Richardson City Council Work Session April 21st, 2025 & Meeting April 28th, 2025
Richardson City Council Work Session April 21st, 2025
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
No speakers are present for the visitors forum.
Only two items are on tonight’s agenda. The first is to present a proclamation for Arbor Day. Parks & Rec Director Yvonne Falgout and Asst. Dir. Shohn Rodgers present the proclamation and take a picture with Council.
The only other item on the agenda is to discuss National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. Animal Services Manager Noura Jammal presents. Manager Jammal explains the various roles and responsibilities of animal services staff. Over 2,300 animals were taken into the shelter last year. Over 1,700 were adopted out. Manager Jammal encourages the public to vaccinate and microchip pets and email their pet’s microchip number to the shelter for future reference. Animals available for adoption can be viewed at www.cor.net/adoptme . Animal shelter renovations are still under way. Council thanks the department for their service to our city. Health Director Bill Alsup notes that they do not euthanize for space at the shelter. They have an over 90% live release rate. Meeting adjourned.
Richardson City Council Meeting April 28th, 2025
OPENING
All councilmembers are present as well as City Manager (CM) Don Magner and City Secretary Aimee Nemer.
Councilwoman Justice leads a prayer for peace and unity, and the pledges.
Minutes of previous meetings are approved unanimously.
CM Magner acknowledges two public comment cards. Alexander Scott expresses appreciation to the city for supporting DART funding at the state legislature. Richard Strecker submitted comments regarding tonight’s bond issuance items. CM Magner states that staff will cover this content later in the meeting. No speakers are present for the visitors forum.
Next, Council votes on several appointments. CM Magner notes that John Sweeden is not seeking another term on the NTMWD Board (Water District). Amy Singh is appointed to the Community Inclusion & Engagement Commission. Franklin Byrd is appointed to the NTMWD (Water District). Leslie Huntington is appointed to the Parks & Rec Commission. Mark Wickersham is appointed to the Sign Control Board as an alternate. Dr. David Bonnet is appointed as the city’s Health Officer. (I apologize if I have misspelled any names. I’m just going off the way councilmembers pronounced them.)
2025 DEBT ISSUANCE
Next is a discussion on this year’s debt sale. George Wilford of Hilltop Securities presents. Mr. Wilford explains that $61M in General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds – voter-approved) are being issued. He reminds Council that the city’s AAA credit ratings have been reaffirmed by the two agencies. (This is tough to follow since there is no visual presentation. Council is given a packet of information summarizing the results of the debt sale, but this is not included in the agenda documents for tonight’s meeting.) Mr. Wilford explains that the effective true interest cost for the GO Bonds is 4.14%. Certificate of Obligation (COs – not voter approved) had an effective true interest cost of 4.2%. Taxable bonds for the golf course had a 5.47% interest cost. $20.5M in COs are being issued. $6M in taxable bonds for the golf course are being issued. These are taxable due to the private revenue aspects of running the golf course. Bob Dransfield of Norton Rose Fulbright concludes the presentation and asks if Council has any questions. Council has no questions.
Council unanimously approves three motions authorizing the issuance of the three categories of bonds.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – DART
The next item is a presentation on economic development strategies between the city and DART. As of April 21st, DART’s economic development workgroup has reached an agreement on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ). CM Magner explains that interlocal agreements (ILA) between the city and DART will be necessary because the code doesn’t currently allow DART to contribute sales tax revenues to a TIRZ. CM Magner explains that the goal of a TIRZ will be to utilize contributions from the city and DART to create targeted economic growth in a particular area with the goal of eventually increasing sales tax revenue for the city, and thus for DART. The TIRZ being discussed tonight would have to include some sort of DART facility existing today or within five years of such a TIRZ being established. Any funds would have to be used for street, sidewalk, intersection, bike lane, or parking garage improvements, or transit-oriented development project costs. If DART’s current sales tax funding is diminished by statute, this interlocal agreement wouldn’t be possible. Finalization of an interlocal agreement will take place towards the end of this year.
Councilwoman Justice expresses support for this TIRZ ILA strategy. Councilman Corcoran also expresses support for this strategy. Councilman Barrios clarifies his understanding of the ILA requirements. Councilman Barrios then expresses his support for this strategy. Councilman Hutchenrider also expresses support for this strategy. He asks if the city could write a letter to state legislators to increase advocacy for current DART funding levels. CM Magner answers that they could do that. Council then thanks Councilman Corcoran for traveling to Austin to advocate for DART funding after midnight earlier last week. Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul adds his support for the strategies discussed. Mayor Dubey adds his support and appreciation as well.
PUBLIC HEARING – RICHARDSON TOWNHOMES
Next are a pair of public hearings on zoning requests. The first is on ZF 25-06. This is a zoning change request for an 89-unit townhome development at 3600 Shiloh Rd. This was covered in detail at the April 1st CPC meeting: https://open.substack.com/pub/justinneth/p/richardson-city-plan-commission-meeting-ad5?r=3ahunk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
CM Magner notes that a revised ordinance will be considered by Council on this item that is not reflected in the current agenda documents. One amendment changes building elevations. There is also an amendment related to lots without frontage. CM Magner will explain these in detail if Council decides to approve this request tonight. Staff presents a background of the request. Staff shares that the applicant wants to retain the ability to make these either 2 or 3-story townhomes.
Councilman Barrios asks where exactly the ordinance amendments are within the document. Staff explains where the changes are. The applicant now presents their request. The applicant has increased parking on the north side based on feedback at the CPC hearing. The applicant explains that they want to develop these as 3-story units. Councilman Dorian asks where the dumpsters will be. The applicant explains that residents will have individual trash pickup with no dumpsters on site. These will be units for sale, not for rent.
One speaker is present for this hearing, Larry Moore. He is a neighbor in the development to the north. He expresses concern about the change in zoning. He is opposed to the request. He is concerned about these being three stories and the increasing density in this area. Councilman Barrios asks what is allowed to be built by right in this area. Staff answers that zoning allows office use here. The Future Land Use Plan designates this area as a Neighborhood Service retail placetype. Single-family attached is considered an appropriate secondary use.
Councilman Corcoran asks staff to provide background as to what had been planned here and ultimately didn’t pan out. CM Magner explains that, originally, one-story medical offices were envisioned here. With the Methodist hospital now located nearby, most of these uses have moved to that campus. Councilman Barrios asks about the small tract of land in the northeast corner that is county property. CM Magner answers that the county is willing to allow the city to acquire the land. The city could then decide how to handle this tract. Currently, this tract requires access to maintain the grounds. Mayor Dubey asks how many comments have been received opposed to the request. Staff explains that, in addition to the speaker earlier, two neighboring property owners are also opposed. They are opposed to cross-access to their neighboring developments. As this is presented, no cross-access issue exists.
Mayor Dubey also asks if they could consider the 2-story units. The applicant explains that they prefer 3-story units but want to retain a 2-story option to be competitive with neighboring developments. Council unanimously approves the request with the two noted amendments to the ordinance. The accompanying ordinance is also approved unanimously. CM Magner does not read the amended wording after all.
PUBLIC HEARING – ZIPLINE DRONE OPERATION & MEANITENANCE CENTER
The second public hearing is on ZF 25-07. This is a request by Zipline for a special permit to operate a drone operations and maintenance center at 1155 Kas Dr. This was also covered in detail at the April 1st CPC meeting: https://open.substack.com/pub/justinneth/p/richardson-city-plan-commission-meeting-ad5?r=3ahunk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Staff presents a background of the request. Two comments in support were received at the CPC hearing. Councilman Corcoran asks for clarification on what Council can consider in their reasoning for this request. CM Magner clarifies that they have the ability to consider anything within reason as they make their decision. Council cannot regulate anything except the land use aspect since the FAA regulates flight and noise, and the state regulates privacy and security.
The applicant now steps forward to present their request. These delivery drones will emit roughly a 64 dB(A) noise level. This proposed use will serve as a regional operations hub. There will be staff areas and maintenance areas in this space as well as a showroom. One docking station will be located in the rear of the building to test the docking of drones. The applicant plans to transport drones via ground transportation for now.
Councilman Dorian asks how many employees will work in this new space. The applicant answers that roughly 20-30 employees will operate in the space for now. Councilman Dorian also asks what the delivery radius for these drones will be. Councilman Hutchenrider cuts him off to clarify that they won’t be making deliveries. Because of this interruption, the applicant does not have a chance to answer the question. Councilman Dorian now asks how loud these drones will be while docking. The applicant answers that these will be roughly 53 dB(A) since they won’t have any payload while testing docking. Only one drone is planned to be tested at a time.
Councilman Barrios asks what redundancies are built into the power supply. The applicant answers that redundancies are built in, but she isn’t sure of the details. He also asks how these will hold up in adverse weather. The applicant answers that there are conditions that these will not be flown in. They are tested to fly in extreme weather, but the FAA regulates safety metrics. Councilman Barrios also asks if these will be flown by remote pilots or autonomously. The applicant answers that these will be flown autonomously. He also asks if they report accidents to the FAA. The applicant confirms that they do. These drones are also equipped with parachutes as a failsafe mechanism. Councilman Hutchenrider again attempts to interrupt the line of questioning. This time, Councilman Barrios doesn’t let him. Mayor Dubey has to step in to enforce the rules of procedure and asks Councilman Hutchenrider to wait his turn.
Councilman Barrios asks what the procedure is if a drone falls to the ground on private property. The applicant answers that they would coordinate with local first responders. They do not want to enter private property without permission.
Councilman Hutchenrider asks the applicant to clarify if any drones will be flown to and from the facility. The applicant confirms that no drones will fly from this facility. Councilwoman Justice asks if they have any of these maintenance facilities elsewhere in the nation. The applicant answers that this will be the first regional hub in DFW. They do have maintenance locations elsewhere. They are not aware of any complaints about other existing maintenance operations.
Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul clarifies that the test flight will only be for a few seconds and won’t fly above the building. The applicant confirms this is accurate. She also confirms that Mesquite and McKinney are the closest cities where they will actually be delivering. The aircraft will have an 8-ft wingspan.
Councilman Barrios asks if there is anything about the special permit they are considering tonight that would prohibit flights to and from this facility. CM Magner confirms that the applicant, if this is approved, would not be prohibited from flying drones from this facility. Councilman Barrios asks if the applicant would be open to a restriction on delivery operations from this facility. Councilman Corcoran expresses his opposition to Councilman Barrios’ suggestion. The applicant sees this as something that the FAA regulates.
Mayor Dubey asks if they could deliver things like blood from hospitals. The applicant answers that they currently partner with just Walmart. If they expanded to other partners, they could explore prescription delivery. They have delivered medical supplies and blood, but only in Africa due to the terrain and conditions in that environment.
No public speakers are present for this hearing. Councilman Corcoran strongly supports this request. He is excited about the lower noise level of Zipline drones and sees this as a highly desired company for Richardson. Councilman Barrios wants to continue consideration of this request to ensure that the city has as many sensible regulations for this use as possible. CM Magner responds by stating that it would be difficult to create a single regulation that covers all of the possibilities with various drone operations. Council’s special permit approach allows them to consider each case on its own merits and apply any special regulations to each applicant. He sees this as the approach that responds to the concerns Councilman Barrios has expressed.
Councilman Hutchenrider expresses opposition to what Councilman Barrios is suggesting. He supports this request. Councilwoman Justice clarifies that this is a special permit and can be called up if something unexpected takes place. She also supports the request. Council unanimously approves the request and accompanying ordinance.
CONSENT AGENDA & CLOSING
Councilwoman Justice recuses herself from the next item due to a conflict of interest. The next item is to consider an award for bank depository services to Bank of America. Council unanimously approves this award.
Councilwoman Justice now returns. Councilman Hutchenrider asks to clarify an item on the consent agenda. He asks if the new book sorter for the library is a part of the bond-approved projects. CM Magner confirms that it is. Councilman Barrios asks to remove the abandonment of a portion of McKinney St. from the consent agenda. The remainder of the consent agenda is approved unanimously. It includes two bid awards: $565K to Stoic Civil Construction for sanitary sewer repairs and $234K to Tech-Logic for a new book sorter for the library. The item adopting an ordinance that abandons a portion of McKinney St. is approved 6-1, with Councilman Barrios opposed.
Council discusses a Richardson Symphony Orchestra performance, the upcoming election, the Cottonwood Art Festival, the JJ Pearce HOA meeting, the Richardson Woman’s Club annual fundraiser, and the opening of the Interurban Commons. The meeting adjourns after three hours.
And by now, I’m sure you’ve heard the news about the results of our municipal elections. The six current councilmembers will continue to serve another term with Mayor Pro Tem Shamsul winning his contested election. He was the only councilmember that had a contested election. Amir Omar has won the mayoral election. Canvassing of the votes and swearing in of officials will take place on May 12th at the Eisemann. Congratulations to all of the candidates on a successful election. We saw, by my calculation, over a 25% increase in voter turnout compared to the 2023 Richardson municipal elections. Well done, Richardson. Thank you all for voting. I hope to see you next week at the Eisemann.