HomeMy WebLinkAbout100121 Friday Staff Report
City Manager’s Office
215 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201 (940) 349-8307
OUR CORE VALUES
Integrity Fiscal Responsibility Inclusion Transparency Outstanding Customer Service
MEMORANDUM
DATE: October 1, 2021
TO: The Honorable Mayor Hudspeth and Council Members
FROM: Sara Hensley, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Staff Report
I. Council Schedule
A. Meetings
1. Cancelled - Committee on the Environment on Monday, October 4, 2021, at
9:00 a.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room.
2. City Council Luncheon on Monday, October 4, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. in the
Council Chambers.
3. Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board on Monday, October 4, 2021, at
6:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Community Room.
4. Work Session of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday,
October 6, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. followed by a Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m. in
the Council Chambers.
5. Agenda Committee on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. in the City
Hall Conference Room.
6. Downtown Economic Development Committee on Thursday, October 7,
2021, at 8:30 a.m. at the Development Service Center.
7. Public Art Committee on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. in the
Civic Center Community Room.
8. Community Services Advisory Committee on Friday, October 8, 2021, at
12:00 p.m. at the Development Service Center.
II. General Information & Status Update
A. DCPH Update to Commissioner’s Court – On Tuesday, Sept. 28, Denton County
Public Health (DCPH) presented their standing COVID update to the Denton County
Commissioner’s Court (begins shortly after 1 hour mark and is approx. 10 minutes in
length). The following are some notes from the video for convenience only; the video
should be watched for the full context, charts, and interpretation. Stats can be viewed
at DentonCounty.gov/COVIDstats
• Daily Hospital Capacity – Shared some optimistic points of information, including
that we’re seeing some resolution in hospital capacity, although there are still a lot
of COVID patients. Went from a high of 32% of patients hospitalized with COVID
to 22% (as of Monday), improving county-wide.
• Active Cases – Another optimistic note is that the onset of illness curve is
improving. Recoveries are beginning to build and seeing active cases beginning to
decline.
• Testing – DCPH has contracted with a vendor to provide COVID testing once per
week as a drive-thru testing site. Individuals can register online through DCPH’s
COVID site.
• Vaccines – As of Sept. 24, the FDA and CDC authorized booster doses of the
Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals eligible for a booster dose must be 18 years
or older, 6 months or greater from their second Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and
meet the CDC eligibility criteria regarding age, medical condition, and/or
occupational or institutional setting. For those that received vaccination from
DCPH, DCPH has sent out texts and emails to proactively notify individuals.
Staff contact: Sarah Kuechler, CMO
B. Library returns to pre-COVID operating hours starting October 1 – Denton Public
Library locations will return to full operating hours starting Today, October 1.
Expanded hours include restoring Sunday hours at all branches of 1-5 p.m., adding
additional evening hours at North Branch and Emily Fowler Central Library, and
reinstating 12-9 p.m. Monday hours at South Branch.
• Emily Fowler Central Library
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
• North Branch Library
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
• South Branch Library
Monday: 12-9 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.
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Also, as a reminder, individual branches will be closed the following dates:
• Friday, October 1-Sunday, October 3: Emily Fowler Central Library closed for
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
• Wednesday, October 6: North Branch closed for equipment upgrades. The drive
thru window will be open for service 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Friday, October 8: South Branch closed for equipment upgrades.
Staff contact: Jennifer Bekker, Library
C. Minutes from September 14 Council Meeting – Following Tuesday’s Council meeting
and discussion regarding the draft September 14 Council meeting minutes, staff
revised the draft minutes to add some additional detail for item ID# 21-1639 to reflect
the general direction received (please see redline below). The revised minutes will be
presented for Council consideration at the next Council meeting on October 12.
Please also note that a work session on the development of a draft non-discrimination
ordinance has been tentatively scheduled for Nov ember 9. During this work session,
staff intends to share a rough outlined draft ordinance and frame and seek direction on
multiple components where policy direction is needed from Council.
Staff contacts: Rosa Rios, City Secretary’s Office and Sarah Kuechler, City Manager’s
Office
D. Denton County Transportation Authority Board of Directors Nominations Needed -
The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) is governed by a five-member
Board of Directors appointed by respective entities from Denton County and the cities
of Denton, Highland Village, and Lewisville. Board meetings are typically held at
10:00 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month, unless otherwise posted.
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The City of Denton’s current primary appointee is former Mayor Chris Watts, and the
alternate appointee is former City Council Member, John Ryan. The terms of former
Mayor Watts and former Council Member Ryan end on November 12, 2021. The City
Council is currently scheduled to appoint a primary and alternate DCTA Board of
Directors representative at their October 19 meeting. The new primary and alternate
board representatives will serve a two-year term effective November 13, 2021,
through November 12, 2023.
In accordance with state statute and the DCTA Bylaws, board members are required
to have professional experience in the field of transportation, business, government,
engineering, or law. Board representatives must reside within the Denton City limits
and are not required to currently hold an elected office. Staff is requesting that City
Council members submit their nominations, including a resume for all nominees, by
5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8, for inclusion in the October 19 City Council agenda
packet. Please email nominations and resumes to Rachel Wood at
rachel.wood@cityofdenton.com. Staff contact: Rachel Wood, Capital
Projects/Engineering
E. Denton Community Job Fair Update – The City of Denton, in partnership with
Workforce Solutions of North Central Texas, North Central Texas College, United
Way of Denton County, Denton ISD and the Denton Chamber of Commerce, hosted
the annual Denton Community Job Fair on Thursday, September 14, at the Denton
Civic Center. There were over 50 participating area employers including NTTA,
Fisher 59, Mayday Manufacturing, Tetra Pak, U.S. Cold Storage, and Denton ISD.
There were approximately 120 job seekers that completed the digital check-in.
Denton ISD students provided 41 job seekers with free headshots, and our local
colleges provided résumé reviews and mock interviews. Employer and job seeker
survey feedback offered positive insight on the event and compliments to our partners
and volunteers. The team has begun planning for a spring job fair. Staff contact: Kay
Brown-Patrick, Economic Development
F. Responses to City Council DCTA GoZone and Operational Questions – Former
Mayor Watts made a presentation to the Denton City Council on September 21, 2021,
in his current capacity as Chair of the Denton County Transportation Authority
(DCTA) Board of Directors. During that presentation, members of the City Council
posed several questions that were more operational in nature that were sent to DCTA
staff to prepare responses. Attached are the responses that the DCTA team provided.
Staff contact: Rachel Wood, Capital Projects/Engineering
G. Video Magistration – On October 1, the Municipal Court and the Police Department
went live with a new Video Magistration process. Tech Services and Facilities
installed a large monitor and other needed equipment in the jail facility. The jail
manager, Fred Walker, and his team worked with Judge Atkinson to prepare electronic
jail forms and test the new system. Our jail staff will now send forms electronically
for judicial review and our Judges will conduct remote magistration. With the new
system in place, our Alternate Judges will be assigned to conduct evening jail
magistration every day. This added magistration time moves the City of Denton closer
to a 24/7 magistration model. The goal of both changes is to reduce the time an arrested
person spends in custody in the City jail facility – either due to posting a bond or being
transported to the County jail. Staff contact: Tyler Atkinson, Municipal Court
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H. Solid Waste and Recycling FY2021/2022 Service Update – As part of the
FY2021/2022 Budget, the Solid Waste and Recycling Department will be
implementing several program and service updates to better services customers,
increase the potential of waste diversion, and increase safety it employees. Service
Changes include:
• Residential Curbside Garbage program - No change
• Residential Curbside Recycling program - No change
o REMINDER – we will only accept/collect programmatic material that is
empty, clean, dry and loose.
▪ DO NOT bag recyclables
▪ DO NOT place plastic bags or plastic film into your recycling bin
• Residential Yard Waste Program improvements–
o Elimination of $1.00/$0.50 opt in fee
o All yard waste must be contained within a Yard Waste Cart or kraft paper
bag
▪ Yard Carts can be purchased from the City for $20 by calling
Customer Service – 940-349-8700
▪ NO yard waste or leaves will be collected in plastic bags
▪ Customers will not need to “call-in” brush for collection
▪ All material placed curbside will automatically be collected
• Brush volumes over 4 cubic yards will be charged back to
the customer at $18.75/15-minute increment
• Residential Bulk Waste Program Improvements –
o ALL Bulk Waste Collections must be scheduled – 940-349-8700
▪ First two scheduled items collected at no additional charge,
remaining scheduled items collected at $5/bulk item. Unscheduled
items present curbside at a scheduled collection address will be
collected and automatically charged back to the resident at a
$25/cubic yard fee
• Home Chemical Collection – No Change
o Call Customer Service at 940-349-8001 to schedule a collection; or
o Bring your material to our facility at 1527 S. Mayhill; M-F from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m.
Staff Contact: Brian Boerner, Solid Waste and Recycling
I. COVID Status at the Deluxe Inn – As of September 30, there are 12 individuals who
are COVID positive quarantining at the Deluxe Inn. Our Daily Bread (ODB) staff
worked with the hotel to add 5 additional rooms for client quarantine purposes. All
quarantine clients are receiving meals and continue to have basic needs met such as
hygiene, etc.
The Salvation Army shelter has had one known positive case and have taken necessary
precautions to disinfect and quarantine clients/staff appropriately.
This week, staff discussed vaccination efforts at ODB in the coming weeks with the
Denton Fire Department (in addition to the three vaccine clinics that have already been
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conducted). HOT officers from the Police Department will help to inform those
staying in encampments about upcoming vaccination opportunities.
The City provided 100 N95 masks to the Monsignor King Outreach Center (MKOC)
shelter on September 30 that will also be split between the hotel. City Staff also
reached out to DCPH to inquire about additional testing materials and training
opportunities to support shelter, hotel and outreach staff and clients.
MKOC shelter staff have tests available and conduct them as often as needed. Shelter,
hotel and outreach staff are doing everything within their resources to provide or
connect people to testing or treatment.
Currently there is a lack of medical transport. Hospitals are not providing transport
when people are discharged from the ER, and ODB staff have been transporting
COVID positive clients to quarantine at the hotel in their personal vehicles.
City Staff will continue to work with outreach staff to inform people of where they
can access testing, as well as work with DCPH to make testing available. Transport is
an ongoing issue we are working to address with the nonprofit agencies. Staff contact:
Courtney Cross, Community Services
J. Eagle Creek Phase 4 Project Update – It is anticipated that Forestar will receive a Clear
and Grade Permit for Eagle Creek Phase 4 the week of October 4. In preparation of
commencing land clearing activities the developer has demonstrated compliance with
all components of the Denton Development Code. It should be noted that this
development is subject to the Pre-2019 DDC (meaning no tree survey is required).
Two outstanding comments are anticipated to be satisfied within the week. The first
comment is to install all erosion and sediment controls, which the developer believes
will be completed shortly. Watershed Protection will perform an inspection to ensure
controls are satisfactorily installed.
The second aspect staff has been working through with the developer is preservation
of the Cross Timbers Upland Habitat. The developer elected to reconfigure lots across
the development to reduce impacts to some of the 30.1 acres of upland forest, resulting
in a gain of over an acre of Cross Timbers Upland Habitat preservation. The lot
reconfiguration requires an Amending Final Plat, which is currently in review and
subject to administrative approval.
Staff is aware of several trees located at the perimeter of land disturbances that have
either been impacted or are at risk during land clearing activity. The developer has
provided a full accounting of these trees in determining that 52.6% of the Cross
Timbers Upland Habitat canopy will be preserved (a minimum of 50% preservation is
required). This is shown in the attached exhibit, Eagle Creek Phase 4 – Updated Tree
Preservation Area. Staff contact: Deborah Viera, Environmental Services
K. American Rescue Plan Grant Applications – The American Rescue Plan, enacted
March 11, 2021, provided $1.9 trillion of pandemic relief funding and made
$350 billion available in state and local government financial assistance from the U.S.
Department of Treasury under the American Rescue Plan’s State and Local Fiscal
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Recovery Funds (SLFRF). The City of Denton’s allocation under the Act is
$23.29 million. Half of this funding ($11.65 million) became available in May 2021,
and the remaining half will be available in May 2022.
July 27, 2021, Denton City Council approved the one-time allocations of $550,000 for
Nonprofit Capacity Support and $895,000 for Behavioral Healthcare Services grant
funding. Funds can be used to cover costs incurred beginning March 3, 2021. All cost
must be incurred or obligated by December 31, 2024. The period of performance will
run until December 31, 2026, at which time all projects must be completed.
Community Services will release the grant applications the week of October 4, 2021
and will be due October 29, 2021. Staff Contact: Courtney Cross, Community Services
L. Upcoming Downtown Construction Community Meeting – On October 14, the
Capital Projects/Engineering Department will host a Downtown Virtual Community
Meeting in collaboration with Economic Development, Public Works, and Public
Affairs to provide residents and business owners with updates on current and planned
construction projects that are occurring in the Downtown area. The Texas Department
of Transportation will also participate on the meeting to discuss future plans to
improve the condition of Locust and Elm. Staff contact: Rachel Wood, Capital
Projects/Engineering
M. City Council Priorities – At the September 28 meeting, the City Council adopted new
Council Priorities and Key Focus Areas for FY21-22. Staff is now coordinating
information for these major projects and goals including completed items, current
status, next steps, and anticipated timeline. This information will be available online
at www.cityofdenton.com/councilpriorities when the new website launches (expected
to be early- to mid-November). Staff contact: Stuart Birdseye, City Manager’s Office
N. DTV Videos for September - In addition to producing public meetings, staff continues
to collaborate on videos that raise awareness, educate, inform, and inspire our
community. Of all the videos produced this month, we are highlighting a few in
the Friday Report and encouraging Council to share them.
• We Are Denton - Inclusion: YouTube, Facebook
• Celebrating the amazing humans that work for the City of Denton; highlighting
our differences while demonstrating the ways we are alike.
• Suicide Prevention Month - Council Member Vicki Byrd: YouTube, Facebook
• For the final week of #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth we shared one video a
day with the goal of raising awareness.
• Denton Answers Questions (Trivia, Favorites): YouTube, Facebook
All videos air on DTV, are shared via social media channels, and are available on
the City’s YouTube channel. Staff contact: Billy Matthews, Customer Service and
Public Affairs
O. Denton Municipal Electric Celebrates Public Power Week – October 3-9, Denton
Municipal Electric (DME) is celebrating Public Power Week, along with more than
2,000 other community-powered, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively
provide electricity to 49 million Americans.
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Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American
Public Power Association. The American Public Power Association is the voice of
not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities
nationwide. The Association represents public power before the federal government
to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities
serve and the 93,000 people they employ. It advocates and advises on electricity
policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Its members strengthen their
communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in
community-owned power.
The City of Denton has placed a high value on community-owned services, and DME
is proud to have served Denton for 116 years. Today, DME has 169 employees, one
natural gas power plant, 19 substations, 35 miles of transmission lines, 522 miles of
underground distribution lines, 359 miles of overhead distribution lines, and eight
charging stations to continue to serve Denton residents. Furthermore, 100% percent
of the energy provided to customers annually is offset by purchase power agreements
established with wind and solar farms (renewable energy) in West and North Texas.
DME also provides:
• Denton residents and customers with a direct say in utility operations and policies.
• Homes, businesses, schools, social services, and local government agencies with
reliable, efficient, and sustainable electricity.
• Consumer protections and sound business practices designed to ensure the best
possible service at not-for-profit rates.
• Education on energy efficiency, environmental protection, and safety awareness.
• Stewardship of the community’s electric and information infrastructure.
• Incentives for energy efficiency and economic development; and
• A helping hand to communities who have experienced natural disasters.
As a not-for-profit public power utility, our loyalty is to our customers – not
stockholders. We take pride in our governance structure, with an (elected/appointed)
policy board comprising local members with open meetings. DME encourages Denton
residents to engage and learn about their community-owned utility by:
• Physically or virtually attending a Public Utility Board (PUB) meeting. PUB
meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 9 a.m. at City Hall
and are accessible online through the City’s website. For those attending in person,
safety measures such as limits on building occupancy or requirements for face
coverings are in place.
• Visiting DME’s webpage at www.dmepower.com and following DME on Twitter
at @dmepower to learn about outages, energy conservation, energy safety tips,
rebates, programs, and weather alerts.
• Emailing your questions, comments, or concerns to DME
at dme@cityofdenton.com
• Contacting your Council Member
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DME is a renewable energy leader in the nation and is committed to providing high-
quality, reliable, cost-effective, and energy efficiency services to its 56,395 customers
in the greater Denton area.
To learn more about the American Public Power Association and Public Power Week,
visit www.PublicPower.org. Staff Contact: Bill Shepherd, DME
III. Responses to Council Member Requests for Information
A. Utilities Construction on Peach Street – Earlier this week, Council Members received
an email from a resident regarding utilities construction on College Park and Peach
St. Staff reached out to the resident and agreed to leave the “Road Closed to Thru
Traffic” sign up along Peach St. until the road surface is completely restored in an
effort to reduce the number of cars passing through possibly producing dust from the
project. The resident was satisfied with this solution and communication with staff. A
full timeline of the construction and next steps is below. Staff contact: Stephen Gay,
Water Utilities
• 6/28/21 – Sewer main replacement project began on Peach/College Park
• 9/24/21 – Sewer main replacement project completed
• 9/27/21 – Received complaint from resident about dusty road
• 9/28/21 – Contacted with resident and agreed to leave ROAD CLOSED TO THRU
TRAFFIC signs up until temporary restoration is completed and sweep regularly
• 9/29/21 – Deployed signs and swept road
• 10/4/21 – Temporary restoration work scheduled to begin
• 10/29/21 – Estimated completion date for temporary restoration
B. Windsor and Old North Concerns – On September 27, Council Member Beck
submitted a request to address a resident’s concerns at Windsor and Old North.
Construction on Windsor Drive is part of the 2019 Street Reconstruction Project that
includes street reconstruction and utility upgrades on portions of Windsor Drive,
Scripture Street, Thomas Street, and Hercules Lane. The 2019 Street Reconstruction
Project is scheduled to be completed by the close of quarter 4 of the calendar year
2021, which includes all remaining reconstruction segments on Windsor Drive.
Immediately following receipt of the concerns, staff contacted the contractor for the
2019 Street Reconstruction Project to have the portable restroom moved to a new
location to lessen the impact on the residents and address the issues with worksite
cleanliness. Staff contact: Dustin Draper, Capital Projects/Engineering
C. Trail to Denton High School – On September 28, Council Member Davis asked staff
to consider a public comment requesting a new trail be added to the plan between
University Drive and the Denton High School campus. The alignment would begin
opposite Hinkle Drive and continue south, primarily utilizing several existing public
rights of way, ending at Crescent Street across from the entrance to the school’s yellow
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parking lot. With the future relocation of Calhoun Middle School and Newton Rayzor
Elementary to the current Denton High campus, a pathway would offer improved
pedestrian and bicycle access to the schools.
Staff reviewed the requested facility and, based on their assessment, the requested path
offers limited benefits from a mobility perspective. While the path would continue
access from the Hinkle bike lanes to the south, the path would end at Crescent Street.
Crescent Street is a planned shared street, that based on another public comment would
preferably include bike lanes. Their comment noted stressful bicycling conditions
riding in shared traffic. There are several significant barriers that would also need to
be addressed, most notably providing a safe crossing of University Drive. A private
development is currently constructing a commercial entrance on the south side of the
intersection, but a traffic signal will not be installed due to close spacing to Fulton
Street, which is the nearest intersection with a traffic signal that also includes
pedestrian crosswalks. Additional challenges would include potential impacts to
Pecan Creek and private properties along the alignment.
The Mobility Plan currently calls for a trail along the north side of University Drive
and bike lanes on Fulton Street. These plans would offer similar connectivity to the
requested pathway. However, these connections would be made along existing public
roadways, and Fulton Street continues south an additional 2/3 of a mile to Oak Street.
After evaluating all possible solutions and challenges, the staff does not recommend
including this pathway as a recommendation of the Mobility Plan. Staff contacts:
Chandrakanth Muruganandham and Nathan George, Capital Projects/Engineering
P. Drainage Ditch Access – On September 28, staff received a message that was
submitted to all Council Members regarding the drainage easement backing up to the
property at 1115 Oakhurst Dr. From November 2020 - February 4, 2021, Animal
Services responded to 6 service calls regarding aggressive dogs, barking dogs and
stray dogs who were allowed by their owner to freely run inside of a restricted access,
fenced drainage easement owned by the City. On February 4, Animal Services
discovered that the dogs were gaining access to the fenced drainage easement from a
hole the owner cut in his wooden fence.
The drainage department visited the site and worked with several other City
departments (Animal Services, Real Estate, Legal, and Parks and Recreation) to
determine the history of the easement and why it has been fenced off and restricted.
Staff explored the option of removing the fence however, after reviewing research
provided, it was determined the fence was installed to protect the children at the local
elementary from getting in the detention pond. The owner has been informed that the
fenced easement is not open to the public, or for his personal use, and signage has
been added to clearly communicate as such. After the signage was installed in April,
a mowing contractor for the Parks and Recs department expressed concerns for his
crews responsible for mowing the grassy area of the easement due to the resident’s
dogs continuing to run freely and acting with some degree of aggression. Staff will
continue to try to work with the owner and take appropriate enforcement actions where
necessary given the continued complaints. Staff Contact: Randi Weinberg, Animal
Services and Daniel Kremer, Public Works
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Q. Construction Site on Colorado Boulevard – On September 30, Council Member Byrd
forwarded a resident’s concern regarding a construction site on Colorado Boulevard.
This is in relation to the Vista Verde multi-family development project. A Public
Works Inspector visited the site to address the concerns that were raised by the
resident. The traffic control plan was put into place as demolition work on that lane of
the roadway began on September 28, 2021. The contractor has also been instructed to
provide a portable restroom on-site, regularly monitor dust, and perform dust control
as necessary. Staff contact: Trevor Crain, Capital Projects/Engineering
IV. Information from the City Manager
A. Houston Chronicle Article – Attached is an article from the Houston Chronicle titled
“‘This is a wake-up call’: Feds reveal findings on Texas blackouts from deadly
February freeze” which discusses the preliminary findings from the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission and the North American Reliability Corp. review of the
winter storms.
