Feb 10, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting

[1. Call meeting to order.]

[00:00:06]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I HAVE 7:00 PM I WANT TO OFFICIALLY CALL THIS MEETING ORDER.

TODAY IS FEBRUARY 10TH, 2026.

I DO HAVE A FULL QUORUM OF CITY COUNCIL, UH, PRESENT.

THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING.

OPEN CARRY OF FIREARMS IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS AN INVOCATION.

WE HAVE, UH, PASTOR MARLIN PERKINS HERE WITH LIVING WATERS WORSHIP CENTER HERE IN CEDAR HILL.

AND FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE FROM OUR VERY OWN COUNCIL MEMBER HAYDEN, IF EVERYONE PLEASE STAND, PLEASE.

CORNER PASTOR.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF OUR FAIR CITY, MR. MAYOR.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'D LIKE TO OFFER THIS INVOCATION.

LORD, YOU HAVE BEEN OUR DWELLING PLACE IN ALL GENERATIONS.

BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BROUGHT FORTH, WHEREVER YOU HAD FORMED THE EARTH IN THE WORLD, EVEN FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING, YOU ARE GOD RIGHTEOUSNESS, EXALTS, A NATION AS WELL AS A CITY.

BUT SIN IS A REPROACH TO ANY PEOPLE.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE, BUT FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION.

SO TEACH US AS SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE TO NUMBER OUR DAYS THAT WE MAY APPLY OUR HEARTS AND TO WISDOM, HAPPY AS A PERSON WHO FINDS WISDOM AND THE PERSON WHO GAINS UNDERSTANDING FOR HER PROCEEDS ARE BETTER THAN THE PROPHETS OF SILVER AND HER GAINED IN FINE GOLD.

SHE'S MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBY'S, AND ALL THE THINGS WE MAY DESIRE CANNOT COMPARE WITH HER LENGTH OF DAYS IS IN HER RIGHT HAND, IN HER LEFT HAND, RICHES AND HONOR.

HER WAYS ARE WAYS OF PLEASANTNESS, AND ALL HER PATHS ARE PEACE.

SHE'S A TREE OF LIFE TO THOSE WHO TAKE HOLD OF HER AND HAPPY ARE ALL WHO RETAIN HER.

LET YOUR WORK APPEAR TO YOUR SERVANTS AND YOUR GLORY TO THEIR CHILDREN.

AND LET THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD OUR GOD BE UPON US AND ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS FOR US.

YES, ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS.

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AMEN.

AMEN.

PASTOR, BEFORE YOU GO TOO FAR, I JUST LEARNED THAT YOU'RE NEW TO CEDAR HILL.

IF YOU'D WANT TO INTRODUCE YOUR CHURCH AND GIVE US A LITTLE QUICK BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU.

WELL, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

WE JUST MOVED TO CEDAR HILL FROM, UH, THE DUNCANVILLE AREA, UH, MAY OF LAST YEAR.

MET SOME FRIENDS ALREADY, GRACE, COMMUNITY, BAPTIST CHURCH, AND, UH, FELLOWSHIP, UH, BIBLE CHURCH THERE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

AND THIS IS MY FIRST TIME AT A, AT A, AT ONE OF YOUR COUNCIL MEETINGS.

UH, THIS CITY'S A THIS BUILDING RATHER, IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

AND I JUST FEEL THE GRACE AND THE WARMTH OF THIS PLACE ALREADY.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

THANK YOU, PASTOR.

COUNCILOR.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

SO NOW WE'LL DO THE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG, AND WE'LL FOLLOW TO THE TEXAS FLAG A PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS, ONE, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.

FOR ALL HONOR, HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLY ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

THANK YOU.

YOU ALL MAY BE SEATED.

PASTOR PERKINS, OFFICIALLY WELCOME TO CEDAR HILL.

UH, NEXT

[a. Administer Oath of Office to incoming Cedar Hill Fire Chief Mike Harrison.]

UM, WE ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, WITNESS HISTORY TODAY.

NOT EVERY DAY WE GET TO SWEAR IN OUR FIRE CHIEF.

UM, SO NEXT ITEM ON AGENDA IS ADMINISTERED THE OATH OF OFFICE TO INCOMING CEDAR HILL FIRE CHIEF MIKE HARRISON.

I THINK OUR CITY MANAGER WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP WITH A FEW WORDS, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.

IT IS MY HONOR TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR NEW FIRE CHIEF MIKE HARRISON.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANNA BRING ANYBODY UP HERE WITH YOU, BUT THEY'RE WELCOME TO COME.

I'VE GOT A LOT OF FAMILY HERE, SO I LOVE THEM.

COME UP HERE.

COME ON DOWN.

COME ON DOWN.

COME ON, FAMILY.

WELL, I AM HONORED TO SERVE THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL TODAY.

IN MY 23 YEARS OF SERVICE, I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE HONORED TO, UM, SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR NEW FIRE CHIEF.

SO THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL HAS ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION

[00:05:01]

HE HAS SERVED FOR MORE THAN 28 YEARS.

CHIEF HARRISON HAS SERVED IN EVERY RANK.

THIS IS THE FIRST FIRE CHIEF THAT IS SERVED IN EVERY SINGLE RANK WITHIN THE CEDAR HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT.

CAN WE GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE? HE SERVED AS FIREFIGHTER DRIVER ENGINEER CAPTAIN BATTALION CHIEF ASSISTANT CHIEF OF EMS AND ASSISTANT CHIEF OF OPERATIONS.

THIS GROUND UP EXPERIENCE PROVIDES HIM WITH A COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE AND A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE FIREFIGHTERS AND STAFF.

HE NOW LEADS CHIEF MIKE HARRISON HAS DEDICATED OVER 20 YEARS, 28 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF CEDAR HILL.

AND WE'VE HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO A STEADY LEADERSHIP THROUGHOUT EACH RINK IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

HIS STRONG OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WELL.

I, AS CITY MANAGER, I'M HONORED TO WORK ALONGSIDE FIRE CHIEF MIKE HARRISON, AS HE CONTINUES TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR SERVICE DELIVERY TO EVERY RESIDENT AND BUSINESS IN TOWN.

THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, CHIEF HARRISON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HIS HANDS-ON LEADERSHIP STYLE, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING BOTH HIS TEAM AND THE BROADER CEDAR HILL COMMUNITY.

