01.14.2014 Town Council MinutesMINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
TOWN O F Prosper Town Council
Prosper Municipal Chambers
108 W. Broadway, Prosper, Texas
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Prosper is a place where everyone matters.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call.
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Council Members Present:
Mayor Ray Smith
Mayor Pro-Tem Meigs Miller
Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Kenneth Dugger
Councilmember Michael Korbuly
Councilmember Curry Vogelsang
Councilmember Danny Wilson (arrived at 6:04 p.m.)
Councilmember Jason Dixon
Staff Members Present:
Harlan Jefferson, Town Manager
Robyn Battle, Town Secretary
Terrence Welch, Town Attorney
Hulon T. Webb, Jr., Executive Director of Development and Community Services
Chris Copple, Director of Development Services
Paul Naughton, Landscape Architect
Frank Jaromin, Public Works Director
Kent Austin, Finance Director
Doug Kowalski, Interim Police Chief
Gary McHone, Assistant Police Chief
2. Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the Texas Flag.
Pastor Jason McConnell of Prosper United Methodist Church led the invocation. The
Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag were recited.
3. Announcements of upcoming events.
Mayor Pro -Tern Miller made the following announcements:
BNSF closed Frontier Parkway today starting at approximately 10:00 a.m. and were
scheduled to reopen at 4:00 p.m. Originally, the railroad had contacted Town staff late
last Friday afternoon informing the Town of Prosper and City of Celina that Frontier
Parkway at the railroad crossing would be closed on Monday starting at 7:00 a.m.
Through Frank Jaromin's efforts with the Town and Gabe Johnson with Celina, the
proposed closure was delayed until today to allow the municipalities adequate time to
notify the PISD, public safety and residents. Frank also coordinated with Celso to inform
the public, and Michael Bulla placed the two Town message boards along Frontier
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Parkway yesterday morning to let motorists know of the scheduled closing. Thanks to
the fast actions of Town staff, the closure was delayed and proper notice was provided.
The Friends of the Prosper Library are hosting "Bring Your Child to the Library Day" on
Saturday, January 25 from 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
The Town of Prosper has received an upgrade to its credit rating from A to AA from
Standard & Poor's credit rating agency. The increased rating indicates strong
management and sound financial practices. The Town Council would like to
congratulate Town Manager Harlan Jefferson and Finance Director Kent Austin for their
efforts in keeping the Town financially sound.
The Town Council would like to welcome Doug Kowalski as our Interim Police Chief.
Doug has over 30 years of law enforcement experience in the North Texas area, and we
are excited that he has agreed to share his leadership and experience here in Prosper.
4. Presentations.
• Recognition of the Prosper Christmas Festival Committee and volunteers.
(HW)
Mayor Smith recognized several community members and staff volunteers who
assisted with the Prosper Christmas Festival.
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
(Items placed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature and non-
controversial. The Consent Agenda can be acted upon in one motion. Items may be
removed from the Consent Agenda by the request of Council Members or staff.)
5a. Consider and act upon minutes from the following Town Council meeting.
(RB)
• Regular Meeting — December 10, 2013
• Special Called Meeting — December 16, 2013
5b. Receive the October 2013 financial report. (KA)
5c. Consider and act upon Ordinance No. 14-01 rezoning 76.1± acres, located
on the east side of Legacy Drive, 1,400± feet north of Prosper Trail, from
Agricultural (A) to Planned Development -Single Family-15 (PD-SF-15). (Z13-
0016). (CC)
5d. Consider and act upon Ordinance No. 14-02 granting a Specific Use Permit
(SUP) for a concrete batching plant, on 5.0± acres, located on the west side
of Dallas Parkway, 900± feet south of First Street. The property is zoned
Planned Development-19-Commercial Corridor. (PD-19-CC). (S13-0001).
(CC)
5e. Consider and act upon whether to direct staff to submit a written notice of
appeal on behalf of the Town Council to the Development Services
Department, pursuant to Chapter 4, Section 1.5(C)(7) and 1.6(B)(7) of the
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Town's Zoning Ordinance, regarding action taken by the Planning & Zoning
Commission on any site plan or preliminary site plan. (CC)
Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Dugger made a motion and Councilmember Wilson seconded
the motion to approve all items on the Consent Agenda. The motion was approved by a
vote of 7-0.
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS:
(The public is invited to address the Council on any topic. However, the Council is
unable to discuss or take action on any topic not listed on this agenda. Please complete
a "Public Meeting Appearance Card" and present it to the Town Secretary prior to the
meeting.)
Mayor Smith recognized the following individuals who requested to speak:
Roger Flood, 2761 Meadow Ridge Drive, Prosper, spoke on behalf of the Friends of the
Prosper Community Library regarding the upcoming Bring Your Child to the Library
Day" event to be held on January 25, and announced the results of the reading contest
that took place over the recent holiday break.
Local author Ken Smith and his daughter presented a copy of Mr. Smith's book to Mayor
Smith.
Twila Weber, 5 Hickory Creek Drive, Prosper, spoke regarding the steep slope of
Hickory Creek Drive, and voiced her concerns about access to the neighborhood,
especially for emergency vehicles. Town Manager Harlan Jefferson stated that the
Town will continue to have dialogue with TxDOT about lowering the slope of Hickory
Creek Drive.
There were no other Citizen Comments.
REGULAR AGENDA:
(If you wish to address the Council during the regular agenda portion of the meeting,
please fill out a "Public Meeting Appearance Card" and present it to the Town Secretary
prior to the meeting. Citizens wishing to address the Council for items listed as public
hearings will be recognized by the Mayor. Those wishing to speak on a non-public
hearing related item will be recognized on a case -by -case basis, at the discretion of the
Mayor and Town Council.)
DEPARTMENT ITEMS:
7. Consider and act upon authorizing the Town Manager to execute a sales tax
consultant services agreement with MuniServices, LLC. (KA)
Finance Director Kent Austin presented this item before the Town Council. The
agreement will help the Town ensure that it receives all of the sales tax it is owed by
recovering money owed, but not paid, to the Town, and also by providing monthly and
quarterly reports to Town officials on sales tax activity by taxpayers. Mr. Austin
answered questions from the Town Council regarding MuniServices' method of
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calculating fees and their method to determine the amount of sales tax owed. Brenda
Anderson from MuniServices was present and answered questions regarding the
company's fees, and how the Town will be charged for their services.
After discussion, Councilmember Wilson made a motion and Councilmember Vogelsang
seconded the motion to approve authorizing the Town Manager to execute a sales tax
consultant services agreement with MuniServices, LLC. The motion was approved by a
vote of 7-0.
8. Consider and act upon an ordinance amending the FY 2013-2014 budget to
establish a part-time Municipal Court Clerk position and a full-time Library
Director position. (KA)
Finance Director Kent Austin presented this item before the Town Council. Currently,
the Town relies on one full-time Municipal Court Administrator to perform all Court
functions. Without any scheduled relief for the Court Administrator, the Court is closed
each day from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., as well as other times when the Court
Administrator must be out of the office. The addition of a part-time Court Clerk would
improve customer service, improve turnaround time for court transactions, and improve
internal controls for cash management.
Currently, the Prosper Community Library contracts with the City of Celina for part-time
Librarian services. The current Librarian works 20 hours per week for the Town of
Prosper. In order to continue to meet the criteria for accreditation, the Texas State
Library requires the Town to have a Library Director employed for at least 30 hours per
week. The addition of a full-time Library Director would allow the Prosper Community
Library to implement new programs and prepare for future anticipated growth
requirements for the Library.
Mr. Austin explained the budget amendment that would fund the addition of a part-time
Municipal Court Clerk and a full-time Library Director, and answered questions regarding
employee benefits for the full-time Library Director.
After discussion, Councilmember Korbuly made a motion and Mayor Pro-Tem Miller
seconded the motion to approve Ordinance No. 14-03 amending the FY 2013-2014
budget to establish a part-time Municipal Court Clerk position and a full-time Library
Director position. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
9. Consider and act upon awarding Bid No. 2014-17-B to Superscapes, Inc., related
to the construction services for the First Street and Coit Road Landscape
Improvements; and authorizing the Town Manager to execute same. (PN)
Landscape Architect Paul Naughton presented this item before the Town Council. The
Town received three bids for the project, which is an extension of the recently completed
First Street and Coit Road Widening Project. Mr. Naughton reviewed the details of the
base bid and the alternates that are recommended by Town staff. The total proposed
budget for this project is $585,000.
After discussion, Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem Dugger made a motion and Councilmember
Korbuly seconded the motion to award Bid No. 2014-17-B to Superscapes, Inc., related
to the construction services for the First Street and Coit Road Landscape Improvements;
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and authorize the Town Manager to execute same. The motion was approved by a vote
of 7-0.
10. Consider and act upon an amendment to the Capital Improvement Project (CIP)
plan for the design and construction of the Southwest Corner of Frontier Park
Practice Field and construction of the First Street and Coit Road Landscaping
Improvement Project. (HW)
Hulon Webb, Executive Director of Development and Community Services, presented
this item before the Town Council. At the December 10, 2013, Town Council meeting,
Town staff was directed to proceed with the design of the park improvements at the
Southwest Corner of Frontier Park. The proposed CIP amendment adds this new
project to the list of proposed CIP Parks Projects, and reallocates funds to pay for the
project. The CIP amendment also reallocates cost savings from the First Street and Coit
Road Widening Project to fund the First Street and Coit Road Landscape Improvements,
which was previously approved at this meeting.
Mr. Webb discussed the funding for both projects, and answered questions regarding
electric and water utilities for the Frontier Park site. Upon approval, the Frontier Park
project is estimated to be complete by the Spring of 2015. Town staff is researching
potential deed restrictions for the property that would determine the plan for lighting at
the site.
After discussion, Councilmember Korbuly made a motion and Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem
Dugger seconded the motion to approve an amendment to the Capital Improvement
Project (CIP) plan for the design and construction of the Southwest Corner of Frontier
Park Practice Field and construction of the First Street and Coit Road Landscaping
Improvement Project. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
11. Consider and act upon authorizing the Town Manager to execute an agreement
between Dunaway Associates, LP and the Town of Prosper, Texas, related to the
update of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. (PN)
Landscape Architect Paul Naughton presented this item before the Town Council. An
SOQ was submitted for professional services for the Parks, Recreation and Open Space
Master Plan, and Dunaway Associates was selected to provide an inventory and needs
assessment as well as an updated Master Plan. Philip Neely, Public Studio Leader with
Dunaway Associates, was present and answered questions about the company's
methods for determining the Town's current and future needs to be incorporated into the
Master Plan.
After discussion, Councilmember Wilson made a motion and Councilmember Korbuly
seconded the motion authorizing the Town Manager to execute an agreement between
Dunaway Associates, LP and the Town of Prosper, Texas, related to the update of the
Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. The motion was approved by a vote of
7-0.
12. Consider and act upon appointing members to the Parks, Recreation and Open
Space Master Plan Advisory Committee. (PN)
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Landscape Architect Paul Naughton presented this item before the Town Council. This
committee will assist Town staff and Dunaway Associates throughout the Parks,
Recreation and Open Space Master Plan update process, and upon completion of the
project, will help present the Master Plan to the Town Council.
After discussion, Councilmember Vogelsang made a motion and Deputy Mayor Pro-Tem
Dugger seconded the motion to appoint the following members to the Parks, Recreation
and Open Space Master Plan Advisory Committee:
• Craig Andres
• Jan Brown
• Barbara Cottone
• Jack Dixon
• Bill Hays
• Mike Kays
• Johnny Warren
• Rebekah Wikander
• Councilmember Michael Korbuly
The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
Following this item, Councilmember Wilson asked a question about the previous item
awarding the bid to Superscapes. He asked whether the maintenance costs had been
included in the bid award for the First Street and Coit Road Landscape Improvements.
Mr. Webb responded that the Town contracts with a vendor for the maintenance of
median landscaping, and the maintenance costs for this project will be included in the
next bid award.
13. Consider and act upon a resolution making a determination related to the creation
of a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, creating Neighborhood Empowerment
Zone No. 2, and setting forth incentives authorized to be used by the Town. (CC)
Development Services Director Chris Copple presented this item before the Town
Council. At the October 22, 2013, Town Council meeting, Town staff was directed to
pursue the creation of Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) No. 2, which is located
east of Coleman Road. Mr. Copple reviewed the stipulations and incentives that would
be provided by NEZ No. 2, which would include a reduction in permit fees, inspection
fees and impact fees, and could also include sales tax and/or property tax incentives.
The incentives would apply to residential and non-residential new development and
redevelopment within the boundaries of the NEZ. Mr. Copple answered questions from
the Town Council regarding the process for repealing the NEZ, if needed, and the
provisions for property tax abatement in NEZ No. 2.
After discussion, Councilmember Vogelsang made a motion and Mayor Pro -Tern Miller
seconded the motion to approve Resolution No. 14-04 making a determination related to
the creation of a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone, creating Neighborhood
Empowerment Zone No. 2, and setting forth incentives authorized to be used by the
Town. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0.
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14. Discussion on the design of Fire Station No. 2. (RT)
This item was removed from the agenda and no action was taken. The item will be
discussed at the January 29, 2014, Town Council Strategic Planning Session.
15. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Recess into Closed Session in compliance with Section 551.001 et seq. Texas
Government Code, as authorized by the Texas Open Meetings Act, to deliberate
regarding:
15a. Section 551.087. To discuss and consider economic development
incentives.
15b. Section 551.072. To discuss and consider purchase, exchange, lease or
value of real property for municipal purposes and all matters incident and
related thereto.
15c. Section 551.071. Consultation with Town Attorney regarding legal issues
associated with proposed extraterritorial jurisdiction release, and all
matters incident and related thereto.
15d. Section 551.074. To discuss and review the Town Manager's performance
evaluation.
The Town Council recessed into Executive Session at 7:21 p.m.
Mayor Smith left the Executive Session at 9:15 p.m.
16. Reconvene in Regular Session and take any action necessary as a result of the
Closed Session.
The Regular Session was reconvened at 9:23 p.m.
No action was taken as a result of Executive Session.
17. Possibly direct Town staff to schedule topic(s) for discussion at a future meeting.
• Missing Sidewalk Program. (HW)
Mr. Webb reviewed three areas in the Town where sections of sidewalk are missing.
Town staff recommended and the Town Council agreed that the sidewalks in the Gentle
Creek area be added in the Spring of 2014, and the other missing sections be included
in the budget for the following fiscal year.
• Naming of future thoroughfares. (CC)
Mr. Copple provided the Town Council with a list of suggested names for thoroughfares
in the Town. Some have not yet been built, but will need to be named for addressing
and emergency response purposes. Town staff was directed to bring the item before
Council again at a future meeting.
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18. Adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 p.m., on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.
These minutes approved on the 28th day of January, 2014.
APPROVED:
I
Ray Smith, ayor
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