1. Written Briefings: a. Insurance Services Office Review The Garland Fire Department is preparing for an Insurance Services Office (ISO) review and will be hiring a consultant to assist with the review. An ISO review is a lengthy, complex process, and having a consultant will provide critical expertise in order to achieve the best score possible. b. Pace House – Proposal Review Team Recommendation Council previously directed staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to parties interested in accepting ownership of the Pace House from the City of Garland. The RFP respondents were required to submit their proposals to the City along with their qualifications, proposed property location, and use by April 15, 2014. After reviewing the proposals, staff has determined that Louis and Kay Moore best meet the evaluation criteria. If Council concurs, staff will continue the process to transfer the Pace House ownership to Louis and Kay Moore. c. 2013-14 Budget Amendment No. 2 Council is requested to consider amending the 2013-14 Adopted Budget in order to appropriate available funds for the following: 1) Projects approved in last year’s Budget, but not completed by the fiscal year-end, 2) Mid-year adjustments to Public Safety Grants, and 3) Expenditures not anticipated in the 2013-14 Adopted Budget. If Council concurs, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 3, 2014 Regular Meeting. d. Deny Atmos Rate Increase As recommended by the Atmos Cities Steering Committee (ASCS), Council is requested to consider approving an ordinance denying an Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division gas rate change. The City of Garland is a member of the ACSC, a coalition of over 164 cities served by Atmos Energy Mid-Tex. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting. e. 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Public Service Budget Staff has compiled a funding allocation for the 2014-15 CDBG Public Service budget based on direction provided by Council at the May 5, 2014 Work Session. This item has been scheduled in the event that additional review of the CDBG Public Service funding is necessary. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Briefing on Proposition 1 Rep. Pickett State Representative Joe Pickett will brief Council on Proposition 1 and transportation funding.
DART Update Williams/Willis At the request of Council Members B. J. Williams and John Willis, DART staff will update Council on DART’s paratransit services, activities, programs, and projects within Garland.
Richland College Garland Campus Williams At the request of Council Member B. J. Williams, Mr. Mehrdad Haroutunian, Chief Corporate and Workforce Development Officer at Richland College, will brief Council on programs and activities available at the Richland College Garland Campus.
Working with Millennials Athas At the request of Mayor Douglas Athas, Britton Cunningham with the North Texas Commission will provide a presentation on “Working with Millennials.”
Interviews for an Appointment to the North Texas Council Municipal Water District Board of Directors The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) notified the City that Jack May’s term of office as a NTMWD Board Member expires on May 31, 2014. Information was posted on the City’s website for 14 days regarding the qualifications of the NTMWD Board Member in order to provide an opportunity for citizens to apply for the position. Letters of interest and resumes were received from Jack May, Larry Jarrett, and Nelson Prater. At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, Council indicated their desire to interview all candidates. Council is scheduled to formally appoint a representative to the NTMWD Board at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Resolution Updating and Reaffirming Transportation Committee DART’s 2030 Transit System Plans At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, the Transportation Committee made a recommendation that Council consider a resolution encapsulating previous City of Garland transit positions. Council is requested to review a proposed ordinance updating and reaffirming DART’s 2030 Transit System Plans.
g. Transportation Committee Report Willis Council Member John Willis, Chair of the Transportation Committee, will provide a committee report on the following items: • Updates from Dean International, Inc. on IH-30, IH-635 East, and SH-78 developments, DART, THSRTC, and TEX-21. o IH-635 East Sound Wall Project Status o IH-635 East Service Road Project Status o Garland Citizens Advocacy Group o DART Focus o Annual Legislative and Congressional Missions o Recommendation that Council adopt a resolution supporting the development of the IH-635 East Project (from US-75 to IH-30) • Annual review of Transportation Committee activities in order to provide a report to the Mayor for Council (per Council Policy OPNS-23, Section 4). • Proposition 1/HB 1 and joint committee meeting. h. Composition of Interim Transportation Transportation Committee Committee The Transportation Committee is requesting that Council discuss the composition of the interim Transportation Committee.
Ordinance Amendment Relating Development to Smoke Shops Services Committee At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, Council considered a recommendation from the Development Services Committee regarding an amendment to the ordinance relating to the creation of a zoning classification for smoke shops. Council is requested to review a proposed ordinance amending Sections 10 and 38 of Ordinance No. 4647.
Environmental Waste Services Young Residential Rate Increase A proposed residential rate increase was planned for FY 2014-15 when operating costs were anticipated to increase due primarily to equipment replacement and the expansion of the Single Stream Recycling Program. However, the ice storm that occurred in December 2013 resulted in significant operating costs which will cause the Environmental Waste Services Fund to drop below its 45-day fund balance requirement. Council is requested to consider a mid-year rate increase.
Second Quarter Financial Results for FY 2013-14 Young Staff will present the second quarter budget to actual financial results for FY 2013-14.
Taxation of Leased Vehicles LeMay/Goebel At the request of Council Members Scott LeMay and Anita Goebel, information is provided on the taxation of leased vehicles. Vehicles leased for business or personal use are currently subject to taxation as Business Personal Property. Property tax is assessed to the lessor (the entity holding title to the vehicle) who, by contract, typically passes on the tax to the lessee (person using the vehicle). The City, at its option, can exempt vehicles leased for personal use.
Consider the Consent Agenda Council A member of the City Council may ask that an item on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting be pulled from the consent agenda and considered separate from the other consent agenda items. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time.
