HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2024-02-26 Minutes MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS
HELD IN THE CITY HALL 4301 CITY POINT DRIVE
FEBRUARY 26, 2024
WORK SESSION
The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the
26th day of February at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular
City Council meeting.
Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor
Tito Rodriguez Place 1
Rita Wright Oujesky Place 2
Suzy Compton Place 3
Mason Orr Place 4
Blake Vaughn Associate Mayor Pro Tern, Place 5
Scott Turnage Deputy Mayor Pro Tern, Place 6
Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tern, Place 7
Staff Members: Mark Hindman City Manager
Paulette Hartman Deputy City Manager
Karen Manila Assistant City Manager
Trudy Lewis Assistant City Manager
Caroline Waggoner Assistant City Manager
Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer
Cara White Interim City Attorney
Staff Absent: Karen Manila Assistant City Manager
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
1. DISCUSS ITEMS FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Mayor Trevino stated that staff recommends City Council remove item B.2 from the
consent agenda and take no action on them item.
2. DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY.
Assistant City Manager Caroline Waggoner provided an overview of the city's traffic
calming policy. In 1994, the City Council approved an ordinance for "road humps", which
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was subsequently amended in 2001. The ordinance addressed road humps in low
density areas with the cost being the responsibility of the residents. In 2003, the
ordinance was repealed and the city adopted an internal traffic calming policy managed
by staff. She shared that the cost of road humps installed after 2003 were split 50/50
between the city and residents. Ms. Waggoner reviewed the eligibility requirements and
evaluation criteria used by staff to determine the street's suitability for traffic calming
measures. The traffic calming policy has a tiered approach to traffic calming measures:
Tier 1 - improved speed limit signage, police enforcement measures, and driver feedback
signs and Tier 2 - rumble strips and speed humps. Ms. Waggoner provided an illustration
for residential traffic studies conducted and the number of streets eligible for road humps
from 2000-2023. She shared that the city conducted 71 studies (33% approved) between
2001-2023 compared to 97 studies between 1993-2000.
Eligibility for traffic calming measures -
- Functionally classified as local, as specified in the City of North Richland Hills'
Transportation Plan
- No more than two travel lanes, one in each direction
- Traffic volumes must be less than four thousand (4,000) vehicles per day (vpd). Priority
shall be given to streets that have traffic volumes that exceed two thousand (2,000) vpd on
an average day.
- Posted or prima facie speed limit of 30 mph or less in accordance with the state law.
Evaluation criteria for traffic calming measures -
- Traffic Volumes (average weekday)
- Traffic Speed (average weekday)
- Posted Speed Limit
- Physical Data (width, drainage, horizontal and vertical alignment)
-Accident Data
- Sidewalks
- Mid-Block Crosswalks
- Location of schools and community facilities
- Routes of emergency vehicles
City Council and staff discussed the philosophy of the 85% percentile; educating vs.
discouraging the public regarding traffic calming measures; city's concern with deploying
speed humps near schools; how the city determines traffic volume; opportunity for the
public to appeal staffs decision; the necessary number of people (3) to start the process
and 80% of the neighbors on the street in agreement for the neighborhood's participation
for road humps; and how speed cushions are installed.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEM(S)
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There were no requests from City Council for future agenda items.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. SECTION 551.071: CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY TO SEEK
ADVICE ABOUT PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION - DEMAND
LETTER RECEIVED FROM JOE HALE.
Mayor Trevino announced at 6:26 p.m. that the City Council would adjourn into Executive
Session as authorized by Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, specifically Section
551.071: Consultation with the City Attorney to seek advice about pending or
contemplated litigation - Demand letter received from Joe Hale. Executive Session began
at 6:28 p.m. and concluded at 6:38 p.m.
Mayor Trevino announced at 6:38 p.m. that City Council would convene to the regular
City Council meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
A. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor
Tito Rodriguez Place 1
Rita Wright Oujesky Place 2
Suzy Compton Place 3
Mason Orr Place 4
Blake Vaughn Associate Mayor Pro Tern, Place 5
Scott Turnage Deputy Mayor Pro Tern, Place 6
Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7
Staff Members: Mark Hindman City Manager
Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer
Cara White Interim City Attorney
A.1 INVOCATION
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Turnage gave the invocation.
A.2 PLEDGE
Deputy Mayor Pro Tern Turnage led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and
Texas flags.
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A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)AND RECOGNITION(S)
There were no items for this category.
