III. Consent Agenda.
#3 Pulled by Councilman Sevier.
Rest passed 7-0.
#3 was the terrible idea known as PD-32, or as one councilman called it: "The Rob Whittle Bailout."
Passed 5-2, only Councilmen Sevier and Russo were wise enough to vote against the next failed Harbor project.
IV. Appointments.
1. P&Z Chairman Michael Hunter talked about the public hearing items.
2. P&Z Commissioner Mark Stubbs wants the city of Rockwall to build a massive sports complex so kids and adults can play kids games in luxury. 20-25 kids were in attendance to show support.
His points:
-Whole family played baseball and there was no youth sports park.
-None of his kids played baseball because there was no youth sports park.
-Rockwall is 20 years behind because we have no youth sports park.
-YMCA is nothing but a crutch for youth sports.
-The city hasn't grown faster becuase we have no youth sports park.
Then out came the power point:
-Basically, we "need" a youth sports complex for kids and adults to play kids games. (Kinda like how people "need" a flat screen tv, while the water heater is leaking.)
-In other cities the ratio of residents to ball fields is much higher than Rockwall. Except in the cities where it is lower.
The next speaker for the power point (to talk about finances):
-The youth sports complex would basically be free!
-In one weekend people attending games would spend almost a MILLION dollars! At 52 weeks, that's like 52 MILLION DOLLARS! We can't lose!
-Cities have to build these facilities. Private industries won't because they can't make any money. (Read that as, these complexes bleed money.)
-Terrell and Farmersville have better facilities than Rockwall and we can't fall behind those crappy towns. How embarrassing!
-Put it to a public vote. If it fails, then put it to more public votes until it passes.
I was told this guy, who wants Rocwwall to spend millions for his park, doesn't even live in the city.
Councilman Scott, who lives in a expensive house and is an expert on ballfields, wanted people to know that he has been accused of calling this "his project" and wants people to know that this is not "his project". It is his "legacy". (according to reliable sources.)
Councilman Sevier also expressed his support for the "need", but said it will be up to citizens to champion it.
Councilman Sweet had nothing to add to the conversation, but spoke for a while anyway.
V. Public Hearing Items.
1. Rockwall Honda wants to sell boats, but has to beg the city for permission to display the boats in front of his store.
Councilman Farris had some questions:
Q. How many boats be would displayed?
A: As many as will fit onto allotted area.
Q. How many people asked for Honda to sell boats?
A: Enough to make Honda want to sell boats.
Q: Will Honda want more signage? (Glen hates signs.)
A: Yes.
Q: Might Honda expand to even more product lines?
A: Uh, yes.
Councilman Sevier complimented Honda's upkeep of the front of the store.
Councilmember Nielsen wan to know what kind of boats, and this led to a lengthy discussion about what boats are, how they work, and the best kind of skis to buy. Or something.
2. Walgreens on 205 wants to display things that CVS is displaying right across the street, but can't because of Rockwall's Soviet-style planned development distracting. They want to add a Red Box, ice freezer, and propane cage.
P&Z opposed the Red Box, but the other 2 items were a-ok.
Cliff Sevier had made the motion to approve and David Sweet seconded.
Margo Nielsen's opposition was that there was too much storage outside, having those items wont increase sales, nor influence anyone to go to that store.
Matt Scott was ok with the ice and propane, but was worried about theft of the Red Box. Yes, he really said that. No, he wasn't prompted by the Chief of Police sitting a few feet away.
Glen Farris has a problem with outside displays. Pointed out that the Walgreens moved into the
Soviet-style planned development, and knew ahead of time these items would not be allowed. Also, Mr Farris stated there was no market for propane, ice, or a Red Box. It was not a necessity, and it would not help business "that much".
Isn't it nice to have such brilliant elected officials to help people know what is and isn't good for our private business?
Cliff Sevier had made the motion to approve and David Sweet seconded.
The wind then shifted, and Councilman Sweet rescinded his second.
Matt Scott would not judge their business model, but would not support allowing things not in the PD.
Councilman Sevier pulled his motion in order for the item to return at next council for a full vote. (Mr Russo had left a little while before.)
