Minutes February 6, 2006
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 6, 2006
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Special Called
Work Session on Monday, February 6, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room.
PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tem McNeill; Council Members Heggins, Kamp,
Montgomery, Mulroy, and Thomson.
ABSENT: None
Item #2 was considered.
2. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction regarding
Denton becoming a WiFi city.
Alex Pettit, Chief Technology Officer, presented information concerning common terms, history
of broadband, other municipal initiatives, commercial carrier offerings, and City of Denton
wireless. He reviewed the terms associated with WiFi such as WiFi, WiMax, Hot Spot and WiFi
Mesh. The history of broadband associated with the City indicated that there was wireless
available January to September 2001 until the company went into bankruptcy. There were three
different models of public initiatives ? franchise model, do-it-yourself and community model.
Rules for these differed by community.
Council discussion ?
What was the policy for paying for WiFi in other communities - Pettit replied that it varied
per community. A city or Chamber of Commerce or private individuals might fund it.
The interest in WiFi for Denton would be as an amenity for tourists to use while visiting the
downtown area.
Many individuals already had this in their homes ? mainly would be used by people traveling
to Denton
Have another agency such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau start the process and
operate the technology.
Pettit stated that the bottom line was how much would the public use the service. He presented
the pros and cons between public and commercial systems.
Council discussion ?
Investigate if another organization would operate the system as part of a tourism attraction.
Staff was currently looking into the feasibility of establishing service at the libraries ?
considerations were cost and impact on the library budget.
Consider a test placement in one library first rather than placing the technology in all
libraries.
Collect more information from South Lake on its usage for the next 6 months.
Consider a survey of possible users by the library to see if there would be any interest.
Council returned to the regular agenda order.
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion and gave staff direction regarding a
Code Enforcement presentation by Jim Olk, Building Official with the City of Farmers Branch.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
February 6, 2006
Page 2
Jim Olk, Building Official-City of Farmers Branch, stated that code enforcement was important
in Farmers Branch due to the perception of declining neighborhoods, problem areas, aging
housing stock, property values, housing concerns, fragmented enforcement and increased
complaints. He indicated that a main priority of the Farmers Branch City Council was property
maintenance and appearance. Major concerns voiced included neighborhoods in decline, no
effective code enforcement, trash and debris allowed to sit for weeks, too many vehicles,
overcrowding, garage conversions and overall neighborhood appearance. Staff analysis included
analyzing the existing ordinance, benchmarking housing concerns, studying neighborhood
appearance issues, researching previous ordinances, benchmarking property conditions,
benchmarking procedures and processes, analyzing staff time and the mapping of level of
service. A system was developed of structure rating and a housing condition survey was
completed. The current complaint process was charted for effectiveness and how employees
spent their time in certain areas. Other considerations included other property appearance issues,
existing ordinances, the need for some updated ordinances, desired level of service and a
determination of who was their customer whether it was the violator or neighbor. The Farmers
Branch initial actions included a review of Code Enforcement Strategic Plan, adoption of
ordinances for issues not currently covered such as garage conversions, RV storage and utility
trailers, items in front yard, fences in front yard, accessory building regulations, and inoperable
building regulations. Other actions by Council included revising the policy regarding violation
notices, communicating the desired level of service, and amending an apartment-licensing
program. Compliance was the goal with only one notice to violators. Certificate of occupancy
inspection procedures included inspection of all single-family dwelling units upon change in
tenant, inspection for violations to the property maintenance code, and minimum housing code
standards.
Council discussion ?
Number of code enforcement officers in Farmers Branch ? Olk stated there were four
employees.
How was his department set up ? Olk replied that the code enforcement officers reported to
the building official who supervised building inspections and code enforcement.
There was a need to analyze what was in the city before determining department-staffing
needs.
Consider outsourcing a housing survey to get results as soon as possible.
Farmers Branch held meetings with apartment complexes to let them know what was
coming.
What was done for lower economic individuals who failed to comply due to financial
constraints ? Olk replied that social service agencies or other available agencies assisted.
Collecting data was important in order to get compliance.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
______________________________ __________________________
EULINE BROCK JENNIFER WALTERS
MAYOR CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS