Apr 15, 2025 City Council

[00:00:08]

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE APRIL 15TH, 2025 REGULAR MEETING OF THE GARLAND CITY COUNCIL. IT IS THE CUSTOM AND TRADITION OF THIS COUNCIL TO HAVE AN INVOCATION AND RECITAL OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRIOR TO OUR WE MAKE HERE THIS EVENING. AND WITH THAT, TONIGHT WE WILL BE LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BASS FROM DISTRICT ONE. HELLO, EVERYBODY.

YOU KNOW, WITH ELECTION SEASON COMING UP NEXT WEEK, I THOUGHT IT'D BE A NICE, A GOOD MOMENT TO REFLECT UPON RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN UP HERE. WE ARE REGULAR PEOPLE, NEIGHBORS, PARENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT SERVE THE CITY THAT WE LOVE. WE COME FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, BUT WE SHARE A COMMON PURPOSE TO LISTEN, TO LEAD, AND TO LEAVE GARLAND A LITTLE BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT. MAY WE APPROACH TONIGHT'S WORK WITH HUMILITY, OPEN MINDS, AND A SENSE OF DUTY TO THOSE WHO ENTRUST US WITH THIS ROLE. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE DEDICATION OF OUR CITY STAFF, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP THINGS RUNNING OFF, OFTEN BEHIND THE SCENES. OUR JOB IS TO MATCH THEIR COMMITMENT WITH THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP AND A LITTLE GRACE UNDER PRESSURE. AND IF WE CAN MANAGE, IF WE CAN MANAGE ALL OF THAT WITHOUT TOO MANY AWKWARD SILENCES, WELL, THAT'S A WIN TO.

AND NOW, IF YOU'LL JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

[ MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor may present proclamations, recognize attendees or accomplishments, and make announcements regarding City events or other matters of interest to citizens including but not limited to listed items. There will be no Council discussion or votes on these matters. Volunteer Appreciation Week]

WE'RE GOING TO START OVER. WE'RE GOING TO START OVER. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, IT IS. COME ON.

YES. SQUEEZE IN. COME ON IN. YEAH. VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK. WHEREAS THE WEEK OF APRIL 20TH THROUGH 26, 2025 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONALLY AS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK TO RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND PASSION OF VOLUNTEERS AND NATIONAL SERVICE MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF GARLAND WISHES TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF VOLUNTEERING AND HONOR THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEER FORCE, BY COMMEMORATING VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK. AND WHEREAS THE CITY SUPPORTS AND APPRECIATES AND THANKS THOSE WHO GENEROUSLY LEND THEIR TIME, TALENT, VOICE, RESOURCES TO KEEP GARLAND AS SAFE AND CLEAN COMMUNITY FOR ALL TO ENJOY. AND WHEREAS THE CITY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO STAND UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHETHER JOINING A VOLUNTEER EVENT OR SHOWING UP TO SUPPORT A LOCAL ORGANIZATION. AND WHEREAS VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES CREATE A WATERFALL OF BENEFITS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, JOB FORCE, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION SUCH AS OUR OLD GROWTH FOREST NETWORK INDUCTION, AS WELL AS OUR GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. AND WHEREAS, IT IS FITTING THAT A SPECIAL TIME BE SET ASIDE TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR VOLUNTEERS WHO GIVE SO GENEROUSLY TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT LEMAY, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GARLAND, ALONG WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM APRIL 20TH THROUGH 26, 2025, AS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK IN THE CITY OF GARLAND. AND I BET YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT VOLUNTEERS IN THE CITY OF GARLAND. WOULD WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS? ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. I'M GOING TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AND IT'S ALL YOURS. I'LL

[00:05:06]

VOLUNTEERING IS AN ACT OF QUIET COURAGE. IT'S WAKING UP EARLY TO CLEAN A CREEK. IT'S MENTORING WITHOUT ASKING FOR THANKS. IT'S SHOWING UP AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BE THE HANDS AND HEART OF A OF A CITY THAT CARES. THANK YOU FOR THE MANY HOURS YOU'VE GIVEN TO THE CITY OF GARLAND. YOU MAY BE SEATED, BUT DON'T SIT DOWN. THE STRENGTH OF GARLAND DOESN'T JUST COME FROM OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. IT COMES FROM OUR PEOPLE. AND TONIGHT, WE BRING THE STRENGTH INTO THIS CHAMBER. NOT TO BE PRAISED, BUT TO REMIND OURSELVES OF. OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE WHEN WE COME TOGETHER. IF YOU'RE INSPIRED BY WHAT YOU SEE HERE TONIGHT, THERE'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO JOIN US ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD. WE'RE HOSTING THE DUCK CREEK LITTER CLEANUP, A CITY WIDE EFFORT TO PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY OUR WATERWAYS. SIGN UP FOR. SIGN UP TODAY AT VOLUNTEER GARLAND.

