Forney, Texas Area
Bits-o-News
NOTE: all acreages listed are approximate, and may be rounded off to nearest acre.
Dollar amounts may be rounded off to the nearest thousand or million.
This information is not in any way official, it is presented here for
your convenience.
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- 2008-08-05 City Council
- Approved, as consent items:
- Minutes from the July 15, 2008 City Council Meeting.
- Revised Site Plan for C-Life Church Addition.
- Accepted the petition for the Fox Hollow Public Improvement District;
set the date for a public hearing on the PID.
- Approved funding of a new CIP project - initial start-up costs for Community Park.
Mayor Grooms said this would include such items as pickup trucks and mowers.
- Adopted the Council Goals and Objectives from the Strategic Planning Conference.
David briefed the council on the summary report he is preparing re: the
conference. The council ratified the current mission statement, and
also stated values desired: teamwork, integrity, accountability,
vision, professionalism. Things that make the city different:
a friendly, welcoming attitude; a unique history and heritage; downtown;
having many neighborhoods but one city; good highway and rail access;
being a celbratory city with activities and festivals; a willingness to
grow and improve; a youth and family orientation. The main strategic
objectives are: implement transportation improvements; develop the
municipal organization; foster strategic relationships; revitalize the
jewel of downtown; become a regional center; enhance quality of life
and the hometown feel; actively encourage and engage community.
Mayor Grooms said this is as important as the Comprehensive Plan was
in 2001.
- Approved regarding the City of Forney's water conservation plan.
Mr. Brooks said he has heard from many that the conservation plan is
confusing. In 2007, coming out of the stage III restrictions, the city
adopted the twice-per-week watering plan. A new plan has been proposed
by NTWD which ends the confusion about what days people can water on.
Watering between 10AM-6PM is still forbidden, and watering is still
limited to twice per week, but it will be on the honor system. This
will require the community to be self-policing. Mr. Haughey asked
about violations of the 10-6 daytime watering - Mr. Brooks said first
a warning would be issued, then a citation. Mayor Grooms said citations
would be issued when someone knowingly violates the ordinance. Mr. Rozell
clarified the 10A-6P restriction.
- City Manager's report - he wished the Mayor a happy birthday.
- Council communications -
- several members wished the Mayor a happy birthday.
- Mr. Rozell thanked citizens who had come to the parking meetings
for coming to this regular meeting.
- Mayor Grooms apoligized for missing so many meetings recently,
with him being out of town, his dad being in the hospital
but he's back in the saddle now.
- 2008-04-15 City Council
- Proclamations / Awards
- Healing Hearts Ministry -- Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- Building Safety Week
- CASA - Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
- Approved, as consent items:
- Final Plat - Shafer Plaza at Mustang
Crossing, Lots 7-11, Block B.
- Site Plan - Shafer Plaza at Mustang
Crossing, Lot 9, Block B.
- Resolution repealing Resolution No. 06-07
in its entirety.
- Awarding the bid for the Main Street
Extension.
- Awarding the bid for the Ridgecrest
Road Traffic Transition project (this item was approved seperately).
- Awarding the bid for the sidewalk interconnect
at Mulberry Park.
- (no bid amounts or awardee names were stated)
- Approved an Ordinance amending the
budget to cover the cost of the Main Street Extension.
This amends ord #1235; the funds will be taken from the CIP
Project Reserve.
- Mike Shook provided an update on Broad Street drainage -
staff is working with TxDOT & the RR to effect some short-term
fixes, involving ditch work and possibly berms.
- Pulled from the agenda: update on the Pass Through Tolling Project.
- Receive 6-month Budget update from Ms. Stafford: taxable assessed
values are now $4.6 million vs. 3.2 last year. Reduced the CIP by
transferring $500,000 to adjust for reduced sales tax. Meter fees are just
at 13% budgeted value, due to low home sales. Some one-time capital
purchases are 2 police cars, a plotter and replacing equipment for
a total of $140k. There was a one-time payment for CMOM of $54k.
The reserve funds are $1.8m general and $1.6m water/sewer.
Mr. Brooks pointed out many communities that don't have funding at
this level, this is a very positive indicator. Mayor Grooms said
the bond rating group saw it as very favorable.
The Capital Improvement Project budget is $103million - $22m is in
construction now, $16m in design, and $55m pending (mostly roads).
With tonights' approval of the Main St. extension, the total is
now $105million. Mayor Grooms stated when Mr. Patterson started
here in 2005, the CIP budget was $1.2 million.
- 5. Establish Apr. 29 for a workshop to discuss the parking ordinance.
- Hold a 20-minute executive session re:
- Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of
real property.
- Personnel issues, including Board, Commission, and Committee
Appointments and Related Matters; including City Manager
personnel action plan.
- Commercial or financial information regarding business prospects
that the City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the
territory of the City of Forney and with which the Board is
conducting economic development negotiations.
- Consultation with attorney with regard to a matter that it is the duty
of the attorney to consult with the Council and falls under the
attorney-client privilege.
- Move to appoint:
- Downton Advisory Committee: Charles Treadway, Gigi Swain,
Joe Dan McBeth, Roland Tyler, Adrian Walker, Michelle Zahn,
and Cindy Calcaterra.
- To Library Board: Misty Regan, Kim Welch (for term ending Aug. 2008).
- To Board of Adjustments: David Cox, Donald Price
- Council communications - all members expressed condolences to
the Zmolik and Hatley families, and thanked staff for their work.
- Mr. Haughey is excited about the ground-breaking
next Tuesday for the PD.
- Ms. Powers congratulated Linda Bryant and CASA.
- Mayor Grooms mentioned a private meeting the Texas Farm Bureau
is hosting to discuss the Trans-Texas Corridor.
- 2008-04-01 City Council
- Pledge of Allegiance led by Mathew Daffron of Boy Scout Troop 48.
- Approved as consent items:
- Abandonment of a portion of a Sanitary Sewer
Easement to Forney Animal Clinic.
- Acceptance of the public improvements at CVS
Pharmacy, Lot 1, Block A, CVS Forney Addition.
- Re-appoint C. L. McCuistion to the Board
of Directors of the North Texas Municipal Water District
- Approved an Ordinance canceling the May 10, 2008 General Election.
- Postponed an Ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Forney, in Chapter 12 Traffic and Vehicles.
[Tabled at the 3-18-08 meeting]
Mr. Parker said he agrees wholeheartedly
with 90% of the ordinance changes, but has serious concerns about how
this will affect many downtown businesses, which are the backbone of
the downtown area. The benefits in health and safety wouldn't begin
to offset the damage to the businesses. Mayor Grooms suggested having
a meeting with the businesses, to inform them how this would affect
them. Mr. Parker said the businesses would have no say in the issue,
unlike a zoning change. Mr. Rozell asked Mr. Brooks for a suggestion
on how to proceed - Mr. Brooks said the city attorney felt this was
a defensible law, and many of these changes have been adopted in other
zoning areas. Mayor Grooms said while they sympathize, to get
where they want to go, they might have to make some hard choices.
Ms. Powers said she agrees with Mr. Parker, that businesses should
be informed. Mr. Rozell said this came about as a beautification
move, and they had meetings and publicity about those changes; he
does want to make all parts of the city look good, but he is
uncomfortable passing a law without informing the businesses.
Mayor Grooms asked if the businesses didn't agree, should the
ordinance then be dropped? Mr. Holler asked if there were
non-business aspects that could be passed. Mr. Rozell said nothing
was business specific, it just happens to be businesses that will be most
impacted. Mr. Parker mentioned gravel driveways, & Mayor Grooms said
that new driveways must be concrete, but existing ones are grandfatherd
in. Mr. Parker suggested grandfathering the existing businesses from
the ordinance, until they change hands. Mayor Grooms asked if that
would also apply to homes - Mr. Parker said no, just businesses.
It was decided to have Mr. Brooks meet with the city attorney, and
talk with council as well.
- Approval of an Ordinance amending the FY 2007-08 Budget for a
new Code Enforcement Officer position by moving approx. $37,500
from the water/sewer fund to the general fund.
- Public input-
- Peter Rosenberg spoke concerning an area behind his house
in Skyline Estates where the weeds are over 6 ft. tall. He has spoken
with Officer Woods and Chief Barnes. He's concerned about fire and rodent
problems. He also said he would be happy to become the new ordinance
officer.
- City Manager Brooks-
- Assistant Gina Nash presented a slide show about the March 18
flood event, which was 4.2 inches of rain equating to a 10-15 year
flood event. About 20 streets were blocked, and 8 employees spent
60 hours working the event. Two houses did flood, and staff has
conctacted state agencies to possibly provide financial assistance
to those owners. Completion of the pass-through toll program will
fix flooding problems on the North side of Hwy. 80. Mayor Grooms
asked about Buffalo st - it did great. On Main St. a home owner
about a year ago asked to not have changes made for drainage.
- Mr. Brooks made the transition from flooding to the fact that
we are still in water conservation mode restricting watering to
twice per week.
- Council communications-
- Mayor Grooms reminded all that early voting was underway
for the runoffs, and said the city newsletter looked great.
- Held a 30-minute executive session for:
- Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real
property.
- Personnel issues, including Board, Commission, and Committee
Appointments and Related Matters; including evaluation and discussion
of City Secretary duties.
- Commercial or financial information regarding business prospects that the
City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the
City of Forney and with which the Board is conducting economic
development negotiations.
- Pursuant to Section 551.071(2) of the Open Meetings Act: Consultation
with attorney with regard to a matter that it is the duty of the attorney to
consult with the Council and falls under the attorney-client privilege.
- Took no action re: executive session.
- 2008-03-18 City Council
- Presented proclamations for:
- April 13-19 Relay for Life Week for the American Cancer Society.
- March 29 as White Cane Day for the Lions Club.
- Approved, as consent items:
- Authorizing the abandonment of a 60-foot Right-of-Way
Easement, located in the A. Hyer Survey, Abstract No. 203, to the
abutting land owner.
- Final plat, Eastside Church of Christ, Lot 1,
Block A, City of Forney.
- Resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement for
Cooperative Purchasing of Goods, Products and/or Services.
- Public Hearings-
- Approve an Ordinance amending
the text of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1085)
by amending Section 48 regarding Signage. City Planner Nilssen
said there were no major changes. This does add the requirement
that to have a free standing sign, a building must exist or be under
construction to at least the vertical frame.
Electronic Message Centers- cleaned
up language due to recent court cases. Gas stations may display
pricing, but no movement on the sign is allowed. The lighting may
not cause glare to motorists.
Corner lots are allowed to have
two signs, and this exception is now extended to buildings which
have frontage on two different roads.
Language restricting content of
billboards was removed, as it was determined to be content based
regulation.
There was no public input.
- Approve an Ordinance amending
text of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1085) by
amending the definitions and development standards regarding a
Portable Medical Unit.
There was no public input.
- Presentation by Mike Conway of the City's Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report by Conway Company CPA's. The report shows the
historic range of tax rates (0.495 - 0.575), and the very rapid
growth: current assets are $87million compared to $54 million the
prior year, liabilities are $44M vs $21M, and net assets are
$42.9M vs. $33.7. He said in the 23 cities they do, they have
not seen growth like this. Mr. Rozell pointed out the years
being compared are 2006 and 2007, which is why it doesn't reflect
the current economy.
- Approved an Ordinance establishing a Downtown
Advisory Committee, which will consist of 7 members with one-year terms.
After the first year, council will decide whether to disband or keep
the committee.
- Approved of an Ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Forney, in Chapter 7 Municipal Court by adding
Article 7.400 Juvenile Case Manager Fund.
necessary.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Forney, in Chapter 11 Taxation by adding
Article 11.500 Utility License Tax. This allows the city to collect
sales tax from cell-phone companies, which is handled by the
State Comptroller.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Forney, in Chapter 6 Weeds, Grass and Brush.
Staff plans to send paper mail to residents detailing the changes.
The ordinance was changed so weeds may not exceed 8 inches (from 12),
and the city may, without notice, mow property where vegetation is
taller than 24 inches (from 48), and including tires as junk.
The city may add another enforcement officer; customer-service-oriented
training may be provided for all department employees.
- Tabled an Ordinance amending the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Forney, in Chapter 12 Traffic and Vehicles.
This would prohibit parking vehicles on unimproved surfaces, and parking
partially on sidewalks or curbs; prohibit storing a vehicle for more
than 5 days, and prohibit recreational vehicles from extending beyond
the rear building line of a home.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the FY 2007-08 Budget to
include Main Street Extension (land purchase) and Eastside
Park Expansion (land purchase). The city has closed on the
land purchase for the extension, and will request funds from
the Spellman Estate.
- Public Communications-
- Don Purd um thanked the council for their service to
the city, suggested that keeping grass mowed would be a good
summer job for students, expressed his concern about on-street
parking limiting access for emergency vehicles.
- City Manager's Brooks-
- Held a successful meeting with the TxDOT director, and
delivered the final draft of the pass-through toll agreement.
- Council Communications-
- Mr. Parker commended the Fire Dept. for their response to
a stroke victim at his house.
- Mr. Rozell said in conjunction with White Cane day, everyone
should save their change for fill-the-boot on March 29.
- Mayor Grooms thanked everyone who called about his dad, and
said about 135 folks showed up for Kaufman County Day.
- Held a 2 hour executive session for:
- Deliberation regarding the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real
property.
- Personnel issues, including Board, Commission, and Committee
Appointments and Related Matters; including Evaluation of the City
Manager.
- Commercial or financial information regarding business prospects that the
City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the
City of Forney and with which the Board is conducting economic
development negotiations.
- Consultation
with attorney with regard to a matter that it is the duty of the attorney to
consult with the Council and falls under the attorney-client privilege.
- Took no action re: executive session.
- 2008-02-19 City Council
- Approved as consent items:
- preliminary plat for Covenant Generations Church, Lot 1.
- final plat for Covenant Generations Church, Lot 1, Block A.
- site plan for Covenant Generations Church, Lot 1, Block A.
- Accepted a proposal by Halff Associations to perform a detailed
hydrologic and hydraulic study of the City limits and its
extra-territorial jurisdiction. Mr. Brooks explained this item
was budgeted in the capital projects, Mike Shook has been working
with the contractor and NTCOG, and this amount is $24,000 under
the budgeted amount. This will be a 100-year-flood study.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances in
Chapter 4 to provide for wrecker services and take any action necessary.
Mr. Holler asked about the situation where a volunteer, who normally
drives a wrecker, being able to drive the wrecker to respond to
an event. The new ordinance says he may drive the wrecker to the
scene, but will not be allowed to tow.
- Approved a Light-Duty Wrecker/Towing Service Agreement and a
Heavy-Duty Wrecker/Towing Service Agreement to be executed by any
wrecker service doing business with the City.
- Police Chief Barnes thanked city staff, especially Public Works, for
their help during the bomb threat at the school.
- City Manager Brooks:
- He stated it was unfortunate that we had to experience
a bomb threat, but that staff responded exceptionally. The county
is investigating the incident, with the help of the FPD.
- At the last meeting, Mr. Rozell asked about drainage on
Broad St. The main problems are A) the houses aren't raised enough;
B) the railroad right-of-way; C) TxDOT is responsible for maintenance
on that road. The city engineer is working on a plan, which might
provide drainage on the back of the lots. There is also a 20-inch
water line in the area. The railroad will not provide any funding
to resolve the problem; TxDOT might provide minimal funding for maintenance.
- Mr. Parker asked about the email from Mr. Brooks regarding
security at council meetings. In the future, a peace office will
attend council meetings, and a panic button might be installed.
- Council Communications -
- Mr. Rozell asked where the hiring of a web developer / maintainer
stood. Mr. Brooks said it is on hold, but the original developer
was brought in to do training for staff.
- Mr. Haughey thanked staff and PD for response on the bomb threat.
- Mayor Grooms welcomed Dorothy to the staff, and asked to get started
on a city-wide cleanup event.
- After a 24 minute executive session, moved to move forward with
the agreement discussed in executive session.
- 2008-02-05 City Council
- Approved ordering the May 10, 2008 general
election for the City of Forney.
- Approved a contract for
election services with Dick Murphy in his capacity as
County election officer for Kaufman County for the
May 10, 2008 election and authorizing the City Manager to
execute such contract.
- Approved appointing Dorothy Brooks (no relation to
the City Manager) as the new City Secretary. Ms. Moore
will stay on until Mar. 7.
