HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 1, 2005 Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL
August 1, 2005
After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas will
convene in a Special Called Meeting on Monday, August 1, 2005 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council
Work Session Room, 215 E. McKinney, Denton, Texas at which the following items will be
considered:
1. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) Billing and outsourcing opportunities.
2. Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the Denton Open
Space Concept Plan.
NOTE: The City Council reserves the right to adjourn into a Closed Meeting on any item on its
Open Meeting agenda consistent with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, as amended,
including without limitation, Sections 551.071-551.086 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the
City of Denton, Texas, on the ________day of ___________________, 2005 at ________o'clock
(a.m.) (p.m.)
____________________________________
CITY SECRETARY
NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM IS
ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
THE CITY WILL PROVIDE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING
IMPAIRED IF REQUESTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED
MEETING. PLEASE CALL THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT 349-8309 OR USE
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDD) BY CALLING 1-800-
RELAY-TX SO THAT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER CAN BE SCHEDULED
THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY?S OFFICE.
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
August 1, 2005
AGENDA DATE:
Fire Department
DEPARTMENT:
Jon Fortune
ACM:
SUBJECT
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) Billing and outsourcing opportunities.
BACKGROUND
In April 2005, the Denton Fire Departmentinitiated a study reviewing the operational
procedures of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Billing Section. In addition to the
internal study, a survey of 9 cities and 3 private billing companies was conducted. The
purpose of the study / survey was to:
1. Review current billing method for effectiveness
2. Compare implemented fee schedule with compatible cities
3. Review processing of EMS calls, generation of invoices and transfer to collection
4. Assess cost recovery through current procedures
5. Develop strategic plan for maximum cost recovery
1.
Billing Method
The Emergency Medical Service industry currently bills utilizing one of three billing
methods.
Method #1 Flat Method:
This method is simply setting a single flat charge for all ambulance services provided to the
patient. Most agencies using this method base the flat rate charge from the total EMS
operating expenses of the prior fiscal year. This method is not recommended, as insurance
companies generally make allowable amount adjustments on a charge-by-charge basis.
Method #2 Conventional Method:
Used by most ambulance service providers, this method bills a set base rate, mileage, and
additional charges for supplies used and treatment provided. Billing amounts are based on a
percentage of what Medicare pays for certain services or compared against rates of
neighboring agencies. Full cost recovery is difficult using this method. Agencies aim to
establish charges that meet or exceed Medicare?s reimbursement rates in an effort to capture
the most Medicare revenue possible.
Method #3 Balloon Billing or Umbrella Billing:
This method bills according to pre-set and defined targets of what insurance companies
consider customary and reasonable rates for all healthcare related services. Each insurance
Page 1 of 8
company establishes its own range of pay and makes this information nearly impossible to
obtain. It requires intense research and application of statistical methods to be successful;
therefore most EMS agencies and small billing services simply do not have the money or
resources to continuously update or compile this information. This method allows for almost
full cost recovery since rates considered customary and reasonable are based on industry
pricing.
The current billing method of the Denton Fire Department is the conventional method. EMS
patients are billed as outlined in Attachment A.
Implementing the flat method of billing would require an increase to the adopted flat rate to
achieve revenue estimates. To remain comparable to other cities,the increase would be
minimal and would not reflect the true cost of service as mileage and supplies would no
longer be billed for. An established flat rate would more than likely be lower than the rate
established by insurance companies for payment,again, not recovering full cost for service.
Implementation of the umbrella billing method would require the service of a private billing
company. Insurance payment information (reasonable and customary rates) cannot be
obtained internally and billing software needed to obtain additional insurance information
cannot be duplicated with current resources. Billing under the umbrella method would
increase revenue resulting in greater cost recovery.
2. Fee Schedule Comparison
The Denton Fire Department has remained competitive to other cities of comparable size
utilizing the conventional method of billing. The last change in emergency ambulance fees
was in July 2004.
ProviderResidentNon-Resident
Transport Charge Transport Charge
Carrollton$400$475
Farmers Branch $450$550
Flower Mound $525$625
Lewisville$522$653
Lake Cities $500$700
McKinney$305$330
Plano$415$500
City of Denton (current)$475$600
Page 2 of 8
3.
Billing Procedures
Under current billing procedures, a review of each EMS calls entered by operations
personnel is conducted. Additional information required for billing is added at that time.
Invoices are submitted to insurance companies or patients directly for payment. Invoices are
submitted to secondary insurance companies when applicable to recover full payment. After
a 120 day billing cycle, the invoice is transferred to a contracted collection agency for
follow-up. Internal processes were found to be effective and efficient. The EMS billing
section currently has one of the highest collection rates compared to other agencies with in-
house billing and outsourced billing.
CityBilling ProviderCollection Rate
Adjusted
CarrolltonIn-house60%
Lake Cities In-house64%
LewisvilleIn-house73%
KellerTMDS40% - 50%
GarlandTMDS60%
McKinneyTMDS50% - 60%
CoppellMangt.Concepts60%
DentonIn-house63%
4.
Budget and Cost Recovery
In FY 03-04, the Fire Department responded to a total of 8,929 emergency calls for
assistance. Of those, 7012 were emergency medical service (EMS) calls. This statistic
shows that 78.5% of the Fire Department?s business in FY 03-04 was EMS. Over the past
ten years, EMS responses have consistently averaged over 70% of total emergency
responses. The City?s four (4) front line ambulances respond to all EMS calls as well as
some fires. In addition to an ambulance, a fire engine responds to those medical calls from
the nearest fire station.
The budget for FY 03-04 was $13,675,659. Our existing budget(FY04-05)is$13,929,401
and our proposed budget for FY 05-06 is $15,068,963. While our costs to provide EMS
services have increased substantially, adopted rates have not.
Although we recover some of the costs to provide emergency medical transports, the revenue
generated from the ambulance transport fees only recovers a small portion of our actual costs
to provide the service. Estimated revenues in 2004/2005 for EMS ambulance transport fees
are $1,283,000. Based on 78.5% of the Fire Department?s budget, $10,934,579 is the cost to
provide EMS to the community. The City recovers an additional $314,035 from interlocal
agreements with the County and two small cities (Sanger and Ponder) which helps offset the
City?s costs, however, this funding will decrease with the loss of the Ponder contract in FY
05-06 and the anticipated loss of Sanger within the next 2 years. The cost per ambulance run
is $601.23 based on expenditures and the number of calls. The cost significantly increases
when apparatuses are added to reflect their response to EMS calls. The average cost of
recovery is $240.00 per call.
Page 3 of 8
5.
Strategic Planning
A review of each billing method and current billing procedures along with the evaluation of
other cities shows the EMS Billing Section is very successful in its efforts at collection under
the conventional method of billing and the adopted rates. It also shows that the
implementation of the flat rate method would have a negative effect on revenue but the
implementation of the umbrella method has the potential to increase revenue and maximize
cost recovery.
Implementing the umbrella method of billing would require the outsourcing of EMS Billing
to a private company offering such service. Under this method of billing, insurance
companies are billed at ?reasonable and customary? rates established by their company.
Cities adopting this form of billing elect to exercise their authority to waive co-pay and
deductibles for city residents (including university students and residents of assisted living
facilities) effectively eliminating out of pocket expenses. This is also known as ?insurance
only? billing. This would affect approximately 22.8% of our current collections, which
reflects the portion of revenue collected from insurance companies (Attachment B).
Additional services provided by outsourcing agencies include submitting required reporting
to state and federal agencies, assuring compliance with HIPPA laws, statistical gathering, and
access to software developed for specifically for EMS calls / billing.An average of 7% -
12% of gross collections is paid to the outsourcing company depending on services provided.
Adoption of this method has the potential to bring increased revenue (net ? after payment)
and result in internal cost savings. Increased revenue would benefit the City?s General Fund
and would also recover the initial start-up costs for EMS Billing. Associated expenditure
reductions could be reallocated to fund certain liabilities that are currently unfunded such as
retirements. (Attachment C)
Benefits to outsourcing could still be obtained under the current method of billing. Changes
in the fee structure can be made to increase revenue and cost recovery. Increasing the current
rates and charging separately for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support
(ALS, ALS I, ALS II) would more accurately reflect costs for service and keep the City
compatible with surrounding Cities. Resources unavailable to the department such as the
gathering of insurance information and the utilization of specific software would also result
in enhanced revenue and budget savings.
OPTIONS
1.Outsource EMS Billing with the adoption of the umbrella billing method.
2.Outsource EMS Billing with the current method of billing under a revised fee
schedule.
3.Continue EMS Billing operations with current procedures and fee schedule.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the approval of outsourcing EMS Billing under the umbrella method of
billing.
Page 4 of 8
FISCAL INFORMATION
A change in the billing method has the potential to produce a significant increase in revenue.
Outsourcing combined with the umbrella billing method could increase projected estimates
by 40% - 50%. Outsourcing with the current method and a change in fee schedule could
increase revenue by 25%. Achieving the projected estimates will be dependant on the final
terms agreed upon with a contracted company and continued analysis after implementation to
assess associated cost savings.
RespectfullySubmitted:
____________________________
RossChadwick
FireChief
Report Prepared By:
____________________________
Laura Behrens
Fire Department Management Assistant
Attachments
A.Outline of Current Billing Method
B.Collection Statistics / Cost for Service
C.EMS Billing Budget
Page 5 of 8
Attachment A
Current Method of the Denton Fire Department: Conventional Method
Flat Rate + Mileage + Supplies = Service Invoice
Resident Flat Rate =
$475.00
Non-resident Flat Rate =
$600.00
Non-transport when an IV is administered =
$100.00
Non-transport when an IV and one (1) medication and treatment are administered =
$200.00
Mileage =
$9.00
Supplies:
Bandaging/splinting -
$45
Cardiac monitoring -
$45
Cardioversion -
$45
CPR-
$80
Defibrillation -
$45
12-lead EKG -
$45
Glucometer -
$20
Pacing -
$45
Carrying a patient downstairs - .
$50
20% over the cost paid by the City
Private Payers, Private Insurance and Medicare / Medicaid all billed the same.
Bill primary insurance ? remainingbalance is submitted to secondary insurance. If there is a
remaining balance after the secondary insurance or if there is no secondary insurance
available, balance is billed to patient direct.
A portion of the balance on Medicare / Medicaid is considered a contractual adjustment and
the remainder is billed to the patient.
Current collection rate is 63%.
Page 6 of 8
Attachment B
Collection Statistics / Cost of Service
Breakdown of Payer:*
Medicare 34.2%
Medicaid 5.8%
Insurance 22.8%
Contract 4.2%
Private19.5%
Unknown 13.5%
*Based on 5,675 calls providing services that could be billed.
10 major insurance companies
Over 500 misc. insurance companies listed in system
3% denial rate on submitted claims to insurance -attributed to questions in coding
(?medically necessary?), rarely rejected for overcharging
Cost of Service Per Run:
AmbulanceService= $568.32
Ambulance + EMS Billing = $601.23
Ambulance + Engine = $1,333.06
Ambulance + Quint = $1,604.36
Ambulance + Truck =$4,482.52
Page 7 of 8
Attachment C
Budget Analysis
EMS Billing Start-up Investment
Amazon Upgrade
Approximately $80,000
Sanitas / EMS Pro Upgrade
$162,600 (Tech 1 & Tech 2 Bonds)
Operational Costs*
Personal Services ** $2,808,446.00
Office Supplies $500.00
Books and Magazines $2,000.00
Document Printing $200.00
Cell Phone $1,545.00
Uniforms$23,600.00
Licenses $5,800.00
Dues $1,000.00
Employee Training $22,000.00
Medical Control Contract $40,000.00
Medical Supplies $107,000.00
Insurance $29,835.00
Medtronic Maintenance $17,963.00
Total$3,059,889.00
*Excludes vehicle and machinery costs associated with emergency responses
**Personal Services reflects: F/F + Driver salary ($638,128) x 4 Ambulance Companies +
EMS Battalion Chief salary + Paramedic education pay ($144,000)
EMS Billing Administration Cost
Personnel Services * $144,785.00
Document Printing $2,500.00
Office Supplies $2,000.00
Postage$8,000.00
Uniforms$300.00
Employee Training $1,000.00
Tech Serv. (computers @$2,500 each)$7,500.00
Tech Serv. (phone lines @$900 each)$4,500.00
Software Agreement (Zoll Data) $18,850.00
Total$189,435.00
*Personal Services reflects: EMS Billing Coordinator + 2 EMS Billing Assistants
Admin. Cost: Revenue Ratio 16.5%
Page 8 of 8
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
August 1, 2005
AGENDA DATE:
Parks and Recreation Department
DEPARTMENT:
Howard Martin, Utilities 349-8232
ACM:
SUBJECT
Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the Denton Open Space
Concept Plan.
