City Council terminates Markout maintenance contract

During its regular June 06, 2017 meeting, the Forney City Council met and (this is the VERY preliminary report, subject to change):

• Proclamation for June 9 Cindy and Mike Thomas and 4T's Bar-B-Q & Catering day.
  
• Update on delivery of donations to Canton for tornado relief. Van Zandt County Emergency Donation group has ended collections. Forney Fire made 5 trips to deliver items donated by Forney residents.
  
• Appointment of Ms. Mary Penn as Mayor Pro Tem
  
• Approved, as consent items:
  
  • Approved a preliminary plat for Lakewood Trails Addition, a residential subdivision located south of F.M. 741 between High Country Lane and Walnut Lane.
        Mr. Johnson asks Mr. Thatcher if this is something council has a say in; Mr. Thatcher said the request meets all the requirements of the agreement, staff recommends council approve it.
        Mr. McGee asks if there has been any though to a second entrance; Mr. Silo says there are 2 additional entry points, as it develops. Mayor Wilson asked if had agreements with other property owners; Mr. Silo said the city requires roads to be aligned. Mayor Wilson asks if city can require roads not in thoroughfare plan; Mr. Thatcher says can try to create synergy, but it is in ETJ.
        Mr. McGee expresses concern a single accident will block the development; Mr. Silo has worked with FD. There will be an emergency access entry, paved to FD requirements, connecting to High Country lane.
    Approved 5-2, Mr. McGee & Mayor Wilson nay.

• Approved in one motion:
  
  • a site plan for Pinnacle Montessori of Forney, located west of F.M. 548 and south of Ridgecrest Road.
    
  • a site plan for the Juan Aguinaga Office, located east of Pinson Road (F.M. 740) and Magnolia Drive.

• Mayor Wilson exited the chambers.
  
• Approved in one motion:
  
  • a preliminary plat for Lots 1 & 2, Block A, City Plaza Phase III, located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of Regal Drive.
    
  • a final plat for Lots 1 & 2, Block A, City Plaza Phase III, located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of Regal Drive.
    
  • a site plan for American National Bank of Texas, located south of U.S. Highway 80 and east of Regal Drive.

• Mayor Wilson returned.
  
• Did not hold Public Hearing -
  
  • No Action consider approval of an Ordinance rezoning property from Mixed-Use District to Planned Development District with single-family residential, multi-family residential and non-residential (General Retail, Office and Neighborhood Service) uses on 108.2 acres of land located south of U.S. Highway 80 adjacent to the western city limits boundary of the City of Forney, Texas. Tabled at the 5/16/17 meeting.

• No Action re: an Ordinance amending the City of Forney Comprehensive Plan, by amending the future land use map for 108.2 acres of property located south of U.S. Highway 80, adjacent to the western city limits boundary of the City of Forney, Texas. Tabled at the 5/16/17 meeting.
  
• Approved a Resolution rescheduling the July 4, 2017 City Council meeting, canceling all Boards, Commissions and Committee meetings for the month of July except for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting and scheduling Budget Work Sessions during the month of June 2017.
      Mr. Fisher said June 21 may be special event at ranger stadium? Staff has put together budgets, but want council to review them.
      There was a lengthy discussion about the number of meetings for budget review, with Mr. Fisher trying to keep more meetings.
  
• Approved an Ordinance amending the FY 2016-17 Budget to transfer $87,970 from EDC fund balance to the RaceTrac incentive project.
      Ms. Woodham said this was a housekeeping item.
  
• Approved a new Capital Improvement Project to install a new Audio/Visual system at the Municipal Court.
      Mr. Gonzalez briefed the council on the need for new equipment, they contacted 4 vendors, of the two responses considered, staff recommends the more expensive one.
      Mr. Myers asked if they had feedback to the recommended vendor - yes, have done some local cities. Mr. Myers has spoken with local installer, who said the lower priced one is more of a home system, the expensive will be more stable. Mr. Johnson said the law is best low bid that meets specifications. Mayor Wilson asks if staff provided specifications for bids; Mr. Gonzalez had a meeting with vendors and court personnel. There were also concerns about the microphone and remote control systems. Mayor Wilson suggested staff could re-spec the requirements and re-bid. Judge urged the council to approve, they could be required to provide audio for appeals. Ms. Woodham said 35 is available in the technology fund, about 1/2 the cost)
  
• Postponed action regarding the sale or disposition of vacant real property owned by the City of Forney.
      Mr. Thatcher: item added by request of council members - roughly 5 groups of properties.
      Council delayed action until after executive session.
  
• Public Comment -
  
  • Darrell Williams passed out photographs to council.
    
  • Debbie Williams HOA mustang creek, been discussing traffic at HOA for 2 yrs.They are very concerned about safety of children in the area, along with speed of traffic, suggested rumble strips to slow down cars.

• City Manager’s report -
      Shows options for parking in front of city hall.
  
• Held a 141-minute executive session re:
  
  • North Texas Municipal Water District
    
  • Markout Maintenance and Service Agreement
    
  • HighPoint WSC
    
  • Fox Hollow

• Approved moving forward on properties as discussed, allow city attorney to move forward with dispositions.
  
• Approved ending the Markout maintenance contract - for: Penn, Myers, Moon, Powers , against: Johnson, Wilson, McGee
  
• Adjourned at