Carrollton City Council Worksession & Meeting Summary - July 16, 2024

The Carrollton City Council held a Regular Worksession and Meeting on July 16, 2024, beginning at 5:45 PM. The worksession included a deep dive into the Fiscal Year 2025 budget process with department presentations on proposed Additions to Base (ATBs), an infrastructure update, CIPAC recommendations, and discussion of the Transit 2.0 initiative. The regular meeting featured a proclamation, public comment, approval of the consent agenda, a formal vote on the Transit 2.0 resolution, and approval of tax penalty waivers.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes for June 25 and July 2, 2024.
• Bids & Purchases: Approved street sweeping services (Sweeping Corporation of America, $159,000 annually), alley improvement program (R&A Legacy Construction, $1.5 million annually), outdoor fitness equipment for Josey Ranch ($292,038.41), IT professional services (Catapult Staffing, $1.2 million), GIS support (NV5 Geospatial, $70,000), and cardio/weight equipment for Rosemeade Recreation Center ($77,856.05).
• Ordinances: Approved revision of school speed zone hours for 2024-2025, and approved a budget amendment for FY2024 allocating funds for storm response, NTECC design, Dudley Branch Trail, and fleet replacement.
• Resolutions: Authorized an amended agreement with DART for Luna Road crossing improvements, and authorized the assignment of the economic development tax rebate for LYV Broadway (1415 S. Broadway) to CRP/RPM LYV Broadway Owner, L.P.

Public Comments & Testimony

Four residents spoke on the Transit 2.0 resolution (Item 25), primarily voicing opposition to the resolution's call for a 25% reduction in DART sales tax funding:

• Alexander Wolford (Frisco): Argued the resolution would threaten regional transit and noted the high ridership of the Green Line in Carrollton.
• Jonathan Hoover (Irving): Opposed the reduction, stating riders on Route 229 want increased service, not less.
• Qun Lee (Carrollton): Emphasized DART's importance for seniors and voters, arguing reduced revenue would harm service and safety.
• Pascal Cheslin (Carrollton): Urged deferral, noting that the contracted Transit 2.0 studies are incomplete and that there is no current evidence a lower tax rate is feasible or would achieve the stated goals.

Discussion Items

1. Transit 2.0 Initiative / DART Resolution (Items 4 & 25) Mayor Babick explained the resolution supports the NCTCOG regional transit study and formally encourages the DART board to adopt a plan for a 25% reduction in the member city sales tax subsidy. Councilmember Cline pointed out a discrepancy between the agenda item title, which limits discussion to supporting the Transit 2.0 initiative, and the resolution's direct policy language regarding DART funding. City Attorney Meredith Ladd confirmed the resolution fell within the scope of the agenda item because DART is the transit authority relevant to Carrollton under the Transit 2.0 framework. Councilmember Axberg clarified the 25% target is a suggestion to prompt discussion on cost allocation and non-member city expansion, not a mandate. Councilmember Palomo questioned whether such a cut would simply shift costs onto riders. The resolution passed 6-1.

2. Fiscal Year 2025 Additions to Base (ATBs) & Infrastructure Updates (Items 5-9) Department heads presented ATB requests for Council consideration in the upcoming budget process.

• CIPAC (Item 5): Chairman Karim Ali presented the committee's priority ranking for non-recurring funds: 1) Residential Street Lights, 2) Sidewalks, 3) Parks, 4) Trails, 5) Drainage, 6) Residential Street Improvements.
• Infrastructure Update (Item 6): Public Works and Engineering reported the city manages 1,230 lane miles and 27 miles of drainage channels. Active capital projects total $275 million. The city's infrastructure report card grade rose from a C+ (2014) to a B (2024). ATB requests included extending project management contracts, hiring a grant writer, funding a drainage maintenance pilot, and completing street light infill.
• Fleet & Facilities (Item 7): Requested two additional maintenance technicians (one Tech I, one Tech II) to cover the city's 52 facilities.
• Environmental Services (Item 8): Requested establishing a recurring baseline ($15,000) for homeless encampment cleanups and funding an animal shelter adoption trailer ($71,000 one-time, $7,200 recurring).
• Public Safety - Police (Item 9): Chief Arredondo requested an SRO sergeant and officer (75% reimbursed by LISD), a 4th Public Safety Officer, and expansion of the Flock camera network (80% reimbursed by grant).
• Public Safety - Fire (Item 9): Chief Thomson requested three firefighters to staff a squad unit (with a pending SAFER grant), reclassification of three positions to Battalion Chief, a purpose-built reserve apparatus, and Station 7 restroom remodels.

3. Proclamation (Item 11) Mayor Babick proclaimed July 2024 as Park & Recreation Month, recognizing the department's role in the community.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (Items 13-24): Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Transit 2.0 Resolution (Item 25): Approved with a vote of 6-1 (Councilmember Fleming opposed). The resolution formally supports the NCTCOG Transit 2.0 initiative and encourages the DART board to develop a plan to reduce the member city sales tax subsidy by 25%.
• Waiver of Penalty and Interest (Items 26 & 27): Both waivers for Public Improvement District fees and City property taxes on account #965883DEN were approved unanimously, resulting in refunds of $118.17 and $34.83 respectively.
• Next Steps: Council will receive the complete ATB list and City Manager's recommended budget on July 31. Formal budget deliberations are scheduled for August, with adoption by September 10, 2024.