[5. Garland Cultural Arts Commission, Inc. Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Budget, Sub-grant Recipients and Hotel Occupancy Tax Program Management Agreement]

ALRIGHT, NOW ON TO ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE READ THE

[00:15:01]

SPEAKER GUIDELINES FOR US. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. MAYOR. THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK 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 SERVE BASIS, AS DETERMINED BY THE ORDER IN WHICH THE CITY SECRETARY RECEIVES THE SPEAKER'S INFORMATION. APPLICANTS ARE ALLOWED TWO MINUTES FOR PRESENTATIONS, AND ALL OTHER SPEAKERS ARE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK, FROM THE PODIUM. THE SPEAKER MUST END THEIR COMMENTS IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK. IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY. IF YOU PLEASE FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD DOWN BY THE CITY SECRETARY. ALL RIGHT. OUR FIRST ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION IS GARLAND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION INCORPORATED HOTEL TAX, HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUE, BUDGET SUB GRANT RECIPIENTS AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. MR. ROSENTHAL, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL AMY ROSENTHAL, CULTURAL ARTS. AND LET ME SEE IF I CAN ACCESS THE PRESENTATION. HERE WE ARE. AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE WORK SESSION TONIGHT, WE ARE HERE TO SEEK YOUR APPROVAL OF THE HERE WE GO. WE'RE HERE TO SEEK YOUR APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDED GRANT AMOUNTS FOR OUR RECIPIENTS. FOR OUR GRANT RECIPIENTS. WE'RE ALSO HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL FOR THE GARLAND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION BUDGET AND AN AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY MANAGER'S EXECUTION OF THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. SO I DON'T HAVE ANY DIFFERENT PRESENTATION FROM OUR WORK SESSION TONIGHT. THESE ARE THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNTS FOR OUR OUR GARLAND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. MADAM SECRETARY. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? OKAY, SIR, WE DO NOT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS? THANK YOU. MAYOR. WOULD YOU SIMPLY REITERATE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BRIEFLY? SURE. THE SERVICE TO THE GARLAND PUBLIC? ABSOLUTELY. SOME ACTION AND ACTION WE'RE GOING TO TAKE JUST TO INFORM THEM. WOULD YOU. ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY. SO OUR APPLICATIONS THIS IS AN ANNUAL APPLICATION OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. AND WE OPENED OUR APPLICATION IN AUGUST. APPLICATIONS WERE REVIEWED IN SEPTEMBER. AND THE THE APPLICANTS WERE ALSO INTERVIEWED BY THE GARLAND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION. THERE WAS A DELIBERATION ON SEPTEMBER 14TH WHERE THEY REVIEWED SCORES FROM THE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND TALKED ABOUT FUNDING AMOUNTS. SO AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAD 19 APPLICATIONS, 19 ORGANIZATIONS APPLY. WE HAD TWO NEW GRANT ORGANIZATIONS THIS YEAR. WE HAD GARLAND CREATES, WHICH IS A NEW 500 1C3 THAT'S DEDICATED TO SERVING CREATIVES. WE ALSO HAD BRIGHT LIGHTS THEATER, WHICH IS A YOUTH ORIENTED THEATER COMPANY. JUST AS A QUICK OVERVIEW OF OUR BUDGET, THE GARLAND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION INCORPORATED, WHICH IS A PRIVATE 500 1C3.

