Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting in the City Council.

Today, Tuesday, September 16th, 2025.

It's 2 p.m.

We do have a quorum, so I'll call the meeting to order.

First thing on the agenda, citizen comments on the consent agenda items.

Seeing none takes us to reports or for clarification of agenda items listed on this agenda for public hearing and individual consideration.

Any clarification questions for um public hearing individual items?

Then that takes us to our first work session.

And that's item 3A, ID 25, 363, receive report hold discussion, give staff direction regarding the city's water master plan.

Morning, mayor, counsel.

Or after you say.

I got Joe's disease.

All right, I'm Stephen Gay, Water Utilities and Street Operations General Manager.

I'll be uh presenting the updates to the water master plan today.

We do have representatives from our consultant firm Kimley Horn in the room.

Should we have some uh highly technical questions we need to bring them into the fold on?

So the current water master plan was adopted in 2018.

Now, master plans are planning tools.

The water master plan is a tool that predicts growth and identifies water infrastructure needed to support it.

Uh these growth projections are associated with capital plans, which start with a 25-year planning window, and then are further refined down to a 10 and a five-year window where the uh confidence in the data is a lot higher.

Uh the weight the water master plan completed in 2018, projected lower growth in the outer regions of our system and higher growth in the core.

This is exactly the opposite of what we're experiencing today.

The objective of this water master plan update is to address the shift in growth trends that we are seeing from the 2018 Water Master Plan.

This imbalance is driven or driving the need for additional treatment capacity and conveyance infrastructure not contemplated in the 2018 plan.

The current overall growth has exceeded projections in the western and northern areas of the city, driven primarily by industrial land use south of 380 and west of I-35, as well as the Hunter and Coal developments to the south.

This heat map shows the change in the growth trend from those projected in 2018.

This is what we're actually seeing today.

The area in red represents growth that is far above projections, and the area in blue represents growth where it's well below projections.

As you can see, the higher growth areas are concentrated around the perimeter of the city, while in fill and growth of the core has slowed.

Most of the area in red, where we have is most of the area in red is where we have little infrastructure, therefore making it more costly for us to provide water services.

Service area 1A is 65% below projections.

Service area 1B is 185% above projections.

And service area two is 14% above projections.

Growth in 2025 is aggressive and consistent with the trend shown through 2024.

Now you all seen this slide before many times in our water master plan in our impact fee studies.

That dash line on the map dash line on the map represents our CCN, which is our certificate of convenience and necessity, where we have an obligation to serve.

So to forecast growth, we use a myriad of internal data sources, including but not limited to existing customer water meter data, planned developments in the 5, 10, and 25 year window, the comprehensive plan, which helps us determine uh future land use and categories as well as associated population.

Additionally, we review historic and current population projections collected from the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

All of these sources are then combined to create the overall population projections and build a capital improvement plan necessary to support the predicted and projected growth.

It's important to reinforce master plans are living documents that require frequent evaluation to ensure that treatment and conveyance systems responsibly evolve to support growth and all Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Requirements.

Now, once we understand how quickly we're growing, where we need infrastructure to support the growth, we build a capital improvement plan.

The projects shown in red represents the capital improvement needed in the five-year window.

Blue represents projects needed in the 10-year window.

And the green represents projects needed within the 25-year planning window.

Now, because the population projections were lower in the 2018 Water Master Plan, the conveyance and treatment improvements in the 2018 capital improvement plan were less intense compared to today's projections.

The 2018 Water Master Plan identified a total of 248 million in capital investment over the planning window.

This update identifies 1.12 billion of needed investment.

This is being driven by several factors.

Material costs have more than doubled since 2018 through inflation.

Labor costs have skyrocketed.

COVID was a of a contributor, contributing factor to that.

Growth in the outer regions where little infrastructure exists is occurring more much faster than predicted.

And with demands exceeding projections, more treatment capacity is required, causing uh further expansion of our water treatment facilities.

In a nutshell, growth projections and capital improvement plans use a myriad of information to inform them.

Master plans are living documents that need consistent revision.

Growth is incurring in areas where we have little infrastructure opposite to that of 20, the 2018 projections, and inflation, uh labor cost, and limited infrastructure and growth centers is driving up cost.

So that's essentially the update on the water master plan.

And our next steps are going to be we'll be giving a presentation to the public utilities board on the 29th, and hope to have this in front of council for adoption on the 30th.

With that, I'll stand for any questions.

Thank you.

Questions for staff.

Representative from District 2.

Thank you.

Um I appreciate the um the updates.

The uh one of the things that I notice in comparing the 2018 master plan to the current proposal is that you're really careful to say, look, none of the projections were like we we were projecting.

Uh and therefore we need to be flexible and accommodate that.

I I guess my question is um well we do have to, I agree that we we do have to deal with what's on the ground and the growth that we're experiencing.

But I guess my question is I didn't see in this master plan much in the way of sort of combinations of incentives and and disincentiveslash impact fees slash other mechanisms to try to guide development from happening where it wants to versus happening in ways that we could leverage the infrastructure the way we had it in our 2018 plan so that we don't get into these cost of runs.

Can you can you discuss the incentive and and and fees kind of paradigms that we need to shift to?

What I can speak to is the frequency in which we revisit these master plans.

I think one of the um the products of that that shift was we weren't focusing on the water master plan.

We focused on the wastewater master plan, there are impact fees, and these these studies are designed to merely identify you know how quickly are you growing, where are you gonna grow, and what kind of infrastructure you're gonna need, and it's really driven by development.

So I think through us being more deliberate in the frequency in which we assess or review these plans, it kind of keeps us closer to the mark.

Is that help answer your question?

A little.

I I I take your point, but I I guess I'm I'm encouraging us to not merely react more frequently, because that still makes us reactive.

Uh and I know to some degree in the United States we're going to follow market-driven approaches.

Um, but to the extent that we can do master planning, the whole point of a planning document is to try to assess you know what what would be overall best for the community.

And and I think in 2018 and the previous one, we were we had proposed a more centralized plan uh to leverage resources.

So I I would encourage us going forward, yeah.

I think we do have to react to where we are now, but maybe give this council and future councils options for staying on target.

Um so um and if we choose to not if we choose to go off target, great.

That's our choice.

We've done that affirmatively on purpose.

Um but the reason I bring this up is um you know I know our options are limited in a regional water master plan because people will tend to just do well in septic if we're not careful if we're too egregious.

But what are our options to bring people to the table to have both a regional approach and try to keep it centralized where it's cheaper for our taxpayers and ratepayers?

Um and because this this we're seeing in your 2018 versus 2025 numbers, we're seeing the impacts of sprawl.

I mean, let's not let's not make bones about it.

The the fact that we under guessed was partly due to what you said, but partly due to sprawl and the impacts of sprawl.

Is that wrong or am I right?

Well, point point well taken.

And what I I can also say is that we're doing uh we've tightened up those relationships between us and development services, so we're communicating more um, I would say more effectively with regards to developing where we're seeing the development and and how those fit into our plan.

So I don't think that you're you're wrong.

Um and we have to I would say for lack of a better term, level set and and kind of get the plans done and then start moving forward from there if that's reasonable.

Yeah, I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions for SAF?

Representative from District 4.

Thank you.

Uh the last slide, uh the public utilities board on the 29th and the adoption by the city council the next day.

Is that enough time?

Yes, sir.

It's it is.

I mean, that's it's it's one when that season of those back-to-back meetings.

We we feel that it's enough time.

Okay, that that seems awfully fast to me.

Thank you.

Any other questions for staff?

Okay.

Um I just want to make sure I understand the context.

Is the what is this study is updated for to what end?

It's then turned around and used for yeah, it's if it's used in it's part of the information gather we use in our our impact fee studies and our capital improvement planning.

So when we look at the water master plan, that's where we go to that five-year window and we look, hey, we have what do we have to plan for within that five-year window to have to build so it informs those future plans.

Right or helps to, yes.

And so if I'm looking at the methodology, those are kind of the data points, if you will, that'll be plugged in to then uh and are there other data points that are not listed that are available or how is it prescribed how what you can use?

It's not prescribed what we use, those are just examples of the data that we use.

Um, I guess the highlights we you know, we engage with development services all the time, we engage with the development community to understand what's happening and where, and so those were just some really you know more rigid examples of where we get the data, we harvest the data from it.

Okay.

Then I'm I may have I'll follow up with you.

I may have some thoughts around how to uh or what data points I think would be helpful, but I I just need to think through that and understand it better.

So I want to do it here live, but uh we'll follow up.

So thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

That takes us to 3B.

Receive report, whole discussion, give staff, and so I'm sorry, that's 3B ID 251642, receive a report, whole discussion, give staff direction on resolution declaring June as pride month in the city of Denton.

Good afternoon, Mayor and Council Christy Fogel, uh Chief of Staff.

Uh as a reminder, on June 17th, Councilmember Beck presented a two-minute pitch to consider a resolution naming recognizing the month of June as Pride Month in the city of Denton.

Um at that time, the council did not reach the necessary consensus of six council members to place the proposal on a future agenda as a resolution.

However, a consensus of four council members was provided to support moving the pitch forward on July 18th.

Staff issued an ISR and the Friday report, and then in August, the agenda committee routed the pitch to a council work session for consideration.

So today we're just here to get direction from council.

A consensus of four council members is necessary to move forward with consideration of a resolution.

So council's options are uh bring a resolution forward for council consideration.

Um a drafted resolution was provided by the requesting council member, so any direction you may have on that language as well, um, and then bringing the resolution uh forward for council consideration.

And then the second option is do not bring a resolution forward for council consideration.

With that, I'll turn it back over to the mayor.

Thank you.

And and I'll just start by saying I'm option two.

This is not a core function of the city of Denton.

Um we don't we don't take these steps for any other class.

The city is very uh forward thinking that way and models all the things we should be doing, but in a time where I mean it's just if you look at the entire city, this is going to it's divisive, and um I don't say that lightly.

I say that we don't do Black History Month, we don't do any of those things, none of our peer cities have done this.

Uh none of our other existing governmental entities in the city of Denton have done it.

There's there's there's no comparison, and again, it brings in additional strife.

And I'll say this, it it for those that argue on the uh I I don't know the title of it, but I I'll just say I don't know.

I mean, if there's an elephant in the room, you might as well pet it.

I I was I was born black.

I I don't have an option to go back and not be black.

I you know, but there's it's it's not a it's not as simple as people say as far as a it's not a race thing, it's not you know, you're you're born certain ways, I get it, but you're also uh you have there's choices made in life, and and and those choices, I'm I'm not taking a position on any of those.

Everyone's free to make the decisions they need to make, but there's certain decisions you don't get to make DNA race, those you're born and and they're inherent, and so for me, I just don't want to add another thing that divide that is divisive, and and and anyone that says it's not divisive, then you tell me that 160,000 people in the city didn't agree.

And I get it that we have to make choices, but this is a this is unforced error, and so that's why I'm not supportive.

And I'm sure I'll have more to say if somebody pops off about something that I that that that uh takes issue with me.

I just gave my personal viewpoint, and so any arrows uh shot this way will be returned.

So anyone else?

Representative from district one uh option one.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Representative in district four.

Option two, please.

Thank you.

Um bear with me.

Anyone else?

Representative from district two.

Thank you.

I uh this this was uh this resolution was something that uh I worked on with uh members of the community.

Um it represents uh a combination of efforts and thoughts of of people uh across our community allies, people in the community themselves.

Um it it's uh consistent with is as we state in the the whereas is um sort of inclusive nature of of our community, and I I think it just um really helps exemplify who we are to make this point uh that this is a community that's that's welcoming and inclusive.

Um and so I I think it's it's easy enough uh for us to take this step uh recognize uh that you know we do live in a shared community.

Uh it's an opportunity of us for to celebrate each other and our accomplishments, and I encourage us to uh to bring this uh forward.

Uh I'm I'm I'm open to suggestions that would get us to consensus, but I'm I'm currently starting off at option one.

Okay, anyone else representative from district six sorry council person juster.

Um I I have a question to start with, and then I have some uh comments.

Um is this anticipated to be for next June?

That this would be the resolution for June of 2026, or is this retroactive to the last June?

So I I'll have to defer to legal on the rec retroactive of it, um, but is as written as drafted by the proposing council member, it does not have a date set on it, so it would as I understand it be in perpetuity for any June moving forward and it doesn't have a date set to it.

I would defer to Councilmember Beck.

He's the one that drafted it as to what the intent is.

Okay, yeah, representative from district two.

Uh yeah, I didn't put a date on it.

Okay.

Um so I um my direction would be um I am uh in favor of uh a pride declaration.

We've done it in the past.

I've not had any uh negative feedback from that.

Um I certainly don't think it hurts to uh put a flag in the ground and just say we are inclusive of all uh choices that people make and want to live here so long as they are abiding by our laws.

Um I do have some specific uh suggested changes uh that council member Beck can consider, and this is after some research on my own as well as speaking to members um of the uh pertinent community.

Um first I would say that the the laundry list that's included, I think actually could serve to fight against inclusion instead of for inclusion.

I think that once you start naming all of the different variations that are out there, and the vernacular keeps changing and there keeps um uh there is uh are additions that are constantly made as far as different kinds of um avenues that people uh or rooms that people want to live in.

Uh so I would personally suggest that we leave it to the LGBTQ plus.

I think that that includes everyone, and I think if you if you continue to add on to that general list, uh that every year we're gonna have other groups come forward and say, what about this group, what about that group, or what about uh another group.

So I I personally think that um throughout the document, as opposed to calling out a specific uh one specific group that we just say LGBTQ plus, and I think that that does, and and uh from conversations I've had um with those in the community, I think that uh the agreement is there that I I think that that people know what that means uh and that it includes the different groups.

I would also say that um in my opinion, the paragraph regarding the uh undesirable and uh ongoing beh public behavior in Texas that continues to threaten the health safety and rights of Denton's transgender community and run counter to denton values as inclusive and LGBTQIA 2 S plus welcoming city.

I personally would strike that.

Um I don't know that it's necessary to give the message that we are an inclusive place where everyone's rights are respected, and I personally think it could be interpreted as antagonistic to our legislators uh and others.

And uh one thing that I have learned sitting in this seat is how very important the partnerships we have with other governmental entities are and how we uh working together as good partners benefits uh the city of Denton, and I believe is in the best interest of our citizens.

Uh so that would be uh a request I would make.

Um and then I I would say I in my watching of the uh charter review committee.

I uh I'm not uh I don't remember the instances of the gendered language, replacing those with uh non-gendered language in the city charter was necessarily a commitment to uh gender uh diversity and quality.

I think it was cleaning up as far as sometimes the person in that role is a woman versus a man, and instead of just saying there, they said he she.

So um I would say that my direction is um even if we can't decide uh on the language today, I'm in favor of continuing maybe to workshop this language.

I know I've kind of thrown out some specific instances.

Again, I I don't have a problem saying uh we're in favor of upholding everyone's rights, we're in favor of celebrating the LGBTQ community, uh the history, what they've overcome, and uh their contributions to our city uh and recognizing them, but I I just have I do have some issues with the language.

Um so anyways, that's uh my discussion points at this time.

Okay, please state your point of order.

Sorry.

Mayor, uh council member just you brings up an interesting point that certainly pertains to me.

I simply don't know what all those initials stand for.

Could somebody clear that up, please?

Uh not today.

Um our staff can follow up after the fact or something.

Yeah.

So I I can read from the proposed resolution that defines each of the initials if that's helpful.

Do you concur with those definitions?

Uh meaning I don't want to I don't I don't want to yeah.

Yes.

Okay.

So council council member Holly.

Sorry.

So the initials stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, to spirit plus thank you so much.

Okay.

Anyone else?

Seeing none.

Um representative mayor for Tim.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, do we already have something like this?

A resolution for proclaiming something something month for for anything.

Do we know?

Just where we always declare whatever month.

Like I know we have water month and things like that.

I know we usually do it as a right.

Those are typical mayoral proclamations.

Right.

I can't speak for anything that is on the books as an ordinance or a resolution at this time.

But staff can look into that.

Okay.

Um and have we ever because I know I know this came about originally because the Pride Month proclamation had happened before, and this year it didn't happen.

Um have we ever looked into or is it an option as well that let's say a a future mayor is not comfortable doing a particular proclamation that um you know a backup could volunteer potentially.

Has that ever been discussed, or is that a possibility as well?

Or is that just fully not an option either?

I should have asked y'all ahead of time, sorry.

No, I can speak to the charter gives proclamation power to the mayor.

The mayor's one has the authority to do that.

Okay.

Um well, given that I I I would back up what council member Jester was saying about um it does get added to over time.

Um the plus would take care of any additions.

Um so I would agree with that.

I thought the same thing about gendered language.

I thought it was just a we're not gonna say anybody's gender, we'll just keep it you know neutral because it is sometimes a woman or a man, and just you can just not even use the gender at all, and just whoever's in that seat.

Um so I would agree with you on that as well.

And then you said oh, the attack.

I mean, so I'd be I'd be open to work workshopping it.

Um if council member Beck was okay with making at least those two changes today.

Um I'd be happy to support it today as well.

Okay.

Anyone else for representative from District Five Um Mayor?

Can we give some clarity on whether Dr.

Beck is going to go with the changes before I speak about them?

No, go right ahead.

I just want to get everyone's unbiased, just kind of get it out there.

You have thoughts, share those, because then inevitably I would have to go back once you share your thoughts and ask him again how you're okay with those things.

Let's get it one fate of swoop.

Go right ahead.

I was trying to avoid speaking on it for a third time if he was amenable to it, but I will speak on it a third time.

That's fine.

Um I too am okay with the gender language changes and and the plus.

Just I I'm okay with that as long as you're okay with that since you originally uh brought this motion forward.

Um I'm going to I'm gonna be option one, obviously.

And um mayor, you bring up an interesting point.

Would you support a council resolution supporting Black History Month?

I I feel like I thought you said that since we don't do this for other folks, we shouldn't do this for this.

Is that my understanding of your marks?

You you are correct.

I my core feeling is we don't need to be in the business of shouting out races, it's just too it's too complex, it's too, it's just a lot.

So, yeah, no, I I would not be supportive of any of them as case in point, we don't do them, but yeah, so no, it's short answer.

Uh no, I don't I don't want to be in the business of of anything other than Denton citizens, residents, high level, catch everybody.

No one no one gets upset if you say you're a resident of Denton.

I hear you.

Um appreciate your answer on that.

I'm gonna be obviously option one because uh we have to think about why we do this.

So when we think about Pride Month, I don't think it's just about I don't think it's just about celebrating our LGBTQ folks.

It's also about raising awareness to the issues that our LGBTQIA folks deal with in our community.

We need to constantly be reminded about the issues that they face every day, living their lives as they want to, because discrimination is real.

Whether or not we choose to admit it, whether we choose to ignore it or hide our faces, bear our heads in the sand, discrimination is a thing, and it happens.

Pride month is a way for us to build community support for LGBTQIA folks.

It's a way for us to encourage and support acceptance of all people, including our LGBTQIA folks.

This is the reason that we do this.

It's important for us.

And uh and mayor, no arrows, but we gotta be consistent.

I find it disturbing that as a black man, you could use your race to then deflect away from the experience of a person who's in another marginalized group.

That's very sad, it's small and tiny.

I think we gotta be better than that.

The beauty of being black and brown is that we touch everything, we experience everything.

Black and brown folks are LGBTQIA folks, Hispanic folks, LGBTQIA folks, white folks are LGBTQIA folks, LGBTQIA folks encompass every single race in society.

It's not in fact it's not in fact limiting, it's all encompassing when we start to realize that many of us are LGBTQIA, or we have LGBTQIA members in this family.

Statistically speaking, there are LGBTQIA folks in this room.

Whether or not they choose to identify publicly, they are in this room.

If we're really going to be inclusive, that means we have to bring everybody in.

What I love about Denton is that everybody's included.

If we're really gonna include everybody, that means all of us.

So I'm option one with those edits, and I look forward to seeing whether or not Dr.

Beck uh suggests those.

Okay, thank you.

Uh I have a question for staff first.

Past two years.

Did we receive a pride proclamation request?

We received one this year, 2025.

Past two years.

To my knowledge, in 2024, we did not.

Okay.

I cannot speak.

I believe the last time we did one was 2022.

Correct.

The last time we had a request for one.

That's right.

And so the majority of this body was has been here.

Did any council member in 22?

No, 23 and 24, request a pride proclamation.

Not to my knowledge.

Thank you very much.

Mr.

City Attorney, what is a city, what city ordinances or rules can we put in place regarding race, gender, any of those things.

What specific ordinances can we put in place to address that population of the city of Deb.

That's such an open question, Mayor.

Try to start to formulate an answer to that.

Well, the short answer is for the utility bill.

Can we adjust according to those issues?

No.

Do we fix streets based on those issues?

No, yes.

Do the city.

No.

Okay.

Parks.

Is there park access that that is limited by that?

No.

Obviously.

Okay.

So sit library is are you limited?

Obviously, right.

No.

So there we don't make decisions that way.

And and so that's it is divisive.

And it's just the current need is to get back to not being divisive, my thoughts.

And again, no other nothing, no one else in the city of Denton.

Not one governmental entity.

It's taking a step.

Not one.

There's plenty of people that champion a lot of people, school district, TWU, UNT, go outside of City.

City of Louisville, City of You name it, because I checked.

Not one proclamation, not one step here.

No different than when we did the abortion resolution, no different than we did the Medicaid for All resolution.

Again, Denton just gets outside of the lane, and I have plenty to say.

I'm not gonna go back and forth.

I I disagree with um uh the assertions made.

I don't know why a council member feels the need to invoke me and and give me a hard time at every turn.

That's okay.

I I don't understand it, but I'll deal with it in different ways uh and and take that up as needed.

So that said, thank you for those answers.

Representative from district two.

Thank you.

Um I appreciate the city attorney's uh um answers all although um we do have a whole non-discrimination ordinance against uh uh or for um uh and and noting the unique characteristics of protected classes.

So I think if we'd given the city attorney an opportunity to describe uh how we legislate protective classes, um we we would have gotten a more full answer.

That said, um by my head, I I I see here um uh four votes for a modify modification of the proposed language to simplify the the acronym to to drop the ongoing behavior whereas and and to drop the gendered um charter language, whereas I'm I'm completely fine with that because the the bulk of the inclusivity, the bulk of the messaging, the bulk of the nature that says what kind of community do we profess to be is that um as I I can't I think maybe it was Councilor Jester's uh we talked about living document.

No, I guess it actually that was Mr.

Gay in Living Documents, but someone earlier talked about living documents.

This can be another example of a living document.

Um I elevated you to counselor, sorry, Steven.

Um and so uh I'm happy to start with this kind of language, and if we need additional changes going forward, um uh by my count that's four.

I don't know whether Councillor Byrd would be amenable to jumping on board.

So that sounds like five for um the modified language suggested by uh councillor just would come back, right?

We're not we're not voting on something we hadn't seen.

So you're gonna bring it back.

It can be so the plan was to bring it back as either a consent or an IC item and not for another work session.

Um you have the language and the backup with those and so we can update that and send that out to council with those updates prior to consideration.

Yeah, I I I didn't, yeah, I represent from district six.

Maybe you can say it better than me.

No, um, and and forgive me if this is going outside the uh rules, but um if if uh council member Beck would be ameniable, I am the one that made the suggestions.

It would it be possible to have an opportunity for us to work together on uh the wordsmithing and then presented with that uh and if that's not acceptable, I understand this is a suggestion.

Mayor I appreciate you letting us go back and forth um I I I think I mean it it sounds like the the changes are simple enough reduce the acronym size um delete the two whereas that were problematic for you I don't think that um oh I we'll see what the community feels about that in the long run in in the court of public opinion but for me it sounds like those are de minimis changes that we could then take straight to a vote so I I would support making those simple simple changes uh and and direct so and and it it sounds like others were in agreement on that so I I would I would expect that we don't need additional dialogue I think we're we're hashing it out here and can bring something forward um for consent or I see I imagine if it's consent it will probably be pulled so I'm going to recommend that it's probably IC but uh if the the appropriate legal place is consent and then pull it great uh whatever understood and thanks for your consideration okay uh yeah if you could send that out please that that'd be good yes sir and then uh yeah we'll take it from there thank you very much thank you that takes us to item three C ID 251729 receive report hold discussion give staff direction regarding the proposed expenditures on the tourist and convention fund okay good afternoon mayor and counsel Christine Taylor assistant city manager last week at our September 9th budget work session the city council provided consensus to hold one additional work session today prior to the budget adoption this evening uh the goal of this discussion today is to finalize the allocation uh with the not to exceed amount in the current budget from the tourist and convention fund to the various organizations for the 2526 budget uh based on the the discussion last week we've prepared two different scenarios for consideration and discussion uh the first one uh so I'll I'll go over this matrix first so there's a lot of information on the screen honing in on what's most important is what's highlighted in the red but on the left we've listed out each organization that um applied what they received in 2025 is that first column the second column represents when they submitted their application for funding what they requested uh the next column after scoring those applications this was the baseline recommendation for funding the next column indicates after it went through community partnership what the final recommendation to council was and then the last two highlighted in the red are based off what we heard last week some changes so we'll walk through each of those so the first scenario uh each scenario contemplates removing the ambassador program entirely and a reallocation of the ambassador program funds and a portion of the contingency funds in scenario one there is an increase of 2000 dollars for the Denton County Office of History and Culture there was some uh indication to explore adding additional funding to the Denton Festival Foundation which is arts and jazz and the holiday lighting festival association both of those increases represent 25,000 increase on each of those uh the Denton Parks Foundation for their dog days event a $30,000 increase and the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Foundation represents a $70,000 increase we have zeroed out or decreased the ambassador program by the $291,000 and decreased the contingency funds by $58,893 still leaving a contingency amount of $72,000.

The second scenario contemplates a couple different things uh a $300,000 allocation to the Denton County Office of History and Culture a $10,000 increase to the Denton Festival Foundation and the Denton Holiday Festival Association keeping the dog days amount of the 30 thousand the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame at 7000 reduction of the ambassador program and then draws down the contingency amount to a little over two thousand dollars so looking for discussion and direction on these two options and scenarios again last week we did agree to leave the not to exceed amount the total amount the same and just work within the allocations within the budget which is part of the adoption process this evening so I I'm gonna start by saying I support uh scenario two it I think is just critical from a partnership standpoint to support uh the county's initiatives the fact that the uh community market is a component of that uh just they there's just a number of things we're working on to be good partners and good stewards of that relationship and I think it it does drive uh those dollars uh to our community and then uh certainly uh the to add to the other components is is good dog days comes right back to us and some

The fact that the uh community market is a component of that.

Uh just they there's just a number of things we're working on to be good partners and good stewards of that relationship.

And I think it it does drive uh those dollars uh to our community, and then uh certainly uh the to add to the other components is is good.

Dog days comes right back to us, and so everything lays out.

I won't go bit by bit, but I I think it does uh meet what we're trying to achieve and stays within budget and doesn't dip into the to the to the fund balance.

I I thank staff for for taking those efforts and and so yeah, I think that's uh and and that's a heck of a return on investment, and so it meets the need, one, and then two, we've benefited been benefited some 50 million dollars at the cost of 300,000.

I think that's good and right to do.

So uh that's that's my thoughts.

Uh any other direction.

Representative from District Six.

Uh Councilperson Jester, uh I first I want to thank staff.

Um we gave you a lot of uh feedback, and I'm I'm very impressed with the creative way that you have addressed what was a lot of different concerns that you heard.

And so uh first, just a very sincere uh thank you that that can't have been easy to do, and none of these choices have been easy.

They're all our babies, and we want everyone to uh receive what they need uh from us, but that that's not possible.

Um my direction would be the option and scenario two, and uh biggest concern to me is that Denton County Office of History and Culture.

The more I've looked into it, you know, they do maintain the courthouse on the square, which is uh the basis and and what a lot of our other the other things that we're funding, the basis of where that starts and what that revolves around, whether it be Halloween or Twilight Tunes or the Main Street Association's work.

I mean, all of this is contingent on the courthouse on the square and the lawns being available as well as the museum and the the places they have to visit, the conventions that come in, they're always transported.

That's one of the biggest things is transporting them down to the square area uh to the museum, to the Discovered Denton, to the different restaurants and things.

So I mean, I absolutely believe that the maintaining of that, of course, in $300,000 does not maintain the county courthouse, of course, and and uh all of the other uh areas.

This also includes the uh county park, which houses the historical park.

When we uh didn't feel that we had the funds to move the Evers House, the county stepped in and said we will move it to the historical park, uh which they maintain through this office.

Uh they've got a house from the original Quaker town uh neighborhood uh that they have saved, which is you know an important part of the city of Denton's history.

Uh so they have been uh a really good uh partner coming through for us.

Uh they've also um as the mayor mentioned, I think it's over 54 million dollars in the last four years that they've contributed toward streets that are not their responsibility, but we are the county seat and they want to work with us.

We go to them and ask to partner with them on incentives for things that will help the city of Denton, not necessarily the whole county.

So um I I believe that uh going the in and going back and looking at the amounts that were awarded last year versus this year, there's no group that was awarded as much that then went to zero uh in the initial uh the first look uh coming out of committee, then the Denton County Office of History and Culture.

Uh so I I think for for many reasons, the um Veterans Hall of Fame, the Parks Foundation, Holiday Foundation, Denton Festival Foundation.

Um, you know, unfortunately that we're gonna dip in other places, but um when you look at what I believe is in the best interest of our citizens, it's option and scenario two.

Thank you.

Anyone uh anyone else direction?

Representative from District 5, then two Christine, I don't know if you can answer this question, but practically speaking, what does $15,000 mean for festival and holiday?

Well, it certainly closes their gap um on what they're trying to achieve.

Um they they did get a a funding decrease from last year to this year.

Sure.

But there we have seen external fundraisers going on, so it it certainly contributes towards closing their funding gap for both of their events.

Any chance that you all spoke with either of them prior to this, prior to bringing this to us to make sure that even with outside fundraisers, they will still be able to continue their work with a $15,000 decrease to both organizations.

So there have been various adjustments, and um I think the uh holiday festival foundation is working very closely with our parks and rec staff because they're looking at relocating that event from the square to the Quaker Town Park.

Um when is this expected to come to us in a public meeting for a vote?

Tonight.

Um no, no, no.

I mean not the individual agreements?

Yeah.

Uh we'll typically have them in uh October.

But that's the individual funding agreement.

So today we're talking about just finalizing the budget amount so we can approve the budget this evening.

In the event that either of these organizations can absolutely not operate with a $15,000 um cut and the funding that we appropriate to them.

Is there any type of contingency?

Uh this contemplates a small contingency, $2,000.

Okay.

Um and also fun funds are returned if they can't hold the event.

And this is for program year 26.

So this is uh for next month.

Next year, yes.

Okay.

Councilmember McGee, they um I specifically spoke with the um the arts and jazz, and they have reduced their stages, and uh they picked up some sponsors.

So I don't know about the uh holiday festival, but I can say that any amount of money we give them is gonna be helpful.

Okay.

And so I think um I think they'll be okay.

I'm option two.

I would feel better if someone from staff at least reached out to them and you know figured out if there's any more that we can do to make sure that they can those events can still be successful.

So I'm an option two.

We've offered to help them in any way possible with marketing and other stuff, so I think we can continue to do that, yeah.

Great.

Representative two.

Thank you.

Can you can you um flip forward to the uh the summary, thank you?

Um I I I appreciate that the there was an op there's an option, there is an opportunity and work put on into these, and I appreciate staff doing that.

Um did we discuss various options that are sort of in between these because I could see what the the difference in two and one is uh thirty thousand dollars to two uh lines and a hundred thousand dollars in the in the other.

Is that correct?

So I mean if if we had twenty-five and twenty-five as in option one, uh that is a reduction of thirty.

So you could take uh history and culture to two seventy and still meet all the rest of these things.

Um and and not worry about the things that counselor McGee brings up, um, still substantially fund the request from the Office of History and Culture.

Um have less of an impact.

So um while I'm I'm okay with either of these two options, I'm going to recommend a sort of 1.5, which is which is 270 25 and 25 instead of and and that way we are essentially doing all the things.

Um I I hope that people will entertain that notion.

Any anyone else?

Representative from district one?

Option two anyone else representative from uh Mayor Pro Tim.

I have one question before I give my my thoughts.

Um please explain to me what it does to us to have the contingency funds balanced down to what was it, two thousand?

And then how fast does that accrue back up or what impact does that create by having that number so small?

We've not in the past had a contingency line item budgeted out of the hot funds they've typically allocated to every group.

And since we changed the process, the committee wanted to have a reserve contingency amount in case something came up, and then they had some funding available in the budget to create a a voting item and give additional funds.

So this is the first time we've seen that line item.

Yes, okay.

So we won't miss it if it if it's a little small this first time.

Okay.

Uh I'm good with option two.

Thank you.

Okay, anyone else.

Seeing none, uh, thank you very much again.

Um to the city manager and staff's credit.

Uh they continue to do the things that they have promised to do as far as help drive funding and as far as fundraising and help in that way.

But then also I'll I'll just take a moment to brag on them.

I gave them something last minute uh that could be significant uh as far as bringing in extra dollars for events, and they they were able to uh hopefully uh well, they got that ball rolling.

We'll see hopefully if that manifests, but there's we're constantly trying to pull in new dollars and and make sure we add uh to the uh what's available to then share uh all the great things happening there in Denton.

So thank y'all very much for your your work that way.

Sure appreciate it.

Uh and so that concludes our work session.

I'm seeing no closed items.

Man, heck yes.

Uh so that concludes our work session and time until we reconvene at 6 30 for our regularly scheduled uh meeting.

So we're adjourned till 6 30.

Thank you.

Good evening, welcome back to this meeting of the Denton City Council.

It is 6 30, and we do have a quorum, so I'll call the meeting back to order.

First thing on our agenda pledges to the United States and Texas flag.

Please stand with me if you're able.

And two, which stands one nation under the individual, liberty and justice rural.

Honor the Texas flag.

I collect allegiance to the Texas.

One state under God, one and indivisible.

Thank you.

We have a few proclamations.

First, if you could uh if you were here with the Denton Firefighter Department uh achievement ISO class one rating, if you can meet me at the podium.

Okay, we can slide down that way.

Okay, well, thank y'all for being here.

If you can uh tell us what we're recognizing.

Actually, I think I'm gonna go ahead and turn it over to Mr.

Chuck Allen.

I'll let him introduce himself.

I think he's gonna do a better job at this than what I can.

Yeah, no, and then after which we'll have everyone introduce themselves real fast.

Kenneth Hedge is Fire Chief.

Chuck Allen, the assistant state fire marshal.

Eric Diarmo, State Fire Marshal, PPC Oversight Officer.

Brian Allen, Captain Station Eight.

David Becker, Assistant Fire Chief.

Jason Owen, Lieutenant Station One.

Brian Cox, Assistant Fire Chief.

Christopher Wells, Tellboard Station One.

Jared Higgins, driver, station one.

Walker Armstrong, firefighter station one.

Okay, yes.

Yeah.

First off, uh, want to say thank you, Mayor, City Council, Fire Chief, uh, Water Department, 911 Communications, and all staff that took part in this survey.

It takes many people to ensure that these surveys are successful.

Your team within the city compiled did a did a phenomenal job of providing all the information, documents, and other information necessary to see the city achieve its new ISO rating.

Currently, there's over 100 apartments with a class one rating here in the state of Texas, and just over 500 departments across the great country that are class one.

