City Council approached by resident about sewage
During its regular Feb. 19, 2019 meeting, the Forney City Council met and in summary: heard from a resident about sewage issues, approved Golden Chick and shopping centers, reluctantly approved Travis Ranch, wrestled over board appointments, and Mayor declared they would not hold the posted executive session.
- Presentation to Cory McGee - a gift bag was given to Mr. McGee for his service on the council.
- Public Comment
Ms. Lauri Cox spoke, stating on multiple occasions city sewage has backed up into their house. The insurance claim Ms. Woodham helped them file was denied because the Tx Municipal League Rep. said the city was not responsible. The bottom of their house is somewhat uninhabitable. She has details she can share.
- Approved as one consent item:
- a Resolution to extend the depository banking contract with American National Bank for a one year term.
- authorizing staff to seek bids for the construction of the West Broad Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project.
- a site plan for Breeze-In Gas Station and Car Wash, located north of Don T. Cates Drive and east of North F.M. 548.
- a site plan for Golden Chick, located southwest of the intersection of North F.M. 548 and Ridgecrest Road.
- a preliminary plat for Lot L and Lot M, Block B, Forney Marketplace Addition, located north of U.S. Highway 80 and west of Marketplace Boulevard.
- a final plat for Lot L and Lot M, Block B, Forney Marketplace Addition, located north of U.S. Highway 80 and west of Marketplace Boulevard.
- a Resolution to extend the depository banking contract with American National Bank for a one year term.
- Approved (6-1 Mayor Wilson nay) a preliminary plat for Travis Ranch, Phase 1H, a residential subdivision located west of F.M. 740 and north of Lake Ray Hubbard Drive in the City of Forney, Texas, extra-territorial jurisdiction.
Mayor Wilson asked Mr. Morgan to brief them: Mr. Morgan said there is no zoning on the property, if there was staff would not recommend approval, P&Z voted to approve. Mayor Wilson asked if traffic study done - yes. Mayor Wilson said they had no overview of what else going in here - Mr. Morgan said TxDOT had info on other developments, and required modifications to the roads. Mayor Wilson said the public needs to understand city has little regulation on this, he's not in agreement with this development, they don't have authority to change it. Ms. Penn agrees w/ Mayor Wilson, asks Mr. Thatcher if citizens don't want to support it, what if they vote it down? Mr. Thatcher said jurisdiction is only to review plats to be sure conform to building standards.
- Vision 2025 -- Goals and Initiatives - nothing to discuss.
- Took no action re: adopting the Proposed Thoroughfare Plan.
Mr. Carson said pg 7 is only change from last meeting, he had Mr. Short of Lee Engineering brief council - he said it's a new graphic regarding traffic.
Mr. Moon asked how often should review this - Mr. Short said in rapid growth stage, more often than 5 years, can amend as needed. Mayor Wilson said been reviewing and amending, should have a public hearing at next meeting for public review.
- Approved a site plan for Platinum Collision, located north of U.S. Highway 80 and east of Mustang Boulevard.
Mr. Morgan said is for second building next to existing one, zoning was approved by council, applicant requesting alternative building materials - concrete for front, metal siding on sides. P&Z approved stipulating 5ft masonry on sides. Applicant revised plans to show that. Mr. Moon asked what percentage - about 30% on sides, 100% front. Mr. Myers asked if the front extends 10 ft past the sides - Mr. Morgan said that was to block the view of metal sides, and screen vehicles in back parking.
- Approved a final plat for Eagle Ridge, Phase 4, located southeast of the intersection of Ridgecrest Road and Longhorn Lane.
Mr. Morgan said this is final phase, previously considered but didn't have gas easement relocated which didn't meet prelim plat, so council denied it. New plat shows easement relocated, parks board recommended fees in lieu of park land with open space maintained by HOA. There is no good access to the proposed park area, for public or staff, fees could be used to convert sidewalks to trail along Longhorn. Ms. Penn said parks are important, but can understand why taking fees instead. Mr. Moon agreed. Mr. Morgan said only agreed because developer agreed to maintain open space. Mr. Thomas said can work through problems w/ PD as it's in city, unlike developments in ETJ. Future councils should look at annexing more land, maybe past councils should have. Mayor Wilson was glad to see gas line moved, was a large concern.
- Approved an Interlocal Agreement with Kaufman County for road maintenance, enhancements, repairs, and other projects located within the City of Forney.
Mr. Thatcher said was brought to his attention by Kaufman atty, this would provide procedure to allow city to request county to provide assistance, doesn't allocate any funds.
- Approved a request from the City of Melissa to become a member city of the Regional Wastewater System and the Upper East Fork Interceptor System operated by the North Texas Municipal Water District.
Mr. Thatcher said request from NTMWD, Melissa pays 20% higher, want to become a member, all member cities have been notified. Mr. Johnson said excellent idea to add a member city. Mr. Moon agreed. Mayor Wilson said bylaws required them to elect members to the board, changes to agreements must be unanimous, have there been any discussions about changing that? Mr. Thatcher said it has been discussed on occasion. Mayor Wilson would like to see that changed. Mr. Thomas asked if NTMWD or waste water - Mr. Thatcher said 2 waste water systems, not NTMWD. Ms. Powers asked if other cities like Forney were members of both - yes, are 13 members of NTMWD.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the Forney EDC 2018-19 Fiscal Year budget to transfer $7,800 from the EDC Fund Balance to the Professional Services line item.
Mr. Ketteman said in Nov visioning session one item was downtown - don't have enough downtown, all 3 blocks are full. Victorian Village is a bookend for downtown, this is to start seeing what downtown could become. Ms. Penn was excited to see this. Mr. Moon said this will be great for citizens. Mayor Wilson said this was important to protect heritage and culture have started downtown.
- to various boards and commissions including: Planning and Zoning Commission, TIF Board, HOZ/ARB, and Building and Standards.
Building Standards: Paul Anderson. P&Z: there was a conflict in nominations - Ms. Penn attempted to make a nomination, Mayor Wilson told her to wait. After a delay, Mayor Wilson nominated Kathryn Coffman, Ms. Penn objected. Only Mayor Wilson and Mr. Johnson voted for Ms. Coffman. Mr. Moon nominated James Traylor (6-1 Wilson nay). HOZ/ARB Andy Parker, Mr. Thomas asked for discussion stating Mr. Parker wants to be an alternate, not a member, but he could comply with requirements for the board, nomination failed. James Hatley was selected. Ms. Powers asked if applicants were clear on residency requirements. TIF: (Mr. Fackler was unable to accept, moved out of city). Mayor Wilson nominated Ann Lemons stating she was the only applicant; Ms. Penn said that was incorrect. There was no second. Russell Calhoun (6-1) was appointed. - Mayor Wilson said he needed "to make a statement about open meetings - in an effort to be transparent, in local government, we need to post the agendas in a different format, where that the agenda executive session items are on the main agenda, with all appropriate documentation in behind it, so that if we have questions prior to moving into an executive session we can ask those questions out in the public. Without that being on the open agenda item, we can't ask any questions or conduct any meeting concerns before we go into executive session. So with that, we won't be having an executive session tonight, and so we are adjourned at this time".
meeting_date:
Tuesday, 2019, February 19