The Mayor and Sachse City Council request that all cell phones be turned off or set to vibrate. Members of the audience are requested to step outside the Council Chambers to respond or to conduct a phone conversation.

BACKGROUND

Discuss and provide feedback on proposed revisions to Chapter 3 (Building Regulations), Section 10 (Signs) of the Code of Ordinances.

OVERVIEW

• The 2017 Comprehensive Plan identified the Sign Code as an important ordinance to update
• Signs play a critical role in the beautification and performance of a corridor, or conversely, in visual clutter along a corridor
• Emerging technology, market shifts, and lessons learned around the region offer opportunity for improvement
• The maintenance of existing ordinances is considered routine in order to maintain a healthy and functioning regulatory framework

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

The following items are proposed for discussion with the City Council:

• • Setbacks
  • Monument sign height
  • Masonry border on monument signs
  • Multi-tenant sign recommendations
  • Grand opening regulations
  • Banners and inflatables
  • Procedures (variances, text amendments)

RECOMMENDATION

Discuss and provide feedback to staff.

Please note: These items are for discussion purposes only and no City Council action will be taken. The workshop session is for City Council and staff discussion. Citizen input is not permitted on this agenda.

The Mayor and Sachse City Council request that all cell phones be turned off or set to vibrate. Members of the audience are requested to step outside the Council Chambers to respond or to conduct a phone conversation.

BACKGROUND

Minutes of the August 6, 2018 workshop meeting.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations with this item.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the minutes of the August 6, 2018 workshop meeting.

BACKGROUND

Minutes of the August 6, 2018 regular meeting.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations with this item.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the minutes of the August 6, 2018 regular meeting.

The public is invited at this time to address the Council. The Mayor will ask you to come to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. If your remarks pertain to a specific agenda item, please hold them until that item, at which time the Mayor may solicit your comments. Time limit is 3 minutes per speaker. The City Council is prohibited by state law from discussing any item not posted on the agenda according to the Texas Open Meetings Act, but may take them under advisement. Issues raised may be referred to City Staff for research and possible future action.

BACKGROUND

This is the first of two mandated public hearings on the tax rate when the proposed tax rate exceeds the Effective Tax Rate (ETR).  The second public hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2018.  On August 6, 2018, the City Council approved a motion to place on the September 17, 2018, City Council agenda an action item to adopt a tax rate greater than the ETR of 0.705010 per $100 of assessed value.

The ETR is the tax rate that will generate approximately the same amount of tax revenue as the prior year excluding tax revenue to be raised from new property added to the tax roll this year.  The proposed tax rate of 0.720000 is 2.1% higher than the ETR.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

If a taxing unit's proposed tax rate is higher than the lower of the ETR or Rollback Tax Rate, whichever is lower, the City Council must hold two public hearings in compliance with Chapter 26 of the Property Tax Code.

RECOMMENDATION

Conduct the first public hearing on the proposed tax rate for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

The public is invited at this time to address the Council. The Mayor will ask you to come to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. 

BACKGROUND

Utility billing fees and procedures should be reviewed on a regular basis to remain consistent with the current economic climate and best practices in order to recover the cost of providing water and sewer services to the City.

OVERVIEW

Below is a listing of proposed changes:

1. Replace various methods of adjustment application presentment with department. Define source for water consumption analysis. Section 10-2, A (3).
2. Replace various methods of adjustment application presentment with department. Section 10-3, D (2).
3. Define source for water consumption analysis. Section 10-3, D (3).
4. Replace prior year consumption with current active customers’ Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) analysis. Section 10-3, D (4).
5. Replace various methods of adjustment application presentment with department. Section 10-3, D (5).
6. Clarify questions of a reading to expand beyond re-read to on-site review. Section 10-3, E (2)
7. Clarify fire hydrant meter application with public works. Section 10-3, G (1)
8. Layout change. Section 10-6, B.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Proposed changes will clarify billing procedures to include AMI analysis.

RECOMMENDATION

Discuss and provide feedback to staff regarding an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10, "Utilities," by amending Section 2 "Sewer Service Fees" and Section 3 "Water and Sewer Service Billing Procedures" to provide for service billing policies and procedures.

BACKGROUND

The Master Fee Schedule is a convenient tool for citizens and customers to use to acquaint themselves with various charges for City services. The schedule can be updated periodically for necessary changes without amending the associated Ordinance.

The Library Board approved 3D printing fees August 17, 2018.  The Water System Fees under Development Services are being amended due to new meter infrastructure. The installation of meters 3" and above will be performed internally by Public Works staff. The annual requested rate change from Republic Services (allowable per the contract) for refuse services is included in the proposed fee schedule, so no separate action will be required for that change. The proposed fee schedule also includes revised water and wastewater rates that were approved by City Council in August 2014. This is the fifth and final approved annual revisions to the utility fee structure.

OVERVIEW

The Master Fee Schedule amendments are considered annually.  The fees, as outlined, provide the basis for revenue assumptions provided in the Proposed Budget for 2018-2019.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.

RECOMMENDATION

Discuss and provide feedback regarding the Master Fee Schedule by amending health permits; printing/copying charges in library;new home construction/remodel/addition; general contractor registration;commercial screening wall; permanent sign permits; preliminary plat application fees; three inch and above meter installation performed internally; meter supply costs; refuse service fees; water and wastewater rates; obstruction charge, usage reports performed internally, and 5/8" meter deposits.

Conduct Executive Session and take any action necessary as a result.