[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6533337,"mediaKeyId","3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8","parentId",3789154,"title","Board approves consent agenda; vice‑president election inconclusive, to revisit in July","audioSeconds",279,"startMs",5386000,"endMs",5665000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8&start=5386&end=5665","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8/thumbnail_5386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533337/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/Board-approves-consent-agenda-vicepresident-election-inconclusive-to-revisit-in-July","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533337-7b8a6c5292d423213a4726745f44f200/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650225&Signature=W8wjYH0W2Q1iBalqLULRWVU0corj0j-MSWEgLZJQNSBOZRzfbeB47vp1Yj-u-40GJC89ohKrTgD~ZvSf80wHNVeQ552XmpKat01snJtK--uXmqP7cb82WChpb2jSaYaYHktDdTA90UTvmhtnZEN7WuxusY-tSZ~itOhIkX4r5pcpJpoBbJhcexqaAkxlfhBdUQ8Vb1YP7C7FCB99bjAOqqQu7mGFjEoIAp~WTu7UzhYiKvVs~5BUgd5S5wS~~PXpNZlyEXLH9hfwZgCdhnl1k7OseWajNGEnT0sjb5VDlcesF4CeC3L~1c0XEN5T4R5VPxJB3Lz~qlMwJvVzz-ihtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","DeSoto","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","The DeSoto Economic Development Corporation approved its consent agenda and financial reports and began a contested election for the office of vice president that the board did not resolve at the meeting.

A motion to approve the consent agenda — which included approval of minutes for the May 8, 2025 meeting and the financial statements for April and May 2025 — was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair called the vote and said, \"Ayes have it; it has been approved.\" No roll‑call tally with named votes was recorded in the meeting transcript.

The board then recessed into an executive session described on the record as pursuant to the Texas Government Code, section 551.087 (economic development deliberation). When the board returned to open session, staff reported “no action” taken as a result of the executive session.

During the governance portion of the meeting directors nominated candidates for vice president. One director self‑nominated (identified in the transcript as McKayla/Mikaela) and another director nominated Mark Jones. The board held votes while only four directors were present; the vote remained split and no final selection was recorded. Staff and board members said the election will be revisited at the next meeting on July 10, to allow the full board to participate.

Board counsel noted the bylaws as summarized at the meeting describe the vice president’s role primarily as substituting for the president and performing other duties the board assigns; the transcript did not record a more detailed list of vice‑president duties. The board discussed options for handling the tie, including holding the vote again when more directors are present.

No final officer‑election outcome was recorded during the meeting. The consent agenda approval and the executive‑session outcome were recorded as actions taken on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","DeSoto - Economic Development - Jun 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved minutes and financial statements for April and May 2025, held a closed executive session with no action, and began an election for vice president that ended without a final selection and will be revisited at the July 10 meeting.","taxTitle","DeSoto, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",4572,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533342,"EDC highlights bio‑science cohort, aviation training and largest DeSotoWorks job fair to date",0,3059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8&start=3059&end=3059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8/thumbnail_3059000.jpg","/articles/6533342/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/EDC-highlights-bioscience-cohort-aviation-training-and-largest-DeSotoWorks-job-fair-to-date","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533342-c877720967b2cb2e2c6c29e3e5c30d3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650225&Signature=I8sZ4niwXrrMrHHKANTRrczltZB3Xhb3RveaB8Hcj0571fyzMa3uEj83qoQwcTeT0HzV-Ar39~N78vjhfimJbIhAyOh9JX0VxPlDvJ7tdw0CznQwdC7mBSzJ8eMMq~dfPJBlKDavUNo9Teir9Q4pT83~MygUivcx5~HBe5rk0C~mFHwIrMw-r6TA-AZmiA5axAf122fpJd6HZFeQYn2OqboncfK~e~Lfy11NvmsNDJ2w6iDvaVY60o3BD8DLu8pE49uvEm3eEhcDyg1~6Wewh87O464EVj8vU5LieF~jSpyZ1b0pZ8fuaQMocbVRqZhdVwZUNiwcrxnNOo58gIe6cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Economic development staff reported several workforce initiatives intended to build local pipelines for life‑science, aviation and construction careers.

