Work Session Notes - May 5, 2025
Thank you to all who voted in the election yesterday. With no one receiving 50% +1 vote in the mayoral election we are going to a runoff. I am proud that I have made it this far and I am confident that I can win. The runoff election day will be June 7 with early voting from be May 27 to June 3.
I ask all of you to come out one more time a month from now to support me and my campaign for mayor. With your continued support, we can win this and keep Garland moving ahead with Hedrick as your next mayor. Keep an eye out for future events and opportunities to help bring the win home
Also, all four bond propositions passed with strong support. This will set the foundation to grow Garland’s transportation infrastructure and economy for the next six years.
Now on to the Work Session notes. As always, my comments are in bold italics.
WORK SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORK SESSION ITEMS
CONSIDER THE CONSENT AGENDA
WRITTEN BRIEFINGS
1. Shiloh Road Project - Acquisition of Real Property Located at 2328 Brooks Street
Council is requested to consider the approval of a purchase agreement and relocation assistance package negotiated with Deyanira and Gabriel A. Solis for the acquisition of fee simple interest from real property located at 2328 Brooks Street, and authorize the City Manager to execute such documents necessary to complete the transaction. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting.
2. Shiloh Road Project - Acquisition of Real Property Located at 2329 Brooks Street
Council is requested to consider the approval of a purchase agreement and relocation assistance package negotiated with Felipe Chavez and Dimas Carbajal for the acquisition of fee simple interest from real property located at 2329 Brooks Street, and authorize the City Manager to execute such documents necessary to complete the transaction. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Similar to the two items last week, these items continue the purchase of property for the Shiloh Road expansion. When we buy out a property, the City is responsible for moving costs, mortgage differential costs and incidental expenses. This item contractually formalizes the agreement to purchase these properties.
3. Pepperwood Lift Station Abandonment Project - Eminent Domain
Council is requested to consider approval of a resolution to authorize the use of eminent domain where necessary to acquire the needed easement for the Pepperwood Lift Station project. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2025 Regular Meeting.
As a civil engineer, I know the importance of maintaining sanitary sewer flow. Generally people do not realize the importance of working utilities until something doesn’t work. You turn on your water tap and expect water to come out of your faucet. You flush your toilet and expect it to drain. Sometimes, that sewage must be pumped using a lift station to a higher elevation due to grade constraints into a line that flows by gravity. Gravity lines use the force of gravity (obviously) to maintain flow in a pipe. Lift stations require pumps, grinders, electricity and frequent maintenance to keep them in working order.
This project is the rerouting of an existing line from a pump station into a gravity line. To make this project work, the City requires 327 square feet for a small 5’ wide by 65’ long easement within the subject property. Negotiations with the property owner have not been fruitful and now the City must use its eminent domain powers to obtain rights to the easement. The easement is shown in greet at the top right of the image below:
This is a power that I only want the City to use in rare instances when the public necessity vastly outweighs the private property owner’s interests.
4. Interlocal Agreement Between City of Garland and City of Terrell
Council is requested to consider the Interlocal Agreement between City of Garland and City of Terrell to provide radio communications technical support and services to the City of Terrell. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2025 Regular Meeting.
The City of Terrell, Texas, utilizes the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) system as part of the Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett, Sachse trunking system. This system is a digital radio network that serves multiple municipalities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Terrell.
The system includes various talkgroups for different departments and functions, such as police dispatch, fire operations, and public works. For instance, Terrell Fire Department operations are assigned to talkgroup ID 611, while Terrell Police Department communications are on talkgroup ID 601, which is encrypted for security.
With this item, Garland, with our radio expertise, will provide labor to troubleshoot subscriber radios, annual preventive maintenance and special projects on the radio system at Terrell’s request. This is a great example of where the City of Garland is able to assist our neighboring cities with our inhouse expertise.
5. Interlocal Agreement with City of Richardson for Campbell and Jupiter Intersection
Council is requested to consider authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Richardson for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of Campbell Road and Jupiter Road Intersection improvements. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2025 Regular Meeting.
