Carrollton City Council Meeting Summary - April 16, 2024

The City of Carrollton City Council convened for a Regular Worksession and Meeting on April 16, 2024. The council approved a comprehensive consent agenda, adopted significant modifications to the Tree Removal and Replacement Program, and passed an updated Community Funding Policy. Action on a major incentive agreement for the LIV Golf event was deferred for further regional coordination.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the minutes from the April 2, 2024 regular meeting.
• Bids & Purchases:
  • Approved BID #24-027 for rebar and accessories from CF Metals (not to exceed $275,000 annually; total contract not to exceed $825,000 over three years).
  • Approved Contract Amendment No. 1 for boring and trenching services from Tejas Utilities, LLC ($278,304.60; new total contract amount not to exceed $411,304.60).
  • Approved renovations to two Indian Creek Golf Course comfort stations by Dallas Harmony Construction ($82,452.00).
  • Approved Biller Agreement renewal with InvoiceCloud ($10,000 annually; total contract value not to exceed $60,000).
  • Approved BID #24-030 for arterial street panel replacement projects on Keller Springs Road and Plano Parkway from HD Way Concrete Service, LLC (not to exceed $2,000,000 annually; total contract not to exceed $6,000,000 over three years).
• Ordinances:
  • Authorized the issuance of General Obligation Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2024 (up to $41,095,000 for street, park, and trail improvements and refunding).
  • Authorized the issuance of Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, Series 2024 (up to $10,000,000 for water and sewer improvements).
  • Amended the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating and Capital Budgets (adding $691,820 for the North Texas Emergency Communication Center 911 system upgrade and $616,185 for General Fleet Replacement).
• Resolutions:
  • Adopted the Tree Removal and Replacement Program Policy, expanding it to include trees on private property under overhead utility lines via a grant program.
  • Authorized an agreement for the FY 2022-23 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (final Carrollton allocation of $8,147.26 for license plate reader cameras).
  • Authorized an agreement for the FY 2023-24 Byrne JAG Program (final Carrollton allocation of $10,423.81 for a SWAT rifle-resistant shield).
  • Authorized a contract with FORVIS, LLP for independent auditing services ($130,000).
  • Resolution for the LIV Golf Event Trust Fund participation was pulled from the consent agenda prior to the vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Adam Polter (4180 Creek Hollow Drive) spoke during public comment. He expressed opposition to the original LIV Golf incentive request and urged the council to maintain the $25,000 maximum for event grants in the Community Funding Policy, referencing public concern over a previous $100,000 grant.
• Todd Van Galen (4624 Maverick Way) addressed the council during the public forum regarding the Tree Removal and Replacement Program, asking for clarification on the procedures for residents to have trees on private property removed and replaced through the program.

Discussion Items

• Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Briefing: DCTA President Paul Christina provided an update on the A-Train Enhancement Program. Key goals include extending the A-Train to downtown Carrollton, increasing frequency to 15 minutes, and improving track speed. The total programmatic estimate is approximately $260 million. DCTA reported a full recovery in ridership, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with a projected 3.1 million rides. The agency noted a decrease in security calls on the train, from 35 in 2022 to 32 in 2023.
• Tree Removal and Replacement Program Expansion: Development Services Director Ravi Shah presented the modification to include trees on private property near major corridors. Staff inventoried 234 trees under overhead lines; 39 were classified in the most critical Tier 3 (hazardous or disfigured). The program allows a 100% receipt-reimbursable grant to property owners. The policy was unanimously recommended by the Re-Development Committee and adopted in the consent agenda.
• Community Funding Policy (Item 26): Finance Director Melissa Everett presented the merger of the Community Services and Events policies into a single Community Funding Policy. Key changes include a simplified grant process up to $5,000 and a new Major Events program allowing up to $100,000. Council discussion focused on the $100,000 cap and a proposed five-year interval restriction for major event applicants.
  • Councilmember Pendleton successfully moved to strike the five-year interval restriction from the policy.
  • The attendance threshold for a Major Event was aligned with the existing top attendance tier (40,000+ persons).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved: The council unanimously approved Items 11 through 19 and 21 through 24.
• LIV Golf Item Deferred (Item 25): The resolution for the Texas Events Trust Fund Program for the LIV Golf Team Championship Dallas was pulled from the consent agenda. Mayor Babick stated the request required additional refinement, including coordination with Dallas County, and is expected to return in May.
• Prescott Interests LTD Grant Pulled (Item 20): The resolution for an economic development incentive agreement with Prescott Interests LTD for $43,060.00 was pulled from the agenda.
• Community Funding Policy Adopted (7-1): The council approved Item 26 adopting the updated Community Funding Policy. Councilmember Fleming was the sole vote in opposition. The adopted policy merges prior policies, establishes a $5,000 grant threshold, allows up to $100,000 for major events, and removes the five-year frequency restriction for major event applicants.