THAT'S VOLUNTEER GARLAND. ORG. WHETHER IT'S YOUR FIRST TIME VOLUNTEERING OR YOUR FIFTH, WE WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION. WE ACCEPT IT IN HONOR OF THE THOUSANDS OF HOURS SERVED AND FOR THE THOUSANDS MORE TO COME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WAIT A MINUTE. BEFORE YOU LEAVE, THERE'S A. WE HAVE A RULE. IF YOU GET A RECOGNITION, YOU HAVE TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE MEETING. VOLUNTEER TO STAY FOR THE WHOLE. SERVICE THAT WORKS FOR. CAN'T BLAME THEM FOR WANTING TO GO CLEAN OUT A CREEK BED RATHER THAN STAY HERE WITH US. SO PROVES THAT THEY'RE VERY SMART PEOPLE. ALRIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON

[ CONSENT AGENDA All items under this section are recommended for approval by a single motion of Council, without discussion. Council has had the opportunity to review each of these items at a previous Work Session, and approval of the consent agenda authorizes the City Manager or his designee to execute each item. The Mayor will announce the consent agenda and provide an opportunity for members of the audience, as well as Council, to request that any item be removed and considered separately.]

COUNCIL HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW EACH OF THESE ITEMS AT A PREVIOUS WORK SESSION, AND APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE EACH ITEM. I WILL ANNOUNCE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE, AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL, TO REQUEST THAT ANY ITEM BE REMOVED AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. I DON'T HAVE ANY REQUESTS CURRENTLY, BUT LET ME GO THROUGH THE AGENDA. ITEM ONE APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 1ST, 2025 REGULAR MEETING. ITEM TWO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING BIDS.

ITEM TWO A CHANGE ORDER FOR PART MOWING. ITEM TWO B CHANGE ORDER FOR MEDIAN MOWING. ITEM TWO C DESIGN CONTRACT FOR THE 2025 ALLEY AND WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS. GROUP TWO ITEM TWO D AND TMPA SUBSTATION. TRANSFORMER AND BREAKER SERVICES. ITEM TWO E TERM

[00:10:01]

MORE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. MADAM SECRETARY, IF YOU PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US, PLEASE. AND COUNCIL AND DISPLAY THE VOTE. AND THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. MOVING ON TO OUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. MADAM SECRETARY, COULD YOU COVER THE SPEAKER GUIDELINES FOR ME, PLEASE? YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IS GIVEN TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY RATHER THAN TO QUESTION THE CITY COUNCIL OR STAFF. THE CHAIR MAY CALL SPEAKER OUT OF ORDER IF THE SPEAKER PRESENTS QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION THAT WILL UNDULY DELAY THE TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS AT THE MEETING. SPEAKER SHALL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON A FIRST COME, FIRST TO SPEAK BASIS, AS DETERMINED BY THE ORDER IN WHICH THE CITY SECRETARY RECEIVES THE SPEAKER'S INFORMATION.

APPLICANTS ARE ALLOWED TEN MINUTES FOR PRESENTATIONS, AND ALL OTHER SPEAKERS WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. WHEN THE PODIUM BUZZER SOUNDS, THE SPEAKER MUST END THEIR COMMENTS. VERY GOOD, AND I KNOW WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED SEVERAL SPEAKER CARDS FOR THE EVENING.

IF YOU ARE HERE AND HAVE NOT FILLED OUT A SPEAKER CARD, YOU CAN SEE THE CITY SECRETARY GET THAT FILLED OUT AND WE CAN GET YOU QUEUED UP FOR THE ITEM THAT YOU'RE HERE FOR. ALL RIGHT. WE ALMOST LOST AN ATTORNEY OVER THAT ONE LAST. ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON. I KNEW THE JOKES WERE

[a. Public Hearing Regarding the Allocation of the 2025-2026 CDBG, HOME and ESG Federal Grant Programs Public Hearing to provide input regarding the distribution of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, HOME infill Partnership Grant (HOME) funding, and the Emergency Solutions grant (ESG) funding for the forthcoming 2025-2026 grant program year. As part of the allocation procedure, this hearing is mandated to gather feedback from any concerned parties regarding the 2025-2026 federal grant program allocations.]

[00:15:07]

AND IT'S APPROXIMATELY $3,100 PER HOUSEHOLD. WHEN IT'S BROKEN DOWN THAT WAY, SINGLE AND FAMILY ADULT HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE LOW INCOME. CITY OF GARLAND RESIDENTS WHO ARE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS OR ARE IN EXTREME FINANCIAL CRISIS, OR THE HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, IS DEFINED AS A HOUSEHOLD WHO HAS RECENT EVICTION, FORECLOSURE NOTICE OR NOTICE TO PAY OR QUIT. THE PROJECT WILL HOLD PRIORITY FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE AT OR BELOW 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME, AS DEFINED BY HUD, TO ENSURE THE MOST VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO THIS LIMITED AND CRITICAL RESOURCE. CITY OF GARLAND RESIDENTS WHO MEET THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS WILL BE SERVED REGARDLESS OF FAMILY SIZE. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES SINGLE ADULTS, COUPLES WITHOUT CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES WITH THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD IS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE OR EMANCIPATED.

MINOR INTAKE ASSESSMENT AND CASE MANAGEMENT MEETINGS WILL BE PRIVATE ONE ON ONE IN NATURE, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE COACHING AND BUDGETING WORK AND ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETED, WHICH PROVIDES THE CASE MANAGER WITH VITAL INFORMATION ON THE CLIENT'S FINANCIAL HISTORY, STRENGTHS AND BARRIERS TO MAINTAIN HOUSING INDEPENDENCE. THE INFORMATION IS THEN USED IN DEVELOPMENT OF A PERSONALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE PLAN THAT IDENTIFIES AND PRIORITIZES GOALS, OBJECTIVES, STEPS, AND TIMELINES FOR COMPLETION. SUBSEQUENT TWICE MONTHLY CASE MANAGEMENT SESSIONS FOCUSED ON SUPPORTING THE CLIENT TO ACHIEVE THEIR PLANNED GOALS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS OR QUERIES ABOUT CONDITIONS IN THE HOME. SO THE CASE MANAGER CAN ACCESS AND ASSESS THE CLIENT'S DAILY LIVING AND SHARE PRACTICAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE. CLIENTS WHO ALSO COMPLETE ACTUAL AND PROJECTED BUDGETS EACH MONTH WITH A FOCUS ON BALANCING INCOME, EXPENSES, AND SAVINGS AND SAVINGS. THE GOALS OF THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY BY ENDING CYCLES OF CRISIS AND VULNERABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS. THE OBJECTIVES THAT WE SEE IS, NUMBER ONE, 75% OF THE CLIENTS RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL REMAIN STABLY HOUSED SIX MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING SERVICES, 65% OF CLIENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE INCREASED INCOME PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM THE PROGRAM. 50% OF CLIENTS WILL INCREASE THEIR SAVINGS PRIOR TO DISCHARGE FROM THE PROGRAM. WE SERVE THE GARLAND RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 11 YEARS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. QUESTIONS READ. I HAVE NO ONE IN THE QUEUE, BUT THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. ISAIAH WILLIAMS. HOW ARE YOU DOING? GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ARGENIS SANTOS. 1605 BELTLINE ROAD, APARTMENT 110 GARLAND, TEXAS. 75044. I'M COME HERE ON BEHALF OF THE GARLAND POLICE BOXING GYM. I'VE BEEN I'VE BEEN IN THAT BOXING GYM SINCE, YOU KNOW, 97. SO I'VE BEEN THERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO FOR US. YOU GUYS HAVE KEPT US, YOU KNOW, UP, YOU KNOW, LIKE, FULLY, YOU KNOW, EQUIPPED. I COME HERE TO ASK YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE GYM. WE DO HAVE A FEW GARLAND EMPLOYEES GOING TO THE GYM AND USING IT ALSO, WHICH WE APPRECIATE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LIKE YOU GUYS GOING DOWN THERE. AND WE HAVE ABOUT 100 TO 150 KIDS AT THE GYM. YOU KNOW, YEAR ROUND. SO ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO HAVE IT'S AMAZING. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO AND KEEP DOING GOOD WORK. HELLO. MY NAME IS MARY JANE ZAPATA. I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE STORY OF WHAT THE GYM DOES. I STARTED THERE WHEN I WAS 16. THIS MIGHT BE CLICHE, BUT THAT GYM DID SAVE ME. IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT GYM, I'D PROBABLY BE IN JAIL. OR WORSE. I CAME FROM A PRETTY

[00:20:01]

A FEW MONTHS AGO, I GOT PROMOTED TO LEAD DETENTION OFFICER, WHICH IS PRETTY COOL FOR SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T EVEN ORDER THEIR OWN FOOD ON THEIR OWN. EVEN BETTER, I DO COACH THE LITTLE KIDS THERE NOW. HOPING I CAN MAKE A CHANGE OR DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES, JUST LIKE SOMEONE DID FOR ME.

THE GYM. THE GYM GAVE ME LEADERSHIP, CONFIDENCE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOPE. AND THAT SOMETIMES IS SOMETHING ALL A PERSON NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE. THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET OUR GYM GROW. GOOD EVENING MAYOR. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. I'M ISAIAH WILLIAMS. I'VE BEEN WITH GARLAND POLICE FOR SEVEN YEARS NOW. I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS GYM FOR JUST ABOUT SEVEN YEARS NOW AS WELL. AND JUST TO SPEAK ON A LITTLE BIT OF MARY JANE AND RJ.

I AM CURRENTLY SRO AT NAMING FOREST HIGH SCHOOL, SO I GOT THE HONOR OF WATCHING MARY JANE GROW THE CHANGE THAT IT HAD ON HER LIFE. I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE GYM, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT AND ALL YOU GUYS DO TO POUR INTO THAT GYM, AND WE JUST HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO STAND WITH US AND POUR INTO US, INTO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OH HANG ON, COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS. THANK THANK YOU ALL THREE OF YOU FOR COMING DOWN TONIGHT. USUALLY THE GYM IS HAS A FEATURE EVENT COMING UP. CAN YOU TELL US BRIEFLY WHAT'S YOUR WHAT'S YOUR NEXT BIG EVENT THAT YOU'VE GOT COMING UP FOR THE KIDS GYM? WHAT IS IT? IT'S SO. YEAH. ALL RIGHT, SO WE HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP ON JUNE 6TH. WE'RE WE DO HAVE 12 BOXERS OF GOING AGAINST THE PALS AROUND THE, AROUND TEXAS. SO WE DO THAT EVENT SO WE CAN, YOU KNOW, GET GET A LITTLE BIT OF, YOU KNOW, MORE MONEY TO BUY SOME EQUIPMENT FOR THE KIDS. AND BASICALLY IT'S GOING TO BE AT THE CARTER'S CALDWELL. WHAT ARE THE AGES. AGES RANGE. SO AGES RANGES FROM EIGHT TO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ONE OF OUR. RUNNER UP OLYMPIAN THAT'S GOING TO BE PARTICIPATING THERE. SO IT'S FROM 8 TO 21. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU MAYOR. VERY GOOD. AND I'VE SEEN SOME OF THOSE EIGHT YEAR OLDS BOXING.

THEY ARE TOUGH. COUNCILMEMBER DUTTON THE GIRLS ARE ARE TOUGHER. I 100% AGREE. 100% AGREE. I THINK SHE HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU. HOLD ON, HOLD ON, HOLD ON, HOLD ON. WE GOT MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU. CAN YOU KIND OF GIVE COUNCIL JUST A QUICK. YOU SAID YOUR OLYMPIAN QUALIFIER, RIGHT. CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE INFO ABOUT THAT AND THEN TELL US WHAT YOUR WHAT WAS SLAVERY'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT JUST RECENTLY. SO WE DO WE OUR OLYMPIAN BOXERS NAME IS ALEX ESPINOZA. RIGHT NOW HE'S HE'S RANKED IN THE TOP FIVE. HE IS FIGHTING IN COLORADO TODAY. SO AT 7 P.M. HE'LL BE FIGHTING IN COLORADO. AND HE'S HOPEFULLY HE'LL BE HE'S GOING TO BE FIGHTING AT THAT SHOW IN JUNE. SO ONE OF THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS THAT THAT THEY'VE JUST RECEIVED THIS IN IN THE HALL OF FAME. SO HE'S BEEN DOING A LOT FOR THE COMMUNITY A LOT FOR THE KIDS. AND YOU KNOW, WE STARTED WITH WITH SIX KIDS. AND THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THAT IS THAT THERE WERE THEY WERE NOT BOXERS, THEY WERE JUST KIDS FROM THE SCOUTS. AND HE WAS LIKE, HEY, WE HAVE A GYM, WE HAVE A FEW BAGS, GET IN THERE AND WORK OUT. SO FROM SIX KIDS TO 150 KIDS, THAT'S THAT'S A QUITE A BIT OF A ACCOMPLISHMENT. YOU KNOW, THAT HE'S HE'S HE'S MADE.

ABSOLUTELY. DO YOU HAVE TWO THAT ARE GOING TO NATIONALS. SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THREE THREE, THREE ARE IN NATIONALS, TWO ARE FIGHTING TODAY. AND OUR FEMALE BOXERS ESMERALDA SHE'S BE FIGHTING IN FRIDAY. WELL GOOD LUCK TO THEM. AND WE HOPE TO KEEP SEEING YOU GUYS DO GREAT THINGS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. ARIELLE TURNER.

[00:25:01]

THIS YEAR ALONE, I'VE RESPONDED TO HEARTBREAKING STORIES OF NEGLECT, MANY OF WHICH ARE ROOTED IN THE ONGOING CRISIS OF STAFF SHORTAGES. ONE RESIDENT I SERVED, HIS NAME IS MR. JONES.

HE SHARED WITH ME THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED OR HAD HIS BRIEF CHANGED FOR NEARLY 24 HOURS. HE WAS VISIBLY SHAKING, NOT JUST FROM THE DISCOMFORT BUT FROM THE HUMILIATION. HE TOLD ME WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES, THAT HE COULD SMELL HIMSELF, AND HE FELT LIKE HE DIDN'T MATTER. AND NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL THAT WAY. I ADDRESSED THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY WITH FACILITY LEADERSHIP, AND I STAYED TO MAKE SURE THAT MR. JONES RECEIVED THE CARE AND DIGNITY THAT HE DESERVED, INCLUDING A BATH AND A CLEAN CHANGE OF CLOTHES. SINCE THAT DAY, I'VE CONTINUED TO MONITOR HIS CARE TO ENSURE THAT HE'S NEVER LEFT IN THAT CONDITION AGAIN. STORIES LIKE MR. JONES ARE WHY I'M HERE TONIGHT. WITH CONTINUED CDBG SUPPORT, WE'RE REQUESTING FUNDING THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO MAINTAIN A MORE FREQUENT AND CONSISTENT PRESENCE IN GARLAND'S SIX NURSING HOMES.

AND THIS WILL INCREASE VISITS FROM THE STATE REQUIRED EIGHT TIMES A YEAR TO AT LEAST 24 VISITS PER FACILITY ANNUALLY. THIS CONSISTENT PRESENCE BUILDS TRUST, HELPS UNCOVER HIDDEN CONCERNS, AND EMPOWERS RESIDENTS TO SPEAK UP, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FEAR RETALIATION. FOR THE 50% OF RESIDENTS WHO NEVER RECEIVE VISITORS. THE OMBUDSMAN BECOMES THEIR ADVOCATE, THEIR EYES, THEIR EARS, AND THEIR VOICE. WE ARE THE ONLY PROGRAM ITS KIND DOING THIS WORK, AND THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF GARLAND IS A LIFELINE FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING AND FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL, THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF OUR PROPOSAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I BELIEVE THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME WITH US. YES, IT IS USUALLY. I THINK SHE RECENTLY RETIRED OR. NO. THE DIRECTOR, SUSANNA SOLSTAD. SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, SO I'M HERE IN HER STEAD. I THOUGHT I SAW I THOUGHT SHE HAD RETIRED. NO. NOT YET.

WELCOME. GLAD YOU WERE HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. RHONDA MCINTYRE. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS RHONDA MCINTYRE. I'M THE SUPERVISOR AT HOLLABAUGH RECREATION CENTER, ADDRESS 3925 WEST WALNUT STREET. OF COURSE, HOLLY BAR OPENED UP LAST YEAR, AND WE'LL OPEN UP A NEWLY RENOVATED AND REOPENED UP LAST YEAR. AND IT HAS BEEN A HUGE ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY. AND OF COURSE WITH OUR SUMMER CAMPS AS WELL TOO. AND OF COURSE, I'M ALSO ONE THIRD OF A FACILITATOR OF THE GARLAND YOUTH COUNCIL, AS YOU ALL CAN SEE. AND I'M OVER ALL OF OUR SUMMER CAMPS AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. SO I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT, OF COURSE, OUR STARS CAMP PROGRAM. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S DEEPLY MEANINGFUL TO ME. OUR STARS CAMP PROGRAM, AND IT'S A CHERISHED CAMP IN GARLAND FOR OVER 25 YEARS. THIS CAMP IS TEN YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME. YES, I JUST SAID MY AGE. THOUGH CURRENTLY OPERATING FROM JUST ONE SITE, BRADFORD RECREATION CENTER, WE SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED OVER 150 CAMPERS LAST SUMMER, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE RAISING THE BAR EVEN HIGHER WITH THE CREATIVITY OF OUR NEW RECREATION SPECIALIST, HANNAH HARRIS, WHICH WHICH SHE'S INTRODUCING EXCITING ELEMENTS WITH COLOR. WAR WEEK, WEEKLY SIGNATURE EVENTS, INSPIRATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS, AND THEMED WEEKS SUCH AS SCIENCE WEEK, WILDLIFE WEEK, CAREER WEEK, AND RETRO WEEK. WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE DAILY WITH OUR CAMPER OF THE DAY SPOTLIGHT AND IN THRILLING FIELD TRIPS TO DESTINATIONS TO THE COVE WATER

[00:30:06]

THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF THE YOUTH, AND FOR STANDING WITH US AS WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN GARLAND'S FUTURE. ONE CAMPER AT A TIME. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNSELOR DUTTON. THANK YOU FOR BEING AMAZING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS A GARLAND REC CENTER, DEGENERATE MYSELF, YOU GUYS ARE DOING PHENOMENAL WORK. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF STOPPING IN LAST YEAR DURING THE SUMMER CAMPS, AND IT LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF FUN. I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO GO TO WORK AFTERWARDS, SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU'RE MAKING. MAKING A BIG CHANGE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