The City of Richardson is responsible for the maintenance of Jupiter Road which forms the boundary between Garland and Richardson. In order to improve flow through this intersection, Richardson wants to acquire right-of-way within Garland along the east side of the Jupiter ROW.
The proposed improvements include adding paving to some outside lanes of Jupiter Rd. and Campbell Rd., as well as adjusting the center medians at the intersection, to allow the creation of additional turning lanes. The improvements will allow better traffic movement through the intersection and help alleviate traffic congestion during peak travel times. A view of the improvements are shown below. All of the construction and ROW acquisition costs are borne by the City of Richardson.
(Proposed Campbell & Jupiter Intersection Improvements)
6. Fire and Police Staffing Realignment
Council is requested to consider revisions to the Civil Service Classifications Ordinance. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting.
With this item, the Fire Department is requesting to reallocate one vacant Firefighter position to create a new Captain role focused on fire prevention within the Fire Marshal's Office and a qualified candidate has already been identified and is currently serving in the role.
The Police Department is requesting to indefinitely suspend its $5,000 lateral hire bonus program due to improved staffing. Remaining funds will be reallocated or relinquished after fulfilling any final obligations.
The change in the Fire Department shows a higher cost for the Captain position ($126,306) compared to a Firefighter ($77,575), but this may be offset by vacancies and attrition.
7. Investment Portfolio
The December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025 Quarterly Investment Portfolios are presented to inform the Council of the current status of the City's invested funds.
The quarterly Portfolio Summary report, dated March 31, 2025, has been presented to Council and is certified to be in compliance with the Public Funds Investment Act. The City's investment portfolios are managed according to the City Council’s Financial Policy, Investment Policy, and Investment Strategy.
And the 3D pie charts live on!
The 0.13% of demand deposits really is lost in this graph.
8. Ordinance Amendment of Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances Council is requested to consider an amendment to Section 22.06, Miscellaneous Fees: Adoption Procedure for dogs and cats, of Chapter 22 "Health" of the Code of Ordinances that would allow for the discretionary reduction or waiver of fees. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2025 Regular Meeting.
The current City ordinance does not allow Animal Services to reduce or waive fees depending on the circumstances which limits flexibility in managing shelter operations. A proposed amendment to Chapter 22.06 would permit fee reductions or waivers in two key situations: during kennel overcrowding to expedite adoptions and in cases of financial hardship to help reunite pets with owners or support adoptions. This change would improve shelter efficiency, reduce euthanasia, and enhance animal welfare and community support.
9. Youth Program Standards of Care
Council is requested to consider the approval of an ordinance adopting the Youth Programs Standards of Care. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the May 20, 2025 Regular Meeting.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal briefing.
10. Introduction of a New Director
Council will be introduced to Brian Norris, the new director of Code Compliance, by Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager.
11. Introduction of a New Director
Council will be introduced to Michael Buchler, the new director of the Project Management Office, by Crystal Owens, Assistant City Manager.
With these two items, two new directors will be introduced to replace retired staff. I am happy that we were able to find two well qualified individuals to take over the Code Compliance and Project Management Office responsibilities.
12. 2025-2026 CDBG, HOME and ESG Federal Grant Allocations
The Community Development Department will provide a presentation concerning the distribution of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, HOME Infill Partnership Grant (HOME) funding, and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding. Council previously considered this item at the April 14, 2025 Work Session. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Each year, Garland receives funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to be distributed through our Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Infill Partnership Grant (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. The total funds to be awarded this year are:
CDBG: $2,070,501
HOME: $ 640,867
ESG: $ 186,759
Of the funds, the Council has the ability to choose how to distribute 15% of the CDBG funds ($310,575) for “public services.” Both citywide initiatives and non-profit organizations can submit for grants. This year we received 14 grant requests (four citywide initiatives and 10 non-profit organizations).
