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Home My WebLink About2015-01-22 Town Hall TOWN HALL MEETING SECRETARY'S NOTES EULESS CITY HALL THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL AND STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Panel members included Mayor Pro Tern Linda Eilenfeldt, and Council Members Jeremy Tompkins, Eddie Price, Harry Zimmer, and Perry Bynum and city staff including City Manager Gary McKamie, Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell, Police Chief Mike Brown, Director of Planning and Economic Development Mike Collins, and Fire Chief Wes Rhodes. Staff members present included Assistant City Manager Chris Barker, Deputy City Secretary Lindsay Wells, Director of Finance Janina Jewell, Director of Parks&Community Services Ray McDonald, Fire Marshal Paul Smith, Communications/Marketing Manager Betsy Deck, Library Administrator Sherry Knight, Police Captain Gary Landers, Fire Captain Bill Ver Steeg, Police Lieutenant Joe Kraft, Police Corporal James Gordon, Senior Police Officers David Chaney and Chris White, and Code Inspectors Rene Rodriquez, Fred Struck, and Goose Wall. VISITORS Reggie Adekoya Phil Farco, Sr. Dan McLain Roberto Aguilar Melissa Gattoc Chase Olson Al Aston J.R. Goad Betty Overstreet Jerri Balkon Debbie Griffith Ron Payton Cindy Benke Gary Griffith James Polston Leah Benoit Linda Groth Lane Polston Sharon Bricker Dale Harwell Luann Portugal Brenda Brown Cameron Herriage Jennifer Saldana Rusty Brown Christina Herriage Mary Lib Saleh D'Anne Carson Dylan Herriage John Schleeter Charles Cinquemani Jan Hogg Gene Sloan Mary Cinquemani Leon Hogg Renu Sloan Charlotte Collins Jerrie Keller Barney Snitz Shawna De Puente Paul Kuhar Lori Tompkins John Deithloff Kate Lyon Lannie Tucker Robert Eilenfeldt Molly Mattox Van Williams Emily Ellis Marianne McGinnis Stan Ellis Anniece McKanna and approximately 20 other attendees. Assistant Police Chief Bob Freeman introduced the Panel and opened the floor for questions and comments. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION Planning and Economic Development Director Mike Collins gave a brief presentation regarding new commercial development in the Riverwalk, Glade Parks, and Glade Parks South and presented a flyover video of the Glade Parks Development to highlight the construction progress. Planning and Development Director Collins responded to questions from the audience: - Glade Parks South development: He advised that the development includes an urban lofts, commercial development, and big box retail stores. - The wetland area designated in Glade Parks South will remain in its natural condition and not made into a park. - Staff is reviewing changes to the landscaping ordinance to allow southwestern type landscaping as seen in Arizona requiring little water. (Phil Farco, Sr.) - DFW Airport will host an upcoming meeting on the extension of Harwood Road into the airport. City Manager Gary McKamie responded to questions from the audience: - Parks throughout the City, including J.A. Carr Park, are in low lying areas and when it rains, the trails get muddy. It is cost prohibitive to either pave the trails or add blacktop materials. - The City would like to work with animal rescue groups to help animals that have been abandoned on vacant properties. Deputy City Manager Loretta Getchell responded to questions from the audience: - The City borrowed $6 million for the Glade Parks Development and created a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) for the project. The purpose is the fund the construction of public infrastructure and explained that the loan will be repaid through the revenue raised by the developers. (Darl Easton) - There are no immediate plans to install sidewalks in older developments. The City is currently focused on ensuring existing sidewalks are complaint with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Public Works Director Cranor presented information related to the reclaimed water process, city-wide water usage reductions of 5 percent, entering Stage 2 water restrictions, and responded to questions from the audience: - A pump station has been completed and Phase I I of the reclaimed water process is currently underway. Staff is drafting a Master Plan for the entire City. Town Hall Meeting January 22,2015 Page 2 - New developments - Area lakes are at 61 percent capacity. Once the lakes reach 60 percent, Phase II water restrictions will be implemented and the Phase II water restrictions can only be lifted back to Stage I once lake levels have reached 70 percent for 30 days. Assistant City Manager Chris Barker provided an update on the Midtown Express managed lanes and stated that a groundbreaking for the project is scheduled to be held Thursday, March 5, 2015. Roberto Aguilar expressed his concerns related to the Property Maintenance Inspection (PMI) program employed at the Mission Pointe Apartments. John Schleeter commended the City and the Code Compliance Department for the PMI program and thanked City Manager Gary McKamie for his service to the City of Euless. Parks and Community Services Director Ray McDonald responded to questions from the audience: - The South Euless Pool will not be reopened. Two leaks were discovered under the shell of the pool requiring complete demolition. The City plans to revitalize the area with park space and a gazebo. The splash pad will remain. The Mayor and City Council expressed their appreciation to those in attendance for their questions and comments. ADJOURN The Town Hall Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. PREPARED BY: IMP 41° er, TRfC City `-cretary Town Hall Meeting January 22,2015 Page 3