3. 7-11 at 205 and 552 want a Red Box and ice freezer to be displayed outside of the store. Applicant asked for a postponement.
VI. Action Items.
1. Hotel/Motel money stuff. $390k was asked for by various groups, $190k was given allocated. The vote was in two parts, the first part passed 6-0, the second part was for money to go to the chamber of commerce, Mr Farris recused himself, but it passed 5-0-1.
5. Heritage Christian Academy needs an extension for the portable buildings used for classrooms. A lot less silly questions this year from last, but alas there were a few.
The mayor wanted to know how long the school expects to not have enough money to finish out the second floor of the main building.
The school had no clue how long it would not have enough money to finish out the second floor. Mr Farris added to the motion that if the school left, the SUP would not pass on to next owner.
Passed a 3-year extension, 6-0.
3. City has an ordinance that if you have outside dumpsters, the dumpsters must be enclosed. (Somehow some properties are excluded by being "grandfathered" in after the ordinance was passed.) The city, however, wants to make sure businesses that want to recycle can do so easily. The new ordinance would remove the screening requirements and require a free permit so the city can tell you the best place to place the dumpster. There are 20-25 recycle dumpsters in the city that are causing hearts to stop from people seeing them. The city wants to force people who are already recycling to ask the city for permission to continue doing so.
Margo Nielsen, who has enclosure-less recycling dumpsters in violation of current ordinance at Helping Hands, was assured by Glen Farris that her dumpsters were ok and would not require any city intervention. He continued this was a method to force people to be considerate to others.
David Sweet thought the permit was too much.
The city's position is basically that they want people to recycle, they just don't want people driving by a business to know that business is recycling.
It was proposed the ordinance would read in such a way that the recycling dumpsters would be mostly out of sight. Tabled to reword ordinance.
Dumpster talk only took 25 minutes.
6. City is finally codifying solar panels. City will have a 1000 sqft limit for electric, pool, and/or water. Will require a permit only, no more begging the city to let you save energy and money.
10. REDC Budget. What do they do again? Passed 6-0.
11. Rockwall Technology Park budget, including maintenance performed by Ms Nielsen's family. Passed 5-0-1, Ms Nielsen recused herself.
7. Amended budget for 2010.
8. Adopted budget for 2011.
Mr Scott, who is very wealthy and a brilliant lawyer (just ask him), had several points:
-The sky is not falling.
-At last meeting, it was suggested by a stupid citizen to cut spending, not gonna happen on Matt Scott's watch.
-Costco, which Mr Scott personally brought to Rocwkall, made everything great!
-There is no chance of a double dip recession, in fact all the economist he listens to say we are coming out of the recession!
Here's a link to one of those economist: M.E.B. Financial
Then there's this dummy who thinks we aren't out of a recession: Dumb Guy who knows nothing of finances. You really can't trust someone who lives in a $31,500 home. Mr Scott lives in a much more expensive home and according to him, that makes him very wise in the ways of money. Not only that, he is so smart he went to the best school in the nation and has the diploma to prove it!
The mayor noted that thanks to LRE (aka the Zoo), the Ad Valorem collections were awesome!
Then the rest of council spoke for 20 minutes what a great job they all were doing.
9. Ad Valorem rate remains 50.31 per 100. Mr Sweet then had 845 things to say about that, including how responsible council has been with tax dollars.
Responsible?
4. Electronic Sign to replace all those banners the city and others put up.
This led to Mr Sevier asking why political signs placed in front of Chili's in TxDot right-of-way are removed, but elsewhere in the city political signs in TxDot right-of-way are not.
Mr Scott then belittled and mocked Mr Sevier for his question, pulled out his diploma, and said, "THAT'S WHY!"
And for some reason the Mayor mentioned In-N-Out coming to Rockwall. He may have been talking in his sleep.
12. Discussion of broadcasting meetings over internet. Staff still "looking" into it.
2. The capital improvement planning work session will be moved to the "retreat". Mr Scott will be pushing for the youth sports park. The Mayor doesn't think this is a good time to put forth a massive bond election. I thought we were immune to the laws of economics in Rockwall.
Maybe the Mayor needs to consult with Mr Scott's financial planner:
