Minutes February 7, 2005
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 7,2005
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Special Called
Meeting on Monday, February 7,2005 at 11 :30 a.m. in the Council Work: Session Room at City
Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Brock:; Mayor Pro Tem McNeill; Council Members Kamp, Montgomery,
Mulroy, Thomson
ABSENT:
Council Member Redmon
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding re-
development and enhancement of neighborhoods.
Mik:e Conduff, City Manager, introduced Darlene Mullenweg, a local realtor. Ms. Mullenweg
stated that she was a former resident of Richardson where she had been involved in the
neighborhood programs coordinated through the city. She shared with the Council her
experience regarding the advantages of active neighborhood groups.
Mullenweg introduced David Morgan, Assistant City Manager of Community Services in
Richardson. Morgan stated that Richardson had started re-development of neighborhoods by
using code enforcement, City Council/Homeowners Association Presidents meetings once a
month, a Neighborhood Vitality Program, Matching Fund Beautification Program, and a
Volunteer Assistance Program. He stated that neighborhoods go thru life cycles. They can grow
and they can decline based on the age of homes, maintenance, and other factors. Residents
sometimes do not have the financial means or may have physical limitations and could not
maintain their property. Through the Volunteer Assistance Program the City had partnered
volunteers to help these residents. The City had also developed a sidewalk: program and fixed
thousands of sidewalk:s.
The Council had adopted a Neighborhood Vitality and Integrity Strategy that included a
commitment to providing strong, progressive code enforcement; neighborhood relations efforts
to support neighborhood groups and leaders and to promote neighborhoods in the mark:etplace;
and neighborhood enhancement initiatives to help neighborhoods better understand what's
work:ing and what's not work:ing and to implement neighborhood improvement initiatives.
Morgan stated that to implement the Neighborhood Vitality & Integrity Strategy the City had
created a Neighborhood Services Division. The new Division served as the center of the new
Neighborhood Vitality & Integrity Strategy by incorporating code enforcement, neighborhood
enhancement strategies, and neighborhood relations efforts.
Code Enforcement reported to the Neighborhood Services Manager. They had eight code
enforcement officers for single family and commercial properties and one building inspector for
multi- family and rental properties. He stated that the City had an inspection program that 95%
of the rental properties in the city were registered for - 28,000 properties. He stated the City
used the International Property Maintenance Code standards. The Council had adopted new
regulations for park:ing recreational vehicles in residential districts, garage enclosures, residential
rental properties, home occupancy, brush and bulk:y item collection, and holding garage sales.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
February 7,2005
Page 2
Morgan stated that Neighborhood Relations strategies were a crucial ingredient for a healthy
neighborhood. Residents had to work: together to resolve problems.
Neighborhood enhancement strategies were measures designed to encourage residents to
improve their homes and neighborhood beyond minimum standards.
2. The Council was to have received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction
concerning regulating extended stay facilities.
Due to time constraints, this item was not considered.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1 :35 p.m.
EULINE BROCK
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JANE RI CHARD SON
ASST. CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS