North Richland Hills City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - June 23, 2025

The City Council of North Richland Hills met on June 23, 2025, for a work session beginning at 5:00 PM and a regular meeting at 7:06 PM. The work session included discussions on the Restaurant Rewards Program, the FY 2026 proposed budget for the Golf Fund and Special Revenue Funds, the Texas 89th Legislative Session, short-term rental regulations, and the 2025 Capital Programs Advisory Committee (CPAC). The regular meeting featured public hearings on three zoning cases, approval of consent agenda items, and votes on numerous contracts, ordinance amendments, and resolutions. All votes were 4-0 in favor.

Consent Calendar

• B.1 – Approved the minutes of the June 9, 2025 work session and regular meeting.
• B.2 – Adopted Ordinance No. 3913, amending Chapter 102 (Floods and Stormwater Management) to reflect updated FEMA Community Rating System requirements. City Engineer Nathan Frohman clarified the ordinance updates criteria for mechanical equipment elevation and applies citywide, not just to city property.
• B.3 – Authorized an agreement with the Tarrant County Tax Assessor/Collector for tax assessment and collection services for tax years 2025–2027.
• B.4 – Approved tree maintenance services from three vendors in a collective annual amount not to exceed $142,698, utilizing an interlocal agreement with the City of Southlake.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Matt Bryant (1600 Forest Vista Court, Southlake, TX) – Commented on proposed single-family rental inspection program (Ordinance 3912). He expressed appreciation for the self-inspection option but cautioned against introducing registration fees, stating that would amount to a new tax. He noted that surrounding cities do not have similar programs.
• Bill Finstad (7701 Terry Drive) – Spoke in favor of the Jennings' accessory dwelling unit request (C.1), noting the family's history of maintaining the property.
• Ben Crowson (7121 Stone Villa Circle) – Expressed concern about private developers cutting down trees near his home and asked for greater oversight of environmental issues. City Manager Paulette Hartman confirmed the city has a tree preservation ordinance and offered to connect him with staff for more information.