Staff described a bio life‑science cohort launched with DeSoto ISD and partners. The EDC said the cohort in the summer program is one of three in the United States and will continue in the fall under an extension of a grant; staff said follow‑up is underway to connect students to internships and next steps.

On aviation, staff summarized work to establish a training center at Executive Field in cooperation with Dallas College and industry partners. The first aviation cohort has 24 participants in a 13‑month program; staff said future scheduling will include day, evening and weekend cohorts and that about two‑thirds of training can be done before age 18 in partnership with CTE programs.

Other workforce items include a construction teacher externship with regional workforce partners and a series of HR roundtables intended to connect human resources leaders and general managers from local employers.

Staff also reported that the ninth annual DeSotoWorks job fair drew 830 jobseekers and 51 employers — the largest job fair to date — and said rain likely kept additional attendees away. The EDC is considering a larger venue for future fairs.

For staffing and budgeting, the EDC said it has earmarked an additional $40,000 in its draft budget to support workforce programs going into the next fiscal year.

Board members applauded the programs and encouraged continued collaboration with DeSoto ISD and regional partners to scale pathways into local jobs. Staff said the aviation and bio cohorts are intended to create career pathways for residents and to supply trained workers for regional employers.","Staff described a bio life‑science cohort (one of three nationally), a new aviation training cohort at Executive Field, construction teacher externships and a DeSotoWorks job fair that drew 830 jobseekers and 51 employers.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533347,"EDC reports dozens of retail, entertainment and life‑science leads from recent conferences",643,2197000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8&start=2197&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8/thumbnail_2197000.jpg","/articles/6533347/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/EDC-reports-dozens-of-retail-entertainment-and-lifescience-leads-from-recent-conferences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533347-c6a256193311c6fd6cad37ba38e50d34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650225&Signature=RAYIvV8HXxDEg38L3SsKfDEtOxiaDklWrdwHDw5ie4M0NUBdLA0c7Vh~I923uAGvCcKyndJlG3J29i~4goWFVwyrF4aTokCAHmh~urdJAGFeAF9f7bj-7UhSHtfYFoJCsh6RnXAAMgUYGoUzFR2W6Y8dpZm6dzFEhkzaqigVQ7uyhnioIrweKms3VgZX05S4z0-T0f2Cz2xrIy4P3le8KvhVDF0eZw1PiHzZm5VWjXLIAty3LxLCvwMYyvrfDRGzxTSqnVKe0pnHxNi1e4Ft7igCu8LoZCGInIs8g-XbGYC3GYB1phQRIeFcvqcSdkO3CnDrMv1Z5Mxb5qf~hSo6vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DeSoto economic development staff told the board they completed dozens of business development meetings at recent industry conferences and returned with follow‑up opportunities across retail, food and life‑science sectors.

At the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference in Las Vegas, staff reported roughly 34 meetings over 48 hours, including retailers, food‑and‑beverage concepts, data vendors and entertainment concepts. Staff said about 15 new retailer prospects and roughly six development opportunities emerged for further work.

At SelectUSA, staff said the Texas pavilion and regional outreach generated about 300 total leads and roughly 15 DeSoto‑specific follow‑up opportunities focused on biotech, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The EDC said it will attend the Bio International Conference in Boston the following week and had eight meetings scheduled there with life‑science brokers and regional developers.

Antoine, a staff presenter, walked through counts and specific categories from the shows and said the trips generated measurable leads but noted those conversations often depend on the city resolving local site and zoning questions before deals can be advanced. He said the team has already started follow‑up with developers and retailers.

The board discussed communications and community messaging around the trips. One board member urged staff to “brag a little” in the newsroom by sharing pictures and meeting highlights so constituents can see active outreach. Staff agreed to tailor messaging for both business audiences and the general public.

Staff compared DeSoto’s representation to neighboring cities at ICSC, noting some peer cities had fewer scheduled meetings or smaller delegations. They also said multiple hotel projects are in progress, and that DeSoto’s near‑term hotel inventory is projected to reach about 1,300 keys within roughly a year, which staff said supports additional retail and entertainment activity.

Board members reiterated the recurring theme: conferences generate interest, but the city’s ability to convert meetings into on‑the‑ground projects depends on clearing zoning, parking and adjacency questions and on timely city responses.

