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

In May 2021, members of the Garland Independent School District (GISD) Board of Trustees reached out to the Cities of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse, in hopes of creating a joint coalition between City and district leadership to improve communication and collaboration. On Tuesday, May 25, the GISD Board of Trustess unanimously approved a resolution formally completing the first step in the process to work towards building a long-standing coalition with the tri-cities to streamline communications and information exchange, share district initiatives, and work with City leadership to eliminate barriers adversely impacting successful student outcomes. This resolution details GISD’s commitment to initiate dialogue with each Mayor, City Manager or other City designees, GISD Board of Trustees President, District Affairs Committee Chairperson, and the GISD Superintendent.

OVERVIEW

GISD is seeking a committed coalition with the tri-cities to create open and ongoing communication and collaboration, shared advocacy, and joint planning as appropriate between all parties.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations for this item. 

RECOMMENDATION

Review the Garland Independent School District resolution and provide feedback on possible City participation in a coalition between the Garland Independent School District, Rowlett, Garland, and Sachse.

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 a form or email to the Executive Assistant to the City Manager prior to the meeting.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve canceling the October 4, 2021, City Council combined meeting.

BACKGROUND

Minutes of the September 7, 2021, combined meeting.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

There are no policy considerations affiliated with this item.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve the minutes of the September 7, 2021, combined meeting.

BACKGROUND

SH 78 is a primary arterial roadway that bisects the City of Sachse and features a high concentration of the city's commercially developed property. As the city gets closer to build-out, the amount of undeveloped property opportunities decrease, while the price increases. Additionally, within the SH 78 corridor is Old Town, recognized as the “Heart of Sachse”, and identified as a catalytic area in the adopted comprehensive plan. The City recognizes an opportunity to create a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) to guide future development in the area which reflects the City's Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance. Creating a new TIRZ district will promote future investment and improvements within the boundary that will lead to a more economically resilient community.   

The City of Sachse currently has two active TIRZ districts; TIRZ #1 and TIRZ #2. Both of these existing TIRZ districts are located near the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). TIRZ #1 was established in 2003 and is due to expire in 2028. TIRZ #2 was established in 2018 and is due to expire in 2038.

Only a City or County may initiate a TIRZ. The governing body of a city must create a TIRZ. Once a City begins the process of establishing a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, other taxing units may consider participating in the zone.

A TIRZ project jump starts development to encourage growth and, ultimately, generate new tax revenue. The benefits of a TIRZ include:

• building needed public infrastructure in areas lacking adequate development to attract businesses;
• encouraging development, thereby increasing property values and long-term property tax collections; and
• reducing the cost of private development by providing reimbursement for eligible public improvements.

OVERVIEW

During the September 6, 2021, meeting, the City Council received a presentation from Trent Petty with Petty & Associates regarding the possible creation of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. Three. City Council directed the City Manager to bring forward a resolution at the September 20, 2021, meeting, calling for a public hearing to be held on the October 18, 2021, meeting. The original boundaries of the proposed TIRZ No. Three have been expanded to fully include open space at the northern limits of the city that was previously cut-off. 

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones are one of many economic development tools available to cities and counties. These zones allow cities to use increased revenues captured, because of the incremental value-added as a result of the development, to reimburse developers for making such improvements. 

RECOMMENDATION

Approve a resolution and call a Public Hearing for the Regular City Council Meeting on October 18, 2021, for the creation of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. Three under Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code for approximately 799.31 acres of land generally located along State Highway (SH) 78, within the City of Sachse, in both Dallas County, Texas and Collin County, Texas. 

BACKGROUND

The City of Sachse approved funding in the proposed FY2021-2022 budget to complete the remaining extension of Hudson Drive. The roadway was constructed as part of previous development projects, however the portion adjacent to the City property remains unconstructed.

OVERVIEW

This design project includes the extension of approximately 1,500 linear feet of Hudson Drive's eastbound lanes starting at the western edge of Heritage Park to the existing box culvert under Hudson Drive. The extension will consist of a new 23-foot wide concrete section along with additional sidewalk and storm sewer. This extension will allow for better circulation of peak hour traffic from the school as well as help address increased traffic due to recent development in the area.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

This project is included in the City of Sachse Capital Improvement Plan, with funds transferred from the Roadway Impact Fee Fund. The City Council approved this project as part of the budget process. Because this item is affiliated with the FY 2021-2022 budget, work cannot begin until October 1, 2021.

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for professional services for the 2021 Hudson Drive Extension Project Design between the City of Sachse and Garver, LLC. in the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Eighty-Seven Dollars and Zero Cents ($199,787.00).

BACKGROUND

The digital infrastructure for the Sachse Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has reached the end of its useful life. The technology serving this room was installed when the building was constructed, and still operates on the outdated analog technology platform, causing technical difficulties. Visionality-DTC (Visionality), the audio-visual consultant for City Hall and the Community Center, has made temporary patches to the room to allow it to function at a basic capacity for the short-term.

Given the significance of this room including the role it plays in emergency response and daily trainings for staff, it is recommended to fully upgrade the technology in the EOC, and replace the analog platform with a digital platform. Visionality has submitted a bid to re-wire the room and upgrade the technology in the space for $69,767.58. Staff has included a 10% contingency on this item, making the total approval amount not-to-exceed $76,744.34.

OVERVIEW

Visionality is a registered vendor with the “The Interlocal Purchasing System” (TIPS). TIPS has negotiated and entered into an agreement with Visionality for the purchase and installation of audio-visual equipment and, by utilizing TIPS contract #200904, the City has met all required competitive bidding requirements.

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

This item will be funded through remaining CARES Act Funds and will not have an impact on the General Fund.

RECOMMENDATION

Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the terms and conditions of an agreement, by and between the City of Sachse and Visionality-Designs That Compute (DTC) for the purchase and installation of audio-visual equipment for the Sachse Emergency Operations Center/training room in an amount not to exceed Seventy-Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($76,744.34).

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 and 2019, the City Council nominated and voted for Brett Franks of Sachse.  The nominating process deadline is October 15, 2021, with this item returning to the City Council by December 16 to cast its official vote.

The current Board of Directors are:

• John F. Warren, Chairman - County of Dallas
• John Threadgill, Vice Chairman - City of Dallas
• Cassandra Phillips, Director - Suburban School Districts
• Michael Hurtt, Secretary - Suburban Cities
• Dr. Edwin Flores, Director - Dallas ISD
• John R. Ames, Ex-Officio - Legislature Appointed County Tax Collector

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

In late 2020, staff began obtaining quotes for demolishing structures in the Fifth Street District. Upon reinitiating this project, it was determined that the structures all required asbestos surveys prior to demolition in order to be compliant with State and Federal regulations. The asbestos surveys were completed, asbestos was detected, and these structures must now be abated. Following the asbestos abatement, the buildings can be demolished. 

This item was considered by the Sachse Economic Development Corporation (EDC) at its September 16, 2021, meeting. During this meeting, the Sachse EDC authorized staff to proceed with the abatement plan for these properties. 

OVERVIEW

In order to catalyze the development potential of the EDC-owned properties in the Fifth Street District, staff is proposing a plan to abate the existing structures on site. The purpose of this item is to present the recommendation from City staff and the Economic Development Corporation for selecting vendors for asbestos abatement, notification, air-monitoring, demolition, reporting, and any other incidental costs associated with this work.

The listed dollar amount includes a 15% contingency for any unforseen items related to the abatement of these properties. 

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

The Sachse Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit corporation committed to improving the economic environment of Sachse. As a Type B Economic Development Corporation the Sachse EDC may promote and develop new and expanded business enterprises that create or retain primary jobs, and may fund demolition of existing structures. 

RECOMMENDATION

Authorize the City Manager as the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation to negotiate and execute an agreement for professional services with HP EnviroVision and AISM to perform the necessary asbestos abatement, notification, air-monitoring, demolition, reporting, and any other incidental costs associated with this work for the EDC-owned properties in the Fifth Street District to be paid from the EDC fund balance for an amount not to exceed One-Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($170,000.00)