August 12, 2008 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 12, 2008
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas
nd
convened in a 2 Tuesday Session on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Council
Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Burroughs; Mayor Pro Tem Kamp; Council Members Heggins, Moreno,
Mulroy, Thomson, and Watts.
ABSENT: None
1. The Council received a report from Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA)
staff, held a discussion and gave direction regarding station design concepts for DCTA rail
stations.
Mark Nelson, Chief Transportation Officer, presented an overview of the project. He indicated
that DCTA was working with staff to initiate design concepts for the rail stations.
Scott Neeley, Executive VP of Rail Operations, presented the design concepts for the stations.
The design consisted on consistent components, variable components and community
components for each of the stations.
Dee Leggett presented the DCTA Station Design Process. The initial design development
included creating a clear distinction from DART, creating consistency with the DCTA brand
throughout, clean lines and classic details that were still relevant to today and that were
complementary to modern suburban communities.
Station Design Process – components to consider with the design process included what
elements must be consistent throughout to control the timeline and costs and reinforce the DCTA
brand; what could be customized to create a unique identity at each station; what community
funded elements could be incorporated and how to solicit feedback into the final design process.
Consistent Design Elements - included canopy design and materials, destination signage and
font, lighting, matching bollards, analog clocks, and DCTA branding and signage. Variable
elements included station icon, metal fencing, column cladding and enhanced pavement design.
Community funded elements, included murals, community art, detailed mosaics, advanced
pavement design, and vertical landmarks.
Station names and themes at this point were Hebron, Modern Prairie; Old Town, Old
Town/Historical; Lewisville Lake, recreation/park/trails; MedPark, professional/medical;
Downtown Denton, arts/music/court square. MedPark and downtown Denton were stations that
would be in Denton.
Council Member Thomson asked where tickets would be purchased.
Leggett stated that ticket vending machines would be at each station. The Downtown Denton
station would probably have a manned station.
Council Member Moreno stated that the site plan for the downtown Denton station indicated that
the parking lot was not in contract.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 12, 2008
Page 2
Neeley stated that per prior discussion by the Council, the downtown station would not be a park
and ride station and would have limited parking. Park and Ride would be funneled to the
MedPark Station.
Council Member Moreno asked about the primary target for riders
Neeley stated that commuters and students would be the primary target but secondary for
destination place for arts events.
Council Member Mulroy asked for documentation that Council did not want parking at the
downtown station.
Mayor Pro Tem Kamp stated that parking had been discussed with DCTA stakeholders and in
the Mobility Committee. The Mobility Committee did not want lots of parking downtown and
possibly taking up parking on the Square.
Council Member Mulroy felt Council had not formalized the type of parking that would be
available downtown for the rail station.
Mayor Burroughs asked for a description of the intermodal station and the parking that would be
provided.
Nelson stated that the location for the site would be the current location of Facilities
Management and would have roughly 100 parking spaces, some of which would be used for bus
parking. Areas to the west and east of the site were also being looked at to acquire for additional
parking. The Downtown center would have approximately 50-60 parking spaces depending on
the streetscape design.
Mayor Burroughs stated that DCTA would fund what it needed to function in mode and capacity
as determined by them. Local entities could add on as long as it did not adversely affect the
operations. He asked how many of other locations would look like Denton.
Neeley stated that most of the stations would look similar such as platforms and canopy designs.
Some variables were available.
Mayor Pro Tem Kamp felt that the downtown station needed to be fluid for events that would be
taking place there. The DCTA brand would be kept but the station would be special for
downtown Denton.
Council Member Heggins suggested separate trash containers for recycling elements.
Council Member Thomson suggested adequate spaces dedicated for bicycles.
Council Member Watts expressed a concern that the current bus stops were not user friendly as
there were not adequate waiting areas for passengers.
Neeley stated that a program was starting with local share of funding to start installation for
better bus stop design.
City of Denton City Council Minutes
August 12, 2008
Page 3
Mayor Burroughs suggested a tram/trolley for the more concentrated areas as opposed to buses.
Neeley stated that there had been discussion on how best to have on load/off load faster in high
concentration areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Kamp suggested using native Texas plants for the environment at the stations.
She asked how definite the December 2010 completion date was.
Neeley stated that it was very definite.
Council Member Watts asked about ridership anticipation and the scheduling of trains. He felt
that many students would use the downtown station.
Neeley stated that they recognized that and were making provisions for bus service. They would
wait until the students told DCTA which station they preferred. Service would be scheduled at
30 minute intervals for commute service, 80 minute intervals for midday and 20 minute intervals
in the evening.
City Manager Campbell requested copies of all the station designs.
2. The Council was to receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction on the
2008-09 Budget, Capital Improvement Program, and Five-Year Financial Forecast.
As there were no questions from Council on the budget, this item was not considered.
3. Closed Session
A. Deliberations Regarding Certain Public Power Utilities: Competitive Matters –
Under Texas Government Code Section 551.086.
1. Receive competitive public power information from staff in the form of a
proposed operating budget for Denton Municipal Electric (“DME”) for the
upcoming fiscal year, including without limitation, revenues, expenses,
commodity volumes, and commitments, and the direction of DME; and discuss,
deliberate, consider adoption of the budget and other matters, and provide staff
with direction regarding such matters.
The Council did not convene in Closed Session.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________
MARK A. BURROUGHS JENNIFER WALTERS
MAYOR CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS