Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Nov. 12, 2013: 8 items, 1 split vote; Review/Update regarding the Texas Open Meetings Act
0 consent items, 8 regular items, 1 public hearing; 8 recorded votes. Written from the minutes.
Review/Update regarding the Texas Open Meetings Act. City Secretary Malinda Nowell introduced Rob Allibon and Cara White with the firm of Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam (TOASE). Mr. Allibon and Ms. White presented this update. Board and commission members in attendance included: Bill Warren (Library and HPC), Kathleen Wildwood (HPC), Ron Chandler (HPC), Sharon Hayes (ASAC), Bill Dickason (UB), Ken Davis (UB), Janis Saunders (PZ), Howard McClurkin (UB), Bob Glenn (UB), Patrick McGhee (BAS), Thomas Moorman (PARD), Carole Peterson (HPC), Morris Maniscalco (PZ), Betty Richardson (Library), Mary Lou Curry (Library), Charles Brown (PZ), Teri Hubbard (Library), and Richard Simmons (TAB). Staff members in attendance included Dennis Clayton, Dave Croff, Diana Allen, Terry Hughes, James Hotopp, Kandi Lee, Krista Beach, Joe Farley, Sharon Hayes, Wayne Slimp, Manny Palacios, Danielle Felts, Karen King, Steve Bates, Troy Garvin, Dustin Deel, Chris Accardo, Paul Rust, Kevin Tucker, Sidney Kirk, Malinda Nowell, Jerry Blaisdell, Dale Fleeger, and attorneys Ed and Cathy Zellers. Mr. Allibon and Ms. White discussed the following topics: applicability; notice and posting requirements; executive sessions; and penalties for violations.
Recognized Yard Awards for 4th Quarter of FY13. Danielle Felts, Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events, presented the following awards: CC 111213 Page 1 of 6 NE area, Wayne Barbee, 366 Dalhart Drive SE area, Wendy Walling, 225 Camelot Drive NW area, Mike and Charlene Amburn, 1012 Hanover Street SW area, Nate and Beverly Blitzer, 409 South Alamo Street Lake area, Phyllis and Billie Purvis, 3121 Cimmaron Court
Hold a PUBLIC HEARING and consider approval of Ordinance number 646-2013-40, a request for a Zoning Change from AG Agricultural to C1 Commercial, for property located at 409 Zion Hill Road, more generally described as being a 2.11 acre portion of the H.M. Parrish Survey, Abstract 1867, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Project ZCH2013-0006. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this zoning change request. The subject property is 2.11 acres located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Zion Hill Road and the Ric Williamson Memorial Highway. The property is currently zoned AG Agriculture. Planning and Zoning recommended C1 Commercial zoning. The Comprehensive Plan called for Multi-Family; however, the plan did not anticipate the western loop being built in its present location. The owner has no intent at the moment, but is making this request in anticipation of marketing the property. Mayor Hooks opened the Public Hearing at 6:49 p.m. As there were no speakers, Mayor Hooks closed the Public Hearing at 6:49 p.m. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted to approve ordinance 646-2013-40 for a zoning change to property located at 409 Zion Hill Road. Motion carried 4 - 0.
Craig Swancy recused himself from this item.
Consider a request for approval of a Final Plat for Weatherford Hilltop Addition, Lots 1-5, Block 1, for property located south of the intersection of Bethel Road and Main Street in the P.S. Hall Survey/A-659 and the B.F. Draper Survey/A-405, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Mr. Farmer also presented this item. The property is known as the current site of the Emmanuel Baptist Church on the corner of South Main Street and Bethel Road, adjacent to Chicken Express. The owner is dividing this property into five lots. The possibility exists that an Aldi (small boutique grocery store) and a fuel station will be going in at that corner. The City has no money or resources involved in this project. Planning and Zoning recommended approval with a list of conditions which have been included in the subdivision improvement agreement. The conditions are required by ordinance before the plat can be filed. On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve the final plat. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of an Interlocal Agreement with Parker County Emergency Services District (ESD) #3 for a joint working agreement. Fire Chief Paul Rust presented the contract for Council's consideration. Chief Pat English from ESD 3 was also present. Chief Rust provided a map of the service area. He discussed the taxes related to emergency services. He reviewed incident hours and budget by service. The ESD's assets total more than $1 million, which Weatherford Fire Department (WFD) will have access to through this agreement, CC 111213 Page 3 of 6 including engines, brush trucks, a tanker, breathing apparatus, Jaws-of-Life, fire hose, nozzles, thermal imaging camera, and gear for the six firefighters. He spoke about the ESD's rent, utilities, and trained volunteers, as well as the experienced firefighters that are already familiar with our employees and our City. Ms. Wilder inquired about the cost to the citizens of Weatherford and stated that there are inconsistencies or incompatibilities in Chief Rust's calculations. Ms. Wilder stated she is against this agreement. Mr. Robinson spoke about mutual aid calls; duplication of equipment and firefighters for no reason other than we are separate taxing entities; an improved response time for part of Weatherford; the $200,000 which covers the three firefighters we are bringing on; and that the agreement could save on [...]
Heidi Wilder and Waymon Hamilton voted in opposition. Discuss and consider a recommendation from the Park Board to adopt the Concept Plan for the Veteran's Memorial at Soldier Spring Park. The Council recessed at 8:25 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:41 p.m. Danielle Felts, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Special Events, presented the Veteran’s Memorial Concept Plan. She stated that on May 14, 2013 the Council voted unanimously to approve a Park Board recommendation to utilize a defined area of Soldier Spring Park as the future home of the Parker County Veteran's Memorial. On July 23 the Council voted to utilize Park Dedication Fees for the development of a professional Concept Plan for the Memorial. Ms. Felts reviewed specific features of the plan. The plan will provide the non-profit groups the groundwork they need to move forward in fundraising and ensuring that a plan is developed in line with the current Park Master Plan. The concept plan was unanimously approved by the Park Board on October 15, 2013. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the Veteran's Memorial Concept Plan for Solider Spring Park. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and provide staff direction regarding smoking in public places. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to table this item until December. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Action on executive session items: To take action, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, VTCS, (Open Meetings Law): In accordance with the authority contained in section 551.071 - Consultation with Attorney - The City Council may convene in executive session to conduct a private consultation with its attorney on any legally posted agenda item, when the City Council seeks the advice of its attorney about pending or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, or on a matte
Compiled from the city secretary's minutes by the Ledger's extractor, in the minutes' own wording, item by item; the Ledger adds no characterization. Read the minutes for the full record.
Sources: City of Weatherford: council minutes, Nov. 12, 2013 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)