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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-04-13 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 APRIL 13, 2026 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 13th day of April at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Workroom prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular City Council meeting. Present: Jack McCarty Mayor Cecille Delaney Place 1 Brianne Goetz Place 2 Danny Roberts Place 3 Matt Blake Place 4 Billy Parks 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 Bradley A. Anderle City Attorney CALL TO ORDER Mayor McCarty called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 1. DISCUSS ITEMS FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. City Council had no questions for staff. 2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION - PUBLIC OFFICIAL, PUBLIC EMPLOYEE, OR CITIZEN. New city employees Stephen Barnes, Director of Finance and Zackery Loiselle, Chief Building Official were introduced to the City Council. 3. REVIEW PROPOSED ETHICS ORDINANCE AND AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE. Council member Roberts, on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Council Committee, provided an April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page of12 overview of changes from what was previously presented at the February 23 work session. City Attorney Bradley Anderle informed City Council that Section 2-52 (Quorum) of the Rules of Procedure was changed from four to five members of the City Council to align with State law. The Texas Open Meetings Act (Government Code Chapter 551) defines a quorum as a majority of the governmental body and the North Richland Hills City Charter defines the governing body as the mayor and seven (7) council members. 4. CHARTER ELECTION UPDATE REGARDING TERMS AND TERM LIMITS. City Attorney Bradley Anderle provided an overview of the City Charter Amendments approved at the November 4, 2025 election. Propositions A and B, extending the term length from two to three years and the establishment of term limits, respectively amended Article V, Sections 3 and 3.A. The new term length for the governing body will be phased in with the 2026 and 2027 election cycles. The mayor and council places 2, 4, and 6 will be elected for a three-year term in May 2026 and each election thereafter. Council places 1, 3, 5, and 7 will be elected for a three-year term in May 2027 and each election thereafter. The term limit for a council member, regardless of place, is three terms (nine years). Likewise, the term limit for mayor is three terms (nine years). A person may serve three terms as a council member and three terms as mayor for a cumulative total of 18 years. The term limit begins with the May 2026 (mayor and council places 2, 4, and 6) and May. 2027 (council places 1, 3, 5, and 7) election cycles. The term limit is not retroactive. 5. 2026 RESTAURANT REWARDS UPDATE Director of Economic Development Craig Hulse provided an update on the Restaurant Rewards Program for year 2026. The city increased its users by 93% and monies rewarded by 106% compared to 2025. The program runs through April 30. 6. PRESENTATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PERMITTING EFFICIENCY STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS. City staff presented an update on the Permitting Efficiency Study, reporting departmental progress on audit recommendations across Building Inspections, Planning, Engineering, Fire, and Utility Billing. Staff noted that recommendations are at varying stages of completion and summarized ongoing initiatives including improvements to the water and sewer tap process, organizational restructuring within Building Inspections, and continued cross training among building inspectors and code compliance inspectors and customer service personnel. The update also highlighted team building efforts, April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 12 advancement of the unified EPL (E-Services Portal Transitions) system for plan review and inspections, implementation of standardized pre-application meeting procedures, modernization of public notice signage, and continued development code amendment work. 7. SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRATION PROGRAM UPDATE Managing Director of Community Services Stefanie Martinez provided an overview of the Short Term Rental (STR) registration program. The STR ordinance was adopted October 13, 2025, and includes an annual registration deadline of January 31. The city extended the first year deadline to February 28, 2026. The ordinance allows existing STRs to continue contingent upon the operator receiving a permit from the city. New STRS are only allowed in multi-family (capped at 5% in multi-family complexes), commercial, and Town Center-Core zones. Staffs communication efforts in December and January led to 66 applications and 63 licensed STRs. The city collected $69,000 in past due Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) from STR operators and $10,500 year to date for 2026 Hotel Occupancy Tax. Ms. Martinez provided an update on staffs non-compliance efforts. There are 90 unlicensed properties in the city and 55 of those properties are shown as active. The most common STR complaints received by Code Compliance are excessive parking, trash and trash receptacles set out on wrong days, and parties (occupancy limit). FUTURE AGENDA ITEM(S) There were no requests from City Council for future agenda items. CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Paulette Hartman provided an update on the following: Efficiency studies - the award of bid for the facilities and utility billing studies will be on the April 27 City Council agenda. Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Program - appointment of residents to the Legislative Task Force will be on the April 27 agenda. The first meeting is anticipated to be held in June. Capital Improvement Advisory Committee - the recommended bond propositions will be presented no later than June. Ms. Hartman announced that North Richland Hills has been honored as a 2026 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards winner, earning national recognition based entirely on confidential feedback from city employees. The City ranked among the top organizations across the country and received six awards highlighting strengths in key April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 12 areas of workplace culture. The awards recognize excellence in: employee appreciation, work-life flexibility, employee well-being, compensation & benefits, purpose & values, and professional development. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. SECTION 551.071: CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY TO SEEK ADVICE ABOUT PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION OR ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT - (1) JESSIE GOODFELLOW V. CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, ET AL, CAUSE NO. 352-366545-25; (2) TRAVIS SCOTT GRAY V. CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, ET AL, CIVIL ACTION NO. 4-25CV1276-09; (3) BANK OF THE WEST V. G.Q. ENTERPRISES CORP., ET AL, CAUSE NO. 141-376075-26; (4) SHORT TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS; AND (5) TXDOT SH 26 TURN BACK PROJECT. 2. SECTION 551.087: DELIBERATION REGARDING COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY HAS RECEIVED FROM A BUSINESS PROSPECT THAT THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY SEEKS TO HAVE LOCATE, STAY, OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE TERRITORY OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY AND WITH WHICH THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY IS CONDUCTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR DELIBERATION OF THE OFFER OF A FINANCIAL OR OTHER INCENTIVE TO SUCH A BUSINESS PROSPECT - (1) NORTHEAST CORNER OF BOULEVARD 26 & HARWOOD ROAD AND (2) EZ STREETS EMPOWERMENT ZONE. 3. SECTION 551.074: PERSONNEL MATTERS TO DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, AND DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES -CITY MANAGER Mayor McCarty announced at 6:15 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 City Attorney to seek advice about pending or contemplated litigation or on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with the Open Meetings Act - (1) Jessie Goodfellow v. City of North Richland Hills, et al, Cause No. 352-366545-25; (2) Travis Scott Gray v. City of North Richland Hills, et al, Civil Action No. 4-25CV1276-09; (3) Bank of the West v. G.Q. Enterprises Corp., et al, Cause No. 141-376075-26; (4) Short Term Rental Regulations; and (5) TxDOT SH 26 Turn Back Project, Section 551.087: Deliberation April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 12 regarding commercial or financial information that the governmental body has received from a business prospect that the governmental body seeks to have locate, stay, or expand in or near the territory of the governmental body and with which the governmental body is conducting economic development or deliberation of the offer of a financial or other incentive to such a business prospect - (1) Northeast Corner of Boulevard 26 & Harwood Road and (2) EZ Streets Empowerment Zone and Section 551.074: Personnel Matters to deliberate the employment, evaluation, and duties of public officers or employees - City Manager. Executive Session began at 6:22 p.m. and concluded at 7:26 p.m. Mayor McCarty announced at 7:26 p.m. that City Council would convene to the regular City Council meeting. REGULAR MEETING A. CALL TO ORDER Mayor McCarty called the meeting to order April 13, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Present: Jack McCarty Mayor Cecille Delaney Place 1 Brianne Goetz Place 2 Danny Roberts Place 3 Matt Blake Place 4 Billy Parks Place 5 Russ Mitchell Place 6 Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7 Staff Members: Paulette Hartman City Manager Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer Bradley A. Anderle City Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Council member Delaney gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE Mayor McCarty led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)AND RECOGNITION(S) A.3.1 PRESENTATION BY ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 12 City Council received a presentation from Lisa Mund with Alliance for Children. A.4 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA No items were removed from the consent agenda. B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. B.1 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 23, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. B.2 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2026-021, AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR FIVE FLOCK SAFETY GUNSHOT DETECTION RAVEN DEVICES FROM FLOCK GROUP INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $113,105.02 USING FY 2026 NORTH TEXAS ANTI-GANG CENTER GRANT #2848911 FUNDS AND $125,000.00 USING FY 2027 NORTH TEXAS ANTI-GANG CENTER GRANT #2848912 FUNDS, IF AWARDED, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $238,105.02 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE REGIONAL ASSET TRANSFER ADDENDUMS WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH TO TRANSFER THE SUBSCRIPTIONS APPROVED THEREIN. B.3 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2026-022, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF ALLOCATED FUNDS, IF