North Richland Hills City Council Meeting – February 10, 2025

The North Richland Hills City Council held a work session at 5:00 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025, at City Hall, 4301 City Point Drive. All seven council members were present: Mayor Jack McCarty, Council Members Tito Rodriguez, Ricky Rodriguez, Suzy Compton, Matt Blake, Blake Vaughn, Russ Mitchell, and Kelvin Deupree. The work session covered emergency preparedness, the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center program, a proposed fund balance policy, and town hall meeting format. The regular meeting included recognitions, public comments, a unanimous consent agenda, public works ordinances, general items, and action on an executive session economic development item.

Work Session – Emergency Preparedness

• Emergency Management Coordinator Raelyn Darnell presented an overview of the City's emergency preparedness program, including prevention, mitigation, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), continuity of operations, public education, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
• In 2024, the EOC was formally activated for 90 hours, with typical annual activation around 100 hours.
• The City's hazard mitigation plan is renewed every five years and is currently being updated; the updated plan will be brought to Council in the coming months.
• The City has approximately 2,500 fire hydrants, and public works works closely with the fire department on water system reliability.
• Council discussed hypothetical scenarios, including an F5 tornado, EOC redundancy, cybersecurity, and the backup EOC located at the Public Safety Training Center.
• Staff cited lessons learned from COVID-19 and Winter Storm Uri, including public works staff manually operating water valves during Uri.

Work Session – Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center Program

• Interim Police Chief Ed Wright, Assistant City Manager Trudy Lewis, and former Chief Jimmy Perdue presented on the North Texas Anti-Gang Center program.
• North Richland Hills has served as fiduciary for the TAG grant since 2015; the North Texas TAG became operational in 2016 and is one of nine TAG centers statewide.
• The TAG center involves 19 partner agencies and covers 11 counties; the city is obligated as fiduciary through August 31, 2025, and has been asked to continue through August 31, 2026.
• As fiduciary, the city manages grant applications, purchases, contracts, reimbursements, compliance, and a required single audit. The city fronts grant-related costs and files quarterly reimbursements.
• For FY25, the city budgeted $37,500 for five TAG contracts and could receive up to $62,720 in indirect costs if all approved purchases occur. For FY26, potential indirect costs could reach $149,600.
• Staff noted the city does not fully recover the time spent by the police department grant specialist and finance grant specialist on TAG duties; in FY24, the PD grant specialist was reimbursed for 34% of her time and the finance grant specialist for 6%.
• Council members and former Chief Perdue discussed the alternative of dedicating a full-time employee to TAG versus remaining fiduciary. Council members expressed support for retaining the fiduciary role because it provides regional access, priority resources, and a seat at the table without pulling an officer from local duties.
• The City Council directed staff to continue serving as the fiduciary for the TAG program.

Work Session – Proposed Fund Balance Policy

• Director of Finance Jay Patel presented a proposed fund balance policy establishing minimum fund balance targets for each city fund.
• Proposed targets: 33% or 120 days for General and Utility Funds; 25% or 90 days for Drainage, Economic Development, Parks Development, and Crime Control District Funds; 15% or 60 days for the NRH Centre Fund; 10% or 45 days for Aquatic Park and Golf Course Funds; and 50% or 180 days for the Self-Insurance Fund.
• Staff stated all funds are currently above the proposed minimums, and the policy includes replenishment measures such as reducing expenditures, delaying capital purchases, increasing fees or taxes, and salary or hiring freezes.
• Council members praised the policy as a responsible stewardship tool and a step forward from the existing policy, which only addressed the General Fund.

Work Session – Town Hall Meetings

• Mayor McCarty proposed two town hall meetings before the May 2025 election, one at the NRH Centre and one at Iron Horse Golf Course.
• The proposed format would include a 30-minute presentation by the Mayor and staff, followed by up to one hour of public Q&A with one question per person.
• Council discussed the possibility of a Saturday meeting and agreed that two meetings before the election, with additional meetings later in the year, would be appropriate. Staff was directed to propose dates.

Work Session – Future Agenda Item and City Manager Report

• Council Member Tito Rodriguez proposed a future resolution honoring former Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes for his contributions to transportation and roads.
• City Manager Paulette Hartman reported the Efficiency Audit RFP deadline was extended to February 19, 2025, with awards expected at the second City Council meeting in March.
• Cori Reaume was hired as Planning Director, starting February 24, 2025; she is a certified planner and former city manager.
• Stefanie Martinez was promoted to Managing Director of Community Development, adding oversight of building inspections and permits.
• Jeff Garner was selected as the new Chief of Police; a ceremonial swearing-in is scheduled for the February 24 City Council meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved 7-0 with no items removed. It included:
  • Approval of the January 27, 2025 City Council meeting minutes.
  • Purchase of an entry sign for NRH 2O Family Water Park from Signs Manufacturing Corporation for $83,277 under TIPS Contract #2301040.
  • Purchase of ballistic vests from GALLS for $68,930 through BuyBoard Contract No. 670-22, funded by the Office of the Governor's FY25 Criminal Justice Grant #4994501.
  • Service subscription for 60 Flock Safety Falcon automated license plate reader cameras for $61,479.60, funded by Texas Anti-Gang Center Grant #2848910, and Resolution No. 2025-018 authorizing a Regional Asset Transfer Addendum with the City of Arlington.
  • Resolutions No. 2025-010 through 2025-014 designating the Chief of Police as the grantee's authorized official for multiple state and federal grants.
  • Payment to the City of Fort Worth of $153,162 for the annual public safety radio system subscription.

