Council recognizes Officers and Ms. Carroll

During its regular Feb. 21, 2017 meeting, the Forney City Council met and (this is the preliminary report, subject to change):

• Presentation of officers awards by Forney Police Chief Rob Sherwin. This Award for Meritorius Conduct was presented to officers Justin Klosterman and Mark Inmom for their actions during a fiery fatality wreck on December 31, at Bois D'arc and McMahan.
  
• Proclamation for Ms. Roberta Mae Carroll - the Mayor proclaimed March 2 as Roberta Mae Carroll Day.
  
• Presentation by the Parks and Recreation Department concerning the 2017 BBQ Event and Concert.
  Mr. Curry presented a slide show about feedback received and proposed changes for this years event. He mentioned people mistakenly thought that because it was a cook-off, they could get samples to eat. They are planning to have a cornhole tournament, Friday night movie, a People Choice award that would allow ticket buyers to sample the BBQ, and local food vendors. Carnival rides are not being considered, will consider "field day" activities.
  Mr. McGee asked about the judging group. Ms. Penn expressed her pleasure with the event, and asked if the council could provide anything to help. Mr. Curry said could stay in budget for entertainment, unless go with a national act.
  
• Approved, as consent items:
  
  • a residential subdivision final plat, identified as Grayhawk Addition, Phase 3.
    
  • the public improvements for Park Trails, Phase 2

• moved out of consent agenda:
  
  • Approved a resolution of the City Council of the City of Forney in opposition to Senate Bill 2
      Mr. Fisher explained legislature was trying to take away local control, other cities in Kaufman county will be considering similar. Mayor Wilson said other cities are in favor of a joint resolution.
    
  • Mayor Wilson recused himself and left the room
    
  • Approved a final plat for the Forney Public Storage Addition, located north of E. Broad Street and west of Regal Drive.
    
  • Mayor Wilson returned to the chambers

• Held Public Hearings:
  
  • Approved an Ordinance amending Planned Development Ordinance No. 0904, as amended by Ordinance No. 13-21, by amending the concept plan and development standards to allow for single-family detached residential uses.
      Mr. Morgan presented a slide show about the development; the use remains the same, but the change is to make single-family lots larger. It is North of Kroger, split half single family and half multi-family. Mr. Jim Bell spoke, they have sold off the SF section, decided wanted to do something more homogenous, get rid of the cluster housing. Ms. Penn expressed excitement about bigger lots. Mr. Stephens asked if this was the one that had rows behind the houses? Mr. Morgan said it was gateway parks. Mr. Johnson asked if they had considered even larger lots. Mr. Bell said they did look, but lots to the E of this are these lots, doing something bigger next to multi-family... The street patterns for water and sewer run through the area, would have to jockey existing infrastructure.
      There was no other public input.
    
  • an Ordinance amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance by adding development standards for assisted living facility, nursing home, retirement home and similar senior residential uses.
      Mr. Morgan briefed the council about the added uses; the base SF standards were updated, but that is separate use and standards. Staff did research and visited other cities to produce this draft. Are increasing standards for storage space, exterior walls, screening and landscaping.
      There was no other public input.

• Approved authorization for City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract for the RFP - Mulberry Park Ball Field Extensions.
    Mr. Curry explained the request to move bases further out, one contractor had to pull out due to schedule conflicts, field 3 is under interlocal agreement with FISD, so it is out of consideration, Metro Lawn Care was the lowest bidder, their material costs are higher than what the city gets, that will bring the cost down. Mr. Mcgee explained the need to move the bases, and water management. Ms. Penn asked about the pitching mound on adult field.
  
• Approved an Economic Development Corporation incentive for the Sophia Design Group, Inc.
    Mr. Ketteman explained the FEDC board approved the loan tied to creation of jobs. Mike Wilson addressed the board, they have taken over the Plantation building, Ms. Penn asked about the length of time the business has been here: since 2014. Mr. Ketteman explained this was for relocation expenses. Mike Wilson said mentioned a variety of equipment and software they must buy. Mr. Ketteman said it was part of the performance agreement.
  Ms. Penn said she hasn't supported this before, asked why aren't we doing this for all businesses, how did you arrive at 45k. Mr. Ketteman said their office is open, to all, is by the guidance of the EDC board. Ms. Penn spoke about a new business that isn't receiving any help, so we should provide assistance to all or none. Her understanding the EDC was to bring new businesses in.
  Mike Wilson said at the 2yr mark, they could stay in Forney or move to Dallas. They want to stay here, already have 20 employees, will likely have 100. Mr. Ketteman was more receptive to them than the other cities they spoke with. Ms. Penn asked about the details of the performance agreement; Mr. Ketteman explained the restrictions. Ms. Penn spoke about a company that did not meet the agreement, and got an extension, and still didn't repay. Ms. Powers asked about them hiring 45 people because of the agreement; Mike Wilson said that wasn't the reason they, expect to hire 100.
  Mr. Ketteman said the 45 # was at the boards discretion. Ms. Powers asked about the transportation; Mike Wilson said have 1 box truck, likely have 3. Ms. Powers asked if the EDC had seen details about expected costs: yes. Mr. McGee said the agreed w/ Ms. Penn about need to be responsible, bringing 45 jobs is significant, that is what EDC $ for. Mr. Stephens said the 45k was a drop in the bucket the company will spend, and is impressed they hire people that need second chances.
  