AS FIRE CHIEF HARRISON WILL OVERSEE ALL OPERATIONS OF THE CEDAR HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT, CONTINUING TO ADVANCE HIGH STANDARDS IN FIRE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED PUBLIC SAFETY, CHIEF HARRISON'S APPOINTMENT MARKS AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER FOR THE CEDAR HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND IT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE PREMIER SERVICE TO THE CEDAR HILL COMMUNITY.

I WANNA SAY A FEW THI THINGS ABOUT CHIEF HARRISON.

OUTSIDE OF HIS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, MIKE ENJOYS WORKING THE FARM WITH HIS WIFE, SANDRA, AND SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

GRANT.

AND RILEY AVIATION IS A SHARED INTEREST IN THE HARRISON FAMILY, AS BOTH OF HIS CHILDREN HAVE PURSUED CAREERS IN THE FIELD.

HE ALSO ENJOYS HUNTING, FISHING, AND THE OUTDOORS.

AND IF I CAN WELCOME ALL OF US.

WE ALL KNOW THAT PUBLIC SERVICE IS A FAMILY SERVICE.

IT IS A GIVING OF HEART AND SELF.

AND CHIEF MIKE HARRISON IS A GREAT EPITOME AND THE EPITOME OF PUBLIC SERVICE FOR WHAT HE'S DONE FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND THE FAMILY AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

THANK YOU, FAMILY.

LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

SO AT THIS TIME, I'LL INVITE OUR CITY SECRETARY DOWN TO GIVE THE OATH OF OFFICE.

THANK YOU.

CAN GIMME A, AH, YOUR LEFT.

CONGRATS.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I'M MICHAEL HARRISON.

I'M MICHAEL HARRISON.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES THAT I, I'LL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF FIRE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL, TEXAS, OF FIRE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL, TEXAS, AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME, GOD, AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD.

THANK YOU GUYS.

JUST GOT A FEW WORDS THAT I WANNA SAY, UM, TO EVERYONE IN THE ROOM.

UM, FIRST TO OUR MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, TO OUR CITY MANAGEMENT, UH, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR PLACING YOUR TRUST IN ME TO STEWARD, UH, THIS ORGANIZATION.

UM, I DON'T TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY LIGHTLY, AND I'M COMMITTED TO LEADING WITH HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND COMMITMENT.

THANK YOU, UH, TO MY WIFE, SANDRA, UH, MY DAUGHTER RILEY, UH, GRANT AND TATIANA, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR STANDING BESIDE ME THROUGH THIS JOURNEY.

UH, THIS FIRE SERVICE ISN'T JUST A JOB.

UM, IT BECOMES A WHOLE PART OF THE FAMILY.

UM, YOUR SUPPORT AND SACRIFICE OVER THE YEARS, IT MEANT A LOT.

AND I CAN'T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS, UH, WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR ME, UH, TO MY MOM.

[00:10:01]

UH, YOUR LOVE AND BELIEVE IN ME HAVE CARRIED ME THROUGH EVERY SEASON OF THIS CAREER.

UM, AND TO DON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THESE PAST FEW YEARS.

AND FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, IT MEANS A GREAT DEAL.

I'M ALSO GRATEFUL TO MY EXTENDED FAMILY THAT SHOWED UP TONIGHT.

UH, WITH ME, WE'VE GOT, UH, MY FATHER-IN-LAW, JIM, UM, HIS WIFE CAROL, COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, AND SHE'S WATCHING ON TV TONIGHT.

UH, BOB AND SUSIE CROW, MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND SISTER-IN-LAW, JIM AND PAM CRONE, MY BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW, UM, TO MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, FRED CRONE, AND TO MY COUSIN ISAAC, UH, AND HIS FAMILY, MICHELLE AND HIS KIDS.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE.

ALL OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS ONLINE THAT ARE WATCHING.

THANK YOU.

UM, YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THIS JOURNEY AS WELL.

UH, MY FOUNDATION IN THIS CAREER BEGAN AS A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER WITH KEEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

AND THAT'S WHERE I FIRST LEARNED WHAT LEADERSHIP LOOKS LIKE.

UH, YOU WOULDN'T THINK THAT COMING FROM A LITTLE BITTY CITY LIKE THAT, BUT IT REALLY MADE A BIG IMPRESSION ON ME.

AND THERE'S PEOPLE WATCHING TONIGHT THAT PUT ME HERE.

UM, I ALREADY STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS, UH, OF THIS ORGANIZATION TO MY CEDAR HILL FAMILY, TO THE PAST, TO THE PRESENT.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE MEMORIES, UH, THAT WE'VE MADE ALONG THE WAY.

THE GUIDANCE AND THE LEADERSHIP.

IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO BE GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.

UM, IT'S BEEN A GREAT RIDE SO FAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE FUTURE BRINGS.

THANK YOU GUYS.

THANK ON THIS SIDE.

NO RULES.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

UM, FAMILY, CAN WE HAVE ANY SCOOCHING? PERFECT.

PERFECT.

OKAY, MA'AM, I CAN'T SEE.

SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SWAP? HERE WE GO.

OKAY.

AND THEN, SIR, COULD I HAVE YOU, ACTUALLY, THAT'S PERFECT.

THAT'S PERFECT.

UM, AND THEN START WITH THE HAT.

COULD I, OH, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT, BUT THANK YOU.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE YOUR FACE.

OKAY.

THIS IS GONNA BE A PANORAMA, SO IF YOU COULD HOLD AFTER 1, 3, 2, 1.

HOLD.

THERE WE GO.

THANK YOU.

PERFECT.

OKAY, GUYS, NO ONE PASSED THIS POINT.

.

HERE WE GO.

3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 1.

THANK YOU, MS. MR. HARRISON.

MR. HARRISON, IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME DOWN, SIR , I, UM, WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE PRIVILEGE TO BE THE FIRST TO WELCOME YOU CHIEF MIKE HARRISON.

THANK YOU.

UH, YES, PLEASE.

I AM, UM, YOU KNOW, PROUD TO CALL YOU CHIEF.

UM, I KNOW YOU DO WELL.

UH, WE'VE KNOWN YOU FOR A WHILE.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROFESSIONAL.

UH, YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO DO YOUR JOB WITH CARE AND PASSION.

UH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE OF YOU AND, UH, BE ABLE TO LEAD, YOU KNOW, OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY INTO A SAFE PLACE.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.

THANKS, SIR.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT,

[b. Presentation by Cedar Hill Director of Public Safety Ely Reyes to a community member.]

HOW ARE YOU DOING, SIR? GREAT, MAYOR.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE UP HERE.

MAYOR CITY COUNCIL.

TONIGHT I HAVE THE HONOR OF RECOGNIZING A CEDAR HILL COMMUNITY MEMBER WHOSE ACTIONS TRULY REFLECT THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.

THIS, IN THIS INDIVIDUAL DEMONSTRATED KEEN AWARENESS, A WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK UP, AND A STRONG SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.

THEIR TIMELY INFORMATION AND COOPERATION DIRECTLY ASSISTED OUR OFFICERS IN SOLVING SEVERAL SERIOUS CRIMES, NOT ONLY IN CEDAR HILL, BUT ACROSS NORTH TEXAS.

AS A RESULT,

[00:15:01]

PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT ACHIEVED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONE.

IT IS BUILT THROUGH TRUST, COLLABORATION, AND CITIZENS WHO CARE ENOUGH TO GET INVOLVED.

THE ACTIONS WE ARE RECOGNIZING TONIGHT REPRESENT THE VERY BEST SPIRIT OF THAT.

ON BEHALF OF THE CEDAR HILL POLICE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE.

THIS RECOGNITION IS A REMINDER THAT WHEN A COMMUNITY AND ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT WORK TOGETHER, WE ARE SAFER.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING JESUS QUINTERO FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP.

3, 2, 1, 3, 2.

THANK YOU.

NOW, I'D JUST LIKE TO COUNCIL MEMBER, I'D LIKE TO SAY, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

I'VE BEEN HERE AS CEDAR HILL RESIDENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND, UH, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND MAKE SURE THAT I KEEP MY NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS THE CITY SAFE.

THANK YOU.

AWESOME.

AWESOME.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE, SIR.

UH, NEXT

[c. Presentation of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal Budget Year 2025/2026.]

THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SIMS, AS THE FAMOUS TV HOST SAYS, COME ON DOWN, CITY SECRETARY.

IS THIS ON? THANK YOU.

I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL HAS BEEN AWARDED THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICE ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FOR THE 25TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 25, 26.

THANK YOU.

AND, AND I WANNA PAUSE JUST FOR, TO CLARIFICATION.

THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION IS A NATIONAL AWARD THAT ALSO INCLUDES NOT ONLY UNITED STATES BUT CANADA.

AM I CORRECT? SO, THIS IS NOT A SMALL ITEM AT ALL.

UM, FOR THE 25TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THE ACHIEVEMENT REFLECTS OUR ORGANIZATION'S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP, TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION, ADHERENCE TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF MUNICIPAL BUDGETING PRACTICES.

RECEIVING THIS AWARD FOR A QUARTER CENTURY DEMONSTRATES THE EXCEPTIONAL WORK AND COLLABORATION ACROSS DEPARTMENTS.

THE WARD RECOGNIZES THAT OUR ANNUAL BUDGET DOCUMENT MEETS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDE GUIDELINES IN FOUR AREAS.

ONE, AS A POLICY DOCUMENT, IT CLEARLY COMMUNICATES THE CITY'S PRIORITIES, STRATEGIC DIRECTION, AND POLICY DECISIONS.

TWO, AS A FINANCIAL PLAN, IT PRESENTS TRANSPARENT AND COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REVENUE PROJECTIONS, EXPENDITURE PLANS, AND LONG-TERM FORECASTING.

THREE, AS AN OPERATIONS GUIDE, IT PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL AND DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS, OUTLINING GOALS, PERFORMANCE MEASURES, AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION.

AND LASTLY, AS A COMMUNICATION DEVICE, IT ENHANCES PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING BY PRESENTED BUDGET INFORMATION IN A CLEAR, ACCESSIBLE AND READER FRIENDLY MANNER.

JUST AS A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY, THE PLAN WAS TO COMMUNICATE THIS SO EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN THE, IN THE UNITED STATES COULD UNDERSTAND IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT DOES.

THIS SUSTAINED ACCOMPLISHMENT IS A TRIBUTE TO THE PROFESSIONALISM OF OUR, UH, AND DEDICATION OF OUR FINANCE STAFF AND BUDGET COMMITTEE TEAM MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE THOUGHTFUL ENGAGEMENT OF LEADERSHIP CITYWIDE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBLY PLANNING FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING THIS MILESTONE IN CONTINUING TO UPHOLD THE HIGH STANDARDS THAT MAKE ACHIEVEMENTS LIKE THIS POSSIBLE.

[00:20:03]

IT IS A, A, A TREMENDOUS AWARD, AND IT JUST REPRESENTS THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY THAT WE HAVE AS HERE AS A CITY WHICH BUILDS PUBLIC TRUST.

AND I'D LIKE TO ESPECIALLY THANK ALL OF THE LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY, THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, TEAM MEMBERS, FINANCE TEAM MEMBERS, DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS.

'CAUSE EVERY ONE OF US HAVE A ROLE IN THIS.

AND WE'RE, WE'RE VERY PLEASED WITH HOW THIS, HOW THIS TURNED OUT.

SO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, EVERYONE, NO ONE PASSED THIS POINT.

YEAH.

SO IF WE NEED TO SHIFT, WE CAN, AND IT'LL BE A PANORAMA.

SO AFTER ONE, PLEASE HOLD.

3, 2, 1.

I'M GONNA DO THAT ONE MORE TIME.

SORRY.

3, 2, 1.

THERE WE GO.

CONGRATULATIONS.

ANOTHER AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT.

UM, NEXT

[d. Recognize the Cedar Hill Finance Department, recipients of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Fiscal Year 2024 and Award of Financial Reporting Achievement. ]

THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAYDEN, COME ON BACK UP GUYS, AND COMING DOWN TO THE STAGE.

COME ON DOWN.

OKAY.

SHE TOLD ME TO SPEAK INTO THIS MIC AND, UH, I ALMOST HAD TO GET A LADDER.

I TELL YOU, I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WATCHING THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT GROW FOR 26 YEARS, AND ALONG WITH, UH, UH, MAYOR OR ALAN SIMS, AND IT'S JUST AMAZING OF WHAT, WHAT IT'S BECOME TO NOW.

BUT FOR 35 YEARS, Y'ALL HAVE BEEN IN, IN EXCELLENCE AND, AND, UH, BEING ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND SEEING HOW Y'ALL PERFORM, IT'S JUST, I'VE BEEN AMAZED.

AND THEN I'M JUST REALLY PROUD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THIS, UH, CERTIFICATE FOR YOU.

