Dallas City Hall
In a hearing on Tuesday, June 9, a Dallas County judge ruled that the Dallas City Council could not vote on City Hall’s future in Wednesday’s special council meeting.
Three council members filed a lawsuit for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Monday due to the rushed nature of the scheduled meeting. Less than a week has passed since Dallas City Council last heard updated repair costs and plans for a possible phased approach to city hall.
District 7 Council member Adam Bazaldua, District 9 Council member Paula Blackmon and District 12 Council member Cara Mendelsohn filed the suit, with Mendelsohn withdrawing before the hearing Tuesday.
Judge Eric Moyé ruled that the City of Dallas failed to provide detailed adequate public notice for the city hall agenda items that would be discussed at the Wednesday meeting. The lack of notice made the agenda items not satisfactory to the Texas Open Meetings Act.
“With so much at stake, it is essential that we take the time for thoughtful discussion and careful consideration before moving forward with any irreversible action,” Blackmon said in a statement. “We owe our residents that much.”
Moyé’s order prevents the items from being considered at any City Council meeting for the next two weeks. A hearing for a temporary injunction is set for June 18 at 1 p.m., according to KERA.
The special-called meeting remained on the City Council calendar for the Wednesday council meeting, with the city hall items blocked by the court ruling.
