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03-30-1989 (City Council) Minutes 302 CALLED JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MARCH 30, 1989 The City of Wylie City Council met in a called joint session with the Wylie Chamber of Commerce at 7: 00 P. M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex on Thursday, March 30 , 1989 . A quorum was present and notice of the meeting had been posted in the time and manner required by law. Those present were Mayor Pro Tem John Akin, Council Members Ortie Messenger, Jim Swartz , Bud Naish and Tom Pritzkau, City Secretary Carolyn Jones, Elayne Mayes, President of the Chamber and Bobby Abbott and John Fitzpatrick Board members of the Chamber . Mayor Chuck Trimble and Councilman Marvin Blakey were absent. Mayor Pro Tem Akin called the meeting to order and gave the invocation. Mayor Pro Tem Akin welcomed the Chamber members, and made the statement that the Chamber means a lot to the City as well as to the citizens and community. Mayor Pro Tem Akin said he hoped to be able to come to some kind of an agreement on what would be best for the City through this meeting. Mrs. Mayes gave a brief statement about the Chamber meeting and setting goals and adopting a purpose. Mrs. Mayes stated the purpose of the Chambers was to unify, to support, to Communicate, to maintain a Healthy Business and Governmental Atmosphere in the City of Wylie. Mrs. Mayes thanked the Council for this time and their willingness to work with the Chamber. Mr . Bobby Abbott made a statement regarding the sign ordinance and stated as a representative of the Wylie Business Area, the signs are to get the attention of the people. They state the business or service that can be obtained from this business. The business people of Wylie feel the portable sign ordinance was not done with the best interest of the citizens. The Board would like to suggest that the portable signs be permitted , with a drawing submitted showing the exact location of the sign and to show it would be secured. We feel by having a permit issued for all portable signs would give the City control to insure that the signs were maintained and off the right-of-ways. We recommend that Council accept these amendments. 303 Mayor Pro Tem Akin said no one showed up at the public hearing or meetings where this ordinance was adopted . Council felt there was no one opposed and that it was being endorsed by everyone. Mr. Abbott said he hopes to leave the meeting with an understanding that the Chamber would start looking at the Ordinances and giving Council our support and ideals prior to ordinances being passed. Councilman Naish stated that Council felt everyone was in agreement with the sign ordinance as no one attended the meetings . Mr . Faires stated that when an ordinance like this is brought forward, it is not on my behalf, but because someone has said to do it. I research the material and bring an ordinance back. This was brought forward some six months before it was adopted . I talked with an attorney and he said to give six months for compliance. Mr . John Fitzpatrick said we are asking for Council to define larger signs , and also to look at the section that says no banners . Mr . Faires said the part about banners is only addressed in the amendment and if Council so chooses, we can amend it as they wish. I have no problems with the banners as long as they are up high and no one can get caught in them. Mr . Abbott also stated that maybe the Chamber should work with the businesses on keeping their flags/banners in better shape and replacing them when needed . Mr . Ted Mets , who lives in the Wylie Butane Mobile Home Park, said I have a lot of difficulty trying to fine the drive to turn into this park. The sign that was removed to comply with your ordinance, marked this turn in and gave the people the time needed to show they were turning. The sign itself was a safety factor in making the turn into this park at night . Councilman Swartz said one thing he had found out is the barber shop where I get my hair cut, did have a portable sign out front. I asked if this sign helped and was told yes, it gave the specials we were having that week and drew attention to the shop. I ask since the removal of the sign , have you notice a difference in drop-ins for the shop. They said yes. Councilman Messenger said in Garland they have outlawed portable signs altogether. 304 Mayor Pro Tem Akin stated that the staff has structured some — of our ordinances after Garland and Plano, but we know we are not Garland and Plano. The staff is trying to help Wylie look better. Mrs . Mayes said the Chamber is addressing the ordinance at this time, we should have looked at it earlier and prior to the adoption of it. The Chamber wanted to look at this ordinance with Council and work together on it . I have been here at your meetings, and you open and close public hearings without comments because the people do not come. Councilman Naish stated that he believes if Mr . Faires and the Chamber had gotten together prior to this meeting these things could have been worked out. Mayor Pro Tem Akin said there are two entities here, the City and The Chamber and both have the same mandates, to work for the betterment of the City and citizens. Councilman Naish said maybe the Chamber could do some policing on the signs and help Mr. Faires with this problem. Mr . Abbott said one thing that should be deleted is the fact that a registered engineer has to put his seal of approval on small signs. This cost factor is to great to expect �* small businesses to deal with. Mr . Faires request that Mr . Abbott and Mr . Fitzpatrick come to his office and go over the changes and work with him on the improvement of the sign ordinance. Councilman Swartz said he liked the ideal of permits and Mr. Faires having control over where they are put up and what they look like. Mayor Pro Tem Akin requested that Mr . Abbott and Mr . Fitzpatrick meet with Mr . Faires and work on these ideals and then let Mr . Faires bring it to Council for consideration. Mrs . Mayes thanked the Council for replacing the lights bulbs in the downtown area and for sweeping the streets each weekend. Mr . Fitzpatrick said he appreciated the police walking the down town area and going into the businesses to let the owners know they are on duty. Mr . Fitzpatrick wanted to know if the new City Manager had been hired, if so, we would like for him to become an advisory member of our Board. We found it very helpful when Mr . Pitstick came to our meetings, we were informed of what the Council was trying to do and we could help and support them. 305 Mr . Fitzpatrick asked how could the Chamber be more available to the City. Councilman Swartz said he has a hard time understanding the Chamber with comments such as we have one grocery store, why to we need another one. Is the Chamber wanting to help attract more business into Wylie. Mrs . Mayes said we are pro business, I have worked on Brookshires and you will be getting a letter soon from them stating that they have closed on the land. I found it was not the desire for the board to take a stand, I took a personal stand for Brookshires. Councilman Naish said we are here to support the down town businesses not just new businesses coming in. The Council does need to support the old business and we will. The Council does support Wylie. It was suggested to have joint meetings quarterly, semi- annually to help keep everyone informed. There being no other matters of business for discussion, a motion was made to adjourn with all in favor . John Akin, Mayor Pro Tem / ATTEST: i Carolyn es ty Secretary ± L )