http://annatexas.gov/Cms/Documents/12-11-2007%20City%20Council%20Regular%20Agenda.pdf

This month the "workshop session" will start at 6:30 followed by the regular session @ 7:30.  The "workshop session" is open (except for the part that is closed

The meeting is tonight 12/11/07

I relapsed.  Mainlining No Doze and Power Steering fluid cut with baby aspirin can kill you.

So did anything exciting happen last night?

I've got some notes...I'll try to get them posted tonight or tomorrow.

These notes aren't complete, and don't cover all the topics discussed.  They are also my personal notes, and may not reflect what actually happened at the meeting.

New Post Office
The US Post Office has run out of room!  They are looking to build a new building on 114,000 of land, and are expecting to build at least a 5,750 sq ft building.  They would like recommendations from the citizens on placement, location, and sites.  The USPS will be taking comments for the next 45 days (AFAIK, we weren't given contact info, but you can probably use their e-mail contact on the general site, or walk in to the post office and ask for contact info).

Anna / Melissa Sewer Line
One item that caused a bit of discussion was the issuance of the second phase of bonds for the Anna / Melissa sewer line project.  The net interest on the bonds is 3.82% if we release them now.  The interest rate is set based on the estimated date of closing, so if the date of closing changes, the interest would have to be recalculated.  The concern with issuing the bonds now is we don't have a formal agreement in writing with the North Texas Municipal Water District allowing us to discharge sewer through that line.  City Staff is working on that issue, and has been for a couple days (weeks?) now.  Since it's a legal document, it'll take more than a few days to get something in writing.  We have the understanding that this won't be a problem, since this is a regional sewer line.  Council approved the issuance of the bonds to continue construction of the sewer line.

As a side note, the NCTCOG is encouraging regional projects, and has grant money available in FY'08 for "joint local government projects."  Those of you taking the grant writing class, take note.

Additionally, there's a meeting scheduled for 14 Dec 07 (Friday) at 11a at the McKinney Chamber of Commerce or Council Chambers (I didn't catch the location) to discuss the treatment of wastewater in cities North of 380.  I would like to attend, but have other obligations at work from 11a - 12a.

Beer Sales through a Window (Section 4 of Ordinance 185-2005)
One of the debated topics was the repeal of section 4 of ordinance 185-2005 to allow the drive-through sale of beer.  Liquor and wine are allowed to be sold through a drive-through window, but beer is prohibited completely.  Some of the arguments to repeal the section were:

• The people of the city have spoken, and they want the sales to stay.  This is an extension of what the people want.
• Allowing the beer sales through the window helps disabled and physically inconvenienced people to make the purchases they want.
• Some companies disallow their employees to enter these types of stores while wearing company logos.
• This has the potential to keep the stores cleaner when dealing with people with dirty jobs

Some of the arguments against the repeal are:

• This would allow "beer barn" type establishments to come in.  These establishments are not visually appealing.
• Store employees are not able to see the physical state of the people purchasing beer, so cannot tell if they are of age, not already intoxicated, or not buying for someone else.
• Store employees may not be acting in "good faith" when dealing with customers buying beer through the windows

I agree with points on both sides.  The ordinance repeal did not pass.  I attempted to get it placed on the agenda for next meeting to come up with a compromise to allow special use permits or other conditions to allow sales through a window, but this was voted down by the council.

Ordinance Allowing On-Premise Consumption until 2:00a
As the City Manager aptly pointed out, the only thing that makes a council meeting more lively than one alcohol related issue on the agenda, is a council meeting with two alcohol related issues.  There was little discussion on this topic.  Since there are no bars now, there are few people making this request.  TABC code (I believe it's Title 3) states that a club / bar may operate after 12:00a only in a location that permits late hours operation, but still requires a separate permit.  This ordinance would allow clubs / bars to apply for a late hours permit.  The council did not pass this ordinance.

Ordinance or Resolution banning cell phone use in school zones
The council discussed banning hand-held use of cell phones in school zones, similar to Highland Park.  Debate on this topic was focused on the enforcement of the ordinance, as well as it's effectiveness on reducing accidents.  The council was unable to reach a majority vote on the ordinance, and moved to the resolution, which did not pass.

Cities Aggregation Power Project participation
After a presentation by the City Manager and a member of the Plano city council, the Anna council decided to participate in CAPP.  The manager estimates a savings of approximately $50,000 per year by joining.  There is a one time fee of $1076.55, which is 1/2 of 1% of the annual electric bill.  The council voted to approve membership, and will be finalizing a contract on Monday, 17 Dec 07 at 6:30p at city hall.

I can agree that beer barn type establishments are not visually appealling however :

"Store employees are not able to see the physical state of the people purchasing beer, so cannot tell if they are of age, not already intoxicated, or not buying for someone else."

but they will be able to tell the age of someone when they are buying jack daniels or boones farm strawberry hills?  And only drunk people drink beer I guess too!

