The Northlake Town Council met on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

Below is a recap of the major actions and reports from the meeting.

For a look at the full agenda packet, click here.

To watch the meeting in its entirety, click here.

To view the slide presentation, click here.

Presentation - Employee Service Awards:

Council and Staff recognized Kurtis Campbell and Lisa Perea for five years of service to the Northlake Police Department and Tara Wilson for five years of service to the Northlake Public Works Department.

Briefing - Hillwood Industrial Park Concept Plan:

Staff explained that this proposed 9.6 million square foot industrial development is located in the southwest corner of town near FM 156 and Victory Circle. The Town has been discussing incentives with Hillwood to help build the much-needed infrastructure for this development.

A representative reviewed the history of the Hillwood Development Program for Council and explained how it has expanded into national and international markets. Alliance Texas is a 27,000 acre mixed-use development and was founded on a public-private partnership. Viable tenants, global brands, quality environment and infrastructure are all factors contributing to Hillwood's success. Other supporting factors include its geographic location, proximity to the BNSF Intermodal Facility and the ability to innovate.

In comparison, Representative discussed the success of Northport. In the past five years, Alliance Texas has stabilized 2.6 million square feet on over 260 acres in the area just north of 114. Northport has increased the non-residential tax base and has leveraged that investment by creating adjacent commercial developments. 

The Hillwood Industrial Park is a proposed 855-acre development stretching from Dale Earnhardt to FM 1171. The development would be incorporated into the Town, which would in turn bolster the tax base. Representative explained that the development would create an opportunity to advance the wholesale agreement with Fort Worth, strengthen the commitment to developing off-site infrastructure, and it would facilitate the Catherine Branch Phase 2 Extension.

The development would build out the entire southwest quadrant of the Town, adding approximately seven miles of water extension, the pump station and off-site easement dedication.

Council explained that the tax base and the opportunity that sewer and water will provide will serve the Town for many years to come.

Briefing - Final Report for Impact Fee Update for the Town of Northlake Water & Sanitary Sewer Systems:

Staff explained that growth assumptions need to be made in order to determine what the Town will require for water and sewer infrastructure over the next ten years. Staff reviewed the background of Water and Sanitary Sewer Impact Fees and discussed the steps the Town will need to take moving forward. 

Representative presented a map of the Town and explained how active development plays a big part in growth projections. The representative estimates a buildout population of 55,000 residents by the year 2050. 

Representative explained that water service areas are divided into north and south by the Denton Creek, with Upper Trinity Regional Water District servicing the northern, more residential area, and the City of Fort Worth servicing the south. The future water system would meet the needs of both the north and the south parts of Northlake. Representative presented a table of costs for water capital projects totaling close to $110M over the next 10 years.

The representative stated that projections are a similar process for wastewater. Most of the improvements will mainly serve the central and southern parts of Northlake. The representative presented a table of costs over the next ten years for wastewater capital projects totaling close to $88M.

The representative explained how impact fees are calculated and presented ¾” meter comparisons with neighboring municipalities. The representative stated that totals exclude the Fort Worth passthrough and that the Town’s totals are relatively high in the region, mainly because of industrial uses against a lot of capital need. 

Representative explained that developers can be paid through impact fees on new connections as they arrive and that there are ways to overbuild projects and have costs credited back to the developer. Representative stated that existing or sunk costs can be factored into the calculations.

Briefing - Fiscal Year 2023 First Quarter Investment Report (Oct - Dec 2022):

Staff stated that there has been an increase in interest earnings due to the raising of Federal rates. The first quarter total cash and investment book value is $44,671,337 with first quarter interest earnings totaling $191,728. Earnings are up 44% from last quarter.

Briefing - Fiscal Year 2023 First Quarter Financial Report (Oct - Dec 2022):

Staff explained that the Town is now a quarter through the fiscal year and 33% of total revenues have been booked. 85% of property taxes have been received with 9% of total expenditures spent. Staff stated that operations are running on course.

Public Input:

To view public input, please go to Item 3 of the Town Council meeting video here.

Consent Items:

A. Consider approval of January 26, 2023 meeting minutes. 

B. Consider a Resolution of the Town of Northlake, Texas, accepting the 2022 Racial Profiling and Analysis Report.

C. Consider a Resolution of the Town of Northlake, Texas, declaring certain personal property owned by the Town of Northlake to be surplus property and authorizing the Town Manager to dispose of such property.

