Carrollton City Council Meeting: May 20, 2025 Worksession and Regular Meeting

The City of Carrollton City Council held a combined Regular Worksession (5:45 PM) and Regular Meeting (convened at approximately 7:10 PM) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 1945 E. Jackson Road. The worksession featured presentations on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and proposed updates to the Parks and Recreation ordinance (Chapter 133). The regular meeting included a proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week, approval of all consent agenda items (9–21) and four public hearing items (23–26) unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM after a public forum.

Worksession: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan

• The Council received a detailed presentation from Parks Director Scott Whitaker, consultant Philip (Dunaway Associates), and Recreation Manager Heather Smith on the 10-year master plan. Key elements included benchmarking against peer cities, public engagement (surveys, focus groups, events), and prioritized community interests: farmers markets, events, senior programs, pickleball, restrooms in neighborhood parks, trails, and nature areas. Staff noted that the plan confirms the city is on the right track with no major course corrections needed.
• Councilmember Palomo raised concerns that the survey respondent demographics did not fully reflect the city's population and asked whether priorities were skewed toward those who responded. Staff acknowledged the limitation and noted efforts to reach underrepresented groups through multiple languages and outreach events. Councilmember Axberg inquired about the distinction between programming demand (e.g., pickleball leagues) and facility demand (pickleball courts), which was clarified.
• Councilmember Palomo also asked about including lighting and security features in park improvements; staff confirmed these are part of broader technology and safety considerations. Councilmember Carpenter (absent) noted in absentia that the plan aligns with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Worksession: Parks and Recreation Ordinance Updates (Chapter 133)

• Heather Smith presented proposed amendments to Chapter 133, including: revised definitions; relocation of alcohol-use regulations to Chapter 130; formal creation of a Park Permit process; relocation of the Historic Landmark and Historic Designation process from the CZO to Parks and Recreation; and a new Adaptive Sports Accessibility Program (ASAP). The ASAP would waive facility rental fees for qualified 501(c)(3) organizations serving individuals with disabilities, with a deposit and proof of insurance required.
• Councilmembers expressed support for the adaptive sports program and requested that fee waivers be tracked as in-kind contributions for transparency. Smith noted the changes had been reviewed by the Parks Board and the Museum and Historic Advisory Committee.

Council Reports and Information Sharing (Worksession)

• Mayor Pro Tem Fleming reported on his commencement address at Cameron University, the Rotary polio awareness event at Three Nations Brewery, the Lewisville ISD incubator program, and the North Texas Food Bank visit. He also agreed to chair the upcoming Peanut Butter Drive in September.
• Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Axberg congratulated graduates, wished a safe Memorial Day, and noted American Legion flag placements at parks.
• Councilmember Palomo attended a DART special session, the Finance Committee meeting, a Metrocrest Services board meeting (abbreviated), the memorial service for Jim McDaniel, the Police Department's Boots and Bling event, and the TOD committee meeting.
• Councilmember Watters attended the police memorial, the Heritage Festival in Garland, and Public Works Experience Day; she praised staff presentations.
• Councilmember Cline reminded of the Carrollton Wind Symphony's May 30 concert dedicated to Jim McDaniel, the May 22 Chalk the Park event, and National Public Works Week/Flood Awareness Week.
• Councilmember Palacios thanked Jody and public works staff for the engaging Public Works Experience Day and noted the city's AAA bond rating reaffirmation by Fitch.
• Mayor Babick emphasized the importance of public works as first responders and the value of employee motivation.

