05-12-2005 (Citizens Bond Committee) Minutes MINUTES
Wylie Citizen Bond Advisory Committee
Thursday,May 12,2005—6:30 p.m.
Wylie Municipal Complex—Council Chambers
2000 State Highway 78 North
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. with the following Committee Members
present: Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller, Daniel Chestnut, Jamie Gregg, Jim Griffin, Janet Johnston,
Dennis Larson, Grace Morrsion, and Jeri Smith. Members absent were: Doris Craighead, Jim
Cummings,Linda Jourdan,Chuck Kerin, and Mike Phillips.
Staff Present were: City Manager, Mark Roath; City Engineer, Chris Hoisted; and Executive Assistant,
Brandy Brooks.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1.Approval of the Minutes of April 28, 2005
Chairman Jay Whitlow asked if there were changes that needed to be made to the minutes. The
Committee Members voted 10-FOR and 0-AGAINST in favor of approval.
2.Website Feedback Form
Mr. Mark Roath, City Manager, presented the Committee with an update on the feedback form.
Based on the comments from the Committee, Mr. Mark Witter, Public Information Officer outlined
the following changes in a memo ,which was handed around for the Committee Members:
• Requires all boxes(name,address, and comment box)to be filled in for submittal
• Indicates public record
• If a person wants to send written response,the address to send letters to.
Mr. Mark Roath explained that written responses will be put into Laserfiche system. He also
explained that Mr. Mark Witter will post all responses within 24 hours of receipt. A webpage has
been created for the purpose of disseminating the responses received.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Ms. Anne Hiney,residing at 301 N. Cottonbelt Avenue,Wylie,Texas, addressed the Committee, stating
that she would like to see the recently purchased 253 acre property at Brown and FM 1378 stay as
preserved as possible. She believes that was the original intention that was expressed to Mrs. Wells, and
she asks that the Committee keep that in mind.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Mr.Mark Roath mentioned that next week,Mr.Mike Sferra, Public Services Director and Mr.
Shan Engish,Fire Chief,would present their department's Capital Improvement Project Lists.
3.Engineering Department's Capital Improvement Project List
City Engineer, Chris Holsted, presented information on roads and streets within the City of
Wylie that staff is requesting be included in the upcoming bond election. He first reviewed items that
were remaining from the 1999 Bond Election, including FM 1378, Alanis, and Ballard Street. Vice
Chairman Marvin Fuller requested information on what the original projected price of the Alanis
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Project versus how much it is currently costing the City; he also inquired as to the status of the
Ballard Street Project.Mr.Hoisted stated that price increases of steel and concrete caused an overage
of approximately $600,000 on the Alanis Project, and that Ballard Street still had not been bid for
construction. He then reviewed the road improvements that are necessary to bring infrastructure to
current and future needs. He explained that staff feels F.M. 1378 between Parker Road and Brown
Street is a high priority, and that the County has given $3 Million in bond money and has begun a
design study. Ms. Janet Johnston asked if the City would be required to bear most of the cost. Mr.
Hoisted informed the committee that the project total is estimated to be $12.7 Million, and the City
will need to contribute $9.7 Million to the project. He also stated that staff intends to request that
F.M. 1378 be taken off the State Road system and the City will then control the roadway and
necessary maintenance, which will save 20% in construction costs and three to five years in time to
build the roadway. Mr. Jim Griffin asked about any work done at F.M. 1378 and Park. Mr. Hoisted
explained that there will be a temporary light, grading work and turn lanes on F.M. 1378, but that
those are just temporary until the Project is constructed. He also explained that all roads will be four-
lane divided with the ability to be expanded into the median for a total of six lanes. Mr. Jim Griffin
asked if the cost of the Brown Street Project between F.M. 1378 and Ballard included straightening
the curve; Mr. Holsted informed the Committee that ROW would need to be obtained, but that the
construction costs included straightening the curve. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller inquired as to the
County's monetary input for Park Boulevard between McCreary and F.M. 1378. Mr. Hoisted stated
that the County has only input money for F.M. 1378;however,the rest of the projects would be City-
funded. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller inquired about the ROW acquisition for Park Boulevard
between Parker and Spring Creek; Mr. Hoisted informed the Committee that there had been some re-
alignment due to swaps between Collin County and North Texas Municipal Water District. Vice
Chairman Marvin Fuller inquired about the Brown Project from S.H. 78 to Anson Parkway; Mr.
Hoisted informed the Committee that funds could be added to extend the road to the potential WISD
High School site. Mr. Mark Roath noted that the City is in the process of purchasing 2.5 acres at the
Southeast corner of WA Allen and Brown for the third fire station. Marvin Fuller asked how much of
the 1999 Bond funds were moved from the Stone Road Project; Mr. Hoisted told the Committee that
approximately $3 Million dollars were moved, and that staff has asked Collin County to move their
allocated funds be moved to the Ballard Street project, so that the funds are not lost. Ms. Jeri Smith
inquired as to the inclusion of street lights and traffic signals in the costs; Mr. Hoisted informed the
Committee that funds were included for street lights, landscaping and stoplights where appropriate.
Mr. Dan Chestnut asked about possible WISD monies for the Brown Street Project from S.H. 78 to
Anson Parkway; Mr. Hoisted said they would have some participation across their frontage where
they back up to Brown; however, with the cost of the road they will need to build from S.H. 78, they
will not provide much funding for additional access from Brown Street. Mr. Dennis Larson asked if
• they will have access to Bennett Road; Mr. Hoisted informed the Committee that while the City has
not seen any site plans, that the current assumption is yes. Mr. Dan Chestnut inquired as to the
abandonment of the curve in the road and the existence of Bennett, since the plan would be to take
Brown straight to the school site. Mr. Hoisted told the Committee that while the priority would be
given to the east/west street and the concrete would stop somewhere on the High School property,
there would still be access to Bennett Road and the neighborhoods existing in that area. Mr. Dennis
Larson inquired about the need for a four lane roadway to exist along Stone Road, and about the
financial responsibility for Alanis from Ballard to old F.M. 544. Mr. Hoisted stated that the
Thoroughfare Plan calls for Stone Road to ultimately be a six lane roadway, and that Alanis between
Ballard and old F.M. 544 is the responsibility of the property owner/developer of the property. Mr.
Dan Chestnut asked if the property lines would allow for the roadway to be expanded; Mr. Hoisted
informed the Committee that there is enough room for a four lane divided,but that some land would
need to be acquired in a few places. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller requested that Staff look at costs
for bringing Alanis through to old F.M. 544, as well as extending Sanden through the Wells tract and
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having a grade change under the railroad. Mr. Jim Griffin inquired about bridging the road at F.M.
1378 and F.M. 544 to change traffic at that intersection. Mr. Hoisted informed the Committee that
the railroad will be raising about 1/2 mile of track to alleviate the intersection congestion. Vice
Chairman Marvin Fuller inquired about Sanden being a thoroughfare north of the Wells tract to Park
Boulevard; Mr. Hoisted informed the Committee that while the street does go through, it is partially a
residential street, however, it is not a connector street. Mr. Chris Seely asked if the City was
collecting escrow funds from developers for the roads on the Capital Improvement Project listing.
Mr. Hoisted stated that while the City does collect escrow funds for street improvements from
developers, there is not much available for the state roads; however, McMillen will be partially
funded by the Creekside developers, either through the building of the road or through escrowing
funds. He also stated that the funding that Staff is requesting is in addition to the funds being
escrowed by developers. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller inquired about the dam road being reopened,
as it would take pressure off of S.H. 78. Mr.Holsted stated that the road over the Lavon Dam was not
within the City and instead is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, and that the possibility of
it being re-opened is slim.Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller asked about Bennett and Ballard traveling to
the South. Mr. Hoisted stated that the thoroughfare plan calls for an outer lake loop, but that road
improvements in that area are contingent upon the level of development, and that developers would
be required to build portions of the roads or escrow funds. He also suggested that once the 190
Turnpike exits are determined,there may be a traffic need in the southeastern portion of the City,but
that need cannot currently be determined.
Mr. Mark Roath offered information to the Committee that had been requested at the April 28,
2005 meeting. He gave each member present a memo that had attached the existing City facility
square footage, as well as two funding options presented by Mr.Dwayne Brinkley.
Chairman Jay Whitlow asked that prior to everyone's departure, they review the Citizen Online
Feedback Form, as it might go online that evening or the next day. Mr. Mark Roath suggested that it
would be available Friday,May 13, 2005.
Mr.Mike Phillips and Mr. Chuck Kerin arrived at 7:11 p.m.
Ms. Janet Johnston inquired about Parks and Recreation presenting options for a City pool.Mr.
Mark Roath stated that Brinkley Sargent provided information about an aquatic center,and suggested
that the Committee could bring it up for discussion.
Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller asked about how the street behind the high school functions and
flows. Mr. Holsted informed the Committee that once F.M. 1378 is developed South of F.M. 544, it
will swing to the West of Hooper and eventually cross S.H. 78, as shown on the thoroughfare plan,
and that the road behind the school will be mainly park entrance. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller also
inquired about how Hensley and Hooper will intersect. Mr. Holsted stated that Hensley will
eventually swing to the North and West and link to the future McCreary Road. He also stated that
there has been discussion with WISD about the realignment of that road, because the WISD has
purchased property at Hooper and Hensley for two school sites. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller asked
that the cost of developing Hensley past the proposed school site be researched. Ms. Janet Johnston
asked about the timeline for F.M. 1378 from Brown Street to Parker Road; Mr. Hoisted informed the
Committee that it would take two years for design and Right of Way acquisition, and an additional
two years of construction. Ms. Janet Johnston then asked about the impact the construction would
have on nearby roadways; Mr. Hoisted suggested that the amount of traffic on alternate roadways
would most likely increase similarly to the increases seen from the S.H. 78 construction. Mr. Jim
Griffin asked if F.M. 1378 was considered a high priority due to the amount of traffic currently; Mr.
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Hoisted stated that traffic was the main concern, as approximately 15,000 cars pass through the
intersection of F.M. 1378 and Parker Road every day. He also informed the Committee that while
Collin County is currently contributing $3 Million to the project for design and Right of Way
acquisition, they will remove the funding in approximately two years if the City is unable to fund the
remaining portion. Mr. Mike Phillips expressed concern about the concentration of funds going to
F.M. 1378 and Brown Street. Mr. Hoisted stated that he considers the projects high priority based on
the traffic needs. Mr. Mike Phillips asked about traffic counts. Mr. Hoisted informed the Committee
that he had traffic counts, but they were about two years old. He also stated that while some traffic
counts were performed approximately six months ago, the numbers were skewed due to traffic
diverting from the S.H. 78 construction project, and suggested that new counts will be obtained as
soon as the project is completed. Mr. Mark Roath stated that Staff is looking not only at traffic
counts, but also at accident patterns around the City. Ms. Jamie Gregg asked about the use of the
remaining funds from the 1999 Bond for sidewalks.Mr. Holsted stated that the funds can be used for
both building of new and repair of existing sidewalks. Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller asked if staff
was looking at repairs that needed to be made to older sections of roadways throughout town. Mr.
Hoisted suggested that staff would be willing to look at older streets, if the Committee would like.
Vice Chairman Marvin Fuller asked that staff look at the cost of improving Eubanks form S.H. 78 to
Brown.Mr.Hoisted stated that he would look at improving Eubanks to a concrete street.
Ms. Janet Johnston asked if there was a limit to how much money the City would be asking for
in the Bond Election. Mr. Mark Roath stated that there is not a limit, because the Committee will
look at the projects, narrow the list, and speak to the Financial Advisor to see what options are
available. He suggested that the Committee may want to consider two options. One option is to come
up with a specific list of projects and take that to the City Council as the Bond recommendation. The
second option is to come up with a larger list of projects, and recommend phased selling of the
Bonds. The first option might result in another Bond Committee and Election a few years down the
road. While the second option may result in a higher Bond Election amount, the voters would not
have to decide on one large Bond sale,but instead smaller amounts over a longer period of time. One
advantage of the second option is the reduction of costs by eliminating a second election in a few
years, as well as the Financial Advisor costs. Ms.Janet Johnston asked if the Bond Election would be
similar to that of the WISD's recent Bond Election. Mr. Mark Roath stated that he was unsure as he
was not here for the last WISD Bond Election; he also stated that the City of Frisco recently had a
phased-Bond Sale Election. He suggested that the Financial Advisor would be able to offer
information on the different options available. Mr. Jim Griffin stated that he has spoken to a number
of residents that say they will not vote for an all-or-nothing Bond Election.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business before the Committee, Chairman Whitlow adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
Jay Whitlow,Chairman
ATTEST:
iif/a6
Mark B.Roath, City Manager
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