REALLY. WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE Y'ALL. THANK YOU. CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. JENNIFER ALANIS. MY NAME IS TO THE PODIUM. THERE YOU GO. AND YOU CAN PULL THE MIC DOWN TOWARDS YOU A LITTLE BIT. THERE. THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT. GO FOR IT. MY NAME IS JENNIFER ALANIS. ADDRESS IS 1701 DAIRY ROAD, GARLAND, TEXAS 75 ZERO 40. TODAY I AM JOINED BY MY FORMER SUPERVISOR, MR. BRIAN GADDIS. ONE OF MY CAMP KIDDOS OR AFTER SCHOOL KIDDOS, MISTER PASEO, AND HIS MOM. I'M ALSO JOINED BY ONE OF MY COUNSELORS FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, MISS ABIGAIL SANTOS AND MISS RONDA MCINTYRE, WHO IS OUR YOUTH PROGRAMING. SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT AND APPROVAL OF THE GRANT THAT HAS BEEN VITAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. WITH THE HELP OF CDBG FUNDING, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE 31 CHILDREN FROM VARIOUS GARLAND SCHOOLS, PROVIDING THEM WITH A SAFE AND ENRICHING AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT AFTER SCHOOL. THAT SUPPORT EVEN ALLOWED US TO START A GARDEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, A SPACE WHERE STUDENTS LEARN RESPONSIBILITY, TEAMWORK AND THE JOY OF NURTURING SOMETHING FROM THE GROUND UP. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE A STORY THAT SPEAKS FROM THE HEART OF WHY WE DO THIS WORK. ONE DAY, A YOUNG GIRL CAME UP TO ME AND SAID SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO ATTENDING OUR PROGRAM EVERY SINGLE DAY BECAUSE WHEN SHE WAS WITH US, SHE TRULY FELT CARED FOR AND HEARD. THAT MOMENT STAYED WITH ME. IT REMINDED ME. IT REMINDED ME THAT BEYOND THE ACTIVITIES AND LESSONS WE ARE OFFERING THESE CHILDREN SOMETHING FAR MORE MEANINGFUL A PLACE WHERE THEY BELONG. WHAT THE FUNDING WOULD THE FUNDING WE'RE REQUESTING. WE ASPIRE TO GIVE OUR STAFF THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BETTER SUPPORT EVERY CHILD, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. OUR VISION IS TO CREATE A PROGRAM THAT TRULY EMPOWERS ALL CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. TOO OFTEN, CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE LEFT BEHIND. BUT WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE EVERY CHILD FEELS SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS. WITH THE STRONGER RESOURCES, WE CAN BUILD THAT FUTURE TOGETHER. SO TONIGHT, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE LONG TERM BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM. BY INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN. TODAY, WE ARE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF GARLAND. TOGETHER, WE CAN ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE, LEARN, AND GROW IN A NURTURING, INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. YES. GO AHEAD. WE WANTED TO ALSO SAY WE WANTED TO THANK MR. BRIAN GADDIS. I KNOW HE STARTED THIS, THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE WANTED TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM AS WELL. AND WE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU PUBLICLY SAY,

[00:35:02]

AND YOU WOULD SHOW UP IN HERE IN A WRECK T SHIRT AND NOT A JACKET AND A TIE. AND SO IT IS. I THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR US OVER THE YEARS, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION ALL THESE YEARS. I KNOW YOU DID STOP BY AUDUBON THE OTHER DAY AND I WAS I WAS OUT OF TOWN. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT AND PUTTING PARKS AND REC FIRST. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND FOR THE RECORD, AFTER I LEAVE OFFICE, MY HAIR IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BRIAN'S. YEAH. THAT ONE. NOT THAT ONE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DO WE GET COINS? TEN COINS. HE G GETS TEN COINS, MAN. PRETTY AWESOME. ALL RIGHT, CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. MAYOR, THIS IS THE LAST SPEAKER. UNDER THIS ITEM IS ELLEN MAGNUS. VERY GOOD. AND IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK UNDER THIS SECTION, IF YOU HAVEN'T TURNED IN A SPEAKER CARD, PLEASE DO SO NOW. GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. I'M ELLEN MAGNUS. I'M PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FAMILY GATEWAY, OUR NORTH DALLAS SHELTER IS LOCATED AT 19373 PRESTON ROAD IN DALLAS.

FAMILY GATEWAY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 40 YEARS AS OF NEXT YEAR. WE WERE FOUNDED BY A FORMER MAYOR OF DALLAS, ANNETTE STRAUSS, AND WE'VE BEEN PRIMARILY FOCUSED IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS FOR MUCH OF THAT TIME, ALTHOUGH WE'VE BEEN SERVING ALL OF DALLAS AND COLLIN COUNTIES FOR THAT PERIOD. BUT OUR LOCATION WAS A BLOCK FROM CITY HALL IN DALLAS. THAT CHANGED FOUR YEARS AGO, WHEN THE CITY OF DALLAS PURCHASED A FORMER CANDLEWOOD SUITES PROPERTY AT PRESTON AND THE GEORGE BUSH. SO NOW WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO YOU. SO WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH OUR NORTH PARTNERS IN A WAY THAT WE HAVEN'T IN THE PAST. AND THIS IS OUR FIRST APPLICATION FOR CDBG FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF GARLAND. WHEN I ARRIVED NINE YEARS AGO AT FAMILY GATEWAY, WE WERE SERVING ABOUT 400 FAMILIES A YEAR ON A $3.3 MILLION BUDGET. LAST YEAR, WE SERVED 2100 FAMILIES ON A $6.8 MILLION BUDGET. THE WAY WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, FIVE TIMES THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED, WITH JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN TWICE THE BUDGET, IT IS THAT WE STOPPED THINKING THAT EVERY FAMILY WHO SHOWED UP SEEKING SHELTER NEEDED SHELTER AS THEIR INTERVENTION.

SO BETWEEN PREVENTION FROM SALVATION ARMY FRIENDS AND SHELTER, THERE'S THIS PERIOD OF TIME WHERE A FAMILY IS ALREADY UNHOUSED. THEY'RE SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS. THEY'RE SLEEPING IN HOTELS. THEY'RE CHECKING OUT AT 11:00, AND THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. AND THEY'RE SEEKING SHELTER.

WE USED TO ASSUME THAT SHELTER IS WHAT THEY NEEDED, AND WE OPERATED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. NOW WE DIG IN WITH THEM AND FIND OUT. WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE THE CAR? WHERE'S YOUR FAMILY? WHERE'S YOUR GRANDMOTHER? WHERE'S YOUR AUNTIE? WHERE'S YOUR SUPPORT STRUCTURE? AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT THEY'VE BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THAT SUPPORT STRUCTURE, AND THAT IT OFTEN ONLY TAKES A CONVERSATION TO GET THEM BACK INTO IT. AND SO NOW, INSTEAD OF ASSUMING THAT THEY NEED SHELTER TO RESOLVE THEIR HOMELESSNESS, WE CALL THEIR RELATIVES. WE CALL THEIR FRIENDS. WE SAY IF WE CAN PUT THEM WITH YOU TEMPORARILY WHILE WE WORK WITH THEM ON A DIFFERENT SOLUTION, WOULD YOU TAKE THEM BACK IN? IF WE PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN, IF WE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A JOB, IF WE PROVIDE SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE, WILL YOU TAKE THEM BACK IN SO THAT WE CAN HELP RESOLVE THEIR HOMELESSNESS AND GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP? THAT'S HOW WE'VE SCALED TO SERVE SO MANY MORE FAMILIES.

SO WHAT WE'RE SEEKING IS SUPPORT FOR CITY OF GARLAND RESIDENTS FOR DIVERSION, WHICH IS WHAT THIS PRACTICE IS CALLED, WHICH IS A NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE. AND SO WE'RE SEEKING $25,000 TO SERVE CITY OF GARLAND FAMILIES. WE'VE GROWN FROM TWO FAMILIES SERVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY IN 2021

[00:40:07]

AND, MONA, IF I COULD HAVE YOU COME FORWARD REAL QUICK AND JUST REMIND US OF THE SCHEDULE. WHICH I WHICH I KNOW YOU HAVE MEMORIZED. YOU PUT TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN ME. MAKE. YES. THE NEXT TIME THAT WE WILL MEET TOGETHER WILL BE ON MAY 5TH. AND THAT'S FOR DISCUSSION. I WILL RECEIVE HOPEFULLY EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR WORKBOOKS WORKSHEETS BACK SO I CAN HAVE A GOOD AVERAGE. THAT IS BY APRIL 28TH, CORRECT? APRIL 28TH. WE WILL NEED THOSE BACK. WE WILL MEET AT THE MAY 5TH WORK SESSION. I'LL COMPILE EVERYTHING FROM EACH ONE OF YOU AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE FOR DISCUSSION. FINAL APPROVAL ON THIS ITEM WILL BE ON JULY 8TH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM EACH ONE OF YOU, AND WE'LL GET BACK TO BUSINESS AND GET THIS MONEY ALLOCATED FOR ANOTHER YEAR. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO ITEM TEN. HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON

[a. Reconsideration Request of a Previously Denied Zoning Application (File No. Z 24-29, Nayeb Management, LLC, District 5) Cynthia Olalde submitted a written request to the City Council to reconsider the previously denied Zoning Case Z 24-29 (Nayeb Management, LLC). This property is located at 1350 Northwest Highway, Suite 107. The City Council previously considered and denied this application on March 18, 2025.]

