[1. Call meeting to order.]
[00:00:08]
TODAY IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2026.
I WANNA OFFICIALLY CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
I HAVE 7:17 PM THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING.
THIS IS THE REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
WE DO HAVE A FULL QUORUM OF CITY COUNCIL PRESENT.
I WANNA REMIND EVERYONE THAT, UH, OPEN CARRY OF FIREARMS IS PROHIBITED WITHIN THESE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
AND I ALSO WANNA REMIND EVERYONE THAT EIGHT AUGUST 14TH IS MIRANDA'S BIRTHDAY.
UM, SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, UM, NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS INVOCATION.
MR. BRIAN K. BENJAMIN THANKSGIVING, TABERNACLE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP OF CEDAR HILL.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME ON UP.
AND FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WITH LED BY OUR VERY OWN COUNCIL MEMBER MALONE, IF EVERYONE WOULD PLEASE STAND, PLEASE.
FATHER, AS WE COME BEFORE YOU AS A COMMUNITY TONIGHT, WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE BEFORE YOU ASKING THAT YOUR GRACE WOULD CONTINUE TO REST UPON THE LIFE OF THIS CITY AND THIS COUNCIL AND THEIR ONGOING CREATIVE AND DYNAMIC WORK.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT TO WELCOME OUR NEW POLICE CHIEF STAGNER, ASKING THAT YOUR GRACE WOULD REST UPON HIM AND THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE CHARACTERIZED BY YOUR WISDOM AND A STANDARD OF GREATNESS THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO CHARACTERIZE THE ONGOING LIFE OF THIS, UH, GREAT CITY ON A HILL WE GIVE YOU.
THANKS LORD, FOR, UM, FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN.
AND ASK US ALL IN CHRIST'S NAME.
EVERYONE, PLEASE JOIN US IN SAME LEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
FIRST AMERICAN FLAG, TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY, JUSTICE, FRAUD, TEXAS.
I PLEDGE TO ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD.
[a. Swearing in and badge pinning ceremony for Police Chief Matt Stogner.]
ON THE AGENDA IS PRESENTATIONS.THIS IS THE SWEARING IN AND BADGE PINNING CEREMONY FOR POLICE CHIEF MATT STAGNER.
CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE IT UP FOR HIM? YES.
I, MATTHEW SOLEMNLY SWEAR, POLICE, POLICE CHIEF FOR THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL, TEXAS, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY PRESERVE, PROTECTING THIS CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AT THIS STAGE.
NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.
OH, WELL, CHIEF, I THINK, I THINK THERE'S STILL, UM, A FORMALITY.
UH, DO YOU HAVE, I BELIEVE SO.
YOU HAVE YOUR F YOU HAVE YOUR FAMILY COMING UP.
SO MY WIFE LESLIE WILL PIN ME IN IF I CAN GET FORMER CHIEF LAFFERTY HERE AS WELL.
WAS THERE A SQUIRREL THAT CAME IN HERE? CHIEF? I'M SORRY? WAS THERE A SQUIRREL THAT JUST CAME IN HERE?
[00:05:02]
YEAH, THAT'S MY PROBLEM.OH, THAT DOES, THIS MAKES HER UNCOMFORTABLE.
CHIEF, BEFORE YOU GET STARTED, IF YOU, YES.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, UM, IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY, OF COURSE.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO READ SOMETHING AND THEN I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
SO MY WIFE, LESLIE, DAUGHTER CORA SISTER-IN-LAW, MORE LIKE A SISTER ROBIN AND MY SON COLIN.
SO, UH, IF I COULD, UM, YOU KNOW, I HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME NOTES FROM A LITTLE BIT THAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT YOU AND I'D LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH COUNCIL AND I'LL SAY EVERYONE HERE.
UM, BUT AFTER A THOROUGH SELECTION PROCESS, CHIEF STAGNER WAS CHOSEN AS POLICE CHIEF BECAUSE OF HIS COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE, COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEDICATION TO DEVELOPING PEOPLE WHILE DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICE.
WITH NEARLY 30 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERV, UH, EXPERIENCE, CHIEF STAGNER BRINGS A PROVEN RECORD OF LEADERSHIP, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE, AND A STRONG COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY FOCUSED POLICING.
HIS CAREER HAS INCLUDED EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN PATROL INVESTIGATION, TRAINING, TECHNICAL OPERATIONS, AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP.
CHIEF STAGNER COMES TO CEDAR HILL FROM THE CITY OF DUNCANVILLE, WHERE HE STARTED HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER IN 1998 AND HAS SERVED IN NUMEROUS ROLES INCLUDING, UH, PATROL OFFICER, WARRANT OFFICER, DEPLOYMENT OFFICER, DETECTIVE FIELD, TRAINING OFFICER, SWAT COMMANDER, HONOR GUARD, USE OF FORCE, INSTRUCTOR DEPARTMENT, FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR, ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE AND CHIEF OF POLICE.
