[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6568258,"mediaKeyId","3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245","parentId",3205920,"title","Garland introduces new code compliance and project-management directors","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",133000,"endMs",445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245&start=133&end=445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245/thumbnail_133000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568258/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-introduces-new-code-compliance-and-project-management-directors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568258-0aa775c915c177f15f741a08c07bef0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084752&Signature=V2moCvcwnpbVJXihUr7vBbbXSR7IyTMQ0uXWmind2uWbTsmk~PiIe77XeIL8AJV3bDjat~sRO1PBN9XkiwQOznXWVd8UCUOMznfEZVANy8v4wB7Ou-7MahFFmEqtnj4650pR3DVn7sZyc6xwD0y7MQDx0jq1EYY-A7MNwPNY2LqwqaHqA6UfRP4C1Y-ZsWLv40vn79EjUENpTZsxB65AnG0bmNLn5UnHUEz5ixRFRC42OevcOsViQYxjsHzVDPyO0p2V9l-3tLUDkYAtExvSLy~sj9neMS0W79TfbboueJ0B4Y~rYYlmnYQDGEHoW3dw3oI8WQYJFNijV2lKGAEoNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garland","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","The Garland City Council introduced two new department directors during the May 5 work session.

Mayor LeMay introduced Brian Morris as the city's new director of code compliance. Morris, who most recently worked for the City of Dallas and has prior experience in suburban Atlanta communities, told the council he sees code compliance as a tool for economic development and emphasized \"customer service\" as a priority. \"What people see when they drive through the community has a major impact on whether or not they want to live, work, and invest, and play inside the city,\" Morris said.

Council also heard an introduction for Michael Buckler, the new director of the city's Project Management Office, presented by Crystal (staff). Buckler, who comes from the City of Irving and has experience managing large bond programs and private-sector construction projects, said he looks forward to supporting Garland's capital work and meeting council members.

The introductions were verbal briefings; no formal council action was taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Garland - Work Session - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council held brief verbal introductions for Brian Morris, new director of code compliance, and Michael Buckler, new project management office director.","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},6568263,"Council briefed on 2025–26 CDBG, HOME and ESG recommended allocations; formal consideration set for July 8",527,488000,1015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245&start=488&end=1015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245/thumbnail_488000.jpg","/articles/6568263/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-briefed-on-202526-CDBG-HOME-and-ESG-recommended-allocations-formal-consideration-set-for-July-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568263-56c5cf55ba8c19ffad8a783934e28943/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084752&Signature=AR5TRtvMZKiK1FeBDQ-7boK2LBJ7SOTY7k-tcVhcfabqmMrjptqpPEU~vsIl98S4rnAIoc73WV5PV03ublN6Dki9ebkYdJWkOo3brzPlWbGIBxYk1waDsCnJtwqezhCr8WURk0-qIJ6g~rpsKq6eftzvPJMGC3jH~V1lGnVbfewvYXAG6SpyUONfhurVhqu8V5o69zl-Afa0q3QslxZqBq-rWkTD2L3q-rlFIn6apOkPcTzrkIYLkBx0YVRuM9yZDUg6Kx-EnsQoP237VHG01ZE7m9FQJtgvNBuejcSMMqRLDcDW5HJUrOE6AmEYDoq5JLGPLL49LvkxSnq-V11~9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the draft 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) allocations to Garland's City Council at the May 5 work session. Staff said the recommended funding level is based on level funding assumptions while federal appropriations remain uncertain; formal action on the allocations is scheduled for the July 8 regular meeting.

Staff described the city's expected entitlement estimates as approximately $2,070,000 for CDBG, $640,000 for HOME and about $188,000 for ESG, noting actual federal award amounts will be finalized later in the year. For public-service grants under CDBG, staff listed recommended averaged allocations (averaged across council submissions) to local nonprofits and programs, including: Garland Police boxing program $35,359; STAR summer pro camp $42,698; parks after-school program $37,204; elderly yard care $21,432; Greater Dallas Ombudsman program $21,269; V&A Meals on Wheels $13,735; Hope Store New Beginning Center $20,601; Achievement Center student tuition $19,093; Counseling Institute family therapy $14,370; Hope Clinic medical clinic $50,995; Salvation Army rental assistance $24,536; Restoration Church summer camp $4,761; Under 1 Roof (new applicant) $2,199; Family Gateway (new applicant) $2,323.

On city projects funded by CDBG staff proposed approximately $250,000 for code enforcement, $650,000 for the Garland Home Repair Program (housing rehabilitation), $445,825 for the South Garland Library outdoor project and $414,100 for CDBG administration, for a staff-projected city CDBG total of $1,759,925. For HOME funds staff said 15% is allocated to the Community Housing Development Organization (Chouteau Habitat) at $96,130, with $480,650 for new home construction projects and $64,087 for HOME administration, totaling $640,867. ESG allocations listed included Hope Store New Beginning $73,205; Metro Relief street outreach $18,000; Transcend CD emergency shelter $20,000; rapid rehousing rental assistance (Under 1 Roof) $20,007.74; Transcend CD rapid rehousing $20,007.73; Hope Store New Beginning $20,000; ESG administration $14,007, for a total ESG request of $186,759.

Staff noted some line items increased or decreased versus last year and provided comparative figures on several programs during the briefing. Several council members asked staff to clarify which allocations rose or fell; staff ran through prior-year amounts for the programs. Staff said the total public-service pool and entitlement levels were effectively similar to last year, and new applicants were included among the recommended public-service awards.

The council did not take a final vote May 5; staff said the proposed allocations will be placed on the July 8 regular meeting agenda for formal consideration and action.

The presentation materials and final award amounts will be subject to the city's formal adoption process and federal award confirmation.","Staff presented the proposed 2025–26 federal allocations for CDBG, HOME and ESG programs and listed specific public-service and capital allocations; council was briefed and the funding plan will be on the July 8 regular meeting for formal consideration.",{"_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},6568268,"Garland council hears pitch for citywide text-based primary care; gives staff consent to pursue details",4069,1655000,5724000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245&start=1655&end=5724","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3205920-2efa11a5f23b7c4bf6b95825805d3245/thumbnail_1655000.jpg","/articles/6568268/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-council-hears-pitch-for-citywide-text-based-primary-care-gives-staff-consent-to-pursue-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568268-83b8014083eeffbc4db3d348912fab4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084752&Signature=PVu3sWWtMpwdJOLmN9TBQUy27~mb2~64EDFBSLv3JguoRJLLgGIpV9EElmnB87XrM9Ldb3dd1I1SlTduwpqdh9JbYVyJdj1rjyWT8zE0ly15rqo1UBeI0FWVEGWIteqW0zqR5C3oh57ttylSlBxaXBx3JxGP5ySLYe0VX9uo3Wt9D-grRouzyFPLznczkFV4Z9WsY6lciyDyXxd1fw2JZf8jzfhoiQiiUrtvk-Toa4QRdB9Ce2R61YoP8czRL6kEDn2HdtNA890QpIM4QXJUhVRDz0zvyT3dArxxszvTDI-uSxQMi74RG6yEmFxiiOgPEX5SO2JEjI66uZQyKb4p5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland City Council heard a detailed presentation May 5 from MD Health Pathways about a citywide, text-first telehealth service that the company said could be offered to Garland households and small businesses on an opt-out basis through utility billing. Council members unanimously gave consent for the city manager to continue exploring options with the vendor, with further analysis of administrative impacts and messaging to follow.

MD Health Pathways representatives told council the program pairs rapid text-message clinical triage with follow-up video or phone care when needed and aims to reduce unnecessary emergency-department visits and school absences. \"Our emergency departments, our EMS have become the easy buttons for our community, and the public just needs another easy button,\" said Dr. Dirk Parrott, an emergency physician who co-founded the service.

The company described an opt-out fee structure tied to utility billing. For Garland MD Health Pathways offered an introductory price of $6 per household per month for the first two years (rising to $7 in year three and $8 in year four before reaching the vendor's standard rate), covering up to 10 people per household; the company said city employees would receive the service at no charge. MD Health Pathways estimated the launch would require hiring roughly 25 additional medical providers (including advanced practice providers) to serve a city Garland's size, and said the program operates 365 days per year though not 24 hours.

Brooks Williams, city manager of Ferris, which has operated the program for several years, told council the service became his municipality's most-used city offering, helped reduce unnecessary EMS 911 calls and lowered school absences. \"For us, this has been an absolute, game changer,\" Williams said.

Council members focused on several operational concerns: the opt-out default and customer notification, how multifamily or master-metered properties would be handled, language access, pharmacy and imaging partnerships for cash-pay imaging, and liability. MD Health Pathways said it uses auto-translate for non-English text exchanges, will partner with translation services for video visits, and offers negotiated cash prices for imaging and prescriptions when appropriate. The vendor said the typical opt-out rate in other jurisdictions has been about 12–15% and that it would run an active community engagement campaign (schools, churches, chamber, utility-billing outreach) as part of implementation. The company offered to provide refunds for any resident who said they did not realize the fee appeared on their bill, for up to 90 days after launch.

City staff said additional work is needed to quantify the administrative burden of opt-out billing and customer service and to confirm legal and liability protections. Garland's city attorney told council he did not identify a waiver of immunity that would increase city exposure from the proposal.

Council member Susan Bass, chair of the Community Services Committee, and other members said they supported further study. \"I think the reward greatly outweighs the risk,\" Bass said, while noting messaging and implementation details will be important. The council's action was consent for the city manager to continue exploring the program; staff will return with further information before any formal contract or ordinance is considered.

If pursued, MD Health Pathways told the council it would seek a warm introduction to the Garland Independent School District so the vendor can coordinate outreach to school nurses and secretaries, with the stated goal of reducing preventable absences by providing quick clinical access for families.

Next steps identified by council and staff include: a more detailed administrative and costs analysis by city departments (utility billing, customer service), legal review of billing and opt-out procedures, and a follow-up presentation to council. No contract or fee was approved May 5.","MD Health Pathways presented a text-first telehealth program that city officials said could be funded by an opt-out utility-billing fee; council gave unanimous consent for the city manager to continue exploring the program and its administrative implications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Garland introduces new code compliance and project-management directors

Council briefed on 2025–26 CDBG, HOME and ESG recommended allocations; formal consideration set for July 8

Garland council hears pitch for citywide text-based primary care; gives staff consent to pursue details