• Approved an update to the City of Forney Fire Code and the City of Forney Technical and Construction Codes and Standards.
  Mr. Morgan said this was a discussion item, previewing changes that would come before council in March. City currently operates under 2009 standards, currently have high ratings, to maintain those will require update. Mr. Stephens asked if existing plans would be grandfathered in: yes. Ms. Penn asked if new standards adopted, wouldn't they have to update? Mr. Fisher explained they would not. Mayor Wilson asked if other area cities have adopted this: Mr. Morgan said yes. JH said biggest change is apartments 2 stories or taller. Mayor Wilson asked if would change the building size? no. Also changes in swimming pools and wind loads.
  
• Approved a Resolution declaring certain property as surplus property.
  Chief Townsend explained this would allow Forney to give this to College Mound; it was given to Forney from Mesquite, don't use it a lot, College Mound said they would like to have it, and will make it available for other departments. Forney will then buy a covered trailer.
  
• City Manager’s report - talks about the awards event in Rockwall; Shops at Forney Crossing, 548 S. of RR tracks, city will be upsizing the water and sewer lines, to help with growth E. of 548; at Park Trails Ph. 2 is manhole work to be done. Will be using CMOM funds. Water rates, the utility fund is hurting, must add $ to it. Kaufman County day March 26. Trinity rd. - waiting on ATT & Suddenlink. Mulberry Park - received TxDOT driveway approval, want a detention pond, expect to finish before baseball season. Dorothy could be back in March.
  Ms. Penn asked about lights at community park? on the trail? Mr. Curry said the walking trail lights have been replaced; continuous outages due to vandalism. Ms. Penn asked about opening of Fire Station 2: April 1, ribbon cutting + Gateway Blvd. Mr. McGee asked if opening of Gateway has relieved congestion - Mr. Fisher said people are unhappy about the 30mph limit, but it is a residential street. Ms. Penn asked about the explosions on N. side, chief doesn't know, still investigating. Mayor Wilson asked about truck traffic on Gateway; Mr. Fisher said already have ordinance. Mr. Stephens asked about animal shelter; now looking to open in mid-May. Mayor Wilson asked if would give short time-frame to utility co's on Trinity to respond.
  
• Public Comment
  
  • Boy Scout Dallas Hoover, troop 1857, said he is working on badge, and he would like a bike / skate park, stating some of the many benefits.
    
  • Debbie Mcadams spoke about her group Women of Forney;
    
  • Chris Sanders said his wife was concerned about a development down Bowie St and Longhorn: there was a sign saying it was lease properties, and said they were not brick houses, built with fiberboard, concern about traffic along the park, he spoke with someone at the city about putting a stop sign. He said everyone knows Forney has traffic problems.
    
  
  
• Council Comments - Mr. Johnson thanks everyone for coming cout, Ms. Carroll, commends the 5 citizens running for council, people need to participate in their city; Ms. Penn appreciates first responder recognition, Ms. Carroll, BBQ, when the park bond committee was meeting, she tried hard for a skate park, she said the previous women's group set about forming a library; Ms. Powers thanks Mike Wilson for the work he does for offenders, excited about the bbq; Mr. Stephens talked about the heroic actions the officers took, said there is nothing to do in Forney except basketball; Mr. McGee thinks is time to do bond for ph 2 of park, skate park, maybe a rec. center for groups to meet, acknowledges Mr. Hoover who's troop does flags over Forney; Mayor Wilson commended PD and chief.
  
• Held an 80-minute executive session re:
  
  • Windmill Farms Support Resolution
    
  • North Texas Municipal Water District
    
  • Markout Water Supply Corporation
    
  • LCG Highway 80, LLC

• Approved the 3rd correction without warranty from the City to the EDC extending a conveyance condition to June 30, 2018 for property located on S.E. corner of Hwy 80 & FM 548.
  
• Approved quit-claim deed from City of Forney to LCG Hwy 80 LLC , with conveyance conditions for .7531 acres of land adjacent to the frontage property S.W. corner of Hwy 80 & FM 548.
  
• Adjourned at 2138