VERY GOOD. MA'AM, IF YOU COULD COME DOWN AND. GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. AND AGAIN, AS THE CITY ATTORNEY WAS SAYING, WE'LL GIVE YOU TIME. TEN MINUTES. YOU CAN MAKE A PRESENTATION TO TELL US ABOUT THE RECONSIDERATION OR WHATEVER, AND WE'LL GO FROM THERE. OKAY.

THANK YOU. I AM CYNTHIA OLALDE AND MY ADDRESS IS 2741 STONE RIDGE DRIVE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75044. I AM HERE FOR A RECONSIDERATION BECAUSE WHEN THE LETTERS WERE MAILED OUT, IT AGAIN, IT'S A TATTOO STUDIO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO BRING TO THE CITY. WHEN BUSINESSES OR PEOPLE READ THAT, YOU AUTOMATICALLY GO TO THE STEREOTYPE, OH, IT'S A TATTOO PARLOR. WE'RE NOT GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO DENY IT. SO WHAT I DID IS I SENT OUT ABOUT MAYBE 180 LETTERS, INCLUDING OUR BROCHURE, LETTING THEM KNOW EXACTLY WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE'RE, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE'RE JUST NOT YOUR REGULAR TATTOO SHOP. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ONLY GOT EIGHT

[00:45:03]

MADAM SECRETARY, YOU PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US, PLEASE. AND DISPLAY THE VOTE. THE MOTION TO DENY PREVAILS WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS WILLIAMS, DUTTON AND ORTT IN OPPOSITION. THANK YOU. THAT WAS THE LAST ITEM WE HAD UNDER THIS SECTION. UNDER THIS SECTION. NEXT UP IS CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS

[11. Councilmember Chris Ott Libby Odom - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board]

I DO. MR. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE LIBBY ODOM FOR THE DISTRICT EIGHT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD. AND I HAVE A NOMINATION. AND I HAVE A SECOND FROM DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM LUKE FOR THIS NOMINATION. LIBBY ODOM PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD. SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

MADAM SECRETARY, PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US, PLEASE. COUNCIL AND DISPLAY THE VOTE. AND THAT

[ CITIZEN COMMENTS Members of the audience wishing to address issues not on the meeting agenda may have three minutes to speak. However, according to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Council is prohibited from discussing any item not on the posted agenda.]

HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, COUNCIL IS PROHIBITED FROM DISCUSSING ANY ITEM NOT ON THE POSTED AGENDA. MADAM SECRETARY, DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS THIS EVENING? YES WE DO. OKAY. LET'S GO, HALEY BRAWLEY. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. IF YOU COULD GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES. AND IF I CAN GET YOU TO PULL THE MIC DOWN TOWARDS YOU A LITTLE BIT. THERE YOU GO. CATHY BRAWLEY. I LIVE AT 1021 SYLVAN DRIVE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75040. I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE A CONCERN FOR OUR NEIGHBOOOD. WE'RE NOT FEELING SAFE BECAUSE THERE'S A NEIGHBOR THAT LIVES A BLOCK AWAY THAT THEIR PITBULL IS GETTING OUT A AND KILLING THE CATS. ATTACKED THIS ONE CAT IN NOVEMBER, AND IT KILLED IT.

APRIL THE 1ST. IT'S GETTING OUT OF THEIR HOUSE AND THEY KNOW. SHE TOLD ME HERSELF. THEIR DOG HATES CATS AND SQUIRRELS. WELL, IF THEY CAN'T CONTROL THEIR ANIMAL, THEY NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. BECAUSE WE HAVE CHILDREN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, OLD PEOPLE AND PEOPLE'S NOT FEELING SAFE ABOUT WANTING TO GET OUT AND WALK BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS DOG IS GOING TO ATTACK HUMANS NEXT. AND I'M JUST THAT'S A REALLY BIG CONCERN BECAUSE, I MEAN, ONCE A DOG STARTS KILLING ANIMALS AND GETS THAT TASTE OF BLOOD, IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP.

AND THEY'VE ALREADY KILLED AT LEAST THREE CATS THAT WE KNOW ARE THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL SAYS THEY CAN'T TAKE THE DOG AWAY, WHICH THEY'RE GOING TO WAIT TILL IT'S TOO LATE AND ATTACKS THE HUMAN OR SOMETHING, AND THEN THEY'LL TRY TO DO SOMETHING. IT'S GOING TO BE TOO LATE THEN. AND IT'S JUST REALLY, YOU KNOW, BOTHERS ME BECAUSE MY LITTLE NEIGHBOR, HE'S I'VE LIVED IN GARLAND IN THE HOUSE FOR 19 YEARS, AND MY NEIGHBOR ON THE STREET THAT LIVES ACROSS FROM THE DOG HAS LIVED THERE 72 YEARS, AND HE'S FIXING TO BE 92 YEARS OLD. WELL,

[00:50:01]