MOST OF THEIR REVENUES COME FROM THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES. THEY DO HAVE SOME REVENUES THAT THEY RECEIVE FROM DONATIONS OR FROM SITE FEES, AND MOST OF THEIR BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TOWARD GRANTS FOR THE COMMUNITY. FOR FOR GROUPS SERVING GARLAND CITIZENS. SO YOU CAN SEE $160,000. THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR. GRANT AWARD AMOUNTS. THE OTHER EXPENDITURES INCLUDE EVENT SUPPORT AS WELL AS SOME PROGRAMING SUPPORT. AND SO HERE IS A LIST OF THE 19 GROUPS AND THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNTS. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD A LOT OF REALLY INCREDIBLE ASKS THIS YEAR. OVER 261,000 WORTH OF REQUESTS. AND THIS YEAR THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE HAVE INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHAT THEY ARE ALLOCATING TO ARTS GROUPS TO 160,000. AND YOU CAN SEE HERE THE BREAKDOWN OF HOW THE GRANT AWARDS ARE RECOMMENDED. WE DO HAVE AFFILIATES AND ASSOCIATES.

AFFILIATES ARE OUR LEGACY GROUPS THERE. THE GARLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, GARLAND SUMMER MUSICALS, GARLAND CIVIC THEATER. AND THEN WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF ASSOCIATE GROUPS, BREITLING PERFORMING ARTS AND THE COMPANY OF ROWLETT PERFORMERS. THOSE ARE GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH IN OUR FACILITIES FOR MANY YEARS AND RECEIVE A DISCOUNTED RENTAL

[00:20:04]

RATE AS WELL AS PREFERENTIAL BOOKING. SO THIS IS THIS IS HOW THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD LIKE TO ALLOCATE THE FUNDING. AND YOU MENTIONED TO US, EXCUSE ME, IN OUR EARLIER MEETING THAT THE DALLAS BALLET COMPANY WAS UNIQUE ABOUT THAT. SO THE DALLAS BALLET COMPANY HAS PERFORMED AT GRANVILLE ARTS CENTER FOR FOR 30 PLUS YEARS. BUT HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT LOCATED IN GARLAND. THEY DO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL REACH AND PROVIDE QUALITY PROGRAMING FOR OUR CITIZENS, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT LOCATED IN GARLAND, THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THAT AFFILIATE STATUS. THEY DON'T. AND THEIR DIRECT THAT THEIR DIRECTORS STAFF IS THAT THE DIRECTORS DO THE LIVING GARLAND WELL. SO THAT'S THAT'S ANOTHER EXCELLENT POINT. SO AS PART OF THE AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE STATUS, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 51% OF YOUR BOARD HAS TO EITHER LIVE OR WORK IN GARLAND. AND AGAIN, DALLAS BALLET COMPANY, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ON ABRAMS JUST SLIGHTLY SOUTH OF 635, THEY ARE NOT LOCATED IN GARLAND CITY LIMITS, AND THAT INFORMATION WILL APPEAR IN THE FUTURE. YES, SIR. YES, SIR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU SIR. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS. YES, AMY, IF YOU'LL GO BACK TO SLIDE SEVEN, PLEASE. SURE. I THINK THIS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SLIDE. IT REALLY SHOWS HOW FAR A REACH THAT GARLAND'S CULTURAL ARTS HAVE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. TICKETS AREN'T JUST PURCHASED BY GARLAND RESIDENTS, CERTAINLY WIDELY ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT FROM COAST TO COAST, THAT'S AN EXCELLENT OBSERVATION, COUNCILMAN THOMAS. YOU KNOW, ARTS, OF COURSE, ENRICH OUR LIVES. I MEAN, IT'S DEFINITELY QUALITY OF LIFE, BUT IT ALSO THERE'S AN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO ARTS. AS YOU CAN SEE, IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, WE'VE HAD TICKET BUYERS FROM ACROSS THE US COAST TO COAST. AND WE LIKE TO THINK THAT WHEN THEY COME TO GARLAND TO SEE A SHOW, THEY'RE GOING TO EAT IN ONE OF OUR RESTAURANTS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A COFFEE OR A GLASS OF WINE AND SHOP IN OUR SHOPS. SO WE'RE BRINGING FOLKS INTO GARLAND FOR TO ATTEND THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS. WELL, AND I THINK EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY'RE GOING TO STAY IN ONE OF OUR HOTELS, PAY OUR HOTEL TAX, WHICH FUNDS THIS PROGRAM. AND SO THE TAXES ARE BEING PAID FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CITY OF GARLAND. SO WHEN WE HEAR THAT'S ANOTHER WASTE OF MONE IT'S NOT OUR MONEY. IT'S, IT'S IT'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE DECIDING TO PAY OUR TAX. AND THEY KNOW WHERE THAT'S GOING WHEN THEY PAY IT. SO VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU SIR.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM? AND COUNCIL? I'M LOOKING FOR A MOTION. COUNCILMEMBER DENTON, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE GRANT AND HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUE BUDGET AS PRESENTED. AND THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE GRANT RECIPIENTS AND THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT THAT TO. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER DENTON, A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS COUNCIL. ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US? AND THAT ITEM IS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY

[6. Hold a Public Hearing Regarding the Establishment of a City of Garland PACE Program]

MUCH. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA, WE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITY OF GARLAND PACE PROGRAM. MR. HESSER. ANDY HESSER, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SOME TIME AGO, WE WERE ASKED TO LOOK INTO A A TOOL THAT WE CAN USE IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLBOX CALLED THE PACE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A PROPERTY ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY FINANCING PROGRAM. THIS IS SOME ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT WAS DONE SOME TIME AGO. TONIGHT IS THE SECOND PART OF THAT REQUIREMENT. IN SEPTEMBER 16TH COUNCIL ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO EXPLORE THIS PROGRAM. SO TONIGHT I'M GOING TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL DETAIL. SOME OF THIS MIGHT BE REDUNDANT. SOME IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL AS IT RELATES TO THE PROCESS. JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS CLEAR AND AND ABLE TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE PUBLIC TONIGHT. SO AGAIN, THE PACE PROGRAM AS YOU CAN SEE HERE WAS WAS SIGNED IN 2013. AND THIS ALLOWS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES LOW COST FINANCING, WHICH IS LOW INTEREST FINANCING FROM A

[00:25:03]

PRIVATE LENDER. IT'S AN IMPORTANT DETAIL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, WATER EFFICIENCY, UPGRADES TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND MULTIFAMILY OVER THE SIZE OF FIVE DWELLING UNITS. ONE OF THE KEY DETAILS IS THE COST OF THAT FINANCING IS IS ALIGNED WITH EQUAL OR LESS THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE SAVINGS OF THE UTILITY, SO THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SAVINGS DOLLARS EQUALS AT LEAST 1 TO 1 RATIO FOR THE COST OF THAT FINANCING. ASSESSMENTS. ARE THESE LOANS. WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT IT IS, IS THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PUT THESE FINANCING INSTRUMENTS ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPERTY, AND THAT WAY IT CAN BE SPREAD OUT LONGER OVER THE USEFUL LIFE OF THAT IMPROVEMENT. BUILDINGS ARE TYPICALLY ANYWHERE FROM, DEPENDING ON THE IMPROVEMENT, 20 TO 50 YEARS. AND ANOTHER KEY DETAIL OF THIS IS THIS DOES NOT USE PUBLIC FUNDS. THIS BASICALLY CONNECTS PRIVATE LENDERS WITH PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGH THIS VEHICLE. SO SOME OF THE BENEFITS FOR THE COMPANIES, IT'S GOING TO ALLOW THEM ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT LARGE UPFRONT COSTS, WHICH FREES UP CASH FLOW FOR OTHER THINGS IN THEIR PROJECT. IT ADDS PROPERTY VALUE ENHANCEMENTS. IT'S REALLY INTENDED FOR MODERNIZING EXISTING FACILITIES, THEREBY ENHANCING ITS PROPERTY VALUE. THERE'S NO PERSONAL GUARANTEE OR IMPACT ON CREDIT FOR IF THE INVESTORS OR THE PROPERTY OWNERS, BECAUSE IT IS TIED TO THE PROPERTY AND THE ASSESSMENTS. OBVIOUSLY, THE GOAL IS UTILITY COST SAVINGS.

HOW DOES THAT BENEFIT US, THE CITIZENS AND THE GOVERNMENT? IT IS A GOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL. IT ALLOWS FOLKS ACCESS TO THOSE KIND OF FUNDS THAT OTHERWISE MAY MAKE A PROJECT UNVIABLE. INVIABLE NOT VIABLE. HOW ABOUT THAT? IT IMPROVES THE EXISTING BUILDING STOCK, PARTICULARLY THE OLDEST STOCK THAT WE HAVE INCREASES PROPERTY VALUES, ENERGY AND WATER CONSERVATION. AND AGAIN NO FINANCIAL RISK TO US. SO THE PROCESS WHAT IS BEING CONSIDERED TONIGHT IS THE RESOLUTION. THE NEXT STEPS WILL INVOE NAILING DOWN THESE DETAILS WHERE WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE. AND A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES ARE LONE STAR PACE OR TEXAS PACE AUTHORITY. WE CAN ENGAGE ONE OR MORE IF WE SO CHOOSE. BASICALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE PROPERTY OWNER IS GOING TO OBTAIN A THIRD PARTY REVIEW OF THE BASELINE CONDITIONS OF THE PROPERTY. WHAT'S THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION NOW VERSUS THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AFTER THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE? AND THAT IS GOING TO GUARANTEE OR VERIFY THAT THE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM IS IS AT WORK. THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH A QUALIFIED LENDER REGARDING THE OPTIONS FOR THE LOAN, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO NOTIFY THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REVIEW OF FINDINGS. PROPERTY OWNERS MUST OBTAIN WRITTEN CONSENT FROM ALL CURRENT LIEN HOLDERS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF THE BUILDING'S EXISTING AND THEY HAVE CERTAIN LIEN HOLDERS, THEY MUST NOTIFY THEM BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR LIEN IS IN SUPERIOR POSITION TO OTHER MORTGAGE HOLDERS OR OTHER LIENHOLDERS. I'LL ELABORATE ON THAT A LITTLE BIT. AND THEN ONCE APPROVED, THE PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFIES EXISTING MORTGAGE HOLDERS AND CAN BE EXECUTED EXECUTED NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS. ONCE THAT IS COMPLETED, THE PROPERTY OWNERS COMPLETE THE WORK. THEY PROVIDE THE PROOF OF THE QUALIFIED IMPROVEMENTS, PAY ALL ASSOCIATED FEES. THAT'S THE LENDING FEES. ANY OF THE PROCESSING FEES THAT GO WITH THAT. THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE, WHICH AGAIN IS ON OUR BEHALF, THAT'S WHO WE CONTRACT TO DO ALL THE WORK SO OUR STAFF DOESN'T HAVE TO. THEY WILL FILE A NOTICE OF CONTRACTUAL ASSESSMENT LIEN WITH THE COUNTY ON THAT PROPERTY. SO IT'S DOCUMENTED AND CAN BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED BY THE TAXING AUTHORITIES. THEY THEN BEGIN REPAYING THE LOAN ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE AND THE AGREEMENT WITH THE LENDERS. IF THERE IS A DELINQUENCY OR FAILURE TO PAY ON THAT SCHEDULE, THE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE WILL ENACT THEIR DEBT COLLECTION PROCESSES. IF THAT FAILS, THE WORK THAT WE WOULD THEN HAVE TO DO IS THAT WE WOULD USE OUR STATUTORY TOOLS TO GO AND RECOVER THAT, JUST LIKE WE WOULD ON ANY OTHER TAX DELINQUENCY PROPERTY. A FEW THINGS IN HERE, THE PROJECT ELIGIBILITY. SO IN THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, IT'S UNDER CHAPTER 399. MUST BE A DEVELOPED LOT PRIVATELY OWNED, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL OR MULTIFAMILY AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, MUST BE FOR PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. IT REQUIRES A BASELINE ENERGY MEASUREMENT. AND I MENTIONED THE INVESTMENT RATIO. ANOTHER KEY POINT HERE IS THAT THE INELIGIBLE USES ARE UNDEVELOPED LOTS, SO THEY CANNOT BE USED FOR FACILITIES OR IMPROVEMENTS ON UNDEVELOPED LOTS OR LOTS UNDERGOING DEVELOPMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE ASSESSMENT. THE PURCHASE OR INSTALLATION OF THE PRODUCTS OR DEVICES NOT PERMANENTLY FIXED TO THE BUILDING ARE ALSO INELIGIBLE. AND I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE, BUT THIS IS A LIST OF WHAT YOU WOULD SEE AS TYPICAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY TYPE OF IMPROVEMENTS PERMANENT TO A FACILITY. SO NEXT STEPS. FOLLOWING THE PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE

[00:30:07]

RESOLUTION RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE PROGRAM. AND THEN WE WOULD THEN FINALIZE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LONE STAR PACE OR OTHERS. NO QUESTIONS. THAT WAS A LOT TO COVER. SO THANK YOU FOREING PATIENT, COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS. SO, ANDY, IF I'M A MORTGAGE HOLDER AT ONE OF THESE COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES AND THIS PROGRAM IS GOING TO PUT ME, IS GOING TO PUT ME IN THE SECOND POSITION, WHAT'S MY INCENTIVE TO AGREE TO THAT? WHY WOULD I DO THAT AS A MORTGAGE HOLDER, THAT MAY BE BEST FOR THE MORTGAGE HOLDER TO ANSWER RATHER THAN THAN US, OTHER THAN THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE NOTIFIED SO THAT THEY ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASSESS, AS WITH ANY LOAN, THEIR RISK IF IT PUTS THEM AT GREATER RISK OR NOT. THAT WOULD BE A DECISION. THAT WOULD BE WHETHER THEY WOULD PERMIT THAT TO GO FORWARD OR NOT. DO YOU THINK THIS KIND OF PROGRAM COULD LESSEN THE RISK WHERE THE BUILDING IS MORE VIABLE, MORE LONG TERM, THE BUSINESS BECOMES MORE VIABLE BECAUSE THEIR EXPENSES GO DOWN? SOMETHING LIKE THAT. WOULD THAT GIVE THEM AN INCENTIVE TO AGREE TO THIS? DO YOU THINK THE LIEN HOLDER, THE MORTGAGE, THE MORTGAGE MORTGAGE HOLDER? YEAH, IT COULD. YOU KNOW, AGAIN, IT'D BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO MAKE THAT JUDGMENT CALL. RELATED TO THAT. I REALIZE WE'RE TALKING HYPOTHETICALS HERE, BUT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WHAT INSTANCES ME AS THE MORTGAGE HOLDER, WOULD I EVER AGREE TO THIS HYPOTHETICAL? I WOULD THINK THAT IF YOU ARE IMPROVING, LET'S USE AN EXAMPLE. SO TO ME, THIS PROGRAM IS GREAT FOR THINGS LIKE AGING SHOPPING CENTERS, AGING MULTIFAMILY, BOTH WE HAVE OUR FAIR SHARE OF. I WOULD THINK THAT THOSE IMPROVEMENTS THAT MODERNIZE A BUILDING AND IMPROVE ITS ENERGY EFFICIENCY FREQUENTLY RESULT IN INCREASING LEASE RATES THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE ATTRACTIVE TO A MORTGAGE HOLDER THAT WE KNOW THAT GENERALLY, WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER MAKES IMPROVEMENTS, IT DOES COME WITH SOME SORT OF INCREASE ON THE RENT RATES. SO I CAN SEE WHERE THAT THAT WOULD ENTICE THEM TO, TO FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT INCREASING THE RISK OF THEM RECEIVING THEIR FUNDS. OKAY. VERY GOOD. THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU SIR. COUNCILMEMBER WILLIAMS. MR. HESTER, I CAN THINK OF I WANT TO ASK YOU I CAN THINK OF SEVERAL. BUSINESSES, QUOTE AND SEVERAL DISTRICTS OUT OF THE CITY, PARTICULARLY IN DISTRICT FIVE. DISTRICT FOUR, THAT ON PAPER, WHAT COULD AVAIL THEMSELVES? CAN YOU CAN YOU THINK OF CAN YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF ANY INDUSTRIES IN THE CITY CURRENTLY THAT MAY? I KNOW YOU CAN'T SAY YOU WILL. NO YOU WON'T, BUT THAT MAY BE ABLE BE ABLE TO LOOK INTO THIS PROGRAM AS A POSSIBILITY OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS, BE THEY MULTIFAMILY OR INDUSTRIAL. CAN YOU THINK OF ANY ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, I THINK THAT COULD BE A RATHER LONG LIST. I THINK THAT ANY BUILDING, ANY, ANY INDUSTRY, PICK AN INDUSTRY THAT USES A LOT OF WATER IF THEY ARE IN BUSINESS 30, 40, 50 YEARS AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO REDUCE THEIR WATER CONSUMPTION, THEIR ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION, AND THEY WOULD DO SO WITH MODERNIZING THEIR EQUIPMENT TO USE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS. THIS IS PERFECT FOR THEM. AND I THINK ONE OF THE GOALS THAT WE HAD, YOU KNOW, TALKED ABOUT IS WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN OFFER THIS. OTHER PEOPLE OFFER IT DALLAS COUNTY, VARIOUS OTHER PLACES. BUT WE FELT LIKE IT MADE SENSE TO PUT IT IN OUR TOOLBOX THAT WE WOULD HAVE ON OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBSITE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR ANY ASSISTANCE WHATSOEVER, IT'S IT'S RIGHT THERE. AND SO I THINK A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES COULD BENEFIT FROM IT. I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE, MAYOR. THANK YOU SIR. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCIL. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT THEN WITH THAT, WE WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITY OF GARLAND PACE PROGRAM. MADAM SECRETARY, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM? NO, SIR.

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? I SEE NONE, AND WITH THAT,

[7. Consideration of a Resolution Establishing a City of Garland PACE Program]

WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM SEVEN. APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITY OF GARLAND PACE PROGRAM. COUNCILMEMBER MOORE. MOTION TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE AND A SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM LUCK COUNCIL. ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US.

AND THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR LAST ITEM. OUR NEXT ITEM, I

[8. Councilmember Kris Beard

Elizabeth Mitchell -Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board

]

[00:35:09]

SHOULD SAY CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. COUNCILMEMBER BEARD, YOU HAVE A NOMINATION? YES. I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE ELIZABETH MITCHELL TO THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE NUMBER TWO SOUTH BOARD. WE HAVE A NOMINATION COUNCIL. JUST A SECOND BY SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS. ANY DIUSSION ON THIS NOMINATION? MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US? AND NOMINATION IS APPROVED

[ CITIZEN COMMENTS]

UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR LAST ITEM. CITIZENS 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. MADAM SECRETARY, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR CITIZENS COMMENTS? YES, SIR. WE HAVE THREE. ALL RIGHT. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR FIRST SPEAKER? YES, SIR. DANNY STARNES. MR. STARNES, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. DANNY STARNES, I LIVE AT 6509 FALLBROOK DRIVE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75043. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME CONCERNS I HAVE WITH THE RECENTLY APPROVED MD HEALTH PATHWAYS PROGRAM, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY OPTS IN EVERY RESIDENT WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

