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 trash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trash. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Rockwall City Council 7 February
III. Proclamations.
1. February is black history month. The proclamation explained the civil war started in 1861 when confederates attacked Ft Sumter.
Yep, it was just that simple.
The theme for this year is “African-Americans and the civil war” and “contributions of blacks during the civil war.”
IV. Open Forum.
1. Fellow from the Zoo spoke in anger about the upcoming water rate increase for Lake Rockwall Estates. (Should push mine to about $150-160.00 a month.)The mayor said the city was in the process of looking into the rate increase and that the request had to be approved by city council.
V. Consent Agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris pulled item 1.
Councilman Scott pulled items 2 & 4.
1. Minutes from meeting Mr Farris missed. Passed 5-0-2. Sevier and Farris abstained.
2. Mr Scott wanted a bunch of wording changes for youth sports agreements. Passed 7-0.
4. Final approval for Christian Brothers. Pulled for basic showboating. Passed 7-0.
VI. Appointments.
1. P&Z Vice Chair Connie Jackson filled in for Mr Herbst. Recent actions by P&Z:
-Petty micromanagement of the looks of a new McDonalds, a company that would be unsuccessful if not for the meddling of the unqualified or incompetent.
-Best Buy lighting changes for outside signage. Denied because P&Z was afraid other businesses would also want lights to help promote business.
-Enlargement of accessory building in the Zoo. Passed 7-0.
-Expansion of SPR Packaging, lots of variances needed. Passed 7-0, with the added note from Ms. Jackson that she was “thrilled someone is expanding in this economy.” A comment that is strangely contradictory to those from the Mayor and some council who claim the economy is Rockwall is essentially immune from the economic problems plaguing the rest of the world.
2. Folks want the fee waived at the Harbor for an event to raise money for a non-profit organization. City waives fee for 501.c3s and Ms. Nielsen suggested they get the actual organization to make the request to keep more in line with the requirement. Will return next time.
Mr Farris opposed support as the event happens the same day as Founders Day. Recommended they pick a new date.
2. Jerry Archer back again. See previous blogs for more info.
Needs an SUP, but the unified development code for Downtown does not allow any auto repair facilities, not even with an SUP.
City will have to change the code in order to allow SUPs for auto repair and then Mr. Archer can make application for the SUP.
After some risk management lessons from the Mayor and Council, motion was made to have staff make changes to allow auto repair facilities in the downtown district with an SUP.
4. Lady wants to talk about changes to trash service. She seemed to be for it and against it. But not really.
Mr. Scott explained there was much “misinformation” about the upcoming changes:
-Councilman Clifford Sevier, Councilman Mark Russo, and Mayor Pro Tem Glen Farris are the ones on the subcommittee and Councilman Clifford Sevier, Councilman Mark Russo, and Mayor Pro Tem Glen Farris were the ones who came up with the idea to change current garbage and recycling service. Councilman Clifford Sevier, Councilman Mark Russo, and Mayor Pro Tem Glen Farris were sitting around one day and they decided without any input from Allied Waste or anyone else, the best thing in the world be for Councilman Clifford Sevier, Councilman Mark Russo, and Mayor Pro Tem Glen Farris to propose to council that we change garbage and recycling service.
-No one will have to use both types of 96 gallon trash cans.
-If you want to continue to recycle, you will have to have at least the 96 gallon trash can.
The Mayor vigorously defended the proposal.
Mr Sweet explained that recycling is “good for the earth”. (Although he does oppose the changes – that’s good. Gaia will be pleased and angry all at once.)
Item will be back to council.
VIII. Action Items.
4. LRE water rate increase. Council will require a “show cause” from AquaTexas to justify the rate increase. Rate increases by private water providers in city limits must have council approval.
VII. Site Plans.
1. McDonald’s new store design has a rounded roof. Building standards have no provision for rounded roof. That’s the only reason for the variance request. Passed 7-0 without meddling.
