Council approves allowing fees for sports field use by associations

During its regular Dec. 03, 2019 meeting, the Forney City Council met to consider sports Field Use Agreements, a logo in the street and appraisal district appointment.

• Public Comment
  • Mr. Traylor with Soccer Association spoke, agreed fees would not be a bad thing.   On Saturdays he sees over 1500 kids come to play. He funds some of supplies himself, kids don't see city limit lines.   He's on Forney Soccer board & a coach, they are non-profit, just need to cover costs & keep some for rainy days.   Their board is fine w/ fees, would like to partner with city regarding features they paid to install, which can't be moved.   He represents 2000 constituents with soccer.
        Mayor Penn called time limit; Mr. Thomas asked if he could speak again on the item, Mr. Thatcher said yes, if the item is pulled from consent items.
    
  • Mr. John Daniels said he spoke earlier today with city attorney Thatcher, who opened his eyes to things, maybe he opened Mr. Thatchers eyes to things in the community.   They need to work on old Forney, he needs an agenda to show the community.   In previous talks with Rick, he was told Aimee & Cedar streets would be repaved.   The streets and drains are death-traps.   He said the current council isn't at fault for how the community looks; people in the community are upset it's taking so long.   He said the city would be sued for negligent homicide if someone slides off into a concrete ditch.   He's not here to fight with council, he felt Mr. Thatcher respected him.   He wants the complaint he filed against Mr. Carson to stay.   There is a lot of work to do, people need to know help is on the way.

• Approved as one consent item:
  • a Resolution to authorize the City Manager to amend the City's contribution to dependent care coverage for City employees.

• Approved a Resolution authorizing City Manager to execute Field Use Agreements for Recreation Sports at City Parks facilities for calendar year 2020, establishing a fee structure.
      Mr. Thomas invited Mr. Traylor to continue speaking, and any others, plus an update from Mr. Carson to update the public.   Mr. Traylor said they are not opposed to change, he said it's emotional for him.   They would like a seat at the table during the discussion.   They can raise fee structure, would like to know the number (fee), they want to partner with council.
      Mr. Thomas said he spoke to association members about fees and agreement - some things associations have taken care of in past will be done by city.   Mr. Carson is trying to get it done quickly.   Mr. Thomas appreciates associations reaching out to council, their concerns were taken into account.   Mr. Carson said there will be some changes, some positive that are time and cost saving for associations, if the council approves it.   Mr. Thomas said lighting fees won't change; Mr. Carson said they will use an online system.   Mr. Thomas said will be participation fees and that Mr. Carson is open to working with the associations.
      Ms. Mason with FYBA said the part that upset her most was the way the Park Board, the people council appointed, were blind-sided.   They didn't know Richard was gone, didn't know all these changes that were thrown at them.   Transparency was non-existent.   Everyone felt attacked.   What they were upset about was workshop in July, which they find out wasn't brought to council, now that work was all thrown away.   They didn't get a heads-up about fee structure.   Whatever fee will be, they must pass to players and question will be: 'where's the money going?' Mulberry park has been red-headed stepchild for years.   She hopes this money is used for parks, not city events.
      Mayor Penn said she's been talking to people all week long, associations and board members.   It's not council's fault the work the associations did wasn't presented to council.   Communication probably could have been done differently.   Hopefully this won't happen again.   It's unfortunate the way it came down; she doesn't want to lose the associations, it's for the kids.   She hopes this can be a smooth transition.
      Mr. Myers said a lot of lack of communication on fee structure was due to timing; the interlocal agreement was discussed for months, was finalized the night before the park board meeting.   Some items come up where timing doesn't work out well.   He asks that when questions come up, people would contact council, call, email, online.
  
• Approved an Ordinance amending Ordinance 19-42 transferring CIP Funds to the CIP Project to install textured pavement featuring the City Logo in the downtown area.
      Ms. McQuiston said the work will be done at night, will be done by same company.   When closed the crosswalk project, it had $6,000 that went back into fund.
  
• Approved a Resolution confirming the reappointment of Robert Dobbs to the Kaufman County Appraisal District Board by the Forney Independent School District. [Tabled at the 11-19-19 meeting]
      Mr. Thatcher said was tabled at last meeting for staff to get more information, they met with Dr. Terry about the language of city being non-voting.   It's just the way things have evolved, there is room for discussion in future.   The time for proposing changes is June - October.   Mr. Thomas said Mr. Dobbs agrees the appointment process is out of the norm, perhaps can get with other members to change the process, or add more board members, but right now the FISD knows they want to discuss it.
  
• City Manager's report - downtown tree lighting at Thurs at Bell Park; Forney on Ice starts this Friday until Jan. 5; Christmas in Park this Saturday, free family event, food, crafts, games; On Sat unveiling of Lady Liberty at 10:30.
  
• Council Comments - Mr. Thomas looking like Christmas thanks to Charity & staff;
  
• Held a 59-minute executive session re:
  
  
  • Amended (#1) Master Interlocal Agreement with the Forney ISD
    
  • PUC Docket No. 46662; SOAH Docket No. 473-17-4964.WS 'Petition of the Cities of Garland, Mesquite, Plano and Richardson Appealing the Decision by North Texas Municipal Water District Affecting Wholesale Water Rates.
    
  • PUC Docket No. 47814; SOAH Docket No. 46-18-1344.WS Petition of High Point Water Supply Corporation, Talty Special Utility District and Markout Water Supply Corporation Appealing the Decision by the City of Forney Affecting Wholesale Water Rates.
    
  • Victorian Village
    
  • Amended and Restated Wholesale Water Contract with Kaufman County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1A.

• Took no action, Adjourned at 2010.