[00:00:03]
YOU ARE WATCHING THE MEETING OF THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL WITH MAYOR ERIC L. JOHNSON, MAYOR PRO TEM CANAL, ATKINS, DEPUTY MAYOR, PRO TEM CAROLYN, KING ARNOLD, COUNCIL MEMBERS SHAD WEST, JESSE MORENO, ZAIN GRACIE, JAIME RESENDEZ, OMAR NARVAEZ, ADAM, BASIL DUA, PAULA BLACKMAN, KATHY STEWART, JANIE SCHULTZ, KARA MENDELSON, GAY DONELLE WILLIS, PAUL RIDLEY, AND CITY MANAGER TC BROADNAX, CITY SECRETARY BILLY RAY JOHNSON AND CITY ATTORNEY TAMMY PALOMINO.
[CALL TO ORDER]
WE HAVE A QUORUM.TODAY'S WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, VALENTINE'S DAY, 2024 TIMES 9:29 AM AND I NOW CALL THIS MEETING THE DALLAS STATE COUNCIL TO ORDER TODAY'S INVOCATION.
SPEAKER MINISTER, JK HAMILTON, THE MOUNTAIN VIEW CHURCH OF CHRIST.
I'LL TURN IT OVER TO HIM TO PROVIDE THE INVOCATION AND DALLAS POLICE CHAPLAIN.
GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.
WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE LEADERS OF OUR CITY.
UH, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD BLESS THE LEADERS OF OUR COUNTRY AND BLESS THIS MEETING.
UM, LET'S ALL RISE FOR OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG FIRST AND THEN THE TEXAS FLAG.
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, HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
I DON'T SEE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS, MEMBERS, SO WE'RE GONNA GO RIGHT TO THE CITY
[OPEN MICROPHONE (Part 1 of 2)]
SECRETARY.THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL WILL NOW HEAR ITS FIRST FIVE REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
I'LL RECITE THE SPEAKER GUIDELINES.
SPEAKERS MUST OBSERVE THE SAME RULES OF PROPRIETY DECORUM AND GOOD CONDUCT APPLICABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, ANY SPEAKER MAKING PERSONAL IMP PERTINENT PROFANE OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WHO BECOMES BOISTEROUS.
WHILE ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE ROOM FOR THOSE IN-PERSON SPEAKERS.
FOR THOSE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE SESSION.
INDIVIDUALS WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES FOR THOSE IN PERSON SPEAKERS.
YOU'LL NOTICE THE TIME ON THE MONITOR AT THE PODIUM WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.
PLEASE STOP FOR THOSE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.
I WILL ANNOUNCE WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
ALSO, SPEAKERS, PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT DURING YOUR COMMENTS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REFER TO A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BY NAME.
PLEASE ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS TO MAYOR JOHNSON, ONLY YOUR FIRST SPEAKER, SUSAN OAKLEY, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A, A CORRECTION SPEAKERS, WE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK, YOU MAY BEGIN.
OKAY, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
UM, FIRST, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF DALLAS.
SECOND, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH MY FRIENDS AND I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF A BAN ON HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES.
PROPONENTS HAVE TOLD YOU THAT THEIR HORSES ARE TREATED HUMANELY AND THAT TOURISTS LOVE THEIR BUSINESS.
AND I ONCE HAVE MIGHT, MIGHT HAVE BOUGHT THOSE, UM, THOSE ARGUMENTS.
BUT IN FACT, UH, ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO WHEN I LIVED IN NEW YORK CITY, I HIRED A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE TO, TO PICK UP SOME FRIENDS AT THE CHAPEL AFTER THEY GOT MARRIED.
I THOUGHT IT WAS QUAINT AND CHARMING.
THAT WAS BEFORE THE INTERNET, BEFORE I SAW PICTURES OF HORSES COLLAPSED ON THE STREET DUE TO HEAT EXHAUSTION.
AND BACK THEN I DIDN'T CONSIDER IF IT WAS WISE TO LET LARGE ANIMALS WHO WERE EASILY STARTLED SHARE THE STREETS WITH CARS AND TRUCKS.
AND I, AND I DIDN'T STOP TO THINK WHETHER IT WAS KIND TO MAKE HORSES SPEND THEIR DAYS INHALING EXHAUST FUMES AND WALKING ON A HOT ASPHALT.
I LOVED ANIMALS BUT DIDN'T REALIZE THAT WHEN THEY AREN'T WORKING, MOST CARRIAGE HORSES SPEND THEIR DAYS IN CRAMPED STALLS AND WHEN THEY RETIRE, A LARGE NUMBER END UP IN THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
[00:05:01]
NOW WHEN I SEE A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE.IT MAKES ME PROFOUNDLY SAD AND I AM NOT ALONE.
I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEE WHAT MY FRIENDS AND I SEE.
IT IS TIME FOR DALLAS TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES.
COUNSEL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
UM, JUST, I'M SORRY, YOUR MICROPHONE.
THINK JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE YOU GO.
IN DALLAS, YOU CAN FIND HOMELESS AND HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.
I HAVE A TEAM THAT IS FOCUSED ON COUNTING THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN THE HOMELESS POPULATION IN THE DALLAS CVD FOR THE PAST YEAR.
WE HAVE TEAMS THAT DO DETAILED COUNTS AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH.
WE REPORT THESE RESULTS BY SECTOR AND MANY OF YOU ARE ON THE DISTRIBUTION LIST.
IF YOU'RE NOT ON THE LIST AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THESE REPORTS, JUST LET ME KNOW.
WHILE THERE ARE HOMELESS PEOPLE ALL OVER THE CBD, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ENCAMPMENTS AND NUMBERS OF HOMELESS OCCUR IN DISTRICT TWO AND SECTORS 2 0 8 7 AND 2 0 8 8 JUST SOUTH OF CITY HALL AND MOSTLY ALONG KADE STREET AND ALONG I 30 AND COR STREET.
STARTING LAST WEEK AND AT THE REQUEST OF SOME OF YOUR OFFICES, WE STARTED RECORDING ALL OF OUR SIGHTINGS ON THE 3 1 1 APP ON A REAL-TIME BASIS.
LAST FRIDAY, SIX INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED BY MYSELF.
I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I SEE.
DOWNTOWN DALLAS NOW HAS AROUND 13,000 RES PEOPLE RESIDING IN THE CBD WITH MORE BEING ADDED DAILY.
WE HAVE TOURISTS THAT UTILIZE THE CONVENTION CENTER THAT WALK AROUND DOWNTOWN.
THESE NUMBERS WILL DRAMATICALLY INCREASE WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW CONVENTION CENTER.
WE HAVE MANY BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN WITH MORE AND MORE COMING.
THESE CITIZENS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO A BETTER JOB AT GETTING THESE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.
AN ENCAMPMENT SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION.
IT IS DANGEROUS, UNSANITARY, UNSIGHTLY HARMFUL TO BUSINESS AND AGAINST THE STATE LAW.
DALLAS IS BETTER THAN THIS AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.
WE DO NOT WANT TO BECOME ANOTHER PORTLAND OR SAN FRANCISCO.
WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ENFORCEMENT AND COMPASSION, BUT WE NEED BOTH.
DALLAS HAS TO DO BETTER AND WE NEED YOUR HELP.
MY NAME IS STEPHANIE DKA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DALLAS ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
I SERVE ON THE HISTORIC AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION STAKEHOLDER STEERING COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE CITY MANAGER.
AS SUCH, I RECENTLY ATTENDED A PANEL EVENT ENTITLED, BECOMING A CITY THAT REMEMBERS WHERE A COUNCIL MEMBER SAID PRESERVATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT MAINTAINING BUILDINGS, IT'S ABOUT HONORING THE STORY.
STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS THAT HAVE SHAPED DALLAS.
EMPTY STATEMENTS LIKE THIS ARE WORTHLESS, COMING FROM A BODY OF LEADERSHIP CONDONING A GENOCIDE INTENDED TO ERADICATE PALESTINE'S COLLECTIVE MEMORY.
THE COUNCIL'S CALLOUS DISREGARD OF PALESTINIAN HISTORY AND PEOPLE SHOULDN'T SURPRISE ME BECAUSE NOTHING MEANINGFUL HAS BEEN DONE TO HONOR THE STORIES, STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF MY OWN ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
DESPITE OUR PRESENCE HERE SINCE THE 1860S, WE ARE TOKENIZED WHEN BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY'S IMAGE BUT OTHERWISE IGNORED.
I'VE REQUESTED MEETINGS WITH MULTIPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE HOPE, HOPE OF DISCUSSING THE PROPOSED CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION TO NO AVAIL.
AND YET CITY STAFF IS VERY QUICK TO REACH OUT WHEN THEY NEED PHOTOS OF ASIAN AMERICAN ACTIVITIES FOR MARKETING MATERIALS OR A FACE THAT LOOKS LIKE MINE ON A COMMITTEE TO CHECK OFF THE DIVERSITY BOX.
WE ARE THE FASTEST GROWING POPULATION IN NORTH TEXAS AND A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY A API DATA FOUND THAT 62% OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 29 BELIEVE THAT CURRENT US SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE IS NOT ENOUGH.
BECAUSE OUR HOMELANDS HAVE BEEN RAVAGED BY IMPERIALISM, COLONIALISM AND US BACKED MILITARIZATION.
WE KNOW THAT NONE OF US IS FREE UNTIL PALESTINE IS.
SO WE JOIN THE CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE PASS.
A RESOLUTION OR YOUR PRESERVATION AND EQUITY EFFORTS WILL BE MEANINGLESS AND ASIAN AMERICANS WILL NOT FORGET THIS CITY MAY HAVE ERASED OUR HISTORY BUT CANNOT ESCAPE THE FACT THAT WE ARE ITS FUTURE AND OUR FUTURE IS IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE.
[00:10:04]
GOOD MORNING.MY NAME IS AMY TRAN AND I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT IN DALLAS FOR 10 YEARS.
TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU AS A MOTHER.
THIS IS MY 18 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER.
SHE COMES FROM A RICH HISTORY AND RESILIENT LINE OF ANCESTORS WHO HAVE FACED ENSLAVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN IMPERIALISM IN VIETNAM.
THE ADVERSITY THAT HER ANCESTORS HAVE MET AS A DIRECT LINK TO US-BORN WHITE SUPREMACY IN SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION.
TODAY WE ARE SEEING THE SAME SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION REPLICATED BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, SYSTEMIC, SYSTEMATIC GENOCIDE ON PALESTINIANS.
NOT ONLY ARE PALESTINIANS BEING MURDERED IN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS, BUT THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE, THEIR SCHOOLS, THEIR HOSPITALS, THEIR HOMES, THEIR PLACES OF WORSHIP AND LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN DECIMATED.
WE ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE SEE THE DIRECT LINKS TO OUR OWN FAMILY'S HISTORY AND PRESENT DAY REALITY.
THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IS USING THE SAME TACTICS TO BOMB AND MASSACRE PALESTINIANS IN THE US THAT THE US GOVERNMENT USED IN THE AMERICAN WAR IN VIETNAM TO KILL MILLIONS OF VIETNAMESE CIVILIANS AT THE SAME TIME.
IN THE UNITED STATES, AMERICAN POLICE ARE USING THE SAME TACTICS AS THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES TO SUPPRESS SOCIAL JUSTICE, MOVE SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS INCLUDING BLACK LIVES MATTER, STOP COP CITY AND FREE PALESTINE.
FREE PALESTINE IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT IS HALF A WORLD AWAY FROM US.
I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU WITH MY DAUGHTER WHOSE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE IS TIED TO THE LIBERATION OF PALESTINIANS.
WE ARE NOT FREE UNTIL ALL OF US ARE FREE.
OUR FAMILY IS URGING YOU TO PASS A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION NOW EVERY DAY THAT YOU WAIT HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS, MORE INNOCENT CIVILIANS ARE BEING KILLED BY YOUR COMPLICITY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS WILLIAM AND I'M A JEWISH CONSTITUENT LIVING HERE IN DA SOUTH DALLAS.
FRANKLY, WHEN I BEGIN DRAFTING WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TODAY, I WAS AT A BIT OF A LOSS.
WHAT HAS NOT BEEN SAID AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE BEEN COMING TO CITY COUNCIL FOR MONTHS ASKING FOR A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION.
WE TAKE OFF WORK AND SCHOOL AND COME HERE WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH.
AND FOR WHAT I'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE ASK ME, WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT ABOUT DALLAS PASSING A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION? WHAT DOES IT DO? WELL, THIS COUNCIL KNOWS THREE DAYS AFTER OCTOBER 7TH, IT UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A RESOLUTION GIVING FULL AND UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT TO ISRAEL.
IT TOOK THREE DAYS TO WEAPONIZE MY HERITAGE AND JUSTIFY THE ONGOING MASSACRE OF TENS OF THOUSANDS.
A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL WAS QUOTED BY KERA EXPLICITLY SAYING THAT THE RESOLUTION FOR ISRAEL WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT QUOTE, THE UNITED STATES FROM OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT STANDS WITH ISRAEL.
THIS COUNCIL UNDERSTANDS THAT WHAT IT SAYS LOCALLY HAS POWER ON A NATIONAL SCALE.
AND THAT IS WHY WE WILL NOT STOP DEMANDING CEASEFIRE.
WHAT GETS ME THE MOST IS THAT A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION DOES NOT EVEN TAKE SIDES.
IT SIMPLY CALLS FOR AN END TO THE INCESSANT BRUTALITY, AN END TO THE BOMBS AND THE REIGN OF BULLETS THAT HAVE MURDERED PALESTINIANS FOR OVER 130 DAYS.
MY GRANDFATHER ESCAPED POGROMS IN LITHUANIA TO COME TO THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE HE BELIEVED HE WOULD BE SAFE HERE.
BUT NONE OF US ARE SAFE SO LONG AS OUR INSTITUTIONS CAN TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE VIOLENCE THEY PERPETUATE.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS GOVERNING BODY TO RECOGNIZE THE HUMANITY OF PALESTINIANS? WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS GOVERNING BODY TO DO THE SIMPLEST OF ACTS AND CALL FOR THE BLOODSHED TO STOP? FRANKLY, I'M ASHAMED OF THIS BODY, ASHAMED OF YOUR SPINELESSNESS AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY.
WE DEMAND A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION NOW.
THIS CONCLUDES YOUR FIRST FIVE REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
THE REMAINING SPEAKERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE END OF THE CITY.
I'D LIKE TO MOVE COURT, MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES.
SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW THE SPEAKERS TO UH, UH, CONTINUE ALL OF THEM CORRECT.
DID YOU WANT TO DO ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT YOU? WE CAN DO THE CITY OF DALLAS.
YOU MENTIONED BEFORE THAT YOU YEAH, AS LONG AS THE CITY ATTORNEYS, UH, ARE OKAY.
SAY IT THE WAY YOU SAY IT THE WAY YOU TOLD ME YOU WANTED SUSPEND THE RULES, UH, TO HEAR ALL OF OUR DALLAS RESIDENTS FIRST AND, AND AND IS THAT ALL OF THEM BEFORE, BEFORE THE MEETING AND THE NON DALLAS RESIDENTS.
NON DALLAS RESIDENTS AFTER AS OUR, AS OUR RULE STATE AFTER THE MEETING.
SO THAT'S THE, THE MOTION, UH, TO SUSPEND THE RULES IS TO TAKE ALL THE REMAINING CITY OF DALLAS RESIDENTS NOW AND ALL THE NON-CITY OF DALLAS RESIDENCE AFTER THE MEETING.
WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS REGISTER SPEAKERS, OPEN MIC REGISTER SPEAKERS.
YOUR NEXT SPEAKER, LINDSEY LINMAN.
[00:15:13]
LET'S SEE.I WENT TO MY FIRST PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF PALESTINE IN DALLAS.
IN MAY OF 2021, THOUSANDS OF US FILLED THE GRASSY KNOLL AND TOOK TO THE STREETS TO CALL FOR AN END TO THE OCCUPATION, A CRY TO OUR OWN GOVERNMENT TO STOP FUNDING AND APARTHEID.
ADMITTEDLY, BACK THEN I FELT I WASN'T QUALIFIED TO SPEAK ON THE ISSUE.
I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF SAYING, I DON'T KNOW WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER.
BUT THAT WAS BEFORE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION WE HAVE NOW.
NOW YOU CAN OPEN UP YOUR PHONE LIKE MANY OF YOU DO DURING THESE MEETINGS AND HAVE INSTANT ACCESS TO THE MOST HORRIBLE HEART-WRENCHING PHOTOS AND VIDEOS YOU'VE EVER SEEN ALL IN REAL TIME.
YOU SEE JOURNALISTS, TARGETED HOSPITALS AND UNIVERSITIES DESTROYED CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR FAMILIES OR THEIR LIVES.
AND IF YOU'RE NOT SEEING THEM, IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE AVOIDING THEM.
AND IF YOU'RE AVOIDING THEM, YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF WHY.
IS IT BECAUSE IT'S INCONVENIENT? IS IT BECAUSE IT'S HORRIFIC? IS IT SO YOU CAN PRETEND TO BE IGNORANT OF THE ONGOING GENOCIDE OR IS IT BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T CARE BECAUSE THOSE IMAGES ARE PLAYING ON A LOOP IN OUR MINDS, THAT PROTEST IN 2021 SHOWED ME SOMETHING THAT I'VE SEEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN ACROSS THE LAST 130 DAYS.
THE PEOPLE OF DALLAS CARE ABOUT GAZA.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BLEND OF, OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS BACKING THIS CAUSE BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CARED.
YOU'VE SAT HERE THROUGH THESE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS WHILE WE BEG YOU TO HAVE SOME HUMANITY WHILE WE SHOW YOU HOW MUCH DALLAS STANDS WITH PALESTINE.
BUT YOU DIDN'T CARE IN 2021 AND YOU DON'T CARE NOW.
WE AREN'T HERE BECAUSE IT'S OUR JOB TO SIT HERE AND PRETEND TO LISTEN.
PROVE TO YOURSELVES THAT YOU CARE.
YOUR NOW IN THE OCCUPATION FREE PALESTINE.
I'M WITH ENRICHMENT LIFE FELLOWSHIP HOUSE.
I'M A NONPROFIT TRYING TO HELP THOSE THAT'S OUT HERE ON THE STREETS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.
TRYING TO FIND OR HAVE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO TRY TO GET THESE PEOPLE THAT'S OFF THE STREETS THAT HAVE NO DIRECTIONS, NOT ON THEIR MEDICATIONS.
YOU KNOW, I KNOW THEY HAVE HOUSING VOUCHERS, BUT THEY HAPPEN.
THAT'S RUNNING AROUND ON THESE STREETS.
THERE WAS NO DIRECTION TO DON 'EM KNOW HAVE A WAY TO GET OFF AND I'VE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO TRY TO GET SOME KINDA HELP WITH GETTING THESE PEOPLES TOGETHER.
I'M TRYING TO GET ANYBODY THAT'LL HELP ME HEAR ME OUT.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THOSE THAT'S OUT HERE WITH THE MENTAL ILLNESS WITH NO GUIDANCE, NO HELP, NO FAMILY.
YOU KNOW, I DONE HAD, WE HAD EIGHT TO NINE PEOPLES TO DIE OUT HERE DOING THE FROZEN.
THESE PEOPLES HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.
I DONE TRY TO GET PEOPLES IN THE BRIDGES.
IF THEY NOT SELF-SUFFICIENT OR MOBILE, THEY NOT EVEN GIVING THEM BEDS.
THESE PEOPLES JUST LEFT TO JUST LAY OUT HERE ON THE STREET.
I'M SOMEONE THAT DONE CAME UP WITH SOME, I'M TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A PROJECT HELP PUT TOGETHER, JUST NEED HELP WITH A BUILDING LOCATION OR SOMETHING TO GET THESE PEOPLES UP OFF THE STREETS.
AND I'M JUST ASKING FOR ANYBODY THAT HAVE A HEART THAT SEEING THESE PEOPLES DAY AND DAY OUT, LAYING OUT HERE WITH NOWHERE TO GO, NO INCOME.
AND I'M JUST TRYING TO GET THEM SOME HELP.
I DONE TALKED TO CHRISTINE CROSSLEY.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK TO THE MAYOR ONE-ON-ONE JUST TO, JUST TO HEAR ME OUT ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND JUST TO HELP ME TO TRY TO GET SOME KINDA HELP FOR THESE PEOPLE.
TO GET THESE PEOPLES OFF THE STREETS.
THEY LAYING AROUND EVERYWHERE OUT HERE.
A LOT OF THESE PEOPLES, THEY NEED TO BE ON MEDICATIONS.
THEY AIN'T WILLING TO GO IN SOMEWHERE.
A LOT OF 'EM, THEY HAVE NO DIRECTIONS.
YOU KNOW, THEY OUT HERE LOST NOT ON MEDICATION.
AGAIN, IF THEY NOT SELF-SUFFICIENT OR MOBILE, THEY NOT EVEN LETTING ANY SHELTERS.
THAT'S YOUR THANK YOU EDDIE PROBES.
BEFORE YOU CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER, UH, UH, CHAIRMAN BE FOR WHAT PURPOSE? I HAVE A MOTION.
I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO HEAR OUR ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR ITEM NUMBER TWO SO HE CAN GET BACK TO WORK.
[00:20:01]
HEARING NONE IS SO ORDERED AND, UH, THE RULES ARE SUSPENDED.SECRETARY, YOUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE RICE WEST.
MR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL, GOOD MORNING.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE IMPORTANT BUSINESS BEFORE YOU HAVE CITIZENS HERE THAT WANT TO SPEAK WITH YOU, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT ALSO.
UH, BUT WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, I THINK AN ITEM THAT YOU WILL BE CONSIDERING TODAY THAT'S CHILDCARE.
UH, DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, NOT THE SPECIAL SESSION, BUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I WAS ABLE TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHERE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS WAS GIVING THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO CHILDCARE CENTERS.
SINCE 2020, WE NOW HAVE 27% LESS CHILDCARE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WE KNOW WITH INFLATION THE COST OF CHILDCARE TO OUR FAMILIES.
THIS PARTICULAR CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSITION THAT PASSED BY 60, 65% OF THE VOTE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS GIVES YOU THE POWER TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT CHILDCARE CENTERS AND PROVIDE SOME SORT OF RELIEF TO PARENTS THAT SEEK CHILDCARE SERVICES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, SPECIFICALLY HERE IN DALLAS.
NOW DALLAS WILL FILE A DENTON, THE CITY OF DENTON, AND ALSO TRAVIS COUNTY IN PROVIDING THIS RELIEF.
WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH DALLAS COUNTY TO ALSO DO THAT.
SO I WOULD URGE YOU AND EMPLOYEE YOU TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU CONSIDER THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THOSE PARENTS THAT NEED CHILDCARE IN PASSING A ORDINANCE THAT WILL GIVE 100% EXEMPTIONS TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES HERE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
WE WILL NOW RESUME OUR OPEN MICROPHONE SPEAKERS.
HOW Y'ALL DOING? I'M A DALLAS NATIVE FOR, SINCE I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD AND UH, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN DOING SOME DOCUMENTARY ON LANDMARKS HERE IN DALLAS, OKLAHOMA AND TO NORTH CAROLINA THAT'S IN MY LAST NAME.
AND THIS MAN HERE TOOK A LOT OF LAND FROM MY FAMILY TREE BACK IN THE 52 ON LANDMARKS, TALKING ABOUT HOW HE GONNA HELP THE LITTLE FELLAS IN GARLAND, TEXAS, SAXE, YOU KNOW, ALL UP IN THE FORMER RANCHERS COTTON PICKLES BACK IN THE SIXTIES.
RIGHT NOW, THIS MAN SEES OUT A LOT OF LAND OUTTA MY FAMILY NAME AND I HAD TO GO TO THE LIBRARY IN SAXA, TEXAS TO DIG THIS UP.
NOW WHAT I'M DOING IS TRYING TO GO TO CONGRESS WITH ALL THIS INFORMATION AND I'M LOOKING FOR MY WAY TO CONGRESS WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS SNATCHED OUTTA DALLAS, TEXAS SINCE 1865 AS A BLACK FREEMAN TODAY.
AND I WANT Y'ALL TO KNOW I WENT TO OKLAHOMA TO GET ALL THIS INFORMATION WITH THE NATIVE AMERICANS.
DALLAS IS NOT GIVING US NO INFORMATION ABOUT OUR HISTORICAL LANDMARKS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
AND IT'S SAD THAT I'M PULLING UP THIS INFORMATION.
I WENT TO AUSTIN, AUSTIN TOLD ME I HAVE TO GO TO THE CAROLINAS BECAUSE WE AIN'T GONNA GRANT YOU 2 CENTS HERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU GOT, IT'S IN YOUR LAST NAME ABOUT THE LAND SINCE 1865.
BUT EVERYBODY ELSE CAN COME TO TEXAS AND GET THEY REPARATION FOR BLACK TEXAS ON VALENTINE DAY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT MR. MAYOR.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE STAFF MEET WITH HIM SO THEY CAN GET OF COURSE.
YOU CHAIRMAN, BE YOUR LIGHT'S STILL ON, ON MY SIDE, ON MY SCREEN.
DID YOU NEED ANYTHING OR, OKAY, IT'S OFF.
YOUR NEXT SPEAKER WOULD BE NORRIS STO.
BUT I'M TOLD MR. STO IS NOT ONLINE.
MY NAME IS SUMMER WATERS AND I'M A DALLAS NATIVE LIVING IN DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, I'M HERE TO GIVE AN OPINION ON BEHALF OF THE OAK CLIFF RESIDENTS.
I HAVE A TERRIFYING FEAR OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, BUT THE DISGUST THAT I HAVE WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS HAS CAUSED ME TO OVERCOME THAT FEAR TODAY.
FIRST, I WANNA STAY THAT I STAND WITH MY PALESTINIAN COMRADES IN THIS ROOM.
I HAVE WATCHED THEM VOICE THEIR FRUSTRATIONS TO YOU ALL AND THE ONLY THING YOU DO IN RETURN IS CONSTANTLY DISRESPECT THEM.
YOUR JOBS ARE TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND TO SERVE THEM TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT YOU'RE IN YOUR SEAT BECAUSE OF YOUR INTELLIGENCE AND YOUR ADMIRATION TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
[00:25:01]
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, YOU LIKE BOTH OF THOSE.I HAVE NOT ONLY WATCHED YOU IGNORE COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE SEEKING SOLUTIONS FOR ATROCITIES OVERSEAS, BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO SEEKING A SOLUTIONS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.
I AM AWARE THAT I'M NOT ALLOWED TO ADDRESS ANY OF YOU BY NAME 'CAUSE YOU DON'T WANNA TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY.
YOU GUYS ARE COWARDS, BUT YOU GUYS ARE SUPPORTING A BILL OR A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE DALLAS ZOO WHEN THERE ARE PEOPLE IN DISTRICT FOUR SPECIFICALLY WHERE I LIVE, THAT ARE HOMELESS, HUNGRY IN NEED OF HEALTHCARE.
TO WRAP THESE SAYINGS UP, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT YOU GUYS ARE DISGUSTING AND YOU DON'T DESERVE TO BE IN THOSE SEATS.
I HOPE THE REST OF Y'ALL DAYS IS VERY S****Y AND
I WISH FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY TO NOTHING, TO MY PALESTINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, TO OAK CLIFF AND TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
MARVIN CRENSHAW, MARK CRENSHAW, 27 0 4, UH, PENNSYLVANIA.
MR. MAYOR, I WASN'T GOING TO COME DOWN THIS MORNING BECAUSE, UH, I HAD A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, I ASKED, WELL, UH, WILL I BE ABLE TO SPEAK THIS AFTERNOON? AND THEY TOLD ME NO BECAUSE OF THE FACT OF, UH, IT ALL DEPEND ON WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO.
IF YOU WANNA HEAR ALL THE SPEAKERS THIS MORNING OR IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ALL THE SPEAKERS THIS AFTERNOON, BUT THERE'S NO CONSISTENCY.
BUT I, YOU KNOW, AS YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN COMING DOWN THERE FOR A WHILE AND I'M SO GLAD TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE COME DOWN HERE THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
UH, MY, MY TOPIC WAS GOING TO BE GENOCIDE AND COMPLICITY, YOU KNOW, GENOCIDE AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND THE COMPLICITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GO RIGHT ALONG WITH IT.
NOW, WHEN WE FILED 14 ONE, UH, WE FILED A LAWSUIT, UH, AGAINST THE CITY OF DALLAS.
WHEN WE GOT 14, ONE, WE THOUGHT IT WAS GONNA BE SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO, UH, HAVE ALL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, BUT IT'S JUST, IT'S THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD PEOPLE ARE DYING.
AND, AND, AND, AND PALESTINE, THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR YEARS, THEY'RE DYING.
AND THE CITY OF DALLAS IS COMPLICIT IN IT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT YOU SIT DOWN AND YOU ACT LIKE THAT NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
THE SECOND THING I WANNA TALK ABOUT IS THE SANDS GROUP.
ARIAN ADELSON IS A BIG, BIG, UH, OF, UH, BENEFACTOR OF SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF IN, IN, UH, IN APARTHEID ISRAEL.
THEY BRINGING IT ALL HERE NOW FOR DALLAS IS GOING TO REALLY BE AN APARTHEID CITY BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN.
AND THIS COUNCIL REFUSES TO TAKE, TAKE A STAND ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
AND I WANNA SAY THIS TO THE PEOPLE OF COLOR ON THIS THING.
YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE ANY OF US AT ANY TIME.
EVERYBODY GET MAD AND GET OUT AND, AND AND, AND DECIDE THAT THEY'RE GONNA COMMIT GENOCIDE AGAINST ALL BLACK PEOPLE OR BROWN PEOPLE OR ALL WOMEN.
AND I WANNA SAY THIS ALSO TO, UH, UH, TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER HERE, UM, DISTRICT, THAT'S YOUR TIME, BUT YOU NEED TO WAKE UP BECAUSE THANK YOU.
IF THEY CATCH YOU OVER IN SOUTH, THAT'S YOUR TIME SOUTH.
IF THEY CAN CATCH YOU, THEY CATCH YOU OVER THERE.
THEY'RE GONNA DO THE SAME THING TO YOU NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.
ENGLISH MAYOR JOHNSON SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE EXITED CITY HALL CHANTING CEASE FIRE.
WE'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE TOO.
WE'VE SEEN THE APATHY DISREGARD, DISCREDITING, UNDERMINING POLICING OF OUR PEACEFUL PROTESTS, OUR EMOTIONS, AND OUR VOICES.
YOUR RELENTLESS INSISTENCE ON ONE SIDED RESPECTABILITY.
POLITICS IS FUTILE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE OF THIS COUNCIL'S MEMBERS TOUTS ISRAEL'S FLAG AND FLASHES THEIR THEIR IOF T-SHIRT.
PROUDLY THE SAME COUNCIL MEMBER THAT FEIGNS VICTIM AFTER ANTAGONIZING THE CITY'S CONSTITUENTS, THE VICTIM IS DFW RESIDENT ZACHARIA ARD, A 23-YEAR-OLD PALESTINIAN AMERICAN WHO WAS STABBED AFTER ATTENDING A PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTEST HELD AT THE CAPITOL.
MILLIONS OF PALESTINIANS LIVES HANG IN THE BALANCE.
A CHILD IS KILLED ON AVERAGE EVERY 10 MINUTES IN GAZA PER UN.
HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS, FOUR OUT OF FIVE ARE FACING FAMINE OR CATASTROPHIC HUNGER WORLDWIDE IN GAZA MARKING AN UNPARALLELED HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AMID ISRAEL'S CONTINUED BOMBARDMENT AND SIEGE.
[00:30:01]
AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF A 17 YEAR ISRAELI BLOCKADE, WHICH MADE HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN GAZA FOOD INSECURE.AND MORE THAN 80% RELYING ON HUMANA HUMANITARIAN AID, FAMINE IS IMMINENT.
NOWHERE IS SAFE IN GAZA ACROSS THE US CEASEFIRE RESOLUTIONS HAVE PASSED IN AT LEAST 49 CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND COUNTIES.
WHILE OTHER CITY COUNCILS ARE SILENT ABOUT THE ONGOING GENOCIDE IN GAZA AND CAN CLAIM SOME SORT OF PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY.
AS IT STANDS, THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL HAS SHOWN THAT ITS SOLELY VALUES THE LIVES OF ISRAELIS, NOT PALESTINIANS.
THIS COUNCIL HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION AS STANFORD PALESTINE AS WELL.
JIM SCHUTZ CONTENDS IN THE BOOK THE ACCOMMODATION, JUST AS MY BROTHER JUST SAID, THAT DALLAS NEVER REALLY FUNCTIONED ANYWHERE CLOSE TO A DEMOCRACY UNTIL 1990.
PRIOR TO THAT, EVERY CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE HAD TO BE ELECTED CITYWIDE.
THAT WAY NO MINORITY REPRESENTATIVE COULD GATHER ENOUGH MONEY OR ENOUGH VOTES TO GAIN OFFICE.
THIS EFFORT TO MAKE CITY COUNCIL MORE DEMOCRATIC, NOT YOUR TIME, BE IN VAIN THAT YOUR, SHOW US THAT EACH OF YOU REPRESENT YOUR DISTRICT.
PASS A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE IMPERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND AN INTO THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION, PALESTINIAN JOE HARGIS, JOE HARDGE.
IF SOMEONE THOUGHT THAT THIS BODY REPRESENTED THE PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT BE CONFUSED BY YOUR ACTIONS.
THEY MIGHT GET CONFUSED WHY THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS OF DALLAS BEING TREATED LIKE TRASH WHILE WE'RE SPENDING MONEY TO IMPROVE A ZOO.
THEY MIGHT BE CONFUSED WHY HOMES ARE COMPLETELY UNAFFORDABLE AND YOU DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.
BUT AS WE ARE AWARE, THIS BODY DOES NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.
THIS BODY REPRESENTS PEOPLE WHO ARE IN POWER AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE MONEY.
PEOPLE LIKE RAY ORGANIZATIONS, NOT PEOPLE, WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS LIKE RAYTHEON, LIKE LOCKHEED MARTIN, LIKE NORTHROP GRUMMAN, THESE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT THIS BODY REPRESENTS.
YOU DO NOT SERVE THE PEOPLE WHEN YOU HAVE ENDLESS MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE A COP CITY COMING TO DALLAS INSTEAD OF FOOD INSTEAD OF EDUCATION.
AS PEOPLE ARE DYING IN DALLAS OF PREVENTABLE DISEASES, WE ARE COMING TO BUILD A COP CITY, TO TRAIN POLICE AND TO CONTINUE THE CYCLE OF IDF COMING TO THE UNITED STATES TO TRAIN COPS HERE SO THAT THEY CAN ATTACK AND KILL UNARMED BLACK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS IS THE SYSTEM OF IMPERIALISM.
AND WE, THE PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO DISRUPT THIS SYSTEM OF IMPERIALISM.
WE CANNOT IMAGINE THAT PEOPLE IN POWER ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO DISRUPT THEIR DONORS, YOUR PROFITS, THE PEOPLE WHO GET YOU INTO OFFICE.
AND SO WE AS THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO DISRUPT THIS SYSTEM OF IMPERIALISM, WHETHER THAT BE, UH, DISRUPTING THE PROFITS OF WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS, WHETHER THAT BE SHUTTING DOWN STREETS IN DOWNTOWN AND COSTING YOU MONEY TO SINK COPS TO COME HARASS US.
WHETHER IT BE YOU WASTING MONEY TO SINK COPS HERE TO TELL US WE CAN'T BRING T-SHIRTS INTO THE ROOM.
HOWEVER YOU WANNA WASTE MONEY IS FINE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WASTE CITY RESOURCES UNTIL YOU STAND UP TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
THAT'S YOUR TIME, WHICH IS CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE AS THE A-F-L-C-I-O OF TEXAS.
AND THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE ALREADY ASKED YOU TO DO KEITH MILLER.
UNITY, WHETHER IT'S HELPING BALANCE SO MANY WILLS A DAY, PUTTING THAT SPECIAL WEDDING OR TAKING FAMILY, BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS DECORATION, ALL THESE THINGS PROVIDE GREAT MEMORIES TO, I PERSONALLY TOOK THREE RIDES THIS YEAR MYSELF, ONE, TO CELEBRATE MY WEDDING WITH MY WIFE, ONE WITH MY GRANDFATHER WIFE, ONE WITH HER COUSIN TO SHOW HER A
MY CONFUSION WITH THIS, I WOULD WE ALLOW A GROUP FROM ANOTHER STATE OR ANYWHERE WITHOUT, TELL US HOW I KNOW MOST OF YOU WATCHED THE SAW ALL THE BEAUTIFUL HORSES, BUD WHITE COMMERCIAL REMINDING US OF OUR HISTORY,
I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE
[00:35:01]
GROW YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BEFORE YOU LET ANYONE FEEL YOURIT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THREE DAYS AGO WE GATHERED AT PAN-AFRICAN FOR A PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF PALESTINIAN LIBERATION AND BLACK LIBERATION.
ANGELA DAVIS RECENTLY SAID, FOR AS LONG AS MY MEMORY GOES BACK, THE CAUSE OF PALESTINE AND BLA BACK, BLACK LIBERATION HAVE BEEN INTERTWINED.
I CAN'T IMAGINE NOT CALLING FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE.
I CAN'T IMAGINE THE WHOLE AGENDA OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE WORLD, NOT INCLUDING PALESTINE.
PALESTINE IS A MORAL LITMUS TEST FOR THE WORLD SHE WENT ON.
THOSE WHO ASSUME THAT THEY LIVE IN A VERY SMALL INSULATED SPACE IN THE WORLD ARE JUST NOT RECOGNIZING CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE.
WE DO NOT HAVE OUR LITTLE BUBBLES IN WHICH WE GET TO CHOOSE WHAT AFFECTS US AS INDIVIDUALS.
AND ON SUNDAY, A PANELIST REMINDED US OF HOW IN 2014 WHEN MIKE BROWN WAS MURDERED BY POLICE AND FERGUSON AND WHEN THE MASSES TOOK TO THE STREETS IN FERGUSON, MANY DOZEN TOOK TO TWITTER TO SEND THEM TACTICAL ADVICE ON HOW TO HANDLE THE MILITARY, MILITARY GRADE WEAPONS USED AGAINST THEM.
THEY KNEW THIS BECAUSE JUST ONE MONTH PRIOR, THEY'D BEEN SUBJECTED TO THE SAME WEAPONS BY AN ISRAELI SIEGE ON GAZA, WHICH KILLED OVER 2000 OF THEIR PEOPLE.
THEY STOOD IN SOLIDARITY FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED IN BLACK AMERICANS IN FERGUSON THEMSELVES FROM THE RESISTORS OF ONE HEAVILY MILITARIZED POLICE STATE TO ANOTHER.
IS THIS WHY YOU WON'T SUPPORT, SUPPORT A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION? IS THIS WHY YOU WON'T STAND WITH PALESTINIAN LIBERATION? BECAUSE THAT IS A POSITION ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH ARMING POLICE IN THIS COUNTRY TO BE TEETH WITH MILITARY WEAPONS AND TECHNOLOGY TRAINING FROM THE IOF AND WITH ERECTING THESE NEW MONSTROUS TRAINING GROUNDS, THESE COP CITIES, INCLUDING THE ONE YEAR PLANNING IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.
WE'RE WATCHING YOU AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
PERMANENT CEASEFIRE NOW LONG LIVE PALESTINE AND ALSO D-P-D-K-K-K-I-O-F.
THE FACTS ON THE GROUND SHOW THAT YOU ARE ALL THE SAME.
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO LEND MY VOICE TO THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE IN FULL SUPPORT OF ITS LIBERATION AND RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION.
JUST AS YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO FACE US FROM THOSE SEATS.
I KNOW I DO NOT TAKE MY PRIVILEGES LIGHTLY.
SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LARGEST STATE STAGE IN THIS NATION, A FOREIGN STATE WAS PERMITTED TO PURCHASE AD SPACE AND AIRED PROPAGANDA TO THE MASSES.
A HEINOUS, DELIBERATELY VIOLENT CALLED A SLAUGHTER AGAINST PALESTINIANS.
I SAY THAT VERY INTENTIONALLY.
THIS WAS VIOLENCE AND SO SHAMEFULLY MADE IN THE NAME OF FATHERHOOD, FATHERS IN PALESTINE WOKE UP.
IF THEY WOKE UP TO ANOTHER DAY OF PROMISING THEIR CHILDREN, EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.
WE'VE BEEN CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE FOR 130 DAYS.
WHAT IS ABOUT THEIR SUFFERING, THEIR FEARS, THEIR SHATTERED DREAMS THAT ARE INCONSEQUENTIAL TO YOU, MR. MAYOR AND MY REPRESENTATIVES, MY FRIENDS, MY NEIGHBORS, THE BRAVEST PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE BEARED OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND PLED FOR YOUR HELP TO NO AVAIL.
HOW MANY MORE TAILS OF CHILDREN'S LIMBS IN PLASTIC BAGS UNTIL THIS IS ENOUGH? EVEN IF JUST TO SATISFY YOUR OWN NEEDS.
HOW DOES THE INFAMY THAT INEVITABLY WAITS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TASTE BETTER THAN THE GLORY YOU COULD RECEIVE FOR BEING THE FIRST CITY COUNCIL IN THIS STATE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS GENOCIDE? THE HISTORY BOOKS ARE PRACTICALLY WRITING THEMSELVES, AND THIS HAS NEVER ONCE BEEN ABOUT HATING JEWISH PEOPLE.
MICHAEL GONZALEZ IS NOT PRESENT.
[00:40:01]
BLAIR SENIOR.PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON GENOCIDE AND A FACT SHEET ON THE LAHEY LAW.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO FOLLOW ALONG IF POSSIBLE.
DID YOU RECEIVE THIS? IT WAS SUBMITTED.
OKAY, I'M HERE TODAY TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO A MATTER OF UTMOST URGENCY REGARDING THE POTENTIAL COMPLICITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ONGOING GENOCIDE IN ZA PALESTINE.
WHILE THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO OFFICIAL ALLEGATIONS, MY DEEP CONCERN STEMS FROM THE SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL AID THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED TO ISRAEL, OUR VETOES IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL WHEN CALLING FOR CEASEFIRE AND THE FACT THAT OUR PRESIDENT HAS BYPASSED CONGRESS FOR ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY FUNDING DURING THIS PERIOD IN QUESTION, ISRAEL HAS RECENTLY BEEN FOUND PLAUSIBLY GUILTY BY THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE FOR VIOLATING ARTICLES, TWO COMPONENTS, TWO A, TWO B, TWO C, AND 2D OF THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION.
AND HAS BEEN GIVEN FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE RULING TO PROVE THAT IT'S DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS.
BUT SINCE THE RULING, ISRAEL HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS, IN FACT, IT HAS DOUBLED DOWN EVEN ASSASSINATING POLITICAL LITER LEADERS ON FOREIGN SOIL, ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL CRIME AND AN ACT THAT COULD PULL US INTO WORLD WAR III.
ACCORDING TO ARTICLE FOUR OF THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION, ANY COUNTRY ASSISTING ANOTHER COUNTRY IN GENOCIDE IS PUNISHABLE.
AND FURTHERMORE, THE UNITED STATES AGREED IN THAT IS YOUR TIME, 1949.
ANY IS FOUND GUILTY OF GENOCIDE, WILL THANK YOU AND MUST BE PUNISHED ACCORDING TO ARTICLE ONE OF THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION.
THIS CONCLUDES ALL OF YOUR CITY OF DALLAS REGISTERED OPEN MICROPHONE SPEAKERS.
THE REMAINING SPEAKERS WILL BE HEARD AT THE END OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LET'S MOVE ON TO OUR VOTING AGENDA.
[MINUTES]
ITEM ONE IS APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 24TH, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.HEARD A MOTION AND A SECONDARY DISCUSSION.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO YOUR CONSENT AGENDA,
[CONSENT AGENDA]
BUT BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE UP YOUR CONSENT AGENDA, YOU DO HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CONSENT AGENDA.ITEM 11, HER SPEAKER, TAYLOR THOMAS.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M THE DEVELOPER REPRESENTATIVE FOR 3 6 0 6 SOUTH COCKRELL HILL ROAD, SENIOR LIVING.
I WANT TO BRIEFLY EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE ELDERLY HOUSING THAT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO US BY THE COMMUNITY.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE CITY OF DALLAS' SUPPORT.
YOUR NEXT SPEAKER, ELIZABETH DEMAN.
GOOD MORNING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
MY NAME IS ELIZABETH DEMAN AND I SERVE AS MANAGER OF LAND ACQUISITIONS FOR PALLADIUM USA.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR 3 6 0 6 SOUTH COCKRELL HILL SENIOR LIVING.
OUR TEAM HELD AN INFORMA INFORMATIONAL SESSION AT CLIFFWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST ON FEBRUARY 6TH, AND IT WAS ATTENDED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SUPPORT.
WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED NUMEROUS LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND LOCAL NONPROFITS.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'D LIKE TO EXTEND A HUGE THANK YOU TO MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS FOR HIS PRESENCE AT PALLADIUM'S GRAND OPENING OF SIMPSON STEWART LAST THURSDAY.
THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS.
YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME.
MY COLLEAGUE TAYLOR AND I WILL BE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO YOUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[00:45:01]
YOUR CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTED OF ITEMS TWO THROUGH 36.AGENDA ITEM TWO WAS CORRECTED AND HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ALUA.
AGENDA ITEM SEVEN IS BEING PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
AGENDA ITEM NINE HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART AND COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO.
AGENDA ITEM 11 WAS JUST CORRECTED.
AGENDA ITEM 15 WAS ALSO CORRECTED AND HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
AGENDA ITEM 16 HAS BEEN PULLED BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ARNOLD.
AGENDA ITEM 17 HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
AGENDA ITEM 18 HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST AND COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
AGENDA ITEM 22 WAS CORRECTED AND AGENDA ITEM 27 WAS CORRECTED AND HAS BEEN PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
THEREFORE, YOUR CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTS OF ITEMS THREE THROUGH 6, 8 10 THROUGH 1419 THROUGH 26 AND 28 THROUGH 36.
IS THERE A MOTION? IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT, UM, ESPECIALLY TO OUR HOUSING ADVOCATES, THAT AGENDA ITEMS EIGHT, UM, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, AND 17 COMBINED CREATE AN ADDITIONAL 1090 UNITS OF HOUSING.
MOST OF, WELL, AT LEAST HALF OF IT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND SO AS WE HAVE VERY OFTEN HEARD SPEAKERS COME BEFORE US AND TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR CREATING HOUSING, AND AS I DID AT THE LAST MEETING, POINTING OUT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF OUR INVESTMENT, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE UNDERSTANDING THAT WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT, WE ARE ACTUALLY CREATING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF HOUSING THROUGH THE CHANNELS THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE TO US.
UM, SOME THAT ARE STATE, SOME THAT ARE PART OF OUR OWN, UH, FINANCE ARMS. UM, BUT THIS IS HAPPENING AND THIS IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL.
SO I JUST WANNA, AGAIN, SAY 1,090 UNITS JUST IN THIS AGENDA THIS WEEK.
THANK YOU CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ON THIS.
DID YOU HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS BEFORE CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON GOT ME THERE.
I THOUGHT YOU THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE SPEAKING TO.
NO, I WAS SPEAKING TO CONSENT.
AND I BELIEVE SEVEN IS AN ITEM I'VE PULLED.
I WAS, I WAS WONDERING HOW, HOW ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAD QUESTIONS.
ANYONE ELSE LATER? YEAH, HOLD THOSE.
UM, ANYONE ELSE WANNA SPEAK ON BEFORE WE GET THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT WE'RE STILL ON? CHAIRMAN BAA, YOU'VE THANK YOU REALLY FAST ON THAT ONE.
UM, SO I, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF ITEMS FOR DISTRICT SEVEN.
UH, ITEM NUMBER 24 IS GONNA BE UPGRADES.
UH, MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES FOR SIGNALS, UH, AT NORTH BUCKNER AND PV, UH, BUCKNER AND CHARIOT, UH, AND JOHN WEST AND LA PRADA.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, UH, I WANT TO THANK STAFF, UM, AND, UH, UH, MAYOR PRO TIM ATKINS, UH, FOR Y'ALLS LEADERSHIP ON THE, UH, AGENDA ITEM 28.
UM, THAT IS, UH, GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER FOR SOUTH DALLAS.
UM, AND IT WAS WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS, UM, THE DEEP ELM, UM, TIFF AND, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THESE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLS.
AND, UM, THE GRAND PARK SOUTH TIFF HAS NOT BEEN A TOOL THAT HAS PRODUCED MUCH INCREMENT AT ALL, AND GIVEN US, UH, AFFORDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCENTIVIZE GROWTH.
UM, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, UH, SINCE ITS CREATION, WE'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UM, TO, UH, PUT TOWARDS, UH, SOME SMALL BUSINESS, UH, IMPROVEMENTS.
UM, SOME, UM, HOMES, UM, UH, HOPEFULLY INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND, AND SO, UH, OVERALL IT'S JUST A, UH, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A WHILE AND SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE A, AN ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER FOR SOUTH DALLAS.
SO I WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.
UH, PUBLIC HEARINGS NOW OPEN AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
I HAVE LITERALLY NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE WHERE WE HAD NO CONSENT COMMENTS AND NOW WE'VE GOT SOME FROM EVERYBODY.
CHAIRWOMAN STEWART, REGISTER FOR FIVE MINUTES ON CONSENT.
MARINA, DO YOU WANT, DO YOU WANT, DID YOU WANNA MAKE A MOTION YET OR NOT? IS IT IT'S AGENDA ITEM NINE.
IT'S BEEN GUYS WE'RE STILL, IT'S BEEN PULLED.
THEN I, I DO HAVE A COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM 21.
AGENDA ITEM 21, JAH REALTY IS BUILDING 85 TOWN HOMES ON THIS SITE WHERE A SHOPPING CENTER SAT EMPTY FOR MANY YEARS.
[00:50:01]
THIS PROJECT IS THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT REDEVELOPMENT AROUND THE INTERSECTION OF SKILLMAN, ODELIA AND LBJ 6 35.I BELIEVE MORE DEVELOPMENT WILL COME TO THIS CORRIDOR.
I WANT TO THANK JAH FOR THEIR INVESTMENT IN DISTRICT 10 AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST THE CONSENT AGENDA? I DON'T SEE ANYONE.
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR FIRST PULLED ITEM
[2. 24-392 Authorize an optional child-care facilities exemption of 50 percent for qualifying child-care facilities as defined in the Texas Tax Code beginning with the 2024 tax year (fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024) - Estimated Annual Revenue Foregone: TBD]
AGENDA.ITEM TWO, AUTHORIZE AN OPTIONAL CHILDCARE FACILITIES EXEMPTION OF 50% FOR QUALIFYING CHILDCARE FACILITIES AS TO FINE IN THE TEXAS TAX CODE, BEGINNING WITH THE 2024 TAX YEAR, FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2024.
YOU DO HAVE A SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM, MELANIE RUBIN.
THANK YOU MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.
I RECOGNIZE ALL THAT YOU ALL DO, AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I AM MELANIE RUBIN, DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH TEXAS EARLY EDUCATION ALLIANCE, A COALITION OF DALLAS RESIDENTS COMMITTED TO INCREASING ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE.
I RESIDE IN DISTRICT 13 AND ALSO APPRECIATE COUNCIL MEMBER DANELLE WILLIS'S STRONG LEADERSHIP.
AS SENATOR WEST ARTICULATED, DALLAS HAS AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF CHILDCARE, WHICH LIMITS CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL EXPERIENCES, THEIR PARENTS' WORK PRODUCTIVITY AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
ANYONE ELSE WHO CONTINUES TO YOU, YOU, YOU GET TO LEAVE TOO.
WILL YOU ESCORT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SCREAMING OUT OF THE ROOM AND WE'LL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
I WANT THE ROOM CLEARED OF ANYONE WHO'S STILL SCREAMING.
WE'RE TAKING A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
THIS MEETING'S BACK IN SESSION.
UM, AT THIS POINT I'M GONNA LET EVERYONE IN THE GALLERY KNOW, ZERO TOLERANCE ON THE OUTBURSTS YOU MAKE, YOU MAKE NOISE, YOU GET TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.
THAT'S HOW WE'RE GONNA GO FROM THIS POINT ON.
WE HAVE A MEETING TO CONDUCT AND WE HAVE WORK TO DO.
WE'RE RESPECT OUR RULES OR LEAVE, PERIOD.
THANK YOU AGAIN, MAYOR AND THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
AS I MENTIONED, ACROSS DALLAS, LICENSED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ONLY HAVE ROOM FOR 54% OF THE CITY'S 105,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE SIX AND ONLY 36% OF INFANTS WHO REQUIRE CHILDCARE AS THEY HAVE ALL PARENTS IN THE WORKFORCE.
THIS LACK OF ADEQUATE CHILDCARE COSTS TEXAS EMPLOYERS OVER $7 BILLION EACH YEAR DUE TO EMPLOYEE TURNOVER AND WORK DISRUPTIONS.
THE GOOD NEWS IS WE KNOW WHAT KIDS AND COMMUNITIES NEED TO THRIVE.
THE BAD NEWS IS WE ARE NOT MAKING THESE ENVIRONMENTS READILY ACCESSIBLE.
YOU HAVE TWO OPPORTUNITIES TODAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS, TO THIS GOOD NEWS AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOLUTIONS TO BEGIN ADDRESSING THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.
AND SECOND, THE TAX ABATEMENT FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
FIRST, REMOVING THE SUP REQUIREMENT IS SMART STRATEGIC POLICY, WHICH WILL REMOVE BARRIERS AND EXPENSES FOR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND FACILITATE ACCESS.
INCREASING ACCESS TO CHILDCARE CLOSE TO WHERE FAMILIES LIVE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE NEIGHBORHOODS, PROVIDE QUALITY ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND HELP PARENTS GET TO WORK.
MOST OF THE PROVIDERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE SUP CHANGE WOULD LIKELY BE SMALLER IN-HOME PROVIDERS WHO WILL SERVE INFANTS AND TODDLERS AND ADDRESS THE PRESSING GAP.
PLEASE DON'T GET CAUGHT IN AN UNSUBSTANTIATED NARRATIVE.
THIS CODE AMENDMENT WILL NOT RESULT IN CHILDCARE CENTERS POPPING UP ALL OVER THE CITY.
SADLY, CHILDCARE IS NOT A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS, ALTHOUGH I'D LIKE TO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT THAT AT SOME POINT.
MOST PROVIDERS SUBSIDIZE THE COSTS BY ACCEPTING INADEQUATE SALARIES
[00:55:01]
THAT BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET.THEY DO THIS WORK OUT OF A COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
FURTHER, NO LARGE CAPACITY PROGRAMS ARE ENABLED BY THIS CODE CHANGE BECAUSE IT RETAINS ALL THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING MINIMUM SETBACKS AS WELL AS COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE COMPLEX STATE AND FEDERAL LICENSING AND ANNUAL INSPECTIONS.
THESE RESTRICTIONS ENSURE THAT THIS CHANGE WILL NOT RESULT IN LARGE CENTERS OPENING IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
HISTORICALLY, CHILDCARE HAS NOT CAUSED ISSUES IN AREAS WHERE SUVS WERE GRANTED.
DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, ALL SUP APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES WERE APPROVED WITH MINIMAL OPPOSITION POSITION.
SECOND, WE REALLY HOPE YOU WILL HEAR WHAT SENATOR WEST SAID AND FOLLOW THE WILL OF 72% OF DALLAS VOTERS WHO SUPPORTED PROPOSITION TWO, THE MUNICIPAL TAX ABATEMENT OF THE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU'LL DO WHAT YOU CAN TO START CONTRIBUTING TO THESE, THESE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND SUPPORTING US, OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR ECONOMY.
THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
THIS ITEM WAS ALSO PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DOA.
IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM TWO I MOVE TO IN, UM, APPROVE THE ITEM WITH MODIFIED, UM, EXEMPTION TO INCREASED FROM 50 TO 100%.
ANY DISCUSSION CHAIRMAN? BASIL DOA? YES.
WE'RE ON ITEM TWO FOR THE PUBLIC.
AND, UM, THANK YOU MELANIE, UH, FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.
AND, UM, I I THINK THAT THIS IS NO, THERE'S NO REASON TO REALLY BELABOR.
UM, I THINK THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR, UH, CHILDCARE AND FOR US TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO, WHAT'S ALREADY BEING DONE FOR A LOT OF FACILITIES, QUITE FRANKLY, UH, ACROSS THE CITY.
AND, UM, IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMPACT, UH, THE BOTTOM LINE OF FAMILIES TO HAVE, UM, CHILDCARE OPTIONS, UM, OR EVEN, UH, INCREASED WAGES FOR CHILDCARE EMPLOYEES, UM, THAT IS, UH, THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF, UH, WHAT THIS ABATEMENT WOULD PROVIDE.
UM, I THINK THAT WE OFTEN LOOK AT, UM, SOLUTIONS TO, UH, QUALITY OF LIFE AND EQUITY.
AND THIS WAS, UM, OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED BY THE VOTERS ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE ON BIPARTISANSHIP, UH, LINES.
AND I THINK FOR THAT REASON, UM, IT'S A BRAINER FOR OUR CITY TO SUPPORT A MOVE, UH, THAT WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT SO MANY FAMILIES AND HOPEFULLY HELP, UH, THE DISPARITIES THAT WE HAVE WITH, UM, AVAILABLE CHILDCARE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
UM, SO FOR THAT REASON, I HOPE THAT EVERYONE WOULD SUPPORT, UM, US GOING TO A HUNDRED PERCENT AND BRINGING SAVINGS TO OUR RESIDENTS OF DALLAS.
CHAIRMAN NOVA IS RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AND ON THIS ITEM, I'M, I'M RISING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION THAT MR. BAA MADE.
AND, UM, ONE WE HEARD FROM OUR STATE SENATOR, UM, ROYCE WEST WHO HELPED CARRY THE BILL THROUGH THE SENATE.
AND EVENTUALLY, UM, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WAS ON THE BALLOT THIS PAST NOVEMBER AND THE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THIS ITEM.
NOW IT'S ON US IF WE WANT TO UTILIZE THIS TOOL OR NOT IN ORDER TO, UM, HELP.
WHAT IS A REALLY HARD ISSUE FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES, WHICH IS CHILDCARE, PAYING FOR CHILDCARE.
HOW DO WE DO IT? THIS BODY VOTED AT ONE TIME TO EVEN GIVE THAT BENEFIT TO OUR OWN EMPLOYEES BECAUSE WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET A CENTER INSIDE OF CITY HALL OR SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE.
AND LISTENING TO OUR EMPLOYEES, WE REALIZED GIVING THE STIPEND THE BENEFIT TO THEM SO THAT THEY COULD CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANTED TO BE INSTEAD OF THEIR CHILDREN TO BE, INSTEAD OF IT HAVING TO BE HERE WAS THE BETTER SOLUTION.
AND, UM, OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE SAID HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE THAT IF THEY CAN PARTAKE IN IT.
THE OTHER THING IS, IS THAT, UM, I, I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN MYSELF AND I DON'T EVER PLAN TO HAVE ANY CHILDREN, BUT I DO HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND EVEN MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE TOLD ME HOW MUCH IT COSTS AND HOW MUCH IT TAKES AWAY FROM WHAT THEY DO.
UM, BECAUSE I ONE PERSON I REMEMBER TELLING ME THAT SHE LITERALLY WORKS IN THIS BUILDING AND EVERY SINGLE DIME SHE MAKES GOES TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE AND HER HUSBAND SALARY TAKES CARE OF THE REST.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS RIDICULOUS.
UM, BUT IT'S, IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED.
THE OTHER THING IS, IS I WAS DOING RESEARCH WITH CHILDCARE LATELY.
UM, WHAT I DISCOVERED IS THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES GET PAID 10 BUCKS AN HOUR, 12 BUCKS AN HOUR.
THAT IS WELL BELOW POVERTY IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE ENTRUSTING THAT FAMILIES ARE ENTRUSTING TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
SO THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ALLOWS US TO REDUCE THE PROPERTY TAX FROM THE CITY.
AND THE, AND THE THE DOLLARS SAVED MUST GO TO EITHER DECREASING FEES AND OR INCREASING WAGES AND I, AND THEY CAN'T GO
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INTO THE POCKET OF THE OWNER, THE COMPANY, THE WHATEVER IT IS.AND I THINK THIS WAS BRILLIANT WAY TO DO LEGISLATION TO THANK YOU SENATOR ROYCE WEST FOR SEEING THE ABILITY TO DO THIS AND THANK YOU TO THE VOTERS THAT GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
AND, UM, I WILL SAY THAT AUSTIN JUMPED REALLY FAST AND, UM, THEY WERE THE FIRST, BUT WE'RE GONNA BE THE SECOND TO DO A HUNDRED PERCENT IF WE CAN GET THIS ACROSS THE BOARD.
AND LET'S SHOW THE DALLAS FAMILIES THAT NEED CHILDCARE THAT WE HAVE THIS, THAT THEY WILL SEE THIS HAPPEN AS WELL AS TO THE, UM, CHILDREN WHO ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF THE CARE SO THAT THEIR PA, THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE ABLE TO WORK IN ORDER TO DO THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO.
I, I AM, I WILL STAND WITH THIS LIKE I SAID, AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL FOLLOW.
UH, I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE IN THE QUEUE.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ITEM TWO? SEEING NONE.
[7. 24-353 Authorize (1) preliminary adoption of Substantial Amendment No. 3 to the FY 2023-24 Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reprogram unspent FY 2022-23 CDBG Funds in the total amount of $4,500,000.00 from the Home Improvement & Preservation Program to the Residential Development Acquisition Loan Program; and (2) a public hearing to be held on March 27, 2024, to receive comments on Substantial Amendment No. 3 to the FY 2023-24 Action Plan for the CDBG Funds - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
SEVEN.PRELIMINARY ADOPTION OF SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE TO THE FY 2020 3 24 ACTION PLAN FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CBBG FUNDS FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HUD TO REPROGRAM UNSPENT FY 2020 2 23 CDBG FUNDS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $4,500,000 FROM THE HOME IMPROVEMENT AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM TO THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION LOAN PROGRAM AND TO A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 27TH, 2024 TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE TO THE FY 20 23 24 ACTION PLAN FOR THE CDBG FUNDS.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
IS THERE A MOTION ON SEVEN? YES.
IS THERE, DO WE HAVE A MOTION MOVE TO APPROVE.
ANY DISCUSSION? CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
I'VE ALREADY, UM, SPOKEN AT OTHER MEETINGS ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.
OVERALL, I THINK THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN IS, UM, STRONG, BUT THE CONCERN I HAVE REALLY IS ABOUT TAKING OUT THE COMMUNITY COURTS FROM THE CDBG FUNDING.
COMMUNITY COURTS PROVIDE A MEANS FOR, UM, OUR RESIDENTS.
ARE WE SPEAKING ON THE RIGHT ITEM? I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, ARE WE YES.
PROVIDE A MEANS FOR OUR RESIDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, UM, INSTANCES OF EXTREME POVERTY AND HAVE, UM, BROKEN AN INFRACTION IN OUR CITY.
I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT'S NOT THE RIGHT ITEM.
IT'S ITEM SEVEN IS ABOUT MOVING UNSPENT MONEY.
CAN SOMEONE CLARIFY WHAT, WHAT ITEM NUMBER SEVEN IS MOVING UNSPENT, UH, CDBG MONEY, UH, FROM ONE PROGRAM TO ANOTHER.
IS THAT RIGHT? CITY MANAGER, CITY.
WHERE'D THE CITY MANAGER GO? THAT IS, THAT IS CORRECT MS. THANK YOU.
IS THAT OUR WHOLE CONSOLIDATED PLAN? SO THE ITEM THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING, UH, ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN WAS THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN ITEM.
AND THIS IS NOT THAT, IT'S NOT THE APPROVAL OF THE WHOLE PLAN.
IT IS NOT NO, NO MA IT'S JUST THE HIP PART.
THIS IS JUST RELATED TO HIP AND REPROGRAMMING MONEY TO ENSURE THAT WE MEET THE TIMELINESS TEST.
'CAUSE WE GOT FASTER PROJECT NOW MY INTEREST PROJECT IN THE ENTIRE PLAN.
WELL I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THIS PART.
CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON ITEM SEVEN? YES, I DID.
UH, SO CYNTHIA, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ITEM BECAUSE IT IS SEEKING FORGIVENESS RATHER THAN PERMISSION UPFRONT.
I WILL SUPPORT IT SIMPLY BECAUSE STAFF HAS PRESENTED US WITH A FTA COMPLETE.
IT'S ALREADY COMMITTED TO A HOUSING PROJECT.
BUT I'M WONDERING FIRST OF ALL, HOW A CONTRACTOR WAS SELECTED WHO COMPLETED ZERO REPAIRS.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS HERE? SO I, I CAN, I CAN'T SPEAK TO HOW THE CONTRACTOR WAS SELECTED.
SELECTED, AND WHEN ALL THAT HAPPENED, UH, I CAN SAY THAT WE WORKED WITH THE CONTRACTOR FOR EIGHT MONTHS TO TRY TO GET THEM UP AND RUNNING IN THIS PROGRAM.
WE, WE SAW THEM MINIMAL WEEKLY TO HELP THEM WORK THROUGH HOW THESE REGULATIONS WORK AND HOW THE PROGRAM OPERATES.
THEY WERE NEW TO OPERATING A PROGRAM LIKE THIS WHEN WE, UM, I BELIEVE WHEN WE LOOKED AT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, WE COULDN'T FIND ANYONE ELSE WHO WAS WILLING TO TAKE ON SUCH A COMPLICATED PROGRAM TO RUN EXTERNAL TO THE PRO, TO THE CITY.
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HARD WITH THE CONTRACTOR TO TRY TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PROGRAM SHOULD OPERATE AND THEY COULDN'T DO IT.WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS VENDOR HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH HOME REPAIR.
THIS VENDOR HAS UH, EXPERIENCE WITH HOME REPAIR AND DISASTER RECOVERY.
UM, SO IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE, UM, LONG BEFORE WE'RE AT THIS JUNCTURE, UM, TO, UM, IDENTIFY OTHER POTENTIAL USES FOR THIS FUNDING RATHER THAN JUST LEAVING IT UP TO STAFF.
UM, MOREOVER, UM, HOME REHAB IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF YOUR DEPARTMENT, AND THIS TRANSFERS FUNDING FOR THAT HOME REPAIR TO, UH, OTHER HOUSING NEEDS, WHICH ARE IMPORTANT ALSO.
BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REQUIRED SOME OVERSIGHT BY THIS BODY.
AND SO, ALTHOUGH I WILL SUPPORT, SUPPORT IT, I WOULD REQUEST THAT IF YOU ARE FACED WITH A LACK OF CONTRACTORS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH HOME REPAIRS AND INDICATE AN ABILITY TO COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE REGULATIONS IN THAT, THAT INDICATES THAT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SPEND THE MONEY ALLOCATED, THAT YOU SHOULD COME BACK TO THIS BODY TO EXPLAIN THAT SITUATION AND SEEK ALTERNATIVES.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO, AND WELL, YES, SIR.
AND WE WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.
DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND, AND COUNSEL.
I'M THIS PI WANT TO JOIN IN WITH THE STATEMENT MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY, MAINLY BECAUSE, UM, THAT IS A CONCERN THAT, UH, ACTUALLY THE MAYOR PRO TEM AND I HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN GO ABOUT PERHAPS IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP TO TRAIN SOME OF THESE, UH, BETTER TRAIN THEM.
SO THEY EITHER SPECIALIZE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN MY, HIS HISTORIC AREAS AND JUST SPECIALIZE, BONAFIDE AND BONDED, UM, CONTRACTORS.
SO WE DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF CONVERSATION.
NOW, I WILL SAY, ALONG WITH WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER REALLY IS SAYING, MOST OF MY CALLS THAT I FROM SENIORS ARE IN NEED OF HOME REPAIR.
AND THAT'S WHERE I GET THE MOST CALLS IS HOME REPAIR.
AND SO I'M NOW, UH, HEARING FROM SOME OF THOSE, UH, SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOME TIME TO GET THEIR HOMES REPAIRED.
AND WE, WE, SOME OF THEM ON THE LIST NOW FOR TWO AND THREE YEARS.
AND SO WHAT I'M HAVING TO DO, AND ONE IN PARTICULAR, BECAUSE SHE'S IN HER LATE EIGHTIES, I'M HAVING TO GO OUT AND JUST TRY TO, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A, A SALESMAN OR SOMETHING.
CAN WE SELL YOU ON HELPING THIS ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN'T FLUSH HER TOILET, WHO HAS HOLES IN THE WINDOWS? AND I'M SURE THAT SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE OTHER STORIES, UH, UH, WHO HAS NO ABILITY RIGHT NOW, AS OF LAST WEEK WHEN WE WENT BY HOME TO LOCK HER, TO LOCK HER FRONT DOOR.
AND SO, BUT I DO HAVE ONE NONPROFIT WHO HAS COMMITTED TO TRYING TO FIND AT LEAST 10,000 FOR HER.
AND I'M WORKING WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL WANT TO COMMIT FUNDS SO WE CAN GET THAT DONE.
AND I KNOW WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN WAITING AND WAITING, AND ESPECIALLY IN THEIR LATE EIGHTIES, AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO 90, IT'S VERY PAINFUL WHEN YOU HAVE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, ON THE LIST.
SO I DID WANNA MAKE SURE I JUST CHIMED IN ON THAT.
AND SO, AS MAYOR PRO TEM AND I CONTINUE TO TALK, PERHAPS WE CAN WORK ON A PROPOSAL WHERE WE CAN GET TRAINING, UH, PILOT PROGRAMS SO WE CAN TRAIN FOLKS PROPERLY.
AND THEN ALSO IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHERE I AM IN HISTORIC 10TH STREET, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CONTRACTORS WHO CAN REPAIR, WHO ARE SPECIALIZED, UH, AND BONAFIDE CERTIFIED, UH, KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO REPAIR THOSE HOMES SO THAT WE CAN STABILIZE THAT COMMUNITY.
AND I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, RIDLEY MAYOR.
SO, THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN ARNOLD AND COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY, LET ME MAKE SURE I CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS, PARTICULARLY RELATED TO WHERE YOUR STATEMENTS WERE.
I WOULD NOT DISAGREE WITH YOU.
UH, THAT, UH, I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT IT TOOK US, UH, THIS LONG, UH, TO RECOGNIZE A CONTRACTOR WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM, UH, WAS NOT, UH, ABLE TO DO IT AT THE STRENGTH THAT WE WANTED THEM TO.
UH, HOWEVER, UH, THE ISSUE OF THE CONTRACTING SIDE OF IT, UH, I THINK WE DO HAVE, UH, CONTRACTORS THAT ARE CERTIFIED AND WILLING AND ABLE TO DO THE WORK.
THE PROBLEM WAS TO ADMINISTER THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF GETTING PEOPLE QUALIFIED AND, UH, YOU KNOW,
[01:10:01]
APPROVED, UH, FOR THEIR GRANTS.SIMILAR TO YOUR CONCERNS THAT YOU OFTEN HAVE COUNCILWOMAN, THAT PROCESS IN SOME CASES IS SINCE IT'S FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED AND FIRST FULLY, UH, APPROVED, UH, MANY PEOPLE, UH, DON'T GET A CHANCE TO ACCESS THE FUNDING.
AND SO I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE TEAM, UH, BECAUSE I KNEW THIS WAS GONNA BE A TOUGH SITUATION, PARTICULARLY SINCE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE IN NEED OF REPAIRS, UH, TO TRANSITION THIS FUNDING.
AND SO WE'RE GONNA WORK TO DO BETTER ONE IN REGARDS TO IF WE SELECT A NEW CONTRACTOR TO DO IT.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU, PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED, CYNTHIA AND THEIR TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THOSE APPLICATIONS INTERNALLY, UH, AND PICKED UP THE BALL WHERE THIS CONTRACTOR DID NOT.
AND WE'RE PROCESSING THOSE, UH, AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
SO WE HAVE NOT STOPPED DOING IT.
I THINK THE ESTIMATE WAS DONE BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD GET THROUGH THE PIPELINE, UH, TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE DECISION THAT WHILE WE MIGHT HAVE 40 TO 50 PEOPLE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE, THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES AFTER EIGHT, NINE MONTHS OF NEGOTIATING WITH THIS PERSON TO DO THIS WORK, TO GET THAT DONE BY JULY.
AND SO, TO YOUR POINT, COUNCIL MEMBER, RIDLEY, WE'RE BRINGING IT IN FEBRUARY, FIVE MONTHS BEFORE WE GET TO A DEADLINE AND THEN HAVE TO DO SOMETHING AT THE VERY END.
AND TO THE POINT, UH, OF BRINGING IT TO THE HOUSING, UM, AND HOMELESS COMMITTEE, I THINK THERE ARE VERY LIMITED OPTIONS FOR WHAT WE CAN SPEND THE RESOURCES ON.
AND SO, AGAIN, I THINK WE'VE JUST MOVED INTO ANOTHER AREA PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
WE WOULDN'T EVEN BE ABLE TO STAND UP NEW PROGRAMS. THEY WOULD'VE JUST BEEN CONSISTENT.
AND I THINK THE DEVELOPMENT SIDE OF HOW WE SUPPORT HOUSING PROJECTS, I THINK IS WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO PUT THE RESOURCES BECAUSE WE HAVE A QUEUED UP LIST OF PROJECTS THAT NEED FUNDING THERE AS WELL.
AND SO, AGAIN, UH, TO CYNTHIA'S POINT, WE'RE GOING TO OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO DO BETTER, UH, AND WE NEED TO SOUND THE ALARM EARLY AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNSEL, UH, MUCH EARLIER.
UH, BUT AGAIN, UH, WE GOT FIVE MONTHS TO, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WE'RE GONNA KEEP WORKING WITH THOSE PEOPLE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE.
AND JUST AN UPDATE ON OUR PIPELINE.
WE HAVE, UH, WE HAVE OVER 45 APPLICANTS THAT WE CAN WORK WITH, BUT WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED 45 THAT WILL USE OUR CURRENT FUNDING THAT WE'RE NOT REPROGRAMMING.
AND THAT'LL TAKE US INTO THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW FUNDING.
AND WE ARE READY TO, TO SERVE OTHER APPLICANTS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
SO THIS WILL, THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE, GET BETTER.
TIM, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU CITY MAYOR FOR THAT EXPLANATION.
UH, THE LIST, DO WE KNOW, DO THE RESIDENT KNOW WHO, WHO'S ON THAT LIST? WHO IS NOT ON THAT LIST? UH, THE, THE RESIDENTS THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH DO KNOW, BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR APPLICATIONS.
AND, UH, 25 OF THOSE APPLICANTS HAVE ALREADY, UH, WORKED WITH ONE OF OUR INSPECTORS TO WRITE UP THEIR, THEIR, UH, HOME REPAIR NEEDS.
UH, THE OTHER 20 ARE WORKING WITH OUR INTERNAL CLIENT INTAKE STAFF.
SO YES, THEY ARE, UM, THEY ARE AWARE OF WHO THEY ARE.
AND SO HOW MUCH FUNDING DO WE HAVE SET ASIDE FOR THAT LIST? UH, WE CURRENTLY HAVE, WE CURRENTLY HAVE $4.2 MILLION THAT WE'RE NOT REPROGRAMMING, SO A LITTLE OVER 4 MILLION AND THAT'S GONNA SERVE ALL OF THOSE APPLICANTS.
AND THEN, UH, WE'LL START IN THE NEW YEAR WITH OUR NEW REVISED PROGRAM AS WE HAVE PRESENTED IT, UH, HIS A FEW MONTHS AGO.
AND THAT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $4 MILLION THAT WE'LL GET ON THE FEDERAL GRANT.
SO WE HAVE 4 MILLION LEFT RIGHT NOW.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE CONTRACTOR? HAVE WE IDENTIFIED THE NEW CONTRACTORS WHO'S GONNA GET STARTED? HAVE THEY BEEN CERTIFIED? YES.
SO WE CONTINUE TO GET MORE CONTRACTORS TODAY BECAUSE OF THE MARKET AND THE WAY THE MARKET IS TIGHTENING UP.
UH, IT USUALLY HAPPENS THAT WAY WHEN THE MARKET IS VERY HEALTHY AND THEY CAN GO OUT AND GET OTHER WORK, THEY DON'T COME TO WORK WITH US.
BUT NOW THE MARKET IS TIGHTENING UP, WE'RE GETTING EVEN MORE CONTRACTORS TO WORK WITH US.
WE HAVE PLENTY OF CONTRACTORS IN THE PIPELINE.
SO HOW ARE WE CERTIFY THE CONTRACTOR? HOW MANY, HOW ARE WE CERTIFY THE CONTRACTOR? HOW DO WE CERTIFY THEM? YES.
UH, THEY GO THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS.
SO WE PROVIDE THEM AN APPLICATION.
THEY, THEY SUBMIT IT ALONG WITH THEIR FINANCIAL INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN SEE HOW, UM, HOW MUCH, HOW MUCH, UM, OF A LOAD THEY CAN TAKE ON AND WORK.
UH, WE DO WATCH THEM VERY CLOSELY IF THEY'RE NEW TO OUR PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN PERFORM.
BUT AGAIN, TO TO CITY MANAGER.
UH, BROAD NECK'S POINT, THIS ISSUE OCCURRED BECAUSE THERE WAS ONLY ONE CONTRACTOR IDENTIFIED TO DO ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS PROGRAM, AND IT WASN'T WORKING THE SAME PROGRAM THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY BACK TO TODAY.
SO HOW MANY CONTRACT HAS SIGNED UP NOW? HOW MANY CONTRACT YOU HAVE? I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT
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NUMBER, BUT I KNOW IT'S OVER 10.UH, WOULD THEY BE DOING MORE THAN ONE PROJECT AT A TIME? OH, YES, THEY CAN.
THEY, THEY CAN TAKE ON MULTIPLE PROJECTS.
SO, UH, MULTIPLE UNITS SO THEY CAN, UH, SOME CAN TAKE UP THREE, SOME HAVE 10.
THEY HAVE DIFFERENT CAPACITIES.
SO WE WORK WITH THEM ON WHAT THEIR CAPACITY CAN BE.
UH, HAVE THESE CONTRACTED DID WORK FOR THE CITY BEFORE? YES, SOME HAVE, UH, MOST HAVE, SOME OF THEM ARE NEW.
WE DO HAVE A FEW THAT ARE NEW AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM ON THE NUMBER OF UNITS THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM AT ONE TIME.
UH, DUTIES CONTRACTOR SUB, MOST OF THEY WORK OUT, UH, THEY, UH, HAD THE EMPLOYEES WORK DIRECTLY TO THE CONTRACTOR.
THEY BOTH, SOME SUB, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY'RE HAVING, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON THE, UM, UM, THE, UM, THE AREA OF REPAIR THEY HAVE TO DO.
BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN CREWS.
I KNOW THAT IN THE PAST WE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE CONTRACTOR, BUT MY CONCERN IS, NUMBER ONE, HOW DO YOU GONNA GET BACK WITH US? GIVE US AN UPDATE.
HEY, HOW IS THESE NEW CONTRACTORS PERFORMANCE? IS THERE GONNA BE A DASHBOARD OR SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW YES.
IF THEY NOT PERFORMANCE, RIGHT.
SO YOU'LL, YOU'LL CERTAINLY BE ABLE TO SEE OUR, UM, WE GIVE A QUARTERLY REPORT TO OUR HOUSING COMMITTEE.
UM, WE, WE'VE IMPLEMENTED THAT.
IT'S A LOT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND AND READ.
AND YOU CAN SEE OUR PROGRESS WITH OUR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
SO YOU CAN CERTAINLY MEASURE US AND THE WAY OUR CONTRACTORS ARE WORKING WITH US THROUGH THAT, UH, THROUGH THAT QUARTERLY REPORT, WE'RE ALSO, UH, BUILDING A DASHBOARD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE SHOULD HAVE A DASHBOARD ON OUR WEBSITE SO THAT IT'S NOT ALWAYS PAPER.
AND LAST QUESTION, DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE FIRST CONTRACT WILL GET STARTED? UH, NO.
I DON'T KNOW THE PROCEED ORDER DATE OF THE FIRST CONTRACT THAT WE WILL START IN THIS NEW PROCESS.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST, UH, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER SEVEN? I DON'T SEE ANYONE.
ANY OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
[9. 24-390 Authorize (1) the adoption of a Resolution of Support for Generation Housing Partners, LLC and/or its affiliate(s) (Applicant), related to its application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for 9% Housing Tax Credits for the development Patriot Pointe at Markville to be located at 9222 Markville Dr., Dallas, Texas 75243; and (2) an agreement with the Applicant for a line of credit in the amount of $500.00 for the proposed multifamily development - Not to exceed $500.00 - Financing: General Fund]
AGENDA ITEM NINE, AUTHORIZE ONE.THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR GENERATION HOUSING PARTNERS, LLC AND OR ITS AFFILIATES.
APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS FOR 9% HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PATRIOT POINT AT MARKVILLE TO BE LOCATED AT 9 2 2 2 MARKVILLE DRIVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 7 5 2 4 3.
AND TO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE APPLICANT FOR A LINE OF CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 FOR THE PROPOSED MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT NOT TO EXCEED $500.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART AND COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO.
CHAIRMAN MORENO, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? YES, I MOVE TO DENY THE ITEM.
ANY DISCUSSION? CHAIRMAN MORENO? YES.
FIVE MINUTES ON THE MOTION TO DENY ON ITEM NINE.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DE THE DE, EXCUSE ME, THE DEVELOPER HAS PULLED FROM THE PROJECT AND THEREFORE WITHDRAWN THE APPLICATION CHAIRMAN WEST.
ANYONE ELSE WE SPEAK ON FOR OR AGAINST THE MOTION? DENY.
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION PREVAILS AND THE ITEMS DENIED.
[15. 24-394 Authorize an amendment to the Dallas Housing Resource Catalog (DHRC) Land Transfer Program (LTP), as shown in the attached Exhibit A to: (1) the release of Land Transfer Program deed restrictions initially required when a qualified buyer is also a Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) participant; (a) impose the federally required DHAP deed restrictions on lots(s) to be filed and recorded in the real property records of the county in which the parcel of real property is located; (b) a qualified buyer that is not a DHAP participant shall not be required to meet DHAP underwriting guidelines; and (c) a qualified buyer that is also a DHAP participant shall be required to meet DHAP underwriting guidelines; (2) an amendment to the DHRC Single Family Development Requirements/Underwriting (SFDRU), as shown in the attached Exhibit B to: (a) amend loans used for acquisition and construction financing from repayable to forgivable loans based on the total development cost related to the sales price of the home; and (b) this amendment shall be enforced retroactively from May 12, 2021, the effective date of the development agreement with all non-profit Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), to the current including any applicable repayments to City-certified CHDOs for loan payments made during this time period - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
NEXT ITEM IS AGENDA ITEM 15.AUTHORIZED AN AMENDMENT TO THE DALLAS HOUSING RESOURCE CATALOG, DHRC TO THE ONE LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM.
LTP AS SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT TO RELEASE THE LTP DEED RESTRICTIONS INITIALLY REQUIRED WHEN A QUALIFIED BUYER IS ALSO A DALLAS HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, DHAP PARTICIPANT, AND INSTEAD IMPOSE A FEDERALLY REQUIRED DHAP DEED RESTRICTIONS ON LOTS WHICH SHALL BE FILED AND RECORDED IN THE REAL PROPERTY RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND THE PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY IS LOCATED NO LONGER RE LOCATED.
B, NO LONGER REQUIRE A QUALIFIED BUYER THAT IS NOT A-D-H-A-P PARTICIPANT TO MEET DHAP UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES AND SEE REQUIRE A QUALIFIED BUYER THAT IS A-D-H-A-P PARTICIPANT TO MEET DHAP.
UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES TWO SINGLE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND UNDERWRITING S-F-D-R-U AS SHOWN IN
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THE ATTACHED EXHIBIT B TO NO LONGER REQUIRE COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, DO CHODOS TO REPAY, AMEND HOME FUNDED LOANS ISSUED BY THE CITY FOR ACQUISITION AND CONSTRUCTION FINANCING, AND INSTEAD CATEGORIZE THEM AS FORGIVABLE LOANS.AND YOU DO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND.
IT'S MOVED TO SECOND AID DISCUSSION.
WE'RE ON ITEM 15 FOR THE PUBLIC.
SO THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN COMMITTEE, AND I BELIEVE THE COMMITTEE IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL BY THE COUNCIL.
UM, I DON'T EVEN HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE THE CHANGE.
I JUST WANNA MAKE THE POINT OF, UM, WHY I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS CHANGE.
AND, UM, VERY QUICKLY, THIS IS WHAT IT IS.
THE DALLAS HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND THE LAND TRANSFER PROGRAM SHOULDN'T BE LAYERED ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. IF WE'RE ASSISTING SOMEONE THROUGH ONE PROGRAM, THAT SHOULD BE THE GAP THAT WE'RE FILLING.
BUT IF THEY'RE SUCH A BIG CAVERN THAT IT NEEDS BOTH PROGRAMS, THEY MIGHT NOT BE READY FINANCIALLY TO OWN A HOME.
AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS POURING SO MANY RESOURCES INTO SO FEW PEOPLE WHEN WE REALLY SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE MORE.
THE SECOND IS THE HOME FUNDED LOANS FROM THE HOME PROGRAM FOR THE CHOTO SHOULD NOT BE MOVED TO REPAYABLE, I'M SORRY, FROM REPAYABLE TO FORGIVABLE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE LOSS OF REVENUE RETURNING TO THE CITY FOR ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT WE FUND.
SO IN THIS CASE, WE'RE STANDING TO LOSE 3.3 MILLION A YEAR.
SO I THINK THESE ARE, UM, UNNECESSARY AND NOT VIABLE CHANGES.
I'M OPPOSED TO THEM AND I WANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN WEST, RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AND, UM, I WANT TO FIRST THANK, UH, JAMES ARMSTRONG, JOE DINGMAN, AND THE ESTRADA FOR PROVIDING A LOT OF FEEDBACK ON THEY, THEY'RE THE ONLY THREE, UM, PARTIES THAT ARE IMPACTED BY THIS CHANGE AT THIS TIME.
UM, BECAUSE THIS PROGRAM IS NOT VIABLE IN WORKING IN THE WAY IT, IT IT'S DESIGNED.
UM, HOWEVER, THESE AMENDMENTS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY SHOULD HELP THE PROGRAM BE MORE VIABLE AND HELP US AS A CITY ACTUALLY MEET THE HOUSING POLICY THAT WE'VE PASSED AND THAT WE'VE SAID WE ALL SUPPORT AND HELP FURTHER HOME OWNERSHIP FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD.
I KNOW THAT MR. DAMON IS HERE AND HAS SAID HE'S AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS LOAN BE A FORGIVABLE LOAN AS OPPOSED TO A PAYBACK LOAN AND ABOUT ANY OTHER ON THE GROUND PROCESSES ABOUT WHY THIS PROGRAM IS NOT WORKING IN THE WAY IT IS.
I WANT TO ENABLE AS MUCH HOME OWNERSHIP AS POSSIBLE, UM, WITHIN THE GUISE OF OUR POLICY THAT WE HAVE APPROVED AS A COUNCIL.
AND, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY MY COLLEAGUE SUPPORTING IT AS WELL.
CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I'D LIKE TO CALL UP THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
UM, I WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS, UH, CHALLENGE EARLY ON, AND I KNOW THAT THE TEAM FROM OUR HOUSING, UH, DEPARTMENT HAS REALLY DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER TO GET THROUGH THIS CHALLENGE.
BUT THE OTHER THING THAT I WANNA MENTION BEFORE I ASK YOU A QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE'S OFTEN MULTI-LAYERED APPROACHES TO PURCHASING A HOME AT ANY PRICE POINT FOR ANYONE, WHETHER YOU'RE SEEKING ASSISTANCE OR YOU'RE GETTING IT THROUGH A MORTGAGE OR WHETHER YOU'RE GETTING IT THROUGH OTHER SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
SO I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE AS A COUNCIL HAD PASSED A, A VISION OR ANY KIND OF THING THAT SAID YOU CAN ONLY GET ONE SOURCE OF FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE A HOME.
SO THAT, THAT ARGUMENT IS CHALLENGING TO ME.
BUT COULD YOU JUST EXPLAIN A LITTLE OF THE BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU CAME TO THIS RECOMMENDATION FOR US? PLEASE? THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
UH, LET ME FIRST SAY THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LAYER THAT GOES ON WITH LAND BANK AND LAND TRANSFER VERSUS THE HOMEOWNER.
THE LAYER THAT GOES ON THE, THE ASSISTANCE THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGH LAND BANK AND LAND TRANSFER IS LAND BY PROVIDING THE LAND, IT HELPS THE DEVELOPER GIVE US AN AFFORDABLE PRODUCT, THE HOME BUYER, BECAUSE COSTS ARE SO HIGH TO GET INTO THE PURCHASE OF A UNIT.
AND BECAUSE THERE IS A REQUIRED DOWN PAYMENT FOR ANY TYPE OF LOAN THAT YOU GET AS MOST OF YOU OWN YOUR HOMES.
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM WHAT MAKES THE HOUSE AFFORDABLE, IT IS A DIRECT SUBSIDY TO THE HOME BUYER SO THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY GET
[01:25:01]
IN THE HOUSE AND SUSTAIN IT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO NOT, UH, DEPLETE ALL OF THEIR, THEIR SAVINGS SO THAT THEY CAN DO THEIR MAINTENANCE AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THEY MAY NEED TO DO.BUT WE PROVIDE THAT DOWN PAYMENT AND CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE THROUGH OUR HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
SO JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT POINT BEFORE DARWIN DIVES INTO A LOT OF OTHER DETAILS.
DARWIN WADE, ASSISTANT HOUSING DIRECTOR, COUNCILMAN SCHULTZ.
YES, WE HEARD FROM THE DEVELOPER COMMUNITY ABOUT THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT THEY WERE FACING WITH EACH PROGRAM.
SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY TO IMPROVE THE POLICY, TO MAKE IT MORE DEVELOPER FRIENDLY.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO HIT, UH, FOUR OF THE FIVE POINTS REAL QUICKLY, UM, ON THE AMENDMENT.
SO WE, WE DO KNOW THAT SINGLE FAMILY HOME OWNERSHIP IS A COUNCIL PRIORITY, SO THAT IS A PRIORITY OF THE COUNCIL THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE AND WE WANT TO SPUR ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE SINGLE FAMILY SPACE.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE MANY NONPROFIT CHODO DEVELOPERS IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO THAT ARE CERTIFIED, RIGHT? AND SO THESE TWO CHODOS, THEY ARE FACED WITH THE OPTION TO, UH, CONTINUE TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH DECREASING PROFITS IMPACTING THEIR PERFORMANCE, OR THEY HAVE AN OPTION TO WALK AWAY AND NOT EVEN USE THE HOME CHOTO SET ASIDE THAT WE ARE REQUIRED BY HUD TO PROVIDE TO THOSE NONPROFIT CHOTO DEVELOPERS.
SO, UH, IT'S A WIN-WIN FOR BOTH THE CITY AND AS WELL AS THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO, WE ARE BOUND BY HUD TO PROVIDE THOSE DOLLARS TO THE SINGLE FAMILY CHODOS.
IF NOT, WE WILL LOSE FUNDING, WHICH WILL IN TURN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS THAT WE PROVIDE TO HOME BUYERS.
AND MY OTHER POINT WOULD BE THAT, UM, LASTLY THAT THIS IS AN EFFORT TO CORRECT BARRIERS IN THE POLICY.
AND, AND AS WHEN YOU HAVE A POLICY, YOU DEFINITELY WANNA TWEAK IT, YOU KNOW, UH, EVALUATE THE POLICY AS YOU GO FORWARD.
AND THIS IS, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO TODAY, AND WE HOPE THAT WE CAN GET YOUR SUPPORT.
I'LL BE PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS.
I THINK THAT LOCKING OURSELVES INTO A FALSE NARRATIVE THAT THAT REQUIRES US TO BE UNNECESSARILY RIGID IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS CITY.
AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE TRYING SO HARD, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHERN DALLAS, TO BUILD NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING, WHICH IS WHAT PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE WANT THE MOST AS THEY DO EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY.
SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR BEING COOPERATIVE WITH EVERYBODY.
CHAIRMAN NOVAS, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 15.
UM, I RISING TO SPEAK UP ON, ON THIS ITEM BECAUSE I DO AGREE WITH PASSING THIS AND I'M, I WANTED TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHY LAYERING IS IMPORTANT.
UM, YOU, YOU HEARD STAFF ALREADY SAY THAT YOU HOME PRICES ARE JUST OUTTA CONTROL.
I'M, I'M THE ONLY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO LIVES IN, UM, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX.
AND, YOU KNOW, I STILL LOOK AT, IS HOME OWNERSHIP GOING TO BE ATTAINABLE FOR ME LIVING HERE IN THIS CITY? AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS IS THAT I GIVE THE EXAMPLE OF IS WE DID A HOME REPAIR PROGRAM, UH, THAT WE GOT TO USE, UM, FOR AN EQUITY FOR EQUITY PURPOSES IN WEST DALLAS.
AND WE CREATED A, A HOME REPAIR PROGRAM.
AND WE, WE SPECIFICALLY MADE SURE THAT YOU COULD LAYER THIS FUND ON TOP OF OTHER HOME REPAIR FUNDS BECAUSE OF THE, THE FACT THAT HOME REPAIR PRICES HAVE GOTTEN ASTRONOMICALLY UNAFFORDABLE.
AND SO IF YOU NEED YOUR FOUNDATION REPAIRED, WHICH MOST PROGRAMS DON'T ALLOW, WE OURS DOES, BECAUSE WE WANNA BE SPECIFIC ON IT.
UM, BEFORE IT WAS LIKE 8,000, 10,000, WELL, WHEN YOU'RE LOW INCOME OR YOU KNOW, DON'T, JUST DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS, I MIGHT AS WELL HAVE TOLD YOU IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS.
AND SO THAT'S THE SAME THING WITH THIS.
IT'S LIKE, IN ORDER TO GET THERE, UM, YOU JUST MAY NEED A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA HELP OR RESOURCES.
AND THE REASON THAT YOU WANNA LAYER IS BECAUSE PART OF IT MIGHT BE FORGIVABLE.
WE ALSO DON'T WANNA PUT PEOPLE IN A DEBT THAT THEY CANNOT EVER, EVER GET OUT OF.
UM, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT EXPERIENCE HAPPEN ON MANY OTHER ISSUES ACROSS NOT JUST THIS STATE, BUT THIS NATION.
AND SO HAVING THE LAYERS IS IMPORTANT.
WE ONLY HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF CHOTO IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
AND SO HEARING FROM THEM, WHAT'S CAUSING THEM NOT TO BE ABLE TO GET APPLICANTS IN THE DOOR IS BECAUSE THOSE APPLICANTS ALSO LOOK AT AND GO, OH WOW, I HAVE A, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST MAKING UP A NUMBER, $250,000 MORTGAGE AND I HAVE $185,000 LOAN WITH THE CITY, AND I HAVE A AND I HAVE A, WELL, THEN I'M NEVER, I'M NEVER GONNA OWN THIS HOME.
I'M GONNA LOSE IT AT SOME POINT.
AND SO BY HAVING THOSE LAYERS, IT HELPS OUT SO MUCH AND GOES A PEACE OF MIND.
AND, AND THE DOLLARS THAT THE CITY'S ACTUALLY INVESTING IN HERE IS MINUSCULE IN COMPARISON TO THE OVERALL
[01:30:01]
BUDGET IN ORDER FOR US TO GET MORE AFFORDABILITY INTO OUR CITY.AND, UM, IT'S SOMETHING WE, WE JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO.
AND WE MAY BE AMENDING THIS LATER ON.
WE MIGHT BE CHANGING IT AS THINGS CHANGE OR PROGRESS OR WE GET MORE PEOPLE, UM, THAT HAVE WORKFORCE HOUSING BACK INTO THE CITY BECAUSE THINGS JUST HAPPEN TO WORK OUT.
BUT WE'VE GOTTA TRY SOMETHING, WE'VE GOTTA DO IT DIFFERENTLY, UM, BECAUSE THE OLD WAYS JUST DON'T WORK.
AND WE SOMETIMES IT'S AN EXPERIMENT AND IT DOESN'T WORK AND HEY, WE, WE, WE WILL GO BACK AND CHANGE IT AND SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND IT WORKS REALLY WELL AND WE KEEP GOING FORWARD.
SO, UM, EVEN WITH THAT HOME REPAIR PROGRAM THAT I MENTIONED, WE HAD TO MAKE CHANGES A LITTLE BIT LATER BECAUSE WE SAW THE THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK AND TOGETHER WE'LL GET THERE, BUT WE'VE GOT TO TRY IT.
SO PLEASE, COLLEAGUES, I ASK THAT YOU SAY YES, UH, MR. MAYOR, AND SO THAT WE CAN, UM, KEEP OUR COMMITMENT TO WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF DALLAS.
DEPUTY MAYOR, PRO TEMP, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
UH, JUST FOR MY PERSONAL, UH, KNOWLEDGE HERE, YOU SAID WE HAVE TWO CHODOS THAT ARE CERTIFIED.
DO YOU HAVE THOSE NAMES YOU CAN SHARE WITH US? UH, SHARE WITH ME LATER.
YOU CAN DO IT LATER IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM NOW.
SO THE TWO CHODOS THAT ARE CERTIFIED HERE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT TO BUILD SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING, THEY ARE BUILDERS OF HOPE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND NOTRE DAME PLACE INCORPORATED.
NOW ON THE WORD AFFORDABLE, I KNOW WE, WE, WE ARE, WE KIND OF GO BACK AND FORTH IN MY EXPERIENCE AND JUST MY PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION OF WHAT I WANNA USE IS THAT AFFORDABLE MEANS WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD.
ALL OF US LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOMES, IF YOU LOOK AT IT, WE DON'T LIVE ANYWHERE WE CAN'T AFFORD.
BUT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS DEFINITION, HOW DO WE DEFINE WHAT'S THE PRICE RANGES OF THESE HOMES THAT WE ARE BUILDING AND LABELING AS AFFORDABLE? OKAY, SURE.
SO WE KNOW AFFORDABLE IS SUBJECT SUBJECTIVE, BUT I WILL GIVE YOU THE, THE HUD DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE WHEN, WHEN WE SAY AFFORDABLE IN HUD TERMS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES WHO ARE BELOW 80% OF THE A MI.
RIGHT? AND THERE IS A CAP ON THE SALES PRICE FOR THOSE FAMILIES AT 80% OF A MI.
AND CURRENTLY THAT SALES PRICE CAP IS $315,000.
SO THAT WILL BE A MAX SALES PRICE FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE 80% AND BELOW OF A A MI.
HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH THE SALES PRICE IS 315, A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES CANNOT AFFORD 315 BECAUSE THEY ARE BURDENED WITH DEBTS, CONSUMER DEBTS, CAR NOTES, UH, THAT TYPE OF THING.
SO THAT AFFORDABILITY SHRINKS FROM THREE 15, IT MAY BE 2 85, IT MAY BE 2 65, IT MAY BE 2 25.
SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO FILL THAT GAP FROM WHATEVER THE FAMILY CAN AFFORD THROUGH A MORTGAGE AND WHAT THE SALES PRICE IS.
SO THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THESE TOOLS IN OUR TOOLBOX, AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY TO AMEND THOSE POLICIES.
AND I WANT TO JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF OF THE RECORD, WHAT DOES AN INCOME LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 80% A MI, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF INCOME? SO FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, UH, 80% A MI YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOME A FAMILY THAT MAY BRING HOME BETWEEN 82 TO $85,000 A YEAR, AND THAT'S COMBINED A COMBINED INCOME OR JUST A SINGLE A FAMILY OF FOUR.
IT COULD BE, IT COULD BE A WIFE AND A HUSBAND OKAY.
OR IT COULD BE A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THREE KIDS ALL.
SO I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE, WE LOOK AT INCOME, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CAP ON THE HOME, WE LOOK, WE ARE LOOKING AT A TERM AFFORDABILITY.
UH, AND I HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHODOS.
SO I'LL CLOSE BY SAYING I, I CAN SAY WITH BUILDERS OF HOPE, UH, MR. JAMES ARMSTRONG, WHO, WHO I I I WORK WITH IN SUPPORT, I DON'T, CAN'T SPEAK ON THE OTHER EVEN THOUGH HE'S NOT PRIMARILY IN, IN DISTRICT FOUR WORKING, BUT HE DOES NOT HAVE A, HE DOES NOT SAY NO.
AND SO I SUPPORT AND APPRECIATE WHAT HE DOES AND EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT HE CAN DO TO HELP ME IN OUR DISTRICT TO TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP, I APPLAUD HIM FOR THAT.
SO I DO WANNA PUT THAT ON THE RECORD, BUT HE WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE THAT I'M WORKING WITH TO TRY TO FIND FOLKS WHO CAN HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE, WHO MAY NOT HAVE MADE THE LIST.
AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT AND I DO WANT, UH, THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT HE IS, UH, IN, IN, IN THIS INSTANCE, COMMITTED TO, UH, HIS CALLING.
AND DEPUTY MAYOR PRO, I'D JUST LIKE TO ADD TO WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, UM, THE MISSION OF OUR DEPARTMENT.
WE, WE PROVIDE THESE TOOLS, THESE GAP FINANCING TOOLS TO THESE NONPROFIT DEVELOPERS.
[01:35:01]
AND WE ARE TASKING THEM TO HELP US PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, ATTAINABLE, AND EQUITABLE HOUSING TO ALL DALLAS RESIDENTS.AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT WE COME TO WORK AS PUBLIC SERVANTS.
SO WE THANK OUR DEVELOPER COMMUNITY FOR, UH, ENTRUSTING US AND WORKING WITH US, AND I DO SUPPORT THIS ITEM.
UH, MS. WILLIS, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AND THIS ITEM TOO CAUGHT MY EYE WHEN I SAW THE FORGIVABLE LOAN ASPECT OF IT, AND SO DID SOME RESEARCH AND I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE TO JAMES ARMSTRONG, TO JOE DINGMAN AND TO THEIR ORGANIZATIONS FOR HELPING US, UH, STABILIZE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING IN, IN SOME COMMUNITIES THAT REALLY HAVE ASKED FOR THAT.
AND SO, UM, MR. DINGMAN, I APPRECIATE THE LETTER THAT I BELIEVE WENT TO ALL COUNCIL.
UM, BUT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE REVENUE LOSS ON THE FORGIVABLE LOANS IS MORE THAN OFFSET BY THE 15 YEAR PROPERTY TAX STREAM TO THE CITY.
SO HOW WE CAN STABILIZE AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD AND BE, UH, GREAT CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR CITY.
I THINK THIS IS A STEP THAT, THAT HELPS THAT TO HAPPEN.
AND THEY'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS, I KNOW STAFF HAS BEEN WATCHING THIS.
I DO HEAR COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSSOHN WITH REGARD TO WATCHING HOW WE LAYER THINGS SO THAT WE CAN SERVE MORE PEOPLE.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
UM, I TOO SUPPORT THE, THE ITEM.
I WANNA THANK STAFF FOR THEIR EXPEDIENCY IN GETTING THIS DONE.
I KNOW OUR DEVELOPERS, UH, THOUGHT THAT IT TOOK QUITE SOME TIME, BUT I KNOW THERE WERE SOME PARAMETERS IN LEGAL WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAD TO WORK THROUGH IN ORDER TO GET TO THIS POINT.
UM, I ALSO AGREE THOUGH THAT WE HAVE TO WORK MORE DILIGENTLY WITH OUR APPLICANTS, UM, TO GET THEM READY TO BE HOME BUYERS.
AND WE'VE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON INCREASING PROGRAMMING TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE READY FOR THAT HOME OWNERSHIP, UH, WHEN THEY'RE AT THIS, AT THIS STATE.
AND SO THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOUR WORK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, APPROVING THIS ITEM.
ANYONE ELSE WE SHOULD SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ITEM 15? SEEING NONE.
I NOTE THE NO FROM CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSSOHN.
MR. MAYOR, I'M HAVING YOUR NEXT ITEM IS
[16. 24-383 Authorize an increase in the development loan agreement with Texas Heavenly Homes Ltd., or its affiliate (Applicant), conditioned upon the completion of a third-party underwriting for the development of the Bottom Infill, a 32-unit single-family affordable housing project located in the Bottom neighborhood of Council District 4 - Not to exceed $3,084,427.00, from $500,000.00 to $3,584,427.00 - Financing : Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds]
AGENDA ITEM 16.AGENDA ITEM 16, AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN THE DEVELOPMENT LOAN AGREEMENT WITH TEXAS HEAVENLY HOMES LTD FOR ITS AFFILIATE, OR ITS AFFILIATE APPLICANT CONDITION.
UPON THE COMPLETION OF A THIRD PARTY UNDERWRITING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTTOM INFIELD, A 32 UNIT SINGLE FAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED IN THE BOTTOM NEIGHBORHOOD OF COUNCIL DISTRICT FOUR, NOT TO EXCEED $3,084,427 FROM $500,000 TO $3,584,427.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TIMM ARNOLD, IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 16? YES, MAYOR, I MOVE TO DEFER THIS ITEM UNTIL MARCH 27TH.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DEPUTY MAYOR PROM? YES, SIR.
COUNCIL, WE HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, I STILL HAVE SOME, UH, LEGAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
UH, AND WE HAVE, UH, SOME LOOSE ENDS THAT NEED TO BE TIED UP LEGALLY.
SO I WANTED MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS DECENT IN AN ORDER ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
CHAIRMAN WEST, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES? ITEM 16.
I I WILL SUPPORT MY COLLEAGUE ON THIS.
I DID HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR STAFF IF THEY CAN COME UP HERE AND WHILE YOU'RE WALKING, I'LL JUST ASK IT.
UM, THESE, THIS, UM, ITEM IS FOR SINGLE FAMILY FOR SALE HOMES ON INFILL VACANT LOTS, CORRECT? YOU ARE CORRECT.
THAT WILL BE AFFORDABLE, CORRECT? YOU ARE CORRECT.
WELL, I WILL HOPEFULLY THAT WE, WE CAN, WE CAN GET THIS ITEM APPROVED SOON.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK, OFFER FOR AGAINST THE MOTION? HEARING NONE, SEE NONE.
YOUR NEXT ITEM IS AGENDA ITEM 17.
[17. 24-343 Authorize the Dallas Public Facility Corporation to (1) acquire, develop, and own Santa Fe Trail at Haskell located at 4000 Ash Lane, Dallas, Texas 75223, a mixed-income, multifamily development to be located at 4000 Ash Lane; and (2) enter into a seventy-five-year lease agreement with Larkspur Capital, LP, or its affiliate, for the development of the Project - Estimated Revenue Forgone: General Fund $2,609,794.00 (For 75 years; see Fiscal Information)]
17.AUTHORIZE THE DALLAS PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION TO ONE, ACQUIRE, DEVELOP, AND OWN SANTA FE TRAIL AT HASKELL.
LOCATED AT 4,000 ASH LANE, DALLAS, TEXAS 7 5 2 2 3, A MIXED INCOME, MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT TO BE LOCATED AT 4,000
[01:40:01]
ASH LANE.AND TWO, ENTER INTO A 75 YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LOCKSBURG CAPITAL LP OR ITS AFFILIATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
IS THERE A MOTION, MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SECOND.
SO WE MOVE TO SECOND A DISCUSSION.
CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON? YES, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
UM, THIS IS, UH, ANOTHER PFC THAT I WILL VOTE AGAINST AND LIKELY YOU'LL ALL VOTE FOR.
UM, IT'S A 75 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT FOR A DEVELOPER WHERE HALF OF THE UNITS WILL BE MARKET RATE.
THE OTHER HALF WILL BE AFFORDABLE, BUT ONLY 10% OF THEM WILL BE AT THE 60% AREA MEDIA INCOME OR LESS.
WE KNOW THAT THAT IS WHERE OUR ACTUAL NEED IS FOR HOUSING, 60% OR LOWER.
AND THIS IS WHERE I BELIEVE OUR INVESTMENT SHOULD BE A 75 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT MEANS WE WON'T HAVE THE INCOMING REVENUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE COMMITTED TO OUR RESIDENTS.
CHAIRMAN WEST, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 17.
UH, NOW WE COULD PROBABLY JUST PUSH REPEAT ON THIS CONVERSATION EVERY WEEK.
UH, A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF.
FIRST ONE IS, IS IS THIS ON VACANT LAND OR IS THIS A ACQUISITION OF A PROPERTY? THIS IS ON VACANT PROPERTY,
SO THERE'S REALLY VERY MINIMAL TAX REVENUE COMING FROM IT ALREADY, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
WHAT'S THAT? YES, THAT'S CORRECT.
SO WE ARE, WE'RE BASICALLY ACTIVATING A VACANT PIECE OF LAND AND WE'RE PUTTING HOUSING ON IT, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
IT WAS PREVIOUSLY ZONED LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, AND IT'S BE RECENTLY BEEN APPROVED TO BE REZONED FOR MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT.
AND HOW MANY NEW UNITS ARE WE GETTING OUT OF THIS? UH, 240 OF WHICH 120 WILL BE RESTRICTED.
OKAY, SO, UM, HALF UNITS WILL BE MARKET RATE, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND THESE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS AND THEY MAY NOT BE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES THROUGH THIS, THEN THE DEVELOPER WON'T, BUT THEY MIGHT BE PAYING SALES TAX, RIGHT? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
IF YOU HAVE, UH, 240 UNITS, JUST THE CONGREGATION OF FAMILIES IN ONE PLACE WILL START TO CREATE SOME SORT OF MULTIPLIER EFFECT WHERE THEY'LL START GENERATING SALES TAX SHOPPING NEARBY AND SO FORTH.
OUR DEVELOPERS BUILDING, UM, THESE AFFORDABLE UNITS FOR FREE, ARE THEY DOING IT OUTTA THE KINDNESS OF THEIR HEART? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
SO IF WE DON'T SUBSIDIZE 'EM IN SOME WAY, IT'S PROBABLY NOT, WE'RE NOT GONNA GET AFFORDABLE UNITS IN THE CITY, CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT, YES.
AND THIS IS A TOOL THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT BELIEVES IS, IS EFFECTIVE IN PRODUCING AFFORDABLE UNITS FOR OUR CITY? YEAH.
ESPECIALLY PROJECTS SUCH AS THIS ONE BECAUSE SO FAR TO DATE THEY'RE ONLY ASKING FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PFC PROJECT.
THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM EITHER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.
IS THERE ANY OTHER, ANY REVENUE AT ALL THAT, THAT I HAVEN'T ASKED ABOUT THAT WOULD BE COMING TO US? LIKE A, A LEASE PAYMENT OR SOME TYPE OF PAYMENT TO THE PFC? THE TYPICAL TERMS ARE PROVIDING AN ANNUAL LEASE PAYMENT TO THE PFC.
THERE'LL BE SOME OTHER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT AT CLOSING.
ALSO UPON SALE OF THE PROJECT AT SOME FUTURE DATE, THERE'D BE A MINIMUM FEES ALSO TO THE PFC IN CORPORATION.
SO THE PFC WILL BE MAKING REVENUE THAT THEY CAN THEN USE TO GENERATE NEW HOUSING, UM, UH, DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS? ABSOLUTELY, AND I THINK, UH, MS. ROGERS IS WORKING ON HOW DO WE, YOU KNOW, WORK THROUGH THOSE FUNDS WHEN THE PFC REACHES AS A POINT WHERE THEY HAVE EXCESS FUNDS BEYOND JUST THE TYPICAL NEEDED FOR OPERATIONS AS TO HOW IT WOULD GO INTO OTHER PROGRAMS TO SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS SUCH AS, UH, THE LAND BANK PROGRAM, UH, PROPERTY DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THOSE ARE THE FEW THAT WE HAVE IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT THAT ACTUALLY ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL GET TO, UH, PURCHASING A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.
UM, WHAT A MI CATEGORIES WILL BE AFFECTED WITH THE, UH, THE 120 UNITS OF, OF AFFORDABLE.
SO THE 2:00 AM I CATEGORIES THAT ARE AFFECTED ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS UP TO 60%? A MI 10% OF UNITS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE ALSO CAPPED OFF AT 80% A MI AND 40% OF THE UNITS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
I KNOW WE, THIS CHILD POVERTY ACTION LAB HAS INDICATED THAT OUR PRIMARY, UM, CATEGORY WE NEED TO FILL IS IN THE 30% A MI LEVEL.
BUT BY PROVIDING THIS LEVEL, ARE WE POTENTIALLY OPENING UP MORE, UM, UNITS AT THE 30% LEVEL? YES, SIR.
UM, THIS TOOL WAS DEVELOPED IN ORDER FOR US TO ADDRESS THE WORKFORCE HOUSING CATEGORY.
MOST OF OUR FUNDING SOURCES WILL SERVE PEOPLE BELOW 80% A MI, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOWEST AMOUNT OF A MI.
THIS PARTICULAR TOOL IS FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING.
THAT'S HOW IT WAS WRITTEN AT IN, ITS IN, ITS IN ENTIRETY IN ITS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT.
[01:45:01]
UH, CONTINUE TO USE IT.AND WE KNOW WE NEED WORKFORCE HOUSING AS WELL AS WE NEED FOLKS AT 30% OR BELOW.
AND I'LL JUST CLOSE WITH THIS.
UM, I, I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
I'VE SUPPORTED MOST PFC PROJECTS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD HERE.
I DO HEAR MY COLLEAGUES' CONCERN ON WHAT ARE THE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON OUR PFC AT SOME POINT WE, WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR OVERALL PICTURE IS OF LOST REVENUE TO THE CITY.
AND I'VE ALREADY ASKED, UH, MR. IRELAND TO INCLUDE THAT FINANCIAL PIECE OF THIS IN AN UPDATE TO GPFM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
ANYONE ELSE BEFORE I GO BACK TO CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON? CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
UM, YOU MENTIONED THE FEES THAT WOULD BE PAID TO THE PFC.
ARE THESE ABLE TO BE USED FOR OUR PARKS, OUR LIBRARIES, OUR STREETS, PUBLIC SAFETY? SO I, I DON'T THINK MS. ALEX'S REACHED THE POINT TO WHERE SHE'S DETERMINED HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE GONNA BE TRIBUTED WITHIN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MUCH LESS, YOU KNOW, PROJECTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FEES THAT ARE PAID INTO THE PSC ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO BE USED BY THE PSC, CORRECT? THEY, THEY'RE TO BE USED FOR WHAT WE DO IN THE AFFORDABLE IN, IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S HOW IT WAS STRUCTURED IS THAT ANY, ANY ACTIVITIES THAT WE DO IN HOUSING THOSE, THOSE FEES CAN PAY FOR THAT.
SO THE FEES PAID TO THE PFC ARE NOT ABLE TO BE USED FOR PARKS, LIBRARIES, STREETS, PUBLIC SAFETY? UH, YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A LEGAL QUESTION.
UH, I CAN'T, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT BECAUSE WHAT PFCS DO BEYOND WHAT WE DO.
DOES THE CITY ATTORNEY HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT? I'M GONNA ASK WILL SANCHEZ TO COME UP, BUT YOUR QUESTION IS, DOES THE FEES PAID TO THE PFC, CAN THEY BE USED TOWARDS CITY PROJECTS? IS THAT THE QUESTION? I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE PFC, WHAT THE INTENT OF THE, OF THE MONEY IS GONNA, WELL, SPECIFICALLY THIS PFC, THE, THE FUNDS PAID TO THIS PFC WERE TARGETED TO BE REUSED FOR ALL HOUSING ACTIVITIES THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT DOES.
IN GENERAL, WHAT A PFC DOES? I, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
MAY I'LL GET YOU THAT ANSWER THOUGH.
THESE FEES, WILL THEY BE USED, THESE FEES WILL BE USED ON OTHER HOUSING ACTIVITIES, SO THEY WILL NOT BE USED FOR THE SOURCES THAT I ASKED? NO MA'AM.
OH, CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON HOLD.
I THINK MAG GODFREY WANTED TO SAY SURE.
SOMETHING WHILE WILLOW IS MAKING HER WAY UP TOO.
OKAY, GOOD, GOOD, GOOD MORNING HONOR
UM, JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT ANY, ANY HOUSING ACTIVITY WOULD INCLUDE INFRASTRUCTURE.
UH, AND SO IT WOULD PAY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THAT SPECIFIC HOUSING, UH, PROJECT.
UH, SO IT, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, THE NOTION THAT THERE'S AN INITIATION FEE AND, AND I WANT ROB, UH, YOU KNOW, I, I WANT THE TEAM TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
THERE'S AN INITIATION FEE THAT GOES BACK TO THE PFC.
IF THERE IS AN EARLY SALE OF THAT PROPERTY, A PORTION GOES BACK TO THE PFC.
AND ALL OF THOSE ARE PUT BACK INTO, UH, PFC ACTIVITIES INCLUDING HOUSING PROJECTS AND INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL.
SO TO CLARIFY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS FOR THE ACTUAL BUILDING THAT IT'S SERVING, NOT FOR STREETS THAT ARE NEARBY OR PARKS THAT ARE NEARBY.
IS THAT CORRECT? IT, IT, IT COULD BE DRIVEWAYS, UH, SIDEWALKS RIGHT NEXT TO THE PFC UH, PROJECT TELL.
SO IT'S ONLY ON THEIR LAND IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? CORRECT.
IT CANNOT BE BEYOND, BEYOND THAT FACILITY.
SO THE POINT, UNLESS, UNLESS THERE'S MITIGATIONS NEEDED AS PART OF THAT PFC PROJECT.
SO THE POINT THAT I'M MAKING IS THAT THE REVENUE THAT WE'RE NOT RECEIVING INTO OUR GENERAL FUND THAT WOULD BE EXPENDED ON THESE ITEMS, WON'T BE COMING TO US, WOULD STAY IN HOUSING, WHICH I'M NOT SAYING IS A BAD THING THAT WE ARE DEVELOPING HOUSING, BUT IT IS TRANSFERRING MONEY THAT WE WOULD OTHERWISE RECEIVE TO, UM, CHAIRMAN WEST POINT ABOUT SALES TAX, I THINK HE WAS TRYING TO SAY THAT RESIDENTS THAT WILL COME AND LIVE THERE WILL SPEND MONEY IN THE CITY.
BUT ACTUALLY WHEN THIS PROJECT IS BEING BUILT, WILL THE DEVELOPER BE PAYING SALES TAX ON THOSE MATERIALS OR ARE THEY EXEMPTED? THE DEVELOPER WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM SALES TAX AND A PORTION OF THAT SALES TAX WILL GO TO THE PFC CORPORATION TO BE PLACED INTO THE POOL OF FUNDS THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL USE FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
AND THEN THE LOCATION OF THIS IS ON HASKELL, IS THAT RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
SO THIS IS A KEY PIECE OF LAND IN OUR CITY.
IT IS CURRENTLY VACANT, BUT AGAIN, THE POINT IS NOT THE
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ACTUAL DOLLARS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING TODAY FOR VACANT LAND VERSUS SOMETHING THAT'S BUILT, WHICH AGAIN WILL HAVE ZERO PROPERTY TAXES.WE'RE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT A VACANT PIECE OF LAND AND AN OPPORTUNITY COST THAT'S MISSED WHERE WE WOULD RECEIVE SIGNIFICANT AVALOR TAXES THAT WOULD HELP BENEFIT ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY.
AND SO THIS IS JUST ONCE AGAIN, ANOTHER, YOU KNOW, I MEAN WE'RE OVER A DOZEN OF THESE PFCS AT THIS POINT, AND I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE THE CALCULATION ON HOW MUCH WE'RE LOSING EVERY SINGLE YEAR COMING TO OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
AND AS WE STRUGGLE AND WE WILL BE STRUGGLING WITH OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU HAVE VOTED FOR 75 YEARS TO GIVE UP THESE AVAL ALARM TAXES.
AND SO I JUST THINK IT'S FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO NOT EVEN HAVE A LIMIT ON HOW MANY OF THESE WILL DO WHEN WE'RE NOT CREATING THE KIND OF HOUSING THAT WE ACTUALLY NEED ACCORDING TO CHILD POVERTY ACTION LAB.
THANK YOU CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.
IS THIS, I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THIS AREA TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE A CATALYTIC PROJECT? YEAH, WE, WE DO.
UH, THAT'S ONE OF THE INITIAL STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS DETERMINING THE SITE, HOW IT'S IMPACTING WHAT'S GOING ON IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, OTHER PUBLIC PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE CITY, WHETHER IT'S THE CITY OF DALLAS OR DART AND SO FORTH.
WELL, I KNOW, BUT WHAT I'M ASKING REALLY IS IN THIS PARTICULAR DISTRICT, I MEAN THERE'S SOME, I KNOW I HAVE I THINK THREE OR FOUR NOW IN DISTRICT 11 THAT ARE NOT CATALYTIC PROJECTS.
THEY'RE FILLING IN IMPORTANT WORKFORCE HOUSING.
THIS CASE, I'M ASKING WHETHER OR NOT TO CHAIR MENDELSSOHN'S POINT, IF THIS IS AN AREA THAT'S UNDERDEVELOPED AND THAT IF THIS DEVELOPMENT COMES IN, IS IT GONNA SPUR MORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE PAYING FULL, YOU KNOW, TAXES AND ALL OF THAT? THAT RIGHT NOW IT'S PR IT'S ALMOST PROVING A MARKET POINT, UH, FOR THE REST OF THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, WHICH WE KNOW BY NATURE IS VERY CAUTIOUS.
SO AS WE KNOW IN MOST OF OUR DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, ANYTIME THAT WE DO DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, IT DOES SPUR OTHER ACTIVITIES TO GO ON, PARTICULARLY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND OR OTHER INFIELD TYPE ACTIVITIES WITH NEW HOUSING, NEW RESIDENTS AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT COME WITH ECONOMIC GROWTH.
SO THEN WHAT WE, I THINK TO, AGAIN, TO SHARE MENDELSOHN'S POINT, AS WE LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE OF THE PFC MODEL, WHICH IS JUST ONE TOOL, AND THIS TOOL IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETING WORKFORCE HOUSING.
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, UH, TO BE FOCUSING ON OUR LOWEST A MI LEVELS.
THERE ARE MANY OTHER TOOLS FOR THAT, SUCH AS FEDERAL MONEY AND OTHERS.
THIS IS NOT INTENDED FOR THAT.
SO I, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DON'T CONFLATE THE TWO AND WE UNDERSTAND OUR VARIOUS MECHANISMS TO MOVE THE ENTIRE 80 PLUS THOUSAND NEEDLE THAT CPAL IN THEIR REPORT HAS MENTIONED.
BUT IN, IN THESE CASES, THEN I DO THINK THAT IT MIGHT BE WORTH IT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND AS WE LOOK AT THE CHART THAT SHE WANTS.
AND I THINK IT'S A TOTALLY, AND IN GPFM APPROPRIATE REQUEST, THEN WE ALSO LOOK AT THE OVERALL WAVES OF IMPACT THAT IT'S GOING TO HAVE OVER THE AREA.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF RIGHT NOW THE, THE FOREGONE REVENUE IS 2 MILLION BECAUSE THE, IT'S JUST AN EMPTY LOT, RIGHT? AND YES, IT MAY BE A LOT MORE POTENTIALLY, BUT WHAT AROUND IT, HOW ARE WE, HOW, WHAT'S THE RIPPLE IN TERMS OF THE INCREASED VALUE ALL AROUND IT THAT THIS MAY CAUSE? SO IT CAN OFFSET QUITE A BIT OF THAT, UH, INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE MAKING, UH, FOR THIS TIME PERIOD.
SO LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE LOOK AT THIS HOLISTICALLY.
WE WILL START TO LOOK AT HOW THESE, UH, WE WILL START TO LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND AS THESE DEVELOPMENTS GO UP, AS WELL AS WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE.
AND, UH, GIVE A REPORT ON THAT WHEN WE, WHEN WE HAVE THEM IN, THEY'RE FURTHER ALONG.
'CAUSE MANY OF THEM ARE SO NEW.
AND I THINK ALSO NOW THAT THE CITY MANAGER HAS STOOD UP THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AREAS, THAT WILL BE A GREAT RESOURCE FOR YOU.
SO IT'S NOT ENTIRELY ON YOU TO LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT OF HOUSING.
I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE, BUT IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ADAM 17 BEFORE WE HAVE A RECORD VOTE, WHICH WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO DO, UM, AS A ROLL CALL.
SO MADAM SECRETARY, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND AND INITIATE THE ROLL CALL.
THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, NO IF YOU'RE OPPOSED.
DEPUTY MAYOR PROAM ARNOLD? YES.
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MEMBER RESENDEZ? YES.COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DUA? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY WITH 14.
[18. 24-379 Authorize the ratification of a resolution for the architectural and engineering professional services contract for emergency design of 1950 Forth Worth Avenue - Kirksey Architects Inc., dba Kirksey Architecture, most qualified bidder of two - Not to exceed $536,186.00 - Financing: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund]
NEXT ITEM, THIS AGENDA ITEMAUTHORIZE THE RATIFICATION OF A RESOLUTION FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR EMERGENCY DESIGN OF 1 9 5 0 FORT WORTH AVENUE.
DBA KIRKSEY KIRKSEY ARCHITECT, MOST QUALIFIED BIDDER OF TWO, NOT TO EXCEED $536,186.
THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST AND COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? CHAIRMAN MORENO, CHAIRMAN WEST.
UM, COUPLE QUESTIONS AND THEN SOME COMMENTS.
UM, THIS PROPERTY, UH, WAS BOUGHT BY THE CITY THREE YEARS AGO IN MY DISTRICT.
UM, AND TO THEIR CREDIT, THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT ONE WHO LIVE NEARBY RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
AND THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THE PURCHASE DESPITE A LOT OF HEARTACHE AND A LOT OF CON HARD CONVERSATIONS IN DISTRICT ONE, UM, TO SORT OF OVERCOME THE FEAR OF BRINGING THIS TYPE OF PROJECT INTO DISTRICT ONE.
UM, BUT SINCE THIS WAS BOUGHT THREE YEARS AGO, UM, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF MISSTEPS.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DELAYS THAT HAVE PREVENTED ANY PROGRESS OF THIS PROJECT.
UM, IT'S A REAL SHAME BECAUSE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS MUCH NEEDED TO, TO FURTHER OUR HOMELESSNESS GOALS IN THE CITY.
UM, AT THIS POINT, THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT, IN MY OPINION, LIES WITH THE CITY'S ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND EXPERIENCED HIGH QUALITY PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPER AND FACILITATOR.
UM, AND I'M CONCERNED WITH THIS ITEM, UM, BECAUSE OF STAFF'S INSISTENCE ON ENGAGING ITS OWN ARCHITECT, UM, AND DOING SO FIVE OR MORE MONTHS BEFORE A PROJECT DEVELOPER IS SELECTED.
SO WE GOT THE ARCHITECT, WE'RE APPROVING THAT, AND THEM THEORETICALLY DOING DESIGN WORK BEFORE THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO USE IT, UM, WOULD ACTUALLY BE AT THE TABLE.
SO MY QUESTIONS TO STAFF ARE GONNA BE TO MAKE MYSELF SO AS I DO WANNA SUPPORT THIS, I WANNA MOVE THIS FORWARD, BUT IT'S TO MAKE MYSELF AND HOPEFULLY MAKE MY COMMUNITY AND OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS FEEL BETTER.
SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE SCOPE OF THE WORK THAT KIRKSEY, UM, WILL BE LIMITED TO PRIOR TO THE SELECTION AND ENGAGEMENT OF A DEVELOPER THROUGH THE NOFA PROCESS.
DARWIN WADE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, KIRKSEY ARCHITECTS, THEY WILL BE ONLY RIGHT NOW AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS DOING PRELIMINARY WORK, MEANING ASSESSING THE SITE, UH, DETERMINING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS THAT WILL BE REHABILITATED FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, UH, PROJECT.
AND I CAN ALSO ASSURE YOU AND THE CONSTITUENTS THAT THE ARCHITECT WILL COLLABORATE, COLLABORATE.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEVELOPER ONCE THE DEVELOPER IS SELECTED AND THEY HAVE GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO THAT AND THEY ARE WILLING TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS AND WE WILL ENSURE THAT HAPPENS AS THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S, UH, OVERSEEING THIS PROJECT.
THE REDEVELOPMENT PIECE, WHAT, TWO QUESTION ONE FOLLOW UP TO THAT.
UM, HOW CAN THE ARCHITECT DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS WHEN THE PROJECT DEVELOPER, THE FACILITATOR ISN'T SELECTED YET? HOW CAN WE, BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MANY, DOES THE ARCHITECT GONNA KNOW HOW MANY SQUARE FOOT THEY NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF PROJECT? SO WE HAVE A FLOOR OF WHERE THEY START, WHICH IS 40 UNITS.
THAT'S WHAT'S PUT INTO THEIR AGREEMENT.
BUT AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY'LL BE COLLABORATING WITH A DEVELOPER AND, AND AGAIN, THIS, UH, PROPOSAL CLOSES MARCH 11TH, THAT'S ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY WHERE WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THE DEVELOPER IN VERY QUICKLY AND START WORKING WITH THE A AND E COMPANY VERY, VERY QUICKLY.
BUT THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE STARTING.
IT'S NOT, THEY'RE GONNA MAKE A FINAL DETERMINATION ON ALL THE UNITS THAT NEED TO BE THERE.
THEY'RE GONNA WORK WITH THE DEVELOPER TO MAKE THAT FINAL DETERMINATION.
AND I'LL JUST ADD TO THAT ALSO, UM, AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, I BELIEVE IT'S FEBRUARY THE 27TH, WE WILL HAVE OUR FINAL PRE-SUBMISSION MEETING WITH OUR INTERESTED DEVELOPERS AND OPERATORS.
AND SO AS PART OF THAT AGENDA OR
[02:00:01]
THAT ITINERARY, WE WILL BRING ON THE ARCHITECT.THEY WILL BE PART OF THAT ITINERARY AND THERE WILL BE COMMUNICATION WITH THE ARCHITECT AS WELL AS THE INTERESTED DEVELOPERS AND OPERATORS TO TALK ABOUT THESE VERY THINGS.
SO EVEN BEFORE THE OPERATOR SELECTED, THE ARCHITECT WILL BE TALKING TO EVERYBODY WHO'S IN THE POOL TO UNDERSTAND, HEY, YOU KNOW,
I I WOULD FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT THE ARCHITECT DECIDING ON THE NUMBER OF UNITS WITHOUT BEFORE WE GET THERE THOUGH.
SO I, I'D HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.
I JUST NEED TO GET THOSE QUESTIONS OUT.
AND I, I WOULD JUST SAY FOR THE PROCESS FOR THE FUTURE, AND YOU'RE JUST THE MESSENGER I'M, 'CAUSE YOU GUYS CAME IN LATE AND I'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY SINCE YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS.
UM, BUT I DON'T LIKE THIS PROCESS OF SELECTING THE ARCHITECT BEFORE THE PROJECT.
I THINK THE PROJECT DEVELOPERS SHOULD SELECT THEIR OWN ARCHITECT.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE IN THEIR POSITION.
'CAUSE I WANNA GET THIS PROJECT MOVING.
UM, AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL DO THE SAME.
CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT.
WHAT HAPPENED? THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.
SO IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE CITY'S ASSET AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ITS RESIDENTS WITH THIS PROPERTY, WE DEEMED IT A, AN EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT TO ADDRESS ALL OF THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS THAT WE WERE HAVING WITH THE PROPERTY SITE.
THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BREAK-INS, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF VANDALISM EVENTS, UH, FIRES SET BY, UH, UM, HOMELESS RESIDENTS THAT, THAT WERE LIVING IN THE BASEMENT OF THE AREA.
SO IN ORDER TO, UH, ENSURE THE PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, TO ENSURE THAT WE PRESERVE THE ASSET DUE TO, UM, UH, RAIN, WHATEVER WEATHER RELATED ISSUES THAT WERE GOING ON WITH THE PROPERTY, WE DEEMED IT NECESSARY TO, UH, INITIATE AN EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT.
WHICH IS WHY WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH, UH, TO GET THIS WHERE THE, TO GET US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
SO I'M NOT SURE THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU, BUT WHY WOULD IT SUDDENLY BE AN EMERGENCY AFTER THREE YEARS IS MY QUESTION? WELL, I WILL, I WILL SAY THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS, YOU KNOW, FALSE STARTS AS COUNCILMAN UH, WES INDICATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH, UH, JUST TRYING TO FIND A FACILITATOR, AN OPERATOR, DEVELOPER.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ISSUES, NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS PROJECT UP AND RUNNING.
AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE THREE, FOUR YEAR DELAY IS SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.
AND IF IT WAS AN EMERGENCY, WHY IT WAS AN EMERGENCY THREE YEARS AGO, UH, THAT THAT'S KINDA WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE RIGHT NOW.
BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW WE FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY TO, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY, TO ADDRESS HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS IN COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE.
UH, AND SO WE DEEMED AN EMERGENCY SO WE CAN GET THROUGH WITH THE PROJECT AND GET THE PROJECT SUCCESSFUL, AND HAVE THE PROJECT HOUSING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND PROVIDING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AS YOU ARE ADVOCATE FOR CHRISTINE CROSLEY, OFFICE OF HOMELESS SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR.
JUST TO ADD TO THAT, WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THIS AS AN EMERGENCY, UM, EMERGENCY PROCESS AND, UH, WORKING WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS ON THAT QUALIFICATION, EVERYTHING DARWIN JUST TALKED ABOUT, OF COURSE, HOMELESSNESS IS AN EMERGENCY, BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, THIS BUILDING ITSELF, AND THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS, UH, TAKEN A LONG TIME BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS ISSUES COUNCIL MEMBER WEST REFERRED TO.
UM, AND SO THERE IS A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET THIS PROJECT, UH, FINISHED BECAUSE OF THE VACANCY IN THE BUILDING AND THE THINGS IT'S DOING, UH, AND THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE SPENDING TO KEEP IT SECURED.
IF YOU HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, I DON'T THINK HIRING AN ARCHITECT IS GONNA SOLVE THAT.
SECOND, I HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THIS BECAUSE OF COURSE, WE PURCHASED A PROPERTY IN DISTRICT 12 AT THE SAME TIME, AT THE SAME DAY, AT THE SAME MEETING.
THE PROPERTY IN DISTRICT 12 WAS IMMEDIATELY OPENED, HAS SERVED HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF HOMELESS FAMILIES.
BUT EVEN THAT FACILITY NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CORRECT ENVIRONMENT THAT THAT PARTICULAR OPERATOR NEEDED.
AND TO THE POINT THAT CHAIRMAN WEST IS MAKING IS WE DON'T EVEN HAVE AN OPERATOR SELECTED.
HOW WOULD THEY KNOW WHAT COMMON SPACE MIGHT BE NEEDED AS OPPOSED TO INDIVIDUAL UNITS? I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
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UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE SO LATE IN THE GAME.I MEAN, THIS, THIS SEEMS TO BE LIKE EVERY SINGLE HICCUP THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED OVER THREE YEARS.
AND I THINK CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU, UM, AS THE HOUSING CHAIR, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE MEETING.
LOTS OF MEDIA COVERAGE, BUT THREE YEARS OF AN EMPTY BUILDING WHEN WE SAY WE HAVE A HOMELESS CRISIS, AND THIS IS JUST, THIS IS, THIS IS EMBARRASSING FOR OUR CITY, AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE CONTINUING IT BY NOW, HIRING AN ARCHITECT BEFORE WE EVEN HAVE THE OPERATOR TO KNOW WHAT IT'S GONNA BE.
AND I'M, AGAIN, NOT SURE HOW AN ARCHITECT IS GONNA ACTUALLY ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO I, I, I'M GONNA DEFER TO CHAIRMAN WEST, BUT IF HE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO DELAY THIS, I WOULD DEFINITELY SECOND THAT EMOTION.
THAT THAT MOTION
UM, CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU'RE RIGHT.
I WANNA THANK STAFF FOR ACTING WITH URGENCY.
THANK YOU'VE HEARD OUR COLLEAGUES AROUND THIS HORSESHOE THAT WE WANNA MOVE ON THIS PROJECT.
AND I HAVE FAITH THAT THE ARCHITECT IS GONNA WORK COLLABORATIVELY, UH, WITH WHATEVER PROVIDER PARTNER COMES IN, UH, WITH STAFF.
UM, I DO ASK STAFF TO BE THAT MEDIATOR TO ENSURE THAT CONSTANT COMMUNICATION IS HAPPENING HAPPENING.
BUT I DO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIMELINE THAT Y'ALL HAVE PROVIDED.
WE'VE ASKED YOU TO, UH, DO THAT IN, IN A, UM, SOONER THAN LATER.
AND SO I JUST WANNA THANK Y'ALL FOR, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION HAPPENING AND, AND GETTING INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED THAT HOUSING, UM, IN, IN THOSE BEDS.
UH, CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES, WE'RE ON ITEM 18 FOR THE PUBLIC.
MR. MAYOR, WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF DESIGNATING THIS CONTRACT ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? DO YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT? IF THE ATTORNEYS, YEAH.
SO, AND AS WE TO, TO KIND OF GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND ON, ON THIS CONTRACT, RIGHT, UM, INITIALLY THIS WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS BEFORE COUNCIL IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR.
AND WE HAD THOSE ISSUES WITH THE PROCUREMENT.
SO IN AN EFFORT TO, UM, TO HAVE THIS ITEM, YOU KNOW, PUSH FORWARD, WE DEEMED IT AN EMERGENCY DUE TO ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT CHRISTINE WAS DEALING WITH, UH, AROUND THE SAFETY, AROUND VANDALISM, AROUND SECURITY AND FENCING.
UH, SO IN ORDER TO PROCEED WITH, WITH THIS ITEM, WE DEEMED IT AN EMERGENCY.
WE WENT THROUGH THE CITY'S INTERNAL PROCUREMENT PROCESSES TO PUSH THIS ITEM AS AN EMERGENCY ITEM.
WHEN, WHEN YOU SEE THE A AND E, UH, THE A AND E AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL RFQ THAT WAS SUBMITTED FOR THE A AND E FIRM, WE REQUIRE THE A AND E FIRM TO COLLABORATE WITH THE SUB CITY SELECTED DEVELOPER.
NONE OF THAT IS ANSWERING MY QUESTION.
MY QUESTION IS, HOW DID THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS CHANGE BY DESIGNATING THIS AN EMERGENCY CONTRACT? I NOTICED THAT IT WAS COMPETITIVELY BID.
SO THIS WASN'T MADE A NO BID CONTRACT.
SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EMERGENCY CONTRACT AND A NORMAL CONTRACT? THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
DANIELLE THOMPSON, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES.
SO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRADITIONAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND AN EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT PROCESS, UM, THE PROCESS IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME.
HOWEVER, THE DESIGNATION FOR WHY WE PROCEED WITH AN EMERGENCY IN THE EXPEDITED PROCESS IS OUTLINED IN THE, THE CODE AT BASICALLY STATING IT HAS TO BE A PUBLIC CALAMITY.
UH, THERE HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF NECESSARY DANGER TO PUBLIC HEALTH TO ONE OF OUR ASSETS, AS HE STATED.
SO, BECAUSE THIS WAS, UH, DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, THERE WAS A PUBLIC ISSUE WITH THE HEALTH, WE MOVED ON EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT, BUT THAT DOES NOT NULLIFY THAT THE PROCESS WAS FOLLOWED.
IT WAS AN EXPEDITED PROCESS BECAUSE THIS WAS IN FACT DEEMED AN EMERGENCY.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, YOU JUST GAVE THIS CONTRACT PROCUREMENT A, AN EXPEDITED REVIEW ABOVE OTHER PROJECTS THAT MIGHT HAVE COME IN BEFORE THIS ONE.
THAT'S ALL THAT MEANS THAT IT WAS DONE ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS.
IT DIDN'T AFFECT THE BIDDING PROCESS OR ANYTHING ELSE? NO.
SO AGAIN, THIS DOES NOT NULLIFY ANY OF THE PROCESSES.
WE STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, BUT BECAUSE IT'S DEEMED AN EMERGENCY, THERE IS AN ESCALATED EFFORT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD IMMEDIATELY TO, TO ADDRESS THE EMERGENCY.
SO I DON'T SEE ANY DOWNSIDE TO THIS HAVING BEEN DESIGNATED IN EMERGENCY IF ALL THAT DID
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WAS ACCELERATE THE PROCESS, THE SAME PROCESS THAT'S USED FOR REGULAR CONTRACTS.UH, SO I DON'T SEE THAT AS A BIG ISSUE.
I AM INTERESTED TO KNOW IF STAFF HAS DEVELOPED A BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THIS PROJECT TO PROVIDE TO THE ARCHITECT TO GUIDE THEIR DESIGN WORK.
SO THERE IS A PRELIMINARY, PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLAN THAT WAS INITIATED BY A FORMER, UM, A E FIRM BC WORKSHOP.
SO THE DESIGN FIRM AND THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE SEEKING TO, UH, SUBMIT PROPOSALS THROUGH THE NOFA PROCESS FOR THE REHABILITATION.
AND THEY DO HAVE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS, HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE REQUIRED COLLABORATION WITH THE NEW PLANS THAT YEAH, I UNDERSTAND.
BUT WHAT ABOUT A PROGRAM FOR THE BUILDING THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, SPECIFIES SQUARE FOOTAGE, NUMBER OF UNITS, NUMBER OF COMMON AREAS, UM, WHAT YOU WANT TO USE THE BUILDING FOR.
THAT'S WHAT AN ARCHITECT CONSIDERS A BUILDING PROGRAM.
SO, SO WE, WE DO HAVE THAT, AND THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE, UH, RFQ DOCUMENTS THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE, UM, UH, ARCHITECTURAL FIRM.
AND THAT IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE NOFA THAT IS PROVIDED TO THE DEVELOPERS AND CONTRACTING TEAM.
SO THE ARCHITECT IS NOT FREE TO START FROM SCRATCH AND DEVELOP SOME TAJ MAHAL THERE.
THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN AND THE BUILDING PROGRAM SO THAT WE GET WHAT WE WANT, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE DEVELOPER IS.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ITEM 18? I DON'T SEE ANY.
YOUR NEXT ITEM IS AGENDA ITEM 27.
AUTHORIZE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH PLEASE QUIET OUT.
WE'LL TAKE A TWO MINUTE RECESS WHILE WE CLEAR THE GALLERY PLEASE.
ALRIGHT, THIS MEANS BACK IN SESSION.
THANK YOU FOR THE TWO MINUTE RECESS, MADAM SECRETARY, GO AHEAD.
[27. 24-172 Authorize a master cooperative agreement with Staples to provide critical non-food items, such as period products, diapers, adult diapers and other hygiene items for distribution in high needs communities or to residents for the period February 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025 - Not to exceed $700,000.00 - Financing: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund ($300,000.00) and Equity Fund ($400,000.00)]
AUTHORIZE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH STAPLES TO PROVIDE CRITICAL NON-FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS PERIOD PRODUCTS, DIAPERS, ADULT DIAPERS, AND OTHER HYGIENE ITEMS FOR DISTRIBUTION IN HIGH NEEDS COMMUNITIES OR TO RESIDENTS FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 1ST, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, NOT TO EXCEED $700,000.THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON.
SO MOVED IN SECOND DISCUSSION.
CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
UM, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS AGENDA ITEM IS.
SO IS IT THAT WE'RE ALLOCATING $700,000 TO BUY TAMPONS AND PADS FOR PEOPLE? HI, JESSICA GALLAD, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE.
UM, THE CON, ESSENTIALLY WHAT THIS AGENDA ITEM IS DOING IS IT IS HELPING US, UM, WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTING TO TRANSITION TO A VENDOR, UM, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE PRIOR VENDOR, UH, FOR OUR PAD PROGRAM.
SO IT'S NOT AN ALLOCATION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
UH, THESE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE ALREADY COMMITTED FOR THE PROJECT, UM, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY CREATING A NEW VENDOR OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE, UM, SUSTAINED, UH, PROGRAMMING AND RELIABILITY THROUGH THE END OF THE PROGRAM TERM.
AND WHEN IS THE END OF THE PROGRAM TERM? SO THE PROGRAM, WE'RE WORKING ON OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN.
AND IN FACT, WE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS DURING THE, WE MEETING, UH, EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING AS WE HAD ORIGINALLY KIND OF DISCUSSED FROM THE INITIAL, UM, INITIATION OF THE PROJECT.
WE'RE HOPING TO TRANSITION, UH, THE PROGRAM INTO ITS SUSTAINABLE PHASE, UM, WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, UH, IN 2025.
SO DOES IT END THIS FISCAL YEAR? UM, NO MA'AM.
SO IT ENDS THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 25.
WELL, IT'S, UH, TERMS THROUGH THE END OF THE ANNUAL YEAR, THE CALENDAR YEAR OF 2025 TO ALIGN WITH ARPA UM, SPENDING.
OKAY, SO I'M GONNA VOTE AGAINST THIS.
THE THING IS THAT I AM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF, OF, UM, FEMININE HYGIENE, RIGHT? I THINK ALL WOMEN UNDERSTAND THIS ISSUE.
HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK IT'S THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE PAYING FOR THIS.
AND AS WE HAVE SPENT SO MANY MONTHS TALKING ABOUT
[02:15:01]
THE URGENT NEEDS ACROSS OUR CITY, HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY COME DOWN AND TALK ABOUT THIS ONE.BUT I KNOW ABOUT OUR UNFUNDED PENSION.
I KNOW ABOUT THE CONDITION OF OUR STREETS, I KNOW ABOUT LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT NEED DOLLARS, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT STAYING IN OUR LANE.
AND THERE ARE NONPROFITS, INCLUDING FOOD BANKS THAT ARE PROVIDING THESE RESOURCES TO FOLKS.
THE SECOND THING IS, SHOULD WE FEEL THE NEED TO TAKE ACTION IN THIS AREA? PERHAPS WE WOULD NOT USE A CONSUMABLE SOLUTION, BUT ACTUALLY A MORE SUSTAINABLE ONE.
SO THERE ARE REUSABLE, UM, AMENITIES THAT PEOPLE CAN AVAIL THEMSELVES OF.
LONG BEFORE WE HAD DISPOSABLE HYGIENE ITEMS FOR CENTURIES, WOMEN DEALT WITH THIS IN OTHER WAYS.
SO I'M, I JUST WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.
NO, I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO CONSIDER THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON.
WE NEED TO GET VERY SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT OUR JOB IS LIKE, REPLACING PLAYGROUNDS THAT ARE OUT OF DATE, FIXING STREETS, MAKING SURE THAT OUR BUILDINGS AND OTHER ASSETS ARE INTACT, MAKING SURE OUR, IT IS UP TO DATE.
BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE JUST BEYOND WHAT OUR CITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING.
AND SO I, I JUST HOPE THAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL START THINKING VERY SERIOUSLY ABOUT HOW WE'RE DOING THIS.
AND SO I JUST WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.
CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I AM NOT A SPORTS PERSON, BUT MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING IS, I THINK, A TERM THAT MEANS YOU COME BACK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED A WHILE AGO.
AND THIS ITEM HAS BEEN IN OPERATION NOW FOR QUITE A WHILE.
IT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS.
WE HAVE HEARD STORY AFTER STORY THROUGH THE WE PROGRAM THROUGH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT HOW IT'S ENABLED YOUNG WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL WHO ARE TOO EMBARRASSED, UH, TO BE ABLE TO, OTHERWISE THEY WERE STAYING HOME 'CAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS.
SO THOUGH, YES, MANY OF US MAY BE FEMALE, MOST OF US DID NOT HAVE THE, THE INEQUITY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THESE ITEMS. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
I BELIEVE THAT DALLAS STANDS FOR DIGNITY AND THAT EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR RESIDENTS DIGNITY.
AND THIS IS BEING DONE THROUGH OUR LIBRARIES, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR REC CENTERS.
AND IT WOULD BE SHAMEFUL IN FACT, ESPECIALLY SINCE THESE FUNDS ARE NOT AFFECTING ANY OF THE ITEMS THAT WERE MENTIONED PREVIOUS, PREVIOUSLY IN TERMS OF SO, UH, SOURCES, UH, TO DENY THAT AND SAY TO THEM, SORRY, YOU FIGURE IT OUT.
UM, SO I, UH, I HAVE, I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE OF US WORKING THROUGH THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAD WITH OUR VENDOR AND THAT ALSO, UH, REALLY RETOOLING THIS, WHICH I THINK DIRECTOR GALLISHAW YOU PRESENTED AND YOU PRESENTED WELL TO US, THAT WE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THIS.
AND I WANT YOU TO BE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING AND ALL THE LIVES THAT YOU'RE HELPING MAKE BETTER IN DALLAS THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.
I KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, MY OWN YOUTH COMMISSIONER IS VERY INTERESTED IN THIS, HAVING AT HER HIGH SCHOOL.
AND SO AS WE MOVE TOWARD A SORT OF ADOPTION MODEL, UH, THROUGH THE VARIOUS, UH, PARKS AND REC CENTERS, WE COULD DO THIS VERY EASILY AND BE ABLE TO HELP IN MANY WAYS.
AND I WILL, I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.
MS. BLACKMAN, YOU
UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
AND I THINK THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD WORKED ON A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, SO IT'S NOT NEW TO THIS DISCUSSION.
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS OR BETTER YET, REFRESHES OF HOW THIS PROGRAM WORKS AND ALL THE DATA THAT WE'VE COLLECTED? HEY, YES, MA'AM.
SO, UM, THE PERIOD ACCESS STATUS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY, UH, PROVIDES, UH, MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, PADS AND TAMPONS THROUGH CITY FACILITY SITES ACROSS THE CITY.
UM, IT STARTED, UM, INITIALLY WITH A HANDFUL OF SITES AND WAS ABLE TO BE EXPANDED TO ALL RECREATION CENTERS, LIBRARIES, AND, UH, COMMUNITY CENTERS, UM, OVER THE LONG TERM.
UM, THAT'S OVER 70 SITES NOW, WHERE THE PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE.
UM, THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS, UM, UPON REQUEST, UM, AND THEY CAN ALSO KIND OF BE GRABBED OUT OF THE RESTROOMS. UH, WE'VE ACTUALLY NOTICED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE A PREFERENCE FOR TAKING PRODUCTS STRAIGHT FROM THE RESTROOM, UM, AND HAVING, YOU KNOW, KNOW THE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID A DIRECT INTERACTION.
UM, SO WE'RE WORKING ON HOW WE CAN, UH, GET EVEN MORE EFFICIENT IN THAT REGARD.
UM, AS FAR AS THE DATA GOES, UH, WE HAVE REALLY LEARNED A LOT.
UM, SOME INITIAL DATA THAT WE GOT EARLY ON IN THE PROGRAM SHOWED THAT OVER 40% OF THE RESPONDENTS ACTUALLY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST, UH, MISSED TWO OR MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL OR WORK DUE TO NOT HAVING ACCESS TO PRODUCTS.
UM, AND SO THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF AN EYE-OPENING ITEM.
UM, AND WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING ON COLLECTING SOME ADDITIONAL DATA
[02:20:01]
TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND OUT, UM, UH, FROM A BIGGER SAMPLE NOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT MORE DISTRIBUTION, UM, WE'VE SEEN, UH, THAT THE MAJORITY OF PRODUCTS REQUESTED TENDS TO BE THE, THE PAD PRODUCTS.UM, WE'VE SEEN, UM, A LOT OF REQUESTS ACROSS VARIOUS AGE GROUPS, UM, THAT ACTUALLY IT DOES SKEW A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER, WHICH, UM, IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING INSIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT THE SCHOOLS AND THE INTEREST OF OUR YOUTH COMMISSION.
AND SO TAYLOR AND I ARE TALKING ABOUT THE YOUTH COMMISSION PARTNERSHIP INTO THE FUTURE AS WELL.
UM, FROM THE LAUNCH OF THIS PROGRAM, OF COURSE, THE INTENTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PHILANTHROPIES.
WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE THAT TO AN EXTENT.
UM, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE REALLY FOCUSED ON THAT SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
UM, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THIS TO GO AWAY SIMPLY BECAUSE ARPA GOES AWAY.
WE'RE VERY COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THIS CONTINUES.
UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK OF THE WE COMMITTEE AS WELL, UM, AS WE DID GET SOME COMMITMENTS TO FOLKS TO REALLY HELP US TO SUPPORT THAT SUSTAINABILITY WORK INTO THE FUTURE.
SO, UM, THE, I WANT, UM, AS FAR AS DATA GOES, UH, WE DID SEE A LARGE POPULATION OF LATINO, OR LATINA, I SHOULD SAY, AND HISPANIC, UM, INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING.
UM, OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE OF COURSE, HIGH DISTRIBUTION RATES, BUT OUR LIBRARIES ARE GROWING MONTH AFTER MONTH WE SEE A LOT MORE AND THERE'S A LOT OF ORGANIC, UM, TYPE OF INSIGHT AND REQUESTS THAT ARE COMING AS WELL.
UM, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE REQUESTING THESE THINGS ALL ACROSS THE CITY.
SO, UM, WE, WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE NECESSARILY ADDRESS THIS BODY IN A PUBLIC WAY ABOUT THIS NEED, UH, WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK, UM, EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION.
UM, WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF INQUIRIES EVEN FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES.
UM, THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING TREND ACROSS CITIES IN THE, IN THE COUNTRY.
UM, MORE AND MORE CITIES ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO PROMOTE MENSTRUAL EQUITY.
UM, AND SO, UM, OVERALL WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE PROGRAM.
UM, BUT WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'VE RECEIVED.
SO IT'S FAIR TO SAY IT'S A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.
UH, YEAH, IT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND IT'S USED AND IT IS NEEDED BECAUSE I THINK OUR DUTY IS, WHEN THERE IS A VOID IN GETTING SOMETHING DONE, WE MUST STEP IN AND AT THE TUNE OF $400,000.
AND HOW BIG IS OUR BUDGET? IT'S OVER A BILLION
I DON'T KNOW HOW 400,000 IS GONNA DO WHATEVER WAS SAID THAT WAS GONNA BE DONE, FIX OUR PENSION, WHICH IS A LITTLE BILLION DOLLAR HOLE.
SO, UM, YES, YOU HAVE HEARD ME COMMITTED IN THE WE, UH, COMMITTEE MEETING.
I, I, I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES, AGAIN, I'VE BEEN LOOKING TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE PLAN.
I HAVE DROPPED THE BALL, MY APOLOGIES, I'M BACK ON IT.
BUT I DON'T WANT THIS TO GO AWAY BECAUSE THE WILL OF THE BODY ISN'T THERE.
IT AFFECTS HALF THE POPULATION, AND WE MUST FILL A VOID BECAUSE IT IS ALSO A BUSINESS ISSUE.
WHEN PEOPLE LOSE TWO DAYS OF SCHOOL OR WORK IT, IT IS A NEEDED THING.
AND IT HAPPENS WHETHER Y'ALL WANT IT TO OR NOT FOR, FOR HALF OF OUR POPULATION.
SO, UM, I, I AM PROUD TO STAND BY THIS AND I AM ACTUALLY PROUD TO, TO WORK WITH YOU.
AND I THINK THERE'S BEEN OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE SAID THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME IN THIS, BECAUSE AGAIN, IF THERE IS A NEED, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO MEET THAT NEED.
IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT HAS TO COME FROM OUR COFFERS, BUT I THINK AS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL, WE SHOULDN'T JUST FOLD UP AND SAY WE'RE GOING HOME BECAUSE THERE'S NOT THE WILL THERE.
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THIS DONE.
AND I'M GLAD STAPLES IS GONNA BE A WILLING VENDOR.
UH, THE LAST THING YOU NEED IS A VENDOR WHO'S NOT WILLING TO PARTICIPATE, BUT I DO THINK YOU HAVE AT LEAST ME IN HELPING YOU, UH, ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND NOT JUST FOLD UP SHOP, BECAUSE IT IS, IT'S A NEEDED THING.
DUA, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 27.
UM, JESSICA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.
UM, ALSO THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKMAN, UH, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE YOUTH COMMISSION, UM, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK IT, THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.
UM, I HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOL, UH, DAUGHTER WHO CAME TO ME AND ASKED ME TO MAKE A DONATION TO A CHARITY ONLINE FOR PERIOD POVERTY.
AND, UM, THAT OPENED OUR EYES, UH, A LOT TO, UM, JUST HEARING FROM A YOUNG PERSON TO COME HOME AND SEE THAT SHE HAS SEEN THIS BE AN ISSUE WITH PEOPLE THAT SHE GOES TO SCHOOL WITH, UM, WANTING TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.
TO ME THAT, THAT SAYS A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE MENTIONED THAT THE DATA AND WHERE IT IS.
I REMEMBER AS A TEACHER THIS BEING AN ISSUE, UM, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CONVERTED INTO
[02:25:01]
THE, THE CLEAR BACKPACKS.I THINK THAT, THAT THE, IT IT WAS DISCUSSED A LOT MORE OPENLY AT THAT POINT.
UM, BUT THE REALITY WAS THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE, UM, AND THERE WAS A NEED THAT WASN'T BEING MET.
UM, I HAVE TALKED TO MY, UM, UH, COMMISSIONER FOR LIBRARIES AND SHE, UM, HAS MENTIONED THAT SKYLINE BRANCH LIBRARY SPECIFICALLY HAS, UM, INCREASED A LOT OF SUPPLY AND INCREASED A LOT OF USAGE OF THE LIBRARY.
IS, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT AT ALL? YEAH.
THE LIBRARIES HAVE REALLY GROWN IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION.
UM, IT IS REALLY AN ORGANIC TYPE OF, UM, GROWTH WHERE WE SEE EACH MONTH A FEW HUNDRED MORE, UM, BEING REQUESTED COLLECTIVELY IN AGGREGATE.
UM, WE HAVE DONE, YOU KNOW, SOME OUTREACH WORK, BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S ALSO PROBABLY JUST A LOT OF KIND OF ORGANIC, UM, TYPE, UH, WHEN PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT IT AND WHEN THEY, UM, COMMUNICATED OR SHARE IT WITH THEIR FRIENDS.
UM, SO WE HAVE DEFINITELY SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH.
UM, WE'RE, OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS, OF COURSE, HAVE KIND OF ALWAYS BEEN LEADERS IN THAT WORK BECAUSE I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE KIND OF ACCUSTOMED TO THAT TYPE OF PROGRAMMING FROM A COMMUNITY CENTER, BUT LIBRARIES MIGHT BE ON THEIR WAY TO EVEN OVERTAKE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY CENTERS.
AND, UM, I'M, I KNOW I USED TO TEACH AT SKYLINE, THE SKYLINE BRANCH LIBRARY SPECIFICALLY IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR WHEN I HEARD THE INFLUX, UH, THE AF OF AFTERSCHOOL USE, SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR THESE PRODUCTS.
UM, AND THEN OF COURSE, ALSO UTILIZING THE COMPUTERS AND, UH, AND, AND CHECKING OUT BOOKS.
AND, UM, I THINK THAT IT, IT, IT HAS OVERALL BEEN A WIN, UM, TO MEET THE NEED THAT IS THERE.
I APPLAUD YOU FOR, UH, BEING COMMITTED, UH, TO GOING TO LOOK FOR PRIVATE PARTNERS, BUT AS LONG AS, UM, THERE'S A NEED AND WE'RE ABLE TO FILL, UH, THAT NEED, I, I THINK THAT THIS IS WAY TOO IMPORTANT OF A, A PROGRAM, UH, TO MISS.
I JUST WILL ALSO ADD LOVE FIELD IS, UH, ONE OF OUR FACILITIES, RIGHT? UM, AND I'VE ACTUALLY HEARD FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THREE DIFFERENT CITIES, UH, WHEN THEY WERE EITHER LANDING OR, UM, UH, IN, UH, AT CONNECTIONS AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE COOLEST THING THAT THEY, UM, COULD SEE, AND THEY WANTED TO GO HOME AND DO SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY.
WE ALSO HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT WHO IMPLEMENTED THIS WHEN SHE WAS IN AUSTIN FOR A AUSTIN, UM, UH, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND I KNOW THAT, THAT SHE'S GONNA BE WORKING WITH US AND THAT SHE WILL PRIORITIZE THIS IN DALLAS, ISD, SO THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM MORE ROBUST AND OFF OF THE BURDEN OF THE CITY SPECIFICALLY.
UH, BUT TO JUST THROW OUR HANDS UP AND ACT AS IF THERE'S NOT A CLEAR ISSUE IN FRONT OF US THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY AS LEADERS TO SOLVE IS THE WRONG APPROACH IN MY OPINION.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
CHAIRMAN NOVAS, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
AND I'M, I'M, UH, DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT OF THIS, UM, ITEM THAT'S ON THE RECORD.
AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE PAULA BLACKMAN, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP TO BRING THIS TO US SO WE CAN START.
AND ALL THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO JOINED IN, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD SOMETHING HAPPENING.
THIS STARTED BECAUSE OF A CONVERSATION AMONGST YOUTH COMMISSIONERS AND SAYING, HELP US.
'CAUSE THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR US AS YOUTH.
AND OUR YOUTH COMMISSIONERS ARE SOME OF THE MOST BRILLIANT MINDS OF YOUTH IN OUR CITY.
AND THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION.
A LOT OF US REFER TO THEM AS THE JUNIOR CITY COUNCIL, AND WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THEM AND STOP AND LISTEN.
'CAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN ADULTS GET QUIET AND YOU LISTEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE, WE LEARN SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY SEE THE WORLD THROUGH A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES THAN WE DO AS ADULTS.
WE HAVE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN THEY DO.
THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM THAN WHAT HAPPENED TO US WHEN WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL OR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGES.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN THIS STARTED AS NOT EVEN REALLY A PILOT, BUT JUST KIND OF A, LET'S SEE WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
I WAS SHOCKED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAME TO THE WEST DALLAS FACILITIES IN ORDER TO GET, AND IT WAS THE NUMBER ONE AREA AT THAT TIME.
AND THAT REALLY SHOWED ME THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S THINGS CALLED THE PINK TAX.
I HAD NO IDEA THAT THESE ITEMS WERE TAXED.
'CAUSE I'M NOT A MENSTRUATING PERSON, THEREFORE, I DO NOT PURCHASE THESE ITEMS. I LIVE ALONE.
THEREFORE, THERE'S NOBODY IN MY HOME THAT NEEDS THESE PRODUCTS.
AS I DID MORE RESEARCH AND SAW HOW EXPENSIVE THESE PRODUCTS ARE, I WAS FLOORED THE REASON THAT THESE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS, THIS IS A MINUSCULE AMOUNT OF MONEY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, COLLEAGUES.
'CAUSE THIS IS THIS NUMBER ONE DAY REASON THAT YOUNG MENSTRUATING, PEOPLE MISS SCHOOL.
THAT'S MONEY OUT OF THE DISD AND OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ATTENDING CLASS THAT DAY.
AND NUMBER TWO, IF IT'S THE NUMBER ONE
[02:30:01]
REASON THAT ADULT MENSTRUATING PERSONS OR WORKING AGE MENSTRUATING PERSONS ARE MISSING SCHOOL, THAT IS BAD FOR BUSINESS BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S NOT AT WORK.AND THEN THAT, BUT IT JUST ADDS UP TO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE ARE DOING AND WORKING ON TO GET THAT REVENUE.
SO IF YOU WANT TO THINK OF IT FROM A REVENUE PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT IS LOST IN EVERYTHING ELSE.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT I, THE YOUTH COMMISSION IS NOW HAS A, UM, UM, LIKE A CLOSET THAT THEY'RE STARTING TO EXPAND INTO OTHER PLACES THAT, UM, MY YOUTH COMMISSIONER, MARGARITA HERNANDEZ STARTED AT PINKSTON HIGH SCHOOL, GO VIKINGS.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE, AND A LOT OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE CAME AND BROUGHT, UM, PERIOD ACCESS TYPE PRODUCTS BEFORE WE HAD A PROGRAM.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE STILL.
I MEAN, NUMBER ONE ITEM STILL TAKEN FROM THE COMMUNITY CLOSET FOR HYGIENE NUMBER ONE STILL 'CAUSE THIS, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED THAT MENSTRUATE EVERY SINGLE MONTH ABOUT.
IT DOESN'T STOP UNTIL YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE.
SO, YOU KNOW, YOU, AND THAT'S, THIS IS THE REALITY.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME DOWN TO CITY HALL TO TELL THEIR STORIES ABOUT THEIR MENSTRUATION CYCLES AND WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEN SAY, I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS PRODUCT.
I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WANNA DO THAT.
AND OUR YOUTH COMMISSIONERS TOLD US, OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE TELLING US OUR PUBLIC IS ACCESSING THIS WITH VERY LITTLE ADVERTISING ON IT.
AND I LOVE THAT YOU SAID IT'S ORGANIC 'CAUSE IT IS ORGANIC.
UM, CHAIRMAN, BASIL DUA, UM, STOLE MY THUNDER ON THIS ONE, BUT DALLAS LOVE FIELD, MR. MAYOR WAS THE FIRST TO DO THIS ON THEIR OWN.
AND EVER SINCE THEY STARTED IT, I KID YOU NOT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE DAY, AT LEAST ONE OR MULTIPLE PEOPLE PLACE IT ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA WITH APPLAUSE FOR DALLAS LOVE FIELD.
THEY MIGHT TELL THEIR EXPERIENCE, WHATEVER.
IT'S, THEY PUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THERE'S A REASON THAT DALLAS LOVE FIELD IS THE NUMBER ONE AIRPORT IN THE NATION.
IT'S BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE THERE.
AND THIS ONE OF THE, ONE OF THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE.
'CAUSE I'VE GONE INTO OTHER AIRPORTS TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT GETTING AN EMERGENCY, UM, MENSTRUATING PRODUCT COST IN ONE OF THE STORES.
IT'S RIDICULOUS A COST AS MUCH AS A BOX.
SO IT'S LIKE, AND WE'RE GIVING IT FOR FREE AND PEOPLE LOVE THAT.
IT MAKES THEM WANT TO USE LOVE FIELD EVEN MORE.
THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO.
AND THANK YOU, UM, CHAIR BLACKMAN FOR SAYING THAT YOU, YOUR COMMITMENT TO GETTING THIS TO BE SUSTAINABLE AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND ANYONE ELSE PERMISS TO SPEAK ON BEFORE AGAIN.
MADAM SECRETARY, UH, WE HAVE DUAL ROLL CALL.
THANK YOU MR. MAYOR, WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, NO.
DEPUTY MAYOR PROTE ARNOLD? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DO IS ABSENT WHEN VOTE TAKEN.
COUNCIL MEMBER STEWART IS ABSENT WHEN VOTE TAKEN.
COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY WITH 10 VOTING IN FAVOR.
WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
WELL THEN WE WILL ACTUALLY NOW, UM, TAKE A BREAK THEN IF WE'RE OFF OF CONSENT.
ARE WE DONE WITH CONSENT? THAT IS CORRECT, MR. MAYOR.
MEMBERS, WE WE'RE GOING TO WAIT.
YOU GUYS LOOK LIKE YOU'RE A WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY.
DO WE DO IT NOW? SHOULD WE DO IT NOW OR JUST DO THE LUNCHROOM? WE'LL, LET'S DO IT WHEN WE COME BACK SO WE CAN SING TO, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AT THE HORSESHOE.
WHEN, WHEN WE COME BACK WE CAN STILL TALK.
THAT ALL TOOK PLACE ON THE RECORD.
WE'RE GOING TO RECESS UNTIL 1:00 PM THE MEETING STANDS, UM, AT RECESS.
IT'S 1:17 PM WE'RE BACK IN REGULAR SESSION.
[37. 24-331 Consideration of appointments to boards and commissions and the evaluation and duties of board and commission members (List of nominees is available in the City Secretary's Office)]
SECRETARY, WE'RE READY TO PICK UP WITH OUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.[02:35:02]
WHICH IS CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.THIS AFTERNOON, YOU DO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL AND FULL COUNSEL APPOINTMENT, YOUR NOMINEE FOR INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION.
TRACY WALLACE IS BEING NOMINATED BY COUNCIL MEMBER RESENDEZ.
MS. WALLACE MEETS THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE SPECIAL QUALIFICATION.
YOUR NOMINEES FOR FULL COUNCIL APPOINTMENT TO THE REINVESTMENT ZONE 19 BOARD, CYPRESS WATERS.
VICTOR TOLEDO IS BEING NOMINATED BY COUNCIL MEMBER VALEZ TO THE REINVESTMENT ZONE 10 BOARD SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL.
FULHAM IS BEING NOMINATED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO AND TO THE REINVESTMENT ZONE 13 BOARD GRANT PARK SOUTH.
TERRY FLOWERS IS BEING NOMINATED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DOER.
THESE ARE YOUR, THIS IS YOUR ITEM, MR. MAYOR, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE OUR MOVED IN A SECOND.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE.
ANY OPPOSED? THE AYES HAVE IT.
AND, UH, OUR APPOINTEES ARE, ARE NOMINATED, I MEAN, ARE APPROVED.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE ON, THEY'RE ON THE BOARD NOW.
[38. 24-544 An ordinance (1) ordering a special election to be held in the city of Dallas (the City) on May 4, 2024, for the purpose of authorizing general obligation bonds for propositions on the purposes set forth; and (2) making provisions for the conduct of the election and other related provisions - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
TO AGENDA ITEM 38.AGENDA ITEM 38 IS AN ORDINANCE ONE ORDERING ESPECIALLY ELECTION, TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, THE CITY ON MAY 4TH, 2024.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR PROPOSITIONS ON THE PURPOSES SET FORTH, AND TWO, MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CON CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION AND OTHER RELATED PROVISIONS.
YOU DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES.
YOUR FIRST SPEAKER, CHRIS DENNY.
MY NAME IS CHRIS DENNY, DISTRICT 14, RESIDENT DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT FOR TURTLE CREEK CONSERVANCY.
OUR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION MANAGES TURTLE CREEK PARK, FORMERLY LEE PARK, A 20 ACRE PARK IN THE HEART OF DALLAS, ALONG WITH HISTORIC ARLINGTON HALL.
WE ARE PART OF THE DALLAS PARKS COALITION, WHICH HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR FUNDING FOR PARKS IN THE UPCOMING BOND ELECTION.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE BOND ELECTION AND FOR THE BOND ALLOCATIONS RECENTLY PUBLISHED, WHICH INCLUDES $343 MILLION FOR PARKS, TRAILS, AND GREEN SPACES IN DALLAS.
THIS MEANS THAT OUR ORGANIZATION WILL BE ABLE TO ACTIVATE FIVE, MOSTLY UNDEVELOPED ACRES OF TURTLE CREEK PARK, KNOWN AS THE SOUTH PARCEL, WITH $1.5 MILLION FROM THE BOND ELECTION TO BE MATCHED BY $4.5 MILLION OF OUR PRIVATE FUNDS.
ACTIVATION MEANS PROVIDING A BRIDGE FROM BOWEN AND TURTLE CREEK BOULEVARD INTO THE PARK FOR EASIER ACCESS FOR CITIZENS COMING FROM THE SOUTH, CREATING A ONE TO TWO MILE SOFT SURFACE WALKING TRAIL FOR RESIDENTS TO BE IMMERSED IN NATURE, IMPROVING LANDSCAPING AND IRRIGATION, AND IMPROVING LIGHTING FOR INCREASED SAFETY OF THOSE IN THE PARK CREEK.
EROSION IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS PROJECT.
TURTLE CREEK CONSERVANCY IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY BOND TASK FORCE AND FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, ESPECIALLY OUR DISTRICT 14 COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE OF PAUL RIDLEY AND OUR DISTRICT 14 PARK AND REC BOARD REPRESENTATIVE RUDY CREAMY AS A VIBRANT DALLAS COMMUNITY PARK.
WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO OUR FREE EVENTS THIS YEAR.
WE HOLD EASTER IN TURTLE CREEK PARK ON EASTER SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHICH IS MARCH 31ST WITH OVER 6,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.
UH, OUR THIRD ANNUAL KIDS' FISHING DERBY WILL BE ON SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 18TH.
MOVIE NIGHT IN TURTLE CREEK PARK HAPPENS ON FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 18TH, AND OUR LIGHT UP TURTLE CREEK PARK ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER THE FOURTH.
THROUGH ALL OF THESE EVENTS, OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR ALL DALLAS' CITIZENS TO ENJOY FREE FAMILY EVENTS IN BEAUTIFUL TURTLE CREEK PARK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
LOUIS DE OR DAR? ALRIGHT, HOLD ON HERE.
OF COURSE, I JUST, MAYOR LOUIS DARE IS A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THE METROPLEX CIVIC AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
FIRST I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CAPITAL BOND.
WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ISSUING A NEW BOND WHEN THE 2017 BOND STILL HAS 16% OR 165 MILLION UNSPENT WILL THESE PROJECTS OVERLAPPED BETWEEN THE TWO BONDS? SECOND, THE 2024 BOND IS CHOCKFULL OF MAINTENANCE AND REFURBISHMENT WORK.
NOW, I'M NOT SAYING THESE ITEMS DON'T NEED TO BE COMPLETED.
MY QUESTION IS WHY THE CITY CANNOT GET THIS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE THROUGH YOUR GENERAL FUND.
[02:40:01]
THE CITY'S BUDGET HAS INCREASED FROM 3.8 TO 4.8 BILLION, WHILE THE POPULATION HAS DECREASED 3.5%.SO YOU'RE NOW TAXING LESS PEOPLE A LARGER AMOUNT OF MONEY, A BILLION DOLLARS MORE, WHICH LARGELY OUTPACES INFLATION.
BUT THE CAPITAL SPENDING ON THESE BONDS IS ONLY ABOUT 200 MILLION PER YEAR.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHY THE CITY WITH AN EXTRA BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR IN YOUR GENERAL FUND OR SPEND IN BUDGET, CAN'T GET 200 MILLION IN REPAIRS COMPLETED.
WHAT IS ALL THAT SPENDING AND EXTRA MONEY, IF NOT ON REPAIRS FOR ROADS OR MAINTAINING OUR COMMUNITIES? I AGREE WITH YOU MAYOR.
PARKS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT DO OUR CONSTITUENTS REALIZE THAT THE COUNCIL IS ASKING THEM TO TAKE ON A DEBT BURDEN OF ROUGHLY $350 MILLION FOR PARKS AND THEY WON'T ACTUALLY BE ANY NEW PARKS JUST REFURBISHING AND UPGRADING HOLISTICALLY.
WE'D LIKE TO SEE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE CITY'S SPENDING AS IT SEEMS TO BE SLIGHTLY MISMANAGED.
I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST THE BOND TODAY, BUT I'M ASKING FOR AN INCREASED LEVEL OF DUE DILIGENCE AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
THE CITY'S INCREASES IN SPENDING AND DEBT WILL END UP BEING A, BEING PAID VIA HIGHER PROPERTY TAXES FROM OUR POCKETS ULTIMATELY MAKING THE CITY OF DALLAS LESS AFFORDABLE TO EVERYONE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR JOHNSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MARIE CAMINO AND I AM THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S TEXAS CHAPTER.
UM, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY APPRECIATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENT TODAY, UM, ON THE 2024 BOND.
SO I'VE SPOKEN TO THIS BODY BEFORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF USING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS AND GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2024 BOND PROJECTS.
I AM HERE TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND THANK THE COUNCIL FOR SHOWING THEIR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE SITES AND VISION AND FOR PRIORITIZING THE CA RECOMMENDATIONS IN BOND IMPLEMENTATION.
NATURE IN ALL ITS FORMS IS INFRASTRUCTURE THAT PROVIDES STACKED PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS FLOOD PROTECTION, IMPROVED WATER QUALITY, REDUCED URBAN HEAT AND AIR POLLUTION, INCREASED BIODIVERSITY AND IMPROVED PUBLIC HEALTH.
OVERALL, INTEGRATING NATURE INTO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT CREATES EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
WE KNOW NOW THAT DALLAS RESIDENTS AGREE OF THOSE POLLED.
81% OF DALLAS RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT THE BOND MEASURES IF THEY KNOW THAT ALL PROJECTS FUNDED BY BONDS WOULD BE BUILT IN WAYS THAT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS THAT NATURE CAN PROVIDE.
UH, TNC IS VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE 15% BUDGETED FOR PROJECTS THAT ARE SCORED BY THE BOND OFFICE TO ADVANCE THE CCAP.
WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT COUNCIL, UH, WILL SUPPORT OTHER DEPARTMENTS MAKING SIMILAR COMMITMENTS TO ADVANCE THE CITY'S ROBUST, UM, ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS.
DALLAS HAS SHOWN A REMARKABLE COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
UM, AND I'VE ALREADY MET WITH SEVERAL OF YOU IN THE, AND IN THE COMING WEEKS, UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH MORE OF YOU TO TALK MORE ABOUT NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS AND GREEN STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AS YOU CONTINUE TO BE A LEADER, UM, IN THIS WAY.
UM, THANK YOU AGAIN AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS.
BRUCE DUNAY OR BRUCE DUNAY? YES.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10 AND, UH, SORRY, I HAD TO GO MOBILE HERE.
SPEEDING DOWN CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY.
ANYWAY, UH, UH, MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED IN, UH, DALLAS FOR 40 YEARS AND, UH, RAISED OUR FAMILY THERE.
COULDN'T BE PROUDER OF THE CITY.
AND, UH, JUST WANTED TO ADDRESS, UH, THIS ISSUE TODAY.
UH, STILL VERY INVOLVED IN THE, THE ELECTIONS.
I'LL BE A JUDGE, UH, HERE IN MARCH.
AND, UH, PRECINCT CHAIR AS WELL.
BUT, UH, MY CONCERN ABOUT THE, UH, FAST TRACKING TO NOVEMBER, THE, UH, THE BOND PACKAGE, UH, IS THREEFOLD, REALLY.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, UH, I'M NOT SURE THERE'S, UM, WIDESPREAD KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE CITIZENRY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT ALL IS IN CONTAINED.
NO DOUBT THERE ARE COURT PROVISIONS AND PRO PROPOSITIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.
IT'S VERY WORTHWHILE IN IN SPEECH, UH, STREETS, PARKS, AND, UH, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY.
I, I UNDERSTAND THAT IN PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'VE LOST, UH, 600 OFFICERS, UH, IN IN RECENT, UH, TIME PERIOD.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, TO, TO ATTACK, ATTRACT AND RETAIN THEM IS NOT EASY NOWADAYS.
UM, AND THAT IF WE HAVE, UH, KNOWN FINANCIAL PROBLEMS WHERE WE CAN'T FUND OUR, OUR LIABILITIES FOR THEIR RETIREMENT, UH, THEY WILL GO TO OTHER PLACES.
SALINA PROSPER, MCKINNEY, YOU NAME IT.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD, UH, FIRST FIX, UH, THAT PENSION ISSUE.
SECONDLY, UH, THE COST OF, YOU KNOW, FAST TRACKING TO THE MAY TIME PERIOD AND A $700,000 OR MORE COST TO DO THE SPECIAL ELECTION, UH, WOULD BE BETTER SPENT IF WE WAITED
[02:45:01]
TILL NOVEMBER WHEN WE HAVE A GENERAL ELECTION, UH, ALREADY SCHEDULED.AND THEN FINALLY, UH, READ MY NOTES HERE, UH, ALLOW MOST, THAT WAY WE'D HAVE THE MOST PARTICIPATION, UH, LIKELY
THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
LINUS SPILLER CRAFT IS NOT ALIGNED, IT'S NOT PRESENT.
LANE SULLIVAN HAS CANCELED ROB WALTERS.
I'M FROM DISTRICT FIVE PLEASANT GROVE.
UM, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE FUNDING FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL FACILITIES.
I WANNA SAY THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ADVOCATED FOR FIXING THE LIGHTS IN THE PLEASANT GROVE BLACK BOX LIBRARY BECAUSE IN DISTRICT FIVE, OUR ARTS AND CULTURE PROGRAMMING HAPPENS MOST OFTEN IN PARKS AND RECREATION CENTERS AND LIBRARIES.
SO, WHILE MR. KAMI CALLS IT THE MINISTRY OF HAPPINESS, I CALL THE OVERLAP ARTS, PARKS, LIBRARIES AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN GENERAL, UH, THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, WE KNOW THAT LAND.
SO I WANNA ADDRESS HOUSING A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I WANNA DISCUSS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UH, FUNDS.
WE KNOW THAT LAND AND HOME OWNERSHIP IS A WAY FOR FAMILIES TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
WE ALSO KNOW WE NEED NEW MODELS FOR LIVING COMMUNITIES.
WE UNDERSTAND, BASED ON A NEW STUDY FROM CARNEGIE, THAT YOUTH NEED PREVENTATIVE PROGRAMMING TO DECRE TO DECREASE THE NEED FOR JUVENILE RECIDIVISM PROGRAMMING.
UM, FROM THE ARTS ON PRESCRIPTION STUDY, WE KNOW THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR ELDERS AND THAT ELDERS WHO HELP CARE FOR GRANDCHILDREN LIVE FIVE YEARS LONGER.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS VERY LITTLE OFFERED IN THE CITY LIMITS FOR FOLKS WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES IN THE WAY OF HOUSING, ARTS, SPORTS, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
I TRAVEL VERY FAR TO TAKE MY SON TO HIS ACTIVITIES.
I'M ADVOCATING FOR MAKING SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF DISTRICT FIVE AND SOUTHERN DALLAS WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT CENTER HOUSING WITH WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS LIKE ECONOMIC PATHWAYS, CULTURAL SPACE FOR SHARED CONNECTION, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS TRAINING FACILITIES, COLLABORATIONS WITH UNIVERSITIES AND CORPORATIONS, GREEN SPACE AND HOUSING.
SO THAT WE HONOR ALL THE MEMBERS OF OUR BELOVED COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AVENUES TO SUPPORT OUR INDIVIDUALS, OUR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE DREAMING.
THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM, MR. MAYOR.
UM, I DON'T SEE, I NEED THE CHAIR TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO, TO COME AND GET TO HIS SEAT REAL QUICK AND BE, WHILE HE'S DOING THAT, I'M JUST GONNA BUY A LITTLE TIME AND TO SAY THIS BEFORE YOU MAKE A MOTION.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANNA, I, I'M GONNA ASK THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR WHAT'S PROPER HERE.
UM, I THINK, UM, YOU'RE GONNA MAKE A MOTION, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU EITHER CLARIFY AT SOME POINT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S JUST THE WAY TO DO IT DURING THE LAYOUT OF IT OR WHEN YOU READ IT, BUT I SEE A MOTION WHERE THERE'S A PHRASES LIKE INCREASE FROM, INCREASE FROM, OR REMAIN AT, UH, I'M NOT SURE WE KNOW WHAT THE STARTING POINT THAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE INCREASING FROM OR REMAINING AT IS.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF HE NEEDS TO SAY IN THE MOTION WHAT THIS INCREASE FROM MEANS OR REMAINS THAT MEANS, OR IF HE NEEDS TO EXPLAIN IT IN THE EXPLANATION.
BUT WHAT'S, WHAT'S, WHAT DO YOU SAY TARY ON THAT? UM, I WOULD SAY THAT THE REASON THE, WE STARTED THE MOTION WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNCIL, UH, COMMITTEE AS A WHOLE, AND THAT'S WHERE HE'S STARTING FROM.
SO THAT'S IS THAT RECOMMENDATION.
SO YOU JUST READ IT THE WAY IT IS WITH NO EXPLANATION DURING THE MOTION, AND THEN YOU'LL EXPLAIN DURING THE MOTION.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A MOTION.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE DO IT ALL RIGHT TODAY BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE, THIS ITEM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE PROPOSITIONS AND FUNDING ALLOCATIONS, STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION INCREASED FROM 500 MILLION TO 521,200,000.
PARK AND RECREATION INCREASED FROM 310,500,000 TO 345,270,000 LIBRARIES INCREASED FROM 43,500,000 TO 43,530,000
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HOUSING INCREASED FROM 24,400,000 TO 26,000,400, OH SORRY.ANSWERS INCREASED FROM 400,000, SORRY, THAT WAS THE SAME.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCREASED FROM 65,800,000 TO 72,300,000 HOMELESS AND HOUSING INCREASED FROM 8,500,000 TO 19 MILLION.
FLOOD PROTECTION AND STORM DRAINAGE REMAINS AT FIFTY TWO THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FIFTY TWO MILLION ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND.
PUBLIC SAFETY REMAINS AT 90 MILLION.
CULTURAL ARTS FACILITIES REMAINS AT 50, AT 75,200,000.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REMAINS AT 5 MILLION.
THE CITY HALL AND STEMMONS MUNICIPAL CENTER PROPOSITIONS REMAIN AT ZERO AND ARE DELETED FROM THIS ORDINANCE.
IS THERE A SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED IN A SECOND.
UM, CHAIRMAN NVA, AS YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES, WE'RE FOR THE PUBLIC.
WE ARE ON ITEM 38, UM, ON OUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.
SO THIS, UM, IS BASED ON WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED AT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.
SO THE DOLLARS WHERE I SAID STARTING FROM ARE WHAT WAS AGREED TO THEN WITHOUT ANY KNOWING WHAT THE DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATIONS WERE GONNA BE BY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
SO YOU NOTICE I DIDN'T SAY 75 MILLION FOR DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATION BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS NOW DESIGNATED WHERE THEY WANTED THOSE DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS TO GO.
SO THERE SHOULD BE NO CHANGES IN THERE AS FAR AS WHAT IS HERE.
SO THAT'S THE TOTAL IS INCLUDING YOUR RECOMMEND, YOUR RECOMMENDATION OF WHERE YOU WANTED YOUR DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATIONS TO GO.
UM, THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT WHEN WE DID GET WHERE PEOPLE HAD ASKED, UM, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN A CHANGE IN PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS 5 MILLION THAT HAD GOTTEN IN FROM DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATION BY ME, THAT I CAN NO LONGER LEAVE THERE BECAUSE THE PROJECT THAT I WAS HOPING TO GET WAS TOO LARGE AND I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FILL THE GAP.
AND SO AT THAT POINT, I HAD TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.
ALL OF US COULD HAVE, IF YOU STARTED LOOKING AT SOMETHING AND YOU WANTED TO CHANGE THAT YOUR DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATIONS OUT, YOU HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY.
SO FOR DISTRICT SIX'S DISCRETIONARY DESIGNATIONS, I ADDED 3 MILLION TO STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND 2 MILLION TO PARK AND RECREATION.
SO THAT'S WHERE YOU SEE, UM, THOSE CHANGES ONLY, UM, EVERYTHING ELSE IS EXACTLY WHAT, UM, WAS VOTED NINE TO I THINK SIX.
AND THIS IS THAT MOTION WITH THE DESIGNATIONS IN PLACE NOW.
SO, UM, POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MR. MAYOR.
YEAH, SO WHEN I LOOK THROUGH, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE, 'CAUSE NOW WE'VE GOT SO MANY PIECES OF PAPER.
SO WHEN I LOOK THROUGH WHAT WAS PREPARED BY STAFF FOR US TO USE AS THE BASELINE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY, DO THOSE, THESE MATCH AND THEN YOU GOT YOUR AMENDMENT.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND STAFF DRAFTED THIS AMENDMENT FOR ME, SO, OKAY.
I, SO DO I SPEAK ON THIS NOW AND CAN I, MY, YEAH.
SO, UM, FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT'S BODYING, OUR STAFF, I KNOW A LOT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT A LOT OF HARD WORK AND EFFORT INTO THIS.
OUR TASK FORCE, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DID.
IT IS NOT EASY TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR 24 BILLION, $24 BILLION OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ACROSS OUR ENTIRE CITY IN EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE DO.
AND TRY TO FIGURE IT ALL OUT AND FIX IT WITH $1.250 BILLION.
A LOT OF HARD CHOICES HAVE TO BE MADE.
A LOT OF PROJECTS ARE SUPER IMPORTANT AND YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE, THIS IS WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO COME UP TO A SOLUTION TO MOVE FORWARD.
I HOPE TODAY, MR. MAYOR, THAT WE GET THIS ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE FINISH LINE SO WE CAN SEND IT TO THE VOTERS AND THEN THEY GET TO DETERMINE YES OR NO ON EACH OF THE PROPOSITIONS THAT I READ OUT.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT ON HERE THAN ANOTHER.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION, PARK AND REC, LIBRARIES, HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOMELESS AND HOUSING, FLOOD PROTECTION, PUBLIC SAFETY, CULTURAL ARTS.
AND THE INFORMATION IN TECHNOLOGY BUILDING IS PROBABLY EVEN MORE CONCERNING AT THIS TIME IN OUR HISTORY.
SO I'M FOR FOLKS TO REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
IF WE GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, MR. MAYOR, AND REALLY DETERMINE FOR YOURSELF
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AS A VOTER, DO YOU WANT THESE AND US TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THEM OR NOT? I, OF COURSE, BELIEVE IN THIS.THIS IS WHERE WE GOT TO, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
UM, THERE'S THINGS THAT I WOULD'VE LIKED TO HAVE DONE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE COMPROMISES WHEN YOU'RE SITTING HERE FOR 1.250 BILLION TO TRY TO WORK ON 24 BILLION.
BUT I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE GONNA SEE COMING THROUGH THIS.
A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS IN HERE.
STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION, UM, PARK AND REC LIBRARIES IN, HERE'S TWO BRAND NEW LIBRARIES FOR OUR CITY THAT HAVE, WE'VE NEEDED FOREVER.
A LOT OF AMAZING THINGS IN HERE THAT WE'VE JUST CATCHING UP ON.
UM, HOMELESS AND HOUSING, UM, TO OUR, OUR FRIENDS WHO ARE HERE ADVOCATING ON THAT.
I, I KNOW IT'S NOT 200 MILLION, BUT YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU SEE IN HERE WHEN YOU, YOU SEE HOUSING 26.4 MILLION AND HOMELESSNESS, 19 MILLION.
THAT'S A WIN BECAUSE WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS MUCH BEFORE.
I KNOW IT'S NOT WHAT EVERYBODY WANT.
NOBODY GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED, INCLUDING ME.
OUR CULTURAL ARTS FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR DECADES.
WE JUST CANNOT LET OUR ASSETS FALL APART IN THIS CITY.
AND I THINK THAT THIS WILL HELP US GET THERE, MR. MAYOR.
BUT IT'S NOT 24 BILLION, BUT IT'S 1.250.
SO WE CAN CONTINUE WORKING AND GETTING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO WHAT OUR RESIDENTS WANT, WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE PLAY HERE AND WORK HERE SO THAT WE CAN BE THE BEST DALLAS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN BE.
CHAIRMAN WEST, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 38.
THANK YOU MAYOR, AND I APPRECIATE CHAIRMAN OUR VICE'S COMMENTS.
AND, UM, I WON'T REPEAT MOST OF THEM, BUT I DO AGREE WITH MOST OF THOSE COMMENTS.
UM, I WILL SAY TODAY, UH, IF WE PASS THIS, IT'S A WIN FOR, FOR MOST OF THESE CATEGORIES.
UM, YOU KNOW, ARTS I THINK IS VERY PROUD OF OUR ARTS ADVOCATES AND WHO'S BEEN WITH US THROUGH THESE LONG MEETINGS, UM, LIBRARIES AS CHAIRMAN, OUR VICE SAID WE'RE, YOU KNOW, IF THIS GETS PASSED, WE'RE GONNA SEE SOME, SOME BADLY NEEDED RENOVATIONS.
NEW POLICE ACADEMY, UH, PARKS, UH, ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.
AND OUR STREETS, UM, DEFINITELY LOOKING GOOD.
UM, AND, AND I WON'T BELABOR IT, BUT WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, HOMELESSNESS, UM, I, I DO APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES WHO CONTRIBUTED THEIR DISCRETIONARY MONEY TOWARDS THAT.
UM, AND HOUSING AS WELL, I THINK TOOK A BIG HIT, UM, OVER THIS PROCESS.
UM, I, I LIKE TO SEE THAT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS, UM, BE USED FOR THAT.
'CAUSE THERE IS A LARGER CHUNK IN ECHO DEV AND I THINK IT CAN BE LEVERAGED FOR HOUSING IF THIS GETS PASSED.
I'M PERSONALLY COMMITTED FOR THE NORTH OAK CLIFF LIBRARY IF IT GETS BUILT TO INCLUDE A HOUSING, UM, ELEMENT ON TOP OF IT.
'CAUSE WHY WOULDN'T WE? UM, IT'S RIGHT THERE IN A, THE CITY FACILITY.
UM, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL GO INTO MY, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.
FIRST IS FOR, I GUESS THE BOND OFFICE, MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE A WAY TO ENSURE THAT THE 36.6 MILLION THAT WAS MOVED TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UM, BUCKET GETS EARMARKED OR RESTRICTED TO PROJECTS RESULTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING? HOW DO WE DO THAT? THANK YOU, UH, JENNY, NICE WONDER, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF BOND AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT.
SO WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR SO.
AND, UM, WE THINK THE BEST WAY TO ADDRESS THAT IS THROUGH A PROJECT LISTING LIKE WE WOULD IN STREETS OR ANY OTHER PROPOSITION AND, AND HAVING A LINE ITEM FOR HOUSING WITH THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN JUST FOR THE PUBLIC, LIKE GENERALLY, HOW DOES THAT WORK KIND OF HIGH LEVEL? SURE.
UM, SO EACH PROPOSITION WOULD HAVE JUST A, A PROJECT LISTING STREETS WOULD, UM, HAVE THEIR LISTING FOR ALLEYS OR BRIDGES AND, AND, AND, UM, THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WOULD GO IN THAT PROPOSITION.
SO WE WOULD DO THE SAME THING FOR, UM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JUST ITEMIZE BYLINE ITEM.
UM, WHERE, WHERE THOSE FUNDS WOULD, WOULD BE GOING TOWARDS.
WOULD IT BE INCUMBENT UPON US AS COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SORT OF BRING YOU THOSE IDEAS OR DEVELOPER OR LIKE WHO WOULD BRING YOU STAFF'S JUST NOT GONNA COME UP WITH IT, RIGHT? UM, ON THEIR OWN? NO, YOU'RE RIGHT.
AND THEN, UM, GET WITH, UH, ASK CYNTHIA TO COME IN FOR ANY DETAILS.
BUT YES, THE PROJECTS COME THROUGH.
WE WOULD IDENTIFY WHETHER OR NOT THAT BUCKET OF MONEY WOULD ADDRESS THOSE PROJECTS.
AND WE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THE WEEDS ON IT.
I JUST LIKE, FOR THE PUBLIC GENERALLY, I MEAN, WE'RE, WE'RE INSIDE BASEBALL HERE, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF KNOW HOW IT WORKS, BUT I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THIS.
CYNTHIA ALEXON, INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.
UH, WHAT WE WOULD DO IS PUT IT IN OUR NOFA AND IT CERTAINLY, WE'RE GONNA KEEP UP WITH $36 MILLION 'CAUSE YOU KNOW, IT BELONGS TO HOUSING.
SO YEAH, WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA CERTAINLY WORK WITH THE BOND OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR, OUR SHARE OF FUNDS.
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AS THE PROJECTS ARE IDENTIFIED, WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH, UH, ESPECIALLY OUR HHS COMMITTEE.'CAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE PUT ALL OF OUR MONEY IN OUR REPORT.
AND THEN WITH THE BOND OFFICE, AS EACH PROJECT IS IDENTIFIED, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE TRANCHES ARE GONNA COME TO US.
THEY MAY COME IN, YOU KNOW, 10 MILLION A YEAR OR HOWEVER THAT COMES.
BUT AS THAT COMES, WE WILL CERTAINLY PUT IT OUT IN OUR NOFA.
WE WILL IDENTIFY IT AS BOND FUNDS AND THEN WE WOULD, UH, UM, SHOW THE ALLOCATION OR THE COMMITMENT TO THOSE FUNDS AS IT'S IDENTIFIED.
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PERSONAL ADVOCACY FOR, UM, HOUSING AND BEING, BEING A PART OF THIS AS WELL.
IF I CAN GET MR. JENKINS OR SOMEONE FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT UP HERE.
JOHN JENKINS, PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
UH, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AND I WON'T GET INTO ALL THE DISTRICT ONE PROJECTS I'M EXCITED ABOUT, BUT MOST OF THEM GOT FUNDING THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES.
UM, HOPEFULLY THE VOTERS WILL SUPPORT THAT.
THE ONE THAT WAS LEFT OFF OF THIS, THAT IS A CITYWIDE ISSUE, BUT IS REALLY IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT ONE, IS THE STEVENS PARK GOLF COURSE.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD FOLKS WORKING ON, UM, WE HAVE ONE STALL FOR, UH, THE LADIES FOR THAT ENTIRE GOLF COURSE.
IT'S NOT A DA ACCESSIBLE ANYWHERE IN THE, IN THE CLUBHOUSE.
THERE'S LEAKING ROOFS, THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEMS. SO, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ISN'T, IF IT'S NOT IN THIS BOND, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GONNA BE, YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN, UM, THAT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE CAN LET FOLKS KNOW IT'S, IT'S OKAY.
UM, YOU'RE EXACTLY, UH, YOU'RE CORRECT.
UH, MY PLAN IS, SINCE IT'S NOT FUNDING THE BOND PROGRAM, WE WILL, WE WILL SELL REVENUE BONDS AND WE WILL RAISE ADDITIONAL REVENUES AT THE GOLF COURSES SO WE CAN MAKE THEM MORE SELF-SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD.
AND SO THIS IS ANOTHER AVENUE THAT YOU ALL HAVE CHARGED ME WITH AS WELL AS THE PARK BOARD IS LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE WAYS THAT WE COULD FUND THINGS.
I MEAN, FUND IMPROVEMENTS AT SOME OF OUR PARKS AND AT THE GOLF COURSES.
I THINK THIS IS A MORE SUSTAINABLE PLAN TO START ISSUING REVENUE BONDS, WHICH WILL ALLOW ME TO MAKE REGULAR IMPROVEMENTS ON THE GOLF COURSES AS WE PA PAY OFF THOSE BONDS EVERY 10 YEARS.
'CAUSE WE DO HAVE A REVENUE SOURCE.
I WOULD JUST ASK IF CHAIR CHAIRWOMAN STEWART, IF THIS IS SOMETHING WE COULD TALK ABOUT IN COMMITTEE, MAYBE BEFORE THE SUMMER BREAK.
WE'LL WORK, I'M, WE'LL WORK WITH YOU, PARTNER WITH YOU.
WE'LL, WE'LL, WE'LL GET THIS FIGURED OUT.
THANKS MAYOR CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, YOU ORGANIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE, UH, FACT THAT CITY HALL AND STEMMONS MUNICIPAL CENTER PROPOSITIONS REMAIN AT ZERO.
AND SO I'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON CITY HALL.
UM, THE HIGHEST CONSIDERATION FOR US, IN ADDITION TO ALL THE THINGS FOR OUR RESIDENTS, MUST BE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK, UH, AT CITY HALL.
AND SO I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT, UM, WHETHER IT'S FROM MR. JOHNSON OR MR. BROAD KN, UH, THEIR, THE NEED FOR CITY HALL.
AND THEN WHAT THE, REMIND US AGAIN OF WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, WHAT THE I ITEMS WERE IN THE BOND.
UH, THE NEEDS FOR CITY HALL TOTAL, APPROXIMATELY $27.9 MILLION.
IT'S FOUR PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED.
THERE ARE ELECTRICAL UPGRADES, REPLACEMENT OF THE GENERATOR SYSTEM, FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM UPGRADES AND RETROFITS TO THE AIR CONDITIONING BEFORE THE 2030 MANDATE TAKES EFFECT.
SO ARE ANY OF THOSE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S CODE ISSUES WITH, ARE THERE CODE ISSUES WITH ANY OF THESE ITEMS WHERE WE WOULD ACTUALLY BE OUT OF COMPLIANCE FOR OUR OWN CITY? I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW THEY'RE CURRENTLY GRANDFATHERED IN, SO WHATEVER WORK WE WOULD DO WOULD AUTOMATICALLY INCLUDE BRINGING THEM UP TO THE CURRENT CODE.
SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE DO NOTHING, WE'RE NOT IN VIOLATION OF OUR CODE.
WE JUST WON'T, THEY JUST WON'T BE CORRECT THAT WE ARE GRANDFATHERED IN BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT WAS BUILT, AND WE'VE MADE VERY LITTLE INVESTMENT IN THE FACILITY.
SO IF WE DID UNDERTAKE A MAJOR PROJECT AS A PART OF THAT, WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING IT UP TO CODE.
AND THEN, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING ALSO IS THE PAST COUNCILS THIS WAS, THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP, IS IT THE LAST THREE BOND ELECTIONS AND IT'S REJECTED EVERY TIME.
IS THAT CORRECT? I THINK THE PARTICULAR PROJECT YOU'RE THINKING OF IS THE WATER INFILTRATION PROJECT, WHICH TOTALS AT THE LOW.
THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS $42 MILLION.
AND IT WAS SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE LAST THREE BOND, UH, PROGRAMS, AND IT WAS NOT
[03:05:01]
FUNDED.SO, SO THE WATER FILTRATION IS PERHAPS WHEN YOU DRIVE OUT THE GARAGE, YOU SEE THERE'S LEAKING WATER OR THERE'S CRACKS OR WATER SEEPS IN THAT ERODES THE FOUNDATION? YES, MA'AM.
AND WHAT IS THE, AND OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT ONE OF THE ISSUES TODAY, BUT I JUST, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC, WHAT IS THE THREAT WITH THAT IF WE DON'T GET IT INVESTED FOR THE WATER INFILTRATION? YES, SIR.
WELL, I THINK THAT'S A, A LONGER TERM CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS BUILDING BECAUSE THE MORE THAT IT INFILTRATES AND GOES UNDER THE FOUNDATION IS ERODED.
AND SO THAT'S GONNA CAUSE STRUCTURAL SETTLEMENT AND THEN WE'RE GONNA HAVE MORE COSTLY REPAIRS IF WE DO CONTINUE TO OCCUPY THIS BUILDING.
BUT IN THE MEANWHILE, UM, THE, THE, UH, THE FOUR ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE THERE ARE, YOU WOULD CONSIDER, IF YOU HAD TO CONSIDER THEM NEEDED OR URGENT, CAN YOU JUST GO THROUGH EACH ONE AND SAY WHICH ONES ARE NEEDED AND WHICH ONES ARE URGENT? SO I THINK THAT THE GENERATORS AND THE ELECTRICAL UPGRADES ARE URGENT.
THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IS VERY IMPORTANT AND, UH, AC RETROFITS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT.
AND SO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST GIVE ME THE NUMBERS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND THE GENERATOR.
THE ELECTRICAL IS 4.9 MILLION AND THE GENERATORS ARE 6.5.
AND THE FIRE, THE FIRE SUPPRESSION IS 8 MILLION AND THE RETROFITS IS 8.5 MILLION.
SO MAYBE SOMEBODY ELSE WILL DO THE MATH WHILE I ASKED COUNCILMAN I NO, 27, 27 0.90, SORRY.
BUT I WAS TA AND THEN I WAS BACKING OUT THE HVAC IF WE COULD COME TO COMPROMISES.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND WHATEVER I CAN.
NOW I'M GONNA ASK CITY MANAGER BROAD NEXT.
SO IF WE TAKE THIS OUT ENTIRELY, HOW WILL WE GET THE, AT LEAST AT THE VERY MINIMUM, THE TWO URGENT AS WELL AS THE FIRE.
SO EVERYTHING OTHER THAN 8.5, UH, HOW WILL WE GET THOSE FUNDED? DO YOU HAVE, I KNOW THERE'S A VARIETY OF TOOLS AND SO IF YOU COULD JUST RUN THROUGH EACH ONE, ESPECIALLY REGARDING WHAT IT WILL COST US VERSUS PUTTING IT IN THE BOND.
SO YOU'RE ASKING, UH, IF THE 27.9, I GUESS YOU'RE SAYING MINUS THE 8 MILLION, UH, IS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED IN THIS BOND PROGRAM, HOW WOULD WE APPROACH THAT? YES, SIR.
SO THERE'S BASICALLY THREE OPTIONS.
UH, THE FIRST WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE TO FUND IT, OBVIOUSLY AND ADJUST THE REVENUES, UH, OR THE ASSOCIATED BOND PROPOSITIONS TO ACCOMMODATE, UH, THE 21 MILLION OR 28 MILLION.
YOU KNOW, I'LL STICK WITH THE 28 JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE DISCUSSION.
SO, UH, AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK HAS BEEN DISCUSSED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, IS APPROACHING IT THROUGH, UH, GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, WHICH IS A 20 YEAR TERM FOR A BOND.
UH, THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE, AND I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT IT, UH, PARTICULARLY AROUND STEMMONS IN SOME CASES WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF THOSE PROPOSITIONS, WE WOULD THEN POTENTIALLY, UH, THE OTHER OPTION WOULD BE TO USE, UH, CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION COS UH, WHICH ARE NOT 20 YEAR, UH, BOND TERM, BUT 10 YEAR BOND TERMS. AND I THINK THE IMPACT OF THAT, UH, FOR, UH, TRANSPARENCY IS, UH, IF WE WERE TO BORROW, LET'S SAY $30 MILLION, UH, OF COS VERSUS DOING A, UH, 20 YEAR NOTE, UH, THEN THE EQUIVALENT OF 50, I THINK ABOUT $54 MILLION WOULD BE THE SHIFT IN HOW MUCH CAPACITY WOULD BE EATEN UP VERSUS THE 30.
UH, SO JUST BECAUSE IT'S A SHORTER TIME AND YOU LOOK AT IT AS IF, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAD A 20 YEAR MORTGAGE VERSUS A 30 YEAR MORTGAGE, YOU'RE PAYMENT GOES UP BECAUSE YOU'RE PAYING IT OFF EARLIER.
AND THEN THE THIRD, UH, APPROACH THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT, UH, IF NEITHER ONE OF THOSE WERE WHAT COUNCIL WANTED TO CONSIDER WOULD BE TO FIGURE OUT, UM, HOW WE WOULD FUND THAT OUT OF OUR, UH, ONGOING, UH, GENERAL FUND REVENUES, UH, AND THEN LOOK AT THE TIMING OF THOSE.
AND SO THEY ALL WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN IN YEAR ONE.
UH, SO IT WOULDN'T BE AN INITIAL 20, UH, ONE OR $28 MILLION ISSUE.
UH, WE'D HAVE TO LOOK AT, UH, AND DO TRIAGE ON WHICH ONE WE WANTED TO DO FIRST.
SO IT COULD BE, UH, I THINK THEY TYPICALLY, UH, THE THINGS THAT JOHN MENTIONED RANGE FROM FIVE TO $8 MILLION EACH.
AND SO WE'D LOOK, UH, TO DO THAT EITHER ON OUR ANNUAL BUDGET AND OR FIGURE OUT LIKE WE'VE DONE, UH, IN THE LAST MID-YEAR ADJUSTMENT, UH, WHEN REVENUES, UH, HAD COME IN GREATER THAN WHAT WE EXPECTED FUND VIA ONE-TIME FUNDING DURING THAT TIME, IF IN FACT WE COULD.
AND SO THOSE WOULD BE THE STRATEGIES AND OR THE THINGS THAT WE WOULD THINK ABOUT DOING.
BUT AGAIN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WOULD BE PRIORITIZED DIFFERENTLY THROUGHOUT AN ONGOING BASIS VERSUS EITHER DOING CFOS OR GENERAL OBLIGATION.
SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, DO WE HAVE ACTUAL NUMBERS OF WHAT THAT 30 MILLION
[03:10:01]
WILL COST US IN THE BOND VERSUS IN THROUGH, UH, THE CO PROCESS VERSUS, WELL, THE BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, DO WE? WE HAVE, WE RUN THOSE NUMBERS.I THOUGHT I SAW IT SOMEWHERE, BUT MAYBE I'M MISTAKEN.
YOU KNOW, I'D HAVE TO GET OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ANSWER THE COST OF MONEY ON THAT, THAT, THAT QUESTION.
AND MR. ARLAND, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT GIVING YOU FOREWARNING IN CASE THIS IS NEW.
GOOD AFTERNOON, JACK ARLAND, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
AND SO THE QUESTION WAS RELATED TO, UH, ISSUING 30 YEAR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
IS THAT YOUR QUESTION? MY QUESTION IS, YEAH.
GIVEN THE OPTIONS THAT OUR CITY MANAGER OFFERED, WHAT'S THE COST OF MONEY FOR E DO GETTING, FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET 'EM INTO THIS BOND VERSUS THE OTHER OPTIONS THAT HE PRESENTED? OKAY, SO WHEN WE, WE LOOKED AT, UH, THE CAPACITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR BOND PROGRAM, WE TOLD COUNSEL THAT, UH, WE HAD $1.1 BILLION OF CAPACITY AND THEN LATER CAME BACK.
AND THE REQUEST WAS TO REDUCE THE CAPACITY THAT WE HAD RESERVED, RIGHT? FOR THE PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS REDUCE THAT FROM 400 MILLION TO TAKE 150 MILLION TO INCREASE THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM.
RIGHT? AND SO THAT'S HOW WE GOT IT UP TO THE $1.25 BILLION.
SO THAT LEADS $250 MILLION AS OUR RESERVE OR SET ASIDE AS POTENTIAL PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS.
IF WE WERE AT SOME POINT TO WANT TO GO THERE, UH, AS MR. NIKS EXPLAINED TO USE $30 MILLION OR TO ISSUE $30 MILLION OF, UH, THE CAPACITY FOR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, PAYING IT IN 10 YEARS AS OPPOSED TO 30 YEAR PENSION OBLIGATION BONDS, WE WOULD REDUCE THAT BY 54 MILLION.
SO INSTEAD OF HAVING 250 MILLION SET ASIDE AS RESERVE, YOU'D HAVE 196 MILLION SET ASIDE.
THAT'S KIND OF THE TRADE OFF, UH, 30 MILLION IN 10 YEAR CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION VERSUS $54 MILLION IN 30 YEAR PENSION OBLIGATION RESERVE.
AND THEN MY NEXT QUESTION IS ABOUT THE DEBT SERVICE ON THOSE.
COULD YOU GIVE ME THE DIFFERENCE OF THE DEBT SERVICE IF YOU HAVE IT? I KNOW I DO NOT HAVE THAT.
THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE HAD IT.
JUST SO WE UNDERSTAND THE COST OF THIS, NOT JUST IN TERMS OF IMPACTING THE POTENTIAL PENSION, BUT ALSO HOW MUCH MORE IN CASH IT'S ACTUALLY GONNA COST THE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY.
YEAH, I, I JUST DON'T HAVE THE INTEREST CALCULATION WITH ME.
UM, SO THAT, MY REAL CHALLENGE IS THAT WE, NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO COST MORE AND PUT MORE AT RISK BECAUSE WE'RE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ANYTHING, EVEN A SMALL HIT ACROSS THE SPREAD TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
BUT IT'S AN INCREDIBLE, UH, IT'S AN INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING MESSAGE FOR ME TO SWALLOW, TO SAY TO OUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES WHO WORK HERE THAT, UM, THAT SO MANY OTHER THINGS MATTER MORE THAN YOU DO.
AND I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THAT.
AND I, I'D LIKE TO SEE US FIND A WAY TO JUST TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
I'LL EVEN, YOU KNOW, DO SOME IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE, UH, DISTRICT MONEY, UH, TO HELP TOWARD THIS, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR US TO SEND TO OUR COWORKERS HERE AT CITY HALL.
YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
UM, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
UH, I MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION, UH, ON THE FLOOR WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE PROPOSITIONS AND FUNDING ALLOCATIONS, STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION TO 5 0 7 500 7 MILLION AND 10,000 PARKS AND RECREATION, 336,660,000 LIBRARIES, 42,730,000 HOUSING, 25,000,900 ECO DEV, 72,440,000 HOMELESS HOUSING TO 18,640,000 FLOOD PROTECTION AND STORM DRAINAGE, 51,140,000 PUBLIC SAFETY, 93,250,000 CULTURAL ARTS FACILITIES, 74,330,000 CITY HALL, 27,900,000.
IS THERE A SECOND? IT'S BEEN MOVED TO SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION, CHAIRMAN BEZEL DOA? UM, YEAH, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND STEMMONS MUNICIPAL, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR
[03:15:01]
YOUR DISCUSSION ON YOUR AMENDMENT.THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND STIMS MUNICIPAL CENTER PROPOSITIONS ARE AT ZERO AND ARE DELETED FROM THIS ORDINANCE.
AND THE PROPOSITIONS ARE REIMBURSED TO REFLECT THIS.
UM, ESSENTIALLY WE TALKED ABOUT THE IT ISSUE BEING IN A LOW, UM, BOND PROPOSITION, UH, ON ITS OWN, THAT A LOW BOND PROPOSITION HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF NOT PASSING IF THAT WERE TO NOT PASS, UH, THE DIFFERENT MECHANISMS THAT WE HAVE TO FUND, UM, UH, WOULD, UH, THEN NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THREE YEARS.
AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE, UH, SET AS A COUNCIL THAT WE PRIORITIZE IT, UH, MOVING FORWARD.
AND I'D LIKE TO SEE US PRIORITIZE THAT IN OUR NEXT FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.
BUT I WANNA JUST SAY I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH WHAT, UH, MY COLLEAGUE MS. SCHULTZ JUST, UH, DISCUSSED.
IN FACT, I THINK THAT IT'S, IT, IT, IT IT IS ALSO REALLY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND CONTRADICTING TO OUR OWN MESSAGES FOR US TO PUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO DEPARTMENTS THAT WE INTEND TO SEE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED FROM.
YET WE'RE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THESE FUNDS.
IT'S, IT'S JUST, IT, IT'S JUST IRRESPONSIBLE.
IN FACT, THE REASON THAT THE AMOUNT, I MEAN, THIS 27 9 DOESN'T EVEN COVER WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE NEEDED IN CITY HALL.
AND THE REASON THAT THERE IS THAT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS THAT WE HAVE HAD BODIES BEFORE US DO EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING ATTEMPTED TO DO NOW, AND KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
AND IF WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE OTHER, UM, UH, UH, THINGS, OTHER PRIORITIES, AND PUSH THIS TO THE SIDE, NOT ONLY IS THE AMOUNT GONNA CONTINUE TO GROW, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE WORKING CONDITIONS LIKE INADEQUATE HVAC AND EVERY SINGLE STAFF MEMBER THAT I KNOW HAS HEATERS, WE HAVE BREAKERS THAT TRIP BECAUSE PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL HEATERS JUST SO THAT THEY CAN BE COMFORTABLE AT WORK FOR NINE HOURS AT A TIME.
I, I, I, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SOLUTION.
AND I WANT TO JUST EXPLAIN HOW I GOT TO THIS SOLUTION.
IF YOU LOOK, I HAVE A PAPER THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THAT IS COLOR CODED.
I DON'T WANT TO REHASH WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
I'M NOT TRYING TO PRIORITIZE ONE PROPOSITION OVER THE OTHER.
I'M NOT WANTING TO GO BACK INTO AN ARGUMENT OF WHO DESERVES WHAT, BUT I WANT ALL OF WHAT WE INVEST IN TO BE IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY.
AND I BELIEVE THAT LEAVING CITY HALL AT ZERO DOES NOT ACCOMPLISH THAT.
SO INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, HOW AM I GONNA SOLVE THIS, I DID A PRO RATA, UH, APPROACH.
WE, WE TOOK THE PERCENTAGE OF WHAT EACH PROPOSITION IS IN THE ENTIRE CAPACITY AT THE AMOUNTS THAT WERE SET.
AND FROM THAT PERCENTAGE, AFTER REMOVING THE 5 MILLION FROM IT, IT LEFT US WITH 22.9 MILLION THAT WE NEEDED TO GET MADE WHOLE WITH THAT 22.9 MILLION MADE UP WITH EXACT PERCENTAGES FROM EACH PROPOSITION OF WHAT IT IS REFLECTED OF THE CAPACITY.
THAT'S HOW I GOT TO THIS NUMBER.
AGAIN, THIS WASN'T ABOUT IDEOLOGY OPINIONS OR, UH, PRIORITIZING ONE OVER THE OTHER.
IN FACT, I THINK THAT THE BIGGEST HITS OF COURSE, WERE THE BIGGEST PROPOSITIONS AND WE HAVE A $9 MILLION REDUCTION IN STREETS FROM THIS, UM, UH, PROPOSAL AND A $6.3 MILLION, UM, UH, REDUCTION IN PARKS.
BUT I WANNA SAY THAT I HAVE A, UM, A, A PLAN AS WELL THAT I'VE TALKED WITH THE CHAIR OF PARKS ON, AND I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF US FIGURING OUT A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PARKS PROPOSITION IS STILL FULLY FUNDED.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AROUND HERE.
UH, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SET POLICY AND IF THERE IS ESSENTIALLY OVER FIVE YEARS, A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 1 MILLION PER YEAR THAT WE CAN, UH, UH, DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER OR, UM, UH, STAFF TO INCLUDE AS A MAINTENANCE PLAN OVER FIVE YEARS, UM, WHICH WOULD JUST BE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS.
I'M NOT TRYING TO CUT ANYONE'S PROJECTS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, NONE OF WHAT I'M PROPOSING IS TOUCHING ONE PENNY OF THE DISCRETIONARY.
THAT WAS THE BIG CONTENTIOUS ITEM HERE.
EVERYONE PUT THEIR 5 MILLION WHERE THEY WANTED IT AND THIS ACTION WOULD NOT TOUCH IT.
EVERYONE STILL HAS WHERE THEY'VE PRIORITIZED.
IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE END NUMBER, IT GETS US AS CLOSE TO WHERE WE'VE FOUND A CONSENSUS AS A BODY THAT WE'VE GOTTEN TO THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.
BUT IT ALSO DOESN'T DO IT AT THE EXPENSE OF ONE SOLE PROPOSITION BEING ZEROED OUT.
SO I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER, UM, DOING WHAT WE CAN
[03:20:01]
TO MAKE THIS AS FAIR AND BALANCED OF A PROP, I MEAN, OF A PACKAGE THAT WE SEND TO THE VOTERS.RIDLEY, ARE YOU READY? YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES IF YOU ARE.
AND WE'RE ON, JUST TO CLARIFY, WE'RE ON MR. BASEL DO'S AMENDMENT TO ITEM 38, AS IT WAS MOVED BY CHAIRMAN NVAS.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE ON THE AMENDMENT.
SO IF I MAY ASK, UH, COUNCILMAN BEZEL DO SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, UM, IF YOU'LL ANSWER THEM YES, YOU CAN.
UM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT YOU SHOW IS INCREASING FROM 72 3 TO 72 4 40.
UM, SIMILARLY, YOU SHOW PUBLIC SAFETY INCREASING FROM 90 MILLION TO 93 TO 50.
WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM? I THOUGHT THE CONCEPT WAS THAT WE WOULD TAKE A PORTION OF EACH ONE OF THE PROPOSITIONS TOTALING NOT 27 MILLION, 900,000 TO PROVIDE THAT IN THE CITY HALL PROPOSITION.
SO I'M WONDERING WHY ARE THOSE TWO FIGURES INCREASING? IT'S BECAUSE OF THE DISCRETIONARY.
UM, AND IF YOU SEE THE, UH, COLOR CODED TABLE THAT I GAVE YOU, UM, THE ACTUAL BASE ALLOCATION HAS THE DISCRETIONARY BACKED OUT COMPLETELY.
'CAUSE I DID WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS CLEAR THAT DISCRETIONARY WOULDN'T BE TOUCHED.
SO THEN ONCE IT PUTS BACK IN, IT JUST INCREASES TOO.
BUT THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO GIVE YOU THIS TO SEE WHERE EACH OF THEM WERE GOING.
WELL, I UNDERSTOOD FROM MR. BEZEL DO'S MOTION AND, UH, THAT THE FIGURES THAT HE PRESENTED IN HIS MOTION INCLUDED THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.
WHICH IS WHY THE WAY THAT IT WAS WORDED, UM, TO ME FROM UH, STAFF WAS, WAS NOT THE WAY THAT I WANTED TO READ IT, UH, BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS CONFUSING.
'CAUSE IT WAS GOING BACK ON DIFFERENT STARTING POINTS.
THAT'S WHY I JUST GAVE WHAT THE ENDING POINT WAS.
BUT I GAVE YOU THIS TO SHOW EXACTLY WHERE EACH OF THEM CAME AND WHERE THEY END.
AND, AND YOU'LL SEE ON THIS NOT ONE PROPOSITION WAS INCREASED.
WELL, I, I, I'M STILL CONFUSED BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT MOTIONS.
UM, THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO REFERENCE ONE MOTION VERSUS THE OTHER AND JUST GIVE THE AMOUNTS.
WELL, THE OTHER ITEM I'M ALSO, UH, NEED CLARIFICATION ON, IS HOMELESS HOUSING AND HOUSING INCREASED FROM 19 MILLION TO 18,000,640? THAT'S A DECREASE.
IS IT JUST A TYPO THAT THAT'S WHY I DID NOT READ WHAT THEY PROVIDED THE WAY THAT IT WAS WORDED.
I DID NOT SAY INCREASE OR DECREASE BECAUSE I DID NOT BELIEVE THAT WHAT THEY GAVE ME WAS ACCURATE AND IT WAS CONFUSING.
AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO AVOID.
SO I ONLY GAVE THE AMOUNT MR. MAY, THE ACTUAL PROPOSITION, WHICH GET GOT TO ONE FIVE.
I'M SORRY, FOR WHAT PURPOSE? EXCUSE ME.
ONE SECOND POINT OF YOU NEED, UH, POINT OF INFORMATION.
CAN WE HAVE SOMEBODY COME AND EXPLAIN IT VERSUS THEM TWO OVER THERE TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT? I MEAN, IF HE CAN USE HIS TIME, HOW HE, HOW HE WANTS.
I KNOW, BUT I, HE'S, HE'S CHOOSING TO ASK THE, UH, THE AUTHOR THE MOVER OF THE MOTION TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
BUT HE COULD ALSO CHOOSE TO ASK STAFF.
IT'S MR. HE COULD, YES, IT'S MR. RIDLEY'S TIME.
MR. RIDLEY, DO YOU WANT, DO YOU WANNA HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ON THE, ON THE RECORD AT LEAST AND OUT LOUD? BECAUSE YOU CAN DO IT EITHER WAY, BUT WE DO NEED TO HEAR IT.
I, I, I UNDERSTAND THAT MR. VANDENBERG PREPARED THIS MOTION.
COULD I CALL HIM UP TO THE MICROPHONE TO EXPLAIN HOW WE GOT THESE NUMBERS? YOU, YOU CAN, THE CITY ATTORNEY CAN, CAN SEND SOMEBODY UP THERE TO HELP YOU.
WE JUST WROTE THE MOTION AS GIVEN TO US THE NUMBERS THAT WERE GIVEN TO US AND JUST ASK THAT THEY, UH, TOTAL THE, THE 1.25 MILLION AND THAT THEY DON'T AFFECT THE DISCRETION BILLION AND THEY DO NOT DIS AFFECT THE DISCRETIONARY.
AND I'M SORRY, I'M NOT GONNA CALL 'EM THAT.
SO WHERE DID YOU GET THE NUMBERS? THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIFIC FUNDING.
SO WHERE DID THE NUMBERS COME FROM? FROM THE COUNCIL MEMBER WHO REQUESTED THE MOTION? IS THAT RIGHT? BURT BUR VANDENBERG.
UM, WHAT HAPPENED WAS, IS WE TOOK THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE AT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, WHICH WAS OUR BASE NUMBER, THE $5 MILLION THAT WAS ALLOCATED OVER, UH, EVERYBODY'S UNALLOCATED, UH, DISTRICT SPECIFIC FUNDS ADDED THAT IN.
THAT IS THE NUMBER THAT STARTED THAT.
SO WE STARTED WITH THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NUMBER, WHICH HAD THE 75 MILLION OF SPECIFIC, UH, DISTRICT SPECIFIC FUNDS THAT THEN GOT PUT INTO COUNCIL MEMBER VAL'S MOTION.
SO YOU HAD FOR STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION AND WENT FROM 500 MILLION, WHICH WAS WHAT, ON JANUARY 31ST.
YOU GUYS, THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RECOMMENDED
[03:25:02]
THE 5 21 2 IS WHAT IT WAS AFTER DISTRICT SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS WERE ADDED.SO THEN IF YOU SWITCH OVER TO THE AMENDING MOTION AND LOOK AT STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION, IT DECREASES FROM THE 5 21 200 MILLION, WHICH WAS WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER NARVAEZ RECOMMENDED OR MADE HIS MOTION FOR TO THE 5 0 7 OH 10,000 THAT COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DUA HAS MADE THE MOTION FOR.
YEAH, I, I, I FOLLOW THAT, BUT THAT ISN'T CONSISTENTLY TRUE WITH THE OTHER PROPOSITIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UM, IN THE NVAS MOTION SHOWS A FINAL AMOUNT WITH DISCRETIONARY, UH, APPLICATION OF 72 3 AND, UH, MR. BASIL DO'S MOTION SHOWING IT GOING UP FROM 72 3 TO 72 4 40.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE THAT EXTRA MONEY COMES FROM, FROM THE CHART THAT I WAS GIVEN BY THE COUNCIL MEMBER? WELL, THAT, THAT DOESN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION.
IT'S PAPER THAT, BUT WHERE DID IT COME FROM? I DON'T, I DID NOT DO THE ACCOUNTING ON THIS ONE.
I DO KNOW THAT WHEN ALL THE NUMBERS IN THE COLUMN WERE ADDED TOGETHER, THEY CAME TO 1.25 BILLION, WHICH IS THE ONE THING I WAS ABLE TO CHECK.
SO DOES THE BASIL DOA AMENDMENT TOTAL UP TO A MILLION A 1,000,000,250? IT, IT DOES.
WELL, UH, I, I STILL CONFESS TO BEING CONFUSED ABOUT HOW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCREASED, UM, FLOOD PRO, UH, I'M SORRY.
PUBLIC SAFETY INCREASED WHEN I THOUGHT THE EXERCISE WAS TO TAKE MONEY FROM ALL THE PROPOSITIONS TO PUT MONEY INTO THE CITY HALL PROPOSITION.
UM, OMAR MONEY IN THE WRONG CATEGORY.
IS THAT A QUESTION DIRECTED TO STAFF OR IS THAT BACK TO THE AUTHOR OR THE AMENDMENT OR WHAT? WE GOTTA, WE GOTTA GET BACK TO THE WAY WE NORMALLY DO THINGS AROUND HERE.
YOU CAN'T JUST THINK OUT LOUD AND HERE THE HORSESHOE AND CALL THAT A COUNCIL MEETING.
MR. RIDLEY, DO YOU WANT, DO WE WANNA PAUSE YOUR TIME AND LET YOU UH, YEAH.
COLLECT YOUR THOUGHTS JUST A LITTLE BIT? OKAY.
WELL, NO, MY THOUGHT IS THAT, UH, YOU'RE BACK ON THE CLOCK.
I'M WONDERING IF WE SHOULD JUST THROW OUT THE WRITTEN MOTION AND LOOK AT THE TABLE THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN.
THROW OUT WHO'S WRITTEN MOTION.
UH, MR. BASIL DO IS HE DIDN'T WRITE ONE? I DON'T HAVE A WRITTEN MOTION FOR MR. BA.
YOU MEAN THE, THIS, THIS COLOR? NO.
YOU GUYS, YOU GUYS KEPT THAT ONE FROM ME.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING SOME WEIRD STUFF.
I, I JUST LIKE TO, YOU GAVE THE MAYOR THE OLD COLOR CODED WEIRD ONE.
SO, MR. BEZEL, DO, SHOULD WE IGNORE THE TYPED MOTION AND LOOK AT THE SPREADSHEET, THE TABLE? I, I, I, I THINK THAT WHAT, WHAT, WHAT OCCURRED WAS THE ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER NVAS AMENDMENT WAS INCLUDED.
AND THAT'S WHERE, UH, I, THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD SAY THAT YOU CAN'T JUST GO BY THIS WAS THAT I WASN'T AWARE OF WHAT MR. NVAS WAS CHANGING, AND HE CHANGED SOME FROM PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOUSING.
SO MY, MY TOTALS ON THIS WOULD BE, UH, DIFFERENT IN TWO OF THE PROPOSITIONS BECAUSE OF MR. NOVA'S AMENDMENT.
SO THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE THIS MOTION WAS WRITTEN WITH THAT, THE STARTING POINT.
WHO ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR, AGAIN, BEFORE I GO BACK TO THE CHAIRMAN? WE WE'RE, WE'RE HOLD A SECOND.
UM, YOU, YOU'RE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW, UH, FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT.
UM, MR. BROWN, I'M GONNA RISE UP AND SPEAK AGAINST THE AMENDMENT TO THE MO THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
UM, YOU, YOU JUST HEARD COMMENTS MADE BY MR. RIDLEY.
UM, IT INCREASES IN SOME PLACES, DECREASES IN OTHER PLACES.
UM, I, I'M SURE THAT IT WAS, YOU TRIED, I UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT OF IT, UM, BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T DO WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE, UM, WILL OF THIS BODY WHEN WE VOTED IN THE, ON THE ORIGINAL DAY ON WHAT TO MOVE FORWARD.
UM, WHAT I READ IS THAT WILL PLUS THE DESIGNATED DOLLARS THAT EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER AND
[03:30:01]
THE MAYOR GOT A 5 MILLION WHERE THEY WANTED IT TO GO.UM, SO IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE ACTUALLY VOTED ON, THIS DOES NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO UNFORTUNATELY WHAT, UM, WAS THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
AND, UM, SO FOR, JUST FOR THOSE TECHNICAL REASONS, UM, I HAVE TO VOTE NO.
AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES UNDERSTAND AND AGREE IT'S A TECHNICAL ISSUE BECAUSE WE DID INCREASE IN SOME OTHERS AND DECREASE IN SOME OTHERS AS FAR AS THE, UM, PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION GOES.
UM, SO I IMPLORE YOU TWO ALL TO, UM, VOTE NO AS WELL.
JUST WANNA REMIND EVERYONE WE'RE ON THE AMENDMENT RIGHT NOW.
SO, CHAIRWOMAN MIDDLEN, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT BY MR. BASEL.
I ALSO WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT.
UM, COMPARED TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT OFFERED BY COUNCILOR NVAS, THIS DECREASES STREETS BY 14 MILLION.
MANY OF US PUT MONEY INTO STREETS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, BECAUSE FRANKLY, OUR STREETS ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION.
THIS IS, I MEAN, TO GO TO $507 MILLION OUT OF A 1.25 BOND IS INSUFFICIENT, FRANKLY.
E EVEN OUR MOTION FROM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER NEVAS FOR 521 MILLION, THIS IS AN AREA THAT STILL COULD INCREASE PARKS TO REDUCE 10 MILLION MORE FROM WHERE WE WERE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER NOVA'S MOTION.
THERE'S MANY OTHER ITEMS IN HERE THAT, UM, I'D BE CONCERNED WITH REDUCING, BUT THE NUMBER TWO, THE TWO THAT I WANNA FOCUS ON ARE CITY HALL.
AND IT, THE IDEA THAT BECAUSE A PROPOSITION IS SMALLER, MEANING 5 MILLION, WHICH BY THE WAY FOR MOST CITIES IS A MASSIVE, MASSIVE PROPOSITION, TO THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE IT'S SMALLER THAN OTHERS MEANS IT WOULDN'T PASS, I THINK IS EXTREMELY WRONGHEADED.
AND IN FACT, I THINK OUR RESIDENTS ARE ACUTELY AWARE OF THE, THE NEED FOR AN IT PROPOSITION.
SO THIS IS A NON-STARTER FOR ME.
THIS ENTIRE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CITY HALL PROPOSITION IS QUITE REMARKABLE.
UM, CITY MANAGER, HAVE WE HAD A BRIEFING ON THE STATUS OF THE FACILITY? I'M NOT SURE COUNCILWOMAN, I DO NOT ATTEND GPFM MEETINGS, SO I WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE CHAIR AND OR YOURSELF AS THE FORMER CHAIR.
UH, SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE AS A FORMER CHAIR, I'LL SAY WE NEVER HAD A BRIEFING ON THIS.
IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT BY STAFF TO ME AS A AREA OF CONCERN.
I'VE HEARD PEOPLE, UH, CURRENT CHAIR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY? UH, UH, I CONCUR.
SO I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THAT IT WAS BEING CONSIDERED CITY HALL ITEMS WERE BEING CONSIDERED IN PRIOR BONDS.
IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED IN ANYTHING.
THERE'S NEVER, ONCE I WAS SAID, I WAS TOLD, HEY, WE HAVE THIS HUGE PROBLEM AT CITY HALL AND WE NEED SUPPORT ON IT.
BECAUSE HAD THAT HAPPENED, I WOULD'VE ENCOURAGED YOU TO FUND IT IN OTHER WAYS.
AND MY QUESTION FOR YOU AT THIS POINT, WELL, I HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM, IS KNOWING THAT YOU HAD THREE DIFFERENT BOND COMMITTEES THAT TURNED IT DOWN AS A PROPOSITION, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO TAKE CARE OF CITY HALL IN THAT INTERIM? SO LET ME FIRST CLARIFY A A COUPLE OF THINGS AROUND BRIEFINGS ON CITY HALL AND OR KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN CITY HALL, EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW A CERTAIN LEVEL AND OR EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE RISES TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF HEAT, I GET PHONE CALLS AND CALLS, UH, DIRECTLY FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING ABOUT THE INADEQUACY OF OUR HVAC AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE.
UH, I THINK THROUGHOUT THE BOND TASK FORCE STAFF, UH, HAS DELIBERATELY SHARED, I THINK, AND ROBERT CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE ISSUES IN, UH, AND WHAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED, UH, AS IT RELATES TO THE MAINTENANCE IN THIS BUILDING.
SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE THREE PREVIOUS PROPOSITIONS BECAUSE I'VE ACTUALLY ONLY BEEN THE CITY MANAGER, UH, FOR SEVEN YEARS.
UH, AND SO I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I HAVE DONE IN THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING YEAR OVER YEAR INCREASES FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND THE THINGS THAT JOHN JENKINS AND THE PRIOR DIRECTOR HAD DONE PRIOR TO, UH, MY ARRIVAL, THAT WE'VE DONE THAT IN IT, WE'VE DONE THAT IN BUILDING MAINTENANCE, THAT WE TRY TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL AMOUNTS YEAR OVER YEAR TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THINGS THAT WE KNOW, UH, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT COME UP.
[03:35:01]
SPEAK TO THE BOND PROGRAM.UH, BUT, UH, AGAIN, I THINK GIVEN THE LEVEL OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ACROSS ALL OF THESE PROPOSITIONS, UH, I THINK WE'VE TRIED TO ADDRESS THOSE AS BEST WE CAN IN THE OPERATING BUDGET, UH, GIVEN THE MANY PRIORITIES.
UH, BUT WE ALSO DO THAT OBVIOUSLY THROUGH THE BOND PROGRAM.
SO ROBERT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE POINT OF INFORMATION, ONE SECOND POINT OF INFORMATION.
IT MAY NOT HAVE GONE TO A COMMITTEE, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS OUR ENTIRE COUNCIL WAS BRIEFED ON THIS.
THAT'S NOT A, THAT'S NOT REALLY A POINT.
THAT'S, WELL, THAT WAS A QUESTION.
SO YEAH, THAT'S KINDA GETTING INTO DISCUSSION.
UM, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
ROBERT PAT, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SCHULTZ, YOU'RE CORRECT.
UH, WE DID BRIEF FULL COUNSEL, UH, IT WAS DECEMBER 22, UM, THAT WE DISCUSSED THAT TO INCLUDE THE OVERALL FACILITIES NEEDS, UH, TO WHICH CITY HALL WAS PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.
UM, UH, THROUGH, UM, CITY MANAGER BROAD NEXT'S LEADERSHIP, WE ALSO DID, UH, PROGRAM $3 MILLION, UH, AS PART OF THE MIDYEAR ADJUSTMENT LAST YEAR TO DO THE, UH, THE BOILER WORK, UH, HERE IN CITY HALL.
SO, UM, SO FOR ALL THE NOISE THAT YOU HEARD, THAT THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.
UM, AND SO, SO YES, UH, WE DO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND, AND WE PROGRAM FUNDS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
IMAGINE JUST INFORMED ME THAT IN THE 2017 V THERE WAS $6.2 MILLION APPROVED RELATED TO CITY HALL AND WHATEVER PROPOSITION IT WAS THAT WAS APPROVED AND THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE TASK FORCE AT THAT POINT.
SO WHAT ARE THE DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN CITY HALL OVER THESE YEARS? COUNCILWOMAN, I, I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT NUMBER AND YOU MAY KNOW IT, AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT, I, I THINK WHAT'S RELEVANT TODAY IS THAT AS IT'S BEING DISCUSSED, UH, THERE'S $0 FOR CITY HALL AND THERE'S 1.25 BILLION FOR A MYRIAD OF OTHER GREAT THINGS THAT ACTUALLY WILL HELP THIS CITY AND MOVE IT FORWARD FROM PARK STREETS TO CULTURAL ARTS.
AND SO, UH, THE DISCUSSION AROUND CITY HALL, AS I SHARED, IF IT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THE BOND PROGRAM, I GAVE THE THREE OPTIONS.
UH, IF IT'S NOT INCLUDED, WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW WE APPROACH IT AND COME BACK TO THIS COUNCIL WITH RECOMMENDATIONS, WHETHER AT MIDYEAR, WHETHER DURING THE BUDGET, UH, AND OR AT ANY OTHER TIME, UH, THAT WE, UH, CAN PULL TOGETHER A RECOMMENDATION TO DO THAT.
AND THEN COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER IT NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU'VE BEEN CONSIDERING THE PROPOSITION THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TALKED ABOUT THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
AND, AND I DON'T HAVE THE DRILL DOWN NUMBERS OF WHAT HADN'T BEEN DONE.
UH, WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, UH, AND UH, BUT THAT'S PROBABLY AS MUCH AS WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO GET INTO DETAIL TODAY WITH IT.
WELL, I'M FLATTERED THAT YOU THINK I KNOW THE NUMBER.
UM, FIRST OFF SECOND, UM, I WOULD LIKE ACTUALLY IF YOU COULD, UH, DIRECT YOUR STAFF TO LOOK UP THE DOLLARS THAT WERE BEEN PUT INTO FACILITY MAINTENANCE, MAYBE GOING BACK TO 2019, WHERE MANY OF US WERE ELECTED COMPARED TO WHAT THEY ARE FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR BUDGET.
AND IF YOU COULD TELL US WHAT THAT CHANGE HAS BEEN, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
UM, YOU DID OUTLINE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT YOU COULD PAY FOR CITY HALL THAT WERE OUTSIDE OF THE BOND, AND WE SHOULD REMEMBER WHEN COMMENTS WERE MADE ABOUT THE ESCALATING COST OF NOT REPAIRING CITY HALL, THAT OF COURSE THE BOND HAS AN EXTRA COST OF INTEREST.
SO THIS IS A, UM, TAKING OUT DEBT TO REPAIR THIS BUILDING.
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED BESIDES THE GENERAL FUND.
WE HAVE BEEN TALKING, UM, ABOUT THE PENSION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF SELLING ASSETS.
IT'S SORT OF SHOCKING TO FIND OUT HOW MANY ASSETS THE CITY ACTUALLY HAS IN VARIOUS REVENUE STREAMS. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT ONE OF THOSE OR MORE MIGHT ACTUALLY JUST OUTRIGHT FUND THIS? NO, I HAVEN'T COUNCILWOMAN AND, AND I'VE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT IN MY STATEMENT THAT, UH, IT, I, I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD STRATEGY, UH, JUST TO LOOK AT AND SELL OFF PROPERTY, PARTICULARLY IN MOST CASES WHERE THOSE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE VALUE ACTUALLY HAVE BUILDINGS ON THEM AND STAFF WORKING IN THEM.
AND THEN THERE WOULD BE A SECONDARY COST OF, OF HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE PLACE THOSE STAFF OR THAT EQUIPMENT.
AND SO, UH, AGAIN, THAT SHOULDN'T BE HOW WE FUND AND SUPPORT, UH, THE ONGOING EXPENSES AND OR PRIORITY ITEMS IN THIS CITY PERIOD.
BY SELLING OFF ASSETS TO DO IT.
'CAUSE WHEN I RUN OUT OF ITEMS TO SELL, I'LL STILL HAVE MORE NEEDS AFTER THAT AND I ACTUALLY WON'T HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS TO ACTUALLY DO WHAT I NEED TO DO IN THIS CITY.
SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT, BUT IT WOULD NEVER BE MY PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION, UH, TO DO THAT, TO FIND IMPROVEMENTS TO CITY HALL.
AGAIN, I THINK THE POLICY LEVEL DISCUSSION FOR
[03:40:01]
ME TODAY IS TOP LEVEL.WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH BOND PROPOSITIONS? THE OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND HOW WE FUND AND, AND SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE NEED TO DO, UH, TO MAINTAIN OUR BUILDINGS IS A RESPONSIBILITY, QUITE HONESTLY, OF ADMINISTRATION.
THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTS ARE ON RIGHT NOW, AND THE MICROPHONES ACTUALLY WORK TODAY AND WE'RE DOING THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO, UH, TO KEEP THIS BUILDING, UH, IN A CONDITION WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY COME IN IT SAFELY.
SO AGAIN, UM, NOT THAT YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO ON YOUR TIME, UH, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE SPECIFIC COMMENTS ARE GERMANE TO ESTABLISHING WHAT WE NEED TO DO SPECIFICALLY, UH, WITH FUNDING AS A PART OF THIS PROPOSITION.
WELL, I APPRECIATE YOUR OUTLOOK AND IT'S INCONSISTENT WITH THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND HOW WE REVIEW IT, AND MANY OF THE PROPOSALS MADE TO REDUCE REVENUE TO ALLOW US TO PAY FOR THINGS IN THIS BUILDING.
I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY GERMANE SINCE YOU'RE ASKING FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CITY HALL, ALMOST $30 MILLION.
UM, ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL THAT IT WOULD APPEAR SELF-SERVING FOR ALMOST $30 MILLION TO COME TO CITY HALL WHERE IT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING THAT'S BENEFITING THE RESIDENTS LIKE STREETS OR PARKS OR PUBLIC SAFETY WOULD, I DON'T REALLY HAVE A RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION.
UM, I GUESS THAT WILL BE FOR THE VOTERS TO DETERMINE SHOULD THIS GO FORWARD.
UM, I SEE I HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
I GUESS I WILL SAY THAT THERE WAS A PRIOR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STATE OF GOOD REPAIR FOR ALL THE CITY ASSETS WHERE WE ASKED WHAT THAT NUMBER WAS.
AND I RECOLLECT YOUR RESPONSE SAYING YOU DIDN'T KNOW AND THAT WE NEEDED TO DO A STUDY AND THE STUDY WOULD COST $5 MILLION AND THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE $5 MILLION.
IS THAT ACCURATE? WAS THAT A CONVERSATION THAT OCCURRED DURING THE BUDGET? I, I CAN'T REMEMBER.
'CAUSE IT WASN'T SOMETHING I RECOMMENDED.
I BELIEVE IT WAS DURING THE BUDGET.
AND SO I THINK THE COMMENT YOU PROBABLY, YOU MADE THE MOTION, SO I, I PROBABLY NEED YOU TO, UH, I GUESS REPHRASE WHAT THE, UM, MOTION WAS AND, AND WHAT THE IMPACT AND WHERE THOSE DOLLARS WOULD HAVE COME FROM.
UH, BECAUSE I, AGAIN, THE BUDGET CONVERSATION LAST YEAR WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE UNUSUAL BUDGET CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE HAD IN MY ENTIRE CAREER.
AND SO THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT I DON'T RECOLLECT FROM THAT BECAUSE, UH, I WAS FOCUSED OBVIOUSLY ON THE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY, UH, RECOMMENDING AND, AND TRYING TO SHARE WITH COUNCIL TO, UH, ENSURE WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET.
SO IF YOU WOULD REPEAT, I THINK WHAT YOUR SUGGESTION WAS, IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOME CONCERN ABOUT WE WOULD FIND $5 MILLION SOMEWHERE.
BUT I, I, I JUST DON'T REMEMBER COUNCILMAN, THE OVERALL QUESTION IS THIS, WHAT IS THE ACTUAL DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IS NEEDED TO BRING ALL THE CITY ASSETS TO A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR? AND I MEAN, FACILITIES, NOT THINGS LIKE STREETS AND PARKS.
I THINK THE TEAM MAY HAVE THAT NUMBER.
'CAUSE WE'VE SHARED NEEDS INVENTORY LIST, I THINK ACROSS ALL OF THE PROPOSITIONS, UH, WITH THE BOND TASK.
PREVIOUSLY THE ANSWER WAS YOU DIDN'T KNOW BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE A STUDY.
UH, WELL, AGAIN, WHEN DID I SAY THAT TODAY? THAT WAS AT THE BUDGET MEETING.
WELL, A AGAIN, THAT, THAT'S THE LAST QUESTION YOU CAN GET FOR THIS ROUND.
COULD YOU PLEASE IF YOU HAVE THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, I THINK SIR JOHN JOHNSON BUILDING THINK WE ARE ALL WAITING FOR THAT ANSWER.
THE CONVERSATION THAT OCCURRED IN DECEMBER OF 22 TO THE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE IS WHERE WE BRIEFED THE FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT.
IT WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2017 AND AT THAT TIME AND IDENTIFIED 113 MILLION IN NEEDS ADJUSTED FOR 2024.
BUT THE KEY OF THAT IS THAT IT ONLY ASSESSED 220 OF THE 500 THEN BUILDINGS UNDER BUILDING SERVICES, UH, RESPONSIBILITY.
MS. BLACKMAN, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
UM, I THINK THE PROBLEM IS, IS WE'VE MISSED, THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCUSSIONS ON THE DISCRETIONARY, BUT I THINK SOME OF THAT HAS MOVED.
SO COULD YOU COME AND TELL US OR GIVE US A NEW SPREADSHEET THAT SHOWS IT? BECAUSE WHEN YOU RECONCILE, UH, STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION IS OFF PARKS AND REC IS OFF PUBLIC SAFETY, ARTS AND CULTURE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND I THINK THERE'S BEEN SOME MOVEMENT WHICH THROWS THE WHOLE SHEET OFF AND IS CAUSING CONFUSION.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHY DON'T YOU JUST TELL US ALL 15 ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCRE FOR DISCRETIONARY COUNCIL MEMBER.
[03:45:02]
OKAY.UM, THE MOTION, THE AMENDMENT'S ON THE FLOOR AND THE STAFF DIDN'T WRITE THE AMENDMENT.
I MEAN THE, THE ATTORNEYS DID, BUT IT'S AN AMENDMENT BASED OFF OF WHAT A COUNCIL MEMBER WANTED, NOT WHAT THEY WANTED.
SO THE AMENDMENT'S ON THE FLOOR, WE, WE, WE SHOULDN'T BE TRYING TO FIX THE AMENDMENT WHILE WE'RE ON THE FLOORS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE AMENDMENT.
I'M GONNA LET THE PARLIAMENTARY, UH, TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S A REALLY A POINT OF ORDER THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED OR NOT.
IT'S AN INTERESTING POINT THOUGH, BUT WELL, IT'S NOT A VIOLATION OF THE RULES, SO IT WOULD NOT BE A POINT OF ORDER.
BUT, UM, IT, THE QUESTION IS, IS IT GERMANE TO THE AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR? THE, I MEAN, YES.
I WANNA CLARIFY THE NUMBERS BECAUSE WE HAVE A SPREADSHEET AND WE HAVE TWO
BRIAN'S TRYING TO GET AROUND IT.
UM, POINT OF INFORMATION PLEASE.
STATE YOUR POINT OF INFORMATION.
THANK REALLY, I I THINK, UM, I'M, I'M SORRY THAT, UH, I, I DIDN'T HAVE THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE BASLOW AMENDMENT BEFORE.
I WOULD'VE ACTUALLY POINTED THAT OUT, BUT IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING.
BUT THE QUESTION, I'M, I NEED CLARITY AROUND THE QUESTION.
ARE WE ASKING STAFF TO IDENTIFY ALL THE PROJECTS? WILL WE PLACED OUR DISCRETIONARY NO, NO, NO.
SO RIGHT NOW WHAT WE HAVE ON THE FLOOR IS THIS, UM, MOTION BY CHAIRMAN BASIL DUA, THAT I JUST, THIS PIECE OF PAPER HERE FOR EVERYBODY WHO'S, UM, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS.
AND, UM, THE ONLY, THE ONLY DISCUSSION THAT'S GERMANE TO THAT WOULD BE TO DEBATE THESE DOLLAR AMOUNTS, THESE TOP LINE DOLLAR AMOUNTS WHEN THE CITY MANAGER NEEDS THIS INFORMATION AND TO EVENTUALLY MAKE IT INTO THIS BOND ORDINANCE.
SO, UM, THIS IS THE AMENDMENT THAT'S ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR, BUT IT HAS CHAIRMAN ARVA HIS NAME AT THE TOP.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT, REALLY.
IT'S, IT'S THIS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
SO, UM, AND MAYOR COUNSEL, UM, WE HAVE SHARED, UH, THE SCREEN.
UM, IT'S THE SPREADSHEET THAT SHOWS THE BASE OF WHAT THE BODY, UH, STRAW VOTED, UH, IN ADDITION TO THE $75 MILLION.
UH, AND BY, BY DISTRICT, UH, BY PROP.
UM, SO THAT THIS, THIS WILL SHOW YOU HOW WE GET TO, UM, THE STARTING POINT OF THE AMENDMENTS FOR TODAY.
BUT CAN YOU TELL ME THE 75, HOW THAT'S BROKEN UP IN THE DISCRETIONARY? YOU'RE BACK ON THE CLOCK OF MS. BLACKWELL, HOPEFULLY THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE'RE BREAKING UP THE 75 PER DISTRICT INTO WHAT? BUCKET ALLOCATION? I CAN'T SEE THAT.
YES, WE, WE CAN GET YOU COPIES OF THIS.
I'M LIKE, WE NEED NEW AD AT CITY HALL, RIGHT?
YOU KNOW WHAT, TELL ME THIS, WHICH ONE'S CHANGED? OKAY.
BECAUSE LIKE, MINE NEVER CHANGED.
SO, SO FOR STREETS AND PROPOSITION OR STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION PROP, UM, COUNCIL DISTRICT ONE ADDED ONE YES.
PER THE DISCRETIONARY POOL, RIGHT? THE 75 MILLION.
AND AND JENNY'S PASSING THAT OUT RIGHT NOW.
OKAY, SO BECAUSE BACK TO, 'CAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT SOME FOLKS WENT BACK AND WHERE IT SAYS REVISED AND IT CHANGED THE NUMBERS.
SO BACK TO WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, IT GOT, IT HAD TO BACK OUT 5 MILLION.
SO THE BASELINE CHANGED OF WHICH TO, UM, GO AHEAD.
YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING, 99, $90 MILLION BACK TO FLAT TO 90.
AND THEN, UM, BUT IT, BUT DO EXPLAIN.
AND SO HOW DID WE COME UP WITH THE 93, 2, 3, 5 WHEN WE WERE BACK AT 90 AND, AND COUNCIL MEMBER? I THINK THAT'S WHERE, UM, WE WE'RE HANDED THIS, WE WE'RE HANDED THIS AMENDMENT AND SO, OKAY.
I I MEAN WE, WE DON'T KNOW THE, THE DELTA OF THE, THE 3.5.
IT WAS PART OF THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS HANDED TO US.
SO, UM, WE MAY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE, THE ACCOUNTING ON THIS IF WE CAN BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF CONFUSING.
BUT, UM, THE ONE THING IS, IS THAT WE GOTTA HAVE A CITY CENTER.
AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS AND ABOUT MAYBE EVEN MOVING IT WITH A CONVENTION CENTER.
LOOK, THIS, THIS, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT IS WHAT WE HAVE.
AND IT TOOK SINCE 1962, I BELIEVE, OR 60, HOLD ON, I GOT GOT MORE PAPER HERE.
1964 IN GOALS FOR DALLAS WITH THE ORIGINAL ERIC JOHNSON, WHEN THEY BEGAN TALKING ABOUT A NEW CITY HALL, IT OPENED IN 78.
[03:50:01]
ABOUT ALMA, IT WAS A LITTLE OVER $49 MILLION.IT IS, YOU WOULD BE A BILLION DOLLARS NOW TO CONSTRUCT.
THIS IS A LONG CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE IT, THEN WE HAVE TO FIX WHAT WE HAVE.
I, I THINK I'VE HEARD A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE NEED TO KEEP OUR ASSETS UP.
WE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR BUILDINGS.
WELL, THE DALLAS WAY IS BUILD IT AND THEN FORGET ABOUT IT.
AND I HATE TO SAY IT, I'VE BEEN AROUND THIS BUILDING LONG ENOUGH TO HEAR IT.
CAN YOU TELL ME, DOES, UM, WHAT OFFICE, WHAT ARE CRITICAL DEPARTMENTS IN THIS BUILDING? I MEAN, I CAN NAME THREE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I'D LIKE TO SAY MARIN CITY COUNCIL FIRST AND FOREMOST.
UM, NO, UM, SO YOU HAVE, UH, DWU, YOU HAVE HUMAN RESOURCES.
UH, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE, UH, DO YOU HAVE O EMERGENCY MANAGER'S OFFICE? NOW IS THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THIS BUILDING? DOC IS HERE AND PLANNING A, UH, REGIONAL CONTACT POINT OF CONTACT FOR OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT? YES, MA'AM.
SO IF CITY HALL GOES DOWN, OUR GENERATORS GO OUT, WHAT DO WE DO? WE'LL PROBABLY LOOK AT OUR BACKUP FACILITIES.
I GUESS WE'RE ALL GETTING LITTLE TREADMILLS AND START RUNNING.
UM, WHAT ABOUT 9 1 1? IS THAT ALL I DON'T WANT HERE IN THIS BUILDING? I KNOW THERE'S DISCUSSION OF MOVING IT OUT.
WHERE ARE WE ON THAT DISCUSSION? UH, OUR LAND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE IS, IS, UH, DISCUSSING THAT.
UM, SO HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE? SO, UM, SO IT DEPENDS.
I, ONE, ONE OF THE IDEAS THAT WE HAVE IS, UH, WHEN THE, UH, BELLEVUE OR IBM BUILDING COMES ONLINE, THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL MOVE, UH, TO, TO THAT FACILITY OR, AND WHEN WILL THAT BE ONLINE? OH, IT'S MS. BOND, ISN'T IT? OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 IS WHEN WE TAKE POSSESSION.
AND SO THEN WE ALSO HAVE 3 1 1, RIGHT? 3 0 1 IS HERE AS WELL? YES, MA'AM.
SO THE QUESTION IS, IS WHAT HAPPENS IN, I GUESS, JOHN, IF WE HAVE TO MOVE OUT OR WE HAVE TO NOT, UH, IF WE DON'T HAVE ELECTRICAL AND IT CATCHES ON FIRE, OR, UM, YOU KNOW, WORSE COMES TO WORSE, WE START GETTING REALLY A HUNDRED DEGREE WEATHER AND OR ABOVE A HUNDRED AND WE CAN'T HAVE MEETINGS IN THIS BUILDING.
SO WHERE WOULD CITY, WHERE WOULD THE CITY GOVERNMENT MOVE TO? WE, WE WOULD FIGURE THAT OUT, MA'AM.
UH, WE WOULD, WE WOULD LOOK TO OUR MOBILE, UH, FACILITIES AND, AND FIGURE THAT OUT.
SO WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY RENT IF WE WENT TO A TEMPORARY FACILITY, RIGHT? THAT PROBABLY WOULD BE ONE OPTION.
SO I MEAN, THE THING IS, IS WE EITHER DECIDE TO MAINTAIN THE ELECTRICAL IN YOUR OWN HOUSE.
IF IT'S BURNING, IF IT'S FALLING APART, YOU MAINTAIN IT OR YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA PUT IN A SWIMMING POOL? YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE, WE GOTTA FIX WHAT WE HAVE.
I, YOU KNOW, IT'S, I KNOW IT'S BEEN THREE BONDS AND THE REASON WHY IS LET THE NEXT ONE KI IT'S 2030.
THAT'S THE D THAT'S HOW WE DO THINGS AROUND HERE.
I MEAN, WE EITHER TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE GOT OR WE DON'T BUILD ANYMORE.
AND SO I'M GONNA BE SUPPORTING THIS.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE MATH FIGURED OUT AND I'LL BE WORKING ON IT WHILE I'M HERE.
BUT, UM, I JUST FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE BUILT, IT'S AN I AM PAY BUILDING.
IT'S ICONIC AND WE HAVEN'T TAKEN CARE OF IT.
IF IT'S NOT, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE OPEN GOVERNMENT.
WE'VE CREATED HALLWAYS, WE'VE CREATED OFFICES, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS BUILT TO BE ICONIC AND WE JUST NEED TO DECIDE WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH IT.
AND THE GOOD THING IS BECAUSE IT'S BOND MONEY, IF WE DECIDE WE WANNA MOVE, WE CAN USE IT TO BUILD A NEW ONE.
OF COURSE WE'RE GONNA NEED A BILLION DOLLARS.
YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON MR. BASIL DOULA'S AMENDMENT.
UH, MR. JENKIN, I KNOW YOU HAD A SPECIAL CALL MEETING BEFORE WE STARTED, UM, ALLOCATING THE MONEY FOR PARTS.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAD A PROPOSAL THAT YOU WENT BACK TO LOOK AT 2 75, 300 MILLION 3 25 AND YOUR BOARD CAME UP WITH A NUMBER 3 0 7.
SO THEREFORE I'M LOOKING AT ABOUT DUE, UH, PROPOSITION IS 5 0 7, UH, WITH THE BASE, BUT THAT INCLUDES DISCRETIONARY FUND.
SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THOSE PROJECTS? THAT IS CORRECT.
CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON YOUR MIC? ALRIGHT.
UM, IF, IF I'M ASKED TO REDUCE THE BOND PROPOSITION, THEN WE WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY WHICH PROJECTS WOULD BE RE NEED TO BE ELI, I MEAN, REDUCED OR ELIMINATED.
WHO WOULD IDENTIFY THE PROJECT? UH, IT WOULD, I WOULD NEED TO GO BACK TO THE BOARD AND GET THEIR RECOMMENDATION TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION BACK TO THE COUNCIL UNLESS THIS BODY DECIDED TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION.
[03:55:01]
SO WILL YOU REPEAT THAT AGAIN PLEASE? I WOULD NEED TO GO BACK TO THE PARK AND RECREATION BOARD TO GET THEIR RECOMMENDATION ON WHICH CUTS UNLESS THIS BODY MADE THE RECOMMENDATION.UH, STREETS, UM, CAN I GET SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT STREETS? GOOD AFTERNOON.
A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS? YES, SIR.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT STREETS, UH, IN THE PROPOSITION HERE THAT YOU'RE GONNA REDUCE STREETS IN THE PROPOSITION.
SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, WHAT WOULD THE PROCESS, THE STREETS THAT THE COUNCIL MEMBER GOTTA GO BACK AND FIND OUT WHAT STREET THAT NEEDED TO BE IN THE PROPOSITION BEFORE FEBRUARY, UH, 28TH? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DON'T HAVE THE LIST? MM-HMM.
WELL, THE LIST SHOULD BE FINAL FOR THE BOND.
IT MIGHT BE ALSO A QUESTION FOR BOND OFFICE, BUT, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A FINAL LEASE TO BE SET ON THE, UH, THE PACKAGE OF THE BOND, I BELIEVE.
I GUESS A QUESTION I WANT TO ASK IS IN THE 5 0 7, WHAT IS THE TOTAL NUMBER? A DISCRETIONARY FORM? IT IS IN THE 5 0 7 FIGURE.
WHAT IS THAT NUMBER? THE 5 0 7 IS JUST, JUST AMENDMENT THAT IT WAS JUST MADE RIGHT NOW, BUT FOR THE 500 IT WAS $75 MILLION.
IT'S 16, 16 MILLION, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE WENT FROM 500 TO 5 0 7.
MAYOR, I, MAYOR
THEN WE WENT TO, IT WOULD BE 5 0 7.
SO THERE'D BE ROUGHLY $7 MILLION OF DISCRETIONARY IN THERE.
OKAY, WELL, OKAY, I LOOKING AT, UH, MR.
SO IF THAT NOT DISCRETIONARY FUND, IT DOES DISTRICT SPECIFIC, DISTRICT SPECIFIC.
WELL, I ONLY HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR THE $500 MILLION SCENARIO.
MAY NEED THE HELP WITH BOND OFFICE IF IT'S POSSIBLE.
I AM SORRY, COULD YOU RE REPEAT YOUR QUESTION? WHAT I WAS SAYING IN THE STREET TRANSPORTATION NUMBER, HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN DISCRETIONARY FUND IF, IF YOU TAKE THE DISCRETIONARY FORM AWAY FROM THIS NUMBER? SO WHY MINUTE? A PROJECT WOULD NOT GET COMPLETED BY DISTRICT.
SO WE WOULD GO BACK AND IDENTIFY THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING BY PROPOSITION AND THEN BACK THAT OUT.
SO THAT STILL WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
UM, AND THEN WE WOULD GO AND FIND WHAT THAT NEW BASELINE NUMBER, BASELINE NUMBER WOULD BE, UH, WITHOUT THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
SO THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING WOULDN'T BE TOUCHED, BUT THE, THE OVERALL BASE WOULD BE REDUCED.
SO, UM, THE BIG ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS CITY HALL, THE $27 MILLION, THE $27 MILLION WE GOT HERE.
NOW IS THIS A, THIS COULD BE A BUDGET ITEM.
I GUESS THAT'S A QUESTION TO THE CITY MANAGER.
IT COULD BE A BUDGET ITEM, RIGHT.
AND AS I'VE BEEN ASKED BEFORE, I THINK THE ISSUE AND CHALLENGE AND JUST BASELINE STATEMENT IS THERE WOULDN'T BE $27 MILLION WORTH OF NEEDS OR A REQUEST IF IN FACT WE COULD HAVE ALREADY FUNDED IT FROM OUR EXISTING RESOURCES.
RIGHT? BECAUSE I WOULD'VE ALREADY RECOMMENDED THAT WE GO AND DO IT IF I HAD THE RESOURCES TO DO IT.
SO, UH, AGAIN, AS I SAID, WE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE ITEMS CONTAINED WITHIN THE 27 MILLION, UH, AND DETERMINE, UH, BASED ON PRIORITY, UH, WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO FUND FIRST GIVEN ALL THE OTHER NEEDS AND COMPETING, UH, FINANCIAL NEEDS, UH, IN OUR CITY AND, AND TRY TO DO THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE AGAIN, HOW WE WOULD APPROACH IT.
UH, IT WOULDN'T BE A FULL 27 IN ONE YEAR.
UH, BUT I DO AND WOULD SAY, I THINK AS IT'S SITUATED NOW IN THE BOND PROGRAM, IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE SPREAD OUT OVER FIVE YEARS.
UH, IF WE HAD THE RESOURCES, UH, WE WOULD PROBABLY DO IT OVER ONE OR TWO YEARS OR IS, UH, THE EQUIPMENT BECAME AVAILABLE.
ROBERT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE STATEMENTS RELATED TO THAT.
UM, BUT UH, JUST TO COME BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, MAYOR, PROTO IT'S 21 MILLION, 21.2 MILLION IN DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
[04:00:01]
THAT ARE IN THE STREETS PROP.SO WHEN I SAY BUDGET, SO THE MAINTENANCE OF CITY HALL, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, MR. CITY MANAGER, IT COULD BE SPREAD OUT OVER, OVER FIVE YEARS.
THAT COULD BE 5 MILLION THIS YEAR, 5 MILLION NEXT YEAR.
SO WE ARE NOT GONNA SPEND A WHOLE $27 MILLION TODAY.
WE ARE NOT GONNA SELL THE BOND TODAY.
SO WHEN WOULD WE SELL THE BOND IS WHAT WE COULD PUT IN THE BUDGET.
IT COULD BE SALE TAX INCREASE, IT COULD BE CUTTING SOMETHING ELSE.
YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT IT, IT COULD BE NUMEROUS THINGS THAT WE COULD FIX THE BUDGET SO WE COULD FIND THE MONEY AROUND HERE TO FIX THE BUDGET.
NOW WE ARE NOT GONNA SPEND $27 MILLION TODAY, NOT TODAY, BUT WE GOTTA SELL THE BOND.
WE GOTTA GO TO THE VOTERS AND THE VOTERS GOTTA VOTE ON IT.
SO HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE SPEND TODAY? BUT WHEN WILL WE SELL THE BONDS AND COLLECT THE MONEY FOR THE $27 MILLION TO PUT IN THAT COFF IN ORDER TO STORE DURING REPAIRS? SO MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS, I I BELIEVE THAT, UM, CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE SHARED, WE'LL PROBABLY START THE, UH, PROGRAM WITH COMMERCIAL PAPER.
UM, AND THEN THE FIRST TRANCHE WOULD BE IN 2025.
SO 2025, THAT'S TWO YEARS ROAD DOWN THE ROAD, RIGHT? TWO YEARS, RIGHT? UH, YEAH.
SO THEREFORE IT STILL COULD BE SALE TAX COULD GO UP, YOU COULD USE THAT MONEY.
YOU'RE STILL GONNA ALLOCATE MONEY FOR CITY HALL.
HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE ALLOCATE FOR CITY HALL FOR REPAIR PER YEAR? GOOD AFTERNOON.
UNLESS IT'S SPECIFICALLY A COUNCIL AMENDMENT, WE DON'T ALLOCATE TO A SPECIFIC BUILDING.
PREVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL MADE A, AN AMENDMENT FOR $1.75 MILLION FOR FIRE FACILITIES, BUT IT JUST GOES IN A POOL AND THEN IT GOES BY NEED.
OKAY, SO THEREFORE WE DO HAVE A NEED, RIGHT? YES, SIR.
SO WE NOT WHY WE DON'T ALLOCATE IT.
SO WE DO HAVE A MAJOR MAINTENANCE BUDGET THAT VARIES BETWEEN 8.3 MILLION AND 9 MILLION EVERY YEAR.
AND THAT GOES TO THE MAJOR MAINTENANCE COMPONENTS WHICH DO NOT QUALIFY UNDER ROUTINE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.
BUT THIS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT WE'RE ALSO COMPETING WITH HVAC UNITS AND FIRE STATIONS, LIBRARIES, REC CENTERS, ALL OF THE ABOVE.
IT'S THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE, SO TO SPEAK.
WITH, WITH THAT, I'M STILL SAYING THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS IS A BUDGET ITEM.
I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BOND, IT GONNA COST MORE MONEY, BUT I THINK IT'S CHEAPER TO PAY CASH AS WE GO AND GET CITY HALL TAKEN CARE OF.
I MEAN, IF WE GOTTA CUT SOMETHING ELSE, LET'S CUT SOMETHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, BESIDES ON A PROPOSITION.
BUT I THINK GOING TO THE VOTERS AND SAY, OH, WE GONNA, HOW MUCH DO IT COST US ON $27 MILLION? I GUESS THAT'D BE THE JACK ISLAND CLOSE QUESTION.
AND WE TALKING ABOUT DOING COMMERCIAL PAPER, THEN ALSO WE MIGHT NEED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH THAT COMMERCIAL PAPER.
SO DO CITY HALL GET FIRST PRIORITY FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER? THAT'S TWO QUESTION.
JACK ARLAND, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
SO WE LOOKED AT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.
ONE ISSUING, UM, THE $27 MILLION OR APPROXIMATELY $30 MILLION IN CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
UH, PAYING INTEREST ON THE $30 MILLION WILL COST US ABOUT FIVE, UH, MILLION DOLLARS IN INTEREST OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD.
OR IF WE ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR IT, IT WILL COST US, UH, NEARLY $10 MILLION IN INTEREST OVER 20 YEARS.
SO IT DOES COST MORE FOR THE 20 YEAR BECAUSE WE'RE PAYING MORE DEBT.
HOWEVER, UH, ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, UH, IT IS A LOWER DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT, UH, TO PAY IT ON A 20 YEAR REPAYMENT CYCLE.
SO HOW DO WE PRIOR A COMMERCIAL PAPER AND PROJECT? SO, COMMERCIAL PAPER, WE USE, UM, A SHORT TERM FINANCING IN ADVANCE OF ISSUING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.
SO WHEN WE HAVE AGENDA ITEMS THAT COME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, WE USE COMMERCIAL PAPER THAT IS, UH, WHAT IS BACKING THAT AGENDA ITEM.
IF WE START THE, UH, PROJECT AND HAVE INVOICES TO PAY, WE, UH, DRAW DOWN THE COMMERCIAL PAPER.
THEN WHEN WE HAVE AN ANNUAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SALE, WE REFUND ANY COMMERCIAL PAPER THAT WE ISSUED IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
SO IT'S JUST A TEMPORARY STOP GAP TO GET US THROUGH UNTIL, BECAUSE WE ONLY ISSUE THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS ONCE PER YEAR.
SO WHAT IS, UH, BALANCE ON COMMERCIAL PATIENT PAPER? SO WE DO NOT HAVE ANY COMMERCIAL PAPER OUTSTANDING AT THE CURRENT TIME.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT'S $350 MILLION, SO WE COULD AWARD UP
[04:05:01]
TO $350 MILLION BEFORE WE ACTUALLY WOULD NEED TO HAVE A BOND SALE.THE WAY WE'VE SET UP THE 20, UH, 24 BOND PROGRAM IS TO SELL ABOUT 220 TO $250 MILLION EVERY YEAR, BEGINNING IN, UH, FISCAL YEAR 25, 26, 27, 28, AND 29 FOR THOSE FIVE YEARS TO GET TO THE 1.25 BILLION THAT WE'VE PRESENTED.
WELL, I I STILL THINK THAT, UM, WE CAN FIND THE MONEY.
I, I, I BELIEVE THAT IF THIS IS AN URGENT NEED TO GET DONE NOW, IT COULD BE PUT IN OUR BUDGET AND GET IT DONE.
WELL, AS MR. JOHNSON EXPLAINED, WE, WE PROVIDE ABOUT BETWEEN EIGHT, $9 MILLION A YEAR FOR MAJOR MAINTENANCE TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE 500 BUILDINGS THAT HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND HE TRIES TO PRIORITIZE THAT, UH, ANNUALLY.
BUT WE, ON THE POLICYMAKER, WE CAN INCREASE THAT WE ARE THE POLICYMAKER, RIGHT? IT, IT'S CORRECT.
YOU, YOU, YOU CAN COME TO US AND SAY, WE NEED MORE MONEY TO DO MAINTENANCE.
IS THAT, IS THAT CORRECT? IT'S A BUDGET ITEM BALANCE.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND.
IS THAT RESPONSIBILITY? THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN MORENO.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
WE'RE ON THE BASEL DO AMENDMENT.
I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE ITEM.
UM, I, ALONG WITH MY, UH, COLLEAGUES MADE A DECISION ON WHERE TO ALLOCATE OUR COUNCIL SPECIFIC FUNDS BASED ON THE BASELINE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US, UH, AND WANTED TO REALLY, UH, GO DEEP INTO CITY HALL.
AS WE'VE HEARD, UH, THERE'S A BIG NEED AT CITY HALL AND I, AND I AGREE.
AND SO REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS TODAY, I HOPE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A, A GROUP THAT'S GONNA BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF DALLAS CITY HALL.
OUR OWN NEEDS INVENTORY COST FOR OVER $80 MILLION FOR CITY HALL, NOT INCLUDING THE PLAZA WHERE THERE'S SEVERAL OTHER MILLION, UH, IN NEED.
THERE IS ABOUT 7 MILLION ALLOCATED IN PROP H ACCORDING TO THE BOND WEBSITE.
UM, CAN WE GET SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN WHY THOSE ARE ON HOLD OR IF THEY'VE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN COMPLETED? SO I HAVE ACTUALLY, UM, I DON'T HAVE THAT LISTING WITH ME WHILE, WHILE MY STAFF IS ACTUALLY WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW, TO, TO IDENTIFY WHERE ALL THOSE FUNDS ARE FOR CITY HALL.
UM, BUT ARE ARE, ARE THEY COMING DOWN OR THEY'RE WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW, SO, OKAY.
SO IT, IT MAY BE A FEW MINUTES.
IT'S, UM, BUT THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW, SO APOLOGIES.
UM, WELL, AS WE WAIT ON THAT, UH, AGAIN, THE NEEDS AT CITY HALL ARE, ARE BIG AND WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR PATH FORWARD ON WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH CITY HALL AND, UH, I DON'T THINK WE ARE THERE AT THIS TIME.
AND SO THEREFORE, UM, I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT, UH, AMENDMENT THAT'S BEFORE US.
ANYONE ELSE WISH SHE SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST THE BAS AMENDMENT? OH, I'M SORRY.
DE DEPUTY MAYOR PROTIME, ARE YOU, ARE YOU WILLING TO GET ON THE AMENDMENT? YES, I WAS.
I DEFINITELY, UM, I'M DEFINITELY GONNA COVER MYSELF, AS I'VE STATED WITH MY STAFF.
UH, I REALLY, REALLY WANT THE ENTIRE STAFF THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND EMPLOYEES TO KNOW THAT I DO SUPPORT AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN FUNDING FOR THE BUILDING IN WHICH EMPLOYEES WORK WE WORK.
AND IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET A TAJ MAH HALL, IT'S JUST A FUNCTIONAL BUILDING WHERE BUSINESS CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF.
I DEFINITELY AM ONE OF THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE US MOVE FROM THE VIRTUAL SPACE BACK TO THE BUILDING, BECAUSE AS I MOVE AROUND FROM DAY TO DAY IN MY STAFF, THERE ARE PEOPLE I NEED TO GET TO.
AND OFTENTIMES IT'S VERY QUICKLY, HOWEVER, WE ARE IN WHAT WE CALL A CONUNDRUM, BECAUSE HERE WE ARE AT THE 11TH HOUR TRYING TO CALCULATE AND REMEDIATE, UH, MISSTEPS.
IN MY OPINION, I'M STILL A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED.
AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE OF, OF HOW WE
[04:10:01]
WERE NOT CONSCIOUS ENOUGH EARLY ENOUGH ON THIS WHOLE ISSUE OF HOUSING AND WHERE IT ACTUALLY NEEDED TO BE CLEARED, CLEARED UP AND CLARIFIED AS TO THE CONNECTION TO ECONOMIC, TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE THAT WOULD'VE TAKEN SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF OF THIS CONVERSATION.WE HAVE SOME WHO ARE GOING OUT, AND I KNOW I SEE SOME IN THE AUDIENCE WHO ARE TRYING TO ACCUSE US AS COUNCIL OF NOT WANTING TO FUND HOUSING WHEN LEGAL HAS TOLD US EVEN LATE IN THE GAME WHAT THE SITUATION IS.
AND SO WE'VE GOT TO CLEAR THAT UP SO THAT WE ARE NOT AS A CITY SEEN AS TRYING TO NOT SUPPORT HOUSING.
I SUPPORT HOUSING, BUT AS CLEAR AS IT WAS TOLD TO US FROM THE ATTORNEYS, THERE ARE SOME EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAUSES HOUSING TO BE FUNDED UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SO MY POSITION TODAY WOULD BE TO TAKE ALL THE 24 MILLION THAT'S LISTED UNDER HOUSING, PUT IT IN CITY HALL, AND LET HOUSING BE COVERED UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WE CAN DO LEGALLY.
NOW, SOMETIMES AS WE TALK AROUND THE HORSESHOE, THE STATEMENT, SOMETIMES WE MAKE STATEMENTS THAT ARE NOT, ARE KIND OF OVER THE HEADS OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT AROUND THE HORSESHOE.
BUT IF ECO, IF HOUSING CAN BE SUPPORTED THROUGH ECO, WHICH YOU HAVE TO HAVE ANY WAY TO GET AN INFRASTRUCTURE, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT.
BUT I WANNA BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT I DO SUPPORT HOUSING.
BUT WE ALSO NEED TO TELL THE PUBLIC THAT WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS AS STATED THAT ALSO SUPPORT HOUSING.
AND I'M OFFENDED CONTINUOUSLY BY THE FACT THAT WE ARE LABELED AS ANTI HOUSING.
I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND I'M NOT, MY DISTRICT NEEDS HOUSING.
THAT'S WHAT I GET A LOT OF NOW FROM THE, FROM FROM THE OTHER PIECE TODAY THAT I'M WANTING TO CLEAR UP, MAYOR, IS THAT WE WERE DIRECTED TO USE THE TERM DISTRICT SPECIFIC, EVEN THOUGH IT STILL MEANS DISCRETIONARY, BUT DISTRICT SPECIFIC.
AND THEN WE ARE, WE'RE ACCUSED BY SOME OF TAKING THE DISCRETIONARY MONEY THAT'S NOW LABELED AS DISTRICT AS IF WE HAD TAKEN AND PUT IN OUR OWN BANK ACCOUNTS.
DISTRICT SPECIFIC MEANS WE WERE IDENTIFYING PROJECTS THAT WOULD HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME, PERHAPS THROUGH THE REGULAR PROCESS OF BEING ACTIVATED.
I ACTIVATED PROJECTS UNDER FUNDING THAT WOULD STIMULATE ECO DEV IN MY POSITION.
AND SO WHETHER I'M ATTACKED OF NOT WANTING HOUSING, UM, I'M STILL WORKING.
AND MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR, CLARIFY THE FACT THAT IN MY CASE, DISTRICT SPECIFIC MEANT I NEEDED TO ACTIVATE CERTAIN PROJECTS EVEN IF THEY CAME UNDER PARKS BECAUSE IT WOULD STIMULATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WOULD ALSO STIMULATE HOUSING.
SO I'M PAYING TODAY THAT THE, THE, THIS BUILDING THAT WE WORK IN, THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE FUNDING.
BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW, 'CAUSE WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT ALL THE MATH AND THE MISSTEPS AND THE FIVE FINGER DISCOUNTS IN CERTAIN
SO IF WE CAN WORK IT OUT WHERE AS A COUNCIL, WE CAN GET THE BUILDING THAT WE COME TO EVERY DAY TO TAKE CARE OF THE CITY'S BUSINESS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, I'M OKAY, BUT I JUST WANT THE STAFF, I WANNA APOLOGIZE TO THE STAFF THAT WE DON'T HAVE IT IF THAT'S THE WAY THE VOTE SERVES TODAY.
BUT IF IT WAS IN MY POWER, EVEN INITIALLY, I SAID, IF I CAN GIVE MY FIVE, 5 MILLION, I WOULD.
BUT I REALIZED I WAS STILL SHORT.
SO WHEN I SAY MY FIVE, THE, THE DESIGNATED FOR DISTRICT, AND I KNOW MY DISTRICT IS REPRESENTED HERE THROUGH THIS SEAT, BUT IT COULDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE 30 MILLION THAT YOU NEEDED.
SO I WANTED TO CLEAR MYSELF, MAYOR FROM, FROM THAT MISSTEP.
BUT JUST IN THE OTHER TWO THINGS I WANTED DECLARE, BUT I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT, WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIND DO.
I THOUGHT YOU COULD SEE YOUR TIME.
I WASN'T GONNA CUT YOU OFF, BUT YOU'RE A LITTLE BIT OVER.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU TOO.
YOU'RE WEARING MY FRATERNITY COLOR, SO YOU KNOW.
UH, OKAY, I GOTTA GO TO ROUND TWO.
CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.
UM, WE'RE STILL IN THE AMENDMENT.
YEAH, I THINK THE SHOCKING NUMBER I'VE HEARD THROUGH THIS VERY CONFUSING DISCUSSION, WHICH I THINK IS A LITTLE BIT EMBARRASSING FOR OUR CITY TO HAVE.
NOT AT THE 11TH HOUR, BUT AT THE 12TH HOUR.
LIKE, WE'RE LITERALLY GONNA VOTE ON THIS IN A FEW MINUTES, AND I THINK IT'S SHOCKING AND PERHAPS MAY BE A VERY GOOD REASON WHY WE SHOULD BE MOVING THIS TO NOVEMBER, UM, ALONG WITH ACTUALLY TAKING CARE OF OUR PENSION AND HAVING A PLAN BEFORE WE ASK PEOPLE TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL DEBT.
BUT SPECIFIC TO THIS CONVERSATION,
[04:15:01]
THE MOST SHOCKING NUMBER I'M HEARING IS $137 MILLION OF, OF INVESTMENT NEEDED TO BRING LESS THAN HALF OF OUR CITY FACILITIES TO A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR.IF THIS WAS SAID IN DECEMBER, I'M GONNA TELL YOU I MISSED IT.
AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A NUMBER THAT I WOULD HAVE CHOKED ON, SO I AM SHOCKED TO HEAR IT.
I WOULD ASK CITY MANAGER TO INCLUDE A LISTING OF ALL OF THE BUILDINGS AND HOW MUCH FOR EACH ONE, POSSIBLY IN OUR BUDGET EVERY YEAR SO THAT WE CAN SEE IT.
SO IT IS OUT THERE SO THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED BECAUSE THIS IS THE BORING STUFF AND WE HAVE TO BE INVESTING IN THE BORING STUFF.
SO THIS AMENDMENT, I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHANGE IN THE BASE ALLOCATION FOR SOMETHING LIKE STREETS, UM, MR. PEREZ, PERHAPS YOU CAN ANSWER THIS.
SO THAT BASE ALLOCATION THEN HAS GONE DOWN 14 MILLION, IS THAT CORRECT? APPROXIMATELY? YES, MA'AM.
SO WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CUTTING? WELL, WE, WE'D HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT, MA'AM.
WHAT, WHAT WE DID, UM, EARLIER IN THE, IN THE REDUCTION WAS, UH, WE KIND OF PRORATED, UH, AMONGST THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS SO THAT NOT ANY ONE PROGRAM TOOK A SUBSTANTIAL, UH, DECREASE.
SO WE'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT EXERCISE AGAIN.
WELL, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD VOTE FOR THIS SHOULD HAVE THE CUTS.
UM, THE OTHER THING THAT I REALLY WANNA, UM, UNDERSTAND IS THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS LEVEL OF NEED, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 40% OF OUR TRAFFIC SIGNALS THAT ARE OLDER THAN ME, I'M 57, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 17 BILLION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, NOT INCLUDING FACILITIES.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS 137 MILLION FOR LESS THAN HALF OUR BUILDINGS, HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY BUILDING ANY NEW FACILITIES? HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY ANY NEW LIBRARY? HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY ANYTHING NEW WHEN WE'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE? SO, COUNCIL MEMBER, I, I, I THINK THAT THE, UM, THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN REFERENCED, UH, SUCH AS THE LIBRARY MASTER PLAN, UH, SUCH AS, UH, ANY OF THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT, UH, TO INCLUDE THE, THE TRAINING ACADEMY, POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY, UM, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED, UH, THROUGH, UH, COMMUNITY RUN TASK FORCE SUBCOMMITTEES THROUGH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS.
UM, ULTIMATELY MA'AM, UH, COUNCIL CAN MAKE THAT DECISION.
UM, BUT AS RECOMMENDATIONS, THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT, THAT WE BELIEVE WILL, UM, BE VERY FRUITFUL FOR THE, THE CITY OF DALLAS AND, AND, AND A MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING IS TO ADDRESS EXISTING, UM, INFRASTRUCTURE OR PROGRAMS. CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU MADE AN INTERESTING COMMENT ABOUT DIRECTING THE CITY STAFF TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO ADDRESS ALL THESE NEEDS.
I ECHO YOUR REQUEST AND, UM, THINK THAT WE NEED A VERY SERIOUS BRIEFING WITH LOTS OF DETAIL AND, UM, I, I, I ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT, BUT BOY, I'M NOT SURE WE'RE READY FOR THIS PACKAGE.
BASIL DUA, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON YOUR OWN AMENDMENT.
UM, I JUST, UH, WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN.
I, I I WILL SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY TO THE STAFF THAT I SUPPORT YOU WITH NO BUTS.
UM, I ALSO WILL SAY THAT ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT THE STAFF SUPPORTS HERE I SUPPORT.
I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT WHO WILL BE IMPLEMENTING 300 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS OF FUNDS, KNOWS THAT I SUPPORT AND I'M TRYING TO DO WHAT I CAN.
IN FACT, WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND FAIR AND BALANCED.
I I REALIZE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE'RE UP HERE, IT TURNS INTO A P*****G CONTEST.
AND THAT'S JUST THE REALITY OF IT.
I, I GET THAT POLITICIANS ARE GONNA POLITIC, BUT AT SOME POINT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO FIND THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE.
AND I GUESS IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING TO SEE SO MANY COMMENTS THAT ARE TALKING OUTTA BOTH SIDES OF OUR MOUTHS.
HOW MANY COMMENTS HAVE WE HEARD ABOUT NEEDING TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN? MY, MY COLLEAGUE TO THE LEFT OF ME THAT JUST TALKED ABOUT US NEEDING TO TAKE CARE OF MY OWN, BUT I'M GONNA VOTE AGAINST TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN.
AND I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.
AND IT'S NOTHING OTHER THAN POLITICS.
WHAT HAS BEEN CLEARLY ARTICULATED IS THAT THERE IS A GREAT NEED.
THERE'S FAR GREATER NEED THAN THE RESOURCES WE HAVE TO MEET THAT NEED FOR US TO ALLOW FOR ANY OF
[04:20:01]
THOSE NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY IGNORED IN ORDER FOR US TO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE WON A BATTLE.IT'S A REALLY SAD DAY IN DALLAS.
IT, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A REALLY UNFORTUNATE DAY IN DALLAS.
SO I WILL STAND BY WHAT I HAVE PROPOSED AND I WILL CONTINUE TO ACTUALLY STAND FOR SOMETHING.
AND THAT'S WHAT'S TRYING TO BE BALANCED.
THAT'S WHAT'S NOT TRYING TO TAKE AWAY FROM ANYONE IN ORDER TO GET MINE.
THAT THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE PRIORITIZING.
WHAT I'M HEARING IS A LOT OF EXCUSES ON WHY WE SHOULD JUST CONTINUE TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
I WASN'T ELECTED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS REFLECTS.
SO AGAIN, THIS WAS NOT ABOUT ME WANTING ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR.
THIS WAS ABOUT ME TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WAS BALANCED ACROSS ALL OF THE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN BEEN IDENTIFIED.
AND IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATE THAT THAT CAN'T BE THE SPIRIT OF THIS CONVERSATION.
INSTEAD, IT'S ABOUT POLITICKING.
UH, SO I GUESS WE'LL SEE WHERE THE CHIPS FALL, UH, BUT ULTIMATELY, I, UM, UH, WISH THAT WE WOULD PRIORITIZE TAKING CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, TAKING CARE OF OUR ASSETS.
AND THAT'S WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US WITH THIS DECISION.
MS. BLACKMAN, YOU, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON MR. BALE'S AMENDMENT.
UM, I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR TRYING AND BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION AND REALLY WORKING THIS.
AND I'VE OFTEN BEEN TOLD THE ESSENCE OF, OF, UM, STRATEGY IS SACRIFICE.
IN SOME PLACES, YOU'RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO TAKE A SACRIFICE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE WHOLE BETTER.
AND I AGREE, WE'RE AT THE 12TH HOUR, AND THIS IS IT.
WE'RE ABOUT TO INVEST $1.2 BILLION.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN NEXT TIME TO WHERE WE'RE GONNA INVEST THOSE DOLLARS.
AND SO MAYBE AT GPFM, WE CAN START WORKING THROUGH THAT OR IN YOUR, UH, MR. ATKINS IN YOURS.
BUT WE ARE ABOUT TO INVEST A LOT OF MONEY.
AND I JUST, I FEEL THAT IT HAS BEEN POLITICS.
IT HAS NOT BEEN WHAT IS THE BEST THING THAT MOVES OUR CITY FORWARD IN THE REGION AND IN THE STATE AND IN THE NATION.
AND, UM, BUT WE WON'T GIVE UP TRYING.
SO I DO THINK MR. CITY MANAGER, YOU HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM THIS COUNCIL, IS WHAT I'M HEARING, THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES TO GET THIS FIXED, WE WILL FIND IT.
AND THAT MAY MEAN THAT WE GIVE UP PROJECTS IN OUR GENERAL FUND, RIGHT? THAT WE MAY HAVE TO CUT BACK ON SOME THINGS IN ORDER TO GET IT DONE, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE A CITY CENTER.
AND IF WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN TO HAVE A CITY CENTER, THEN I CAN'T VERY WELL SAY WE'RE SHUTTING OUR DOORS AND WE'RE MOVING TO A TOWER BECAUSE IT'S VACANT.
SO, UM, I DO HOPE THAT WE WILL HAVE, KEEP HAVING THESE DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE, UH, I'VE WORKED IN THIS BUILDING FOR A LONG TIME.
REMEMBER OUR OFFICE, WE HAD A CUBICLE AND IT WAS HOT AS HELL, OKAY? AND IT WAS COLD TOO.
AND, UM, SO YOU KNOW WHAT, UH, WE EITHER NEED TO DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING WITH OUR ASSETS, OUR BUILDINGS, AND INVEST IN THEM OR GET RID OF 'EM.
AND, UM, I COULD, I COULD, COULD HEAR THE ARTS COMMUNITY PROBABLY GOING NOT A IMP BUILDING.
UH, AND, BUT, UM, BUT THAT'S IN ALL OF OURS.
MY REC CENTERS, MY LIBRARIES, THAT'S EVERYTHING.
SO, UM, I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO COME AS A CITY AND AS A COUNCIL, AND LOOK FORWARD AND GET THIS DONE.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE THING IS, IS MAYBE THE PROJECT LIST CHANGES TOO.
MAYBE THEY FIND, WE FIND OUT THAT WE DON'T NEED SOME OF THE THINGS AND WE CHANGE IT.
SO, UM, I DO, I WILL STAND, CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THIS BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT THIS BUILDING DOES MATTER AND, UM, THAT ALL OUR ASSETS MATTER.
AND I THINK WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT.
AND I DO HOPE THAT WE FIND A WAY THAT WE HAVE A, UH, A BETTER WAY OF MOVING FORWARD.
THANK YOU, MAYOR PROAM, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE BASEL DUO AMENDMENT.
YOU KNOW, UM, YOU LOOK AROUND HERE AND, AND YOU SEE THAT THERE ARE 15 MEMBERS SITTING AROUND HERE WITH A POLICYMAKER.
IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY EVERY DAY TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET, TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
YOU CAN'T BLAME ONE COUNCILMAN.
YOU GOTTA BLAME ALL BECAUSE IT'S TO TAKE A MAJORITY TO GET ANYTHING DONE.
BUT WHEN WE STAND HERE AND SAY, HEY, WHO FOUGHT IS THIS? WHO FOUGHT IS THAT? THAT'S NOT US.
WE ARE HERE TO WORK TOGETHER AS WHOLE TO MAKE SURE WE GOT A BETTER CITY.
MY REMARK WAS VERY SIMPLE BUDGET.
YOU KNOW, WE DONE ADD MANY MANYS
[04:25:01]
TO THE CITY DOLLARS, MANY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE TO ADD.AND GOING AWAY, WE DONE HAD MANY BAD INVESTMENT THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE, GONE AWAY.
SO DON'T SAY THE LAST TIME THERE'S POLITICS.
BECAUSE WE POLITICIANS, BECAUSE EVERYBODY RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL.
SO THE POINT IS, WE ARE HERE TO DO THE BEST FOR THE CITY.
WE ARE HERE THAT WE CAN DO A BUDGET.
TIGHTEN OUR BELT TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE OUR EMPLOYEES ARE, WE REALLY CARE ABOUT AN EMPLOYEE LIKE WE READY TO DO.
HEY, WE GOT A CHANCE TO COME AROUND NEXT MONTH.
SO YOU'RE NOT UP TO THE, THE VOTERS TO VOTE ON NOTHING.
AND WE, YOU KNOW, AND, AND WE NEED TO DO IT.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
LET'S GET TOGETHER, PUT UP A SLEEVE, FIND OUT HOW WE MAKE SURE OUR EMPLOYEES HERE AT CITY HALL IS WARM OR COOL OR WHATEVER.
BUT IT'S STILL OUR RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I WOULD DO ANYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE SAFE, COMFORTABLE HERE TO GET THIS IN THE NEXT BUDGET.
WE DON'T HAVE WAY TO SELL COMMERCIAL PAPER.
WE DON'T HAVE A WAY TO SELL THE BOND.
'CAUSE WE ARE THE POLICY MAKERS.
WE RUN THE CITY, NOT THE CITY MANAGER.
SO LET US ROLL UP AND DO OUR JOB AND DO OUR BUDGET AND SAY WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR RESIDENT.
WE GONNA TAKE CARE OF THE EMPLOYEES.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN NOVAS, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR THREE MINUTES ON THAT AMENDMENT.
UM, I, I'M GONNA SPEAK ON, ON WHERE WE'RE AT.
I MEAN, WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON A MATHEMATICALLY INCORRECT AMENDMENT TO WHAT WAS PROPOSED.
IT'S NOT A, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S WHAT IT IS.
AND IT'S, THE CONVERSATION IS TURNED INTO KIND OF A FINGER POINTING EXERCISE, WHICH WE'RE REALLY GOOD AT IN THIS BODY.
AND SOME OF US DO STAND FOR SOMETHING, AND SOME OF US SAY IT, BUT DON'T REALLY MEAN IT UNLESS I'M GONNA GET MY WAY.
AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT FOR ME.
WHAT THIS RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT IS NINE MEMBERS OF THIS BODY, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, ANYONE, IT TAKES EIGHT.
AND THERE WERE NINE AGREED TO WHAT WAS PROPOSED.
AND THEN WE HAD TWO WEEKS WITH WEEK, I'M NOT SURE WE HAD SEEMS LIKE A YEAR OF PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO CUT DEALS TO, HEY, I NEED THIS, I NEED THAT.
IT'S PART OF HOW THE SAUSAGE GETS MADE.
AND SOMETIMES YOU'RE IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES YOU'RE NOT AT POINTS DURING THIS BOND.
I HAVEN'T BEEN IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS SOMETIMES DURING THIS BOND.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS.
AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE DO.
I MEAN, I I, RIGHT NOW WE'RE TOWARDS THE END AND I CAN TELL YOU, YOU NOW, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CITY HALL, NOT, NOT NOBODY HAS TALKED ABOUT CITY HALL UNTIL CITY HALL GOT CUT.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S BECOME WHAT WE CAN, WE CAN LAND ON.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT CITY HALL.
EVERYBODY HERE CARES ABOUT THIS BUILDING, EVEN IF WE HAVEN'T BUDGETED IT CORRECTLY ON MAINTENANCE OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
NOT JUST THIS BODY, BUT BODIES BEFORE.
WE DID NOT GET INTO $24 BILLION WORTH OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE WITH A HUNDRED MILLION OF IT BEING CITY HALL OVERNIGHT.
AND IT'S A DECISION WE HAVE TO MAKE.
I'M HEARING WHAT I'M HEARING TODAY, AND I'M GONNA REMEMBER THIS TOMORROW, MR. MAYOR, THE COMMITMENT THAT I HEARD FROM FOLKS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CITY HALL.
AND I HOPE THAT WHEN THE PEOPLE GET TOGETHER TO PUT THAT TOGETHER, THAT I AM INVITED TO BE IN THE ROOM WHERE THAT HAPPENS, BECAUSE I'VE GOT SOME IDEAS, I'VE GOT SOME THOUGHTS ON IT, AND I'M WITH, I'M, I'M WITH MY COLLEAGUE, MR. ELLE ATKINS.
I'M NOT COMING BACK NEXT TIME AROUND.
SO THERE'S NO POLITICKING COMING HERE.
IT'S A COMMITMENT TO FINISH THIS AND FINISH IT.
WELL, AND SO LET'S, LET'S GET THIS ACROSS THE BOARD, VOTE AGAINST THIS AMENDMENT SO WE CAN PASS IT AND MOVE FORWARD.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT.
[04:30:01]
SUPPORT NOT SUPPORTING THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WHAT, FOR THOSE WHO ARE SPEAKING IN TERMS OF MAKING A COMMITMENT TO CITY HALL, I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE COMMITTED.AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I TALK ABOUT, WE TALK ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY AND RACIAL EQUITY PROJECTS, AND THEN WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO THE WIRE OF ACTUALLY FUNDING, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY? WE START MOONWALKING.
AND SO I'M HOPING THAT WE WILL NOT MOONWALK ON THIS BUILDING, AND I HOPE WE DON'T MOONWALK ON RACIAL EQUITY, BECAUSE AS I LOOKED AT, THE DECISIONS WERE MADE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE DISCRETIONARY OR NOT, SORRY, DISCRETIONARY.
NOW NOTED AT NOTED AS DISTRICT SPECIFIC, I MADE MY DECISIONS BASED ON RACIAL EQUITY AND THE NEED FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY.
AND SO TO GET HOUSING, TO GET ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO GET SOME REPAIRS DONE.
AND SO I'M SUPPORTING THE BOND, UH, THAT WE VOTED ON, UH, A STRAW POLL, WHICHEVER WAY YOU WANNA USE THE TERM WITH THE 1.25 BILLION, UH, AS IT WAS.
NOW, IF WE WOULD HAVE MORE TIME TO WORK IT OUT, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT TIME.
WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TIME AND TIME IS NOW, BECAUSE EVEN IF WE WAITED, THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR CONTINUES TO GO DOWN.
SO WE NEED TO MOVE THIS PROPOSITION AND MOVE IT QUICKLY SO THAT WE CAN GET THE MONEY ON THE STREETS TO TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS OF OUR DISTRICTS AND THIS CITY.
UM, MS. WILLIS, YOU REGULAR US FOR FIVE MINUTES.
UM, AFTER THINKING THIS THROUGH AND LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSION, UM, I, I WANNA SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT OF WHAT, UM, MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBER ADAM BEZEL DOA HAS DONE IN BRINGING THIS AMENDMENT FORWARD.
IT WAS TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION, UH, AROUND CITY HALL.
AND THIS HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW WHY, BECAUSE THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF COMPETITION FOR THE DOLLARS THAT COME AROUND WHEN IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT BUDGETING EVERY YEAR.
AND WHILE I THINK IT WOULD'VE BEEN GREAT TO TIE THIS UP WITH A BOW AND HAVE A NICE VOTE AND MOVE ON, UH, IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT MESSY.
BUT I HOPE THAT THE FLIP SIDE OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE OBSERVED IS THAT WE'RE THINKING REALLY HARD ABOUT THIS, AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SOME THINGS WORK.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THESE CATEGORIES REALLY SERIOUSLY.
AND THE REASON WE ARE IS BECAUSE WE HAVE GOTTEN SO MUCH INPUT AND FEEDBACK FROM OUR RESIDENTS, FROM THE BOND COMMITTEES, FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEES.
AND SO WHAT WE SEE ON THIS PAPER AND THE WHOLE PROCESS, AS MESSY AS IT CAN BE TO GET HERE, IS BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH INPUT AND ALSO SO MUCH NEED, UH, COMPETING FOR THESE DOLLARS.
AND SO, I, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SPIRIT OF THIS.
AND, UM, I, I'VE STRUGGLED WITH IT.
NOW, I KNOW THAT I, I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU ALL DECIDED TO MAKE ME BE QUIET BY GETTING STREETS OVER $500 MILLION AND BEYOND.
UH, SO I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK, UM, TILL WE TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN IN THE BUDGET.
BUT, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BURNER'S TURNED ON, ON THE BUDGET FOR 20 20, 24, 24, AND 25.
AND SO THINGS ARE STARTING TO PERCOLATE NOW.
AND THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS BUILDING, AND I HAVE TO SAY ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT THIS DOESN'T SERVE THE PUBLIC, I MEAN, FOR ALL THE THINGS WE'VE CALLED OUT, 9 1 1 3 1 1 OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
I MEAN, WE SEE YOU, WE SEE YOU, YOU WORK HERE, OTHER OTHERS WORK HERE.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR US TO GET SOMETHING STARTED THAT WOULD'VE STARTED AT ONE O'CLOCK AROUND ZONING CASES.
THEY'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING WHO GET THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
SO THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL PART OF WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS CITY.
UM, BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OPTIONS, UM, THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED, I MEAN, IT'S GOTTA COME FROM OUR GENERAL FUND.
IF WE AREN'T GONNA DO IT IN THIS AMENDMENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.
AND IN TALKING ABOUT THE PENSION, WHICH I'VE HEARD PEOPLE MENTION, I MEAN, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT APPROACHING THAT THROUGH A BOND SCENARIO.
RIGHT NOW, WHAT'S ON THE TABLE IS A RAMP UP OF $20 MILLION THAN $40 MILLION THAN $60 MILLION.
THAT'S GOTTA COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
SO WE KNOW WE'RE GROWING AND WE'VE GOT SOME REVENUES INCREASING, BUT WE'VE GOT TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT OUR EFFICIENCY AT THE CITY AND AT DUPLICATION, THIS IS GONNA BE A VERY TOUGH BUDGET YEAR.
WE'VE GOTTA LOOK AT OUR OPERATIONS AND HOW WE CAN MAKE THEM TIGHTER SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF CITY HALL, AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF STREETS IN, IN WAYS OTHER THAN IN BONDS.
AND SO, UM, I, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE WORK ON THIS, BUT, UH, I DON'T
[04:35:01]
THINK I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT IN THIS FORM.UM, BUT I'M WATCHING YOU AND WE'VE MADE COMMITMENTS HERE AROUND THIS HORSESHOE TODAY.
AND WHEN WE GET DOWN TO THOSE HARD NUMBERS, UH, AND WE LOOK AT THE LINE ITEM FOR CITY HALL AND SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, UH, WE NEED TO REVISIT THIS CONVERSATION AND REMEMBER WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TODAY.
CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE BAIDU AMENDMENT.
I AM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD ALL ALONG HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS THAT WE LISTENED TO OUR COMMITTEES AND OUR TASK FORCES, BUT THE ONE THAT DIDN'T HAVE A CONSTITUENCY DIDN'T GET IS EXACTLY WHAT GOT CUT TO ZERO.
RIGHT? YOU DON'T HAVE CITY EMPLOYEES OUT HERE SAYING, PLEASE MAKE MY WORKSPACE SAFE, UH, BECAUSE THEY, THAT'S JUST NOT WHAT THEY DO.
BUT TO THE POINT THAT CHAIR WILLIS SAID, I'M GONNA CONTINUE WITH MY SPORTS ANALOGIES TODAY, AND I'M GONNA THROW A HAIL MARY, AND I'M GONNA SUGGEST THAT IF WE CAN, AT LEAST FOR THE EMERGENCY IMMEDIATE NEEDS THAT MR. JOHNSON BROUGHT FORWARD, THAT THAT COMES TO $733,000 EACH, THAT WE COULD TAKE FROM OUR DISCRETIONARY FUND TO PUT INTO THIS AND AT LEAST GET THE EMERGENCY MATTERS SETTLED.
THE FIRST TWO ITEMS, WHICH WERE THE ELECTRICAL AND THE GENERATOR.
SO I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE MY, UH, I'M GONNA CHALLENGE, PLUS IT'LL TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF THE BUDGET A LITTLE BIT IF WE TAKE 11 MILLION OFF OF THAT.
SO THAT'S MY CHALLENGE TO MY COLLEAGUES.
TRY ONE LAST TIME TO GET AT LEAST SOMETHING, AND CERTAINLY THE MESSAGE BACK TO OUR, UH, EMPLOYEES WHO WORK HERE, THAT YOU MATTER AS MUCH AS OUR NEW PARKS AND OUR NEW STREETS AND OUR NEW, AND PRESERVING THE CULTURAL ARTS FACILITIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE IN THIS.
BASIL, DO YOU RECOGNIZE FOR ONE MINUTE ON YOUR AMENDMENT? ON YOUR AMENDMENT? I THINK THERE'S SOMEONE FOR A SEC, A SECOND ROUND BEFORE ME.
NO, MS. MENDELSON IS ON A THIRD ROUND AS WELL.
OH, I HAVE THREE STARS AND SHE HAS TWO.
THE, YOU CAN'T TRUST THE STARS.
UM, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMENTS THAT I JUST HEARD SINCE MY LAST, UH, I, I THINK SOME GOOD POINTS WERE BROUGHT UP, BUT I DO WANT TO JUST KIND OF CLOSE WITH THE FACT THAT, YES, NOT ONLY DID WE NOT HAVE CONSTITUENCIES WITH THIS ITEM THAT WAS ZEROED OUT THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE HAVE SEEN COUNCIL AVERAGES, WE HAVE SEEN RECOMMENDATIONS FROM STAFF, AND WE HAVE SEEN A ROBUST PROCESS OF A COMMUNITY BOND TASK FORCE THAT I ACTUALLY HEARD CONTRADICTING MESSAGES FROM A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES ON WANTING TO PRIORITIZE THE WORK THAT WAS PUT IN FROM OUR COMMUNITY BOND TASK FORCE.
ALL THREE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD CITY HALL IN IT, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO END WITH, THE REASON THIS IS TAKEN OUT IS BECAUSE WE CHOSE FOR DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, THIS BODY MADE AN ACTION THAT TOOK MONEY AWAY FROM WHAT WAS RECOMMENDED FROM ALL THREE RECOMMENDATIONS.
SO I, I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S, IT'S FAIR OR, OR GENUINE MESSAGING TO TELL THE PUBLIC THAT WE JUST CAN'T DO IT.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSON, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR ONE MINUTE.
I'D LIKE TO ALSO POINT OUT THAT IT WAS ZEROED OUT IN THIS AMENDMENT AND ALSO DOESN'T HAVE A DIRECT CONSTITUENCY.
ALTHOUGH EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN DALLAS, INCLUDING BUSINESS PEOPLE, ARE INDEED OUR CONSTITUENTS FOR IT.
UM, INCLUDING ALL THE PEOPLE WHOSE RECORDS WERE LOST, INCLUDING ALL THE PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T UTILIZE SERVICES WHILE WE WERE DEALING WITH THE RANSOMWARE.
I'VE HEARD A COMMENT MADE THAT WE NEED $733,000 FOR CITY HALL.
WE OF COURSE HAVE MULTIPLE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNTS THAT ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS.
AND SO I HAVE NO INTENTION OF, UM, GIVING UP THE VERY IMPORTANT DISTRICT SPECIFIC PROJECTS IN DISTRICT 12.
AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH THIS BOND WITH SCORING PROJECTS BECAUSE OF EQUITY.
MY DISTRICT DIDN'T HAVE PROJECTS WITH EQUITY PROJECTS BECAUSE OF HIGHER CRIME RATES GOT EXTRA ANOTHER 10 POINTS.
I'M BLESSED THAT A DISTRICT THAT HAS A LOW CRIME RATE, SO DISTRICT PROJECTS GOT, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
SO, MADAM SECRETARY ON THE BASEL DO AMENDMENT.
LET'S HAVE A RECORD OF RECORD VOTE SO I DON'T HAVE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHO, WHO'S LOUDER.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, NO.
DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ARNOLD? NO.
[04:40:01]
MEMBER.COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DOA? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY WITH THREE VOTING IN FAVOR.
MR. MAYOR, WE'RE BACK ON ITEM 38, AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY MOVED BY CHAIRMAN NVAS.
AND WE HAD, UH, THREE FOLKS WHO HAD SPOKEN, UM, ON THAT.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ITEM 38? SEEING NONE OR YOU, YOU WERE STILL WITH THREE STARS OVER FROM THE LAST RUN.
DID YOU WANT TO GET IN NOW? OKAY, SO YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FIVE.
YOU CAN'T TRUST THE STARS OR THE COWBOYS.
YOU RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES.
I'M EXCITED TO FINALLY GET TO THE END OF THIS, UH, PROCESS.
I THINK THAT IT, IT WAS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS PROCESS DID SHOW SOME TRUE COLORS, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GET BACK TO, UH, REALLY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY AND, UH, AND GET PAST, UH, A LOT OF THE GAMES THAT ARE BEING PLAYED.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S THE REALITY OF IT.
I'M SORRY IF I'M GONNA BE A, A LITTLE BIT TOO CANDID, BUT THAT'S JUST THE REALITY.
THERE'S GAMES THAT ARE BEING PLAYED AND WE'VE GOTTA STOP IT.
THIS IS A, THIS IS A, A, A HUGE INVESTMENT IN MANY FRONTS OF OUR CITY.
AND ULTIMATELY IT'S GONNA, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A GUIDING DOCUMENT FOR WHERE THE PRIORITIES ARE OF OUR CITY.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THE END RESULT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE JUST THAT.
UM, BUT I THINK THAT WE'RE GONNA COVER SOME BASIS AND WE'RE GOING TO, UH, SEE SOME BIG WINS.
ONE IN PARTICULAR IS, UH, OUR INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST, IF NOT THE LARGEST THAT WE'VE EVER HAD IN THE BOND PACKAGE, WHICH IS EXCITING.
UH, WOULD'VE LOVED TO HAVE SEEN MORE HOUSING DOLLARS, BUT THIS IS AGAIN, A HISTORIC, UM, UH, BOND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FOR HOMELESSNESS.
UM, I, UH, WAS NOT A FAN OF DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, UM, BUT I DID DECIDE TO USE MINE TOWARDS A CITYWIDE NEED THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.
AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING A PROJECT OF EXPANDING MORE BEDS AT THE BRIDGE AND UTILIZING FOR DIFFERENT, UM, UH, HOUSING OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR UNSHELTERED POPULATION.
THAT WAS MY PRIORITY TO USE WITH A QUOTE UNQUOTE DISCRETIONARY.
AND I THINK THAT THAT IS, UM, UH, UH, AT LEAST ANOTHER WIN THAT YOU CAN SAY.
UM, WE'VE GOT, UH, ZERO DEGRADATION, UM, UH, WITH OUR STREETS INVESTMENT.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE A 4 BILLION PLUS DOLLAR, UM, NEED OUT THERE FOR, FOR STREETS.
AND SO, UM, UH, INSTEAD OF JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE WITH $150 MILLION EVERY FISCAL YEAR, I THINK THAT WE'RE GONNA DO SOME DAMAGE, UM, TO OUR STREETS.
AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, UH, ROBERT PEREZ FOR YOUR, UH, LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY.
'CAUSE UH, YOU WERE THE CONSTITUENCY GROUP THAT WAS, UM, PUSHING FOR THAT ZERO DEGRADATION AND, AND THAT WAS A SUCCESSFUL BID.
UH, BUT OVERALL, UM, UH, IF WE WANT TO KEEP OUR GLASS HALF FULL, UH, I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME GOOD WINS FOR OUR CITY.
I THINK THAT, UH, WE'RE GONNA SEE AN INVESTMENT THAT'S GONNA, UM, RESULT IN, UM, SOME POSITIVE THINGS THAT SHOULD IMPACT QUALITY OF LIFE, UH, IN MULTIPLE FACETS, UH, ACROSS THE CITY.
BUT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO JUST REITERATE THAT I'M GONNA HOLD ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES' FEET TO THE FIRE ON THE COMMITMENT THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO THIS BUILDING AND TO OUR CITY STAFF.
MAYOR PRO TEM, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 38 AS, UM, IT WAS MOVED BY CHAIRMAN NOVAS.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND THANK THE COLLEAGUES, BUT ALSO I WANT TO THANK THE VOLUNTEERS AND ALL THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE DID A SURVEY, WE DID SAY STREETS, ALLEY AND PARTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE CONCERN.