2. Best Buy has had some lights illuminating the store for the last three years that do not comply with code. City noticed problem after three years and now wants Best Buy to not have those lights. Best Buy would like to change those lights - that no one notice or complained about for three years - for some projection lights to illuminate the blue field around the main sign on the building.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris wanted Best Buy to justify in dollars how this would increase the business of Best Buy. He also stated that the new light would not increase Best Buy’s earning power. He continued his opposition stating that not having the lights would not hurt Best Buy. He was also concerned other businesses would want similar lights.
Ms Nielsen agreed with Mr Farris.
Councilman Sweet took the other side of the issue stating that he wants the businesses in Rockwall to be their own experts. This wasn’t an unusual request and if other businesses made the same request that could go through the process just like Best Buy is doing.
Mr. Farris made a motion to deny the request which failed 5-2. (Nielsen also supported the motion.)
After the motion to approve was made, Mr Farris wanted to add a punitive requirement for a “photovoltaic study”. P&Z Director LaCroix said it would not be necessary. Motion passed without the punishment 6-1. (Farris opposed.)
3. LRE fella needs an accessory building to hide all the crap he keeps in his yard that the city keeps complaining about. He wants to enlarge an existing metal building, which will not meet the masonry requirement. A bunch of belly-aching ensued after a motion to deny failed, the motion to approve passed 5-3. (Sevier, Farris, and Scott opposed.)
4. Expansion of SPR Packaging and variances. Lots of discussion. Passed 7-0.
VIII. Action Items.
1. CIP task order contracts approval. Despite continued economic troubles plaguing the USA, the city is gearing up to promote bond passage in November. Baseball fields, downtown stuff, historic park, one other I think. Floating around the $40,000,000 mark I think. Possibly more.
Keep repeating: “Debt is sustainable.” “Debt is sustainable.” “Debt is sustainable.”
Works for Wisconsin. And Dallas. And Rockwall ISD. And the Federal Government. And Texas.
2. Electronic sign won’t go away. Pointless and expensive. Does anyone other than city or council really care about this waste?
Just stop already.
3. Change in the bum ordinance. You can still be a bum, but can’t set up temporary lodging on public land.
Passed 7-0.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Rockwall City Council 3 January
"Meet the new year, same as the old year." - Pete Townsend
No amount of dilly-dallying would keep this meeting from starting late.
Action from executive session, here's what I caught: Motion, resolution, abandon, portion, Hilltop Drive, quick claim deed. Passed 6-0.
III. Open Forum.
Starting the new year with no speakers, everyone must be so pleased with the progress of our council.
IV. Consent Agenda.
Everything passed with nothing pulled 6-0.
V. Appointments.
1. General Manager with superhero name, Omega Hawkins, with annual report and tax money request for KART.
-KART is now Star Transit. (Star is not an acronym, but how about "Subsidized Transport Around Rockwall?")
-17,500 trips in city of Rockwall last year.
-18,160 trips total in county
-Few hybrid vehicles now in bus fleet, part of a pilot program.
-New hours of operation are 6a-6p.
-Ridership continues to increase.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris extolled KART/STAR, "It's cheap".
Councilman Sweet explained his disappointment that the KART/STAR board did not put a member of council on that board (appointed a county commissioner instead), even though the city has over 95% or ridership and contributes $20,000 a year vs $10,000 contributed by the county.
Councilman Sevier reiterated the desire by some on council to have city of Rockwall representation on the board.
Mayor Cecil was also "distressed" at the lack of city representation.
Motion to give 20,000 tax payer dollars to Star Transit passed 5-1, Councilman Sweet opposed.
VI. Action Items.
WARNING: SOME MAY FIND A WORD IN THE FOLLOWING ITEM OFFENSIVE.
1. Allied Waste wants Rockwall citizens to have 2 big-ass trashcans. These big-ass trashcans are 96 gallons EACH. The cans will be embedded with an RFID chip to track your recycling weight.
Basically, you will get divvied points for recycling. The amount recycled by you and your neighborhood or subdivision will be divided by the number of those participating in the program.
So if you are enrolled and recycle nothing and your neighbor recycles 20 pounds, you each get credit for 10 pounds. Got it?
Your reward could be a coupon for up to $20 per month at participating retailers, or you can donate the money to our over-funded school to build another football stadium or swimming pool.
Most likely your monthly reward will be an average of $8-12. (How can a range be an average?)
The goal is to trick people into thinking they are getting something for nothing. Really the goal is to please Gaia for our maltreatment.
Allied Waste says it will increase participation, which is currently estimated at 45% - about the same as individual councilmember's participation, to as high as 85%.
Garbage rates will increase regardless of participation from $14.39 to $15.75 per month, and commercial rates for customers with no ability to participate will increase 5%.
Allied also says the city will look better because instead of a bunch of garbage cans of different colors, sizes, shapes, etc, everyone will be exactly the same. And the city sure loves promoting monotony!
The representative also suggested that the city have an ordinance to prevent people from leaving the big-ass trashcans out at the curb after pick-up.
Points from council discussion:
-50% increase in participation in every city program enacted
-Voluntary participation at first.
-All big-ass trashcans will have the chip, but only record the participants.
-A camera will record all the trash dumped from the big-ass trashcans.
-It "won't hurt" to start this program.
-Trash service will decrease to one time per week.
-Recycling service will decrease to one time every two weeks.
Mr Sweet opposed stating it was an "increase in rate, and decrease in service." He also noted that he, like many others, had no place to store "one, much less two" of these big-ass trashcans.
The first of May we can expect the service to start.
Motion to move forward passed 5-1-1. Mr Sweet opposed and Mr Russo abstained. (Mr Russo stated afterward he did not feel it appropriate to vote as he had missed the entire discussion.)
Anyway, here's Bono on trash:
No amount of dilly-dallying would keep this meeting from starting late.
Action from executive session, here's what I caught: Motion, resolution, abandon, portion, Hilltop Drive, quick claim deed. Passed 6-0.
III. Open Forum.
Starting the new year with no speakers, everyone must be so pleased with the progress of our council.
IV. Consent Agenda.
Everything passed with nothing pulled 6-0.
V. Appointments.
1. General Manager with superhero name, Omega Hawkins, with annual report and tax money request for KART.
-KART is now Star Transit. (Star is not an acronym, but how about "Subsidized Transport Around Rockwall?")
-17,500 trips in city of Rockwall last year.
-18,160 trips total in county
-Few hybrid vehicles now in bus fleet, part of a pilot program.
-New hours of operation are 6a-6p.
-Ridership continues to increase.
Mayor Pro Tem Farris extolled KART/STAR, "It's cheap".
Councilman Sweet explained his disappointment that the KART/STAR board did not put a member of council on that board (appointed a county commissioner instead), even though the city has over 95% or ridership and contributes $20,000 a year vs $10,000 contributed by the county.
Councilman Sevier reiterated the desire by some on council to have city of Rockwall representation on the board.
Mayor Cecil was also "distressed" at the lack of city representation.
Motion to give 20,000 tax payer dollars to Star Transit passed 5-1, Councilman Sweet opposed.
VI. Action Items.
WARNING: SOME MAY FIND A WORD IN THE FOLLOWING ITEM OFFENSIVE.
1. Allied Waste wants Rockwall citizens to have 2 big-ass trashcans. These big-ass trashcans are 96 gallons EACH. The cans will be embedded with an RFID chip to track your recycling weight.
Basically, you will get divvied points for recycling. The amount recycled by you and your neighborhood or subdivision will be divided by the number of those participating in the program.
So if you are enrolled and recycle nothing and your neighbor recycles 20 pounds, you each get credit for 10 pounds. Got it?
Your reward could be a coupon for up to $20 per month at participating retailers, or you can donate the money to our over-funded school to build another football stadium or swimming pool.
Most likely your monthly reward will be an average of $8-12. (How can a range be an average?)
The goal is to trick people into thinking they are getting something for nothing. Really the goal is to please Gaia for our maltreatment.
Allied Waste says it will increase participation, which is currently estimated at 45% - about the same as individual councilmember's participation, to as high as 85%.
Garbage rates will increase regardless of participation from $14.39 to $15.75 per month, and commercial rates for customers with no ability to participate will increase 5%.
Allied also says the city will look better because instead of a bunch of garbage cans of different colors, sizes, shapes, etc, everyone will be exactly the same. And the city sure loves promoting monotony!
The representative also suggested that the city have an ordinance to prevent people from leaving the big-ass trashcans out at the curb after pick-up.
Points from council discussion:
-50% increase in participation in every city program enacted
-Voluntary participation at first.
-All big-ass trashcans will have the chip, but only record the participants.
-A camera will record all the trash dumped from the big-ass trashcans.
-It "won't hurt" to start this program.
-Trash service will decrease to one time per week.
-Recycling service will decrease to one time every two weeks.
Mr Sweet opposed stating it was an "increase in rate, and decrease in service." He also noted that he, like many others, had no place to store "one, much less two" of these big-ass trashcans.
The first of May we can expect the service to start.
Motion to move forward passed 5-1-1. Mr Sweet opposed and Mr Russo abstained. (Mr Russo stated afterward he did not feel it appropriate to vote as he had missed the entire discussion.)
Anyway, here's Bono on trash:
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Rockwall City Council 6 December
Actions from Executive Committee.
Reappointed a bunch of cronies to various boards.
III. Proclamations.
1. Council recognized city staff that completed "Rockwall University"; staff members spend time learning about other departments. Upon completion they get knowledge, a certificate, and money, amount not disclosed.
VI. Open Forum.
...................................................................................
V. Consent Agenda.
Councilman Sevier pulled #7, rest approved 7-0.
7. Councilman Sevier asked to postpone the vote to next meeting for the owner of land in conjunction with a 212 agreement would have time to fill out paperwork.
Councilman Scott verbosely opposed the plan.
VI. Appointments.
1. P&Z Chairman Herbst presented the P&Z's decision on a new business at the bankrupt Harbor project. Paradise Burger had presented plans for a metal canopy that didn't look the same once built. P&Z didn't like the new roof "look", and claimed it didn't "fit" the Harbor. (If it were a closed-down business, it would definitely "fit.")
Want Paradise Burger to change the canopy from patchwork to uniform. Rockwall loves monotony.
2. Moved to next council meeting.
3. Judge Cathy Penn presented the yearly report for the municipal court.
-17,000 cases had gone through court at the end of the fiscal year (Aug 31, 2010).
-Mostly traffic violations.
-17% were state code offenses.
VII. Site Plans/Plats.
1. Paradise Burger from above.
Problem:
-Exceeds the 10% maximum of non-masonry material standard.
-Built canopy different from presented plan
-P&Z ok with metal roof, but not look of "rusty" panels.
The representative of Paradise Burger explained that the plan didn't show the 2D vs 3D difference. They are also trying to create a more relaxed atmosphere at the Harbor to attract more patrons. (Note to burger guy, attractive stores offering goods that people want will not positively affect patronage at the Harbor. According to the council, "foot traffic" from apartments they want built nearby is the only remedy.)
Mayor Pro Tem Farris opposed, stating "we spent a lot of time planning the (bankrupt) Harbor."
Nose, say good-bye to face.
Passed with P&Z recommendations, 6-1.
VIII. Action Items.
1. Addendum to contract with trash company to extend to 5 years. This does not lock in the rate. Passed 6-1. Councilman Sweet opposed not going out for bid.
2. Discussion of upcoming citizen survey. Discussion revolved around content and a lucky few who gets the special survey.
When mentioned that the survey would include questions in Spanish, Councilman Scott's finger moved so fast for the speak button, it nearly detached from his hand.
Mr Scott expressed opposition to certain questions and doing the survey in Spanish for "philosophical" reasons.