Consent Calendar (Items 9–21, approved unanimously 7–0)

• Minutes: Approval of May 6, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes (Item 9).
• Contracts & Agreements:
  • Freeit Data Solutions – Backup solution annual support/maintenance renewal ($100,000).
  • 3D Paving & Contracting, LLC – Whitlock Addition Street Reconstruction Phase 2 ($5,519,886).
  • Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc. – Real estate and right-of-way management consulting services ($150,000/yr, 3-year total $450,000).
  • Purchase of two Ford F-250 trucks for Parks ($134,777.72).
  • Purchase of one Ford E-450 Transit van for SWAT ($126,666.10).
  • Purchase of one Ford F-250 truck for Animal Services ($112,984.85).
  • Purchase of one valve maintenance trailer for Public Works ($99,551.00).
  • Amendment with Global Payments Direct, Inc. – Gateway and credit card processing for Municipal Court (3-year renewal $300,000; total contract $550,000).
• Ordinances:
  • Authorization to issue General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025 ($33,000,000) for capital projects (streets, parks, public safety).
  • Amendments to Chapter 133 (Parks and Recreation) – definitions, prohibited activities, alcohol restrictions, park permit process, historic landmark/designation process, and adaptive sports program.
• Resolutions:
  • Accepting Investment Officer's Quarterly Report for second quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Portfolio earnings exceeded $4.8 million).
  • Three-year contract with Southern Petroleum Laboratories, Inc. for industrial pretreatment sampling and analysis ($130,000/yr; $390,000 total).
• Other Business: Item 22 (Community Juneteenth Event) was withdrawn by the applicant.

Public Hearings – Approved Unanimously

• Item 23 – Oncor Substation SUP (PLSUP 2025-044): Approved. A Special Use Permit for an electricity regulating substation on a 9.11-acre lot at the southeast corner of King Arthur Boulevard and Old Denton Road. Stipulations require an 8-foot masonry wall, replat, right-of-way dedication, landscaping (berm, sage, buffalo sod), and a 20-foot buffer where a southern berm is located. Six written comments in opposition were received.
• Item 24 – Fujifilm Planned Development (PLZ 2025-061): Approved. Establishes a Planned Development for a 1.85-acre tract at 1200 W. Jackson Road to allow a canopy encroachment to 11 feet from the front property line along Crowley Drive for worker safety. Stipulations require general conformance to conceptual plans and an Opticom Knox Key on the southern access gate.
• Item 25 – CSO Text Amendments (PLST 2025-004): Approved. City-initiated updates to the Comprehensive Subdivision Ordinance, including clarification of when a plat is deemed complete, a 30-day extension option for applicants, delegation of administrative plat approval to the City Manager/Designee, standardizing title block content, and expanding responsibility for screening and retaining walls to homeowners and property owners associations.
• Item 26 – CZO Text Amendments (PLZT 2024-144): Approved. Major city-initiated amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, including removal of the Heavy Industrial (HI) district (no properties zoned HI), shifting two HI-only uses to LI with an SUP requirement, updating NAICS codes to 2022, removing the Technical Site Plan requirement for drive-through windows, expanding definitions (e.g., adding “Beer & Wine Off-Premise,” “Group Quarters,” “Print Shop,” “Residential Loft,” “Water Storage”), and reorganizing various sections for clarity.

Public Forum

• John Bowser (Past Master, Carrollton Masonic Lodge) introduced the lodge, its history (chartered 1963), and community service work (dental hygiene kits for schools, teacher recognition, scholarships). He stated the lodge is active again after COVID.
• Maxwell Little (Irving resident) criticized DART’s customer service and crime issues, suggested cities partner with Uber/Lyft, and described being suspended from DART’s paratransit system after canceling two rides. He urged accountability for DART executives.
• Kavish Shah (BAPS Charities volunteer) announced the annual BAPS Charities Walk on June 1 at Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco, benefiting the American Legion, and invited the council and public to participate.
• Young Sun (former Mayor Pro Tem) thanked the staff and doctors at Carrollton Regional Medical Center for saving his life during two heart attacks two weeks prior, and expressed gratitude for the prayers and support.
• Mr. Vidovich alleged misconduct by the Carrollton Police Department (unlawful beating, detention) and made accusations of fraud against city officials, calling for removal of the city attorney and city manager.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda (Items 9–21) approved 7–0 on a roll-call vote (Councilmember Carpenter absent).
• Public hearing items 23, 24, 25, and 26 each approved unanimously by roll-call vote.
• Proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week (May 18–24, 2025) presented to Public Works staff.
• Councilmember Carpenter was absent for the entire meeting.