Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting - May 12, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 12, 2026

BodyCarrollton, Texas

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, May 12, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:26:06

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

3:33

All

Speaker 1

3:33

right, Council.

3:34

We will um start our work session.

3:36

Really, the purpose of our brief meeting here is just to make sure that we all understand the run of show here tonight.

3:42

Uh, what's gonna happen?

3:44

Um, we have a we do have business to conduct, which is to um approve item number seven and eight on our agenda, which is canvassing the results.

3:53

That's our official act.

3:55

Um, we'll also be um giving recognition to Judge Lions for her um fifteen years of service.

4:02

Um

Unassigned speaker

4:03

from

Speaker 1

4:03

there, I think you all have do you all have this uh run a show in front of you?

Speaker 2

4:06

Uh no,

Speaker 1

4:07

no, okay.

4:07

So from there, basically the um it's ceremonial from that point forward, right?

4:12

So we'll start with um unseating Dr.

4:15

Placsi and uh saying some nice remarks about him, giving up a couple presents, bringing his family up, and uh letting him make some remarks as well and uh have some hankies on the side, right?

4:27

Um prepared.

4:29

So it's uh end of a generation there for him.

4:32

Two full terms of six years, so we're appreciational service.

4:36

Um from there we'll then um we'll start the swearing in, which we'll we'll do it in um with you first, you second, Lisa third, and then I'll I'll get sworn in.

4:45

Um, I'll be up at the dice by then, and in the same order, we'll allow remarks.

4:51

Um, as you know, do whatever you need to do, say whatever you need to say.

4:56

Um thank whoever you need to think.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

And uh and then from there we will um uh I'll I'll make a few remarks and we'll close out the meeting and we'll invite everyone for reception.

Speaker 1

5:06

Prior to the start of the meeting, um we we do have some visitors from um from the R alternative Mariachi um or

Unassigned speaker

5:15

like

Speaker 3

5:15

that's number middle school

Speaker 1

5:18

mariachi.

5:18

Um they will be performing in somewhat of an honorary transition for Dr.

5:23

Palacios leaving council, going in, you know, with his service to the school district.

5:27

So we're gonna do that prior to the gavel into the meeting, but it it will be telecast and so forth.

5:32

So we'll turn the cameras on and uh about ten, fifteen minutes of their performance, and then we'll start our ceremony.

Speaker 4

5:39

Okay.

Speaker 1

5:39

Um and we'll from there we'll gavel in.

5:41

We'll allow uh Palacios to um kind of be the center of attention to be the um the pledge, the invocation, um, and then the motions um would be my suggestion.

5:52

Whoever makes the second is fine, right?

5:54

Um any uh any questions for the canvassing is what you're conversing.

6:01

Yeah.

Speaker 2

6:02

Um I just want to make a note that the items in front of you tonight for the canvassing are updated accumulative numbers based on the final results from the three counties.

6:12

So we will be um approving both items as amended tonight with updated numbers.

6:18

And um, even though that these numbers haven't been um published in the agenda packet because we didn't have them until today, we will be posting the full ordinances with all updated numbers on our city of Carrollton dot com forward slash elections website tomorrow for the public's viewing.

Unassigned speaker

6:35

Okay.

Speaker 1

6:37

Um so uh Palacios, you'll make the motion as amended.

Speaker 5

6:41

Okay.

Speaker 1

6:42

And uh the second accordingly.

6:44

Um Let's see.

Unassigned speaker

6:46

I think that's uh about all we do have a public comment period.

Speaker 1

6:49

It says in comment.

6:49

We'll uh we'll open that up before the before we uh take items seven and eight in consideration.

6:55

That's the only topic for consider for discussion.

6:58

So it's not a public forum.

6:59

No public tonight.

7:01

Um questions.

Unassigned speaker

7:06

Okay.

Speaker 1

7:06

With that, uh, we will close our work session.

7:10

Uh we will be at the dais right at uh the top of the hour, seven PM, and the mariachis will start.

7:15

Thanks so much.

10:25

This is a a wonderful ceremony tonight.

