Work Session Notes - May 18, 2026
Boy, when I left you, you were young I was gone, but not my love
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I sure did attending the Welcome to Garland class for new and long-time residents Saturday morning and the Asian American Heritage Festival Saturday afternoon.
Although I missed the Garland Parks Foundation opening of Surf & Swim Saturday afternoon, I am looking towards the official ribbing cutting this Friday. Is a suit and tie appropriate swimwear? Click the picture below to find out!
Tonight your City Council will be back at work with the first official meeting for the three new members in District 1 (Jimmy Tran), District 2 (Justin Caraway) and District 4 (Christina Segoviano).
Please join us in the Work Session room at 6:00 PM at City Hall if you are able. If you cannot, please watch online here and click the Watch Live link.
Before I begin the Work Session notes, I do want to highlight two items from the Regular Agenda on tomorrow’s meeting.
Item 8 is a development agreement with H-E-B (!!!) to bring a store to the corner of Christ Road and President George Bush Turnpike. Our agreement will provide a tax rebate of 50% for 10 years on real estate, Business Personal Property (BPP) and sales tax; a development fee rebate of up to $1.2 million and a cash grant of $2.5 million for other costs. In return HEB will invest a minimum of $17 million into the site with the goal of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy before December 31, 2030.
I believe this is great deal for the city as H-E-B’s investment will likely spur additional sales tax revenue from visitors to Firewheel Mall and a rise in adjacent property values.
Item 9 is a second development agreement with H-E-B to bring a Joe V’s Smart Shop grocery store to the corner of W. Centerville Road and Broadmoor Drive. This agreement is similarly structured with a 50% 10-year tax rebate of real estate and sales tax and a cash grant of $1.5 million for facade improvements, infrastructure upgrades and demolition costs. In return HEB will invest a minimum of $7 million into the existing site.
Again, I believe this is a good deal for the city to revitalize an underperforming shopping center. After the Kroger closed in 2006, multiple attempts to fill the space have failed even with an exterior remodel in 2010. H-E-B’s investment will likely bring new tenants to the adjacent spaces and a new pad side development along Centerville.
I can’t wait to see these project start construction.
As always, my commentary is in bold italics. Thank you for reading and please provide any feedback in the comments below or at mayor@garlandtx.gov.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a written briefing.
1. ChildCareGroup Lease Agreement Extension
Council is requested to consider renewing a multi-year lease agreement negotiated with ChildCareGroup for the City-owned property located at 625 E. Avenue B for an additional three (3) year term. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 19, 2026 Regular Meeting.
For nearly 70 years, the non-profit childcare provider ChildCareGroup (CGC) has operated at this city-owned location serving low-income Garland families. The current 5-year lease expired May 1 and CGC is requesting to renew the lease for a three-year period. The rent is $1.00 per year, but CGC is required to perform all maintenance and utilize COG utilities. Either party may terminate the agreement with a 180-day written notice.
(Google Streetview of the subject property)
While the $1 per year rent is a bargain I would like to have on any lease that I signed, this is consistent with agreements we have had with other non-profit organizations. The shorter three year timeline allows the City to evaluate future redevelopment plans for this plot of land adjacent to Lou Huff Park.
2. Brand Road (S.H. 190 to Muirfield) Project - Eminent Domain Submission
Council is requested to consider authorizing the use of eminent domain to acquire the necessary property interests for the Brand Road (S.H. 190 to Muirfield) Project. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 19, 2026 Regular Meeting.
As we have authorized in the past, Council will consider using its power of eminent domain to acquire clips and strips” from Block 1, Lot 1 of the 190/Brand Addition property located on the northwest side of Brand Road.
The four parcels are:
0.083 acres for right-of-way dedication
0.021 acres for a pedestrian access and utility easement
0.118 acres for a grading, slope and access easement
0.009 acres for a drainage easement
As we have authorized for public benefit projects in the past during my time on council (examples here, here, and here), the power will only be used if our good-faith negotiations fail. We must follow the state-regulated process of sending a formal offer, obtaining an appraisal, and sending a final offer all while negotiations with the landowner may continue.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal briefing.
3. Introduction of Mandy Harrell, Customer Service Director
Council will be introduced to Mandy Harrell, the City’s new Director of Customer Service.
Presenter: Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager
After 18 years at the City of Garland, Customer Service Director Kevin Slay retired earlier this year. To take over his role, Mandy Harrell has been promoted to Director. Mandy, a graduate of Garland High School, begin her career with Garland in 1994 as a cashier before promoting to Payment Center Supervisor in 2019 and Utility Operations Administrator in 2023. Mandy was also a member of Leadership Garland Class 45 along with new councilmembers Jimmy Tran and Christian Segoviano.
I am happy that we are rewarding a great, dedicated, and long-time member of Team Garland with this worthy promotion.
4. Garland Youth Council End-of-Year Recap
GYC Members and staff liaisons will provide an overview of learning and service activities that occurred over 2025-26, as well as provide an update on recruitment for 2026-27.
Presenter: Tiffany Veno, Chief Communications Officer, Rhonda McTyre, Recreation Services Supervisor
At the end of the school year, many of our 34 Garland Youth Council (GYC) members come to City Council to provide an update on their activities over the past year. The GYC’s mission has a dual mandate—to educate Garland’s youth about city business and to be a voice for Garland’s youth.
