Item 1a: Consider Assistance Request for Nonprofit Special Event The Families of Vietnamese Political Prisoner’s Association has requested donation of in-kind city services (including police security, traffic control, crowd control and paramedics) required for their “Reunion” event on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at the GISD Special Event Center (SEC). With GISD contracting for services at the SEC, the City is limited to donating in-kind services – the City Council Policy on Assistance to Nonprofit Organizations (OPNS-29) does not provide for direct money subsidies. The only eligible donated City service would be the police color guard with an estimated cost of $435.
Item 1b: Atmos Rate Review Mechanism (“RRM”) Settlement Council is requested to consider approving gas rate tariffs with ATMOS Mid-Tex Division (“ATMOS”) to change gas rates pursuant to the RRM process. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the September 16, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 1c: Power Purchase for Duck Creek Wastewater Plant Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is located outside the city limits of Garland and outside the service area of GP&L. Since deregulation, the plant has contracted with either TXU Energy or Reliant Energy to supply power. The plant is currently in a four-year fixed price contract with TXU Energy that will end in July 2010. Due to the fluctuating commodity market that deregulated power operates within, staff proposes that we select a consultant to secure competitive pricing from at least four major retail electric providers and make a recommendation to the City Manager. With the changing commodity prices, this recommendation and contract signing must take place within a 24-hour period. Council is requested to authorize the City Manager to review the recommendation and enter into a contract for retail electric power to the Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant beyond 2010.
Item 1d: Support of Texas Recreation and Park Account Local Grant Program Council is requested to consider a resolution encouraging the 81st Legislature of Texas to support legislation that increases funding to the Texas Recreation and Parks Account local grant fund program and the State park system. If Council concurs, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the October 7, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 1e: e. Texas Department of Transportation’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Comprehensive Grant Council is requested to consider accepting a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Comprehensive Grant for FY 2008 – 2009 consisting of four enforcement modules: Speed Enforcement, Occupant Protection Enforcement (Safety Restraint), DWI Enforcement and Intersection Traffic Control Enforcement (Red Light). This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the September 16, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 2a: Economic Development Incentive – IDQ Holding, Inc. IDQ Holding, Inc. has plans to move and consolidate three of its operations into their Garland facility. The move will bring $3 million in Business Personal Property value and $18.5 million taxable inventory value to Garland. This will bring in a total of over $148,000 to the City and $269,460 to the Garland Independent School District. The project will also add up to 200 new employees. The Garland Economic Development Partnership Steering Committee recommends that Council provide 1.) general support for the project and 2.) support of a 50% City Tax Abatement on Business Personal Property Value for 5 years. If Council concurs, a public hearing will be held at the October 7, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 2b: COLA As previously requested by Council, staff will report on options for providing a current and future retiree COLA.
Item 2b: COLA As previously requested by Council, staff will report on options for providing a current and future retiree COLA.
Item 2c: TxDOT Maintenance Agreement and Amendment for Red Light Cameras Council will be briefed on a new TxDOT Municipal Maintenance Agreement and an amendment necessary for furnishing, installing, operating, and maintaining cameras on state highway right-of-way for red light running.
Item 3a: Amendment of Downtown Development Standards The Downtown Development Standards prohibit the use of cement fiber board (commonly referred to as Hardi Board) as an exterior wall material. The Development Services Committee considered this item and is recommending that the Standards be amended to include cement fiber board in the definition of masonry, thus allowing its use as an exterior wall material in Downtown Garland.
Item 3b: Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 4647 Council is requested to consider a recommendation by the Development Services Committee that the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 4647 be amended to define and limit the location of alternative financial establishments.
Item 4: Discuss Committee Reports/Assignments
Item 5: Discuss Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Item 6: Discuss Consent Agenda
Item 7: Discuss Future Agenda Items
Sep 15, 2008 City Council
Item 1a: Consider Assistance Request for Nonprofit Special Event The Families of Vietnamese Political Prisoner’s Association has requested donation of in-kind city services (including police security, traffic control, crowd control and paramedics) required for their “Reunion” event on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at the GISD Special Event Center (SEC). With GISD contracting for services at the SEC, the City is limited to donating in-kind services – the City Council Policy on Assistance to Nonprofit Organizations (OPNS-29) does not provide for direct money subsidies. The only eligible donated City service would be the police color guard with an estimated cost of $435.
Item 1b: Atmos Rate Review Mechanism (“RRM”) Settlement Council is requested to consider approving gas rate tariffs with ATMOS Mid-Tex Division (“ATMOS”) to change gas rates pursuant to the RRM process. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the September 16, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 1c: Power Purchase for Duck Creek Wastewater Plant Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant is located outside the city limits of Garland and outside the service area of GP&L. Since deregulation, the plant has contracted with either TXU Energy or Reliant Energy to supply power. The plant is currently in a four-year fixed price contract with TXU Energy that will end in July 2010. Due to the fluctuating commodity market that deregulated power operates within, staff proposes that we select a consultant to secure competitive pricing from at least four major retail electric providers and make a recommendation to the City Manager. With the changing commodity prices, this recommendation and contract signing must take place within a 24-hour period. Council is requested to authorize the City Manager to review the recommendation and enter into a contract for retail electric power to the Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant beyond 2010.
Item 1d: Support of Texas Recreation and Park Account Local Grant Program Council is requested to consider a resolution encouraging the 81st Legislature of Texas to support legislation that increases funding to the Texas Recreation and Parks Account local grant fund program and the State park system. If Council concurs, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the October 7, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 1e: e. Texas Department of Transportation’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Comprehensive Grant Council is requested to consider accepting a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) – Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Comprehensive Grant for FY 2008 – 2009 consisting of four enforcement modules: Speed Enforcement, Occupant Protection Enforcement (Safety Restraint), DWI Enforcement and Intersection Traffic Control Enforcement (Red Light). This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the September 16, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 2a: Economic Development Incentive – IDQ Holding, Inc. IDQ Holding, Inc. has plans to move and consolidate three of its operations into their Garland facility. The move will bring $3 million in Business Personal Property value and $18.5 million taxable inventory value to Garland. This will bring in a total of over $148,000 to the City and $269,460 to the Garland Independent School District. The project will also add up to 200 new employees. The Garland Economic Development Partnership Steering Committee recommends that Council provide 1.) general support for the project and 2.) support of a 50% City Tax Abatement on Business Personal Property Value for 5 years. If Council concurs, a public hearing will be held at the October 7, 2008 Regular Meeting.
Item 2b: COLA As previously requested by Council, staff will report on options for providing a current and future retiree COLA.
Item 2b: COLA As previously requested by Council, staff will report on options for providing a current and future retiree COLA.
Item 2c: TxDOT Maintenance Agreement and Amendment for Red Light Cameras Council will be briefed on a new TxDOT Municipal Maintenance Agreement and an amendment necessary for furnishing, installing, operating, and maintaining cameras on state highway right-of-way for red light running.
Item 3a: Amendment of Downtown Development Standards The Downtown Development Standards prohibit the use of cement fiber board (commonly referred to as Hardi Board) as an exterior wall material. The Development Services Committee considered this item and is recommending that the Standards be amended to include cement fiber board in the definition of masonry, thus allowing its use as an exterior wall material in Downtown Garland.
Item 3b: Amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 4647 Council is requested to consider a recommendation by the Development Services Committee that the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 4647 be amended to define and limit the location of alternative financial establishments.
Item 4: Discuss Committee Reports/Assignments
Item 5: Discuss Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Item 6: Discuss Consent Agenda
Item 7: Discuss Future Agenda Items