The Richland Hills City Council met on December 8, 2025, beginning with a 6:00 p.m. work session and a 7:00 p.m. regular session at Richland Hills City Hall, 3200 Diana Drive. The meeting included a closed executive session on personnel matters, recognition of the 75th anniversary committee, approval of the consent agenda, a Community Development Block Grant public hearing, an Oncor franchise ordinance, park restroom contract amendments, Halff Associates agreements and task orders, appointments for interim and permanent city manager, and reports on street projects. Work Session and Department Reports - The council held an executive session under the Texas Open Meetings Act for personnel matters, including interim city manager and city manager appointment. After reconvening, the city manager said action had been taken and would be announced later in the meeting. - Development services staff presented the October department report, summarizing 2025 activity: two special use permits, one zoning change, two site plans, one replat, and two zoning variances and one special exception referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Staff described the low number of ZBA cases as a positive sign. - Richland Crossing: 52 single-family homes were reported 100% constructed and 100% sold. Staff is coordinating with the developer on landscaping and parkway cleanup. - Baker/Kreitz residential lots: the first completed home was sold in October 2025. The developer is redesigning the next three homes to be more market-competitive after lowering the prior price by over $50,000. Recruitment for a drive-thru-oriented coffee or food user at the Kreitz/Baker retail tract is continuing; Scooter's, Dutch Bros, Seven Brew Coffee, and Salad and Go were mentioned as contacted brands. - Feel Great Car Wash at 7024 Boulevard 26 opened in August 2025, has washed 30,000 cars, and has 2,500 active memberships. Staff said it was the company's second-best performing 2025 location, and the company hopes to double memberships to about 5,000. - Lane Glass at 6525 Baker Boulevard received its special use permit in April 2025, began operations by September 1, and started the first phase of site improvements in November 2025, including landscaping, signage, and lighting. A second phase is planned for spring 2026. - The 2525 Hanley Ederville contractor yard received administrative site plan approval in August and building permits in October; utility and plumbing work is complete and foundation work is underway. It will include nine metal contractor warehouse buildings and 137 parking spaces. - Short-term rentals: staff identified roughly 30 active STRs, contacted 15 owners, and received 11 complete applications. Registration enforcement letters are being prepared but not sent while staff evaluates hiring a short-term rental management firm. Preliminary cost quotes were $5,000–$10,000 annually; estimated hotel occupancy tax revenue was $20,000–$30,000 annually, with one estimate around $70,000. Council asked for a cost-versus-revenue comparison. - Electric vehicle charging grant: the city's application to the North Central Texas Council of Governments was recommended for funding for two Level 2 chargers with four parking spaces at the City Hall/Link site. NCTCOG received 109 applications and recommended 59 for funding. The project estimate is about $103,000, with a roughly $20,000 city match. Final award actions are scheduled January 8 and January 22, 2026. - Building Board of Appeals cases: 7056 Dover Lane must submit a complete permit package by January 12, 2026; 2800 Cecil Drive's complete permit package is under review; and 3624 Ruth Road may be sold to a new buyer who anticipates 1.5–2 months to prepare permits. - 2026 priorities: updating the building improvement grant and short-term rental policies, updating the zoning ordinance to align with the new comprehensive plan, updating the subdivision ordinance, and modernizing sign, landscaping, and fencing/screening regulations. Presentations and Recognitions - The council recognized the 75th Anniversary Committee and gave members a photo book of the year's celebration activities. - Mayor Bergthold presented a U.S. Capitol flag and certificate from Congressman Craig Goldman's office to the city. - Employee service awards were presented: Sheena McEachran, Support Services Manager, 20 years of service, and Stephanie Flores, Public Services Manager, 15 years of service. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda was approved with Item B removed for separate consideration. The consent agenda included approval of minutes from the November 10, 17, 20 morning and afternoon workshops, 21, and 24, 2025 meetings, and an interlocal agreement with Education Service Center Region 10. - Item B, the replat of Lots 1R and 2R, Block A, J & D Properties Addition at 3924 Booth Calloway, was discussed separately and approved. Staff explained the replat would split the existing communications tower lot from a larger, nearly two-acre site, much of it in floodplain, that could be sold for future development. Doug Knowlton asked who would maintain drainage on the property; staff said ownership is responsible and the city has placed liens for previous emergency drainage work. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizen comments were made during the designated public comment portion of the regular meeting. - During the Kate Baker restroom contract discussion, public speaker Doug Knowlton said he opposed the restroom project from the start and remained opposed, citing the cost and the city's past failure to maintain older park restrooms. Discussion Items - CDBG Resolution 628-25: Public Works staff presented the 52nd-year Community Development Block Grant participation. The proposed project is replacement of approximately 380 linear feet of 4-inch water main with 6-inch pipe in the 3100 block of Fay Drive between Park Place Drive and Jameson Street, including two service connections and asphalt replacement. Total construction cost is estimated at $162,895; the expected grant range is $140,000–$160,000, leaving a city cost of about $3,000 from the utility fund. The public hearing was opened and closed with no testimony, and the resolution was approved. - Oncor Electric Franchise Ordinance 1536-25: The council approved a renewed electric franchise agreement with Oncor effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2045, with automatic six-month renewal periods unless canceled with at least 60 days' written notice. The city attorney added modifications to strengthen city protections. Oncor representative Scott Brombaugh spoke in support. - Kate Baker Park restroom/pavilion contract amendment: Parks Director Eric Valdez explained that the city already paid ROM Tech $265,261.44 for manufacturing and delivery of two restroom buildings. Continuing with ROM Tech would cost $589,358.16, including a nearly $62,000 delay penalty, while switching installation to C. Green Scaping would total $566,132.64 for both parks, including a $5,500 ROM Tech termination fee. The council approved amending the C. Green Scaping contract for Kate Baker by $140,587 ($121,443 installation plus $19,144 contingency), for a new contract total of $415,881. Council members expressed frustration over delays and cost, but concluded installing the already-purchased buildings was the better option. - Rosebud Park restroom/pavilion contract amendment: The council approved amending the C. Green Scaping contract for Rosebud Park by $173,928.20, for a new contract total of $467,527.20. Staff said the Rosebud building is not identical to Kate Baker's because it includes a roll-up garage. The FY26 budget includes funds for parking improvements at Rosebud. - Halff Associates Master Services Agreement and Task Orders: The council approved renewal of the master services agreement with Halff Associates for a five-year term with automatic annual renewals, and approved Task Order 001 for city engineer services, Task Order 002 for floodplain administrator services, and Task Order 003 for design and engineering services for the Cheney Hills Safe Routes to School sidewalk project. - Cheney Hills Safe Routes to School: The city was awarded a federal grant through NCTCOG for sidewalk connections to Cheney Hills Elementary School. Total estimated construction cost is $5.98 million; the grant covers 80% of eligible construction costs and the city pays the 20% match plus design and engineering services. Task Order 003 has a not-to-exceed fee of $560,000, funded from the FY26 oil and gas fund, with construction match funding planned through the strategic initiative fund. Council members also raised sidewalk gaps at the 2600 block of Spruce Park and at Richland Crossing; staff said those would be reviewed. - Interim City Manager appointment: City Manager Candace Edmondson submitted a resignation effective January 2, 2026. The council appointed Assistant City Manager/Police Chief Kim Sylvester as interim city manager beginning January 3, 2026, until the new city manager assumes duties, anticipated around February 15, 2026, with terms as discussed in executive session. The vote was unanimous. - City Manager appointment: The council voted unanimously to approve the appointment of a new city manager after the candidate accepted the terms discussed in executive session. The appointee was not named in open session. Street Improvement Projects - Public Works reported on the Series 2023 bond street projects. Design was approved in January 2024 and completed in December 2024. Gas line relocation and utility work are complete, and Reliable Paving is performing roadway replacement on Mary Bowes, Jameson, Joanne Court, Brooks, and Oxley. Paving has been delayed by weather, rain, and equipment failure; density testing was scheduled for the next morning. Completion is targeted for early April 2026, within the 365-day contract window. Oxley is expected to be the last street completed. - Staff also reported on miscellaneous street projects: water and sewer maps are being uploaded to the GIS system, and staff is evaluating a Violetics pavement condition index and asset management program. The estimated cost is about $150 per centerline mile, or roughly $15,000, pending an official quote. The program would also catalog street signs, inlets, manholes, streetlights, and fire hydrants. Staff expects to bring the proposal back in January for approval. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda approved with Item B removed; the 3924 Booth Calloway replat was subsequently approved. - Resolution 628-25 to participate in the 52nd-year CDBG program was approved after a public hearing with no testimony. - Ordinance 1536-25 renewing the Oncor electric franchise was approved. - C. Green Scaping contract amendments were approved for both Kate Baker Park, new total $415,881, and Rosebud Park, new total $467,527.20, restroom/pavilion installations. - Halff Associates master services agreement renewal and Task Orders 001, 002, and 003 were approved. - Kim Sylvester was appointed interim city manager effective January 3, 2026, and the council approved appointment of a new city manager; both personnel votes were unanimous.