Minutes March 6, 2006
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 6, 2006
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Special Called
Work Session on Monday, March 6,2006 at 11 :30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room.
PRESENT: Mayor Brock; Mayor Pro Tern McNeill; Council Members, Kamp, Montgomery,
Mulroy, and Thomson.
ABSENT: Council Member Heggins
1. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction on the Police
Department's guidelines and deployment strategy for the TASER less-than-Iethal weapon.
Lt. Tom Woods, Denton Police Department, reviewed background information and presented an
informational video on the development of the taser. He stated that tasers were not lethal
weapons, contrary to public opinion. He stated that there were myths concerning tasers causing
deaths. Deaths associated with the tasers involved some other contributing factor such as drugs.
In a 12-month investigation and 100,000 pages of documentation it was determined that the issue
was closed with no enforcement action. The City had already purchased the devices with a grant
but had not used them until more studies were done.
Council discussion -
. How many calls per month would be related to taser-type calls - Woods replied that was
not know at this time. Last year the department made 175 arrests with force with three
complaints that were not sustained.
. The Department's recommendation was that the devices would be deployed after
protocols were developed. Woods replied correct that the protocols would be developed
in conjunction with the Fire Department. The jailers would be the first to receive
training.
. A suggestion was to build a database on usage and report to Council on a semiannual
basis.
Consensus of Council was to proceed with the development of the strategy for the use of the
tasers.
Item #4 was considered.
4. The Council received a report, held a discussion and provided staff direction concerning
Verizon Southwest's requests and associated Memorandum of Understanding for expedited
services in conjunction with the Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) project.
Jim Coulter, Director of Water/Wastewater, stated that staff was continuing discussions with
Verizon and hoped to have a signed agreement in the next several days. There were a number of
issues requiring confidentiality that the Council would be briefed on in a future Closed Session.
Staff was requesting permission from the Council to proceed with finalizing the agreement.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the finalizing of the agreement.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
March 6, 2006
Page 2
Council returned to the regular agenda order.
2. The Council received a report, held a discussion, and gave staff direction on the creation
of a Council Finance Committee and Budget Calendar.
Jon Fortune, Assistant City Manager, stated that over the next several months Council would
begin the budget process. It was suggested to expand the role of the Audit Committee to provide
an avenue for council members to interface with staff about the budget process on a more
frequent basis and in a less formalized setting. This would enable staff to receive guidance about
the Council's vision as they incorporate prioritized goals into the budget process.
Council discussion -
. Consider combining the Investment Committee with the proposed Finance Committee -
with further discussion it was noted that the function of the Investment Committee was
much different from the function of the Audit Committee.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the formation of the committee as proposed. The
role of the Audit Committee would be expanded to include finance functions.
Fortune continued with 2007 budget calendar. Key issues involved the five-year forecast and the
budget workshops.
Council discussed the proposed workshop dates. It was suggested to change one of the meetings
so that it did not conflict with the Transportation Summit. A matrix could be prepared to show
key time frames for meeting dates.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed.
3. The Council received a briefing, held a discussion and gave staff direction on a process
and review criteria for State Assisted Multi-Family Housing programs including, but not limited
to the State's Multifamily Bond Program and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
Kelly Carpenter, Director of Planning and Development, stated that Council had requested staff
to propose a process and criteria for the review of state assisted multi-family housing programs.
Council had requested that a work session aspect be included for Council to discuss the project
and to give direction to the applicant and staff concerning disposition. This would be an
informal presentation for Council to hear what was being proposed. The definition of state
assisted multi-family housing was included in the criteria. The section on "review criteria and
standards" was amended to include (1) additional site design standards relative to landscaping
and architectural features and (2) a demonstration that the number of units to be demolished meet
or exceeded the number proposed to be constructed.
Council discussion -
. The work seSSIon discussion would be an informal discussion on what was being
proposed.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
March 6, 2006
Page 3
. Change the wording in the Review Criteria regarding the demolition of units to "equal"
rather "meets or exceeds".
. Change the wording in the Review Criteria regarding the demolition of units from
"demolished" to demolished and/or renovated.
. Under "Information for council consideration", the applicant should not provide
documentation that Denton had more than twice the state average, that should be done in-
house.
. Differentiate the proposed number of units above and below the threshold of the state
average - if below did not have to come to Council for approval
. Make sure that the applicant knew that even if he went through all the procedures he was
not assured that he would get proj ect approval.
. Make provisions for a project that would be favorable to the City but that didn't meet the
criteria for demolition or renovation.
Consensus of the Council was to proceed with the process as outlined, making the standards a
consideration for a specific use permit.
With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1 :05 p.m.
EULINE BROCK
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER W AL TERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS