Dallas City Council Regular Meeting - June 10, 2026

The Dallas City Council convened on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 9:32 a.m. and recessed multiple times for a special called meeting and closed session, reconvening at 7:54 p.m. The meeting included public testimony on the future of City Hall, approval of a major zoning update for South Dallas, election of officers, and routine business.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda items 2–3, 6–17 (as revised) were approved unanimously, including routine contracts, grants, and minutes from May 27, 2026. Items 4, 5, 9, and 14 were pulled for individual consideration, with item 14 later returned to consent by Councilmember Roth. Item 4 (supplemental contract for convention center) was approved after discussion; item 5 was deferred; item 9 (zoning) was pulled; item 10 (corrected) remained on consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

• City Hall Redevelopment (Morning Session): Former Mayors Ron Kirk and Tom Leppard urged the council to pursue redevelopment of the City Hall site rather than spend an estimated $500–600 million to bring the current building to code. Brad Cheeves (Dallas Regional Chamber) expressed business community support for redevelopment. DuPree Scovell (Woodbine Development) argued the site's highest and best use is not a government office. Duane Caraway (resident) advocated seizing the opportunity. Jamie Schultz criticized the lack of transparency, urgency, and public information. State Representative Benton Jones cited a consultant's report indicating restoration costs could exceed $1 billion over two decades. Roland Parrish and other speakers also addressed the issue. Some speakers, including Mark Scholkoff, urged saving the building.
• Evening Open Microphone Speakers: John Putnam (El Movimiento/DSA) demanded termination of Love Field lease with Atlantic Aviation, investigation of ICE deportation flights (citing 293 flights on pace for 2026), and regular public meetings on aviation. Other speakers addressed horse-drawn carriage bans (Gloria Carbajall, Nicole Micah), police academy funding (Jessica Delaspor, Black Police Association), and general calls for transparency (Abigail Clausen).
• Zoning Public Hearings: On item Z1 (South Dallas Fair Park PD595 amendments), multiple community leaders (Tabitha Wheeler Reagan, Diane Ragsdale, Scotty Smith) spoke in favor, highlighting the community-driven process and need for implementation resources. No opposition speakers appeared.

Discussion Items

• Convention Center Budget (Item 4): Councilmember Mendelson pulled the item to protest lack of transparency on convention center costs. CFO Jack Ireland noted a response was provided in a March 24 Finance Committee presentation. Director Rosa Fleming confirmed the total budget is $3.08 billion (construction) plus $262 million soft costs. The supplemental agreement (up to $8.75M) was approved for job order contracting to maintain the existing convention center during the transition.
• Software Contract (Item 22): Councilmember Mendelson expressed concern over numerous expensive software purchases with insufficient oversight. Councilmember West supported a motion requiring the city manager to provide a comprehensive software plan with license counts and purposes. The motion passed.
• Vehicle Maintenance Facility (Item 23): Councilmember Mendelson moved to reject the contract after Kimley Horn withdrew its proposal. Councilmember Mendelson described deplorable conditions at the Southeast Service Center (sewage, no air conditioning, peeling paint) and argued a better plan is needed. The rejection was approved.
• Zoning Update – South Dallas Fair Park PD595 (Item Z1): Councilmember Basaldua presented the massive rezoning for approximately 3,335.8 acres, the result of over six years of community engagement. The updated planned development district includes design standards for single-family and duplex homes, mixed-use corridors, and a historic destination. The motion to approve included amendments (e.g., deleting liquor store from CMU, permitting agricultural uses by right, allowing hotels with 60+ rooms by right). Councilmember Mendelson questioned the three-year, seven-month processing time; staff defended it as necessary for thoroughness. The item was approved unanimously.
• Election of Officers (Item 26): Councilmembers elected Jesse Moreno as Mayor Pro Tem (10 votes) and Maxie Johnson as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem (11 votes) for a one-year term beginning June 15, 2026.
• Other Items: Items 20 (archery grant), 21 (pool mechanical system), 27 (waterworks bonds) were approved. Item PH1 (alcohol variance) was approved; PH2 (HUD budget) public hearing closed. Zoning item Z7 (handicap group dwelling SUP) was deferred to August 12, 2026, for more community input.

Key Outcomes

• No Formal Vote on City Hall Redevelopment: The council heard extensive public testimony on the future of City Hall but did not take a vote on redevelopment or demolition during this meeting. The special called meeting (briefing item A and closed session items 5 & 6) may have addressed related matters, but no action was reported in open session.
• South Dallas Fair Park Zoning Approved: The largest PD in Dallas (Z1) was approved with amendments, setting new design standards and mixed-use allowances after years of community input.
• Council Officers Elected: Mayor Pro Tem (Jesse Moreno) and Deputy Mayor Pro Tem (Maxie Johnson) were elected for 2026–2027.
• Convention Center Contract Expanded: Supplemental agreement for job order contracting increased by $1.75 million to maintain facilities through 2028–2029.
• Vehicle Maintenance Facility Contract Rejected: Due to withdrawn bid and facility condition concerns, the council rejected the contract for a new vehicle maintenance building.
• Deferrals: Zoning items Z2 and Z6 were deferred; Z7 was deferred for community outreach.