COLLEYVILLE CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHES PRIORITIES FOR COMING YEAR

Economic development recruitment, development standards, and parks and recreation came out at the top of the list of priorities established by the Colleyville City Council during eighteen hours of work sessions held over the last two week-ends at the Hilton DFW Lakes Hotel in Grapevine. Intersection improvements and the improvement and widening of State Highway 26 rounded out the top five. Secondary priorities for 2001-2002 include streets, drainage and flooding issues; programs for seniors; customer service; Railtran; and evaluation of the future uses of city owned properties, such as the current city hall and police station. A preliminary work session was held June 29-30 with presentations made by city staff and the city hall/library architects. All council members were in attendance with the exception of Councilperson Dana Feldman, who was on vacation. The actual priority setting session was held Saturday, July 7, with Councilperson Dennis Marlin absent.

(L to R) Consultant George Campbell
(back to camera) and Brad Rice

Facilitator George Campbell, a former city manager, led the council in a review of the current year's priorities. The widening of Hall Johnson Road and the construction of the justice center were placed in a "works in process" category during last year's priority setting session. The top five priorities for the year just ending were the new city hall, the library, Highway 26, commercial development, and becoming an "employer of choice". Of these five priorities, Councilperson Joe Hocutt stated "only the commercial development priority shows no tangible results". The decision was made to place the new city hall, the library and Highway 26 in the "works in process" category for the coming year.

(L to R) Dana Feldman (back to camera talking to
Dee Barker) Ginny Tigue, Donna Arp and Joe Hocutt

Council members had met prior to the work sessions individually with Mr. Campbell to develop a list of potential issues. Those issues not making the top ten cut will continue to receive council attention. They include the city manager selection, city council protocol, and increased code enforcement. Two other topics, additional city staffing and allocation of budget dollars, were deferred for future discussion during the budget process to be held in August.

Development standards issues which were discussed included review of existing codes, consistency of policy decisions, preservation of large lots, and the creation of zoning categories for other types of PUD's and buffer zones. Councilperson Feldman spoke of the need to change the PUD ordinance to minimize the need to grant exceptions when proposed developments do not conform to the existing ordinances.

(L to R) Joe Hocutt, Dianne McWethy and Terry Leake

The most intensive discussion of the planning session focused on the parks and recreation issues. The park master plan indicates a need for 330 acres of park land at build out, which equates to a current shortfall of 145 acres. Procurement of additional land is a priority, but the availability of large tracts of land and the city's financial constraints present obstacles to achieving that goal. The need for additional park space became an issue during the recent election, with various sports associations expressing desires for more practice fields. During the preliminary work session held June 30, Mayor Donna Arp and Councilperson Joe Hocutt strongly suggested that the McPherson Park plan be amended to allow practice fields at that location. McPherson Park is located on McDonwell School Road in the northwest quadrant of the city. At the July 7 session Councilperson Ginny Tigue stated that "a majority of the developments in town have passive parks" and that the city should reconsider the amount of passive park space it needs. Surveys conducted by the city in the past have shown that citizens desire passive park space, picnic shelters and pavilions, and an outdoor performing arts facility.

Upcoming articles in Local News Only will explore these topics in greater depth, as well as updates on the new city hall and library plans.