January 23, 2020 Minutes - State of the CityCITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCII., NIINLITES
January 23, 2020
'The Denton City Council and City staff hosted a Sta,te of the City on Thursda.y, January 23, 2020, at 6:00
p.m. in the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center, 3100 Town Center Trail, Denton, Texas.
The Denton City Council, City sta.ff, and other community members gathered to share the City's major
milestones from the past year and key priorities for the future.
PRESENT:
ABSENT
Mayor Chris Watts, Mayor Pro Tem Gerard Hudspeth and Council Members Keely Briggs,
Jesse Davis, John Ryan, and Paul Meltzer
Council Member Deb Armintor
Also present were City Manager Todd Hileman and City Attorney Aaron Leal
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. and progressing through the session, City staff hosted an engagement fair providing
information on programs and services provided by the City as well as happenings in the community.
City staff presented a video deta.iling 2019 operational highlights/success.
At 7:00 p.m., Mayor Watts delivered the State of the City presenta.tion that covered the following:
• Citizen opportunities to address the City Council during scheduled meetings (pre-registration and
open microphone).
• Sta.tus of the FY 19-20 budget as related to (1) reduced property tax rate; (2) no rate increases in
Water, Wastewater, Electric, and Solid Waste & Recycling services; and (3) funding enhancements
through cost saving efforts in the areas of additional public safety positions, enhanced park
maintenance and additional funding for l�aa�zc�lessness.
• Capital projects in 2019 and the Texas Department of Transportation's role in the community which
increased regional and local mobility.
• Enhancements for parks and recreation.
• Growth and development and increase in permits issued.
• Public Safety to include staff increase and new facilities.
Citizen comments were accepted and covered the areas of Denton Housing Authority, ethics ordinance,
composting, City Hall West, housing needs to meet population growth, Police requesting student
identification when patrolling UNT facilities, parking along Hickory street, thanking others one normally
would not, pedestrian signals throughout the city, and lack of parking at social security (government)
offices.
With no other public comments forthcoming, the session ended at 7:48 p.m. with the engagement fair
continuing to 8:30 p.m.
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CHRIS WATTS
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
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ROSA R�OS
CITY SECRETARY
CTTY OF DENTON, TEXAS
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