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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-30 Work SessionMINUTES OF A WORK SESSION OF THE EULESS CITY COUNCIL July 30, 2022 A work session of the Euless City Council was called to order at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the Texas Star Golf Course and Conference Centre, 1400 Texas Star Parkway, Euless, Texas, for the purpose of discussing the proposed annual budget and related items for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Those attending included: Mayor Linda Martin Mayor Pro Tern Eddie Price, Place 3 Council Member Tim Stinneford, Place 1 Council Member Jeremy Tompkins, Place 2 Council Member Harry Zimmer, Place 5 Council Member Tika Paudel, Place 6 City Manager Loretta Getchell Deputy City Manager Chris Barker Assistant City Manager Wes Rhodes City Secretary Kim Sutter Finance Director Janina Jewell Absent: Council Member Perry Bynum, Place 4 City Manager Getchell provided an overview of the budget and advised that the proposed budget will raise more revenue from property taxes than last year's budget by $1,584,307 or 7.10%, and of that amount, $289,316 is tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year. City Manager Getchell advised that the property tax rate is proposed to decrease by one and one-half cents to $0.46 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The proposed rate is lower than the voter -approval rate, which is $0.467831 cents. She reviewed the tax rate history for the City, including the maintenance and operations and debt components of the tax rate. City Manager Getchell presented highlights of the proposed budget, including the amendments to the pay plan to address inflationary pressures, fund additional personnel, fund expected building needs, and expedite projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). City Manager Getchell advised that an increase in water and wastewater rates will be necessary to fund the Trinity River Authority (TRA) rate increase for water and wastewater treatment. The TRA is citing an increased cost in chemicals and personnel as justification for the increases. A proposed rebate of 50 cents per Budget Worksession Minutes Page 2 of 3 July 30, 2022 thousand gallons of water used to a maximum of 15,000 gallons per month is included for single-family residential customers. Deputy City Manager Barker and Assistant City Manager Rhodes advised of the solid waste and recycling franchise renewal and added that an increase for the services will be necessary due to inflationary increases. City Manager Getchell advised the Council of facility renovations including the need to construct a new Fire Station No. 2, the remodel of the current police facility, and the opportunity to convert the old Fire Station No. 2 for additional space for the Animal Shelter and Public Works department. She addressed questions from the Council related to the proposed budget. Assistant City Manager Barker presented and highlighted a few of the Capital projects including the 2023 street improvements, water and wastewater line replacement projects, aquatic park facility upgrades, Carr Park Trail connection, Fire Station No. 2 design and construction, Kiddie Carr Park improvements, additional pickleball courts at Midway Park, Parks at Texas Star North parking, Police and Courts building redesign, and Municipal Plaza Phase II improvements (remove water feature and convert to steps). Additionally, he advised of the current status of the water wells and necessary testing in order to bring the wells back online. In response to a request from City Manager Getchell, Council Members offered suggestions for future projects and additional services to the community including addition of disc golf, expanded recreation center, and additional sand volleyball courts. Deputy City Manager Barker presented updates related to the Watercolor development (SH 183 and Hwy 360), Glade Parks (SH 121 and Glade Road), proposed development at corner of South Pipeline Road and FM 157, and updates to the Vulcan building located on Main Street. CLOSED SESSION The City Council convened into closed session at 2:12 p.m. for deliberation regarding the following: The purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property as authorized by Section 551.072 of the Texas Government Code related to: • Cresthaven Addition Concerning economic development as authorized by Section 551.087 of the Texas Government Code related to: Discussion or deliberate regarding commercial or financial information that the City has received from business prospects that the City seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in the City and with which the City is conducting Budget Worksession Minutes Page 3 of 3 July 30, 2022 economic development negotiations; deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect. • Watercolor Mayor Martin recessed closed session at 2:23 p.m. Mayor Martin adjourned the worksession at 2:39 p.m. PREPARED BY: r_ x i Sutter, T k MC, C M C City Secretary