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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - City Council - 1990 - 10/29 - JointI A D ALLEN CITY COUNCIL ALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1990 Council Present: School Board Present: Joe Farmer, Mayor Mickey Christakos Rex Womack Bobby Glass Jim Wolfe, Mayor Pro Tem Gary Edstrom Council Absent: Alan Fyke Others Present: Jon McCarty Judy Morrison David Pitstick Bill Petty DINNER - 6:30 P.M. James Kerr, President Glen Renfro, Vice President Mary Evans, Secretary Izzie Waller Glenn Andrew Jack Callicutt Charles Williams Others Present: Gene Davenport David Williams Dinner was served the City representatives and the School representatives prior to the Special Joint Meeting. Call to Order and Announce a Quorum (Agenda Item I) With a quorum of the Council Members present and a quorum of the School Board present, the Joint Special Meeting of the Allen Independent School Board of Trustees and the City of Allen City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 1990, at Vaughan Elementary School, 820 Cottonwood, Allen, Texas. City Growth Report - Bill Petty (Agenda Item II) Bill Petty, Director of Community Development, discussed the single family housing starts during this year, noting that 68% of the population live in the Southeast quadrant. Mr. Petty gave a breakdown of where these starts took place, with Heritage Park showing the greatest number. He also discussed the commercial starts in the City. ALLEN CITY COUNCIL/ALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1990 PAGE 2 City Growth Report - Bill Petty (Cont'd) (Agenda Item II) Mr. Petty stated that multi -family units have not increased in several years and a significant need is demonstrated in this area by drastic rental increases. He noted that financing is not available for developers on multi -family units. Mr. Petty discussed population estimates showing Allen to be 18,758. Industrial occupancy is occupied at 99%, commercial at 73%, and office at 58%. The Comprehensive Plan Survey will be used to update the Comprehensive Plan and improve City Services. He stated that the School Board may have some interest in the results of the survey as it pertains to future growth of the school district. Growth Management Report: - Gene Davenport (Agenda Item III) • Bond Election Dr. Gene Davenport, School Superintendent, discussed the growth management program for the school district. He expressed hope that the high absentee voter turnout was an indication that the community is behind and supportive of this bond election, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 3. • Year Round Scheduling (Agenda Item IV) Dr. Davenport stated that a conceptual decision had been made for year round scheduling. The district is now weighing taxes plus change as a concept for study in the future. Economic Development Report - David Pitstick (Agenda Item V) David Pitstick, Economic Development Coordinator, reported that recently much activity has taken place regarding economic development. He distributed an alliance update to all those present. Mr. Pitstick noted that a major issue raised by local retail businesses to increase the daytime population of the community was also an economic development objective in the 1990 Alliance Advisory Board Report. However, in order to do this, steps need to be taken to help businesses build space or locate space. Mr. Pitstick explained that another important step in this process is the development of a comprehensive incentive program. Questions were asked and David Pitstick discussed the types of incentives for new businesses coming to the City, especially tax abatement, the free port amendment and other incentives. A group of investors can also come in and provide the space for a respected company. Mr. Pitstick discussed the question of the tax base in Allen. He stated that one major event can have a real impact on a city the size of Allen. ALLEN CITY COUNCIL/ALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1990 PAGE 3 Economic Development Report - David Pitstick (Cont'd) (Agenda Item V) He reported to the group that there are 89% male Head of Households and 70% female Head of Households who work outside of Allen, although they are working closer to Allen, for example, Richardson and Plano, versus Dallas. Recess The meeting held a short recess from 8:00 p.m. to 8:13 p.m. Report on Tax Office Operations - David Williams (Agenda Item V) David Williams, Business Manager, stated that approximately one year ago the tax office set two goals: Have tax statements out by October 1 and to be more efficient in processing receipts. Mr. Williams also noted that the tax office tries to make daily deposits of as many receipts as possible. Comprehensive Plan Survey Update - Rex Womack (Agenda Item VI) Rex Womack, City Councilman, discussed the survey for the Comprehensive Plan update. Councilman Womack told the group that a committee had been established to review the survey data and that the review would be completed by the end of the year. The review will be taken to Council for final adoption. A copy of the Comprehensive Plan can be seen at City Hall or at Dr. Davenport's office. As certain final results are made available, City leaders will discuss those results. School Finance (Edgewood vs. Kirby) - Gene Davenport (Agenda Item VII) Dr. Davenport stated that the present school tax rate is $1.54. He explained that for the last nine years there has been an increase of 300 students per year. The bond election will add .17$ to that tax rate. The AISD Board is doing efficient planning to contain costs but the tax base is very important. We will need to increase the tax base or we will need to increase our state funding. He noted that the Legislature will be going into session and hopefully will affect the ad valorem tax system for school districts. Optimistically, this will bring equity in the tax structure. It is imperative that we influence our public officials and let them know our concerns. 1991-92 could be a phasing in of year round school. If the bond election fails, it will need to be installed on a fast track. However, if it passes, it can be phased in gradually and hopefully the community will be supportive of the decision. 5 ALLEN CITY COUNCIL/ALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1990 PAGE 4 City Report on Capital Projects: - Jon McCarty (Agenda Item VIII -A) • Current Jon McCarty, City Manager, discussed the civic plaza area in relation to the Police Department, Library and future City Hall. He also showed the phases of construction of the civic plaza. Mr. McCarty discussed the Allen Special Use Facility which the City would like to acquire. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has offered grant money to Allen for its purchase. He discussed the lead contamination and clean-up of the property. He noted that the location will be an excellent asset to the City and that it will address the desire of residents for additional passive parks. Mr. McCarty explained that the City took responsibility for the Allen Cemetery approximately two years ago. He showed the basic master plan, explaining the first phase grade work, fencing, entry, etc. The cemetery has much potential to be an asset to the community. • Future Streets (Agenda Item VIII -B) • F. M. 2170 Mr. McCarty discussed that the financing for F. M. 2170 East would be from City bond funds and he noted that County bond funds are very important to this project also. He explained that if it is not approved, the City may need to sell bonds for the project in the near future. All right-of-way has not yet been dedicated for this project. S. H. 121 Mr. McCarty explained that the City Council has adopted resolutions in support of this freeway designated project. In order to bring the project within the cost threshold for vehicular mile, the City will work with property owners to attain right-of-ways. U. S. 75 Mr. McCarty stated that the contract has been let from Spring Creek to Bethany and that it should take three years from last May to complete the project. He explained that the contract for U.S. 75 from Bethany to S. H. 121 will be let next summer and that the two projects will have some overlapping construction. Items of Interest to Members (Agenda Item IX) There were no items of interest. ALLEN CITY COUNCIWALLEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1990 PAGE 5 Adjourn (Agenda Item VII) MOTION: Upon a motion made by Mickey Christakos and seconded by Bobby Glass, the Joint Special Session of the Allen City Council and Allen Independent School District was adjourned at 9:20 p.m., on Monday, October 29, 1990. The motion carried. These minutes approved on the 15th day of November, 1990. ATTEST: J y M 'son, CITY SECRETARY L APPROVED: J olfe, MAYOR PRO TIN