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Residents press Rowlett council on DEI commission reversal and report ADA dock hazards at Paddle Pointe Park
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to reconsider disbanding the city's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commission and reported safety and maintenance problems at Paddle Pointe Park’s ADA dock; speakers described the DEI vote as opaque and said community organizers will continue programming.
During the July 2 citizen input period the Rowlett City Council heard sustained public comment calling for restoration or reconsideration of the recently disbanded Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commission, along with a separate safety complaint about the ADA kayak-launch dock at Paddle Pointe Park.
DEI concerns: Several speakers representing community groups and event organizers said the May council vote to disband the commission lacked transparency and mischaracterized commission leadership. Ramiro Luna, cofounder and executive director of Somos Tejas, told the council state-level actions dismantling DEI initiatives were harming communities of color and urged local officials not to replicate that approach. Mandy De Los Santos, deputy director for Texas LULAC, told council members they have the authority to select commissioners and urged them to "open up the conversation again" and restore inclusive representation in city programming. Susan Aruttia, who identified herself as commission leadership, said claims that commissioners were uncooperative were "unfounded and untruthful" and that the vote was presented under handbook updates with insufficient citizen input. Several speakers asked the council to revisit the decision and to ensure civic events and city communications reflect Rowlett’s diversity.
Paddle Pointe Park safety complaint: Resident Dave Hall reported that the ADA launch dock at Paddle Pointe Park has exposed sharp metal on the hand ramp and described an incident in which a patron struck their head, producing bleeding and requiring attention. Hall provided photos to the council and urged more attention to maintenance and erosion control at the kayak launch.
Other public testimony: Amanda McLaughlin, who identified herself as a transgender woman and resident of Garland, described how supportive programs helped her gain confidence and urged the council to support DEI-related structures that promote inclusion for people with disabilities and LGBTQ residents.
Council response and next steps: The presiding official asked Mr. Hall to email photos to citycouncil@rowlett.com and staff indicated they would follow up. Council members did not take immediate policy action on the DEI comments at this meeting, but speakers and council members repeatedly flagged transparency and asked staff to consider follow-up engagement.
Quotes from the meeting: "Claims that I, as chair ... was uncooperative, disrespectful, and responsible for the vote to disband are unfounded and untruthful," Susan Aruttia said. Dave Hall said of the dock: "This needs to be fixed."
