Council names Place 2 finalists, hears about flooding

During its regular June 15, 2021 meeting, the Forney City Council met to consider a grant, plats, Development Agreement, Code of Ethics, board appointments and removal of 2 members from P&Z, name 5 finalists for Place 2.
Preliminary report, subject to change(watch official video)

• Approved as one consent item:
  • the Police Department to seek a Community Oriented Policing Services Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
    
  • a final plat for First Presbyterian Church, located at 12433 F.M. 1641.
    
  • a final plat for the Seefried Addition, located west of Helms Trail and north of Plantation Ridge.
    
  • a revised site plan for the FISD Aquatic Center, located north of F.M. 740 and west of Ranch Road.

• Approved change orders for the Community Development - Public Works remodel project.
      City Engineer Mr. Zook explained the 3 changes - one bid alt was 3-phase power; sliding gates to replace gates that have been worn; flooring in building in poor shape, this will tie it in with new construction.  Mayor Lewis said approving 3 items, total 88.6k.
  
• Approved a Resolution consenting to an Assignment of Development Agreement between W/J OG JV Owner, LLC and Century Land Holding of Texas, LLC for the Overland Grove residential development.
      City Attorney Mr. Thatcher stated want to assign the agreement to another who will take over the development.  City must agree, but can't unreasonably withhold agreement.  There are agreements about turn lanes as part of first phase, this was actually done by Txdot, which is acknowledge in this agreement. 
  
• Approved an Ordinance amending Chapter 1, General Provisions, of the City of Forney Code of Ordinances by amending Article 1.12, Code of Ethics, by updating the standards of conduct and other various section, and amending the Rules of Procedure for the City Council and the Boards, Commissions and Committees of the City of Forney, Texas, adopted pursuant to Section 3.10 of the City of Forney Home Rule Charter, with 3 amendments suggested by Mr. Thatcher.
      Mr. Thatcher explained this was discussed at last meeting, mayor proposed several changes, Mr. Traylor proposed another regarding qty of recusals.  Putting a cap on recusals is problematic, some boards has members from a small area, and must recuse due to proximity to item.  Also, council has authority to appoint, and to remove, with or without cause, any members.  Should help members where there is even an appearance of conflict, so added language to highlight that.  Training: suggest changing the 30 day limit to 90 days, matching state law.  Rules moving public input needs to be changed to be before consideration of minutes.  Mr. Roberson asked if could exclude the downtown board from recusal restriction; Mr. Thatcher said could have that in rules, but purpose of conflict rules is to provide transparency, want for people to know when have a conflict, or appearance of.  Council can take up concerns on case-by-case basis.
      Mayor Lewis said 3 boards required to have council liaisons, will consider that tonight.
  
• Made board and commission appointments (this is not an official list, some names are likely spelled wrong! will update when can):
      Mayor Lewis said 3 boards have council liaisons
      Ms. Brooks said council has been provided list of expired terms and vacancies, and applicants.
      Mayor Lewis said she's excited that had many more applications than ever.
      Animal Adoption Center/Shelter Advisory Committee - reappoint: Dr. Brent Brewer; member 3: Mindy Alford; member 7: reappointed; For member 9: Susan Williams.
      Board of Adjustment; 4: Brian Reese - 5: Jacob Jiminez to replace Rick Henrix; Alt 2: Sarah Busbee; Alt 4: Kirk Clinton.
      Building Standards Commission Board - 1: Joe Ferguson; 3: Jorge Dominguez; 5: reappointed Randall Kline; Alt 2: Ryan Childress; Alt 4: Angela Stevens.
      Economic Development Corporation - had 36 applicants! 2: Fred Alexander; 4: J.D. Ferguson; 5: Jessica Browning; 6: Stewart McGregor (Cooper against). 7: Scott Burrus; council liaison: Mr. Roberson.
      Historic Overlay District Architectural Review Board - Mayor Lewis said this one is more difficult, 3/5 main and 1/2 alts must live in the district, suggests moving Ms. Blair to position 2 which is vacant. 1: Brian Gladley; 3: Richard Hanssen; Alt 2: Brandy Westmoreland.
      North Texas Municipal Water District Board; Kalen Boren
      Park and Recreation Board - 1: Alexa Beasley; 3: Jim Sanders; 5: Mario Luna; 7: Cariann Bradford.  council liaison: Mr. Cooper.
      Planning and Zoning Commission - reappointed: 2: Cecil Chambers; 5: Casey Bingham. For vacancy place 7: Cory McGee;
      moved to replace Misty Holler (Cooper against) in place 1, and place 6 Bennie Jones.   Appointed: 1: Ann Lemons (Cooper nay); 6: Mike Siefert. Council liaison: Ms. Salgado.
      TIF Board 1: Darren Burrus; 2: Gary Crawford.
      Bond Committee - 1: Lisa King; 2: - Mr. Thatcher said as this is a temporary committee, a person may also be a member of another board.  Randall Kline and Cory McGee nominated; McGee was appointed.
      Mr. Thatcher said liaisons are not required to attend all meetings, but to provide information to council, staff can assist.
  
• Public Comment (preliminary version)
  • Robin Armstrong - received email today about flooding, that city staff is working on a comprehensive plan to describe the issue. Her open record request showed an email from Mr. Zook to Mayor Lewis, staff was speaking with a civil engineer who was working for the Hunts, that examined flooding in the area when Gateway Blvd was constructed, around 2012.  She checked with neighbors, none of that was reported.  She has concerns about the report, if the Hunts were involved.  She has video showing the flooding from Amazon and the area that is piped under Gateway to the East. During P&Z meeting, Mr. Zook said retention must prevent water draining at higher rates; this has not been the case.  She looks forward to the findings to be provided at July 6 meeting.  2015 recorded May rainfall: 16.9 inches. In 2021: 7.7 inches.   No one had rushing water in 2015.  Flood management should be done before new builds approved. 
    
  • Carrie Hornsby: would like them to pause building behind their homes, due to flooding.
    
  • Tonia Goodwin: 4 doors up from Helms, none of previous rains reached what happened this year.  May 10/11 had different situation than before, debris clogged drainage, neighbors in Highland said was noticeable wave of water, neighbor had heard house flooded, never happened in 17 years.  Only thing different is construction.  Siefreed buildings going in just behind their home, they are concerned about runoff from those.  Asking to pause building until studies are done.  Please repair 212.
    
  • Crystal Stagg: her home currently unlivable after recent rainfall, at corner Helms Trail an 212.  Water came in 3 of her 4 doors and had to leave through hip-deep water, which was moving.  Mitigation team called it a total loss, have been displaced for 3 weeks.  Lived here 17 years, this is the only home her kids have known.  Dealing with repercussions of results from construction.  They are real people; she's been forced out of her home, no one will take responsibility.

• Held an 80-minute executive session re:
  • 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.
    
  • Wholesale Water Customers
    
  • Claim by Mica Lunt
    
  • City Council Place 2

• Mayor Lewis announced the final 5 candidates for place 2, who will be further interviewed, and a selection made at a special meeting on 28th. Finalists are: Cecil Chambers, Nora Chavez, Greg Helm, Charles Price, Helen Zahnd Schlensker.
  
• Adjourned at 2119