Public Meetings - Richland Hills, Texas

On May 26, 2026, the Richland Hills City Council convened for a work session and regular meeting at City Hall, starting at approximately 5:38 p.m. The meeting began with the ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected council members Allison Barger (Place 3) and Athena Campbell (Place 5). Councilmember Mike Wood was elected Mayor Pro Tem to serve for the coming year. Five-year service awards were presented to William “Ethan” Erwin (Link Recreation Attendant, absent), Lien Nguyen (Library Assistant), and Valeria Nguyen (Human Resources Generalist). The work session included extensive discussions on proposed updates to the International Building and Fire Codes, the establishment of a Public Beautification and Art Advisory Committee, revisions to accessory structure height standards, fiscal year 2026 budget projections and stabilization measures, and replacement of aging IT infrastructure. The regular session approved the consent agenda (minutes from May 11 and 12), a new employment agreement for City Secretary Lisa Boyd, appointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission and CCPD board, and adjusted summer meeting dates. The council also directed staff to pause the Safe Routes to School project, begin dissolution of the Baker Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIF), and form a committee to further evaluate IT infrastructure replacement. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from the May 11, 2026 regular meeting and the May 12, 2026 special called meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizen comments were made. Discussion Items - Election of Mayor Pro Tem: Councilmember Mike Wood was nominated and unanimously elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the next year. - Service Awards: Five-year service milestones were recognized for three city employees as noted above. - 2024 International Code Council (ICC) Code Updates: Development Services Director JP presented plans to adopt the 2024 ICC codes with North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) amendments. The update will replace the current 2018 codes. Key points included enhanced safety, regional alignment, and economic competitiveness. Discussion touched on impacts to older housing stock and the definition of “substantial” renovations (work exceeding 50% of property value). Staff aims to bring a detailed adoption proposal by October. - 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) Updates: Fire Chief Rhodes highlighted changes including lithium-ion battery storage, carbon monoxide detection, defibrillator inspections, and sprinkler thresholds. Fire code adoption is required to maintain ISO ratings. The council discussed the trade-offs between Option A and Option B sprinkler triggers (6,000 sq ft vs. 12,000 sq ft triggers) and the need to remain competitive with neighboring cities like Halttom and North Richland Hills. - Public Beautification & Art Advisory Committee: Library Director Chantel Hancock requested council approval to establish an ad hoc committee to oversee public art projects, starting with a mural at the library funded by a nearly $30,000 grant. The committee will consist of five experts and two community members. Applications are being accepted. - Chapter 90-4.02 Accessory Structure Standards: The council debated whether height measurements should be taken to the roof line or include architectural features like chimneys and cupolas. Consensus was to clarify that height is measured to the roof peak, not including appurtenances. Staff will prepare amendments considering lot size and neighborhood character. - FY26 Budget and Revenue Projections: City Manager Jason reported a significant sales tax shortfall (approximately 36% reduction) due to the departure of large wholesale taxpayers. Projections show a general fund shortfall of about $1.5 million. Immediate stabilization measures include pausing the Safe Routes to School project (which has a $550,000 design contract and construction cost estimate of $1.7–1.8 million) and dissolving the Baker TIF to redirect approximately $350,000 in annual sales tax and property tax revenue (plus a $1 million fund balance) to the general fund. The council indicated support for these actions, with formal votes scheduled for the June 8 meeting. - IT Infrastructure Replacement: Support Services Administrator Sheena, along with Toto Verde representatives, presented two options to replace end-of-life network equipment: a complete purchase and redesign for just over $200,000, or a lease agreement with the company Meter. The council expressed concerns about owning equipment versus a long-term lease model. A committee consisting of councilmembers Roland and Mike Wood was formed to review the proposal in detail and report back promptly. - FY27 Budget Process: Jason outlined additional strategies to balance the FY27 budget, including eliminating the $50,000 annual transportation subsidy (with alternative services to be explored), deferring non-critical capital projects, and reapplying for state and federal grants. A preliminary budget workshop is planned for the second June meeting. - Council Comments and Community Interest Items: Councilmembers shared announcements about upcoming summer programs at the Link and Library, including summer camp, senior lunch and bingo, ballet classes, and a summer reading kickoff event. - Meeting Dates for June and July: The council voted to keep both June meetings (June 8 and 22) and the second July meeting (July 13), canceling the first July meeting (July 6). Key Outcomes - Election: Mike Wood elected Mayor Pro Tem (unanimous). - Consent Agenda: Approved. - City Secretary Employment Agreement: Approved unanimously. - Planning and Zoning Commission: Appointed Peter Yiddick to Place 4 and Lynette Hart to Place 5; John Gardner remains as alternate. - CCPD Board Appointments: Appointed Allison Barger and Athena Campbell to the Crime Control and Prevention District board. - Safe Routes to School Pause: Council directed staff to pause the project and not execute further funding agreements. Formal resolution will be voted on June 8. - Baker TIF Dissolution: Council supported staff’s plan to begin the dissolution process; formal action expected in June. - IT Infrastructure: A council committee (Roland and Wood) will meet with staff and Toto Verde to finalize a recommendation. - Summer Meeting Schedule: Cancelled the July 6 meeting; will hold a budget workshop in June. Note: Executive session was held but no action was reported afterward.

The Richland Hills City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 1:37 PM at City Hall (3200 Diana Drive). The sole purpose was to canvass the results of the May 2, 2026, general and special municipal elections and adopt the corresponding resolutions and ordinance. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 PM. Discussion Items - Item A – Resolution No. 647-26 (General Election): Canvassing returns and declaring results for City Council Place 3 and City Council Place 5. The Tarrant County final unofficial results were presented and accepted. - Item B – Ordinance No. 1543-26 (Special Election): Canvassing returns and declaring the results of Proposition A – the reauthorization of a local sales and use tax at the rate of three eighths of one percent to continue funding street maintenance and repair. The vote was 4,386 in favor to 85 opposed, showing majority voter approval. Key Outcomes - Councilmember Teresa Bledsoe moved to accept the election results (covering both items), seconded by Councilmember Mike Witt. The motion carried unanimously with no opposition. The approved Resolution No. 647-26 and Ordinance No. 1543-26 officially declared the results of the May 2, 2026, elections.

The Richland Hills City Council met on May 11, 2026, for a Work Session at 5:35 p.m. and a Regular Session at 6:30 p.m. The Work Session featured a presentation on the Flashvote citizen survey tool. The Regular Session included recognition of outgoing council members, citizen comments, approval of the consent agenda, and community announcements. Consent Calendar - Resolution 646-26: Authorizing the City Manager to accept, decline, modify, or cancel grant awards for the purchase of a Portable Narcotics Analyzer for the Richland Hills Police Department. - Minutes: Approval of the April 27, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting minutes. Both items were approved unanimously without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Doug Nolan (2749 Springs Park Drive) thanked outgoing Council Members Theresa Bledsoe and G.W. Estep for their service, and expressed gratitude to citizens for reinstating the street/infrastructure fund. Discussion Items - Work Session – Flashvote Citizen Survey Tool: City staff (Jason and Landon) presented Flashvote, a community engagement tool for short, targeted surveys (three to five questions). The tool aims to provide rapid, statistically significant feedback from residents and businesses. Key points included: - Surveys delivered by email, text, or phone to an enrolled panel. - Approximately 50% response rate from signed-up participants. - Cost of $7,000, funded from existing budget savings (e.g., unspent consulting fees). - Planned first surveys related to CIP/budget priorities. - Intended to complement, not replace, public hearings. - Council members expressed support and asked clarifying questions. No action was taken. - Recognition of Outgoing Council Members: The Council recognized Theresa Bledsoe (18 years of service) and G.W. Estep (5 years of service). Multiple council members and citizen Doug Nolan offered thanks for their dedication, leadership, and community focus. Both outgoing members delivered brief remarks. Community Interest Items - Announcements were made regarding: - Summer camp at The Link (ages 5–12, starting 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., $20 deposit). - Senior Lunch Bunch and Bingo (second Thursday each month; $3 for members/residents, $5 for non-members). - Forever Buddy Fundraiser (May 23rd at Jason's Deli). - Senior Game Day Social (May 20th, free). - Memorial Day gaming trip (May 28th registration deadline). - Royalty Radiant Ballet class at the library (May 29th, ages 6–10). - The next regular council meeting will be Tuesday, May 26, 2026, due to Memorial Day. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda approved unanimously. - Outgoing council members honored; no further action required. - Flashvote tool discussed; implementation to proceed with staff coordination.

The Richland Hills City Council convened for a Work Session at 5:30 PM followed by a Regular Session on April 27, 2026. The Work Session included presentations on a new street survey program, the Economic Development Strategic Plan, and a holistic review of city fees. The Regular Session featured a public hearing on youth program standards, approval of engineering contracts, a resolution supporting federal funding, and the recognition of Interim City Secretary Lisa Boyd. Work Session Discussion Items - Vialytics Street Survey (Item B): Kelly Morris presented a new pavement scanning program utilizing cell phones mounted on city trucks. The initial scan gave the city an overall Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score of 48, which staff later noted had improved to the mid-50s. The first-year cost is $17,000, funded through the FY26 Utility Fund. The data is integrated with the city's GIS, allowing for overlay with utility infrastructure. Council directed staff to make street condition data publicly available on the GIS portal to improve transparency and prioritize projects ahead of the May 2nd street bond vote. - Economic Development Strategic Plan (Item C): City staff presented a draft strategic plan focusing on leveraging Opportunity Zones (with a July 1, 2026 nomination deadline) and New Market Tax Credits to catalyze private investment. Key recommendations included dissolving the underperforming Baker TIF, freeing its $1 million balance and $350,000 annual increment for the general fund to offset sales tax shortfalls. The proposed fiscal strategy involves a potential voter-approved general obligation bond paired with a homestead exemption. Staff outlined \"three disciplines\": avoiding subsidies without improved tax productivity, not acquiring land without a clear exit strategy, and maintaining conservative financial projections. - Water, Wastewater, Drainage, and Other Fees (Item D): Staff recommended delaying a previously scheduled rate increase to conduct a comprehensive city-wide fee review, covering water, sewer, drainage, impact fees, court costs, and building permits. The objective is to introduce a single, omnibus fee ordinance with the Fiscal Year 2027 budget in October. Executive Session The Council convened in Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, including the appointment, employment, and duties of the City Secretary and the evaluation and duties of the City Manager. Upon reconvening, the Council thanked Interim City Secretary Lisa Boyd for her service. Public Comments & Testimony - Cindy Gillard: Addressed the council to express profound gratitude to the Richland Hills Police and Fire Departments for their compassion following the recent death of her wife. She requested patience from the community as she navigates the grieving process. Consent Calendar The Council approved the April 13, 2026 meeting minutes and excused the absence of Councilmember G.W. Estep. Item C (Resolution 646-26 for the purchase of Rifle Resistant Body Armor) was removed from the consent calendar at the request of staff to correct grant language and was tabled to a subsequent meeting. Regular Session Discussion & Decisions - Youth Program Standards (Ordinance 1542-26): Following a public hearing, the Council approved the 2026 Standards of Care for youth programs provided by The Link. Amendments proposed by Councilmember Roland G. were incorporated, including changing the served age range from \"3 to 12\" to \"5 to 12\", correcting booster seat language, and changing \"expected abuse\" to \"suspected abuse.\" - Cecil Drive Reconstruction (Task Order 005): The Council approved an amended task order with Halff Associates totaling $108,600 for engineering services on the Cecil Drive Street Reconstruction Project, which included an additional $22,000 for a required flood study. - Booth Calloway Road Federal Funding (Resolution): The Council approved a resolution of support for a federal Community Project Funding request of $6,000,000 for the Booth Calloway Road Reconstruction and Utility Replacement Project. - Capital Improvement Program Management (Vieste, LLC): The Council approved a $90,000 agreement with Vieste, LLC for professional services related to program management and development of the city's Capital Improvement Program. - Zoning Case Withdrawn: The applicant for Ordinance 1540-26 (Planned Development at 6557 Baker Blvd) formally withdrew their application. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved with the exception of Item C, which was tabled. - Ordinance 1542-26: Adopted with three amendments proposed by Councilmember Roland G. All council members voted in favor. - Task Order 005 (Cecil Drive): Approved at $108,600. All council members voted in favor. - Booth Calloway Resolution: Approved to support a $6 million federal grant request. All council members voted in favor. - Vieste Agreement: Approved at $90,000 for CIP program management services. All council members voted in favor. - Next Steps: The Economic Development Strategic Plan will be made publicly available on the city website. The comprehensive fee review will be presented to council in the summer with an October 1, 2026 implementation target. - Appointment: Interim City Secretary Lisa Boyd was recognized for her service following the Executive Session.

The Richland Hills City Council held a regular meeting on April 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM at City Hall. The meeting included the acceptance of the FY 2025 audit report, a discussion on the street sales tax reauthorization ballot measure, public hearings on a replat and zoning change for a church property and a planned development for an ice cream production facility, approval of an emergency wastewater repair, and adoption of an accounts receivable write-off policy. Presentations – FY 2025 Audit Daniel Hungerford of George Morgan Sneed presented the annual audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The audit resulted in a clean opinion after significant cleanup. Key financial highlights: the general fund had $4,081,000 in unassigned fund balance (41% of expenditures). Revenues were $10,392,000, down $173,000 from the prior year, driven by a $104,000 decrease in sales tax. Expenditures were $9,122,000, an increase of $748,000, with $566,000 attributable to public safety personnel costs. The water and sewer fund had a positive net position of $3.7 million. Two material weaknesses were identified: bank reconciliations were not performed for the entire year, and cash collections were not deposited daily ($26,000 in checks and $5,000 in cash were found undeposited). Staff and the interim finance consultant reported that corrective action has been taken since November 2025. The council accepted the audit report (motion carried). Street Sales Tax Reauthorization Discussion City staff provided factual information about the May 2, 2026 special election to reauthorize the street sales tax (3/8 cent), which generates approximately $1.5 million annually for street and sidewalk improvements. If not reauthorized, the tax would be removed and the city would lose that dedicated funding. Council discussed the importance of clear communication to voters. Public Comments & Testimony - Sid Wright (2741 Kingsbury Ave) expressed strong opposition to survey stakes placed in his yard marked “ROW” without prior notification. He referenced a sidewalk grant from 12–15 years ago that lacked funding for surveying and compensation and warned of potential trespassing claims if work proceeds. - Doug Noulton (2749 Spruce Park Dr) spoke in support of the street tax reauthorization, urging residents to vote yes. - Vicky Hammond (7905 Leslie Dr) raised concerns about the meeting start time being 5:30 PM rather than 7 PM, noting the city website and Facebook page gave conflicting information. She also clarified that online sales tax goes to the city only if the shipping address states Richland Hills. - John Garza (7900 Leslie Dr) echoed concerns about inconsistent meeting times and reported difficulty accessing live streams and meeting archives on the city website. Public Hearings Replat of 3913 Norton Drive (Lot 1R and Lot 4R) The Richland Hills Christian Church requested a replat to subdivide the property, creating a separate residential lot for the parsonage. Three variances were needed: side yard setback (14 ft vs 15 ft), lot depth (92 ft vs 100 ft), and accessory structure setback (0.5 ft vs 5 ft). Council discussed spot zoning but staff stated the use is consistent with the comprehensive plan. No citizen opposition was received. The church representative confirmed they intend to retain ownership and use the property for rental income. Approved (motion carried). Zoning Change for Lot 4R (P to SF-7) This zoning change is tied to the replat and would allow the separate lot to be used for single-family residential. The church stated they may use it as a parish house again in the future. Approved (motion carried). Planned Development for 6557 Baker Boulevard (Ice Cream Production Facility) The applicant Anal Desai proposed a planned development with a base zoning of light commercial or mixed use to permit food processing and limited outdoor storage. The use is a small-scale frozen dessert production facility (wholesale only) for Milwaukee Joe’s Ice Cream. Council expressed concerns that the use does not align with the comprehensive plan’s vision for a pedestrian-oriented mixed-use corridor. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with mixed-use base zoning (4-1). Citizen Doug Noulton spoke in favor, while Athena Campbell opposed, wanting a more corridor-appropriate use. After discussion, the council voted to table the item to the April 27 regular meeting to allow staff to prepare a site plan with limited outdoor storage and to remove laundromat and warehouse from the list of permitted uses. Discussion Items Change of Meeting Date The council discussed moving the May 25, 2026 regular meeting to May 26, 2026 due to the Memorial Day holiday. No formal vote was taken; consensus was to make the change. Consent Calendar Approval of Minutes from the March 23, 2026 regular meeting was approved without discussion. New Business Emergency Wastewater Repair Kelly Morris (Public Works) presented an emergency sewer main repair on the 2800 block of Willow Park Street and Spruce Park Drive. Pipe bursting was used to replace 420 linear feet of clay tile pipe with HDPE. The unit-price contract with XL4 totaled an estimated $105,041.20 (including 10% contingency), funded from the operational sewer system repairs line. The emergency occurred on March 8, 2026. Approved (motion carried). Accounts Receivable Write-Off and Collection Policy Staff presented a resolution to adopt a formal policy for writing off aged utility billing and municipal court accounts (totaling approximately $5.5 million). Write-offs would occur after defined inactivity periods (court: 3 years; utility: 12–24 months). The City Manager may approve amounts up to $5,000, notify council for amounts $5,001–$25,000, and require council approval for amounts over $25,000. The policy aims to remove uncollectible accounts from the balance sheet. Approved (motion carried). Key Outcomes - Audit Accepted: The FY 2025 audit report was accepted (unanimous). - Replat Approved: Subdivision of 3913 Norton Drive into Lot 1R and Lot 4R, including variances. - Zoning Change Approved: Lot 4R rezoned from P to SF-7. - Planned Development Tabled: Item 3C continued to the April 27 regular meeting for further site plan development. - Emergency Repair Approved: Wastewater main repair contract with XL4 authorized. - Write-Off Policy Adopted: Resolution 464326 approving the accounts receivable write-off policy. - Meeting Date Change: The May 25, 2026 meeting will be rescheduled to May 26, 2026. - Next Steps: Staff to prepare a site plan for the Baker Boulevard PD and return for council consideration.

The Richland Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting on April 7, 2026, at 6:14 PM at City Hall. The board considered one special exception request to allow a proposed home addition to encroach into the required side yard setback. Public Comments - No members of the public addressed the board regarding non-agenda items. Discussion Items - ZBA 2026-1040 – Special Exception for 3213 Mimosa Park Dr The applicant and owner, Ruben Garcia, requested a special exception to decrease the side yard setback requirement from the mandatory eight feet to accommodate an 845-square-foot addition on the rear of his single-family residence. Staff from JP2K Development Services presented the case, noting that the existing home is legally non-conforming because its building footprint encroaches one foot and seven inches into the southern side yard. The proposed addition would encroach only nine inches into the same side yard, which is less than the existing encroachment. Staff confirmed no other zoning violations were found. Garcia briefly spoke, stating his family is growing and they need an additional restroom and shower, and noted the lot sits on half-course blocks so the setback variation is warranted. Key Outcomes - Motion to approve ZBA 2026-1040 was made by Mr. Lopez, seconded by Mr. Knowlton. The board voted 5–0 in favor (the chair initially stated 4–0 but corrected the tally to 5–0). The motion carried, granting the special exception to allow the side yard setback reduction as proposed. - The meeting adjourned at 6:23 PM.

The Richland Hills Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on March 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The commission considered three major agenda items: a replat and a zoning change for 3913 Norton Drive, and a planned development for 6557 Baker Boulevard. All items were recommended for approval, with one item passing by a 4-1 vote. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (December 1, 2025): The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Public Comments - No members of the public spoke during the public comment period. Discussion Items Replat for 3913 Norton Drive (Case 2026‑0120) - Proposal: The applicant, Richland Hills Christian Church, requested a replat of 2.446 acres to create two lots, allowing the existing parsonage to operate as a separate residential rental property. Three variances were requested because the proposed lots would not fully comply with SF-7 regulations: - Side yard street setback: 14 feet (required 15 feet). - Rear yard accessory structure setback: 0.5 feet from property line (required 5 feet), affecting a small wooden shed. - Lot depth: 92 feet (required 100 feet). - Discussion: Staff noted the structure's current setbacks were grandfathered under previous standards. Commissioners questioned the implications for future modifications; staff clarified that any changes to the shed would require full compliance. The applicant stated the church has owned the property since 1954 and needs to generate income from the parsonage after moving to a part-time minister. - Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no comments. - Vote: The commission unanimously recommended approval of the replat. Zoning Change (Ordinance 1541‑26) for a Portion of 3913 Norton Drive - Proposal: Rezone 0.182 acres (the parsonage lot) from P, Professional Office, to SF-7, Single-Family Residential. This would allow the parsonage to be leased to non‑church individuals or continue as a parish house. - Discussion: Staff acknowledged that the change does not fully align with the new comprehensive plan's vision for the Glenview Drive corridor (walkable mixed‑use), but noted the property's history and its location behind the church, making residential use appropriate. Commissioners agreed it fits the neighborhood. - Public Hearing: No comments. - Vote: Unanimous recommendation for approval. Planned Development (Ordinance 1540‑26) for 6557 Baker Boulevard - Proposal: Rezone 0.312 acres from Mixed Use to a Planned Development with a base zoning of LC, Light Commercial, to allow for a “food processing” use (Milwaukee Joe’s Ice Cream) and temporary outdoor storage. The applicant planned a small‑scale frozen dessert manufacturing facility with 3–4 employees per shift, limited truck traffic, and all operations indoors. - Discussion: - Staff explained that the existing building and small lot size make retail or mixed‑use development unlikely, and light commercial uses are more realistic. The applicant committed to replacing the existing wooden fence with a metal fence and making other phased site improvements. - Some commissioners expressed concern that approving a light commercial/industrial use contradicts the comprehensive plan’s goal for the Baker Boulevard corridor. Others argued that the property’s constraints and historical heavy‑commercial tenants justify the PD, and that a higher‑intensity use would not prevent future redevelopment of the area. - The commission debated including site improvement conditions; the applicant confirmed they are already replacing the fence. A motion was made to approve the PD with an additional condition requiring a metal fence replacement. - Public Hearing: No comments. - Vote: 4–1 in favor (one commissioner opposed, citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan). Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of the December 1, 2025, meeting minutes. - Unanimous recommendation to approve the replat for 3913 Norton Drive (including three variances). - Unanimous recommendation to approve the zoning change from P to SF‑7 for the parsonage lot. - 4–1 recommendation to approve the planned development for 6557 Baker Boulevard, with a condition requiring replacement of the existing wooden fence with a metal fence. The item will be forwarded to City Council for final action. The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.

