The URL can be used to link to this page

06/15/2020-CC-Minutes-Work SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2020 6:00 PM HISTORIC CHURCH BUILDING 403 NORTH 7th STREET SANGER, TEXAS COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Gary Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett; Councilmember Dennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds; Todd Varner Community Enhancement Officer; City Engineer Tracy LaPiene; Librarian/Social Media Laura Klenke; Police Officer Josh Bishop. 1.Call Meeting to Order The Mayor and five (5) Councilmembers were present constituting a full quorum. There being a quorum present at the June 15, 2020 City Council Work Session the meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. 2.Community Enhancement Discuss and Seek Guidance on New Community Enhancement Program. Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds and Code Enhancement Officer Todd Varner presented input on the new Community Enhancement Program. Staff provided a short summary of the presentation with photos of before and after, and some current Code situations existing in the City. It was noted that the City is currently reacting on a complaint basis for enforcement. Each section was summarized noting the existing, proposed changes, and additions. It was noted that the City Staff is looking for guidance and direction from the City Council. The following sections were presented and summarized as follows: Sec. 6.101 Tall Weeds, Grasses or Plants Unlawful recommended changes and additions. Sec 6.102 Rubbish, Brush and Any Objectionable, Unsightly or Unsanitary Matter Unlawful recommended changes and additions. Sec. 8.102 Junked Vehicles Deemed Public Nuisances; Exceptions recommended changes and additions. Page 1 MINUTESCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSIONMONDAY, JUNE 15, 20206:00 PMHISTORIC CHURCH BUILDING 403 NORTH 7th STREETSANGER, TEXASCOUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Gary Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett;Councilmember Dennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:None.STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Director of Development Services RamieHammonds; Todd Varner Community Enhancement Officer; City Engineer Tracy LaPiene;Librarian/Social Media Laura Klenke; Police Officer Josh Bishop.1.Call Meeting to OrderThe Mayor and five (5) Councilmembers were present constituting a full quorum. There being aquorum present at the June 15, 2020 City Council Work Session the meeting was called to order at6:01 p.m.2.Community EnhancementDiscuss and Seek Guidance on New Community Enhancement Program.Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds and Code Enhancement Officer Todd Varnerpresented input on the new Community Enhancement Program. Staff provided a short summary ofthe presentation with photos of before and after, and some current Code situations existing in theCity. It was noted that the City is currently reacting on a complaint basis for enforcement. Eachsection was summarized noting the existing, proposed changes, and additions. It was noted that theCity Staff is looking for guidance and direction from the City Council. The following sections werepresented and summarized as follows:Sec. 6.101 Tall Weeds, Grasses or Plants Unlawful recommended changes and additions.Sec 6.102 Rubbish, Brush and Any Objectionable, Unsightly or Unsanitary Matter Unlawful recommended changes and additions. Sec. 8.102 Junked Vehicles Deemed Public Nuisances; Exceptions recommended changes and additions. Proposed Outside Storage Residential and Commercial (outside storage and display) proposed new. Sec. 12.610 OffStreet Parking recommended changes and additions. Proposed Ordinance Maintenance of Perimeter Fence. proposed new. Proposed Ordinance Stagnant Water proposed new. Sec 3.1405 Prohibited Signage recommended addition. Proposed Ordinance Visibility at Intersection proposed new. Proposed Ordinance Temporary Storage Container proposed new. Proposed Ordinance Temporary Carports and/or Auto Shade Cover proposed new. Failure to comply with provisions recommended changes and additions. There was brief discussion regarding stagnant water and areas within the City where there was currently standing water and it was noted that if it is on TxDOT's or City rightofway then it is the responsibility of the entity who owns the property. There was discussion regarding the signs and what types of signage would be allowed for businesses, etc. There was discussion as to permitting some of the special signs for special events on a weekend or for 72 hours or a 30 day period. Council noted that they would lean toward what the standard type practices were. Mr. Varner noted that it is very common in most cities that they either do not allow them or they permit them for 30 days 3 times a year. There was brief discussion regarding how the ordinance would be enforced and what a failure to comply would entail. Councilmember Dillon noted that with all of the new rules that people would not know that they were in violation and asked how they would be notified. Mr. Varner noted that they would be reasonable and work with and give the citizens a fair amount of time to come within compliance. Mayor Muir also mentioned that we may need to rethink the brush and debris situation. There was brief discussion regarding brush code enforcement and how it might be handled in the future. Mr. Varner summarized how he goes about notifying the citizens regarding violations, noting that he always tries to speak with