Agenda

AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
City of Garland
Work Session Room, City Hall
William E. Dollar Municipal Building
200 North Fifth Street
Garland, Texas
July 9, 2018
6:00 p.m.

DEFINITIONS:

Written Briefing: Items that generally do not require a presentation or discussion by the staff or Council. On these items the staff is seeking direction from the Council or providing information in a written format.

Verbal Briefing: These items do not require written background information or are an update on items previously discussed by the Council.

Regular Item: These items generally require discussion between the Council and staff, boards, commissions, or consultants. These items are often accompanied by a formal presentation followed by discussion.

[Public comment will not be accepted during Work Session
unless Council determines otherwise.]

NOTICE: The City Council may recess from the open session and convene in a closed executive session if the discussion of any of the listed agenda items concerns one or more of the following matters:

(1) Pending/contemplated litigation, settlement offer(s), and matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information deemed confidential by Rule 1.05 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Sec. 551.071, Tex. Gov't Code.

(2) The purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, if the deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the City in negotiations with a third person. Sec. 551.072, Tex. Gov't Code.

(3) A contract for a prospective gift or donation to the City, if the deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the City in negotiations with a third person. Sec. 551.073, Tex. Gov't Code.

(4) Personnel matters involving the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear a complaint against an officer or employee. Sec. 551.074, Tex. Gov't Code.

(5) The deployment, or specific occasions for implementation of security personnel or devices. Sec. 551.076, Tex. Gov't Code.

(6) Discussions or deliberations regarding commercial or financial information that the City has received from a business prospect that the City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the City and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations; or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect of the sort described in this provision. Sec. 551.087, Tex. Gov't Code.

(7) Discussions, deliberations, votes, or other final action on matters related to the City’s competitive activity, including information that would, if disclosed, give advantage to competitors or prospective competitors and is reasonably related to one or more of the following categories of information:

generation unit specific and portfolio fixed and variable costs, including forecasts of those costs, capital improvement plans for generation units, and generation unit operating characteristics and outage scheduling;
bidding and pricing information for purchased power, generation and fuel, and Electric Reliability Council of Texas bids, prices, offers, and related services and strategies;
effective fuel and purchased power agreements and fuel transportation arrangements and contracts;
risk management information, contracts, and strategies, including fuel hedging and storage;
plans, studies, proposals, and analyses for system improvements, additions, or sales, other than transmission and distribution system improvements inside the service area for which the public power utility is the sole certificated retail provider; and
customer billing, contract, and usage information, electric power pricing information, system load characteristics, and electric power marketing analyses and strategies. Sec. 551.086; Tex. Gov't Code; Sec. 552.133, Tex. Gov’t Code]


1.		Consider the Consent Agenda A member of the City Council may ask for discussion or further information on an item posted as a consent agenda item on the next Regular Meeting of the City Council. The Council Member may also ask that an item on the posted consent agenda be pulled from the consent agenda and considered for a vote separate from consent agenda items on the regular agenda. All discussions or deliberations on this portion of the work session agenda are limited to posted agenda items and may not include a new or unposted subject matter.

2.		Written Briefings:

	a.	Temporary Street Repair Parking Prohibitions Council is requested to consider whether to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances to permit the Director of Streets to temporarily prohibit parking of vehicles along a street or alley as necessary for construction, repair or maintenance projects. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be considered for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.

	b.	Sale of Property - 4318 Rosehill Road Council is requested to consider accepting the offer and sell the property to Mrs. Ramirez and provide an executed deed without warranty. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.

	c.	Sale of Property - 2113 Cranford Drive Council is requested to consider accepting the offer and sell the property to Mr. De Luis. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.

	d.	Parking Restrictions - Kirby Street and Shephard Drive Council is requested to restrict parking in limited sections to address the overparking on Kirby Street and Shephard Drive.


3.		Verbal Briefings:

	a.	Public Safety Committee Report Council Member Scott LeMay, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee (PSC), and Chief Mitch Bates, Staff Liaison to the PSC, will provide a committee report on the following items: Review of commercial vehicles parked in residential areas overnight Review Parking/Pick-up and Transportation issues at Shugart Elementary Review Use of Fireworks/Firearms for celebratory purposes Review Share-Bike Drops

	b.	Board of Adjustment - 2018 Annual Report The Board of Adjustment will provide Council with an annual report.

	c.	Library Board Overview and Update The Library Board will provide an overview and update on projects and activities pertaining to library services for Garland citizens.

	d.	Amend Rules of Order - Speaker Priority Open Mic 2018 At the request of Mayor Lori Barnett Dodson, Council is requested to discuss amending the rules of order to give priority at the open mic to Garland residents. If so directed, an item will be placed on the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting to amend the Rules of Order and Procedure.

	e.	Amend Council Policies to Create Two New Council Committees - Transportation & Marketing At the request of Mayor Lori Barnett Dodson, Council is requested to discuss amending the Council Policies to create two new standing Council Committees - Transportation and Marketing. An item will be placed on the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting to formally amend the Council Policies.

	f.	Discuss Council Member Assignments to Council Committees The Mayor will present and discuss Council Member assignments to Council Committees. An item will be placed on the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting for Council to approve or deny the Mayor's appointments.