V. Upcoming Community Events and Meetings
A. National Night Out – Tuesday, October 5, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at various
locations and neighborhoods around Denton.
B. Stream Clean – Saturday, October 16 at various locations throughout Denton.
Denton’s annual waterways cleanup will kick off with a volunteer appreciation
breakfast, after which, volunteers will travel to their assigned locations. Registration
closes on October 7. Individuals and groups are welcome. This event is an
interdepartmental partnership of Denton Parks and Recreation, Watershed, Solid
Waste & Recycling, Water Utilities, Drainage, and Sustainability. The last time this
event was held in 2019, volunteers removed 335 bags of trash, 142 bags of recyclables,
and 60 oversized items from our local environment. Registration is available online at
www.bitly.com/denton-volunteer Staff contact: Autumn Natalie, Parks and
Recreation
VI. Attachments
A. DCTA Responses .......................................................................................................13
B. Eagle Creek Phase 4 – Updated Tree Preservation Area ...........................................30
C. “This is a wake-up call” Article .................................................................................31
VII. Informal Staff Reports
A. 2021-080 Cost of Service ...........................................................................................34
B. 2021-081 Internal Audit Advisory Committee ..........................................................66
C. 2021-082 Utility System Revenue Bond Sale Results ...............................................72
D. 2021-083 Summary of the September 24 Bond Oversight Committee meeting ........74
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Council Information
A. Council Requests for Information .............................................................................91
B. Council Calendar .......................................................................................................93
C. Draft Agenda for October 12 ......................................................................................96
D. Future Work Session Items .....................................................................................104
E. Street Construction Report ......................................................................................106
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September 30, 2021
Ms. Sara Hensley
Interim City Manager, City of Denton
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, TX 76201
Dear Ms. Hensley,
Thank you for bringing the questions from the September 21, 2021 Denton City Council regarding
Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to our attention. Please find below our responses
to the questions from each council member:
Council Member Maguire
Please provide details regarding what staff have recently resigned and the timeline of refilling
currently vacant positions.
• DCTA works diligently to be an employer of choice for the best and brightest talent in the
North Texas Region. Nationwide bus operator shortages coupled with the continuing
uncertainly on the future of fixed route bus service at DCTA have contributed to a number
of bus operations positions needing to be filled. At the September 29, 2021 North Texas
Mobility Corporation (NTMC) Board of Directors meeting, 17 open positions were
reported consisting of 15 Operators, 2 Dispatchers and 1 Road Supervisor. NTMC is
actively working to fill the positions.
• On the administration side, over the last quarter DCTA has received resignations from the
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Mobility Services, Senior Manager of
Marketing and Communications, Manager of Mobility Services and an Accountant 1
position.
• As the structure of transit serves continues to evolve, DCTA is currently reevaluating some
of the vacant positions and considering an organizational realignment to ensure the best
personnel are in place to better serve DCTA and its communities.
• Recently, DCTA has added two new members to our staff, including the new Director o f
Public Involvement, Pamela Burns, who joins us after 15 years with the North Central
Texas Council of Governments. Additionally, DCTA has hired Brittney Farr as the new
Director of Government Relations. Ms. Farr joins us after nearly 9 years with Dallas Area
Rapid Transit. DCTA will continue to keep our member cities up to date on all significant
hires to the organization.
Does DCTA have a staff member who is responsible for grant applications and grant
management?
• Whitney Trayler, Grants Manager for DCTA, coordinates and manages grants for the
agency.
Does DCTA have a rule preventing staff from accepting employment with DCTA contractors
and/or vendors?
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• Chapter 7 of the DCTA Employee Handbook contains the “Revolving Door Policy”. Per
the Revolving Door Policy, prior DCTA employees are prohibited from representing or
receiving compensation for services rendered on behalf of any individual or business entity
regarding a particular matter in which they participated in while serving with the agency,
either through personal involvement, or because the matter was within his or her official
responsibility.
Is the current plan to eliminate routes 1, 2, 4, and 6 when concurrent service ends on December
6, 2021?
• DCTA recognizes the importance of selecting the best services to meet the needs of our
customers and stakeholders. At the September 23, 2021 meeting of the DCTA Board of
Directors, the board agreed to combine the November and December board meetings to
avoid the Thanksgiving holiday. At the combined meeting, scheduled for December 2,
2021, the DCTA Board of Directors will evaluate ridership data, key performance
indicators and other transit metrics and trends to determine the future of fixed route services
within the DCTA Service Area. Final decisions regarding Routes 1, 2, 4 and 6 will be made
at the combined meeting on December 2, 2021.
Is the current plan to eliminate routes 3 and 7 when concurrent service ends on March 6, 2021?
• Like Routes 1, 2, 4 and 6, the DCTA Board of Directors wishes to continue monitoring
ridership information to make a final determination on the continuation of Routes 3 and 7
prior to the March 6, 2021 deadline.
Has the NTMC contract changed as a result of bus routes being reduce and/or eliminated with the
service model revision?
• DCTA created NTMC as a local government corporation in 2019. Through an Interlocal
Agreement (ILA) between DCTA and NTMC, NTMC is responsible for providing
mobility services (fixed route and demand response other than demand response provided
by Via), fare collection, bus and facility maintenance, and customer service for DCTA.
DCTA establishes service levels of fixed route and demand response to be provided by
NTMC. If fixed routes are reduced or eliminated due to a shift to GoZone service or for
any other reason, NTMC would scale staffing accordingly but the ILA itself would not
need to be changed.
Please describe pre-COVID outreach efforts made by DCTA to increase ridership.
• Please find enclosed our Marketing/Community Outreach activities to increase ridership
over the last years.
Council Member Beck
Is there a way of confirming how much of current GoZone ridership is experimental compared to
how much is for true transit purposes?
14
• Unfortunately, there is currently no way to determine what the purpose of a scheduled trip
is on the GoZone application. DCTA staff is currently in conversation with the GoZone
provider, Via, to explore additional surveys/data gathering capabilities within the GoZone
application.
Do we know how many GoZone users are calling in compared to using the app?
• As of 9/27/21, approximately 500 rides were booked by calling in. This accounts for 5%
of our bookings compared to those using the app.
Is DCTA collecting data on how many people use the app for fixed routes compared to GoZone
users?
• DCTA collects data of the number and type of tickets sold through the mobile ticketing
application GoPass but does not have information about the number of unique users of the
GoPass application. Because DCTA local and regional passes can be used for fixed route
service, GoZone service, or rail service, we cannot tie ticket sales to a particular mode of
service.
Could DCTA prepare a heat map comparing GoZone ridership to fixed route ridership during the
concurrent period?
• A map is included in the enclosures.
Council Member Armintor
When will the DCTA Board of Directors make a decision regarding the continuation of routes 1,
2, 4, and 6? Will it be at the November or December board meeting, and have dates for those
meetings been confirmed?
• At the September 23, 2021 meeting of the DCTA Board of Directors, the board agreed to
combine the November and December board meetings to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday.
At the combined meeting, scheduled for December 2, 2021, the DCTA Board of Directors
will evaluate ridership data, key performance indicators and other transit metrics and trends
to determine the future of fixed router services within the DCTA Service Area. Final
decisions regarding Routes 1, 2, 4 and 6 will be made at the combined meeting on
December 2, 2021.
Please confirm if there has been a reduction in the number of fixed routes available due to limited
availability of drivers. If this is true, please provide details regarding how many routes per day
have been impacted.
• The nationwide shortage of bus operators has affected school districts, transit agencies and
private sector industries across the country, and DCTA is no exception to this issue. DCTA
has not reduced the number of fixed routes, however, DCTA is experiencing some missed
15
trips and delays due to operator shortages. As a result, while the routes have not been
affected, DCTA has reduced the number of vehicles serving routes 4, 2 and 22.
If the number of routes has been reduced due to a reported driver shortage, how will thi s impact
data currently being collected for those routes?
• While the number of routes has not been reduced due to operator shortages, the number of
vehicles operating along each route has been affected. The potential impact of these
reductions in service availability or frequency could result in a reduction in ridership data.
Mayor Pro Tem Meltzer
Has there been a discussion by the DCTA Board of Directors to eliminate fares and if so, has there
been a study on the potential impact eliminating fares would have on transit ridership?
• The DCTA Board has previously discussed the concept of free fares but has not conducted
its own study. In conversations with other transit agencies around the country, the primary
concern industry-wide is without a paid fare as a barrier to entry, transit systems struggle
with increased utilization of services by a transient or unhoused population who utilize the
vehicle as a form of shelter. This may impact safety and/or overall quality of customer
experience as well as vehicle capacity. DCTA will continue to explore the possibility of
eliminating fares in upcoming board meetings.
Mayor Hudspeth
Please provide data on late night ridership and Sunday ridership for GoZone.
• Since the launch of GoZone on September 7, 2021 the three Sundays worth of service total
of 961 completed rides. The Guaranteed Ride Home service, which encapsulate late night
service (Monday – Thursday: 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday: 11 p.m. – 2 a.m.)
has generated 9 total trips. GoZone ridership continues to grow each week.
Is DCTA preparing materials and/or a transit plan to use GoZone and other transit services for
Denton County residents to get to both major airports in the Metroplex?
• DCTA continues to work with our regional partners at DART and Trinity Metro to develop
additional service to both major airports in the North Texas Region. DCTA is currently
working with DART to explore the possibility of extending the DCTA A-Train to
Downtown Carrollton Station in order to connect with DART’s new commuter rail service,
the Silver Line, which terminate at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.
There have also been discussion on potential express buses to Downtown Dallas,
connecting Denton County residents to Love Field Airport. However, with the upcoming
DART bus network redesign, conversations have been paused until the final revised bus
network has been implemented.
How are GoZone drivers navigating Denton, is it using Waze or another app?
16
• GoZone drivers use the mapping software built into the driver app provided by Via. Use
of the driver app is key to the algorithms used by Via to optimize rides and pickups.
Please provide a map showing a 46-yard radius of all fixed-route bus stops in Denton.
• Average walking distance for GoZone riders is approximate 126.7 meters (or 138.6). A
map is attached showing a radius of similar distance for fixed-route bus stops located in
the City of Denton.
Can you confirm if Dallas Area Rapid Transit is currently studying use of an on-demand service
delivery model?
• Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is in the final stages of implementing its first complete
bus network redesign since the agency was created in 1983. The DART Board of Directors
approved the DARTzoom Bus Network Redesign in August, with full implementation
scheduled for January 24, 2022. The DARTzoom project shifts fixed route bus service onto
higher ridership routes, allowing for much needed frequency improvements, while
expanding the number of DART GoLink on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service
solution service zones from 17 to 30 to provide ample coverage for portions of the DART
Service Area that no longer have fixed route service. The goal of the DARTzoom Bus
Network Redesign is to provide greater frequency, longer service hours and improved
access to destinations.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me directly at
972-316-6100 or rsuarez@dcta.net.
Sincerely,
Raymond Suarez, Chief Executive Officer
Enclosures
c: Denton City Council
Denton County Transportation Authority Board of Directors
Brittney Farr, Director of Government Relations
17
TIMELINE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS
Ongoing Member City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Transit Oriented Development)
January‐15
January Service Changes Launch
‐ Additional mid‐day A‐train service
‐ Improved A‐train connections with DART Green Line
‐ Improved frequency during weekday service on Denton Connect Route 2 (operate every 30 minutes instead of
every 50 minutes)
‐ Improved frequency Saturday service on Denton Connect Routes 2, 4, 6, and 8:
‐ Route 2 (operate every 60 minutes instead of 93 minutes)
‐ Route 4 (operate every 35 minutes instead of 93)
‐ Route 6 (operate every 55 minutes instead of 94 )
‐ Route 8 (operate every 40 minutes instead of 94 minutes)
February‐15 Valentine's Day Free Ride Campaign
May ‐ August 2015 Summer Youth Transit Pass Campaign
August‐15 Highland Village Balloon Fest Free Shuttle Promotion
August‐15
August Service Changes Launch
‐ Denton and Lewisville Connect Bus
‐ Routing on Hickory St., between Bell and Industrial, sshifted north to Oak and/or McKinney St. which
affected Denton Connect Routes 6, 7, 8 and 9
‐ Lewisville Connect Route 23 8:40 a.m. northbound trip at Old Town Station was delayed from 9:03 a.m.to
9:05 a.m to allow those departing from the 9:05 a.m. southbound train to transfer to Route 23
‐ Lewisville Connect Route 21 4:05 p.m. southbound trip was changed to leave Walmart Main Street at 4:02
p.m. (three minutes earlier) so passengers using this trip could transfer to the 4:38 p.m. southbound train at
Hebron Station
‐ UNT and NCTC Campus Shuttles
‐ NCTC Shuttle last southbound and northbound trips, to and from the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake
Station, were changed to depart the campus 26 minutes later than originally scheduled to better match class
schedules
‐ UNT Shuttle routes that served Highland Avenue, prior to the Highland Avenue street closure, were
changed to resume their pre‐construction routing
‐ UNT Campus Cruiser Shuttle was changed to no longer provide service to Discovery Park
‐ UNT Discovery Park Shuttle was updated with extended operating hours until 10:30 p.m., Monday through
Thursday, and Saturday service was provided
‐ UNT Centre Place East Shuutle was changed to arrive and depart every 15 minutes during operating hours
‐ UNT Centre Place West Shutte was changed to arrive and depart every nine minutes in the morning and
arrive and depart every 27 minutes in the afternoons and evenings
5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2015)
18
September 2015 ‐
May 2017
Comprehensive Operational Analysis (conducted in an effort to improve bus service provided
within DCTA member cities of Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton)
September‐15 Lewisville Western Days Free Shuttle Promotion
September 2015 ‐
October 2015 2015 State Fair of Texas Campaign (expanded A‐train service every Saturday during the fair)
November‐15 Veterans Day Free Ride Campaign
December‐15 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival Free Ride Promo
December‐15 Frisco On‐Demand Service Launch
19
TIMELINE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS
Ongoing Member City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Transit Oriented Development)
September 2015 ‐
May 2017
Comprehensive Operational Analysis (conducted in an effort to improve bus service provided
within DCTA member cities of Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton)
January‐16 January Service Changes Launch (no updates were made to service schedules and routes; change
included DCTA no longer including UNT Campus Shuttle schedules/maps in the Go Guide)
April‐16 Highland Village Connect Shuttle & Community On‐Demand Services Launch
April‐16 #GoGreenGoDCTA Earth Day Campaign
May ‐ August 2016 Summer Youth Transit Pass Campaign
June‐16 A‐train Fifth Birthday Free Ride Campaign
August‐16
August Service Changes Launch
‐ Lewisville COA first phase implementation:
‐ Connect Routes 21, 22 and 23 were consolidated into two new routes – 21 and 22 – to better serve the
needs of Lewisville residents
‐ These new routes were implemented to preserve service coverage to nearly all existing riders and
introduce a new service extension to north Lewisville via Summit Avenue (transfer opportunity to the Highland
Village Connect Shuttle at Summit Avenue and FM 407)
‐ Routes 21 and 22 began operating every 30 minutes during the weekday peak and every 60 minutes during
weekday off‐peak service and on Saturdays
August‐16 Highland Village Balloon Fest Free Shuttle Promotion
August‐16 I‐35E vs. A‐train Content Campaign Launch
September‐16 North Texas Xpress Commuter Bus Service Launch
September‐16 Lewisville Western Days Free Shuttle Promotion
September 2016 ‐
October 2016
2016 State Fair of Texas Campaign (operated a Friday schedule on Saturdays and added an
additional northbound midnight train on Fridays and Saturdays during the fair)
October‐16 DCTA Highland Village Uber Discount Pilot Program Launch
November‐16 Veterans Day Free Ride Campaign
December‐16 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival Free Ride Promo
5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2016)
20
TIMELINE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS
Ongoing Member City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Complete Streets & Station Connectivity,
Transit Oriented Development, A‐train Extension Potential, Trail Expansion Development)
September 2015 ‐
May 2017
Comprehensive Operational Analysis (conducted in an effort to improve bus service provided
within DCTA member cities of Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton)
May‐17 Bike Everywhere Challenge Campaign (partnership with NCTCOG and all three member cities ‐
Denton, Lewisville and Highland Village)
May‐17 DCTA Highland Village Uber Discount Program Expansion & Promotion
May‐17 May Service Changes Launch (Denton COA ‐ additional service improvements)
May ‐ August 2017 Summer Youth Pass Campaign
June‐17 Collin County Transit Launch (MUTD)
August‐17
August Service Changes Launch
‐ A‐train free fare zones launched
‐ Minor schedule changes to Denton Connect Routes 7 and 8
‐ Highland Village Connect Shuttle flag stops instituted that allowed riders to signal a driver to
board the shuttle without being at an official stop
‐ New transit hub centers at UNT Fouts Field and Union Circle that contributed to UNT’s vision of a
more safe and walkable campus
August‐17 A‐train Free Fare Zones Promotion Launch
August‐17 Highland Village Balloon Fest Free Shuttle Promotion
September‐17 Lewisville Western Days Free Shuttle Promotion
September 2017 ‐
October 2017
2017 State Fair of Texas Campaign (ticket combo deal ‐ fair goers received a 25% discount on a
regional day pass with the purchase of a State Fair of Texas ticket via DCTA)
October‐17 Collin County Transit Celina Service Launch (MUTD)
November‐17 Veterans Day Free Ride Campaign
December‐17 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival Free Ride Promo
5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2017)
21
TIMELINE
Ongoing Member City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Transit Oriented Development, A‐train
Extension Potential, Trail Expansion Development & Connectivity)
January‐18
January Service Changes Launch
All Denton and Lewisville Connect Bus routes had minor schedule changes, and listed below are more specifics:
‐ Denton Connect Route 4 was changed to a 30‐minute peak frequency added from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and
from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. (60 minute off‐peak frequency remained in effect)
‐ Denton Connect Route 6 was extended to provide service between the Downtown Denton Transit Center
(DDTC) and Discovery Park
‐ Various Denton and Lewisville Connect Routes (minor changes to the schedule times allowed for a better
connection to the A‐train)
‐ Stopped providing Go Guides and moved back to individual routes/schedules
January‐18 DCTA Highland Village Lyft Discount Program Launch
February‐18 University Services Awareness Campaign
February‐18 Transit 101 Quarterly Educational Event Promotion
March‐18 Antero Group Case for Transit Study Promotion
April‐18 Thin Line Festival Free Ride Promotion
April‐18 Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Free Ride Promotion
May‐18 Transit 101 Quarterly Educational Event Promotion
May‐18 Frisco Drive.ai Self‐Driving Car Service Launch
May‐18 Bike to Work Day Free Ride Campaign
May ‐ August 2018 Summer Youth Transit Pass Campaign
August 2018 ‐
February 2020 Denton Enterprise Airport On‐Demand Service
August‐18 Local University A‐train Free Ride Promotion Launch
5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2018)
22
August‐18
August Service Changes Launch
Key Bus Enhancements
‐ Denton Connect Route 8 changed for better connectivity with the A‐train and to serve the southern portion
of UNT, as well as areas on Eagle
‐ Minor schedule tweaks to Denton Connect Routes 1, 6 and 7 that improved efficiency and connectivity
between other DCTA services
‐ Expansion of UNT North Texan and Eagle Point Campus Shuttle routes
‐ UNT North Texan Campus Shuttle was rerouted to provide more frequent service to Victory Hall and serve
the new parking spaces at Apogee Stadium
‐ UNT Eagle Point Shutle began serving Maple, Kerr, Honors and Victory Halls which provided additional
capacity for the campus circulators and a one‐seat ride for students who reside at Victory Hall to the General
Academic Building (GAB) and UNT Union
Highland Village Services
Community On‐Demand service discontinued and replaced with expanded Lyft discount program (up to $10‐
sponsored discount)
Highland Village Connect Shuttle went to a 30‐minute frequency for more efficient operations
New Fare Promotions
‐ University A‐train promotion provided to UNT, TWU and NCTC students, faculty and staff with free A‐train
rides between the Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton and the Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC) ‐ was valid
from August 27, 2018 through January 14, 2019
‐ Local Fare promotion launched to offset regional fare increases and consisted of reduced ticket prices
across all DCTA local fares
August‐18 Local Fare Promotion Launch (Reduction of 50‐75% to local fares)
August‐18 Highland Village Balloon Fest Free Shuttle Promotion
September‐18 Transit 101 Quarterly Educational Event Promotion
September‐18 A‐train Rail Trail Lake Dallas Ribbon‐Cutting Ceremony
September‐18 DCTA's UNT Lyft Program Launch
September‐18 Lewisville Western Days Free Shuttle Promotion
September 2018 ‐
October 2018
2018 State Fair of Texas Campaign (ticket combo deal ‐ free DCTA local pass with the purchase of a
State Fair of Texas ticket through DCTA for $13.50 (a $21 value)
November‐18 Election Day Free Ride Promotion
November‐18 Veterans Day Free Ride Campaign
December‐18 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival Free Ride Promo
23
TIMELINE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS
Ongoing
Member City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Transit Oriented Development, A‐train
Extension Potential, KCS Rail Corridor Development Potential, Trail Expansion Development &
Connectivity)
August 2018 ‐
February 2020 Denton Enterprise Airport On‐Demand Service
January‐19 New Fare Structure Launch (Formal Adoption of August 2018 Local Fare Promotion)
January‐19
January Service Changes Launch
Fare Updates
‐ Permanent adoption of DCTA’s Local Fare Promotion that was launched in August 2018
‐ Connect fare discontinued and all DCTA local fare updated with categorization of as Local Day, Local A.M.
