North Richland Hills City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - December 8, 2025

The North Richland Hills City Council held a work session at 5:00 PM and a regular meeting at 7:48 PM on December 8, 2025 at City Hall (4301 City Point Drive). The work session focused on the 2026 meeting schedule, an update on the city's strategic goals (74 objectives, 92% active or completed), preliminary FY2027 budget objectives (including a projected $290,000 revenue loss from the business personal property exemption change), a proposal to create a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), a possible closure of Colorado Boulevard to through traffic, and the development of a formal ethics policy. The regular meeting included a proclamation honoring the Richland High School Marching Band for their 11th-place finish at state, public comments on the Colorado Boulevard issue, unanimous approval of a 21-item consent agenda, a public hearing and approval of a zoning change at 7133 Douglas Lane, approval of several resolutions, the purchase of three fire station generators, and the appointment of Brianne Goetz to fill the vacant Place 2 council seat.

Consent Calendar

• Council unanimously approved the consent agenda (B.1–B.21) as presented by a 6‑0 vote. Key items included: approval of meeting minutes; purchases of ebooks/audiobooks ($70,000), fitness equipment ($56,666.84), a mini-caliber robot ($85,061.18), vehicles ($247,913.50 and $233,791.50), a Frazer ambulance ($480,869), a vehicle assistance/rehab unit ($329,962), and heavy‑duty column lifts ($136,906.70); a construction contract for the Harmonson Road Project ($2,578,506); software and support agreements (Motorola up to $1,532,253, Microsoft up to $900,000, Baycom up to $251,203); an asphalt purchase agreement (up to $700,000); a pump station electrical improvements contract ($199,000); a public safety radio system subscription payment ($156,378); and an ordinance amending rules of procedure.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Finstad (7701 Terry Drive) expressed support for the Colorado Boulevard residents' request for a street closure, urging the council to prioritize citizens.
• Jeff Paul (5125 Colorado Boulevard) detailed the history of the closure request over 31 years, citing safety issues (a child hit by a car, a gun incident), commercial truck traffic, and high speeds. He argued that emergency access concerns were manageable.
• No one spoke during the public hearing for the zoning change at 7133 Douglas Lane.

Discussion Items

• 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule: City Secretary Alicia Richardson presented the proposed schedule. Council directed staff to reschedule the May 11 meeting to May 13 (for election canvassing) and May 25 to May 26 (Memorial Day holiday), and to cancel the July 13, November 23, and December 28 meetings.
• Update on Council Goals, Objectives, and Projects: City Manager Paulette Hartman reported on the city's strategic plan dashboard. Of 74 established objectives, 92% are active or completed, 5% not yet started. High‑priority objectives include public safety, operational excellence, neighborhood revitalization, and community engagement in budgeting.
• Preliminary Budget Calendar & Objectives: Budget Director Chase Fosse outlined FY2027 budget priorities. The state‑approved Business Personal Property (BPP) exemption change will reduce taxable value by $60.1 million, causing an estimated $290,000 revenue loss at the current tax rate. Staff will focus on fee adjustments, a revenue‑reduction response plan, and long‑term financial forecasting. The budget calendar includes a July 31 work session and adoption in September.
• Destination Marketing for North Richland Hills: Economic Development Director Craig Hulse and Analyst Elizabeth Copeland proposed creating a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) funded by hotel occupancy taxes (HOT). The program would include digital marketing, a website, and an advisory committee. A Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) was discussed as a future possibility. Council expressed consensus to proceed with program startup in FY2026 and full implementation in FY2027.
• Closing Colorado Boulevard to Through Traffic: Assistant City Manager Caroline Waggoner presented traffic data, resident surveys, and history. Speeds average 14–17 mph, but up to 170 vehicles per day use Colorado as a cut‑through to bypass the Harwood/26 signal. A gate closure was proposed just north of Stanley. Neighboring streets showed limited support, but Colorado residents strongly favored closure. Council directed staff to place the item on the second January 2026 meeting agenda for a public hearing and potential action.
• City Ethics Policy and Council Rules of Procedure: Richardson reviewed common elements from peer cities (complaint procedures, tiered sanctions, annual training). Council supported formalizing an ethics ordinance and creating a subcommittee (Councilmembers Roberts, Mitchell, and Delaney) to draft it. They also favored adopting custom rules of procedure rather than strict Robert's Rules.
• Short‑Term Rental Ordinance Update: The City Manager announced the registration system will go live the week of December 8; inspections will begin immediately.

Key Outcomes

• Votes (all 6‑0):
  • Approved consent agenda (21 items).
  • Approved Ordinance No. 3938, rezoning 7133 Douglas Lane from AG to R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential).
  • Approved Resolution No. 2025‑047, continuing participation in the HOME Investment Partnership Program (matching $36,000 in city funds to draw $120,000 in federal HOME funds).
  • Approved Resolution No. 2025‑048, nominating Mike Alfred to the Tarrant County Appraisal District Board.
  • Approved Resolution No. 2025‑049, adopting the city's Investment Policy and Strategy.
  • Authorized purchase of three permanently mounted generators/transfer switches for Fire Stations 1, 4, and 5 ($612,431).
  • Appointed Brianne Goetz to fill the Place 2 council vacancy for the unexpired term.
• Directions to Staff:
  • Bring back the 2026 meeting schedule for formal adoption in January.
  • Issue an RFP for destination marketing consultant; prepare program startup in FY2026.
  • Place Colorado Boulevard closure on a future agenda with a public hearing (tentatively second regular meeting in January 2026).
  • Draft an ethics ordinance with input from the ad‑hoc subcommittee; return to council in January.
  • Ratify the subcommittee appointments at the first January meeting.
• Announcements: Holiday donation drives (food, toys, Salvation Army bell‑ringing by Mayor McCarty), NRH Library holiday concert (Dec 16), and a Kudos Corner recognition of Public Works employee Colin Boulware for assisting a stranded motorist.