I THINK GANDHI SAID IT BEST WHEN HE SAID A NATION'S GREATNESS IS MEASURED BY HOW IT TREATS ITS WEAKEST MEMBERS. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF HOW GARLAND TREATED ITS ELDERLY CITIZENS. THAT IS, UNTIL NOW. NOW WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE GARLAND CITY COUNCIL HAS UNLEASHED WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE PREDATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY OPTS IN CITIZENS TO A SERVICE I DIDN'T PERSONALLY REQUEST. I DON'T NEED AND I DON'T WANT AND JUDGE BY THE SOCIAL MEDIA FIRES THAT HAVE BEEN BURNING SINCE THIS COUNCIL GAVE MD HEALTH PATHWAYS THE GREEN LIGHT. MANY, MANY OTHER CITIZENS AGREE WITH ME. ACCORDING TO CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, AS OF OCTOBER 1ST, 2025, 1697 RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY OPTED OUT OF THIS PROGRAM, AND IT HASN'T EVEN GOTTEN STARTED. INSTEAD OF ALLOWING EACH CITIZEN TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, LIKE OUR FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES DICTATE, GARLAND CITY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO SIGN UP EVERY HOUSEHOLD FOR THIS PROGRAM, WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS. THIS IS KNOWN AS THE NANNY STATE, BUT REALLY, ONLY CHILDREN NEED NANNIES. WE ARE ADULTS AND PREFER TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS. THIS PROGRAM WILL PRESENT AN UNDUE BURDEN ON OUR ELDERLY POPULATION. MANY ELDERLY ARE SIMPLY NOT AS AWARE AS THEY USED TO BE, AND THEY MOST LIKELY MAY NEVER NOTICE THE $6 CHARGE, OR WHEN IT BECOMES SEVEN OR 8 OR 9. MD. HEALTH PATHWAYS BUSINESS MODEL IS COUNTING ON THE FACT THEY WILL NOT NOTICE THE AUTOMATIC CHARGE. WHAT THEY WILL NOTICE IS THEIR FIXED INCOME JUST ISN'T CUTTING ANYMORE. WHAT THEY WILL NOTICE IS NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY CAN BUY THEIR MEDICINE OR EAT DINNER. THAT'S A REALITY. $6 IS A LOT TO THIS COMMUNITY. THANKS TO CITY COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE PREDATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES. WE NOW LIVE IN A CITY WHERE THE ELDERLY ARE NO LONGER PROTECTED. SHAME ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT VOTED TO MOVE THIS PROGRAM FORWARD. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND STOP THIS INTRUSIVE PROGRAM NOW AND RESTORE THE CONFIDENCE WE ONCE HAD IN THIS CITY COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.

THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, MICHAEL DUANE? GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. MICHAEL MICHAEL COOLEY AND I AM A HOMELESS RESIDENT OF GARLAND. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL SPEAKING, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPPORTUNITY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2023, HUD AWARDED A $22.8 MILLION GRANT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION INITIATIVE IN DALLAS, WHICH INCLUDED GARLIC. HOUSING FORWARD WAS THE NOT FOR PROFIT THAT LED THIS COALITION. WHILE THE 22.8 MILLION IS A REGIONAL EFFECT, GARLAND ALSO RECEIVED LOCAL MONEY FOR LOCAL PROGRAMS. THE EMERGENCY SOLUTION GRANT PROGRAM, THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH GARLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. NONE OF THESE PROGRAMS EXIST

[00:40:05]

TODAY. THE MOVING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM HAS NOT TAKEN APPLICATION FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE. IN ESSENCE, GARLAND HAS RECEIVED FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $22.8 MILLION IN MARCH OF 23, AN ADDITIONAL $22 MILLION FOR HOMELESS COALITIONS AND HOMELESS PROGRAMS. DALLAS.

ALSO, DALLAS RECEIVED 51 MILLION OF A 3.6 BILLION CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM IN WHICH GARLAND ALSO PARTICIPATED IN. AND YET NONE OF THE HOUSING PROGRAMS OR NONE OF THE RESOURCES EXIST. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT JOBS FOR THE HOMELESS. JUST HAD A CAREER FAIR HERE.

