Public Meetings - Dallas, Texas

The Parks, Trails, and Environment Committee met on September 1, 2026, at 9:13 AM in City Hall Council Chambers. The committee approved minutes, received briefings on the Fair Park Community Park quarterly update and a climate resilience heat intervention guidebook, discussed the proposed legislative agenda for the 90th Texas Legislature, and reviewed upcoming City Council agenda items. No public comments were heard. Consent Calendar - Approved the August 3, 2026, Special Called Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee Meeting Minutes on a motion and second. (Unanimous) Discussion Items A. Community Park at Fair Park Quarterly Update - Alyssa Sifferman (Executive Director, Fair Park First) and Heather Stevens (Philanthropy and Strategy Officer, Fair Park First) presented the first quarterly report covering April–June 2026. Key updates: design documents targeted for October, groundbreaking slated for December 2026, permit issuance expected January 2027. Total project budget: $40.6 million; capital raised to date: $36.1 million; design and construction budget: $31.5 million; expenditures to date: $6.9 million; remaining funding gap: $1.78 million. The CMAR (BEC Group) reported comparable costing to the 100% design set from December. Council Member Bazadoi expressed strong support and appreciation for the team's stewardship, noting no city bailout is needed. Council Members Blair and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem also commended the progress and collaboration. Chair Stewart noted the need for open communication if challenges arise. B. Climate Resilience: Addressing Extreme Heat with Data Heat Intervention Guidebook - Angela Hodges Gott (Director, OEQS) and Oppong Hemeng (Manager, OEQS) presented the Heat Intervention Guidebook, published April 2026. Key data: by 2050, Dallas may have 30–60 additional days over 100°F; July 2026 ERCOT peak demand reached 91,089 MW (37% increase from 2014). The guidebook is a non-regulatory toolbox of strategies (e.g., tree preservation, green infrastructure, bus stop shade, weatherization). Tree canopy goals: increase coverage to 33% by 2030, 40% by 2050. Council Member West raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to urban forestry and requested data on current tree canopy (estimated 30%) and who tracks it (Parks, Brett Johnson). Council Member Blackman asked about DART shade structures; Director Gott confirmed no recent conversations. Council Member Blair urged rewriting Article 10 to protect mature trees and called for action. Chair Stewart suggested using the guidebook for public outreach and noted the need to improve website accessibility. C. Proposed Legislative Agenda for the 90th Texas Legislature and 120th Congress - Eric Dominguez (Director, Office of Government Affairs) briefed the committee on the city's legislative agenda. Seven items were listed for monitoring; the committee discussed adding a top-10 item representing PTE priorities. Council Member Blackman advised aligning with existing legislative traction (e.g., water resources). Chair Stewart will draft a PTE-specific item. The committee amended item 5 (water resources/storm drainage infrastructure) to explicitly include dredging of White Rock Lake and protection of creeks and rivers. Deadline for input is mid-September for the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee. D. Committee Forecast - Committee forecast reviewed; Council Member Blackman requested a memo on park security incidents (e.g., break-ins at White Rock Lake). Deputy Director Ryan O’Connor (Parks and Recreation) confirmed preparation. E. Upcoming City Council Agenda Items - Items E (re-adoption of Chapter 12 Youth Program Standards) and G–I (park equipment and construction contracts) were noted without discussion. Item F (State Fair Classic football game agreement with Grambling State University, Prairie View A&M University, and State Fair of Texas) was discussed. Brett Wilkie (General Manager, Fair Park) confirmed timely payments post-game. Total amount: up to $2,350,000 (Fair Park Fund). Council Member Blair sought assurance. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes of August 3, 2026. - Received and filed the Fair Park Community Park quarterly report; acknowledged $1.78 million funding gap and December 2026 groundbreaking target. - Received the Heat Intervention Guidebook; directed staff to provide tree canopy data and to explore DART partnership for shade structures. - Directed Parks to prepare a memo on park security incidents. - Amended legislative agenda item 5 to include specific references to White Rock Lake dredging and creek protection. - Chair Stewart will draft a PTE-related item for the top-10 legislative priorities by mid-September. - No formal votes were taken beyond the consent calendar approval.

