Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting, October 10, 2023

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, the Carrollton City Council met at City Hall for a pre-meeting/executive session at 5:45 p.m., followed by a worksession and a regular meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Steve Babick presided; Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Rusty Pendleton gave the invocation and Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Cline led the pledge. The council heard a solid waste update, approved the consent calendar, took individual action on a traffic-towing ordinance, held public hearings on a lighted athletic field and a short-term rental, and heard public forum comments.

Worksession: Solid Waste Services Update

• Staff reported on the residential solid waste contract, which has been outsourced since 2003 and is currently held by Republic Services, expiring September 30, 2025. Carrollton's service includes weekly trash, unlimited bulk and brush, and every-other-week recycling, with an additional recycling cart available free of charge; the monthly residential cost was reported as $23.15.
• Key metrics: Republic serves about 35,000 households 14 times per month, with roughly 249 missed collections per month (a 0.05% miscollection rate); recycling contamination dropped 4% and recycling participation rose 7%. The city uses its Resolution Center for customer service, includes performance penalties in the contract, and has a dedicated Republic route supervisor.
• Staff highlighted recent wins: replacement of collection trucks with automated side loaders, no COVID-era service lapses, recycling education sessions, and a disaster recovery debris-removal program.

Mayor and Council Reports

• Councilmembers reported on community events including National Night Out, the Korean Moon Festival, World of Foodies, the TML conference, Hebron High School stadium renaming, and the Dallas All-Star Chef Classic. Councilmember Palomo expressed support for Israel and condolences after recent attacks; Mayor Babick noted upcoming board/commission appreciation events and the November 4 festival at Switchyard.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (Items 7–16 and 18–22):
  • Ratified emergency repairs to water pump motors, pumps, and electrical components: $73,732.00, $119,579.78, and $88,495.00, respectively.
  • Approved purchases including a Pierce pumper truck ($480,230.00), four Chevrolet Bolts ($123,968.54), a Ford F-250 ($75,836.80), Stryker patient-handling equipment ($388,000.00), and a plumbing services contract (up to $300,000.00 annually / $900,000.00 over six years).
  • Authorized conveying the approximately 1.45-acre Moon Golf Properties tract back to the donor.
  • Adopted the Fire Department classification ordinance (Sub-Apparatus Operators reduced from 12 to 0; Apparatus Operators increased from 39 to 51; total remains 173).
  • Adopted the Debt Management Policy.
  • Authorized a $105,000 CDBG subrecipient agreement with Metrocrest Services for homeless assistance.
  • Authorized a PFM Financial Advisors municipal advisory contract (up to $120,000 annually; $840,000 total for five years plus a two-year renewal option).
  • Nominated Michael Hurtt for the Dallas Central Appraisal District Board and Roy Atwood for the Denton Central Appraisal District Board.
• Note: The raw transcript appears to place the fire chief's discussion of replacing ambulance patient-handling equipment under the heading of item 11 (Chevy Bolts); that discussion corresponds to agenda item 13 (Stryker systems). The summary follows the posted agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers came forward during public comment on the consent agenda.
• Dewitt Perry Middle School Field (Item 23): Bobby Shaw, CFB ISD Director of Facility Services, spoke in support of the planned development for the lighted athletic field.
• 2109 Marin Short-Term Rental (Item 24): Several neighboring residents (Kathy Springs, Francis Fu, Robert Rizzo, Gaye McFarland, Jeff Nicestra, and others) opposed the special use permit, citing parking, traffic, noise, safety, property values, and compatibility with the family neighborhood. One speaker, Walter Saledo, spoke in favor, describing short-term rentals as legitimate small businesses that can house traveling families safely.
• Public Forum: Adam Poulter, a former council member, urged the council to prioritize multiculturalism and diversify invocations; Matt Milliken asked for city help with a retaining wall and property boundary issue; Richard Johnson requested restroom facilities at Branch Hollow Park.

Discussion Items

• Item 17 (traffic towing ordinance): Police Chief Roberto Arredondo explained the amendment allows Public Safety Officers, at the chief's direction, to tow vehicles and assist sworn officers. Councilmember Fleming expressed concern about penalizing drivers who cannot show financial responsibility, but the discussion was limited to the ordinance's language.
• Item 23 (PLZPD 2023-074): Planning staff explained the planned development only adds lighting to a football/track field at DeWitt Perry Middle School, with lighting limited to 70 feet and no training, practice, or games beginning after 9 p.m. The Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 7–0 on September 7, 2023.
• Item 24 (PLSUP 2023-077): Staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial of the short-term rental SUP. Applicant Phuong Dinh testified about management plans, parking, guest screening, occupancy taxes, and house rules. Council discussion noted the property's corner location, difficult alley access, and proximity to a school.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar Items 7–16 and 18–22: approved unanimously.
• Item 17: approved with Councilmember Fleming in opposition.
• Item 23: approved unanimously, establishing Planned Development No. 224 for the DeWitt Perry Middle School lighted athletic field.
• Item 24: motion to deny the short-term rental special use permit passed with Councilmember Fleming in opposition; the vote did not meet the 3/4 threshold needed to approve the permit over the P&Z denial recommendation.