City Council Development Committee

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CITY HALL - COUNCIL BRIEFING ROOM, 300 W. MAIN STREET WEDNESDAY, JUNE 04, 2025 AT 4:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman Mike Del Bosque called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Present Chairman Mike Del Bosque Council Member Jacquin Headen Council Member Tony Shotwell STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations Jody Cason, Environmental Quality Manager, presented the Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations. The presentation included an overview of the city's current carbon-friendly initiatives, the 2024 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory for municipal operations, five proposed guiding principles of Grand Prairie's Climate Action Plan, a five-year plan outlining best management practices and goals, and the next steps moving forward. Council Member Headen inquired about the definition of zero-scaping. Mr. Cason provided an explanation of the concept. Council Member Shotwell asked whether there are public education efforts related to zero-scaping. Megan Mahan, Deputy City Manager, gave a brief overview of the departments that offer educational classes on the topic. Noreen Housewright, Director of Engineering and Utilities Services, will provide the committee with a schedule of upcoming classes. Council Member Shotwell recommended accelerating the expansion of the city's electric vehicle (EV) fleet while federal EV credit remains available. He also inquired about plans to install additional EV charging stations. Mr. Cason responded that the city has received a grant and has already purchased two portable solar-powered EV chargers. Council Member Headen raised a question regarding the city's practice of turning off lights only during bird migration seasons, suggesting that a year-round approach be considered. Mr. Cason explained the intent of the Lights Out program and emphasized that, in some instances, lighting must remain on to ensure public safety. Council Member Headen recommended evaluating which lights could be safely turned off throughout the year without compromising safety. Council Member Shotwell also inquired about retrofitting existing lighting infrastructure with LED fixtures. Ms. Mahan confirmed that the retrofit project is currently in progress and is being implemented in phases. City Council Development Committee – June 04, 2025 Page 1 of 3  Chairman Del Bosque asked for clarification on the Climate Action Plan’s impact on emissions and its potential to support oxygen production, noting that such efforts could be particularly beneficial in District 5. Mr. Cason provided relevant information on the topic. Chairman Del Bosque stated that he will follow up with Mr. Cason to introduce him to a company that produces a by-product that may support the city's environmental goals. The committee thanked staff for their informative presentation and dedicated efforts. 2. Intersection Technology for Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection Raul Perez, Transportation Coordinator, presented to the committee an overview of various traffic signal technologies available to assist with vehicle and pedestrian detection at intersections. These technologies included loop detection (magnetic), video detection, radar detection, video/radar detection, video/infrared detection, pedestrian detection, emergency vehicle detection, and railroad detection. The committee expressed their appreciation to staff for the informative presentation. CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Del Bosque asked the committee if they had questions on any of the consent agenda items. Council Member Shotwell asked on consent agenda item five if Gifford Hill produces these types of concrete pipe, Caryl DeVries, Director of Transportation and Mobility said they do not. There being no further questions, Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Shotwell to approve consent agenda item three and recommend approval to council on consent agenda items four and five. The motion carried unanimously. 3. Minutes of the May 20, 2025 City Council Development Committee Meeting Approved on Consent Agenda 4. Agreement with City of Midlothian to Transfer the Portion of Certificate of Convenience and Necessity No 11706 which is located within the City of Grand Prairie’s Corporate Limits and Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction to the City of Grand Prairie Approved on Consent Agenda 5. Reject all bids submitted for RFB# 25016 – Purchase of Reinforced Concrete Pipe Approved on Consent Agenda ITEMS FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 6. Professional engineering Services contract with Halff Associates, Inc. for Engineering Services for the CentrePort Trail Phase 2 project in an amount not to exceed $824,000 Brett Huntsman, Transportation Planner, presented this item to the committee, noting the request for approval of a professional engineering services agreement with Halff Associates, Inc. for services related to the CentrePort Trail Phase 2 project. This phase includes the design of a concrete shared-use path beginning at the intersection of Trinity Boulevard and High River Road at the city limits, continuing along Roy Orr Boulevard, crossing to the east side at City Council Development Committee – June 04, 2025 Page 2 of 3  Oakdale Road, spanning the West Fork Trinity River, and connecting to Mike Lewis Park. The scope of services under this agreement encompasses all necessary engineering work to support the design and implementation of the trail extension. Council Member Headen inquired whether the federal reimbursement applies to the planning phase. Caryl DeVries, Director of Transportation and Mobility, clarified that the entire project is included, and staff is actively working to secure the local match funding. Council Member Headen asked about potential challenges and whether staff is confident in the cost estimates. Ms. DeVries responded that the selected product is the best available option and the cost estimates are fairly accurate. Headen then asked about the project timeline, and it was noted that completion is expected within approximately 12 months. Council Member Shotwell expressed concern regarding the use of the phrase “up to” in relation to funding. Ms. DeVries explained that there is an 80% federal reimbursement rate, with any overages being the responsibility of the municipality. Ms. Mahan further clarified the reimbursement process, confirming a net reimbursement rate of 80%. Ms. DeVries added that CMAC funding has not been impacted by the current administration. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Shotwell, to recommend approval of this agenda item to the City Council. The motion carried unanimously. 7. Request for Approval of Proposed July City Council Development Committee Meeting Date and Time Ms. Mahan presented this item to the committee, requesting approval for the proposed scheduling of the next City Council Development Committee meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Council Member Headen advised she was unavailable on that date and inquired if the meeting could be rescheduled to Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Chairman Del Bosque and Council Member Shotwell agreed with the proposed change. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Shotwell, to approve the revised meeting date. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION No executive session was held. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Del Bosque adjourned the meeting at 4:48 p.m. Gloria Colvin, Deputy City Secretary City Council Development Committee – June 04, 2025 Page 3 of 3