Discussion Items

• Work Session – Restaurant Rewards Program Debrief: Economic Development Director Craig Hulse reported the January 1–April 30 program had 2,784 participants, $561,283 in customer spending, and $46,689 awarded. 45% of participants were from outside the city. Taxable sales in North Richland Hills rose 1% year-over-year, while surrounding cities saw declines. A user survey showed 65% said the program influenced dining decisions, and 56% visited new restaurants. Staff recommended renewal for FY 2026 at an estimated cost of $112,000.
• Work Session – FY 2026 Proposed Budget for Golf Fund and Special Revenue Funds: Parks and Recreation Director Adrien Pekurney presented the Golf Fund, projecting revenues of $3,831,295 (up from $3,544,142 in FY 2025) and a positive balance of $148,000 contributed to reserves. Rounds are budgeted at 50,849. Director of Budget and Research Chase Fosse reviewed nine Special Revenue Funds, including Municipal Court, PEG, Promotional, Donations, and Drainage Utility Fund. Proposed expenditures include $100,000 for city entry sign replacement, $112,000 for restaurant rewards, and $3.85 million in drainage investments. The Traffic Safety Fund is being closed out, with remaining $172,000 transferred to signal infrastructure improvements. Key budget dates: certified values from TAD on July 25, proposed budget to council July 28, and budget work session August 1.
• Work Session – Texas 89th Legislative Session: Assistant City Manager Trudy Lewis summarized bills passed, including increased cybersecurity requirements, higher competitive bidding thresholds ($50,000 to $100,000), new business personal property tax exemptions ($2,500 to $125,000), and changes to meeting notice posting (72 hours to three business days). A special session begins July 21. Staff will return with implementation details.
• Work Session – Short-Term Rental Regulations: Director of Planning Cori Reaume provided a timeline: a town hall on July 15 at 6 PM, focus group with operators, draft ordinance posted online, then public hearings before Planning and Zoning Commission (late August) and City Council (September). An RFP for rental tracking software is being prepared.
• Work Session – 2025 CPAC Committee Appointments: City Manager Hartman presented the proposed committee of 29 members (plus two additions by Council Member Roberts: Rodney Green and Jason Roberts). The committee will review capital projects and forward recommendations for a potential November 2026 bond election, meeting twice monthly through July 2026.
• Regular Meeting – Public Hearings:
  • C.1 – Special use permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 6129 Abbott Avenue (Jennings). Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Approved unanimously.
  • C.2 – Special use permit for a detention pond at 8320 Davis Boulevard (Davis Blvd JVA LLC). Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Approved unanimously.
  • C.3 – Zone change from C-1 to NR-PD at 8251 Bedford Euless Road (ANA Consultants) to allow a daycare center. Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 7-0. Approved unanimously.
• Regular Meeting – Planning & Development:
  • D.1 – Preliminary plat for Greenway Parks (13.815 acres, 200 dwelling units) at 8851 Bud Jensen Drive. Approved conditionally, subject to Development Review Committee conditions.
  • D.2 – Ordinance 3912, amending Chapter 18 to add new Article XII for single-family rental housing inspections. Director Reaume clarified no new fees are imposed; the self-inspection option reduces city inspection burden. Council Member Mitchell inquired about inspector workload; staff indicated flexibility exists. Approved.
• Regular Meeting – Public Works:
  • E.1 – Change Order No. 1 for Main Street Project, originally listed as $147,883.46 but corrected during the meeting to $150,883.46 due to a $3,000 discrepancy in the memorandum. City Engineer Nathan Frohman explained the increase is due to material and labor cost escalation following a one-year delay caused by Atmos Energy and DART permitting. Approved.
  • E.2 – Professional services agreement with Halff Associates, Inc. for engineering design of the Chapman Road Project (3,100 linear feet) for $670,700. This is the last major collector street funded by the 2020 bond. Approved.
• Regular Meeting – General Items:
  • F.1/F.2 – Five-year agreement with AT&T Enterprises for internet services ($848,545 total) and one-year agreement for phone/voice services ($14,412). Presented together but voted separately. The move from third-party provider Granite is intended to improve reliability, increase dedicated capacity tenfold, and include automatic failover. Approved.
  • F.3 – Amendment No. 1 with Kimley-Horn for the Kiddie Area Renovation at NRH2O, increasing contract to $415,000 for construction documents, bidding, and administration. Approved.
  • F.4 – Resolution 2025-031 appointing members to various boards, commissions, and committees. Approved as presented, with the addition of Council Member Delaney to the Animal Adoption and Rescue Center Advisory Committee (Place 2).
  • F.5 – Resolution 2025-032 establishing the 2025 Capital Programs Advisory Committee and appointing 31 members (including additions Rodney Green and Jason Roberts). Council Member Roberts inquired about potential conflict of interest regarding his relative; City Attorney Bradley Anderle determined participation is acceptable since the committee is only advisory. Approved.
  • F.6 – Ordinance 3914 calling a special election on November 4, 2025, for six propositions to amend the Home Rule Charter, including three-year council/mayor terms, term limits, resign-to-run rule, municipal court judge term adjustments, P&Z commission term alignment, and competitive bidding threshold updates. City Attorney Anderle presented the details. Approved.
  • F.7 – Introduction of amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure (first reading). Changes remove references to Deputy Mayor Pro Tem and Associate Mayor Pro Tem titles and remove day-of-week specifics for agenda delivery, aligning with new state law (HB 1522). No action required; final approval scheduled for August 11.
• Regular Meeting – Executive Session Item: After executive session, council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute an economic development agreement with C2C Smithfield LP for properties on Arthur Drive, Guy Street, and Smithfield Road. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (B.1–B.4) approved 4-0.
• Public hearing items (C.1–C.3) approved 4-0.
• Preliminary plat Greenway Parks (D.1) approved 4-0 with conditions.
• Ordinance 3912 – Single-family rental inspection program approved 4-0.
• Change Order No. 1 for Main Street Project ($150,883.46) approved 4-0.
• Engineering design agreement for Chapman Road ($670,700) approved 4-0.
• AT&T internet services agreement (5-year, $848,545) approved 4-0.
• AT&T phone services agreement (1-year, $14,412) approved 4-0.
• Kimley-Horn amendment for NRH2O Kiddie Area ($415,000) approved 4-0.
• Resolution 2025-031 (board appointments) approved 4-0.
• Resolution 2025-032 (CPAC appointments) approved 4-0, amended to add two members.
• Ordinance 3914 (charter amendment election call) approved 4-0.
• Authorized City Manager to negotiate economic development agreement with C2C Smithfield LP (4-0).
• Council Member Mitchell announced the July 3 Family 4th on the 3rd Celebration and the July 10 Christmas in July concert and toy drive.