2023-03-07 CC Minutes City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch City Hall
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i ®� Action Meeting Minutes Farmers Branch,Texas
FFARMER City Council
BRANCH
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:00 PM Council Chambers
The full video of this meeting is available on the City website at https://farmersbranch.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Council Present: Mayor William Glancy,Mayor Pro Tern David Merritt,Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Richard Jackson,
Councilmember Omar Roman,Councilmember Michael Driskill, Councilwoman Tina Bennett-Burton
Staff Present: City Manager Benjamin Williamson,Deputy City Manager Mike Mashburn,Chief of Staff Jawaria
Tareen, City Secretary Stacy Henderson,City Attorney Pete Smith,Police Chief Kevin McCoy,Fire
Chief Daniel Latimer,Director of Parks and Recreation Rachael Arroyo,Director of Sustainability&
Public Health Shane Davis,Director of Planning&Economic Development Allison Cook, Director of
Finance Tammy Zimmerman,Director of Communications Jeff Brady,Director of Innovation and
Technology Mark Samuels.
A. CALL TO ORDER-STUDY SESSION
Mayor Glancy called the study session to order at 4:00 p.m.
A.1 Discuss regular agenda items.
Councilwoman Burton discussed with staff questions related to Agenda Item H.2,Multi-sport facility,regarding funds for
the project manager.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson discussed with staff Agenda Item H.3,Fencing requirements,regarding provisions to
repairing and replacing fence sections and permitting requirements.
Mayor Pro Tem Merritt discussed with staff the communication plan associated with Agenda Item H. 3, Fencing
requirements,and proposed changes to inform residents.
A.2 Receive a biannual update from the Sustainability Committee.
Joseph Riegel, Chair of the Sustainability Committee presented this item discussing the solar switch project,tree giveaway
pilot program,the water rebate program,and items for the future. Councilmembers discussed the need for additional lighting
around Rawhide Park, paper recycling,and a proposed transportation plan.
A.3 Discuss and provide direction regarding garage conversions within single family residential zoning districts.
Surupa Sen,Deputy Director of Planning and Danielle Summers, Director of Community Development gave a presentation
regarding garage conversions discussing current regulations and concerns surrounding the various types of garage
conversions,parking, and permitting.
Council discussed support regarding removing the requirement to build another garage should one be removed.Council was
supportive of staff reaching out to current residents with nonconforming garage conversions to assist with permitting for
those that were not currently permitted,and providing a grace period for implementing new regulations.
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March 7.2023
Council asked for the following information be obtained before moving forward with any garage conversion regulations.
-the number of garage conversions in the City
-number of garage conversions that were currently unpermitted
-number of garage conversions that were permitted
A.4 Discuss future agenda items.
Mayor Pro Tem Merritt would like to discuss the creation of a special events strategic plan document.
B. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council convened into Executive Session at 5:15 p.m.
C. CALL TO ORDER-REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Glancy called the regular City Council meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
D. INVOCATION&PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Farmers Branch resident Kevin Caldwell gave the invocation.Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. CEREMONIAL ITEMS
E.1 Presentation of a Proclamation recognizing Carol Brewster for her 100th birthday.
Mayor Glancy announced that this item was being moved to the March 21 agenda at the request of the family.
E.2 Presentation of the 2023 Witness to History Award to Sammie Jo Perry.
Mayor Glancy presented the witness to history award to Sammy Jo Perry.
F. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST
Jeff Brady,Director of Communications presented items of community interest.
G. DISCUSS THE STATE OF THE CITY
Mayor Pro Tern Merritt praised 1-58 ministries supporting food insecurities in the area, working with local churches and the
North Texas Food Bank to serve over 315 families. Mayor Pro Tem Merritt also announced that his daughter who plays for
the Ursuline Academy Soccer Bears won the State Championship.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson discussed his recent visit with Tom Higgs,Director of Fleet and Facilities,the various items
that Fleet and Facilities is charged with ensuring are maintained are running smoothly,and thanked Mr.Higgs and his staff
for their efforts.
Mayor Glancy discussed the Vivian Field Middle School recent remodel and congratulated the community and staff for their
efforts.
City Manager Ben Williamson noted that the City staff leadership team was fully staffed and was looking forward to an
amazing future.
H. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Merritt,seconded by Council Member Driskill,to approve the Consent
Agenda as presented.The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Mayor Pro Tern Merritt,Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson,Councilmember Roman,Councilmember Driskill,
Councilwoman Burton.
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March 7,2023
H.1 Consider approving the following City Council meeting minutes; and take appropriate action.
-February 21,2023 Regular Meeting
H.2 Consider approving Resolution No.2023-037 authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with Exclusive Properties Texas,LLC dba EPT Commercial in the amount of$107,500 for a
12-month period,to provide consulting services for design and construction management for the Multisport
Facility Project; and take appropriate action.
H.3 Consider approving Ordinance 3787,amending in its entirety Article VIII "Fences"of Chapter 22"Building
and BuildingRegulations"of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Farmers Branch relating to the
regulation of fences; and take appropriate action.
I. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings scheduled for this meeting.
J. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
J.1 Consider approving Resolution No.2023-041 supporting more local control of elections conducted by Dallas
County Elections Department; and take appropriate action.
The following individuals requested to speak on this item:
Brenda Broderick, 13531 Rawhide
Spoke against the Resolution included with the agenda packet and in favor of the proposed revised resolution drafted by a
citizen.
Christine Bickham,3746 Ridgeoak Way
Spoke regarding election items and the Dallas County elections contract. •
Sammy Bickham,3746 Ridgeoak Way
Spoke regarding election items and the Dallas County elections contract.
Mary Caldwell,Tanglewood Drive
Spoke regarding election items and the Dallas County elections contract.
Kevin Caldwell,Tanglewood Drive
Spoke regarding election items and the Dallas County elections contract.
The City Council had a lengthy discussion with the City Attorney regarding the City's contract with Dallas County Elections,
provisions of the contract,options on how elections could be held,either with Dallas County or the City holding their own
election with Dallas County.The Council also discussed concerns about what had been observed at Dallas County by poll
workers,and the need for secure and efficient elections.
Mayor Glancy discussed meeting with area Mayors throughout Dallas County to discuss election concerns as well as
working at the legislative level for change.The Council also discussed current time restraints given the election was to be
held in May.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Merritt,seconded by Councilmember Driskill,that the Resolution be
approved as presented,and that the City work towards further remediation with Dallas County and partnering
entities.The motion carried by the following vote:
Abstain: Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Jackson, Councilwoman Burton
Aye: Mayor Pro Tem Merritt,Councilmember Roman, Councilmember Driskill
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March 7,2023
K. TAKE ANY ACTION NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council reconvened into Executive Session at 7:16 p.m.The City Council ended Executive Session at 8:17 p.m.
There was no action taken as a result of the Executive Session.
L. CITIZEN COMMENTS .
The following individuals requested to speak during Citizen Comments:
David Silver,Farmers Branch resident
Spoke regarding election items.
Pam Silver,Farmers Branch resident
Spoke regarding election items and code enforcement items.
Phil Bergman,Bergman Collision,Havenhurst Drive
Thanked the Police Department for their efforts on a recent situation at his business.
Jennifer Durret, 12950 Epps Field
Spoke regarding cancellation of the Viva Farmers Branch celebration.
Colleen Rulien, Oakbrook community
Spoke regarding services their neighborhood does not receive from the City.
M. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
Approved By: A;/1
Mayor William Glancy
Signed Br----17
City Secretary Stac - •.-rson
•
City Council Minutes Page 4
March 7,2023