Richland Hills City Council Regular Meeting - February 9, 2026

The Richland Hills City Council held a regular meeting on **February 9, 2026, starting with a work session at 6:00 PM and the regular session at 7:00 PM. The council approved a consent agenda, several resolutions, and an ordinance amending the fee schedule, heard department reports, and recognized a fire department paramedic and the public library for excellence.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from December 8, 2025.
• Excused Councilmember Roland Goveas’s absence from the December 8, 2025 meeting.
• Approved updates to authorized representatives for Federal Reserve Bank deposits at JP Morgan Chase, TexPool, Texstar, LOGIC, and Texpool Prime.
• Acknowledged receipt of the 2025 Racial Profiling Report from the Richland Hills Police Department.
• Approved purchase of a tractor and mowing deck for Public Works.
• Approved Resolution 636-26 authorizing the City Manager to accept, decline, modify, or cancel grant awards for a portable narcotics analyzer for the Police Department. All consent items were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Doug Knowlton (citizen) spoke in full support of Resolution 630-26 reauthorizing the 3/8% street maintenance sales tax, stating “if you do away with it, then we’re gonna fall in further disrepair.”
• (No other public comments were made.)

Discussion Items

• Presentations: Recognized Fire Department Paramedic Lainea Ashley-Nolen for achieving Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) credentialing. The Richland Hills Public Library received the 2025 TMLDA Achievement of Library Excellence Award, placing it in the top 20% of Texas public libraries (101 of 516 libraries).
• Resolution 630-26 – Street Maintenance Tax Reauthorization: Councilmember Roland Goveas inquired about sending explanatory literature to residents. The city manager replied that a mailing would be prepared. The tax is a sales tax (not property tax), collected since April 2019, and expires April 2027 if not reauthorized. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Ordinance 1537-26 – Municipal Fee Schedule Amendment: The second installment of a four-year water/wastewater rate study increases effective January 2026: water base fees (+5.25% res, +5.01% non-res), minimum use fee (+5.08%), volume rates (+5.71% res, +5.61% non-res); wastewater base fees (+4.5%), volume >2,000 gallons (+38.7% res, +38.45%) to reach 100% pass-through on wastewater. Solid waste fee increase 4% from Republic Services. Councilmember Goveas expressed concern about the 38% increase and requested more time, but after discussion the motion to pass was made and approved, with Goveas noted as voting in opposition (recorded as “Aye” with an “Aye” from others – possibly a miscue; based on discussion his position was against).
• Interim City Secretary Appointment: Following Lindsey Rollinson’s resignation effective January 30, 2026, the council appointed Lisa Boyd as Interim City Secretary, approved unanimously.
• Quarterly Reports: Investment Report (Sean): The combined weighted average interest rate declined by 43.4 basis points, resulting in a $26,500 decrease in interest revenue. Funds at Chase declined by $4.3M while pool investments increased $3.5M. Staff recommended optimizing pool usage; the outgoing staff member noted that over three years the city may have foregone ~$530,000 in interest by not fully utilizing pools- Street Improvement Projects (Kelly Morris): 2023 bond street projects (Joel Court, Mary Boas, Jameson, Brooks, Oxley) are on schedule. Violytics AI-based asset management system contract approved in December 2024, with recording scheduled. Street restriping completed on Vance, Ash, Popwell, and Norton; good value from vendor. Curb/gutter replacement (492 linear feet so far) and two-inch mill/overlay on Matthews Street near City Hall planned. Updates on water and wastewater line repairs (five main breaks, nine meter leaks), drainage work, vegetation management, and emergency stormwater repair on Callaway Creek. The new tractor purchase was appreciated.
• Fire Department Report (Chief Rhodes): Reported loss of five personnel and three additional departures. New hire process conducted; four new firefighters hired. Record call volume in January (ice storm contributed). Response times: November 6:05 total; December 6:24 total (more code one responses skew). Business inspections: 100% completed in 2025. Fire code permits invoiced at $28,740. Discussed emergency access gates for Leslie Drive and Norma Lane: three quotes received (low $11,347 for both - sliding gate style; high $18,000). Staff to get additional concrete work quotes; will bring formal approval. GoStar EMS membership program presented (annual membership $69 with insurance, $110 without) to cover ambulance transport costs. A councilmember asked about city-paid universal coverage; further research needed.
• Development Services Report (JP Duquet): Richland Crossing development landscaping agreement reached. Feel Great Car Wash ribon cutting tentatively March 25/26. Contractor yard on Hanley Ederville: 137 parking spaces, monument signage proposed. Short-term rental management contract with Decker Technologies (single provider for identification, registration, tax collection). Contract under attorney review; implementation ~2-3 months. Long-term rentals: estimated at ~1,200 units (35% of 3,500 housing units); staff currently only 430 documented. Decker offers long-term rental module (under update). Council discussed need for inspections at each change of tenant; outsourcing possible (Bureau Veritas). COG EV grant approved (70% funding for two L2 chargers). Leslie-Norma Lane emergency gate progress: verbal approval from Leslie owner. TRE site: Trinity Metro reappraising, new staff starting April. Building Board of Appeals: three cases progressing. Glenview project: Kimley Horn design work continues; awaiting amended contract for North Richland Hills coordination. Upcoming policy amendments: Building Improvement grant expansion (grease traps etc.) – upcoming February meeting or early March. Ordinance updates: zoning, subdivision, sign code, landscaping, landscaping/fencing/screening codes.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Resolution 629-26 calling May 2, 2026 general election for Council Place 3 and 5 – approved.
• Resolution 630-26 ordering election to reauthorize 3/8% street maintenance sales tax – approved unanimously; staff will send literature to citizens.
• Resolution 633-26 adopting 2025 Tarrant County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan – approved.
• Ordinance 1537-26 amending municipal fee schedule – approved, but Councilmember Goveas objected; motion passed (tally: all ayes except Goveas).
• Interim City Secretary Lisa Boyd** – appointed.
• Investment Report noted consecutively; staff recommends optimizing pool usage.
• Emergency access gates for Leslie Drive and Norma Lane – staff to bring formal quote and concrete work approval in future meeting.
• Short-term rental management – contract with Decker Technologies to be executed; implementation by late April.
• COG EV grant – awarded; kickoff meeting March 3, city pays 30%.
• Glenview – await amended contract for North Richland Hills collaboration.