Things have been slow going into the summer (as you can tell from the dearth of posts here).  With Cub Scouts winding down hopefully I'll have a bit more time.  Here are the high points up for discussion tomorrow.

1-   Update of the DCTA Rail project.  I've been hearing that the board of DCTA is reviewing the opening of the rail line; scheduled for this November/December, and might postpone the opening until the Med Park station is opened in early 2011.  Med Park is anticipated to generate a large amount of ridership, and with it revenues.  Opening before Med Park is online could be an inefficient use of tax dollars.  As much as I'd like the rail to be open tomorrow, I expect to see it delayed a bit in the interest of maximizing ridership and revenues.

2-   Election of Mayor Pro Tem and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem.  While these titles are primarily so there is a 'chain of command' should the mayor not be available, occasionally you see these positions used as ways to bolster the resumes of the council members who are up for re-election.  That has not seemed to be the case for Lewisville historically.  I'd imagine we'd see Councilman Durham elevated to Mayor Pro Tem, Tierney to Deputy, with Watts rolling out of the current cycle.  Tierney has the longest time since he was last in the 'pro tem' with Thornhill after.  Gorena would be unlikely due to his tenure.

3-   Zoning change from Agricultural Open Space and Light Industrial space to Public Use for a 78 acre space West of Railroad and North of Bennett Ln.  This is for the new DCTA maintenance facility for the rail line.  They are also requesting several variances including a screening burm with trees instead of a wall, reduce the number of required parking spaces, pave over a water line, reduce the amount of brick veneer required, and to have a temporary building.

4-   Zoning change from Agricultural Open Space to Light Industrial on 2.5 acres at Holfords Prairie and Midway to expand a current auto auction facility.  The buyer is an organization called the Van Tuyl Group who are one of the largest automotive retail management companies in the country.  The author has even trained about 30 of their service department execs.  Solid company, good growth, and hopefully a strong civic partner with Lewisville.

5-  Approval of a Tax Abatement for Jafra Cosmetics International for a distribution center in the Majestic Airport Center.  The abatement will provide for a 75% abatement of taxes for 5 years on building improvements and business personal property owned by Jafra.  This should be interesting with Councilman Gorena's stance on abatements as well as his history with business personal property.  We'll see if he votes against it or if he continues to vote with the majority on abatements.

6-   Sludge handling contract.  'Nuf said.

7-   Clarification of a contract with the Denton County Fresh Water Supply District to ensure the City will pay no costs associated with collection and enforcement of fees.

8-  Approval of acceptance of a $25,000 donation for an upright piano for the new arts center.  This is a grant from the M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation.

9-  Renewal of a contract for delinquent tax collection with the law firm of Sawko & Burroughs.   All attorney fees for collection are paid 100% by the delinquent taxpayer.

10-  Acceptance of a Homeland Security Grant of $193,708.15.   This will go to enhance security at the Lewisville Lake Dam against terrorist use of a WMD.

11-   Hebron 121 Station mixed use development is asking for variances (this is the Huffines development).  They would like palm trees as approved landscaping trees (which aren't in the current city list).  There will be a replacement escrow for when these trees die.  Use of brick pavers instead of concrete for medians and sidewalks, and a bond for public improvement funds instead of a cash set aside.

12-  Review of board appointments as several terms will be expiring. Setting up the appointment committee and presenting a list of interested citizens.

I'll be liveblogging.  If you have any questions let me know and I'll see that they're asked. 

And here we go!  Jim Ware- Arts Center Director is here to speak on the Center for the Creative Arts. 

Basic discussion of the engraved quotes, asking the council to vote on their favorites.

Now we're discussing booking procedures for the arts center:  City gets first dibs, then grantee organizations and invited groups (schools, colleges, etc.), then finally general booking.  No dates are firm until a deposit is paid and a use agreement is signed.  If a booking is tentative, it can be challenged and that gives the group with first booking seven days to pay their deposit or forfeit the date.  Deposits would be 50%.

They are now reviewing the rental rates (this will be in the supplemental materials online).  The rates look pretty affordable. For example the center courtyard would be $700 for a minimum of 5 hours for a local user.  Pricing is in the 'lower third' of the market to encourage people to try us out.   There are four categories of user:  Local Non Profit, Local Commercial, Non-Local Non Profit, and Non Local Commercial.  This also tempts organizations to relocate to Lewisville for the lower rental rates.

Bookings are already being created but can't be contracted until council approves.  

There will be a 'Quality Control' process for users including application, references from other facilities, review of usage, approval of all marketing mentioning the facility, as well as prior notice of 'mature' content.  The advisory board may also assist in the quality control.  This would entail creation of a board.  Or we could just shove it into the P&Z board which has acquired the duties of 4 boards over the past couple of years- I kid.  This committee would have to keep in mind the First Amendment rights of potential groups.

We're now reviewing a potential structure for the arts board including grants, public arts, fundraising and consist of 6-8 members.  This is typically part of the Greater Lewisville Arts Council.  Mr. King thinks it might make sense to fold this into the arts center so the city deals more directly with arts groups- it would have to be discussed by council.

Alcohol sales:  Should we have them?  Should the city sell?  Tierney mentions that this has been discussed at retreat.  The city would need a restaurant permit- this would also allow the city to sell alcohol at western days as opposed to the special use permits we currently use.  Groups could request that the city sell alcohol at their event.  Gives the city the revenue and more control over the sales, and simplifies beverage arrangements for events.  Tierney asks if our current 'bring your own' policy would apply and the answer is yes, but you can't bring and sell your own alcohol.  Gorena is uncomfortable with the city selling alcohol.  Tierney asks if Gorena is against alcohol sales at Western Days and Gorena states that he is but because everyone else is for it he went along with the group.  Staff mention that they have more control over service of alcohol.  Watts asks if there's more liability and staff states that there is additional liability insurance that would have to be covered.  Tierney asks how staff feels about this and staff responds that it's doable and that since Jim has experience with this type of facility the city should be fine.  King sees the permit for the center helping all of our other events since they could piggyback on the arts center's permit.

Jim mentions that there are conservative cash projections that make this make sense.  Gorena mentions no drinking in the auditorium at other events he's attended in Dallas.  Staff mentions that would be the case here.  Gorena isn't against people having alcohol, he doesn't want the city in that business.  Staff needs to know if they should pursue getting the permit. This needs to be soon so staff knows how to go about alcohol sales for Western day.  Council recommends moving forward with investigating a permit (good call IMHO).

A bit more discussion of the Arts Board, which would shake up the funding of local groups since they tend to oversee their own grants through the current Arts Council.  That might create some fireworks.

Next- Landfill on college street has finally completed their changes to their facilities.

Consent agenda- Gorena mentions that he does computer work for a couple of the wrecker companies on item 3 (a couple hours total for each company) and wants to know if it's a conflict.  Watts states it's up to Gorena.

Gorena would like to see item 7 (the crosswalk for Evergreen) reviewed.  Staff routinely asks that these types of requests are done through the city staff.  There have been several requests for 'mid block' cross walks over the years so residents don't have to go to the corner.  Staff has not approved these requests historically.  Transportation board reviewed the request in January and April.  

The city policy is to place crosswalks at controlled intersections because that's what drivers expect and timing can be managed 24/7.   We also place at 4 and 3 way stops.  Third is school crossings with crossing guards and flashing beacons and school zones- which people also expect.  These guidelines are based on national and federal standards.  If you deviate you have to have an engineering study to support the deviation.  Staff continues to explain that there are 17 marked crosswalks which 11 are in school zones, one of the 17 will be removed (near the HS), 4 crosswalks for hike and bike trails and they're usually away from median openings with minimal traffic.  Staff states that there is a safe crossing at the intersection and they're not in favor of this.  Transportation board asked staff to study U turn activity on the proposed intersection.  Over 9 hours there were 10 people crossing and 2 were from Evergreen.  There were 250 U-turns in this intersection.  Gorena mentions that the day care center creates a lot of U-turns.

Options range from 2,000 to 13,000 depending on the technology (lights, etc).  Gorena mentions that all the people wanted were signs and stripes.  King mentions that 'today's crosswalk can become tomorrow's signal'.  There was also looking at a 'HAWK' device which basically looks like street light for a cross walk.  This would be 85,000.  It would require 100 ft. setback from all driveways, these shouldn't be right on top of intersections.  Staff is very concerned about safety, adding mid block crossings would impact mobility.  Gorena mentions again the 2,000 option and asks to see it.  Staff is reviewing the 13,000 option.  Staff mentions that the 2,000 option would just paint stripes across the road.  Staff states that this is NOT a good option as it would place people right in the way of U-turns and would be unsafe.  Watts states that he understands it's inconvenient but safer to use the intersection.  Staff does NOT want to set a precedent.  Watts stops discussion and moves through the rest of the items.  Watts is running the meeting as Mayor Uecket is not here tonight.

Gorena asks about school sign changes and who pays for them.  The city pays if the schools change their hours.

Heading to the general meeting.  Be back in 5.

And we're back:  Pledges- Girl Scout Troop 197 is running this.  Mayor is in Washington DC.

Next up is declaration of the election results:  Durham and Gorena are officially the winners.  Council Place 4 952 vs 1028 (Gorena).  Durham 1627.  They're now being sworn in.  Gorena chose to swear this year as opposed to last when he 'affirmed' (I don't recall if it was affirm, but he was against swearing at the time) and chose the alternative terminology as allowed.  

Presentations:  Chief Kerbow presents Kevin Elias with a Citizen Certificate of Appreciation.   On Feb 3rd Kevin Elias tackled an Akita that was attacking a woman in his neighborhood.  He held the dog for 27 minutes before animal control could get the dog.

Teen Court-  volunteer certificates of recognition and thanks.  $1,000 scholarship to Jerry Curtis for his work on teen court.

Texas optimization program award by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to Lewisville's Water Treatment Plant.  Lewisville's water is Above and Beyond the rules set out by the state.  Only 12 organizations have achieved this award.  We have done it every year for 5 years (one of only 5 organizations to achieve this)- Lewisville water treatment is exceptional.

Next:  Zoning Change for the Landfill variances.  The Landfill has finally completed this project and they don't want 80% brick on their new building and they want a longer turn in lane.  Council moves seconds approves unanimously (MSAU for those not here last month to read my new acronym).

No one for the public hearing.

Consent Agenda:  MSAU.  Several contracts that needed to be approved.

Item 7 "The Mid-block Crosswalk".  Our city engineer is now reviewing the presentation from workshop for the public record.  He mentions that we've followed the crosswalk rules for the past 24 years (as long as he's been here).  We have no crosswalks outside of the rules set forth by the federal and national standards.  This clarifies the 14 mentioned in the workshop.  They all have large setbacks from intersections and no median interruptions, clear view of pedestrians and traffic.  Staff states that this is an unwarranted crosswalk and would create more danger due to the high level of U-turns.

Editors Opinion:  Deviating from national traffic standards for pedestrian convenience, while sounding like a good idea will create a wonderful opportunity for human/motor vehicle transposition (aka- people getting hit by cars).  Not something I'd like to see the city get sued for by setting up what would basically be an attractive nuisance.

Linda Bruce is here from the Evergreen complex to speak for those 260 apartments.  About 1/2 the residents use electric scooters to get to businesses in the area.  It is quite dangerous and without a crosswalk across to the Tom Thumb parking lot, these elders take a horrible chance when crossing mid block.  There have been 3 accidents due to crossing mid block.  Ms. Bruce says that this crosswalk will protect the elderly crossing mid block.  The cars going down Garden Ridge are going much faster than 40.  These folks have to wait in the middle of the intersection when they cross.  (Editors somewhat harsh opinion:  cross at the legally marked crosswalks even if it means going further down, it's what we're all taught as children).  Ms. Bruce states that the city should put up a no U-turn sign also.

Thornhill asks 'why can't you go to the red light and cross?'.  Ms. Bruce states that people turn on green and red lights and it's a 1/2 block further, it's just as dangerous at the intersection.  King mentions that the signal provides for pedestrian crossing and that the city has also changed the timing of the signal to be more convenient.  Turns are prohibited while the walking signal is on.  The walking rate was adjusted from 3.5 feet per second to 2 feet per second to allow for slower crossing.  Tierney asks about the no U-turn idea.  Kumar states that the U-turn would then be moved to Carnation to make a U-turn.

John Nix is now coming up to speak on the crosswalk.  He is also asking for crosswalks.  He states that the city should put something in place to make it safe for those folks crossing mid block.  Why does the city have to wait for someone to die before you do anything?  You people up there aren't old like us.  It's up to council to spend the money and the people need the help.  

Tierney asks about U-turn and no U-turn at that location.  There has been mention of a sign post that is empty at that location.  Kumar is not aware and it is legal to make a U-turn.  Tierney states that he's not going to make a dollar decision about putting peoples lives at risk.  If spending the money saves lives then it's good.  However, this crosswalk is going to be MORE dangerous and put more people at risk according to the experts.  Tierney states that we had children who crossed on garden ridge near Valley Ridge Elementary before they got to a crossing guard and that we worked with the district to emphasize crossing appropriately.  Tierney is not in favor because it would put more people at risk.  He would hope to see people cross the road at the appropriate places to minimize the risk.

Thornhill was amazed to learn there are 14,800 cars that travel this road daily.  He is concerned that traffic is going about 45 to 50 mph coming southbound with only 600 feet to stop for a crosswalk.  He appreciates the need to access the businesses and is concerned by the 250 U-turns.  The speakers only served to reinforce his belief that a crosswalk would be dangerous.  He recommends using the controlled intersections- it's only 1/2 a block to save your life rather than risking your life for convenience sake.

Gorena states that he had spoken with 10 residents last year and he went out and that he would choose to cross mid block.  He states that 8-10 total crossed mid block because it's a 'natural cross'.  People are going to cross where they want to cross.  We put signs up for ducks, deer, children, etc.  He just wants some sort of increased awareness with a sign and some stripes.  He's surprised it would cost $2000 for paint and signs. Maybe we could put in stop signs or cut into the median to remove U-turns (despite the limited distances).  He now compares crossing to city hall instead of going to the end of the block from the parking lots across from City Hall.  Gorena now thanks staff for all their time.  He thinks paint and signs are good and we should do the good thing.  Adding signs and paint will make this safer for residents.  They're just asking for some signs.  He does like the idea of putting in the $7000 crosswalk with lights.  He reiterates that he has no disrespect, but thinks signs are for the better good.

Tierney states that if going to the bank from city hall was dangerous would Gorena take a few extra steps for the extra safety?  Gorena states that he would look for something safer.  Tierney states that the $2000 option had some sort of staff recommendation.  IF you were to put in a cross you'd want to move it 200 feet from the U-turn which of course wouldn't be as convenient as the straight across.  There would also have to be concrete cut outs to make it ADA compliant, so it would take more than just "paint and signs".  Staff states that the 2,000 option as outlined by Gorena would be the worst of all of the options.

Durham states that the arguments by the people also reinforced him not wanting to vote for this.

Watts states that this is not done by the money.  Everyone up here is concerned by safety balanced by convenience.  Watts states that he'd paint the lines himself if he thought it would make people safer.  U-turns won't stop because of a paint line.  This doesn't enhance safety.  You are welcome to cross but he encourages them to cross legally in the safest way.  The facts don't back this up.  Watts will always choose what he thinks is best for the citizens.  Moved, Seconded, opposed by Gorena.  Motion passes.

Item 8:  Sign Variance for the Medical Center on I-35.  They want a large sign exceeding the Old Town Design District.  This will be in the new I-35 right of way and removed when the highway is widened.  MSAU.

Item 9:  Waiver of 3rd Floor rental fees for the Southern Denton County Neighbor to Neighbor Reception on the 21st.  MSAU.

Item 10:  Extend the term of office for the Neighborhood Preservation Committee to 2 years from 1 or until their Final Report is prepared.  MSAU.

Item 11:  Changing the wrecker services agreement so that the city can alternate calls between contracted services- evening out the work load.  MSAU.

Item 12:  Adding 'Best Practices' language to our discharge regulations for the Storm Sewer.  This is required for the Clean Water Act.  MSAU.

Item 13:  Fee Schedule for the Creative Arts Center approval.  MSAU.

Item 14:  Changing speed limits on Valley Ridge from 121 Business to 3,860 ft South of 121 to 40MPH.  MSAU.

Item 15:  Changing speed limit times for school zones during summer months for new hours of operations.  MSAU.

Item 16:  Nomination of Councilman Durham to the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council.  MSAU.

Item 17: Nomination of Lathan Watts to the North Central Texas Council of Governments Clean Air Steering Committee.  Watts would be able to and has experience with one of the sub committees.  MSAU.

Item 18:Appointment of Jeff Peltier Chair to the Ad Hoc I-35 Corridor Plan Advisory Committee.  MSAU.

Staff Reports:  Pipe and Drum and Honor Guard Symposium went extremely well.  Gorena mentions KLB is having their mini golf tournament on the 21st.  Thornhill mentions that the staff will be looking at additional oil and gas ordinance language during the coming week.  Tierney thanks Chief Lasky on the Pipe and Drum Symposium. Watts congratulates the water department as did Durham.  Watts mentions that we do a lot with a little and that our bond rating is now AA+ he commends the staff on that hard work.

Thank you for reading.