2019-08-20 CC Minutes Farmers Branch City Hall
.e City of Farmers Branch
13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
Meeting Minutes Farmers Branch,Texas
75234
r City Council
RA'sC:
Tuesday,August 20, 2019 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Study Session Meeting to be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Study Session Room with a
Dinner Break at 5:15 p.m.
Absent: 1 - Council Member Cristal Retana
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Robert Dye
Present: 4- Mayor Pro Tem John Norwood, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Terry Lynne, Council
Member Mike Bomgardner and Council Member Bronson Blackson
Staff: - City Manager Charles Cox, Deputy City Manager John Land, Assistant City
Manager Benjamin Williamson, City Secretary Amy Piukana, City Attorney
Peter G. Smith, Police Chief David Hale, Deputy Police Chief Jay Siegel, Fire
Chief Steve Parker, Director of Human Resources Brian Beasley, Director of
Public Works Marc Bentley, Director of Sustainability & Health Shane Davis,
Director of Planning & Zoning Tina Firgens, Director of Economic
Development Allison Cook, Director of Library Denise Wallace, Building
Official Hugh Pender, Director of Information Services Mark Samuels, Director
of Communications Tom Bryson and Director of Fleet & Facilities Kevin
Muenchow
A. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION (4:30 P.M.)
Mayor Dye called the meeting to order at 4 30 p m.
A.1 19-385 Discuss regular City Council meeting agenda items
Council Member Blackson asked for clarification on Agenda Item 1.1. He asked if the
quote includes design and construction management.
Director of Sustainability and Public Health Shane Davis replied the price includes both
Council Member Bomgardner asked if the project has multiple positions.
Mr Davis replied stating one person manages the project.
Council Member Lynne asked for the cost of the well.
Mr Davis explained the City does not have this information yet.
A.2 19-378 Discuss the City Manager's Proposed Fiscal Year 2019-20 balanced
budget.
Director of Finance Sherrelle Evans Jones briefed City Council regarding this item. Ms
Evans Jones reviewed the budget calendar timeline and noted the City Council held a
retreat to discuss budget funds
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2019
Ms. Evans Jones explained during the recent City Council retreat City Staff was directed
to prepare an additional option with a 1 cent tax rate reduction.
Ms Evans Jones provided the following Option
• Increase Expenditures$300K- Increase Park Expansion CIP Transfer(from �-
$50K to$350K)
• Decrease Expenditures$100K-Adjusted Parks and Recreation estimates
• Increase Expenditure$170K- Park Maintenance Transfer for Rawhide Creek
Tree Lighting
• Decrease Expenditures$746K- Remove Transfer to CIP for Library
Pay-as-you-Go
• Net Impact: Decrease Expenditures$376K
The City Council discussed the rainy day fund, Pay-as-you-Go philosophy, and cost of
additional firefighters and future impacts from population growth.
Council Member Bomgardner recommended reducing landscaping costs to save money
Ms Evans Jones replied explaining the landscaping costs would be considered budget
neutral due to the offset from the sale of the facility.
Ms. Evans Jones explained the City could look at the tax impact with the west side
growth and review revenue. She explained this information could be provided as a
memorandum.
Council Member Lynne requested more information on funding the Grant Program for
creek owners.
City Manager Charles Cox explained this funding would be utilized from the Storm Water
Utility Fund. He noted we might need to look at additional funding to assist. He noted
the current plan covers all reaches within the creek.
Mayor Pro Tern Norwood explained once the west side is constructed, the City would see
increased tax revenue
The City Council discussed mutual aid assistance, multi-family units to be constructed
and future growth.
Mayor Pro Tern Norwood asked if the City Council approved three out of the four fire
personnel, if it would affect the ISO rating.
Fire Chief Parker stated it would not affect the City at this time.
Council Member Bomgardner asked if the Council concurred with his idea for landscape
reduction at Fire Station No. 2.
Mr Cox noted this is a one-time cost.
Council Member Blackson stated he recommends a tax rate decrease
Mayor Pro Tem Norwood stated the pay-as-you-go approach is not sustainable.
