Council splits on creating downtown advisory board; several members prefer delay

Rowlett City Council debated a proposed ordinance to establish a downtown advisory board and stopped short of creating the board, with several council members saying the timing was not right and citing controversy among downtown business owners.

Mayor (name not specified) opened the work‑session discussion by reading a prepared statement saying the mayor had greater reservations after visiting downtown businesses who expressed unwillingness to participate. The mayor said, in part, that businesses had “significant concerns about the controversy that had already happened” and that starting a board under those conditions was the “wrong foot on which to begin a board.”

Small business owner and public commenter Martha Cardenas, owner of Barrocos in downtown Rowlett, had told the council during citizen’s input that she appreciated the idea of bringing more voices to the table but would not participate “at this time” because she did not want to engage in “efforts fueled by personal grievances or misinformation.” Cardenas said her focus remained on running her business and that other downtown owners shared similar sentiment.

Why it matters: The board would advise council on downtown activities and improvements. Supporters said it would build citizen engagement and provide focused volunteer expertise; opponents warned it could become a forum for special‑interest conflict and would add noise during an early phase of downtown work.

Positions on the board Several council members said they were cautious or opposed at this moment. One councilor said he had “buyer’s remorse” after the prior meeting and that he believed the board would generate “too much noise” and might do “more harm than good.” Others said they had heard downtown merchants do not want to serve on such a board and suggested that the city instead pursue regular town‑hall engagements and targeted outreach.

Other council members urged giving citizens a role. One councilor said the board could be composed of a mix of at‑large and business representatives, and that appropriate guardrails and membership rules could limit politicization. Supporters emphasized that advisory boards are common in other cities and compared the proposed board to existing special‑interest advisory panels (for example, the parks or seniors boards).

Outcome and next steps There was no formal vote. Council consensus coalesced around postponing formation for now: several councilors said “not now” rather than “never,” and recommended giving the downtown plan and implementation time to proceed before deciding whether to form a board. Staff and council agreed to allow the concept to “ferment,” conduct additional outreach and possibly return the topic at a later date with revised membership proposals or alternative engagement tools (such as a council subcommittee or town‑hall charrettes).

What was recorded in public comment Martha Cardenas, who identified herself as the owner of Barrocos, told the council she and her husband have operated their downtown restaurant for more than 15 years and said she declined to participate in a downtown advisory board “at this time.” She said, “I want to see downtown Rowlett thrive, and I am dedicated to being part of positive changes. However, I refuse to engage in efforts fueled by personal grievances or misinformation.”

Ending Council members asked staff to continue outreach to downtown business owners and residents and to return with alternative engagement options and any revised ordinance language only if and when a clearer consensus emerges.