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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966/04/18-Agenda-Pre-Council 1 �. f'' aw MWMES PRE-COUNCIL CONFERENCE April 18, 1966 Present : Late: Absent : to Barr 8. Shannon (early in Item 3) None 2. Jones 9. Hoover ( late in Item 3) 3. Stovall 4. Eagle 5. Hamm 6. Deen 7 . Kemble I t e m Follow-up 1 : Branch Library Bids NAN Councilman Hamm asked why there was such a dif- ference in cost for the different branch libraries. The Library Director said that different sized libraries were planned to serve different sized areas of town_ He said that the square foot cost of the buildings is about $18 or $19, and is about the same on all branches . He said, including landscaping, it is $20 or $21 per square foot. The President of the Library Board of Trustees said that architects have been asked to redesign the North and Southeast Branch Libraries, in order to reduce costs , but to still have good sound buildings. He said that some of the contracting firms the Library Board wanted to bid did not, because they are too busy, The Library Director and Public Works Director then explained the difference on the alternate bids, which call for copper sheet-metal for roofing; work rather than galvanized iron sheet metal , The Board recommends the higher-priced copper work be done to save later mainten- ance costs, Councilwoman Deen asked how long it would take to complete the Branches . The Library Director said 4 to 5 months . Councilman Eagle asked if the Board Members voted unanimously on this recommendation. The President of the Board said they did. At the regular meeting, the Council approved the award of bids on the Northeast, West, and 1_ uth Branches as recommended in the Library Board letter of April 14, 1966, and approved the request to reject bids and readvertise revised plans for the North and Southeast Branches , 2 . City Investment Policy for Temporarily Idle NAN Funds (M&C G-933) Councilman Kemble asked if this would change the City's bond rating in any way. The City Manager said that Moody's has said the policy change will not affect the rating. -2- Councilman Kemble asked how it would affect the deposit at the Union Bank. The City Manager :laid that this deposit watt being reduced in accordance with earlier Council instructions , and by the time this investment change would be made the Union Bank deposit would be about 50 per cent of capital and surplus, which would be the new rule. Councilman Harron said that this new policy will put the money in the local economy, rather than putting it into U. S. Treasury Bills . This M&C was approved at the regular meeting, and Councilman Hamm was congratulated for bringing up the matter. 3. Annexation Request - North Side Industrial GE14E - send prior ordinance on Development Area (M&C P2-182) agricultural zoning to Council this week. Mayor Pro-Tem Junes said that the GSC request was to annex only 1 ,000 acres , and this proposal is for annexation of 4,500 acres . The City Manager described the area on the large map . Councilman Hamm said that this annexation would protect the development of the whole area. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones said he thought it might be all right if agricul- tural zoning and appropriate assessments could be worked out. Councilman Hamm said that this matter was being reviewed by the special zoning committee , and ,�. he requested a copy of the earlier-proposed ordinance on agricultural zoning be furnished Council Members this week. Councilman Kemble wondered if holding off this annexation request until after working out agricultural zoning would be appropriate: The City Manager said it takes 10 weeks to annex an area, and the zoning matter could be worked out in the meantime. Mayor Pro-Tem Jones said he would like to know what it would cost to serve this area, when service can be available, and what return can be expected from the area. Councilman Shannon asked if there is a need or necessity to annex this whole area. The City Manager replied that this is a staff recommendation to annex the large area now because it is contiguous to Fort Worth's present city limits, and control of the area for future development is desirable. lie said that a residential subdivision in the area is a near slum now. He said annexation is needed to protect the new freeway development. He said financing is available through the October 1965 bond election, and that the City is geared to provide necessary improvements as soon as development ~ warrants it . Mayor Pro-Tem Jones said that the recommendation on page 47 of the City Master Plan is violated by this ' -3- AN proposal . Councilman Shannon asked for