Special Presentations and Recognitions

• Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Blake Vaughn presented a proclamation to former State Representative Stephanie Klick, recognizing her service to North Richland Hills and District 91 since 2013.
• United Way Committee Chair Katherine Ratcliff reported the 2024 employee campaign exceeded its $45,000 goal, raising $45,900. A check was presented to United Way of Tarrant County CEO Adam Powell and Senior Corporate Relations Manager Patty Morris.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Hayden Casey, 8355 Harwood Road, spoke on behalf of ten or more people and requested financial assistance for Birdville High School's Theatre Department to attend the International Thespian Festival. He stated the trip costs approximately $30,000, or $2,000 per student, reduced to about $1,500 per student after booster club support.
• Bill Finstad, 7701 Terry Drive, discussed road humps, provided social media posts, and asked the City Council to consider additional traffic-calming options.
• Angela Finstad, 7701 Terry Drive, commented on Ordinance No. 3889 and stated she is opposed to the proposed parking restriction on North College Circle, asking that parking be prohibited on neither side or both sides.

Public Works

• E1: Council approved Resolution No. 2025-015, recommending Tarrant County award a construction contract to Capital Underground Utilities, LLC for the Matson Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project in the total amount of $157,349. The project replaces approximately 800 linear feet of sewer serving 20 residential properties using pipe-bursting methods with CDBG funding. Motion carried 7-0.
• E2: Council approved Ordinance No. 3889, restricting parking on the north side of North College Circle, by a 6-1 vote, with Council Member Matt Blake voting against. Discussion included safety concerns, pedestrian crossings, apartment parking, road humps, and the curvature of the street.
• E3: Council approved Ordinance No. 3890, expanding school speed zones on North College Circle, Bogart Drive, and Abbott Avenue and establishing a school speed zone on Holiday Lane for Fort Worth Christian School. The motion was amended to extend the zone to the 6000 block of Holiday Lane and the 7300 block of Bogart Drive. Motion carried 7-0.

General Items

• F1: Council approved Resolution No. 2025-016, calling the May 3, 2025 City Council Election for Places 1, 3, 5, and 7, authorizing early voting April 22-29, 2025, establishing voting locations at City Hall and the Public Library, and authorizing a joint election agreement with Tarrant County. Motion carried 7-0.
• F2: Council approved Resolution No. 2025-017, appointing Andrew "Tyler" Chambers to the Library Board, Paul Epperley and Thomas Kerby to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Phyllis Scott to the Teen Court Advisory Board. Motion carried 7-0.
• F3: Council approved amending the Open Rewards Shop Local Program by increasing the restaurant rewards percentage from 5% to 10% and extending the program through the end of April 2025 or until funds are exhausted. Staff reported 2,100 users, 4,573 transactions, and $6,100 in awards distributed to date. Motion carried 7-0.
• F4: Council approved Ordinance No. 3891, repealing the November 30, 2025 sunset provision for Backyard Chicken regulations and making the ordinance permanent. Council noted the annual permit renewal process may be reviewed as part of the broader animal ordinance revision. Motion carried 7-0.
• F5: Council authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment with Readiness Group, LLC to expand the department-wide peer support program in an amount not to exceed $145,660 through November 1, 2026, using COPS FY24 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Grant funds. Motion carried 7-0.

Executive Session Action

• Council unanimously approved a motion authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an economic development agreement with C2C Smithfield LP or assigns for properties at 7813, 7821, 7829 Arthur Drive, 7801 Guy Street, and 6405, 6413, 6417, 6421 Smithfield Road, as discussed in executive session. Motion carried 7-0.

Announcements

• Council Member Compton announced the candidate filing deadline for the May 3 election is Friday, February 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
• The Common Ground Community Garden Spring Gardening Seminar will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the NRH Centre.
• Author C.J. Box will appear at the NRH Library on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
• Kudos were given to Teen Court Coordinator Rafael Martinez, Marshal Greg Pena, and Deputy Marshal Bryan Grote for positive feedback from a parent about the Teen Court Program.

Key Outcomes

• The City Council directed staff to continue serving as fiduciary for the Texas Anti-Gang Center program.
• Staff will bring forward updated hazard mitigation plan and proposed fund balance policy for further action.
• Town hall meetings will be scheduled before the May 2025 election.
• All consent agenda items were approved 7-0.
• Ordinance No. 3889 was approved 6-1; all other voting items were approved 7-0.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.