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October 5, 2009 Minutes CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 5, 2009 Joint Meeting of the City of Denton City Council and the Denton Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the North Branch Library Community Room, 3020 N. Locust St. PRESENT: Mayor Burroughs, Mayor Pro Tem Kamp, Council Member Engelbrecht, Council Member Mulroy, and Council Member Watts. ABSENT: Council Member Heggins, Council Member Gregory 1.Call to order; announce quorum, introductions. Mayor Burroughs called the City Council portion of the meeting to order and announced a quorum of the Council present. 2. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding the status of the DCTA rail project. Dee Leggett, VP-Planning and Communication for DCTA, discussed the realignment of Robertson Street. Denton streets in the area needed to be realigned for quieter, safer train movement through the neighborhoods. This would eliminate a potential conflict with vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic operation; would eliminate the awkward intersection at Jackson and Robertson; eliminate the need for railroad gates and lights; and eliminate the need for warning horns, bells and flashing beacons. Three crossings in Denton were considered for closure: Prairie, Duncan and Robertson Street. Based on initial input from city staff, Council and area residents, DCTA opted to only pursue the Robertson crossing closure. She reviewed the traffic impacts for the various alternatives and the costs associated with construction and possible quite zone location. The final recommendations included (1) realign Robertson Street with Wye Street, (2) Wye Street would form a T-intersection with Robertson Street, which would continue south to Morse Street, (3) the existing Jackson Street would be realigned with the remaining part of Robertson Street and would be renamed as Jackson Street where it intersected with Morse Street, and (4) DCTA and DISD would work to resolve the loss of parking at the school and the circulation of bus and school traffic. Board President Alexander asked for a definition of a “quiet zone”. Leggitt stated that a train had to blow its horn at every crossing. However, if certain safety measures were installed such as four gates or a median with gates, the train would not have to blow the horn. Alexander stated that would be an important concern due to the proximity of the Fred Moore School. Council Member Engelbrecht asked about the ingress/egress on Robertson. Rod Reeves, DISD Coordinator of Facilities, stated that DCTA and staff were still working on that issue. Board Member Rodriguez asked about the impact on Cross Timbers and the school for students. City of Denton City Council Minutes October 5, 2009 Page 2 Leggett stated that there would be no impact on Cross Timbers and they were still working with the DISD in regards to the students. 3. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding planning for the H1N1 flu and cooperative efforts between various governmental agencies in Denton County. Mike Penaluna, Emergency Management Coordinator, stated that the City had established a health crisis response team. That team would be looking at such issues as identifying critical employees for the operations of the City and employees working from home if needed. Risk Management had implemented prevention measures including information on the City’s Intranet. A table top exercise would be held in the near future to simulate a health crisis. Dr. Jessica Gullion, Denton County, stated that the State had a stockpile of antiviral medications. It was expected that the H1N1 vaccine would be available in Denton County in 1-2 weeks with the first type of vaccine being the live vaccine. She indicated that there would be some mass vaccine clinics throughout the County. Mayor Burroughs asked if information on the Tamiflu had been distributed to area doctors. Gullion replied correct. Mayor Burroughs felt that some economically disadvantaged people might not have a regular doctor and might not receive the information. He suggested that the information be provided to such agencies as the United Way to give out instructions on the flu and the availability of the Tamiflu. Board Member Harris asked if there could be immunization clinics at the schools. Gullion replied that she was working with Jay Thatcher of the County Health Clinic to see if that would be possible. Theresa Grant, DISD Director of Health Services, stated that the focus for the DISD was to keep the schools open, safe and healthy. Their plan involved the action steps to educate, collaborate, communicate and clean. “Educate” would include students, parents, staff and the community about the virus. “Collaborate and Communicate” would be among the DISD, County and City. “Clean” would involve the operations staff as an integral part in infection control. They had emergency plans in place and were working hard to keeping everyone safe. Mayor Burroughs asked about the priority administration of the vaccines. Grant stated that education would be done first on the types of vaccines available and who should receive which type. The nose mist was a live virus and some people were excluded from being able receive that type of vaccine. She felt that individuals who came to the clinics for the vaccine would not be turned away except for medical reasons. 4. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding the status of cooperative efforts for development projects of governmental entities in the City of Denton. City of Denton City Council Minutes October 5, 2009 Page 3 Howard Martin, Assistant City Manager, stated that there had been good participation in and discussion of the issue between the City and DISD. The discussions had centered on how to coordinate projects with the City, DISD and County. He hoped to have a completed draft in the next several months. Board President Alexander stated that the Board had looked at this issue and felt it was an important issue for the DISD and all taxpayers as such cooperative efforts would lead to savings in construction costs and avoid delays in projects. 5. The Council received a report and held a discussion regarding the CIP programs of both the city and DISD including the status of any specific sidewalk projects. Rod Reeves, DISD Coordinator of Facilities, presented an update on DISD projects for Phases I and II. Superintendent Braswell indicated that two new schools would be opening this year. There was no decision on when the next bond sales would be. Frank Payne, City Engineer, presented updated information on the following projects: Shady Oaks and Brinker Road, Western Blvd., Hobson Lane/US 377 and FM 1830, and Mayhill Road. He also provided an update on these sidewalk projects: (1) Bernard Street-Eagle Drive to Bolivar, (2) Sherman Drive-Carroll to Bolivar, (3) Woodrow Lane-McKinney to Morse, (4) Pockrus Page-Post Oak Blvd. to Swisher Road, (4) Teasley Lane Pathway, and (5) Ryan Road to south of Guyer High School. 6. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m. ____________________________________ MARK A. BURROUGHS MAYOR CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS ____________________________________ JENNIFER WALTERS CITY SECRETARY CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS