February 04, 2021CITY OF DENTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
February 4, 2021
The Denton City Council and City staff hosted a virtual State of the City on Thursday, February
4, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Davis and Council Members Birdia
Johnson, Connie Baker, John Ryan, Deb Armintor, and Paul Meltzer
Note: Mayor Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Davis and Council Members Birdia
Johnson, Connie Baker, John Ryan, Deb Armintor, and Paul IWeltzer participated in the
work session, and special meeting via video/teleconference under the provisions allowed by
the Texas Government Code Section 551.127.
Also present was City Manager Hileman.
Video was shown spotlighting city departments and accomplishments during Year 2020.
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Emergency response/preparedness due to Covid- 19 pandemic
Enhancement of public meeting protocols promoting participation in virtual platform
Housing provided by non-profit agencies shifted shelter assistance to local hotels
Volunteer services by city employees
Disconnection of services temporarily postponed
Budget adopted with no property tax increase with decrease in water/solid waste services
Purchase of new 3 11 service system thereby increasing service efficiency and response
Refund of outstanding debt obligations ($6+ million savings)
Roadway improvements
Capital Infrastructure Projects underway
Chief of Police Advisory Committee
Increase in police officer staffing
New Firefighter facilities and staffing
Emergency Food pantry to assist pet owners
2020 Action Plan adopted by City Council
Improvements to Trails, Parks, Playgrounds
Approved Cole Ranch & Hunter Ranch
Reduced review time for private projects
Commercial Development Permits
Industrial Area experiencing growth
City Manager Hileman briefly discussed City accomplishments, credited employees for
maintaining service deliveries among the challenges faced and found ways to continue being
productive, first responders thanked and acknowledged City Council on their work including the
support from the community.
Mayor Hudspeth reported on focus being to take care of residents from a fiscal perspective which
covered the following:
City of Denton City Council Minutes
February 4, 202 1
Page 2
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Property Tax remaining steady at $0.5950454 per $100 of assessed valuation
2020 Certified Assessed Value at $13.6 Billion
Need for community to stay together, including those experiencing homelessness.
Infrastructure Projects including Hickory Street to be completed in the next year and Atmos
having invested in City’s inhastructure
Economic Development: Northlakes Park, NCTC Downtown Campus, Stoke, Westpark
Industrial Development, and Cole Ranch & Hunter Ranch
Question & Answer session followed of Mayor Hudspeth, reflecting on the following. Throughout
the Q&A, each member of the City Council had the opportunity to provide a brief greeting, some
of whom highlighted the special opportunities each district/section of the city had to offer.
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How first week was as Mayor of the City
Fiscal condition of the City
Infrastructure would continue to be a priority in the coming year
Steps City was taking to increase bike/pedestrian safety and mobility
Purchase of a building on Loop 288 to provide services to individuals experiencing
homelessness
Award of two economic development grants to stimulate local tech startups
Parks and recreation amenities
Senior citizen services
Efforts in addressing air quality issues/needs
City serves as an advocate in disseminating information on Covid vaccines with final
authority falling to the County/State
City’s efforts in preventing crime a priority for the City and Police Department
What made him most proud to lead Denton
Friday Report distributed by the City Manager which includes valuable information for all
to read
Denton Police Academy and benefits to participating
Citizens were encouraged to use the Engage Denton Application, review the Annual Report
recently distributed, and informed the video of the State of the City will be available online.
The session ended at 7:03 p.m.
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ROSA RIOSdEt'ETH
MAYOR
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS
MINUTES APPROVED ON
CITY SECRETARY
CITY OF DENTON, TEXAS