Richardson City Council Meeting May 8th, 2023

All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.

Councilman Corcoran leads a prayer for the City of Allen and the pledges.

Minutes of previous meetings are approved unanimously.

No public speakers are present.

The first presentation is recognition of Public Services Week. Public Services Director Eric Robison provides an overview of the department’s work and plans for National Public Works Week on May 21^st. Eric states that they will provide daily snacks and treats to staff as well as a luncheon at the end of the week. One of the highlights for the week is an “Equipment Road-E-O” for HEOs (Heavy Equipment Operators) to compete in various events designed to test their skills while operating heavy equipment. Council thanks the department for their work, and Mayor Voelker asks the public to show their appreciation by slowing down for road workers.

Next, Eisemann Center Executive Director Ally Haynes-Hamblen gives a presentation on the Eisemann Center’s 2023/24 season. Ally highlights the data-driven selection process and the diversity of performances this season. This September, the season will begin with an all-original live theater production of Frankenstein. The Manhattan Transfer’s 50^th Anniversary Tour will make a stop at the Eisemann Center in October. Renowned Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell will perform in February. The Eisemann Center will feature Patti LuPone in her new production, A Life In Notes, in March before its debut at Carnegie Hall in April. The comedy musical act, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, is featured in April. Other highlights include mariachi performances in September and December, a jazz Disney concert in November, and many other acts that span a variety of cultures and invite a diverse audience to attend Eisemann Center productions. This was the primary goal this season, to feature acts in different languages and cultures. The season wraps up in April with Farfalle, a multimedia theater production from Italy that is specialized for neurodivergent youth. The proposed budget is around $1.4 million. Projected revenues are estimated at approximately $1.5 million, putting the budget $75k in the black. Council congratulates Ally on such a diverse and inclusive season program. Councilman Corcoran asks about ticket processing fees. Ally answers that fees will never be more than a few dollars for the most expensive tickets. Mayor-elect Dubey asks about regional marketing potential with the new DART Silver Line. Ally answers that Grapevine and the area surrounding the DFW airport are definitely on the marketing radar. Mayor Voelker reveals that discussions have been ongoing with mayors throughout the metroplex to plan a potential coordinated Fall Festival across several cities once the Silver Line opens, perhaps suggesting that the mayor-elect follow suit.

Budget Officer Bob Clymire presents the final presentation of the evening, the Q2 Financial Report. Five funds are discussed: General, Water & Sewer, Solid Waste Services, Golf, and Hotel/Motel Tax. The presentation starts with staff vacancies. Currently, the 14 authorized positions in the Golf Fund are the only category fully staffed. The General Fund has the highest number of unfilled positions at 69, roughly 8% of the authorized 853. The Water & Sewer Fund has the highest percentage of positions unfilled at 14, roughly 16% of the authorized 85. The General Fund revenues are performing roughly as expected. Two categories are performing above estimates. Since the library is no longer collecting late fees, the original budget estimated revenues very conservatively. Revenue from library fines has already exceeded the year’s original estimate. Bob explains this is due to fines still being collected for lost or damaged materials. Revenue from interest earnings is up significantly from last fiscal year because, well, interest rates are up. General Fund expenditures are in line with budget estimates. Water & Sewer Fund revenues are performing roughly as expected. Two categories, Late Charges and Interest Earnings, are seeing higher than estimated revenue. One category, Installation Fees, is seeing less than originally estimated. Bob explains they are seeing an increase in commercial water usage for this time of year, but he doesn’t explain the aforementioned variances. Water & Sewer Expenditures are in line with budget estimates. One category, Capital Expenses, looks to be higher than originally estimated. Bob explains this is due to an expense for a replacement truck carried over from last year. A fund balance to cover the expense was also carried over from last year. Besides interest revenues being above estimates, the Solid Waste Fund revenues and expenditures are in line with budget estimates. In the Golf Fund, revenues are down roughly $50k from this time last year. The number of rounds played at Sherrill Park is also below estimates. Expenditures in the Supplies & Misc. category are above estimates due to the increased costs of controlling weeds and fertilizer. The Hotel/Motel Tax Fund is seeing higher revenues than estimated across the board. This is due to increased Hotel/Motel occupancy compared to pandemic levels. The Eisemann Center is also experiencing more activity as it continues to grow as an entertainment venue. Increased Eisemann Center activity also has led to increased expenditures for the Professional Services and Contracts categories. Councilman Corcoran asks how the increase in water usage will impact future pricing. Bob states that they are expecting majorly increased prices from water and sewer providers. City Manager Don Magner states that the NTMWD (Water District) will explain their pricing at the June 5^th city council meeting. Councilman Shamsul asks for clarification on the increased commercial water use. Don states that this is due to an increase in multifamily developments and increased density for data centers who use water to cool systems.

The consent agenda is passed unanimously.

Mayor Voelker thanks all the candidates that ran for election. He also restates the city’s support for the City of Allen after they experienced a mass shooter event last weekend. He asks for all representatives, from city councils to state and federal legislators, to keep a commonsense focus on making sure what happened in Allen does not continue to happen again and again and again. Council discusses the recent Cottonwood Art Fest and National Nurses Week, and the meeting adjourns.