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, APRIL 21, 2025 AT 3:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Municipal Climate Action Plan Environmental Quality Manager Jody Cason gave the presentation noting the Climate Action Plan for Municipal Operations, Adaptation vs Mitigation, what has been done so far, the five proposed principles of Grand Prairie's climate action plan and what's next that includes presenting to the other council committees and council briefing for input, implementation and monitoring and re-evaluation. Council Member Headen said she is interested in the green procurement policy and would like to know what other cities are doing. Council Member Adams mentioned she would like feedback on the tree canopy study and its impact, edible landscaping and in the city's five-year plan would like to see how the city plans to launch this in a way that invites the community to connect and participate. Chairman Lopez inquired if the overall assessment will be done third party or in house. Mr. Cason replied the overall assessment would be done third party. The committee thanked staff for this presentation. 2. Water Utility Customer Service System Replacement Project Utility Customer Service Superintendent Tonja Woody gave the presentation noting the new Utility Customer Service Portal will launch this summer, with multiple communication channels used in an effort to maximize awareness and targeted communication planned for select customer groups, businesses across the city and digitally underserve residents, as well as a targeted customer engagement plan and various support initiatives planned post go live date of June 2, 2025. The committee thanked staff for the presentation and commended their efforts to ensure all customers are enrolled in Sprypoint, and excited the upgraded system will offer customers one platform to access billing, payment and consumption information. 3. Aquatics Safety Aquatics Division Manager Jeremy Thomas gave the presentation and presented the Parks, Arts and Recreation Aquatics Team noting they are American Red Cross certified, and Certified Pool and Spa Operators. Mr. Thomas gave an update on the city’s aquatic facilities, industry pool standards, chemical testing, splash pad safety, lightning safety and the free lifejacket loaner at Lynn Creek Park for kids and adults, available Saturdays and Sundays Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – April 21, 2025 Page 1 of 5  during the summer months. Deputy City Manager Cheryl De Leon gave kudos to the high standards of the Aquatics Team. The committee thanked staff for their presentation and efforts. CONSENT AGENDA Chairman Lopez asked if the committee had any questions on the Consent Agenda items. Council Member Adams asked for clarification on the additional funds requested on item seven. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Adams, to approve item four and recommend approval to council of items five through eight. The motion carried unanimously. 4. Minutes of the March 17, 2025 Public Safety, Health and Environment Committee Meeting Approved on Consent Agenda 5. Professional Design Services Contract with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc. in the amount of $88,850 for Master Plan Design Services associated with the Solid Waste Landfill Facilities Approved on Consent Agenda 6. Resolution supporting the application for and acceptance of a FY 2024 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance to be used for law enforcement purposes for $30,676 in total funding with an agreement for $9,202.80 to be allocated to funding Dallas County projects and $1,503.12 to be allocated to the City of Dallas for fiscal administration fees and expenditures leaving a net amount of $19,970.08 to the City of Grand Prairie and authorizing the City Manager to execute documents relative to the acceptance, rejection, alteration, or termination of the grant, including an interlocal agreement with the City of Dallas, Dallas County, and other Dallas County subrecipients Approved on Consent Agenda 7. Ordinance amending the FY 2024/2025 Capital Improvements Projects Budget to allocate $65,064 of unobligated Airport Capital Project Funds to the South Service Road Reconstruction and Widening Project; Authorize additional funds ($101,968) for improvements to the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport by the Texas Department of Transportation for the construction of the south service road reconstruction and widening project Approved on Consent Agenda 8. Resolution of Support of Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. to the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality for a Municipal Setting Designation at 408 113th Street in Arlington, Texas Approved on Consent Agenda INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION 9. Ordinance amending the FY 2024/2025 Operating Budget to allocate $373,345 to Airport Fund and Risk Management Fund for insurance repairs that are offset by insurance proceeds; Change Order No. 1 to the Contract with Calvary Construction Company, LLC for the Rebuild and Mitigation of Grand Prairie Airport Hanger 4South in the amount of $373,345.24 for expanded scope of work, bringing the total contract amount to $1,194,012.05 Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – April 21, 2025 Page 2 of 5  Airport Director Mark Divita presented this item to the committee noting Airport Hangar 4South was completely damaged during a fire that occurred in April 2024. Calvary Construction Company, LLC was recommended by TML for rebuild and mitigation. The total original cost of the project was $820,666.71. Additional damage was discovered during the repair process resulting in the need for a change order in the amount of $373,345.34. TML is covering all costs less the $10,000 deductible. Mr. Divita replied to Council Member Adams inquiry on the cause of the fire. Council Member Adams moved, seconded by Council Member Headen, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously. 10. Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, Sections 18-12, “Protection of Wild Animals” and Section 18- 14 “Swimming”, of the Grand Prairie Code of Ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas and Adding Section 18-29.3 “Water Use Restrictions for Epic Central Illuvia Pond” to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Grand Prairie, Texas to clarify that boating, fishing, swimming, bathing, and wading are not permitted in Epic Central Illuvia Pond; Providing a Penalty Clause, Making the Ordinance Cumulative; and Providing an Effective Date After Publication Deputy City Attorney Tiffany Bull presented this item to the committee noting swimming, fishing and boating are not permitted in the Epic Central Illuvia Pond. The pond is properly posted to provide notice to all individuals present that swimming, fishing, and boating is not allowed. However, a review of the existing Code of Ordinances showed the current wording of sections 18-12 and 18-14 is ambiguous or incomplete making criminal enforcement of the ordinance more challenging. This change will correct the language of these sections to remove ambiguity and clarify that swimming, fishing, and boating are not legally permitted in the Epic Central Illuvia Pond. Council Member Headen inquired if there will be any changes to the current signage. Deputy City Manager Cheryl De Leon said staff is evaluating and will check with legal to ensure compliance. Chairman Lopez inquired if this notice is posted on the digital board. Ms. De Leon said there is an announcement before each Illuvia show. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Adams, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously. 11. Annual sole source agreement with Invictus Apps, for Prepared Assist Communications Service, in the amount of $49,536 for one year, with the option to renew for two additional one- year periods for $49,536, totaling $148,608 if all renewal options are utilized Chief of Police Daniel Scesney presented this item to the committee noting Prepared Assist brings cutting-edge technology to support the Grand Prairie Police Department’s Emergency Communications Division by enhancing dispatcher and call taker accuracy, efficiency, and overall performance. The platform transcribes and translates incoming emergency, and non-emergency calls in real time, allowing staff to focus on the caller without the distraction of manual notetaking. This leads to clearer communication, better documentation, and fewer missed details. Additionally, the technology can detect indicators of complex incidents, such as domestic violence or behavioral health crises, providing crucial insights early in the call. By reducing cognitive load and improving situational awareness, Prepared Assist empowers Grand Prairie Police Department dispatchers and call takers to respond with greater Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – April 21, 2025 Page 3 of 5  confidence, accuracy, and effectiveness. Prepared Assist also highlights key information—such as location, call type, and potential threats— helping staff quickly identify priorities and dispatch the appropriate resources. In fast-moving or high stress situations, this support can improve response times and improve public safety outcomes. Council Member Headen said she is impressed the platform transcribes and translates incoming emergency and non-emergency calls in real time. Council Member Adams asked if this agreement was put out for bid. Chief Scesney said he would need to research and report back to the committee. Council Member Adams moved, seconded by Council Member Headen, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously. 12. Landfill Gas Agreement Which Transfers Ownership of Landfill Gas to Morrow Energy, LLC, Authorizes Construction of Gas Processing Facilities at the Landfill, and Provides Revenue Sharing and Royalties to the City Director of Solid Waste and Recycling Patricia Redfearn presented this item to the committee noting the City of Grand Prairie owns and operates a Type I MSW Landfill. This sanitary landfill generates over 1,000 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) of landfill gas, which is approximately 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide. This gas is currently collected in a gas control and collection system and pulled to a flare, which destroys it in compliance with environmental regulations. Landfill gas has value as an alternative fuel for a variety of potential purchases, such as gas-to-energy, compressed gas, or to be put into a pipeline. The purpose of this request is to seek approval of an agreement with Morrow Energy, LLC through which Morrow Energy, LLC will purchase and process landfill gas into High-BTU Gas. The agreement includes revenue-sharing terms. Sources of income associated with this project include royalties associated with sale of HBTU gas, a fee for flared gas, a fee for other biogas processed at the facility, and potential share of environmental attributes, CO2 revenue, and tax credits. Joshua Hull, P.E. Senior Vice President of Morrow Energy, LLC gave a brief update on Morrow Energy LLC, mentioning most of their projects are in Texas and also answered the committee’s questions on some of the environmental attributes, who purchases the high-BTU gas, as well as, discussion on gas processing facility safety and compliance and revenue sharing and royalties to the city. Council Member Headen moved, seconded by Council Member Adams, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously 13. Ordinance accepting the dedication of real property located at 430 S.W. 3rd Street, Dallas County, from First Presbyterian Church of Grand Prairie for the city’s community garden program for estimated closing and survey costs of $5,000 from the Capital Improvements Projects Fund; Amending the FY 2024/2025 Solid Waste Capital Improvements Projects budget to fund said expenditure; and authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary for said acceptance Ms. Redfearn presented this item to the committee noting the purpose of this request is to seek approval from the City Council to authorize the City Manager to acquire/accept by donation a specific piece of real property for the City’s Community Garden located at 430 S.W. 3rd Street, Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – April 21, 2025 Page 4 of 5  Grand Prairie, Dallas County. The title company that the city is working with on this project is Allegiance Title Company of Grand Prairie. Chairman Lopez inquired who will operate this community garden. Ms. Redfearn mentioned community gardeners are responsible in maintaining. Council Member Adams moved, seconded by Council Member Headen, to recommend approval of this item to Council. The motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION No executive session was held. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Lopez adjourned the meeting at 4:36 p.m. Chairman John Lopez Public Safety, Health, and Environment Committee – April 21, 2025 Page 5 of 5