Rockwall City Council 21 March

First meeting on the internets! Streaming audio was Rockwall's initial foray into the world of 1's and 0's moving into your PC at the speed of light!

III. Proclamations.

3. (I missed the first one as I was a few minutes late, but our Chief of Police received an award for being the antithesis of the LAPD.)

1 & 2. Barbara Coleson and Claudette Hatfield Day was declared for two ladies who have worked hard for downtown for many years.

Executive Actions included acquiring right of way, spending money and appointing the CIP committee.

IV. Consent Agenda.

Councilman Sevier pulled items 2 & 3.

The rest approved 7-0.

2. Mowing service contract, Councilman Sevier confirmed the contract renewal did not go out for bid and cost an additional $28,000. Passed 6-1, Sevier opposed.

3. HVAC replacement contract bid acceptance - not lowest bid, but lower bids did not meet requirements.

V. Appointments.

1. P&Z Chair Herbst presented 2 items. The first was to amend the Downtown Zoning district to allow Auto Repair, Minor so that Archer's can remain downtown - after he is granted an SUP.

The second was a change to a zoning (somewhere) to change an agriculture zoned area to a PD (single family). Opposition from folks because of the density. Item was continued.

2. Annual Financial Audit. Tax revenue up a little. "We are in the eye of the economic storm." And as anyone who has lived through a hurricane will tell you, the eye is the halfway point between destruction! We did about average compared against the four cities in comparison.

Audit available here.

3. Fella from Rockwall Surgery Center wants to expand, but first has to have city approve an offsite parking arrangement with Rockwall High School. Sound complicated? No. Made complicated? Yeah. But approved 6-0. (Mayor Pro Tem Farris left at some point.)

VI. Public Hearing Items.

1. Request for a zoning change for an area at 549 and 205. Wants to make an area zoned as AG into Commercial (or General Retail). Surrounding area is residential, and there is some opposition from neighbors (including a lawsuit to prevent claimed violation of deed restrictions.)

LOTS of discussion.

In the end, council moved ahead to rezone to General Retail.

2. Zoning change or the Downtown District to allow for Auto Repair, Minor.

See previous blogs for info. I can't possibly write about it for the 10th time - especially on a Sunday evening.

Lots of support, not sure if any opposition.

Passed 6-0.

1. Items delayed the LRE water rate increase. Passed 6-0.

2. Resolution to call for public hearing regarding LRE water. Passed 6-0.

3. Ammendment to Unified Development Code to allow for congregate care facilities. Similar to assisted living facilities without medical assistance or personal care.

Talk Talk by Talk Talk

Tabled for 30 days.