Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting — May 16, 2023

The Carrollton City Council convened a brief worksession at 6:15 PM followed by its regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Carrollton City Hall (2nd Floor). The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, including an ordinance canvassing the May 6, 2023 general election results (approved as amended with updated county totals), proclaimed National Police Week (May 14–20), honored outgoing councilmembers Adam Polter and Young Sung, and administered oaths of office to newly elected and re-elected officials: Jason Carpenter (Place 2), Daisy Palomo (Place 6), Andrew Palacios (Place 4), and Mayor Steve Babick. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the regular meeting minutes of April 4, 2023, and April 18, 2023.
• Authorized the City Manager to purchase CityView software licensing and maintenance from Harris Computer Systems in the amount of $103,228.95, for a two-year amount not to exceed $216,780.80 (including a 10% contingency for potential inflationary increases in 2024). The software supports Code Enforcement, Building Inspection, Community Development, and Environmental Quality operations.
• Approved RFP #23-020 for Parks fertilizer supplies from various vendors (BWI Companies primary for items 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8; Helena Agri Enterprises primary for items 4, 5, 7, and 9) at $90,000 annually, for a total three-year contract value not to exceed $270,000. Five vendors responded.
• Approved RFP #23-019 for Parks plant protection chemicals from Helena Agri Enterprises, LLC at $90,000 annually, for a total three-year contract value not to exceed $270,000. Three vendors responded; staff stated Helena was selected as the primary vendor for having the lowest overall cost per item, although the bid tabulation shows Heritage Professional Products’ response total ($498,956.56) below Helena’s ($679,288.50).
• Accepted the Investment Officer’s Quarterly Report for the second quarter ended March 31, 2023, fulfilling the Public Funds Investment Act (Chapter 2256, Texas Government Code).
• Authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract renewal with Freedom Commercial Services, LLC for mowing and code violation abatement services through an interlocal agreement with the City of Lewisville, in an amount not to exceed $83,029.
• Adopted the ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the May 6, 2023 general election, as amended with updated Collin, Dallas, and Denton county results. Councilmember Pendleton moved approval of consent items 7–14 with item 14 as amended; Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Cline seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No appearance cards were submitted. Mayor Babick closed the public comment period with no speakers.

Presentations & Ceremonies

• Mayor Babick read a proclamation honoring National Police Week, recognizing the week of May 14–20, remembering fallen Carrollton officer Stephen R. Notham II, and presenting the proclamation to Assistant Chief West and Sergeant Rodriguez.
• The council acknowledged outgoing Councilmember Adam Polter with a street sign, a compiled photo book of his service, and flowers. Polter thanked staff and challenged the new council to ask questions, be brave, and vote in the minority when representing residents requires it, while urging continued cybersecurity vigilance following the 2019 ransomware attack.
• The council acknowledged outgoing Councilmember Young Sung, Carrollton’s first Korean-American elected official, with a street sign, a photo book, and flowers. Sung expressed pride in building a cultural bridge between Korean and non-Korean communities and encouraged residents to begin change at the local government level.
• Former mayor and current Denton County Commissioner Kevin Falconer (rendered “Kevin Faulkner” in previous meeting minutes) administered the State of Texas oath of office to Jason Carpenter (Place 2), Daisy Palomo (Place 6), Andrew Palacios (Place 4), and Mayor Steve Babick.

Discussion Items

• Multiple council members expressed condolences over the May 6 shooting in Allen, Texas, and described attending the funeral at New Song Church in Carrollton. Councilmember Fleming affirmed his belief that weapons designed for war should not be sold on the streets and expressed support for red flag laws; Councilmember Polter cited his military experience and the sight of a small coffin at the funeral; Councilmember Sung thanked the Carrollton Police Department for its support at the service.
• Councilmember Fleming reported attending a fentanyl awareness event with U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot, and Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo, and called for action on the fentanyl crisis.
• Councilmembers reported on community events: Metrocrest Services reopening its food pantry at its new facility (with a future sign request expected), a Wood Lake kayak cleanup on April 29–30 that removed 37 bags of trash, the Parks Department student art show at the Crosby Recreation Center, an Armenian genocide presentation at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, and Metrocrest Leadership program graduations.
• A council member noted a complaint filed with Denton County that the Rosemeade Recreation Center closed five minutes early on election day because a reference clock was set fast, briefly denying some voters; Mayor Babick responded that the city will ensure future election sites abide by posted hours.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items 7–14 passed unanimously (7-0), with item 14 (election canvass) approved as amended.
• Election results canvassed: Steve Babick was re-elected mayor with 4,522 votes (53.21%) over Adam Polter (2,471; 29.08%) and Young Sung (1,505; 17.71%), out of 8,498 ballots cast. Jason Carpenter won Place 2 with 5,076 votes (62.83%) over Eddie Lopez (3,003; 37.17%). Andrew Palacios won Place 4 with 4,666 votes (58.50%) over Brittney Verdell (3,310; 41.50%). Daisy Palomo won Place 6 with 5,087 votes (62.39%) over Mike Dooling (3,067; 37.61%). Note: the ordinance’s tabulation table labels the Carpenter/Lopez contest “Place 1,” while the ordinance’s Section 3 and the swearing-in ceremony identify the seat as Place 2 — a discrepancy in the record.
• Newly sworn officials stated priorities: Palomo emphasized public safety, fentanyl prevention, infrastructure maintenance, continued property tax reduction (noting nine years of declining tax rates), partnership with the school district, and cultural arts programs; Carpenter cited budgets, tax rates, public safety staffing, and infrastructure; Mayor Babick committed to public safety, redevelopment (“Carrollton Renaissance”), infrastructure, diversity, and economic development, noting the city allocated twice the prior year’s amount and three times the 10-year average for infrastructure, and described the Trinity Mills transformation as projected to bring about $17 million per year and 3,500–5,000 jobs.
• Outgoing members offered parting positions: Polter expressed concern that the city may be doing “less with less,” that police staffing is below average for a city of Carrollton’s size, urged the council to stop what he characterized as overspending for developers (citing more than $30 million contemplated for Trinity Mills Station), and called for equitable spending between North and South Carrollton; Sung expressed pride in representing Carrollton’s Korean-American community and urged young people to participate in local government.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM.