2015-10-27 CC Minutes1
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FARMERS
BRANCH
City of Farmers Branch
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 8:00 AM
City Council Retreat
Presiding: 1 - Mayor Bob Phelps
Present:
Staff:
Farmers Branch City Hall
13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy
Farmers Branch, Texas
75234
Recreation Center
14050 Heartside Place
Farmers Branch, TX
5 - Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Harold
Froehlich, Council Member Ana Reyes, Council Member John
Norwood, Council Member Mike Bomgardner
18 - Gary D. Greer City Manager, Amy Piukana City Secretary, LaJeana
Thomas Executive Assistant; Rachael Johnson Assistant to City
Manager; Shawna Eikenberry Management Analyst; Charles Cox
Managing Director Administration, John Land Managing Director
Operations, Pete Smith City Attorney, Brian Beasley Human
Resource Director, Allison Cook, Economic Development Manager,
Environmental Services.& Solid Waste Manager Shane Davis; Andy
Gillies Director of Community Services, Jeff Harting Parks &
Recreation Director, Steve Parker Fire Chief, Randy Walhood Public
Works Director, Alexis Jackson Planning Manager; Mark Young
Assistant Police Chief; Kevin Muenchow Fleet & Facilities Director
A. CONVENE OPENSESSION
Mayor Phelps opened the meeting at 8 a.m.
B. REGULAR AGENDAITEMS
B.1 15 -124 Welcome and retreat overview
B.2 15 -159 Discuss Residential. Solid Waste and Recycling request for
proposals.
Environmental Services & Solid Waste Manager Shane Davis reviewed request for
proposals regarding Solid Waste and Recycling, recent timelines, overview of costs,
services provided and operational scenarios. Mr. Davis provided a proposal pricing
list with the following list of options to choose from: Option 1. (1) per week garbage
and recycling in large rollout carts; Option 2. (1) per week garbage in bags and (1)
per week recycling in large rollout carts; Option 3. (2) per week garbage in bags and
(1) per week recycling in large rollout cart; Option 4. (2) per week garbage in bags
and (1) per week recycling in blue plastic bags; Option 5. (2) per week garbage in
bags and drop off recycling (current service)
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Council discussed and reviewed trash pickup options, noting potential issues with
on street parking. Council Member Bomgardner asked that on street parking be
reviewed and discussed the possibility of having parking on one side of the street to
allow safer trash pickup on narrow streets. Council Member Reyes noted parking
will be discussed at the November 17, 2015 City Council meeting. Council Member
Norwood stated based on the options proposed, Option 1 would be the best. Council
Member Bomgardner asked about using smaller containers for recycling. Mr. Davis
explained that the companies prefer standardized cart size but would inquire further.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich asked about the public education process. Mr.
Davis explained the process will be to start early and ideally will have multiple
communications with residents prior to starting any new service. Council Member
Bomgardner asked staff to start public education with local schools. Mayor Pro Tem
Connally asked that the request for proposal quote include public education. Mr.
Davis affirmed. Council Member Bomgardner also asked about residents resistant
to using carts and how that would be handled operationally. Mr. Davis stated he
would discuss the issue further with potential vendors.
B.3 15 -132 Discuss Light Industrial Code requirements regarding Special
Use Permits (SUP) for Schools
B.4 15 -125
Community Development Director Andy Gillies provided a revised map showing
Educational Facilities. Mr. Gillies noted that schools in predominantly commercial
areas can cause serious land use conflict. Council Member Norwood discussed the
zoning with Westwood and the option to rezone into a lighter use. Council discussed
the possibility of having SUP for all proposed schools in the Light Industrial Zoning
Districts.
Mr. Gillies explained if rezoning is the goal, he suggests working with the existing
property owners to find the best use zoning for the area.
After discussion, Council agreed to consider an ordinance that would require a SUP
for schools which would allow the city the opportunity to review potential new school
sites.
Mayor Phelps announced the Joint Planning and Zoning /City Council meeting has
been rescheduled for Monday November 9, 2015 at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Star
Center.
Discuss possible debt issuance for, but not limited, to: Justice
Center Improvements; Animal Shelter expansion; Fire Station No.
2 relocation; Historical Park Visitor Center; and purchase of
distressed properties.
Managing Director Charles Cox briefed City Council regarding this item. Deputy
Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich discussed the need to accumulate funds in order to
purchase distressed properties. Mr. Cox reviewed Certificate of Obligations and
General Obligations (GO), noting the GO's require voter approval. City Manager
Gary Greer explained the process. Mr. Greer stated that the city cannot promote
bond issues, only provide information.
Council Member Bomgardner recommends a citizens group be formed. Council
Member Norwood asked staff to prioritize and show cost with a 3 year plan for the
Justice Center.
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After discussion, Council advised staff to provide a process to create a citizen
committee. Council recommended a study be conducted to review the needs and
location for a possible visitor's center which would include an analysis of operational
costs. Council Member Reyes asked staff to prioritize and bring forward Justice
Center improvement costs to review at the Nov. 17, 2015 City Council meeting.
City Council Recessed at 10:10 am
Mayor Phelps reconvened the meeting at 10:27 a.m.
B.5 15 -119 Discuss the City wide Trail Master Plan implementation
Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting asked for City Council to provide direction
and prioritize the City wide Trail Master Plan. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Froehlich
stated he supports road diets. Mr. Harting explained a traffic study is necessary.
Fire Chief Steve Parker spoke explaining road diets would impact the community
drastically and suggested a temporary block and run a study. It's difficult currently
to move east and west. Chief Parker says this is a commuter city. He further stated
more people and development means more cars, cautioning City Council and
recommends a temporary lane block in order to re- evaluate. Assistant Police Chief
Mark Young spoke explaining road diets would be a major impact to the Police
Department. Assistant Chief Young recommended City Council consider safety first
and noted additional staffing may be necessary to enforce and monitor the area.
Public Works Director Randy Walhood spoke in concern, stating the day time
population triples, noting closing traffic lanes, in his opinion, would only compound
problems.
B.6 15 -143 Discuss releasing Hotel Motel funds to provide payment for a
study analysis of a possible Visitor Center.
Council Member Norwood recommended the release of funds to do a study for a
potential expanded use building at the west side location. He further explained that
various uses would be considered for a visitor's center, noting from an Economic
Development Committee perspective, this includes the possible locations at Grove
and Freedom Parks (Liberty Plaza). Council Member Bomgardner recommended a
full study on operational cost be conducted which would include staffing and
revenues. (Gary noted this building will not pay for itself.)
B.7 15 -120 Discuss the West Side Development Plan
City Council decided to discuss this item at the November 9, 2015 Joint Planning &
Zoning /City Council Meeting.
B.8 15 -136 Discuss Charter Amendment process
City Attorney Pete Smith was present to answer any questions. Council discussed
staggered 4 year term options for Council Members to allow staggering City Council
elections and Charter requirements providing for the appointment of the City
Attorney.
Mr. Smith explained that a charter amendment proposition would be necessary and
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stated he would provide a contract amendment and proposition for City Council to
review.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem asked the City Attorney to bring forward a proposal for City
Council review.
B.9 15 -121 Discuss Oakbrook Homeowner's Association Infrastructure
Public Works Director Randy Walhood reviewed the current infrastructure issues at
Oakbrook. City Council discussed the possibility of a partnership utilizing a public
improvement district and reviewed a similar agreement with the La Companas
project.
After discussion, City Council advised staff to meet with the HOA to obtain
information and review costs.
Mayor Phelps recessed for a lunch break at 11:43 a.m.
Mayor Phelps reconvened into Study Session at 12:32 p.m.
B.10 15 -129 Discuss Economic Development and Neighborhood redevelopment
opportunities and Business Retention
Economic Development Manager Allison Cook provided a PowerPoint presentation
reviewing Economic Development projects, a list of new and existing businesses.
Ms. Cook reviewed the Business Retention and Expansion program she serves on
with the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Cook reviewed Demolition /Rebuild stats and provided a list of top economic
development questions.
Council Member Norwood asked if the city keeps stats regarding businesses that
have moved. Ms. Cook explained staff has.a major employer list, and noted staff
meets with these companies routinely in order to retain these major employers.
Council discussed tax base and types of businesses EDC attracts. Council
discussed the quality and types of materials used for new development and
discussed current issues with some older apartment dwellings. Mr. Gillies explained
staff's goal is for developer's to use more brick with stone and require more
amenities within the units. Mr. Gillies advised he would have a representative attend
a study session to discuss upcoming developments including apartments and
residential type uses.
C. EXECUTIVE SESSION
C.1 15 -113 Convene into Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters - Pursuant to
Texas Government Code Section 551.074: City Manager's annual evaluation
City Council convened into Executive Session at 1:27 p.m.
D. RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION AND TAKE ANY ACTION NECESSARY AS A
RESULT OF THE CLOSED SESSION
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Council reconvened into Open Session at 4:40 p.m.
There was no action taken as a result of Executive Session.
E. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Bob Phelps, Mayor
ATTEST:
Amy M. Piukan City Secretary
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