I can't seem to find my notes on this meeting, so I'll be relying solely on my memory for the content. This shouldn't affect the accuracy, or inaccuracy as I have been repeatedly accused of from sitting councilmen during multiple council sessions.
Exectuive session items:
Some money was spent, was it 3 things? Only one I remember was hiring a lobbyist to get a bill passed that has something to do with private water service providers in municipal boundaries, or something like that.
IV. Consent Agenda.
I think the anti-bum ordinances were pulled.
(1)It will be ok for Shriners and Firemen to hold up traffic and distract drivers, but not others. (1st reading)
(2)Camping in public places passed on 2nd reading.
V. Appointments.
1. P&Z Vice Chair Connie Jackson, also current candidate for city council, coincidentally gave the P&Z report for the second week in a row. Not as much verbosity or micromanaging this time.
2. Police Chief Moeller gave his racial profiling report (as mandated by state law, I think). No reports of racial profiling for the past year against police officers. Against code enforcement in Lake Rockwall Estates however....
3. Lady who wants fees waived at Harbor so she can have a fundraiser got it. ($400 rental fee plus other fees waived.)
VI. Public Hearings.
1. Guy wants a large accessory building to replace two existing. Passed.
2. Kroger wanted to add a gas station. This would have shorted the parking lot 8 spaces that would be required. City council decided that Kroger doesn't know anything about customers' needs and are more knowledgeable than Kroger about the retail business and denied the request 4-2-1. (Russo and Nielsen supported Kroger, Sweet abstained.)
3. Church needed an SUP to engage in their first amendment rights of religion and peaceable assembly. Was some discussion about adding a parking ban that hasn't been a problem for the empty lot adjacent to the building, don't know if that was removed in the final motion. Either way, the church will be able to continue practicing their natural rights - with government's permission. Passed 6-1, Scott opposed.
VII. Action Items.
1. AquaTexas (Water service provider in LRE) isn't getting the green light to raise water rates, yet.
2. City staff thought it would be a good idea to tack on a 5% fee for absolutely no good reason to citizens natural gas bills (Atmos). Council was like, "Oh, no you din't". Failed 7-0.
3. Big-ass trashcans will not be forced upon citizens. Several, if not all, council received over 100 emails opposed to the idea of giant trash cans and recycling bins as well as the reduction in services while increase the cost.
Mayor Pro Tem/ Mayoral Candidate Glen Farris was the only one who did not support the motion to keep the current, perfect trash service exactly the way it is. Basically he stated the 100 emails were not enough to sway him as the 34,900 people who didn't convey opinion one way or the other to council mattered more.
FYI, absolutely nothing prevents one citizen in Rockwall from having big-ass trashcans or big-ass recycle bins if so desires. Anyone can have big-ass cans, all you have to do is call the city and request one (or both). The difference between the failed plan and current situation is that (1) robots won't pick up your big-ass trashcans, (2) You have have to pay a couple bucks more a month, but only if you rent them from Allied. You can go to Home Depot or Lowe's and get big-ass trashcans if you want, and (3) No one is forced by the city to have big-ass trashcans.
4. Item about creating a PR position tabled.
5. Art in Public Places - on all future bonds passed, 1% of the money will go to an art project. (THIS IS HOW IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME: If we pass a bond, 1% of the amount will go to fund an art project, but only at the site of the bond passed. The money will not be used to fund any art project or other art related projects throughout the city.) Passed 7-0.
6. City creating a citizen cheer leading citizen committee to promote passage of the c.$40,000,000 bond package election in November.
7. The new Mi Cocina restaurant needs a sign variance - passed WITHOUT any discussion.
8. Police department is buying a SWAT Rapid Deployment Vehicle - around $50,000, but it won't cost taxpayers anything as the money comes out of seized property.
9. City once again talking about somehow broadcasting meetings over the internet. I think they are going to start out doing what the county has done, basic audio streaming.
If I find my notebook, I may edit this with some snarky comments. But then again, Black Ops calling my name...
Showing posts with label propoganda. Show all posts
Showing posts with label propoganda. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Rockwall City Council 19 April
III. Proclamations.
1. The Rockwall Youth Advisory Council (YAC) presented to the Rockwall County Library a giant check for around 300 bucks to buy some environmental books. How many trees were killed and how many CFS were produced for this endeavor? It's the show that counts.
IV. Consent Agenda.
4 items, all pulled.
1. Minutes. Passed
2. 2nd reading for the SUP of the greatest 7-11 ever. Passed 5-2, Matt Scott and David Sweet opposed this generator of sales and property taxes and soon-to-be local employer.
3. Replat of some lot on Ralph Hall. David Sweet opposed, not sure if he said why.
4. After-the-fact approval of a front yard fence. Passed 7-0
V. Appointments.
1. P&Z Vice Chairman Herbst reported the vote on the upcoming public hearing. Passed P&Z 3-2.
2. YAC kids presented their green report and passed out some paper (!) handouts.
The objective of their project was to get the community to "go green". Not sure if they succeeded yet.
Part of the project included a display at the library with solar powered light. (Let that sink in for a minute.)
Paper (!) awards were given out to the kids with comments and praise from the mayor and Councilman Farris. (Glen noted his resume wasn't as good as "these kids". I know my resume is at least slightly better than high school kids. Logically, Glen is saying my resume is better than his! And if he is "qualified" to be on council based on his resume, I guess that means I am too, despite what some have said on certain internet forums! Thanks, Glen!)
Glen also noted this was the best group ever. Take that last year kids!
3. Independent financial report of city. Fella says we doing ok, but cautions that we be in a "W" recession and haven't hit the 2nd drop yet. Whatever, lets spend ridiculous amounts of money!! What's some "finance" joker know anyway.
4. Some guy is having problems forcing his neighbor to do whatever the guy wants his neighbor to do. Constantly calls code enforcement on his neighbor, who in turn (supposedly) reported him to the cops and the cops had the complainer under surveillance for secret reasons!
The Mayor stated that all the complaints had been addressed and compliance from the neighbor had been achieved. The man then stated that the forms may be falsified.
He also mentioned that he had signed for his neighbor's certified letters and then placed them into the neighbor's mailbox.
He then suggested the city eminent domain the neighbor's property and make it a park!
Cuckoo.
VI. Public Hearings.
1. Christian Brothers.
Basically, everyone who spoke wants Christian Brothers Auto repair in Rockwall, but not in Rockwall. Christian Brothers will soon be applying for an SUP to install a quantum tear in the fabric of the universe to open in Rockwall.
Speaker 1: Opposes because it is a "gateway to the hospital district".The first time opposition was because the first site was a "gateway to the city".
Speaker 2: Represents former owner of the land and supports because it will produce tax revenue and is a good fit for the area.
Speaker 3: Real estate broker that brought CB to the site. Was also responsible for bringing in many of the other business in this Planned Development District (PD-9). PD-9 encourages "mixed use" not just medical.
Speaker 4: Guy from secret cove neighborhood noted that his neighborhood "accepted" the hospital into the area (wasn't that nice of him!) He then spent 10 minutes randomly saying words before finally stating he would like to talk about the 7-11 (which is a done deal) as he didn't get a chance to oppose it at one of the multiple public hearings held over the last few months. (I may have added that last part.)
Speaker 5: Representative of the owner of the lot adjacent to the south opposes.
Speaker 6: A neighbor from the Fox Chase neighborhood supports it! She said if she worked in one of the nearby buildings it would be nice and convenient to have something like that close to work.
Speaker 7: Representative of the owner of the lot adjacent to the west opposes. He also thought the city would spend 100% of it's resources constantly watching over the day-to-day activities of the place to ensure compliance with the SUP.
Speaker 8: Owner of competition. Opposed.
Speaker 9: Representative of the hospital opposes.
Speaker 10: A different competitor who thinks it impossible to fit that building onto the land. (Hello! Quantum tear in the universe ring a bell??)
David Sweet opposes because all the land owners around oppose.
Matt Scott opposes because he says it is not the best use of the land. (Does that imply an empty lot is a better use of the land?)
Margo Nielsen supports as the land has been vacant for 5 years and no medical has been developed. Bird in the hand? Yes.
Mayor Cecil opposes, says it is no good next to a medical facility.
Glen Farris noted that another local auto repair business got council support when they wanted to go where that business it "wouldn't fit". He supports the SUP also stating no medical use had been developed for that spot.
Mark Russo opposed, agreeing with others that it "didn't fit".
Christian Brothers denied (again) 5-2.
The Christian Brother's representative then asked where would the city like them to open??? Fingers were then inserted into ears and loud humming commenced.
2. A guy wants to move his fence a couple feet out from it's exiting spot on the side of his home. Of course, government made this a difficult task because if you live on a corner you have 2 "front" yards. This made his fence request technically a front yard fence request requiring council's blessing.
The public hearing was open, no one chose to speak, and then the public hearing was CLOSED.
But, some lady decided she didn't understand what the heck anyone was talking about, so the public hearing was reopened. Didn't realize that was allowed.
After 3 hours of explaining what was the plan with the fence, the lady gave her blessing (not that it was needed...) and council allowed the fence by a vote of 5-0 (Matt Scott left and Mark Russo recused himself.)
V. Action Items.
1. Consideration of city wide banning of free newspapers and flyers to homes and other locations tabled for the second time.
1. The Rockwall Youth Advisory Council (YAC) presented to the Rockwall County Library a giant check for around 300 bucks to buy some environmental books. How many trees were killed and how many CFS were produced for this endeavor? It's the show that counts.
IV. Consent Agenda.
4 items, all pulled.
1. Minutes. Passed
2. 2nd reading for the SUP of the greatest 7-11 ever. Passed 5-2, Matt Scott and David Sweet opposed this generator of sales and property taxes and soon-to-be local employer.
3. Replat of some lot on Ralph Hall. David Sweet opposed, not sure if he said why.
4. After-the-fact approval of a front yard fence. Passed 7-0
V. Appointments.
1. P&Z Vice Chairman Herbst reported the vote on the upcoming public hearing. Passed P&Z 3-2.
2. YAC kids presented their green report and passed out some paper (!) handouts.
The objective of their project was to get the community to "go green". Not sure if they succeeded yet.
Part of the project included a display at the library with solar powered light. (Let that sink in for a minute.)
Paper (!) awards were given out to the kids with comments and praise from the mayor and Councilman Farris. (Glen noted his resume wasn't as good as "these kids". I know my resume is at least slightly better than high school kids. Logically, Glen is saying my resume is better than his! And if he is "qualified" to be on council based on his resume, I guess that means I am too, despite what some have said on certain internet forums! Thanks, Glen!)
Glen also noted this was the best group ever. Take that last year kids!
3. Independent financial report of city. Fella says we doing ok, but cautions that we be in a "W" recession and haven't hit the 2nd drop yet. Whatever, lets spend ridiculous amounts of money!! What's some "finance" joker know anyway.
4. Some guy is having problems forcing his neighbor to do whatever the guy wants his neighbor to do. Constantly calls code enforcement on his neighbor, who in turn (supposedly) reported him to the cops and the cops had the complainer under surveillance for secret reasons!
The Mayor stated that all the complaints had been addressed and compliance from the neighbor had been achieved. The man then stated that the forms may be falsified.
He also mentioned that he had signed for his neighbor's certified letters and then placed them into the neighbor's mailbox.
He then suggested the city eminent domain the neighbor's property and make it a park!
Cuckoo.
VI. Public Hearings.
1. Christian Brothers.
Basically, everyone who spoke wants Christian Brothers Auto repair in Rockwall, but not in Rockwall. Christian Brothers will soon be applying for an SUP to install a quantum tear in the fabric of the universe to open in Rockwall.
Speaker 1: Opposes because it is a "gateway to the hospital district".The first time opposition was because the first site was a "gateway to the city".
Speaker 2: Represents former owner of the land and supports because it will produce tax revenue and is a good fit for the area.
Speaker 3: Real estate broker that brought CB to the site. Was also responsible for bringing in many of the other business in this Planned Development District (PD-9). PD-9 encourages "mixed use" not just medical.
Speaker 4: Guy from secret cove neighborhood noted that his neighborhood "accepted" the hospital into the area (wasn't that nice of him!) He then spent 10 minutes randomly saying words before finally stating he would like to talk about the 7-11 (which is a done deal) as he didn't get a chance to oppose it at one of the multiple public hearings held over the last few months. (I may have added that last part.)
Speaker 5: Representative of the owner of the lot adjacent to the south opposes.
Speaker 6: A neighbor from the Fox Chase neighborhood supports it! She said if she worked in one of the nearby buildings it would be nice and convenient to have something like that close to work.
Speaker 7: Representative of the owner of the lot adjacent to the west opposes. He also thought the city would spend 100% of it's resources constantly watching over the day-to-day activities of the place to ensure compliance with the SUP.
Speaker 8: Owner of competition. Opposed.
Speaker 9: Representative of the hospital opposes.
Speaker 10: A different competitor who thinks it impossible to fit that building onto the land. (Hello! Quantum tear in the universe ring a bell??)
David Sweet opposes because all the land owners around oppose.
Matt Scott opposes because he says it is not the best use of the land. (Does that imply an empty lot is a better use of the land?)
Margo Nielsen supports as the land has been vacant for 5 years and no medical has been developed. Bird in the hand? Yes.
Mayor Cecil opposes, says it is no good next to a medical facility.
Glen Farris noted that another local auto repair business got council support when they wanted to go where that business it "wouldn't fit". He supports the SUP also stating no medical use had been developed for that spot.
Mark Russo opposed, agreeing with others that it "didn't fit".
Christian Brothers denied (again) 5-2.
The Christian Brother's representative then asked where would the city like them to open??? Fingers were then inserted into ears and loud humming commenced.
2. A guy wants to move his fence a couple feet out from it's exiting spot on the side of his home. Of course, government made this a difficult task because if you live on a corner you have 2 "front" yards. This made his fence request technically a front yard fence request requiring council's blessing.
The public hearing was open, no one chose to speak, and then the public hearing was CLOSED.
But, some lady decided she didn't understand what the heck anyone was talking about, so the public hearing was reopened. Didn't realize that was allowed.
After 3 hours of explaining what was the plan with the fence, the lady gave her blessing (not that it was needed...) and council allowed the fence by a vote of 5-0 (Matt Scott left and Mark Russo recused himself.)
V. Action Items.
1. Consideration of city wide banning of free newspapers and flyers to homes and other locations tabled for the second time.
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