SO, THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE IT HAS RECEIVED THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE GFOA FOR THE 35TH YEAR IN A ROW.

THIS PRESTIGIOUS, UH, RECOGNITION AWARDED FOR THE CITY'S ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, THE A CFR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING IN SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024.

AND REPRESENTS THE HIGHEST FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IN GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL REPORTING.

EARNING THE CERTIFICATE, EARNING THE CERTIFICATE DEMONSTRATES THE CITY'S STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP.

THIS AWARD MARKS MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF CONTINUOUS ACHIEVEMENT.

OVER 35 YEARS, THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL HAS REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED ITS ABILITY TO PRODUCE FINANCIAL REPORTS THAT MEET THE GFO A'S S UH, RIGOROUS PROGRAM STANDARDS.

THESE STANDARDS EMPHASIZE CLARITY, FULL DISCLOSURE, AND THE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STORY.

AS NOTED IN THE GFOA AWARD DOCUMENT DOCUMENTATION SHARED INTERNALLY, THE CERTIFICATE REFLECTS SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY A GOVERNMENT AND ITS MANAGEMENT, RECOGNIZING REPORTS JUDGED TO ADHERE TO THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENTAL FINANCIAL REPORTING.

THE GFOA CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS MERELY A MILESTONE IS NOT MERELY, A MILESTONE IS A SYMBOL OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRITY, TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY, AND DEDICATION FOR RESPONSIBLE PHYSICAL MANAGEMENT.

ACCORDING TO THE GUIDANCE FROM THE GFOA, THIS RECOGNITION IS AWARDED AS AWARDED ONLY TO GOVERNMENTS WHOSE FINANCIAL REPORTS GO BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS DEMONSTRATING A CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE.

RECIPIENT OF THE AWARD PLACES CEDAR HILL, AMONG THE SELECT GROUP OF MUNICIPALITIES THAT CONSISTENTLY, UH, EXEMPLIFIES SOUND FINANCIAL PRACTICES.

WHEN A GOVERNMENT RECEIVES THE CERTIFICATE AND AWARD A FINANCIAL REPORTING ACHIEVEMENT, THE AF UH, THE A FRA IS ALSO GIVEN THE INDIVIDUAL OR DEPARTMENT PRIMARILY RESPONSIVE, PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE AWARD-WINNING REPORT FOR THE CEDAR HILL.

THIS DISTINCTION IS PRESENTED TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR RECOGNIZING THE REC, RECOGNIZING THE TEAM'S

[00:25:01]

THIS RECOGNITION UNDERSCORES A CULTURE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

THE CITY'S CONSISTENT RECOGNITION REINFORCES PUBLIC TRUST AND STRENGTHS, STRENGTHENS CONFIDENCE AMONG RESIDENTS AND INVESTORS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS.

THE A CFR PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE AND TRANSPARENT VIEW OF THE CEDAR OF CEDAR HILL'S FINANCIAL CONDITION, LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES.

THE AWARD SIGNALS THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO MEET NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BENCHMARKS FOR CLEAR, COMPLETE, AND RELIABLE FINANCIAL REPORTING.

SO ACHIEVING THE GFOA CERTIFICATE FOR 35 CONSECUTIVE YEARS EXEMPLIFIES CEDAR HILL'S DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.

THE CITY REMAINS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS IN ITS FINANCIAL PRACTICES, FURTHER SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE, GOVERNANCE, AND FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY.

AS THE CITY PREPARES FUTURE FINANCIAL REPORTS, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROMOTE CLARITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND OPEN COMMUNICATION AND OUR DIRECTOR.

YOU BET.

YOU BET.

YEAH, I WOULD.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO FIRST, UH, PERSONALLY THANK ALL OF THESE LADIES HERE, UH, BECAUSE THEY WORK TIRELESSLY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FINANCIAL REPORT HERE, BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T START THERE.

IT STARTS AT THE BEGINNING YEAR AFTER WE LOAD OUR BUDGET INTO THE SYSTEM, AND WE, WE MONITOR BUDGETS ALL YEAR LONG.

WE DO ALL THE FINANCIAL REPORTING, ALL THE TRANSACTIONS ARE RECORDED PROPERLY, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR ASSETS FOR THE CITY ARE, ARE MAINTAINED LIKE THEY SHOULD BE.

SO THANK YOU TO ALL, ALL MY FINANCE TEAM MEMBERS.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

THANK YOU.

SHORT .

AND 3, 2, 1.

ALRIGHT, UM, UH, MR. FOX, AS, AS Y'ALL WALKING AWAY, I JUST WANNA SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

UM, I KNOW THEY PROBABLY DON'T GET ALL THE RECOGNITION, BUT, UM, CEDAR HILL IS SO PHYSICALLY STRONG.

UM, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE, WE'RE WINNING AWARDS.

OUR CREDIT RATING IS THE HIGHEST THAT WE CAN GO FOR A CITY THAT IS OUR SIZE.

UM, AGAIN, IT, IT DOESN'T REALLY GET TALKED ABOUT, BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M SO PROUD OF Y'ALL AND, UH, I KNOW THE CITIZENS OF CITY HILLS WHO REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO.

THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

YES SIR.

ALRIGHT, UM, I THINK THAT'S IT FOR THE PRESENTATIONS.

NEXT ITEM

[5. Citizens Forum/Public Comments. Citizens wishing to speak during this time should submit a Speaker Request Form to the City Secretary before the meeting begins. Public comments may also be submitted online at: cedarhilltx.com/publiccomment. All public comments submitted online by 3pm on City Council meeting dates will be distributed to the City Council and entered into record. ]

THIS, UM, GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY CITIZEN TO SPEAK ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

UM, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE A RISING STAR AMONG US.

UH, MR. SAMUEL ARNOLD II, IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME ON DOWN.

AND, UH, HE VISIT, HE VISITED US ONCE ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I THINK IT WAS.

AND UM, HIS TOPIC IS SAMUEL 53, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

ARNOLD II PRO BOXER INTRO.

GOOD EVENING, SIR.

S3.

HUH? S3.

OH, OKAY.

GOT IT.

S3.

WELL, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR HAVING ME.

I JUST WANTED TO, UH, TELL EVERYBODY THAT, UM, WAS AT THE LAST MEETING THAT I DID GO IN A CHAMPIONSHIP BELT REPRESENTING CEDAR HILL.

