City Council Development Committee

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE COUNCIL BRIEFING ROOM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023 AT 3:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman Del Bosque called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. PRESENT Chairman Mike Del Bosque Council Member Jacquin Headen Mayor Pro Tem John Lopez (entered the meeting at 3:03 p.m.) STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Proposal for Epic Central by Janee Hill with Unbroken Deputy City Manager Cheryl De Leon provided the committee an update of the Proposal for Epic Central by Janee Hill with Unbroken provided to the Finance and Government Committee previously. Ms. Janee Hill via videoconference presented to the committee an overview of the sponsorship opportunity with Unbroken and the City of Grand Prairie. Ms. Galen Brueggen of Unbroken was present to answer the committee questions as well. Chairman Del Bosque inquired on the return of investment of the sponsorship opportunity presented; what other cities has Unbroken worked with and the time the shows would be aired. Ms. Hill said Unbroken has not done this type of work with any other city and said bottom line dollars might be difficult to track; Ms. Brueggen noted the shows air on Mondays at 2pm which is considered Prime Time. Council Member Headen requested additional input from Ms. Hill and Ms. Brueggen on what would Unbroken do with the content captured in Grand Prairie; inquired if Grand Prairie resident would receive a discount to the Unbroken events in Grand Prairie. Ms. Hill said Unbroken would give the City of Grand Prairie all of the footage taken at the events for unlimited use and said they are currently working on the details for events in Grand Prairie and are looking at scholarship options for attendees. Council Member Headen said changing the perspective of Grand Prairie may not happen in one year noting this type of program could possibly bring affluent people to Grand Prairie and some might want to make Grand Prairie their home. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez concurred with Chairman Del Bosque in saying Council is accountable for the best of use of taxpayers' dollars for its residents. Chairman Del Bosque thanked Ms. Hill and Ms. Brueggen for their time and presentation. City Council Development Committee – October 10, 2023 Page 1 of 4  2. Presentation on new Planning updates to promote development awareness, information accessibility and to allow for easier citizen engagement Planning and Development Director Rashad Jackson and Chief City Planner Savannah Ware presented to the committee a Planning Division Update that included the new notice signage, development cases map, register position page, Park-ing Day which promotes planning awareness and provides education and fellowship opportunities for city employees and noted coming soon is Planning 101 online training videos for zoning, future land use map and overall development process. Council Member Headen inquired if part of the concept is public outreach. Ms. Ware said one of the components does include public outreach and use the feedback received would be used for the city's unified code. Mayor Pro Tem Lopez encouraged staff to present these topics at events throughout the city. Chairman Del Bosque thanked staff for the presentation. CONSENT AGENDA Motion to recommend approval to City Council made by Council Member Headen; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez to approve consent agenda items three and four. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Minutes of the September 19, 2023, City Council Development Committee Meeting Approved on Consent Agenda 4. Authorize and confirm the purchase of a temporary construction easement with O’Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC, for $85,279.59 plus anticipated closing costs of up to $10,000 for a total cost of $95,279.59. The construction of the Dry Branch Channel Slope Reconstruction Project requires this construction easement Approved on Consent Agenda INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 5. Ordinance for funding the Retail Redevelopment Program Chapter 380 Agreement with Dezaiffe Enterprises Inc. (Ace Hardware) for total funding request of $100,000.00 Economic Development Director Marty Wieder informed the committee that on July 25, 2023, Economic Development staff received an application from Mr. Michael Dezaiffe, owner of the Ace Hardware store located at 222 S. Center Street. Mr. Dezaiffe proposed the following improvements to his property; remove existing metal façade and signage and replace with a stucco façade to compliment the exterior rock face structure as well as install a larger more energy efficient sign; remove gravel and grass parking on the North side of the property and replace with a larger concrete parking to accommodate more cars as well as adding some outside display area; remove, reinforce & repair a portion of the back drive area in order to support the heavy trucks making deliveries as well as trash removal. The estimated cost of this work based on contractor estimate is $100k -$125k. This project meets the criteria of the Retail Redevelopment Program Policy and would be eligible for reimbursement of $100,000 upon completion of these proposed improvements. City Council Development Committee – October 10, 2023 Page 2 of 4  Mayor Pro Tem Lopez noted some customers are currently parking on grass and gravel. Mr. DeZaiffee said these improvements would provide customers with paved parking. Council Member Headen said she is glad local businesses are taking advantage of the Retail Redevelopment Program. Motion to recommend approval to City Council made by Council Member Headen, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lopez. The motion carried unanimously. 6. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Chapter 380 Agreement for economic development incentives with Dezaiffe Enterprises, Inc. for the total reimbursement of $100,000.00 pursuant to the City of Grand Prairie Retail Redevelopment Program Motion of this item six made with item five. 7. Discussion on Artificial Turf Senior Planner June Sin presented to the committee research and possible UDC development standard modification on allowing artificial turn in residential zoning districts and creating an administrative exception process. Mr. Jackson noted currently most cities are allowing artificial turf in the backyard and inquired if the committee would be in favor of allowing this option in the City of Grand Prairie. The committee concurred they are in favor as long as it meets city standards. 8. Modifications to Article 9 Signage for Murals Ms. Ware presented to the committee the proposed text amendment to Article 9: signage related to murals. Discussion item only, no motion taken. The committee thanked Ms. Ware for the update. 9. Discussion on EMC Signage Senior Planner Abdul Ghous presented to the committee the research and possible UDC development standard modifications on eliminating Electronic Message Center maximum face area percentage requirement. Discussion item only, no motion taken. The committee thanked Ms. Ware for the update. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no executive session. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. City Council Development Committee – October 10, 2023 Page 3 of 4 ADJOURNMENT Chairman Del Bosque adjourned the meeting at 4:00 p.m. Chairman Mike Del Bosque City Council Development Committee – October 10, 2023 Page 4 of 4