Alicia Thomas has been employed with the City of DeSoto as the Assistant City Secretary since May of 2013. Alicia was born in Louisiana and grew up in the City of Arlington and later relocating to Garland, Texas for her high school years. Alicia graduated from North Garland High School in 2000, and attended Mountain View College for 2 years. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA, from Sanford Brown Institute in 2005, and received her Medical Billing and Coding Certification. Alicia spent 7 ½ years in the field of medical billing before joining the City of DeSoto family. Alicia is the proud mother of two boys, Christian (12) and Kobe Norwood (10). Her hobbies include spending time with close friends and family, working in the music ministry at her church, and singing as often as requested in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

C. PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation of monthly Financial Report for June 2014.

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Tishia Jordan, Assistant Finance Director, who presented the staff report.

Council discussion regarding permits that contribute to the increased revenues and the projections of how much could be attributed to commercial development versus residential.

Click Here to View Financial Report for June 2014

D. CONSENT AGENDA Items are listed on the Consent Agenda by the City Manager and are recommended to the City Council for single vote approval. An item(s) may be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate vote at the request of a Councilmember, the Mayor, or the City Manager.

1. Approval of City Council Minutes

a. Regular Meeting - 05-20-14, 06-12-14

Click Here to View 2014-05-20 City Council Meeting Minutes

Click Here to View 2014-06-12 City Council Meeting Minutes

b. Special Meeting - N/A

2. Acceptance of Board and Commission Minutes

a. Arts Commission - N/A

b. Building and Standards Commission - N/A

c. Civil Service Commission - N/A

d. DeSoto Economic Development - 06-23-14

Click Here to View 2014-06-23 DeSoto Economic Development Meeting Minutes

e. DeSoto, Texas Historical Foundation - N/A

f. Keep DeSoto Beautiful - N/A

g. Library Advisory Board - N/A

h. Park Development Corporation - N/A

i. Planning and Zoning -N/A

j. Zoning Board of Adjustment - N/A

3. Other Items None.

Submitted for consideration are minutes from the DeSoto City Council and the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation.

Motion to approve as submitted. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember Zander.

Vote to approve as submitted. (Approved)

E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Conduct the First Annexation Public Hearing to consider a petition from KTR Property Trust III asking the City of DeSoto to annex a 1.303 tract of land situated in the A. Wampler Survey, Abstract No. 1539, Dallas County, Texas, said tract being all of that certain tract of land described in Warranty Deed to Robert R. Donley, recorded in Volume 91139, Page 3471 of the Deed Records of Dallas County, Texas.

Click Here to View E.1 Management Report

Councilmember North arrived to the meeting.

Roll Call: 7 members present, 0 members absent, 0 members excused.

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Edlyn Vatthauer, Planning Manager, who presented the staff report.

Motion to open Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember North.

Vote to open Public Hearing (Approved)

Motion to close Public Hearing Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember Proctor.

Vote to close Public Hearing (Approved)

Council discussion regarding the reasons for the request.

City Attorney Joe Gorfida clarified with the City Council that there would be no action taken with this item and agenda item E.2.

Conduct the Second Annexation Public Hearing to consider a petition from KTR Property Trust III asking the City of DeSoto to annex a 1.303 tract of land situated in the A. Wampler Survey, Abstract No. 1539, Dallas County, Texas, said tract being all of that certain tract of land described in Warranty Deed to Robert R. Donley, recorded in Volume 91139, Page 3471 of the Deed Records of Dallas County, Texas.

Click Here to View E.2 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Edlyn Vatthauer, Planning Manager, who presented the staff report.

Motion to open Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember Clark.

Vote to open Public Hearing (Approved)

Motion to close Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember North.

Vote to close Public Hearing (Approved)

F. REGULAR AGENDA - New Business

Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts for a Triple Plan Option with Aetna Health for health insurance, Cigna Healthcare for dental insurance and Lincoln Financial Group for Life, Disability, and AD&D coverage.

Click Here to View F.1 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Kathleen Shields, Human Resource Manager, who presented the staff report.

Council discussion regarding Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, benefits and coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, co-insurance and payroll deductions.

Motion to Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute contracts for a Triple Plan Option with Aetna Health for health insurance, Cigna Healthcare for dental insurance, and Lincoln Financial Group for life, disability and AD&D coverage. Moved by Councilmember Proctor, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan.

