HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-22 Work SessionCITY OF EULESS CITY COUNCIL MID -WINTER WORKSESSION
FEBRUARY 22, 2025
TEXAS STAR CONFERENCE CENTER
EULESS,TEXAS
Mayor Martin called the worksession to order at 8:34 a.m. at the Texas Star Golf Course
anal Cnnference Centre. 1400 Texas Star Parkway. Euless. Texas.
Those present included:
Mayor Linda Martin
Mayor Pro Tem Tika Paudel
Council Member Tim Stinneford
Council Member Jeremy Tompkins
Council Member Eddie Price
Council Member Perry Bynum
Council Member Annabel Eads
City Manager Chris Barker
Assistant City Manager Steven Viera
Director of Finance Janina Jewell
City Secretary / Chief Governance Officer Kim Sutter
Police Chief Gary Landers
Parks and Community Services Director Duane Strawn (morning only)
Police Sergeant Rob Provost (morning only)
Visitors:
Lawrence Bryant
Matt Griffin, Paladin Drones
Welcome
City Manager Chris Barker welcomed everyone and introduced Director of Parks and
Community Services Duane Strawn.
Parks Department Update
Director of Parks and Community Services Strawn expressed his appreciation to the City
Council for their support of the Parks department. Mr. Strawn provided a status update
related to several Parks department projects:
• The Parks at Texas Star North (Phase 7);
• Landscaping at Parks at Texas Star North;
• New field lighting (100 percent LED at both complexes);
• Synthetic turf on playing fields complete;
• Parks at Texas Star South practice field expansion and addition of restroom
facility; and
Opportunities for former location of batting cages.
Mr. Strawn reviewed the proposed plans for Arbor Daze to be hosted at Glade Parks,
including the addition of a beverage tent and the location of the drone show. He advised
that the activities will be set up in front of Dick's Sporting Goods and Belk's, and that safety
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of the event patrons has been considered with the placement of barricades around the
event site.
Additionally, Mr. Strawn presented the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan
update, including the timeline for consideration and adoption of the plan.
Police Chief Gary Landers introduced Euless Police Sergeant Rob Provost and Matt Griffin
representing Paladin Drones, Inc.
Police Sergeant Provost reviewed the history of the use of drones by the Police
department. Additionally, he reviewed the proposed use of drones as first responders
(DFR), including the initial program cost and the ongoing annual cost, as well as how the
drones could be used when responding to public safety incidents. It was the consensus
of the City Council to proceed with the project.
Police Chief Landers provided an update on the equipment needs of the Northeast Tarrant
County Area SWAT team (NETCAST), including a new bearcat unit, equipment and
transport unit for SWAT. He advised that the associated cost would be shared with the
other participating jurisdictions (Grapevine, Bedford, and Hurst). Additionally, he reported
on consideration for a joint dispatch with the City of Grapevine, the organizational structure
of the police department, and provided a status update on the reconstruction of the police
and court facility.
Capital Improvements
City Manager Barker reviewed the Capital Improvements Plan projects, including the
construction of Fire Station No. 2, the Animal Shelter, West Pipeline Road, Water and
Wastewater line replacements, and Texas Star Golf Course greens renovation.
FY2024 Financial Update
Finance Director Janina Jewell presented the financial update for fiscal year 2024, and
advised that the City ended the year strong, and that the auditors have completed the audit
and have issued a "clean" opinion.
Development Update
City Manager Barker provided a development update related to the Watercolor
development, and a possibility of a land swap at Glade Parks with Tonti Properties. It
was the consensus of the City Council to proceed with discussions related to the land
swap.
Additionally, City Manager Barker advised the City Council of the need to update the City's
comprehensive land use document. He reviewed the timeline, process, and the
anticipated cost to update the plan.
Communications
City Manager Barker advised of the challenges associated with mailing Euless Today with
the utility billings, specifically related to the timeliness of the information. He proposed
that Euless Today no longer be distributed with the utility bills, but be placed in strategic
locations around the City as well as continue to provide electronically from the City's
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website.
Citv Charter
City Manager Barker advised that the City Charter was last updated in 1995, and with the
consensus of the City Council, staff will review and present proposed amendments focused
on aligning the Charter with state law.
Mayor Martin expressed her appreciation to the City Council for their attendance.
The worksession was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
/Kr, Sutter, '`RMC, CIVIC
City Secretary