UM, I GOTTA GET BACK TO TRAINING IN A FEW HOURS, BUT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME, MY NAME IS SAMUEL ESRY ARNOLD, YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE ME AROUND HERE RUNNING, UH, TRAINING KIDS AND STUFF LIKE THAT FOR BOXING.

BUT, UH, I'M 15 AND OH, HAVE THE NABA NORTH AMERICAN BOXING ASSOCIATION TITLE.

SO I'M 15TH IN LINE FOR THE WORLD TITLE.

SO PRETTY SOON I'LL BE BRINGING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO THE COUNCIL MEETING.

AMAZING TEAM.

ARNOLD, WE ROOTING FOR YOU.

PARTNER.

YEAH, KEEP ME, KEEP ME POSTED.

YOU GOT MY NUMBER PARTNER.

ALRIGHT,

[a. Case No. CUP-758-2025 – Conduct a public hearing and consider an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption in conjunction with a restaurant (Hooters), on property zoned Local Retail (LR) District and within the Uptown Overlay, generally located on the east side of Uptown Blvd and south of South Belt Line Road, with the approximate address being 622 Uptown Blvd. Applicant: Karen Saboor, Hooters of Cedar Hill 2025 LLC Representative: Catherine Chamblee, Brackin Schwartz PLLC Property Owner: Kathleen and Alfred Quagliata, Kate LLC]

UH, CASE NUMBER CUP 7 5 8 2025.

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, CUP FOR THE SALE AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE FOR ON-PREMISE CONSUMPTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RESTAURANT HOOTERS ON PROPERTY ZONE, LOCAL RETAIL LR DISTRICT WITH AND WITHIN THE UPTOWN OVERLAY.

DO WE HAVE A, UH, REPRESENTATIVE HERE WITH US TODAY? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND SAY ANYTHING? PLEASE COME ON DOWN.

GOOD EVENING, SIR.

EVENING.

HOW ARE YOU? DOING GREAT.

DOING WELL.

HOW ARE YOU? UH, DOING GREAT, .

UH, I AM JUST THE, I'M THE JACOB.

SORRY.

OKAY.

JACOB, UH, GENERAL MANAGER OF FOOD RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

SURE.

COULD YOU GIVE US YOUR, YOUR NAME, ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE? YES.

UH,

[00:30:01]

LAST NAME LEGGET, L-I-D-G-E-T-T.

ADDRESS IS, UH, 9 0 7 ROYAL COURT, BURLESON, TEXAS.

I'VE BEEN WITH THIS LOCATION FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, UH, IN OCTOBER.

IT'LL BE FOUR YEARS.

BEEN WITH THE COMPANY SINCE 2017.

I'M JUST HERE FOLLOWING ORDERS AND CERTIFIED.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE APPRECIATE YOU, UH, COMING DOWN.

UH, I THINK WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS GO INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL, WE JUST BRING YOU BACK UP.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT AND OPEN IT UP FOR ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION TO CASE NUMBER CUP 7 5 8 2025.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION TO CASE NUMBER CUP 7 5 8 2025? ONE FINAL TIME.

ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR OPPOSITION TO CASE NUMBER CUP 7 5 8 2025? NOT SEEING ANYONE APPROACH.

I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND I'LL OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONSIDERATION.

COUNCIL MEMBER HAYDEN MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE, UH, APPROVE CASE NUMBER, UH, CUP 7 58 DASH 2025.

WE DO HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? WE DO HAVE A SECOND.

ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

MOVE UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO HANG OUT IF YOU LIKE.

ALRIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, ,

[b. Conduct a public hearing and consider adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-870, adopting the Heart of the Hill Downtown Action Plan.]

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NUMBER 2026 DASH EIGHT 70, ADOPTING THE HEART OF THE HEAL DOWNTOWN ACTION PLAN, MS. BENSON.

GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

UH, IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WITH OUR HEART OF THE HILL DOWNTOWN ACTION PLAN.

UM, AS ALWAYS, WE START OUR PRESENTATIONS WITH OUR VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES.

WE ENVISION CEDAR HILL AS A PREMIER CITY THAT RETAINS ITS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER WHERE FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES FLOURISH IN A SAFE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.

AND WE DO EVERYTHING IN CEDAR HILL ALIGNED WITH OUR VALUES OF PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS, STEWARDSHIP, HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS, BEHAVIOR AND INTEGRITY, AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP.

UH, IN OUR PURSUIT OF PREMIER, WE DEFINE PREMIER AS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER, CLEAN, SAFE, VIBRANT PARKS, TRAILS AND NATURAL BEAUTY ENGAGED COMMUNITY, EXCELLENT, SAFE, SAFE AND EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, STRONG AND D DIVERSE ECONOMY IN TEXAS, SCHOOLS OF CHOICE.

UM, YOU ALL ADOPTED THE STRATEGIC PLAN LAST YEAR, UH, WITH THESE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES.

UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS, UM, THE, UH, UMBRELLA IN WHICH DOWNTOWN FALLS UNDER.

HOWEVER, ALL OF THE EFFORTS, UM, THAT WE'LL DISCUSS TONIGHT AND ALL OF THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY, UH, FOR DOWNTOWN, ALL ALIGNED WITH ALL OF THE COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THERE'S A SPECIFIC GOAL OF MAKING ADVANCES IN THE TOURS, NUMBER ONE, WHICH INCLUDES A UPTOWN, MIDTOWN, AND DOWNTOWN.

AND WITHIN THAT, THERE ARE SPECIFIC ACTION STEPS, UH, THAT ALIGN WITH THOSE, UM, PRIORITIES AND, AND GET US CLOSER TO ACHIEVING THE ULTIMATE GOAL.

UM, MELISSA MENTIONED THAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO, UH, WHEN WE STARTED TALKING AGAIN ABOUT DOWNTOWN.

UH, AND AT THAT TIME THERE WERE SOME, UH, CHANGES THAT HAD HAPPENED.

THE CITY HAD REACQUIRED, UM, THE PHILLIPS PROPERTY, AND IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ASSESSMENT OF WHAT WE DO NEXT, UM, WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL.

UM, AND COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION TO EMBARK ON A PLANNING EXERCISE.

UM, BUT IT WAS VERY SPECIFIC DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL THAT WAS, THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE AN EIGHT TO 10 MONTH PROCESS, UH, THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THAT THE PLAN NEEDED TO BE ACTIONABLE AND HAVE VERY SPECIFIC STEPS TO MOVE US FORWARD.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HAPPY TO DELIVER TO YOU TONIGHT.

UH, WE DID ENGAGE MEN'S COLLABORATIVE IN APRIL, UH, TO HELP US WITH THAT, UM, PROCESS.

THERE WAS LOTS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, UH, LOTS OF INPUT FROM OUR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES AND STAKEHOLDERS AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

AND SO WE'RE JUST VERY GRATEFUL TO BE AT THIS POINT.

UM, SO I WILL, UH, BRING UP ZACH LOCKERROOM, UH, WITH MEN'S COLLABORATIVE, WHO WILL RUN THROUGH THE BULK OF THE PRESENTATION, WHICH WILL REALLY HIGHLIGHT THE ELEMENTS OF THE PLAN.

AND THEN I'LL COME BACK UP AND HAVE SOME CLOSING COMMENTS.

RIGHT.

ALL THANK YOU EVERYONE.

UH, MY NAME IS ZACH RA.

I'M A PARTNER AT MEND COLLABORATIVE, AND WE'VE BEEN HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOUR INCREDIBLE STAFF OVER THIS LAST YEAR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEART OF THE HILL.

UM, DOWNTOWN ACTION PLAN.

UM, WE STARTED THE COMPONENT THAT WE, WE, WE BEGAN WORK ON, UM, LAST APRIL AND HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE PAST YEAR TO REALLY DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE KEY ISSUES FACING DOWNTOWN ENVISION STRATEGIES THAT WILL BRING US TOWARDS A VISION THAT HAS BEEN SET BY

[00:35:01]

UM, THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ENGAGEMENT.

WE REALLY LOVE IN ENGAGEMENT TO GO WHERE PEOPLE ARE RATHER THAN EXPECTING THEM TO COME TO US.

AND SO WE DID A LOT OF THAT ENGAGEMENT BY GOING TO, UM, SOME OF THE INCREDIBLE EVENTS THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE GOING ON DOWNTOWN, AS WELL AS CONNECTING WITH YOUR BUSINESS OWNERS, CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM, WHO WERE PART AND PARCEL OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PLANNING PROCESS.

UM, WE, IN SPEAKING WITH THE COMMUNITY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS WANNA KNOW IS WHAT DO PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT THE PLACE AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY WANNA SEE HAPPEN IN THESE AREAS? PEOPLE LOVE THE SMALL TOWN FEELING THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

UM, PEOPLE WERE INTERESTED IN HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS, ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES.

THEY WANTED TO SEE DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT FOCUSED, AND THEY WANTED STREETS THAT PRIORITIZE PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS AND WORK TO ADD MORE TREES AND SHADE TO THE SIDEWALKS WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

IN GATHERING THIS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND GATHERING THIS FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO WRITE AND THEN VET A PROJECT VISION.

I WON'T READ THE WHOLE THING TO YOU, BUT JUST A FEW OF THE KEY PHRASES HERE.

UM, WE WANT A DOWNTOWN THAT'S ROOTED IN HISTORY AND SMALL TOWN FEEL.

WE WANNA SEE A CONNECTION TO NATURE THAT SHAPES THE CITY'S IDENTITY.

WE WANNA SUPPORT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES THAT REFLECT THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY.

AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT DOWNTOWN CEDAR HILL IS AN EXPRESSION OF ITS PEOPLE, ITS LAND AND ITS SMALL TOWN CHARM.

WE ALSO DEVELOPED SIX PRIORITIES, UM, REINFORCING DOWNTOWN AS A REFLECTION OF THE PEOPLE, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND AUTHENTIC CENTER.

SO PLACE, BRINGING YOUR CITY IN A PARK THEME THAT YOU HAVE THROUGHOUT THE CITY INTO THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN THROUGH GREEN STREETS, POCKET PARKS, TRAIL CONNECTIONS, AND ACCESS TO NEARBY OPEN SPACES, EXPANDING THE REGIONAL TRAIL NETWORKS, BIKEWAYS AND SIDEWALK CONNECTIONS AND WAYFINDING BETWEEN DOWNTOWN AND ITS SURROUNDING, UM, AND ADJACENT COMMUNITIES.

ADVANCING THE COMPLETE STREETS VISION, ENCOURAGING MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTIVE REUSE, AND ENHANCING DOWNTOWN WITH DISTINCTIVE ICONS, PUBLIC ART AND GATHERING SPACES THAT TELL CEDAR HILL'S STORY.

SO STARTING FROM THESE PRIORITIES AND STARTING FROM THIS VISION, WE WORK TO DEVELOP A SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I WILL WALK THROUGH, UM, YOU ALL BELIEVE HAVE SEEN THE REPORT.

UM, IT'S A MUCH, MUCH LONGER THAN I WILL DO TODAY, UM, BUT I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE TASTE OF EVERYTHING.

AND THEN IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO JUMP IN.

UM, A LITTLE BIT DEEPER.

WE'VE ORGANIZED IT IN FOUR KIND OF KEY AREAS, UM, FIRST IN THE PARKS AND TRAILS, SECOND COMPLETE STREETS.

THIRD, THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, AND THEN FINALLY WAYFINDING AND LINEAGE.

UM, ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT WE SOUGHT TO DO WITH THIS PLANNING PROCESS WAS REALLY THINKING ABOUT HOW WE COULD MAKE SURE THAT DOWNTOWN WAS REALLY A KEY COMPONENT OF THE OVERALL VISION FOR CEDAR HILL.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STANDS OUT SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR CITY IS THE INCREDIBLE ACCESS TO NATURE, THE INCREDIBLE ACCESS TO OPEN SPACES, AND ALL OF THE WAYS THAT THE GREEN NETWORK HAS BEEN A, UM, IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF YOUR CITY'S IDENTITY.

UM, WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT DOWNTOWN HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ON THAT, BOTH THROUGH EXPANDED GREEN SPACES WITHIN DOWNTOWN, BUT ALSO AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT THE BUSINESSES AND OPPORTUNITIES DOWNTOWN CAN, UM, REALLY, UH, HAVE A, A SYMBIOSIS WITH THE ABILITY TO BE, UM, WITHIN THOSE SORTS OF GREEN SPACES.

AND SO THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION REALLY FOCUSES ON BRINGING MORE GREEN SPACE TO DOWNTOWN AND REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE WAY THAT DOWNTOWN PLAYS A ROLE IN THE LARGER SENSE OF CEDAR HILL AS A CITY AND A PARK.

THE SECOND WAS REALLY WORKING TO CONNECT THE TRAIL NETWORKS THROUGH DOWNTOWN.