GARLAND POLICY REPORT

City Council Work Session Agenda		Work Session Item 2.a.
Meeting Date:	07/09/2018
Item Title:	Temporary Street Repair Parking Prohibitions
Submitted By:	Steve Oliver, Streets Director
Strategic Focus Areas:	Well-Maintained City Infrastructure

ISSUE
Consider whether to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances to permit the Director of Streets to temporarily prohibit parking of vehicles along a street or alley as necessary for construction, repair or maintenance projects.
OPTIONS
Adopt an Ordinance that authorizes the Director of Streets to temporarily prohibit or otherwise restrict parking along a street or alley within or adjacent to the site of a construction, repair or maintenance project. Take no action.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Option 1. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be considered for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.
BACKGROUND
In the FY 16/17 budget process, the City Council approved funding for an asphalt overlay crew in the Street Department. The goal of that crew is to overlay 35 lane miles of streets each year, the vast majority of which are residential streets. When the Street Department prepares to overlay a street, notices are sent to all the abutting residents advising them of the upcoming street overlay project. The letter is typically sent out a week in advance and advises the residents not to park on the affected street during the days that the project is scheduled. Occasionally, when the Street Department is paving a residential street, vehicles are left parked on the street, which impedes the ability to pave the street. The first avenue to get those cars moved is to knock on doors in the vicinity of where the vehicle is parked to try to identify the owner and have that person move the vehicle. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to identify the owner and have them move the vehicle. Previously, when we could not get the vehicle moved, we contacted the Police Department's towing contractor and requested that they move the vehicle. Those vehicles have been towed and re-parked on a nearby street. The Street Department had been previously moving vehicles under Section 30.217 of the Garland Code of Ordinances that allows the Director of Police to impose temporary parking restrictions in conjunction with a special event. This required the Street Department to coordinate with the Police Department and the towing company used by the Police Department to tow vehicles. Upon review of that ordinance, it became clear that a specific ordinance addressing street repairs or construction, rather than the special event authority of the Police Department, would be more appropriate. Because the existing special ordinance arguably does not apply to the situation involving street repairs, the Street Department has briefly suspended repairs in those areas where parking restrictions need to be imposed pending an appropriate ordinance. The proposed ordinance that the City Attorney's Office has developed will give the Director of Streets authorization to prohibit or restrict parking as necessary to faciliate street and alley construction, maintenance or repair projects. The ordinance will require the Street Department to post signs restricting parking prior to the beginning of a project. The ordinance will allow those vehicles that are in violation of the parking restrictions to be relocated to a nearby area outside of the construction zone. If no such nearby area is available, the vehicle can be towed to an impound lot. Prior to implementing parking restrictions under this ordinance, the Street Department will coordinate with the City Attorney's Office to develop the wording of the parking restriction signs so that they meet the requirements of the ordinance. The Street Department will also modify the notification letter that is distributed to the residents to advise them that vehicles that are parked on the street may be towed to an adjacent street or to the impound lot, if necessary. Because this towing operation is not the typical towing procedure, rates for these type of tows will have to be negotiated with a towing contractor. The Street Department plans to absorb all costs associated with these towing operations and not charge the owners of the vehicles for the cost of the tow or impound.
CONSIDERATION
Council action is required to adopt the Ordinance that will authorize the Director of Streets to temporarily restrict parking as necessary for construction, maintenance or repair projects. The City Attorney's Office has developed an Ordinance, which is attached for City Council review.

Attachments
Temporary Street Repair Parking Restrictions Ordinance

GARLAND POLICY REPORT

City Council Work Session Agenda		Work Session Item 2.b.
Meeting Date:	07/09/2018
Item Title:	Sale of Property - 4318 Rosehill Road
Submitted By:	Corey Worsham, Tax Administrator
Strategic Focus Areas:	Vibrant Neighborhoods and Commercial Centers Sound Governance and Finances