The Richland Hills City Council convened for a Work Session at 5:30 PM followed by a Regular Session on March 23, 2026. The Work Session included detailed discussions on upgrading the city's IT network infrastructure, an update on the Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFTA), and proposed updates to water and wastewater impact fees for new development. The Regular Session featured public comments regarding meeting start times, a 5-year service award, amendments to the short-term rental registration ordinance, and a resolution for a new outdoor audio system at City Plaza which was tabled on fiscal grounds. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from the March 9, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting. - Resolution 639-26: Participating in the National Wildlife Federation's Mayor's Monarch Pledge. - Resolution 640-26: Authorizing a change of authorized representatives for LOGIC. Public Comments & Testimony - Vicki Hamilton (7905 Leslie Drive) expressed concern that the Regular Session start time was listed ambiguously as "immediately following the Executive Session" rather than a fixed time like 7 PM. She requested a specific published time or "no earlier than 7 PM" language for transparency. - John Garza (7900 Leslie Drive) supported Ms. Hamilton's transparency concerns, stating ambiguity "optically looks bad." He also thanked the council for progress on neighborhood gates and trail lighting. Discussion Items Work Session: Todo Verde IT Solutions & Meter Network Infrastructure - Sheena McAcker and Dory Thompson (Todo Verde) proposed replacing the city's aging network (16 switches, almost $1,900 each, many out of support by end of 2026) with a "Network-as-a-Service" from Meter. - The model costs $27,118/year (or $2,486/month) for a 5-year term, covering all hardware (switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi 7 APs), cabling, installation, 24/7 monitoring, ISP management, and lifecycle upgrades, converting capital expenses to operational expenses. - Council questioned contract duration, end-of-term equipment ownership, CPI increases, SLAs, cybersecurity, and requested a pro forma cost savings analysis. Staff was directed to bring back pricing for 5, 7, and 10-year options, and the contract for legal review. Work Session: Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFTA) Update - Chief Rhodes presented an overview of NEFTA, a 15-member regional collaboration (880 firefighters, 178 sq miles, 26,000-28,000 calls annually) providing hazmat (hosted by Richland Hills/NRH), bomb, technical rescue, and swift water teams. DFW Airport joined as the 15th member with a fixed fee based on a deemed daily population of 60,000. - Councilmember Roland questioned the fairness of the dues structure, noting Richland Hills (pop. 8,678) pays $16,110 in operational base+per capita dues, while North Richland Hills (pop. 75,000) pays $27,621, arguing the base fee component makes the cost disproportionate for smaller cities. The increase this year was attributed to adding a mental health services program for first responders. A NEFTA Show and Tell is scheduled for May 21st. Work Session: Water and Wastewater System Facility Impact Fees - JP DuGay and Kelly Morris presented proposed updates to impact fees, reactive to Fort Worth's new phased rate schedule (effective Oct 1, 2025 and Oct 1, 2026). - Staff determined an independent impact fee study (approx. $150,000) is not cost-effective given the city's limited projected growth (3%) and existing capacity (10-15%). The proposed ordinance adopts Fort Worth's new fee schedule. - Council discussed the impact on redevelopment (meter upsizes) and the new state requirement (SB 14) to implement a credit program for developers using water conservation. The item is scheduled for formal adoption on April 27th. New Business: Short-Term Rental Registration (Ordinance 1538-26) - Staff proposed removing the liability insurance requirement entirely, as operators found it cumbersome. - Council decided to require proof of insurance but removed the specific $1 million minimum and the requirement to name the City as an additional insured, as these specific provisions were identified as the source of the operators' difficulties. The ordinance also included clean-up language on permit expiration, revocation, and appeals. New Business: City Plaza Outdoor Audio System - Eric Velaz presented a $107,378.56 project for a permanent outdoor audio system covering City Hall, the Fire Department, The Link, and the Pavilion, procured through a TIPS cooperative contract. - The City Manager recommended tabling the item due to a sales tax shortfall and the project not being in the approved FY26 budget. Council unanimously agreed to table the project indefinitely. Temporary amplified sound will be arranged for events this year. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. - Ordinance 1538-26 (STR Registration): Passed (7-0). Amends Article 13 to require proof of insurance for STR operators, removing the previous mandates for specific minimum coverage of $1M and naming the city as an additional insured. - City Plaza Audio Resolution: Tabled indefinitely (Unanimous). - Recognition: Police Lieutenant Adam Atteberry received a 5-Year Service Award. - Future Actions: The IT network proposal will return with additional pricing and contract details. The impact fee ordinance is scheduled for formal adoption on April 27th. The meeting format and start time will be discussed at a future council meeting following public feedback.

