Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting - February 18, 2025

The City Council of Carrollton, Texas, convened for a Regular Worksession and Meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The Worksession began at 5:45 PM with updates on the 2025 LIV Golf Dallas tournament, a briefing from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) on proposed school consolidations, a progress report on the Downtown Grain Silo Mural, and discussions on the Rising Star Award nomination and upcoming council meeting dates. The Regular Meeting commenced at 7:10 PM, featuring a proclamation for National FFA Week, a public comment period, approval of a substantial Consent Agenda, and a separate vote on the LIV Golf Events Trust Fund application. A lengthy Public Forum drew significant public testimony opposing the CFBISD school closure plan.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the January 7, 2025, and January 21, 2025, regular meetings. Item 13 (January 21) was pulled and voted on separately due to Councilmember Cline's absence at that meeting; she abstained from the vote.
• Contracts & Agreements: Approved agreements for pre-employment testing (HireRight, LLC, $135,000), City Hall lower level improvements (Gomez Floor Covering, $940,939), illuminated street name signs (Consolidated Traffic Controls, $870,000), street pavement marking services (Road Master Striping, $350,000), concrete slab rehabilitation change order (Rite Jack Concrete Repair, $1,080,000 total), Festival at the Switchyard talent services (Event Production Services, $2,458,000 over four years), mobile anti-vehicle barriers (Meridian Rapid Defense Group, $136,881), arterial street panel replacement change order (HD Way Concrete Service, $7,500,000 total), and emergency repair ratification for the Old Denton water transmission line (Ruts Construction, $95,000).
• Ordinances: Adopted revisions to Chapter 50 of the City Code regulating Solid Waste and Recycling, effective October 1, 2025.
• Resolutions: Passed a resolution naming the new park on LISD property along Plano Parkway, currently under development, as "Tor Hill Park."

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Agenda Items (LIV Golf): Former Councilmember Adam Poulter spoke in opposition to the LIV Golf Events Trust Fund item, specifically questioning the lack of a tangible, city-reviewed economic impact study and expressing concerns over the proposed reimbursement structure, which he characterized as lacking transparency.
• On Non-Agenda Items (Public Forum): A large number of residents addressed the council regarding the CFBISD's proposal to consolidate multiple schools. Speakers strongly opposed the proposed closure of McCoy Elementary School in particular, citing concerns about declining property values, the disruption of the highly regarded LEAP (gifted and talented) program, the impact on special needs students (ABC program), the loss of diverse student populations, and alleged inaccuracies in district data. Speakers also raised concerns about the lack of representation from the McCoy neighborhood on the district's facilities planning advisory committee. Several residents requested the council use its influence to urge the school board to delay or reconsider the vote. One resident separately raised concerns about the potential for the code enforcement complaint process to be weaponized against neighbors.

Discussion Items

• 2025 LIV Golf Dallas Tournament (Worksession Item 4 / Regular Meeting Item 25): Economic Development Manager Chris Szymczyk and James Clark from Outlyr Inc. presented a proposal for the return of the LIV Golf Dallas tournament to Maridoe Golf Club in June 2025. They reported that the 2024 event generated an estimated $38 million in total economic impact, drew over 30,000 attendees, and contributed $35,000 in concession commissions to local volunteer groups. The request was for council authorization to apply for the Texas Events Trust Fund (ETF), agreeing to a local funding match not to exceed $186,716. A key change from the previous year is that the city would be fully reimbursed its local share from the state rebate before the tournament organizers receive any funds. Councilmembers debated the initiative, with Councilmember Fleming expressing concern over the lack of a publicly available economic impact study and a perceived low direct financial benefit to the city. Councilmember Palomo highlighted community benefits, such as funding for local non-profits like LovePacks.
• CFBISD Consolidation Briefing (Worksession Item 5): CFBISD Board President Randy Shackman and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chris Moore briefed the council on the district's recommendation to consolidate four campuses (Central, Furneaux, and McCoy Elementary schools and Long Middle School). The decision was driven by the district having 9,800 empty seats, two consecutive deficit budgets totaling $28 million, and a projected continued enrollment decline. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions regarding the potential impact of vacant school buildings on neighborhood property values, the composition and representation on the district's facilities planning advisory group, and whether new housing developments were factored into enrollment projections. The city council has no authority over the independent school district's decision and committed to forwarding all public and council feedback to the CFBISD Board of Trustees.
• Downtown Grain Silo Mural Update (Worksession Item 6): Lesli Marshall of Articulation Art provided a progress report. The artist Clyde Thompson has been selected to create the mural. The design concept combines historical elements (a steam train) with futuristic imagery (modern DART train) and natural flora. The TOD Committee and Downtown Arts Council are refining the design, with final concept approval anticipated in early March and painting scheduled to begin in April.
• Rising Star Honoree and Council Meeting Dates (Worksession Items 7 & 8): Council selected Annette Reese as the city's nominee for the Metrocrest Chamber Rising Star Award, maintaining the tradition of nominating volunteer board/commission members over city staff. For the July-December 2025 meeting schedule, the council adjusted July meetings to July 8 and July 22 and scheduled the council retreat for July 25-26. Other months' schedules were adopted as proposed.
• Mayor and Council Reports: Councilmembers announced upcoming community events including the State of the City address, TexFest, Arbor Day, Comic Con at the library, and the Citizens Government Academy application deadline. Councilmembers also discussed logistics for the upcoming Texas Legislative Conference trip to Austin.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Item 25 (LIV Golf Events Trust Fund): The resolution to authorize participation in the Texas ETF with a local funding cap of $186,716 was approved by a vote of 6-1. Councilmember Richard Fleming voted in opposition.
• Consent Agenda Approval: The consent agenda (Items 12, 14-24) was approved unanimously by councilmembers present. Item 13 (January 21 Minutes) was approved separately with Councilmember Cline abstaining.
• Nomination for Rising Star Award: Council selected Annette Reese as the 2025 nominee for the Metrocrest Chamber Rising Star Award.
• Meeting Schedule Adopted: The July-December 2025 meeting schedule was adopted with the previously noted adjustments.
• Next Steps on CFBISD School Closures: The City Council formally committed to compiling and forwarding the concerns raised during the Worksession and Public Forum to the CFBISD Board of Trustees for their consideration.