[12. 25-586A Authorize (1) Supplemental Agreement No. 15 to increase the service contract, with two one-year renewal options with Workday, Inc. for continued licensing, configuration, hosting, maintenance, and technical support for the City’s existing human resource and payroll system for the Department of Information and Technology Services; and (2) to extend the contract from March 3, 2025 to March 2, 2026 - Not to exceed $4,353,943.00, from $24,922,512.26 to $29,276,455.26 - Financing: Data Services Fund (subject to annual appropriations)]

ITEM 12. AUTHORIZE ONE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NUMBER 15 TO INCREASE THE SERVICE CONTRACT WITH TWO ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS WITH WORKDAY, INC. FOR CONTINUED LICENSING, CONFIGURATION, HOSTING, MAINTENANCE, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE CITY'S EXISTING HUMAN RESOURCE AND PAYROLL SYSTEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, AND TWO TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT FROM MARCH 3RD, 2025 TO MARCH 2ND, 2026, NOT TO EXCEED $4,353,943, FROM $24,922,512.26 TO $29,276,455.26. THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSOHN. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SECOND.

MISS MENDELSOHN FIVE MINUTES. THANK YOU. THIS ITEM WAS ON THE GFM AGENDA, AND I ASKED ABOUT IT AT THAT TIME.

AND WHAT I ASKED FOR WERE THE NUMBERS OF THE DOLLARS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ONGOING LICENSING AND MAINTENANCE.

SO I WANT TO THANK STAFF FOR GETTING THOSE TO ME.

AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

SO THIS WORKDAY WAS APPROVED IN FISCAL YEAR 18.

SO I THINK MAYBE ONLY ONE COUNCIL MEMBER WAS HERE AT THAT TIME.

AND OVER THE YEARS, THE IMPLEMENTATION HAS COST ABOUT $7 MILLION JUST OVER.

BUT THE SYSTEM SPEND, MEANING THE LICENSING TRAINING OPERATIONS, HAS BEEN VERY SIGNIFICANT.

SO IN FISCAL YEAR 18, THEY ACTUALLY APPROVED 20 OVER $20 MILLION.

AND THAT TOOK US TO FISCAL YEAR 23, WHERE ANOTHER $4.9 MILLION WAS SPENT.

[00:50:02]

AND NOW WE'RE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE 4.3 MILLION FOR THE LICENSING AND MAINTENANCE PLAN.

AND THIS IS WHAT IT WILL COST US EVERY YEAR TO MAINTAIN WORKDAY.

SO ONE WOULD THINK WITH THIS SIGNIFICANT OF A OF AN INVESTMENT IN SOFTWARE, WE'D PERHAPS HAVE SEEN A DECREASE IN OUR AIR STAFF OVER THE SAME TIME, BUT INSTEAD WE HAVEN'T.

WE'VE HAD AN INCREASE IN AIR STAFF. ONE WOULD THINK PERHAPS SOME OF THE AIR.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STAFF THROUGHOUT DEPARTMENTS WOULD HAVE DECREASED, BUT THEY HAVEN'T.

AND SO WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SOFTWARES WE'VE REMOVED BY GOING TO WORK DAY AND WHAT COST SAVINGS WE'VE WE'VE ENJOYED BY GOING TO WORK DAY.

AND I HAVE TO QUESTION HOW WE CAN KEEP SPENDING THESE KINDS OF MAINTENANCE COSTS ON SO MANY SOFTWARE PACKAGES.

IT'S NOT JUST THIS ONE, AND I KNOW THAT I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP PREVIOUSLY.

I KNOW WHEN BILL ZIELINSKI WAS HERE, WE ROLLED OUT THE VERY LARGE ROLL OF PAPER WITH ALL THE SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS THAT WE'RE MAINTAINING AND AGAIN, THAT'S PURCHASE IMPLEMENTATION, LICENSING TRAINING AND MAINTENANCE.

AND THIS IS JUST IT'S IT'S A LOT. AND I CAN'T JUST ALLOW THIS TO GO ON CONSENT WITHOUT SAYING IT AGAIN THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT OF WHAT WE'RE SPENDING FOR ALL THESE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS, AND IF WE'RE ACTUALLY ENJOYING ANY EFFICIENCIES FOR THEM.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? CHAIRMAN WEST? THANK YOU. I THINK THERE'S A REALLY GOOD SOME REALLY GOOD COMMENTS THERE.

AND I GUESS I DON'T KNOW IF MARK SWANN IS WITH US TODAY, BUT I WAS GOING TO ASK IF THAT IS PART OF THE AUDIT PLAN.

I DON'T HAVE IT AT MY FINGERTIPS, BUT I THINK IF IT'S NOT PART OF OUR AUDIT PLAN, IT IS A VERY LOGICAL ADDITION TO THAT.

AND DO YOU KNOW MADAM CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER WEST AND I ALSO WANTED TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN MENDELSOHN FOR HER QUESTIONS OR HER CONCERNS THAT SHE'S EXPRESSED.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THOSE OFFLINE. LET ME SAY THAT I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO AN ASSESSMENT NOT JUST FROM THE APPLICATION THAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF OR WHAT'S ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY, BUT ALL THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS ACROSS THE CITY.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEGUN TO WORK THROUGH.

I HAVEN'T MENTIONED IT PUBLICLY TO THE COUNCIL, BUT ARE LOOKING TO DO A COMPLETE ASSESSMENT OF THE ENTIRE ITS OPERATIONS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE ARE LEGACY APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS THAT WE KNOW WE'RE EITHER NOT USING OR THEY'RE NOT DELIVERING, THE TYPE OF I WOULD SAY THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT HELPS US BE BETTER AT OUR BUSINESS, THAT WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THEM.

AND SO THIS WILL BE A PART OF THAT. IT'S ASSESSMENT THAT I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO BEGIN.

BUT I DO APPRECIATE IT. BUT I CAN'T ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IF IT'S IN THE CURRENT AUDIT WORK PLAN, WE'D HAVE TO LET MR. SWANN ANSWER THAT. CHAIRMAN RIDLEY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. MADAM CITY MANAGER. GIVEN THE QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSOHN HAS RAISED, COULD WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE HR DEPARTMENT TALK ABOUT WHAT PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS THEY HAVE SEEN WITH WORKDAY AND WHY THIS HASN'T REDUCED THE NEED FOR STAFFING? MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, AS WELL AS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO COME OUT.

LET ME ALSO SAY THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD ALSO INCLUDED THE ONGOING TRAINING THAT'S NEEDED.

I THINK IN MANY OF THESE EFFORTS, IT'S ABOUT ONCE YOU GET THOSE APPLICATIONS IN PLACE, YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE TRAINING TO WHERE THE USERS ARE EFFECTIVELY TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE SOFTWARE. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THIS TRANSITION AND THROUGH THE CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FULLY UTILIZING IT, AND WE CAN BEGIN TO START REALIZING THOSE EFFICIENCIES AND THOSE SAVINGS.

BUT I'LL LET MR. IRELAND AND MISS ARIAS ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS MORE DIRECTLY.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, NINA ARIAS, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

THE MAJOR BENEFIT, I WOULD SAY, THAT WE HAVE DERIVED FROM IMPLEMENTING WORKDAY IS COMPLIANCE, DATA SAFETY AND ACCURACY IN THE PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES.

OUR 13,000 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING UNIFORM. SO THE WORKDAY SYSTEM AND, YOU KNOW, IN MORE DETAIL, ACTUALLY, OUR COMPTROLLER WHO OVERSEES THE PAYROLL SYSTEM WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THOSE NUMBERS.

WE PROCESS EVERY PAYCHECK, EVERY DEDUCTION, EVERY SPECIAL PAY FOR UNIFORM WITH WORKDAY AND BEFORE

[00:55:03]

WORKDAY. BASICALLY, WE HAD A SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT WORKING WAS NOT ACCURATE AND IT PUT US AT RISK.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT THE MAIN BENEFIT OF HAVING WORKDAY IS THAT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE NOW A CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RECRUITMENT, ONBOARDING, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, COMPENSATION, AND WHICH ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE OUR STAFF IS, WHAT OUR NUMBERS ARE, WHAT OUR TURNOVER IS, WHAT OUR TIME TO FILL IS, WHICH WAS INFORMATION THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE BEFORE.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF DISJOINTED SYSTEMS THAT WERE OUTDATED, THAT WERE ALL VERY MANUAL AND REPORTING WAS JUST NONEXISTENT.

AND NOW WE HAVE THAT CAPABILITY. WE HAVE AUTOMATION OF ROUTINE TASKS FOR EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS.

SO THIS IS NOT AN HR SYSTEM. IT'S A WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

SO EVERY MANAGER CONDUCTS EVALUATIONS USING THIS SYSTEM.

THEY PUT IN REQUISITIONS FOR RECRUITMENT USING THIS SYSTEM, EVERY EMPLOYEE IS ABLE TO SEE THEIR PAY STUB GET INFORMATION ON THEIR TAXES GET THEIR BENEFITS DONE THROUGH WORKDAY.

SO AS WE IMPLEMENT THIS SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALL IN ONE, IT JUST HELPS US HAVE A MUCH, MUCH MORE CONTROL SAFETY OF OUR DATA AND OF OUR EMPLOYEES DATA.

AND ALSO JUST, YOU KNOW, JUST THE ABILITY TO MANAGE STAFF, WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR AN ORGANIZATION OF THIS COMPLEXITY.

ONE MORE THING THAT I, YOU KNOW, DID NOT MENTION IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR MEET AND CONFER THE RULES.

AND THE SPECIFICS OF MEET AND CONFER IS VERY, VERY COMPLEX.

AND NOT HAVING A ROBUST SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WILL PUT US AT RISK AS WELL.

PLUS, YOU KNOW, WE WILL NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH IT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, NINA. YOU MENTIONED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS THE AUTOMATION OF MANUAL TASKS, WHICH INDICATES TO ME THAT IT IS ALSO A PRODUCTIVITY TOOL.

HAS THAT RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF PERSONNEL NEEDED TO MANAGE THESE TASKS? THERE THE DEFICIENCIES ARE ACHIEVE OR ATTAIN AT THE MANAGER AND EMPLOYEE LEVEL MOSTLY. SO WHERE BEFORE YOU HAD MANAGERS DOING PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS BY HAND NOT BEING ABLE TO REPORT OR UNDERSTAND HOW OUR PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS WERE BEING DONE OR CONDUCTED, THE PERCENTAGE THAT WAS COMPLETED, HOW MANY GOALS WERE SET.

SO THAT IS EFFICIENCIES AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT BECAUSE OF WORKDAY MANAGERS, THE EFFICIENCIES ARE GAINING TWO WAYS.

ONE, THAT VISIBILITY, THAT ABILITY TO MANAGE THAT ACCESS TO DATA FOR MANAGERS.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU KNOW, THAT BURDEN, THAT PAPERWORK BURDEN THAT MANAGERS HAD IS JUST A LOT MORE FLUID AND AUTOMATED BECAUSE THEY DO IT ALL IN THE SYSTEM. YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS SYSTEM WAS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER OUR PREVIOUS PAYROLL SYSTEM.

DID THE CITY AT ANY POINT CONSIDER USING AN OUTSIDE PRIVATE INDUSTRY PAYROLL SERVICES VENDOR? THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE THAT DO THIS FOR PRIVATE BUSINESS, AND I'M JUST WONDERING IF ANY INVESTIGATION WAS TO SEE IF THAT WAS A MORE COST EFFICIENT METHOD FOR MANAGING PAYROLL. I WOULD DEFER TO CHAIR PULASKI OR, YOU KNOW, JACK, FOR THAT.

COUNCIL MEMBER, I APOLOGIZE, BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT HISTORY ON WHETHER THAT WAS LOOKED AT IN 2018 OR NOT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE IMPROVED OUR PAYROLL PROCESSES THROUGH WORKDAY.

OUR ERROR RATE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY.

BUT TO ANSWER YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION, I WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE SCOPING ORIGINALLY, SO I DO NOT KNOW IF ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE WAS LOOKED AT OR NOT.

OKAY. WELL, $29 MILLION IS A LOT TO INVEST IN ANY SOFTWARE SYSTEM.

AND I NOTED THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED THAT PART OF THE $4 MILLION THAT WERE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE TODAY IS FOR TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES, SINCE THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SIX PLUS YEARS.

WHO'S LEFT TO TRAIN? CITY MANAGER, YOU WANT TO CHIME IN? ARE YOU TRYING TO CHIME IN? LET ME MAKE SURE I ADDRESS THAT INCORRECT.

THE COMMENT. IT WAS ABOUT THE ONGOING NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE TRAINING ON THE SYSTEMS SO WE CAN TRULY CREATE THOSE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

NOT THAT THIS ITEM IS ONLY FOR TRAINING, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I CLARIFY. I UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT ONLY FOR TRAINING, BUT YOU MENTIONED THAT IT WAS IN PART FOR TRAINING.

[01:00:02]

AND I'M JUST WONDERING, IS THERE THAT MUCH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER THAT USES WORKDAY THAT WE NEED TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY EACH YEAR TRAINING NEW PERSONNEL? WHY IS THAT A BIG EXPENSE? I'LL LET JACK AND NINA ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT THE TRAINING IN PARTICULAR. THIS ITEM IS NOT FOR TRAINING. MY COMMENTS WERE THAT THE ONGOING NEED FOR TRAINING IS HOW WE WILL BE ABLE TO FULLY UTILIZE THE SYSTEM AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EFFECTIVELY GIVING US THE TYPE OF SUPPORT THAT WE NEED FROM AN EFFICIENCY STANDPOINT, AND THAT TRAINING IS A PIECE OF IT, BUT NOT THIS ITEM PER SE.

BUT I'LL LET JACK ANSWER THAT QUESTION. YEAH.

THANK YOU, MR. TOLBERT. OF THE $4.3 MILLION CONTRACT, THAT'S FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY.

JUST OVER FOUR OR JUST UNDER $4 MILLION OF THAT IS FOR THE LICENSES AND HOSTING OF THE SYSTEM, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING COST EVERY YEAR.

YES, SIR. THE TRAINING COST IS 186,000. SO IT IS A PART OF THE COST.

BUT THE BULK OF THE COST, RIGHT, AT 4 MILLION OF THE 4.3 IS FOR THE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND HOSTING AND LICENSING AND IS THE TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES WHO'S HAVING TO GET TRAINING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS HR AS WELL AS IT.

BUT YES, IT'S FOR A CITY WIDE TRAINING. OKAY.

THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN MORENO. THANK YOU. MAYOR.

MADAM CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING TO.

AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE REST AREA. QUESTION FOR STAFF.

WHEN DID WHAT YEAR DID WE TRANSITION TO WORK? DAY. AND WHAT DAY WAS PROCURED IN 2018. AND THE IMPLEMENTATION. THE FIRST PORTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION WAS 2020 2020.

YES. AND WHAT RESULTS HAVE WE LOOKED AT DATA TO SEE IF THERE'S A SMOOTHER AND FASTER ONBOARDING PROCESS FOR NEW HIRES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KEEP HEARING FROM DEPARTMENTS OF THE LAG TIME TO ONBOARD INDIVIDUALS.

SO PRIOR TO 2018 TO TODAY. HAVE WE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE ONBOARDING PROCESS? THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECRUITMENT MODULE WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF 2023.

I'M SORRY, 2024. SO EVEN THOUGH 2020 WAS THE FIRST IMPLEMENTATION, THAT WAS JUST OUR PAYROLL AND JUST BASIC COMPENSATION PIECE. SO WE DID NOT IMPLEMENT RECRUITMENT UNTIL 2020 4TH JANUARY 2024.

AND SINCE WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF I WOULD SAY NOT ONLY EFFICIENCY, BUT BEFORE THAT WE COULDN'T GET DATA. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WAS OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR THE DATA RELATED TO HOW LONG IT TOOK. IT WAS ALL ANECDOTAL. SO NOW WE HAVE HARD DATA TO SAY, HERE IS HOW MUCH WE ARE SPENDING IN EACH ONE OF THESE STAGES OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. SO I WOULD LOVE IF YOU CAN SHARE THAT WITH US AT A LATER DATE.

QUESTION IS, AS WE'RE REVIEWING THE HOPEFULLY SUCCESSES OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION, DID WE LOOK AT AN OPTION FOR A MONTH TO MONTH VERSUS A YEAR? AND IS THERE A COST SAVINGS TO A YEAR LONG SUBSCRIPTION? YEAH, THAT THAT IS A QUESTION RELATED TO THE CONTRACT.

AND THE CONTRACT IS MANAGED BY ITS. SO I WILL DEFER TO ITS STAFF FOR THAT.

TANISHA DORSEY, INTERIM CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER, FOR THE QUESTION. OUR CONTRACT IS ACTUALLY YEAR TO YEAR.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT MONTH TO MONTH PRICING, BUT NORMALLY FOR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES, IT'S FOR A ONE YEAR TERM. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

SEEING NO ONE ELSE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NEXT ITEM, MADAM SECRETARY.

THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR NEXT ITEM. AGENDA ITEM 47.

[47. 25-567A Authorize a one-year service contract in the amount of $200,000.00, with a one-year renewal option in the amount of $200,000.00 as detailed in the Fiscal Information section, for the administration of a city-wide pre-tax preparation assistance program for the Office of Community Care and Empowerment - Foundation Communities, Inc., only proposer - Total amount not to exceed $400,000.00 - Financing: ARPA Redevelopment Fund]

AGENDA ITEM 47. AUTHORIZE A ONE YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000, WITH A ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000, AS DETAILED IN THE FISCAL INFORMATION SECTION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF A CITYWIDE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE AND EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION.

COMMUNITIES, INC. ONLY PROPOSAL FOR TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $400,000.

[01:05:05]

THIS ITEM WAS CORRECTED, AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE ITEM IS THAT THE ITEM IS CLARIFYING.

OR I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER CLARIFICATION THAT THE ITEM IS FOR A CITYWIDE FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE.

THE ITEM WAS ALSO PULLED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? SECOND IN THE DISCUSSION.

YEAH. CHAIRMAN WEST. THANK YOU. MAYOR. I'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF ON THIS ONE.

MORNING. GOOD MORNING. JESSICA GAO, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE AND EMPOWERMENT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. JESSICA. A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

CAN YOU JUST TELL US THE BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THIS, OF THIS PROJECT? SURE. SO THIS IS A CITY WIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT MAKES AVAILABLE CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS. I BELIEVE THE CAP IS ABOUT $76,000 IN INCOME FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR, AND IT MAKES THAT AVAILABLE IN SITES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES SO THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN GET THEIR TAXES DONE BY THESE PREPARERS AT NO COST TO THEM, WHILE ALSO PRIORITIZING AND FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE CLAIMING TAX CREDITS, SUCH AS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, WHICH ARE REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS THAT CAN THEN GO BACK INTO THE BANK ACCOUNTS OF THOSE RESIDENTS. GOT IT. GREAT DESCRIPTION. THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCCINCT.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S PROBABLY A DESPERATE NEED FOR THIS IN THE CITY, THIS KIND OF TAX ASSISTANCE.

IS THAT RIGHT? YES, DEFINITELY. SO I THINK WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING IN THIS PROGRAM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

WE'VE BEEN GROWING THE NUMBER OF RETURNS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH THE PROGRAM OVER THOSE YEARS AS WELL.

THE GOAL IS FOR THE PROGRAM TO SERVE OVER 13,000 RESIDENTS IN THIS CURRENT TAX SEASON, WHICH WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE MIDST OF KIND OF RIGHT NOW.

AND WITH THE PROGRAM, BECAUSE THE KEY ASPECT OF IT IS TO GET THOSE REFUNDS.

IT ACTUALLY DELIVERS A MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF OUR RESIDENTS THROUGH THOSE TAX CREDITS, WHICH THEY CAN THEN SPEND IN THE COMMUNITY. AS FAR AS THE NEED, WE KNOW THAT HOLD ON, I HAVE I ACTUALLY HAVE A NOTE ON THAT.

WE KNOW THAT ONLY ABOUT FOUR OUT OF FIVE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EITC CLAIMANTS.

SO THERE'S STILL A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS FOR EITC ELIGIBILITY THAT AREN'T CLAIMING THAT.

AND THIS PROGRAM, SPECIFICALLY THE VITA PROGRAM, HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BOTH INCREASE THE NUMBERS OF TAX FILINGS TO HAVE MORE ACCURATE TAX FILINGS WHEN COMPARED TO PAID TAX PREPARERS. ESPECIALLY RELATED TO THE TAX, TO THE CLAIMING OF THOSE CREDITS, AND TO INCREASE THE CLAIMS AGAINST THOSE ELIGIBLE REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS THAT ARE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME WORKING FAMILIES AND WORKING INDIVIDUALS CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND I KNOW PROBABLY LIKE MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT ARE PROBABLY A LOT OF MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT RESIDENTS WHO COULD BENEFIT AND WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS, I GUESS IT'S LIKE I HAVE MORE OF A PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION IS MAYBE FOR THE CITY MANAGER ON, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE CITY, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY PARKS, LIBRARIES, FIXING OUR STREETS AND ROADS AND GETTING WATER TO PEOPLE AND PICKING UP TRASH LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHERE THESE KIND OF SOCIAL GOOD ITEMS. WHY DO THEY FALL ON THE CITY AS OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR THE COUNTY OR THE STATE GOVERNMENT? LIKE WHAT? WHO'S IN AN IDEAL SITUATION WHO WOULD BE FUNDING THIS ITEM? THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. AND COUNCIL MEMBER WEST AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE'VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY, EVEN WITH THIS CURRENT ITEM, TO UTILIZE THE FUNDING THAT WE RECEIVED THROUGH ARPA TO BE ABLE TO HELP US CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM.

I THINK, AGAIN, AS WE'VE TALKED, EVEN DURING LAST YEAR'S BUDGET DISCUSSION, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT THE CITY HAS EITHER CHAMPIONED OR THEIR PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT TO THIS BODY TO GET, GET SUPPORT FOR, BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME UNIQUE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT FALL OUTSIDE OF SOME OF THOSE CORE PRIORITIES.

I THINK AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE WAYS THAT WE'RE GOING TO REIMAGINE SERVICES THAT MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY BE IN THOSE BIG BUCKETS THAT THERE WOULD BE OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH OUR BANKING INDUSTRY, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, WAYS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE WORK AROUND OUR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTERS.

I SEE THIS AS BEING A COMPONENT OF THAT, AND HOW WE CAN BRING SOME OF THOSE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTIES TO THE TABLE.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN HOW WE DEVELOP AND LOOK AT THE BUDGET THAT THEY'RE GOING, THEY'RE GOING TO BE SOME UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES, LIKE THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, THAT IT DOES HAVE AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE VERY RESIDENTS

[01:10:07]

THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SERVING AND THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL AND THEY'RE ABLE TO THRIVE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THESE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, BUT WHERE WE CAN GET TO TRUE PARTNERSHIPS, WE WILL WORK TO IDENTIFY THOSE, WHETHER IT'S THROUGH SOME OF OUR PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS OR THROUGH OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH SERVICES OF THIS NATURE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. YEAH. NO THANK YOU.

HOW DID WE COME UP WITH THE NUMBER $200,000 WITH ANOTHER 200,000 LATER, I'M SURE.

SO I DO WANT TO SAY I JUST LOOKED AT THE NOTE THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR EARLIER, BUT THERE'S AN ESTIMATED 421,000 VITA ELIGIBLE FILERS IN DALLAS COUNTY.

SO IN TERMS OF THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT COULD BE UTILIZING THIS PROGRAM AND SAVING THEMSELVES, THOSE TAX PREPARATION FEES AND OTHERWISE, THERE'S A VERY LARGE NUMBER.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE ITC CLAIMS. BUT SPEAKING TO THE FINANCIAL AMOUNT I'M SORRY.

YEAH, BUT HOLD ON A SECOND. THE NUMBER YOU JUST GAVE IS IS SUPPORTED BY THE ENTIRE FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM.

OUR 200,000 IS NOT IS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR WHAT THEY NEED TO DO THAT WORK.

YES. THAT'S TRUE. SO WE DON'T FUND 100% OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE PROGRAM.

THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING THROUGH UNITED WAY.

THEY'VE ACTUALLY RECEIVED A COMPETITIVE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS SUPPLEMENTAL.

SO WE'RE SUPPLEMENTING THAT AS A COMPONENT OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM SERVICE DELIVERY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WELL, WHY DID HOW DID WE COME UP WITH THE NUMBER 200,000? WHY NOT 100 OR 300? WHAT'S SO WHAT'S THE MAGIC NUMBER OF 200? SO 200,000, TO BE HONEST, IS THE AMOUNT THAT IS AUTHORIZED AND APPROVED IN THE CITY BUDGET.

AND THAT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

AND SO THAT IS KIND OF A CONTRIBUTING ABOUT A QUARTER TO A THIRD OF THE OVERALL PROGRAMMATIC COMPONENT, KIND OF BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CLIENTS TO BE SERVED.

NOW WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR THEM TO GROW THOSE NUMBERS YEAR OVER YEAR, ALTHOUGH THE FUNDING AMOUNT HAS NOT INCREASED.

I SEE THAT, I THINK IS THE CORE OF MY ISSUE. LIKE THE ITEMS FANTASTIC.

LIKE IT'S DOING A GOOD SERVICE, BUT WHEN WE BOOKMARK AN AMOUNT, WE'RE GOING TO JUST GIVE TO AN ORGANIZATION EVERY YEAR.

IT DOESN'T GIVE THEM AN INCENTIVE TO GO OUT AND TRY TO RAISE THE MONEY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

AND, AND THIS GROUP, I THINK THIS IS SUCH A NEED.

WE WOULD HAVE FOUNDATIONS JUMPING ON THIS. SO AND WHEN WE'RE BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR TAXPAYER MONIES, I THINK WE'VE JUST GOT TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT EARMARKING THESE THINGS YEAR AFTER YEAR WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING.

I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS AND THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER WEST.

YOU'RE ACTUALLY ASKING SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED IN OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ITEM IN PARTICULAR, AND WE DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES AS WE GET THROUGH THE COMMITMENT FOR THIS YEAR AND HOW WE IF THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO CONTINUE, HOW WE DO IT IN PARTNERSHIP, AND WE WILL DEFINITELY BE WORKING NOT ONLY WITH, I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THIS INTO THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER STRUCTURE THAT IS CURRENTLY IN PLACE, THAT WE KNOW THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS SUPPORTED, AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD THOSE PARTNERSHIPS.

WE'VE WE'VE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT HOW DO WE EVEN DO SOME OF THIS, MAYBE EVEN WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH SOME PARTNERSHIPS AND BEYOND THIS ARPA FUNDING THAT WE'RE USING IT FOR NOW TO ENSURE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE A BURDEN ON OUR GENERAL FUND. SO THANK YOU. AND I THINK IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS IT'S ACTUALLY COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

THIS ITEM TODAY IS USED IN ARPA DOLLARS. SO THANK YOU.

OKAY. AND ANOTHER QUESTION I'M NOT SURE WHO THIS IS FOR.

MAYBE JACK. OR YOU GUYS CAN PROBABLY ANSWER THIS. SO WHY ARE WE DOING? WHY ARE YOU PROPOSING 200 NOW AND THEN 200 LATER.

SO WE'RE AUTOMATICALLY EARMARKING IT FOR 20, 26, 27 AS WELL.

WELL THANK YOU. AND LISA PEREIRA WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, I DID WANT TO MAKE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION THAT THIS IS A COMPETITIVELY PROCURED ITEM.

SO IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, AFFORDING AN ORGANIZATION YEAR AFTER YEAR THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY EVERY YEAR.

IT HAS BEEN EVERY CONTRACT CYCLE. IT'S BEEN COMPETITIVELY PROCURED.

I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT. AND 200,000 IS IS WHAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED.

AS DIRECTOR GALLO HAS SAID, WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY OUR CITY MANAGER TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT IS WHAT IS OUR APERTURE FOR CONTINUING WITH COMMUNITY CARE ITEMS, FRANKLY, AND AS YOU HAVE SEEN, AS WE HAVE REASSESSED OUR ARPA FUNDS, OUR ARPA REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS, COMMUNITY CARE HAS BEEN ONE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAS BEEN REALIGNING ITS OBJECTIVES.

AND SO FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT IS WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES, SUCH AS THE WORKFORCE, EDUCATION AND EQUITY COMMITTEE, IS TO CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY.

AND SO THIS ITEM SQUARELY FALLS WITHIN THAT FRAMEWORK OF A FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT TOOL THAT IS PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR RESIDENTS.

SO THIS IS WHY WE'RE BRINGING THIS ITEM TODAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. OKAY. COUNCILWOMAN SHOOP.

FIVE MINUTES. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY FROM YOUR BRIEFING ABOUT THIS, AND WE YOU ALSO SHARED SOME OF THE TAX SAVINGS THAT ARE ESTIMATED.

YES, MA'AM. SO IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SAVED OVER $4 MILLION IN TAX PREPARATION FEES TO THE RESIDENTS.

[01:15:07]

SO THOSE ARE FEES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE PAID TO A PAID PREPARER.

THERE'S ALSO RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NON-CERTIFIED PAID PREPARERS, AND THEY ARE LESS ACCURATE.

THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO CLAIM OR PULL DOWN THOSE CREDITS, AND THEY ARE MORE LIKELY WHEN THEY DO FOR THOSE TO BE ERRORS, WHICH THEN THE RESIDENT WOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK IF THAT'S THE CASE.

ADDITIONALLY, WE KNOW THAT OVER $10 MILLION IN REFUNDS WENT INTO THE POCKETS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS OF THOSE 11,000 INDIVIDUALS.

SO IT'S A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT. AND A LOT OF RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING THOSE REFUNDS, THAT CAN BE THE LARGEST KIND OF CASH CONTRIBUTION THAT THEY GET OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, THEY CAN USE IT TO PAY DOWN DEBT TO GET CAUGHT UP.

AND SO IT'S A REALLY, REALLY IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT KIND OF FINANCIAL BENEFIT FOR THESE RESIDENTS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY COUNT ON.

HOWEVER, ANOTHER THING THAT I REALLY DIDN'T MENTION IS THAT IT ALSO HELPS PEOPLE KIND OF AVOID MORE PREDATORY PROGRAMS AND REFUND ANTICIPATION LOANS, WHICH CAN HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH RATES, AND IT CAN COST THEM HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF WHAT THEY WOULD OTHERWISE EARN.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS EARNED INCOME. THIS IS WHAT THEY GET BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING.

WHICH IS ANOTHER BENEFIT OF EITC IS THAT IT ACTUALLY INCENTIVIZES PEOPLE TO WORK, AND IT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO DO SO IN NUMEROUS RESEARCH STUDIES OVER THE YEARS.

AND SO VITA IS AN AVENUE THAT BOTH SAVES PEOPLE MONEY ON THEIR TAX PREPARATION FEES.

BUT PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANTLY, OR AT LEAST EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY, IT'S THE AVENUE THAT MAKES SURE THAT OUR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY ARE ABLE TO REALLY MAXIMIZE WHAT THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IN TERMS OF THOSE CREDITS, AND TO AVOID LOSING OUT ON MONEY TO THOSE FEES, LOSING OUT ON MONEY TO LOANS TO GET THAT IMMEDIATELY, AND OF COURSE, CONNECTING THEM WITH RESOURCES LIKE OUR EMPOWERMENT CENTERS, COACHING AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION TOOLS, WHICH A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE ALIGNED WITHIN THESE PARTNERSHIPS THAT THIS ORGANIZATION HAS AS WELL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK THAT AS THE COUNCIL STRUGGLES WITH THE QUESTION OF PUBLIC GOOD, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OUR WE HAVE OUR ROADS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GET TO WORK.

WE INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN THAT. WE INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN FEEL A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE.

AND TO ME, THIS VERY, VERY MINOR, MINOR INVESTMENT IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE SAVE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE OTHER ADVANTAGES OF OTHERS IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, EQUALLY IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC GOOD THAT OUR ROADS DO, AND SOME OF THE OTHER STANDING INVESTMENTS THAT NO ONE EVER QUESTIONS.

SO I HOPE THAT ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT WE ARE PART OF A PARTNERSHIP AND THOSE ARE GROWING, AND WE OUGHT TO PLAY OUR PART AS A CITY, AND NOT TO ACTUALLY WOULD BE AN UNFORCED ERROR THAT WILL ACTUALLY END UP COSTING THE CITY MORE, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T PARTICIPATE IN WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO STAND UP ON THEIR OWN AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR OWN FAMILIES, THEN THOSE COSTS OF THAT WILL WEIGH A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN 2 OR $400,000 A YEAR.

SO I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND I HOPE ACTUALLY THAT IT'S MOVED AS A STANDING ITEM IN THE GENERAL FUND, JUST LIKE OUR ROADS ARE, JUST LIKE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN RIDLEY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

I GENERALLY SUPPORT FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT AS A MEANS FOR EMPOWERING OUR LESS WELL OFF RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY SUCH A PROVISION, BUT I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT IT. THE ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTION FOR THE SECOND 200,000.

WHO'S AT WHO'S OPTION. CAN THAT BE EXERCISED? WELL, THAT WOULD BE THE CITY'S OPTION. OKAY. SO IF WE FIND THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD THIS, THEN WE CAN OPT OUT OF THIS PROGRAM IF THAT'S NECESSARY.

YES WE COULD. AND OUR ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO, YOU KNOW, CREDIT TO THEM.

THEY ALWAYS DEVELOP OUR CONTRACTS THAT, YOU KNOW, ENABLE US TO TO TAKE THOSE ACTIONS IF WE HAVE TO.

OKAY. SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS ITEM ONLY COMMITS US TO PAYING $200,000 FOR THIS PROGRAM THIS FISCAL YEAR.

IT DOES NOT COMMIT US TO DOING IT NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

CORRECT. SO IF IF THE FUNDING IS NOT THERE, IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO FIND IT, IF COUNCIL DETERMINES THAT WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD IN SUPPORTING THAT INTO THE NEXT YEAR, THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT SECOND YEAR.

WELL, THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT BECAUSE OF THE SOURCE OF THE FUNDS.

I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT HERE. THE SOURCE WAS CHANGED FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE ARPA REDEVELOPMENT FUND.

[01:20:03]

SO, CITY MANAGER, WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ARPA FUNDS ARE EXPENDED? THEY'RE NOT A CONTINUING SOURCE OF REVENUE. AND WE HAVE IN THE PAST ABATED WHAT WE INVEST OUR MONEY IN AS BEING PREFERRED FOR ONE OFF KINDS OF EXPENSES, BECAUSE IT'S NOT A CONTINUING INCOME STREAM.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. AND COUNCIL MEMBER REALLY, I THINK IT'S BACK TO THE CONVERSATION AROUND AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND WE UNDERSTAND SOME OF THESE, THESE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS TO CREATE SOME ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE THINKING THROUGH.

I MENTIONED THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTERS BECAUSE IT IS A WAY THAT I THINK WE CAN CREATE THAT CONNECTIVITY WITH HOW THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTERS, WHICH ALSO CAME THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT'S HOW WE WERE ABLE TO STAND THOSE CENTERS UP, AND THEY'RE QUITE EFFECTIVE.

I THINK THAT THIS IS A NATURAL LINKAGE WITH THE FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTERS, AND THERE COULD BE WAYS THAT WE CAN INCLUDE THIS AS PART OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW WITH THE BANKING INDUSTRY TO MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD TAKE ON AND DO WITH THE CITY.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT I'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THAT WE HAVE AS A CITY.

IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND WAYS THAT WE CAN DO IT WHILE WE'RE STILL MEETING THOSE NEEDS, BUT NOT BEING DONE SOLELY BY THE CITY. SO I THINK IT WILL BE A PART OF WHAT YOU'LL SEE THAT WILL BRING THROUGH OUR BUDGET DELIBERATION PROCESS.

NOT ONLY THIS, BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PROGRAMS OF THIS NATURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE THINKING THROUGH AS WE GO INTO THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. WELL, I THINK THAT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT GETTING THE BANKING INDUSTRY INVOLVED IN THIS, BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD DEVOLVE TO THEIR BENEFIT ULTIMATELY BECAUSE POTENTIAL DEPOSITORS WILL HAVE MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME IF THEY'RE GETTING THIS KIND OF REFUND.

AND SO I'D LIKE US TO EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AT LEAST REQUIRING MATCHING BY THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY OR BANKS, IF NOT GRADUALLY TAPERING OFF OUR EXPENDITURE AS THE ARPA FUNDS ARE EXPENDED, AND PUTTING THAT ON THE SHOULDERS OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY. JUST A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.

THIS FOUNDATION, COMMUNITIES INC. THEY'RE ACTUALLY PROVIDING THE TAX PREPARATION SERVICE.

SO FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

AND THEY HAVE THE STAFF THAT RECRUITS AND TRAINS THE VOLUNTEERS, MANAGES THE SITES AND DEPLOYS THE RESOURCES.

THE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES ARE, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE SOMETIMES COVERED BY STAFF, ESPECIALLY ONES THAT ARE MORE COMPLICATED.

THEY HAVE STAFF THAT ARE MULTILINGUAL, THAT CAN STEP IN AND ASSIST IN CERTAIN CASES WITH CLIENTS.

HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE SERVICES ARE ACTUALLY THROUGH VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE TRAINED THROUGH AN IRS CREATED AND DEVELOPED TRAINING CURRICULUM THAT THE ORGANIZATION THEN HAS STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE TRAINED TO TRAIN AND DELIVER.

AND SO IT IS CERTIFIED BY IRS CERTIFIED VOLUNTEERS.

ABOUT 300 OF THEM ARE RECRUITED ANNUALLY TO DELIVER THIS SERVICE ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.

SO WHAT DOES THIS CONTRIBUTION GO TO IF THEY'RE.

THE SERVICES ARE BEING PERFORMED BY VOLUNTEERS.

WELL, THE STAFF THAT HAVE TO RECRUIT AND MANAGE THE VOLUNTEERS, THE TRAINING THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND TAKE, MAINTAIN THE TRAINING THAT THEY HAVE TO DELIVER THE RESOURCES AND SITES THEY HAVE TO DO, THE MATERIALS THAT THEY NEED, ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. BUT IT REALLY IT IS A WELL LEVERAGED IN THAT SOURCE THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO USE SUCH A SMALL LEVEL INVESTMENT, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, TO SUPPORT THOSE, THOSE KIND OF KEY ITEMS THAT CAN THEN PULL IN HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS THAT CAN THEN BE DEPLOYED TO REACH THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS. SO IT'S IT'S A REALLY, I THINK, A PRETTY THOUGHTFUL PROGRAM DESIGN THAT REALLY DOES REACH A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH WITH A RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF INVESTMENT FOR THAT REACH.

AND WHAT ELSE DOES THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES DO IN THE COMMUNITY, OR IS THIS THEIR ONLY PROGRAM SUCH THAT ALL OF THEIR OVERHEAD IS INCURRED ON THIS ONE PROGRAM? THIS IS OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM.

THEY DO ACTUALLY PROVIDE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE SERVICES YEAR ROUND.

SO WHILST THEY ARE DEPLOYING A LARGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS DURING KIND OF THE THE KEY TAX FILING SEASON AND THE FIRST QUARTER TO HALF OF THE YEAR, THEY ALSO ARE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM YEAR ROUND.

SOMETIMES YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS OR PEOPLE THAT NEED, YOU KNOW, ASSISTANCE, MAYBE MAKING A CORRECTION OR HAD SOME ISSUE IN A PAST FILING AND THEY NEED SOME HELP IN THAT REGARD.

SO THEY OFFER THOSE RESOURCES. THEY ALSO DO A LARGE AMOUNT OF OUTREACH.

THEY DO SOME FINANCIAL EDUCATION. AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THEM TO DO TO DO WORK IN THAT REGARD AS WELL.

[01:25:03]

I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE ALSO THEY ALSO HAVE A LOCATION IN AUSTIN AS WELL.

SO THIS IS IN DALLAS. THIS IS THE PRIMARY PROGRAM THAT THEY DELIVER.

BUT IT'S WITHIN THEIR OVERALL KIND OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION PORTFOLIO.

AND THEY DO HAVE INCOME LIMITATIONS THAT THEY FOLLOW FOR THE PROVISION OF THESE SERVICES.

SO ANYONE CAN'T GO UP. WHO MAKES $200,000 AND GET THE BENEFIT OF THEIR SERVICES? YEAH THAT'S CORRECT. THE THE INCOME LIMITATION IS ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED BY THE IRS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BECAUSE THE PROGRAM, THE VITA PROGRAM, OF COURSE, THE IRS CREATES THE TRAINING.

AND THEY DO THEY DO INVEST IN THAT WAY AS WELL.

AND SO THEY ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED THOSE INCOME GUIDELINES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

AND FOR THIS YEAR THE NUMBER IS 67 I BELIEVE THE NUMBER IS $67,000.

INCOME IS THE TOP LEVEL THAT FOR SOMEONE WHO COULD GET ACCESS TO THIS FREE SERVICE.

GREAT. THANK YOU. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN NARVAEZ. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YOU KNOW MAYOR ADKINS, I AM I'M TROUBLED BY THE WAY WE SCRUTINIZING THIS ITEM.

IT'S IT'S REALLY SAD THAT WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE OF LOWER INCOMES AND PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP AND PEOPLE WHO NEED THAT HAVE THE LEAST OF US HERE IN OUR CITY, WHETHER THEY'RE LOW INCOME OR MODERATE INCOME, HOW WE OVER SCRUTINIZE THOSE ITEMS, NOT ALL OF US ARE OF PRIVILEGE AT THIS HORSESHOE.

SOME OF US ARE, SOME OF US AREN'T. BUT IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME HOW THOSE WITH THE MOST PRIVILEGE ARE THE ONES WHO SCRUTINIZE THE MOST.

AN ITEM THAT CAN HELP THOSE WITH THE LEAST. THIS ITEM, MR. MAYOR, HAS BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE A LONG TIME, AND IT HAS GIVEN BACK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OF THE LOWEST INCOMES, THEIR EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROBABLY BE ABLE TO FIND OR GET BECAUSE THEY ARE USING A LOWER A NON CERTIFIED TAX PREPARER, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE OF LOWER INCOME, THEY TEND TO GET TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF WHEN YOU'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY JUST SEE TAX PREPARER AND THEY RUN OVER THERE AND THEY THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HELP THEM.

WE HEARD $4 MILLION, $4 MILLION THAT HAS BEEN SAVED IN TAX PREPARATION, DOLLARS THAT GOES BACK.

THAT'S MONEY THAT GOES BACK INTO THESE PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

AND IT CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM $30 TO $100 TO $250 TO $500.

THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT IS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

MAYOR ATKINS EARNED INCOME CHILD. THE CHILD TAX CREDITS ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

AND THIS IS FOR THE FOLKS THAT MAKE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF DOLLARS IN OUR CITY.

$200,000 IS A LOT OF DOLLARS. I GET THAT I DON'T MAKE $200,000 A YEAR, BUT $200,000 WHEN YOU SPREAD IT OUT TO THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT THIS HELPS. CAN YOU REPEAT THE NUMBER? HOW MANY FOLKS ARE HELPED ANNUALLY? SO LAST YEAR IT WAS OVER 11,000 RETURNS FILED THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

THE GOAL FOR THIS YEAR IS OVER 13,000. 11,000 PEOPLE WERE HELPED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM LAST YEAR.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS WHEN I FIRST STARTED ON THIS COUNCIL BACK IN 2017, MR. MAYOR, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT 11,000 IS GOING TO BECOME 13,000.

AND AS THE NEXT YEARS COME, THIS COUNCIL HAS TO TAKE AND REALLY LOOK AT THE DOLLARS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO START SCRUTINIZING, BECAUSE THERE'S A PERSON AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHO BRINGS A CHAINSAW OUT AND DECIDES THEY'RE GOING TO JUST SLASH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET WITH NO PLAN, NO THOUGHT.

AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT TO YOUR BUDGETS. AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ESPECIALLY, WE CANNOT JUST SLASH THINGS AND NOT LOOK AT THEM.

THIS BUDGET THAT WE'RE IN, THIS $200,000 WAS ALREADY APPROVED BY US WHEN WE APPROVED THIS BUDGET.

NOT A SINGLE PERSON SCRUTINIZED THIS PROGRAM WHEN WE BROUGHT UP THE BUDGET.

IN FACT, WE WE HAILED, WE APPLAUDED, WE LAUDED THIS BUDGET.

BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE SEE MONIES THAT ARE GOING TOWARDS THE FOLKS THAT ARE THE LEAST OF US.

AND BOY, OH BOY, ARE WE GOING TO SCRUTINIZE IT.

WE GIVE AWAY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BIG GIANT DEVELOPERS, TO BIG COMPANIES, AND WE DON'T SPEND A 10TH OF THE TIME SCRUTINIZING THOSE CONTRACTS OR SCRUTINIZING THOSE BENEFITS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND AND SEE WHAT THE BENEFIT IS TO THE CITY BY INVESTING, INVESTING $200,000 TO GET THESE

[01:30:02]

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO MAKE THE LEAST OF THAT IS DOLLARS THAT GO RIGHT BACK INTO OUR ECONOMY. BECAUSE THESE FOLKS, AS WAS STATED, EITHER PAY DOWN DEBT OR THEY'RE SPENDING THOSE DOLLARS.

AND WHEN THEY SPEND THOSE DOLLARS, THAT IS SALES TAX REVENUE THAT GOES INTO OUR COFFERS SO THAT WE CAN DO THE BIG THINGS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE AND INVEST INTO MORE JOBS, INVEST INTO ECONOMIC IMPACT, INVEST INTO MORE.

SO, YES, SCRUTINIZE. WE SHOULD SCRUTINIZE EVERYTHING.

BUT WATCH HOW YOU SCRUTINIZE THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THE LEAST THE LEAST EARNERS.

THE LOWER EARNERS IN OUR CITY. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TOO MUCH GOING TOO FAR.

AND I THINK THAT'S A SHAME. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

CHAIRMAN GRACEY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I'M GOING TO START THIS WAY.

ON ONE HAND, THIS HORSESHOE WE ADVOCATE REALLY, REALLY HARD FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

HOMELESSNESS. WE NEED TO DO THIS, AND WE NEED TO GET THEM OFF THE STREET AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THEM HOUSING AND DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS.

BUT THEN, ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ALMOST ADVOCATE AGAINST THOSE THINGS THAT REALLY PREVENT PEOPLE FROM BEING HOMELESSNESS, FROM BEING HOMELESSNESS. AND THE PART THAT I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IS THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

ON ONE HAND, WE WANT TO SAY WE WANT TO KEEP THE FOLKS OFF THE STREET, BUT THEN THE THINGS THAT ARE THESE ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE WHERE MORE AND MORE COMPANIES DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

THE REALITY IS HERE. SO WHILE WE'RE COMBING THROUGH THESE THINGS, I'M A FINANCE GUY.

I CAN APPRECIATE GOING THROUGH AND SCRUTINIZING THE BUDGET AND TRYING TO FIND THINGS WHERE WE CAN SAVE COSTS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I DON'T WANT US TO OVERLOOK, OR I ACTUALLY WANT US TO REALLY SERIOUSLY EVALUATE, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THESE ARE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING UNDER ATTACK, UNFORTUNATELY. BUT WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, I REALLY WANT US TO TAKE A SERIOUS FINANCIAL LOOK AT THAT AND REALLY LOOK AT THE RETURN ON SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS. THIS IS A SMALL INVESTMENT THAT FOR AND IF YOU HAVEN'T LIVED THIS EXPERIENCE, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR YOU TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THESE PROGRAMS. SO WHEN I SAY THIS IS A SMALL INVESTMENT, BUT SUCH A BIG RETURN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT GO THROUGH AND EXPERIENCE THIS.

WE HAVE ONE RIGHT AT MY CHURCH, AND IT IS A HUGE RETURN FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO BENEFIT THROUGH THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I KNOW YOU JUST ASKED YOU, BUT AGAIN, WHEN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT THE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF OF WHAT IT'S DONE FOR THOSE FOLKS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE SAVING, THE RETURNS AND ALL OF THOSE, I'M SURE.

SO THE MOST RECENT DATA WE HAVE FOR 2020 FOR FILING SEASON WAS 11,000 CLIENTS OR, WELL, 11,000 TAX RETURNS, I SHOULD SAY. SO OF COURSE, SOME OF THOSE COULD BE FAMILIES OR MULTIPLE CLIENTS IMPACTED IN A HOUSEHOLD.

SO 11,000 TAX RETURNS SUBMITTED AND OVER $10 MILLION IN TAX REFUNDS TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THOSE SUBMISSIONS.

AND YOU MENTIONED THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY WALKING THEM THROUGH. SO SOME OF THE THINGS THESE POLICIES THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN PLACE AND AND ALL OF THE TAX CREDITS AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN PUTTING IN PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT MOST OF THE TIME THEY'RE NOT WATCHING THIS MEETING.

THEY'RE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY HOW THEY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE POLICIES THAT WE'RE PASSING THAT'S ACTUALLY BEING DONE THROUGH A SERVICE LIKE THIS.

RIGHT? YES. SO YOU KNOW, THIS THE BECAUSE THESE TAX PREPARERS ARE CERTIFIED, YOU KNOW, IT ALSO, YOU KNOW, TAX IS OVERWHELMING. I THINK WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO FILE TAXES OR HAVE TO DO THAT.

AND FOR A LOT OF OUR LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS OR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVEN'T HAD AS MUCH EXPOSURE, MAYBE TO THOSE PROCESSES IT CAN BE QUITE INTIMIDATING.

BUT THEY HAVE NOT JUST THE SUPPORT OF THOSE TAX PREPARERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY KIND OF DOING THE SUBMISSION ON THEIR BEHALF.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY CERTIFIED TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM. THEY GO THROUGH THE DOCUMENTS, THEY INPUT THE DATA AND THEY FILE FOR THEM.

BUT BEYOND THAT, THEY ALSO HAVE A LEVEL OF PROTECTION IF THERE IS AN ERROR, BECAUSE IT WAS A CERTIFIED TAX PREPARER. SO THEY CAN GO BACK AND THEY CAN GET HELP.

SO, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, THEY'LL EVEN HELP PEOPLE WHO HAD ERRORS OR HELP PEOPLE WHO NEED TO NEGOTIATE AS WELL.

SO THERE'S THERE'S REALLY A LOT THAT'S GOING ON, BUT THE BULK OF IT IS THIS BIG KIND OF PUSH THROUGH THESE VOLUNTEERS TO DO THIS TAX PREPARATION DURING THIS TAX FILING SEASON IN THE SPRING.

THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SERVICES.

AND THERE ARE MANY MORE THAT WE CAN GO THROUGH. AND I'M HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THIS BECAUSE AGAIN, I CAN APPRECIATE THE BUDGET CRUNCH THAT WE'RE GETTING

[01:35:08]

READY TO WALK INTO. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THAT KEEPS THOSE FOLKS FROM, LIKE YOU SAID EARLIER, SUBJECTING THEMSELVES TO PREDATORY SERVICES, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

I JUST SAW ON THE NEWS EARLIER, YOU GOT PEOPLE CALLING SENIORS TO CONVERT THEIR MONEY TO GOLD SO THAT THEY CAN IN WIPING THEM CLEAN.

SO YOU ON THE ONE HAND, ON ONE HAND, YOU HAVE THE HUSTLERS OUT THERE, AND THEN YOU HAVE US TRYING TO DO WHAT LITTLE WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS. SO AGAIN, I WANT US TO LOOK AT THIS FROM, YES, BUDGET SAVINGS, BUT ALSO FROM A PRACTICAL AND I NEED YOU ALL TO LOOK UP IF YOU IF YOU CARE AND PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT I'M SAYING. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY DO SOME GOOD, BUT ALSO CREATE SAVINGS AT THE SAME TIME, BECAUSE OF THE RETURN AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE PREVENT FROM BEING UNHOUSED.

SO AGAIN, AS WE GO THROUGH THESE CRUCIAL LOOKS, THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT AREN'T OFFICE OF COMMUNITY CARE RELATED THAT DO DESERVE THE SAME LEVEL OF LAND. SO I'M ENCOURAGING YOU ALL TO DO THAT.

AND AS FAR AS THIS ONE IS CONCERNED, JUST EASE UP BECAUSE I SAY WE WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT FACING US.

AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. AND AS WHAT I WOULD CALL ONE OF THE LAST LINES OF DEFENSE IS WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES.

WE OWE IT TO OUR RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THAT CERTAIN SERVICES FOR SUCH A MINIMAL INVESTMENT, THESE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE CAN KEEP IN PLACE TO PROTECT THOSE, BECAUSE A LOT MORE OF US ARE GOING TO NEED IT, QUITE FRANKLY.

THANK YOU. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

AND THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER GRACEY AND ALSO NARVAEZ FOR Y'ALL'S COMMENTS AND AND PASSION.

THIS PROGRAM TO ME IS, IS IS I HAVE UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR IT.

AND I THANK YOU ALL FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS.

I JUST I JUST THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE SPEND ON ESSENTIALLY A ROUNDING ERROR OF OUR BUDGET.

RIGHT. AND I THINK THAT WE LOOK AT RUBBER STAMP VOTES WITH NO CONVERSATION AT ALL WHEN IT COMES TO DOZENS, IF NOT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING TO BIG WEALTHY DEVELOPERS.

THAT'S THE REALITY. THAT'S THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING HERE.

BUT HERE WE ARE PICKING ON THE MOST VULNERABLE.

I JUST DON'T GET IT. WE LOOK AT INVESTMENTS ANY ANYTIME WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT, THE WAY TO MEASURE THAT OR QUANTIFY WHAT IT IS THAT WE ARE DOING AS A CITY IS THE RETURN. AND I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN PUT A VALUE ON THE RETURN OF THE PROTECTION THAT'S PROVIDED FOR A SERVICE LIKE THIS, JUST AS COUNCIL MEMBER GRACEY JUST MENTIONED. I DO AGREE WITH CHAIRMAN WEST, AND IN SAYING THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR PRIVATE SECTOR STEP UP MORE AND HELP FILL IN VOID, IF NOT EVEN HELP INCREASE AND ENHANCE PROGRAMS LIKE THESE SO THAT WE CAN SERVE EVEN MORE PEOPLE. AND I HOPE THAT THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT WE'RE GETTING ACROSS IN THIS DISCUSSION.

NOT THAT THIS IS NOT CRITICAL. THIS IS CRITICAL.

AND WE SHOULD HAVE A CALL OUT TO OUR PRIVATE SECTOR AND TELL THEM THAT THERE IS A NEED AND IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY OR A WILL AND DESIRE FOR US TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN SHAVE SOME OF THE EXPENSE THAT WE HAVE WITH SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL SERVICES.

WE NEED TO DO SO THOUGHTFULLY AND NOT IN THE 11TH HOUR WHEN WE'RE HERE ON THE HORSESHOE.

WE NEED TO DO THAT SITTING DOWN AND FIGURING OUT WHICH LINE ITEMS WE CAN ADDRESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THESE SERVICES DISAPPEAR, BUT WE CAN REALLOCATE OR BETTER UTILIZE OUR OWN RESOURCES IF WE HAVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE TABLE.

I THINK IT'S VERY PREMATURE FOR US TO MAKE ANY DECISION NOW IN THAT REGARD.

BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT WE SHOULD BE PUTTING OUT TO OUR PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY, TO OUR PRIVATE SECTOR, AND REALIZING THAT THERE ARE SOME PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE HAD HISTORICALLY IN OUR CITY AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO OFFER VITAL NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. BUT AS WE GO TO MORE STRAINED ECONOMIC TIMES, WE MAY HAVE TO BE MORE INNOVATIVE AND AND FIGURE OUT NEW WAYS TO FURNISH THESE SAME RESOURCES.

BUT THE END RESULT SHOULD NOT BE THAT THESE RESOURCES GO AWAY.

IT SHOULD JUST BE US RECALIBRATING HOW WE FURNISH THEM.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS STILL A PRIORITY.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS HEAVILY UTILIZED AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR COMMUNITY CENTER.

IT'S ONE THAT IS, AGAIN, A LIFELINE FOR SO MANY DISTRICT SEVEN RESIDENTS.

[01:40:02]

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO PULL THE PLUG ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM.

SO THANK YOU. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN. CHAIRWOMAN. MORENO.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RETURNS, HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW THE CONTRACTOR BUILDS THE CITY.

IS IT BY TIME SPENT OR BY INDIVIDUAL? SORRY. SO THE WAY THAT THEY ALLOCATE THE TIME SO THE WHEN THEY'RE BUILDING THE CITY, IS IT BY.

YEAH, IT'S. YEAH, IT'S BASED ON SERVICES LIKE THE.

SO IT DOESN'T MATTER THE SERVICES TO THE IF IT'S 5000 RESIDENTS OR 15.

YEAH. SO IT'S A IT'S A COST. IT'S A COST OF SERVICE.

IT'S A TRUE COST BASED CONTRACT. IT'S NOT A FEE FOR SERVICE CONTRACT.

IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? YEAH. I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY MEASURES IN PLACE IN HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO TRY TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. YEAH. SO, YEAH, WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE TARGETS THAT THEY SET.

OF COURSE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON.

WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THEY'RE ALLOCATING TIME AND HOW THEY'RE EXPENDING THAT TO THE CITY.

I MEAN, WE LOOK AT IT, WE LOOK AT TIME SHEETS, LIKE WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING WHEN WE'RE REVIEWING BILLING THAT COMES THROUGH.

SO WE'RE ENSURING THAT THE CITY FUNDS ARE SPENT, YOU KNOW, IN THESE IN THESE SITES FOR CITY RESIDENTS, YOU KNOW, IN CITY LOCATIONS TO BENEFIT, YOU KNOW, OUR DALLAS RESIDENTS.

AND ON SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO PRODUCING THE OUTCOMES.

AS FAR AS ACCOUNTABILITY GOES, IT IS ABOUT THEM DELIVERING AGAINST AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE MULTIPLE TARGETS.

SO I'VE TALKED ABOUT THEIR TARGET FOR REACHING THE NUMBER OF FILERS.

BUT OF COURSE THEY ALSO, YOU KNOW, TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY, IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO SET TARGETS AROUND HOW MUCH REFUND YOU'RE GOING TO GET. BUT THEY ALSO DO SET GOALS AND TARGETS AROUND THOSE METRICS AS WELL.

THEY HAVE OPERATIONAL KIND OF METRICS AND TARGETS SUCH AS, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THESE FIVE SITES, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE OPEN CERTAIN DAYS, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF KIND OF OUTREACHES AND ENGAGEMENTS. AND SO WE HAVE INFORMATION ON ALL THAT. BUT AS FAR AS HOW IT'S PAID, IT IS PAID BASED ON THE COST THAT THEY'RE ADMINISTERING AND THOSE WE WE ENSURE THAT THOSE COSTS THAT THEY'RE BILLING US ARE ELIGIBLE AND ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE, TO THE PERFORMANCE. AND WE ALL AGREE THAT IT CAN BE COMPLICATED.

THERE'S A LOT OF PAPERWORK. AND WHAT ARE WE DOING ON THE PREP SIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION SO THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING BACK AND FORTH MULTIPLE TIMES TRYING TO PREPARE SOMETHING.

OR WORSE. SOMEONE GOES IN INITIALLY AND SAYS, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET ANOTHER FORM, BUT THEY DON'T COME BACK. AND SO HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT WE ARE TARGETING EVERYONE THAT APPLIES OR ENGAGES THAT FIRST TIME? YEAH, THAT'S DEFINITELY A CORE WHEN IT COMES TO THE OUTREACH EFFORTS AND THE COMMUNICATIONS AROUND THE PROGRAM.

SO WHEN THEY'RE PUTTING INFORMATION OUT, WHEN THEY'RE DOING DIFFERENT KIND OF ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND SOME OF THE SITES ARE WALK IN AND SOME OF THEM REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS.

AND OF COURSE, WHEN YOU HAVE APPOINTMENTS, YOU CAN ALSO KIND OF COMMUNICATE THAT AT THE TIME OF SCHEDULING, WHAT IS NEEDED. THAT DOES HAPPEN SOMETIMES. THE DOCUMENTATION, OF COURSE, IS PRETTY COMPLICATED, AND PEOPLE MIGHT COME IN THINKING THEY HAVE EVERYTHING.

AND IN FACT, IT'S ALSO KIND OF THE BENEFIT OF HAVING THESE SKILLED PREPARERS IS A RESIDENT MIGHT NOT EVEN THINK, OH, I SHOULD GET THIS. YOU KNOW, THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION FROM MY HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY IS GOING TO HELP ME WITH THIS, OR, YOU KNOW, INFORMATION ON BANKS OR BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, WRITE OFF STUDENT LOANS OR PAYMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

OF COURSE, THERE'S ALSO KIND OF THE STANDARD DEDUCTION, WHICH A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE PROBABLY ELIGIBLE FOR.

BUT SO I DO THINK THAT THAT DOES HAPPEN, BUT THEY THEY DO THEIR BEST TO COMMUNICATE THAT AND OUTREACH WHAT KINDS OF DOCUMENTS THAT THEY NEED TO BRING IN.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A MORE COMPLICATED PREPARATION MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE OF APPOINTMENTS.

AND IS THERE IS IT A REQUIREMENT TO BE A DALLAS RESIDENT? YEAH, FOR OUR PROGRAM IT'S FOR THE RESIDENTS.

YES. OKAY. AND SO YOU MENTIONED ABOUT 11,000 PREVIOUSLY, WHICH IS WHICH IS A GOOD NUMBER.

IF THERE IS AN AUDIT OR IF THERE IS COMPLICATIONS, YOU MENTIONED THAT THE PROVIDER WILL COME BACK AND HELP THAT INDIVIDUAL.

SO WHAT LIABILITY DOES THE CITY HAVE? AND THE RESULT OF A INACCURATE OR DISCREPANCY IN A AUDIT.

SO THEY. SO THE THEY'RE NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT THEY'RE THERE TO HELP THEM IF THEY'RE AUDITED FOR THE SPECIFIC RETURN THAT THEY PRODUCE.

THEY'RE JUST AVAILABLE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP EITHER WAY.

SO IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY THEMSELVES TRIED TO FILE ON THEIR OWN A FEW YEARS AGO.

NEED A CORRECTION? OR MAYBE THEY SKIPPED A YEAR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK THEY NEEDED TO.

OH, YOU KNOW, MY TAXES CAME OUT OF MY CHECK. I DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING.

SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T FILE AT ALL. AND THEN THEY REALIZE, OH, I'M MISSING OUT ON THESE CREDITS.

[01:45:01]

SO IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE NECESSARILY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE SPECIFICALLY IN THOSE CASES, BUT JUST ANY TIME PEOPLE NEED THAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE, THEY CAN ALSO HELP IN THOSE WAYS, ESPECIALLY DURING KIND OF THE THAT YEAR ROUND TIME VERSUS, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW IS OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF FILING GOING ON. SO THEY CAN EVEN HELP SOMEBODY IF THEY MISSED LAST YEAR.

YES, YES. YEAH. SO THE CLIENT ENGAGEMENT, IT'S THE NONPROFIT.

IT'S FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES THAT'S DOING THIS WORK. SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE KIND OF MANAGING THAT.

OF COURSE, WE WORK WITH OUR RISK TEAM AND CEO FOR ANY CONTRACT THAT WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY IS PROTECTED AND THAT THE PROVIDERS HAVE, EXCUSE ME, THAT THE PROVIDERS HAVE THE APPROPRIATE INSURANCE AND ALL OF THAT.

AND SO THAT KIND OF GOES ACROSS THE BOARD AND IS TRUE ALSO WITH THIS PROGRAM.

THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. CHAIRMAN MENDELSOHN, THANK YOU.

I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM FOR THIS YEAR. I WAS HAPPY TO SEE IT WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED AND SENT OUT BY EMAIL TO THE COUNCIL, AND I'VE ALREADY SHARED IT IN MY E-NEWS. THIS IS THE KIND OF PROGRAM THAT ACTUALLY HAS A MULTIPLIER EFFECT FOR PEOPLE AND COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM STAYING HOUSED OR NOT.

PAYING FOR CHILDCARE. THERE WAS A REPORT RECENTLY THAT MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY ARE USING THIS AS THEIR SAVINGS PLAN, WHICH IS TRAGIC BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT BE, BUT IT'S HAPPENING.

AND ALSO TO DEAL WITH SIGNIFICANT CREDIT CARD DEBT.

SO WITHOUT QUESTION, I DIDN'T PULL IT, I SUPPORT THIS, I HAVE RUN THIS PROGRAM IN NONPROFITS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH, AND SO I'M VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF IT. BUT I THINK THAT THE COMMENTS THAT CHAIRMAN WEST BROUGHT UP WERE REALLY WHO'S THE RIGHT VENUE FOR PAYING FOR THIS. AND I THINK THAT'S A VALID QUESTION.

OUR BANKS HAVE A REQUIREMENT THROUGH THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT TO PAY FOR THIS AND DO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

AND WHILE IT IS ONLY $200,000, AND I WILL AGREE THAT WE REGULARLY SPEND MUCH MORE THAN THAT ON THINGS THAT I TRULY DON'T AGREE WITH.

THIS PROGRAM HAS TO HAPPEN. AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD.

BUT I DO THINK THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. LIKE THE SENIOR DENTAL, LIKE THE SENIOR RIDES, WHERE IT'S JUST MAYBE NOT IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

AND SO FOR THAT, I APPRECIATE THAT SOMEBODY BROUGHT IT UP AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE ME. SO SORRY YOU'RE GETTING THE ATTACKS.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION THAT YOU WANT TO SERVE THE LOWEST INCOME PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT AND THE CITY.

SO I WANT TO SAY THAT TO YOU BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ASK QUESTIONS SOMETIMES, AND I KNOW THAT. SO I THINK THE THE REAL CHARGE IS TO ASK OUR CITY MANAGER IF THIS COULD MOVE TO THE COUNTY, IF SOME OF OUR BANKING PARTNERS CAN STEP UP. WE JUST AWARDED A LOT OF MONEY TO JP MORGAN WITH OUR ACCOUNTS AND THEY ARE ALREADY FUNDING IT.

SO EVERY NONPROFIT I'VE WORKED WITH, A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION PAID FOR THIS PROGRAM.

THE OTHER THING I'LL SAY IS THAT THIS IS MONEY THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE ENTITLED TO LIKE.

THEY SHOULD BE GETTING IT, BUT THE REASON THEY'RE NOT IS THEY OFTEN DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TAXES WORK.

AND THAT IS A PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY AND OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM AND FRANKLY, IN OUR FAITH COMMUNITY.

ALL OF THESE COULD BE PARTNERING TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ON HOW TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCIAL LIFE.

AND THEY SHOULD. AND THEN FOR ANYBODY WHO LEAVES CITY COUNCIL AND GOES TO SERVE IN OTHER WAYS, WE NEED AN EASIER TAX SYSTEM. SO MY FATHER WAS A TAX ATTORNEY AND IT'S HORRENDOUS.

SO LET'S PUT SOME OF THE TAX ATTORNEYS OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND AND I HOPE THAT SOME OF YOU WILL MOVE ON AND DO THAT.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WE DO HAVE TO HELP OUR PEOPLE GET THEIR MONEY BACK THAT THEY DESERVE.

AND SO I'M IN FAVOR OF PASSING IT FORWARD THIS YEAR, BUT ALSO ASKING OUR CITY MANAGER TO PLEASE TRY TO DEFRAY THIS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEARS.

THANK YOU. CHAIRWOMAN ARNOLD. THANK YOU. JUST QUICKLY JUST I APPRECIATE THOSE QUESTIONS. AND WE HEAR QUITE OFTEN ABOUT WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE CITY GOVERNMENT, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF DALLAS IS THE GOVERNANCE IS THE CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.

IT'S NOT THE FEDS. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE COUNTY.

IT'S US THAT THEY ARE MORE CLOSELY CONNECTED TO.

NOW, IN THIS CASE, I DO HEAR THE CONCERN ABOUT WHOSE MONEY IS IT? BUT CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU STATE AGAIN FOR THIS YEAR, THIS PROGRAM, THE MONEY IS COMING FROM ARPA.

THAT IS CORRECT. YES, MA'AM. WHERE DOES ARPA ORIGINATE FROM?

[01:50:01]

FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SO IT'S WE THE PEOPLE, THAT'S OUR MONEY.

AND SO ON THIS LEVEL. I THINK AT THIS TIME THEY'RE LOOKING FOR US TO HELP.

I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EXPOUND ON WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE LISTENING TO KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE THESE QUESTIONS.

A FRIEND AND I WERE SPEAKING THIS WEEK ABOUT SOME OF THE BUSINESS THAT WE HANDLE HERE AT THE CITY, AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS SOMETIMES, AND WE AGREE THAT AND THIS IS A NONSTANDARD WORD.

SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND I DO UNDERSTAND THE PROPER TERM THAT YOU ALL ARE WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

BUT IT'S CALLED CONFUSED MEANT YOU CAN LOOK IT UP.

THAT'S WHAT THIS CONVERSATION IS, IS REALLY LOOKING LIKE RIGHT NOW.

TOTAL CONFUSED MEANT NONSTANDARD BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED US THE MOST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE PITCHING THIS BALL BACK AND FORTH. BUT WHAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU IS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NEED WHEN YOU ACTUALLY GET WITH PEOPLE WHO NEED THAT EXTRA INCOME TO PAY A BILL. THAT BLOWS MY MIND TO PAY A BILL WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET A CASH CAR AND THEY'RE DEPENDING, MAYBE IT'S A POSSIBILITY THAT I CAN GET A REFUND.

AND SO GOOD THAT WE ARE PUTTING THEM NOT IN THE HANDS OF VULTURES AND SCAM ARTISTS, THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE CREDENTIALS.

I HAVE A SENIOR AND IT JUST I DIDN'T HAVE THE CASH LAST FRIDAY TO GIVE TO HER, BUT SHE CAME TO A SENIOR SESSION, A CONVERSATION, LOOKING FOR HELP FOR HER LIGHT BILL, HER LIGHT BILL THAT KEEPS BUILDING UP BECAUSE THEY KEEP ADDING TO.

I THINK RIGHT NOW SHE'S TOTAL TOTALED $2,309.35.

SHE NEEDED HELP THAT DAY. SHE SAID, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? EVERY TABLE THAT SHE WENT TO, I THINK IT WAS SENIOR SOURCE AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS.

NO ONE HAD THE HELP, THE CASH, THE PARTNERSHIP.

I DIDN'T HAVE IT THAT DAY. IF I HAD EXTRA FUNDS, I WOULD HAVE.

BUT GUESS WHAT? WE ALSO FIGURED OUT AS SOON AS SHE PAYS THAT BILL, THERE'S ANOTHER BILL COMING THAT IS GOING TO STILL PUT HER IN A BIND. SO WHAT CAN WE DO? WELL, FOR RIGHT NOW, IF SHE COULD GET HER HANDS ON THAT MONEY, POSSIBLY WITH A REFUND, IT COULD AT LEAST REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF STRESS AND CHALLENGES THAT SHE HAS FOR THAT DAY.

SO I WOULD SAY EVERY CHANCE WE GET AS A CITY, AS LONG AS WE UNDERSTAND AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THE DAY ENDS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TAX PAYERS DOLLARS, THE SAME TAXPAYERS THAT PAY THE SALARY OF EACH ONE OF US SITTING AT THIS HORSESHOE. WE ARE THE CLOSEST HEARTBEAT OF GOVERNANCE TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE LOOK AT.

WE LOOK AT THEM WHEN WE GO AND ASK THEM FOR THEIR VOTE SO WE CAN SIT BACK IN THESE CHAIRS.

SO I THINK THAT ANY CHANCE WE CAN GET TO HELP PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY FOLKS WHO ARE HARDEST HIT.

YOU ALL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE SCAMMED OUT OF YOUR DEED.

AND WE'RE SITTING HERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? THIS PERSON NOW BECOMES HOMELESS BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN SCAMMED OUT OF THEIR HOUSE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL DISTRESS.

SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT LIKE THAT AND ASK YOU TO LOOK UP THE NONSTANDARD WORD TODAY OF CONFUSEMENT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THIS CONVERSATION FEELS LIKE TO ME.

BUT IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND YOU KNOW OF A PARTNER AROUND HERE, THAT THROUGH YOUR NETWORKS THAT YOU CAN HELP HER GET THE $2,309.35. MISS CALLAHAN, I'LL BE GLAD TO VISIT WITH YOU IN CONNECTOR TODAY. SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

AND PERHAPS MISS JESSICA THROUGH COMMUNITY CARE, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP HER WITH ONE OF THESE PARTNERS IN PREPARATION FOR HER TAXES.

THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR INDULGING COUNCILMAN RESENDEZ.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THIS ITEM AND COMMUNITY CARE EFFORTS IN GENERAL, AND INFORM OR REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT HOW THIS TIES INTO OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHEN PEOPLE CAN MEET THEIR NEEDS, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO RESORT TO CRIME.

I GREW UP SURROUNDED BY POVERTY IN THE 75217 ZIP CODE OF PLEASANT GROVE, AND I'VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW ECONOMIC DESPERATION CAN PUSH PEOPLE TOWARD ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY TAX ASSISTANCE AND OTHER COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAMS ARE VITAL.

THEY HELP FAMILIES ACCESS BENEFITS THAT THEY'RE ENTITLED TO.

EMPOWERING THEM TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCES WHETHER IT'S PAYING OFF DEBT, SAVING FOR EDUCATION OR SECURING BETTER HOUSING,

[01:55:07]

TAX CREDITS AND ASSISTANCE ARE LIFELINES TO REDUCE ECONOMIC PRESSURES.

THESE PROGRAMS ALSO STRENGTHEN TRUST BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THEIR GOVERNMENT.

WHEN PEOPLE SEE THEIR LEADERS ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THEM, HELPING THEM NAVIGATE COMPLEX SYSTEMS, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE POSITIVELY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CITY SERVICES.

THIS TRUST BUILDS SAFER, STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

THIS ITEM GOES BEYOND JUST TAX FILINGS, AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE I WANT MY TAX DOLLARS TO GO.

AND IT'S WHAT MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS I'VE SPOKEN TO WANT.

SO I STAND FIRMLY BEHIND THIS AND OTHER COMMUNITY FOCUSED EFFORTS BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND BECAUSE IT BENEFITS ALL OF US IN THIS CITY.

THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN GRACEY, THANK YOU AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO REITERATE AND REITERATE THE FACT THAT I DO SUPPORT THIS. AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE CASUALLY THROWING OUT, OH, THE BANKS CAN JUMP IN AND HELP, AND WE'RE CASUALLY THROWING OUT NOW THAT THE BUSINESSES CAN JUMP IN AND HELP. PERHAPS ONCE UPON A TIME. BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THESE SERVICES CAN NO LONGER DEPEND ON OR REALLY TRUST OR HOPE OR SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO THAT LEVEL OF HOPE THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN.

THAT'S RIGHT. WE'RE IN THAT PHASE NOW WHERE WE'RE ASSESSING WHO THESE BUSINESSES ARE.

MANY OF THEM HAVE ALREADY THROWN OUT ALMOST GLADLY, WILLINGLY, QUICKLY.

THEY'VE THROWN OUT THESE DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION PROGRAMS, AND WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT WAYS OF HOW WE CAN REVAMP IT AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR THOSE, THOSE ALLIES NOW THAT ARE WILLING TO, TO PARTICIPATE.

SO THIS IS AGAIN ONE OF THOSE LET'S CAST A NET AND SEE WHO'S WHO'S OUT THERE TO DO IT.

BUT THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THESE PROGRAMS CAN'T DEPEND ON IT.

THEN SOMEBODY MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, CHURCHES SHOULD BE DOING THESE THINGS. AND I MENTIONED CONCORD BECAUSE ONE, THEY HAVE THOSE SERVICES THERE AT CONCORD. MANY OF THEM ARE HARMONY CLIENTS, WHO IS A NONPROFIT OF CONCORD AND HARMONY PROVIDES THE FINANCIAL PATHWAYS, THE FOOD, AS WELL AS THE WORKFORCE AND JOB ACCESS TO WORKFORCE.

SO THERE ARE THESE ECOSYSTEMS THAT ARE OUT THERE SERVING PEOPLE.

THAT'S CONCORD, I'M SURE, FRIENDSHIP WEST. ALL OF THESE CHURCHES HAVE THESE PROGRAMS IN PLACE AND THESE SERVICES IN PLACE.

BUT AGAIN, THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN BARELY SERVICED THROUGH THE THROUGH THESE TYPE OF FUNDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I'M AFRAID THAT'S GETTING JUST MORE AND MORE.

AND I HATE TO HAVE SUCH A PESSIMISTIC LOOK, BUT THIS IS THE REALITY THAT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

SO IT IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE WHERE WE ARE LOOKING FOR BUSINESSES AND ALLIES THAT WILL HELP OUT AND WILLING TO TO HELP SUPPORT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT. SO AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.

AND AND COUNCILWOMAN MENDELSOHN, THE WORD I WAS LOOKING FOR TOO WAS A MULTIPLIER.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE I COULDN'T THINK OF THE WORD. BUT THANK YOU FOR FOR SAYING THAT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MULTIPLIER PROGRAMS. SO THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN NARVAEZ THANK YOU, MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO ADD IN ONE REAL QUICK. THING IS I KEEP HEARING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, MONTHS LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS. LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS, LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS.

LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS. LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS.

LET'S LOOK TO THE BANKS. THE BANKS ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY, AND THE BANKS AREN'T MAKING A TON OF MONEY ANYMORE EITHER, RIGHT NOW. AND THEY'RE THEY'RE HANGING ON TO THEIR MONEY.

SO LET'S BE CAREFUL HOW WE KEEP SAYING THAT, BECAUSE I CAN ONLY TELL THE CITY MANAGER SO MANY TIMES HAVE YOU ASKED THE BANKS AND THE BANKS ARE GOING TO TURN AND LOOK AT YOU AND GO, WE'RE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THE BANK OF DALLAS THAT WAS REOPENED A FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE THE BANK OF DALLAS SHOULD HAVE STAYED CLOSED AND WE CHOSE NOT TO KEEP IT CLOSED, SO WE CAN'T. IF THE BANK OF DALLAS ISN'T CLOSED, ISN'T OPEN ANYMORE, THEN WE'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRADITIONAL BANKS, THAT THEY'RE PROBABLY CLOSED FOR BUSINESS AS WELL RIGHT NOW, SO BE VERY CAREFUL.

HOW MANY TIMES WE KEEP SAYING, LET'S GO TO THE BANKS, LET'S GO TO BIG BUSINESS, LET'S GO TO BUSINESS.

THEY'RE ALL STARTING TO SHUT DOWN WHAT THEY'RE GIVING BACK AND WHAT THEY'RE PUTTING OUT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY SURVIVE AS WELL.

SO BE VERY MINDFUL, COLLEAGUES, BECAUSE THIS NEXT BUDGET IS GOING TO BE TOUGH.

AND THIS NEXT STEP, THIS NEXT GO AROUND IS GOING TO BE HARD.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF HARD, HARD DECISIONS.

BUT RIGHT NOW THIS IS A DECISION THAT I STAND FIRMLY WITH THAT WE SHOULD WE SHOULD INVEST IN.

IT WAS IN OUR BUDGET AND IT'S NOT EVEN USING OUR GENERAL FUND.

IT'S USING OUR ARPA DOLLARS. AND WE NEED TO SPEND THOSE AS WELL.

AND THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND THEM. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN MENDELSOHN. THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S CASUALLY THROWING OUT THE WORD BANKS.

[02:00:01]

THIS IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW THROUGH THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT, WHICH WAS PASSED IN 1977.

IT'S FORMULA FUNDED. THEY DON'T GET TO DECIDE, OH, WE WANT TO GIVE THIS MUCH.

THEY'RE REQUIRED TO GIVE THIS MUCH. I'VE DONE PROGRAMS WHERE I'M ACTUALLY ASKING FOR RESIDUAL CRA DOLLARS.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE NONPROFIT I WAS WITH BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO EXPEND THAT MONEY.

SO IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF GETTING IN THE LIST OF WHAT THEY'RE WILLING TO FUND IN THAT YEAR.

BUT THE CHARGE IS TO PARTICULARLY SERVE UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS AND URBAN AREAS.

WELL, THAT'S US. AND SO WE HAPPEN TO BE A FINANCIAL CAPITAL IN AMERICA AT THIS POINT.

I THINK WE'RE THE NUMBER TWO. AND SO WE DO HAVE A LOT OF BANKS, AND THEY HAVE TO GIVE UP DOLLARS FOR THIS EFFORT.

200,000 SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER. I MEAN, THERE'S LITERALLY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR ECONOMY GOING TO CRA. AND SO THIS IS NOT SOME EXCUSE. IT'S NOT OH, ANOTHER THING, THIS IS LEGITIMATE MONEY THAT'S SITTING OUT THERE FOR THIS PURPOSE THAT WE JUST HAVEN'T GONE AFTER.

SO I HOPE THAT IT'S BEEN CLEAR THAT WE WOULD LIKE OUR MANAGEMENT STAFF TO DO SO.

THANK YOU, CHAIRWOMAN ARNOLD. YES, I KNOW WE'VE BELABOR THE POINT, BUT I COULDN'T HELP IT AT THIS POINT SINCE COUNCILWOMAN MENDELSOHN MENTIONED THAT CRA WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT AS I LISTEN TO, I REALIZE WE'RE JUST KIND OF ROLLING AND ROLLING AND ROLLING.

SO I'M GOING TO BE QUICK SO WE CAN REMAIN GERMANE.

BUT THE BANKS HAVE, BASED ON THE CRA, A AN OBLIGATION TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE DISPARITIES WITH THEIR FUNDING. AND SO WHAT WE KNOW TO BE TRUE IS THAT WE HAVE ISSUES, FOR EXAMPLE, BELOW I-30, WHERE THEY DON'T WANT TO COME. SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS ON ANOTHER DAY.

BUT IF WE CAN GET THIS LITTLE BIT OUT OF THEM, IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.

BUT I WOULD SAY UNTIL WE CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO DO MORE, BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS FUNDING RECYCLING TAX DOLLARS. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHURCHES THAT TAKE MONEY UP ON SUNDAY, THAT SOME OF THEM RIGHT NOW ARE THEIR FUNDS ARE LOW, BUT WHEN THEY TAKE IT UP ON MONDAY, THEY GO TO THE BANK.

I MEAN, SUNDAY THEY GO TO THE BANK ON MONDAY AND CAN'T GET A LOAN ON TUESDAY.

NOT IF YOU'RE BELOW I-30. SO I'LL COME BACK ON THAT ANOTHER DAY.

BUT MY BOTTOM LINE MR. COUNCILWOMAN MENDELSOHN.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP THE CRA BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE CAN GET THEM TO DO MORE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO BENEFIT MORE AS A CITY. BUT DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THAT CRA AND THEN AND THEN LOOK AT THE FACE OF ROBERT PETRIE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN'T DO, THEY DON'T WANT TO DO MORE, ESPECIALLY BELOW I-30.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? WE HAVE A MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? AYES CARRY. NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.

[54. 25-493A 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)]

JUNE, ITEM 54 IS YOUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ITEM.

THERE ARE NO APPOINTMENTS FOR THIS MEETING. AGENDA ITEM 55 IS YOUR CLOSED SESSION ITEM.

THEREFORE, WE'LL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM 56. AGENDA ITEM 56 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ONE A JOINT

[56. 25-755A A resolution authorizing (1) a joint election agreement and election services contract between the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and various other jurisdictions within Dallas County, for the conduct of a joint election to be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $1,033,010.75; (2) legal advertising in connection with the Saturday, May 3, 2025 General Election, in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00; and (3) $300.00 for translation services for publication and posting notices related to the election - Not to exceed $1,183,310.75 - Financing: General Fund]

ELECTION AGREEMENT AND ELECTION SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DALLAS, DALLAS COUNTY AND VARIOUS OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITHIN DALLAS COUNTY FOR THE CONDUCT OF A JOINT ELECTION TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,033,010.75. TWO LEGAL ADVERTISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025 GENERAL ELECTION, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 AND $3,300 FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR PUBLICATION AND POSTING NOTICES RELATED TO THE ELECTION. TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED $1,183,310.75.

THIS IS YOUR ITEM, MR. MAYOR. MOVE! APPROVAL.

WE ARE QUICK TODAY. WE GOT 1130. WE HAD A MOTION AND APPROVAL.

COUNCILWOMAN BLACKMON. THANK YOU. BILIERAE , I KNOW I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO YOUR OFFICE.

IN NOVEMBER, THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WHEN OUR GENERAL ELECTION IN DALLAS COUNTY WAS HAVING.

WHEN WE WERE HAVING OUR ELECTIONS. WHAT ASSURANCES DO WE HAVE THAT THOSE INSTANCES WILL NOT HAPPEN?

[02:05:01]

AND IF THEY DO, ARE WE PREPARED NOT TO PAY THE 1.1 IF THERE ARE ISSUES THAT DO HAPPEN? SO A COUPLE OF THINGS. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

COUNCIL MEMBER. BLACKMON. FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT IS THAT DALLAS COUNTY, THEY THEY DID MOVE FORWARD WITH A NEW VENDOR FOR THEIR ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS, I BELIEVE, DURING THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

THAT WAS THE MAJOR ISSUE DURING THAT ELECTION.

SO ON FEBRUARY 11TH LAST MONTH OR THIS MONTH, THEY DID CONTRACT WITH I BELIEVE IT'S NO INC NOW.

SO THAT'S ONE ASSURANCE THAT DALLAS COUNTY HAS MADE TO ME, TO US, THE CITY OF DALLAS, THAT THEY HOPE TO HAVE CURED THAT ISSUE. AS FAR AS THE CONTRACT. I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT WITH THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT, IT IT'S FOR THE MOST PART IT'S STANDARD, MEANING THAT IF THERE IS A DISPUTE, THEN, YOU KNOW, I WOULD REACH OUT TO OUR CITY AUDITOR, I WOULD MAKE COUNCIL AWARE AND WELL, FIRST I WOULD DISPUTE IT.

THERE IS A OFFICIAL DISPUTE NOTICE THAT HAS TO BE SENT TO THE COUNTY.

THEN I WOULD REACH OUT TO OUR CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO TO REQUEST THEIR SERVICES.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THEIR CRITERIA AND THEY WOULD WORK WITH ME.

BUT THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS CONTRACT AND IT'S POINTED OUT IN 17 C, YOU CAN SEE THE DETAILS THERE WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT THE DISPUTE. NOTICE THAT'S THE SAME. THE AUDITORS IS THE SAME.

BUT IT MENTIONS THAT IF WE DO DISPUTE, WE MUST PROVIDE AND THIS AND IT LISTS MULTIPLE THINGS, I BELIEVE 3 OR 4 THINGS, BUT THE THIRD ONE WAS A METHODOLOGY.

SO WITH THIS CONTRACT, WE WE DO AND WE'VE COMMUNICATED THAT TO DALLAS COUNTY THAT WE DO HAVE.

AND I'M VERY HAPPY WE WORK WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WILLOW SANCHEZ BUT IN OTHER ATTORNEYS. BUT WE'VE ACTUALLY IDENTIFIED OUR OWN METHODOLOGY TO ACCOUNT FOR TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THOSE POLLING LOCATIONS AND PERSONNEL ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD.

BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT WE CALL INTANGIBLE LOSSES, LIKE OUR DISENFRANCHISEMENT, WE WORKED PRETTY WELL WITH WE DEVELOPED, I BELIEVE, A SOUND WHEN WE'VE HAD WE HAVE SHARED THAT WITH DALLAS COUNTY AS WELL.

IN THE EVENT, IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE FINAL BILL.

SO THAT'S COMING TO US IN MAY AND WE MAY MORE THAN LIKELY USED, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD AND AND USE THAT METHODOLOGY.

BUT IT'S IN THERE NOW. IT ALLOWS FOR US TO PROVIDE A METHODOLOGY.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE A VERY SOUND METHODOLOGY THAT WILL IDENTIFY COSTS NOW WITH INTANGIBLE LOSSES AND INTANGIBLE LOSSES.

SO THAT'S THE ASSURANCE I CAN PROVIDE YOU GUYS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN SPEAKING, SO I JUST WANTED TO ANYWAY.

BUT I AM SO SORRY, BUT THE BUT THE QUESTION I DO HAVE TO IS YES, METHODOLOGY DOES MATTER.

AND SO JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN AGAIN, IT MAY NOT, BUT BE PREPARED.

AND ALSO TO JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE SERVICE THAT WE NEED FROM DALLAS COUNTY REGARDING OUR ELECTIONS.

BECAUSE I DO KNOW THERE WAS SOME INSTANCES IN NOVEMBER AND OCTOBER, NOT BECAUSE IT WAS A DIFFERENT WE WEREN'T PART OF IT.

I MEAN, IT WAS OUR ELECTION, BUT BUT WE WEREN'T REALLY.

IT WAS. THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF HAPPENING. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A A PROCESS IN WHICH TO CURE IT IF THAT COMES.

AND THEN SECONDLY, ARE YOU ALL PLANNING TO GO THROUGH EACH.

ARE YOU ALL PLANNING TO GO LOOK AT HOW THE. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE WORD IS CALLED, BUT WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE BALLOTS, YOU BASICALLY IT'S NOT. IT'S THEY THEY GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY BALLOT LOOKS PROPER AND EVERYTHING'S WORKING CORRECTLY.

ABSOLUTELY, YES. I BELIEVE THAT'S IN MARCH. WE WILL ACTUALLY GO AND TEST OUT THE MACHINES.

YES, THE MACHINES AND AND THE BALLOTS, ONCE THEY PROGRAM THAT, THEY WANT TO HAVE A LAWYER OR A AUDITOR GO WITH JUST TO MAKE SURE TO AGAIN, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS, IS REALLY TIGHT. BECAUSE AGAIN, IT WAS THE FIRST TWO DAYS LAST YEAR OF EARLY VOTING WAS A MESS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT Y'ALL ARE AWARE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WE GET WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR AND THAT WHAT WE EXPECT IN OUR ELECTIONS, WE'LL DO. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT'S NOTED WE WILL BRING OUR AUDITOR OUT AND I WILL ASK SOMEONE, THE ATTORNEY TO COME AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN RIDLEY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I THINK WE WERE. AT LEAST I WAS ALARMED AT THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHICH DISENFRANCHIZED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THIS POLL BOOK PROBLEM FROM THE VENDOR.

AND SO I NOTE THAT YOU HAVE REFERRED TO TERMS IN THIS NEW CONTRACT TO ADDRESS INTANGIBLE LOSSES

[02:10:07]

BY THE CITY. CERTAINLY, DISENFRANCHIZING A VOTER IS A SERIOUS MATTER, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO QUANTIFY WHAT MONETARY DAMAGES FLOW FROM THAT.

AND SO I'M WONDERING IF YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATING A LIQUIDATED DAMAGES CLAUSE TO APPLY IN THAT SITUATION? COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THAT LIQUIDATED DAMAGE CLAUSE.

THE REASON THEN IS ONE. THE COUNTY WASN'T COMFORTABLE IN IDENTIFYING A COST UP FRONT. IN THE EVENT KIND OF PRIOR TO THE ELECTION EVEN HAPPENING.

BUT WHAT WE DID AND THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER REASON WHY, IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS CONTRACT WE'RE IT'S 35 ENTITIES ON THIS CONTRACT. AND SO PLACING THAT TYPE OF LANGUAGE IN THE CONTRACT WOULD APPLY TO ALL AND HAVE TO AND IT WOULD REQUIRE ALL OF THE ENTITIES BUYING INTO THAT. SO WHAT AGAIN WHAT WE DID SETTLE ON IS THAT METHODOLOGY THAT'S IN THAT SECTION THERE.

AND IT ALLOWS ANY OF THE ENTITIES TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN SOUND METHODOLOGY.

BUT WE HAVE OURS AND IT IT SHOULD IDENTIFY THOSE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN THAT METHODOLOGY THAT WE HAVE.

AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO GO OVER THAT WITH YOU LATER.

SO YOU CAN SEE THAT. SO THAT METHODOLOGY DOES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE MAY HAVE A CLAIM IF PEOPLE ARE DISENFRANCHIZED IN THIS ELECTION.

ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN WILLIS.

THANK YOU. SO IN THE LAST ELECTION, ONE THING THAT WE SAW WAS IT'S NOT SO MUCH IT WASN'T NECESSARILY THE HARDWARE.

IN SOME CASES, IT WAS THE HUMAN FACTOR. AND THAT GETS DOWN TO TRAINING BECAUSE WE HAD DALLAS ITEMS SHOWING UP ON OUTLYING CITY BALLOTS AND THAT PEOPLE VOTED ON. AND SO YOU KNOW, PRESSING PRINT MULTIPLE TIMES GENERATED MULTIPLE BALLOTS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A FAILURE IN TRAINING.

AND THEN THERE WAS A SUBSEQUENT FAILURE WHICH WAS FAILING TO CHECK THE PRECINCT NUMBERS, BECAUSE EVEN IF THAT MACHINE GENERATED MULTIPLE YOU KNOW, IF IT PRINTED MULTIPLE BALLOTS, YOU COULD IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN SEEN THAT THIS YOU KNOW, ALL OF THESE BALLOTS DON'T MATCH UP TO THE VOTERS THAT WERE COMING IN BEHIND THEM.

SO WHAT KIND OF PROVISION DO WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT SORT OF THING IS FOLLOWED THROUGH ON AND CARRIED OUT BETTER? BECAUSE EVEN WHEN I CALLED MR. GARCIA, HE WAS LIKE, OH YEAH, WE TRAINED THEM, BUT WE NEED IT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO TRAIN THEM BETTER OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINE. AND I THOUGHT, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE ELECTIONS GOING ON. SO COWS ARE OUT OF THE PEN ON THIS ONE.

SO WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME. SO IN MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH DALLAS COUNTY, THEY ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE BETTER COMMUNICATIONS, WHICH IS IT'S KIND OF BURIED IN THE CONTRACT.

BUT THEY THEY HAVE ALWAYS HAD A RESPONSIBILITY ON NOTIFYING ENTITIES OF ANY ISSUES.

ALMOST INSTANTLY. SO THEY'VE ASSURED BETTER COMMUNICATION.

I THINK IT WAS A TURNOVER NOT TRYING TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR THEM, BUT A TURNOVER IN THEIR ADMINISTRATION AS WELL.

SO SOME OF THAT. BUT THEY ASSURED BETTER COMMUNICATION.

I CAN ASSURE YOU WE'VE NOTIFIED, WE'VE DOCUMENTED AND NOTED ALL OF THE ERRORS THAT HAVE HAPPENED.

SO WE'RE WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MORE WATCHFUL AS WELL.

AND ALSO IN THE CONTRACT, THEY DID INCLUDE EXPLAINING MORE OF OF THE ISSUES THAT HAPPENED.

I KNOW THEY HAVE A HOTLINE, THEY HAVE THINGS IN PLACE.

THEY JUST DIDN'T USE IT IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

SO AGAIN, WE'VE NOTED THAT. AND AND WE ARE GOING TO BE VERY WATCHFUL GOING FORWARD.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN ARNOLD. THANK YOU.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR SOME OF THESE COMMENTS ON RECORD.

THE QUESTION I WOULD HAVE FOR YOU, CITY SECRETARY, HAVE WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER JOHN WILEY PRICE, OR HAS HE PRESENTED ANY INFORMATION OF CONCERNS TO YOU ON THIS MATTER.

I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY. ALL RIGHT. SO I KNOW THAT.

AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO CATCH HIM. CATCH HIM NOW? I SHOULD HAVE, BUT I THINK THERE WAS SOME ACTION THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE REGARDING THOSE I GUESS THE WHOLE ELECTION IN TERMS OF JUST WHAT SOME OF WHAT WE'RE DESCRIBING TODAY.

SO BUT WITHOUT ME HAVING THAT CONVERSATION IN FRONT OF ME IN TERMS OF MY NOTES, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I ASKED YOU THAT QUESTION.

SO WHEN I FOLLOW UP WITH HIM, I CAN DETERMINE JUST WHERE HIS CONCERNS WERE AND WHAT THEIR NEXT STEPS WOULD BE IF INDEED HE BROUGHT THAT UP TO THE COURT.

[02:15:02]

BUT I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE ARE AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ON THE RECORD HERE TODAY AS IT SPEAKS TO THE ELECTION.

AND WE ARE SPEAKING OF THE NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION.

IS THAT WHAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF? THE SECRETARY WELL, THAT'S THE QUESTION AND SOME OF THE ISSUES, BUT IT'S RELATED. IT'S IT'S KIND OF PREPARATION FOR OUR FOR THE MAY 3RD.

RIGHT. THIS UPCOMING MAY 3RD. THAT'S THAT'S THE ITEM.

BUT I SO THAT WE DON'T REPEAT. SO WE ARE AWARE OF CORRECT AND CAN KIND OF DO SOME TROUBLESHOOTING AHEAD OF TIME.

CORRECT. SO I APPRECIATE BUT MOST OF ALL I'LL LEAVE BY SAYING THIS.

I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM CONTINUES TO DO TO STRENGTHEN JUST THE WHOLE ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY FROM OUR SIDE. AND SO WE KNOW THAT WE ASK YOU A LOT OF QUESTIONS, AND WE TRY TO PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON YOU.

CAN WE HAVE THIS ELECTION THIS MONTH? CAN WE HAVE IT NEXT MONTH? AND IS IT FEASIBLE.

BUT YOU HANDLE YOURSELF VERY PROFESSIONALLY AND YOU HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE.

AND WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING IN THE NEXT COMING DAYS AND WEEKS, ALONG WITH YOUR STAFF. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT AS IT IS IN THIS CONTRACT THE DALLAS COUNTY HAS 180 DAYS TO GET US THAT FINAL BILL. SO WE STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED NOVEMBER'S YET AND WE MAY TEST OUR NEW METHODOLOGY OUT. SO THANK YOU. AND NO ONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? EYES CARRIES. NEXT ITEM, MADAM SECRETARY.

THANK YOU. YOUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS AGENDA ITEM 57.

[57. 25-756A A resolution authorizing a joint election agreement and election services contract between the City of Dallas, Collin County, and various other jurisdictions within Collin County, for the conduct of a general election to be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 - Not to exceed $25,000.00 - Financing: General Fund]

GEN ITEM 57 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT AND ELECTION SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DALLAS, COLLIN COUNTY, AND VARIOUS OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITHIN COLLIN COUNTY FOR THE CONDUCT OF A GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025, NOT TO EXCEED $25,000. THIS IS YOUR ITEM, MR. MAYOR. SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

NEXT ITEM, MADAM SECRETARY. YOUR NEXT ITEM IS AGENDA. ITEM 58 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A JOINT ELECTION AGREEMENT AND ELECTION SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DALLAS,

[58. 25-757A A resolution authorizing a joint election agreement and election services contract between the City of Dallas, Denton County, and various other jurisdictions within Denton County, for the conduct of a special election to be held Saturday, May 3, 2025 - Not to exceed $18,000.00 - Financing: General Fund]

BETWEEN THE CITY OF DALLAS, DENTON COUNTY AND VARIOUS OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITHIN DENTON COUNTY FOR THE CONDUCT OF AN ELECTION TO BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025, NOT TO EXCEED $18,000.

DEBATE. AND DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY, BEFORE WE MOVE FROM THIS ITEM, I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE A CORRECTION.

IT SAYS SPECIAL ELECTION. IT SHOULD SAY GENERAL ELECTION.

AGENDA ITEM 59 IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO APPOINT AN AD HOC CITY COUNCIL CANVASING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE THE RETURNS OF THE

[59. 25-758A A resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint an Ad Hoc City Council Canvassing Committee to review the returns of the Saturday, May 3, 2025 general election, and submit a canvass report to the full City Council on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

SATURDAY, MAY 3RD, 2025 GENERAL ELECTION AND SUBMIT A CANVASS REPORT TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14TH, 2025. THIS IS YOUR ITEM. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? IN. IN THE DISCUSSION. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY. AGENDA ITEM 60 IS A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO REVISE THE STAFFING GOALS.

[60. 25-801A A resolution directing the city manager to revise the staffing goals to increase the number of new police officers from 250 to 325 for fiscal year 2024-2025, with the number increasing to 350 new police officers in fiscal year 2025-2026 and 400 new police officers in fiscal year 2026-2027, and to present City Council with appropriate budget amendments - Financing: Cost consideration to be determined (see Fiscal Information)]

TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS FROM 250 TO 325 FOR FISCAL YEAR 20 2425, WITH THE NUMBER INCREASING TO 350 NEW POLICE OFFICERS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 THROUGH 2026, AND 400 NEW POLICE OFFICERS IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 2027, AND TO PRESENT CITY COUNCIL WITH APPROPRIATE BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

YOU DO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, DAMIEN LEVESQUE.

SO. YOU WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES. YOU MAY BEGIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOUR MICROPHONE.

THERE'S A BUTTON AT THE BASE OF THAT MICROPHONE.

THERE YOU GO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY NAME IS DAMIEN LEVESQUE.

60 215 GEORGIAN COURT, DALLAS, TEXAS. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DALLAS HERO COUNCIL.

MEMBERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY, AND I'M GREATLY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO OUR CITY.

BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY AND DISCUSSION AROUND PROPOSITION YOU AND CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD CAUSE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS AND FORCE THE CITY

[02:20:01]

TO SHUTTER AND CUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES. NOW THE PROPOSITION HAS PASSED, I'D LIKE TO SHIFT THE CONVERSATION TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION.

DURING LAST WEEK'S POLICE HIRING BRIEFING, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT RAISING THE GOAL FOR POLICE STAFFING FROM 250 TO 300 WOULD NOT BE FEASIBLE. AND WE HEARD CHIEF HUGO'S COMMENTS, AND I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR CONCERNS COME FROM.

I ALSO HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR THE EXPERTISE OF THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HOWEVER, PROPOSITION TWO MAKES IT CLEAR THAT DALLAS VOTERS EXPECT US TO REACH A STAFFING GOAL OF 4000 OFFICERS.

THIS IS NOT JUST A POLICY RECOMMENDATION. THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF OUR CITY CHARTER NOW.

SO TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, WE MUST SET HIRING TARGETS THAT WILL GET US TO 4000 OFFICERS IN 3 TO 5 YEARS.

A HIRING PLAN THAT DOES NOT DO THIS DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE EXPECTATION OF THE VOTERS THAT YOU SERVE.

EVEN THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, IT WAS AGAINST PROPOSITION.

YOU RECENTLY WROTE IN AN EDITORIAL, QUOTE, IF THE DEPARTMENT HIRES 300 OFFICERS PER YEAR AND LOSES 190, THE FORCE WILL GROW TO 3562 BY THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2028, ACCORDING TO DPD.

THAT'S STILL FAR SHORT OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT BY THE CHARTER AMENDMENT VOTERS PASSED IN NOVEMBER.

IF HIRING FASTER ISN'T FEASIBLE RIGHT NOW, THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT SOME WAY THAT IS.

SO RATHER THAN SEEING THIS AS AN OBLIGATION, I'D LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A SAFER CITY, AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A MORE WELL-STAFFED POLICE FORCE THAT WILL REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES, TAKE PRESSURE OFF OF OUR OFFICERS, AND INCREASE ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.

NOW, I KNOW THAT HIRING 400 OFFICERS IN A YEAR MIGHT SEEM LIKE A CHALLENGE.

I'VE GOT THREE LITTLE KIDS AND THEY OFTEN TELL ME THEY CAN'T DO SOMETHING, AND I TELL THEM, YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS COUNCIL AND THIS CITY CAN DO THIS HARD THING.

THE WAY WE HAVE TO DO THIS IS BY JUST GETTING CREATIVE THINKING, INNOVATIVE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, HIRING OUTSIDE HELP FOR TRAINING, HIRING RESERVE OFFICERS, OFFICERS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IMPROVING OUR POLICE PAY SO THAT THAT'S ON PAR WITH LOCAL WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

THE PEOPLE OF DALLAS SPOKE VERY CLEARLY ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY EXPECT RESULTS.

NOW, AS PUBLIC SERVANTS, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS, AND THAT OFTEN MEANS WORKING THROUGH CHALLENGES. BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER, GETTING CREATIVE, COLLABORATING, THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT PROPOSITION YOU WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN OUR CITY.

I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH ALL OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY TO DISCUSS THIS IN THAT WAY AND GET CREATIVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

MR. MAYOR, THIS IS YOUR ITEM. MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND. SECOND. MISS MENDELSOHN, FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. IN AUGUST 2023, I WAS THE NEWLY APPOINTED PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR, AND THE MAYOR ASKED THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE THE HIRING OF MORE POLICE OFFICERS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY AND ADD TO THE STAFFING LEVEL INSTEAD OF SHRINKING EACH YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

WE HAD GONE FOR YEARS WITH MORE OFFICERS LEAVING THAN WERE HIRED, AND WITH THE DEPARTMENT NOT MEETING ITS ANNUAL HIRING GOAL.

AS WE SET OUT EACH MONTH, THE COMMITTEE HEARS THE RECRUITING AND RETENTION REPORT AS OUR FIRST AGENDA ITEM.

WE'VE REQUESTED AND ARE PRESENTED WITH A LOT MORE DATA THAN EVER BEFORE ABOUT RECRUITING AND RETENTION.

A DIFFERENT RECRUITING TEAM IS NOW IN PLACE, AND WE'VE SALUTED BOTH THEIR LEADERSHIP OF CHIEF HERRERA OF MAJOR ASHFORD, AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUAL RECRUITERS WHO ARE DOING THIS WORK.

I'VE PERSONALLY TRAVELED WITH THE TEAM OUT OF STATE TO A RECRUITING EVENT SO I COULD SEE EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

WE'VE ADDED BANNERS FOR RECRUITING AT POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

OUR COMMITTEES CHAMPIONED A NEW RECRUITING AND RETENTION BONUS AND SUPPORTED A SICK PAY BUYBACK PROGRAM.

WE'VE CHALLENGED COMMAND STAFF SINCE THE START OF THE FISCAL YEAR TO EXCEED OUR HIRING GOAL OF 250.

AND THEY'VE CONFIRMED FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN HIRE 300 NEW OFFICERS.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE VOTER PROPOSITION, YOU IN NOVEMBER, CALLING FOR NEARLY 900 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, DESPITE FORMER MAYORS, DALLAS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL SITTING AROUND THIS HORSESHOE SAYING, DO NOT VOTE FOR IT. AND EVEN THE DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION SAYING, DO NOT VOTE FOR IT.

THE VOTERS STILL APPROVED IT. IN FACT, IT PASSED EVEN WITH INTENSE MEDIA COVERAGE AND $1 MILLION CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT.

THERE IS A FORMER MAYOR CALLING IT CHOCOLATE COVERED RAT POISON.

A COUNCIL MEMBER SAYING WE'D HAVE TO SHUT DOWN ALL THE LIBRARIES AND PARKS IN THE CITY, AND LEADERS SAYING CITY STAFF LEADERS SAYING THERE'D BE CONSEQUENCES THAT WOULD BE DIRE AND DEVASTATING TO THE BUDGET. BUT THE PEOPLE STILL SAID, WE WANT MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

[02:25:02]

THE RESULT SHOULD BE A WAKE UP CALL TO ALL OF US THAT OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES HAVE A DIFFERENT PRIORITY.

THEY KNOW RESPONSE TIMES ARE TOO LONG, AND THEY'RE DEMANDING US TO ACT TO MAKE DALLAS A SAFER CITY.

I HEAR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE CITY ASKING US, WE NEED MORE COPS.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN? WELL, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HAVE MORE POLICE IS IF WE ACTUALLY HIRE THEM.

IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED. THIS DIRECTIVE FROM THE VOTERS COMES ON THE HEELS OF FOUR YEARS OF CRIME REDUCTION, WHICH BROUGHT US BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS OF CRIME.

IT GREATLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WE HAVE EACH YEAR.

HOWEVER, CRIME REDUCTION ISN'T CRIME ELIMINATION AND OUR CRIME RATE REMAINS TOO HIGH.

CRIME CAN BRING FEAR TO A CITY THAT CAN DEVASTATE FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND OUR CITY'S FUTURE.

IF YOU RECALL, BEFORE COVID, WE WERE DEALING WITH UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF CRIME AND THAT'S BACK WHERE WE ARE.

IT'S A WIN TO HAVE HAD THIS REDUCTION, BUT IT HAS TO BE JUST THE START.

PRE-COVID, WE WERE DEMANDING CRIME PLANS AND TASK FORCE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND WE HAVE WE HAD MORE OFFICERS THEN THAN WE DO TODAY.

CURRENTLY, WE SEE DAY AFTER DAY THAT WE STILL HAVE FAR TOO MANY DEVASTATING AND TRAGIC CRIMINAL INCIDENTS.

OUR OFFICERS ARE WORKING A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF OVERTIME HOURS AND THAT COST IS AT A RECORD LEVEL.

OUR CURRENT LOW STAFFING LEVELS ARE BURNING OUT OUR POLICE OFFICERS AT EVERY RANK.

THIS RESOLUTION HONORS THE MAYOR'S DIRECTIVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS, RESPECTS THE VOTERS WHO TOLD US LOUDLY AND CLEARLY, THEY WANT MORE POLICE OFFICERS THROUGH PROP YOU AND OUR ANNUAL SURVEY, AND THEY WANT A BUDGET CHANGE TO REFLECT THAT GOAL.

AND IT PUSHES THE COMMAND STAFF AT DPD TO RETHINK HOW RECRUITING AND TRAINING IS ACCOMPLISHED.

LIKE PRIOR YEARS, PERHAPS THEY WON'T ACTUALLY MEET THE GOAL OF 325.

BUT I WANT TO SEE THEM DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO TRY.

I WANT TO SUPPORT THEM IN TRYING TO REACH THAT.

325 HIRING GOAL AND REVISING THEIR WORK PLAN AND BUDGET TO ACHIEVE IT.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO BACK AND CREATIVELY CONSIDER ALL ASSETS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO RETURN TO A HIGHER LEVEL YOU HAVE ACHIEVED IN PRIOR YEARS.

IN THE SAME EXACT ACADEMY BUILDING, DPD COMMAND STAFF HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THEY NEED A STAFFING LEVEL OF AT LEAST 3600 OFFICERS, WHICH IS ABOUT 450 MORE THAN WE HAVE TODAY. SO WHILE IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO MOVE THAT GOAL TO 325, AS WE JUST HEARD, YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS AND YOU PROVE THAT TO US EVERY SINGLE DAY.

MAYOR, I REQUEST A RECORD VOTE. THANK YOU. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BIZOR.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. I, APPRECIATE THE MONOLOGUE THAT WE'VE JUST HEARD, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE'D BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T CALL OUT THE POLITICS THAT ARE EXISTING HERE.

WE WE HAVE ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TO BE USED AS A POLITICAL TALKING POINT.

AND TO ME, WHAT WE'RE FAILING TO DO IS ACTUALLY RESPECT AND HONOR THE CLEAR DIRECTION THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE GIVEN US.

I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY UPSETTING TO SEE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT BE THROWN INTO AS INTO A DISCUSSION AS POLITICAL PAWNS.

AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS IS. I HAVE LISTENED NOW FOR FIVE YEARS WITH MY COLLEAGUE WHO CHAIRS PUBLIC SAFETY, WHO HAS EXPRESSED BEING AN EXPERT BEYOND THAT OF THE EXPERTS THAT ARE HIRED TO DO THE JOBS THAT WE HAVE THEM IN.

AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS OUR JOB, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO UNILATERALLY MICROMANAGE THE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR CAREERS TO THE FIELDS THAT WE HAVE THEM HIRED IN. WHEN I HAVE AN INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE THAT IS NOT ONLY DOING AN AMAZING JOB AND AND REALLY CONTINUING A HIGH LEVEL MORALE OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS SET HIM UP FOR FAILURE.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD NOT LIKE TO DO IS TO THROW HIM INTO THE MIX OF BEING A POLITICAL PAWN. I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO SAY IT.

I'VE HAD PLENTY OF CONFLICT WHEN IT COMES TO THE POLICE.

LET'S NOT IGNORE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. BUT I ALSO HAVE ALWAYS, EVEN WHEN LABELED, THE ONE WHO HATES THE POLICE,

[02:30:01]

MAKE IT A POINT TO SPEAK TO THOSE IN THESE POSITIONS AND IN THE DEPARTMENT.

IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THIS THOUGHTFUL PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED AT PUBLIC SAFETY WAS DONE SO COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN SAY IN THE SAME BREATH THAT WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE, BUT WE'RE WILLING TO GO OVER THEIR HEAD AND SAY THAT WE KNOW MORE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE EXPRESSED.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ A STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION, JAIME CASTRO.

HE SENT IT THIS MORNING AND ASKED FOR IT TO BE READ ON RECORD.

I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ALL ARE ALL TRYING OUR BEST TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMING INTO COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT THE VOTERS ASKED.

IN THE VOTED PROPOSITIONS, 325 IS OBTAINABLE OF INDIVIDUALS TO TRAIN, BUT IT WILL REQUIRE AN ACADEMY RUNNING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITH UNLIMITED OVERTIME. SAYING THIS, I BELIEVE IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE ACTUAL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TRAINING OUR CADETS IN THE ACADEMY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY SPACE AND EQUIPMENT READILY AVAILABLE TO HIT EVERY GOAL WE SET FORTH TO ACCOMPLISH.

I BELIEVE A DISCUSSION SHOULD BE HAD WITH ACADEMY STAFF ABOUT THIS, AND TOGETHER TO SET GOALS THAT WE ARE ALL COMFORTABLE WITH ACCOMPLISHING. THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A RESPONSIBLE OR PRUDENT WAY FOR US TO OPERATE. IN FACT, I DON'T SEE US DIGGING INTO THE STAFFING LEVELS OF ANY DEPARTMENT, QUITE FRANKLY, AND I BELIEVE THAT TO BE A BUDGETARY CONVERSATION WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT OUR ROLE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE, IS TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT.

WE'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR WHEN PASSING THE BUDGET THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY IN, JUST LIKE WE HAVE EVERY BUDGET SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS COUNCIL, THAT IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS THAN WHAT HAS BEEN BUDGETED, THAT WE HAVE UNEQUIVOCALLY GIVEN OUR SUPPORT, WE HAVE COMMITTED OUR SUPPORT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS FEASIBLE, GOING UP FROM 250 OFFICERS THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THIS FISCAL YEAR'S BUDGET TO 300 IS A A STRETCH ALREADY. SO I'D LIKE TO TALK TO CHIEF IGOE AND ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THE 300 NUMBER THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM YOU NOW MULTIPLE TIMES.

THANK YOU. BILLY. HI, CHIEF. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE EXPRESSED 300 TO BE A MORE OBTAINABLE GOAL, AND THAT'S STILL INCREASING BY 50.

BEFORE I JUST ASK YOU TO KIND OF ELABORATE ON THAT, I'D LIKE TO ASK CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY MORE CLASSES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO TO HOST WITHIN THIS FISCAL YEAR? ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER, INTERIM CHIEF, DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO WE STARTED OFF THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH A HIRING GOAL OF 250.

AND THROUGH CONVERSATIONS IN THIS FORUM, PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM, THAT NEEDLE GOT MOVED TO 300.

AND WE STARTED CHANGING TO MOVE THAT NEEDLE AS WELL.

WE UNDERSTAND THE STAFFING THAT'S NEEDED ON THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT AT THE 250 THAT THAT AVERAGE, THOSE METRICS LOOKED LIKE TO BE 39 PER CLASS.

IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE HAD ALREADY HIRED THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS 133, WE HAVE 167 BODIES, RECRUITS THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO FILL IN THE NEXT THREE CLASSES AT 300. THAT'S THAT'S ROUGHLY 55 MORE RECRUITS WE WOULD HAVE TO HIRE IF WE MOVE THAT NEEDLE TO TO 325.

WE'RE LOOKING AT 64, 65 PER CLASS. I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.

MY TEAM IS WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO FILL RECRUIT CLASSES.

IF IT WERE AS SIMPLE AS SNAPPING MY FINGERS TO GET THE RECRUITS IN, WE WOULD DO THAT IN A HEARTBEAT.

BUT THERE'S RECRUITING. THERE'S FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE THAT ARE COMING TO THE ON SITE, AND IT TAKES TIME.

AND AND LOOK SINCE I'VE SAT IN THIS POSITION SINCE LAST OCTOBER.

I DID NOT DO IT AS A PLACEHOLDER. I DID IT WITH THE INTENT OF MOVING THIS DEPARTMENT, MOVING THIS CITY FORWARD,

[02:35:01]

AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. OUR CRIME RATE TODAY.

WHICH WE'RE GOING INTO NOW, THE FIFTH YEAR OF CRIME RATE REDUCTIONS.

IS HOVERING AROUND 15% REDUCTION IN VIOLENT CRIME.

THAT COMES AT THE HEELS OF THE HARD WORK OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS DEPARTMENT.

BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH A BALANCED APPROACH FROM MY END TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE BALANCE EMPLOYEE STAFFING ACROSS ALL AREAS OF THE DEPARTMENT. MOVING THE NEEDLE TO 325 MEANS ME MOVING CRITICAL RESOURCES OUT OF THE PATROL BUREAU.

WITH THE THOUGHT OF INCREASED RESPONSE TIMES AND INCREASE IN CRIME OVERALL.

AND ALL I'VE ASKED SINCE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL COMMITTEES IS THAT IF WE MOVE THE MARK, GIVE US TIME TO GET THOSE RESOURCES IN PLACE WHERE IT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU CHIEF. AND STAY PUT. I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO BE NEEDED DURING THIS ITEM.

CITY MANAGER, DO YOU MIND EXPLAINING TO ME? YOU KNOW, ASIDE FROM THE NATURE OF THIS RESOLUTION BEING NOTHING OTHER THAN PERFORMATIVE HAPPENSTANCE IN ELECTION SEASON? DOES THIS PROHIBIT US FROM MOVING PAST THE NUMBER THAT IS DESIGNATED IN THE RESOLUTION? AND IS THERE ANY ACTUAL FISCAL NOTE TO THE COUNCIL ACTION THAT'S BEING REQUESTED HERE TODAY? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR QUESTION, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF FOR THE RESPONSE THAT HE JUST PROVIDED.

AND I KNOW LAST WEEK WE HAD A PRETTY EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION AROUND THIS HORSESHOE ABOUT THIS VERY SAME TOPIC.

THE ONE THING THAT I WANT TO SAY IS THAT WE HAVE NEVER USED OUR BUDGETED NUMBER AS A CEILING, AND I'VE SAID THAT REPEATEDLY, THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT IF WE'RE ABLE TO TO EXCEED THAT HIRING NUMBER THAT'S IN THE BUDGET, THEN THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

AND EVEN WITH THE NUMBER OF WHETHER IT'S 300 OR 325, WE WILL NOT STOP JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A NUMBER GIVEN AROUND THIS HORSESHOE.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT, NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR RESIDENTS, WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE AND WE'RE WORKING ON IT.

WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, AND WHICH IS WHAT THE CHIEF HAS COMMUNICATED QUITE EXTENSIVELY, IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO RAMP UP EFFECTIVELY, AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR ENDING.

AND SO WE'RE GOING INTO THE MONTH OF MARCH IN JUST A FEW DAYS.

AND SO WE WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL. WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TO EXCEED ALL OF THE GOALS AROUND HIRING.

AND THIS TEAM HAS COMMITTED TO IT, AND THEY'RE DOING THE WORK NOW.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE FROM A CAPACITY STANDPOINT THAT WE'RE NOT THEN CAUSING MORE OF A OF A, I WOULD SAY, OF A NEGATIVE OUTCOME. SO I HOPE THAT ANSWERED THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION.

ON THE SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION, IN THE BRIEFING THAT WE SHARED WITH YOU LAST WEEK, WE ACTUALLY BEGAN THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH SOME FUNDING THAT WE THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THAT WE DON'T HAVE, AND WE ENDED UP WITH ADDITIONAL HIRES THAT WE DID NOT PLAN, WHICH MEANS THAT WE WERE ALREADY AT ABOUT A $5 MILLION DEFICIT IN THE NUMBERS THAT WE SHOWED YOU LAST WEEK TO GET TO 300.

I THINK IT'S ROUGHLY 10 MILLION. AND THEN TO GO UP TO 325 IS ROUGHLY 12.3 MILLION.

MY COMMITMENT IS AND I'VE ALREADY DEMONSTRATED THAT WHEN WE BROUGHT YOU THE THE REDEVELOPMENT CONVERSATION AROUND THE ARPA DOLLARS, WE'VE ALREADY SAID THAT $7.7 MILLION ASIDE, I WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND THE TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE HIRING GOALS THAT THIS COUNCIL IS DISCUSSING TODAY, THAT WE WILL HAVE THOSE RESOURCES TO DO IT.

WE ARE ALREADY WORKING THROUGH EVEN ALL OF THE RETENTION EFFORTS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT HELPS US OVERALL WITH OUR NUMBERS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. CITY MANAGER AND THAT DOES ANSWER MY QUESTION.

BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS AWARE THE RESOLUTION IS NON-BINDING.

THIS IS THIS IS MORE FOR THEATRICS. THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS PLAY THEATRICS WHEN IT'S TAKING ACTION AGAINST THE POLICE.

SO I DO APPRECIATE THE RECORD VOTE THAT WAS REQUESTED, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEE WHO WANTS TO STAND WITH THE CLEAR DIRECTION THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN FROM OUR DPD COMMAND AND THE DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION.

WITH THAT, I HAVE AN AMENDMENT, AND I MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO CHANGE.

CHANGE THE STAFFING GOAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425 TO 300 NEW POLICE OFFICERS AS DIRECTED BY OUR CHIEF.

[02:40:02]

BUT THAT WE HAD A MOTION IN DISCUSSION. YES. GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. SO WITH THIS NEW MOTION, ULTIMATELY, I THINK THAT THIS IS, OF COURSE, AS I MENTIONED, A RESOLUTION THAT IS NOT A BINDING ACTION. I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC THAT WHAT IT IS THAT WAS PUT ON THIS AGENDA IS A RESOLUTION OF VOTE OF SUPPORT. IT DOES NOT MOVE ANY DOLLARS, AND IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY FISCAL ACTION ATTACHED TO IT.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. AND THAT'S WHY I CALL IT NOTHING OTHER THAN PERFORMATIVE, BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS. BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE PERFORMATIVE MEASURES, AND IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE GENUINE MESSAGING TO OUR PUBLIC, WE NEED TO EXPLAIN THAT WE ARE 100% COMMITTED TO GROWING OUR DEPARTMENT.

AS WE HAVE SAID, YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR, WHAT WE'RE ALSO COMMITTED IN DOING IS IS NOT COMPROMISING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE ALREADY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT.

FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM OUR CHIEF AND COMMAND STAFF AND OUR CITY MANAGER, WHO IS OVER THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OUR CITY THAT HAS REQUESTED FOR THIS NUMBER TO GO HIGHER THAN WHAT OUR CHIEF HAS SAID IS MOST FEASIBLE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. I THINK IT WOULD BE A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR ANY ONE OF US TO SAY THAT WE KNOW BETTER THAN THEM.

300 SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A GOAL THAT IS ATTAINABLE.

300 IS AN ATTAINABLE GOAL. THAT'S NOT GOING TO COME AT THE EXPENSE OF COMPROMISING THE ALREADY STRAINED RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE IN THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW THAT IF I TOLD ANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS THAT WE CAN GO HIGHER RIGHT NOW AND GET MORE AGGRESSIVE, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE HIGHER RESPONSE TIMES, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE LESS PATROL IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE NO. FROM EVERY ONE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT I HEAR ON A REGULAR BASIS, WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PATROL PRESENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

GUYS, WE CANNOT CHANGE THINGS OVERNIGHT. WE HAVE TO GOVERN RESPONSIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT PLAYING POLITICS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING OUR CITY AND PUTTING THEIR OWN LIVES ON THE LINE, THROWING Y'ALL INTO POLITICAL DEBATES, TO ME IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

AND, CHIEF, I'M SORRY THAT YOU'VE BEEN PUT INTO THAT POSITION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. AND I AM ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE ADDRESSED YOUR INTERIM ROLE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT BEEN IN A TYPICAL INTERIM FASHION AND YOU ARE MOVING THIS, THIS DEPARTMENT FORWARD, AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE A REDUCTION IN CRIME.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'VE CONTINUED TO SEE AN INCREASE IN MORALE IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDERNEATH YOUR LEADERSHIP.

SO WITH THAT, I AM FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN GIVING.

I HOPE OUR COLLEAGUES IN THIS COUNCIL WILL ALSO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE A VOTE TO SUPPORT OUR CHIEF, OUR POLICE ASSOCIATION AND ALL OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE'VE SEEN WITHIN THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN MORENO. THANK YOU MAYOR.

I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION. LAST NIGHT I WAS AT A COMMUNITY MEETING AND JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY MEETING, PEOPLE ASKED, HOW DO WE GET MORE COPS? HOW DO WE GET MORE PATROL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? PUBLIC SAFETY CONTINUES TO BE OUR TOP PRIORITY OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS.

OUR VERY OWN COMMUNITY SURVEY RANKS PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE TOP.

IN FACT, WE JUST GOT A LOOK AT OUR LAST ELECTION WHERE VOTERS APPROVED AN INCREASE IN DPD.

I DO WANT TO SAY A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO CHIEF EGO AND THE RECRUITING DEPARTMENT FOR HIRING 253 OFFICERS IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT WE MUST SET THE BAR HIGHER.

WE MUST GET CREATIVE WHEN IT COMES TO HIRING AND TRANSITIONING MORE PERSONNEL TO BECOME DPD TRAINERS.

AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED LOOKING AT OUR RESERVES AND EVEN LOOKING AT BRINGING BACK RETIREES TO GO INTO OUR TRAINING PROGRAM.

THE ONLY WAY WE ACHIEVE A HIGHER NUMBER IS BY SETTING A HIGHER GOAL.

OUR HIRING AND RECRUITMENT GOALS MUST BE ALIGNED WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS PRIORITIES.

THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN STEWART FIVE MINUTES. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING CHIEF VIGO, CHIEF HERRERA, THE COMMAND STAFF, FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS FROM 250 TO 300. HOPEFULLY HEADED IN THE DIRECTION OF 325.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVEN'T FOCUSED ON THE EFFORTS TO GET US TO 300 BY IDENTIFYING THE NECESSARY SPACE AND OTHER RESOURCES, SO THANK YOU TRULY, FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO GET US FROM 250 TO 300.

I AM CONFLICTED ON THE ISSUE OF WHETHER WE HIRE AND TRAIN 300 OR 325.

[02:45:02]

IT IS, HOWEVER, DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT ANY ACTION THAT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS ON PATROL, EVEN WHEN IT'S ONLY MAYBE 40 OFFICERS. WE DO.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RESPONSE TIMES, AND THAT CAN'T HELP BUT HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THAT.

I WORRY ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OVERALL OF THIS DECISION TO GO TO 325.

AT THE SAME TIME, LIKE AS I SAID, I'M CONFLICTED.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE AND TRAIN 25 ADDITIONAL OFFICERS IS REALLY HARD TO PASS UP.

HOWEVER, AS I WORK THROUGH THE TWO OPTIONS, I KEEP COMING BACK TO, ARE WE ASKING TOO MUCH FROM THE SYSTEM? PERHAPS RUNNING THE ACADEMY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND TAKING 40 PATROL OFFICERS OFF THE STREETS OF OUR CITY ARE NOT GOOD IDEAS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WORDS OF THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS.

I KNOW I WAS THE ONE WHO FIRST RECOMMENDED 325.

HOWEVER, LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF PUSHING TO ADD 25 MORE OFFICERS, I DO NOW SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION OF CHIEF VIGO AND THE AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION IN THE AGENDA. I SUPPORT TRAINING THE 300 OFFICERS IN 2025 AND I REMIND EVERYONE, THIS IS 50 MORE OFFICERS THAN THE 200 THAN WE HAVE TRAINED IN THE PAST.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN RECRUITMENT. WE ARE SEEING DECREASES IN CRIME.

I THINK WE CAN DO THIS. WE WILL GET TO 325 AND 350 AND 400, AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THAT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE DPD HAS THE SUPPORT AND THE COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNCIL FOR THAT GROWTH.

I THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT IN PAST YEARS. I THINK YOU WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT COMMITMENT.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN ARNOLD, FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. JUST EXCUSE ME. JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.

AND SO HERE WE GO, CHIEF. I GO ONCE AGAIN. WHAT I WILL QUICKLY SAY IS THIS I DEFINITELY THANK YOU.

AND DEFINITELY THANK THE DPD FAMILY FOR ENDURING.

OF COURSE, WHAT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN TERMS OF SPEAKING ON PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS CITY, WHICH WE KNOW IS NUMBER ONE, THE NUMBER ONE CONVERSATION. I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK QUICKLY ON HOW WE CAN SURMISE OR KIND OF DRAW THE INFERENCE THAT EVERYBODY THAT BECAUSE OF THE VOTE, EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD.

FOLKS DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND. YOU PROPOSITION YOU WHAT IT REALLY MEANT.

I'LL GO TO BANK ON THAT. I DON'T HAVE A $3, $4, BUT I'LL GO TO THE BANK ON THAT ONE.

I ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOW WE GET TO WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF TRAINING, THE FUNDING. AND SO THERE ARE THERE ARE A LOT OF DYNAMICS TO JUST FUNDING A POLICE INFRASTRUCTURE QUICKLY. CITY MANAGER I SEE SHE'S IN A POSITION NOW WHERE SHE CAN'T RESPOND, SO I'LL COME BACK TO HER.

BUT WHAT I DO WANT TO SAY IS THIS WE NEED TO ALL CHECK OUR RESUMES.

I DON'T KNOW, AND I'M WILLING TO BET NONE OF US HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT ON OUR RESUME.

I KNOW I DON'T. CHIEF, I'M GOING TO TRUST YOU, JUST AS I TRUST THAT.

CHIEF GARCIA, WHEN HE TOLD US THAT HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS 250.

NOW YOU ARE WORKING WITH US TO TRY TO GET 300, AND NOW YOU HAVE FOLKS TELLING YOU THAT YOU CAN PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT AND GET THE ADDITIONAL. IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU'RE TRAINING AND EDUCATING, I HAVE BEEN I'VE BEEN THROUGH THE DISTRICTS WHERE A BUDGET CUTS AND LACK OF TEACHERS IN THAT CASE. AND THEN WE WERE TOLD THAT WE NEED TO PUT 40 STUDENTS IN A CLASSROOM.

YOU CAN'T REALLY EFFECTIVELY TEACH 40 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN A GOVERNMENT CLASS IF YOUR INTENTION IS TO EDUCATE AND TRAIN.

SO HERE WE'RE TRYING TO TELL YOU, JUST AS I HEAR FOLKS, AND THIS IS SOMETHING ELSE I WANT TO PUT ON HERE REAL FAST.

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SOMEONE YOU'RE A PARENT, YOU HAVE 3 OR 4 CHILDREN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WILL COME UP AND TELL YOU HOW TO RAISE CHILDREN AND THEY HAVE NONE. WE ARE NOT CERTIFIED OFFICERS.

WE ARE ADVOCATES FOR THE PEOPLE. I KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT IN MY COMMUNITY.

WE WERE RAISED ON AUTOMATICALLY CALLING FOR THE POLICE.

I WOULD LOVE TO WAVE MY MAGIC WAND AND TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THE FINANCIAL NEEDS, THE MARKETING, WHATEVER YOU NEED. BUT IN THIS DAY AND TIME, WHAT WE MUST ALSO UNDERSTAND YOU.

CHIEF, DID YOU TELL US YOU HAVE TODAY APPROXIMATELY 800 PEOPLE THAT ARE RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? YES, MA'AM. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IT MEANS THEY COULD WALK OUT THE DOOR AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

THEY COULD WALK, NOT MOONWALK, Y'ALL. THEY COULD WALK OUT THE DOOR.

[02:50:08]

DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW AS IT RELATES TO THE PENSION.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THAT. I'M GOING TO ANSWER THAT.

THAT'S A HEADLINE IN AND OF ITSELF. AND YOU'RE TELLING US TELLING THE CHIEF, YOU NEED TO GO FIND THESE EXTRA OFFICERS.

CHECK THE HEADLINES. THESE FOLKS HAVE TO THINK A COUPLE OF TIMES, SHOULD I CAN I GO TO A CITY? WILL I WANT SHOULD I GO TO A CITY THAT CANNOT FULFILL THE PROMISE OF PAYING THE OFFICERS THE PENSION? THAT'S BEEN THE HEADLINE FOR PROBABLY MORE THAN TEN YEARS.

I'VE LIVED THIS COUNCIL AND NONE COUNCIL. MY FRUSTRATION IS WHY ARE WE NOT PAYING THE OFFICERS WHAT'S DUE TO THEM? SO THAT'S ONE HEADLINE. NOW YOU HAVE FOLKS TELLING US YOU CAN CREATE A POLICE OFFICER.

I GUESS YOU WANT TO PUT A BIBLE IN FRONT OF THE HAND AND JUST SAY, DO YOU PROMISE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER? NOTHING. WOULD YOU PROMISE TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRAINING FACILITIES.

WE DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES RIGHT NOW, DO WE, CHIEF, TO HANDLE ALL OF THESE NUMBERS THAT WE'RE THROWING OUT HERE? OR MAYBE WE DO. JUST LET ME KNOW. WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF WE MOVE THE MARK TO 325 TO HOUSE ADDITIONAL RECRUITS AND OR IN-SERVICE. BUT I HAVE SPOKEN TO CHIEF HERRERA ABOUT THAT.

NOW, ONE QUESTION. WOULD YOU CLARIFY FOR THE PUBLIC? BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE BEGIN TO SPEAK FOR THE PUBLIC SO THEY WILL UNDERSTAND CAUSE AND EFFECT, OUTCOME, CONSEQUENCES. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE WHEN WE GET IN A SITUATION, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH LET'S LOOK AT THE TRAINING FACILITY AT THE RED BIRD AREA. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT FACILITY RIGHT NOW? I'M SORRY, MA'AM, YOU BROKE UP ON THE LAST PART.

YEAH, JUST. MIKE, I THINK WE ON THE TRAINING FACILITY RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT IN TERMS OF OPTIMAL USE.

IT'S IN VERY POOR CONDITION. WE WE DO THE BEST WITH WHAT WE CAN ON THAT FACILITY.

BUT IT'S NOT AN IDEAL TRAINING FACILITY. NOT FOR THE RECRUITS.

NOW I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEW TRAINING FACILITY AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

BUT TRAINING FACILITY, AS WE STAND, AS IT STANDS NOW, IS NOT AN IDEAL TRAINING FACILITY.

SO I WAS ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WENT ON THE TOUR, SO I SAW IT FIRSTHAND.

IT'S NOT WHAT SOMEONE TOLD ME, BUT IT'S WHAT I SAW FOR MYSELF.

SO I THINK I HAVE A ZERO HERE. AND WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU IS THIS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS, PLEASE LET'S SUPPORT CHIEF EGO.

AND IF I HAVE TO COME BACK AGAIN, I WILL DO THAT ON THE RECORD.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO SUPPORT CHIEF, SUPPORT HIM.

AND LET'S NOT TRY TO UNDERCUT OR UNDERMINE WHAT HE AND HIS PROFESSIONALS ARE TELLING US IN TERMS OF THEIR POSITIONS.

THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. I'LL SIGN UP FOR ANOTHER ROUND. CHAIRMAN NARVAEZ.

THANK YOU. MAYOR ATKINS AND DEFINITELY IF I GO, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE POLITICS THAT THAT FOLKS ARE TRYING TO BRING YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT INTO BECAUSE THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT DO POLITICS AND SHOULD NEVER BE A POLITICAL PAWN FOR GAIN, FOR VOTES OR FOR ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY AS WE GO INTO THIS ELECTION SEASON.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED EARLIER, IF WE GO TO 355 PER CLASS AND 325 IS 65 PER CLASS, AND WE HAVE THREE CLASSES LEFT. AND WE'RE CHANGING THIS GOAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.

WERE YOU PREPARED FOR A GOAL CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR? AND WHEN IS THE LAST TIME WE CHANGED A HIRING GOAL? IN THE MIDDLE OF A FISCAL YEAR? IF YOU HAPPEN TO RECALL.

COUNCIL MEMBER, I DO NOT RECALL DURING MY TIME.

ANYWAY, THAT GOAL BEING CHANGED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

AND NO, WE WERE PREPARED TO HIRE AT THE 250 THE 300 MARK WAS PUT OUT THERE.

AND FROM MY STANDPOINT, I AGREED TO MOVE TOWARDS THAT 300 MARK IN BENEFIT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND OUR COMMUNITIES. BUT EVEN WITH THAT, THAT TAKES ADJUSTMENTS IN, IN RESOURCES AT THE ACADEMY LEVEL AS WELL. AND I'VE SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, IS THAT CHIEF HERRERA'S TEAM IS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO EVEN GET THESE BODIES INTO THE DOOR. SO WE'LL WORK VERY HARD.

OUR FORECAST FOR THIS YEAR IS 280 TO 300. BUT WE'LL WORK VERY HARD TO GET TO THAT 300 MARK BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

VERY GOOD, CHIEF. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, AND I WANT TO THANK MY ESTEEMED COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT FOUR FOR HER COMMENTS.

[02:55:03]

AS AN EDUCATOR, I'M AN EDUCATOR AND DIDN'T DO THE CLASSROOM IN THE SCHOOL THAT WAS I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DO.

I ENDED UP GOING INTO CORPORATE TRAINING, AND WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THESE CLASSES THAT I WOULD SOMETIMES HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

YOU KNOW, MY SWEET SPOT WAS MAYBE 20 TO 25, YOU KNOW, BUT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S LIKE YOU JUST HAPPEN TO GET A CLASS THAT HAD 35, 40, 50 AND YOU LOST THEM. YOU LOSE PEOPLE LEFT AND RIGHT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT GET TO THEM.

YOU CANNOT. ONE TRAINER CANNOT GET TO THOSE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE IN A CLASSROOM, DEPENDING ON WHAT IT IS.

I'VE NEVER BEEN A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. I'VE NEVER WANTED TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

GOD, THANK YOU. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE THAT CALLING TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NATIONALLY RENOWNED FOR BEING ONE OF THE BEST.

BEST. I'M TALKING BEST IN THE NATION FOR TRAINING OUR OFFICERS, AND THAT'S WHY WE DON'T HAVE THE ISSUES THAT MOST OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE ACROSS THIS NATION. WHAT HAPPENS IF. AN OFFICER, A RECRUIT, I MEAN, DOESN'T GET THE PERFECT AMOUNT OF TRAINING AND GET ALL THE DETAILED STUFF THAT'S GOING ON WHEN IT COMES TO ACTIVE SHOOTER, WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING THAT COULD BE GOING WRONG, WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ATTACKED, WHEN IT COMES TO NOT YOUR NORMAL EVERYDAY POLICE DUTIES, WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THAT OFFICER? WORST CASE SCENARIO, THERE'S A MYRIAD OF THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN.

OBVIOUSLY, THE WORST CASE OUTCOME WOULD BE USE OF FORCE INCIDENT WHERE AN OFFICER USES FORCE WHERE THEY PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE USED IT, AND POTENTIAL DEADLY FORCE. THAT'S A CONCERN OF MINE.

ALWAYS THAT OUR OUR OFFICERS, OBVIOUSLY IT'S IT'S IT'S A LOT OF TRAINING.

42 WEEKS PLUS TRAINING FROM A LEGAL ASPECT TO USE OF FORCE TO REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE CRITICAL WHEN WE START INCREASING CLASS SIZES THAT 1 TO 1 TRAINING WHERE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY NEED ADDITIONAL HELP MAY NOT GET THAT ADDITIONAL HELP THROUGH THAT TRAINING CYCLE.

SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE OF CONCERN OF MINE WHEN IT COMES TO INCREASING CLASS SIZES.

THANK THANK YOU, CHIEF. AND YOU KNOW, FOR ME, THE LAST THING THAT I WANT IS AN OFFICER TO BE GUNNED DOWN, KILLED, MURDERED, SHOT TO DIE ON DUTY. AND IF THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GIVE THEM THE PROPER TRAINING, THAT'S SHAME ON US. SHAME ON US BECAUSE WE THOUGHT BETTER THAN YOU.

YOU ARE THE TOP COP IN OUR CITY. HOW MANY YEARS OF SERVICE DO YOU HAVE AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER? CHIEF, I GO COUNCIL MEMBER 3333 YEARS I HAVE ZERO.

I TRUST YOU, I TRUST YOU, I DON'T TRUST MY COLLEAGUES WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER THAT THEY JUST MAGICALLY PULLED OUT OF A HAT.

I'M GOING TO TRUST YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE 33 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND YOUR TRAINERS HAVE, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CHIEF YOU HAVE IN TRAINING AND ALL OF THAT OVER THESE YEARS. IF YOU WANT TO ANSWER THAT, PLEASE.

29 YEARS, SIR. 29 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TRAINING.

AND YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE SWEET SPOT IS FOR A CLASS.

I'M ASSUMING BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE THIS FOR 29 YEARS.

WHAT IS THAT SWEET SPOT NUMBER? IF WE WERE TO GIVE YOU ALL THE TOOLS THAT YOU COULD POSSIBLY HAVE AND HAVE THE RIGHT NUMBER, WHAT WOULD THAT CLASS SIZE BE? YES, SIR. YOU BOUGHT SOME WONDERFUL POINTS.

INTERIM ASSISTANT CHIEF ISRAEL HERRERA OVER THE ACADEMY AND TRAINING.

SO WE MONITOR EACH OF OUR CLASSES TO SEE HOW THEY PERFORM EACH WEEK.

IF WE NOTICE THAT THERE'S A FAILURE, THEN WHAT ARE WE DOING WRONG? PERHAPS THE INSTRUCTION DIDN'T GET THROUGH. MAYBE THE CLASSES ARE A LITTLE TOO BIG.

WE OUR SWEET SPOT AND WHAT WE LIKE TO SHOOT FOR IS ANYWHERE FROM 45 TO 50 IN A CLASS.

VERY GOOD. AND, YOU KNOW, 55. I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A STRETCH IF YOU CAN HIT THOSE NUMBERS.

AND YOU Y'ALL SAID IT, Y'ALL CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

AND I TRUST YOU ALL CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN AND TRAIN THESE RECRUITS TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR A RECRUIT FROM WHEN THEY'RE WHEN THEY START THE ACADEMY TO END UP ON THE STREET, ON THEIR OWN, IN THEIR OWN SQUAD CAR BY THEMSELVES? ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF A YEAR AND A HALF. SO IT TAKES 18 MONTHS TO GET.

SO ALL THESE NEW OFFICERS THAT WE'RE. THESE RECRUITS WE'RE HIRING RIGHT NOW THAT BECOME OFFICERS, THE ONES THAT DO MAKE IT THROUGH ACADEMY. IT'S GOING TO BE 18 MONTHS FROM NOW BEFORE THEY END UP ON THE STREET ALONE.

