Hannah Emerson

The Public Administration Committee meeting addressed several substantive agenda items. Key discussions included follow-up on the Challenge Coin and Volunteer Recognition Event, which involved reviewing proposed written guidance for both initiatives. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the proposed 2026 rate adjustment methodology presented by Republic Services for waste management services, noting that full financial details, such as rate of return and recycling cost/profit data, were still pending from the provider. The committee also forwarded proposed council policies, as detailed in Attachment A of the staff report, to the city council for review and approval.

The agenda for the meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office and subsequent approval of the minutes from the January 8, 2026, regular meeting. The primary focus consisted of two public hearings. The first addressed CUP 25-10 regarding a proposal to establish a daycare at 174 SW River Drive. The second public hearing was a continuance for LA 25-05, an update to the Dallas Development Code to define a new Mixed-use (MU) land use category. Other business included a discussion of the Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) initiative.

The City Council Work Session included the presentation of part one of the annual report from the Economic and Community Development Director. This portion of the report concentrated on Planning, Code Services, and Historic Preservation. Part two of the annual report is scheduled for the subsequent work session. Technical difficulties prevented livestreaming of the meeting.

The agenda for the Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee meeting included a review of the Consent Agenda items, specifically the January 6, 2026, meeting minutes and the Budget & Grants Report. Staff reports covered general project updates, including the status of the 430 Main, 325 Main, 811 Main, and 791 Main developments. A significant discussion item involved presenting and receiving feedback on proposed changes to the Urban Renewal Grant Programs, aiming for consolidation, updated award amounts, and modification of the scoring rubric. The committee also discussed grant advertising, application requirements, and economic impact guidelines for the grant program.

The agenda for the Building and Grounds Committee meeting included discussions on the location for the VFW meetings, potentially utilizing the Dallas Civic Center, and determining future uses for the James Howe Road Property, 30 acres of land previously acquired for a water storage tank. The committee was also scheduled to address the VFW meeting location and the James Howe Road Property, following up on previous discussions regarding EV charger program elimination and nuisance deer management.