November 15, 2010 MinutesCITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 15, 2010
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Tuesday
Session on Tuesday, November 15, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. in the Council Work Session Room.
PRESENT: Council Member King, Council Member Heggins, Council Member Gregory,
Council Member Engelbrecht, Mayor Burroughs, and Council Member Watts.
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Kamp.
1. Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding a Report on the 111th Congress, 2" d
Session and Outlook for 112th Congress, to include Budget and Tax Issues, Transportation,
Federal Preemption and Mandates, Telecommunications, Environment, Redistricting, and
other topics impacting local government.
Barbara McCall and Ralph Garboushian, Capital Edge, presented a federal legislative update.
Topics of discussion centered on the Lame Duck Session and beyond, transportation
reauthorization, federal preemption/mandates, telecommunications and outlook for other
legislation.
Lame Duck and Beyond discussions dealt with FY 2011 appropriations, tax "extenders" and FY
2012 and deficit reduction. The Lame Duck session was starting and a major focus would be
electing the leadership. An issue of concern was whether or not there would be earmarks in
2012. There currently was a debate in the House and Senate on whether to keep them or not.
McCall suggested that the city proceed as though there would be earmarks so the City's projects
would be ready to submit should the need arise. Council also discussed tax deduction
propositions and extenders bills.
Transportation Reauthorization centered on surface transportation and aviation. McCall detailed
a national infrastructure fund that was being considered.
Federal Preemption/Mandates centered on Hotel Occupancy Tax, Public Safety Employer-
Employee Cooperation Act and chemical security. An issue with the Hotel Occupancy Tax
centered on on-line organizations and associated sales tax; and the preemption of local
governments to override and put in taxes.
Telecommunications discussions centered on recent FCC actions and the comprehensive
legislation in the 112th Congress.
An outlook for other legislation centered on energy/climate change and the environment.
Council discussed redistricting and how it would affect Denton.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
MARK A. BURROUGHS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS