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
The City Council awarded the construction of the Community Center to Ratcliff Constructors on December 3, 2018, in the amount of $5,701,000.00. Ratcliff Constructors began site grading in January 2019 and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on January 26, 2019.
City staff and representatives from Ron Hobbs Architecture and Interior Design meet with Ratcliff Constructors bi-weekly to receive updates and discuss the progress of the construction of the Community Center. Ron Hobbs updated the Council on the project at the June 17, 2019, City Council Meeting. Ron Hobbs will continue to update the Council every three to four months, as scheduled, until the project is completed.
OVERVIEW
Architect Ron Hobbs will present to the City Council on the construction progress for the Sachse Community Center.
BACKGROUND
The City Hall rotunda is decorated with images depicting parts of Sachse's history. The City and the Sachse Historical Society wished to tell more of the stories that are depicted in the rotunda. Together, they developed the "History in the Rotunda" plaque, which provides greater detail on the photos that line the rotunda walls.
OVERVIEW
The Sachse Historical Society worked hard to provide the details corresponding to each photo. The rotunda includes the following images:
1. Wm. Sachse's first home;
2. Sachse’s Business District;
3. The Train Depot;
4. First Water Tower;
5. JK Sachse and wife Mollie Herring Sachse’s Home;
6. Iona Herring in front of the school;
7. Sachse’s Third City Hall.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Unveil the "History in the Rotunda" plaque with representatives from the Sachse Historical Society.
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.
Citizens who wish to speak may fill out the attached card and bring to the City Council meeting or email to the City Secretary prior to the meeting.
BACKGROUND
Minutes of the September 3, 2019, combined meeting.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the minutes of the September 3, 2019, combined meeting.
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 ordinances.
OVERVIEW
The only changes to the current Master Fee Schedule are related to library overdue items and waiving replacement cost of lost items prior to 2013. These changes were approved by City Council on September 3, 2019, and have been included in the proposed schedule; therefore, this action has been included as a consent agenda item. There are no other changes to the proposed schedule. Of note, there are no requested changes to water, sewer or refuse charges at this time, which typically occur annually.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule by amending library fees and providing an effective date.
BACKGROUND
Sachse purchases wholesale treated water from the North Texas Municipal Water District and supplies it to customers via the public water system. As part of being a public water provider, the City of Sachse is responsible for adopting a water conservation plan every five years in accordance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) requirements.
OVERVIEW
This item is to repeal Ordnance 3920 in its entirety and approve the North Texas Municipal Water District's 2019 Model Water Conservation Plan for the City of Sachse.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
As a public water system, the City of Sachse is required to adopt a Water Conservation Plan every five years in accordance with state law.
RECOMMENDATION
Repeal Ordinance 3920 in its entirety and approve an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 10 titled "Utilities" by amending Article 1 tilted "in general" by amending Section 10-7 titled "Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan" by renaming Section 10-7 "Water Conservation Plan" and by adopting the "2019 Water Conservation Plan for North Texas Municipal Water District Member Cities and Customers."
BACKGROUND
Staff received a citizen request from Bill Adams to name the community center the Michael J. Felix Community Center after the current Mayor of Sachse. The Park Board discussed this item at the August 8, 2019, and the September 12, 2019 meetings. At the latter meeting, with five Park Board members in attendance, the Park Board made a recommendation, with a 3-2 vote, that the City Council name the community center the Michael J. Felix Community Center.
RECOMMENDATION
According to the City of Sachse Naming of Public Facilities policy, if the Park Board approves the proposed name, the recommendation is forwarded by staff to the Sachse City Council with the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board. As stated previously, the Park Board recommended approval of the naming of the community center as the Michael J. Felix Community Center.
BACKGROUND
Sachse, along with 171 other Mid-Texas cities served by Atmos Energy Corporation, Mid-Tex Division ("the Company"), is a member of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ACSC"). In March 2018, the City Council approved a new Rate Review Mechanism ("RRM"). The RRM process allows a longer review period and includes other features favorable to the Cities. On or about April 1, 2019, the Company filed a rate request pursuant to the RRM Tariff adopted by ACSC members. The company claimed that its cost-of-service in a test year ending December 31, 2018, entitled it to additional system-wide revenues of $70 million. Application of the standards set forth in ACSC's RRM Tariff required Atmos to reduce its request to $54 million, $39.3 million of which would be applicable to ACSC members. ACSC's consultants concluded that the system-wide deficiency under the RRM regime should be $38.7 million instead of the claimed $54 million. The amount of the $38.7 million deficiency applicable to ACSC members would be $28.2 million. After the Company reviewed ACSC's consultants' report, ACSC's Executive Committee and the company negotiated a settlement whereby the Company would receive an increase of $35.4 million from ACSC Cities.
The Executive Committee recommends a settlement at this amount. The effective date for new rates is October 1, 2019. ACSC members should take action approving the Ordinance before the end of September.
OVERVIEW
The impact of the settlement on average residential rates is an increase of $2.05 on a monthly basis, or 3.7 percent. The increase for average commercial usage will be $6.18 or 2.31 percent.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
The governing body of a municipality has exclusive original jurisdiction over the rates, operations, and services of a gas utility within the municipality.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance approving a negotiated settlement between the Atmos Cities Steering Committee ("ACSC") and Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division regarding the companyis 2019 Rate Review Mechanism filings.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code, Section 6.03, the five directors of the Collin Central Appraisal District are to be appointed by the taxing units that participate in the District. Each taxing unit may nominate one to five board candidates. To be eligible to serve on the board, an individual must be a resident of the district, and must have resided in the district for at least two years immediately preceding the date they take office. If a taxing unit has zero votes to cast in the election, they are still entitled to nominate candidates for the Board. The City will receive notification in late September that provides the number of votes the City Council will be able to cast.
OVERVIEW
The City Council has the option to nominate an existing Board member(s) or an individual that meets the director qualifications. In 2017, the City Council nominated and voted for L. Wayne Mayo of Richardson. In 2015, the City Council did not nominate any candidates for the Board, however, voted for L. Wayne Mayo of Richardson. The nominating process deadline is October 14, 2019 with this item returning to the City Council in November to cast its official vote.
The current Board of Directors are:
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a resolution nominating candidate(s) for the Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) Board of Directors.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code, Section 6.03, requires that an election or appointment of members to the Board of Directors of an appraisal district be conducted in odd numbered years. The term of office for an elected or appointed member(s) is two years, beginning in even numbered years.
The Property Tax Code specifies the qualifications for membership to the Board of Directors which includes that the member must be a resident within the DCAD for at least two years, may be an elected official of an agency represented by the DCAD, cannot be an employee of any agency represented by the DCAD, cannot be related within the second degree by consanguinity or affinity, and cannot own property on which delinquent taxes have been owed to a taxing unit for more than 60 days. A member is considered ineligible if the individual has engaged in the business of appraising property for compensation for use in proceedings under this title or of representing property owners for compensation in proceedings under this title in the appraisal district at any time during the preceding five years.
Each of the incorporated cities and towns, except the City of Dallas, shall have the right to nominate by official resolution one (1) candidate as the fourth member to the Board. The said cities and towns shall, from among the nominations received, elect by a majority vote, with each city and town being entitled to one (1) vote, a member to the Board of Directors.
OVERVIEW
The City Council has the option to nominate an existing Board member(s) or an individual that meets the qualifications. In 2017, the City Council nominated and voted for Brett Franks of Sachse. In 2015, the City Council nominated Michael Hurtt for the Board. The nominating process deadline is October 15, 2019 with this item returning to the City Council in November to cast its official vote.
The current Board of Directors are:
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION
Consider approval of a resolution nominating candidate(s) for the Dallas Central Appraisal District (DCAD) Board of Directors.
BACKGROUND
The approved 2018-2019 budget included funding for several street maintenance projects with funding from multiple sources. The various asphalt projects and concrete projects were bid as a single project to achieve the most favorable unit pricing; however, the budgeted funding was not properly considered in allocating the purchase order to the correct fund. In addition, the projects bid included Tina Street, which had been budgeted but not completed in FY 2017-2018. The end result is that the completed projects in the Street Maintenance Tax Fund exceeded the current year budget and require an additional appropriation. Funding is available in that fund with no adverse effect on the completion of projects in the upcoming budget year, and all projects were qualified as SMT projects.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
According to Section 7.09 of the City Charter, "Under conditions which may arise and which could not reasonably have been foreseen in the normal process of planning the budget, the city council may, by a majority vote of the full membership, amend or change the budget to provide for any additional expense in which the general welfare of the citizenry is involved. These amendments shall be by ordinance, and shall become an attachment to the original budget."
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance of the City Council of Sachse, Texas ("City"), authorizing certain budget amendments pertaining to the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Budget; and providing an effective date.
BACKGROUND
The City of Sachse has entered into a development agreement with PMB Station Land, LP in support of development of a high-quality, mixed-use project within the City's corporate limits. According to the terms of the development agreement, the City has agreed to participate in limited shared funding for construction of roadway, drainage, water, and sewer infrastructure and improvements to Heritage Park. Proceeds from these Series 2019 Tax Notes will be used to finance Phase 1 of these project costs.
OVERVIEW
Tax Notes are limited to a seven-year amortization and may be paid off in a shorter time. Debt Service payments for principal and interest of the Series 2019 Tax Notes will be funded without increasing the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
According to Section 7.14 of the City Charter, the City shall have the right and power, except as prohibited by law or this Charter, to borrow money by whatever method it may deem to be in the public interest.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of City of Sachse, Texas Limited Tax Note, Series 2019; levying an annual ad valorem tax and providing for the security for and payment of said note; engaging bond consultants, including engaging bond counsel on a contingency fee basis; providing an effective date; and enacting other provisions relating to the subject.
BACKGROUND
In accordance with Section 7.15 of the City Charter, the City held a public hearing on the proposed budget of programs and services for the ensuing fiscal year on September 3, 2019. The required "Notice of Public Hearing" was published. In accordance with Section 7.02 of the City Charter, the City Council shall, prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year, adopt the budget by a favorable majority of the full membership of the City Council. Final adoption of the budget by the City shall constitute the official appropriations as proposed by teh City Manager for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020. Additionally, the General Fund budget of programs and services shall constitute the basis of the official levy of the property tax as the amount of tax to be assessed and collected for the corresponding tax year.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
This document sets the financial and operational direction of the City for the next year.
The proposed tax rate is $0.72 per $100 assessed value. The proposed 19-20 Budgeted Expenditures are as follows:
General Fund $19,563,143
Utility Fund 13,020,957
Debt Service Fund 4,816,070
Capital Projects Fund 2,466,108
Special Revenue Fund 47,000
Impact Fee Fund 1,810,108
Street Maintenance Tax Fund 305,000
Health Insurance Fund 1,624,280
Vehicle/Equipment Replacement Fund 424,054
Municipal Development District 80,000
Sachse Economic Development Corporation 808,350
Total $44,965,067
The total amount includes $6,880,498 in inter-fund transfers.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance approving and adopting the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020; providing that expenditures for said year shall be made in accordance with said budget; appropriating and setting aside the necessary funds out of the general and other revenues for said fiscal year for the maintenance and operation of the various departments and for various activities and improvements of the City; providing a repealing clause; providing a severability clause; and providing an effective date.
BACKGROUND
According to Texas Local Government Code Section 102.007, "Adoption of a budget that will require raising more revenue from property taxes than in the previous year requires a separate vote of the governing body to ratify the property tax increase reflected in the budget. A vote under this subsection is in addition to and separate from the vote to adopt the budget or a vote to set the tax rate required by Chapter 26, Tax Code, or other law.”
The proposed 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Budget calls for $1,032,966 more in property tax revenues than the previous year's budget.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
This action is a required step in adoption of the Budget and Tax Rate.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a motion to ratify the property tax increase in the budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
BACKGROUND
Two public hearings have been conducted on the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-2020 tax rate in "good faith" to comply with Chapter 26 of the State Property Tax Code. The public hearings were advertised and held on August 19 and September 3. The purpose of this agenda item is for City Council to consider adopting a Tax Rate Ordinance assessing a levy against all taxable properties in the City of Sachse for the purpose of raising revenue to provide payment of current operational expenses and current debt obligations. The tax rate is comprised of two components as follows:
FY 2018-2019 2019-2020
Debt Service (I&S) $0.194207 $0.194207
Maintenance & Operations (M&O) $0.525793 $0.525793
TOTAL $0.720000 $0.720000
The proposed tax rate exceeds the calculated effective tax rate for 2019 and requires specific language in the adoption of the rate which identifies the rate as an effective tax increase.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for the year 2019 (Fiscal Year 2019-2020) at a rate of $0.72 per one hundred dollars ($100) assessed valuation on all taxable property within the corporate limits of the City of Sachse as of January 1, 2019, to provide revenue for the payment of current expenses; providing for an interest and sinking fund for all outstanding debts of the City of Sachse; providing for due and delinquent dates together with penalties and interest; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an effective date.
BACKGROUND
The 2018-2019 Budget included defeasing approximately $1 million of principal of the outstanding Series 2009 General Obligation Refunding and Improvement Bonds. Fiscal Year 2018-2019 ending fund balance will include funds sufficient to redeem the aggregate principal amount of $1,010,000.
POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
Fund Balance in the Debt Service Fund is restricted to the purpose of payment of principal and interest on outstanding debt obligations.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an ordinance providing for the defeasance and redemption of a portion of the outstanding City of Sachse, Texas General Obligation Refunding and Improvement Bonds, Series 2009; and enacting other provisions relating to the subject.
No Action Taken.