OFFICIALLY, I WANNA WELCOME CHIEF STAGNER TO CEDAR HILL.
I GOTTA ADMIT IT IS, YOU GUYS HAVE TRULY, I'M WAITING FOR THE PENDULUM TO SWING
UH, 'CAUSE IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.
THE WELCOME, UH, THAT I'VE RECEIVED, BOTH FROM THE MEN AND WOMEN STANDING BEHIND ME WHO ANSWERED THE CALL AND YOU ALL, UH, AND ALL THE, THE CITY STAFF.
UM, IT REALLY RESONATES THE LEADERSHIP AND THE TENURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO ESTABLISH HERE IN THE CULTURE.
YOU KIND OF THINK, YOU GROW UP IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA AND YOU THINK, WELL, THAT'S IS JUST HOW EVERYWHERE IS, AND IT TRULY IS NOT THE CASE.
IT ONLY TOOK ME 28 YEARS TO REALIZE THAT.
SO I AM SOMEWHAT STUBBORN IN THAT ASPECT, BUT I'M VERY PROUD, UH, TO STAND HERE BEFORE YOU ALL, CERTAINLY REPRESENTING THE PATCH THAT I'M WEARING ON THIS SLEEVE AND THE LEGACY THAT I AM HERE TO PROTECT, UM, FROM EVERYBODY THAT'S STANDING BEHIND ME THAT WORE THE BADGE, UM, I'M
UM, THAT GUY IS TRULY THE VERY DEFINITION OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP.
UH, COMING BACK FROM RETIREMENT AND, AND DOING THIS JOB IS NOT EASY.
AND I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR HIM FOR DOING THAT.
SO PLEASE, UM, CONGRATULATE HIM AGAIN.
THEN, UM, WE CALL HIM THE GODFATHER, CHIEF COSTA WITH DESOTO.
WE HAVE A GREAT REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH HIM, AND I'M VERY PROUD THAT HE'S HERE AS WELL.
ALL OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE UNIFORM HERE IS OVER.
THAT'S THE OVERWHELMING PART, IS THE SUPPORT.
UM, I, I AM LOOKING TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH EACH ONE OF THEM TO MAKE THIS DEPARTMENT EVEN BETTER THAN WHAT IT IS NOW.
AND THIS IS A VERY GOOD DEPARTMENT.
WE WOULD LOOK BACK ON MY TIME THERE AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
LAFFY AND I WOULD GO TO LUNCH.
WELL, HOW CAN WE FIX 'EM? IT'S, IT TRULY IS A VILLAGE, AND THAT'S HOW I'M GONNA LEAD THIS DEPARTMENT AS A VILLAGE.
IT TAKES EVERYBODY TO MAKE CHANGE.
AND AS LONG AS WE'RE PULLING THE CART THE SAME DIRECTIONS, WE'RE DOING SOMETHING, UM, I'M GONNA RESPECT
[00:10:02]
THE, THE HISTORY OF THIS DEPARTMENT, BUT I'M ALSO GONNA PAVE NEW PATHS IN THIS DEPARTMENT AND PUSH PEOPLE AND PUSH THEM THROUGH THEIR OWN CEILINGS THAT THEY HAVE.UH, SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
UM, YOU HAVE A GREAT LEADER, UM, AND MS. VALDEZ, UM, SHE IS A GREAT STEWARD OF THIS CITY.
UM, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF HER AND BECAUSE OF LAFFERTY IN THE HISTORY THAT YOU GUYS HAVE HERE THAT I'M STANDING HERE OR ELSE I WOULD'VE NEVER APPLIED.
UM, I THINK THE CITY IS GREAT AND I THINK IT, IT STARTED WITH YOU AS THE CITY MANAGER.
SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING ME TO STAND HERE.
AND EVERYBODY THAT'S BEEN ON MY INTERVIEW IS LIKE, THIS GUY'S GONNA TALK FOR 20 MINUTES,
UH, ARE THERE ANY COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL COUNCILMAN MCCURDY? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE YOU, UH, YOU KNOW, SIGNALING OUT, UH, CHIEF LAFFER.
HE, HE LOVES THE, UH, PUBLIC ATTENTION
AND, UH, I, I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
UH, YOU KNOW, SECOND, YOU KNOW, HA HAS HE WRITTEN YOU UP YET? BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT OFFICIALLY A MEMBER OF THE SERIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT UNTIL HE IS WRITTEN YOU UP, RIGHT? YEAH.
WE, WE'VE HAD SOME, WE'VE HAD SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS,
WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, THE FORGING THE ROAD AHEAD AND, AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU.
