2019-02-13 CC Minutes X City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch City Hall
— 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
Farmers Branch,Texas
75234
FARMERS Meeting Minutes
BRANCH
City Council
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 4:00 PM Council Chambers
Special Called Meeting
Special Called Meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m.
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Robert Dye
Present: 5- Council Member Ana Reyes, Mayor Pro Tern John Norwood, Deputy Mayor
Pro Tem Mike Bomgardner,Council Member Bronson Blackson and Council
Member Terry Lynne
Staff: 7- Charles Cox City Manager,John Land Deputy City Manager, Braden
Metclaf City Attorney,Sara Egan Assistant to City Secretary, Benjamin
Williamson Assistant City Manager,Sherrelle Evans-Jones Finance Director
and Denise Wallace Library Director
A. CALL TO ORDER (4 P.M.)
Mayor Dye called the meeting to order at 4 p.m.
A.1 ORD- 3557 Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3557 calling for a bond election for May 04,
2019, making provisions for conducting the Election and other provisions
relating thereto; and take appropriate action.
Assistant to City Manager, Benjamin Williamson provided a brief presentation of the components
leading to the proposal of a bond election for a new library. This included 4 visioning meetings, 7
Library Board meetings, and 7 City Council meetings. In addition to the RFQ timeline for responses
from Gensler, Hidell, LRK, and PGAL.
Council Member Reyes inquired about the Bond Committee's previous involvement.
Mr. Williamson confirmed Michelle Holmes has been currently active with the Library Board in the
current discussions for bond.
Mayor Dye allowed citizens to comment. The following citizens spoke in favor or against Ordinance
3557:
For(10): Against (6):
Joe Potraza Emily Derrick Joe Reynolds
Amy Talbert Jennifer Allen David Koch
Jennifer Bauer Bonnie Potraza William Glancy
Sally Derrick Calla Davis
Rachelle Hale* Harold Froehlich
Rick Lyon Artie Palmer
Rosa Poetschke
"Denise Wallace read a statement on behalf of Rachelle Hale.
City of Farmers Branch Page 1
City Council Meeting Minutes February 13, 2019
Mayor Pro Tern Norwood stated his position is to decide on renovating or building new, and not
overlook the current conditions of the building. He is in favor of moving forward to allow this item on
the ballot and let the residents decide if a new library is desired. ear
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Bomgardner agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Norwood. He added that many of
the current ongoing projects are based on available funding due to conservative financial planning.
Council Member Reyes is in favor of moving forward and addressed voter information and education.
She noted that public safety or other immediate needs are not being compromised for the sake of a
new library.
Council Member Lynne stated reservations on placing this item on the May ballot. He believes it is
more appropriate for it to be included in the November ballot to allow residents to become informed
after generating a comprehensive plan of the overall needs and wants of the City. However, he will
support the decision of the Council.
Mayor Dye stated if Council decides to move forward with the bond election in May a high level of
marketing and information will be pursued to educate the residents of the future tax impact. He
believes an equal, if not greater, voter turn out is possible in comparison to that of the previous bond
election of November 2017.
Council Member Blackson encouraged everyone to exercise their right to vote. He briefly explained
the rate of inflation is 12% per year and the estimated cost to the City could be $26.88 million if this
item is delayed. He also referenced a study from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
on the value of investment to a library per dollar is $4.64. He stated with this bond, residents can
experience a value return of$111.36 million in access to resources and technology. He summarized,
libraries contribute to the health of a community and equal access to resources and information.
A motion was made by Mayor Dye, seconded by Council Member Blackson, that Ordinance 3557 be adopted
calling for a bond election on May 4, 2019 for the purpose of issuing a general obligation bond of the City
not to exceed $24,000,000 for a new library facility and related park facility renovations. The motion carried
by the following vote:
Nay: 1 - Council Member Lynne
Aye: 4- Council Member Reyes, Mayor Pro Tern Norwood, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Bomgardner and Council Member Blackson
B. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mayor Dye, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Norwood, the meeting was
adjourned at 5:51 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5- Council Member Reyes, Mayor Pro Tern Norwood, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern
Bomgardner,Council Member Blackson and Council Member Lynne
4r0:1
Mayor Aostant to CI y Secretary
City of Farmers Branch Page 2