ISSUE
The City of Garland has received an unsolicited offer from Celerina Ramirez related to the purchase of City owned property obtained through a Sheriff’s Sale. This property is located at 4318 Rosehill Road. Mrs. Ramirez has presented an offer of $35,155.51 for the property. The purchaser has also agreed to pay the post-judgment taxes at closing. The post-judgment taxes are approximately $4,158.08 which will result in the total amount received at closing of approximately $39,313.59. The City of Garland will receive sale proceeds of $1,500 for maintenance, $18,084.15 in abatement/demolition liens and $3,495.71 in taxes (includes post-judgment taxes of $1,166.93).
OPTIONS
The City Council May: 1. Approve the sale of 4318 Rosehill Road to Mrs. Ramirez and provide an executed deed without warranty, or 2. Deny the offer presented by Mrs. Ramirez.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the offer and sell the property to Mrs. Ramirez. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.
BACKGROUND
The property was struck off to the City of Garland at the Dallas County Sheriff's Sale on March 2, 2010. In accordance with Section 34.05 of the Texas Property Tax Code, the offer meets the minimum bid requirements and does not require the consent of other taxing entities. If the sale is approved, the City of Garland will accept payment on behalf of all entities and disperse all sale proceeds.
CONSIDERATION
This property has been held by the City of Garland since 2010. Pursuant to Section 34.05 of the Texas Property Tax Code it may be resold to a private entity with the approval of the governing body. The sale of this property further supports vibrant neighborhoods, commercial centers, sound governance and sound finances.

Attachments
4318 Rosehill - Resolution
4318 Rosehill - Offer
4318 Rosehill - Map and Picture
4318 Rosehill - Deed

GARLAND POLICY REPORT

City Council Work Session Agenda		Work Session Item 2.c.
Meeting Date:	07/09/2018
Item Title:	Sale of Property - 2113 Cranford Drive
Submitted By:	Corey Worsham, Tax Administrator
Strategic Focus Areas:	Vibrant Neighborhoods and Commercial Centers Sound Governance and Finances

ISSUE
The City of Garland has received an unsolicited offer from Ruben De Luis related to the purchase of City owned property obtained through a Sheriff’s Sale. This property is located at 2113 Cranford Drive. Mr. De Luis has presented an offer of $13,269.60 for the property. The purchaser has also agreed to pay the post-judgment taxes at closing. The post-judgment taxes are approximately $2,398.63 which will result in the total amount received at closing of approximately $15,668.23. The City of Garland will receive sale proceeds of $1,500 for maintenance and $3,782.30 in taxes (includes post-judgment taxes of $209.86).
OPTIONS
The City Council May: 1. Approve the sale of 2113 Cranford Drive to Ruben De Luis and provide an executed deed without warranty, or 2. Deny the offer presented by Mr. De Luis.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the offer and sell the property to Mr. De Luis. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting.
BACKGROUND
The property was struck off to the City of Garland at the Dallas County Sheriff's Sale on October 4, 2011. In accordance with Section 34.05 of the Texas Property Tax Code, the offer meets the minimum bid requirements and does not require the consent of other taxing entities. If the sale is approved, the City of Garland will accept payment on behalf of all entities and disperse all sale proceeds.
CONSIDERATION
This property has been held by the City of Garland since 2011. Pursuant to Section 34.05 of the Texas Property Tax Code it may be resold to a private entity with the approval of the governing body.

Attachments
2113 Cranford - Resolution
2113 Cranford - Offer
2113 Cranford - Deed
2113 Cranford - Map and Picture

GARLAND POLICY REPORT

City Council Work Session Agenda		Work Session Item 2.d.
Meeting Date:	07/09/2018
Item Title:	Parking Restrictions - Kirby Street and Shephard Drive
Submitted By:	Paul Luedtke, Transportation Director
Strategic Focus Areas:	Growing Economic Base Well-Maintained City Infrastructure Vibrant Neighborhoods and Commercial Centers

ISSUE
Parking on Kirby Street and on Shephard Drive has grown and is causing traffic congestion at driveways and intersections. Council is requested to restrict parking in limited sections to address this overparking.
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to bring changes to the ordinance that would restrict parking on both sides of the street at all times in the following areas: Kirby Street from Forest Lane to Edgewood Drive Shephard Drive from Forest Lane to 475 feet south of Forest Lane
BACKGROUND
Staff was requested to review the parking issues on Kirby Street and Shephard Drive related to difficulty in manuverability through these streets. Upon observation on several occasions, the parking was determined to cause problems for trucks trying to make deliveries to local businesses. On Shephard Drive, parking on either side of the street resulted in the inability of two way traffic flow at the traffic signal with Forest Lane.
CONSIDERATION
Parking restrictions could force existing parking to seek other undesirable locations.

Attachments
Shephard Drive Parking Restrictions
Kirby Street Parking Restriction


4.		Regular Item:

	a.	Texas Municipal Power Agency Applicant Interviews Council will conduct interview(s) with applicant(s) and discuss the appointment / reappointment process for the City of Garland's representation on the Texas Municipal Power Agency. Mr. Ratliff's term of office as a TMPA Board Member expires July 18, 2018.

5.		Discuss Appointments to Boards and Commissions

		Council Member Robert Vera Caleb Ernst - Citizens Environmental and Neighborhood Advisory Committee

6.		Announce Future Agenda Items 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.

7.		Adjourn