HomeMy WebLinkAbout092217 Friday Staff Report215 E. MCKINNEY • DENTON, TEXAS 76201 • (940) 349-8200 • FAX (940) 349-7206
MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 22, 2017
TO: The Honorable Mayor Watts and Council Members
FROM: Todd Hileman, City Manager
SUBJECT: Friday Staff Report
I. Council Schedule
A. Meetings
1. Public Utilities Board Meeting on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the
City Council Work Session Room.
2. Closed Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.
in the City Council Work Session Room.
3. Agenda Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. in
the City Manager’s Conference Room.
4. Regular Session of the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday,
September 27, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
II. General Information & Status Updates
A. Community Engagement in Denton’s Amazon Bid – The Department of Economic
Development is leading Denton’s response for Amazon’s HQ2, the company’s second
headquarters location that’s expected to bring a $5 billion investment and 50,000 high-
paying jobs to the city that lands the project. As City staff strategizes and gathers the
data required for a top-quality response, we also want to appeal to Amazon’s corporate
culture by showcasing Denton’s creativity and community spirit. So, we are teaming up
with GSATi and the Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau to launch an online
campaign to introduce Amazon to Denton through Dentonites’ eyes. GSATi is creating
a website, and we launched a social media campaign on 9/21 inviting people to post
photos of Denton on Instagram using the hashtag #HQ2Dentontx. Staff contact:
Caroline Booth
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B. Tetra Pak Announces Denton Expansion – Tetra Pak has publicly announced its facility
expansion on Airport Road to accommodate a new 196-foot-long laminating machine
that will allow the company to provide new packaging options to customers across the
US and Canada. The addition will total 5,000 square feet, and the estimated capital
investment is $30 million. The majority of that investment is in the new laminator, and
it will allow Tetra Pak to move some production from Mexico to Denton. This is the
company’s second building expansion in Denton since 2013; the 2013 expansion
included the relocation of Tetra Pak’s US headquarters from Chicago to Denton. The
company’s news release is available here. Staff contact: Caroline Booth
C. Heat from DEC Engines – Council Member Duff asked for information on whether the
heat from the DEC engines could be converted into steam or any other beneficial
product. The DEC was not designed or constructed with any equipment that could utilize
the heat contained in the engine’s exhaust. The reasoning behind not utilizing this heat
source is centered around the operational model of the DEC. The DEC was designed to
be a quick start peaking generation facility. Peaking facilities generally have short
duration run times and generally do not run at night. Sporadic operation of a peaking
facility would not generate enough heat to consistently generate enough steam to
economically justify the expense of the equipment required to utilize the heat.
Therefore, utilizing the engine exhaust heat was not a design consideration of the
facility. Staff contact: Bryan Langley
D. Hurricane Irma Assistance – DME crews continued to assist the City of Ocala, FL with
returning electricity to residents. When they arrived last Wednesday morning on Sept.
13, nearly all of their 30,000 customers were out. As of this Tuesday, all customers that
did not have damage to their homes had electricity restored. DME crews left Wednesday
morning and returned Thursday evening. The City of Denton has received many notes
of appreciation from the residents in Ocala. Below are a couple notes:
“We live in The City of Ocala, Florida and took a direct hit from Irma a few weeks
ago. We lost a large magnolia tree on our property which took down our power lines
and snapped our power pole and service riser. The area was up and running within
a few days but with the power pole an issue we were shuffled to the end of the list.
After 7 days without power and countless calls to Ocala Utilities we were certainly
uncomfortable and frustrated.
At 4 pm on Monday, Sept. 18th a line of Denton Electric service trucks turned the
corner to our street and came directly to our home. Like Texas Rangers the large
crew scrambled to work after a brief look at the damage. One crew pulling the old
pole, another unloading the new pole and set the 35 footer. A linesman ascended up
the new pole and drilled the new anchor hole while the others moved vehicles in
place to reconnect to the new riser and transformer. All the while Cliff Knight
chatted with me and assured us we would be up and running in no time.
The DME boys were all cordial, polite and friendly although they all looked tired
and it was 90 plus degrees. They even took a moment, in between tasks, to meet our
new Irish Wolfhound puppy who was very curious as to the goings on.
Bam, power restored, AC on, jobsite cleaned up. All in less than 90 minutes. We
said “thank you” and like the Lone Ranger they were gone, waving goodbye from
their trucks as the drove away to the next outage location.
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I want to say that as a former public sector employee and County Dept. Director
that the service and attitude extended by Denton Electric and their emergency staff
was outstanding. They should stand proud and be commended for their cool and
calm attitude and due diligence in a stressful situation for all involved. My wife
Michelle and I are forever indebted to Denton Municipal Electric and the emergency
team sent to Florida.
“On behalf of myself and other citizens of Ocala Florida, I would like to say thank
you to the crews working to restore power to my neighborhood from Denton
Municipal Electric. All very friendly and professional. Shook a few hands but many
I didn't have the chance. Again thank you!”
E. North Lakes Park – The Parks and Recreation Department is working with the Real
Estate Division and an engineering firm to overlay the new trail, the proposed dog park,
and associated parking lot on the property at North Lakes Park that Council asked staff
to explore selling for commercial development. This parcel is located on Highway 77
just south of the McNatt Animal Adoption facility. Revenue from this proposed sale
could be used to help fund construction of the Vela Athletic Complex on Riney Road.
Staff will bring this item back to Council at the November 7, 2017 Work Session.
Contact: Emerson Vorel
F. Extra Utility Poles – A question was raised during a recent Council meeting if a strategy
could be used to reduce the number of utility poles around Denton. Presently the
following utility companies either own or are attached to existing utility poles across
Denton: DME (Electric and Fiber), TMPA, Brazos Electric Power Cooperative (BEPC),
Oncor, CoServ, Frontier (previously Verizon), Spectrum (previously Charter), Grande
Communications, and UNT.
In September 2016, Council approved an updated Pole Attachment Agreement
template. The updated agreements, once executed with each communication utility will
provide the City of Denton an improved legal means and leverage to continue
encouraging the franchised utilities to shorten their timelines to transfer their facilities
to new poles that are replaced, where operationally and physically possible. A process
is in place and staff anticipates that the updated Pole Attachment Agreements will be
signed in FY2017/2018 with each of the franchised utilities.
DME has also recently started using the nationally accepted utility notification process
called NJUNS (National Joint Use Notification System). This is an internet software
database that multiple utilities and communications companies utilize to post specific
pole locations and requested pole attachment work. One of the widely used NJUNS
capabilities is its ability to timestamp the date of the initial request or entry, and
information related to the ongoing progress that is necessary to resolve conflicts. The
use of NJUNS will greatly improve timing and responsiveness of cleaning up possible
redundant or topped off poles across Denton that were installed for new capital projects
and to meet customer electrical requirements and requests.
If a Council Member or resident has a specific request to be investigated and cleared up
immediately, staff can reach out and bring any associated costs back for review and
discussion. As a point of reference, a recent request to clean up a small grouping of
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poles located at Dallas Drive and Teasley involved Frontier and they indicated that after
examining this location, it was too costly in man-hours and facility replacement to
reduce any telephone equipment/poles. The cost to eliminate one pole with having to
purchase new telephone cable and placing it from the adjacent manhole, splicing time
and relocating an existing air machine would be well in excess of $100k. Frontier
indicated that they would not incur the cost on a project such as this and any cost would
be the responsibility of the City. Staff contact: Brent Heath
G. State of the City – The City held its first State of the City event earlier this year on
March 30. The Committee on Citizen Engagement met and discussed the event among
other items in August. The COCE recommended moving the State of the City to the fall
timeframe to coincide with the start of the City’s fiscal year and to have more distance
from the May election timeframe. As such, staff is proposing to move up the second
State of the City event and have it be held on Thursday, November 9 at the Civic
Center beginning at 6:00pm. Details are still being worked on, but staff is
incorporating feedback received, such as to set a schedule specifying when the Mayor
will speak, have time for visitors to go around the department tables before and after,
allow more time for Q&A, and have more columns of seating available. Please contact
Sarah Kuechler with any concerns on the proposed date or feedback on the event. Staff
contact: Sarah Kuechler
H. TxDOT Proposes Improvements to FM 1830 – TxDOT will hold a public meeting for
proposed improvements to FM 1830 from FM 407 to US 377 in Denton County, a
distance of approximately 5.4 miles. The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday,
September 26 at Harpool Middle School, 9601 Stacee Lane in Lantana. TxDOT staff
and project consultants will be available to answer questions about the project. The
meeting will be in an informal ‘open house’ format.
The project would widen FM 1830 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane roadway.
Proposed improvements would include constructing inside 12-foot wide travel lanes
(one in each direction) and outside 14-foot wide travel lanes (one in each direction) for
shared use by bicycles and vehicles. Sidewalks would also be constructed on each side
of FM 1830 throughout the project limits. Additional right of way would be required
along existing FM 1830.
Maps showing the project location and preliminary design will be displayed. The cost
of the project is approximately $54 million and it is in the feasibility study planning
stage. Staff contact: Mark Nelson
I. Streets OCI – At the September 12 City Council work session, Council inquired about
the Overall Condition Index (OCI) ratings for streets. Please see attached slides which
provide prospective on the OCI ratings scale and shows how funding can impact the
City’s overall score. Staff contact: Galen Gillum
J. Open Data – Technology Services Director, Melissa Kraft, was recently featured in an
article from UT Arlington’s newspaper regarding Open Data. The City of Arlington is
looking to adopt a similar Open Data policy as Denton. Staff contact: Melissa Kraft
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K. DTV Programming Award – The National Association of Telecommunications Officers
and Advisors (NATOA) honored the winners of the 32nd Annual Government
Programming Awards (GPAs) last week in Seattle, Washington. DTV and the City of
Denton won 2nd Place in Documentary – Event Coverage for “When a Playground
Builds Community" a documentary about the community build of the Eureka 2
Playground at South Lakes Park. The GPAs honors excellence in broadcast, cable,
multimedia and electronic programming produced by local government agencies fro m
across the country.
The Eureka 2 Playground at South Lakes Park is more than just a playground - it's a
labor of love for many in Denton. This is the story of how our community came together
to pay tribute to the past, and built a place for our children to create memories for years
to come. https://youtu.be/AgXRFEVs8jU Staff contact: Billy Matthews
L. STAR Recycling Award – The City of Denton has received an honorable mention for
the Linda B. Smith Memorial Award for Outstanding Environmental Youth Education
and Outreach Program from the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR). This
award is for the educational tours and accompanying Field Journals at ECO-W.E.R.C.S.
