[A. CALL TO ORDER AND CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RESULTING POTENTIAL ACTION: ]
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GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. IT IS 4:30 P.M. MONDAY, AND I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR.
MAYOR PRO TEM CRYSTAL CHISHOLM HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER PERRY PARKER HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER KEN WATERS. COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BYRD.
COUNCIL MEMBER DEBORAH NORTH HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER LETICIA HUGHES.
HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS THOMAS. WE WILL HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA, PLEASE.
YES, MA'AM. WE HAVE. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO SECTION 55 1.07 FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DELIBERATING THE EVALUATION AND DUTIES, INCLUDING FINALIZING THE RESULTS OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE REGARDING THE EVALUATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND CITY SECRETARY, AND DELIBERATE ON ANY ACTION TO BE TAKEN AS A RESULT.
YES, MA'AM. OKAY. MISS MARY BONAPARTE. MISS KIRBY, CAN YOU GET OUR TIMER, PLEASE? GOOD EVENING, MISS BONAPARTE. YOU CAN STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.
GOOD EVENING. WHEN PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON SIGNED THE CIVIL RIGHTS VOTING ACT OF 1964, AND WHEN ADDITIONAL VOTING RIGHTS ACTS WERE ENACTED, VOTERS SHOULD HAVE OVERCOME VOTERS BARRIERS AS GUARANTEED BY THE 15TH AMENDMENT.
YET THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN DESOTO, TEXAS, ON MAY 3RD AND JUNE 7TH.
DESOTO VOTERS WERE NOT GRANTED THOSE RIGHTS BECAUSE OUR CITY SECRETARY FAILED TO PERFORM HER JOB BY ENSURING THAT EACH CANDIDATE WAS QUALIFIED AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE ELECTION LAWS. DUE DILIGENCE WAS NEGLIGENT AND A FEW CANDIDATES DID NOT MEET THE ESTABLISHED REQUIREMENTS.
HER FAILURE TO PROPERLY PERFORM HER JOB DUTY LED TO NEWS REPORTS OF A CANDIDATE BEING INELIGIBLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY LEGAL CHALLENGES. A COMPLETE AND UTTER MESS FOR THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM THAT NOBODY HAS DARED TALKED ABOUT.
THE CITY SECRETARY'S ACTIONS CREATED CONFUSION AMONG VOTERS, WHICH LED TO PUBLIC MISTRUST.
WHETHER HER ACTIONS WERE DELIBERATE OR IN ERROR, THEY WERE EGREGIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE OVER 1800 VOTES TO BE IN VAIN, AND VOTERS TO NOW DOUBT THE ELECTION PROCESS.
IN ADDITION, THIS IS THE SAME EMPLOYEE WHO IN THE PAST HAS BEEN IN VIOLATION OF MEETING MINUTES, AS WELL AS OTHER SKILL SET DISCREPANCIES. SEES AS A GOVERNMENTAL BODY.
THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL CARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK? THANK YOU. SO AT THIS TIME IT IS 4:33 P.M.. WE WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I'M MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR AND
[B. REGULAR SESSION AGENDA - CALL TO ORDER]
I WANT TO CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER. WE DID HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION PRIOR TO THIS, AND WE ENDED AT 6:01 P.M..AND WE HAD NO ACTION AS A RESULT OF THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION.
SO AT THIS TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK I'M GOING TO ASK OUR CITY SECRETARY TO CONDUCT A ROLL CALL, PLEASE. YES, MA'AM. MAYOR RACHEL PROCTOR HERE, MAYOR PRO TEM CRYSTAL CHISHOLM HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER. COUNCIL MEMBER KEN WATERS HERE.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDRE BYRD. COUNCIL MEMBER DEBORAH NORTH.
HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER LATISHA HUGHES HERE. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
AND WE DID OFFICIALLY CALL OUR REGULAR SESSION TO ORDER AT 6:05 P.M.
FOR THE RECORD. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
YES, MA'AM. FIRST OF ALL, HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY PASTOR RODNEY SINGLETON WITH THE CHRIST POINT COMMUNITY CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER DEBORAH NORTH.
THANK YOU. WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEADS WITH ME, PLEASE? DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY, THE BLESSING OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT, OUR PRAYER AND OUR HEART DESIRES THAT THEY MAY INTERTWINED IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES WEALTH, HEALTH.
HOPE AND FAITH. WE THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND THOSE WHO SERVE WITH INTEGRITY, THOSE WHO SERVE WITH WISDOM, AND THOSE WHO CARE FOR THIS FIRST CITY OF DESOTO.
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WE ASKED OF YOUR DIVINE GUIDANCE, LORD, THAT YOU MIGHT ENABLE US TO CONTINUE TO TRUST OUR LEADERS.THEY WILL MAKE DECISIONS THAT PROMOTE THE FAIRNESS, UNITY, AND ADVANCEMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
LORD, MAY THE FUTURE SUCCESS BRING GLORY AND HONOR TO YOUR NAME.
AMEN. I WANT TO SAY TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I THANK LIKE TO SEE THE MONEY UNDER GOD. ONE.
AMEN. THANK YOU, PASTOR SINGLETON, FOR LEADING US IN PRAYER.
AND THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN, FOR LEADING US IN OUR PLEDGES THIS EVENING.
AT THIS TIME, MISS THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, PLEASE.
[C. PRESENTATIONS]
YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE'LL HAVE OUR PRESENTATION, A PROCLAMATION HONORING PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH.MAKING THE PRESENTATION IS COUNCIL MEMBER LETICIA HUGHES.
RECEIVING IS PARKS DIRECTOR CHRIS GLOVER AND PARK BOARD VICE CHAIR ALTHEA SATTERFIELD WHITE.
THANK YOU IT LOOKS LIKE YELLOW OR YELLOW. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.
AND IN 2009, THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED THE MONTH TO RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE. AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE FABRIC OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING SAFE, ACCESSIBLE SPACES THAT FOSTER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, MENTAL WELLNESS AND SOCIAL CONNECTION. AND WHEREAS, VIBRANT PARK SYSTEMS CONTRIBUTE TO A STRONGER LOCAL ECONOMY BY INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES, ATTRACTING TOURISM, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES, AND PROMOTING SAFER, MORE LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. AND WHEREAS ACCESS TO GREEN SPACES AND NATURE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BOOST COGNITIVE FUNCTION, REDUCE STRESS AND IMPROVE OVERALL EMOTIONAL HEALTH, CONTRIBUTING TO POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTING POSITIVELY TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, INCLUDING THOSE MANAGING CONDITIONS SUCH AS ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND COGNITIVE DECLINE.
AND WHEREAS, THE CITY'S PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORTS, FITNESS AND OUTDOOR EXPLORATION, ENCOURAGING ACTIVE LIVING AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BONDS.
AND WHEREAS, DESOTO PARKS AND RECREATION ALSO PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, OFFERING ENRICHING, ENRICHING PROGRAMS SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS.
SUMMER CAMPS, SPORTS LEAGUES AND NUTRITION SERVICES THAT NURTURE FUTURE LEADERS.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RACHEL L PROCTOR, BY THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, DALLAS COUNTY, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 2025 PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO TO BE AFFIXED.
EXCUSE ME. THE 15TH DAY OF JULY, 2025. RACHEL L PROCTOR, MAYOR ATTEST.
ALICIA THOMAS, CITY SECRETARY. LET'S GIVE HIM A HAND.
WOULD YOU? PLEASE DO SOMETHING? OKAY. SHE SAID SOMEBODY, SO I'LL JUMP UP.
FIRST OF ALL, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNITION.
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ALONG WITH WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE TO MY RIGHT AS OUR, OUR OUR DEPUTY, NOT DEPUTY, BUT YOU'RE ACTUALLY OUR ASSISTANT.JUST WORKING. SHE SHE'S JUST WORKING. SHE'S ON OUR PARK BOARD.
SO IF YOU'RE WITH OUR PARK BOARD AND YOU'RE HERE, WOULD YOU STAND UP AND WAVE AT EVERYONE AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE? I SEE PAUL IN THE AUDIENCE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF OUR PARTNERS THAT ARE IN THE BUILDING.
YOU SEE YOUR REVOLUTION PREMIER SOCCER GROUP.
SO IF YOU ALL WOULD STAND UP, I SEE JUSTIN WITH BMX.
IF YOU WOULD ALSO STAND UP AND BE RECOGNIZED, PLEASE.
CHRIS, STAND UP. WAVE AT EVERYBODY TO SEE YOU.
THANK YOU. AND IF I'M MISSING ANYONE ELSE, I'LL.
SOCCER. WE HAVE OUR YOUTH SOCCER NOW. STAND UP.
I DON'T SEE YOU. WAVE YOUR HAND. YEAH. STAND UP AND SEE WHO YOU ARE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. AND THEN. AND THEN MY TEAM.
THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING COUNTLESS HOURS, WEEKENDS HOLIDAYS AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS, I TELL YOU, THEIR COMMITMENT TO, TO MAKING AN IMPACT IN THIS COMMUNITY ON OUR PHYSICAL AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THE THINGS THAT THEY DO IS JUST REALLY UNBELIEVABLE.
SO IF YOU'RE HERE AND YOU ARE ON MY TEAM, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND SO EVERYONE CAN SEE YOU AS WELL? PLEASE. AWESOME. AND WE HAVE OUR POOL PEOPLE IN HERE.
I AM JUST OVERWHELMED TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE LIKE THIS.
AND NOW I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN ALL GET IN HERE FOR A PICTURE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY.
YOU'RE GOING TO SAY SOMETHING TOO. OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION, MAYOR PROCTOR, AND ALSO PRIMARILY FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF AND TEAM.
I HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, AND TO SEE THE GROWTH AND THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.
AND THE MORE YOU GUYS CAN COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES THAT THE BOARD AND THE PARK RECREATION THEY HAVE, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU THERE. I HOPE THAT YOU FILLED OUT YOUR SURVEY.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM, I SALUTE EVERY ONE OF THE STAFF.
IF ONE OF THE TEAM MEMBERS ON DOWN TO THE PEOPLE WHO CLEAN THE POOLS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. YEAH, YEAH. IF Y'ALL ARE PAUL, OUR POSSE.
COME ON OUT. WE DON'T GET TO DO THIS VERY OFTEN, SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET US A QUICK PICTURE IN REALLY QUICK, PLEASE. WE'LL DO THAT. NO, NO, THAT'S THAT'S EVERYONE.
YEAH. WE'RE GOING TO GET EVERYONE THAT'S HERE. JUSTIN. COME ON JUSTIN. SEE YOU LOOKING AROUND. COME ON UP. JUSTIN. AND YOU ARE IN THE FRONT. 0000. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT THAT MEANT.
YEAH, WE GOT IT. ALL RIGHT, COME ON. WE OKAY? THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES, FOR PRESENTING THAT.
AND THANK YOU TO THE PARKS BOARD. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS WHO HAVE MADE THIS PHOTO AS GREAT AS IT CAN BE, AND WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP AT THIS TIME, AS THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.
[D. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]
YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE MOVE ON TO OUR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.0415.THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS EXPRESSION OF THANKS, CONGRATULATIONS,
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OR CONDOLENCES. INFORMATION ABOUT HOLIDAY SCHEDULES.RECOGNITION OF INDIVIDUALS. REMINDERS ABOUT UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL EVENTS.
INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS INVOLVING IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AS WELL AS ANY LIAISON UPDATES. THANK YOU. COUNCIL.
ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES. COUNCIL MEMBER. PARKER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
AND HELLO, DESOTO. HELLO. IT LOOKS GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS TONIGHT.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS AND THEY DID SUCH A FABULOUS JOB.
SO THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE LIBRARY TEAM. GREATEST LIAISON.
I LOVE BEING PART OF THAT LIBRARY TEAM. WE HAVE TWO EVENTS.
YOU GUYS HAVE OTHER SESSIONS WITH THE CITY. WE WILL BE AT THE END.
AND THAT BUDGET TALK IS ON AUGUST 1ST AND IT WILL BE VIRTUAL.
AND HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN COME OUT WITH YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, THOUGHTS, CONCERNS SO THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE 2026 BUDGET FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, BECAUSE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE FROM THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE. IT'S ON THE WEBSITE.
IT'S SCROLLING AROUND THE CITY. AND THEN THE OTHER ITEM IS ON THURSDAY, JULY 31ST.
I HAVE ACTUALLY SPOKEN WITH KENNETH GOVAN, WHO IS A PART OF ENCORE.
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER LINES AND THE TREES.
AND THIS IS A BIG THING THAT WENT ON FACEBOOK.
EVERYBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THEIR TREES WERE ROLLING INTO THE POWER LINES AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO'S RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? WELL, I'M GOING TO HAVE THE MAN HIMSELF ON THE PHONE.
IT'S ANOTHER ANOTHER VIRTUAL CALL. AND YOU GUYS CAN PICK THAT UP THAT THAT FLIER WILL BE POSTED SOON, AND THEN YOU CAN COME OUT AND GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED WHERE IT PERTAINS TO WHO'S RESPONSIBILITY IS IT? AND I HOPE TO HAVE THE CITY AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU. AND I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THREE QUICK ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.
ON JULY 26TH. SHOWTIME AT 7 P.M.. RIGHT HERE AT THE DESOTO CORNER THEATER.
THEY WILL BE HOSTING THE PLAY. BROUGHT TO US BY DEMARCUS BAILEY.
WHEN THE TABLES TURN. THAT'S A STAGE PLAY AND IT SHOULD BE GREAT.
IT'S GOING TO BE $35 PRESALE $45 AT THE DOOR ON AUGUST 5TH.
AT THE SENIOR CENTER AT 204 LION STREET. PLEASE COME OUT.
Y'ALL, THEY HAVE SUCH AN AMAZING CHOIR. THEY WILL MAKE YOU WANT TO JOIN THEM. AND THEN FINALLY, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. THE SEVENTH ANNUAL EVENT ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 22ND.
THAT IS OUR MATURE ADULT PROM NIGHT. MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
AND THAT WILL BE FROM 6 TO 9 P.M. HERE AT THE DESOTO CIVIC CENTER.
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE OR $30 $40. VIP GENERAL TICKETS ARE 35 AND 45 VIP.
LAST MINUTE TICKETS ARE 40 AND $50 VIP. AND PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND JOIN US.
BRING YOUR. COME IN YOUR BEST DRESS. THANK YOU.
I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
OKAY. I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT. A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT AN UPCOMING EVENT LED BY OUR DESOTO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INTERNS, KEITH SUTTON AND CHANDLER MARBLE. ON THURSDAY, JULY 31ST, FROM 6 TO 8 P.M.
IN THE BLUEBONNET ROOM HERE IN CITY HALL, THERE WILL BE.
THEY WILL BE HOSTING A YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FORUM.
THIS EVENT IS AIMED AT CONNECTING ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS THROUGH A PANEL DISCUSSION CENTERED ON CAREER GROWTH, NETWORKING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITY'S YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO LEARN, ENGAGE, AND BE INSPIRED. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SPREAD THE WORD AND ATTEND.
AGAIN, IT'S THURSDAY, JULY 31ST FROM 6 TO 8 P.M.
IN THE BLUEBONNET ROOM HERE AT CITY HALL. SO BACK TO YOU.
MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU. COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES. MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM MAYOR.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF AN UPCOMING JOB FAIR THAT'S HAPPENING.
WILL BE HOSTED BY COMMUNITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
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THERE WILL BE EMPLOYERS THERE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU, AS WELL AS THOSE THERE TO HELP WITH RESUME BUILDING AND JOB PLACEMENT AS WELL AS CLOTHING. THAT IS JULY 24TH AND THAT EVENT STARTS AT 8:00.FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN CONTACT THE CHURCH DIRECTLY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN NORTH, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR US TODAY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. I DO HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THE FIRST. LET ME PULL IT UP. WE HAVE THE FRANCHISE INTEREST MEETING THAT HAPPENS THIS WEEK.
TO 7:30 P.M. ONLINE. FOLLOWING THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OF OUR SPRING EVENT AT THE DECK AT REDBIRD THAT NEARLY ATTRACTED 100 ATTENDEES, THE DESOTO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM WITH THIS SPECIAL VIRTUAL SUMMER SESSION.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL, RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND MORE.
AND SO YOU CAN VISIT THE DESOTO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ON FACEBOOK OR LINKEDIN.
TO REGISTER. AND THE VIRTUAL MEETING LINK WILL BE PROVIDED.
AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ONLINE FOR THAT PARTICULAR EVENT.
THE NEXT EVENT THAT I WANT TO SHARE IS THE QUARTERLY FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST THAT IS HAPPENING NEXT WEDNESDAY, ON JULY THE 23RD AT 8:30 A.M.. AND THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT OVER IN THE BLUEBONNET ROOM.
THIS IS A CHANCE FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND SHARE INFORMATION AND GET INFORMATION FROM THE CITY ON HOW THEY CAN BE A PART OF WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON, AS WELL AS THE WAYS THAT OUR CITY CAN SUPPORT THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING IN THEIR HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
WE WILL HAVE A BREAKFAST THERE. AGAIN, IF YOU ARE A FAITH LEADER THAT LIVES IN DESOTO, OR IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN THE CITY OF DESOTO PROPER, YOU ARE INVITED. AGAIN, THIS IS A FREE EVENT.
YOU CAN BRING UP TO TWO PEOPLE PER ORGANIZATION AND AGAIN IT IS FREE.
HOWEVER, WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU REGISTER SO THAT WE WILL KNOW HOW TO BE ABLE TO SERVE YOU BETTER.
IN THAT EVENT IS ON EVENTBRITE SO YOU CAN SEARCH FOR FAITH QUARTERLY FAITH LEADERS BREAKFAST, OR YOU CAN VISIT THE CITY OF DESAUTELS WEBSITE AND OR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE LINK DIRECTLY TO THAT EVENTBRITE PAGE.
THE LAST. WELL, I HAVE TWO EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING FOR THE THE MAYOR'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM.
SO THE MAYOR SUMMER READING PROGRAM IS STILL IN FULL EFFECT.
AND SO WE HAVE AN EVENT THAT IS COMING UP ON NEXT MONDAY, JULY 21ST, AND THAT IS THE MAYOR'S SUMMER READING PROGRAM, CIRCUS SHOW. IT IS A 30 TO 45 MINUTE CIRCUS FOR CHILDREN.
AND SO WE WANT TO INVITE YOU OUT. IT WILL BE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE AT 2:00 AT OUR LIBRARY.
AND THE LAST THING THAT WE WANT TO SHARE IS THE FINALE, WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, WHICH IS JULY THE 28TH. AND THAT WILL BE HAPPENING AT MOSLEY POOL.
IF YOU ARE NOT ENGAGED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT IS NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN. ADULTS PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROGRAM AS WELL.
AND SO IF YOU HAVE NOT DOWNLOADED THE APP, YOU CAN GO TO THE LIBRARY'S WEBSITE AND YOU CAN EVEN GO OVER TO OUR LIBRARY TO GET SIGNED UP SO THAT YOU CAN START TRACKING YOUR READING TO GET SOME POINTS FOR PRIZES AT THE END OF THE SUMMER AT THESE EVENTS, AND TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS.
AND SO THAT FINALE EVENT IS HAPPENING ON MONDAY, JULY THE 28TH FROM 2 P.M.
TO 5 P.M. AND IT WILL BE AT MOSLEY POOL FOR THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE SUMMER READING PROGRAM.
AT THIS TIME, MR. THOMAS WILL HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA.
YES. I'M SORRY. OH, I'M SORRY. OUR CITY MANAGER HAS A PRESENTATION.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER INTO OUR CITY MANAGER.
OUR GODFREY'S IN. THANK THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
ON JUNE 13TH, OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR DECIDED TO RETIRE.
AND TRACY CORMIER HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE ASSET OF THE CITY, WORKED ON MANY, MANY BUDGETS AND BALANCED ALL OF THOSE BUDGETS. WE'VE ACHIEVED INCREDIBLE RATINGS THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE AS AS THE LEADER, AND WE'RE VERY BLESSED BECAUSE HE HAS TRAINED SOME INCREDIBLE STAFF AS WELL.
SO OUR ASSISTANT INTERIM, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE STEPPED UP TO BE THE INTERIM DIRECTOR.
AND SO WE'RE WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE. BUT FOR THE WORK THAT FOR THE WORK THAT TRACY HAS DONE, I HAVE A MAYORAL COMMENDATION THAT I'D LIKE TO READ IF IF YOU DON'T MIND. AND THIS IS A MAYORAL COMMENDATION PRESENTED TO TRACY CORMIER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL
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AND THE CITY OF DESOTO, I'M HONORED TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AS FINANCE DIRECTOR, YOUR YEARS OF EXPERTISE, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY AND LONG STANDING REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE. THROUGH YOUR DEDICATION AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, DESOTO HAS MAINTAINED A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION AND A STELLAR TAX RATING THAT REFLECTS OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS SERVICE AND AND THE POSITIVE LEGACY YOU HAVE YOU YOU LEAVE BEHIND.
YOUR IMPACT ON THIS CITY AND ITS FUTURE IS PROFOUND AND LASTING, AND WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE. ON BEHALF OF THE SOUL OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
JULY 15TH, 2025 SIGNED BY THE HONORABLE RACHEL PROCTOR.
RACHEL L PROCTOR, MAYOR. I DON'T KNOW. WE'VE ACTUALLY TRIED TO REACH OUT TO TRACY.
I THINK HE'S ON VACATION, SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO MAIL IT TO HIM.
THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER GODFREY. AND AGAIN TO MR. CORMIER IN HIS ABSENCE. IT HAS BEEN INDEED A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH HIM AND TO WITNESS AGAIN THE THE EXCELLENCE IN WHICH HE LED. YES, MA'AM. NIXON MOVING TO OUR CITIES AND APPEARANCES.
[E. CITIZEN APPEARANCES]
THE CITY COUNCIL INVITES CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON ANY TOPIC NOT ALREADY SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING.CITIZENS WISHING TO SPEAK SHOULD COMPLETE A CITIZEN COMMENT CARD AND PRESENT IT TO THE CITY SECRETARY, OR RETURN TO THE AMBASSADOR'S TABLE PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
HOWEVER, YOUR CONCERNS MAY BE ADDRESSED BY CITY STAFF, PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA, OR RESPONDED TO BY SOME OF THE COURSE ATTENDEES MAY SPEAK ON ANY ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA DURING THAT PORTION OF THE AGENDA.
HOWEVER, FOR TOPICS NOT SCHEDULED, ATTENDEES WILL SPEAK DURING CITIZEN APPEARANCES.
THE STANDARD TIME LIMIT IS THREE MINUTES PER SPEAKER, AND MAY BE MODIFIED AT THE MAYOR'S DISCRETION TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT FLOW OF THE MEETING. COMMENT CARDS RELATED TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS ARE DUE PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AGENDA ITEM.
AND MAYOR. I DO HAVE A FEW. MARY BONAPARTE AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE MISS ANNA WILLIAMS. GOOD EVENING, MISS BONAPARTE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. ONLY. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. MARY BONAPARTE, CITY OF DESOTO. GOOD EVENING. AS A 37 YEAR RESIDENT, I'M PERPLEXED REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR OF SOME OF OUR CITY LEADERS WHO HAVE UTILIZED CONSTITUENTS TO FOSTER A CLIMATE OF ANIMOSITY AND AGGRESSION TOWARDS OTHER CITIZENS AND OUR OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS. THOSE WHO SHARE DIFFERING VIEWS ARE AFFILIATIONS.
THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR UNDERMINES THE PUBLIC TRUST.
EXPLOITING CONSTITUENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONSOLIDATE POWER HAVE LED TO A POLITICAL POLARIZATION, A DIVIDED CITY, AND DISREGARD OF ESTABLISHED PRACTICES, FAVORITISM, SECRETIVE PROCESSES, AND WEAK GOVERNANCE IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. TRUE LEADERS ARE EXPECTED TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY BY TREATING EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
THIS IS A MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND NOT A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.
THE CITIZENS AND HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES OF THIS GREAT CITY DESERVES BETTER.
IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE, THE SOUL IS GOING TO BE LIKE THE MONKEY IN THAT STORY.
THE MONKEY AND THE WINDMILL. BECAUSE IT WON'T BE LONG NOW.
THANK YOU. MISS ANNA WILLIAMS AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE DOCTOR DINAH MARKS.
[00:30:05]
MISS WILLIAMS, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. ANNA WILLIAMS, DESOTO, TEXAS. 36 YEARS IN DESOTO. CAN WE GET A WITNESS? IS MY SUBJECT? NO. HAMPTON ROAD PROJECT WAREHOUSE WILL LEAVE BECAUSE NO TAX FREE ABATEMENT AND BUILD IN OTHER CITIES. THEIR GOAL. NO CITIES, OVER 40,000 PEOPLE.INFRASTRUCTURE. ROADS, SIDEWALKS, BRIDGE ON PLANTATION.
MAJOR EROSION. MAN'S HOME ON ITS WAY DOWN. AND SO IS THE BRIDGE.
I HAVE BEGGED AND BEGGED AND BEGGED FOR THAT BRIDGE TO BE FIXED.
RETAIL? FORGET IT. RETAIL IS NOT A CHICKEN SANDWICH.
53 YEARS IN RETAIL. ME? YOU'RE GOING TO TELL US THAT A CHICKEN IS RETAIL? MUST BE A CHICKEN SUIT. EAST SIDE OF THE SODA.
TAXATION. WE HAVE. WE ARE TAXED. WE HAVE NO REPRESENTATION.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A DISTRICT THREE. DISTRICT TWO IS DISTRICT THREE AND FOUR THAT HAS THE HIGHEST TAXES AND CRIME RATES. THANK YOU, CHIEF COSTA AND YOUR AND YOUR PEOPLE FOR BEING SUCH A GREAT CITIZENS. WE HAVE HAD FIVE, THREE CARS THAT HAVE BEEN STOLEN.
ONE LADY WHO'S WAS COMING FROM THE BANK. SHE WAS WHAT THEY'RE CALLED HUGGING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE OTHER ONE. WELL, SHE UNLOCKED HER CAR, AND GUESS WHAT? BUT THERE'S NO REASON FOR THIEVES TO BE THERE.
WE. THIS BOOK IS CALLED WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE BLACK CHURCH.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT. WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE.
WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LOVE, BUT WE DON'T SHARE IT IN DISORDER.
DOCTOR DIANA MARX. AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE HARDY.
DOCTOR DIANA MARQUES DE SOTO. TONIGHT, I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE MANY RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, WORKING PROFESSIONALS, STUDENTS AND SENIORS WHO TRAVEL ELLYSON ROAD EVERY DAY AND ARE MET WITH DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.
THAT'S KINSALE FARMS FACES ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR TREES FARM, KENDAL MEADOW, CHURCH HILL ESTATES, ELLISON RANCH, ELLISON PARK, ELLISON, TRACE WEST, PARKVILLE MEADOWS, EAGLE DOWNS, COAL CREEK CROSSING.
THESE RESIDENTS ARE NAVIGATING A STREET THAT'S FULL OF POTHOLES.
MANY OF THESE POTHOLES HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH ASH, NOT ASPHALT, WHICH MEANS THAT IT'S TEMPORARY FIX.
THAT MEANS THAT IT CRUMBLES AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TRAFFIC OR RAINFALL.
THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS REALLY MEANS TO THE CITIZENS.
PARENTS DRIVING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL OR DAYCARE ARE FORCED TO SWERVE TO AVOID POTHOLES, WHICH ENDANGERS NOT ONLY THEM BUT ALSO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
THINK ABOUT THE EMERGENCY VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE TO SLOW DOWN IN CRITICAL CONCERNS.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THINK ABOUT THE THE SENIORS WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOMES.
THIS IS NOT JUST A ROAD ISSUE, IT IS A QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
IT SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST JUST AS JUST AS DANIEL DALE ROAD.
DANIEL DALE ROAD HAPPENS TO SIT NORTH OF BELTLINE.
WE ARE SOUTH OF BELTLINE, SO WE DESERVE THE SAME TREATMENT.
I URGE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND CONDUCT A FULL ASSESSMENT OF THE ROAD.
[00:35:06]
NOT JUST FOR PATCHWORK. WE WANT IT DONE NOW THAT I HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.KENT STATE FARM HAS 217 HOMES. TREES FARM 102.
KENDALL MEADOW 493. EAGLE DOWNS 321. ELLISON RANCH 291.
ELLISON PARK 44. ELLISON TRACE WEST 59. PARKVILLE MEADOWS HAS FIVE PHASES.
COAL CREEK HAS 66 HOMES. CHURCH HILL ESTATES HAS 129 HOMES.
SO CERTAINLY I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE THOSE NUMBERS UNDER CONCERN.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME'S KATINA HARDY.
DESOTO. BUT I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON ALLISON ROAD AS WELL.
I'M OVER IN KENDALL MEADOW, SO I JUST WANTED TO.
I ATTENDED ONE OF THE BUDGET MEETINGS, SO I JUST WANTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ALLISON ON THE RADAR SO THAT IT CAN BE FIXED, AND I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. I DON'T HAVE MUCH ELSE TO SAY.
THANK YOU. ROBERT CALHOUN FOLLOWING THAT WILL BE BILLY CLAYTON.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CALHOUN. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE.
ONLY FOR THE RECORD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. ROBERT CAUTHEN OF VILLA, TEXAS.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BOB COFFIN. SIX YEARS AGO, I FOUNDED A LOCAL MINISTRY.
THE CARE TEAM TO SOTO'S OWN CARE TEAM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY WORKING ALONGSIDE BOB'S BAGS FOR YEARS, NOT ONLY WITH OUR MISSION OF FEEDING THE HOMELESS, BUT ALSO BY HELPING PEOPLE WITH HOUSING, CLOTHING, GETTING SOBER, AND STAYING SOBER. THERE ARE MANY DESPERATE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA THAT NEED HELP.
I'VE SEEN THEM DO IT. THE BIBLE TELLS US IN MATTHEW 2540.
THE KING WILL REPLY. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME. THE CARE TEAM IS CONCERNED, COMPASSIONATE, AND EFFECTIVE IN CARING FOR THEIR CLIENTS.
THEY SAVE LIVES. FOLKS, THIS COMMUNITY NEEDS THE CARE TEAM.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. BILLY CLAYTON. FOLLOWING THAT WILL BE VICTOR LANGFORD.
BILLY CLAYTON, DESOTO, TEXAS. GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I HAVE OBSERVED THE DECLINE AS WELL AS THE ATTEMPTS TO AT REPAIRING ELLISON ROAD.
