Weatherford
Weatherford City Council, Oct. 13, 2014: 6 items; Presentation regarding Chandor Gardens recognition to National Register of Historic Places
0 consent items, 6 regular items, 2 executive-session topics; 6 recorded votes, all unanimous. Written from the minutes.
Presentation regarding Chandor Gardens recognition to National Register of Historic Places. Shannon Goodman, Director of Parks and Recreation, spoke briefly about this item and introduced Bill Warren, a member of the Chandor Garden Foundation. Mr. Warren stated that the gardens will be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, among approximately 3,100 other Texas listings. The City can include this recognition in advertising and the gardens are now eligible for additional grants through the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as other foundations. Presentation on transportation projects and request support for the November 4 constitutional amendment proposition for increased state funding for transportation. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, spoke about a resolution of support, on tonight's Consent Agenda, regarding a constitutional amendment for increased state funding for transportation. If passed, the amendment will allow funding to be transferred from the state's rainy day fund into the state's general fund for disbursement for transportation projects. This amendment is known as proposition 1 on the November 4 ballot.
Consider all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of City of Weatherford, Texas General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2014, including the adoption of Ordinance 701-2014- 46 authorizing the issuance of such bonds and providing for the defeasance and redemption of the bonds being refunded. David Croff, Chief Financial Officer, presented this item. He stated that when this item was posted on the agenda, it was not considered that the bond market would be closed since today is a legal holiday. Mr. Croff introduced Marti Shew of FirstSouthwest who gave a short presentation discussing the terms of the bond sale, indebtedness, and the savings that the city will receive. Ms. Shew stated that the bonds available for refunding are the series 2007 general obligation bonds for the construction of fire station 4 and which included some street improvements as approved in the November 2006 bond election. The current interest rates are between 4 and 4.375 percent. If refunded, the interest rate would drop to an anticipated 2.24 percent. If refunded, the total gross savings is approximately $70,000 per year for a total of $953,019. The net present value savings is 10.61 percent. This refunding will not increase the debt, but instead will mirror the old issuance. Bonds originally issued were not part of any pass-through toll agreements with the Texas Department of [...]
Consider a Final Plat for Westover Village Estates, Phase II-C Addition, for property located at 1100 Block West B.B. Fielder, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. SBD2014-0023. Craig Farmer, Director of Planning and Development, presented this item stating that the development has 128 lots. Normally, subdivisions are entirely complete before the final plat is recorded. Mr. Farmer noted that the detention pond, the bridges, and the roads are built, as well as the sidewalks across the detention pond. The public improvements are approximately 95 percent complete. The applicant has contractual obligations and has requested expedited approval of the plat. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the final plat be approved subject to the condition that the plat not be certified or filed with Parker County, and any certificates of occupancy for private improvements are to be withheld until the required public improvements are completed by the developer and accepted by the City. Mr. Farmer spoke briefly about two ways in and out of the development, which was approved in 2012. This development is built in accordance with the approved preliminary plat and the approved engineering plans. Steve Moore, applicant, stated that Westover Village will have approximately 370 lots and the nearby Weatherford Heights subdivision has approximately 220 lots. Mr. Hamilton stated that [...]
Consider and/or request approval to purchase two fire apparatus: Pierce 105' Quint and Pierce Dash CF Pumper. Paul Rust, Fire Chief, presented this item. He spoke about the availability of a quint which is a hybrid of a fire engine and a ladder truck. This apparatus is currently in stock and does meet our specifications. It is a CC101314 Page 3 of 5 2013 model which was used at trade shows. It is nicely equipped with 8,000 highway miles. To have one custom built would cost approximately one million dollars. We budgeted $850,000 for a quint, but by purchasing this stock vehicle, it will cost approximately $842,000. It does meet the city's specifications and could probably be delivered and in service before Christmas. The pumper will be built to specification and it will be approximately nine months before we can take delivery of it. The Fire Department has an apparatus committee and they are in full support to move forward with the purchase of both apparatus. Ms. Shew with FirstSouthwest spoke to the financial aspect and stated that the City could issue a tax note. It is a debt obligation and would require a pledge of the City's property tax. Assuming the same interest rates as on the refunding bonds, the projected true interest cost on this would be 1.48 percent. Ms. Shew stated that tax notes are not subject to voter approval because they carry a maximum length of seven [...]
Discuss and consider appointments to the Transportation Advisory Board, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and the Building & Standards Commission. The Council made no appointments.
1 resident spoke during citizen comments on non-agenda items; the minutes record the topics. The Ledger counts residents at comment and does not name them.
Update on Downtown Improvement Plan. Terry Hughes, Director of Capital Transportation Projects, presented this item. He provided information about the proposed inner loop around downtown Weatherford and the potential for one-way streets and head-in parking. Mr. Hughes spoke about the proposed traffic flow in the downtown area. Traffic counts and analysis were performed to collect data on how traffic flows east and west through the square. In both AM and PM traffic counts, between 60 to 80 percent of the east/west and west/east traffic is through traffic. Mr. Hughes spoke about the downtown plan improvements including one-way streets, a round- about, three-lane and four-lane sections, modified intersections, and dual right turns. Update on Heritage Park. Shannon Goodman, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented this update. He provided information regarding the projects that have been started and/or completed during this fiscal year. Those projects include the renovation of the middle lot, additional vendor parking, the opening of the dog park, and additional walkways. Construction has begun and continues on the food court. He provided before/after pictures of recent renovations. Mr. Goodman provided a timeline of the following projects which are slated for FY14-15: completion of the food court area, the recreational vehicle (RV) parking area, additional walkways, [...]
Future agenda items: CC101314 Page 4 of 5 None
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 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: 0.590 acres of land located in the J. A. Yeoman Survey Abstract 1693, City of Weatherford, Parker County, Texas, located at the corner of Santa Fe Drive and Foster Lane; and * Section 551.071 - Consultation with Attorney,
Executive session topics, as posted: * Section 551.072 - To deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property: 0.590; * Section 551.071 - Consultation with Attorney, the City Council may convene in executive session.
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, Oct. 13, 2014 (Granicus); Agenda for this meeting (Granicus); Meeting video (Granicus)