Richardson City Council Meeting February 26th, 2024
OPENING
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul leads a prayer and the pledges.
A proclamation is then read by the mayor. The agenda states that this proclamation is for Marwan Marouf and the Muslim Community. I cannot find the proclamation in writing anywhere in the agenda documents. The microphone has a hard time picking up the words that Mayor Dubey reads. As best I can tell, the proclamation reads,
“Whereas, In the face of unprecedented challenges brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the resilient and compassionate spirit of the Muslim Community in Richardson and across North Texas shone brightly,
And Whereas, Under the inspirational leadership of Marwan Marouf, the Public Relations Director of the Muslim-American Society Islamic Center in Richardson, and with the collaboration of more than twenty local relief organizations and Islamic institutions including (unintelligible),
And Whereas, the Muslim Community, in a demonstration of solidarity and goodwill, initiated a remarkable effort to provide support and nourishment to those on the front line of the battle against the pandemic,
And Whereas, this commemorable initiative included the delivery of over 100,000 hot meals to dedicated frontline workers and institutions such as the Richardson Methodist Hospital, Richardson Police Department, Richardson Wastewater Management team, Richardson Independent School District, and more than ten hospitals in North Texas,
And Whereas, the benevolent efforts extended beyond institutional boundaries to touch the lives of City of Richardson employees and staff across all departments and facilities, ensuring their well-being during these challenging times,
And Whereas, this selfless commitment to community well-being also embraced recent refugees, the homeless population in Dallas and Fort Worth, and extended further to those in need beyond city borders,
Now Therefore, I, Bob Dubey, Mayor of the City of Richardson, TX, do hereby proclaim our heartfelt appreciation to Marwan Marouf and the Muslim Community in the City of Richardson and express our sincere gratitude to all those involved in this noble endeavor for their unwavering dedication and service to the community during these challenging times. Given under my Hand and Seal of Office, this 19th day of February, 2024”
Minutes of past meetings, including a meeting discussing applicants for the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Community Inclusion & Engagement Committee, are approved unanimously.
Two written public comments are acknowledged. The first recognizes the passing of former Republican Texas State Representative Jim Jackson. The second asks for support for a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. One written comment was also submitted for the public hearing later in the meeting. Two speakers are present. The first speaker asks for a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. The second speaker also asks for a ceasefire resolution.
PUBLIC HEARING – Building Materials Storage
The first discussion item is a public hearing on ZF 23-16, a special development plan request for outdoor storage at a wholesale establishment at 512 N. Ctrl Expy. This was also covered in notes from the Feb. 6th CPC meeting. Staff provides background on the request. One letter in opposition has been received for this request. Councilman Barrios asks about fencing. The applicant answers that the fence and landscaping will visually screen the outdoor storage area. No public speakers are present. Councilman Barrios acknowledges a resident who wrote in opposition to the request. The resident’s concerns regard her own property’s value and deviating from the planned development. Councilman Barrios says he will oppose the request because of this correspondence. Councilwoman Justice does not think this deviates from the planned development. Mayor Dubey states that this will improve the conditions of the site. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul expresses his support for the request. So do Councilman Dorian and Councilman Hutchenrider. Councilman Corcoran cites the original plan for the area and expresses his opposition to the request. Councilman Barrios asks Council not to stray from the plan and to deny the request. Council approves the request 5-2 with Councilman Barrios and Councilman Corcoran opposing.
FIRST QUARTER FINANCE REPORT
Next, Budget Officer Bob Clymire presents the financial report for the first quarter of FY 23/24. General Fund revenues and expenditures are performing as expected. Bob does note that sales tax revenue is tracking about $550K less than anticipated. Interest earnings continue to exceed projections. Water & Sewer Fund revenues are slightly higher than projected due to increased water use. Expenditures in this category are slightly less than projected due to vacancies. Solid Waste Fund revenues and expenditures are performing as expected. Golf Fund revenues are higher than expected due to higher-than-anticipated usage. Expenditures have been in line with estimates. Hotel/Motel Tax Fund revenues and expenditures are as expected with occupancy tax revenue being slightly above projections. Councilman Corcoran asks if other cities are experiencing sales tax shortfalls. Bob answers that they have not yet met with other cities to compare. He explains that these types of shortfalls are usually temporary and end up meeting projections by year’s end. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul asks how inflation might impact the future performance of the budget. Bob answers that they are seeing some costs level out while other areas are still experiencing high costs due to supply chain issues and high demand. He states that these trends will impact the formation of the next budget.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT
Next is the annual report from the Richardson Fire Department. Fire Chief Curtis Poovey presents. Chief Poovey reports that staffing levels are full. 37% of the staff have been with the department for five years or less. Recruitment efforts have been successful. Nearly 600 applications were received in 2023. 18 recruits were hired. Accomplishments for the year include replacing an ambulance, adding an ambulance, mental health evaluations for all personnel, maintaining the ‘Heart Safe Community’ designation, training 17 new firefighters and hiring 18 recruits, and having 28 graduates complete the Citizens Fire Academy. Last year, the department received 700 fewer fire calls than in 2022. The department filed three arson charges last year. Chief Poovey also reports that the Center for Public Safety Management is finalizing the Fire Service Master Plan. This plan will be presented to Council later this Summer. Lithium batteries and electric vehicle fires are the latest challenge.
Councilman Barrios asks if the department experiences any recruitment issues or shortages. Chief Poovey answers that they do not. There are more applicants than positions. Councilman Barrios asks for more information about dealing with lithium battery fires. Chief Poovey answers that these types of fires must be allowed to burn out. Once lithium batteries begin burning, submerging them in water won’t even extinguish them. Parking garages are especially sites of concern. Fire codes have not yet caught up to all of the new lithium battery applications. Chief Poovey expects best practices to be announced later this year. Council thanks Chief Poovey for his 30+ years of service.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
The consent agenda is unanimously approved. It includes a pair of ordinances codifying the approvals of ZF 23-15 and ZF 23-17. Three resolutions are included. The first adopts the new Council Rules of Order and Procedure presented on Feb. 12th. The second is a Master Funding Agreement with the state and Dallas County for trail improvements. This project will cost approx. $10M between all parties, roughly $500K of which will be funded by the city. The third is a Notice of Intent to Issue Series 2024 Debt. Council will meet on April 22nd to discuss and approve $21M in Certificates of Obligation for the library, solid waste department, fire department, water and sewer, and professional services. Seven bids are also awarded: $6.2M to Muniz Construction for West Shore Dr. and Newberry Dr. road construction, a $100K annual requirements contract to Bruce Miller Nursery for landscaping needs, a $40K annual requirements contract to Quality Traffic Data for traffic data collection, annual requirements contracts totaling $240K to Michelin North America, Southern Tire Mart, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber for tires and related equipment, a four-year lease on 90 golf carts for Sherrill Park for $490K total ($11K/mo), a $1.1M annual requirements contract to ABM Industry Groups for custodial services, and $330K to Entech Sales and Service for a new fire alarm system at the Eisemann Center. The final consent agenda item is an increase of $680K to an existing contract with Archer Western Construction for waterline realignment.
Council discusses an HOA President’s meeting, Canyon Creek Coffee with the Council, a visit to the state prison, a visit to a recycling center, and a law enforcement recruitment symposium. Then, Mayor Dubey calls for a motion to close the meeting. (Which, to my knowledge, has never been done.) He gets a motion from Councilman Hutchenrider and a second from Councilman Corcoran. He even gets a full vote on simply adjourning the meeting. He mentions that Council will go into executive session, but he doesn’t state why or read any of the usually required language. This was very strange. After Council votes to close the meeting, (that was the language used) they reconvene a few minutes later. Mayor Dubey then reads the required language for the executive session. He states Council will convene into executive session to deliberate regarding security devices/audits and be briefed by Chief Tittle regarding building security protocols. The footage ends after Mayor Dubey announces the time and says, “Thank you.”