2015-06-05 CC Minutes 1, City of Farmers Branch The City Club
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FARMERS Meeting Minutes - Final Dallas,Texas 75202
BRANCH City Council
Friday,June 5,2015 9:00 AM Texas Room
City Council Retreat
A. CONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Phelps called the Retreat to order at 9:01 am.
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Bob Phelps
Present: 5- Mayor Pro Tern Kirk Connally, Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Harold Froehlich,
Council Member Ana Reyes,Council Member John Norwood and Council
Member Mike Bomgardner
Staff: 18- Gary D. Greer City Manager,Charles Cox Managing Director-
Administration,John Land Managing Director-Operations, Peter G. Smith
City Attorney, Brian Beasley Human Resources Director,Torn Bryson
Communications Director,Allison Cook Economic Development Manager,
Shawna Eikenberry Management Analyst,Andy Gillies Director of
Community Services,Jeff Harting Parks&Recreation Director, Rachael
Johnson Assistant to the City Manager, Kevin Muenchow Fleet&Facilities
Director,Steve Parker Fire Chief, Randy Walhood Public Works Director,
Shane Davis Env Services and Solid Waste Manager, David Hale Deputy
Chief, LaJeana Thomas Executive Assistant and Angela Kelly City
Secretary
A.1 Presentation concerning the City's financial condition, budget
process, and Strategic Plan
Managing Director Charles Cox presented highlights of the Monthly Financial Report
for April,2015. He also reviewed the Pooled Cash and Investment Report,Annual
Debt Service(Current and Projected), Municipal Tax Rate Comparisons, and the
City's budget cycle. City Manager Gary D. Greer provided background on how the
Strategic Plan is developed and how it it used for planning purposes.
B. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
Agenda Items B.1 and B.2 were grouped together for discussion and direction.
B.1 City Council discussion concerning current and proposed
activities, plans, projects, and programs that affect the City
regarding the following topics:
Public Safety, Economic Development&Tourism,
Neighborhoods, Parks and Recreation, Infrastructure, Finance
and Budget, Communications, Customer Service, Ethics and
Integrity, City Council Proceedings, Boards & Commissions, City
Charter, Creek Issues, City Owned Property, Planning and Zoning,
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City Council Meeting Minutes-Final June 5,2015
Hotel/Motel Funds, Housing, Marketing, Private Property Issues,
Entertainment and Event Venues,The Firehouse Theatre, Code
Enforcement, Dog Park, District Concerns, Brookhaven College,
Solid Waste Collection, Recycling, and Farmers Market
Charter Review-Council Member Reyes asked if term limits could be set for
board/commission members. City Attorney Pete Smith reported if Council desired
this change, it could be done by ordinance rather than through the City Charter.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich asked if there were any alternatives so that an
election would not have to be held each year for City Council. After discussion,
direction was provided for the City Attorney to research alternatives and report back
to City Council.
Senior Housing-City Council discussed several locations throughout the City for
senior housing. City Council directed City Administration to include senior housing in
the Strategic Plan.
West Side Development-The City Manager provided a brief history of the West
Side. The City Council directed City Administration to hold a joint work session with
the Planning&Zoning Commission.
The City Council took a lunch break at 11:53 am and reconvened at 12:20 pm.
Code Enforcement-After a brief discussion,the City Council directed City
Administration to continue to be stringent in this area.
Marketing-Council Member Bomgardner reported we are seeking to reach the 25-45
year olds with families so they should be visually present in our marketing. Direction
provided by City Council is to update the photos used in our marketing with more
emphasis on families.
Trails-The City Manager stated the need for funding to pay for the project. The
general consensus of the City Council was to make trails a priority, and to make them
more visible on our website.
Farmers Branch Creek-The City Manager provided an update on Farmers Branch
Creek. Direction from City Council was for the City Manager to meet face to face
with representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ)
again.
Bella Lane-The City Manager provided an update on the project and reported this
would provide an ingress/egress from Brookhaven College,without having to come
out onto Marsh Lane. City Council directed City Administration to put the project on
hold for now.
Oakbrook Issues-Public Works Director Randy Walhood provided some history of
the development. Council Member Bomgardner reported he would meet with the
HOA again to explore options.
Wooded C r eek Neighborhood Wall -Managing Dir ecto r Charles Co x reported that a
program similar to what was used for the Las Companas project might be an option.
Camelot Landfill-Environmental Services&Solid Waste Manager Shane Davis
provided an update on the landfill.
Recycling-Costs and the use of bags versus carts was discussed. Direction by City
Council to start once a week recycling on March 1, 2016 with once a week trash pick
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City Council Meeting Minutes-Final June 5,2015
up, and to use carts for both. Recycling will be the topic for the upcoming Town Hall
Meeting to be held in July. City Council also directed staff to start a mulching
program.
Economic Development and Demo/Rebuild Program-Managing Director John Land
provided an update on commercial occupancy rates and the Demo/Rebuild Program.
Hotel/Motel Revenue and Projects-Council Member Bomgardner asked what is the
best use of these funds? He suggested purchasing a stage, having more events at
the Historical Park,creating a series of weekly events and using interns to staff them.
City Council also discussed having a bicycle event that tied into the trails system, and
if Hotel/Motel funds could be used toward construction of the trails. City
Administration voiced concern with using interns for City related events where money
is handled. Direction by City Council is to take out the Education Center and leave
the$80,000 available. The City Attorney will research the use of Hotel/Motel funds
for trails and bicycle events.
Mayor Phelps read the Agenda for Items C.1 and C.2.
B.2 Discuss and provide City Administration with direction regarding
current and proposed activities, plans, projects, and programs
that affect the City
C. CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into Closed Session at 4:21 pm.
C.1 Discuss pending and contemplated litigation -Texas Government
Code Section 551.071:
(1) Putative Class Action Red-Light Camera Litigation -James
H. Watson v. City of Allen, et al, Civil Action No. 4:15-cv-
00335-A; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas,
Fort Worth Division
(2) Stacy Wright v. City of Farmers Branch, Texas, Gary
Greer, John Land and Jim Olk; Cause No. DC-15-02269;
162nd District Court; Dallas County, Texas
(3) Lester Jon Ruston v. City of Farmers Branch, Texas, et al;
Cause No. 07-03314; 160th District Court, Dallas County,
Texas
(4) City of Farmers Branch v. The Gold Feather, Inc, et al;
Cause No. DC-11-14630; 298th Judicial District Court,
Dallas County, Texas
(5) Application for Amended Permit to Expand Camelot LF
(Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MSW
Permit Application No. 1312B)
(6) City of Carrollton v. Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality, Cause No. D-1-GN-14-004356, 53rd Judicial
District Court, Travis County). City of Carrollton Appeal of
TCEQ Approval for the Landfill Slurry Wall
(7) City of Carrollton v. Texas Commission on Environmental
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City Council Meeting Minutes -Final June 5, 2015
Quality, Cause No. D-1-GN-14-004460, 53rd Judicial
District Court, Travis County)
(8) City of Lewisville v. Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality, Cause No. D-1-GN-15-001892, 53rd Judicial
District Court, Travis County
(9) City of Lewisville v. City of Farmers Branch, No. 4:12-cv-
00782, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
Sherman Division
(10) Town of Addison Water Rights Permit
C.2 Discuss pending and contemplated litigation -Texas Government
Code Section 551.071 (1) and (2):
Consultation with City Attorney regarding possible claims and/or
civil litigation against former City Council Member Jeff Fuller and
related investigation
The City Council concluded Closed Session at 4:52 pm.
D. RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION AND TAKE ANY ACTION
NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSED SESSION
No action was taken as a result of Closed Session.
E. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:52 pm.
4a6"—
Bob Phelps, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Angela Kelly, City Secretary
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