Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CITY HALL - COUNCIL BRIEFING ROOM, 300 W. MAIN STREET MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 AT 3:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairman Lopez called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. PRESENT Chairperson John Lopez Council Member Bessye Adams Council Member Jacquin Headen STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Emergency Management Update on the City of Grand Prairie’s Outdoor Warning Sirens and Emergency Flood Sirens Emergency Management Coordinator Chase Wheeler provided an update on the outdoor warning and flood siren system. He reviewed activation criteria and discussed Weather Service notifications. Mr. Wheeler said Grand Prairie is the city in the area that has a wind sensor and also has a train derailment siren that can be activated. He reviewed information on three flood sirens used to warn residents and businesses within flood prone areas, discussed activation and testing and various zones. Mr. Wheeler noted assistance provided by multiple departments, discussed planning ahead, reviewed pertinent flood insurance information and promoted subscribing to AlertGP. Council Member Headen asked to clarify a hazardous material emergency. Mr. Wheeler noted such alert allows them to sound sirens and get people inside for shelter. He added that a hazmat team has a collection of guides to assist in determining types of material. Council Member Adams asked if there is a collection of pollen type information. Mr. Wheeler noted there may be a better tool for that type of information and he discussed the Tier 2 Facility list and mapping. Council Member Adams noted she would like to see increased information sent to the flood prone areas. Fire Chief Robert Fite discussed Capital Improvement Projects and filling some of the gaps. Mr. Wheeler discussed the need for additional sirens in down south as the infrastructure is now ten years old. Chairman Lopez noted he would like to see additional information shared with residents in Fox Hollow. Mr. Wheeler advised those three areas receive an annual postcard, and flyers during certain events through the year, and said he will push additional information out on social media. Council Member Adams asked if there would be upgrades or purchase of new equipment and Mr. Wheeler confirmed some may be retained and others would need to be replaced depending on technology, as well as the need to expand down south but options would be forthcoming and presented. PRESENTED Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – January 13, 2025 Page 1 of 4  2. Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure General Services Director Jayson Ramirez introduced Fleet Manager Colby Franz who spoke of achieving the 2024 Shining Star for Gold Fleet award. He presented information on the number of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid EV currently in the city's fleet. Mr. Franz said the city currently has twenty chargers across four sites and there were a total of one thousand eighteen charging sessions this past year. He discussed the north sector EV infrastructure and proposed city facilities locations. There was discussion of not much parking at Betty Warmack Library. Mr. Ramirez noted they currently have five hundred thousand dollars set aside. Council Member Adams suggested installing starting south then moving north since there are already locations further north. Council Member Headen suggested adding more to Epic Central area. There was discussion on requested grants for EV and infrastructure. Chairman Lopez noted with the new Fire Station coming in down south, it would be ideal to have one that far south and said he would like to have a one-pager with this information ready when Council goes to Washington, DC to talk to legislators. Deputy City Manager Megan Mahan advised staff is currently working on one. PRESENTED 3. Mobile Libraries Schedule Update Library Director Peter Sime provided an update on mobile libraries, noting there are two waiting to be delivered to the Fleet Department. He said deployment is scheduled mid to late March and reviewed photos of the mobile units. Mr. Sime discussed books/materials to check out and other available services, including a public us PC and printer, a bubble machine, a smart tv and sound system. He advised there will be weekly stops in each district with stops based on Council input noting it provides a solid schedule for customers to get library services. Mr. Sime reviewed outreach efforts for Mobile Library 2 with events such as Main Street Fest and various visits to Epic Central and Asia Times Square. Council Member Headen expressed support for targeting different populations. Mr. Sime discussed the eye catching wrap on the mobile libraries. Council Member Lopez suggested going south of Interstate 20 into the neighborhoods and tying programming into the stops. Council Member Adams discussed offering afterhours services and taking it to the southern end of the town. Council Member Headen suggested adding bistro tables with chairs. Library Programmer Ashley advised they are proposing the addition of a reading corner with folding chairs available awhile outside and Mr. Sime discussed the use of carts that lock into place. Ms. Mahan advised they will be tweaking it as council chimes in and will review this with other council committees. Mr. Sime also noted there is an access ramp at the back of the vehicle. CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Lopez asked if the committee had questions on any Consent Agenda items. There were none. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Adams, to recommend approval to council of items four and five. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Minutes of December 9, 2024, Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee Meeting APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – January 13, 2025 Page 2 of 4  5. Approve annual contract for landscape maintenance for various locations with BBLW, LLC of dba Landworks for an amount not to exceed $55,677 annually. This contract will be for one year with the possibility of four one-year renewals for a total of $278,385.00 if all extensions are exercised. APPROVED ON CONSENT AGENDA INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 6. Contract for the purchase of body-worn cameras for the Municipal Court (City Marshals) in the total amount of $167,881.40 through BuyBoard Contract #743-24 Municipal Court Director Steven Cherry reviewed information on purchasing the body cameras, noting Grand Prairie Police currently utilizes the same type body cameras. Council Member Adams moved, seconded by Council Member Headen, to recommend approval to Council of this item. The motion carried unanimously. 7. Authorize the purchase of two mobile solar charging units from Beam Global, Inc. in the amount of $192,538.12 through an Interlocal Agreement with the Federal General Services Administration (GSA). This purchase will utilize grant funding received from the Department of Energy Public Health Manager Jody Cason presented background information on the solar EV chargers, noting the city allocated $220,600 in funds and was based on population as provided by the Department of Energy. He Reviewed project selections from last year and advised the application was submitted in April of 2024 then approved last summer. Mr. Cason showed a photo of the solar EV chargers, noting they are totally solar and not connected to the grid. He said they can charge two vehicles at a time, though they are slower because they are not connected to grid. Mr. Cason advised the plan is to place them at the Charles V. England Training Center parking lot and noted the grant was specific for city fleet electrification and not for public use. Chairman Lopez asked if it is sturdy and Mr. Cason confirmed it is confirmed to sustain up to 160 mile per hour winds. Council Member Adams asked if there may be future grant funding for more. Mr. Cason confirmed the cost is one hundred ninety-eight thousand and the City Manager's Office along with Fleet Department are reviewing for additional opportunities. Chairman Lopez requested a report to be sent to the committee when available. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Adams, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Chairman Lopez called a closed session at 3:53 p.m. pursuant to Chapter 551, Subchapter D of the Government Code, V.T.C.A., to discuss Section 551.071 “Consultation with Attorney” - Legal Issues Associated with the Recreational use of Epic Central. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – January 13, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Chairman Lopez adjourned the meeting at 4:11 p.m. Chairman John Lopez Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – January 13, 2025 Page 4 of 4