999-01 Brock
approved 6/26
232
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Dist Current Member Nomination Term Council
3 Greg Muirhead 1999-01 Phillips
6 ByronWoods 1999-01 Burroughs
7 John Johnson James Kirkpatrick 1999-01 Brock
approved 6/26
Tom Reece
1 Tom Reece 1999-01 Redmon
approved 6/26
Grant Jacobson
4 Jon Bergstrom approved 6/26 1999-01 McNeill
0 Grant Jacobson (Alt. 1) 1999-01 ALL
David Gumfory 1999-01 ALL
0 James Kirkpatrick (Alt. 2) approved 6/26
0 David Gumfory (Alt. 3) 1999-01 ALL