WHEN DRIVING ON ELLISON ROAD, I HAVE RESOLVED TO DRIVE IN PERIODICALLY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET IN ORDER TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, WHICH PLACED ME IN AN UNSAFE AND AND LAWFUL SITUATION.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE RESULTS OF THE ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS OF THE ELLISON ROAD HAS CREATED DEEPER POTHOLES RESULTING FROM THE MATERIALS USED TO FILL THE POTHOLES BECAUSE DURING THE RAINY SEASONS, THE WATER WASHES AWAY THE PRODUCT USED TO FILL THE POTHOLES.
[00:40:04]
MEMBERS, TO PLEASE CONSIDER THE DIRE NEED TO REPAIR OR TO REPAVE ELLISON ROAD.PLEASE CONSIDER PLACE PAVING THE STRETCH OF ELLISON ROAD FROM BELTLINE ROAD TO PARKVILLE.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR AUTHORIZATION FOR THESE REPAIRS.
VICTOR LANGFORD. FOLLOWING THAT WILL BE CY LANGFORD.
GOOD EVENING, VICTOR LANGFORD, DESOTO RESIDENTS SINCE MARCH OF 2021.
I'D JUST LIKE TO START OFF THAT AGAIN. I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF DESOTO FOR FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT IT, WE PURCHASED OUR NEW HOME OFF OF ELLISON ROAD.
IT'S NOT SAFE. I TRY TO WORK OUT. I TRY TO WALK AND EXERCISE.
I'VE SEEN ELDERLY WALK ON THAT ROAD AND THEY CAN'T GET TO THE SIDE, SO THEY HAVE TO WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. SO IT'S DANGEROUS FOR THE FOR THE ELDERLY THAT LIVE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALSO THE YOUTH, THE YOUTH THAT WALK BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL TRYING TO WALK ON THAT ROAD, AND THEY'RE WALKING IN THE STREET AND WE'RE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK OR WHATEVER. IT IS NOT A, A, A, YOU KNOW, A GOOD PLACE TO BE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CITY, LIKE DESOTO, WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK SAFELY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND HAVE A SIDEWALK. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK IT SHOULD BE.
I DON'T THINK I KNOW THIS SHOULD BE A VERY HIGH PRIORITY TO GET THIS FIX, TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS HOW WE GET BACK AND FORTH.
BECAUSE WITH MY HOUSE, THAT IS THE ONLY STREET THAT I HAVE TO GET TO TO GET ACCESS TO OUR OUR HOME.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX ELLISON ROAD.
I YIELD BACK A MINUTE AND 22 SECONDS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. SY LANGFORD FOLLOWING. THAT WILL BE NICOLE RAPHAEL.
MISS LANGFORD, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR THE RECORD.
AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR.
COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC AS WELL. MY NAME IS LANGFORD DESOTO RESIDENT.
AND JUST AS MY HUSBAND MENTIONED WE LOVE WHERE WE LIVE.
WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY IN A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, SO TO SPEAK. BUT WE DO LIVE ONE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT'S OFF OF ELLISON ROAD, AND JUST RECENTLY THERE WAS A LOT OF WATER POOLING, A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT TO THE POINT WHERE IT ACTUALLY FLOWED BACK INTO OUR OUR YARD.
AND THIS TYPE OF WATER ACCUMULATION WILL LAST FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS.
IT SITS THERE. SO AS OTHERS HAVE URGED, WE SURE WOULD APPRECIATE GREATLY.
SOME THOUGHT BEING PROCESSED FOR MEASURES TAKEN TO REMOVE THIS FROM HAPPENING, THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THIS EROSION TO THE ROADS, AS MRS. MARKS DOCTOR MARKS HAD STATED, BECAUSE OF THE MATERIALS THAT ARE USED, IT SEEMS TO WORK, BUT IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY. ALSO NOTING THAT THE POTHOLES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STREET WHERE THE BELTLINE BEGINS LEADING UP INTO A PARK OF A ROAD. ONCE YOU ENTER ONTO ELLISON, THOSE ROADS ARE EXCEEDINGLY NARROW AS YOU COME IN, AND THERE'S POTHOLES AT THE CORNERS OF THAT STREET, AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.
AND NOT ONLY THAT IS UNSIGHTLY AND IS A HAZARD.
WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THEY YOU ALL CONSIDER RUMBLE STRIPS OR SOME TYPE OF SPEED BUMPS OR HUMPS TO PLEASE ALLEVIATE THAT, BECAUSE THERE ARE FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN OUR CLOSE PROXIMITY, THAT LIVE ON ELLISON ROAD. AND JUST AS THEY PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THEIR WALKING AND KIDS ARE THERE AND THEY'RE PRESENT AND IT'S VERY,
[00:45:06]
VERY UNSAFE TO NOT ONLY HAVE THE TO BE VOID OF SIDEWALKS, BUT THEN TO ALSO NOT HAVE THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS. SO WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK 33 SECONDS. THANK YOU.
NICOLE RAPHAEL. FOLLOWING THAT WILL BE LASHAWN SANDERS.
GOOD EVENING, MR. RAPHAEL. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY FOR THE RECORD. AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. YES. MY NAME IS NICOLE RAPHAEL. EL DESOTO, TEXAS. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE DO IS ONE OF THE MONIKERS THAT I LIVED BY WHILE WE WERE HERE, WHILE I WAS HERE OR THERE ON THE DAIS. AND AS A DESOTO RESIDENT SINCE 1997.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I DIDN'T KNOW. BUT HAVING BEEN PRIVY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SEAT AND THEN BEING PRIVY TO WHAT, THIS SIDE OF THE SEAT. I FEEL IT'S MY DUTY TO COME AND EXPRESS MY CONCERNS IN THE CITY OF DESOTO IN 2024, STARTED IN MARCH, I NOTICED THE PATTERN OF THE RESIDENTS THAT CAME DOWN WHO HAD AN ISSUE WITH POLICE OF VARYING MATTERS.
I MADE I MADE CERTAIN THAT I TOOK THE TIME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE THINGS WERE AS WELL AS I MADE CERTAIN TO ASK THAT WE, AS A COLLECTIVE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE THINGS WERE.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL DECEMBER, THE END OF THE YEAR AS WELL.
AND INSIDE OF THAT TIMEFRAME, WE HAD PEOPLE WHO CAME WITH VITAL CONCERNS THAT HAVE TURNED INTO NOW REVOLUTIONS, WHICH IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE SOMETIMES IN OUR CITY.
BUT HAVING SAID ON THE OTHER SIDE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNTRUTH SPOKEN ABOUT ME AS A RELATED TO A LETTER WITH MY NAME IN IT AND AS IT RELATED TO ME IMPEDING INVESTIGATIONS AND SUCH.
AND SO WITH THAT HAVING READ ALL THE VARIOUS EMAILS FROM CERTAIN RESIDENTS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVING EXPERIENCED WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED ON MY SIDE, IT HAS GIVEN, I AM GRIEVED TO SAY THAT I DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ONE OF OUR CHIEF OFFICERS HERE IN OUR CITY.
AND SO AS IT RELATES TO THAT, MY REQUEST TO US CITY COUNCIL IS THAT YOU LEAN INTO DOING HARD THINGS.
I TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK INTO ALL OF THOSE EMAILS, AND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT I TOOK AWAY WHAT FELT LIKE THE MUD FROM LIKE, WHAT IS THE CORE OF IT? AND I FEEL LIKE AS MY TIME THERE THAT WE AS A COLLECTIVE DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
TO REALLY GET INTO THOSE THINGS AND TO ENSURE THAT AS A CITY, WE'RE MAKING CERTAIN THAT OUR RESIDENTS FEEL HEARD, OUR RESIDENTS ISSUES WERE DEALT WITH. I'M GRATEFUL TO THE STAFF THAT DID TAKE THE TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE THINGS.
AND SO WITH THAT CITY COUNCIL, I'M ASKING YOU TO LEAN IN, TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR CITY THAT EVERYONE, INCLUDING WOMEN, INCLUDING BLACK PEOPLE, INCLUDING EVERY RESIDENT IN THIS CITY, FEELS HEARD AND NOT FEEL SHUT DOWN OR LOST IN THE PROCESS.
GOOD EVENING, MISS SANDERS. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME, YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE ONLY.
FOR THE RECORD, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. MICROPHONE.
CAN YOU PRESS THAT BUTTON TO CUT YOUR MICROPHONE ON? THERE YOU GO. LASHAWN SANDERS, RESIDENT OF WAXAHACHIE, TEXAS. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE DESOTO CARE TEAM, AND THE INVALUABLE WORK THAT THEY DO IS A SIBLING OF A BROTHER WHO LOST. I LOST MY BROTHER TO SUICIDE ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO BECAUSE HE WAS SCHEDULED FOR CRISIS PICKUP.
THE CRISIS CENTER CALLED THE DAY AFTER. THERE'S NO WAY TO SCHEDULE A CRISIS.
THE WORK THAT THE CARE TEAM DOES PREVENTS THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THERE ARE PRICELESS.
THERE ARE LIVES THAT ARE LOST WHEN THEIR WORK IS IN PLACE.
I'VE BEEN A PARENT WHO'S BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO CALL WHEN THERE WAS A CRISIS BECAUSE AGAIN, YOU CAN'T SCHEDULE A CRISIS.
SO I JUST ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE WORK THAT THE CARE TEAM DOES, BECAUSE THERE ARE LIVES THAT ARE BEING SAVED WHEN THERE IS INTERVENTION, AS WELL AS WHEN A FAMILY IS IN CRISIS AND SOMEONE IS ATTEMPTING SUICIDE, THEY'RE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
[00:50:01]
THEY'RE HOMELESS. THERE'S A LOT THAT TAKES PLACE IN A PERSON'S LIFE.AND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND A TEAM THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS THAT AND IS EQUIPPED TO CARE FOR THE TEAMS, I MEAN, CARE FOR FAMILIES. I JUST ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THAT TEAM.
THANK YOU. THE LAST CARD I HAVE IS FROM PATRICIA BRISCOE COUGHLIN.
SHE DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK. HOWEVER, HER COMMENTS READ JUST FIX ELLISON ROAD AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
I'M SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THE LAST PATRICIA BRISCOE BRISCO.
COTTON. AND SHE JUST SAYS, JUST FIX ELLISON ROAD.
THANK YOU. CALHOUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR CITY MANAGER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME REMARKS.
YEAH. THANK YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR. I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE CARE TEAM, AND I WANT TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU KNOW, DOING AWAY WITH THE CARE TEAM OR GETTING RID OF THE CARE TEAM.
ACTUALLY, WE'RE LOOKING IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS ABOUT REVAMPING THE OPERATION FOR THE CARE TEAM AND EXPANDING IT TO ALLOW FOR A PROACTIVE APPROACH, NOT JUST ON THE BACK END, BUT ALSO ON THE FRONT END OF THINGS.
SO THAT'S THE GOAL AND THE OBJECTIVE THAT WE HAVE.
THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER PARKER, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? I'LL SEE YOU.
OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS THOMAS. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL TAKE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA,
[F. CONSENT AGENDA Items are listed on the Consent Agenda by the City Manager and are recommended to the City Council for single vote approval. An item( s) may be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate vote at the request of a Councilmember, the Mayor, or the City Manager. ]
PLEASE. YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.AN ITEM MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE VOTE AT THE REQUEST OF A COUNCIL MEMBER, THE MAYOR, OR THE CITY MANAGER. FIRST, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 20TH, JUNE 3RD, AND JUNE 16TH OF 2025, AS WELL AS RECOGNITION OF PROCLAMATION HONORING AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AWARENESS DAY.
CONFIRMATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ELMA GOODWIN TO THE CITIZENS POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR PLACE ONE, CASE NUMBER 35125. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE PARKVILLE MEADOWS SUBDIVISION PHASE FIVE A PRELIMINARY PLAT CREATING 51 RESIDENTIAL LOTS AND ONE NONRESIDENTIAL LOT. THE PROPERTY IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS BEING WILLIAM A 4D ABSTRACT 464, PPG 590 AND ALICIA CHAMBERS ABSTRACT 240 PPG 690 AT 210 VINCENT CEMETERY ROAD AND IS LOCATED AT 210 VINCENT CEMETERY ROAD.
THE APPLICANT IS J.J. KOHLER OF SOUTHLAND CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.
AND THE OWNER IS KEITH DAVIS OF OPORTO INVESTMENTS, LLC.
ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANIES REQUESTED RATE CHANGE.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2025 DALLAS COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITIES OF DESOTO, CEDAR HILL, LANCASTER AND DUNCANVILLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF HIRING A REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TRAINING OFFICER. CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE EIGHT FORD INTERCEPTORS AND ONE FORD RANGER FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND CODE ENFORCEMENT FROM SAM PECK'S FIVE STAR FORD UNDER HVAC CONTRACT NUMBER V0524, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. CONTRACT DASH 070M1 ONE, FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $654,325.20.
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH CALDWELL COUNTY CHEVROLET IN THE AMOUNT OF $111,590 UNDER BUY BOARD CONTRACT NUMBER 72423 FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO CHEVROLET TAHOE VEHICLES FOR THE CARE TEAM AND AUTHORIZING STATE PURCHASES THROUGH THE ACCEPTANCE OF UTILIZING GRANT FUNDS FROM DALLAS COUNTY, AND CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE THE PURCHASE OF THE VISTA 911 ASSIST FEATURE FROM AT&T TO BE USED TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE 911 PHONE SYSTEM AT THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CENTER FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $139,999.33. THANK YOU, MISS THOMAS. YES. COUNCIL MEMBER PARK. YES, I'D LIKE TO. WELL, YOU HAVEN'T ASKED THE QUESTION YET.
COUNCIL. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MOTION? HEARING NONE. COUNSEL. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM G2 BEING PULLED.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES.
SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISHOLM TO APPROVE, AS PRESENTED, PULLING ITEM G TO COUNCIL.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. YES.
[2. Confirmation of appointment of Elma Goodwin to the Citizens Police Advisory Committee - Place 1]
WE HAVE ITEM G TO PULL FOR SEPARATE VOTE. OKAY.[00:55:03]
MADAM MAYOR, I, I PULLED ITEM TWO FOR A SEPARATE VOTE BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT I DO NOT VOTE ON THIS ITEM OR THAT I VOTE NO.I, AS I PREVIOUSLY HAVE DOCUMENTED TO YOU AND TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, I'VE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THERE ARE SITUATIONS IN THIS CITY THAT WE ARE DOING TO OUR RESIDENTS AND THAT ARE HAPPENING TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL.
AND I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT I DON'T PUT MY VOTE BEHIND PUTTING PEOPLE ON THESE COMMITTEES THAT ARE GOING TO CAUSE MORE ISSUES WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING THAT IS HELD TO ACCOUNT.
SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO REMAIN COMMITTED TO DESOTO AND MAKING IT THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE.
BUT ON THIS PARTICULAR VOTE, I VOTE NO. THANK YOU.
DO WE HAVE ANY CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? YES, MA'AM. BERNADINE. HARRISON.
MISS HARRISON, CAN YOU CUT YOUR MICROPHONE OFF FOR ME, PLEASE? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME. YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. I'M BERNADINE HARRISON, AND I LIVE HERE IN DESOTO.
AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I'M VERY MUCH OPPOSED.
MISS GOODWIN IS A PERSONAL FRIEND OF ONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND BASED ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MISS GOODWIN HAS DONE, I DON'T THINK SHE'S WORTHY TO BE REPRESENTING WE, THE PEOPLE OF DESOTO, AND FOR YOU TO BASICALLY NOT TABLE THIS AND GIVE IT MORE CONSIDERATION, I THINK THAT YOU'D BE DOING US A GREAT INJUSTICE.
BUT THEN THAT'S NOT UNCOMMON WITH THIS BODY HERE.
YOU DO A GREAT MANY THINGS JUST THAT ARE JUST NOT DRESSED.
BUT THIS WOMAN HAS CAUSED JUST SO MUCH OF A PROBLEM THAT I'M SURE WE CAN FIND SOMEONE TO REPRESENT US THAT WILL DO A FINE JOB, AND WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE HEADACHES. WE HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW WITH THE SITUATION, BUYING THE CHURCH AND THE SITUATION WITH THORN TREE AND ALL THE OTHER SITUATIONS WHERE WE HAVE A SWIMMING POOL THAT WE'RE NOT SURE HOW WE'RE GOING TO FUND.
WE HAVE MANY PROBLEMS IN THE CITY. LET'S DON'T AUGMENT THOSE PROBLEMS AND START NOMINATING PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE A POOR REPUTATION BEFORE THEY'VE EVEN TAKEN THEIR SEAT. I JUST THINK THAT WOULD BE PRUDENT BEHAVIOR.
NOW, DO I EXPECT YOU TO HONOR THAT? OF COURSE NOT.
BUT AT LEAST I'VE GIVEN YOU MY OPINION, AND I'VE GIVEN IT IN GOOD FAITH.
AND I THINK YOU REALLY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
YOU DON'T DO THAT VERY OFTEN. THIS BODY DOES IT.
IF YOU WOULD DO THAT, I WOULD HIGHLY APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNSEL, WE HAVE A ITEM THAT IS CALLED FOR A SEPARATE VOTE.
DO WE HAVE ANY MORE COMMENTS BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MOTION? THANK YOU. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. IS THIS SOMETHING WE SHOULD TABLE? NO. THANK YOU. MAYOR. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISHOLM.
SECOND. EXCUSE ME. IT'S BEEN MOVED BY MAYOR PRO TEM CHISHOLM, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HUGHES.
YES. WE CAN DO A HAND VOTE. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO INTERJECT? OKAY. OKAY. WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL. I DO HAVE WE WERE SUBMITTED BEFORE WE ACTUALLY CALL FOR THAT VOTE.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE LETTERS OF SUPPORT THAT WE RECEIVED FROM MRS. GOODWIN'S FOR MRS. GOODWIN'S APPOINTMENT TO THIS BOARD.
AND THAT THE FIRST IS FROM MISS HOPE STEVENS, WHO ACTUALLY THAT BOARD.
POINT OF ORDER. POINT OF ORDER. I JUST WANT TO ASK IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE POINTS OF SUPPORT, ARE YOU GOING TO WANT TO DO THE ALSO THE ONES THAT ARE IN OPPOSITION? WE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK.
[01:00:01]
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE. OH, THESE ARE JUST CARDS. THIS IS INFORMATION THAT I RECEIVED, AND THEY ASKED FOR IT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED, THEIR SUPPORT. SO WE HAVE AN EMAIL THAT WE RECEIVED FROM MISS HOPE STEVENS.WE ALSO HAVE AN E-MAIL. THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. YOU'RE SAYING EMAILS? WE RECEIVED EMAILS.
I'M SPEAKING ON WHAT I RECEIVED. COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER.
OKAY. RESPECTFULLY. THANK YOU. AND SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR OF COUNCIL.
CAN WE TAKE A HAND VOTE? BECAUSE WE'RE OUR MACHINES ARE NOT WORKING.
SO PLEASE, WE'LL DO A HAND VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES FIVE ONE.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL. AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
[1. Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2025–2030 Consolidated Plan]
YES, MA'AM. NEXT, WE MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 2025 THROUGH 2030 CONSOLIDATED PLAN MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS PATRICIA SANTA CRUZ WITH GRO AMERICA.GOOD EVENING, MISS SANTA CRUZ. GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGAIN, PATRICIA SANTA CRUZ WITH GRO AMERICA.
AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR FY 2025 TO 2029 AND FY 2025 ACTION PLAN. SO CITY OF DESOTO IS A RECIPIENT OF CDBG FUNDS FROM THE U.S.
CDBG FUNDS PROGRAMS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. AND JUST AS A REMINDER THAT THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FUNDED WITH CDBG NEED TO PRIMARILY BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES EARNING LESS THAN 80% OF AMI AS A RECIPIENT OF HUD FUNDS, INCLUDING CDBG FUNDS.
THIS CONSOLIDATED PLAN NEEDS ASSESSMENT ASSESSES THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS, SURROUNDING HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN IS MADE UP OF TWO MAIN COMPONENTS.
ONE IS DATA ANALYSIS AND THE OTHER IS STAKEHOLDER IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
AND THE ACTION PLAN IS DUE TO HUD THIS YEAR ON AUGUST 15TH.
AND THIS SLIDE JUST PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLANNING PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES RESEARCH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER INPUT, PUBLIC FEEDBACK SUCH AS INPUT FROM COUNCIL AND HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AT PUBLIC HEARINGS, A REVIEW OF OTHER CITY INITIATIVES, AND THEN A FINAL COUNCIL VOTE. SO I MENTIONED THAT THE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS ARE INCLUDE DATA IN STAKEHOLDER INPUT.
