HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2024-07-11 Minutes MINUTES OF THE STRATEGIC VISION/GOALS WORK SESSION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS,
HELD AT CITY HALL, COMMUNITY ROOM
4301 CITY POINT DRIVE
J U LY 11-12, 2024
Present: Jack McCarty Mayor
Tito Rodriguez Place 1
Ricky Rodriguez Associate Mayor Pro Tern, Place 2
Suzy Compton Place 3
Matt Blake Place 4
Blake Vaughn Deputy Mayor Pro Tern, Place 5
Russ Mitchell Place 6
Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tern, Place 7
Staff Members: Paulette Hartman City Manager
Trudy Lewis Assistant City Manager
Caroline Waggoner Assistant City Manager
Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer
Mary Peters Communications Director
Billy Owens Assistant to the City Manager
The City Council met on July 11, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluded on July 12,
2024 for the purpose of reviewing and setting goals, objectives and strategies. Mr. Randy
Pennington, Pennington Performance Group, was the facilitator for the work session.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McCarty called the work session to order July 11, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. with the City
Council and staff present as recorded. Mayor McCarty and City Manager Paulette
Hartman gave opening remarks.
GROUND RULES AND LOGISTICS FOR SESSION
Mr. Pennington informed City Council they would focus on policy issues, steps to move
the city toward the City Council's vision for North Richland Hills, determine action on major
issues facing the community, and guidance to staff regarding priorities, sense of urgency,
accountability and follow-up timeframes. The final plan will reflect key action to move the
City Council forward based on advancing that vision.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
Mr. Pennington reviewed the results of the survey taken by City Council regarding the
city's current goals. The responses to the survey questions were excellent, good, fair,
poor and not sure.
July 11-12, 2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 1 of 13
Targeted economic development: This The results of the survey are mainly good
goal focuses on attracting and retaining with some indicating fair and poor and
businesses and jobs to NRH. It includes one excellent.
attracting companies that provide higher-
wage jobs, retaining current businesses, The lower ratings are attributable to
and strategic land use. plans not being executed.
City Council discussed the appearance of the city being restrictive (ordinances) to
businesses, the difference following the covid pandemic, attracting and keeping
sustainable businesses, balance of revitalizing corridors and welcoming new businesses,
and the shift in the city's demographics.
City Manager Paulette Hartman commented that the city must do a better job of telling
our story and having one-on-one meetings with developers.
Efficient and effective delivery of City The results of the survey are mainly good
services: This goal focuses on delivery of with some indicating excellent and fair.
core services, maintaining city facilities
and infrastructure, and promoting a
culture of service that attracts/retains
staff.
Local and regional leadership: This goal The results of the survey are mainly
focuses on NRH leaders being involved in excellent and good with some indicating
and showing leadership on regional fair. While there is a sense for the city to
issues. It also includes being proactive be involved in regional issues to serve as
with communication on legislative issues an influence for North Richland Hills,
that affect the city. most cities do not have it listed in their
goals.
Should the current goals remain a focus The results of the survey indicate that
moving forward. safety and security, quality community
development and revitalization, financial
stability, sense of community and
efficient and effective delivery of city
services should be included in the future
goals.
While positive city image and targeted
economic development were also
identified as being in future goals, both
received the response that it is "nice to
have" rather than "have to have" as a
goal.
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 2 of 13
The results related to local regional
leadership indicate that it should not be
included as a goal.
Safety and security: This goal focuses on The results of the survey are mainly good
keeping NRH safe. It included police, fire, with some indicating excellent and fair.
and EMS readiness and response.
A sense of community: This goal focuses The results of the survey are mainly
on activities that enhance the quality of excellent with some indicating good.
life for NRH residents. It includes parks,
recreation,trails, library, cultural arts, and
promoting volunteerism across the
community.
Financial stability: This goal focuses on The results of the survey are excellent
maintaining a stable, predictable revenue and good with some indicating fair.
stream and tax rate. It also includes
financial policies that maintain our bond
rating.
Quality community development and The results of the survey are mainly fair
revitalization: This goal focuses on with some indicating good and excellent.
revitalizing residential neighborhoods
and commercial centers as well as code
enforcement.
Positive city image: This goal focuses on The results of the survey are mainly good
maintaining positive communication flow with some indicating excellent, fair, and
with citizens, promoting NRH across the poor.
region, sharing city successes, and
providing a welcoming experience to new
residents.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 10:01 a.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 10:16, with the same members present
excluding Council members Rodriguez and Mitchell.
Mr. Pennington reviewed comments as the result of his one-on-one conversations with
City Council.
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City Council Goals Work Session
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The following are wins that make City Council proud of North Richland Hills.
Overall sense of North Richland Hills feels TexRail and Transit
community, it is a mid- safe. Oriented Development
sized city but still feels like (TOD) and developments
a small town around the Iron Horse
Station and soon to be
around the Smithfield
Station.
Larger plots of land within Our growth has been City staff in most cases
the city with a country look. good, and the city has a cordial and represent our
good reputation for city well.
working with bigger cities.
Library and NRH Centre. Parks and trail system. Economic development
gains: City Point
Development, Peppa Pig,
new dining opportunities.
Focus parks and Quality of life events High-quality city facilities.
recreation department on presented by the parks
making this a great place department and the library
for raising families. to residents of all ages.
City-wide communication. It's a place where, when
you grow up in North
Richland Hills, you want to
stay in North Richland
Hills.
City Council discussed how communication with the community has evolved over the
years. The expectation of being considered responsive varies for different generations.
Council members Mitchell and Rodriguez present at 10:22 a.m.
The following areas are where the City Council believes the city has missed the mark.
Street maintenance We need to consider a Code enforcement: there
revitalization group made are still areas of the city that
up of folks in part from need to be addressed.
those areas in need of
revitalization.
Not the fault of the city, Police department hires Driving efficiency needs to
businesses that are past and retention. be a priority.
deadline for opening.
Auditing codes and Restaurants and Over build of apartments
permitting regulations. entertainment. instead and family focused
living.
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City Council Goals Work Session
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Hotels - still waiting for More focus attention on Revitalization,
construction. deteriorating parks. redevelopment in some of
our older areas of North
Richland Hills.
Not able to pull in more Speeding traffic and red- South side redevelopment
mid to upscale dining. light runners. has been a focus but isn't
proceeding as quickly as
planned.
Attracting new business, Failed to remove burdens Lack of transparency into
especially restaurants. stifling economic staff culture.
development.
Inclusiveness Communication Building affordable single-
family homes.
Misplaced priorities seem
to be focused on career
enhancement rather than
citizen priorities.
Mr. Pennington's observations from his interviews are that no one on the City Council
believes the city is completely broken, and everyone wants to contribute to its success.
Coming off the campaign, it may be a little challenging at first to work as a team. The City
Council must decide if it is going to operate as a team or a group of individuals who
respectfully work together while representing their constituents' views.
REVIEWED ROLES OF COUNCIL AND STAFF
Mr. Pennington and City Council discussed team and individual approaches as they relate
to City Council and staff. Mr. Pennington and Ms. Hartman discussed the concern from
staff's perspective. Ms. Hartman commented that fear of change is natural, and that staff
is managing and embracing the change.
Mr. Pennington shared that the team of North Richland Hills is comprised of City Council
who sets the direction and policies. The leadership (city manager) steers the boat and
staff drives the boat. He commented that City Council needs to be okay with staff driving.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn stated that he welcomes feedback and information from
staff. The information provided to elected officials allows them to make decisions. It is not
staff's position to get involved in politics.
Mr. Pennington discussed the five categories of trust (1) character, (2) competence, (3)
consistency, (4) communication, and (5) courage. Mr. Pennington asked City Council to
discuss their level of trust with members of City Council on a scale of 1-10. The majority
rated their trust level in the 8-10 range.
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City Council Goals Work Session
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Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 11:41 a.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 12:10 p.m., with the same members present
except Council member Rodriguez. Also in attendance for the afternoon were the
following directors:Adrien Pekurney, Director of Parks and Recreation; Boe Blankenship,
Director of Public Works; Cecilia Barham, Director of Library Services; Chase Fosse,
Director of Budget and research; Clayton Comstock, Managing Director of Development
Services; Craig Hulse, Director of Economic Development; Eric Von Schimmelmann,
Director of Information Technology; Jay Patel, Director of Finance; Mike Young, Chief of
Police; Patrick Hillis, Director of Human Resources; Rebecca Vinson, Municipal Court
Administrator; Stan Tinney, Fire Chief; and Stefanie Martinez, Director of Neighborhood
Services.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY MISSION, VISION AND STRATEGIC GOALS
Mr. Pennington reviewed the city's current mission statement.
To ensure an exceptional quality of life and long-term viability of North Richland Hills
through local leadership and regional cooperation.
City Council discussed the current mission statement and its intended audience. They
discussed the importance of the mission statement focusing accountability and the
residents.
The consensus of City Council was to update the city's mission statement.
To promote an exceptional quality of life for our community by being resident-focused,
fiscally responsible, and business-friendly.
Mr. Pennington reviewed the city's current vision statement.
The City of Choice to live, work, and play.
A community for
• Quality neighborhoods (sustainable & revitalized)
• Exceptional family living and leisure activities
• Connection to great business and job opportunities
Mr. Pennington and City Council discussed the current vision statement and values
important to incorporate into the city's vision.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 1:38 p.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 6 of 13
The consensus of City Council was to update the city's vision statement.
To be the standard for transparent, resident-focused, fiscally responsible, business-
welcoming municipal government in Texas.
Council member Rodriguez present at 2:45 p.m.
Mr. Pennington reviewed the city's current goals. He asked if the goals are still relevant
or need to be modified.
Goal #1: Quality Community Development and Revitalization
Goal #2: Efficient and Effective Transportation Systems
Goal #3: Safety & Security
Goal #4: Financial Stability
Goal #5: Positive City Image
Goal #6: A Sense of Community
Goal #7: Targeted Economic Development
Goal #8: Local and Regional Leadership
Goal #9: Efficient and Effective Delivery of City Services
The City Council discussed the current goals and the direction they want for the city and
residents.They want the city to be known as business-friendly and resident-friendly. They
discussed resident engagement, fiscal responsibility, and measurable metrics for goals.
The consensus of City Council was to update the city's goals.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 3:44 p.m. and announced that the City Council
would reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the work session at 8:30 a.m. on July 12, 2024, with the
following members present.
Present: Jack McCarty Mayor
Tito Rodriguez Place 1
Ricky Rodriguez Associate Mayor Pro Tem, Place 2
Suzy Compton Place 3
Matt Blake Place 4
Blake Vaughn Deputy Mayor Pro Tern, Place 5
Russ Mitchell Place 6
Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7
Staff Members: Paulette Hartman City Manager
Trudy Lewis Assistant City Manager
Caroline Waggoner Assistant City Manager
Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer
Mary Peters Communications Director
Billy Owens Assistant to the City Manager
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 7 of 13
Adrien Pekurney Director of Parks and Recreation
Boe Blankenship Director of Public Works
Cecilia Barham Director of Library Services
Chase Fosse Director of Budget and Research
Clayton Comstock Managing Director of Development Services;
Craig Hulse Director of Economic Development
Eric Von Schimmelmann Director of Information Technology
Jay Patel Director of Finance
Mike Young Chief of Police
Patrick Hillis Director of Human Resources
Rebecca Vinson Municipal Court Administrator
Stan Tinney Fire Chief
Stefanie Martinez Director of Neighborhood Services.
Mr. Pennington reviewed City Council's discussion and consensus for the city's new
mission and vision statement. Mr. Pennington also reviewed City Council's discussion
regarding new goals for the city. He shared that he added safety, security, and
infrastructure.
The consensus of City Council was to update the city's goals. City Council and staff
discussed the new goals for the city.
Drive operational excellence into every area.
Become easier to do business with.
Steward the public's money well.
Be a great place to work.
Revitalize neighborhood and commercial corridors.
Engage residents to enhance connection with the city and their neighbors.
Improve safety, security, and infrastructure every day.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 9:39 a.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
City Council and staff broke into sessions to identify objectives to implement the newly
created goals. City Council discussed and placed objectives in high, medium and low
priority.
Goal: Drive operational excellence into every area
High priority:
• Create and reinforce a continuous improvement mindset that seeks to drive
efficiency and effectiveness into every area of the operation and make the best
use of resources.
July 11-12, 2024
City Council Goals Work Session
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• Define and articulate expectations for performance and results. Set targets for
efficiency and effectiveness that can be objectively measured and tracked.
Implement measurement processes and tools.
• Provide continuous improvement tools and training that equip team members to
measure and improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Implement continuous improvement tools and techniques.
Goal: Become easier to do business with.
High priority:
• Break down walls/silos between departments
• Eliminate burdensome or outdated regulations.
• Create a process change advocate in every department.
Medium priority:
• Implement an incentive/recognition program for ideas that make us easier to do
business with based on criteria such as:
o Cost savings
o Resource utilization
o Productivity improvements
• Integrate innovative technology in every department to gather customer feedback
and improve ease of doing business such as:
o Self-service options for customers
o Feedback with every interaction
• Phone
• In-person
• Online
Low priority:
• Establish a customer service advocate for all customer interactions.
Goal: Steward the public's money well.
High priority:
• Continually improve financial policies and procedures based on best practices.
• Collaboratively develop a long-term financing strategy for capital needs (debt vs.
pay-as-you-go).
• Maximize the benefit of public funds through effective cash flow management.
• Conduct targeted, credible efficiency audits of city operations with the goal of
maintaining or improving service levels with fewer resources.
• Increase collaboration with the community in the budget development process.
• Go beyond compliance as the minimum standard for determining the best use of
public funds. Set a higher standard for transparency and stewardship.
July 11-12, 2024
City Council Goals Work Session
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Medium priority:
• Emphasize understanding of municipal budget through public education and input
into budget development.
• Educate the public on how the city manages its finances:
o Capital cost plan
o Pay as you go and debt service plan
o Budget preparation
o Cost accounting
Goal: Be a great place to work
High priority:
• Utilize new technology and tools for recruiting candidates.
• Celebrate successes internally and externally.
• Adapt the culture to focus on operational excellence. Continuous improvement and
serving North Richland Hills citizens.
Medium priority:
• Utilize cross-departmental kudos to celebrate small success.
• Create more frequent feedback opportunities for employees to tell us how we are
doing and what we can do to make their job easier and more enjoyable (employee
surveys).
• Continuously using the portal.
• Enhance the marketing of North Richland Hills as a great place to work.
• Continuously evaluate and upgrade job descriptions.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 12:04 p.m.
Goal: Revitalize neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
High priority:
• Create a campaign "open for business", letting citizens and businesses know what
types of businesses are desired.
• Enhance the Business Improvement and Growth (BIG) program.
• Proactively create incentive packages for desired uses by developers in
designated areas.
• Utilize and promote neighborhood and commercial revitalization programs or
reinstate in another area or zone.
• Create and utilize Empowerment Zones.
• Enhance EZ Streets Program and expand in other areas (South of 820).
• Consistently enforce minimum, but fair development standards.
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 10 of 13
Medium priority:
• Review existing development zones to ensure realistic and available standards.
Low priority:
• Revise and focus code enforcement process on repeat violators more than one-
off violations. Show understanding early.