and Local P.M. fare
University Program Updates
‐ Extension of UNT Lyft program
‐ Discontinuation of Local University A‐train Free Ride promotion
Bus Service Updates
‐ Lewisville Lakeway On‐Demand launch
‐ Denton Connect Route 7 changed to no longer travel from Hickory, north on Locust to McKinney, and
south on Railroad to the Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC)
‐ Portion of Lewisville Connect Route 21 that served the Lakeway Business Park Area in Lewisville was
replaced with the new Lewisville Lakeway On‐Demand service
‐ Mean Green Night Rider and Discovery Park UNT Campus Shuttles Saturday schedule updated to become
Sunday schedule
January‐19 Lewisville Lakeway On‐Demand Service & Promotion
January‐19 Denton Black Film Festival Free Ride Promotion
February‐19 Transit 101 Quarterly Event Promotion
April‐19 Get on Board Day Promotion (APTA)
April‐19 Thin Line Festival Free Ride Promotion
April‐19 Denton Arts & Jazz Free Ride Promotion
May‐19 Bike to Work Day Free Ride Campaign
June‐19 Collin County Transit Prosper Service Launch (MUTD)
5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2019)
24
June‐19 National Trails Day Event (free A‐train rides offered all day)
June‐19 Transit 101 Quarterly Educational Event Promotion
August‐19
August Service Changes Launch
‐ Midday A‐train service added and increased frequency all day (30‐minute frequency except between 1 p.m.
and 2 p.m)
‐ Denton Connect Bus schedules updated to match the new A‐train schedule and route changes to improve
on‐time performance
‐ Lewisville Connect Bus schedules updated to match the new A‐train schedule
‐ Highland Village Connect Shuttle schedule updated to match the new A‐train schedule
‐ New UNT Campus Shuttle route numbering system (each sequence has a three‐digit code to identify the
proper group, route and schedule)
August‐19 University Pass Program Update Campaign Launch (Simplified fare structure; better align with
existing local and regional reduced fares)
August‐19 Mid‐day A‐train Service Launch & Promotion
August‐19 Highland Village Balloon Fest Free Shuttle Promotion
September‐19 Lewisville Western Days Free Shuttle Promotion
September 2019 ‐
October 2019
2019 State Fair of Texas Promotional Campaign (ticket combo deal ‐ receive one free DCTA and
DART local pass with the purchase of a State Fair of Texas ticket through DCTA for $16.50 ($27 in
total savings)
October‐19 Lewisville Access to Flower Mound Lyft Program Launch
November‐19 Veterans Day Free Ride Campaign
December‐19 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival & Lewisville Old Town Holiday Stroll Free Ride Promotions (Code
Word)
25
TIMELINEMARKETING CAMPAIGNS/COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTSOngoingMember City Partnership Discussions (Parking Share, Transit Oriented Development, A‐train Extension Potential, KCS Rail Corridor Development Potential, Trail Expansion Development)2017 ‐ 2020Hebron Station Connectivity Partnership with Huffines 121 Hebron Station DevelopmentAugust 2018 ‐ February 2020Denton Enterprise Airport On‐Demand Service January‐20A‐train Rail Trail Completion & PromotionJanuary‐20Denton Black Film Festival Free Ride PromotionMarch‐20March Service Changes (one on March 16 ‐ regular; other on March 23 due to COVID‐19)March‐20Highland Village Lyft Program Expansion & Promotional CampaignMay‐20May Service Changes (due to COVID‐19)This decreased service and didn't necessarily increase ridershipMay‐20Bike Month Campaign5‐Year History of Efforts to Drive Ridership (2020)26
Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community
Document Path: S:\STRATEGIC PLANNING\GoZoneDataProcessing\DummyData\MDX\DentonMaps_092721.mxd Date: 9/27/2021
1 in = 1 miles
Legend
Connect Passenger Trips to Sept. 23
700 - 1300
1301 - 5000
>5000
Connect Bus Stops
GoZone Service Area
Denton
Denia Neighborhood Add On
Denton Connect Routes and Stops
·
27
Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community
Document Path: S:\STRATEGIC PLANNING\GoZoneDataProcessing\DummyData\MDX\DentonMaps_092721.mxd Date: 9/28/2021
1 in = 1 miles
Legend
Connect Passenger Trips to Sept. 23
700 - 1300
1301 - 5000
>5000
Connect Bus Stops
GoZone Trip Origins
GoZone Service Area
Denton
Denia Neighborhood Add On
Denton Connect Routes, Stops, and GoZone Trip Origins
·
28
Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community
Document Path: S:\STRATEGIC PLANNING\GoZoneDataProcessing\DummyData\MDX\DentonMaps_092721.mxd Date: 9/28/2021
1 in = 1 miles
Legend
Connect Passenger Trips to Sept. 23
700 - 1300
1301 - 5000
>5000
Connect Bus Stops
GoZone Trip Origins
127-Meter Bus Stop Buffer
GoZone Service Area
Denton
Denia Neighborhood Add On
Denton Connect Routes, GoZone Trip Origins With 127-Meter Bus Stop Buffers
·
29
30
'This is a wake-up call': Feds reveal findings on Texas blackouts from
deadly February freeze
Houston Chronicle
Federal energy officials vowed to ensure that Texas improves its electricity grid and natural gas system
after widespread blackouts during the February freeze led to more than 200 deaths and billions of
dollars in property damage.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Reliability Corp. on Thursday
presented their preliminary findings from the winter storm and outlined a series of familiar
recommendations to prevent another catastrophic power failure as climate change brings about more
severe weather that threatens the nation’s power grids.
These recommendations, similar to the ones FERC issued in the aftermath of the 2011 Texas blackouts,
would require power plants and natural gas producers to protect critical equipment from freezing
temperatures, to update power
“This is a wake-up call for all of us,” FERC Chairman Rich Glick said. “We must take these
recommendations seriously, and act decisively, to ensure the bulk power system doesn’t fail the next
31
time extreme weather hits. I cannot, and will not, allow this to become yet another report that serves
no purpose other than to gather dust on the shelf.”
Glick said he was “extremely frustrated” that Texas energy regulators and the state’s grid manager
ERCOT failed to heed FERC’s recommendations after a February 2011 winter storm left more than 3
million Texans without power as the Super Bowl was played outside Dallas.
After that storm, FERC warned ERCOT that power plants and natural gas producers had failed to
adequately weatherize facilities. Subsequent recommendations were watered down into guidelines that
few power generators and natural gas producers followed, Glick said.
Had Texas followed FERC’s guidance a decade ago, the state could have avoided February’s deadly and
devastating blackouts, he said.
“In this day and age, we have people that froze to death because of power outages. That’s beyond
unacceptable,” Glick said. “The worst part about this, one of the points that frustrates me the most, is
that some of it was avoidable.”
CHRONICLE INVESTIGATION: Failures of Power
FERC is the federal agency that oversees the nation’s electric grids and natural gas pipelines, and NERC is
a nonprofit group that oversees electric grid reliability and security in the U.S., Canada and northern
Mexico. It’s unclear how the two organizations will enforce their recommendations, given that Texas’s
power grid operates independently from larger regional grids to avoid federal oversight.
In a 31-page report published Thursday, FERC said the February winter storm caused the largest forced
power outages in the nation’s history, and was the third largest blackout after the Northeast blackout in
2003 and the West Coast blackout in 1996. The February freeze was the fourth severe winter event over
the past decade, knocking out 61,800 megawatts of power across the Midwest and South, including
Texas and Louisiana.
The Texas power grid managed by ERCOT received the harshest effects of the freeze. The storm knocked
out an average of 34,000 megawatts of power on ERCOT’s grid, nearly half of its record winter demand
load of 69,871 megawatts.
FERC said the biggest factors contributing to power plants failing were the lack of weatherization of
critical equipment and natural gas supply issues at power plants. Nearly 58 percent of the power
generators that went offline during the storm were natural gas plants.
As a result, ERCOT ordered Texas power utilities to implement rolling blackouts to prevent the grid from
a total collapse. At the worst of the storm, the grid manager ordered as much as 20,000 megawatts of
power to be shed from the grid. These rolling blackouts left more than 4.5 million Texas customers —
including 1.4 million in the Houston area — without power for three days as temperatures plunged.
ERCOT in February said its grid was less than five minutes away from imploding, which would have
necessitated a difficult reboot of the entire system, called a “black start,” that would have taken weeks if
not months. Rolling blackouts were necessary, ERCOT said, to prevent that worst-case scenario.
The rolling blackouts affected natural gas production and processing facilities, most of which weren’t
exempt from emergency outages, which caused even more natural gas powered plants to go offline.
32
While other electric grids in the Midwest were able to pull additional power from neighboring grids,
ERCOT’s was left stranded, which exacerbated the blackouts, Glick said. FERC recommended that ERCOT
examine how it implements rolling blackouts and consider additional connections to other grids.
“ERCOT is essentially an island onto itself, in large part because Texas wants to avoid having its grid
regulated in part by this commission,” Glick said. “In my perspective, that is very, very short-sighted and
amounts to nothing more than cutting off your nose to spite your face.”
ERCOT did not respond to a request for comment.
The Public Utility Commission, which oversees ERCOT, said it welcomed the federal recommendations as
the Texas regulator looks to transform the grid.
“The lessons of Winter Storm Uri have been driving the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT in their
shared, aggressive pursuit of market and infrastructure solutions intended to prevent a recurrence,”
PUC Chairman Peter Lake said.
The Railroad Commission, which oversees Texas’ natural gas system, said it is studying the federal report
and declined to comment further.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, which appoints regulators to the PUC, didn't respond to a request for
comment.
Michael Webber, an energy professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said that while the state
Legislature passed some reforms mandating weatherization for power plants, it didn’t ensure that
natural gas producers and pipelines protect their facilities from freezing temperatures. Webber said he
was glad to see FERC call out the natural gas system as a main culprit for the February blackouts.
“It was a big step in the right direction, but it didn’t go far enough,” Webber said of the Legislature’s
actions. “I don’t think these recommendations will be ignored this time. It’s the second time in a decade
and (hundreds of) people died. It’ll get a different kind of sustained attention.”
33
Date: October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-080
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Water Cost of Service Study
BACKGROUND:
On September 28, 2021, the City Council approved the FY 2021-22 water rates. The rates include
a new rate structure for residential customers to further incentive water conservation.
DISCUSSION:
The City contracted with Raftelis to update the City’s Water and Wastewater cost-of-service and
rate design study. Raftelis provided expertise in reviewing all cost (both direct and indirect) and
revenue requirements, which helps ensure rates are equitably designed among all rate classes. The
cost-of-service studies for the utilities are updated approximately every five years. During interim
years, staff from the Finance, Water and Wastewater Departments update the model.
The results of the cost-of-service study was discussed with the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and
City Council during the FY 2021-22 budget process. The purpose of this Informal Staff Report is
to provide both the PUB and City Council a copy of the final report.
STAFF CONTACT:
Nick Vincent
Assistant Director of Finance
nicholas.vincent@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Staff
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
Finance
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
Staff – .5 hours
ATTACHMENTS
Water and Wastewater Cost of Service Study
34
1.1.1.
2021 Financial Plan and Rate Design
Study
September 1, 2021
City of
Denton
35
This page intentionally left blank to facilitate two-sided printing.
36
3755 South Capital of Texas Highway, Ste. 155
Austin, TX 78704
www.raftelis.com
August 1, 2021
Stephen Gay
Director of Water and Wastewater Utilities
901-B Texas St.
Denton, TX 76209
Subject: 2021 Financial Plan and Rate Design Study
Dear Mr. Gay,
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. (Raftelis) is pleased to provide this Rate Study Report (Report) for the 2021
Financial Plan and Rate Design Study (Study). This report will provide a summary of the work completed for the
City of Denton Water and Wastewater Utility (Utility).
This report will provide:
Overview of the Utility,
A description of the financial results of the Utility, and
Recommendations for rate design changes
It has been a pleasure working with you to complete this final product. We thank you and the City staff for the
support provided during the course of this study.
Sincerely,
Angie Flores
Senior Manager
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................... 1
1.1. DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY .............................................................. 1
1.2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ................................................................. 1
2. FINANCIAL PLAN .................................................................... 1
2.1. WATER FINANCIAL PLAN ....................................................................... 1
2.2. EXISTING WATER RATES ....................................................................... 2
2.3. FORECAST OF WATER EXPENDITURES .............................................. 4
2.3.1. Operations and Maintenance Costs..........................................................................4
2.3.2. Water Utility Capital Improvements and Financing .................................................5
2.3.3. Water Impact Fees ......................................................................................................6
2.3.4. Total Water Revenue Requirements .........................................................................6
2.4. FORECAST OF WATER REVENUE ......................................................... 7
2.5. WATER UTILITY REVENUE SUFFICIENCY ............................................ 8
3. WASTEWATER FINANCIAL PLAN.......................................... 8
3.1. EXISTING WASTEWATER RATES .......................................................... 8
3.2. FORECAST OF WASTEWATER EXPENDITURES ................................. 9
3.2.1. Wastewater Utility Capital Improvements and Financing .....................................10
3.2.2. Wastewater ImpactFees ...........................................................................................11
3.2.3. Total Wastewater Revenue Requirements .............................................................11
3.3. FORECAST OF WASTEWATER REVENUE .......................................... 12
3.4. WASTEWATER REVENUE SUFFICIENCY ............................................ 13
4. DRAINAGE FINANCIAL PLAN .............................................. 13
4.1. EXISTING DRAINAGE RATES ............................................................... 13
4.2. FORECAST OF DRAINAGE EXPENDITURES ...................................... 14
4.2.1. Drainage Utility Capital Improvements ...................................................................14
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
4.2.2. Drainage Revenue Requirements ...........................................................................15
4.3. FORECAST OF DRAINAGE REVENUE ................................................. 15
4.4. DRAINAGE REVENUE SUFFICIENCY ................................................... 15
5. UTILITY FINANCIAL PL AN .................................................... 16
6. RATE DESIGN ....................................................................... 19
6.1. RATE DESIGN CHANGES ...................................................................... 19
6.1.1. Residential Rate Design...........................................................................................19
6.1.2. Commercial Irrigation Rate Design .........................................................................21
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
1.2. List of Tables
Table 1 Residential Base Rate Charges ........................................................................................................... 3
Table 2 Commercial/Irrigation Base Rates ...................................................................................................... 3
Table 3 Other Base Rates .................................................................................................................................. 3
Table 4 Volumetric Rates ................................................................................................................................... 4
Table 5 Water O&M ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Table 6 Franchise and Return on Investment Fees ........................................................................................ 5
Table 7 Capital Funding ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Table 8 Debt Service .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Table 9 Impact Fee Sources and Uses ............................................................................................................. 6
Table 10 Projected Water Revenues ................................................................................................................ 7
Table 11 Wastewater Base Rates...................................................................................................................... 9
Table 12 Volumetric Wastewater Rates ........................................................................................................... 9
Table 13 Wastewater O&M ............................................................................................................................... 10
Table 14 Franchise and Return on Investment Fees .................................................................................... 10
Table 15 Capital Funding ................................................................................................................................. 10
Table 16 Debt Service ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 17 Wastewater Impact Fees .................................................................................................................. 11
Table 18 Projected Wastewater Revenue ...................................................................................................... 12
Table 19 Drainage Rates .................................................................................................................................. 14
Table 20 Drainage O&M ................................................................................................................................... 14
Table 21 Capital Funding ................................................................................................................................. 14
Table 22 Debt Service ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Table 23 Reserve Balance Targets ................................................................................................................. 17
1.3. List of Figures
Figure 1 Water Revenue Requirements ........................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2 Water Fund Performance.................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 3 Wastewater Revenue Requirements ............................................................................................... 12
Figure 4 Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency .................................................................................................... 13
Figure 5 Drainage Revenue Requirements .................................................................................................... 15
Figure 6 Drainage Revenue ............................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 7 Drainage Revenue Sufficiency......................................................................................................... 16
Figure 8 Utility Financial Plan ......................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 9 Ending Cash Balance........................................................................................................................ 17
Figure 10 Debt Service Ratio ........................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 11 Bill Distribution ................................................................................................................................ 20
Figure 12 Proposed Residential Rates ........................................................................................................... 20
Figure 13 Proposed Rates Versus current Rates ......................................................................................... 20
Figure 14 Residential Water Bill Comparison at 5,000 Gallons .................................................................. 21
Figure 15 Proposed Irrigation Rates .............................................................................................................. 22
Figure 16 Irrigation Bill Comparison at 42,000 Gallons ............................................................................... 24
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
1. General Summary
1.1. Description of the Utility
The City of Denton (City) is located in north Texas and is the county seat of Denton County. Denton is home to two
state universities, the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. The City has an estimated
population of 140,956. The City’s utility system provides electric, water and wastewater services. This report
discusses the water and wastewater utilities.
The water utility provides service to approximately 38,000 retail water customers and treats roughly 30 million
gallons of water per day. In addition, the City also provides service to wholesale customers.
The wastewater utility provides wastewater service to approximately 36,000 retail sewer customers. Similar to Water,
the City also provides service to wholesale customers. This includes the treatment and collection of the wastewater
for these customers. Wastewater treatment is provided by the Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Plant, which treats
up to 15 million gallons of wastewater per day.
1.2. Objectives of the Study
The City of Denton (City) engaged Raftelis Inc. to complete a comprehensive Water and Wastewater Financial Plan
and Rate Design Study (Study) to determine the necessary level of rate revenue required to meet annual operating
expenses, payments on existing and proposed debt service, and fund capital expenses over the next three years. Along
with the analysis, Raftelis developed a financial planning model that may be used to evaluate future operating or
capital scenarios.
The major objectives of the study include:
» Determine the revenue required to support water and wastewater operations, including current and planned
capital for the next five years,
» Evaluate and update if necessary, the existing tiered rate structure design and determine future impacts on
consumption patterns,
» Develop strategies for implementing significant rate changes to reduce the adverse impact on customers, and
» Evaluate the current rate structure and recommend improvements or revisions to the rate structure.
2. Financial Plan
2.1. Water Financial Plan
The objective of the financial planning process is to determine the level of water revenue required (Revenue
Requirement) to fully support the Utility for a forecast period. This process provides the Utility with the information
to maintain a sustainable utility.
The results of this study are presented for a five-year forecast period. The five-year forecast period allows the Utility
to evaluate how changes to the operating and capital budgets may affect rates and allows the City to plan accordingly.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Raftelis worked with Finance and Utility staff to help forecast expenses and capital expenditures to project any
revenue increase needed to fully recover the revenue requirement.
The following steps were necessary to perform the five-year forecast:
1) Forecast customer units of service,
2) Forecast operation and maintenance (O&M) expenditures,
3) Forecast capital expenditures and debt service, and
4) Develop a cash flow forecast summarizing planned O&M and capital expenditures, recommended rate
revenue increases and operating reserve levels.
2.2. Existing Water Rates
Table 1 through
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 4 show the existing water rates. The rates vary by customer class. Rates are made up of base rate charges and
volumetric rates. Customers located outside the city limits pay rates 1.15 times the rates below. The customer classes
include residential, commercial/irrigation, fire hydrant and wholesale customers.
Table 1 Residential Base Rate Charges
Meter Size Base Rate
3/4" 15.84
1" $20.59
1.5" $26.93
2" $34.06
Table 2 Commercial/Irrigation Base Rates
Meter Size Base Rate
3/4" $22.37
1” $31.68
1.5” $38.31
2” $50.99
3” $109.3
4” $216.71
6” $296.21
8” $415.01
10” $594.00
Table 3 Other Base Rates
Meter Size Base Rate
Fire Hydrant $110.63
Wholesale
(Facility Charge) $288.75
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 4 Volumetric Rates
Tiers (Gallons) Rate/1,000 Gallons
Residential
Winter (November-April)
0 and above $4.05
Summer (May-October)
0-15,000 $4.05
15,001-30,000 $5.76
30,001-50,000 $7.95
50,001 + $10.64
Commercial
0 and above $4.34
Non -Residential Irrigation
Winter (November-April)
0 and above $4.34
Summer (May-October)
0 and above $6.00
Fire
0 and above $5.07
UTRW Raw Water (Linked to
Dallas)
0 and above $0.76
Lake Chapman Pass-Through
0 and above $.0275
Wholesale
0 and above $0.61
Demand Rate per MGD
Per MGD $667,879.00
2.3. Forecast of Water Expenditures
Raftelis reviewed historical financial results from the prior year and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget to determine
future operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. Through discussion with City staff future costs are determined.
Any projected non-recurring expenses or revenues are identified and removed from the financial forecast.
2.3.1. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
Raftelis developed the future years’ budgets for water based on the FY 2021 approved budget. The future years are
inflated according to appropriate inflation factors currently set at 3% per year. The transfers represent payments for
services rendered, such as payment for billing services and shared personnel expenses. Table 5 provides a summary
of the Water O&M expenses. The category represents the function where the cost is incurred.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 5 Water O&M
Category FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Production $7,691,614 $7,922,363 $8,160,034 $8,404,835 $8,656,980
Distribution $3,323,048 $3,422,740 $3,525,422 $3,631,185 $3,740,120
Admin $2,790,252 $2,873,960 $2,960,179 $3,048,984 $3,140,454
Utilities
Admin
$1,452,882 $1,496,469 $1,541,363 $1,587,604 $1,635,232
Metering $501,752 $516,805 $532,309 $548,278 $564,726
Lab $784,058 $807,580 $831,807 $856,762 $882,464
Sustainability $4,959,794 $5,108,588 $5,261,845 $5,419,701 $5,582,292
Transfers $5,262,865 $5,420,751 $5,583,373 $5,750,875 $5,923,401
Total $21,806,472 $22,460,667 $23,134,487 $23,828,521 $24,543,377
In addition to the O&M costs the Utility pays a 5% annual franchise fee to the City and a 3.5% return on investment
fee to the City. The fees are based upon rate revenue. The franchise fee is calculated within the model based upon
the model’s calculated revenue. Table 6 shows the estimated franchise and return on investment fees.
Table 6 Franchise and Return on Investment Fees
Category FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Franchise Fee $1,983,324 $2,097,972 $2,164,972 $2,207,676 $2,267,898
Return on Investment Fee $1,388,327 $1,468,581 $1,515,480 $1,545,373 $1,587,529
Total $3,371,651 $3,566,553 $3,680,452 $3,753,049 $3,855,427
2.3.2. WATER UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING
The Utility uses a mix of cash, debt, and other funding sources to fund its capital improvements. Using the financial
planning model, the Utility analyzes each option to determine what is the optimal use of funds. Future debt service
is calculated for debt-funded projects in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) based on 4% interest, a 20-year term,
and payments starting one-year after bond issuance. Capital projects are included in the City’s CIP which include
water improvements and expansions.
Vehicle replacements are included in the CIP. Water impact fees only fund growth-related projects. Water impact
fees also assist in paying for growth-related debt service, as explained in Section 2.3.3. Table 7 shows the capital
funding by year.
Table 7 Capital Funding
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Auction Proceeds $92,000 $92,000 $92,000 $92,000 $92,000
Vehicle Fund Transfer $630,825 $630,825 $630,825 $630,825 $630,825
Water Aid in Construction $265,788 $271,104 $276,526 $282,056 $287,697
Water Cash -Funded Capital $13,237,140 $9,769,934 $9,110,512 $11,078,958 $8,230,357
Water Impact Fees $2,725,000 $1,154,000 $1,200,000 $45,000 $1,900,000
Total $16,950,753 $11,917,863 $11,309,863 $12,128,839 $11,140,880
In addition to the funding sources above, Denton will issue debt to pay for projects. The debt issued will cover any
shortfall between sources of funding and planned project expenditures.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Along with the proposed debt, Raftelis and staff went through the existing debt service and allocated it between water
and wastewater. Combined, the proposed and current debt service equals the total water debt service for the revenue
requirements. Table 8 displays the total debt service allocated to water.
Table 8 Debt Service
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Existing $10,901,425 $9,724,968 $7,446,318 $7,530,518 $7,542,918
Proposed $2,639,922 $5,162,706 $5,162,706 $5,248,543
Total Debt Service 10,901,425 $12,364,891 $12,609,025 $12,693,225 $12,791,462
2.3.3. WATER IMPACT FEES
Denton receives water impact fees each year from new connections and new development. Utility staff use the impact
fees to cash-fund growth-related projects, shown in Table 7, and to pay down growth-related debt. The actual
collection and spending of the fees are tracked in a separate account. For projection purposes Raftelis and City staff
assumed no growth in the collection of impact fees over the study period. Table 9 shows the sources and uses of the
impact fees.
Table 9 Impact Fee Sources and Uses
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Beginning Balance $14,671,129 $14,671,129 $14,671,129 $14,671,129 $16,971,129
Projected Impact Fee Revenue $6,605,000 $6,605,000 $6,605,000 $6,605,000 $6,605,000
Uses:
Cash Funding Capital $2,725,000 $1,154,000 $1,200,000 $45,000 $1,900,000
Debt Service $3,880,000 $5,451,000 $3,105,000 $6,560,000
Total Uses $6,605,000 $6,605,000 $4,305,000 $6,605,000 $1,900,000
Surplus/(Deficit) $2,300,000 $4,705,000
Ending Balance $14,671,129 $14,671,129 $16,971,129 $16,971,129 $21,676,129
2.3.4. TOTAL WATER REVENUE REQUIREMENTS
The revenue requirement combines the water O&M and debt service. Figure 1 displays the projected revenue
requirements for the next five years.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 1 Water Revenue Requirements
2.4. Forecast of Water Revenue
Water revenue is composed of rate revenue, miscellaneous revenue, and impact fee revenue. Rate revenue is
calculated based upon the Utility’s water rate components, the fixed meter charge, and volumetric charge.
Miscellaneous and impact fee revenues are based upon budgeted numbers, as provided by the City. The impact fee
revenue explanation can be seen in section 2.3.3.
The rate revenue is derived from actual bills and consumption. Raftelis and Utility staff used budget projections and
historical growth to estimate the projected consumption and bills. For example, in 2023 bill growth is expected to
increase due to the beginning phase-in of the Hunter Cole Development. Throughout the study period Utility staff
project significant growth in consumption and bills.
In addition to the rate revenue Raftelis and Utility staff reviewed the miscellaneous revenue. Miscellaneous revenue
includes shut off charges, tap fees, connection fees, outside revenue, etc. Most of the miscellaneous revenue is
increased by 1% a year during the study period, but outside revenue is increased as growth occurs. Table 10 shows
the projected water rate revenue with no rate increases. Growth in revenue is occurring from inflation increases and
bill/consumption growth.
Table 10 Projected Water Revenues
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Minimum Charge 9,741,866$ 9,924,794$ 10,624,089$ 10,824,661$ 11,029,245$
Volumetric Charge 29,924,621$ 32,034,656$ 32,675,349$ 33,328,856$ 34,328,722$
Miscellaneous Revenue 2,854,164$ 2,882,508$ 2,910,446$ 2,938,804$ 2,967,571$
Impact Fees 6,605,000$ 6,605,000$ 6,605,000$ 6,605,000$ 6,605,000$
Total Revenue 49,125,651$ 51,446,958$ 52,814,885$ 53,697,321$ 54,930,538$
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
2.5. Water Utility Revenue Sufficiency
Combined, the revenue requirement and revenue form the revenue sufficiency. Currently the water Utility is
projected to not require any rate increases during the study period.
Figure 2 shows the projected water revenue sufficiency.
Figure 2 Water Fund Performance
3. Wastewater Financial Plan
The Wastewater Financial Plan follows the same planning process as the water financial plan. The review involves
an analysis of annual operating revenues, operations and maintenance expenses, and capital expenditures. The
objective of the planning process is to determine the level of wastewater revenue required (Revenue Requirement) to
fully support the wastewater utility going forward.
3.1. Existing Wastewater Rates
The Utility recovers the cost of operating the wastewater system by charging volumetric and rates. Volumetric rates
are based upon the amount of water used. Residential customers are charged a base rate and a volumetric rate.
Residential customers’ billed usage is based upon the winter averaging of December through February water usage.
Commercial billed usage is based at 95% of water usage. Outside customers are charged 1.15 times the relevant
wastewater rate.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 11 Wastewater Base Rates
Units Base Rate
Residential
All $11.00
Commercial
All $26.50
Equipment Services and
Eating Establishments
All $26.50
Wholesale
All $230.75
Categorical
All $400
Non -Categorical
All $50
Metered Wastewater
All $323
Table 12 Volumetric Wastewater Rates
Units (Gallons) Rate/1,000 Gallons
Residential
All $3.80
Commercial
All $4.85
Equipment Services and
Eating Establishments
All $6.75
Wholesale
All $2.60
Effluent
All $1.50
SCD
All $4.85
3.2. Forecast of Wastewater Expenditures
Raftelis developed the future years’ revenue requirements for wastewater based on the FY 2021 approved budget.
The future years are inflated according to appropriate inflation factors currently set at 3% per year, based on staff
input. The transfers represent inter-City payments for services rendered, such as payment for billing services and
shared personnel expenses. Table 13 provides a summary of the Wastewater O&M expenses. The category represents
the function where the cost is incurred.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 13 Wastewater O&M
Category 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Water Reclamation $4,959,794 $5,108,588 $5,261,845 $5,419,701 $5,582,292
Wastewater Collection $3,359,320 $3,460,099 $3,563,902 $3,670,819 $3,780,944
Field Service Group $1,333,005 $1,372,995 $1,414,185 $1,456,610 $1,500,309
Beneficial Reuse $1,319,163 $1,358,738 $1,399,500 $1,441,485 $1,484,730
Wastewater Laboratory $497,706 $512,637 $528,016 $543,856 $560,172
Industrial Pretreatment $732,044 $754,006 $776,626 $799,925 $823,922
Transfers $684,118 $704,642 $725,781 $747,554 $769,981
Total $22,220,303 $22,886,912 $23,573,520 $24,280,725 $25,009,147
In addition to the O&M costs the Utility pays a 5% annual franchise fee to the City and a 3.5% return on investment
fee to the City. The fees are based upon rate revenue. The franchise fee is calculated within the model based upon
the model’s forecasted calculated revenue. Below in Table 14 are the estimated franchise and return on investment
fees.
Table 14 Franchise and Return on Investment Fees
Category 2020 2021 2022 2023
Franchise Fee $1,259,155 $1,284,297 $1,344,239 $1,402,363
Return on Investment Fee $881,408 $899,008 $940,968 $981,654
3.2.1. WASTEWATER UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCING
The Utility uses a mix of cash, debt, and other funding sources to fund its capital improvements. The Utility analyzes
each option to determine what is the optimal use of funds. Future debt is estimated based on 4% interest, a 20-year
term, and payments starting one-year after issuance. Capital projects are the project included in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) which include wastewater improvements and expansions.
Vehicle replacements are included in the CIP. Wastewater impact fees fund growth related projects. Wastewater
impact fees also assist in paying for growth related debt service, as explained in. Table 15 shows the capital funding
by year.
Table 15 Capital Funding
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Auction Proceeds $184,000 $184,000 $184,000 $184,000 $184,000
Vehicle Fund Transfer $262,150 $262,150 $262,150 $262,150 $262,150
Wastewater Aid in
Construction
$82,000 $83,640 $85,313 $87,019 $88,759
Wastewater Cash Funded
Capital
$3,730,900 $3,719,077 $3,124,599 $3,132,537 $3,242,963
Wastewater Impact Fees $500,000 $151,444 $14,036 $146,000 $147,460
Total $4,759,050 $4,400,311 $3,670,098 $3,811,706 $3,925,332
In addition, to the proposed funding sources above, Denton will issue debt to pay for projects. The debt issued will
cover any shortfall between sources of funding and planned project expenditures.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Along with the proposed debt, Raftelis and staff went through the existing debt service and allocated it between water
and wastewater. Combined, the proposed and current debt service equals the total wastewater debt service for the
revenue requirements.
Table 16 displays the total debt service allocated to wastewater.
Table 16 Debt Service
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Existing $6,519,870 $5,792,443 $4,608,368 $3,528,968 $3,525,493
Proposed $2,442,902 $4,499,857 $5,450,310 $6,219,319
Total Debt Service $6,519,870 $8,235,345 $9,108,225 $8,979,278 $9,744,812
3.2.2. WASTEWATER IMPACT FEES
Denton receives wastewater impact fees each year from its new development. Utility staff use the impact fees to cash
fund growth related projects, see Table 15, and to pay down growth related debt. For projection purposes Raftelis
and City staff assumed no growth in the collection of impact fees over the study period. Table 17 shows the sources
and uses of the impact fees.
Table 17 Wastewater Impact Fees
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Beginning Balance $4,189,562 $4,189,562 $4,538,118 $5,024,082 $5,378,082
Projected Impact Fee
Revenue
$4,270,000 $4,270,000 $4,270,000 $4,270,000 $4,270,000
Uses:
Cash Funding Capital $500,000 $151,444 $14,036 $146,000 $147,460
Debt Service $3,770,000 $3,770,000 $3,770,000 $3,770,000
Total Uses $4,270,000 $3,921,444 $3,784,036 $3,916,000 $147,460
Surplus/(Deficit) $348,556 $485,964 $354,000 $4,122,540
Ending Balance $4,189,562 $4,538,118 $5,024,082 $5,378,082 $9,500,622
3.2.3. TOTAL WASTEWATER REVENUE REQUIREMENTS
The total wastewater revenue requirement equals the wastewater O&M and debt service. Figure 3 displays the
projected revenue requirements for the next three years.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 3 Wastewater Revenue Requirements
3.3. Forecast of Wastewater Revenue
Wastewater revenue is composed of rate revenue, miscellaneous revenue, and impact fee revenue. Rate revenue is
calculated based upon the Utility’s wastewater rate components, the fixed meter charge, and volumetric charge.
Miscellaneous and impact fee revenues are based upon budgeted numbers, as provided by the City. Impact fee
revenue can be seen in Section 3.2.2.
The rate revenue is derived from actual bills and consumption. Raftelis and Utility staff used budget projections and
historical growth to build the projected consumption and bills. For example, in 2023 bill growth is expected to
increase due to the beginning phase-in of the Hunter Cole Development. Throughout the study period Utility staff
project significant growth in consumption and bills.
In addition to the rate revenue Raftelis and Utility staff reviewed the miscellaneous revenue. Miscellaneous revenue
includes shut off charges, tap fees, connection fees, outside revenue, etc. Most of the miscellaneous revenue is held
constant during the study period, but outside revenue is increased as growth occurs. Table 18 shows the projected
wastewater rate revenue with no rate increases and projected miscellaneous revenue.
Table 18 Projected Wastewater Revenue
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Minimum Charge 5,448,178$ 5,556,561$ 6,019,089$ 6,138,890$ 6,261,087$
Volumetric Charge 19,734,922$ 20,129,379$ 20,865,698$ 21,908,379$ 22,565,268$
Miscellaneous Revenue 2,297,891$ 2,300,459$ 2,303,078$ 2,308,632$ 2,312,424$
Impact Fees 4,270,000$ 4,270,000$ 4,270,000$ 4,270,000$ 4,270,000$
Total Revenue 31,750,991$ 32,256,399$ 33,457,865$ 34,625,901$ 35,408,779$
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
3.4. Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency
Combined the revenue requirement and revenue form the revenue sufficiency. Currently the Wastewater Utility is
projected to not require any rate increases during the study period.
Figure 4 shows the projected wastewater revenue sufficiency.
Figure 4 Wastewater Revenue Sufficiency
4. Drainage Financial Plan
The Drainage Financial Plan follows the same planning process as the water and wastewater financial plan. The
review involves an analysis of annual operating revenues, operations and maintenance expenses, and capital
expenditures. The objective of the planning process is to determine the level of wastewater revenue required (Revenue
Requirement) to fully support the drainage utility going forward.
4.1. Existing Drainage Rates
Drainage rates are based upon total square feet for residential and based upon impervious area for commercial.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 19 Drainage Rates
Class Rate
Residential (Square Feet)
0-600 $0.50
601-1,000 $1.00
1,001-2,000 $3.35
2,001-3,000 $5.45
3,001-4,000 $7.60
4,001-5,000 $9.75
5,001-6,000 $12.00
6,001+ $15.50
Commercial
Square Foot of Impervious Surface $0.00186
4.2. Forecast of Drainage Expenditures
Raftelis developed the future years’ budgets for drainage based on the FY 2021 approved budget. The future years
are inflated according to appropriate inflation factors currently set at 3% per year. The transfers represent inter-City
payments for services rendered, such as payment for billing services and shared personnel expenses. Table 20
provides a summary of the Drainage O&M expenses. The category represents the function where the cost is incurred.
Table 20 Drainage O&M
Category 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Drainage $1,882,869 $1,939,355 $1,997,536 $2,057,462 $2,119,186
Watershed Protection $898,740 $925,702 $953,473 $982,077 $1,011,540
Transfers $684,118 $704,642 $725,781 $747,554 $769,981
Total $3,465,727 $3,569,699 $3,676,790 $3,787,094 $3,900,706
4.2.1. DRAINAGE UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
The Utility uses a mix of cash, debt, and other funding sources to fund its capital improvements. The Utility analyzes
each option to determine what is the optimal use of funds. Future debt is estimated based on 4% interest, a 20-year
term, and payments starting one-year after issuance. Capital projects are the project included in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) which include water improvements and expansions.
Vehicle replacements are included in the CIP. Table 21 shows the capital funding by year.
Table 21 Capital Funding
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Auction Proceeds $72,112 $72,112 $72,112 $72,112 $72,112
Vehicle Fund
Transfer
$44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000
Drainage Cash
Funded Capital
$1,599,610 $1,694,670 $1,774,690 $1,720,062 $1,662,682
Total $1,715,722 $1,810,782 $1,890,802 $1,836,174 $1,778,794
During the study period Denton does not plan to issue drainage debt . Table 22 displays the existing drainage debt
service.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 22 Debt Service
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Existing $276,439 $131,986
Total Debt Service $276,439 $131,986
4.2.2. DRAINAGE REVENUE REQUIREMENTS
The total drainage revenue requirement equals the drainage O&M and debt service. Figure 5 displays the projected
revenue requirements for the next five years.
Figure 5 Drainage Revenue Requirements
4.3. Forecast of Drainage Revenue
Raftelis and Utility staff reviewed the historical growth in drainage revenue to determine revenue projections
during the study period (1% increase in bills/consumption each year).
Figure 6 Drainage Revenue
4.4. Drainage Revenue Sufficiency
Combined the revenue requirement and revenue form the revenue sufficiency. Currently the Drainage Department
is projected to not require any rate increases during the study period. Figure 7 shows the projected drainage revenue
sufficiency.
FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Drainage Revenue 5,457,888$ 5,512,467$ 5,567,592$ 5,623,268$ 5,679,500$
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 7 Drainage Revenue Sufficiency
5. Utility Financial Plan
The Water and Wastewater (Drainage) Utilities financial plans are combined to form the combined Utility Financial
Plan. The Utility financial plan can be used to look at the Utility as a whole, which reflects the Enterprise Fund as
operated by the City. Typically, it is at this level that debt service coverage ratios are calculated. The Utility is forecast
to operate at a surplus throughout the study period. Figure 8 shows the projected financial results of the Utility,
comparing revenues to expenses.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 8 Utility Financial Plan
In addition to the overall financial performance, the Utility fund balance and debt service ratio is monitored. The
Utility uses its fund balance to fund capital projects, respond to unexpected expenses, and to ensure liquidity for day-
to-day operations.
To ensure adequate reserves the Utility has established reserve targets for the Utility. The reserve targets are based
upon the total revenue requirement. The current Reserve Balance goals are listed in Table 23.
Table 23 Reserve Balance Targets
Fund Water Wastewater
Working Capital 8% 8%
Operating Reserves 25-42% 20-31%
Total 33-50% 28-39%
Operating Days (120-180 days) (100-140 days)
During the study period Raftelis assumed a 150-day requirement for Water and a 120-day requirement for
wastewater. During the study period it is projected that the Utility will not fall below these metrics. Figure 9 shows
the projected Ending cash balances and reserve target for the Utility.
Figure 9 Ending Cash Balance
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Debt service coverage measures the ability of a Utility to service its debt. The formula is shown below:
𝑅𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑒𝑟 − 𝑂&𝑀 − 𝑅𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑟
𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑒
Denton targets a 1.25x coverage target. A target above one tends to be looked at favorably by rating agencies and
indicates greater ability service debt. Figure 10 shows the projected debt service ratio for Denton. It is not projected
to go below 1x during the study period.
Figure 10 Debt Service Ratio
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
6. Rate Design
Raftelis and Utility staff determined that there is no current need for rate increases as described in the sections above.
Once, the revenue sufficiency was assured, Raftelis and Utility staff reviewed the rate structures to determine if there
is a need to refine the current rate structures. Particularly emphasis was placed on the residential rate structures.
There are many different factors that are considered when reviewing rate structures, but the major factors/decisions
that determine a successful rate structure are listed below.
Important items for a successful rate structure:
1. Financially viable,
2. Promotes affordability,
3. Promotes revenue stability,
4. Easy to understand,
5. Billing System can implement proposed rate structure
A proposed rate design will recover the same amount of revenue as the current rate design, but in a different way.
For example, a uniform volumetric rate that recovers $10 million may be changed to a tiered structure that recovers
$10 million.
6.1. Rate Design Changes
Raftelis and Utility staff reviewed the rate structures for water and wastewater. Through this review it was determined
to focus on the residential water and commercial irrigation classes, keeping all other rate classes, including the base
rates, constant.
6.1.1. RESIDENTIAL RATE DESIGN
The current residential volumetric rate structure as described in
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 4 is based upon seasonal rates. During the Winter residential customers pay a uniform rate and during the
summer they pay a tiered rate. To promote simplicity an annual rate is proposed. The annual rate will be paid
throughout the year.
Raftelis and Utility staff worked to ensure that the annual rate promotes affordability and revenue stability for the
Utility. To meet these goals a tier was added between 0-5,000 gallons. Water usage in this tier could be considered
essential use as this is the typical or average use of a customer in the winter months. As Figure 11 shows, the majority
of customers have an average annual consumption below 15,000 gallons. This allows customers who conserve water
to receive a fair and low rate in the lowest tier.
Figure 11 Bill Distribution
To ensure little rate shock Raftelis and Utility staff kept the 0-15,000 gallon tier at or below the current rate, $4.05.
The tiers above 15,000 gallons see an increase in their per unit rate. Figure 11 shows that little consumption will be
impacted by this. The revenue recovered by the proposed rates will recover the current residential volumetric revenue.
Figure 12 shows the proposed residential rate structure.
Figure 12 Proposed Residential Rates
Figure 13 shows a comparison of the proposed rates versus the current summer rates.
Figure 13 Proposed Rates Versus current Rates
Tiers Bill Distribution Consumption
0-5,000 55%55%
5,000-15,000 34%30%
15,000-30,000 8%11%
30,000-50,000 2%3%
50,000+1%1%
100% 100%
Tiers Proposed Rates
- -5.00 3.63$
5.00 -15.00 4.05$
15.00 -30.00 7.12$
30.00 -50.00 9.53$
50.00 -+11.79$
Line No Current Summer Rates Proposed Rates $ Difference
1 - - 5.00 4.05$ 3.63$ (0.42)$
2 5.00 - 15.00 4.05$ 4.05$ -$
3 15.00 - 30.00 5.76$ 7.12$ 1.36$
4 30.00 - 50.00 7.95$ 9.53$ 1.58$
5 50.00 - +10.64$ 11.79$ 1.15$
Tiers (Thousand Gallons)
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 9 shows that the median consumption for Denton is roughly 5,000 gallons. When designing the proposed
rate structure, the goal is to reduce the median bill. Figure 14 shows the comparison of a current residential bill and
a residential customer paying the proposed rate structure. The analysis assumes a 5,000 gallon per month user.
Figure 14 Residential Water Bill Comparison at 5,000 Gallons
6.1.2. COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION RATE DESIGN
The current commercial irrigation volumetric rate structure as described in
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Table 4 is based upon seasonal rates. During the Winter irrigation customers pay a uniform rate and during the
summer they pay a higher uniform rate. To promote simplicity an annual rate is proposed. The annual rate will be
paid throughout the year. The revenue recovered will stay constant. The majority of the consumption occurs in the
summer months, so the rate is weighted towards the current summer rate. Figure 15 shows the proposed irrigation
rates.
Figure 15 Proposed Irrigation Rates
Current Rate Proposed Rate $ Difference
+-+6.00$ 5.75$ (0.25)$
All Usage
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 16 shows a comparison between the current winter, current summer, and proposed irrigation bills with 42,000
Gallons of usage.
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CITY OF DENTON 2021 FINANCIAL PLAN AND RATE DESIGN STUD Y
Figure 16 Irrigation Bill Comparison at 42,000 Gallons
7. Conclusions
Overall, the financial forecast of the City of Denton is favorable. It is recommended that the City review and update
the financial planning model annually to ensure that the assumption is up to date and that the rate assumptions do
not require changes. Any rate design changes should also be updated in the model and consumption tracked based
on the new design.
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October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-081
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Proposed Internal Audit Advisory Committee
BACKGROUND:
In 2009, the City of Denton City Council established the Audit and Finance Committee to be
composed of three City Council members. This Committee was charged with assisting Council in
its oversight duties related to the City’s internal audit function as needed or directed by Council as
well as several other finance oversight related duties. During the City Council retreat held on
August 21, 2021, the City Council directed Staff to dissolve the Audit and Finance Committee of
the City of Denton. During this discussion, Staff noted that the City Auditor would present options
to the City Council on how to address internal audit items going forward.
DISCUSSION:
Based on Staff’s research, both the Association of Local Government Auditors and the Institute
of Internal Auditors recommend that organizations establish an audit committee to assist the
local legislature or board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. In general, these audit
committee provide oversight by offering objective advice and recommendations to the legislature
or board on whether the organization’s governance, risk management, and internal control
processes are suitably designed and working as intended to achieve the objectives. Both
organizations note that the following attributes of audit committees are important:
Independence – members of the audit committee should not be employed by the
organization’s management; and
Knowledgeable – members should collectively have an appropriate mix of skills and
expertise necessary to effectively exercise their committee duties.
In addition, Staff explored whether other Texas cities had audit committees and, if so, how the
committee was composed. The table below summarizes these findings:
City Audit
Committee?
Representatives
Council Resident Other
Houston No NA NA NA
San Antonio Yes 3 2 0
Dallas No NA NA NA
Austin Yes 50 0
Fort Worth Yes 4 0 0
El Paso Yes 4 0 City Auditor & City Manager
Arlington No NA NA NA
Corpus Christi Yes 4 0 0
Lubbock Yes 0 4 Utility Board Member
Garland Yes 30 City Auditor
McAllen Yes 2 0 Utility Board Member
College Station Yes 3 2 0
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October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-081
CONCLUSION:
Based on this research, Staff is proposing that the City Council create an Internal Audit Advisory
Committee as outlined in the attached Internal Audit Advisory Committee Draft Ordinance.
Under this ordinance, the Internal Audit Advisory Committee would be composed of four
Denton citizens and the City Auditor. Citizens would be nominated by the City Auditor and
appointed by the City Council. Preference in appointments would be given to residents in
relevant professional fields such as auditing, finance, and public administration including the
teaching of such knowledge.
This Committee would assist the City Council with its internal audit oversight duties by
providing recommendations to the City Council on the annual internal audit plan, adopted
auditing standards, and could report on any concerns about the Internal Audit Department’s
performance. In addition, the Committee would assist the City Auditor by providing advice on
audit activities and governance.
The creation of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee would not impact current internal audit
reporting procedures. Specifically, the findings of all audit reports would be presented to the City
Council for discussion and the City Council would be ultimately responsible for adopting the
annual internal audit plan, reviewing the performance of the City Auditor, and approving the
auditing standards used by the Internal Audit Department.
The creation of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee is scheduled to be considered by the City
Council on the October 12, 2021 consent agenda. In addition, Council will have the opportunity
to discuss this proposal during the October 4, 2021 Work Session when the Fiscal Year 2021-22
Annual Internal Audit Plan is presented to the Council for discussion and to receive direction.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Internal Audit Advisory Committee Draft Ordinance
STAFF CONTACT:
Madison Rorschach, City Auditor
Internal Audit Department
(940) 349-7228
Madison.Rorschach@CityofDenton.com
REQUESTOR:
Staff Initiated
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS:
None
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT:
15 Hours
67
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DENTON CREATING AN INTERNAL AUDIT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY AUDITOR ON
AUDIT ACTIVITIES AND GOVERNANCE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion and hereby finds that there are many
important issues and responsibilities facing the City Council that require a specific standing audit
advisory committee (the “Internal Audit Advisory Committee” or “Committee”) to provide advice
on the organization’s audit activities and governance; and
WHEREAS, subsection 2.08(q)-(r) and Section 2.13 of the City of Denton Charter
authorize the Council to provide for the auditing and investigation of the municipal affairs of the
City; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the City’s internal audit function be independent and free
from improper influence or coercion; and
WHEREAS, the Government Auditing Standards, promulgated by the United States
General Accountability Office, Section 3.18 provides that the general standard related to
independence is that in all matters relating to audit work, the audit organization and the individual
auditor should be free both in fact and appearance from personal, external, and organizational
impairments to independence; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee will help to
ensure independence in such audit matters; and
WHEREAS, it is important that members of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee have
the collective, specific expertise necessary to effectively exercise their Committee duties and
provide advice on audit activities and governance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion and hereby finds the establishment of the
Internal Audit Advisory Committee is in the public interest; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DENTON HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1.
There is hereby created an Internal Audit Advisory Committee as a standing committee of the City
of Denton. The Internal Audit Advisory Committee shall consist of four (4) voting members. In
addition, the City Auditor shall serve as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Committee. Any
recommendation which does not receive a majority of votes shall be deemed a negative report. A
quorum of the Committee members must be present to hold a Committee meeting or to take
Committee action, with three (3) members considered a quorum. The City Auditor shall not count
towards the establishment of a quorum.
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Members of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee shall be nominated by the City Auditor and
appointed by the City Council. Members shall be appointed for two (2) year, staggered terms and
may not be reappointed for more than three consecutive terms. Inaugural Internal Audit Advisory
Committee members shall draw straws to determine which two (2) members shall receive an initial
term of one (1) year in order to stagger terms.
Membership on the Internal Audit Advisory Committee is limited to qualified voters of the City
of Denton. Preference in appointments shall be given to individuals in such professional fields as
auditing, accounting, finance, public administration, and risk management including the teaching
of such knowledge.
The following shall disqualify a person from serving on the Internal Audit Advisory Committee:
(1) Current service as a City of Denton employee;
(2) Separation from service as a City of Denton employee within one (1) year of
appointment; or
(3) Familial relations to a City of Denton employee within the third (3rd) degree of
affinity (marriage) or consanguinity (blood or adoption).
SECTION 2.
The Internal Audit Advisory Committee shall perform the following duties:
(a) Reviewing the City Auditor’s Annual Internal Audit Plan and providing recommendations
to the City Council on its adoption;
(b) Providing oversight of the internal audit function, including:
(1) Monitoring Annual Internal Audit Plan progress;
(2) Ensuring transmission of audit reports to the City Council and the public;
(3) Monitoring follow-up on reported findings to assure corrective action is taken by
management; and
(4) Reporting to the City Council on concerns at such times as deemed appropriate;
(c) Periodically evaluating and making recommendations to the City Council on auditing
standards adopted for use by the internal audit function;
(d) Evaluating the findings and recommendations of the internal audit peer review as required
by the adopted auditing standards;
69
(e) Providing advice to the City Auditor on audit activities and governance; and
(f) Assisting the City Council in other oversight duties related to the City’s internal audit
function as needed or directed by City Council.
SECTION 3.
Any matters not covered by this ordinance, to the extent applicable to the City’s advisory
committees and advisory committees’ members, shall be governed with respect to the rules,
procedures, operation and affairs of the Internal Audit Advisory Committee by the Code of the
City of Denton, Texas, including, but not limited to Section 2-29 and Article III of Chapter 2, and
the City of Denton Handbook for Boards, Commissions, and Council Committees, each as
amended from time to time. The Committee shall have the authority to meet in closed session in
accordance with the requirements of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its passage and approval.
The motion to approve this ordinance was made by __________________________ and seconded
by _________________________________, the ordinance was passed and approved by the
following vote [___ - ___]:
Aye Nay Abstain Absent
Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor: ______ ______ ______ ______
Vicki Byrd, District 1: ______ ______ ______ ______
Brian Beck, District 2: ______ ______ ______ ______
Jesse Davis, District 3: ______ ______ ______ ______
Alison Maguire, District 4: ______ ______ ______ ______
Deb Armintor, At Large Place 5: ______ ______ ______ ______
Paul Meltzer, At Large Place 6: ______ ______ ______ ______
PASSED AND APPROVED this, the _____ day of _____________, 2021.
_______________________________________
GERARD HUDSPETH, MAYOR
ATTEST:
70
ROSA RIOS, CITY SECRETARY
BY:
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM:
CATHERINE CLIFTON, INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY
BY:
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Date: October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-082
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Bond sale results for the City’s Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Taxable Series 2021.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with details regarding the results of the
sale of the Utility System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Taxable Series 2021 (hereafter, the
“Bonds”) authorized on February 23, 2021 (Ordinance No. 2021-356). The Bonds were issued
in the amount of $141,990,000 to pay off the outstanding extendable commercial paper notes
incurred as a result of Winter Storm Uri and convert the short-term debt into a long term
financing. The Bonds are secured and payable only from revenues of the City’s Utility System,
which is comprised of the Electric, Water and Wastewater Funds.
DISCUSSION:
On August 26, 2021 the City with guidance from their financial advisor, Hilltop Securities,
conducted a negotiated sale of the Bonds with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., JP Morgan
Securities LLC, Raymond James and Loop Capital Markets as the underwriters.
This Utility System revenue bond sale included bond insurance to reduce the interest cost to the
City. The insurance created an “enhanced” (higher) credit rating, which lowered our interest rate.
The cost of the bond insurance was more than offset by the lower yields to investors which
resulted in a lower debt service to the City. The insured rating on the Bonds is “AA” from
Standard & Poor’s and the unenhanced credit ratings are “A+” by Standard and Poor’s and “A”
by Fitch.
The Bonds met the following required parameters as outlined in the Bond Ordinance approved
on February 23, 2021 which delegated the final terms of the sale:
1. Maximum principal amount of bonds must not exceed $300,000,000;
2. Final stated maturity shall not exceed 30 years from the date of issuance;
3. The Bonds shall bear interest at a fixed rate, and the net effective interest rate on the
Bonds shall not exceed the maximum net effective interest rate permitted by law (15%).
4. Delegation authority ends January 12, 2022;
5. The Bonds shall be rated in one of the four highest categories for long-term obligations.
The Bonds sold with a 30-year maturity and at an all-in borrowing cost of 2.95%.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions on the results of the City’s
most recent bond sale.
72
Date: October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-082
STAFF CONTACT:
Randee Klingele, Treasury Manager
940-349-8206
Randee.Klingele@cityofdenton.com
73
Date: October 1, 2021 Report No. 2021-083
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Summary of the Bond Oversight Committee meeting held on September 24, 2021.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this report is to provide the City Council with a summary of the Bond Oversight
Committee meeting held on September 24, 2021 to review and discuss General Obligation (GO)
funded projects which include projects from the 2012, 2014, and 2019 bond programs.
DISCUSSION:
Staff presented the status of capital improvement projects, revised project costs, and funding
updates. Additionally, updates regarding CIP project management and process improvement was
shared. The action item of the committee was the reallocation of $2,489,000 2014 GO bonds to
fund the revised project scope of the Westgate Street Reconstruction endorsed by Council on
August 10, 2021. The reallocation was discussed and approved by the committee. Finally, Staff
presented two management reports regarding timeline updates to the bond issuance schedule and
an adjustment to the transportation facility reallocation on the opinion of bond counsel. Staff is
currently scheduled to provide a bond program update to City Council on October 19, 2021.
The Bond Oversight Committee agenda information sheet attached provides a status update on
open projects and those that have been completed as of September 2021.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the recent Bond
Oversight Committee meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Bond Oversight Committee Agenda Information Sheet
STAFF CONTACT:
Cassey Ogden, Finance Director
940-349-7195
Cassandra.Ogden@cityofdenton.com
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City of Denton
_____________________________________________________________________________________
AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
ACM: David Gaines
DATE: September 24, 2021
SUBJECT
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding 2012, 2014, and 2019 General
Obligation (GO) funded capital projects.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this item is to review the status of voter approved General Obligation (GO) funded projects,
discuss the current allocation of project funds, and provide estimated completion costs for projects. Staff
has included projects to update the committee on the items that have been completed and remain open as
of 2021. Staff has provided a detailed spreadsheet (Exhibit 2) which provides a reconciliation of all current
GO funded projects and recommended funding sources to meet estimated completion costs. Staff will
discuss this spreadsheet in detail with the Committee.
Below is status update on each of the GO funded projects included in Exhibit 2:
2012 Bond Election:
1. Street Reconstruction
The original intent of this project was for the reconstruction of City streets with an Overall Condition
Index (OCI) rating of 40 or less. Staff believed that 216 street segments representing approximately
68.15 lane miles could be completed within the 6-7 years with bonds issued over a 5-year period. To-
date, 179 segments have been completed representing approximately 56.74 lane miles. Staff believes
that the remaining 31 segments will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022. In order to complete
the 2012 Street reconstruction projects, an additional $2,797,737 was sold in the 2018A Certificates
of Obligation (COs) issuance which occurred in August 2018. Council was presented an update
regarding construction cost inflation and budget increases which resulted in the inclusion of
$8,900,000 issuance of COs in the FY 2020-2021 budget. Staff has developed a plan to select
contractors and construct remaining segments from the 2012 Street Reconstruction Bond by
December 2022.
City Hall
215 E. McKinney Street
Denton, Texas
www.cityofdenton.com
75
2. Public Art Transportation
The City issued $400,000 in bonds for public art related to transportation projects. Of this amount,
$97,612 was spent to install medallions at the North Texas Boulevard underpass on I-35. The Public
Art Committee (PAC) initially proposed four medallions to be installed on the exterior corners of the
Loop 288/I-35 bridge. TXDOT final design at this location only provided sufficient surface mounting
for one medallion, leading the PAC to consider three new alternatives for the remaining funds. The
first option was the installation of two pedestal medallions at the Loop 288 intersection associated
with planned improvements of I-35 as presented at the Public Art Committee (PAC) at the February
7th, 2019 meeting. The second option was the potential co-location of several public art pieces with
entryway corridor signage that was presented at the PAC June 6th meeting. Ultimately, PAC selected
the third option, presented at the July 11, 2019 PAC meeting, to locate public art pieces in various
locations along transportation corridors. The three selected include; Carroll Blvd/Carroll Trail (3),
Dallas & Teasley median (1), and Eagle & Elm median (1). The procurement process for all three
sites are scheduled to being in 2021-2022. Staff presented the placement of sculptures on Carroll,
Bonnie Brae and Dallas & Teasley to the Bond Oversight Committee on May 6, 2021. The Bond
Oversight Committee recommended the funding be used for the proposed art along city corridors for
beautification efforts and to utilize the funding now instead of delaying until the I-35 improvements
are completed. Other funding will be sought for I-35 beautification efforts.
2014 Bond Election
1. Street Reconstruction
The original intent of this project was for the reconstruction of City streets with an OCI rating of 40
or less and to supplement the 2012 bond program. Beginning with FY 2014-15, the reconstruction
program was intended to ramp up to $6 million per fiscal year and continue through the 6 -year
issuance period of this bond program. Staff believed that 227 additional street segments representing
approximately 74.79 lane miles could be completed within the 6 years of the program. To -date, 161
segments have been completed representing approximately 53.27 lane miles. Staff believes that 45
remaining segments will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022. Seven segments from the 2014
bond are currently being programmed. The seven segments that are currently being programmed as
part of other projects include two on Mulberry, which will be folded into phases 3 and 4 of the PEC -
4 Project; two segments on Trinity Road, which will be coordinated with the TxDOT Trinity Bridge
Project; and three segments on Westgate Drive, which will be coordinated with the opening of Bronco
Way and the new Denton High School. In order to complete the 2014 Street reconstruction projects
as well as the connectors between the segments, an additional $7,097,263 was issued in 2018A
Certificates of Obligation (COs), which occurred in August 2018, plus $1,680,000 in General
Obligation Bonds (GOs) reallocated from the Ruddell Extension Project. Council was presented an
update regarding construction cost inflation and budget increases which resulted in the inclusion of
$8,900,000 issuance of COs in the FY 2020-2021 budget. Staff has developed a plan to select
contractors and construct remaining segments from the 2014 Street Reconstruction Bond by
December 2022.
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2. Miscellaneous Traffic Signals
The original intent of this project was for the installation and/or replacement of traffic signal
infrastructure at various locations throughout the City. Below is a summary of remaining signals that
need to be installed, including the cost and the project status:
Signal Cost Status/ECD
Bell/McKinney $310,000 Working with design team to resolve
conflict with existing signage on SW corner
Bell/Hickory $310,000 Materials Ordered – Construction Scheduled
adjusted to Quarter 1 FY 21-22
Locust/McKinney $310,000 Construction started 7/28/21-late October
21’
Elm/McKinney $310,000 Construction started 7/28/21-late October
21’
Below is a list of completed traffic signal installations:
Signal Cost Status/ECD
Locust/Hickory $350,000 Completed -In Service Since 2018
Locust/Oak $340,000 Completed -In Service Since 2018
Elm/Hickory $250,000 Completed -In Service Since 2018
Elm/Oak $250,000 Completed -In Service Since 2018
Bell/Mingo $380,000 Completed -In Service January 25, 2021
Teasley/Dallas Dr.
(Design)
$70,000 Completed -In Service Since 2019
3. New Transportation Division Facility
This project was previously discussed with the 2014 Bond Oversight Committee on January 30, 2018
and staff was authorized to utilize these project funds ($1,500,000) on reconstructing/remodeling of a
City facility located at 651 Mayhill which will house the Transportation Division. The original
location of a new Transportation Division Facility was to be located on a property across from the
City’s Service Center (Ruddell Street). The cost and delay in the Ruddell Extension project, as well
as the availability of another City facility, have necessitated the alternative solution. With the delay
of the 651 Mayhill project, efforts are underway to incorporate the proposed Transportation Division
functions within the new Development Services Building. Additionally, the project would also
include the relocation of the existing Traffic Operation offices to the Service Center building, allowing
for the expanded traffic sign and signal division needs.
4. Rail Quiet Zone (McKinney Street to Prairie Street)
The original intent of this project was to install specific signalization and infrastructure at the Union
Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at-grade crossings located at McKinney Street, Hickory Street, Sycamore
Street, and Prairie Street to effectuate a railroad quiet zone. This project was originally scheduled to
be completed by July 2019, however that date has been pushed back due to significant staffing changes
with UPRR and City staff. Due to requested redesign work from UPRR, it appears that three of the
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four intersections will be under construction by the end of calendar year 2021 with anticipated
completion by the end of Q2 of 2022.
5. Rail Quiet Zone (Union Pacific Railroad North)
The original intent of this project was to install specific signalization and infrastructure at the UPRR
grade crossings located at Fish Trap Road, Cooper Creek Road, Mockingbird Lane, Nottingham Road,
Pertain Street, Willis Street, and Frame Street to effectuate a railroad quiet zone. This project was
scheduled to be completed in FY 2018-19, and project completion was dependent on the Ruddell
Extension Project. Due to a delay in the Ruddell Extension Project, these quiet zone locations have
temporarily been put on hold. Staff recently initiated a new programmatic approach to all City planned
projects in the Texas Woman’s University (TWU) area, including the Ruddell Extension Project. On
March 23, 2021, the City Council approved a design contract with Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc.
for several projects in the TWU area, including the quiet zones. The anticipated design completion
date is Q2 2022. The construction contract for required quiet zone improvements will be advertised
following right-of-way acquisition, confirmation of available funds for the current project estimate at
completion, and design completion.
6. Bonnie Brae Secondary Arterial from Vintage Blvd. to US-77 (Phases 1 through 6)
Phases 1 through 3 of the Bonnie Brae projects consist of the southern portions of Bonnie Brae from
I-35E to and including Vintage Boulevard. More specifically as follows: Phase 1 limits are from
Roselawn to just north of Vintage. This section provides a new alignment for the roadway and adds
two bridges. Phase 2 is the widening of Vintage Boulevard from 2 to 4 lanes from US 377 to I-35W
and includes the intersection of Bonnie Brae joining the limits of Phase 1. Phase 3 continues the new
alignment of Phase 1 from Roselawn to I-35E. These phases are funded by Regional Toll Revenue
funds out of the SH-121 subaccount along with a City of Denton match and are often referred to as
Bonnie Brae South we also have up to $5.75M in Denton County funds. These funds cannot be spent
north of I-35E on the northern phases of the Bonnie Brae project. Phase 1 is currently scheduled to
achieve substantial completion in Q3 2021. Phase 2 is also in the construction phase and is scheduled
to be completed in Q3 of calendar year 2021. Phase 3 will be in the bid and award phase by Q4 of
calendar year 2021.
Phase 4 of the Bonnie Brae project extends from I-35E north to Scripture Street. This phase has been
broken into two phases; Phase 4A, which is completed, consists of a Roundabout at the Scripture
Street and Bonnie Brae Intersection, and Phase 4B consists of the widening of Bonnie Brae from I-
35E to the Roundabout. The original intent of this project including phases 4A, 4B and 5 was for
final design, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, and construction in the amount of
$9,500,000. However, the revised project estimate for phases 4A, 4B, and 5 is now at $28,000,000.
In May 2018, City Council approved the reallocation of both $2,479,903 from the FM 1830 and US
377 projects and $1,020,097 from Bonnie Brae Phase 6 into Bonnie Brae Phase 4 to close the funding
gap. Phase 4A/Roundabout is complete. Phase 4B is at 90% design and still needs right-of-way
(ROW) and utility relocations to accommodate the ultimate widening to a 4-lane divided roadway. In
the meantime, the City is evaluating the option of resurfacing and restriping along with working with
the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to provide the additional funding
needed for ROW and Construction funding.
Phase 5 of the Bonnie Brae project extends from the roundabout to University Drive. Design of this
section is at 50% and will also require ROW and utility relocations to accommodate the ultimate
widening to a 4-lane divided roadway, as with phase 4B, with the possibility that the existing 4 -lane
road will be resurfaced and restriped. The project is currently on hold to evaluate the design path, and
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staff is working with NCTCOG to provide the additional funding needed for ROW and construction
past current funding levels from the 2019 Bond.
Phase 6 of the Bonnie Brae project extends from University Drive to US-77. The original intent of
this project was for design, ROW acquisition, and construction in the amount of $6,100,000 to extend
to Windsor Drive. However, the revised project limits have increased the cost to $31,100,000. A new
Denton High School will be built north of Windsor Drive, on the west side of Bonnie Brae Street,
with an estimated opening date of Q2 of calendar year 2023. Staff intends to coordinate the
construction from Windsor to US-77 with the opening of the high school. Design is currently at 100%
completion, and we have received environmental clearance from TxDOT. Funding reallocation was
approved to move $620,000 from Wheeler Ridge, and $1,786,244 from Bonnie Brae Phase 4 for
design into Phase 6. NCTCOG has approved $11,060,800 in federal funding to be applied to the
portion of the project extending from Windsor to US-77. Phase 6 is also funded from the 2019 Bond.
7. Miscellaneous Sidewalks
The original intent of this project was for the design and construction of various sidewalk projects
within the City over the 6-year program period. Staff is finalizing a master sidewalk prioritization
work plan in an effort to provide for the systematic design and installation of sidewalk in frastructure
responsibly with an emphasis on priority areas. The workplan includes segments currently designed,
that are scheduled for construction. Since January of 2021, over 3,000 linear feet of sidewalk has been
installed along various streets with another 5,035 linear feet anticipated to be complete by the end of
December. The new work plan will be presented to the Committee on Persons with Disabilities, the
Traffic Safety Commission and the Mobility Committee for feedback once it is finalized. The
sidewalk work plan is currently being reviewed by the recently hired Senior Planner – Bicycle,
Pedestrian and ADA Coordinator. Staff is also in the process of closing out existing Traffic funding
accounts with the plan of reallocating existing sidewalk funds to ensure more segments are completed
annually.
8. Hickory Creek Road - FM 2181 to Riverpass (Hickory Creek Phase 2/West)
The original intent of this project was to expand the roadway to a four-lane divided thoroughfare from
Teasley to Riverpass. A signal at Montecito and Hickory Creek has been added to the original scope,
increasing the revised project cost to $7,500,000. Traffic is providing $350,000 for the signal. In
August 2018, City Council approved the reallocation of $2,470,306 from the Ruddell Extension at
Mingo Project to the Hickory Creek West Project in order to complete the original scope. This project
went to bid in September of 2018.
On February 12, 2019, the City Council approved the use of $1,800,000 million in Roadway Impact
Fees to allow for the possible reallocation of the same amount in general obligation bonds to the new
Hickory Creek (FM 2181/Teasley to Riverpass) project. The project is currently estimated to achieve
substantial completion by early calendar year 2022. The project schedule has been impacted by delays
and redesigns associated with geotechnical design, franchise utility relocations, value engineering,
and development project coordination.
9. Morse Street Expansion to Full Collector Capacity (Loop 288 to Mayhill)
The original intent of this project was for design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction in the
amount of $2,900,000 to fully convert this roadway to a four-lane divided secondary arterial street,
including sidewalks, bike lanes, street lighting and water utility improvements from Loop 288 to
Mayhill. This original plan would widen the current three-lane segment between Kimberly and
Mayhill to a four-lane divided roadway, matching the existing segment between Kimberly and Loop
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288. In May 2018, Council approved the transfer of $250,000 from FM 1830 and US 377 projects
and $220,000 in aggregate of other capital improvement projects into the Morse Street Expansion
project, raising the Morse Street Expansion funding total to $3,370,000.
Subsequently, the scope of the project changed and will now maintain the existing street width along
Morse Street between Kimberly Drive and Mayhill Road. The intent is to reduce/reconstruct the
existing four-lane segment to a three-lane roadway between Loop 288 and Kimberly Drive. In 2020,
$2,600,000 was moved from this project to the Hickory Street from Welch to Carrol project. Staff
has considered re-scoping efforts and has included a funding request in the Capital Improvement Plan
to provide adequate funds to complete the project.
10. Ruddell Extension to Mingo Road
The original intent of this project was for design, ROW acquisition, and construction in the amount
of $5,780,000 to align this roadway across the UPRR tracks and provide an improved railroad crossing
at Mingo. The revised project cost as originally scoped is $8,602,000. This project was placed on
hold for a redesign using $1,629,694 of funding. The remaining funds were reallocated $4,150,306
to: (1) the Hickory Creek Road West project in the amount of $2,470,306 and (2) $1,680,000 on 2014
street reconstruction projects.
Staff recently initiated a new programmatic approach to all City planned projects in the Texas
Woman’s University (TWU) area, including the Ruddell Extension Project. On March 23, 2021, the
City Council approved a design contract with Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc. for several projects in
the TWU area, including 30% design for Ruddell widening from US 380 to Mingo. The anticipated
completion date of the 30% design contract is Q4 of calendar year 2021. Staff will include a request
to fund the full design and construction of the Ruddell Extension to Mingo in the upcoming capital
improvement plan and anticipates potentially bundling several of the TWU area projects in a joint
solicitation to have constructed using the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method.
11. Wheeler Ridge Connection to FM 2181 at Jordan Lane.
The original intent of this project was to provide funds in the amount of $620,000 for an alternative
point for access into Wheeler Ridge subdivision for residents and emergency service vehicles from
Saddle Drive to Jordan Lane and ultimately to FM 2181. This project was scheduled to begin
construction in March 2019 and completed in mid-2020. However, after several meetings with the
Fire Department this project has been deemed no longer necessary for public safety as there are now
alternative routes into the neighborhood. The funding reallocation was approved. COMPLETED
12. Miscellaneous Roadways
The original intent of this project was for design and construction of various roadway improvements
within the City over the course of the 6-year program period. To date, the City has issued $1,000,000
in GO bonds for this purpose. Staff anticipates the issuance of $500,000 in each of the remaining two
years of the bond program and is assessing existing funding needs of active projects for programming.
Staff has allocated $600,000 to the Hickory Creek Road project from 2181 to 2499 (East). The cost
of this project is estimated at $3,000,000 with additional funding ($2,400,000) coming from TxDOT
as part of a Local Project Advance Funding Agreement (LPAFA).
13. Public Art for Street Improvements
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The 2014 bond program included $30,000 for public art associated with transportation projects. These
funds were included in the FY 2019-20 bond issuance. Locations for sculptures have been selected by
the PAC to include Carroll Blvd. (3), Dallas & Teasley median (1) and Eagle & Elm median (1). Staff
is preparing an RFP for the design and installation of these sculptures with possibly selection by the
end of the calendar year.
14. Fire Station #4 Remodel/Rebuild (Sherman Drive)
On February 23, 2017, the 2014 Bond Oversight Committee approved the reallocation of $1,100,000
in GO bonds from the Fire Station #3 project. The original cost of the Fire Station #4 project was
$5,020,000 and the revised final cost was $6,097,550. Remaining money of $22,540 was moved to
the new Fire Station #3 project. This project has been completed and the Grand Opening was held on
June 22, 2018. COMPLETED.
15. Fire Station #3 Demolition/Rebuild (McCormick)
On February 23, 2017, the 2014 Bond Oversight Committee approved the reallocation of $1,272,000
from this project to bridge the funding gap for Fire Station #4 and the Fire Burn Tower project. At
that time, staff informed the Committee that a proposal would be submitted to the City Council to
fund any gap in the Fire Station #3 project with Certificates of Obligation (COs). The City Council
approved the issuance of COs in May 2018 to fund the remaining $1,685,000. Bonds have been issued
and the project is fully funded. Based on the latest engineer’s estimate, which came in extremely high,
this project will be bid with alternatives to bring costs down if needed. The project was bid and
awarded to O’Haver Contractors for a contract amount of $6,298,000. The Fire Station #3 project
began May 2019 and was originally scheduled for completion in December 2020. Staff occupied the
building February 12, 2021. Demolition of the old Fire Station #3 has been completed April 2021.
COMPLETED.
16. Fire Burn Tower
On February 23, 2017, the 2014 Bond Oversight Committee approved the reallocation of $172,000 in
GO bonds from the Fire Station #3 project. The original cost of this project was funded by Certificates
of Obligation in the amount of $2,721,870 but the revised cost was $2,893,870 which required the
reallocation of GOs for completion. The final cost of the project was $2,848,182. Remaining money
of $45,687 was moved to the new Fire Station #3 project. COMPLETED.
17. Relocation of Communications Center & Criminal Investigations Bureau
The original intent of this project was the remodeling of 6,000 square feet of existing office space and
the finish out of 4,500 square feet of unfinished space at the Hickory Street location to accommodate
growth in service demands. On February 20, 2019, the Committee approved the reallocation of
$1,600,000 for design and other preliminary costs related to the Police Station Renovation project
included in the Proposed 2019 Bond Election. The remaining funding of $10,368 was moved to the
Police Facilities Project (Design). REALLOCATED
18. Police Firing Range with Ten Foot Berm Addition
The original intent of this project was for safety and security enhancements, including improvements
to the entrance gate, landscaping, security, drainage, parking, berm height, and the construction of a
permanent range house. The original cost of the project was $485,000 but this has been revised to
$1,105,000. This additional $620,000 was sold in the 2018A Certificates of Obligation (COs) issuance
which occurred in August 2018. The project is temporarily on hold for review by the new Chief of
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Police, Chief Dixon. Staff is requesting to reallocate $299,061 of GOs to the proposed police facilities.
On February 20, 2019, the Committee approved the reallocation of the remaining GOs to the proposed
police facilities project. REALLOCATED.
19. Police Facilities Project (Design)
This project is in the design development phase. The City Hall East Police Department remodel and
new sub-station was awarded through the RFQ process for $3,085,830 to Brandsetter Carroll
Architects. COMPLETED
20. Public Art for Public Safety
The 2014 bond program included $325,000 for public art related to public safety projects. These bonds
have been issued, and to date, $253,401 have been spent on the Bell Tower project at the Central Fire
Station and $9,300 has been spent for engineering services related to the mounting of two brick-art
panels at the Police Station and $28,330.61 has been encumbered. The current remaining balance for
Public Safety art is $62,299. City Council approved the contract for the sculpture on August 24, 2021.
21. Eagle Drive Drainage Improvements Phase 2
The original intent of this project was for the drainage box and channel improvements from east of
Elm Street to Eagle drive in the amount of $2,097,000. Construction began in August 2018 and is
now complete. The revised project cost came to $2,721,627 and project construction was completed
in October 2019. COMPLETED
22. PEC-4 Drainage Improvements Phase 2 – West of Locust to Prairie
The original intent of this project was for the design and construction of drainage improvements from
East of Locust Street to Prairie Street along the alignment of PEC-4. This project began construction
in July 2019 and is currently on schedule with an estimated completion by the end of Q3 of calendar
year 2021.
23. Downtown Drainage Projects
These projects are comprised of the (a) Hickory Street Drainage & Trunk Line System ($600,000),
(b) South Bell Drainage System ($806,000), and (c)(3) Oak Street Drainage projects (does not include
GO funding). These projects have been broken up into two phases. Phase 1 is the Oak Street Drainage
and half of Hickory Street trunk line from McKinney to Hickory (this phase of the project is also
referred to as Downtown Storm Sewer Phase 1). Phase 2 is the South Bell Drainage and second half
of Hickory Street trunk line from Hickory to Sycamore (this phase of the project is also referred to as
Downtown Storm Sewer Phase 2). The total revised project cost for both phases is $3,135,000. Phase
1 is currently funded. Staff is seeking additional funding for Phase 2. Construction for Phase 1 began
in December 20201 and is on schedule for completion in Q4 of calendar year 2021.
24. Magnolia Street Drainage Phase 2 (Hinkle Project)
The original intent of this project was for the construction of a separate storm drain system to capture,
contain, and convey the runoff from the upper portion of the watershed to the outfall at Pecan Creek,
south of Good Samaritan Village. This project would further alleviate flooding in the area and enable
the reconstruction of Hinkle Drive. The original cost for this project was $2,557,000.
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The construction contract for this project was awarded on February 5, 2019, and construction was
completed by May 2020. A scope change occurred that entailed the addition of a roundabout at Hinkle
and Mimosa along with additional curb installation and rock excavation that increased costs to
$7,550,000. In May of 2018, City Council approved the use of drainage channel rehab funds in the
amount of $1,737,836 to aid in bridging the funding gap. This project was substantially completed in
2020 and reported as complete at the November 5, 2020 Bond Oversight Committee meeting.
Retainage has been released for this project, and as of Q3 2021, this project is completed. The Streets
Division of the Public Works Department is coordinating an adjacent project to complete a bicycle
path and visibility enhancements to improve safety of the roundabout. COMPLETED
25. Playground Replacements
The original intent of this project was to fund the replacement of seven play structures at Milam, Nette
Shultz, Carl Young, Fred Moore, Denia, McKenna, and Evers Parks to meet current Consumer
Product Safety Commission playground standards.
Parks and Recreation received approval to transfer a portion of the balance of funding, approximately
$77,000, allocated for McKenna Park playground to be redirected to Joe Skiles Park Playground.
McKenna Park has over $1,200,000 in 915/916 funding that can only be used in an approximate 1-
mile radius of various developments around the park. This funding was used for the purchase and
installation of the McKenna Park playground instead of the bond funding.
• Evers Park Playground- Completed
• Milam Park Playground- Completed
• Fred Moore Park Playground- Completed
• Denia Park Playground- Completed
• Carl Young Park Playground- Completed
• Nette Shultz Park Playground- Completed
• McKenna Park Playground- Completed
Additional playground completed
• Joe Skiles Park Playground Completed
After completion of the listed playgrounds, it is anticipated that $177,955 would remain for
reallocation to another project. Staff requested $150,000 of this available funding to be moved to the
South Lakes Park Improvement project to cover the shortfall expected for the new tennis courts and
lighting. Staff requested the remaining $27,955 to be moved to the new North Lakes Tennis Center
project and was approved by the Bond Oversight Committee on February 4, 2021. COMPLETED.
26. Park Improvements
The original intent of this project was to improve several parks, including the addition of two lighted
tennis courts at South Lakes Park and improvements at Lake Forest Park. Funding was obtained in
May 2018 for a total of $300,000. The pavilion and basketball court projects at Lake Forest and Milam
Parks were completed through an endowment from a private foundation therefore the $150,000
identified for Lake Forest improvements can be used elsewhere.
The South Lakes Park tennis court and lighting project was originally funded for $150,000. Estimated
costs of construction as of October 2018 were $250,000. Staff received approval to reallocate the Lake
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Forest pavilion funding of $150,000 to eliminate the funding gap to build the two new lighted tennis
courts and add lighting to the existing courts as a bid alternate. This will expand playability of the
courts as well as provide cooler times for patrons to utilize the facility.
A public meeting for the park was held in July 2019 to gather input on various park projects and for
the master plan. Design for South Lakes Park tennis courts was thought to be complete, but additional
engineering was required. Adams Engineering has been hired to complete the design and provide
oversight during construction. Staff received approval to use of $150,000 remaining in the playground
project to cover this funding gap and was approved by the BOC. Lowest bid received was $410,770
for the two new courts with lights.
Per the Procurement Timeline Tool, below are the following dates for the project to proceed.
1. Start bid solicitation May 5, 2021
2. Bid Opening August 10, 2021
3. Council Approval September, 2021
4. Construction NTP 30 days after Council approval
5. Substantial Completion Summer 2022
6. Final Completion Summer 2022
27. Property Acquisition (for Parks & Libraries)
The original intent of this project was to fund the purchase of new parkland in the City. PARD staff
has identified potential parcels of interest. In June 2020, the funding of $1,005,000 was again available
to be utilized for purchase of land. Staff presented land option to City Council in August 2020 and
February 2, 2021. A total of (3-4) parcels have been identified as potential locations for a park and
library. One location was determined to be unavailable for acquisition and the other three are currently
being negotiated for acquisition by Real Estate.
28. Southwest Park Master Plan & Design
The original intent of this project was for master planning and design services necessary for the
development of the park, including survey, platting, and environmental assessments. This information
would then become part of the master plan for the development of the park which eventually could
include a recreation center, athletic facilities, aquatic components, and trails. A survey of the land was
completed in the summer of 2019 in preparation for the project.
Staff has completed a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and conducted interviews in January 2020 to
hire a consultant. COVID-19 caused a delay in this project. The contract was approved by City
Council in June 2020 and a kick-off meeting was conducted on July 14, 2020. In addition, a citizen
focus group was created, and several public meetings have been held to gather feedback and
information from the community.
Parks and Recreation received approval from the committee to use $175,000 to assist in hiring
consultants to complete the City-wide PARD master plan. Internal staff that was working on the
project left the organization in February, then COVID-19 caused a pause in the process. Due to the
lack of staff and workload, Parks and Recreation hired Halff Associates to help the department
complete the plan. The Parks, Recreation and Trails System Master Plan will be completed at the end
of the calendar year.
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It is anticipated this project will have a remaining balance of $856,161 after completion. Staff
requested moving this balance to the North Lakes Tennis Center project to bridge the anticipated
funding gap and was approved by the Bond Oversight Committee on February 4, 2021.
A concept plan for Southwest Park has been completed and proposed to the focus group and Parks,
Recreation and Beautification Board for feedback. Staff is planning on presenting to City Council for
feedback on October 4, 2021. Once this feedback is attained, staff will make any needed adjustments
and process this through for final review and approval with the focus group, Parks, Recreation and
Beautification Board and City Council.
29. Sprayground
The original intent of this project was to fund the construction of a small/medium splash park. The
park would contain spray jets and water features such as water cannons and dumping buckets. The
original cost for this project was $200,000 but was revised to $395,515. The funding gap was bridged
with Park Development funds in the amount of $195,515. The project has been completed and was
dedicated on May 12, 2018. The final cost of the project was $381,488, leaving $14,026 in available
funding, of which $13,629 was bond funded and $397 was from Park Development funds.
Staff received approval to reallocate the remaining bond funds of $13,629 toward the purchase of
restrooms at Carl Young Park, which was completed this Summer. The Carl Young Park restroom
facility was completed under budget and the reallocation was not needed for the project. In November
2020, the Bond Oversight Committee approved reallocation of the remaining $13,629 to the North
Lakes Tennis Center project. COMPLETED
30. Trail System Expansion & Addition
The original intent of this project was to fund the expansion of the off-road pedestrian trail network,
allowing citizens access to parks and recreation centers and providing safe routes for work, school
and shopping centers. The advanced trail project is the Northwest Trail Extension off Highway 77
and Nacosia which connects the Evers Trail to North Lakes Park. This project was completed in 2017.
In the spring of 2021, TXDOT sent the city a communication notifying the city that a balance was
identified of $42,940. Staff is currently identifying funding to pay this balance. COMPLETED
31. Tennis Center Remodel & Expansion
The original intent of this project was to fund the relocation and expansion of the Goldfield Tennis
Center to include 12 tennis courts, ADA accessibility improvements, and a new pro shop. The revised
budget for this project is $3,787,829 which includes $3,445,000 from the 2014 bond program,
$250,000 from the 2005 bond program, and $14,197 in other (non-bond) funding. Additionally, in
November 2020 the Bond Oversight Committee approved reallocation of $13,629 from the completed
Sprayground project and $65,000 from the completed Vela Athletic Complex project.
Staff submitted a USTA grant totaling $100,000 to assist in the construction. The City of Denton was
awarded $30,000 from USTA and another $10,000 from USTA Texas. These grant funds are not
currently listed as part of the project budget but will be added once received.
The planning and design process began in June 2018. Parks and Recreation staff created a concept
design and estimated costs. The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board and City Council were
briefed in August 2018 on the draft design. A public meeting was held on August 9, 2018 along with
numerous focus group meetings that included, USTA, UNT, Denton Tennis Association, local tennis
professionals, and pickle ball participants. The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Board
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recommended the design to City Council on February 4, 2019. City Council approved the concept
design and approved a design contract on May 7, 2019. Construction on the pro shop was projected
to be completed in January 2021 but was substantially completed in October 2020.
Staff requested remaining funds from the Southwest Park Master Plan project of $856,161 and a
portion of the remaining funds from the Playground project, $27,955, to be allocated to the North
Lakes Tennis Center project and was approved by the Bond Oversight Committee on February 4,
2021.
Per the Procurement Timeline Tool, below are the following dates for the project to proceed.
1. Start bid solicitation July 30, 2021
2. Bid Opening August 31 , 2021
3. Council Approval October, 2021
4. Construction NTP 30 days after Council approval
5. Substantial Completion Winter 2022
6. Final Completion Winter 2022
32. Water Works Park Additions (Wave Pool/Concession Stand)
The original intent of this project was for the construction of a new wave pool, permanent concession
facilities, and additional shade areas. The original cost for this project was $2,443,000 but this was
revised to $2,800,094. The funding gap for this project was primarily funded with $300,000 from the
Parks Gas Well fund. The Wave Pool project opened in the summer of 2017. The concession stand
was completed and open for operations along with the entire Water Works Park in May 2018. An
additional $35,000 was added to the project for a wave pool study. The warranty has been extended
by the contractor for two years and some additional work was completed in early 2020. Costs have
been finalized at $2,796,476. COMPLETED
33. Vela Soccer Complex Phase II Construction
The original intent of this project was to complete Phase II construction of the Vela Athletic Complex
at North Lakes Park, including a permanent concession area; year-round restroom facilities; a large
pavilion to accommodate tournaments; connecting sidewalks; and a playground structure. The
original project cost estimate was $1,333,000. City Council approved the complete construction of
the project in early May 2018 for a total project cost of $6,363,532. Total project costs include site
development expenditures that were incurred prior to construction. Construction began May 21, 2018
and was completed in May 2019. An official dedication occurred on May 26, 2019. A grand opening
was held on August 31, 2019.
While the overall project is completed, some signage is being planned in cooperation with the Vela
family and LULAC. Two plaques will be placed on an interior wall and an arch at the entrance was
recently installed to welcome participants to G Roland Vela Athletic Complex.
Parks and Recreation has also been working with the Public Art Committee on the procurement of a
sculpture within the athletic complex. Initially, $35,000 was allocated from HOT and Bond funds.
Additional funding was required for the desired theme and sculpture. Staff received approval from the
Bond Oversight Committee meeting to use $65,000 from the Vela construction project towards this
piece of art. Additionally, a $1,000 donation was received from the Denton Parks Foundation to add
to the project budget. City Council approved the concept for a total of $101,000, including $95,000
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for the project and $6,000 in contingency. It is anticipated that the sculpture will be installed in the
Summer of 2021.
After completion of the signage, archway, and sculpture it is estimated the balance of bond funding
remaining in this project will be approximately $65,000. In November 2020 the Bond Oversight
Committee approved the reallocation of these funds to the North Lakes Tennis Center project.
Sculpture is under construction and will be installed in late Summer 2021. COMPLETED
34. Emergency Action Plan – Lake Forest Dam
The outcome of the engineering plan will cover construction documents, cost estimates of
construction, financial considerations, project scheduling, 404 permitting (permit through EPA for
discharge of dredged material), water rights through TCEQ, dam breach mapping, and an Emergency
Action Plan (EAP), dam rehabilitation design, dredging plan, operations and maintenance plan, and
construction administration through construction phase.
This project will be funded with $250,639 in General Obligation (GO) Bonds reallocated from the
Clear Creek Heritage Center project and $95,361 in aggregate savings from other parks capital
improvement projects in the amount of $448,902. Assessments and construction drawings have been
completed and funding to the total of $3,000,000 from the FY19-20 budget has been allocated for
construction. The project was bid in November 2020. Bids came back higher than expected and staff
identified an additional $300,327 to bridge the funding gap. Council approved the project and
construction began in April 2021. The contractor is currently moving sediment from the pond. The
project will be delayed due to the amount of rain received in the spring.
35. Public Art for Parks
The 2014 bond program included $180,000 for public art related to public parks projects. The City
has issued $180,000 in bonds for these projects, and to date, $100,000 has been spent on two sculpture
projects at City Hall (Morales) and the Civic Center (Surls). The Public Art Committee (PAC) voted
March 7, 2019 to proceed with a $35,000 public art project at North Lakes Dog Park comprised of
$20,000 in bond funds and $15,000 from the committee’s 2019 Hotel Occupancy Tax budget.
Similarly, the committee voted April 4th, 2019 to proceed with a $35,000 public art project at the Vela
Soccer fields, comprised of $20,000 in bond funds and $15,000 from the committee’s 2019 Hotel
Occupancy Tax budget. Additional funding of $65,000 was allocated from the Vela Athletic Complex
construction account to assist with the procurement of the sculpture.
The committee determined a site for placing public art at the North Lakes Tennis Center but delayed
assigning a budget and funding source(s) until the tennis court design is completed. The PAC has
selected the artist for Vela, received City Council approval, and this project is now in fabrication. The
original proposed art for the North Lakes Dog Park project was rejected by the subcommittee. Staff
rebid the project, bids were received, and a concept was approved by the PAC on April 16, 2021. The
concept and contract were be presented and approved by City Council in May 2021.
Planned dedications of sculptures are as follows:
“Fetch”, North Lakes Dog Park – Dedication September 10, 2021
“Vela’s Trophy”, Vela Athletic Complex - Dedication September 18, 2021
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2019 Bond Election:
1. Bonnie Brae (Phases V, VI, VII)
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for Phases V, VI, and VII to widen approximately three
miles of Bonnie Brae Street from Scripture Street to Loop 288 and build a continuous four lane divided
roadway along this route. Phase VI is currently at 100% design with right -of-way acquisition
underway and construction projected to start later this year. Staff is coordinating closely with the
Denton Independent School District with a goal to have Phase VI substantially complete in Q2 of
2023, with staff aiming to coordinate lane openings with the opening of the new Denton High School.
Phase V and VII both need to be designed and additional project funding needs to be identified for
completion, with Phase VII to be designed and constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT).
2. Hickory Creek (Phase 3)
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the widening of approximately one mile of Hickory
Creek Road from Riverpass Drive to FM 1830 (Country Club Road) to a four-lane divided roadway
including a bridge designed to accommodate expansion at some time in the future as demand
increases. This project is often referred to as Hickory Creek Phase 3. This project is currently at 90%
design and right of way acquisition is actively underway. Project construction is anticipated to start
by Q2 of calendar year 2022 and is projected to be complete by Q2 of 2024.
3. Street Rehabilitation Program
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the design and reconstruction of aging street
infrastructure throughout the City. In addition to the street itself, curb and gutters, sidewalks, traffic
signals, turn lanes, medians, and other components may be included in a street rehabilitation project.
Programming for these streets and the associated impacted infrastructure is ongoing. Construction
solicitations for the first two bid packages of the 2019 Street Rehabilitation Bond were advertised on
January 11, 2021, a contractor has since been selected and construction for the first bid package of the
2019 Street Rehabilitation Bond initiated the week of July 14, 2021, with scheduled completion in Q4
of 2021. Construction for the second bid package of the 2019 Street Rehabilitation Bond initiated on
July 19, 2021, with scheduled completion in early Q1 of 2022.
On June 22, 2021, the City Council approved a design amendment with Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI)
to complete the design of the first phase of the Southeast Denton Street Reconstruction Project, which
will reconstruct 22 street segments approved as part of the 2019 Street Reconstruction Bond. Staff
anticipates the first phase of the Southeast Denton Street Reconstruction Project will begin
construction in Q2 of 2022. A second bid package utilizing the Construction Manager at Risk
methodology will complete the remaining 51 street segments in the Southeast Denton neighborhood.
Staff anticipates that the new Construction Manager and design firm will be selected for the second
phase of the Southeast Denton Street Reconstruction Project by November 2021. The design
amendment approved on June 22 with FNI also authorized eighteen months of Program Management
services for the 2019 Street Reconstruction Bond. Program Management services provided by FNI
include development of a comprehensive sequencing plan for all 2019 Street Reconstruction Bond
segments, the development of dashboards and other key reporting features that can be shared
internally and with the public regarding the status of project construction, preparation of cash flow
models and individual project estimates, project execution process tracking, and providing general
project implementation oversight. Staff and FNI currently anticipates completing all street
reconstruction segments included in the 2019 Bond by the close of calendar year 2026.
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4. Sidewalks
Sidewalk infrastructure will be installed according to the City's sidewalk prioritization workplan. The
plan seeks to close existing sidewalk gaps and install new sidewalks within one-quarter mile of
schools, universities, parks/greenbelts, and public transportation within the City of Denton. A single
project manager has been assigned for the full implementation of the sidewalk prioritization workplan,
with focus on ensuring the timely completion of design and construction of segments utilizing the $12
million in sidewalk funding included in the 2019 bond and will help coordinate sidewalk projects with
roadway reconstruction and other infrastructure investments. In January 2021, staff received approval
from the City Council for a $2.5 million application to the Denton County Transportation Authority
(DCTA) for funding through the Transportation Reinvestment Program. DCTA confirmed the
application was successful in June 2021 and the funding will be used to complete the Safe Routes to
School sidewalk projects at Ginnings, Alexander, Nette Schultz, and Pecan Creek Elementary Schools
and augment funding for segments currently listed on the sidewalk work plan.
The new sidewalk work plan will be presented to the Committee on Persons with Disabilities, the
Traffic Safety Commission and the Mobility Committee for by the end of calendar year 2021. The
draft sidewalk work plan has also been used to inform the capital improvement plan for the upcoming
fiscal year.
5. Street Lighting
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the design and construction of streetlights along US -
380 (University Drive) between I-35 and Mayhill Road and where street lights were not added by
TxDOT during construction of its US-380 roadway project. This area carries a significant amount of
pedestrian, and vehicular traffic, and a portion of this segment is adjacent to Texas Woman’s
University. Staff recently initiated this project with DME and anticipates selecting a design firm once
the first bond issuance for this project becomes available in FY 2023-2024.
6. Ryan Road
The 2019 Bond Program will provide funding for the widening of approximately two miles of Ryan
Road, from Teasley Lane to Country Club Road, from a two-lane road to a three-lane road. On
February 23, 2021, the City Council approved a 30% design contract wi th Kimley Horn for this
project. The 30% design should be completed in Q3 of 2021. In order to ensure east/west access to
FM 1830 as Hickory Creek Road Phase 3 is under construction (extents for Hickory Creek Road Phase
3 are from Riverpass Drive to FM 1830), final design and construction of the project will be
coordinated so that construction will not begin on Ryan Road until construction of Hickory Creek
Road Phase 3 is completed. Staff currently projects a Q2 2024 completion date for Hickory Creek
Road Phase 3. Staff anticipates Ryan Road will take approximately one year to construct, but
construction will need to be coordinated to ensure access to Ryan Elementary. Staff tentatively
projects a Q3 2025 completion date for Ryan Road to account for project coordination with school
traffic.
7. Police Renovation Project
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the renovation of the existing Police Headquarters at
City Hall East (601 E. Hickory St.).
The City Hall East building was originally constructed in 1947 and expanded in 1965. The building
was donated to the City of Denton in 1990 and was renovated in 1992-1994 for city operations. In
2013, unfinished space was converted to create the Denton Public Safety Training Facility.
89
The Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) firm, Byrne Construction, started pre-construction
services earlier this year, after being awarded through a competitive Request for Qualifications &
Request for Proposal process.
The CMAR has solicit subcontractor bids from the 100% Construction Documents, which has been
received with the full participation and oversight by City and Peak Program Value (PPV). After a bid
analysis and award process run by the CMAR, and vetted by the City staff and PPV, the CMAR will
prepare a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment for City Council consideration. Council
approved the GMP on December 1, 2020. The project is starting construction in Q1 of 2021, and all
three facilities will be operational by Q2 of 2022.
The current budget consists of the issued GO/CO in the amount of $47M. Approximately $40M has
been spent or encumbered to date.
8. Police Substation Range
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the construction of a new Police Substation adjacent
to the existing Fire Station 7 on Vintage Boulevard. The substation is intended to house patrol,
neighborhood services, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, and other operations and staff and
administrative support. See section 7 for schedule and budget update.
9. Police Indoor Firing Range
The 2019 Bond Program provides funding for the construction of a new Police Indoor Firing Range
adjacent to existing Fire Station 7 and the proposed Police Substation on Vintage Boulevard. See
section 7 for schedule and budget update.
Exhibits
1. Agenda Information Sheet
2. Summary of GO Funded Projects
3. Parks Bond Program Presentation
4. Capital Projects Bond Program Presentation
5. Facilities Bond Program Presentation
6. Bond Issuance Timeline
Prepared By: Respectfully Submitted:
Sunita Gautam Cassey Ogden
Financial Analyst Director of Finance
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Council Requests for InformationCompleted Council Member Requestor DateSummary of RequestStaff AssignedDepartmentComments1Council Member Byrd07/30/21One Minute Pitch Request: Worksession to establish an action plan to elevate and implement theproposed development of what is known as Denton Basic Services Center: Ruddell Tiny VillageProjectSarah KuechlerCity Manager's OfficeCouncil Member will advise staff on scheduling pending the Sept.23 trip to Community First2Council Member Davis09/14/21I'd like to schedule a 1-minute pitch for a work session to establish a Green Catalyst Fund, whichwould use $500k from the FY21-22 Sustainability Fund to attract, support, and retain firms thatcontribute to our sustainability goals, under the guidance of the Economic Development Strategy.Rachel Balthrop Mendoza City Manager's OfficeStaff will schedule this pitch for an upcoming agenda.3Council Member Beck09/27/21Reports of road worker personal trash around the porta-potty at OldNorth @Windsor as well asprevailing breezes blowing the porta-potty smells in that property owners home.Becky DivineyCIP - Capital ProjectsStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.4Mayor Pro Tem Meltzer09/27/21Can staff assess the utility construction on Peach St.?Stephen GayWaterStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.5Council Member Davis09/28/21Can staff assess a resident's comments about a trail near DHS/Newton Rayzor/CrescentBecky DivineyCIP - Capital ProjectsStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.6Council Member Davis09/28/21Can staff clarify a citizen's comments about access to a drainage ditch near Bent Oaks Dr.Sarah KuechlerCity Manager's OfficeStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.7Council Member Beck09/27/21Can staff assess the utility construction on Peach St.?Stephen GayWaterStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.8Mayor Hudspeth09/27/21Can staff assess the utility construction on Peach St.?Stephen GayWaterStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.9Mayor Hudspeth09/29/21Can staff provide a map of four-plexes in the City?Tina FirgensDevelopment ServicesStaff has provided this map to the Mayor10Council Member Byrd09/29/21Can staff check on construction debris on Colorado Blvd?Becky DivineyCIP - Capital ProjectsStaff has reached out to the resident and information is provided inthe October 1 Friday Report.11Mayor Pro Tem Meltzer09/29/21Two-Minute Pitch Request: Resolution to engage State delegation to oppose the currently proposedredistrictingRyan AdamsPublic AffairsStaff will schedule this pitch for the October 12 agenda.12Council Member Armintor09/29/21Two-Minute Pitch Request: Issue a resolution thanking Chris Watts for his service on the DCTABoard and remove him and John Ryan from their positions for causeSarah KuechlerCity Manager's OfficeStaff will schedule this pitch for the October 12 agenda.13Council Member Byrd09/30/21Can staff assess the traffic on Dallas Dr. near Township II?Rachel WoodCIP - Traffic Engineering Staff will assess this area and provide an update in an upcomingFriday Report92
October 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 Cancelled - 9:00 am COE 11:30 am Council Luncheon 6:00 p.m. P &R Beautification Board 5 No Council Meeting 6 5:00 pm P&Z Commission 7 8:00 am Agenda Committee 8:30 a.m. DEDC 4 pm Public Art 8 Community Srvc Adv Comm 12pm 9 10 11 9:00 am PUB 12 2:00 pm 2nd Tuesday Session 13 11:00 a.m. EDPB 5:30 pm - AAB 14 3:30 p.m. Library Board 15 16 17 18 11:30 am Traffic Safety Commission 19 2:00 pm CC Work Session 6:30 pm CC Regular Session 20 9:00 am Mobility Committee Meeting 2 pm Animal Shelter Advisory 6:30 pm P&Z Commission 21 22 23 24 25 9:00 am PUB 26 10:00 am - CAC 2:00 pm 4th Tuesday Session 27 28 3:00 Board of Ethics 29 30 31 93
November 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00 am COE 11:30 am Council Luncheon 2 2:00 pm CC Work Session 6:30 pm CC Regular Session 10:00 am Community Engagement 3 4 8:30 a.m. DEDC 12:00 pm Bond Committee 5 6 7 8 9:00 am PUB 9 2:00 pm 2nd Tuesday Session 10 11:00 a.m. EDPB 5:30 pm - AAB 11 3:30 p.m. Library Board 12 13 14 15 11:30 am Traffic Safety Commission 16 2:00 pm CC Work Session 6:30 pm CC Regular Session 17 9:00 am Mobility Committee Meeting 18 3:00 Committee on Persons w/ Disablilites 19 20 21 22 23 10:00 am - CAC No Council Meeting 24 12:00 p.m. TIRZ No.1 25 Thanksgiving Day Holiday 26 Day After Thanksgiving Holiday 27 28 29 30 No Council Meeting 94
December 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 8:30 a.m. DEDC 3 4 5 6 9:00 am COE 11:30 am Council Luncheon 7 2:00 pm CC Work Session 6:30 pm CC Regular Session 8 11:00 a.m. EDPB 5:30 pm - AAB 9 3:30 p.m. Library Board 10 11 12 13 9:00 am PUB 14 2:00 pm 2nd Tuesday Session 15 9:00 am Mobility Committee Meeting 16 17 18 19 20 11:30 am Traffic Safety Commission 21 No Council Meeting 22 23 Christmas Eve Holiday 24 Christmas Day Holiday 25 26 27 28 10:00 am - CAC No Council Meeting 29 30 31 New Year’s Day Holiday 95
City of Denton
Meeting Agenda
City Hall
215 E. McKinney St.
Denton, Texas 76201
www.cityofdenton.com
City Council
Council Chambers2:00 PMTuesday, October 12, 2021
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING
WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 2:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ITEMS FOR
INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION WILL BEGIN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLOSED
MEETING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BEGIN AT 6:30 P.M.
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
REGISTRATION GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL
Citizens are able to participate in one of the following ways (NOTE: Other than public hearings, citizens are
only able to comment one time per agenda item; citizens cannot use both methods to comment on a single
agenda item. Public comments are not held for work session reports.):
• Virtual White Card – On October 8, the agenda was posted online at
www.cityofdenton.com/publicmeetings. Once the agenda is posted, a link to the Virtual White Card, an
online form, will be made available under the main heading on the webpage. Within this form, citizens may
indicate support or opposition and submit a brief comment about a specific agenda item. Comments may
be submitted up until the start of the meeting, at which time, the Virtual White Card form will be closed.
Similar to when a citizen submits a white card to indicate their position on the item, these comment forms
will be sent directly to City Council members and recorded by the City Secretary.
City Council Members review comments received in advance of the meeting and take that public input into
consideration prior to voting on an agenda item. The Mayor will announce the number of Comment Cards
submitted in support or opposition to an item during the public comment period. Comments will not be
read during the meeting. The City Secretary will reflect the number of comments submitted in
favor/opposition to an item, the registrant’s name, address, and (summary of) comments within the Minutes
of the Meeting, as applicable.
OR
• By phone – Citizens wishing to speak over the phone during this Council meeting, may call (940)
349-7800 beginning 30 minutes prior to the meeting start time. Comments by phone will be accepted until
the item is opened for discussion by the Council. When the call is initially received, a staff member will
receive the caller’s information and either: 1) offer to call the citizen back when it is time for them to speak,
or 2) record the caller’s information, support or opposition, and comment. If the caller chooses to record
their support or opposition, rather than speaking during the meeting, the Mayor will announce the number
of comments submitted in support or opposition to the item. If the caller wishes to receive a call back, the
voice of each caller will be broadcast into the meeting during the public commenting time of their desired
agenda item. Individuals will be able to comment once per agenda item, no matter the method.
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
• At regular meetings only, citizens can speak on any topic that is not on the agenda (Open Microphone).
Alert the call taker if you wish to speak under the Open Microphone category. If you would like to give a
public report, see the information below.
After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas will convene in a
Work Session on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 215 E.
McKinney Street, Denton, Texas at which the following items will be considered:
WORK SESSION
1. Citizen Comments on Consent Agenda Items
This section of the agenda allows citizens to speak on any item listed on the Consent Agenda prior to its
consideration. Each speaker will be given a total of three (3) minutes to address any item(s). Any person
who wishes to address the City Council regarding these items may do so by utilizing the "By Phone"
registration process as referenced under the REGISTRATION GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING THE
CITY COUNCIL detailed at the beginning of this agenda. Registration is required prior to the time the City
Council considers this item. Registrants may call in and remain on hold or receive a call back at the time the
Work Session is called to Order and are encouraged to ensure they remain accessible to accept the call.
2. Requests for clarification of agenda items listed on this agenda.
3. Work Session Reports
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding an update to the
City of Denton’s COVID-19 response. [ Estimated Presentation/Discussion Time: 30
minutes]
ID 21-2134A.
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding Audit Project 006 -
Roadway Quality Management: Follow-Up Review. [Estimated Presentation/Discussion
Time: 30 minutes]
ID 21-1802B.
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding the performance of the tree preservation
and mitigation requirements in the Denton Development Code. [ Estimated
Presentation/Discussion Time: 90 minutes]
ID 21-1162C.
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on pending City Council
requests for information for: [ Estimated Presentation/Discussion Time: 30 minutes]
ID 21-1416D.
Following the completion of the Work Session, the City Council will convene in a Closed Meeting to consider
specific item(s) when these items are listed below under the Closed Meeting section of this agenda. 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, or as otherwise allowed by law.
1. Closed Meeting:
-- PLACEHOLDER IN THE EVENT A CLOSED MEETING IS NEEDED; OTHERWISE, WILL BE
DELETED. --
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
Any final action, decision, or vote on a matter deliberated in a Closed Meeting will only be taken in an Open
Meeting that is held in compliance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, except to the extent such final
decision, or vote is taken in the Closed Meeting in accordance with the provisions of Section 551.086 of the
Texas Government Code (the ‘Public Power Exception’). The City Council reserves the right to adjourn into a
Closed Meeting or Executive Session as authorized by Texas Government Code, Section 551.001, et seq.
(The Texas Open Meetings Act) on any item on its open meeting agenda or to reconvene in a continuation of
the Closed Meeting on the Closed Meeting items noted above, in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings
Act, including, without limitation Sections 551.071-551.086 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
NOTE: Any item for which a formal action at the Special Called Meeting has been taken by Council
may be subject to a request for a motion for reconsideration at any time during the meeting, at the
Concluding Items Section, or after the meeting. In order to comply with the Texas Open Meetings
Act, a request for a motion for reconsideration made during, at the end of, or after a Council meeting
will be placed on the agenda and considered at the next official meeting of the City Council.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Following the completion of the Closed Meeting, the City Council will convene in a Special Called Meeting to
consider the following items:
1. CONSENT AGENDA
Each of these items is recommended by Staff and approval thereof will be strictly on the basis of the Staff
recommendations. Approval of the Consent Agenda authorizes the City Manager or his designee to
implement each item in accordance with the Staff recommendations. The City Council has received
background information and has had an opportunity to raise questions regarding these items prior to
consideration.
Listed below are bids, purchase orders, contracts, and other items to be approved under the Consent
Agenda (Agenda Items A – AF). This listing is provided on the Consent Agenda to allow Council Members
to discuss or withdraw an item prior to approval of the Consent Agenda. If no items are pulled, the Consent
Agenda Items will be approved with one motion. If items are pulled for separate discussion, they may be
considered as the first items following approval of the Consent Agenda.
Consider the approval of the minutes for September 14 and September 21, 2021.ID 21-2192A.
Consider adoption of an ordinance by the City of Denton granting Arco National
Construction (Cold Storage) a noise exception pursuant to Section 17-20 of the City of
Denton Code of Ordinances, with respect to sound levels and hours of operation for the
construction of 14 paving/mud slab pours and 7 foundation pours at a location for a new
Cold Storage Facility at 6651 N I-35, Denton TX. The request for the variance would
occur on fourteen different occasions at approximately 1:00 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.
ID 21-2139B.
Consider approval of a resolution of the City of Denton abolishing the Council Appointee
Performance Review Committee; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-2145C.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Denton City County Day School to
provide Community Development Block Grant funds for a Preschool Program in Denton,
Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed $45,000.00; and providing an
effective date.
ID 21-1921D.
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Denton County Friends of the Family,
Inc. to provide Community Development Block Grant funds for a Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to
exceed $50,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1922E.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and The Salvation Army, a Georgia
Corporation, to provide Community Development Block Grant and Community
Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for The Salvation Army KARE Kitchen
and Food Pantry in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed
$35,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1923F.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Children’s Advocacy Center for North
Texas to provide Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for a Direct
Client Services Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to
exceed $85,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1924G.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Health Services of North Texas, Inc.
to Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funds for a City of Denton
Supported Poverty Primary Care Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure
of funds not to exceed $75,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1925H.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Special Programs for Aging Needs
(SPAN), Inc. to provide Community Development Block Grant funds for a Senior
Congregate Meals and Home Delivery Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the
expenditure of funds not to exceed $25,500.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1926I.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and CASA of Denton County, Inc. to
provide General Fund Dollars for a Court Advocacy Program in Denton, Texas;
authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed $36,000.00; and providing an effective
date.
ID 21-1928J.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Chisholm Trail RSVP, Inc. to provide
General Fund Dollars for a Volunteer Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the
expenditure of funds not to exceed $9,250.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1929K.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Communities in Schools of North
Texas to provide General Fund Dollars for a Case Management Program in Denton,
Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed $34,000.00; and providing an
effective date.
ID 21-1930L.
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Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Denton Christian Preschool, Inc. to
provide General Fund Dollars for the Stop Poverty Educate At-risk Kids (SPEAK)
Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed
$30,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1931M.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Denton County MHMR Center to
provide General Fund Dollars for the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS)
Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed
$28,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1932N.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Fred Moore Day Nursery School, Inc.
to provide General Fund Dollars for a Childcare Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing
the expenditure of funds not to exceed $35,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1933O.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Grace Like Rain, Inc. to provide
General Fund Dollars for a Childcare Gap Funding Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing
the expenditure of funds not to exceed $30,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1934P.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and North Texas Solutions for Recovery,
Inc. to provide General Fund Dollars for a Residential Transitional Program in Denton,
Texas; authorizing the expenditure of funds not to exceed $45,000.00; and providing an
effective date.
ID 21-1935Q.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and PediPlace to provide General Fund
Dollars for a Child Healthcare Program in Denton, Texas; authorizing the expenditure of
funds not to exceed $25,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1936R.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a funding agreement between the City and Our Daily Bread, Inc., to provide
General Fund Dollars for Security and Program Services in Denton, Texas; authorizing the
expenditure of funds not to exceed $90,000.00; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1937S.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager, or
his designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the United
Way of Denton County, Inc. and the City of Denton and providing for the expenditure of
funds for Homelessness Initiatives in the amount of $80,000 for partial funding for staffing
of the program in furtherance of the coordinated system of homeless assistance program;
authorizing the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1938T.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Denton and United
Way of Denton County, Inc. providing for the expenditure of funds in the amount of
$40,000 for a grant to fund the Barriers Fund for the prevention and diversion of
ID 21-1939U.
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
homelessness in furtherance of the coordinated system of homeless assistance programs;
authorizing the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager to
execute a Memorandum of Understanding by and between the City of Denton and United
Way of Denton County, Inc. providing for the expenditure of funds in the amount of
$18,850 for a grant to fund Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Licenses
in furtherance of the coordinated system of homeless assistance programs; authorizing the
expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1940V.
Consider approval of a resolution nominating members to the Board of Directors of the
Denton County Appraisal District; and declaring an effective date.
ID 21-2012W.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton approving the Fiscal Year
2021-22 Annual Internal Audit Plan; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1833X.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton creating an Internal Audit
Advisory Committee to advise the City Council and City Auditor on audit activities and
governance; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-2035Y.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal
corporation, authorizing the approval of Change Order No. 2 to the contract between the
City of Denton and Archer Western Construction, LLC, to provide additional
construction services for the Hickory Creek Detention Facility project; providing for the
expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (IFB 7061 - Change Order
No. 2 in the not-to-exceed amount of $128,824.49, for a total contract award
aggregated to $14,587,635.62).
ID 21-2131Z.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal
corporation, authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Whirlix Design, Inc.,
through the Buy Board Cooperative Purchasing Network, Contract # 592-19, for shade
structures, benches, and park site amenities for the Parks and Recreation Department;
providing for the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an effective date (File 7815
- awarded to Whirlix Design, Inc., for one (1) year, with the option for five (5) additional
one (1) year extensions, in the total six (6) year not-to-exceed amount of
$2,000,000.00).
ID 21-2132AA.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal
corporation, ratifying the expenditure of funds by the City Manager, through the Buy
Board Cooperative Purchasing Network, Contract # 571-18, for the emergency
purchase of one (1) Pierce Custom Enforcer Pumper for the Fire Department; and
providing an effective date (File 7825 - awarded to Siddons-Martin Emergency Group,
LLC, in the not-to-exceed amount of $797,045.00).
ID 21-2133AB.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, a Texas home-rule municipal
corporation, authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Airgas USA, LLC,
for bulk shipments of liquid oxygen and medical oxygen for the Water Production and
Fire Departments; providing for the expenditure of funds therefor; and providing an
effective date (IFB-BV 7806 - awarded to Airgas USA, LLC, for three (3) years, with
ID 21-2169AC.
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
the option for two (2) additional one (1) year extensions, in the total five (5) year
not-to-exceed amount of $1,300,000.00).
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton approving an agreement
between the Denton Parks Foundation and the City of Denton to allow the Denton Parks
Foundation to raise funds and support programming for the Parks and Recreation
Department; authorizing the city manager or his designee to execute the Denton Parks
Foundation agreement; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-1757AD.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the Interim City
Manager to execute an agreement between the City of Denton and Denton Independent
School District to offer adult education and literacy classes at City of Denton Recreation
Centers; authorizing the Interim City Manager, or her designee, to perform all obligations
of the City under the agreement, including the expenditure of funding therefor; and
providing an effective date.
ID 21-2056AE.
Consider approval of a resolution of the City of Denton allowing Denton County Brewing
Company to sell alcoholic beverages at the 940 Disc Golf tournament, on Saturday,
October 16, 2021, at the North Lakes Disc Golf Course, upon satisfying certain
conditions; authorizing the City Manager, to execute an agreement in conformity with this
resolution; and providing for an effective date.
ID 21-2089AF.
2. ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton to declare the intent to
reimburse capital program expenditures of the Electric Utility ($52,904,557) Solid Waste
($2,533,367), Water ($34,491,460), Wastewater ($44,212,652), and General
Government ($66,750,452) with Tax- Preferred Obligations (Certificates of Obligation
and General Obligation Bonds) with an aggregate maximum principal amount not to
exceed $200,892,488; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-2027A.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas authorizing the
expenditure of funds for the payment of wholesale transmission charges in the total amount
of $6,654,159.68, and, providing an effective date.
ID 21-2095B.
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton authorizing the City Manager, to
enter a Development Agreement between the City of Denton and BJK Johnson
Properties LTD., for the dedication of park land for a city park at the Audra Oaks
Development; authorizing acceptance of land; and providing an effective date.
ID 21-2140C.
3. PUBLIC HEARING
NOTE: Consideration of the following item will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Hold a public hearing and consider adoption of an ordinance regarding a proposed Code
amendment to the Denton Development Code Subchapter 5 Use Regulations, Subchapter
7 Development Standards, and Subchapter 9 Definitions; specifically, to introduce a new
use, Data Center; providing for a penalty in the maximum amount of $2,000.00 for
violations thereof; providing a severability clause and an effective date. (DCA21-0004,
DCA21-0004
b
A.
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October 12, 2021City Council Meeting Agenda
Data Center Use, Karina Maldonado) STAFF IS REQUESTING THIS ITEM BE
POSTPONED TO A DATE CERTAIN OF OCTOBER 26, 2021.
4. CONCLUDING ITEMS
A. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the City Council
or the public with specific factual information or recitation of policy, or accept a proposal to place the
matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND Under Section 551.0415 of the Texas Open
Meetings Act, provide reports about items of community interest regarding which no action will be taken,
to include: expressions of thanks, congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules;
an honorary or salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about
an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a social,
ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the governing body that
was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the governing body or an official or employee
of the municipality; or an announcement involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of
people in the municipality that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
B. Possible Continuation of Closed Meeting topics, above posted.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the official website
(https://www.cityofdenton.com/en-us/government/open/agendas-minutes) and bulletin board at City Hall, 215
E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas, on October 8, 2021, in advance of the 72-hour posting deadline, as
applicable, and in accordance with Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code.
__________________________________________
CITY SECRETARY
NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON'S DESIGNATED PUBLIC MEETING FACILITIES ARE
ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE CITY
WILL PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION, SUCH AS 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 940-349-8309 OR
USE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF (TDD) BY CALLING 1-800-RELAY-TX
SO THAT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION CAN BE ARRANGED.
Page 8 Printed on 10/1/2021
103
Meeting Date Item Legistar ID Departments Involved Type Estimated Time
FY 2021-22 Annual Audit Plan 21-1319 Internal Audit Internal Audit Report 0:30
Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan Update 21-1911 Parks & Recreation City Business 1:00
Total Est. Time: 1:30
October 5, 2021
DDC Tree Preservation Review 21-1162 Development Services
Parks
Council Request Meltzer
(5/11/21)1:30
Audit Follow-Up - Roadway Quality Management 21-1802 Internal Audit Internal Audit Report 0:30
COVID-19 Update 21-2134 City Manager's Office City Business 0:30
One-Minute Pitch:21-1416 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s): Human Resources TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 3:30
Internal Audit - EMS Billing & Collection Audit 21-1269 Internal Audit
Fire Internal Audit Report 0:30
Redistricting Update 21-1979 Legal City Business 0:30
COVID-19 Update 21-2135 City Manager's Office City Business 0:30
UNT Parking Agreements 21-1982 Engineering
Legal, Development Services
Council Request
(Hudspeth) 6/15/2021 0:45
CIP Construction Projects Update 21-1663 CIP/Engineering City Business 1:00
One-Minute Pitch:21-1417 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 4:15
Off-Premise Signs 21-2165 Development Services
Legal
Council Request
Davis (6/8/21)1:00
Ranked-Choice Voting for Council and Committee Board Officers 21-1981 City Manager's Office
City Secretary's Office, Legal
Council Request Beck
(5/25/21)1:00
COVID-19 Update 21-2136 City Manager's Office City Business 0:30
One-Minute Pitch:21-1418 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s): Human Resources TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 3:30
Update on Homelessness Initiatives and Housing Crisis Response
System 21-1843 Community Services Council Priority/
City Business 1:00
Drawing Session - Redistricting 21-1980 Legal City Business 0:45
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 2:15
Audit Follow-Up - Police Overtime 21-1804 Internal Audit City Business 0:30
Update on Police Headquarters 21-2037 City Manager's Office City Business 0:45
City Holidays TBD Human Resources City Business 1:00
Electric Service Standards 21-2167 DME City Business 0:30
One-Minute Pitch:21-1762 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 3:45
Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Strategy Implementation
and Funding Plan and Schedule 21-1912 Solid Waste & Recycling Council Priority 1:30
Flag Policy Discussion 21-2156 City Manager's Office
Legal
Council Request
Armintor (6/15/2021)0:45
Non-Discrimination Ordinance Update 21-2100 City Manager's Office
Legal Council Request 1:00
ETJ - Lake Ray Roberts 21-738 Development Services City Business 0:45
One-Minute Pitch:21-1763 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 5:00
FINAL Draft Presentation - Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master
Plan Update TBD Parks & Rec City Business 1:30
Polling Locations for May 7, 2022 21-1765 City Secretary City Business 0:30
Audit Follow-Up - Police Property Room Procedures 21-1803 Internal Audit Internal Audit Report 0:30
More Inclusive Board and Committee requirements TBD City Secretary's Office
City Manager's Office, Legal
Council Request
Armintor (7/20/21)1:00
One-Minute Pitch:21-1764 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 4:30
November 23, 2021
November 30, 2021
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting: Appointment of Assistant Judges (21-1808); Closed Session Police Headquarters
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting:
NO MEETING - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
NO MEETING - 5TH TUESDAY
November 9, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Special Called Meeting
(Continuous Meeting)
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting: City Attorney
Other Major Items for Meeting: Reimbursement Ordinance
NO MEETING - NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
November 1, 2021
(Luncheon @11:30 a.m.)
October 26, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Special Called Meeting
(Continuous Meeting)
November 16, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Regular Meeting (@6:30 p.m.
October 12, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Special Called Meeting
(Continuous Meeting)
October 19, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Regular Meeting (@6:30 p.m.)
November 2, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Regular Meeting (@6:30 p.m.)
October 4, 2021
(Luncheon @ 11:30 a.m.)
Tentative Work Session Topics and Meeting Information
Updated: October 1, 2021
*This is for planning purposes only. Dates are subject to change.104
Meeting Date Item Legistar ID Departments Involved Type Estimated Time
Housing TBD
Community Services
City Manager's Office,
Development Services
Council Priority
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 0:30
Economic Development Programs and Policy Discussion 21-1330 Economic Development City Business 1:00
Tourism Public Improvement District Update 21-1332 Economic Development City Business 1:00
Public Meeting Video Recording Prioritization 21-2087 Public Affairs City Business 0:30
Leak Adjustment Ordinance 21-557 Water/Wastewater City Business 0:30
One-Minute Pitch:21-1964 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 4:00
Homestead Exemption 21-2155 Finance City Business 1:00
One-Minute Pitch:21-1966 City Manager's Office Council Request 0:30
Closed Meeting Item(s) TBD Legal City Business 0:30
Total Est. Time: 2:00
Item Legistar ID Departments Type Estimated Work
Session Date
Parkland Dedication and Development Ordinance 21-109 Parks & Rec City Business 1:00
Item Dates Departments Type Estimated Work
Session Date
FY 2022-23 Budget Development February -
October 2022
Finance
All other departments Budget Summer 2022
Mobility Plan (Multiple Sessions Likely)Ongoing - Fall
2021
Engineering
Public Works, Development
Services
Council Priority Fall/Winter 2021
Item Date Approved Department Estimated Hours to
Complete Requestor
Sign Topper Program 9/14/21 Development Services 40 Byrd
December 14, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Special Called Meeting
(Continuous Meeting)
December 7, 2021
Work Session (@2:00 p.m.)
Regular Meeting (@6:30 p.m.)
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Other Major Items for Meeting:
Approved Council Request Work Sessions to be
Scheduled
Council Priorities and Significant Work Plan
Items to be Scheduled
Work Session Dates to be Determined
December 6, 2021
(Luncheon @11:30 a.m.)
*This is for planning purposes only. Dates are subject to change.105
1 Street Closure Report: Upcoming ClosuresSCR Oct 4th - 10thStreet/ IntersectionFromToClosure StartDateClosure EndDateDescriptionDepartmentDepartment Contact1Bell AveTexas StWithers St11/30/21 01/06/22 Water Distribution will beinstalling a new water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane2Bell AveWithers StMingo Rd01/07/22 02/18/22 Water Distribution will beinstalling a new water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane3Bell AveatMingo Rd10/18/21 11/29/21 Water Distribution will beinstalling a new water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane4Bernard StHickory StChestnut St05/18/22 06/29/22 Water Distribution will bereplacing the water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane5Keystone CtWest of StuartEast of 1109 Keystone Court 10/18/21 10/29/21 Concrete panel repairPrivate Development PublicWorks InspectionsTucker EllerPage 1 of 1Exported on October 1, 2021 11:50:52 AM CDT106
2 Street Closure Report: Current ClosuresStreet/ IntersectionFromToClosure StartDateClosure EndDateDescriptionDepartmentDepartment Contact1Allred RdJM Prosperity Farm Rustic BarnVenueBonnie Brae09/27/21 07/31/22 Storm Installation, CuttingGrade on AllredPrivate Development PublicWorks InspectionsJeremiah Tillman-David2Bell AveCollege StTexas St08/04/21 10/14/21 Water Distribution will beinstalling a new water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane3Bell PlatMckinney St07/08/21 10/08/21 Water Distribution will beinstalling a new water main lineand services.WaterTiffany Sherrane4Bonnie Brae (SB)OakHickory06/14/21 10/27/21 This block is closed tosouthbound traffic only, detoursare posted. Northbound lanestill open. Installation of electricduct banks for DME substationproject and steel casing forwater main projectOtherMark Zimmerer5Carroll Blvd (SB) & (NB) MulberryEagle07/12/21 10/29/21 Concrete Street Panel andSidewalk Repair. The processstarts with Barricading the failedsections of concrete pavement,remove the pavement, andinstall new concrete.Streetsrobbin.webber@cityofdenton.com6ElmHickoryEagle05/11/20 10/29/21 PEC 4 Utility ProjectEngineeringSeth Garcia7Elm StreetEagle Drive(dead end)05/17/21 10/29/21 Atmos Energy will be closingstreet intermittently to replaceand relocate an existing gasmain and service linesAtmosAlice Province8Hickory StreetWelchCarroll08/31/20 10/15/21 Construction is set to begin onWest Hickory Street between N.Welch Street and Carroll Blvd inOctober of 2020 and continuethrough September of 2021.Detailed lane closureinformation is forthcomingpending approval of thecontractor's phasing and trafficcontrol plans.EngineeringKyle Pedigo9MckinneyduchessGlengarry02/01/21 12/24/21 McKinney - Mayhill IntersectionThis project is widening theintersection and 600' each wayto match existing conditionsalong McKinney. Also includeswater, wastewater, anddrainage improvements.EngineeringTrevor Crain10McKinney St@ Elm Stintersection08/02/21 10/29/21 Temporary lane closures inplace as crews work to safelyinstall new traffic signals at theintersectionsTrafficJames Andrews11McKinney St@ Locust Stintersection08/02/21 10/29/21 Temporary lane closures inplace as crews work to safelyinstall new traffic signals at theintersectionsTrafficJames Andrews12Quail RidgeCooper Branch ELa Paloma Dr09/07/21 10/29/21 Street ReconstructionEngineeringDustin Draper13RuddellHWY 380Mingo Rd10/05/21 10/08/21 Water Distribution will berepairing a water main valveand will re-open the road at theend of the day.WaterJames Gideon14Ryan RdCreekside DrParadise Ln09/27/21 10/29/21 Wastewater Collections will beinstalling a new wastewatermain lineWastewaterTiffany SherranePage 1 of 2Exported on October 1, 2021 11:51:00 AM CDT107
Street/ IntersectionFromToClosure StartDateClosure EndDateDescriptionDepartmentDepartment Contact15WelchEagleCollins08/23/21 10/30/21 Utility installations andpavement replacement.Engineering Streets WaterWastewaterKyle Pedigo16Welch StreetChestnut StreetMulberry Street09/27/21 11/23/21 University of North Texasexcavating street to connectservices to Art Studio BuildingPrivate Development PublicWorks InspectionsAlice Province17Western BlvdJim ChrystalAirport Rd08/16/21 12/31/21 Paving: Decal LanesPrivate Development PublicWorks InspectionsJeremiah Tillman-David18WindsorBonnie BraeParkside08/09/21 12/31/21 Pavement RestorationPrivate Development PublicWorks InspectionsJeremiah Tillman-DavidPage 2 of 2Exported on October 1, 2021 11:51:00 AM CDT108
3 Street Closure Report: Completed ClosuresStreet/ IntersectionFromToClosure StartDateClosure EndDateDescriptionDepartmentDepartment Contact1Chebi LaneOld North RoadFreedom Lane06/21/21 09/10/21 Full width pavementreplacement and subgradeimprovement.Engineering StreetsKyle Pedigo2College Park DrPeach StEnd of College Park Dr 06/28/21 09/24/21 Wastewater collections will beinstalling a new wastewatermain line and services.WastewaterTiffany Sherrane3EagleLocustElm06/28/21 09/10/21 Patching of utility trench lines. EngineeringSeth Garcia4F.M. 428Poinsettia DriveLoop 28808/09/21 09/06/21 Concrete approach and turnlane improvements on TXDOTRoadwayTXDoTRobert Plato5Fowler DrCollege Park DrPeach St06/28/21 09/24/21 Wastewater collections will beinstalling a new wastewatermain line and services.WastewaterTiffany Sherrane6Lido Way and Balboa Court Bell AvenueEnd07/05/21 09/01/21 Full width pavementreplacement and subgradeimprovement.Engineering StreetsKyle Pedigo7LocustEagleHickory06/28/21 09/03/21 Patching of utility trench lines. EngineeringSeth Garcia8Loop 288 SB On-Ramp atFM428FM 428Loop 288 Mainlanes08/06/21 09/06/21 Placing concrete approachesfor development at corner ofLoop 288 and FM428TXDoTRobert Plato9Mistywood LaneOld North RoadCraig Lane06/21/21 09/10/21 Full width pavementreplacement and subgradeimprovement.Engineering StreetsKyle Pedigo10Peach StN Locust DrFowler Dr06/28/21 09/24/21 Wastewater collections will beinstalling a new wastewatermain line and services.WastewaterTiffany Sherrane11ProvenceVintageSonoma09/03/21 09/21/21 Paving and Drainage work Drainage Engineering Seth Garcia12ScriptureBonnie Brae1, 300 ft. to the West03/22/21 09/20/21 Reconstruct; Scripture fromBonnie Brae to approximately1,300 ft. to the west . Thisincludes removal andreplacement of failed sectionsof curb and gutter. Milling of theold asphalt pavement and thestabilization of subgrade andthe installation of new asphaltpavement.Phase I East Bound OutsideLanePhase II West Bound OutsideLanePhase III Middle LaneStreetsrobbin.webber@cityofdenton.com13Walnut StreetLocust StreetElm Street05/17/21 09/30/21 Atmos Energy will beexcavating street to completereplacement /relocation of theirexisting gas mainAtmosAlice Province14Windsor Dr EastBroken BowArmstrong07/28/21 09/30/21 Street Reconstruction will beperformed on the westboundlane of E WindsorEngineeringDustin DraperPage 1 of 1Exported on October 1, 2021 11:51:10 AM CDT109