AND, AND ROUND HERE THE HORSESHOE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
BUT ALSO, I WAS GONNA SAY THIS RIGHT HERE, NUMBER ONE, WE THE POLICYMAKER HERE, AND IF THIS ITEM HAS PASSED, I HOPE WE HAD A 15 OH VOTE TO SEND IT TO THE VOTERS TO MAKE SURE THE VOTERS THAT WE DO HEAR YOU.
WE ARE GONNA TAKE CARE OF CITY HALL.
WE GONNA MAKE SURE CITY HALL IS TAKEN CARE OF YOU BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES WORK HERE.
BUT AGAIN, WE DO NEED A 15-YEAR-OLD VOTE HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE, UM, NOT ATTORNEY.
WHEN, WHEN WE PASS THIS, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT IS JAR ANY KIND OF RESTRICTION, WHAT WE CAN SAY TO THE VOTERS, WE CANNOT SAY WE, I CANNOT SAY THAT.
THAT'S NOT, THAT'S REALLY THE TIME FOR THAT CONVERSATION.
IT'S NOT, NOT GERMANE IN THIS DEBATE.
BUT AGAIN, THE RESIDENT HAD HEARD THAT WE GOT STREETS AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRS.
ALLEYS NEEDED TO NEED REPAIR LIBRARIES.
YOU KNOW, THE LIBRARIES THAT, UH, AND, AND COUNCILWOMAN GATE
[04:45:01]
WILLIS AND IN YOUR DISTRICT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, BEEN SITTING THERE MANY, MANY YEARS, NEED A NEW LIBRARY.ALSO, I DID HEAR FROM CHAIRMAN MILLEN, I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU, YOU YOU DID SAYING, HEY, QUALITY, QUALITY, QUALITY THERE, CERTAIN THINGS DID NOT GET ON THE, IN THIS BUDGET.
AND ALSO WE TALKING ABOUT EQUITY, YOU KNOW, SOMETIME SOME DISTRICT GET MORE, SOME JUST GET LESS.
AND I DO UNDERSTAND I WILL WORK WITH YOU.
ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP YOU IN YOUR DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE NEED TO SHARE UPON NORTH AND SOUTH, BECAUSE WE GOTTA GROW NORTH AND SOUTH, EAST AND WEST TOGETHER.
IF WE WANT A STRONG CITY, WE CAN'T JUST SAY IT.
IT'S ALWAYS BY SOUTHERN PART OF THE DOLLARS.
YOU GOT EAST PART OF DALLAS, YOU GOT WEST, YOU GOT NORTH.
IT'S ABOUT THE WHOLE CITY AS ONE.
AND I HOPE WE SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE VOTERS.
WE NEED YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HOLD RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT WE PUT IN THESE PROPOSITION.
AND SO STAFF, BE SURE YOU GIVE US A CORRECT INFORMATION.
AND I KNOW SOMETIMES STAFF RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE GONNA BE, UH, BETWEEN NOW AND FEBRUARY THE 28TH, THERE'RE GONNA BE A WHOLE LOT OF CHANGES IN STREETS, ALLEYS, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, PROJECT GONNA BE DONE.
STAFF, WE ARE COMING YOUR WAY.
STAFF GET READY, YOU WILL BE WORKING ON THE WEEKENDS.
YOU'LL BE WORKING AFTER FIVE MISSISSIPPI MANAGER.
I'M GONNA CALL THEM BECAUSE WE NEED THEM TO BE READY ON DUE TO MAKE SURE WE GOT INFORMATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING BEFORE FEBRUARY THE 28TH.
DEPUTY MAYOR PROTE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON I'M 38.
MUCH I DO SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR, UM, PRO PROPOSAL.
AND AS STATED, UH, EARLIER, WE KNOW THAT THIS WAS A TOUGH DECISION.
I'VE ALWAYS TOLD, TOLD MY CONSTITUENTS IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT A FIGHT.
BUT I DO KNOW THAT, UH, THE ISSUE OF TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS FOR THIS CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
UH, I CONTINUE TO UNDERSCORE RACIAL EQUITY, UH, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL OF THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE BECAUSE WE CANNOT GET AROUND THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT A, A WHOLE CITY AS WE SHOULD BE.
AND SO, AS OUR INTENT IS TO TALK ABOUT IT, I WANT US TO BE ABOUT IT, ABOUT THIS BOND.
AND IT'S ALSO ABOUT TALKS ABOUT TAKING CARE OF CITY HALL NOW I THINK IT'S MOVING FORWARD.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STAFF AND THOSE, UH, I WILL NOT BE ON THIS COUNCIL WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER BOND, BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP BE HELPFUL TO EDUCATE COUNCIL, UH, AHEAD OF TIME SO THEY'LL UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS OF PREPARING A BOND, UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE, UH, THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE BOND SO THAT BECA SO THAT WE ARE NOT KIND OF CAUGHT ALWAYS IN THIS LAST MINUTE TRYING TO PUT A BANDAID ON OR TRYING TO RESOLVE A, A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE.
NOW, I ALSO WANTED TO SAY MOVING ON FROM THAT, THANK JESSICA, UM, MRS. NICE WONDER, UH, WHO, I KNOW WE'VE ALL CALLED AND I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS, BUT I DO WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR, YOUR HARD WORK AND I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO SERVE, UH, US, UH, CITY MANAGER AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO JUST SHARE, UH, THE CITY MANAGER, UH, MY THANKS TO ALL OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE HELPED US TO GET TO THIS POINT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
BUT JUST IN CLOSING TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, TO THE MAYOR, I WANT TO SAY ONCE AGAIN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AND WE KNOW YES IT IS POLITICS BECAUSE WE ARE POLITICIANS, WE KNOW THAT.
BUT I THINK WHAT, WHAT I WANT TO SAY FOR MYSELF AND DISTRICT FOUR AND BE IN THIS POSITION ALSO AS DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT WHEN IT'S TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
AND SO I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED WHEN WE HAVE THE MISREPRESENTATION OF ACTIONS AROUND THIS HORSESHOE AND THE DISCRETIONARY QUOTE.
NOW, THE NEW, UH, PHRASE, DISTRICT SPECIFIC WAS ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT I RE WAS A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE IT'S JUST STILL WITHIN THE POWER OF THIS HORSESHOE TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR DISTRICT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I KNOW I HAVE DONE.
ONCE AGAIN, THE MESSAGING NEEDS TO BE CLEAR.
WHATEVER WE CAN DO UP TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN STOP, I'M GONNA ASK LEGAL TO MAKE SURE TO CLARIFY RIGHT NOW IF THEY CAN, THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHY WE HAD TO MOVE MONEY FROM HOUSING TO ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK SINCE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YES, TOP LINE DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND THAT KIND OF THING, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
I'M JUST TRYING TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION AWAY FROM, FROM, FROM GETTING TOO POLITICAL STUFF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE VOTERS AND THAT KIND OF THING.
UH, JULIE PARTAIN, UH, IS AT THE PODIUM.
[04:50:01]
GOING TO USE BOND PROCEEDS FOR SOMETHING THAT A CAPITAL OTHER THAN A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, RIGHT? REALLY THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS UNDER YOUR, UNDER UNDER YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSITION.SO A BIG CHUNK OF WHAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL NUMBER FOR HOUSING WAS CASH INCENTIVE MONEY.
IT WAS NOT TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE, IT WAS CASH INCENTIVE MONEY.
IN ORDER TO USE BOND PROCEEDS FOR CASH INCENTIVE MONEY, YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN A PROPOSITION THAT'S, UM, THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.
SO WE DID HAVE EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ABOUT YOUR PROPOSITIONS AND ABOUT HOW THEY WERE WORDED.
UM, SHE BELIEVED THAT HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT NEEDED TO BE SEPARATED, BUT THOSE ARE CAPITAL COSTS.
SHE ASKED ME SPECIFICALLY THE CHIEF OF THE DIVISION, ARE THOSE CAPITAL COSTS? YES.
THEN SUBSEQUENTLY, I WAS TOLD BY THE BOND OFFICE THAT THERE IS, THERE WAS A BUNCH OF MONEY IN THAT 75 MILLION THAT'S CASH INCENTIVES.
SO WE CAN'T DO THAT IN THAT PROPOSITION.
WE HAVE TO MOVE IT TO A PROPOSITION WHERE YOU CAN, AND THAT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SO THOSE PROGRAMS WILL NEED TO BE IN YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE POLICY IN ORDER FOR YOU TO SPEND THAT MONEY ON IT.
SO YOU JUST MOVED IT, YOU DIDN'T GET RID OF IT, YOU MOVED IT INTO A CATEGORY WHERE IT COULD BE PROPERLY SPENT THE WAY THAT YOU SPEND IT.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, COUNSEL? IT MAKES SENSE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET A, UH, WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT WHEN I WANNA GET A SEGMENT OF THAT SO THAT I CAN PUT ON MY WEBSITE SO THAT THERE WON'T BE ANY MORE CLAR UH, DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING COMPREHENDING.
THE NEXT AREA THAT I NEED CO TO BE DEFINED MAYOR AND COUNCIL IS THE DEFINITION OF DISTRICT SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS.
I DUNNO, CAN YOU DO THAT OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE ANOTHER ATTORNEY? WELL, I CAN YOU, THERE, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING OF BOND MONEY, RIGHT? UM, BOND MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THEY WERE VOTED.
I BELIEVE THE INDICATION HERE IS THAT THIS ALLOWED COUNSEL TO SAY WITHIN EACH CATEGORY OF PROJECTS, I HAVE PROJECTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD THAT GET FUNDED.
UM, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CALLING DISTRICT SPECIFIC.
YOU SORT OF EARMARKED PROJECTS WITHIN THAT PROPOSITION, BUT IT, IT MEANS OF COURSE ALL BOND MONEY HAS TO BE SPENT FOR THE PURPOSE.
IT WAS VOTED SO IT DIDN'T CHANGE THAT, IT JUST ALLOWED YOU TO MOVE YOUR PROJECTS TO THE TOP OF THE LIST, SO TO SPEAK.
I WANTED TO GET THAT CLARIFICATION 'CAUSE I KNOW THERE ARE SOME IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WERE CONFUSED BY WHAT YOU STATED EARLIER, UH, IN YOUR PREVIOUS MEETING ABOUT YES, THE LEGALITIES AND ONCE AGAIN THE LANGUAGE ON THE BOND.
WALK US THROUGH THAT IN TERMS OF BEING APPROVED BY THE STATE, I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME FUZZY UNDERSTANDING THERE FOR SOME IN THE AUDIENCE AND, AND WHO ARE LISTENING.
SO MOST OF YOUR PROPOSITIONS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HAVE VOTED IN THE PAST.
THEY'RE NOT AN ISSUE, BUT WE ALWAYS PRE-CLEAR YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSITION, UM, WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW CITIES THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO VOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BONDS, UH, BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE IN YOUR CHARTER.
SO WE SENT DOWN YOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSITION AND YOUR HOUSING PROPOSITION AND YOUR HOMELESS TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE THEM REVIEW IT.
WE WENT THROUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM.
WE TALKED THROUGH HOW IT WAS, SO THE LANGUAGE YOU'RE SEEING IN THE PROPOSITION, UM, IS LARGELY LANGUAGE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TOLD US THAT THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH HOW YOU'RE VOTING 'EM IN THOSE CATEGORIES.
PLEASE CLARIFY, IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IS WHOM YOU'RE REFERRING TO THE PUBLIC FINANCE DIVISION OF THE, UH, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WHO MUST APPROVE ALL BONDS ISSUED WITHIN THE STATE.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT REVIEW YOUR ELECTION DOCUMENTS WHEN WE SEND THE, WHEN WE SEND THEM DOWN WHEN WITH THE FIRST ISSUANCE OF BONDS OUT OF THIS ELECTION.
ALRIGHT, SO AS WE CONTINUE, AND I KNOW I WOULD CONTINUE TO QUESTION, UH, THE USE OF TERMINOLOGY THAT REFERS TO HEAVILY RACIAL EQUITY.
UH, IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO ALSO GET THAT CLEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE A STATE POSITION OF LEADERSHIP THAT IT DOES NOT WANNA INCLUDE DIVERSITY WITH CERTAIN IN CERTAIN ELEMENTS? WELL, PLEASE CLARIFY.
SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO DEFINE WHAT EQUITY MEANS AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WHEN YOU SEND DOWN A TRANSCRIPT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR BONDS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS TO MATCH YOUR PURPOSE TO WHAT YOUR LANGUAGE AND THE PROPOSITION WAS.
SO THEN IT BECOMES A QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU PROVE UP EQUITY? RIGHT? UM, IN ADDITION, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE IN A PROPOSITION.
SO WHENEVER WE MOVE OUTSIDE OF THE NORM OF WHAT WE AS BOND LAWYERS KNOW IS SORT OF THE NORM TO BE VOTED, WE CLEAR THAT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT.
THE LAST THING YOU WANT IS TO SEND DOWN A BOND ISSUANCE TO THE AG AND THEN LOOK AT YOUR ELECTION AND SAY, I DON'T THINK I CAN APPROVE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PROVE IT UP.
UM, SO THAT'S WHY WE SEND THESE THINGS DOWN IN ADVANCE.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.
AND ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
THANK YOU TO STAFF AND THANK YOU FOR THOSE, UH, WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AS AS WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR BUSINESS WITH THIS BOND.
CHAIRMAN GRACIE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON IM 38, RIGHT? UM, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT.
UM, AND AGAIN, JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU, UH, TO STAFF, UH, FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.
UH, THANK YOU TO, UH, OUR VOLUNTEERS THAT VOLUNTEER ON THE BOND TASK FORCE, UH, FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.
THIS HAS BEEN QUITE AN EXPERIENCE
[04:55:01]
FOR A FIRST TIME COUNCIL MEMBER.IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY FASCINATING.
UM, BUT WE'RE HERE NOW AND I'M GLAD AND I THINK WE CAN GO FORWARD.
I WILL BE, UH, SIMILAR TO MY COLLEAGUES, UH, COMMENTS AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND BEGAN EXECUTING ON THESE BOND DOLLARS CONTRACTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I WILL BE PAYING ATTENTION IN TERMS OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE USED.
UH, PARTICULARLY $500 MILLION IN STREETS IS A LARGE DOLLAR AMOUNT, UH, FROM THERE.
SO MAKING SURE THAT THAT GETS, UH, DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLY, UH, FROM THERE.
SO WE'D BE LOOKING AT THAT AS WELL AS PARKS AND ALL OF THE OTHER PROPOSITIONS.
BUT I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS.
AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK, TC GOD BLESS YOU.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY GENTLEMAN.
SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES.
IN MY TRADITION, THERE'S A CONCEPT OF ARGUMENTS FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN VERSUS THOSE THAT ARE JUST FOR THE SAKE OF BEING RIGHT.
I THINK THAT, UH, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE THAT EVEN AFTER, AGAIN, IN MY TRADITION, YOU GO THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST VOCIFEROUS ARGUMENTS THAT YOU CAN, YOU COME OUT AND YOU ARE FRIENDS IN THE END.
UM, WE MUST FOCUS TOGETHER ON WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON NOW IN THIS BOND AND MOVE ON TO ENCOURAGE OUR RESIDENTS TO COME OUT AND VOTE IN THIS ELECTION.
THE MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC MUST BE ONE OF UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING THAT DESPITE THE STRUGGLE AND MAYBE EVEN SOME LINGERING FRUSTRATIONS, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
I WANNA TAKE MY LAST BIT OF TIME TO THANK THE 90 PLUS VOLUNTEERS WHO PUT IN COUNTLESS HOURS TO GET US TO THIS POINT AND TO OUR INCREDIBLE STAFF WHO SUFFERED AND SUFFERED AND SUFFERED THROUGH OUR ENDLESS QUESTIONS, CRAZY NEGOTIATIONS AND SOMETIMES SILLY POLITICS.
MOST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK JENNY, NICE WANDER.
YOU ARE A SAINT AND I HOPE YOU GET SOME WELL EARNED VACATION TIME AND TIME AT THE SPA AND ALL THE STUFF THAT YOU DESERVE.
UM, AND EVERYONE TC, MR. CITY MANAGER AND YOUR ENTIRE TEAM, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE AND HOW MUCH WORK THEY PUT INTO THIS.
SO I HOPE ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, YOU WILL PUT IN OUR APPRECIATION AND ANY EFFORTS THAT WE CAN SUPPORT TOWARD THAT.
UH, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALL OF OUR FULL SUPPORT, EVEN IF IT'S NOT ALL STATED.
SO, UM, THANK YOU AND TO MY COLLEAGUES, I HOPE THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD TO SOME STRATEGIC VISIONING AS WE MOVE FORWARD FOR THE BUDGET, UM, AND, UH, WORK TOGETHER TOWARD A CLEAR VISION FOR OUR CITY'S FUTURE.
THANK YOU CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 38.
I TOO WANT TO THANK THE TASK FORCE MEMBERS, STAFF, OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR ALL THE TIME THAT THEY'VE COMMITTED TO THIS BOND.
UH, AND ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, SCHULTZ'S, UH, SENTIMENTS ON OUR STAFF.
LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING SOME REST.
UH, I KNOW THEY ALL HAD SOME LONG MEETINGS AND A LOT OF DAYS PUT INTO THAT, SO REALLY APPRECIATE THE, THE WORK THAT Y'ALL HAVE PUT INTO THIS.
I WANNA HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE AREAS THAT I THINK WERE WERE IMPORTANT STRAIGHT.
AND SO YES, NOW IT'S TIME TO PRIORITIZE THEM AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING STREETS ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY.
LOOKING AT THOSE STREETS THAT ARE USED BY, UH, CITYWIDE STREETS ARE, ARE, ARE CRITICAL.
UH, PUBLIC SAFETY WILL HAVE A NEW, UH, TRAINING FACILITY.
I THINK, UH, UM, DEPUTY MAYOR PROTO, UH, ARNOLD, UM, SAID WHAT I WANTED TO SAY.
AND, YOU KNOW, I HAD SOME CONCERNS ON THE LANGUAGE AND, AND THE USE OF FUNDS FOR HOUSING.
NOT THAT I DID NOT WANT TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE FOLLOWING THE LETTER OF THE LAW.
AND I WANNA THANK THE ATTORNEYS FOR CLEARING UP SOME OF THAT LANGUAGE, UM, THAT I HAD CONCERNS WITH.
UM, WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS, A BIG PRIORITY OF MINE, UH, MAKING SURE THAT, UH, WE'RE ADDRESSING THIS CITYWIDE.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PROJECTS COMING, UH, AS COMMITTED TO EVERY DISTRICT, UH, ACROSS THE CITY.
UH, THERE'S NO SECRET THAT, UM, I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING TIRELESSLY FOR, FOR PARKS.
TODAY'S A BIG DAY, A BIG WIN FOR PARKS.
UM, DALLAS IS SETTING THE STAGE FOR NOT ONLY THE STATE OF TEXAS, BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND BUILDING, UH, BETTER PARKS THAT BRING A STRONGER ECONOMY THAT PLAY INTO OUR CCAP.
UM, JUST, UH, REALLY PROUD OF ALL, OF ALL THE WORK, UH, THROUGH ALL THE CONSTITUENTS AND THE VARIOUS GROUPS THAT HAVE COME, UH, TIME IN AND TIME AGAIN.
AND WITH THAT AGAIN, I HOPE THAT, UH, THIS IS A A 15 OH VOTE.
UH, SO WE CAN SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT WE ARE, UH, UNIFIED AND, AND MOVING FORWARD AND, UM, CAN'T WAIT, UH, TO START GETTING THESE PROJECTS
[05:00:01]
IMPLEMENTED.MR. RESENDEZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 38.
JUST, UM, WANTED TO ECHO THE, UM, GRATITUDE BEING EXPRESSED FOR STAFF, FOR COLLEAGUES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SPEAKERS.
UH, I LOVE SEEING THE FOLKS FROM DISTRICT FIVE COMING UP HERE AND TALKING ABOUT OUR, WHAT, WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN THE BOND.
I'M EXCITED MOVING FORWARD, UH, ABOUT, ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE WE CAN MAKE CITYWIDE AND OBVIOUSLY IN, IN, UM, DISTRICT FIVE AS WELL.
THANK YOU CHAIRMAN NOVAS, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON YOUR AMENDMENT.
I'M JUST WANT TO CLOSE THIS OUT IF WE CAN.
IF NOT, I UNDERSTAND, BUT, UM, IS JUST SAYING, UM, THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN HERE THIS WHOLE TIME, BUT EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS, WHETHER YOU SENT IN AN EMAIL, YOU WROTE A TEXT, YOU, WHATEVER IT WAS, YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS COMING TOGETHER.
UM, I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES.
THIS HAS BEEN A WILD EXERCISE THAT I HOPE TO NEVER HAVE TO DO AGAIN.
UM, AS FAR AS BEING ON THE ELECTED BODY, I WILL BE SEEING THE NEXT PEOPLE, UM, THAT ARE SITTING HERE ON THE NEXT BOND, UM, OUT HERE WITH THE REST OF MY, UM, FELLOW NEIGHBORS.
UM, I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF, MAN, YOU GUYS JUST HAVING TO DEAL WITH US IS ENOUGH, BUT MUCH LESS HEARING FROM EVERYBODY AND THE ADVOCATES AND EVERYBODY'S GOT SOMETHING, RIGHT? JEN, JENNIFER, NICE WONDER, APPLAUSE.
I MEAN, YOU DESERVE HUGE APPLAUSE.
AND, AND BECAUSE I MEAN, YOU DEALT WITH JUST MY PHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES AND EMAILS AND ALL THAT.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU GOT FROM EVERYBODY ELSE.
SO THANK YOU, JENNIFER, FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR CITY AND GETTING US TO THIS MOMENT.
AND, UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UM, ALL THE ADVOCATES, ALL THE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO HAD SOMETHING TO SAY.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE PROPOSALS LITERALLY HAS SOMETHING THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT'S ELECTED ON THIS BODY ASKED FOR, WANTED, PUSHED, SUPPORTED.
THIS IS A REFLECTION OF EVERY ONE OF US, WHICH IS A REFLECTION OF EVERY ONE OF YOU OUT THERE.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST BOND PACKAGE THAT I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
WHY? BECAUSE IT ADDRESSES SOME EQUITY ISSUES.
WE'VE NEVER HAD EQUITY AS A POLICY IN THIS CITY BEFORE.
IT'S NOT PERFECT, BUT IT'S THE FIRST ONE TO HAVE IT.
STREETS AND ROADS ALLEYS THE SURVEY.
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY, THE PEOPLE SURVEY OF OUR CITY WAS FIX OUR STREETS, NUMBER ONE, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.
IT WASN'T PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THAT WAS NUMBER TWO.
OUR LIBRARIES ARE HOUSING OUR HOMELESS, HELPING OUR HOMELESS, MAKING SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF.
I'M PROUD OF THIS BOND PROPOSAL.
I HOPE THAT WE GET A 15 ZERO VOTE MYSTERY MARRIAGE TO SHOW THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE UNIFIED AND THE PAST THIS.
AND I'M GONNA CLOSE OUT WITH ARTS.
ALL, ALL I ALL I WILL ADD TO WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, 'CAUSE YOU GUYS SAID IT ALL, IS I WANT SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY BOND TASK FORCE AND ITS CHAIR ARUN AGARWAL AND ALL THE MEMBERS.
I THINK THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB.
AND MY LAST THANK YOU IS TO ALL OF YOU.
I THINK YOU GUYS DID AN AMAZING JOB AS A COUNCIL.
I SORT OF WATCHED YOU GUYS WORK AND WORKED THROUGH THIS, AND I THINK YOU ENDED UP WITH A, AN INCREDIBLE, UM, BOND PACKAGE THAT I THINK THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO SHOW YOU THAT THEY OVERWHELMINGLY AGREE WITH YOU ON.
AND I'M JUST, I'M VERY, VERY, UM, EXCITED, UM, TO ASK THE CITY SECRETARY TO HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
SO, UH, SECRETARY WITH THAT, LET'S, UH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, NO.
DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ARNOLD? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSON? YES.
MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[05:05:01]
NEXT ITEM,[39. 24-400 Authorize Supplemental Agreement No. 3 to the service agreement with HR&A Advisors, Inc., approved as to form by the City Attorney, for analytical, strategic and community planning consultant services to: (1) extend the term from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025; and (2) increase the overall contract amount by $1,580,000.00, from $2,318,000.00 to $3,898,000.00 - Not to exceed $1,580,000.00 - Financing: General Fund]
AGENDA ITEM 39.AUTHORIZE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER THREE TO RECEIVE TO THE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH HRNA ADVISORS, INC.
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FOR ANALYTICAL, STRATEGIC AND COMMUNITY PLANNING CONSULTANT SERVICES TO ONE, EXTEND THE TERM FROM JUNE 30TH, 2024 TO JUNE 30TH, 2025 AND TWO.
INCREASE THE OVERALL CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $1,580,000 FROM $2,318,000 TO $3,898,000 NOT TO EXCEED $1,580,000.
THIS IS YOUR, THIS IS YOUR ITEM, MR. MAYOR.
MAYOR, IS YOU ALL IN FAVOR? ANYBODY WANNA SPEAK? ANYBODY WANNA SPEAK? CHECK CHAIRMAN WEST.
ALL MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED ON THIS.
SECRETARY IN FAVOR? ALL FAVOR SAY AYE.
AND OPPOSED? I A QUESTION ON THE FLOOR, SIR.
REALLY RIDLEY? THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I'D LIKE, UH, STAFF TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE GETTING FOR A MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS.
HONORABLE, UH, MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
UH, MANAGER DEL GAFFEY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CONVENTION SERVICES.
UM, WE ARE GETTING A LOT, UH, FOR THAT ACTUALLY $1.58 MILLION, WHICH IS NOT ONLY STRATEGIC ADVISORY SERVICES THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE 2021.
AND THAT HAS, UH, PAID DIVIDENDS FOR US IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES POLICY, UH, LEADERSHIP, RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING.
UH, SO WHAT WE ARE DOING THIS, THIS, UH, UPCOMING 18 MONTHS IS SEVERAL THINGS.
ONE OF THEM IS ON CULTURAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION POLICY AND, AND PLANNING THAT'S ACTUALLY PUT IN THE GOALS AND EXECUTING THE GOALS.
UH, SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY WANTED TO DO, MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S CONTINUUM, UH, OF SERVICE, UH, FOR THAT.
UH, THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER ROADMAP IMPLEMENTATION, IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR US.
SO IT CAN REALLY INTEGRATE, UH, WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH, UM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT.
UM, AND ALSO WE WANT TO FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOUSING AND GRANT MANAGEMENT UNIT.
UH, THERE IS A ROADMAP THAT WE WANNA EXECUTE AND IMPLEMENT, AND SO THAT'S PART OF THAT AS WELL.
AS WELL AS THE SMART CITIES, UH, CROSS DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION, UH, SUPPORT.
UH, WE CREATED THE SMART CITY ROADMAP, THE DALLAS SMART CITY ROADMAP IN 2017.
AND WE REALLY HAD DONE BITS AND PIECES OF THIS, UH, THIS, THIS ROADMAP.
WE WANNA TRULY FOCUS ON, ON THE NEXT EFFORT IN TERMS OF, UH, UH, DIGITAL, UH, COMBATING DIGITAL DIVIDE IN, IN TERMS OF, UH, CREATING SMART GOVERNMENT AND ALL OF THAT STUFF.
SO THERE'S A LOT THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE DOING.
IT'S STAFF AUGMENTATION AS WELL AS STAFF EXECUTION.
AND LIKE I SAID, THEY'VE DONE, UH, A FANTASTIC JOB FOR US.
MR. FRI, DO YOU KNOW THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT THE CITY HAS CONTRACTED TO PAY HRNA OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS? UH, IT IS, UH, GOING TO BE IN TOTAL, I BELIEVE IT'S GONNA BE, UH, $3.9 MILLION, $3.898 MILLION UP TO JUNE, 2025.
DOES, SO THAT INCLUDES THIS AMENDMENT.
SAY THAT AGAIN? UH, THAT INCLUDES THIS AMENDMENT.
SO WITH THE EDC, UM, I WAS VISITING WITH THE VICE CHAIR OF THAT TODAY AND SHE DIDN'T SEEM AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PLAN TO USE HRNA TO WORK WITH THE EDC.
WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH THAT, WITH THEM? WE HAVEN'T HAD SPECIFIC CONVERSATIONS WITH THE EDC, BUT ONE, ONE OF THE, THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS, THIS TYPE OF CONTRACT WITH THE, UH, HR A ADVISORS, IS THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO JUMP ON MATTERS THAT WE WANTED TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY, UM, INCLUDING, AND BECAUSE IT'S ALL INCLUSIVE TYPE
[05:10:01]
OF AGREEMENT.SO, UM, WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAP INTO 'EM FOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, UH, ACTIVITIES, UH, THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PART OF THAT ORIGINAL CONTRACT BECAUSE IT'S STAFF AUGMENTATION.
SO ANYTHING THAT WE WANTED TO DO IN THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF, UH, MORE WORK WITH A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN TERMS OF, UM, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ALL OF THESE ARE PART OF, EXCLUSIVELY ARE PART OF WHAT WE WANT 'EM TO DO.
I MEAN, HAVE, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE NEED A PLAN FOR HOW ALL THESE ENTITIES ARE GONNA WORK TOGETHER.
AND SO COUNCILMAN WILLIS, UH, I DON'T BELIEVE STAFF HAS HAD DIRECT CONTACT, UH, WITH THE EDC.
I KNOW I HAVE SPOKEN DIRECTLY WITH THE CHAIR OF THE EDC TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT THE UTILIZATION AND PARTNERSHIP, AND PARTICULARLY THE ALIGNMENT AND STRATEGY AND STRATEGIC ADVICE TO REALLY ALIGN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTUALLY, UH, PREPARE FOR AND PARTNER ON POTENTIAL, UH, AMENDMENTS TO THEIR ILA THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO MORE WORK AND EFFORT FOR US IN ALIGNMENT, UH, WITH SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE PLAN TO DO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SO WE HAVE HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS, AT LEAST I HAVE WITH THE CHAIR, TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT ONE, SOME SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT WE BELIEVE WE CAN HAND OFF TO THEM THAT ACTUALLY WILL THEN BE WORKED ON IN TANDEM, UH, WITH ALIGNMENT WITH HRNA, REALLY HELPING US DEVELOP THOSE PLANS AND EXECUTION.
CHAIRMAN WEST, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 39.
UM, I JUST WANT TO COMMEND STAFF ON, ON A AN HRNA SPECIFICALLY AS WELL.
I'VE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH THEM, UM, IN THE TIME THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AND, UH, I REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE PULLING TOGETHER THE EDC AND THE TASK FORCE CHAIRED BY, UH, FORMER COUNCILWOMAN GATES AND, UM, HRNA WAS REALLY THERE TO HELP FACILITATE THAT.
AND I JUST THINK IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MARRIAGE OF STAFF AND, UH, THE CONSULTANT AND TREK AND OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND, UH, IT'S, IT'S WORKED WELL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL OF THIS WHOLE UPSTANDING.
UM, MAJE AND I REALLY THINK, UM, AS WE ROLL OUT THE SIX PILLARS OF THE HOUSING POLICY, I THINK WE COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS LEVEL OF HIGH LEVEL COLLABORATION, UM, FROM NONPROFITS INDUSTRY, UH, CONSULTANT WHO'S GOT THIS VARIETY OF SKILLSET.
SO I, I'M GONNA KEEP ASKING FOR THAT.
THANK YOU MAYOR PRO TEM, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON ITEM 39.
I, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT, UM, OPPORTUNITY FOR HR AND A TO ADVISOR TO HELP THE CITY, UH, CITY COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, BUT ALSO HELP STAFF.
THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF BACK, BACK STAFF THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HIRE, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LITTLE BIT CHEAPER TO HIRE THEM TO HIRE AN EMPLOYEE THERE.
SO I JUST WANNA THANK THE CITY MANAGER FOR DOING A GREAT JOB BECAUSE I BELIEVE, UH, I GUESS, UH, MAGIC, COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT ALL DEPARTMENTS, WHICH THEY, THEY WOULD BE HELPING? UH, SO IT WILL INVOLVE, UH, ALMOST ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS, UH, IN, IN, IN THE CITY BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY A CONCERTED EFFORT TO WORK WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS, UH, IN, IN TERMS OF THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT, IN TERMS OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION, UH, UH, PLAN, STRATEGIC PLAN, IMPLEMENTATION AND, AND, AND GOALS, UH, ACCOMPLISHMENT.
AND SO, UH, IN TERMS OF THE SMART DALLAS, UH, ROADMAP, SO ALMOST EVERY DEPARTMENT IS GONNA BE INVOLVED WITH 'EM.
AND, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY.
UH, A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS WERE INVOLVED, NOT JUST THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT OR, YOU KNOW, UH, IT, IT WAS REALLY A MORE CONCERTED EFFORT.
SO I, I SEE A LOT OF INVOLVEMENT FROM, FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT, A CONTINUUM OF THAT INVOLVEMENT FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANNA GET A SHOUT OUT TO HR AND I ALSO THANK YOU CHAIRMAN.
SHOOT, YOU KNOW, WITH HIS SORT OF PRESERVATION, THEY DID A GREAT JOB OVER THERE, OVER 150 PEOPLE THERE.
THEY DID A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING TO HISTORICAL PRESERVATION.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST ITEM 39? SEEING NONE.
[Z1. 24-385 A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for an MU-1 Mixed Use District on property zoned an R-10(A) Single Family District, on the northeast line of Seagoville Road, southeast of Ravenview Road Recommendation of Staff: Approval Recommendation of CPC: Denial without prejudice Z223-195(AU) Note: This item was deferred by the City Council before opening public hearing on December 13, 2023, and is scheduled for consideration on February 14, 2024.]
THANK YOU.WE WILL NOW MOVE TO YOUR ZONING IN PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBER ATKINS WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED ON ITEM Z ONE.
YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, MR. ATKINS? I MOVE.
DEFER THIS ITEM TO MARCH 27TH.
ANY DISCUSSION? ANYONE? HEARING NONE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[05:15:01]
OPPOSED? AYES HAVE IT DEFERRED.THERE ARE NO OTHER ITEMS ON YOUR ZONING AGENDA, THEREFORE, WE'LL MOVE TO YOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
[PH1. 24-384 A public hearing to receive comments regarding consideration of amending Chapters 51 and 51A of the Dallas Development Code, with consideration to be given to amending Sections 51-4.204(4) and 51A-4.204(3), “Child-Care Facility;” 51-4.204(6) and 51A-4.204(1), “Adult Day Care Facility;” 51-4.217(b)(10) and 51A-4.217(b)(7.1) “Day home;” 51-4.407 and 51A-4.407, “Maximum lot coverage;” 51-4.408 and 51A-4.408 “Maximum building height;” 51A-13.306, “Uses;” and 51A-13.402, “Required Parking;” and related sections with consideration to be given to appropriate zoning districts and developing appropriate standards associated with adult day care facilities, child-care facilities, and day homes and an ordinance granting the amendments Recommendation of Staff: Approval Recommendation of CPC: Approval DCA223-002(SM) Note: This item was held under advisement by the City Council at the public hearing on December 13, 2023 and is scheduled for consideration on February 14, 2024.]
PH ONE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING CHAPTERS 51 AND 51 A OF THE DALLAS DEVELOPMENT CODE WITH CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO AMENDING SECTIONS 51 DASH 4 2 4 4 AND 51 A DASH 4 2 0 4 3 CHILDCARE FACILITY 51 DASH 4 2 4 6 AND 51 A DASH 4 2 4 1 ADULT DAYCARE FACILITY, 51 DASH 4.27 B 10 AND 51 A DASH 4.27 B 7.1 DAY HOME, 51 DASH 4.407 AND 51 A DASH 4.407 MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE 51 DASH 4 4 8 AND 51 A DASH 4 4 0 8.MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT, 51 A DASH 13.306 USES, AND 51 A DASH 13.402 REQUIRED PARKING AND RELATED SECTIONS WITH CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO APPROPRIATE ZONING DISTRICTS AND DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE STANDARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ADULT DAYCARE FACILITIES, CHILDCARE FACILITIES, AND DAY HOMES, AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING THE AMENDMENTS.
YOU DO HAVE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES.
MY NAME IS JACK COX, LIVE AT 76 58 EL PENSA DOOR DRIVE IN DISTRICT 11.
AS A FATHER OF TWO, I HAVE A DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE NEED FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE.
NOT ONLY WAS IT A FACTOR IN THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF MY CHILDREN, BUT ALSO ALLOWED MY WIFE AND I TO WORK AND BOLSTER THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF OUR FAMILY.
THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE, THE DALLAS DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW CHILDCARE AND ADULT CARE FACILITIES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS BY WRIGHT RAISE CONCERNS FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DALLAS RESIDENTS.
REMOVING THE SUP REQUIREMENT AND ALLOWING THESE NEW USES BY WRIGHT ELIMINATE SPECIAL REVIEW OR APPROVAL BY CITY STAFF AND OTHERS.
EQUALLY IMPORTANT, IT OVERRIDES RESIDENTS RIGHTS TO HAVE A VOICE AS TO WHAT HAPPENS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
KINDER CARE BY RIGHT IS WRONG FOR DALLAS NEIGHBORHOODS.
AS A NEIGHBOR HOOD ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND MEMBER OF THE DALLAS, EXCUSE ME, BOTH THE NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION AND ALLIANCE.
MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT FEW DALLAS RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF THIS PROPOSAL.
THEY DO HOWEVER VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE IT WHEN INFORMED AND HEAR THE WORDS BY WRIGHT, I HAVE YET TO SEE ANY DEFINITIVE DATA PROVIDED IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROPOSAL.
AND THE SUPPOSITION THAT ALLOWING CHILDCARE AND ADULT CARE FACILITIES BY RIGHT AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS WILL RESULT IN THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE CARE.
THEREFORE, PLEASE DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND AMEND THIS PROPOSAL BY CPC AND STAFF.
MAINTAIN THE SUP REQUIREMENT FOR THESE USES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS ALONG WITH THE OFF STREET PARKING MINIMUMS. BY DOING SO, YOU ENSURE EXISTING RIGHTS AND SAFEGUARD REMAIN AVAILABLE TO NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE RESIDENTS NEIGHBORHOODS.
SELF-DETERMINATION CAN ONLY BE PRESERVED WHEN THOSE THAT STAND TO LOSE THE MOST.
THAT'S YOUR TIME, ARE WILLING TO SPEAK OUT AND LEADERS LIKE YOU ARE WILLING TO LISTEN.
THAT'S YOUR TIME AND PROTECT THE INTEREST OF DALLAS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCILMAN NICOLE GAN WITH JULIET FOWLER COMMUNITIES DISTRICT TWO, DISTRICT 14.
AND I WANNA START OFF BY THANKING THE CITY STAFF FOR THEIR DETAILED REPORT AND THE TIME SPENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR INFORMATION SESSIONS AT JULIET FOWLER COMMUNITIES.
WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS TOPIC BECAUSE FOR OVER 130 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN SERVING OUR COMMUNITY'S MOST VULNERABLE, OUR CHILDREN AND OUR ELDERS.
IN OUR EXPERIENCE, WE SEE THE GAP OF SERVICES AVAILABLE SPECIFICALLY IN THE AFFORDABLE SECTOR BASED ON CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE.
FURTHER, WE'RE IN A UNIQUE TIME IN HISTORY WHERE MANY MORE INDIVIDUALS ARE CARING FOR CHILDREN AND AGING FAMILY MEMBERS SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS WELL AS WORKING OUTSIDE THE
[05:20:01]
HOME.AND LACK OF CARE AND SERVICES IS AN IMPACT TO OUR WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY.
FOR EXAMPLE, 42% OF MILLENNIAL CAREGIVERS ARE SOLE CAREGIVERS.
50% STATED THAT THEIR CAREGIVING DUTIES INTERFERED WITH THEIR WORK.
33% REPORTED SEVERE INTERFERENCE WITH THEIR WORK, SUCH AS THE NEED TO CUT BACK HOURS, LOSING JOB BENEFITS AND BEING FIRED.
CAREGIVING IMPACTS BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY BY AN ESTIMATED $34 BILLION NATIONALLY.
THEREFORE, GREATER ACCESS TO CAREGIVING SUPPORT SERVICES ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT OUR GROWING WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY.
FURTHER, WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE AWARENESS FOR NEEDED SERVICES FOR ADULT DAY PROGRAMMING, SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA.
IN 2020 400,000 TEXANS WERE LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, A 22.5% INCREASE IN PROJECTED BETWEEN 2020 AND 2025 TO 490,000 TEXANS.
TEXAS RANKS NUMBER TWO IN THE NATION IN ALZHEIMER'S DEATHS.
34% OF THOSE DEATHS ARE FROM ALZHEIMER'S ALONE, AND THEY ARE MORE THAN DOUBLE BREAST CANCER AND PROSTATE CANCER COMBINED.
IN OUR EXPERIENCE, THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ARE LIVING WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS AND STRUGGLING ALONE IN THEIR HOMES.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT EACH DEMENTIA CAREGIVER AVERAGES 30 HOURS OF CAREGIVING A WEEK.
MORE QUALITY ADULT DAYCARE SERVICES THAT WOULD ALLOW RELIEF FOR CAREGIVERS.
I LIVE IN, UH, DISTRICT 14 AND I WORK AT JULIET FOWLER IN DISTRICT TWO, DISTRICT 14.
AND I'M ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE IN OUR CITY WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.
UH, AS YOU MAY ALREADY KNOW, WE'VE BEEN SERVING, UH, PEOPLE IN THIS SPACE FOR OVER 130 YEARS.
WE'VE SERVED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, UM, OF, OF ALL AGES.
AND TODAY IN OUR RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMUNITY, UM, ONE YEAR OF DEMENTIA CARE STARTS AT $70,000.
THAT'S TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MOST PEOPLE IN THE CITY.
AND, UM, MORE DAY PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ARE REALLY NEEDED.
UM, RECENTLY IN THE NEWS THERE WAS A WONDERFUL LADY, SHE'S ACTUALLY A FRIEND OF MINE.
UH, HER FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD DEMENTIA CARE, UM, TO LIVE IN A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM.
AND IF SHE HAD HAD ACCESS TO A DAY PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA CARE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SHE PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE GONE LOST.
UM, BECAUSE PEOPLE IN A DAY PROGRAM FOR DEMENTIA CARE ARE ENGAGED, THEY GET TO EXERCISE AND RECEIVE CARE, AND THAT KEEPS THEM SAFE.
AND GUESS WHAT? IT HELPS THE CAREGIVERS.
THEIR JOBS ARE SUFFERING, THEIR HEALTH IS SUFFERING, AND WE NEED MORE CARE LIKE THIS.
AND, UH, JULIET FOWLER AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE US, WE ARE READY TO JUMP IN AND DO IT.
AND WE JUST WANNA BE ABLE TO DO THAT EASILY AND QUICKLY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
UM, PROGRAM FOR DEMENTIA CARE ARE ENGAGED.
I'M SORRY, WHO'S SPEAKING? OKAY, ARE YOU YOU, KAREN? YES, YES, I'M KAREN.
KAREN ROBERTS 5 0 2 CAMERON IN DISTRICT 14.
I RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR MORE CHILDCARE AND ADULT DAYCARE AND SUPPORT VALID EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE THIS CARE.
THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT CODE IS NOT THE WAY TO INCREASE THIS CARE.
THIS CHANGE REMOVES THE RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS TO HAVE A VOICE IN BUSINESSES MOVING IN NEXT TO THEM.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND NEGOTIATE THE PLANS IN TERMS OF A BUSINESS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD IS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS.
THESE FACILITIES MAY BE LOCATED ON A CORNER, BUT THEY WILL BE ADJACENT TO HOMES AND, UH, AND ACROSS STREETS FROM OTHER HOMES.
THE TRAFFIC OF PARENTS AND STAFF CISCO TRUCKS DELIVERING GROCERIES WILL DRIVE THROUGH THE PARK, THROUGH AND PARK ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
THE CODE CHANGE CHANGE ALLOWS FACILITIES TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF PARKING THEY NEED.
THINK ABOUT DRIVING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE WHEN STUDENTS ARE ARRIVING OR BEING PICKED UP.
CARS, BLOCKED STREETS AND DRIVEWAYS WHILE WAITING FOR STUDENTS.
NOW THINK ABOUT A CHILDCARE CENTER WHERE PARENTS MUST PARK, GO IN TO PICK UP THEIR BABY OR TODDLERS, THEN SPEAK TO THE TEACHERS AND COLLECT THEIR CHILDREN'S STUFF.
ALL INFORMATION ON CHILDCARE STRESSES THAT THE COST AND AVAILABILITY OF STAFF IS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE DECLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF CHILDCARE.
ELIMINATING THE SUP AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS WILL NOT HAVE THE IMPACT.
THIS CHANGE IMPLIES THERE'S NO GUARANTEE WHERE THE DESERT, WHERE THE CENTERS WILL GO IN THE DE CHILDCARE DESERTS, AND IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT THEY WILL GO IN COMMUNITIES WHERE PARENTS CAN AFFORD
[05:25:01]
TO PAY FOR QUALITY CARE.ELIMINATING THE SUP IN RESIDENTIAL IS NOT AREAS, IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THE CHILD AND CARE AND ADULT CARE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A HUGE THREAT AND DANGER TO OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT FOWLER COMMUNITIES.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE FOR OVER 130 YEARS.
JULIETTE VALER COMMUNITIES HAS SERVED CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND AGING INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH THAT WE SERVE COME FROM VERY HARD PLACES THAT INCLUDE FOSTER CARE, AGING, OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND HOMELESSNESS.
WITH APPROXIMATELY 93,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE IN DALLAS, THERE ARE ONLY 280 LICENSED DAYCARE CENTERS THAT ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 37% OF THE CITY'S CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.
THE ZIP CODES IN THE SERVICE AREAS SURROUNDING FOWLER ALONE DEMONSTRATE A HIGH A NEED FOR HIGH QUALITY SUBSIDIZED OR LOW COST.
PRE-K PROVIDERS, 60% OF FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN NEED AFFORDABLE AND CONVENIENT CHILDCARE.
MANY OF THE ZIP CODES AROUND FOWLER SHOW THAT 20% OR MORE OF CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.
ONLY 38% PARTICIPATE IN SUBSIDIZED CARE AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO OR FEWER HEAD START PROVIDERS ACCESSIBLE TO SOME OF THE HIGHEST POVERTY ZIP CODES.
FOWLER'S 130 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND THEIR FAMILIES CONFIRMS THAT POVERTY, LOWER SOCIAL CLASS AND ALL THE TRAUMA THAT ACCOMPANIES THAT UNDERMINE THE WELLBEING OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
EVEN SMALL AND SUBTLE DISADVANTAGES, LIKE NOT HAVING CONVENIENT AND DEPENDABLE DAYCARE CAN HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES THAT AFFECT PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SELF-ESTEEM AND RELATIONSHIPS APPROPRIATE, ACCESSIBLE AND CONVENIENT DAYCARE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ENSURING OUR COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN HAVE THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS MET.
GOOD AFTERNOON, ED ZARA, 1003 VALENCIA, DISTRICT 14.
AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO FILED ALL THE RULES AND EXPENSE TO ESTABLISH MY BUSINESS, I DO NOT SUPPORT MAKING AN EXCEPTION TO ALLOW CHILDCARE AND ADULT CARE FACILITIES BY RIGHT IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
ZONING RULES ALREADY EXIST ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE ABOUT OPERATING A HOMEBASED BUSINESS, AND THESE DAYCARES FAIL MOST REQUIREMENTS.
ONE, THE OWNER'S NOT ALLOWED TO USE ANY ADVERTISEMENTS, SIGN OR DISPLAY RELATING TO OCCUPATION.
TWO, EMPLOY MORE THAN ONE PERSON ON THE PREMISES.
THREE, HAVE AN EMPLOYEE OTHER THAN RESIDENT WORK FOR MORE THAN FOUR HOURS IN ANY GIVEN WEEK, OR INVOLVE MORE THAN THREE PEOPLE ON THE PREMISES AT ONE TIME OTHER THAN THE OWNER.
SELL OR OFFER PRODUCTS OF THE HOME OCCUPATION.
SEVEN, GENERATE PARKING CONGESTION THAT REDUCES THE AVAILABILITY OF ON STREET PARKING.
HOME OCCUPATION CANNOT OCCUPY MORE THAN 400 SQUARE FEET OR 25% OF TOTAL FLOOR AREA.
IN ADDITION, OWNERS MUST ENSURE THAT USE COMPLIES WITH THE CITY ZONING AND OTHER LAWS.
THOUGHTS SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND MAKING THIS DECISION.
EVERY BUSINESSMAN OBTAIN A CO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY BEFORE OPERATING REQUIRES.
INSPECTIONS INCLUDE BUILDING, FIRE, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL PARKING, AND A DA REQUIREMENTS.
THIS PROPOSED CHILDCARE ADULT CARE BY RIGHT AMENDMENT IS JUST ANOTHER ATTACK ON SINGLE FAMILY ZONING AND ELIMINATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD SELF-DETERMINATION BY RIGHT IS THE DEAL BREAKER.
MATTHEW'S CATHEDRAL AT ROSS AND HENDERSON.
I LIVE IN 14 AND MY PARISH IS IN TWO.
I KNOW THAT, UH, IT IS BEEN A LONG DAY FOR YOU ALL AND MAYBE A BIT, SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN BEATEN UP A LITTLE BIT AND IN THE LATE AFTERNOON IT'S EASY TO SAY NO.
IT'S MUCH EASIER TO SAY NO TO SAY YES.
AND SO I'M HOPING THAT I CAN GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT THAT MIGHT OVERCOME THE BURDEN
[05:30:01]
OF PRIOR RESTRAINT TO ALLOW YOU TO MOVE INTO A PLACE OF PERMISSION.AND SEEING THE BIG PICTURE ST.
ST MATTHEWS IS OPENING A PRESCHOOL ON OUR GROUNDS.
IT WAS REALLY HARD AND WE HAD A WHOLE LOT GOING FOR US TO NEGOTIATE ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
AND SO YOU WOULD THINK IT'D BE IN OUR INTEREST, ABSOLUTELY LESS CARE MORE FOR US.
WE WANNA JACK UP OUR PRICES, BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE WORK.
IN MY TRADITION, I'D ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT, ESPECIALLY ON THIS DAY IN MY TRADITION, WHERE WE THINK ABOUT GIVING ALMS AND CARING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE AND SEEING THE DIVINE IN THOSE WHO ARE THE WEAKEST.
IN PARTICULAR, IN A TRADITION IN SCRIBED, BOTH IN TORAH AND IN THE GOSPEL, WE SEE, UH, SACRED CARE FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS BEING PRIORITIZED AND INTERPRETED BROADLY.
THAT WOULD BE THOSE WHO ARE ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE, AND THOSE WHO ARE CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE.
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT MAKING, ALLOWING THIS CHANGE THAT WOULD ALLOW MORE VULNERABLE CHILDREN, MORE VULNERABLE, ELDERLY TO BE CARED FOR.
CAN WE CARE FOR THEM IN A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE, IN A PLACE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD, IN A PLACE WHERE THEY ARE LOVED? AND THIS IS A A TIME WHEN I THINK YOU GUYS COULD TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY LIES.
GIVE PERMISSION, SAY YES TO THAT, WHICH IS BEST IN ALL OF THE TRADITIONS WE SHARE AND IS BEST IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR COUNSEL.
JONATHAN VINCENT, 2323 ROSS AVENUE, REPRESENTING THE PARKLAND HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
I'M HERE TODAY IN FRONT OF YOU ON ONE VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND I'VE, UH, SPOKEN ABOUT THIS LAST TIME AND COMMUNICATED WITH ALL OF YOU ABOUT IT.
UM, AND THAT IS WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE AN SUP REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN CS AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING.
UM, THERE IS A NONPROFIT CHILDCARE FACILITY CALLED ANNIE'S PLACE, WHICH IS ON BUTLER STREET ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE PARKLAND SYSTEM.
UM, AND THEIR MISSION IS SPECIFICALLY TO, UH, PROVIDE NONPROFIT CHILDCARE FOR PATIENTS IN THE PARKLAND SYSTEM AS WELL AS STAFF.
SO, YOU KNOW, I WON'T GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS.
I THINK YOU CAN ALL FIGURE THAT OUT FOR YOURSELVES.
BUT, UM, BY REQUIRING AN SUP IN IR ZONING, WHICH IS WHERE THIS IS SITUATED, THAT WOULD MAKE THEM LEGAL NON-CONFORMING.
NOW YOU HAVE CERTAIN RIGHTS AS A LEGAL NON-CONFORMING USE, BUT IT'S ALSO PROBLEMATIC IN TERMS OF, UH, FINANCING, FUNDRAISING, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY STATE LICENSING, WHICH REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE PROPER ZONING FOR YOUR CHILDCARE FACILITY.
SO, UH, WE'VE WORKED VERY WELL WITH STAFF AND COMING OUT OF PLAN COMMISSION, THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE THAT'S PROPOSED THAT'S IN THE CPC PROPOSED CONDITIONS IN YOUR STAFF REPORT, WHICH BASICALLY WE THINK SOLVES THE PROBLEM.
UM, AND I'LL PARAPHRASE NO SUP REQUIRED NC US AND INDUSTRIAL, WHEN THE CHILDCARE FACILITY IS AFFILIATED WITH A HOSPITAL, UM, CERTAINLY OTHER INSTITUTIONS, THAT'S A FACTUAL DETERMINATION.
BUT WE THINK WE QUALIFY FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS.
PARKLAND OWNS THE PROPERTY, UH, THEY WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.
THEY'RE LINKED ON PARKLAND'S WEBSITE.
SO WE THINK THAT, UM, SOLVES OUR ISSUE.
YOU KNOW, IDEALLY NO SUP WOULD BE REQUIRED IN CS AND INDUSTRIAL AT ALL.
BUT WE THINK THIS WORKS FOR US.
SO WE WOULD ASK YOU TO EITHER SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE AS PROPOSED OR EVEN BETTER, YOU KNOW, NO SUP REQUIREMENT AT ALL, YOU KNOW, AS A FALLBACK IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THAT.
UM, AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
UH, RONNIE MASTERS 32 15 RUT STREET, WEST DALLAS, TEXAS.
UM, I'M HERE TO OPPOSE THIS, UH, PROPOSAL OR AMENDMENT OF IT.
IT IS, IT, IT'S JUST, UM, AMAZING.
UH, I'M THE GRANDFATHER OF, UH, FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
THREE ARE ARTISTIC, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S NOT TO SEEM LIKE WE HAVE NO HEART OR CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR LOVED ONES AND OUR ELDERLY WHERE I'M GETTING THERE.
SO, BUT TO DO THIS, THIS, THIS AMENDMENT, THIS, THIS WHOLE PLAN, IT'S TARGETING SPECIFIC AREAS AND SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND YOU'RE COMING UP WITH NOW WHAT YOU HAVE A RACIAL EQUITY, UM, RACIAL EQUITY INCLUSION, UH, DEPARTMENT.
AND ONE OF THE FIRST SENTENCES IN THERE IS, IS, UH, THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COM, UH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR SELF-DETERMINATION.
[05:35:02]
AND BEFORE THIS LAST, THE LAST MONTH'S MEETING, ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE THAT THIS WAS GOING ON.THERE WAS NO, NO, YOU KNOW, AND WE CAN'T BLAME IT ON ONE PERSON OR ANOTHER, BUT I THINK I'VE HEARD, YOU KNOW, DO THE RIGHT THING NOW TWICE.
AND I BELIEVE, I CERTAINLY BELIEVE ONE PERSON THAT SAID IT, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER, BUT, YOU KNOW, TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND LET THE COMMUNITY DECIDE, YOU KNOW, NOT, NOT BUSINESSES OR OTHER CAREGIVERS, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE THESE HOMES, UH, EVEN, EVEN THE AIRBNBS, THERE'S, THEY'RE EMPTY.
AND ONCE THIS PASSES AND IT'S ALLOWED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IT'S GONNA COME.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GONNA BE UTILIZED FOR.
SO IT IT IS, IT'S, UH, THE TROJAN HORSE IN, IN A BIG PACKAGE COMING TO OUR COMMUNITIES.
SO THANK YOU, AND I HOPE YOU, YOU SAY NO TO THIS ONE.
UH, MY NAME IS MARY LOU PAREZ.
I'M HERE TODAY, UH, TO ASK YOU, UH, COUNSEL, UH, EVERYONE HERE IN THE HORSESHOE THAT I'M AS A COMMUNITY LEADER, A GRANDMOTHER, UH, RAISING, UM, GRANDKIDS, UM, AND I'M A PROPERTY OWNER.
I COME HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DEVELOPMENT CODE.
I'M OPPOSED TO ELIMINATING THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT FOR AN SUP AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS, LEAVING NEIGHBORHOODS VULNERABLE TO THE OPERATION OF A BUSINESS.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH, UH, NOT PROVIDING CHILDCARE FOR, FOR OUR, FOR OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN.
UH, THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE THAT THESE DAYCARES IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA NEXT TO ME COULD BE, COULD FALL IN THE WRONG HANDS AND THEN DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS, UH, NOT BEING AN ASSET, BUT A LIABILITY TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
WE LOOKED UP THE PEDOPHILES IN THE AREA, WE HAVE THEM ALL OVER, AND I'M SURE EVERYONE DOES.
AND THAT'S, AND THE HIGH CRIME RATES.
AND I'M, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING JUST ANYBODY WITHOUT AN SUP.
DO CHILDCARES, CHILDCARES BELONG IN, IN, UH, COMMERCIAL AREAS? CHURCHES, UH, THERE'S CHILDCARE CENTERS IN MY AREA THAT I TOOK MY GRANDCHILDREN TO.
UH, AND LET'S, LET'S MAKE THEM, LET'S BUILD THE CAPACITY TO THE EXISTING CHILDCARES.
AND THEN ON THE ADULT CARES, I WORRY ABOUT THEM WANDERING OFF INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S HOME.
NOW, I, I, I HAVE A, I HAVE A, A HEART FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO THAT.
IT'S THE SAFETY AND THE, AND THE MONITORING OF THESE HOMES WITHOUT AN SUP.
UM, THERE'S A HOUSING SHORTAGE.
SO HOW ARE WE GONNA USE THE, THE LAND, THE HOMES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IN OUR BELOVED HOMES? OUR PEACE.
THE ONLY PIECE THAT WE HAVE IS OUR RESIDENTS.
UH, LET'S BUILD CAPACITY IN DAYCARES.
UH, AND LET'S NOT INFRINGE OUR THAT YOUR TIME, MA'AM.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT 10 AND I WORK IN DISTRICT 14.
I REPRESENT JULIET FOWLER'S, DEMENTIA FRIENDLY DALLAS INITIATIVE.
DALLAS'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A LIVABLE COMMUNITY WHERE INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS CAN LIVE, AGE, AND THRIVE.
12.6% OF OUR CITIZENS IN DALLAS HAVE DEMENTIA.
60% OF THEM LIVE IN THEIR HOMES.
BEHIND EVERY ONE PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA STANDS AT LEAST FOUR WEARY CAREGIVERS.
DEMENTIA IS A DISEASE AND IT LIVES EVERYWHERE, INCLUDING OUR SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.
I LIVE IN A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT EMBRACES A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME AND ASSISTED LIVING ONE BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE.
DOES THIS HURT MY PROPERTY VALUE? NO.
ARE THE NEIGHBORS AFRAID OF THOSE WHO LIVE THERE? NO.
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD EMBRACES THESE ELDERS.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD SINGS CHRISTMAS CAROLS TRICK OR TREATERS RING THEIR DOORBELL, AND CHILDREN BRING VALENTINE'S.
CAREGIVERS NEED ACCESSIBILITY.
MANY ARE WORKING, RAISING CHILDREN, CARING FOR MOM OR DAD.
IMAGINE HAVING TO GET YOURSELF, YOUR CHILDREN AND MOM READY AND OUT THE DOOR TO SCHOOL, DAYCARE, AND BE AT WORK ON TIME AND HAVE TO DRIVE
[05:40:01]
TO RICHARDSON OR DESOTO TO GET THE PROPER CARE FOR MOM.WE THINK NOTHING OF HAVING SCHOOLS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
YOUR CONSTITUENTS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO DAY PROGRAMS FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
OUR FRIENDS WITH DEMENTIA NEED DAILY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEY SHOULD BE NEAR THEIR HOMES, NOT IN A WAREHOUSE WITH LAWN CHAIRS SITTING ON THE CONCRETE PARKING LOT SURROUNDED BY A CHAIN LINK FENCE.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR MOTHER? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOURSELVES? BECAUSE IF STATISTICS HOLD UP, 50% OF ALL OF US WILL HAVE DEMENTIA.
YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE FIRST THAT FRIENDLY STATEMENT FOR OUR CITY BY CREATING LIVES THAT NATURE.
I HAVE WORKED IN A DAYCARE AND SUPPORT THE NEED FOR CHILDCARE.
THIS ZONING DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT PROBLEM.
CHILDCARE IS EXPENSIVE TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
WE NEED TO SUBSIDIZE THE AMOUNT FOR MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES.
WE NEED TO ALSO REDUCE THE SUP APPLICATION FEE FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN STARTING A DAYCARE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.
I WORK WHEN WE STARTED DAYCARE AND MOST OF THE KIDS ARE STAFF, CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE CCA, WHICH IS CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE.
WE HAVE FAMILIES COME TO ME BECAUSE OTHER DAYCARES DID NOT WORK WITH THEM.
IF THEY COULD NOT PAY WHAT THEY WERE ASKING OR WERE RECEIVING CCI, WE MUST MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE BENEFIT, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT CAN AFFORD DAYCARES.
WHAT I HAVE SEEN IS DISCRIMINATION FOR THE POOR BECAUSE THE DAYCARE HAS A RIGHT TO NOT SERVE THEM.
I CALLED A COUPLE OF DAYCARES IN MY COMMUNITY TO SEE IF THEY HAD A WAITING LIST AND THEY SAID NO WAITING LIST.
I'M CONCERNED THE PROPOSED CHANGES WILL HARMFULLY AFFECT MY COMMUNITY.
I DO NOT LIVE IN A GATED COMMUNITY WITH A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION OR LIVE IN A HISTORICAL DISTRICT WHERE I CAN BE PROTECTED FROM BAD NEIGHBORS.
I LIVE IN A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY.
I LEAVE THE LED BETTER CRIME WASH COMMUNITY MEETING MONTHLY BECAUSE MY COMMUNITY NEEDS A PLACE TO VOICE THE CONCERNS.
IN MY LAST MEETING, NO ONE WANTED A DAYCARE.
WE NEED SPECIFICS IN PLACE TO MAKE THE ZONING WORK.
MY COMMUNITY DOES NOT WANT INVESTORS COMING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, BUYING HOUSES AND RUNNING THEM AS DAYCARE BUSINESSES SIMILAR TO ST RIGHT NOW, WE SEE A LACK OF CITY SUPERVISION.
WE COMMUNITY MEMBERS MUST CALL IN THINGS WITHOUT PERMITS, WITHOUT LICENSE AND ILLEGAL WORK AT NIGHT.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY COMMUNITIES WITHOUT THE NUISANCE WE FACE DAILY BECAUSE OF BAD NEIGHBORS.
WE BELIEVE A NEIGHBORHOOD SELF-DETERMINATION.
WE KNOW FIRSTHAND DISPARITIES EXIST IN WEST DALLAS AND THIS FEW MINUTES, IT IS NOT ABOUT ADULTS OR CHILDCARE.
IT IS, IT'S JUST ABOUT MAKING SURE THEY'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACES.
LET PARKLAND HAVE THEIR DAYCARE, WHOEVER WANTS TO HAVE THEIR DAYCARE.
GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR MEMBERS COUNCIL.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? Y YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
UM, I'M HERE AS WITH A PARENT, I'M SORRY.
I LIVE AT 9 0 5 6 WEST BAR DRIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
I'M HERE AS WITH A PARENT AND A BOARD MEMBER FOR A LOCAL NONPROFIT HEART HOUSE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT CPC AND STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO ELIMINATE THE SEP REQUIREMENT FOR BOTH ADULT AND CHILD DAYCARE CENTERS AND ALL ZONE AREAS OF DALLAS.
WE NOW LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE FOR MOST OF US WHO CHOOSE TO HAVE CHILDREN, BOTH PARENTS MUST WORK TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
THIS MEANS THAT FAMILIES HAVE TO LOOK FOR PAID CHILDCARE FOR THEIR SMALL CHILDREN SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO WORK.
THE FINANCIAL BURDEN IS IMMENSE WITH TWO CHILDREN IN DAYCARE.
IT COSTS MORE THAN MY MORTGAGE.
UM, BUT EVEN MORE STRESSFUL THAN THE COST BURDEN IS THE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING AVAILABILITY FOR THOSE OF US WHO CAN EVEN AFFORD CARE.
THE DEMAND FOR DAYCARES IN DALLAS FAR OUTSTRIPS THE SUPPLY.
IF ALL DAYCARES IN THE CITY WERE TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY, IT WOULD ONLY MEET 54% OF THE DEMAND FOR CHILDREN, OR SIX AND ONLY 36% FOR TODDLERS AND INFANTS.
FOR ME, AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS WHO ALSO HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN, WE PUT OUR NAMES ON VARIOUS WAIT LISTS WITH EXPENSIVE FEES AND HOPES FOR ONE DAY GETTING A SPOT.
LACK OF AVAILABLE CHILDCARE IS A MASSIVE BURDEN TO WORKING FAMILIES.
I WANT DALLAS TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOUNG FAMILIES WANT TO LIVE.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY BARRIERS THAT HAS CAUSED MANY FRIENDS OF MINE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.
AS A BOARD MEMBER AT HARD HOUSE, A NON-PROFIT THAT SERVES IMMIGRANT AND LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN THE VICKERY MEADOW NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.
THE COST AND TIME BURDEN OF THE SEP PROCESS HAS MADE IT ALL BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A PERMANENT HOME IN THE VICKERY MEADOW COMMUNITY.
THE NEEDS FOR FREE QUALITY SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY, UM, AND FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.
30,000 PEOPLE LIVE IN JUST THREE SQUARE MILES.
THE MAJORITY OF LAND IS AN AREA THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF LAND IN THAT AREA IS ZONE RESIDENTIAL.
WITH A FEW SMALL POCKETS OF COMMERCIAL N-D-I-S-D AND CITY OWNED PROPERTY, WE HAVE OFFERS TO HOUSE OUR PROGRAM OUT OF SEVERAL APARTMENT COMPLEX IN THE AREA FOR FREE.
AND THOUGH WE WOULD STILL NEED TO MEET THE BURDEN
[05:45:01]
BURDENSOME STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS, IT WOULD ALLOW US TO OPERATE IN THE AREA NEAR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE, PROVIDING A HIGH QUALITY FREE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO DESPERATELY NEED THIS.ELIMINATING THE SEP REQUIREMENT WILL SIMPLY REMOVE ONE TIME AND COST BURDEN FOR ADULT AND CHILDCARE CENTERS IF EVEN ONE ADDITIONAL CHILDCARE CENTER IS THAT'S YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT THE CHANGE.
I'M THE PROUD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HEART HOUSE, A FREE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM SERVING PRIMARILY REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN VICKERY MEADOW, WHICH IS LOCATED IN DISTRICT 13.
NON-PROFIT AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND WELLBEING OF OUR YOUTH.
THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE A SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, OFFERING EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE GROWTH OF OUR NEXT GENERATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE BURDENSOME SPECIFIC USE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS ACT AS A FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL ROADBLOCK AND IMPEDING THE SWIFT ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THESE VITAL PROGRAMS. THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH ATTAINING UPS OFTEN STRAIN THE LIMITED RESOURCES OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.
THESE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS DIVERT RESOURCES THAT COULD OTHERWISE BE DIRECTED TOWARDS ENHANCING THE QUALITY AND SCOPE OF AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES.
BY ELIMINATING THE SUP REQUIREMENT, WE CAN ENSURE THAT THESE NONPROFITS CAN ALLOCATE MORE OF THEIR FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT BENEFIT OUR CHILDREN.
THE SUP PROCESS IS ALSO HIGHLY SPECIALIZED AND CAN ALMOST NEVER BE COMPLETED ADEQUATELY WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS THAT CAN OFTEN COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, DOLLARS THAT HARD HOUSE HAS HAD TO SPEND IN THE PAST AND WILL HAVE TO SPEND IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS CHANGE.
FURTHERMORE, THE EXTENDED APPROVAL PROCESS INTRODUCES UNNECESSARY DELAYS PREVENTING TIMELY ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL AFTERSCHOOL RESOURCES.
OUR YOUTH DESERVE ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS WITHOUT UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES.
ELIMINATING THE SUP WILL STREAMLINE THE PROCESS, ENABLING PROGRAMS TO PROMPTLY RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT TO FAMILIES.
I URGE YOU ON THIS VALENTINE'S DAY TO SHOW THAT YOU LOVE THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THIS PROCESS.
THOSE ARE YOUR REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? I SEE TWO.
UM, MY STAFF WILL, WE'LL, WE'LL ATTEND TO YOU JUST A SECOND, BUT WE'RE NOT, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE REGISTER TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
I THINK YOU'RE, MY STAFF WILL GET WHAT YOU WE'LL, WE WILL SORT THAT OUT.
PLEASE STATE YOUR MR. MAYOR DALLAS, CATHERINE 2201 MAIN STREET.
UM, YOU, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
YOUR 2023 RESIDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY LISTED THIS AS A REALLY HIGH PRIORITY.
AND WHILE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T TAKE ANY REAL POSITION ON WHAT HAPPENS ON THE SINGLE FAMILY, YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE HERE LIKE MR. WEITZMAN AND OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS OFFICE IS IN JUST THE WORST STATE IT'S BEEN AND DAYCARE'S NOT ALLOWED IN OFFICE DISTRICTS.
SO, YOU KNOW, IF, YOU KNOW, WE'D LIKE YOU TO GO AHEAD AND, AND PASS THIS SO THAT THESE OFFICE BUILDINGS THAT HAVE, IN SOME CASES NO TENANTS OR OCCUPANCY BELOW, UM, YOU KNOW, 50% CAN MOVE THESE, UH, DAYCARE FACILITIES IN, I MEAN, UH, YOU KNOW, HE HAS ONE THAT'S LOCATED RIGHT ON THE DART LINE BY PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL IN A BUILDING THAT'S COMPLETELY VACATED.
UM, SIMILARLY LIKE, UH, HEART HOUSE WE'VE DONE WORK FOR AND JULIET FOWLER, UH, PEOPLE THAT ARE IN COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, WE NEED THOSE BUILDINGS TO BE ACTIVATED AGAIN.
AND SO IF THE SINGLE FAMILY AND DUPLEX TOWN HOME PART NEEDS TO STAY BEHIND FOR OTHER SCRUTINY, LET'S NOT WAIT.
I AGREE WITH MR. VINCENT THAT CS AND IR ARE GOOD DISTRICTS FOR DAYCARE.
IMAGINE A LOGISTICS CENTER WHERE THERE IS NEXT DOOR.
YOU COULD BUILD A DAYCARE, UH, THAT'S A CLEAN GOOD USE.
MAYBE IM IS APPROPRIATE FOR, UH, AN SUP, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE.
I'M NOT SURE IT NEEDS TO BE A SINGLE FAMILY, BUT WE'VE GOT TO ACTIVATE THESE OFFICE BUILDINGS.
IT'S 25% OF DALLAS'S OFFICE SPACE IS UNOCCUPIED, AND THAT DOES NOT COUNT ALL THE SUBLEASE MARKET.
SO PLEASE MOVE THIS FORWARD, UH, AND, AND PUT SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS BACK INTO USE FOR SOMETHING PEOPLE REALLY WANT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
[05:50:03]
THANK YOU.ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE? I'M TOLD THAT MELANIE RUBIN IS VIRTUAL AND WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
YOU MAY PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU MAY BE BEGIN TO HER WHITEMAN 31 0 2 MAPLE AVENUE.
UH, I REPRESENT A VENTURE THAT'S, UH, AT THE CORNER OF MANDEVILLE AND LA SIERRA, THREE BLOCKS NORTH OF, OF BALD HILL LANE.
AND IT'S MET A DOCTOR'S OFFICE.
IT WAS MEDICAL SPECIALIST FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL AND THIS AREA AT MANDER.
BET, YOU KNOW, NORTH OF WALNUT HILL TO, UH, MEADOW ROAD IS A, UH, CONFLUENCE OF HOTELS, OFFICE BUILDINGS.
UH, NOW THERE'S A THREE 50 UNIT APARTMENT PROJECT GOING TO THE NORTH OF THE PROPERTY.
AND, UH, WE HAVE MADE A LEASE WITH, UH, UH, CELEBRATE, WHICH IS A 50 STORE CHAIN OF VERY HIGH QUALITY, UH, UH, HERS, UH, SCHOOLS THAT, UH, TAKE KIDS FROM, UH, ZERO TO 12 YEARS OLD, FROM INFANCY TO 12 YEARS OLD.
AND THEY'VE GOT A WONDERFUL TRACK RECORD.
THEY'D BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE CITY.
UH, THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE IN THAT AREA AT THE HOSPITAL, NORTH PARK, WHATEVER, WHERE ALL THEIR HUGE EMPLOYMENT, UH, UH, FACILITIES ARE THAT THIS IS A VERY HIGH END NURSERY.
IT'S A PERFECT USE IN THIS AREA THAT HAS SO MANY DIFFERENT USES.
AND JUST THE FACT THAT IT, IT DOESN'T, WE THOUGHT, UH, THAT THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN, THE CONSTRUCTION WAS STARTED BY MISTAKE WHERE THE CALL WAS MADE BY THE COMPANY TO THE CITY OF DALLAS AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY, UH, WERE THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE ZONING.
SO IN THE BUILDING THEY STARTED DOING CONSTRUCTION WORK.
THE CONSTRUCTION, THEY, THEY'VE GOT A 15 YEAR LEASE THERE AND THE, THE, THE, UH, RETROFIT OF THE BUILDING IS JUST BEAUTIFUL AND IT'S GONNA BE A VERY HIGH END SCHOOL.
AND THEY'VE HAD, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
I'M SORRY THAT'S YOUR TIME MUCH.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE? OKAY.
CARL CROWLEY, 2201 MAIN STREET.
UH, MANY OF Y'ALL SEEN ME UP HERE FOR 25 PLUS YEARS.
IN MY 10 YEARS I WORKED AT THE CITY OF DALLAS AND I HAVE, AND YOU SEE ME HERE, OBVIOUSLY REPRESENTING THE DISD IN THE PLANO ISD AND THERE A LOT OF ISDS AMONG OTHER CLIENTS.
AND ONE OF MY PASSIONS IN THESE 25 OR 35 YEARS IN MY PRIVATE LIFE, OBVIOUSLY IS EDUCATION.
AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF EDUCATION IS EARLY EDUCATION.
OBVIOUSLY WE NEED CHILDREN TO BE EDUCATED AND CARED FOR AT AN EARLY AGE.
AND THEN ANOTHER THING I WANNA BRING UP IS I, I'M A BIG ADVOCATE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND YOU CAN CALL IT WORKFORCE AFFORDABLE, WHATEVER YOU WANT IN 2020 WHEN A LOT OF US GOT TO STAY HOME AND I DIDN'T STAY HOME, BUT A LOT OF US GOT TO STAY HOME.
THERE WERE STILL PEOPLE WHO DELIVERED OUR GROCERIES AND WORKED FOR AMAZON.
AND WE BECAME A TERM CALLED ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WHICH I DON'T THINK WAS A TERM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT BECAME A TERM IN THE PANDEMIC.
AND THOSE ESSENTIAL WORKERS USUALLY AREN'T PAID IN SIX FIGURES.
IT'S PROBABLY IN THE LOW FIVE OR FOUR, WHATEVER.
BUT THEY STILL WERE THERE EVERY DAY DURING THE PANDEMIC.
AND THEY HAD TO MAKE CHOICES OF DO I WORK, DO I, WHAT DO I DO WITH MY CHILDREN? UM, IS IT AFFORDABLE FOR ME TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN DAYCARE? IS IT AVAILABLE TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN DAYCARE? AND I'LL HAVE TO AGREE WITH DALLAS.
I DON'T KNOW IF SINGLE FAMILY IS THE WAY TO BE.
I KNOW WHEN I WORKED HERE, WE HAD DID SEE SUVS FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND IT WAS A QUICK PROCESS.
IT WAS EIGHT WEEKS AND THE FEE WAS $500 AND IT'S NOT THE SAME NOW.
BUT, UM, LET'S MOVE ON WITH THE MULTIFAMILY.
WE'VE WORKED FOR HARD HOUSE, WE WORKED FOR JULIA FOWLERS, WE WORKED FOR WHAT HERB JUST TALKED TO YOU ABOUT.
LET'S MOVE ON SO WE CAN GET SOME OF THESE CLEARED UP AND GET MOVING FORWARD.
HARD HOUSE HAD TO COME BECAUSE THEY TOOK CARE OF KIDS IN THE NEXT APARTMENT OVER.
IF THEY JUST TOOK CARE OF THEIR KIDS, THEY WOULD NEED AN SUP.
SO FOR THE CARING FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY GOT PENALIZED.
SO LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO THIS AND GET SOME DAYCARE AND GET OUR CHILDREN TAKEN CARE OF.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE? OKAY, IS MS. RUBEN ON THE LINE? OKAY, I'M TOLD SHE'S NOT.
MR. MAYOR, THIS CONCLUDES YOUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, YOU HAVE A MOTION? I DO.
I MOVE THAT WE FOLLOW THE ZO OAC RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES.
[05:55:01]
DAYCARE FACILITIES ARE PERMITTED BY WRIGHT IN MULTIFAMILY RETAIL CENTRAL AREA.MIXED USE MULTIPLE COMMERCIAL OFFICE AND URBAN CORRIDOR DISTRICTS BY SUP IN RA, D-A-T-H-A AND CH DISTRICTS AND SUP IS NOT REQUIRED IN RESIDENTIAL, DUPLEX, TOWNHOUSE, OR CLUSTERED HOUSING DISTRICTS.
WHEN THE CHILD OR ADULT CARE FACILITY IS OPERATED ON PROPERTY THAT IS OPERATED BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION OR LOCATED IN A CITY REC CENTER, TWO REQUIRED OFF STREET PARKING, NONE EXCEPT THAT IN R-A-D-A-T-H-A AND CH DISTRICTS, IF AN SUP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS USE, AN OFF STREET PARKING REQUIREMENT MAY BE ESTABLISHED IN THE SUP, OTHERWISE ONE SPACE PER 500 SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR AREA THREE.
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MAY GRANT A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS WHEN IN THE OPINION OF THE BOARD, THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION WILL NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.
A MINIMUM SIDE OR REAR YARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSORY STRUCTURES FOR USE IN OUTDOOR RECREATION AND B EXCEPT IN R-A-D-A-T-H AACH AND MHA DISTRICT'S PLACEMENT OF OFF STREET PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD WHEN PROHIBITED PURSUANT TO SECTION 51 A DASH 4.301 B FOUR, NO MORE THAN 12 DAY HOME ATTENDEES UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OR EIGHT OVER THE AGE OF 18, INCLUDING PERSONS IN FOSTER CARE AND THOSE RELATED TO THE OWNER OF THE RESIDENCE OR THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD BY BLOOD MARRIAGE OR ADOPTION ARE PERMITTED AT ANY TIME IN THE OPERATION OF THIS USE.
THE USE CHART CHANGED TO REFLECT PARAGRAPH ONE ABOVE POINT OF INFORMATION.
WE MOVE TO SECOND, BUT BEFORE I I LET YOU HAVE SOME DISCUSSION.
WHAT IS YOUR POINT OF INFORMATION? I WANNA CLARIFY THE MOTION THAT HE MADE 'CAUSE THERE WERE A COUPLE POINTS THAT I WANNA MAKE SURE WERE IN THERE OR NOT.
UH, MR. REALLY RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON YOUR MOTION.
THE AMENDMENTS THAT I PROPOSE TODAY ARE INTENDED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS OF EXPANDING ACCESS TO CHILD DAYCARE AND SELF-DETERMINATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
CHILDCARE ADVOCATES WANT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE WHILE NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATES JEALOUSLY GUARD THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SAY ABOUT ALLOWING COMMERCIAL LAND USES IN THEIR RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
THESE CONFLICTING INTERESTS RESULTED IN A DIVIDED EIGHT TO SEVEN DECISION AT THE CPC TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT ORDINANCE.
I THINK THAT I HAVE ARRIVED AT SUCH A COMPROMISE AFTER MUCH STUDY OF THE ISSUE AND CONSULTATION WITH MY COLLEAGUES.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND FIRST WHAT CURRENT ZONING ALLOWS CHILDCARE.
UH, DAYCARE IS ALLOWED BY RIGHT IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS TODAY FOR UP TO 10 CHILDREN WITH NO SUP.
IT'S ALSO PERMITTED IN CHURCHES.
IT IS NO SUP IS REQUIRED IN CS OR INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS.
SCHOOLS PROVIDE PRESCHOOL AFTER AGE OF THREE AND AFTERSCHOOL CARE BY RIGHT AND ADULT CA DAYCARE IS ALLOWED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS WITHOUT AN SUP UP TO FOUR INDIVIDUALS.
STAFF HAS PRESENTED NO DATA TO JUSTIFY MAJOR OVERHAUL OF OUR CURRENT SUP SYSTEM.
THERE HAS BEEN NO DATA ON THE SIZE OF THE GAP BETWEEN THE NEED AND CAPACITY OF EXISTING FACILITIES.
ONLY ANECDOTAL THERE HAS BEEN NO DATA ON THE CAPACITY UTILIZATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES.
ARE OUR DAYCARES FULL TODAY? WE DON'T KNOW.
THERE HAS BEEN NO DATA THAT THE SUP PROCESS REDUCES THE SUPPLY OF DAYCARE POSITIONS AND THERE'S NO DATA THAT ELIMINATING AN SUP REQUIREMENT WILL RESULT IN MORE DAYCARE FACILITIES.
INDUSTRY ADVOCATES AGREE THAT INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF DAYCARE WORKERS AND THEIR COSTS ARE THE LARGEST OBSTACLES TO EXPANDING AFFORDABLE DAYCARE.
THAT IS THE REAL BARRIER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY.
CURRENTLY THE CITY PROVIDES INCOME QUALIFIED CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES THROUGH THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE TO THE TUNE OF $650,000.
NOW THAT WILL INCREASE BY OVER A HUNDRED PERCENT TO 1.3 MILLION IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING, A STAFF RECOMMENDED TRANSFER OF CDBG FUNDS FROM COMMUNITY COURTS
[06:00:01]
TO CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES.IN ADDITION, AS WE HEARD EARLIER TODAY IN OUR ITEM TWO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF A 100% PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, UH, APPROVED TODAY, WILL ALSO HELP SUBSIDIZE CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
THOSE SUBSIDIES GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE BY INCENTIVIZING DAYCARE AND AREAS OF GREATEST NEED.
THE BALANCE THAT I PROPOSE ALLOWS A REASONABLE EXPANSION OF DAYCARE CAPACITY BY RIGHT.
IT INCREASES THE NUMBER OF CHILDCARE ATTENDEES ALLOWED BY WRIGHT IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS FROM 10 TO 12 AS RECOMMENDED BY CPC AND STAFF AND ALLOWING THEM IN MULTIFAMILY AND IN ALL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS.
IT INCREASES THE NUMBER OF ADULT CARE ATTENDEES ALLOWED BY WRIGHT IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS FROM FOUR CURRENTLY TO TWICE THAT AMOUNT.
IT ALLOWS THE CONTINUATION OF DAYCARE IN CS AND INDUSTRIAL, UM, DISTRICTS WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR FOR CLARIFICATION, I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I READ INTO MY MOTION UNDER ITEM ONE, THE FINAL SENTENCE BY WRIGHT WITH APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR IN INDUSTRIAL AND CS DISTRICTS.
YOUR POINT OF INFORMATION IS SUSTAINED.
AND CPC IS WIDELY REJECTED IN THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.
AND THEREFORE I PROPOSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REQUIREMENT UNLESS AN SUP WAS REQUIRED AND THEN ONLY IF THE S-U-S-U-P PROVIDES FOR A PARKING REQUIREMENT.
IF THEY DO NOT IN THE SUP, THEN IT DEFAULTS TO ONE TO 500 SQUARE FEET.
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT CAN GIVE SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS OF MINIMUM SIDE AND REAR YARD FOR ACCESSORY RECREATION STRUCTURES PER CPC AND STAFF, BUT NOT IN FRONT YARD.
AND PARKING IN THE FRONT YARD WILL BE ALLOWED EXCEPT IN THE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
SO I THINK THIS IS A, A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN THE CONFLICTING INTERESTS AND I, UH, WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
GENTLEMAN, SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES? THANK YOU.
ACTUALLY, BEFORE THAT, CAN I GET MY POINT OF CLARIFICATION BEFORE MY TIME STARTS? GO AHEAD.
UH, MR. RIDLEY, DID YOU INCLUDE, UH, THE AA AND THE MHA DISTRICTS IN YOUR, UH, IN NUMBER ONE ON, SAY AGAIN ON YOUR FIRST CHANGE? YES.
DID YOU INCLUDE THE AA AND THE MHA AA AA, THE AGRICULTURE DISTRICT? OH, NO, THAT IS NOT IN MY MOTION.
SO IT'S SO IT IS NOT, THEY WOULD NOT, THEY WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT BY RIGHT.
TO HAVE A DAYCARE FACILITY WITHOUT AN SUP AND NOW YOU'RE GOING ON THE CLOCK.
I'M, WAIT, I GET ONE MORE CLARIFICATION.
YEAH, I MEAN, TECHNICALLY YOU REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN, BUT I MEAN, HONEST, EVEN FOR CLARIFICATION OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT HE SAID.
BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO BE FAIR TO EVERYBODY.
I NORMALLY MAKE THEM USE THE QUESTIONING PART OF THIS AGAINST THEIR TIME, EVEN WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO CLARIFY.
EVEN IF I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.
IT'S IN THE SHEET THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE WITH MY POLICY.
YOU KNOW, WE SELECTIVELY GIVE OUT SHEETS AROUND HERE.
BEFORE I MAKE AN AMENDMENT THAT'S NOT, THAT'S NOT TRUE.
BEFORE I MAKE AN AMENDMENT, I'M GONNA ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS OF STAFF IF I MAY.
AND NOW MY TIME MAY START, IF YOU MAY.
ANDREA, PLEASE SIT DOWN AND I'M GONNA TAKE THIS, I'M TRYING TO, I'M TRYING TO SIT DOWN SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE ME.
ANDREA, COULD YOU SHARE THE WAY THIS AMENDMENT SERVES OUR EQUITY AGENDA? SURE.
I HAVE A LONG EXPLANATION SO YOU CAN, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
UM, IT, IT'S A LOT TO SAY UM, I WILL TRY TO MAKE AN EQUITY CASE.
I WILL TRY TO MAKE A SOCIAL CASE.
I WILL TRY TO LUMP, UM, ALL THE THINGS THAT I HAVE TO SAY.
SO, UM, WE'VE DONE A LOT OF EDUCATION SINCE YOU DECIDED TO HOLD THE ITEMS. UH, WE EDUCATED OURSELVES.
WE ENGAGED WITH THE, UM, WITH THE EXPERTS, WITH THE PROVIDERS.
WE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY.
WE LISTENED TO, UH, THE CONCERNS AND THE FEARS.
UM, WE'VE DONE A LOT SINCE, UH, DECEMBER.
[06:05:01]
UM, SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE EDUCATED AND SOME THINGS, SOME DATA SURFACE THAT PROBABLY WE DIDN'T, UH, EMPHASIZE UPON IN DECEMBER.UM, THE FIRST THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT THERE IS, THE FUNDAMENTAL, FUNDAMENTAL NATURE OF THESE TYPE OF FACILITIES IS THAT THEY ARE TEMPORARY.
THEY ARE BASED ON THE LOCATION, AND THEY'RE TYPICALLY, TYPICALLY SHORT-LIVED BECAUSE THEY NEED THE DEMAND, RIGHT? SO, UM, I WOULD SAY FOR INSTANCE, IF I WORK IN DOWNTOWN AND I LIVE IN WEST DALLAS, I NEED A DAYCARE USUALLY ON MY ROUTE, UM, BEFORE WHERE I, BETWEEN WHERE I LIVE AND WHILE I WORK.
THESE TYPE OF SUPPORT SERVICES MAY TAKE MANY FORMS, BUT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SERVING CENTER FACILITY OR A DESTINATION CENTER.
THEN ATTRACTS, UM, CUSTOMERS, WHICH ARE SOPHISTICATED OPERATORS THAT CAN NAVIGATE THE SUP PROCESS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SERVING, NEIGHBORHOOD OPERATE TYPE OF FACILITIES THAT ARE FACILITIES THAT ARE NOT IN HOME CENTERS THAT CAN OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF THEIR PAA, UM, CERTIFIED.
SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT QUALITY, UM, EDUCATION OPTIONS FOR, UH, CHILDREN.
AND ALSO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, SERVICES FOR THE ADULTS.
UM, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO, UM, SUPPORT AND ADDRESS WITH THIS CODE AMENDMENT ARE THOSE SMALL CENTERS, SMALL FACILITIES.
THERE ARE LIKE UNDER A HUNDRED I WOULD SAY, THAT CAN GO AND FIND AN EMPTY CHURCH.
THEY CAN GO AND FIND OR PAIR WITH A REC CENTER.
THEY CAN PAIR WITH A, AN OFFICE BUILDING THAT WAS ALLOWED BY VARIETY IN RESIDENTIAL AND VACATED.
THEY NEED TO OCCUPY SOME VACANT BUILDINGS.
THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE WANTING AND THAT'S WHAT THE SUP IS HURTING THEM.
THE SUP IS NOT HURTING SOMEBODY WHO CAN AFFORD TO BUILD THE NEW CENTER BECAUSE USUALLY, AGAIN, WE HAVE AROUND 450 CENTERS IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.
BELIEVE ME, I LOOKED ALMOST AT ALL OF THEM.
USUALLY THE BIG ONES HAVE PDS, THEY HAVE PERMANENT SUVS, THEY KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
THE ONES THAT ARE SMALLER, THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT MORE TEMPORARY.
THE ONES THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS TALKING ABOUT, LIKE WE HAD A DAYCARE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEN THERE WERE NO KIDS.
YES, BUT IT HAD AN SUP PROCESS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE.
UM, I WILL SWITCH A LITTLE BIT.
THE LENS FROM THE OPERATOR TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE TALKING AS, UH, A LOT OF THE, UH, COMMUNITY WAS TALKING ABOUT FOR BOTH SIDES, A GROUP OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE, UM, WHO MUST HAVE OPTIONS THAT ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED AND ACCESSIBLE.
THE GROUP OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE IS NOT JUST THE CHILDREN AND THE ADULTS THAT ARE SERVED.
THIS IS THE ANGLE THAT WE BASICALLY GAINED SINCE DECEMBER.
THE STRAIN THAT THIS, THE LACK OF SERVICES CONVENIENTLY LOCATED PLACES ON THE WORKFORCE.
I'M NOT GONNA USE MY EXAMPLE AS A WORKING MOTHER, UH, BUT FOR INSTANCE, I WOULD SAY THEY HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE WORKFORCE, ESPECIALLY THE VULNERABLE ONE.
FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANTS, SINGLE PARENTS, UM, TRANSPLANTS WHO DON'T HAVE IMMEDIATE FAMILY TO HELP THEM WITH ANY OF THE CHAIR, THE, THE, THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE.
UM, BUT ALSO THEY NEED THE JOBS AND THEY HAVE LOW PAYING JOBS.
THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE A 30 MINUTE DETOUR TO GO TO THE CENTER THAT THEY CAN AFFORD.
THEY NEED THE CONVENIENCE OF THE LOCATION.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS WITH THIS.
UM, A LOT OF THE DATA YOU HEARD FROM THE, FROM THE, UM, SPEAKERS, I'M NOT GONNA REPEAT THAT, BUT THIS IS BASICALLY, I'M TRYING TO LIKE SHED A LITTLE BIT MORE ANGLES TO THIS.
UM, THESE GROUPS USUALLY, UM, I WILL GO TO THE AGING GROUPS.
THEY PREFERRED TO, UM, BE LOCATED IN COMMUNITIES, UM, BECAUSE AS THE SPEAKERS WERE STILL WERE SAYING, UM, THEY PREFERRED THEIR CONVENIENCE TO LIVE CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THEN THEIR FAMILIES ARE WORKING, RIGHT? UM, WE TALKED TO OPERATORS.
THEY TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE WAITING LISTS.
THEY'RE VERY LONG PER ADULT DAYCARES IS THE SAME TYPE OF SERVICE THAT THEY, OR WAITING LISTS THAT THEY HAVE FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
THEY SAID THEY RECEIVED, UH, ONE IN THREE CALLS THAT THEY CANNOT ADDRESS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PLACES IN ADULT DAYCARES IS THE SAME WITH CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY WAS TALKING ABOUT, WE DON'T KNOW THE CAPACITY.
WE KNOW THE CAPACITY THAT IS LICENSED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO LIFE.
CAN YOU AFFORD THAT? LIKE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW MANY KIDS ARE ACTIVELY ENROLLED IN A DAYCARE.
AS A MOTHER, PROBABLY OLD OR PARENTS WITH KIDS, YOU ALL KNOW YOU START THE CLASS WITH A NUMBER OF CHILDREN, SOMETHING HAPPENS.
[06:10:01]
YOU GAIN SOME NEXT YEAR.WE DON'T NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY.
IT'S GONNA BE 50 KIDS IN HERE.
WE NEED TO KNOW THAT WE CAN SERVE THE COMMUNITIES.
ANOTHER BIG POINT, UM, ANOTHER BIG POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE RESIDENTIAL USES AND THIS TYPE OF SERVICES, THESE ARE NOT COMPETING.
WHEN I LEAVE WHERE I LIVE IN MY HOME, I ALSO NEED CARE FOR MY KIDS OR FOR MY ELDERS.
THE SAME AS I NEED MY WORK, RIGHT? THE SAME AS I NEED MY JOB.
IT'S REALLY HARD TO, THERE ARE THINGS THAT BELONG IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
THERE ARE SERVICES THAT NEIGHBORHOODS NEED THE SAME THAT THEY NEED AT REC CENTER, THE SAME THAT THEY NEED A CHURCH.
ALL OF THESE COME TOGETHER TO MAKE A COMMUNITY WHOLE.
AND THAT'S AGAIN, ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT WE WANNA SEND WITH THIS COURT AMENDMENT TO SAY, A NEIGHBORHOOD IS MORE THAN JUST A HOUSE.
IT'S ALSO WORKS IN SYMBIOSIS WITH THE USES THAT MAKE THE COMMUNITY COMPLETE.
AND AGAIN, I NEED MY PLACE OF WORSHIP.
I NEED THE PLACE WHERE I SEND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.
I NEED A PLACE WHERE I SEND MY KIDS TO A TRUSTED DAYCARE.
UM, I WILL SWITCH TO SUP APPLICANTS.
HALF OF THEM ARE WOMEN OF COLOR.
MOST OF THEM ARE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHURCHES.
THEY'RE COMING TO OCCUPY EITHER A VACANT CHURCH OR A CHURCH THAT BASICALLY IS NOT OPERATED BY THE CHURCH.
UH, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO, YES, THEY ARE APPROVED, BUT WE SEE THE ONES THAT DON'T MAKE IT.
WE SEE THE ONE THAT DON'T GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
WE SEE, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
IT TOOK MORE THAN SIX MONTHS BECAUSE IT TAKES FEW ROUNDS OF REVIEW TO REVIEW THESE SUVS.
SHE CAME IN HERE, HER LANDLORD CHANGED HIS MIND.
IT WAS DENIED AND SHE NEEDED TO START AGAIN.
SHE SAID, IN MAY I NEED TO OPEN, OTHERWISE I LOSE MY ENROLLMENT.
WE DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP HER.
IT WAS A TOTAL OF ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF AN SUP REQUIREMENT.
AND SHE JUST MOVED FROM A CHURCH TO ANOTHER CHURCH.
THESE ARE REAL STORIES THAT WE DON'T SEE.
WE DO BECAUSE WE WORK WITH THESE OPERATORS AND THEN WE KNOW WHO THEY'RE SERVING.
THEY'RE SERVING USUALLY VULNERABLE KIDS.
THEY'RE GOING IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.
THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO DRAW A CYCLING FOR THEM.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER PLEA THAT I WILL MAKE.
IF YOU ARE ASKING US ANOTHER THING, YOU'RE ASKING US TO, I HEARD THE COMMUNITY SAYING, WELL, EASE UP THE SUV PROCESS.
WE CAN'T, WE OVER NOTICE PER CODE COMPARED TO WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES.
FOUR MONTHS MEANS A ROUND OF NOTICES FOR CPCA ROUND OF NOTICES FOR CITY COUNCIL.
WHERE WOULD I CUT? I AM TRYING TO EXPLAIN.
THIS IS US TRYING TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS FOR THIS SERVICES TO SERVE THE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, FOR THE COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO OPEN A PROPER CHILDCARE FACILITY IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD AND PARTNER WITH THE CHURCH PARTNER WITH THE REC CENTER, PARTNER WITH, UH, A COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER AND TAKE THOSE SPACES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
AND RIGHT NOW, PROBABLY THEY ARE VACANT AND THEY CAN'T BECAUSE FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU DO, YOU NEED AN SUP.
SO THIS IS WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM.
BUT THANK YOU FOR INDULGING ME.
AND I KNOW I DON'T HAVE A TIMER, SO IT'S NOT FAIR.
UM, I'M, I'M GOING TO HAVE AN AMENDMENT, BUT I WANNA MAKE A REMARK ON THIS AND THEN I'LL MAKE MY AMENDMENT.
I THINK THAT THIS IS COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY HAS WORKED VERY, VERY HARD ON THIS.
SOME OF US HAVE WORKED VERY, VERY HARD ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE TO REMOVE THE SUP REQUIREMENT ENTIRELY.
I THINK THERE ARE TIMES IN OUR LEADERSHIP WHEN WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT TO OUR, FOR OUR CITY, OR SUCCUMB TO PEOPLE'S FEARS.
THERE'S A DESPERATE NEED FOR CHILDCARE AND A GROWING NEED FOR ADULT DAYCARE.
THERE ARE 60,000 CHILDREN OF ALL INCOMES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY.
THEY'RE IN DESPERATE NEED OF EDUCATION, BEGINNING AS YOUNG AS THREE MONTHS.
THE, WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS, THE IMPACT ON THE YOUNG BRAIN.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CARING FOR THE AGING IS GROWING EVERY YEAR WITH 80% OF CAREGIVERS BEING FAMILY MEMBERS WHO NEED A PLACE NEAR THEIR HOME.
I BELIEVE THAT DALLAS IS BUILT ON BRAVERY AND NOT FEAR.
I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES TO REMOVE THE SUP REQUIREMENT ENTIRELY, BUT I THINK THE COMPROMISE CRAFTED IS A WIN-WIN.
AND I'D LIKE TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO, UH, JUST MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A WIN FOR EVERYONE.
AND THAT IS ON ITEM FOUR, UH, WHERE IT SAYS NO MORE THAN 12 DAY DAY HOME ATTENDEES UNDER THE AGE OF 18 OR OVER EIGHT OVER THE, OVER THE AGE OF 18.
[06:15:01]
TO AMEND THAT TO 12 OVER THE AGE OF 18 SO THAT IT'S THE SAME FOR CHILDREN AND FOR ADULTS.AND WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST, UH, FAMILIES.
IS THERE, IS THERE A SECOND? OKAY.
YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO CONTINUE ON THIS NOW.
JUST WANNA MAKE SURE YOUR CLOCK GETS RESTORED.
UM, AND THEN THE OTHER AMENDMENT THAT I'D LIKE TO MAKE TO THIS IS REGARDING THE, UH, THE REQUIREMENT OF THE SUP, UH, THAT IT SAYS, UM, PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY.
DID YOU SAY ANOTHER AMENDMENT YOU WANNA MAKE TO IT? WELL, I'M TRYING TO MAKE ONE AMENDMENT TO HIS AMENDMENT.
WE NEEDED YOU TO MAKE 'EM ALL IN ONE AMENDMENT.
LEMME, AND THEN WE CAN GET A SECOND FOR IT.
BUT, BUT WHAT YOU GOTTA DO IS YOU GOTTA CUT OUT ANYTHING THAT'S IN THERE THAT IS, UM, THAT'S ADVOCACY, NOT, OKAY.
WE NEED THE FACTS OF WHAT THE AMENDMENT DOES SO WE CAN GET A SECOND FOR IT OR NOT.
THE AMENDMENTS OF I UNDERSTAND FROM HIM.
ON ITEM FOUR, IT WOULD SAY, OR 12 OVER THE AGE OF 18 PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY DATE YOUR INQUIRY.
COULD THE MOTION BE SAID AS A COMPLETE SENTENCE? LIKE I MOVE TO BLANK? I'M, I'M JUST HAVING A HARD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE SHE'S, I'M TRYING, I'M, WE'RE TRYING TO INSERT THINGS.
WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET THERE.
I JUST, I I'M TRYING TO GET HER, UM, TO, BETWEEN ALL THE PIECES OF PAPER SHE HAS, THANK YOU TO GET OUT WITHOUT ANY ADVOCACY IN THERE.
SO WE CAN GET A SECOND FOR THAT OR NOT.
I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT I'M JUST SAYING.
IT'S CONFUSING BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M TRYING, SHE'S INSERTING AND WHERE, THANK YOU.
I MOVE THAT WE AMEND THE MOTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS ON ITEM FOUR 12 OVER THE AGE OF 18.
AND ON, IT'S NOT NUMBERED, BUT IT SAYS, IT SAYS AN SUP IS NOT REQUIRED IN RESIDENTIAL, DUPLEX, TOWNHOUSE, OR CLUSTERED HOUSING DISTRICTS WHEN THE CHILD OR ADULT CARE FACILITY IS OPERATED ON PROPERTY THAT IS OPERATED OR WAS PREVIOUSLY OPERATED BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL OR RECREATION CENTER.
SECOND, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.
YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES TO, UH, LAY THAT OUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.
WHAT I WAS DOING, SIR, THANK YOU.
IS TO ADD THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL AND, UM, EQUALIZE THE, UH, ADULTS FROM THE CHIL ALL TO BE THE SAME NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE REQUIREMENTS.
AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN MR. RIDLEY'S, UH, MOTION IS ACCEPTABLE TO ME IN THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE, UH, FOR THIS DESPERATE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT BY, UM, CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ.
UH, I WANT TO JUST SAY CLARIFICATION FOR THE, I THINK THE AUDIENCE FOR ME, WHAT WAS CPCS RECOMMENDATION? WHAT HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR CPCS RECOMMENDATION? WHAT, WHAT'S THE IMPACT HERE AND AS SIMPLY AS POSSIBLE, LIKE IN SUCCINCT, PLEASE.
SO CBC'S RECOMMENDATION WAS TO ALLOW THEM BY RIGHT IN, UH, INCLUDING IN R-D-T-H-C-H.
UM, AND THEN, UH, CPCS RECOMMENDATION WAS TO HAVE AN SUP IN INDUSTRIAL AND CS.
UM, OTHER THAN THAT, UM, I DON'T, OKAY, SO NOW WITH THIS NEW, IF WE ACCEPT THIS AMENDED COMPROMISE, UM, AMENDMENT, UM, IT WOULD ONLY REQUIRE SUP, IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE SUVS.
IT WOULD REQUIRE THEM IN, UH, RESIDENTIAL, BUT NOT IN RELIGIOUS FACILITIES.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES OR REC CENTERS? REC CENTERS, OKAY.
THERE IS ALSO A CHANGE TO SAY THAT THE SUP WILL ESTABLISH THE PARKING, WHICH IS, I DON'T SEE IT AS A CHANGE BECAUSE THAT'S HOW IT IS IN THE CODE RIGHT NOW.
THE OTHER CHANGE IS, OH, YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT THE AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY'S MOTION.
SO THEN THE, I THINK I, I THINK I'VE GOT THIS.
SO THEN THE, SO THE SUP REQUIREMENT, ONE MORE TIME.
IT WOULD BE FOR, IT WOULD BE FOR BASICALLY SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THAT SOMEONE'S TRYING TO CONVERT OR A NEW FACILITY, UM, THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO BUILD IN A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD, RIGHT? YES.
AND OTHERS, LIKE THERE ARE OTHER, YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.
THERE MAY BE OTHER TYPE OF FACILITIES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY WILL NEED AN SUP.
[06:20:01]
OF, A LOT.THERE ARE OTHER USES THAT MAY HAPPEN AND THEY MAY LEAVE A BUILDING UNOCCUPIED, BUT I THINK WE, THIS MOTION CAPTURES THE ONES THAT ARE USUALLY ACCOMMODATING.
THIS USES, YOU ANTICIPATED MY NEXT QUESTION.
SO I WAS GONNA SAY LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DATA AND FACTS HERE AND WHAT THE NEED IS IN THE CITY.
LIKE WHAT YOU SAY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ONES THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEMS WITH THE SUP PROCESS FIT INTO THIS CATEGORY THAT HAS MADE IT INTO THE COMPROMISE MOTION OF NOT NEEDING SUVS ANYMORE.
I WOULD SAY IT'S A GOOD COMPROMISE.
I WOULD SAY IT HELPS, IT'S GONNA HELP TO ALLOW A LITTLE BIT OF THESE, UM, UM, EXISTING BUILDINGS TO BE USED AS CHILDCARE OR ADULT DAYCARES.
I WILL, I WANNA MAKE A CLARIFICATION THOUGH.
UH, IT SAYS OPERATED OR WAS PREVIOUSLY OPERATED.
SO THAT OPENS FOR ALSO VACANT BUILDINGS THAT WERE CHURCHES.
AND I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, THAT WE ARE GOING AGAINST CPCS RECOMMENDATION.
I MEAN, WE BRING IT UP UP HERE ALL THE TIME THAT THEY ARE OUR TRUSTED ADVISORS.
AND SO WHEN WE'RE NOT GOING WITHIN, I, I HEAR COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY SAYING, LET'S NOT GO WITH CPC.
UM, AND WHEN IN THE PAST THEY'RE LIKE, WHY WOULD WE EVER GO AGAINST CPC? SO LET'S JUST BE VERY CLEAR, WE'RE WHEN THESE OTHER BODIES, THEY ARE RECOMMENDING, THEY ARE RECOMMENDATION BODIES ONLY.
WE'RE VERY HAPPY WITH THE WORK, BUT WE ROUTINELY THROW THEM OUT AND WE ROUTINELY, UM, USE THEM, UH, BASED ON WHATEVER FITS OUR NEEDS.
SO WE'LL, WE'LL MAKE THAT REALLY CLEAR AND I'LL JUST LEAVE IT THERE.
UM, BUT I WANNA SUPPORT THIS COMPROMISE MOTION.
I, I'M SYMPATHETIC TO MY NEIGHBORS.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT A BAD OPERATOR IN DISTRICT ONE.
I PREACH MY NEIGHBORS OUT HERE WHO ARE UPSET ABOUT THAT.
AND, UM, BUT IT IS A HUGE NEED IN THE CITY AND I THINK THIS WILL HELP GET US THERE.
RIDLEY, WE'RE WE'RE ON, UH, THE AMENDMENT BY MS. SALT.
MOST OF THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT IS ALREADY COVERED BY MY MOTION.
AS I READ IN AN SUP IS NOT REQUIRED IN RESIDENTIAL, DUPLEX, TOWNHOUSE, OR CLUSTERED HOUSING DISTRICTS WHEN THE CHILD OR ADULT CARE FACILITY IS OPERATED ON PROPERTY THAT IS OPERATED BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION OR LOCATED IN A CITY REC CENTER.
SO THAT WAS ALREADY READ IN, IN ADDITION, EXISTING ORDINANCE PROVISIONS ALLOW THEM WITHOUT AN SUP IN A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL SPECIFICALLY.
SECTION 4.204 PROVIDES IN THE DEFINITION OF CHILD OR ADULT CARE FACILITY THAT IT, THIS USE DOES NOT INCLUDE AN EDUCATIONAL, UH, FACILITY ACCREDITED BY THE TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, ET CETERA.
UH, THAT OPERATES PRIMARILY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES IN GRADES, KINDERGARTEN AND ABOVE.
THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PROVISIONS, ONE OF WHICH IS A KINDERGARTEN OR PRESCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT IS OPERATED AS PART OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL OR A PRIVATE SCHOOL ACCREDITED BY THE TAA OR, UH, AND THAT OFFERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH GRADE SIX AND DOES NOT PROVIDE CUSTODIAL CARE DURING THE HOURS BEFORE OR AFTER THE CUSTOMARY SCHOOL DAY.
SO THESE ARE NOT EVEN DEFINED AS DAYCARE FACILITIES.
THEY ALREADY ALLOW IN THE CONTEXT OF A SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITY, UH, THE USE AS DAYCARE FOR PRESCHOOL, UM, THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO AN SUP REQUIREMENT.
SO I SUBMIT THAT THAT IS REDUNDANT OF MY ORIGINAL MOTION.
CHAIRWOMAN OLN, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT.
I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE I HAVE THIS RIGHT.
THE AMENDMENT IS SAYING THAT, UM, SHOULD BE NO SUP WHEN THE DAYCARE FACILITY IS IN A SCHOOL.
IS THAT RIGHT? IS THE AMENDMENT SAYS THAT IF, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
IT AND COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY IS CORRECT, BUT HIS IS A LITTLE BIT NARROWER THAN THE AMENDMENT.
THERE IS ALSO A CATEGORY, LIKE IF THE SCHOOL LEAVES THE BUILDING REMAINS, A CHILDCARE FACILITY CAN, UH, COME AND OPERATE.
SO EVEN IF THE ISD WANTS TO OPEN JUST THE CHILDCARE WITHOUT THE SCHOOL, THEY WOULD NEED AN SUP WITH COUNCIL MEMBER SCHULTZ'S AMENDMENT.
THEY DON'T NEED THE SUP ANYMORE.
BUT RIGHT NOW WE REQUIRE SUVS FOR ALL OUR SCHOOLS.
SO WHY WOULDN'T WE REQUIRE THE DAYCARE TO ALSO HAVE THAT SAME SUP IF IT'S THE SAME FACILITY? SAME.
THEY ALREADY WERE THINKING THEY CAN ADAPTIVELY
[06:25:01]
REUSE AN EXISTING BUILDING WITH THE SCHOOL WITH A, WITH THAT ALREADY HAS PARKING.IT ALREADY IS CITED LIKE THAT.
UM, IT'S NOT THE SAME TYPE OF INTENSIVE TYPE OF USE AS A SCHOOL.
UM, NONE THE ADULT OR A CHILDCARE FACILITY.
THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT SMALLER SCALE, A SMALLER IMPACT TYPE OF OPERATION.
WELL, I, I'M GONNA PUSH BACK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT.
I'VE QUESTIONED, AND IN FACT, YOU KNOW, I'M SO LUCKY TO SIT NEXT TO COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY.
'CAUSE I'VE ASKED HIM A LOT OF ZONING QUESTIONS OVER THE YEARS AND I'VE ASKED THEM WHY DO WE HAVE SUVS FOR SCHOOLS? BECAUSE ONCE IT'S THERE, IT'S EITHER GONNA STAY THERE.
I MEAN, LIKE, WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE, HAVE THEM KEEP COMING BACK? AND I OFTEN, FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE US, I EXTEND THAT SUP 'CAUSE I'M LIKE, THIS DOESN'T NEED TO EVER COME BACK HERE.
RIGHT? SO, BUT BECAUSE WE DO THAT, IT SEEMS TO ME WE SHOULD ALSO DO IT FOR THIS FOR CONSISTENCY STATE.
AND HIS ANSWER IS OFTEN, WELL, HOW ARE YOU GONNA DEAL WITH CARPOOL? HOW ARE YOU GONNA DEAL WITH THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER THING, DAYCARE ALSO HAS CARPOOL.
AND YOU KNOW, YOU SAY THE INTENSITY OF THE USAGE, BUT I'M GONNA TELL YOU IN MY DISTRICT THERE'S VERY SMALL SCHOOLS.
UM, I'M THINKING OF ONE ON MAPLE SHADE.
I THINK IT ONLY HAS 15 KIDS IN IT.
IF IT CONVERTED TO A DAYCARE, IT WOULD HAVE THE SAME KIND OF USAGES.
AND I JUST, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULDN'T ASK FOR THEM TO ALSO HAVE AN SUP OR MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE 'EM FOR SCHOOLS.
LIKE ONCE IT'S CITED, WHY DO WE HAVE IT? THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENT FOR THE SCHOOLS.
WE ARE COMING WITH A CODE OF MEMO FOR THAT
I PROMISE YOU IT'S ALREADY IN THE WORST.
IT WAS, I MEAN, MANDATED BY THE CITY MANAGER REGARDING, UH, DAYCARE, CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT BECAUSE THIS IS NOT MANDATORY TYPE OF EDUCATION.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME, THEY DON'T ALL ARRIVE IN THE SAME TIME.
THAT'S WHY USUALLY LIKE, THEIR DROP OFF IS BETWEEN SIX AND NINE OR 10 WHEN WHEREVER IT'S ADJUSTED TO THE NEEDS OF THE PARENTS IS THE SAME.
IT CAN BE BETWEEN THREE TO 7, 8, 9.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE REGIMENTED LIKE A SCHOOL.
THEREFORE, I'M GONNA PAUSE AND JUST SAY, I'VE HAD THREE CHILDREN IN DAYCARE.
THERE'S MOST CERTAINLY A CLUSTER OF WHEN PEOPLE COME AND GO AND THERE'S NO PARKING AVAILABLE.
AND I'VE LITERALLY, THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY MANY YEARS AGO, SAT THERE WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO GO IN, DROP THEIR KID OFF SO I COULD HAVE THEIR PARKING SPOT.
UM, I WANNA GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID.
DID YOU SAY THERE'S 450 DAYCARES IN DALLAS? I WOULD SAY IT DEPENDS.
DO WE TAKE OUT THE ONES THAT OFFER ONLY AFTER SCHOOL? LIKE IT'S A LOT OF SHADED, UH, ON THE, ON THE LICENSING FROM SPA.
SO I WOULD SAY ROUGHLY 450 FACILITIES.
IT MAY BE LESS JUST PURE NORMAL TYPE OF DAYCARE PROGRAM.
SO I, I HAVE TO PONDER THIS QUESTION WITH YOU.
SO PERSON AFTER PERSON HAS SAID, WOW, WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED FOR DAYCARES.
I LOOK AT THE POPULATION AND WE HAVE LESS AND LESS KIDS LIVING IN DALLAS, IN THE ACTUAL CITY, NOT IN THE METROPLEX.
AND WITH THESE LESS AND LESS KIDS, WE ALSO HAVE AN EVER EXPANDING FREE PRE-K PROGRAM IN OUR ISDS.
UM, OF COURSE THERE'S ALSO PRIVATE PRE-K AND PRIVATE PRESCHOOLS.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY THAT ALTHOUGH THIS IS HER AMENDMENT AS OPPOSED TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION, YOU KNOW, THIS ENTIRE IDEA OF PUTTING THEM IN SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS JUST GOES BACK TO THE IDEA OF TRYING TO PUT COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM THIS COUNCIL, GUYS, WE REALLY DO HAVE TO REFRAIN FROM THAT.
IT'S, THAT'S THAT, THOSE ARE OUR RULES.
SO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS LIKE, PLEASE ABSORB THESE COMMENTS THAT YOU'RE HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS YOU KEEP BRINGING THESE THINGS TO US.
I'M GONNA SAY THEY DON'T BELONG IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
I DON'T WANNA WAKE UP NEXT TO A KINDER CARE, BUT SHOULD MY NEIGHBOR WANNA OPEN A DAYCARE? I THINK THAT'S LOVELY IN THEIR HOME.
I THINK IT WOULD'VE BEEN WONDERFUL WHEN MY KIDS WERE KIDS WERE YOUNGER TO BE ABLE TO WALK THEM DOWN THE STREET TO SOMEONE WHO IS TRUSTED.
I THINK THAT IS WONDERFUL, BUT IT'S ALREADY AVAILABLE BY THE STATE.
SO, UM, I I'M NOT GONNA BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION, BUT I WANNA SAY THAT, UM, COUNCILOR RIDLEY HAS DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN NOT JUST RESEARCHING IT, BUT EXPLAINING IT TO EVERYONE.
AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK.
CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR THREE MINUTES.
I'M SORRY, I GOTTA GO TO CHAIRMAN BEZEL.
UM, I WILL, UH, BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.
AND, UM, MS. MENDELSON, I'LL ALSO SUPPORT TAKING SUVS AWAY FROM SCHOOLS.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT SOLUTION.
[06:30:01]
THAT OVERALL THIS WAS A LOT OF WORK ON A LOT OF PEOPLE'S PART AND I'M VERY, UH, PLEASED AT, UM, UH, MR. RIDLEY'S, UM, ATTEMPT TO, TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT EVERYONE COULD GET TO.UH, THERE'S A COUPLE OF DETAILS THAT I WOULD, UH, SUPPORT, UM, THIS AMENDMENT FOR, UH, THAT I DON'T THINK DOES REALLY ANYTHING TO THE OVERARCHING, UM, UH, UM, INTENT OF WHAT THE, UM, MAIN MOTION DOES.
SO BY SUPPORTING THIS AMENDMENT, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU DON'T SUPPORT MR. RIDLEY'S.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY CL THAT SHOULD BE MADE VERY CLEAR.
UM, IT'S STILL SUPPORTING EVERYTHING THAT MR. RIDLEY BROUGHT FORWARD.
SO I, I THINK THAT IT WAS SOMEWHAT MISFRAMED TO, UH, SPEAK AS IF THESE ARE, UM, POLAR OPPOSITE OR, UH, EVEN VERY DIFFERENT FOR THAT MATTER.
UM, SO SHOWING SUPPORT FOR THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT THE UNDERLYING MOTION IS REMOVING SUVS FROM SINGLE FAMILY.
SO I, I THINK THAT IT'S, WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR HERE.
UM, AND WHAT, AND WHAT IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED.
UM, OVERALL, I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF, UH, WORKING FAMILIES.
UM, I, I THINK THAT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO, TO SPEAK ABOUT US BEING THE CITY, UH, CENTER OF A REGIONAL AREA.
SOME PEOPLE WHO WORK LOOK FOR DAYCARES CLOSE TO WHERE THEY WORK.
THEY MAY NOT LIVE IN THE CITY.
SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S DATA THAT COULD SUPPORT SAYING THAT WE HAVE ANY LESS OF A DEMAND WHEN WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE DRAWING IN A WORKFORCE FROM, UM, SURROUNDING MUNICIPALITIES.
AND THEY COMMUTE HERE AND BACK AND FORTH EVERY DAY AND THEY NEED OPTIONS.
UM, UH, I I WILL JUST BRING UP THAT I THINK THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY IRONY IN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WEDNESDAYS SPECIFICALLY THAT I CANNOT MAKE IT, UH, TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER.
UM, AND WE DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE WHEN I'M GONNA BE HERE, UM, AT LATE.
AND SO THAT'S WHY Y'ALL SEE HER ROAMING AROUND THE HORSESHOE ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS.
UM, BUT IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT THERE, THIS TOUCHES ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC.
PARENTS HAVE TO FIGURE OUT CHILDCARE AND THE MORE OPTIONS THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THEM IS MEETING A NEED.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
AND, AND I ALSO HAVE BEEN, I'VE ACTUALLY, I'VE WORKED AT, UM, CROWDED DAYCARES AND I'VE ALSO HAD ETTE ONES THAT WERE, UH, MORE CROWDED.
AND, AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A VALID POINT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S MAYBE A RUSH, UM, AT, UH, DROP OFF IN PICKUP.
BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THERE'S AN IMPORTANT FACT TO SAY THAT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT DAYCARE FACILITIES.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL ENTITIES WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, UH, AT HOME FACILITIES.
AND THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE THERE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOST OF WHAT 12 KIDS.
UM, AND SO I THINK THAT THE 12 KIDS FROM 10 KIDS MATCHING STATE STATUTE IS SOMETHING THAT I AM FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE JUST AS MANY OPTIONS FOR OUR AGING ADULTS WHO, UM, UH, ARE DISABLED AS WELL.
THE, THE ANYONE WHO IS CARING FOR AN AGING ADULT, UH, OF, OF ANY SORT, UM, THAT HAS DISABILITIES AND IS A DEPENDENT, IS JUST AS MUCH OF A, UH, A BURDEN OR RESPONSIBILITY, UM, AS IT IS TO HAVE A CHILD.
AND I THINK THAT THAT, UH, THIS IS A HUGE CHANGE TO OUR CODE THAT PROVIDES, UM, A BETTER PATH FORWARD, UH, WITH MORE RESOURCES FOR CHILDCARE.
SO I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND WITH THE AMENDMENT AS WELL.
CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ, WE'RE BACK TO YOU FOR THREE MINUTES ON YOUR AMENDMENT.
I JUST WANNA CLARIFY A FEW FACTS.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A REAL WIN, I THINK FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO WANTED THEIR SELF-DETERMINATION 'CAUSE THE SUP REMAINS.
BUT I ALSO WANNA CLEAR UP A COUPLE OF FACTS.
FIRST OF ALL, UM, THERE ARE MORE THAN 700,000 PEOPLE ON WAIT LISTS IN 40 STATES BACK IN 2017 WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA GROWING EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
SO THIS NEED FOR THE ADULT CENTERS IS ESSENTIAL.
AND IN TERMS OF, UH, DALLAS, SINCE MARCH OF 20, 20 11% OF DALLAS COUNTY, THIS IS THE WHOLE COUNTY THAT, UM, THEY HAVE 645 CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THAT ACCEPT SUBSIDIES HAVE CLOSED PERMANENTLY.
FROM MARCH 20 TO FEBRUARY 23, THERE WAS A DECREASE OF 487 LICENSED HOMES AND CENTERS.
AND THERE ARE OVER, CURRENTLY OVER 5,400 CHILDREN ON THE SUBSIDY WAITING LIST.
NOT TO MENTION ALL THE ONES WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY OR CHOOSE TO PAY CLOSE TO WHAT THEY'RE PAYING FOR THEIR MORTGAGE FOR CHILDCARE.
SO WE DO HAVE NUMBERS, WE DO KNOW THE NEEDS, AND I JUST, I DON'T WANNA SAY THAT THIS IS THIS AMORPHOUS THING THAT WE'RE JUMPING
[06:35:01]
INTO.WE HAVE THIS, AND I HOPE YOU WILL ALL SUPPORT THIS MOTION.
THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, WE'RE BACK TO YOU FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT.
UH, I THINK, UH, MS. SCHULTZ COMMENTS UNDERSCORE, UH, THE FACT THAT, UH, THE SUP IS NOT THE BARRIER FOR EXPANDED CHILDCARE.
IN FACT, IF SO MANY INSTITUTIONS FAILED, THEY EITHER ALREADY HAD AN SUP OR THEY DIDN'T REQUIRE ONE, THEY FAILED FOR OTHER REASONS.
NOT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET AN SUP, THEY FAILED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO BUSINESS ANY LONGER BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHO FOUND HIGHER PAYING JOBS, ET CETERA, FOR OTHER CAUSES.
BUT I'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ONLY REAL SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE IN THIS AMENDMENT FROM MY MOTION, WHICH IS TO INCREASE THE ALLOWABLE NUMBER OF ADULTS IN DAYCARE, UM, IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS FROM THE EXISTING EIGHT LIMIT TO, UH, AS PROPOSED IN THIS AMENDMENT 12.
UM, I HAD SEIZED UPON THE NUMBER EIGHT BECAUSE THAT IS THE NUMBER THAT IS CURRENTLY ALLOWED FOR ADULTS IN HANDICAPPED GROUP HOMES.
SO WE HAVE A PRECEDENT THAT IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, EIGHT ADULTS ARE ALLOWED IN CONGREGATE CARE.
UM, THAT IS, UM, UH, AN INCREASE OF A HUNDRED PERCENT OVER THE CURRENT LIMIT OF FOUR BECAUSE WE HAVE NO STATISTICS ON WHETHER WE HAVE UNMET NEEDS IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, NOT IN 40 OTHER STATES AS TO WHAT THAT NEED IS, THEN THAT'S WHY I SET IT AT THAT LIMIT TO ONCE AGAIN, PROVIDE A BALANCE WITH THE INTERESTS OF NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS WHO MAY BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ADULTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH DEMENTIA GETTING LOOSE AND WANDERING THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND CAUSING POTENTIAL RISK TO THEMSELVES OR MOTORISTS OR OTHERS.
