[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6789563,"mediaKeyId","5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8","parentId",5602140,"title","Residents press council on power outages, Tarrant Appraisal District ballot and a stalking complaint","audioSeconds",306,"startMs",5688805,"endMs",5995195,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8&start=5688&end=5995","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8/thumbnail_5688805.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6789563/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Residents-press-council-on-power-outages-Tarrant-Appraisal-District-ballot-and-a-stalking-complaint","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789563-b97563a20289c98f0adc1297361790d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500292&Signature=HD7F9u0DhCMgvMVWPNHbGEEwfIs52k9VtKGQH2YSzrTN803jb0yQkt8CF9K4b8DtUHNcLg~uVPTXggZQBFaBQC91djtMbq~YHb89KSx0f~KYBljYgSftZbekyAahwn2~9RHuy6Dfd2JE14DFsPFL2wrnl8g94Ic2sQYEs96ywQFtb3EjIydGXxtciIFoAGWW9EsDWjhLPLPtBDvUnTcV3ldBcg9MOqdM0zgfnbhN-HE0c9us0L8LcHBEcE7Epja4Z7LVrQL9ZKLfiiq24D5XxusleP8HLwxE2jT~fiqsfRQ6o4A5uyYkx67zWhIOWyDKnms7I~h6heAaren-j8h7fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Prairie","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents used the public-comment period to press the council on separate issues affecting neighborhoods.

A resident addressing the Tarrant Appraisal District urged the council to participate in the upcoming TAD ballot and described his candidacy and concerns about frozen reappraisal plans and uneven benefits to homeowners; he urged yearly appraisals to better reflect market changes and said he would seek the TAD nomination when the process arrives.

Dr. Angela Lucky Vaughn described repeated incidents where she said a vehicle followed her across the city; she said she called 911, officers responded and conducted an on-scene investigation, and that the individual claimed to represent a private investigator but that claim was disputed. She requested increased patrols in her neighborhood and said she feared for children's safety as schools are starting.

Harold Willis and other residents raised complaints about recent power outages and power surges south of Interstate 20, citing events in June when thousands lost electricity for minutes to hours. Willis said residents with medical vulnerabilities were at risk and urged the council to invite Encore/Oncor to address reliability and proposed rate increases. He asked the council to hold the utility accountable and to encourage constituents to file outage reports with the Public Utility Commission and the utility's outage map.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Prairie - City Council 08192025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents urged council action: one speaker asked the city to participate in the Tarrant Appraisal District ballot, a resident reported being followed and asked for police attention, and another urged council to hold Encore/Oncor accountable for recent outages and rate increases.","taxTitle","Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2784,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789568,"Council approves Goodland Town Center annexation, zoning plan that could allow thousands of new homes",1745,3662940,5407975,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8&start=3662&end=5407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8/thumbnail_3662940.jpg","/articles/6789568/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-Goodland-Town-Center-annexation-zoning-plan-that-could-allow-thousands-of-new-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789568-084aff3761d7a96b82dddf7bb448b799/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500292&Signature=NrLQLLENisqlmgE8fJf8afLvYFDKT056l0yBknktC9NrMnpeYzqK9CcFAToBstaK8-meO9Z4W48XmGXXdDgLxlIaGVEiNcyqZpey4cQbk~1LIVVzC27s~PyskI5z~QaceX1nZ1iG9x2j8Y1qgMFvjJXMJy-rJQiC8P~VitxnIn7KQGJu4Q8zCdGvR6~~gXlBLpiJXo74guXh-xv0oh87zXrqvTMzBLBEJa-rwiY0O8Hl2NPfprzQvzRTU6Xqrt5V4-354L3QqEFOCZxoQ7WIWsoPeZBsbaFKN~GXnqf4Hd8Y2TmXeHlMlGjkoImaK3~9aMvWi9BQgLQnkxoh4LYwYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council approved multiple measures related to the Goodland Town Center: a two-part annexation and related zoning and future land-use updates to create a plan development district covering roughly 800–890 acres that staff described as a mixed-use town center and mixed-residential area.

Tiffany Bull, deputy city attorney, and planning staff explained the annexation and zoning components. Staff said the mixed-residential character area covers about 550 acres with capacity for up to 4,500 dwelling units overall in that area (including a cap of 1,500 multifamily units in neighborhood commercial nodes), and the mixed-use character area covers about 360 acres with a town-center core intended to include a civic park and at least 50 acres of walkable public space. Planning and Zoning recommended approval (vote reported as 6–0 for the Goodland plan), and council closed the public hearings and approved the annexations and zoning changes.

Council and staff noted letters in the record: staff said five letters of opposition had been submitted raising concerns about property values and taxes, though not all letters included detailed comments. Council member comments noted that some parcels lie within surrounding jurisdictions and that conditions in the plan include transportation and stormwater improvements to be constructed prior to operation of proposed developments. Planning staff said the plan allows a variety of housing types — single-family, townhomes, paired homes, multi-unit and mixed-use buildings — and caps neighborhood commercial nodes at 20 acres each.","Council approved annexation and a plan development district for the Goodland Town Center — roughly 800–890 acres — with mixed-use and mixed-residential character areas allowing up to several thousand dwelling units and a town-center core with civic space.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789573,"Council approves one-year towing contract with 5% built-in increase after debate",999,2416210,3415580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8&start=2416&end=3415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8/thumbnail_2416210.jpg","/articles/6789573/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-approves-one-year-towing-contract-with-5-built-in-increase-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789573-ec5bc176df8301a1c863eb029fd94ed0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500292&Signature=MouXdmMm~ePSy2B7V8YRyMiamhOyKTwjyHuAfeH5Yt65JgWo8Pspxt7IZ1mlDVaqisJKztIfUhHJexRFEwrB7MP7knZyh21fe3z~-K6e3INV5EtMmpst~xwCBE3DsUGJR9XTazxxOmb7HRQULjJRthYb14eJ2P5UcERNRholbmivaYVTj939Q9PSfL~fFEVzIlqjufM63K40Eml~GizdHrP2Ripp4R50vPyMMLMdk-7Av6JPwghDhNWrtFV6jQlHlfJ2HUR8UabyMoUh927rpCCpaDur3OENctgayNloyraTvekpTxjYOEQ2YCzivhXheP02Iru7Q6BXMs5yxY137Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council approved an annual towing-services contract with a total value listed at $1,550,000 for the year and options to renew for four additional one-year terms. Ryan Simpson, assistant director of the police department, outlined the contract and said it included a provision for a built-in rate increase capacity; staff recommended a built-in adjustment, but council members debated whether the built-in increase should be capped at 2% to limit the city's exposure.

Councilmember Tony Shotwell moved to approve the contract as presented with a built-in allowance up to 5% if documented and approved under the contract terms; the motion passed 8-1 after extended discussion about past increases and recent growth in tow volume. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem (speaker 13) cast the lone dissenting vote and urged a 2% cap, citing the city's fiscal exposure.

Tow operator Greg Joiner told the council the business has faced sharply higher equipment costs — he said a truck bought in 2022 cost about $103,000 and a comparable 2025 model runs about $161,000 — and that labor and parts pressures have reduced margins, making the contract increase mechanism important to maintain service coverage and offer benefits such as health insurance to employees. City staff said the city passes through vendor charges to vehicle owners and then adds a $46 mark-up to fund impound operations, saying the direct cost of towing is not a general-fund expense.

