City Hall Roundup: Dallas to Pay Out $55M to Trinity East Energy Over 2014 Lawsuit
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The Dallas City Council approved last month a massive $55 million payment to settle a lawsuit with Trinity East Energy LLC natural gas company.
The oil and gas company filed suit in 2014 claiming that Dallas backed out of a deal to issue specialty permits after entering a lease with Trinity to drill on city-owned land.
A city spokesperson told KERA that Dallas will issue bonds to cover the cost of the payout.
While the matter has been discussed in closed session, the court of public opinion is surmising that the deal was poorly handled by a previous city administration and taxpayers will end up footing part of the bill.
From a Jan. 24 Dallas Morning News report by Everton Bailey Jr.:
“According to Trinity East Energy, the company paid the city $19 million in 2008 to lease more than 3,500 acres of land in northwest Dallas near the Luna Vista Golf Course and the Elm Fork gun range. The company said it spent millions of dollars more on planning and was assured by then-City Manager Mary Suhm in a letter that it would be allowed to drill.
But city staff also briefed the City Council in 2008 saying there would be no drilling on park land. The city’s drilling ordinance at the time banned it.
The proposal drew protests and, in August 2013, the Dallas City Council denied Trinity East Energy’s three applications to drill saying the proposed locations were inappropriate. Two of the sites were located in a city park and in a floodplain, and a third location was near a city soccer complex. The applications were also denied by the City Plan Commission.”
Charter Review Commission Evaluates 123 Proposed Amendments
The Dallas Charter Review Commission is spending the first three months of 2024 reviewing proposed changes to the charter, Dallas’ foundational governing document, with proposals ranging from technical revisions to matters involving the powers, functions, and framework of city government, according to a press release issued Jan. 24.
Following three months of soliciting amendments from residents, stakeholders, and city staff, the Commission received 123 proposed amendments by the mid-January submission deadline.
“We are making good progress,” said Commission Chairman Allen Vaught. “These first two meetings have allowed us to dispense of some amendments that were not appropriate for a document like the charter so that we can focus on the weighty amendment discussions in the weeks ahead. I expect robust conversation as we go forward and look at important changes to make local government in Dallas fairer and more efficient.”
Watch the latest Charter Review Commission meeting here.
American Rescue Plan Act Funds Slated For Rapid Rehousing Program
The Dallas City Council will vote Feb. 28 on whether to use up to $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds left over from the original Dallas REAL Time Rapid Rehousing Initiative to provide services for the unhoused.
The additional funds would allow the city to serve an additional 265 to 300 people, said Director of Homeless Solutions Christine Crossley during a Jan. 22 meeting of the Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee.
“We already have enough in terms of obligated rent through Dallas Housing Authority,” Crossley said. “What we don’t have enough of is the supportive service money to pair with that to make sure that everyone who goes into housing has comprehensive services.”
Rental rates have increased, so the Office of Homeless Solutions is re-evaluating the exact amount needed to bring before council later this month.
Dallas Will Use American Rescue Plan Act Funds to Help With Eviction Assistance
Dallas City Council members agreed during a Jan. 24 meeting to use $230,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help those at risk of being evicted from their homes.
The council unanimously approved a 12-month extension to its contract agreement with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas to provide legal services to Dallas residential tenants at risk of eviction and homelessness due to financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic for the period of Feb 2024 through January 2025.
District 7 Councilman Adam Bazaldua said the pandemic amplified many disparities, including residents’ ability to remain safely housed.
“One of the most impactful pieces of policy that we’ve passed since I’ve been on this body was our eviction ordinance that gave a tool for advocates and lawyers alike to keep people in place,” Bazaluda said. “In addition to the policy, the Eviction Assistance Initiative was established to provide legal support to prevent eviction and assist in preventing homelessness by providing legal counsel and services to Dallas residents facing evictions.”
