Richardson City Council Meeting January 22nd, 2024
OPENING
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
Councilman Corcoran leads a prayer and the pledges.
Minutes of the previous meeting are approved unanimously.
One written comment, submitted a week prior when no meeting was scheduled, is acknowledged by City Manager Don Magner regarding a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. Four public speakers are present to speak on the same topic. The first speaker asks for Council to adopt a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. He proudly displays his Lamar Medal awarded to him by the Richardson Masonic Lodge when he attended Berkner High School. This medal is awarded to students in recognition of outstanding personal achievement. He explains that war is destroying schools in Gaza and asks the city to consider how they would feel if this were to happen in Richardson. He also asks to meet with city staff to engage in a civic dialogue about the needs of the grieving community. The second speaker also calls for a ceasefire resolution to be passed on the War in Gaza. The third speaker compliments Richardson’s support for its diverse community. He also calls for a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. The fourth and final speaker also calls for a ceasefire resolution.
SERIES 2024 DEBT
The first presentation is on Series 2024 Debt Issuance. Finance Director Anita Cothran presents. There are unfortunately no slides for this presentation. This year, the city plans to issue $88.5M in additional debt obligations. $67.5M of that will be General Obligation Bonds (voter-approved). That includes $47M for streets, $16M for public buildings, $2M for sidewalks, $1M for drainage, and $700K for parks. $21M in Certificates of Obligation (voter approval not needed) will also be issued. These include $3M for the library renovation, $1.6M for fire equipment, $1.6M for solid waste equipment, and $15M for water & sewer. Anita mentions that the city still has $90M of additional authorized but unissued debt. The planned $88.5M will be issued in April after the city receives its annual credit rating. (JN: Though the presentation was friendly and efficient, I would’ve appreciated slides. I would also appreciate a comparison of year-over-year debt issuance, the results of last year’s debt sale including interest/coupon rates, and a discussion on future trends for debt issuance. Are we setting ourselves up for success? If citizens have all these numbers, we can make that determination ourselves.)
65+/DISABLED PERSONS PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION INCREASE
Next is the annual review of the 65+ and Disabled Persons Property tax Exemption. Asst. Finance Director Todd Gastorf presents. Richardson’s goal is for this exemption to equal 30% of the average qualifying person’s home value. Last year’s amounted to 29.75%. One-third of all residential property accounts receive this exemption. Based on the last property tax rolls, the average qualifying person’s home value is $437K. Estimating the coming year’s growth in property values, the recommendation is to raise the exemption amount from $130K to $145K. Estimates project this will equal 31.6%. A $138K exemption would equal 30% according to the city’s estimates. The difference between a $138K and $145K exemption costs the city roughly $350K in taxes but nets about $40 of savings for each qualifying taxpayer. All councilmembers support the recommendation. Councilman Barrios asks how residents can apply for the exemption. CFO Kent Pfeil answers that residents need to apply online through their county appraisal district. Residents can contact the city for guidance. Council will vote on this in February.
LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN
Next, Library Director Jenny Davidson presents an update to the Library Strategic Plan. The last plan resulted in increased service hours, curbside delivery, the elimination of late fees, and additional Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout. Focus groups were conducted to gather community feedback on this strategic plan update. Based on this feedback, the most desired additions are a drive-thru book drop, larger children and teens areas, after-hours pickup (Amazon locker style), and better classroom and maker space areas. This plan’s focus will be on reaching the entire community. To achieve this, the library has purchased an outreach van and plans to use this to reach underserved areas of Richardson. Responsive to feedback, the library is also planning to install a drive-thru book drop. Council expresses their thanks and support for the plan.
MOBILE FOOD VENDOR & POOLS UPDATE
Environmental Health Manager Danea Newman then presents an update to the Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance. With the passage of HB 2878, mobile food vendors in Dallas County must secure a permit from Dallas County HHS (Health & Human Services). These vendors are no longer required to secure a permit from the City of Richardson. Vendors in Collin County still need to get a permit from the city. Therefore, the city ordinance needs to be updated to reflect state law. City Manager Don Magner explains that Richardson will still conduct inspections to ensure health and safety standards are met, but Dallas County will receive the revenue from the permit fees. Councilman Hutchenrider suggests adding this issue to next year’s legislative agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul suggests asking Dallas County to reimburse the city since Richardson will still be conducting the inspections. Council will vote on this ordinance change in February.
The final discussion item is an update on pool regulations. Environmental Health Manager Danea Newman again presents. Danea explains that Richardson’s Pool Ordinance is lacking updated safety and sanitation standards from the Texas Dept. of State Health Services. The current proposal is to replace the city’s ordinance with the updated State Pool Code (Title 25, Chapter 265, Subchapters L, M, K). This would go into effect May 1st. Council will vote on this in February.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
The consent agenda is approved unanimously. It includes an ordinance codifying the approval of ZF 23-14 and a resolution approving an Advanced Funding Agreement with TxDOT for traffic signal replacement at the Jupiter/Renner and Campbell/Plano intersections. The city’s cost will be $183K for this agreement. Also included are three bid awards: a $380K annual requirements contract with Onstage Systems and Mesmeric Entertainment for sound, stage, and production services, $280K to M-Co Construction for Floyd Rd water system improvements, and $686K to Candor Builder, LLC for Wake Dr. and Baylor Dr. Alley and Sewer improvements. The final consent agenda item is an additional $62K annual requirements contract with Onstage Systems for the Wildflower Festival VIP area.
Council discusses a Business Committee Meeting, The It’s Time Texas Community Challenge, a U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce meeting, a recent Eisemann Center performance, a Parks Commission meeting, and Zumba classes at the Rec Center, and the meeting adjourns.