All consent items approved by Council.

Action Items:

A. Consider an Ordinance of the Town of Northlake, Texas, authorizing and ordering a municipal election to be held in the Town of Northlake on May 6, 2023, and if required, a Runoff Election on June 10, 2023, for the purpose of electing Council Members to Places 4, 5, and 6; prescribing the time and designating the locations, and manner of conducting the election to be in accordance with the Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services with Denton County and the Denton County Elections Administrator; authorizing the Town Manager to execute the agreement and contract; and providing an effective date.

Approved by Council.

B. Consider an Ordinance of the Town of Northlake, Texas, authorizing and ordering a Special Election to be held in the Town of Northlake on May 6, 2023, for the purpose of submittIng to the qualified voters of the Town of Northlake, Texas, a ballot proposition on the question of approving and implementing Resolution No. 23-06 designating the use of special revenues to fund a Sports Venue Project, through (1) the proceeds of any lease agreement; (2) the assessment of an additional two (2) percent hotel occupancy tax within the Town; (3) the dedication of 1/8 cent of existing sales tax levied by the Town of Northlake Economic Development Corporation; and (4) the dedication of 1/8 cent of existing sales tax levied by the Town of Northlake Community Development Corporation, pursuant to Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code, as amended; prescribing the time and designating the locations and manner of conducting the election to be in accordance with the Joint Election Agreement and Contract for Election Services with Denton County and the Denton County Elections Administrator; authorizing the Town Manager to execute the Agreement and Contract; and providing an effective date.

Council stated that the proposal for this project and identifying which funds will be used will be up to the voters. Council noted that funds are available through CDC, EDC and HOT taxes to cover any shortfalls, and that multiple entities have bid for this project.

Staff reviewed the wording voters will see on the ballot and confirmed that their vote will be either for or against the project.

Approved by Council.

C. Consider an Ordinance of the Town of Northlake, Texas, providing for the annexation of approximately 6.533 acres of land situated in the Patrick Rock Survey, Abstract No. 1063, generally located on the north side of FM 407 approximately 1,200 feet west of Thompson Road. Northlake Land Development Partners, LLC, and Northlake MOB Development Partners, are the owners/applicants. Case # ANX-22-004.

i. Public hearing

ii. Consider approval

Staff explained that this is a development project for a new retail area on the north side of 407.

Public Hearing was called without any speakers.

Approved by Council.

D. Consider an Ordinance of the Town of Northlake, Texas, amending the Code of Ordinances and Appendix "A"; Special Events Fees (A3.002), and Water and Sewer Sanitary Services Fee (A4.001) (a) & (b); effective January 27, 2023.

Staff explained that updating the fee schedule is a routine process. Staff presented current and proposed fees for special events service, water taps and water and sanitary sewer service. Staff noted two additional proposed fees for lost meters and damaged parts replacement.

Staff explained that most of these fees are targeted at builders to recoup the cost of the Town's time and equipment. 

Approved by Council.

E. Consider a Resolution of the Town of Northlake, Texas, awarding BI D 22-06 and authorizing the Town Manager to execute an agreement/contract with Ed Bell Construction Company for reconstruction of Cleveland Gibbs south, in an amount not to exceed $5,649,214.35.

Staff reviewed the project background, including the imminent domain process, funding and design bids. Staff presented options for paying shortfall costs of $1.3M. Staff requested Council direction as to whether to award the bid, and stated that if it is awarded, the Town will need to get the funding from a future debt issuance. 

Council stated that Denton County appears to be firm on its decision to not contribute any more funding to the project and noted that material costs continue to escalate. Council explained that this project could contribute to the industrial area around the airport. Time, cost and safety aspects of this project are all important considerations. 

Council requested this item move to Executive Session. 

The Town Council convened into Executive Session.

A motion was made to approve the item and award the bid.

Approved by Council.

The Town Council reconvened into Executive Session with no anticipated action items.

Meeting was adjourned.

Kurtis Campbell and Lisa Perea were recognized for five years of service to the Northlake Police Department.

Tara Wilson was recognized for 5 years of service to the Northlake Public Works Department.