AND THIS IS REALLY BUILDING OFF OF YOUR PARKS MASTER PLAN THAT WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED, THINKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT WE CAN EXPAND THE BICYCLE AND TRAIL NETWORK INTO THE DOWNTOWN SPACES AND MAKE SURE THAT FOR ALL OF THE NEW RESIDENTS THAT YOU HAVE LIVING IN PLACES LIKE MIDTOWN AND UPTOWN, YOU'VE GOT EASY ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN.

AND THAT THAT IS REALLY A KEY WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN GET ABOUT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION FOCUSES ON BUILDING OUT THE COMPLETE STREETS 2.0.

UM, YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY DONE AND STARTED A LOT OF INCREDIBLE WORK IN THIS AREA.

THE WORK THAT WE DID WAS REALLY LOOKING AT, UM, THERE WERE SOME KEY ISSUES IN TERMS OF, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAD PROVED UNFEASIBLE BETWEEN THE PREVIOUS PLANNING PROCESS AND WHAT WE DID SPECIFICALLY AROUND HOUSTON STREET.

SO REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT CREATED AND HOW WE NEEDED TO RETHINK SOME ELEMENTS

[00:40:01]

THE OTHER THING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WAS ACTUALLY TALK DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT SOME OF THE FIRST PHASES THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE AND ASK THEM, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THEM.

AND OVERWHELMINGLY, I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE, BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE POINTED OUT.

ONE WAS THAT THERE WAS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SHADE THAT WAS ON THOSE STREETS.

UM, WE ALL KNOW WE LIVE IN TEXAS AND THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF TIME WHEN IT IS UNPLEASANT TO BE OUTSIDE.

TREES ARE ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT CAN REALLY HELP WITH THAT.

AND SO AS WE'RE ENVISIONING A REALLY PEDESTRIAN AREA AND PEOPLE REALLY BEING ABLE TO WALK BETWEEN DIFFERENT STORES, REALLY BRINGING FORWARD THAT SHADE AS A KEY COMPONENT IN THIS NEXT PHASE IS GONNA BE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ALSO HEARD THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANTED TO PRIORITIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THINGS LIKE OUTDOOR SEATING FOR RESTAURANTS.

AND AS WE FOCUS ON REDEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON ENTERTAINMENT AND, UM, AND FOOD SERVICE, THAT THAT WAS GONNA BE AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THIS AS WELL.

UM, FINALLY, WE DID ACTUALLY DO SOME ADOPTION OR SOME ADAPTATION OF THE CERTAIN LAYOUTS TO ALSO HELP FACILITATE REDEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTIES THAT THE CITY HOPED.

THE FOURTH RECOMMENDATION REALLY FOCUSES ON MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BUILDING OFF OF DEVELOPMENT THAT IS ADJACENT TO DOWNTOWN AND COORDINATING BETWEEN MIDTOWN, UPTOWN AND DOWNTOWN.

UM, ONE OF THE REALLY UNIQUE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE BY HAVING THESE THREE NEIGHBORHOODS RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER IS THAT YOU HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE REALLY A SYSTEM WHEREBY PEOPLE CAN FIND ALMOST ANYTHING THAT THEY WANT BETWEEN THESE DIFFERENT AREAS.

IF I'M LOOKING FOR A APARTMENT HOME IN A LITTLE BIT LARGER BUILDING, WELL THOSE ARE GOING UP IN MIDTOWN.

IF I'M LOOKING FOR, UM, A BIG BOX SHOP, THERE'S PLENTY OF THAT IN UPTOWN.

WHAT WE THINK FOR DOWNTOWN IS REALLY FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE KEY THINGS THAT FIT WITHIN THAT SCALE.

SO LITTLE BIT SMALLER SCALE RESIDENTIAL, SOME OF THE TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL THAT ARE CURRENTLY, UM, NOT AS PREVALENT IN CEDAR HILL, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE TOWNHOUSES, UM, OTHER TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUS ON, UM, EMPTY NESTERS.

AND SOME OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES AS WELL AS SMALLER SCALE, LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES WITHIN THAT AREA.

SO, BUT MAKING SURE THAT ULTIMATELY THEY'RE ALL FLOWING TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

UM, EVERYBODY THAT'S LIVING IN WEST MIDTOWN IS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER FOR OUR LOCAL SHOPS DOWNTOWN.

THE, UM, FIFTH RECOMMENDATION FOCUSES ON LEVERAGING CITY OWNED LAND TO CATALYZE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.

AND OF COURSE THIS WAS, UH, REALLY ONE OF THE MAIN FOCUSES OF THIS PLANNING PROCESS, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE PHILLIPS PROPERTY.

BUT AS THE PROCESS WENT FORWARD, UM, O OTHER, SOME OTHER PROPERTIES ACTUALLY CAME ONTO THE MARKET THROUGH, UM, THE LOCAL ISD THAT CREATED SOME ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND WE WERE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR THINKING ABOUT HOW ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT SPACES SORT OF FIT TOGETHER.

NOW IN DOING THIS, YOU KNOW, WE DID A A MARKET STUDY.

WE REALLY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE SORT OF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WERE, BUT WE ALSO REALLY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND HOW ARE WE MAKING CEDAR HILL STAND OUT FROM SOME OF ITS COMPETITOR COMMUNITIES IN AND AROUND THE SOUTH PART OF THE METROPLEX.

UM, OUR BASE STRATEGY, OF COURSE, IS THAT WE HAVE A HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKABLE MIXED USE VILLAGE THAT REALLY CELEBRATES CEDAR HILLS HISTORY.

THIS IS KIND OF A NO-BRAINER FOR US.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T BUILD NEW ONES OF IS OLD BUILDINGS AND YOU HAVE THAT.

SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REALLY EMPHASIZING THE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AS THE KEY COMPONENT.

ADDING TO THAT THOUGH, WE WANTED TO SEE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENTIATORS THAT REALLY FOCUSED ON SOME OF THE KEY OPPORTUNITY AREAS IN TERMS OF REALLY SETTING YOURSELVES APART FROM ADJACENT COMMUNITIES.

ONE IS A FOCUS ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

UM, THINKING DINE IN ARTS, THEATER PERFORMANCE VENUES, RESTAURANTS WITH LIVE MUSIC, UM, FAMILY FRIENDLY, ICE HOUSE BREWERY.

THOSE SORTS OF ACTIVITIES REALLY CREATE A HOOK THAT REALLY DIFFERENTIATES CEDAR HILLS DOWNTOWN WITHIN THAT LARGER MARKET.

THE SECOND IS THIS IDEA OF A GREEN COMMUNITY.

AND THIS AGAIN, TIES BACK TO YOUR THEME WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF BEING THIS GREEN CITY, OF BEING A CITY THAT'S REALLY CONNECTED TO NATURE.

SO REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE WAYS THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO PULL IN MORE OF THAT WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN, MAKING IT REALLY A MODEL FOR, UM, OPPORTUNITIES AROUND DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON THE OUTDOORS AND, UM, CREATES, UH, ADDITIONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE REST OF THE CITY.

UM, ONE OF THOSE KEY SPACES THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT WAS THE PHILLIPS PROPERTY.

UM, WE ACTUALLY DID A COUPLE OF SCENARIOS HERE, DEPENDING ON SOME OF THE MARKET CONDITIONS AND LOOKING AT SOME, UM, FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

ONE THAT FOCUSED ON, UH, SURFACE PARKING STRATEGY.

UM, THIS IS PROBABLY IN YOUR LITTLE BIT MORE SHORT TERM.

AND THEN ALSO LOOKING AT A STRATEGY OF WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IF YOU WERE ACTUALLY TO ADD A PARKING GARAGE WITHIN DOWNTOWN THAT

[00:45:01]

WE ALSO LOOKED AT SOME OF THE PROPERTIES THAT THE CITY OWNS AROUND THE HISTORIC SQUARE, UM, INCLUDING THE, UM, THE, UM, OH, I'M FORGETTING THE NAME OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S FINE.

THE PATENTS BARN.

THANK YOU.

I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT.

UM, LOOKING AT PAT'S BARN AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER CITY OWNED PROPERTIES, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT THE WAYS THAT WE WANNA SEE THAT DEVELOPMENT CATALYZE SOME OF THE PRIVATE HOLDINGS THAT ARE IN THAT AREA AS WELL.

UM, REALLY LOOKING TO, UM, TAKE THESE COUPLE OF SIDES OF THE SQUARE THAT CURRENTLY HAVE BUSINESSES AND ACTUALLY SEE THAT BE SOMETHING THAT GOES ALL THE WAY AROUND THE ENTIRE SQUARE, UM, AND REALLY SEEING, UM, IMPROVEMENTS TO SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR QUITE A WHILE.

THE THIRD AREA THAT WE LOOKED AT IS WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE SPARKS DISTRICT.

UM, AND THIS IS, UM, PRIMARILY PROPERTIES THAT, UM, THE ISD PUT UP FOR SALE LAST YEAR.

UM, WITHIN THIS SPACE WE WERE LOOKING AT SORT OF A COMBINATION OF ARTS AND SPORTS AS, UM, KEY OPERATORS WITHIN THESE SPACES, THINKING ABOUT, UM, WAYS THAT THESE COULD TIE INTO, UH, AGAIN, THAT SORT OF OUTDOOR THEMES THAT YOU HAVE HERE AND REALLY CREATE SOME DESTINATIONS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS TO HELP REALLY GROW AND BUILD ON DOWNTOWN.

AND THEN FINALLY, UM, THESE PROPERTIES THAT ARE ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT, UM, HOW ARE CURRENTLY, UM, BEING SORT OF REDESIGNED AND LAID OUT FOR PARKING AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL HOUSING AS PARKING IS ACCOMMODATED IN OTHER PLACES.

UM, THIS IS A KEY AREA WHERE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING IN TOWNHOUSES AND SOME OF THOSE OTHER AREAS AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY A LITTLE BIT LARGER DEVELOPMENT FOR ACTIVE SENIORS WITHIN THIS AREA.

UM, SIMILAR TO WHAT I TALKED ABOUT AROUND THE SQUARE, THIS IS ALSO AN AREA WHERE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LANDHOLDERS ADJACENT THAT WE BELIEVE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP AND REALLY THINKING ABOUT SOME REDEVELOPMENT IN SOME OF THOSE SPACES AS WELL.

THE SIXTH RECOMMENDATION FOCUSES ON THE INFILL DEVELOPMENT.

UM, WE'RE NOT DOING ALL OF THIS DEVELOPMENT ON THE PUBLIC LAND, UM, JUST FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

WE REALLY WANNA SEE THAT AS A CATALYST TO FUTURE DEVELOPMENT, UM, WITHIN THE LARGER DOWNTOWN AREA.

UM, THIS REALLY LOOKS AT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENT TYPOLOGIES THAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE.

UM, ONE OF THOSE WE HAVE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF ALREADY, UM, IN THE LILACS.

IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY CAME UP IN THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT A LOT THAT PEOPLE REALLY LIKED THAT IDEA OF THE SORT OF SMALLER COURTYARD HOUSING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT DENSER THAN THINGS CURRENTLY ARE NOW, BUT FIT IN FROM A STYLE PERSPECTIVE AND REALLY LOOK LIKE THEY FIT WITHIN DOWNTOWN AND ALSO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SPACES TO BE EXPANDED THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN AS WELL.

UM, AND SO THIS RECOMMENDATION REALLY FOCUSES ON SOME OF THE REGULATORY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD NEED TO, UM, BE PUT FORWARD IN ORDER TO SEE THIS TYPE OF INFILL DEVELOPMENT HAPPEN.

UM, THE SEVENTH, UH, RECOMMENDATION FOCUSES ON WAYFINDING AND DESIGNING A WAYFINDING PLAN THAT REALLY CLARIFIES ROUTES INTO DOWNTOWN.

UM, YOU ALL PROBABLY KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW THE MAIN SORT OF SIGNS FOR DOWNTOWN ARE ABOUT YAY BIG.

UM, AND THERE'S ONLY TWO OF THEM.

SO REALLY LOOKING AT SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR A LOT LARGER, UM, STRETCHING ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE HIGHWAY, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHERE DOWNTOWN IS, UM, AND THAT WHEN THEY'RE PASSING BY ON BELTLINE OR WHEN THEY'RE COMING ON A DIFFERENT ROAD, THAT THEY'RE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A BUSINESS DISTRICT THERE THAT'S EXCITING AND THAT REALLY, UM, SUPPORTS, UM, THE, THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND REALLY GETTING PEOPLE INTO THOSE SPACES.

UM, THE FINAL IDEA IS REALLY AROUND, UM, DEVELOPING PUBLIC ART AND LANDMARKS AND DISTINCTIVE FEATURES.