IS THAT CORRECT? YES, SIR. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE THE MIDDLE OF THE WE'RE IN 25.

SO 26. SO MAYBE BY THE END OF 26 EARLY 27. IS THAT CORRECT? ABSOLUTELY. SO COLLEAGUES, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A MAGIC NUMBER THAT WE'RE DOING.

I'M OKAY WITH THE 300. I'M OKAY. I MEAN, WE COULD PUT 500 ON HERE FOR ALL WE CARE.

AND YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HIT THAT NUMBER. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND GO, WHY HAVEN'T YOU HIT THAT NUMBER? WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITING, WHAT GOES INTO RECRUITING OFFICERS, RECRUITS ACROSS, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU ALL DO? WHAT? I MEAN, I DON'T THINK THAT YOU'RE JUST SITTING THERE GOING, WAITING AT THE ACADEMY,

[03:00:06]

SITTING THERE GOING, OH, I HOPE PEOPLE APPLY. APPLY TODAY.

WHAT ALL DO YOU ALL PUT INTO RECRUITING POTENTIAL RECRUITS? THERE'S A LOT THAT'S PUT INTO IT. WE INTERVIEW EVERY APPLICANT. WHEN THEY COME THROUGH. WE ASK THEM, WHERE DID THEY HEAR ABOUT US? HOW DID THEY HEAR ABOUT US? SO WE USE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS TO TO REACH OUT TO THESE FOLKS.

WE LOOK AT OUR METRICS AND WE FIND THAT UPPER 80S TO 90% OF OUR RECRUITS COME, OUR APPLICANTS COME FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND SO WE BEGAN AT THE DIRECTION OF CHIEF. I GO TO A HAVE A LARGE PUSH IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT. AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT. AND SO THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING PART OF IT.

THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PROCESS, THE MIDDLE THE MEDICAL PORTION OF IT.

AND THEN THERE'S A PT PORTION AS WELL. AND ONCE THEY GET THAT, THEN THE BACKGROUND PROCESS BEGINS AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

WE WE TEND TO TO KIND OF LOOK AT SOME OF THESE FOLKS THAT THAT COME THROUGH.

AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH LIFE EXPERIENCE, THEIR BACKGROUND IS PROBABLY GOING TO GO A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

AND SO THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO THAT. AND THAT'S JUST BEFORE WE GET THEM THROUGH THE DOOR.

VERY GOOD. AND THEN THE THE NEXT THING I JUST WANT TO SAY IS, YOU KNOW, I JUST I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING YOUR BEST.

I'VE WATCHED IT. I'VE BEEN I'VE BEEN IN THE AIRPORT WHEN I SEE A RECRUIT, YOU KNOW, OFFICERS ARE OUT RECRUITING AND THEY'RE COMING BACK AND THEY TELL ME HOW THEY SPENT, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THREE DAYS, LIKE REALLY HARDCORE RECRUITING, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL RECRUITS.

AND IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE OUT ON VACATION OR HAVING A GOOD TIME.

THEY'RE WORKING, LIKE, NONSTOP BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT WORK, THEY'VE GOT TO GET MORE SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN THOSE CLASSES, AND THEY DO NOT TAKE THEIR JOBS LIGHTLY.

SO WHEN THE WHEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE EPA ACTUALLY COMES OUT AND SAYS WHAT THEY JUST SAID, AND I HAVE MY CHIEF, I HAVE MY, YOU KNOW, YES, BOTH INTERIM, BUT MY CHIEF OF RECRUITING AND TRAINING AND MY INTERIM CHIEF SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE NEED, THIS IS WHAT WE CAN HANDLE AND DO.

I'M GOING TO LISTEN TO YOU ALL. I'M NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND WHATSOEVER, BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE THE EXPERTS, AND I WILL ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE CONTENT EXPERTS.

THANK YOU. MAYOR ATKINS. CHAIRMAN RILEY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHIEF, I THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THE CONSEQUENCES OF A TOO OPTIMISTIC GOAL FOR RECRUITING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. I AM, OF COURSE, CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN RESPONSE TIMES THAT MAY RESULT FROM TAKING 40 OFFICERS OFF PATROL DUTIES TO INSTRUCT, AND I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF LESS EFFECTIVE TRAINING.

IF WE PACK OUR CLASSES ABOVE WHAT OUR TARGET OF 50 IS.

BUT ONE THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE SUBJECT OF ANY DISCUSSION AROUND THE HORSESHOE TODAY ON THIS SUBJECT IS THE TARGETS FOR FUTURE FISCAL YEARS. NEXT YEAR, 350 OFFICERS, THE FOLLOWING YEAR 400 OFFICERS.

AND I'D LIKE TO GET YOUR REACTION TO THOSE NUMBERS AS TO WHETHER YOU THINK THOSE ARE REALISTIC, WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN BE SETTING SUCH GOALS THIS FAR IN ADVANCE, AND WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE TO ATTEMPT TO MEET THOSE FUTURE GOALS.

SO THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS. SO I DO THINK IT'S A LITTLE PREMATURE TO SET THOSE GOALS.

WHAT I WOULD ASK OF THIS BODY IS THAT AS WE NEAR THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND WHAT WE CAN FORECAST AS THOSE ENDING NUMBERS, WE REVISIT THOSE FUTURE HIRING GOALS.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS I'M ALREADY WORKING ON PLANS WITH CIVIL SERVICE THAT I'LL BE TAKING A BRIEFING TO PUBLIC SAFETY NEXT WEEK, HOPING TO BRING IT BACK IN FRONT OF THIS COUNCIL AT A LATER TIME.

THAT I HAVE A REAL GOOD FEELING YOU'LL HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR HIRING AND INCREASE HIRING IMMEDIATELY.

BUT TO THE POINT THAT YOU ASKED TALKING ABOUT FUTURE GOALS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN WHERE WE ENDED UP THIS YEAR ON OUR PROJECTED GOALS, I THINK NEEDS TO BE HAD A LATER DISCUSSION. THANK YOU.

CHIEF. AT THIS POINT, I'D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE AMENDMENT THAT'S ON THE FLOOR.

MR. BAZALDUA, WOULD YOU WELL, LET ME ASK THE QUESTION IF HE WANTED TO ASK YOU.

AND THAT IS, DID YOUR AMENDMENT WHICH WAS ADDRESSING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S GOAL.

DID YOU INTEND TO EXCLUDE FROM OUR ACTION TODAY, THE FOLLOWING TWO FISCAL YEAR GOALS THAT ARE IN THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION AND THE ORIGINAL MOTION? OR DID YOU MEAN TO JUST AMEND THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S GOAL?

[03:05:01]

I MEANT FOR IT TO BE MUTE ON THE REMAINING TEXT THAT IS THERE NOW, JUST BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IT TO BE A THOUGHTFUL PLAN FOR THE FUTURE YEARS, WHEN WE'VE HAD REQUESTS TO SIT DOWN WITH TRAINING FACILITY, ETC.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT TO BE DONE. MORE THOUGHTFUL AT THE AT THE BUDGET YEAR.

OKAY, SO YOUR AMENDMENT IS JUST TO SET A GOAL OF 300 NEW OFFICERS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND TO LEAVE FUTURE YEARS TO FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THE FUTURE. YES, SIR.

THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. AND IN LIGHT OF WHAT CHIEF EGO SAYS.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD APPROACH. THANK YOU. MAYOR.

WITH THAT CHAIRMAN GRACEY. OKAY. I HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION, I GUESS.

AND IT'S WHY? AND I KEEP ASKING MYSELF WHY, AND I, YOU KNOW, I STUDY IT, AND I'M ASKING AND FOLLOWING ALL OF THESE THINGS.

AND I'VE HEARD A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT THAT MAKE MY WHAT I WOULD THINK MY ANSWER TO WHY EVEN MORE CONFUSING.

AND THE WHY IS, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHY ARE WE PUSHING THIS AND GOING BEYOND WHAT BOTH OUR OFFICERS ARE SAYING? THE EPA IS SAYING? IT'S WHY IN THE ORIGINAL, YOU KNOW, RESPONSE.

WELL, POPULATION GROWTH, RIGHT. I GET THAT I CAN APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE I THINK YOU JUST SAID AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, CHIEF, BUT LAST FIVE YEARS WE'VE HAD CRIME REDUCTION OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

AND I KNOW IN DISTRICT THREE IT'S 6.8% DOWN AND TRENDING IN THAT SAME DIRECTION.

SO AGAIN, I'M JUST BACK AT Y. AND THEN WE JUST HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO CUT COSTS ON THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO IMPACT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO PRODUCE CRIME. SO LIKE THIS. THIS SILLY, SILLY LOOP IS SO EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING AND IT'S HARD TO SUPPORT THESE TYPE OF THINGS.

IT REALLY IS. AND I JUST DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER, A RATIONAL ANSWER TO THE WHY.

IF CRIME IS BEING REDUCED, WHY? IF WE DON'T DO THIS, THEN WE CAN GET SUED, AND YET WE'RE PUTTING A GOAL ON TOP OF OURSELVES THAT COULD POTENTIALLY PUT US IN THAT POSITION. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WHY, TRULY.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. SO I GUESS I DON'T REALLY EVEN HAVE A QUESTION OTHER THAN A COMMENT IS IT FEELS LIKE WE CONTINUE TO CREATE UNNECESSARY PRESSURES UPON OURSELVES AND UPON THE BUDGET SO THAT WE CAN FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THESE OTHER THINGS.

I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER. I DON'T WANT TO START PUTTING WORDS AND SCIENCE AND RATIONALE AND POLITICS BEHIND PEOPLE'S DECISIONS.

BUT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SUPPOSED TO BE GOVERNING THE BODY AND DOING THINGS THAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY, WHY WOULD WE PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE THINGS TRENDING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, DESPITE OUR SHORTAGE, WHICH IS A GREAT JOB AND A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DOING IN ADDRESSING THESE THINGS.

YOU'RE DOING IT IN SPITE OF THAT IS THE HARD PART.

NOT TRYING TO SET ANOTHER GOAL TO SAY, OKAY, GO GET IT AND WE CAN AND WE CAN GET THERE.

I SUPPORT KEEPING OUR CITY SAFE. I SUPPORT HAVING MORE OFFICERS.

I SUPPORT ALL OF THESE THINGS. BUT MY GOODNESS, I AM SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE WHY.

WHEN THESE WHYS HAVE CAUSE AND EFFECTS ON OTHER THINGS, THAT WE SPEND AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME DISCUSSING WHEN WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS RIGHT BEFORE US. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE UNNECESSARY THINGS WHERE WE'RE PUTTING PRESSURE ON A BUDGET.

OFFICERS HAVE ALREADY SAID WE DON'T NEED IT, AND YET WE'RE GOING TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE BUDGET SO THAT WE CAN CUT SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE ACTUALLY DO NEED THAT'S ACTUALLY BENEFITING THE PEOPLE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO BE BROKE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A PLACE TO STAY. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE, BUT WE'LL COME GET YOU AND TAKE YOU OFF THE STREET.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS LOOP.

I'M TRYING, I REALLY AM. AND BUT THIS IS IS UNNECESSARY.

AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL. IN SPITE OF ALL OF THIS, WHAT YOU ALL CONTINUE TO DO OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS TO REDUCE THIS CRIME AND TO DO THIS, THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT I THINK WE DO NEED SOME ATTENTION IN TERMS OF THE YOUTH VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AND THOSE THINGS, AND WE'RE STILL DOING THESE THINGS AND TRYING TO DO MORE IN SPITE OF.

SO AGAIN, THIS WHY FOR ME IS NOT CLEAR. I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO ANYBODY ABOUT IT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THIS WHY IS NOT CLEAR TO ME. AND I GOT THREE QUESTIONS FOR A WHY.

AND NONE OF THEM LEAD TO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO CREATE A POSITIVE IMPACT FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS, AND ALL OF THEM ACTUALLY JUST CREATE MORE PRESSURE ON OUR BUDGET.

AND AGAIN, I'M JUST STUCK AT Y. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BRIEFING THAT YOU DID TO SHOW US ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING.

WHEN I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST STARTED HAVING THIS CONVERSATION SITTING ON, YOU KNOW, I WAS LIKE, WELL, NO, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING TO ACTUALLY REDUCE YOUR BUDGET, TOO, BECAUSE YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, BULLETS SPENDING AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS WE'RE DOING.

AND YOU GUYS CAME BACK AND YOU SHOWED ME THAT.

MARTIN, YOU WENT THROUGH AND SHOWED US ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING, ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE

[03:10:05]

RESPONSIBLE OF. YOU ARE DOING YOUR PART. AND I CAN APPRECIATE THAT.

AND I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT. BUT THIS WHY OF WHY MORE OFFICERS? WHY NOW? WHY IS THIS PRESSURE OF DOING IT RIGHT NOW? ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ARE JUST NOT ADDING UP TO ME.

SO I JUST CANNOT SUPPORT THIS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILWOMAN WILLIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. SO I WANT TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE HERE.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR DALLAS LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'M LOOKING AT KIND OF THREE BUCKETS.

WE'VE GOT RECRUITING OFFICERS. I MEAN, HAVING THE RIGHT NUMBER OF OFFICERS, WE'VE GOT HOW WE DEPLOY THE RESOURCES THAT WE'VE GOT EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. AND THEN WE'VE GOT, HEY, THIS CONCEPT OF REDUCING CRIME BECAUSE OUR YOUTH AND ADULTS ARE SEEING A PLACE IN DALLAS FOR THEM TO FIT TO WHERE CRIME ISN'T PART OF THEIR EQUATION.

THEY SEE WHERE THEY FIT AND THEY SEE WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE.

SO THOSE ARE THE THREE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT I MEAN, WHAT'S DRIVING THIS IS THIS PROPOSITION THAT PASSED, WE WERE ALREADY INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR WHEN THAT PASSED.

SO THE CLOCK WAS ALREADY TICKING. AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT, BECAUSE JUST SLIGHTLY OVER HALF OF THE VOTERS SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT. I THINK IT WAS LIKE 5149.

SO WE NEED TO HEAR THAT. AND IT IS PART OF OUR CHARTER, BUT IT'S NOT TIME BOUND.

SO THIS IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S CONFUSING, BECAUSE I THINK EVEN ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF IT SAID, IF IT TAKES ONE YEAR TO GET TO THIS 4000 OFFICER NUMBER, OR IF IT TAKES 200 YEARS, THAT WAS PURPOSELY DONE SO THE CITY COULDN'T REASONABLY SAY THAT IT WOULD CAUSE A CUT IN OTHER SERVICES.

SO, YOU KNOW, I GET THAT, THAT PART OF THINGS.

BUT I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 200 YEARS. WELL, CERTAINLY WE DON'T NEED THAT.

THAT'S HYPERBOLE, BUT WE'RE NOT TIME BOUND. BUT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT'S TIME BOUND AND THAT'S AN ELECTION.

IT'S MAY 3RD. AND SO IF WE WANT TO COMB THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION, I THINK THE TIME BOUND ASPECT IS IN THIS ELECTION.

SO I THINK IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THIS COULD JEOPARDIZE PATROLS.

IN FACT, CHIEF, I KNOW YOU HAVE SAID THIS CAN JEOPARDIZE OUR PATROLS.

AND AND ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER SAID, YOU KNOW, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL MEMBER GRACEY WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IS CRIME GOING TO PROLIFERATE IN THE NAME OF RAISING THIS NUMBER? SO WE'VE GOT TO WORK. WE CAN WALK IN A PARALLEL PATH HERE OF HAVING AN IMPERATIVE ABOUT INCREASING OUR NUMBERS OF OFFICERS WITHOUT THREATENING THE SAFETY OF OUR CITY. SO INDEED, YOU POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS WE'VE GOT IN FIVE YEARS TIME, WE'VE ALMOST REDUCED VIOLENT CRIME BY 50%. AND THAT GOES BACK TO WE'RE WISELY DEPLOYING THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

WE'RE USING TECHNOLOGY. SO WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THERE.

AND ADDING MORE OFFICERS WILL ONLY HELP US THERE.

BUT THEY DO NEED TO BE WELL TRAINED. SO I'M LOOKING AT SOME OF THIS LANGUAGE AROUND NEW OFFICERS, AND I THINK THAT IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP ABOUT SEASONED OFFICERS, WHETHER THEY'RE FROM DPD OR OTHER FORCES.

I WOULD LOVE TO GO AND FIND SOME OF THOSE OFFICERS AS WELL.

BUT IT'S NOT AS EASY AS JUST SIGNING UP A RETIRED OFFICER.

THERE ARE LEGAL HURDLES BECAUSE IT COULD THREATEN THEIR PENSION AND WE DON'T WANT TO THREATEN THEIR PENSION.

SO IT'S GOT TO BE CREATIVE LEGALLY. AND I, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS BEING WORKED ON AND LOOKED AT THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT, AND I THINK COULD RENDER THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION MOOT AS WE GET TO THE END OF THIS YEAR AND SEE THAT MAYBE WE DID HIT THIS NUMBER, BUT WE PROBABLY ALL HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT CAN WE DO FOR DPD.

CAN WE TAKE THEM SOME BANANA BREAD? CAN WE TAKE THEM A PIZZA? WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE CAN DO. WE CAN HEAR YOU BECAUSE WE'VE GOT OUR INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE, WE'VE GOT CHIEF HERRERA, WE'VE GOT OUR DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION, THOSE WHO ARE IN THE TRENCHES, WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TELLING US WE TOO WANT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OUR RANKS.

IT WILL EASE THE BURDEN, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT IN A MEASURED WAY.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE CAN DO IS HEAR YOU. SO, CHIEF, I GO.

I MEAN, DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT WE'RE KIND OF WANTING MORE POLICE OFFICERS IN DALLAS? YES, I DO. YOU DO? I MEAN, AS YOU FACTOR GOING INTO THE NEXT BUDGETING YEAR, IS THAT GOING TO BE ON YOUR MIND? ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. CITY MANAGER IS NOT AT HER SEAT, BUT I GET THE FEELING THAT SHE WOULD ANSWER IN A SIMILAR FASHION.

SO WHAT I SEE HERE IS THAT WE HAVE A REAL IMPERATIVE IN LOOKING AT 20, 25 AND 26 AND BEYOND.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN PUT IT IN THE AMENDMENT OR THE RESOLUTION, BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE BOUND TO FUTURE COUNCILS.

BUT I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WE NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

IT'S JUST HOW DO WE GET THERE AND HOW DO WE DO IT WITHOUT HAVING CRIME START TO TAKE HOLD AGAIN AND BE MEASURED AND NOT JEOPARDIZE PATROLS?

[03:15:07]

SO, YOU KNOW, HEARING QUOTES LIKE, WE JUST WANT YOU TO TRY, WE WANT TO PUT PRESSURE ON YOU.

SO YOU'LL JUST TRY, I THINK IS INSULTING TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO THIS IS A LONG WAY OF SAYING THAT I'M SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT TO GET TO TO HAVE 300 OFFICERS THIS YEAR.

UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT'S THE FLOOR AND NOT THE CEILING.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS MISS COUNCILWOMAN BLACKMON.

THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU. I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU WERE MY LIAISON BACK WHEN YOU WERE AT 24.

25. ANYWAY, MY QUESTION IS, IS HOW DID WE GET OKAY? WE STARTED OFF, I THINK, WITH THE 400 DISCUSSION AND COMMITTEE.

IS THAT CORRECT? I CAN TAKE THAT. WE ACTUALLY STARTED OFF AT THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE 250, WHICH WAS BUDGETED. OKAY. SO WE YOU CAME TO US AND SAID 250.

THAT WAS AGREED UPON LAST YEAR. YES, MA'AM. OKAY.

AND THEN WE STARTED THERE WAS DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE TABLE 300.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND SPEAKING WITH CHIEF HERRERA, I ASKED THAT WE TRY TO EXTEND THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T BUDGETED, BUT THERE WAS SUPPORT ON THE 300 TO MOVE THAT NEEDLE.

NEEDLE TO 300? A RECOMMENDATION CAME OUT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE LAST PUBLIC SAFETY TO MOVE IT TO 325.

BUT WASN'T THE ORIGINAL ONE 400. THERE WAS DISCUSSIONS AT 400, YES.

DO YOU REMEMBER HOW THAT VOTE WENT? NO. THE VOTE.

THE VOTE DID NOT GO TOWARDS 400. THE IT WENT TO 325.

AND YOU DO NOT REMEMBER HOW THE I GUESS. IS THERE A COMMITTEE REPORT SOMEWHERE THAT SHOWS HOW THAT VOTE WENT WHEN IT HIT 325? YEAH, I'M SURE THERE IS. OKAY. SO THERE IS A COMMITTEE REPORT SHOWING HOW THE BREAKDOWN THAT IT CAME DOWN TO 325.

CORRECT. BUT YOU'RE STILL STICKING ON THE ORIGINAL 300 WHERE Y'ALL TALKED INTERNALLY? YES. OKAY. AND WE'RE FIVE MONTHS INTO THIS PROCESS.

INTO THE YEAR. CORRECT. OKAY. HOW LONG? IF YOU GOT ANOTHER 50 OFFICERS, HOW WOULD YOU DEPLOY THOSE FUNDS TO THEN INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY TO GET TO 300? CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? SO WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU IF WE GIVE YOU THE 50, IF WE GIVE YOU THE 75 MONEY FOR THAT, HOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE YOUR NEW STRATEGY? WHAT I'M TRYING TO GAIN IS, IS WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU THIS EXTRA RESOURCES, TELL YOU TO GO DO IT.

AND THEN IF YOU DON'T HIT THE MARK, ARE WE GOING TO HOW ARE WE GOING TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE. BECAUSE YOU'RE IN FIVE MONTHS.

AND I THINK IZZY AND I YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION.

WE'RE FIVE MONTHS INTO OUR YEAR, AND NOW WE'RE CHANGING THIS, THIS NUMBER.

BUT THEN WHEN IT COMES BACK TO BUDGET SEASON, YOU'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO GO, WELL, YOU DIDN'T EVEN HIT THE MARK, BUT YOU'RE GOING, BUT I GAVE YOU YOU GAVE ME FIVE MONTHS. SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND YOUR STRATEGY IN WHICH WE HIT THE MARK TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE HALFWAY THROUGH OUR CLASSES.

WE HAVE SIX CLASSES A YEAR. THREE HAVE. THREE OF THEM WILL HAVE STARTED.

ONE WILL START IN TWO WEEKS, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE THREE LEFT.

SO I HAVE THREE LEFT JUST TO HIRE THE 167 THAT WE NEED TO HIRE.

AND SO IT'S LIKE IT'S LIKE PLAYING A GAME. AND AT HALFTIME WE'RE MOVING THE GOALPOST.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING AND CHALLENGING OUR FOLKS TO, TO, TO MEET THE CHALLENGE.

AND SO WE BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT WE CAN GET TO 300.

SO THE 300 MARK IS SOMETHING THAT YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN REACH THE 325.

NOT THIS YEAR. SO I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT THAT IS OUR GOAL.

NOT ONE PERSON HAS TOLD ME NOT TO HIRE MORE THAN 300.

IF I CAN HIRE OVER 300, I WILL CORRECT. AND I THINK SOMEBODY SAID WE CAN JUST ORDER THEM ON AMAZON.

SO I GUESS EVERYBODY OPEN THEIR PHONES AND START ORDERING ON AMAZON.

BUT I KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO HIRE THEM AND IT'S 18 MONTHS TO TRAIN THEM.

YES, MA'AM. WHICH KIND OF GOES INTO THE NEXT PART OF THE EQUATION IS WE HAVE 800 THAT ARE READY TO RETIRE.

THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO KEEP THE LEAK. THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO PLUG THE LEAK.

WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THOSE RETIRED, THE POTENTIAL RETIREES IN HERE.

LOVE THE TRAINEE. THAT IS A LONG TERM PLAN. BUT RIGHT NOW, OUR SHORT TERM PLAN IS TO KEEP THESE 800.

BECAUSE IF THEY LEAVE, THEN WE HAVE A REALLY BIG PROBLEM.

SO YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THE 800 IS OBVIOUSLY A CONCERN OF MINE.

I DON'T FORESEE ALL 800 WALKING OUT THE DOOR AT THE SAME TIME.

CORRECT. BUT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE COULD SEE LARGE NUMBERS POTENTIALLY LEAVE.

IN SAYING THAT GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT SOME OF OUR OWN INTERNAL PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES.

[03:20:01]

I HAVE GONE BACK AND REVAMPED OUR TRANSFER POLICY WHICH I BELIEVE IS MUCH MORE OFFICER FRIENDLY, WORD ACTUALLY PUTS THE IMPETUS OF THE COMMANDER OF THOSE SUBJECTS IN THOSE UNITS TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THOSE OFFICERS, WHEREAS BEFORE, IF THEY HIT A CERTAIN TIME LIMIT IN THOSE UNITS, THEY WOULD LEAVE. WELL, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THESE OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN CERTAIN UNITS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW BEING TOLD, AND THESE ARE TENURED, TENURED OFFICERS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO POTENTIALLY GO BACK TO PATROL.

IT COULD FORCE THEM OUT THE DOOR. SO I THINK IT'S A VERY, VERY FAIR TRANSFER POLICY, AND IT WILL HELP IN THE RETENTION SIDE AS WELL.

OKAY. AND I GUESS MY FINAL STATEMENT IS I THINK EVERYBODY HERE WANTS TO SEE YOU SUCCEED.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S NOT A PERSON IN THIS CITY, IN THIS REGION THAT DOESN'T.

AND I DO THINK THAT WE NEVER WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE THE GOALPOSTS KEEP MOVING, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT A FAIR FOR YOU TO PLACE FOR YOU TO BE IN.

BUT WE DO WANT YOU TO, YOU KNOW, WE WANT YOU TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE.

BUT IT IS A IT IS A VERY SYSTEMATIC. IT'S A VERY THOUGHT PROCESS, LINEAR SYSTEM THAT WE NEED TO CREATE THAT PUTS THEM IN, GETS THEM TRAINED, GETS THEM EQUIPPED, GETS THEM OUT ON THE STREET.

AND I THINK PUTTING EVEN I THINK AT THE CONVERSATION IT WAS GOING TO BE 400, YOU KNOW, MOVING AT 150 UP.

IF WE HAD 250. THAT PUTS YOU IN A PLACE THAT IT'S VERY HARD.

YOU ARE IT'S A IT'S A VERY HARD AT SEVEN MONTHS IN OR SEVEN MONTHS TO GO.

SO I THINK THIS IS A REASONABLE STARTING POINT.

BUT I DO THINK NEXT YEAR REALLY, I MEAN, AND YOU CAN REALLY USE THIS DATA THIS YEAR TO THEN CREATE THE FLOOR FOR NEXT YEAR. AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE WOULD SAY THAT'S TOO MANY, TO BE QUITE HONEST.

BUT I THINK IT'S AN EQUATION THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT BETWEEN THE RETIREES THE MID-YEAR MID-CAREER IN THE EARLY.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT. AND I THINK WE WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO THANK YOU FOR FOR BEING HERE. I GUESS THIS IS THE THIRD TIME.

SO THANK YOU. WITH THAT, I BELIEVE CHAIRMAN, ON THREE MINUTES. THANK YOU. EXCUSE ME. COULD I HAVE THE AMENDMENT READ IN ITS ENTIRETY SO THAT I WOULD KNOW WHAT WE'RE BEING ASKED TO VOTE ON, WORD FOR WORD. I MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO CHANGE THE STAFFING GOAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024, 2025 TO 300 NEW POLICE OFFICERS. AND SO THE REMAINING OF THAT MOTION, THE THIS RESOLUTION DROPS OFF THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR LANGUAGE. YES. WOULD DROP OFF.

YES. I WANTED TO ON THE RECORD. SO WE STOPPED WITH JUST WHAT YOU HAVE JUST STATED.

IS THAT CORRECT? A CITY ATTORNEY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT HE'S SAYING IS WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON.

YES. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE 300 SUBSTITUTES FOR ALL THREE YEARS.

ALL RIGHT. AND STRIKES OUT THE OTHER TWO FISCAL YEARS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE TO THE CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU GIVE US THE SUM OF THE FUNDING SOURCES THAT SUPPORT US AS WE SUPPORT OUR BUDGET FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, IN PARTICULAR POLICE OFFICERS? THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. COUNCILWOMAN ARNOLD, AS YOU KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE THE FUNDING FOR THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT COMES THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND. WE HAVE ALSO BENEFITED FROM SEVERAL GRANTS AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL AND THE STATE LEVEL.

THAT REALLY HELPS US SUPPLEMENT THE GENERAL FUND, AND WE WOULD HOPE TO CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH NOT ONLY THIS CONVERSATION AROUND THIS HIRING GOAL, BUT IN HOW WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OVERALL.

THIS TEAM HAS DONE A VERY EFFECTIVE JOB IN THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, AS YOU HEARD LAST WEEK, OF ENSURING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES EVEN WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

WE KNOW THAT OVERTIME HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION THAT HAS HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION AROUND WAYS THAT WE CAN BE BETTER IN HOW WE MANAGE THAT.

AND THEY DEMONSTRATED LAST WEEK THAT EVEN THE OVERTIME NUMBER, I THINK, IS DOWN CLOSE TO 7%.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO NOT ONLY STREAMLINE OPERATIONS, BUT ALSO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT WE CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN HOW WE DELIVER.

OVERALL, OUR OVERALL PUBLIC SAFETY PORTFOLIO FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. FOUND ON THE GRANTS THAT COME FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

ARE WE DO WE KNOW TODAY WITH CERTAINTY WHAT THAT FUNDING WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR THE NEXT YEAR? WELL, NOTHING IS CERTAIN, AS WE ALL KNOW. UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN THIS YEAR WE HAD A GRANT THAT WE'VE RECEIVED IN PREVIOUS YEARS THAT WE ASSUMED THAT WE WERE GOING TO GET AGAIN, WE BUILT THE BUDGET AROUND IT. I THINK IT WAS ABOUT A $2 MILLION GRANT.

MARTIN, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M MISSTATING THAT NUMBER.

AND THEN AFTER WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE BUDGET, I THINK IT WAS A MONTH OR SO LATER THAT WE LEARNED THAT THAT GRANT WOULD NOT BE COMING TO

[03:25:06]

THE CITY. SO AGAIN, NOTHING IS CERTAIN. WE DO HAVE SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT ARE TIED TO GRANT FUNDING.

BUT IF THOSE FUNDS WERE NOT TO BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY, WE WOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO ON TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE ONGOING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THAT DEPARTMENT IN PARTICULAR.

JUST GIVE US A DESCRIPTION. ARE WE PURCHASING EQUIPMENT OR EQUIPMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM SOME OF THESE GRANTS? JUST KIND OF TELL US WHAT SOME OF THIS GRANT MONEY IS. I'LL HAVE MARK TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A LIST, I THINK THERE I THINK THERE'S VARIOUS PROGRAM SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT. I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION TO KNOW HOW WE BENEFIT FROM THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

WE DO HAVE SOME FEDERAL GRANTS. WE DO HAVE SOME THAT PROVIDE EQUIPMENT.

AND IN FACT, TODAY I NEED TO GO LOOK AT THE AGENDA.

BUT WE DID HAVE A GRANT THAT WAS APPROVED TODAY TO FOR US TO RECEIVE MONEY FOR LIKE BALLISTIC SHIELDS.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF EQUIPMENT THAT WE GET THROUGH GRANTS.

WE ALSO HAVE BALLISTIC VESTS. WE WE HAVE OTHER GRANTS THAT DO PAY FOR OVERTIME FOR LIKE OFFICERS TO GO DO TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT.

SO IT'S A VERY IT'S IT'S A MULTI DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT SOME OF THE GRANTS WILL PAY FOR EQUIPMENT. SOME OF IT WILL PAY FOR OVERTIME AND STAFF.

AND SO IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE GRANT. SO TO DATE AND LOOKING AT AS THE CONVERSATION AROUND EXPANDING THIS CLASS, IF YOU HAVE A DEFINITIVE AMOUNT OF VESTS FOR EXAMPLE, AND WE PUT IN MORE RECRUITS, HOW DO YOU TAKE HOW DO YOU FUND THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT THAT THAT WASN'T COVERED? IF IF WE'RE GOING TO IN THAT IN THAT EXAMPLE, IT WOULD IT WOULD COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

RIGHT. SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO US. YES.

WE WOULD, WE WOULD USE WE WOULD LEVERAGE GRANTS TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, BUT ANYTHING ADDITIONAL WOULD COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

ALL RIGHT. CAN YOU THINK OF ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT THAT COMES FROM THESE GRANTS OTHER THAN THAT BALLISTIC THOUGH, WE'RE GETTING LIGHTS. ARE WE GETTING CAMERAS? STATE LET'S SAY STATE OR FEDERAL? I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADJUST AS WE EXPAND.

MOST OF THE MOST OF THE GRANT RELATED ITEMS ARE GOING TO BE BALLISTIC PROTECTION SUCH AS SHIELDS, VESTS. WE, WE HAVE LEVERAGED THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO USE FOR THOSE GRANTS.

WE HAVE USED UAC, UAC MONEY FOR DIFFERENT PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AS WELL.

BUT I GUESS TO YOUR QUESTION, HOW MUCH OF IT GOES TOWARDS THE RECRUITS IS THAT IS THAT ESSENTIALLY THE OFFSETTING, JUST SOME OF THE EXPENSES OF HAVING A POLICE FORCE RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE CAMERAS? WHAT ELSE ARE WE EQUIPMENT? WHAT POLICE UNIFORMS, WHAT ALL COMES WHAT COULD POSSIBLY COME FROM THOSE GRANTS THAT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD MORE FUNDS FOR IF WE DON'T GET THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

RIGHT. THAT SO THERE COULD BE STAFF MEMBERS. THERE'S SOME, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL OVERTIME THAT WE USE FOR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT.

THERE'S EQUIPMENT. AND SO THERE'S A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT I HAVE TO GET A LIST OF ALL TOGETHER FOR YOU.

I DON'T HAVE IT ALL RIGHT NOW IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WE DO HAVE CERTAIN EQUIPMENT THAT WE GET THROUGH GRANTS THAT IF WE DIDN'T GET IT, IT WOULD THEN COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. ON THE BACKGROUND CHECK, COULD YOU SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE BACKGROUND CHECK? JUST GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT TYPE OF BACKGROUND YOU DO ON THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU'RE RECRUITING.

YES, MA'AM. SO WE BRIEFLY GO THROUGH THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY.

WE GO THROUGH DRUG USAGE, MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT A SUBJECT OR A ACCUSED OF FAMILY VIOLENCE.

AND SO THOSE ARE THE BIG ITEMS THAT WE WE LOOK FOR.

I MEAN, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, THERE'S JUST GOOD CHARACTER.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HIRING THE BEST PEOPLE THAT WE CAN FOR OUR CITY. DO YOU CONDUCT A CREDIT CHECK? I KNOW THAT WE USED TO. I'D HAVE TO GET BACK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STILL DO THAT. I WANT TO, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT AT A WORKSHOP.

AND SO I WANTED TO BE CLEAR ON THAT. I THINK THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY ASK YOU IS, WHAT ARE YOU TARGETING A PARTICULAR AGE RANGE AS YOU RECRUIT? NO, MA'AM. OUR WE WE CAN HIRE UP TO AGE 45. AND SO WE ARE ALL OVER THE BOARD.

WE OF COURSE LIKE TO LOOK AT FOLKS THAT ARE NEEDING JOBS NO MATTER WHAT AGE THEY ARE.

SO RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE, IN COLLEGE, MAYBE WANTING TO START A SECOND CAREER.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WE WANT TO BE. BUT YOU BASICALLY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR ANYONE OVER 40.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME? IF THEY'RE 40 AND THEY CAN PASS THE EXAM? 41. YOU'RE NOT LOOKING FOR 41. NO, I'LL TAKE A 41 OVER AS WELL.

GOOD ANSWER. GOOD ANSWER. YES. SO AS WE CLOSE OUT HERE, JUST JUST TO BE CLEAR ON WHERE I AM, WHAT MESSAGE? WHEN YOU'RE RECRUITING THESE INDIVIDUALS, WHAT ARE YOU TELLING THEM ABOUT THE.

WHY SHOULD THEY COME TO DALLAS? DALLAS HAS SOME OF THE BEST TRAINING IN THE WORLD.

I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW. WE DO A LOT OF RRT TRAINING THAT REALLY SETS US APART FROM EVERYBODY ELSE.

EVERYBODY'S BPOC TAKES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, UP TO SIX MONTHS, AND AFTER THAT THEY PUT THEM ON THE STREETS.

WELL, WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT FOUR MORE MONTHS OF TRAINING TO MAKE YOU THE BEST THAT WE CAN MAKE YOU HERE.

[03:30:03]

THAT SEPARATES US. DALLAS HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER OUTSIDE OF OF OF JUST THE JOB.

THERE'S ENTERTAINMENT, THERE'S SCHOOLS, THERE'S SO MUCH HERE.

WE HAVE AN AMAZING CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL THAT SUPPORTS US, WHICH YOU CAN'T FIND THAT EVERYWHERE.

AND THEN WE HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT DEMANDS THAT THEY SEE MORE OF US.

AND SO THAT IS THAT IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE EVERYWHERE ELSE.

AND PEOPLE ARE TAKING NOTE OF THAT AND THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.

WE ARE ADDICTED TO POLICE. I'M JUST GOING TO TELL YOU, I'M WAVING AT CARS AND DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO'S DRIVING.

I'M JUST WAVING BECAUSE I'M HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, HAPPY TO SEE THEM. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, AS I PREPARE FOR FOR MY LAST ONE MINUTE AS WE CLOSE HERE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT YOUNG PERSON WHO'S JUST COMING OUT OF COLLEGE AND TRAINING AND THEY SEE THE HEADLINES. WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH PENSION CHALLENGES.

WHAT ARE THEY? WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM? I TELL THEM THAT WHILE COUNCIL IS WORKING TO GET THE HOUSE IN ORDER, WE GOT A GREAT PLACE FOR YOU TO WORK. IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

JUST COME ON OVER AND GIVE ME A SHOT. ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S REALLY A GOOD ANSWER. SO I WILL SAY THIS AS WELL.

I TRUST YOU, CHIEF. I LOVE THE PLANS THAT YOU'RE IMPLEMENTING.

YOU SEEM TO HAVE A SUPPORT TEAM COUNCIL. I CAN TELL YOU WITH THE OFFICERS THAT I HAVE REACHED OUT TO.

YES, CHIEF. THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TAKING THE INDIVIDUALS FROM PATROL AND PUTTING THEM ON DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENTS NOW.

BUT WE KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT. AND I KNOW THAT THIS TIME MY TIME IS OUT.

SO YOU WANT ME TO STOP? YES. SO I'LL COME BACK FOR MY ONE MINUTE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CHAIRMAN. COUNCILWOMAN. SHOOT.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION BECAUSE THE DEMAND FOR MORE OFFICERS IS BASED ON THE DESIRE TO HAVE FEELINGS OF MORE SAFETY AND FOR THE PUBLIC TO FEEL MORE SAFE.

AND I THINK THAT SOME OF THAT MAY BE SIMPLISTIC, BECAUSE SIMPLY HAVING MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS IS NOT ALONE GOING TO SOLVE THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AROUND THIS HORSESHOE TODAY ABOUT PAST ABOUT, EXCUSE ME, ABOUT EFFICIENCIES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO USE TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER TOOLS THAT MAYBE COULD BE APPLIED TO DPD AS WELL.

I WAS JUST SPEAKING WITH CHIEF ARDIS ABOUT OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, ARDIS.

I'LL ALWAYS CALL HIM CHIEF ABOUT SOME OF THOSE NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAY BE IN PEOPLE'S MINDS THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT.

THAT WILL ENABLE US TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT NECESSARILY THAT ADDITIONAL OFFICER.

AND SO I'D LIKE HIM TO COME TO THE HORSESHOE JUST FOR A MINUTE AND SHARE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT COULD HELP THE PUBLIC REST ASSURED THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY THOSE ARE ALSO SOME OF THE REASONS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME IS GOING DOWN.

AND THEN I'LL COME BACK TO THIS, THIS DEBATE, BECAUSE I THINK IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT SIMPLISTIC AND, AS WAS SAID, PERFORMATIVE. DOMINIC ARTIS, CHIEF OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M GOING TO SET THIS UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SCHULTZ, FOR THE QUESTION.

TECHNOLOGY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS, HAS, IS EACH YEAR IS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.

THE CRIME PLAN IS ONE SUCH TOOL THAT OUR DEPARTMENT IS USED.

AND USING IT VERY WELL, NOT ONLY BRING DOWN CRIME IN OUR CITY, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE OUR RESOURCES ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACES.

DEPLOYMENT MODELS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

YEARS ON HOW WE DEPLOY OFFICERS AND HOW WE UTILIZE THEM IN CERTAIN WAYS TO ALSO HELP US BRING DOWN THE CRIME WE USE.

THE FLOCK CAMERAS ARE ANOTHER TOOL THAT WE USE.

THAT HAS SHOWN GREAT USE FOR THIS DEPARTMENT AND CONTINUE TO BE USED THROUGHOUT OUR CITY.

AND SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE'RE UTILIZING AS A DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS CITY IS SAFE, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THOSE. SO IF YOU WERE RATHER THAN HAVING A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO, SOME OF WHOM DON'T EVEN LIVE IN DALLAS TELL YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR DEPARTMENT, IF YOU WERE TO ABLE TO SAY NO, IF I HAD THIS, THESE RESOURCES, I ACTUALLY COULD DO THIS OR THAT.

IN ADDITION TO OFFICERS, WHAT WOULD SOME OF THOSE THINGS BE THAT YOU, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE ON THAT LIST.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST SITTING UP HERE TODAY, YOU HAVE OVER 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

AND THESE ARE PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT UNDERSTAND THE REALIZATION OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR CITY.

THEY USE DIFFERENT TASK FORCE, DIFFERENT TOOLS EVERY DAY TO MAKE US SAFER.

AND LISTENING TO OUR CHIEF AS WELL AS OUR INTERIM CHIEFS TO BETTER BE SITUATED FOR THE YEARS TO COME.

[03:35:07]

LOOKING AT OUR FUTURE, HOW DO WE GROW A DEPARTMENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE SAFETY THAT OUR OFFICERS NEED OUT IN THE FIELD? THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US, FOR THE SAFETY FACTOR OF OUR DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OUR CITIZENS, AND MAKING SURE THAT AS WE LOOK AT THIS, THAT WE ALSO REALIZE THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CITIZENS SEE THAT WE'RE BEING MORE EFFICIENT WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING. THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE'RE UTILIZING ARE EFFECTIVE THAT WE'RE LISTENING TO OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU'RE SEEING. THOSE ARE ALL PARTS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS A DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU. SO I AM ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF THIS AMENDMENT.

I BELIEVE THAT THAT 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS DEFINITELY INVALUABLE AND CAN TELL US HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND AS YOU THINK OF ADDITIONAL THINGS, IN ADDITION TO JUST, YOU KNOW, MORE OFFICERS THAT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL FEEL EQUALLY COMFORTABLE TO US. AND IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS TO HELP US GET OUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER A LITTLE BIT, THAT WILL HELP YOU SO YOU CAN SPEND YOUR TIME RATHER THAN HAVING TO BE HERE, OUT THERE ON THE STREETS WHERE YOU ALL SHOULD BE.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT AS WELL. THANK YOU. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALLEN BAZALDUA.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN. YES. I'M ALSO SPOKEN ON THIS MOTION.

GO AHEAD. I THINK YOU HAVE. EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU.

CHIEF, CAN YOU TELL US IN SIX YEARS, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU MET THE RECRUITING GOAL? I'D HAVE TO GET BACK WITH YOU TO GET YOU THE FACTS ON THAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE'VE MET IT VERY OFTEN. SO I BELIEVE YOU SHARED THIS AT LAST WEEK'S BRIEFING.

CORRECT? YES. WE MET LAST YEAR, AND WE HADN'T DONE THAT IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS, I BELIEVE.

SO I'M GOING TO SAY IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN THE SIX YEARS I'VE BEEN ON HERE WAS LAST YEAR.

YES, MA'AM. OKAY. AND EVERY YEAR IT'S BEEN THE SAME GOAL OF 250.

CORRECT. I WOULD HAVE TO GET SOME CONTEXT FROM MARTIN.

I BELIEVE THAT IS CORRECT. I BELIEVE THE GOAL HAS BEEN 250 CONSISTENTLY.

DO YOU RECALL FOR SEPTEMBER 2019 HOW MANY CADETS WERE IN THAT CLASS? AGAIN. IT'S WIDELY REPORTED THAT SOMEWHERE AROUND 80, 82, 82 AND OUR SAME EXACT BUILDING.

AND IN SEPTEMBER OF THIS 2024. CAN YOU TELL US HOW MANY RECRUITS WERE IN THAT CLASS? YES. GIVE ME ONE SECOND.

YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION WHILE I FIND THAT, IF YOU'D LIKE. WELL, MY NEXT COMMENT IS JUST TO POINT OUT THAT THERE'S JUST OVER SEVEN MONTHS LEFT IN THE YEAR. WE'RE NOT AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

IN FACT, WE HAVE MORE THAN HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR AHEAD OF US.

THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE ABOUT WAITING FOR A TRAINING FACILITY.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, FROM WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE TRAINING FACILITY, THAT MEANS WE DO NOTHING.

WE CANNOT WAIT FOR A TRAINING FACILITY. WE HAVE AN URGENT NEED TODAY.

THAT URGENT NEED ISN'T ABOUT FEELINGS. IT'S NOT ABOUT FEELING SAFE.

IT'S ABOUT BEING SAFE. IT'S ABOUT HAVING OFFICERS AVAILABLE TO RESPOND.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING DETECTIVES WHO CAN PREVENT CRIME BY DISMANTLING CRIME RINGS.

IT'S ABOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I KEEP HEARING THE ONLY ANSWER IS TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF PATROL.

I'M NOT AN EXPERT. AND IF THAT'S THE ONLY ANSWER YOU CAN COME UP WITH, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SHRUG MY SHOULDERS.

BUT I'M GOING TO SAY, MAYBE YOU NEED TO TALK TO THE POLICE FORCE BECAUSE LOTS OF OFFICERS HAVE CONTACTED ME.

THEY HAVE OTHER IDEAS FOR YOU, AND IT MIGHT FORCE SOME PEOPLE TO RESIGN TO, TO TO RETIRE IF THEY HAVE TO GO BACK ON PATROL AFTER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON PATROL A CERTAIN TIME.

IF THEY GET INTO A UNIT, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T WANT TO COME BACK TO IT.

IT'S A REALLY HARD JOB AND WE SAY THAT ALL THE TIME, BUT IT'S THE JOB WE ACTUALLY NEED FILLED RIGHT NOW.

SO WE'RE THE POLICYMAKERS, YOU'RE THE EXPERTS.

BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR TO US WHAT THE RESIDENTS OF DALLAS HAVE SAID.

THEY WANT MORE POLICE OFFICERS, AND IT'S NOT FOR US TO TELL YOU HOW TO GET THERE.

IT'S FOR US TO SAY WE WANT TO SET A HIGHER GOAL, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAYS THEY NEED.

I CAN'T IMAGINE YOU GO TO ANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, AND I THINK CHIEF GARCIA WOULD SAY THIS EVERY TIME.

HE'S NEVER BEEN TO A COMMUNITY MEETING WHERE THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR MORE COPS.

[03:40:01]

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE, EITHER, BECAUSE I HEAR FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE CITY.

WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE THEIR OWN PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE STORIES OF CRIME AND MULTIPLE PEOPLE SHOT ALL OVER THIS CITY.

THAT ISN'T ABOUT FEELING SAFE. THAT'S ABOUT BEING SAFE.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CRIME RATE COMPARED TO OUR SURROUNDING CITIES, OUR CRIME RATE IS MUCH HIGHER.

AND I'M SO PROUD OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN DPD WITH OUR CRIME REDUCTION.

BUT IF YOU THINK I'M TAKING A WIN AND SAYING WE'RE GOOD, WRONG, WE'RE NOT GOOD, WE HAVE TO GET BETTER.

AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE WE GET BETTER, BECAUSE WE ARE DOING EVERY OTHER THING, IS TO ADD MORE OFFICERS.

AND I SAY THAT AS JUST A RESIDENT, BUT I THINK THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER RESIDENTS SAYING THE SAME THING.

AND THAT'S THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE HERE. SO I WOULD SAY, DID YOU WERE YOU ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION? YES, MA'AM. 6262 SO I THINK, I THINK IT'S MAKING THE POINT THAT WE'VE HAD 82 OFFICERS SITTING IN THOSE CLASSROOMS. WE'VE HAD 62 SITTING IN THAT CLASSROOM.

IT'S NOT TOO MUCH TO SAY THERE'S 50 OR 55. AND LET'S BE HONEST, 20% OF THEM ARE GOING TO FAIL OUT OR QUIT BEFORE GRADUATION.

ANOTHER 20% ARE GOING TO FAIL OUT OR QUIT BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY FINISH FIELD TRAINING.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE NEED TO GO TO 400, SO THAT WE WOULD ACTUALLY END UP WITH 250 NEW OFFICERS.

THAT'S THE MATH. SO DO I THINK YOU COULD GET TO 400 BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR? OF COURSE NOT. AND NEVER ONCE IN ALL THE YEARS I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

HAVE I EVER HEARD FOR HEADS TO ROLL OR EVEN DISPARAGING COMMENTS ABOUT NOT HAVING MET THAT GOAL? IT'S WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT YOU? BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOAL AND A WORK PLAN THAT MATCHES.

SO THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS THAT YOU'RE RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT PERFORMATIVE ART. THIS IS ACTUALLY ABOUT BEING RESPONSIVE TO OUR RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN MENDELSOHN MORENO. THANK YOU MAYOR.

YOU ALL MENTIONED THAT THE AVERAGE CLASS SIZE FOR DPD WAS 40 TO 50.

WE HEARD AGAIN THAT CLASS 402 HAD 62. SO HOW DID WE MAKE THAT WORK? EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. SO WE HAVE A CLASSROOM SIZE LIMITATIONS.

WHENEVER WE GO OUT TO THE PISTOL RANGE WE HAVE TO BREAK THAT UP WHICH STRETCHES OUT THE TRAINING.

WHENEVER WE DO THE REALITY BASED TRAINING MODULES, THAT TAKES AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE SEVERAL INSTRUCTORS TO MONITOR THOSE TRAININGS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE DOING IT ABSOLUTELY SAFE.

THE OTHER COMPONENT TO THAT IS THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS COURSE.

EVOC, WHICH THAT MEANS EVERYBODY HAS TO GET THEIR THEIR REPETITIONS IN OPERATING THAT PATROL VEHICLE, WHICH IS A CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS TOOL IF THEY DON'T GET THE CORRECT TRAINING.

SO EACH ONE OF THOSE THREE, THOSE ITEMS THAT I MENTIONED ARE VERY TIME CONSUMING.

THEY TAKE LOTS OF STAFF TO CONDUCT THE TRAINING, AND WHEN WE HAVE THESE LARGE CLASSES, IT REALLY STRETCHES OUT OUR OUR TRAINING STAFF. SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT THAT IMMEDIATELY ARE CHALLENGING WITH THESE LARGE CLASSES.

AT THE LAST MEETING, I ASKED FOR WHAT THE NATIONAL CLASS SIZE LOOKED LIKE.

DID WERE WE ABLE TO GET AN UPDATE ON THAT? NO, SIR, BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY WORK ON THAT FOR YOU.

OKAY. LOOKING BACK AT HISTORICAL DATA IN 2000 AND 809, WE HIRED 394 OFFICERS. HOW MANY TRAINERS DID WE HAVE THEN? AND WERE THEY DID THEY GO THROUGH THE TRAINING FACILITY THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE TODAY? I'M SORRY. REPEAT THAT. BACK IN 2008, 2009 WAS WE'RE REUSING THE SAME TRAINING FACILITY THAT IS IN PLACE TODAY.

YES, SIR. OKAY. HOW MANY TRAINERS DO WE HAVE CURRENTLY AND HOW HAS THAT FLEXED OVER THE YEARS? FTO TRAINERS IN THE. WELL, ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE HAD ABOUT 133.

SINCE THEN WE'VE HAD PROMOTIONS AND WE'VE ADDED 150 MORE.

OKAY. WOULD YOU ALL GRADUATE A PERSON FROM THE ACADEMY THAT'S NOT READY TO OR FULLY TRAINED TO BE A OFFICER? NO. IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY, WE WOULD NOT PUT SOMEBODY OUT THERE THAT HASN'T HAD THE CORRECT TRAINING.

THAT'S AN EXTREME LIABILITY. THANK YOU. FOR ME, I HEAR THE CONCERNS OF

[03:45:02]

BRINGING OFFICERS OUT OFF OF PATROL. NO ONE WANTS TO DO THAT.

AND SO WHAT I AM ASKING, WHAT I'M CHALLENGING OUR DEPARTMENT TO DO IS TO LOOK AT OUR RETIREES, TO LOOK AT OUR RESERVE OFFICERS AND LOOK AT THOSE OFFICERS THAT ARE ON THE VERGE OF RETIRING AND AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING THEM ON PATROL, GETTING THEM TRAINED SO THAT THEY CAN BE PART OF THE OF THE ACADEMY TO GET MORE OFFICERS ONTO OUR STREETS.

AGAIN, NO ONE IS GOING TO BE IN SUPPORT OF MOVING THOSE OFFICERS OFF OF PATROL.

THAT'S WHERE THEY BELONG. BUT THERE'S OTHER WAYS TO GET CREATIVE IN GETTING INDIVIDUALS AND BODIES WHO ARE ALREADY TRAINED AS AN OFFICER TO HELP US WITH OUR RECRUITING NUMBERS. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR GETTING TO 243 THIS PAST YEAR.

THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO THAT 400 NUMBER IS BY INCREASING SO THAT WE CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, WHICH IS WHAT EVERYONE IS ASKING.

AND SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S COMMITMENT.

HERE. I'D LIKE TO REQUEST A RECORD VOTE FOR THIS AS WELL.

DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALREADY BEEN REQUESTED AS WELL.

I WOULD LIKE TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT I THINK THAT THERE WAS COMMENTS MADE THAT THIS IS NOT PERFORMATIVE.

HOWEVER, IN THE SAME SENTENCE, REALLY, IT WAS SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF 400 WAS NEVER MEANT TO ACTUALLY BE ACCOMPLISHED. I DON'T I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS ISN'T PERFORMATIVE.

IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO SET REALISTIC GOALS, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE MESSAGING TO OUR PUBLIC THAT THE THE GOALS THAT WE SET FORTH, THOSE HEADLINES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE, THE ACTIONS THAT THEY SEE COME FROM THIS COUNCIL.

FOR US TO DO THAT, KNOWING THAT IT IS NOT ATTAINABLE OF A GOAL TO ME IS IS MISLEADING.

AND IT'S IT'S JUST DISHONEST TO THE PUBLIC. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I WANTED TO GET THIS SHORED UP.

THIS IS THIS IS FAR BEYOND HEARING CRIES FOR PEOPLE TO PULL ARBITRARY NUMBERS OUT OF A HAT.

THIS IS TALKING WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR ENTIRE CAREER TO THIS PROFESSION TELL US WHAT IS AND ISN'T FEASIBLE.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT. SO TO SET A NUMBER OUT FROM THE SKY AND WE CAN SAY THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE IT TO BE OBTAINABLE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND THROW IT OUT THERE ANYWAY BECAUSE WE DON'T CARE IF WE'RE GOING TO SET Y'ALL UP FOR FAILURE. THAT'S NOT THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD BE OPERATING.

THAT'S NOT A SMART WAY TO GOVERN. IN FACT, I ALSO THINK IT'S IT'S SOMEWHAT COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO NOW HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT WHAT WE COULD BE DOING TO GET MORE RECRUITS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE YEARS THAT WERE ASKED IN THE PAST, IN THOSE YEARS THAT WE HAD SOME FLUCTUATING GOALS MET FOR RECRUIT. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THAT NATIONAL STANDARD LOOKED LIKE? AND IF THERE WAS AN IMPACT THAT WE FELT WAS WAS ACROSS THE BOARD REGARDING RECRUITMENT AND EVEN RETENTION FOR THAT MATTER, OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SINCE 2020? COUNCIL MEMBER I'LL LET CHIEF HERRERA GET BACK WITH YOU ON THE NATIONAL STANDARDS.

I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT I CAN TELL YOU MORE THAN ANY OTHER TIME IN MY CAREER, WE SAW HIGHER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN THOSE YEARS, A HIGHER NUMBER OF FIRINGS AND A HIGHER NUMBER OF ATTRITIONS IN THOSE YEARS.

SO THERE WAS A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH THAT HIGHER NUMBER OF HIRES AND THEN INFORMATION I JUST GAVE YOU.

THANK YOU, CHIEF. AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, IF I CAN REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THAT THE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY ASKED FOR A CHANGE IN POLICY THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE RECRUITS, WHICH WAS TO ELIMINATE OR POTENTIALLY LOWER THE COLLEGE REQUIREMENT STANDARD.

THAT SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL BARRIER TO GETTING RECRUITS, AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS KILLED IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE AS AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE WHEN WE'RE TALKING HERE, WHEN WE'VE BEEN GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES AND PROPOSALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT ON HOW TO INCREASE RECRUITS.

BUT WE HAVE UNILATERALLY DECIDED THAT THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH OR SOMETHING THAT WE DECIDE.

AGAIN, SPEAKING FOR POLICE AS IF WE KNOW BETTER.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

SO THAT PROPOSAL NEVER EVEN MADE IT TO THIS BODY TO CONSIDER, TO GIVE YOU GUYS MORE TOOLS TO HIRE RECRUITS.

SO TO SAY THAT Y'ALL AREN'T DOING EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO DO MORE AND HIRE MORE IS WRONG.

YOU'RE GOING TO CUT ME OFF. I'M GOING TO GO FOR A THIRD. GO FOR A THIRD FOR ONE. THANK YOU. UNLESS YOU WANT TO FINISH IT NOW. YES, SIR. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. SO WITH THAT CITY

[03:50:07]

MANAGER, IF YOU COULD, PLEASE, I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING BRIEFED ON THE STATE OF THE ACADEMY.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S OF COURSE, NECESSARY. BUT I THINK THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE GREAT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT HAVE HINDERED OUR ABILITY TO HAVE LARGER CLASS SIZES. AND I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE IN THAT BRIEFING FOR YOU TO REVISIT AND ALLOW FOR A DISCUSSION AND DEBATE AMONGST THE WHOLE BODY ABOUT WHAT THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED US TO CONSIDER A POLICY CHANGE ON, WHICH IS COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS. WE'VE GOT TO GET SERIOUS HERE.

WE CAN'T KEEP PLACATING TO THE LOUDEST VOICES, THE ONES THAT ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

WE NEED TO BE HERE TO SUPPORT OUR DALLAS TO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS MOTION AND THIS AMENDMENT WILL DO.

AT THE SAME TOKEN, WE NEED TO TAKE UP AND CONSIDER THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU ALL HAVE PROPOSED AND ASKED US TO DO TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS THAT WE HAVE NEGLECTED TO DO AS A BODY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN TAVARES. THANK YOU.

MAYOR ATKINS, I'M VERY QUICKLY, I FIRST I WANT TO SAY I APOLOGIZE TO YOU, CHIEF.

I GO TO BE TOLD TO. YOU SHOULD GO TALK TO YOUR OFFICERS.

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT YOU TALK TO AND SPEAK TO YOUR OFFICERS EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT YOU'RE ON THIS JOB, AND I JUST FIND IT HORRIFIC THAT ANYBODY WOULD LOOK AT YOU AND TELL YOU IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE AS A PROFESSIONAL, WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN THEY JUST SAT HERE AND SAID, WHAT YOU WHAT WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING, AND THEN TELLING YOU EXACTLY WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING.

I JUST THINK IT'S REPREHENSIBLE. AND I APOLOGIZE THAT YOU HAD TO EVEN HEAR THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TALKING ABOUT RETIREES AND IT TALKS TO ALL THAT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE'RE HERE, IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLAN.

THERE WAS NO PLAN TO THESE BIGGER NUMBERS, THE BIGGER NUMBERS THAT WE NEED, WE NEED TO HAVE A PLAN.

AND SO JUST TO THROW OUT THIS MADE UP 400 NUMBER WITH NO PLAN WHATSOEVER.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SITTING HERE IS, I THINK IN THE NEXT FISCAL BUDGET, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A BETTER PLAN AT THAT TIME AND THE ABILITY TO STUDY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO. IF THERE'S OTHER BUILDINGS THAT WE CAN USE AND ALL OF THAT, BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUDGET.

WOULD YOU SAY, IS THAT SOMETHING Y'ALL WILL BE WORKING ON FOR THE NEXT FISCAL BUDGET, CHIEF? OH, ABSOLUTELY. AND HERE AGAIN, MY GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE SWORN STRENGTH AND OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO MEET THE HIRING GOALS. ALL I'M ASKING FOR THIS YEAR IS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO REVIEW THAT DATA, MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN EQUAL BALANCE ACROSS THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS MY JOB, THAT THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AS WE MEASURE THE DATA GOING INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEARS. VERY GOOD. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBERS WERE BROUGHT UP FOR TWO CLASSES OVER, YOU KNOW, MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS THAT WERE ELEVATED IN SIZE.

AND YOU HAD TO MAKE DO. I MEAN, THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IS FOR THESE NEXT THREE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DO.

AND I THINK YOU SAID IT YOURSELF LIKE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DO IT FOR THREE, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS PROLONG FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. IS THAT CORRECT? WAS I JUST DREAMING? YES, SIR. ONCE WE GO OVER THE 300, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT STAFFING MODELS FOR TRAINING.

SO THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. NOT ONLY STAFFING BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT EQUIPMENT AS WELL.

RIGHT. AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT IS WHAT ALL THE EQUIPMENT TO ONCE YOU'RE DONE OUTFITTING, ONCE YOU'RE DONE TRAINING AN OFFICER, WHAT IT COSTS TO EQUIP THEM.

AND LAST TIME I ASKED THIS QUESTION, AND I THINK THAT FOLKS DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WAS, YES, THERE'S A THERE'S A PRICE TO TRAIN THE OFFICER, THE RECRUIT.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THAT NUMBER IS, BUT IT'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO 18 MONTHS.

RIGHT. BUT IT'S WHEN THEY'RE OUT ON THEIR OWN.

WHAT IS THAT TO OUTFIT THEM, AND THAT OUTFIT, ONCE THEY'RE ON THEIR OWN, IS ABOUT 18,000 PLUS DOLLARS PER OFFICER.

ONCE THEY'RE OUT ON THEIR OWN. WELL, EVEN DURING THE TRAINING. RIGHT.

BECAUSE ONCE THEY'RE PUT DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS, THEY HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN ORDER TO BE AS SAFE AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN.

IT'S IT'S NOT INEXPENSIVE. I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S SOMETHING WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGET IS WE HAVE TO BUY MORE GEAR, MORE, MORE EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO GET THAT OFFICER OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN, INCLUDING A SQUAD CAR WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE $95,000.

SO THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE THING. NOT SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO DO IT. IF WE CAN FIND THOSE FOLKS.

AND I'M GOING TO FINISH WITH THIS, MR. MAYOR, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE PROBABLY WANT TO MOVE ON AND FINISH THIS UP, BUT IS TO HEAR THAT YOU ALL HAVE OFFERED SOMETHING WHEN IT COMES TO AN EXCHANGE FOR COLLEGE HOURS AND HAVING SOME TYPE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND OF SOME KIND, AND TO SAY THAT YOU WANT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE KILLED IT.

I'LL GIVE YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD PLEASE. THEN TO SAY THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS KILLED IN COMMITTEE AND NOT EVEN BROUGHT TOWARDS US OR WAS BLOCKED.

[03:55:07]

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER. I'M NOT ON THAT. BUT I JUST HEARD IT.

I HOPE THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED, BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ACROSS THE NATION THAT FOLKS ARE DOING, IS EXCHANGING SOME TYPE OF THAT YOU'VE DONE THIS JOB FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME THAT'S EQUIVALENT.

AND THEN SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT MAYBE YOU CAN'T ACHIEVE OR YOU HAVEN'T HAD THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THAT. I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR ASSOCIATIONS AS WELL AS FROM OUR COMMAND STAFF.

AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO IN ORDER TO HELP US WHEN IT COMES TO, OH, LET'S JUST GRAB RETIREES. IT'S NOT AS EASY AS GRABBING RETIREES BECAUSE THEN THEY CAN'T GET THEIR PENSION, THEY CAN'T GET PAID AND GET THEIR PENSION AT THE SAME TIME.

SO THERE'S THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE EXCHANGED AND DONE.

SO FOLKS ARE SAYING THINGS ON HERE, AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THIS BECAUSE IT'S GREAT POLITICS, BUT IT'S NOT ALL THE TRUTH. YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK INTO EVERY SINGLE DETAIL ON THIS AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

THANK YOU, CHIEF EGO. THANK YOU. DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, MAYOR. YOUR TIME IS UP. CHAIRMAN ARNOLD, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, MAYOR.

AND ONCE AGAIN, TO CHIEF EGO AND STAFF AND THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE WHO GIVE OF THEMSELVES, I WOULD SAY, AND MAKE A SACRIFICE. AND WE CAN TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF WITH THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

I BELIEVE THAT, BUT JUST FOR JUST A MOMENT, COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE SACRIFICE? WHEN WE KEEP PUSHING AND PUSHING AND ASKING FOLKS TO WORK OVERTIME AND CONTINUE TO WORK BEYOND WHAT THEY REALLY EXPECTED TO WORK IN TERMS OF A NORMAL WEEK, IF YOU WILL, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO THE HUMAN ELEMENT? YEAH. COUNCIL MEMBER, I WILL SAY THIS. AND IT'S IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A CONCERN OF MINE, AND THAT'S WHY I ALWAYS MENTIONED THE THE EFFORTS GIVEN BY MY SWORN STAFF AND MY PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAFE CITY.

INCREASING OUR STAFFING WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT NOT ONLY ON THE DEPARTMENT, BUT THE CITY.

AND WE'VE LOOKED AT TO NOT ONLY BE EFFICIENT ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT, BUT ALSO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE OUR OFFICERS ARE NOT WORKING MORE HOURS THAN THEY SHOULD BE. BECAUSE OVER THE LONG RUN, IT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEM.

IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THEIR PERSONAL LIVES. AND I NEED HEALTHY WELL-BEING OFFICERS THAT ARE WHOLE AND ARE COMMITTED TO THIS PROFESSION AND THEIR CITY.

SO WE TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE THINGS. AND SO WE WOULD CONCLUDE THIS CONVERSATION REALLY WITH UNDERSTANDING THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND SO THEY GET TIRED, THEY GET SICK, THEY GET STRESSED OUT, AND THEN THEY THERE ARE SOME OTHER SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO TO, TO SUPPORT THEM WITH. SO AS I CLOSE HERE, I WANT US COUNCIL MEMBERS TO OPERATE WITH FACTS AND NOT FEAR.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GOING TO GET SUED AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, YOU CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A TURNIP.

AND WHEN YOU GO TO THE COMMUNITIES, CHIEF, I THINK WHAT MPO OFFICERS COULD DO IS CONTINUE TO EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE, IS UP. MY TIME IS UP. YES, SIR. WELL, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, CHIEF.

I GO AND REMEMBER WE OUR GOAL WITH CHIEF, I GO.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. CHAIRWOMAN MENDELSOHN THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. I'M SO THRILLED THAT PEOPLE ARE SO INTERESTED IN WHAT HAPPENS AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING.

AND I WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO ATTEND. WHEN WE HAD THE PROPOSAL FROM CIVIL SERVICE ABOUT LOWERING POLICE HIRING STANDARDS.

DID THE COMMITTEE SAY? ABSOLUTELY NOT. DON'T BRING THIS BACK.

OR DO THEY ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK YOU TO BRING IT BACK WHEN YOU WERE PREPARED? I WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK NEXT WEEK TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

YES, I THOUGHT SO. AND IT'S MUCH MORE THAN JUST ABOUT COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS.

IT'S ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF EXPERIENCE THEY BRING IN LIEU OF THAT.

WOULD THAT BE A CORRECT CHARACTERIZATION? THAT'S PART OF IT, YES.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE BRIEFING NOW. BUT WE'D BE HAPPY.

WE'D BE HAPPY TO SHARE ALL THAT NEXT WEEK. YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT RETIREES.

THE THING IS, YOU CAN'T KEEP THEM FOREVER BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY GET OLD AND THEY CAN'T WORK ANYMORE.

AND THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS THEY WANT TO DO IN LIFE.

I HAVE MET SO MANY POLICE OFFICERS THAT CAN TELL US YEARS AHEAD THE DAY THEY'LL RETIRE.

THEY'VE GOT IT PLANNED OUT FINANCIALLY. THEY KNOW I'VE GOT TWO YEARS, FOUR MONTHS AND SEVEN DAYS.

SO, CHIEF HERRERA, YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD. YES.

DO YOU FIND THAT MANY POLICE OFFICERS KNOW IN THE FUTURE WHAT DATE THEY'RE GOING TO RETIRE? YOU MAY HAVE SHARED ONE WITH ME YOURSELF. I BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE AN IDEA OF WHEN THEY'D LIKE TO LEAVE.

[04:00:05]

YES, MA'AM. AND WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN THE PAST TO KEEP RETIREES? THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RETENTION. AND CAN YOU SHARE THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR THE ONE THAT JUST IS ENDING? SO TWO YEARS AGO, IN FISCAL YEAR 23, WE IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAM TO KEEP RETIRE ELIGIBLE OFFICERS UP TO AN AVERAGE OF 30 YEARS. AND WE OFFERED IT TO 69 OFFICERS.

OF THE 69, 66 ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THIS MAY, AND THEY WOULD HAVE COMPLETED TWO YEARS.

THEY WILL RECEIVE A $40,000 PAYMENT. WE ESTIMATE IT'S GOING TO BE AROUND 2.5 MILLION.

SO WE'RE PAYING AN EXTRA $40,000 TO OUR MOST SENIOR FOLKS TO STAY TWO YEARS.

THAT'S THE COST OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS.

AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY STAY BEYOND THAT IS VERY SMALL.

AND SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT EXPECTING TO HAVE A LOT OF RETIREES, I'M EXPECTING TO HAVE PROBABLY 66 OF THEM PUT IN THEIR NOTICE.

AND I THINK YOU ARE AS WELL. AND WHEN YOU HEAR FROM THESE FOLKS, THEY'RE OFTEN SAYING THAT WE DO HAVE A STAFFING ISSUE.

WE HAVE A CRITICAL STAFFING ISSUE. IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT IT'S NOT JUST BEING DISCUSSED AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

IT'S NOT JUST BEING DISCUSSED AT THIS FULL COUNCIL, IT'S BEING DISCUSSED IN THE PUBLIC, AND WE HAVE TO ACT.

SO THE LAST THING I'M GOING TO SAY IS THERE IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT IF SOMEBODY IS NOT TRAINED ENOUGH TO GO OUT AND THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FOR US FOR A BAD ACTION.

AND WE DO HAVE LAWSUITS LIKE THAT, BUT IT'S NOT USUALLY BECAUSE IT'S A ROOKIE, IT'S BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S BEEN TIRED AND WE'RE ASKING THEM TO WORK SO MANY HOURS OF OVERTIME. WE'RE ASKING THEM TO MISS FAMILY EVENTS, SPECIAL MOMENTS.

WE ASKED THE POLICE OFFICER, GET THIS, WHOSE WIFE DIED TO COME BACK AFTER THE THREE DAYS BEREAVEMENT WITH THREE YOUNG CHILDREN HADN'T EVEN BURIED HER YET BECAUSE WE NEEDED HIM BACK. HE COULD HAVE USED VACATION TIME AND I THINK HE DID.

BUT THAT'S HOW DESPERATE WE ARE FOR BODIES, SO WE HAVE TO ACT.

AND THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND I HOPE PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT IT.

AND PLEASE, FOR THE AMENDMENT, I WOULD ALSO LIKE THE AMENDMENT TO BE ON THE RECORD.

THANK YOU. ALL. I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE, CHIEF.

ACHIEVE OUR GOAL. I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK ALL DPDX AND THANK THE THE DALLAS POLICE ASSOCIATION FOR WHAT THEY WROTE, CHIEF. YOU KNOW, I MET WITH YOU LAST WEEK AND AND ONE THING I ASKED YOU, WHY WOULD A POLICE OFFICER WANT TO BE A DALLAS POLICE OFFICER? WHY DO THEY WANT TO COME TO DALLAS? CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME A REASON WHY THEY WANT TO BE COME TO DALLAS? YEAH, I THINK CHIEF HERRERA HIT ON MOST OF THE MAJOR TOPICS.

I WILL SAY THIS FROM MY STANDPOINT, FROM BEING HERE 33 YEARS, FROM HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THIS BY FAR THIS DEPARTMENT SETS THE NATIONAL STANDARD FOR POLICING.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COME TALK TO US.

WE HAVE THE NATIONAL POLICING INSTITUTE. COME TALK TO US TO DO ARTICLES ON US.

IT'S NOTHING SHORT OF THE TYPE OF OFFICERS WE'RE CREATING, AND IT STARTS WITH OUR ACADEMIES.

IT STARTS WITH THE TRAINING AT THE ACADEMIES.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CLASS SIZES, THOSE CLASS SIZES ARE TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE GETTING THE BEST INSTRUCTION. AND AFTER THAT, IT'S THE TRAINER THEY GO TO.

AND THAT PROCESS CONTINUES TO MENTORSHIP ON THIS TRAINING, WHICH I'M LOOKING AT.

BUT THE OVERALL IDEA THAT WHY WE'RE THE BEST DEPARTMENT IS BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE ON THIS DEPARTMENT. IT'S THE PEOPLE WE RECRUIT TO BE THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT.

AND I'LL STAND BY THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND I WANT TO SAY THAT GOOD.

YOU KNOW, NUMBER ONE, I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE A GREAT POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT I WANT TO THROW SOMETHING OUT THERE, CHIEF. PROBABLY IN 20 1617, WE HAD A PENSION CRISIS, AND RIGHT NOW WE STILL GOT A PENSION CRISIS. WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE TO MAKE SURE.

AND THAT'S WHY I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BE AT 300 RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A CRISIS.

WE GOT TO GET THAT LAWSUIT SETTLED RIGHT AWAY.

SO WE DON'T LOSE NO MORE OFFICERS AS WE CAN WITH THAT.

[04:05:03]

WE OUGHT TO RECORD VOTE. RECORD VOTE WILL BE TAKEN.

THANK YOU. MISTER. WE ARE VOTING ON OUR BAZALDUA AMENDMENT AS STATED.

THANK YOU, MISTER MAYOR. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, WILL YOU PLEASE STATE.

YES, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR? NO. IF YOU OPPOSE COUNCIL MEMBER WEST.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO. NO. COUNCIL MEMBER GRACEY.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. ARNOLD. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

RESENDEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. NARVAEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

BLACKMON. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. STEWART. YES. COUNCILMEMBER SCHULTZ.

YES. COUNCILMEMBER. MENDELSOHN. NO. COUNCILMEMBER.

WILLIS. YES. COUNCILMEMBER. RIDLEY. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA.

YES. MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS. YES. MAYOR JOHNSON IS ABSENT.

WITH 12 VOTING IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED, ONE ABSENT.

ONE VOTE TAKEN. THE AMENDMENT PASSES, MR. MAYOR.

YES. LET'S GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION AND THE AMENDMENT.

YEAH. OKAY. THE RECORD VOTE CALLED ON THAT. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE SAY YES IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR.

NO, IF YOU'RE OPPOSED. GOT IT. COUNCIL MEMBER WEST.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO. NO. WILL YOU? I WILL ALSO ASK THAT YOU SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.

BUT I HEARD THAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO COUNCIL MEMBER.

GRACEY. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. ARNOLD. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER RESENDEZ.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. NARVAEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKMON.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. STEWART. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

SCHULTZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. MENDELSOHN. NO.

COUNCIL MEMBER. WILLIS. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. RIDLEY.

YES. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA. YES. MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS.

YES. MAYOR JOHNSON IS ABSENT, WITH 12 VOTING IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED, ONE ABSENT.

THE ITEM. THE ITEM PASSES, MR. MAYOR. MADAM SECRETARY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP ITEM 61 AFTER LUNCH.

AND IT IS NOW 126. ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2025, THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL NOW GO INTO CLOSED SESSION

[CLOSED SESSION]

UNDER SECTION 551071551072 OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETING ACT ON THE FOLLOWING MANNER DESCRIBED ON TODAY'S AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER 55. COLLEAGUES, LET'S TRY TO GET BACK AT 2:00 SO WE CAN GET OUT EARLY.

THANK YOU. OKAY. I'D LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU TONIGHT.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. BUY A COFFEE OR SOMETHING. WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU. OKAY. YOU READY? THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HAD COMPLETE ITS CLOSED SESSION UNDER SECTION 551071 AND 551.072 OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS TO ACT. AT 206 ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2025, WE HAVE RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION, MADAM SECRETARY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE'LL NOW GO BACK TO YOUR AGENDA.

[61. 25-302A Authorize (1) the rejection of the proposals received for the Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR Services) for a new Dallas Police Regional Training Academy, solicitation CIZ24-BCM-3111(a); and (2) the cancellation of the procurement solicitation CIZ24-BCM-3111(a) - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

ITEM 61. ITEM 61 AUTHORIZE ONE THE REJECTION OF THE PROPOSALS RECEIVED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK, SEYMOUR SERVICES FOR A NEW DALLAS POLICE REGIONAL TRAINING ACADEMY.

SOLICITATION C I Z 24 DASH BCM DASH 3111A AND TWO.

THE CANCELLATION OF THE PROCUREMENT SOLICITATION 624-BC-3118.

THIS IS YOUR ITEM, MR. MAYOR, BEFORE I ASK FOR A MOTION.

THE MAYOR HAD REQUESTED A FULL BRIEFING TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY.

AS SUCH, TODAY'S DISCUSSION SHOULD REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE SPECIFIC ITEM AT HAND.

QUESTIONS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND THE CANCELLATION OF SOLICITATION FOR THE CONTRACT.

MANAGER AT RISK FOR CMA. CAN I GET A MOTION, PLEASE? SECOND. OKAY. AND IN THE COMMENTS. CHAIRMAN MENDELSOHN, YOUR LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING, I GUESS.

OH, IT IS TURNING OFF. ACTUALLY, WHEN I TURN IT ON.

THANK YOU. SO I'M IN SUPPORT. AGAIN, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.

HOWEVER, THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE ACADEMY BRIEFING.

[04:10:03]

I'VE ASKED FOR THAT MANY TIMES, ACTUALLY AT PUBLIC SAFETY AND STAFF WAS NOT PREPARED TO DO IT.

DO YOU HAVE A DATE FOR THAT BRIEFING? ROBIN, DO YOU HAVE A SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT BRIEFING? I SEE CHIEF ARTIST BACK THERE. PERHAPS HE HAS A DATE.

IT'S CHIEF I WAS ASKING ABOUT A DATE FOR THE PUBLIC FOR THE ACADEMY BRIEFING.

YEAH. CHAIRMAN COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSOHN RASTOGI, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.

WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING THAT TO COUNCIL ON THE 5TH OF MARCH.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENT? WITH THAT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AND OPPOSED? NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR ZONING AGENDA. BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE UP ANY ITEMS ON YOUR ZONING AGENDA,

[Z9. 25-617A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for and an ordinance granting a Specific Use Permit for a commercial amusement (inside) on property zoned Subdistrict 1 within Planned Development District No. 534, the C.F. Hawn Special Purpose District No. 2, on the northeast line of C.F. Hawn Freeway, west of Pleasant Drive Recommendation of Staff: Approval for a five-year period, subject to a site plan and conditions Recommendation of CPC: Approval for a three-year period, subject to a site plan and conditions Z234-315(AU/WK)]

MR. MAYOR, AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL MEMBER RESENDEZ WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED ON ITEM Z9.

SORRY. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I MOVE TO DEFER THIS ITEM TO MARCH 26TH, 2025.

SECOND. SECOND. OKAY, IN THE COMMENT? NO, SIR.

OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. AYES. CARRIES.

NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR CONSENT AGENDA.

YOUR ZONING CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTED OF ITEMS Z ONE THROUGH Z 13.

ITEM Z ONE HAS BEEN PULLED. MADAM. MADAM SECRETARY, DO WE HAVE.

MISS BLACKMON WAS WANTING TO HAVE HER ITEM BEFORE THE CONSENT DEFERRED Z 14.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AT THIS TIME COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKMON WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED ON ITEM Z 14.

NOT FOR DEFERRAL. BILIERAE NOT DEFER. WELL, SHE WANT TO TAKE IT OUT OF ORDER.

OKAY, SO BEFORE WE WE'RE DONE WITH OUR DEFERRALS, BEFORE WE MOVE TO OUR ZONING CONSENT AGENDA.

[Z14. 25-610A A public hearing to receive comments regarding a City Plan Commission authorized hearing to consider a change to the zoning classification from R-7.5(A) single-family zoning district and R-10(A) single-family zoning district to Tract IV of the Lakewood Conservation District No. 2 being a tract of land consisting of portions of City Blocks C/2818, E/2829, L/2840, A/4416, 4418, 4417, H/2823, F/2805, D/2805, K/2025, L/2840 and all of City Blocks D/2819, F/2834, B/4416, B/4415, K/2839, J/2838, G/2835, I/2837, H/2836, E/2820, G/2823, J/2825, V/2804, K/2825, in an area generally bounded by alleys between Westlake Avenue and Meadow Lake Avenue and between Lakewood Boulevard and Westlake Avenue on the north, Lawther Drive on the east, Tokalon Drive and the alleys between Tokalon Drive and both Pasadena Avenue and Avalon Avenue and the alley between Lorna Lane and Avalon Avenue on the south, and Brendenwood Drive, Copperfield Lane and the alley south of Westlake, and Wendover Road on the west and an ordinance granting the amendments Recommendation of Staff: Approval, subject to conditions Recommendation of CPC: Approval, subject to conditions Z212-315(TAB)]

WE'LL NOW MOVE TO ITEM Z 14. I WILL READ THAT ITEM INTO THE RECORD.

ITEM 14 IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING A CITY PLAN COMMISSION AUTHORIZED HEARING TO CONSIDER A CHANGE TO THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM OUR 7.5, A SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT AND OUR TEN A SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT TO TRACT FOUR OF THE LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT. NUMBER TWO BEING A TRACT OF LAND CONSISTING OF PORTIONS OF CITY BLOCK C, 28182829, L2840A441644184417H2823F2805D2805, K2025, L2840 AND ALL OF CITY BLOCKS D2819F2834B4416B4415K2839J.

2838G2835I. 28378.

28362820G282323J2825V2804K2825.

IN AN AREA GENERALLY BOUNDED BY ALLEYS BETWEEN WESTLAKE AVENUE AND MEADOW LAKE AVENUE, BETWEEN LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD AND WESTLAKE AVENUE ON THE NORTH, LAWNDALE DRIVE ON THE EAST TOKALON DRIVE, AND THE ALLEYS BETWEEN TOKELAND DRIVE AND BOTH PASADENA AVENUE AND AVALON AVENUE, AND THE ALLEY BETWEEN LORNA LANE AND AVALON AVENUE ON THE SOUTH AND BRANDON WOOD DRIVE, COPPERFIELD LANE, AND THE ALLEY SOUTH OF WESTLAKE AND WENDOVER ROAD ON THE WEST, AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING THE AMENDMENTS.

MR. MAYOR, WE SEND 458 NOTICES TO PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 200FT OF THE AREA OF REQUEST.

WE RECEIVED 155 REPLIES IN FAVOR AND 180 REPLIES IN OPPOSITION DUE TO 20% OPPOSITION.

A THREE FOURTHS VOTE IS REQUIRED. I GUESS I CAN I CAN DO THAT AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AS A PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY.

ONE SECOND. YES. IS IT THREE FOURTHS OF THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, OR IS IT THAT YOU NEED 12 APPROVAL? 12 OF THE BODY. 12 OF THE BODY. 12 OF THE BODY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[04:15:12]

OKAY. COUNSEL. YOU DO HAVE EIGHT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.

AFTER THOSE REGISTERED SPEAKERS SPEAK. IT WILL BE OPEN TO ANY MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE FOR FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS.

YOUR FIRST SPEAKER, WILSON SHILKOV AND SORRY IF I MISPRONOUNCED YOUR NAME.

OKAY, I'LL CALL ALL EIGHT WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME THAT ARE IN PERSON.

WHEN YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD AND HAVE A SEAT IN THE CENTER SECTION ON THE FIRST TWO ROWS.

CHRIS KING AND KING, ERIC JOHNSON, RANDY JESBERG, ROXANNE STAFF, SUMMER LOVELAND AND WILLIS WINTERS. YOU MAY BE YOU MAY BEGIN. THERE'S YOU GOT ME. THANK YOU. AND THAT WAS TWO MINUTES.

OH. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I THINK IT WAS MICHAEL BLOOMBERG WHO SAID, IN GOD WE TRUST EVERYONE ELSE. BRING DATA. AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TO BRING DATA TO YOU TODAY AND SPECIFICALLY TALK ABOUT THE SUPPORT THAT EXISTS, OR LACK THEREOF, IN THE PROPOSED CD2 EXPANSION ARE COUNCILWOMAN HAS SAID, VERY REASONABLY, I MIGHT ADD, THAT SHE WOULD WANT TO SEE, QUOTE, OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE TO BE PASSED.

SO LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS IN THE ORIGINAL MAP.

AS PROPOSED FOR THE CD, THERE WERE 39 OUT OF 280 HOUSEHOLDS.

THERE WERE 39% IN SUPPORT, 53% OPPOSED. CB, CPC THEN REDID THE MAP TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT SMALLER. THIS MAP INCLUDED 153 HOUSEHOLDS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS AND THESE NUMBERS ARE TAKEN FROM THE CITY SURVEY, FROM THE CITY WEBSITE, WE HAVE 54% IN FAVOR. WE HAVE 42% OPPOSED. I WOULD HUMBLY LIKE TO SUBMIT TO THE COUNCIL THAT THIS HARDLY CONSTITUTES OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

IN FACT, I WOULD LIKE TO GO A STEP FURTHER AND POINT OUT THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAPS THAT WERE SENT TO ALL OF YOU, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LION'S SHARE OF SUPPORT FALLS ON TWO BLOCKS OF LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD BETWEEN WENDOVER AND WESTLAKE. THESE TWO BLOCKS CAN, WITHOUT MUCH DOUBT, BE REGARDED AS OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF CD2. TO TAKE OUT THESE TWO BLOCKS. LOOK AT THE REST OF THE MAP FOR YOURSELF, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THE OPPOSITION IS VERY, VERY STRONG. THERE'S PROBABLY NO BLOCK WITH MORE THAN 52%, PERHAPS 1 OR 2% BEYOND.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU, CHRIS KING.

OKAY, CHRIS KING IS NOT PRESENT. AND KING. AND KING IS NOT PRESENT ERIC JOHNSON.

HELLO. I'M NOT THE MAYOR. DON'T BE CONFUSED. MY NAME IS ERIC JOHNSON.

I'VE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD MY WHOLE LIFE. IS YOUR MIC ON? WILL YOU PUSH THAT BUTTON, PLEASE? PUSH A BUTTON IN FRONT OF YOU? YEAH. HOW'S THAT? GOOD, GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MAYOR. MY NAME IS ERIC JOHNSON. I'VE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD MY WHOLE LIFE AND I LOVE IT THERE.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT. LIKE ME, MOST OF YOU ARE HOMEOWNERS.

NOBODY WANTS TO SURRENDER THEIR PROPERTY RIGHTS TO A LEGISLATIVE BODY THAT HAS NO VESTED INTEREST IN THEIR HOME, THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, OR THEIR COMMUNITY. YOU WOULD NOT WANT A RANDOM BOARD OF STRANGERS UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU COULD AND COULDN'T DO CONCERNING YOUR HOME. WE DON'T EITHER. PLEASE MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

THERE IS NOT CLEAR MAJORITY OF SUPPORT FOR THIS CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

YOU CANNOT TAKE PROPERTY RIGHTS AWAY FROM TAXPAYING CITIZENS SIMPLY BECAUSE A PORTION OF THEIR NEIGHBORS ARE WILLING TO SURRENDER THEIRS.

YOU WILL HEAR THE NUMBERS FROM OTHERS. IN FACT, YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS.

WHEN INPUT WAS REQUESTED FROM CITIZENS, THE MAJORITY OF THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION AREA WAS OPPOSED TO THIS CD,

[04:20:04]

THE MAJORITY OF THE ORIGINAL HOMES IN THAT AREA IS OPPOSED TO THIS CD.

SO TO IGNORE THE RESULTS OF THE POLL, THE CPC AND THE PROMOTERS BEGAN GERRYMANDERING TO GET THE RESULTS THEY WANT.

THEY CUT IT, THEY CHOPPED IT, THEY SPLICED IT.

THEY BUTCHERED IT INTO SOMETHING THAT IS ALMOST UNRECOGNIZABLE.

THIS IS NOT A CD. IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE NIGHTMARE.

AND NOW THE ONLY BRIDGE FROM THE OLD CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO THE NEW IS A SINGLE HOUSE, NOT JUST ONE HOUSE.

IT IS A SINGLE HOUSE ON ONE SIDE OF A BLOCK. THE WHOLE OTHER SIDE OF THE BLOCK IS OUT OF THE CD.

ALL THE HOUSES ON THE ALLEY BEHIND THAT HOUSE ARE BEHIND OR ARE OUT OF THE CD, AND EVERY OTHER HOUSE IN THAT BLOCK IS OPPOSED TO THE CD.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS. IT JUST DOESN'T WORK. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING.

VOTE TO OPPOSE THIS ZONING REQUEST. YOU WOULDN'T WANT IT TO BE FORCED ON YOU, AND WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE FORCED ON US.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. RANDY. JASPER.

OKAY. RANDY. JASPER IS NOT PRESENT. ROXANNE. STAFF.

I'M ROXANNE STAFF AND I HAVE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD, 6964 TOKALON I'VE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD 46 YEARS, 30 OF IT AT 6964 TOKALON IT WAS EXCELLENT THEN IN 46 YEARS AGO.

AND IT'S EXCELLENT NOW TO LIVE IN LAKEWOOD. DIDN'T NEED ANY HELP FROM THE CITY.

AND I'M GOING TO GO OFF A LITTLE BIT HERE, BUT I FIGURE THAT THIS PROCESS HAS COST THE CITY OF DALLAS AT LEAST $300,000. THIS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO. YOUR STAFF TIME.

THIS IS NOT A CORE FUNCTION THAT THE CITY SHOULD BE PURSUING.

AND THIS IS A TALE OF TWO CITIES. I'VE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD 46 YEARS, BUT I OWNED A BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS OPPOSITE LAKEWOOD IN COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX. THOSE PEOPLE WOULD GIVE AN ARM AND A LEG TO HAVE THIS MUCH ATTENTION BY THIS CITY COUNCIL. LISTENING TO THAT CONVERSATION YOU HAD ABOUT CITY POLICING, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS.

THIS IS NOT BASIC, AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU AT SOME POINT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COMMIT TO BALANCING THE BUDGET, GETTING YOURSELF OUT OF THE PRECARIOUS SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOUR RATING.

THIS IS NOT A CORE FUNCTION. AND THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE IN YOUR DISTRICT THAT DON'T HAVE THIS TONY ATTITUDE THAT LAKEWOOD NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED. WE DO NOT. THANK YOU.

SUMMER. LOVELAND.

SUMMER LOVELAND 7031 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD. I LIVE INSIDE THE REVISED MAP BOUNDARY, AND I'M ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS WHO INITIATED THE EXPANSION.

WE'RE SEEING A TREND IN ILL FITTING, OVERSIZE DEVELOPMENT, CHANGING THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ENCROACHING ON NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES.

OUR HOMES ARE SIMILAR IN STYLE AND PERIOD TO THE EXISTING CDD, AND JUST AS DESERVING OF PROTECTION.

WE'VE TAKEN STEPS THE CITY MADE AVAILABLE FOR US TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE COMMEND CPC FOR REMOVING THE AREAS THAT ARE OPPOSED IN THE REVISED MAP.

OUR ORDINANCE DIFFERS FROM THE ORIGINAL CD FOR GOOD REASON.

STAFF WARNED US THAT THE ORIGINAL CD, WHICH IS THE SECOND ONE IN THE CITY WRITTEN IN 1988, CAN BE VAGUE IN WORK REVIEWS REQUIRING MUCH INTERPRETATION.

THIS ORDINANCE WAS DRAFTED FOR CLARITY SO HOMEOWNERS KNOW PARAMETERS WHEN PLANNING.

WHEN WE FILED OUR APPLICATION OVER THREE YEARS AGO, THE MOST RECENT CD FORMED WAS APPROVED IN 2011.

THERE ARE NOW 14 NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE QUEUE BEHIND OURS.

CITIZENS OF DALLAS ARE REAWAKENING TO THE UNDERSTANDING THAT GOOD PLANNING MAKES FOR GOOD NEIGHBORHOODS.

THOSE WHO LED THE OPPOSITION TARGETED NEIGHBORS WHO INITIATED THE PROCESS WITH NEGATIVE COMMENTS ON THEIR WEBSITE,

[04:25:05]

AND MANY EMAILS SENT TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. THEY CONTINUOUSLY DELIVERED PROPAGANDA, CONSPIRACIES, FALSEHOODS SUCH AS TELLING NEIGHBORS IT WOULD BE MORE COSTLY TO DO BASIC REPAIRS LIKE PAINT, FIX GUTTERS, REPAIR ROOF. THEIR ACTIONS HAVE DIVIDED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEIGHBORS IN OPPOSITION HARDLY ATTENDED THE 15 PLANNING MEETINGS, AND WHEN THEY DID, IT WASN'T IN GOOD FAITH.

THEY TRIED TO DERAIL PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION AND REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MERITS OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE REALITY IS THAT THE OPPOSITION IS SIMPLY A NO.

THEY DON'T WANT ANYONE TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO. THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE CITY. AND ALL OF THEIR ARGUMENTS ARE DIVERSIONS. MOST OF THE OPPOSITION YOU'VE HEARD FROM TODAY IS FROM BLOCKS THAT WERE REMOVED ALREADY FROM THE MAP BY CPC.

LEADING UP TO THIS MEETING. NEIGHBORS ALREADY CARVED OUT OF THE MAP BY CPC HAVE BEEN STRONG ARMING HOMEOWNERS WITHIN THE REVISED BOUNDARY BY SPREADING MISINFORMATION AND INTENTIONAL DECEPTION. RESPONDENTS WHO WERE IN SUPPORT ARE STAUNCH SUPPORTERS, MANY WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED THROUGHOUT THIS LONG PROCESS.

A LARGE NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS WHO WERE OPPOSED WERE PUSHED INTO THAT POSITION AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THANK YOU. WILLIS WINTERS. THANK YOU. WILLIS WINTERS IS VIRTUAL.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS WILLIS WINTERS. I'M A FORMER RESIDENT OF DALLAS AND LAKEWOOD, NOW LIVING IN MINERAL WELLS, TEXAS. I'M AN ARCHITECT AND AN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN, THE AUTHOR OF SEVEN BOOKS ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF DALLAS AND TEXAS, INCLUDING THE 2005 PUBLICATION GREAT AMERICAN SUBURBS THE HOMES OF THE PARK CITY'S DALLAS.

MY COAUTHOR FOR THAT BOOK, VIRGINIA MCALLISTER.

IF SHE WERE STILL ALIVE, WOULD BE WITH ME TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO PRESERVE THE UNIQUE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AS WELL AS THE NUMEROUS ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT RESIDENCES DESIGNED BY MANY OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ARCHITECTS IN DALLAS, INCLUDING C.D.

HUTSELL, GEORGE MARBLE, AND CHARLES DILBECK. THE ONLY FEASIBLE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, AND TO SAVE LAKEWOOD FROM THE ONGOING PLIGHT OF THE PARK CITIES, WHERE THERE IS NO HISTORICAL PROTECTION AND WHICH HAS BEEN VICTIMIZED BY THE ENDURING TRAGEDY OF RESIDENTIAL DEMOLITION, IS THROUGH THE THOUGHTFUL REGULATION THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU TODAY. I SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF CD2, WHICH I BELIEVE WILL SUPPORT THE ARCHITECTURAL NEIGHBORHOOD STABILITY OF LAKEWOOD AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES YOUR REGISTERED SPEAKERS.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? I SEE ONE SPEAKER COMING FORWARD. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK, WILL YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD AND HAVE A SEAT ON THE FIRST TWO ROWS OF THIS INTERSECTION? EACH MEMBER. EACH MEMBER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU MAY BEGIN.

OKAY. HELLO. MY NAME IS LISA MORENO. 60 915 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD.

OUR FAMILY HAS LIVED IN OUR 100 YEAR OLD HOME FOR 27 YEARS.

WE CONSIDER OUR HOME A PIECE OF HISTORY AND A PIECE OF ART.

WE COME TO YOU TODAY AS A GROUP WITH A SIMPLE YET URGENT REQUEST TO PROTECT THE HEART AND SOUL OF LAKEWOOD BY PRESERVING THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND ADMIRED YET MOST ENDANGERED BLOCKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THESE BLOCKS COME TOGETHER WITH THE ORIGINAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT, FORM THE COHESIVE CHARM AND CHARACTER THAT MAKE LAKEWOOD SO SPECIAL.

IF WE DON'T ACT NOW TO PRESERVE A PATH TO THE LAKE AND THE ADJACENT HISTORIC BLOCKS, WE RISK REDUCING OUR PROPERTIES TO LOT VALUE.

THE HISTORIC HOMES THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE DWARFED AND OVERSHADOWED BY OVERSIZE, INCOMPATIBLE NEW BUILDS BUILDS THAT ERODE THE VERY IDENTITY THAT MAKES LAKEWOOD A DESIRABLE PLACE.

WHY SHOULD NEIGHBORS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY WHAT WE CAN DO WITH OUR HOUSES WHEN WE HAVE THE SUPPORT? THIS ISN'T A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION SEVERAL BLOCKS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING OURS, HAVE HOUSES THAT HAVE JUST SOLD, ARE ON THE MARKET, OR ABOUT TO BE SOLD WITHOUT PROTECTION.

WE GIVE BULLDOZERS A GREEN LIGHT TO DESTROY WHAT GENERATIONS HAVE CHERISHED.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRESERVING AROUND 153 HOMES, HOMES THAT TRULY MATTER TO LAKEWOOD AND TO THE CITY OF DALLAS.

[04:30:04]

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS ONLY GROWING IN POPULARITY, AND PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TO THE COOL FACTOR, WHICH IS THE HISTORY AND THE CHARM AND THE ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY. IF WE LOSE THAT, WE BECOME ANOTHER FRAGMENTED NEIGHBORHOOD, CONSTANTLY RESHAPED BY PASSING FADS.

LET'S BE CLEAR WE'RE NOT STOPPING PROGRESS. YOU CAN GUT THE INSIDE OF YOUR HOUSE, YOU CAN BUILD A BIG ADDITION.

AND IF YOU TEAR YOUR HOUSE DOWN, IF IT'S ONE THAT'S BUILT AFTER 1961 BECAUSE IT'S IN SUCH TERRIBLE SHAPE, YOU CAN REBUILD IT IN ONE OF FIVE COMPLEMENTARY ARCHITECTURAL STYLES.

THIS IS ABOUT BALANCE. IT'S ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF LAKEWOOD, KEEPING IT WHILE ALLOWING THOUGHTFUL, RESPECTFUL EVOLUTION. BEFORE I CLOSE YOUR TIME, THANKS TO TREVOR BROWN AND ALL HIS DEDICATION.

PLEASE VOTE YES FOR THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS STAN COWAN AND I RESIDE IN 7023 TOKALON DRIVE WITHIN THE REVISED CD TWO BOUNDARY.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE CITY STAFF WITH WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THEY'VE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CALLING LAKEWOOD HOME FOR 24 YEARS AS A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.

WE HAVE DEDICATED OURSELVES TO PRESERVING THE ARCHITECTURAL LEGACY OF OUR HISTORIC, HISTORIC CLIFFORD HUTZELL DESIGNED HOME, ENSURING IT REMAINS PART OF THE CULTURAL FABRIC THAT MAKES THIS NEIGHBORHOOD UNIQUE.

TODAY, I URGE YOU TO EXPAND THE CD2 CONSERVATION DISTRICT TO INCLUDE TOKALON DRIVE AND ITS SURROUNDING HISTORIC STREETS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF HOMES.

IT IS A LIVING PIECE OF DALLAS'S RICH HISTORY.

VISIONARIES LIKE CLIFFORD HUTZEL AND DINES AND CRAFT SHAPED THESE STREETS WITH EARLY 20TH CENTURY DESIGN PHILOSOPHIES, PRIORITIZING COMMUNITY, NATURAL BEAUTY AND A SENSE OF PLACE.

TO EXCLUDE TOKALON DRIVE IS TO WEAKEN THE CONSERVATION EFFORT FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

BEYOND THE HOMES THEMSELVES, THE PUBLIC REALM IS ALSO AT RISK.

WITHOUT CONSERVATION SAFEGUARDS, WE FACE FRAGMENTED STREETSCAPES, INCOMPATIBLE CONSTRUCTION, AND THE GRADUAL EROSION OF A COHESIVE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IDENTITY. TOKALON DRIVE, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS BEAUTEOUS PLACE, IS AN INTEGRAL TO LAKEWOOD, AND AS LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD ITSELF. REMOVING IT FROM THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT WOULD BE LIKE REMOVING THE CORE OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT, LEAVING IT VULNERABLE TO INCREMENTAL DEGRADATION.

BUT LAKEWOOD IS NOT JUST ABOUT ARCHITECTURE, IT IS ABOUT COMMUNITY AND CONTINUITY.

LAKEWOOD PROVIDES A BACKDROP FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS, OFFERING A NORMAN ROCKWELL ESQUE STAGE THAT CHERISHES MEMORIES.

OUR 4TH OF JULY PARADE BLOCK PARTIES. LOCAL TRADITIONS FOSTER A SOCIAL FABRIC THAT BINDS GENERATIONS TOGETHER.

EVENTS LIKE THE LAKEWOOD HOME TOUR, THAT'S YOUR TIME, YOUR RESIDENCE, SO FORTH.

AGAIN, I ASK THAT YOU VOTE FOR CD TWO EXPANSION.

IT IS HUGELY IMPORTANT TO US. THANK YOU. NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS MARCUS TAYLOR. I LIVE ON 6421 BLANCHE CIRCLE IN LAKEWOOD.

I AM OWNER OF ENGLISH HERITAGE HOMES, A DALLAS BASED RESIDENTIAL COMPANY FORMED IN 1995.

WE SPECIALIZE IN HOME RENOVATIONS AND SINGLE FAMILY CONSTRUCTION WITH A FOCUS ON HISTORIC HOMES.

I HAVE MANY PROJECTS COMPLETED IN BELMONT, LAKEWOOD, AND THE M STREETS OVERLAY.

SINCE 1995, I'VE RESTORED OVER 300 HOMES IN DALLAS.

I HAVE BUILT OR RESTORED OVER 80 HOMES IN LAKEWOOD, MANY IN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

WHY EXTEND THE CD? WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE NEW AREAS.

MANY HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT HOMES ARE LOCATED IN THE PROPOSED AREA.

THE EXPANSION OF THE CD ALLOWS FOR MORE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS REGARDING MATERIAL OPTIONS AND DESIGN, SELECTIONS FOR REMODELING AND NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION.

THIS PROVIDES BUILDERS AND OWNERS WITH MORE CLEARLY DEFINED CHOICES.

THESE DETAILS HELP MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF THE HOUSES, WHILST ALLOWING BUILDERS TO SELECT MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY MORE EXPENSIVE OR HARDER TO OBTAIN. IN MY OPINION, CONSTRUCTION COSTS WILL REMAIN STABLE OR MAY EVEN DECREASE DUE TO THE INCREASED VARIETY OF CHOICES AVAILABLE. CONSTRUCTION TIMES WILL NOT BE IMPACTED BY THE EXTENSION OF THE CD.

THERE IS GREATER CLARITY REGARDING SETBACKS AND LOT LINE CONSTRUCTION.

OWNERS AND BUILDERS HAVE A WIDER SELECTION OF HOUSE STYLES AND RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS.

[04:35:01]

I HAVE MADE A POINT TO INVOLVE MYSELF IN THE CURRENT EXPANSION PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH, AND HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION THROUGHOUT.

AS I AM AS A BUILDER, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT CD WILL NOT AFFECT MY BUSINESS ADVERSELY.

THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. VOTE YES. THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS OTTO MARQUEZ. I LIVE, I HAVE LIVED IN 7011 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, WHICH IS IN THE REVISED EXPANSION DISTRICT. I ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE IN THE REVISED DISTRICT.

THE FIRST LETTER I RECEIVED FROM THE CITY WAS A NOTICE FOR A PUBLIC MEETING AT THE PUMP HOUSE.

THE LETTER ALSO INCLUDED A LIST OF PETITION ORDINANCES WHICH WERE REVIEWED BY BILL HURST, WHICH IS TREVOR'S PREDECESSOR.

THE SECOND LETTER WAS A NOTICE OF 15 SCHEDULED MEETINGS DATES.

SOME OF THESE MEETINGS WENT OVER, SO IT ENDED UP BEING 18 MEETINGS SPREAD OVER SIX MONTHS.

I MADE AN EFFORT TO ATTEND ALL 18 MEETINGS. IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

THERE WAS AMPLE TIME AND A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PRECIPITATE, PRECIPITATE IN THE PROCESS AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE OUTCOME.

ALL THE MEETINGS WERE RECORDED. IN ADDITION, TREVOR POSTED HELPFUL SLIDE PRESENTATIONS FOR REVIEW.

TREVOR PRESENTED RECAPS OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS AT THE TOP OF EVERY MEETING, SO THERE WERE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR REVIEW.

DECISIONS WERE MADE BY CONSENSUS. YOUR OPINIONS COULD BE SUBMITTED AND FORMS PRESENTED AT EACH MEETING AND EMAILS OR BY PHONE.

I WOULD LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT TREVOR BROWN AND HIS TEAM WERE POLITE, ATTENTIVE LISTENERS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT ANY TOPIC THAT WAS OFFERED UP.

I WOULD ASK, PLEASE SUPPORT THIS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AGAINST THIS AREN'T EVEN INSIDE THE LINE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

I THINK I'VE BEEN THROUGH SECURITY TOO MANY TIMES IN THIS BUILDING ISN'T FITTING.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS RON SIEBLER AND I LIVE AT 10215 NORTH LAKE DRIVE HERE IN DALLAS.

I AM ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR PRESERVATION DALLAS.

ON BEHALF OF PRESERVATION DALLAS, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

LAKEWOOD IS HOME TO SOME OF THE FINEST HISTORIC HOUSES IN THE CITY, AND WE BELIEVE THESE TREASURES SHOULD BE PROTECTED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

CURRENTLY, ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF LAKEWOOD IS DESIGNATED AS A CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THIS AREA BE EXPANDED TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE UNIQUE HISTORIC QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE CHARM AND CHARACTER THAT DEFINED LAKEWOOD TODAY ARE WHAT BUILT THE VIBRANT COMMUNITY THEY CALL IT HOME.

THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT STATUS IS ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS WE HAVE TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS CHARACTER, WHILE ALLOWING FOR THOUGHTFUL AND APPROPRIATE UPDATES TO HISTORIC HOMES.

THE CRITERIA FOR THE PROPOSED LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT EXPANSION ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO STRIKE A BALANCE, PROTECTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S UNIQUE IDENTITY WHILE ACCOMMODATING THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF ITS RESIDENTS.

LAKEWOOD'S DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER IS THE DEFINING NATURE.

I'M SORRY. LAKEWOOD'S DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER IS A DEFINING FEATURE OF DALLAS, AND MUCH OF THAT CHARACTER IS ROOTED IN THE INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF HISTORIC HOMES. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, ENCOURAGING ENSURING THAT LAKEWOOD'S UNIQUE IDENTITY IS PRESERVED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

CYNTHIA TIMS 7008 LAKESHORE DRIVE WITHIN THE CPC REDRAWN MAP.

THIS BODY HAS TWO DECISIONS BEFORE IT TODAY. THE FIRST CONCERNS THE ORDINANCE.

THE SECOND IS WHETHER TO ALLOW THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PROCESS TO BE UNDERMINED.

A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS HELPING THIS CITY TO SHAPE AN ORDINANCE TO SAVE ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST ICONIC NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE CPC LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DESIRES OF THE OPPOSITION, REDREW THE MAP.

BUT AFTER THE CPC MEETING, PEOPLE WHO LARGELY LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE NEW MAP CONTINUED THEIR CAMPAIGN LATE LAST WEEK, THEY CONVINCED ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN PEOPLE WHO DID NOT CARE ENOUGH TO WEIGH IN,

[04:40:03]

TO ATTEND MEETINGS, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

THEY CONVINCED THOSE PEOPLE TO VOTE IN AND WAY AGAINST THIS ORDINANCE.

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ARE IMPORTANT TO THIS CITY'S ABILITY TO RETAIN ITS SENSE OF HISTORY AND CHARM, AND THE CITY RELIES ON THE CITIZENRY TO LEAD THE CHARGE ON THOSE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

BUT WHY WOULD A FUTURE GROUP OF NEIGHBORS DEDICATE SUCH TIME AND EFFORT TO PRESERVING DALLAS HISTORIC NEIGHBORS NEIGHBORHOODS? IF THOSE EFFORTS ARE GOING TO BE SABOTAGED AT THE LAST MINUTE BY A GROUP WHO LARGELY DOES NOT LIVE WITHIN THE DISTRICT'S BOUNDARIES. IF DALLASITES GIVE UP ON PRESERVING THEIR CHARMING OLD NEIGHBORHOODS, THE CITY OF DALLAS WILL SUFFER FOR IT. I URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR THE ORDINANCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. DAVID LOVELAND, 7031 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE SUPPORTERS OF THE LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT STAND, PLEASE? THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. PLEASE SUPPORT CD2.

NEXT SPEAKER. THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BETH BENTLEY. I LIVE AT 5551 VICKERY BOULEVARD, DALLAS, TEXAS.

I LIVE IN AND AM ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE VICKERY PLACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, APPROVED IN 2006.

AND ALSO THE WORK PLACE EXPANSION. WE CRAFTED OUR ORDINANCE TO PRESERVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S DISTINCTIVE ATMOSPHERE, PROVIDE A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE, AND PROTECT ITS SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES.

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION AND ORIGINAL HOME RENOVATIONS IS NOW THRIVING IN BILIERAE PLACE.

PROPERTY VALUES HAVE CONTINUED TO INCREASE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, AND HOMEOWNERS HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT WHAT GETS BUILT BESIDE THEM MAINTAINS THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND BLENDS WITH THE EXISTING HOMES, BOTH ARCHITECTURALLY AND SPATIALLY.

OLD AND NEW CONSTRUCTION, NOW COMMINGLED, GIVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD A COHESIVE LOOK AND FEEL.

BEING IN A CONSERVATION DISTRICT IS NOW A SELLING POINT FOR OUR REALTORS.

THESE ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A CONSERVATION DISTRICT LIKE OTHER HISTORIC AREAS IN DALLAS.

LAKEWOOD IS UNDER INTENSE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE.

CONSERVATION DISTRICT STATUS IS ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS TO HELP PRESERVE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER, WHILE ALLOWING CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE TO HISTORIC STRUCTURES IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER TO SUIT MODERN NEEDS.

THE DRAFT ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY CITY PLANNING COMMISSION IN NOVEMBER.

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT EXPANSION.

PASSING THIS ORDINANCE WILL BE A WIN FOR CONSERVATION, A WIN FOR LAKEWOOD, AND A WIN FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS.

PLEASE HELP US PRESERVE AND PROTECT MORE OF OUR WONDERFUL EAST DALLAS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. OKAY, THEN.

OKAY. MR. MAYOR, THERE ARE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. OKAY.

OH, I SEE TWO MORE INDIVIDUALS. OKAY. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

MIKE STARCHER 6865 TOKALON. I WAS GOING TO USE THAT.

I'M OUTSIDE. I THINK OF WHAT YOU GUYS ARE VOTING ON TODAY, BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW, EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD.

AND I KNOW THIS. ALL THIS EFFORT ALL STARTED OFF WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS.

I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED IN THAT IF MY HOUSE SUSTAINED A CASUALTY.

AND I SENT EVERYBODY AN EMAIL ON THIS THAT THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO WAY TO GET INSURANCE ON MY HOUSE, BECAUSE IF IT SUSTAINED A CASUALTY, IT WOULD THE ONLY WAY I COULD BUILD IT BACK, THE WAY IT WAS ON THE SAME FOOTPRINT, IT WOULD NOT BE CONFORMING AND THEREFORE GETTING INSURANCE.

YOU CAN'T FIND AN INSURANCE CARRIER THAT WILL SAY, I WILL GUARANTEE TO BUILD THIS BACK EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS.

AND SO MY HOUSE DOESN'T FIT THESE. I'VE BEEN CARVED OUT, BUT I MADE IT TO MOST EVERY MEETING.

YOU'VE HEARD THAT SOMEBODY MADE IT TO ALL OF THEM.

I MADE IT TO ALMOST ALL OF THEM. IT'S TOUGH TO MAKE IT TO THAT MANY MEETINGS.

I DON'T KNOW. LIKE, I LOVE THEIR EFFORTS AND WANTING TO PRESERVE STUFF.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO SIMPLY CARVE OUT THE FEW PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT THAT DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

[04:45:03]

IS THERE A ONE TIME OPTION JUST TO LOOK AT THEM AND SAY, YOU GUYS CAN CAN BE KICKED OUT RIGHT NOW? AND I THINK IT PROBABLY MEANS A LOT OF FEELINGS ALL THE WAY AROUND.

SO THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

HI. HI. I'M ANNE KING, AND I LIVE AT SIX, EIGHT, SIX FIVE LAKESHORE DRIVE.

AND I'M STRONGLY OPPOSED. I'M IN THE LITTLE BLOCK THAT WOULD BE CONTIGUOUS.

YOU NEED MY BLOCK TO SORT OF MAKE US PART OF THE CD2.

I'M IN A RANCH. I'M NON-CONFORMING. I'VE LIVED IN LAKEWOOD ALL MY LIFE.

I GREW UP IN. CAN YOU PULL THE MIC LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU, PLEASE? SORRY.

I GREW UP IN THAT HOUSE. IT'S A RANCH HOUSE. IT'S NON-CONFORMING.

NO ONE ON OUR BLOCK WANTS TO BE PART OF THIS.

WE'RE JUST A GEOGRAPHY ACCIDENT. AND I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY UNFAIR TO IMPOSE THESE REGULATIONS ON US JUST BECAUSE THERE IS A HISTORIC PART DOWN THE STREET FROM US AND UP THE STREET FROM US.

I ANYHOW, THE REGULATIONS SEEM TO BE ONEROUS, AND THE ORIGINAL CD TWO, THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ONEROUS.

WHEN THIS WHOLE THING CAME ABOUT, I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I LOVE HISTORIC HOMES.

I'M HAPPY WITH THIS. IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING FOR THE ORIGINAL CD.

TWO PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CYCLE THROUGH THEIR HOUSING STOCK, BUILD NEW HOUSING.

THE ORIGINAL HOUSES OR THE HISTORIC HOUSES ARE ARE CONSERVED.

AND THE IN THAT PART OF LAKEWOOD LOOKS GREAT.

BUT NOW YOU'RE COMING IN AND SAYING IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IT'S NOT CURRENTLY.

IT'S NOT THIS ECLECTIC MIX OF FUNKY HOUSES THAT I LOVE ABOUT LAKEWOOD.

IT HAS TO BE THIS UNIFORM HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT THIS IS NOT DAYS OF YORE.

THIS IS NOW AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD HOUSES THAT REFLECT NOW.

AND IF YOU WANT TO PRESERVE HISTORIC HOMES, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO DO THAT WITHOUT PUTTING THESE ONEROUS RESTRICTIONS ON NORMAL HOUSES, SETBACKS, OTHER KINDS OF THINGS THAT MIGHT BE FINE.

BUT THESE STYLE RESTRICTIONS, THAT'S YOUR TIME.

NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

SO I'M CHRIS KING, MR. ANN KING. WE'RE AT 6865 LAKESHORE, WHICH AGAIN ORIGINAL EXPANSION. WE WERE INCLUDED. NOW WE ARE EXCLUDED.

HOWEVER, ACROSS THE STREET IS INCLUDED. YOU KNOW, I'D MY OPINION IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS SPOKEN.

WE HAD A VOTE THAT CLOSED FRIDAY. 54% VOTED AGAINST THIS EXPANSION, 54%. SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST SAY THERE'S YOU KNOW, YOU HEARD MY WIFE SAY THERE'S A THICK SET OF PROPOSED RULES. YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION WAS, DOES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU KNOW, AND THESE ARE ALL MILLION DOLLAR PLUS PROPERTIES.

DOES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WANT BUREAUCRATS INCREASINGLY CONTROLLING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? AND I THINK THE VOTE WAS A CLEAR NO. SO I WOULD SAY IF YOU VOTE TO PASS THIS, IT WOULD BE UNDEMOCRATIC. I MEAN, THE VOTE IS AGAINST. THANK YOU.

I'M SORRY. SIR, WOULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? I'M SORRY. IT'S I'M SORRY. CHRIS KING.

THANK YOU. I THINK YOU REGISTERED. THANK YOU.

YES I DID. I THOUGHT I SAW ONE MORE SPEAKER. OKAY.

PLEASE COME FORWARD. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M MICHELLE WALKER. I LIVE AT 1841 SHELL MEYER IN WYNNEWOOD NORTH, A NEIGHBORHOOD BEGINNING THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT PROCESS.

I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRESERVATION ISSUES AT PRESERVATION DALLAS, THE CHAIR OF A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT TASK FORCE AND A REALTOR.

I AM COMING TO YOU TODAY AS AN INDIVIDUAL DALLAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREND OF TEARING DOWN HISTORIC HOMES, REGARDLESS OF THE QUALITY OR HISTORY. BOTH PARTIES ARE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I HAVE HEARD THIS FIRSTHAND IN THE MANY NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS I'VE ATTENDED.

CONSERVATION AND HISTORIC DISTRICTS HELP PRESERVE AND INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES ACROSS DALLAS.

THERE IS ALREADY AN EXISTING CDD AND YOU DO NOT SEE MASSIVE DIFFERENCES OF VALUE IN AND OUT OF THE CD.

[04:50:05]

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE FIVE HOUSING TYPES TO. CHOOSE FROM DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN ONLY BUILD FIVE HOUSE DESIGNS.

EACH TYPE HAS MYRIAD WAYS TO DESIGN A HOME IN KEEPING WITH THE TRADITIONAL STYLES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CD IS TO PRESERVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARM BY IMPOSING LOOSE RESTRICTIONS THAT ENCOURAGE HIGH ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS.

THE CITY HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, AND THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF OUR VIBRANT CITY IS A PART OF THAT ATTRACTION.

IN THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT I HAVE SERVED ON A HISTORIC DISTRICT TASK FORCE, AND HAVING GONE THROUGH THE CD PROCESS WITH CLIENTS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL NOT BURDEN THE RESIDENTS.

ANY TIME YOU MAKE A CHANGE TO YOUR HOUSE, YOU MAKE A PLAN ON.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHARE YOUR PLAN WITH THE CITY STAFF AND RECEIVE THEIR FEEDBACK.

THOSE OPPOSED TO THE CD EXPANSION CLAIM THAT THEY MOVED TO LAKEWOOD FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT THE HOUSES.

I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THESE RESIDENTS DO NOT CARE WHAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKS LIKE.

IF YOU OWN THE MONA LISA, WOULD YOU THROW IT AWAY BECAUSE IT DIDN'T SUIT YOUR CURRENT STYLE? ARCHITECT DESIGNED HOMES BUILT WITH QUALITY MATERIALS MADE TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME ARE NO DIFFERENT AND SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND CARED FOR.

GOOD DESIGN IS TIMELESS, AND THE EXPANSION SIMPLY SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING, CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL HOMES AND ENCOURAGE HIGH STANDARDS FOR THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THIS CONCLUDES YOUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I DO, OH, WAIT. OH, WHAT? WHAT? OH, OKAY. WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER. TWO MORE SPEAKERS.

OKAY. HOW MANY MORE INDIVIDUALS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? BY SHOW OF HANDS. ONE. TWO. THREE. OKAY. THREE MORE SPEAKERS.

YOU. THANK YOU. YOU'LL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.

THANK YOU. AM I ON? YES. OKAY, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MARK BEESLEY AND I LIVE AT 7026 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD.

MY WIFE AND I MOVED TO LAKEWOOD 30 YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS VERY CHARMING NEIGHBORHOOD.

MANY OF ITS BEAUTIFUL, DISTINCTIVE HOMES WERE BUILT IN THE 1920S AND 30S AND DISPLAYS OF THE MOST LOVELY ARCHITECTURE FROM THAT ERA.

NOW, THOUGH, WE'RE SEEING CHIC MODERN NEW CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING, WHICH DOESN'T FIT IN WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ITS PICTURESQUE MIX OF UNIQUE OLDER HOMES. THAT MAKES LAKEWOOD, LAKEWOOD.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THESE IRREPLACEABLE OLDER HOMES ARE BEING TORN DOWN TO MAKE ROOM ALONG WITH THEIR MAJESTIC, MATURE TREES. LAKEWOOD IS A SPECIAL, EXCEPTIONAL PLACE THAT DESERVES TO BE PRESERVED WHILE STILL ALLOWING FOR COMPATIBLE GROWTH AND FLEXIBILITY. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED WITH EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WITH CITY STAFF OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

PLEASE VOTE TO APPROVE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

IT'S AN HONOR. THERE'S ONE FACT THAT I JUST WANTED TO THROW OUT THERE THAT I DON'T THINK YOU'VE HEARD YET, AND THAT IS ON THE CPC MAP. THERE WAS 57.9% SUPPORT.

84 IN SUPPORT, 61 OPPOSE. SO MY NAME IS JOHN MORENO, 6915 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD.

AND I'M A 31 YEAR RESIDENT OF THE PROPOSED LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

I'M HERE TO SUPPORT EXPANDING CD2. OVER THE DECADES, I'VE WATCHED LAKEWOOD EVOLVE MOSTLY FOR THE BETTER, BUT I'M WORRIED THAT WE'RE LOSING TOO MANY HISTORIC HOMES AND THE UNIQUE CHARACTER AND CHARM THAT DEFINES US ACROSS DALLAS.

WE'VE SEEN BEAUTIFUL OLD HOMES BULLDOZED FOR NEW PROJECTS, STRIPPING AWAY CHARACTER IN THE NAME OF PROGRESS.

GROWTH IS BOUND TO HAPPEN, BUT WE NEED BALANCE.

THE PROPOSED CD SETS SMART BOUNDARIES TO PROTECT WHAT MAKES LAKEWOOD SPECIAL WHILE STILL ALLOWING DEVELOPMENT.

IT ENSURES NEW BUILDINGS BLEND IN AND LIFT UP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S BEAUTY.

A CENTURY AGO, VISIONARIES DREAMED OF LAKEWOOD AS DALLAS'S CROWN JEWEL.

LET'S KEEP THAT DREAM ALIVE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, FOR LAKEWOOD AND ALL OF DALLAS.

I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES FOR THE CD. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO! I LIVE IN THE REVISED EXPANSION MAP AT 7011 LAKEWOOD BOULEVARD.

[04:55:02]

MY NAME IS KIM EDGE. 34 HOMES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED.

CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK LOUDER INTO THE MICROPHONE HERE? OKAY. 34 HOMES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED SINCE WE MOVED INTO OUR HOME 30 YEARS AGO.

ONE JUST RECENTLY, IN JANUARY, EIGHT OF THE HOMES WERE BUILT BY DYNES AND KRAFT AND TWO BY OUR BELOVED CLIFFORD HUTZEL.

THEY'RE SIGNIFICANT, ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT DALLAS BUILDERS WORKING SPECIFICALLY IN LAKEWOOD.

IT WAS THEIR LIFE'S WORK. A FEW BLOCKS FROM US, THE NEIGHBORHOOD BETWEEN PASADENA AND GASTON IS UNRECOGNIZABLE.

IT HAS BECOME A MISMATCH OF DIFFERENT STYLES AND MATERIALS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BECOME OUTDATED THEMSELVES.

IT. I FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE THE FABRIC OF OUR UNIQUE DISTRICT AS WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOT ANY MORE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? YES, SIR. I HAVE A MOTION.

YES. I MOVE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES.

THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES ARE REMOVED FROM THE EXPANDED CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND REMAIN ARE 7.5 PARENTHESES A THE PROPERTIES LOCATED ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF LAKESHORE DRIVE BETWEEN COPPERFIELD LANE AND WENDOVER DRIVE. LOTS EIGHT THROUGH TEN IN CITY BLOCK F, SLASH 2821, AND AN 11,234 SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND IN CITY BLOCK F, SLASH 2821, AND THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TOKALON DRIVE AND HEATH STREET AND 1100 340 FOOT.

SQUARE FOOT, TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY BLOCK OF J.

SLASH 2838 AND A 250 FOOT SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND IN CITY BLOCK J.

SLASH 2838. PAINTING. THE EXTERIOR STRUCTURE IS NOT A MAJOR OR MAJOR MODIFICATION, AND THIS ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 30TH, 2025. SECOND. THE COMMENT? I DO. GO AHEAD. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR JOINING US HERE TODAY.

CITY HALL IS A IS A WELCOME FROM FROM LAKEWOOD.

THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO EMAILED MY OFFICE, MET WITH ME AND CAME TO SPEAK AT ANY OF MY D9 ON THE GOES OR OUT AND ABOUT.

AND MANY THANKS TO ALL THOSE STAFF FOLKS FOR THE COMMUNITY FOLKS, FOR EVERYBODY WHO WORKED WITH NEIL SLEEPER, THE D9 CPC REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS ISSUE, AND WHAT I THINK IS DEVELOPING A SOLUTION THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THIS EXPANSION.

WHEN I WAS APPROACHED BY A NEIGHBOR ABOUT EXPANDING CD2, I SAID, I AM NOT THE DECIDING FACTOR AND PEOPLE WHO RESIDE IN THE BOUNDARIES SHOULD WANT THIS. HENCE CREATING A COALITION OF THE WILLING.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD LED PROCESS SEEKS TO EXPAND THE PROPERTIES PROTECTED UNDER CD2, WHICH IS ONE OF THE CITY'S FIRST CONSERVATION DISTRICT AND SITS IN THE HEART OF LAKEWOOD. I MYSELF HAVE SPENT HALLOWEENS ON AVALON AND LAKEWOOD HANGING OUT WITH MY YOUNG KIDS.

SURROUNDING THE AREA INCLUDES SIX CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, INCLUDING THE EXISTING LAKEWOOD CDD AND FIVE HISTORIC DISTRICTS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD MAINTAINS MANY OF THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURES AND HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE.

I REMEMBER WHEN WE MOVED IN AND STAN, YOU KNOW, BARRY, WE LOOKED AT A HOUSE, A HUTSUL, AND HE SAID, WE CAN NEVER AFFORD THIS. WHEN IT GETS BECAUSE IT WILL, IT NEEDS LOVE.

AND SO I APPLAUD EVERYBODY. LIKE THE EXISTING LAKEWOOD CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN NEARBY SWISS AVENUE HISTORIC DISTRICT, THE HOUSES IN THE EXPANSION AREA DEMONSTRATE THE UNIQUE ARCHITECTURAL MASTERY OF THE NOTED LOCAL ARCHITECTS AND DEVELOPERS, SUCH AS MENTIONED CLIFFORD HUTZEL. THE ORIGINAL INQUIRY TO EXPAND THIS DISTRICT WAS MADE BY THE NEIGHBORS, AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE IS THE RESULT OF A NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATED PROCESS AND MEETS THE DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AS SET FORTH BY THE DALLAS CITY CODE.

SEC SEEKS TO CONSERVE THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND STAFF FEELS THAT THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE, APPROPRIATE REGULATORY INSTRUMENT TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD THROUGH THE LENGTHY PROCESS, AND I APPRECIATE THEIR FEEDBACK AND ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE TO ACCOMMODATE THE WISHES OF THE CONSTITUENTS. THE CPC'S RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDES THE NARROWING OF THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION, AND BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBOR FEEDBACK I RECEIVED, WE ARE AMENDING THE MAP APPROVED BY CPC WITH MORE.

[05:00:03]

WE'VE TAKEN OUT THAT CONNECTOR AND WE WILL ASK.

I WILL ASK A QUESTION OF WHY I COULD DO THAT.

SO COPPERFIELD TO WENDOVER, THOSE THREE HOUSES IS NOW EXCLUDED.

WE TOOK OUT THE TOKALON BECAUSE HE WAS AT THE END OF THE STREET, AND THAT WAS A MISSTEP.

WE LOOKED AT CREATING EVEN A MORE TAKING IN MORE OF THE TAKING OUT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WANTED IT.

BUT UPON CITY STAFF, IT WAS NOT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, RECOMMENDED THAT WE DO THIS.

SO AT CPC, I HAD 79 MEMBERS SUPPORTED IT, AND ACTUALLY 34 OPPOSED IT, AND MANY MORE WERE UNKNOWN.

WE GOT MORE INFORMATION BACK AND NOW WE HAVE AT THE AT THE ONSET WHEN IT CLOSED WE HAD ABOUT IT WAS ABOUT 57 TO 80, 57 TO 39, I BELIEVE, WITH THE NEW BOUNDARY THAT WE HAVE NOW.

SO I THINK THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT. 83 IN FAVOR, 57 OPPOSED IS MY NEW NUMBER.

SO IT'S A 5941 WITH SIX STILL UNKNOWN. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT NEIGHBORS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RENOVATING AND MAKING CHANGES TO THEIR PROPERTIES WILL BE ALLOWED TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK UNDER THESE CURRENT PERMITS.

BUT THIS IS WHAT MAKES THESE DALLAS UNIQUE IS OUR ARCHITECTURE THROUGHOUT EACH NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ESPECIALLY THIS CONSERVATION DISTRICT. AS A WIFE OF AN ARCHITECT, I FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO OUR PART IN CONSERVING OUR HISTORY AND PROTECTING IT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. BECAUSE WHEN IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE.

AND WHEN A HUTSELL WAS DEMOLISHED, AS BEEN NOTED, I RECEIVED CALLS.

THERE WAS NOTHING THE CITY COULD DO. I COULD NOT DO A THING.

AND SO I KNOW THAT NOBODY, EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAD TO GIVE UP SOMETHING OR THE BOUNDARY WAS SHRUNK OR IT WAS GERRYMANDERED OR WHATNOT.

BUT BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY STAFF WORKED TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY'S NEEDS AND WISHES.

AND IT WAS SOMETIMES A TRICK IN GYMNASTICS. SO WITH THAT, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN COPPERFIELD AND WENDOVER.

WHY COULD I BASICALLY EXCLUDE THOSE SIX HOUSES? ANDREA GAYLES PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. THE CODE DOES ALLOW CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES TO THE BOUNDARY.

CPC CANNOT DO THAT. STAFF CANNOT DO THAT. BUT CITY COUNCIL CAN MAKE CHANGES TO THE BOUNDARIES.

OKAY. AND WHEN I WENT DOWN AND BECAUSE IT IS A UNIFIED BLOCK WE TALKED ABOUT, IT MAKES SENSE TO EITHER INCLUDE IT OR EXCLUDE ALL OF IT, NOT TO LEAVE IT THAT LITTLE TAIL THAT WAS THERE.

SO WHEN YOU GO DOWN TO TOKALON AND WEST SHORE AND THERE WAS ABOUT 4 OR 5, WE LOOKED AT TRYING TO DO THAT AND WE, WE BASICALLY SAID THE SAME THING BECAUSE IT IS A CONTIGUOUS TIGHT AREA.

THEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS STAYED. EXACTLY.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE COURTYARDS? SINCE I GOT FOUR MINUTES, I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR COURTYARD STILL ALLOWED.

COURTYARDS ARE STILL ALLOWED. CAN YOU GIVE DIRECTION? ON WHAT? THE PARAMETERS, PLEASE? SURE. AND I'LL ASK ACTUALLY, TREVOR, BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF DIALOG AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET IT RIGHT AS FAR AS THE CONVERSATION ABOUT COURTYARDS.

YEAH. GOOD AFTERNOON. THE DISCUSSION SURROUNDING COURTYARDS MAINLY FOCUSED ON THE ALLOWANCE FOR COURTYARDS TO EXTEND OUT IN FRONT OF THE MAIN STRUCTURE, AND AN ALLOWANCE WAS MADE IN THE REVISED DRAFT TO ALLOW A COURTYARD WALL TO PROJECT FIVE FEET INTO THE FRONT YARD.

SETBACK. THANK YOU. THEY WILL BE ALLOWED, AND I HOPE EVERYBODY JOINS ME IN SUPPORTING THIS MOTION.

THANK YOU. CHAIRMAN WEST. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND I WANT TO JUST I HAVING LIVED IN A CONSERVATION DISTRICT, I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST MOVED INTO ONE, I'D COME FROM NEVER HAVING TO DEAL WITH A CONSERVATION DISTRICT BEFORE AND WAS BEING PRETTY SCARED ABOUT MOVING INTO ONE AT DOING AN ADDITION, DOING, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY RENOVATING THE HOUSE.

AND IT ACTUALLY ENDED UP BEING EASIER TO DEAL WITH THE CONSERVATION OFFICE THAN IT WAS WITH THE REGULAR PERMITTING OFFICE.

AND WE GOT OUR WE GOT OUR CONSERVATION PERMIT ABOUT HALF THE TIME OF THE REGULAR PERMIT.

SO IT WASN'T SO BAD. AND IT WAS ENDED UP BEING, YOU KNOW, REALLY PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHILE GIVING YOU A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS. I PERSONALLY I LOVE HISTORIC DISTRICTS.

I'VE GOT TWO OF THEM IN DISTRICT ONE. I PERSONALLY COULDN'T LIVE IN ONE, BUT THE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS I THINK ARE PRETTY, PRETTY HELPFUL. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK FOR TREVOR STAFF ON THIS.

THE NEIGHBORS PUTTING YEARS, YEARS OF WORK, THREE, THREE YEARS OF WORK ON THIS ON BOTH SIDES TO END UP WHERE YOU GUYS ARE AT TODAY.

AND IT'S A TRUE NEGOTIATION FROM BACK. PUT ON MY LAWYER HAT FOR A MINUTE IS WHERE NOBODY ENDS UP COMPLETELY,

[05:05:05]

PERFECTLY HAPPY, BUT YOU END UP WITH SOMETHING THAT REALLY IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I THINK FOR MOST PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF THE COUNCIL MEMBER AND CPC AND STAFF YOU'VE GOT THERE, I APPRECIATE MISS WALKER BEING HERE FROM WYNNEWOOD, AND I KNOW WYNNEWOOD IS WAITING ON LAKEWOOD TO BE DONE SO WE CAN START SEEING WYNNEWOOD COME UP HERE BECAUSE THEY'VE THEY'VE THEY'RE WORKING ON THEIR APPLICATION. I HOPE THE LAKEWOOD FOLKS, IF THIS GETS APPROVED TODAY, WILL COME, COME SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND COME ADVOCATE FOR THEM WHEN THEY'RE UP HERE AS WELL.

SO I JUST WANT TO PASS ON MY CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER SCHULTZ. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I JUST WANT TO ASK STAFF. I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

COULD YOU OR SOMEONE FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHOEVER IT IS, COULD YOU RESPOND TO THE ASSERTION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO HOME VALUES IN ANY KIND OF CONSERVATION DISTRICT? I CAN SPEAK IN GENERAL TERMS. I THINK WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE BOARD, AND THERE HAVE BEEN STUDIES THAT GENERALLY THE HOME VALUES INCREASE IN CERTAIN DESIGN OVERLAY DISTRICTS.

IT'S PRETTY UNIVERSAL ACROSS ALL CITIES. THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THIS WAS DRIVEN BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THAT THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT'S GREAT. THIS NEIGHBORHOOD EFFORT IS GREAT.

I ALSO WISH VERY MUCH THAT WE TRIED TO DO A SIMILAR, JUST EVEN A STABILIZATION OVERLAY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS MID-CENTURY MODERN HOMES THAT ARE JUST BEING DECIMATED.

AND IT'S TRAGIC. AND I HATE THE CHARACTER CHANGE SO, SO MUCH.

SO I REALLY APPLAUD ALL OF YOU. I THINK THE THE OTHER LAST POINT, JUST THAT I WANT TO MAKE, IS THAT SOMETIMES IN NEIGHBORHOODS, WE HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE ON THIS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T YOU CAN'T SATISFY EVERYONE IN THIS KIND OF SITUATION.

IT'S ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. SO IN THIS CASE, I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION.

THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA THANK YOU. MAYOR.

I JUST WANT TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF LAKEWOOD FOR COMING OUT.

AND WE DEFINITELY HEARD PLENTY WHO WEREN'T HERE ALSO IN OUR EMAIL INBOXES.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT VERY KNOWN WHERE THE COMMUNITY STANDS.

IT DEFINITELY MAKES IT EASY FOR US TO MAKE A DECISION HERE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A KUDOS TO COUNCIL MEMBER, BLACKMON AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU PUT IN. ANY ANY PROJECT THAT REQUIRES YEARS WORTH OF WORK AND COMMUNICATION WITH CONSTITUENTS AND FINDING SOME MIDDLE GROUND IS IS A FEAT.

AND I APPLAUD YOU FOR GETTING US TO THIS PLACE.

AND AND HONESTLY, IT WAS SUCH A BIG VOTE HAVING MAJORITY PEOPLE HAPPY.

THAT'S A THAT'S THAT'S REALLY IT'S REALLY JOB WELL DONE.

SO KUDOS TO YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR Y'ALL'S ADVOCACY AND LETTING US KNOW.

STAFF. OF COURSE. THANK YOU ALL. YOU ALL HAVE DEFINITELY HELPED US BRING MORE TOOLS.

I WOULD ASK THIS IS ULTIMATELY THIS IS IT WAS ALL COMMUNITY DRIVEN, RIGHT? AND I GUESS THE OPPOSITION, IF YOU COULD MAYBE ARTICULATE FOR ME STAFF WHERE THE OPPOSITION CAME IN AT CPC AND WHAT OF COMPROMISES WERE MADE. I KNOW THAT THERE WERE ALREADY COMPROMISES BUILT INTO THE MOTION, BUT IF YOU COULD JUST SAY THAT AT CPC, THE OPPOSITION WAS LARGELY CONTAINED WITHIN THE BOUNDARY, THERE WASN'T MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STANDARDS THEMSELVES.

SO A LOT OF IT WAS THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BOUNDARY.

AND HOW DO WE FIGURE OUT A BALANCE MOVING FORWARD WITH AN AMENDED BOUNDARY.

AND THAT BROUGHT US TO THE SMALLER MAP. CORRECT? OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU ALL AGAIN. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING DOWN.

WELCOME TO CITY HALL. I HOPE IT HADN'T BEEN TOO BORING FOR YOU ALL.

AND THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKMON CHAIRMAN NARVAEZ.

THANK YOU, MAYOR ATKINS. REALLY QUICKLY, I HEARD ONE, CONSTITUENT OVER HERE, I DON'T I DIDN'T GET YOUR NAME.

I'M SORRY. IT WAS A LOT OF NAMES. WAS THAT ONE OF THE ONES THAT WAS DRAWN OUT OF THE BOUNDARY? BECAUSE THE YOUNG LADY SITTING RIGHT OVER HERE IN THE FRONT, IN THE MIDDLE, AND THAT SHE WAS DRAWN OUT.

SO YOU'RE DRAWN OUT. YOU YOU'RE HAPPY? YOU'RE NO LONGER IN THE BOUNDARY.

YOU'RE HAPPY NOW. OKAY. VERY GOOD. ROXANNE. STAFF, YOU AND I GO WAY BACK, SO I MEAN, THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD COMPROMISE.

I THINK IT LOOKS LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN THE IN THE DISTRICT ARE NOT IN IT.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME WHO STILL WANT TO BE OUT, BUT IT'S HARD.

YOU CAN'T, UNFORTUNATELY, DISSECT THESE HOUSE BY HOUSE, UNFORTUNATELY.

[05:10:01]

BUT DOES THIS LOOK A LITTLE BIT BETTER? LIKE YOU CAN.

OKAY. VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD. AND THE CITIZENS OF DALLAS, I'M GOING TO BRING YOU UP SINCE YOU'RE SPEAKING BECAUSE, BECAUSE, BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO BE ON THE RECORD. UNLESS YOU UNLESS YOU WANT TO TELL ME LATER ON, IT'S UP TO YOU. SO AND BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON THE RECORD, I JUST WANT TO MAKE. SURE. WE TURN YOUR MIC ON, PLEASE.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED HERE IN THE WILD.

MR.. TO BE GERRYMANDERED OUT IS IS NOT A REASON TO CALL US THOSE OUT OF IT.

WE WERE EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT US COMPLAINING.

AND MY CONCERN IS THIS COUNCIL CANNOT FOCUS ON WHAT YOUR CORE ISSUES ARE.

AND YOU ARE YOU HAVE THIS BUDGET ISSUE. YOU HAVE POLICE AND OH, WE'RE GOING TO GET THE NEXT ONE.

SO WE'RE ON MY TIME. WE HAVE TO STAY ON THIS ITEM.

SO BUT BUT I'LL TALK TO YOU MORE ABOUT THE OTHER THINGS.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO FACE THE MUSIC. I MEAN, YOU'RE GOING TO TELL EVERYBODY IN A MILLION, $2 MILLION HOUSE WHAT KIND OF WINDOWS THEY CAN HAVE THAT.

I'D RATHER HAVE A POLICE OFFICER. I HEAR YOU, I HEAR YOU.

THANK. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS STAFF. STEPH, I SAID.

WHEN MISS ROXANNE STEPH WAS SPEAKING EARLIER HER BUSINESS, HER BANK WAS IN MY DISTRICT, SO WE GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER VERY WELL OVER THOSE YEARS AND I CAN TELL YOU, I DO MISS YOU OVER THERE BECAUSE YOU WERE A VOICE OF REASON FOR US OVER THERE IN THE BLACKMON AREA.

SO ANYTIME YOU WANT TO COME BACK, WE WILL TAKE YOU FOR A VOLUNTEER STUFF.

BUT THIS IS, YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THINGS.

AND I HAVE TO COMMEND THE COUNCIL MEMBER AS FAR AS THIS GOES THIS MAP, BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS A NIGHTMARE BEFORE.

