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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/24/1969 - Regular Minutes - City CouncilCITY OF COLLEGE STATION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING March 24, 1969 Members Present: Mayor D. A. Anderson; Councilmen O. M. Holt, Robert R. Rhodes, James H. Dozier, Bill J. Cooley, Dan R. Davis, and C. H. Ransdell; City Manager Ran Boswell; City Attorney Don Dillon; Assistant City Attorney Tom Giesenschlag; and City Secretary Lynda Swoveland Members Absent: None Visitors Present: E. F. "Woody" Sevison, Shirley B. Pfannstiel, David K. Chester, M. K. Thornton, Karl S. Patton, Jim Smother, Ruby Gough, T. J. Hirsch, Edsel G. Jones, C. Wayne Keese, Michael Harney, Joseph U. LeBlanc, Sandra Letbetter, K. C. Morgan, J. R. Bewley, Alton Risinger, S. E. Babbitt, Harry Seaback, W. D. Fitch, Logan Wilson and Pat Lester Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m. in the council room of the City of College Station. The motion was made by Councilman Dozier, and seconded by Councilman Rhodes that the Minutes of February 24, 1969 meeting be approved. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson called a public hearing on the question of the annexation of territory within the confines of the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The mayor asked if any person in the audience would like to speak for or against the proposed annexation. Mr. Edsel Jones expressed his concern over the proposed annexation because he felt the property in the area would not be developed fully for another 5 to 10 years. He was concerned with the taxes the property owners would have to pay for this vacant land. Mayor Anderson stated that it would be to the city's advantage to bring the land into the city because the general area was being considered as a location for a future school, which would lead to development in the area. It was also brought out that the city could exercise better control over developments within the city. Mr. C. Wayne Keese, a property owner on Miller's Lane, asked whether the city would provide adequate water and sewerage facilities for the territory under consideration for annexation. The mayor told Mr. Keese that at this time, the city had under consideration, the extension of a main water line down State Highway No. 6, from the elevated storage tank south to Miller Lane. Upon closing the public hearing, the mayor asked the council to consider withholding passage of Ordinance 613, bringing the area into the city, for a period of a month, so that consideration might be given by the Planning and Zoning Commission to zoning use within the area. After discussion among the council members, Councilman Holt moved that Ordinance No. 613, an ordinance receiving certain territory adjoining Minutes of Regular Council Meeting Page 2 March 24, 1969 the city limits of the city into and incorporating the same as a part of the city, be deferred until the Planning and Zoning Commission could study and recommend to the Council the best zoning use for the land in question. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ransdell. Motion carried. Councilman Rhodes abstained from voting. On motion by Councilman Ransdell, seconded by Councilman Cooley, the Statement of Policy for the Planning and Zoning Commission was corrected to read as follows on Page 3, Item 7, entitled "MEETINGS": "The Commission will meet on a regularly scheduled date each month and on call by the chairman (or vice-chairman), the City Manager or the Mayor. A majority of the membership (four members including a chairman or vice-chairman) shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business. A joint meeting of the Commission and City Council shall be held annually and more often if the need arises, the date for which will be set at the mutual convenience of both groups". Motion carried. Mayor Anderson directed the secretary to correct this item in the Statement of Policy. On motion by Councilman Holt, seconded by Councilman Dozier, the Master Preliminary Plat of Southwood, Sections 5, 6 and 7, from Southwest Parkway to West Loop, was adopted. Motion carried. On motion by Councilman Dozier, seconded by Councilman Davis, the Preliminary and Final Plat of Skrivanek Addition, Section A, was approved. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson read a letter addressed to the Parks & Recreation Committee from Mr. S. E. Babbitt and Harry E. Seaback, Developers and Builders of the University Arms proposed development. The letter stated that they would be willing to dedicate, at no cost to the city, approximately 1. 7 acres of land, bordered by the five -acre Baptist Church tract on the West, the Lone Star Gas Company easement on the East and Lots Number 7 through 10 on the North, with access from Highway 30 for use as a public park and recreation area. Councilman Dozier moved for the adoption of the Preliminary Plat of University Arms, with the stipulation that the land described above would be used as a park site. Motion was seconded by Councilman Davis. Motion carried. There was discussion with representatives from University Arms relative to the establishment of an additional park in that area to the North and East of the area covered by the preliminary plat as approved. The representatives agreed to give serious consideration to the proposal. Councilman Dozier moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 614, an ordinance calling for a public hearing on the question of rezoning a part of the proposed University Arms Subdivision along State Highway No. 30, from District 1, First Dwelling House District to District No. 3, Apartment House District. Motion was seconded by Councilman Davis. Motion carried. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1969 Page 3 Councilman Holt moved for the adoption of Ordinance No. 615, an ordinance vacating an alley in Block 2, Ridgefield Subdivision. Councilman Dozier seconded the motion. Motion carried. City Attorney Dillon stated that the property owners abutting the alley in Block 2 of the Ridgefield Subdivision would make an easement dedication and that he would record the dedication. Councilman Holt moved that the low bid of T&T Company for the tractor and backhoe in the amount of $6, 872.62 be authorized. Motion was seconded by Councilman Dozier. Motion carried. Councilman Davis moved that the low bid of Hart Creosoting Company for the electric utility poles in the amount of $2, 930. 73 be authorized. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rhodes. Motion carried. City Manager Boswell reported on the proposal from A&M University with regard to street lighting along FM Road 2154. After considerable discussion among council members, the mayor asked the city manager to communicate with the University about using a forty -foot light pole and a new type of luminaire, as opposed to the proposal they had submitted. The city manager was also authorized to consult a lighting expert as to what type of layout could be provided at more reasonable prices than those proposed by the University. The mayor presented to the council a copy of a letter that was received from Mr. Marvin Hagemeier, with the Economic Development Administration, informing the city that the pre -application conference for sewer improvements had been approved. The mayor stated that the next step would be to file our formal application which would express our needs in this area. Councilman Holt moved that the city manager be authorized to complete the application, with the amendment in it to include the 18' water line down Highway 6 and such sewage lines to the mains as Codie Wells feels would be appropriate, not to exceed one mile. Motion was seconded by Councilman Dozier. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson read a petition from property owners in College Station which was directed to the Parks and Recreation Committee which respectfully requested the city to purchase the land adjacent to and extended from the ease side of Bee Creek, where it runs under Glade Street to where it crosses the Southwest Parkway for a distance of at least 200 feet, and maintain such as a city park for the following reasons: 1. The area is rapidly developing and has no park facilities within 20 blocks. 2. The area is naturally wooded, picturesque and attracts a wide variety of migratory songbirds. 3. The adjoining area to the east is zoned for apartments and this would provide a buffer zone. 4. The land is presently undeveloped and should be more economical to purchase. 5 Minutes of Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1969 Page 4 Approximately thirty-two ( 32 ) people signed the petition. One council member stated that it might be possible for a service club to make a financial contribution to the purchase and development of the area in part. After considerable discussion among the council members and citizens from the audience, the Mayor recommended the referral of the petition to the Parks Committee for detailed study and recommendations by them. Such was approved by the council. The Mayor stated that he had received a recommendation from the Negro Committee with respect to three areas in College Station which needed improvements. Copies of the recommendations dated February 20, were presented to council members. Mr. Logan Wilson of Lone Star Gas Company made a report to the council regarding natural gas in the Spring Green area. This was one recommendation of the Negro Committee. He stated that he had contacted his regional office and had made a request to lay additional pipe in this area so that all residents could be served. He felt necessary approval would be forthcoming shortly. Mr. Wilson stated that the council would be notified as soon as approval was received to install the gas line in the Spring Green area. City Manager Boswell stated that action would be taken on hard topping the area in Spring Green Street as soon as possible. With regard to the drainage on Bank Street, Church Hill Street, Lincoln, Pasler, Preston and Gilbert Streets, the city manager reported that the city would work on these areas as soon as possible. As to the sewage problem in the community south of Washington Chapel Church, the city will redeem its responsibility only as existing policy permits. City Attorney Dillon stated he would write a letter to the property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Gibbs, with regard to the opening of Church Hill Street. He stated that he would inform them that if they and the city could not come to terms with respect to the necessary right-of-way, the city would probably initiate condemnation proceedings. The mayor stated that a plan for a park in College Hill around the ground storage water tank was under consideration by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Councilman Ransdell recommended the council defer action in the St. Matthew area until the council could study the area in more detail as to the problems in that particular area. 01136 99 Minutes of Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1969 Page 5 The mayor read a request from Community House Kindergarten requesting free utility service. Tom Giesenschlag reported to the council that there was nothing in the City Charter to prevent the city from providing same, but if free service were provided to this particular group in question, another group might be able to sue the city for the amounts they paid for utilities during the time the group in question had been provided free utility service. The Council concurred with Mr. Giesenschlag's legal opinion and agreed that it could not honor the request made. Tom Giesenschlag reported that the appraisals for University Drive Extension are being updated by Jim Smith and are expected to be in his office this week. Mr. Giesenschlag stated that he felt it would be best for the city not to incur the expenses of another appraiser before the commissioners hearings. He also reported that title work has begun on the project, but that overall, the condemnation proceedings were going to take some time. On motion by Councilman Holt, seconded by Councilman Dozier, the city manager was authorized to negotiate for the R. 0. W. on Tarrow Street to Lincoln, being an extension of so-called 29th Street. Motion carried. The City Manager reported that the Parks Superintendent ( Mr. Arthur Dunn ) had been employed and would report to work April 1. His primary duties will be to handle the Lincoln Center Recreational facilities. The City Manager reported that he and the city attorney met with the City Manager of Bryan on March 14 in regard to the 20" line and other engineering work. City Attorney Dillon stated that Mr. Stacy, City Attorney for Bryan, was to work up the legal agreements on this. Mr. David Chester submitted a petition to the Council regarding the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission to deny the petition for rezoning 2.6 acres of land on the south of Holleman Drive and beginning approximately 350' east of Glade Street and facing 263' on Holleman Drive from District No. 3, Apartment House District to District 4-A, Neighborhood Business District. However, Mr. Chester stated that he was in error in submitting the petition since the Planning and Zoning Commission had denied the rezoning request. 01137 /0d Minutes of Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1969 Page 6 On motion by Councilman Rhodes, seconded by Councilman Davis, the meeting was adjourned, subject to call. APPROVED: Mayor ATTEST: City Secretary las 3-31-69 b