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July 21, 2024–Volume 7 Number 29

HIGHLIGHTS:

* P&Z to meet Thursday for three public hearings.

* Major water/sewer rate increase to go into effect in October, approved, 3-2. This was based on the rate study approved last year.

* Council moves forward with plans to design two projects that in all likelihood will never see the light of day (other capital projects must take a back seat). Another 3-2 vote. Mayor asks for citizen input on this.

* EDC to meet on Tuesday.

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, July 23: EDC Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 25: P&Z meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 13: Keep Kennedale Beautiful meeting, 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 13: Parks Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 17: Farmers Market, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

…..

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Latest Kennedale Observer newsletter:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_44.html

Kennedale Observer city council grades:

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_26.html

City Council Comparison (May2021-May2023 vs. May2019-May2021):

http://arlspectator.mysite.com/rich_text_77.html

KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY IS UP TO...

Your City Council

The packet for this past Monday's meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3284/files/agenda/9645 . All council members were present. The meeting can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF0mt8k9WtM .

That agenda included presentations and proclamations, including the introduction of Joe Don Bobbitt, Chief Appraiser and Executive Director at TAD (Tarrant Appraisal District), Public Comment, Regular Session (Reports and Announcements, Consent Agenda, Individual items for separate consideration) and an executive session.

(10:45) Start of meeting. The Chief Appraiser stated they were making major/expensive computer updates. There were no speakers for the citizen forum.

(39:11) The financial reports can be found on page 11 of the agenda (see link above). The financial director has no concerns about the financial numbers.

(46:31) The consent agenda includes minutes from June 18 and June 25, appointments to the EDC and BOA, and naming of the chair on BOA. No items pulled/discussed. It was approved, 5-0.

Individual items for separate consideration:

(47:18) 1. Discuss and possibly take action on the new water and sewer rates proposed by the rate study (page 47 of the packet – link above). The Willdan consultant did the presentation. The council approved the rate study rates, 3-2, with Kobeck and Gary opposed. The new rates (major raise) will go into effect in October.

(1:22:40) 2. Discuss and update on Business Occupation Licenses. Staff's recommendation is for the city council to consider repealing the portion of Article III of the Code of Ordinances. The staff will work on an option to repeal the past action. The council is very split on this item. There will probably be an item for removal next month with a vote. The results? An opportunity to be “business friendly” and for smaller government although some council members just don't want the obvious good. Staff does not want it but says they will work it if they must.

(1:55:43) 3. Discuss and update on an analysis of Kennedale Streets (staff report is on page 79 of the packet). This will be addressed again next month.

(2:33:10) 4. Update and discuss the 2023 Bond Issuance (staff report is on page 82 of the packet). It sounds like the Basin B design is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2025. Generators will be starting in 2027. There appears to be another potential bottleneck of a 24-inch line going to an 18-inch line at I-20 that the city manager will research.

Item 5 and item 6 were all discussed together.

(2:42:41) 5. Update and discuss the 2024 Bond Issuance (staff report is on page 83 of the packet). 6. Consider 2021 Tarrant County Bond Initiative to consider Kennedale Sublett Road improvements (staff report is on page 85 of the packet). The council agreed by a 3-2 vote, with Kobeck and Gary opposed, to allow the city manager to continue with the design phases with the Tarrant County matching funds for the Little Road extension and the Sublett Road realignment. Each of the designs at this point is estimated to cost $1 million. Based on comments from last month [from Shield Engineering, not county officials], the council is under the impression that the county is willing to pay 100% of the design because there is a wish by the county to have a roadway from west of I-35 to Hwy-360, which would mean going along Sublett in Kennedale. The council is expecting a 50% match on the Little Road extension.

[I did send City Manager Hull seven questions on the Sublett realignment project late Wednesday night, and he did graciously respond early Thursday morning. He pointed to the Shield presentation at the June meeting regarding the county's 100% reimbursement.]

[Commentary: I do NOT have a warm, fuzzy feeling on the realignment project nor the estimate. The design is currently proposed for a two-lane Sublett Road, but that could change. The county's probable desire of a four-lane divided roadway has many, many challenges. I have a hard time understanding why the county would pay 100% of the design of a two-lane realignment, since that does NOT match their true desire. - The June meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPdk0_yjieM – The Sublett realignment discussion is at 1:22:05. (Shield Engineering does not have a proven track record in my opinion – see the many years of trying to complete Safe Routes to Schools.) So according to Shield the county will pay 100% of the design, but there is nothing in writing that I see). In my opinion this has NO guaranteed match of funds, as the county portion in the agreement totals zero. Their maximum contribution is $5 million, half of the original $10 million estimate.

Even on the 50% match of the Little Road extension, the odds of ever using the design are very low. With needs so high, it certainly seems other needs could be addressed prior to doing a design that will not be used.

This is all being done from the $2.6 million extra listed on the notice of intent to issue debt, that was done before the council was informed that they would be having a proposed tax rate greater than the voter approval rate, leaving a very bad taste.]

On a Facebook video [ https://www.facebook.com/61556571634567/videos/1088280222866139/ ], the mayor is asking for citizen input whether he should veto.

(3:16:20) 7. Discuss and consider lease agreement with the YMCA for 205 W. Kennedale Parkway (staff report is on page 93 of the packet). The YMCA will pay $400/month starting August 1, 2024, for three years. This was approved, 5-0.

Executive Session. There was no reason to go to the executive session.

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Budget Information:

The packet (with a lot of detailed information) for July 8 Budget Work Shop can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3538/files/agenda/9620 . The budget will need to be approved in September and goes into effect on October 1.

The proposed rate ($0.692272) is above the voter approval tax rate ($0.664036) by almost three pennies. This would normally mean there would be a “rollback” election in November. However, the city is proposing to use the De Minimus tax rate, which allows cities under 30,000 people to collect $500,000 more in taxes than the previous year, while also taking the debt rate into account.

Some new items in this year's budget include:

some kind of an assistant to the city manager to be the main liaison between the city manager's office and the EDC (Economic Development Corporation). Expenses are expected to be reimbursed by the EDC [part of the nearly $500,000 increase mentioned in the last paragraph? - the position request has general fund checked for funding source]. $141,728
2% raise for staff (no amount given).
court clerk for only half the year (double that for the FY26 cost). $36,000 Council suggested making this employee available all year.
finance grant writer. $97,638
new step plan for police (no amount given, my guess about $75,000).
new animal services truck. $47,300
two police vehicles. $145,600
new step plan for fire (no amount given, my guess about $90,000).
new fire captain position (no amount given, my guess about $155,000).
new code position for coordinating inspectors for only half the year (double that for the FY26 cost). $39,091
new truck for new employee. $40,000
convert a part-time library clerk to a full-time library clerk. $35,000
library shelving. $56,000

The workshop meeting may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJXs0m6DGSg .

Last Week

The city council met on Monday for their regular monthly meeting.

This Week

The EDC (Economic Development Corporation) will meet on Tuesday for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3296/files/agenda/9662 . It includes two potential EDC grant applications, a discussion on the grant application procedure, and a discussion of next year's budget.

P&Z will meet Thursday for their regular monthly meeting. There are three public hearings scheduled. The agenda should be posted by Monday evening.

Public Hearings

On Thursday, July 25 P&Z will hold a public hearing for the comprehensive plan.

On Thursday, July 25 P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ24-10 to change the Alta-287 Apartments, 3100 Joplin Road to a PD.

On Thursday, July 25 P&Z will hold a public hearing for PZ24-11 to change “AG” agriculture to PD at 305 Collett Sublett and 1102-1110 Kennedale Sublett.

??? On Tuesday, August 20 the city council will hold a public hearing for PZ24-08 to consider a proposed conditional use permit for battery energy storage systems (a new use) for 501 and 509 S. New Hope Road.

P&Z

We believe the next P&Z meeting will be on July 25. They should have three public hearings. The agenda should be posted by Monday.

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Other News....

TAD Rates

Tarrant Appraisal District has published the tax rates (October 2023) for the county. Kennedale is now the third highest municipality. [https://www.tad.org/content/rates/2023TaxRates.pdf ].

Top ten of 41 (everyone else is < 0.60)

1. Everman 1.03608

2. Forest Hill 0.724094

3. Kennedale 0.70619

4. Sansom Park 0.687888

5. White Settlement 0.687233

6. Blue Mound 0.681745

7. River Oaks 0.68021

8. Fort Worth 0.6725

9. Mansfield 0.659293

10. DWG 0.611854

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