Not to mention:

"Store employees may not be acting in "good faith" when dealing with customers buying beer through the windows"

I guess again thats not an issue when it comes to jack daniels and boones farm?  

Thanks so much Wingnut for taking notes!!

You're welcome.  One of these days, I'll convince a couple friends of mine to setup http://www.annatexaswiki.com so I can post these in a more permanent and interlinked fashion (I'm still toying with the idea of getting my own co-lo box setup).
[/quote]

May I kindly mention that Wingnut types like the wind too!!  Thanks for your vision.  I think the site would be very helpful to folks that cannot make it to meetings.

The latter is a scary prospect given that I've got 4400 users who I've provided 5 9's to for the past several years.

Doesn't that mean they can tolerate a little now?  Just point to your previous record and say "Aren't you glad I don't run Windows?" 

These notes aren't complete, and don't cover all the topics discussed.  They are also my personal notes, and may not reflect what actually happened at the meeting.

New Post Office
The US Post Office has run out of room!  They are looking to build a new building on 114,000 of land, and are expecting to build at least a 5,750 sq ft building.  They would like recommendations from the citizens on placement, location, and sites.  The USPS will be taking comments for the next 45 days (AFAIK, we weren't given contact info, but you can probably use their e-mail contact on the general site, or walk in to the post office and ask for contact info).

Anna / Melissa Sewer Line
One item that caused a bit of discussion was the issuance of the second phase of bonds for the Anna / Melissa sewer line project.  The net interest on the bonds is 3.82% if we release them now.  The interest rate is set based on the estimated date of closing, so if the date of closing changes, the interest would have to be recalculated.  The concern with issuing the bonds now is we don't have a formal agreement in writing with the North Texas Municipal Water District allowing us to discharge sewer through that line.  City Staff is working on that issue, and has been for a couple days (weeks?) now.  Since it's a legal document, it'll take more than a few days to get something in writing.  We have the understanding that this won't be a problem, since this is a regional sewer line.  Council approved the issuance of the bonds to continue construction of the sewer line.

As a side note, the NCTCOG is encouraging regional projects, and has grant money available in FY'08 for "joint local government projects."  Those of you taking the grant writing class, take note.

Additionally, there's a meeting scheduled for 14 Dec 07 (Friday) at 11a at the McKinney Chamber of Commerce or Council Chambers (I didn't catch the location) to discuss the treatment of wastewater in cities North of 380.  I would like to attend, but have other obligations at work from 11a - 12a.

Beer Sales through a Window (Section 4 of Ordinance 185-2005)
One of the debated topics was the repeal of section 4 of ordinance 185-2005 to allow the drive-through sale of beer.  Liquor and wine are allowed to be sold through a drive-through window, but beer is prohibited completely.  Some of the arguments to repeal the section were:

• The people of the city have spoken, and they want the sales to stay.  This is an extension of what the people want.
• Allowing the beer sales through the window helps disabled and physically inconvenienced people to make the purchases they want.
• Some companies disallow their employees to enter these types of stores while wearing company logos.
• This has the potential to keep the stores cleaner when dealing with people with dirty jobs

Some of the arguments against the repeal are:

• This would allow "beer barn" type establishments to come in.  These establishments are not visually appealing.
• Store employees are not able to see the physical state of the people purchasing beer, so cannot tell if they are of age, not already intoxicated, or not buying for someone else.
• Store employees may not be acting in "good faith" when dealing with customers buying beer through the windows

I agree with points on both sides.  The ordinance repeal did not pass.  I attempted to get it placed on the agenda for next meeting to come up with a compromise to allow special use permits or other conditions to allow sales through a window, but this was voted down by the council.

Ordinance Allowing On-Premise Consumption until 2:00a
As the City Manager aptly pointed out, the only thing that makes a council meeting more lively than one alcohol related issue on the agenda, is a council meeting with two alcohol related issues.  There was little discussion on this topic.  Since there are no bars now, there are few people making this request.  TABC code (I believe it's Title 3) states that a club / bar may operate after 12:00a only in a location that permits late hours operation, but still requires a separate permit.  This ordinance would allow clubs / bars to apply for a late hours permit.  The council did not pass this ordinance.

Ordinance or Resolution banning cell phone use in school zones
The council discussed banning hand-held use of cell phones in school zones, similar to Highland Park.  Debate on this topic was focused on the enforcement of the ordinance, as well as it's effectiveness on reducing accidents.  The council was unable to reach a majority vote on the ordinance, and moved to the resolution, which did not pass.

Cities Aggregation Power Project participation
After a presentation by the City Manager and a member of the Plano city council, the Anna council decided to participate in CAPP.  The manager estimates a savings of approximately $50,000 per year by joining.  There is a one time fee of $1076.55, which is 1/2 of 1% of the annual electric bill.  The council voted to approve membership, and will be finalizing a contract on Monday, 17 Dec 07 at 6:30p at city hall.

Thanks for taking notes. I do appreciate it.