EVERYBODY WAS PRESENT FROM THE CITY OF GARLAND. BUT YET YOUR BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN THE CITY OF GARLAND IS KRAFT. YOU HAVE A TEXAS, THE TEXAS PROGRAM THAT THAT THAT ALLOWS GARLAND TO GIVE INCENTIVES TO KRAFT IN PLACE FOR EMPLOYMENT, A 35% GUARANTEE OF EMPLOYMENT FOR RESIDENTS OF GARLAND AND KRAFT IS ALSO A SECOND CHANCE COMPANY. WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS A STEP UP. WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR YOU TO PUT ANY MONEY IN OUR POCKETS. WE'RE ASKING FOR THESE RESOURCES. I'VE ASKED YOU TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS BEFORE. I JUST WANT TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT. THE AGREEMENT FOR THE EXPANSION. EACH TIME KRAFT DOES AN EXPANSION, THERE'S AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE TO HIRE 35% OF GARLAND RESIDENTS. THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE. WE WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NOW AT KRAFT ARE COMING FROM AFGHANISTAN. IT'S SOME TYPE OF PROGRAM WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. BUT KRAFT OWES GARLAND 35% OF THAT SHARE. WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR IS JUST A FAIR SHARE. AND TO GET A CHANCE TO GET A STEP UP AND NOT TO REMAIN HOMELESS, I WANT YOU TO KEEP IN MIND THERE IS A PREGNANT WOMAN WALKING THE STREETS OF GARLAND TODAY WHO IS HOMELESS. DO NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO HER. IT'S NOT ABOUT HER, IT'S ABOUT THAT CHILD. DIFFERENT LEVELS, DIFFERENT LEVELS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR LAST SPEAKER, CARL ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, SIR.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. SMITH 22, 22, 16 RICH OAK DRIVE. WE'RE NOW HEARING THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS UNDER BUDGET AND HAVING BUDGET ISSUES. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATIZING AMBULANCE CARE. I CONCEDE THAT WE MAYBE OUGHT TO CANCEL MD PATHWAY AND PUT THOSE TAX DOLLARS TO WORK IN THE FIRE BUDGET, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SENIOR CITIZENS THAT MAY NOT KNOW OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT WAS POORLY ROLLED OUT. PROPAGANDA WISE. I, LIKE MANY OTHER CITIZENS THAT KNEW NOTHING OF IT UNTIL THE DAY OF THE VOTE OR SHORTLY AFTER. IT WASN'T IN THE EMAIL NEWSLETTER UNTIL EARLIER THIS WEEK. WHETHER YOU OPT IN OR OPT OUT, YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE STILL BEING USED WITHOUT OUR INPUT. I FEEL YOU HAVE PURPOSELY LIMITED INFORMATION ON THIS IN ORDER TO PASS IT WITHOUT PUSHBACK, AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY NUMEROUS STORIES OF PERSONAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ON OUR STAFF. AND WHY DID THE MAYOR SEEM TO SUPPORT THIS AND THEN VOTE AGAINST SO MANY QUESTIONS? ATTITUDES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ONLINE WHO YOU DISAGREE WITH OR RAISE QUESTIONS TO, OR HORRIBLE ONE IN PARTICULAR? I CAN'T HELP BUT BELIEVE THAT DUE TO THE SECRECY OF DETAILS BEFORE THE VOTE, THAT SOME SOMEONE IN OUR CITY, GOVERNMENT OR STAFF IS BENEFITING PERSONALLY. AND WHAT WAS THE BID PROCESS ON THIS? LET ME TELL YOU HOW MUCH THEY CARE ABOUT YOU. I EMAILED EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL AND RECEIVED NOT ONE REPLY FROM ANY OF YOU. AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE NORM FOR THIS COUNCIL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? NO SIR, WE DO NOT. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TONIGHT? SEEING NONE AT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION

CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Oct 06, 2025 City Council

MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION

CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

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