Minutes TC 07/10/2007 - Town HallMINUTES OF A TOWN HALL MEETING FOR THE
TOWN OF TROPHY CLUB
LOCATION: 100 MUNICIPAL DRIVE, TROPHY CLUB, TEXAS
Tuesday, July 10,2007
7:00 P.M.
STATE OF TEXAS 5
COUNTY OF DENTON 5
The Town Council of the Town of Trophy Club, Texas, met in a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday,
July 10, 2007. The meeting was held within the boundaries of the Town and was open to the
public.
TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
Nick Sanders
Pam Cates
TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT:
Susan Edstrom
Jim Moss
Kathleen Wilson
Philip Sterling
STAFF AND GUEST(S) PRESENT:
Brandon Emmons
Lisa Ramsey
Danny Thomas
Mayor
Council Member
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Town Manager
Town Secretary
Fire Chief
A.l A quorum of the Council was not in attendance.
A.2 Welcome from Mayor Sanders.
Mayor Sanders introduced Denton County Commissioner, Andy Eads, Denton County
Emergency Management Director, Jody Gonzales, FEMA Individual Assistance Program
Specialist, Max Hughes, Small Business Administration (SBA) Communication Specialist, Gary
Copeland, FEMA Disaster Recovery Team Specialist, Rudy Rivera, and the following FEMA
Community Relations Field Specialists; Yvonne Wilson, Adriana Arzac, Timara Graves, Lauren
Bass, Esther Herrera, Mary Pool, Nick Ho and Sharon Ellenshaw.
A.3 Comments by Fire Chief Danny Thomas.
Fire Chief Danny Thomas thanked the residents for attending and FEMA Community Relations
Team, representatives and field staff for their quick response and support of the community.
Commissioner Eads empathized with the resident's and the community loss and thanked Jody
Gonzales for his support and help. Commissioner Eads complimented Mayor Sanders for his
diligence in contacting other agencies and organizations to implement an action plan with the
Town, FEMA, CORP and adjacent communities to ensue that this does not happen again.
Denton County Emergency Management Director, Jody Gonzales thought it was a great idea to
bring all the parties together and encouraged the residents to ask questions. Gonzales said the
Commissioner's Court enacted a Disaster Recovery Resolution that enables the Town to take
certain measures regarding response and mitigation. This Resolution lets the State of Texas
know there are residents in dire need of help.
Mayor Sanders asked the residents to sign in so that we can double check our list to be sure that
we have names of all who suffered damage from this storm. Sanders said solving the problem
with flood water is not easy due to all of the jurisdictions involved and many of the contributories
are related to the CORP, which may be a long process.
A.4 Comments and update by FEMA.
FEMA Individual Assistance Program Specialist, Max Hughes introduced himself and said they
provide registration facilities for victims of disaster. The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has
been set up in Haltom City at 5517 Denton Hwy (US-377); and will be staffed with representatives
from FEMA, SBA, state and insurance agencies.
A.5 Questions
Resident Jim Dykes, 107 Carnoustie Drive -Thought they were flood proof and asked how this
happened.
Mayor Sanders explained that Lake Turner is the holding area for water going to Lake Grapevine
and already full as a result of previous rainfall, therefore the excess went over the spill way. Also
part of this holding mechanism is Marshall Branch Creek which extends past the ball fields and
Riviera Court; additionally there are other creeks that merge into Marshall Branch Creek.
Fire Chief Danny Thomas added that the Town got over 1 inch of rain every fifteen minutes
during the peak time of 1:00 A.M. and the storm system simply could not keep up with the influx
of rain. Town Manager Emmons said the system is designed for a 10-year rain event and the
storm was classified as a 100-year rain event.
Mr. Dykes pointed out all systems have design limits and this was a huge flood; resulting in
property damage for residences not even in a flood plain. Town Manager Emmons clarified the
rainfall would have been absorbed had it not been for the previous 29 straight days of rain.
Mayor Sanders commented to resident's reference to the wall of water, saying the water reached
a point where it could not spread out any more, causing it to rise rapidly and come over the Lake
Turner spill-way and some of the flowage areas were partially blocked. One flowage area that
runs across Marshall Creek Branch, behind the Quorum Apartments and across the golf course
was also partially blocked and in some areas on private property, the 3-18" pipes actually merge
into a smaller pipe in which the Town does not have control over. Sanders is working with
County Commissioner Eads, Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, Texas State Representatives
Tan Parker and
Vicki Truitt and other parties to address and help get grant money to fix some of the flowage
issues.
Resident Gary Cunningham, 16 Skyline - Said his property did not get flooded but his neighbor's
did. Cunningham asked who owns Marshall Branch Creek as half of his back yard sits on this
area. Town Manager Emmons said he would research to find out if it is a dedicated easement.
Mayor Sanders said Texas Law mandates the person up-hill drains to the person down-hill and
so forth.
Tamara Pearlman, 130 Summit Cove - Has only lived in her house for two-months and was told
that she was not in a flood plain but had 12 inches of water. Pearlman's insurance company
interfaced with FEMA and quoted her $284.00 a year for flood insurance.
Mayor Sanders verified flood insurance is available through FEMA.
Disaster Recovery Team Specialist Rudy Rivera said the DRC will have representatives to assist
with insurance quotes.
Flower Mound Resident, Mary Boggs, 987 Regency Drive - Lost half of her yard to a creek that
her property sits on and asked if FEMA aid was available. Max Hughes said FEMA only covers
internal damages to the home in respect to safety and security but a mitigation loan to build a
retaining wall might be an option. (SBA) Communication Specialist, Gary Copeland encouraged
Ms. Boggs to register with FEMA to start the process.
Mayor Sanders explained the following process:
1. Register with FEMA
2. Indicate if you have insurance
3. Receive a rejection letter from FEMA and file with personal insurance company
4. Receive a rejection letter from personal insurance company and forward that letter to
FEMA
Resident Wendy Milton, 1026 Trophy Club Drive - Said the process was remarkable, she was
told by FEMA it would take up to 10-days for a representative to come to her home; the
representative was there in two-days.
David Viss, 210 Fresh Meadow Drive - Questioned the eligibility guidelines for a FEMA grant and
SBA loans. Max Hughes said once a person registers with FEMA an Inspector will be sent to the
home to estimate total damages. FEMA covers only damages associated to home safety and
security within the home and does not clean pools, cover damages to fences or cover a yard that
is falling away from the home.
Terry Thomas, 23 Hillcrest Court - Asked about loan consideration for damages incurred to both
his home and business. Max Hughes explained the social security number is tied to the
application, which is mainly associated to a residence. FEMA aid is not available for repair to
businesses; however a SBA loan would be an option. Mr. Thomas also requested the Fire
Department check out the smell of petroleum coming from under his drive way.
Small Business Administration Representative, Gary Copeland explained the SBA loans available
for home owners, renters and businesses. When registering at the DRC loan applications can
also be filled out and submitted from the center. The DRC anticipates being opened at least two
to three weeks in Haltom City.
Resident Vera James, 12 Biltmore Court - Asked if age and if lRAs were considered liquidation
for loan eligibility. Gary Copeland explained that all persons are considered individually and lRAs
and retirement funds are not added to the calculations for loan eligibility.
John Morrow, 2 Hillcrest Court - Questioned which cities were covered by the Declaration and if
financial backgrounds would be considered for loan eligibility requirements. Jody Gonzales
responded all cities in both Denton and Tarrant County are covered under the Declaration. Gary
Copeland explained SBA would look at the applicant's ability to repay and would run a cursory
credit check. Copeland reassured that this is a disaster loan and Congress has granted special
requirements for assistance.
Chris Hill, 3 Cypress Court - Would like to find out exactly where his property line is as the line
and creek are not indicated clearly on the survey. Hill would like to be added to the grant list for
erosion issues that did not affect the house. Town Manager Emmons will follow up on Mr. Hill's
question regarding his property line.
Susan Olsen, 350 Quorum #803B - Questioned what compensation is available for her vehicle
which was totaled. Gary Copeland was not sure what the monetary award is and advised Ms.
Olsen to get the loss information, an inspection or estimate on repairs and bring to the DRC along
with her registration.
Gary Copeland advised the citizens not to use the insurance payment to pay off the mortgage,
unless the bank demands, otherwise SBA cannot reimburse the money. Copeland also
cautioned the FEMA and SBA representatives who will be conducting the inspections will be
wearing a badge and do not charge for their services. Unfortunately, disasters such as these
bring out people who will try and take advantage of the vulnerable.
Donald Werkstell, 7 Fresh Meadow Creek Court - Questioned if his friend's rental property
damage would be covered and what aid was available for the damage to his fence. Copeland
advised the rental property would be covered under SBA and mitigation help would be available
for the fence to prevent this from happening again. Copeland added the SBA loans are tax
deductible and with no pre-payment penalty, they are not income derivative. If an applicant is
declined for an application with the SBA they will be referred back over to FEMA.
Misty Fossman, 7 Crooked Creek Court - Asked if she would have issues since she has already
cleaned up and moved out after FEMA's inspection. Max Hughes advised since Ms. Fossman
has pictures and Town staff can testify to her damage, she will not have any issues receiving
FEMA's help. Ms. Fossman asked who would be liable if a water reservoir broke on private
property. Mayor Sanders and Town Manager Emmons both confirmed that the spill way did not
breach; the design has two spill ways, the primary spill way is on the east and normally fills up,
this storm caused both to overfill and therefore could not hold the water back.
Fred Brooks, 16 Riviera Court - Said he has already started the process and has the rejection
letter from his insurance company, however, has not heard back from FEMA. Max Hughes
suggested he come to the DRC and bring the letter, declaration of insurance and statement of
loss. Hughes said that he would be able to claim money already paid out for repair.
Dirk Anderson, 350 Quorum 703A -Asked for clarification of what FEMA considered as safe and
secure. Max Hughes defined an internal area that is dry, mold free and safe where the door can
securely be closed.
Chuck Frame, 17 Fair Green - Does not think that they completed an application; however they
have faxed the insurance rejection letter to FEMA. Mr. Frame does not want a loan, but a grant
for a new floor and carpet. Max Hughes asked that he come by the DRC and register.
Gray Copeland advised people would be prohibited from FEMA aid if approved for a SBA Loan.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Team Specialist, Rudy Rivera added the DRC will also be staffed with
representatives available to help victims with stress and post traumatic syndrome.
A.6 Adjourn.
Town of Trophy Club, Texas Town of Trophy Club, Texas