The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLEG 2026-09-16 Minutes CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS INTERGOVERNMENTAL & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE AND LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 4:00 PM PUBLIC LIBRARY, 9015 GRAND AVENUE NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180 The Intergovernmental& Legislative Affairs(IGLA)Council Subcommittee and Legislative Task Force met on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the Board Room at the North Richland Hills (NRH) Public Library. The following members were present: Mayor Jack McCarty, Council Member Danny Roberts, Council Member Billy Parks, Kyle Morris, Tito Rodriguez, Greg Stamps, Randy Tolleson, Greg Vick The following member (s) were absent: Linda Burt, Kyle Pekurney, Charlie Ruiz, Mark Vaughn Staff present at the meeting were: Paulette Hartman, City Manager, Caroline Waggoner, Assistant City Manager, Trudy Lewis, Assistant City Manager, Cori Reaume, Planning Director, Mary Peters, Communications Director, Jennipher Castellanos, Manager of Strategic Initiatives A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jack McCarty at 4:00 p.m. B. APPROVE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 25, 2026, MEETING. A motion was made by Council Member Billy Parks, seconded by Committee Member Tito Rodriuez to approve the minutes of the August 25, 2026, Council Subcommittee and Legislative Task Force Meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Cl. REVIEW AND DISCUSS TML LEGISLATIVE POSITIONS. City Manager, Paulette Hartman opened the item by introducing the Texas Municipal League (TML) legislative session overview and explaining TML's approach to the upcoming 2027 legislative session. Ms. Hartman noted that TML serves Texas cities through training, conferences, and legislative support. Ms. Hartman reported that TML has not finalized its official policies for the upcoming session, noting that Mayor McCarty and Ms. Hartman attended the TML Policy Summit a few weeks prior, and that TML will formally approve its policy agenda following its annual conference in November. Ms. Hartman reviewed metrics from the previous legislative session, stating that over 9,000 bills were introduced, 2,100 of which affected Texas cities, with over 1,200 passing into law and 262 directly impacting municipal operations. Ms. Hartman expressed an , expectation for a higher volume of city-focused legislation in the upcoming session. Ms. Hartman outlined TML's primary legislative positions, highlighting the main priority to oppose detrimental legislation, specifically bills that preempt municipal authority, restrict development and land use, or impose revenue, tax, or expense caps. Mayor McCarty emphasized the negative impact that revenue and expense caps exert on municipal operations. Ms. Hartman clarified that the revenue cap specifically restricts property tax revenue growth in the General Fund to 3.5 percent. Ms. Hartman encouraged attendees to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 City budget, originally presented on September 14, 2026, which is accessible on the city's website for details on municipal finances and key operational issues. Ms. Hartman stated that TML's second priority is to seek the introduction and passage of sponsored initiatives, such as creating or expanding law enforcement grants and funding assistance. Ms. Hartman detailed TML's third priority, which involves supporting beneficial third-party measures, including public safety funding for police equipment, accreditation, minimum salary assistance, higher firefighter hiring ages, and the protection of municipal control over zoning density and institutional single-family home buyers. Ms. Hartman noted the priority to oppose measures harming local control, revenue, or operations, including negative expansions of appraisal caps, new tax exemptions, limits on economic development incentives, utility regulations, restrictions on enterprise fund revenue transfers, and erosion of solid waste franchise authority. Ms. Hartman explained that TML will maintain a neutral or no-position stance on select issues that do not negatively impact municipal finances or impose unfunded mandates, including immigration matters, sales and use tax sources, and Type A and B economic development corporations. Mayor McCarty clarified that TML takes neutral stances on certain matters because member cities are in differing stages of growth. Ms. Hartman added that cities of all sizes are eligible for TML membership, noting that TML provides resources including elected official training, conferences, and legal advice for smaller municipalities without internal legal counsel. Ms. Hartman introduced the North Richland Hills(NRH) legislative agenda drafted in 2025 that was previously reviewed by the City Council. Ms. Hartman stated that the key focus areas of the agenda center on Policy to inform responses to state bills, Advocacy to direct communication with state representatives and agency leaders, and Protection to shield city resources, fiscal sustainability, and resident quality of life. Ms. Hartman discussed the guiding principles used to develop the city's legislative positions. Ms. Hartman also reviewed the city's priority legislative issues which include preserving cities' ability to govern their own affairs, preserving local control over land use planning and zoning, preserving local revenue sources, preserving the ability to use debt financing for capital projects, and preserving public safety support. Mayor McCarty and Ms. Hartman addressed follow-up questions from the committee regarding these topics. C2. REVIEW AND DISCUSS TIMEFRAME FOR RECOMMENDING NORTH RICHLAND HILLS LEGISLATIVE POLICY POSITIONS. Ms. Hartman explained that the group will further evaluate the NRH legislative policy positions beginning in November to formulate official recommendations for the City Council. Members of the group conducted a discussion and posed several questions, which were addressed by Mayor McCarty and Ms. Hartman. D1. DISCUSS QUESTIONS RELATED TO PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED INFORMATION. Members of the committee discussed various legislative topics and posed follow-up questions regarding information and legislative issues presented during prior meetings. D2. DISCUSS IDEAS FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. Ms. Hartman requested feedback and ideas from the group regarding strategies for community engagement and public messaging concerning the impacts of proposed state legislation on the municipality, asking the group to provide ideas for discussion at the October meeting. The Communications Director explained that staff seeks key messages and sound bites from the group to assist in planning the city's public outreach strategy. A Task Force member inquired about the feasibility of scheduling an informal virtual meeting with the Georgetown Task Force to discuss community engagement strategies. D3. CONFIRM UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE. Ms. Hartman reviewed the calendar of upcoming meeting dates and noted that following the commencement of the state legislative session, the group may consider scheduling additional monthly meetings if necessary. D4. DISCUSS UPCOMING KEY DATES. The group discussed the upcoming Tarrant County Days events scheduled for March 10 and March 11, noting these dates for residents wishing to attend. E. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. A request was made for information regarding legislative software utilized by staff for community engagement be placed on a future agenda. No additional items were requested. F. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Jack McCarty opened the public comment section, noting that procedures require speakers to submit a Public Meeting Appearance Card prior to the start of the meeting. No requests to speak were received from the public. G. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m. APPROVED: $ 71/____ ' ack McCarty, Mayor 9,A.,,,..,&,„,,,,,, Jennipher Castellanos, Secretary