A few fun facts about this the uh survey.

Your last survey was done in 2017, and Chief Pauls Grove was your fire chief.

Your city population was noted at 128,205.

You had 37 on-duty personnel, three engines, three ladder companies were recognized in the survey.

You scored 38.86 points out of 50 for the fire department side.

You scored 8.99 points out of 10 on your emergency communications, and you scored 38.91 points out of a total of 40 for your water supply, which gave you an a total of 88.24, which represented your current class two rating.

Your most recent survey here in 2025, Chief Hedges is is your fire chief.

You have a population noted of 164,096.

You have 55 on duty personnel now.

You have nine fully staffed engines, two ladder companies.

You scored 42.1 out of a possible 50 points for the fire department, 9.98 points out of a possible 10 for your emergency communications, and 39.91 points out of a total of 40 on your water supply, giving you a total of 93.73 points on this survey.

Some of the largest improvements were related to credit for your telecommunicators, which went from 3.44 points to 3.98 out of a total of four.

You had a large increase in credit for engine companies that went from 2.57 points to six points out of a to give you max credit in that category.

The other big improvement came from credit for your inspection of and flow testing of your fire hydrants that went from 6.2 points in 2017 to a max of seven points in 2025.

These improvements are directly attributed to the hard work in the field, excellent record keeping and the funding from the city to make sure the city of Denton Public Works, 911 Communications, and the Fire Department have the equipment, resources, and staffing to contribute to obtaining your Class 1 rating.

Better yet, the citizens of Denton should be excited to know that the city provides the support to these departments to help them be successful.

On behalf of Commissioner Cassie Brown with the Texas Department of Insurance, Chief Deborah Knight and myself, we want to recognize the hard work and dedication of the City of Denton for obtaining your Class 1 ISO rating.

On behalf of Chief Knight and myself, we're excited to present this plaque, this award of achievement for providing exemplary fire protection services to the community by obtaining that class one presentation.

Excellent.

That's great.

Give me a hand.

And so it's a proclamation by the mayor of the city of Denton, Texas, to all whom these presents shall come.

Greetings.

Wait, just sorry.

Wait a minute.

I this one's a little tricky.

I'd mess it up.

I'd certainly mess it up.

So here we go.

All right.

Oh, there's the words.

So it says greetings, whereas achieving an ISO class one rating is a result of the department's dedication to maintaining state-of-the-art equipment excellence, excellent training standards, and consistent emergency communications, as well as effective collaboration with the City of Denton's water utilities and dispatch services.

And whereas this distinguished rating may contribute to lower insurance premiums for our for homeowners and businesses enhancing economic resiliency and quality of life in our community.

And whereas it underscores the Denton Fire Department's unwavering commitment to protecting the lives, property, and well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors of Denton and the City of Denton recognizes the tireless efforts of the firefighter support staff and leadership of the Denton Fire Department.

Now, therefore, I, Gerard Hudson with Mayor of the City of Denton, Texas, do hereby declare and proclaim the 16th day of September 2025 as a day to honor and celebrate the fire Denton Fire Department for achieving an ISO class one rating.

We express our deepest gratitude for their exemplary service and commitment in keeping our community safe.

Thank you very much.

Yes.

Thank you very much.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Oh, can I give you these?

There's some extra questions.

Thank you very much.

And if you are here with uh good neighbor day, you can come on down.

Thank you.

Okay.

And who's who's gonna tell us what we're recognizing?

I doubt it.

All right, thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

So Sean Jacobson here on behalf of the planning department.

One of the things that we've enjoyed most in the last year is that we've been getting to do more neighborhood planning.

So finding ways to create resources, opportunities, and tools to help our residents and our neighborhood groups build community.

And a lot of that has been behind the scenes so far, but we're excited to have one of our first actual events for that, which is that we want to celebrate Good Neighbor Day.

That's something that's been around for quite a number of years, but as far as we know, it has not been celebrated here in Denton.

So that'll be on September 28th this year.

And uh one of the things we thought would be really fun is if you want to be a good neighbor, it helps to know your neighbors.

And uh so what we have developed and what will be available for any residents to pick up at city public buildings are these who is my neighbor magnets.

So if you have a dry race marker, it allows you on the each of the houses around yours to mark the name and phone number of your neighbor.

So you can go over, gives you a chance to meet them, introduce yourself, have someone that can check on an Amazon package if it's dropped off, maybe check in on your pets, but just to start to get to know those folks around you.

And I will say that's not just for our homeowners.

I live in an apartment.

I'm planning to go and talk to my neighbors above and beside me, you know, just that opportunity to get to know people a little better.

In addition, our friends over in marketing communications will have some fun social media activities, so you can keep an eye out for that.

Again, that'll be on September 28th.

And I do just want to allow my co-workers to introduce themselves as well.

Thank you, Sean.

Haley Zigersky, interim planning director.

Julie Wyatt, principal planner.

Cameron Robertson, Historic Preservation Officer.

Angie Mangleris, development review manager.

Awesome.

Thank you all very much.

I appreciate it.

And uh that that is valuable.

I mean, just a good reminder to get out and meet folks.

So thank y'all for that for the efforts.

Uh and it's a proclamation by the mayor of the city of Denton, Texas, to all whom these presents shall come, greetings.

Whereas good neighbors play an invaluable role in fostering a safe, welcoming, and vibrant environment, offering a helping hand, building connections, and contributing to the overall well-being of our city.

And whereas acts of mutual respect and active participation in our neighborhoods enhance civic engagement and strengthen community bonds.

And whereas September 28th has been designated as National Good Neighbor Day by this United by the United States government.

Now, therefore, I, Gerard Hudson with mayor of the city of Denton, Texas, do hereby declare and proclaim the 28th day of September 2025 as Good Neighbor Day in the City of Denton and encourage all citizens to make a special effort on that day to get to know your neighbors and to demonstrate what being a good neighbor is and is all about throughout through acts of kindness and hospitality.

If we can give them a hand, thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Well done.

And if you are here with United Way, if you can come on up, please.

Thank you very much.

Hey, how are you?

Hello.

Okay.

Come on, Jessica.

All right.

Who's uh who's the spokesperson?

And well, let's let's have everyone introduce themselves and then we'll find a spokesperson.

Sorry, uh Frank Dixon, board member.

Jenny McLaren, committee member.

Jesse Kent, committee member.

Christine Taylor, City of Denton Committee member.

All right.

Carol Ann Simmons, Lifetime Board Member.

Olivia Williams, Chief Programs Officer.

Marcy Pratz, Director of Marketing Communications.

Aaron Skinner, Committee Chair.

Megan Davidson, City of Denton Committee Chair.

Or co-chair, excuse me.

And I'm Gary Henderson, CEO of United Away of Denton County.

I'll be your spokesperson, Mayor, if that's okay.

Yes, sir.

Well, we're here to really celebrate two things.

One, it's United is away month, and we would love a proclamation if you have one handy, Mayor.

I just happened to.

That is awesome.

But we're also going to kick off the City of Denton Employee Giving Campaign next week.

So we have combination of board members, city employees who are on the planning committee, United Way board members, lifetime members, and community volunteers.

54,000 Denton County residents received help last year because of United Way donor support and our network of 18 nonprofit organizations.

54,000 is a huge number.

54,000 is a huge number, but across Denton County Mayor, there's 112,000 households that fall below survivor survival wage level, either in that poverty category or in that earning at a level that just doesn't meet all of the budgetary needs of a Denton County budget.

So we did well with our campaigns last year, but we only funded about 40 about 52% of the needs of our partner agency.

So our goal this year is a little bit higher.

We'd like to meet at least all of that, if not more.

But that's going to take support from donors across the county.

Sure.

Yes, excellent.

So what when you say events, what do people that want to get plugged in or donate?

What events are they looking for?

What's that look like?

Well, on the square, coming up in a couple of Fridays, Marcy, a week from Friday, two weeks from Friday, Peter Belt's annual truck parade, pride and class.

About a month away.

It's about a month away, Mayor Flo.

Time flies.

You know, I'm getting older.

Time does fly.

Uh Peterbilt will be back on the square with their pride in class truck parade.

Peter Belt's one of our largest donors to the United Way campaign, but their philanthropy goes well beyond that throughout the year.

So please come out, enjoy those trucks on the square and make a donation.

There you go.

Excellent.

Thank you very much.

And so uh the aforementioned proclamation.

A proclamation by the mayor of the city of Denton, Texas, to all whom these presents shall come greetings.

Whereas United Way of Denton County improves lives by mobilizing communities like Denton to action so all can thrive by working together to co-create solutions to people's most pressing challenges.

And whereas United is a way creates a healthy community with strengthened resilience, wellness, and financial security where everyone, regardless of age, has the opportunity to flourish.

Whereas United Way of Denton County leads the effort with a network of nonprofit governments, businesses, and donors to respond to our neighbors' immediate needs and seek seek out better solutions for larger community-wide issues.

Now, therefore, I, Gerard Hutz with Mayor of the City of Denton, Texas do hereby declare and proclaim September 2025 as United is the way month in the City of Denton, and we declare September 2025 as United United is the way month and proudly join United Way of Denton County in calling on all residents of Denton to give to one to impact many as we take action to create a future where everyone has a chance to thrive.

If we can give them a hand.

Yes, sir.

Excellent.

Thank you very much, James.

Hey, great to see you.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Great training.

Okay, if we could play the video on addressing council, please.

The Denton City Council has adopted rules of procedure, including a code of conduct that applies to the public as well as council members.

These rules were enacted to promote an orderly process and to preserve decorum.

Speakers will have four minutes to give a scheduled report and four minutes to give an open mic report.

A bell will ring when time has expired.

If the remarks are not concluded by that time, the speaker will be asked to stop speaking.

If the speaker does not cease and a second request is made, the mayor may request to have the speaker removed from the chamber.

Speakers should not approach the dais.

If a speaker has materials for the council, please notify the city secretary in advance.

For scheduled reports, the council may initiate discussion or ask questions.

For non-scheduled open mic reports, the council may listen.

However, because no notice of the subject of the open mic report has been provided to the public in advance.

The Texas Open Meetings Act prohibits discussion or decision by the council on non-scheduled items.

As a result, the council may only proceed as follows on non-scheduled items.

Propose to place the item on a future agenda.

Make a statement of factual policy or a recitation of existing policy.

Speakers are asked to direct all remarks and questions to the council as a whole and not to any individual member.

Please refrain from making abusive, personal, impertinent, profane, or slanderous remarks.

Anyone who violates the council rules of procedure may be immediately removed from the chamber.

Thank you in advance.

Copies of the rules of procedure are available from the city secretary.

Okay, first speaker is Tracy Duckworth.

If you can come down, you'll have give your name, you'll have four minutes.

For the record, this is my 11th time speaking here.

Eleven.

Um for anybody who doesn't know who I am or what I do.

I was homeless for many years, drug addicted.

I got housed um about three years ago through giving grace.

I started uh asking questions about the uh wraparound services um that we're supposed to receive.

I started getting retaliated against by the organization on August 6th.

I came here of last year, and I said we're being mentally abused, the homeless are being mentally abused, not provided what they say they provide for us.

The housing first is what I said was the housing first modules being violated, the hug curriculum cares being violated, the Americans with Disabilities Act is being violated.

Very shortly after that, the most extreme retaliation and mental abuse that uh anyone could suffer.

And I'm already I admit to my mental illness, and it was used against me by an organization that's supposed to help me because I spoke the truth, and y'all wouldn't protect me and help me.

There's one of you since I can't direct any comments toward any one of you, you know who you are that has a recording that's an hour long of me being retaliated against because I stopped sharing resources with giving grace, and I started asking questions.

I started running a street ministry from my apartment.

You should see it now.

I almost got the pictures in place to get to the secretary in time to show everyone.

However, I was up for the last two nights, like I usually am because I have PTSD as well, and this does wonders for my anxiety coming here repeatedly.

It just it just um amps up the retaliation.

Um, much like was said in the um work session earlier that discrimination is real, retaliation is really really real too.

One of you has it on tape.

I was retaliated against so hard by giving grace that I voluntarily exited a permanent supportive housing program.

How mentally abused would you have to be to voluntarily exit indoor living after fighting for it as hard as you did to get it?

My people are dying left and right on the streets.

I have a house full of supplies, it's beautiful.

I've got tent sleeping bags.

I wrote a whole list, but my time is obviously almost out.

Do you think the homeless people on the street call me and come to my house to get immediate assistance, or they fill out the link for giving grace street outreach and wait five to seven business days for a response?

I was literally in the middle of well, at the end, sorry, um, um, of hosting the memorial for Garrett Wolf of one of the homeless men found dead um on the streets here.

Um when John Ruff was murdered on the square, and then uh about a week ago we lost another one.

I'm either grief counseling somebody or uh or fear counseling somebody because the fear tactics that are used, and y'all don't help, you think it's funny.

It's not funny.

Don't please don't shake your head, no, because you do think it's funny.

Then help us because what y'all did, y'all say that y'all want to make homelessness rare briefing non-reoccurring.

Y'all just made it instant, constant, and impossible to get out of.

There's my time.

Thank you for your time.

Uh then next is uh Miss Vionica Vianka Anthony Mike Close.

V-I-A-N-C-A Anthony.

Okay.

Then Mr.

Chris Watts.

I can't use to that, Mr.

Mayor, Council members.

Sir Chris Watts here in the city of Denton.

Uh here representing Serve Denton as the board chair, and I've got a couple other members from our organization.

We got Pat Smith, CEO, and Eddie Rentz, uh, who's the board secretary.

Now, what I'm going to tell you is about an event we've got coming up October 23rd, and it's Eddie's and Clarissa Christman's sort of brainchild.

So he was going to do this presentation, but mayor being consistent to the rules, I have to be the one to make it.

So here we go.

But basically on October the 23rd, from six to nine o'clock in the Civic Center.

Serve Denton is going to have an event that coincides with the 30 days of 30 Halloween days of Denton.

It is called Atomic Bingo Bash.

Now, we all know what bingo is, but this isn't going to be your grandparents' bingo.

Because no, it's not.

It is not.

Number one, we're gonna serve cold beverages.

We're gonna serve frosty margaritas and cold beer.

And what it's gonna basically be is a costume party.

So we want everybody who comes to come in costume.

I expect to see everybody there up here on the dais.

I expect to see the city attorney wearing the British judicial, I believe, white wig that uh so often accompanies the TV shows.

Uh basically for it for the ticket.

Let me pull this up.

See, this is all on the fly, folks.

What you get for the t- oh, here's oh, yeah, good, good.

There it is.

Yes.

So what your ticket gets you is five bingo cards, and we'll have prizes for that.

It gets you a bingo dauber.

I had to learn what that was.

Yes, it's the thing you and you can keep it.

You can take it home with you as it's that's right.

You can keep it.

But wait, there's what it gets you an inflatable thunder stick, which can thunder.

That's what it says, isn't it?

Thunder sticks.

Yeah, that's what it says.

That's where you but what can happen is you can then bring those to council.

And when something's going on that you're really not uh agreeing with, you can begin to pound those sticks together.

You also get a couple pieces of pizza and some coke or coke product with that ticket.

And so really invite the community to come out.

The website, I believe, is bingo.

Atomic Bingo Bash.

Atomic Bingo Bash.com and would encourage everyone here.

Go on, get a ticket, find your best costume.

We've got a costume shop down on the square.

Yes.

That is a great place to go and and get a costume.

So come out, have a good time.

Um hopefully we won't recognize very many of us because we'll be in costume.

And it's gonna it's gonna serve a great organization.

Serve Denton has been in Denton for 13.

How much time do I have?

13 years.

It's basically a nonprofit service center that provides services and low-cost office rent to nonprofits so that they can use more of their really dwindling kind of resources, especially in this day and time, to really help as many people, their clients as they can.

So it goes to a good cause, and it is going to be a blast.

Just think of seeing all of your colleagues in a costume.

That's that that's worth the ticket by itself.

And I think we still allow phones so you can take videos.

We're gonna have a photo booth, so it's it's gonna be something that's gonna be a great memory, and it's gonna fit in, I think, really well with the theme of October for Denton Halloween.

So come on out, and I advide everybody here and everybody that's watching uh atomic bingo bash.com.

Okay.

Any questions?

Oh, come on.

All right, all right.

We're all good.

We have one.

Can I can I oh we do?

I didn't see it.

Oh, uh who is it?

Oh, Mayor Pratim.

Can't say uh what are you gonna be dressed as?

I will be one of the unrecognizables.

I haven't decided yet.

Okay, all right.

Good question.

Awesome.

Thank you.

Uh next speaker is Mr.

Nathan Goldsmith.

If you can come down, give your name, you'll have four minutes.

All right, thank you, Mayor.

Um see if I can get this up on the board here.

What's that?

We have a PowerPoint.

Okay, sir.

Good.

Thank you.

Name Nathan Goldsmith, uh resident here of Denton.

Uh last May we had a disaster declaration from the uh the county, the state, and a national disaster declaration under the uh 7481.

Um kind of the topic here is gonna be uh bad actors within the local community uh after a disaster, uh of which my family singing and don't care for that to happen to any others in this community.

Uh this is just a highlight of some of the ordinances or the review uh the uh have no idea what that one is.

Here we go.

So this is an overview of the uh the the uh codes and ordinances that we're looking at uh to talk on.

Hopefully, we'll get a work session after this.

Uh local development services, congratulations to the fire department on AOISO uh number one there.

That's a good one.

Uh but let's work on that for the uh NFIP as well.

That would be a great opportunity for the community.

So uh Danella contracting is the person's uh the person's associates that we were working with.

Uh never have they in over 10 years uh registered as a contractor with the city.

Uh here we just pulled it from the uh Denton permits uh showing that nowhere are they listed.

Uh some of the violations that we've run across is the approval of contractor registration, accessory structure permit, roofing permit, residential additions and alterations permits, electrical permits, plumbing permits, waste, solid waste and disposal ordinance requirements, and then potentially door and demolition permits.

