Saturday, September 26, 2009

Rockwall City Council 13 21 September

"Do not ever say that the desire to 'do good' by force is a good motive. Neither power-lust nor stupidity are good motives." - Ayn Rand

If only.

III. Proclamations.

1. Some ladies from the D.A.R accept a proclamation for Constitution Week. Or maybe it was a eulogy.

Ironic the world's greatest model for liberty and freedom would be presented by council!

IV. Consent Agenda.

8,9, and 11 pulled by Cliff. Rest approved unanimously by council.

note: The final vote for LRE zoning was part of the consent, surprisingly without any grandstanding. No multifamily included!

8 and 9 referenced new traffic lights going in at the corner of Market Center and Ralph Hall, or as I call it: the "Vortex of Stupidity." If you wanted to see what it's like to get through a four-way stop against drivers with the IQ of a carrot, better do it soon. In a couple months, even monkeys will be able to figure out when its their turn to "go".

11. Regarding the final platting of the Utley Middle School Addition, Matt wanted to know who else gets the privilege of filing the final plat after construction. Turns out, no one. Hmm.

V. Appointments.

1. P&Z Chairman michael Hunter presented P&Z commissions recommendations for the public hearings to follow. 1st four approved unanimously, 5th split vote 4-2. The reasons for opposition? Questioned location of the new facility as it is in an "entry to the city". Liked the idea, but not the location. (more on that later).

2. Fella wanted a waiver on some street improvement requirements, ie he didn't want to pay the city for something everyone else has to pay, around $20,000.

His lawyer spoke a bunch of lawyer talk for like 20 minutes, did well except when she accused a P&Z commissioner of a "flippant remark." Strike 1.

Matt asked some good questions, but unfortunately the citizen decided to interrupt his lawyer and started answering. Strike 2.

Then the citizen made a "wave off" motion to the council in disgust. Strike 3.

Glen made a motion to deny and it passed 7-0. And he's out (20k).

Here's a hint: if you are paying a lawyer big bucks to represent you, keep your trap shut.

3. Some folks from Law Enforcement Support Committee hawked some tickets to the Behind the Badge Appreciation Dinner at Southern Junction.

4. The city's C3 Development Process Team presented a method to help streamline getting a project through the system . Basically, one bureaucrat will be coordinating all the other bureaucrats.

VI. Public Hearings.

1. A couple need a replat for the "existing drainage and utility easement in the rear of the property." I think something about flood plain in there, too. Passes 7-0.

2.City changing a Planned Development to Commercial zoning. After an executive session, passes 7-0.

3. Another PD being changed to Light Industrial, only affects one guy and he has no objection. Passes 7-0.

4. Developers of the new development at the corner of Quail Run and 205 (adjacent to the CVS) want some of the residential to be commercial for a small retail strip. Several questions were raised, like why were some of the reshuffled homes put into flood plain. Did he give a good answer? Not really, but did admit they were having trouble selling those lots in the flood plain (just wait till they try and build on it!).

A former councilman wanted to know why there were no alleys, cuz when she was on council, they decided the city must have alley's so nobody would have to drive past someone's house and be forced to look at an open garage with a bunch of junk fallout out of it.

Passes 7-0.

5. Christan Brothers Automotive wants to put in a light automotive repair shop in front of the WalMart neighborhood market and next to the bank. They will keep most of the screening trees in place even planting more than they remove, there will be no access from 66, and they have gone to great lengths to ensure an attractive building will be in place. This will bring in property taxes and sales taxes for the city. They also require the owner to be local and spend 40 hours at the store and also be involved in community activities.

The representative from the company is probably the most "council ready" people I have ever seen. Excellent presentation, and had all the bases covered.

Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees.

No cars in parking lot overnight, no tires stored on-site, no painting, no welding, only "light repairs".

Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees. Trees.

The first to speak was a former city council man. He opposes it because it "doesn't fit". He likes the "idea", just not there.

The next fella to speak opposed it to"protect the quality of life of his neighbors and the city." He then proceeded to show photos of a trash bag behind the Starbucks as further evidence of his opposition. Also, the Walmart's dumpster gate was open. Then he drove around the Metroplex taking hundeds of pictures of other Christian Brothers that didn't follow Rockwall's codes and ordinances. He also yelled at a cloud.

(This city REALLY needs more activities for seniors.)

David, Matt and Mayor Cecil opposed because basically, they liked the idea of this business, just not in that spot.

If it fails on the 2nd reading, maybe we can get a developer to come in and build another mini-strip mall that'll remain empty for years while the developer takes a write-off. Oh, and the next guy will probably rip all the trees out and have access to 66.

Passes 4-3 to allow the auto-place to open. "The most pro-business council ever" I was once told.

Emphasis; Only TWO people showed up for the public hearing. A little birdy tells me a bunch of people who could have shown up for the public hearing decided to stay at home and watch tv and then complain about it after the fact.

VII. Action Items.

10. REDC budget passes 7-0.

11. Rockwall Technology Park budget passes 7-0.

6. Some in Lake Rockwall would like more time to comply with the city's utter disgust of trailers and RV's. 6 months given to comply. I wonder if the city will start enforcing this in the rest of the city now. Maybe we're just that special.

1. Some state law says that firemen or police (maybe) must have an adjustment to benefits. City Manager wants to make this benefit adjustment for all or some employees to be "fair". Don't remember vote.

5. City wants to raise water rates. Rockwall has some of the lowest rates in the region! (I guess this exclude Lake Rockwall where our bills are triple that of the rest of the city. But, I guess it's a small price to pay so uppity white folk don't have to look at my neighbors' trailers.)

Matt, Mark, David and Sevier opposed. (Were they the only?) Don't recall the vote, but City Manger Julie Couch I think was upset that she may now have to cut spending for some pet projects.

7. Budget something.

8. Budget and tax something else.

9. And another something about taxes.

12.Hotel/Motel subcommittee recommendations about something passes 7-0.

13. Motion to postpone a public meeting about the Shore's Golf Club.

2. Wild and crazy teens hanging out at the city-owned parking lot have finally forced the council to do something about hanging out in the parking lot. There appears to be a ban on non-parking activities on the horizon.

3. Something about the city's street assessment policy.

4. Update on boat dock repairs at the harbor.

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