A.4 CITIZENS PRESENTATION
Mr. Russ Mitchell, 3917 Diamond Loch West, shared that he discussed his concerns for
Fossil Creek with the Parks and Recreation Board. He expressed his gratitude to city
employee Tanner Arwine and Adrien Pekurney for the work performed at Fossil Creek
Park. He asked City Council to contact the Army Corps of Engineers for their assistance
at Fossil Creek Park.
A.5 PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no requests to speak from the public.
A.6 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Orr removed item B.2 from the consent agenda.
B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
APPROVED
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT OUJESKY, SECONDED BY
MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF B.2
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
B.1 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
8.2 Item removed from the consent agenda.
B.3 AWARD RFB NO. 24-007 TO THE PAYSAGE GROUP LLC DBA SMITH LAWN
AND TREE IN THE AMOUNT OF $825,347 FOR PARKS, FACILITIES AND
RIGHTS-OF-WAY MOWING AND LANDSCAPING SERVICES.
B.4 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2024-014, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF
THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ALLOCATED FUNDS IF
AWARDED FOR THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANT FOR CITY POINT TRAIL, GRANT
#REC-2024-CITY OF NRH-00050.
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B.5 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2024-015, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION
OF THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ALLOCATED FUNDS IF
AWARDED FOR THE TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE COMMUNITY TREE
PLANTING GRANT FOR IRON HORSE BOULEVARD.
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS
C.1 ZC24-0093, ORDINANCE NO. 3841, PUBLIC HEARING AND
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES
FOR A REVISION TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT 36 AT 9101 NORTH
TARRANT PARKWAY, BEING 24.65 ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 1A1,
BLOCK 1, WAL-MART ADDITION.
APPROVED
Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing for items C.1 and C.2 and called on Director of
Planning Clayton Comstock to introduce the items. Mayor Trevino announced that items
C.1 and C.2 would be presented together and that City Council would take separate
action on each item.
Mr. Comstock informed City Council the applicant is requesting a revision to Planned
Development 36 to allow a drone "heliport/landing pad" in the Walmart Supercenter
parking lot at 9101 North Tarrant Parkway. The companion item, C.2, is a request for a
special use permit for a drone "heliport/landing pad" in the Walmart Supercenter parking
lot at 6401 Northeast Loop 820. Mr. Comstock presented site photos of the property.
Mr. Ivan Jaime, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Walmart, 16503 Road, San
Antonio, Texas, presented the request. In attendance with Mr. Jaime were North Richland
Hills Walmart store managers Jeff Flood and Andrew Richard.
Applicant representative Bernice Espinoza with Kimley Horn & Associates in the San
Antonio office, presented the site plans for the drone delivery locations. She shared that
both site plans show the "heliport/landing pad" will be located in the existing parking lot
and will use 28 parking spots.
Mr. Bailey Edwards with Wing Aviation, 3400 Hillview Avenue, Suite 4, Palo Alto,
California, provided an overview of their company that started in 2012 and became a
stand-alone company in 2018. In response to the demand for commercial delivery, their
company has completed 350,000 commercial deliveries across three continents. Their
drones weigh 11.4 pounds, fly at 65 miles per hours at 150 feet in the air and have a
delivery range of six miles. The maximum weight a drone can carry is 2.6 pounds. Mr.
Edwards shared that they are regulated by FAA for airspace safety and flying routes.
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City Council and Mr. Edwards discussed routes of the drone, distance range from the
stores, deliveries to adjacent cities within the six mile range, privacy for citizens (camera
on drone), eligibility for delivery may not be available for properties with a lot of trees,
options for front or back yard delivery, safety of drones, delivery hours, unique routing
for drones, weather restrictions, delivery to apartments, customer service and cost for
delivery service.
Mr. Comstock presented staffs report. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their
February 15, 2024 meeting, recommended approval with a vote of 5-0 for both requests.
This is a one-year pilot program and staff plans to receive comments from the public
during the pilot program. Staff received one complaint and a copy was provided to City
Council tonight.
Mayor Trevino asked the City Secretary to call on those who completed a public meeting
appearance form to speak during the public hearing. There being no forms submitted,
Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak for or against
the item to come forward.
Ms. Tracy Bennett, 3825 Scruggs Drive, asked what data the city would like to see from
the pilot program, how long the drone video is maintained, and which municipality
receives sales tax if deliveries are to adjacent cities.
Mayor Trevino asked staff to respond to the sales tax question.
Mr. Hindman clarified that North Richland Hills would receive the sales tax if merchandise
is ordered from stores in our city.
There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM TURNAGE, SECONDED BY
COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT OUJESKY TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3841.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
C.2 ZC24-0094, ORDINANCE NO. 3842, PUBLIC HEARING AND
CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES
FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A HELIPORT/LANDING FIELD AT 6401
NE LOOP 820, BEING 25.09 ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 1R, BLOCK 6,
TAPP ADDITION.
