[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6426474,"mediaKeyId","5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7","parentId",5897046,"title","Garland council approves study to assess Spring Creek sewer and restoration needs","audioSeconds",3135,"startMs",75000,"endMs",3210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7&start=75&end=3210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7/thumbnail_75000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426474/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-council-approves-study-to-assess-Spring-Creek-sewer-and-restoration-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426474-22b446f642a96a85647ab5800b1c9f59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123003&Signature=Lum0ulXr0P509E62Ac3LRNGEJzAB5emGx8~4rOb3kHvzYflyuoXl0Bz83~n8iuwl2EGI-Zdo2uxRwXTqrx2tsKLGB83Bx9KhTMS--m-0wqJYs90L28VzffdGvDjHu8GuSr7Fe0lebdbIIedpB36U54kOhFCnUAwQbQPwvp-Mj9n1uvhGeuqEJk3X4oWSEIarFusjR7XHpTcxsntg1guIBgCA1CUZoEAoqEucpiITAgnRv0KNwkIhWOoUfC5IHURxHGZW5iV7Og2mv5ubdpK-KfVaKbRpNjQVLCmU3A8BBkLvkfbVQvgBWrcHN6PnaWIZLPuFJs9wSwNqLCp4klrjrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garland","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","Garland City Council members on Oct. 6 agreed unanimously to move forward with a professional services contract to assess conditions of the wastewater interceptor that runs through the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and to produce recommendations for access, inspection and habitat restoration.

The work order directs consultant Kimley‑Horn to conduct topographic and drone surveys, GPS‑locate sewer pipes and manholes, perform multi‑sensor and closed‑circuit television inspections of the interceptor mains, develop erosion‑protection recommendations and prepare a final technical memorandum of findings. City staff said specialists will also evaluate options to reduce or remove sewer outfalls from creek channels where feasible.

Why it matters: Residents and preservation advocates criticized earlier clearing activity in the preserve and pressed the city for better communication and less‑impact methods. The study aims both to document the sewer infrastructure and to produce access methods that minimize further damage to creek habitat and understory vegetation.

Public comment framed the meeting. Resident David Parish said he and others who reviewed the proposed plans were “on board with the plan” but urged sensitivity to the creek’s habitat, the understory species and the fungal networks that help trees share nutrients. Parish added the creek “is about as natural as you can get in a suburban area” and said protecting the habitat and avoiding scour should guide work.

City Manager (name not specified) acknowledged the city failed to coordinate adequately after clearing work earlier this year, and said staff have since worked with the Spring Creek Preservation Society and Dallas County to draft a “collaborative” approach. The manager described the consultant scope as an attempt to “balance” infrastructure maintenance with forest preservation and said staff made commitments at a July 21 meeting to improve coordination.

City staff described several technical details in the scope: producing a GIS map tied to aerial and drone data; using multi‑sensor inspection tools that can assess segments up to about 2,000 feet (greater than the city’s earlier CCTV capacity of roughly 500 feet); GPS‑locating manholes and vents; and surveying for erosion and other habitat impacts. Staff said the consultant will explore options for permanent access that limit on‑the‑ground disturbance and will evaluate whether relocating the sewer out of creek channels is feasible, though that option is technically challenging.

Council members pressed for details on assurances that the city will not repeat communication failures. Councilmember Thomas asked what procedures will reduce future mistakes; the city manager said an audit requested by council is pending and staff will report back once that audit is complete. Councilmember Dutton asked about drone use; staff said smaller aerial drones and high‑resolution imagery would be used to document locations the city cannot safely access on foot and to tie manholes to aerial photos.

Several council members and preservation society members referenced a previously published consultant paper (Friese & Nichols) that documents an earlier bored sewer line beneath the preserve and possible alignment alternatives. Staff described that paper as an earlier, technical account of the bored relief line and said it can inform Kimley‑Horn’s assessment but does not change the need to field‑verify manholes and pipeline condition.

Timing and next steps: Staff said tasks beyond the initial kickoff would be conducted over the following six months; the contract and scope were described at the meeting as part of an item the council approved by unanimous consensus. Staff said they expect to brief council again when key technical memorandums are complete and to hold stakeholder meetings (including Parks & Recreation, Dallas County and the preserve board) at major milestones.

Questions and concerns that remain: Several council members and public commenters asked for clearer documentation of historic studies and for audits of internal procedures that led to earlier clearing without full coordination. Councilmember Bass and others urged the city to respect “tribal knowledge” and prior planning documents. Staff said Parks & Recreation has been involved in recovery meetings since the incident and that communication lines will be improved.

The item concluded with council consensus to move forward with the consultant contract; staff said they will return with updates and final technical memorandums for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Council gave unanimous consensus to hire a consultant to assess wastewater interceptor condition, map sewer assets, and develop lower-impact access methods after public concern about clearing in Spring Creek Forest Preserve.","taxTitle","Garland, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2783,"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},6426462,"Audit committee flags inventory, controls and recordkeeping issues at Firewall Golf; EMS drug controls and claims process improvements recommended",1001,2767000,3768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7&start=2767&end=3768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7/thumbnail_2767000.jpg","/articles/6426462/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Audit-committee-flags-inventory-controls-and-recordkeeping-issues-at-Firewall-Golf-EMS-drug-controls-and-claims-process-improvements-recommended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426462-3a1bbab88bfca849096ab6c104fefa1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123003&Signature=Jlfb-WuNMi-~hZf751mrg-qXG96nwjmjtHIhoaE-hv~MYC5W8D5TQ2psJfrOm5X7h9ANueSz58lAebdgsm5hLXz37oxlAb9ZNAX-8a2O~LrnZbYcHTZ-Q-Y0DVhLzHCq8eCdu-Pl8faw5Oi40R393CHXBx0XcD~3Ktvke1Yksaa8-C3Mxo1lWmrL75JF6PCt8uiGOcT2Zg-5PopGmxHqPUnLZtfrnLcb0t06aE3oQDdtcolLL-uYZh~xbfYjkVZLXSV3oXizBrEXwwaP~ivCQeSjJ8vJzLUfAGMNqRogKa3gLZNeCYDCkKl8b~toEAo0mlTKIa~AiqmJc1qFhQ0J7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland Audit Committee presented summary findings to council on Oct. 6 following a Sept. 30 review of several audits, including Firewall Golf Course operations, Fire/EMS controlled substances handling, and a follow‑up review of liability claims processing.

Firewall Golf Course: Auditors reported inventory control weaknesses (negative balances, incomplete SKUs, delayed stock receipts and insufficient cycle counts), inconsistent processing of tournament proceeds and insufficient documentation of discounts and employee/customer benefit usage. The audit also identified 82 grandfathered members from a defunct 2019 membership program; 13 of those members missed monthly dues in 2024 (three made no payments), and management plans to phase the legacy program out by September 2026. Auditors said some required certifications (TABC and food‑handling) had expired for a small number of staff; management moved promptly to address the expired credentials after auditors raised the issue. The committee recommended more frequent cycle counts, tighter SKU and receiving practices, stronger controls for discounts, and periodic compliance checks; management said it will engage a third‑party consultant to review restaurant operations.

Fire/EMS controlled substances: Auditors tested the acquisition, storage, use and disposal of controlled substances kept aboard ambulances and in station med‑vaults. Testing showed access PINs were sometimes easy to duplicate, terminated employees’ PINs remained active in some cases and daily inventory reconciliation and supervisor review were inconsistently documented. Auditors found no evidence of inappropriate diversion in the sample they tested, and the fire chief agreed with recommendations to strengthen med‑vault access (longer/more complex PINs or alternate authentication), standardize destruction and waste procedures for expired vials, and improve system tagging and supervisor reconciliation.

Liability claims follow‑up: The committee found the city has implemented most prior recommendations from a 2020 review and has improved citizen communication, multilingual claim instructions and web‑portal filing options. The committee recommended removing the City Secretary’s office as an intermediate manual intake point for claims (those forms can be submitted directly into the risk management system and automated notifications would reach the City Secretary), expanding ad hoc reporting for administration, reviewing system access rights, and improving department verification of incidents. Management concurred and the committee requested implementation updates in six months.

The audit committee requested periodic updates from Firewall Golf and the fire department and said it will continue oversight of remediation steps. Council members thanked audit staff and asked for follow‑up reporting to the committee within six months.","The Audit Committee reviewed a set of audits on Sept. 30 and summarized findings on Firewall Golf Course operations (inventory and membership controls), Fire/EMS controlled substances (med‑vault access and recordkeeping) and claims processing follow‑up; management agreed to remediate and report back.",{"_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},6426467,"Garland Cultural Arts Commission recommends $160,000 in HOT grants; Granville refresh design process underway",251,3248000,3499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7&start=3248&end=3499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897046-89fa64408d44a58dd5d88a8f28a5a1b7/thumbnail_3248000.jpg","/articles/6426467/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-Cultural-Arts-Commission-recommends-160000-in-HOT-grants-Granville-refresh-design-process-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426467-a5b8d99b7c6ac137ac15c145147a2f7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123003&Signature=i5l0Uu6uuAUUBGBJoeDJL5Au9lNx6t3oS0HaEnVTsD4VvsiCGP~SfKPeLDmXtxNFVh93qiy-Aa7ZJw2iX75b2hB4RWd4jjMf-j9VtyaItafUw4RmSNwFICtUqh3Xu8h~8g3rsyQNTXO9KrTmAzHg8wJvuZ-dhuEYVK7v6NFUUle6rtPX5i690ZmzR0xXgjOFdXVFyO1~SF6r2Jqvr0b23DrWnA2-bfPr~90Zd8CsloTGzwoTtw8U5XTNKHuGlpRWPSVD8c3FzWnNPoWpwzp9N~DVi~3HymnKeZOn8zXq0AY0UdZExsOY2XQHax2Q6V1WarQabGi6VdSi5dDD0XGlAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garland Cultural Arts Commission on Oct. 6 recommended allocations from hotel occupancy tax revenue for community arts organizations and updated the council on program activity and the planned Granville Arts Center refresh funded by a recent bond measure.

Cultural Arts Director Amy Rosenthal told council the commission reviewed 19 applications in this grant cycle, including two first‑time applicants, and recommended grant awards within an available budget of roughly $160,000. Commissioners ranked applications using an internal rubric; Rosenthal said commissioners’ deliberations weigh audience reach, program history and financial health. The total amount requested this year was about $261,000.

The commission also reported continued public programming that draws attendees from outside Garland. Rosenthal highlighted recent and upcoming events including sold‑out performances and a Nov. 2024 appearance by Alida Reyna, a two‑time Latin Grammy winner, and described partnerships such as Neighborhood Vitality’s utility‑box “wrap” art initiative.

On facility planning, Rosenthal said the city received 16 proposals from architecture firms to design a proposed Granville Arts Center refresh funded by Proposition C in the city's bond (a $25 million allocation). The selection panel is reviewing submissions and plans to interview finalists; Rosenthal said staff intends to involve community partners and stakeholders after a firm is selected, with a contract expected later this year.

Council members asked for additional detail and documentation. Mayor Pro Tem Luck and others requested counts of people served and the number of performances per season by top grant recipients; Rosenthal said staff would compile those numbers and route them through the city manager’s office. Councilmember Williams asked that distinctions among “affiliate,” “associate” and other rental/partnership statuses be clarified on the department’s website; Rosenthal explained affiliates/associates are treated like resident companies and are eligible for discounted rental rates and priority bookings.

Rosenthal also described the commission’s grant review process: applications submitted online, scored on a rubric across several categories, averaged and deliberated by commissioners; the commission keeps reviewer scores anonymous. She said cultural district designation by the Texas Commission on the Arts provides additional grant opportunities for community projects, including an artist‑led mosaic project to honor Garland’s Flats neighborhood scheduled for 2026.

No final council vote on grant awards occurred at the work session; staff said the commission’s recommendations will be placed on the regular council meeting agenda for approval.","The Cultural Arts Director presented grant recommendations for hotel occupancy tax funding, reported 19 applications with $261,000 requested against roughly $160,000 available, and updated council on Granville Arts Center bond‑funded refresh plans and upcoming performances.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Garland council approves study to assess Spring Creek sewer and restoration needs

Audit committee flags inventory, controls and recordkeeping issues at Firewall Golf; EMS drug controls and claims process improvements recommended

Garland Cultural Arts Commission recommends $160,000 in HOT grants; Granville refresh design process underway