Mayor Dye noted most cities are having increases; they do not have the same growth
and investment that Farmers Branch has. He further stated tonight is a public hearing
and the City Council still has time to consider the budget.
A.3 19-396 Discuss Campaign Finance Reform
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2019
Council Member Blackson briefed City Council regarding the need in his opinion, for a
policy to limit campaign finance contributions for Elected Officials. He suggested a $500
per person baseline contribution limit with no aggregation, per election.
The City Council discussed dollar limitation amounts, high developer contributions in past
elections, and surrounding cities contribution amounts.
Council Member Lynne stated he feels the City does not have any issues with corruption,
noting the Charter Review Committee did not support a policy change on this.
Mayor Pro Tern Norwood suggested allowing Council Member Retana to provide
feedback and suggested putting this on the ballot to allow voters to decide
A.4 19-386 Discuss agenda items for future City Council meetings
Mayor Dye requested a future agenda item to review the Mayor's Conference noting he
would like to discuss the topics of change, growth and economics.
Mayor Dye recessed from Study Session at 5 42 p.m.
B. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING (6 P.M.)
Mayor Dye called the meeting to order at 6 p m.
C. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Lynne gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance and
Pledge to the Texas Flag.
D. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
D.1 19-362 Recognition of Tourism Team for Tournaments and Special Events
Mayor Dye and Director of Economic Development Allison Cook recognized the Tourism
Team for assisting with tourism and special events
D.2 19-358 Recognition of the Wyndham Garden Inn Hotel and Metrocrest
Services for their support to the Villa Creek Apartment families
impacted by the June Tornado/Straight Line Wind Event
Mayor Dye and Fire Chief Steve Parker, Emergency Management Specialist Lauren
Sanchez recognized Metrocrest Services and Wyndham hotel for their assistance with
the recent tornado and their assistance with residents
E. REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS
Council Member Blackson provided a report on Study Session items.
F. MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER'S REPORT ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY
INTEREST
City Manager Charles Cox provided a report on Community Interests.
Mayor Dye reminded everyone that schools are in session and to drive safely in school
zones. He further stated he is growing out his hair in efforts to raise money for Farmers
Branch Charity groups.
G. CITIZEN COMMENTS
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2019
The following residents wished to speak.
• Dr Joyce Benoit spoke expressing concerns with the resident survey and
suggested the City find better ways to engage residents She recommended
having an outside vendor assist.
• Brenda Brodrick spoke requesting the Merry Christmas Sign be reinstalled at the
City Hall building and requested this item be placed on a future City Council
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS
H.1 19-376 Conduct a public hearing to consider adopting a maximum property
tax rate of$0.61 on September 17, 2019 and take appropriate action.
Director of Finance Sherrelle Evans Jones briefed City Council regarding this item. She
noted today is one of the first public hearing items for the City budget and noted a second
public hearing is scheduled for September 3, 2019 with the budget adoption date set for
September 17, 2019. She provided a budget video.
Mayor Dye opened the public hearing. There were no residents that wished to speak.
Mayor Dye made a motion to close the Public Hearing Motion seconded by Mayor Pro
Tern Norwood Motion approved unanimously
I. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1.1 R2019-111 Consider authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a
contract with Weegar-Eide & Associates, LLC for the design and
development of a groundwater production well at Vitruvian Park;
and take appropriate action
Director of Sustainability and Public Health Shane Davis briefed City Council regarding
this item.
Motion made by Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Lynne to approve Resolution No 2019-111
Motion seconded by Council Member Bomgardner. Motion approved unanimously
J. TAKE ANY ACTION NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED EXECUTIVE
SESSION No action was taken.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dye made a motion to adjourn. Motion seconded by Council Member Blackson.
Motion approved unanimously
40etin. a:'o�,ed . • • p m.
Approved by' ,�`A� _
Robert C Dy-, Mayor
Attested 'b � � _ i_ 44—�
Y
Amy M. Piuk!a, Ci y Secretary
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