Trophy Club Seals Land Deal with NISD

By A. Lee Graham
Staff Writer
Securing Trophy Club’s next water tower took precedence this week as town officials approved $113,000 to purchase 1.7 acres from the Northwest school district.

By unanimous vote, the Town Council approved the purchase but delayed acting on a related motion that would provide access to district athletic fields.

"You can approve the land purchase, but can always address field usage at a later date," said Town Manager Brandon Emmons, explaining the two options to council members.

The council opted to purchase 1.7 acres at the planned Byron Nelson High School site but delayed entering into an agreement for field access. The decision shaved $52,000 from the deal – at least for now.

Northwest school trustees are expected to consider the town’s offer at a board meeting later this month.

Despite delaying a proposal that would give the town access to athletic fields, the council hopes to pursue the option in the future.

"We’ll probably reexamine it in the spring," Emmons said.

By approving the proposed interlocal agreement with the school district, Trophy Club would gain football, baseball and soccer fields "almost immediately," said Emmons. "That’s a positive."

Mayor Nick Sanders focused on the property purchase.

"I’m more in favor of, 'let’s buy the land,’" said Sanders, preferring to leave scheduling and other field issues to area athletic associations and Northwest schools.

Mayor Pro Tem Phil Sterling agreed.

"Let’s just get the water tower on the ground first," said Sterling.

Despite mounting demand for field space among area athletic associations, officials put the land purchase ahead of those concerns. That’s because bidding for water-tower construction begins on Nov. 10.

"We do need to move forward with the purchase of the property," said Emmons.

So the council approved purchasing the property for $113,000 or a price not to exceed the value of the land.

Still, officials acknowledge the mounting need for athletic field space. A memo between the town and school district emphasizes that urgency.

"The town staff believes the town’s residents have a need for additional shared sports facilities that will allow programs that will benefit the youth of the communities served by [Byron Nelson High School]," reads a portion of the memo.

In other business, the town agreed to provide a school resource officer for Lakeview and Samuel Beck elementary and Medlin Middle schools.

"This is the first time we’ve had such an agreement," said Sanders.

Under the deal, Trophy Club will provide a peace officer as well as uniforms, radio, vehicle and other gear for that individual. In return, the school district will pay the town up to $21,024 for the maintenance of that position.

"The town shall remain responsible for the balance of the funding required to maintain the officer’s salary and standard town employee benefits package," reads a portion of the interlocal agreement.

The agreement remains in effect for the 2008-09 school year, ending in late July, defined by the contract as the "initial term." At that point, the agreement may be renewed annually for five additional terms of one year each.

Meanwhile, the town approved Brian Hall of Keller to handle animal euthanasia and disposal services. The 12-month contract sees the town pay Hall, a private contractor, for those services based on the weight of the animal: $5 per puppy or $30 for an adult dog exceeding 30 pounds, for example.