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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 2026-09-14 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 SEPTEMBER 14, 2026 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 14th day of September at 5:30 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 Russ Mitchell Place 6 Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tem, Place 7 Absent: Matt Blake Place 4 Billy Parks Place 5 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 5:31 p.m. 1. DISCUSS ITEMS FROM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. City Council had no questions for staff. 2. DESTINATION MARKETING PROGRAM UPDATE The City Council received an update on the Destination Marketing Program presented by Director of Economic Development Craig Hulse and Darren Drewitz with Flat Five Marketing, outlining progress made since the program's approval. Mr. Drewitz reviewed the establishment of the advisory and executive committees, completion of market research, and development of the city's positioning statement, tagline, and logo. The selected tagline, "The Place You Never Outgrow," reflects NRH's multi-generational September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 10 appeal and aligns with visitor analytics identifying key audience groups. Council also reviewed the new program logo concept, noted for its playful and approachable design supportive of NRH's identity. Upcoming milestones include finalizing the program website, launching social media platforms, establishing performance benchmarks, and preparing the full program rollout. 3. UPDATE ON THE CITY'S STRATEGIC GOALS, PRIORITIES, AND RELATED INITIATIVES. City Manager Paulette Hartman provided the City Council with a Strategic Plan progress update highlighting measurable advancements across multiple goal areas since the previous report. Staff reported that 18 objectives have been completed, supported by City Council's clear vision, resource allocation, and long-term stability planning. Significant financial stewardship achievements included long-range budget forecasting, cost-savings measures for FY27, and earning three Texas Comptroller Transparency STARS awards. Engagement initiatives progressed through the launch of an in-person Citizens Civic Academy, creation of a Legislative Task Force, and development of a Destination Marketing Program. The report also outlined major workplace, safety, and technology improvements, including Lean Six Sigma training, Al productivity tools, and steps toward a redesigned NRHTX website. Overall, staff noted strong progress across all strategic goals, with 56 active objectives-95% of which are in progress or part of ongoing daily operations. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM(S) There were no requests from City Council for future agenda items. 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) BANK OF THE WEST V. G.Q. ENTERPRISES CORP., ET AL, CAUSE NO. 141-376075-26; (3) AMY VORE V. CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, CAUSE NO. 2026-008722-3; (4) HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATIONS; AND (5) DATA CENTER REGULATIONS. September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 10 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, (2) TRACT 6D01 JOHN H BARLOUGH SURVEY ABSTRACT 130 AND 6201 DAVIS BOULEVARD, (3) 5332 AND 5336 DAVIS BOULEVARD, AND (4) 4517 RUFE SNOW DRIVE. Mayor McCarty announced at 6:28 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) Bank of the West v. G.Q. Enterprises Corp., et al, Cause No. 141-376075-26; (3) Amy Vore v. City of North Richland Hills, Cause No. 2026-008722-3; (4) Housing Finance Corporations; and (5) Data Center Regulations and 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, (2) Tract 6D01 John H Barlough Survey Abstract 130 and 6201 Davis Boulevard, (3) 5332 and 5336 Davis Boulevard, and (4) 4517 Rufe Snow Drive. Executive Session began at 6:33 p.m. and concluded at 6:42 p.m. Mayor McCarty announced at 6:42 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 September 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Jack McCarty Mayor Cecille Delaney Place 1 Brianne Goetz Place 2 September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 10 Danny Roberts Place 3 Billy Parks Place 5 Russ Mitchell Place 6 Kelvin Deupree Mayor Pro Tern, Place 7 Absent: Matt Blake Place 4 Staff Members: Paulette Hartman City Manager Alicia Richardson City Secretary/Chief Governance Officer Bradley A. Anderle City Attorney A.1 INVOCATION Council member Roberts gave the invocation. A.2 PLEDGE Council member Roberts led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S)AND RECOGNITION(S) There are no items for this category. A.4 PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no requests to speak from the public. A.5 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM CONSENT AGENDA There were no requests to remove items from the consent agenda. B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. B.1 APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 10 B.2 CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 2026-052, APPROVING THE CERTIFIED TAX ROLL FOR TAX YEAR 2026. C. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.1 ZC26-0173, ORDINANCE NO. 3976, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM WILSON WHITAKER RYNELL FOR A SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A WINERY (MEADERY) AT 8204 NORTHEAST PARKWAY, BEING 8.32 ACRES DESCRIBED AS LOT 4, BLOCK 3, CULP ADDITION. APPROVED Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for ZC26-0173, Ordinance No. 3976. Ms. Reaume informed City Council the applicant is requesting a special development plan for 8.32 acres located at 8204 Northeast Parkway. The area is designated for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) under the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Surrounding zoning includes TOD to the North, West, and South, and Planned Development(PD) to the East. Ms. Reaume provided site photos of the property. Applicant representative Cory Smith with the Axe & Horn Meadery, 6544 Wickfield Road, presented his request for a small-batch mead manufacturing. He informed City Council the location would not include a public taproom and no on-site consumption. Ms. Reaume presented staff's report. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their September 3, 2026 meeting, recommended approval with a vote of 7-0. 