Story and Photos by Judy Griffin, Forney Messenger

The Forney City Council held their last meeting for June Tuesday night, June 16 with all Council members present except Robbie Powers. This was the first official meeting for newly-appointed Council member Wade Gent, Place 5.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Darren Rozell. The invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council member Andy Parker.

The first item of business was to recognize two groups with proclamations. The first was the Forney Garden Club, which is celebrating 25 years in existence this year. The second proclamation declared July as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Forney.

Under “Consent Items” on the agenda, the Council considered two sets of minutes for approval: those of June 2 and those of June 4. Council member David Holler moved to approve both sets of minutes as presented, with Council member Brian Haughey seconding. All Council members present voted in favor except Wade Gent, who abstained from voting because he was not on the Council when those meetings took place.

The next item on the agenda was to hold a public hearing to discuss and consider an ordinance for a proposed historic overlay zone encompassing certain properties, including both commercial and noncommercial uses enclosed or contained within, about and along a perimeter generally depicted on the map of the overlay zone, together with proposed architectural guidelines and controls, including, but not limited to a certificate of appropriateness process regarding external repairs, modifications, new construction, a demolition permit, and the process for the demolition of significant or historic structures and the creation of a historic preservation advisory board to review certain applications within the historic overlay zone.

Council member James Hatley moved to open the public hearing, with Parker seconding. All Council members present voted in favor.

Mayor Rozell explained that this action had been tabled by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting of June 11. They will have a workshop on June 30, and, hopefully, the P&Z will adopt the proposal at their July 9 meeting. If that happens, it will appear on the agenda of the Council’s July 21 meeting.

The Mayor asked for any public comment, but there was none. Rozell said this matter would be remanded back to the P&Z for their recommendation. Haughey moved to close the public hearing, with Parker seconding. All Council members present voted in favor.

Next, Haughey moved to remand the matter back to the P&Z, with Gent seconding. All Council members present voted in favor.

There were five action items on the agenda:
-To consider the approval of the Downtown Advisory Committee’s guiding plan for the Forney Heritage Towne Center. During discussion, it was decided to approve the plan without the budget. The plan represents concepts and sets a general set of guidelines. After discussion with Noah Simon of the Community Development Department and City Manager Brian Brooks, Hatley moved to OK the concept of the plan as presented without budget approval. Parker seconded, and all Council members present voted in favor.
-To approve the plan for the indoor play area at McDonald’s. This was recommended for approval at the June 11 P&Z meeting. Motion to approve: Holler; seconding: Hatley. All Council members present voted in favor.
-To consider approval of a Wayside Horn Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad as presented by Public Work Director Mike Shook. Under the agreement, a quiet zone will be created with the focal point at Chestnut Street. Phase 1 will consist of raised medians and signage at the Chestnut Street crossing. The city staff had requested authorization to submit the notice of intent to the Union Pacific railroad, enabling the work to commence. After discussion, Parker moved to allow the city staff to file a letter of intent with Union Pacific for the Chestnut Street Wayside Horn Agreement. His motion was seconded by Holler. All Council members present voted in favor.
-To consider approval of an ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Forney by amending Article 5.100, “Fire Prevention Code”, Section 5.301, “Office of the Fire Marshal Created; Appointment; Compensation”. The Fire Marshal’s position is a paid position that has never been filled because of budget constraints. The amendment will allow the Fire Marshal to follow normal employment procedures. Haughey moved to approve the amending ordinance, with a second by Hatley. Before the vote, City Secretary Dorothy Brooks read the ordinance caption aloud. At the vote, all Council members present voted in favor.
-To consider naming the community park‘s entrance road “Next Era Energy Drive”. The name was proposed to acknowledge the contributions of Next Era Energy to the City of Forney which date back to 2002, when the company, then Florida Power and Light, donated $1 million to the city to establish the Community Benefit Fund. The money in this fund has funded many important community projects. On April 1, the Park Board recommended the naming of the road that enters Forney Community Park to show their appreciation to Next Era Energy for their commitment to the City of Forney. Motion to approve: Hatley; seconding: Holler. All Council members present voted in favor.

Under the City Manager’s report, Brian Brooks reported that the Commissioners Court had approved a $10 million grant for the Forney Parkway Bridge project. He also updated everyone on the heavy rain that occurred June 10 and 11. He gave special thanks to several city departments for their hard work during the storms, including the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Forney Police Department, the Forney Fire Department, and City Hall employees.

The Council held an executive session to deliberate regarding the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and personnel issues, including board, commission and committee appointments and related matters. Parker moved to go into executive session at 7:30 p. m. with a second by Parker, and all Council members present voted in favor. The Council returned to open session at 8:30 p. m. by unanimous “yes” vote on a motion by Haughey, seconded by Parker. The following actions were taken as a result of the discussions held in executive session:
-Appointed Mark Ellis to the EDC Board with a term to expire on June 30, 2011. Motion to appoint: Hatley; seconding: Haughey. All Council members present voted in favor.
-Appointed Michelle Williams to the Ellen Brooks West Memorial Library Board, Place 3. Motion to appoint: Hatley; seconding: Parker. All Council members present voted in favor.
-Approved advertising and to begin taking applications for Associate Municipal Court Judge. Motion to approve: Hatley; seconding: Gent. All Council members present voted in favor.
-Agreed to sell 3/4 acre of land to Farm Bureau at $3.00 per square foot, the terms to be negotiated by the City Manager. Council member Brian Haughey did not participate in any of the discussions or vote on this matter because of his employment by Farm Bureau and a resulting possible conflict of interest. Motion to sell the property: Parker; seconding: Gent. All Council members present and voting voted in favor.

There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p. m. by unanimous “yes” vote on a motion to adjourn by Hatley, seconded by Haughey.

Below: The Forney Garden Club (top photo) was recognized Tuesday night with a City of Forney proclamation for 25 years of hard work and dedication to the community . The City of Forney Parks and Recreation Department (bottom photo) was honored with a proclamation designating July, 2009 as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Forney. Mayor Darren Rozell is shown in both photos.

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This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com

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