Council OKs bonds & CO's, delays HOT funds, picks city attorney, denies Raising Cane's

During its regular August 02, 2016 meeting, the Forney City Council met and (this is a preliminary report, subject to revision):

  • Approved all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of “City of Forney, Texas, General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2016”, including the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of such bonds and providing for the redemption of the bonds being refunded.
  • Approved all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of “City of Forney, Texas, Tax and Waterworks and Sewer System (Limited Pledge) Revenue Certificates of Obligation, Series 2016”, including the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the issuance of such certificates of obligation.
  • Denied an agreement with 3 Rooms Communications L.L.C., for the lease of space on City owned water towers, and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute the lease.
  • Approved EDC-owned downtown building note and mortgage payoff.
  • Tabled a recommendation from Forney EDC Board of Directors in regard to allocation of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds, FY 2017.
  • Made appointments to the Board of Adjustment and the Planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Held an executive session lasting 45 minutes
  • Selected John Thatcher for city attorney.
  • Consent items:
    • Denied a preliminary plat for the Broad Street East Addition, located east of F.M. 548 and south of U.S. Highway 80, due to traffic safety concerns.
    • Denied a final plat for the Broad Street East Addition, located east of F.M. 548 and south of U.S. Highway 80.
    • Denied a site plan for Raising Cane’s, located east of F.M. 548 and south of U.S. Highway 80.

  • City Manager report -
    • construction has started on the animal shelter, completion in about 9 months
    • Standing water attracts mosquitoes, if your neighbor has some but doesn't remove it, call the city, code compliance will come talk to them
    • This is "stop on red" week - Police will be monitoring red lights and stop signs - school starts soon, need to start thinking about the kids.
    • Mr. Johnson said he sent an email re: construction at animal shelter, there is no signage there, no notice of the fire hose across the road. Something should be done to alert the public.
    • Mr. Stevens - would like to add agenda items: the rules & procedures established about 9 months ago, that members not be allowed to have any electronic items in executive session, as are not supposed to record or take notes.
      During meetings, should not be on phones or texting, as this could be considered as having non-public discussion.
      Discuss Markout Water in executive session.
      Subdivision ordinance, need to make changes.
      There was a controversy about recording exec session.
    • Mayor Wilson: repaving Bois D'arc by TxDOT , whatever they did has failed, county commissioner agrees. Mr. Metz said TxDOT said it was a maintenance chip seal, staff expressed concern they didn't repair base failures. TxDOT said didn't want to spend tax money on something city wanted to take over. Mayor Wilson said his concern is they always wait until week before school starts to fix problems. Mr. Metz has a meeting with TxDOT Friday. Mr. Johnson concerned about the process they use, the material bleeding through and getting on vehicles, he quit driving on Bois D'arc. Mayor Wilson said kids walking along the street, rocks flying from cars going 45, it's a big concern.
meeting_date: 
Tuesday, 2016, August 2