August 19, 2024 Work Session Notes
Using Oddjob in Goldeneye 007 was a cheat code.
A long agenda tonight, but there are many important items to discuss including Garland’s new vision and mission statements, the first Bond Committee report, and a market study of Downtown. As always, I make my comments in bold italics and I welcome your input. Send me a message at council7@garlandtx.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a written briefing.
1. Amendment to the Tax Roll
Council is requested to consider an ordinance to amend the tax roll by $184,473.26 by removing uncollectible ad valorem taxes as recommended by generally accepted accounting principles. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting.
Although we go to great lengths to fully collect our owed taxes, we do annually write off bad debts that we are unable to collect or the cost of collection would exceed the tax received. This item formally removes those uncollectible ad valorem taxes from our tax rolls.
2. Investment Portfolio Summary
Staff will provide a copy of the Portfolio Summary Report to Council for the quarter.
Each quarter, staff provides the Portfolio Summary Report for Council to review. The city manages eight portfolios to cover immediate, medium-term and long term expenses. The book value of the City’s investment portfolio as of June 31, 2024 is $971,627,429.
I will continue to bring up one of my pet peeves until they are gone. I am not a fan of the 3D pie charts in the presentation as they provide a misleading interpretation of the data with the smaller slices of pie in the rear appearing to be much smaller in comparison to the larger slice at the front.
3. Parking Restrictions on Patricia Drive
Parking along a portion of Patricia Lane between Stonehenge Drive and English Drive is obstructing visibility. This item will be brought back for consideration at the September 3, 2024 City Council Regular Meeting.
This item will extend parking restrictions further along Patricia Lane adding to the existing parking restrictions over the bridge over Rupards Branch Creek. Staff observed the area and determined that additional restrictions were necessary to improve safety.
(Screenshot from Google Streetview. Even without cars, the turn has a large blind spot around the corner.)
4. Tyler Technology Court Solution and Implementation Services
Council is asked to consider the transition to the Tyler Technology Municipal Justice platform to provide the City's Municipal Court solution. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the August 20, 2024 Regular Meeting.
Our current court management software is no longer supported by the vendor and does not have functionality modern platforms contain. The Tyler Technology’s Municipal Justice platform will combine three outdated systems into one integrated system that will allow for online access to court information, hearing dates and make payments online. Tyler Technology is based in Plano and is used by cities such as the City of Dallas.
Our current Municipal Judges have done a great job over the past several years to expeditiously resolve their dockets and collect fees. The addition of this software should make these processes easier for staff and those involved with the justice system.
5. Workday Financial Management Implementation Services
Council is asked to consider the approval of a contract for professional services from Guidehouse, Inc., for the implementation of Workday Financial Management Software. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the August 20, 2024 Regular Meeting.
After Accenture failed to meet their contract terms and was terminated, this item is to authorize another consultant Guidehouse, Inc. in the implementation of our Workday financial management software. The contract terms and fee are similar to our original contract with Accenture and since the funds were already allocated, it should not have an impact on our budget.
6. City of Garland Mission and Vision Statement
Staff and Dillion Morgan Consulting (DMC), have synthesized Council feedback from the June 29, 2024 City Council Workshop to propose refreshed mission and vision statements for the City of Garland. This briefing presents each proposal for Council consideration. Pending direction from Council, both guiding principles will be presented to Council for formal consideration at the September 3, 2024 Regular Meeting.
I just finished reading the management book Leaders Eat Last and in the opening chapters, company vision statements were discussed. The author argued that the best vision statements are statements that “we will never actually reach, but for which we would gladly die trying.” The vision statement must be something that we can imagine and then will be worthy of our time and energy. I believe this statement does just that.
After much thought and consideration, our new Garland vision statement is:
"Garland will be a model of an engaged and vibrant community that residents proudly call home."
I would like to see us remove the phrase “a model of” and simply read “Garland will be an engaged and vibrant community that residents proudly call home.” Why would we be a model of an engaged community when we can simply be an engaged community?
Our new proposed mission statement is:
"We serve to maintain public trust and grow a thriving Garland community, today and for the future."
Compare these new statements to our old vision and mission statements which were more wordy:
Vision statement
Garland’s vision is to be a progressive city working together to nurture and grow the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of our community.
Mission statement
We are committed to preserve public trust, deliver quality services, promote economic growth, protect our community and enhance the quality of life for the good of our city and our future.
I am interested to hear your thoughts on our proposed guiding principles.
Verbal Briefings
7. Downtown Market Analysis Report and Update on the Redevelopment of Several City-Owned Properties in the Downtown Historic Sub-district.
Staff will present findings from the Downtown Market Analysis to Council and share a timeline update on the redevelopment of several city-owned properties in the Downtown Historic Sub-district. This project was originally introduced to Council at the April 15, 2024 Work session.
The results of this survey are fascinating and provide insight into what kinds of businesses and restaurants respondents would like to see in Downtown Garland. Interestingly, 70% of respondents were female. Also, the most desired new restaurant was a breakfast/brunch eatery. That would be my wife’s number one choice as well, and it’s not just the mimosas that she loves.
Additionally there is a desire to have hobby shops, butcher shops and mercantile shops:
I encourage you to review the market study, and provide me your opinions on what you would like to see Downtown.
8. Gatewood Drainage Study Update
The Engineering Department is providing the City Council with an update on the results of the Gatewood Drainage Study.
One of the 2019 bond propositions that doesn’t get as much attention as the others is the Proposition C - Drainage and Flooding. That item included studies and improvements for Country Club Park Estates, Saturn Springs Estates and Montclair No. 2 and No. 3. We are still making progress with the engineering work continuing behind the scenes before any construction can happen.
The Gatewood Drainage Study is not a bond project, but was completed using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds the city received during COVID-19. Staff will present the results of this study with proposed improvements costing $13.3 million to address the issues in the Greenbrook and Gatewood areas.
9. Council Update on Truck Priority Project
Staff will provide an update on a pilot project to provide priority to large trucks to determine whether this technology will reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and reduce delays at intersections for large trucks.
Through a partnership with NCTCOG (North Central Texas Council of Governments), we are looking to run a pilot project to adjust signal timing to allow trucks in our industrial areas to spend less time stopping and starting at traffic lights.
Truckers will also have an app they will be able to run in their cabs called GLOSA, or Green Light Optimization Speed Advisory, which will advise them to drive within a certain speed range to optimize their arrival at signals during the green cycle so they don’t have to stop. I just wish I had this during my morning commute as well!
10. 2025 Bond Study Committee Report
Staff and Kimley-Horn will share regular updates with City Council regarding discussions and progress of the 2025 Bond Study Committee.
This will be the first of many Bond Study Committee updates over the next few months. I am excited to have this committee finally kicked off, and I know they will carefully consider all options for what to include in future bond proposals we hope to take to the voters in May 2025.
11. Continue Council discussions on the 2024-25 Proposed Budget
Staff presentation(s) related to the Proposed Budget, if requested by members of the City Council in advance; Council discussion; and receive Council direction regarding the FY 2024-25 Proposed Budget.
Continuing our discussions from our Saturday special session this past weekend, we will continue to debate the FY2024-2025 Proposed Budget. This is the first time the proposed budget will top $1 billion in Garland’s history.
CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Terms are usually staggered whereby at least half of the membership has previous experience. Members are appointed based on qualifications.
12. Citywide Reappointment
Tony Torres - Garland Housing Finance Corporation
13. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Margaret Lucht
Margaret Bice - Board of Adjustment
Reta Day - Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Kristin Lucido - Library Board
Jason Aguirre - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Gayle Owens - Property Standards Board
Gail Belton - Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Cary Hodson - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board Mehwish Khanum - Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
14. Councilmember Jeff Bass
James VanDyke - Board of Adjustment
James Dobbins - Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Merrill Balanciere - Community Multicultural Commission
Beena Varnan - Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Sarah Montoya - Library Board
Nancy Janssen - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Scott Roberts - Plan Commission
Eric Scholl - Property Standards Board
Carol Cooper - Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
William Peace - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board Bill Swisher- Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Beena Varnan - Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Robert Shephey - Unified Building Standards Commission
15. Councilmember Kris Beard
Herman Puckett - Board of Adjustment
Maria Borrinaga - Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Isaac Abu - Community Multicultural Commission
Felecia Fuller - Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Michael Degen - Library Board
Tamara Aquino - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Julius Jenkins - Plan Commission
Justin Caraway - Property Standards Board
Amador Castro, Jr. - Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Dr. Mary Brumbach - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board John Ball - Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Robert Duckworth - Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Dwight Nichols - Unified Building Standards Commission
16. Councilmember B.J. Williams
Bruce Bishop - Board of Adjustment
Christina Segoviano - Environmental and Community Advisory Board CorSharra Prenell - Community Multicultural Commission
Blanca Sanchez - Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Gwendolyn Daniels - Library Board
Molly Bishop - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Georgie Cornelius - Plan Commission
Christine Lumpkin-Bell - Property Standards Board
Sal Liberto - Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Kim Thiehoff - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board Shibu Samuel - Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Arleen Macias - Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
James Hall, Jr. - Unified Building Standards Commission
17. Councilmember Carissa Dutton
Bruce Astin - Board of Adjustment
Jair Garrido - Community Multicultural Commission
Ed Markwardt - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
18. Councilmember Dylan Hedrick Susan Nye - Board of Adjustment
19. Councilmember Chris Ott
John McDonald - Board of Adjustment
Kymberlaine Banks - Community Multicultural Commission
Sharonda Green - Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Joseph Schroeder - Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board Jennifer Armon - Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
ANNOUNCE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A Councilmember, with a second by another member or the Mayor alone, may ask that an item be placed on a future agenda of the City Council or of a committee of the City Council. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.086, 551.087, 551.773 and 552.133 of the Texas Government Code.
20. The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to Section 551.071, 551.072, and 551.087, of the Texas Government Code to deliberate or discuss:
1. Attorney/client matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information related to Housing Finance Corporations and litigation related to the same (551.071).
2. Economic development matters related to commercial or financial information that the City has received from one or more business prospects that the City seeks to have locate in or near the territory of the City and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations, or to deliberate the offer of a financial or other incentive to a business prospect (551.087), including the possible purchase of real property located in the vicinity of South Garland Road and Interstate Highway 635 and State Hwy 190 and Holford Road (551.072), and attorney/client matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information related to the same (551.071).
NOTICE: The City Council may recess from the open session and convene in a closed executive session if the discussion of any of the listed agenda items concerns one or more of the following matters:
1. Pending/contemplated litigation, settlement offer(s), and matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information deemed confidential by Rule 1.05 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. Sec.
ADJOURN
With the Bond Study kicking off, I had to include a live version of the James Bond Theme Song played by the BBC Concert Orchestra. It is not often you see a Fender guitar played with an orchestra by a guy in a tuxedo.
Also, Goldeneye 007 was the best N64 game ever released. Just don’t use Oddjob in multiplayer mode.
Thanks for posting the results of the survey. Some very interesting ideas there and many that would benefit the city.
James Bond theme via orchestra was a nice touch too!
It would be nice if downtown had a restaurant that was a mix of both breakfast/brunch and farm to table. Dishes that uses a variety of locally sourced ingredients would be great.
For retail, I think the city would benefit from having all four retail options. ACH, Mercantile, and Vintage might benefit each other. Having hobbies can be beneficial in relieving all the stresses in life. Plus, aspiring artists can sell their artworks or decorations through those businesses which can really give Garland homes something unique to have.
Having a pharmacy or grocery store can help people better access healthy groceries and get their life-saving prescriptions.
I definitely would love to have a butcher shop open up over there in downtown. We need to have more independent butcher shops owned by Garland residents that serves other Garland residents. Walmart and Kroger steaks are okay but, I think Garland deserves great cuts of the best meats.
I hope Garland continues to improve for the benefit of everyone.