Agenda Items: • Parker Co. Appraisal District Board election • North Texas Inspection Service Contract • renew City Hall Billboards leases • annex East Bankhead Highway right-of-way for Beall Development • develop spacing plan for El Chico City Hall • Squaw Creek Street and Utility Improvement Project • effectiveness of Crown Road speed humps [Updated: WPC Blog, Crown Road Neighborhood Call to Action against incorrect City Report.] ExSession: City Secretary Position, Bluffs of Willow Park.
• Location and Time: El Chico City Hall, 120 El Chico, Suite A, Willow Park, Texas 76087, 6PM
• Meeting Page • Agenda packet (in .pdf) • minutes approved during the next meeting
• Facebook Watch live during Meeting (No Facebook account required.) • Facebook Video Before Executive Session • Facebook Video After Executive Session • Youtube Video
• Latest Update: updated 13 December 2024 with minutes; updated 07 December 2024 / posted 22 November 2024
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
• Index: Public Comments, Agenda, Sources and Resources
Public Comments
From approved minutes posted with the next Council Meeting agenda.
• Minutes:
[All spoke on the Crown Road Speed Humps].
1. Carol Braken, 73 Crown Rd., Willow Park
2. Dennis Evans, 75 Crown Rd., Willow Park
3. Garrison Wayne Gillespie, 39 Crown Rd., Willow Park
4. Eric Hoopes, 41 Crown Rd., Willow Park
5. Teresa Palmer, 3521 Ranch House Rd., Willow Park
6. Samuel Minnich, 35 Crown Rd., Willow Park
7. Marsh Weirshausen, 70 Crown Rd., Willow Park
Agenda
2. Discussion/Action: to approve resolution for Parker County Appraisal District Board of Directors nomination.
• Background:
Section 6.03 (k) of the Texas Property Code* requires each voting tax unit to vote in open meeting, record its vote by written resolution, and submit the resolution to the Chief Appraiser by December 15, 2024. A taxing unit may cast its votes for one candidate or distribute the votes among any number of candidates.
A voting tax unit may only cast votes for persons nominated and named on the ballot. The five candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be declared the winners. The 2025 Official Ballot Candidates are: Richard Barrett, Jerry Durant, Phil Garcia, John Hinton, Cody Lane, John McGuire, Sterling Naron.
The City of Willow Park has 55 of the total 5000 votes as noted in the packet.
• Staff Suggested Memo: I move to cast all 55 votes for Cody Lane.
• Exhibits: Supplemental information from the Parker County Appraisal District
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• 14 November 2023 Council Meeting, Willow Park Blog, Agenda Item 9. Discussion/Action: to approve a resolution electing a Board of Directors for the Parker County Appraisal District of Parker County.
• TAX CODE > TITLE 1. PROPERTY TAX CODE > SUBTITLE B. PROPERTY TAX ADMINISTRATION > CHAPTER 6. LOCAL ADMINISTRATION > SUBCHAPTER A. APPRAISAL DISTRICTS > Sec. 6.03. BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN LESS POPULOUS COUNTIES.
(k) Except as provided by Subsection (k-1), the governing body of each taxing unit entitled to vote shall determine its vote by resolution and submit it to the chief appraiser before December 15. The chief appraiser shall count the votes, declare the five candidates who receive the largest cumulative vote totals elected, and submit the results before December 31 to the governing body of each taxing unit in the district and to the candidates. For purposes of determining the number of votes received by the candidates, the candidate receiving the most votes of the conservation and reclamation districts is considered to have received all of the votes cast by conservation and reclamation districts and the other candidates are considered not to have received any votes of the conservation and reclamation districts. The chief appraiser shall resolve a tie vote by any method of chance.
(k-1) This subsection applies only to an appraisal district established in a county with a population of 120,000 or more. The governing body of each taxing unit entitled to cast at least five percent of the total votes must determine its vote by resolution adopted at the first or second open meeting of the governing body that is held after the date the chief appraiser delivers the ballot to the presiding officer of the governing body. The governing body must submit its vote to the chief appraiser not later than the third day following the date the resolution is adopted.
3. Discussion/Approval: for the renewal of North Texas Inspection Service (NTIS) Contract. #CityServices
• Background: We are in need to have a backup option for Chief Building Official, Randy Law. Since Randy is our only building inspector, at times we need inspections when he is sick or on vacation. NTIS will provide this service as needed. NTIS will perform these duties at a cost of Commercial/ Multi- Family, $150.00 per inspection and Residential at $75.00 per inspection.
• Staff recommend the City Council approve the agreement with NTIS.
• Exhibits: Agreement
4. Discussion/Approval: for the renewal of two Lamar Billboard contract leases for City Hall frontage at eastbound and westbound I-20. #CityHall #Finance
• Background:
At the November 28, 2023*, and February 13, 2024*, City Council meetings, two contracts were approved for the use of $31,680 each of the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax funds (“HOT Tax”) for one year of advertising space on the eastbound and westbound sides of the Lamar billboard located on the southeast corner of the City Hall property.*
As of this date, the signs have been changed with the seasons and the feedback has been extremely favorable. The billboards are getting over 500,000 views weekly per stats given by Lamar.
The rate for each has increased by 3% for new totals of $32,136.00. Funds are available in the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax account to pay for the billboard advertising.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• [Billboard Journal] Willow Park has a new Billboard at City Hall, Willow Park civics Blog, 28 February 2024 [ with Council Meetings for November 28, 2023, and February 13, 2024]
5. Discussion/Action: for approval of a Resolution declaring the City’s intent to begin annexation of approximately 7,313 feet of East Bankhead Highway right- of-way, comprising approximately 10.98 acres of land into the territorial limits of the City of Willow Park; directing city staff to prepare a service plan for the extension of municipal services to the proposed annexation area; and setting two Public Hearings on annexation. #DevelopmentSouth [Beall Development]
• Background:
On November 12, 2024, City Council* accepted the one tract of land, totaling approximately 317.7 acres, described as Parts of the F. H. Hammon Survey, Abstract No. 673, the Heirs of Francisco Sanchez Survey, Abstract No. 2346, and H. T. & B. R. R. Co. Survey No. 5, Abstract No. 647 situated in Parker County, Texas; embracing all of Parcel 4, the 323-336/1000 acres tract described in the deed to John Henry Dean III recorded in volume 1441, page 424 of the Official Public Records of Parker County, Texas and further described by metes and bounds, into its extraterritorial jurisdiction (the “Beall-Dean Ranch Property”), and approved the Developer’s Agreement. Per the Development Agreement, the Developer has submitted a petition requesting that the City annex the Beall Property.
This Resolution will commence the annexation of East Bankhead Highway to connect the City limits to the Beall-Dean Ranch Property.
• Exhibits:
• Resolution No. 2024-14
• WHEREAS, the City has received a request to annex the Property from Parker County, the political subdivision that maintains the East Bankhead Highway right-of-way...
• WHEREAS, state law requires the City to direct its staff to prepare a service plan that provides for the extension of municipal services to the area to be annexed;
• Exhibit A – Map & Legal Description
• Minutes: City Attorney Chesser explained the process of annexation. Public Hearing scheduled for January 14, 2025.
• Willow Park Civics Research:
• Beall Development Index, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 20 September 2024
6. Discussion/Action: to authorize Jacob and Martin to produce a spacing study and plan for the use of the City's building located at 120 El Chico*, and form a committee to oversee the project. #CityHall
• Background: At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Lea Young, staff has reached out to Tal Fillingham, with Jacob and Martin, who we have worked with previously to develop a spacing plan for city building located at 120 El Chico with the goal of determining the City’s future needs. The estimated cost is $10,000. To assist and oversee the project, staff recommends the Council form a committee of Council members and city staff to provide direction and guidance to Jacob and Martin. It is expected that the Committee would bring recommendations back to the Council no later than May of 2025.
• Exhibits: Proposal For Professional Services
Compensation Jacob|Martin will complete conceptual services as requested by the client on an hourly fee basis not to exceed $8,000, see attachment A for hourly fee schedule. The fee will be based upon actual hours worked by Jacob|Martin staff to complete the requested service. Once the terms of this proposal are agreed upon Jacob|Martin will forward an agreement of services contract.
• Minutes:
Mayor Pro Tem Young and Councilmember Contreras requested to be on the spacing plan committee, joined by Mayor Moss, and it was determined that City Manager Grimes may select city staff for the other members.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• Willow Park City Hall Index, Willow Park Civics Blog
7. Discussion/Action: to consider the Squaw Creek Street and Utility Improvement Project. #CityServices #Streets
• Background:
The City of Willow Park strives to maintain its roadway network as best as possible. Streets that have exceeded their life expectancy and can no longer be effectively maintained are considered for reconstruction as a Capital project. The reconstruction of Squaw Creek, Yucca, Mesa, Cactus, and Verde Roads, if approved, will become the street maintenance projects to be performed during the next paving season.
The planning of the utility upgrades prior to roadway improvements is also of primary importance. The project also includes the installation of approximately 14,130 linear feet of 8” PVC water line, water service/meter reconnections, and associated appurtenances.
The estimated cost of the Street Improvements and Water Line Upgrades is $9,700,000. With the consensus of the City Council, staff will work to finalize the project listing and work to obtain a professional services agreement to begin the design phase of the project. An engineering contract will be presented to the City Council at a later date.
Proposed Street Segments:
• Squaw Creek Road from Sam Bass Road to Ranch House Road
• Yucca Road from Verde Road to Squaw Creek Road
• Mesa Road from Verde Road to Squaw Creek Road
• Cactus Road from Verde Road to Squaw Creek Road
• Cactus Court from Cactus Road to End of Cul-de-Sac
• Verde Road from HOA Entrance to Yucca Road
• Exhibits:
• Street Improvements and Water Line Upgrade Presentation [in .pdf]
• Squaw Creek Estates West Plat [in .pdf]
• Minutes:
City Engineer, Gretchen Vazquez, presented slideshow in the packet, and explained the recommended improvements. Public Works Director, Chase McBride, commented as to the condition of the water line proposed to be upgraded. Ms. Vazquez addressed questions from Councilmember Runnebaum and Councilmember Crummel regarding concrete surfacing vs. others. Mayor Pro Tem Young provided comments to the total financing number and its allocation to which Mr. Grimes responded. Councilmember Runnebaum asked about other areas within the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Young asked if we felt comfortable moving forward before the paving study for the whole city (which was previously approved) is complete, to which Ms. Vazquez replied, "yes".
Engineering contract can be presented to Council at a future meeting. No action taken.
• Willow Park Civics Research:
• Willow Park Street Improvement Projects, Index, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 31 December 2023
• Comprehensive Street Improvement Project ($30.9M) • Willow Park Civics Blog > Street Improvement Projects, Comprehensive, (includes Squaw Creek Drive Special Project and Parks and Trails), 07 June 2023
8. Discussion/Action: Crown Road Update.
• Background: At the request of Council, staff deployed speed trailers to measure the effectiveness of the recently installed speed humps.* Attached are two data sets, one prior to the installation of speed humps, and one after the installation of speed humps. Summary of findings: *
• Staff Recommendation: Given the data provided, city staff’s opinion is that the speed humps have achieved the goal of reducing the speeding along Crown Road. Therefore, it is our opinion that any additional speed humps along Crown Road would provide minimal benefit and are not required. It is the opinion of staff that the speed humps are working, and that this project should be concluded.
• Exhibits: Speed Trailer Data Sets [in .pdf]
• Minutes:
Public Comments were heard at this time as all related to this item.
In response to Public Comments received, Mayor Pro Tem Young provided various explanations for the delay in the speed hump installation: firstly, the speed hump product originally considered was determined it was "not going to work"; secondly, it was decided to only install three humps to ensure they were done correctly; and, lastly, to allow the residents the opportunity to experience the humps, and provide feedback that the remaining four were necessary and wanted as their removal after the fact was not an option. She continued that the engineering study reflected that the need was for seven speed humps, and seven was intended, but the delay was intentional.
Staff changed its recommendation to add the remaining four speed humps prior to the meeting. This action was approved by City Council in June; therefore, no action was required.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• Crown Rd. Neighbors call for Citizen involvement. City is making Road changes contrary to City promises. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 23 November 2024
The changes the Council is set to approve at the 26 November Council Meeting will affect ALL Willow Park Citizens. The City hired an engineer, who recommended 7 speed bumps to calm the excessive speeding on the new, cement Crown Rd, which the City approved. Then the City Administration arbitrarily changed the number of necessary speed bumps to 3. Plan to attend or to send a copy of your concerns to the City and to the Crown Road Neighborhood Street Project.
• Index: Crown Road Neighbors Group for Street Repairs. Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 02 October 2024, Journal of Blogs and articles on City Street Improvement Project for Crown Road.
Reports
9. Report regarding update on Flash Vote survey tool.
• Background: The city council approved using FlashVote * to conduct community surveys this fall. The communications director will provide an update on the registration process and when the community can expect to see its first survey.
• Exhibit: [No exhibits included in agenda.]
• Minutes: Rose Hoffman, Communications Director, provided the status regarding the survey tool being used to reach our community, and encouraged the audience to sign up. She expressed the need for educating our community as to how city government works as many of the preliminary responses appear to be due to misunderstandings.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• FlashVote goes live. City asks, "Do you have one minute a month to make Willow Park better?, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 17 October, 2024
The City of Willow Park is asking all Willow Park Citizens to sign up for FlashVote, the City's new survey / communication tool. Just visit the link in the blog and complete the online, sign-up form with your address, gender, year of birth, and email address.
Informational
• Minutes:
Mayor Moss thanked Council, City Manager Grimes, department heads, and city staff for all of their work on the Beall-Dean Development proceedings which transpired at the last Council meeting, which was historic for the City of Willow Park.
City Manager Grimes reminded City Council of the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Executive Session
10. City Secretary Position application review, discussion, and consideration.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• 22 October 2024 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 08 November 2024
• "Dozier resigning as city secretary," Article by The Community News, 29 October 2024, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 08 November 2024
11. Sec. 551.071 (Consultation with Attorney): The Bluffs of Willow Park* Development Agreement
• Minutes: No action taken.
* Willow Park Civics Research:
• 13 July 2021 Regular Council, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 13 July 2021
Agenda Item 1. Discussion/ Action: PUBLIC HEARING to consider comments regarding a petition requesting annexation of a 20.31-acre tract of land, situated in the A. McCarver Survey, Abstract No. 910, and the M.M. Edwards Survey, Abstract No. 1955, Parker County, Texas, being a portion of that certain tract of land described in deed to Bulwark Asset Management, Ltd., recorded in Instrument Number 201732162, Official Public Records, Parker County, Texas, located between Yucca Road and Royal View Drive. #BluffsYuccaRoyal
• Minutes
A. Open Public Hearing
• City Planner Betty Chew addressed the Council on the petition for annexation.
• Tamara Dean of 600 Royal View Ct. addressed the Council with her concerns on the zoning of the property if the annexation is approved.
• City Secretary Smith read comments regarding the annexation received by email from Marcy Galle. The comments are attached to the minutes.
2. Discussion/Action: Consider and Act on adopting Ordinance 832-21, an ordinance to annex a 20.31-acre tract of land situated in the A. McCarver Survey, Abstract No. 910, and the M.M. Edwards Survey, Abstract No. 1955, Parker County, Texas, being a portion of that certain tract of land described in deed to Bulwark Asset Management, Ltd., recorded in Instrument Number 201732162, Official Public Records, Parker County, Texas.
• 11 August 2015 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 10 August 2015
Agenda Item 7. Conduct a Public Hearing for a subdivision plat for The Bluffs Addition, an 82.3 [acres], more or less, acres further described as being part of a tract situated in the Ann McCarver Survey, Abstract No. 910 and the M. M. Edwards Survey, Abstract No. 1955 City of Willow Park, Parker County, Texas; generally located east of the intersection of Crown Road and Trinity Meadows Lane; and act on said application. A. Open Public Hearing B. Close Public Hearing C. Take Action
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