10:28

We're pleased to have Polk uh Mariachi Band to lead us off as we always do with all of our uh meetings, however, um as we call ourselves to order, we will lead with uh invocation, led by Dr.

10:40

Andrew Palacios, uh, our outgoing council member.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████91%

Economic Development███6%

Engineering And Infrastructure█2%

Public Safety█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Carrollton City Council Regular Worksession & Meeting

Date: May 12, 2026 | Time: 6:45 PM (Worksession), 7:00 PM (Regular Meeting) | Location: City Hall, 2nd Floor, Carrollton, TX

The City Council convened for a worksession and regular meeting on May 12, 2026, to canvass the results of the May 2, 2026 General and Bond Elections, honor outgoing Councilmember Dr. Andrew Palacios, and swear in newly elected officials. The meeting began with a pre-meeting/executive session for legal consultation, followed by a worksession discussion. The regular meeting opened with performances by the Polk Mariachi Band, an invocation led by Councilmember Palacios, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by a Scout troop. A moment of silence was observed for the Korean community. The meeting featured recognition of Municipal Judge Meredith Lyon for 15 years of service, ceremonial transition of council seats, and remarks from all elected officials.

Consent Calendar

Item 7 (as amended): Ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the May 2, 2026 Carrollton Bond Election. All five bond propositions (A through E) were passed by voters. Proposition A: $164,500,000 for street improvements; Proposition B: $32,345,000 for public safety facilities; Proposition C: $26,530,000 for parks and recreation; Proposition D: $7,850,000 for municipal court facilities; Proposition E: $3,775,000 for library facilities. The agenda packet did not contain final vote tallies due to late receipt from the three counties; updated numbers were posted on the city website the following day.
Item 8 (as amended): Ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the May 2, 2026 General Election for Mayor and Council Places 2, 4, and 6. The following candidates received a majority of the 6,873 ballots cast and were declared elected: Steve Babick (Mayor) – 6,423 votes (93.45%); Jason Carpenter (Place 2) – 5,560 votes (100%); Lisa Sutter (Place 4) – 3,727 votes (54.23%); Daisy Palomo (Place 6) – 5,605 votes (100%). No runoff was required. Ward returns from Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties were attached as exhibits.

Public Comments & Testimony

No members of the public approached the podium during the Citizen Comment period. No cards were pre-registered.

Discussion Items

Pre-Meeting / Worksession (6:45 PM): The Council discussed the run of show for the evening, including the order of recognition, unseating of Dr. Palacios, swearing-in ceremonies, and the performance by the Polk Middle School Mariachi band. City staff noted that the bond and election canvass numbers were updated based on final county results and would be posted on the city website the next day. No public testimony was anticipated.
Executive Session: The Council convened in closed session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to consult with the City Attorney regarding pending litigation and matters on the agenda. No action was reported upon reconvening.
Presentation to Judge Meredith Lyon: Mayor Babick presented a 15-year service challenge coin to Municipal Judge Meredith Lyon, recognizing her as the third most senior judge among 14 benchmark cities, with efficient docket management (cases heard within 30-60 days), supervision of warrants roundups, and having administered oaths to over 40 elected officials including three mayors.
Ceremonial Acknowledgment of Outgoing Councilmember Dr. Andrew Palacios: Mayor Babick and Denton County Commissioner Kevin Falconer paid tribute to Dr. Palacios for his two terms (May 2020 – May 2026) of service. Remarks highlighted his contributions to Vision 2040, master plans, infrastructure, bond elections, and his ability to build consensus. Dr. Palacios delivered lengthy remarks thanking his family, faith, staff, and supporters, noting that he served as the youngest council member and now the most senior. He recounted accomplishments including the triple-A bond rating, lowered tax rates, passage of bonds, and new fire stations. He also acknowledged incoming Councilmember Lisa Sutter.
Swearing-In of Elected Officials:
- Jason Carpenter (Place 2): Sworn into his second term by Judge Lyon.
- Daisy Palomo (Place 6): Sworn into her second and final term by Judge Lyon.
- Lisa Sutter (Place4): Sworn into office (returning to council after previous service) by Judge Lyon.
- Stev e Babick (Mayor): Sworn into his next term by Judge Lyon.
Remarks by Newly Sworn Officials: Each official delivered remarks thanking family, supporters, and staff,and outlining priorities:
- Councilor Carpenter: Emphasized continued low crime rates, strong police/fire services, tax rate reductions, and accountability.
- Councilor Palomo: Highlighted her commitment to infrastructure, public safety, affordability, and family-friendly policies in her final term.
- Councilor Sutter: Thanked her grassroots campaign team and pledged to work on transparency, economic development, and police/fire coverage.
- Mayor Babick: Provided a comprehensive vision including executing master plans (Vision 2040, downtown, parks), continuing infrastructure investment of $100 million per year, maintaining triple-A bond rating, focusing on public safety (four new fire stations), and economic development (citing relocations of Penney Mac, Fisher Investments, Buzzball, Reynolds, Union Defense, AER manufacturing; over 5,000 jobs added in three years). He also noted the city’s 250th anniversary of the nation and called for unity.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda Items 7 and 8 were approved unanimously as amended (motion by Councilmember Palacios, second by Mayor Pro Tem Axberg). The results of the May 2, 2026 Bond Election and General Election were canvassed and declared.
Dr. Andrew Palacios was recognized for his six years of service (two terms) and stepped down due to term limits.
Four elected officials were sworn in: Steve Babick (Mayor), Jason Carpenter (Place 2), Daisy Palomo (Place 6), and Lisa Sutter (Place 4).
The City Council posted the final canvassed numbers on the city website the day after the meeting.
The meeting concluded with a reception in the lobby.

Meeting Transcript

All right, Council. We will um start our work session. Really, the purpose of our brief meeting here is just to make sure that we all understand the run of show here tonight. Uh, what's gonna happen? Um, we have a we do have business to conduct, which is to um approve item number seven and eight on our agenda, which is canvassing the results. That's our official act. Um, we'll also be um giving recognition to Judge Lions for her um fifteen years of service. Um from there, I think you all have do you all have this uh run a show in front of you? Uh no, no, okay. So from there, basically the um it's ceremonial from that point forward, right? So we'll start with um unseating Dr. Placsi and uh saying some nice remarks about him, giving up a couple presents, bringing his family up, and uh letting him make some remarks as well and uh have some hankies on the side, right? Um prepared. So it's uh end of a generation there for him. Two full terms of six years, so we're appreciational service. Um from there we'll then um we'll start the swearing in, which we'll we'll do it in um with you first, you second, Lisa third, and then I'll I'll get sworn in. Um, I'll be up at the dice by then, and in the same order, we'll allow remarks. Um, as you know, do whatever you need to do, say whatever you need to say. Um thank whoever you need to think. And uh and then from there we will um uh I'll I'll make a few remarks and we'll close out the meeting and we'll invite everyone for reception. Prior to the start of the meeting, um we we do have some visitors from um from the R alternative Mariachi um or like that's number middle school mariachi. Um they will be performing in somewhat of an honorary transition for Dr. Palacios leaving council, going in, you know, with his service to the school district. So we're gonna do that prior to the gavel into the meeting, but it it will be telecast and so forth. So we'll turn the cameras on and uh about ten, fifteen minutes of their performance, and then we'll start our ceremony. Okay. Um and we'll from there we'll gavel in. We'll allow uh Palacios to um kind of be the center of attention to be the um the pledge, the invocation, um, and then the motions um would be my suggestion. Whoever makes the second is fine, right? Um any uh any questions for the canvassing is what you're conversing. Yeah. Um I just want to make a note that the items in front of you tonight for the canvassing are updated accumulative numbers based on the final results from the three counties. So we will be um approving both items as amended tonight with updated numbers. And um, even though that these numbers haven't been um published in the agenda packet because we didn't have them until today, we will be posting the full ordinances with all updated numbers on our city of Carrollton dot com forward slash elections website tomorrow for the public's viewing. Okay. Um so uh Palacios, you'll make the motion as amended. Okay. And uh the second accordingly. Um Let's see. I think that's uh about all we do have a public comment period. It says in comment. We'll uh we'll open that up before the before we uh take items seven and eight in consideration. That's the only topic for consider for discussion.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com