[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633301,"mediaKeyId","2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4","parentId",2665806,"title","Garland legislative staff reviews bills, council agrees to carry economic development resolution to full agenda","audioSeconds",508,"startMs",5244000,"endMs",5752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4&start=5244&end=5752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4/thumbnail_5244000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633301/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-legislative-staff-reviews-bills-council-agrees-to-carry-economic-development-resolution-to-full-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633301-4d8931d426237154bf3fd8d6e784a1ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452898&Signature=nQ8WHy4GMhL4hF2OgUrT2tCqlJfRqZ~Ef8rxaejgEufsKGGZ98lYkJtQHKRteYN7-S0iGgZdzAAFn9C2RD2aSmCueV7-~8V0zk9kTVdlOGyC8CXEuajl2eHnX9SHvYppbtN9PLIOpZ4mXQoKkuLl0LPK2hf23CkiqcyYU62wTbxUM0YFf-o-WjJPSiUh2H6QqWp59-59dthIxqV4XLCRTHzcVcS00TXbz4COHzBSZrGXLV1OhzBQ2kN8pV50pfu08nSpIfAaGlxV1cZeo4sZJwpv~3sp2ZXhHl-rRTg06br9PwsRLWbZAchG-LzmhDOU7rlPmrh1cSOd8KE809sY1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garland","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Garland legislative staff briefed the City Council on March 17 about key bills filed in the 2025 Texas legislative session and asked the council to allow a draft resolution supporting a city-sponsored qualified hotel project to move onto a future agenda.

Why it matters: The city is tracking hundreds to thousands of bills that could affect local utilities, municipal finance and economic development tools; quick council guidance on a resolution helps staff show local support during committee hearings.

Staff reported that the bill‑filing deadline had just passed and that roughly 3,000 bills were filed in the prior week; they said the total number of bills in the session was near 10,000 and staff were actively tracking roughly 1,000. The staff update highlighted utility, public‑safety, municipal finance and land‑use proposals and noted specific measures the city had submitted comments on.

The briefing named several bills by number, including the governance and funding measures affecting DART (SB 2118, HB 3187, SB 1557), and other measures the city opposed in committee such as Senate Bills 840 and 854 (land‑use matters) and House Bill 23 (third‑party inspection). Staff also said they were preparing written comments and potential committee substitutes for some bills.

On Garland’s own priorities, staff said the city’s alcoholic beverage zone bills and a qualified hotel project bill had been filed and that council’s consent to carry a formal resolution of support would be customary when those bills reach committee. Council members asked procedural questions about certain bills (short‑term rentals/ADU rules and minimum square footage language). The council unanimously agreed to move the draft resolution to the next regular agenda for formal consideration.

No formal legislative endorsements were adopted during the briefing; the council’s unanimous consent was procedural: staff will place the resolution on the next agenda for a formal action vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Garland - Work Session - Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff summarized the early 2025 Texas legislative session filings and asked council for permission to place a draft resolution supporting a Garland hotel project on a future agenda; the council gave unanimous consent to proceed.","taxTitle","Garland, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2783,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633306,"Garland introduces new director of emergency management, Joe Ellis",78,253000,331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4&start=253&end=331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4/thumbnail_253000.jpg","/articles/6633306/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-introduces-new-director-of-emergency-management-Joe-Ellis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633306-19bf695c878bed748af0f48db1f1f248/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452898&Signature=O8eh3K3xFbaXuhJrg2L7C7YeAmo7hgr6XQmp3lLyPaSDZrLctBNV93LkZHunZfONUdkYBnnG5oVF94S1-dpbjIpzkwpUzfpJlU0qquoXZBhLyk6d3~Lpxu7kpWunGWlBJPNveaHCAJlCE-TeGlRhRMX6aqn~BoOK1D6AxwjfSpCRLSJySUeiBZ0omkm-Qf1DHsVuqZIPx5m0APf3Wx-NWNjSHWlvd--q9TDV8UDdYqh3irsZNVSaPw8SyUbSrkjkkwvUBdMttxKP48uwnkv6GuWyvTspEMQR~E~DAUtKBi7wMbbUUuyBxKTBVATY7a6ZGYPSxb~XwX-F49XQi3B0fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council on March 17 heard a brief introduction of Joe Ellis, the city's new director of emergency management, who started in the position Feb. 24.

Why it matters: The director oversees the city's emergency operations and public alerts for severe weather and other incidents; council members noted Ellis' rapid involvement in issuing a recent weather bulletin.

Misty (last name not specified in the transcript) introduced Ellis and said he holds a bachelor's degree in emergency management and a Master of Public Administration; she noted certifications including Certified Emergency Manager and Master Exercise Practitioner and experience at the state level and with TxDOT. \"Please help me welcome Joe Ellis to team Garland,\" she said.

Ellis told the council he had returned to the area from Austin and said Misty had been a mentor when he started his career in 2007. The mayor noted Ellis' first emergency bulletin the prior week during high-wind weather.

The introduction was informational; council members offered a welcome and no formal action was taken.","Garland City Council on March 17 received a briefing introducing Joe Ellis as the city's new director of emergency management; Ellis started Feb. 24 and brings previous experience at TxDOT, Parkland Hospital and in the private sector.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633310,"Garland council agrees to reopen talks with developer on Owl Ice House at 519 State Street",1629,3516000,5145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4&start=3516&end=5145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4/thumbnail_3516000.jpg","/articles/6633310/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-council-agrees-to-reopen-talks-with-developer-on-Owl-Ice-House-at-519-State-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633310-a8bfa4910d24abdb096d09a1e30443b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452898&Signature=bP8yzH4z6J7zcK4QEw6aR9oxwOXX0nY4TnvOJm16HsPqRxHJs1MujwARFYV7e1NR3yNVqkuAF2UMaq~1AAFlx9v7yDDqVx~LGmbLB6j78BIleyiljcqn-k-bmj98DvHw-unB3lNmmHFXJPWHMbsKT25GIpQnpgbFHjkmFq~VW5zp-hV~Qn4~um--y8aw4MP~exswpP7yEU6~UAYamosCemzHLMBHkuHhp1B6mlIqck9kwKZGDc7-ofAlAs6fW1elItZoB0cLk3Bngy9K-SstSHFEqgXz2cSIG0ZbR5XjIE0JxV10M1eXQTGn~nq3aeUW3ssGu2~sXgasLwpmXxcgYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council voted by consensus at its March 17 work session to return to the negotiating table with the development team proposing the Owl Ice House at 519 State Street, the council said, with one member opposed.

Why it matters: The building at 519 State Street, long owned by the city, is the focal point of competing visions for downtown revitalization. A decision to re-engage preserves the prospect of a privately financed restoration but does not guarantee a final agreement; councilors said any specific terms would be discussed further in executive session.

The item opened with Mayor LeMay telling the council the purpose of the night’s discussion: to determine whether there was consensus to take the developer back to the table, not to reapprove prior votes.

Developers Don Day and partners summarized their concept and the building’s condition and finances. Don Day said the restoration would attract visitors and benefit nearby merchants and argued restaurants “do not cannibalize each other. They feed each other.” Developer Mike Luther described structural and cost concerns, saying renovation could cost “in excess of $3,000,000” and that additional hidden repairs could raise costs further; he described visible structural issues and said “that building is dangerous.”

Members of the public and downtown business owners gave mixed feedback. Several speakers praised the concept’s family‑friendly orientation and support for downtown vitality. Others, including business owner Carrie Hodson, asked for more public discussion, questioned whether a single use would be financially viable for the full building, and urged expanded marketing of the property to attract more proposals.

Council questions focused on financing structure and scale. Council member Williams asked whether a ground lease would be acceptable; developer Day said ground leases are possible but present financing challenges because banks are reluctant to finance ground‑lease projects when developers are relying on significant tenant and construction financing. Developers said artsful renderings submitted earlier overstated scale and that more accurate renderings would be prepared if talks continue.

After public comment and follow‑up, the mayor asked whether there was consensus to resume negotiations. The mayor recorded “eight in favor, with council member Dutton in opposition.” Council members said substantive competitive and negotiation details would be handled in executive session that night and that reengagement did not guarantee an agreement would be finalized.

Council members also asked staff for more administrative review: Deputy Mayor Pro Tem requested Administrative Services Committee review of the city’s process for considering economic development agreements going forward.

The council set no final economic terms during the open session; staff and the development team were scheduled to return after executive session for further action.","After public comment and a presentation from the development team, the Garland City Council on March 17 reached consensus (8–1) to resume negotiations with the Owl Ice House development team on the sales and development agreement for 519 State Street and to continue competitive matters in executive session.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633315,"DART officials brief Garland on governance bills, transit-oriented development and funding risks",3162,392000,3554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4&start=392&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2665806-90b128586a4808c97e73ddbe6696aae4/thumbnail_392000.jpg","/articles/6633315/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/DART-officials-brief-Garland-on-governance-bills-transit-oriented-development-and-funding-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633315-925f8aac1405f54712292b996b76d0a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452898&Signature=GfovKZigv6BeyeS~BjW~~exX-WjnxEohx-iUPqFF7rUr71HdjlMtiZrtgw51hSYRtqSwQu5rjIznGSb5C0C6BQ5KOd3~6kCSSzR5lK~WHJ3Whje4g~wkQu8ZwHROiTsV5wBSuEE4G8WdU0IM451n4Mt~Md~x76jB7c5LjxQhPwlVD-8wM64PAeE~rlH1ZiRCgGS~jxG0eLyWG1Sz4KdINmbNLCJmaS3f~otkUc8OcybItVy7T2LLbGAaAc63MJzn5~aU2mYXAsSVYBaNidgN1OTqKquBasrm2iD1KDKu3jqUT653RMe7z0t1qxvf515tbGHedIOxQExRCjTX8KgS6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dallas Area Rapid Transit officials told the Garland City Council on March 17 that state legislation under consideration could change DART board representation and divert a quarter of DART's 1¢ sales tax to a new general mobility fund, a move they said would sharply reduce the agency's available operating funds.

The update, led by DART Board Chair Gary Slagle and CEO Nadine Lee, summarized months of outreach to member cities and detailed a planning pipeline that includes transit‑oriented development (TOD) proposals around three Garland transit centers.

Why it matters: DART says the bills would shrink the amount of sales-tax revenue available for operations after debt service, forcing deep cuts to service and capital projects the agency and cities use for planning and economic development.

Slagle, chairman of the DART board, told council members the board has been meeting city leaders to explain a study on how DART dollars flow to member cities and to seek cooperative solutions. “We are a transit authority. We're here to provide transit and we should spend our money on trying to make improvements to transit,” Slagle said.

Nadine Lee, DART chief executive officer, identified the governance and funding measures by number and described likely effects. Lee said Senate Bill 2118 would change board apportionment to one representative per city (with Dallas' representative carrying multiple weighted votes), and that companion funding bills — House Bill 3187 and Senate Bill 1557 — would reserve 25% of the sales tax in a general mobility fund and expand eligible uses beyond current law. Lee said DART is treating the two funding measures as companion proposals.

DART staff outlined local projects and funding already committed to Garland. The agency cited a 2023 interlocal agreement (ILA) and a funding swap that programmed roughly $15 million in local funds and about $21 million in public transportation improvement (PTI) funds for the South Garland Transit Center TOD; DART said it had also executed an ILA last August to relocate the transit center and support the city's TOD plan.

Board member Mark Enoch described potential compromises the DART board is considering to respond to legislative pressure, including a DART resolution that would set aside a short-term portion of sales tax revenue to repay “donor” cities for perceived imbalances. Enoch said a possible two‑year set‑aside of roughly 5% would be discussed by the DART board; he said DART faces “very aggressive legislation” and that the agency needs proposals it can present to lawmakers as proof of compromise.

Council members pressed DART officials on safety and operations. Council member Dutton said safety concerns and equipment problems shape public perception and ridership: “If you don't feel safe getting on DART, you're not gonna ride it.” DART board and staff described initiatives including increased fare enforcement officer patrols, a system modernization program (called DART Transform) to replace fleets and update signaling, and a budget/finance committee review to quantify the effect of possible funding cuts.

DART officials asked Garland to consider a council resolution supporting full funding of the 1¢ sales tax; the transcript records informational discussion but no formal Garland vote during this work session. Mayor Pro Tem and other council members said Garland has been engaged in DART discussions and encouraged DART to continue the arbitration/working‑group process with member cities before legislative outcomes are finalized.

The DART presentation also noted ongoing TOD activity at Lake Ray Hubbard (Anthem Development has begun construction on private parcels adjacent to DART property) and that RFP responses for DART-owned land were due the week of March 17; DART staff said they would participate with city staff in evaluating those proposals.

DART officials provided several near‑term askings: public support or testimony in Austin, timely negotiation with donor cities, and cooperation on economic development tools such as DART participation in tax‑increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs). Officials said the DART board planned further committee votes and a board resolution to position the agency for negotiations with state lawmakers.","Dallas Area Rapid Transit officials told Garland council members on March 17 that proposed state bills changing board representation and diverting sales tax revenue could cut roughly 25% of DART's sales-tax receipts and sharply reduce operations; DART also described ongoing transit‑oriented development work in Garland and available local funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Garland legislative staff reviews bills, council agrees to carry economic development resolution to full agenda

Garland introduces new director of emergency management, Joe Ellis

Garland council agrees to reopen talks with developer on Owl Ice House at 519 State Street

DART officials brief Garland on governance bills, transit-oriented development and funding risks