[{"_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",6472435,"mediaKeyId","5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10","parentId",5776505,"title","City attorney outlines public-comment rules; council to consider code amendments and phased implementation","audioSeconds",562,"startMs",3881000,"endMs",4443000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10&start=3881&end=4443","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10/thumbnail_3881000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6472435/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/City-attorney-outlines-public-comment-rules-council-to-consider-code-amendments-and-phased-implementation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472435-622d8442bc631e76467e94ff19788328/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426744&Signature=cVpmekIBSZPJVg3cO8I98zJEWAs9vFocCEzdtXxMIKEhe2HurX5RArlXp5WyH9dULr19qvXJzPSTzlRMUhDJkxAFv4ms0TqUM~0IqJ3BLg9r~RRHqvO1tmbHPg4KKJaBVvMTc6FrVsfZ9BWqu1VicY~DHH9wRv0KzEu3QB1C99xdYT~r2-cHAncwyfL4pS7hNyCbrJJnYlTrDOYsxPCa6sUWrYWpH-kDy-rBUxg1KcCgE9gwILUCY4tkbtHCYcjR6PV0i4ONGXmJh4DwyL872mKq81dFPyc~wwdabu18ipFL5tPsRU6NEeDxcSzmRshh8qpRWCxfGypnLcj8TxMxWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grand Prairie","date","2025-09-16T00:00:00Z","article","City Attorney Melissa McGinnis reviewed the city’s options for handling public comment at council meetings, cited the Local Government Code and an Attorney General opinion and provided benchmarking from peer cities on time limits and sign-up procedures.

McGinnis said the Local Government Code requires governmental bodies to allow members of the public to address the body on agenda items and permits reasonable rules — including time limits and advance sign-up — so long as the rules do not prohibit criticism. She noted that the city code currently requires speakers to give name and address and limits speakers to five minutes, but the code does not specify how that five minutes is allocated across multiple agenda items.

The attorney presented options drawn from practices in other Texas cities: require speaker registration before the meeting (commonly one to two hours in advance), consolidate public comment into a single time period (beginning or end of meeting), limit total speaker time across multiple items (for example, five minutes total for all items), and set differing time limits for public hearings or zoning items. The Attorney General’s opinion allows reasonable limits (sign-up requirements, total-time limits and single comment periods) but also requires accommodations such as double time for speakers who require translators.

McGinnis recommended the council give staff direction and said any change would require a city code amendment and a public education campaign; she suggested a phased implementation period of two to three months after council action so residents could adapt. Council members asked that speaker decorum guidelines (matching council decorum expectations) be included in any package and that staff provide sample ordinance language and a public-notice plan.

Council did not adopt changes at the meeting. They asked staff to bring draft ordinance language, sample scripts for the mayor/city staff, and a public outreach timeline to a future briefing and to schedule the item for council consideration after the outreach period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Prairie - CC Briefings 09162025","oneSentenceSummary","The city attorney reviewed state and local rules governing public comment at open meetings, benchmarking peer cities and offering options including online sign-up, single public-comment periods and time limits; council directed staff to return with ordinance language and a phased public rollout.","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},6472439,"City unveils 'Main Street Magic' holiday slate to replace ice rink; series of downtown events planned",421,3090000,3511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10&start=3090&end=3511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10/thumbnail_3090000.jpg","/articles/6472439/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/City-unveils-Main-Street-Magic-holiday-slate-to-replace-ice-rink-series-of-downtown-events-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472439-bf48e4559534125fcec43e9029eb4354/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426744&Signature=QvPQy8O4CYKzKeCaMl5cnLCv2~iCyndUTrCrvdDsHLJj8flukkk9ZY~sHtJkAKwnHAKi3~D1RuezFumzc91woGNvxOxXXC2xictBAbOUnFiJQG4zeKwxAyYoHyMe84QUJ~RNetzFwHAIOEJqRXF0j1T5DO9YYiU6Ztfnh3FejunFlVfsTdy4PtWBf28KMvVOvt~TLkdoEVL7Xxgepu7Zaf6hfYxVYTMGUzgZBnELhf7XbExYT-7B~xMeIhqVWWBP8gOK6l-4LFZK8mGUlU-3AwoCkyG9oMjFq4jACehEGhzezhoMBmkTvmip8HYqCUsxOM~IHmyqO~qlRR1uycsZ2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a proposed downtown holiday program called Main Street Magic, a multi-event slate to replace the single-attraction ice skating rink and to keep holiday foot traffic downtown during the construction phase.

