Work Session Notes - June 17, 2024
Lost my lover in the old churchyard.
This week, we will take up some items postponed from the previous Work Session as well as the transfer of the Garland Health Clinic to Dallas County.
As usual, my comments are in bold italics. Please share my Substack with a friend!
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
Interlocal Agreement for the Transition of Garland Public Health Clinic to Dallas County Health & Human Services
Council is requested to consider a resolution approving the interlocal agreement between the City of Garland and Dallas County Health & Human Services allowing the transfer of Public Health Clinic operations and associated grant funding for the sustainment of public health services within the City of Garland.
This is a big transition for the Garland Public Health Clinic as Dallas County will take operational and financial control of the facility located at 206 Carver Street. For the past several years and especially since COVID-19, the Garland Clinic has been funded by public grant money. That funding source is now coming to an end.
Garland is one of only a few municipal-operated public health clinics in Texas. The vast majority of clinics are operated by Texas counties. This agreement transfers the clinic’s equipment to Dallas County while the City will maintain ownership of the building. Hopefully this three-year agreement will be extended in the future to continue to allow Garland’s citizens to receive health care services.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal briefing.
Consider the Confirmation of Jennifer Stubbs for City Secretary
Judson Rex, City Manager, will introduce Jennifer Stubbs to the City Council and seek confirmation for appointment to the City Secretary position.
The City Council has four direct reports that we are responsible for hiring: City Manager, City Attorney, City Auditor and Municipal Judges. The City Secretary is under the City Manager’s authority with council approval. Think of this process as similar to a Supreme Court appointee as the City Manager (chief executive) nominates a candidate and the Council (legislative body) confirms it. Jennifer Stubbs comes to Garland after serving as City Secretary for the City of Elgin, east of Austin.
(Jennifer Stubbs courtesy of the City of Elgin)
One area of focus Ms. Stubbs will take over is the training of boards and commission members. We have begun rolling out a training program for new boards and commission appointees so that they may be more effective in their position from Day One. A Rockwall native, Ms. Stubbs served on Rockwall’s Youth Advisory Council.
Garland Housing Finance Corporation 2023 Annual Report
David Gibbons, CEO of the Garland Housing Finance Corporation, will present to City Council their 2023 Annual Report.
I look forward to hearing from former District 1 Councilman David Gibbons as he presents the Garland Housing Finance Corporation’s (GHFC) 2023 Annual Report. The GHFC does so much good work in the city of Garland to provide housing opportunities for low income residents. The annual grant money they provide is a life-saver for residents who cannot afford emergency or necessary repairs to their homes.
Chamber Mid-Year Presentation to Council
Garland Chamber of Commerce staff will present to Council a mid-year report related to the 2024 Annual Action Plan.
The reports continue with the Garland Chamber of Commerce presenting their 2024 mid-year report. Garland’s funding of the Chamber of Commerce is transitioning to a more results-driven policy centered on three areas: business retention, small business development and workforce Development.
I have had the opportunity to speak with Cesar Mateos several weeks ago who was recently hired as the Chamber’s Small Business Success Manager. He has been meeting with local small-businesses to find their key concerns and providing resources to help them thrive and grow.
The next four items were covered in the June 3, 2024 Work Session notes, but was postponed to focus the discussion on the recovery from the May 28th storms. You can read my analysis here: https://dylanhedrick.substack.com/p/work-session-notes-june-3-2024
Review of Yard Sale Ordinance related to residential, institutions, and multifamily properties.
Rick Barker, Director of Code Compliance, will provide a verbal briefing on City Ordinances related to yard sales at residential institutions and multifamily properties. Council Member Williams, with a second from Council Member Lucht, requested a presentation on the yard sale ordinance. (This item was postponed from the June 3, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting)
Review the Community Involved I-Sign Program for Removing Illegally Placed Signs in Public Right of Ways, Parkways, and Medians
Rick Barker, Director of Code Compliance, will provide a verbal briefing and presentation to review the community involved I-Sign program for removing illegally placed signs in public right of ways, parkways, and medians. Council Member Hedrick, with a second from Council Member Lucht, requested a presentation on the I-Sign program. (This item was postponed from the June 3, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting)
NXL Paintball Tournament Recap
Staff will present the Council with a verbal update regarding the NXL Paintball Tournament at Audubon Park. Council Member Lucht, with a second from Council Member Williams, requested an update regarding the NXL Paintball Tournament. (This item was postponed from the June 3, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting)
Transportation, Infrastructure and Mobility Committee Report
The Transportation Infrastructure and Mobility Committee will report the results of consideration of quiet zones on railroads in the City of Garland. (This item was postponed from the June 3, 2024 City Council Work Session Meeting)
Mayor Appointments to Council Committees and Outside Boards
The Mayor will brief Council on his selection of appointments to the Council Committees and Outside Boards.
I am happy to continue to chair the Development Services Committee focusing on development and zoning issues within the city. I will also continue to serve on the Transportation, Infrastructure and Mobility Committee and the Administrative Services Committee.
The full council committee assignments by the Mayor are here:
Audit Committee
Chair Moore
Member Williams
Member Ott
Administrative Services Committee
Chair Lucht
Member Hedrick
Member Moore
Community Services Committee
Chair Bass
Member Dutton
Member Beard
Development Services Committee
Chair Hedrick
Member Bass
Member Lucht
Public Safety Committee
Chair Dutton
Member Williams
Member Beard
Transportation Infrastructure and Mobility Committee
Chair Ott
Member Hedrick
Member Dutton'
Intragovernmental Affairs Committee
Chair Williams
Member Bass
Member Ott
Introduction to Council survey for evaluation of the City’s Mission, Vision, and Strategic Focus Areas
Staff and partner Dillon Morgan Consulting (DMC) will introduce the survey tool for Council to evaluate the current Mission, Vision, and Strategic Focus Areas of the City. DMC will synthesize feedback from the survey and facilitate Council discussion at the June 29 City Council Workshop.
This item is what I’m most excited to discuss from this week’s Work Session as consultant Dillon Morgan Consulting (DMC) will discuss a council survey tool regarding our City’s Mission, Vision, and Strategic Focus Areas.
The 10 Strategic Focus Areas are posted in every regular session council agenda.
As part of their analysis, Council was asked by DMC to rank the importance of each. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on where each of the focus areas rank for you. Is a Commercially Thriving Downtown more important than a Safe Community? Are Reliable, Cost Efficient City Services more important than Well-Maintained City Infrastructure? Let me know your ranking in the comments below.
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.
Mayor Scott LeMay
Angela Harrison - Senior Citizens Advisory Board
Council Member Margaret Lucht
Jaric Jones - Plan Commission
ANNOUNCE FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A Council member, 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
Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.073, 551.074, 551.076, 551.086, 551.087, 551.773 and 552.133 of the Texas Government Code.
The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to Sections 551.086 and 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate or discuss:
1. Competitive matters of a public power utility related to risk management information and strategies (551.086) and attorney/client matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information related to the same (551.071).
We will certainly be discussing the issues related to the power outages caused by the May 28 storms and possibly ERCOT’s prediction of up to 16% chance of emergency power conditions in August.
ADJOURN
With the committee assignments coming out this week, I’m playing a tune by a band called Yearbook Committee named “Old Churchyard.” They are a folk rock Terre Haute, Indiana who play a ton of instruments including banjo, accordion, French horn, five gallon buckets, sheet metal, whirly tubes and kazoos. Maybe I could join!