2015-08-31 CC Minutes1
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FARMERS
BRANCH
Monday, August 31, 2015
City of Farmers Branch
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Farmers Branch City Hall
13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
Farmers Branch, Texas
75234
3:00 PM Council Chambers
Budget Work Session
Mayor Phelps opened the meeting at 3:01 p.m. in the Study Session Room.
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Bob Phelps
Present: 5 - Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Harold Froehlich,
Council Member Ana Reyes, Council Member John Norwood and Council
Member Mike Bomgardner
Staff: 14 - Gary D. Greer City Manager, Kevin Laughlin City Attomey, Charles Cox
Managing Director - Administration, John Land Managing Director -
Operations, Brian Beasley Human Resources Director, Allison Cook
Economic Development Manager, Sidney Fuller Police Chief, Andy Gillies
Director of Community Services, Alexis Jackson Senior Planner, Jeff
Harting Parks & Recreation Director, Mitzi Davis Special Projects
Manager, Mark Samuels Information Services Director, Randy Walhood
Public Works Director and John Roach Special Projects Manager
A. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Norwood gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
B.1 TMP -1365
Discuss the City Manager's balanced budget and organizational
funding requests related to the adoption of the Farmers Branch
2015 -2016 fiscal year budget.
If needed, the City Council will reconvene to continue discussion
relating to the Budget Work Session on Tuesday, September 1,
2015 at 3:00 pm.
Managing Director Charles Cox briefed Council regarding this item.
Mr. Cox reviewed the following key budget dates: September 1st - Public Hearing on
Tax Rate & Budget, September 15th - Tax Rate and Budget adoption, October 1st -
Budget Implementation. Mr. Cox reviewed the following (3) topics: Trail Funding;
Redevelopment Funding; and Stormwater Utility Projects.
Council Member Norwood asked if the proposed $1 million dollar amount was
sufficient to cover all costs. City Administration agreed the amount proposed is
enough to effectively execute. Council Member Norwood asked that City Council
review this item again at mid year to receive an update regarding taxes and revenue.
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City Council
Meeting Minutes August 31 2015
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Mr. Cox reviewed Economic Development and Redevelopment Funding. Deputy
Mayor Pro Tem Froelich asked for clarification regarding the $8,491,440 proposed
amount. Mr. Cox explained the amount was based on recent sales, appraisals and
market value of proper-ties sold, and is being provided as a sample to show the realm
of assets available. Mr. Cox noted the Storm Water Utility Advisory Committee met
and proposed the Stormwater Utility Fund Projects based on priority. Mayor Pro Tem
Froehlich asked Public Works Director Randy Walhood to brief Council regarding
regarding the Storm Water Utility Fund Projects. Mr. Walhood explained the
committee met and reviewed the studies which indicated Farmers Branch Creek was
main priority, based on the study results which indicated out of the (3) creeks
reviewed, Farmers Branch Creek is the only one that hadn't received any
improvements.
Mr. Cox presented a Farmers Market $75,000 Initiation Budget Plan. City Council
was pleased with the plan and urged City Administration to ensure the $75,000
budget will be enough to cover the entire project. Council. Member Norwood asked
staff to consider looking at the Master Plan to see if funding is available for a
Historical Board Master Plan, and if it could include a visitors center with a multi -use
type facility. Council Member Bomgardner asked that no buildings be constructed at
the Historical Park location, and suggested allowing citizen input in regards to
location.
Council Member Reyes asked about funding for an Education Center and discussed
personnel cost in regards to a salary increase for Sworn Police Officers and Fire
Department personnel. Mr. Cox noted a 2% increase with market adjustment is
proposed. Council Member Reyes asked if the Police and Fire Departments current
pay scale is within market range for the area. Human Resource Director Brian
Beasley answered Council's questions explaining the current compensation plan is
done every (5) years noting there are many different philosophies used to compare
pay ranges. Mr. Beasley explained the current pay for Swom Police Officers in the
metroplex is mid range and benefits are within the lower range. Mr. Beasley further
explained the goal is to be creative and attract and retain valuable employees. Police
Chief Sid Fuller briefed City Council explaining the Farmers Branch Police
Department Patrol Officer numbers are based on citizen service expectations. Chief
Fuller noted the current response time is within (4) minutes, beating many
communities. Council Member Norwood asked if compensation has been an issue
in obtaining new Police recruits. Chief Fuller explained compensation has been a
factor in the past for recruiting and maintaining personnel. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
Froehlich discussed prior years personnel costs, number of employees, cost of
insurance premiums, and urged City Administration to consider tax payer cost
savings.
After discussion and clarification of pay raise proposal for Sworn Police Officers, City
Council Member Reyes asked City Administration to bring forward a proposed pay
increase of an additional 2% for a total of 4% for all Sworn Police Officer to be
reviewed and considered at tomorrows continued Budget Work Session meeting.
Mayor Phelps noted the Budget Work Session meeting will be continued tomorrow,
September 1, 2015 at 3 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Norwood, Second by Mayor Pro Tem Connally to adjourn
the meeting.
Motion prevailed by unanimous vote.
The August 31, 2015 Budget Work Session meeting adjourned at 4:13 p.m.
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City Council
Meeting Minutes August 31, 2015
BUDGET WORK SESSION
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
(Continued from 8 -31 -15 meeting)
With all City Council Members present, Mayor Phelps called the Budget Work
Session Meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.
Managing Director Charles Cox provided Council with an amended budget proposal
to include a 4% pay increase for all Sworn Police Officers, per Council's request. Mr.
Cox proposed to reduce the Trail Funds budget in order to provide funding for the
pay increase. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich expressed concern with approving
compensation to a single department. Council Member Reyes explained the gesture
was to implement a more competitive salary in order to recruit Sworn Police Officers
and maintain staff. City Council discussed several options such as stipends and
retention pay along with moving salary positions to a higher target range instead of
the current mid range. City Manager Gary Greer assured Council that the city has a
good plan of action and noted compensation plans will be reviewed during the first
quarter.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich asked Mr. Cox to review current employee health
care costs and provide a detailed breakdown of the split funds paid by the city and
employee. Mr. Cox reviewed the breakdown and noted tax payor dollars have been
used effectively, explaining claims are what drive costs, which have decreased over
the years.
Mayor eJlps conpIi ded the Budget Work Session meeting at 3:50 p.m.
�b"--
Bob Phelps, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy Piukana, Interim y Secretary
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