AWARDED, IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,033 FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS' BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (BJA) FY 2025 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM - LOCAL FORMULA. B.4 TR26-02, ORDINANCE NO. 3950, AMENDING CHAPTER 54, ARTICLE XI RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING ZONE. April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 12 B.5 APPROVE RESOLUTION NO.2026-023, APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE REMNANT DEFENDANTS SETTLEMENT WITH ASSOCIATED PHARMACIES, INC. (AND AMERICAN ASSOCIATED PHARMACIES), J M SMITH CORPORATION, LOUISIANA WHOLESALE DRUG COMPANY, INC., MORRIS AND DICKSON CO., NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL WHOLESALE DRUG COMPANY, INC., AND UNITED NATURAL FOODS, INC. (INCLUDING ITS SUBSIDIARIES SUPERVALU AND ADVANTAGE LOGISTICS). C. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.1 ZC25-0149 , ORDINANCE NO. 3951, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM ELECTRIFY AMERICA LLC FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR AN ACCESSORY NON-REQUIRED OFF-STREET PARKING LOT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING AT 6421 PRECINCT LINE ROAD, BEING 0.975 ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 17R, BLOCK 1, THOMPSON PARK ESTATES. APPROVED • Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for ZC25-0149, Ordinance No. 3951. Principal Planner Clayton Husband informed City Council the applicant is requesting a special use permit for 0.975 acres located at 6421 Precinct Line Road. The area is designated on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as retail commercial and the current zoning is C-1, commercial. Mr. Husband provided site photos of the property. Applicant representatives Nathan Nickerson, 612 Rocky Ledge Road, West Lake Hills, Texas and David Luebke, 2215 Post Road, Austin, Texas presented the request to develop a parking lot with 24 spaces for electric vehicle charging stations. Mr. Nickerson provided a video introduction and simulation photos of the proposed site. City Council and the applicant representatives discussed security cameras, lighting concerns for adjacent neighborhoods, and site entrance/exit and canopy. Mr. Husband presented staffs report. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their March 19, 2026 meeting, recommended approval of the special use permit request with a vote of 4-0. Mayor Pro Tern Deupree inquired if a painted crosswalk would be installed from the parking lot to adjacent businesses. Mr. Husband stated that the request did not include a painted crosswalk, but City Council could require it as condition of approval. There being no forms submitted, Mayor McCarty asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak in favor or against the item to come forward. April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 12 Sean Nutt, 6852 Greenleaf Drive, spoke in support of the request, and asked questions regarding enforcement, idle time and fees. Mr. Luebke responded to the questions. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor McCarty closed the public hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DELANEY TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3951, TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF A PAINTED CROSSWALK TO ADJACENT BUSINESSES. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. C.2 ZC26-0157, ORDINANCE NO. 3952, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM HERNANDEZ AND SON'S LLC FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR A PERMANENT ACCESSORY BUILDING AT 7228 BURSEY ROAD, BEING 2.07 ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 1, BLOCK 1, GRIFFIN ADDITION. • APPROVED Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for ZC26-0157, Ordinance No. 3952. Principal Planner Clayton Husband informed City Council the applicant is requesting a special use permit for 2.07 acres located at 7228 Bursey Road. The area is designated on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as low density residential and the current zoning is RE-1, residential estate. Mr. Husband provided site photos of the property. Property owner Robert Robson, 7228 Bursey Road, informed City Council the purpose for the permanent accessory building is to construct a new and modern garage. Mr. Robson's contractor Christian Hernandez was present and available to answer questions. Mr. Husband presented staffs report. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their March 19, 2026 meeting, recommended approval of the special use permit request with a vote of 4-0. There being no forms submitted, Mayor McCarty asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak in favor or against the item to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor McCarty closed the public hearing. April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 12 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO.3952. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. C.3 TR26-01, ORDINANCE NO. 3953, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING CITY-INITIATED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 118-718 FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVISING ACCESSORY BUILDING AND STRUCTURE REGULATIONS. APPROVED Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for TR26-01, Ordinance No. 3953. City Council received a presentation from Director of Planning Cori Reaume. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their March 19, 2026 meeting, recommended approval of the text amendments to Section 118-718 with a vote of 4-0. There being no forms submitted, Mayor McCarty asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to speak in favor or against the item to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak, Mayor McCarty closed the public hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE TR26-01,ORDINANCE NO.3953. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. D. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E. PUBLIC WORKS E.1 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2026-024, RECOMMENDING THE AWARD OF A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BY TARRANT COUNTY TO XIT PAVING AND CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE DAVID COURT PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE 51ST ANNUAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECT IN THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $339,060. APPROVED City Council received a presentation from City Engineer Nathan Frohman. The project is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026 and will take 70 calendar days to complete. April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 12 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-024. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. F. CITIZENS PRESENTATION There were no requests to speak from the public. G. GENERAL ITEMS G.1 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2026-025, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF FUNDS, IF AWARDED, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 THROUGH THE 2026 WALMART SPARK GOOD LOCAL GRANT PROGRAM. APPROVED City Council received a presentation from Police Chief Jeff Garner. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO.2026-025. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. G.2 CONSIDER. ORDINANCE NO. 3954, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE II, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ADDING DIVISION 4. CODE OF ETHICS. APPROVED Council member Roberts, on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Council Committee, provided an overview of the committee's charge and the purpose, key provisions, and complaint process of the ethics ordinance. Council member Roberts also reviewed the action that can be taken by the City Council regarding complaints filed with the City. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BLAKE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3954. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 7-0. G.3 INTRODUCE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE. April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 12 Council member Roberts, on behalf of the Ad-Hoc Council. Committee, introduced the recommended amendments to the Council Rules of Procedure. The proposed amendments restate and simplify language for the chapter and establishes clear and transparent processes for Section 2-60, Procedural Rules for City Governance. City Attorney Bradley Anderle informed City Council that Section 2-52, Quorum was amended to align with State law (Open Meetings Act, Chapter 551) and the City Charter. Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code defines quorum as the majority of the members of a governing body. The City Charter defines the governing body as the mayor and council members. The governing body has eight (8) members and five is a majority. The language in Section 2-52 was amended to reflect that five members constitutes a quorum of the North Richland Hills City Council. H. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS - CITY COUNCIL MAY TAKE ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION AGENDA There was no action necessary as a result of the executive session. I. INFORMATION AND REPORTS 1.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS Council member Goetz made the following announcements. The Sounds of Spring Concert Series kicks off on Friday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m. on the plaza in front of City Hall. Admission is free. Seating is on the lawn, so don't forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair. A variety of food trucks will be on-site for each concert. Please visit the city's website for more details. Early voting for the May 2 election begins April 20 and will continue April 22 through 28. The voting polls are closed April 21 for San Jacinto Holiday. Registered voters can cast their ballot at North Richland Hills City Hall, the Birdville Independent School District (BISD) Fine Arts Athletics Complex, North Richland Middle School, Smithfield Middle School, or any other Tarrant County polling location. The North Richland Hills Library is not an early voting location for this election. You can view the early voting schedule and your sample ballot on the Tarrant County Elections website. Kudos Korner - Lathan Tolbert in the Planning Department - A real estate management company recently called to share the following: "I wanted you to know what an outstanding job Lathan is doing and how well he is representing the NRH Planning Department. I have had the opportunity to work with Lathan on a couple of projects where I requested supporting documentation for a plat and survey. He was very prompt in his April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 11 of 12 response and accurate with the information he provided. I also observed him interact with another NRH citizen in your office and he was extremely professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. He is an exceptional employee in your department." Thank you, Lathan. Keep up the great work! J. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McCarty adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m. Jack McC-i , Mayor . 05§Rog#94,0 ATTEST: % � �® [AlAte-i-eLgt-A-4---Ttcr" °lc-4"r cf) Alicia Richardson h o ; City Secretary/Chief Governanri p ° tee-°••'.• n:r April 13, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 12 of 12