Dallas City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

The Dallas City Council convened on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 9:26 AM in Council Chambers, with Mayor Eric L. Johnson presiding and a quorum present. The meeting included opening remarks, a prayer by Councilmember Gracie, a special presentation honoring South Oak Cliff High School Principal Dr. Willie Fred Johnson for achieving an A-rated campus from an F, and public comments. The council addressed a consent agenda, several pulled items, zoning cases, and public hearings. Notable discussions centered on affordable housing, the living wage policy, sports event subsidies, IT contracts, and tax increment financing. The meeting adjourned at 3:11 PM after a closed session.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2-5, 8, 10, 11, 13-20, 23-31, and 33 were adopted unanimously as the consent agenda. These included routine approvals such as grant acceptances, contract awards, property sales, and ordinance amendments.
• Items pulled for individual consideration: 6, 7, 9, 12, 21, 22, 32, and 34.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chloe Charles urged the council to fund Flock cameras, expressing distrust in police and warning of civil liberties risks.
• Ron Segal discussed immigration policy, blaming Republican administrations for Central American migration.
• Laura Green (District 13) opposed the Preston Royal development, citing a petition with over 4,800 signatures and 91% opposition from blue-card voters, citing loss of morning sun and inadequate setback.
• Ramaya Ross called for a full investigation into the death of Daniel Irvin, an 18-year-old Black swimmer, questioning the official accidental drowning ruling.
• Dolores Phillips (on agenda item 35) raised concerns about board and commission duties, alleging misconduct by police and the city.
• Anam Mantharin (Bridge Homeless Recovery Center) and Christina Cavalier (Salvation Army) spoke in support of agenda item 8, reporting that they had exceeded performance goals by 200-300% in sheltering and housing unhoused individuals.
• Marcus Wood and David Carranza (both on agenda item 16) urged the council to ensure the Hickory Creek floodplain study leads to actual improvements, noting historic underinvestment in the Cleaburg area (0.17% of 2006 bond, 0.20% of 2012, 0.43% of 2017, 1.54% of 2024) and a 2022 incident where residents required rescue.
• Jethro Washington, John Mallian, Arash Farasat, Rosemary Kurtz, Stephanie Drenka, Jessica Linvey, Ari Starostin, Anita Nunez, Maria Garza, Liz Mendoza, Brenda Gurumorthy (16 speakers total on item 36) opposed changes to the living wage policy, arguing it would harm low-wage workers and that savings were minimal compared to moral costs. Some identified as union members or socialists.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Item 6 (Greenleaf Ventures – Lake June development): Councilmember Mendelssohn expressed concerns about reducing total homes from 125 to 95 while increasing affordable units from 20% to 30% (25 to 29 units), questioning the city's per-unit ARPA contribution rising from $14,834 to $19,518. Staff explained the change was due to Dallas County acquiring half the site for a government center. Mendelssohn voted no; the item passed with one dissent.
• Agenda Item 7 (Trinity West PFC – 136 mixed-income units): Councilmember Mendelssohn opposed, arguing the city had approved every PFC and was eroding the tax base. Councilmember Cadena supported the project as needed for West Dallas. The item passed with one dissent.
• Agenda Item 9 (State Fair Classic football game subsidy): The council debated increasing the city's annual payment from $150,000 (total) to $500,000 ($250,000 per school) for Grambling State and Prairie View A&M. Councilmember Mendelssohn questioned the 233% increase and lack of justification. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Johnson and others noted the game's economic impact ($11.3 million in 2025) and equity compared to the Texas-OU game ($1 million). Councilmember Blair criticized the city for failing to pay the 2025 game on time. The item passed with two dissents (Mendelssohn, Ridley).
• Agenda Item 12 (City Store lease): Councilmember Mendelssohn opposed, arguing the city could outsource surplus disposal rather than lease space. The item passed with three dissents (Mendelssohn, Ridley, Roth).
• Agenda Item 21 (IT hardware purchase – $9.3 million): Councilmember Mendelssohn questioned the cost per unit (~$4,600) and spending history. Councilmember Ridley criticized the expense. The item passed with four dissents (Mendelssohn, Roth, Blackman, Ridley).
• Agenda Item 22 (911 system upgrade – $10.35 million): Councilmember Mendelssohn expressed concern that the contract had expired three months prior. Staff explained it was in a grace period with AT&T. The item passed.
• Agenda Item 32 (DFW Hyatt Regency purchase – $193.65 million): Councilmember Blackman asked about revenue sharing, but airport officials cited federal restrictions. Councilmember Ridley inquired about the business case. The item passed.
• Agenda Item 34 (DFW Airport code of rules): Deferred to September 23 due to improper noticing.
• Agenda Item 36 (Living Wage Policy amendment): After extensive public testimony and debate, Councilmember West offered a substitute motion to freeze the rate at $23.06 (instead of increasing to $23.31), raise the applicability threshold to contracts over $300,000, limit to competitively solicited labor-intensive service contracts, standardize contract term to 3 years + 2 one-year renewals, and require review every two years. Councilmember Roth moved to raise the threshold to $1 million, which was defeated 1-13. The main substitute motion passed with two dissents (Roth, Mendelssohn).
• Zoning and Public Hearings:
  • Z2 remanded to City Plan Commission by request of Mayor Pro Tem.
  • Z5 deferred to September 23.
  • Z6 held under advisement until October 7 for environmental review.
  • Z15 deferred to September 23 for boundary discussions.
  • PH1 deferred to a future public hearing for ceremonial street naming.
  • PH2 (West Davis Senior Apartments) and PH3 (West Davis Family Apartments) were approved unanimously, with Councilmember West encouraging three-bedroom units.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Adopted.
• Agenda Item 6: Approved with one no (Mendelssohn).
• Agenda Item 7: Approved with one no (Mendelssohn).
• Agenda Item 9: Approved with two nos (Mendelssohn, Ridley).
• Agenda Item 12: Approved with three nos (Mendelssohn, Ridley, Roth).
• Agenda Item 21: Approved with four nos (Mendelssohn, Roth, Blackman, Ridley).
• Agenda Item 22: Approved.
• Agenda Item 32: Approved.
• Agenda Item 34: Deferred to September 23, 2026.
• Agenda Item 36: Substitute motion approved with two nos (Roth, Mendelssohn). Roth's amendment to raise threshold to $1 million defeated 1-13.
• Z2: Remanded to CPC.
• Z5: Deferred to September 23.
• Z6: Held under advisement to October 7.
• Z15: Deferred to September 23.
• PH1: Deferred to a future public hearing.
• PH2 and PH3: Approved.
• PH4: Approved (re-adoption of youth program standards).
• Appointments: Margaret H. Patterson Pearson appointed to the Commission on Disabilities.
• Closed Session: Held on item 38 (White Rock Boathouse litigation) from 1:38 PM to 2:35 PM.
• Open Microphone: One remaining speaker (Stephanie Ross) spoke on alleged unfair prosecution of former Dallas police officer Melvin Williams.