Councilmember provided their individual allocations and staff then averaged them to determine the grant amount given to each request.
The applicants this year and the proposed grant amounts are:
Garland Police Boxing Program - $35,359
S.T.A.R.S. Summer Camp Program - $42,698
Parks After School Program - $37,204
Elderly Yard Care Program - $21,432
Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas Ombudsman Program - $21,269
Meals on Wheels $13,735 Hopes Door/New Beginning Center - $20,601
Achievement Center Student Tuition - $19,093
Counseling Institute Family Therapy - $14,370
Hope Clinic Medical Clinic - $50,995
Salvation Army Rental Assistance - $24,536
Restoration Church Summer Camp - $4,761
Under 1 Roof – New CDBG Applicant - $2,199
Family Gateway – (New Applicant) - $2,323
13. Legislative & Public Affairs Committee Report
Councilmember B.J. 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 the 89th legislative session thus far.
Last Monday, I was invited to testify in front of the State Senate State Affairs Committee regarding Senate Bill 2633. This bill would allow for a local option election to allow for packaged liquor sales in the City of Garland. It is estimated that Garland loses $500,000 annually in sales tax revenue due to approximately $50 million in lost sales of packaged liquor going surrounding cities.
You can view my testimony here: https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=21913&lang=en
I was the first item and my remarks start at around 2 minutes, 20 seconds.
14. Community Services Committee Report
Councilmember Jeff Bass, Chair of the Community Services Committee, and staff, including representatives from MD Health Pathways, will provide a committee report on MD Health Pathways, which was discussed at a committee meeting on March 27, 2025. The item was requested by Councilmember Chris Ott and seconded by Councilmember Dylan Hedrick at the March 3, 2025 Work Session.
15. Transportation, Infrastructure and Mobility Committee Report
Councilmember Chris Ott, Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Mobility Committee, and staff will provide a committee report on the following item: Assessment of Truck-Related Traffic Concerns and Signage in the Shiloh Road and Kraft Heinz Area. The item was submitted by Councilmember Dutton and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Lucht at the March 31, 2025 Work Session, and was discussed at the Transportation, Infrastructure and Mobility Committee meeting on April 15, 2025.
Back in April, we discussed 18-wheelers parking along Shiloh Road near Kraft Heinz in areas where no parking is allowed. The committee decided that no action should be taken at this time and our police and marshals should continue to look for offenders using current ordinances in place.
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.
16. Citywide Appointment
Art Munoz, Animal Services Advisory Committee
17. Citywide Appointment
Ashton Tassin, Animal Services Advisory Committee
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
18. Deliberate or discuss:
The City Council will adjourn into executive session pursuant to sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.086, 551.087, and 552.133 of the Texas Government Code to deliberate and discuss the following:
1. 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 located within the City in the area of President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road, and with which the City is conducting economic development negotiations (551.087), and which may include the sale or lease of real property (551.072); and attorney/client communications related to the same (551.071).
2. Competitive matters related to Garland Power & Light as it pertains to Project No. 55718 of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Order Approving the Reliability Plan for the Permian Basin Region
(551.086 and 552.133) and attorney/client communication related to same (551.071).
3. The potential purchase and value of real property generally located near the southwest intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and Holford Road (551.072) and attorney/client communications related to same (551.071).
4. A potential and/or proposed amendment to the Development Agreement between the City and Om Estates Development , LLC ("OED") and associated financial information received by OED regarding same (551.087), and attorney/client communications related to same (551.071).
5. Attorney/client matters concerning pending or contemplated litigation or matters concerning privileged and unprivileged client information provided by the Office of the City Attorney.
ADJOURN
Since we were talking about gravity sewers earlier, I’ll play a song by the band Gravity Kills. The mid-90s was an interesting time for rock and music videos right at the height of MTV. Industrial rock was peaking and the music videos had to match the creepy intensity of the moment. This song “Guilty” even has an introduction by Matt Pinfield of 120 Minutes.