The Town Council met Thursday, January 27, 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.
Mid Year Update Presentation by Northwest Independent School District Superintendent Ryder Warren:

After announcing his retirement plans to Council, Superintendent Ryder Warren presented the current Strategic Goals for Northwest ISD. The Districts Core Beliefs, Vision and Mission Statement were reviewed. The new Northwest ISD Superintendent will be responsible for creating a new strategic framework and Superintendent Warren asked for at least one leader from the Town of Northlake to be involved in this process. NISD is currently taking applications for the new superintendent. Interviews will take place in March and the finalist will be announced for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

NISD is the #1 fastest growing district in the metroplex with growth projections expected to double over the next five years. Superintendent Warren discussed student diversity and updated Council on current and future construction projects.

For updated information on active and planned Northwest ISD construction projects click here.

Council thanked Superintendent Ryder Warren for his service to the district.
Quarterly Investment Report:

Town Staff reported that the first quarter cash and investment book value totaled $35,014,581.00 largely resulting from property tax dollars deposited at the end of 2021. First quarter total interest earnings were $23,364.00, an increase 7% from last quarter.
Update Unified Development Code to Require Zoning Change Signs Placed on Property:

Town Staff requested direction and general feedback from Council concerning a proposed UDC Amendment requiring zoning change signage.

Public hearings and several additional notification methods are required by State law for all zoning change requests. Town Staff explained that signs can be used as another method of notification to the public, but are currently not required by State law or by the Town.

The advantages and disadvantages of different types of signs were discussed. Size, placement, and sign content were considered.

Town Staff will brief and receive input from Planning and Zoning at the February 1, 2022 meeting. There will be a public hearing at the March 1, 2022 Planning and Zoning meeting and another public hearing concerning the proposed UDC amendment at the Council Meeting on March 10, 2022.
Election to Annex Additional Territory into Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1.

Town Staff explained that the Emergency Services District was created in 2016. Before that time, each entity would pay the Argyle Fire District for their services. Not all of Northlake Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) is covered by the Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1. Northlake and the ETJ currently stop at FM 156. Therefore, there are now areas in the Northlake ETJ that are not within the Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 boundary. 

Town Staff stated that one option is to have a special measure election. Per State law, an election must be held in the new area to be added to the district and another election for all of the existing district. The Town would be responsible for the cost of the elections. An alternative to a special measure election would be that those areas not within the boundaries could contract directly with the fire stations nearest to them.

Council recommended potentially handling all of the areas to be annexed at the same time and expressed concerns about funding an election. Council directed Town Staff to look for alternate ways to pay for a special measures election.
Consent Items:

4.E Approval of the Town Council Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2022. Approved by Council.

4.F Consider Resolution 22-05, declaring certain personal property owned by the Town of Northlake to be surplus property and authorizing the Town Manager to dispose of such property. Approved by Council.
Action Items:

5.G Consider Ordinance 22-0127A, adopting the 2022 Master Thoroughfare Plan Update replacing the existing thoroughfare plan; providing that this ordinance shall be cumulative of all ordinances; providing a severability clause; and providing an effective date.

Town Staff briefed Council and noted a few small changes that were made to the plan. Council approved.

5.H Consider Ordinance 22-0127B, amending Chapter 9, “Planning and Miscellaneous Development Regulations,” of the Code of Ordinances, Town of Northlake, Texas, as amended, by amending Article 9.03, “Impact fees,” Division 3, “Roadway Impact Fees,” to adopt the Roadway Impact Fee Update dated January 2022; providing for updates to the Town’s Roadway Impact Fees, Capital Improvements Plan, and Land Use Assumptions; providing that this ordinance shall be cumulative of all ordinances; providing a severability clause; and providing an effective date.

The Town Engineer explained that the main reason for an estimated 60-80% increase in Impact Fees is primarily due to growth, the future roadways that will need to be developed over the next ten years to accommodate that growth and increased construction costs.

Council reiterated that this plan will give the Town the ability to make sure each new development pays for the roadways that are associated with it.

Public hearing was opened to Northlake residents.

Approved by Council.

5.I Consider modifying, continuing, and/or suspending the First Amended Declaration of Local and Public Health Emergency as modified by the Town Council on April 23, 2020.

No action was made by council to change the First Amended Declaration of Local and Public Health Emergency.
Pastor Justin Paulk from Fellowship of the Parks Church opened the council meeting in prayer.
NISD Superintendent Ryder Warren gave his last presentation to Council as acting Superintendent.