APPROVED
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This item was presented in conjunction with item C.1.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORR, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER RODRIGUEZ TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3842.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
C.3 CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3843, PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER TEXT
REVISIONS AND AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 118 - ZONING, ARTICLE V,
DIVISION 5, AS WELL AS CHAPTER 10 - AMUSEMENTS AND
ENTERTAINMENT OF THE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CODE OF
ORDINANCES REGARDING PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO COMBINE
PROVISIONS ADDRESSING COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL EVENTS,
INCLUDING GARAGE/ESTATE SALES.
APPROVED
Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing and called on Director of Neighborhood
Services Stefanie Martinez to introduce the item.
Ms. Martinez provided an overview of the proposed amendments that clarify and address
community and special events, to include garage/estate sales. The ordinance provides
flexibility for property owners, estate sale organizers, private businesses and non-profit
organizations.
Mayor Trevino asked the City Secretary to call on those who completed a public meeting
appearance form to speak during the public hearing. There being no forms submitted,
Mayor Trevino asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak on the item to
come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor Trevino closed the public
hearing.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRIGHT OUJESKY, SECONDED BY
COUNCIL MEMBER COMPTON TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3843.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
D. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
There were no items for this category.
E. PUBLIC WORKS
There were no items for this category.
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F. GENERAL ITEMS
F.1 AUTHORIZATION TO REJECT BID RECEIVED FOR BID NO. 24-008 FOR THE
NRH2O GREEN EXTREME REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
APPROVED
Director of Parks and Recreation Adrien Pekurney advised the item for City Council's
consideration is to reject the bids for the NRH2O Green Extreme replacement
construction project. The bid exceeded the available funding and timeline. Staff is
developing an alternate approach for the construction and timeline, revising the
construction specifications and will re-bid the project.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ORR, SECONDED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER RODRIGUEZ TO REJECT ALL BIDS RECEIVED FOR BID NO. 24-008 FOR THE
NRH2O GREEN EXTREME REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
F.2 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2024-016, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A
REGIONAL GRANT APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ALLOCATED
FUNDS IF AWARDED FOR THE FY 2023 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS
GRANT (AFG) PROGRAM - VEHICLE ACQUISITION IN THE AMOUNT OF UP
TO $1,000,000 WITH THE MATCH BEING UP TO $100,000 AND AUTHORIZE
THE EXECUTION OF THE ASSOCIATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
APPROVED
Fire Chief Stan Tinney shared that the Fire Department is coordinating a grant
application for a mobile command vehicle. The application is through the Assistance to
Firefighters Grant (AFG) which funds critically needed resources. The City of North
Richland Hills is a member of the Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA) and
the North Richland Hills Fire Department will serve as the administrator if the grant is
awarded. The application requests $1,000,000 in funding to replace a command post
vehicle for NEFDA. The local match of 10% ($100,000) will funded by NEFDA.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR
PRO TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-016.
MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0.
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B.2 AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE SOLID
WASTE GRANT PROGRAM.
NO ACTION TAKEN BY CITY COUNCIL.
G. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION ON ANY
ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION
AGENDA
Mayor Trevino announced there was no action necessary as the result of Executive
Session.
H. INFORMATION AND REPORTS
H.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council member Orr made the following announcements.
New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box returns to the NRH Library this Tuesday,
February 27, 2024 to celebrate the release of his new book, Three-Inch Teeth. This free
event will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the library. Please visit the library website
for more details.
Join NRH Parks & Recreation the first Saturday of the month at different park locations
for Play Today NRH. On Saturday, March 2, 2024 they will be at Northfield Park with
games and activities from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Early voting for the March 5, 2024 Democratic and Republican Primaries continues
through March 1, 2024. Area polling locations include City Point United Methodist
Church, the former Bursey Road Senior Center, and Tarrant County Northeast
Courthouse. Visit the Tarrant County Elections website to access your sample ballot,
voting hours and more information.
Kudos Korner - Drew Weinberg, Kent Spencer, Todd Mayes, Casey Kirkpatrick, and
Brandon Moore in the Fire Department - A resident shared a note of appreciation for the
crew that responded when she had a medical emergency. "All were kind, patient, and at
the same time professional. I realize it's their job, but they made something serious less
scary and were right beside me from the time they arrived at my house to when they took
me to the ER. Thank you."
I. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
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car vino, Mayor
ATTEST:
Alicia Richardson
City Secretary/Chief GoverpWe
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