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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 (β€œDME”) 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