Loading...
Min 06/03/1986 256 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building June 3, 1986 Items 1 & 2 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in regular session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8:30 o'clock A.M. , with the following members present. Charles Harper Mayor Sandy Goff Charles Thomas Lindsey Walker Councilmen Ruth Ann Allred Ronald Buffum Don Kirkham James Berzina City Manager H. P. Hodge, Jr. City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas City Clerk Fred Werner Absent The invocation was given by Frances Gomez, El Buen United Methodist Church. Charles Harper, Mayor, read a poem by Emily Dickinson, titled, These are the Days When the Birds Come Back. Item 3 Moved by Councilman Goff that minutes of the meeting held May 20, 1986, be approved. Motion seconded by Councilman Thomas, and carried unanimously. Items 4a-8b Moved by Councilman Thomas that the consent agenda be approved. ICI Motion seconded by Council Buffum. Item 4a I Robert L. Wright, a Fire Department employee, was honored as Employee of the Month for June. Charles Harper, Mayor, presented him with a plaque, a City of Wichita Falls pin, and two tickets each to a theatre and dinner. Item 5a ORDINANCE NO. 44-86 AN ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING, AND ABANDONING A PORTION OF A NORTH- SOUTH ALLEY AND A RESERVED ACCESS STRIP IN BLOCK 118, HIGHLAND ADDITION, WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AND RETAINING A UTILITY EASEMENT Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Item 6a The bid for the annual linen contract was awarded to Flake Industrial service, in the amount of $9,025.12. Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas , Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham 257 Item 6a, cont'd Nays: None Item 6b RESOLUTION NO. 73-86 RESOLUTION TO AWARD BID FOR VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE MOTOR CONTROL AT LAKE ARROWHEAD Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Item 7a Authority was granted to advertise for bids for installation of water and sewer service to the recreational vehicle park. Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Item 8a,b Minutes of the meeting of the Mayor' s Commission on the Status of Women held April 3, 1986, were received. Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission held May 14, 1986, were received. Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Thomas, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Item 9a A public hearing was opened on the paving of an alley from Denver to Van Buren. The City Manager explained the options available for disposition of this alley. Paul Connor, 1921 8th Street, stated that he wanted the alley paved. Alberta Reaves, 1917 8th Street, favored the alley being paved. She wanted garbage pick-up. She stated that the method of payment doesn't make any difference. She stated that she had secured the names of five people on a petition. Councilman Walker asked if she is aware that others would have to participate in the paving, if it is done, and that it could be held up if they do not want to participate? She answered in the affirmative. Public Works Director George Bonnett stated that they would have the flexibility to modify the program for those who do not want to pay, as long as the alley is continuous. City Engineer David Zelenok stated that sanitation trucks could maneuver, and get into certain parts of the alley. Jack Carnes stated that he owns property facing 9th Street (Park Plaza) . He stated that in 1956 the City Council gave them permission to move this alley. They did this, and have kept it maintained since that time. They are not interested in paving the alley on the East end. They would have no reason to participate in the alley that is not paved. Mr. Zelenok stated that the alley described by Mr. Carnes is aging pavement, passable for cars, but he would hesitate to run a heavy vehicle down it. Mr. Carnes stated that dempsey dumpsters run down the alley. They are well pleased with their alley. Anthony Wooten, 9th Street Food Store, stated that their part of the 258 Item 9a, cont'd. alley is blacktopped, and they have no problems. The dumpsters get in and out. Mr. Bonnett stated that they could start another alley paving program in this area, and only do the unpaved section. These property owners could come back later and ask for paving, if they wanted it. Four hundred feet there needs to be paved. Troy Chancellor, 809 Van Buren, stated that these people don' t want an alley; they want a street. The drives for these apartments run off the alley. He would like to see alley pick-up, but he feels it is too much money. He is not willing to pay $1,000.00 for this because it will not benefit his property that much. Mr. Bonnett stated that on an alley paving program, all the money has to be placed up front. In the alley container program it is still $1,000.00, but it is spread over three years. Fifty percent is paid up front, and fifty percent is spread over three years. Don Blythe, who owns property at 1913-15 8th Street, stated that he originally signed the petition for this project. When he received the letter he was most shocked at the price. If we only need part of that alley paved, it seems that the cost could be reduced considerably. He is not willing to pay $1,000.00 to have his share of the alley paved. A motion was made by Councilman Thomas, and seconded by Councilman Buffum, for passage of the resolution to pave the approximate west 400 feet of the alley that is not paved, on the alley container program. Councilman Walker stated that there seems to be a great amount of concern about the quality of paving. Mr. Zelenok stated that they have not done any core samples. Councilman Walker was concerned about consistency. City Manager James Berzina clarified that the entire amount (for those who do not pay up-front) is paid over a three-year period. The motion failed by the following vote. Ayes: Councilman Thomas Nays: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Moved by Councilman Kirkham that this matter be tabled until the staff can make a study of the portion of the alley that is already paved, and that they come back with a proposal at some future date. Motion seconded by Councilman Allred. Mr. Bonnett stated that they should have this information for the first meeting in July. The motion was carried by the following vote. Ayes: Charles Harper, Mayor, Councilmen Goff, Walker, Allred, Buffum, and Kirkham Nays: None Item l0a A proposed ordinance was presented for consideration for rezoning the South half of Lot 11 , Block 5, Spivey Addition, from limited commercial to general commercial . Planning Director Roger McKinney stated that the staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission have both recommended that this not be allowed. The area is presently zoned limited commercial and serves as a buffer between Kell and the residential properties. A motion was made by Councilman Goff for passage of the ordinance. The motion died for lack of a second. Item 10b Discussion was held on a proposed ordinance rezoning Lot 14, Block 19-A, 259 Item 10b, cont'd 267 Item 13c, cont'd was voted down. He believes this motion was tied to tax abatement. It was very restrictive. He further stated that he did not believe that tax abatement would work. It was capricious and illogical . There was an element of unfairness associated with this motion. It got by him at the time, and he hopes that will not be the case in the future. He believes it was not fair to expect them to go out and work in 120 days, with a grand jury investigation. He believes we should have a work session, and educate the new council members. Charles Harper, Mayor, stated that the work session is very open. Anyone is invited, but Mr. Berzina will present the facts to them. Mr. Berzina noted that these developers are kind of stymied until the Council tells them what to do. Councilman Kirkham mentioned weeds growing in his area. He would like to have the procedures of getting the weeds cut explained to him. Mr. McKinney stated that they get 30-40 calls a day. The complaint is recorded, and they notify the owner to abate the nuisance within ten days. If the weeds are not cut, charges are filed in Municipal Court, or they put it out for bid, and the City mows it, and charges the property owner. It takes about 25 days optimum. Councilman Thomas stated that it has to be mowed back 30 feet from the property boundaries for a large tract. Councilman Kirkham noted that some river property also needs to be cleaned out. Councilman Kirkham noted that some windshields have been broken out from golf balls at Skyline Country Club. He asked if there is any way we can protect drivers along there? Councilman Buffum noted that this is the golfer' s personal responsibility, and we do not enter into it. Councilman Kirkham asked how many litter tickets have been issued? Major Pilcher stated none yet, but the contract has not yet been approved by Austin. When it is signed, the traffic department will begin enforcing it. Councilman Kirkham mentioned trash at Hardees on Loop 11. Assistant City Manager Edward Barrett presented a list of proposed uses for revenue sharing, stating that our estimate is 1 .2 million. In order to appropriate revenue sharing funds, we have to publish a notice of this in the paper. He stated that most of the major requests are funded in this list. Proposed expenditures , including funds presently available, total $1 ,429,607, as follows: a. Parks Improvements $ 300,000 b. Streets and Drainage 450,000 c. Fire Equipment 280,000 d. Data Processing Equipment 199,607 e. Capital Improvements 200,000 Mr. Barrett explained that the Council is not committed to appropriating this money on what is published. At the hearing, others can come forward with requests to be considered. Charles Harper, Mayor, mentioned the Fallsfest Volunteer buttons being worn by the Council . Councilman Allred stated that it is going to be a fantastic event. It is a first time endeavor, but she believes it will be one of the best events Wichita Falls has ever had. Concilman Goff stated that most of the proceeds will go back into the community, one way or another. It anyone wants to volunteer, she will take their nume. In food and beverage alone, she had to have 500 volunteers. Charles Harper, Mayor, mentioned a letter from Leonard Marks concerning The Year of the Flag. We call attention to it in Council meetings, proclamation, etc. Charles Harper, Mayor, directed City Clerk Wilma Thomas to instruct Mr. McMillan that he needs to make a current application for a Certificate 268 Item 13c, cont'd Plannah Scarborough stated that she has been working with Public Works on a sewer lift station at the site of a proposed office strip on Kemp Street. Mr. Bonnett stated that there is a lift station located in the middle of this shopping center. It was built in 1950. They have to replace two pumps, at a cost of about $15,000. The line is 15 feet deep, and one building is five feet away. The developer has offered to contribute $15,000 toward moving that lift station. They have made this offer in writing, and he would like the intent of the Council to move with the engineer in this direction. Mr. Bonnett believes it is in the best interest of the City to move it. Available funds are in reserves. They have another site in mind. i The City Council recessed into executive session at 12:55 P.M. , according to Article 6252-17, Section 2, Paragraphs (g) and (f) , of the Revised Civil Statutes. They re-convened at 4:00 P.M. , and immediately adjourned. PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 9 1986. VA--1 Charles H rper, MayiAr ATTEST: Wilma J. Thom s, CMC, City Clerk