IN TERMS OF DATA ANALYSIS, WE'VE LOOKED AT US CENSUS DATA, OTHER HUD HOUSING DATA HOMELESS RESOURCES PUBLIC HOUSING DATA AND OF COURSE ALSO LOCAL PLANS SUCH AS DESOTO COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT HAS COME FROM MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY IN A RESIDENT NEEDS SURVEY AND OTHER OUTREACH MEETINGS. JUST THE RULES SURROUNDING CDBG AT LEAST NO, EXCUSE ME.
NO MORE THAN 15% OF THE CDBG ANNUAL BUDGET CAN BE USED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SENIOR SERVICES, CHILD CARE SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS, AND OTHER SIMILAR TYPE OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS. THIS LIST IS AN EXHAUSTIVE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE ASSISTED THAT YOU CAN FUND WITH CDBG, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND HEALTH SERVICES.
UP TO 20% IS CAN BE USED FOR PLANNING AND ADMIN.
AND THEN THERE'S A VARIETY OF OTHER ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.
[01:05:06]
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HOUSING, REHAB OR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND OF COURSE, INFRASTRUCTURE. STREET IMPROVEMENTS. ALLEYWAY IMPROVEMENTS, SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TO NAME A FEW. SO THE HUD CONSOLIDATED PLAN ACTION PLAN TIMELINE FOR THIS YEAR.THE COMP PLAN AND ACTION PLAN KICKED OFF ON MARCH 6TH WITH THE INITIATION OF A RESIDENT SURVEY TO OBTAIN INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY ON NEEDS. THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON MARCH 8TH 18TH TO RECEIVE INPUT THROUGH THROUGH THAT, THROUGH THAT SOURCE OF A PUBLIC HEARING. AND THEN COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS WERE HELD FROM MARCH THROUGH JUNE.
TONIGHT WE'RE HOLDING THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING, AND THEN CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE FINAL CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR 2025 ON AUGUST 5TH. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE STILL IN THE PERIOD OF ACCEPTING FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND INCLUDING COUNCIL INPUT. SO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROCESS.
I MENTIONED THAT A COMMUNITY NEED SURVEY WAS MADE AVAILABLE.
THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS LAUNCHED AS REQUIRED BY HUD WITH THE PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE PAPER.
BUT THIS INITIATIVE WAS ALSO POSTED ONLINE AND THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.
I KNOW THAT STAFF DOCTOR WILLIAMS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE GRANTS TEAM DID PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CONSOLIDATED PLAN, THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN PROCESS, AND THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO DATE.
WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 191 RESPONSES HERE. WE'VE ALSO CONDUCTED TEN STAKEHOLDER AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN IN THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.
SO IN TERMS OF THE RESPONSES THAT WERE RECEIVED.
191 SURVEYS WERE RECEIVED, AND THE THREE OVERARCHING THEMES THAT WE SAW WERE CONSISTENT WITH PAST SURVEYS THAT WE PUT OUT FOR THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, A HIGH PRIORITY FOR STREETS AND SIDEWALKS IMPROVEMENTS AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT OUT OF THE TWO STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, IT WAS DEFINITELY THE HIGHER PRIORITY.
HOUSING, REHAB AND DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE IS ALSO BEEN SEEN AS A THEME IN THIS CATEGORY.
AND THEN OF COURSE, PUBLIC SERVICES ALSO CAME IN AS A PRIORITY.
BUT THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU'VE USED. THIS FUNDS FOR IN THE PAST IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND THEN SHORT TERM EMERGENCY MORTGAGE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE. SO BASED ON A REVIEW OF DATA AND SURVEYS AND ALSO A REVIEW OF YOUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE THAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR.
ANOTHER, IT WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WAS NEEDED.
SO BASED ON THE SURVEYS, OTHER DATA THAT WE REVIEW, WE ARE RECOMMENDING THREE OVERARCHING PRIORITIES TO GUIDE YOUR USE OF CDBG FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THESE ARE CREATE SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, PROVIDE DECENT, SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICES FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT UNDER CREATE SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES CAN FALL UNDER THAT CATEGORY. SO IT CAN BE STREET IMPROVEMENTS, SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS, STREET STREETLIGHTS.
IT CAN INCLUDE FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS. THIS COMMUNITY DOESN'T DO A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, IN OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT I, THAT I WORK IN, DEMOLITIONS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE TO, TO ELIMINATE SLUM AND BLIGHT.
SO THOSE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES COULD ALSO FALL UNDER HERE.
FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR BUSINESSES COULD ALSO FALL UNDER CREATE, CREATE SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS AND THEN UNDER PROVIDE DECENT, SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. PROGRAMS THAT YOU FUNDED IN THE PAST INCLUDE THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM.
[01:10:02]
AND THEN PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICES TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.THIS COULD BE PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO TARGETED GROUPS SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS LIKE SENIORS OR CHILDREN.
OR IT COULD BE GENERAL, LIKE FOOD PROGRAMS. SO FOR 2025, HUD ANNOUNCED THE CDBG ALLOCATIONS IN MAY OF THIS YEAR IN THE CITY OF DESOTO.
2025 CDBG ENTITLEMENT AMOUNT IS 271,460. THIS IS A SLIGHT DECREASE FROM 2020 FOR THE PROGRAM PERIOD FOR THIS ALLOTMENT IS OCTOBER 1ST, 2025 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026.
AND THIS IS THE PROPOSED ACTION PLAN BUDGET BY STAFF BASED ON THE CONSOLIDATED PLANS.
OVERARCHING ARCHING GOALS OF CREATE SUITABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE CONTINUATION OF THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM AT $110,000.
THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ESSENTIAL REPAIRS TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME DESOTO HOMEOWNERS UP TO $10,000.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING THE CONTINUATION OF THE DESOTO SENIOR FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST FUNDING FOR THE SENIOR CENTER.
COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SENIOR CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AND ALLOTMENTS TOTALING $230,000.
WE RECENTLY WERE ABLE TO GET A COST ESTIMATE FOR WHAT THE RENOVATIONS ARE NEEDED, AND IT'S $340,000.
OF THIS, $90,000 WOULD FILL THAT GAP. CONTINUE.
ADMINISTRATION AT $50,000. THIS THIS IS 18% OF THE BUDGET.
THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MISS SANTA CRUZ.
AT THIS TIME. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.
I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE CARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
YES, MA'AM. ANNA WILLIAMS. AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE KATE BROWN.
PATRICK. I HAVE A CAR. JUST NOT WELL, SHE DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
OKAY, OKAY, OKAY. BROWN PATRICK. AND FOLLOWING HER WILL BE NICOLE RAPHAEL.
GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, GABRIEL PATRICK DE SOTO.
I WANT US TO COME AND SPEAK ABOUT THE CDBG FUNDS, SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE PRIORITY NEEDS THAT WERE NOTED AND THEN WHAT THE FUNDS ARE ACTUALLY BEING ALLOCATED FOR. IF YOU NOTICE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ACTUALLY RATE THE PACKAGE AND KEEP UP WITH THE CDBG FUNDS, OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE CDBG FUNDS HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN ALLOCATED TOWARD THE EXACT SAME ITEMS YEAR AFTER YEAR.
IF YOU LOOK IN 2022, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, HOME REPAIR SENIOR CENTER PROJECT 2023 TRANSPORTATION HOME REPAIR SENIOR CENTER PROJECT ANTICIPATED START WINTER 24 2424 TRANSPORTATION HOME REPAIR SENIOR CENTER PROJECT ANTICIPATED WINTER 2024.
BUT THEN ON THE ACTIVITY LIST, WE STILL HAVE HOME REPAIR, WHICH AT $110,000, IMPACTS TEN PEOPLE IN DESOTO, AS OPPOSED TO IF YOU GO IN AND INVEST THAT IN A SIDEWALK OR IN THE STREET, IT IMPACTS MORE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND SO I CAME HERE WAS FOUR AND SPOKE ABOUT THAT AROUND THE ADA.
AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE HIS PRIORITY NEED WAS NUMBER ONE AND IT NOTES SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS AND STREETS, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE CDBG ACTIVITIES AS OPPOSED TO THE HOME REPAIR.
WHILE THAT'S IMPORTANT, THE IMPACT IS MINIMAL.
THAT'S TEN PEOPLE, AND WE CAN USE THAT $110,000 ELSEWHERE.
I ALSO WANTED TO NOTE HERE HEAR ABOUT THE SENIOR CENTER FACILITY IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN ON THE CDBG LIST FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, AS I NOTED, AS STARTING IN WINTER 2024. SO IF IT'S ALLOCATED YEAR AFTER YEAR, WHAT'S BEING DONE AT THE SENIOR CENTER FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN ON THE LIST?
[01:15:02]
AND WHERE ARE THOSE FUNDS FOR THE SENIOR CENTER BEING ALLOCATED? THANK YOU. NICOLE RAPHAEL.NICOLE RAPHAEL, DESOTO, TEXAS. MY QUESTION WAS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION.
BUT I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DID THAT REALLY MEAN? SO I WASN'T CLEAR ABOUT THAT PIECE. HOW IS IT ACTUALLY ADMINISTERED? PREVIOUSLY, WITH THE TAXICABS, PEOPLE CAN GO ANYWHERE.
SO I JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE CONNECTEDNESS RELATED TO THE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE.
AND THEN AS IT RELATES TO THE LOOKING AT THE LIST OF, OF OF OPPORTUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH WAS PHENOMENAL. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND AND SUGGEST TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE CITY MANAGER THAT SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CITY OF DALLAS DOES, THEY START THE PROCESS IN JANUARY. INQUIRY IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN MY ADVOCACY FOR STARTING EARLIER IS SO THAT YOU CAN GET DIFFERENT INPUTS. THIS SEEMS TO SKEW OLDER VERSUS YOUNGER.
SO I'M CURIOUS, THERE WERE QUESTIONS RELATED TO DAYCARE, YOUNGER PEOPLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND SO MY QUESTIONING AND WONDERING IS IF YOU START EARLIER, COULD IT BE THAT YOU INCLUDE PTA GROUPS OTHER GROUPS INSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT SKEW YOUNGER SO THAT YOU CAN GET A VARIETY OF, OF OF VOICES AT THE TABLE AND AS IT RELATES TO THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM.
MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE THAT? COULD THERE BE A PRIORITY TOWARDS THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED SO THAT YOU CAN STRETCH THE FUNDS FURTHER IF IT'S GETTING HANDRAILS OR OR. WHAT DO YOU CALL THOSE RAMPS? RAMPS FOR HOMEOWNERS. THAT NEED THAT FOR, FOR THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED AND THEN KIND OF GO DOWN THE LIST.
I WAS WONDERING IF THERE COULD BE A PRIORITIZATION AS IT RELATES TO THAT.
SO I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO MOVED.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE. AYE AYE AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, THIS IS JUST A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC.
SO WE DO NOT NEED A MOTION ON THIS. COUNSEL, ARE THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ITEM? YES. MAYOR PRO TEM MADAM MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESIDENTS AND THEIR FEEDBACK THAT THEY GAVE TONIGHT.
YESTERDAY, FOR THOSE WHO WERE UNAWARE, WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM OUR CONSULTANT.
AND MANY OF THOSE ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED LAST NIGHT.
AND SO I ENCOURAGE YOU, IF YOU DID NOT ATTEND THE MEETING LAST NIGHT TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE DIALOG REGARDING PRETTY MUCH ALL THE CONCERNS OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION ON HOW THAT'S FUNDED.
THAT'S CERTAINLY. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS ALSO CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT THE PLAN.
RIGHT. THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED PLAN. SO WE HAVE NOT ADOPTED ANYTHING AS OF RIGHT NOW.
SO THIS COULD CHANGE OR IT COULD NOT CHANGE. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION AND HOLD THESE PUBLIC FORUMS FOR US TO GIVE OUR INPUT, THAT THIS IS NOT A PLAN THAT HAS BEEN ADOPTED, THIS IS THE WHAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING AND THEY HAVE GIVEN US AS.
I THINK ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE IS THE SENIOR CENTER BECAUSE IT CLOSES THE GAP WITH WHAT WE NEED.
FINALLY, SO WHEN THE QUESTION WAS RAISED ABOUT WHY DO WE CONTINUOUSLY SEE THIS FROM YEAR TO YEAR? THAT IS WHY. BECAUSE THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY PLUGGING IN THOSE GAPS TO GET THE SENIOR CENTER TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE IN TERMS OF THE LEVEL OF FUNDING.
SO WE PROBABLY WILL NOT SEE THE SENIOR CENTER PROJECT AGAIN, CORRECT? YOU WILL NOT SEE THE SENIOR CENTER PROJECT AGAIN.
AGAIN, THIS IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUNDING. THERE WAS A FEW YEARS AGO ISSUES WITH SPENDING AND MAKING SURE IF YOU DIDN'T SPEND THOSE FUNDS ON ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, THEN YOU'RE AT RISK OF LOSING THEM AND GETTING THOSE FUNDS OBLIGATED.
[01:20:06]
SO WHEN WE'RE DOING ACTIVITIES LIKE SIDEWALKS, SIDEWALKS IS SOMETHING WE'VE LOOKED AT A LOT TRIED TO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT WERE LOW INCOME BY CENSUS TRACK. THAT'S HOW YOU QUALIFY THAT THOSE PROJECTS.AND THAT'S DEFINITELY HIGH ON THE LIST FOR 2026, WE WILL NO LONGER BE FUNDING.
THE THE SENIOR CENTER. AND THEN THERE STILL IS A CHANCE.
THERE ARE OTHER CATEGORIES RIGHT NOW. THIS BUDGET AT THIS TIME RECOMMENDS $110,000 TOWARD THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM. COUNSEL. ABSOLUTELY. WE COULD MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THAT BUDGET IF TO BE MORE IN LINE AND START FUNDING A SIDEWALK PROGRAM WHERE WE IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE AREA. SURE. AND AGAIN, JUST KIND OF HELPING PROVIDE CONTEXT TO THE DISCUSSION WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW THESE FUNDS CAN BE USED BY LAW, WE ARE LIMITED AND HOW WE CAN USE THESE FUNDS.
SO WE CANNOT APPROACH SPENDING THIS MONEY BROADLY.
RIGHT. THAT QUALIFIES LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE ASKED AS TO WHY WE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN IT.
YOU KNOW, UP TO THIS POINT. SO JUST AGAIN, KEEPING IN MIND WE HAVE TO WE CANNOT APPROACH THE SPENDING OF THESE FUNDS BROADLY, BUT WE HAVE TO LIMIT THEM TO THOSE CENSUS TRACKS OR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT QUALIFY AS LOW TO MODERATE INCOME.
SO THAT IS SOMEWHAT OF WHY YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE HAD.
I KNOW I MENTIONED LAST NIGHT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE TIMELINESS TEST AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, WHEN WE TRIED TO DO A DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH THE FUNDS, WE JUST COULD NOT FIND PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY QUALIFY TO SPEND THE FUNDS.
RIGHT. SO THAT'S WHY WE SWITCHED TO THE HOME REPAIR FUNDS.
RIGHT. LIKE WE CAN TALK ALL DAY ABOUT THE ISSUES AT AT LARGE, BUT WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES THAT THAT WE CLEARLY SEE MEET A NEED IN DESOTO? BY THE FACT THAT THE FUNDS ARE ABLE TO BE SPENT, WE'RE ABLE TO QUICKLY IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM THE FUNDS.
AND SO THAT I KNOW TWO PREVIOUS COUNCILS THAT HAVE SAID, AND WE'VE HAD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE SERVED ON THE COUNCIL DURING THIS TIME PERIOD THAT THAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF. THEY HAVE SUPPORTED THESE SAME PROJECTS THAT WE'RE SPEAKING OF.
SO I KNOW I WANT TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT WE KNOW WE'VE IDENTIFIED THE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION I DO SEE A LIGHT.
WE DID HAVE A QUESTION. SO I WANT TO SEE IF MISS SANTA CRUZ, ONCE WE HEAR FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER, IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION THAT MISS RAPHAEL MENTIONED ABOUT HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE KIND OF BEING ALLOCATED WITH NOW NOW MOVING FROM TAXICABS TO STAR TRANSIT. COUNCILMEMBER PARKER.
YES. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
WE DID HAVE AN EXTENSIVE CONVERSATION YESTERDAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK I KNOW THAT WE ASKED FOR A LITTLE BIT OF DATA TO COME BACK AS WELL.
BUT AS FAR AS THE SENIOR CENTER PROJECT. IS THERE ANY PICTURES OR ARE THERE ANY PROJECT DOCUMENTATION THAT CAN BE PROVIDED? IS THAT PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC? I MEAN, TO LET THEM SEE HOW THE PROJECT HAS PROGRESSED OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND THAT SORT OF THING.
WELL, THERE'S NOT DOCUMENTATION. I WE IT HAS TAKEN SOME TIME BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THE IT WAS INITIALLY THE DESIGN PHASE, WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE SENIOR CENTER ABOUT WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES WERE, ACTUALLY THEIR PRIORITY BASED ON ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WANTED DONE.
IT WOULD IT INCLUDED SIDEWALKS. IT INCLUDED THE ADA IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RESTROOMS. THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO GET US JUST TO THE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE RESTROOMS AND SOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ITEMS IN IN THE BUILDING.
I BELIEVE THIS ALSO ADDRESSES THE SECURITY DOOR.
THERE WAS SOME SECURITY ISSUES WITH THE WITH THE FRONT DOOR THAT WAS ALSO ADDED TO THE PROJECT, SO IT HASN'T BEEN PUT OUT FOR BID? YES. YET THIS IS THE CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE FROM THE ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER.
AND THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL GOES OUT AFTER SEPTEMBER OR AFTER WE ADOPT THIS.
[01:25:02]
NO ACTUAL. WELL YES, IT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER SO THAT WE HAVE THE FULL BUDGET.WE WOULD KNOW THAT THAT FULL BUDGET IS SECURED TO DO ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THE COST ESTIMATE.
OKAY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, I WOULD JUST ASK IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE SHOWN FEASIBLY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE THAT ASSURANCE THAT THE MONIES THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING FOR THESE PARTICULAR PROJECTS AND ITEMS ARE ACTUALLY AVAILABLE TO SEE.
HERE'S WHAT'S BEING DONE. LIKE SOMEONE ELSE USED TO SAY, I WANT TO SEE DIRT MOVING.
THANK YOU. I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I THINK YOU WANTED ME TO FOLLOW UP ON THE COMMENT OR ANOTHER QUESTION.
JUST IN REGARDS TO THE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WE WERE THE CITY HAD CONTRACTED WITH IRVING HOLDINGS, WHICH WAS A TAXICAB COMPANY, AND THE COST PER VISIT WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE COST THAT WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE WITH STAR TRANSIT. ONCE WE PUT OUT AN ART IN THE CITY, PUT OUT AN RFP FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND SO CONSEQUENTLY, WE'RE ABLE TO SERVE MORE VISITS PER PERSON. IT'S STILL $80 PER PER PERSON.
WE'RE SERVING ABOUT 40, 45 TO 50 INDIVIDUALS.
AND AS TO YOUR QUESTION AS TO THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER IT IS FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES, DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, GROCERY STORES, THOSE ARE PRIMARILY WITHIN THE CITY OF DESOTO.
NOT SO MUCH SO WHEN IT WAS WITH IRVING HOLDINGS, BUT YES, AS PART OF STAR TRANSIT, I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER IF THEY GO OUTSIDE, IF WE'RE ALSO USING UBER X, AS WAS EXPLAINED LAST NIGHT.
BUT I IMAGINE THAT, YES, THAT THEY TRY TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE TRIPS BY THEIR USING THE CDBG FUNDS.
BUT BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT UBER X IS PART OF THIS CONTRACT.
I CAN VERIFY THAT. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN NORTH.
YES. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AND THANK YOU, MISS SANTA CRUZ, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION LAST NIGHT.
AND COME BEFORE US AGAIN TONIGHT SINCE THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS A HUD INITIATIVE, WHICH IS FEDERAL.
I'M JUST CURIOUS GOING FORWARD, OR IS THERE ANY LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT SUPPORTING OUR FUTURE NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS FAR AS GRANT MONIES BEING INCREASED? WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. RIGHT NOW, I THINK THERE. CONGRESS IS JUST STARTING TO TALK ABOUT FY 26.
I THINK A VERY PRELIMINARY BUDGET THAT THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET WAS TO ZERO THESE FUNDS OUT.
CDD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS AMONG ALONG WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER HUD FUNDED PROGRAMS. SO FOR 2026 I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S IT'S LOOKS LIKE WE DO HAVE ADVOCATES.
THERE ARE ADVOCATES FOR THESE FUNDS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.
NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION IS ONE OF THOSE.
THAT THAT'S THAT'S THE HOPE. BUT BUT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING LEVEL FOR THE CITY OF DESOTO, THAT IS BASED ON A FORMULA GRANT. SO IT DOES SEEM LIKE THE CITY HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH STABLE FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THAT $273,000 OR AROUND THERE AS CONGRESS CUTS THE BUDGET.
SO WILL YOUR BUDGET BE CUT HERE? LOCALLY. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MISS SANTA CRUZ FOR STAFF REGARDING CDBG? GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME, IT'S TIME. I'M SORRY, MADAM MAYOR.
THERE'S NO QUESTIONS FOR THEM. BUT THE ANSWERS THAT WE ASKED.
WHAT'S THE TIME FRAME TO GET THAT INFORMATION BACK? THAT'S A QUESTION FOR HER TO ANSWER. WOULD YOU LIKE THAT? SO LAST NIGHT'S QUESTIONS, AND TONIGHT'S. WE HAVE THOSE BACK.
I MEAN, WE CAN PROBABLY GET THOSE BACK TO YOU WITHIN A WEEK. I WILL CONSULT WITH DOCTOR WILLIAMS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS THOMAS.
NEXT ITEM AND FINAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA. YES, MA'AM.
[1. Consider authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Chapter 380 Incentive Agreement with Harbor Freight Tools in an amount not to exceed $208,000.00]
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A CHAPTER 380 INCENTIVE AGREEMENT WITH HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $208,000.MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS ANTOINE LONG, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.
[01:30:04]
YES. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.SEE SOME NEW FACES UP HERE. GOOD EVENING TO YOU ALL AS WELL.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH TIME. JUST SOME BRIEF BACKGROUND ON HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS.
THEY ARE PRIVATELY HELD DISCOUNT RETAILER TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND HARDWARE.
A RECENT EXPANSION EFFORTS, INCLUDING OPENING ABOUT 100 STORES ANNUALLY.
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS IS PROPOSING A NEW LOCATION IN DESOTO AT 101 NORTH INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 35, EAST DESOTO, TEXAS, JUST SOUTH OF THE LUBY'S THERE.
SO BACK AROUND AGAIN WITH SOME OF OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS. WE ENGAGE WITH THEM ABOUT LAST YEAR, THIS TIME JUNE LAST YEAR, HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF EXPANDING HERE INTO THE DESOTO TRADE AREA KNOWING THAT WITHIN ABOUT 20 MILES OF HERE IN DESOTO, THE SITE THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, ABOUT 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE, THEY WERE ALSO CONSIDERING ABOUT THREE OTHER COMMUNITIES.
SO VERY GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THEM HERE TO DESOTO.
WE THEN PRESENTED TO OUR BOARD AS IT RELATES TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS IS ESTIMATING THE NEW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STORE ABOUT $6.3 MILLION.
PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES AT THIS LOCATION. MOST OF THEIR STORES ARE AROUND 8 MILLION.
THIS ONE IS PROJECTED HIGHER, CLOSE TO AROUND 10 MILLION.
INITIAL EMPLOYMENT FOR ABOUT 16 POSITIONS AND ANTICIPATED GROWTH CLOSER TO 2025.
PROPOSED EDC INCENTIVES AGAIN THAT WE PROPOSED TO OUR BOARD.
OUR CHAPTER THREE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF DESOTO. THE TERM WILL ONLY BE FIVE YEARS.
THE GREAT THING WITH WITH OUR THIS PARTICULAR INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS THAT IT'S PERFORMATIVE.
SO THE CLIENT OR THE ENTITY, THEY'LL GET PAID AFTER THEY PERFORM.
YEAR 140% 64,000. BACK TO THE COMPANY. YEAR TWO.
30% 48,000. YEAR THREE. 20% 32,000. 2000 BACK.
YEAR FOUR AND YEAR FIVE REPEATING THAT SAME PACE STRUCTURE THERE.
SO IN TOTAL PROJECTED A REBATE OVER FIVE YEARS.
THERE $208,000, AGAIN ABOUT A 16,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY JUST SOUTH OF THE LUBY'S, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FORMER LA QUINTA THAT'S CURRENTLY THE BEAUMONT HOTEL. STAFF RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR DESOTO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL AT OUR APRIL BOARD MEETING HERE THIS YEAR.
AND THE RECOMMENDATION GIVEN WAS TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER CHAPTER 380 AGREEMENT WITH HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS, CONSISTING OF SALES TAX REBATES AND AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 208,000 OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
AND WITH THAT, THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION. HAPPY TO FIELD ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU, MR. LONG COUNSEL. AT THIS TIME I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
PLEASE, MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN.
MISS THOMAS, DO WE HAVE ANY CARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK? WE HAVE NO CARDS.
AGAIN, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. COUNSELOR, THE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YES.
I'M GOING TO GO WITH MR. WATERS HERE. I JUST HAD A COMMENT.
EXCELLENT. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THANK YOU. MAYOR PRO TEM, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MR. LANG, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I'M EXCITED TO SEE NEW BUSINESS.
I TOOK A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO GO WALK THAT SERVICE ROAD TO SEE WHERE THIS LOCATION WOULD GO.
I THINK IT'S REALLY GREAT TO ADD SOMETHING TO A WEEDS AND GRASS THAT BURNT WEEDS AND GRASS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST ALONG I-35. AS WE DISCUSSED HOW WE WANT THAT CORRIDOR TO LOOK.
I ALSO JUST FOR KNOWLEDGE THERE'S I LOOKED AT HOW MANY LOCATIONS THIS PLACE HAD IN THE DFW AREA, AND THE CLOSEST ONE IS IN DUNCANVILLE. AND INITIALLY WHEN I ROLLED ON IT, I SAID, OH, LORD.
BUT I THOUGHT I WAS HAPPY TO SEE IN THIS PRESENTATION, AS EVERYONE ELSE HAS SEEN, IS THAT THIS IS A NEW BUILDING AND WILL NOT LOOK LIKE THE ONE IN DUNCAN. YES, MA'AM. WHICH IS WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
SO I FULLY SUPPORTED IT. I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THOUGHTFUL.
AND WITH THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. AND I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT THE THE DESOTO DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS ALSO UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROJECT.
YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER NORTH.
YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. NORTH, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I ACTUALLY HAVE THREE QUESTIONS. OKAY. STARTING WITH THE PROJECTED ANNUAL SALES OF 8 TO $10 MILLION.
[01:35:07]
WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL SALES TAX BENEFIT TO THE SAFETY NET OF THIS PROPOSAL OF $208,000 REBATE.I THINK WE HAD THAT SOMEWHERE AROUND 140, $160,000 COMING BACK TO THE CITY EACH YEAR, BASED ON A 2% PROJECTION OF A $10 MILLION SALES PER YEAR. OKAY, BEYOND THE MODEST SALES TAX REVENUE.
WHAT IS THE LONG TERM ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO DE SOTO FOR THIS AGREEMENT? AGAIN, YEARLY SALES TAX REVENUE, NEW JOBS BEING CREATED.
AS SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY WORKED THIS SITE AS AN INTERN MANY MOONS AGO, A LOT OF THE TYPICAL RETAIL FOOD AND BEVERAGE FOLKS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THERE IS JUST A VERY DIFFICULT SITE FOR THAT TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT. SO THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET A NEW HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS THERE WITH THE NEW DEVELOPMENT GREAT, ADD TO THE COMMUNITY. SO DEFINITELY SEE THEM BEING HERE AS A GREAT STAKEHOLDER IN OUR COMMUNITY, SUPPORTING THE BROADER REGION AS WELL. OKAY. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS, ARE WE CLOSING THE DOOR ON A MORE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY BY ACTIVATING THIS PARCEL NOW FOR DISCOUNT RETAIL. COULD YOU REPEAT THAT FOR ME? SURE. ARE WE CLOSING THE DOOR ON A MORE STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ACTIVATING THIS PARCEL NOW FOR DISCOUNT RETAIL? YEAH, YEAH. BACK TO MY MY RESPONSE PREVIOUSLY WITH THIS BEING, YOU KNOW, THIS TYPE OF RETAILER, YOUR TYPICAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE, THEY THEY REALLY DID NOT LIKE THE SITE. AGAIN YOU'RE RIGHT PAST I-35.
A LOT OF THAT INGRESS EGRESS THAT FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT ACCESS TO THE SITE YOU DON'T HAVE.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHERE YOU'RE GOING, SIMILAR TO THE HOTEL THAT'S RIGHT BEHIND IT. SO VERY GLAD WITH THEIR DEVELOPMENT HERE. AGAIN, NEW DEVELOPMENT HERE IN DESOTO. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN. DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT TODAY? YEAH, JUST JUST ANOTHER COMMENT THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE WILL BE COLLECTING.
SO IN ADDITION TO THE SALES TAX, WILL BE COLLECTING.
WELL, I DON'T WANT TO QUOTE YOU A GOOD CHUNK.
THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY GREAT JOB. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT YOU AND MR. CARLSON WITH TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE ON YESTERDAY.
ONE CAME TO THE MEETING EARLIER, COULDN'T STAY, AND THEY.
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. I THINK THIS IS GREAT.
THANK YOU VERY, VERY WELCOME. MORE TO COME. MORE TO COME.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER PARKER. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR.
I DO WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE JOB INCENTIVES.
WAS THERE A REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO HAVE JOBS COMING FROM THE CITY OF DESOTO RESIDENTS OR.
NO, THIS IS NOT TIED TO ANY JOB CREATION OF DESOTO RESIDENTS.
STRICTLY TIED TO SALES. PERFORMANCE. OKAY. THANK YOU.
I YIELD BACK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNSEL. WE DO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, AND NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR CARDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO SPEAK. OUR VOTING MACHINE IS OUT OF COMMISSION TONIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER HAND VOTE.
COUNCIL, THERE IS NO ORDINANCE THAT NEEDS TO BE READ FOR THIS AS WELL. THANK YOU, MR. LANE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. AT THIS TIME, COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL. AT THIS TIME, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
Y'ALL READY TO STATE LATER? OKAY. SOMEBODY BETTER SPEAK NOW.
OKAY. WE HAVE A COUNCIL MEMBER, PARKER, WHO MADE THE MOTION.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER, NORTH COUNCIL. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE, AYE. ALL OPPOSED? SAME SIGN. THAT MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED AT 7:40 P.M..
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.