[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6571740,"mediaKeyId","3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96","parentId",3142237,"title","Votes at a glance: Balch Springs council approves infrastructure, contracts and proclamations on April 8","audioSeconds",4983,"startMs",1072000,"endMs",6055000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96&start=1072&end=6055","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96/thumbnail_1072000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571740/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Balch-Springs-council-approves-infrastructure-contracts-and-proclamations-on-April-8","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571740-12efb8e1feb361d42df19863fd111cec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009840&Signature=AAQVCFyHYSzgavWspJilzTJuhBYFU5hWCICHweyQrq1khQH91R8nz0ejhcRkVYjGxIu2~RZaDKOpeiBpU3Bm3oP1Rwoqko4a0oTXf2ZaKAiBkIES-zpRZfZ38yxYIAvG-UwKaxiA7SGU7pnY-wu-6r4ijbOgov~HNcWw0kf5mEs9UQHrcnptOBQR43zpBZEOhaJx~HMgaZSn0sh5-aCRQtEdNUQHofEjUKHHRD36buIxeVys5rKAiWkF7jQdhlCg8EHNVwK3YMwOzLkPfCdO7IjEuwc2ne7uHXL7YwHiR6zVrPb3Z35O-2uZOeVJdCiGdYVKO33WaemV3k7KjyX0pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Balch Springs","date","2025-04-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Balch Springs City Council recorded roll-call votes on multiple agenda items at its April 8 meeting. Below is a concise listing of motions acted on, outcomes and key details.

- Consent agenda: Approval of April 2025 regular meeting minutes and removal of Marco Ollier from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for unexcused absences pursuant to Section 2-184(c)(4) of the Code of Ordinances. Motion passed by roll call (unanimous yes).

- Proclamation (J. Rueda's Trucking LLC): After debate about the council’s updated proclamation policy, council approved the proclamation for J. Rueda's Trucking LLC only and deferred Child Care Aware and Frontline Appreciation proclamations to the May 12 meeting. Motion passed (roll-call recorded yes votes as shown in the minutes).

- MCA security cameras (phase 1): Approved MCA contract for phase 1 camera installation at a cost not to exceed $90,000. Motion passed (unanimous yes).

- Right-turn lane (Elam & Shepherd): Accepted RFP 2025-00-01 and awarded a construction contract to CCGMC LLC (Series B) for a right-turn lane at Elam Road and Shepherd Lane, not to exceed $229,802.25. Motion passed (unanimous yes). Staff estimated a short construction duration and said notifications will be issued when work schedules are set.

- February 2025 financial report: City interim CFO presented the monthly financial report for February 2025; council received the report and asked staff questions; no formal contrary action was taken.

- PID bonds and service-assessment plan: Approved ordinance authorizing issuance of special assessment revenue bonds for Public Improvement District No. 1 (Mackenzie Trails) and approved an amended and restated service and assessment plan. Motion passed (unanimous yes). Final pricing disclosed in presentation: $6,181,000 at 5.76% (see bond presentation for full details).

- Amendment to service and assessment plan: Approved as part of PID actions (see above).

- RFP for developer street work / right-of-way: Accepted developer commitment and agreements where noted on the agenda (Sam 77 Inc. development agreement, detailed below); motions passed by roll call.

- Contract amendment with Dunaway Associates: Approved contract amendment for preparation/submittal of the 2025 TxDOT Transportation Alternatives grant application for sidewalk improvements to Hodges Elementary, not to exceed $19,870. Motion passed (unanimous yes).

- Development agreement (Sam 77, Inc.): Approved a development agreement to allow a 6,000-square-foot retail center at 2401 Mackenzie Road; the developer will provide sewer connection costs, an initial $15,000 local match contribution and a subsequent $50,000 contribution to the city center fund per agreement. Motion passed (unanimous yes).

- Strategic alliance memorandum (Small Business Administration): Approved a Strategic Alliance Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Balch Springs and the U.S. Small Business Administration as an official point of contact and partner for business outreach. Motion passed (unanimous yes).

- Scholarship parade: Council voted to deny holding a city scholarship parade for 2025 and directed staff to pursue alternative recognition approaches for scholarship recipients. Motion passed (majority yes, one no).

The minutes show roll-call tallies for each motion; where the transcript showed explicit roll call, votes were recorded as noted. For full roll-call records, voters should consult the official meeting minutes and the certified roll-call vote list posted by the city clerk.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Balch Springs - City Council - Apr 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of council votes from the April 8 meeting: consent items, contract awards, development agreements, grants and proclamations. Included are roll-call outcomes for each motion recorded on the meeting agenda.","taxTitle","Balch Springs, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",69448,"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},6571744,"Council votes not to hold city scholarship parade; members favor weekday recognition or additional scholarship funding",1081,6286000,7367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96&start=6286&end=7367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96/thumbnail_6286000.jpg","/articles/6571744/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-votes-not-to-hold-city-scholarship-parade-members-favor-weekday-recognition-or-additional-scholarship-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571744-ef23e3584714e563b50b74abfe7aff46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009840&Signature=HyZdBTSLHWdNDmCNnmcLgSp~qZIwSfNRZ7DUsPGRuK6YVbQCdaT-f~wmEdWaACkbaYZ9gy2jXH5~W-lV6cvqfLbbQYHSDzk0KxBs6gYuWOwlfTKrdVCWvcivfByGGF0XpvkPNQ8H9FX~DJsxiIYnKwal95yzd4qzWnCKFl0doaN5obgFmQI3Coq2z7wIZ5cHUvzF1JTeryDu2wrIsuK-QtqorGLL2mSdiAQadAZIvNGizRJWzToNseJ1FT78zJgFohSbA~Jjw3RSrgSTRXSc4xg8W2bagXm7rZ9wjP1xi9S1vZuPJeM8I5i7M9qk06rFvmymUBT-gCrrifwkNNw0hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Balch Springs city council voted 5–1 on April 8 to deny holding the annual city scholarship parade this year, citing concerns about staff overtime, unclear student participation and preferences to recognize recipients at weekday council meetings.

Staff presented background on the scholarship program and said the organizing committee needed a council decision about whether to proceed with a parade. Councilmember Garcia, a member of the committee, said she supported recognition but wanted students to be central to any parade; she moved to deny the parade when questions remained about student participation and overtime costs for Saturday events. Councilmember Hill seconded the motion to deny.

Several council members described prior approaches: in some years staff and city vehicles drove to recipients’ homes, in other years students gathered at the library or council chambers for presentations. Councilmember Hill suggested returning to weekday in-chamber recognition and presentation of scholarships. Mayor Pro Tem Miles and other council members highlighted staff overtime costs for weekend parades and suggested that the money could be reallocated to scholarship awards.

The motion to deny the parade carried on roll-call vote. Staff and council members said they will proceed with scholarship presentations by other means and that the committee should consult winners about whether they wish to participate in any community event; staff noted 24 applications had been received to date and nine scholarship awards typically were selected.

No additional budget allocations were adopted at the meeting; council directed staff to use existing processes to present scholarship awards and to bring any request for additional funding back to council for approval.","After discussion about costs, staff time and student participation, the council voted to deny holding a city scholarship parade. Several members suggested bringing student recipients to a weekday council meeting or reallocating parade budget to scholarships.",{"_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},6571749,"Council OKs $90,000 contract with MCA for first phase of security camera upgrades",240,2218000,2458000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96&start=2218&end=2458","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96/thumbnail_2218000.jpg","/articles/6571749/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-OKs-90000-contract-with-MCA-for-first-phase-of-security-camera-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571749-b9953959572909daecb0b46e24ca8db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009840&Signature=dIHeeqgyXIsSglAkl9tk4cgXFTCLkGf6E956xPLlVt3bM5dCaG1Tre6QkO2GWujnblifA0sJ6d-kLsCjZk5o6cCn9iqUT7W5fWz5ZpQuZ-MIWrqN5~sex9OH7gzzCquKahny7JMVnDAgQP6TnFbmElPaFSwXxQsIb7hlGZyHqsJGjAG7eYvGjCMPhxZ4yIQTTiwv~g2eXiK97CLnPvtb9z9GiaxHSdmTdRcwDwRyQ6MPOzcueuUJMyf9dgUJ3uvgahbJwGXyTfkx6bu-Ybc~Zaus1zYQNoqY7GmA0EWlAveGygg9r4B5cDdmLNHolm5Gnx5zpv1bc8TL0dsNY1yigA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Balch Springs city council approved a contract for an information-technology vendor to install the first phase of a citywide security camera project at a cost not to exceed $90,000.