- Approved Pate Transportation Partners - Scott Young
with Pate reviewed the Maximum Price contract, explaining
various sections such as legal, environmental, mitigation
and schematic design costs. The costs do not include the
railroad quiet zone, R.O.W. acquisition, or fees that
might be required to accelerate relocation of utilities.
The contract allows the city to get back up to 40% of the contingency
fees.
- discuss property maintenance ordinance - the proposed
new ordinance includes many new ordinances, including fence
maintenance (not allowing external braces, requiring repairs
to be similar materials), exterior buildings and building
exterior surface maintenance. Mayor Grooms said this would
likely be similar to the sign ordinance, in that it would
require tweaking after adoption. There was discussion whether
ordinance could be crafted to control fence construction. Mr. Brooks
said the city would spend months educating the public, and
would inform them of violations before enforcement. Mr. Hatley
said this was long overdue, and suggested the city not spend more
than 90 days educating the public,
then go across the town quickly. Mr. Rozell said the brochure
was good, should include links to the actual ordinances. He
wants the citizens to know this is not being done to generate
revenue, but about pride and appearance of the city. But will
additional staff be needed? Mr. Brooks said this is a priority,
might use staff from other departments for a while, and maybe
add personnel later. Mr. Rozell said he felt 12 inches was too
tall for the grass ordinance, 8 inches should be enough.
Mr. Parker
questioned whether the codes went too far, micro-managing
things. He read a section
prohibiting crawl spaces from being too damp. The response was
this is meant as a preventative measure, such as if a pier-and-beam house
had poor drainage. Mr. Parker asked if every house would be
inspected; Mr. Brooks said it would be similar to the police checking
for insurance during traffic stops - no one gets pulled over to
have their insurance checked, it's the result of some other violation.
- 2008-01-15 City Council
- Dick Demien with IESI said their contract with the city would
renew on Feb. 1, and as the contract allows, the rate would increase
by the DFW area consumer price index increase, which is 4.3%.
Mr. Haughey said there were complaints several
months ago about oil leaks from the trucks - he's not seeing that now,
and appreciates IESI taking care of the problem.
Mr. Holler had a question about delays in
recycle pickups - it was because of the holidays.
Mr. Parker asked if the CPI really went
up 4.3%, or if some other version was being used. Mr. Brooks said the
calculation is very specific, and the amount would be verified by the city.
Scott Young - pate transportation partners
- Approved, as consent items:
- city council minutes - January 8, 2008
- preliminary plat-Keystone Addition, lot 1, block a
- final plat-Keystone Addition, lot 1, block a
- site plan-City Plaza Center Retail (Keystone Addition)
- Approved ordinance #1244 - updating the
planning and development fee schedule. City Planner Nilssen
said the fees have not been updated in eight years. Mr. Brooks
said the entire Community Development Office has been trying
to streamline its procedures, to provide better customer service.
- Approved authorizing the City Manager to enter
into negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad for an
agreement for the construction, installation and
maintenance of way-side horns. Mayor Grooms said he would
like them to stop blowing their horns, the 26 trains per day.
Mr. Brooks said this process was started before he got here,
and the cumbersome and tedious agreement the UPRR made with
Sugarland was provided to Forney. Mr. Parker asked about the
$10 million in insurance Sugarland had to provide - Mr. Brooks
said for Forney's four crossings, the cost would be about $8,000.
Mr. Brooks explained the horns are unidirectional, and Mayor Grooms
said the footprint for a wayside horn is one acre, but the train
horn covers 35 acres.
- City Manager Brooks-
- comprehensive plan update: Feb. 12 at FHS cafeteria, 6-8PM will
be the first public meeting, there will be a website dedicated to
this, and the city will send 100 test surveys by postal mail.
- Council communications:
- Mr. Hatley thanked the crews for working on the crosswalk
at Ridgecrest and Tumbleweed.
- Mayor Grooms reminded the council to attend Kaufman County Day,
March 16-17.
- After a fifty minute executive session:
- Re: appointment of a city
secretary or other appropriate action as result of the
executive session - approved directing the HR director to
negotiate hiring a city secretary as discussed.
- Re: the purchase of real
property or other appropriate action as result of the
executive session - Authorized the City Manager to purchase
real property, and to close on it by March 31.
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