MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING

OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS

HELD IN THE CITY HALL 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

WORK SESSION

The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the

11th day of September at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Workroom prior to the 7:00 p.m.

regular City Council meeting.

Present:

Oscar Trevino

Tito Rodriguez

Rita Wright Oujesky

Suzy Compton

Mason Orr

Mayor

Mayor Pro Tem, Place 1

Place 2

Place 3

Place 4

Blake Vaughn

Kelvin Deupree

Associate Mayor Pro Tem, Place 5

Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7

Absent:

Scott Turnage

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Place 6

Staff Members:

Mark Hindman

City Manager

Paulette Hartman

Karen Manila

Caroline Waggoner

Alicia Richardson

Maleshia B. McGinnis

Deputy City Manager

Assistant City Manager

City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer

City Attorney

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

1. DISCUSS ITEMS FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

City Council had no questions for staff.

DISCUSS

CHANGES

THE

MOBILE

FOOD

UNIT

ORDINANCE

FOLLOWING H.B. 2878.

Director of Neighborhood Services Stefanie Martinez provided an update on the

proposed changes to the mobile food unit ordinance to comply with House Bill 2878.

Pursuant to the house bill, the city no longer has authority over mobile food trucks. The

responsibility for inspecting and permitting mobile food units is Tarrant County Public

Health. The city will continue to have authority to enforce locations where mobile food

units operate and the hours of operation. Ms. Martinez reviewed approved and restricted

locations for mobile food units.

DISCUSS REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REGARDING A FISCAL

YEAR 2023-2024 EFFICIENCY AUDIT.

Associate Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn discussed the purpose of conducting an efficiency

audit. An audit will review city departments, programs and processes. The audit is

performed by a third party auditor and the final report provides quantifiable ideas to save

money or implement projects/programs. If the report identifies a process or program as

being inefficient it does not necessarily mean the city follows the suggestions of the

report.

The City Council discussed the request to place an efficiency audit on a future agenda.

City Council directed staff to place an item on a future work session agenda to discuss

an efficiency audit. Staff was directed to look at cities that are comparable to North

Richland Hills.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There being no Executive Session, Mayor Trevino adjourned work session at 6:25 p.m.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Present:

Oscar Trevino

Tito Rodriguez

Rita Wright Oujesky

Suzy Compton

Mason Orr

Mayor

Mayor Pro Tem, Place 1

Place 2

Place 3

Place 4

Blake Vaughn

Kelvin Deupree

Associate Mayor Pro Tem, Place 5

Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7

Absent:

Scott Turnage

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Place 6

Staff Members:

Mark Hindman

City Manager

Alicia Richardson

Maleshia B. McGinnis

City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer

City Attorney

A.1

INVOCATION

Council member Wright Oujesky gave the invocation.

A.2

PLEDGE

Council member Wright Oujesky led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and

Texas flags.

A.3

There were no items for this category.

A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION

SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITION(S)

Mr. Charlie Ruiz, 4109 Vance Road, spoke in support of backyard hens.

Mr. Nathan Ruiz, 4109 Vance Road, spoke in support of backyard hens.

Mr. Jack McCarty, 8800 Rumfield Road, spoke in support of backyard chickens.

Ms. Ingrid Trimm, 8440 Stephanie Drive, spoke in support of backyard chickens.

Ms. Nikki Douglas, 7525 Cimarron Drive, commented on misconceptions regarding

backyard chickens.

A.5

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Jeff Paul, 5125 Colorado Boulevard, spoke in opposition to item F.2 as proposed and

F.3 as proposed related to legal services.

A.6

REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA

No items were removed from the consent agenda.

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

APPROVED

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORR, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO

TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

APPROVE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 28, 2023 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL

MEETING.

B.1

AWARD RFP 22-023 TO DRISCOLL AUTOMATIC CONTROLS INC., FOR THE

ANNUAL PURCHASE OF UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY SERVICES IN

THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $80,348.

B.2

B.3

APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO BUYBOARD CONTRACT NO. 687-22 AND

AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2023 WELLS CARGO TANDEM

ENCLOSED TRAILER FROM NORTH TEXAS TRAILERS IN AN AMOUNT NOT

TO EXCEED $14,137.63, FOR A TOTAL CUMULATIVE CONTRACT AMOUNT

OF $58,308.23.

AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF 40 LIFEPAK CR2 AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL

DEFIBRILLATORS (AED) FROM STRYKER MEDICAL TO REPLACE THE

UNITS IN ALL CITY FACILITIES THAT ARE AT END OF LIFE IN THE AMOUNT

OF $94,686.

B.4

PLAT23-0046 CONSIDERATION OF

FOR A FINAL PLAT OF LOTS 30 AND 31, BLOCK 6, GLENANN ADDITION,

BEING 0.679 ACRES LOCATED AT 8620 AMUNDSON DRIVE.

REQUEST FROM JACOB NOYOLA

B.5

B.6

PLAT23-0047 CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM TEAGUE NALL &

PERKINS FOR A FINAL PLAT OF LOT 12, BLOCK 10, HILLVIEW ADDITION,

BEING 9.00 ACRES LOCATED AT 4100 FLORY STREET.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

ZC23-0052,

CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM BER PARTNERS LLC FOR A

SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR “HARDWARE BUILD MATERIALS

ORDINANCE

NO.

3811,

PUBLIC

HEARING

AND

C.1

RETAIL/WHOLESALE” USE AT 8100 BEDFORD EULESS ROAD, BEING 1.42

ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 1, BLOCK 1, GAVRON ADDITION.

APPROVED

Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing and called on Director of Planning Clayton

Comstock to introduce the item.

Mr. Comstock informed City Council the applicant is requesting a special use permit for

1.42 acres located at 8100 Bedford Euless Road.

The area is designated on the

Comprehensive Land Use Plan as retail commercial and the current zoning is C-2,

commercial. Mr. Comstock provided site photos of the property.

Applicant representative Kris Ramji, 5197 Brandywine Lane, Frisco, Texas, presented the

request. He reviewed the proposed site development plans. If approved, their request for

a special use permit, would allow them to place galactic black glass in the back 200' of

the building. The front of the building will be a storefront for the glass company. The

building will have approximately 10,000 square feet of multi-tenant retail space. Mr. Ramji

stated that the docks (located at the front) would be removed and the entry way brought

up to grade. The company vehicles would also be located in the building at night.

Mr. Comstock presented staff's report. He provided an overview of the site plan and

landscape plan. The applicant will remove the existing pole sign located along

Bedford-Euless Road and the existing pole sign located along Northeast Loop 820 will

remain. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their August 17, 2023 meeting,

recommended approval with a vote of 5-0.

Mayor Trevino asked the City Secretary to call on those who completed a public meeting

appearance form to speak during the public hearing. There being no forms submitted,

Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on the item to

come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public

hearing.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY ASSOCIATE

MAYOR PRO TEM VAUGHN TO APPROVE ZC23-0052, ORDINANCE NO. 3811.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

There were no items for this category.

E. PUBLIC WORKS

There were no items for this category.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

GENERAL ITEMS

CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2023-074, APPROVING THE CERTIFIED TAX

ROLL FOR TAX YEAR 2023.

F.1

APPROVED

Director of Budget and Research Trudy Lewis presented the item. In accordance with

state law, the City Council is required to approve the Certified Tax Roll. The Certified Tax

Roll was provided to the City Council on July 28 and discussed at their August 4, Budget

Work Session. The Certified Tax Roll reflects a total appraised value of $10,744,722,917;

a net taxable value of $8,306,057,571; and an estimated net taxable value of

$8,623,319,355; total taxable value of new property (new construction) of $133,732,228;

average single family market value of $383,824; and average single family taxable value

of $269,976.

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORR, SECONDED BY COUNCIL

MEMBER COMPTON TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2023-074.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3813, ADOPTING THE TAX RATE FOR TAX

YEAR 2023 (FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024).

F.2

APPROVED

Ms. Lewis informed City Council the item before them this evening is to consider the

adoption of the property tax rate for Tax Year 2023. The tax rate supports the Fiscal Year

2023/2024 Proposed Budget. A public hearing for the proposed tax rate was held on

September 7 to receive public comments. Based on certified values of properties, the Tax

Year 2023 Voter-Approval Rate is 49.8348 cents, the No-New Revenue Rate is 48.9389

cents, and the proposed property tax rate is 49.8155 cents. Ms. Lewis stated this is a

reduction of 4.9817 cents or 9.09% from the current rate. Ms. Lewis provided an overview and

breakdown of the total combined tax rate. The tax rate encompasses the school district

(includes BISD) at 54.6%, Tarrant County and Associated Districts at 22.8%, and North

Richland Hills at 22.6%. The city offers a 20% homestead exemption and $36,000 exemption

for eligible seniors or disabled persons.

City Council and staff discussed the No-New Revenue Rate; implications if proposed rate

is not adopted; public input regarding the proposed tax rate; change in exemptions

(house sold); providing services in response to growth; value of residential properties;

percentage of properties that would not see an increase; vacancies in public safety;

vacancy savings; and amount of decrease if the No-New Revenue Rate is approved.

Ms. Lewis explained to the City Council the Tax Code requires four motions to approve

the tax rate.

1. Approval of the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Rate

2. Approval of the Interest and Sinking (I&S) Rate

3. Approval of the total rate

4. Approval of an effective increase in rate (if applicable)

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY

COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT OUJESKY THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR

MAINTENANCE

VALUATION.

AND

OPERATIONS

SET

31.3583 CENTS

PER

$100 OF

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

APPROVED

A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR

PRO TEM DEUPREE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR INTEREST AND SINKING BE

SET AT 17.5806 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUATION.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

APPROVED

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY

COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT OUJESKY TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3813

ADOPTING TOTAL TAX RATE OF 48.9389 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUATION FOR

TAX YEAR 2023.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

APPROVED

MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY

COUNCIL MEMBER COMPTON THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY

THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 48.9389 CENTS, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 2.33

PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3814, ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024

PROPOSED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET

F.3

APPROVED

Ms. Lewis provided an overview of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Proposed Operating and

Capital Budget. The Proposed Operating Budget totals $152,090,101. The Proposed

Capital Budget totals $32,147,991. The largest portion of the operating budget is the

General Fund (approximately 40%), which includes most city departments and services.

