Dallas City Council redistricting is complete with new district lines. The new lines come after the census which takes into account population shifts.
The city council engages in this process every ten years after they receive census data. The process draws district lines that city council members get elected to represent.
Mayor Johnson said, “Redistricting is critical to a functioning representative democracy.”
He went on, “I am grateful for the work of our Redistricting Commission…led by Chairman Jesse Oliver.”
City Council Redistricting Commission And Upcoming Races
The Dallas city council adoped Plan ID 132918. Per the city charter, city council must approve redistricting forty-five days after redistricting.
Another city council equity giveaway was on the Consent Agenda this morning. The item has moved after District 12’s Cara Mendelsohn pulled it from the agenda.
Council Member Mendelsohn asked why a 2018 policy needed to be updated so soon.
David Noguera said he anticipates minimal staff time from his team.
A question asked how can Dallas trust an out of state entity for a policy if they can’t handle their own state incorporation paperwork. It seems Noguera and Housing can not provide adequate oversight to this project.
Today city council is considering a $300,000 payment for a Phase II consulting contract. The contract would be to draft policy and engage stakeholders. The professional services contract was first to be paid to Michele S Williams LLC. There is an amendment to make payment to Michele S Williams, sole proprietor.
A big issue for city council to consider is the fact Michele S Williams LLC is not a Texas registered business. The LLC does not have a registered agent in Texas per state officials.
Additionally, Michelle S Williams LLC is not in good standing per Maryland.
Citizen Opposition
A resident of District 11, Christopher Suprun, also spoke against the contract. He noted the large number of local organizations who could perform this contract. He mentions the issues about using a firm that has issues with its own state incorporation.
Suprun then asked why city staff was not aware of incorporation issues. He posed to city council why they would use an outsider. Suprun believes there are many firms with local ties who better understand Dallas.
Why Another City Council Equity Giveaway?
As the city advertised, B.U.I.L.D. grants. BUILD stands for Broaden Urban Investments to Leverage Dallas.
The city launched the small business grant program in 2020. The goal was to assist small businesses hit by global COVID-19 pandemic. The program said it would provide selected businesses with one-time grant of up to $3,000.
In January 2021, Other Side Dallas documented eight local organizations who never received their grant. It is unclear who kept or used those funds.
Another education based nonprofit noted they received a notification Friday. The notice demanded agreement to new terms not outlined in the original advertisement. They were then given one businesses day to agree.
Afterward, the nonprofit then still never received their funds. Their reaction to this bait and switch was outrage.
Other Side Dallas has been unable to get city staff to respond to inquiries about this contract or the BUILD grant problems.
Why is having a safe night secret? Dallas’ economy continues to nosedive while Dallas does not respond to crime increases.
In April 2022, a private entity, Safe Night LLC, put on a “free” program for Dallas city employees. (It is unclear if Safe Night LLC got paid by Dallas city or not. The City of Dallas has not responded to open records requests to date.)
Dallas is currently experiencing unparalled violent crime rates. Dallas has experienced one hundred ten murders to date. This is twenty-seven higher than 2020.
Nearly every weekend, Dallas police is responding to incidents in entertainment districts like Deep Ellum and Greenville Avenue.
It is hard to have a complete picture of violent crime given Dallas Police choice to hide crime data.
Secret Safe Night Blame Games: Business and Cops
Currently, community activists working in concert with private special interests are attacking Dallas police for not participating in ongoing discussion. This comes just a year after Deep Ellum attacked city officials for enforcing noise ordinances.
Safe Night LLC will not release its report to Other Side Dallas that they provided to city management. They are also not releasing city employee evaluations of the April program. There are reports they did provide it to city officials in Dallas and 24 Hour Dallas. They seem to be hiding the data from everyone else.
Other Side Dallas is waiting for response on cost to the city for these services.
Line police officers we spoke to paint a clear picture that the Safe Night program is not realistic.
One officer called the presented program another social justice experiment.
The officer said, “it’s great for people who want to defund cops.” She continued, “it’s bad for everyday citizens avoiding crime.”
Beyond Dallas Police, it is unclear the relationship between the private entities. The Deep Ellum Foundation reportedly pulled out of 24 Hour Dallas a few weeks ago.
24 Hour Dallas also had a leadership shake up with one principal saying Randal White got pushed out.
Bryan Tony took over as lead on the Good Neighbor Initiative. He also would not respond to a request for the 24 Hour documents.
