Council plans to annex another 350 acres
During its regular Feb. 05, 2019 meeting, the Forney City Council met and in summary: approved hearings to annex 350 acres, restricted "commercial vehicles" parking in retail lots, terminated Interlocal Agreement w/ FISD.
- Presentation from iChoosr - Group Purchasing Texas Power Switch Daniel Wilkinson said 60% of homeowner have not chosen another provider since deregulation in 2002. Tiered pricing looks good on website, but can result is unexpected billing. They work to aggregate cities and run a reverse auction. They require use of city seal on their material. They offer 1 yr contracts w/ fixed rates. They don't claim to have lowest pricing, statistically 20% lower than "big 6" programs. City of Fate uses them. There is no cost or financial benefit to the city. They are active in 8 countries with 6 million registrations. He showed a video from farmers Branch.
Mr. Moon asked Mr. Thatcher if city has participated like this, marketing a company. Mr. Thatcher said it's always interesting situation, he became aware of it in Fate, where it saved him money. iChoosr is not a department of the city, and is voluntary, no liability for the city. Ms. Penn said they have done this before, and it created confusion for citizens. Mr. Carson was in a similar program for gas, are the rates going down as they add cities? Yes & no - have better rates, but prices keep rising. Mayor Wilson asked about contract terms - all are 1 yr fixed rate. Mr. Thomas asked if seasoned citizens think it's a city department and contacting city for problems - about 2%, their communications center should keep city from getting bogged down. Mr. Carson said his name was on that program and he got hundreds of calls - whoever is at bottom of the letter will get the calls. Ms. Powers asked about samples of the mailers, he doesn't have any with him. Ms. Penn asked if friends and family can buy in, why have the city seal on it? Response rates w/o city logo are about 1%, with it 8-12%. Ms. Penn asked if 2 yr contracts are available; no, but it's easy to renew in a year. Mr. Myers asked about co-op customers - those can't participate.
- Public Comment - Crystal Cloyd is the marketing person at Raising Cane's, excited to come to Forney, will be hiring 57+ people.
- Approved as one consent item:
- a resolution to change signature cards for the American National Bank account and CD.
- the Quarterly Investment Report ending 12/31/18.
- acceptance of the Public Improvements for Raising Cane's Commercial Development.
- a Resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of a 250.5942 acre tract of land owned by Kate Pinson McKellar Estate, et al., situated in the John Gregg Survey, Abstract No. 171, Kaufman County, Texas, KCAD Property ID No. 6471.
- a Resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of a 44.308 acre tract of land owned by Sharon A. Riggs, situated in the John Gregg Survey, Abstract No. 171, Kaufman County, Texas, KCAD Property ID No. 6414.
- a Resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of a 45.00 acre tract of land owned by TRBP Limited, situated in the John Gregg Survey, Abstract No. 171, Kaufman County, Texas, KCAD Property ID No. 196884.
- a Resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of a 5.00 acre tract of land owned by John D. Gibson & Sarita K. French, situated in the John Gregg Survey, Abstract No. 171, Kaufman County, Texas, KCAD Property ID No. 6583.
- a Resolution setting the date, time and place for public hearings on a proposed involuntary annexation of a 7.304 acre tract of land owned by John D. Gibson & Sarita K. French, situated in the John Gregg Survey, Abstract No. 171, Kaufman County, Texas, KCAD Property ID No. 6582.
- a resolution to change signature cards for the American National Bank account and CD.
- Approved a Resolution approving the Police Department request for approval of the 2019 annual contract for wrecker services in the City.
Mr. Moon asked PD Chief Sherwin if there were any other options - Chf. Sherwin said there were no other bids, they went out twice. Required to have a yard in or within 1 mile of city. Mr. Moon said there is a lot of advertising from wrecker services in Mesquite, if there was a way to prevent it. Chf. Sherwin said they could look, this is for involuntary tows, they regulate the fees for that.
- Vision 2025 -- Goals and Initiatives
Mr. Carson said has spoken to all departments, working to meet goals established.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Article 8.08, entitled Abandoned and Junked Motor Vehicles and Article 12.04, entitled Parking, to regulate the parking of commercial vehicles.
Mr. Morgan mentioned vehicles parking at lowes, walmart, AMC. Vehicles could be declared abandoned. Mr. Moon asked what spurred this on - Mr. Morgan said calls from citizens. Mr. Thomas said he worked with Mr. Morgan on this, what defines abandoned? 48 hours. Mayor Wilson asked Chf. Sherwin if he was familiar with electronic logbooks, which shuts down the trucks, how would they accommodate that. Chf. Sherwin said they could adequately inform drivers. There are areas in the city, such as Don T. Cates, where trucks may park. Mr. Myers asked how warnings would work - Chf. Sherwin said last month did 200 citations and 500 warnings, like to educate people first. Mr. Carson would like to meet with businesses to put up the signs the city would provide. Ms. Penn asked about growth around Don T., Chf. Sherwin said need to offer options. Mayor Wilson asked about private property - Mr. Thatcher said ordinance considers it public. Mr. Myers asked about school bus advertising for drivers - Mr. Morgan said would be violation. Mr. Thomas asked about Shell station, which has truck parking. Chf. Sherwin said wants to find something close, many drivers are residents.
- Approved an Ordinance amending the FY 2018-19 Budget to transfer $275,000 from the Utility Fund to the Utility CIP fund for the Weaver Lift Station replacement project.
Ms. Woodham said Jan 8 approved replacing station, was changed to a capital project,
- Held a 120-minute executive session re:
- Commercial Development; southeast corner of the intersection of Highway 80 and FM 548.
- Vintage Meadows, Limited Purpose Annexation
- Devonshire, Wastewater Service Agreement
- Personnel Policies; Overtime Benefits
- Amended Master Consolidated Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Forney and the Forney Independent School District
- Growth Management Plan
- Amendment to the 4th Correction of Deed Without Warranty and Partial Release of Right of Reverter between the City and the FEDC.
- Assistant City Manager
- Project Eagle
- Approved authorizing City Manager to execute an amendment to the fourth Correction of Deed without Warranty and partial release of Right of Reverter between the City and FEDC.
- Approved authorizing City Manager to provide notice to FISD to terminate the Master Consolidated Interlocal Agreement. (After inquiring, we have been informed this is a technical procedure to allow the Agreement to be modified.)
- Approved authorizing City Manager to execute a Separation Agreement and General Release with Wendel Medford.
- Adjourned at 2140
- Commercial Development; southeast corner of the intersection of Highway 80 and FM 548.
meeting_date:
Tuesday, 2019, February 5