Here was the addition uh also on the front of the house.

You saw some lighting uh wasn't properly done, uh, nor permits.

Uh here on the left, you can see there's a big hole or divot in one of the rafters there.

Um right, you can see hammer holes on new uh decking, and then below that you have plumbing that was uh altered uh during the process.

Here we have a broken truss.

Uh here we are on roofing, uh, specifically on this under the permit requirement.

Uh they have to be permitted as a contractor, and uh they were not.

But in this, they're saying they didn't break the trust.

But if they had abided by the policy of the uh the ordinance of the city, there would have been an interior inspection done beforehand, which should have been because of the high shear winds that we encountered during that process during that storm.

Um painting.

Uh this isn't about color of paint.

This is about improperly prepped, as you can see on the right or left, and then also on the right, you can tell where they didn't properly prep it because latex paint is peeling off of an oil-based paint.

Again, we have blistering on our paint on the left, and then you can see from the uh the siding on the right that it's definitely inadequate where it's been done.

Uh they also uh damaged some of the uh infrastructure.

Uh these containers over here.

Uh the owner of the company ran them over, failed to identify that when addressed with the foreman.

He said, uh, oh yeah, Bob did that.

He didn't tell you.

Asked Bob about it.

Oh, my foreman was supposed to tell you.

So uh we have infrastructure problems.

Also, if there's ever a uh an approaching this individual, he has a dog uh trained to demeatone uh human flesh, uh solid waste.

Sorry, having to go pretty quick on this.

Better business bureau has them as a A-rated plus.

Uh they are not, they don't even abide by their regulations.

Um how did we know about these individuals?

If I could have 10 more seconds.

And that's your time.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

Thank you.

And and I'm I'm I'm told staff's working with you on those or at least communicating with you, yes.

Uh slightly, yes, sir.

Okay, got it.

We'll we'll follow up with that.

Thank you very much.

Um next speaker is Nick Stevens.

If you can come down and give your name, you'll have uh four minutes.

Hi there.

That atomic bingo bash sounds fun.

I might come dressed as a pot leaf for that one.

I have uh one of those costumes from a few years ago.

Um so I'm coming on behalf of the John B.

Denton Neighborhood Association.

Um John B.

Denton neighborhood is my favorite neighborhood.

It's where I live, it's the best neighborhood in Denton.

Uh it's right over there.

It's where uh borders uh Hickory, Carroll, Ponder, and Panhandle.

And uh we are comprised of about 350 homes.

Uh Jacob Moses is a huge part of founding that uh neighborhood association, and I was asked to to to join leading him and Randy Hunt uh back at the end of May.

And I was asked to to join leading him and Randy Hunt uh back at the end of May.

And if you know Jacob or you know Randy or you know me, you can't find three people who are more different than one another.

But we all have something in common, which is that we love our neighborhood and want to make things better.

Uh and so I'm gonna read this letter.

It's on behalf of uh 61 signers, most of them from our neighborhood.

Republicans, Democrats, independents, former candidates, people that have voted for all of you.

Uh and I'm gonna read it and then just discuss what I can with the time that I have.

Dear mayor, council members, city manager.

The John B.

Denton neighborhood is the true core of the city, its most historic and established community.

We take pride in being at the heart of Denton, yet we are increasingly treated as an afterthought in city planning and construction management.

Over the past year, our streets have endured back-to-back utility and road work with minimal notice, poor coordination, no clear end in sight.

One recent example, one neighborhood street received just five days' notice for six months of construction immediately following six months of Atmos gas line work.

The project was never listed in the Friday's uh city's Friday staff report until it was complained about by me.

Uh one block over, residents were told that their project was delayed because Atmas had not yet completed the gas line replacements.

In other words, work was scheduled without confirming or coordinating utility readiness.

This isn't a one-off.

We are seeing a neighborhood-wide pattern of long timelines, overlapping projects, conflicting updates, and no single reliable source of truth.

In our neighborhood alone, this has meant unsafe walking routes and bike lanes, car wrecks caused by sloppily placed barricades on West Oak Street, missing sidewalks for months on end, blocked driveways that leave residents unable to enter or exit their homes without hassle.

We recognize that the city provides updates and sends notices.

But too often they're incomplete, last minute and out of sync with reality on the ground.

We're asking city council to take immediate action by holding a dedicated work session to overhaul how Denton manages sequences and oversees construction projects with an additional focus on preventing conflicts between utility and city work, establishing and enforcing stronger contract or performance standards with clear penalties for missed deadlines and poor communication, communicating with our neighborhood before, during, and after construction.

The John B.

Denton neighborhood has been patient, but patience is wearing thin.

Good governance starts with doing the basics well, and that means planning projects properly, coordinating between agencies and keeping residents fully informed.

This means not at the last minute, but from start to finish.

We urge you to treat this as an urgent priority and deliver real measurable change.

Signed the John B.

Denton College Neighborhood.

With the limited time I have left, uh I'm grateful to the city manager's office for uh calling on that audit to be done and the presentation that was done, and the ownership of the city manager's office for recognizing hey, we have screwed up a little bit, and there's some things we need to improve on.

That's what good leadership actually looks like is admitting fall and and doing better.

I'm grateful for those changes.

The neighborhood association is grateful.

Those changes aren't going to fix the problems, though, that we have in the neighborhood, and we need to do more.

The reason that I signed up on behalf of the neighborhood association to have this publicly posted and and provided this letter and signatures to all of you was to give you an opportunity now to respond and commit to helping assist the neighborhood with work session and and changes.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

And that takes us to our last speaker.

Uh what's that?

What oh, I'm sorry.

Uh I guess there's a couple of questions.

Bear with me.

I didn't see them.

Thank you.

Representative from District 2.

Is there is there someone else who wanted to just it was?

That's okay.

Go right ahead, though.

Um Mr.

Stevens, uh I will absolutely I was at the inaugural meeting the other day.

Yeah, thanks for being there.

Um I'm I'm happy to uh help you and the other leadership team uh take point and and see what we can do to get working with the city staff and and uh get get something going.

Awesome, thanks.

Representative from District Six.

And um uh my apologies, I do not have a question, but I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this to our attention and that um I do look forward to diving in and learning more about how the agencies are interacting with each other.

I know sometimes there are things out of our control as far as uh overseas shipments of materials and and emergencies.

However, um it does certainly sound like and from what I've seen on social media that this was uh unusual uh to put it as nicely as possible.

And so uh just wanted to say uh thank you for the way you presented it to us and that uh we received this and uh we'll continue looking into it.

Thank you for the question.

Awesome.

Thank you.

And um I I'm gonna ask that uh Frank's over this area, but uh this is um Seth Garcia.

If they would the first step would be to sit down with the association, a neighborhood association, and let them walk through the things and then let um Seth kind of follow up with this is what happened, this was happening, so there's a better ground truth, and then come up with a plan to to how we're gonna move forward.

So if that means uh we're not being notified effectively with our our partners who are doing the construction or another utility that's doing it.

Uh, and I know that some of that is happening, but I have the full faith in Frank and Seth that they'll get sit with the neighborhood and work this through this to get a good plan.

Thanks.

All right.

Uh one more uh Mayor Platinum.

Can I make you come back down?

I I did want to say thanks to to Nick for presenting to us and for the neighborhood for putting together this letter and so clearly communicating what the desires are.

Um I look forward to Seth and others reaching out.

Um I trust that Seth's gonna oh he left.

Um no, he's up there.

Uh that he'll work with the neighborhood to figure out ways to improve because I mean it it's it's clear that there are areas that could be improved, like communication and and but also understanding you know what's going on in the ground, but also what can we get better?

Um, and I look forward to hopefully being part of that too, so I can follow along as well.

Yeah, and I'd invite all of you.

I mean, this genuinely to take a walk with me down the neighborhood to see with your own eyes what we see every day.

I think it would be helpful.

Um, just good learning experience to see the glory that is the John B.

Denton Neighborhood Association right now.

Okay, thank you very much.

Uh next uh final speaker is uh Richard Gladden.

If you can come down and give your name, you'll have four minutes.

Thank you.

Uh those of you who don't know me, my name is Richard Gladden.

Um I'm here today to talk about something dealing with more or less transparency.

Um I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, are aware that at the end of uh last month, um many Denton residents discovered uh in the Denton Record Chronicle and from no other source, that a single member of the city council, along with other city staff or officials, met or were alerted to the fact that those individuals would soon be meeting with a representative of ICE from Dallas.

Um obviously that would deal with immigration, enforcement of federal immigration laws, and there was a lot of people really concerned that they were finding this out for the first time and in the newspaper, and even then they were not, they didn't know who was gonna attend this meeting representing the city.

They didn't know the time, the location, or what the subject matter would that would be.

Then, as a follow-up, the reader the readers of the Denton Record Chronicle in Denton learned once again, not from any city source, because we could not get very clear or anything other than very vague comments from the city spokesperson.

Readers after the meeting learned that there had been a meeting without saying where it was.

We did learn that the mayor, the mayor Hudspeth, the city manager, and our chief of police attended, but once again, we couldn't find out what was discussed.

Now I know the city spokesperson said, well, it was really nothing, nothing was discussed.

The city representatives didn't say a word, maybe that was the inference.

But that caused concern not just for me, but I think a lot of uh individuals.

I don't think seriously, or I hope uh that I wouldn't be subjected to being swept off the street by ICE or city police officers who have been deputized and made uh or placed under the direction and supervision from our U.S.

Attorney General.

I don't think I'm very likely to be swept off the street and sent to El Salvador or wherever.

But I think there's been enough images on TV that this is an extremely high importance and sensitivity to all our community members, whether they're documented, undocumented, of whatever race.

Uh and my I grew up knowing that if anybody's rights are violated, everyone's rights are violated.

And I've lived by that rule, and I hope many Americans do, I think they do.

Um, in connection with the transparency, I propose and I've provided or distributed a copy of this proposed ordinance under my proposed ordinance, seven days before such a meeting.

The city secretary would have to post a notice in accordance with or the manner in which uh meetings are posted under the open meetings act.

That after stating the subject matter, where the meeting is going to be, what time it's going to be, and then after the meeting, within three business days, any of those, even a single member.

Now, if an individual council member wants to go meet with whoever without city staff, that's totally up to them.

That would not be covered by this ordinance.

But if city staff or city resources are going to be expended, I think it's only reasonable that the city of the residents of Denton know when the meeting is going to be beforehand, whether they can participate or not, and afterwards get a reasonably detailed description of what was discussed, not just you don't really need to know because it really wasn't important and just go about your business kind of thing.

Um that it be considered by staff and the council at some point in time.

Thank you very much.

If there's any questions, uh Mayor Pro Temp.

Okay.

Representative from District 2.

Uh Mr.

Gladden, if you would get that, I I think you said you got your uh your proposal to all this, but if you make sure that it would uh it got to us and city staff, um, then um I'll I'll request that that they take a look at it and report back.

Uh okay, I appreciate uh just for information.

The a copy of this ordinance was placed in the backup materials that are available online.

I'm provided a copy of this.

Is there someone else I need to provide it to?

I think it'd be it's in the backup material.

If it's in the backup materials, then staff have it, and then we can we can we can take it from there.

Okay, I appreciate your time and thank you, Councilmember.

That takes us to the consent agenda.

I'll take a motion.

Uh nothing was pulled, so I'll take a motion on the consent agenda.

Represent uh Mayor Pro Tem.

Uh motion to approve the consent agenda.

Representative from District 6.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

And that passes seven to zero.

That takes us to our first public hearing, which is item 5A, ID 242622, hold a public hearing and receive citizen input on FY 2025-26 proposed budget taxpayer impact statement fiscal year 2025-26.

Good evening, Mayor, members of the council, Matt Hamilton, EDF Finance, uh, here to present for the public hearing as well as the budget adoption tonight.

As we left open the public hearing from last week to this week, uh, the presentation uh was very similar to the presentation that would be provided uh for the budget adoption item, and so I'll be presenting the budget adoption item, which includes just a couple more slides, uh, and that way it's a one comprehensive uh presentation for you.

So, as has been presented um at the uh budget workshop and the subsequent work sessions, as well as the public hearing last week, the city manager's proposed tax rate uh is comprised of two components, one being the maintenance and operations rate of.334780 and the debt service rate of point two six oh six four zero for a combined total tax proposed tax rate of point five nine five four two zero.

The maintenance and operations rate, which funds uh just the day-to-day operations of the general fund remains unchanged uh from this year to next, and the debt service increases one cent from point two five oh six four oh to point two six oh six four oh.

The no new revenue rate is point five five four two seven nine, which is a calculation uh that the city does with the truth in taxation statutes.

This no new revenue rate is the rate at which we would collect the same amount of revenue based on the same properties being on the tax roll last year and this year.

The published max tax rate, which the city council uh adopted in August of point six zero five four two zero, and the voter approval rate of point six one oh one five seven.

As a summary of the assessed values and tax rate history in 2026, we anticipate 22.7 uh billion in assessed value.

This in uh excludes the TERS but includes frozen values.

The proposed budget, as I noted, uh equals a tax rate of 0.595420, 0.33478 is provided for maintenance and operations and point 260640 for debt.

Again, the maintenance and operations rate is unchanged, and the debt service is proposed to increase one cent.

So to provide a summary of what a residential bill may look like on both the tax rate side as well as the utility side, the average tax bill based on an average taxable value, including the one cent increase, uh, would mean a $78 annual increase in the property tax bill.

And on the utilities side, an increase of $73, contemplating the 3% increase for the water utility and 11% increase for the wastewater utility.

There is no proposed increase for electric or solid waste base rates.

This is a summary of the general fund revenues.

Um as uh we reviewed last week and through the work sessions and in August.

The proposed 2026 uh revenue for the general fund is 218.8 million.

And on the expenditure side, 218.8 million for a uh balanced budget.

The primary drivers of the general fund expenditures are in personnel services as we went through uh the zero-based budgeting process and identified areas such as civil service overtime that needed to be uh right sized as well as increases to uh city benefits such as uh our health care uh expenditures.

You'll note that the fund balance percent as a um fund balance as a percent of total expenditures does drop below the target of 20 percent in 2026 to 19.3 percent, but in future years does uh recover above that uh target percentage uh starting the following year in 2027.

Our internal service funds are um funds that provide goods and services to departments within the city.

Um here is a budget reduction year over year of 2.2 million from 12.6 million to 110.4 million.

And our special revenue funds you can see here summarized.

Uh, the only change between the budget workshop uh and our this proposed budget is for the Legends MUD Fund, uh, which after conversations during the budget workshop, uh we increased to 204,500, so a fairly uh small increase of about $56,000.

Taking a look at our enterprise funds starting with the airport, the airport is uh proposed proposed revenue is two million five hundred and eighty-five thousand four hundred and sixteen dollars with an equal amount budgeted on the expenditure side.

Uh as I did last week, I just want to note that this is the first year in many years that the airport uh has a balanced budget.

Uh there is no general fund transfer transfer or subsidy for the airport, they're completely uh self-sufficient.

The electric fund has a proposed revenue of $526,631,020 with $509,582,231 in expense for a net income of $17,048,789.

There's no proposed uh base rate increase uh for electric proposed in 2026.

The solid waste fund $45,353,673 proposed on the revenue and expense side with no uh proposed rate increase for solid waste.

On the water side, we have $59 uh.1 million proposed in revenue and $62.7 million proposed in expenditures for a planned drawdown of $3.6 million.

We are proposing a 3% increase as well as a 297% increase for the wholesale treated water.

Wastewater 50.4 million in revenue and 51.3 million in expenditure for a planned drawdown of 935,000.

This is due to uh making a drainage transfer in order to move those funds into a uh project account uh for channel rehabilitation.

Now taking a look at a the summary of proposed general fund rate changes, uh these were brought forward on August 19th for council's review.

To summarize for the fire department, fees for uh special events and the special events will also include uh police and parks as you'll see.

Those uh had consensus from council on uh June 3rd.

But uh the fire department um proposing to increase EML EMS medical supplies, emergency standby, medical assistant fees, increasing fees for the training facility, operational permits, hazardous materials, uh increasing fire prevention reinspection fees, and then adding a lift assistance fee and gas leak standby fee.

The police department is proposing the special event uh rate increases for personnel, an increase for the training center and firing range fees, and an increase in the record records management fees.

The library is proposing an increase for lost or damaged DVDs, CDs, discovery kits, and RFID tags, as well as an increase in 3D printing materials due to just the cost of acquiring uh uh that material.

The perks and recreation department is proposing to increase their special event rates, uh, increasing recreation pass memberships, memorials, and cemetery fees, increasing facility rentals for the senior center, civic center, athletic fields, and the tennis and pickle uh ball court rentals, reducing mountain bike trail rentals, and increasing aquatic rentals, admissions, and memberships.

To provide a summary of the utility rate changes, as you've seen many times uh over the summer, this table illustrating the utility rate increases from fiscal year 2019 through the proposed 2026 with 2019 through 2023, either seeing rate decreases or no rate increase, and then increases beginning in 2024 through the proposed 2026.

For 2026, uh the city uh management's budget is proposing a 3% increase for residential and commercial accounts, as well as an increase for wholesale treated water, an 11% increase uh for wastewater, residential and commercial accounts, and for solid waste, there's no base rate increase, but we are clarifying the language uh in the rate ordinance just to add the category front load and side load shared services, and to clarify re-delivery as part of the existing delivery service fee, along with reducing the uh per item bulk collection limit from 10 to 5.

To provide an overview of the capital improvement program, uh the fiscal year 2026 CIP includes 552.8 million in planned new funding for fiscal year 26, 127 million of that is for the general government, 2.2 million for airport, 64 million for electric, 94.9 million for the water utility, 243 million for the wastewater utility, and 21.7 million for solid waste.