Councilman Russo asked about online options.
Mr Farris asked about including a question asking if people are willing to pay for the city's wish lists.
Councilman Sweet stated he agreed with Mr Scott's position about including questions in Spanish.
Councilman Sevier noted that the 3000+ non-English speaking new citizens in Rockwall didn't move to Rockwall, Rockwall moved to them (us) (That is Lake Rockwall Estates, aka The Zoo.) Not including the opinions of those residents will skew the survey. He concluded that the city knew before annexation that the vast majority speak Spanish as a first language.
Mr Farris made a motion to table until the 2nd meeting in January for more time to consider the survey. Passed 7-0.
3. Councilman Russo wants the city to help you find your lost dog using the website and social media. Staff is looking into this idea.
Reappointed a bunch of cronies to various boards.
III. Proclamations.
1. Council recognized city staff that completed "Rockwall University"; staff members spend time learning about other departments. Upon completion they get knowledge, a certificate, and money, amount not disclosed.
VI. Open Forum.
...................................................................................
V. Consent Agenda.
Councilman Sevier pulled #7, rest approved 7-0.
7. Councilman Sevier asked to postpone the vote to next meeting for the owner of land in conjunction with a 212 agreement would have time to fill out paperwork.
Councilman Scott verbosely opposed the plan.
VI. Appointments.
1. P&Z Chairman Herbst presented the P&Z's decision on a new business at the bankrupt Harbor project. Paradise Burger had presented plans for a metal canopy that didn't look the same once built. P&Z didn't like the new roof "look", and claimed it didn't "fit" the Harbor. (If it were a closed-down business, it would definitely "fit.")
Want Paradise Burger to change the canopy from patchwork to uniform. Rockwall loves monotony.
2. Moved to next council meeting.
3. Judge Cathy Penn presented the yearly report for the municipal court.
-17,000 cases had gone through court at the end of the fiscal year (Aug 31, 2010).
-Mostly traffic violations.
-17% were state code offenses.
VII. Site Plans/Plats.
1. Paradise Burger from above.
Problem:
-Exceeds the 10% maximum of non-masonry material standard.
-Built canopy different from presented plan
-P&Z ok with metal roof, but not look of "rusty" panels.
The representative of Paradise Burger explained that the plan didn't show the 2D vs 3D difference. They are also trying to create a more relaxed atmosphere at the Harbor to attract more patrons. (Note to burger guy, attractive stores offering goods that people want will not positively affect patronage at the Harbor. According to the council, "foot traffic" from apartments they want built nearby is the only remedy.)
Mayor Pro Tem Farris opposed, stating "we spent a lot of time planning the (bankrupt) Harbor."
Nose, say good-bye to face.
Passed with P&Z recommendations, 6-1.
VIII. Action Items.
1. Addendum to contract with trash company to extend to 5 years. This does not lock in the rate. Passed 6-1. Councilman Sweet opposed not going out for bid.
2. Discussion of upcoming citizen survey. Discussion revolved around content and a lucky few who gets the special survey.
When mentioned that the survey would include questions in Spanish, Councilman Scott's finger moved so fast for the speak button, it nearly detached from his hand.
Mr Scott expressed opposition to certain questions and doing the survey in Spanish for "philosophical" reasons.
Councilman Russo asked about online options.
Mr Farris asked about including a question asking if people are willing to pay for the city's wish lists.
Councilman Sweet stated he agreed with Mr Scott's position about including questions in Spanish.
Councilman Sevier noted that the 3000+ non-English speaking new citizens in Rockwall didn't move to Rockwall, Rockwall moved to them (us) (That is Lake Rockwall Estates, aka The Zoo.) Not including the opinions of those residents will skew the survey. He concluded that the city knew before annexation that the vast majority speak Spanish as a first language.
Mr Farris made a motion to table until the 2nd meeting in January for more time to consider the survey. Passed 7-0.
3. Councilman Russo wants the city to help you find your lost dog using the website and social media. Staff is looking into this idea.
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