[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
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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,