comments comparing this annexation with that along; Azle Avenue (The Sansom Ranch property) , which was not annexed a few years ago . Ile also mentioned the amne::ati.on around the Bell Helicopter area. The City Manager said that part of the Sansom Ranch property was annexed along a water line and that lie had and stili does recommend annexation of a larger area. The City Mana�,er said that annexation of the Trinity River 'East area, and subsequent improvements, is a good example of why areas need to be taken in early--in order that planning; and capital facilities can progress on an orderly basis to encourage development. Councilman Eagle said that if this area is nuL annexed , substandard buildings could be built in it. Mayor Barr said that something=, similar to the Melody Hills development mi ,,,ht occur all over the area. Councilman Hamm said that he would like to see agricul- tural zoning; established at the same time this annexation proceeds . Mayor Pro-Tem Janes asked how much of the northeast quadrant of this proposal could be served by the Little Fossil Sewer, The City Manager said that some of it could be, and that the rest could be served by force mains and lift stations. Councilman Shannon asked wl►at is the projected time of development of the area. The City Manager said that it depends upon development , but that the City is in a position to ti,•rv(, at any time it comes. Councilman Kemble said that the 1,000 acres of GSC is the core of the development possibilities . Mayor Pro-Tem Jones said let 's annex only the GSC land first, and continue to consider the remainder. Councilman Stovall said that this matter of agricul- L'ural zoning; came up in 1963 or 1964, but that the matter wa. then dropped. He said he thought this is a good time to bring it up again, and that all sides of town should be considered. Mayor Barr said he thought we need this kind of zoning, and lie thought so at Lite time, and also flood plane zoning;. He said that he would vote for it at any time, including annexing the Sansom Ranch property. He said that all land in this proposed annexation area had increased greatly in value because of it:: Proximity to Fort Worth and municipal services . Mayor Pro-Tem Jones agreed, but lit, asked to do it one at a time. Mayor Barr said the GSW developments were a reason, not an excuse, to annex other land . Councilman Shannon said that this is farn land, and should naturally pay less taxes until it is sold or developed for industrial purposes . P -4- AW At the regular meeting, Councilman Eagle moved for a hearing on the annexation of the area outlined in M&C PZ-182 on May 2nd. Councilman Kemble seconded the motion. Councilman Hoover said that he is strong for industry, but that he thought it was not yet time to annex this large area. He said that there was yet no meeting with GSC people and the Council . He said that the Saginaw water and sewer and annexation deal was mishandled. He said that Fort Worth promises in the past were not always kept. He requested a meeting with GSC representatives to assure them that the Council is with them. Councilwoman Deen said she supported immediate steps to annex the territory. Councilman Hoover said that he has confidence in the staff most of the time. He referred to a memorandum of November 24, 1965, from Mayor Barr saying that a meeting with Bell Helicopter officials would be held as soon as it could be arranged . He said that he would like a report on this meeting. Mayor Barr said that a meeting is still in the mill, that he brought it up four times to Bell Helicopter officials, and a date was not yet worked out. He said he thought he shouldn't press the issue any further with Bell. Councilman Hoover said he wanted to know what GSC wants as far as annexation, Mayor Pro-Tem Jones said he had a meeting Saturday morning with Dean Dauley of GSC and that annexing the large area is not GSC's idea. He said the staff has confused the issue, and that the two deals should be separated. Councilman Hamm said he is glad that GSC wants to come into the City. Mr. Stewart Chesser told the Council he is glad GSC is locating out there, but that he wanted an invitation to attend the hearing. Councilmen Eagle and Kemble's motion was passed unanimously. _ 4. There was insufficient time at the Pre-Council MAN Conference to discuss the following items : a) Street Improvements : 1 - Benefit Hearing - Assessment Paving at 7 Locations on the. South Side (M&C G-930) 2 - Intersection Improvements at Oakland Blvd. and the Turnpike (M&C C-687) 3 - Award of Contract - Resurfacing of 10th Street (MSC C-688) b) Rental of Space Over Public Right-Of-Way (M&C C-691) All these items were approved at the regular meeting