BUT WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO THIS, IT'S LIKE YOU ACTUALLY GOT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO BE IN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN IT AND GOT THE FOLKS WHO REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN IT, FOR WHATEVER REASON, OUT. I CAN'T TELL YOU I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THESE.

AND SO I BUT I ALSO LOOK AT IT AND THINK, WITH FORWARD DALLAS 2.0 THAT WE'VE DONE, IT'S LIKE, HOW DO WE GET MORE OF THESE IN CERTAIN AREAS? BECAUSE THIS WAS PROBABLY A BETTER SOLUTION FOR CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF TOOLS, BUT WE'RE NOT THERE. SO JUST THIS IS A REALLY GREAT TOOL, THIS CONSERVATION DISTRICT, IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT.

AND THAT'S THE HARD PART, BECAUSE YOU JUST HEARD MY COLLEAGUE FROM DISTRICT ONE MENTION THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE WHEN HE MOVED INTO ONE THAT WAS LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THAT. I PROBABLY WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE IN ONE EITHER. NOT REALLY UNDERSTANDING IT AND KNOWING IT. BUT I AM WITH YOU ON THE HISTORIC PART.

THAT'S REALLY, REALLY TOUGH DISTRICT TO LIVE IN.

BUT THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT, NOW THAT I LEARNED MORE ABOUT IT, IT'S LIKE YOU ARE YOU DO GET THINGS DONE A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

THE PERMITS ARE QUICKER. THINGS THAT HAPPEN. IT'S JUST REALLY THE EXTERIOR YOU'RE PROTECTING.

BUT THIS IS COMPROMISE THAT CITY COUNCIL NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO LEAVE HERE COMPLETELY HAPPY.

NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO LEAVE HERE COMPLETELY DOING CARTWHEELS OUT THE DOOR.

BUT THAT'S WHAT COMPROMISE IS ALL ABOUT. BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY, I LIKE THIS MAP A LOT BETTER.

THIS EXPANSION A LOT BETTER, JUST BASED ON THE FEEDBACK WE GOT.

BECAUSE I THINK ALMOST EVERYBODY IN THIS PROPOSED, PROPOSED AREA SENT US AN EMAIL OF SOME KIND OR ANOTHER.

AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER BLACKMON, BECAUSE THIS IS WHEN IT GETS REALLY HAIRY HERE AT CITY HALL, WHEN YOU'RE IN IN THESE TYPES OF NEGOTIATIONS, THAT'S LITERALLY HOUSE BY HOUSE, BLOCK BY BLOCK.

BUT YOURS WAS OVER HERE. I CAN'T REMEMBER HER NAME, BUT THE ONE THAT TALKED ABOUT THE SAY IT AGAIN, MISS KING. YOURS WAS REALLY THE ONE THAT REALLY HIT ME THE MOST WAS LIKE, I'M IN THIS WEIRD LITTLE BLOCK THAT JUST KIND OF GOT JUTTED IN AND I DON'T KNOW WHY.

AND THEN THE COUNCIL MEMBER WAS ABLE TO TELL US WHY SHE COULD TAKE THAT OUT.

SO YAY FOR NO UNDERSTANDING THE RULES, RIGHT? SO SOMETHING THAT WAS ABLE TO GET FIXED, THAT WAS THE ONE THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME THE MOST.

AS FAR AS EVERYBODY SPEAKING TODAY BUT OVERALL, I LIKE IT.

I'M GOING TO GO WITH IT BECAUSE COUNCIL MEMBER WORKED SO HARD AND I SEE A LOT OF MORE UPRIGHT GRINS THAN I DO PEOPLE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, WITH THE UPSIDE DOWN GRIN.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE, IS GET THIS GOING THE BEST WE CAN, AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THESE FOLKS THAT ARE NO LONGER IN IT YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GOING TO START ALL OVER FOR LIKE THREE YEARS IF YOU DECIDE ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU WANT TO BE IN IT.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T SOMETHING THAT YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE THIS TIME AROUND INSTEAD OF NOT DONE.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I THINK THIS LOOKS REALLY GREAT. AND JUST AGAIN, TO MY COLLEAGUE, THANK YOU.

GREAT JOB. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN, CHAIRMAN MORENO.

THANK YOU. MAYOR. I WILL BE SUPPORTING MISS BLACKMON'S MOTION.

THE MAJORITY OF THE RESIDENTS AFFECTED ARE SUPPORTING THIS.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT TWO, WHICH IS NOT TOO FAR FROM LAKEWOOD.

WENT TO WOODROW AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN LAKEWOOD AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GO INTO A LOT OF THESE REALLY SPECIAL HOMES PROTECTING

[05:15:06]

AND PRESERVING THE LITTLE BIT THAT WE HAVE OF HISTORIC NATURE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS.

WE'VE GOT TO DO MORE OF IT. I'M CREDIBLE MAIN STRUCTURES, BUT LAKEWOOD'S MORE THAN JUST THE HOUSES.

AS WE SAID, IT'S A SPECIAL COMMUNITY. THE PARADES, THE GENERATIONAL FAMILIES THAT HAVE LIVED IN THESE HOMES IS REALLY A TESTAMENT.

THIS WAS COMMUNITY DRIVEN, BUT IT'S VERY TOURISM.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK FOR THESE COMMUNITIES, AND IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT AND A LOT OF TIME.

AND I HOPE THAT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ASKING FOR THEIR HOMES TO BE PROTECTED, THAT WE FOLLOW THE SAME GUIDANCE. AND WHEN COMMUNITIES COME BEFORE US ASKING FOR PRESERVATION, THAT WE DO THAT. AND SO THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT SHOWED UP TODAY.

CHAIRMAN RILEY. THANK YOU, MISTER MAYOR. QUESTION FOR STAFF.

THE AMENDED CONDITION OF PAINTING THE EXTERIOR STRUCTURE NOT BEING A MAJOR MODIFICATION.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN FIRST HOW THAT IS A DEPARTURE FROM WHAT THE PLAN COMMISSION APPROVED AND WHAT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DESIGNATING PAINTING AS NOT A MAJOR MODIFICATION IS FOR THE ORDINANCE.

SURE. AND I DIDN'T INTRODUCE MYSELF EARLIER. I'M TREVOR BROWN, THE CHIEF PLANNER FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

THE QUESTION ABOUT PAINTING BEING SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT FOR MAJOR MODIFICATION HAS TO DO WITH THOSE STRUCTURES THAT IF YOU WERE FOR PROTECTING BUILDINGS IN TERMS OF FROM BEING DEMOLISHED AND FROM HOW THEY CAN BE REMODELED.

THAT WAS INTENDED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FRONTS OF THOSE BUILDINGS WOULDN'T CHANGE DRAMATICALLY, AND IF SO, THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW NEW GUIDANCE IN THE REMODELING STANDARDS.

SO THE CLARIFICATION THAT PAINT DID NOT COUNT AS A MAJOR MODIFICATION HAS TO DO WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT IF MORE THAN 25% OF THE FACADE IS IS BEING ALTERED. IT THEN TRIGGERS CERTAIN REMODELING REGULATIONS.

AND SO THERE WAS A REQUEST TO INCLUDE PAINT SPECIFICALLY IN THAT DEFINITION, EXCLUDING IT FROM, FROM THAT BEING CONSIDERED A MAJOR MODIFICATION.

SO IN OTHER WORDS, PEOPLE WOULD BE FREE TO REPAINT IN A DIFFERENT COLOR.

THE FRONT FACADE, THE ENTIRE FRONT FACADE OF THEIR BUILDING WITHOUT IT REQUIRING ANY REVIEW BY CITY STAFF.

SO PAINT IS STILL A STANDARD IN THE ORDINANCE, SO IT WOULD BE REVIEWED.

BUT IT THE QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING APPLIES SPECIFICALLY TO IT BEING A MAJOR MODIFICATION TO THE BUILDING.

SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT IS A MAJOR MODIFICATION? SURE. SO THAT IS A TERM THAT IS DEFINED IN THE ORDINANCE.

AND IT MEANS ANY REMODELING THAT IMPACTS 25% OF THE SURFACE AREA OR GREATER.

AND THAT'S USING WALL AND WINDOW AND DOOR AREA AFFECTED OF THE FRONT FACADE BY ALTERING OR OBSCURING THOSE EXISTING MATERIALS.

SO THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT THAT PAINT COULD SOMEHOW BE INTERPRETED AS OBSCURING OR ALTERING MORE THAN 25% OF THE FACADE, TRIGGERING THE REQUIREMENT THAT THAT REMODELING WOULD THEN HAVE TO MEET ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

OKAY, SO THOSE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS ARE WHAT THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH REVIEW BY CITY STAFF? YES, SIR. THE THE MAJOR MODIFICATION REQUIREMENT, AGAIN, IF A BUILDING CANNOT BE DEMOLISHED AND WE'VE SEEN THIS IN SOME OTHER AREAS WHERE THERE'S DEMOLITION RESTRICTIONS, BUT THERE'S NO REGULATIONS DEALING WITH THE REMODELING.

SO PEOPLE KEEP A FACADE AND COMPLETELY CHANGED THE BUILDING THAT COULD NOT BE DEMOLISHED.

AND SO IN AN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THAT, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT IF YOU ARE ALTERING OR OBSCURING AT LEAST 25% OF THE FRONT FACADE, THAT THEN TRIGGERS THAT YOU HAVE TO MEET THE SIX ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENT.

OPTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS THAT WOULD BE PART OF THAT NEW REMODELING.

SO WOULD THIS PROVISION ALLOW PEOPLE TO PAINT THEIR BRICK HOUSES? YES, SIR. WAS THERE MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION? TYPICALLY, PARTICULARLY IN HISTORIC DISTRICTS, PAINTING BRICK IS NOT ALLOWED.

SO THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION AS PART OF THE 15 MEETINGS THAT WERE HELD.

AND THEN ACTUALLY THERE WAS A PROHIBITION ON PAINTING OF BRICK INCLUDED IN THE FIRST DRAFT THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

BASED ON THE FEEDBACK THAT WAS RECEIVED FOLLOWING.

[05:20:02]

WE DID A SURVEY FOLLOWING THAT FIRST DRAFT. THE PROVISION PROHIBITING THE PAINTING OF UNPAINTED BRICK WAS REMOVED.

I ASSUME THAT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF THE RESIDENTS.

YES, SIR. WITH RESPECT TO THE LAST PROPOSED AMENDMENT, THAT THE ORDINANCE GO INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 30TH, HOW IS THAT A DEPARTURE FROM WHAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED AND WHY THE DEFERRED EFFECTIVE DATE? PLANNING COMMISSION WAS SILENT ON THAT ISSUE.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE STANDARD ORDINANCE LANGUAGE.

MOVING ON TO PLANNING COMMISSION. AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS WERE IS FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE WERE SOME THERE WAS CONFUSION ABOUT PROJECTS AND PROCESS, AND THIS MADE PEOPLE FEEL A LITTLE BIT COMFORTABLE ABOUT PROJECTS IN PROGRESS BEING ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

WAS THERE ALSO ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THIS TIME TO PULL BUILDING PERMITS FOR, OR DEMOLITION PERMITS AND GET UNDER THE WIRE BEFORE THIS ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT? AND WAS THAT OF CONCERN TO STAFF? THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN.

YES. THANK YOU. WELL, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT LEAVING THAT LOOPHOLE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO.

THERE COULD BE A RUSH TO DEMOLISH HOMES IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

MISS BLACKMON, WOULD YOU CONSIDER A SHORTER, EFFECTIVE TIME PERIOD? YES. BUT ANOTHER REASON, TOO, IS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANOTHER ELM THICKET.

I GIVE TIME FOR STAFF TO ADJUST, SO I EVEN DO 30 DAYS OR AT THE END OF MARCH.

OKAY. WOULD YOU SO AMEND YOUR MOTION? YES. WHAT I WANT TO SAY APRIL FOOLS.

BUT WHAT IS THAT? JANUARY. MARCH. MARCH 30TH, 31ST.

MARCH 31ST. MARCH 31ST. OKAY. YEAH. IT WAS JUST TO ALLOW THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAD PERMITS GOING RIGHT NOW, AND THEY WERE GETTING THEIR WROUGHT IRON IN, AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FEEL TIGHT.

AND, AND THEN ALSO TO, TO ALLOW STAFF TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO WHAT THE NEW STANDARDS WERE GOING TO BE.

BUT 30 DAYS IS FINE AS WELL. OKAY. AND WILL THE SECOND AGREE TO THAT? YES. YEAH. OKAY. VERY GOOD. THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MAYOR.

I DON'T SEE ANY I DON'T SEE ANOTHER QUESTION.

SO HOLD ON. I'LL SEE. COUNCILMAN ARNOLD. OKAY.

COUNCILWOMAN ARNOLD FROM DISTRICT FOUR. THANK YOU.

FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HERE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE LAKEWOOD FAMILY.

THIS IS THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH RIDE. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN.

I SIMPLY WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I ABSOLUTELY. LAKEWOOD IS ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

I HAVE QUITE A FEW, BUT I REALLY, REALLY LOVE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

I HAD THE FORTUNE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY AS I TAUGHT AT WOODROW WILSON, I THINK FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS. AND IT IS YOU HAVE TO REALLY BE THERE AND WORK THERE TO FOR YOU ALL TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT, THE PASSION OF THE LOVE. I CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND SOME OF IT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T STAYED WITH ANYBODY.

BUT I'M JUST TELLING YOU WHAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER FROM TEACHING THE STUDENTS AND WORKING AND AND DEFINITELY HAVING PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, SUCH AS HARRIET EARHART, THAT WAS ONE OF MY PARENTS.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY, OF COURSE, TO START THAT VENTURE AND THAT CONVERSATION OUT THERE WITH HER.

BUT PROTECTING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, I KNOW THAT MAY NOT BE THE WORD THAT WE WANT TO USE, BUT WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TRYING TO PROTECT OUR LEGACIES, HISTORY. AND I KNOW IT'S IT SOUNDS KIND OF UPPITY AT TIMES WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO THAT. BUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE HAVE LIFE AND I HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCES, YOU CAN HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL COME OUT OF NOWHERE, AND THEY'RE DOING ALL KINDS OF INTERESTING THINGS WITH THE ARCHITECTURE AND ALL OF THAT, AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE YOUR MIND. WE'VE BEEN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR SOME 40 SOMETHING YEARS, AND TO SEE PEOPLE COME IN NOW, WE DON'T WANT THIS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS YOUR BUSINESS TO PAINT BRICKS, TO PUT FENCES IN THE FRONT YARD.

WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MUCH PROPERTY.

AND THE QUESTION IS, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT A FENCE IN THE FRONT YARD? AND YOU GOT ALL THIS BACKYARD TO PUT YOUR SWINGS AND SWIMMING POOLS.

SO I FEEL YOU ON THAT. I FEEL A LITTLE BIT BETTER NOW THAT THOSE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN THE CONFIGURATION HAVE WHAT THEY NEED, BUT I BELIEVE YOU HAVE ENOUGH PRIDE AND SUPPORT THAT YOU CAN KEEP WORKING.

[05:25:06]

AND WE DON'T WANT TO SAY THIS, BUT TRY TO WORK.

SO IF THE FOLKS DON'T WANT TO BE WHERE THEY REALLY WANT TO BE, LIKE SOME FOLKS WHO MOVED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND REALIZE WE ALL HAVE GREEN GRASS, AND THEN YOU GET IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOU DON'T WANT TO WATER YOUR GRASS.

SO I'M TRYING TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT RIGHT NOW, BUT WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

SO THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE. I'VE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF LETTERS AND MY HEART GOES OUT, AND I KNOW THIS IS YOUR BUSINESS, BUT NOW AND THIS MAY NOT BE A GOOD POPULAR STATEMENT TO MAKE, BUT I'M MAKING IT FORWARD.

DALLAS HAS US SCARED OUT OF OUR HEADS BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT WE KNOW, AND WHAT IS SAYING TO US IS THAT SOME OF THESE BEHAVIORS CAN COME IN HERE AND THREATEN THE VERY BASIC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, AND OUR HOMES ARE CUSTOM BUILT, CUSTOM. AND TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT'S TOTALLY OUT OF CHARACTER TO COME NEXT DOOR BECAUSE OF A HOUSE THAT BURNED DOWN, OR SOMEONE JUST COMES IN AND FEEL LIKE THEY WANT TO GUT IT IS JUST AN INSULT.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR WORKING. I KNOW WE DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING AND YOU ALL WILL GET THAT WORKED OUT, BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO KEEP ON KEEPING ON BECAUSE I LOVE COMING TO LAKEWOOD.

I HAD A CHANCE TO PURCHASE THE HOME. WE HAD A CHANCE TO PURCHASE THE HOME WHERE WE ARE NOW, BUT IF WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIVE OUT IN LAKEWOOD, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU FOR THE FIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ENGAGED. BUT YOU REALLY DO NEED TO STAY WOKE AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS CITY AND YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AROUND.

THE HORSESHOE YOU. POLICIES CHANGE, AGENDAS CHANGE.

SO YOU NEED TO PASS THAT INFORMATION AND THE LEGACY ONTO YOUR FAMILY.

AND I'LL USE THE PHRASE THAT THE STUDENTS USED AT WOODROW WILSON WOODROW WILSON.

ENOUGH SAID LAKEWOOD. ENOUGH SAID. THANK YOU.

SEEING ANYONE ELSE? SO ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AYES. CARRIES. NEXT ITEM, MADAM SECRETARY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. BEFORE WE GO BACK TO YOUR ZONING AGENDA, COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED ON ITEM Z ONE.

[Z1. 25-623A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for and an ordinance granting a Historic Overlay for the Bianchi House (4503 Reiger Avenue) on property zoned Planned Development District No. 98 (uses in this Planned Development District are limited to residential uses) at the intersection of Reiger Avenue (north side) and North Carroll Avenue Recommendation of Staff: Approval, subject to preservation criteria Recommendation of CPC: Approval, subject to staff and Landmark Commission preservation criteria with a proposed edit Z189-161(RD)]

I MOVE TO DEFER THIS ITEM TO THE APRIL 9TH, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING.

IN THE COMMENT. NO COMMENT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? EYES CARRIES. NEXT ITEM. WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR ZONING CONSENT AGENDA.

[ZONING CASES - CONSENT]

YOUR ZONING CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTED OF ITEM Z1 THROUGH Z13.

ITEM Z1 WAS PREVIOUSLY DEFERRED. ITEM Z3 HAS BEEN PULLED BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA AND COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIS.

ITEM Z9 WAS PREVIOUSLY DEFERRED. THEREFORE, YOUR ZONING CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTS OF ITEMS Z TWO, Z FOUR THROUGH Z EIGHT AND Z10 THROUGH Z 13. I'LL READ THOSE ITEMS INTO THE RECORD.

ITEM Z2 IS A IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN AMENDMENT TO AND A RENEWAL OF SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NUMBER 2430 FOR A BAIL BONDS OFFICE ON PROPERTY ON THE EAST LINE OF SOUTH RIVERFRONT BOULEVARD, SOUTH OF REUNION BOULEVARD.

ITEM Z4 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN AMENDMENT TO AND A RENEWAL OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NUMBER 2469.

FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A GENERAL MERCHANDISE OR FOOD STORE.

3500FT² OR LESS ON PROPERTY ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ELAM ROAD AND PLEASANT DRIVE.

ITEM Z FIVE IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A RENEWAL OF SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NUMBER 1883 FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A GENERAL MERCHANDISE OR FOOD STORE. 3500FT² OR LESS ON PROPERTY ON THE EAST CORNER OF SOUTH BELTLINE ROAD AND C.F.

HAWN FREEWAY. ITEM Z SIX IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A PLAN DEVELOPMENT.

SUBDISTRICT ON PROPERTY IN AN AREA BOUND BY WEST COMMERCE STREET, HASLETT STREET, YORKTOWN STREET, AND PITTMAN STREET. ITEM Z SEVEN IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLAN TO DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT FOR TH THREE, A TOWNHOUSE DISTRICT, USES ON PROPERTY ON THE SOUTH EAST LINE OF FERGUSON ROAD BETWEEN HIBISCUS DRIVE AND PASTURE AVENUE.

ITEM C8 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN R-5, A SINGLE FAMILY SUB DISTRICT ON PROPERTY ON THE SOUTHWEST LINE OF LAGOS STREET BETWEEN CANAL STREET AND SPRING AVENUE. ITEM C10 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN AMENDMENT TO SUB AREA A WITH PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NUMBER

[05:30:09]

975 ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SIMPSON STUART ROAD IN HIGHLAND HILLS DRIVE.

ITEM C11 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN R-5, A SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT ON PROPERTY ON THE SOUTH LINE OF COMPTON STREET, WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF COMPTON STREET AND AND GLIDDEN STREET.

ITEM C12 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE ESTABLISHMENT LIMITED TO A BAR, LOUNGE, OR OUR TAVERN ON PROPERTY ON THE NORTH LINE OF MAIN STREET, EAST OF SOUTHFIELD STREET IN ITEM Z 13 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN AMENDMENT TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT NUMBER 1112 IN AN AREA GENERALLY NORTHEAST OF HARRY HINES BOULEVARD, SOUTHEAST OF WEST MOCKINGBIRD LANE, AND ON THE NORTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST LINE OF FOREST PARK ROAD.

YOU DO HAVE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON A FEW OF YOUR ZONING CONSENT ITEMS, AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE OPEN TO ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE.

YOUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL SPEAK ON CONSENT ITEM Z TWO.

ALANA GATES. MISS. MISS GATES, YOU'RE YOU'RE MUTED. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS LANA GATES. I'M HERE REPRESENTING FIRST CALL BAIL BONDS.

WE JUST APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY, AND WE'D LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR SUP RENEWAL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR OPERATIONS AND SERVING THE DALLAS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL SPEAK ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEM Z10, ELSIE THURMAN.

OKAY. WILL NOT BE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU.

ITEM Z12 ROB RICHMOND. OKAY. IT'S NOT PRESENT.

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEMS THAT WERE JUST READ INTO THE RECORD? ITEM Z TWO, Z FOUR THROUGH Z EIGHT AND Z10 THROUGH Z 13.

NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, MR. MAYOR. CAN WE GET A SECOND? SECOND. IN THE QUESTION. NO COMMENTS. SO. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? AYES CARRY. NEXT ITEM. MADAM SECRETARY, WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR FIRST PULLED ZONING CONSENT ITEM.

[Z3. 25-648A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application for and an ordinance granting an amendment to Specific Use Permit No. 2431 for a restaurant with drive-in or drive-through service on property zoned a CA-1(A) Central Area District, on the west line of South Griffin Street, between Commerce Street and Jackson Street Recommendation of Staff: Approval for a two-year period, subject to amended conditions Recommendation of CPC: Approval for a two-year period, subject to amended conditions Z234-139(MB)]

ITEM C THREE. OKAY. ITEM D THREE IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN AMENDMENT TO SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NUMBER 2431 FOR A RESTAURANT WITH DRIVE IN OR DRIVE THRU SERVICE ON PROPERTY ON THE WEST LINE OF SOUTH GRIFFIN STREET BETWEEN COMMERCE STREET AND JACKSON STREET.

MR. MAYOR, WE SENT FIVE NOTICES TO PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 200FT OF THE AREA OF REQUEST.

WE RECEIVED ZERO REPLIES IN FAVOR AND THREE REPLIES IN OPPOSITION TO THE REQUEST.

YOU DO HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM.

PHILIP KINGSTON, THE HONORABLE PHILIP KINGSTON.

JUST THE NORMAL PHILIP. KINGSTON, BILLY. THANK YOU.

PHILIP KINGSTON 5901 PALO PINTO. I AM PLEASED TO REPRESENT MULTIPLE OF THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ON THIS ISSUE. MATTHEW. SOUTHWEST. SYCAMORE STRATEGIES AND HAMILTON PROPERTIES REPRESENTING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHEN THEY ASKED ME ABOUT THIS SGP RENEWAL, I SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE RENEWED AND IT SHOULD BE A SLAM DUNK BECAUSE THE RENEWAL VIOLATES SO MANY POLICIES OF THE CITY OF DALLAS.

AND SO WHEN I SAW THAT STAFF HAD RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, I WAS REALLY SHOCKED.

BUT I ALSO PRETTY QUICKLY FIGURED OUT WHY. IF YOU'LL LOOK AT PAGE THREE OF THE STAFF, REPORT THE STAFFER ANALYZED THIS APPLICATION USING THE JUNE 2006 VERSION OF FORWARD DALLAS.

YOU GUYS UPDATED THAT IN SEPTEMBER, AND READING FROM CHAPTER THREE OF THE FINAL VERSION OF FORWARD DALLAS THAT WAS ADOPTED IN MOBILITY AND ACCESS IN THE CITY CENTER.

ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES IS AUTOCENTRIC. AMENITIES SUCH AS DRIVE THROUGH ACCESS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE IN THE CITY CENTER.

[05:35:05]

THIS IS ALSO TRUE OF THE DOWNTOWN DALLAS THREE 60 PLAN, WHICH IF YOU ALSO LOOK AT PAGE THREE AND FOUR OF THE STAFF REPORT, YOU WILL SEE THAT THE STAFFERS HAVE SOMEHOW TURNED THREE 60 ON ITS HEAD TO SAY THAT IT DOES FAVOR DRIVE THROUGH SUBURBAN USES. IT ACTUALLY SAYS THE EXACT OPPOSITE. BUT I WAS ALSO SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT NO STAFFER HAD APPARENTLY CONSULTED THE COMPLETE STREETS DESIGN MANUAL OR THE. KCAP, BOTH OF WHICH ARE AGAINST DRIVE THRUS.

THE THE THE COMPLETE STREETS DESIGN MANUAL BECAUSE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO AVOID PEDESTRIAN AUTOMOTIVE CONFLICTS AND THE KCAP BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SINGLE OCCUPANT AUTO TRIPS. SO THIS IS THIS IS A REAL SLAM DUNK, HONESTLY.

THE OTHER THING THAT YOU GUYS NEED TO BE CONSIDERING, I THINK, IS THE LEGAL STANDARD FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT THAT'S FOUND IN 50 1-4.219. THE CITY SHALL NOT GRANT AN SUP FOR A USE, EXCEPT UPON A FINDING THAT THE USE WILL A COMPLEMENT OR BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING USES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

YOU'VE HEARD FROM MANY NEIGHBORING OWNERS WHO SAY IT WILL NOT BE, CONTRIBUTE TO, ENHANCE OR PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE AREA OF REQUEST AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES. AGAIN, THE SURROUNDING OPERATORS SAY NO.

SEE, HERE'S THE ONE THAT I DON'T THINK IS SUBJECT TO DEBATE.

NOT BE DETRIMENTAL TO PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR GENERAL WELFARE.

THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM Z THREE. OKAY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS CITY COUNCIL.

SUZANNE KEDRON, 2323 ROSS AVENUE. I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON ON BEHALF OF MCDONALD'S CORPORATION AS WELL AS THE FRANCHISOR, ERIC YORK. THIS LOCATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1979.

THAT'S 46 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION IN OUR CBD.

IN 2000, THEY PURCHASED PEDRAJA STREET WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE THEN COUNCIL TO IMPLEMENT THE DRIVE THRU.

THAT DRIVE THROUGH HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR 25 YEARS.

LAST YEAR THEY SERVED OVER 650,000 PEOPLE, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 62% OF THEIR BUSINESS.

THE FRANCHISOR EMPLOYS 815 EMPLOYEES, 73 AT THIS LOCATION.

HE HAS AN ANNUAL PAYROLL OF $15.5 MILLION IN SALARIES.

AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK THE EMPLOYEES THAT TOOK TIME FROM THEIR DAY TO PLEASE STAND AND THOSE THAT ARE IN SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. PLANNING SHOULD NOT ONLY BE THEORETICAL, IT'S ALSO ABOUT PEOPLE, AND IT'S ABOUT THE REALITY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS.

THE PEOPLE THAT YOU JUST MET, THE PEOPLE THAT STOOD UP, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVED, THE 650,000 THAT GO THROUGH THE DRIVE THRU ANNUALLY.

NOT EVERYONE CAN EAT AT A WHITE TABLECLOTH RESTAURANT.

YOU HAVE CITY EMPLOYEES, YOU HAVE OFFICE WORKERS, YOU HAVE PARENTS, YOU HAVE RESIDENTS.

I LIVE DOWNTOWN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND WHEN MY SON WAS HERE, WE WENT THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH.

WE WALKED TO MCDONALD'S. IT'S AN ESSENTIAL PART OF LIFE IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS.

VISITORS THAT COME TO THIS CITY, BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERM, USE THAT.

MCDONALD'S CONTRACTORS THAT ARE GOING TO BUILD BIG PROJECTS IN THE CITY ARE GOING TO USE THAT MCDONALD'S.

PEOPLE DESERVE DEPENDABLE, CONVENIENT AND SAFE FOOD CHOICES.

THE REALITY OF THIS SITUATION IS AT THIS PARTICULAR END OF DOWNTOWN, LESS THAN 1000FT AWAY, THERE ARE 15 ACRES, 15 ACRES OF SURFACE PARKING LOTS.

I ASK YOU TO NOT UNDULY BURDEN AND NOT CLOSE A 46 YEAR ONGOING CORPORATE CITIZEN IN OUR CITY.

WE SEEK YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE SEEK YOUR SUPPORT AT THE TERM OF FIVE YEARS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS WILFREDO GOMEZ. 1810 SHORELINE DRIVE.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

I'M HERE TO PROVIDE A PERSPECTIVE THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MISSED.

A PERSPECTIVE THAT REPRESENTS NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE SITTING BEHIND ME, BUT ALSO THE 815 EMPLOYEES I WORK ALONGSIDE EVERY DAY.

NEXT MONTH MARKS MY 20TH YEAR AS A MCDONALD'S EMPLOYEE.

15 OF THOSE. 15 OF THOSE YEARS WITH CRAIG YORK'S ORGANIZATION.

THROUGHOUT THESE YEARS, MCDONALD'S HAS GIVEN ME OPPORTUNITIES I NEVER WOULD HAVE HAD. ALLOWING ME TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY AND GROW BOTH AS A LEADER AND A PERSON.

WORKING WITH CRAIG HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL.

HIS GENEROSITY IS UNLIKE ANYTHING I'VE EVER SEEN, NOT JUST AS A BUSINESSMAN, BUT AS A HUMAN BEING.

[05:40:04]

CRAIG OWNS 14 MCDONALD'S IN DALLAS. PREVIOUSLY HE HAD 16, BUT WE HAD TO CLOSE TWO DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS, MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A DRIVE THRU AND WERE SIMPLY NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THE SAME FATE AWAITS. THE COMMERCE LOCATION OF THIS DRIVE THRU IS REMOVED.

THAT IS CLEAR TO EVERYONE ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE.

IN 2024 ALONE, COMMERCE MACDONALD'S PAID OVER $1.2 MILLION IN WAGES WAGES THAT GO DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF DALLAS RESIDENTS.

OUR EMPLOYEES RANGE FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PARENTS WHO RELY ON THIS INCOME TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

JUST LIKE WHEN I WORKED ALONGSIDE MY MOTHER AND BROTHER AS A TEENAGER, WE NOW HAVE PARENTS AND KIDS, PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS WORKING TOGETHER WITH THIS MCDONALD'S AS THEIR HOUSEHOLD'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF INCOME.

TO SOME, THIS MAY SEEM LIKE JUST ANOTHER MCDONALD'S, BUT TO THOSE OF US BEHIND ME AND TO OUR CUSTOMERS, THIS LOCATION IS A DALLAS STAPLE. ITS UNIQUE GOLDEN ARCHES STRETCHING STRETCHING ACROSS THE BUILDING MAKE IT INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE.

THIS WEEKEND ALONE, THE CHEERLEADING CONVENTION WILL BRING IN THOUSANDS OF VISITORS, MANY OF WHOM RELY ON OUR DRIVE THROUGH FOR QUICK, AFFORDABLE MEALS. WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR THESE EVENTS IN THE PAST, AND WITH THE WORLD CUP COMING UP NEXT YEAR, THIS MCDONALD'S IS IN A PRIME POSITION TO CONTINUE SERVING BOTH THE CITY AND ITS VISITORS.

ANOTHER CRITICAL FACTOR TO CONSIDER IS ACCESSIBILITY.

DALLAS WEATHER CAN BE EXTREME, FROM FREEZING TEMPERATURES INTO THE WINTER TO OVER 70 DAYS OF 100 PLUS DEGREE HEAT IN THE SUMMER.

THIS DRIVE THROUGH IS A LIFELINE FOR DOWNTOWN EMPLOYEES, CITY WORKERS AND RESIDENTS, PROVIDING THEM WITH MEALS WITHOUT THE ADDED BURDEN OF PARKING FEES. AND DESPITE BEING IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS, CRAIG REFUSES TO CHARGE DOWNTOWN PRICING, ENSURING CUSTOMERS CAN CAN GET BREAKFAST FOR UNDER $4 AND LUNCH FOR UNDER $6, SOMETHING ALMOST UNHEARD OF IN THIS AREA.

I WANT TO CLOSE WITH TWO OF THE STRONGEST FEELINGS A PERSON CAN HAVE GRATITUDE AND LOVE.

GRATITUDE FOR YOUR TIME, FOR LISTENING, AND FOR MAKING A CONSCIOUS DECISION ON THIS MATTER.

AND LOVE. LOVE FOR MCDONALD'S, FOR THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH EVERY DAY.

FOR THOSE SITTING BEHIND ME AND FOR THIS CITY WHICH HAS SHAPED ME IN SO MANY WAYS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. IT SAYS. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS LEANNE LEWIS. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF DOWNTOWN DALLAS FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, AND WE HAVE OWNED CITY TAVERN, LOCATED DOWNTOWN FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

OUR RESTAURANT SERVES AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY A SIT DOWN LUNCH WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES, OR UNWIND IN THE EVENINGS WITH THE DINNER AND COCKTAILS WITH FRIENDS.

I MENTION THIS ONLY BECAUSE, AS AN OWNER OF A DOWNTOWN ESTABLISHMENT, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS MUST FIND A PARKING SPOT, PAY TO PARK AND WALK TO OUR RESTAURANT. THIS CONTRASTS IS THIS SORRY, THE THIS CONTRAST WITH THE QUICK SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT DOWNTOWN THAT CATER TO MEALS ON THE GO AT A LOWER POINT, SUCH AS MCDONALD'S, SUBWAY AND CHICK FIL A.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A FOUR AND A HALF YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO ATTENDS SCHOOL DOWNTOWN, AND WE FREQUENTLY USE THE MCDONALD'S DRIVE THRU FOR PANCAKES ON OUR WAY TO SCHOOL AND FOR QUICK MEALS BETWEEN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DRIVE THRU IS ESSENTIAL TO US, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE ON TIGHT SCHEDULES.

WHILE THERE ARE OTHER FAST FOOD OPTIONS DOWNTOWN, BUT NONE OFFER THE SAME LEVEL OF CONVENIENCE AS MCDONALD'S, FOR EXAMPLE. CHICK FIL A, LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR RESTAURANT, HAS PRESENTED CHALLENGES FOR US, BOTH BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS. WE FREQUENTLY DEAL WITH FOOD DELIVERY CHALLENGES.

WE FREQUENTLY. WE FREQUENTLY DEAL WITH FOOD DELIVERY DRIVERS AND CUSTOMERS.

DOUBLE PARKING IN FRONT OF THE LOCATION, WHICH STOPS TRAFFIC TYPICALLY TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC, TWO LANES WIDE, AND CAUSES EXCESSIVE CONGESTION ON ELM STREET.

THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY FOR PEDESTRIANS.

THE INCREASED POPULATION, ALSO THE INCREASED POPULATION OF THE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS AND THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY CREATES SECURITY CONCERNS FOR ALL AND THE AREA SPECIFICALLY TO THIS LOCATION. IT'S NOT REALLY IT'S NOT CURRENTLY PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY.

IT'S NOT A CURRENT PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

AND I DON'T SEE THAT CHANGING. I DON'T SEE THAT FOR I DON'T SEE THAT CHANGING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

I HAVE TO SAY, THE COMMERCE LOCATION. THEY DO DO A COMMENDABLE JOB AT SECURITY BOTH IN AND AROUND THEIR RESTAURANT.

WE CHOOSE TO FREQUENT THIS ESTABLISHMENT FOR THIS REASON, AS WELL AS BECAUSE THEY ARE LOCALLY OWNED AND ESTABLISHED BUSINESS.

REMOVING THEIR DRIVE THRU COULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE MY FAMILY EFFICIENTLY, AND COULD LEAD TO THE SAME CONGESTION ISSUES WE FREQUENTLY SEE IN FRONT OF THE CHICK FIL A ON ELM.

AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I BELIEVE IT'S CRUCIAL FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS TO HAVE THE MEANS TO SUSTAIN THEIR OPERATIONS.

I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE ANY LOCAL BUSINESSES FACE HARDSHIP, AND I HOPE THAT AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU SHARE THE SAME PERSPECTIVE. WE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND WE OFTEN WALK TO MANY PLACES, WHICH REQUIRES CAREFUL PLANNING AND TIME. THE CONVENIENCE OF A DRIVE THRU SERVICE IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR DOWNTOWN DALLAS COMMUNITY.

I HOPE THAT THIS PERSPECTIVE WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A DECISION.

AND YEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

NEXT SPEAKER. HI. MY NAME IS

[05:45:10]

SEAN MITCHELL, AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE MY MY STORY ABOUT THIS FRANCHISE.

MR. CRAIG THE OWNER AND FOR WHAT WE DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY THIS MCDONALD'S IS MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT. IT IS A FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS.

AS YOU HEARD, IT GOT OVER 800 CUSTOMERS. 85% OF US LIVE IN DALLAS.

THIS COMPANY TRULY INVESTS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.

I GREW UP IN SOUTH DALLAS, NOT FAR FROM HERE.

I'M PRETTY SURE YOU GUYS KNOW THAT ATTENDED HEALTH MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL, BUT I CHOSE MCDONALD'S AS A CAREER.

WHEN I GRADUATED. I QUICKLY BECAME A GM AND BEEN HERE EVER SINCE.

MY WIFE WORKED RIGHT DOWN THE STREET AT 1201 MAIN AVENUE IN THE BANK OF AMERICA BUILDING.

WHEN I TOLD HER ABOUT THAT DRIVE THROUGH POTENTIALLY CLOSING DOWN, SHE SAID, WOW.

SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. THAT WAS ONE OF THE PLACES THAT SHE WENT BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION IN DALLAS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PARK, HAVING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEY WENT THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THIS COMPANY HAS CHANGED MY LIFE, AND I'M SORRY, I'M NOT A VERY GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER, SO I'M SORRY.

TODAY, I'M JUST ONE YEAR AWAY FROM EARNING MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE THAT I DID NOT PAY ONE PENNY FOR.

THE COMPANY PAID FOR IT. AND THIS IS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE.

I NEVER THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. BUT ONE YEAR FROM NOW, I'LL BE.

LIKE. YES. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE.

AS IVAN SAID, WE HAD TWO DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS CLOSE, AND I DO BELIEVE IF WE CLOSE THIS LOCATION, THIS DRIVE THRU LOCATION, THIS COULD BE THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THIS LOCATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. MR. MAYOR, I THINK THIS CONCLUDES YOUR SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? YES. I MOVE THAT WE FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD, SUBJECT TO AMENDED CONDITIONS. COMMENT. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. THIS DECISION AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS THE RESULT OF A COMPROMISE.

THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL SENTIMENTS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THIS USE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE DOWNTOWN ANY LONGER, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CURRENT VERSION OF FORWARD DALLAS THAT WE JUST VOTED ON AND APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER.

SPECIFICALLY QUOTING AUTOCENTRIC. AMENITIES SUCH AS DRIVE THRU ACCESS ARE NOT APPROPRIATE IN THE CITY CENTER.

WE HEARD MR. KINGSTON RECITE OTHER CITY PLANS THAT ALSO ARGUE AGAINST THIS KIND OF A LAND USE IN DOWNTOWN, AND I HESITATE TO REMIND EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL THAT THIS IS A LAND USE ISSUE.

IT IS NOT AN ISSUE ABOUT EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. IT IS NOT AN ISSUE OTHER THAN IS THIS AN APPROPRIATE LAND USE IN THE DOWNTOWN CENTER CITY? IT RESULTED IN A COMPROMISE OF EXTENDING THIS SUP FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS, BECAUSE THE APPLICANT WANTED FIVE, AND THERE WAS SOME SUPPORT ON THE COMMISSION FOR ALLOWING AN SUP THERE FOR A LIMITED TIME, UNTIL WE SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR MORE INTENSE DEVELOPMENT ON THIS SITE DEVELOP.

THAT MAY NOT BE PRESENT TODAY, BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

AND BY APPROVING THIS FOR A LIMITED TWO YEAR TIME PERIOD, WE ALLOW THE CITY GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO ADAPT TO REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THIS LOCATION, WHICH IS A VERY LOW DENSITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CENTER OF DOWNTOWN. AND SO I SUGGEST THAT WE NEED TO LEAVE THIS DELICATE BALANCE OF COMPROMISE THAT WAS ARRIVED AT BY OUR REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PLAN COMMISSION IN PLACE.

IF THERE IS NOTHING IN THE WORKS AT THE END OF THIS TWO YEAR PERIOD FOR REUSE OF THIS PROPERTY,

[05:50:01]

THEN THIS COUNCIL HAS THE FLEXIBILITY TO EXTEND IT AGAIN AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

BUT EXTENDING IT FOR ANY LONGER PERIOD WOULD SIMPLY LOCK US INTO THIS DECISION THAT WILL AFFECT FUTURE COUNCILS AND POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS PROPERTY TO A MORE DESIRABLE DEVELOPMENT DENSITY.

SO I REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL OF THIS MOTION FOR THOSE REASONS.

DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA. THANK YOU. MAYOR.

I MOVE TO AMEND THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CIP FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.

AND IT'S DISCUSSION. YES, SIR. I WELL, FIRST, I'D LIKE TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I WAS IN PAYING ATTENTION AT THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, AND IT SEEMED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BE A COMPROMISE.

IT DIDN'T END IN A COMPROMISED VOTE, SO I DON'T KNOW THAT FRAMING IT AS A SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE IS AN ACCURATE CHARACTERIZATION. BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS I'VE SPOKEN AND HEARD FROM UNPROMPTED, QUITE FRANKLY, FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WORK DOWNTOWN, FRIENDS WHO LIVE DOWNTOWN, HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK DOWNTOWN, EVEN BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WORK DOWNTOWN. AND THEN NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF CITY HALL EMPLOYEES THAT I'VE HEARD FROM.

AND THEN, JUST AS WE'VE HEARD THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE BUSINESS THAT GOES THERE.

I KNOW WITH SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS THAT THAT GO FOR VOLLEYBALL OR CHEERLEADING AND ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS THAT HAPPEN THERE, AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE KIDS TO THE SIT DOWN OPTIONS THAT ARE HERE.

THE REALITY IS, IS A DECISION THAT WOULD LIMIT THIS TO TWO YEARS TO ME IS JUST A LITTLE PREMATURE.

WHAT WE HAVE IS, AS MENTIONED, 15 ACRES OF SURFACE PARKING LOTS.

IF WE WERE REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING THIS WALKABLE, THEN WE WOULD SEE MUCH MORE OF A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO GET RID OF OUR SURFACE PARKING LOTS THAT CATERS TO CARS. AND THERE IS NOT, IN FACT, THERE'S.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE BRINK THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY MAKE THIS TO BE INCOMPATIBLE.

I USED TO LIVE DOWN THE STREET ON MAIN STREET AND WE DID WALK TO MCDONALD'S QUITE OFTEN, BUT I'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A STAPLE IN THEIR EVERY DAY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUSINESS MODEL AND YOU LOOK AT THE PROFITABILITY, I COME FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. WHEN YOU'VE GOT OVER 64, 60%, AT LEAST OF THE BUSINESS GOING THROUGH THE DRIVE THRU TO MAKE A DECISION THAT LIMITS THE PROFITABILITY OF THIS BUSINESS IS TO.

SAY THAT THIS BUSINESS AND THE JOBS DOWN HERE DON'T MATTER, THAT WE COULD GET SOMETHING BETTER.

THAT'S THE MESSAGE I BELIEVE, THAT THAT SENDS.

IN FACT, I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE JOBS, JUST AS SOME TESTIMONY THAT WE HEARD AND THIS ESTABLISHMENT WAS HERE BEFORE ANY OF THE CITED PLANS THAT ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS MENTIONED.

THESE JOBS WERE HERE BEFORE. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

I CANNOT LOOK AT A WORKFORCE A RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENT, ONE THAT HAS REALLY INGRAINED THEMSELVES INTO A COMMUNITY AS A STAPLE FOR DOWNTOWN DALLAS IN GOOD FAITH AND SAY THAT I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT CONTINUING THE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE NOW, IF THERE IS A CLEAR EVOLUTION AND THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE BRINK THAT ARE COMING, THAT WOULD IN FACT MAKE THIS INCOMPATIBLE AND IT NOT JUST BEING PHILOSOPHICAL, THEN WE COULD MAKE CHANGES AT THAT TIME THAT ARE TANGIBLE, AND HOPEFULLY THAT WOULD GIVE ENOUGH LEAD, TIME TO SIT DOWN WITH THE OWNER TO TALK WITH THE NEW BUSINESS MODEL.

MAYBE IT COULD BE A PART OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT SO THAT IT COULD BE MORE CONDUCIVE.

BUT THE THE FOOTPRINT THAT THIS CURRENT BUSINESS SITS IN WITH THE THE WAY THAT IT IS STRUCTURED AND WHAT IS ALL SURROUNDING IT, WHICH IS A LOT OF SURFACE PARKING LOTS, I THINK THAT IT WOULD JUST BE CART BEFORE THE HORSE.

I DON'T SEE. I WE KNOW HOW FAST DEVELOPMENT MOVES IN THIS CITY AND TO SAY THAT TWO YEARS IS WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING HAS COME. IF SOMETHING WAS HAPPENING THERE IN TWO YEARS, WE WOULD HAVE ALREADY GIVEN A STAMP OF APPROVAL AT THIS HORSESHOE.

AND WE ALL KNOW THAT. SO FIVE YEARS SOUNDS MUCH MORE REASONABLE.

[05:55:01]

I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT STAFF WAS RECOMMENDING FROM THE BEGINNING.

I BELIEVE THE ONLY REASON THERE WAS A DISCUSSION TO MAKE A COMPROMISE WAS, IN THE SPIRIT OF SEEING IT BE COMPROMISED AND END IN A UNANIMOUS VOTE, WHICH IS IN FACT NOT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITY PLAN COMMISSION.

SO I THINK THAT THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE WENT OUT OF THE WINDOW AT THAT MOMENT.

I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF FIVE YEARS AND HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL AS WELL.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN WILLIS. THANK YOU. I SECONDED THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE I SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT AND MY PERSPECTIVE FROM MY OFFICE. I SEE THE MARGARET HUNT HILL ART AND I SEE THE MARGARET MCDERMOTT ART, AND I SEE THAT 1979 GOLDEN ARCH. AND I LOVE THAT I HAVE THAT PERSPECTIVE ON THESE ARCHES.

BUT I THINK EVEN BEFORE THESE STORIES TODAY, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO COME UP AND KIND OF PUT NAMES AND FACES ON THINGS. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, FUTURE GRADUATE.

YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WAS THAT WAS NICE. BUT I THINK I LOOK AT THIS FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF, THIS IS MY ROUTE HOME EVERY AFTERNOON.

AND SO WHAT I SEE ARE THE CHEERLEADERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO COME IN FOR THE CONVENTIONS AND THE ROBOTICS KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT COME IN. YOU KNOW, WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN DALLAS AND THEN ALSO A LOT OF CONVENTIONEERS WHO, AS WE KNOW, YOU KNOW, ARE ON A PER DIEM. AND I LOVE OUR RESTAURANT SCENE.

BUT LET'S FACE IT, I MEAN, HAVING ONE MCDONALD'S MEAL MIGHT HELP BALANCE OUT SOME OF THE OTHER NICE DALLAS MEALS THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, SEEING THAT IS REALLY MEANINGFUL BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT'S AN EASY PLACE TO GO.

AND WHILE THEY MAY BE ON FOOT AND NOT GOING THROUGH THE DRIVE THRU HEARING THAT STATISTIC 62% OF THE BUSINESS.

I MEAN, THAT WOULD BE A DEAL KILLER. AND SO IF WE WANT TO PRESERVE THIS FOR THOSE WHO WE SEE ENJOYING IT, WHO ARE COMING TO OUR CITY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS THE TIME TO TO EVEN GIVE SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ON THIS DRIVE THROUGH.

BUT I TOO HEARD THERE WAS A CITY STAFF MEMBER WHO JUST HEARD ME TALKING ABOUT THIS CASE, WASN'T EVEN DIRECTLY TALKING TO THEM, AND CAME IN AND SAID, OH MY GOSH, WAIT A MINUTE, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE MCDONALD'S DRIVE THROUGH? YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT CLOSING THE MCDONALD'S DRIVE THROUGH? WELL, I STOPPED THERE ON MY WAY HOME, YOU KNOW, TO PICK THINGS UP FOR MY KIDS SOMETIMES.

SO, YOU KNOW, IF THAT'S HAPPENING WITH CITY HALL STAFF.

I MEAN, THINK OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE POPULATING THESE TALL BUILDINGS WHO PROBABLY ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT.

AND I MIGHT ALSO HIT IT OCCASIONALLY MYSELF FOR CONE OR.

SO I WANT TO APPLAUD THE CITY TAVERN OWNER HERE.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY A NICE SPIRIT TO SHOW THAT, RECOGNIZING THAT IT TAKES MANY KIND OF FITS, I THINK, FOR OUR DINING ESTABLISHMENTS IN DOWNTOWN.

AND THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, A LITTLE MACY'S GIMBELS GOING ON.

SO THAT WAS ALSO VERY HEARTWARMING. BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LAND USE, I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON NOW.

AND EVEN LOOKING TWO YEARS FORWARD, I THINK THIS DOES HAVE A COMMUNITY BENEFIT RIGHT NOW.

AND THE REDEVELOPMENT DOMINO, WHILE THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT ARE VERY EXCITING, THAT FIRST DOMINOES FALL, I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO BE WITHIN TWO YEARS.

AND I THINK FIVE YEARS IS FAIR. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BALANCE OF THOSE WHO USE THIS DRIVE THROUGH, BUT ALSO WHO USE THIS VERY REASONABLE DINING ESTABLISHMENT.

SO THAT IS WHY I'M SUPPORTING THE FIVE YEAR SUPP AMENDMENT.

WITH THAT, CHAIRMAN GRACEY, THANK YOU. I TOO WILL BE SUPPORTING THE FIVE YEAR AMENDMENT THERE.

AND I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT. AND AGAIN, I'LL STOP TRYING TO PUT A BUNCH OF HARD FEELINGS ON, ON ON PRACTICAL DECISION, THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THAT AGAIN, I JUST CAN'T HELP BUT TO DO IT.

SO I WANT TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT. YOU PROCESS IT HOW YOU WILL.

WE PLAN FOR PEOPLE WE DON'T SEE WHILE OVERLOOKING THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOMETIMES THAT CAN HAPPEN.

AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE WHO THE CITY OF DALLAS IS.

I THINK WE CAN DO BOTH. AND I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE NOT, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE HAVING A FIVE YEAR WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND I'LL JUST SAY PERSONALLY, EVERYBODY ELSE ACTING LIKE THEY DON'T GO TO THE MCDONALD'S. I DO.

AND I GO TO IT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS. ONE, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE PRESSED FOR TIME, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THIS DRIVE THROUGH THAT'S GOING TO GET YOU IN AND OUT OF THAT DRIVE THROUGH.

SO I'M SAYING TO Y'ALL, HANDS DOWN, THE BEST DRIVE THROUGH SERVICES THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED IN DALLAS, THAT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION. I DON'T I DON'T DO THAT.

THIS IS THE FACT FOR ME. WHEN I GO THROUGH THERE, I'M IN AND OUT.

IF I KNOW I HAVE A MEETING IN 15 MINUTES, I CAN LEAVE HERE, GO THROUGH THAT DRIVE THROUGH, GET MY MEAL AND BE BACK IN TIME FOR MY FOR MY MEETING.

THAT IS A FACT. AND THEN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT COMES ALONG WITH THE SPEED OF IT IS SOMETHING THAT I STAND BY.

AND AGAIN, SO THAT'S ONE REASON WHY I DID IT, BECAUSE I USE IT.

THE OTHER REASON IS BECAUSE OF THESE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE AND THE JOBS.

[06:00:02]

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS, THESE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND THESE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, THAT ARE RIGHT NOW, THAT HAVE BEEN HERE. AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN TO WORK EVERY DAY SERVING THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE REPRESENTING, WHETHER THEY'RE GUESTS OR RESIDENTS OF, OF THE CITY.

SO FOR THAT REASON, I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I CAN AND MAKE SURE I SUPPORT THE FIVE YEAR AND APPRECIATE WHERE WE'RE GOING.

BUT AGAIN, THE OTHER COMMENT I'LL MAKE IS AND I CHALLENGE ANYBODY THAT WORKS IN CITY HALL.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN INSIDE EVER INSIDE OF THAT MCDONALD'S.

AND THAT'S I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING, BUT I JUST AS I THINK ABOUT IT, I'VE NEVER BEEN INSIDE OF IT BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH. AND AGAIN, FOR THAT REASON I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, BECAUSE OF YOU. AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

I KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF SCHEDULES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THEM TO BE HERE TO REPRESENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. MAYOR. CHAIRMAN MORENO, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE AMENDMENT. I WOULD RELUCTANTLY SUPPORT THE TWO YEAR PROPOSAL.

THE DOWNTOWN PLAN, THREE 60 PLAN CLEARLY STATES THAT DRIVE THRUS ARE NOT SUPPORTED IN THAT PLAN.

AND SO IF I CAN ASK STAFF TO COME DOWN AND EXPLAIN TO ME IF WE SHOULD EVEN BE ENTERTAINING IN SUP IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. LET'S SEE IF I UNDERSTOOD THE QUESTION CORRECTLY.

THE UNDERLYING ZONING IS CA CENTRAL AREA DISTRICT, AND A DRIVE THROUGH IS ALLOWED SUBJECT TO AN SUP.

AND WHAT DOES THE DOWNTOWN THREE 60 PLAN SUPPORT? SO THE DOWNTOWN THREE 60 PLAN WAS APPROVED AFTER THIS.

SUP, AS WE ALL KNOW, WAS IN OPERATION. AND AFTER THE DRIVE THROUGH WAS IN OPERATION, OBVIOUSLY, THE DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN RECOMMENDS WALKABILITY AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH URBAN FORM THAT SUPPORTS DENSITY AND WALKABILITY.

I WOULD SAY THAT A KEY PROVISION THAT'S IN IN THE AREA PLAN.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION, IS AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION, IT SAYS THAT AMEND CENTRAL AREA, CA ZONING TO ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS DISALLOWING AS PRIMARY USES, SURFACE PARKING, DRIVE THRUS, MINI WAREHOUSES AND STORAGE USES AND GAS STATION.

HOWEVER, THE CA ZONING DISTRICT HAS NOT BEEN AMENDED TO DO THAT, SO THEREFORE THE ZONING IS NOT NECESSARILY ALLOWED TO WITH THE VISION.

AND I WILL USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO JUST CREATE A LITTLE BIT OF EXCITEMENT TO SAY THAT WITH THE CODE REFORM, WE WILL ADDRESS THAT. YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE THREE LETTERS IN OPPOSITION AND ZERO IN SUPPORT.

IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL LETTERS THAT CAME IN AFTER THE FACT OR THAT WERE NOT RECORDED? YES. WE RECEIVED ANOTHER AFFIDAVIT IN OPPOSITION, BUT IT WAS INCORRECTLY INCORRECTLY FILLED IN.

SO IT WAS INVALID. AND WE RECEIVED LETTERS IN OPPOSITION.

AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I THINK I WAS COPIED, THEY WERE FORWARDED TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND HONORABLE MAYOR AS WELL.

AND IN THE AREA THAT GETS NOTIFIED, FIDE. THERE'S CITY OF DALLAS PROPERTY AND FEDERAL PROPERTY.

DO THOSE OWNERS TYPICALLY WRITE LETTERS OF SUPPORT OR IN OPPOSITION? AND DO THEY COUNT INTO THE 20% REQUIRED? SO YES, THERE ARE TWO PROPERTIES, ONE DIAGONALLY ACROSS, WHICH IS A CITY PARK. AND THEN ACROSS TO THE EAST IS A GOVERNMENT US GOVERNMENT ENTITY THE US GOVERNMENT FEDERAL LEVEL.

I WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM THEM. I HAVEN'T SEEN A STATE OR A FEDERAL AGENCY OPPOSING ZONING CASES SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

AND THEN FOR THE CITY PROPERTY I WOULD SAY THAT WE DID HAVE INTENSE CONVERSATIONS.

I DON'T THINK WE OPPOSE ZONING CASES, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT CITY COUNCIL HAS THE POWER TO BASICALLY WEIGH IN OR TO APPROVE OR DENY THE ZONING CASES, THE STAFF WEIGH IN ON APPROVAL. WE HAVE A STAFF RECOMMENDATION.

AND AS FAR AS A ABOUT RETURNING A BALLOT IN SUPPORT.

NO, SIR, WE WOULD NOT. AS I SAID, THE STAFF'S ROLE IS TO PROCESS THE CASE AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY PLANNING COMMISSION.

AND I THINK THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS IN ITSELF IS BASICALLY A RESPONSE FOR THOSE PLATFORMS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MAYOR. CHAIRWOMAN. MENDELSOHN.

THANK YOU. I JUST THINK THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS CASE FOR ME IS IT JUST UNDERSCORES HOW VERY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY

[06:05:10]

ARE, AND ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL. AND IF WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT A DRIVE THROUGH, IT PROBABLY DOESN'T BELONG DOWNTOWN. IT ABSOLUTELY BELONGS IN DISTRICT 12, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT A CAR.

AND ANY BUSINESS UP THERE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH IS GOING TO SUFFER, AND IT MAY NOT MAKE IT, BUT I DON'T ACTUALLY THINK A DOWNTOWN SHOULD HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH.

THAT'S MY FIRST COMMENT, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GO WHERE YOU THINK I AM.

MY NEXT QUESTION, THOUGH, IS WHEN DO WE THINK THE CONVENTION CENTER IS OPEN? WHEN IS IT COMPLETE? I BELIEVE THE OPENING DATE IS 2029 2029.

QUITE A FEW YEARS FROM NOW. SO I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I GO THROUGH THAT DRIVE THROUGH LIKE CHAIRMAN GRACEY.

I'VE NEVER BEEN INSIDE AND I'VE BEEN GOING TO THAT MCDONALD'S SINCE IT OPENED.

AND GENERALLY I'LL GO GET A DRINK AND THEN DRIVE 17 PLUS MILES TO MY HOUSE, AND IT'S BUSY IN THE DRIVE THRU, NOT AS BUSY INSIDE. I THINK THEY HAVE SOME CHALLENGES WITH LOITERING.

I THINK THEY DEFINITELY ARE SERVING CONVENTIONEERS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO MEALS AT ALL PRICE LEVELS, AND THIS IS OUR LOWEST ONE ON THE HOMELESS SIDE OF THINGS.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GIVING OUT GIFT CARDS TO MCDONALD'S, AND IT LETS PEOPLE NOT GIVE CASH THAT MIGHT BE USED FOR THINGS THAT THEY DON'T PREFER, BUT ENSURES THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO NUTRITION.

SO I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION FOR FIVE YEARS BECAUSE OTHERWISE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THERE? PROBABLY A CLOSED DOWN BUSINESS NEXT TO A CLOSED DOWN GREYHOUND, NEXT TO TONS OF PARKING, NEXT TO A LOT OF HOMELESS ISSUES AND CRIME ISSUES.

SO WHAT IS PROVIDING FOR US IS A VIBRANCY. AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A BUSINESS TOWN.

SO I THINK WE APPROVE THE FIVE YEAR. AND WE SAY, BY THE WAY, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THIS AGAIN.

LIKE YOU GOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENT PLAN BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A LONG TERM PLAN FOR YOU.

SO THAT'S THAT'S WHERE I'M AT. BUT THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY TO MY NEIGHBOR HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY, IS THAT THIS COULD BE YOUR SECOND BUSINESS DOWNTOWN YOU SAVED TODAY.

AND SO YOU SHOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT THIS FIVE YEAR.

THANK YOU. HELP ME WITH THAT, CHAIRMAN NARVAEZ.

FIVE MINUTES. THANK YOU, MAYOR ATKINS. I WASN'T PLANNING TO SPEAK TODAY ON THIS AT ALL.

BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD A LOT. AND I WILL HAVE TO SAY, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S A BUSINESS IN THIS CITY SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE CITY COUNCIL SINCE 2017, THAT I HAVE HEARD MORE RESPONSES ABOUT THEIR DRIVE THROUGH.

I MEAN, NOT JUST FROM RESIDENTS IN DALLAS, BUT PEOPLE FROM ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTY AND MULTI COUNTIES SAYING, DO NOT CLOSE THIS DRIVE THROUGH. THIS IS WHERE I EAT MY LUNCH.

THIS IS WHERE I EAT MY BREAKFAST. THIS IS WHERE I GET MY SNACK.

THIS IS WHERE I. WHATEVER, WHATEVER IT IS, I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE INCLUDED.

OKAY, I SEE SOME OF THE FACES UP THERE, AND I'M LIKE, I RECOGNIZE HER.

I RECOGNIZE HIM, THEY'RE ALWAYS SO NICE. LIKE, OH MY GOSH, THAT'S THE SWEETEST LADY I'VE EVER MET, YOU KNOW? AND AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHY PEOPLE KEEP COMING BACK, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY PLACE IN THAT LOCATION, BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE AS WELL.

THROUGH THAT DRIVE THROUGH THE WORLD CUP IS COMING NEXT YEAR.

AND WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT, OH, WHEN IS THE CONVENTION CENTER OPEN AND ALL OF THIS.

YEAH, THE NEW ONES DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THE CURRENT ONE IS HERE.

AND NEXT YEAR WHEN THE WORLD CUP IS HERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST CENTER THERE. THAT'S GOING TO BE OPEN 24 OVER SEVEN, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. AND I WOULDN'T SAY 365, BUT YOU KNOW, WHAT I MEAN IS, EVERY SINGLE DAY DURING WHEN IT LANDS, WHEN IT STARTS GETTING BUILT UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD CUP, WHEN THEY LEAVE, THERE'S ONLY ONE 24 HOUR RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN.

AND I THINK IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, I LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DESIGN DISTRICT, AND I THINK THAT MCDONALD'S MIGHT BE 24 OVER SEVEN ON THE WEEKENDS, AND MAYBE THE JACK IN THE BOX IS 22 HOURS FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE DOWNTOWN.

YOU HEARD ABOUT THE COUNTLESS CONVENTIONS, YOU HEARD ABOUT CITY STAFF.

I'M GOING TO ADD FEDERAL STAFF AND COUNTY STAFF, BECAUSE I'VE ALSO BEEN CONTACTED BY THEM THAT ARE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA, AS WELL AS OTHER DOWNTOWN STAFF. AND YOU JUST HEARD FROM SOME RESIDENTS.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY RESIDENT. I PROMISE YOU, THERE'S COUNTLESS OTHER RESIDENTS IN DOWNTOWN WHO HAVE CONTACTED ME AND SAID, PLEASE DON'T CLOSE MY DRIVE THRU MCDONALD'S. THIS AREA IS NOT FULLY READY FOR WALKABILITY YET.

[06:10:06]

IT SHOULD BE. IT'S NOT THERE YET, BUT WHEN IT DOES, WITH WHATEVER HOPEFULLY IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT, I HOPE THAT MCDONALD'S AND THEM CAN WORK IT OUT AND MCDONALD'S CONTINUES TO GET TO STAY THERE.

PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE A DRIVE THROUGH AND HAVE THAT ABILITY IN THE FUTURE.

BUT THERE WILL BE ONE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS MCDONALD'S THAT ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWN WITHOUT DRIVE THROUGH.

IF THE AREA IS BUILT OUT AND THERE'S RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS TO COMPLEMENT IT AS WELL.

THIS MCDONALD'S HAS, I THINK I HEARD 115 PLUS JOBS.

THAT'S A SMALL SPACE TO HAVE 115 PEOPLE WORKING AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING GOES WELL.

AND AND I'VE NEVER HAD MY ORDER INCORRECT LIKE NEVER ONCE.

AND I FREQUENT THERE WAY MORE THAN I'D LIKE TO ADMIT, BUT NEVER ONCE.

IT ALSO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS, GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, AND DONATING AND OR SPONSORING COUNTLESS EVENTS.

LIKE LIKE DALLAS PRIDE AS WELL AS TEXAS LATINO PRIDE.

AND I KNOW THERE'S COUNTLESS OTHER ONES THAT I JUST AM NOT GOING TO READ OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET ONE OF THEM WRONG.

AND LET ME TELL YOU, THE ICE CREAM MACHINE IS OFFICIALLY WORKING AND STAYS WORKING AT THIS LOCATION.

AND IT'S NOTHING. IT'S JUST A MCDONALD'S THING, RIGHT? BUT WHATEVER Y'ALL DO, Y'ALL GOT THE MAGIC TOUCH WHEN IT COMES TO THE ICE CREAM MACHINE.

AND SO MILKSHAKE MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS ARE FOR MY BABY YODA CHICKEN NUGGETS AND HASHBROWN.

FRIDAYS IS HOW MY WEEK TENDS TO GO, AND ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AT THE DOWNTOWN MCDONALD'S, I WILL SUPPORT THIS FIVE YEAR EXTENSION FOR THEIR SPECIAL USE PERMIT, NOT JUST BECAUSE OF MY OWN PERSONAL ABILITY TO NEED TO EAT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE.

IT MAKES SENSE RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

BUT MY COLLEAGUE DID MENTION THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AFTER FIVE YEARS.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT. SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR AFTER THAT.

BUT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THIS IS WHERE IT BELONGS.

THIS IS WHERE IT GOES. AND I BELIEVE 46 YEARS.

SOMEBODY SAID THEY'VE BEEN GOING THERE SINCE THE DAY IT OPENED. THAT'S LIKE 46 YEARS OF LIKE, THAT'S PRETTY AWESOME. AND I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU'VE GOT CUSTOMERS THAT ARE COMING BACK FOR 46 YEARS, THAT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE LOCATION, AND I WOULD SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE Y'ALL THERE FOR ANOTHER FIVE, IF NOT LONGER, WHEN IT CAN'T BE A DRIVE THRU ANYMORE.

I MEAN, THAT'S COMING, THAT'S DOWNTOWN. IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THERE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS AREA.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE STAFF THAT AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THIS AREA, BECAUSE BEFORE THERE WAS THE MCDONALD'S THERE 46 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE. AND I'M GOING TO CLOSE WITH THIS. MR. MAYOR, WHEN I USED TO COME FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR CONVENTIONS IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS, OUR CHANT A WHOLE WAY UP HERE TO DALLAS WAS MCDONALD'S, DOWNTOWN DALLAS, MCDONALD'S, DOWNTOWN DALLAS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT TEENAGERS HAD TO LIVE FOR BACK THEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN ARNOLD.

THANK YOU. I WILL SUPPORT THE FIVE YEAR AMENDMENT AS OPPOSED TO TWO.

TWO. FEELS LIKE IT'S AN IMMINENT, IMMINENT DOMAIN GOAL.

IT'S LIKE WE'RE GETTING READY TO SHUT YOU DOWN. SO IN TWO YEARS, MOVES REAL FAST.

SO FROM A LAND USE STANDPOINT, IN TERMS OF THE DEFINITION OF ADDING VALUE, WHICH I BELIEVE IT DOES, I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAS ANY ADVERSE INTENTIONALLY, ANY ADVERSE IMPACT ON DOWNTOWN.

YOU'VE LISTENED TO THE ATTRIBUTES OF GAINING FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT, FIFA AND THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MUCH, I WANT TO SAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT WE SAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

BUT WHEN YOU START HAVING THE VISITORS, VISITORS COMING IN WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER AND WHAT HAVE YOU, I THINK THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE A VERY POWERFUL STATEMENT BECAUSE IT IS AN OPTION.

AND WHO DOESN'T LOVE MCDONALD'S? SO I WOULD SAY ALSO IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF LEARNING LESSONS, I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I DON'T DO THIS OFTEN, I DON'T THINK, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I SHARED THIS WITH MR. COUNCIL MEMBER RIDLEY. I DID VOTE AGAINST FORWARD DALLAS.

I NEED THAT TO BE ON THE RECORD AGAIN BECAUSE OF THINGS SUCH AS THIS.

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT HAD WE NOT HAD BUSINESSES THAT HAD SOME TYPE OF FORESIGHT TO BUILD THOSE DRIVE THRUS, MANY MORE BUSINESSES WOULD HAVE GONE UNDER. THOSE THAT DRIVE THROUGH SAVED MANY BUSINESSES.

I KNOW IT DID. IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR WHERE I REPRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, RICHARD'S BARBECUE.

IT WOULD HAVE GONE UNDER WITHOUT THE DRIVE THROUGH.

SO WE HAVE TO TO APPRECIATE THE FORESIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT.

I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT SUCCESS AS YOU MOVE THROUGH FROM THIS COUNCIL TO ANOTHER COUNCIL TO COME UP WITH WHATEVER CREATIVE WAYS TO STAY, BECAUSE THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS, AS STATED, WHO HAVE ONLY THE OPTION OF BUYING MEALS OR PURCHASING MEALS,

[06:15:02]

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE FAMILIES. I, YOU KNOW, I, I FED MY CHILDREN OFF KEAST AND 35 MCDONALDS.

AND IF NOT THERE, MOST OF IT, MOST OF IT WAS THERE.

AND THEN THE OTHER OPTION IS 67 AND REDBIRD AND I KNOW BOTH OF THOSE LAND USE WISE PERFECT.

THEY ADD VALUE. SO I THINK YOU ALL ADD VALUE.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO KEEP FIGHTING. YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING.

DALLAS WE NEED THAT. IF WE CAN PUSH FOR NEIMAN MARCUS, WE CAN PUSH FOR MCDONALD'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE JOBS.

THEY HAVE. AND I'M BEING REPETITIVE. GOOD LAND USE.

THERE'S NO LOUD MUSIC COMING FROM THE FROM THE LOCATION.

THERE'S NO NO INSTANCES. AND I APPRECIATE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER MENDELSOHN STATED, JUST IN TERMS OF HER DESCRIPTION OF THAT OF THAT INSTITUTION. FOR THE LAND USE, WHAT YOUR WHAT CHALLENGES THEY ARE ENDURING, BUT THEY ARE SERVING AN OVERARCHING GOOD IN TERMS OF THEIR LOCATION AND BENEFIT AND DALLAS.

WHEN THAT CONVENTION CENTER GETS HERE, WE'RE GOING TO NEED AS MANY OPTIONS AS POSSIBLE TO FEED FOLKS, BECAUSE THEY'RE HERE FOR DALLAS. THEY'RE HERE FOR THE ACTION.

YOU KNOW, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE CONVENTION. I'LL SAY THAT I DID VOTE FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER, BUT I KNOW WHEN I GO TO A CITY, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO EAT AND I WANT TO HAVE AN OPTION.

AND IF MY OPTION AT THAT TIME IS A BIG MAC AND A SHAKE, GUESS WHAT? I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING. SO TO KEEP IN LINE WITH LAND USE.

SO I'M STILL APPROPRIATELY DISCUSSING THIS. I BELIEVE IT IS A GOOD LAND USE, BUT AS I STATED TO YOU ALL AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE OWNER IS HERE, BUT THE STAFF EMPLOYEES, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TREND SETTERS AND THERE ARE SOME WHO WANT TO GO WITH WHAT THE LATEST AND THE GREATEST IS.

BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO EATING AND CHOICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR NATION, THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST AFFORDABLE MEAL, ONE OF THE AFFORDABLE MEALS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN TERMS OF WORKING PEOPLE, WE CALL THEM. AND I'M IN THAT CATEGORY TWO. IT'S THE WORKING POOR.

WE HAVE TO WORK, AND WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD MEALS THAT WE CAN AFFORD.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY OF TWO, THREE AND FOUR CHILDREN, THIS IS A GREAT OPTION.

SO LAND USE IN MY OPINION, IS APPROPRIATE IN THIS CASE.

AND I CAN SUPPORT FIVE YEARS. AND I THINK TWO YEARS WOULD BE AN INSULT NOT ONLY TO THIS BUSINESS, BUT TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE CITY OF DALLAS. CHAIRMAN STEWART.

MR. MAYOR, I PROMISE MY COMMENTS WILL BE VERY BRIEF.

HOW ABOUT THAT? SO FIRST, AN INTERESTING NOTE.

MY FIRST JOB WHILE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS AT THE MCDONALD'S IN FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

WE JUST CELEBRATED MY BIRTHDAY DURING LUNCH, AND YOU GUYS HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW OLD I AM.

SO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS? IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE. AND LEARNING ABOUT SYSTEMS, WHETHER IT WAS A SYSTEM FOR CLEANING OR PREPARING FOOD.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ADHERING TO THOSE SYSTEMS. I ALSO LEARNED CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS. SO TWO, TODAY I SEE THE DECISION BEFORE US TODAY AS IMPORTANT TO KEEPING A RESTAURANT IN A PART OF DALLAS THAT NEEDS OPTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE FOOD.

IN THIS PART OF DOWNTOWN. I SEE IN THE SHORT TERM AND LOOKING AT EXISTING CONDITIONS AND NEED TO KEEP OUR RESTAURANTS OPEN AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL ALL SEE CHANGES COMING TO THIS AREA. THIS ALLOWS US TO KEEP TO KEEP A RESTAURANT DURING THIS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS AREA WILL CHANGE AND WILL REDEVELOP. I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT FOR A FIVE YEAR SUP.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COUNCILMAN RESENDEZ. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I'LL BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION AS WELL BECAUSE TWO YEARS IS NOTHING.

WE KNOW THAT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY CAMPAIGNING.

AND I THINK THAT THIS BUSINESS DESERVES MORE STABILITY THAN THAT.

THE OWNERS BET ON DOWNTOWN BEFORE IT WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

IT'S NOT RIGHT TO SET THEM UP TO BE PUSHED OUT IN TWO YEARS.

NOW THAT DOWNTOWN IS THE PLACE TO BE. I ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME TAKING A VOTE THAT WILL DAMAGE A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS.

I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE SUP SHOULD BE LONGER THAN FIVE YEARS.

BUT IN THE SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE, I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE.

I'M JUST GOING TO CLOSE. AS CHAIR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE BUILD THE ORMOND HOTEL, AND ONCE WE BUILD THE HOTEL AND WE HAVE THESE LOVELY CHEERLEADERS CAMP THERE, AND I SEE ALL THE TOURIST CAMP GOING THERE TO TO THE MCDONALD'S, ALSO THE MARATHON, THE WALKERS. YOU KNOW, THERE IS A PLACE FOR THE WALKERS, THE MARRIAGE AND THE CHILDREN TO GO THERE.

[06:20:02]

BUT ALSO IT'S JOBS. AND ONE THING IS THAT WE ARE THE CITY.

WE NEED JOBS AND JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY THAT THAT WE GOT TO HAVE JOBS AND WE GET SALES TAX FROM MCDONALD'S.

THE OTHER HERE, THE FIFA, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THE FIFA, THE WORLD CUP IS COMING TO DALLAS.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO HAVE THAT. BUT ONE GOOD THING I WANT TO SAY IT TO YOU, THE COLLEAGUES.

I NEVER HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW HARASSED BY MY STAFF HERE AT THE CITY HALL AND TALKING ABOUT YOU.

DON'T CLOSE THE MCDONALD'S. AND I GET ALL THESE EMAILS RIGHT NOW AND SAY, ARE YOU CRAZY? WHY ARE YOU CLOSING THE MCDONALD'S? WE HAVE TO GO TO LUNCH THERE. WE GO TO BREAKFAST THERE AND AND THOSE STUFF.

BUT BUT WHAT I'VE BEEN HERE IS THE SERVICE. CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE A GIVE A GOOD ROUND OF APPLAUSE. BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER GET CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH.

YOU ALWAYS FORGET TO PUT THE WRONG FOOD AND FORGET YOUR FRIES.

FORGET SOMETHING. BUT AT THIS MCDONALD'S I ALWAYS GET THE RIGHT SERVICE AND THE RIGHT MENU.

BUT GIVE YOURSELF A HAND UP NOW. BUT TWO YEARS IS TOO SHORT.

LIKE IT'S LIKE SOMEONE SAID EVERY TWO YEARS RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL.

BUT I DON'T THINK EVERY TWO YEARS YOU SHOULD OPEN A MCDONALD'S.

YOU KNOW, FIVE YEARS GIVE YOU SOMETHING GOING ON.

BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE FIVE YEARS.

THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION. ANYTHING ELSE? MAYOR, I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE MOTION.

IS IT RENEWABLE? WAS THAT INCLUDED? I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FIVE YEARS. NOT RENEWABLE. FIVE YEARS. RIGHT. OKAY.

AND LET'S HAVE A RECORD VOTE. SO I'M THINKING THAT.

LET'S HAVE A RECORD VOTE. MADAM SECRETARY. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE. YES IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR.

NO. IF YOU OPPOSE. MAYOR JOHNSON IS ABSENT. MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS.

YES, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER WEST.

NO. COUNCIL MEMBER MORENO. COUNCIL MEMBER GRACEY.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. ARNOLD. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

RESENDEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. NARVAEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

BLACKMON. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. STEWART. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

SCHULTZ. COUNCIL MEMBER. MENDELSOHN. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

WILLIS. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. RIDLEY.

WITH 11 VOTING IN FAVOR. THREE OPPOSED. ONE ABSENT.

THE ITEM PASSES, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM.

MADAM SECRETARY, WE'LL NOW MOVE TO YOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS.

OH. HOLD ON. WE SHOULD GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION BECAUSE AS AMENDMENT.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. HOLD ON. WE GOT TO GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION, AS AMENDED.

MADAM SECRETARY, YOU WANT TO CALL THE ROLL? RECORD VOTE? YES. A RECORD VOTE. WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE STATE YES IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR.

NO. IF YOU'RE OPPOSED. MAYOR JOHNSON IS ABSENT.

MAYOR PRO TEM ATKINS. YES. DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM BAZALDUA.

YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. WEST. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

MORENO. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. GRACEY. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

ARNOLD. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. RESENDEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

NARVAEZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. BLACKMON. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

STEWART. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. SCHULTZ. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER.

MENDELSOHN. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. WILLIS. YES.

COUNCIL MEMBER. RIDLEY. WITH 13 VOTING IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED, ONE ABSENT.

THE ITEM PASSES, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM.

MADAM SECRETARY, WE WILL NOW GO TO YOUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, BEGINNING WITH ITEM PH ONE.

[PH1. 25-626A A public hearing to receive comments on the adoption of Reprogramming Budget No. 1 (Substantial Amendment No. 1) to the FY 2024-25 Action Plan to use unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $1,335,555.00 on repairs and renovations at public facilities; and (2) at the close of the public hearing, authorize final adoption of Reprogramming Budget No. 1 (Substantial Amendment No. 1) to the FY 2024-25 Action Plan - Financing: This action has no cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information)]

PH ONE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE ADOPTION OF REPROGRAMING BUDGET NUMBER ONE, SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE, TO THE FY 20 2425 ACTION PLAN TO USE UNSPENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CDBG IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,335,555 ON REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS AT PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND TWO, AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZED FINAL ADOPTION OF REPROGRAMING BUDGET NUMBER ONE, SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE TO THE FY 20 2425 ACTION PLAN. THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

[06:25:04]

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM H ONE. I'M SORRY, MA'AM, WOULD YOU LIKE TO.

OKAY. NO SPEAKERS, MR. MAYOR. AND DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

MISS GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND, MR. MENDELSOHN.

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE MOTION AFTER IT'S MADE, PLEASE.

OKAY. IT'S OKAY. IT'S ALREADY BEEN MADE. YES, SIR.

YES. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING ME. SO I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION, AND I COMMEND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR ALLOCATING THESE DOLLARS TO PUBLIC FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED IT, SO I SUPPORT IT.

MY QUESTION, THOUGH, IS ON THE SOURCE OF FUNDS, IF WE COULD GET AN UPDATE ON HOW THIS WILL IMPACT THE COMMUNITY COURTS THAT FUNDING IS REDUCED IN, IF WE CAN GET AN UPDATE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE HOME IMPROVEMENT AND PRESERVATION PROGRAM AND FAIR HOUSING.

FAIR HOUSING IS A SMALL AMOUNT. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO PUT MORE MONEY IN HOME IMPROVEMENT, AND WE'RE TAKING OUT OVER 400,000. DO YOU WANT TO RESET? YES. JACK IRELAND, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ADDRESS THESE? I CAN SPEAK TO THE HOME IMPROVEMENT ONE. AND IS IT POSSIBLE YOU CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT LOUDER? SURE. ABSOLUTELY. SO, ROBIN BENTLEY, CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE ON THE HOME IMPROVEMENT LINE ITEM THAT IS ADMIN FUNDING, NOT ACTUAL HOME IMPROVEMENT FUNDING. AND IF IT IS NOT USED IT'S JUST REALLOCATED.

SO THIS WON'T IMPACT HOME IMPROVEMENTS THEMSELVES.

IT'S JUST THE ADMIN FUNDING AND SHAN WILLIAMS CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M MISSPEAKING HERE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. SHAN WILLIAMS, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND GRANT. REGARDING THE COMMUNITY COURTS, THEY ARE NO LONGER EVEN IN CDBG, BUT COMMUNITY COURTS AND FAIR HOUSING ARE BOTH UNDER CAP CATEGORIES, SO NONE OF THE REPROGRAMING FUNDS COULD BE. EVEN IF THE COURTS WERE THERE, WE COULD NOT USE THEM FOR ANY OF THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE.

THOSE ARE ADMINISTRATIVE CAP CATEGORIES. OKAY.

REGARDING THE HIP PROGRAM, THAT PROGRAM DOES HAVE $3 MILLION FOR CURRENT YEAR THAT THEY ARE SPENDING, AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR THOSE PROJECTS THAT MAY BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY.

AND SO SINCE THEY HAVE A SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE'RE LOOKING TO MOVE AND SPEND THESE 1.3 THIS FISCAL YEAR.

SO BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT ALL OF THESE FUNDS ARE ADMIN FUNDS, NOT PROGRAMMATIC.

IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS WHAT THE HOUSING DIRECTOR REPRESENTED TO ME.

YES. CORRECT. OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? EYES AS CARRIE. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

ITEM FF TWO WAS DELETED. BEFORE WE MOVE TO ITEM FF THREE.

[PH3. 25-561A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by AMTEX C.F. Hawn Fund, LP, an affiliate of AMTEX Multi-Housing LLC (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for C.F. Hawn Apartments, a 280-unit multifamily residential rental development for persons of low and moderate income to be located at 10600 C.F. Hawn Freeway Dallas, Texas 75217 (Property); and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of C.F. Hawn Apartments - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

ITEM FF THREE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY AMTECH CF HAHN FUND, L.P., AN AFFILIATE OF AMTEX MULTI-HOUSING, LLC.

APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TDHCA FOR 4% NONCOMPETITIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR KIMLEY-HORN APARTMENTS, A 280 UNIT MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TO BE LOCATED AT 10600 CF HAHN FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS 75217 PROPERTY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO TD HCA FOR THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CF HAHN APARTMENTS. YOU DO HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

DAN HANSEN. DAN HANSEN IS NOT PRESENT. HEAR ME? OKAY. OKAY. OKAY. YOU'RE VIRTUAL. THANK YOU. MR. HANSEN, YOU MAY BE. YES, YOU MAY CONTINUE. OH, WELL.

THANK YOU. HI. MY NAME IS DARREN HANSEN. I DON'T HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS TODAY.

I'M JUST HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? NO FURTHER SPEAKERS, MR. MAYOR. OKAY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? MOTION TO APPROVE. AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE. AND OPPOSED. AYES.

CARRIES. NEXT ITEM. ITEM FF FOUR IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING

[PH4. 25-558A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by LDG The Gateway at Trinity Forest, LP, an affiliate of (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for The Gateway at Trinity Forest, a 300-unit multifamily residential rental development (Project) for persons of low and moderate income to be located at 2200 Dowdy Ferry Road, Dallas, Texas 75217 (Property); and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of the Project - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

AN APPLICATION BY LDG, THE GATEWAY AT TRINITY FOREST L.P.

AND AN AFFILIATE OF APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

TX HCA FOR 4% NONCOMPETITIVE, LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE GATEWAY AT TRINITY FOREST, A 300 UNIT MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TO BE LOCATED AT 2200 DOUGHTY FERRY ROAD,

[06:30:10]

DALLAS, TEXAS, 75217 PROPERTY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO TD HCA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECT.

THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM FF FOUR. I SEE AN INDIVIDUAL. OH, OKAY. NO SPEAKERS, MR. MAYOR. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? OKAY. SECOND. I SECOND. OKAY. IN THE COMMENT, I SEE YOUR LIGHT ON MISS.

THANK YOU. I DID WANT I BELIEVE WE'RE ON PAGE FOUR.

IS THIS L D G? WHO IS THE. IS THAT MR. JAKE? I BELIEVE IT IS.

YES, AND I DID THIS IS NOT MY PROJECT BUT I DID WANT TO SPEAK AND I'M HOPING THAT WE WILL HAVE NO OBJECTION.

BUT WHAT I FOUND IS, IS THAT THE PROJECTS HE'S DONE IN FOR I'VE JUST BEEN REALLY EXCITED ABOUT, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A TARGET, I THINK WE WERE MIXED.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS FOR OUR PRODUCT, IT WAS A VERY GOOD PRODUCT AND IT JUST SPEAKS TO EQUITY IN TERMS OF THE THE OFFERINGS. THAT MEANS THE THE DESIGN, THE PRODUCTS.

AND RIGHT NOW I'M JUST EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH WHAT HE'S DONE IN OUR DISTRICT AND WE HOPE THAT HE DOES ENSURE THAT HE WILL DO THE SAME THING WITH THIS PROJECT.

THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. NO OTHER COMMENT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? CARRIED. NEXT ITEM. ITEM FF FIVE IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY LDG

[PH5. 25-571A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by LDG The Heights at UNT Station, LP, an affiliate of LDG Development (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for The Heights at UNT Station, located at 1021 East Wheatland Road, Dallas, Texas 75241 (Property); and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of The Legacy on Belt Line - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

THE HEIGHTS AT UNT STATION LP, AN AFFILIATE OF LDG DEVELOPMENT.

APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

TDHCA FOR 4% NONCOMPETITIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE HEIGHTS AT UNT STATION LOCATED AT 1021 EAST WHEATLAND ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS 75241 PROPERTY, AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO TD HCA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGACY ON BELTLINE. YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM FIVE. YES, YOU MAY COME FORWARD. YOU'LL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.

PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. FOR THE RECORD, THERE'S A THERE'S A BUTTON AT THE BASE OF THAT.

YEAH. MY NAME IS CURTIS JONES. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS PROJECT DEVELOPED IS MUCH NEEDED.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S MUCH NEEDED BECAUSE DALLAS HAS A VERY LOW RESONANCE FOR THE SOUTHERN AREA, FOR BLACKS, MINORITIES. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE DON'T MAKE $100,000, CAN'T LIVE IN ALL OF THESE HIGH RISE AND HIGH EXPENSES APARTMENTS THAT YOU'RE BUILDING RIGHT HERE.

AND THIS IS A THING THAT WILL HELP THAT AREA BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2005, WHEN ALL THESE APARTMENTS WAS BUILT BY BY THIS POTASNIK FELLER.

AND SO THIS IS MUCH NEEDED NOW. AND IF YOU CAN GET ANY MORE DEVELOPMENT THERE, THAT WOULD BE EVEN EVEN BETTER. AND SO I SEE MY TIME IS RUNNING OUT NOW, BUT IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET OTHER MINORITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS, USING THESE CREDITS TO GET DEVELOPMENT THERE? IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR WHERE I AM, THIS IS AN AREA THAT BUTTS UP RIGHT AGAINST LANCASTER AND DALLAS OFF RIGHT OFF 20.

YOU JUST BUILT A POLICE STATION THERE. YOU JUST BOUGHT IT RIGHT AROUND.

YOU HAVE YOUR MAIN OFFICE FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LAWYERS THERE AND IT NEEDS MORE DEVELOPMENT THERE. THE CITY HAS DONE A BAD JOB IN PRODUCING THERE.

MANY PEOPLE NEED HOMES. DALLAS COULD BE A MUCH MORE FRIENDLIER CITY.

NOT NOT CITY, BUT PERSON. IT COULD BE LIKE A PERSON WHERE OTHER STATES COULD REALIZE AND SAY DALLAS IS DOING A FINE JOB WITH LOW INCOME PEOPLE, WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE, TO EVEN VETERANS.

YOU COULD HAVE. THIS IS RIGHT OVER BY THE VA HOSPITAL.

I'M A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN AND NEED HELP.

DALLAS COULD BE A MUCH MORE FRIENDLIER CITY. NOBODY LIKES MOST PEOPLE DON'T LIKE COMING DOWN HERE TO THE DEALING WITH THE DALLAS CITY IS JUST LIKE THE INTERNAL

[06:35:10]

REVENUE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER SPEAKERS? THANK YOU. SECOND IN THE COMMENT.

CHAIRMAN ARNOLD. THANK YOU SIR. I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M ON THE RIGHT ITEM.

IS THIS LDG, SIR? YES. THANK YOU. I DID NOT SEE MR. JAKE IN THE AUDIENCE. YOU LOOK A LITTLE BIT SHORTER THERE. SO I DIDN'T SEE YOU. BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT ALONG WITH HOUSING YOU ALL HAVE DONE, IN MY OPINION, AN EXCELLENT JOB. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU HAVE DELIVERED IN DISTRICT FOUR.

AND I'VE ALSO SHARED WITH HOUSING THAT I WISH WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU MORE BECAUSE WE HAVE LAND AND WE HAVE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND I WISH I COULD WAVE THE MAGIC WAND TO GET YOU ACROSS THE MARK SO THAT YOU COULD PUT THOSE PRODUCTS AND STAFF.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T I MEAN, STAFF COUNCIL MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, I'M SELECTIVE ABOUT WHO I PUT MY NAME ON.

BUT I BELIEVE MR. JAKE IS COMMITTED TO DOING A VERY FINE PRODUCT.

SO WHEREAS I DON'T NEED TO DO A SALES PITCH FOR HIM, HIS WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

BUT I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IF I COULD GET MORE WORK, MORE PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT FOR FROM HIM, I WOULD DEFINITELY PUSH FOR HIS WORK TO BE IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE HE DOES ALSO GIVE RESPECT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THESE DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT TYPES OF INCOMES.

AND SO, MR.. JAKE I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR COMMITMENT AND AND EVEN IF I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE THERE, AT LEAST YOU KNOW THAT I DO RESPECT YOUR WORK.

AND WHAT I'LL SAY BEHIND YOUR BACK AND NOT KNOWING YOU'RE HERE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M. I BELIEVE IN YOU. THANK YOU.

WITH THAT, DEVIN MAYOR PRO TEM. THANK YOU. MAYOR.

I'LL BE QUICK. I WANTED TO ADDRESS OUR FRIEND FROM STATE FARM AS WELL.

AND JUST SAY THAT THAT THIS IS A GREAT A GREAT, GREAT PROJECT THAT'S GOING TO COME.

AND HE'S HE DOES HAVE A GOOD PRODUCT, BUT I THINK MORE THAN THE PRODUCT THAT HE BRINGS HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THAT I'VE EXPERIENCED IN DISTRICT SEVEN OVER IN FAR EAST DALLAS HAS BEEN REALLY COMMENDABLE.

AND SO IT'S ALWAYS GOOD WHENEVER YOU CAN YOU KNOW, TOUT A VICTORY OF A GOOD DEVELOPMENT IN BRINGING IN GROWTH.

BUT IT'S EVEN BETTER WHEN THAT GROWTH COMES WITH A GOOD PARTNER FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DO.

RIGHT. SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY, JAKE.

I'M ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSE? AYES CARRY.

NEXT ITEM, MADAM SECRETARY, ITEM FF SIX IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY LDG.

[PH6. 25-569A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by LDG The Legacy on Belt Line, an affiliate of LDG Development (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for The Legacy on Belt Line, a 180-unit multifamily residential rental development for persons of low and moderate income to be located at 1275 South Belt Line Road, Dallas, Texas 75253 (Property); and, at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of The Legacy on Belt Line - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

THE LEGACY ON BELTLINE, AN AFFILIATE OF LDG DEVELOPMENT APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

TDHCA FOR 4% NONCOMPETITIVE, LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR THE LEGACY ON BELTLINE, A 180 UNIT MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TO BE LOCATED AT 1275 SOUTH BELTLINE.

BELT LINE ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS 752375253. PROPERTY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO TDHCA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGACY ON BELTLINE.

THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM H SIX. NO SPEAKERS, MR. MAYOR. WE HAVE A MOTION.

MOVE APPROVAL IN THE COMMENTS. NO COMMENT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? EYES CARRIED. THE NEXT ITEM, ITEM FF SEVEN, IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE

[PH7. 25-560A A public hearing to receive comments regarding an application by Palladium Buckner Station, Ltd., an affiliate of Palladium USA, Inc. (Applicant) to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for 4% Non-Competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credits (4% Housing Tax Credits) for Palladium Buckner Station, a 304-unit multifamily residential rental development for persons of low and moderate income to be located at 8008 Elam Road, Dallas, Texas 75217 (Property); and at the close of the public hearing, authorize a Resolution of No Objection for Applicant, related to its application to TDHCA for the development of Palladium Buckner Station - Financing: No cost consideration to the City]

COMMENTS REGARDING AN APPLICATION BY PALLADIUM BUCKNER STATION LIMITED, AN AFFILIATE OF PALLADIUM USA, INC., AN APPLICANT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

TDHCA FOR 4% NONCOMPETITIVE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS FOR PALLADIUM.

BUCKNER STATION, A 304 UNIT MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TO BE LOCATED AT 8008 ELAM ROAD, DALLAS, TEXAS 75217 PROPERTY AND AT THE CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, AUTHORIZE A RESOLUTION OF NO OBJECTION FOR APPLICANT RELATED TO ITS APPLICATION TO TDHCA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PALLADIUM BUCKNER STATION.

[06:40:01]

THERE ARE NO REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

ARE THERE ANY INDIVIDUALS IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM? ITEM FF SEVEN. NO SPEAKERS. MR. MAYOR, DO WE HAVE A MOTION? DO WE HAVE A SECOND? OKAY. IN THE COMMENT. NO COMMENT.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE AND OPPOSED. AYES CARRY.

NEXT ITEM. MR. MAYOR, THIS CONCLUDES YOUR VOTING ITEMS FOR THIS MEETING.

IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY? I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK TO SEE IF WE HAVE THAT OPEN MICROPHONE. SPEAKER.

RONDA SPRINT. OKAY. IT'S NOT PRESENT. SO, MR. MAYOR, THIS JUST THIS ONCE WE FORGET ONE THING.

HAMMY, YOU WANT TO SAY YOU WANT TO SING HAMMY? YEAH. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAKE. HAPPY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.