The Dallas City Council held a budget workshop on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 9:28 AM to 4:39 PM, to discuss the proposed FY 2026-27 and planned FY 2027-28 biennial budgets. The morning session (Briefing Item A) focused on the Department of Transportation and Public Works (TPW) budget overview, including street maintenance, infrastructure priorities, and key initiatives. The afternoon session (Briefing Item B) addressed proposed revisions to the city manager's recommended budget, with seven adjustments responding to initial council feedback. No formal votes were taken; the council will consider amendments by Friday, August 28, 2026, at noon, with a straw poll and final votes scheduled for September 2, 2026 (first reading) and September 16, 2026 (second reading and adoption). Discussion Items Department of Transportation and Public Works Budget Overview (Morning Session) - Director Gus Kinkarley presented the TPW budget, which is the third-largest general fund department after Dallas Police and Fire Rescue. The proposed FY 2026-27 budget is $159.475 million (general fund component), with a total of $176.3 million including bond and internal service funds; FY 2027-28 totals $182.1 million. - TPW manages 11,700 lane miles of roadways (6,200 asphalt, 5,500 concrete), 1,400 miles of alleys, 4,500 miles of sidewalks, 648 bridges, and 1,483 traffic signals. - Street maintenance funding: $65 million in general funds and $77 million from bond/DART for FY27, supporting 800 lane miles of treatment. The department has historically over-delivered on lane mile targets (e.g., 769 in FY23, 810 in FY24, 725 in FY25, on track for 780 in FY26). - Cost per lane mile varies by treatment: preventive (micro seal) $19,000–$30,000; maintenance/repair $108,000–$270,000; resurfacing (full replacement) $800,000; full reconstruction $860,000–$2.5 million. Alley repair costs average $600,000–$800,000 per mile. - Key initiatives: Increase bridge maintenance funding from $4.4 million to $7.3 million; construct 50 warranted traffic signals; add 6 miles of bike lanes under Phase 1 of the Dallas Bike Plan; procure a new Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) costing $20 million (federal and bond funds); invest $1.5 million in Vision Zero to leverage additional grants; replace 900 non-smart parking meters with smart meters to increase revenue. - Council members raised questions about utility coordination, sidewalk maintenance, traffic calming, street lighting costs ($17 million for Encore electricity and maintenance), ATMS cybersecurity, and equity concerns in District 4 and other southern sectors. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Maxie Johnson highlighted persistent infrastructure and lighting disparities in District 4. Councilmember Paula Blackman noted that District 8 has lower pavement condition scores than some other districts, but contested the claim that it is better. Proposed Budget Revisions (Afternoon Session) City Manager Kimberly Meiser Tolburn and CFO Jack Ireland presented seven recommended revisions to the proposed budget, based on council feedback: 1. Dallas Animal Services (DAS) – Animal Cruelty Response: Increase funding by $500,000, offset by a reduction in the Dallas Zoo management fee (from $14.9 million to $13.7 million, for a total reduction of $1.2 million). The zoo also receives $30 million in bond funds. Council members expressed mixed views: some supported the increase for DAS but opposed cutting the zoo; others wanted alternative funding sources. The city manager noted an additional $300,000 from the former SBCA site could be redirected, bringing total new DAS funding to $800,000. 2. Legislative Support: $300,000 for external lobbying support for the upcoming Texas legislative session, funded by $78,000 from a vacant DPD assistant director position and $222,000 from canceling a Zen City customer experience contract. Most council members supported this. 3. Library Adult Learning Programs: Restore $267,000 for English language and GED instruction at Prairie Creek, Pleasant Grove, and Hampton-Illinois branches. Management response: Not to restore funding, but to partner with Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas, Dallas College, and other nonprofits to provide similar services. Council members expressed concern about service gaps and documentation requirements. 4. Pleasant Oaks Community Pool: $100,000 to keep the pool open for the 2027 season, funded by $40,000 in increased park fees and $60,000 from park security program savings (using DPD cameras instead of purchased cameras). Council debate focused on the pool's age and reliability, with supporters arguing it is the most-used community pool and has bond capital committed. 5. Trinity River Audubon Center and Cedar Ridge Preserve: Restore less than $10,000 in cuts to these partners, funded through park security savings. Supported by many members. 6. Office of Inspector General: Restore $114,000 cut, funded by eliminating the remaining Zen City contract ($35,000), eliminating youth commission travel ($23,000), and reducing mayor/city council office budgets ($56,000, $3,733 per office). Some supported; others opposed reducing council budgets. 7. Eviction Advocacy Support: Not restored. Management recommended a public-private partnership model, citing Dallas County's existing funding. Several council members (including Mayor Pro Tem Recendez) argued it is a core service for homelessness prevention and should be funded. Multi-Year Fund Discussion A significant portion of the afternoon debate centered on the Parks and Recreation Department's multi-year funds (totaling $15 million, including $8 million for golf and $3 million for rec centers). Councilmember Adam Basildua questioned the lack of a clear policy for using these funds, and Interim City Auditor Rory Gaul confirmed that the allocation of 45% of golf fees to the multi-year fund lacked a current council resolution. Council members expressed frustration that these funds were not considered during budget cuts, and the city manager committed to developing a policy for council review. Key Outcomes - No votes taken on the seven revisions; the council will receive updated proposals by Friday, August 28, 2026, and will consider all amendments (including those submitted by Friday noon) on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, via straw poll and first reading. - The city manager will incorporate feedback from the workshop and explore alternative funding sources for DAS animal cruelty funding (to avoid cutting the zoo) and for eviction advocacy. - The council requested a briefing on the parks multi-year fund policy in the coming months. - The final budget adoption (second reading) is scheduled for September 16, 2026, with the new fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026.

