[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6645572,"mediaKeyId","3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f","parentId",3646968,"title","Council adopts housekeeping changes to several personnel policies; clarifies appeals and overtime procedures","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",9466000,"endMs",9948000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f&start=9466&end=9948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f/thumbnail_9466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645572/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Council-adopts-housekeeping-changes-to-several-personnel-policies-clarifies-appeals-and-overtime-procedures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645572-cb4910112fd080da724c500024f32f9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448698&Signature=IrnfTfMIoKufC830DqA7dFnNab9hcAj6bVAuzse2oZjlXxLJA-mcKf4u--GfORQMtsr6jNUZ6oKQM81hNYhQNmCzZpk46o48I5q1yJfFAqDrbVgWmh~EqeatV6cJ~lDDYAS3s3nwZ9BCETh-UG0~-BAWFfLw~QiLk6J7osx8~U1462YpV~R6wrgUA5A~DRTDt3FkqZDlCn05Sda308uE324-zqzU4KIbGspdxDj39LYMpkNGMKx5tMOA-y2c8oCRUH~tWc6VrLq9RGiGF6DG9D2QRiPzM~1lsG9~tF~TBElt6nYkZXhBs~O-T8oAhEvgF1MBrvqDEMyxtToatX3Seg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Denton","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","The City Council approved four resolutions on June 3 that amend existing city personnel policies. Staff described the changes to council as updates to make older policies consistent with current practice and easier for employees and supervisors to follow; staff said the changes are largely procedural clarifications rather than new substantive cuts to employee rights.

Summary of approved policy updates:
- Policy 106.04 (Overtime pay): Revised language to clarify overtime calculation for nonexempt employees, to better define approval authority and to remove procedural details from the policy text.
- Policy 19.01 (Corrective action): Updated instructions and clarified what types of corrective actions are subject to appeal.
- Policy 109.04 (Reduction in force): Clarified decision-making criteria and employee appeal rights in a reduction-in-force scenario.
- Policy 109.03 (Appeal procedures): Revised appeal procedures to improve employee understanding of eligibility, scope and committee composition for appeals; clarified that certain disciplinary actions (suspension, demotion, termination) are appealable while others (for example, written reprimands) are not.

Staff said the updates had been vetted by HR and departments and that the Planning & Advisory Board had been briefed; staff emphasized these were updates to bring policies adopted in some cases decades ago into clearer alignment with present practice. Several council members said they would have preferred earlier notice but nonetheless supported the clarifications.

Votes and process: Each resolution was placed on consent; council approved the package by recorded votes during the consent-item sequence. No separate public hearing occurred for these items; staff said further procedural training for supervisors will follow.

What to expect: HR will publish the revised policy language to employees and provide guidance to supervisors on implementation and appeal procedures. The council directed staff to continue regular policy review work to ensure other older policies are modernized and brought to current practice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Denton - City Council on 2025-06-03 3:00 PM - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","As part of the consent agenda the council approved four city personnel policy updates addressing overtime calculation, corrective action, reduction in force and appeal procedures; staff characterized the updates as clarifications and modernization of long-outdated policies.","taxTitle","Denton City, Denton County, Texas","taxId",2787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645577,"Denton approves five-year contract ceiling of $26 million for fire apparatus purchases and repairs",267,10208000,10475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f&start=10208&end=10475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f/thumbnail_10208000.jpg","/articles/6645577/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-approves-five-year-contract-ceiling-of-26-million-for-fire-apparatus-purchases-and-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645577-fe27f73fa833c866dc7f31d8270e8cfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448698&Signature=b1SlcPYRHVhphbGKUnY9o8xvtKGGk4QIFtanq7-yOVNsqFrpyMUhYA6R3binjPikcIyw3SEjX5~6z7VjcLq8YdtKJNIcipcNUW4YPdEAuF2-0k124TKMdtWMX3pWBoUfmQQ1z2OagliKoyXcH26aO47d1xpNXV0QQ0ujlEb1dhTSnBGs51~c3c7xS1aQ-ygPuFBEyLP6QSZ1ZQ3703gHCRj~JomtzUlBqOin1v99PjRLoOHtz48zd138pliu8-m6gP6hwG2ideXe30Gz9KNfitz15It3ODZ2mupKrxzb4Wl30xxqrbih1hdTFl4zuL5VOoC-s-HRIVY~~lvPPJOUHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council authorized the city manager on June 3 to execute a purchasing agreement with Simmons Martin Emergency Group for acquisition and repair services of specialized fire apparatus and related equipment for the Fleet Services Department.