Goal: Engage residents to enhance connection with the city and their neighbors.
High priority:
• Continue paper newsletters.
• Make sure there is always an "N/A" response option on surveys.
• Continue communication and promotions for community events on all channels.
• Implement the NRHTX app.
• Conduct more surveys to gather citizen input and feedback more frequently
(including at city events). Utilize flash vote surveys.
• Encourage citizen involvement in citizen academy and neighborhood cleanup.
• Expand Fit It Blitz Program to twice a year.
• Include a "What have you done to help your neighbor or neighborhood" message
in the newsletter.
• Expand in-person engagement conversations (coffee shop, town hall, etc.).
• Explore push notifications for communications with residents.
Medium priority:
• Provide recognition for good neighbor behaviors to residents. Promote "the
neighborly thing to do."
• Continue in-person engagement like Homeowners Association meetings and
National Night Out.
• Be proactive with city officials and staff speaking at Homeowners Association
meetings and other community organizations.
• Create a plan for the City Council to be proactive about visiting businesses and
neighborhoods.
• Explore live streaming for all board and commission meetings.
Low priority:
• Explore a way for residents to opt out of print newsletters.
• Examine how to encourage enhanced connection between neighbors.
Goal: Improve safety, security, and infrastructure every day.
High priority:
• Explore new funding strategies for safety, security, and infrastructure including
grant opportunities.
• Enhance preventive maintenance strategies.
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 11 of 13
• Enhance community safety outreach programs—open houses, academies, and
social media.
• Make police department recruitment a priority.
• Improve response times by providing resources and updating processes for
dispatch.
• Improve/continue long-range planning for infrastructure.
• Continuing involvement with Northeast Fire Department Association (NEFDA).
• Continuing staff training for first responders.
• Partner with agencies that share infrastructure (traffic signal enhancement and
coordination).
Medium priority:
• Enhance programs and education messaging on community programs.
• Maintenance standard reviews for preventative maintenance efforts.
• Creative funding strategies for infrastructure.
• Continue to build on partnerships with organizations who can help enhance safety
and security:
o Continue training with local partners like BISD on active shooter drills.
o Partner on traffic flow through signal coordination.
• Improve road safety programs.
• Continue to hold vendors to high standards.
• Promote innovation in the way we provide safety, security, and infrastructure
including cyber security and safety.
• Enhance staff recruitment for hard to fill infrastructure positions.
• Update long-range plans for safety infrastructure.
Mayor McCarty recessed the meeting at 1:52 p.m.
Mayor McCarty reconvened the meeting at 2:02 p.m.
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Vaughn left the meeting at 2:50 p.m.
Mr. Pennington stated that the consensus of the City Council is that the rules make sense.
He suggested that City Council not make changes for a few months.
Mr. Pennington reviewed City Council's House Rules.
• Do your homework and be prepared for each meeting.
• Support final council decisions regardless of individual opinions.
• Consider issues based on what's best for the City of North Richland Hills rather
than personal considerations.
• Be truthful.
• Focus on vision, goals, and targets in making our decisions.
July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
Page 12 of 13
• Be open with communications. Be transparent about your thoughts and actions.
Share information that others would benefit from knowing. Tell others if you
disagree with them.
• Agree to disagree.
• Debate pending issues in the council environment.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated (Treat others with respect).
• Allow each other to discuss items fully.
• Share questions and concerns in advance whenever possible. Don't blindside
staff, council and others to sabotage.
• Respect confidentiality of executive sessions.
• When proactively communicating with citizens, ask everyone rather than a
specific/limited group. Use technology and focus groups to ensure communication
and representation with citizens.
• Be responsive. Follow practice and procedure regarding communication; be aware
of open meetings laws. Be cautious about responding to electronic communication.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no requests to speak from the public.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McCarty adjourned the work session on July 12, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.
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July 11-12,2024
City Council Goals Work Session
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