February 27, 2018 Minutes
CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 27, 2018
After determining that a quorum was present, the City Council convened in a Work Session on
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. in the Council Work Session Room at City Hall.
PRESENT: Council Member Hudspeth, Council Member Briggs, Council Member Duff,
Council Member Ryan, Council Member Gregory, Mayor Pro Tem Bagheri, and
Mayor Watts.
ABSENT: None.
1. Citizen Comments on Consent Agenda Items
There were no citizen comments on Consent Agenda items.
2. Work Session Reports
A. ID 18-145 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the Texas
Commission on the Arts’ Cultural Districts Program.
Caroline Booth, Director of Economic Development, provided a staff report Cultural Districts. The
background regarding the cultural district program was presented which included the definition of
a cultural district, a district did not obligate property owners to any type of financial obligation,
and was used as a marketing tool for communities. There were currently 30 communities in Texas
with a cultural district designated by the TCA with some communities designating districts locally
instead of through TCA with no TCA grant funds available by this method. The benefits and
challenges of the district were noted.
Council discussed whether HOT funds could be used and staffing and administration needs in the
short term and long term.
Booth continued with cultural district success factors as well as key points and potential next steps.
Council discussed whether to seek a TCA designation; costs involved with the designation;
inclusion of the Convention and Visitors Bureau or transferring it to the CVB.
Consensus was to proceed on a parallel tract with stakeholder meetings for both types of
designations in mind while working through the planning process.
B. ID 18-146 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the City’s
Policy for Tax Abatement and Incentives.
Caroline Booth, Director of Economic Development, provided an update on the policy for tax
abatement and incentives. She noted prior action on these items and the consensus revisions to the
policy. The prior Council direction was reviewed and the proposed next steps for consideration.
Council discussed DCAD valuations and a minimum threshold; circumstances surrounding new
construction versus an upgrade on a project in terms of valuation; consider agreements on a case
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by case basis; consider amendments to incentives; and consider a policy with an amendment
process included
C. ID 18-256 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the schedule
of miscellaneous fees, deposits, billings and procedures for administrative services to city
utilities customers contained in Ordinance No. 2016-276; amending the provisions of the
account connection and reconnection charges; amending the provisions of the miscellaneous
fees, charges and deposits; providing for a repealer; providing for a severability clause;
providing for an effective date. The Public Utilities Board recommended approval (6-0) of
Option 2 for the AMI opt-out option with the proposed Customer Service fees and changes.
JR Richardson, Superintendent of Electric Metering, presented the report on the Opt-Out programs
for the automated electric meters. He noted the safety studies done on the radio safety of the AMI
wireless meters along with the Opt-out disadvantages to the customers. The Opt-out disadvantages
to Utilities was presented and noted other Utilities in Texas with an Opt-out program and any
associated rates/fees. Options for the Opt-out program were presented. Staff and PUB
recommended the Opt-out program with associated fees.
Council consensus was to proceed with Option 2 with notification to those who opt-out that the
City would not be able to monitor whether their service had been disrupted.
D. ID 18-293 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding the City’s
Hotel Occupancy Tax Program.
Tony Puente, Director of Finance, presented the objectives of the discussion on the Hotel
Occupancy Tax (HOT) program. He noted the legal framework in terms of the Texas Tax Code
and the City ordinance. Revenue collection information was note in terms of Tourist & Convention
Fund and lodging establishment. Revenue allocation included information on the Council HOT
Committee and the duties the Committee performed in terms of revenue allocations; and the HOT
recipients. He noted the 2019 calendar for determining the allocation of the funds.
Council discussed several of the specific recipients listed for the HOT funds, consider requiring
applicants receiving funding to use local providers; transparency in using social media vendors;
consider attesting to the facts contained in the application; standardize the application; consider
not providing an across the board increase in funding but have an incentive process for increases.
Council also discussed historical restoration/preservation of funds and the public art component.
Consider sending out a spreadsheet of the recipients and have Council rank them and include the
cultural district for potential funding.
E. ID 18-294 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on preliminary
research and options for the availability of restrooms in the downtown area.
Sarah Kuechler, Director of Public Affairs and IGR, reviewed the report concerning public
restrooms in the downtown area. She noted the availability and use of public restrooms currently
in the downtown. Options on a high level included increased education through communication
on where current public restrooms were located, extend the hours of the Welcome Center, purchase
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and install restrooms; and automated self-cleaning restrooms. A comparison of each of the options
was noted. Planned improvements were presented.
Council discussed the various options presented including:
Consider partnering with the Community Health Clinic for a presence in the downtown area
Consider using Williams Trade Square for the location of a conventional restroom
The use of a mobile facility would allow for it to be moved to different locations for events
Investigate the addition of hours to the Visitors Center with compensation for maintenance and
supplies
Include the communication segment with any option considered
Consider only increased education and extended hours at the Visitor Center rather than a
facility.
Kim Phillips, Discover Welcome Center, presented the issues of security in the Center due to the
use of the restrooms and the increased staff necessary to maintain the restrooms.
Council continued their discussion noting:
Incorporating a police officer at the Center for added security
Budget determinations for security and maintenance of the facilities
Whether the issue involved the homeless in the downtown area and how adding restrooms in
the area would or would not take care of the perceived situation with the homeless.
The issue at this meeting was for additional restrooms in the downtown area and not a first aid
station to assist homeless individuals. That issue would be a good additional work session
discussion.
Consider increased education of available public restrooms in the downtown area
Consider leasing a mobile unit for special events or when needed to see how effective it would
be
Consider a mobile restroom during the Community Market as a test for usage
Whether a mobile unit could be on a lease/purchase agreement
Placement options, cost, stakeholder comments
Return for an additional work session with data on the usage.
F. ID 18-297 Receive a report, hold a discussion, and provide direction to staff on recommended
changes to residential parking standards.
Richard Cannone, Interim Planning Director, reviewed specific recommendations for residential
parking standards. He reviewed the recommendation to increase the minimum parking standards
to four parking spaces with a minimum of two spaces in a garage for single family; duplexes would
be four spaces per dwelling with a minimum of 2 spaces in a garage with tandem parking in garages
not counted as satisfying the parking requirement.
Council discussion included:
The proposed standards requiring a garage in the design of the developments
The number of spaces that were proposed to be required for duplexes
The requirement of a garage would not permit a later renovation of the garage into an additional
living space
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Consider infill provisions to match surrounding developed areas.
Cannone continued with proposed multifamily parking standards. All multi-family regardless of
the number of bedrooms would require one space per bedroom plus 10%. Recommendation 2 was
to eliminate parking maximums.
Council suggested having the Committee on the Environment consider Recommendation 2 in
terms of runoff on impervious pavement.
Cannone presented recommendations on On-street parking credits. He noted the fourth
recommendation for parking dealt with compact, bicycle and motorcycle parking.
Recommendation 5 dealt with administrative relief for parking spaces required.
Council consensus included:
Eliminate the requirement of a garage but have four parking spaces off street
Make adjustment for three bedrooms or less
Eliminate the maximum number of required spaces for multi-family and include one
space/bedroom plus 10% of the minimum for visitor parking
Allow for administrative variances for compact cars, bikes and motorcycles
Make adjustments for one bedroom developments.
For Recommendation 2, eliminate parking maximums, have the proposal go to the Committee
on the Environment and/or have staff return with examples of taking pervious out of the
recommendations.
Recommendation 3, on-street parking credits, would only apply in front of the property and
not across the street or neighboring property.
Recommendation 4, compact cars, bicycle and motorcycle, have 5% of the total parking spaces
Recommendation 5, administrative relief, no change from the staff recommendation
Residential component to provide for infill on single family to match surrounding area; duplex
not have to have garage; not have garage requirement for single family; exemptions to include
infill and affordable housing; two car garage would equal four spaces; a one car garage provide
for three spaces; and the policy question regarding the requirement of garages
Following the completion of the Work Session, the City Council convened in a Special Called
Meeting to consider the following items:
1.CONSENT AGENDA
Ordinance No. 17-1659
A. ID 17-1659 Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas
reappointing Robin A. Ramsay as Presiding Judge for the City of Denton Municipal
Court of Record; establishing a term of office for the Presiding Judge beginning on
the 4th day of March, 2018; and extending through the 3rd day of March, 2020;
authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract for term of office; and ratifying terms of
contract; and declaring an effective date.
Council Member Gregory motioned, Mayor Pro Tem Bagheri seconded to adopt the ordinance.
On roll call vote, Council Member Hudspeth "aye", Council Member Briggs "aye", Council
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Member Duff "aye", Council Member Ryan "aye", Council Member Gregory "aye", Mayor Pro
Tem Bagheri "aye", and Mayor Watts "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
Ordinance No. 18-271
B. ID 18-271 Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas, appointing
Gregory L. Bertrand as Assistant Judge for the City of Denton Municipal Court of
Record; appointing Dennis Engler as Assistant Judge for the City of Denton
Municipal Court of Record; appointing Alison J. Grant as Assistant Judge for the City
of Denton Municipal Court of Record; appointing Brian S. Holman as Assistant Judge
for the City of Denton Municipal Court of Record; appointing James Horton as
Assistant Judge for the City of Denton Municipal Court of Record; appointing Ann
Poston as Assistant Judge for the City of Denton Municipal Court of Record;
establishing terms of office for municipal judges in accordance with applicable state
statutes; providing for renewal and extension of terms absent specific action by
Council; authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract for term of office; ratifying
terms of contract; and declaring an effective date.
Council Member Gregory motioned, Mayor Pro Tem Bagheri seconded to adopt the ordinance.
On roll call vote, Council Member Hudspeth "aye", Council Member Briggs "aye", Council
Member Duff "aye", Council Member Ryan "aye", Council Member Gregory "aye", Mayor Pro
Tem Bagheri "aye", and Mayor Watts "aye". Motion carried unanimously.
2. CONCLUDING ITEMS
A. 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.
Council Member Hudspeth requested a Work Session on the downtown homeless issue.
Mayor Watts requested a discussion with stakeholders regarding a performing arts center in
Denton.
Mayor Watts requested an Informal Staff Report on Denton losing its live music scene and losing
interest in live music.
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Mayor Watts requested a survey of surrounding cities in the larger Metroplex area that have a 4A
or 4B Economic Development Corporation and the yearly contribution to those corporations.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned 4:52 p.m.
________________________________
CHRIS WATTS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
________________________________
JENNIFER WALTERS
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS