Work Session Notes - June 16, 2025
Don't stop imagining. The day that you do is the day that you die.
Thank you to all who voted in the June 7 runoff election. I am honored in the trust the citizens put in me to serve as Garland’s 38th mayor.
I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow at Garland City Hall at 7:00 PM for the swearing in ceremony. Mayor Scott LeMay will start the meeting and take care of old business before handing over the reins to me to finish the meeting. I hope you can come to not only support me, but show gratitude to Mayor LeMay for the fantastic job he has done leading the city over the past six years.
Now on to the Work Session Notes. It’s a long one for Mayor LeMay’s last one. He’s going out with a bang. As always, my commentary is in bold italics.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
1. Parking Restrictions on Wall Street
Council is requested to consider parking restrictions on Wall Street. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting.
This item is to restrict parking so that the Daisy Brand workers, who are often blocked by tractor trailer trucks, will be able to safely turn into their facility on Wall Street.
(Map from Google Maps)
2. Notice of Intention to Issue Certificates of Obligation
Council is requested to consider a resolution directing the publication of notice of intention to issue certificates of obligation to fund Capital Projects. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 17, 2025 Regular Meeting.
The City of Garland plans a second 2025 issuance of Certificates of Obligation (COs) to fund capital projects not covered by voter approval or cash reserves. While $25 million will go toward the Holford Road Soccer Complex (not originally included in the 2025 CIP), an estimated $50 million will fund street improvements, infrastructure, equipment, and facility/park upgrades, based on updated tax base values.
Unlike previous years where a short-term tax note was used, this year's funding will be structured entirely as COs. The Soccer Complex debt will have a 20-year maturity, aligning with its useful life, and the remaining $50 million will have a short-term maturity of less than one year. The total issuance is $76 million, and a CIP budget amendment will be reviewed and approved by the City Council prior to issuance.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
3. Technology Update for the City Council Chambers and Work Session Rooms
Staff will give a brief update on the new technology and system for agendas and audio-visual equipment.
Presenter: Mike Betz, Chief Information Officer, Jennifer Stubbs, City Secretary, Jonathan Morgan, IT Operations Director
The City Council chambers and the Work Session room recently was upgraded with a new council speaking and voting system. These improvements include upgraded microphones, cameras, request-to-speak controls, closed-captioning functionality, and enhanced remote participation tools if a member is not present, but wishes to join the meeting virtually.
Council members have been trained on using the new system, but I know there will be a few kinks to work out before we are proficient with it. For example, voting will now be on an iPad rather than on the previous touchscreens. I am thankful for the new monitors at each council position that have been installed which have a much higher resolution than the previous ones.
4. IH 635 Reconstruction Project Update
Council is requested to receive a status update from the Texas Department of Transportation on the IH 635 reconstruction project, which spans from US 75 to IH 30. The project, which began in 2020, involves a complete rebuild to include continuous frontage roads, five general-purpose lanes, one managed lane, enhanced ramp access, and upgrades to meet modern roadway design standards. The original completion date was December 2024, and TxDOT will provide an update on current progress and any schedule changes.
Presenter: Ceason Clemons, District Engineer-TxDOT
TxDOT District Engineer Ceason Clemons will present the latest on the IH-635 Project. As a road that I travel daily, I see from personal experience that construction is moving along steadily.
Now it looks like the General purpose lanes should be open by early 2026 per the provided schedule:
LBJ East Project Schedule
• Contract Start Date: September 2019
• Construction commencement: May 2020
• Design completion date: September 2021
• Project duration elapsed to date: 80%
• Estimated Completion:
• 5 General Purpose Lanes open by end of 2025/early 2026
• Managed Lanes open Spring 2026
• City streets complete Spring 2026
(IH-635 at Garland Road looking east)
(IH-635 at Jupiter Road looking east)
(Final IH-635 roadway configuration)
5. Garland Chamber Mid-Year Report
In continuing with the 2024-2025 Action Plan and the City's Contract, the Chamber is required to present biannual reports to City Council. Garland Chamber of Commerce staff will present to City Council a mid-year report.
Presenter: Paul Mayer, CEO- Garland Chamber of Commerce
As part of its contract with the City of Garland, the Chamber of Commerce comes twice a year to provide the City Council with an update on its activity. Today’s presentation will focus on:
BUSINESS RETENTION - Focus on sustaining and expanding the City’s high-value property tax base by supporting retention services
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - Collaboration with local educational institutions and the City to strengthen Workforce Development services
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Strengthen the City's entrepreneurial spirit by enhancing Small Business Development services through collaborative efforts
I am also interested to hear about the newly formed Garland Hispanic Business Association and resources they have provided local businesses as well.
6. Update on the Development of a Multi-Use Soccer Complex
Staff will provide City Council an update on the development of a multi-use soccer complex and associated infrastructure located near Holford Road and President George Bush Turnpike. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 17, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Presenter: Judson Rex, City Manager, Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager
This item will provide more details on the proposed agreement for the Athletico Dallas team headquarters project and surrounding training and youth soccer facilities. Details of the lease agreement weren’t provided in the agenda packet so I am expecting to see more of the details in the presentation provided by staff.
You can view my Substack post from a month ago to see a conceptual rendering of the headquarters building and the proposed preliminary site plan layout: https://dylanhedrick.substack.com/p/work-session-notes-may-19-2025
7. Garland ADA Transition Plan Update
Staff will brief City Council on the recent update to the ADA Transition Plan.
Presenter: Paul Luedtke, Director of Transportation
The City of Garland has released its updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan, a comprehensive document that reviews the city’s progress since the original 1993 plan and outlines a clear roadmap for future accessibility improvements. Developed in coordination with consultants and guided by federal and state regulations, the plan evaluates public buildings, parks, sidewalks, intersections, and city services for compliance with current ADA standards.
The Plan highlights substantial upgrades already made through Garland’s Capital Improvement Projects—ranging from street enhancements to park renovations—and prioritizes remaining barriers based on community impact and feasibility. Much work has occurred, but there is more to do to eliminate all barriers throughout the city. Garland is committed to ensuring that all residents, regardless of ability, have equal access to city programs, services, and spaces.
8. Update on MD Health Pathways Program
Staff will brief City Council on the MD Health Pathways program and provide an update on discussions with other cities that have implemented the program, as well as outline the resources and actions needed to initiate the program in Garland.
Presenter: Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager, Dana J. Mitchell, Utility CIS & Revenue Administrator
Discussions will continue on the MD Health Pathways program that was first presented to Council in March 2025. This program would provide access to a medical provider through text messages for a $6 per month fee charged to Garland resident’s utility bill. The medical provider could then diagnose many illnesses, write a prescription, or refer the resident to another provider for additional care. Learn more about the program here: https://mdhealthpathways.com/
In order for this program to work financially for the provider, the program would be an opt-out program rather than an opt-in. I’m curious what your thoughts are on this program and if you would like to see something like this enacted in Garland.
9. Garland Youth Council Appointee Selection
Council is requested to consider amendments to the Code of Ordinances regarding the Garland Youth Council. Amendments include an increase to the number of appointees each City Councilmember is able to select. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 17, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Presenter: Tiffany Veno, Chief Communications Officer, Rhonda McTyre, Recreation Services Supervisor
With this item, the City Council will consider increasing the number of members on our Garland Youth Council. Currently there are 18 members, but this change would double the number of members to 36. I am all for getting more youth involved with their city and this is a worthy program to do just that.
10. Legislative and Public Affairs Committee Report
Councilmember BJ Williams, Chair of the Legislative & Public Affairs Committee, and staff will provide a committee report. Ariel Traub, Managing Director of Legislative & Public Affairs, will discuss key takeaways from the 89th legislative session.
Presenter: Ariel Traub, Managing Director
With the 89th Texas legislative session coming to a close, our Managing Director of Legislative and Public Affairs Ariel Traub will provide an update on bills that will affect Garland that made it through the legislative process. Tune in to see how SB 2633–the bill which would allow for a special election to allow packaged liquor sales–turned out. Teaser - it didn’t end up how you thought it would.
CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
11. Councilmember Kris Beard
• Kay Moore, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
ANNOUNCE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.086 and 552.133 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate and discuss the following:
12. Deliberation of the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property in the area of President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road where deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person (551.072), and attorney/client communications related to the same (551.071).
13. Competitive matters relating to Garland Power & Light as it pertains to risk management information, customer billing, contract and usage information, electric power pricing information, and system load characteristics (551.086 and 552.133), and attorney/client communications regarding same (551.071).
ADJOURN
Talking about our Youth Council today, I’ll play the song “17” by Youth Lagoon. Youth Lagoon is the work of Boise, Idaho’s Trevor Powers who Wikipedia describes described as a mix of “neo-psychedelia, and includes elements of pop, Americana, electronic and experimental music.” I just think of it as dreamy pop music. Give it a listen.