[00:00:06]
WELCOME.[RECONVENE MEETING]
CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER.WE HAD A REALLY GOOD SESSION AT FOUR 30 AND, UH, BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
NOW TONIGHT OUR INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY PASTOR BRIAN LOVELESS OF CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
OUR PLEDGES WILL BE LED BY MAYOR PRO TEM LOPEZ.
FATHER, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE TOGETHER TONIGHT.
WE THANK YOU FOR OUR MAYOR, FOR OUR CITY COUNCIL, FOR ALL THAT THEY DO.
WE KNOW, LORD, AT TIMES THAT CAN BE A THANKLESS JOB, BUT WE KNOW YOU ARE WITH THEM.
AND FATHER, THANK YOU THAT WE GET TO BE IN GRAND PRAIRIE AT A MOMENT LIKE THIS WHEN YOU'RE WORKING AND YOU'RE BUILDING AND YOU'RE GROWING OUR CITY.
WE PRAY THAT ALL THAT IS SAID AND DONE WOULD GIVE YOU GLORY.
PLEASE JOIN ME AS WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG FLAG ALL UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CONSIDERING PUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
FOR HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, OUR ANCE TO BE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE INDIVIDUAL.
NOW IT'S TIME TO, UH, GIVE THE OATH OF OFFICE.
SO, UH, MEL WILL JOIN COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZANU AND COUNCIL COUNCILMAN, MAYOR ELECT SHOTWELL OUT IN FRONT, AND YOU CAN BRING SOME OF YOUR FAMILY UP, WHICHEVER, COME ON UP.
ALL THREE OF YOU ONCE JOIN MAIL RIGHT OUT FRONT.
AND AGAIN, IF YOU WANT SOME OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS UP THERE WITH YOU, AFTER WE DO THE SWEARING IN, AFTER WE DOING THE SWEARING IN, WE'RE GONNA DO TAKE A LITTLE RECESS TO GET SOME PICTURES AND ALL THAT.
THEN WE WILL RECONVENE AND LET Y'ALL COME BACK AND SIT DOWN AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT WHAT ABOUT WHY YOU WANT THIS JOB.
LET'S START WITH, UH, FIVE, DISTRICT FIVE.
WE'VE DONE IT BOTH WAYS RIGHT THERE.
TONY, CAN YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT AFTER ME? AYE.
TONY, DO YOU SOLEMN, SWEAR OR AFFIRM? SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I FAITHFULLY EXECUTE OFFICE CITY OF GRAND, PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OF GRAND PRAIRIE OF THE SAME TEXAS OF THE WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT DEFENSE CONSTITUTION LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THE STATE, THE STATES.
LET'S DO SIX COUNCIL, MEMBER SIX.
I GOTTA GO PICK UP MY STUFF AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE A RECESS AFTER EVERYBODY BEFORE WE LET 'EM SPEAK.
SO PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
I, KURT JOHNSON, YOU SOLEMNLY AFFIRM SOLEMNLY AFFIRM, BUT I'LL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE, THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF ABILITY, RESERVE, RESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PROTECT AND DEFEND CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
[00:05:02]
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM SOLEMNLY SWEAR.I FAITHFULLY, FAITHFULLY, THANKFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, THE GREAT CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
EIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER PLACE EIGHT AT LARGE AT LARGE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, OF THE AND GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.
I WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND, PROTECT, DEFEND, CONSTITUTION OF CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
OF UNITED STATES, AND OF THE, NOW AS I, AS I MENTIONED, UH, I KNOW, I'M THINKING A BUNCH OF Y'ALL ARE HERE JUST TO SEE THAT.
SO, UH, WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA TAKE ABOUT A FIVE MINUTE RECESS SO Y'ALL CAN COME DOWN AND, UH, LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
YOU WANTED TO THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT AND I'LL, WE'LL RECONVENE AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES SO Y'ALL CAN MILL AROUND, COME DOWN, GET SOME PICTURES AND HAVE FUN.
THAT'S WHY I WANTED, THAT'S WHY I WANTED, IT'S A WHOLE CEREMONIAL, IT GIVES YOU SOME TIME TO SORT 'EM.
HOW ARE YOU JUDGE? HOW ARE YOU? GOOD.
HELLO, HOW YOU DOING MIKE? HOW YOU DOING? HEY JUDGE, HOW YOU DOING? GOOD, HOW ARE YOU? HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO MEET YOU.
[00:10:48]
THANK YOU.Y'ALL, Y'ALL, WE GOTTA HAVE TO GET STARTED BACK.
[00:18:39]
HOW YOU DOING? GOOD.OKAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE FIXING TO LOCK THE DOORS, SO IF YOU DON'T GET OUT NOW.
THANK YOU'ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT AND SUPPORTING OUR CITY.
[00:20:03]
I HAVE NO, I GOTTA GET IT FIXED FOR YOU.AS IS CUSTOMARY, UH, WE ALLOW THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SAY SOME WORDS AND WE'LL START JUST LIKE WE DID THE SWEARING IN.
WE'LL START WITH DISTRICT FIVE.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TONY SHOTWELL.
UH, I WASN'T READY TO BE FIRST.
UM, WELL, UH, I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, BUT IT LOOKS DIFFERENT AND I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY THAT, UH, FIRST THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR ME, OF COURSE, AND EVERYBODY THAT HELPED US WITH THE CAMPAIGN.
UM, JUST A FEW RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
TOP OF MY HEAD NAMES OF PEOPLE THAT HELPED US.
UH, JERRY AND ANA CORLEY, UH, MOST ESPECIALLY, UH, KAREN AND TOM COX, ESPECIALLY KAREN.
AND THEN, UH, THE BEST, BEST CANVASSER TO GO OUT AND TALK TO PEOPLE AT DOOR, KNOCK THAT, KNOCK ON HER DOOR AND PUSH THEIR DOORBELL AND SPEAK WITH 'EM.
IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN TEXAS.
AND SHE WAS A FABULOUS, FABULOUS HELP.
AND, UH, SHE MAY REGRET THAT
UH, AND THERE WERE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HELPED AND YOU KNOW, I, IF I LEAVE OUT NAMES, BLAME IT ON MY HEAD AND NOT MY HEART BECAUSE I REALLY APPRECIATED EVERYBODY THAT HELPED US AND WORKED WITH US.
UH, THE, UH, IT, IT WAS HARD WORK AND, UH, WE KNEW THAT GOING IN, UH, THE REASON WHY I DIDN'T RUN AGAIN 6, 9, 6, 9 YEARS AGO WHEN I DIDN'T RUN WELL SIX YEARS AGO WHEN I DIDN'T RUN AGAIN, I WAS, BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET OUT AND DO THAT HARD WORK AFTER HAVING BACK SURGERY.
AND I WON'T, I WOULDN'T RUN FOR OFFICE IF I COULDN'T GET OUT AND KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK TO PEOPLE.
THAT'S, THAT'S HOW YOU LEARN HOW I LEARNED WHAT THE NEIGHBOR, WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, EACH SEPARATE NEIGHBORHOOD WANTS.
AND IF I DIDN'T GET OUT AND KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK TO 'EM, I'D JUST BE FELL IN THE SEAT.
SO I'M GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AND DO IT THIS TIME.
AND I WAS GLAD THAT I HAD THE BEST HELP IN THE WORLD AND NOW THE WORK REALLY BEGINS.
I APPRECIATE YOU FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY UP HERE.
I BELIEVE I'VE TOLD ALL OF YOU THAT BEFORE, SOME OF YOU PERSONALLY, SOME OF YOU AS A GROUP, AND IT'S, UM, UH, YOU GET, UH, YOU GET, UH, YOU KNOW, 400 DROP DEADS FOR EVERY THANK YOU THAT YOU GET.
AND, UH, AS THE MAYOR SAID EARLIER,
BUT, UH, I WANTED TO, THERE'S THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, THINGS THAT NEED TO CHANGE JUST A LITTLE BIT.
I'M NOT A WHOLESALE CHANGE KIND OF GUY.
WE HERE AT THIS CITY HAVE GOT A FABULOUS STAFF AND I'M THE KIND OF PERSON THAT JUST WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED, SHOW THEM, GIVE, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW ME WHAT CAN HAPPEN WITH THOSE TOOLS AND GET THE HECK OUTTA THEIR WAY AND LET 'EM DO IT BECAUSE THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE AND THEY KNOW WHAT DON'T KNOW THEIR JOBS WELL, AND I APPRECIATE THAT TOO.
SO IF I GET IN YOUR WAY ONE DAY, REMIND ME THAT I TOLD YOU I'D GET OUTTA YOUR WAY.
AND YOU KNOW, I COME BACK TO THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS, NOT JUST FOR THIS, THERE'S, I LOVE TO SEE THIS ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS I'VE BEEN SITTING BACK THERE ON THAT BACK SHELF WHERE Y'ALL ARE AT AND TRYING TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE GET PERMITS AND THINGS DONE IN THE CITY.
[00:25:01]
IT'S REALLY HEARTWARMING TO SEE A FULL ROOM SOMETIMES.I HAVE A PREPARED STATEMENT TO READ SO I CAN, SO WON'T FORGET ANYTHING AT THIS AGE.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THINGS LIKE I USED TO.
UH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND FELLOW RESIDENTS OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY WITH A HEART FULL OF GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY, DEEPLY HONORED TO HAVE BEEN REELECTED AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT SIX ON THE GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL.
THIS VICTORY IS NOT MINE ALONE, BUT A TESTAMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE STRENGTH, DEDICATION, AND THE WAVER AND SUPPORT OF OUR INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO EXTEND MY SINCERE THANKS TO MY FAMILY, TO FELICIA, TIM.
BRITTANY, KIRSTEN, AND FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN AND EXTENDED FAMILY.
YOUR LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE BEEN MY BEDROCK.
YOU HAVE STOOD BY ME THROUGH LATE NIGHTS, LONG DAYS AND MANY CHALLENGES.
CHALLENGES FOR A A PUBLIC SERVICE.
YOUR SACRIFICES HAVE AND BELIEF AND OUR SHARED VISION HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING MY CONSTANT SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND INSPIRATION TO MY FRIENDS AND THE AMAZING TEAM WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY ON MY CAMPAIGN.
YOUR COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK MADE THIS ACHIEVEMENT POSSIBLE.
YOUR ENERGY, PASSION AND BELIEF AND OUR CAUSE WERE EVIDENT IN EVERY DOOR YOU KNOCKED ON, EVERY CALL YOU MADE IN EVERY EVENT YOU ATTENDED.
I AM PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND DEEPLY TOUCHED BY YOUR DEDICATION TOGETHER, WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE POWER OF UNITY AND THE IMPACT WE CAN MAKE WHEN WE WORK AS ONE TO MY EXTENDED FAMILY, INCLUDING ALL MY AUNTS, UNCLES, AND COUSINS WHO SUPPORTED ME FROM AFAR.
YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND PRAYERS HAVE MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.
KNOWING THAT I HAD YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT, EVEN FROM A DISTANCE, PROVIDED ME WITH THE STRENGTH AND MOTIVATION TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A VITAL PART OF THIS JOURNEY TO THE VOTERS.
THANK YOU FOR PLACING YOUR TRUST IN ME.
YOUR CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITY TO SERVE AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR DISTRICT IS A RESPONSIBILITY I DO NOT TAKE LIGHTLY.
I AM COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONCERNS, TO UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS, AND TO BE YOUR VOICE ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
YOUR INPUT AND ENGAGEMENT ARE VITAL AND OUR PLEDGE TO REMAIN ACCESSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE, ENSURING THAT EVERY VOICE IN DISTRICT SIX IS HEARD AND RESPECTED.
AS A SERVANT LEAD LEADER, MY MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, TO SERVE WITH INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND DEDICATION.
OUR DISTRICT IS A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO REPRESENT AND ADVOCATE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
TOGETHER WE WILL WORK ON INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, IMPROVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND FOSTER ECONOMIC GROWTH.
IN OUR SHARED JOURNEY, IN OUR SHARED JOURNEY, I HAVE OFFERED OFTEN FOUND INSPIRATION IN RESEARCH AND HISTORY IN THE ETYMOLOGY OF WORDS, WHICH REMIND US OF OUR INTERCONNECT, CONNECTEDNESS, AND THE RICH TAPESTRY OF OUR COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE.
WORDS AND THEIR ORIGINS TELL STORIES OF OUR DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, CULTURES, AND VALUES.
AND THEY UNDERSCORE THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF ALL RACES, ETHNIC ROOTS, NATIONALITIES, CREEDS, AND COLORS.
THE INCLUS INCLUSIVITY, OOH, CAN SAY INCLUSIVITY AND RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY AND, UH, OR ESSENTIAL TO, AS WE STRIVE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE FEELS VALUED AND HEARD, I WANT TO AFFIRM THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE GUIDED BY THE MOST HIGH GOD.
IN MY CORE VALUES, I WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO UNDERMINE MY BELIEFS.
AS LEADERS, IT IS CRUCIAL TO REMAIN TRUE TO OUR CALLINGS AND, AND BELIEFS.
BY BEING POSITIVE ROLE MODELS, TRUSTWORTHY LEADERS, AND FAIR IN ALL DECISION MAKING PROCESSES, MY COMMITMENT TO YOU IS ROOTED IN THESE PRINCIPLES AND I WILL STRIVE TO EXEMPLIFY THEM EVERY DAY IN MY SERVICE TO YOU.
LOOKING, LOOKING AHEAD, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO BUILD A STRONGER, MORE COHESIVE CITY COUNCIL, COLLABORATION AND MUTUAL RESPECT, OR THE CORNERSTONES OF EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE.
BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING IN OUR CITY FROM INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
I AM COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER'S VOICE IS HEARD AND VALUED, WHERE WE CAN ENGAGE IN CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE AND WHERE OUR SHARED GOALS IS THE BETTERMENT OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
IN CLOSING, LET US CELEBRATE THIS VICTORY AS A STEPPING STONE TOWARDS THE BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR DISTRICT AND OUR CITY.
LET US CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER UNITED IN PURPOSE AND DRIVEN BY OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR.
I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE WILL ACHIEVE TOGETHER AND I'M DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TRUST AND SUPPORT.
AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DETERMINATION, HOPE MADE THE MOST HIGH.
GOD BLESS GRAND PRAIRIE IN ALL RESIDENTS.
ONE LAST THING FOR ONE TO KNOW THAT I WAS A RETIRED, I'M A RETIRED NAVAL
[00:30:01]
OFFICER.MY MOTTO THEN WAS, YOU GET WHAT YOU EXPECT, NOT WHAT YOU EXPECT.
NOT TO START OFF BY JUST THANKING GOD FOR BEING HERE.
UM, TO BE ABLE TO SERVE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR OF PRIVILEGE.
I WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS, MY SIBLINGS.
I WANNA THANK ALL THE SUPPORTERS, MY FRIENDS, ANYONE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAMPAIGN, WHETHER IT BE A DONATION, UH, VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME, YOUR EFFORT, PRAYING FOR PROTECTION FOR ME AND THE VOLUNTEERS AS WE WERE OUT THERE CANVASSING AND POLL GREETING.
GRAND PRAIRIE, THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE THAT CARED.
THEY CALLED ME AND CHECKED IN ON ME TO SEE HOW I WAS DOING.
REACHED OUT AND SAID, HOW CAN I HELP? AND WAS JUST THERE.
I CAN'T QUANTIFY MY GRATITUDE, BUT I CAN SAY THANK YOU.
THREE YEARS AGO, YOU ALL TOOK A CHANCE ON THIS 22-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT THAT WAS AMBITIOUS, THAT WAS HUNGRY, UH, THAT WAS TIRED TOO SOME OF THE TIME.
AND Y'ALL GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
AND OVER THE COURSE OF THOSE THREE YEARS, I'VE DEFINITELY GROWN.
AND I WON'T JUST SAY I'VE GROWN AS A LEADER, OBVIOUSLY YOU'LL GROW, GROW AS A LEADER IN LEADERSHIP AND YOU'LL LEARN SO MUCH.
BUT AS A MAN, AS A HUMAN BEING, GROWING IN EMPATHY, GROWING IN COMPASSION, BUT ALSO GROWING IN UNDERSTANDING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU GUYS ELECT US, YOU'RE ENTRUSTING IN US TO BE STEWARDS OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS, BUT NOT JUST OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS, OF THE PUBLIC TRUST.
AND KNOWING THAT WE'RE GONNA MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST.
AND SOMETIMES WE MAKE MISTAKES.
I'VE MADE MISTAKES AND I'M GONNA MAKE SOME MORE.
BUT I'VE MADE MISTAKES AND I'VE IMPROVED ON THAT AND I'VE LEARNED, AND I'VE WORKED TO GROW TO BE THE LEADER THAT Y'ALL NEED.
I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL, MY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT I'VE SERVED WITH FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
WE'VE HAD SOME, WE HAVE, WE'VE HAD VARIOUS DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVE SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
AND I'VE MADE IT A MAJOR EFFORT TO JUST LISTEN AND LEARN FROM EVERYBODY.
I THINK EVERYONE ON THIS COUNCIL IS SPECIAL, HAS SKILLS THAT THEY OFFER.
AND WE'LL NEVER AGREE ON EVERYTHING.
BUT I THINK WE DO A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE FIRST IN EVERY SINGLE DECISION WE MAKE.
SO IF Y'ALL CAN JUST PLEASE GIVE A HAND TO MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE HAVE A TERRIFIC CITY MANAGER, BILL HILLS, GREAT CITY STAFF.
BUT IT IS NOT JUST OUR STAFF, IT IS YOU GUYS.
WE ALL CARE ABOUT SERVING THIS CITY AND WE GOTTA WORK TOGETHER TO SERVE THIS CITY.
Y'ALL KNOW, DURING THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, AND WHENEVER YOU SPEAK TO ME, I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT SERVICE.
I THINK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THIS ROOM AND IN THIS CITY AND ON THIS PLANET, WE'RE CALLED BY GOD TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WE'RE ALL GONNA SERVE IN DIFFERENT WAYS, RIGHT? WE'RE GONNA SERVE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
SOME PEOPLE ARE GONNA BE EDUCATORS, SOME PEOPLE WILL BE ADMINISTRATORS.
SOME PEOPLE WILL WORK IN HEALTHCARE, OTHERS WILL WORK IN LAW.
I THINK THE LORD PUT ME HERE TO SERVE Y'ALL IN PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH WORKING IN THE GOVERNMENT.
I DON'T LIKE SAYING POLITICIAN, PUBLIC SERVANT.
THAT'S WHAT I TRY TO BE AT LEAST.
BUT I WANT TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR YOUR HELP FOR THE LAST FIVE, SIX MONTHS, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.
I NEED A FAVOR ON ONE MORE THING.
ONE MORE THING I'M GONNA ASK FOR Y'ALL.
I WANT TO INVITE YOU ALL TO BECOME PART OF THE CITY.
AND WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE ATTENDING THIS MEETING AND, AND BEING WILLING TO COME AND SEE ALL OF US GET SWORN IN.
BUT I WANT MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO COUNCIL MEETINGS.
AND EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO COME TO A COUNCIL MEETING, YOU CAN WATCH US ONLINE LIVE OR WATCH THE REPLAYS OF THE DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
I WANT YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS, HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE.
I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT I'M VERY BIG ON IS, HEY, I'M NOT GONNA BE THE PERFECT LEADER, BUT YOU GUYS MAKE US BETTER.
YOU MAKE ME BETTER BY YOUR QUESTIONING, BY YOUR, UH, CHECKING ON ME AND MAKING SURE THAT I'M DOING THINGS THAT I SAID I WAS GONNA DO.
I HAD A VOTER WHEN I WAS KNOCKING ON DOORS, SAID, JUNIOR, DID YOU DO EVERYTHING YOU SAID YOU WERE GONNA DO? I SAID, I DID MOST OF IT, NOT ALL OF IT, BUT I, I'M TRYING.
AND HE WAS LIKE, I'M GONNA SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE HONEST.
SO KEEP PLEASE, KEEP, PLEASE STAY.
AND I WANT TO ASK FOR Y'ALL JUST TO REMAIN ENGAGED.
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS IS WHENEVER YOU GET HOME FROM A COUNCIL MEETING, YOU SEE A RESIDENT THAT SENT YOU A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK OR ON EMAIL SAYING, HEY, I LIKE WHAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT.
OR, HEY, WHY DIDN'T YOU BRING THIS UP WHEN THIS QUESTION OR THIS ITEM WAS VOTED ON? THANK YOU FOR BEING ENGAGED AND PLEASE REMAIN ENGAGED.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU ALL ON THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT WILL FACE OUR CITY.
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES AND THESE ISSUES.
WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE THAT'S FAIRER, MORE EQUITABLE.
AND WHERE WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY
[00:35:01]
REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION, BACKGROUND, ETHNICITY, WE'RE ABOUT, THIS COUNTS RIGHT HERE.WE'RE ABOUT EVERYONE THAT LIVES IN THIS CITY.
AND THAT'S WHY WHEN I LOOK INTO THIS AUDIENCE AND I SEE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE CITY, IT MAKES ME TRULY HAPPY.
SO JUST THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
I'M GONNA WORK HARD TO MAKE Y'ALL PROUD AND NOT LET YOU DOWN.
AND AS I SAID THREE YEARS AGO, DURING MY FIRST WEARING AGAIN, LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
[PRESENTATIONS]
OKAY, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT.FIRST I'LL BE READING THE CERTIFICATE.
I'M GONNA PRESENT IT TO PAULA T KO.
KO, ARE YOU HERE, PAULA? YEAH.
SHE'S FROM OUR FINE ARTS ACADEMY.
SHE EARNED A BOBBY BRAGAN SCHOLARSHIP.
SHE IS, CONGRATULATIONS, I'LL, I'LL COME PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
UH, SHE'S THE SOLE RECIPIENT OF THE BOBBY BRAGAN SCHOLARSHIP IN IN G-P-I-S-D.
SHE HOLDS A 98, A 98 GRADE AVERAGE AND VOLUNTEERS IN MANY, MANY COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.
MORE THAN 37008TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM 150 PUBLIC SCHOOLS REPRESENTING 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM ACROSS THE NORTH TEXAS AREA WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY.