Staff said the ice rink previously drew 5,000–10,000 visitors but carried high costs and weather risk. The new plan spreads attractions across multiple days and locations: a free lighted lawn (a “mini prairie lights”), elevated lights at City Hall, a lighted art installation at the Farmers Market water tower, photo opportunities, augmented-reality games and a series of scheduled events from daytime markets to evening lighted activations.

Special events staff outlined a calendar that includes a tree lighting (moved to Saturday to allow greater participation), an expanded holiday craft and market day at City Hall and the Farmer’s Market, a drone show and a holiday parade loop around the City Hall campus. Programming partners and department leads presented details: Emily Lanier (special events) said Thursdays will include mobile library story times and evening performances; Cindy Mendez (public health and environmental quality) described a shopping day on Dec. 13 and a holiday market at City Hall Plaza; animal services staff outlined a pet parade and costume contest; and Chip Naimi (downtown manager) described movies and holiday productions at the Uptown venue.

Staff proposed curating a “Mistletoe Marketplace” of small business vendors on weekends between the tree lighting and the weekend before Christmas, supported by targeted marketing and an influencer campaign. Marketing staff said proposed influencers include local accounts such as Explore the Prairie (25,000 followers) and larger regional influencers being explored; paid media buys were offered as an option if the council funds them. Stage construction will begin in November and will be used as a visibility asset during the promotional period.

Council members asked about paid media, vendor curation, parade routing and vendor outreach; staff said applications are open, they are contacting schools for parade participants and will return with implementation details. No formal vote was held; staff will return with further information and a timeline for promotional buys if council wants paid advertising.","Staff outlined a multi-event downtown holiday program — 'Main Street Magic' — focused on light displays, markets, pop-up activities and a tree lighting and parade; staff proposed media, influencer outreach and construction-timed activations.",{"_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},6472444,"Consultants, staff outline revenue and reorganization options for EPIC Recreation; council asks for data and a follow-up briefing",1589,800000,2389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10&start=800&end=2389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10/thumbnail_800000.jpg","/articles/6472444/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Consultants-staff-outline-revenue-and-reorganization-options-for-EPIC-Recreation-council-asks-for-data-and-a-follow-up-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472444-6a09d73475a14d4e20132c82a3bd1303/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426744&Signature=iLLpSM8wxe-Ft8FcurHr5leLY6ODcmnIxqUa-iO90Q0-veOkq3PUSUO1fkRtg4vaCJKIGMcfDccprxpTi~ID1v~6avxm3gxnyHIaouUQT4EaGUlSK67aJnx6eU3BxJ5d2MlwWP~3ApZep5kCpe~XYSbQoyNJjWBRx6ZbYEy3oZOBJONhst67q6HO4ZihEq5uIId0bTRYPbLBDBWyZVJZ09Vy2~GKOW8EbWJ2EC8nfTIduTmiw9FsGcGSBvKIOhLNVw8TG~66pDAxm-YoOuGHDDgDq~HFJe1gMTB04Emp6WDr-gtWPAr7s700xK~eGHuXQTZVX3vl7TZSaAsqe7ArKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants from LT Sports Consulting and EPIC Recreation staff presented a multi-page operational review and a revenue-impact model for EPIC Recreation (the Epic) and recommended a mix of organizational changes and price adjustments intended to reduce the facility’s subsidy.

Ray Serta, Grand Prairie parks, arts and recreation director, introduced LT Sports’ presentation, which highlighted strengths — cleanliness, staff culture and high-demand offerings — and identified opportunities to increase revenue and cut losses without large operational disruptions.

Consultant Trevor Armstrong and LT Sports’ Larry Oth and team said the Epic showed strong demand for specific services (summer camp, rentals, swim lessons and certain meeting-room spaces) and proposed several operational changes already under way, including quarterly staffing/scheduling reviews to reduce labor costs and relocating CrossFit equipment upstairs to free multipurpose court time. The consultants recommended reorganizations through attrition that could save payroll costs and the addition of some full-time positions to reduce part-time churn and improve retention.

On revenue, the consultants proposed incremental membership increases (a recommended $15 increase for individuals and $25 for family plans in their high-end scenario), a modest camp price rise and new add-on fees (for early/late drop-off). They also recommended clearer rental-time rules, tighter party capacity limits, additional meeting-room consolidation and new point-of-sale merchandise at the front desk. Consultants estimated a potential revenue uplift that could materially reduce the facility’s subsidy but did not present a formal council-approved budget change at the meeting.

