Richardson City Council Meeting March 25th, 2024
OPENING
Six of the seven councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer. Councilman Hutchenrider attends virtually, marking the first utilization of the virtual attendance policy.
Councilman Dorian leads a Christian prayer, praying that Council be mindful of our businesses, stakeholders, and city staff. He also leads the pledges.
Minutes of previous meetings are approved unanimously.
Three public speakers are present. The first speaker experiences microphone issues briefly until the microphone is turned on. He urges Council to pass a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza. The second speaker rambles about Richardson being a Christian city needing prayer. He states that the Constitution of the United States has stood the test of time longer than any other nation in the world. (JN: Perhaps he’s never heard of India, founded literally thousands of years ago.) He goes over his allotted time to offer a prayer. The third speaker asks Council to vote on a ceasefire resolution on the War in Gaza.
ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT AUDIT RESULTS
The first presentation of the evening is the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ending September 2023. Audit Partner Kevin Smith of Crowe, LLP presents. Kevin announces an unmodified opinion for the financial statements prepared by management, the highest level of assurance that public accounting firms can provide. The second portion of the audit is on compliance with federal awards. He also announces an unmodified opinion for this portion of the audit. He notes the same material weaknesses that were announced in the last audit since they cover much of the same period. He clarifies that, as of Dec. 2023, it appears the cash reconciliation issues have been resolved. Another weakness he notes is infrequent and unusual transactions. He recommends management train department heads to consult with accounting on these transactions to record them properly. Council asks no questions about the audit. Mayor Dubey asks Councilman Corcoran to offer some words as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Councilman Corcoran notes that no fraud was detected and that everything was posted on time. He explains that the second material weakness noted is a miscategorization of certain transactions. Everything still reconciled operationally. The Financial Report is not included in the meeting documents that I could find, so I guess we will have to take their word for it.
PARKS & REC SUMMER PROGRAMS & PARKING REDUCTION REQUEST
Next is a pair of public hearings held annually adopting standards of care for youth and early childhood development Summer parks & recreation programs. Recreation Center Manager Heidi Scalice presents. Heidi presents the different day camp options for youth. Council asks no questions. No public speakers are present for these hearings. Council adopts both ordinances approving standards of care unanimously.
Next is a public hearing on Variance 24-01, a parking reduction request for 1300 E. Belt Line Rd. This request was also discussed at the March 5th CPC meeting. Councilwoman Justice asks what Council can do if more parking is needed in the future. Staff answers that Council has the latitude to recall the variance like a special use permit if Council deems it necessary. Councilman Barrios asks if there is a more efficient way of reducing parking in the city on a broader level. City Manager Don Magner answers that the comprehensive plan update will consider this goal. Council approves the request unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
The consent agenda is approved unanimously. It includes an ordinance codifying the approval of ZF 23-16. Eight bid awards are also included: $71K to Richmond and Associates Landscaping for creeks maintenance, a $150K 3-year annual requirements contract to Oracle Elevator for elevator maintenance, $310K to Dell Marketing LP for replacement computer equipment, $94K to Texas Air Systems for a replacement HVAC unit at Huffhines Rec Center, $101K to Entech Sales and Service to upgrade the security system at the Richardson Service Center, $59K to SDB Contracting for Huffhines Park Greenhouse maintenance and repairs, a $50K annual requirements contract to Dustrol, Inc. for pavement milling services for Dumont Dr., and a $100K annual requirements contract to Texas Materials Group, Inc. for asphalt overlay services for Dumont Dr. The final consent agenda item is a $118K increase to the IQHQ renovation project given to Mart, Inc. in 2021.
Council discusses the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, a recent Eisemann Center performance, a Parks Commission meeting, the Texas Municipal League mid-year conference, a Ramadan night market, the Easter Holiday, the Season of Ramadan, and the meeting convenes into executive session to consult with the city attorney regarding 425 N. Ctrl Expy. The footage ends here.