AND, UM, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD WALK COMING UP SOON.
AND, UH, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, WORKING WITH YOU AND THE, AND THE OTHER OFFICERS AND, AND FIRE, YOU KNOW, THE FIRE FIREMEN, OTHER CITY STAFF AND, UM, IT, IT'S QUITE THE, QUITE TURNED INTO QUITE THE COMMUNITY EVENT.
AND, UH, IT'S, IT'S SYMBOLIC OF, UH, THE WAY EVERYTHING IS DONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU, UH, BE PART OF IT.
I, AND I HAVE TO GIVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CREDIT THEIR STATION.
ONE PERSONNEL BROUGHT ME DONUTS, UH, FOR THIS.
SO I HAD FIVE PACKAGES OF DONUTS OUT THERE THAT ARE MINE, SO PLEASE, NO, AND TAKE 'EM.
SO THAT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH CHIEF HARRISON TOO.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL? WELCOME.
[b. Recognize the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation, recipients of the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for its achievements in economic development in 2025. ]
PRESENTATIONS RECOGNIZED AS CEDAR HILL ECONOMIC, UH, RECOGNIZE THE CEDAR HILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, RECIPIENTS OF THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, TEDC, ANNUAL ECONOMIC EXCELLENCE RECOGNITION PROGRAM FOR ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN 2025.THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS AN ANNUAL, UM, RECOGNITION PROGRAM WHERE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO OUTSTANDING WORK CAN GET RECOGNIZED.
THIS IS THE 14TH YEAR IN A ROW THAT THIS TEAM HAS RECEIVED SUCH RECOGNITION.
AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE STAFF AND THE BOARD, WE'VE GOT MICHAEL LAMONT HERE AND TONY JAMES AND JOHNNY WALLACE AND THE OTHERS THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT TONIGHT.
THEY CHERISH THEIR ROLE AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS IN HELPING TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR VISION.
AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR THE PATH THAT YOU'VE SET FORTH FOR THE GROUP, AND WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE AND MAKE CEDAR HILL A BETTER PLACE.
I WANNA READ THIS JUST REAL QUICK.
UM, CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC EXCELLENCE FROM THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, PRESENTED TO THE CEDAR HILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE YEAR 2025, RECOGNIZING A COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY CITY ADMINISTRATION, ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND EXEMPLARY PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS DEMONSTRATED BY THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF AWARDED BY THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
[c. Present a Proclamation designating August 19, 2026 as National Senior Citizens Day and the month of September 2026 as Senior Center Month in Cedar Hill.]
ON THE AGENDA IS PRESENT A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING AUGUST 19TH, 2026 AS NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZEN DAY AND THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 AS SENIOR CENTER MONTH IN CEDAR HILL.THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY COUNCILWOMAN PATTY, BUS HART.
[00:15:05]
DO WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR SENATE? PLEASE COME ON DOWN.GOOD EVENING TO OUR HONORABLE MAYOR STEVEN MASON.
AND, UM, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT SOMETHING I HEARD THE OTHER DAY THAT HE IS THE BEST MAYOR, THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN
UM, STEVEN, UH, MAYOR STEVEN MASON, OUR MAYOR PRO TIM GREGORY GL, OUR CITY MANAGER.
AND, UM, ALLISON GRAHAM, OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
WE STAND, UH, THE CEDAR HILL SENIOR SENATE AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CEDAR HILL SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER.
WITH HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE, WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THIS AWARD FOR NATIONAL SENIOR ING DAY AND NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER MONTH IN THE PAST.
DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, WE ORGANIZED EVENTS FOR EACH WEEK.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
WE HOST EVENTS ONCE OR TWICE EACH MONTH THAT ALLOW SENIORS TO GET OUT AND SOCIALIZE WITH PEERS.
WE DRESSED UP FOR OUR ANNUAL, UH, SNEAKER BALL.
WE CELEBRATED MOTHER'S DAY AND FATHER'S FOR FATHER'S DAY.
A FEW DAYS AGO, WE HAD A SEVENTIES KICKBACK PARTY.
THERE WERE PEOPLE THERE AT THAT EVENT THAT BECAUSE THEY HAD VISITED THE SPLASH JAM AT THE LAGOON.
TOMORROW DURING OUR WEEKLY BINGO GAME, WE WILL CELEBRATE ONE OF OUR FAITHFUL MEMBERS WHO WILL BE TURNING 106 YEARS OLD.
MS. NICKS REGULARLY PARTICIPATES IN EXERCISE CLASSES, AND ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19TH, WE WILL HOST AN ANNUAL WELLNESS CONNECTION EXPO.
WE WILL HAVE VENDORS THERE THAT WITH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS, WE'D LIKE TO, UM, SEE OURSELVES AS FAMILY.
WHEN PARTICIPANTS ARE, ARE OUT OF THE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, WE CONNECT, UH, CONTACT THEM.
IF THEY'RE SICK, WE SEND THEM GETWELL CARDS.
IF THEY'RE JUST OUT FOR SOME REASON, WE SEND THEM A THINKING OF YOUR CARD.
WE WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY MATTER.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE ARE EXCITEDLY AWAITING THE GROUNDBREAKING OF OUR NEW SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER.
WE SEE THAT YOU REALIZE THAT THE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER ISN'T INVALUABLE GATHERING SPOT FOR SENIORS.
THE SAC IS OPEN FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, AND RESOURCE INFORMATION THAT ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF SENIORS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, REST ASSURED THAT THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL WILL GET A SUBSTANTIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT WITH THIS NEW CENTER.
THIS IS A PLACE WHERE SENIORS ARE STAFFED AND ARE RECOGNIZED AND IN THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY FEEL WELCOME, THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SIT AT HOME FEELING ISOLATED AND LONELY.
WE WANT YOU TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE REVIEWED ATTENDANCE DATA FOR THE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER FOR JULY 25 AND JULY 26.
THE RESULTS SHOW THAT THE JULY, 2026, THERE, THERE WERE 102 MORE PARTICIPANTS THAN IN JULY, 2025.
THAT IS SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EQUIPPING US WITH THE THREE LEADERS.
OUR SENIOR ACTIVITY SUPERVISOR, VALERIE MOSELEY, ANGELA HODGES, OUR 55 PLUS PROGRAMMER, AND MELISSA MET OUR PART-TIME RECREATION AIDE.
THESE LADIES DO A REMARKABLE SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS OF THE SENIORS AND DO THEIR BEST TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.
THEY SHOW COMPASSION AND LOVE WITH NO DISCRIMINATION.
THIS AWARD MEANS A LOT TO US AND REMINDS US THAT WE HAVE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SENIORS OF CEDAR HILL, TEXAS.
WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR RESOURCES THAT KEEP OUR SENIORS SOCIALLY ACTIVE, PURPOSELY ENGAGED AND WELL CONNECTED IN THIS SEASON OF OUR LIVES, THEIR LIFE, RESPECTIVELY.
THE CEDAR HILL SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER, VALERIE MOSLEY, SUPERVISOR, ASDA HODGES, 55 PLUS PROGRAMMER AND MELISSA MET PT REC, UH, RECREATION
[00:20:01]
AID.NOW I KNOW THAT I WENT OUTTA ORDER, SO
UM, UH, SHE'S GONNA DO, THIS IS MY HONOR.
THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR.
WHEREAS SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER MONTH, AND AUGUST 21ST IS NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY, ACTIVE SENIORS HAVE ACHIEVED A LOT FOR OUR FAMILIES, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR COUNTRY.
UM, THAT REMAINS TRUE TODAY AND GIVES A AMPLE REASON THIS YEAR TO RESERVE A SPECIAL MONTH IN HONOR OF THE ACTIVE SENIOR CITIZENS WHO SO MUCH TO FO POINT, PROVISION AND COORDINATION PROSPECT SERVICES AND SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS THROUGHOUT CEDARVILLE AND DALLAS COUNTY.
AND WHEREAS THROUGH THE ARMY, UH, ARRAY OF SERVICES, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, SENIOR CENTER, UM, THE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER EMPOWERS OLDER CITIZENS TO THEIR OWN HEALTH AND WELLBEING AND HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OF ALL AGES.
AND WHEREAS THE CEDARVILLE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER AFFIRMS THE DIGNITY, SELF, AND INDEPENDENCE OF OLDER PERSONS BY FACILITATING THEIR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS, THEIR EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ENABLING THEIR COMMUNITY.
WHEREAS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19TH, FROM 10:00 AM TO 1:00 PM THE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER WILL BE SPONSORING A WELLNESS CONNECTIONS EXPO ALL SINCE SENIOR, NO RECREATIONS CENTER CALL, EXCUSE ME, WE'RE ALL SENIORS.
AND NOW THEREFORE, STEVEN MASON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL CERTIFIED THE CLAIM.
AUGUST 21ST, 2026 OF SENIOR CITIZENS DAY IN SEPTEMBER, 2026 AT SENIOR SENIOR CENTER ONE, AND CALL FROM THE CITIZENS OF CEDAR HILL TO RECOGNIZE THE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO AND PARTICIPANTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE CITY CENTER WHO WORK EVERY DAY TO ENHANCE THE OF THE CITIZENS, OUR COMMUNITY THEREOF.
HE HAS SAID AND HAS DAY OF OCTOBER, AUGUST HARVEY, 26.
YOU'RE NOT GONNA SAY HI TO ME, HUH?
HOW ARE YOU? WELL, I MEAN, IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THAT IT'S A BIRTHDAY, SO, UM, AM I HEARING IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY? YES.
[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. ]
THE AGENDA IS CITIZENS FORM.UH, THIS GIVES OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO COME UP TO THE COUNCIL TO TALK ABOUT WHATEVER THEY WANNA TALK ABOUT.
ITEMS THAT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.
COUNCIL CANNOT, UH, DISCUSS OR DELIBERATE, UH, COUNSEL, I DO HAVE THREE OF CITIZENS WHO WISH TO SPEAK BEFORE US TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO BEGIN WITH CATHERINE SIERRA.
IS CATHERINE HERE? YES, PLEASE.
I'VE LIVED IN CEDAR HILL SINCE 1996.
AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING, UH, WELL, CAN YOU, CAN YOU GIMME YOUR ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD? YEAH.
AND AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I HAVE LOVE COMING OUT ON THE TAIL OF THE SENIOR TALK AND THE PROCLAMATION
UM, HOW MANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN TO THE LAGOON? OKAY, HAVE YOU BEEN DURING SENIOR? SENIOR? THEY WON'T ALLOW ME TO.
[00:25:01]
WELL, UM, THERE IS A BIG CONTINGENT OF US THAT LOVE THAT POOL AND SWIM RELIGIOUSLY.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THE SEASON WRAPPED UP AUGUST 9TH, I THINK WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOME POPUPS AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO JT, NANNY SEAN, AND ALL THE LIFEGUARDS THAT GAVE US THIS GREAT SEASON.
UM, BUT AS YOU ALSO KNOW, IT'S HOT THROUGH THE REST OF AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, AND OCTOBER.
SO I'M HERE TO JUST SEE, AND I KNOW YOU LOVE COMMUNITY INPUT AND I'VE BEEN TO THE COMMUNITY INPUT FOR THE NEW SENIOR, UM, WING AT THE REC CENTER.
AND A LOT OF THE, THE SENIORS THERE WERE LIKE, WHAT DO YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? A POOL? A POOL, A POOL? WELL, WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR A POOL.
WELL, GUESS WHAT? WE DO HAVE A POOL.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE LIFEGUARDS THAT CAN STAFF IT.
SO IF THERE'S ANY WAY WE CAN PUT ON OUR HAT AND THINK CREATIVELY TO GET SOME LIFEGUARDS EMPLOYED, I KNOW YOU CAN'T AGE DISCRIMINATE AND I'M NOT ASKING FOR THAT.
BUT WITH THE NEW SENIOR WING THAT'S BEING DEVELOPED, OFFER A POSITION THAT'S NOT JUST SEASONAL, THAT'S LIFEGUARD, YOU KNOW, ADULT LIFEGUARD OR NOT STUDENT LIFEGUARD.
AND THEN TRANSITIONS OVER TO THE SENIOR WING SOME WAY.
WE'VE GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THIS BEAUTIFUL ASSET THAT 87 OF US SIGNED A PETITION SAYING, PLEASE, WE LOVE THIS POOL.
IT HAS TO BE MAINTAINED AND HOW CAN WE SOME WAY, UM, HAVE ACCESS TO IT JUST FOR SENIORS.
I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE GONNA DO IT FOR, YOU KNOW, HOMESCHOOLERS OR KIDS OR WHATEVER.
THEY HAVE PARKS, THEY HAVE SO MANY THINGS.
UM, BUT WE JUST, WE GET SO MUCH USE OUT OF THIS POOL.
I SWIM LAPS IN THE LAP POOL AND TWO WEEKS AGO A WOMAN CAME UP ON A WALKER, I'M NOT KIDDING, WALKING LIKE THIS.
SHE GOT IN THAT LAP POOL AND I THOUGHT I WAS AT A REVIVAL.
SHE'S HEALED BECAUSE SHE SWAM 15 LAPS WITH HER LITTLE MASK ON.
AND I WAS JUST LIKE, YOU ARE DOING GREAT.
AND SHE'S LIKE, I LOVE THE POOL.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THE BEST EXERCISE.
SO SINCE WE LOVE AND HONOR OUR SENIORS, UM, LET'S LOVE THE SWIMMERS
I KNOW THAT FUNDING'S TIGHT AND YOU KNOW, I KIND OF GET DISCOURAGED, LIKE, OH, WELL I'M, YOU KNOW, WHY SHOULD I SPEAK WHATEVER, BUT I JUST, I STAND UP FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND I LOVE THAT.
ALRIGHT, ANYWAY, WE CAN FIND OUT A WAY CREATIVELY USE IT.
