May 16, 2017 City Council on 2017-05-16 5:30 PM

[PAUSE] Good evening everyone. Welcome to this meeting of the Dent on City Council, Tuesday, May 16th, 2017. It is 6.30. If you'll join with me and pledge allegiance to the Texas and the United States flag, stand with me if you 're able. Thank you. [PAUSE] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [PAUSE] I'll move on to our agenda. Items for individual consideration, and this is for recognizing the elections that we just had. Agenda item 2A is considered option of an ordinance canv assing the returns and declaring the results of the regular municipal election to elect four city council members to district one, two, three, and four of the city council of the city of Denton. Texas held in the city of Denton on May 6th, 2017, declaring that no candidate received the majority of votes cast for district three, and that a runoff election is ordered to be held on Saturday, June the 10th, 2017. I believe Madam City Secretary. Thank you, Mayor and Council. This is one of the few times I get to stand before you and do my show. So the ordinances that you have at your place are just a little bit different than the ones that you had in your packet. The county finished their early voting ballot board doing overseas ballots, provisional ballots, and so on. So there was just one vote difference. But for your ordinance canvassing the city council election , you had a blank in there on Friday. 8,227 ballots were cast. And the only change, it's in district three, and it was for Mr. Meltzer. He added one more vote for early voting. So your total there should say 715 instead of 714. So I'm going to read the total votes cast for the record for each candidate. So total votes cast in district one, Frances Hawes, 63, Ger ard Hutspeth, 513, Emily White, 308. For district two, Keely G. Briggs, 1,743. And for district three, Jason Cole, 543. Don Duff, 1,239. Paul Meltzer should say 1,100. That reflects that one extra ballot. For district four, John Ryan, 1,305. And for Amanda Service, 617. So according to the results in section three, you'll see that for district one, we're declaring that the candidate that received the most ballots was Gerard Hutspeth. For district two, Keely G. Briggs. And for district four, John Ryan. And in section four, it again states that there was no candidate that received a majority of the votes for district three. That you're ordering a runoff election to be held on June 10th, 2017. And that candidates in that district three runoff will be Don Duff and Paul Meltzer. And I stand for a motion and second. Chair will entertain a motion and a second. Yes. We'll remove approval of the ordinance as we've received corrections. Thank you, Madam Councilmember Gregory. Mayor Pro Tem. Second that motion. All right, I believe we need to have this vote by hand. Is that correct? Yes, we do. Give me one second. And this is both the vote for the canvassing of the general election, also the call for the special election. Yes. We have a motion and a second by Councilmember Gregory and a motion by Councilmember Gregory and a second by Mayor Pro Tem. The vote carries unanimously. Now we'll move on to agenda item two B, which is consider adoption of an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of a special election held in the city of Denton, Texas on May the 6th, 2017. For the purpose of authorizing the adoption of a ceiling or limitation on the city ad valorem tax levy of a person who is disabled and a person who is 65 years of age or older who makes application for and receives a homestead exemption and providing an effective date. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Again, the total votes cast, excuse me, total ballots cast, 2008,227. There are no changes in this ordinance from the ordinance that was in your packet on Friday. I will read the total votes cast regarding the proposition. Yes, 4,173. No, 3,951. So according to this, the proposition passed and upon a favorable motion second and vote, it will be approved. Council member Wasney. I vote and move for item two A or I 'm sorry, two B. All right. That's a motion of approval for item two B. Council member Hawkins. I second. Let's vote on the board, please. Motion carries seven zero. Agenda item C is oath of offices administered to newly elected council members. Mayor, before we start the oaths of office, I will be asking the newly elected council members to come up per district, but I will need you to first do the certificate of election and the council pin. So Mr. Hutsmith, if I could ask you to step up with your family if you like. I'll send them up there. Would you go up to the mayor and get your certificate of election? We're out of order. Whoa, little one. Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Gerard Huts mith, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of council member district one of the city of Denton, Texas, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution and laws of the United States and of this state and the charter and ordinances of the city. So help me God. Fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. I'll take your spot. Okay, Kiwi. I know you have family that don't want to come. There we go. All right, raise your right hand and repeat after me. Jennifer. Oh, I'm sorry. I'll take your picture off. Brandon will take a picture. Brandon. It's not a very good picture that way. Everybody's back. He's getting repositioned. So let's give him just a moment. Hazard pay. I'm sorry. I Keely G Briggs. I Keely G Briggs. Do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear. That I will faithfully execute the duties. That I will faithfully execute the duties. Of the office of city council member district two. Of the office of city council member district two. Of the city of Denton, Texas. Of the city of Denton, Texas. And will to the best of my ability. And will to the best of my ability. Preserve, protect and defend. Preserve, protect and defend. The constitution and laws. The constitution and laws. Of the United States and of this state. Of the United States and of this state. And the charter and ordinances of this city. And the charter and ordinances of this city. So help me God. So help me God. Fantastic. [ Applause ] >> Oh, oh, oh. Come around, come around. >> You have to shake everybody's -- [ Laughter ] >> No, that's your lap. No, right here. [ Laughter ] Congratulations. [ Inaudible ] >> Welcome back. >> Thank you everybody. [ Inaudible ] >> Welcome to your -- thank you. [ Inaudible ] >> Raise your right hand and repeat after me. I John Ryan do solemnly swear. >> I John Ryan do solemnly swear. >> That I will faithfully execute the duties. >> That I will faithfully execute the duties. >> Of the office of city council member district four. >> Of the office of city council member district four. >> Of the city of Denton, Texas. >> Of the city of Denton, Texas. >> And will to the best of my ability. >> And will to the best of my ability. >> Preserve, protect and defend. >> Preserve, protect and defend. >> The constitution and laws. >> The constitution and laws. >> Of the United States and of this state. >> Of the United States and of this state. >> And the charter and ordinances of this city. >> And the charter and ordinances of this city. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Great. [ Applause ] [ Background noise ] >> Can't get out of here fast enough. [ Background noise ] >> All right. Thank you. We'll move on to our next agenda item which is agenda item D, election of Mayor Pro Tem. Council, comments, nominations? Well, it says Kevin Roden but it's not Kevin Roden. Council Member Hudspeth. >> What an honor. No, so yeah, I would move that we-- or pardon me. I would nominate Sarah McGarry for Mayor Pro Tem position. >> Okay. All right. All right. Any other questions or nominations at this time? Well, it-- >> Yes, Council Member Briggs. >> It says on here that A, we should-- we could determine if we want to do this at the meeting first and then if we do want nominations then we will take them. Is that the order that we should do this or-- >> Oh, I was just-- I was looking at the agenda. So, I mean, if there's some discussion, we do have a nomination on the floor. >> Okay. >> So is there discussion? I see Council Member Ryan, so I wanted to-- Council Member Briggs. >> Okay. >> Any other comments or-- >> Well, I was just looking at the meeting procedures for the night. So-- but I will second that nomination if that's the way that we want to do it for sure. >> All right. Any other discussion? Yeah, basically that's why I asked for-- if there was any comments or discussions before that, if there was any concern about that or had any other ideas. Okay, so we have a nomination on the floor for Mayor Pro Tem of Council Member Begarry. We have had a motion, a nomination put forth and then a seconded by Council Member Briggs. So let's vote on the board please. No? By hand? Okay, all in favor, please raise your right hand. All right, passes unanimously. Congratulations Mayor Pro Tem Begarry. [ Applause ] All right, I'll come down for some resolutions of appreciation for the outgoing council members. [ Inaudible Remarks ] Resolution and appreciation of Kathleen Wozni. Whereas Kathleen Wozni has served as City Council Member District 3 of the City of Denton from May 2015 to May 2017. And whereas the City of Denton has been extremely fortunate in having enjoyed the dedicated and outstanding contributions of Kathleen Wozni. We're saying your name when I'm standing right here. So I'm going to read the resolution. Kathleen Wozni and her efforts to make Denton a better city . And whereas Kathleen Wozni among her many contributions to the community has served on the Council Airport Committee, the Council Historic Landmark Committee, Development Code Review Committee, Council Ethics Committee, and the Council Employment Employee Benefits Committee. And whereas Kathleen Wozni always served above and beyond the efficient discharge of her duties in promoting the welfare and the prosperity of the city. And has earned the full respect of her fellow council members, colleagues, and citizens of Denton. And the loss of her services will be keenly felt. Now therefore, the Council of the City of Denton hereby resol ves that the sincere and warm appreciation of Kathleen Wozni felt by the citizens and staff of the City of Denton be formally conveyed to her in a permanent manner by reading this resolution into the official minutes of the City of Denton City Council Meeting, Texas. Excuse me. Official minutes of the City of -- somebody wrote the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas and forward her a true copy. And be it further resolved that the City of Denton does hereby officially and sincerely extend thanks to the honorable Kathleen Wozni for her successful career as Council Member District 3 of the City of Denton. Congratulations. Oh, yeah, we have a motion and a second. Yes. Don't go yet, Kathleen. We have a motion and a second. Second. All in favor, please signify by raising your right hand. Unanimous. Thank you. We have a great -- I'm jealous. I'm jealous. I didn't get this when I -- I mean, yeah, this is a very nice, beautiful -- yes. So congratulations again. Thank you. Thank you. You bet. Council Member -- well, sorry, Joey Hawkins. Almost had him back on the Council. Oh, of course. Of course. That's an understatement. Resolution and appreciation of Joey Hawkins. Whereas, Joey Hawkins has served as City Council Member District 4 of the City of Denton from May 2013 to May 2017. And whereas the City of Denton has been extremely fortunate in having enjoyed the dedicated and outstanding contributions of Joey Hawkins and his efforts to make Dent on a better city. And whereas Joey Hawkins, among his many contributions to the community, has served on the Council Airport Committee, the Audit Finance Committee, Hotel Occupancy Tax Committee, Convention and Visitors Bureau City Representative, Committee on the Environment, and the Property Maintenance Code Committee. And whereas Joey Hawkins always served above and beyond the efficient discharge of his duties in promoting the welfare and prosperity of the city and has earned the full respect of his fellow Council Members, colleagues, and citizens of Denton. And the loss of his services will be keenly felt. Now, therefore, the Council of the City of Denton hereby resolves that the sincere and warm appreciation of Joey Haw kins felt by the citizens and the staff of the City of Dent on be formally conveyed to him in a permanent manner by reading this resolution into the official minutes of the City Council of the City of Denton, Texas. And forward him a true copy. And be it further resolved that the City of Denton does hereby officially and sincerely extend its thanks to the honorable Joey Hawkins for his successful career as Council member District 4 of the City of Denton. Congratulations, you guys. We got a vote on it. We got a vote on it. I don't know why I forget that. Moved? Second. Second. All in favor signify by raising your right hand. Okay. Unanimous. All right. There you go. Thank you. You're going to say a couple words? Yes. If you want to say, I'll give you. Okay. Well, I just wanted to thank everybody. And the reason I wanted to bring Amy up here is anybody who sat or back here or been an elected official knows you just don't do this on your own. You have family members. You have your mom who babysits. You have your wife who every time I'm here at work session for a 12-hour meeting, she's doing everything for the kids. And I just publicly just want to say how grateful I am for four years of that. And I just love you so much. And really thank you very, very much. So I. Here's your box. Thank you very much. So you won't break it. Mr. Road. Resolution and appreciation of Kevin Road. Hello, Kevin. Whereas Kevin Rodin has served on city count as a city council member, district one of the city of Denton from May 2011 to May 2017 and as mayor pro tem from May 2016 to May 2017. The city of Denton has been extremely fortunate in having enjoyed the dedicated and outstanding contributions of Kevin Rodin and his effort to make Denton a better city. This is a long list. And whereas Kevin, among his many contributions to the community, the community has served on the council agenda committee, audit finance committee, council ethics committee, council mobility committee, convention and visitors bureau city representative, council committee, event chair committee, council historic landmark committee, the downtown TIF reinvestment zone number one, the. The regional transportation council, the Dallas regional mobility coalition coalition council appointee performance review committee, community justice committee, committee on committee on citizen engagement, council committee on the environment. And lastly, the property maintenance code committee. You've been a you've been a busy man. Thank you so much for that. Whereas Kevin Rodin always served above and beyond the efficient discharge of his duties and promoting the welfare and prosperity of the city and has earned the full respect of his fellow council members, colleagues and citizens of Denton. The loss of his services will be keenly felt. Now, therefore, the Council of the City of Denton hereby resol ves that the sincere warm and appreciation of Kevin Rodin felt by the citizens and staff of the city of Denton be formally conveyed to him in a permanent manner by reading this resolution into the official minutes of the city council of the city of Denton, Texas and forward to Kevin Rodin, a true copy and be it further resolved that the city of Denton does hereby officially and sincerely extend its thanks to the honorable Kevin Rodin for his success. For his successful career as council member, district one of the city of Denton. Thank you so much, Kevin. We have a motion to second all in favor signify by raising your right hand. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Well, I said my piece in the earlier session, so I gave my thanks, but I didn't have the gifts there. So first goes to my successor and you're going to be great, Gerard. This is for you and your family because your family needs a lot of attention during these next couple years. But congratulations. Wishing you all the best. And then, of course, to my family, my wife already told you guys how much I love her and how much I appreciate her and the kids. But I did get them a little something. So, Emily, here is a little bouquet for you. And little Pearl girl. This is a bouquet for my little princess. And Rosemary Louise. This is from my other princess. And for the king of the house, you don't want flowers, but you want candy. So I got that for you. So thank you very much, everyone. Thank you. Before we adjourn, I just wanted to give any council members if they had any other words that they'd like to share about some colleagues. If not, that's OK. But I did want to extend that invitation. Yes. Mayor Pro Tem. Oh, yeah. Well, I'll just go down the line. First, I'm very sad about Councilmember Hawkins leaving because now no one will have good jokes on this council. Looking at you, Councilmember Gregory, not just that. I really do appreciate you. Joy's right. The honorable Joy's right. We've gotten to know each other. And in particular, I think you gave me some guidance and some ways that have changed my life dramatically. So I very much appreciate that. Mayor Pro Tem, former Mayor Pro Tem, I'm going to look forward to arguing with you soon . Somewhere, somehow. I know we'll get into an argument. I'm looking forward to it. I think Mayor Pro Tem, council member, council member wrote in formerly. He has a passion for the city that is really unmatched by a lot of people. The level of energy that he brings to ideas about innovation in the city. It's really something that I've actually drawn from. And I'm saying it publicly now. So who am I missing? Kathleen's still here. So should I wait until she leaves? Well, Kathleen, I get a whole nother month with you. But Kathleen's been like a political fairy godmother to me. I think everybody should know that. She's been really wonderful to me. Not just this past year, but before that as well. So she's going to be sorely missed. I'm very happy that I get to spend another month with her. Yeah. Council member Briggs. I'm going to wait on my comments for council member Wasney until till then. But I will say ex-mayor Pro Tem, Roden, I want to thank you for introducing me as well as many others to local government. It was because of you and your drive for citizen engagement that led me here to this seat. So I want to appreciate that from you and want to thank you and wish you well on your journey, on your next journey. Hawkins, Joey Hawkins. So we didn't get off on the right foot. That's no secret. Everybody knows that. But I'm really glad that neither of us held on to any of those negative feelings and we got past that. And I've really enjoyed sitting next to you these past two years. Thank you for all the laughter and sometimes asking the questions that I knew that I needed to ask. I'm happy that you get to spend more time with Amy and your family and wish you well. Thank you. Kathleen, we get another month together. That's great. And when you go to Austin and you tell them that you were on the city council in Denton, they will probably react to you like they have done to me when I've been down in Austin and talked to council members. And I say, I'm on the city council in Denton and the council members there will say, oh, Denton. And I say, yeah , we're the town you once you thought you once were. So so you can go down there and give them lots of advice and get them straightened out, too. But look forward to another month with you. Joey, how great to have you here. Too bad that the rest of you all didn't hear some of the side comments that I got to hear. They were they were always great. Your passion for the city, your integrity is unsurpassed. It's been an honor to work with you. Kevin, I remember before you got on council and and you were just an active citizen out there giving us a hard time . I remember meeting with you at coffee and saying, so when are you going to run? And sure enough, you did fairly soon thereafter. What what what a pleasure to work with you and the the the thoughtful point of view that you've always had the being able to go really big in your picture of things and then get down to the minute details. I started thinking about all of the traits that that are good about you. And I realized, no, those are really Emily 's traits. So so you did a good job of marrying so that you could some of her good things could rub off on you. But a pleasure to work. It's just it's a joy to work with everybody on this council, folks that you disagree with, but you can have have a you're passionate and you can still work together and and work in a civil way. It's a it's a it's really good to do. Try it someday. Yes, Kelly. To Joe and to Kevin. We all worked hard. It's a sacrifice to be a public servant. It's hard work. It's time and it's time away from the people that you love. And you both have young families. So I'm thrilled for you that your home with your families now. And I'm excited to be able to be with my children and grandchildren. But I salute you because I salute your service. It's hard work up here. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. You know, the long hours that you spend doing all those other things to do it well, it's time consuming and it's hard work. So to joy and Kevin, I salute you. It was an honor and a privilege to serve with you. And I know that I've made friends that I can reach out till I'm even older than I am now and say, hey, it's Kathleen. So thank you for your service. I appreciate you. Anybody else? I'll wrap it up. Anybody else? Well, Kathleen got another month with you. But again, thank you so much for your service and just the many years that I've known you outside even counsel. So thank you so much. It's been a lot to me. I remember when you brought over your famous chicken pot pie when I was sick and I still make that recipe today. So thank you. That's a great gesture of love. And I really did appreciate it then and still do appreciate it. Councilmember Hawkins and Councilmember Rodin, I think we can still call you that. I know people still call judges, judges and governors and presidents. So I'm going to still call you. Thank you again for your service and for what you brought to this council. You brought your ideas. You brought your passion and your compassion and just making this city a better place. It's better off since you've been here. And I failed to mention in the work session, Councilmember Briggs' election. It's really easy to forget when somebody is running unopp osed. But I want to tell you, that's quite a feat. So congratulate you on that. I think that means I know I did last year. I think it means people really think you're doing a good job. And so thank you. I'm glad that you're returning and for what you bring to the council and for your just tremendously large heart and your tenacity and your persistence on issues. So thank you very much. And again, congratulations to Councilmember Hutzpah and Councilmember Ryan. Look forward to working with you guys in the future as we continue to tackle the issues that really are presented in this very fast growing city. So thank you very much. All right. I see no other hands or comments wishing to be made. So it is now 7.05. We will stand adjourned.