the homeowner or business owner first. If he does not get a response, then he follows up with written correspondence. There was discussion regarding the top concerns and it was noted that it was trash and debris, grass and tall weeds, parking in the grass, and if adopted, outside storage. Mayor Muir suggested that the Council review the proposed changes and realize that once this is approved it will be in effect. It was noted there would be no grandfathering on any of the code enforcement rules once adopted. City Manager Alina Ciocan asked how Council would like to go forward with this. After brief discussion it was noted that staff would draft an ordinance which would be on work session for discussion and on the City Council meeting the same night. Page 2 MINUTESCITY COUNCIL WORK SESSIONMONDAY, JUNE 15, 20206:00 PMHISTORIC CHURCH BUILDING 403 NORTH 7th STREETSANGER, TEXASCOUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Mayor Thomas Muir; Mayor Pro Tem Gary Bilyeu; Councilmember Marissa Barrett;Councilmember Dennis Dillon; Councilmember David Clark; Councilmember Allen Chick.COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:None.STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:City Manager Alina Ciocan; City Secretary Cheryl Price; Director of Development Services RamieHammonds; Todd Varner Community Enhancement Officer; City Engineer Tracy LaPiene;Librarian/Social Media Laura Klenke; Police Officer Josh Bishop.1.Call Meeting to OrderThe Mayor and five (5) Councilmembers were present constituting a full quorum. There being aquorum present at the June 15, 2020 City Council Work Session the meeting was called to order at6:01 p.m.2.Community EnhancementDiscuss and Seek Guidance on New Community Enhancement Program.Director of Development Services Ramie Hammonds and Code Enhancement Officer Todd Varnerpresented input on the new Community Enhancement Program. Staff provided a short summary ofthe presentation with photos of before and after, and some current Code situations existing in theCity. It was noted that the City is currently reacting on a complaint basis for enforcement. Eachsection was summarized noting the existing, proposed changes, and additions. It was noted that theCity Staff is looking for guidance and direction from the City Council. The following sections werepresented and summarized as follows:Sec. 6.101 Tall Weeds, Grasses or Plants Unlawful recommended changes and additions.Sec 6.102 Rubbish, Brush and Any Objectionable, Unsightly or Unsanitary Matter Unlawful recommended changes and additions.Sec. 8.102 Junked Vehicles Deemed Public Nuisances; Exceptions recommended changes andadditions.Proposed Outside Storage Residential and Commercial (outside storage and display) proposednew.Sec. 12.610 OffStreet Parking recommended changes and additions.Proposed Ordinance Maintenance of Perimeter Fence. proposed new.Proposed Ordinance Stagnant Water proposed new.Sec 3.1405 Prohibited Signage recommended addition.Proposed Ordinance Visibility at Intersection proposed new.Proposed Ordinance Temporary Storage Container proposed new.Proposed Ordinance Temporary Carports and/or Auto Shade Cover proposed new.Failure to comply with provisions recommended changes and additions.There was brief discussion regarding stagnant water and areas within the City where there wascurrently standing water and it was noted that if it is on TxDOT's or City rightofway then it is theresponsibility of the entity who owns the property. There was discussion regarding the signs andwhat types of signage would be allowed for businesses, etc. There was discussion as to permittingsome of the special signs for special events on a weekend or for 72 hours or a 30 day period.Council noted that they would lean toward what the standard type practices were. Mr. Varner notedthat it is very common in most cities that they either do not allow them or they permit them for 30days 3 times a year. There was brief discussion regarding how the ordinance would be enforcedand what a failure to comply would entail. Councilmember Dillon noted that with all of the new rules that people would not know that theywere in violation and asked how they would be notified. Mr. Varner noted that they would bereasonable and work with and give the citizens a fair amount of time to come within compliance. Mayor Muir also mentioned that we may need to rethink the brush and debris situation. There wasbrief discussion regarding brush code enforcement and how it might be handled in the future. Mr.Varner summarized how he goes about notifying the citizens regarding violations, noting that healways tries to speak with the homeowner or business owner first. If he does not get a response,then he follows up with written correspondence. There was discussion regarding the top concernsand it was noted that it was trash and debris, grass and tall weeds, parking in the grass, and ifadopted, outside storage. Mayor Muir suggested that the Council review the proposed changes and realize that once this isapproved it will be in effect. It was noted there would be no grandfathering on any of the codeenforcement rules once adopted.City Manager Alina Ciocan asked how Council would like to go forward with this. After brief discussion it was noted that staff would draft an ordinance which would be on work session for discussion and on the City Council meeting the same night. 3.Overview of Items on the Regular Agenda No items were discussed. 4.Adjourn There being no further Work Session items Mayor Muir adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m. Page 3