The Town Council met Thursday, May 26, 2022. Below is a recap of the major actions and reports from the meeting.

For a look at the full agenda packet, click here.

To watch the meeting in its entirety, click here.

Presentation - Anniversary recognition to Robert Crawford for ten years of service to the Town of Northlake

Chief Robert Crawford was recognized for ten years of service with the Town of Northlake Police Department.

Briefing - Property Tax Exemption for elderly and disabled residents

Town Staff explained that since 2017, the Town has offered property tax exemptions for those over 65 and disabled of $15,000.00. Town Staff proposed to increase that amount to $50,000.00, which is 10% of the average taxable value. This step would provide relief to qualifying homesteaded residents as appraisals go higher than 10%, offsetting the maximum increase.

Approximately 263 fixed income households will qualify for this increase.

Briefing - Northlake Representation on Regional Boards and Committees 

Town Staff explained that Staff and Town Representatives sit on multiple infrastructure boards within the region, representing the Town’s interests and coordinating on respective projects. A seat on The Upper Trinity Regional Water District Board will be vacated as of May 31, 2022 and the Town is in need of a board member to fill this seat. Qualifications include: being a resident of the district, a registered voter, not an elected official and not an employee or member of another entity.

Town Council was asked to nominate someone for this position. 

Briefing - Harvest Public Improvement District (PID) Dissolution

A representative from DPFG, acting consultant for Hillwood, discussed the reasoning behind the original formation and the potential dissolution of Northlake Public Improvement District (PID) No. 1. He explained that because the project has expanded beyond the original scope and into neighboring jurisdictions, the current boundaries have resulted in unequal payment obligations. The proposed goal is to dissolve Northlake PID No. 1 by October 1, 2022, so that it can be removed from the 2022 Denton County Tax Rolls. This step would provide homeowners with a flat HOA payment, increased communication and increased cost savings over time.

Council expressed concern that there is not a resident member on the HOA Board for Harvest and that the HOA dues would not be a fixed rate compared to property tax rates. The DPFG Consultant stated that the group will return with feedback from Harvest residents as to whether or not this change is supported.

Town Council called for Public Input.

• An EDC Board Member briefed Council on the creation of a retail recruitment strategy. Input was received from EDC Council Members and residents on businesses they would like to recruit into Northlake, prioritized by location. 

• Present P&Z Chairs requested reappointment and appointment to the board and expressed their interest in continuing to serve the community.

Consent Items:

E. Consider approval of the Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 12, 2022, and General Election Canvass Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2022.

Approved by Council. 

F. Consider Resolution 22-27, approving and authorizing the Town Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Denton County for emergency telecommunications and dispatch services.

Approved by Council.

G. Consider Resolution 22-28, suspending the June 17, 2022, Effective date of Oncor Electric Delivery Company’s Requested Rate Change to permit the Town of Northlake time to study the request and to establish reasonable rates; approving cooperation with the steering committee of cities served by Oncor to hire legal and consulting services and to negotiate with the company and direct any necessary litigation and appeals; finding that the meeting at which this resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law; requiring notice of this resolution to the company and legal counsel for the steering committee.

Approved by Council.

Action Items:

H. Consider Resolution 22-29, electing a Mayor Pro Tem for the Town of Northlake, to serve for a period of one year.

Council explained that this is a requirement each year. The Mayor Pro Tem steps in to conduct Town business and has the power to add items to the agenda if the Mayor is absent. A motion was made and seconded for Council Member Brian Montini to continue in his role as Mayor Pro Tem.

Approved by Council. 

I. Consider Ordinance 22-0526A, amending Ordinance No. 17-0907d (Section 2), increasing the exemption to Ad Valorem Property Taxes for residence homesteads of elderly and disabled residents in the Town of Northlake.

The deadline for exemption to Ad Valorem Property Taxes for residence homesteads of elderly and disabled residents is July 1, 2023. A motion was made to increase the exemption for elderly and disabled residents to $100,000.00. 

Approved by Council.

J. Consider Ordinance 22-0526B, establishing a Reserve Police Force for the Town of Northlake.

Town Staff explained to Council that a Reserve Police Force would serve as a supplemental program to assist full-time officers. Staff recommended that the program will be no more than five fully licensed peace officers who would serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police. These officers would assist with traffic control and in emergencies for a minimum of 16 hours a month.

Approved By Council.

K. Consider Resolution 22-30, approving and authorizing the Town Manager to enter into an agreement for consulting and design services for entryway monumentation with Halff Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00.

Four entryway monumentation proposals were received and reviewed by Town Staff. The selection process was based on experience, references, approach, team members and subcontractors. Halff Associates was selected to begin the design process for the Town. A Contractor from Halff Associates explained to Council that entry monumentation would solidify our identity, set us apart from other communities and identify our legacy. Town Staff explained that the timeline for this project would be determined by Council. Town Council requested that the process be incremental, requesting that Staff come back to Council with proposed phases.

Approved by Council.

L. Consider Resolution 22-31, ratifying the actions taken by the Northlake Economic Development Corporation and Northlake Community Development Corporation Board of Directors, approving a feasibility study for a sports venue with CSL, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

In order to pursue the development of a sports facility in Northlake, the Town must first complete a feasibility study. Town Boards support a hockey first, basketball second model. Staff explained that the Town would finance the facility, a group would lease it from the Town and rent it out. Town Boards recommend CSL to complete the study. 

The facility would be supported by a guaranteed lease payment and could be supplemented by hotel occupancy tax and other visitor fees. CSL will determine the financials, the cost of the building and the potential revenue stream. Town Council agreed that this project could be a good investment worth exploring and would put Northlake on the map.

Approved by Council.

M. Consider Resolution 22-32, repealing Resolution 22-12 and ratifying the actions taken by the Northlake Economic Development Corporation and Northlake Community Development Corporation Board of Directors, approving a Pioneer Program Grant in the amount of $20,000.00 for S.A.S. Boutique and authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a Performance Agreement.

At a prior meeting, the EDC and CDC recommended Council approve a pioneer grant for SAS Boutique. Council voted to reduce the amount of that grant from $20,000.00 to $15,000.00. Proper procedure should have been to send the recommendation back to the EDC and CDC. SAS Boutique business owner spoke to Council about the business and asked Council to consider awarding the proposed $20,000.00 grant. 

Council options were to deny, accept or send the proposal back to the Boards with comments. A motion was made to approve the original $20,000.00 grant. 

Approved by Council.

N. Consider appointments/reappointments for the Board of Adjustment Member Places 1-5, set to expire on May 31, 2022.

Motion to reappoint the current board members and for Mr. Lott to be awarded the vacant seat. 

Approved by Council.

O. Consider appointment/reappointment for the Northlake Community Development Corporation Director Places 1-3, set to expire on May 31, 2022.

Motion to reappoint the current board members.

Approved by Council.

P. Consider appointment/reappointment for the Northlake Economic Development Corporation Director Places 1-4, set to expire on May 31, 2022.

Motion to reappoint the current board members.

Approved by Council.

Q. Consider appointment/reappointment for the following Planning & Zoning Commissioner Places 1-7, set to expire May 31, 2022.

Motion to keep all current board members and for place 5 to be awarded to Mr. Davenport. 

Approved by Council.

The Town Council convened into Executive Session with no anticipated action items.

Meeting was adjourned.

Town Staff recognized Chief Robert Crawford for ten years of service with the Town of Northlake Police Department.

Dr. Matthew Harding, Lead Pastor of The Well and Town Chaplain for Northlake, opened the Town Council meeting in prayer.