Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Jan. 14, 2014: 9 items, 1 split vote; appointing two councilmembers to work with staff and the consultant on prioritizing
0 consent items, 9 regular items, 2 public hearings, 1 executive-session topic; 13 recorded votes. Written from the minutes.
Consider appointing two councilmembers to work with staff and the consultant on prioritizing projects with the Holland Lake Watershed. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, asked that two Council members work with staff and the consultant in the prioritization of projects for the Holland Lake Watershed study. It will take approximately two hours and they are hoping to meet next week. Jeff Robinson and Waymon Hamilton CC 011414 Page 2 of 7 volunteered. Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, requested that the appointed members know the area that is being considered and the watershed. Discuss and consider recommendations on water and wastewater impact fees. James Hotopp, Director of Water/Wastewater/Engineering Utilities, presented this item. Mr. Hotopp explained that impact fees are allowed under Chapter 395 of the Local Government Code. They were established in 2003 and updated in 2008. They must be reviewed and updated at least every five years and this item is the recommendation resulting from the review which was undertaken in 2013. Mr. Hotopp identified the review process. First, the committee was established on April 9, 2013 and consisted of Jim Duncan, Janis Saunders, Howard McClurkin, Eva Earl Rutledge, and Jeff Jones. Steps two and three were to update the service area and the land use plan. Step four was the development of a 2023 water and sewer [...]
Consider approval of Ordinance number 657-2014-02, updating water and wastewater impact fees. Bobbie Narramore, 209 West First Street, spoke about how impact fees are assessed. Mr. Hotopp noted that they are only assessed at the time of new construction and that existing customers do not pay impact fees. On the motion of Craig Swancy, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to approve Ordinance 657-2014-02 updating water and wastewater impact fees. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of City of Weatherford Investment Policy and Resolution R2014- 02. David Croff, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item stating that it is the annual review of the City's Investment Policy as required by state law. Mr. Croff recommended only one change regarding certain CC 011414 Page 3 of 7 circumstances under which the City would not be required to obtain multiple bids from brokers. On the motion of Heidi Wilder, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution R2014-02 regarding the City's Investment Policy. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Discuss and consider approval of Resolution R2014-03 to approve the City joining Texas Class Investment Pool. Mr. Croff presented this item. Currently the City is a member of two investment pools, TexPool and TexStar. Two additional pools are available and staff recommended joining the Texas Class Investment Pool. Mr. Croff stated that the yield our current pools are paying is not very high. This morning, TexStar is paying .0275 basis points, and TexPool is paying .0295 basis points. Texas Class is paying .10 basis points. This allows one more option where we can place our money and earn a little bit higher yield on City funds. Mr. Croff stated that Texas Class pays a higher rate because of the investment mix that they use and their investment philosophy. They look at the members' demand for cash, market conditions at any given time and what can provide the most safety, liquidity, and yield. Texas Class is able to provide a better rate because they have a lower annual fee, and their definition of an allowable derivative product includes premium paper. This is different than TexStar and TexPool. Mr. Croff stated that Weatherford Independent School District is a member of Texas Class and that this pool was originally formed around education but has since been opened to other participation. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Heidi Wilder, the Council voted unanimously to [...]
Consider a request for a Final Plat of The Hudson Addition, located at 1681 Johnson Bend Road, more generally described as being an approximate 10.00 acre tract in the E.N. Burrows Survey, A-2286 and the Lorenzo D. Skidmore Survey, A-1204, Parker County, Texas. Project SBD2013-0018. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item. This subdivision is on Johnson Bend Road. It is approximately ten acres and will be divided into five two-acre parcels. Staff has worked with the County, the applicant, and the applicant's engineer. Dedicating an easement would have made the parcels under two acres each which could cause some problems with the County. Therefore, instead of an easement, it has been agreed that right-of-way will be dedicated. Staff recommended, and the County agreed, that we not make the applicant set aside escrow or build the road. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, subject to the right-of-way dedication instead of the easement. A paved County road is already in place; it does not have curb and gutter. The plat will be filed and the owners will have a lot slightly less than two acres. The right-of-way will not be on the owners' property as an easement would have been. On the motion of Jeff Robinson, second by Craig Swancy, the Council voted unanimously to approve the final plat for The Hudson Addition. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider a request for a Final Plat of Silverstone Addition Phase IV, located near 1701 Saddle Ridge Trail, more generally described as being an approximate 7.57 acre tract in the T. & P.R.R. Survey A- 1499, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Project SBD2013-0026. Mr. Farmer presented this item. This is the next phase of the Silverstone Development, which is located on the north side of the existing development, and is approximately 33 lots. Curb, gutter, water, and sewer are all in place. A rough estimate of the total number of lots in this area is 200. The east loop will be to the west and there is a long term plan for the area. On the motion of Waymon Hamilton, second by Jeff Robinson, the Council voted unanimously to approve the final plat for the Silverstone Addition Phase IV. Motion carried 5 - 0.
Consider and/or act upon approval of Ordinance 660-2014-05 on the rewrite of Title IV Building and Property Maintenance adopting the 2009 International Codes and the 2008 National Electrical Code; and rewrite of Title VII Fire Regulations and focusing content of title on Fire Prevention; and amending Title VI, Chapter 3 Abandoned and Junked Vehicles and amending Title II, Chapter 6 Building and Standards Commission. CC 011414 Page 4 of 7 Craig Farmer introduced Chief Building Official Randy Law, City Attorney Cathy Zellers, Director of Municipal and Community Services Steve Bates, and Fire Marshal Bob Hopkins. Mr. Farmer shared a recent situation with a company called My Dentist. He stated it took approximately 30 days to get their plans finalized. Construction and inspections were completed in approximately 50 days, with a total of 80 days from initial application to occupancy of the building. When detailed plans are received and the property is already zoned correctly, it is possible to complete projects in less than 90 days. Mr. Farmer noted that some building plans are not so detailed, some are even hand-written, which then take longer to approve, which lengthens the process from application to occupancy. Mr. Law stated that we are mandated by the State of Texas to adopt the International Codes. He noted the Zoning Code, the Sewage Code, the Performance Code, and the [...]
Discuss and consider the issue of smoking in public places. City Manager Jerry Blaisdell presented this information. Staff received specific instruction from Council at the last meeting to add parks to our current non-smoking policy. Staff conducted research with local restaurants and how such an ordinance might or might not impact their business. By posting no smoking signs in parks, CC 011414 Page 5 of 7 any City employee can state that an area is non-smoking. That person can then put out their smoking product or leave the area. If they refuse, then it is a trespassing issue. If parks are considered in an ordinance, then it can only be enforced by the police department. We anticipate that 90 to 95 percent of the people will comply simply with the placement of the signs. While not all of our parks are dedicated parkland, it was the Council's direction to include all park-like areas such as the hike/bike trail, the ball fields, and other city-owned public places. It was not the direction of the Council to post signs on vacant properties owned by the City. Harberger Hill, First Monday, and Heritage Park would be included for signage. Signs will be posted at all property owned by the City where a substantial portion of the public gathers from time to time. Council discussion included restaurant owners posting at their front doors a sign stating that their establishment allows [...]
Waymon Hamilton and Craig Swancy voted in opposition.
Future agenda items: Mr. Hamilton asked to revisit the chicken ordinance and a horse ordinance. It was not the pleasure of the Council to bring the chicken ordinance forward again. The horse ordinance was not discussed.
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 551.074 - to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee: Municipal Court Judge. No action was taken on this item.
Executive session topics, as posted: the authority contained in Section 551.074 - to deliberate the appointment, employment, evaluation,.
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, Jan. 14, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)