5. Announce Future Agenda Items Council A member of the City Council, with a second by another member, or the Mayor alone, may ask that an item be placed on a future agenda of the City Council or a committee of the City Council. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time. 6. Adjourn Council
May 19, 2014 Work Session
1. Written Briefings: a. Insurance Services Office Review The Garland Fire Department is preparing for an Insurance Services Office (ISO) review and will be hiring a consultant to assist with the review. An ISO review is a lengthy, complex process, and having a consultant will provide critical expertise in order to achieve the best score possible. b. Pace House – Proposal Review Team Recommendation Council previously directed staff to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to parties interested in accepting ownership of the Pace House from the City of Garland. The RFP respondents were required to submit their proposals to the City along with their qualifications, proposed property location, and use by April 15, 2014. After reviewing the proposals, staff has determined that Louis and Kay Moore best meet the evaluation criteria. If Council concurs, staff will continue the process to transfer the Pace House ownership to Louis and Kay Moore. c. 2013-14 Budget Amendment No. 2 Council is requested to consider amending the 2013-14 Adopted Budget in order to appropriate available funds for the following: 1) Projects approved in last year’s Budget, but not completed by the fiscal year-end, 2) Mid-year adjustments to Public Safety Grants, and 3) Expenditures not anticipated in the 2013-14 Adopted Budget. If Council concurs, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 3, 2014 Regular Meeting. d. Deny Atmos Rate Increase As recommended by the Atmos Cities Steering Committee (ASCS), Council is requested to consider approving an ordinance denying an Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division gas rate change. The City of Garland is a member of the ACSC, a coalition of over 164 cities served by Atmos Energy Mid-Tex. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting. e. 2014-15 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Public Service Budget Staff has compiled a funding allocation for the 2014-15 CDBG Public Service budget based on direction provided by Council at the May 5, 2014 Work Session. This item has been scheduled in the event that additional review of the CDBG Public Service funding is necessary. This item is scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Briefing on Proposition 1 Rep. Pickett State Representative Joe Pickett will brief Council on Proposition 1 and transportation funding.
DART Update Williams/Willis At the request of Council Members B. J. Williams and John Willis, DART staff will update Council on DART’s paratransit services, activities, programs, and projects within Garland.
Richland College Garland Campus Williams At the request of Council Member B. J. Williams, Mr. Mehrdad Haroutunian, Chief Corporate and Workforce Development Officer at Richland College, will brief Council on programs and activities available at the Richland College Garland Campus.
Working with Millennials Athas At the request of Mayor Douglas Athas, Britton Cunningham with the North Texas Commission will provide a presentation on “Working with Millennials.”
Interviews for an Appointment to the North Texas Council Municipal Water District Board of Directors The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) notified the City that Jack May’s term of office as a NTMWD Board Member expires on May 31, 2014. Information was posted on the City’s website for 14 days regarding the qualifications of the NTMWD Board Member in order to provide an opportunity for citizens to apply for the position. Letters of interest and resumes were received from Jack May, Larry Jarrett, and Nelson Prater. At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, Council indicated their desire to interview all candidates. Council is scheduled to formally appoint a representative to the NTMWD Board at the May 20, 2014 Regular Meeting.
Resolution Updating and Reaffirming Transportation Committee DART’s 2030 Transit System Plans At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, the Transportation Committee made a recommendation that Council consider a resolution encapsulating previous City of Garland transit positions. Council is requested to review a proposed ordinance updating and reaffirming DART’s 2030 Transit System Plans.
g. Transportation Committee Report Willis Council Member John Willis, Chair of the Transportation Committee, will provide a committee report on the following items: • Updates from Dean International, Inc. on IH-30, IH-635 East, and SH-78 developments, DART, THSRTC, and TEX-21. o IH-635 East Sound Wall Project Status o IH-635 East Service Road Project Status o Garland Citizens Advocacy Group o DART Focus o Annual Legislative and Congressional Missions o Recommendation that Council adopt a resolution supporting the development of the IH-635 East Project (from US-75 to IH-30) • Annual review of Transportation Committee activities in order to provide a report to the Mayor for Council (per Council Policy OPNS-23, Section 4). • Proposition 1/HB 1 and joint committee meeting. h. Composition of Interim Transportation Transportation Committee Committee The Transportation Committee is requesting that Council discuss the composition of the interim Transportation Committee.
Ordinance Amendment Relating Development to Smoke Shops Services Committee At the May 5, 2014 Work Session, Council considered a recommendation from the Development Services Committee regarding an amendment to the ordinance relating to the creation of a zoning classification for smoke shops. Council is requested to review a proposed ordinance amending Sections 10 and 38 of Ordinance No. 4647.
Environmental Waste Services Young Residential Rate Increase A proposed residential rate increase was planned for FY 2014-15 when operating costs were anticipated to increase due primarily to equipment replacement and the expansion of the Single Stream Recycling Program. However, the ice storm that occurred in December 2013 resulted in significant operating costs which will cause the Environmental Waste Services Fund to drop below its 45-day fund balance requirement. Council is requested to consider a mid-year rate increase.
Second Quarter Financial Results for FY 2013-14 Young Staff will present the second quarter budget to actual financial results for FY 2013-14.
Taxation of Leased Vehicles LeMay/Goebel At the request of Council Members Scott LeMay and Anita Goebel, information is provided on the taxation of leased vehicles. Vehicles leased for business or personal use are currently subject to taxation as Business Personal Property. Property tax is assessed to the lessor (the entity holding title to the vehicle) who, by contract, typically passes on the tax to the lessee (person using the vehicle). The City, at its option, can exempt vehicles leased for personal use.
Consider the Consent Agenda Council A member of the City Council may ask that an item on the consent agenda for the next regular meeting be pulled from the consent agenda and considered separate from the other consent agenda items. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time.
5. Announce Future Agenda Items Council A member of the City Council, with a second by another member, or the Mayor alone, may ask that an item be placed on a future agenda of the City Council or a committee of the City Council. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time. 6. Adjourn Council