July 15, 2024 Work Session Notes
After witnessing the horror of an assignation attempt on former President Trump, I ask that you say a prayer for our country before you read this post. I am thankful it is my turn to give an invocation before the July 16 Council Regular Session. My commentary for the July 15 Work Session is below in bold italics.
1. Intragovernmental Affairs Committee Update
Councilmember B.J. Williams, Chair of the Intragovernmental Affairs Committee, with the assistance of staff, will present Council with a committee report and recommendations on items related thereto.
Arial Traub, Garland’s Managing Director of Legislative & Public Affairs, will make her first official presentation before the City Council with a briefing on items related to the upcoming Texas State Legislative Session. Ms. Traub was hired in March of this year with the mandate to:
lead the development, implementation, and administration of the city’s legislative strategy and foster positive intergovernmental relations.
She has prepared rough draft of Garland’s State Legislative Agenda has been prepared, which is a statement of the City’s positions and roadmap for our local legislators to follow to pass bills that benefit the City. I am anxious to hear about the document and see the final draft which is due in September.
You can read about one item I am advocating for – the passage of a state law allowing for local packaged liquor sales – in my post from last March here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/dylanhedrick/p/work-session-notes-march-18-2024
2. Stormwater Program Presentation
The Engineering Department along with Health and Wastewater Treatment Departments are providing the City Council with an overview of the Stormwater, pre-treatment, and other programs related to water quality. This item was requested by Councilmember Lucht and seconded by Councilmember Bass on April 1st.
Following the creek pollution incident from late last March, it is a good time to discuss the City’s regulations regarding stormwater quality, sanitary sewer pre-treatment and other water quality regulations and programs.
I have worked in other jurisdictions like Houston, that require stormwater quality treatment for new and significant redevelopments of commercial and industrial sites. When I worked in Maryland, best management practices for stormwater quality were required on residential developments as well.
After hearing the presentation, I will propose that the Development Services Committee take a look at implementing some of these practices in Garland.
Bioretention/Rain Garden Cell from Harris County Construction Details
Bioswale detail from Harris County Construction Details
Tree box filter detail from Harris County Construction Details
3. Bond Study Committee Appointments
The Council will consider the appointment of a Bond Study Committee. In appointing these members, the Council will also issue charges to the Committee.
After some delay, the next Bond Study Committee appointees will be confirmed. The focus of this committee will largely be economic development projects, but I have asked that the committee’s scope not be limited. I hope they take a comprehensive look at the needs of our city as we did on the 2018 Bond Study Committee.
My appointees are 1) Chip Van Pelt who also serves as my appointee to the Cultural Arts Commission, and 2) Joe Thomas who served with me on the 2018 Bond Study Committee and is currently the President of the Camelot Neighborhood Association.
The charge of the Bond Study Committee is summarized as follows:
The Bond Study Committee will evaluate public infrastructure and potential development and redevelopment opportunities within the City of Garland and ultimately provide a recommendation to City Council on potential projects and programs that could be included in a Bond Election.
The committee’s recommendation to City Council shall include a representative program and project list that will include, at a minimum, the following information for each:
A detailed description of the program / project, including a specific scope of work
Estimated project cost or program allocation
Prioritization of all programs and projects
Location within the City including City Council District, where applicable
An estimated timeline to complete each program or project
I look forward to hearing monthly updates from the committee as they perform their duties.
4. Boards and Commission Garland Youth Council Appointments
The City Council will consider the approval of the Garland Youth Council appointments as presented.
My appointees this year are returning member Cindy Le and newcomer Cole McCleskey. I look forward to working with them and hearing their perspectives on how the City of Garland can better engage our youth.
With more bond talk this week, I’ve included a track from the string quartet BOND with their song “Fuego.” If this doesn’t make you start tapping your foot and get up out of your seat, I don’t know what will.
I do hope Garland can finally be able to sell liquor in physical stores in the future. The sales tax revenue should remain within Garland rather than outside.