Pastor Ronnie Mills of the Saginaw Family Bible Church gave the invocation.

The proposed Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Tarrant County covers the construction of two parking lots (one at the Switchyard and the other at Willow Creek Park) being a total of approximately 64.125 square feet. Tarrant County will furnish the labor and equipment. The Tarrant County Commissioner's Court has approved the proposed ILA. The responsibilities of Tarrant County and the City of Saginaw are listed in the agreement. The financial impact will include the costs of the materials and trucking charges.

Senior Combination Inspector/Rental Inspector Smith and Deputy Building Official Dyer gave a presentation regarding the Rental Inspection Program. Ordinance No. 2020-17, adopted September 1, 2020 amended the City's Code of Ordinances establishing additional registration and inspection requirements, and related fees. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the program. Ms. Kimberly Wrick addressed the Council. She explained that she has no problem with the ordinance, however the issue is her home in Saginaw. She stated she owns the home which was purchased in 1995. She moved out approximately six (6) years ago but her daughter stayed and lives in the house. Her daughter pays no rent. She recently received a letter in the mail stating that she must register the home as a rental property since she does not live there. She agrees that true rental properties do need to be monitored but her property is not rental property and she makes no money from it. She added that she considers this a violation of her rights as a homeowner and it's an invasion of privacy for her daughter. She also stated that she is at the house often.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding Ordinance No. 2020-17 and its intent. Mayor Flippo stated the Council has three options. The first being to do nothing. The second is to allow time for the City Attorney to craft some type of carve out of the existing ordinance that would be legal, constitution, enforceable, and not a burden on staff. The third is to make changes and possibly waive the fees for a family such as the Wricks. Fire Chief Spears stated that staff will do whatever the Council wants. He suggested that the Council consider giving staff discretion in situations such as the Wricks. He added that situations like this one are rare. Councilmember Felegy agreed. Councilmember Lawson stated that the ordinance needs to be changed even if it is to make the decision in these situations at the discretion of staff. He added that he has no problem with staff having discretion but it needs to be included in the ordinance.

Motion was made by Councilmember Lawson to change Ordinance No. 2020-17 to provide an exception for a single family home occupied by relatives either by blood or marriage. The self-certification by tenants should be evaluated by reviewing examples from neighboring cities such as Dallas. He added that he is requesting that both of these be reviewed to determine what can be done. Third, a website should be created with frequently asked questions and helpful links for tenants that are looking for assistance. Other cities have this and it's an excellent resource. Those websites should be copied and used so that when tenants need assistance, there is a quick sheet available with all the information they need. He added that any monetary fees or penalties against 1077 Springwood Drive would be waived in regards to rental inspections. Lastly, he stated that his recommendation is that this item be brought back before the Council within ninety (90) days or the first meeting in June 2024.

City Attorney Meredith explained that this item wasn't posted on the agenda for action. He stated that the Council can give staff direction and it can be in the form of a motion. He also added that the Council might not want to give direction in the form of a motion because a motion is not going to amend anything tonight. It will have to come back before the Council for action. The consensus of the Council was to give staff guidance without a motion. Mayor Flippo commented that staff should have direction from the discussion and comments made tonight to go forward and try to work out a solution that would be reasonable for everyone involved and bring it back to the Council for consideration and action.

Communications Manager Zambrano gave a presentation regarding communications including special events, newsletters, PEG (Public Educational Governmental Channel), video/broadcasts, and the City's website.

Director of Community & Economic Development Rinehart explained that the Texas Economic Development Commission (TEDC) recently announced the award recipients of its annual Economic Excellence Recognition Program for 2023. The City of Saginaw Economic Development Department was one of 72 (out of over 600) Economic Development Organizations across the State to receive the TEDC's 2023 Economic Excellence Recognition. He stated that City has now received this award for four (4) consecutive years. Mayor Flippo presented the award to Director of Community & Economic Development Rinehart.