Work Session Notes - October 20, 2025
I run it up the flagpole and see who salutes (But no one ever does)
Tonight’s Work Session includes a discussion of constructing a youth soccer complex at Holford Road and PGBT, a recap of the Paintball Tournament held at Audubon Park and four Council committee reports. No executive session tonight.
I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any comments on the items to be discussed or please show up in person to voice your concerns.
As always, my comments are in bold italics.
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. Abandonment of an Access Easement and Portion of a Drainage Easement to C&M Villareal Family Limited Partnership, Ltd
Council is requested to consider the abandonment of an access easement and portion of a drainage easement to the current property owner, C&M Villareal Family Limited Partnership, Ltd. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the October 21, 2025 Regular Meeting.
One of the interesting powers that is assigned to the city council that is rarely used is the ability to abandon easements. In this case, we are being asked to abandon a drainage easement to allow a future development to proceed unencumbered by the easement. The easement abandonment has been reviewed by our engineering department and they have determined that the easement is no longer needed.
(Map of the easement to be abandoned.)
2. Deny Oncor’s Electric Rate Change
Council is requested to consider a Resolution denying Oncor Electric Delivery Company’s application to change rates. On July 22, 2025, the City Council approved a resolution suspending Oncor’s requested rate change to allow participation with the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Oncor in reviewing the proposal. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the October 21, 2025 Regular Meeting.
In July 2025, the City of Garland adopted a resolution suspending Oncor’s requested rate change in electric transmission and distribution rates within the city. Garland, as part of the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Oncor, reviewed the proposal along with consultants and legal counsel. Oncor sought approximately $834 million in additional revenue, reflecting a 13% overall increase, including a 12.3% hike in residential rates and a 51% increase in street lighting rates.
After review, the Steering Committee determined the proposed rates were excessive and recommended denial. The resolution formally finds the proposed rates unreasonable and denies the application, requiring Oncor to continue charging existing rates. It also mandates that Oncor reimburse the City’s reasonable expenses related to the rate case.
This resolution confirms that the meeting at which it was adopted was open to the public with proper notice as required by law. A copy of the resolution is to be sent to Oncor and the Steering Committee’s legal counsel. Oncor will then appeal the decision to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUC”) where a final rate change decision will be made.
3. Consider the 2026 City Council Calendar
Council is requested to consider the proposed 2026 City Council calendar and provide direction to staff. Unless otherwise directed by Council, this item will be scheduled for formal consideration at the November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting.
This is the first look at the council calendar for next year. Several work sessions and regular meetings are combined into one day in January, October and November due to city holidays, National Night Out and Election Day respectively. Special meetings will be held in January and June for budget workshops.
VERBAL BRIEFINGS
Council may ask for discussion, further information, or give direction to staff on an item posted as a verbal briefing.
4. Update on the PGBT & Holford Road Soccer Complex and Destination Development Plan Council will hear an update from staff and provide direction regarding the development of a soccer complex and mixed-use commercial destination and planned improvements to Naaman Forest Boulevard and Holford Road.
Presenter: Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager
With the Athletico Dallas deal for a team headquarters and training facility off the table, we will discuss moving forward with developing the southeast corner of Holford Road and PGBT as a youth soccer facility. As a reminder, all but 13.95 acres of the site are encumbered by a conservation easement which restricts what can be developed. The easement does allow for the development of sports fields and associated appurtenances.
A market study was performed by Hunden Partners in June 2025 supporting the development of the site as a youth sports complex combined with mixed use development in the surrounding 13.95 acres. The study showed that over a 30-year period, a youth soccer facility could draw 240,000 attendees, create $979 million in new spending, and have a direct financial impact to the city of $108.2 million. The mixed-use development could include retail, restaurants, apartments and a potential hotel.
The total budget for the project is $50.9 million with $25.9 million for public infrastructure constructing Holford Road and Naaman Forest Blvd. and associated utilities. The remaining $25 million will be for constructing recreation and youth soccer facilities. The funding for the infrastructure improvements will come from 2019 bond funds with the onsite funding coming from certificates of obligation.
With two kids in academy soccer, I see the draw (and financial benefit to a city) of youth sports. My daughter traveled to Round Rock for a soccer tournament two weeks ago that had teams from Oklahoma City, Houston, Austin and Dallas. We spent money on a hotel room, restaurants, and runs to Wal-mart for the necessities we forgot to bring.
The Holford site, when paired with the nearby Winters Park is perfect for hosting large soccer tournaments as it is close to retail options at the N. Garland Target/Wal-mart and Firewheel mall and restaurants (the near-by Chick-fil-a better stock up on nuggets during tournament weekends).
5. NXL Paintball Tournament Recap
Staff will provide a briefing on the impact of the 2025 NXL Paintball Tournament. This item was requested by Councilmember Williams and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht on September 19, 2025.
Presenter: Dana Lodge, CVB & Events Director
The NXL Paintball Tournament returned to Garland for a second year bringing 1,673 participants/players with 3,000+ attendees. The event created 1,512 hotel room nights and an estimated $1,044,342.60 of economic impact from hotel occupancy taxes, restaurant meals, and retail sales taxes.
Of the 1,673 visitors, 32 came from within 50 miles of Garland, 281 traveled from across Texas, but the majority (1,159) represented 47 U.S. states, and 201 attendees arrived from other countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia, Brazil, China and Finland.
We hope to bring the tournament back for a third time next year September 17-21, 2026, and make additional improvements gathered from player and spectator feedback.
Four Council committees will report out to Council on the discussions they have had on various topics brought to committee by council members.
6. Public Safety Committee Report - Fire | EMS Stakeholder Committee Update
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Ott, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and Staff, will brief Council on the work and progress to date of the Fire and EMS Stakeholder Committee.
Presenter: Christopher Ott, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem, Letecia McNatt, Assistant to the City Manager
Public Safety Committee Chairman Chris Ott will present on the progress the Fire and EMS Stakeholder committee has made to date concerning the delivery of Fire and EMS services in Garland. Although no decisions have been made yet on fire schedules or EMS service, I am interested to hear what has been discussed so far.
7. Administrative Services Committee Report
The Administrative Services Committee met on August 28, 2025 to discuss items referred by the City Council. The committee reviewed flags at half staff for specific events, referred at the July 7, 2025 Work Session by Councilmember Dutton and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht. Staff outlined current practices and requests Council direction on a flag-lowering policy.
The committee also discussed engagement with Council-appointed Boards and Commissions, reviewing ordinances, charter provisions, and bylaws. Staff will provide a bylaw template for Council consideration. This item was referred at the January 21, 2025 Work Session by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht and seconded by Councilmember Dutton.
Presenter: Phillip Urrutia, Assistant City Manager
The Administrative Services Committee will report on their discussions on lowering the US and State flags to half mast for the passing of a former mayor or councilmember, and council-appointed Boards and commissions reviewing their bylaws.
8. Community Services Committee Report
The Community Services Committee met on September 25, 2025 to discuss items referred by the City Council. The committee reviewed outside storage of tires at businesses, referred at the November 18, 2024 Work Session by Councilmember Williams and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht. Staff described current practices and ordinances, and interviewed tire shop operators.
The committee also reviewed pop-up businesses on private property at night, referred at the February 17, 2025 Work Session by Councilmember Williams and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht. Staff discussed current efforts to address concerns with these types of businesses and progress made to date.
The committee also reviewed emergency weather alerts posted on social media, referred at the July 21, 2025 Work Session by Councilmember Dutton and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Lucht. Staff described how severe weather information is distributed on City-administered social media channels.
Presenter: Kevin Slay, Managing Director-Customer Service, Scott Bollinger, Assistant to the City Manager
9. Development Services Committee Report
Mayor Pro Tem Lucht, Chair of the Development Services Committee, and Staff will brief Council on findings and discuss any next steps. Two related referrals from the September 16, 2024, Work Session are being addressed together under this item: Mayor Pro Tem Lucht, with a second from Councilmember Williams, referred the review of historic signs, and Mayor Pro Tem Lucht, with a second from Councilmember Dutton, referred consideration of historic signs in the existing Façade Improvement Program.
Presenter: Margaret Lucht, Mayor Pro Tem, Andy Hesser, Assistant City Manager
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 the Administrative Services Discussion of flags being displayed at half mast, here’s Harvey Danger’s catchy little tune “Flagpole Sitta” from their 1997 album Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone? This song played non-stop on the radio during the late 90’s.