Richardson City Council Meeting July 15th, 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 of allegiance.
Mayor Dubey speaks about the presidential assassination attempt.
Minutes of the previous meeting are approved unanimously.
One written public comment is acknowledged opposing short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods.
Six speakers are present. The first speaker, president of the UTD-based Comets for Better Transit organization, speaks in support of the city’s robust partnership with DART. The second speaker compliments DART’s receptiveness to feedback and willingness to make changes. The third speaker, secretary of Comets for Better Transit, also compliments the city’s partnership with DART. The fourth speaker compliments DART’s system improvements. The fifth speaker supports funding DART.
It takes a couple of minutes to get Mayor Dubey’s mic to turn back on. Then, one more speaker is called. This sixth speaker, author of the written comment acknowledged earlier, speaks on issues she has experienced with a short-term rental property next door.
Mayor Dubey’s mic still won’t turn back on, so they take another few minutes to fix the issue. Then, Parks & Recreation Director Yvonne Falgout presents on National Parks & Recreation Month. She highlights the departmental staff. This year’s theme for the month is Where You Belong. A customer appreciation event will be held on July 26th at the Huffhines Tennis Center. A staff lunch was provided, and the leadership team will visit sites to thank staff in person.
DART & OTHER TRANSIT STUDIES
Next is a discussion on regional transit studies. Transportation & Mobility Director Mark Nelson presents. City Manager Don Magner explains that this presentation will cover three DART studies. He advises that waiting for the completion of these studies and analyzing the findings is wise before making any funding decisions regarding DART. Two of these studies were requested by DART member cities. One is an internal DART study. (So, this also serves as a message and example to other member cities that might be considering pre-mature defunding decisions in favor of theme-park style gondolas.)
A regional transit plan was requested to be formed by the North Central Texas Council of Government (NCTCOG) nonprofit’s Regional Transportation Council (RTC) in 2023. This study is referred to as Transit 2.0. This study is expected to be completed next spring. A legislative agenda will be presented to the RTC in November.
DART has also updated its strategic plan. They presented a draft of this plan in June. This is a ten-year plan to improve service and efficiency. DART is also employing Ernst & Young to conduct a cost allocation study. A preliminary report will be presented to DART in August.
Councilman Corcoran shares his opinion that cities who are choosing to defund DART are making a shortsighted decision. He reminds anyone listening that we will get the DART system that we fund. Councilwoman Justice agrees. She says it is ridiculous to suggest cutting funding in the midst of this massive population boom. Councilman Hutchenrider also agrees. He reminds those listening of the benefit that the Silver Line will bring to those traveling to the airport. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul echoes the support for giving DART time to respond to the issues expressed. He calls any resolutions to cut DART funding irresponsible. Councilman Barrios acknowledges that DART has been responsive to feedback. Councilman Dorian also agrees with supporting DART. He reminds those listening that a comprehensive public transit system will be much better for the environment.
Richardson’s appointee to the DART board, Chair Gary Slagel, offers his thanks to Council for their support of DART. He agrees that the findings from these studies will provide direction and give DART a chance to make beneficial changes. He acknowledges that DART is trying to expand its system and reducing revenue at this time will negatively impact DART’s future. He says that expanding the member cities should be the focus. He also describes an additional opportunity to partner with the traffic signal optimization project at UTD to create better traffic flows and more on-time bus routes. Mayor Dubey adds that Richardson will continue to support DART until they give us a reason not to.
PUBLIC ART – LIBRARY & MUNICIPAL CAMPUS
The next presentation is on the public art selection for the library and municipal campus. Meredith McKinley of Via Partnership presents. For the library, the budget for the two locations designated for public art is $505K. For the interior library art selection, 101 artists submitted for the opportunity. The recommended finalist by the Cultural Arts Commission is Mike Szivos of SOFTlab. This studio is based out of New York. The submitted concept is entitled Lighter Than Air. It will feature 6’ X 6’ floating thought bubble clusters in different colors. (As always, please go look at the design on page 26 of the handouts and share your feedback. If you don’t love it, apply for the Cultural Arts Commission!) There are also plans to provide craft supplies to library visitors to put together their own paper bubbles. (I think my personal favorite is the submission by Brad Oldham, Catalogers, on page 35 of the handouts.)
For the exterior library art selection, 102 artists provided submissions. The recommended finalist for this project is Brad Oldham. His studio is based out of Dallas. The proposed concept is entitled Enchanted Silicon Prairie. It will feature stainless steel sculptures of Texas wildflowers. (I hope the city also plans to plant these wildflowers and feature the real thing throughout the campus.) The four featured wildflowers will be Bluebonnets, Prairie Fire, Fire Wheel, and Drummond Phlox flowers.
Meredith also provides an update on the city hall and civic plaza art selection process. The total budget for this project is $1M. Finalist recommendations for this project will be presented to Council next June.
Councilwoman Justice compliments both the Mike Szivos and Brad Oldham submissions for the interior library art. She also compliments the Brad Oldham submission for the exterior library art. She wishes there were room in the budget for both Lighter Than Air and Catalogers. Councilman Dorian supports the recommendations. Councilman Hutchenrider wonders if the inclusion of the Fire Wheel flower in the exterior art project would be too similar to Garland’s use of the flower in their imagery. Councilman Corcoran agrees with the suggestion to ensure the Fire Wheel flower doesn’t copy Garland’s logo. He also supports the recommendations. Councilman Barrios and Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul also support the recommendations. City Manager Don Magner states that they will ensure it looks unique to Richardson.
FY25 PARKS MAINTENANCE (BUDGET PREP)
Now, the first of the last two budget prep presentations of the season. The first is on the Parks Maintenance plan for the next fiscal year. Asst. Parks & Recreation Director Shohn Rodgers presents. Shohn provides an overview of the staff and responsibilities within the department. The city currently has 39 parks. These parks are assessed annually by parks staff to assess safety, utility, and appearance. In this year’s assessments, playgrounds and lighting are the categories with the highest percentage of 5/5 ratings. Irrigation, tennis courts, and median landscapes are the categories with nearly no 5/5 ratings. 10 out of the 12 asset categories received at least 70% 4/5 or higher ratings. Median landscapes only had 40% of assets rated at least 4/5. The requested budget for FY25 is the same as for FY24. Shohn then provides updates on specific projects. (These begin on slide 68 of the handouts.) Median enhancements will be a focus for next year’s budget.
Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul suggests planning for additional tree canopy to cover paved surfaces. Council compliments the department’s work. Councilman Barrios asks about using more solar-powered lights. Shohn responds that they are studying the available technology and analyzing the longevity and cost of solar lighting at parks.
FY25 FACILITIES SERVICE MAINTENANCE (BUDGET PREP)
The final budget prep presentation is on the FY25 Facilities Services Maintenance plan. Facilities & Fleet Director Wayne Corum presents. This department was created during the budget-forming process last fiscal year. This appears to be Wayne’s first presentation to Council. Wayne explains that the department has struggled to recruit staff and outsourced labor costs have risen. The requested FY25 Custodial Services budget is a 2% increase over the current fiscal year. The requested Facilities Maintenance budget is a 1% increase over the current year. Eight major projects were completed with the current budget including the Generator Master Plan. Nine projects are planned with the requested FY25 budget including the implementation of the Generator Master Plan. The Facilities Maintenance Fund is a transfer-in from the General Fund. The proposed FY25 transfer-in is the same as for FY24, $600K. Eight projects are already being programmed for FY26.
PUBLIC HEARING – WATERVIEW STUDENT APARTMENTS
The final discussion item on tonight’s agenda is a continuation of the public hearing on ZF 24-08. This was scheduled for a Council hearing on June 17th but was continued until today because a key member of the applicant’s team was ill. This was also discussed at the May 21st CPC meeting where it was recommended for approval 6-1. As a reminder, this is a request to amend the current planned development for a 13-acre development between Waterview Pkwy and PGBT, east of Frankford. This request replaces a market-rate apartment building with a purpose-built student apartment building. This reduces the number of units by 162 and increases the number of beds by 84. Live/work units will remain, but the retail/co-working area will be reduced by roughly 5,500 sq. ft. The phasing plan is also modified.
