Garland, TX – The Garland City Council convened last night for a productive meeting, which included key appointments to various boards and commissions, a vote on the MD Health Pathways agreement, and the approval of an economic incentive for Lockwood Distilling Company.
Upon approving the consent agenda, the Council appointed several individuals to various positions.
Appointed by Mayor Hedrick:
John Kaiwi – Board of Adjustment
Jennifer Nguyen – Community Multicultural Commission
Arthur Gregg – Community Multicultural Commission
Charles Leonard – Community Multicultural Commission
Christopher Johnson – Community Multicultural Commission
Glenna Saygidia – Community Multicultural Commission
Bill Ingram – Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Mitch Carr – Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Dorothy White – Library Board
Rochelle Ran – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Wayne Dalton – Plan Commission
David Perry – Property Standards Board
Venita Lovelace-Chandler – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Jair Garrido – Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
PC Mathew – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Patrick Abell – Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Menny Castro – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Mayor Pro Tem Margaret Lucht:
Rene Granado – Community Multicultural Commission
Jason Shanks – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Tyler Williams – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Chris Ott:
John McDonald – Board of Adjustment
Kymberlaine Banks – Community Multicultural Commission
Sharonda Green – Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Lupita Torres – Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Louis Moore – Library Board
Libby Odom – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Bob Duckworth – Plan Commission
Dale Long – Property Standards Board
Ann Garrett – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Joseph Schroeder – Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
Jennifer Armon – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Tony Torres – Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Chip Gordon – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Councilmember Ed Moore:
Wesley Johnson – Board of Adjustment
Steven Flores – Community Multicultural Commission
Alba Torres – Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Chase Miller – Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Chantel Jones – Library Board
Aju Mathew – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Stephanie Paris – Plan Commission
Canyon Jayroe – Property Standards Board
Wytonia Montgomery – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Precious Seale – Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
Michael Landers – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Jennifer Parker – Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Jeannine Lee – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Councilmember B.J. Williams:
James Alton Hall, Jr. – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Councilmember Carissa Dutton:
Bruce Astin – Board of Adjustment
Moses Uvere – Community Multicultural Commission
Bao Vinh – Environmental and Community Advisory Board
DeAnne Driver – Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Karen Wood – Library Board
David Morehead – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Patrick Abell – Plan Commission
Caleb Ernst – Property Standards Board
Robert Bruns- Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Reggie Walker – Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
Jason Collard – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Amber Ray – Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
Jack Wyatt – Unified Building Standards Commission
Appointed by Councilmember Joe Thomas:
Joseph Willoughby – Board of Adjustment
Jimmy Tran – Community Multicultural Commission
Lauren Bruns – Environmental and Community Advisory Board
Chip VanPelt – Garland Cultural Arts Commission
Terri Chepregi – Library Board
David Parrish – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Mike Rose – Plan Commission
Martha Melaku – Property Standards Board
Kathleen Gardner – Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
Tony Bui – Tax Increment Finance #1 Downtown/Forest Jupiter Board
Damon Wilson – Tax Increment Finance #2 South Board
Nicholas Nix – Tax Increment Finance #3 Board
John Crutti Jr. – Unified Building Standards Commission
Foreign Trade Zone Established & Zoning Change for Data Center and Warehouse, Office/Showroom Use
There were no citizen comments during the public hearing regarding the annual budget or proposed FY 2025-2026 tax rate. Councilmember Dutton pulled the approval of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) into individual consideration to further answer questions brought forth by constituents. Ultimately, the FTZ was approved.
Mayor Dylan Hedrick recused himself from the discussion and vote on an ordinance amending the Garland Development Code. The ordinance approved a zoning change from Planned Development 94-53 with a base zoning of Single-Family 7 (SF-7) to a Planned Development for Data Center and Warehouse, Office/Showroom (indoors only) uses on a 7.643-acre tract of land located at 2302 Naaman School Road. The item was ultimately approved by the council.
MD Health Pathways Approved
Following the approval of the zoning change, the council engaged in extensive discussions regarding the agreement with MD Health Pathways. The proposed telehealth program will add a $6 charge per household to utility bills starting in the spring of 2026. This fee is intended to provide telehealth services for up to ten individuals at a single address.
Councilmember Carissa Dutton expressed her support for the program, sharing a personal story about her neighbor who faced health challenges without access to care. “If $6 is worth someone’s life, then this program is invaluable,” she stated passionately. She compelled the Council to consider how a telehealth service, such as MD Health Pathways, could save lives in a community without access to a hospital.
Conversely, Councilman Ed Moore raised concerns about the opt-out nature of the program, stating, “I feel that this plan is being forced upon my constituents. They may not realize it until it hits their utility bill.” He suggested that an opt-in model might have been more appropriate to ensure that residents are fully informed and engaged. He added that he believes the program would be beneficial to the community; his position was in opposition to the business model as presented.
Despite the concerns, the motion to approve the agreement with MD Health Pathways passed with a vote of 7-2, with Mayor Hedrick and Councilmember Moore in opposition.
Lockwood Distilling Company Economic Incentive Agreement Approved
Additionally, the council approved an economic incentive agreement for Lockwood Distilling Company, which plans to lease and renovate a 5,000-square-foot space at 532 Main Street. This project aligns with the city’s goal of fostering economic growth and revitalization in downtown Garland.
As the meeting concluded, City staff reiterated their commitment to community engagement regarding the MD Health Pathways program. The council acknowledged the importance of transparency and communication in ensuring that residents are well informed about the services being offered.
The full video from the council meeting is available online.