BACKGROUND
The Denton Plan frequently references open spaces to be used for recreational purposes, the
preservation of environmental resources, or to serve as a buffer between land uses. Community
support for the use of open space to preserve Denton?s character was clearly indicated during
Denton Plan public meetings and hearings. The Open Space Concept Plan is intended to guide
implementation efforts regarding the location and use of open space in Denton and to develop an
open space acquisition strategy.
The plan defines existing open space in public and private ownership that provide both
environmental and social importance in areas of urban development including, local parks, state
and federal lands, golf courses, ranches, farms and other agricultural lands.
Existing floodplains and riparian areas are defined and designated as important open space areas,
including environmentally sensitive areas that are designated in the Denton Development Code.
Priorities:
The concept plan calls for a system of prioritization to identify lands to be protected. It
identifies land that has significant resource value and is most threatened, but does not call out
specific tracts of land or prioritize acquisition areas.
Key plan elements included the need for:
pursuing a community trail network to link open space areas and other destinations
development of regional parks that provide recreational areas and protect valuable open
space
protecting and restoring ecosystem habitats
preserving scenic corridors
The plan then identifies the levels of priority including:
the acquisition or protection of environmentally sensitive areas that are under immediate
threat of development
high priority areas that not under immediate threat
high priority areas to be considered for long-range consideration
1
The plan also defines several land protection tools and techniques including:
acquisition
land exchange
conservation easements
environmental overlay zones
density transfers
development rights transfers
On November 10, 2004, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing to consider
adoption of the Open Space Plan. The sub-committee recommended approval of the plan with
the following conditions:
1. Remove specific sites listed in the ?Priority Locations? section of the plan;
2. Clearly identify and distinguish between open space resources and areas that need to be
protected;
3. Consolidate departmental master plans to develop open spaces into use areas or multiple
use corridors for the sake of efficiency;
4. Re-title document as Open Space Concept Plan and Coordination Tool;
5. Parks and Recreation staff, in conjunction with other city departments, study the
feasibility of implementing an open space and trail dedication requirement for new
subdivisions to connect and provide access/linkages where appropriate and in areas
where there is a plan or proposed network in place, and identify incentives;
6. Reword ?Implementation Techniques? section as Land Protection Tools and Techniques;
7. Establish a Five-Year Action/Implementation Plan; and
8. Hire a Master Plan Coordinator to achieve Open Space Master Plan.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Open Space Plan by a vote
of 5-0.
OPTIONS
The City Council may:
Accept the revisions as proposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and direct
staff to schedule a public hearing prior to final adoption of the Open Space Concept Plan
request additional revisions to the plan prior to formal Council action
provide alternative directives to staff.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Open Space Concept Plan be placed on the August 16, 2005, City
Council agenda as a public hearing.
ESTIMATED PROJECT SCHEDULE
City Council Public Hearing August 16, 2005
City Council Regular Session September 6, 2005
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW
Planning and Zoning Work Session March 10, 2004 and April 14, 2004
Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board April 5, 2004 and May 3, 2004
Planning and Zoning Commission November 10, 2004
Environment Committee January 31, 2005
2
EXHIBITS
1. Open Space Concept Plan
2. Proposed Resolution of adoption
3. Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board minutes of April 5, 2004 and May 3, 2004
4. Planning and Zoning Commission minutes of November 10, 2004
(refer to pages 41-57)
5. Memorandum from the Open Space Master Plan Subcommittee of the Planning and Zoning
Commission dated November 10, 2004
Respectfully submitted by:
Janet Fitzgerald, Director
Parks and Recreation Department
3
DRAFT
EXHIBIT 1
Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
Water Works Park
April 5, 2004
Members present: Jo Kuhn, Geri Aschenbrenner and Reginald Heard. Staff present: Janet
Simpson, Bob Tickner, Emerson Vorel, Janie McLeod, John Whitmore and Lancine Bentley.
Vice Chair Jo Kuhn called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
? Janet announced that the department had been presented with three
Awards and Recognition
awards from the state TRAPS conference.
? Minutes were approved as distributed with one correction. Under
Approval of Minutes
Discussion Item ? Civic Center Concept Plan ? in the second paragraph first sentence read: ?She
added? and should read ?He added?.
ACTION ITEMS
Open Space Master Plan. No action taken due to a lack of quorum.
Consider a Request from Metzler?s Restaurant to Sell Alcohol Beverages at Cinco de Mayo. It
was the consensus of the Board members present to allow staff to conduct a poll of absent members
on this item. Janie McLeod polled the Board and received unanimous approval for the sell of
alcohol beverages at Cinco de Mayo.
DISCUSSION ITEM
Lake Forest Concept Plan. Bob reviewed the concept plan map and the comments from the public
th
meeting held on February 26 at Lake Forest. The long-range concept plan includes unlighted
athletic fields, recreation facilities, tennis courts, picnic and play ground facilities, a dog park, and
nature and jogging trails. He said there were about 50 citizens in attendance. Bob added that there
were no negative comments about the Dog Park being located in this park but that the residents did
say that they did not want lighted athletic fields in the park. There were concerns expressed about
the traffic flow on Ryan Road and the current entry location of the park might contribute to more
traffic problems. Bob told the residents that issue would be addressed.
Bob said the Concept Plan would be brought back to the Board at a later time for the Board?s formal
approval.
DIRECTOR?S REPORT
Staff Presentation on Keep Denton Beautiful - Lancine Bentley gave an overview of the Keep
Denton Beautiful history, activities, the three main areas, and their committees.
Project Status Report. Bob said the skate park bids would be presented to City Council on Tuesday
and that the skate park should be operational by the end of June.
Keep Denton Beautiful Report ? There were no questions on the distributed report.
EXHIBIT 3
Items for Next Meeting ? Open Space Master Plan.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
Minutes
American Legion Hall
May 3, 2004
Members present: Geri Aschenbrenner, Teresa Andress, Dale Yeatts, Jo Kuhn, and Chuck Smith.
Members absent: Ross Richardson and Reggie Heard. Staff present: Janet Simpson, Bob Tickner,
Janie McLeod, Emerson Vorel, and Ken Washington. Others present: Jane Malone, Anna
Broderick, Hal Evans, and Jim Avera.
Chairman Teresa Andress called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Awards and Recognition ? The Park Operations staff was congratulated for their work on making
the Denton Arts Festival and Cinco de Mayo successful events in spite of the poor weather
conditions.
Approval of Minutes ? The minutes stood as distributed.
ACTION ITEMS
Consider a Recommendation to Endorse the Denton Open Space Master Plan. Janet reminded the
Board that the Open Space Plan had been brought before them at the March meeting and they
directed staff to bring the Plan as an action item before the Plan goes before Planning and Zoning
and finally to City Council.
Jo Kuhn made a motion to recommend the Denton Open Space Master Plan to the Planning and
Zoning Commission. Dale Yeatts seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Consider a Recommendation to Approve the Lake Forest Conceptual Master Plan. The Board
requested this item be brought back as an Action Item at the June meeting.
Consider a Recommendation for a Chapter 26 Use of Park land at the New Briercliff Park for
Purposes of a Public Street. Bob reviewed the plans and maps for the development of the
Briercliff Park. He said that the City Engineering Department has requested the use of 0.546
acres of park land for a new street right-of-way in order to construct a new roadway to avoid a
floodway. After the land was purchased for the street, detailed engineering determined the right
of way needed to shift to the North to avoid major modifications to a small pond and the stream
channel.
Geri Aschenbrenner made a motion to allow the construction of the new proposed Unicorn Lake
Boulevard onto a 0.546 acre strip of Briercliff Park. Dale Yeatts seconded the motion and it was
unanimously approved
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Receive a Report and Discuss the 2005 Capital Improvement Program. Janet reviewed the process
that the Parks and Recreation Department staff used to develop a preliminary list of park and
facilities needs, including the 2000 Denton Parks and Recreation Master Plan, individual park
master plans, service and program demand and citizen input. Janet stated that as the process
continues the board would have an opportunity to comment and offer suggestions for the future
bond program.
DIRECTOR?S REPORT
Staff Report on the Denton Youth Sports Association. Representatives from various sports
organizations gave reports on league participation and anticipated growth in their programs. Jane
Malone with the Denton Soccer Association reported a total of 1,545 participants with 147 teams.
Jane added that the number of participants could double in the next10 years. She discussed the need
for an indoor soccer facility and that more outdoor practice fields are needed.
Anna Broderick with Denton Girls Softball Association reported 268 players with 65 select
players making a total of 23 teams and six select teams. Anna said within the next five years
there could be 40 or more teams.
Hal Evans and Jim Avera with Denton Boys Baseball, Inc. said that they had 960 players with 83
teams and that they play games every day of the week except for Wednesdays and Sundays.
They expected their numbers to double within the next 10 years. They stated that more practice
fields are needed.
Ken Washington, Athletic Coordinator gave a presentation of the responsibilities and duties of
the athletic manager position.
Customer Requests Bring Changes at Water Works Park for 2004 Season. Janet reviewed the
distributed press release regarding the new prices for Water Works Park.
CCA Update. Janet provided an update on the annual testing for arsenic levels in the wood at
Eureka playground. In addition to testing, staff has placed precautionary and informational signs
at the playground and on the department?s website.
Project Status Report. Janet commented that the contract for the renovation construction for the
th
Civic Center would be on the May 5 Council agenda.
Keep Denton Beautiful Report. There were no questions.
Items for Next Meeting. Lake Forest Conceptual Master Plan and the 2004-05 Budget.
There being no further discussion, the Vice Chair adjourned the meeting 7:16 p.m.
EXHIBIT 4
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONERS
FROM:
OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN SUBCOMMITTEE
SUBJECT:
OPEN SPACE SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(SI04-0015)
DATE:
NOVEMBER 10, 2004
In January 2004, the Environmental Committee of the Denton City Council requested that Parks
and Recreation staff bring the Open Space Master Plan to the City Council for consideration.
The plan was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission in work session on March 10,
2004 and April 14, 2004. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on May
12, 2004, and at this time, the Commission formed an Open Space Subcommittee to review the
plan and make a recommendation to the full Commission.
The Open Space Subcommittee has met on June 11, July 8, and November 4 to consider the
Open Space Master Plan. At the July 8 meeting, the committee requested that the master plan
data be made available digitally and staff has been working on this request. Primary
considerations included whether or not open space in Denton is already protected through other
officially adopted documents, applicability of scenic corridors and time-frames for acquiring or
protecting the open spaces identified in the plan. The Subcommittee reviewed and discussed this
data at their last meeting and concluded that the digital mapping allows comparison of the master
plans of a variety of city departments and their effects of these on open space, and the ability to
coordinate open space in a more efficient and effective manner.
The Open Space Subcommittee recommends approval of the Open Space Master Plan with the
following conditions:
1. Remove specific sites listed in the ?Priority Locations? section of the plan;
2. Clearly identify and distinguish between open space resources and areas that need to be
protected;
3. Consolidate departmental master plans to develop open spaces into use areas or multiple
use corridors for the sake of efficiency;
4. Re-title document as Open Space Concept Plan and Coordination Tool;
5. Parks and Recreation staff, in conjunction with other City Departments, study the
feasibility of implementing an open space and trail dedication requirement for new
subdivisions to connect and provide access/linkages where appropriate and in areas
where there is a plan or proposed network in place, and identify incentives;
6. Reword ?Implementation Techniques? section as Land Protection Tools and Techniques;
7. Establish a Five-Year Action/Implementation Plan; and
8. Hire a Master Plan Coordinator to achieve Open Space Master Plan.
EXHIBIT 5