Tom Grama, director of Facilities and Fleet Services, said the fleet team and the Fire Department collaborated on a 15-year life-cycle analysis to forecast apparatus needs and repair requirements. He gave an example of a 2024 Pierce engine that cost about $1.26 million when purchased and said the proposed contract provides purchasing capacity and repair services on a cooperative basis. \"This LIBOR contract covers the purchase and repair of all the specialized fire apparatuses and the related equipment to such,\" Grama told the council.

Contract terms and vote: Staff recommended a one-year contract with four optional one-year renewals (total authority of up to five years) with a not-to-exceed aggregate of $26 million. Council approved the contract authority by voice vote; the record shows unanimous council support at the meeting.

Budget and procurement notes: Grama stressed the city is not obligated to spend the full contract ceiling; the action creates the procurement path and budget authorization capacity for acquisitions and repairs as needed. Staff said apparatus acquisitions follow the city's budgeting process and the city will pay only for services or vehicles actually purchased or repaired.

What happens next: Fleet Services will manage acquisitions and repairs as needed; larger apparatus purchases will be coordinated with the Fire Department and budgeted through the normal capital process. Staff will return as necessary for individual vehicle budget approvals.

Action language: \"Staff recommends awarding a contract with Simmons Martin Emergency Group for purchasing repairs of fire apparatuses and equipment for the Fleet Services Department for 1 year with an option of 4 additional 1 year extensions for a total of 5 years not to exceed $26,000,000,\" Grama said. The council approved the recommendation.","The council authorized the city manager to execute a contract with Simmons Martin Emergency Group (authorized dealer) for purchase and repair of fire apparatuses and related equipment, with a one-year base and four one-year renewal options, not to exceed $26 million over five years.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645581,"Denton council approves updated special-event fees, standard parade routes and requests outreach to help organizers",3666,3973000,7639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f&start=3973&end=7639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f/thumbnail_3973000.jpg","/articles/6645581/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-council-approves-updated-special-event-fees-standard-parade-routes-and-requests-outreach-to-help-organizers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645581-0935b95feb52eee8808a1a95f2e0dd02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448698&Signature=M5P02ctA-OE9cIj-JlR5J4R6MzosgGXy3rmj~mT6OROfvalYyiie1sD013LqCMFHhLxXwcd0n0RZs7~1yPZoEP8LY3eeRcDyy82RCA46k~dr4-MRlwX-0Bz8zEfB-lCJ3vaE6yMlxYZDu2h3v7qyBnyqsBYzFm4OKmQFyhEm27b1d4tzm7ukVfg3q3O-7~2o-3uCiMntlRmXGOT5ZDz2P7a6mmwEgg1h9dfoqHEDvuMwVRcbvThjbvbjgtUTM0Tf-AROzML5sjLps1wBXJrBG9jR-hbQ2HUPRDTyJnXZ135xQUJ6z0DXy3v~q8aAiWNBMc2NUR~w29zVLpOTnvMjbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff described a multi-year effort to standardize special-event permitting, recover costs for public-safety staffing and refine how the city awards in-kind funds to community events, and the City Council voted on June 3 to approve staff'recommended fee changes and to move the new process forward for implementation.

Terrence Jones, grants program manager, and Christine Taylor, who introduced the item, told the council the city has seen a 70% increase in special-event permits since 2021 and that staffing and unreimbursed overtime have grown. Staff presented updated police and fire hourly rates intended to achieve full cost recovery for public-safety staffing on events: proposed police officer rates would rise from $65 to $85 per hour, sergeant rates from $80 to $100 and lieutenant/commander rates from $95 to $115. Jones said parks and general fund support would remain in place for community events and that the city's in-kind support budget remains $400,000 in the general fund.

Jones said the city has implemented a crowd-size tracking tool based on anonymized cell-phone location data to produce more consistent attendance estimates. He also described a tiered permitting fee schedule (tiers 1'5) linked to event size and impact; staff proposed a 10% cost-recovery target for park/facility fees because parks already receive general fund support.

