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Home My WebLink AboutCPA 2025-08-14 Minutes CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS 2025 CAPITAL PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2025, 6:00 PM COMMUNITY ROOM NORTH RICHLAND HILLS CITY HALL The 2025 Capital Program Advisory Committee met on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the North Richland Hills City Hall. The following members were present: Tito Rodriguez, Chair, Richard Davis Vice Chair, Mona Bailey, Jane Birkes, Suzy Compton, Darlisa Diltz, Brianne Goetz, Rodney Glenn, Patti Hourihan, Elouise Kennedy, Dave Lambson, Julia Miller, David Newhouse, Sean Nutt, Brad Pipes, Adam Pope, John Schleeter, Steve Tate, Joe Tolbert, Marc Trevino, Gary Vieregger, Justin Welborn, Bill Whitsett, Mark Wood The following members were absent: Don Buehrer Mike Kerby, Miles Maze, Kyle Pekurney, Ann Perchard, Jason Roberts Staff present at the meeting were: Paulette Hartman, City Manager, Caroline Waggoner, Assistant City Manager, Trudy J. Lewis, Assistant City Manager, Mary Peters, Public Information Director, Cecilia Barham, Director of Library Services, Boe Blankenship, Director of Public Works, Stan Tinney, Fire Chief Chase Fosse, Budget & Research Director, Jennipher Castellanos, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Dakota Ford, Digital Content Producer Elected Officials present at the meeting were: Mayor Jack McCarty CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Tito Rodriguez at 6:02 p.m. Chair Rodriguez made introductions and thanked everyone for attending and went through introductions with the committee and staff. During the meeting, Mayor McCarty discussed the committee's guiding principles and stressed the importance of providing feedback. The Mayor also thanked the committee members for their participation. In addition, Chair Rodriguez explained the duties of the committee. II. REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY OPERATIONS AND GROWTH City Manager, Paulette Hartman provided a comprehensive overview of North Richland Hills, detailing its profile as a centrally located city. The presentation covered key demographics, including the city's population, average household income, and number of housing units. Discussion also included the number of local businesses and both the workplace and daytime populations. Ms. Hartman reviewed historical growth trends and the anticipated peak population by 2030, along with a breakdown of the median age and population distribution within Tarrant County. Additionally, the presentation covered average income and education attainment in the city, as well as an overview of where North Richland Hills residents are employed and where NRH employees live. Ms. Hartman concluded by highlighting the average single-family home market values in the city. Ms. Hartman presented a high-level overview of North Richland Hills' development trends. The presentation covered a breakdown of permits issued since Fiscal Year 2023, with an emphasis on the city's unique location within the Metroplex. Ms. Hartman also noted that the city is 95% built out, and while discussing residential trends, confirmed that North Richland Hills has not approved any "build-to-rent" lots and does not intend to. The presentation also highlighted positive business trends, citing the city's success in attracting new businesses, including several full-service restaurants. Ms. Hartman pointed out that North Richland Hills' sales tax is trending slightly upward, between 2.5% and 3%, and that a 4% increase has been estimated for the FY 2025-2026 proposed budget due to anticipated new business revenue. III. REVIEW AND DISCUSS CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS FUNDING INCLUDING AN OVERVIEW OF CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION BONDS, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, AND PROPERTY TAX RATE Assistant City Manager Trudy Lewis presented a high-level overview of the city's debt capacity and financial strategy. The presentation clarified key financial terms and debt management principles, noting that the city seeks diverse revenue sources to fund capital projects. A capital project was defined as costing $50,000 or more. The committee reviewed an overview of the city's outstanding debt, which is composed of two primary types: General Obligation Bonds (GOs) and Certificates of Obligation (COs). The presentation clarified the city's tax rate is made up of a Maintenance & Operations Rate and a Debt Rate. The discussion also covered how the committee will make project recommendations in the coming months,with each project standing on its own at the ballot. Ms. Lewis provided scenarios on how various project costs could impact the tax rate, using the average single-family home value of $285,147 as an example. It was also clarified that the committee's decisions will not impact the city's pension fund. City Manager Paulette Hartman concluded by stating that staff will provide detailed information on potential projects for the committee to review. Ms. Lewis and Ms. Hartman addressed questions from the committee members. IV. REVIEW AND DISCUSS UNIFORM ELECTION DATES, PROCESS FOR CALLING AN ELECTION AND HISTORY OF BOND ELECTIONS IN NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Ms. Hartman discussed the uniform election dates. These dates are the first Saturday in May, and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The Uniform Election dates for 2026 are: • First Saturday in May (05/02/2026) and • First Tuesday after the First Monday in November (11/03/2026) Ms. Hartman explained the deadlines in place to call for an election. In addition, Ms. Hartman briefly discussed the upcoming 2026 election cycle and clarified that to have an election in November the election has to be called in August. Ms. Hartman indicated meetings will start at 6pm and wrap up at the latest by 8pm. Ms. Hartman addressed questions from the committee members. V. REVIEW AND DISCUSS PROJECT TYPES TO BE PRESENTED AT FUTURE MEETINGS Assistant City Manager Caroline Waggoner updated the committee on the 2020 Bond Program and provided an initial list of potential projects and project types that will be presented for the committee to consider for the 2026 Bond Program. The proposed projects include street reconstruction, library upgrades, fire station improvements, and enhancements to the Municipal/Public Works Service Center. City Manager Paulette Hartman clarified that the recommended street projects for the 2026 Bond Program will focus on full-scale reconstructions that cannot be funded through the city's annual preventive street maintenance program, which handles routine issues like potholes and crack sealing. The committee will also review the updated list of remaining street projects from the 2020 Bond Program to identify additional needs. To maximize bond funds, staff will continue to seek out opportunities to offset project costs and enter into interlocal agreements with partners like Tarrant County to secure additional funding. Ms. Hartman noted that the committee will be spending considerable time reviewing each project type in detail in the coming months. The next meeting will focus specifically on the fire station projects, with a tour of the facilities likely to be scheduled to give the committee a better understanding of the issues. Ms. Hartman and Ms. Waggoner addressed questions from the committee members. VI. DISCUSS AND SET FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETING DATES Chair Rodriguez announced that future committee meetings would be held in the community room at the City Hall. The committee discussed the schedule for future meeting days, and agreed upon the following dates: • Tuesday, September 2, 2025 • Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Tuesday, September 16, 2025 • Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Tuesday, April 21, 2026 • Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Friday, May 1, 2026 • Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Tuesday, June 16, 2026 The committee requested that staff reschedule the following meeting dates due to potential conflicts: • Tuesday, October 7, 2025 • Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Tuesday, March 17, 2026 Ms. Hartman stated that the committee will be provided with a list of names and emails for city staff and that project information will be made available during the next meeting. VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS An opportunity for citizens to address the 2025 Capital Program Advisory Committee on matters which are scheduled on this agenda for consideration by the 2025 Capital Program Advisory Committee, but not scheduled as a public hearing. In order to address the 2025 Capital Program Advisory Committee during public comments, a Public Meeting Appearance Card must be completed and presented to the recording secretary prior to the start of the 2025 Capital Program Advisory Committee meeting. There were no requests to speak from the public. Ms. Hartman addressed questions from the committee members. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair Rodriguez at 7:36 p.m. APPROVED: Tito Rodriguez, Chair a) Jennipher Castellanos, Secretary