Here you can see an overview of the general government five-year CIP, which totals the 127 million, of which 44.2 million are geo bonds related to the 2023 bond program.

Uh 65.5 million are certificates of obligation for facility improvements, park improvements, and traffic traffic and street improvements, and 17.2 uh is being funded from current year revenue, impact fees, or other external funding.

Taking a look at the airport, the airport is proposing 2.19 million in capital improvements for fiscal year 2026, uh, the majority of which is part of the IIJA funding.

The city is responsible for a 10% match, which has been identified in existing funds.

The electric five-year CIP for fiscal year 2026 includes $63.9 million, of which $58.4 is proposed to be debt funded, $1.4 million revenue funded, and $4 million in cost participation.

Water uh water's proposed uh fiscal year 2026 CIP includes $94.9 million, of which $55.6 is debt funding, including the Texas Water Development Board, uh SWIFT funding, as well as $37.9 million in WIFIA funding, which is the federal EPA program that provides assistance for uh water infrastructure.

Water uh waters proposed uh fiscal year 2026 CIP includes 94.9 million, of which 55.6 is debt funding, including the Texas Water Development Board, uh SWIFT funding, as well as 37.9 million in WIFIA funding, which is the federal EPA program uh that provides assistance for uh uh uh water infrastructure on the wastewater side 242.9 million, of which 141.8 million debt funding and 98.2 million in WiFiA funding with 2.8 million being revenue funded.

Uh the reason for this large amount uh is primarily the plant improvement.

Solid waste is proposing 21.7 million uh in fiscal year 2026 for their CIP, 18.2 million being debt funded, 3.4 million being revenue funded, with the majority uh being the 14 million for the organics program infrastructure, and that brings me to the end of the presentation.

Okay, uh representative from district five.

We've got uh health insurance cost question if you don't mind.

Okay.

As you're coming down, oh well, I don't know who's ever taken this.

Um I'm just curious about the increase.

So round numbers, we've got 1800 employees, and we're on a hiring freeze.

Yet by my math, the cost per employee has gone up about 950 dollars.

Is that typical?

I don't I don't believe that dollar amounts card too in our budget workshop.

The employer contribution side is going up by 2.19% over last year, and that's what the city pays per employee towards that employee insurance, and then the employee has their own contribution depending on which plan they select.

I I get that, but I'm is that number typical?

It just seems like we're going up what one seven, one point seven million.

Uh I can look at the increase, but uh it's a pretty small uh increase, and it is based on as we add employees as claims increase, as health care increases, um, that we anticipate those increases in our health insurance fund.

And part of our striving to be employer of choice, we strive to keep those premiums down on the employee contribution side.

Okay, I I'm I'm accepting it.

That I understand, but I would not have expected it for it to be 1.7 million dollars given that we are in a relative hiring freeze.

That's all.

Uh it's based on prior claims, but that number is not all based on uh what the city's contribution side is going on.

That fund has revenues that are coming in that are 100% paid for employees.

So that number is not solely based on claims or the city's contribution payment.

Okay.

It's when people elect for additional services, we collect that revenue and then 100% adds a pass through.

Okay, that that might be the delta.

All right.

Thank you very much, Christine.

Okay, any other questions?

This is a public hearing, so you can I don't have any cards of people registered to speak, but you can come down and speak, fill out a card after the fact.

There's anyone that would care to speak.

Again, it's a public hearing.

I'll open the public hearing.

Um seeing no sudden movements, I'll close the public hearing, and I just want to confirm.

Uh I looked, I cheated it.

So this one we're not gonna vote on, we're gonna vote on the one in individual consideration.

But I just wanted to confirm a number, if I could please.

So our you know, lost in all the kind of numbers and departments and all that stuff.

It's just kind of how much of we spend in in 2026.

I that's important for me to know.

And so I I think I'm looking at the right thing.

I'm looking at 2.5 billion, is that 2.55 and some change, but just 2.5 to round.

Yes.

So that's that would be the total appropriation, including all of the operating and all of the capital uh improvement program.

Okay.

Last year 2.3 billion ish, this year 2.5 billion.

Yeah.

Got it.

And um just to rip a scab off.

Do you know how what that percentage is that goes to DCTA based on those sales tax numbers?

Because they get a the what is that half percent of the they do get a half cent.

Yeah.

Yes.

Um, as uh yeah, I no worries.

Maybe when we give if you have at some place, if not, no big deal.

I mean, it it's gonna drive me crazy, but uh it just important to note uh that that that is uh a factor, right?

Nothing to do about it, but it is noteworthy.

So thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Yeah, uh so I'll close that public hearing on item A takes us to item B five.

Uh right, I can just close it that way.

Right, yeah, okay, got it.

Um that takes us to item B, AES A250, hold a public hearing and consider adoption of an ordinance of the city of Denton Texas approving and uh alternative environmentally sensitive area plan to offset the removal of 0.23 acres of environmentally sensitive area on approximately 53.89 acres of land located north of Spencer Road, approximately 1,200 feet west of the intersection of Spencer Road Loop 288 in the city of Denton.

And I'll open the public hearing.

Uh good evening, Mayor Hud Smith, uh City Council members.

My name is Jennifer Rovesi, and I work for environmental services.

I'm here to present Alt ESA 25001 C, which is to offset impacts from the proposed removal of 0.23 acres of environmentally sensitive areas from Spencer Road Industrial.

So this site totals 53.9 acres.

The subject area for this Alt ESA is an unnamed tributary of Pecan Creek that bisects the property north to south.

So ESA 25001 identified uh a repairing area and an adjacent floodplain.

It also identified 3.19 acres of cross timbers upland habitat.

This stand is part of a larger continuation that uh of tree that goes onto the eastern adjacent um parcel.

It is not included in this alt ESA because the amount that they are retaining exceeds city requirements.

So all that's been included in this is the reparian and uh floodplain ESAs.

So this request is for impacts to the repairing ESA and undeveloped floodplain at the northern reach of the stream to allow the construction of a fire lane as required by the city's fire code.

All required, all required public notices were made, but we did not receive any responses, so the neighborhood meeting was canceled.

And environmental services staff recommends a ESA 25001 based on conditions and exhibits presented to planning and zoning commission.

Um there are highlights here.

Thank you for your time.

Okay, thank you.

Any any questions for staff?

Representative from District 2.

Thank you.

Um for the um the the repair the repairing area or the upland habitat that was 3.1 uh 19 acres.

Um that is that's being treated as as as as ESA.

Um are we separately treating the the um the riparian buffer is a separate ESA, and we're separately treating the remainder of the canopy um as as canopy on the parcel?

Is that correct?

We're treating them as as three different sets of regulations.

Yes, there are three ESAs, the undeveloped floodplain, the repairing area, and the cross timbers habitat.

Um all right, uh and and then um for uh the the upland habitat area um the I know that we have a uh sort of 10-acre um policy, but that that doesn't uh really get into the fragmentation to the property of the east.

How much how much to the of the property the east was there?

And I I know that's not uh germane to the parcel under consideration, but it is a contiguous set of canopy.

So how much was the upland habitat to the on the eastern parcel?

So what has been identified on our map is on that tract.

We were going on these aerial images, so it is currently unassessed.

Unassessed, all right.

All right, um well I I looked, I look up that acreage shy.

I appreciate that um that uh anyway.

Um I I look forward to iTree uh software giving us a better assessment of of what those are.

Um last question.

Um it's my understanding from the the plan as it's stated that we'll that the idea is to um even though that the developer is proposing some um uh edge improvements, uh they're still uh uh proposing uh doing both um mobility and infrastructure crossings of of this uh of the the floodplain and waterway in this region, is that correct?

There is going to be a fire lane installed there.

There is already miss work done there, so they're going to be utilizing existing work that has been done.

Okay, I appreciate thank you.

Okay, any other questions for staff.

I do have a card from the applicant.

Uh so uh Amy Bassett, if you can come up and you'll have 10 minutes.

I'll take 10 minutes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jennifer.

Um I have just three slides, and I um Amy Bissett 109 North Elm.

I do have Reedy Reinicky with me here.

He's the one that prepared this alternative ESA plan.

So if we need to get into some specific questions and answers, we certainly can.

And then I also have representatives from IDI logistics here, the developer.

So just to cover a couple of questions that were asked um specifically, there are three different types of um ESA on the site.

The upland habitat ESA is not a part of this plan because we are um abiding by the city regulations as far as that plan goes.

I think to your question, council member Beck, um, we are complying with tree preservation requirements above and beyond or outside of the preservation of the upland habitat.

They are two separate requirements that must be met.

The encroachment is really um across the the northern end of the site, and it's to construct a drive aisle or a fire lane.

Um, if you see here in the pink catching at the top of the site to um to provide adequate fire access.

I would like to state that I think that IDI logistics would would love to not have to build that.

It's a you know it's it's um it's not an easy or um inexpensive bridge to construct in order to avoid the ESA as much as possible, but it is a it is fire code requirement that we cannot get around.

So um the encroachment is actually within to the riparian buffer, it's point 0.23 acres, and within the floodplain is 0.16 acres.

We've minimized the encroachment as much as possible.

And um the mitigation that's proposed is to remove privet throughout the entire um ESA area to um increase the the quality of the existing ESAs and to introduce more diversity of species to increase the quality of the existing ESAs as well.

Um specifically the mitigation plan will and remove invasive privet on almost three acres, um introduce an a native seed mixture to aid in rebuilding the stream bank buffer as well, and that's all I have.

So thank you.

Okay, any questions for the applicant?

Um I I'll just be I'll get out in front and say as we sit to I I need to I need someone to talk to me about the traffic.

I I I am concerned and and full disclosure, I'm a hard no right now.

I'm certain I'll hear something to make to switch that and I and you're gonna tell me those things don't matter, and I'm gonna tell you that I think P and Z did exactly what they're supposed to do.

They're supposed to look at the alt ESA and and look at those things.

But if I could get staff up here to bring bring up uh Google Maps for me, please so you can plug in.

I can give you an address, or you can just go to that if you know that area, but I can I can get you something close.

Let's see yourself.

Let's see.

So, yeah, 2204 Spencer Road.

Try that perfect.

Um we can zoom in a little bit.

Not not super close, but yeah, that's good.

That's good.

So um, and I may have you pan out just a little bit.

Thank you.

So here's my concern.

And again, everything works as is intended.

So P planning and zoning doesn't take into consideration any other extenuating issues by design.

They look at it and say, yes, the Alt ESA plan works.

Great.

As a council member, I get emails about traffic and about traffic safety and about flows and capacity.

And if you've driven this backway to Kroger or to any of that major shopping, you know how bad it is.

You know we just added a bunch of multifamily in this area.

And I don't know.

So here's one of the questions.

What type of trucks are we talking about that are going to be going in and out of there?

Even if it's box trucks.

Imagine taking that box truck to Spencer, and you know how back it bad it backs up around LA fitness, about all those restaurants, the bank frost banks on the corner there.

It backs up tremendously as is people trying to turn left.

It's a very short left turn lane, so then it backs up into the main lanes.

And so now you're going to add unlimited number of trucks to go that way.

And let's say they're not going that way.

Then they make a left and go on Spencer and go to Colorado slash Woodrow slash Audra.

And you go there, and that leads you to loop 288, or there's just no good way out of there.

It's just not a good use in this area, and it's certainly not safe from a track of traffic perspective.

And so that's my concern.

I want it to be fully transparent early so that people can talk and do all the things.

But if you've ever driven that area, you know how congested it is today.

And so to and now and the development will take a year and a half or whatever, and so imagine how busy it is then, the multifamilies online.

I I just can't in good conscience support it in that area because of the traffic concerns.

And again, um the the ESA concern set that aside, uh, assuming you could mitigate that.

I I do have a concern about the safety in that area.

So I just wanted to get that out of the way so that people can uh but I'm I'm not it I I'm not in support.

Representative from District 2.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Um I I appreciate those comments on the on the larger project.

Um I I will make my comments specifically on the Alt ESA, and and I'm I'm telling you now, I'm I'm supporting you, Mr.

Mayor.

I'm not in support of this project.

Um it it really does.

I I put this into questions to staff, and I appreciate staff um responding very professionally to um what verged on uh fairly robust uh almost spicy comments.

Um that it it really does seem like for the alt-ESA the them we are focusing on um fragmenting up the different regions, the different environmental responses in order to achieve compliance rather than achieve compliance overall on the parcel.

Um by breaking it up into three uh ESAs like that, um and and and then discounting the the canopy overall.

Uh we really are uh footprint maximizing and compliance minimizing this this entire corridor.

That that's that's the environmental impact itself on top of the the traffic woes that the that the mayor brings up.

Um you know it it it it doesn't really improve uh non-impacted areas, maybe a little.

Um it doesn't really do uh uh overstory compensation, it bisects and fragments um uh regions that are in our in our comp plan and our connectivity plan are are for you know are are in critical along these riparian verges for habitat for movement of uh uh animals and and plant life.

Um it doesn't really achieve our e ecological goals.

Um and in you know it it really maximizes canopy loss in this region.

So um I while I concur that planning and zoning did what they had to do that they're they're forced to to operate um within the guidelines that they've been given.

It ties their hands.

The mayor alluded to this.

Um I I don't blame planning and zoning, but the the mayor's alluding to traffic issues, I'm alluding to environmental issues.

I I can't uh I I strongly can't support um this development with this plan.

Uh I would have loved to have seen a plan that that didn't um massively increase fragmentation in this region along a really important report repair and uh and ecological corridor for the city.

Um so you know it sounds like there's two very disparate strikes against this.

I I don't know what that means for the rest of people's decisions process, but uh but I won't be supporting this.

Uh representative from district six.

Uh Councilperson Jester, um can you tell me what is this currently zoned for?

So I I know in the packet it says that the intent is to use this for industrialized uh warehousing, but I mean from what I understand we were voting on the uh ESAs uh as far as what it is, and and Ms.

And and Ms.

Bissett, if you can also answer um, you know, it was my understanding that it is zoned appropriately.

Uh so I'm just trying to clarify what is needed.

Um what else is gonna go here if not this, I guess is what I'm thinking.

So this corridor is currently zoned general office, which has almost the exact same um land allowable land use classifications as light industrial, including where housing and light industrial uses.

Um the main difference between the the general office zoning category and the light industrial zoning category is there are additional um architectural commercial development requirements, they want it to look nicer, in other words, because it's along um uh a commercial corridor.

So all of the same industrial uses essentially are allowed in both zoning districts.

It's just how commercial does it have to look.

And in this case, because it's across from commercial, it's in the general office zoning district.

But it is allowed by right there.

Okay, that was my question.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I do have some trip generation numbers if you want to see them.

Well, truly, is it is it is it box trucks or 18 wheelers?

I I I'm assuming it's 18 wheelers, correct?

It is.

It's an it's a small number of 18-wheelers.

So um, I mean, I can show you, I can display the trip generation numbers.

It did not meet the requirement of a full traffic study.

They were low enough that um we were not asked to do a full traffic study.

Yeah, no, I mean I I trust the numbers.

Uh again, if if you if you find a way to to do the project without having to come to us, that's great.

But I can't and good the the emails you talk about chat traffic generation, I'm talking about email generation and just and and just the safety thereof, right?

Uh, you we look at we look at Teasley Lane, people trying to cut across, and and it is it is difficult to turn left out of air uh as is from those shopping centers, and and it's two lanes each way, and you add truck traffic there.

I just I just cannot, and I'm I'm just truly concerned.

So I I take your point, but to have a clear record for those that I don't want to poison the pool.

So if you could share the numbers, that'd be good.

I can we have the document camera, please.

Well, it just disappeared on there.

No worries, take your time.

Thank you very much.

I didn't give you a heads up.

There we go.

So this is um traffic hourly trips and um daily trips by building.

And you can see that hourly trips are 25 to 35 per building, and that's um a maximum that would be going through there in a peak hour.

And so uh you're directing me to look at that hourly trips column there.

So is that that one I'm looking at the last one on the right?

Perfect.

Okay, there's weekday there's a M peak hour and PM peak hour.

So and then there's um daily averages.

I see.

Thank you.

Uh woman C I apologize, we would have had our engineer here with us if we had anticipated these questions.

So my apologies.

Sir, no, no, it I I just did not, I didn't have an opportunity to there's I the the city manager got an email from me super light about some other stuff.

So I was just it was a busy weekend and and did not get a chance to submit the questions in time.

So um did the best I could.

Tony, do you want to say something about the development as a whole?

Or I mean if if if y'all are okay with that, since I didn't know.

Sure, yeah, no, yeah, it's it's it's good to have the information.

Yeah.

If you can give your name, please.

Yes, Tony Macklin with IDI Logistics, the developer here.

So first and foremost, I want to thank all of you guys for considering us in the first place and letting us come forward and and present this to you.

Um in terms of of what we do, you know, we we're an industrial developer.

Uh we develop nationally.

We've been in business for uh a little over 36 years now, and we've got a very good reputation of building uh class A best in class logistics space across the US, um, specifically in Texas.

Uh we've developed uh man across I'll I'll bring it down to Dallas actually.

We've developed upwards of 20 million square feet.

Um no, that's the Texas number.

Um here in Dallas specifically, I believe the number is is north of 10.

Um we've done projects like Speedway Distribution Center, if you're familiar with that one in Alliance, Texas, uh DFW Trade Center, which is a little bit further south in Lewisville, um Pinnacle Commerce Center, which is off of I-30.

These are some of our larger developments that we've done in the past.

And one thing that we pride ourselves on is coming into a community and building buildings that not only benefit us, but benefit the community as well in terms of jobs um in terms of commerce that that brings.

And so those are some of the things that you know we like to highlight whenever we come and and we want to partner with you guys when when we do our developments.

So in terms of you know the the questions addressed.

I do we do have our environmental uh engineer here with us who could speak to some of the uh the ESA areas and some of the things that we are doing uh in attempt to mitigate kind of our impact and and go a little bit above and beyond that.