The Utility Fund (28%) is the second highest fund. The Utility Fund includes a

pass-through sewer rate increase for utility customers. Ms. Lewis reviewed highlights of

the following funds: Debt Service; Parks; Crime Control & Prevention District; Court

Special Revenue; Public Educational & Government Access (PEG); Promotional;

Donations; Special Investigations; Drainage Utility; Economic Development; Traffic

Safety; Utility; Aquatic Park; Golf Course; and Internal Service.

City Manager Mark Hindman discussed items that he recommends be removed from the

budget to address the gap of $630,788.

1. Reduce training costs across the city - $40,000

2. Remove the city's match for the ADA Pedestrian Plan - $100,000

3. Remove extra set of bunker gear for all firefighters - $28,554

4. Implement a hiring freeze (excluding public safety) for 90 days - $220,000

5. Reduce city's match grant of four (4) new police officers - $95,000

6. Decrease merit from 3.5% to 3% for general government employees

While the general government employees merit is decreased, the salaries are

comparable to benchmark cities. If the sales revenues come in higher than projected; Mr.

Hindman asked City Council to consider adding the items back to the budget. One year

at the No-New Revenue Rate can be accomplished this year, but will not be sustainable if

the sales tax revenue goes down without affecting city services.

City Council and staff discussed the salary of police officers; training for police officers;

time to fill police officer positions; overtime costs in the police department; inflationary

costs; concern expressed by fire and police associations for non-sworn employees

decrease in merit; and city's ability to provide services.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER COMPTON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL

MEMBER RODRIGUEZ TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3814, ADOPTING THE FISCAL

YEAR 2023-2024 PROPOSED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDED WITH

AMENDMENT

REDUCE

PROPERTY

TAX

REVENUE

$630,788 AND

CORRESPONDING AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURES AS DISCUSSED.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

CONSIDER RATIFYING AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES

REFLECTED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 ADOPTED BUDGET.

F.4

APPROVED

Ms. Lewis presented the item. In accordance with state law, the city's annual budget shall

include a cover page that discloses changes in property tax collection in the proposed

budget compared to the previous year. Generally, property tax revenues are related to

the General Fund and Debt Service Fund. She shared that the city also collects property

taxes in the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIF) Fund. In accordance with City

Council's action, staff will update budget summary items per fund to reflect the changes

in the property tax rate. The total increase in property taxes than last year's budget by

$924,030 or 2.33%, and of that amount $702,447 is tax revenue to be raised from new

property added to the tax roll this year.

A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER COMPTON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL

MEMBER ORR TO RATIFY THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES IN THE

ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET AT THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3815 AMENDING AND RESTATING CHAPTER

18, ARTICLE IV, DIVISION 6, OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

CODE OF ORDINANCES, MODIFYING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR

MOBILE FOOD VENDORS, AND AMENDING APPENDIX A, FEE SCHEDULE

REMOVING THE ANNUAL MOBILE FOOD UNIT PERMIT FEE.

F.5

APPROVED

Director of Neighborhood Services Stefanie Martinez provided an update on the

proposed changes to the mobile food unit ordinance to comply with House Bill 2878.

Pursuant to the house bill, the city no longer has authority over mobile food trucks. The

responsibility for inspecting and permitting mobile food units is Tarrant County Public

Health. The city will continue to have authority to enforce locations where mobile food

units operate and the hours of operation.

MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL

MEMBER COMPTON TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3815.

MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION ON ANY

ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION

AGENDA

Mayor Trevino announced that City Council did not convene into Executive Session.

INFORMATION AND REPORTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Council member Rodriguez made the following announcements.

Enjoy a free jazz concert by the group La Pompe next Monday, September 18, 2023 at

the NRH Library. The performance, which is part of our Celebrating Culture Series, starts

at 6:00 p.m. in the lobby.

The annual Doggie Beach Bash will take place Saturday, September 23, from 11:00 a.m.

to 4:00 p.m. at NRH2O Family Water Park. Admission is $20.00 per person, including up

to two dogs, with proceeds benefiting the NRH Animal Adoption & Rescue Center. Tickets

are available to purchase online or at the gate.

Kudos Korner - Pooch Amy in Public Works - A resident emailed her thanks and

appreciation for the high level of customer service that Pooch has consistently provided

over the years. She stated: He has always been very prompt, extremely gracious, polite,

and in my opinion, has gone far and above what I expected from a civil servant. I cannot

compliment Pooch enough. The City of North Richland Hills has a real asset in this public

servant!

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.

________________________

Oscar Trevino, Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________________

Alicia Richardson

City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer