[00:00:03]
[CALL TO ORDER ]
START OFF WITH OUR PRAYER FROM RIVER AND BILL SCAR FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, FOLLOWED BY OUR PLEDGES, BY COUNCIL MEMBER GEORGIA CLEMSON.YEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN THIS AREA.
LET'S COME TO THE LORD HEAVEN.
FATHER, I WANNA COME TO YOU TONIGHT AND JUST SAY THE WORD OF THANK YOU FOR, UH, ALLOWING US TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT THIS PLACE.
FATHER, WITH WONDERFUL FIRST, UH, RESPONDERS WHO LOOK OVER US.
AND FATHER, I JUST PRAY TONIGHT THAT YOU GRANT YOUR GRACE, YOUR PEACE.
AND I PRAY, FATHER, FOR THE DELIBERATIONS THAT THIS COUNCIL WILL DO.
I KNOW EVERY ONE OF EVERY PERSON, UH, WANTS THE VERY BEST FOR THIS CITY.
IN ALL THAT THEY SAY, ALL THAT THEY DO.
WE GIVE YOU OUR PRAISE AND OUR THANKS IN JESUS' NAME.
WOULD YOU JOIN US IN THE PLEDGES TO THE US FLAG, FOLLOWED BY THE TEXAS FLAG PLEDGE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD.
AN INDIVISIBLE THANK FIRST THING ON OUR
[4. Acknowledgment of the Passing of Former Council Member Ed Hemphill ]
AGENDA.TONIGHT IS A RECOGNITION OF A FRIEND AND CLASSMATE OF MINE, ED HEMPHILL.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, ONE OF OUR SITTING COUNCIL MEMBERS PASSED AWAY, MICHAEL KY, AND WE PAID A FITTING TRIBUTE TO MIKE AND HIS LIFE AND LEGACY AND WHAT HE MEANT TO THE COUNCIL.
AND IT DAWNED ON ME THAT WHEN FARMER COUNCIL MEMBERS PASS AWAY, AND WE'VE HAD MANY, WE HAVE BEEN LAX IN RECOGNIZING THEM.
AND I TOLD STAFF, AS MANY AS WE KNOW THIS GOING FORWARD, WE WILL RECOGNIZE THEM AT A RECENT, SOON AFTER THEIR PASSING COUNCIL MEETING.
SO TONIGHT WE'RE RECOGNIZING ED, OR I KNEW HIM AS EDDIE HEMPHILL PILL.
EDDIE AND I MET AT GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I WAS IN 10TH GRADE, THE FIRST YEAR OF SEGREGATION IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, EDDIE AND OTHERS CAME OVER FROM DOW WORTH, AND I'VE KNOWN HIM EVER SINCE, BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE.
HIS HOME THAT HE BUILT, ALEXANDRIA WAS JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM MY BUSINESS, SO I WOULD SEE HIM QUITE OFTEN.
ED WAS MORE THAN A LEADER IN HERE.
HE WAS A LEADER OUT THERE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR PARTS, OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR BUSINESSES.
ED LIVED ALMOST ALL OF HIS LIFE AT DALWORTH.
IT WAS THE COMMUNITY HE SPOKE UP BOUT WITH PRIDE.
ED BECAME JUST THE SECOND AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE GRAND PRIX CITY COUNCIL IN 1990 AND SERVED TWO TERMS. IT'S NOT THE ONLY LONGEST TENURE, BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL.
HE HELPED LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR WHAT WE SEE HERE TODAY, A DIVERSE COUNCIL REFLECTING OUR DIVERSE CITY.
AFTER HIS COUNCIL SERVICE, ED CONTINUED SERVING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH PROFESSIONAL WORK AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
FOR MANY YEARS, HE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN BRINGING LONE STAR PARK AND THE THOUSANDS OF THE JOBS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
HE EVEN WORKED OUT THERE FOR A TIME HE WAS A VETERAN, COMMUNITY LEADER AND ADVOCATE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
I, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE STAFF EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO MR. HEMPHILL'S FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES HE TOUCHED.
WE HONOR ED HEMPHILL FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR CITY, HIS DEDICATION TO HIS COMMUNITY, AND THE EXAMPLE HE SET FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LEADERS HIS LEGACY WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON IN GRAND PRAIRIE, ALEXANDRIA, DAVE, AND ED, WOULD Y'ALL PLEASE RISE? I KNOW Y'ALL WERE DEAR FRIENDS.
HERE'S WHERE'S ED? THERE YOU ARE.
I KNOW Y'ALL ARE DEAR FRIENDS.
I DON'T THINK HIS SIS HIS DAUGHTER'S HERE TONIGHT, IS SHE? NO.
THE VIEWING IS AT 10:00 AM AT ST.
JOHN'S, FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE AT 11:00 AM THIS SATURDAY IS ST.
THANK Y'ALL FOR COMING TONIGHT.
I KNOW HE MEANT SO MUCH TO YOU, ALEXANDRIA.
[00:05:04]
NEXT, WE'RE GOING[5. Certificate of Recognition for Alessandro Garcia - Youth Ambassador of Tourette Association of America ]
TO READ A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AND I'M GONNA READ IT.ALESSANDRO GARCIA, ARE YOU HERE? THERE YOU ARE.
WHY DON'T YOU MEET ME DOWN FRONT.
ALEXANDER ALESSANDRO, THANKS FOR COMING TONIGHT.
HE'S AN EIGHTH GRADER AT GRANDEY FINAL ARTS ACADEMY AND SELECTED AS YOUTH AMBASSADOR BY THE TOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSOCIATIONS AND AMBASSADOR TRAINING PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON DC DON'T GET USED TO BEING IN DC
THAT WAS IN MARCH, THIS PAST MARCH WHERE HE ADVOCATED ON CAPITOL HILL FOR LEGISLATION AND FUNDING THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THOSE LIVING WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME.
I DON'T MIND YOU GOING THERE, LEGISLATING AND TALKING TO 'EM.
WE DON'T WANT IT RUBBING OFF ON THAT.
THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE PROUDLY HONORS ALESSANDRO AND HIS EFFORTS TO EDUCATE HIS PEERS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BY PROMOTING TOURETTE'S SYNDROME AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS.
I HAVE ISSUED THIS HONOR ON THIS SECOND DAY OF JUNE, 2026.
ALESSANDRO, WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU.
AND THEN FROM PHOTOGRAPHY, YOU GO, MY FRIEND.
[PUBLIC COMMENTS ]
AHEAD AND READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS, PUBLIC COMMENTS.CITIZENS MAY SIGN UP TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA.
ALL SPEAKERS MUST COMPLETE A COMMENT CARD PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING.
FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF FIVE MINUTES FOR ALL ITEMS. CITIZENS MAY SPEAK FOR THREE MINUTES ON ANY ITEM SCHEDULED FOR A PUBLIC HEARING, INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, OR DURING CITIZEN COMMENTS.
APPLICANT'S FOR ZONING MATTER MAY SPEAK FOR FIVE MINUTES.
ALL SPEAKERS SHALL OBSERVE THE RULES OF DECOR AND EXHIBIT ORDERLY AND RESPECTFUL CONDUCT DURING THE MEETING.
SPEAKERS SHALL DIRECT THEIR REMARKS TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND NOT THE AUDIENCE WHEN YOUR NAME IS CALLED.
PLEASE APPROACH THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
FIRST WE'RE GONNA, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.
SO MEL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL 'EM UP.
HAROLD WILLIS, ITEM NUMBER 22.
HEY, HAROLD WILLIS, 5 3 8 LINLEY.
UH, HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE THIS? S SI ENERGY.
HOW'S THAT? UM, HOW, HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE THIS? I DON'T KNOW.
NOT TOO BILINGUAL, UNFORTUNATELY.
HOWEVER, THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE CUSTOMERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR.
RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU LOOK ON GOOGLE, IT SAYS, UM, THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ENERGY COMPANY IS DRAMATIC SPIKES IN MONTHLY BILLING.
THEY SERVE BRAND NEW BUILDS AND MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES.
MANY CUSTOMERS REPORT HIGHER THAN EXPECTED USAGE COSTS.
UH, CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT IS A MAJOR PAIN POINT.
CONSUMERS OFTEN NOTE THAT REPRESENTATIVES CAN BE DIFFICULT TO REACH OR LACK THE AUTHORITY AND KNOWLEDGE TO ADEQUATELY RESOLVE BILLING ISSUES.
IS WHY ISN'T THIS ATMOS, IS THIS PART GEOGRAPHICALLY, OR THIS IS, IS THIS ELLIS OR JOHNSON COUNTY? WHERE DO THEY SERVE? THEY CURRENTLY DON'T SERVE ANYONE IN THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, BUT THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE, I BELIEVE IN BOTH ELLIS AND JOHNSON COUNTIES.
BUT I'M NOT FULLY FAMILIAR WITH THEIR ENTIRE SERVICE AREA.
I'M JUST AWARE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE AT THIS TIME, BUT MAY IN THE FUTURE.
SINCE AT MOST THERE'S ONLY ONE NATURAL GAS COMPANY, UM, WHAT
[00:10:01]
AREA ARE THEY, WHAT DO THEY PLAN TO SERVE IN GRAND PRAIRIE RIGHT NOW? DO WE KNOW? SHE JUST ANSWERED THAT.WELL, WHY ARE WE, WHY ARE THEY GETTING PERMISSION THEN FOR A RATE INCREASE IF THEY'RE NOT SERVING ANYBODY IN GRAND PRAIRIE YET? THIS ITEM IS NOT TO GIVE THEM PERMISSION FOR A RATE INCREASE.
THIS ITEM IS TO DELAY THE RATE INCREASE SO THAT IT CAN BE EVALUATED.
BECAUSE IF THERE ARE CUSTOMERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVE THE BEST RATES POSSIBLE.
SO WE WANT TO DELAY IT GOING INTO EFFECT.
SO A PROPER STUDY COULD BE DONE AND CHALLENGED IF IT, IF IT'S, UH, NECESSARY.
ARE THEY GONNA BE THE PRIMARY NATURAL GAS PROVIDER FOR THE DATA CENTERS IN ELLISON JOHNSON COUNTY? AGAIN, THEY DON'T CURRENTLY SERVE ANYONE IN GRAND PRAIRIE, AND I'M NOT CERTAIN WHERE THEY MAY SERVE IN THE FUTURE.
I I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THESE PEOPLE.
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED FOR LONE STAR GAS 41 YEARS.
LONE STAR GAS SLASH ATMOS HAS BEEN IN ELLIS COUNTY, JOHNSON COUNTY FOR LIKE A HUNDRED YEARS WITH LONE STAR GAS.
SO SUDDENLY THESE PEOPLE POP UP AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE ASKING QUESTIONS.
IS THIS JUST ONE SPECIFIC LITTLE ENTITY THAT'S GONNA TAKE CARE OF THE DATA CENTERS AT THE EXPENSE OF CONSUMERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE? WE NEED TO GET THAT ESTABLISHED.
NOW, IF THEY'RE JUST SUDDENLY JUST POPPING UP HERE, YOU HAVE AN IDEA AS TO WHOM THEY'RE GOING TO SERVE? I DON'T THIS, THIS IS A LARGE COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL DECADES AND THEY SERVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS.
I CANNOT GIVE YOU THE SPECIFICS AS TO EXACTLY WHAT CUSTOMERS THEY WILL SERVE.
HOWEVER, I DO KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONE OF THE UTILITY COMPANIES THAT WE HAVE GIVEN NOTICE FOR THAT MAY SERVE IN THE JOHNSON AND ALICE COUNTY AREAS.
DO THEY PROVIDE, I KNOW YOU'VE ANSWERED THIS, BUT I JUST WANNA GET IT CLEAR.
DO THEY PROVIDE GAS SERVICE TO FIRE STATION 11 OUT THERE? THEY, SHE'S ALREADY ANSWERED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY CUSTOMERS IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
WHAT TIME ARE WE LOOKING AT OF THEM PROVIDING SERVICE IN GRAND PRAIRIE WHENEVER THEY PROVIDE SERVICE.
SO TO PUT THE MAINS IN, TO PUT ALL THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF TALK OUT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THESE DATA CENTERS.
WHILE THESE DATA CENTERS ARE GETTING GOOD SPECIAL SWEETHEART DEALS, BUT A DATA CENTER WILL PAY FAR LESS FOR NATURAL GAS THAN A CONSUMER OR SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN GRAND PRAIRIE THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY COST RIGHT NOW.
SO THIS IS WHY I'M WANTING TO TAKE UP MY WHOLE FIVE MINUTES, MAYOR, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW.
I I, BUT I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT 'EM.
WELL, THAT IS WHY THE PURPOSE OF SOMETHING, YOU GOT 40 SECONDS MORE NOT BEING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT OPEN FOR UPLAND DISCUSSION BECAUSE YOU'RE, YOU'RE HERE, YOU'RE DISCUSSING IT.
YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE SIGNED UP FOR IT.
WE'RE TELLING YOU ALL WE KNOW.
I'VE BEEN THE ONLY ONE DOWN HERE FOR ABOUT 42 YEARS RIGHT NOW, PULLING STUFF OFF AND QUESTIONING IT.
THAT'S JUST, THERE'S A BIG RED FLAG AND WE'VE NEVER HID ANYTHING FROM YOU IN 42 YEARS.
WELL, MAYBE BEFORE MY TIME, MS. PATSY RAY, ITEM 24.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE.
I'M PATSY RAY AT 2217 EL PASO GRAND PRAIRIE TAXES.
MY QUESTION IS ABOUT, UH, ITEM 24 ON THE AGENDA.
WE WANT TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE STREETS IS MY QUESTION IS TO YOU, IS THE MAINTENANCE NOT GOING TO BE COVERED? AND THE BOND FOR TWO THOU 2 MILLION, THE MAINTENANCE THAT BOND PACKAGE WERE FOR HOW MANY? SEVEN SPECIFIC ROADS.
THIS IS HOW WE GRADE ALL THE ROADS.
IT'S A, A DATA-DRIVEN AND IT ALLOWS US TO PICK WHICH ONES WOULD BE NEXT.
THIS IS KIND OF, UH, CAROL DE VARIOUS DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY.
THIS IS DECIDING THEY WANTED A POLICY ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO, TO DETERMINE WHAT'S NEXT IN LINE.
SO THIS IS MAKING IT DATA DRIVEN.
IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE SEVEN WE APPROVED.
NO, THAT'S, THIS IS FOR THE NEXT ONES.
SAY THIS ONE'S THE WORST RATED ONE.
IT'S OUR ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL STREET MAINTENANCE POLICY.
SO THIS WILL, UM, THIS WILL SET UP A GUIDELINE FOR WHAT WE DO EVERY YEAR.
AND HOW THEY'RE CHOSEN AND HOW THEY GO ABOUT IT.
[00:15:01]
THAT CONCLUDES THE SPEAKER CARDS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.[CONSENT AGENDA ]
MAYOR PRO, TIM JOHNSON.UH, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CONSENT AGENDA EARLIER, AND WE'RE GONNA PULL OFF ITEMS 13, 19, AND 25 FOR, I THOUGHT IT WAS 18
AND 25 FOR DISCUSSION AND STAFF PRESENTATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
SECOND, WE'RE MOTION OF THE SECOND.
WHERE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS IS OUT OF TOWN TONIGHT.
AND THEN OF COURSE, WE HAVEN'T FILLED DISTRICT THREE SEAT.
THE RUNOFF ELECTION VOTING IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND SO, UH, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO'S GONNA SIT THERE SOON.
[Items 13 & 19]
ITEM 13 FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION.AND WE GO TO THREE MINUTES NOW.
UH, I BELIEVE THAT IT, IF IT'S OKAY WITH COUNSEL, UH, NOREEN COULD ADDRESS BOTH THE 13 AND 19 AT THE SAME TIME.
NOREEN HOUSEWRIGHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE GIVE YOU MORE THAN THREE MINUTES.
SO I AM GOING TO DISCUSS ITEM 13 AND 19 SINCE THEY GO TOGETHER.
SO, ITEM 13 IS AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICE CONTRACT WITH FRIES AND NICHOLS FOR THE EIGHT S 20 INCH WATERLINE.
PROJECT 19 IS THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WITH EGW SERVICES, LLC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS LINE.
UH, THERE WAS 24 BIDDERS AND, UH, THERE WERE THE LOW BID.
THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF DESIGN OF A 20 INCH WATER LINE, UH, TO LOOP THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN THE RAPIDLY GROWN SOUTHERN SECTION OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
THIS PROJECT IS TIED TO THE OVERALL HYDRAULICS OF THE SOUTH, UM, SECTION.
A RESILIENT WATER SYSTEM HAS REDUNDANCY AND MULTIPLE DELIVERY POINTS TO ENSURE PREPAREDNESS FOR UNEXPECTED EVENTS.
THIS HAS BEEN ON, UM, NOT ONLY OUR FISCAL YEAR, OUR 24 MASTER PLAN, BUT IT'S BEEN ON THE MASTER PLAN SINCE 2005.
UM, THE 2005 MASTER PLAN, IT WAS SHOWN AS A 20 AND OR IN A 24 INCH LINE, UH, 2008, 11, 18, 24, AND 25.
SO THIS LINE HAS BEEN ON OUR SYSTEM FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES AS A POTENTIAL PROJECT.
IT'S AT THE SOUTHERN PORT OF THE CITY AND IT LOOPS THE BOTTOM HALF.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PROJECT? ANYTHING ELSE? COUNCIL MEMBER SHOTWELL? UH, NO.
UM, I JUST, REINE HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ALREADY.
I'D ASKED HER AND I JUST, UH, THE REASON WHY I PULLED IT WAS TO GET IT, GET HER TO EXPLAIN IT.
UH, I KNOW THERE'S, UH, YEAH, I UNDERSTAND.
THERE'S THIS STORY THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A PIPELINE TO A DATA CENTER.
AND, UH, IT'S, THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S NOT, IT'S PART OF THE LOOP SYSTEM THAT'S GOING TO GO DOWN TO THE NEW AREA DOWN THERE.
AND, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA, YOU GOTTA LET PEOPLE HAVE WATER AND SEWERS IF THEY'RE GONNA BE IN THE CITY LIMITS.
SO IT'S, UH, IT'S NOT A PROJECT JUST FOR A DATA CENTER.
AND, UH, NOREEN HAD TOLD ME ABOUT THAT ALREADY.
AND THE ONLY REASON I PULLED IT WAS TO LET HER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL EVERYBODY ELSE.
I'LL TAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 13 I TO APPROVE IT.
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
ANY OPPOSED? THEN I'LL TAKE A MOTION FOR ITEM 19.
I WOULD MAKE A MOTION APPROVE.
SECOND ABOUT COUNCIL MEMBER CLEMSON.
[25. Resolution accepting the project listing for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Capital Improvement Plan for Bond-funded and non-debt-funded Projects]
TO ITEM 25, EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL, TVO MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.UH, ITEM 25 IS A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PROJECT, LISTING FOR THE FISCAL 27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR BOND FUNDED AND NON BOND FUNDED PROJECTS.
I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
UM, I'M GOING TO GIVE, UH, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU MY PERSONAL OPINION ABOUT THIS.
I, THIS IS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY
[00:20:01]
AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE, I, I, I KNOW I HAVEN'T.AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE AS A COUNCIL HAVE HAD AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO DIG INTO THIS AND STUDY IT.
WE JUST LOOKED AT IT A COUPLE MEETINGS AGO, THEN WE WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THINGS ABOUT IT, BUT NOT AS A GROUP.
AND, UM, AS I UNDERSTAND IT NOW, WE'RE UNDER A LITTLE BIT OF A TIME CONSTRAINT AND IT'S KIND OF A ALL OR NOTHING DAMNED IF YOU DO, DAMNED IF YOU DON'T DEAL.
AND I KNOW BACK IN WHAT I CALL A PREVIOUS LIFE, WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNCIL BEFORE WE DID THE CIP AT THE SAME TIME WE DID THE BUDGET.
BUT I UNDERSTAND THE STATE LAWS HAVE CHANGED AND WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE.
UH, I WOULD REALLY, REALLY PUSH THE COUNCIL FOR NEXT YEAR.
I'D ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL TO, FOR NE AND CITY MANAGEMENT FOR NEXT YEAR'S CIP PROJECT DEAL.
LET'S DO THIS AS A WORKSHOP, AS A GROUP.
THERE MAY BE CIP PROJECTS THAT ARE TONY, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
SOMEWHERE ELSE I COULD BE CONVINCED TO LACK.
BUT MY FIRST LOOK AT IT, I MAY DISLIKE IT, BUT I USED MS. JACQUELINE AS A, AS A, UH, EXAMPLE BEFORE.
I BELIEVE THAT SHE COULD CONVINCE ME THAT ORANGE IS BROWN, BUT SHE CAN'T DO IT IF SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD DO THIS NEXT YEAR DIFFERENTLY.
UH, THERE'S A LOT OF, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS, BUT I'M GONNA GET RIGHT TO THE POINT ON THIS.
THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THIS ANYWHERE TO FIX THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS.
AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIX THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS IN GRAND PRAIRIE JUST WITH THE SALES TAX.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT FOR YEARS AND IT AIN'T WORKING.
SOME OF THAT'S GONNA HAVE TO COME FROM CIP.
SO I CAN'T BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR IT IN A STRAIGHT UP DEAL BECAUSE FOLKS, THIS LAST ELECTION THAT WE HAD, I THINK WE WERE TOLD QUITE VOCALLY THAT PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF DRIVING ON CRAP STREETS AND WE NEED TO FIX 'EM.
SO I I, I PULLED THIS SO I COULD VOTE NO.
I'LL LET SOMEBODY ELSE MAKE A MOTION TO PROVE I THE MOTION.
AND TONY, THOSE ARE GOOD POINTS.
UH, I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 25, PRESENTED BY STAFF WITH EXHIBITS.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON, COUNCIL MEMBER SHOTWELL, UH, STAFF.
I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER SHOTWELL MAKES GREAT POINTS FOR NEXT YEAR.
THAT TAKES US TO ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION, DOESN'T IT? OH, OH MY GOODNESS.
I WAS THINKING THEY WERE AT THE END AGAIN.
[CITIZEN COMMENTS ]
COMMENTS.AND, UH, DURING CITIZEN COMMENTS, SINCE IT'S NOT AN AGENDA, WE DO NOT VISIT BACK AND FORTH.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, UH, SIDE, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GETTING OFF THERE WHEN THE BUZZER GOES OFF.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I RISE, UM, THIS EVENING TO MAKE SOME STATEMENTS AND SOME COMMENTS.
ON AUGUST THE 13TH, 2025, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL DISTURBING SIGNED BY KURT JOHNSON, MAYOR PRO TIM.
IN THIS LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO MY EMAIL, IT WAS ASKING THAT THE FBI COME IN AND DO AN INVESTIGATION ON THE HFC.
RODNEY DEBON WAS NAMED, UM, IN THIS EMAIL, THIS COUNTS IS DIVIDED.
WE HAD A WHOLE E CELEBRATION THAT WAS COUNSELED.
THAT IS THE REASON THAT NOBODY REACHED OUT TO THE ORGANIZER TO JUST TALK TO THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE EVENT WAS ALL ABOUT.
I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF GRAND PRAIRIE AND HAVE CALLED THIS CITY HOME FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS.
FOR 43 YEARS, I HAVE SERVED AS AN ACTIVIST AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER, HELPING TO LEAD EFFORTS THAT PROMOTE
[00:25:01]
JUSTICE, EQUITY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.I'M ALSO A DESCENDANT OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO ARE FREED IN THIS AREA.
THAT LEGACY REMINDS ME THAT THE DIGNITY, FAIRNESS, AND RESPECT MUST BE EXTENDED TO EVERY RESIDENCE OF THIS CITY.
THAT IS WHY THE CANCELLATION OF THE E CELEBRATION AT EPIC WATERS IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING.
MANY FAMILIES LOOK FORWARD TO GATHERING IN FELLOWSHIP AND CELEBRATION.
THEY DESERVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
AS NELSON MANDELA ONCE SAID, IT'S ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT'S DONE.
THOSE WORDS REMIND US THAT PROGRESS COMES THROUGH PERSISTENT DIALOGUE AND WILLINGNESS TO FIND SOLUTION.
COMMUNITIES MOVE FORWARD WHEN LEADERS WORK TOGETHER.
NOW, WHEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUSIONS ARE TAKEN AWAY, MANY RESIDENTS ARE NOW ASKING HOW THIS DECISION WAS MADE.
IF REPORTS ARE ACCURATE, THAT PRESSURE WAS APPLIED BY GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT OR HIS OFFICE.
THEN THE PEOPLE OF GRAND PRAIRIE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND CLEAR EXPLANATION.
DECISION AFFECTING COMMUNITY EVENTS SHOULD BE MADE LOCALLY AND GUIDED BY THE NEEDS AND VALUES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.
FROM MY LIVED EXPERIENCE IN THIS CITY, I KNOW GRAND PRAIRIE IS AT ITS BEST WHEN IT'S EMBRACED FAIRNESS, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT FOR ALL.
WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL NOT TO ALLOW OUTSIDE POLITICAL INFLUENCES TO DETERMINE WHICH COMMUNITIES ARE WELCOME AND SUPPORTED IN CELEBRATING THEIR TRADITIONS.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BROTHER MUHAMMAD AND DR. KNIGHT FOR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
THEIR ADVOCACY REFLECTS A COMMITMENT TO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND TO ENSURING THAT ALL RESIDENTS FEEL SEEN, HEARD, AND VALUED.
THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT MORE THAN ONE EVENT.
IT'S ABOUT TRUST BETWEEN THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS.
WHEN ANY GROUP FEELS EXCLUDED, THE IMPACT EXTENDS BEYOND THAT COMMUNITY INFECT US ALL.
WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN.
THEREFORE, I RESPECTFULLY CALL UPON THE CITY MANAGER, BILL HILL, THE CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MEET WITH BROTHER MUHAMMAD, DR. KNIGHT AND MEMBERS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY TO RESTORE TRUST AND BEGIN PLAYING IN A FUTURE ED CELEBRATION THAT REFLECT THE VALUES OF INCLUSION.
UH, I'VE BEEN LIVING IN THIS AREA FOR 54 YEARS IN NORTH TEXAS.
CAME HERE AS A YOUNG MAN TO GO TO COLLEGE.
STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS, RAISED TWO FAMILIES.
REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS AND IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
UM, I GREW UP, I I GOT MY EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN WHERE I'M FROM IN A, UH, IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
THERE WAS A STORY THAT, THAT WE USED TO HEAR A LOT, UH, THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU.
UH, IT'S A PARABLE OF JESUS CHRIST.
AND THIS IS QUITE COMMON TO TALK LIKE THIS IN, IN A MUSLIM MAJORITY COUNTRY.
UH, THIS IS JUST ALL IN THE INTEREST OF ENHANCING INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND MAYBE, MAYBE CONVEYING TO SOME FOLKS THAT THERE'S JUST NOT REALLY MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS AND JEWS.
THERE WAS A DAY WHEN JESUS CHRIST WAS WALKING THROUGH THE MARKETPLACE AND A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE ACCOSTED HIM.
THEY SAID, HEY, ARE YOU THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO HELP US DEFEAT THIS ROMAN EMPIRE? ARE YOU THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO HELP US BE FREE AND LIBERATED? BUT WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO THIS? WHERE IS YOUR, WHERE ARE YOUR, WHERE IS YOUR ARMY? WHERE IS YOUR WEAPONS? UH, NOT SEEING ANY OF THEIR STUFF.
WE JUST THINK THAT YOU ARE A CHARLATAN.
YOU ARE, YOU ARE JUST TRYING TO FOOL US.
YOU MUST THINK ACTUALLY THAT WE ARE ALL IDIOTS AND FOOLS.
YOU ARE MAKING A MOCKERY OF US.
AND THEY SAID WORSE THINGS TO HIM, IF YOU GET MY DRIFT.
UH, HE, JESUS JUST STOOD THERE AND HE PRAYED FOR THEM.
AND AS THE CROWD MOVED AWAY, JESUS CONTINUED ON HIS, ON HIS WALK TO THE MARKETPLACE.
ANOTHER GROUP OF FOLKS CAME TO HIM AND SAID, HEY, UH, JESUS, WE, WE GOT YOUR MESSAGE.
WE THOUGHT YOU REALLY ARE THE REAL DEAL.
BUT WATCHING YOU IN FRONT OF THAT CROWD THAT JUST CONFRONTED YOU AND TREATED YOU SO BADLY, UH, WE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT TAKE SOME ACTION, DO SOMETHING, BUT YOU JUST STOOD THERE AND YOU PRAYED.
IS THIS ALL YOU HAVE GOT? AND JESUS CHRIST SAID, A MAN CAN ONLY SPEND WHAT'S IN HIS PURSE.
IT SAYS A PARABLE OF JESUS CHRIST THAT IS HEARD IN A MUSLIM MAJORITY COUNTRY.
WE HAVE A GREAT PLACE IN OUR HEARTS, UH, FOR
[00:30:01]
JESUS CHRIST.IN FACT, MUSLIMS LOOK AT CHRISTIANITY AND JUDAISM AS IF PARTS OF A TREE.
SO WE SAY THAT THE ROOTS OF THE TREE ARE JUDAISM, THE TRUNK AND THE BRANCHES OF THE TREE.
OUR CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIM, THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I HAVE LIVED IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS SINCE I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE IN THIS BUILDING.
MOMENTS AGO, MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, AND JEWS WERE SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE ON THE WATER PARK ISSUE.
AND ABOUT A DOZEN POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL AS CITIZENS STOOD BETWEEN HIM AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA.
WHILE THAT MAN HURLED THE MOST VILE SLURS AND INSULTS THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? I HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE TOO MANY TIMES.
WHEN I WAS A KID, IT WAS THE CATHOLICS AND THE JEWS WHO SUPPOSEDLY WERE DANGEROUS, BIGOTRY, EXCLUSION, LIES, AND TOO OFTEN VIOLENCE.
MY FAMILY WERE PRESBYTERIANS AT HEAVENS.
BUT MY FATHER REF REFUSED TO JOIN A CERTAIN COUNTRY CLUB BECAUSE IT EXCLUDED JEWISH PEOPLE.
YES, I'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE TOO MANY TIMES.
WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS WRONG WITH LETTING PEOPLE WHO PREFER MODEST SWIMWEAR HAVE AN EVENT AT THE WATERPARK? GREG ABBOTT IS OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER TOO.
HE'S USING MUSLIMS AS A POLITICAL PUNCHING BAG BECAUSE HE'S SCARED OF THE MIDTERMS. I SWEAR WE HAVE OUR HANDS FULL FENDING OFF THE WASHINGTON MA MAFIA OF FASCISTS, CORRUPT LYING KLEPTOCRATS.
AND NOW WE ALSO HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO ABBOTT, PAXTON LEACH AND ALL THE OTHER, ALL THE OTHERS, THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE 14TH AMENDMENT ACTUALLY MEAN WHAT THEY SAY.
NOW, YOU ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, I KNOW YOU'RE IN A TIGHT SPOT, BUT DON'T YOU KNOW THAT GIVING INTO A BULLY NEVER WORKS? THANK YOU.
I'M ALSO THE COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DALLAS.
AND I WANNA MAKE A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS ABOUT THE MOMENT WE'RE IN IN TEXAS.
IT REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER PERIOD OF HISTORY.
ON SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1963, THE NEW YORK TIMES RAN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE SEGREGATIONIST GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA, GEORGE WALLACE, AND HE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND ALL THE CIVIL RIGHTS DECISIONS MADE BY FEDERAL COURTS.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT HE TOLD THE NEW YORK TIMES? HE SAID THE STATE OF ALABAMA.
BUT THE COUNTRY NEEDED WHAT THE STATE NEEDED WAS QUOTE, A FEW FIRST CLASS FUNERALS AND SOME POLITICAL FUNERALS TOO.
GUESS WHAT? NINE DAYS AFTER HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A BOMBING AT THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
FOUR CHILDREN, FOUR LITTLE GIRLS WHO WERE IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS LISTENING TO A LESSON CALLED THE LOVE THAT FORGIVES DIED.
WE'RE IN A VERY SIMILAR MOMENT NOW WE HAVE PEOPLE LIKE GREG ABBOTT, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR THE SENATE.
KEN PAXTON, CHIP ROY BETH VAN DINE IN THE US HOUSE, UH, JEFF LEACH IN THE US H OR THE TEXAS HOUSE.
AND THEY'RE USING LANGUAGE LIKE WALLACE DID IN A MORE SUBTLE
[00:35:01]
WAY.THEY'RE SAYING WE DON'T NEED FUNERALS.
BUT BOY, THOSE MUSLIMS SURE ARE DANGER TO OUR SOCIETY.
THEY'RE GONNA IMPOSE RELIGIOUS LAW ON ALL OF US, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE 1% OF THE POPULATION AND THEY HAVE NO DESIRE TO DO THAT.
THEY'RE BEING TOLD THAT THEY DON'T BELONG IN TEXAS.
THAT THERE'S A PLOT OF ISLAMIFICATION OF THE STATE.
THE A NOMINEE FOR THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION IS SAYING THAT WE NEED TO EXPEL ALL MUSLIMS FROM THE STATE.
ANDY HOOPER, WHO'S A STATE REP REPRESENTING WISE COUNTY, SAID ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.
WELL, I HAVE TO SAY THIS CITY COUNCIL TOOK ACTION, WHICH IS ANOTHER SAD CHAPTER IN THAT MENACING STORY.
ONE MAN WAS ABLE TO SHOUT DOWN A PEACEFUL GATHERING, A PE A PRESS CONFERENCE, TRYING TO EXPLAIN OUR VIEWPOINTS ABOUT WHAT THE CITY ACT COUNCIL DID.
AND NO ONE COULD HEAR WHAT WE WERE SAYING.
AND THE GRAND PRAIRIE POLICE DEPARTMENT STOOD BY AND ALLOWED HIM TO HAVE A HECKLER'S VETO.
HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO GOT FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD FREE SPEECH RIGHTS.
AND I GOT THE SENSE MAYBE THEY ED, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MUSTAFA CARROLL, MUSTAFA CARROLL, SAMAYA ROBIN.
UH, GOOD EVENING TO ALL AND MAY PEACE BE UPON ALL OF US PRESENT AND ALL OF US EVERYWHERE.
UH, MY BIRTH NAME IS ROBIN NIKKER.
UH, MY DO MY THIRD AND YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS A SUBSTITUTE MONITOR AT SOUTH PRAIRIE, SOUTH PRAIRIE GRAND HIGH SCHOOL.
UH, WE LIVE IN SOUTHWEST ARLINGTON, BUT WE FREQUENT VISITS FOR SHOPPING AND WE GO TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MOSQUE THROUGHOUT THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.
AND, UH, THE HOLIDAY THAT IS OUR MAJOR OF THE TWO HOLIDAYS IS CALLED EID OR EID.
AND IT SIMPLY IS A COMMEMORATION OF WHEN THE FOREFATHER ABRAHAM, UH, WAS READY TO SACRIFICE HIS SON.
BUT WE BELIEVE GOD REPLACED HIS SON WITH THE RAM INSTEAD.
AND IT ALSO, THAT'S BASICALLY, UH, IT, IT'S ALSO REFERRING TO THE PILGRIMAGE WITH THAT THEME.
AND, UH, WE SIMPLY WOULD LIKE TO CELEBRATE.
AND WE, IT IS WE CANNOT EXCLUDE ANYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR RELIGION OR IF THEY DON'T PRACTICE RELIGION OR THEIR RACE.
UH, IT IS OUR DUTY AS MUSLIMS TO WE ARE OBLIGATED.
IT'S NOT OPTIONAL THAT IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING OR THEY WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT ISLAM, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF WHETHER WE CHOOSE TO TALK TO THEM OR NOT.
WE ARE OBLIGATED TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY TOPIC OR ANY MATTER OF CONCERN.
I WAS BORN ON AN AIR FORCE BASE AT MCDELL, FLORIDA.
I LIVED IN ARLINGTON FIRST OF ALL FROM 97 TO ABOUT 98 AND LATER I CAME BACK TO ARLINGTON ABOUT APPROXIMATELY NINE YEARS AGO.
UH, I AM NOT OF ARABIC HERITAGE.
AS OF MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS, I HAVE LINEAGE THAT GOES BACK TO PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, AND ALSO FURTHER BACK EVEN WITH TWO NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, CHEROKEE AND PO HUAN.
[00:40:01]
I HAVE SIX CHILDREN.THEIR FATHER IS DUAL CITIZEN, ORIGINALLY FROM SYRIA, AND I ALSO HAVE TWO STEPCHILDREN AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN.
I LIVE NOT FAR BY, BUT FOR SECURITY REASONS I WON'T BE ANNOUNCING MY ADDRESS.
WILL THE REAL GRAND PRAIRIE PLEASE STAND UP.
I COME HERE TONIGHT WITH A SIMPLE QUESTION, WILL THE REAL GRAND PRAIRIE PLEASE STAND UP? BECAUSE I'VE HEARD TWO VERY DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THIS CITY.
WHEN THE EPIC E WATERS EVENT, WHICH I'M ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS FOR, ALONG WITH MY WIFE DR.
WE HEARD FROM THE CITY AND I QUOTE, THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE IS AWARE OF CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT AN UPCOMING PRIVATE EVENT AT EPIC WATERS.
THE CITY HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE EPIC WATERS MANAGEMENT TEAM TO ENSURE ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED.
EPIC WATERS IS OWNED BY THE CITY AND MANAGED BY A THIRD PARTY OPERATOR, LIKE OTHER CITY OWNED FACILITIES.
IT IS AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL BY INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
THAT STATEMENT TOLD US EVERYTHING WAS IN ORDER, POLICIES WERE FOLLOWED, PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED, THE FACILITY WAS AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL.
THEN AFTER POLITICAL PRESSURE CAME FROM AUSTIN, WE GOT A SECOND VERSION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, WHICH STATED AFTER FURTHER REVIEW AND IN THE SO-CALLED BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, THE JUNE 1ST E EVENT AT EPIC ORDERS HAS BEEN CANCELED.
SO MY QUESTION IS, WHAT CHANGED? DID THE POLICIES CHANGE? DID THE PROCEDURES CHANGE? DID THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE WITH THE WATER PARK CHANGE? WHAT CHANGED? WAS IT REALLY FURTHER REVIEW? AND WHAT DOES THAT REVIEW PROCESS LOOK LIKE? IS IT OPEN FOR US TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF OR WAS IT POLITICAL PRESSURE? TONIGHT WE'RE ASKING FOR HONESTY.
GRAND PRAIRIE PROUDLY SPEAKS ABOUT COMMUNITY DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, RESPECT, AND BEING A WELCOMING CITY FOR ALL PEOPLE.
THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL WORDS, BUT VALUES ARE NOT TESTED WHEN IT'S EASY.
SO TONIGHT I ASK AGAIN, WHICH GRAND PRAIRIE IS THE REAL GRAND PRAIRIE? THE ONE THAT SAID ALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES HAD BEEN FOLLOWED ARE THE ONE THAT CANCELED AN EVENT AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE INTERVENED.
THE FAMILIES WHO PLAN TO EAT CELEBRATE E DESERVE AN ANSWER.
THE RESIDENTS OF GRAND PRAIRIE DESERVE AN ANSWER.
WE ARE CALLING UPON THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE TO ISSUE A FULL PUBLIC EXPLANATION REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF THE EID EVENT AND WHETHER THIS DECISION WAS MADE INDEPENDENTLY OR IN RESPONSE TO POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
WE ALSO HOPE CITY LEADERS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT THIS DECISION HAD ON MUSLIM FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE PLANNED TO CELEBRATE E TOGETHER AND ISSUE A PUBLIC APOLOGY AND COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY IN FUTURE TO HAVE ANOTHER EVENT ON YOUR DOLLAR.
IF GRAND PRAIRIE TRULY STANDS FOR ITS VALUES, THIS SHOULDN'T BE DIFFICULT.
SO TONIGHT, RESPECTFULLY, I ASK WILL THE REAL GRAND PRAIRIE PLEASE STAND UP? NOR WADI? GOOD EVENING, MAYOR OF CITY COUNCIL.
I'VE LIVED IN THE DFW AREA FOR OVER 15 YEARS.
I'VE RAISED MY FAMILY HERE AND THAT FAMILY AND I WERE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING TO EPIC WATERS, NOT JUST FOR THE JUNE 1ST CELEBRATION, BUT ALSO JUST IN GENERAL FOR THE FAMILY SPLASH DAYS AND FOR THE IDEA THAT THAT, THAT THIS PARK IS OPEN THAT TO PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS.
AND THEN THIS CITY CAVED TO ILLEGAL PRESSURE FROM GOVERNOR ABBOTT.
WITHOUT EXPLANATION, WITHOUT REASON, WE FOUND THAT THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED.
EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION HERE FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.
AND I KNOW THAT ABBOTT'S $530,000 THREAT WAS HUGE, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS JUST THAT A THREAT.
IT WAS NEVER SOMETHING THAT COULD BE SUSTAINED BECAUSE IT WAS A THREAT THAT HAD NO BASIS IN THE LAW.
IT ONLY HAD A BASIS IN POLITICAL AGENDA.
THE RISE OF ANTI-MUSLIM RHETORIC IN A MAJOR ELECTION YEAR IS NOT A COINCIDENCE, UNFORTUNATELY.
IT'S THE 1 0 1 FOR CONSOLIDATION OF POWER AND ERASURE OF RIGHTS.
SO WE KNOW THAT THIS CANCELLATION AND THE PRESSURE FOR IT WAS NEVER ABOUT A FLYER OR A RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION.
IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT A CANDIDATE TRYING TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS FOR A CAMPAIGN THAT HE'S ALREADY SLIPPING BEHIND IN.
ABBOTT DOESN'T NEED TO FIX THE TEXAS ELECTRICAL GRID OR EXPLAIN WHY OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE FUNDING ISRAELI GENOCIDE OVERSEAS IF HE CAN JUST SPEND THIS WHOLE ELECTION YEAR SHUTTING DOWN EVERY EVENT WITH THE
[00:45:01]
WORD MUSLIM ON IT.WHEN HISTORY LOOKS BACK ON THIS MOMENT, UNFORTUNATELY WILL NOT LOOK KINDLY ON THE GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL.
BUT IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE THAT.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO WRITE A BETTER HISTORY.
ONE WHERE GRAND PRAIRIE IS PART OF A CHAPTER OF STANDING UP TO BIGOTRY AND HATE.
AND SO WE CALL ON YOU ALL TO HEED THE, THE CALL OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY, OF YOUR OWN COMMUNITY TO RESCHEDULE THE EAT CELEBRATION THIS MONTH.
I'M THE GRANDMOTHER OF TWO AUTISTIC CHILDREN.
I AM THE GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN.
I'M CALLING ON OUR CITY TO BE WITH US TO HELP WITH CARE PACKAGE FOR THE AUTISM CHILDREN.
THIS WAY, WHEN THE POLICE GO OUT AND THEY HAD TO GO IN FRONT OF CHILDREN AUTISM, THEY HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE AUTISM CHILDREN.
THERE'S A BLANKET TEDDY BEAR FIDGET TOYS, THINGS FOR THE CHILDREN THAT NEEDS COMFORTING.
OUR AUTISM CHILDREN ARE ALSO NEED A DIABETES.
AND OUR GRAND POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL IDD AND ALL AUTISTIC CHILDREN TO WHERE WHERE THEY LIVE AND AND WHAT LEVELS THEY ARE.
BECAUSE WE HAVE CHILDREN THAT WILL ELOPE AND USUALLY THEY WILL GO TO THE NEAREST WATER.
LIKE LAST YEAR, UH, DOWN ON DRILL THREE, A YOUNG CHILD LEFT THE APARTMENT COMPLEX THERE AND WENT DOWN TO THE CREEK AND THE CHILD WAS AUTISTIC.
I LIVED, I LIVED THREE BLOCKS AWAY FROM LAKEVIEW THE LAKE.
AND BECAUSE HE'S A OLD BREWER, HE HAS A MINE OF A 5-YEAR-OLD, HE'S 11, HE'S FIVE YEARS OLD.
I'M ASKING THAT OUR CITY GET A DATABASE FOR ALL AUTISTIC AND IDD CHILDREN TO GET THEM THE BEST CARE AND SAFETY AND IF THEY COULD FIND THESE CHILDREN AND WHEN WE COULD GET THE GPS MONITORING FOR THESE CHILDREN.
SO THESE CHILDREN WOULD BE SAFE AT HOME AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD GIVE THEM A SAFE RIDE BACK HOME.
DO YOU WANNA SAY NOTHING? THANK YOU KATRINA.
THANK YOU DOMINIC ALEXANDER, MINISTER DO ALEXANDER PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE NEXT GENERATION ACTION NETWORK, NORTH TEXAS, LARGEST HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION.
TONIGHT, I COME BEFORE YOU DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED NOT BECAUSE AN EVENT WAS COUNSELED, BUT BECAUSE WHEN YOUR CITY WAS CONFRONTED WITH THE TEST OF LEADERSHIP, COURAGE, AND PRINCIPLE, THE CITY FAILED THAT TEST.
IT'S A SHAME THAT YET COUNCIL MEMBERS CANNOT LOOK A SPEAKER BY THE EYE, CANNOT LOOK AT ITS COMMUNITY AND SAY, YOU KNOW, I WAS ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF GRAND PERRY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A VOICE IN THIS PROCESS.
BECAUSE $500,000 IS NEVER ENOUGH TO STAND UP AGAINST TYRANNY, TO STAND UP FOR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.
SEE, WHEN YOU GIVE IN TO GOVERNOR GREG GABB, YOU SAY THAT THE CITIZENS OF GRAND PERRY IS NOT WISE ENOUGH.
THEY CANNOT STAND UP FOR TYRANNY.
WHEN YOU CALL ON THE CITY TO PASS A BOND, THE CITIZENS ANSWER AND THEY SUPPORT A BOND.
AND WHEN GOVERNOR ABBOTT THREATENS SOMETHING,
[00:50:02]
YOUR CITIZENS WILL RESPOND TO STAND UP BECAUSE YOUR CITIZENS STAND UP TO HUMAN AND MAKING SURE THEY PROTECT HUMAN IN CIVIL RIGHTS.THE DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNCIL REFLECTS THAT.
AND I COME HERE TODAY AND I SEE YOU CAN INTERACT WITH PEOPLE ABOUT GAS COMPANIES AND BONDS AND STREETS.
BUT WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT HERE TO INTERACT AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
YOU MUZZLED STAFF, YOU TOLD THEM TO SHUT UP THESE SAME STAFF THAT WERE SITTING HERE WORKING ON THIS EVENT AFTER AND AFTER THIS EVENT WAS SUCCESSFUL.
IT DIDN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST NOBODY.
IT GAVE CHILDREN, CHILDREN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE IN MODEST WEAR.
YOU CAVED IN TO WHITE SUPREMACY, YOU FAILED HAROLD WILLIS.
HAROLD WILLIS, 5 3 8 LINLEY A FEW MINUTES AGO.
MAYOR, YOU SAID WE DON'T KEEP ANYTHING HIDDEN DOWN HERE.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THAT $500,000 TO RACIST REPUBLICAN GREG ABBOTT IS.
DID WE SEND THE MONEY BACK TO GREG ABBOTT? DID GREG ABBOTT SEND THE MONEY BACK? GREG ABBOTT IS UP FOR REELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
ALL THE RACIST REPUBLICANS, EVERYTHING WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO DEFEAT ALL THE RACIST REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER.
THIS YOU'RE HEARING A LOT OF OUTCRY FROM PEOPLE TONIGHT.
WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW, IT'LL BE 22 YEARS THIS MONTH, SERGEANT GREG HUNTER WAS SHOT AND KILLED ON THE WALMART PARKING LOT.
OFFICER BRUCE SACKS, HIS PARTNER SUFFERED SERIOUS WOUNDS.
UM, THE GRAND PRIX FIRE RESCUE, THEIR PART AND GOING DOWN THERE TO GET THESE TWO OFFICERS OUTTA HARM'S WAY.
UM, THIS IS REALLY FRUSTRATING FOR ME BECAUSE AT THE INTERSECTION OF SERGEANT GREG HUNTER AND BARDON PARKWAY, IT'S NOW ON THE EIGHTH MONTH OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN TURNED ON, EIGHT MONTHS TO PUT IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS.
THERE'S TOW SACKS HANGING UP OVER THOSE LIGHTS DOWN THERE.
SERGEANT GREG HU STARTED HIS CAREER MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1973 AT GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL.
HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK OFFICER IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
IS THIS HOW WE'RE GONNA REMEMBER THE FIRST BLACK POLICE OFFICER IN GRAND PRAIRIE WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE? CAN'T WE DO ANY BETTER THAN THIS? THIS HAS GONE ON FOR MONTHS.
THERE'S NO EXCUSE IF IT'S ENCORE'S RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT GETTING THE LIFE HOOKED UP.
WELL, ENCORE JUST GOT ANOTHER RATE INCREASE.
WHERE'S THE BEEF? THE OLD COMMERCIAL WENDY'S COMMERCIAL.
WHERE'S THE MONEY? WHY IS ENCORE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT TURNING THOSE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GREG HUNTER, WHAT HE DID THAT DAY WITH BRUCE SYKES.
BRUCE SYKES RECOVERED FROM THE GUNSHOT WOUNDS, BUT YOU DON'T RECOVER FROM THE MEMORIES THAT STAYS FOREVER.
THERE WAS ANOTHER GRAND PRIX POLICE OFFICER STEVE CORSON.
HE WOULD MEET US DOWN AT COACH KEN MURRAY'S OFFICE AND TALK ABOUT THE DAY HE WAS THE FIRST OFFICER ON SCENE.
GREG HUNTER WAS TALKING TO THEM AFTER HE GOT SHOT IN THE NECK WITH A 45 CALIBER ROUND.
UM, THIS IS TOTALLY, TOTALLY UNEXCUSABLE FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO GIVE HIS LIFE.
THAT'S A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION.
NOW I WANT PEOPLE TO DRIVE BY AND SEE SERGEANT GREG HUNTER, THE MONUMENT THERE IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT.
GREG HUNTER GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
CAN WE NOT GET THESE TRAFFIC LIGHTS TURNED ON IN RESPECT OF A POLICE OFFICER WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE? THAT'S ALL I'M WANTING.
MY NAME IS NASRA AND I LIVE IN MANSFIELD.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M DEEPLY HURT AND DISAPPOINTED BY THE CANCELLATION OF EPIC WATER EVENT FOR MUSLIM FAMILIES ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY FOR MUSLIM CHILDREN WHO WANTS
[00:55:01]
TO ENJOY THEIR AGE CELEBRATION WITH THEIR FAMILIES.THIS DECISION SENDS A PAINFUL MESSAGE TO NOT ONLY ME, BUT TO MANY MUSLIM FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY, THAT OUR FAITH AND PRESENCE ARE NOT WELCOMED OR RESPECTED EQUALLY AS MUSLIMS, WE DESERVE THE SAME RIGHTS, DIGNITY ON OPPORTUNITY AS AS EVERY, AS EVERY OTHER RELIGION GROUP IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FEAR, DISCRIMINATION, HATRED, OR UNFAIR TREATMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH.
YET, DECISIONS LIKE THIS MAKE MANY OF US MUSLIMS FEEL TARGETED, EXCLUDED AND UNSAFE IN THIS VERY COMMUNITIES THAT WE CALL HOME.
THIS CANCELLATION IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE EVENT.
IT REPRESENTS A LARGE ISSUE OF HOW MUSLIMS ARE OFTEN TREATED WITH SUSPICIONS AND DENIED THE THE SAME UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTION OTHERS RECEIVE.
IT IS EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTING TO CONSTANTLY FEEL THAT WE MUST DEFEND OUR HUMANITY AND OUR FAITH AND OUR RIGHTS EXIST PEACEFULLY.
I ASK THIS COUNCIL TO REFLECT ON THIS IMPACT THIS DECISION HAS HAD ON MUSLIM RESIDENTS.
WE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOUR STUDENTS, YOUR WORKERS, YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
FAIRNESS AND THE FREEDOM TO PROTECT, TO TO PRACTICE OUR FAITH WITHOUT BARRIERS OR DISCRIMINATION.
WE DESERVE TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY ON HONOR AND EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THIS, THE VALUE THIS COUNTRY CLAIMS TO STAND FOR.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
I'M ADA
I HAD A PLAN TO COME WITH MY KIDS TO GRAND PRAIRIE YESTERDAY, BUT SOMEHOW IT'S UH, THE PROGRAM WAS CANCELED BY THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE.
WELL, UM, TARRAN COUNTY TAXPAYERS AND THE ENTITIES DESERVE THE ANSWER FROM THE CURRENT APPRAISAL DISTRICT REGARDING THEIR CONTROVERSIAL REAPPRAISAL PLAN AND THE, UH, GROWING NUMBER OF OVERVALUED PROPERTIES IN THE TAX YEAR OF 2025 AND 2026.
DURING TAD'S APRIL 30TH, 2026, ENTITY MEETING, CHIEF APPRAISER REPORTEDLY STATED THAT NEARLY 204,000 PROPERTIES RECEIVED VALUATION REDUCTION IN THE TAX YEAR 2025, UH, FOR THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS WHO FILED THE PROTESTS.
THIS RAISES SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS OF THE ORIGINAL APPRAISALS.
IF APPROXIMATELY 204,000 PROTEST, UH, PROPERTIES WERE REDUCED AND 195,000 ADDITIONAL RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES REMAINED OVERVALUED, IT SUGGESTS THAT CLO UH, CLOSE TO 400,000 PROPERTIES, WHICH IS OUT OF 720,000 ACCOUNTS.
MORE THAN HALF OF THE RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN INITIALLY BEEN OVERVALUED IN THE TAX YEAR 2025.
SO, UM, 195,000 PROPERTY OWNERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH PROPERTY VALUED $500,000 OR LESS, STILL PAYING PROPERTY TAXES BASED ON INFLATED VALUES USE THIS EFFECTIVELY SHIFTED THE BURDEN OF PROOF FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT TO THE TAXPAYER, FORCING HOMEOWNERS TO SPEND TIME AND RESOURCES CORRECTING VALUATION ERRORS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
TASK DECISION TO FREEZE RESIDENTIAL VALUES WHILE MARKET CONDITIONS CHANGE HAS ALSO CREATED CONCERN ABOUT UNEQUAL AND NON-UNIFORM APPRAISAL ACROSS THE TARRAN COUNTY, ESPECIALLY, UH, IN COLORED NEIGHBORHOODS.
UH, THE FROZEN VALUE DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEANS A FAIR VALUE TAXING ENTITIES AND, UH, QUARTERLY PAYS APPRAISAL DISTRICT WITH THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PERFORM ACCURATE AND EQUITABLE APPRAISALS.
TAXPAYER DESERVE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE PROPERTY TAX CODE.
UH, THE GROWING NUMBER OF PROTESTS SUGGESTS THAT THE CURRENT REAPPRAISAL STRATEGY HAS FAILED MANY HOMEOWNERS TO RISK PUSHING TA CLOSER TO INCREASE THE STATE SCRUTINY AND POSSIBLE INTERVENTION IF THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED.
AND AS OF, UH, APRIL 30TH, 2026 FOR THE TAX YEAR, 2026, OVER 15,000 PROPERTIES ALREADY GET REDUCTION IN VALUE IN TARRANT COUNTY.
AND THIS YEAR $125,000 EXEMPTION FOR THE BPP ACCOUNTS IS IN EFFECT THAT WILL AFFECT THE THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, RAMLA
[01:00:01]
ADA.GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, TODAY I STAND BY YOU 'CAUSE I'M DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE E CANCELLATION.
UM, MY FAMILY HAS RESIDED IN GRAND PRAIRIE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
WE'VE WAITED A MOMENT FOR MOMENTS LIKE THIS FOR SO LONG.
IT'S GENUINELY HEARTBREAKING THAT MUSLIMS IN OUR CITY CAN'T EVEN GATHER PEACEFULLY FOR E WITHOUT SOMETHING BEING MADE TO FEEL LIKE OUR EXISTENCE ITSELF IS A PROBLEM.
E IS SUPPOSED TO BE JOY, FAMILY PRAYER AND COMMUNITY.
CHILDREN RUNNING AROUND IN NEW CLOTHES, EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THEIR FAITH OPENLY AND SAFELY.
INSTEAD, SO MANY OF US ARE LEFT FEELING UNWELCOME, SCRUTINIZED, OR PUSHED ASIDE FOR SIMPLY WANTING TO PRACTICE OUR RELIGION TOGETHER IN PEACE.
WHAT HURTS ME MOST IS THE CHILDREN.
MUSLIM KIDS ALREADY GREW UP RARELY SEEING THEMSELVES REPRESENTED POSITIVELY.
AND MOMENTS LIKE
THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SHRINK THEMSELVES OR FEEL LIKE A BURDEN JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE VISIBLY MUSLIM.
NO COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE TO FIGHT THIS HARD JUST TO CELEBRATE PEACEFULLY.
WE DESERVE SPACES WHERE WE CAN GATHER WITHOUT FEAR, SUSPICION, OR HOSTILITY.
WE DESERVE THE SAME GRACE AND DIGNITY EXTENDED TO EVERYONE ELSE.
AND OUR CHILDREN DESERVE TO GROW UP SEEING THEIR FAITH CELEBRATED INSTEAD OF BEING TREATED LIKE SOMETHING INCONVENIENT OR THREATENING.
SO PLEASE LEE CALL ON YOU TO RESCHEDULE THE E CELEBRATION THIS MONTH.
CHRIS SOCHA, I REFUSE TO PROVIDE MY ADDRESS FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
UM, SOMEBODY HAD SAID TODAY THAT MUSLIMS LOVE JESUS CHRIST.
UM, I'M NOT HERE TO TAKE THIS OUT ON THE BOARD TODAY, BUT I DO JUST FOR, JUST FOR PURPOSES OF EVERYBODY KNOWING HERE TODAY, UH, IF IT IS ANY POWER THAT YOU HAVE TO ERADICATE ISLAM AND SHARIA LAW FIRM YOUR CITY, YOU SHOULD DO SO.
MOHAMMAD COMMANDED, UH, PEOPLE TO ERADICATE ALL CHRISTIANS AND JEWS FROM THE ARABIAN PENINSULA.
THEY AREN'T ALLOWED IN MECCA TODAY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS BECAUSE THEY'D HAVE THEIR HEAD CHOPPED OFF.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, RIGHT HERE AT THIS EVENT STANDS CARE, THE COUNCIL FOR AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS, AN ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS FOR AN OBVIOUS REASON.
AND I'M GONNA TELL YOU ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WHILE PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN PUBLIC, I PERSONALLY BY THEIR ORGANIZATION ON AN EVENT THEY PUT ON WAS ATTACKED.
BRUTALLY, ATTACKED TWO OTHER PREACHERS WITH ME, AMBULANCES HAD TO BE CALLED BY THE POLICE.
I SPENT HOURS, UH, AS WELL AT ANOTHER EVENT SHARING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH A MUSLIM IMAMS, CAME OUT, TRIED TO THREATEN THE MUSLIM, CALLED THE POLICE, BANNED HIM FROM THE MOSQUE FOR THE CRIME OF ME SPEAKING TO HIM AND TRYING TO GIVE HIM AND TEACH HIM THE BIBLE.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE IMPORTING TO THIS COUNTRY BY ALLOWING THIS NONSENSE.
AND I THINK WHOEVER HAD A PART IN ERADICATING SOMEBODY, TRYING TO CREATE AN ENCLAVE IN THIS CITY TO, TO KEEP CHRISTIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE AWAY AND SCARE THEM BY HAVING PEOPLE WEAR BODY BAGS AND MEN IN DRESSES TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY AND WHAT WE, WHAT CHRISTIANITY HAS FOUNDED UPON IT.
SO, UH, GOING BACK ON WHAT I'VE SAID BEFORE, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER IMAM HERE THOUGH IS NOW DEMANDING THAT GRAND PRAIRIE ANSWER AND PAY
JUST LIKE THIS RETARD IMAM COMING IN HERE TRYING TO TELL US HOW TO RUN OUR YOUR CITY IN THIS COUNTRY.
SHAME ON YOU, YOU WICKED DEVIL.
WE OWE THEM EVERYTHING WHILE THEIR SYSTEM TEACHES THEM THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD ELSE SHOULD SUBMIT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THEM JUST LIKE MOHAMMAD TOLD 'EM TO DO.
GRAND PRAIRIE OWES ISLAM NOTHING.
AND THIS CITY WAS NOT FOUNDED TO BOW TO A RELIGION OF CONQUEST AND EXTRACTION.
WE ANSWER TO JESUS CHRIST, WE WILL KEEP SPEAKING THE TRUTH.
NO MATTER HOW MANY IMAMS DEMAND PAYMENT AND SILENCE WHILE PLAYING THE VICTIM AND TRYING TO POINT THE FINGER AT US.
JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE 1% DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO BE JUST LIKE MUHAMMAD AND GO GAIN AN ARMY AND COME BACK AND DESTROY US.
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD JESUS DIED.
AND EVERY MUSLIM WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AND REPENTED THEIR SINS ABOUT BOWING DOWN TOWARDS MECCA IS GONNA BURN IN HELL.
AND ANYBODY ELSE FOR THAT MATTER TOO, THAT DOESN'T LOVE JESUS CHRIST JESUS, YOU NEED JESUS TODAY.
THIS IS THE BYPRODUCT OF YOUR DECISIONS.
LET'S TAKE YOUR TIME TO SPEAK.
[28. SUP-26-03-0006 - Specific Use Permit Review - SUP Review for EZ Food Mart at 688 W Pioneer (City Council District 2). Specific Use Permit Review of SUP No. 1194, a Specific Use Permit for a convenience store without gas in an existing commercial lease space on 3.85 acres, for compliance with SUP conditions, and modify, renew, or revoke if deemed appropriate based upon the review. Lot 1, Block 1, Pioneer Court Yard Shopping Center Addition, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, zoned General Retail, and addressed as 688 W Pioneer Pkwy Suite 140 (On May 12, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with conditions by a vote of 7-0) ]
28.[01:05:01]
WHAT DO YOU READ INTO THE RECORD? IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE.GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
ITEM 28 IS A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT REVIEW FOR EASY FOOD MART AT 6 8 8 WEST PIONEER PARKWAY.
YOU CAN SEE THE PROPERTY OUTLINED IN YELLOW ON THE SCREEN.
THIS REQUEST IS TO REVIEW A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SUP FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CONDITIONS AND TO MODIFY, RENEW, OR REVOKE IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE BASED UPON THE REVIEW.
AND SO THIS IS FOR A CONVENIENCE STORE WITHOUT GAS SALES AND IT'S PART OF AN EXISTING STRIP CENTER ON MAY 20TH, 2025.
CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THAT SUP TO PERMIT THE CONVENIENCE STORE AND REQUIRED A ONE YEAR REVIEW.
THE SUP INCLUDES SOME CONDITIONS LISTED ON THE SCREEN THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THEIR OPERATIONAL PLAN.
UH, ALL APPLICABLE, UH, RULES SMOKING'S PROHIBITED.
EIGHT LINER GAMING MACHINES SHALL BE PROHIBITED AND THEN OUTSIDE STORAGE OR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE SHALL BE PROHIBITED.
UM, SO THIS IS A CONVENIENT STORE.
IT'S, UH, ABOUT A 2000 SQUARE FOOT COMMERCIAL LEASE SPACE AT 6 8 8 WEST PIONEER PARKWAY.
UM, STAFF CONDUCTED A REVIEW AS PART OF THIS SUP REVIEW AND DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES TO REPORT.
SO ON MAY 12TH, 2026, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH THE CONDITIONS BY A VOTE OF SEVEN TO ZERO.
AND THAT CONDITION IS THAT ALL THE EXISTING CONDITIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL SUP REMAIN IN EFFECT.
THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
I DON'T HAVE ANY SPEAKER CARDS.
COUNCIL MEMBER HEDEN UH, SAVANNAH.
UH, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN ANY ISSUES HERE.
JUST TO CONFIRM, NO POLICE VISITS OR ANYTHING NEGATIVE TO REPORT.
AND I SEE THAT, UH, OPERATIONS ACTUALLY ARE EVEN LESS THAN, UH, WHAT THEY SAID THEY WOULD BE SO THAT THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
SO I GUESS I'LL MAKE A MOTION AT THIS TIME.
I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 28 WITH THE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS OF STAFF COUNCIL MEMBER LOPEZ.
MOTION CARRIES EIGHT OH ITEM 29.
[29. ZON-26-04-0008 - Zoning Change - 1721 W Polo Rd (City Council District 6). Zoning Change from Planned Development-81 (PD-81) to Planned Development-81A (PD-81A) to clearly establish General Retail (GR) as the base zoning district on approximately 2.492 acres. Tract 11, Thomas J Tone Survey, Abstract No. 1460, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned PD-81, and addressed 1721 W Polo Rd (On May 12, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 7-0)]
ALRIGHT, ITEM 29 IS THE ZONING CHANGE FOR 1721 WEST PI, UH, EXCUSE ME, WEST POLO ROAD.YOU SEE THE PROPERTY OUTLINED IN YELLOW ON THE SCREEN.
UH, THE EXISTING ZONING IS PD 81, UH, THAT WAS ADOPTED IN IN THE SEVENTIES.
UH, THE PROPOSED IS A, A PD THAT IS CLEARLY ESTABLISHES GENERAL RETAIL AS THE BASE ZONING DISTRICT FOR THIS PROPERTY.
UH, SO IT'S ABOUT 2.5 ACRES AND THE APPLICANT PLAN TO CONSTRUCT RETAIL AND RESTAURANT BUILDING.
SO THE EXISTING PD, UM, HAS DIFFERENT LAND USES WITHIN IT.
THE CALLS AND, AND, UM, IDENTIFYING MARKERS AS PART OF THE MEETS AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION HAVE CHANGED AND STAFF WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY OR CONFIRM THAT THIS IN FACT HAS THE BASE ZONING OF, OF GENERAL RETAIL.
UM, SO THIS REQUEST CLEARLY ESTABLISHES THAT.
UH, WE DID SEND OUT 24 NOTIFICATIONS TO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 300 FEET OF THE PROPERTY.
UH, WE DID RECEIVE FIVE LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND FIVE LETTERS IN OPPOSITION.
AND ON MAY 12TH, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BY A VOTE OF SEVEN TO ZERO STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL AS WELL.
THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
I CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
WE HAVE A DEVELOPER HERE, JOSE LOPEZ.
HOW'S IT GOING, COUNSEL? UH, NICE TO SEE Y'ALL.
I GOT A NICE SETUP, SO I DO LIKE THAT.
UM, BUT YEAH, IT'S FOR, UM, IT'S 2.5 ACRES.
UH, WE WANNA DO A 16,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING AND WE WANNA BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO THE, UH, THE PROPERTY.
WE HAVE A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT TO THE NORTH AND ONE TO THE WEST, BUT WE WANT OURS TO BE MORE UNIQUE AND TO BRING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY UP.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THAT.
HOW YOU DOING? FINALLY? GOOD TO MEET YOU.
UM, YOU READ THE, THE LIST, RIGHT? YES SIR.
YOU'RE GOOD WITH THE LIST, RIGHT? YEAH, WE'RE GOOD.
SO WHEN I MAKE, WHEN I MAKE'S GO MY MOTION, GIMME A MINUTE.
[01:10:01]
READY FOR THE MOTION? YES SIR.UH, I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 29, ZONING CASE.
ZERO N DASH 26 DASH ZERO FOUR DASH 0 0 0 8 PER DRC.
RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE REVISIONS TO PROHIBIT THE FOLLOWING USES ON THE PROPERTY PROHIBIT MULTI-PURPOSE, SPECIAL EVENT CENTER ALCOHOL, PACKAGED BEER AND WINE SALES FOR OFF-PREMISE CONSUMPTION.
SMOKE SHOP, SMOKING LOUNGE, A CONVENIENCE STORE WITH OR WITHOUT GAS? A BAKERY, RETAIL OR WHOLESALE? FLEA MARKET.
PORTABLE CHEMICAL, TOILET TATTOO AND BODY PEARSON STUDIO.
A WINERY, SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS.
MINI STORAGE OR STORAGE UNITS? UH, SPECIAL EVENTS.
PALM READING OR PSYCHIC AND NO DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANTS.
DOES THAT CONCLUDE YOUR LIST? SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND BY COUNCIL, MAYOR, HEAD AND ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ADAM 30 WILL GIVE YOU COUNCIL MEMBER CLEMSON TIME TO VACATE THE DIOCESE.
SHE HAS A CONFLICT ON THIS ITEM.
[30. SUP-26-03-0005 - Specific Use Permit - Wholesale Auto Sales at 200 MacArthur Blvd (City Council District 5). Specific Use Permit for a Wholesale Auto Sales dealer in a portion of the property designated for Suite A on 2.10 acres. Lots 314R, 331R, and 330R, Burbank Gardens REP Addition, City of Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas, zoned Commercial (C), and addressed as 200 MacArthur Blvd, 127 NE 31st St, and 125 NE 31st St (On May 26, 2026, the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval with conditions by a vote of 7-0)]
SAVANNAH.ITEM 30 IS A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR WHOLESALE AUTO SALES LOCATED AT 200 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD AND 1 25 AND 1 27 NORTHEAST 31ST STREET.
UH, THE PROPERTY OUTLINED IN YELLOW ON THE SCREEN.
AGAIN, THE SUP IS FOR WHOLESALE AUTO SALES.
THIS IS AN EXISTING BUSINESS AT THIS LOCATION WHO WISHES TO BRING WHOLESALE AUTO SALES TO THE HIS OPERATION.
SO IT'S AN AUTO BREAK AND OIL CHANGE.
UH, THEIR BUSINESS HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM AND THE PROPOSED WHOLESALE, UH, SALES WILL ONLY TAKE PLACE BETWEEN LICENSED AUTO DEALERS AT LOCAL AUCTIONS.
UH, THERE'S NO PUBLIC AUTO SALES AND NO ONSITE DISPLAY AREAS AND NO PAINT OR BODY WORK.
UM, ON THE SCREEN IS THEIR PROPOSED PARKING PLAN.
YOU CAN SEE THE SUITE A, UH, IS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED.
UH, THEY HAVE SEVEN EMPLOYEES AND FOR SERVICE SPACE, AND THE INVENTORY IS TYPICALLY TO BE STORED OFFSITE.
HOWEVER, UM, INVENTORY MIGHT BE STORED ON SITE.
OCCASIONALLY, UH, THEY ARE PROVIDING 47 PARKING SPACES.
I DO WANNA NOTE 10 OF THOSE PARKING SPACES ARE STACKED, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE, UH, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER PARKING SPACES.
UM, THEY'RE REQUESTING A VARIANCE THAT THE STACKED PARKING SPACES ARE ALLOWED.
UH, WE HAVE REQUIREMENTS IN THE UDC THAT STATES ALL PARKING SPACES ARE TO BE NON STACKED.
WE DID SEND OUT 35 NOTICES TO THE SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE RECEIVED ONE LETTER OF SUPPORT AND ONE LETTER IN OPPOSITION.
AND ON MAY 26TH, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS BY A VOTE OF SEVEN TO ZERO.
FIRST, THAT ALL PARKING SPACES SHALL BE NON STACKED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE UDC AND THAT ALL OPERATIONS SHALL COMPLY WITH OUR A RB AUTO-RELATED BUSINESS REGULATIONS AND OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES.
THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
YOU DIDN'T SIGN A CARD? I KNOW I GOT HERE A LITTLE LATE TRAFFIC.
UNLESS YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR HIM, WE'LL DO THAT THEN.
UH, MAYOR, I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT.
YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO MY QUESTIONS THOUGH.
UM, YOUR PARKING SPACES SEEM TO BE THE ONLY, UH, MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE PNC DID AND THE STAFF RECOMMENDS AND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR.
UM, YOUR, HAVE YOU MEASURED OUT YOUR PARKING SPACES OR SO YOU, YOU GOT 'EM WHERE THEY FIT? UM, WE'VE DONE SOME STACKED PARKING SPACES IN THE PAST.
UM, AND I TALKED WITH, WELL NOT EVEN HERE NOW, BUT WITH PEOPLE THAT FIRE ARE, AND THEY ASKED ME TO MAKE THOSE ON THE ONES THAT WE DID DOWN IN TWIN AIRPORTS, UH, TO MAKE 'EM 10 FEET WIDE INSTEAD OF NINE FEET WIDE.
[01:15:01]
PUT SOME EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES AND CASE A FELLOW AT THE FAR STACKED ONE MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET A GURNEY IN.AND, UH, I WOULD BE FINE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UH, APPROVE THIS WITH THE STACKED PARKING SPACES.
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA IF YOU MAKE 'EM 10 FEET WIDE.
WE WANT THAT'S A GOOD DEAL FOR YOU TOO.
YOU'D RATHER HAVE 'EM STACK THAN, NOT STACK THAN GIVING UP A FOOT.
SO THAT, THAT WAS, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.
I THINK STACKING ON PLACES LIKE THAT, IF MY GOODNESS, IT IT, YEAH.
VALETS STACK 'EM ALL THE TIME AND, AND GET 'EM, GET JUST WIDE ENOUGH THAT THAT GAVE THEM EXTRA ROOM TO GET THE GURNEY IN AND THEY WERE HAPPY.
JUST ON THE DOUBLE STACK PARKING.
SO THOSE SPACES ALL HAVE TO BE 10 FEET WIDE.
UH, IS ANYBODY WE'RE GOOD? ANYBODY ELSE? NOPE.
OKAY, THEN, UH, I WOULD MAKE AN FIND OUT.
I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS, UH, WITH, UH, AS, AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ANY, ANY, ALLOWING THE DOUBLE STACK PARKING, BUT ANY DOUBLE STACK PARKING SPACES MUST BE 10 FEET WIDE INSTEAD OF NINE FEET.
I THOUGHT IT WAS 10 INSTEAD OF NINE.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.