No formal board action was taken during the outreach report.","Economic development staff reported meetings at ICSC Las Vegas, SelectUSA and upcoming Bio International in Boston with follow‑ups on retail, food and life‑science prospects; staff said many opportunities remain contingent on local zoning and site readiness.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533352,"DeSoto board presses to clear zoning, RFP plans as Hampton Road projects stall",1487,301000,1788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8&start=301&end=1788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789154-978710dc9e42d06a950d58bb5a35e3a8/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6533352/DeSoto/Dallas-County/Texas/DeSoto-board-presses-to-clear-zoning-RFP-plans-as-Hampton-Road-projects-stall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533352-57fa297ca9cf63cf4f08d3762872620f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650225&Signature=J-Q0uM98QH6IV6VR8WSQL8IMC5fFLIarrtQwMEhopXoIYJp3pB2rS7OmxkEei1aScBrLi9yiRMHPzwDHyGwJVbRK9aIHj7JNlxKSjUdFT7Y~j4pzOvzda6b59Lmzyrn4oCQ-MIU7Yv2Rk6ZUgwkXxRpQEX1KubON4DUOATeslN1k~CuFFx2-V12SID~S0UuKnpvVqGLGzsH7T9jIghfN4oJuJGxLHvMju1XOVGl0PKBTLsEskvCpr8YsnmVNr4JMi9GBsH-AHMCqOCPust-AenCfE0ecVN4l2UfPytAMVVOLZl-kiMFyTIU5q0uOSJcfBeY23qfMJGl9sKmcKlSHgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members at the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation on Thursday pressed staff to accelerate rezoning and design work at the Hampton Road and Beltline intersection, saying uncertainty over zoning and adjacent parcels is deterring developers.

The board heard that the city now owns two key parcels at the intersection — roughly 24 acres on the south‑southwest corner and a second site at the northwest corner now occupied by Community Missionary Baptist Church — and plans to produce a limited RFP to the development community. Staff said the RFP will include design guidance and opinions of probable cost for intersection work, and that design firms have been asked to advise on engagement with TxDOT.

Why it matters: Board members said delays on rezoning and the absence of mixed‑use character code at key intersections are prompting potential tenants and developers to pause. Private developers face real carrying costs while properties are under contract; several speakers said that uncertainty makes underwriting and financing riskier and can cause projects to move elsewhere.

Matt, a staff presenter, said the city plans to use the RFP to test development concepts and to share results with council. He described the work as part of a broader push to create “a frictionless environment that people want to develop in,” and added that a new development services director and a new planning manager have recently joined the city to help advance the work.

Board members gave a concrete example: a private owner proposing a new restaurant building described in the meeting as a roughly $3,000,000 project has delayed final construction because rezoning rules and adjacency conditions (setbacks, parking and circulation) remain unresolved. Staff said those details cannot be finalized until a rezoning decision establishes form, parking and placement expectations.

Members asked staff to add Hampton Road rezoning to the agenda of an August joint meeting of boards, commissions and council so the council can hear the issue directly. Staff also said it is developing a dashboard to track project status and stages, which board members requested to improve accountability and speed interventions.

Board members stressed the cost of delay. “Time kills things,” one board member said, urging quicker timelines and clearer communication with potential investors.

Staff indicated the character code for Hampton Road was adopted previously but that implementing mixed‑use zoning categories remains unfinished and is being prioritized. Board members and staff agreed to pursue the RFP and to return with a clearer schedule and updated materials to present to council and to the public.

The board did not take formal regulatory action during the discussion; members asked staff to report back with the RFP timeline, draft zoning language options and the dashboard metrics.","Board members and staff discussed stalled redevelopment at the Hampton Road and Beltline intersection, citing missing mixed‑use zoning, adjacent parcel uncertainty and developer risk. Staff said an RFP and design work are planned; rezoning will be raised at an August joint meeting if unresolved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda; vice‑president election inconclusive, to revisit in July

EDC highlights bio‑science cohort, aviation training and largest DeSotoWorks job fair to date

EDC reports dozens of retail, entertainment and life‑science leads from recent conferences

DeSoto board presses to clear zoning, RFP plans as Hampton Road projects stall