Vote to Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute contracts for a Triple Plan Option with Aetna Health for health insurance, Cigna Healthcare for dental insurance, and Lincoln Financial Group for life, disability and AD&D coverage. (Approved)

Consider an Ordinance of the City of DeSoto, Texas, amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 9, "Personnel" by amending article 9.300 "Texas Municipal Retirement System" by adding new sections 9.302 through 9.305 authorizing and allowing, under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, "updated service credits" in said system on an annual basis for service performed by qualifying members of such system who at the effective date of the allowance are members of the City of DeSoto; providing for increased prior and current service annuities for retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the city; providing for municipal contributions to the current service annuity reserve at retirement of the employees of the city; amending and providing an effective date for the ordinance.

Click Here to View F.2 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Kathleen Shields, Human Resource Manager, who presented the staff report.

Ms. Morris read the Ordinance 1983-14 for the public record.

Motion to Approve Approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 9, "Personnel," by amending Article 9.300 "Texas Municipal Retirement System" by adding new sections 9.302 through 9.305 authorizing and allowing, under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, "Updated Service Credits" in said system on an annual basis for service performed by qualifying members of such system who at the effective date of the allowance are members of the City of Desoto; providing for increased prior and current service annuities for retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the City; and, providing for municipal contributions to the current service annuity reserve at retirement of the employees of the City; amending and providing an effective date of January 1, 2015 for the Ordinance. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember North.

Vote to Approve Approve an Ordinance amending Chapter 9, "Personnel," by amending Article 9.300 "Texas Municipal Retirement System" by adding new sections 9.302 through 9.305 authorizing and allowing, under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, "Updated Service Credits" in said system on an annual basis for service performed by qualifying members of such system who at the effective date of the allowance are members of the City of Desoto; providing for increased prior and current service annuities for retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the City; and, providing for municipal contributions to the current service annuity reserve at retirement of the employees of the City; amending and providing an effective date of January 1, 2015 for the Ordinance. (Approved)

Consider a Resolution accepting the 2014 Appraisal Tax Roll submitted by the Dallas Central Appraisal District.

Click Here to View F.3 Management Report

Council discussion regarding commercial and residential appraisal rates, previous Dallas Central Appraisal District rates and new commercial development.

Motion to Approve a Resolution accepting the 2014 Appraisal Roll for the City of DeSoto as submitted by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. Moved by Councilmember Proctor, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan.

Vote to Approve a Resolution accepting the 2014 Appraisal Roll for the City of DeSoto as submitted by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. (Approved)

Take a record vote on the proposed tax rate, and set the date for the Public Hearings on the Budget, and Tax Rate Adoption for FY 2014-2015.

Click Here to View F.4 Management Report

Council discussion regarding the same tax rate being in its 4th year as well as comments/concerns regarding keeping the tax rate lower (especially with the proposed Bond Referendum) so the City of DeSoto will be competitive with our local communities with growth and retention of its citizens.

Motion to Approve Public Hearings to be held on August 19, 2014 and September 4, 2014, for the proposed budget adoption, and for adoption of a total Tax Rate of 75.74 cents per $100 valuation (53.03 cents per $100 valuation for Maintenance and Operating, and 22.71 cents per $100 valuation for Debt Service) by Ordinance on September 16, 2014. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember Proctor.

Vote to Approve Public Hearings to be held on August 19, 2014 and September 4, 2014, for the proposed budget adoption, and for adoption of a total Tax Rate of 75.74 cents per $100 valuation (53.03 cents per $100 valuation for Maintenance and Operating, and 22.71 cents per $100 valuation for Debt Service) by Ordinance on September 16, 2014. (Approved)

This vote was taken by a "hand-vote".

G. REGULAR AGENDA - Old Business

No items scheduled for this agenda.

H. CITIZEN APPEARANCES

None.

Aug 05, 2014 City Council Meeting 2014-08-05

Full agenda
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A. WORK SESSION

No items scheduled for this agenda.

B. REGULAR SESSION - CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Sherman called the meeting to order at 5:02pm.

Roll Call: 6 members present, 1 members absent, 0 members excused.

1. Announcement of emergency procedures and exits: Fire Department

2. Invocation

3. Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Dick North

4. Introduction of Ambassador: Alicia Thomas, Assistant City Secretary

C. PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation of monthly Financial Report for June 2014.

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Tishia Jordan, Assistant Finance Director, who presented the staff report.

Council discussion regarding permits that contribute to the increased revenues and the projections of how much could be attributed to commercial development versus residential.

Click Here to View Financial Report for June 2014

D. CONSENT AGENDA Items are listed on the Consent Agenda by the City Manager and are recommended to the City Council for single vote approval. An item(s) may be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate vote at the request of a Councilmember, the Mayor, or the City Manager.

1. Approval of City Council Minutes

a. Regular Meeting - 05-20-14, 06-12-14

Click Here to View 2014-05-20 City Council Meeting Minutes

Click Here to View 2014-06-12 City Council Meeting Minutes

b. Special Meeting - N/A

2. Acceptance of Board and Commission Minutes

a. Arts Commission - N/A

b. Building and Standards Commission - N/A

c. Civil Service Commission - N/A

d. DeSoto Economic Development - 06-23-14

Click Here to View 2014-06-23 DeSoto Economic Development Meeting Minutes

e. DeSoto, Texas Historical Foundation - N/A

f. Keep DeSoto Beautiful - N/A

g. Library Advisory Board - N/A

h. Park Development Corporation - N/A

i. Planning and Zoning -N/A

j. Zoning Board of Adjustment - N/A

3. Other Items None.

Submitted for consideration are minutes from the DeSoto City Council and the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation.

Motion to approve as submitted. Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember Zander.

Vote to approve as submitted. (Approved)

E. PUBLIC HEARINGS

Conduct the First Annexation Public Hearing to consider a petition from KTR Property Trust III asking the City of DeSoto to annex a 1.303 tract of land situated in the A. Wampler Survey, Abstract No. 1539, Dallas County, Texas, said tract being all of that certain tract of land described in Warranty Deed to Robert R. Donley, recorded in Volume 91139, Page 3471 of the Deed Records of Dallas County, Texas.

Click Here to View E.1 Management Report

Councilmember North arrived to the meeting.

Roll Call: 7 members present, 0 members absent, 0 members excused.

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Edlyn Vatthauer, Planning Manager, who presented the staff report.

Motion to open Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember North.

Vote to open Public Hearing (Approved)

Motion to close Public Hearing Moved by Mayor Pro Tem McCowan, seconded by Councilmember Proctor.

Vote to close Public Hearing (Approved)

Council discussion regarding the reasons for the request.

City Attorney Joe Gorfida clarified with the City Council that there would be no action taken with this item and agenda item E.2.

Conduct the Second Annexation Public Hearing to consider a petition from KTR Property Trust III asking the City of DeSoto to annex a 1.303 tract of land situated in the A. Wampler Survey, Abstract No. 1539, Dallas County, Texas, said tract being all of that certain tract of land described in Warranty Deed to Robert R. Donley, recorded in Volume 91139, Page 3471 of the Deed Records of Dallas County, Texas.

Click Here to View E.2 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Edlyn Vatthauer, Planning Manager, who presented the staff report.

Motion to open Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember Clark.

Vote to open Public Hearing (Approved)

Motion to close Public Hearing Moved by Councilmember Zander, seconded by Councilmember North.

Vote to close Public Hearing (Approved)

F. REGULAR AGENDA - New Business

Consider authorizing the City Manager to execute contracts for a Triple Plan Option with Aetna Health for health insurance, Cigna Healthcare for dental insurance and Lincoln Financial Group for Life, Disability, and AD&D coverage.

Click Here to View F.1 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Kathleen Shields, Human Resource Manager, who presented the staff report.

Council discussion regarding Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, benefits and coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, co-insurance and payroll deductions.

Consider an Ordinance of the City of DeSoto, Texas, amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 9, "Personnel" by amending article 9.300 "Texas Municipal Retirement System" by adding new sections 9.302 through 9.305 authorizing and allowing, under the act governing the Texas Municipal Retirement System, "updated service credits" in said system on an annual basis for service performed by qualifying members of such system who at the effective date of the allowance are members of the City of DeSoto; providing for increased prior and current service annuities for retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees of the city; providing for municipal contributions to the current service annuity reserve at retirement of the employees of the city; amending and providing an effective date for the ordinance.

Click Here to View F.2 Management Report

Ms. Morris read the agenda caption and introduced Kathleen Shields, Human Resource Manager, who presented the staff report.

Ms. Morris read the Ordinance 1983-14 for the public record.

Consider a Resolution accepting the 2014 Appraisal Tax Roll submitted by the Dallas Central Appraisal District.

Click Here to View F.3 Management Report

Council discussion regarding commercial and residential appraisal rates, previous Dallas Central Appraisal District rates and new commercial development.

Vote to Approve a Resolution accepting the 2014 Appraisal Roll for the City of DeSoto as submitted by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. (Approved)

Take a record vote on the proposed tax rate, and set the date for the Public Hearings on the Budget, and Tax Rate Adoption for FY 2014-2015.

Click Here to View F.4 Management Report

This vote was taken by a "hand-vote".

G. REGULAR AGENDA - Old Business

No items scheduled for this agenda.

H. CITIZEN APPEARANCES

None.

I. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

Councilmembers gave announcements of upcoming events.

J. ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR SESSION

Mayor Sherman adjourned the meeting at 5:58pm.

K. EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RESULTING POTENTIAL ACTION

No items scheduled for this agenda.

Aug 05, 2014 City Council Meeting 2014-08-05

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