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Record of Proceedings

North Richland Hills City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - March 3, 2025

City Council & Boards — Monday, March 3, 2025
BodyNorth Richland Hills, Texas
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateMonday, March 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:19:29

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:48

Yeah, there you go.

0:49

It's for the kids.

0:50

Uh

Speaker 2

0:53

well

Unassigned speaker

0:53

happened.

Speaker 1

0:54

Okay.

Unassigned speaker

0:56

Good

Speaker 1

0:56

evening and welcome to the North Hurston Hill City Council work session.

0:59

It is six oh one, and I am calling the Monday, March third, twenty twenty-five City Council work session to order.

Unassigned speaker

1:05

A

Speaker 1

1:05

quorum of the city council is present, and the meeting is to be toasted in accordance with the Text Open Meetings Act of the Texas Government Code.

1:12

Items listed for discussion on the work session agenda provide an opportunity for the City Council to discuss items and receive information from staff.

1:21

The City Council will not take action on any of the items listed in the discussion during the work session.

1:26

Any members of the public wishing to address the council regarding the items listed in the work session agenda may do so during the public comments portion of the regular meeting.

Unassigned speaker

1:36

Oops, sorry,

Speaker 1

1:38

um moving to the first item is to give the council the opportunity to ask questions items to the regular agenda that the council has not had clarification of at this

Unassigned speaker

1:47

time.

Speaker 1

1:47

Does anybody have anything?

Unassigned speaker

1:52

So

Speaker 1

1:52

let me ask just one question about the Stony Brook property, and that is what is the fencing that's gonna go next to the Browns.

2:02

Um

Unassigned speaker

2:03

that

Speaker 1

2:03

was the I I didn't really get I know Magsoner is the other, but I assume it's wood, and would the fence that's there be replaced because there's already one there, otherwise you're putting it on the inside of that one.

2:13

So that's the only question

Unassigned speaker

2:15

really.

Speaker 3

2:15

Okay.

2:15

Um so the Stoning Brook Platte requires a masonry screening wall along Rumfield Road.

2:20

There's also a screening wall that would be along Stony Brook.

2:23

Um there are lots that front royal ridge on the south side,

Unassigned speaker

2:26

and

Speaker 3

2:26

then on the very far southeast corner of that property would be wood fencing on two lots.

Speaker 1

2:31

Woods.

2:32

Okay.

2:32

Okay.

2:33

Thank you.

Speaker 3

2:33

Yes,

Unassigned speaker

2:34

sir.

Unassigned speaker

2:36

I

Speaker 1

2:36

tried to follow that in the stuff.

2:38

I just couldn't figure

Unassigned speaker

2:39

it out.

Speaker 1

2:40

Um next item.

2:42

Update on single family rental inspection program and status of the short-term rental ordinance, knowing that those two kind of go together.

2:49

Stephanie Martinez.

Speaker 4

2:51

Good evening.

Unassigned speaker

2:54

So

Speaker 4

2:54

again, yes, tonight I'm gonna talk to you about the rental program update.

2:59

Um a quick overview.

3:01

Uh, we're going oh sorry, let's run in on its own.

3:05

Um we're going to go over the program history, community concerns, program management, and our next steps.

Unassigned speaker

3:11

Um

Speaker 4

3:12

let me see if I can get that to

Speaker 5

3:13

stop going through.

Speaker 6

3:16

Yeah.

Unassigned speaker

3:44

Okay,

Speaker 4

3:45

I think it's oh, maybe not.

4:35

Okay.

4:35

Now that I've they fixed what I broke.

4:38

Um, so again, yes, uh, we're gonna go over the program history, community concerns, uh, program management, and then the next steps that we're looking at with the rental ordinance.

Unassigned speaker

4:50

So the single family two and three and four family and townhome rental unit inspections began in twenty twelve uh with the adoption of ordinance thirty-one sixty-two.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Rental Regulations█████████████████████21%
Procedural███████████████15%
Zoning Regulations███████████11%
Alcohol Regulations███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Public Engagement████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

North Richland Hills City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - March 3, 2025

The North Richland Hills City Council convened for a work session at 6:01 PM and a regular meeting at 7:14 PM on March 3, 2025. The work session focused on updates to the single-family rental inspection program, future agenda items, and the city manager's report. The regular meeting included citizen presentations, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, discussion of planning and public works items, and action following executive session. All eight council members were present.

Consent Calendar

  • Item B.1: Authorized a three-year agreement with Dippin' Dots, L.L.C. to provide beaded ice cream at NRH 2O Family Water Park, not to exceed $80,000 annually.
  • Item B.2: Authorized purchase of playground equipment for Legacy Park and Kay Granger Park from T.F. Harper & Associates, LP for $284,809.08.
  • Item B.3: Approved Resolution 2025-020 to apply for and accept FY 2026 North Texas Anti-Gang Center grant funds (#2848911) from the Texas Governor's Office Homeland Security Division.
  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Citizen Presentation - Bill Finstad (7701 Terry Drive): Expressed support for greater citizen engagement, collaboration, and trust between residents and city officials.
  • Citizen Presentation - Charles Scoma (8300 Cardinal Lane): Urged the council to support fine arts, noting their importance to city culture and recalling past efforts such as a fine arts committee and a planned fine arts complex that did not materialize.
  • Citizen Presentation - Michael Harris (6800 Richfield Drive): On behalf of the NRH Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association, announced a fundraiser (t-shirt sales and a St. Patrick's Beers & Brats event on March 15, 2025, at B&B Theatres) to support the fire department's benevolence fund and pipes and drums honor guard; a portion of proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
  • Public Comment - Sean Nutt (6448 Ironhorse Boulevard, Apt. 5L): Commented on the single-family rental inspection program update, noting a discrepancy between inspection numbers presented at this work session (over 670 inspections in the past year) and a prior work session (74 inspections on an average day). He opposed self-inspections, arguing average citizens may not identify safety issues. City Manager Paulette Hartman clarified that the prior numbers covered all staff inspections (including new construction, plumbing, etc.), while tonight's figures focused solely on single-family rental inspections.

Discussion Items

  • Work Session - Single Family Rental Inspections Program Update: Managing Director Stefanie Martinez reviewed program history, community concerns (e.g., time-consuming process, loss of revenue for owners, safety for tenants), and next steps. Staff has shifted focus to life-safety items only and will bring a draft ordinance to a future work session. Council discussed the possibility of self-inspections, differentiating between good landlords and problem properties, and concerns about tenant retaliation. A comprehensive overview will accompany the ordinance.
  • Work Session - Future Agenda Items:
    • Councilmember Blake proposed placing an item to discuss videos during citizen presentations (security, policy, legal implications). Consensus was reached to add it to a future work session.
    • Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn initially proposed using Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds for a community theater or arts programs. After discussion, the item was broadened to a review of HOT fund uses and arts investments; staff will present at the first budget work session in May.
    • Vaughn also proposed reviewing and potentially revising the special use permit policy. Consensus to place it on a future work session.
  • Work Session - City Manager Report:
    • Capital Project Advisory Committee (bond committee) appointments: Names collected; staff will bring recommendations to the March 24 council meeting.
    • Carport FlashVote survey: Sent out; results to be shared.
    • Town Hall meetings: First on March 25 at NRH Grand Hall, 6:00 PM; second tentatively on April 22 at Iron Horse Golf Course.
  • Executive Session: The council met in closed session from 6:37 PM to 7:06 PM to deliberate purchase/exchange/lease of real property (Tract 6D01, Abstract 130) and economic development negotiations (6001 Parker Boulevard).
  • Regular Meeting - D.1 Stonybrooke Park Preliminary Plat (8600 Rumfield Road, 7.993 acres): Applicant Keith Hamilton presented a 31-lot subdivision compliant with R-2 zoning. Staff noted two waivers approved by Planning and Zoning Commission (7-0 on Feb. 20) regarding screening walls for two lots and front-yard utilities. Council approved the plat with conditions from Development Review Committee comments.
  • Regular Meeting - D.2 Variance for Alcohol Sales at 8415 Davis Boulevard: Chris and Matt Schoonover requested a variance from the 300-foot distance requirement for on-premise alcohol consumption (beer/cider only) for their new game store/arcade The Mana Machine. The property is approximately 199–200 feet from a church. State and local code allow variances. Council discussed business operations, prizes, ages, and community support. Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Mitchell opposed).
  • Regular Meeting - E.1 Ruth Road Project Construction Award: City Engineer Nathan Frohman presented the project (full reconstruction of Ruth Road from Glenview Drive to City Point West, including pedestrian facilities and water line replacement). Awarded to lowest responsible bidder Stabile & Winn, Inc. for $526,298.50, with 120 calendar days to complete. Funding from FY 2024-25 capital projects budget. Unanimously approved (7-0).
  • Regular Meeting - Executive Session Action: Council authorized the city manager to negotiate and execute a commercial contract with Woodbriar Management, Ltd. for Tract 6D01 (John H. Barlough Survey) for $218,552.50 ($17.50 per square foot), subject to survey, plus closing costs. Unanimously approved (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Stonybrooke Park Preliminary Plat (D.1): Approved with conditions (7-0).
  • Alcohol Variance (D.2): Approved 6-1; Councilmember Mitchell in opposition.
  • Ruth Road Project Award (E.1): Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Executive Session Property Transaction: Authorized negotiations and contract (7-0).
  • Future Action: Staff to bring draft ordinance for single-family rental inspection program changes, policy on videos in citizen presentations, review of HOT fund uses and arts programs (at budget work session in May), and review of special use permit policy.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, there you go. It's for the kids. Uh well happened. Okay. Good evening and welcome to the North Hurston Hill City Council work session. It is six oh one, and I am calling the Monday, March third, twenty twenty-five City Council work session to order. A quorum of the city council is present, and the meeting is to be toasted in accordance with the Text Open Meetings Act of the Texas Government Code. Items listed for discussion on the work session agenda provide an opportunity for the City Council to discuss items and receive information from staff. The City Council will not take action on any of the items listed in the discussion during the work session. Any members of the public wishing to address the council regarding the items listed in the work session agenda may do so during the public comments portion of the regular meeting. Oops, sorry, um moving to the first item is to give the council the opportunity to ask questions items to the regular agenda that the council has not had clarification of at this time. Does anybody have anything? So let me ask just one question about the Stony Brook property, and that is what is the fencing that's gonna go next to the Browns. Um that was the I I didn't really get I know Magsoner is the other, but I assume it's wood, and would the fence that's there be replaced because there's already one there, otherwise you're putting it on the inside of that one. So that's the only question really. Okay. Um so the Stoning Brook Platte requires a masonry screening wall along Rumfield Road. There's also a screening wall that would be along Stony Brook. Um there are lots that front royal ridge on the south side, and then on the very far southeast corner of that property would be wood fencing on two lots. Woods. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Yes, sir. I tried to follow that in the stuff. I just couldn't figure it out. Um next item. Update on single family rental inspection program and status of the short-term rental ordinance, knowing that those two kind of go together. Stephanie Martinez. Good evening. So again, yes, tonight I'm gonna talk to you about the rental program update. Um a quick overview. Uh, we're going oh sorry, let's run in on its own. Um we're going to go over the program history, community concerns, program management, and our next steps.

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