Staff also proposed three standardized downtown parade routes to speed permit review and reduce staffing costs for commonly requested paths. The routes were developed in collaboration with police and event organizers and will be piloted before any permanent change. \"The goal is it's twofold: it would improve our processing time, our evaluation time because we know what it takes to staff it,\" a staff presenter said.

Council discussion focused on the trade-offs of higher fees for organizers, equity for small or nonprofit events, and how best to help organizers increase sponsorship revenue and measure economic impact. City officials said Discover Denton (the Convention and Visitors Bureau) and the city's marketing staff will assist event organizers with promotion and that staff will offer technical help on sponsorships and marketing. Council members suggested workshops with event organizers to help them develop sponsorship strategies and to pool marketing resources across events.

Council action and timing: Council approved the fee recommendations and the implementation plan, with staff proposing the new fees be considered in the September budget process and to take effect October 1 if approved. Several council members asked staff to sit down individually with the largest recurring event organizers (for example, Arts & Jazz, Thin Line Film Festival and the North Texas Fair & Rodeo) to explain changes and explore sponsorship and revenue options; staff committed to follow-up meetings with those organizers prior to October.

Key details: staff reported a current city in-kind allotment of $400,000 for special events; city police hourly rates moving to $85/$100/$115 for officer/sergeant/lieutenant respectively; proposed park permitting fee structure will use five tiers with a 10% cost-recovery target for park fees; staff gave the council an example that Denton Arts & Jazz Festival's current total fees would rise from $238,454 to a proposed $282,928 under the new schedule, a $44,474 increase.

Staff said they will pilot standardized routes (three initial options) and monitor organizer feedback; they will also expand use of event crowd analytics and a new economic-impact tool the CVB has acquired. Council members asked staff to explore vendor lists, private security options, and other tools to reduce staffing costs for organizers.

A council member framed the approved approach as \"right sizing\" the city's support for events while offering technical assistance to help organizers pursue sponsorships and increase economic impact. \"We're not trying to slap you with this,\" a staff member told organizers during the discussion; staff emphasized a dual approach of fee adjustments and programmatic help for organizers.

The council approved the staff recommendations and directed staff to proceed with outreach and implementation steps ahead of budget adoption.","Council approved staff'recommended updates to special event permitting fees, police and fire staffing hourly rates, and introduced three standardized downtown parade routes. Staff will implement new permit and tracking processes and continue outreach to event organizers ahead of an October effective date.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645585,"Denton Utilities staff seeks council direction to formalize renewable-energy policy and start 20-year integrated resource plan",3575,73000,3648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f&start=73&end=3648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646968-07655513864fb0460f83fdac6247c14f/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6645585/Denton-City/Denton-County/Texas/Denton-Utilities-staff-seeks-council-direction-to-formalize-renewable-energy-policy-and-start-20-year-integrated-resource-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645585-7707e8967d4b90a0875c697ed1f13aeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448698&Signature=kIPlsbwg0nqyQPNVnNxcZcRiPXTL52wufF38oehG-YEo5Diw~xzlQT4CUbTaYFkJj6mVMSEZ-b6JEyko7qRPxk9zTB35QNnqfO0Hb07-L3G33EJk8B6dsdc8JT5vIWJzFvh5m4y94t68IVEZmWXSAvYTdPxG38PeMafIdjr9mJdW6uq0JXX1~Qxj2EETDf9R7pgG2Z1RWOIUc7cnIcd0R8cMxJv6HhFDpma8Z2GEGdi2mWZHWs0hqSxFcisIuOvuEPstPu7heP5pMl0WGHftmaOw3fcpXAmlqePMHqEoB46REJkxJrLSNyOyt~GHvcnq11x5WmJyRMi5xlgXTIhk-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Puente, general manager of Denton Municipal Electric (DME), told the City Council on June 3 that staff recommends two linked steps: adopt a city renewable energy policy that sets how Denton will count and retire renewable energy credits (RECs) and compliance premiums (CPs), and develop a 15-to-20-year integrated resource plan (IRP) to assess supply, demand-side management and long-term reliability.

The recommendation comes after Denton exceeded earlier local renewable targets and has about 455 megawatts of contracted capacity under PPA; Puente said the utility currently counts roughly 200 MW of that capacity for planning because solar and wind do not generate at full-rated capacity. He said DME expects to remain short of dispatchable generation and to rely on market purchases of RECs to fill annual gaps unless the council directs otherwise.

Why it matters: DME faces growth in load, potential large new customers such as data centers, and increasing regulatory uncertainty in ERCOT, including bills and proposals that would change interconnection and firming rules. Staff said a clear municipal policy on RECs and a long-term IRP would give a consistent accounting method, improve public reporting and create a framework to evaluate large loads and long-term contracts.

Puente summarized the staff recommendations and key policy parameters: limit REC purchases for municipal accounting to RECs generated in the same calendar year they are retired; retire (\"mature\") RECs and CPs that Denton counts rather than reselling them; avoid rolling excess RECs from year to year; and evaluate large loads (staff proposed a 5-megawatt threshold for internal review, with a note that state SB6 identifies 75 MW as a state large-load threshold). \"If we're gonna count the RECs, we're gonna retire them in the year in which we count them,\" Puente said.

Council members pressed staff on specifics of the REC market and on risks posed by large customers. A council member asked whether buying RECs on the secondary market could mean Denton was purchasing RECs previously counted by another buyer; Puente said using same-year RECs reduces but does not eliminate that possibility. Another member asked whether counting RECs to claim 100% renewability while the city's own dispatchable generation remains online was \"double-dipping.\" Puente replied that staff did not recommend buying RECs to offset generation at Denton Energy Center; instead, RECs should be used to cover the gap between renewable generation and load served.

On large loads, staff noted SB6 requires interconnection cost responsibility for large customers and said DME's internal threshold of 5 MW reflects local transmission constraints and a desire to limit exposure from long-term PPAs with speculative customers. \"Not all large loads are created equal,\" Puente said; staff proposed a differentiated approach that could include short-term REC offsets during a probationary period for customers that lack long-term creditworthiness.

On the IRP, Puente recommended hiring an external consultant to lead a formal public-engagement process and produce a planning document that would be revisited regularly. He said staff expects the IRP process to take 18 to 24 months and the renewable policy work to take 6 to 9 months. He also reported the Planning and Advisory Board (PAB) had given unanimous direction to proceed.

Council response and next steps: Council members repeatedly expressed support for both steps and for robust public engagement; one member explicitly said they \"support both staff recommendations.\" The council did not adopt an ordinance or resolution at the June 3 meeting; staff asked for direction to proceed with drafting the renewable policy and initiating the IRP process and to return with policy language and a timetable. The council indicated support for staff to move forward with the recommended schedule and public outreach.

Clarifying details and cost signals: Puente provided examples and numerical context during the presentation: DME served about 1.6 million MWh in 2021 and contracted renewable generation produced about 1.3 million MWh, leaving a deficit that was filled with replacement energy and RECs; Puente said DME expects to continue buying REX (RECs) when needed and estimated the total current REC inventory had market value in the $5'$6 million range if monetized. He also noted that some new regulatory proposals (HB 1500, SB 388, and other performance-credit mechanisms discussed at the state level) could change firming and backup requirements for renewables in the future and raise the cost of new PPAs.

Ending note: Staff will return with draft policy language and an IRP procurement plan. The council's direction to proceed does not bind the city to a particular future mix of resources or to a continued 100% renewable accounting approach; Puente clarified the city could change course if circumstances change.

\"This plan spans a 15 to 20 year life,\" Puente said. \"It is a living document.\"","Denton Municipal Electric staff briefed the City Council on updates to the city's Renewable Resource Plan, recommended a new municipal renewable energy policy and a 20-year integrated resource plan, and asked for direction on handling RECs, large loads and future procurement; council signaled support to proceed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts housekeeping changes to several personnel policies; clarifies appeals and overtime procedures

Denton approves five-year contract ceiling of $26 million for fire apparatus purchases and repairs

Denton council approves updated special-event fees, standard parade routes and requests outreach to help organizers

Denton Utilities staff seeks council direction to formalize renewable-energy policy and start 20-year integrated resource plan