Jessica, the city’s IT director, presented the proposal and said staff conducted two walkthroughs with vendors and selected MCA as the preferred vendor. Phase one covers the municipal court building, the animal services facility and the senior center; staff said the project is budgeted within the FY2025 capital plan and a total camera program budget of $276,000 appears in the council packet.

Councilmember Hill moved to approve the MCA contract for phase one at a cost not to exceed $90,000; Mayor Pro Tem Miles seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.

Staff noted that phase two is expected to cost a similar amount (roughly $90,000) to cover the library and recreation facilities, and that each phase will be returned to council for approval as budgeted. The city manager said packet materials include budget and fiscal impact information and that staff will present the full budget implication for subsequent phases when they are requested.","The council approved an agreement with MCA to install security cameras at the municipal court, animal services and senior center as phase one of a multi-phase public safety camera project, not to exceed $90,000.",{"_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},6571754,"Council adopts Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan to guide downtown growth",1503,5034000,6537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96&start=5034&end=6537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96/thumbnail_5034000.jpg","/articles/6571754/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-adopts-Elam-Road-Corridor-City-Center-Master-Plan-to-guide-downtown-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571754-419353c9aef1549f6dd38a020be1460c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009840&Signature=BY87M3yxff~Xbi5YbdFH3cQf8ZHeOut6v0r6uLpCTitTincXw6LTH8318csslsrSXs4-maXOJb3lWvouRycT-SSa1SlAixU1Per57~a~ewRCThoqG4KKY9fH2~YseLw1~NSg2AlhzQPDCz1x9~dCNxYYitPHdKFcFNc0XbpaE8JmiNkFRE7P1RiAL14PsUv-oYXRiCoKoUiRQqWinfnX96~LwsJuoWj5XNKpP-IfEqnvjJS4YkAkk-wPkt-T3iln606Ge7VeYktwUEMZxLvPV-Llt8GzgAw1dIVnEsSlcwwXosRCj6zKCkF8r7vlS37Epx83ARUYApQ80iivQuHu9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Balch Springs city council adopted the Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan on April 8, approving a policy document intended to guide future zoning, public improvements and redevelopment along the Elam Road corridor.

Consultants and staff briefed council on a year-long planning process that included public workshops, market analysis and four subarea concept plans. Chris (consultant) summarized the plan’s vision to create a \"town-center\" destination that improves connectivity, provides trails and park-once access to retail and civic uses, and supports infill and redevelopment.

City staff told council that the plan aligns with the 2050 comprehensive plan and that the city has already secured a federal/state grant to fund a feasibility and engineering design study for a portion of the corridor, with approximately $1.6 million available and a $400,000 local match under discussion. Councilmembers praised the public engagement process and the illustrative concepts; Mayor Pro Tem Miles said the plan was \"a long time coming.\" The council voted unanimously to adopt the plan.

Staff said adoption is a policy step: implementation will involve zoning code updates, design standards and further engineering work tied to grant-funded projects. Council members discussed using developer partnerships and a city center fund to support infrastructure and right-of-way projects. The city manager and planning staff said they will return with implementation steps, including zoning and funding agreements.","Balch Springs council voted to adopt the Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan after a year of public engagement and study; staff said adoption allows the city to move into implementation steps such as zoning changes and engineering grants already in progress.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571759,"Balch Springs approves $6.18 million PID bond, amends assessment plan for Mackenzie Trails",553,2986000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96&start=2986&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3142237-ee8ce9692ac06d0429fc1b035cb73a96/thumbnail_2986000.jpg","/articles/6571759/Balch-Springs/Dallas-County/Texas/Balch-Springs-approves-618-million-PID-bond-amends-assessment-plan-for-Mackenzie-Trails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571759-afe042f980dc63cb2ee8a65ea6890726/orig.mp4?Expires=1771009840&Signature=CDPZcf3DHZkaDBu5Xx6KRT7bIsLKw08KVsdhIIQr64G3qe7fyjv9wmDDMFl5vtEb1cGnuECCRvjkxKcm0VEnG7YK-4ri63t7L-ucI0SBWKOEFQIWjxgXjUQLw18o8uVYrdIkiaFYSR9cNr~FIeFraMa5s-lYo6gEIdHSUgaogO-3MWdxa6XiRCEvp-WrfNwyqNtqZeo2ElY-7vjhfb8ItV~~tlQLQkAqazI2iGCkxCZdIIjfSIEEqDL5cMJlrNN6hgsmNvwkCpL4WDSwJ~7flE5KzB8h0NPvEc4~GgnT9Y-0uJ9MMN-KY5A0QXU~GrDI8cdQ9~MXANXsbgNRxhLZiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Balch Springs city council voted to authorize a special-assessment revenue bond tied to the Mackenzie Trails Public Improvement District and approved a related amendment to the district's service-and-assessment plan on April 8.

The ordinance authorizes issuance of bonds to fund public improvements tied to the Mackenzie Trails development. Andre Iel of Hilltop Securities, the city's financial adviser for the transaction, told council the bonds priced April 8 yielded a final bond amount of $6,181,000 and a fixed interest rate of 5.76%: \"we ended up with a 5.76% interest rate fixed all the way through February and that's what . . . gives us the final bond amount of $6,181,000.\" Iel said pricing produced higher interest costs than earlier estimates and reduced the developer reimbursement amount to about $5,030,000.

Daniel Andrade of P3Worse, the PID administrator, summarized the requested amendment to the service-and-assessment plan, which staff said is necessary so bond documents and the assessment roll match the planned financing. City staff recommended approval of both the ordinance and the amended plan.

Councilmember Whitley moved approval of the ordinance and councilmember Hill seconded. The roll call showed unanimous support; the motion carried. Council then approved an amended and restated service-and-assessment plan for Public Improvement District No. 1 by separate motion, also adopted by roll call vote.

City staff and advisors said the bonds are structured so the assessments and related costs will be paid from the PID revenues rather than general fund sources; the bond maturity mirrors the PID assessment schedule through 2054. Hilltop reported the transaction drew orders from institutional buyers and that, if the council moves forward, the city expects to close on the financing on or about May 21.

Council discussion noted the long development timeline and that the city’s role in the transaction is limited to authorizing the financing and ensuring that reimbursement and administrative procedures are followed. No council member requested changes to the financing terms during the meeting.

The council action amends previous PID documents and allows the city to proceed with bond closing, subject to final documentation and approval by the attorney general’s office.","City council approved issuance of special assessment revenue bonds tied to the Mackenzie Trails public improvement district and adopted an amended service-and-assessment plan to match the financing terms. Council approved a final bond amount based on a 5.76% interest rate and set a tentative closing date of May 21.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Balch Springs council approves infrastructure, contracts and proclamations on April 8

Council votes not to hold city scholarship parade; members favor weekday recognition or additional scholarship funding

Council OKs $90,000 contract with MCA for first phase of security camera upgrades

Council adopts Elam Road Corridor City Center Master Plan to guide downtown growth

Balch Springs approves $6.18 million PID bond, amends assessment plan for Mackenzie Trails