Simpson and procurement staff clarified that any increase beyond the built-in allowance would come back to council for consideration and that vendors must document cost changes to justify any requested adjustments. Council members who supported the higher built-in allowance cited rising tow volumes (staff said tows increased from under 6,000 to over 7,000 per year) and higher equipment costs; those favoring the 2% cap cited the need for justification and more transparency in contract contingencies. The motion to approve as presented passed 8-1.","After a lengthy exchange about limiting built-in rate increases, council approved a $1.55 million one-year towing contract (with up to four 1-year renewals) and a built-in 5% rate increase provision; the motion passed 8-1 with Deputy Mayor Pro Tem voting no.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6789578,"Grand Prairie staff detail flood-warning upgrades and new notification tools",99,529110,628955,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8&start=529&end=628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602140-54599bd45a158052108caf6d797899c8/thumbnail_529110.jpg","/articles/6789578/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Grand-Prairie-staff-detail-flood-warning-upgrades-and-new-notification-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6789578-bea397d7f0f156b60dc34019572ca8cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500292&Signature=BTjBf8rhX4RNQrEMDKm4-jMecpHOvTW-t-hNRINYRnKTgtRIas1m6U2lb7o4~NebtTvjgBcgcXAeNjdYwBbPlOS60S3cepHZNM2e3dc-kuMdvd4Iqc8CagC0gzVfqEzKiSBh9C~lW1KnQaRngFOWl~yFgeQMj2e-Ndh0PcldjQKJ1n7ZkvMMuNu9JYFKkc76jUZa-ZriLOsUhGOi2LbSDMO0XX~2qlMCocnB2QpqqD8R~0U3yh9DbfLLMKAMIswfNU8eO7anUE63dsT0J0wfMLTOcBvKWf9K1Wpoow7fODB15Thi1riPZT339MhMymmxOBICjEMRF1IqyzLuWa~xAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Noreen Housewright, Grand Prairie's director of engineering and utility services, and Chase Wheeler of Grand Prairie Fire presented the city's flood-warning system and severe-weather protocols, saying the city operates 23 owned gauges, two city floodgates on Cottonwood Creek, three verbal flood-warning sirens and multiple flashers to warn motorists.

Housewright said the city's system integrates National Weather Service watches and warnings with local tools including Everbridge/Alert GP and IPAWS wireless emergency alerts, and noted the city's Community Rating System (CRS) score is a class 4, which provides residents an estimated 30% discount on flood insurance.

Wheeler explained operational thresholds the city uses to escalate response: an initial alert triggers when water is about 1.5 feet below a roadway to prompt readiness, and a critical alert is issued when water reaches the roadway but has not overtopped it, triggering road barricading and deployment of stormwater, streets and emergency crews. Staff said notifications go to 911 dispatch, streets, signal operations, GP fire and CMO and council; site updates are provided hourly until roads reopen, and post-event inspections and documentation are required before reopening.

Council members asked about siren range and language: Wheeler said the three verbal sirens broadcast English and Spanish messages and are designed to penetrate structures; larger sirens cover roughly a one-mile radius and a smaller unit about a quarter-mile. He also warned that federal rules limit some uses of mass-notification systems — for example, certain 911 data and non-emergency events cannot be pushed to IPAWS unless criteria are met — but said the city will use Everbridge and IPAWS for eligible events and that residents and businesses may subscribe to Alert GP for phone, text or email alerts.

The presentation closed with staff describing coordination steps when alerts arrive: stormwater confirms messages, deploys crews to close roadways, and coordinates with marketing and utilities for public messaging. Staff said the city documents and photographs sites after water recedes to ensure creeks are clear and infrastructure is safe before reopening.","City staff told council the city operates 23 flood gauges, three verbal flood-warning sirens in English and Spanish, and uses Everbridge and IPAWS to push alerts; staff outlined two-tier alert triggers and post‑event inspection procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on power outages, Tarrant Appraisal District ballot and a stalking complaint

Council approves Goodland Town Center annexation, zoning plan that could allow thousands of new homes

Council approves one-year towing contract with 5% built-in increase after debate

Grand Prairie staff detail flood-warning upgrades and new notification tools