Resource Recovery Park. Each year, hundreds of students, teachers, and other
community members take tours at ECO-W.E.R.C.S. which includes tours of the landfill,
Beneficial Reuse compost operations, Pratt Materials Recovery Facility, and Pecan
Creek Water Reclamation Plant to learn about various ways that Denton conserves
resources. Staff will accept the award at the STAR Recycling Summit October 22-24 in
Austin. Staff contact: Katherine Barnett
M. National Recreation and Park Association Certifications – The National Recreation and
Park Association (NRPA) is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to the
advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation. NRPA offers two of the
industry’s highest levels of certification and we’re proud to share that the following staff
have passed the exam and are now Certified Park and Recreation Professionals
exhibiting the highest standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of
park and recreation programs: Jason Barrow, Maria Denison, Tracy Durmick, Chris
Escoto, Heather Gray, Alicia McDaniel, Jane Riddle, Megan Thomas, Sara Travis, Sara
Farris, Monica Martin, Caroline Seward and D’Lee Williams. Contact: Emerson Vorel
N. Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement – The City of Denton has been
awarded the prestigious 22nd Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement®
(AEP) for 2017 from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). The AEP Award
is earned by public and non-profit organizations that obtain a high application score
based on standardized criteria. The AEP is awarded annually to recognize Innovation,
Professionalism, E-Procurement, Productivity, and Leadership in the procurement
function.
The AEP program encourages the development of excellence as well as continued
organizational improvement to earn the award annually.
For 2017, there were 205 successful applicants, including 48 counties, 68 cities, 25
higher education agencies, 26 school districts, 26 special districts, and 12 state agencies.
Staff contact: Karen Smith
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III. Attachments
A. Streets OCI
IV. Informal Staff Reports
A. Paid Parental Leave
B. Brinker Substation Tree Survey
V. Council Information
A. Council Requests for Information
B. Draft Agenda
C. Council Calendar (September-October 2017)
D. Future Council Items
E. Street Construction Report
Once a street reaches an
OCI of 45, it is placed on
the reconstruct list and we
monitor, as a plan is
created for funding from
the CIP Program; work
with Utilities to coordinate
the replacements of their
lines in the same area.
City of Denton Streets OCI Levels
The City’s goal is to get an overall score
of 70 on our streets, up from a current
score of 65. This chart shows several
different prospective outcomes based
on spending varying amounts of money
dedicated to improving OCI scores from
discussions held in 2015.
City of Denton Streets OCI Levels
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 1 of 7
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Paid Parental Leave
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In response to a request by Council on October 20, 2015, an Informal Staff Report was provided
on December 4, 2015 which summarized the research that the Human Resources staff conducted
on paid parental leave. Based on the research conducted at that time, there did not appear to be any
other City in the State of Texas that offered paid parental leave (beyond what is required under the
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)) other than the City of Austin. A summary of Austin’s
parental leave benefit is outlined on page 3.
At the August 22, 2017, Council meeting, members of the City Council again requested
information on parental leave. As such, Human Resources staff did some additional research and
followed up with cities previously surveyed to see if they made any changes to their leave benefits
that would govern parental leave.
Below is an update of the report that was sent to the Council on December 4, 2015.
BACKGROUND:
At the October 20, 2015, City Council meeting, a citizen report was given by Naomi Wood
regarding paid parental leave for City of Denton employees—and her recommendation to extend
benefits beyond the FMLA. Council directed staff to do some research as to what other cities in
Texas, especially those in the DFW metroplex, were doing regarding parental leave.
Under the FMLA, we must offer any employee who has been with the City at least 12 months and
who has worked 1,250 hours in the 12 month period, 12 weeks of protected (assured continued
employment), unpaid leave for the following reasons:
• for incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical care or child birth;
• to care for the employee’s child after birth, or placement for adoption or foster care;
• to care for the employee’s spouse, son, daughter or parent, who has a serious health condition; or
• for a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the employee’s job.
We run our leave policies concurrent with FMLA, so employees can be paid during this 12 week
period as long as they have the time accrued.
The City of Denton’s leave benefit accruals are outlined in the chart on page 2. These accruals
reflect the change to the non-civil service sick benefit that was adopted by Council at the
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 2 of 7
September 12, 2017, City Council meeting (increasing the monthly sick leave accrual for non-civil
service employees from 8 hours per month to 10 hours per month).
Employee Group
Sick Vacation
Accrual Maximum
Accrual Accrual^ Maximum
Carry-Over
Regular Full-Time,
Non-Civil Service
Employees
10 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
720 hours 10 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
320 hours on
anniversary
date
*Police Civil Service
Employees and Fire
Civil Service
Employees Working
Less Than 12-hour
Shifts
10 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
No maximum
accrual
10 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
320 hours on
anniversary
date
*Fire Civil Service
Employees Working
12-Hour Shifts
15 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
No maximum
accrual
15 hours/month
(equates to 15
days/year)
480 hours on
anniversary
date
* Police and Fire civil service employees accruals are in accordance with Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code.
^This is the basic monthly accrual rate for full-time employees. Full-time employees also receive four hours of “bonus” vacation
time beginning on their 5th anniversary date and an additional four hours for every year of continuous service thereafter (4 hours on
5th anniversary, 8 hours on 6th anniversary, 12 hours on 7th anniversary, etc.)
DISCUSSION:
On October 29, 2015, the seventeen cities below were surveyed on paid parental leave benefits.
The cities were re-surveyed on August 31, 2017.
Allen
Arlington
Austin
Beaumont#
Bryan
Carrollton
Dallas^
Fort Worth^
Frisco
Garland^
Grand Prairie
Irving^#
Lewisville^
McKinney
Mesquite#
Plano^#
Richardson
^ indicates those Cities that did not respond to our survey in 2015
# indicates those Cities that did not respond to our survey in 2017
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 3 of 7
2015 Results
Fourteen of the Cities surveyed were part of our standard metroplex survey group. Through our
contact with McGriff, Seibels & Williams, the City’s benefits consultants, staff was able to reach
out to the Cities of Bryan, Beaumont, and Austin as well. Staff received eleven responses to the
survey. Of those eleven, the only City to offer paid parental leave benefits, beyond FMLA, was
Austin. Staff went on-line to review the benefits of the Cities that did not respond and could not
find anything specific to paid parental leave.
On November 3, 2015, Tiffani James, the City of Denton’s Benefits and Leave Coordinator,
contacted the Leave Administrator for the City of Austin. The Leave Administrator stated that the
Program was requested by two aides who worked for City Council. When asked which Cities they
modeled their policy after, she stated she did not know of any other cities in the state of Texas that
offered paid parental leave. She knew that the Cities of Chicago and San Francisco offered paid
parental leave, but she stated that Austin’s policy was more generous. The following is additional
information on their policy:
City of Austin – Parental Leave Policy
The Program started on September 22, 2013.
The Program provides a maximum of 240 hours (separate from sick and vacation hours)
for employees in a 40-hour budgeted position to use for the birth of a child or the
placement of a child for adoption or foster care; leave is awarded proportionate to the
employee’s budgeted workweek (i.e., 30 – 39 budgeted hours = 180 hours; 20 – 29
budgeted hours = 120 hours; less than 20 budgeted hours = 60 hours).
The employee must be eligible for FMLA to qualify for the paid parental leave.
Temporary employees and employees whose employment is negotiated through a
collective bargaining agreement, or a meet and confer agreement, are not eligible for
Parental Leave.
The leave must be taken within the FMLA period associated with the date of the birth or
placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
Employees are not required to exhaust their accrued leave to participate in the program.
If both eligible parents work for the City, both receive the proportionate amount of aid
Parental Leave (reference second bullet above).
Since inception, over 500 employees (out of 12,000) have used the Program at an
approximate cost of $2 million.
The Leave Administrator from Austin forwarded the policies from the Cities of Chicago and San
Francisco that were given to her. The following is information on both Chicago’s and San
Francisco’s policies:
City of Chicago – Paid Parental Leave Policy
The Program started on November 1, 2011.
The employee must be eligible for FMLA to be eligible for the leave.
The birth mother may receive up to four weeks for a non-surgical delivery; or six weeks
for a C-Section delivery.
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 4 of 7
The birth father, or domestic partner, may receive up to two weeks for the birth of the
child.
The employee may receive up to two weeks paid leave for the adoption of a child.
City of San Francisco – Paid Parental Leave Policy
The Program started on November 5, 2002.
The leave applies to permanent, provisional and exempt employees who (a) normally work
at least twenty hours per week and (b) have completed six months of continuous service;
any other City employee (a) who has worked at least 1040 hours in the twelve months
prior to leave and (b) whose average work week is at least twenty hours.
Provides compensation to supplement state disability insurance payments, paid sick leave
and vacation, so the employee will receive the equivalent of his or her full salary for up to
twelve weeks.
The employee must exhaust their accrued paid leave before receiving any supplemental
compensation.
The supplement compensation shall be provided for no more than twelve weeks for
employees on approved FMLA or sixteen weeks for employees on Temporary Pregnancy
Disability Leave.
Staff also did a Google search for “Paid Parental Leave in Texas.” Many references to the Texas
laws governing maternity leave came up. Additionally, references to the University of Texas at
Austin policy came up. Their policy offers up to 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave, for employees
who are not eligible for Family and Medical Leave. According to their policy, though, employees
must use all accrued and available paid leave while taking parental leave. There were also
references to similar policies at Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and Texas
Woman’s University.
There have been numerous attempts to enact paid parental leave for federal employees. In 2015, S.
2033 was introduced offering 6 weeks of paid leave to federal employees who are experiencing
birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. H.R. 532 was also introduced providing that 6 of the
12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee (under federal law) shall be paid
leave. These bills did not pass.
2017 Results
Staff received thirteen responses when re-surveying the Cities. There were no changes to the 2015
survey results; however, staff has found through researching the Internet that, in addition to the
City of Austin, the City of San Antonio and the City of Lake Jackson, Texas offer paid parental
leave. Specifically, the City of San Antonio offers up to six weeks of paid parental leave to full-
time employees (birthing and non-birthing parents), within twelve months after the birth of
placement of a new child in connection with adoption or foster. Their paid parental leave runs
concurrently with FMLA leave. The City of Lake Jackson, which is a smaller municipality within
the Houston-Sugar Land metropolitan area, offers up to six weeks for mothers and three weeks for
all other employees who qualify for parental leave. Their paid parental leave also runs
concurrently with FMLA leave.
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 5 of 7
There has continued to be a push for paid parental leave at the federal level. A July 22, 2017,
article that was published on the USA Today website1 reported:
“In its 2018 budget, the Trump administration included a national paid leave plan for parents after
the birth or adoption of a child. Proposed are six weeks of paid leave for mothers and fathers at an
estimated annual cost of $25 billion, funded by restructuring the federal unemployment insurance
system…
Congressional Democrats, meanwhile, have reintroduced the Family and Medical Insurance
Leave, or FAMILY, Act, which they first submitted in 2013. It would permit all workers to take
up to 60 individual days of paid leave per year to care for a new child, a sick family member or
one’s own illness. Workers would receive up to 66% of their regular wages to a maximum $1,000
per week. The program, initially introduced in 2013, would be funded by a 0.4% payroll tax on
workers’ wages, split evenly between employers and employees…
Republican lawmakers have countered this year with the Strong Families Act. That bill would give
employers offering at least two weeks of paid family or medical leave a 25% tax credit for wages
paid to workers taking up to 12 weeks of leave. The credit would be capped at $3,000 per
employee per year. The credit would cease entirely two years after enactment.”
On February13, 2017, H.R.1022 and S. 362 (Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2017)
were introduced into Congress. As with the bills in 2015, they allow for up to six weeks of paid
leave after the birth, adoption or fostering a new child. Federal employees can currently take up to
twelve weeks of unpaid family or medical leave in those situations.
POTENTIAL IMPACT FOR A PAID PARENTAL LEAVE PROGRAM:
2015 Impact
If the City of Denton offered paid parental leave and modeled it after the City of Austin (up to 6
weeks pay), the approximate number of employees who could have benefitted from the program,
as well as the estimated cost for 2014 and 2015, are outlined below. This information is based on
the number of employees who added a baby to the health insurance plan and who were eligible for
FMLA at the time.
2014 2015
(as of November 11, 2015)
Number of
Employees
(includes Police and Fire
Civil Service)
Approximate
Cost*
Number of
Employees
(includes Police and Fire
Civil Service)
Approximate
Cost*
39 $236,487.23 35 $230,032.02
*Based on salary at the time the employee enrolled the baby on the health insurance plan. Cost is inclusive of base
salary only. This cost is over and above any costs associated with sick and vacation leave.
It is difficult to determine how many of the employees referenced in the chart above would have
been subject to unpaid leave without doing a considerable amount of research. However, the
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 6 of 7
Benefits and Leave Coordinator routinely has discussions with employees going out on leave, and
they frequently tell her how long they plan on taking off work based on their accrued leave
balances. Based on the discussions she remembers, five employees would have been unpaid had
they taken six continuous weeks off in 2014 as well as five employees in 2015.
It should be noted, however, that according to information found on-line and through discussions
with the Leave Administrator for the City of Austin, this program has cost Austin much more than
they originally anticipated. In fact, an article on the BenefitsPro website2 stated “…the city had
budgeted for 60 of its employees to use the new benefit the first year, once it became available last
October. Instead, in just the first seven months since it became available, 162 parents took the paid
leave offer. The bill: $691,000 — about twice what the city had planned to spend for the first 12
months...”
2017 Impact
Using the same criteria from 2015, the number of employees who could have benefitted from a
paid parental leave program and the cost associated with such a program for 2016 and 2017, are
outlined below.
2016 2017
(as of September 8, 2017)
Number of
Employees
(includes Police and Fire
Civil Service)
Approximate
Cost*
Number of
Employees
(includes Police and Fire
Civil Service)
Approximate
Cost*
44 $301,775.76 30 $194,967.84
*Based on salary at the time the employee enrolled the baby on the health insurance plan. Cost is inclusive of base
salary only. This cost is over and above any costs associated with sick and vacation leave.
As far as employees who would have had to use more than their accrued time and, therefore,
subject to unpaid time, the Benefits and Leave Coordinator recalls four employees in 2016 and
eight employees in 2017.
Councilmember Gregory was interested in knowing the potential cost for a benefit consisting of
anywhere from two to eight weeks of full pay, ¾ pay, and ½ pay. The cost above assumes six
weeks at full pay, which is consistent with Austin’s benefit. If we considered partial payment for
six weeks, the cost would be as follows:
Year Approximate Cost
for ¾ Pay
Approximate Cost
for ½ Pay
2016 $226,331.82 $146,225.88
2017 (as of September 8, 2017) $150,887.88 $97,483.92
STAFF CONTACT:
Carla Romine, Director of Human Resources
(940) 348-8344
carla.romine@cityofdenton.com
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-069
Page 7 of 7
1 Steven Findlay, Citing Sources [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/07/22/paid -parental-leave-idea-
could-transcend-politics/501967001/News Paid parental leave may be the idea that transcends politics]
2Cook, Dan: Citing Sources: [http://www.benefitspro.com/2014/08/01/austin-city-workers-embrace-paid-parental-
leave-po]: para. 3: [Aug 1, 2014]
Date: September 22, 2017 Report No. 2017-070
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Brinker Substation Tree Survey
BACKGROUND:
The Brinker Substation site was selected through the Public Involvement Process in late 2015 and then
approved by the Public Utilities Board and Denton City Council in early 2016. Using the Denton
Development Code, Subchapter 13, Freese & Nichols conducted a tree survey for the Brinker
Substation site to determine how many trees of various categories would be removed. Although DME
is exempt from any mitigation requirements as stated in Subchapter 35.13.7.A.2.c.v, (“Public Utilities
may be exempted from these requirements upon filing route plans prior to tree removal or construction,
which satisfactorily demonstrate that the proposed installation lies within routes previously established
by a current Master Plan for transportation or public utilities, or within an existing easement recorded
prior to the effective date of this ordinance”) DME intends to follow the requirements stated in the
Denton Development Code. The following exhibits show the substation site that was surveyed and the
chart to determine the total caliper inches to be mitigated. Per this plan, and consistent with the
Denton Development Code, DME will transfer $121,938 into the Tree Mitigation Fund in connection
with the Brinker Road substation project. In addition to this, DME will prepare a landscape plan for the
substation buffer. This is currently not complete but will be completed at part of the project.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Exhibit A: Brinker Tree Survey
STAFF CONTACT:
Brent Heath
Executive Manager of Energy Delivery
(940) 349-7180
Brent. Heath@cityofdenton.com
Denton Development Code Mitigation Requirements:
Historic Trees –none
Protected Trees –807 caliper inches (mitigated at
a 1:2 ratio)
Quality Trees –none, exceeds 25% preservation
requirement (40% remains)
Large Secondary Trees –168.5 caliper inches
Secondary Trees –none, exceeds 12.5% preservation
requirement (40% remains)
Mitigate a total of 975.5 caliper inches to the tree fund.
At an estimated $125 per caliper inch, this comes out to $121,938.
Brinker Substation Tree Survey
Brinker Substation Tree Survey
Revision Date 9/22/17 Council Requests for Information Request Request Date Staff Responsible Status 1. Report on the background and level of service for gas well inspections / work session on gas well setbacks 3/21/17 Kuechler A work session is scheduled for Oct. 17. 2. Work session to 1) review Comp Plan for Economic Development and 2) incentive policy discussion 5/30/17 Booth A work session is scheduled for Oct. 10. 3. Information on cost determination for curb rate vs drop-off rate at landfill 6/5/17 Cox Staff is working with a consultant to provide a revised cost of service study. 4. Update on stack of railroad ties– are they being picked up? 6/5/17 Nelson Ties removed from area along Mingo Rd near Service Center. Crews are working on downtown area. 5. Discussion of development code criteria for width of streets 6/6/17 Canizares Water and WW criteria is in process of being updated. Street design criteria is next. 6. Work session on planning & development studies 6/20/17 Mauladad A work session is scheduled for Oct. 24. 7. Full climate cycle analysis for Denton Energy Center 7/25/17 Banks Provide an update later in the year after Black & Veatch study; potential Q1 2017/18 project. 8. Survey and report of how other municipalities and school districts fund their School Resource Officers, as well as analysis of calls to school and efficiency 7/25/17 Howell An ISR is expected for the Friday Sept. 29 report. CM Hileman is meeting with Superintendent Wilson next week. 9. Work session on parking requirements in the Code 8/1/17 Mauladad Staff is working on a proposed parking amendment for a work session on Oct. 17. 10. Analysis and options for public restrooms on the square 8/3/17 Rosendahl An ISR is expected for the Friday Sept. 29 report. 11. Info on landfill SUP requirement 8/15/17 Cox Landscape architect being retained. Working with legal counsel on updating SUP. 12. Request to consolidate Council subcommittees and agendas on the website in one spot 8/22/17 Walters/Kuechler Staff is working on an interim solution, as well as a plan to transition more meetings to the Granicus platform. 13. Request to minimize extra utility poles and what can be done 8/22/17 Langley/Gillum Information is included in the Friday Sept. 22 report. 14. Information on paid parental leave benefits 8/22/17 Romine An ISR is in the Friday Sept. 22 report.
Request Request Date Staff Responsible Status 15. Regular Council updates on DDC progression 9/12/17 Mauladad Updates will be provided in the Friday reports. An update will also be presented during the Dev Services work session on Oct. 24. 16. Options for missing sidewalk segments along McKinney (across railroad tracks and correcting the rise in the sidewalk), in front of Mack Park, and new DME substation 9/12/17 Nelson/Gillum An ISR is expected in the Friday Sept. 29 report. 17. Plan to replace or minimize trees that will be removed for the Mayhill Rd widening project 9/12/17 Banks/Gillum Staff will look at options, including regulations for planting in the medians. 18. Work session on SB4 – how it will impact the community and update on lawsuit. Request for closed session in advance. 9/12/17 Howell/Leal A work session is scheduled for Oct. 24. 19. Work session on funding for downtown reinvestment grant 9/12/17 Booth A work session is scheduled for Oct. 10. 20. Consider an ordinance for building height restrictions around the Square 9/12/17 Mauladad Staff is currently researching. 21. Information and plan for city property at North Lakes park (parcel adjacent to Hwy 77 by the animal shelter) 9/12/17 Vorel/Langley Information is included in Friday Sept. 22 report. 22. Work session on recorded rules & procedures for Council meetings 9/19/17 Leal 23. Information on landfill permit and projected height 9/19/17 Cox Information is included in the Friday Sept. 22 report. 24. Information on options to re-use heat produced from DEC engines 9/19/17 Langley Information is included in the Friday Sept. 22 report. 25. Work session on process for when a use category is not clearly defined in the DDC (incl. appeals process and communications to surrounding properties) 9/19/17 Mauladad
City Council
City of Denton
Meeting Agenda
City Hall
215 E. McKinney St.
Denton, Texas 76201
www.cityofdenton.com
Work Session Room11:30 AMMonday, October 2, 2017
After determining that a quorum is present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas will convene in a
Closed Meeting on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall,
215 E. McKinney Street, Denton, Texas at which the following items will be considered:
1. Closed Meeting:
Deliberations regarding Personnel Matters - Under Government Code Section 551.074.
Review and discuss the evaluation, duties, discipline, procedures, and contracts for the
Municipal Judge and City Attorney.
ID 17-1132A.
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
ACTION, DECISION, OR VOTE IS TAKEN IN THE CLOSED MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF §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 TEX. GOV’T. CODE, §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 §551.071-551.086 OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS
ACT.
C E R T I F I C A T E
I certify that the above notice of meeting was posted on the bulletin board at the City Hall of the City of
Denton, Texas, on the ________day of ___________________, 2017 at ________o'clock (a.m.) (p.m.)
__________________________________________
CITY SECRETARY
NOTE: THE CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ROOM IS ACCESSIBLE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE CITY WILL PROVIDE
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED IF REQUESTED AT LEAST 48
HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE SCHEDULED MEETING. PLEASE CALL THE CITY
SECRETARY'S OFFICE AT 349-8309 OR USE TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE
DEAF (TDD) BY CALLING 1-800-RELAY-TX SO THAT A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER CAN
BE SCHEDULED THROUGH THE CITY SECRETARY’S OFFICE.
Page 1 Printed on 9/22/2017
Created with WinCalendar Calendar Creator More Calendar Templates: 2017 Calendar, 2018 Calendar
◄ Aug 2017 September 2017 Oct 2017 ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
3
4
Labor Day
City Holiday
5
6
7
4 p.m. Public Art Committee
8
9
10
11
9:00 Public Utilities Board
12:00 Committee on the
Environment
5:30 PM- Historic Landmark
Commission Cancelled
6:00 p.m. Park Board –adjourn to
9/18
12
9:30am Audit/Finance
Committee
Noon CC Work Session
6:30 CC Regular Session
13
11:00 Economic Development
Partnership Board
5:30 pm Airport Advisory
Board Meeting
6:30 PM- Planning & Zoning
Commission
14
5:30 Traffic Safety Commission
15
16
17
18
6 p.m. Park Board
19
9:30 Mobility Committee
Noon CC Work Session
6:30 CC Regular Session
20
21
4:00pm HaBSCo Meeting
Cancelled
22
23
24
25
9:00 Public Utilities Board
4:00 PM- Zoning Board of
Adjustment
26
8am-4pm 4th Tuesday
Session
27
6:30 PM- Planning & Zoning
Commission
28
29
30
Created with WinCalendar Calendar Creator More Calendar Templates: 2017 Calendar, 2018 Calendar
◄ Sep 2017 October 2017 Nov 2017 ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
11:30 Council Luncheon
1:30 Committee on the
Environment
5:30 Traffic Safety Commission
6 p.m. Park Board
3
4
5
9:00 Council Airport
Committee
4 p.m. Public Art Committee
6
7
8
9
9:00 Public Utilities Board
5:30 PM- Historic Landmark
Commission
10
11:30 Mobility Committee
2:00 2nd Tuesday Session
11
5:30 pm Airport Advisory
Board Meeting
6:30 PM- Planning & Zoning
Commission
12
13
14
15
16
17
2:00 CC Work Session
6:30 CC Regular Session
18
19
4:00pm HaBSCo Meeting
20
21
22
23
9:00 Public Utilities Board
24
2:00 4th Tuesday Session
25
6:30 PM- Planning & Zoning
Commission
26
27
28
29
30
4:00 PM- Zoning Board of
Adjustment
31
Notes:
CA-Consent Agenda IC-Individual Consideration WS-Work Session
CM-Closed Meeting PH-Public Hearing
09/22/17
FUTURE CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Note: This is a working draft of pending Council items and is subject to change without notice.
Meeting Date Deadlines Item
October 2 – Luncheon Captions - September 18
Backup - September 28
Council Appointee Reviews
October 3 – No Meeting TML, Houston, TX 10/3-6National Night Out
October 10 – 2nd Tuesday Session Captions – September 25
Backup – October 6
Council Appointee Reviews
WS – Downtown TIF discussion
WS – Economic Development Update
WS – Housing Tax Credit Application Process
October 17 – Work/Regular Session Captions - October 2
Backup – October 13
WS – Water Park Update
WS – Code Parking Requirements
WS – Downtown Visitor Center
WS – Gas Wells
WS – Report from Kim Phillips – Visitor Center in Downtown
October 24 – 4th Tuesday Session Captions – October 9
Backup – October 20
WS – Development Department Update
WS – SB 4
WS – Atmos/Oncor Coalitions Discussion
PH – Voluntary Annexation
(ICMA, San Antonio, TX 10/22-25)
October 31 – No Meeting 5th Tuesday
November 6 – Luncheon Captions – October 23
Backup – November 2
November 7 – Work/Regular Session Captions – October 23
Backup – November 3
November 14 – 2nd Tuesday Session Captions – October 30
Backup – November 10
NLC, Charlotte, NC 11/15-18
November 21 – No Meeting Thanksgiving, 11/23-24
November 28 – 4th Tuesday Session Captions – November 13
Backup – November 21
December 4 – Luncheon Captions – November 20
Backup – November 30
December 5 – Work/Regular Session Captions – November 20
Backup – December 1
December 12 – 2nd Tuesday Session Captions – November 27
Backup – December 8
December 19 – No Meeting
CA-Consent Agenda IC-Individual Consideration WS-Work Session
CM-Closed Meeting PH-Public Hearing
Meeting Date Deadlines Item
December 26 – No Meeting Christmas, 12/24-25City offices closed 12/25 & 12/26
road closures
lane closures
Street / Intersection Detour Routes
(if applicable)
Proposed Date of
Construction
Proposed Date of
Completion Brief Description of Construction Contact
Department
RESIDENTIAL
Barcelona no Sep 25, 2017 Oct 27, 2017 Concrete Panel Replacement
Worthington to Mesa Streets
Bentoaks no Sep 25, 2017 Jan 19, 2018 Street Reconstruction
Oakhurst to Teasley Streets
Bolivar yes Jul 6, 2017 Oct 30, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Sunset to College Streets
Carmel no Aug 30, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Sewer Main Construction
Hobson to Chiquita Wastewater
Emerson yes Aug 14, 2017 Oct 2, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Nottingham to Hanover Streets
Emery yes Oct 9, 2017 Nov 9, 2017 Utility Construction
Thomas to Bellemead Engineering
Emery yes Oct 9, 2017 Nov 9, 2017 Utility Construction
Stanley to Thomas Engineering
Construction Projects Report Starting Sept 25-Oct 01, 2017
Barthold Rd at Intersection of I35 Service Rd going West 700' will be closed
(Jun 12-Oct 15)
Golden Sands no Sep 25, 2017 Oct 27, 2017 Sidewalk and ADA Ramp Replacement
Montecito to Canoe Ridge Streets
Highland yes Sep 18, 2017 Sep 25, 2017 Concrete Valley and Curb Repair
IOOF to Carroll Streets
Huisache/Retama/Sagebrush no Sep 5, 2017 Oct 13, 2017 Water Line Replacement
Yucca to Yuccca Water
Kendolph yes Jul 22, 2015 Temporary Closure I-35E Hwy Constr. Intersection work
North Bound Engineering
Kingfisher Ct yes Aug 1, 2017 Oct 9, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Kingfisher to Dead End Streets
Kingfisher Ln yes Aug 1, 2017 Oct 9, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Oriole to Cardinal Streets
Kings Row no Aug 7, 2017 Oct 15, 2017 Curb and Gutter/Drive Approaches
WB Right Ln Wellington and Sherman Engineering
McCormick no Sep 27, 2017 Oct 10, 2017 Mill Overlay
I-35 to Willowwood Streets
McCormick no Jul 31, 2017 Oct 6, 2017 Sidewalk/driveway/Valley gutter repair
Willowwood to I35 Service Rd Streets
Manor Ct no Sep 25, 2017 Jan 19, 2018 Street Reconstruction
Oakhurst to Teasley Streets
Mockingbird yes Sep 25, 2017 Oct 20, 2017 Concrete Panel Replacement
Stockton to Oakshire Streets
Oakhurst no Sep 25, 2017 Jan 19, 2018 Street Reconstruction
Oakhurst to Teasley Streets
Ridgecrest no Aug 30, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Street Construction
Pennsylvania to Southridge Streets
Springtree yes Sep 13, 2017 Nov 15, 2017 Water and Sewer Line Construction
East McKinney St to Pecan Grove Dr Engineering
Uland no Sep 28, 2017 Dec 4, 2017 Sewer Main Construction
Rose to Railroad Ave Wastewater
Victoria Dr yes Aug 1, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Churchill to Nottingham Streets
MAJOR ROADS
Barthold yes Jun 12, 2017 Oct 15, 2017 Street Construction
I35 Svc Rd Intersection to 700' West Engineering
S. Bonnie Brae no Aug 9, 2017 Oct 1, 2017 Shoulder Widening
Vintage Blvd to 1500 ft N of Vintage Blvd Engineering
Centre Place no Sep 25, 2017 Nov 10, 2017 Concrete Street Panel Repairs
I-35 Service Rd to Alegre Vista Streets
Fulton yes Aug 14, 2017 Sep 22, 2017 Utility Improvements
Crescent to Emery Engineering
Hickory yes Aug 23, 2017 Nov 22, 2017 Duct Bank Construction
Bonnie Brae to E of Ave H Engineering
Hickory yes Sep 8, 2017 Nov 22, 2017 Duct Bank Construction
Stella to Hickory Engineering
Hickory yes Sep 5, 2017 Nov 3, 2017 Waterline Replacement
North Texas Blvd to Ave D Water
Hickory yes Jun 16, 2017 Sep 1, 2017 Waterline Replacement
Ave F to North Texas Water
NB I35 Frontage Rd no Aug 3, 2017 Oct 1, 2017 Drive Approaches
N of Scripture to S of US380 Engineering
Oak no Aug 30, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Sewer Line Replacement
Oak & Bell Intersection to Dead End Wastewater
Riney yes Sep 29, 2017 Jul 29, 2018 Road Removal and Replacement
N. Elm to 1300' West Engineering
Roselawn St no Aug 9, 2017 Oct 1, 2017 Shoulder Widening
Old Bonnie Brae to Roselawn Cemetery Engineering
E Sherman Dr no Aug 7, 2017 Oct 15, 2017 Curb and Gutter/Drive Approaches
NB Right Ln Stafford and Wellington Engineering
US 380 no Aug 7, 2017 Oct 1, 2017 Drive Approaches
East of Ector to Bonnie Brae Engineering
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Bernard no Sep 5, 2017 Sep 22, 2017 Utility Improvements
Maple and Bernard Intersection Engineering
Cordell no Aug 14, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Utility Improvements
Fulton to Crescent Engineering
Engineering 349-8910, engineering@cityofdenton.com / TX DOT 387-1414, romulo.bahamon@txdot.gov / Denton County 349-3420
Note: This provides an Estimate of work to be done the next two weeks. Weather, equipment breakdowns, or other unforeseen problems could cause this
schedule to change.
Drainage 349-7116 / Water Distribution 349-7181 / Wastewater 349-8489 / Traffic 349-7342 / Streets 349-7160, streets@cityofdenton.com
Geesling yes Jul 24, 2017 Sep 1, 2017 Sewer Line Replacement
2836 Geesling to Fishtrap Wastewater
Knight yes Jul 22, 2015 Temporary Closure I-35E Hwy Constr. Intersection work
South Bound Engineering
E Oak yes Aug 14, 2017 Sep 29, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Wood to Crawford Streets
Ponder yes Aug 21, 2017 Oct 6, 2017 Street Reconstruction
Broadway to Panhandle Streets
Royal Ln no Aug 15, 2017 Oct 15, 2017 Sewer Main Construction
Mistywood to Rockwood Wastewater
Welch no Sep 5, 2017 Sep 22, 2017 Utility Improvements
Maple and Welch Intersection Engineering