[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:03] Well, good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Irving City Council for July 10th, 2025. It's a pleasure to be with each and every one of you this evening. Before we start, I'd just like to take a moment of silence for the victims and their families, but have withstood the tragedies and the flooding and the people that are working diligently to find survivors.
[0:31] And bring those loved ones back to their families.
[0:33] So we could have a moment of silence before we start the program.
[0:47] Thank you.
[0:49] First item on our agenda is the organizational service announcement.
[0:53] Shanae, do we have anyone who would like to have an announcement this evening?
[0:57] No, sir.
[0:58] Okay, if you would please stand, the indication this evening will be given by Reverend Jonathan Tony of Hackberry Creek Church in Irving.
[1:07] Council
[1:26] meet to make decisions on behalf of the people
[1:31] who bless these elected leaders of wisdom
[1:34] enabling them to serve the interests and needs of those who may represent.
[1:39] And their actions tonight be in a core and a life of your goodwill for our city.
[1:47] Hearts are heavy with greed, and we mourn those who lost their lives and the flood waters this path will begin.
[1:54] You have to even draw close to the families and friends of those who have died and those
[1:59] who are still missing.
[2:02] You have to even be with those who are working in a relief effort, serving those who are
[2:07] still suffering from this tragedy,
[2:11] or put your hand on mercy upon the city.
[2:13] We thank you for all of you who make this community such a wonderful place to live.
[2:17] We pray for our police officer and firefighters for our teachers and for administrators, for all
[2:24] civil servants who bless our community,
[2:28] who have raised up leaders who care about our city,
[2:32] where we live. Here we
[2:37] are also thankful for the freedom that we enjoy in the station.
[2:42] We begin the 250th year of independence. We do not take for granted the rights of liberty
[2:46] of the UNO and doubt to us. In equality, we all enjoy as great industries.
[2:52] We are thankful for the city diverting to the place where people from all over the world
[2:56] to come to live and work and enjoy the freedom to report this nation and all of us here
[3:01] have prayed this as you name it.
[3:04] Amen.
[3:05] Thank you, Reverend Tony.
[3:06] At this time, if you're the main standing, Mayor Portem Block will lead us in the pledges.
[3:11] Raise the flag.
[3:12] Please place your hand over your mark.
[3:15] Please recite the pledges with me.
[3:16] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
[3:23] one nation under God in invisible with liberty and justice for all.
[3:30] Honourable Texas flag and pledge allegiance to the Texas one state under God, one in indivisible.
[3:40] Thank you, John.
[3:43] At this time we have a proclamation for the Parks and Recreation Month, so if we have some
[3:49] Park sports members that are with with us please join me up front and the staff I appreciate you joining me up front as well
[4:39] Well, we have
[4:52] a proclamation for National Parks and Recreation month and one of the things that we have in the city of Irving is
[4:59] A group of individuals who volunteer their time as well as an amazing staff who put together some of the best programs and
[5:07] the country. This weekend we were very proud for everything that they put together with
[5:12] the 4th of July celebrations and the commitments that they've made to make sure that we all
[5:19] enjoyed that people don't realize the time and energy that is spent by our parks department
[5:25] and our parks board to make sure that we have the quality entertainment that we have in
[5:31] the great entertainment that we had this weekend.
[5:34] Also, I am always impressed by looking at all the activities that are going on within
[5:42] our parks and within our recreation centers and the use of our fields and how much they're
[5:48] used by the residents.
[5:49] So they do an outstanding job.
[5:51] We are very, very fortunate to have these fine people in the positions they're in and they
[5:57] They are the best of the best when it comes to doing what they do.
[6:01] So I have a proclamation from the office of the mayor, whereas the month of July is National
[6:06] Parks and Recreation Month, organized and launched by the National Parks and Recreation Association.
[6:12] And whereas Parks and Recreation programs are an integral part of community throughout
[6:16] this country, including the city of Irving.
[6:19] And whereas Parks and Recreational departments are vitally important to establishing and
[6:24] in maintaining the quality of life in our communities,
[6:28] ensuring the health of all citizens.
[6:31] And whereas parks and recreational areas are fundamental
[6:33] to the environmental well-being of our community,
[6:36] and whereas parks and recreational programs
[6:38] improve the community's economic impact
[6:40] through increased property values,
[6:43] expansion of the local tax base, increasing tourism,
[6:47] and the return retention of our businesses.
[6:50] And whereas the city of early recognizes the benefits
[6:53] and the diversity from our parks and recreational programs.
[6:57] Now they're probably rich, so for mayor of the city of Irving.
[7:00] And the Irving City Council to hereby proclaim the month of July 2025
[7:04] is National Parks and Recreational Month in Irving, Texas.
[7:08] Congratulations.
[7:15] Thank you.
[7:16] As the newest member of the Parks and Recreation Leadership Team,
[7:19] I just wanted to thank how proud,
[7:21] tell, say how proud, and how privileged I am to be a part of such an amazing team
[7:25] that provides such excellent recreational services for our community and special thanks to the council and city leadership for your continued support and the parks board for being the exceptional liaison to our residents.
[7:38] We really appreciate that.
[7:40] And to the amazing staff and credible staff that's here with us tonight, I just want to say thank you for your hard work and your dedication, makes a meaningful impact for our community every day.
[7:51] And with all of the things we have coming up, the Let's Play Irving initiatives and construction underway.
[7:58] It is a great time to be a part of Irving Petri Parks and Recreation, and we're all proud to be a part of it.
[8:03] So thank you so much for coming out tonight.
[9:18] The next item, our agenda, is public comments.
[9:21] Cheney, do we have residents who wish to speak in the public comments section?
[9:26] Yes, Mayor, we do.
[9:27] The public comments provide the opportunity to our citizens to address the council on items that are not listed on the regular agenda.
[9:36] The council will listen but they will not respond as they are restricted from deliberation by the Texas Open Meeting Act.
[9:43] While the mayor and council may not respond, you are welcome to contact them directly.
[9:48] Their phone numbers and emails are listed on the website and the meeting can be requested.
[9:52] If your comments require a response, the follow-up will be handled by the communications team.
[9:58] Each speaker will be limited to three minutes and I will let you know when one minute is left.
[10:02] Please state your name and address prior to your comments.
[10:06] A professional presentation is requested.
[10:09] Any handouts you wish to provide to the council members should be given to the police officers on either side of the chamber.
[10:16] Please do not approach the dius.
[10:17] Our first speaker is Joanne, going followed by Melody McCallum.
[10:30] Hello, hi, everybody, Mayor City Council, all the city staff.
[10:34] I thank you so much, I know that I'm so appreciative each of every one of you for your public service.
[10:41] I know it's not an easy job to deal with all the things that you deal with and all the comments you deal with a day in and day out, so I'm truly appreciative.
[10:49] And I'm here to just address the homeless situation on Main Street.
[10:55] My name is Joe Ango and my address is 3025,
[10:59] Luzon Road in Irving, 7506O.
[11:02] And my business is at 109 South Main Street,
[11:05] glory house catering in Irving on Main Street, 7506O.
[11:10] So I am here to say thank you.
[11:14] Thank you, Mr. Hillman for rallying the city to come up with ideas.
[11:19] and long-term solutions, short-term solutions.
[11:23] I see a huge improvement, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am.
[11:30] It's been a huge burden, and we've been dealing with this really.
[11:33] I was trying to figure out when we really first started dealing with all this.
[11:37] I think it's been at least 11 years, and it's just gotten worse and worse.
[11:41] And I see a huge improvement.
[11:43] I'm super happy with the improvements that are made with the police presence.
[11:46] and I definitely want to just encourage each and every one of you to continue to come up with ideas, long term solutions.
[11:57] I've had some time to calm down after my rant on Facebook.
[12:03] I have come to this conclusion, it's not about the homeless or the businesses.
[12:12] It's the homeless and the businesses. We're all in this together.
[12:15] So I want to come up with solutions and be part of the solutions and the problems that we have
[12:22] to address the homeless situation, but also the businesses on Main Street should not suffer in the meantime.
[12:29] And I do see a huge improvement, so I'd like to continue to see that.
[12:35] I do have a major concern about the benches coming back.
[12:38] I know that's kind of a big issue, but I have seen such an improvement,
[12:42] that driving down Erwin Boulevard on Main Street, when the benches are gone, I feel like it's solved basically 90% of the problem.
[12:52] I know that they're going to come back retrofitted with the arm in the middle, but I would say that most homeless people are on a bench.
[13:00] I would say 20 hours a day, 16 of those hours, they're sitting, four of those hours, they're laying.
[13:06] And so I would like to request that we don't get them back.
[13:10] I'm hoping that could be an option potentially.
[13:13] I know that all the business owners on Main Street do not want them back because he's seen such a huge improvement and two seconds.
[13:21] I just want to, again, thank you for what we've seen so far and look forward to the solutions that come forward in the future.
[13:29] Thanks.
[13:30] So, Joanne, is today your anniversary?
[13:32] Yes, 30 years.
[13:34] Congratulations.
[13:37] Congratulations.
[13:40] Melody McCallum, followed by Christopher Aspina.
[13:55] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
[13:57] I'm Melody McCallum.
[13:59] I stand here in front of you today by the grace of God.
[14:02] I just want to share my story.
[14:06] I'm a long time serving resident.
[14:07] I moved here when I was six.
[14:09] Ms. McKellum, can you pull the matches a little?
[14:13] Yeah, okay.
[14:13] Is that better?
[14:14] Your name and address.
[14:15] Okay.
[14:15] So, 1902, Woodrow Drive, Irving, Texas, 756O, like I said, six years old.
[14:23] This one I moved here.
[14:24] I now work on Main Street, 218 South Main Street, right across from Heritage Park.
[14:32] So my window faces everything.
[14:35] And it's been 18 years since I've been there.
[14:38] And I love being there with that comes a lot of phone calls to the police daily sometimes
[14:47] Hey, let go a couple of weeks without having to call
[14:50] It just depends on what's happening with the traffic. I've seen a lot of drug deals. I've seen
[14:57] the homeless issues
[15:00] I know this sweet little lady that you think is just a sweet lady, actually, dealing drugs. I mean, it blows your mind. I've seen open drug use. Don't want to go into all that. I just want to share my story. So it's a little emotional and I apologize. But in January of 2015, I had a potential attacker, 6 a.m., a very, very large man over six foot.
[15:29] but 26280, fully hooded, pitch black,
[15:35] I don't know where from behind me, try to grab me.
[15:39] We had to stand off the military.
[15:43] I'm screaming no one comes.
[15:47] By the grace of God, I was able to hold him again point
[15:49] to keep him from attacking me.
[15:55] And like I said, I don't want it to be about me
[15:57] and I don't want it to be about the emotions
[15:59] and all the trauma that comes with this.
[16:02] one minute. He made it down the street. I was able to get inside and call for help.
[16:13] At the 24 hour fitness about 10 days later, a woman was attacked. It was the same attacker.
[16:18] She was stabbed three times, same man, mentally ill. She survived. Thank you, God.
[16:28] But I would just want to let y'all know that he's been back twice.
[16:31] twice. Twice. He gets out and he comes back. And he's not okay. And no man ever comes
[16:40] unannounced by a woman in the pitch black, fully hooded with good intentions. And everybody
[16:46] needs to know this, but everybody needs to be able to take care of themselves and defend
[16:51] themselves. The police have not been able to help me at all. At all. Because their hands
[16:58] They're tied. There's nothing they can do. HIPAA protects him because he's mentally ill, not me. I'm the victim, not her. She's the victim.
[17:10] I just want you to know I've done what Irving said. I took the classes for safety and defense. I've taken my CHL license.
[17:21] I have the cameras installed, but this is an issue on Main Street, y'all.
[17:26] It's been a long, ongoing issue, and I get it, it fluctuates.
[17:32] I just want you to know that for me, safety is first.
[17:38] Safety for our children, safety for our elderly.
[17:41] We've got to do something about the park.
[17:44] I have noticed, like she said, tremendous improvement.
[17:47] Lots of police driving by presence.
[17:49] What a great deal.
[17:50] But can we get cops on bicycles?
[17:53] Can we get citizens on patrol, joggers, walkers, whoever?
[17:57] Can we get more help down there?
[17:59] I don't come in at 6 a.m. anymore.
[18:02] And I don't stay late at night.
[18:04] That cuts my income way down.
[18:07] But it's a serious issue.
[18:09] When your life and your ability to go home to your family
[18:14] is threatened by your work environment.
[18:17] I've had customers stop coming.
[18:20] Thank you.
[18:21] Honestly, I'm sorry, I'm out of time.
[18:23] But I want y'all to join me, please, let's get it safe down there.
[18:28] Okay.
[18:28] Thank you.
[18:29] Be nice to have kids playing in the park.
[18:35] Christopher, Christopher Espina, followed by Jessica Lesser.
[18:41] Lesher.
[18:42] All right.
[18:49] Please state your name and address.
[18:52] Pardon me.
[18:54] Christopher Espina, 720 North Story Road, Irving, Texas.
[18:58] Good evening, and thank you for your time.
[19:00] I have lived in Irving most of my life, all of my college studies were here in Irving
[19:04] at North Lake College under Alice Butler, and if I can, I would like to remain here for
[19:08] a long time yet to come.
[19:10] After the pandemic, I was fortunate enough to find employment in my city, with my community,
[19:15] in my area of study, and I loved it.
[19:18] We seem to be short staffed, however, since employees at the Irving Arts Centre will limited
[19:22] to 1,000 hours a year.
[19:24] These hours further divided by quarters, I believe.
[19:27] Some of the full-on theatrical productions, such as Nutcracker Ballets or two act shows,
[19:32] could take up to 60 hours or more of a signal technicians available hours.
[19:36] This was my personal experience with white Christmas presented by Gateway Performing Arts
[19:40] in June 2023, a show I will emphasize needed several of our technicians to work it.
[19:47] Not every show is so labor intensive, there is some downtime to be expected, but we needed
[19:53] more labor to keep up with the demand.
[19:54] The simple solution to me seemed to be to higher full-time employees rather than just part-timers.
[20:00] But for whatever reason, that's not what happened.
[20:04] The art center turned to contractors instead.
[20:07] And while for the most part we have a very friendly and good report with the contractors that come,
[20:12] I believe I should mention that the first contractor company, the art center hired,
[20:15] was immediately let go after the contract ended.
[20:18] Shortly before that, when I asked about more consistent hours,
[20:21] Because it was suggested to me by one of our tech threes that I could quit my job,
[20:26] sign up with the contractors at the time, and ask that they only send me to the Irving Arts Center.
[20:30] Which, if I had, I would currently have no job.
[20:34] I feel like we Irving Arts Center employees have slowly but surely been shoved to the side in favor of contractors.
[20:40] We were told that first that Arts Center employee hours would take priority, and that only after would contractors come in.
[20:46] When that didn't happen, we were told that city employees would work with contractors on every shift.
[20:52] And now, we theater techs are barely there at all.
[20:55] Within it.
[20:56] Thank you kindly.
[20:57] With entire crews consisting of contractors, we had two excellent light and
[21:02] sound designers that had to go to Dallas to find full time employment.
[21:05] Doing what we desperately needed them to be doing here and
[21:08] erving, we're losing talents to other cities at this point.
[21:11] Most of the art center shows our returning clients, people who often know us by name and
[21:15] in our happy to say a familiar face.
[21:17] The Balei Ensemble of Texas, all the Nutcracker shows
[21:19] at the end of the year, the Iron Gatrums,
[21:21] Craig Parker, the finest Elvis impersonator
[21:23] in the Bible belts, all shows who have been
[21:26] at the Arts Center far longer than I have.
[21:28] And now, who knows who we're gonna see
[21:30] the next time they show up.
[21:32] Thank you for your time.
[21:33] Mr. Mayor, we've actually met at the Arts Center,
[21:35] but never in daylight, only in dark, dark blue light.
[21:39] Councilman Path, congratulations on your recent victory.
[21:41] I was there with you.
[21:43] Thank you.
[21:47] Jessica Lesser, followed by Emma West.
[21:54] Hello, my name is Jessica Lesser.
[21:56] My address is 414 North East Street.
[21:58] I actually live in Arlington, Texas, 7601-1.
[22:01] Thank you for allowing me to speak.
[22:03] My name is Jessica.
[22:04] As I said, and I am an employee at the Irving Arts Center.
[22:06] I am a level one technician in the back of House Department.
[22:09] The back of House Department has a total of 12 employees, six of which are level one technicians.
[22:13] I am here today because a proposal has been put on the docket for the arts board meeting
[22:18] July 21st.
[22:19] The proposal will, excuse me, the proposal will ask to remove the tech one position.
[22:25] Their supposed reasoning for this proposal is because the Texas State Constitution only allows 1,000 hours for part time municipal employees.
[22:34] As a result of this, the Irving Arts Center is using contractors in conjunction with part time employees.
[22:40] For the last two years, the contractors have filled in where part time employees cannot.
[22:44] This has, for the most part, been a harmonious action.
[22:46] However, senior technicians at the Irving Arts Center have decided that scheduling six employees is too difficult for them.
[22:53] They wish for our positions to be removed and that we be terminated.
[22:56] There is no gain to this action.
[22:58] The Irving Arts Center's my knowledge charges $40 an hour for a technician per event.
[23:02] However, contractors have strict rules that must be adhered to.
[23:06] Whereas, we city employees can work up to a 16 hour shift for the same hourly rate.
[23:11] A contractor's pay increases depending on duration of shift.
[23:15] If the contractor's hours exceed five without a meal break, they get time and a half.
[23:20] Anything over 12 hours, they get paid double time.
[23:23] This increase is then charged to the art center, consequently the city.
[23:28] By removing six tech one technicians, the Irving Arts Center is in fact increasing their cost of labor,
[23:33] which may or may not then be passed on to clients.
[23:36] In this economy, every client is looking to save money wherever they can.
[23:41] So while the employment of six people in the grant scheme of things may not be that important in the long run,
[23:47] this action will in fact increase cost.
[23:50] A majority of the shifts at the Irving Arts Center exceed five hours without meal breaks,
[23:55] and we regularly exceed 12 hour shifts.
[23:57] One minute, clients may opt to use facilities in Capell or surrounding cities instead of the Irving Arts Center,
[24:03] merely for the reason that labor is cheaper there than at the Art Center.
[24:07] This proposal does not do the city of Irving any good financially and will in fact ruin the livelihood of the theater one technicians
[24:14] I know the city council of Irving has the authority to overrule the Irving Arts Board decisions
[24:18] I've been employed with the city of Irving for over eight years. I've been employed with the city longer than any other employee in my department
[24:26] including my supervisors as long-term employees for the Irving Arts Center and the city of Irving
[24:31] I ask the Irving City Council deny this proposal should the Irving Arts Board pass it
[24:36] So please let the Irving Arts Board know that the City Council is against such an unnecessary proposal.
[24:42] Thank you for your time.
[24:45] Emma West, followed by Steve Goyne.
[25:09] Good evening.
[25:11] My name is Emma West.
[25:13] I live at 3639 West Northgate apartment 152 urban Texas 75062.
[25:21] To the mayor, members of the City Council, citizens and friends.
[25:26] I saw on your agenda housing and it really does bring to mind some issues that we have
[25:38] been that I've known about for the last few years.
[25:44] The topic concerns me because it has been talked about for a long time.
[25:49] I have attended meetings on a foldable housing in Irving for over five years.
[25:56] In February, February the 6th of 2020, we had several meetings that were held here at this location.
[26:07] From my view, nothing has been accomplished or changed.
[26:12] First, I have the original postcard that was sent to me.
[26:18] It's dated.
[26:20] Nothing has changed.
[26:22] We're still talking, no action.
[26:28] Housing is so very important and yes, it is something that every city is fighting with,
[26:36] but there are some options that, with all of y'all and all the education sitting up there,
[26:43] I'm sure you could come up with some solutions to help.
[26:48] I don't see anything that has changed.
[26:51] And my question is, when does the plan get put into action, especially affordable housing,
[27:02] not in on the paper saying affordable housing and you get something that is three times the
[27:11] market rate?
[27:12] one minute for the general public, but real affordable housing.
[27:20] People would not always live on the street, not as many if they had some assistance.
[27:27] They don't want to be there, and you say you don't want them there.
[27:31] But your action is what matters.
[27:37] Good day.
[27:40] Steve Goen, followed by Susan Motley.
[27:53] Honorable Mayor, City Manager, City Council, Irving Police Department.
[27:57] My name is Steve Goen and I live at 3025 Luzon Road, Irving, Texas 7506O.
[28:03] Irving has been my hometown for 50 years.
[28:07] I've lived at my home for 38 and a half years.
[28:10] We have owned our business glory, our scaring for 28 years, and we have owned our building on Main Street for 26 years.
[28:17] Since my wife's rant on Facebook, we have gotten a police camera in the downtown parking lot historic district adjacent to my back door of glory house catering.
[28:26] Since that camera has been in place, I have not had to clean up defecation or wash off the stench of urination off my mural.
[28:32] I average twice a week cleaning up this mess.
[28:34] Yes, when human beings, both male and female, place their naked buttocks on the walls of
[28:40] my building, defecate and rub it in with their butt.
[28:43] This is an unacceptable act that has happened over our walls many years.
[28:48] And to de-Rozani's pizza's walls, the front door of Magnolia Chiropractic and the South
[28:53] wall of Magnolia Chiropractic many times.
[28:56] Just in Janice Lowe from Fervor Gymnastics have been cleaning up defecation from their front
[29:01] door and back doors and new urination on their walls for the eight years they have been there.
[29:07] But I mean, y'all have to clean up defecation weekly on the front porch of the pigeonhole.
[29:11] This must stop when a human being throws a two by four through the back window of my glory house van.
[29:18] When another human being breaks into my other van and defecating urnates in it.
[29:22] When another human being takes a hammer and breaks my water spicket in the back of my building.
[29:27] water runs all night long when another human tries to cut the lock off my dumpster when two other
[29:32] human beings get a boat cutter and cut off my locks and cable my dumpster and go through my
[29:37] garbage and spread it everywhere when another human being gets a spray can of fluorescent orange paint
[29:43] defaces my mural and sprays male organs on the walls of the leisure plaza and pigeonhole when
[29:49] another human being takes a rock and scratches the whale on my truck door this is all unacceptable
[29:53] I can go on and on with what we the owners of the business and hair district have been going through for years.
[30:00] Members, but pictures and videos say a thousand words. Go to my wife's face, but Joanne don't go in, G-O-I-N, and see for yourself what we've been going through.
[30:09] Gloria's catering has been feeding the homeless for over two decades through three entities. First, perhaps the Church Irving, the table Irving and the Bridge Homeless Shelter Dallas. All three of these entities have programs in place to rehabilitate the homeless.
[30:23] There are many, there are vagrancy in loitering laws in the 48 states on June 28th, 2024, Chief Justice John Roberts in the Supreme Court in a 6-3 vote paled the rights of cities to punish people for public encampment.
[30:38] The Supreme Court ruled that this did not violate the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel unusual punishment.
[30:45] On June 15th, 2021, Governor Greg Abbott signed in the law of Texas House Bill 1925, pervading public encampment.
[30:52] Texas Pino Code 4201, Provinced Deficating and Uranity and Public, and also Provinced Disturbing the Peace.
[30:59] 3 minutes.
[31:00] Texas Literate, Bateman 365 Provinced or Dispose of Literate Public or Private Property.
[31:05] CD of Irving, ECO 362, 244, enforces the Lordeering Law.
[31:11] Irving Police Department, please enforce the Law and Order in the Irving, Texas.
[31:17] Susan Motley.
[31:39] Mayor, Council, Mr. Hillman, staff.
[31:50] The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King once said, the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
[32:05] The same is true for this city and the same is true for this council.
[32:11] Council members and fellow Irving residents, let's ask ourselves how are we measuring
[32:16] up in these challenging, controversial times?
[32:20] Have our actions in recent months put us higher or lower on that scale?
[32:25] And no matter how much we, how well we'd score ourselves on that scale, how do others see
[32:32] us?
[32:33] And how can we measure up and do better together?
[32:36] Our actions and reactions to one another help to shape not only our character, but
[32:43] Irving's character, too. For our council members, your actions and
[32:48] reactions to one another and to the issues brought before you help to shape
[32:53] the culture of this council as the only members of this governing body. Only you
[33:00] can control whether this council is seen as one that is well functioning or that
[33:05] is toxic or somewhere in between. When thinking about where this council is on that scale,
[33:13] not only are your own perceptions important, but so too are the perceptions of your constituents.
[33:20] Do we, the public you serve, see you as a well-functioning team, or as a toxic one where personal
[33:27] clashes get in the way of your progress, efficiency, and reason? As a long time member of this
[33:34] community, I urge you to think on these matters and to work to make this council's culture better.
[33:42] Not for yourselves, not for me, but for our city staff, for your city staff, and all of our
[33:49] erving residents. Now, more than ever, we need great leaders who can reason and who can be
[33:57] reasoned with and who can make tough and smart decisions together to protect and serve our community
[34:04] in ways we may not be even able to anticipate today.
[34:08] Kerrville is a great example of that.
[34:12] Please, I beg you to set aside any personal vendettas
[34:17] that may be driving your recent actions and reactions to one another.
[34:22] Please focus on the problems at hand and work together to solve them.
[34:26] Please continue serving our community in ways that measure up.
[34:30] To my fellow Irvingites, please just get involved in your city.
[34:35] I don't have time to go into the rest I would say about it, but as a graduate of the Irving 360 program,
[34:43] I know that applications are currently being accepted, being accepted in July 18th.
[34:49] And I would encourage you to search Irving 360 on the city's website, IrvingTexas.gov, and apply.
[34:57] It's a great program, thank you to all city staff who participated in it.
[35:07] Okay, the next item on our agenda is a city operations update.
[35:13] Chris, do we have any update?
[35:16] Okay, just again, thank everybody for the 4th of July celebrations.
[35:22] Everybody did a great job, I had the opportunity to thank the parks board and their staff, but it really was an effort by all the departments within the city to make sure that it was successful.
[35:32] So, I want to thank all of our departments and all of our employees that were involved to make that successful.
[35:40] The next item is the Public Hearing Housing Action Plan.
[35:43] Cheney, do we have anyone signed up on this item?
[35:46] We have one speaker, Laura Anderson.
[35:59] Good evening, Mayor and City Council.
[36:01] My name is Laura Anderson, and my address is 1425 West Pioneers, sweet 114.
[36:07] I'm here basically to educate the public.
[36:12] There is an immediate need to educate the public.
[36:16] Well, here goes public.
[36:17] Constantly I hear what can we do about homelessness and
[36:21] Irving.
[36:22] Well, tonight would have been one of your opportunities to talk to council.
[36:26] On tonight's agenda is the last public hearing before council votes to approve the fiscal year 2526 annual action
[36:36] for the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Urban Development.
[36:41] Although tonight is the last night for Council to hear public input before City Council approves the plan on July 31st.
[36:48] Public input will be considered through July 18th.
[36:53] Public comments can be submitted via email to Pdenko at IrvingTX.gov.
[37:00] If you are interested in how the federal funds the city are receiving from HUD are allocated.
[37:05] I would ask you to go to the city of Irving website, look up housing redevelopment department,
[37:11] and then look at the left-hand side where it says publications and reports and read
[37:15] the 50-page draft document titled Action Plan 2025.
[37:21] I would encourage each of you to read it as well.
[37:24] If you have any comments regarding the lack of funding going towards addressing homelessness
[37:29] and Irving, please contact Patty Denko, and she will be able to assist you in recording
[37:34] your comments. Also, I'm sure the City Council will be available to hear your comments on July 31st as
[37:41] well before the final approval of the plan. As of tonight, the City Council has not received one
[37:48] comment on the action. We can do better. Educate yourself and let the City Council know what you think.
[37:55] In response to the go-ins, they absolutely are having a problem and they don't deserve what's happened to them.
[38:06] The reason that it's happening, we can argue about, but it's the lack of addressing the homelessness issue.
[38:16] Today at work session, I talked to you about a plan cost $30,000 to do a homelessness workshop.
[38:27] I would encourage you, again, Mr. Hillman, to please do that.
[38:31] It does address both those who are unhoused because of domestic violence, and those that are traditionally homeless.
[38:39] That's where we need to start, and you can figure out what to do with that $2.9 million worth of
[38:45] And also, I would encourage everybody to look at this plan.
[38:51] They get $3.1 million from HUD, $193,000 is spent just on homelessness.
[39:01] And that goes to reporting, basically taking and counting the numbers.
[39:06] If you ask housing redevelopment, how many homeless we have, they will tell you there's 45.
[39:12] 3 minutes. Thank you very much.
[39:16] Thank you. Do we have anyone else signed up?
[39:21] Okay. That will take us to our consent agenda which is items 3 through 10. Are there
[39:26] anything the council want to remove from the consent agenda if not? Identity and emotion.
[39:31] Motion to approve. We have a motion a second. Would you please vote?
[39:42] And it passes unanimously. It brings us to our zoning cases. At this time if we have
[39:47] anyone that wishes to speak for against any of the zoning cases.
[39:50] If you would please stand and be sworn in by our city secretary,
[39:54] shouldn't you, Jennings, please stand in a raise or right hand.
[39:59] If you wish to speak on a zoning case, add somebody sign up.
[40:04] So where are you?
[40:06] Please stand.
[40:08] There we are.
[40:10] Okay.
[40:11] Do you solemnly swear or affirm that all statements which you will make tonight to the city council of the city of Irving will be the truth
[40:18] the nothing but the truth.
[40:19] Thank you.
[40:22] Number 11 on our is an ordinance 2024-411-SFP considering its special fence.
[40:30] The applicant has asked that we postpone this until the August 28th meeting.
[40:34] I do need an emotion to that effect, I entertain that.
[40:38] Second.
[40:40] We have a motion and a second for a postponement.
[40:42] Would you please vote and
[40:48] it passes unanimously.
[40:49] Additionally, item number 12 is ordinance 2025-58ZZ, considering its only change from SP2, R6 Generalized Site Plan,
[41:00] single-family residential 6 to SP2, R6 Generalized Site Plan, single-family residential 6 to retain reduction, lot size,
[41:11] and to add a variance to the rear yard building setback at 8.61 hope lane.
[41:17] The
[41:23] applicant is here, are there any questions the council has of the applicant?
[41:32] Questions of the applicant, I'd return it back to council for discussion or motion?
[41:47] The construction began on this project in knowing violation that the setback was not being complied with.
[41:58] And so I appreciate the applicants coming forward to ask for approval so that I can get a variance.
[42:04] But we have a complaint from the neighbor behind, obviously that person is affected by a violation of the or a violation of that setback, it's for that reason I'm opposed to the case.
[42:19] So a motion for denial, do I have a second?
[42:25] We have a motion, a second parent denial, would you please vote
[42:39] that motion dies, so we have a motion for approval.
[42:44] and then we have the second, would you please vote now?
[42:53] I think he's got to reset it.
[42:54] There we go, would you please vote?
[43:03] And it passes five to three.
[43:07] The next item is item number 13, which is ordinance,
[43:13] 2025-166-ZC, considering his only change from HCD,
[43:18] CMU, Heritage Crossing District, considering a mixed use,
[43:21] S.P.1, R.A.B. Detailed Site Plan Restaurant with the attendance assessor uses for the sale of alcohol beverages.
[43:28] Ron Permanous Consumption at 105 South Main Street.
[43:32] We see the applicant with us.
[43:34] Are there any questions of the applicant?
[43:37] Motion is very doable.
[43:38] We have a motion in a second.
[43:40] Would you please vote?
[43:50] And it passes seven to one.
[43:56] Item number 14 is ordinance 2025178 S.F.P.
[44:01] considering a special fence project plan for a six foot tall fence within the required side yard set back on a reversed front each lot at 206
[44:11] Cummings Drive is the applicant with us on that item.
[44:21] Are there any questions of the applicant?
[44:24] Mark. Yeah, could you come in?
[44:43] Thank you for having me.
[44:44] Yes, can you state your name and address, please?
[44:46] Tobin Craig, 2209, dire drive, that's Haslet, Texas, 76052.
[44:52] There was some discussion, so if the planning is only commissioned, the case was considered with some proposed modification.
[45:01] There was a, so the, the, the fence is going to be five feet further back from where it, where it currently is? Yes, or so we're going to set it back five feet the entire way. I believe traffic had proposed us to set it back five feet and taper it to the fence line. But I believe she has a neighbor that has a tough time seeing around as that street turns. And so the proposed solution was to bring that whole fence five feet into the property. And then at that very back corner where the neighbor is affected kind of chop off the corner.
[45:29] to give them a little bit of a line of sight.
[45:32] Okay, so that the chopping off the five feet for the back, and then that we saw
[45:37] the pictures of the sight, this is a rental property, I take it?
[45:40] No, no, it's Theresa.
[45:42] She's my client back there.
[45:44] Okay.
[45:45] That tree has had grown all the way over to the, almost to the street, and that was causing
[45:51] visibility to be affected by the neighbor as well.
[45:54] What's being proposed for that?
[45:56] But could I have her speak, yeah?
[46:01] I don't want to call it a treat.
[46:10] Sir, are you representing your, yes he is.
[46:14] Okay, I need you to sign up on a lobbyist form on our website if you will.
[46:19] Thank you.
[46:19] My name's Teresa Schifflett.
[46:21] I'm the owner of the property at 506 Collins.
[46:25] Yes, I did kind of explain a little bit of why the overgrowth has happened.
[46:31] And I recently in December lost my husband and too much later lost my father.
[46:38] So there's been a lot of back and forth out of town and money issues.
[46:45] I am in the process of engaging a company that's going to come out and trim everything back so that that will help with visibility on that as well.
[46:54] So you're going to do that and you're okay with moving the fence five feet further in?
[46:59] Yes, that actually was my suggestion to move it back so that they can see in the clip core.
[47:04] Yes, thank you.
[47:06] Thank you.
[47:08] Any other questions?
[47:10] Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion.
[47:14] A motion for approval and to confirm with those three modifications, correct, is that your
[47:19] motion?
[47:19] No bill?
[47:24] Just to be clear.
[47:30] Okay.
[47:33] So I have a motion.
[47:34] A second.
[47:34] Would you please vote?
[47:40] It passes unanimously.
[47:42] Thank you.
[47:43] Item number 15 is.
[47:45] There's a 202-5186-ZC, considering the zone of change from SP2, generalized site plan,
[47:52] community commercial and hotel uses, SB1-RAB, detailed site plan restaurant with the
[47:59] attended assessor uses for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption.
[48:04] SB1-RAB, detailed site plan, restaurant with the attended assessor uses of sale of alcohol
[48:11] All beverages for on-premise consumption at 36.01, Regent Boulevard, suite 140 and 150.
[48:20] Are there any questions of the applicant?
[48:24] If there are no questions, I'd entertain a motion.
[48:28] We'll have a motion in a second for approval.
[48:30] Would you please vote and
[48:38] it passes six to two.
[48:41] The next item is ordinance 2025187ZC, considering it's only a change from CN,
[48:49] neighborhood commercial to RMF2, multifamily residential 2, and R6 single family residential 6 to HCDNMU,
[48:58] Heritage Crossing District, neighborhood mixed use, 500 west 6th street, 721 and 722,
[49:05] to Rindy Street and 712 and 718 and 802 Hilltrop Drive.
[49:16] Are there any questions of the applicant?
[49:21] See, Abdul.
[49:23] Washington to approve.
[49:24] We have a motion for approval.
[49:26] Do we have a second?
[49:27] Second.
[49:28] We have a motion in a second for approval.
[49:29] Would you please vote?
[49:39] And it passes unanimously.
[49:41] That brings us to resolution for confirming a port on appointment to the city manager
[49:46] Chair of a commission to serve on the firefighters and police civil service commission to a term expiring July 10th of 2028.
[49:58] I believe you have a motion.
[50:00] Yes, Mr. Mayor.
[50:01] I move to confirm the appointment of Benedict Park for the firefighters and police officer civil service commission to the term expiring July 10th, 2028.
[50:13] I have a comment.
[50:17] Well, do you want to go first?
[50:18] That's fine.
[50:19] Go ahead, please.
[50:20] So, just wanted to comment that it has been a lot of discussion regarding the ethics code
[50:27] and, you know, the ethics code reads that.
[50:30] Be dedicated at highest ideals of honors and integrity and all public and personal
[50:35] relationships in order that the member may mirror the respect and confidence of the
[50:40] citizens. And then when it comes to boards and appointments, the City Council will make
[50:46] all board and commission appointments consistent with the provisions of the ethics policy.
[50:52] Just want to share a little story that the person that the motion, you know, that word,
[51:00] maybe about to a point, when it was running, texted me and, you know, interested in a piano.
[51:09] And maybe this is, you know, a value for when it comes to considering the character
[51:14] of this individual, but there's been a lot of people that I have talked to that have
[51:19] shown interest in my instruments.
[51:20] Nobody has been so enthusiastic ever, and this was right after the first round, right,
[51:26] as the runoff was starting, and this person lied about his name.
[51:31] He used his middle name to deliberately conceal his political ties, and he hid political
[51:35] political moment, and then proceeded to have a very suspicious interest to get into every single room in my house,
[51:43] and to make all sorts of personal questions and actually not have much interest in the pianist there.
[51:49] So that, to me, speaks to somebody who doesn't behave with honesty, but this was, say,
[51:56] a quite obvious political stunt to try to get information, and this was anywhere all these accusations.
[52:02] We're going around about me not living in the house where I did indeed reside.
[52:07] This person double-checked that that was the case, and yet remained silent.
[52:14] And I don't think that speaks to the character of somebody that we want to have in a board,
[52:20] especially pursuing the ethics code.
[52:23] If we don't want to take that into account, maybe we should just do away with the ethics code altogether,
[52:29] because it doesn't really make sense to have it there if it's a wet piece of paper.
[52:34] But just wanted to share that, because they sell up close, it was a very bizarre
[52:39] experience, all sorts of people having interested in my pianos.
[52:45] It was, nobody has had such a conspicuous interest in my personal life.
[52:50] And then what is behind this door and what is behind that other door?
[52:54] That has never ever happened.
[52:56] So, and of course then to give all sorts of excuses to why actually, you know,
[53:01] Bob, I couldn't, I couldn't get a piano anyways.
[53:03] So, that's why I will be voting no.
[53:07] Mark.
[53:08] Yep.
[53:08] So, I had no idea who the nominee was going to be until just now.
[53:15] This is the second time we've had a council meeting where that's been the case.
[53:19] And, right, and then, as Luis just described, having somebody that is basically
[53:24] We trust passing, making misrepresentations about who they are to gain entry to somebody's house.
[53:30] And then serving on one of these public commission boards, I find it to be inconsistent with what we want for people serving on our boards on a post to the application as well.
[53:43] Chris, you want to follow up, this is your appointment, so.
[53:47] Thank you very much.
[53:49] Council members, I appreciate your thoughts and perspectives.
[53:53] This is a new information.
[53:55] I'd recommend that we postpone and do a review.
[53:58] I very much appreciate that and I don't blame you for not knowing that, but you know, decided to share that last.
[54:07] Okay.
[54:09] What's what's the pleasure of the motion?
[54:13] As I say, do you want to move forward with?
[54:20] We have to deal with the equation on the floor.
[54:22] Unless there's a mended.
[54:25] I move to amend the motion to postpone.
[54:31] I move to amend the motion to postpone.
[54:39] I move to amend the motion to a motion to postpone.
[54:42] I second the amendment.
[54:47] So we have a amended motion on the floor to postpone.
[54:54] So we vote on that motion?
[54:56] It's a vote on that motion just to postpone.
[54:58] I'd like to speak on that vote on, because I think we ought to have the maker of the appointment.
[55:05] Thank you, I appreciate that.
[55:08] Again, this is a city manager's appointment with the Consents and Final Proof of Council.
[55:13] Mayor Council, I would like to request that we postpone this so we can do a little bit more of a thorough review and be able to follow up with you.
[55:26] Okay, based on that, we have a motion and a second for your postponement.
[55:30] Would you please vote and
[55:39] it passes unanimously for the postponement.
[55:41] That brings us to the end of our regular agenda.
[55:44] Just point of order, that was a motion to amend.
[55:48] So now you are voting on the motion to postpone.
[55:55] Okay, sorry about that.
[55:57] No, that's fine.
[55:58] Just keep me straight.
[55:59] Just wanted to point out, I didn't know the name until like just now, so that's, that's, you know, I couldn't, otherwise, I would have told you in advance and avoid this whole thing.
[56:11] Okay, so now we're voting on the motion for post-pulmonary.
[56:15] We voted on the motion to amend the, now we'll vote on the motion.
[56:24] We just need to have the machinery set and
[56:40] the post-pulmonary passes.
[56:41] Kale, we're done it right now.
[56:43] Thank you.
[56:44] And that brings us to the end of our regular City Council agenda.
[56:48] We stand adjourned.