THE BOBBY B BRA YOUTH FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $2 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO OVER 800 CENT STUDENTS SINCE 1992.
SO BY THE AUTHORITY INVESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, I'VE ISSUED THIS CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION.
LET ME GET AROUND AND HAND IT TO YOU.
WHERE'S DOWN HERE PLEASE, MOM, I DOWN HERE FOR THE PICTURES.
AND YOU CAN COME AROUND AND YES.
SHE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, SO SPEAK LOUDLY AND YOU STAND RIGHT HERE.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR JENSEN, ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EVERYONE HERE PRESENT.
UM, I WANT SINCERELY, THANK GOD FOR THIS AWARD.
I WANT TO SHOUT OUT THE GPID AND ALL THE EDUCATORS, COUNSELORS, AND STAFF MEMBERS.
A SPECIAL THANK A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY TEACHERS AT GRAND PERRY FINANCE ACADEMY.
TO MY PARENTS, MY ROLE MODELS, THANK YOU TO MY CHIL TO MY CHILDREN AND NEW TEACHERS WHO INSTILLED GOD FEAR AND DISCIPLINE IN US.
THANK YOU TO THE BEST MAYOR GRAND PERRY HAS EVER SEEN.
AND TO CABINET FOR AMAZING WORK ALL DOING
I'M BLESSED TO BE A WORTHY AMBASSADOR AND ALUM ALUMNA OF GPSD.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS HONOR.
GOD BLESS GPSD AND GOD BLESS THE CITY OF GRANDPARENTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.
SO NOW I'D LIKE FOR MAYOR LOPEZ TO READ A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS MENTAL HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERYONE'S OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
AND WHEREAS EVERYONE EXPERIENCED TIMES OF DIFFICULT AND STRESS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, ONE IN FIVE ADULTS STRUGGLE TO ADDRESS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.
AND WHEREAS MORE THAN HALF OF THE PEOPLE IN
[00:40:01]
THE US WITH A DIAGNOSABLE MENTAL DISORDER DO NOT SEEK TREATMENT AS A RESULT OF MANY FINANCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, UH, SIGMA BARRIERS.AND WHEREAS WITH EARLY DETECTION AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT, INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS CAN RECOVER AND LEAD FULL PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARKLAND, DALLAS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND LOCAL MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SEEK TO PROMOTE AWARENESS, EARLY INTERVENTION, AND WAYS TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF MENTAL ILLNESS.
THEREFORE, MAYOR RON JENSEN ON BEHALF OF CITY COUNCIL AND CITIZENS, GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MAY, 2024 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH SIGNING STILL BY THE MAYOR RON JENSEN.
CINDY, YOU WOULD BRING THEM ALL DOWN PLEASE SO THEY CAN JOIN ME UP HERE THAT WORK IN THIS FIELD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
PROTE, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA, SO WE WILL GET THROUGH THOSE FIRST.SO, UH, MEL, GIVE US HAROLD WILLIS.
IS HAROLD OUT OUTSIDE? YOU WANT TO, HERE HE COMES.
WE'LL LET YOU DO ALL YOURS ON CONSENT AGENDA FIRST, HAROLD.
AND WHY DON'T YOU PULL THAT SPEAKER DOWN.
DO YOU WANNA GET RID OF ME?
I DIDN'T HAVE 'EM DO THAT, BUT THAT WAS PRETTY FUNNY.
MEGAN MAYHAN, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
FOCUS ADVOCACY IS OUR, UM, REPRESENTATIVE IN AUSTIN.
UM, THE PRIMARY TWO PRIMARY LOBBYISTS ARE, UM, SNAPPER CAR AND BRANDON MIAN.
THEY REPRESENT, UM, SEVERAL DIFFERENT CITIES ALONG IN THE STATE.
AND THE NEXT, ARE THEY DOWN IN AUSTIN RIGHT NOW? BECAUSE OF ALL THE WORK THEY'RE DOING NOW? ARE THEY, THEIR OFFICERS ARE IN AUSTIN? YES, CORRECT.
SO ARE WE HAVING TO SHARE THEM WITH ANOTHER CITY? ARE THEY EXCLUSIVELY DEVOTED TO THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE OR? NOPE.
THEY HAVE A, I THINK BETWEEN FIVE TO 10 DIFFERENT CLIENTS AND, UM, THEY, THEY HAVE A, A COMPARABLE RATE TO OTHER LOBBYISTS OF THEIR, THEIR TYPE.
SO WHAT ARE WE GONNA GET FOR $308,000 FROM THESE LOBBYISTS DOWN THERE? EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
'CAUSE I KNOW, ARE WE GONNA GET OUR SANS CASINO OUT OF 'EM?
THAT'S WHAT I TAKE FOR MY PAIN CONTROL.
SO, SO, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF, IS GERALD HERE? GERALD, IF YOU WANNA COME DOWN.
SO WE HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST, UM, LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
[00:45:01]
I'LL HAVE, UH, GERALD, WHO'S OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATIVE, KIND OF TALK ABOUT HOW WE GET TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.BUT THE CITY FORMS ITS OWN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
JUROR HODGE ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER.
SO THE PROCESS, WE WORK WITH THE STAFF, UH, FIRST ALL, UH, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME MAJOR CONCERNS AS WE SAW LAST SESSION, TO MAINTAIN LOCAL CONTROL AND SOME MAJOR ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO FIGHT IN LEGISLATION.
TWO OF THE THINGS THAT WE GET FROM OUR LOBBYISTS IS PROXIMITY AND THE RELATIONSHIPS.
AND SO LIKE SHE SAID, THEY'RE AN AUSTIN WHERE WE CAN'T BE.
AND SO THAT KEEPS OUR VOICE BEING HEARD ALONG WITH, UH, OTHER INTERESTS.
SO, SO IS WHAT THE FOCUS FROM THE COUNCIL IS MORE POWER IS BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT AND PUT IN THE HANDS OF DANNY SCOTT GAB, ALSO KNOWN AS DAN PATRICK.
THEY'RE TAKING FROM BUILDING CODES EVERYTHING.
AND LIKE KEN PAXTON SAID, WE JUST CAN'T PICK, IN OTHER WORDS, I WANNA MAKE SURE THESE GUYS ARE ON OUR SIDE, NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE REPUBLICANS AT AUSTIN.
ARE THEY GONNA REPRESENT GRAND PRAIRIE? OUR MONEY TALKS AND ALL? THEY REPRESENT OUR INTEREST ON EVERYTHING DOWN THERE? YES.
I'M GONNA MAKE SURE THEY'RE STAYING.
THEY SET UP MEETINGS WITH US WHEN ANY OF OUR DELEGATION GOES DOWN THERE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH ROYCE WEST, WE'RE WORKING WITH CHRIS TURNER.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO FIGHT BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION EVER IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.
SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THEY FIGHT FOR OUR INTEREST DOWN IN AUSTIN.
YOU OUTTA 13, THIS DIESEL GENERATOR FOR 57,000.
WHERE IS IT GONNA BE LOCATED? KPE, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER.
THE GENERATOR WOULD BE LOCATED AT THE NEW FIRE STATION 11.
IS IT POSSIBLE GOING FORWARD TO UTILIZATION SINCE THE EPA IS CRACKING DOWN ON DIESEL PARTICULATE EMISSIONS THAT WE TRANSITIONED OVER TO NATURAL GAS GENERATORS LIKE WALMART HAS? IS THAT SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE?
WE FOUND THAT THE DIESEL MAINTENANCE ON THE GENERATORS ARE ACTUALLY LOWER REALLY THAN NATURAL GAS.
AND THEN IN THE EVENT THERE IS A SUPPLY ISSUE WITH NATURAL GAS THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY OUT OF COMMISSION UNTIL THE SUPPLY GOT BACK UP TO IT.
WILL THERE BE AN ADDITIONAL, UH, DIESEL FUEL STORAGE OUT THERE TO BACK UP OR IS EVERYTHING CONTAINED? WE ARE PLANNING TO ADD IN THE FUTURE ANOTHER FUEL STATION OUT AT FIRE 11.
SO SINCE THAT'S SO FAR SOUTH CORRECT, WE'LL HAVE A ADDITIONAL FUEL BACKUP.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT ABOUT THE NATURAL GAS.
I'VE ALREADY SPOKE TO RAY ABOUT THIS.
I JUST WANT MY QUESTION TO THE COUNCIL IS WHAT PART OF THIS IS FROM OUR FORENSIC INVESTIGATION THAT WAS DONE IN 2020? WERE ANY OF THESE I ITEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION THAT WE NEVER DID GET A REPORT ON? LEMME SEE.
RAY HERTA, PARKS ARTS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.
UM, THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THIS IS WITH KSA, UH, WE'RE DOING A CURRENT, UM, UH, THEY'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT ALL OUR MECHANICAL, ALL OUR ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, FIRE LIFE SAFETY, UH, BUILDING STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS. AND THEY'RE GONNA BE BE BASICALLY EVALUATING ALL OUR ENTIRE SYSTEMS JUST TO MAKE SURE WHAT THE LIFE CYCLES ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE DON'T RUN OUT.
SO THE, BUT I'M NOT TOO FAMILIAR WITH WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
UH, WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN? I MEAN THE, THE ETHIC OPENED IN WHAT, LATE 2018 AND WE'RE ALREADY HAVING TO DEAL WITH THESE TYPES OF ISSUES NOW.
WE JUST WANT TO, WE JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT ALL OUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS THAT WE KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LIFE CYCLES, THAT'S, WE DO THIS STUDY.
UH, SO LIKE IF AIR CONDITION UNITS DON'T GO OUT, ET CETERA, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
SO IT'S JUST BASICALLY WE'RE JUST KEEPING UP WITH THE LIFECYCLE OF ALL OUR STRUCTURES AND ELECTRICAL.
DO WE HAVE ANY BACKUP ELECTRICAL GENERATION AT THE EPIC? I'M NOT TOO SURE IF WE HAVE GENERATION GENER YOU TALKING ABOUT GENERATORS? YEAH.
I'M NOT I'M SURE FACILITIES DO WE? NO SIR.
AND WE DO NOT HAVE 'EM AT THE SUMMIT EITHER.
SO WE HAVE NO BACKUP GENERATION THAT, THOSE ARE TWO BIG BUILDINGS THAT SURE.
AFTER WHAT'S HAPPENED IN HOUSTON LAST WEEKEND THAT COULD FACILITATE FOR PEOPLE TO GO UP THERE.
SO I THINK IF THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE FOR BACKUP GENERATORS FOR, FOR THE EPIC AND FOR THE SUMMIT TO ENHANCE YOUR, TO DELIVERING THE SERVICES.
[00:50:01]
YOU.OH, SAME THING? YEAH, JUST UH, THE FLOOR.
SO, UH, THAT THIS IS, UH, BASICALLY A CONTRACT WITH PONDER COMPANY FOR THE MULTI-PURPOSE COURT COURT FOR FLOOR REPLACEMENT AT THE EPIC.
UH, WHEN THEY FIRST BUILT THAT FLOOR, IT WAS FOR SUPPOSED TO BE FOR A SAL COURT, BUT THAT SAL COURT, THEY NO LONGER USE FOR THAT FUNCTION AND IT'S GOT A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR AND SO WE'RE JUST REPLACING THAT FLOOR.
26, THE, UH, 12 POLICE CARS FOR 392,000.
UH, HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE TO GET THESE, UH, 12 NEW POLICE CARS IN THE FLEET AND IN SERVICE? HI, HAROLD.
SO ONCE WE ISSUE A PO UH, WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF THAT, ALL THE PARTS WILL BE ORDERED AND THEN HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT WE'LL GET THE CARS, UH, STARTING TO GET IN SERVICE.
SO YEAH, THAT VENDOR USES A STANDARDIZED SPECIFICATION, SO A LOT OF THE PARTS THAT WE WOULD USE ON THOSE CARS THEY ALREADY HAVE ON HAND.
SO THIS IS SOMEONE THAT YOU'RE HAPPY WITH ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN USING THEM FOR YEARS AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE WELL KNOWN IN THIS, THIS, UH, SPACE.
IF, IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE USING 'EM.
THIS IS, I I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT OUR POLICE VEHICLES, THIS IS A RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT TOOL THAT WE HAVE THE BEST EQUIPMENT ABSOLUTELY.
FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS OUT THERE FOR SURE.
UM, WHO IS HIGHLAND MARKET RESEARCH? LLC.
AND WHY ARE WE PAYING THEM $90,000? GOOD EVENING.
HAROLD CHERYL, DEION, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
WE HAVE A CONSULTANT HELPING US.
WE HAVE A A, AN EVENT THAT'S GONNA BE COMING UP, WHICH IS THE CRICKET WORLD CUP.
ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE IS TO OBTAIN SOME GRANT FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE THE COSTS OF THAT EVENT THAT THE CITY HAS EXPENDED FOR THAT.
SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING IS WE WILL GET THE FUNDS BACK THROUGH THIS GRANT, BUT WE'RE APPLYING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT.
WHO IS PROVIDING THE GRANT? WHICH GOVERNMENT ENTITY? THIS IS THE STATE OF TEXAS.
SO TEXAS EVENT TRUST PROGRAM, IS THERE ANY, ANY FUNDS FROM TEXAS TRUST CREDIT UNION ON THIS OR IS IT SIMPLY FROM THE GRANT? NO, THAT, THAT TEXAS TRUST CREDIT UNION IS A FACILITY THAT'S WHERE WE THROW THAT HAVE CONCERTS.
THIS IS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS.
OH, TEXAS EVENT TRUST IS THROUGH THE STATE.
SO THAT'S WHAT HOTEL MOTEL, I MEAN FILM REVENUE OR WHATEVER POOL OF MONEY COMES IN THE LAWSUIT.
I'D HAVE TO CHECK WHERE THE STATE GETS THE FUNDING.
WE KNOW WHERE THEY'RE SPENDING $11 BILLION AT.
SO
SO THOSE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE FOR THAT EVENT, WE WILL GET REIMBURSED.
KATE DERMO, YOU START WITH 17 KATE.
I'M DROPPING IT DOWN LOWER AS ALWAYS.
UH, KATE DERMO 43 65 ASHLEY LANE.
UH, MY QUESTION ON ITEM 17 IS KIND OF LIKE TWOFOLD.
SO I GUESS LIKE WHAT DROVE THE CITY TO REQUEST ANALYSIS AFTER ONLY FIVE YEARS, THAT'S LIKE SUPER EARLY INTO A BUILDING LIFECYCLE, GET OUTTA THE WAY.
STEVEN BOWLES, PARKS AND RECREATION FISCAL MANAGER.
SO NOW THAT THE EPIC'S A LITTLE OVER FIVE YEARS OLD, UH, SOME OF THE SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS HAVE STARTED TO GET TO THE END OF THEIR WARRANTY CYCLE.
UM, THIS IS NOT TO REPLACE ANYTHING THAT'S CURRENTLY BROKEN IN THERE.
THIS IS TO GET OUT AHEAD AS WE'RE ENTERING THIS PERIOD WHERE COSTS WILL BE ON US FOR SOME OF THESE MAJOR SYSTEMS LIKE HVAC, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, IT'S TO, UH, HAVE AN ENGINEERING PLAN AHEAD OF TIME SO THAT WE KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT TO DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR WORK, THAT SORT OF THING.
SO WE CAN BE OUT AHEAD OF ANY KINDA MAJOR CATASTROPHE OR ANYTHING.
I DO HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION ON THAT.
THAT ACTUALLY DID ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
UM, SO I SUPPOSE, UH, I'M KIND OF CURIOUS WHY THAT TYPE OF LIKE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE STRATEGY ISN'T PART OF LIKE THE INITIAL CREATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BUILDING SO THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, THE FULL LIFECYCLE COST BEFORE YOU LIKE START CONSTRUCTION.
SO WHY LIKE FIVE YEARS LATER AS OPPOSED TO AT INCEPTION? YEAH, I CAN'T ANSWER TO TO WHY IT WASN'T DONE PREVIOUSLY.
UM, ONLY THAT WE NOTICED THAT AS WE GOT INTO THIS FIFTH YEAR, WE DO START TO SEE THAT SOME OF THOSE WARRANTIES WERE OFF AND WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO PLAN OUR BUDGET AROUND WHEN WE MIGHT NEED TO BE MAKING MAJOR REPAIR WORK OR MAJOR REPLACEMENTS.
UM, AND SO THAT'S WHY WE DECIDED THAT THIS WAS A PRIORITY.
SO I PROMISE THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION ON THIS ONE, BUT, UM, SO SINCE OBVIOUSLY LIKE IT IS ONLY FIVE YEARS, FIVE YEARS IS A QUICK
[00:55:01]
TURNAROUND.UM, I MEAN LIKE FOR LIFECYCLE STUFF IS THIS PROJECT, BECAUSE IT REQUIRES KIND OF LIKE US DOING STUFF EVERY FIVE YEARS, IS THIS LIKE INCENTIVIZING US TO DO THAT ANALYSIS FOR LIKE NEWER BUILDINGS RIGHT AT THE INCEPTION DESIGN? OR ARE WE STILL KIND OF JUST LIKE PLAYING IT BY EAR FOR LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTIONS? SURE.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL THE CITY BUILDINGS, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY IN, UH, FUTURE PARKS PROJECTS.
THIS WILL BE SOMETHING WE'LL BE LOOKING AT FROM THE GET GO.
LET'S SEE, 19 ALRIGHTYY FOR 19.
UM, I DID NOTE IN THE PACKET AND LIKE YOU GUYS MENTIONED IT WAS A TSAL COURT TO BEGIN WITH.
I WAS KIND OF CURIOUS ABOUT THE ANALYSIS THAT GOT US TO THAT SINCE THAT'S NOT A PARTICULARLY COMMON SPORT.
IT'S REALLY COOL SPORT, BUT NOT A PARTICULARLY COMMON SPORT IN TEXAS.
AND THEN ALSO FIVE YEARS SEEMS EARLY FOR A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON A COURT.
SO I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHAT WE HAD ON THAT STEVEN BOWLES PARKS AND REC FISCAL MANAGER.
SO BEFORE THE EPIC WAS OPEN, THEY DID A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LOOKING FOR INPUT INTO WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THAT BUILDING.
UM, AT THE TIME, FUTSAL WAS A HIGH DEMAND, UM, THING THAT, AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WEREN'T OFFERING AT ANY OTHER FACILITY.
UH, SO MANAGEMENT AT THE TIME ELECTED TO GO AHEAD AND PUT A SAL COURT IN THE BUILDING.
UH, WHEN THE BUILDING FIRST OPENED, IT WAS VERY POPULAR, BUT AFTER A YEAR OR TWO IT STARTED TO WANE.
UM, AND SO THE, THE BUILDING, THE, THE STAFF OF THE BUILDING STARTED TO USE IT FOR OTHER PURPOSES AND THEN ESPECIALLY DURING COID, UM, ONCE THE BUILDING WAS ABLE TO REOPEN AND WAS TRYING TO BE CONSCIOUS OF KEEPING DISTANCE BETWEEN PATRONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, UH, THAT AREA GOT USED TO SPREAD OUT SOME OF THE WORKOUT EQUIPMENT AND OTHER THINGS THAT WEREN'T REALLY WHAT THE COURT FLOOR WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR, WHICH PUT SOME ADDITIONAL WEAR AND TEAR ONTO IT.
UM, NOW THEY'VE KIND OF IDENTIFIED THAT IT MIGHT BE BETTER USE FOR A MULTIPURPOSE COURT WHERE WE CAN DO LOTS OF DIFFERENT SPORTS ON IT.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO REPURPOSE IT AND, UH, PUT A FLOOR THAT'S MORE APPROPRIATE FOR ITS USE.
ALRIGHT, SO FOR 24, UM, I NOTED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE NONE OF THE VENDORS COULD MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS, WHICH IS AWFUL FOR AN APP, BUT WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE LIBRARY MOBILE APP SINCE ALL OF THE RFPS ARE GONNA BE REJECTED BECAUSE OF THAT, LIKE REQUIREMENTS ISSUE? OH, PETER SIMON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR.
BASICALLY WE FELT THAT SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND THEY WERE VERY EXTENSIVE TABLING IT.
FOR NOW UNTIL WE GET A BETTER FEEL FOR THE TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED TO THE POINT WHERE IT CAN DO EVERYTHING WE WANT TO DO.
WE DON'T WANNA SPEND THE CITY'S MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MEET EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.
AND IN THIS CASE IT JUST, WE DID NOT GET THE RESULTS WE WANTED FROM THE BID PROCESS.
DO YOU, UM, DO Y'ALL HAVE KIND OF LIKE A TIMELINE ON WHEN YOU'RE THINKING OF LIKE REOPENING IT OR LOOKING AT IT AGAIN? I WOULD PROBABLY SAY THAT IN FISCAL YEAR 26, THE THINGS, THE FEEDBACK WE GOT, OH, WE'RE KIND OF WORKING ON THIS OR WE'RE KIND OF WORKING ON THIS.
YOU'RE REALLY, TO ME IT FELT LIKE THAT'S, THAT'S WISHFUL THINKING THAT'S GONNA BE DONE REALLY QUICKLY.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? IT TOTALLY DOES.
SO FOR ITEM 30, I WAS CURIOUS, WHAT ARE THE MAIN FACTORS FOR US REPLACING THE IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING FEATURES? IT'S AGAIN, ONE OF THOSE, LIKE, IT'S PRETTY RECENT FOR LIKE THAT KIND OF FEATURE.
STEVE MOLES, PARK'S FISCAL MANAGER, UH, SORRY.
UH, THIS WAS ITEM 30 IN REGARDS TO THE SUMMIT IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING.
UM, SO WHEN THE SUMMIT WAS BUILT, UM, THIS WAS BEFORE ALL THOSE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS OVER THERE OFF OF 1 61.
IT WAS KIND OF THE FIRST THING OVER ON THAT SIDE OF, OF THE HIGHWAY.
UM, AND THE LANDSCAPING HASN'T BEEN UPDATED TO MATCH ALL OF THESE NEW THINGS THAT HAVE GONE IN INCLUDING EPIC, EPIC WATERS AND ALL THE NEW BUSINESSES OVER THERE.
SO THIS IS TO GIVE IT A REFRESHER AND KIND OF BRING IT UP TO SPEED WITH ALL THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS OVER THERE.
ALRIGHT, FOR 32, I HAVE THREE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST ONE'S FOR SECTION FOUR.
SO IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE SUITE REMODEL GOING TO COST LESS THAN ANTICIPATED? IF NOT, WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR ADJUSTING THE FUNDS AWAY FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDING?
THIS MONEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN EARMARKED FOR THAT REMODEL.
WE WERE JUST MOVING IT FROM THE, UM, A PARTICULAR FUND TO THE MORE APPROPRIATE FUND FOR TRANSPARENCY.
IT WAS AN A CAPITAL RESERVE FUND AND WE'RE MOVING IT TO THE MIN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES FUND.
THE NEXT QUESTIONS MAY ALL JUST BE THAT ANSWER, BUT I'M GONNA ASK IF ANYWAY.
UH, SO FOR SECTION SIX, UM, A MURAL SOUNDS GREAT.
I IT WAS WORTH NOTING, YOU KNOW, LIKE AT I 30 AND BELTLINE, BUT DOES THIS TRANSFER MEAN WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY OR SCALES FOR THE SOLID WASTE TRUCK SCALES? SIX.
THE MONEY THAT WAS EARMARKED FOR THE TRUCK SCALES, WE WERE ABLE TO
[01:00:01]
ACTUALLY DO THAT IN AN EARLIER YEAR AND THEN NOW WE'RE REALLOCATING THOSE FUNDS TO THE, THE MURAL AND THE, UH, CARRIER JEFFERSON INTER INTERSECTION PROJECT.THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION FOR SECTION 15.
UM, AGAIN, THIS ONE WAS RELATED TO, IT WAS, I THINK IT WAS MOVED FROM A FUND FOR STORM DRAINAGE RELATED EFFORTS INTO WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A MORE GENERAL FUND.
SO I WAS MOSTLY CURIOUS, IS THIS MONEY NO LONGER SUPPORTING STORM DRAIN RELATED EFFORTS? THIS IS JUST ONCE AGAIN A, UM, ADMINISTRATIVE, IT'S MOVING FROM THE STORM WATER FUND.
WE'VE JUST MOVED IT INTO THE EPIC CENTRAL, WHICH IS WHERE THE PROJECT IS ACTUALLY AT.
TIM, THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE ON THE CONSENT.
REMEMBER WE ARE PROBABLY GONNA TABLE ONE.
UH, SINCE I WASN'T ON THE COUNCIL, I COULDN'T ASK ABOUT THIS EARLIER.
UH, IN NUMBER 32, UH, SECTION 16, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IN THE HOPE SOMEBODY CAN EXPLAIN WHY WE WOULD HAVE ANY STREET CIP FUND MONEY IN THE MAINTENANCE BUILDING AND MATERIAL STORAGE PROJECT BECAUSE I DON'T SEE HOW THE STREETS AND MAINTENANCE BUILDINGS MATCH.
AND THEN WHY WE'D BE MOVING IT TO THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE FUND TO BEGIN WITH.
T AND, UH, IT ENLIGHTENED ME YOUNG MAN.
SIR, IT'S THE MATERIAL STORAGE FOR WHENEVER WE HAVE, UH, WINTER EVENTS, ALL, ALL THOSE TYPE OF THINGS FOR THE STREETS FUND, WE'RE JUST MOVING IT TO MA, THE MUNICIPAL FACILITIES FUND JUST BECAUSE IT IS A MUNICIPAL FACILITIES.
SO IT'S JUST MORE FOR PUTTING IN THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING.
SO BY, BY MATERIAL STORAGE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT STREET MATERIAL? YES SIR.
IT'S ASPHALT, SOME ROCKS OR WHAT? SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THE WINTER SAND, ALL THE, WE USED TO HAVE THOSE HUGE CANOPY COVERS OFF OF 1 61.
IT'S, IT'S THAT THE BUILDING TO PUT ALL THE, THE SAND FOR THE SANDING EVENTS DURING THE WINTER, SIR.
ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF SAND? NO, FOR THE
IT'S, IT'S PART OF THE, THE BUILDING.
UM, THE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR THAT BUILDING IS PART OF IT WAS FOR MATERIAL STORAGE, BUT IT'S ALSO HOUSING OTHER, SOME OF OUR OFFICE BUILDINGS.
IT'S FOR THE BUILDING NOT FOR SAND.
WHY? NO, NO, IT'S, WHY IS THAT IN THE STREET? CIP FUNDED? IT'S BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S FOR A STREETS BUILDING.
SO INITIALLY THAT'S WHERE THE FUNDING WAS PUT BECAUSE IT WAS FOR A STREETS BUILDING AND NOW WE'RE MOVING IT TO A MUNICIPAL FACILITIES FUND JUST BECAUSE EXACTLY THAT IT IS A MUNICIPAL BUILDING.
SO IT WAS JUST THE ALLOCATION OF WHERE IT WAS IN THE FUNDING.
I JUST, ANYTHING THAT'S IN A STREETS THE GOOD LUCK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR STREETS.
WELL, SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE MOVING IT TO, IT SHOULD BE SPENT ON STREETS.
SO THAT'S WHY WE, WE ARE MOVING IT.
SO IT'S, IT'S MORE, IT'S CLEAR THAT IT, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE STREETS AND WE'RE ADMINISTRATIVELY MOVING IT TO THE APPROPRIATE FUND.
IS THAT, IS THAT KEEPING ANY IT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY ANY MILEAGE OF STREETS FROM BEING REPAIRED.
IT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY MONEY EARMARKED FOR A STREETS REPAIR.
IT WAS MONEY THAT WAS EARMARKED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BUILDING.
AND AS SUCH WE ARE MOVING IT TO THE APPROPRIATE FUND, SIR.
AND YOU CAN YOU, YOU'RE GONNA DO YOUR BEST TO KEEP THAT KIND OF YES SIR.
FROM HAPPENING SIR, IN THE FUTURE, SIR.
UM, EARLIER TODAY WE HELD MEETING, UM, BRIEFING, REVIEWED ALL THE ITEMS ON CONSENT AGENDA, THE AGENDAS POSTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM? PLEASE FILL OUT A SPEAKER CARD.
GIVEN THAT I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE ITEM SIX THROUGH 32 WITH ITEM 29 BEING DELAYED UNTIL THE JUNE 4TH MEETING.
SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VOKI.
[33. Second reading and adoption of an Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, “Utilities and Services” relating to fees for water and wastewater]
SECOND READING OF THE ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE FEES FOR WATER WASTEWATER MAYOR AND COUNSEL, MEGAN MAYHAN, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.THIS IS THE SECOND READING AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE TO REDUCE THE WATER AND WASTEWATER FEES RELATED TO MULTIFAMILY.
THIS IF PASSED, THIS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT JUNE 1ST AND, UM, UNTIL CHANGE BY YOU AT A LATER DATE WHENEVER YOU SO DECIDE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? IF NOT, I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO, UM, ADOPT
[01:05:01]
THE ORDINANCE, ADMITTING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING THIS ISSUE.SECOND WE HAVE MOTION SECONDED BY WHO WAS IT DOWN HERE? IT, IT WAS JACQUELINE.
NO, WE WILL GIVE IT TO COUNCIL MEMBER HEAD.
[34. STP-24-03-0014 - Site Plan Amendment– Walmart #4503 - 2650 S Hwy 161 (City Council District 2). Site Plan Amendment for an existing retail development on 19.62 acres. Lot 1, Block A, Bush & Pioneer Centre, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County addressed as 2650 SH161 (On April 22, 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7-0)]
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.THIS NEXT ITEM IS A SITE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE WALMART ON 1 61.
THEY ARE PROPOSING TO REMOVE SOME LANDSCAPING TO PROVIDE SOME PARKING SPACES FOR ONLINE PICKUP.
UH, THE REASON THIS IS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT AND NOT HANDLED ADMINISTRATIVELY BY STAFF IS THE AREA THAT THEY ARE REMOVING IS ALONG SOUTH GATE DRIVE.
APPENDIX F REQUIRES A 30 FOOT LANDSCAPE BUFFER ALONG THAT STREET OR ALONG ANY STREETS.
AND SO THEY ARE, UH, REQUESTING A VARIANCE.
UH, THEY ARE, UM, REMOVING SOME PLANTINGS, BUT THEY ARE RELOCATING THEM ELSEWHERE AND PROVIDING SOME COMPENSATORY MEASURES, ADDITIONAL SHRUBS AND TREES.
SO AGAIN, THE REASON IT'S BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS BECAUSE THEY'RE REQUESTING A VARIANCE TO THE 30 FOOT LANDSCAPE BUFFER ALONG SOUTH GATE, UH, TO ALLOW FOR AN EIGHT FOOT LANDSCAPE BUFFER ON APRIL 22ND.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BY A VOTE OF SEVEN TO ZERO.
THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR SAVANNAH? COUNCIL MEMBER ZANU? YEAH.
UM, THESE TREES THAT THEY'RE REMOVING, ARE THEY, ARE THEY GONNA PUT MONEY INTO THE TREE PRESERVATION FUND? THEY ARE RE PLANTING NEW TREES ELSEWHERE ON THEIR SITE.
AND THE AMOUNT OF CALIBER INCHES OF THE NEW TREES EQUALS WHAT THEY'RE REMOVING.
SO THEY WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PUT ANY MONEY INTO THAT FUND.
WE DO HAVE ONE OTHER SPEAKER, UH, ONE OTHER CARD FILLED OUT, BUT HE DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK, BUT WISHES TO RECORD HIS SUPPORT.
THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKER CARDS WE HAVE.
UM, COUNCILMAN MAYOR HEDEN, WHAT'S YOUR, WHAT'S YOUR IDEAS ON THIS? UM, I MOVE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM, ITEM 34.
UH, WITH THE CONDITION, UH, THAT A PERMIT BE ISSUED ONLY WHEN A LICENSE AGREEMENT OVER AN EXISTING WATER LINE EASEMENT HAS BEEN LOCATED ALONG SOUTHGATE DRIVE.
WE HAVE SECOND, SECOND ABOUT DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TIM CLEMSON.
[35. SUP-24-02-0007 - Specific Use Permit - Registered Group Home at 326 Swallowtail Court (City Council District 6). Specific Use Permit for a registered group home on 0.16 acres. Lot 16, Block A, Westchester Glen Addition, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, zoned Planned Development (PD-245), and addressed as 326 Swallowtail Court (On April 22, 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6-1)]
JOHN, YOU'RE, YOU'RE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE.IF THAT MOTION IS DEFEATED, WE'LL HEAR SPEAKERS.
IF THE MOTION PASSES, WE'LL WAIT AND HEAR SPEAKERS WHEN WE BRING IT OFF THE TABLE.
I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON.
UH, MAYOR AT EARLY DISCUSSIONS TODAY WITH, WITH THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL.
UH, WE'RE GONNA, I'M GONNA MOTION TO TABLE THIS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSIONS FROM QUESTIONS WE ASK STAFF TO LOOK INTO.
SO, UH, MY MOTIONS TO TABLE ITEM 34 AT THIS TIME WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS 35.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
YES, I AYE, BUT I GOT ANOTHER QUESTION.
UH, PROCEDURAL QUESTION AND TONY WASN'T IN OUR MEETING BEFOREHAND 'CAUSE IT WASN'T SWORN IN.
SO YES, TONY, WELL, WHENEVER THIS CAME UP AT ANOTHER ONE JUST LAST WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AGO, UH, WHENEVER YOU MAKE A MOTION, WE'RE DOING TO TABLE SOMETHING AND ESPECIALLY LIKE THIS ONE IS INDEFINITE, EVEN IF IT GOES TO A CERTAIN DATE.
IS THERE ANY WAY THAT THE, UH, THE PEOPLE THAT WERE IN THE 200 OR 300 FOOT NOTICE GET NOTIFIED AGAIN THAT THAT GOT TABLE? THAT WAS A GREAT QUESTION.
WE FOUND OUT WE WERE WRONG AND WHAT WE TOLD YOU.
SO WHAT IS, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TIME WE, WHEN THIS COMES UP, SINCE THIS IS NOT BEING TABLED TO A SPECIFIC MEETING DATE, STAFF WILL HAVE TO RE-NOTICE.
SO THAT INCLUDES, UH, THE NEWSPAPER AND SENDING OUT PROPERTY OWNER NOTIFICATIONS TO PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 300 FEET OF THIS LOCATION.
AND SO THE DIFFERENCE THE OTHER NIGHT
[01:10:01]
WAS WE WERE TABLING IT TO A SPECIFIC DATE AND WE KIND OF THOUGHT THAT GOT RE NOTIFIED IT WAS THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY WAY DOWN SOUTH AND WE FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, WE DON'T HAVE TO, IF WE PICK A SPECIFIC DATE, SO TONY, THIS WILL GET RE NOTIFIED.SO IF IT, IF IT GETS TABLED TO A CERTAIN DATE, WE DON'T REIFY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT, BUT THAT'S THE, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD.
THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN TALK ABOUT LATER.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE PROBABLY WANT TO DISCUSS SOME OTHER TIME.
SO WE HAVE MADE A MOTION SECONDED AND VOTED TO TABLE ITEM
[36. SUP-24-03-0013 - Specific Use Permit - Fiesta Kids Play (City Council District 2). Specific Use Permit request for a Special Event Center in an existing commercial lease space at Carrier Towne Crossing. Lot 5, Block 1, Carrier Towne Crossing Addition, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned PD-223, within the IH-20 Corridor Overlay, and addressed as 594 W. IH 20, Suite 235 (On April 22, 2024, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7-0)]
36.ITEM 36 IS A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR FIESTA KIDS PLAY AT 5 94 WEST INTERSTATE 20.
THIS IS FOR A SPECIAL EVENT CENTER, WHICH REQUIRES APPROVAL OF A CI OF A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.
IT'S LOCATED AT, UM, THE TARGET SHOPPING CENTER AT I 20 AND CARRIER THE PROPERTY ZONE P PD 2, 2 3.
AND THEY'RE PROPOSING TO OCCUPY ABOUT A 1000 THOUSAND 400 SQUARE FOOT SUITE.
THIS IS THE LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED SPECIAL EVENT CENTER.
NOW THIS REQUEST HAS BEEN BEFORE COUNCIL FOR ANOTHER LOCATION.
THEY'VE SINCE FOUND A, A NEW THIS LOCATION AND I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE OPERATIONS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM SOME OF THE SPECIAL EVENT CENTERS THAT COME BEFORE COUNSEL.
SO THIS IS FOR SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND EVENTS.
THERE'S NO ALCOHOL AND THEY'RE PROPOSING UP TO 49 ATTENDEES.
UH, THE EVENT HOURS ARE THUR SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 10:00 AM TO 9:00 PM AND FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 10:00 AM TO 10:00 PM WHICH IS EARLIER THAN THE UDC UH, HAS WRITTEN, UH, REQUIREMENTS FOR.
SO THEY ARE UH, SPECIFICALLY DOING CHILDREN PARTIES.
THEY'RE SAYING NO ALCOHOL AND THEY ARE ENDING THE EVENTS EARLIER THAN OTHER EVENTS CENTERS THAT WE SEE.
SO THE FOOD AND BEVERAGES THAT OFFER CATERING COMPANIES OR WOULD BE PROVIDED BY THOSE RENTING THE FACILITY, THEY DO HAVE A PLAN FOR SECURITY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM ON THE SCREEN IS THEIR FLOOR FLOOR PLAN.
THEY'RE NOT REQUESTING ANY VARIANCES.
AND ON APRIL 22ND, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BY A VOTE OF SEVEN TO ZERO.
I DO WANNA POINT OUT THAT AGAIN, THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE WRITTEN INTO THE ORDINANCE AND THEIR OPERATIONAL PLAN, WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH.
IF ANOTHER SPECIAL EVENT CENTER CAME TO THIS LOCATION, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE SAME THINGS.
SO THE EARLIER HOURS, THE NO ALCOHOL AND CHILDREN PARTIES.
THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION.
THAT'S A GOOD THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES.
AND THEN WE HAVE A SPEAKER ALSO.
UM, I DID MEET WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL AND TALK WITH HER, UH, QUITE A BIT ABOUT THESE PLANS AND THESE MODIFICATIONS.
I DID SEE ON THE APPLICATION 60 PARKING SPOTS.
AND I WAS WONDERING HOW DO WE ASSESS THAT WHEN IT'S A STRIP MALL OR ALL OF THOSE SPOTS CAN BE ALLOTTED, CAN BE KIND OF CLAIMED BY EACH OF THOSE TENANTS? YES.
SO IT, ANY OF THOSE PARKING SPACES COULD BE FOR ANY OF THOSE TENANTS.
UH, SO STAFF LOOKED AT THE EXISTING TENANTS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF VACANCIES AND BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE BUILDING, CALCULATED OUT WHAT THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE IF ALL SUITES WERE OCCUPIED.
AND SO STAFF DOESN'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING, BUT ANY PARKING WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THAT PROPERTY COULD BE USED BY ANY OF THOSE SUITES.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I, UM, LISTENED TO WHAT YOU GUYS SAID LAST TIME.
UH, WE ARE, UM, WE'RE ONLY, UM, DOING KIDS PARTIES LIKE LAST TIME, BUT JUST NO ALCOHOL IN A NEW LOCATION.
UH, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS, YOU HAD YOUR LIGHT ON.
WAS IT FOR PREVIOUS OR THIS ONE? I'M SORRY.
UM, YOU MENTIONED, WELL STAFF MENTIONED THAT YOU HAD PLANS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY WORK.
I'M INSTALLING, UM, A CAMERA SYSTEM ON THE INSIDE AND ON THE OUTSIDE.
AND UM, WE'RE ALSO GETTING OUR INSURANCE PRETTY UP THERE.
LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS I BELIEVE IS WHAT WAS REQUIRED.
AND WE'RE ALSO INSTALLING A GATE AT THE DOOR JUST TO KEEP THE KIDS IN AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T RUN OUT.
ALTHOUGH THE AREA THAT IT'S AT, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC.
[01:15:01]
I GUESS THE OLD, UH, MATTRESS AREA, MATTRESS FIRM WAS OVER.SO NOBODY REALLY GOES OVER THERE.
THAT'S WHY THE MATTRESS FIRM WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.
WELL LOOK AT MATTRESS PLACES TOO.
COUNCILMAN NIA? OH, I'M SORRY.
UH, SAVANNAH, CAN YOU GO BACK A COUPLE SLIDES JUST TO THE OVERALL SLIDE? EXCUSE ME.
SO ON HERE, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED ABOUT CATERING COMPANIES COMING IN AND I'M JUST WONDERING WILL THERE BE A SINK OR SOMETHING, SOME TYPE OF, 'CAUSE SOMETIMES CATERERS NEED WATER OR THEY NEED LIKE A LITTLE PREP AREA.
WHERE WOULD THAT BE? ON HERE? IT'S GONNA BE RIGHT OUT BY THE STORAGE AREA.
THERE'S, WE'RE GONNA ADD, UM, A SINK, UM, AND THEN JUST A LITTLE MINI KITCHENETTE.
SO WE'LL HAVE LIKE A REFRIGERATOR, A UH, SINK AND A MICROWAVE.
EVERYTHING WILL BE BROUGHT IN.
THEY CAN HEAT IT UP IN THE MICROWAVE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH ALL THE EXTRA CLEANING AND EVERYTHING.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS ON THAT PART.
THAT'S GONNA MAKE ME SHUT IT DOWN.
SO WHEN YOUR CLIENTS BOOK THEIR PARTIES FOR DIFFERENT, UM, SPECIAL OCCASIONS, BIRTHDAYS, WHATEVER, ARE YOU GONNA MAKE CLEAR TO THOSE FOLKS COMING IN THAT THEY CAN'T BRING ALCOHOL IN CASE ABSOLUTELY.
IT'S GONNA BE IN THEIR CONTRACT.
SO, UM, I DIDN'T SEND THE CONTRACT OUT, BUT IN THE CONTRACT IT SAYS ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL.
ALSO, ONCE YOUR PARTY, UH, IS DONE, YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO VACATE THE PROPERTY AS WELL AS THE PARKING LOT TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FOLLOWING PARTY.
'CAUSE IT'S GONNA BE, WE'RE GONNA GIVE 'EM, UM, AN HOUR IN BETWEEN PARTIES TO SET UP FOR THE NEXT ONE.
SO IT'S, IT'LL BE BACK TO BACK.
AND, UM, DURING OUR MEETING, I THINK YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE CONSIDERING A BOUNCE HOUSE.
I WAS CURIOUS, UH, WHAT YOU HAD DECIDED ON, BUT NO, IT'S TOO SMALL.
SO WE'RE GONNA DO MORE LIKE PRETEND PLACE.
SO WE'LL HAVE LIKE, UM, LIKE LITTLE, UH, RESTAURANT AND, UM, MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW, VETERINARY.
AND SO THE KIDS CAN JUST PLAY AND IT'S GONNA BE CATERED MORE TOWARDS, UM, LIKE ONE TO 13 YEAR OLDS.
WE'LL HAVE A GAMING AREA, KIND OF LIKE A GAMING TRUCK, AND MORE FOR LIKE THE OLDER KIDS.
WE'LL HAVE A DESIGNATED AREA FOR FOOD ONLY, SO THAT, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T GET MESSY EVERYWHERE ELSE.
UM, THEN PRETEND CLOSET AND THEN WE'LL HAVE LIKE A LITTLE TODDLER SECTION, SO IT'LL BE MORE INCLUSIVE, I GUESS, FOR ALL AGES.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HER? THANK YOU FOR COMING.
THAT COMPLETES, UH, NO, WE HAVE, UH, READ 'EM INTO THE CON.
UM, THIS IS, UH, JUAN RIOS WHO'S FILLED OUT THE CARD BUT DOESN'T WISH TO SPEAK, BUT WANTS TO RECORD SUPPORT.
THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE.
UH, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 36, UH, WITH THE CONDITION OF NO ALCOHOL ON THE PROPERTY.
CAN WE MAKE A MOTION ON BOTH OF 'EM AT ONCE? CAN'T WE HAVE TO, UH,
[Items 37 & 38]
WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION.WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THESE INDIVIDUALLY, HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, LIKE ANY OTHER ONE THAT'S ATTACHED, IF WE APPROVE 37, WE'RE GONNA APPROVE 38.
IF WE DENY 37, WE'RE GONNA DENY 38.
SO, UH, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION.
ITEMS 37 AND 38, I'LL PRESENT TOGETHER.
AND THE FIRST COMPONENT IS A ZONING CHANGE.
THE REQUEST IS TO AMEND THE EXISTING PLAN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT TWO 17.
FIRST TO DEFINE A PRIVATE CARD ROOM AS A PRIVATE PLACE WHERE MEMBERS GATHER TO PLAY CARD GAMES, INCLUDING POKER, BILLIARDS, CHESS, OR OTHER SIMILAR GAMES.
THE SECOND THING IS TO AMEND THE PERMITTED USES IN PD TWO 17 TO ALLOW THE PRIVATE CARD ROOM WITH CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.
SO YOU CAN SEE THE, UH, PROPERTY IS OUTLINED IN YELLOW ON THE SCREEN.
IT'S LOCATED AT 4 0 1 EAST PALACE PARKWAY.
SO AGAIN, THE REQUESTED PD AMENDMENT ZONING IS TO DEFINE PRIVATE CARD ROOM AND TO ALLOW IT BY APPROVAL OF AN SUP.
SO, POSSIBLE ACTIONS IS TO APPROVE BOTH THE PD AMENDMENT AND SUP.
UH, COUNSEL COULD APPROVE THE PD AMENDMENT AND DENY THE SUP, UH, BUT IF THE PD AMENDMENT
[01:20:01]
IS DENIED, THERE'S NO WAY TO APPROVE THAT SUP.UM, SO ON FEBRUARY 21ST, 2023, CITY COUNCIL DENIED A SIMILAR REQUEST FOR THIS LOCATION TO DEFINE THE PRIVATE CARD ROOM AND AMEND THE PERMITTED USES TO ALLOW THE USE WITH A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT ON APRIL 8TH.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DENIED THIS REQUEST BY A VOTE OF EIGHT TO ZERO.
THE APPLICANT APPEALED THIS DECISION REQUESTING THAT CITY COUNCIL TAKE ACTION ON IT.
STAFF TAKES NO POSITION ON THE ZONING CHANGE.
THE SECOND COMPONENT OF THIS REQUEST IS THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS FOR THE PRIVATE CARD ROOM.
IT'S AN EXISTING TWO STORY BUILDING.
THEIR BUSINESS PLAN IS THE PRIVATE CARD ROOM.
THEY WOULD REQUIRE MEMBERSHIP AND WILL CHAR CHARGE DUES FOR THOSE CLUB MEMBERSHIPS.
UH, MEMBERS WOULD BE CHARGED FOR HOURLY SEAT RENTALS.
AND THEN THEY'RE ALSO PROPOSING, UH, FOOD AND DRINKS AND MERCHANDISE SALES.
SO DURING TOURNAMENTS, THE MEMBER MEMBERS WOULD BE CHARGED AN ENTRY FEE AND A SEPARATE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION, INITIAL HOURS, THEY'RE PROPOSING 10:00 AM TO 2:00 AM BUT THEY DO HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND THAT TO 25 24 HOURS A DAY, AND THEY'RE PROPOSING A FULL SERVICE KITCHEN, FOOD AND DRINKS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.
THEY DO HAVE A BAR AND LOUNGE AREA.
UH, THEY MUST COMPLY WITH ALL CITY AND TABC REGULATIONS.
THEY DO HAVE A SECURITY PLAN FOR PROFESSIONAL SECURITY PERSONNEL, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS. THEY WILL HAVE A MANAGEMENT TEAM ON SITE AND PARKING LOT PATROLS ON APRIL 8TH.
THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DENIED THIS REQUEST BY A VOTE OF EIGHT TO ZERO.
AGAIN, THE APPLICANT APPEALED THAT DECISION.
STAFF TAKES NO POSITION ON THE SPECIFIC USE PERMIT, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS.
SHOULD CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THIS REQUEST? THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THE CONDITIONS.
UH, IT RELATES TO ARMED LICENSE SECURITY ON SITE, UH, PROVISIONS, UH, ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FOR CONVENIENCE STORES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
SO, INCLUSION OF HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL CAMERAS DROP SAFE ALARM SYSTEM.
UM, WE WANNA NOTE THAT THE SUP REVIEW MAY BE CONDUCTED DUE TO CHANGE IN LAW OR INTERPRETATION OF LAW BY BINDING COURT OR DALLAS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
UH, MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF THREE MONTHS.
ALCOHOL SALES SHALL FOLLOW ALL TABC REGULATIONS AND CITY ORDINANCES.
AND THEN NO INDOOR SMOKING OR SMOKING WITHIN 25 FEET OF THE FACILITY WOULD BE ALLOWED UNLESS THE APPLICANT OBTAINS A-T-A-B-C LICENSE AS A PRIVATE CLUB.
I CAN REVIEW THOSE CONDITIONS AND, UH, GREATER DETAILS, BUT THAT'S THE SUMMARY OF IT.
UH, THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S PRESENTATION.
I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THAT THIS TIME.
ANY, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF AT THIS TIME? THANK YOU SAVANNAH.
UM, I'M GOING TO EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO COUNCILMAN ZANU SHOTWELL AND JOHNSON.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR REELECTION.
AND, UH, MR. SHOTWELL ON YOUR ELECTION CITY COUNCIL.
I KNOW THE CITY'S IN GOOD HANDS.
UM, WE'RE EXCITED TO PRESENT THIS ITEM TONIGHT.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HARD WORK PUT IN ON THIS.
UM, WE'VE HIRED, UH, THE MOST TALENTED PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ARCHITECTS, OUR ENGINEERS, OUR CONSULTANTS, AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE PREPARED THIS AS BEST AS WE CAN.
AND, UH, WE'VE, I'VE GOT A SHORT PRESENTATION I'M GONNA RUN THROUGH.
HAMILTON WILL FOLLOW AFTER ME, AND THEN OUR SECURITY CONSULTANT WILL ROUND IT OUT AND THEN WE'LL HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UH, SO OUR CON THERE'S AGAIN, EXCUSE ME AGAIN.
OUR CONSULTANT TEAM CONSISTS OF MMA, WHICH IS THE ARCHITECT THAT HANDLED EPIC CENTRAL AND THEIR MEP ENGINEER, WHICH IS, UH, SPECIALIZED IN CASINO CASINO WORK.
OUR SECURITY TEAM CONSULTANTS, UM, ARE OUT OF LAS VEGAS AND WORK WITH A NUMBER OF CASINOS AND OUR SPECIALIZED IN THIS TYPE OF WORK.
AND THEN OUR, UH, CARD ROOM OPERATIONS, BRIAN DRAGOVICH, WHO'S ALSO HERE TONIGHT, AND IS, UH, IS AN EXPERT IN, UH, CARD ROOMS. UH, IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROPERTY, THIS IS THE OLD SOUTHWEST AMERICAN AIRLINES, UH, BUILDING.
UH, IT'S BEEN, UH, AFFORDED INSTITUTE.
UM, IT CURRENTLY SITS VACANT MINUS ENTERPRISE.
UH, IT CURRENTLY HAS AN EIGHT FOOT CHAIN LEAK FENCE AROUND THE PERIMETER.
AND THEN WHEN THE FRONTAGE ROAD CAME IN, UM, THERE'S ABOUT A 14 FOOT RETAINING WALL THAT, UH, SKIRTS THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY.
UH, THESE ARE OUR CONCEPTUAL FLOOR PLANS.
UH, THE FIRST FLOOR IS PRIMARILY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, KITCHEN, UM, JUST KIND OF OUR ENTRYWAY.
[01:25:01]
WE'VE GOT, YOU CAN SEE ENTERPRISES, UH, CUT OUT THERE IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER.UH, THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BE OUR, UH, CARD ROOM WHERE WE HAVE OUR BAR AND LOUNGE, UM, ALL THE, THE, THE CAGE AND THE, THE STORAGE.
AND THEN ALSO, UH, ALL THE TABLES.
I'VE GOT A, INSTEAD OF SHOWING RENDERINGS, I'VE GOT A QUICK ONE MINUTE CONCEPT VIDEO I WANNA SHOW KIND OF JUST, UH, THAT SHOWS THE INTERIOR OF THE PROPERTY.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOME MUSIC WITH THIS, BUT I DUNNO IF YOU CAN HEAR IT.
UM, SO WE BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE NICEST CARD ROOMS IN TEXAS, IF NOT IN THE UNITED STATES.
UH, WE PLAN TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO OBTAIN THIS FINISH OUT, AND, UM, WE WANT IT TO BE THE BEST.
UM, KIND OF JUST BRIEFLY THROUGH THE MEMBERSHIPS, WHAT WE WILL DO IS HAVE A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION.
UM, WE WILL CONDUCT A THIRD PARTY BACKGROUND CHECK.
UM, YOU MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE, UH, PROVIDE AN ID.
AND THEN IF YOU HAVE A VIOLENT CRIME FELONY CONVICTION WITHIN THREE YEARS, YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY DENIED.
AND THAT'S, UH, JUST A SIMPLE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA THAT WE'RE GONNA PUT IN PLACE.
UM, AGAIN, AS MENTIONED, WE HAVE MEMBERSHIP TIERS, UM, WHICH GIVE THE, UH, MEMBERS BENEFITS TO, TO PLAY IN THE ESTABLISHMENT.
UH, WE INTEND TO COMPLY WITH STAFF'S CONDITION OF A MINIMUM THREE MONTH MEMBERSHIP.
UM, AND, UH, AND SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE.
UH, WE WILL OFFER, UH, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, UM, SINCE THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE DOES REQUIRE, IF YOU HAVE A BAR, YOU PROVIDE A KITCHEN AND WE WANNA PROVIDE THE FULL, FULL SERVICE.
WE HAVE BEEN IN TALK OFFICES OF ALL BARBECUE.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ONGOING AND WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO PURSUE THAT.
UH, WE WILL CREATE ABOUT A HUNDRED NEW JOBS PART AND FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.
UH, ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE KNOW AS COUNCIL HAD LAST TIME WAS BYOB.
WE JUST DECIDED WE WANT TO DO TABC AND PUT THE, THE BURDEN ON US.
UH, TO, TO PROVIDE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND THEN AGAIN, ALL SMOKING WILL BE OUTDOORS AND COMPLIANT WITH, UH, PUBLIC HEALTH.
UH, WE INTEND TO GET BACK IN CHARITY EVENTS.
THIS IS SOMETHING I DON'T HAVE SPECIFICS YET, BUT WE WILL, AS WE GET MORE FURTHER DOWN THE LINE AND, AND GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO INTEND TO GET BACK TO G-P-I-S-D.
I'VE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH LORRAINE WHITNEY DOWN AT THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
UM, WE'RE WORKING ON INITIATIVES, EITHER GIVING BACK THE, THE, UH, BANQUET DINNER OR OTHER, UH, OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR COMPANY, HAMILTON COMMERCIAL'S ALREADY LOOKING AT THIS AND, UM, FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN GIVE BACK.
AND I'VE HAD NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH HER AND CONTINUE TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH HER TO, UM, FINDING WAYS WE CAN GET BACK TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE QUESTIONS AND, OKAY.
UH, THE ONLY THING I HAD LEFT WAS THE TAX REVENUE.
SO, UH, THIS IS JUST A PROJECTED THREE YEAR TAX REVENUE, UH, FOR THE CITY THAT INCLUDES SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX.
UM, I'LL LET HAMILTON COME UP AND, AND THEN A SECURITY CONSULTANT.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL, UM, HAMILTON PECK, 4 0 1 EAST PALACE PARKWAY, GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS.
UM, MANY OF YOU DON'T KNOW MY BACKGROUND, SO I FIGURED I'D GIVE YOU, UH, UM, JUST A QUICK HISTORY ABOUT ME AND THAT LEADS INTO THE SECURITY PORTION OF THE PRESENTATION.
BACK IN 1992, I, UH, I MOVED FROM EL PASO, TEXAS TO GRAND PRAIRIE.
MY FIRST APARTMENT WAS IN NORTH GRAND PRAIRIE, UH, RIGHT THERE OFF 1 61.
I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOUSE AT 1902 LIBBY LANE.
AND THEN SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, I ENDED UP, UH, BUILDING MY FIRST HOME, UH, IN CAROLS CROFT COURT, 25 0 7 CROFT CREEK
[01:30:01]
CIRCLE.BUT BACK IN 1992, WHEN I GOT HERE, I WENT TO WORK AS A SUBCONTRACTOR, UM, INSTALLING A NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT IBM HAD DEVELOPED, UH, BACK IN 1984.
AND IT BECAME VERY POPULAR IN THE EARLY NINETIES, AND IT WAS OUT AT TEXAS INSTRUMENTS.
AND, UM, I WORKED FOR THOSE SEVEN YEARS.
I WORKED AND WORKED AND WORKED.
FINALLY, IN 1999, I DECIDED TO START MY OWN COMPANY WITH $8,000 THAT I HAD SAVED UP.
A YEAR LATER, I LANDED THE AMERICAN AIRLINE CENTER PROJECT, AND THAT WAS MY SPRINGBOARD TO LANDING THE AT AND T STADIUM PROJECT LANDING THE TEXAS RANGERS LANDING FRISCO.
AND THIS ENTIRE TIME, UP TO NOW, I STILL OWN MY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.
IT WAS ALSO A SPRINGBOARD INTO MY REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
I, UM, I BECAME AN EXPERT IN TECHNOLOGY AND, UM, BECAME AN EXPERT IN NETWORKING AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, HANGING SPEAKERS FROM STADIUMS, BUILDING CONTROL ROOMS, UM, ALL SORTS OF OTHER STUFF, CELLULAR DAS, WIFI, EVERYTHING.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE SECURITY PORTION OF IT, EVERYTHING FROM, LET'S SAY 1995 TO 2007 WAS ALL DONE WITH ANALOG OVER COAXIAL CABLE.
VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR, PROBABLY IN YOUR HOMES.
NOT ANYMORE, EVERYTHING'S DONE STREAMING NOW.
BUT, UM, BUT AROUND 2007, 2008, IT ALL CHANGED INTO HIGH DEFINITION, EVERYTHING OVER THE NETWORK.
AND SO, UM, I'M AN EXPERT ON THE PHYSICAL INSTALLATION OF SECURITY SYSTEMS, EVERYTHING RELATED TO NETWORK.
UM, BUT FOR THIS TYPE OF CONCEPT, I KNEW WE NEEDED, UM, I KNEW WE NEEDED SOME SERIOUS EXPERTS WHEN IT CAME TO SECURITY.
SO WE HIRED TWO, UH, TWO CONSULTANTS.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN FORWARD THIS DOWN.
OH, UM, THE FIRST, UH, FIRST CONSULTANT WE HIRED IS A GUY NAMED BILL ZANDER.
UM, HE'S ACTUALLY A REALLY POPULAR, UH, GENTLEMAN.
HE OWNS MULTIPLE CARDHOUSE IN CALIFORNIA.
UM, HE'S WHAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER AN EXPERT IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T CHEATING, MAKING SURE THAT EMPLOYEES AREN'T STEALING, MAKING SURE THAT EMPLOYEES AREN'T WORKING WITH PATRONS TO CHEAT, THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
HE ALSO HAS HIS OWN WIKIPEDIA PAGE, WHICH IS AMAZING.
SO IF YOU GET A CHANCE, YOU MIGHT WANNA LOOK HIM UP.
AND THEN THE NEXT CONSULTANT IS, UM, CHUCK BERRY.
AND HE IS A, HE'S AN EXPERT IN THE PHYSICAL SECURITY.
AND LIKE I SAID, I CAN DO, I CAN DO ALL OF THE SURVEILLANCE STUFF, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS TYPE OF CONCEPT, WE REALLY NEEDED SOMEONE THAT HAD THE EXPERIENCE.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL INTRODUCE CHUCK AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK UP TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
SPEND A COUPLE MINUTES WITH YOU.
I AM THE OPPOSITE OF HAMILTON.
UM, WHEN IT COMES TO COMPUTERS, I GET SO FRUSTRATED WITH MY LAPTOP.
I WANNA MAKE IT OVER IN FRONT OF YOU.
UM, MR. PKA HAS RETAINED ME TO PROVIDE SECURITY CONSULTING FOR THIS PROJECT.
AND I HAVE OVER 30 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SENIOR CORPORATE SECURITY POSITIONS WITH, UM, VARIOUS MAJOR HOTEL AND CASINO CORPORATIONS.
UH, MY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE A PHYSICAL SECURITY PROFILE FOR THIS PROJECT BASED ON MY EDUCATION, MY EXPERIENCE, AND MY TRAINING IN A MANNER THAT PROTECTS THE PATRONS, EMPLOYEES, AND ASSETS OF THE PALACE POKER ROOM.
NOW MY METHODS OF SECURITY RECOMMENDATION ARE BASED ON, FOR THIS PROJECT WILL BE BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, OR THEY CALL IT CPED.
AND THIS IS A WIDELY ACCEPTED, UH, CONCEPT UTILIZED BY SECURITY CONSULTANTS, BY RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, AND BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, UH, INCLUDING THE GRAND PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THROUGH THE USE OF ACCESS CONTROLS, HIGH DEFINITION OF VIDEO SYSTEMS, LIGHTING, USE OF TRAINED ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL, ALARM SYSTEMS, UM, AND THE SELECTION OF A QUALIFIED DIRECTOR OF SECURITY FOR THE PROJECT, UH,
[01:35:01]
THE HIGHEST SECURITY STANDARDS WILL BE PROVIDED THAT I'VE USED IN, UH, OPERATIONS AROUND THE WORLD WITH THESE DIFFERENT CORPORATIONS, UH, TO INCLUDE WITHIN THE U US, UH, CANADA, ISTANBUL, CAIRO, AUSTRALIA, AND ERWAY.UH, THE C PED GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS WILL BE UTILIZED ON THIS PROJECT FROM THE ENTRY GATE TO THE, UM, HIGH SECURITY CAGE THAT WILL BE WITHIN THE PROJECT.
SO, UH, THAT'S A 30,000 FOOT VIEW
BUT IF I WAS TO TRY TO GO THROUGH THAT WITH YOU GUYS, WE'D BE ORDERING IN BREAKFAST.
SO I'LL HAVE IT, I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE, COUNSEL, WE'VE GOT SOME OTHER SPEAKERS.
I RECOMMEND WE GO THROUGH THE SPEAKERS.
THEN IF WE WANNA CALL ANY UP TO ASK ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, WE'LL DO IT AT THAT TIME.
UM, HAROLD WILLIS, 5 3 8 LINLEY.
I SPEAK IN FAVOR AGAIN TONIGHT.
UH, I THINK IT'S GONNA BE BENEFICIAL.
WHAT WILL BE THE TIMEFRAME THAT IF YOU APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, DOES IT HAVE TO GO BACK BEFORE PLANNING AND ZONING AGAIN OR DO YOU HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY TO THIS WILL BE THE ULTIMATE SAY, YES, SIR.
DO WE HAVE WHEN IT WOULD POSSIBLY BE BROUGHT BACK AGAIN? UH, WHAT DO YOU MEAN? THIS, THIS IS IT.
THIS WILL, WE'RE VOTING TONIGHT.
THIS, WE'RE GONNA MAKE A DECISION TONIGHT.
I JUST ASK THAT YOU APPROVE THIS.
AND FOR THE APPLICANT, LET'S BRING IN K***Y FRIEDMAN AND HAVE A TEXAS HOLDEN TOURNAMENT AND GET K***Y FRIEDMAN'S OFFICIAL BREEDING, UH, BLESSINGS AND ESPN AND FOX NEWS.
BRING HIM OUT HERE AND WE'LL PUT IT ON TV.
BARRY SANDERS, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.
I DON'T THINK I'M LIKE MR. BARRY.
YOU GUYS WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR ME JUST FINE.
NO NEED TO MOVE THE MICROPHONE.
FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR HEARING ME TONIGHT.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE, HAVE FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
I'LL START WITH ECHOING WHAT THE CITY STAFF SAID.
THIS IN GRAND PRAIRIE IS THE ONE SPOT IN GRAND PRAIRIE TO PUT THIS.
IT'S IN THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
THERE'S OTHER LIKE-MINDED USES.
WE'VE GOT THE CAR DEALERSHIP FORMERLY, UH, THAT WAS WHAT, OH WHITEWATER, WAY BACK IN THE DAY, A STORAGE FACILITY.
NOW THANKS TO THIS COUNCIL, WE HAVE EASY I 30 ACCESS, BUT IT'S THE ZONED ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
IT'S JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM LONE STAR PARK, THE CRICKET STADIUM, AND OF COURSE TEXAS TRUST THEATER.
NOW, JUST NORTH OF THIS SITE, HISTORICALLY THE FLOOD THING, OLD LION COUNTRY SAFARI PARK, WHICH FLOODED ALMOST EVERY YEAR.
YOU GUYS ARE FACING THAT WITH DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROADS ACROSS WILDLIFE PARKWAY.
SO AS FAR AS THE SPOT IN GRAND PRAIRIE TO PUT THIS, THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT THIS, THE NEAREST RESIDENCE OR THE APARTMENTS OVER THERE IN DERBY PARK, WHICH BACK IN THE DAY WAS THE FIRST APARTMENT I GOT AS AN ADULT OVER THERE AT GENTRY PLACE.
THE BIGGEST CONCERN THERE IS NOT FROM THE BUSINESSES TO THE EAST, BUT ACCESS AND THE NOISE FROM I 30.
WELL, THEY'RE ALWAYS GONNA FACE THAT ISSUE 'CAUSE THOSE APARTMENTS ARE SITTING RIGHT ON I 30.
YOU'RE ANOTHER HALF MILE TO THE, ANY OTHER RESIDENCES IN THE AREA.
NOW THE SECOND POINT I WANNA MAKE IS THIS POKER IS IN A MEMBERSHIP CLUB IS LEGAL AND WILDLY POPULAR IN TEXAS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO PLAY POKER.
NOW, PERSONALLY, I CAN GO DOWN TO MY CIGAR CLUB AND PLAY POKER IN A MEMBERSHIP BACKROOM CLUB AND TRADE MONEY OFF EACH OTHER DAY IN, DAY OUT, YOU KNOW, LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE STREET.
WE ENCOURAGE BETTING ON LIVE ANIMALS ON THE HORSES EACH AND EVERY DAY.
NOT ONLY DO WE ENCOURAGE BETTING ON THE LIVE ANIMALS, WE HAVE OFF TRACK BETTING THERE YEAR ROUND.
SO THE MORAL ARGUMENT OF, GEE, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE GAMBLING AND HAVE THAT IN OUR CITY, REALLY FALLS ON DEATH EARS.
PERSONALLY, I DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL, DON'T WORRY.
IT'S NOT COURT ORDERED OR ANYTHING.
I DON'T DRINK ALCOHOL, BUT I CERTAINLY DON'T OPPOSE ALCOHOL SALES FOR ANYONE ELSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I DON'T OPPOSE OPPOSE VENUES THAT SERVE ALCOHOL.
AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD MAKE CHOICES BASED ON ONE PARTICULAR VIEW.
I THINK THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO A POKER ROOM, DON'T GO, THAT'S FINE.
[01:40:01]
IS, IS IN THE RIGHT SPOT TO BUILD THIS.I DO SUBMIT THAT WHEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE FINALLY APPROVES LEGALIZED GAMBLING, WHETHER IN THE 2025 SESSION OR 2027 SESSION, WE WILL EMBRACE WITH OPEN ARMS, THE NORTH TEXAS CASINOS, THE CAESARS PALACE OF GRAND PRAIRIE OR MGM, AND WE'LL BE SO HAPPY TO SEE NEON SIGNS.
SO I THINK THE ARGUMENT OF, GEE, I DON'T WANT TO HAVE A POKER ROOM 'CAUSE THAT'S GAMBLING, REALLY IS, IS NOT A STRONG ARGUMENT.
AND THE LAST THING IS AN IMPORTANT THING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT.
INACTION LEADS TO A, AN ATMOSPHERE OF NO, UM, YOU KNOW, SIMILAR REQUEST 17 MONTHS AGO CAME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND WAS NARROWLY DEFEATED WITH A DIFFERENT GROUP.
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED IN THIS SPOT SINCE THEN.
17 MONTHS, THERE'S BEEN NO JOBS, NO MONEY BEING SPENT, NO INCREASED TAX BASE, NOTHING HAPPENED AT SITS EMPTY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DENYING DEVELOPMENT IN THIS TOWN JUST RECENTLY THAT WE DON'T LIKE IN THE HOPE THAT MAYBE SOMETHING BETTER WILL COME ALONG.
MAYBE WE'LL GET SOMETHING BETTER.
YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS WE'VE TURNED DOWN CHICKEN RESTAURANTS BASED ON THEIR MENU.
OR WE'VE TURNED DOWN GAS STATIONS THAT COULD HAVE LED TO SIT DOWN RESTAURANTS, YOU KNOW, THAT SIT DOWN RESTAURANT IS STILL BUILDING, BUT THEY ANNOUNCED PLANS.
THEY'RE NOT COMING TO GRAND PRAIRIE, THEY'RE GOING TO MINNESOTA.
AND JEFF CARE IS PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE THAT CARES ABOUT A MINNESOTA RESTAURANT.
BUT WE COULD HAVE HAD THAT IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
SO I, I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT THOSE SITES THAT I DROVE BY BOTH OF THOSE SITES TODAY.
AND THAT DIRT STILL SITTING THERE, NOT GENERATING A SINGLE DOLLAR FOR GRAND PRAIRIE OR FOR ITS CITIZENS NOT MAKING THIS A BETTER PLACE FOR US TO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY.
I ENCOURAGE US THAT WE DON'T WANT TO GET A REPUTATION AS A CAN'T DO CITY.
SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON ITEM 37 AND 38.
WHAT'S THE GOAL OF CALLING OUT A PRIVATE CARD ROOM AS A LIKE ZONING OR USE CASE AND HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM EXISTING USE CASES? STAFF.
RASHAD JACKSON, PLANNING DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AS IT STANDS, WE DON'T HAVE A CLASSIFICATION THAT ALLOWS THIS USE BY RIGHT AND FROM A LEGAL STANCE.
UM, WE HAVE SOME COURT CASES THAT QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS OF, UH, OF ALLOWED USE IN DALLAS COUNTY OVERALL.
SO, UM, THIS IS THE PROPER PROCESS FOR, FOR US TO APPROVE IT WITHIN THIS PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT.
UH, THE ONLY OTHER THING I'LL NOTE IS THAT I'M DEFINITELY OF THE OPINION THAT GAMBLING IS MORALLY NEUTRAL.
BUT FOR THOSE OF US WHO EITHER HAVE ADDICTIVE PERSONALITIES OR ADDICTION AS KIND OF A DISEASE, I DO HOPE THAT GRAND PRAIRIE, AS WE TAKE THIS MORE ALIGNED STAT, ALSO TAKE THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING OUR CITIZENS CONSTITUENTS WITH MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AS WE KIND OF TAKE THIS BETTER APPROACH WITH STUFF LIKE CARD ROOMS. SO, BUT THAT'S IT.
MS. PATSY RAY, GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I'M PATSY RAY, 2217 EL PASO STREET HERE IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
I AM NOT PLEASED WITH CARD GAMBLING IN DISTRICT ONE.
WE'VE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE AND I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.
I HEAR THE VENDOR SAYS THAT THERE WILL BE MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP FEEDS IF WE WANTED TO DO GAMBLING IN TEXAS AND IN GRAND PRAIRIE IT SHOULD BE CITIZENS REQUESTS WITH THE VOTE YOU DID IT WITH.
WHEN THE CITY, UH, CITIZENS DECIDED THAT THEY WANT GRAND PRAIRIE TO BE WET, MEANING THAT ALCOHOL COULD BE BOUGHT WITHIN GRAND PRAIRIE INSTEAD OF US GOING TO TARRANT COUNTY BUYING OUR ALCOHOL.
SO I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER DOING THE SAME THING.
IF BABINDA WANTS A CASINO HERE, OUR CITIZENS GO TO OKLAHOMA TO GA
[01:45:01]
GAMBLE AND THE INDIAN RESERVATIONS WITHIN OKLAHOMA BENEFITS FROM THAT BECAUSE THAT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.NOW MEMBERSHIP I HEAR IS GOING TO BE A BACKGROUND CHECK.
IF YOU CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD RUN A SURVEY ON HOW MANY CRIMINALS WE HAVE WITHIN THIS CITY.
YOU TELLING ME THAT SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMMITTED OFFENSE AGAINST OUR JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED.
THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ALLOWED TO GAMBLE IN THIS, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, THESE TWO PLACES ON PARKWAY.
SO I'M SAYING I FEEL LIKE THERE'S GONNA BE A RACIAL DISCRIMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP ATTENDING THESE GUARD, GUARD ROOMS AND THE SECURITY.
DO WE WANT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT? WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO HAVE THEM THERE IF THIS IS APPROVED BY YOU ALL.
I HEAR THE VENDORS SAY THEY'RE GONNA HAVE THEIR OWN SECURITY.
WE NEED THEM TO HAVE GOOD SECURITY AND WE NEED TO KNOW THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF WILL SUPPLY PROTECTION THERE TOO FOR THE PEOPLE.
THE MEMBERSHIP THAT ARE ATTENDING SMOKING WISE.
PEOPLE DON'T DRINK WITHOUT SMOKING.
PEOPLE DON'T GAMBLE WITHOUT SMOKING.
AT CHOCTAW, THERE IS VARIOUS ERRORS, ERROR ERRORS IN THE BUILDING FOR SMOKING AND NON-SMOKERS.
SO THE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PLAYING THE GAMES DON'T HAVE TO INHALE SMOKE.
I JUST SAY, AND I'M ASKING SEARCH HARD IN YOU ALL'S HEART, WILL WE REALLY BENEFIT TAX WISE, PROPERTY TAX WISE? ARE WE GONNA GET A PERCENTAGE? YES, THEY'RE GONNA SUPPLY JOBS FOR A HUNDRED PEOPLE OR MORE.
WHAT'S GONNA BE THE TOP SALARY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOVERNING THE CART TABLES, THE FOOD HANDLERS, THE KITCHEN HEMP, THE PARKING LOT HEMP? TELL ME WHAT THE WAGE IS GOING TO BE.
IF THE WAGE IS NOT GONNA BE $20 OR $25 AN HOUR, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN IS NOT GONNA BE MAKING ANY MONEY, BUT HE'S, HE OR SHE ARE GONNA BE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE COULD BE SOMEONE WHO GETS UPSET BECAUSE HE OR SHE LOST TOO MUCH MONEY AND HAVE A WEAPON OR START A FIGHT.
THANK YOU MAYOR SAMMY ANDERSON.
UH, HELLO AND GOOD NIGHT TO EVERYONE.
I WANNA THANK Y'ALL FOR HAVING ME TO CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR AS WELL.
I'M, MY ADDRESS IS 39 51 DEMAN DRIVE, APARTMENT 31 0 3.
I THINK EVERYONE OF YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB BY PAINTING GRAND PERRY AS A FAMILY PLACE.
I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB DOING THAT.
I THINK IF YOU DO A CASINO, I THINK YOU'RE GOING DOWN A SLIPPERY ROAD.
I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE PUT TO A VOTE TONIGHT.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE THE CITIZENS WHO VOTE FOR THIS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT IT OR NOT.
I THINK, WELL WE COULD USE THAT LAND FORCE FOR OUR KIDS AND I THINK WE COULD DO LIKE A, MAYBE A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN LEARN HOW TO DO MAYBE CULTURAL THINGS.
LIKE FOR INSTANCE, MAYBE PUTTING ON PLAYS.
MAYBE WE COULD OPEN UP A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD DO PLAYS.
SO LET'S NOT TAKE IT FROM A FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, WHICH YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB BASICALLY CREATING AND BASICALLY GO DOWN A VERY SLIPPERY ROAD.
'CAUSE WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE IF IT'S NOT A SUCCESS, WHAT IT'S GONNA BRING IN, WHAT IS GONNA BE THE ATTRACTION THERE, WHAT IS THE TRAFFIC THAT'S GONNA COME WITH IT? WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL THOSE THINGS.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE REALLY DO CONSIDER WHAT THAT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE.
[01:50:01]
NEGATIVE, BUT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE KIDS WHO ARE GONNA BE NEEDING THESE JOBS.AND RIGHT NOW OUR KIDS, THE SUMMER'S COMING, OUR KIDS ARE GONNA BE NEEDING JOBS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS ARE GONNA BE NEEDING JOBS.
SO DO WE REALLY WANT THIS? I WOULD SAY NO.
AND I BELIEVE A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS WOULD SAY THE SAME.
I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE A VOTE THAT SHOULD BE BASICALLY HELD BY YOU GUYS, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE HELD BY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.
WELL THEN AREN, YOU WANT IT? SO I THANK YOU AND I THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND GIVING OUR HONOR TO GOD.
I THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THIS TIME.
TRINA HALL, YOU SAY WAIT FOR SOME COMMENTS, BUT JUST CAUGHT MY, CAUGHT ME THE WRONG WAY.
OKAY GUYS, I REALIZE THAT Y'ALL HAD A LOT OF THINGS I BREWED IN OUR CITY, OUR EPIC, OUR MOTELS, ALL THESE FANCY THINGS GOING GREAT.
BUT DO WE REALLY NEED TO START PUTTING CARD TABLES DOING POKER AND CASINOS AND ALL THAT? DO WE REALLY DO NEED THAT? NO.
WHAT WE NEED IS BETTER THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO CREATE ISSUES IN THE LONG RUN.
WE HAD A SITUATION WHERE WE DON'T HAVE OUR OWN HOSPITAL.
YES, WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH STORES IN OUR AREA ON THE, UH, DISTRICT FIVE AREA, POOR, POOR, UH, THINGS GOING IN OUR CITY.
BUT TO DO IS WE PUT OUR MINDS, UM, THE PANDORA BOX, THAT'S WHAT I CALL IT.
ALL IT'S GONNA DO IS OPEN UP TO A SITUATION WHERE IT'S GONNA CREATE MORE PROBLEMS IN OUR CITY.
WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN OUR CITY.
WE NEED TO REALLY DIVE INTO THAT TO HELP OUR CITIZENS IN GRAND PRIX.
WE NEED TO DIVE MORE INTO MEDICAL ISSUES WITH OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE NEED HELP GETTING HELP FOR THE HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE NEED TO DO MORE THINGS TO IMPROVE OUR CITY, NOT TO BLACKEN THE EYES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
ALRIGHT, NATHAN K DOES NOT WISH TO SPEAK, BUT WANTS A RECORDED SUPPORT.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKER CARDS.
DOES ANY OF THE COUNCIL, UH, MAYOR, I'M SO SORRY I DID NOT FILL OUT A CARD FOR THIS, BUT MAY I SPEAK ON THAT? GO AHEAD, JOHN.
I RESIDE AT 43 15 HAMPTON CIRCLE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE AND ATTORNEY MCGINNIS.
I THINK I PUT THE RIGHT NUMBER DOWN FOR THAT, UH, CARD LAST TIME, BUT I'M JUST
UM, WHEN IT COMES TO GAMBLING, YOU KNOW, IT'S PROS AND CONS TO EVERY SITUATION.
IF YOU ASK ME, JOHN STEWART, ARE YOU IN, ARE YOU PRO BUSINESS? ABSOLUTELY I AM.
THE SCRIPTURES TEACH RIGHTEOUSNESS.
EXALTS A NATION, BUT SIN IS A REPROACH.
AND I'VE HAD PEOPLE COME DOWN HERE AND ACCUSE ME OF THINGS THAT WERE BLATANT LIES.
THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW ME, HAVEN'T HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ME AND PEOPLE BELIEVED THEM.
BUT GAMBLING, I THINK MONEY CAN BE GONE, CAN BE DISPERSED TO BETTER USES.
GRAND PRAIRIE NEEDS TO BE A CITY, A LIGHT THAT SITS ON A HILL THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE.
AND I'VE HEARD PEOPLE COME TO THIS
[01:55:01]
VERY PODIUM TRYING TO MAKE LIGHT OF A MORAL COMPASS.LET ME SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU.
WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT, GOD IS A GOD OF MERCY, BUT HE'S ALSO A GOD OF JUSTICE.
AND JUSTICE IS BEING REIGNED THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE OF DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.
THEY HAVE LOST A MORAL COMPASS.
AND IF WE DON'T GET BACK IN LINE WITH A MORAL COMPASS, CITY, STATE, NATIONS WILL BE JUDGED.
WHETHER YOU DISAGREE WITH IT OR NOT, IT IS THE TRUTH.
SO I'M PROUD OF ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE A BUSINESS IN OUR CITY.
OUR COMMUNITY IS PRO-BUSINESS, BUT I THINK THE MONEY CERTAINLY CAN GO TO BETTER USE.
I ADMIRE THE GENTLEMAN THAT CAME UP TALKING ABOUT HIS DREAMS AND WHERE HE'S BEEN AND WHERE HE'S COME FROM.
BUT I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TO OUR CITY.
I BELIEVE WE'VE JUST EXCEEDED 200,000 POPULATION IN THIS CITY.
BUT KEEP A MORAL COMPASS BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, YOU WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.
I JUST WANNA PUT A LITTLE CONTEXT TO THIS.
WHEN, UH, PNZ DENIED THIS, I WATCHED THE VIDEO, UH, IT WAS EIGHT OH VOTE, AND I'M GONNA SPEAK OUT FOR THIS.
IT'S THAT THEY WERE REQUIRING THE APPLICANT TO HAVE VALET PARKING.
THEY WERE REQUIRING, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY.
WHAT WOULD A TRUCKER DO IF HE'S DRIVING BY WITH HIS LOAD THAT HAS TO BE DELIVERED AT A CERTAIN TIME? WHAT WOULD HE DO IF HE SAW THE SIGN HE'S GONNA PULL OVER AND PLAY SOME POKER? I JUST, JUST TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.
SO THE, IF WE GO BACK AND LOOK, IF YOU LOOKED AT THE P AND Z MEETING, YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DENIED IT.
AND THOSE WERE THE REASONS THAT DID NOT MAKE ANY, I I JUST DISAGREE WITH THAT, UH, OPINION BY PNZ ON THAT PARTICULAR VOTE.
BUT 'CAUSE THEY WERE BRINGING THE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T THINK WERE VERY GERMANE TO HAVE AN ARGUMENT AS FAR AS WHY WE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T HAVE THE POKER ROOM.
I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INEVITABLE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS IN 25, 27 OR 29 WHERE GAMBLING'S GOING TO BE ALLOWED.
I BELIEVE WE'VE ALL HAVE SEEN, WE'VE ALL DONE THINGS THAT WE SHOULDN'T BE PROUD, WE MIGHT NOT BE PROUD OF, BUT WE HAVE GAMBLING RIGHT NOW IN OUR CITY.
WE HAVE LONE STAR PARK, WE GAMBLE.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN UP THERE AND GAMBLED.
WELL, I LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS HERE.
WE ALL BELIEVE IN THE MOST HIGH GOD AND I MENTIONED THAT EARLIER, WHEREAS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING BE SHEPHERDS TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE LORD.
SO IF YOU'RE GOING DOWN TO LONE STAR PARK, WHETHER YOU'RE GAMBLING OR NOT, YOU ARE BRINGING SINNERS TO SIN.
SO I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE OUR OWN PERSONAL MORAL ETHICS AND BELIEFS.
I'M JUST A LITTLE BIT LIBERAL WITH IT.
I BELIEVE, UH, THE POKER ROOM WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE CITY.
AND WHEN WE MOVE ON TO CASINO GAMBLING, WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AT THIS, UH, IN FRONT OF THE DI DIOCESE TO THE DIOCESE.
WE DON'T WANT GAMBLING IN THE CITY.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE'LL BE ASK, THEY'LL BE ASKING FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
THERE'S NO FUNDING THAT'S COMING OUT THE CITY MONEY TO HELP THIS DEVELOPER OUT.
THEY'RE BRINGING A TAX REVENUE BASE TO US TO HELP US WITH OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, UH, COMPLETED WITHIN THE CITY.
SO THAT WAS JUST MY POINT I WANTED TO MAKE.
DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, UM, WE HAVE THE RIGHT AFTER A YEAR IF, IF WE'RE HAVING ISSUES WITH THIS, UM, THIS CARD, THIS POKER ROOM OR WHATEVER, THAT WE CAN REVOKE THE SUP AFTER A YEAR IF WE JUST CAUSE CORRECT.
IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A YEAR.
IF WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM NOT FOLLOWING THE SUP, WE CAN BRING IT BACK AT ANY TIME.
THAT'S COMMON WITH ANY SUP WE HAVE IN THE CITY.
I I, I WANTED THAT TO BE NOTED.
IN THE, YOU JUST WANT IT ON THE RECORD.
CAN HAMILTON OR, UM, ANYONE ON YOUR TEAM JUST ASK THE QUESTION? WE LET EXPLAIN TO THE AUDIENCE WHY THE POKER HOUSE IS LEGAL
[02:00:01]
AT THIS MOMENT.HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING? SEE, THAT'S THE POINT I HAVE BESSIE, THERE WAS A STATEMENT MADE BY ONE OF THE SPEAKERS THAT SAID IT'S LEGALIZED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
UM, HAMILTON, YOU KNOW, AS WELL AS I DO, THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS ALL OVER THE STATE THAT HAVE SAID POKER ROOMS DON'T COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND THEY'VE SHUT 'EM DOWN.
AND, UH, EVEN OUR STATE LEGISLATURES, SOME OF OUR STATE LEGISLATURES, TO YOUR POINT COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS HAVE SAID THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW AND THEY MAY CHANGE THE LAW IN 2025 TO CLARIFY IT.
WE WANTED THEM TO IN 2023, AND THEY DID NOT.
SO TO THOSE SPEAKERS THAT SPOKE AND SAID, THIS IS LEGAL IN THE STATE OF TEXAN, TEXAS, THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE SHUT THEM DOWN AND THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE NOT VOTED ON IT AND ALLOW THEM AND HAVE NOT SHUT 'EM DOWN.
AND THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS IN THE STATE THAT HAVE ALLOWED THEM.
I THINK THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT.
SO THE ISSUE, BESSIE, AND I'LL LET THEM SPEAK TO IT, THAT I UNDERSTAND AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON IT, IT'S ALL OVER THE PRIVATE, THE TERM PRIVATE IN THE LAW.
WHAT CONSTITUTES PRIVATE? I, I AM NOT AGAINST GAMBLING.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LONE STAR SPORTS CORPORATION THAT HAS THE RIGHTS TO LONE STAR PARK.
I WILL NOT BE VOTING AGAIN FOR THIS AGAIN TONIGHT FOR THE SAME REASON I DID OVER A YEAR AGO.
I DON'T LIKE VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT THE DA SAYS.
I'M NOT GONNA GIVE YOU A RULING ON IT OF WHETHER IT'S BAD OR NOT UNTIL YOU BRING ME A CASE.
IT'S, THERE'S TOO MANY QUESTIONS OUT THERE.
WHETHER IT MEETS, I DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT MEETS THE INTENT OF THE LAW.
AND THERE'S OTHERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND ALL OVER THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT FEEL THE SAME WAY I DO.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE INTENT OF THE LAW.
IT'S TO SKIRT THE INTENT OF THE LAW.
IT'S NOT TAKEN AWAY FROM BUILDING THE HOSPITAL.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE DO FOR A HOSPITAL.
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE DO FOR OUR HOMELESS.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE DO WITH ANY OTHER FUNDS.
AS COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON SAID, WE ARE NOT PUTTING ANY FUNDS INTO IT.
IT'S NOT A MORAL ISSUE TO ME, BARRY.
IT'S A LEGAL ISSUE, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
AND, UH, THAT'S MY STANCE ON IT.
AND WOULD YOU PLEASE CLARIFY SOME MORE ON WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER ADAM'S SPECIFIC QUESTION WAS, WHY IS IT LEGAL NOW? WHAT MAKES IT LEGAL? UH, I GUESS IT'S BASED ON YOUR INTERPRETATION.
OUR INTERPRETATION IS, IT IS BASED ON THE CRITERIA OF OUR, OUR, UH, OUR BUSINESS MODEL.
AND OUR BYLAWS, UH, WE BELIEVE IT MEETS THE INTENT OF WHAT THE STATE HAS OUT, HAS, UH, OUTLINED AND, UM, IS WITHIN THE LAW.
AND I'LL JUST SAY THIS, THERE'S, THERE'S 71 CARD ROOMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT ARE OPERATING AND OPEN.
OH, WE, WE, THAT'S UNDENIABLE.
BUT YOU WOULD ALSO AGREE THAT THERE'VE BEEN SOME SHUTDOWN DOWN.
THERE'S BEEN SOME SHUTDOWN AND YOU KNOW, THERE HADN'T BEEN LAWSUITS TO TRY TO KEEP 'EM OPEN.
'CAUSE
COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS, YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP OR DID DID THAT ANSWER YOU? IT KIND OF DOES TO SOME DEGREE.
I GUESS MY QUESTION NOW IS YOU'RE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON OPENING UP A BUSINESS THAT CAN BE SHUT DOWN BASED ON A DECISION THAT A COURT MAKES? YEAH.
AND AND, AND LIKE YOU SAID, IF, IF AFTER A YEAR YOU CAN, YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER THERE, YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT WE'VE DONE, THEN YOU CAN PULL THE SUP AWAY AND WE ARE OUT OF BUSINESS.
WE, WE ARE, WE ARE, WE'RE ON OUR OWN RISK OF SPENDING A BUNCH OF MONEY FIXING IT UP.
AND THEY, THE STATE COULD CHANGE THE LAW.
AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE IN YOUR, UM, POKER HOUSE AT ONE TIME? WHAT'S THE CAPACITY? UM, RIGHT NOW WE'RE DEPICTING 39 TABLES, BUT THAT'S AT FULL CAPACITY.
I MEAN, THAT'S GONNA BE MORE LIKE A TOURNAMENT, WHICH WOULD BE MAYBE ONCE A MONTH.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE MOSTLY MAYBE HALF THAT, I WOULD THINK.
WHAT'S THAT NUMBER? 350 MAX, MAYBE? LET'S CALL
[02:05:01]
IT, LET'S SEE, NINE PE THREE 90.THAT'D BE NINE PEOPLE A TABLE.
UH, COUNCIL HAMILTON, I'M NOT GONNA LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER THIS VOTE TONIGHT.
I'M NOT GONNA BE ANGRY IF OR HAPPY I'M GONNA BE.
I'M JUST GONNA VOTE THE WAY I FEEL BASED ON THE LAW TODAY AND WHAT I'VE DONE ON MY OWN RESEARCH ON THE LAW AND HOW IT FITS WITH WHAT THE INTENT WAS BY WHAT WAS PASSED IN AUSTIN.
I WILL LOBBY HARD IN AUSTIN TO GET CASINO GAMBLING AT OUR RACETRACK BECAUSE I HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AT OUR RACETRACK.
THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT SUBJECT.
AND IF AND WHEN THAT EVER COMES, WE'RE THINKING MORE LIKE 2031.
UH, WE WILL BE IN OPEN ARMS TO TRY TO GET SOMEBODY HERE TO BUILD A $2 BILLION FACILITY AT FACILITY OUT THERE WITH CARD ROOMS THAT ARE LEGAL.
AND I'M NOT SAYING YOURS ISN'T LEGAL, I'M JUST SAYING I DON'T THINK IT IS.
IT'S JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION.
AND I WANT YOU TO TAKE IT AS THAT HAMILTON IS JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION BASED ON RESEARCH I'VE DONE.
UM, I'M NOT A PHILADELPHIA LAWYER.
UM, I CAN'T OPINE AS TO WHAT THE LAW IS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
UM, AND I WON'T, IF YOU GUYS ARE WILLING TO, UH, PUT UP THIS KIND OF MONEY, HOW MUCH MONEY YOU IS, DO YOU THINK YOU'LL INVEST IN THIS? AROUND $3 MILLION? UH,
UH, GOOD ON YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO LOSE THAT.
UH, YOU KNOW, UH, GOOD, GOOD ON YOU FOR THAT.
UH, SO IF I TAKE THE LAW OFF WITH ONE SIDE THERE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW, AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT I KNOW, OR THAT I THINK IT'S ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
THAT'S FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND THE DA AND LAWYERS AND PEOPLE THAT MM-HMM
UM, AS FAR AS GAMBLING GOES, YOU KNOW, THAT TRAIN LEFT THE STATION WHEN TEXAS LOTTOS STARTED.
THAT TRAIN IS LONG PAST EL PASO AND ON ITS WAY TO LOS ANGELES.
UM, AND I'M NOT GONNA CHASE IT DOWN, TRY TO STOP IT.
UH, I AGREE WITH MR. SANDERS, IF THIS KIND OF THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, THIS IS A PRETTY DECENT LOCATION BECAUSE IT'S A WAY FROM EVERYTHING, MORE OR LESS.
PLUS IT'S IN THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
AND, UH, IF A TEXAS ALLOWS CASINOS ONE DAY, UH, THAT WHOLE TH GUM CORNER MIGHT NOT BE A BAD PLACE FOR ONE.
YOU KNOW? UM, OF COURSE, I THINK THAT MY PERSONAL OPINION ON THIS IS THAT THE DAY THAT THE MAVERICKS GOT SOLD TO THE ADELSON'S, UH, A GOOD CASINO IN GRAND PRAIRIE MOVED TO DALLAS, UM, THE, UH, YOU KNOW, AN SUP CAN BE PULLED QUICKLY AS, UH, JUNIOR BROUGHT UP.
BUT THIS PART THAT WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE SUP.
LET'S GET PUT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS TO PUT THIS USE IN THE PD.
THE SUP VOTE IS THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, CORRECT? CORRECT.
SO LET'S MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT OUR DUCKS LINED UP IN THE ROW HERE AND NOT COMPLETELY TALK ABOUT THE SUP NOW BECAUSE WE MIGHT, WELL TALK ABOUT THAT ONE IN THE NEXT CASE.
THAT MIGHT BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
UH, YOU KNOW, WAITING FOR SOMETHING BETTER.
UH, I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN LONE STAR PARK OPENED UP.
I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN NEXT STAGE OPENED UP, WHICH IS NOW, UH, TEXAS TRUST.
IT'S AFTER THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT NAMES.
I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN THE AIR HOG STADIUM WAS BUILT ALL GREAT.
I WAS ALSO ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A, UM, HILTON HOTEL THAT JUST LIKE THE GARDEN INN, JUST LIKE THIS OVER HERE, 1 61 NOW.
AND IT NEVER MADE IT TO THIS D BECAUSE PEOPLE
[02:10:01]
WANTED TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING BETTER.NOW WHAT'S SOMETHING BETTER OUT THERE NOW? NOTHING.
BUT IT'S GOOD ENOUGH TO BE OVER HERE.
SOMETHING WAITING, WAITING FOR PERFECTION WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT IS IN MY MIND.
YOU DON'T GO FOR PERFECTION AT THE FIRST PART OF IT.
SO JUST, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT IN THIS, BECAUSE USUALLY WE, USUALLY THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED BEFORE DISCUSSION HAPPENS.
SO WHERE ARE WE IN THE DISCUSSION PHASE HERE? UH, I WOULD JUST LET EVERYBODY KNOW AS FAR AS THIS, PUTTING IN AN, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEBODY TO DO THIS.
MAYBE NOT YOU, LET'S UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT JUST PUTTING THAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE CODE.
I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY SHOULD BE THERE.
UH, IF THEY WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON RISK, IT, THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM.
OR THEY, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS? RISKING MONEY IS HOW YOU MAKE MONEY TOO.
SO, UH, IF THEY WANNA DO, SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO THAT SOMEDAY AND, AND WE PUT IT IN THE CODE THAT WE'D ALLOW IT.
AND IF THE DA SAYS, YOU GOTTA TAKE IT OUTTA THE CODE, YOU KNOW, BACK OUT, ALL YOU CAN DO IS TAKE IT OUTTA THE CODE.
SO AS FAR AS THE CASE THAT'S RIGHT HERE ON THIS ONE, UH, Y'ALL WILL KNOW HOW I VOTE SINCE I'M THE NEW GUY.
I, I THINK THAT, UH, PUTTING THAT OPPORTUNITY IN THERE IS JUST FINE.
BUT THE NEXT ONE FOR THE SUP, WE'LL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT ONE WHEN THAT ONE COMES UP.
UH, HAMILTON, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS.
UM, WHEN THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT CAME LAST YEAR WANTED TO BRING THIS SIMILAR PRODUCT, THEY HAD AN IDEA OF HAVING PRIVATE CLUBS WHERE IT WAS INVITE ONLY.
UH, WE LATER GOT THEM OFF THAT AND THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND.
BUT ESSENTIALLY FOR YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THEIR CLUB, WHEN THEY FIRST PRESENTED IT, SOMEONE HAD TO REFER YOU TO COME AND JOIN THE CLUB.
MY QUESTION IS, HOW DOES SOMEBODY BECOME A MEMBER OF THIS PRIVATE CLUB? WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE OR THE RULES TO BECOME A MEMBER? DO I JUST APPLY? HOW DOES THAT WORK? APPLY, PAY A FEE, BUT THERE'S ALSO A BACKGROUND CHECK.
AND IF YOU'VE, UM, HAD ANY TYPE OF FELONY VIOLENT CRIME CONVICTION IN THE PRIOR THREE YEARS, THEN YOU WON'T BE ALLOWED IN THE FACILITY.
AND THE REASON VIOLENT CRIME IS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT THAT HAVE HAD ANY TYPE OF, UM, VIOLENT CRIME CONVICTIONS.
AND WE DON'T, WE DON'T WANNA PUT OURSELVES IN THAT SITUATION WHERE, UH, SOMEONE COULD COME IN AND, AND, YOU KNOW, START A FIGHT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
WE WANT IT TO BE A SAFE PLACE.
AND THAT GOES INTO MY NEXT QUESTION THAT DEALS WITH FINANCIAL CRIMES LIKE FRAUD.
IS THAT ALSO INCLUDED WITHIN THE BACKGROUND CHECKS LOOKING TO PREVENT FRAUDULENT INDIVIDUALS FROM COMING INTO THIS FACILITY? YES.
THAT IS PART OF THE, THAT IS PART OF THE BACKGROUND CHECK.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I LIKE HAMILTON PECK, AND I ALSO THINK THIS IS A VERY NICE PROJECT.
UH, I AM NOT AGAINST GAMBLING.
I KNOW THAT, UM, I DON'T NECESSARILY GAMBLE MYSELF, BUT I DON'T, UM, DICTATE WHO DOES AND WHO DOESN'T.
AND, UM, ACTUALLY, UM, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SO MANY THINGS ALREADY.
I WANNA TALK ABOUT DISTRICT ONE AND I WANNA TALK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AROUND THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.
I KNOW, I KNOW MY, UH, DISTRICT ONE PEOPLE AND WHEN THIS CAME, UH, BEFORE US, THE LAST TIME I HAD PEOPLE COME UP TO ME AND SEND ME MESSAGES.
THANK YOU FOR NOT LETTING THIS GO IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THANK YOU FOR NOT LETTING THIS GO CLOSE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, SO I HAVE A GOOD FEEL ON HOW THEY WOULD, UH, FEEL ABOUT IT, UH, IN DISTRICT ONE.
AND ACTUALLY, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE, UH, WITH THIS PROJECT, BUT I DO NOT LIKE THE LOCATION.
I DO NOT THINK IT'S THE PERFECT LOCATION.
UM, I WOULD LIKE IT AROUND, I WOULD PREFER IT BE TO BE AROUND BY LONE STAR PARK AND IN THAT AREA, BECAUSE THIS BACKS UP TO
[02:15:01]
NOT ONLY APARTMENTS, BUT TO A NICE, A VERY NICE NEIGHBORHOOD, INTERNATIONAL ESTATES.AND, UM, WHEN I HEAR WORDS LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE BACKGROUND CHECK, WE NEED TO HAVE EXPERTS TO KEEP PEOPLE THAT MAY BE CHEATING OR STEALING.
AND WHEN I HEAR PEOPLE SAY WORDS LIKE, UH, LIKE THAT, IT, IT GIVES ME CONCERN ABOUT, AND WHEN WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST OF THE BEST EXPERTS ON SECURITY, IT SOUNDS LIKE A PRISON.
I MEAN, LIKE, WHO WOULD WANT THAT IN THEIR BACKYARD? I'M JUST SAYING FROM MY STANDPOINT, FROM THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT AND I HAVE TO, I HAVE TO COME FROM THAT STANDPOINT.
SO FROM THAT STANDPOINT, I MUST SAY I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO, UM, SUPPORT IT.
AND, UM, I DO TAKE A GREAT PRIDE IN SAYING THAT YES, GRAND PRAIRIE IS FAMILY FRIENDLY AND WE WANNA KEEP IT THAT WAY.
AND THAT, THAT DOESN'T FIT IN THAT CATEGORY TO ME AND IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION.
SO, UM, I HAVE, I'M BEING PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU, AND I THINK SOME THINGS ARE WORTH WAITING FOR.
UH, I DON'T, I DON'T BELIEVE IN THAT.
SET YOUR BAR A LITTLE BIT LOWER AND TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.
I SAY SET THE BAR HIGH AND GET AND WAIT.
WHAT YOU ARE WANTING AND WHAT YOU THINK IS THE VERY BEST FOR THE AREA THAT, UH, LET'S SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE I WANTED TO, OH, 24 HOURS A DAY POSSIBLY THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THIS IN THE FUTURE.
THAT DOESN'T SOUND GOOD TO ME, NEAR A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR IT TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I KNOW IT'S NOT NOW, BUT THEY SAID, UH, THAT WAS MENTIONED, THAT THAT WAS THE OBJECTIVE.
UM, AND TO ME, AS FAR AS LEGALITY, IT'S IN A GRAY, GRAY AREA.
SO FOR THOSE REASONS, I, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING.
WELL, YOU KNOW, LAST NIGHT AT OUR SPORTS COURT MEETING, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE POSSIBILITIES OF CASINOS AND GAMBLING AND HOTELS.
YOU SHARED THAT THE REASON WHY THEY DON'T COME IS BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC.
WELL, IF YOU DON'T BUILD IT, THEY WON'T COME.
AND I KNOW THAT DISTRICT ONE AND DISTRICT FIVE, Y'ALL ALWAYS SUFFERED OF GROCERY STORES, OTHER BUSINESSES BECAUSE THAT SAME REASON.
AND IF YOU DON'T BUILD, NOTHING ELSE IS GONNA COME.
AND IF YOU'RE GONNA WAIT, WELL, WHAT STORE HAS OPENED UP OVER THERE IN THE LAST 20 YEARS? SO DO YOU WANNA WAIT ANOTHER 20 YEARS? AND WHAT KIND OF DEFICIT ARE YOU GONNA PUT ON YOUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS TO GO TO IRVING AND SPEND THEIR MONEY TO GO GROCERY SHOPPING UP THERE OR GO TO DALLAS TO GO DO THAT? SO ACTUALLY YOU'RE NOT HELPING YOUR COMMUNITY.
YOU'RE HURTING THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING TO TRAVEL FURTHER AND DO THINGS OUTSIDE OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
FOR ALL OF US IS WE WANT TO IN SOURCE, WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYTHING IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
NOW, YOU MAY TALK GRAY, YOU KNOW, YOU MAY TALK THIS AND THAT, BUT IT'S IN THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT THAT PD WAS GIVEN HOW MANY YEARS AGO? MANY, MANY YEARS AGO.
SO IT WASN'T LIKE WE JUST MADE THIS ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT YESTERDAY.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COMING AND IT'S JUST LIKE OUR PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER SAID, THE TRAIN IS LEAVING AND WHO'S ALL GONNA GET ON IT? AND THAT'S THE THING THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN WHAT WE NEED IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
JUST LIKE WE'RE GROWING CENTRALLY ON 1 61 AND THE 25 YEAR PLAN THAT WE'RE ALREADY DESIGNING THE SOUTH.
WELL, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN? THE NORTH IS GONNA GET LEFT BEHIND AGAIN.
BUT IT'S, YOU KEEP THINKING THAT WAY AND IT'S GONNA STAY THAT WAY.
AND AT SOME POINT, SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING.
NOW, LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR.
JUST LIKE THE GENTLEMAN SAID, THERE'S STILL DIRT.
NOTHING'S HAPPENING, NOTHING'S BEEN GENERATED.
NOW IF ANYONE THAT HAS SPOKEN HERE HAS GONE TO LONE STAR PARK OR HAS GAMBLED OR BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET, WELL IT'S VERY HYPOCRITICAL OF YOU.
SO TO COME UP HERE AND JAW JACK THAT, OH, HEAVENLY AND ALL THAT, AND YOU'VE BEEN TO LONE STAR PARK 'CAUSE I'VE SEEN YOU THERE, THAT'S NOT GIVEN HERE.
YOU GOTTA COME STRONGER AND DEEPER WITH THAT.
BUT US AS A COMMUNITY, THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE FUNDS THAT CAN BENEFIT THE CITY BACK IN SOME FORM OR FASHION.
YOU TALK A CRIME, YOU TALK ABOUT ALL THIS.
CHIEF, GIVE US YOUR OPINION ON WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS.
[02:20:03]
NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, BUT WE HEAR ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE HEAR ABOUT P AND Z, HOW INCOMPETENT P AND Z IS AT THIS MEETING.AND I ASK EVERYBODY TO SEE IT BECAUSE NOBODY DID THEIR DUE DILIGENCE ABOUT THIS ON P AND Z, INCLUDING MY OWN APPOINTEE.
IT'S VERY DISTURBING AND DISAPPOINTING OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS.
THESE PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY'RE DOING THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY.
AND THE MAIN THING WAS, YOU TALK ABOUT RIFFRAFF COMING OFF THE STREET, TRUCKERS COMING OFF THE STREET, CRIME, ALL THIS THAT'S GONNA BRING IT.
DANIEL SAYS THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
UH, SIR, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE GIVING YOU MY OPINION ON A PROJECT, BUT I CAN TALK TO YOU SPECIFICS ABOUT CRIME AND THE LAW.
UH, I WILL TELL YOU THAT, UM, THERE IS NOT A CRIME ISSUE SURROUNDING THE OTHER POKER ROOMS THAT ARE IN THE CITIES THAT, THAT, UH, I'M FAMILIAR WITH.
I'VE SPOKEN TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THIS, UH, ITEM.
AND, UH, TO DATE THEY HAVE NOT SEEN A CRIME ISSUE.
UM, THEY DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROLIFERATION OF CARD ROOMS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.
HOWEVER, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE ENTERTAINING THIS AS AN SUP, SO YOU WOULD CONTROL THAT.
UH, AS IT RELATES TO THE LAW, I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY BEST CHARACTERIZED BY, UH, MS. CLEMSON.
UH, AND, UH, COUNCILWOMAN CLEMSON, I BEG YOUR PARDON.
UH, IN THAT, UM, THE BOOK SAYS IT'S ILLEGAL, BUT THEN UNDER IT IT PROVIDES WHAT'S CALLED AN AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU COMMIT THIS OFFENSE AND IT IS PRIVATE, YOU DON'T RECEIVE A GAIN, UH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A NUMBER OF, OF, UH, PREREQUISITES THAT, THAT WOULD CARVE OUT THESE AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE OF PROSECUTION.
IF YOU MEET THOSE, AND AS I READ THIS PROJECT, THEY WOULD THEN, THEY COULD NOT BE PROSECUTED OR WOULD NOT BE PROSECUTED.
UM, BUT THAT WOULD BE A DEFENSE THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD, UM, QUALIFY THAT TO, TO NOT BE PURSUED.
UM, AS IT RELATES TO THE DIFF UH, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, UH, HE INDICATED TO ME A VERY FEW NUMBER OF THESE HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO HIS OFFICE.
UM, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE ONES THAT WERE, WERE QUITE A BIT DIFFERENT THAN THESE.
AND AGAIN, AS TO MY OPINION TAG, Y'ALL ARE IN ON THAT RIGHT?
SO YOU HEARD IT FROM THE CHIEF? YEAH.
YOU'VE HEARD HIS OPINION, YOU'VE HEARD HIS VERBIAGE OF WHAT HE SAYS.
WE HAVE A, A CARD, A VERY NICE FIVE STAR, UH, CARD, UH, ROOM IN LAS CLEANS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN GRAND PRAIRIE GO TO LAS CLEANS.
SO AGAIN, WE'RE TAKING OUR MONEY OUTSIDE OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
LET'S KEEP IT IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
LET'S GIVE THAT MONEY BACK IN GENERATE TO BUILD MORE OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
SO I WILL BE VOTING YES ON THIS COUNCIL MEMBER HEDON, UM, JUST LISTENING TO THE PERSPECTIVES AND, UH, A LOT OF INTERESTING POINTS.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO, UH, SPEAK UP ON BEHALF OF OUR CONSTITUENTS SERVING ON OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
UH, CERTAINLY DON'T FIND THEM TO BE INCOMPETENT.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE IT THAT FAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T AGREE WITH YOU.
UM, AND I DO KNOW THAT THIS SAME COUNCIL AGREED UNANIMOUSLY TO HOLD OFF ON ANOTHER HOTEL TO WAIT FOR FULL SERVICE.
UH, THIS WAS BEFORE YOUR TIME, SO THIS IS JUST A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.
NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRICT.
SO WITH THAT, I WAS IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU GUYS REGARDING HOLDING OFF ON THAT FOR THE BETTER HOTEL.
UM, AND I DO THINK THAT THAT STRATEGY, WHICH THE COUNCIL AGREED TO, UM, ISN'T RIDICULOUS.
AND IT HELPS US TO CRAFT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
I THINK IT'S WHAT YOU WANNA SEE.
SO THEREFORE THAT VOTE MAKES SENSE FOR YOU.
BUT, UM, CERTAINLY, UH, TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO SUIT EVERYONE.
UM, IN THE TERM ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, I THINK, UM, WE'RE MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT IT HAS TO BE A CERTAIN TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT.
THERE ARE FAMILY FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT, SO THAT'S NOT THE ONLY TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT.
UM, SO A LOT OF INTERESTING POINTS TO CONSIDER.
UH, COUNCIL MAYOR, JUST FOR CLARITY.
WE WANNA TALKING ABOUT THE HOTEL.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YEARS AGO, THE HOTEL AND THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, NOT ON 1 61.
OF THE HOTELS THAT WANT THAT, WE WANTED TO COME, BUT THEY SAID YOU DON'T HAVE, THE TRAFFIC HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING ON 1 61.
THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
[02:25:01]
VOTE I WAS A PART OF.YOU WEREN'T PART OF THAT ONE OVER THERE.
RIGHT? I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT.
I DON'T, I THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKER CARDS.
ARE YOU MAYOR? I THINK IT'S TIME TO VOTE.
UH, WE NOW WE'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE DEPUTY, UH, MAYOR, PROTON LOPEZ.
UH, UH, IT'S SO MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS.
I MEAN, THE LAST GROUP THAT CAME IN, YOU KNOW, THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL FOR ME WASN'T UP THERE.
I MEAN, I THINK THIS GROUP HAS, HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK.
TO, TO MAKE THE PROJECT A LITTLE BIT MORE APPEALING.
UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT CAN GO ON.
I MEAN, SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO INVEST $3 MILLION TO WHERE ANY DAY, YOU KNOW, A JUDGE COULD JUST TELL YOU, YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS IS NOT NO LONGER ALLOWED.
I MEAN, AND, AND YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP THAT $3 MILLION.
I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S A BIG INVESTMENT OR A GAMBLE.
I MEAN, I, I I JUST THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTANDING THAT, I KNOW Y'ALL PUT ON THERE 24 7, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT, IT'S VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GONNA BE SELLING ALCOHOL, UM, HOW YOU MANAGE THAT AND NOT MANAGE THAT.
BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, FIRST CALL WOULD BE TWO O'CLOCK.
WE CAN JUST STICK TO 10 TO TWO.
AND, AND I THINK CAN PART OF THE MOTION WE, AND THE DIFFICULT PART AS FAR AS ENTERTAINMENT, WHETHER OR NOT FAMILY OR NOT, I MEAN, LOOK AT EPIC CENTRAL.
I MEAN, IT'S FAMILY DURING THE DAY, BUT AT NIGHT, FRIDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT, IT'S A NIGHTCLUB.
AND GUESS WHAT? THE CITY OWNS IT.
SO WE'RE SAYING WE AS A CITY HAVE OUR OWN INVESTED PROPERTY WHERE WE'RE MAKING MONEY OFF OF.
SO IT'S OKAY FOR US TO HAVE SOMETHING OPEN UP TO TWO IN THE MORNING, BUT IF YOU'RE A PRIVATE PERSON, WE'RE GONNA JUSTIFY THAT.
YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR YOU.
SO THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING BACK AND FORTH ON THIS ISSUE.
UH, LOOK, IF THIS PASSAGE, Y'ALL ARE GONNA DO A GREAT JOB.
I BELIEVE IT WON'T HAVE CRIME.
I ALSO BELIEVE PEOPLE AREN'T GONNA STOP AND SHOP EITHER.
BUT THAT'S NOT ANY HAS, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW I'M GONNA VOTE.
PEOPLE THAT GO PLAY CARDS, GO PLAY CARDS, THEN THEY GO HOME.
UH, IT AIN'T GONNA HELP ANYTHING ELSE UP THERE, BUT IT WILL BE A GREAT ESTABLISHMENT.
I KNOW HOW I'M GONNA VOTE AND WHY I'M GONNA VOTE THAT WAY.
I'M, I, I'M AT PEACE WITH THAT, I'M READY TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR ITEM 37.
DEPUTY MAYOR PRO, TIM CLEMSON.
I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS, UH, UH, REGARDING THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, UH, AS FAR AS EPIC CENTRAL BEING COMPARED TO THIS, I DON'T SEE THAT AS A COMPARISON BECAUSE THERE, THAT DOES HAVE FAMILY TIME AND THEN IT DOES HAVE NIGHTTIME WHERE THIS WOULD HAVE NO FAMILY TIME.
AND THE OTHER THING IS, I AGREE WITH THE MAYOR THAT THIS IS NOT GONNA BRING A GROCERY STORE TO THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TOWN.
SO I JUST, JUST WANTED TO GET THOSE OUT OF, OUT OF THE WAY.
AND, UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, UH, THE COMMENTS AND THE INPUT.
I, UH, MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND DENY ITEM NUMBER 37.
WE HAVE A MOTION SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HEADING TO DENY IT.
WE'RE GONNA DO A HAND RAISE ALL IN FAVOR OF DENYING, WHICH IS THE MOTION RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING, RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE MOTION TO DENY NYE IS DEFEATED.
NOW WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IF SOMEBODY WANTS IT ON THE TABLE.
MAY I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 37.
AND SECOND TO APPROVE ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION.
RAISE YOUR HAND, ALL THOSE AGAINST IT.
RAISE YOUR HAND BY THE SAME MOTION.
BY THE SAME COUNT SIX TO THREE TO APPROVE IT.
NOW, COUNCIL MEMBER, SHOTWELL MADE AN INTERESTING POINT, BUT THERE'S NO WAY Y'ALL ARE GONNA VOTE.
I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BELABOR THE POINT ON THE SUP, BUT I'LL LET YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
[02:30:01]
YOU MAYOR.UH, MR. TOOLEY OR MR. PECK, ONE OF Y'ALL, WOULD YOU MIND MOSEYING UP HERE FOR A SECOND? YES, SIR.
UM, THE, THE RECOMMENDATION ON THIS SUP, THAT ALL THE, ALL THE ITEMS THAT CITY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING GO INTO THIS SUP.
DO YOU AGREE WITH ALL THOSE? DO YOU ACCEPT THOSE? WE ACCEPT THEM.
UH, THEN I GUESS I'D WANT TO TALK JUST, WELL, GOOD, I'M GLAD YOU POINTED SOMETHING.
UH, ONE FIRST, FIRST ONE THAT I WANNA TALK TO YOU GUYS ABOUT IS, UH, I DON'T THINK HANGING ON TO, UH, SURVEILLANCE VIDEOS OF PEOPLE'S FACES AND CAR TAGS FOR 30 DAYS IS NEARLY LONG ENOUGH.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO MAKE THAT 60.
AND THEN I THINK RASHAD'S GOT SOMETHING HE WANTS TO BRING UP.
THIS IS ONE CONDITION WE DON'T HAVE IN HERE.
AND TO ADDRESS, UH, MR. UH, NUS COMMENT, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A ONE YEAR RENEWAL FOR THE SUP.
SO WE, WE WILL REVISIT THIS WHEN WE MAKE THE MOTION.
WHOEVER MAKES THE MOTION INCLUDE THAT IN THE 60 DAYS, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
AND ALSO, RASHAD, YOU AND I HAVE DEALT WITH SUVS QUITE A BIT.
WE KNOW THAT IT'S THE ONE YEAR IS JUST A REVIEW THAT STAFF, ALL STAFF DEPARTMENTS GET TOGETHER AND REVIEW HOW THAT ONE HAS WORKED, HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN.
BUT IF, UH, THERE'S PROBLEMS ON 14 DAYS AFTER THEY OPEN UP, WE CAN SHUT 'EM DOWN WITHIN A MONTH AFTER THAT, CORRECT? YES, SIR.
ESPECIALLY SUP IN A HEARTBEAT.
AND THAT'S WHERE THESE STIPULATIONS AND THESE CONDITIONS COME INTO.
SO YOU GOT, THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU WERE AWARE OF ALL THAT, BECAUSE AGAIN, GOOD ON YOU FOR HAVING THAT KIND OF MONEY TO TOSS IF YOU, BUT, BUT IT IS NOT, NOT MY MUCH.
YOU CAN BUILD ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE IN THE WORKS.
SO, THANK YOU CREDIBILITY'S ON THE LINE HERE.
TONY, ARE YOU THROUGH? NOT QUITE.
I, BECAUSE I SAW RASHAD POKE HIS FINGER UP AGAIN, AND WHILE, WHILE I'VE GOT THE FLOOR, I WANT TO HELP HIM OUT.
JUST ONE OTHER ADDITION IS THE HOURS.
SO IT WAS STIPULATED 10 TO TWO.
10 TO TWO, AND THEY AGREED TO IT.
10:00 AM TO HE HE AGREED TO IT.
SO THAT'D BE PART OF THE MOTION.
NO, HE SAID HE'D WITHDRAW THE 24 HOURS.
THEY WERE NEVER GONNA BE ABLE TO SELL ALCOHOL PAST TWO.
AND, AND LET'S, LET'S, I YOU'RE NOT GONNA OPEN THIS UP WITH ALL THIS 30 WHATEVER TABLES OR SOMETHING.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO WORK INTO THAT, AREN'T YOU? YES SIR.
YOU SEE, THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE YOU GOT.
CAN YOU COME BACK? BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU GET, YOU KNOW, ALL THOSE SIX YEARS THAT I WAS WORKING WITH PEOPLE GETTING SUVS AND THINGS, I LEARNED THAT YOU GOTTA GET DOWN INTO THE NITTY GRITTY OF SOME OF THIS STUFF.
BECAUSE THE HOW, HOW THE, HOW THE DECK, THE HOUSE, THE CARS GET BUILT, GETS BUILT IS IMPORTANT.
UM, IF YOU'RE GOING TO JUST OPEN UP WITH PART OF THAT, LET'S SAY HALF THAT.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, ARE YOU GONNA OPEN IT UP WITH ALL 39 TABLES WHEN WE FIRST, UH, DO THE BUILD OUT? ALL OF THAT WILL BE IN PLACE.
YEAH, BUT I MEANT, BUT BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO OPEN UP WITH ALL THAT.
WE'LL OPEN UP WITH ALL THAT, BUT, OKAY.
UH, IT'S GONNA TAKE TIME TO YOU BUILD ALL THOSE TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE ESTABLISHMENT.
BUT YOU AREN'T GONNA DENY IF YOU HAVE 300, 500 MEMBERS, COME, COME HERE AND YOU'LL, YOU'LL HOPE TO FILL IT UP THE FIRST WEEKEND.
THAT'S, THAT'S A GOOD PROBLEM.
YOU WANT, YOU WANNA FILL IT UP THE FIRST WEEKEND? ALRIGHT, WELL I DID NOT KNOW THAT I, I, MY, MY BADGE FOR MAKING AN ASSUMPTION.
I ASSUMED YOU WERE GOING TO DO THE BEST YOU COULD, MAYBE HALF, HALF OF IT AND THEN OPEN UP AND TRY TO WORK.
OH, YOU GONNA GO BACK AND CHANGE YOUR VOTE NOW THAT YOU DON'T NO, I'M, I'M, NO, I'M STILL IN FAVOR OF THE PD PERIOD.
NOW THE SUV'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
THE, THE ORDINANCE ACTUALLY CALLS OUT THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLY, UH, WITH OUR, OUR FLOOR PLANS GENERALLY COMPLIANT.
SO YOU HAVE TO, BEFORE YOU CAN OPEN UP, HE'S GOTTA HAVE IT ALL READY TO GO.
WHATEVER'S APPROVED TODAY ARE WILL NEED TO BE BUILT IN ACCORDANCE WITH Y'ALL'S BEFORE HE GETS TO THE CO.
[02:35:01]
HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF IT.SO THAT'S WHEN THE, THE DAY HE OPENS UP IS WHEN THE ONE YEAR STARTS.
YEAH, THAT'S, I'M GLAD THAT'S CLEAR.
UM, THIS IS JUST REDUNDANT, BUT I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS THE RIGHT, IF WE APPROVE THEM TONIGHT ON THIS ITEM AT ANY, AT ANY POINT IN ANY MOMENT, FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE, IF WE SEE THAT THERE'S ISSUES OR HEAR THAT THERE ARE ISSUES, WE CAN BRING THEM BACK HERE AND REVOKE THEIR SUP.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT HAS THE RIGHT AND THE PRIVILEGE TO DO THAT.
SO FOR ANYONE THAT IS CONCERNED, WE WILL BE WATCHING.
AND WE HAVE A GREAT POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WILL BE OVER THERE OBSERVING THIS.
UM, THAT WE ONLY MAKE DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY.
CAN I MAYOR APPROACH TIM LOPEZ? YEAH.
THE SUP, CAN WE TIE IT INTO THIS PARTICULAR OPERATOR? SO IN OTHER WORDS, SAY THEY BUILD IT OUT, THEY CAN'T SAVANNAH'S SAYING NO, NO, NO, WE CAN'T.
I THINK WE'RE READY FOR A MOTION FOR THE SUP.
AND I WOULD LIKE FOR WHOEVER DOES THE MOTION TO TRY TO HELP ENLIST STAFF'S IDEAS AND THEY CAN TALK TO STAFF WHILE THEY'RE MAKING THE MOTION ABOUT HOW TO GET EVERYTHING THE STAFF WANTED US PUT IN.
ONE WOULD BE EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL PRESENTED, BUT THEN YOU ADDED A FEW OTHER THINGS.
SO WE, WHAT WOULD, SHOULD WE SAY, RASHAD MOTION TO APPROVE WITH STAFF CONDITIONS WITH THE ADDITION OF THE HOURS AND THE ONE YEAR RENEWAL OF THE SUP REQUIREMENT.
AND THE 60 DAYS FOR KEEPING THE VIDEOS.
AS SHARP AS HAMILTON IS ON HIS IT STUFF, HE COULD KEEP LONGER THAN THAT.
WHO WILL ENTER? I, I, DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TIM CLEMSON.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO TONY TO MAYOR.
I WOULD, UH, MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 38 38, UH, WITH STATUS CONDITIONS WITH THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF 10 TO TWO HOURS.
TEN TEN, TEN EIGHT, TEN EIGHT TO TWO 10, 10:00 AM TO 10:00 PM TO 2:00 AM NO, 10:00 AM 10:00 AM TO 2:00 AM UH, 60 DAYS ON KEEPING THE VIDEOS, UH, ONE YEAR.
IT, WE OUGHT, WE OUGHT TO PUT THAT ON ALL SUVS PERIOD FROM NOW.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE, UH, BUT WE WERE ONE YEAR, ONE YEAR REVIEW OF THE SUP AND THERE WAS ONE MORE 60 DAY VIDEO.
60 DAYS OF KEEPING THE VIDEOS.
SECOND, I WILL BE VOTING FOR THIS.
I DO BELIEVE YOU WON'T BE A PROBLEM.
I DON'T, I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT.
'CAUSE I THINK HAVE A, A CLEAR PLAN.
SO I, I WISH YOU ALL THE SUCCESS 'CAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO GO DARK.
SO NOW THAT WE'VE GOTTEN OVER IT AND THIS WILL BE APPROVED TONIGHT, WISH YOU ALL THE SUCCESS.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND ON THE TABLE.
MOTION CARRIES EIGHT TO ONE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER HEAD AND VOTE AND NAY.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS]
FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS.RABBI DEL, A NEW GUY IN THE HOT SEAT.
YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PUNCH YOUR BUTTON.
AND, UH, I SEE SOME CHANGES ON THE COUNCIL AND I WANTED TO GIVE SOME GENERAL THOUGHTS.
UH, SO I WROTE MYSELF A LITTLE NOTE.
I WROTE ANOTHER NOTE MAYBE ON THE BACK OF THAT CARD.
I AM PRAYING THAT THIS COUNCIL GOING FORWARD FROM TONIGHT WILL FOCUS ON THE CITY'S BUSINESS AND CONCENTRATE ON DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CITY AND NOT FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL OR IN ANY GROUP.
[02:40:01]
LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, THAT LAST SEVERAL COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT I'VE BEEN AROUND.I UNDERSTAND THAT LAST COUNCIL MEETING, Y'ALL HAD A LITTLE TIP BETWEEN A CITIZEN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OR WHATEVER.
THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE, UH, CITY MANAGER'S JOB.
SO I'D LIKE TO SEE Y'ALL RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HERE ELECTED.
DO A JOB FOR THE CITY, FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY, AND NOT TO SINGLE OUT ANYBODY.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO YOU TO CONCENTRATE ON HANDING THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES OVER TO THE COMPETENT STAFF THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE, MR. HILL'S JOB TO MANAGE THE EMPLOYEES AND THE ONGOING DAILY BUSINESS OF THE CITY.
Y'ALL'S JOB IS A LITTLE MORE GENERAL, LIKE TACTICAL AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TACTICAL AND UH, UH, STRATEGIC.
ANYWAY, I'M PRAYING FOR Y'ALL TO COME TOGETHER.
UH, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LITTLE STRIFE IN MY PERCEPTION THAT I'VE SEEN AND I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS CAN ALL, UH, KEEP OBJECTIVE ABOUT DOING THE CITY'S BUSINESS, ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS THE FAIREST SHAKE AND THAT WE DON'T CATER TO SOME GROUP OR ONE ANOTHER, AND THAT WE LET THE STAFF MANAGE THE CITY'S DAY TO DAY DETAIL BUSINESS.
SO IT'S MY PRAYER, DEAR GOD, THAT YOU WOULD HELP THESE PEOPLE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR US.
KATE DERMO, 43 65 ASHLEY LANE, GRAND PRAIRIE.
FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE YOU OF YOU WHO ARE ELECTED AND REELECTED.
I'M HERE TO, I JUST REALIZED THIS IS TOO HIGH.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO CALL ON NEW CITY COUNCIL TO PASS A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, THIS COUNCIL HAD STATED THAT THIS GENOCIDE ISN'T CONSIDERED A LOCALLY RELEVANT ISSUE AND THEREFORE DOESN'T JUSTIFY ANY ACTIONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.
I WILL CONTINUE TO REMIND MY PE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS FACT UNTIL IT CEASES TO BE TRUE AND ACCURATE.
ISRAEL'S GENOCIDE, THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE IN GAZA CONTINUES TO ESCALATE.
NO FOOD HAS ENTERED THE TWO MAIN BORDER CROSSINGS IN SOUTHERN GAZA FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
1.1 MILLION PEOPLE ARE ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION.
600,000 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN OUT OF RAFA OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.
AT THIS POINT, 80% OF GAZA'S POPULATION OF 2.3 MILLION PALESTINIANS HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES.
ON AVERAGE, PEOPLE IN GAZA HAVE HAD TO MOVE ABOUT ONCE A MONTH.
NOWHERE IS SAFE IN RAFA TO THAT POINT, PLACES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE, SHELTERS LIKE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE DESTROYED FROM U-N-R-W-A.
JUSTICE IS A LOCALLY RELEVANT ISSUE.
I'M SO GLAD THAT WE HAVE OUR ELECTED PEOPLE THAT'S IN NOW.
OKAY, LET'S GO BACK TO BUSINESS HERE.
Y'ALL ARE HERE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, NOT THE PERSONAL GAINS.
YOU'RE HERE TO HELP EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US THAT PAY OUR TAXES OUT A HOME IN OUR CITY, RIGHT? WE WORK HERE, WE GO TO SCHOOL HERE.
SO WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED IN, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO WORK AS A COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO HELP THE COMMUNITY NOT PICKING AT EACH OTHER OR PICKING AT THE CITIZENS OR WHATEVER.
[02:45:01]
IS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.WHEN I ASKED CITIZEN, UH, MY CITY COUNCIL PERSON FOR ASSISTANCE, I EXPECT HIM TO DO THAT.
RIGHT? AND WHEN I ASKED ONE THAT'S, UH, AT LARGE AND HE DOES HELP ME ON THAT TOO.
WE HAVE THIS STREET, UH, EIGHTH STREET, I MEAN THIRD STREET, RIGHT THERE AT COTTONWOOD PARK.
THAT BRIDGE'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 50 YEARS.
WE GOT BIG OLD CRACKS DOWN IT AND IT'S GONNA FALL IN.
Y'ALL JUST COME OUT THERE AND JUST PUT A LITTLE PATCH TAG, PUT A LITTLE PATCH ON IT, PUT A LITTLE PATCH ON IT.
WE GOTTA THINK ABOUT REMOVING AND RESTORING OR REDOING THAT BRIDGE BEFORE IT FALLS IN AND THEY HARM SOMEBODY AND OUR CITIZENS IN THE GRAND PARADE.
OKAY? I DON'T COME UP HERE TO USUALLY COMPLAIN, JUST TO HEAR MYSELF TALK.
I DEALING WITH TWO CHILDREN, AUTISM.
AND I THINK I'M DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB.
I'M TRYING TO DO IS THAT I'M ASKING FOR BETTER THINGS FOR OUR CITY TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY, NOT TO WORK AGAINST OUR COMMUNITY.
IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? OKAY.
COUNCILMAN ZANU AND WELCOME BACK MR. SHOTWELL.
THIS IS A VERY HISTORIC DAY IN NORTH TEXAS.
TODAY, THE FORT WORTH CITY COUNCIL, UH, VOTED TO TAKE AWAY FROM MEDSTAR AND PUT THEIR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE IN THE HANDS OF THE FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT.
UH, WE SHARE A BORDER WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH.
THE NEW DEVELOPMENT OUT ON 360 THAT'S COMING DOWN THE ROAD.
THAT FIRE STATION OUT THERE THAT FORT WORTH HAS.
NOW THAT CHANNEL FIVE IS LEFT BROADCAST HILL WITH DAVID FROCK AND HAROLD TAFT OUT THERE.
THERE ISN'T ANY PARAMEDIC ENGINE COMPANIES IN THE FORT WORTH FIRE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.
THERE ARE NO PARAMEDIC ENGINE COMPANIES IN THE ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, RIGHT? BASICALLY WHAT HAS GONE FORTH TODAY IS FORT WORTH.
I GUESS THE OLD SONG SAYS THEY SEEN THE LIGHT.
THEY KNOW THAT PUTTING THAT MONEY INTO ANOTHER PROVIDER ISN'T WORKING.
YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC PROGRAMS ARE NORM IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN TEXAS.
IN 1999, COUNCILMAN SHOTWELL AND I WERE ON THE EMS COMMITTEE THAT CHARLIE ENGLAND PUT FORTH.
RUTHIE JACKSON, JIM SWAFFORD, DICK FRIGO, UH, WE WERE ON THAT COMMITTEE AND I BELIEVE THAT CONSULTANT COMPANY WAS FITCH AND ASSOCIATES.
I THINK THEY WERE THE ONES THAT WERE HELPING FORT WORTH TODAY, THAT $25,000 THAT CHARLIE HAD TO SPEND ON THEM.
JUST PUT IT RIGHT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THEN, BUT WE, WE GOT IT.
UH, MAYOR MATTIE PARKER IS QUOTED HERE SAYING THAT FORT WORTH IS GONNA HAVE THE, UM, TOP RANKED FIRST RESPONDER SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.
I THINK COUNCIL, WE WILL ALREADY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND DO THE GOOD WORK TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FINEST FIRST RESPONDER SYSTEM IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
WELL, MAYOR MATTIE, WELCOME TO GRAND PRAIRIE FOR EIGHT YEARS OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION.
I WISH CHIEF FIGHT WERE HERE TONIGHT, BUT MAYBE HE'LL HEAR THIS.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN GRAND PRAIRIE? THIS, THIS IS SIGNIFICANT.
WE SHARE THAT BORDER WITH FORT WORTH.
WE SHARE THAT BORDER WITH ARLINGTON FOR 25 YEARS.
25 YEARS AGO ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT TONY SHOTWELL AND I WERE WRONG.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN THE 25 YEARS IN GRAND PRAIRIE? WHAT'S GOING ON IN FORT WORTH? THEY'VE SPENT A BILLION DOLLARS ON, THAT'S NOT PANTHER ISLAND, THAT'S PORKER ISLAND.
THEY COULD HAVE TAKEN THAT BILLION DOLLARS IN, PUT THAT INTO A FIRE DEPARTMENT PARAMEDIC PROGRAM.
WHAT FORT WORTH NOW IS THE 12TH LARGEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.
SO HOW LONG IS IT GONNA TAKE FORT WORTH TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY? IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
[02:50:01]
IT'S WHERE YOU GONNA FIND A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC? WHERE YOU GONNA FIND A COP IN PUBLIC SAFETY? THIS IS WHY FROM 1984 TO 99, I STAYED AFTER Y'ALL.I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU DID.
COUNCILMAN SHOTWELL WITH CHARLIE ENGLAND.
EVERYBODY, RUTHIE JACKSON, EVERYBODY.
LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN SAVED IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
BUT I'M HOPING ARLINGTON WILL SEE THE LIGHT.
BACK IN THE FALL, MY WIFE AND I WERE GOING DOWN OLD HIGHWAY 80 AND THERE WAS A ONE OF THOSE YELLOW FLASHING SIGNS.
I THOUGHT IT WAS REDIRECT TRAFFIC FOR THE FOOTBALL GAMES.
NOW HIRING WHEN YOU USE A FLASHING SIGN TO TRY TO HIRE FOR YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
AND THERE ARE NO PARAMEDIC ENGINE COMPANIES THAN THE ARLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IT WOULD BE FUN TO SEE A LOT OF THOSE GUYS.
LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON IN GRAND PRAIRIE? WERE BEHIND GRAND PRAIRIE WORD YOU NEVER WOULD'VE HEARD.
AND NOW FOR THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, COWTOWN, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE GOOD MEMORIES OF COWTOWN.
MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER SOLD HORSES AND MULES IN 19 70 19 17 FOR WORLD WAR I OVER THERE.
FORT WORTH IS A GREAT PLACE, BUT WE'RE AHEAD OF THEM.
OLD CHARLIE AND RUTHIE, WE GOT THERE.
AND FORT WORTH IS GOING TO BE AWFUL JEALOUS OF US 'CAUSE WE'RE AHEAD OF 'EM FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, MS. PATSY RAY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I WANTED TO MAKE A REQUEST THE COMMUNITY STEP IN FOUNDATION OR MENTAL HEALTH GROUP.
I AM A PART OF AND HAS BECOME A CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDER.
I DID HEAR MY GROUP CALL TONIGHT AND I WOULD LIKE FOR MY GROUP TO BE RECOGNIZED THE NEXT TIME.
WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PARTICIPANTS AT OUR CITY COUNCIL.
UH, THE ORGANIZATION IS WELL KNOWN.
OZ IS ONE OF OUR PARTICIPANTS.
JERRY JONES IS ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS WHO PAYS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BECOME CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS.
GET THAT SIX HOUR CLASS THAT IS A VERY INTENSE SIX HOUR CLASS THAT WILL TAKE AN INDIVIDUAL ALL OF HIS OR HER SATURDAY.
SO YOU ALL SEARCH YOUR HEARTS PLEASE 'CAUSE GOD IS GOOD.
AND WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE EVERYBODY IN OUR CITY THAT DOES WORK TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS OUR CITIZENS, ARE AWARE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE WITHIN THE CITY.
I CAN PROUDLY SAY I'M THE ONLY CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH, UH, RESPONDER AT THE EPIC.
YOU KNOW, MY OLDEST SON, HE LIVES IN PUERTO RICO AND HE'S DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB.
HE WAS IN FORD'S MAGAZINE AND TIME MAGAZINE.
HE WAS KNOWN TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST, UH, INDIVIDUALS WHO GOT A BILLIONAIRE, BLACK MILLIONAIRE AND BILLIONAIRE RETREAT TOGETHER.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE TO PROVE TO ANY ONE OF YOU ALL WHAT I DO.
UM, WHEN I WAS A BABY, MY MOM BROUGHT ME TO GRAND PRAIRIE.
I WENT TO THE DO WORTH RECREATION CENTER.
I WENT TO SAM HOUSTON, UM, ELEMENTARY, JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE.
UM, I'VE HAD A LOT OF PAIN AND HURT AND DISAPPOINTMENT, TRAUMA, JUST SEEING THE WORK THAT MY DAD DID, UH, JUST HEARING THE GUNSHOTS WHEN HE WAS SHOT.
[02:55:01]
WHEN WE WERE YOUNG, IT TRAUMATIZED THIS.I COULD HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER.
I'M WELL QUALIFIED, VERY INTELLIGENT.
I HAVE DONE A LOT OF BOOTS DOWN.
I COUNTED ABOUT 36 INDIVIDUALS WHO CAME AND THEY WERE RECOGNIZED FOR METROCARE SERVICES.
WE CERTIFY DOCTORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, THERAPISTS, ELECTIVE OFFICIALS.
RIGHT NOW IT'S ABOUT, I LOOK IN THE AUDIENCE.
IT'S ABOUT, UH, NINE PEOPLE HERE THAT'S SITTING HERE THAT WE CERTIFIED.
I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO COME DOWN HERE BECAUSE WE WERE GONNA BE RECOGNIZED.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO RECOGNIZE ME.
I HEARD MR. STEWART BECAUSE HE WITNESSED YEAR, UM, YEARS AGO WHEN, UM, I WAS ABOUT 21 YEARS OLD.
I STARTED A COMMUNICATION BUSINESS OFF OF GREAT SOUTHWEST.
I'VE HAD BOOTHS DOWN FOR A LONG TIME.
MY FIRST JOB WAS FOR THE CITY MANAGER.
MY FIRST JOB, 13, 14, 15, AND 16 YEARS OF AGE.
I'M NOT ANGELA, ANGELA IS MY SISTER.
I SUPPORTED YOU BEFORE WE WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL.
I HAD PEOPLE WALK UP TO ME AND SAY, HOW DARE YOU BE HERE? I, I'M TIRED OF BEING HERE.
I'M NOT ANGELA, I AM CAROL HARRISON LAFAYETTE AND I DESERVE RESPECT.
MANY OF YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT ME AND YOU DIDN'T HEARD ALL KINDS OF RUMORS.
I FORGIVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ALL.
WE'VE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER EVERY MONTH.
I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION EVERY YEAR.
I'VE BEEN RECOGNIZED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL FOR YEARS.
WE'VE CERTIFIED OVER 7,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS RIGHT HERE IN THE CITY OF GREEN PRAIRIE.
AND YOU GUYS FEEL COMFORTABLE SITTING THERE, NEVER ACKNOWLEDGING ME.
ANY BLACK CITY OFFICIALS ON HERE.
I'VE COME SINCE 2016 ASKING YOU ALL TO HELP ME.
I DON'T NEED ANYTHING FROM YOU ALL THAT I DON'T DESERVE.
YOU GOTTA QUIT THIS GOSSIPING.
WE NEED YOU ALL TO BE LEADERS.
YOU ALL WERE ELECTING IN AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, WE HAVE THE BEST MAYOR THAT ANY CITY COULD EVER HAVE.
EVERYWHERE I GO, EVERYWHERE I GO, MAYOR JENSEN, EVERYWHERE FROM DR.
OZ TO EVERY SUPER BOWL THAT I'VE BEEN TO.
I BRAG ABOUT THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE BECAUSE I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I'M FROM GRAND PRAIRIE AND I DO THE MOST BOOTS DOWN HERE.
PARTNERED UP WITH THE SUPER BOWL AND YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN SUPPORT ME.
I HAVE EVENTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I INVITE YOU ALL TO IT EVERY FRIDAY.
BUT I HAVE DOCTORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, THERAPISTS, AND HERE DR.
LET'S GET IT TOGETHER BECAUSE MENTAL HEALTH DO MATTER AND I HAVE VALUE HERE IN THIS CITY AND WE NEED TO ALL WORK TOGETHER AND RESPECT EACH OTHER.
YOU GUYS ARE WELL NEEDED HERE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
I RESIDE AT 43 15 HAMPTON CIRCLE IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
UH, I CAME DOWN, UH, TO ORIGINALLY TALK ABOUT GROUP HOMES BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO BEING THE PRESIDENT OF A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, JOHN, YOU CAN'T SPEAK ON GROUP HOMES DURING CITIZEN COMMUNES.
I THOUGHT CITIZEN COMMENTS, YOU COULD JUST SPEAK ABOUT ANYTHING.
YOU CAN'T SPEAK MEL, SINCE IT'S GOING TO BE A COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM TABLE.
I'M SORRY THAT'S OFF LIMITS TONIGHT 'CAUSE YOU NEED TO WAIT AND SPEAK WHEN WE'RE COVERING THAT.
OKAY, WELL I GOT OTHER THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.
YOU GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.
UH, BEING THE PRESIDENT OF A HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION, I GET MANY CALLS.
[03:00:01]
I GET JUST AS MANY CALLS AS ANY CITY OFFICIAL DOES AND PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS.AND IN DEALING WITH THAT, HAVING A MORAL COMPASS CERTAINLY HELPS ME.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CERTAIN PEOPLE UP HERE, BUT IT CERTAINLY HELPS ME.
UM, SHORT TERM RENTALS, PRIVATE INVESTORS COMING INTO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUYING UP PROPERTY, NOT INTENDING TO EVEN HAVE HOME OWNERSHIP.
THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE TO RENT.
THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE, UH, PUT TO AN, UH, DISADVANTAGE OF MAKING MONEY.
I RETIRED AS A HOSPICE CHAPLAIN AND I'VE SEEN THE ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY.
I'VE SEEN THE ABUSE OF THE DISADVANTAGED.
BUT AS A HOMEOWNER'S PRESIDENT, WHY DO I HAVE TO TELL A PERSON WHO HAS INVESTED $200,000 OR MORE ON PROPERTY TO MOW THEIR LAWN, TO KEEP THEIR HOME LOOKING DECENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? WE CONSTANTLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT AND COMPLIMENTS TO CODE ENFORCEMENT, COMPLIMENTS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE HELPED US WITH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AND ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF CODE VIOLATIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
BUT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE.
WE HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT COMING OUT TO MORE LAWNS AND POSSIBLY PLACE LIENS ON PEOPLE'S HOMES.
PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
WE LIVE IN A SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT.
THERE ARE SOME SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS IN WESTCHESTER.
SO WE NEED PROPERTY OWNERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY, TAKE CARE OF YOUR HOUSE, MAKE THE COMMUNITY LOOK NICE.
IT'S JUST TOTAL IRRESPONSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WHO OWN PROPERTY THAT WON'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN PROPERTY.
IT'S A CONSTANT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S A CONSTANT TO TRY TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE AND BE CORDIAL AND BE KIND AND BE NICE.
DON'T EVEN WANT TO MOW THEIR LAND SPACE.
WHY DID YOU INVEST IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITY? THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.
BE RESPONSIBLE AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY.
SO I ENJOY WHAT I DO AND VERY PE FEW PEOPLE WANT THE JOB, BUT WE NEED CONSTANT SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITIES HAVING UPKEEP, TAKING CARE OF VIOLATIONS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOURS, MR. KENNETH BOBBLE.
GOODNESS, EVERYBODY I COME IN PEACE AND I LEAVE WITH PEACE AND TO GOD BE THE GLORY.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TODAY IN THE PRESENCE, EVERYBODY, I RESPECT EVERYBODY I COME.
I DON'T COME TO CONDEMN NOBODY.
CONDEMNATION DOESN'T GET, IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT FEET TO STEP ON WHETHER IT IS LEFT OR RIGHT.
ONCE YOU COME WITH THAT SPIRIT, IT DOESN'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.
I WAS SO PRIVILEGED TO KNOW MS. CAROL.
SHE JUST CAME UP HERE AND I'M A PROUD MENTAL HEALTH
[03:05:02]
ATTENDEE.I GOT THE GREATEST SMILE FROM, FROM THE MIRROR IN THE HALLWAY.
I WAS INVITED HERE ON THE, AN UNDERSTANDING AND IT NEVER REALLY MANIFESTS ITSELF, BUT BEING A MENTAL HEALTH ATTENDEE, I CAN DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHOLOGY, THE POLITICS AND THE, AND THE PRIDE THAT GOES WITH IT.
AND SPEAKING THOSE THREE, THOSE, THOSE THREE THINGS, THOSE, THOSE THREE TYPE OF PERSONALITIES THE CITY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROCESS AND ACCOMPLISH IF WE STAY IN THAT MINDSET.
HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? I'M ROBERT JOHNSON AND I WANTED TO, UH, SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MENTAL HEALTH IN REGARDS TO HOW CAROL HARRISON AT COMMUNITY STEP IN HAS CERTIFIED SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
I NOTICED THAT, UH, YOU COMMENDED THE PEOPLE HERE IN REGARDS TO THOSE THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, BUT NOWHERE NEAR, UH, SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT COMMUNITY STEP IN, IN REGARDS TO WHAT, WHERE SHE HAS CERTIFIED SO MANY FROM THE CITY POLICE OFFICERS, YOU NAME IT, HERE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, BUT THE CITIZENS OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
SO THAT HELPS THE COMMUNITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE TO EVOLVE WITH PEOPLE THAT KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I WANT TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT JUNIOR WAS SAYING EARLIER.
HE WAS SAYING, WELL, IT TAKES THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CITIZENS HERE TO ACTUALLY VOTE IN AND SAY SOMETHING AND BRING ABOUT THE AWARENESS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THERE CAN BE SOMETHING SAID.
MAYBE YOU GUYS, AND I UNDERSTAND Y'ALL HAVE A LOT TO DO AND A LOT TO DEAL WITH, BUT THE CITIZENS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOING OUT DEALING WITH THESE THINGS.
THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT Y'ALL HAVE TO CORRECT.
THE ONLY WAY THAT THAT HAPPENS IS THAT WE COME AND SAY SOMETHING.
SO THAT BEING SAID, COMMUNITY STEP IN HAS CERTIFIED SO MANY PEOPLE AND HAVE MADE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
I DON'T KNOW WHY SHE WASN'T MENTIONED WHEN YOU GUYS WERE SPEAKING, UH, OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE IN REGARDS TO MENTAL HEALTH.
BUT UH, I WAS JUST APPALLED THAT SHE WASN'T MENTIONED WHATSOEVER.
AND HER BEING HERE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE AND FROM GRAND PRAIRIE DOING STILL THE JOB THAT GOD BLESSED HER TO DO IN GRAND PRAIRIE, I WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS WOULD'VE MADE MENTION OF JUST TO BE A PART OF.
SO FOR ME, I WOULD SAY THAT I WOULD HOPE AND PRAY THAT Y'ALL WOULD DO SOMETHING FOR COMMUNITY STEP IN BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL ACTIVE, WE ARE STILL ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE.
SO, UH, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY STEP IN, IN REGARDS TO WHAT'S GOING ON.
SHE'S GOT 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE, UH, COMMUNITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT'S WORKING FOR THE CITY, A LOT OF THIS JUST STARTING WITH THE CITY.
SO SOME, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL NEW TO IT, BUT NOW WE'RE BRINGING ABOUT THAT AWARENESS.
LET'S DO IT TOGETHER AND I APPRECIATE IT.
WELL, AGAIN, MY NAME IS SAMMY ANDERSON.
I, I LIVE AT 39 51 DEMAN DRIVE, APARTMENT 31 0 3.
I HAVE NOT BEEN IN GRAND PRAIRIE THAT LONG.
I ORIGINALLY MOVED HERE IN OCTOBER
[03:10:01]
OF LAST YEAR.AND SO BY COMING TO GRAND PRAIRIE, I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT GRAND PRAIRIE.
AND RECENTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING IS DURING A PETITION OF OUR CITIZENS AND WE ARE HERE AS A COMMUNITY AND I WANNA THANK YOU MS. HADDEN FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR YOU SPEAKING OUT.
AND I WAS VERY PROUD OF A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE AS WELL.
BUT WHAT I LIKE TO SAY IS THAT YES, WE ARE A COMMUNITY.
IT IS OUR JOB TO WORK TOGETHER.
WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT OUR LEADERS.
YOU'RE PART OF US AND WE HOPE THAT YOU HEAR US.
OF THAT WORK THAT I'VE BEEN DOING, I HAVE A PETITION OF OVER 250 PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY NEED A OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEIR VOICE IS BEING HEARD.
I HAVE LETTERS WRITTEN BY VARIOUS CITIZENS HERE IN GRAND PERRY WHO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY BY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
NOW THAT'S NOT THE TAKE AWAY FROM THE WHOLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT EVERY POLICE IS DOING THE WRONG THING.
SO I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO JUMP INTO THAT CONCLUSION.
BUT WE DO HAVE SOME THAT DO VIOLATE THE LAW AND DO VIOLATE OUR CITIZEN'S RIGHTS.
AND A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS WHO HAPPEN TO LOOK LIKE ME FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE NO VOICE.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING, IS GOING OUT THERE AND TALKING TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE REPRESENT.
'CAUSE A LOT OF 'EM FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN VIOLATED TO THE POINT THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE POINT THAT ONE LADY I SPOKE WITH JUST THIS WEEKEND STARTED CRYING.
WE JUST HEARING THE, THE BRENT PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
SO THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO SAY, THERE'S A DISCONNECT.
IN ORDER TO GET A RECONNECTION, WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO OUR CITIZENS AND FIND OUT WHY.
IS THERE A DISCONNECT? I KNOW WHAT MINES WAS THAT MINES HAPPENED ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND IT WAS DONE BY OFFICER WHO LIVED IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX WHO VIOLATED ALL TYPES OF MISCONDUCT, WHO PARKED OVERNIGHT IN A FAR LANE.
BUT YET HE ARRESTED MY SON FOR PARKING FOR THREE MINUTES TO LOAD HIS KIDS IN A COLD.
THAT'S THE TYPE OF VIOLATIONS WE CAN'T HAVE.
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WE CANNOT HAVE OUR CITIZENS TREATED INHUMANE.
MY GRANDKIDS, MY SON IS A SINGLE DAD OF FOUR KIDS, THREE BOYS, ONE GIRL.
HE WAS TREATED SO INHUMANE AND LIES WERE WRITTEN IN THOSE REPORTS AND WE HAVE STILL NOT BEEN HEARD.
SO MY BATTLE IS NOT FOR ME TONIGHT.
IF WE DO A CITIZEN COMMITTEE, IT WILL NOT HELP ANYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME, BUT IT WILL PREVENT FROM IT HAPPENING TO ANOTHER FAMILY.
IT'LL PREVENT THOSE KIDS SEEING THEIR SON, SEEING THEIR THAT DRUG ACROSS THE THE CONCRETE ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN A COLD.
SO WHEN I'M SPEAKING TO THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO COME OUT HERE AND VOLUNTEER AT ME AND WRITE ON THIS PETITION THAT WE NEED HELP, THAT WE NEED TO BE BASICALLY HEARD AND THAT A LOT OF OUR POLICES WHO ARE STOPPING, A LOT OF US THAT LOOK LIKE ME, SAMMY ANDERSON, THEY'RE STOPPING US WRONGFULLY FOR HOW WE LOOK AND THE COLOR OF OUR SKIN.
IT'S NOT THAT SAYING THAT YOU'RE NOT A GOOD COMMUNITY.
IT'S NOT SAYING THAT YOU'RE NOT GREAT LEADERS, BUT SOMETIME WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN A COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE GOTTA COME TOGETHER AND I NEED YOUR HELP.
I NEED YOUR HELP FOR THE ONES THAT COME BEHIND ME AND I NEED YOUR HELP.
SO OUR KIDS WILL NOT BE TRAUMATIZED.
LIKE MY GRANDKIDS WERE TRAUMATIZED.
MATTHEW, MY OLDEST GRANDSON, WHO'S NOW SEVEN, WHO WANTED TO BE A POLICE NOW IS AFRAID OF THE POLICE AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT.
THERE WAS NO REASON WHY MY SON COULDN'T PARK IN A FAR LANE FOR THREE MINUTES TO LOAD HIS KIDS OUT THE COLD.
THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THAT POLICE DECIDED THAT HE WAS GONNA BE THE JUDGE AND JURY OUT THERE.
AND I COULDN'T EVEN CALL FOR HELP.
WHEN I CALLED FOR HELP, I GOT A SERGEANT WHO HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE FORCE OR IN THAT POSITION FOR ONE MONTH.
AND WHEN I CALLED FOR HELP, I GOT NO HELP.
I CALLED 9 1 1 AND SAID, COULD I HAVE A SERGEANT? HE CAME AND HE ALLOWED THAT POLICE OFFICERS CONTINUE TO DO THE THINGS HE DID TO MY FAMILY.
SO WHERE IS OUR HELP? THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.