Minutes October 21, 1998 CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 1998
The Council convened into a joint meeting with the Denton Independent School District Board of
Trustees on Wednesday, October 21, 1998 at 12:00 noon at the DISD Central Services Building.
PRESENT: Mayor Miller; Mayor Pro Tem Beasley; Council Members Burroughs, and Kristoferson
ABSENT: Council Members Cochran, Durrance and Young.
1. Mayor Miller called the meting to order and announced a quorum of City Council members.
Items #2 and #3 were considered at one time.
2. Growth Management Strategy and Comprehensive Plan
A. City of Denton
B. Denton ISD
3. City/DISD Communication on Growth Issues
Dave Hill, Director of Planning and Development, stated that the City was ready to bring a draft
growth management strategy to Council for public review. He indicated that staff would be able to
do a presentation to the DISD Board or at any of its meetings in order to help inform the public on
this issue. January 19, 1999 was the tentative date for adoption of the growth management strategy.
Growth would be managed in the areas of location, quality, timing and quantity. Location of land
uses would be strongly managed but equal distribution of growth to various sections of the city would
not be strongly managed. Quality of development would be strongly managed. Timing of
development would be managed to the extent that public services and facilities were available to
assure adequate levels of service. Quantity of growth would be accommodated in proportion to
market demand, but only if adequate services were available. A variety of growth management tools,
such as the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, and incentives would be
used to realize the growth management strategy's objectives. An aggressive annexation policy would
have to be adopted if density and quality of growth were to be managed in the current ETJ land. This
strategy would be land use specific and would indicate where various types of zoning would be
located. It would be directly related to the ability of provide adequate levels of services.
Rick Woolfolk, DISD Board of Trustees, stated that where there were overlapping boundaries, the
DISD not have any authority in such areas as economic development. He understood that the City
could give consideration to a development's impact on the DISD. He questioned if the City was
using that at this point in time.
Hill replied that the City was looking at options for such an ordinance that would address the impact
on the DISD and other districts. One point to consider would be what would be an adequate level of
service by the DISD when considering development.
Council Member Burroughs suggested that the DISD provide the City a status report on how a future
development would impact their services.
Ray Braswell, Interim Superintendent, asked what would be the appropriate way to address the
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October 21, 1998
Page 2
District's concerns regarding a proposed development.
Hill replied that the Development Review Committee was the appropriate time to present the
District's concerns regarding development.
Council and the Trustees discussed the pros and cons of possible legislation that would impact the
growth of the City and the growth of the DISD.
Curtis Ramsey, DISD Board Trustee, suggested changing the location of the school issue in the
outline of the comprehensive plan. He felt the current location made it look as though it were an
afterthought.
Todd Parton, Director of Planning-DISD, reviewed student enrollment growth, ethnicity in the
District, and analysis of growth trends as presented in the agenda materials.
Board President Schaake questioned how the DISD could have consistent communication between
the DISD and the City relative to growth.
Parton stated that the City's Development Review Committee was a good time to learn of new
development coming to the City.
Hill felt that until the City could determine how to further integrate into the school impact and
understand what legally could and could not be done, he had a concern that comments be consistently
applied from property to another property.
Council and DISD discussed the need for early communication between the entities relative to future
developments and the impact on both entities.
Council Member Burroughs felt it would be helpful to see what the DISD projected as the economic
impact from a proposed development.
City Manager Jez suggested an early involvement in the development process and having the DISD's
Planning Director in the process as early as possible. A check list report on a proposed development
from the DISD to the Council prior to the time Council was considering a zoning request might be
helpful.
Mayor Miller stated that a checklist was fine but there needed to be definitions of the criteria on such
a checklist.
4. Update on Growth
Rick Svehla, Deputy City Manager, presented an overview of the growth areas in and around the
City. The number of building permits issued was increasing with more development coming on the
northern edge of the City.
Ann Windle, DISD Board Trustee, felt that attracting businesses to the City rather than home
developers was important. As a part of growth management, she would like to see how businesses
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October 21, 1998
Page 3
would be attracted to Denton. The District could not tax enough on residential property to run the
schools.
Mayor Miller stated that the City was proactive to business development and was committed to
economic development.
5. Appraisal District Discussion
Rick Woolfolk, DISD Board Trustee, felt that the Appraisal District was experiencing some
problems. He did not feel that the City had been treated fairly from the Appraisal District. The State
had indicated that there were problems with the electronic data the District was sending and the DISD
and City were going to have to refigure the information manually.
Council and DISD discussed the need for a better valuation of property in order to better determine
budget figures. There was also a need for better communication among the entities.
Legislative Issues
a. Fast Growth Coalition Information
b. Legislative Visits
c. Impact Fees
Ray Braswell, Interim Superintendent, stated that the DISD was taking proactive measures regarding
legislative issues. It was seeking a change in the funding formula for a fast growth formula addition.
They were also seeking increased funding for facilities. Schools were asking the State to pick up
more of the funding costs for schools. The DISD was involved in a growth coalition to help with
these issues. The DISD had hired a consultant to help them through the issues of impact fees.
Update on Ongoing Projects
a. McMath Parks and Recreation Project
b. Student Resource Officer
c. New Athletic Facility Site
d. Middle School After-School Action Sites
Ed Hodney, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that the gym and office space for the City Parks
department at the McMath Middle School were completed. The program should begin soon. The
administrative staff was revising the joint use agreement between the school and city. The operating
agreement for the McMath School and South Lakes Park had been completed. A northeast
community park site on Loop 288 was being considered.
Barbara Fisher, Strickland principal, stated that the Student Resource Officer program was in the
beginning stages of the project. They had been visiting classrooms and working with the intervention
officer. This program presented a proactive presence at the schools and the officer was very
proactive. Gary Matheson indicated that the officer was well qualified for the position and was doing
a great job.
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Steve Johnson, Supervisor-MLK Center, stated that the middle school after school program had
recently been re-vamped in an effort to ensure the longevity of the program. Initially the program had
enrichment classes being offered four days per week. That was changed to two days per week. A
program goal was 40 participants per school site.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
JACK MILLER, MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS