Richardson City Council Meeting July 22nd, 2024
OPENING
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
Councilman Hutchenrider leads a prayer and the pledges of allegiance.
Mayor Dubey again recognizes two high school students shadowing Council.
The previous meetings’ minutes are approved unanimously.
Three written public comments are acknowledged by City Manager Don Magner. All three comments reference the proposed amendments to the city’s animal regulations, specifically the keeping of chickens. Six speakers are present. The first speaker asks for chicken regulations to allow more than six chickens for optimal egg production. The second, third, and fourth speakers ask for the same. These four speakers were genuine and respectful in their remarks.
The following speakers are neither genuine nor respectful so they will be ignored.
ANIMAL REGULATIONS UPDATE
The first discussion item for tonight is on proposed amendments to the city’s animal regulations ordinance. Animal Services Manager Noura Jammal presents. The first proposed revision is reducing the amount of time the animal shelter must hold a stray pet before making it adoptable. Noura says this update would increase the shelter’s live release rate. The second proposed revision is to the city’s animal registration process. Currently, the city offers animal registration for rabies-vaccinated pets for an annual fee. The proposed revision is to register a microchip instead of a physical tag for a one-time cost of $15.
The third revision is to the animal noise ordinance. The current ordinance requires complainants to make three complaints and file an affidavit before a citation can be issued. The proposed revision still requires three complaints but now would require a complainant to record the noise for at least 15 minutes, instead of filing an affidavit, before a citation can be issued.
The fourth revision is adding an ordinance for Inhumane Treatment of Animals. Richardson does not currently have any such ordinance. Inhumane Treatment would be considered a misdemeanor with a jail sentence of one year or less and/or a $4,000 fine. This ordinance would define an owner’s responsibility to provide food, water, adequate shelter, medical care, and proper grooming. Abandonment of an animal would also be considered Inhumane Treatment.
The fifth revision is adding an ordinance regulating the placement and baiting of animal traps. Traps would not be allowed to leave an animal exposed to extreme weather. Traps must also not harm or kill an animal. The sixth and seventh revisions codify existing policies into ordinances. These cover requirements for animal housing and claiming an impounded animal. The final proposed revision is creating an ordinance on the keeping of chickens. A maximum of six hens would be allowed. Roosters would be prohibited.
Noura states that these revisions were approved by the Animal Services Advisory Commission. Councilwoman Justice agrees with the proposed revisions. Councilman Corcoran is concerned about making it more difficult for owners to reclaim escaped pets. City Manager Don Magner offers to include wording that allows the Animal Services Manager’s discretion. Councilman Hutchenrider asks how many pets a person is allowed to have. Staff answers that residents may have up to four cats and four dogs before needing to meet the requirements to be considered a kennel. Councilman Hutchenrider points out that they are proposing to allow up to six hens. He wonders if there is an issue with allowing a total of eight dogs and cats but only six hens. City Manager Don Magner says they could increase the number of hens allowed to eight. Councilwoman Justice is more comfortable with the recommendation from the Animal Services Advisory Committee.
Councilman Barrios thinks the maximum number of chickens is too low, even if raised to eight. He is against limiting the number of hens a resident can keep. Councilwoman Justice says the city receives many complaints about chickens. She is open to discussing raising the limit but says a limit should be established. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul supports raising the limit of chickens. Councilman Dorian asks if the limit of animals is dependent upon square footage and if they could dictate where chickens are kept on a property. City Manager Don Magner replies that applying a limit associated with square footage is something he would not advise since they don’t do that for dogs or cats. He also states that dictating the placement of chicken coops would require a new permitting and inspection program. Councilman Barrios says he would be more comfortable supporting a 10 or 12-hen limit. He asks if they could implement a permitting process to allow hens beyond the limit like San Antonio does.
Councilwoman Justice supports an 8-hen limit but does not support a permitting process due to budget constraints. Councilman Corcoran supports an 8-hen limit but is also open to supporting a higher limit. Councilman Barrios asks when this policy will be reviewed again. Don says they could review the policy after one year. Councilman Barrios then asks how the policy will be enforced. Staff answers that they will give the chicken owner up to 10 days to be compliant but will be willing to work with residents on issues. Councilman Barrios supports a 10-hen limit. Councilman Hutchenrider wants to stick to an 8-hen limit to make it fair across the board. Mayor Dubey ends the discussion there and supports an 8-hen limit.
SHERRILL PARK GOLF COURSE RATE INCREASE
The next presentation is on the Course 2 renovations at Sherrill Park Golf Course. CFO Kent Pfeil presents. The cost of this renovation is $9M, funded through CO debt. Kent states that they are planning for a Nov. 1st opening date for Course 2. Golf Professional Ronny Glanton continues the presentation. He explains that the renovations involve improving drainage on the course. They are also upgrading a pumphouse to allow them to use more water to maintain the course.
Kent then presents the proposed new rate schedule for the golf course. The goal of these rate increases will be to make the fund self-supporting and build a reserve for capital needs. Golf cart rates are proposed to go up to $18 from $16. Course 1 green fees (walking) are proposed to go up to $36 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. At these new rates, Richardson would still have below-average fees compared to other public courses in the metroplex. Course 2 green fees are proposed to go up to $29 on weekdays and $37 on weekends. Driving range fees are proposed to be $6, $10, and $12 for small, medium, and large buckets of balls respectively.
Finally, Kent explains a proposed change to the resident discount program. Currently, the city uses a punch card system that allows residents to prepurchase discounted rounds. The proposed change is to do away with the punch cards and simply apply a resident discount at payment. Kent explains this would allow those who can’t pay $200 upfront for a card to still utilize the resident discount. Existing punch cards would still be honored for two years. The proposed resident discount would be 25% for residents and 35% for senior residents. These proposed changes are estimated to add approx. $450K of revenue. These rates would be adopted in September. Kent states they will also be reviewing golf rates annually from now on.
Councilman Barrios asks why Course 2 is cheaper than Course 1. Ronny explains that the rate correlates with the length of the course. Course 2 is shorter than Course 1 by roughly 600 yards. Councilman Corcoran clarifies that the “self-supporting” goal will only apply to the operational side, not the debt service side. Staff confirms this is the case. Council’s feedback is supportive of the recommendations.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – BLOCK 24 & CHILDREN ARE HEROES
Now, the first of two public hearings. The first is on ZF 24-13, a request to amend the planned development for Block 24 at 2000 E. Arapaho to allow 15 additional units. This request was also covered at the July 2nd CPC meeting. Staff presents a background of the request. Two people spoke in opposition at the CPC meeting and the city has received one piece of correspondence in opposition. Councilman Barrios asks if the new bicycle parking requirements will apply to this request. Staff SAYS the new bicycle parking standards would not apply to this request. The applicant steps forward to present their request. No speakers are present for this hearing. Council unanimously approves the request.
The second public hearing is on ZF 24-14, a special permit request for Children Are Heroes childcare center at 331 E. Polk St. This was also covered at the July 2nd CPC meeting. Staff provides a background. The applicant steps forward and presents. Councilman Barrios compliments the applicant’s plan to use geofenced check-in to make the pick-up/drop-off process more efficient. Councilman Corcoran clarifies that this is not affiliated with the neighboring mosque. Staff confirms that this is a separate entity. No speakers are present for this hearing. Council unanimously approves the request.
SIGN VARIANCE – CLAY COOLEY VW
The next item is consideration of the Sign Control Board’s (SCB) minutes regarding SCB Case 24-01. This case was heard by the SCB on August 9th, 2023. The request is to allow a 39 ½ ft. pole sign for Clay Cooley VW at 300 N. Central Expy. Council can accept the minutes, which approves the request, or schedule a public hearing for Council to hear the request. This item is not a public hearing tonight. The SCB recommended approval 3-0 at the August 9th meeting.
Councilman Hutchenrider asks if the sign variance will be associated with the property or the applicant. Staff clarifies that the variance applies to the property. Councilman Hutchenrider asks if they could apply it just to the applicant. City Manager Don Magner says he can’t recall ever when a sign variance has not been attached to the property. Councilman Hutchenrider is concerned about allowing the sign indefinitely. He wants it applied just to the applicant so it’s not there forever. Don clarifies that a rezoning would allow the city to change the sign regulations on the property. Councilman Barrios expresses concern about the sign overshadowing existing retail signs. Don clarifies that they don’t send area notices for these sign cases. Mayor Dubey supports approving the request, but the rest of Council wants to call the case for a hearing.
Councilwoman Justice moves to call the case for a hearing, seconded by Councilman Barrios. Councilman Hutchenrider asks if they could send notice to be sent to area property owners as part of the hearing notice. Don cautions that this would set a precedent. Councilman Barrios suggests asking the applicant to reach out to neighboring property owners. This is agreed to. Council votes 6-1 to call the case up for a hearing. Mayor Dubey is the lone opposition vote.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
The consent agenda is approved unanimously. It includes three ordinances codifying the approvals of ZF 24-08, ZF 24-11, and ZF 24-12. It also includes two bid awards. North Texas Contracting is awarded the Lawnmeadow drainage project for $3.9M. Siddons Martin gets the $100K annual requirements contract for breathing apparatus equipment for the fire department.
Council recognizes the life and passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and the completion of storm recovery efforts. Then, Council convenes into executive session to deliberate on economic development negotiations and discuss the lease of city property. Council reconvenes after to authorize the city manager to negotiate a license agreement for a teaching/fitting facility at Sherrill Park Golf Course 6-1 with Councilman Barrios being the lone opposition vote. Meeting adjourned.