So I would I would like to invite him up here to to maybe address some some issues or concerns that you presented.

Um and then in terms of the traffic study, as as Amy mentioned, we fell under the required trip generation number to warrant that traffic study.

Um so I mean we're happy to to maybe look into that and and see if maybe that's a a path that that might get you comfortable with the uh the traffic um impact here, but um as it stands now per per the the code, we didn't have to do that, um, which is why we don't have that available.

Sure.

No, it makes sense.

So yeah, if the if the please come up and speak while you're coming up, uh that we have a question, so we'll we'll take on we'll take uh the questions so that you can speak to all those things.

Uh representative from district one um this particular area represents um the district that I am representing, so I have a high interest in this area.

Um one of my questions is you know, I I'm hearing 18-wheelers, I'm hearing industrial areas, and I am thinking about all of my constituents that live along that path, like the mayor uh is is noting.

But if an 18-wheeler is coming into that area over on Spencer Road, um, you know, which direction would they be coming from?

Would that be that loop 288?

Are they coming off of Mayhill Road, going down Spencer?

You know, what is that gonna look like?

Are they gonna be but near the mall?

What is that gonna look like for us?

Yes, so the the traffic is predominant predominantly gonna come from 35, uh northbound and southbound.

Um so there's multiple points, of course, that you can exit off of 35 to get to that location, whether that be on 288, a little bit further south on Lillian Parkway, or a little bit further south on uh on Mayhill.

Uh does this um project extend over to the next major roadway, which is Shady Shady Oaks?

It does not.

Um that the area to the north of this, the subject property, I believe, is uh already is already owned and and zoned for multifamily, I believe, um, with plan multif multi-family development there.

Um right now I'm just not I'm not really connected with this.

Uh I am just concerned about industrialization uh within the loop.

You know, everything that we generally have is on the outside of our loop.

Um located in other areas, and I've always been concerned that something like this would come up near our neighbors.

We have apartment complex right across the street from this area.

It have children, you know, living in there.

Uh I'm just not comfortable at this time.

Maybe something else could be said that can convince me.

Um, so we'll see how it works from there.

Thank you.

Yes, ma'am.

And I I think that was another consideration that we took when identifying this property is as we noted that it was adjacent to uh the Denton municipal electric uh generation plant.

Um, and then to the north, there's there's also additional uh power infrastructure there, and then it sits just to the southeast of an existing uh industrial pocket that currently it has a bunch of existing product there as well.

So we kind of viewed it as an extension of that, but we did recognize that it was in the general office zoning category, and as such, um we've you know we've budgeted and included in our numbers additional dollars to ensure that these buildings meet those codes and are not you know the typical dilapidated industrial warehouses that you might see, but instead our brand new, colorful, you know, well-designed buildings that look good.

That that's part of that's part of what we do, and that's part of our uh ethos that that makes us with such credible developers.

Yes, ma'am.

Uh representative from district five.

I think my calling Miss Bird for that question, I had the exact same question.

So if you don't mind, walk me through this.

I'm coming south on 35.

How am I gonna get there?

You're coming.

288 um to come north, and then you would hit uh Brinker Road, and then you could turn left there to get to Spencer Road.

Um, or you could continue on and you could go to Mayhill and take Mayhill up to Spencer Road and cut across.

Um and then there's also run one road in between where the Buckeys the Buckies is.

Um you could turn left there as well, it's Brinker Road and and bring that up into uh into the project.

And if I'm coming south, if I'm if I'm coming northbound, where am I getting off?

Same same way.

Okay.

Um I appreciate Dr.

Beck's reason.

I do think it's a little weird, Amy, to have three different ESAs.

That's not enough to get me to a no.

Um, and it's not necessarily the number of residents that are along Spencer as the mayor stated.

What is enough to get me to a no is the traffic?

Help me understand this.

Yes, sir.

I drive a truck for a living.

I'm coming south on 35.

I'm not going down to the loop.

I'm getting off on Teasley, and I'm cutting through.

And when I get to Woodrow, I'm gonna hang a right and then hang a left on Spencer.

That's tight for us.

That's tight.

That's real tight for us.

Which is why I think I'm a truck driver, I go the most efficient way because I'm getting paid by the mile.

Okay.

If I'm coming north, I'm not going to the loop.

I'm getting off on Mayhill and I'm cutting through on Spencer.

And it's gonna be two, it's two lane right there, coming up by that lows.

That's gonna be tight.

24 hours, I assume, 24 operation?

Yes, sir.

When are you gonna get most of your pickups and deliveries?

I mean, I don't know what you're envisioning going in here, but yeah, I I would say it's it's impossible for us to tell at this time, it's a speculative development.

What's what's different for me about the industrial on the other side of Spencer between Spencer and the loop is a lot of those folks get their swaps at night.

Kroger's getting their swaps tonight.

Most fuel haulers are running at night.

Um food delivery they're running at night.

I'm okay with that because it's okay at night.

During the day, it's tight.

I do this for a living.

Yep.

This one's gonna be tough.

You know what I mean?

Um, you understand where I'm coming from?

Uh as truck drivers instinctually, either one.

Uh sure.

Uh as truck drivers instinctually, we go the closest, you know, the the straightest line between two points.

We're not gonna go out of our way necessarily because it's easier for us.

At night, it's not a concern.

I understand.

I think um, after conferring with my client, we would like to request the possibility of a postponement so that we can do a traffic study and come back with a traffic study, if that would be all right with you all.

Um we can postpone it definitely because that traffic studies gonna take some time.

And the last thing I'll say is I would get even more calls for pause depending on I know you don't know, but if we're talking day cabs and 53s, that's one thing.

If we're talking sleepers in the 53s, absolutely not.

Because them folks don't drive as well as we do.

And we don't want them in our tight in in our you know, in the core of our city in tight roads.

They just don't, they don't do what we do as as pickup and delivery drivers in the city.

You understand what I mean?

Yes, sir.

Appreciate you coming.

Thank you all.

Thank you all so much.

Uh representative from District Six.

Um, I would like to then if necessary, make a motion to uh continue at this time.

Uh is that is that what's necessary?

Uh do we need that since the applicant has requested a continuance or all right?

Well then I'll make that motion.

I don't know if we need to change the yes.

We have a motion by council member Jester to postpone.

Uh and then the second will come from Councilmember McGee.

Thank you so much.

And whenever that's set, we'll do we'll go comments briefly.

Oh, and it and it is a public hearing, so anyone that cares to speak can speak uh on it.

Um make sure we and I'll just leave that open, right?

No, close it.

Okay, got it.

Okay, got it.

Uh so if anyone cares to me, but here here's I I would like if you in those discussions, if we could hear, and and this, you know, and I'm happy to have this conversation early.

If we could hear from your uh environmental person on that on on Councilmember Beck's discussion on our thoughts around it being vifurcated or not, I mean I I'm not taking a position there.

I just want to understand the answer uh there.

Um if you'd be so kind.

I I just I'm projecting.

Thank you for the information on on the routes, that's helpful.

But if coming north, you have to exit Bucky's.

And Bucky stacks up pretty good.

Uh and so I just we just have to take a holistic approach to those things.

And so not saying you have to study all those things, um, but I I I just have to have an answer to those things.

And so um, the more kind of you can give us around a day in the life of a dentite understanding your project that doesn't in generating all the traffic concerns.

I get that, not putting that on you, but we have to be speak to the environment we have and how we navigate that.

And so those things would be helpful uh for me, and it and it could be different.

It could be hey, we're we're not gonna take that exit because that one you gotta exit twice early, and maybe it's the one afterwards we loop around.

I don't I don't know the answer.

I'm just asking for a approach that allows me to say we're minimizing impact best we can and allowing a business to do go go do great work and undeniably you do great work.

I'm not has nothing to do with that, and and I appreciate y'all being here and I appreciate your patience and willingness to to answer questions with little to no notice, but but to share information.

Uh I'm truly grateful.

So uh we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Mr.

Would you speak?

Would you state the motion again just for clarity?

Certainly.

So the motion is to postpone indefinitely, and the applicant is going to uh do come back with traffic data.

Thank you.

Um great.

Then I'll close the public hearing.

We have a motion and a second.

Let's vote on the screen.

Oh, yeah, and um before I hit the button, Jennifer.

If you can come back up to the to the podium, please.

Sorry, we have to jump in from hot dogs, but we we sure appreciate you being here.

And so uh just in uh a token to to remember your first time presenting to us.

Uh and and again, what a doozy, but you did you did outstanding work.

You did great.

Thank you very much.

Here we go, we'll get a picture.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

Yes.

J just as a point of procedure, I don't know if coun councillor Holland voted, but he's not in the room.

I don't know how that works.

Okay, never mind.

I apologize, Mr.

Mayor.

I didn't have touch it.

There we go.

Uh 7-0.

That takes us to item C, which is MPA 24-0003D, hold a public hearing and consider adoption of an ordinance of the city of Denton, Texas regarding city initiated compensation plan amended amendment to modify the therapy map of 2022 mobility plan, and I'll open the public hearing.

Good evening, Mayor and Council members.

I'd like to discuss a mobility plan amendment on Eagle Drive, Avenue A and Weltshire Street.

As you can see in the map, the target roads are located inside the pink loops.

The target portion of Eagle Drive is between North Texas Boulevard to the west to the south, Carroll Boulevard to the east.

The Welch Street between Oak Street to the north and Eagle Drive to the south.

And Avenue A between I-35 East and Eagle Drive.

All these roads are located in the vicinity of UNT campus.

According to the Mobility Plan 2022, all these roads are identified as secondary RTL.

The request is to modify the functional roadway classification of these roads from secondary RTDR to collectors.

The reasons behind this request are first, as you can see in this map, which is future land use 2040, all these roads are located in a fully developed area.

All these roads are located in a fully developed area.

Very close distance to UNT campus and even Wilchester runs into the campus.

The width of the roads, there are all of them is about 65 feet, which falls into the category of collector currently.

If we retain the secondary arterial as roadway classification, the city would need to purchase land from surrounding properties, which are mostly owned by UNT and the state.

And that will create huge financial burden on the city.

Also, there is a big cemetery on Eagle Drive, which makes any expansion very difficult.

The last but not least is safety.

As I mentioned, these roads are very close distance to the UNT, surrounded by UNT campus facilities, buildings, parking lots, and student apartments.

It is a very high pedestrian activity area.

Therefore, as collector, we can maintain the speed limit between 30 to 35 miles per hour and create a safer passage for all road users.

This proposal meets the criteria for approval, especially regarding to the comprehensive plan, future land use plan, and mobility plan.

Staff have made all the public outreach requirements for this request.

We had in-person meeting, virtual meetings, newspaper, website, property signs and notices, and we received one mail in favor of this request.

This request was presented to planning and zoning commission, and it was recommended approval 50.

And staff also recommends approval of the proposal as it complies with the criteria in section 271D of the DDC for approval of a comprehensive plan amendment.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Questions for staff representative from uh district two.

Thank you.

Uh Sahara, it's Dr.

Svendari, right?

All right, I appreciate that.

I just want to get those titles right.

Um I appreciate the responses to and clarity that uh y'all provided in the uh the the comments back to the um um to council and and I reappreciate that you know we're not gonna be losing uh any safety issues, uh so I appreciate the recommendation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, any other questions as a public hearing?

You can speak if you and fill out a card after the fact if you desire to do that do that.

But it is the public hearing is open.

Uh yeah, you can come on down, give your name, and then you can fill out a card afterwards.

Hello, my name is Laura Coate.

Um I've been in Denton for six years now.

Uh I live at 915 South Welch Street.

I actually received one of these cards.

Um I didn't fill it out, my bad, but um I wanted to say I'm in favor of the transition as well.

Uh thank you.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate it.

Um, and uh again, it's public hearing, anyone can speak.

If you can uh come down, speak, fill out a card afterwards.

Seeing none, I will close the public hearing and uh representative from district five.

Thanks to staff for for doing this work and bringing this back to us.

I'm looking forward to continuing to uh slow down the pace of traffic and make the roads uh as safe as we possibly can.

So with that, I happily move approval.

Thank you all.

Mayor Pro Tem.

I'll second that.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

And that passes 7 to 0.

Thank you.

Takes us to our last public hearing, item D, which is Z 2500 8A, hold a public hearing, consider adoption of an ordinance of the city of Denton, Texas regarding a change in zoning district and use classification, plan development 142 Hill Hillcrest Center to Plan Development General Office, PDGO district, including but not limited to establishing uses and standards of approximately 68 acres of land generally located east of North I-35, north of loop 288, and southwest of highway 77.

And I'll and I'll open the public hearing.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm Julie Wyatt.

I'm presenting Z258A, Cat 35.

The request before you is to rezone approximately 68 acres.

The subject property is located on the north side of town in that triangle that's created by I-35, Highway 77, and loop 288, as shown on your screen.

The rezoning is from PD 142 to uh PDGO.

PD 142 is one of our older PDs.

It was actually established in 1991.

It was intended as an urban center, and it allowed things like offices, uh, light industrial and warehouse uses.

Um the applicant is proposing a similar um employment type uses, um, warehouse and light industrial.

So it could develop under this PD, however, they are proposing to rezone to a more current zoning standard and um and uh design standards as well as some overlay conditions.

The proposed overlay is um does have a base zoning of general office, which is consistent with the surrounding zoning.

It really is a logical cons um extension of that geozoning.

They are proposing some overlay conditions as this is a gateway to our city.

Those include additional screening and buffy buffering at the right-of-way, um, some flexibility in the parking, um, additional uh building design standards to enhance that front facade, uh, to screen those um dock doors and loading areas um so that they can't face the public right-of-way, and also to limit any outdoor storage for materials that aren't truck traffic or uh um trucks.

Uh we want to make sure that as a gateway that we limit that outdoor storage um and that visible that um impact to the visibility.

So we reviewed the the proposal under the criteria for approval and have determined it is consistent with the criteria of approval, and that is um that it's consistent with our comprehensive plan.

Um it will comply with the Denton Development Code, except we're modified.

It's appropriate for the area, and it's not expected to um uh generate any adverse compatibility or uh infrastructure or physical impacts.

Um it is consistent with uh the comprehensive plan, both in terms of future land use map, which is business center, geo fits right within um business center, um, as well as our urban design standards with those overlay conditions.

Um it also propa uh provides a greater level of design with those overlay conditions to enhance that landscaping, reduce that visual impact of loading areas, provide that flexibility in parking, increase that architectural standard for the building, and then limit the area that the the outdoor storage can be in.

Um staff did send notification we've received one letter in in favor, and that is uh the property just to the northeast of the site.

Um and so the item was presented to the planning and zoning commission, they recommended approval.

Staff also recommends approval of the request as it's consistent with the criteria.

I'll be happy to answer any questions, and the applicant has a short presentation as well.

Okay, representative from district two.

Thank you.

Julie, at one time when we were thinking about small area plans, this we considered this region uh because it's one of our gateway regions.

Um in fact, all various gateway regions were the impetus for some of the more recent small area plans, or I guess we're calling them area plans now.

Um the the over the the new changes to the proposal.

I know we don't have concept plans, we're just talking zoning.

Um do are they in the direction of some of the prior discussions that we'd had for the gateway areas, uh some of the cleanup that we'd been sort of seeking but didn't really get to because it wasn't one of our area plans?

Yes, and that was part of the impetus of the overlay because we we coordinated with the applicant, went back and forth because we knew that this was an extremely visible site from I-35 as well as loop 288 and highway 77.

So we wanted to get a little bit more of that design to the to the site to make sure that we minimize any visual impacts that would be associated with the type of warehouse or light industrial use.

So the use made sense, but we wanted those those additional design considerations.

Okay, I appreciate it.

Thank you.

Any other questions for the floor?

Thank you.

Hi, Julie.

Do you uh the the presentation from the developer?

Uh will that tell me what what they propose doing here?

Um I I believe they might show a concept site plan.

Um, this is a PD overlay, so it's not kind of that full PD that we often see that has a site plan attached to it.

So this is that overlay, and in it what it does is it's establishes constraints essentially and I understand that, but they must have some concept in their mind as to what they'd like to go in there.

They do, they do, yes, sir.

I'd I'd I'd I'd sure like to see that.

Okay, thank you.

Okay.

Um representative from District Five.

And I bet that pro that presentation is also gonna show entry and exit points of access.

Thank you very much.

Okay.

Then yeah, we'll and then you can fill out a card afterwards because I uh unless this is the wrong case number, but okay, sorry.

Good evening, council members and mayor.

Thank you for the time to speak.

My name is Miles Terry.

I'm with Jackson Shaw.

We're the uh developer of the project, and Julie did a great job.

So I'll keep this brief.

I'll talk quickly about us as a developer.

Excuse me.

I'll talk about the proposed concept plan.

And we uh we did hire an independent third party to do an economic impact study.

So we'll talk about that.

I know budget is top of mind, so we'll touch on that as well.

Um excuse me.

So um again with Jackson Shaw, we're uh private developer based out of Dallas, Texas.

We've been around for 53 years.

We do three main lines of product that's residential lot development, hospitality development, which is hotel development.

We own and operate hotels, and then our industrial line of business, which is business parks.

We do this all over kind of the southern half of the country.

I focus predominantly on Texas and more specifically in Dallas and Austin, primarily.

So we'll typically what that means where I spend my time is 10 to 200 acres, and we'll go build anywhere from two to 10 buildings that might be 200,000 to 2 million square feet.

And um, one of the things you'll notice, and I have some example projects is we always try to have a big emphasis on building a presence, building a business park.

We want to feel and look like an office building with modern functionality of naturally docked doors at certain points in the project.

So you'll see that within the project.

Um we're already always gonna have kind of an enhanced entries throughout, and it's gonna look and feel again.

It's it's we're all about how it feels and how it looks.

Um here's some example projects that we've done in DFW.

The bottom right project is in Benbrook, just southwest of Fort Worth.

