CouncilTrac · Meeting
City Council — November 2, 2020
Meeting summary
14 agenda items · 1 public hearing · 4 consent items · $74,502 in spending items · 1 zoning case
- Public hearing: Public hearing on zoning changes for a 3-acre apartment development at 910 Spring Valley Plaza
- Largest spending item: Purchase a shuttle bus for the Senior Center for $74,502.06 — $74,502.06
- Action item: Updates to the city's Code of Ethics ordinance
Ceremonial · 3 items routine
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Invocation by Mark Solomon
Mark Solomon delivers the opening invocation.
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Pledge of Allegiance led by Mark Solomon
Mark Solomon leads the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags.
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Proclamation recognizing Richardson as a Purple Heart City
The council presents a proclamation honoring Richardson with a Purple Heart City designation.
Public comments · 1 item routine
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Acknowledgement of public comment cards
The mayor acknowledges residents who submitted public comment cards for this meeting.
Consent agenda
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Settle Atmos Energy 2020 rate review and adopt new gas tariffs
Resolution No. 20-22 approves a negotiated settlement reached by the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and Atmos Energy Corp. (Mid-Tex Division) over Atmos's 2020 Rate Review Mechanism filing. The resolution declares existing rates unreasonable, adopts new tariffs reflecting the agreed rate adjustments, and sets benchmarks for pension and retiree medical benefits, with Atmos required to reimburse the steering committee's ratemaking costs.
The new tariffs will affect the natural gas rates Richardson residents and businesses pay to Atmos Energy.
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Accept 2020 Homeland Security grant funds
Resolution No. 20-23 approves the terms of the 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program funds and authorizes the city's Emergency Management Coordinator to act as the official responsible for managing the grant.
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Accept 2020 coronavirus emergency supplemental funding from the state
Resolution No. 20-24 approves the terms of the Office of the Governor's 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program and authorizes the Emergency Management Coordinator to manage the grant.
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Purchase a shuttle bus for the Senior Center for $74,502.06
The city requests authorization to issue a purchase order to Alliance Bus Group, Inc. for one Ford E-350 Champion Challenger shuttle bus for the Senior Center. The purchase is made through State of Georgia cooperative contract #99999-001-SPD0000138 at a cost of $74,502.06.
The new bus will support transportation services for seniors who use the city's Senior Center.
Public hearings
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Public hearing on zoning changes for a 3-acre apartment development at 910 Spring Valley Plaza
A developer is requesting major modifications to the existing W. Spring Valley Planned Development standards for a 3.004-acre site at the northwest corner of W. Spring Valley and Spring Valley Plaza to allow an apartment development.
How the council rules will determine whether an apartment complex can be built at this corner location, affecting the neighborhood's density and character.
Action items
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Updates to the city's Code of Ethics ordinance
Ordinance No. 4361 would update the Code of Ethics by revising the definition of 'officers,' requiring council members to file personal financial statements and conflicts disclosure statements under state law, giving the city attorney and outside counsel the same subpoena power as the council, and adding a new section requiring formal acknowledgment of the Code of Ethics.
These changes would strengthen financial transparency and ethical accountability requirements for elected officials and city leadership.
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Social media policy for elected officials and board members
Resolution No. 20-21 would adopt a formal social media policy that applies to elected officials and all city council-appointed board and commission members.
The policy would set rules governing how elected and appointed city representatives use social media, affecting public communications by those officials.
Other business · 3 items routine
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Approval of minutes from six recent council meetings
The council is asked to approve the official minutes from meetings held on September 28, October 5 (two meetings, including Boards & Commissions), October 12, October 19, and October 26, 2020.
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Open visitors section for public speakers
Residents who signed up to address the council on non-agenda topics have the opportunity to speak.
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Appointments and reappointments to five city boards and commissions
The council will consider appointing or reappointing members to the City Plan Commission, Civil Service Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Sign Control Board, and Tax Increment Financing Boards.