Dallas council declares council vacancy, adopts development code amendment and appoints new president and committee members

The Dallas City Council on Jan. 26 declared a council seat vacant after an elected member, Troy Hazleton, moved his primary residence outside the city limits, and the council set a process to fill that vacancy by soliciting applications and written statements from qualified candidates.

In a separate action, the council elected Larry Briggs as council president, appointed members to several committees and commissions, and adopted Ordinance 19O3 — an emergency amendment to the Dallas Development Code to align local rules with a state law that took effect Jan. 1.

Why it matters: The vacancy and the selection process determine who will serve on a council facing near-term decisions, including budget items and legislative priorities. The development-code ordinance was declared an emergency so it would take effect on passage to meet a state law deadline.

Vacancy and appointment process: City staff reported that Troy Hazleton moved his primary residence outside city limits after the November election and asked to speak to explain the circumstances. Hazleton said he had purchased a home outside city limits and regretted that he could not serve, then announced his resignation. Staff cited Section 28 of the Dallas City Charter, which requires the council to declare the office vacant when the incumbent ceases to possess qualifications for office. The council then discussed options to fill the seat under Section 29 of the charter: (1) identify and solicit interest from a qualified individual, (2) solicit applications and conduct written interviews/statements, or (3) select the next highest vote-getter from the election.

After debate, the council voted 7 to 1 to use the middle option: solicit applications through Jan. 15 with written answers to staff questions and to require that candidates be prepared to give a brief three-minute statement on Jan. 21 if selected; staff said the objective was to have a new member seated quickly for upcoming work. The motion passed with a recorded voice tally of “7 to 1.”

Council organization and appointments: Councilor Michael nominated Larry Briggs for council president and Briggs was elected by acclimation. Staff presented recommended appointments to the budget committee, economic development commission, library board and historic preservation commission; the council approved the slate. The urban renewal board appointed Helen Connolly, Troy Hazleton and Trevor Peterson to the Urban Renewal District Advisory Committee; the record shows unanimous approval.

Ordinance adoption: The council held a second reading and adopted Ordinance 19O3 (adopting legislative amendment 24-01 to amend development code provisions related to planning official and limited land use decisions), declaring it an emergency because it responds to a state law effective Jan. 1. The ordinance passed on roll-call vote, 8 to 0; recorded yes votes were Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Briggs, Fitzgerald, Jansz, Shane, Verdon and Council President Schilling.

What’s next: Staff will solicit applications under the approved timeline and return candidate materials in the next packet for council consideration. The council also signaled a desire to complete the appointment before a mid-February council retreat to ensure a full council participates in near-term decisions.