Council members questioned the equity effects of price increases on families and asked for more granular modeling. One councilor said the council should avoid “pricing families out” and proposed prioritizing member and family subsidies. Others supported small, phased increases and incremental service expansions to avoid a single large jump after seven years without changes.

Council members also asked for additional data: the financial impact of converting part-time positions to full-time roles; more detail on expected member attrition at suggested price levels; and confirmation of projected net revenue from the proposed membership and program adjustments. Staff said they would provide the requested numbers and return with an October briefing or a more detailed recommendation.

No formal vote was taken. The council directed staff to collect the requested analyses and bring back concrete, data-driven policy choices at the next briefing so members could decide whether to adopt any proposed price or staffing changes.","LT Sports Consulting presented operational and revenue recommendations for the EPIC recreational facility, including staffing reorganizations, membership price increases, camp-hour changes and space repurposing; council asked staff for more data and to return with recommendations at the October briefing.",{"_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},6472449,"Council reviews revised city sponsorship grant application; staff to open portal Dec. 1",692,66000,758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10&start=66&end=758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5776505-ed0ed193432f4d48320e08a434788d10/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6472449/Grand-Prairie/Dallas-County/Texas/Council-reviews-revised-city-sponsorship-grant-application-staff-to-open-portal-Dec-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6472449-a52db9263637b889e7a0056927b998bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770426744&Signature=GgLivE0CD7txecL2GHYzZ3hU3nOEHNl-FhWydMxmSg1cdawMn~v0wO01qIEE~vJRuXzrUw8FO8rpng53awXzV2KkDqI2HRxYJLExbwb8WL9Sz~k2lwd0piarHS59Q2eKSjwA0-MvLkTOHvrf1jag1QormW4JsAQiJGEVrYhnVf0KrNMc6i-JzE-FFqHXan1y~~G-WiUvFvyteJ-32hWsy09HCxpguAYD2qgtH~r~so30nynNBJodrXTjbH8B0L5KOnCMTm94yZkQ9JGRE2U8nnfEfklBzukAcWFqSIApfmf3KYLOa77Nv-w5A2GW8WGSKS02j5nX3y~T0HrgWZw4XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a revised city sponsorship grant policy and a single, combined application form and told the City Council the online portal will open Dec. 1 and remain open through Dec. 31.

The policy changes, shown to the council in redline, remove requests for applicants’ financial statements and lists of board members after council direction. Amy Sprinkles, who led the presentation, said the blue text in the packet shows additions and strikethroughs show deletions; she said staff will notify prior awardees and applicants of the opening date.

Council members asked whether proof of nonprofit status should be required. One councilor said asking for a 501(c)(3) determination and documentation is reasonable to confirm eligibility; another said the council itself decides awardees and questioned whether detailed funding source disclosure is necessary for organizations already recognized as 501(c)(3)s.

Sprinkles said staff had initially proposed asking for proof that applicants are financially viable and for board membership lists but removed those fields after council feedback. She confirmed staff can reinsert questions about board membership or other financial documentation if the council prefers.

The council clarified how partnerships should appear on the form: multiple organizations may partner on a single program, but the city can issue only one check and applicants should agree on a lead agency. Sprinkles said applications from collaborative projects are acceptable but staff will only cut one check to a single agency and applicants must indicate the lead organization.

Councilors pressed on post-award documentation. Sprinkles said grants require receipts and detailed documentation of how award funds were spent; returning agencies must submit receipts to be considered in future years. For events with dates after the October 31 receipts deadline, she said those recipients must submit receipts by the close of the application window in December.

Council members also discussed how the application should capture event attendance estimates and asked staff to add a parenthetical field clarifying how to report expected attendance. The council indicated smaller edits are acceptable on the consent agenda but asked staff to bring substantive changes back for further review if necessary.

Sprinkles said staff will notify previous awardees and the list of people who had inquired. She confirmed staff will post the application Dec. 1 and send outreach to prior applicants and the inquiry list.

The council did not take a formal vote on the policy at the meeting; members directed staff to proceed with outreach and to bring any material changes back for council review.","City staff presented a consolidated sponsorship policy and application that removes questions on applicants’ financials and board membership; councilors asked for proof of 501(c)(3) status for some applicants and clarified documentation and receipt deadlines.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City attorney outlines public-comment rules; council to consider code amendments and phased implementation

City unveils 'Main Street Magic' holiday slate to replace ice rink; series of downtown events planned

Consultants, staff outline revenue and reorganization options for EPIC Recreation; council asks for data and a follow-up briefing

Council reviews revised city sponsorship grant application; staff to open portal Dec. 1