Minutes January 21, 1998CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 1998
The Council convened into a joint meeting with the Denton Independent School District
Board of Trustees on January 21, 1998 at the Radisson Hotel, 2211 I35-E, Denton, Texas.
PRESENT: Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Brock; Council Members Beasley,
Kristoferson, Cochran, and Durrance.
ABSENT: Council Member Young
1. Mayor Miller and School Board President Schaake called the meeting to order
and both declared that a quorum was present.
2. The Council held a discussion regarding the revising of the City and DISD tax
abatement policies.
City Manager Benavides stated that the committee was currently working on revising the
policies. It would be looking at other communities with universities and the types of
abatements they had. He felt that tax abatements were appropriate but needed to be
selective and done so as to make sense to Denton.
Mayor Pro Tem Brock stated that it was a flexible tool to help Denton reach its goal.
City Manager Benavides felt that this would be a good topic for an all day workshop with
the DISD.
Mayor Miller stated that the policy should enable the City to look at an organization. It
would attract businesses such as United Cooper and the expansion of Peterbilt. There
was a need to not be too specific on the type of businesses allowed for the abatement. It
needed to be a business that would broaden the tax base and supply jobs to citizens.
Trustee Jim Alexander felt that the key word was "selected" abatement. He felt it would
be helpful to update the policy.
3. The Council received a report on the status of the City's CIP program.
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, presented an overview of projects both those in
progress and those proposed. The City’s CIP was now a four year project instead of a
five year project. This was a good way to continue looking at joint City/DISD projects.
Board President Schaake suggested including similar maps as a part of each quarterly
meeting to provide updates on the projects.
4. The Council received a report on the development activity within the City of
Denton.
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, presented a schedule of the Development Plan. He
suggested including any kind of planning documents that the DISD might have.
Superintendent Thomas stated that they were working very closely with the City
regarding the impact on the enlargements of schools.
5. The Council received an update on the Denton Development Plan process.
This item was considered with Item #4.
6. The Council discussed a future all day workshop to be held between the City and
Denton Independent School District to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Board President Schaake stated that such a workshop would allow more time for
discussions on topics of interest for both entities. The workshop could be a whole day or
just half a day. This meeting would be in addition to the regular quarterly meetings.
Consensus of both entities was to work on a tentative schedule for a future meeting.
7. Mayor's Comments
Mayor Miller stated that they were working on a legal method to deal with the
differences in tax abatements.
8. President's comments
Board President Schaake expressed thanks to the abatement committee. The next
quarterly meeting would be April 15th.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
__________________________
JACK MILLER, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
___________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS