Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting - November 15, 2022

The Carrollton City Council convened on November 15, 2022, starting at 5:45 PM for a worksession to discuss Fire Station 6 relocation options and proposed utility rate changes, followed by the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. The meeting included two civilian life-saving recognitions, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and a divided vote on a major economic development agreement for the Trinity Mills Station.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the October 25, 2022 and November 1, 2022 regular meetings.
• Approved the purchase of police duty and training ammunition from Precision Delta Corporation (BuyBoard contract) at $75,000.
• Approved the purchase of three Chevrolet Bolt EVs for Building Inspection, Fire Rescue, and Police from Lake Country Chevrolet (TIPS cooperative) at $83,704.50.
• Approved the purchase of two Ford Transit passenger vans (one 15-passenger, one 10-passenger with wheelchair lift) from Silsbee Ford (BuyBoard) at $117,543.
• Approved the purchase of three Toro athletic field maintenance units from Professional Turf Products (BuyBoard) at $119,469.38 (includes 10% contingency).
• Approved the purchase of two Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks from Lake Country Chevrolet (TIPS) at $71,410.50.
• Authorized renewal of Procore project management software through Carahsoft (DIR contract) for three years at $83,418.83 annually, total not to exceed $250,256.50.
• Approved the purchase of firefighter protective clothing from Casco (BuyBoard) at $154,700.
• Approved an agreement with Consolidated Traffic Controls, Inc. (HGAC cooperative) for manufacture and installation of illuminated street name signs at 73 intersections, not to exceed $1,200,000.
• Adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 31 (Comprehensive Fee Schedule) to increase water and wastewater rates (5% residential, 6% commercial) and to codify esports center fees, effective January 1, 2023.
• Adopted an ordinance amending the FY 2022-2023 capital and operating budgets to increase the Community Development Capital Fund by $149,987 for Woven Health Clinic and to transfer funds from the Utility Operating Fund to the Utility Capital and Debt Service Funds.
• Accepted the Investment Officer’s Fourth Quarter and Annual Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.
• Adopted an updated Investment Policy as required by the Public Funds Investment Act.
• Authorized a traffic signal agreement with TxDOT for the I-35E reconstruction project (reimbursement of $217,900 for City equipment and maintenance).
• Authorized a contract with SA Benefits – Zurich for stop-loss insurance coverage at $105 per employee per month.
• Authorized submission of FY 2022 Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant applications for a public education trailer ($30,000) and mobile barricades ($100,000), total $130,000.
• Item 27 was pulled for individual consideration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Sutter (former council member, 2304 Watermill Ct) urged support for Item 27 (Trinity Mills development), stating the project has been in the works for many years and urging council to continue the vision of prior councils.
• Kenneth Chung objected to Item 27, arguing that previous subsidies have not been fulfilled and that the new request is risky and wasteful.
• Lisa Sutter registered support for Item 27 without speaking.
• Joseph (last name not given) raised concerns about missing school zone signs in front of Dan F. Long Middle School (noted that the area is under Dallas jurisdiction).

Discussion Items

• Fire Station 6 Relocation Options: Fire Chief Michael Thomson presented four options: (1) rebuild on existing site (owned, but awkward shape; requires temporary relocation of crews), (2) purchase land across the street ($1.1 million, same neighborhood, no coverage improvement for TOD areas), (3) purchase land at Halsey Way and Dickerson (not for sale, floodplain, would shift station south and create a coverage gap in central Carrollton), (4) purchase land from the school district at EL Kent Elementary (central location, retains coverage, improves coverage for Trinity Mills and Frankford TODs). Staff noted that any option will eventually necessitate a future Station 9 to cover the central gap. Council directed staff to focus on options 2 and 4 and to begin engagement with affected neighborhoods.
• Utility Rate Changes: Finance Director Melissa Everett presented a proposal for water and wastewater rate increases of 5% for residential and 6% for commercial, the first increase since 2020. The increase would generate $1.9 million annually, used to fund capital projects and automated meter infrastructure (AMI). The Finance, Audit, and Governance Committee had reviewed the proposal and recommended approval. Council expressed support, noting the city remains the #2 lowest-cost utility provider even with the increase.
• Trinity Mills Station Economic Development Agreement (Item 27): The Council debated a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with The Integral Group, LLC (for a 436-unit mixed-use multifamily building with ground-floor retail and live/work units) and KOA Partners, LLC (for a 135,000 sq ft Class A office building). The city would contribute up to $7,953,000 for the multifamily project and $8,282,000 for the office project (total $16,235,000). The project is Phase I of the Trinity Mills Station TOD, expected to leverage $700 million in private investment and generate $17 million annually in tax revenue at full build-out. Councilmember Polter expressed concerns about the total incentives (>$30 million) and lack of affordable housing, and proposed denying the item to allow for an RFP. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Cline and Mayor Babick (chair of TOD committee) argued that the project is a critical catalyst, consistent with prior council visions, and the incentive amount (10-15% of project cost) is market-competitive. Councilmember Fleming also raised the housing crisis and sought affordable units. After discussion, a motion to approve passed 5-2.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously (Items 10-26, with Item 21 amended to reflect the utility budget adjustments).
• Item 27 approved by a vote of 5-2 (Councilmembers Polter and Fleming opposed; Councilmember Sung recused himself).
• Staff directed to pursue Fire Station 6 options 2 (across the street) and 4 (EL Kent Elementary) and to engage with neighborhoods.
• Utility rate ordinance adopted, effective January 1, 2023.
• Meeting adjourned at 7:38 PM.