This week’s Work Session will be a long one as we discuss a wide variety of items. The most important item is the City’s response to the destruction of old-growth forest in the Spring Creek Preserve that took place at the end of June while clearing a path to inspect sanitary sewer trunk lines that run along the creek bed.
I ask that all who are interested come attend the Work Session, listen to the presentation and provide your comments so that staff and the Council hear them.
As your Mayor, I admit that the city made a mistake and I deeply apologize for the damage that has been done. Upon learning what had happened, I immediately asked that there be a public forum during a Work Session to have staff explain what happened and describe the city’s response to mitigate the damage.
Other items to be discussed Monday include DART’s General Mobility Program, Garland’s flood preparedness, and the possible impact of SB 840 on the City.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
1. Abandonment of Portion of Utility Easement in the Garland High School No. IV Addition
Council is requested to consider the abandonment of a portion of a Utility Easement in the Garland High School No. IV Addition to the current property owner, Garland Independent School District.
Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 22, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Garland Independent School District (GISD) is requesting the City of Garland to abandon a 15-foot utility easement at Lakeview High School, originally dedicated in 2016 to install a new water main as part of a prior campus expansion. GISD is currently undertaking another expansion of the site, and the location of the existing easement is restricting their ability to fully utilize the property under current development codes.
To accommodate the footprint of a new building on the southwestern portion of the lot, GISD proposes relocating the water main and dedicating new utility easements through replatting. The City’s Engineering Department recommends approving the abandonment of the easement to GISD. City Council action is required to authorize the Mayor to execute the necessary documents, which will be filed in the Official Public Records of Dallas County to formalize the abandonment.
2. Consider an Ordinance in Support of Foreign-Trade Zone Designation
Consider an ordinance supporting the establishment of a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) within the city limits, as authorized under Texas Business & Commerce Code Chapter 681. Unless otherwise directed by Council, staff will draft the ordinance for consideration at the August 4, 2025 Work Session and will schedule formal consideration at the August 18, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) are federally designated areas where goods are treated as if they are outside of U.S. Customs territory for tariff purposes, allowing companies to benefit from duty deferrals, reductions, or eliminations on imports and exports. These zones were created to encourage economic development, job creation, and industrial investment, although they do not impact local property tax valuations or sales tax revenue. Under Texas law, cities can adopt ordinances to support FTZ activities and designate a liaison to coordinate related efforts.
FTZ #39 is the Foreign‑Trade Zone in question managed by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Board, officially designated on August 17, 1978 and currently active under the Alternative Site Framework (ASF), which allows expedited designation of new usage-driven sites within its seven-county North Texas service area—now including Hill County as of February 2023. Spanning approximately 2,400 acres of pre‑designated airport property and an additional 644 acres off-site, FTZ 39 offers companies direct customs benefits such as deferred, reduced, or eliminated duties on imports and exports, as well as inventory tax exemptions—outcomes that support regional economic development and job creation.
The zone comprises on-airport warehouses, distribution centers with ramp access, and rail-connected parks, and can accommodate usage-driven sites or subzones on behalf of individual businesses. Since its reorganization and expansion under ASF in 2010 and 2014, FTZ 39 has continued to grow its footprint and enhance flexibility for international trade operations.
3. Fire/EMS Stakeholder Committee – Committee Composition and Overview
Presentation of the final proposed committee slate and purpose of the Fire/EMS Stakeholder Committee
The City of Garland is establishing a Fire/EMS Stakeholder Committee to evaluate and recommend financially sustainable approaches to Fire and Emergency Medical Services. This initiative is in part a response to the City of Plano’s recent adoption of a 24-on/72-off schedule for their firefighters, which has prompted a broader evaluation of Garland’s current 24-on/48-off schedule and overall service model.
As discussed at the June 21 Pre-Budget Workshop, City Council directed staff to form this committee to ensure long-term operational and financial sustainability for Fire and EMS services. The committee will be hosted by the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, with meetings beginning in August 2025 and continuing monthly for approximately 9 to 12 months.
Meetings will be open to the public and coordinated with the Public Safety Committee’s schedule. The committee will include up to 15 members, composed of City leadership, Fire Department personnel, and community leaders with demonstrated involvement and support of the Fire Department. The group’s purpose is to examine current practices and recommend strategies to maintain high-quality service delivery in a sustainable manner.
Committee Members (proposed):
• Chair: Chris Ott, Chair, City Council, Public Safety Committee
• Carissa Dutton, City Council, Public Safety Committee
• Margaret Lucht, City Council, Public Safety Committee
• Judson Rex, City Manager
• Matt Watson, Chief Financial Officer
• Kristen Smith, Managing Director of HR
• Allyson Bell-Steadman, Director of Budget & Financial Strategy
• Mark Lee, Fire Chief
• Tyler Little, Driver-Engineer
• Bill Crews, President, Garland Firefighter’s Association
• Dr. Matthew Tice, Medical Director
Community Leader Nominees:
• Scott LeMay
• Merrill Balanciere
• Jason Collard
• Melissa Garner
4. Pending Items List - City Council Committees and Future Work Sessions
An informational update with a dated list of items referred to Council Committees by two Councilmembers. These items are currently under committee-level discussion and remain pending.
No Council action is requested at this time; items will return to the full Council with a report from the committee chair upon completion of committee review. This item also includes a list of future Work Session items that have been referred by Council. These items may not yet be scheduled, but remain in the queue for placement on future agendas.
Periodically a list of pending items in council committees is provided to City Council for reference. Some interesting items still pending are:
A Briefing on H.R. 1 “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”: Ramifications for the City of Garland
Flags to Half-Staff Upon Passing of City Employee or Past Councilmember
Adopt-A- Street Program
A Comprehensive Review of the SUP Process
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal Briefing.
5. Spring Creek Forest Preserve - Briefing
Staff continues to coordinate restoration efforts following clearing activity in the Spring Creek Forest Preserve. This item provides an update on the City’s response, including restoration planning and ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders.
Presenter: Judson Rex, City Manager, Crystal Owens, Assistant City Manager, Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager
The issue began the week of June 16, 2025, when City crews conducted clearing work to gain access to a critical, aging sewer trunk line that runs through the Preserve—a line that serves thousands of residents and businesses and had not been regularly inspected due to limited access. In creating a path for this work, crews cleared an approximately 12-foot-wide corridor, but unfortunately, the extent of clearing went beyond what was appropriate, causing unintended damage to the Preserve. City management became fully aware of the scope of this impact during the week of June 23 and immediately began working with internal departments, Dallas County representatives, and the Preservation Society to coordinate next steps.
After staff and myself visited the site to gather additional information, I provided this update on Reddit.
I wanted to make sure I had additional facts before putting out a statement that might be untrue or incomplete.
To aid in restoration planning, the City engaged Kimley-Horn, a landscape architecture and engineering firm, which conducted a site visit on July 11 to help develop a comprehensive restoration and maintenance plan. This plan will be created in partnership with the Preservation Society, Dallas County, and other stakeholders to ensure it reflects ecological priorities and community expectations.
On July 16, 2025, I, along with City staff, met with the Board of Directors of the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest to discuss this matter directly. This meeting was part of our commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration as we work to restore trust and ensure the long-term protection of this cherished natural space.
(Photo from Bill Holston https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10161102750901875&set=pcb.24439050155681198)
While the City must maintain critical infrastructure, I fully acknowledge this project lacked the planning and coordination it deserved, and we sincerely regret the impact it has had. Moving forward, we are committed to restoring the affected area to the greatest extent possible, improving internal processes to prevent future incidents, and maintaining open communication with the public and our valued partners. I want to thank the Preservation Society and all who advocate for Spring Creek Forest for their continued leadership, engagement, and dedication to protecting this vital natural asset.
This Work Session item will provide additional information since our July 16 meeting and provide a chance for citizens to address the council directly. I greatly encourage everyone who is interested to come and be a part of this meeting.
6. DART Overview
Staff will provide the Council with an overview of issues related to the funding and governance of DART.
Presenter: Judson Rex, City Manager
In 2025, DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) launched its new General Mobility Program (GMP), a policy shift that allows the agency to return up to 5% of its annual sales tax revenue—roughly $42–43 million per year starting in FY 2026—back to member cities who are “upside-down” contributors to DART. This program emerged largely in response to mounting pressure from suburban member cities and state lawmakers, who argued that DART’s financial model had long favored urban core services while suburban cities contributed more than they received in direct service benefits. The GMP aims to balance that inequity by giving cities the opportunity to fund their own mobility priorities with the returned sales tax dollars. However, this funding shift comes with significant tradeoffs: DART is preparing for the most sweeping service reductions in its history to accommodate this redirection of resources. Proposed cuts include eliminating nine bus routes, reducing the frequency of light rail, bus, and GoLink services, and making fare adjustments that could particularly impact Paratransit riders – all of which negatively affect our city.
For Garland, this program has largely negative impacts. To fund the program Garland residents may face reduced regional connectivity as DART scales back services, potentially impacting daily commutes and access to employment or healthcare for many. Also, Garland would not receive a portion of the returned funds, which could be applied toward locally controlled mobility improvements or infrastructure projects that better align with the city’s specific needs.
The City has already been engaging with DART through public meetings, including a June 23 community session which I attended at City Hall, and a July 8 public hearing, to ensure local voices are heard as these decisions unfold. Garland’s City Council and staff have also been weighing whether the long-term benefits of regaining some financial autonomy outweigh the costs of diminished regional transit options.
Ultimately, Garland’s experience with the General Mobility Program highlights a broader conversation playing out across North Texas: how to fairly balance suburban contributions and urban services in a sprawling, interconnected transit network. The DART Board is expected to finalize key decisions regarding these changes in August 2025, and Garland will need to carefully consider how best to leverage any returned funds to safeguard mobility and economic opportunities for its residents in the years ahead.
7. Flood Emergency Preparedness
Staff will provide an overview of current flood preparedness efforts, including planning, coordination, and public communication strategies related to flood response. This item was requested by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht and seconded by Councilmember Beard on July 8, 2025.
Presenter: Joseph Ellis, Emergency Management Director, Michael Polocek, Engineering Director
The City of Garland has faced multiple flood events in recent years, leading to roadway closures, service disruptions, and direct impacts on residents. These recurring incidents underscore the critical need for well-coordinated planning and response efforts to protect public safety and ensure the continuity of city operations. In light of these challenges, and considering recent severe flooding in Kerr County, which serves as a stark reminder of the destructive potential of such events, Garland is reaffirming its commitment to flood preparedness.
The City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works closely with the Streets Department, Fire, Police, and other departments to maintain a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). This plan outlines procedures for interdepartmental coordination, situational awareness, and public communication during severe weather, including flood events. Flood preparedness remains a constant focus of the City’s emergency management activities, with staff regularly engaging in planning meetings, training exercises, and after-action reviews to enhance readiness and improve future responses. Public outreach efforts are also ongoing to help residents understand the risks associated with heavy rainfall and the actions they should take when flooding is possible.
Historical Occurrences of flooding in Garland
1991 Duck Creek Flood
• Estimated 4 – 5 inches fell over a 24-hour period (Precise data unavailable)
• Resulted in channel widening project with U.S. Corps of Engineers
May 2015 Flood
• Estimated 7 Inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours (100-year flood event)
• Estimated $8 million dollars in damage to property
• Channel widening project in late 1990’s reduced impact of a 1991 level storm
This agenda item serves as an informational update for the City Council on Garland’s current flood preparedness strategies and ongoing efforts to strengthen the City’s capacity to respond effectively to future flood events. No formal Council action is required at this time; the update is intended to brief Council members and address any questions related to flood planning and coordination.
8. Overview on Senate Bill 840
Staff will provide an overview of recently passed Senate Bill 840 and its potential impact.
Presenter: Nabila Nur, Planning & Development Director
Texas Senate Bill 840, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025, and set to take effect on September 1, 2025, represents one of the most significant zoning reforms Texas has seen in years. The bill is designed to address the state’s housing shortage by removing many of the regulatory hurdles cities have traditionally used to control where and how multifamily residential developments can occur. Specifically, SB 840 allows for the “by-right” development of multifamily and mixed-use housing in areas already zoned for office, retail, warehouse, commercial, or mixed-use purposes. This means that developers no longer need to seek rezoning, obtain special permits, or go through public hearings to build residential projects in these areas, so long as the city in question—such as Garland—has a population over 150,000 and is located in a county with over 300,000 residents.
The law establishes clear minimum thresholds for density and height. Any project permitted under SB 840 must allow for at least 36 units per acre and up to 45 feet in building height, unless the existing city codes already allow for greater density or height. Additionally, SB 840 limits cities from imposing more restrictive parking requirements, capping them at one space per residential unit and prohibiting mandates for costly multilevel garages. Likewise, cities cannot impose additional setback or buffer rules, floor-area ratio restrictions, or requirements that developments include non-residential uses.
Another significant feature of SB 840 is its facilitation of adaptive reuse. Commercial property owners can convert existing office, retail, or warehouse buildings—provided these structures are at least five years old—into primarily residential use without triggering new requirements for traffic studies, infrastructure upgrades, or increased parking beyond what already exists. Cities cannot require improvements beyond what is necessary for basic service capacity, and they cannot demand design standards beyond the International Building Code.
For Garland residents, the effects of SB 840 will likely become visible over the next several years as underutilized commercial properties, such as aging strip malls, vacant office buildings, and older retail centers, are redeveloped into new apartment or condominium communities. This could bring about increased residential density along key corridors, particularly in areas already struggling with aging infrastructure. Because SB 840 allows these projects to proceed through administrative approval processes without lengthy rezoning battles, the timeline for development will likely shorten significantly, reducing what traditionally might have taken years down to mere months.
While Garland will retain oversight over critical matters like building codes, stormwater management, water quality standards, and historic preservation, the city’s flexibility to block or heavily modify such projects is now greatly reduced. Garland and other cities affected by SB 840 will have to revise local policies to align with the new state mandate. However, we will seek all available options to preserve elements of local character and infrastructure integrity.
The broader intent behind SB 840 is to combat Texas’s growing housing shortage, which is estimated at more than 300,000 units. By making it easier and faster for developers to create housing where commercial properties already exist, lawmakers hope to ease the pressure on housing costs and increase supply. However, this also represents a significant shift in the traditional balance of power between local municipalities and the state when it comes to zoning. Garland’s ability to dictate land use in commercial areas is now constrained by state law, and this may reshape parts of the city’s landscape in the years ahead.
For Garland citizens, the best course of action is to remain vigilant and involved. Even though formal rezoning hearings may no longer be required, there will still be opportunities to engage with city planners, attend community meetings, and advocate for thoughtful infrastructure improvements that keep pace with the anticipated growth. Residents concerned about traffic impacts, school capacity, green space, and neighborhood compatibility should participate early in planning discussions. Although SB 840 changes how and where development can occur, local voices remain critical in shaping how these changes unfold at the neighborhood level.
9. Update on Garland Police School Resource Officer (SRO) Program
Staff will provide an update on recent discussions regarding the School Resource Officer (SRO) program, including key takeaways and potential next steps.
Presenter: Jeffrey Bryan, Chief of Police
The City Council will receive an update on recent discussions regarding Garland’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program, which is a collaborative effort between the Garland Police Department and Garland ISD aimed at fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for students. This agenda item serves to inform Council of key takeaways from those discussions and outline potential next steps for the program’s future.
Garland’s SRO program has a long history as a partnership with Garland ISD, with officers assigned to campuses to enhance school safety, deter criminal activity, and build positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
Under House Bill 3, effective September 1, 2023, the Texas Legislature amended the Education Code—adding Section 37.0814—to require that every public school campus maintain at least one armed security officer during regular school hours. The statute mandates that such officers be either a school district peace officer, a school resource officer (SRO), or a commissioned peace officer employed as security personnel (for example, through a contract or interlocal agreement).
This law represents a significant shift in Texas school safety policy, ensuring an armed security presence on all campuses—a response to concerns following tragic incidents like the Uvalde shooting. However, many districts have reported challenges meeting the mandate due to cost constraints and staffing shortages, and some have sought good-cause exemptions while relying on alternative security models
Garland’s SRO program has been a key component of the City’s broader strategy to support schools, providing not only law enforcement presence but also mentorship and engagement with youth. Over the years, SROs in Garland have served as a vital bridge between the police department and the school community, working to foster trust, encourage open communication, and prevent incidents through proactive engagement.
This update reflects the City’s commitment to regularly evaluating the SRO program to ensure it continues to align with community expectations, school safety priorities, and evolving best practices in law enforcement and education. The discussion is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships, assess the program’s effectiveness, and consider adjustments that may enhance outcomes for students, schools, and the broader community.
10. Update on Pet Limits & Wildlife Trapping
Staff will present an update on current practices and trends related to pet limits and wildlife trapping. The request to review these items was made on August 17, 2024 by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht and seconded by Councilmember Dutton.
Presenter: Uriel Villalpando, Interim Animal Services Director, Justin Craft, Animal Services Manager
This item provides an update on two items regarding animals in the City of Garland:
Pet Limits Review
Currently, Garland does not impose a limit on the number of dogs or cats per household, unlike some neighboring cities which set limits based on factors like property size or zoning. On May 30, 2025, the issue was presented to the Animal Services Advisory Committee, which recommended tabling the discussion until the end of the year to allow for further data collection, particularly regarding service calls tied to homes with multiple animals. Early data from April and May 2025 showed only two confirmed excessive animal complaints out of 3,323 total calls. In the meantime, staff are continuing efforts to monitor call volumes, develop heat maps to identify potential problem areas, increase patrols, and work with the City Attorney’s Office as part of a broader review of Chapter 22 of the City Code.
(Number of pets allowed per household in surrounding cities)
Wildlife Trapping Review
Currently, Garland staff respond to all wildlife trapping calls, including those involving non-rabies vector species, which is more comprehensive than the approach of many peer cities. Other cities have scaled back these services, often referring residents to private wildlife removal companies. In Garland, recent data shows a steady decline in wildlife trapping calls, with 227 total calls so far in 2025—averaging about 1.5 calls per day—and the majority involving non-rabies vector species. Given the decreasing volume, staff believe they can continue managing these calls without a significant impact on resources. Additionally, they are exploring public education efforts and expanded use of social media to inform residents about alternative options for addressing non-rabies wildlife concerns.
(Response of surrounding cities to wildlife calls)
Both topics were presented to the Animal Services Advisory Committee on May 30, 2025, and the committee recommended no immediate action on either issue at this time. Staff will continue monitoring service trends and will keep Council informed as this work progresses.
11. Audit Committee Meeting Report
Staff will provide City Council with updates on recently completed audits by the Internal Audit Department.
Presenter: Jedson Johnson, City Auditor
Our City Auditor always seems to be placed at the end of long nights, but he will provide updates on recent audits that have been completed by his Audit Department. The SRO audit comes well-timed considering the previous SRO item discussed above.
a. Audit Request – Police SRO Program
b. HIPAA Privacy and Security Policy Implementation Status – Management Update
c. Parking Enforcement Audit Recommendations Implementation Status – Management Update
d. Home Improvement Incentive Program Audit
e. Internal Audit – Peer Review Result
CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Terms are usually staggered whereby at least half of the membership has previous experience. Members are appointed based on qualifications.
12. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Ott
• Louis Moore - Library Board
13. Councilmember Ed Moore
• Aju Mathew - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
ANNOUNCE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A Councilmember, with a second by another member or the Mayor alone, may ask that an item be placed on a future agenda of the City Council or of a committee of the City Council. No substantive discussion of that item will take place at this time.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.087 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate and discuss the following:
14. A potential offer by the City of financial and other incentives to a business prospect and the receipt of commercial or financial information that the City has received from that same business prospect, which the City seeks to have locate within the city in the area of South Garland Avenue and Wilson Street, and with which the
City is conducting economic development negotiations (551.087); and attorney/client communications related to the same. (551.071).
15. A potential offer by the City of financial and other incentives to a business prospect and the receipt of commercial or financial information that the City has received from that same business prospect which the City seeks to have locate within downtown district of the City, and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations (551.087), including the possibility of the sale of real property (551.072), and attorney/client communications related to the same. (551.071).
16. A potential offer by the City of financial and other incentives to a business prospect and the receipt of commercial or financial information that the City has received from that same business prospect which the City seeks to have locate within downtown district, and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations (551.087), including the possibility of the lease of real property (551.072), and attorney/client communications related to the same. (551.071).
ADJOURN
Speaking of DART, this song is frequently used as “walk out music” at dart tournaments. Who knew that a song by the Italian electronic music group Planet Funk with vocals from Finnish singer from 2001 would be so popular with the darts crowd. Here’s the original, but the second version with the dart footage included is a real banger.
“Oi, Oi, Oi!”