Mayor Eric Johnson surrenders in his battle against TC Broadnax. In a post on Medium, Johnson said he will work with Broadnax moving forward. The two pledged a collaborative environment moving forward.
As we asked earlier it appears Tristan Hallman is the mayor’s janitor – cleaning up his messes.
Less than two weeks ago Johnson said,” it was time for a change at the top of our city government.” Johnson now realizes he is short the votes needed to remove Broadnax. Johnson has effectively boxed himself into a corner.
Eric Johnson Surrenders
The mayor and city manager have “agreed” to improve personal relations. They will focus their combined attention on several issues.
Those include permitting, public safety, and general city communication.
Permitting may be the biggest issue to tackle.
The city manager will develop a new action plan for permitting delays. It is unclear if he will start anew or use Council Member Blackmon’s recommendations from May.
The plan will move from the usual city system and be customer centric. The goal is to both create systemic improvements in the system, but also respond to issues now.
On public safety, the two have found new friendship. Both Mayor Johnson and City Manager Broadnax say they will work together.
Broadnax has committed to active and timely meet-and-confer negotiations with public safety. This is for both fire and police services.
Broadnax will also continue violence interruption service, lightning improvements, and blight remediation. Violence interruption often has high price tags with questionable results.
The mayor and city manager will also start having biweekly discussion on issues to promote discussion. A few citizens we spoke to already expected this type of communication and were surprised it wasn’t happening already.
Moving forward initiatives like the mayor’s “Summer of Safety” campaign will be a focus.
These issues will receive attention also. They include attracting talent, technology infrastructure, and firefighter concerns.
Is Tristan Hallman a fall guy or the mayor’s janitor trying to clean up the inevitable mess that follows him?
Ten days ago Dallas expected TC Broadnaz to be cleaning his office by now. Instead it appears Broadnax is stronger than ever and has a council majority behind him.
Hallman is the former Dallas Morning News reporter/editor who is the mayor’s policy chief.
Tristan Hallman – Man In The Middle
Some city employees accuse Hallman of fabricating city council signatures. Those signatures were on the five signature memo putting Broadnax contract for discussion.
The Broadnax agenda item fell off the schedule once it was obvious Broadnax would not resign. It appears either the Mayor or his acting chief of staff can not count to eight. (Eight votes are needed to remove Broadnax from his position.)
Adam Bazaldua’s name appeared on the five signature memo calling to review Broadnax.
He was unquivocal: “mayor’s staff fabricated this memo and submitted it to themselves.”
Other Side Dallas reached out to Hallman more than a week ago with no response. This is a stern accusation and it isn’t clear who will investigate it.
Hallman – Not All Failure
Hallman is not a complete failure. He has helped the mayor win at least one award.
While Mayor Johnson was unable to defund the bureaucracy he did win an award. Texas Monthly gave Johnson a Bum Steer Award. They credited his ability to ‘managed to alienate almost everyone.’
While Texas Monthly notes Johnson’s decade of time in the state legislature, they fail to mention any accomplishments.
The Johnson-Hallman duo has shown complete ineptitude on both economic development and sports.
Earlier this month, Johnson argued for another NFL franchise in Dallas. NFL watchers stated the obvious: Eric Johnson is an idiot. “Jerry Jones won’t allow a team in San Antonio, why would he here?”
Jerry Jones and Cowboys throw penalty flag all over idea of second franchise. Eric Johnson had an accident and it wasn’t a coup attempt against TC Broadnax this time. It was closer to Amber Heard testimony in her defamation trial with Johnny Depp.
In a report in TMZ, Jerry Jones blasts the mayor for talk of a second NFL franchise in North Texas, much less Dallas.
In an interview, Jones said, “I like him personally, but he doesn’t have the depth. He doesn’t have the knowledge.”
Jones was responding to Mayor Johnson’s recent suggestion the Chargers re-locate here.
— Mayor Eric L. Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) June 10, 2022
Most fans agreed with Jones about Johnson, but extended it to city administration. It is also unclear if citizens heard wild laughing from the City Manager’s office.
We know Jerry Jones recently had a car accident in Dallas. We didn’t realize he would have a second one so soon running over Eric Johnson.
Cowboys Throw Penalty Flag Among Others
The Cowboys throw penalty flag on Dallas isn’t the only issue. There are problems across Dallas.
Dallas has bad economic numbers due to a permitting office that doesnt issue permits.
Despite the presentation at Wednesday’s board briefing, citizens feel crime is up. Crime is up one you look city wide and not the chief’s containment areas.
Roads are problematic throughout Dallas.
The city council has a problem getting along with one another and their city manager.
Johnson is chasing professional sports franchises instead of ensuring the city runs well.
At the same time, something is afoot. After the failed coup attempt, council members are in distress.
Council member Mendelsohn has defended the mayor to a degree some question.
“Wednesday went very, very bad for the mayor,” one person said. “She knows it, but is now arguing he somehow didn’t fall on his face.”
Several say Mendelsohn is in favor of a charter amendment supporting a strong mayor. That amendment can not happen for two years and some project longer.
A South Dallas activist said, “why would we allow a strong mayor system when we don’t have a strong mayor now?”
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in Dallas metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League as a member club.
In 2021 they finished 12-5 and won the NFC East. They lost their first playoff game against the 10-7 San Francisco 49ers.
D Magazine got the scoop Wednesday afternoon during the city council briefings. They report that a behind the scenes effort was underway to encourage Broadnax to resign.
Are voters ready to show Eric Johnson the door?
The five signature memo stated “While performance reviews are tentatively scheduled for later this month, we believe for the good of the City of Dallas, we must act expeditiously.”
The memo went on to say: “We hereby request that the performance review of the City Manager and any related official actions supported by a majority of the Dallas City Council, be scheduled on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.”
The plan involved a five signature memo from council members. Those council members are:
Chad West (D1),
Jesse Moreno (D2),
Adam Bazaldua (D7),
Paula Blackmon (D9), and
Cara Mendelsohn (D12).
Separate from the memo, Tennell Atkins (D7) and Gay Donnell Willis (D13) met with Broadnax. They reportedly offered him the courtesy to resign. Neither ever added their name to the now infamous memo.
Council members Blackmon and Willis met with Broadnax again. This was to encourage a quiet agreement to leave by noon Friday.
When that deadline passed, Mayor Can’t Count dropped his public announcement.
Here comes the tricky part. Both West and Bazaldua heard from city staff that the memo would not be filed.
Goodman quotes West as saying the memo would not be filed “without the consent of all five people.” me. I never consented” to it.
Bazaldua stated “my digital signature was used for this memo, without my consent.” Bazaldua specifically referred in this case to Tristan Hallman.
Hallman is the mayor’s chief of policy and communications.
West, Moreno, and Bazaldua all then pulled their names from the five signature memo.
Eric Johnson Can’t Count Again
The politics of Broadnax are clear. He is unhealthy for the City of Dallas.
As noted in local news, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has called for his ouster.
Dallas Professional Firefighters – who never make a move without getting permission of Dallas Police Association first – also called for Broadnax to be get the boot.
There is a long list of accountability issues with Broadnax’s tenure. Some of those include general management accountability including failure to supervise former Police Chief Reneé Hall, the loss of terabytes of city data, and a nonfunctional permit office inhibiting economic growth.
One concern is that Eric Johnson again showed he is not up to the job of being mayor in Dallas.
A campaign consultant said, “EJ gave us Broadnax another three years.”
He always has to show how smart he is, but he always fails the test,” he continued.”
It’s unclear how council moves forward, but it appears Mayor Broadnax is driving the bus.
Another said “if only Johnson could get it up to eight on an important vote once he might have credibility.”
This all leads to speculation for who Dallas Citizens Council will support in 2023. Other Side Dallas expects candidates to come out shortly after the redistricting completes.
It also leads to questions about why Eric Johnson can’t get it up to eight on important votes.
It appears there is no excitement at today’s Dallas City Council briefing. TC Broadnax off agenda per the city website marking a huge change since last Friday.
What is the meaning of all this? Last week reports surfaced that TC Broadnax’s career in Dallas was over. An agenda item by Mayor Eric Johnson was going to review his performance as chief executive.
Mayor Johnson has made clear he believes Broadnax should be relieved of his duties.
Johnson and three council members, Blackmon (D9), Mendolsohn (D12), and Willis (D13) have asked that the closed session meeting take place.
Wednesday is typically a staff briefing day.
The mayor says the meeting is to “discuss and evaluate the performance and employment of Dallas City Manager TC Broadnax.”
Johnson said, “several of my duly elected colleagues on the Dallas City Council have made it clear in recent days that they also believe it is time for a change.”
He continued, “we are ready to move forward and discuss how best to build for the future of our great city…”
There is a long list of accountability issues with Broadnax’s tenure. Some of those include general management accountability including failure to supervise former Police Chief Reneé Hall, the loss of terabytes of city data, and a nonfunctional permit office inhibiting economic growth.
Why Is Broadnax Off Agenda?
There was a great deal of retail politics happening this weekend.
Reports surfaced that seven council members had approached Broadnax about resigning his position. They Mayor’s vote would be eight meaning a majority of the council supported the ouster of Broadnax.
It is becoming clear that Broadnax is has at least one, if not two, votes up in the air. Who those city council members are is not clear.
What is clear is today’s agenda no longer refers to an Executive session meeting about his performance. Additionally, his career does not appear in the draft agenda for next week’s city council meeting either.
On Friday, Mayor Johnson and others on Dallas City Council made clear they plan to oust him from his position.
Mayor Johnson has made clear he believes Broadnax should be relieved of his duties given ongoing problems under Broadnax’s supervision.
Johnson and three council members, Blackmon (D9), Mendolsohn (D12), and Willis (D13) have asked for the closed session meeting.
The result is a week of arm twisting to get to eight votes. In Facebook posts, Cara Mendolsohn makes clear she thinks they are there.
There is a long list of accountability issues with Broadnax’s tenure. Some of those include general management accountability including failure to supervise former Police Chief Reneé Hall, the loss of terabytes of city data, and a nonfunctional permit office inhibiting economic growth.
City Manager Broadnax Reacts: The Statement
City Manager Broadnax’s statement is nonconfrontational over the report stating periodic performance review is critical to me…”
He went on to say that these reviews “demonstrate progress” and “ensure transparency…”
A Dallas City Council/TC Broadnax showdown is coming Wednesday, June 15 it appears. The showdown is the culmination of years of infighting between the city council and city manager.
Mayor Johnson has made clear he believes Broadnax should be relieved of his duties.
Johnson and three council members, Blackmon (D9), Mendolsohn (D12), and Willis (D13) have asked that the closed session meeting take place.
Wednesday is typically a staff briefing day.
The mayor’s memo sent Friday says the purpose of the special called meeting is to “discuss and evaluate the performance and employment of Dallas City Manager TC Broadnax.”
In a press statement, Johnson said, “several of my duly elected colleagues on the Dallas City Council have made it clear in recent days that they also believe it is time for a change.”
He continued, “we are ready to move forward and discuss how best to build for the future of our great city and its amazing people, and that is why I have placed the item on the City Council’s agenda for next week.”
There is a long list of accountability issues with Broadnax’s tenure. Some of those include general management accountability including failure to supervise former Police Chief Reneé Hall, the loss of terabytes of city data, and a nonfunctional permit office inhibiting economic growth.
TC Broadnax Showdown: Public Safety
During a June 2002 city council meeting, Mayor Eric Johnson had a lot of questions for Police Chief Renee Reneé Hall during a special meeting about police response to George Floyd protests.
Before the meeting began two hundred local citizens spoke out about the city’s reaction to ongoing protests. They were almost all outraged about what happened on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
Beyond the George Floyd protests, a legal challenge can proceed against the city. Dallas lost Qualified Immunity by the family of Tony Timpa.
Beyond, Timpa another in custody death happened just over two weeks ago similar to Timpa’s. City police have not improved their response to mental health issues.
Another area of concern for some city council members is economic development. Mr. Broadnax’s tensure shows a race backward in this area.
Broadnax and then EcoDev chief Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson pushed a $3M grant package to a grocer in South Dallas. The grant had no strings attached and left city taxpayers paying the bill. The grocer was a politically connected friend of Broadnax.
There are also ongoing permitting issues within Dallas.
Dallas permitting can average roughly four months to get a commercial building permit and more than a month for residential permits.
Some say approval times were projected to reach as high as ten to twelve weeks due to staffingg and executive decision making.
One local businessman noted, “No one on staff is invested in making the permit process go smoothly. Least of all TC.”
The issue is further punctuated by Elon Musk’s development outside Austin, Texas. In a recent Elon Musk statementhe said, “in Texas, it took us eighteen months to build a Gigafactory. In California, we’d still be working on the permits.”
Most large Texas cities expedite economic development projects that bring jobs and opportunity to the tax base. Dallas does not seem to show the same interest in doing the same.
There is also no clear city plan is to address homelessness, road maintenance, or 911 call center response.
Broadnax was at a Texas City Management Association conference at a Hyatt resort and spa in Cedar Creek, Texas. Broadnax makes more than $400,000 per year.