The Dallas City Council met on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 9:29 AM to 6:16 PM, including a closed session. The meeting covered a wide range of items including a consent agenda, public hearings, zoning cases, and extensive debate on the proposed tax rate, historic preservation tax exemptions, living wage policy, and a public facility corporation (PFC) project. Key outcomes include setting a cap on the tax rate, approving several election contracts, and deferring the living wage policy discussion. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously: Items 2, 3, 5–13, 17–30, 32, 34, 36–38, and 40–43. These included a five-year subscription for pawn records software ($3.2 million), grants for homeless services and arts, a Trinity Forest Spine Trail construction agreement ($13.7 million), various construction and professional services contracts, and a settlement of a lawsuit ($33,000). - Note: Items 4, 14–16, 31, 33, 35, and 39 were pulled for individual discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Open microphone speakers (beginning of meeting): - Devontae Peters criticized the Flock camera contract, citing lack of auditability and data retention policies; asked to reduce retention to 30 days and improve transparency. - Mary Jane Cox opposed the proposed Preston Royal development height (240 ft), offering a compromise of 75 ft, and requested a delay. - Tammy Cookla praised retiring Dallas Animal Services director Paul Ramon and advocated for returning animal services to police oversight. - Catherine Wooton opposed eliminating the library adult learning department, arguing it would harm undocumented students and reduce free ESL/GED classes. - Chris Heinbaugh objected to the term “stipend” used for arts funding in budget discussions. - Additional speakers addressed public safety bond support and other concerns. - Speaker on consent agenda (Dolores Phillips): Made brief remarks about alleged fabricated court records. - Speaker on item 31 (Bridge generator): Anna Mantray, CEO of The Bridge, described the need for a backup generator to prevent dangers during power outages, citing health and safety risks for homeless clients. - Speakers on item 46 (PFC project): Several residents and community leaders expressed support, citing removal of blighted properties, crime reduction, workforce housing, and infrastructure improvements. - Speakers on PH20 (budget hearing): Christina Fletcher and Olga Gonzalez advocated for sustaining parks and recreation after-school programs. - Other public comment: Citizens spoke on various items including the Thoroughfare Plan amendments, public improvement districts, and the need for more transparent budgeting. Discussion Items - Item 4 – Sunset College Advisory Commission: Councilmember Mendelson pulled the item and originally sought to also sunset two other commissions, but after a parliamentary ruling, only the college advisory commission was considered. The item passed with support, as commissioners saw it as a way to reduce unnecessary boards. - Items 14, 15, 16 – Historic Preservation Tax Exemptions: Councilmember Mendelson opposed all three, arguing they subsidize wealthy homeowners (e.g., a $2.69 million home with $85,817 in foregone revenue). Supporters like Councilmember Ridley noted these incentives have revived historic districts and that changing policy should be done systematically, not case-by-case. Record votes passed each item (11 yes, 4 no). - Item 31 – Bridge Homeless Recovery Center Generator: Councilmember Mendelson moved to defer, citing possible relocation plans. Councilmember Moreno and others stressed immediate safety needs. The deferral failed, and the $1.44 million contract for backup power was approved. - Item 33 – Tax Rate Ceiling: Mayor pro tempore West moved to set the ceiling at $0.6978 per $100 valuation. Councilmember Basildua amended to the voter approval rate ($0.706325), and Councilmember Mendelson proposed $0.68. After debate, Mendelson’s amendment failed (2–13) and Basildua’s failed (6–9). The original motion passed (8–6–1), establishing $0.6978 as the maximum allowable rate. Discussion highlighted revenue losses from past rate reductions (about $230 million foregone over 11 years) and the need to fund police/fire pension obligations. - Item 35 – Living Wage Policy Amendment: Councilmember Basildua proposed amending the policy to use the greater of the MIT living wage or BLS 50th percentile, rather than the lesser as recommended by staff. After lengthy debate, Deputy Mayor pro tempore Recendez moved to defer to the September 2 budget workshop. The deferral passed (9–5), with supporters citing the need for more information and non-committee input. - Item 46 – DNT Housing PFC Project: A motion to deny the 350-unit workforce housing project (10-year tax exemption) failed (3–12). Opponents argued the project would not provide enough general fund benefit and that the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes ($255,000/year) and sale proceeds go to the PFC, not the city. Supporters noted the project would replace blighted properties, improve the area, and provide much-needed workforce housing. The project was approved on a voice vote. - Items 49–52 – Special Election Contracts: The council approved contracts for a November 3, 2026 special election covering Dallas County, Collin County, Denton County, and appointment of a canvassing committee. A motion to deny the Dallas County contract (due to cost and alleged low polling) failed 5–8, then the approval passed 8–5. The other counties’ contracts were approved similarly. - Zoning Items: - Z3 (Walnut Hill Lane planned development) was deferred to September 23. - Z4 (Cleveland Road industrial district) was deferred to September 9. - The remaining zoning consent items (Z1–2, Z5–13) were adopted. - Z14 (handicapped group dwelling unit) was approved as recommended. - Public Hearings (PH1–PH20): - PH1–PH3 (Thoroughfare Plan amendments for Crouch Road, Grady Niblo Road, Colonial Avenue) were approved. - PH4–PH19 (public improvement district assessments for 16 districts) were approved after a combined hearing and brief comments. - PH20 (FY 2026-27 budget hearing) was closed after public testimony. Key Outcomes - Tax Rate Ceiling Set: The maximum allowable tax rate for FY 2026-27 was set at $0.6978 per $100 valuation (a reduction from current rate). A public hearing on the rate is scheduled for September 16, 2026. - Historic Preservation Exemptions Approved: Three 10-year tax exemptions for historic properties on Swiss Avenue and Junius Heights were approved despite concerns over cost and equity. - Bridge Generator Contract Approved: A $1.44 million capital improvement for emergency backup power at the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center was authorized. - Living Wage Policy Deferred: The amendment to the city’s living wage policy (changing from the MIT living wage to a lesser of MIT or BLS 50th percentile) was deferred to a September 2 budget workshop for further deliberation. - Election Contracts Approved: Contracts totaling over $2 million for a November 3, 2026 special election (including public safety bond) were approved for Dallas, Collin, and Denton counties. - PFC Project Approved: The DNT Housing workforce development (350 units) was authorized, with a 10-year tax exemption and 60-year lease, despite concerns about revenue diversion to the PFC rather than the general fund. - Various Administrative Approvals: Board appointments, eminent domain acquisition, easement abandonments, and zoning changes were finalized.

The Dallas City Council met on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers, 1500 Marilla Street, Dallas, Texas. The meeting included special presentations, open microphone public comments, a voting agenda, and two briefings: employee health benefits for plan year 2027 and police/fire overtime and response times. The council approved minutes, board appointments, and an interim city auditor. No final votes were taken on the briefing items, but staff received direction to model additional health plan options. Special Presentations - Congressman Mark Veasey (TX-33) presented a $250,000 federal grant for the Bachman Area Transportation Plan to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety around Bachman Lake. He also received a special recognition proclamation from the Mayor for his service and securing over $350 million in federal funding for Dallas flood protection and other projects. - Curtis King, founder and president of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, was recognized for his decades of cultural contributions, including the annual Riverfront Jazz Festival. He presented VIP tickets to council members and encouraged support for the arts. Public Comments & Testimony - Sidney Walker (District 7) urged the council to regulate data center locations, require on-site power sources, and prevent tax abatements, proposing that property taxes from data centers go directly to public safety pensions. - Stephanie Drinker (District 2) criticized the city for considering selling City Hall, citing concerns about immigration enforcement, civil rights, and the cost of moving 911 operations. She accused the council of prioritizing profit over constituents. - Miriam Sharma (District 9) commended Police Chief Como for a public service announcement on secure gun storage and highlighted the importance of preventing unintentional shootings of children. - Yolanda Williams (District 5) defended public safety and 911 operations, criticized efforts to “bust the bond” and move 911 out of City Hall, and threatened ethics complaints against council members using city resources for political campaigns. - Nethel Jackson (District 4) praised City Manager Kimberly Beiser Tolbert for prioritizing public safety and emergency response, and urged the council to address disparities between North and South Dallas. - Ola Allen (District 4) supported public safety and called for more visible police presence and better infrastructure for seniors. - Tammy Pierce advocated for selling City Hall, comparing it to past decisions to build Reunion Tower and the ball, arguing it makes mathematical sense to move forward with development. - Dolores Phillips spoke on voting agenda items, warning incoming board members about unresolved records and legal cases, particularly regarding a 2006 police incident. Voting Agenda - Item 1 – Approval of Minutes: The council approved the minutes of the August 5, 2026 City Council meeting (amended from August 3) unanimously. - Item 2 – Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council approved multiple appointments, including Grant K. Schmidt to the Ethics Advisory Commission, Keene Viarte to the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Board, and three technical panel members to the Environmental Commission (Rita Beving, David Marquise, Whitney Strauss). No opposition. - Item 3 – Interim City Auditor: The council adopted a resolution appointing Rory Galtur as Interim City Auditor, effective August 19, 2026, with an annual base salary of $180,000, to serve until a permanent city auditor is selected. The motion was made by Councilmember Chad West and passed unanimously. Briefing A: Employee Health Benefits for Plan Year 2027 - Staff presented a proposed strategy to address rising healthcare costs, including eliminating the PPO copay plan (only 53.1% of employees are enrolled), transitioning to a single Blue Essentials network (94.5% provider match), changing deductibles and copays, revising salary-based premium tiers (under $50K, $50K-$75K, over $75K), and modifying GLP-1 weight loss medication coverage to require a primary care physician visit. The city’s contribution would increase from $146 million to $175.4 million. The plan aims to reduce employee premium increases to about $5/month for the lowest salary band, rather than a 40-45% increase if no changes were made. - Council members raised concerns about employee disruption, provider access, and the impact on recruitment and retention. Councilmember Cara Mendelson questioned the adequacy of the “Blue Value Advisor” (BVA) support and the true cost of maintaining a PPO option. Councilmember Zarin Gracey asked about independent claims auditing and contract management. The City Manager confirmed that the council could choose to reinstate the PPO by adding $10 million to the budget or passing the full cost to employees (estimated 60% premium increase). Staff will model these options before the budget vote. Briefing B: DPD and DFR Overtime and Response Times - Dallas Police Department: Overtime is budgeted at $47 million for FY26, but projected to exceed by $2.7 million (5.7%) due to pay increases. However, overtime hours have decreased 31% over three years. Response times improved: priority 1 calls down 29% to 8.62 minutes, priority 2 down 30% to 66 minutes, priority 3 down 58% to 110 minutes, priority 4 down 57% to 126 minutes. The department is using drones as first responders (2500 calls, 35% cleared without an officer), and plans to implement a digital timekeeping system by October 1, 2026. Hiring is on track (390 recruits expected this year). - Dallas Fire-Rescue: Overtime hours forecast to be 33% lower than FY25, 51% lower than FY24, and 58% lower than FY23. Structural FLSA overtime accounts for 43.5% of overtime due to the 24-hour shift schedule. Response times remain strong: 92% of medical calls within 9 minutes, 91% of structure fires within 5 minutes 20 seconds. The department maintains minimum staffing of 464 positions per shift, and leave (sick, parental) drives much of the remaining overtime. - Councilmembers expressed frustration with the lack of accountability for DPD overtime, especially compared to other departments that have absorbed cuts. Councilmember Adam Bazaldua called for an audit of resources and criticized the mayor’s protective detail overtime. Councilmember Kathy Stewart expressed confidence in continued improvement. The City Manager committed to quarterly overtime updates. Key Outcomes - Votes: Approved minutes, board appointments, and appointment of Rory Galtur as Interim City Auditor (all unanimous). - Directives: Staff will model the cost of reinstating the PPO plan with full employee cost burden and provide side-by-side comparisons of current vs. proposed premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The city manager will provide quarterly reports on police and fire overtime. - Next Steps: The council will consider the health plan changes as part of the FY27 budget adoption in September. Open enrollment is scheduled for October 5-16, 2026, with education sessions beginning August 31.

The Dallas City Council convened on August 12, 2026, at 9:27 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, approval of a consent agenda with several pulled items, extensive debate on public safety grants and a November bond election, and action on zoning cases and public hearings. Key decisions include advancing a $443 million public safety bond proposal, authorizing applications for federal grants (Model Cities Initiative and UASI), and approving several development and housing projects. Public Comments & Testimony - Multiple speakers voiced concerns about the future of Dallas City Hall, urging renovation over demolition. They cited polls showing public support for restoring City Hall and opposed moving 911 operations. - Speakers criticized the city's handling of ICE detention flights at Dallas Love Field, calling for action to end state-sponsored human trafficking. - A resident reported issues with the new Dallas Water billing website, citing payment failures and lack of communication. - Community members opposed the November bond proposal, arguing it lacked transparency and bundled unrelated projects. - Other topics included library cuts, animal shelter funding, lead contamination in West Dallas, and a fire at the Bonnie Apartments. Discussion Items - Item 3 (Convenience Store Ordinance): Pulled and remanded to full council for further study on small business impacts. - Item 5 (Model Cities Initiative Grant): Debate centered on federal strings related to immigration enforcement. Approved 10-5 after assurances the city would not participate in immigration enforcement. - Item 6 (UASI Grant): Approved after discussion; councilmember sought legal vetting on conditions. Grant funds emergency preparedness. - Item 7 (Rivulet Apartments PFC): Approved 11-4. Project provides 120 affordable units and 120 market-rate units, with $256,000 annual lease payment to the city. - Item 32 (Deep Ellum TIF for Fair Park): Approved. $3 million from Deep Ellum TIF for community park at Fair Park, allowed under amended plan. - Item 55 (Police Training Center CMAR): Approved. $28.86 million for site work at the UNT Dallas training center. - Item 73 (November 2026 Bond Election): After multiple amendments to split the proposition, the council approved an ordinance ordering a special election for a single $443 million Proposition A covering public safety facilities (police training, 911 center, property room, fire station). Proposition B (pension bonds) and Proposition C (fleet maintenance) were removed. Final vote: 11-4. Key Outcomes - Bond Election: Voters will decide on a $443 million bond for public safety facilities on November 3, 2026. The proposal includes a law enforcement training center, emergency operations/911 center, evidence/property storage, and fire station replacement. - Federal Grants: Approved applications for the Model Cities Initiative (up to $80 million for violence reduction) and acceptance of $5.58 million UASI grant for homeland security. - Housing: Approved two Public Facility Corporation projects (Rivulet Apartments and DNT Housing) and a resolution of no objection for 188-unit mixed-income development (Pemberton at Dennis). - Zoning: Approved multiple zoning changes, including a tattoo/business amendment (PH1), townhouse district denial, and several specific use permits. - Other: Authorized construction contracts, easements, and professional services. Consent Calendar Items 2, 4, 9–31, 33–46, 48–54, 56–60, 62, 64–69 were approved as a block. Notable: Item 48 (speed limit changes near Halperin Park) and Item 56 (Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund).

The Dallas City Council held a budget workshop on August 11, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:08 p.m. to receive the City Manager's Recommended Biennial Budget for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28. The proposed $5.66 billion balanced general fund budget for FY27 includes a minimal property tax rate decrease and focuses on core services, public safety, and infrastructure. The briefing was presented by City Manager Kimberly Biser Tolbert, CFO Jack Ireland, and Budget Director Jeanette Wheedon, followed by extensive questions and discussion from council members. Discussion Items - Budget Overview: The proposed total budget is $5.66 billion for FY27 (a $452 million increase over FY26) and $6.3 billion for FY28. The general fund totals $2 billion, a $80 million (4.1%) increase, driven by an $83.1 million increase for police and fire, requiring net decreases of $2.9 million in other departments. - Property Tax: A 0.1 cent reduction in the property tax rate to 69.78 cents per $100 valuation is proposed (the 11th consecutive year of reduction). The median homeowner would see a $61.61 savings. The tax base grew 4.97% in certified values, with new construction contributing 1.7%. - Closing the $50 Million Shortfall: The gap was closed through $25.5 million in revenue maximization (franchise fees, park fees, interest earnings, court collections, traffic enforcement unit, fire rescue fees, closed old funds) and $24.5 million in expense management (position deletions, health plan changes, landline fee increase from $0.62 to $1.30 per month, etc.). - Public Safety: Police and fire constitute 63.4% of the general fund. The budget includes a 3.19% pay increase for police/fire (starting pay at step one: $83,822), funding for hiring 750 officers over two years (ending FY28 with 3,800 officers), and enhanced overtime accountability. Fire overtime is increasing due to pay raises and mandatory staffing requirements, but hours are declining. - Proposition U Compliance: The growth in unrestricted revenue ($73.5 million) requires $36.8 million for public safety; the full amount is allocated to the police/fire pension ($246 million), fully satisfying the proposition. - Other Expense Drivers: Police/fire pension ($20M increase), non-uniform merit (2% effective April 2027, delayed to April), TIFF contributions ($139.9M total, up $4.6M), IT investments ($6M increase), contract increases (custodial, jail, school crossing guards), and elimination of the co-pay health plan to address rising healthcare costs. - Capital and Debt Service: The capital budget totals $1.3 billion (23% of total budget), primarily funded by the 2024 bond program. Debt service budget is $525.4 million. The city plans to issue $250 million in bonds in November. - Enterprise Funds: Aviation, convention center, water utilities, sanitation, and other enterprise funds have separate budgets. Sanitation rates will shift to a tiered structure (curbside customers see a 5.8% decrease; alley service a 12.8% increase). Water rates increase by 9.5%. - Library Services: The budget reduces 70 positions, moves to a flagship library model (five locations open 7 days a week, 59 hours), reduces hours at most branches to 44 hours per week, and partners with Dallas College and Workforce Solutions for adult learning. - Future Focus Areas: Employee health benefits, pension changes, living wage ordinance review, animal cruelty response, school crossing guard program, school resource officers, first offender program, and the WIC program will be addressed in future workshops. Key Outcomes - The council received the recommended budget; no votes were taken (this was a briefing). - The tax rate ceiling will be set on August 25, 2026, with a public hearing and adoption scheduled for September 16, 2026. - A budget workshop on employee health benefits and uniform overtime/response times will occur on August 19, 2026. - Town hall meetings will be held from August 11 to August 25 to gather public input. - The council discussed the need for a citywide strategic plan to guide future priority-based budgeting efforts.

Date: August 6, 2026 | Briefing: 10:34 AM – 12:37 PM | Public Hearing: 1:06 PM – 6:27 PM The City Plan Commission met to consider a 31-item agenda including zoning cases, subdivision plats, a street name change, and sign certificates. The most contentious item was a proposed Planned Development (PD) for a mixed-use development at Preston Road and Royal Lane (Case Z-26-000007), which drew extensive public testimony and a 11-4 vote to approve with modifications. Other notable actions included approval of a new digital ticker sign for the Texas Stock Exchange, a street name change for the Houston Street Viaduct to Pettis Norman Bridge, and several zoning cases held under advisement. Consent Calendar - Zoning Cases (Items 1-4): Originally on consent but pulled due to commissioner conflicts. Item 1 (Henderson Avenue subdistrict) was approved with a front-yard amendment. Items 2-4 were approved individually with staff recommendations. - Subdivision Consent (Items 15-21): Seven replat applications approved by a single motion, subject to conditions. - Signs Consent (Items 28-31): Four certificates of appropriateness for back-lit channel letter signs at 1445 Ross Avenue approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 14 (Preston Royal PD): Over 35 speakers addressed the commission. Supporters (including residents, business leaders, and the Oak Lawn Committee president) argued the project would bring walkable mixed-use development, housing options for aging residents, and economic vitality. Opponents (including residents, St. Mark's School students, and owners of adjacent properties) cited excessive height (up to 240 ft), traffic congestion, safety concerns for schools and fire station 41, and incompatibility with Forward Dallas 2.0. More than 4,500 petition signatures were presented, and 258 of 283 property owners within 500 ft registered opposition. - Item 27 (Street Name Change): Numerous speakers, including former state representative Helen Giddings, Tom Landry Jr., former council member Casey Thomas, and community leaders, testified in support of renaming the Houston Street Viaduct to Pettis Norman Bridge, citing his civil rights work, NFL career, and community service. No opposition speakers appeared. - Item 9 (Texas Stock Exchange Sign): The applicant and Oak Lawn Committee president spoke in support; one nearby condo owner opposed the sign's placement, requesting a delay for alternative locations. Discussion Items - Item 6 (PD 241 Amendment – Welding School): Staff briefed on a proposal to amend PD 241 to allow a technical school with welding shop on an 8.5-acre vacant site near I-75 and I-20. The applicant sought a PD amendment rather than a CS district. After questions about outdoor storage and screening, the commission approved the PD amendment. - Item 8 (PD 94 Amendment – Vehicle Sales/Service): Staff recommended approval of RR Regional Retail District in lieu of a PD amendment. Vice Chair Herbert offered a substitute motion to approve the PD amendment with additional lighting and fencing conditions, which passed. - Item 9 (Downtown Sign District – Ticker Sign): The applicant requested a new subdistrict to allow a digital display for the Texas Stock Exchange at 2123 N Harwood. The SSDAC recommended a 10 PM shutoff on the Harwood Street portion (vs. 11 PM requested). The commission approved following SSDAC's recommendation. - Item 14 (Preston Royal PD – Z-26-000007): The applicant sought a PD to build up to 240 ft (reduced from 325 ft) on a 7.2-acre site at Preston and Royal, including multifamily, hotel, office, and retail. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Extensive debate centered on height, massing, traffic, and compatibility with Forward Dallas 2.0. Commissioner Cox offered a substitute amendment capping height at 75 ft, which failed 13-2. The main motion, as amended by Commissioner Housewright (adding prohibited uses and striking the sign section), passed 11-4. Key Outcomes - Item 1: Approved with amendment (front-yard adjustments). - Items 2-4: Approved individually. - Item 5: Held under advisement to September 17, 2026. - Item 6: Approved (PD 241 amendment). - Item 7: Approved with 5-year SUP expiration. - Item 8: Approved as amended (PD 94 with lighting and fencing conditions). - Item 9: Approved with SSDAC conditions (10 PM shutoff on Harwood). - Items 10 & 11: Held under advisement to August 20, 2026. - Item 12: Approved with 1-year SUP. - Item 13: Held under advisement to September 17, 2026. - Item 14: Approved with modifications (prohibited uses: drive-through bank, drive-through restaurant, motor vehicle fueling station, car wash; sign section struck to default to Article 7). - Items 15-21: Approved. - Items 22-25: Approved. - Item 26: Approved (building line removal and replat). - Item 27: Approved (street name changed to Pettis Norman Bridge). - Items 28-31: Approved. - Appointments to CPC Committees: Not discussed; deferred.

The Dallas City Council met on August 5, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:16 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included special presentations, a voting agenda, a policy briefing on Public Improvement Districts (PIDs), a closed session, and a detailed briefing on a proposed November 2026 bond election. The council also heard public comments on a variety of topics. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes from the June 3, June 10, June 17, and June 17 special called meetings. - Board and Commission Appointments: The council approved a slate of appointments to various boards and commissions, including chair appointments for the Animal Advisory Commission and the Reinvestment Zone 3 Board (Oak Cliff Gateway). Mayor Johnson abstained from the chair votes. - Casting of Lots: The mayor performed a random tie-breaker by selecting a sealed envelope between Mantech (USA) Inc. and HD Supply Inc. dba USABluebook for a laboratory equipment contract. No action required at this time. Public Comments & Testimony - Fluoridation: Linda Newland spoke against water fluoridation, calling it a poison and urging the council to remove it. - City Hall Preservation: Bruce Richardson and Jessica Stewart Lindbey spoke in support of preserving the current City Hall building, arguing it is safe and purpose-designed for emergency operations. They urged the council to reconsider relocation plans. - Law Enforcement Training Facility: Ben Abbott urged the council to approve final funding for the Dallas Law Enforcement Training Facility at UNT Dallas, noting an $82 million shortfall. - Police Responsiveness: Natalie Ayres described a lack of police response to calls in her neighborhood (Starks Ave), including incidents with automatic weapons, a shooting, and theft. She pleaded for better police presence. - Horse-Drawn Carriages: Multiple speakers (Gloria Carpa Hall, Jody Whitaker, others) called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages, citing safety risks to both humans and horses. They referenced recent accidents and urged proactive action. - Data Centers: Maya Hennessy opposed the conversion of Dallas Market Center into a data center, citing environmental impacts, grid strain, and water use. - Automated License Plate Readers: Nida Hussein voiced concerns over the expansion of Flock Safety cameras, calling for stricter data retention policies and community oversight. - Derelict Property: Mitchell Voss requested action on a burned-out apartment complex (The Declan) across from his property, asking for condemnation or demolition. - Pension Obligation Bonds: Elizabeth Rage, a former city official, warned against pension obligation bonds, calling them risky and speculative. - Other: Speakers addressed neighborhood pet issues, parking fines, property liens, and political concerns. Discussion Items A. Policy Discussion: Assessing City-Owned Property in Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) Staff presented an analysis of the city's current policy, which only allows city participation in the Downtown Improvement District (DID). Options included maintaining the status quo, amending the policy to allow participation in other PIDs, or ceasing all participation. Key points: - Dallas has 16 PIDs; the city currently pays approximately $1 million annually to the DID (about 7% of DDI’s $13.3 million budget). - Estimated cost of paying into all PIDs would be $430,000 annually, totaling $5 million over 10 years. - Staff recommended Option 1 (no change) due to budget constraints and the self-sufficiency principle. - Councilmembers expressed mixed views: some supported the current policy (Roth, Ridley, Stewart, Moreno, West), others raised equity concerns (Basildua, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Johnson) about low-income communities lacking resources to form PIDs. - Councilmember Basildua argued for a third option – eliminating all city PID payments – and questioned the executive salaries of DDI. Councilmember Mendelssohn opposed any city funding of PIDs, calling it a “voluntary tax on government buildings.” - No formal vote was taken; staff will provide executive salary data for all PIDs by Friday, August 7. B. Proposed November 2026 Bond Election and Impact to 2024 Bond Program Staff presented three propositions: - Prop A: $443 million for public safety (law enforcement training center, public safety training complex, emergency operations/911 center, fire station replacement, property room/crime lab, fleet maintenance). - Prop B: $17 million for city fleet maintenance facility. - Prop C: $500 million in pension obligation bonds (POBs) for the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System. - Total bond authorization: $960 million (with estimated payback of $1.97 billion for Prop C at current rates). Staff emphasized that Prop C would only be issued if market conditions allow a 200-basis-point spread below the pension’s assumed 6.5% return, and after further council approval. Councilmembers debated: - Supporters: Blair, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Johnson, Stewart, Roth, Moreno, and others argued that the public safety facilities are long overdue and that POBs provide a tool to mitigate future pension cost increases. - Opponents: Basildua, Mendelssohn, Willis, Kadena, and others criticized the timing, fiscal discipline, and risk of POBs. They noted that the 2024 bond program would see 39 projects delayed to year six, and that the city is not living within its means. Some called for the public safety package to be split into separate propositions. - Councilmember Willis suggested reducing the POB amount to $250-300 million. Councilmember Roth proposed adding $100 million for City Hall repairs, but that was challenged as inconsistent with a prior decision not to repair the building. - Staff will bring a resolution to call the election on August 12, with early voting starting in late October and election day on November 3. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken on the PID policy or bond election; the council provided direction to staff. - Staff will provide executive salary data for all PIDs by August 7. - The council will consider calling the November 2026 bond election on August 12, with a public hearing scheduled for August 25. - The city manager noted that the proposed budget includes service impacts due to the $50 million gap, and the pension obligation bonds are seen as a planning tool for future relief. - The meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m. after concluding open microphone speakers.

The Dallas City Council convened on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 9:32 AM, with Mayor Eric L. Johnson presiding. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including a major debate on the K. Bailey Hutchison Convention Center expansion and its impact on the Jefferson and Houston viaducts, approval of a significant economic development incentive package for Morgan Stanley, and numerous zoning and land use decisions. The meeting adjourned at 12:48 AM on June 25, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - William Hopkins: Spoke about lead contamination and deaths in West Dallas, alleging city inaction since 1983. He accused the city of failing its residents. - Richard Cox (District 13): Opposed a zoning request at Preston Royal, claiming developers are ignoring the community and that 4,000 petition signers oppose the project. - Rebecca Teresi (District 1): Defended the Dallas Tennis and Education Academy (DTEA) at Keys Tennis Center, urging the council not to transfer management to a for-profit company. - George DeVergis (District 14): Asked for restoration of $2.6 million in library funding and use of proceeds from the Skillman Southwest Library sale. - Dolores Phillips: Criticized City Hall's condition and linked it to past injustices, including a fabricated police report against her father. - Bruce Richardson: Alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency regarding City Hall and the convention center. - Numerous speakers on Item 90: Over 80 individuals spoke on the convention center viaduct issue, with many Oak Cliff residents urging the council to raise the convention center height to preserve viaduct access. Business and hospitality representatives argued against delays, citing job and revenue losses. - Speakers on Item 60: Many community members, including children and parents, testified in support of keeping DTEA at Keys Tennis Center, emphasizing its transformative impact. Discussion Items - Animal Services Announcement: Chairwoman Willis highlighted that Dallas Animal Services has 600 animals in shelter and 1,000 in foster, urging adoptions and fostering. - Special Recognitions: Common Ground Soccer Plaza in Oak Cliff, Hilliard Memorial Golf Course historical marker, and Downtown Dallas Inc.'s work in reconnecting a homeless man with his family. - Consent Agenda: Included numerous items such as a $2.8 million anonymous donation to the Dallas Public Library, traffic studies for Beckley Avenue, replacement of Fire Station 43, and grants for various community projects. Council members highlighted key items before unanimous approval. - Agenda Item 88 (Morgan Stanley Incentives): The council approved a package designating two Neighborhood Empowerment Zones and providing up to $18.5 million in incentives for Morgan Stanley to establish a temporary and permanent regional office, expected to create at least 3,800 jobs with an average wage of $128,000. The vote was 15-0. - Agenda Item 90 (Convention Center Viaduct): After hours of public testimony and council debate, a motion to deny the item (which would have directed the convention center to be raised to its original height to maintain viaduct access) passed 9-6. Subsequently, a motion directing the city manager to engage an independent transportation consultant to explore additional options and conduct community engagement passed 13-2. - Agenda Item 6 (Disability Pride Flag): Approved after debate, with some council members opposing the proliferation of non-government flags. The flag will fly from July 15-31, 2026. - Agenda Item 60 (Tennis Center Contracts): The council divided the question for the four tennis centers. Contracts for Fritz, Samuel Grant, and LB Houston were approved. For Keys Tennis Center, the council voted to reject the proposal and direct staff to restart the procurement process with community input. - Agenda Item 93 (Bond Election): The council voted 9-5 to direct staff to prepare for a November 2026 bond election for public safety facilities and pension obligation bonds. Debate centered on bundling, timing, and community communication. - PH4 (Certificate of Occupancy Enforcement): Approved after discussion, tightening rules to prevent businesses without required permits from operating under a certificate of occupancy. The change aims to improve public safety in entertainment districts. - Zoning Items: Approved conservation district for Stevens Park Village (Z2), a new RV park in District 8 (Z7), temporary concrete batch plant (Z10), street name changes (PH1, PH2), and low-income housing tax credits (PH3). Key Outcomes - Item 88 (Morgan Stanley): Approved 15-0. - Item 90 (Convention Center Viaduct): Motion to deny passed 9-6; subsequent motion for independent transportation consultant passed 13-2. - Item 60 (Tennis Centers): Three centers approved; Keys Tennis Center contract rejected, process to restart. - Item 6 (Disability Pride Flag): Approved. - Item 93 (Bond Election): Approved 9-5 to prepare for November 2026 ballot. - PH4: Approved. - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. - All zoning items: Approved as noted.