Dallas City Council Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Dallas City Council convened on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM (called to order at 9:20 AM) and adjourned at 5:13 PM, following a busy agenda that included a large consent calendar, several major contract votes, and multiple public hearings. Mayor Eric Johnson presided. The meeting featured significant debate on developer accountability, city spending, and historical street naming.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 2-23) was approved en bloc, minus pulled items. Approved items included grant acceptances for the Internet Crimes Against Children grant ($284,969.84), a decrease in a traffic signal contract ($409,984.00 reduction), membership fees for various coalitions ($1,159,814.00), the annual Investment Policy, and a settlement for a lawsuit ($140,000.00). Items pulled for discussion included the University Hills PFC (Item 5), the Drainage Relief Tunnel (Item 9), traffic signals (Item 11), the furniture master agreement (Item 18), and the aviation janitorial contract (Item 19).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Morning Session: Speakers addressed a wide array of topics. Mike Rollins advocated for honoring Pettis Norman. Richard Cox expressed strong opposition to a proposed 19-story, 240-foot tower at Preston and Royal, calling it excessive. Sandra Hill (District 7) detailed a lack of city services and public safety in the Cedars neighborhood. Liliana Delgado (NARPER) demanded a resolution against ICE shootings and independent investigations. Madison McNair urged the council to prioritize ADA accessibility. Dolores Phillips made extensive claims against the city regarding constitutional rights violations. Anam Manthirum (The Bridge) celebrated the success of their rapid rehousing program, noting they housed 10 people against an 8-person requirement with a 95% retention rate at 12 months.
• Afternoon Session (PH3/Pettis Norman): Over a dozen speakers, including Tom Landry Jr., Brad Sham, Dale Hansen, and Yvette Norman, universally praised Pettis Norman as a football pioneer and civic bridge-builder, urging the council to honor him.
• Other Hearings: Speakers addressed ADA barriers during traffic signal construction, expressed support for a longer-term specific use permit for Club Vivo, and opposed an alcohol variance near Stephen Temple Church.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 (University Hills PFC): Councilmember Mendelssohn led the opposition, criticizing the developer (Hoke Global) for failing to deliver on the New Park and Bank of America Plaza projects. Stephen Shelley (Anchor Capital, the 90% partner) assured the council of his track record. Staff clarified the land remains taxable until the construction loan closes, mitigating risk. The item passed 14-1.
• Item 9 (Drainage Relief Tunnel): Councilmember Mendelssohn questioned the 6-year delay (from 2023 to late 2028/early 2029) on the $212 million project, now 88% complete. Staff stated $19.5 million in liquidated damages had been assessed against the contractor. The supplemental agreement passed.
• Item 11 (Traffic Signals): Councilmember West used the item to highlight the city's failure to maintain ADA access during construction on Jefferson Boulevard. The director of transportation confirmed corrective action was taken and inspection capacity was being increased. The item passed.
• Item 18 (Furniture Master Agreement): Councilmember Mendelssohn moved to defer, expressing distrust that the $11.9 million agreement was unrelated to a potential City Hall move. Staff argued it was merely a price agreement. The motion to defer failed, and the item passed 9-5.
• Item 19 (Aviation Janitorial): The previous contract (Midwest Maintenance) was terminated for failing to meet the living wage. The replacement vendor, UBM Enterprise, was debated due to a defaulted 2014 contract. Councilmember Gracie pushed for accountability for poor performers. The contract was ultimately approved, with staff tasked to review historic performance.
• Item 24 (Youth Commission Appointments): A waiver was required for two nominees who did not reside in their appointing councilmember's district. Councilmember Mendelssohn criticized the error and the process. The waiver passed 12-3.
• Item 30 (Commercial Paper): Councilmember Mendelssohn sought to reduce the program from $350 million to $100 million, calling it an unnecessary credit card. Councilmember West proposed $250 million. Both amendments failed. Councilmember Gracy argued it provided vital flexibility for the 2024 bond program. The item passed 11-3.
• Z1 (Preston/Royal PD): Deferred to November 10, 2026, to allow for continued negotiations on a good neighbor agreement regarding the proposed 240-foot tower.
• PH3 & PH4 (Pettis Norman): The ceremonial street topper request (PH3) was approved unanimously (15-0). Immediately following, the ordinance to officially rename the Houston Street Bridge to "Pettis Norman Bridge" (PH4) was brought up. A motion was made to deny the name change. The motion passed, killing the official renaming while the ceremonial topper was adopted.
• PH5 (Exchange Place): Councilmember Moreno held the item under advisement until October 28. Councilmember Basildua strongly opposed the partial street renaming, arguing it was a pretext to avoid renaming the entire street which honors a Confederate figure. He stated he could not support the change without a comprehensive plan.
• PH7 (Alcohol Variance): Councilmember Cadena made a motion to deny the variance for a restaurant near Stephen Temple Church, citing significant community opposition. The motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5 (University Hills PFC): Approved (14-1). The 75-year lease for the mixed-income development was authorized.
• Item 4 (Jail Payments): Approved. Total payment was reduced from the requested $9,323,285 to $8,500,000, with a goal of returning to council with a full briefing on the contract and performance metrics by end of January 2027.
• Item 18 (Furniture Agreement): Approved (9-5). Five-year master agreement for furniture and flooring established.
• Item 30 (Commercial Paper): Approved (11-3). $350 million program for the 2024 bond program was authorized.
• Item 19 (Aviation Janitorial): Approved. UBM Enterprise contracted to replace Midwest Maintenance at Love Field.
• PH3 (Pettis Norman Topper): Approved (15-0). Request for a ceremonial street topper was granted.
• PH4 (Pettis Norman Bridge): Denied. The motion to deny the official name change ordinance was approved.
• PH5 (Exchange Place): Held under advisement until October 28, 2026.
• PH7 (Alcohol Variance): Denied. Variance for alcohol spacing near the church was not granted.
• Z1 (Preston/Royal): Deferred to November 10, 2026.