AND WE HAVE SOMEONE TO FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU.
I'M ACTUALLY, WELL SHE'S, SHE'S SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
DO YOU WANT US YOU WANT YOUR THREE MINUTES? UH, I DON'T THINK I NEED THAT MUCH.
SHE'S HERE TO TALK ABOUT CEDAR HILL, UH, LAGOON SENIOR AS WELL.
YOU PLEASE GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS OR YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES IF YOU LIKE.
AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY, I HAVE MEMORIES BECAUSE YOU GAVE ME A PROCLAMATION WHEN I, THREE YEARS AGO, CAN YOU IMAGINE? WHEN I RETIRED FROM THE CEDAR HILL POST OFFICE.
SO I'VE APPRECIATED THAT AND I'VE BEEN IN THE POOL EVER SINCE THAT I'VE, UH, JOINED THREE YEARS ALREADY, THREE SUMMERS AND JUST TO FOLLOW UP, UM, I USE A WALKER JUST, UH, FOR MY HIP AND MY KNEE WHEN I'M WALKING ON THE LAND AND CAN WALK AROUND THE BLOCK.
BUT IT'S NOT REALLY THAT MUCH FUN.
BUT BOY, WHEN I GET IN THAT LAZY RIVER, I DON'T NEED THE WALKER, I DON'T NEED THE CANE, I DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
AND MY HUSBAND WOULD SAID HE WOULD NEVER GO IN WATER.
AND I FINALLY, THIS SUMMER, GOT HIM TO JOIN AND HE WENT SOMETHING LIKE ALMOST 40 TIMES THIS SUMMER AND WE'RE BOTH ABOUT THE SAME AGE AND HE HAD HEALTH ISSUES AND IT JUST HELPED HIM SO MUCH.
HE HAS A TAN
UM, BUT THERE WASN'T A ONE PERSON THAT, AS WE WERE JUST GOING AROUND THE POOL THAT DID NOT WANNA SIGN FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE SEASON.
SO, UM, I THINK BUDGET WISE, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE FREEDOM TO SAY THIS, BUT I'LL JUST SPEAK FOR MYSELF.
WE ONLY HAVE TO PAY $20 FOR A SEASON PASS FOR OVER 55.
AND, UM, IF YOU LIVE IN CEDAR HILL, I REALLY THINK THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEM TO PAY ANOTHER WHATEVER, $10 FOR
[00:30:01]
A SEASON PASS, YOU KNOW, TO, TO HELP, UH, PROVIDE FOR THE LIFEGUARD.AND THAT SEEMS TO BE EVERY, EVERY SUMMER, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
WE CAN'T STAY OPEN LONGER DURING THE WEEK.
'CAUSE THE CHILDREN GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN COLLEGE.
AND THEY DID HAVE LIKE TWO PEOPLE THAT I MET THIS YEAR THAT THEY WERE NOT, THEY WERE OUTTA HIGH SCHOOL AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COLLEGE.
SO THEY, AND THEY SAID THEY WERE LIFEGUARD TRAINED.
SO I THINK, LIKE KATHLEEN SAID, THERE IS, UM, YOU KNOW, O OPPORTUNITY TO GET, SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF LIFEGUARDS DURING THE WEEK, UM, FOR US SENIORS FOR THE SENIOR TIME.
AND, UM, IT'S JUST, IT'S, IT'S SO HELPFUL.
I LIKE TO SWIM, I SWIM LAPS, YOU KNOW.
OH, IF I, WHEN IT CLOSES, WE HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE CEDAR HILL 'CAUSE THERE'S NO POOL OPEN YEAR ROUND HERE IN CEDAR HILL.
SO WE'VE GOTTA HAVE OUR GYM MEMBERSHIPS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, EVEN DESOTA, NOT THAT I'M AGAINST IT, THEY HAVE THE NEW ARC.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO JOIN FOR THE REST OF THE MONTHS TO GO OVER THERE.
BUT IF WE COULD SHORTEN THE TIME AND, AND, AND PAY, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE MONEY COME BACK INTO OUR OWN COMMUNITY, CEDAR HILL, I DON'T KNOW PERSONALLY, I, I MUST THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
JUST DO I GET THESE? UH, YES, PLEASE GIVE THE SECRETARY.
ALL RIGHT, WE GOT ONE MORE COUNSEL, UH, CALEB FERGUSON.
AND, UM, HE'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, I THINK IT'S MASS SURVEILLANCE.
GIVE US YOUR NAME, ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD AND YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
UH, MY NAME IS CALEB FERGUSON OF 1410 WEST.
DR. WEST RIDGE DRIVE, DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS.
FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR JUST ALLOWING THIS, UH, JUST PUBLIC FORUM, THIS FREEDOM OF SPEECH, UH, FOR US TO SPEAK ON ANYTHING THAT CONCERNS US.
AND TODAY I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MASS SURVEILLANCE.
UH, I'M HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ON SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND IS A PLAGUE ON EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE IN OUR NATION.
MASS SURVEILLANCE, AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS HAVE BEEN POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.
THERE ARE OVER 130,000 ACROSS AMERICA.
THEY UNCONSTITUTIONALLY TRACK EVERYONE EVERYWHERE THEY GO.
NUMEROUS THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY REDUCE CRIME.
IN FACT, NUMEROUS PUBLIC OFFICIALS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND FLOCK EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE USING THE CAMERAS TO STALK PEOPLE.
THEY FIND ATTRACTIVE TRACK PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF STATE AS PROBABLE CAUSE AND LOG INTO CAMERAS FACING PARKS AND CHILDREN'S GYMNASTIC CENTERS.
THANKFULLY, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN CEDAR HILL.
BUT THESE CAMERAS ARE A SLIPPERY SLOPE TO ALL KINDS OF EVIL.
THESE CAMERA POLES ARE ALSO DANGEROUSLY INSTALLED.
ANY POLE NEXT TO ROADS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE SLIP PLATES OR SOME SORT OF BREAKAWAY.
THESE CAMERA POLES ARE HASTILY INSTALLED WITH NO SUCH BREAKAWAY.
IN THE EVENT A CAR WERE TO HIT THESE POLES, IT WOULD BE LIKE HITTING A SOLID TREE.
EACH CAMERA POLE IS A DEATH WAITING TO HAPPEN.
THESE APRS CLAIM TO BE JUST PLATE READERS, BUT THE COMPANIES IN CHARGE OF THEM PROUDLY SHOW OFF HOW THEY CREATE VEHICLE FINGERPRINTS BY IDENTIFYING, UH, FEATURES SUCH AS DAMAGE AND BUMPER STICKERS.
THESE A LPR CAMERAS ARE JUST THE START.
THESE COMPANIES HAVE BEGUN TO ADD SIGNAL TRACE DEVICES TO THESE CAMERAS.
THESE DEVICES READ AND IDENTIFY THE SIGNALS THAT ALL CELLULAR AND BLUETOOTH DEVICES ADMIT AND CAN AT THIS TIME, TRACK YOU WITHOUT LINE OF SIGHT.
GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 WAS A WARNING, NOT AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL COUNCIL MEMBERS, I AND THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL URGE YOU TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SURVEILLANCE, TAKE DOWN ALL THESE CAMERAS AND NOT WRITE UP A NEW CONTRACT WITH A DIFFERENT PROVIDER.
WE DON'T WANT FLOCK IN CEDAR HILL.
WE DON'T WANT AXON, GENETECH, LEONARDO MOLD, NEOLOGY, AND MANY MORE.
WE WANT NONE OF THESE, THESE CAMERAS AND TRACKING DEVICES VIOLATE THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, OUR RIGHT TO UNREASONABLE SEARCHES TO WARRANTLESS TRACK AND LOG WHERE EVERY AMERICAN GOES.
I'VE BEEN IN THE CEDAR HILL AND DUNCANVILLE AREA SINCE I WAS TWO.
UH, AND I CAN'T DRIVE TO MY PLACE OF WORSHIP WITHOUT PASSING SIX CAMERAS.
UM, I WILL END WITH A QUOTE FROM BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
THOSE WHO WOULD GIVE UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO PURCHASE A LITTLE TEMPORARY SAFETY DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY NOR SAFETY.
UM, THAT, UM, CONCLUDES OUR PORTION OF THE CITIZENS' FORUM AND COUNSEL, YOU DID RECEIVE TWO ONLINE, UM, I GUESS MAIL.
SO PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAIL FOR THE ONLINE COMMENTS.
[a. Consider accepting the certified appraisal rolls for Tax Year 2026 as submitted by the Dallas and Ellis Central Appraisal Districts.]
NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS BUDGET AND TAX MATTERS.CONSIDER ACCEPTING AND CERTIFIED APPRAISAL ROLES FOR TAX YEAR 2026 AS SUBMITTED BY THE DALLAS AND ELLIS CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT.
COUNSEL, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT, THE FLOOR IS OPEN
[00:35:05]
PRO TIM.I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE CERTIFIED APPRAISAL ROLES FOR TAX YEAR 2026 AS SUBMITTED BY THE DALLAS AND CENT CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICTS.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? WE DO HAVE A SECOND.
UH, ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
[b. Discuss and consider a proposed property tax rate, set public hearing dates for the budget and tax rate, and set a date for adoption.]
ON THE AGENDA IS DISCUSS AND CONSIDER A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATES FOR THE BUDGET AND TAX RATE, AND SET A DATE FOR ADOPTION COUNSEL, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IF NOT, UM, THE FLOOR IS OPEN PRO.I MOVE TO SET A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR 2026 AT 0.6 3 8 9 9 9 PER $100 VALUATION.
I ALSO MOVED TO SET THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE PROPOSED FFY 27 BUDGET ON AUGUST 25TH, 2026 AT 7:00 PM AND FOR THE PROPOSED TAX RATE ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2026 AT 7:00 PM AND SET THE DATE TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THE PROPOSED TAX RATE AND FY 27 BUDGET ON THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ON SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2026 AT 7:00 PM SECOND, WE DO HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
WE ALSO HAVE A SECOND, UM, COUNCIL AT THIS TIME, I WOULD NEED A RECORD VOTE.
[7. Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda includes routine items that may be acted upon with a single vote. Any council member may remove items from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and consideration.]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDER AGENDA.UM, CONSENT AGENDA CAN BE VOTED UPON WITH ONE SINGLE VOTE.
UH, ANY COUNCIL MEMBER MAY REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CONSENT TO BE, UH, FOR A SEPARATE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION.
COUNCIL, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO BE PULLED FROM CONSENT COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM C, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE TO READ THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A AND B, A CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES OF JULY 28TH, 2026, REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND THE AUGUST 4TH, 2026 SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
ITEM B, RECEIVE QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2026.
COUNSEL, THOSE ARE YOUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. UH, COUNCILOR MCCURDY.
MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.
CAN YOU REPEAT THAT ONE MORE TIME? I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
[c. Consider approving Resolution No. R26-792 which adopts rules for the electronic receipt of bids or proposals Policy for the City of Cedar Hill, in accordance with Chapter 252, Section 252.0415 of the Texas Local Government Code.]
ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION NUMBER R 26 DASH 7 92, WHICH ADOPTS RULES FOR ELECTRONIC RECEIPT OF BIDS OR PROPOSAL POLICY FOR THE CITY OF CEDAR HILL IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 2 52, SECTION 22 5 2 0.0415 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, UM, FINANCE DIRECTOR FOX.WOULD YOU MIND PLEASE COMING UP PLEASE, SIR? UM, I, I CAN IMAGINE THE RECEIPT IS, YOU KNOW, ONCE A PROCUREMENT IS ON THE STREET, THIS IS A PLACE THAT YOU PUT IT.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, IS THIS ALSO THE ORIGINATOR OF, OF A BID OR A PROPOSAL, UH, THAT'S GONNA BE RELEASED ON THE STREET? IS IT THE SAME LOCATION? YES SIR.
SO, SO MY QUESTION IS, UM, IS IS THERE AN OLD SYSTEM THAT VENDORS USED TO USE? AND IF SO, UH, DO WE COMMUNICATE WITH THEM THAT NOW WE HAVE A NEW SYSTEM? UM, AND THEN FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW SYSTEM, HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THEM TO INVITE THEM TO THE SYSTEM SO THEY CAN BE BOTH NOTIFIED AND ALSO SUBMIT FOR INTEREST? UH, CURRENT MAYOR, MOST OF THE VENDORS ARE ALREADY AWARE BECAUSE WE, WE USE A PLATFORM CALLED BEACON CURRENTLY, AND IT'S ONE OF THE PLATFORMS THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING.
AND WE ACTUALLY POST THE ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE BIDS OUT THERE.
AND IF YOU'RE REGISTERED IN THAT SYSTEM, YOU'RE BEING NOTIFIED AUTOMATICALLY.
AND MOST OF THE VENDORS WE DO BUSINESS WITH ARE REGISTERED CURRENTLY ALREADY.
SO THIS IS GONNA BE A SEAMLESS PROCESS FOR THEM.
SO THE SYSTEM THAT WE USE TO NOTIFY THAT, THAT'S GONNA REMAIN THE SAME, IT'S JUST A SUBMISSION PROCESS.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE PROVING TONIGHT.
THAT, THAT'S WHAT I, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR, UM, FOR FOX? ALRIGHT.
UM, SO I GOT MY QUESTION ANSWERED.
I'M, I'M OKAY TO MOVE FORWARD.
[00:40:01]
UH, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, THE FLOOR IS OPEN.UH, COUNCILMAN MALONE? THANK YOU MAYOR.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM C.
UH, WE DO HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.
PRO TIM, UH, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND MOVES UNANIMOUS.
UM, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PORTION OF THE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER TODAY.
THE FINAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS TO ADJOURN.
WE DO HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
COUNCILWOMAN INE THE BIRTHDAY GIRL.
UH, ALL IN FAVOR? IT'S NONE DEBATE BUT MOTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.