To that end this past year the GYC held 11 meetings and four socials. I was honored to speak at one of their meetings about the role of the mayor and city council. The GYC also contributed more than 650 volunteer hours at various city events and donated more than 15 bags of clothing to Trusted World.
If you or someone you know would like to apply for the Garland Youth Council, please apply at GarlandYouthCouncil.org. Applications are open until May 31.
5. Interview for Appointment to the North Texas Municipal Water District Board
Information was posted on the City’s website in order to provide the opportunity for citizens to apply for the North Texas Municipal Water District Board position. At the close of the notice period on May 8, 2026, 13 qualified applicants responded. Council is scheduled to formally appoint a representative to the North Texas Municipal Water District Board at the May 19, 2026 Regular Meeting.
During our application period, 13 candidates expressed interest in serving on the North Texas Municipal Water District Board. We will conduct interviews of the candidates and vote to appoint a member at the Regular Meeting Tuesday.
6. 2026-2027 CDBG, HOME and ESG Federal Grant Allocations
Staff will present an overview of the proposed allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Infill Partnership Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds for Program Year 2026-2027.
Presenter: Jason Wilhite, Construction Manager
With this item, we will continue discussions of our CDGB funding allocations. Council has been given worksheets to determine funding as the requests have outpaced the dollars available.
The City has also requested funding for a housing repair program, code enforcement officers, the Freeman Heights neighborhood revitalization program, and an outdoor library learning program.
7. South Garland Library - Curiosity Garden Mid-Year Budget Amendment Request
South Garland Library requests a mid-year budget amendment to provide additional funding for the Curiosity Garden Project, including parking lot enhancements and place making improvements aimed at enhancing the library’s outdoor space and overall community experience. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the June 16, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Presenter: Jason Wilhite, Construction Manager
With exterior improvements already made at Central Library, North Garland Library, and a new West Garland Branch, South Garland Library will get a significant upgrade with a Curiosity Garden. This will transform a large portion of the parking lot into an outdoor learning space with a children’s play area, covered stage, food-truck parking area, seating and lighting upgrades. During our 2019 Library Master Plan, outdoor space was the number one requested improvement at our libraries.
An aerial rendering of the proposed project.
(An street-level view of the project.)
We want this project to contribute to our Broadway/Oates Economic Focus Area by improving the visual appeal of the corridor. The project is estimated to cost $1.42 million with funding coming from CDBG funds, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and other sources.
I am happy that this project will bring attention to South Garland with a large investment in placemaking. Hopefully this will serve as a catalyst for future investment in the area.
8. Grow Garland Bond Proposition C: Granville Arts Center Renovation Update
Staff will present an update on the Granville Arts Center Renovation — Proposition C of the Grow Garland 2025 Bond Program, including preliminary designs from Williams Tharp Architects and Semple Brown Architects and Designers.
Presenter: Amy Rosenthal, Cultural Arts Director, Michael Buchler, Capital Project
Management Director
Consultants Williams Tharp and Semple Brown will present preliminary renovation concepts for the Granville Arts Center. In May 2025, Garland voters approved $25 million through Proposition C to renovate the 43-year-old facility, which welcomes more than 75,000 visitors each year.
While I have not yet seen the proposed renderings, I am confident the design team will bring thoughtful and innovative ideas to enhance the space. Planned improvements include ADA-accessible seating, backstage enhancements, upgraded building systems, and improved concessions areas.
I hope the revisions will further the goal of integrating the Center into the fabric of downtown Garland. The original 1980 architect’s design document below even expressed that vision; and hopefully, this renovation will bring us closer to that long-standing goal.
9. Potential GDC Amendment for Parking Deviation Process in the Garland Development Code Staff will provide an overview on a potential GDC amendment to update the parking deviation process.
Presenter: Nabila Nur, Planning & Development Director
Staff has identified our parking variance process as overly complex and has requested that we simplify the current rules. Currently, parking is allowed to exceed minimum requirements by a percentage that scales with structure size, mainly affecting multi-family and non-residential uses.
The new rule will allow a nonresidential site to have a +15% variance to be allowed by right, a +15-40% variance via an Alternative Compliance Request, and +40% variance by a Planned Development. Multifamily sites will allow one parking space for efficiency units, 1.5 spaces for one bedrooms units, and two for 2+ bedroom units which is more restrictive than current requirements.
Overall, this will shift policy to less surface parking required overall and promote more compact developments. As Garland is 97% built-out, we can only grow by increasing density of future developments.
10. Administrative Services Committee Report
Staff will provide a report on the annual review and discussion of tax exemptions, including senior and homestead exemptions. This item was discussed at the April 23, 2026 Administrative Services Committee Meeting.
Presenter: Allyson Bell Steadman, Chief Financial Officer
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.
ADJOURN
With our Youth Council visiting us this evening, here is Glass Animals with their song “Youth.” I first became aware of Glass Animals when I received their album “How to Be a Human Being” as part of my vinyl of the month club subscription. It is still a great album I go back to frequently. Enjoy!