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2022-03-01 CC Minutes 4-1 City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch City Hall 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy -40 - Farmers Branch,Texas 75234 FARMERS�� Meeting Minutes BRANCH ..aH. City Council Tuesday, March 1, 2022 6:00 PM Council Chambers Mayor Robert Dye, Mayor Pro Tern Cristal Retana, Council Member Traci Williams, Present: 6 Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Michael Driskill, Council Member Terry Lynne and Council Member David Merritt Staff: Deputy City Manager John Land, Assistant City Manager Benjamin Williamson, City Secretary Amy Piukana, City Attorney Peter G. Smith, Director of Finance Sherrelle Evens-Jones, 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/Economic Development Allison Cook, Director of Fleet& Facilities Kevin Muenchow and Director of Communications Jeff Brady A. CALL TO ORDER - STUDY SESSION (4:30 P.M.) Mayor Dye called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. A.1 22 128 Discuss regular agenda items A.2 22-151 TxDOT IH-35 Expansion and Construction Staging Site Update Director of Sustainability & Health Shane Davis introduced Mr. Mc Mullen (TXDOT Manager). Mr. McMullen was present to answer any questions regarding the dirt pile height and watering schedule at the TxDOT property. Mr. McMullen noted that he met with the Contractor and plans to water daily. He explained the height will be leveled out, will move to "notice to proceed", which allows sites to be open and material to be distributed. He explained, instead of leveling, they are trying to open and allow dirt to be hauled off to different areas. Council Member Williams asked the timeframe to have dirt removed noting communication is key. Mr. McMullen replied stating at the end of summer. Council Member Williams asked if TXDOT can provide periodic updates. Mr. McMullen agreed to provide updates. Mayor Pro Tern Cristal Retana inquired if TxDOT is watering daily and if sprinklers could be installed. Mr. McMullen said yes on watering and would ask if sprinkler installation would be possible. Mayor Pro Tern Retana asked if this project continues over next few years, what is the plan for the area. Mr. McMullen replied stating it shouldn't be a future dirt pile and if it is used, it won't be this height. Mayor Pro Tern Retana suggested using buildings to create a buffer, due to noise. Mr. McMullen stated he would check to see if an environmental assessment was done, stating he would follow up. Mayor Robert Dye stated the freeway is elevated, noting a wall may not help with noise issues. He agreed a building would solve the problem. Council Member Lynne asked Director of Public Works Mark Bentley if a wall was intended for this location. Mr. Bentley replied noting it wouldn't help much due to the slope. He further stated studies indicated a wall wouldn't beneficial. Council Member Lynne asked what stage of the construction of 1-35 do you begin to restore property to decent condition. Mr. McMullen stated he would provide a timeline. City of Farmers Branch Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes March 1, 2022 Council Member Merritt requested regular updates to include project phasing and a timeline so he could share with his constituents. Mr. McMullen agreed that quarterly updates with aerial photos and upcoming projects will be provided. A.3 22-132 Discuss Farmers Branch Night Out 2022 Assistant City Manager Ben Williamson briefed City Council regarding this item stating that Farmers Branch Night Out (FBNO) has had 3 locations, explained the history of the program and asked the City Council for feedback on FBNO. The City Council discussed having a Saturday afternoon event at different locations with one main location for all Council to meet up. Assistant City Manager Ben Williamson stated he would break it up by different days and Districts. Council Member Merritt stated one to two locations would be better; he supports staggering days; and likes the Council as a group to be present together. Council Member Lynne supports Thursday night and agrees with multiple locations. He supports having food vendors at the event and moving the start time earlier. Council Member Williams supports having a District event; to include a Saturday event, and staggering the days. She suggested utilizing the Restaurant Park stating possibly Red Stix will be open. Mayor Pro Tern Retana suggested having updates on issues happening within the City at these events. Mayor Robert Dye suggested multiple days, (Thursday night and Saturday morning) to allow flexibility. He suggested sharing opportunities and good news to engage and communicate with residents. He supports the suggestion of the restaurant park location. Mayor Dye suggested City Council send topic recommendations to Mr. Williamson to help identify top 5 areas of interest. Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Driskill suggested Saturday mid-day as his time preference. Deputy City Manager John Land provided ideas such as starting all together(state of the city address) then breaking up into Districts. He noted could start out with a general message then break out into groups. A.4 22-129 Discuss future agenda items Council Member Lynne requested a discussion on a front yard fence policy on large lots. (1-2 acres lots); look at policy for notifying neighbors for street work with water and sewer (cars needed to be moved off street); Lawn clippings being blown into street; pickle ball at Library (noise level being distracting). Council Member Merritt asked for an update on work status from the strategic plan, noting he is specifically Interested in the Comprehensive Plan RFPs. Meeting went into recess at 5:18 P.M. B. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING (6 P.M.) Mayor Dye called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. C. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member David Merritt lead the Invocation and & Pledge of Allegiance City of Farmers Branch Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes March 1, 2022 CEREMONIAL ITEMS D.1 22-103 Present the DFW Directors Award to the Parks and Recreation Department Mayor Dye recognized Ruth Fuls for receiving the Supreme Service Award. He introduced Ruth Fuls for the DFW Directors Award to the Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Fuls expressed her gratitude for being the recipient of said awards. D.2 22-143 Presentation from the Texas Recreation and Park Society for the 2022 TRAPS State Award for Promotions and Marketing Excellence - Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival Mayor Dye recognized the Parks and Recreation Team for receiving the TRAPS State Award for Promotions and Marketing Excellence for Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival. Mayor Dye introduced Geoff Fairchild, Allen Thomas, Varsha Vareen, Sandy Carter and Meagan Bernard for their efforts. Mr. Thomas expressed gratitude, noting the partnership is exemplary. D.3 22-123 Presentation of a service award to Mark Samuels for ten years (10) of dedicated service at the City of Farmers Branch Mayor Dye recognized Director Mark Samuels for 10 years of service. D.4 22-102 Presentation of a service award to Jessica Alvarado for five (5) years of service to the City of Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department Mayor Dye recognized Jessica Alvarado for 5 years of service. Maria Mentor expressed her gratitude to Ms. Alvarado. Ms. Mentor stated that Jessica is her right hand and inspires the people around her D.5 22-134 Presentation of a service award to Benjamin Williamson for five years (5) of dedicated service at the City of Farmers Branch Mayor Dye recognized Ben Williamson for 5 years of service. Deputy City Manager John Land expressed his gratitude for dedication and energy. Mr. Land provided background on Mr. Williamson growth with the City of Farmers Branch and the creation of his position. Mr. Williamson thanked everyone for the support. E. MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER'S REPORT ON ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST Deputy City Manager John Land provided a report on items of community interest. F. CITIZEN COMMENTS James Lockridge spoke regarding his frustration with a letter read by the Mayor at the prior Council meeting and the need to schedule a meeting with City Management and Code Compliance to discuss agricultural property guidelines. G. CONSENT AGENDA G.1 22-130 Consider approving the following City Council meeting minutes; and take appropriate action • February 15, 2022 Regular Meeting G.2 R2022-029 Consider approving Resolution No. 2022-029 awarding a contract to Jeske Construction Company for water main replacement along Hollandale Lane between Josey Lane and Dennis Lane, pursuant to the FY 2020 Dallas County Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Cares Act II Project funds; and take appropriate action City of Farmers Branch Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes March 1, 2022 G.3 R2022-030 Consider approving Resolution No. 2022-030 approving Economic Development Incentive Agreement pursuant to the Commercial Facade Grant Program for 4600 Simonton Road; and take appropriate action A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Retana, seconded by Council Member Williams, that this be accepted. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5- Mayor Pro Tern Retana, Council Member Williams, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Driskill, Council Member Lynne and Council Member Merritt H. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS H.1 22-139 Receive a presentation regarding the creation of a solar farm on City property Sustainability Manager Alexander Pharmakis briefed City Council regarding the solar farm project. Mr. Pharmakis reviewed the site information, solar development option, potential concerns (glare/security), sustainability plan compliance, Sustainability in large scale electricity procurement, and asked for questions. Council Member Lynne asked if the ongoing maintenance cost is zero. Mr. Pharmakis noted that is correct. Council Member Lynne explained that we are guaranteed on energy charge for next 20 year with an option of 10 after that. Mr. Pharmakis answered yes. The City Council expressed support of moving forward with this project. I. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Dye adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m. 41 ! 0 0 Signed by: Mayor Robert C. Dye 41,1111i Attested by: liv Amy M. Piuk ja, City Secretary City of Farmers Branch Page 4