HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987/09/15-Minutes-City Council COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 1987
COUNCIL CHAMBER
ABSENT: Councilman Steve Murrin
I. ITEMS TO BE CONTINUED/WITHDRAWN
MSC C-10513 - Award of Contract for Reroofing Meacham Field Terminal Building
held over from a previous week) - withdrawn by City Manager Douglas Harman.
II. ITEMS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
None.
III. BOARD/COMMISSION CHANGES
None.
IV. COMMENTS AND REQUESTS
A. Perot Annexation
1. Councilman Russell Lancaster expressed concern over the possible dilution of
fire and police services in north Fort Worth which may result from such a large
annexation. He referred the issue to staff for study and monitoring.
2. Councilman Louis Zapata indicated that he has had a lengthy discussion with
the United States Justice Department. Apparently the Justice Department is
concerned about the annexation and its impact on the number of residents in
Council District Two. Mr. Zapata informed the Justice Department of the possible
creation of another district(s) , an issue being considered by the Charter Review
Committee.
V. CITIZEN PRESENTATIONS
A. Budget Hearing
1. Mr. James Toal, a member of the Southside Chamber of Commerce, appeared
before Council to express his concerns about crime in Fort Worth. He asked that
the Police Department budget be given a very high priority.
2. A letter by Mr. Dinwood Butler was read by City Secretary Ruth Howard. In the
letter Mr. Butler stated that Fort Worth's crime statistics deter new businesses
from locating within the city. He asked that any tax increase be earmarked for
the Police Department.
3. Mr. Earle Shields of the Fort Worth Crime Commission appeared before Council
to express his belief that crime is Fort Worth's most serious problem. He asked
that Council increase the budget for the Police Department, and indicated that
he would support a moderate tax increase to provide the necessary funds.
Councilman Vance indicated that there is no way all of the new police officers
that the Crime Commission wants can be added at this time. He suggested that
Council will have to work toward fulfilling the crime commission goals over a
period of several years.
4. Mr. Jim Nichols, Chairman of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, appeared
before Council to warn that crime-related perceptions are beginning to deter
convention business in Fort Worth, and unless something can be done, the trend
is likely to continue.
5. Mr. W.D. McGee appeared before Council to ask that any increase in the tax
rate be instituted with reasonableness and intelligence.
6. Mr. Roger Burke, President of the North Texas Film Commission, appeared
before Council to request a $25,000 grant from Fort Worth to assist in
attracting more location filming to the Metroplex.
7. Ms. Nancy Cunningham, a volunteer with the North Texas Film Commission,
appeared before Council to request city participation in the effort to attract
more film business. Ms. Cunningham was instrumental in convincing the makers of
the film "Baja Oklahoma" to film on location at Billy Bob's.
B. Zoo Master Plan
1. Ms. Cheryl Watson appeared before Council to express her concern that
implementation of the Zoo Master Plan will necessitate a tax increase or use of
bond funds.
C. Municipal Courts
1. Paul Snider appeared before Council to express concern over the actions and
conduct of Municipal Court judges.
VI. ZONING
A. Sexually-oriented business
1. Mr. Steve Swander, attorney representing some of the city's sexually-oriented
businesses, appeared before Council in an effort to convince members that a
proposed amendment to the city's sexually-oriented business zoning ordinance is
too restrictive. The amendment would require nude dancers to wear covering
similar to a bikini bathing suit.
2. Ms. Linda Austin appeared before Council in support of the proposed
amendments to the city's sexually-oriented business zoning ordinance. Ms. Austin
owns property near one of the businesses in question, and she claims -that the
business attracts prostitutes and drug dealers.
3. Mr. Curtis Johnson, a bar owner, appeared before Council in opposition to the
proposed amendment. Mr. Johnson suggested that the amendment is based on moral
rather than legal issues.
Mayor Bolen suggested that part of the problem with sexually-oriented businesses
is that not all of them do a good job of policing themselves.
B. Perot Annexation
1. Mr. Ross Perot, Jr. appeared before Council to thank the city for all its
efforts and help with his development proposal. He suggested that the
development will help make Fort Worth a first class city well into the twenty-
first century.
C. Mr. Taylor Gandy requested that his zoning case (Z-87-083) be delayed for one
month because it requires a three-fourths vote of Council, and several members
were not present at that time. The request for delay was granted.
D. Councilwoman Webber questioned Mr. Woodrow W. Graham about his request to
rezone property on East Hattie Street from "C" Multi-family to "IP" Industrial
Park (Z-87-094). Mr. Graham indicated that plans call for construction of a
roofing and insulation company on the site. Ms. Webber expressed concern that
the company will not be landscaped adequately. The case was delayed one week to
review alternatives.
E. Councilman Lancaster expressed concern over a proposal to rezone property on
Bomber Road from "A" One-Family to "E" Commercial (Z-87-102). Mr. Jerry L.
Johnson, owner of the property, plans to build a restaurant on the site, which
is not served by any city utilities. Mr. Lancaster was concerned that the
proposed restaurant might conflict with the city's future plans for the area.
Mike Pyles, Real Property Director, assured Mr. Lancaster that the city has no
plans for the property.
Councilman Williams expressed a desire that the owner be restricted to building
only a restaurant. Mr. Johnson agreed to a rezoning of "PDSU" Planned
Development Special Use-Restaurant, with the site plan waived.
F. Mayor Bolen asked Mr. Dennis Hopkins if a request to rezone property on S.W.
Loop 820 from "G" Commercial to "G" Commercial/"S" Sign Subdistrict (Z-87-103)
is for the owner's use. Mr. Hopkins responded that the change is for the owner's
use.
G. The zoning case of Clara Patrick (Z-87-93) was sent back to the Plan
Commission because of procedural errors.
H. Mr. Jake Erskin appeared before Council to request that his property be
rezoned. He stated that because of his poor health he needs to sell the
property. Councilman Garrison expressed concern over the speculative nature of
the zoning change, but he suggested that Council would likely approve the change
if an acceptable use were brought forward.