AND SO THAT'S WHY I LIMITED IT TO EIGHT.
UM, I WILL RESPECT THE WISH OF THIS BODY AS TO WHAT THAT APPROPRIATE NUMBER IS, BUT IF WE SET IT AT EIGHT AND WE FIND THAT WE NEED MORE SPACE, WE CAN ALWAYS END AND IT'S NOT A THREAT TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS, WE CAN ALWAYS INCREASE IT LATER TO 10 OR 12.
CHAIRMAN ADVISED YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE AMENDMENT, UM, BY CHAIRWOMAN SCHULTZ.
UM, I'M, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THIS PART ABOUT THE EIGHT VERSUS 12 BECAUSE IT WAS KIND OF LIKE, WHAT'S THE REASONING BEHIND EITHER ONE? UM, ONE IS REASON IS WE NEED MORE, PEOPLE NEED MORE OF THIS TYPE OF HELP.
SO I GET THAT AND I UNDERSTAND IT.
THE OTHER SIDE JUST SAID, UM, THERE IS A JUST KIND OF A STATUTE NOT ON THIS, BUT ON, UM, DISABLED PERSONS.
AND SO IT'S, THIS IS A HARD ONE BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH AN ADULT WHO HAS, UM, DEMENTIA OR ANOTHER TYPE OF ISSUE THAT'S AFFECTING THE BRAIN, I MEAN, THROUGH MY EXPERIENCES IS THAT PERSON NEEDS A TON OF LIKE, CARE AND WATCHING THEM, MAKING SURE THAT, UM, WHEN, WHEN EPISODES HAPPEN OR WHEN THEY DO, UM, NO LONGER HAVE THEIR REGULAR STATE OF MIND THAT THEY DO WANDER, THEY DO GO OFF.
AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S ALL THE TIME, BUT WE DO HEAR IT.
AND I'VE HEARD FROM FOLKS WHO ARE CAREGIVERS, THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY IT TAKES FOR ONE ADULT.
UM, AND I DON'T WANNA COMPARE CHILDREN TO ADULTS BECAUSE IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFERENT ISSUE HERE, UM, ON WITH ADULTS.
MY FEAR IS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, CAN THE CAREGIVER THAT OWNS THE FACILITY INSIDE OF THEIR HOME REALLY TAKE CARE OF 12 ADULTS.
NOW, WHO ARE THE ADULTS IN HERE? 'CAUSE WE, I'M HEARING DEMENTIA, BUT IS THAT THE ONLY, UM, ISSUE THAT'S GOING ON FOR ADULT DAYCARE? CAN, CAN CAN STAFF EXPLAIN WHAT OLDER ADULTS ARE IN ADULT DAYCARE? ABSOLUTELY.
AND WE ALSO HAVE OPERATORS HERE WITH US.
THEY CAN EXPLAIN WAY BETTER THAN ME.
UM, THEY ARE ALSO LICENSED BY STATE AND THEY HAVE, UH, REQUIREMENTS FOR STAFF PER ATTENDEE.
SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE PROPOSING THIS.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SAYING, SAYING.
SO YOU, SO, SO, SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT NOW.
SO WE'RE TALKING, IF WE, IF IF WE VOTE FOR THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, THEN THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S ONE TO ONE.
SO THAT MEANS THERE'S 12 ADULTS BEING CARED FOR AND 12 ADULTS TAKING CARE OF THEM.
[06:40:01]
UM, COUNCILMAN VES, JESSICA HAW, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE.UM, SO TO ANSWER THE SPECIFIC QUESTION THAT YOU POSES ABOUT THE OTHER TYPES OF CARE THAT COULD BE PROVIDED, UM, IT COULD BE CARE FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.
UM, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE THING THAT WE COMMONLY SAW DURING OUR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
OKAY, I'M, I'M GONNA PAUSE YOU.
SO THERE'S A, THEY COULD BE DISABLED AND IS THERE A STATE STATUTE THAT LIMITS THAT TO EIGHT? NO, NO.
A CITY, I'M SORRY, CITY LIMITS TO EIGHT.
NO, THAT THERE IS ADULT DAYCARE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES.
IT COULD BE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CARE MEDICATION DELIVERY DURING THE DAY.
THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THEY MAY BE THERE JUST FOR DURING THE DAY, THEY'RE NOT SPENDING THE NIGHT.
SO THERE ARE GROUP HOMES, THERE ARE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.
ARE WE TALKING NOW? WAIT, I'M GETTING GETTING REAL CONFUSED HERE.
I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT I'M GETTING REAL CONFUSED HERE NOW, WHICH IS, IS MAKING ME LEAN TO STAY WHERE, WHERE IT'S BEEN STARTED AND, AND I'M TRYING TO, I'M TRYING TO GET THIS RIGHT 'CAUSE NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OVERNIGHT CARE.
SO I'M SORRY, I'M, I DON'T, PLEASE TRY NOT TO DEBATE ME WHILE I'M DOING THIS.
'CAUSE I'M ASKING STAFF AND STAFF JUST TALKED ABOUT OVERNIGHT CARE, SO I NEED TO KNOW WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE? SO FOR ADULT DAYCARE, DEMENTIA IS A VERY COMMON USE.
HOWEVER, ADULTS WITH ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY MAY RECEIVE CARE.
IT MIGHT ENABLE A MOTHER OF A DISABLED ADULT CHILD TO BE ABLE TO GO TO WORK DURING THE DAY WITH CARE FOR THEIR A DISABLED ADULT CHILD.
IT COULD BE A PHYSICAL DISABILITY, A MENTAL, UM, ANY, SOME SORT OF A MENTAL ILLNESS OR OTHER ISSUE, UM, THAT REQUIRES CARE.
IT MAY BE SOMEBODY WHO HAS AN ILLNESS THAT REQUIRES REGULAR CONSISTENT MEDICATION DELIVERY.
SO THERE CAN BE ASSISTANCE WITH THAT.
SO IT'S NOT EXCLUSIVELY PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA.
HOWEVER, I THINK THAT THAT IS A COMMON EXAMPLE BECAUSE, UM, THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NEEDS, UH, BECAUSE THE CARE IS, UM, SO REQUIRED AND REQUIRES SO VERY MUCH.
AND SO I THINK THAT WHAT, UM, ANDREA HAD STATED, UH, WHEN SHE WAS MENTIONING THE, UM, RATIOS CAN OFTEN BE AS HIGH AS ONE-ON-ONE WHEN IT COMES FOR DEMENTIA CARE.
WE HAVE HEARD THAT, UM, FROM SOME PROVIDERS THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE FOR ALL TYPES OF CARE.
VERY GOOD, THANK YOU THAT, THAT MADE EVERYTHING CLEAR THAT I CAN LISTEN TO ONE PERSON THAT I'M ASKING A QUESTION TO.
SO THE NEXT THING I WANT TO KNOW IS, UM, IF, IF YOU'RE SAYING 12, IT COULD BE 12, ONE-TO-ONE, IT COULD BE, IS THERE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF, BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY ONE I'VE HEARD SO FAR, ONE-TO-ONE IS FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA, WHAT ARE THE OTHER CATEGORIES AND WHAT DO THEY REQUIRE? BY, BY STATE LICENSING.
SO THERE ARE SPACING AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS.
I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR EVERY DIFFERENT LEVEL OF THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TRIED TO RESEARCH THAT.
IT IS A LITTLE BIT HARD TO REALLY KIND OF GET AN UNDERSTANDING ON, I, I'M NOT SURE, I KNOW WE HAVE SOME PROVIDERS IN THE ROOM.
I DON'T KNOW IF, UM, WE COULD GET SOME INFORMATION ON SOME OF THOSE SPECIFICS, BUT, WELL, I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF HARD 'CAUSE NOW WE'RE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE RIGHT HERE ABOUT TO, WE'RE DEBATING SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I I I I'M NOT ANGRY OR ANYTHING.
I'M JUST WONDERING, IT'S HARD TO SIT AND WAIT FOR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS WHEN, UM, WE'RE, WE COULD BE VOTING IN TWO SECONDS.
RIGHT? SO, UM, MR. DRE, DO Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING WITH WITHIN THOSE TYPES OF FACILITIES THAT WE ALREADY CAN DO IN THE CITY? OBVIOUSLY WE CAN.
AND WHEN YOU'RE HAVING TO DO ZONING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT SHOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CARE, I DO HAVE A LIST OF HOW MANY ADULT DAYCARES WE HAVE IN THE CITY, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.
N NO, I I I, BECAUSE BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE SHORT.
I MEAN, THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S NOT A, I I'M TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE REQUIRED TO HELP THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADULTS THAT ARE IN, IN ADULT DAYCARE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE, IT'S LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHY 12 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER EXCEPT FOR SHE WANTS TO IT TO MATCH THE CHILDREN.
I SEE THIS AS VERY DIFFERENT ADULTS VERSUS CHILDREN.
UH, MR. RIDLEY ALREADY SAID WHY HE PICKED EIGHT AND YOU KNOW, SO, SO NOW WE'VE GOTTA DECIDE, YOU KNOW, DO WE WANT TO GO WITH 12 OR DO WE NOT? SO I'M TRYING TO ASK HOW MANY ADULTS DOES IT TAKE TO CARE FOR, UM, THESE INDIVIDUALS? AND I ONLY KNOW ONE-TO-ONE ON DEMENTIA.
AND THE REASON I'M ASKING THAT IS BECAUSE I, UM, IT GIVES ME THE ABILITY TO THINK ABOUT VEHICLES PARKING SPACES.
'CAUSE THIS IS INSIDE A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND, AND IT MAKES IT A LOT DIFFERENT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE WIDE ENOUGH STREETS LIKE IN WEST DALLAS WHEN I HAVE AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE, UM, ACCESS WHEN YOU HAVE ALLEYS THAT DON'T OPERATE WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER TYPES OF THINGS IN SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THAT JUST DON'T ALLOW FOR EXTRA TYPES OF PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO, UM, DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.
SO THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING THESE TYPES OF QUESTIONS.
I WOULD SAY THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF MAXIMUM, IT CAN BE FOUR, IT CAN BE FIVE, IT CAN BE EIGHT, IT CAN BE 12.
WE HAVE LOTS IN SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.
[06:45:01]
ARE ONE ACRE LOST, THERE ARE FIVE ACRES LOST.THERE ARE LIKE 5,000 UH, SQUARE FEET.
SO IF YOU COMBINE ALL OF THAT WITH THE STATE LICENSING AND YOU REALIZE THAT IN YOUR HOME PER STATE LICENSING FOR THE TYPE OF CARE CARE THAT YOU OFFER, YOU CANNOT FIT IT IN THAT HOME.
SO THINK OF IT IN TERMS OF A, AS A MAXIMUM.
AND UM, YEAH, THERE'S TOO MANY QUESTIONS LEFT FOR ME UNANSWERED.
SO BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M JUST GONNA STICK WITH MR. RIDLEY'S.
IT CAN BE LOOKED AT AGAIN IN 2, 3, 4 YEARS, SEE IF IT'S WORKING OR NOT.
UM, THIS IS NOT STOPPING IT AND IT ACTUALLY INCREASES BY 100% THE NUMBER OF ADULTS THAT CAN BE IN THE ADULT DAYCARE FACILITY.
CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, I THINK WE ARE TO, UH, ONE MINUTE FOR YOU ON, ON, UH, THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT.
UH, I THINK IT'S NECESSARY TO CLARIFY IN THIS DISCUSSION OF WHETHER WE SHOULD ALLOW, UM, ADULT DAYCARE AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AT THE EIGHT LEVEL OR AT THE 12 LEVEL.
THAT AT THE EIGHT LEVEL, THAT IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION ON LARGER ADULT DAYCARES IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
THEY JUST HAVE TO HAVE AN SUP, WHICH ALLOWS THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO PROVIDE INPUT ABOUT WHETHER 12 OR MORE IS APPROPRIATE.
AND IT PROVIDES PUBLIC REVIEW THROUGH THE CPC AND THIS BODY WHETHER TO GRANT AN SUP.
SO IF IT'S A 50,000 SQUARE FOOT LOT AND THEY'VE GOT A HOME THAT'S REMOVED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEN MAYBE THEY COULD HAVE 30.
THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE SUP PROCESS.
BUT I SET THE EIGHT LIMIT BECAUSE WITH THAT'S BY RIGHT? THAT, THAT'S A REASONABLE NUMBER NOT TO EXCEED WITHOUT THE REVIEW OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS BODY TO DETERMINE IF MORE IS APPROPRIATE FOR THAT ENVIRONMENT.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT? DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR FIVE MINUTES ON THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT.
AND I'M TRYING TO STAY TO THE POINT NOW THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS I CAN'T SUPPORT, I I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED BY MR. RIDLEY.
I HAVE ENOUGH SENSE AT THIS LEVEL OF LIGHT AT THIS AGE TO KNOW THAT IN, IN RESIDENTIAL WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE SUVS AND, AND I'LL JUST ASK, IT'S, IT'S ABOUT A MANAGEMENT PIECE.
AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING NUMBERS, ESPECIALLY EVEN IF SUVS IN RESIDENTIAL, THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH SPACE AND YOU BEGIN TO ASK, EVEN THOUGH WE CAN'T PROBE INTO THAT, WHERE ARE THEY PUTTING ALL THESE FOLKS? SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THIS FOR THE RECORD? WHAT IS AN SUP BY THE CODE DEFINITION? WHAT MUST WE PROVE WHEN WE GIVE SUP? UM, AN SUP IS A PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS THAT IS SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.
WHAT THE SUP CONTAINS IS, UH, A SET OF CONDITIONS AND A SITE PLAN.
THE SITE PLAN ONLY REGULATES THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING, UH, NOT THE OCCUPANCY LIMITS.
UM, AND WE CAN PUT, UH, CONDITIONS LIKE THIS IS THE USE, THIS IS THE TIMEFRAME.
YOU CAN SAY THE MAXIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE IF NEED BE, BUT JUST VERY LIGHT TYPE OF OPERATIONAL, UM, OPERATIONAL TYPE OF CONDITIONS.
WE TRY TO STAY OUT OF, UM, CAP ON ENROLLMENT BECAUSE IT USUALLY CONFLICTS OR IS MORE RESTRICTIVE OR EVEN MORE PERMISSIVE THAT STATE LICENSING.
AND WE DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE ANYBODY.
SUP IS FOR WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD? AGAIN, MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH PARKING.
ARE YOU ACCESSING VIA THE ALLEY? ARE YOU ACCESSING THROUGH THE STREET? DO YOU HAVE A SIDEWALK? STUFF LIKE THAT.
CAN YOU COMPLY WITH ARTICLE 10? IF YOU ADD, WHICH IS LANDSCAPING? IF YOU ADD ANY LANDSCAPING, IT'S PRETTY, UH, HIGH LEVEL.
IT DOESN'T GET INTO THEIR OPERATION.
UH, WE ASK FOR THEM TO GIVE US AN EXPLANATION OF THEIR OPERATION AND WE TAKE THEIR WORD.
ALSO, KEEP IN MIND THAT THE SUP HAPPENS BEFORE THE LICENSING.
SO, UM, BECAUSE IT'S AN UNKNOWN, IT'S SUCH A DISCRETIONARY PROCESS.
THEY DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS.
THEY KNOW WAY MORE DETAILS THAN PERMITTING IT AT CO.
SO, UM, WE ASK THEM, THEY SAY, YEAH, MY GOAL IS TO OPEN A FACILITY FOR 30 PEOPLE, UH, FOR 30 CHILDREN OR 30 ADULTS AND I'M GONNA HAVE THREE EMPLOYEES.
BUT THEY MAY GO TO LICENSING AND THEY MAY SAY YOU CANNOT BECAUSE THERE ARE LIKE RATIOS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO THE SUP IS NOT THE ONE THAT CAPTURES, UH, THAT TYPE.
WE TAKE THEIR WORD AS OPERATORS
[06:50:01]
AND WE TRUST THE STATE LICENSING AND THE CO AND PERMITTING PROCESS AS WELL.SO WOULD YOU AGREE WHAT I'M READING? IT SAYS THE SUP PROVIDES A MEAN FOR DEVELOPING CERTAIN USES IN A MANNER WHICH WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH ADJACENT PROPERTY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WOULD YOU AGREE TO THAT, TO THAT STATEMENT? ABSOLUTELY.
WOULD YOU ALSO AGREE THAT IT SAYS THAT REQUIREMENT FOR USE IN A DISTRICT DOES NOT? WELL, I'M NOT GONNA GO INTO THAT.
UH, YOUR, THE REGULATION I THINK I WANTED TO GET TO MUST BE COMPATIBLE WITH ADJACENT PROPERTY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND SO I THINK IF I COULD DIRECT THE QUESTION, MAYOR, BACK TO MR. RIDLEY.
IF YOU YES, IF YOU'LL ANSWER IT, YOU CAN.
SUP WE ARE, WE ARE STILL PUSHING FOR A REQUIREMENT OF SUP IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT THIS MOTION? YES.
FOR UH, CENTERS THAT HAVE MORE THAN 12 CHILDREN OR MORE THAN EIGHT ADULTS, THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN SUP SINGLE FAMILY? IS THAT? YES.
I'M STILL TRYING TO PROTECT SINGLE FAMILY BECAUSE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WE CANNOT, I MEAN, IT WOULD BE JUST, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ALREADY BEEN POORLY PLANNED, NO ALLEY ACCESS, LANDLOCKED PARKING ALREADY ON THE STREET, ALL WE'RE DOING IS ADDING ANOTHER LAYER OF FRUSTRATION.
THEN THE FIRST THING FOLKS WANNA DO IS CALL THE POLICE.
CALL THE POLICE, THEN YOU END UP FIGHTING AND ALL OF THAT.
I HAVE THOSE TYPES OF NEIGHBORHOODS.
AND SO WHEN YOU TRY TO COME IN AND PUT 12 KIDS IN A HOUSE BY RIGHT NOW, WE ALREADY KNOW OFF THE RECORD, BUT ON THE RECORD, BIG MOM IS ALREADY KEEPING SOME OF THESE KIDS IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.
BUT WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS LET'S HAVE SOME REGULATIONS IN THIS DAY AND AGE WHERE WE ARE NOW.
JUST THINK ABOUT THE HOUSING ESPECIALLY THAT WE HAVE IN SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
MY QUESTION IS WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT 12 KIDS? EIGHT IS AN, IS IT EIGHT BY LAW? NOW IN SUP? IT'S 10 NOW.
AND I'M ALREADY PERPLEXED WITH THAT.
BUT BOTTOM LINE IS I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT MR. RIDLEY.
BUT WITH WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT NOW WITH WE'RE JUST TRYING TO OPEN UP, IF WE BEGIN TO ALLOW CERTAIN THINGS TO CONTINUE TO INFILTRATE SINGLE FAMILY, YOU'RE GONNA BE BACK TO THE SHORT TERM.
NEXT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE THE T-SHIRT BUSINESS.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE ALL THESE BUSINESSES AND, AND, AND BEHAVIORS THAT ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE MARKETED TO, UH, THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS WHEN THEY BOUGHT INTO THE PROPERTY OF SINGLE FAMILIES IN THIS CITY.
AND WE KEEP TRYING TO BAIT AND SWITCH.
AND SO I, I'M GONNA SUPPORT MR. RIDLEY.
I APPRECIATE MY, MY, MY, MY, UH, CHAIRWOMAN SUPPORT FOR JUST TRYING TO GET FOLKS WITH SOME HELP, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING BECAUSE AT THE END IT'S GONNA COME BACK TO HAUNT US AS A CITY IF WE DON'T GET THIS RIGHT.
UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND, AND, AND, UH, COUNSEL.
BUT I WILL SUPPORT MR. MR. RIDLEY.
BUT I'M STILL CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THESE OTHER BEHAVIORS WITH CHILD TRAFFICKING AND DRUG USE IN THE HOMES.
AND YOU, WE CAN'T LET FOLKS JUST GO WILD.
SO WE AT LEAST TRY TO GET SOME CONTROL HERE.
I SEE YOUR LIGHT ON MR. RIDLEY, BUT ACCORDING TO ME, YOU'RE AT ROUNDS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY HIS LIGHT'S STILL ON.
MADAM SECRETARY, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT? IF NOT, YEAH, I DO.
YOU, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES.
CHAIRMAN GRACIE, FIVE MINUTES ON THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT.
UH, I'M SORRY, THIS IS ON THE SCHULTZ AMENDMENT.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE AMENDMENT? NO.
YOU WANNA WAIT UNTIL WE GET TO THE OKAY, GREAT.
ALRIGHT THEN ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR, NO IF YOU'RE OPPOSED.
DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ARNOLD BONNO.
COUNCIL MEMBER BASIL DOA? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIS I THINK IS TRYING TO LOG IN, BUT MAY BE ABSENT WHEN VOTE TAKEN.
FIVE OPPOSED? ONE ABSENT WHEN VOTE TAKEN.
OKAY, SO NOW I PH ONE HAS BEEN AMENDED, UH, AS MS. SCHULTZ AMENDED.
SO IS THERE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST THE AMENDED MOTION? CHAIRMAN RIDLEY, YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN? YES.
[06:55:01]
ON THE QUEUE YET, BUT YOU WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR THREE MINUTES ON THE AMENDED PH ONE.I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT WHEN I READ MY MOTION AND REFERRED TO BY WRIGHT WITH APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR IN INDUSTRIAL NCS DISTRICTS, THAT REFERENCE TO DIRECTOR IS A REFERENCE TO THE DIR PROCESS, WHICH I INVITE STAFF TO, UH, EXPLAIN.
IT IS CALLED DEVELOPMENT IMPACT REVIEW AND THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.
HOW IS THAT CONDUCTED? UH, SO THAT IS A PROCESS THAT OCCURS AT PERMITTING OR AT AT THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY LEVEL.
IT LOOKS INTO THE TRAFFIC AND PARKING OPERATIONS.
MAINLY IT REQUIRES A SITE PLAN AND IF WARRANTED, IT REQUIRES A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS.
IT IS REVIEWED BY OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, UM, AND IT DOES HAVE A PATH FOR DENIAL.
IT ALSO HAS A PATH FOR APPEAL TO CPC.
IT'S A PROCESS THAT AGAIN OCCURS WITH THE PERMIT AND WITH THE OR AND OR WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY PROCESS.
ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST PH ONE? SEEING, HEARING NONE.
[PH2. 24-150 A public hearing to receive comments to amend Ordinance No. 20860, “City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan” to change the designation of Elam Road between Pemberton Hill Road and Jim Miller Road from a minor six-lane divided roadway in 100 feet of right-of-way [M-6-D(a)] to a special two-lane undivided roadway with a shared-use path on the north side of the roadway in 75 feet of right-of-way [SPCL 2U]; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize an ordinance implementing the change - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
NEXT ITEM IS PH TWO.PH TWO IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 8 6 0 CITY OF DALLAS, THEIR FAIR PLAN TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF ELAM ROAD BETWEEN PEMBERTON HILL ROAD AND JIM MILLER ROAD FROM A MINOR SIX LANE DIVIDED ROADWAY IN 100 FEET OF RIGHT OF WAY TO A SPECIAL TWO LANE UNDIVIDED ROADWAY WITH A SHARED USE PATH ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROADWAY IN 75 FEET OF RIGHT OF WAY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ITEM PH TWO.
IS THERE A MOTION IN PH TWO? SO MOVED.
MOVED TO SAY ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
[PH3. 24-149 A public hearing to receive comments to amend Ordinance No. 20860, “City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan” to remove Crown Road from Newkirk Street to Farmers Branch City Limits; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize an ordinance implementing the change - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
ITEM IS PH THREE.PH THREE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 8 6 0 CITY OF DALLAS, THEIR FAIR PLAN TO REMOVE CROWN ROAD FROM NEW KIRK STREET TO FARMERS BRANCH CITY LIMITS AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WILL LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM PH THREE? NO SPEAKERS.
IS THERE A MOTION ON PH THREE MEMBERS MOTION? IT'S BEEN MOVED IN SECOND.
[PH4. 24-151 A public hearing to receive comments to amend Ordinance No. 20860, “City of Dallas Thoroughfare Plan” to remove (1) Harwood Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; and (2) Harwood Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Al Lipscomb Way; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize an ordinance implementing the change - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
ITEM PH FOUR IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 2 0 8 6 0 CITY OF DALLAS AIRFARE PLAN TO REMOVE ONE HARWOOD STREET BETWEEN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.BOULEVARD AND TWO HARWOOD STREET BETWEEN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BOULEVARD AND AL LIPSCOMB WAY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZED AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGE.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO SPEAKERS.
MR. MAYOR LOOKING FOR A MOTION.
I APPRECIATE YOU MS. BLACK FOR BEING ON IT TODAY.
ANYBODY ELSE WILLING TO SPEAK ON FOR OR AGAINST IT? AWESOME.
[PH5. 24-352 A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by 8004 West Virginia Drive, LP, an affiliate of April Housing (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits for West Virginia located at 8004 West Virginia Drive, Dallas, Texas 75228; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of West Virginia Drive - Financing: No cost consideration to the City ]
PH FIVE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY 8 0 0 4 WEST VIRGINIA DRIVE LP AN AFFILIATE OF APRIL HOUSING APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS T-D-H-C-A FOR A 4% NON-COMPETITIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR WEST VIRGINIA LOCATED AT 8 0 0 4 WEST VIRGINIA DRIVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 7 5 2 2 8.AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO T-D-H-C-A FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA DRIVE.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WILL LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? NO SPEAKERS.
MR. MAYOR, IS THERE A MOTION ON PH FIVE? SO MOVED.
[PH6. 24-349 A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by 13695 Goldmark Drive Owner, LP, an affiliate of Waterford at Goldmark, LP (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for Waterford at Goldmark located at 13695 Goldmark Drive, Dallas Texas 75228; and, at the close of the public hearing authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of Waterford at Goldmark - Financing: No cost consideration to the City ]
ITEM PH SIX IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY 1 3 6 9 5 GOLDMARK DRIVE, OWNER LP AND AFFILIATE OF WATERFORD AT GOLDMARK LP.APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
[07:00:01]
AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS T-D-H-C-A FOR 4% NON-COMPETITIVE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR WATERFORD AT GOLDMARK, LOCATED AT 1 3 6 9 5 GOLDMARK DRIVE, DALLAS, TEXAS 7 5 2 2 8.AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO T-D-H-C-A FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATERFORD AT GOLDMARK.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WILL ELECT TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON PH SIX? NO SPEAKERS.
MR. MAYOR? CHAIRMAN MINES YOU HAVE A MOTION? I DO NOT.
ANYONE HAVE A MOTION ON PH SIX? IT'S BEEN MOVED TO SECOND.
CHAIRMAN MENON, YOU RECOGNIZE FOR FIVE MINUTES ON PH SIX.
I HAVE UM, SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF, PLEASE.
IS THERE A CONCERN ABOUT THE CRIME RATE IN THIS AREA? UM, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE OVERALL CRIME RATE IN THE AREA AT THIS PROPERTY.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME REPORTS LATELY OF, I GUESS THERE, THERE HAS BEEN A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT DOWN THE STREET.
UM, IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM THAT'S BEEN, UH, THE CITY'S BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THE HFC ACTUALLY OWNS THE PROPERTY NEXT DOOR AND THEY'VE, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO, UM, REDEVELOP AND, AND RENOVATE THE PROPERTY NEXT DOOR AND, AND SEE SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE ADDITION OF 24 HOUR SECURITY AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND SO THIS PROPERTY, UM, I GUESS THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF DRUG USE AND THINGS BY THE, UM, UNHOUSED POPULATION NEARBY AS WELL.
AND SO I THINK THERE, THERE NEEDS OF SOME MORE SUPPORT IN, IN THIS AREA.
SO ARE YOU SAYING YOU DON'T PULL THE CRIME FOR THE AREA WHEN YOU'RE EVALUATING THIS? UH, IT'S, IT'S PART OF A LARGER EVALUATION.
YOU KNOW, WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CRIME, THE UM, THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY, UM, AND SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE TRY TO LOOK AT IT AS A WHOLE AND I THINK THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY, UM, IT'S A, IT'S A SENIOR'S PROPERTY HERE AND IT'S, IT'S IN NEED OF SOME RENOVATIONS.
AND SO THIS RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION, IT'S, IT'S THE FIRST STEP IN OUR EVALUATION PROCESS.
SO THIS IS JUST A, JUST A GO AHEAD FROM THE CITY TO THE DEVELOPER THAT SAYS, YEAH, YOU CAN APPLY TO T-D-H-C-A TO GET THIS, THESE TAX CREDITS.
UM, THE DHFC HAS NOT YET PARTNERED WITH THIS.
SO, SO THERE WILL BE FURTHER EVALUATION AND ON A MUCH DEEPER LEVEL.
UM, AND WE WILL, WE WILL SEE BEFORE ANYTHING REALLY IS DONE.
WOULD YOU SAY THERE'S ALREADY A CONCENTRATION OF LOW INCOME HOUSING IN THIS AREA? I WOULD SAY THERE, THERE IS HOUSING THERE THAT, THAT IS CATERING TO THOSE WITH, WITH LOWER INCOME.
IS THERE ANY HOUSING THAT'S NOT LOW INCOME IN THIS AREA? 'CAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS.
I MEAN, I, I COULDN'T SPEAK TO THAT.
I, I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE ENTIRE AREA.
SO I THINK THIS IS A CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.
I'M WONDERING IF CHAIRMAN SCHULTZ HAS ANYTHING THAT SHE WOULD WANNA ADD.
UM, THI THIS AREA, THE ESPERANZA AREA, THIS IS ON THE EDGE OF IT, WHICH IS PART OF AN OVERALL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WE'RE UNDERTAKING THROUGH THIS.
THIS IS A RENOVATION OF THIS PROPERTY, SO IT'LL ACTUALLY BRING IT UP.
AND I THINK SIMILAR TO A LOT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE IN DISTRICT 12, THERE'S AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF MARKET RATE AFFORDABLE.
THERE'S ACTUALLY VERY LITTLE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING OVER THERE AT ALL.
IN FACT, THIS PROPERTY, ITS SISTER PROPERTY AND ONE MORE ARE THE ONLY SUBSIDIZED PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THE ENTIRE ESPERANZA.
THE REST IS MARKET RATE AFFORDABLE.
WELL, YOU AND I BOTH HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY RICHARDSON IC CONCERNS ABOUT GANG ACTIVITY IN THIS AREA.
UM, I LOOK AT CRIME IN YOUR DISTRICT AS PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR, AND THIS PARTICULAR AREA IS, UM, THE AREA THAT A LARGE PORTION OF THE CRIME IN YOUR DISTRICT IS IN.
AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT HAS THIS KIND OF, UM, STRUCTURE IN AN AREA THAT MAY BE ABLE TO REDEVELOP DIFFERENTLY.
SO I'M JUST GONNA SAY I SAW THAT AND I WAS LIKE, WOW, THAT'S OVER IN ESPANZA.
I AM NOT COMFORTABLE JUST SAYING, YEAH, IT'S NO PROBLEM.
LET'S JUST SEE IF THE DEVELOPER IS AWARDED IT AND THEN THEY COME BACK BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA APPROVE IT.
WE'RE ALWAYS GONNA APPROVE IT.
IN FACT, IN FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, I DON'T THINK WE'VE EVER NOT APPROVED A SINGLE ONE.
SO I, I THINK IT'S PROBLEMATIC TO, IF I, IF I MAY RESPOND TO YOUR CONCERNS.
AND DEFINITELY WE HAVE THOSE CONCERNS AS WELL.
[07:05:01]
AND WE ALSO HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO THE CONCERNS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THAT AREA.WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THAT BY THE HFC PARTNERING WITH THIS PROPERTY OWNER, WE CAN MANAGE IT BETTER WITH THEM, THEM DOING IT ALONE.
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ASSISTANCE FROM US.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE ON THEIR OWN.
THEY'RE TRYING TO MANAGE THEIR OWN PROPERTY THE WAY THAT THEY DO.
AND WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP, WE BELIEVE WE CAN HELP.
THEY ARE ATTENTIVE, THEY ARE RESPONSIVE.
THEY TOO ARE ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING ON THERE.
AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THE OFFICE OF HOMELESS SOLUTIONS, WHO IS MANAGING, MANAGING THE HOMELESS SITUATION AT THE PARK.
SO WE ARE IN, WE ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE THERE NOW.
WE ARE AWARE OF HOW THE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE THERE HAVE BEEN, UM, RESPONSIVE TO THE ISSUES GOING ON IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND WE THINK THIS WOULD HELP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WELL, I JUST AM GONNA AGAIN SAY PUTTING LOW INCOME SENIORS IN AN AREA WHERE YOU'VE HAD DOUBLE YOUR MURDER RATE AND THAT'S WHERE THE MURDERS ARE.
I THINK THIS IS UNWISE AND I THINK IT'S NOT HELPFUL TO THE SENIORS.
AND I, I I JUST WISH YOU COULD SAY SOMETHING THAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL BETTER SO I COULD VOTE YES.
I DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU COULD SHARE? MAYBE, MAYBE I COULD SAY SOMETHING, ADD A LITTLE MORE COLOR.
I MEAN, THIS PROPERTY IS ALREADY EXISTING AND IT ALREADY IS A SENIOR'S PROPERTY AND IT ALREADY HAS A TAX CREDIT LURE ON IT.
SO IN TERMS OF ADDING AN AFFORDABLE PROPERTY THAT IT, IT'S ALREADY THERE.
SO WE'RE NOT REALLY ADDING TO IT.
IT JUST IS AT THAT AGE WHERE IT'S GONNA NEED SOME RENOVATION.
AND SO THIS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WILL ALLOW THAT EXTRA INFUSION OF CAPITAL TO, TO ASSIST THE CURRENT OWNER TO REALLY BRING IT UP TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF, OF QUALITY OF LIFE.
AND SO REALLY THIS IS ALL, ALL WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.
WE'RE, I, I MEAN, NOTED THE ISSUES IN THE, IN THE AREA.
I ACTUALLY DROVE IT PERSONALLY YESTERDAY.
I WALKED AROUND THE PARKING LOTS.
I, I KIND OF LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHERE THESE, UH, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTING TO, TO BE COMMITTING CRIMES WERE, YOU KNOW, WE, WE TAKE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN EVERY, EVERY PROPERTY THAT WE DO TRY TO PARTNER WITH.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE IT'S A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR OUR RENOVATION PROGRAM.
UM, AND SO THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET APPROVED HERE.
WHEN IT'S SCORED AT THE STATE LEVEL, DO THEY CONSIDER CRIME? CAN YOU REPEAT THAT, SORRY.
WHEN IT'S SCORED AT THE STATE LEVEL, DO THEY CONSIDER CRIME? SO THIS ONE IS A 4% RENOVATION, SO IT'S, IT'S NOT A COMPETITIVELY SCORED APPLICATION, IT'S JUST DONE AND DONE.
SO IF I CAN JUST ASK CHAIR SCHULTZ ONE MORE TIME, LIKE, YOU'RE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA? 100%.
AND I CAN EXPLAIN WHY WHEN I, WHEN IT'S MY TURN TO TALK.
IF YOU LIKE HER, I CAN USE YOUR TIME.
I THINK THAT'S, I THINK SHE WANTS YOU TO USE YOUR TIME
SO THIS AREA IS WITH ITS CHALLENGES.
IF YOU LOOK AT, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE EQUITY MAPS AROUND OUR CITY AND YOU LOOK UP NORTH, THERE ARE VERY FEW AREAS THAT MATCH SOME OF THE PRO CHALLENGES THAT ARE FACED BY MY COLLEAGUES IN SOUTHERN DALLAS.
THIS IS ONE OF 'EM, THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST AREAS IN TERMS OF CRIME, IN TERMS OF CONCENTRATIONS OF POVERTY.
EVERYTHING THAT MS. MENDELSSOHN, CHAIRMAN MENDELSSOHN JUST MENTIONED.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE HAVE TO FIX IT.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE HAVE TO INVEST IN IT.
JUST LIKE SOUTHERN DALLAS, THERE HAS BEEN ZERO INVESTMENT IN THIS PART OF TOWN, WHICH IS PRIMARILY MADE UP OF, UM, POVERTY STRICKEN SENIORS AND, UM, IMMIGRANTS FROM, MOSTLY FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, WHO WE'VE HAD ZERO INVESTMENT OVER THERE.
AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROJECTS THAT I'M WORKING ON IN MY DISTRICT.
AND SO THE IDEA OF INVESTING IN A PLACE THAT HAS THESE SENIORS RATHER THAN DISPLACING POOR SENIORS, I THINK IS EXACTLY WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DOING.
AND AS OUR DIRECTOR SAID, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PUT EYES ON IT.
WHERE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE NO, WE DON'T, OTHER THAN AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF EFFORT THAT'S BEING PUT ON THROUGH OUR OFFICE OF INTEGRATED PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTIONS, THEY ARE ON THE SCENE.
WE HAVE A FULL TEAM WORKING ON CODE AND ALL THE AREAS OVER THERE.
SO TO SAY NO, BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN A POOR AREA WITH CRIME, WE'RE NOT GONNA HELP YOU.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE'RE GONNA MOVE THE NEEDLE, UH, IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO I'M VERY PLEASED ABOUT THIS.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT, WE TALKED ABOUT THE CRIME, A LOT OF THE AREAS BECAUSE THE CREEK NEEDS TO BE, YOU KNOW, WORKED ON IN TERMS OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, WE'RE WORKING THE CITY OF RICHARDSON.
AND SO EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN THIS AREA IS EXACTLY WHAT'S GONNA TURN AROUND THE CRIME, TURN AROUND THE, UH, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE, PARTICULARLY, UH, OUR, OUR SENIORS.
[07:10:01]
I SAYING NO WOULD BE THE EXACT OPPOSITE THING TO DO.WELL, I I I WAS JUST GONNA TAKE A LITTLE RESTROOM BREAK HERE, BUT I CAN, I CAN, I CAN STILL, I CAN LAY ON THE PLANE FOR IF YOU WANT TO.
ANYONE, ANYONE ELSE WE SHOULD SPEAK ON FOR AGAINST? WE'RE ON THAT PH SIX.
[PH7. 24-346 A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by TX Illinois 2024, Ltd. an affiliate of Generation Housing Partners, LLC (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits for HiLine Illinois located at 4710 West Illinois Avenue, Dallas, TX 75211; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of HiLine Illinois - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
NEXT ITEM, ITEM PH SEVEN.ITEM PH SEVEN IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY TX ILLINOIS 2024 LTD, AN AFFILIATE OF GENERATION HOUSING PARTNERS, LLC, APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, T-D-H-C-A FOR 4% NON-COMPETITIVE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR HIGHLINE, ILLINOIS LOCATED AT 4 7 1 0 WEST ILLINOIS AVENUE, DALLAS, TEXAS 7 5 2 1 1.
AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZED A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION BY APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO T-D-H-C-A FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHLINE HIGHLINE, ILLINOIS.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? NO SPEAKERS.
MR. MAYOR, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? UH, YES, I MOVE TO APPROVE.
OKAY, ANY COMMENT? NO, THIS IS MR. WEST AND HE HAD TO GO PICK UP KIDS FROM DAYCARE.
SO
ANYONE ELSE? ALL IN FAVOR? AND OPPOSED? AYE.
[PH8. 24-347 A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by TX Tenison 2024, Ltd. an affiliate of Generation Housing Partners, LLC (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits for Tenison Lofts located at 3600 Samuell Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75223; and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of Tenison Lofts - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]
ITEM PH EIGHT IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY TX TENON 20 20 24 LTD, AN AFFILIATE OF GENERATION HOUSING PARTNERS, LLC, APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DHCA FOR 4% NON-COMPETITIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR TENNIS AND LOFTS LOCATED AT 30 3600 SAMUEL BOULEVARD, DALLAS, TEXAS, 7 5 2 2 3.AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION RELATED TO, FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO T-D-H-C-A FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TENNIS AND LOSS.
THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.
ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? NO SPEAKERS.
CHAIRMAN MORENO, YOU HAVE A MOTION? MOTION FOR APPROVAL? MOVE SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION MR. CHAIRMAN? ANY DISCUSSION? ANYONE SEEING NONE? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
[OPEN MICROPHONE (Part 2 of 2)]
ITEM.MR. MAYOR, THIS CONCLUDES YOUR AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING.
ALRIGHT, I'LL RECITE THE SPEAKER GUIDELINES.
SPEAKERS MUST OBSERVE THE SAME RULES OF PROPRIETY AND DECORUM APPLICABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
ANY SPEAKER MAKING PERSONAL IMP PERTINENT PROFANE OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS OR WHO BECOMES BOISTEROUS WHILE ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE REMOVED FOR THE ROOM FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE IN PERSON FOR THOSE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.
YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE SESSION.
INDIVIDUALS BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES, TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.
YOU'LL NOTICE THE TIME ON THE MONITOR AT THE PODIUM WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.
PLEASE STOP FOR THOSE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.
I WILL ANNOUNCE WHEN YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED.
ALSO, SPEAKERS, PLEASE BE MINDFUL THAT DURING YOUR COMMENTS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO REFER TO A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BY NAME.
ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS TO MAYOR JOHNSON.
ONLY YOUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE DOLORES PHILLIPS.
ONE WAS FILED WITH THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
IT'S THE FIRST COMPLAINT FILED BY ONE OF THE DALLAS POLICE AND FIRE MEN IN THE PENSION SYSTEM.
PAGE FOUR IS THE 2019 ORDER STATING THAT THIS CLASS ACTION SHOULD SUIT SHOULD BE RESOLVED.
SO I'M GONNA LET YOU DO THE MATH.
AND AS WE TALK ABOUT BILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHEN A CITY'S POLICE AND FIRE PENSION SYSTEM IS IN TROUBLE, PLEASE KNOW THAT CITIZENS ARE IN TROUBLE.
ALSO, I NEED YOU TO LOOK AT DOCUMENT THREE.
WHEN I WAS TAKEN TO GREEN OAKS, OCTOBER 25TH, 2013, PREMEDITATED, THERE WAS SOMEBODY BY THE NAME OF MARY LOU VALISE THORN.
SHE WORKED FOR DPD ON THE DAY OF OCTOBER 25TH, 2013.
[07:15:02]
THAT WAS PREARRANGED BY MAYOR ROLLIN.SHE INTERCEPTED COURT DOCUMENTS ON NOVEMBER THE SIXTH, 2013.
MS. MARY VALISE THORN SAID THAT THERE WAS A PHARMACEUTICAL RECORD FOR ME FROM 2010 TO 2013 SAYING THAT I WAS TAKEN BIPOLAR MEDICATION.
WE NOW KNOW THAT THAT PHARMACEUTICAL RECORD HAD TO BE MANUFACTURED.
MS. THORN WAS GOING TO RIGHT HER WRONG.
THERE IS ALSO SOMEBODY BY THE NAME OF SHERRY SMO WHO WORKED FOR NAMI IN GREEN OAKS AND WHO SAID THAT THEY GOT IT WRONG AND THAT CORPORAL NER THE ARRESTING OFFICER WAS GOING TO TESTIFY.
CORPORAL NER RETIRED CORPORAL COTNER.
THEY TOOK TWO HOURS OF VIDEO AT THIS MEETING OF OCTOBER 25TH, 2013.
THE US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS NOW INVOLVED.
I'LL BE CALLING HIM WHEN I LEAVE HERE.
THANK YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN, THAT'S JUSTICE.
YOUR AND ALL OF THAT DELIBERATE.
THAT'S YOUR TIME TO WRITE YOUR OWN WITH YOUR CITY.
ROLA HAMZA ROLA HAMZA IS NOT PRESENT, NOR MOHANA.
DONYA ER, DONYA ER IS NOT PRESENT.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
PLEASE CONTINUE SPEAKING UNTIL YOUR VIDEO IS DISPLAYED.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR JOHNSON AND DALLAS CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS JODY WHITAKER AND I AM THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PARTNERSHIP TOBAN HORSE CARRIAGES WORLDWIDE.
WHEN I WAS UPDATING MY WEBSITE LAST NIGHT, I RE-WATCHED A FEW OF THE VIDEOS TO BE ADDED TO THE LABEL.
THESE VIDEOS WOULD MAKE ANYONE WITH THE HEART VERY SAD.
ONE VIDEO SHOWS A CARRIAGE OPERATOR KICKING A HORSE IN THE NECK AND HEAD BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T STAND UP.
ANOTHER SHOWS HANDLERS CONSTANTLY PULLING A DOWNED HORSE BY THE PAINFUL BIT IN HIS MOUTH TO GET HIM TO WALK.
WHEN HE DOESN'T, HE IS HAULED AWAY BY A FORKLIFT.
ANOTHER IMAGE SHOWS A CARRIAGE HORSE WITH BLOOD DRIPPING DOWN HIS LEG AFTER CRASHING IN THE STREET.
AND THERE'S THE CARRIAGE HORSE.
HORSE TO WORK IN A THUNDERSTORM WHILE IT'S LIGHTNING OUTSIDE LIKE CRAZY.
ONE VIDEO SHOWS A DRIVER HITTING THE HORSE HE WAS ON TOP OF IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD.
THE VIDEO SHOWS THE MAN STRIKING THE HORSE'S HEAD AT LEAST 10 TO 15 TIMES.
THEN A WOMAN RIDES UP ON ANOTHER HORSE AND SHE CAN BE SEEN HITTING THE HORSE ON HIS BEHIND MULTIPLE TIMES.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO HORSES WHO DON'T DO WHAT THEIR HANDLERS WANT THEM TO DO.
ANOTHER SHOWS A HORSE COLLAPSING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THEN DRAGGED INTO A TRAILER NO VETERINARIAN WAS CALLED.
AT ONE POINT A MAN IS SEEN BLOWING SMOKE INTO THE HORSE'S FACE.
TO GET HER TO STAND, THIS HORSE HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED.
AFTER 17 GRUELING MINUTES, A MULTIPLE MEN TERRORIZING HER AND PULLING HER BY HER PAINFUL BIT TO GET HER INTO A TRAILER.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THESE FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS HAPPEN, WHAT IT DOES SHOW IS JUST HOW OFTEN THESE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS OCCUR AND THAT THEY CAN HAPPEN IN A MOMENT'S NOTICE.
IN DALLAS, WE ARE ASKING YOU DALLAS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO END THIS DANGEROUS AND EXPLOITATIVE TRADE BEFORE A HORSE OR HUMAN IS KILLED ON YOUR STREETS.
ANIMAL SUFFERING IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE MUST BE RUSHED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM ARE NOT GOOD FOR TOURISM.
AND I'M SURE NONE OF YOU WANT THE COST, HASSLE, AND BAD PUBLICITY OF A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST YOU.
THAT'S YOUR TIME BECAUSE SOMEONE LOST THEIR LIFE FOR WHAT SOME CONSIDER REMAINS.
I AM MUSTAFA HAS COUNSELED HANNAH REED.
MY NAME IS GLORIA CARAL AND I AM CO-FOUNDER OF BAND HORSE CARRIAGES DALLAS.
THIS IS MY THIRD TIME TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
OUR GOAL IS NOT TO TAKE JOBS OR ELIMINATE HERITAGE, BUT RATHER TO CREATE MORE COMPASSIONATE TRADITIONS.
[07:20:02]
WE ASK THAT YOU ELECTIVE CITY OFFICIALS INTRODUCE HUMANE LEGISLATION, NOT ONLY TO PROJECT THE HORSES, BUT ALSO THE PUBLIC.THE CARRIAGE OPERATORS, THE PASSENGERS, PEDESTRIANS, CHILDREN'S BICYCLISTS, AND OTHER MOTORISTS ARE ALSO PUT AT RISK.
WHEN 1000 POUND ANIMALS ARE FORCED TO SHARE OUR BUSY CHAOTIC STREETS, THE TIME HAS COME AND IT ACTUALLY IS OVERDUE FOR A CITY THE SIZE OF DALLAS TO CONTINUE TO FORCE THESE GENTLE, INNOCENT ANIMALS TO MANEUVER IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC AND BE PUT IN HARM'S WAY.
A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IS BOUND TO HAPPEN IN THIS UNNATURAL ENVIRONMENT, MAKING THIS ARCHAIC TRADE A HUGE LIABILITY FOR THE CITY.
WE SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT OUR CITY IS KNOWN FOR.
IT'S W WORLD CLASS MUSEUMS THRIVING ART SCENES IN BEAUTIFUL PARKS.
DALLAS IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS FAMOUS SPORTS TEAM'S, HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN ARCHITECTS, UNIQUE SHOPS AND FABULOUS RESTAURANTS.
WE ARE A MELTING POT OF CULTURES, RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, LIFESTYLES AND MORE.
WITH, WITH THIS DIVERSITY COMES POSITIVE CHANGE AND WE ARE URGING COMMON SENSE NON NON-ANIMAL TOURISM.
PLEASE OPEN YOUR HEARTS AND END THIS CRUEL, UNNECESSARY, AND OUTDATED EXCUSE FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
PLEASE BE THE TRAILBLAZERS IN OUR GREAT STATE, MAKING A NEW TRADITION TO BE THE FIRST IN TEXAS TO END HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES RIDES IN OUR URBAN SETTING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M HUMBLED TO BE HERE.
JACOB FRANKLIN IS NOT PRESENT.
ABBY CHRISTIAN IS NOT PRESENT.
S HK HASANI HASAN S HK HASAN IS NOT PRESENT.
IS THIS I'VE BEEN ON THE SCREEN.
JAMIE FISHER, BEEN ON THE SCREEN.
IN MY 50 YEARS ON THIS EARTH, I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MUCH.
BUT I CAN NAME THE THINGS I AM MOST PROUD OF.
ON ONE HAND, ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, BEING A MOTHER.
MY MARRIAGE, BECOMING A REGISTERED NURSE AND OWNING A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS.
IF YOU BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES IN DALLAS, YOU WILL BE CRUSHING A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE WOMEN AND MY MINORITY OWNED.
YOU WILL BE LEAVING EVEN MORE PEOPLE WITHOUT A SOURCE OF INCOME.
BANNING HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES WILL HAVE A HUGE NEGATIVE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE WEDDING SECTOR IN DALLAS.
ACCORDING TO WEDDING REPORT IN 2022, THERE WERE OVER 15,000 WEDDINGS IN DALLAS COUNTY WITH A TOTAL OF NEARLY $4 MILLION SPENT ON TRANSPORTATION OTHER THAN LIMOUSINES.
THIS INCLUDES FOR STRONG CARRIAGES.
NONE OF THE INCIDENTS THAT JODY WHITAKER REFERRED TO EARLIER HAPPENED IN DALLAS BECAUSE THE CITY OF DALLAS HAS A CODE OF ORDINANCES THAT ADEQUATELY ADDRESSES FOR STRONG CARRIAGES.
AND THE CITY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY MANAGING FOR STRONG CARRIAGES IN DALLAS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
IN WHAT WAY DOES DALLAS BENEFIT FROM BANNING FOR STRONG CARRIAGES? WHY WOULD THE COUNCIL EVEN CONSIDER BEING INFLUENCED BY AN OUT OF STATE EXTREMIST ORGANIZATION WHO WILL JUST MOVE ON TO LOBBY IN ANOTHER CITY? BANNING HORSE STRONG COW CARRIAGES IN DALLAS BECAUSE OF PRESSURE FROM AN OUTSIDE ACTIVIST GROUP OR BECAUSE OF YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS, DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE COUNCIL'S DUTY OF IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THAN MAKING OR AMENDING LAWS RELATED TO THOSE NEEDS.
IF THE COUNCIL VOTES TO BAN HORSE STRONG CARRIAGES, THERE ARE GREATER IMPACTS TO CONSIDER SUCH AS CONGRUENCE WITH THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE.
PLEASE DON'T LET THE SCREAMS OF A FEW DROWN OUT THE VOICES OF THE MANY.
DO NOT BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES IN DALLAS.
[07:25:01]
PRAISE THE LORD.EVERYBODY OUGHT TO PRAISE THE LORD.
HAPPY VALENTINE DAY TO THIS CALL.
THE UH, COUNCIL, THIS ONE GOES TO NONE OTHER THAN THE MAYOR OF THIS WONDERFUL CITY.
THIS ONE GOES TO EACH ONE OF YOU.
I COULDN'T GET ANYBODY TO PASS IT OUT.
THE TOPIC OF MY SUB, THE SUBJECT OF MY TALK TODAY IS SATAN.
I WARN YOU, SATAN HAS BEEN RIPPING ME SINCE THE DAY I WAS BORN.
'CAUSE HE KNEW I WAS GONNA RISE UP ONE DAY AND BE A STRONG WOMAN IN THE LORD.
I'M GONNA TAKE THIS AND HAND THEM OUT.
ALRIGHT, THAT'S THE MAYOR AND THE REST OF 'EM, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I JUST WANNA SAY IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY, BUT I DO THINK THAT'S VERY SWEET OF YOU AND I WANNA SAY THANK YOU, SO I'M NOT GONNA HOLD THAT AGAINST YOUR TIME, BUT THANK YOU.
THESE FOLKS WORK HARD, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU TOO.
YOU'RE A BEAUTIFUL PERSON, SO THANK YOU.
THE ENEMY, I TOLD YOU, HE HAS DEALT ME A LOW BLOW.
IT HAD ME DIAGNOSED AS BIPOLAR WITH BORDERLINE SCHIZOPHRENIA.
I TOLD HIM I WAS GONNA GET IT BACK.
SO RIGHT NOW I'M GETTING READY TO GO INTO THE HEDGES, THE HIGHWAYS, THE BIS AND THE JAILS, AND COMPEL PEOPLE TO COME TO CHRIST.
WE ARE A JUDEO CHRISTIAN NATION, GEORGE WASHINGTON COVENANT WITH, WITH THE LORD, AND CALLED THIS NATION TO BE ONE NATION UNDER GOD.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO KENNETH COPELAND'S, UM, STATION AND FIND OUT ALL ABOUT IT.
BUT ANYWAY, I'M GONNA SING A SONG TODAY TO GIVE HIM SOME WARNING THAT I'M COMING.
WE GOING TO TELL YOUR KINGDOM DOWN SATAN.
WE GOING TO TELL YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
YOU BEEN BUILDING YOUR OLD STICKY KINGDOM ALL OVER OUR GOD'S LAND.
SAY WE GOING TO TELL YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
SAY WE GOING TO PRAY YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
WE GOING TO PRAY YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
YOU'VE BEEN BUILDING YOUR STINKY KINGDOM DOWN ALL OVER OUR GOD'S LAND.
SAY WE GOING TO PRAY YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
WE GOING TO PREACH YOUR KINGDOM DOWN.
WE GOING TO MOAN YOUR KINGDOM.
SORRY IF I MISPRONOUNCED YOUR NAME.
I'M SARAH, A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.
I THINK THERE WAS A MIX UP, UM, AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.
UM, IS IT OKAY FOR THIS OCCUPATION TO ETHNIC CLEANSE THE OCCUPIED PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE WORLD FOR REAL? IS THAT OKAY? THOSE ARE QUESTIONS SHARED LATE LAST NIGHT BY BASAN A PALESTINIAN JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN SHARING THE STORIES OF HER PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PAST 131 DAYS.
STORIES LIKE HES A 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WAS TRAPPED IN A CAR WITH FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAD BEEN KILLED AFTER NOT KNOWING HER FATE FOR 12 DAYS.
[07:30:01]
IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT HE AND THE TWO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHO HAD BEEN APPROVED TO RESCUE HER HAD ALL BEEN TARGETED AND KILLED BY ISRAEL.AND THE 12,300 CHILDREN LIKE HER WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED BY ISRAEL SHOULD BE ALIVE TODAY.
THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, YUSEF AND AHMED AND THE 30,000 OTHER INNOCENT PALESTINIANS SHOULD BE ALIVE TODAY.
THEIR STORIES MATTER BECAUSE THEIR LIVES MATTERED AND YOUR RESPONSES TO THEIR DEATHS MATTER, INCLUDING YOU.
KARA, AS YOU WALK OUT THE ROOM AT A PAST MEETING, YOU ALL WERE ASKED TO RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS.
AND SADLY, ONLY TWO OF YOU DID.
I'M GONNA START WITH A DIFFERENT QUESTION BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME MORE PARTICIPATION ON THIS VALENTINE'S DAY.
THINK OF YOUR LOVE OF ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES.
WOULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WOULD CONDEMN THE KILLING OF YOUR LOVED ONES? I WOULD HATE TO BE ONE OF YOUR LOVED ONES.
NONE OF YOU ARE RAISING YOUR HAND.
UM, NOW RAISE YOUR HAND OR KEEP YOUR HANDS RAISED, WHICH NONE OF YOU DID.
IF YOU ALSO CONDEMN THE KILLING OF OUR COMMUNITIES', LOVED ONES IN PALESTINE, MANY OF WHOM WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR, THAT'S YOUR TIME.
MAY I HAVE AN THAT'S EXTRA 30 SECONDS.
I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 9:00 AM I'M SORRY.
IF YOU CANNOT BRING YOURSELF MACKENZIE SNYDER, MACKENZIE SNYDER, MS. MCKENZIE SNYDER.
MS. SNYDER KIT, YOU MAKE SURE YOUR AUDIO IS ON AND YOU MAY CONTINUE.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF DO NOT BAN CARRIAGES.
I'VE WORKED IN DALLAS WITH THE HORSES AND CARRIAGES FOR THE LAST 12 YEARS.
THE FIRST YEAR I STARTED IN DALLAS, I WAS PREGNANT WITH OUR FIRST CHILD.
WE HAVE TWO BOYS THAT ARE GETTING TO GROW UP THE WAY I DID, WATCHING TRAINING, CARING AND LOVING THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.
I PERSONALLY HAVE DONE EVERY PART OF THE CARRIAGE BUSINESS.
I'VE DROVE FOR MANY YEARS NOW.
I'M PART OF AN AMAZING GROUND GROUP.
WE WATER CHANGE DIAPERS AND CARE FOR EACH HORSE EVERY HOUR, EACH NIGHT BEING ON THE GROUND, I GET TO INTERACT WITH EVERY HORSE AND ALSO EVERY PERSON.
HORSES ARE SUCH AN AMAZING CREATURE.
I BELIEVE THEY CAN HELP MEND A BROKEN HEART WHILE ALSO BREATHING LIFE BACK INTO A LOST SOUL.
SO WHEN I HEAR A CHILD SAY, WOW, A REAL HORSE, IT HITS ME DIFFERENTLY.
I BELIEVE EVERY CHILD SHOULD EXPERIENCE AT LEAST ONCE, WHAT MY BOYS GET TO EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY.
I DON'T THINK CARRIAGES SHOULD BE BANNED.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD EMBRACE, CANCEL CULTURE AND SAID, I THINK WE SHOULD EMBRACE HISTORIC VALUES.
HORSES AND ALL ANIMALS MAKE US BETTER HUMANS.
LIKE WINSTON CHURCHILL ONCE SAID, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE OUTSIDE OF A HORSE THAT IS GOOD FOR THE INSIDE OF A PERSON.
SO PLEASE KEEP YOUR FALSE NARRATIVES TO YOURSELF AND LET US CONTINUE TO LIVE AND THRIVE IN OUR UNIQUE AND CHERISHED WAY OF LIFE.
DEL ALI IS NOT PRESENT, NOR WADI IS NOT PRESENT.
WE'LL GO BACK TO SARAH MCCURY.
I'M JOINING YOU ALL VIRTUALLY.
CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, YOU MAY CONTINUE.
IT IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME THAT IN 131 DAYS OF GENOCIDE, THERE HAS YET TO BE A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA CONDEMNING THE MURDER OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS.
I KNOW AFTER WATCHING WHAT Y'ALL DISCUSSED TODAY AND AND BEING AT SEVERAL CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES, THAT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF URGENT LOCAL ISSUES THAT Y'ALL ARE WORKING ON.
UM, BUT OF ALL THE CITIES, DALLAS CANNOT CLAIM THAT THIS SPECIFIC RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE CALLING FOR IS NOT WITHIN ITS SCOPE, ESPECIALLY, AND I CAN JUST NAME A FEW, A FEW REASONS.
FIRST, DALLAS IS A CITY THAT HAS ADOPTED A RESOLUTION DEFINING CRITICISM OF ISRAEL'S ANTI-SEMITIC, WHICH FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF A COMMEMORATION, UM, EVENT.
IN DALLAS, WE HOUSE THE CITY HOUSES LOCKHEED MARTIN, ONE OF THE LARGEST WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS FOR ISRAEL'S WAR CRIMES.
AND OF COURSE, AS WE ALL KNOW, WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE EVENTS OF OCTOBER 7TH, THIS COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A RESOLUTION STANDING WITH ISRAEL.
AND YET 130 DAYS OF SLAUGHTER OF PALESTINIAN HAS PASSED.
AND ONLY ONE OF Y'ALL HAS HAD THE COURAGE AND MORAL COMPASS TO STAND FOR A CEASEFIRE.
THERE ARE COUNTLESS EXAMPLES OF DALLAS PLACING ITSELF FRONT AND CENTER IN THE SITUATION.
[07:35:01]
OF ALL PLACES HAS THIS DUTY TO CALL FOR A CEASEFIRE.AND TO CONCLUDE, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT I HAVE SEEN REPORTS ABOUT A HORRENDOUS THING THAT HAD HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND AT A COUNCIL MEMBER'S HOME.
AND I HAVE NO HESITATION CONDEMNING THESE ACTS BECAUSE UNLIKE Y'ALL, I CAN CONDEMN THE TARGETING OF CIVILIANS IN THEIR HOMES.
I REALLY WISH THAT I COULD SAY THE SAME FOR YOU, THAT YOU COULD JUST AS EASILY CONDEMN THE TARGETING OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS IN THEIR HOMES.
THERE'S NOT EVEN MANY HOMES LEFT IN ZA.
THE TARGETING OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS IN THEIR TENTS AND IN THEIR REFUGEE SHELTERS IS, IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR AT THIS POINT.
SO IF I'M WRONG ABOUT THAT, AND I REALLY HOPE THAT I AM, AND THAT Y'ALL ARE READY TO STAND UP FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO PLACE ELSE TO GO, WHO OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THEIR GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING OF, THEN AT THE VERY LEAST, RESPOND TO OUR EMAILS, RESPOND TO OUR EMAILS, MEET WITH US.
I BELIEVE SARAH MCCURY IS STILL HAVING TECHNICAL ISSUES.
THEREFORE, THIS CONCLUDES YOUR OPEN MICROPHONE.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY AT DALLAS.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, MEMBERS AT 6:18 PM AND THIS MEETING, THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL IS ADJOURNED.