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.
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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.
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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