The previous phasing required building permits for the market-rate apartment building *and* both retail buildings *and* commencement of vertical construction on the parking garage *and* first-floor framing complete for the market-rate apartment building *and* infrastructure and sidewalks before a certificate of occupancy issuance for the already designated student apartments.
This request requires the same infrastructure and sidewalks *and* building permits and weather-tight buildings for either the retail buildings *or* the hotel before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the second student apartment building.
Staff presents a background of the request. One letter in support has been received. Five spoke in support of the request at the CPC meeting. Additional stipulations that the developer contribute 25% of the cost of an additional traffic signal and install sidewalks and safety signage/beacons have been added since the CPC meeting.
Councilman Barrios asks why a shuttle service is required. Staff explains that this shuttle would reduce the number of traffic trips. Not requiring it would affect the conclusions in the traffic impact analysis. Councilman Barrios also asks about lowering the parking minimums. Staff answers that Council could recommend a lower ratio. Councilman Hutchenrider asks about the requirements of the shuttle service. Staff replies that the shuttle will be required to provide transportation to UTD while school is in session. City Manager Don Magner states that, while the Council could dictate how the shuttle operates, requiring the shuttle and leaving it to staff to regulate allows the most freedom since enrollment levels change.
The applicant steps forward to present their plans and answer questions. The applicant explains that it’s currently difficult to finance market-rate apartments. Since student housing is more easily financed, they are requesting this amendment to allow another student apartment building. This request also allows one developer for the entire development, making the project financeable.
Mayor Dubey expresses concern about affordability for students. He is concerned they would be difficult to market as anything else if students don’t end up occupying them. The applicant claims that rent will be comparable to existing developments. They also acknowledge that this request is a reaction to the current market. Mayor Dubey accepts this answer. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul asks if electric lines will be underground. The applicant answers yes. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul also asks how soon this could be developed. The applicant answers that 2027 would be the absolute earliest. Councilman Hutchenrider reminds the applicant to talk about the shuttle service. The applicant states they will collect data on when residents’ classes are and adjust the shuttle to those peak times.
Seven speakers are present. The first speaker, President of UTD-based Comets for Better Transit, speaks in support of the request. The second speaker supports the request. The third speaker also supports the request. He supports the benefit that the development will have to the DART system. The fourth speaker supports the request. He suggests reducing parking minimums. The fifth speaker supports the request. The sixth speaker also supports the request. He highlights the mobility of the development and its proximity to transit. The seventh speaker also supports the request.
Councilman Dorian asks about reducing parking minimums and adding more retail space. The applicant states that there are retail minimums in the ordinance but they can build more if the market is there. The applicant is in support of lower parking minimums. The proposed parking ratio is .8 spaces per bed. The parking provided is in excess of minimums. The developer states they will build the parking that makes the development financeable. Councilman Barrios supports lowering the parking minimum. City Manager Don Magner states that they could allow the applicant to do an updated parking study and let staff make the call if the parking minimum should be lowered. He advises against establishing a different number just because it sounds good. A lot of science goes into calculating parking.
Mayor Dubey asks why this needs to be student purpose-built housing. He expresses concern about market-rate housing being marketed as student housing. He says that he has yet to receive a satisfactory answer to this question. The applicant clarifies that the words “student housing” won’t appear on the name of the development though they will be marketed as student housing. Mayor Dubey asks if the Fair Housing Act applies, allowing anyone to move into a unit. The applicant confirms this is the case.
Councilman Hutchenrider moves to approve the request with the added condition of authorizing staff to grant an amendment to the parking minimum upon completion of a new parking study by the applicant. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul seconds that motion. Councilman Barrios then asks if they could remove the shuttle requirement. Councilman Hutchenrider says that they can’t change the existing motion. Mayor Dubey prevents discussion on the shuttle requirement and calls for a vote. Council unanimously approves the motion.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
Council also unanimously approves the consent agenda, which includes a bid award to Business Flooring Specialists of $50K for replacing carpet in the municipal court office. It also includes a competitive sealed proposal award to McMahon Contracting of $4.1M for Hunt Branch drainage and utility improvements.
Council discusses a Business Committee meeting and a Chamber of Commerce Wellness Fair, and the meeting adjourns.