March 03, 2014 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
March 3, 2014
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Session on
Monday, March 3, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Burroughs, Mayor Pro Tem Kamp, Council Member Engelbrecht, Council
Member Gregory, Council Member Roden, Council Member Hawkins, and Council
Member King
ABSENT: None
1. Call to order; announce quorum, introductions.
Mayor Burroughs called the meeting to order, announcing that there was a quorum of Council
present and provided for introductions for the Library Board and Council. There was no quorum
of the Library Board present.
2. Receive a report, hold a discussion and give staff direction regarding the Denton Public
Library Annual Report and Strategic Plan.
Teri Gibbs, Director of Libraries, presented the Library's Annual Report. A challenge for the
Library was numbers vs. impact. In the future years the focus would be on how the libraries
impacted citizens in their lives. One goal dealt with laying groundwork for libraries. That goal
involved establishing relationships, reviewing positions/defining roles, obtaining tools and
planning for the future. A focus for library customers was how to make libraries easier and more
accessible Methods for completing that focus were a catalog update, standardized check-out
times, $10 maximum fine ordinance, emailing notices for expiring library cards, and online
support for downloadable media customers. Services that the Libraries offered included early
literacy, adult literacy, services to ESL customers, homebound services, Library Larry's Big Day
television program, tax help for low-income families, inter-Library loan and book a librarian.
Council Member Engelbrecht asked if the adult literacy program was dependent on volunteers.
Gibbs stated yes, but there was not an issue with getting volunteers
A Library Strategic Plan for 2014-2016 was in progress. The process for the Plan included
utilizing a consultant, a SWOT analysis, public survey, focus group meetings and staff meetings.
The #1 issue was perception versus reality. Many comments from a survey indicated the libraries
needed to provide services that they were already doing. The question that came out of the
survey was why the public did not know that. Additional public input included a concern
regarding safety, that the best thing about Denton was the sense of community, libraries equated
to education, that programs needed upgrades in terms of content and convenience and outreach at
community events.
Three focus areas framed in the community included education, connection and resources. The
new mission statement, new marker and new tag line for the library was presented.
In summary, the libraries would continue to provide the basics; provide the future in terms of
The Forge, Human Library, outreach to community and business; and explore new physical
locations.
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March 3, 2014
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Council Member Roden stated that he was impressed with the services the libraries provided. He
asked if the Libraries were partnering with Economic Development for some of their projects
such as The Forge so that others outside the system would know that the project is available.
Gibbs stated that they had a Business Relations staff person who was going out to businesses to
provide that information.
Council Member Gregory asked who accredited the libraries.
Gibbs stated that the Texas State Library reviewed a report with standard measures that have to
be provided for review.
Mayor Burroughs asked if there were problems with young people dropped off for long periods
of time or problems with youth at the libraries with no supervision.
Gibbs stated that it was mainly an issue at the North Branch due to the proximity to the middle
school, but there was a section of the library set aside for teens with special programs for the
youth. North Branch had adapted to that particular customer base.
Council Member Hawkins asked if there was a policy for homeless persons.
Gibbs stated that situation was mainly at Emily Fowler. The homeless were considered another
segment of customers and they had to follow the same rules of conduct that others did. The
library did not discriminate against people with different housing, clothing, etc.
Council Member Roden stated that a topic for a larger later discussion was how the library
aligned with other programs in the City and needs in the city. He questioned what role the Board
Members saw in the future of the libraries.
Board Member Womack felt it would be linking different areas of the City together.
Board Member Campbell felt that there were few communities that supported libraries as well as
they were supported in Denton. The libraries role would be an outreach to encourage citizens to
use the libraries.
Board Member McLeod stated that he had an appreciation of where the library had been and
where it was going. He felt he could help with that direction as a member of the Library Board.
Board Member Womack stated that the members of the Library Board were impressed with what
the library was doing and wanted to help further its use.
Council Member Gregory asked about the orientation received by the Board and if the members
were able to attend the Texas Library Association conference.
Board Member Campbell stated that there were monthly meetings, an orientation with the City
and with the Director. The TLA did have a board member session.
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Board Member McLeod stated that he participated in a tour of the libraries when he started. He
was introduced to staff and they answered all of his questions. He felt serving on the Board was
very much worth his time.
Board Member Womack also felt serving on the Board was very much worth her time as a
volunteer position.
3. Under Section 551.042 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, respond to inquiries from the City
Council or the public with specific factual information or recitation of policy, or accept a
proposal to place the matter on the agenda for an upcoming meeting AND under Section
551.0415 of the Texas Open Meetings Act, provide reports about items of community
interest regarding which no action will be taken, to include: expressions of thanks,
congratulations, or condolence; information regarding holiday schedules; an honorary or
salutary recognition of a public official, public employee, or other citizen; a reminder about
an upcoming event organized or sponsored by the governing body; information regarding a
social, ceremonial, or community event organized or sponsored by an entity other than the
governing body that was attended or is scheduled to be attended by a member of the
governing body or an official or employee of the municipality; or an announcement
involving an imminent threat to the public health and safety of people in the municipality
that has arisen after the posting of the agenda.
The Council did not have any items.
Following the completion of the Joint Meeting, the City Council convened in a Closed Meeting
at 1:10 p.m.
1. Closed Meeting:
A. Consultation with Attorneys - Under Texas Government Code Section 551.071.
1. Consult with and provide direction to City’s attorneys regarding legal issues
and strategies associated with Gas Well Ordinance regulation of gas well
drilling and production within the City Limits and the extraterritorial
jurisdiction, including Constitutional limitations, statutory limitations upon
municipal regulatory authority, statutory preemption and/or impacts of
federal and state law and regulations, standstill agreements or other cessation
regulations and take any appropriate action regarding the above in the
meeting of today’s date as it concerns municipal regulatory authority or
matters relating to enforcement of the ordinance.
Following the completion of the Closed Meeting, the Council was posted to convene in Open
Session to consider the following item:
1. Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas amending Ordinance
Nos. 2013-330 and 2014-040 to extend a "Standstill Agreement" between the City of
Denton, Texas and Eagleridge Operating, LLC until midnight on May 6, 2014 with
regard to certain disputes and issues over gas drilling in the City to allow the parties
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March 3, 2014
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an opportunity to engage in global settlement negotiations as it concerns unresolved
issues between them; and providing for an effective date.
This item was not considered.
_______________________________
MARK A. BURROUGHS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
_______________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS