2018_03.19_CC_Minutesic
KENNEDALE
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KENNEDALE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING 1 March 19, 2018
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 405 MUNICIPAL DRIVE
WORK SESSION - 5:30 PM 1 REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Brian Johnson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
II. WORK SESSION
A. Presentation of the FY2017 annual audit — Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Paula Lowe, a partner in the Governmental Audit Division at Pattillo, Brown & Hill outlined
the external audit process, the results of the audit, and some of the financial highlights of the
CAFR. She stated, that the City continues to receive a clean /unmodified opinion — the
highest opinion, and that the accompanying financial statements were audited in
accordance with both governmental and generally accepted auditing standards. She added
that the General Fund, when looking at the snapshot as of September 30, 2017, had
approximately four months of operating expenses in reserve — in keeping with industry best
practices (of three months). She stated that this was the first year that the Stormwater
Drainage Fund was presented separately from the Water Fund, and that, beginning on page
56, there was ten -year trend information. She concluded by stating that staff was able to
answer all questions asked by the auditors and made requested information available.
In response to Councilmember Sandra Lee's question, Lowe stated that the auditors go
line -by -line to ensure that bank reconciliations balance and that expenditure classifications
are properly applied. Councilmember Rockie Gilley requested that Finance Director Brady
Olsen (who was not present at the meeting) provide Council with further explanation of the
$500,000 adjustment to the Stormwater balance, noted in the staff report as resulting from
an accounting adjustment in which Construction in Progress assets would no longer be
included in the carry -over balance. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin question about
the Unassigned Fund Balance, Lowe responded that those funds were available to be spent
at Council's discretion.
B. Discussion of seeking an RFP to conduct another Comprehensive Audit of all City Funds
Councilmember Sandra Lee stated that she was, in fact, proposing a forensic audit because
she had concerns about the figures in the EDC's reports to the State Comptroller not
matching the numbers in the EDC audit. City Manager George Campbell stated that the
Comptroller numbers were typically submitted by the Finance Director, and that he would
like for staff to have time to understand Council's concerns and to research the situation
before engaging a firm for additional auditing. Mayor Pro Tem Joplin proposed that this item
be carried forward to the Work Session of the April Regular Meeting for further discussion.
405 Municipal Drive, Kennedale, TX 76060 1 Telephone: 817 -985 -2100 1 Fax: 817- 478 -7169
C. Discussion of proposed capital improvement projects and related Certificate of Obligation
(CO) issuance
City Manager George Campbell stated that the projects listed in the staff report are those
that were presented during FY18 Budget discussions. He added that this debt had not yet
been issued and, therefore, none of the related projects had been undertaken. He asked for
Council's direction on issuance of the debt, noting that it might be premature to begin some
of the listed projects, in light of the ongoing discussions with the City of Arlington regarding
the water and wastewater system. He also noted that, during budget discussions, he sensed
hesitance on the part of Council to issue this debt, but that it was his understanding that any
project begun during the next three fiscal years could be financed with this CO. There was
some discussion about processes for informing residents about the potential bond issuance
as well as the timing of projects, including the repair or replacement of wastewater lines.
City Manager Campbell stated that staff would prepare and present an updated project list.
D. Discuss scheduling of monthly City Council Regular Meetings and Work Sessions
Mayor Brian Johnson stated that there had been some discussion about moving Regular
Meetings to Thursdays, while still receiving the packet on Friday, giving Council more time
to evaluate the packet and submit questions to staff. Councilmember Turner suggested that
Council wait until after the May election to make this decision, as there would be new
Councilmembers. Mayor Pro Tem Joplin asked if paper copies of the packet could be
delivered by Police officers. City Manager Campbell noted that part of the intention of
budgeting for iPads was to try to move towards a paperless operation. Council came to a
consensus to postpone any decision on this item until new Councilmembers were seated,
and City Manager Campbell requested that Council try to submit questions to staff
beforehand so that department heads could be more fully prepared to answer questions.
E. Discussion of potential amendments to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Bylaws
Councilmember Lee stated that she believed that Councilmembers should be allowed to
attend EDC Executive Sessions, but that such requests has been denied by EDC Board
President Robert Mundy. City Manager Campbell stated that he understood the City
Attorney's opinion to be that members of Council could attend advisory board Executive
Sessions but that, for practical reasons, it was not a standard or recommended practice.
Councilmember Lee then requested that the EDC have a separate bank account. City
Manager Campbell stated that, internally, each fund was accounted for separately, despite
the monies being in a consolidated external bank account. He added that he could bring
back to Council, at a future date, information about the implications — financial and
otherwise — of establishing a separate external bank account for the EDC.
F. Discussion of request to pay invoice for outside legal counsel engaged by Mayor Pro Tem
Joplin
Mayor Pro Tem Joplin stated that the Charter affords the City Council the latitude to seek
outside counsel, and that she was presenting for payment an invoice in the amount of
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$3,289.36 from attorney Kelly Jones. She distributed to those at the dais a timeline of recent
attempts by herself and Councilmembers Gilley and Lee to call a special meeting, which led
her to seek this additional legal opinion. Mayor Johnson stated that he felt Mayor Pro Tem
Joplin had misinterpreted the Charter, which allowed the City Council as a body to engage
outside counsel, but did not give individual Councilmembers that right. After some
discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Joplin stated that she would absorb the cost personally and was
pleased that Council was considering adoption of a formal policy for requesting that items be
added to the agenda and scheduling special sessions.
G. Discussion of items on Regular Session
There was no discussion at this time. Council recessed at 6:55 p.m., until the Regular
Session.
III. REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Brian Johnson called the Regular Session to order at 7:07 p.m.
IV. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Johnson; Mayor Pro Tem Joplin, Place 5; Rockie Gilley, Place 1; Liz
Carrington, Place 2; Sandra Lee, Place 3; and Kelly Turner, Place 4. Absent: None
Staff:: City Manager George Campbell, City Secretary and Communications Coordinator Leslie Galloway, Deputy City
Secretary Kathryn Roberson, Fire Chief Mike McMurray, Police Chief Tommy Williams, Police Captain Darrell Hull,
Public Works Superintendent Larry Hoover, Library Director Amanda King, City Attorney Drew Larkin (TOASE)
V. INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin delivered the invocation.
VI. UNITED STATES PLEDGE AND TEXAS PLEDGE
VII. VISITOR /CITIZENS FORUM
Loree Boyd, 321 W 3rd Street, stated that she understood that money had been donated to
repair the fountain in TownCenter Park, but it had not yet been completed. City Manager
Campbell responded that his understanding was that the parts were ordered, that a local
contractor had offered his labor at no cost, and the work should be completed in April.
Joel Box, 1222 Peggy Lane, stated that due to a lack of curbs, gutters, and storm drains,
his neighborhood had drainage problems and asked that the situation be evaluated by staff.
Modesso Shaikh, 800 Shady Bend Drive, stated that she was disturbed that Eric Elam had
posted a photo of her husband and their home on social media claiming that the City had
assisted them in an improper manner during a property line dispute.
A. Presentation by One Safe Place
Felipe Gutierrez, Director of Development and Engagement, stated that One Safe Place
aims to prevent crime through their support of Crime Stoppers, the Family Justice Center
Model, and City of Fort Worth bike patrol. He thanked the City for supporting efforts to send
youth who have witnessed domestic violence to Camp Hope. He added that Mayor Brian
Johnson and Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter raised nearly $10,000 for this purpose, and
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recognized Mayor Johnson and Councilmember Sandra Lee for their personal contributions.
VIII. REPORTS /ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Updates from the City Council
• Councilmember Rockie Gilley stated that he attended a Brookstone HOA meeting.
• Councilmember Sandra Lee stated that, as a member of the board of the
McDonald Southeast YMCA, she was working on securing summer transportation
for economically disadvantaged youth.
• Mayor Pro Tem Jan Joplin stated that she attended the grand opening of a
shipping container warehouse company; and she appreciated the Parks Department
having added the neighborhood park by the Fire Station to their maintenance route.
• Councilmember Kelly Turner stated that he attended a Regional Emergency
Preparedness Advisory Council (REPAC) meeting, where reports from fire and
police responses and that there would soon be more money and agents in the region
to address these events.
B. Updates from the City Manager
City Manager George Campbell introduced new employees Human Resources and EDC
Manager Danielle Clarke and Deputy City Secretary Kathryn Roberson.
C. Updates from the Mayor
Mayor Johnson stated that he attended a Tarrant Regional Transportation Council (TRTC)
meeting, including discussion of high speed rail and eminent domain issues. He added that
he is now on a committee with the Mayor's Council to evaluate regional transportation and
that he met with the Trinity Metro (formerly The T) to discuss the possibility of express bus
service from Kennedale to the downtown Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center and
that they were also looking into the Via rideshare program, offered by the City of Arlington.
Mayor Johnson read a proclamation in recognition of Kids to Parks Day (Saturday, May 19,
2018). The City's associated event is KIDFISH from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Sonora Park.
IX. MONITORING INFORMATION
A. Monthly Financials — February 2018
B. Monthly EDC Financials and Activity Report
X. INCIDENTAL ITEMS
XI. REQUIRED APPROVAL ITEMS (CONSENT)
A. Consider approval of minutes from February 15, 2018 regular meeting
B. Consider approval of minutes from March 5, 2018 special meeting
C. Consider approval of Ordinance 641, approving a tariff authorizing an annual Rate Review
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Mechanism ( "RRM ") as a substitution for the annual interim rate adjustment process defined
by section 104.301 of the Texas Utilities Code, and as negotiated between Atmos Energy
and the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Atmos
D. Consider approval of purchase of a John Deere 4M tractor through the HGACBuy program
for the Streets & Parks Department
Motion To Approve Consent Agenda. Action Approve, Moved By Turner, Seconded By
Lee. Motion passed Unanimously.
XII. DECISION ITEMS
A. Discuss and consider acceptance of independent auditor's report (Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR)) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017
Paula Lowe of Patillo, Brown & Hill presented a brief overview of the CAFR, noting that it
was presented with an unmodified opinion, that the FY16 CAFR received a Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting, and that it was anticipated that the FY17 CAFR would as well.
Council agreed to postpone acceptance of the CAFR.
B. Conduct a Public Hearing to consider authorizing funding participation with Tarrant County
Community Development and Housing for the 44th Year Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Project for water line improvements on Danny Drive
1. Staff Presentation
Public Works Superintendent Larry Hoover stated that the purpose of this public hearing
was to identify a CDBG project, which must be in an area where the majority of homes are
low /moderate income, and that staff recommends water line replacement on Danny Drive.
There was some discussion by Backflow Customer Service Inspector (CSI) Dennis Brown
regarding the asbestos pipes currently in use and the process for replacing those lines.
2. Public Hearing
No one signed up to speak at the Public Hearing.
3. Staff Response and Summary
There was no discussion at this time.
Motion To Approve funding participation with Tarrant County Community Development and
Housing for the 44th Year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project for water
line improvements on Danny Drive. Action Approve, Moved By Turner, Seconded By
Carrington. Motion passed Unanimously.
C. Consider approval of Resolution 521 authorizing funding participation with Tarrant County
Community Development and Housing for the 44th Year Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Project for water line improvements on Danny Drive
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There was no discussion at this time.
Motion To Approve Resolution 521 authorizing funding participation with Tarrant County
Community Development and Housing for the 44th Year Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Project for water line improvements on Danny Drive. Action Approve,
Moved By Turner, Seconded By Carrington. Motion passed Unanimously.
D. Consider appointment of Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission
Mayor Johnson stated that the P &Z Commission recommended Chris Pugh for Chair and
Lary Adkins for Vice Chair.
Motion To Approve appointment of Chris Pugh as Chair and Lary Adkins as Vice Chair of
the Planning & Zoning Commission. Action Approve, Moved By Gilley, Seconded By Lee.
Motion passed Unanimously.
E. Consider adoption of Resolution 519, adopting a policy for the calling of Regular and
Special Meetings of the City Council and for the placement of items on the Council's
Regular Agenda
There was no discussion at this time.
Motion To Approve Resolution 519, adopting a policy for the calling of Regular and Special
Meetings of the City Council and for the placement of items on the Council's Regular
Agenda. Action Approve, Moved By Gilley, Seconded By Mayor Pro Tem Joplin. Motion
passed 3 -2, with Carrington and Turner voting against.
Mayor Johnson recessed into Executive Session at 7:54 p.m.
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Eric Elam v. Leslie Galloway (City of Kennedale); Cause # SC9342
XIV. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION, AND TAKE ACTION NECESSARY PURSUANT TO
EXECUTIVE SESSION, IF NEEDED
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Motion To Adjourn. Action Adjourn, Moved By Carrington, Seconded By Turner. Motion
passed unanimously.
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.
APPROVED:
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BRIAN JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LESLIE GALLOWAY, CITY SECRET F'Y
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