North Richland Hills City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting – October 12, 2026

On October 12, 2026, the North Richland Hills City Council held a work session (11:00 AM) and a regular meeting (7:00 PM). The work session included discussions on the Texas Municipal League Region 8 Director election, a comprehensive review of the city’s sign ordinances, and an educational update on the November 2026 bond election. The regular meeting featured a public hearing on a zoning change, approval of a preliminary plat, appointment of the Youth Advisory Council, authorization of the Restaurant Rewards Program, and standard consent agenda approvals. The council also heard one citizen presentation and held an executive session.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved all consent agenda items during the regular meeting (motion by Councilmember Parks, second by Councilmember Mitchell, vote 7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers signed up for public comments at the start of the regular meeting.
• During Citizens Presentation, Janie Jackson (5208 Bob Drive) expressed full support for the bond propositions and urged the city to plan for future expansion by purchasing larger land parcels and designing foundations to allow vertical growth. She also raised concerns about parking enforcement on North Ridge Boulevard, where “no parking” signs near a fire hydrant are frequently ignored, and about commercial vehicles and multiple vehicles from home-based businesses crowding residential streets, which she argued could impede emergency vehicle access.

Discussion Items

• Texas Municipal League Region 8 Director Election (Work Session): Staff presented candidates Mike Browning (Aubrey council member) and Mary Sarver (Grandview mayor pro tem) for the open Region 8 Director seat. After brief deliberation, council consensus favored Mike Browning. Staff will prepare a resolution for formal vote at the next regular meeting.
• Sign Ordinance Review (Work Session): Building Services and Planning staff reviewed the city’s sign regulations, distinguishing temporary from permanent signs and emphasizing that enforcement is based on placement, not content, following the Reed v. Gilbert (2015) decision. Discussion focused on whether to permit limited off-premise temporary signage, prompted by a recent case where a church (Creekstone) was denied an off-premise sign. Councilmembers weighed the desire to help the church gain visibility against concerns about setting a precedent exploitable by other businesses, enforcement challenges, and potential impact on the city’s Platinum Scenic City designation. Some proposed restricting off-premise temporary signs to a few times per year tied to a property owner’s own temporary sign allowance, while others worried this could still lead to a proliferation of portable advertising. No action was taken; the discussion was informational.
• Bond Election Education (Work Session): Mary Peters presented the voter education campaign for the November 3, 2026 bond election, including an informational video and online resources detailing the four propositions:
  • Proposition A: $26.3 million to rebuild Fire Stations 2 and 3.
  • Proposition B: $84.26 million to reconstruct 50 streets.
  • Proposition C: $24.7 million to rebuild the City Services Complex.
  • Proposition D: $10.71 million for library improvements (expand community room from 102 to 500 capacity). The property tax rate would increase up to 2.5 cents ($5.86 per month or $70.37 per year for the average homeowner; no increase for those with a senior/disabled tax freeze). Early voting runs October 19–30; Election Day is November 3. Councilmembers praised the video and outreach efforts.
• Public Hearing – Zoning Change (Item C1): The council held a public hearing on a request to rezone 8701 Rumfield Road from Agriculture (AG) to Single-Family Residence (R1) for a new home on a one-acre lot. The applicant, Chris Johnson, stated the existing 50-year-old home would be replaced. Planning and Zoning had recommended approval (5-0). No public comment was offered. The council approved Ordinance 3980 (motion by Councilmember Dupree, second by Councilmember Delaney, vote 7-0).
• Preliminary Plat – Smithfield Terrace (Item D1): A preliminary plat for a 33-lot single-family subdivision at 6821 Smithfield Road was presented, consistent with zoning approved in August. Planning and Zoning recommended approval (7-0) with minor Development Review Committee conditions. The council approved the plat with those conditions (motion by Councilmember Roberts, second by Councilmember Gadus, vote 7-0).
• Youth Advisory Council Appointments (Item G1): Nine returning and seven new members from Birdville, Richland, and Collegiate Academy high schools were appointed to the Youth Advisory Council for the 2026-27 academic year. Resolution 2026-054 passed (motion by Councilmember Delaney, second by Councilmember Matt, vote 7-0).
• Restaurant Rewards Program (Item G2): Craig presented the third-year renewal of the program (January 1 – April 30, 2027), funded by promotional dollars (not property/sales tax). Year 2 results included a 129% increase in participation, 92% increase in restaurant spending, and 102% increase in reward payouts (nearly $100,000). The professional services agreement with Open Rewards Inc. (not to exceed $104,740) was approved (motion by Councilmember Parks, second by Councilmember Matt, vote 7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Decisions:
  • Consent agenda approved 7-0.
  • Ordinance 3980 (zoning change at 8701 Rumfield Road) approved 7-0.
  • Preliminary Plat for Smithfield Terrace approved with conditions 7-0.
  • Resolution 2026-054 (Youth Advisory Council appointments) approved 7-0.
  • Professional Services Agreement for Restaurant Rewards Program approved 7-0.
• Directives:
  • Staff directed to prepare a resolution supporting Mike Browning for TML Region 8 Director for a vote at the next meeting.
  • No consensus was reached on sign ordinance changes; staff will not pursue amendments at this time.
• Next Steps:
  • The TML Region 8 Director resolution will be considered at the next regular meeting.
  • The bond election will be held November 3, 2026; early voting begins October 19.
  • Final plat approval for Smithfield Terrace will be handled administratively and by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• Executive Session: The council convened at 5:32 PM to discuss legal (pending/contemplated litigation), real property (purchase/exchange/lease), personnel (municipal court judge and city secretary/chief governance officer), and economic development negotiations, as authorized by Texas Government Code.