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 DELANEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO.3976. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. C.2 ZC26-0172, ORDINANCE NO. 3977, PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FROM GREGORY RICKS FOR A ZONING CHANGE FROM AG (AGRICULTURAL) TO R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) AT 7412 BURSEY ROAD, BEING 1.92 ACRES DESCRIBED AS TRACT 1 D1, JOHN CONDRA SURVEY,ABSTRACT 310. September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 10 APPROVED Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for ZC26-0172, Ordinance No. 3977. Director of Planning Cori Reaume informed City Council the applicant is requesting a zoning change for 1.92 acres located at 7412 Bursey Road. The area is designated on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as low density residential and the current zoning is AG, agricultural. Ms. Reaume provided site photos of the property. The applicant's son, Drew, presented the request and was available to answer questions. Ms. Reaume presented staffs report. The Planning and Zoning Commission, at their September 3, 2026 meeting, and recommended approval with a vote of 7-0. 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 GOETZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE ZC26-0172,ORDINANCE NO.3977. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. C.3 CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3974, ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET, AND RATIFY THE INCREASED PROPERTY TAX REVENUES REFLECTED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 ADOPTED BUDGET. APPROVED Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for Ordinance No. 3974. City Council received a presentation from Director of Budget and Research Chase Fosse. Mr. Fosse informed City Council two motions are required for this item. 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. The following people spoke during the public hearing: Kevin LeVan, 8440 Glenann Drive and Christine Powell, 6737 Bartay Drive. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor McCarty closed the public hearing. September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 10 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3974, ADOPTING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. APPROVED A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERTS TO RATIFY THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES REFLECTED IN THE ADOPTED FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. C.4 CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 3975, ADOPTING THE TAX YEAR 2026 (FISCAL YEAR 2027)TAX RATE. Mayor McCarty opened the public hearing for Ordinance No. 3975. City Council received a presentation from Director of Budget and Research- Chase Fosse. Mr. Fosse informed City Council three motions are required for this item. 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. APPROVED • A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE TO APPROVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR INTEREST AND SINKING BE SET AT 15.0895 CENTS PER$100 OF VALUATION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. APPROVED September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 10 A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERTS TO APPROVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED BY THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 55.5144 CENTS PER $100 OF VALUATION WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 3.97 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE AND TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NO. 3975. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. APPROVED A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR PRO TEM DEUPREE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS TO APPROVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS BE SET AT 40.4249 CENTS PER$100 OF VALUATION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. D. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT There were no items for this category. E. PUBLIC WORKS El CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE WATER MASTER PLAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $325,000. APPROVED City Council received a presentation from Public Works Operations Manager Kenneth Garvin. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DELANEY, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE WATER MASTER PLAN IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED$325,000. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. F. CITIZENS PRESENTATION Luke Carnevale, 5610 Southern Hills Drive, commented on data centers. September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 10 G. GENERAL ITEMS G.1 APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SERVE ON A SUBCOMMITTEE FOR SELECTION OF ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS. APPROVED City Council received a presentation from City Manager Paulette Hartman. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER PARKS TO APPROVE MAYOR MCCARTY'S RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBERS DELANEY, GOETZ, AND DEUPREE TO SERVE ON THE HEART OF NRH COMMUNITY AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEE. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. H. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS APPROVED Mayor McCarty announced there was action necessary as the result of discussion in Executive Session pursuant to Section 551.087: Deliberation regarding economic development negotiations for 6201 Davis Boulevard. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MITCHELL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER GOETZ TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WITH RUGOVAN IMPORT, LLC AT 6201 DAVIS BOULEVARD AND TRACT 6D01 JOHN H BARLOUGH SURVEY ABSTRACT 130, AS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 6-0. I. INFORMATION AND REPORTS 1.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS Council member Parks reviewed upcoming events and recognized Heaven Nunley in the Municipal Court for receiving kudos from members of the public. J. ADJOURNMENT September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 10 Mayor McCarty adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m. / Kelvin De free, May. Pro Tem ATTEST: ,P�®a�e���®Q�®®gyp .14 m. �s.mac • • m Alicia Richardson e° h a° City Secretary/Chief Gov gnee Off Gel \ °,948¢sFd=.p3 September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 10 of 10