We completed that last year.

That's a what was it, a four-building project, 917,000 square feet.

So very similar to this.

It's right on I-20.

It's at the front door of Benbrook, very similar to this.

It's at their gateway, and you can see the type of buildings we built there.

Um, I would see a lot of the same type of tenants, even.

So we saw a couple of the tenants in that project are tenants where you see different organizations are bringing their headquarters and their distribution together.

One of those being Tandy Leather, 100-year-old Fort Worth company.

Um, they relocated their HQ and their distribution to that facility.

So 200 employees, 25,000 square feet of office, about 140,000 total square feet.

Another one is a group called Mooring USA.

They relocated from the airport to be closer to kind of some of their employees and their decision makers in West Fort Worth.

And so they're building out similar 25,000 square feet of office.

And so in those two facilities, you're gonna have executives, you're gonna have HR, you're gonna have sales folks, and then you also have some warehouse blue-collar workers as well.

So that's just a couple example projects.

Um just touching on this real quick.

I think it's important.

Anytime we come to a new community, we're gonna get involved in the community.

So in South Fort Worth is a great example.

We built a project in 2019, and since then, this is just the things that we've done in that specific area, whether it's boys and girls or backpack drives, and we I mean, we finished that project in 22, and we're still doing things today for them.

So we plan to do the same thing here in the community as well.

The team um just high level, obviously, we're a developer.

Mac is here, I think you know him as our engineer.

Uh he can touch on landscaping probably briefly as well.

We're using a group out of California, is our architect for the project.

Actually, wrote the book for industrial standards, so very highly respected developer, a lot of creative design that's coming from California to bring this, bring it to Dallas.

And then I mentioned the economic impact study, which we'll touch on, which through uh Pettit Economic Consulting.

Site plan council member Holland.

I will touch on that here.

Here's high level, everybody knows where we're at.

Zoom in.

I did want to note this.

This was something interesting in the uh presentations for the uh impact fees.

This area was actually noted in that future land use as industrial.

So, you know, that's what it is today.

I think we're we're effectively downzoning it to have the better look and feel.

So just something I thought was interesting when I saw in that presentation.

This is actually a rendering of I won't say this is final, but just gives you a look and feel of what we're you know, proposed elevation.

We're going back and forth on what it's gonna be.

But Julie touched on a lot of these things, it's really important for us.

We're gonna have a lot more glass than you typically see.

All the dock doors, truck courts are all internal to the site.

You'll see that those are screened, and I can touch on that.

And it's what's referred to as a shallow bay product.

It's not gonna be your 700,000 square foot warehouses where you see a sea of dock doors down Z in the building.

So a lot less dock doors, a lot more glass.

I'm just jumping forward here.

Um so site plan, Councilmember Holland.

This is so it's a two-phase project.

Uh from a frame of reference, two eighty-eight's on the bottom side, south side 35 on the west, two seventy or in 77 on the north.

Uh on the west side of the site is our proposed phase one, uh, three building project.

As I said, you've got all your truck courts and your dock doors are internal to site.

These will be shielded from your public right-of-ways.

Same thing on this building here.

Um again, a lot of auto parking because we're anticipating more employees.

And um, again, there's we're we're trying to do a really good job of making it feel like a business park, not an industrial park.

It's important to us.

And then the same thing on phase two, again, dock doors, truck court, all shielded by buildings, or you've got this kind of corner warehouse pods you do, and then the same thing on this building.

Real quick on the economic impact study.

So today the property is in ag.

Uh, it's valued at a 1,100.

It's generating, you know, left at less than 50 bucks for the city today.

In 2030, when the project's fully built out, we estimate it'll be about 100 million dollars.

So significantly less than the total investment in the project, but based on comps, that's where it is today.

And you can kind of see what that would generate for the city over a 25 year period.

So we estimate almost 40 million dollars of property taxes just in uh I believe that's just in a real property.

Um, I'm sorry, that's real property and business property over a 25 year period.

And then we would estimate based on public data, based on types of projects, Bureau of Labor, um 616 jobs at an average wage of 62,000 for the uh jobs jobs as well.

So here's a summary of that same data over a 25 year period.

So we think it's meaningful, obviously, significantly more if it stays where or less than what it is today.

I'll kind of stop there and answer any questions you might have.

Okay, thank you.

Uh any questions for the applicant and and I'll I'll note I mean uh without going too far down that road.

I mean the property manager owner, what those all those titles I mean has the strictest of standards uh beyond what we can impose.

So uh, you know, having uh the fact that y'all have navigated that well and got to this point, uh says says a lot, you know.

So thank y'all very much.

Great presentation.

Um representative from district five.

Can you pull up that site plan map real quick?

Of course.

I'm gonna ask you right there.

I'm gonna ask you zoom in.

Um there was maybe a later one that had kind of a yeah.

I'm looking for that minimum distance uh of the of the buildings.

Can you give me the minimum distance?

Um from dock to parking.

Dock to parking.

So are you saying help me out where you're thinking there on dock to parking?

So yeah, right there.

Auto parking here.

No, the dock in the back from the dock building to the curb from the back of the building.

This building from back of building to back of curb here, it's 130 feet.

What's uh of all of all those buildings?

What's the minimum distance?

Is it all the 130?

130 yeah.

So 130 is here.

Here it's 188 on or 185 on this building, 185 on building three, one eighty-five on building five.

All right, that's good.

135 on building four, one eighty-five on building six.

Yeah, so minimum kind of industry standard for class A nowadays is one thirty.

As I believe it or not, as I navigate some of the the new builds around DFW, there's less space because they're trying to fit more in.

Yeah, and they're they're trying to maximize coverage.

Oh, the rock, all the road contractors don't know how to back up.

That's obviously a concern for me given I do this for a living.

So well done, very good.

And you had asked about traffic.

We've had three meetings with X dot.

We're gonna have three curb cuts off the front edge room.

I noticed the five.

Yep.

We'll have one off of 288 now, similar to how there is on the south side to 288, and then we'll have two on 77.

In the future, that's the same.

This is all I was looking for.

35.

I'm sorry.

I was like, in fact, I was actually looking for that 35.

I figured you'd have one south of I figured you'd have one the two on on the 77, but I was looking for one off a 35.

So I'm glad you work with them, you're gonna be able to fit a couple in.

Yes.

That's great.

Thank you very much.

Of course.

Any any other questions for the applicant or for staff?

Seeing that, I'll take a motion and I'll close the public hearing.

If there's anyone that wants to speak, it's a public hearing you can come down.

Yes.

Come on down, give your name.

You can fill out a card afterwards.

You'll have four minutes.

Hey, um, my name's uh Crystal Moon Lindsay.

I um live um off Teasley Lane.

No problem.

Okay, yeah.

Um I was planning to just observe today, but um I really like this plan um that this zoning change allows.

Um and I wanted to um make that opinion known.

Um I'm an employee of Denton County Friends of the Family, and as you may be aware, there's a new family justice center in the works.

Um roughly based on my Google map poking, this would be about a mile and a half away from that new center.

And something that our clients are always needing is job opportunities.

And so the more jobs that this is bringing in in that region would be very important for the clients, I hope every day.

Thank you.

Very good.

Thank you for your feedback.

Appreciate it.

Uh representative from district five.

Happily uh move approval.

Thank you.

Uh representative from district one.

I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion and second, so I'll close the public hearing and any other discussion.

Seeing then, let's vote on the screen.

That passes 7 0.

Thank you very much.

Um good luck with the project.

That takes us to our items for individual consideration.

First up is 6A, which is 250009.

Consider adoption of ordinance of the city of Denton extending the approval period for the specific use permit for multi-family dwelling using original originally approved via ordinance S230005B for approximately 22.81 acres of land, generally located on the south side of Dutch's Drive.

Good evening, Mayor, members of council.

Angie Manglaris, development review manager here to present S25009.

Uh, this is a SUP extension request for the Alevo apartments.

Um we don't see very many of these, but this is a request to extend the approval period for a specific use permit that allows for multifamily use on approximately 22 acres of land.

This subject site is located just west of loop 288 and south of Dutchess Drive.

Uh, to zone suburban corridor is currently undeveloped, and they do have an approved SUP S23005 that was approved on October 24th, 2023.

Just a little bit of background on that um specific use permit.

It is 262 multifamily units spread across seven buildings.

Um it does take access off of Duchess Drive and offers internal pedestrian circulation.

Um there are on-site amenities and um to the south there is significant ESA uh land that is preserved as part of this planned um and is possible for parkland uh dedication.

Now the Denton Development Code does specify that um SUPs expire 24 months after approval, unless that use is substantially under construction by that time.

Uh so this was approved on October 24th, 2025.

And while the applicant has submitted one round of civil engineering plans for staff review, they are not yet at that point where we consider this project to be substantially under construction.

Now the DDC also provides um an opportunity for the applicant to request a one-time one-year extension um period, and that is subject to approval by the original approving body, which is you all city council.

Um so the applicant has stated and they believe they submitted a short narrative that's included in their backup that some of the reasons for the delay in construction um can be attributed to HUD financing as well as just the 2025 development market.

Um staff is recommending approval of this one-time one-year extension.

If approved, it would be valid until October 24, 2026.

And I'm happy to answer any questions you all may have.

Representative from District 2.

Thank you.

Um, I know it's not development services' job to do financial forecasting.

Um, but the developer brought that up as a justification for um continuing an SUP that well, I'll I'll just talk about me that I had problems with in the beginning.

So um, do we it doesn't sound like the conditions have improved?

I mean, if they if they've got things that are preventing them from doing the proposal within the guardrails of what development services can can talk about, and and I I recognize you you have restrictions and inability to forecast fine, you're not financial planners, but do we anticipate any of those changing over the next year?

I mean, everything Nate mentioned seems like it will get likely get worse before it gets better.

Sure.

I can sp I can speak to where they're at currently and maybe allow the applicant to to talk more about um their ability to make more progress within the next year.

Now they have submitted one review of CEPs and are making progress to being able to turn dirt on the site.

Um as far as if they believe the financial market will improve enough.

I the applicant is here, and I would let them speak to some of the more financing behind their specific project.

Um they have been making progress, just not at the point where we can say they're substantially under construction at this time.

All right, thank you.

Uh representative from District 4.

I'm just very, very concerned about the density of multifamily in this area.

Um there's there's apartments on both sides of loop 288 built right to the I mean right to the curb.

Um I'm I'm just very very concerned about about the number of of um of units here and um and I'm gonna take this opportunity to say no on this one.

Thank you.

Representative from district one are they already turning dirt right now?

I mean, they are already in the process.

No, ma'am, they're at the civil engineering stage still, so they would need to get the approval of that and their final plat before we would allow for grading to begin on the site.

Okay, I'm grading.

Okay, thank you.

I know exactly where this is.

Okay, anyone else?

Any questions for staff?

Yeah, yeah, I would I too would like to hear from the applicant because it my hesitation is this.

When we talk I want to be consistent, if nothing else.

And when we're talking to when we're talking about the water, wastewater and the fees and all these things, I mean, those kick in irrespective of someone, you know, you got to get your your deal in, got to get it done, or else you know you you miss that window.

And and we're holding people to it.

I'm holding staff to it saying, hey, you gotta build these things, because you said you'd build these things.

Yeah, two years.

Uh and and so I I need to under better understand what happened over two years.

And and and I also have my concern is also to Councilmember Holland's concern.

There's were you reading the tea leaves and saying, hey, there's too many multifamily units, and so we're gonna wait and play the long game.

Don't know that that, and I'm not subscribing that to them.

I'm just saying um I I am hesitant.

Sure, I'll I'll let the applicant come down and address some of the concerns.

Good evening, Mayor.

Good evening, counsel.

Thank you for uh hearing us out today.

Um if you give us your name, just Griffin Neal with Trumont Group.

Thank you.

So we bought this land um upon approval of the original SCP.

Um we've spent in total about four and a half million dollars between the land and about an additional half a million dollars in engineering and architectural costs pursuing the project.

Um one of those is around a submittals with um engineering.

And we are getting ready to submit our permit set of drawings.

Um in which we've been working with HUD for the better part of 18 months.

We had our capital partner to pursue the project, and HUD had a design standard of the gas line running through the property that um basically made the project unattractive for any potential resident to live there, which was um about a hundred and fifty-foot setback and uh uh a wall to be built to potentially um in the uh black swan event that something happened with this gas line um for the communities to um be shielded, mind you, that this gas line goes from here all the way, I think, north of the United States.

Um and uh so in light of that, we had to move on from HUD financing and go the conventional route, which is regional bank financing typically, and look for new capital partners.

Um while interest rates and construction costs remained elevated.

Um a small firm of 10 people, um, and it put a lot of stress on our company to uh from a bandwidth perspective to have that capital partner in line, which is what we're actively working on today.

We're engaged with three different groups.

Um and we remain excited about the project, and um I'm more than happy to answer questions.

And to answer your questions on the ESA back then.

Again, we were within the guidelines and mitigated it accordingly.

We're committed to donating 4.2 acres to the city for the parks department, which we remain committed to doing.

And we look forward to pursuing this.

Nothing has changed from the surrounding uses area of the adjacent land of development.

And from our standpoint, we have been moving forward.

And sometimes development, as you guys know, can uh be prolonged, and we're here asking to exercise the one year option.

Okay.

We got a couple questions.

Representative from District 6.

Hi, Council Person Jester, and thank you for being here.

That you've put in a work four million, but I have to say with the HUD uh requirements for safety in the pipeline in case of worst case scenario.

Well, now that makes me worried about uh the pipeline.

Can you speak to um even if you're not required to have that 150 foot setback and the wall?

Uh how are you going to um maintain the safety of these residents from uh the potential uh worst case scenario or do you know yet?

Sorry, I'm gonna pick us but yeah.

Well, the the the design, well, again, this pipeline runs throughout your entire city, and there's development all along it and the readings of this pipeline by any conventional development standard, including banks who have the strictest of requirements.

Uh I I couldn't tell you what the exact PSI rating is today.

Um, had I been uh uh would have brought our engineering team accordingly, but um again, all approved uh by them and anyone else's standards, but HUD uh is actually considering revising some of their design standards at a national level as well, and we're hopeful this is one of them.

Okay, all right.

Well, thank you.

Yes, ma'am, thank you.

Uh representative district five Mayor, I have a question for staff.

Okay.

Uh then I'll wait if I need to.

Yeah, I I just I don't know who answered this question, but but I need someone to step to me and you maybe know the the sequence of events that leads to the initial SUP request.

So I'm having a hard time reconciling these two things.

If you came before the SUP, it got approved, and then you found out the HUD's requirement wasn't appealing.

What's the sequence of those things?

How does how does that happen after you come forward for our SUP request?

Well, you work with HUD basically once you have the zoning in place, or at least that's how we approached it in this case.

Um, and HUD has notoriously slow timelines for approvals from start to finish, is a 12 to 18 month process.

Um, and we engaged with Collier International's team uh who were great to work with.

Um yeah, it just by the time we closed on the property after we went through the initial civil engineering work, architectural, the city of Denton's process, we then go through HUD's submittal process and so on so forth.

Um, and it was after careful consideration and basically deeming their design standards unfeasible that we had to move on from HUD.

Got it.

But um if I'm tracking with you, you said it's 18 months for HUD traditionally.

Uh it can be uh 12 to 18 months.

I'm saying okay between us finding our capital partner, CPG Capital, who has actually built a couple projects here in Denton and working with HUD.

Uh it took us about 12 to 18 months, and for the last six months we've been continuing to move forward with plans and look for our next capital partner for the project.

Right.

So the consistency I would hope to seek tonight would be um grace period on the extension and all factors considered two years ago for us to continue to move forward this project.

Okay.

Thank you.

Staff who have a question.

Uh representative from district five, you have the floor.

Can you give me some examples in the past where we've done this?

Off the top of my mind.

I mean, I know that you know just because we can doesn't mean we always do things.

Uh we did one in 2021.

I believe the project was forced crossing, but I it could be incorrect on that.

Well, the what the theory is the specific project doesn't matter.

I mean what what are some of some of the reasons that you probably perhaps did that in the past?

Um some of the reasons could be you know similar ones to either funding or challenges throughout the civil engineering plans.

You know, when when an SUP comes forward, they are required to submit that detailed site plan.

Um but as with any project when working through the conversion of site plan to civil plans, developers could run into hiccups, and those are some of the more common reasons for delay.

Again, uh this is not something we see too regularly.

I believe the last one was in 2021.

But this is not necessarily uncommon throughout the state.

It could no, it could happen to anyone.

I'm asking this because you know, in the interest of fairness, we want to treat everybody, you know, fair.

That's why that's why I'm asking.

So okay.

Thanks, Andrew.

Okay, any other any other questions.

Um I will I'll take a motion.

Representative from District One.

Motion for approval.

Is there a second?

Mayor Pro Tim.

Oh, second.

We have a motion and a second uh to approve the the uh extension.

Any other discussion seeing none, let's vote on the screen and that passes four to three.

Um that takes us to item B.

Thank you, which is ID 251544.

Consider adoption of ordinance of the city of Denton by three separate votes, each being conducted by each being conducted on September 16, 2025, October 21st, 2025, December 2nd, 2025, and granting non-exclusive gas franchise and universe universal natural gas LLC for the use of public right-of-way.

Good evening, Mayor, Council Scott McDonald, director of development services.

Here this evening to talk to you about a proposed franchise agreement with your Universal Natural Gas.

Um, just for background for most all of you, I'm sure you're familiar with franchise utility agreements.

Um, that allows for franchise utilities to operate within our public right-of-way, install its equipment, and provide services to customers throughout the city.

Um, this agreement with Universal Natural Gas, they are a new utility provider within the city of Denton.

Um, they will be providing natural gas services to um just a couple of areas, which will be uh the Hunter Ranch as well as Legends Ranch, uh, and the construction of those facilities are underway.

