2021-08-17 CC Minutes City of FarmersBranch Farmers Branch City Hall
13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
,f� + Farmers Branch,Texas
75234
FARMERS Meeting Minutes
Mr? 'TCT 1
City Council
Tuesday,August 17, 2021 6:00 PM Council Chambers
Study Session Meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m. with a Dinner Break at 5:15 p.m.
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Robert Dye
Present: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Cristal Retana, Council Member Traci Williams, Council Member Terry
Lynne, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Michael Driskill and Council Member David Merritt
Staff: - City Manager Charles Cox, Deputy City Manager John Land, Assistant City Manager
Benjamin Williamson, City Secretary Amy Piukana, City Attorney Braden Metcalf,
Police Chief David Hale, Fire Chief Gabe Vargas, Director of Human Resources Brian
Beasley, Director of Public Works Marc Bentley, Director of Sustainability & Health
Shane Davis, Director of Planning & Zoning AICP Tina M. Firgens, Director of
Economic Development Allison Cook, Director of Library Denise Wallace, Director of
Information Services Mark Samuels, Director of Fleet & Facilities Kevin Muenchow
and Director of Communications Jeff Brady
CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION (4 P.M.)
A.1 21-353 Discuss regular agenda items
Mayor Dye requested discussion regarding Agenda Item 1.1 (Planning and Zoning
Commission appointments)
The City Council discussed recommendations to fill the Alternate No. 2 vacancy for the
Planning and Zoning Commission. The City Council unanimously agreed to appoint Marcus
Miller to the Planning and Zoning Commission to fill Alternate No. 2 vacancy.
Council Member Williams requested discussion on H.3 (Fitness Equipment). She stated
there is a need for a full gym to include programming for older kids that are in between the
age of 8 up to teenage years. (Too old for child center and too young for floor activity.) She
stated this could be discussed in Phase 2.
Director of Parks and Recreation Mike Mashburn replied stating this purchase is to improve
the fitness equipment for the upper level of the Recreation Center, and noted programming
hasn't gone away, noting camps and gymnastics are available for youth. Council Member
Williams stated a wall of televisions are obscured by mounted equipment inside the
Recreation Center.
A.2 21-290 Receive a semi-annual update from the Manske Library Board
Manske Library Board Chair Jennifer Bauer provided updates on the Library Board. Ms.
Bauer reviewed the renovations, Farmer Branch Night Out and the Grand Reopening of the
Manske Library. She reviewed building renovation improvements and Library statistics.
Council Member Merritt asked if the Library Board has any requests. Ms. Bauer explained
the Library Board had a couple of suggestions, noting more aesthetics are needed inside
the Library to give it a warmer appeal. She explained children tables need to be added to
the children's area and a drive through book drop has been requested.
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021
Council Member Lynne asked what the difference was between Library cards issued and
L,ctive card holders. He asked the number of Farmers Branch resident cards and what the
statistics were for books checked out and the collection size.
Mayor Pro Tem Retana requested a heat map which provides card holder location to see if
a target area could be created to encourage youth to utilize Library resources.
A.3 21-377 Discuss the City Manager's Proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 Balanced
Budget
Director of Finance Sherrelle Evans-Jones provided a General Fund Result Summary,
Enterprise Fund Results, Hotel/Motel Fund Results, and reviewed thea Investment Portfolio
as of June 30, 2021.
The City Council discussed revenue trends and future targeted fund balance.
Ms. Evans Jones provided a budget overview with key dates, and reviewed the following
proposed ARPA Allocations:
First Funding -FY 2022
• Signature Park(Phase 1)-$2,000,000
• Justice Center Renovation -$1,500,000
• Mercer Park(City Portion)-$1,000,000*
• Recreation Center Renovation (Phase 2)-$800,000
• NTECC Computer-Aided Dispatch Upgrade-$500,000
• Metrocrest Services Funding -$110,000
• Residential Repair Program -$50,000
Total -$5,960,000
Second Funding - FY 2023
• Branch Connection Renovation -$2,500,000
• Signature Park(Phase 1)-$2,010,000
• Justice Center Renovation -$1,000,000
• Metrocrest Services Funding -$450,000
Total -$5,960,000
Ms. Evans Jones reviewed the following revised tax rate proposal which would provide
additional street projects ($1.3M), Parks Master Plan ($600K), Monument Signs ($100K),
additional Economic Development Funding (100K) and authorize two additional Police over
hires for a total of 6 hires.
• Tax Rate Proposed Budget- $0.570
• Revised - $0.588
• Existing - $0.589
The City Council discussed current employee retirement eligibility, shortage of Police
recruits, additional hires, and ARPA monies.
