CITY COUNCIL - 2026-02-10

Council approved calling a bond election for May 2026 with propositions including streets/mobility, public safety facilities, parks, affordable housing ($10M), and other infrastructure improvements. Total bond package exceeds $800M. State law requires ballot language stating 'THIS IS A TAX INCREASE' though city designed program to work within existing tax rate.

Council approved placing multiple charter amendments on May 2026 ballot including Proposition G (council pay raise to $50,000 for members, $60,000 for mayor) and Proposition M (city manager authority over department creation/consolidation for non-charter-mandated departments).

Ordinance to restrict registered sex offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of places where children gather was continued to next council meeting for legal review. Council member Larsdorf proposed increasing distance to 2,000 feet but motion failed for lack of second.

Council approved MSD for 57.5 acres at 5920-5933 South Freeway owned by Bear Holdings LLC for industrial development. Site has groundwater contamination (arsenic, lead, manganese) from historic iron slag dumping. Approval includes extensive amendments for community protection.

Council approved resolutions of support for housing tax credit applications in Council Districts 2 (Irma Park senior housing), 3, 5, 6, and 8.

Council denied resolution of support for Thompson housing tax credit application in District 4 due to concerns about inadequate community notification timeline and limited outreach to surrounding communities.

Council denied resolution of support for Palladium Legacy Drive, a proposed 90-unit mixed-income development near North Elementary and Harmony Charter School. Council member Hill cited traffic concerns and sided with neighborhood opposition despite developer's offer to fund $650,000 school queuing improvements.

Rezoning request for 42 acres from agricultural to light industrial for data center expansion near Forest Hill was continued to March 10, 2026 pending council briefing on data centers.

Companion rezoning case for additional data center acreage continued to March 10, 2026 as companion to ZC-25-184.

Council denied with prejudice rezoning request to convert former Dollar General at Hemphill Street to regional tire store with light automotive services. Council member Martinez cited 23 existing automotive businesses within 2-mile stretch and neighborhood opposition to additional auto-oriented uses.

Council approved 2-year conditional use permit for CDL truck driving school at 4000 East Berry Street operated by Three Rivers CDL on Greater Saint Stephen's Baptist Church campus.

Approved rezoning at 3168 North Glen Garden Drive from B (two-family residential) and E (neighborhood commercial) to CF with conditional use permit for lodging.

Council authorized use of eminent domain to acquire 0.5018 acres permanent easement and 1.3336 acres temporary easement from Acard Property 2001 LLC at 11300 South Freeway for South Side water transmission main project.