The agreement is structured after what we do with Atmos, so it's very common theme.

Uh this map illustrates to the top side of the map, you will see Legends Ranch to the south side.

You will see Hunter Ranch, and then you will see um Southwest Park.

It's important to note the Legends Ranch area will be within our corporate limits only.

Regent Legends Ranch has some property which in is in the city and some that's without.

Um the terms of the agreement will be 10 years with the option of a renewal for one five-year term.

They will the city will grant the the use but control the right-of-way.

Um they will provide notice of the planned right-of-way construction, maintain the records of the installation.

Uh, we can ask that they relocate any of their facilities as necessary, and um the payment will be equal to that of a five percent of the company's gross receipts.

And they've uh also agreed to connect um our future Southwest Park at the company's expense.

Um the next steps on this is this requires three hearings.

Um, one of those is this evening, and then we'll have the two subsequent on the next two council meetings, which will be October 21st and December 2nd.

Um Universal Gas must publish this ordinance in its entirety um for three consecutive weeks.

Um, the Denton Record Chronicle.

If approved, the uh universal gas must provide a letter of ex uh acceptance letter with the city secretary within 60 days, and then staff recommends approval of the ordinance and to continue the ordinance approvals for the next two regular meetings, which is October 21st and December 2nd.

I'll stand for any questions.

Okay, thank you.

Questions for staff, representative from district two.

Thank you.

Hey Scott, um, does uh Atmos also serve in these regions, or this would be the only gas provider if we approve it?

This would be the gas provider.

Okay, so uh so and and the the is this an opportunity for universal to also service other regions of the city in the in some future date because of it.

We're stirring the ball rolling here or not.

Help me understand the context.

I would think that the opportunity may exist.

This franchise agreement is is exclusively for those areas that were mentioned and shown in the map.

Okay, so they wouldn't without some other subsequent agreement be able to operate in other parts of our corporate limits.

That's correct.

All right, thank you for the clarity.

Representative from district four.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Uh, you indicated that universal is is new, is a new company or new to our region, and that's why I have never heard of it.

New franchise user within our corporate limits.

Okay.

They've been around.

Yes.

Okay.

Um we're talking about a 10-year, a 10-year what is that a lot of agreement with agreement with a with a five-year option.

Isn't this essentially a forever agreement?

I mean, the houses aren't gonna go away.

Correct, but our franchise agreements and you know we have the agreements that we work with each of the utilities, we bring them back through council as terms may change or whatever is is done.

So this is a 10-year agreement.

We have the opportunity to extend it for five editions.

Okay, so worst case scenario, and I don't know what that means.

What happens after after this this horrible experience that we've had with this new company?

What happens?

Um, I would almost defer, I think, to Mac to ask the question.

I don't know that I have any experience with us not renewing a franchise lease, but I think the opportunity exists that and that's kind of my point.

That it I don't see that we ever don't renew this thing, and so I wonder why we do it in in 10 year and five year increments.

It provides an opportunity for the city to come back to the franchise and rework the deal to work out um different arrangements.

But as far as the line itself, yeah, the line is in the ground, it's going to be there.

Uh I've seen certain situations where there is a worst case scenario where the city was not able to reach an agreement and basically just granted the unilateral franchise, wasn't an agreement and just dictated the franchise to the company.

That's a worst case.

Nobody wants that to happen, but that's kind of it the gas wasn't cut off.

The gas continued to be served.

The customer was never cut off, but the city and the gas company had to work out kind of an alternate arrangement.

That's kind of the worst case scenario.

Okay.

It it just seems like a fairly short-term agreement for a awfully, awfully long-term customer.

Anyway, thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh any other questions?

Representative from District Six.

Um, I appreciate this opportunity.

Right now, we're not getting anything from it, so this just looks like a win-win.

Uh, I move to uh adopt as proposed.

Is there a second?

Mayor Pro Tim.

Oh second.

Thank you, Scott, by the way.

Thank you.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Uh then let's vote on the screen.

And that passes 7-0.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate you.

Do we uh so that takes us to um and and I'll take a uh moment of now, Scott?

Is that uh you presenting again?

Or is that no sir?

Okay.

Well thank you very much for all you do.

Uh and uh please don't hesitate to come back and see us now you hear.

Okay, well, thank you.

Yes, sir.

Thank you very much.

Um, and that takes us to item 6C, which is ID 24 2624.

Um, and that takes us to item 6C, which is ID 24 2624, consider adoption of ordinance of the city of Denton, Texas, adopting the fiscal year 2025-2026, annual program of services, budget, and the capital improvement program of the city of Denton, Texas for the fiscal year on October 1st, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2026.

Mayor, members of council, Matt Hamilton ADA finance.

Um we had a presentation um that was the prepared this the same presentation that was given during the public hearing, and so the presentation was given at that time.

Uh, what's on the agenda?

Uh the first four items are related to budget adoption.

Uh, the first item that you'll see this one uh is for the budget itself.

The next item will be the approval of the tax rate.

The next item will be the approval of the tax rules, which is a uh requirement by the tax code uh that essentially allows the county to mail the tax bills, and then the last item is the ratification of the budget, which is required uh when the uh budget proposes a uh uh tax rate that is higher than um it imposes new, you know, a higher tax rate.

Um so that fourth item is also required.

So mayor stand for any questions if there are any.

Great.

Representative from district two.

Thank you.

Uh Matt, just to be clear, the discussions we had this morning about the the different uh funding options for some of the budget items, those are or not germane because the the total is set or they're they're baked in the budget.

Help me understand how the this morning's or this afternoon's discussion is uh impacts this vote and vice versa.

Yes.

So council appropriates based on a fund level and approves on a fund level.

The tourist and convention fund, which the hot funds are a part of, uh all roll up on into that fund level.

So you know the options that were considered um, you know, funds could be moved within that at council's direction.

Uh what you are uh voting on tonight is that total appropriation number, which did not change under any of the presented scenarios.

Okay, I thought that was the case, but I just wanted to state it publicly for clarity.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Okay, so I'm looking for a motion to um adopt the 2025-26 budget as presented.

And I don't know when does the the specific language is when is that?

Yeah, so there's uh specific language that we need to read if you if someone has that uh representative from district two.

So just for clarity, mr.

Mr.

Mayor, the the language on the handout that we have.

Um that is what you're referring to?

Yes.

Okay.

Um and and um Mr.

City Attorney, we need to we need to say the language as presented.

Correct.

And okay.

All right.

I just I I just was curious about the level of extemporaneous comment.

Um I will avoid that then.

Uh I move to adopt the 2025-2026 budget as presented.

Representative from district one.

I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion.

Uh then I I will just say uh thank you to all staff uh that put help get us to this point.

Um regrettably the debt side of things, I'll just get out of the way is is it's just a straight-line calculation, and so we weren't able to pay enough down enough debt, but we were able to do yeoman's work on the other side of the ledger, so I'm I'm I'm appreciative of the the holistic effort to minimize impact on our um citizens while delivering the the best of service and and I think there's the future's bright ahead to to address some of these concerns and and get us back level set.

But with that, uh any other comments, discussion?

Seeing none of this vote on the screen.

That passes 7-0.

That takes us to item D, and there's three votes here just for the record.

And I'll call that that's ID 242625.

Consider adoption of the ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, levying the ad valorum property tax on the City of Denton, Texas for the year 2025 on all taxable property within the corporate limits of the City of Denton City on January 1st, 2025, and adopting a tax rate of.595420 per 100 of evaluation on 2025 for 2025, providing revenues for payment on current uh municipal maintenance and operation expenses for payment of interest and principal on outstanding city of Denton debt.

So I'll take a motion.

Representative from District 2.

Uh I move that the property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of uh 0.59542, which is effectively a 7.4 percent increase in the tax rate and to approve item 242625.

Representative from district one.

I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any discussion?

Let's vote on the screen.

That passes 70.

I'll take a motion on the next segment of this.

Representative from district two.

I move to approve an interest in sinking rate of 0.260640.

Representative from district one.

Second.

We have a motion and a second for the second portion of this.

Uh any discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

And that passes 70.

And then lastly, for this item, I'll take a motion.

Representative from district two.

I move to approve a maintenance and operation rate of 0.334780.

And representative from district one.

I'll second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

And that passes 70.

Takes us to our next item, which is item E, ID 242626.

Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, approving the 2025 tax rolls and providing an effective date.

Represent Mayor Pro Tem.

Motion to approve the item as presented.

Is representative from District 6.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

That passes 70.

Takes us to item F, ID 242627.

Consider adoption of ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, ratifying the adoption of the fiscal year 2025-2026 annual program of services.

Mayor Pro Tim.

Motion to approve item as presented.

Okay, and representative from District 6.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Let's vote on the screen.

That passes 70.

That takes us to item G.

ID 242629.

Consider adoption of ordinance of the of Denton Texas establishing the rates and fees for water and water services repealing ordinance number two four-235, providing for a repealer, providing for servability clause, and providing for an effective date.

Uh changes, the next three items are related to the utilities, and then the remaining four are related to the general fund, uh, police, fire, parks, and library, and however we have staff.

If there's any questions uh that council has on any of the rate changes.

Got it.

Um representative from district two.

Oh, sorry, my mic was off.

Uh just for clarity, we need that that same restricted language.

Is that correct, Mr.

Mayor?

I don't think so.

At this phase, no.

We're out of the we can vote normally, is what I'm hearing.

Correct.

Okay.

Um then I will say with uh because I've been busting it, it seems to do some extemporaneous motioning.

Um I I will say that I I encourage staff to to listen to the the dialogue.

I know you will in terms of sitting rates, some of the priorities that we expressed during the workshop.

Um things to try to achieve over the next budget year that maybe were a little tricky over the last uh few few discussions.

Um certain you'll come back to us, so I will move approval as presented.

Representative from district one.

One second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

That passes 70 takes us to item H.

ID 242630.

Consider adoption of an ordinance of the city of Denton, Texas, establishing the rates and fees for wastewater service repealing ordinance number two four-236, providing for a repealer, providing for servability clause, and providing for an effective date.

Representative from District Six.

I move to approve the item as presented.

Mayor Pro Tim.

I'll second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

Passes 70 takes us to item I.

ID 242632.

Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, establishing the rates for solid waste and recycling collection services, repealing ordinance number two four two three eight, providing for repealer, providing for serverability clause and providing for effective date.

Representative from District Six.

I move approval uh of the item as presented.

Mayor Pro Tim.

I'll second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

That passes 70 takes us to item J.

ID 251631.

Consider adoption of an ordinance of the city of Denton adopting a schedule of fees for the Denton Public Library, superseding all prior ordinances, establishing fees in conflict with schedule with such schedule, providing for severability and providing for effective date.

Representative from District 6.

I move to approve the item as presented.

Mayor Pro Tim.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

It passes 7-0, takes us item K.

ID 25-1633.

Consider adoption of an ordinance, adopting a schedule of fees for the use of the Denton Police Department Public Safety Training Center, Firearms Range, Officer, Officer Special Event and Off-Duty Private Event Pay, and Motor Vehicle Escorts for Hire, providing for severability superseding all prior ordinances, establishing fees in conflict with such schedule and priorities.

Yeah.

And establishing an effective date.

Representative from District 6.

Thank you, Mayor, for all the excellent reading, by the way, tonight.

I appreciate you.

I move to approve the item as presented.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mayor Pro Tim.

And I'll second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

That passes 7-0 takes us to item L.

I.D.

251637.

Consider adoption of an ordinance adopting a schedule of fees for the Denton Fire Department to superseding all prior fees in conflict with such schedule, providing several severability, providing a repealer and establishing an effective date.

Representative from District 6.

I move approval of the item as presented.

Mayor Pro Tim.

I'll second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

I swear she said that before.

Right.

And that takes us to our last item, item M, ID 251638, consider adoption of ordinance of the city of Denton adopting a schedule of fees, updating the existing changes and fees for our use of the city owned property and facilities and for the city services provided at our parks and recreation superseding prior fee schedules, providing severability and repeal of clauses and providing an effective date.

Mayor Pro Tim.

A motion to approve the item as presented.

Representative from District 6.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, let's vote on the screen.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And that passes 7-0.

And uh Madam Assistant City Manager.

Thank you.

Uh we just want to take this moment to thank all of our uh employees and staff and directors who are here.

Everyone has worked very hard on this budget.

Matt has led the budget team in the absence of RCFO.

Our police and fire chief, our utilities directors, our parks directors, uh, did a tremendous amount of work to get this across the finish line.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Okay, that takes us to concluding items.

Any uh concluding items.

Uh representative from district six.

Well, I hate goodbyes, but I just want to say one uh last thank you to Scott McDonald.

Uh the reputation he has built with uh the staff, the succession planning, and the open communication with uh the community that he works with, not only uh in the city of Denton, but the reputation that he has helped us build in the county and throughout the state of Texas and beyond uh cannot be measured.

Um, and so there is there's just no way to um overstate uh the appreciation uh on behalf of our citizens and residents and partners uh that we have and you'll very much be missed.

We wish you absolutely all the health, happiness, and success that you can have.

Uh, but I just didn't want to uh go without saying one last uh thank you, and what um you you're really leaving uh your imprint here and for it for the good.

Thank you, Mr.

McDonald.

Representative from District Five.

Just want to encourage everyone to uh take some time this weekend and come out and support Blues Fest, one of the best things that we do all year.

So look forward to uh seeing as many people in the community as possible out this weekend.

Uh okay.

Representative from District 2.

Thank you.

I I was uh also gonna do Blues Fest, so I'll skip on by that one and just remind Scott that I can drive out to Weatherford and attend his next city council meetings and and uh where he might be uh trying to get things through.

So uh because just because I I'll miss him so much.

You'll have nobody else to pick up.

All right, all right.

Uh okay.

Uh representative, oh Mayor Protell.

Scott, I'm gonna miss you too.

I don't think I can make statements quite as well as Councilmember Jester.

I want to pick on Ben here for a second.

I I've really appreciated Ben.

I want to say, you know, farewell to Ben.

Good luck with the with your next stuff.

Um my favorite story about Ben was on the 2023 bond committee.

He was the uh the attorney that was on our committee.

Uh it's the first time I've ever seen a group of people applaud an attorney.

Um we had gotten a little bit trapped in Robert's rules of order.

Uh and Ben stood up and got us out, and the room applauded for him when he came and saved us.

So I'm always gonna remember that, Ben, and I I really appreciate your time.

It's been, you know, I sat next to you on the mobility committee for for a little bit too, and so I'm gonna miss seeing you around as well.

Um, farewell to you and to Scott.

Um, we really are gonna miss you guys around here.

Okay, yeah, well said, uh Mr.

City Attorney.

Thank you so much.

Councilmember Ramore kind of beat me to the punch, but I appreciate it.

Um, yeah, Ben, this will be our last meeting with Benjamin Samples.

He's been my first assistant for many years now, and has been a tremendous supporter and confidant.

Um, he's just exercised great judgment for the city, has protected us in so many ways, and really has been someone that I trust implicitly to do the bidding of the work and of the city and has done an incredible job supporting our office and supporting the entire city.

So, Ben, I appreciate our time working together and wish you all the best in your next your next adventure.

Okay, yes.

Okay, um, representative of district one, right?

I just wanted to say hello, bean.

That's what we say to Ben every time he comes, steps into the room.

We always say hello, bean with that uh great smile.

So of again, just reiterating how much we appreciate uh you being there for us.

I have been in a meeting where you've had to get us back in line to keep us in line, so we certainly appreciate that.

And congratulations on your next venture.

Uh, you know, just all praises to you.

Thank you, sir, for your work.

Scott, I I personally have felt like you like me better than anyone else up here because every time I pick the phone up and I need your services, it it always comes through.

You always find a way.

So uh, you know, I just appreciate that.

And also congratulations on your next venture as well.

Thank you.

Okay, anyone else?

Uh then I will say how much I enjoyed Arts and Autos.

It was good to have it back on the square.

It's good to see a carburetor and be able to spot spark plugs.

Just does the heart good.

Uh and so that was that was great.

And then mean green across the board.

Great, great week.

I went to see a couple of tennis matches.

They did very well.

Went to the football game.

If you've not been to a football game, I recommend it.

Any of our uh athletes here in town, TWU, UNT, please go support them.

It's critically important.

Really great people doing great things here.

Uh then, yeah, again, same.

Thank you, Scott.

Thank you, Ben.

Uh, I continue to give my neighboring maybe mayors a hard time as they as people continue to go work for them.

Uh McKinney's a great city though.

I I like Mayor Cox, I like the city manager, uh, and and I like the opportunity for you to go and and set them up for success.

So uh truly appreciate that.

And and all I ask for is just once to get the airport up and run and hook a brother up.

Uh fam.

Uh and then uh lastly, I I will say uh I how much I appreciate you, Chief and uh Didn't Police Department.

I mean it it is tough, right?

It's a tough job uh having to do all the things that keep us safe and it doesn't go unnoticed.

And and I am truly grateful and and y'all have my complete support, and uh we are here to get you what you need to continue to serve well.

Uh same with the with the fire department.

We we want to make sure those those are key principles and what we're gonna do.

We're not gonna waver in those, we're not gonna compromise on those things.

And we understand uh that that those are occupational hazards, they're out there.

Uh but I I could not imagine living one day where I have a video camera strapped to my chest everywhere I go.

Hard pass.

I'd get fired within 20 minutes.

Uh so the restraint y'all have and the ability uh that your officer show and and so really really proud of y'all and the work you do and and we'll we'll process through the challenges, we'll grow with you.

Uh but thank you very much.

And and again, just uh to conclude uh what was a tough week for our our country staff rec responded quickly and uh to address the the request of the the flags at Half Mass and so I appreciate that response and and those sensitivities as we as we process through a challenging time, but I hope uh we we come together and we're better for it in the future, as is my my hope and desire.

So with that, at 916 we'll conclude uh tonight's meeting.

Oh