Mayor Pro Tem Retana stated she supports increasing funding to allow additional full time
Police Officers to fill the shortage and adding funds to Economic Development.
Council Member Lynne requested funds be used for sidewalk repairs and asked what
current unfunded pension liability would cost for adding these employees.
Mr. Cox stated the liability increase is based on many factors, age, health, etc. Ms.
Evans-Jones stated she could provide an estimated percentage.
Director of Public Works Marc Bentley provided an overview of the Street Improvement
Program. He reviewed aging infrastructure, revitalization, total street lane miles in the City,
Bond Program (Lane Miles)completed, Bond Expenditures, and the Life Expectancy.
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021
Director Mike Mashburn passed out a Park Facility recommendation price sheet to the City
Council.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Driskill suggested a splash pad be considered with the Signature
Park. Mr. Mashburn explained he has applied for grant funding to assist with monies for a
splash pad.
Council Member Lynne asked for clarification on the irrigation system costs. Mr. Mashburn
explained the current system is aging, and the new system would have a smart irrigation
system identifying leaks immediately. He further stated with this type of technology, the City
would see a return on investment.
After discussion, the City Council expressed gratitude to staff for all their efforts with the
budget process and requested Ms. Evans-Jones look into keeping the existing Tax Rate to if
that would adjust the budget to meet the needs.
A.4 21-391 Discuss remaining City Council meeting dates for 2021
City Secretary Amy Piukana provided a review of key dates for upcoming City Council
meetings. Ms. Piukana explained due to staff development training, National Night Out has
been adjusted to October 11, 2021.
The City Council discussed future meeting dates for October and holding one meeting in
November and December to avoid too many back to back meetings.
After discussion, the consensus from City Council was to amend the Council calendar to the
following meeting dates:
• Oct 11th National Night Out
• Oct 19th Regular CC Mtg
• Oct 26th Regular CC Mtg
• Nov 16th one meeting only
A.5 21-369 Discuss future agenda items
Council Member Driskill requested future discussion on smart cities and attainable housing.
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
Council Member Merritt provided the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and Pledge to the
Texas Flag.
D. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
D.1 21-389 Recognition of Danielle Summers for 5 years of dedicated service to
the City of Farmers Branch
Mayor Dye recognized Danielle Summers for five years of service to the City of Farmers
Branch.
E. REPORT ON STUDY SESSION ITEMS
Council Member Merritt provided a review of study session items.
F. MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER'S REPORT ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
City Manager Charles Cox provided an overview on items of Community Interest.
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City Council Meeting Minutes August 17, 2021
G. CITIZEN COMMENTS
• Stephanie Brown filled out a speaker request form, but did not speak.
• James Lockridge spoke expressing his concerns with Code Enforcement of crop on
agricultural property, citation against land owner, and consistency of code
enforcement throughout the City.
• Luther Bernstein spoke expressing his concerns regarding tree stumps, need for
code enforcement of backyard properties along the golf course, and recreational
vehicle enforcement.
H. CONSENT AGENDA
H.1 21-375 Consider approving the following City Council meeting minute(s); and
take appropriate action
• August 3, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting
H.2 21-381 Consider excusing the absence of Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Michael
Driskill from the August 3, 2021, City Council meeting; and take
appropriate action
H.3 R2021-100 Consider approving Resolution No. 2021-100 authorizing the purchase
of Recreation Center Fitness Equipment from Technogym; and take
appropriate action
H.4 R2021-105 Consider approving Resolution No. 2021-105 to approve the 2021-22
Operating Fund Budget of the North Dallas County Water Supply
Corporation; and take appropriate action
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Retana to approve Consent items H.1 through H.4,
as presented. Motion seconded by Council Member Driskill. Motion approved unanimously.
I. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
1.1 21-390 Consider Board and Commission appointments; and take appropriate
action (Planning and Zoning Commission)
Mayor Dye stated this item was discussed during Study Session. He further stated the
consensus was to nominate Marcus Miller to fill the vacancy of Alternate No. 2 on the
Planning and Zoning Commission.
A Motion was made by made by Council Member Williams to appoint Marcus Miller to fill the
Alternate No. 2 position on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion seconded by
Council Member Merritt. Motion approved unanimously.
J. TAKE ANY ACTION NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
K. ADJOURNMENT
M: aie1
r Dye etied by:
Mayor '•be C. Dye Amp
Attested by: e,_
Amy M. Piuk Jia, TRMC, City S-cre ary
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