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MINUTES
The Community Services Committee of the City of Garland convened in regular session at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in the Work Session Room, 200 North Fifth Street, Garland, Texas, with the following members:
Present:
Deborah Morris, Chair
Margaret Lucht, Council Member
Ed Moore, Council Member
Staff Present:
Mikayla Ray, Management Services Coordinator
Kevin Slay, Managing Director
Art Munoz, Animal Services Director
Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager
Brian England, Assistant City Manager
Lance Polster, Code Compliance Manager
Rick Barker, Code Compliance Director
Brita Van Horne, Building Official
Attendees:
Robert John Smith, Council Member
1.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 7, 2023 MEETING
After a motion by Lucht and a second from Moore the minutes of the February 7, 2023 meeting was approved unanimously.
2.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There being no public comments Morris moved to the next agenda item.
3.
DISCUSS MULTIFAMILY PROPERTY A/C REQUIREMENTS
Morris stated that feedback was received from the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas related to the draft ordinance being considered. England discussed the Apartment Associations recommendations and requested feedback regarding time frames for providing refrigerated units or to address any unit cooling issue. Morris stated that the State Legislature is considering allowing up to 5 days to resolve a unit cooling issue. The committee agreed that 72 hours or three days would be appropriate. England stated the Apartment Association expressed concerns about the area to be cooled within the unit. Apartment Association members traditionally provide cooling to the living room or a bedroom. Smith recommended that the unit be able to cool the largest room or area within the unit. Morris stated that it may not be possible due to the size or capacity of the cooling units. Lucht stated according to our proposal they must cool a room in the unit which is a habitable living area or a bedroom. Moore stated going with a bedroom or a habitable living area as outlined is reasonable. Morris stated this makes it fairly simple and the way we have it laid out should be agreeable to the Apartment Association. England stated that in the event no refrigerated air units are available within 72 hours and the temperature is 95 degree or greater the Apartment Management must provide a hotel or motel room at their expense. Lucht inquired about removing the 95-degrees. Barker stated that removing the 95-degree threshold could make this simpler and should motivate these complexes to expedite repairs. England stated that an alternative would be to require hotel/motel accommodations after 5 days. Morris inquired about language concerning tenant A/C purchases and reimbursement. Barker stated it would be difficult to enforce. Lucht stated the apartment owner should bear the responsibility of providing the a/c units and not the tenants. Morris recommended the section be removed concerning tenant cooling unit reimbursements by property owners. Moore agreed it would be difficult to enforce and stated we need to strike the language concerning temporary cooling units purchased by tenants, we need to leave that between property owners and their tenants. Morris requested that England redraft the proposed ordinance with the recommendations brought forth and the placed on the next agenda for further discussion.
4.
DISCUSS PET STORE ORDINANCE
Morris provided an overview of the item and asked England to brief the committee on the Dallas ordinance. England stated the courts have looked at the Dallas ordinance which has held up in court. England provided an overview of the ordinance. Morris stated the concern is primarily related to puppy mills and a breeder owning a retail pet store and selling them. Moore asked for clarification that we were considering not allowing individuals to sell or transfer dogs or cats to retail pet stores. England stated that is correct that in essence what you would be doing is also closing a loophole and no one will be grandfather in if approved. Morris asked about the timeline Dallas provided for the existing pet shops. England stated that it was effective immediately in Dallas, but Council could set an effective date. Morris requested confirmation that retail pet shops would not be able to sell adopted animals from shelters. England stated that is correct under the ordinance. It would be extremely difficult to enforce. England stated provisions would need to be considered regarding the effective date and its impact on a pet shop owners lease agreement. Lucht stated I would like to see a pet shop animal shelter partner with our shelter even if it meant the pet shop would profit from the sale of shelter animals. Morris agreed and asked if anyone was aware of such an arrangement. England stated those arrangements likely exist, but they would create an administrative and enforcement nightmare. Munoz stated it would be really difficult to administer and most likely no one would be interested due to the low profit margin. Munoz stated he had not seen it prove to be successful anywhere else. Morris asked England to bring back an updated draft of the ordinance to be discussed at the April meeting.
5.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 5:07 p.m.
Submitted By:
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Deborah Morris, Chair
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Kevin Slay, Staff Liaison
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