The Richland Hills City Council convened for a Work Session and Regular Meeting on March 9, 2026. The Work Session featured substantial discussions on proposed fee changes for the Senior Lunch Bunch program, a review of errors in the recently passed Water/Wastewater rate ordinance, and changes to the future meeting agenda format. The Regular Session included department reports and the approval of the consent agenda. Consent Calendar - The City Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included: - Approval of minutes from the February 9, 2026 Regular Meeting. - Approval of minutes from the February 14, 2026 Strategic Visioning and Budget Workshop. - A resolution establishing a formal pathway for written public information requests via the city website. - Resolution 638-26, authorizing the City Manager to accept, decline, modify, or cancel a 100% fully funded grant for the purchase of rifle-resistant body armor. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public presented comments during the Citizen Appearances portion of the meeting. Discussion Items - Senior Lunch Bunch Fee Structure (Work Session): Eric Valdez of Parks and Recreation presented a proposal to address operational and financial challenges in the Senior Lunch Bunch program. The program averages 95 seniors per event, with 70% being non-residents. The current program is free (with a suggested $3 donation), but only $560 was donated in all of 2025 against rising costs. The city allocates $9,000 toward the program through a partnership with Metroport Meals on Wheels, but total program costs are projected to rise from $20,000 to $22,000-$24,000 annually. A key issue is the 6-8 attendance no-shows per event that block waitlisted seniors from attending. Council members expressed strong support for implementing registration fees, with several noting the program is part of a regional circuit where seniors are used to paying. The proposed fee is $3 for residents or LINK members, and $5 for non-residents. The Council directed staff to implement the fee structure starting in April 2026. - Water/Wastewater Rate Study Review & Revision (Work Session): Consultant Jason Gray (Willdan) and the City Manager reviewed the water/wastewater rate ordinance adopted on February 9, 2026. Staff identified several technical drafting errors (Scrivener errors) in the ordinance, including incorrect pricing units (per gallon vs. per thousand gallons) and discrepancies in meter charges and pass-through rates. Council Member Bledsoe raised several concerns: the lack of itemized pass-through costs on resident bills, the impact of high base charges on fixed-income residents, the structure of commercial wastewater charges, and a request to review the drainage fee structure. The Council directed staff to 1) Prepare the repeal of the flawed ordinance, 2) Validate key assumptions from the 2024 rate study (CIP progress, actual debt issuance, operating costs) against current realities, and 3) Bring back a corrected ordinance for consideration at the second meeting in April. - Future Agenda Format (Work Session): The Mayor proposed changes to the meeting agenda format to improve efficiency and clarity. The council agreed to a standardized 5:30 PM start for the Work Session (instead of 6:00 PM) to better balance the schedules of staff, council members, and the public. The council also approved a new agenda layout dividing items into Public Hearings, New Business (contracts and resolutions), and Old Business. - January Department Reports: - Library: The library reported increased visits and circulation. Highlights included an AARP Tax Preparation program open to all ages and a Galantines self-care program attended by 25 people. - Police: Chief Sylvester reported that Part 1 offenses were down significantly year-over-year (simple assaults, auto thefts, burglaries). Traffic stops were down 40% (390 to 231) due to the frozen traffic unit caused by staffing vacancies. The department recently hired two new officers to address vacancies. A discussion on retention ensued, with Chief Sylvester explaining the highly competitive market, salary gaps, and the impact of the 6.75% Social Security tax. Council acknowledged that retention is a major challenge and a compensation market study is planned for the year. Key Outcomes - Senior Lunch Bunch Fee Change Directed: The Council directed staff to implement a $3 fee for residents/LINK members and a $5 fee for non-residents, starting in April 2026, to manage costs and ensure registered seniors get a seat. - Water/Wastewater Rate Ordinance to be Repealed and Replaced: The February 9, 2026 ordinance will be repealed. Staff will work with the consultant to correct errors and validate rate assumptions, with a revised ordinance expected at the second meeting in April. - New Meeting Format and Agenda Structure Adopted: The Work Session will start at 5:30 PM, and the agenda will be reorganized into Public Hearings, New Business, and Old Business. - Animal Shelter Advisory Board Appointment: Kim Bachner was unanimously approved as an alternate member of the board. - Consent Agenda Approved: Routine items, including the fully-funded body armor grant and formalized public information request process, were approved.