[ LEGISLATIVE PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] [00:00:10] FEBRUARY 17TH, 2026 REGULAR SESSION OF THE GARDEN CITY COUNCIL. IT IS THE TRADITION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE AN INVOCATION AND RECITAL OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. IT'S LED BY ONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU SO CHOOSE. BUT YOU'RE NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN EITHER OR BOTH. YOUR DECISION. DECISION DECISION IS STRICTLY A MATTER OF YOUR OWN CHOICE, AND WILL NOT AFFECT THE DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN ANY MANNER. TONIGHT'S INVOCATION AND PLEDGE WILL BE LED BY MAYOR PRO TEM. LUCK, MA'AM. THANK YOU. MAYOR. LAST NIGHT, THIS COUNCIL REACHED CONSENSUS ON A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION. WHAT IMPRESSED ME MOST WAS NOT JUST THE OUTCOME, BUT HOW WE GOT THERE. WE HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY LEVEVEL OF RESPECT FOR ONE BUT ACROSS OUR ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING STAFF, OUR CITY MANAGER, MR. BETZ, AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY, MR. ENGLAND. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL ATTACKS NOR WILD OUTBURSTS, JUST CANDID, RESPECTFUL CONVERSATION WHERE EVERYONE FELT COMFORTABLE SPEAKING THEIR MIND AND WERE SUPPORTED IN DOING SO. I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO WORK ALONGSIDE THESE FINE MEN AND WOMEN, DOING SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YET REWARDING WORK OF MY LIFE. THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS OF GARLAND, AND ESPECIALLY DISTRICT FIVE FOR ENTRUSTING ME WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY. 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. WELCOME AGAIN, EVERYBODY, TO THE MEETING. WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROCLAMATIONS, RECOGNITIONS OR OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY, SO WE'LL [ CONSENT AGENDA] GET RIGHT INTO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. ALL ITEMS UNDER THIS SECTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA 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. I WILL ANNOUNCE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL, AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE, TO REQUEST THAT ANY ITEM BE REMOVED AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. OUR FIRST ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 3RD, 2026 REGULAR MEETING. ITEM NUMBER TWO IS APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING BIDS TWO. A REPLACEMENT OF 15 CHEVROLET TAHOE POLICE PURSUIT VEHICLES TO BE UPFIT OF 15 2026 CHEVROLET TAHOE POLICE PURSUIT VEHICLES. TWO C REPLACEMENT OF TWO AERIAL TRUCKS FOR GARLAND POWER AND LIGHT. TO D G. WILEY SWITCH STATION CONSTRUCTION SERVICES TO E G L OATES SUBSTATION STRUCTURE TO F G L TRANSMISSION LINE STRUCTURES TWO G REPLACEMENT OF A SINGLE 2025 FREIGHTLINER TERREX AERIAL BUCKET TRUCK FOR G, P, AND L TO H PURCHASE OF A 2025 MUD DOG 1200 HYDRO EXCAVATOR TRUCK FOR THE WATER DEPARTMENT TO I CHANGE ORDER NUMBER ONE TO SHILOH ROAD FROM KINGSLEY ROAD TO MILLER ROAD. DESIGN CONTRACT 2JEPA EPA BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITY WIDE ASSESSMENT GRANT, ADMINISTRATIVE AND ASSESSMENT SERVICES. ITEM THREE PUBLIC HEARING WAS PREVIOUSLY CONDUCTED FOR THE FOLLOWING ZONING CASES. COUNCIL APPROVED THE ZONING REQUEST AND INSTRUCTED STAFF TO BRING FORTH THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES THREE A IS CASE Z 2540 WASH WELL US DASH 001 LLC IN DISTRICT 83B IS Z 2541 ZONE DEV IN DISTRICT 83C IS CASE Z 2544 BY DAVID NAJAFI IN DISTRICT THREE. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS GPL TRANSMISSION. ENGINEERING OFFICE BUILDING LEASE. ITEM NUMBER FIVE IS CONSIDERED AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REINVESTMENT ZONE. NUMBER TWO TIF NUMBER TWO PROJECT AND FINANCING PLAN, AND ITEM NUMBER SIX IS GARLAND DEPARTMENT, GARLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND WRIGHT SITE FOR NON-EMERGENCY PATIENTS. IS THERE ANY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WISHES TO HAVE AN ITEM CONSIDERED SEPARATELY? IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISHES HAD AN ITEM PULLED CONSIDERED SEPARATELY? SEEING NONE. MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU [00:05:04] MAYOR. I MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED A MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM LUCK AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUTTON. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US? AND THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. ON TO ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE SPEAKER GUIDELINES FOR US? 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 A 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 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. IF YOU HAVEN'T FILLED OUT A SPEAKER CARD YOU WISH TO SPEAK, PLEASE GO DO SO DOWN BY THE CITY [7. Consideration of the Called 2026 General Election for May 2, 2026] SECRETARY. FIRST ITEM FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION IS ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. CONSIDERATION OF THE CALL 2026 GENERAL ELECTION FOR MAY 2ND, 2026. MAYOR. THE. THE CITY SECRETARY HAS PROVIDED YOU A CERTIFICATE OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES, INDICATING THAT THERE ARE NO OPPOSED CANDIDATES IN DISTRICT ONE. DISTRICT TWO AND DISTRICT FOUR. THE ITEM PRESENTED TONIGHT IS THE CONSIDERATION OF CANCELING THE ELECTION IN DISTRICTS ONE, TWO, AND FOUR BECAUSE THERE ARE NO OPPOSING CANDIDATES. THANK YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER. COUNCILMAN, MOTION. MAYOR PRO TEM. SO. MAYOR, I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM SEVEN AS PRESENTED. I HAVE A MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FOR APPROVAL AS PRESENTED A SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BASS. ANY DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US. AND ITEM IS [8. Consideration of the Called 2026 Special Home-Rule Election for May 2, 2026] APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY ON ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. IT'S CONSIDERATION OF THE CALLED 2026 SPECIAL HOME RULE ELECTION FOR MAY 2ND, 2026. MAYOR, THIS ITEM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BECAUSE FOLLOWING LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY AND AFTER DISCUSSING THAT ADVICE WITH YOU IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, I HAVE EXERCISED MY AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 6.1 OF THE MASTER TELEHEALTH SERVICES AGREEMENT TO TERMINATE THE CITY'S CONTRACT WITH MD HEALTH PATHWAYS. THAT CONTRACT HAS BEEN CANCELED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS AND PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM'S LAUNCH, AND WITHOUT PENALTY TO THE CITY. GIVEN THAT THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN TERMINATED AND WE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED AN ALTERNATIVE VENDOR ABLE TO PROVIDE COMPARABLE TELEHEALTH SERVICES, IT'S MY VIEW THAT THE PROPOSED MAY 2ND SPECIAL SPECIAL ELECTION REGARDING PROPOSED TELEHEALTH IS NOW MOOT. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE A LEGAL OPINION TO THE COUNCIL REGARDING WHETHER THE ELECTION WOULD BE MOOT AND TO TELL US WHAT THE APPROPRIATE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. ON FEBRUARY THE 3RD, 2026, THE COUNCIL ORDERED THAT SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS A NON-BINDING PROPOSITION REGARDING THE PROVISION OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES FUNDED THROUGH A FEE ON THE CITY UTILITY BILL. SINCE THAT TIME, THE CONTRACT UNDER WHICH THOSE TELEHEALTH SERVICES WOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED HAS BEEN TERMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS TERMS PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM LAUNCH AND WITHOUT PENALTY TO THE CITY. IN ADDITION, STAFF HAS ADVISED THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO ALTERNATIVE VENDORS ABLE TO PROVIDE COMPARABLE TELEHEALTH SERVICES AT A SIMILAR FEE. AS A RESULT, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION, THE CITY CANNOT IMPLEMENT THE TELEHEALTH PROGRAM CONTEMPLATED BY THE PROPOSITION. SECTION 2.081, SUBSECTION A OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE AUTHORIZES A GOVERNMENT BODY TO CANCEL AN ELECTION IF THE ACTION TO BE AUTHORIZED MAY NOT BE TAKEN, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME. IS MY LEGAL OPINION THAT THIS STANDARD IS SATISFIED. THE PROPOSITION HAS BEEN RENDERED MOOT BECAUSE THE CITY LACKS THE PRESENT ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE PROGRAM, EVEN IF THE VOTERS WERE TO APPROVE IT. THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU FORMALLY DECLARES THE PROPOSITION MOOT. IT CANCELS THE MAY 2ND, 2026 SPECIAL ELECTION, DIRECTS THE REQUIRED POSTINGS, AND PROVIDES FOR IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVENESS. ACCORDINGLY, IF THE COUNCIL COUNCIL AGREES WITH THE FACTUAL FINDINGS STATED IN THE [00:10:02] ORDINANCE THAT A PLACE BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ADOPT IT AND CANCEL THE SPECIAL ELECTION. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE A FEW CITIZEN SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR FIRST SPEAKER? YES, SIR. SONNY LIN. MA'AM, IF YOU GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. SONNY LIN, 1442 MORRISON COURT, DISTRICT TWO. I CAME HERE TO CONFIRM THAT THE CONTRACT WITH MD HEALTH PATHWAYS TELEHEALTH. I'M SOR. WHAT? IT JUST GOT YOUR MIC JUST GOT TURNED ON. PLEASE CONTINUE. OH, SORRY. OKAY. I CAME HERE TO CONFIRM THAT THE CONTRACT WITH MD HEALTH PATHWAYS TELE TELEHEALTH, HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY AND LEGALLY CANCELED, RESULTING IN IT NOT BEING A VOTING OPTION PLACED ON THE BALLOT IN THE MAY 2ND ELECTION, WHICH YOU ALL HAVE JUST CONFIRMED. CORRECT. OKAY, I ATTENDED AND SPOKE AT THE COUNCIL MEETING WHEN THE MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ALLOW THE VOTERS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TELEHEALTH PROGRAM AND ITS SERVICES. I DO THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT LAW OR ORDINANCE ALLOWED THE CITY TO CONTRACT WITH THIS PRIVATE COMPANY. ENROLLING ME IN THIS PROGRAM WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT, COMMITTING ME TO PAY FOR ITS MONTHLY SERVICES BY ALLOWING THAT SERVICE FEE TO BE COLLECTED BY THE CITY UTILITIES DEPARTMENT. HOW IS THIS LEGAL? HOW MANY OTHER PRIVATE COMPANIES COULD APPROACH THE COUNCIL AND REQUEST THE SAME ARRANGEMENT? WHAT IS TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? THE TERMS TRANSPARENCY AND SLIPPERY SLOPE COME TO MIND. IT HAS EVEN BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE, UNDER THE TABLE, PAYMENTS ARRANGED WITH CITY EMPLOYEES OR COUNCIL MEMBERS, OR THAT THE CITY WOULD MONETARILY BENEFIT IN AN UNDISCLOSED WAY. AS SOMEONE WHO EXPECTS HER GOVERNMENT TO BE ABOVE BOARD OR TRANSPARENT, THAT IS AN UGLY PICTURE THAT I DON'T WANT OUR CITIZENS TO HAVE OF GARLAND UNDER SUCH QUESTIONABLE CONDITIONS. I AM APPALLED THAT THIS WAS EVER CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL AND ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO GO FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER? SUMMER WASSEF. NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. SUMMER 2014 BROOKE TREE DRIVE. I INITIALLY CAME HERE TONIGHT TO URGE YOU TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT WITH MD HEALTH PATHWAYS. DOCTOR PARROTT HAD REPEATEDLY STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS CONTRACT IF IT REQUIRED A VOTE, AND WHEN THAT PROMISE WASN'T KEPT, I INTENDED TO COME HERE AND HIGHLIGHT THE DISCREPANCIES AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST WHAT FELT LIKE THE CONTINUED EXPLOITATION OF OUR CITY. BUT HOW LUCKY AM I THAT I GET TO STAND HERE INSTEAD AND SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF OUR CITY ATTORNEY, HOW PROUD I AM OF OUR CITY MANAGER, OF OUR MAYOR AND OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THE AMAZING GARARLAND GRASSROOTS GROUP THAT CAME TOGETHER. I KNOW YOUR DECISION DID NOT COME EASY. THE SIGNING OF THIS CONTRACT CREATED DISRUPTION AND DIVISION, BUT IT ALSO DID SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. IT BROUGHT OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER. IT PUSHED RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE MORE DEEPLY, TO UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE, AND TO BUILD NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND ALLIANCES THAT WILL CONTINUE LONG AFTER THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED. PERSONALLY, I'VE GAINED A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR SEVERAL OF YOU THROUGH YOUR PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS AND THE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE SHARED. WITH THAT IN MIND, I'D LIKE TO OFFER A SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE. I PROPOSE THE CREATION OF A OF A COMMITTEE, PERHAPS CALLED THE CITIZENS VOICE, TO SERVE AS A LIAISON BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL. THIS GROUP COULD HELP BRIDGE COMMUNICATION GAPS. EXCUSE ME, GATHER COMMUNITY INSIGHT AND PROVIDE EARLY FEEDBACK ON PROJECTS OR PROPOSALS THAT MAY IMPACT THE CITY. WHAT WE'VE JUST EXPERIENCED SHOWS HOW MUCH RESIDENTS VALUE HAVING ADVOCATES WHO SPEAK UP FOR THEM. LET'S BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN A DIFFICULT CHAPTER INTO A MODEL FOR HOW A COMMUNITY CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH TRANSPARENCY, RESPECT AND UNITY. LET'S STRENGTHEN OUR BONDS, DEEPEN OUR COMMUNICATION, AND SHOW OTHER CITIES WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD IN HARMONY. [00:15:01] LASTLY, THE FIRST TIME I SPOKE TO YOU GUYS AT A WORK SESSION, I STATED THAT MISTAKES HAPPEN AND GRACE CAN ABSOLUTELY BE EXTENDED TO THOSE WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE. I WANT TO REMIND OUR CITIZENS OF GARLAND THAT SHOWING GRACE TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE, IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING OUR CITY STRONG. NOW, YOU GUYS CAN GO AHEAD AND CANCEL THAT. THANK YOU MA'AM. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, CARL SMITH? I KNOW I GOT TO GET MY ADDRESS. MY NAME? YES, SIR. I MADE YOU GIVE YOU ONCE YESTERDAY. I'M SORRY. I ONLY MADE YOU GIVE IT ONCE YESTERDAY. OKAY, WELL, I GUESS I'M GONNA HAVE TO DO IT TWICE TODAY. MY NAME IS CARL SMITH, 2216 RIDGE OAK DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR DECISION THAT YOU'VE COME TO. HERE WE ARE AFTER MONTHS OF ACRIMONY AND ANGST WITH ONE MORE STEP TO RID OUR CITY OF THIS DIVISIVE ISSUE. THAT IS ONE STEP THAT IS NOW IN YOUR HANDS, TOTALLY. CANCELING THE ELECTION IS THE LEAST THE LAST IMPEDIMENT TO RESTORING TRUST AND BEGINNING TO HEAL OUR CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, DANNY STARNES? YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS? FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. DANNY STEARNS, 6509 FALLBROOK DRIVE, GARLAND, TEXAS. NO SCRIPT TODAY. JUST GOING TO WING IT. SO JUST REALLY WANTED TO COME UP HERE AND THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT PLAYED A PART IN CANCELING THIS CONTRACT. YOU KNOW, WE'VE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONFLICT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK SOME OF IT WAS NECESSARY. LIKE SUMMER SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE'S PEOPLE INVOLVED. I'VE I'VE NEVER BEEN TO THIS BUILDING, BEEN TO IT A LOT HERE RECENTLY. I WORKED, YOU KNOW, HARD IN THE BACKGROUND IN THE CITY TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER. BUT IT'S BECOME OBVIOUS TO ME THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE INVOLVED. SO FROM THAT STANDPOINT, I THINK THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING THIS PROCESS. AND, YOU KNOW, I SEE ALL THESE COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PEOPLE TAKING MONEY, PEOPLE JUST, YOU KNOW, HORRIBLE COMMENTS. I DON'T AGREE WITH ANY OF THEM. I THINK EVERYONE THAT PUSHED THIS PROGRAM FORWARD DID IT WITH THE BEST INTEREST OF GARLAND IN MIND, IN YOUR OWN VIEWPOINT, AND I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THAT. I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH HOW IT'S IMPLEMENTED. I'VE NEVER BEEN I'VE NEVER DISAGREED WITH TELEHEALTH. I LOVE TELEHEALTH, IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION. SO, YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK TO LAYER SERVICES IN, IN THE FUTURE, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNICATION. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE INVOLVED, LOOK AT THE AGENDA, SEE WHAT'S COMING UP, SEE, SEE IF THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE LIKE THIS THAT WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED EARLY ON, YOU KNOW, AND I WANT TO THANK OUR BRILLIANT CITY ATTORNEY FOR PUTTING A WIDE OPEN EXIT CLAUSE IN THAT CONTRACT, WHICH I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE SIGN A CONTRACT WITH EXIT CLAUSE LIKE THAT. SO GOOD JOB ON THAT. AND THEN THANK YOU, CITY CITY MANAGER, FOR CARRYING OUT THE CITY COUNCIL'S ORDERS TO CANCEL THIS CONTRACT. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULD GO AHEAD AND, YOU KNOW, CANCEL THE SPECIAL ELECTION. IT'S MOOT. IT'S NO LONGER NEEDED, AS YOU HEARD EARLIER. AND SO THAT WILL BE A GOOD STEP. AND THEN WE ALL NEED TO HEAL FROM THIS. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HEAL AT DIFFERENT LEVELS. PEOPLE ARE STILL ANGRY. PEOPLE STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT. AND ONCE THEY FIND OUT ABOUT IT, THEY'LL BE ANGRY ALL OVER AGAIN. SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST TELLING THE TRUTH TODAY. SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME BIG THINGS THAT CITY NEEDS TO ACCOMPLISH, SOME VERY IMPORTANT THINGS. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT LEADERS, ESPECIALLY IN THIS GROUP, BUT ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY, NEED TO NEED TO HELP IN THAT HEALING AND THROWING NAMES AROUND, CALLING PEOPLE OUT. AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT PRODUCTIVE. LET'S LET'S DO OUR BEST TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER. IT WAS AN UGLY CHAPTER. NO ONE LIKED IT. NO ONE INVOLVED LIKED IT. BUT LET'S DO OUR BEST TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER AND MOVE FORWARD AND SEE WHAT GREAT THINGS WE CAN DO TOGETHER IN THIS CITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, JAMES COOK? MR. COOK, IF YOU GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU. JAMES COOK [00:20:01] 1833 MEADOWVIEW DRIVE HERE IN GARLAND, TEXAS. 75043I SPOKE PREVIOUSLY. I'D LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT I'M PROUD OF WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I CAN'T SAY THAT. BUT I CAN SAY THAT I'M THANKFUL THAT THIS IS HOPEFULLY GOING TO COME TO A CLOSE. I HOPE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A FOLLOW UP, A LESSONS LEARNED AMONGST YOU ALL, AND IF THERE'S OTHERS THAT YOU ALL WANT TO INVITE, THAT WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED. SOME OF MY MAJOR CONCERNS ARE, FIRST OFF, WITH THE ELECTION, I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT EVEN IF THE ELECTION WENT THROUGH, THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE NON-BINDING, MEANING THAT EVEN IF 100%, WE KNOW THAT NOT 100% OF THE POPULATION THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE WOULD VOTE. BUT EVEN IF 100% SAID THEY DIDN'T WANT THIS, THAT THE CITY COULD STILL SAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH WITH IT. SO I WAS VERY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED THAT THAT'S PART OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS IN THE FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION. THE OTHER THING IS, IS THAT WHAT I FOUND IS THAT THE SUPPOSED MAILERS, WELL, IF YOU GET ELECTRONIC OR YOUR CITY UTILITIES, THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THIS SUPPOSED FLIER, WHICH IS WHAT I DO. I GET ALL OF MY BILLS AND EVERYTHING ELECTRONICALLY SAVING ON THE PAPER AND THE WASTE AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. AND JUST FINALLY, I'M NOT OPPOSED, AS I SPOKE BEFORE, ABOUT REACHING OUT FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED. I'M IN HEALTH CARE ON THE IT SIDE, BUT I'VE BEEN IN IN IT FOR MOST OF MY CAREER. AND YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS HERE BEFORE THAT, WE HAD A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS OUT MY CHURCH THAT I ATTEND HELPS OUT THE NEEDY. AND I THINK THAT THE CITY CAN GO A LONG WAY WITH, YOU KNOW, PROVIDING THAT. BUT HAVING SOMETHING THAT'S ONE FOR ME WOULD BE A DUPLICATE, BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE PART OF MY HEALTH CARE PLAN, TELEHEALTH. AND THEN BEING AUTOMATICALLY OPT IN WITHOUT HAVING A CHOICE. AND IF I WASN'T AWARERE, AND LUCKILY I WAS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING AN EXTRA $6 ON MY BILL. AND AS I STATED BEFORE LAST TIME, I DON'T NORMALLY GO LINE BY LINE, BUT I AM NOW ON MY UTILITY BILL. SO I THANK YOU AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO VOTE TO CANCEL THE SPECIAL ELECTION, SO IT'LL BE A WASTE OF MONEY. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PATRICIA DEBRA IS A REGISTERING HER POSITION BUT NOT TESTIFYING FOR ITEM EIGHT. AND I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR ITEM EIGHT. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL. I HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER DUTTON. YOU HAVE PUNCHED IN, MA'AM. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE. ITEM EIGHT ON THE AGENDA. CANCELING OF THE PREVIOUSLY CALLED SPECIAL HOME RULE ELECTION FOR MAY 2ND, 2026. I HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUTTON. I SEE A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ORT. YOU'RE IN THE QUEUE, SIR. I JUST HAD A BRIEF STATEMENT THAT I THOUGHT I WOULD THAT I WOULD READ IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE TIME. TODAY, WE CLOSE THE DOOR ON GARLAND'S TELEHEALTH CONTRACT. BUT WE ARE NOT CLOSING THE DOOR ON THE PROBLEM THAT WAS TRYING TO ADDRESS. THE ORIGINAL INTENT BEHIND THIS EFFORT WAS STRAIGHTFORWARD TO IMPROVE THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF GARLAND RESIDENTS, TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, TO INCREASE AMBULANCE AVAILABILITY, TO CREATE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO A CITY WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A HEALTH DESERT WHERE MORE THAN 40% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE UNINSURED OR SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERINSURED, REASONABLE PEOPLE DISAGREED ON THE STRUCTURE AND THE APPROACH. I RESPECT THAT, I RESPECT THOSE WHO SUPPORTED IT AND I AND THOSE WHO OPPOSED IT. THE LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT REFLECTS A COMMUNITY THAT CARES DEEPLY ABOUT ITS HEALTH, ITS FINANCES, AND ITS FUTURE. TONIGHT'S VOTE IS PROCEDURAL. SINCE THE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED, THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE IS THE NEED. AS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, I REMAIN FULLY COMMITTED TO COMPLETING THE FIRE AND EMS STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE PROCESS EXACTLY AS STRUCTURED. THAT COMMITTEE WAS F FORMED WITH THRE CLEAR OBJECTIVES. FIRST, TO SUSTAIN ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR GARLAND CITIZENS. SECOND, TO IMPROVE THE LIVES AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. AND THIRD, TO [00:25:02] ACHIEVE BOTH IN WAYS THAT ARE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE FOR THE LONG TERM. THAT PROCESS CONTINUES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, AND THE COMMITTEE WILL DELIVER ITS FULL ITS FINAL FINDINGS IN MAY AS SCHEDULED. DISTRICT EIGHT IS HOME TO GARLAND'S MEDICAL DISTRICT. THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HEALTH ACCESS, HOSPITAL CAPACITY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND LONG TERM MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT THEORETICAL. IT IS A IT IS CENTRAL TO DISTRICT EIGHT AND TO OUR CITY'S TRAJECTORY. AFTER THE FIRE AND EMS PROCESS CONCLUDES IN MAY, I INTEND TO CONTINUE THE BROADER DIALOG ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH ACCESS AND VITAL SERVICES, WHETHER IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY OR SIMPLY AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. EXERCISING MY RIGHT TO CONVENE DISCUSSION. THE WORK OF EXPLORING SOLUTIONS MUST CONTINUE OPENLY, TRANSPARENTLY AND COLLABORATIVELY TO THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN THIS DEBATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO CHALLENGED US. THANK YOU. LET'S TAKE THAT ENERGY FROM THIS MOMENT AND TURN IT INTO CONSTRUCTIVE WORK THAT STRENGTHENS GARLAND FOR THE LONG TERM. GARLAND DESERVES NO LESS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION COUNCIL? SEEING NONE. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US? AND THAT ITEM IS APPROVED [9. Mayor Dylan Hedrick Subhi Gharbieh - Board of Adjustment ] UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. MOVE ON NOW TO CONSIDERING APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. MAYOR PRO TEM, I HAVE ONE MYSELF. IF YOU WOULD DO. TAKE CARE OF THAT ONE FOR ME, PLEASE. MAYOR HEDRICK APPOINTS CB GRABER TO THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DUTTON. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR ME? THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. AND NOW, COUNCIL [10. Councilmember Joe Thomas Jr. Edgar Miranda - Plan Commission] MEMBER THOMAS, YOU HAVE ONE, SIR. YES. I NOMINATE EDGAR MIRANDA TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT HIM TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION. MOTION TO APPROVE. AND A SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM LUCK. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION? SEEING NONE. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE PREPARE THE VOTE FOR US? THAT ITEM IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. [ CITIZEN COMMENTS] NOW MOVE ON TO 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 AGENDA. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR FIRST SPEAKER, CARL SMITH? I'M CARL SMITH, 2260 MITCHELL DRIVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES TO RID THE ISSUE FROM OUR CITY OF MD PATHWAYS AND ALL OF THE NEVER ENDING MEETINGS. I HAVE NEVER HEARD THE MAJORITY OF THIS BODY MAKE A SIMPLE STATEMENT. WE MESSED UP. IT WOULD HELP HEALING. BUT I ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS BEHAVIOR AS COUNCIL PEOPLE. YOU ARE AND SHOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS IN THE NORMAL CITIZENRY. A NUMBER OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE WAY THEY'VE SPOKEN TO CITIZENS, BOTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORK SESSIONS AND COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND GO TO THOSE PEOPLE AND APOLOGIZE FOR THOSE ACTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL THAT HAVE STEADFASTLY LIVED UP TO THEIR PRINCIPLES. WE NEED TO LOOK AT RESOURCES SUCH AS GETTING PARKLAND TO EXPAND SERVICES IN GARLAND. WE ALSO HAVE A MEDICAL CITY STANDALONE ER IN GARLAND I'M NOT SURE THAT ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT, BUT IT'S THERE IF WE WOULD UTILIZE IT, WHICH OUR EMS AS PRESENT WILL NOT UTILIZE IT FOR WHATEVER REASON. BUT IF WE COULD UTILIZE IT, IT'S AT BUCKINGHAM AND JUPITER. WE COULD SHORTEN OUR RUNS AND FREE UP OUR EMS GUYS. GIVE THEM A LITTLE RELIEF. I'M [00:30:09] NOT SAYING IT'S THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING, BUT IT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP THEM. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THERE. THEY HAVE. THEY HAVE A FULL LAB, THEY HAVE CT, THEY HAVE X RAYS, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN PRETTY MUCH HANDLE ANYTHING UP UNTIL THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY HOSPITALIZE SOMEBODY. AND THEN THEY WOULD TRANSFER THEM, OBVIOUSLY, BUT THEY ARE ABLE TO HANDLE PRACTICALLY ALL OF WHAT WOULD COME UP ON A DAILY BASIS IN AN E.R. SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE A GOOD A GOOD STARTING STEP FOR OUR EMS GUYS. ANYWAY, APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Y'ALL HAVE A NICE DAY. THANK YOU. SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, JUSTIN CARRAWAY? GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. YES. I'M JUSTIN CARRAWAY, 529 HENDERSON CIRCLE, GARLAND, TEXAS. I JUST WANTED TO REALLY THANK YOU GUYS. ONCE AGAIN, I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN TAXING, TO SAY THE LEAST, FOR A LOT OF US AS A A CITIZEN AND AS WELL AS THE JOB THAT YOU DO, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY TO BE MORE INVOLVED, BE ACTIVE, TAKE THE INITIATIVE, VOICE YOUR CONCERNS, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOUR VOICES ARE HEARD. AND ONCE AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU GUYS FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. DOESN'T GO UNNOTICEDD AND PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN. THANK YOU SIR. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN SOON. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, AMANDA MADDOX? GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. AMANDA MADDOX, 3506 CLOVER MEADOW DRIVE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75043. I WANTED TO GIVE A FINAL SUMMARY FROM A TECHNOLOGY POINT OF VIEW ABOUT THE MD PATHWAY SOFTWARE. KIND OF RESPONDING TO CHRIS OTT'S STATEMENT OF CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION, I WENT BACK THROUGH SOME OF DOCTOR DIRKS LAST FEW SPEECHES. THE DOCTOR SAID ON MAY 2ND, AND I QUOTE TO THIS DAY, WE'VE GIVEN FREE HEALTH CARE TO THE 10,000 FAMILIES THAT WE AGREED TO GIVE THEM TO. AND ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD, HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, I'VE ASKED TO DO A REVERSE 911 NOTIFICATION TO EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IN DOCTOR. DIRK ALSO SAID ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND, AND I QUOTE, WE'VE INVESTED OVER 1 MILLION IN HIRING THE RIGHT DOCTORS. WE'VE HIRED EIGHT NEW MEDICAL PROVIDERS, AND WE INVESTED IN OUR SOFTWARE. MY HOPE IS THAT ALL OF THIS WILL BE A CATALYST FOR MD PATHWAYS TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THEIR SOFTWARE AND PROVIDE FOR THE ABILITY TO COLLECT THEIR OWN PAYMENTS AND OFFER THEIR SERVICE TO ANYONE WILLING TO SIGN UP. THE EIGHT MEDICAL PROVIDERS THEY HIRED COULD PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO ANYONE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. SINCE MD PATHWAYS HAS THE PHONE NUMBERS OF THE 10,000 GARLAND FAMILIES, MD PATHWAY SOFTWARE COULD DO A REVERSE TEXT MESSAGE SAYING THAT THE TRIAL IS ENDING, AND CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE THE SERVICE FOR A MONTHLY FEE. THAT LINK COULD THEN TAKE THE USER TO THE MD PATHWAYS WEBSITE FOR PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR PAYMENT INFORMATION FOR THE RECURRING MONTHLY FEE. MANY PRIVATE COMPANIES DO THIS. THEY PROVIDE A FREE TRIAL AND THEN ASK FOR PAYMENT WHEN THE TRIAL ENDS TO CONTINUE THE SERVICE. THE MD PATHWAY SOFTWARE IS A VERY INTERESTING CONCEPT AND I HOPE THERE CAN. THEIR TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO EVOLVE, EVOLVE SO THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE THEIR SERVICE TO ANYONE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO TIE THEMSELVES TO LONG TERM CONTRACTS WITH LOCAL CITIES, THEY SHOULD PROVIDE THEIR SERVICE DIRECTLY TO THEIR PATIENTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MA'AM. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, KERRY YARBOROUGH? SIR, IF YOU GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. YARBOROUGH KERRY. YARBOROUGH, YAHOO.COM IS MY ADDRESS. I'VE LIVED IN GARLAND FOR 20 YEARS, OVER 20 YEARS, AND WE'VE HAD DART AND GARLAND THE WHOLE TIME. WE'VE HAD DART SINCE 1983. IT HAS BEEN. IT'S VERY DIFFERENT TODAY THAN IT WAS BACK THEN. IT WAS COMPLETELY MISMANAGED BACK THEN. AND SOME OF THE THINGS THEY INITIATED AND STARTED, WHICH WE CAN'T CHANGE NOW BECAUSE IT COST TOO MUCH TO DO. IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY. INCORRECT. NOT EFFICIENTLY, DOESN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. AND AS [00:35:01] TIME GOES ON, THEY'RE GETTING LESS AND LESS NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, 15 TIMES IN THE PAST 19 DAYS, THERE WAS NO DART THERE WHEN I NEEDED TO GO SOMEWHERE. I'VE BEEN AN HOUR LATE TO APPOINTMENTS TO TO THINGS I HAD SCHEDULED AND CAN'T GET ANYWHERE ON TIME BECAUSE OF DART. DART IS A VERY SORRY EXCUSE FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT AND A COMMUNITY AS BIG AS THE DFW AREA CERTAINLY DESERVES SOMETHING A HUNDRED TIMES BETTER THAN WHAT IT IS. HALF THE COMMUNITIES IN DART ARE PULLING OUT ON MAY 1ST OF MAY. THEY'RE HAVING ELECTION TO PULL OUT. MOST OF THEM WILL PROBABLY BE SUCCESSFUL. CITY OF DALLAS WILL NEVER HAVE ELECTION TO PULL OUT, BECAUSE IT'S IN THEIR ADVANTAGE TO HAVE DART AND TO HAVE THE SUBURBS CITIES PAY FOR MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THEY'RE GETTING BACK. AND THE CITY OF DALLAS IS GETTING MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THEY'RE PAYING FOR. THE TRAIN SYSTEM IS GREAT FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS, BUT NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD EVER PUT A TRAIN IN RALLY AT TEXAS. IN A RURAL AREA LIKE THAT, NOBODY WOULD PUT PASSENGER TRAINS ON TRAIN LINES THAT WERE MEANT TO TAKE. RAW MATERIALS AND FINISHED PRODUCT TO MARKET THAT WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR PASSENGER TRAINS. THE PASSENGER TRAINS WE HAVE TODAY NEED TO GO FROM WHERE PEOPLE LIVE TO WHERE PEOPLE WORK, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE NUMBER ONE REASON PEOPLE TAKE THE TRAINS AND TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT. THEY NEED TO GET TO WORK AND BACK AND THEY DON'T GO THOSE PLACES. THEY PUT THEM IN THE WRONG PLACE IN THE RST PLACE. THEY GET THE SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING QUICKLY BACK IN THE 90S, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD THIS BACK IN THE 50S AND 40S AND BEFORE, AND THEY WAITED UNTIL THE LATE 90S TO GET TRAIN STARTED, AND THEY DIDN'T PUT THEM IN THE RIGHT PLACE. THE BUS ROUTES DON'T HAVE ANY PASSENGERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE ROUTES THAT GO NOWHERE, ROUTES THAT NOBODY TAKES, AND THEY TRY TO DO THEM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. AND SOME OF THEM HAVE PASSENGERS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, BUT THERE'S NOBODY IN SIGHT IN THOSE ROUTES ON WEEKENDS BECAUSE THERE'S AREAS THAT ARE SHUT DOWN AND THINGS THEY HAVE NO CLUE WHAT PEOPLE WANT. THEY'RE NOT DEPENDABLE. THE HANDI RIDES IS A REAL JOKE, AND WE'RE REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW TO HAVE THAT, AND THEY DON'T EVEN PICK UP PEOPLE. I WAS IN COLLEGE THE OTHER DAY, AND WITH A LADY THAT WAS HANDICAPPED AND SHE WANTED THE HANDICAPPED RIDES, CALLED FOR IT, AND SHE'S ALREADY PAYING FOR IT. IT DOESN'T SHOW UP. THEY CALL A UBER TO COME OUT. THEY DON'T SHOW UP SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT TIMES. SHE TOLD THEM. I'M RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FLAGPOLE, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PARATRANSIT WITH TRANSIT PICKS UP. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PARATRANSIT. THEY CAN'T GET ANY BUS DRIVERS, SO THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN SERVICE, HAVE TO RELY ON A SECOND BACK UP FROM FROM A PRIVATE COMPANY, PRIVATE PEOPLE IN CARS, AND THEY DON'T COME AND PICK FOR THREE HOURS TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THERE TO 11:00 AT NIGHT WHEN SHE'S SUPPOSED TO LEAVE AT EIGHT. I MEAN, IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS. WE NEED TO GET RID OF DART OUT OF OUR CITY ELECTION. I UNDERSTAND NOW. WE CAN'T DO IT UNTIL NOVEMBER. THANK YOU. SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER, CHAD BLUNT? GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR RECORD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. NOLAN. CHAD BLUNT, 1214 PHOEBE LANE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75042-8029. WELL, FIRST, THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROPRIATELY TERMINATING THIS CONTRACT WITH TELEHEALTH. I WOULD ALSO ASK THAT WE DO THE RIGHT SITE OR WHATNOT, CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS GARLAND THROUGH OUR EMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH RIGHT SIDE. SO BE FEASIBLE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OF IS THAT. THE PATIENT CARE THE RIGHT SITE IS ON POINT AND IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE LEVEL OF CARE THAT THE PATIENT NEEDS. ALSO, IN RESPONSE TO HEARING ABOUT THE. EMERGENCY TREATMENT CENTER OFF OF BUCKINGHAM AND JUPITER, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, IT DOES HAVE THE CAPABILITIES, BUT THERE NEEDS TO THAT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED WITH THE MEDICAL CONTROL AND THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR UNDERSTANDING THAT. AND THEN ANOTHER THING TO START THE DART, IT WAS GOOD BACK IN THE DAY REALLY WAS. BUT IT HADN'T BEEN TAKEN REALLY GOOD CARE OF. AND THAT'S BETWEEN CITY OF DALLAS AND DART. SO I RECOMMEND WE DO WHAT WE CAN, OR WE FIND AN ALTERNATIVE THAT WE CAN. THAT WOULD BE A VALUE TO THE CITY AND TO THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY. THE CITY DOES SERVE HER CITIZENS, AS WE ALL DO. BUT ANYWAY, AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND I [00:40:01] APPRECIATE Y'ALL DOING THE BEST Y'ALL CAN WITH WHAT Y'ALL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAILY BASIS. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. MADAM SECRETARY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR NEXT SPEAKER? I HAVE NO MORE SPEAKERS. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TONIGHT? OKAY. COME DOWN. SIR, ASK YOU TO FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD. AFTER YOU'RE DONE SPEAKING. YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. DAVID HOGUE 534 PAULA ROAD 75040. I WANTED TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF A LOT OF THE OTHERS ABOUT THE PATHWAYS. THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HEAR MANY, MANY PEOPLE OUT OVER VERY LONG MEETINGS. I'M SURE IT'S BEEN QUITE TAXING, OBVIOUSLY. STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AS WE STILL NEED SOLUTIONS FOR THE HEALTH CARE SITUATION. BUT IT'S WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED WITH RIGHT SIDE. I THINK WE'VE GOT A GOOD START THERE, SO I ENCOURAGE COUNCIL TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT AND ALSO LOOKING FOR WHAT ELSE WE MIGHT FIND. ALSO A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THE WHOLE DART THING. PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO PULL US OUT OF THAT. IT'S NOT PERFECT, BUT THE FAULTS AREN'T WITH THEM. IT'S WITH BAD CITY PLANNING. CITIES SHOULD BE BUILT ON A HUMAN SCALE, NOT A CAR SCALE. TRANSIT WORKS BETTER WHEN WE ARE BUILT THAT WAY AND DFW JUST ISN'T LIKE THAT. DOING THE BEST THEY CAN WITH A BAD HAND. CUT THEM SOME SLACK, GUYS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU SIR. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK TONIGHT? SEEING NONE. THEN IT'S * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.