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DESOTO – As Dallas clears its homeless population out of that city, it is no surprise suburbs like DeSoto are finding more of an uptick in the “unhoused” situation.

At a Special DeSoto City Council meeting Monday night, one item on the agenda addressed the coming need to address this increase in numbers.

The homeless situation in DeSoto falls to the Tri-City Regional Care Team, which encompasses not only DeSoto but also Cedar Hill and Duncanville, and it plans to include Lancaster and Glenn Heights in the future.

DeSoto Lt. Melissa Franks is the Regional Team Coordinator, and at Monday’s meeting, she reminded the council that the City of Dallas has initiated programs to move its homeless encampments out of the city to clear up its communities.

“I am on bi-weekly meetings with them to find out what they are doing and how that might affect us here,” Franks explained. “One of the things I think will affect us is we are going to see an uptick because as people figure out they can’t camp out in Dallas, they are going to seek refuge in the suburbs.”

Franks stressed that the CARE Team’s vital concern is offering the homeless population arriving in DeSoto a holistic, human-centered, community-responsible approach upon arrival.

So far, however, there have been no concrete plans on how to do that or even the data to allow the team an accurate look at DeSoto’s homelessness count by the numbers.

DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor said the council needs to know these numbers to develop a plan.

Proctor asked what homelessness in DeSoto looks like regarding numbers, not just the words “a lot,” which can mean different things to different people.

“We need to understand better who we are trying to solve for before we create programs without really understanding the magnitude of the problem,” Proctor said.

Franks said there are no numbers.

“That is part of our objective to begin collecting data because right now, we have our in-house data collection system for the regional care team where we are tracking who we are interacting with, under what circumstances, what have been the needs that have been shared with us and how we have been meeting those needs,” she explained. “I do not have those exact numbers in front of me regarding unhoused individuals.”

She added that, on average, the CARE team interacts two to three times per week in the Tri-City Region.

Franks also reminded the Regional Care Team that it does not only respond to homelessness; its mission includes engaging with individuals and their families experiencing behavioral health needs.

Outreach, engagement, and the facilitation of resources are currently being used as first steps when homeless individuals are identified.

There is also a recovery plan, which is not a mandatory decision. If the homeless individual does not choose to utilize the city’s resources, the Regional Care Team respects that choice.

“To balance the need of the individual with the community for a safe and desirable place to live, work, and play, we also want to know that we have taken care of our individuals who are vulnerable,” Franks added.

For the homeless who do not choose to take advantage of the resources, Frank said there are “Mechanisms in place where if they do not want help, how they can be moved along to not cause issues with the other residents of DeSoto.”

Place 6 Crystal Chism, who placed this item on the agenda, had questions and said she had done so because of complaints the city receives about homelessness in DeSoto.

She asked Frank what the Regional Care Team looks like moving forward. She also mentioned the possibility of a homeless situation during CARE Team off-hours. She noted that the current infrastructure is only available during certain hours and days, and Franks said yes. The current resources do not do intake on weekends or nights, and in the morning, it is

ORDINANCE 2416-24 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED, BY AMENDING AND RESTATING SPECIFIC USE PERMIT NO. 300 (SUP-300), AS ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NO. 2250-21 AUTHORIZING AN APPROXIMATELY 17.83± ACRE TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE SARAH REAM SURVEY, ABSTRACT NO. 1216, CITY OF DESOTO, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1220 E. PLEASANT RUN ROAD), PRESENTLY ZONED AS GENERAL RETAIL (GR) DISTRICT TO BE USED FOR ELECTRICAL SUBSTATION (HIGH VOLTAGE POWER) USE, TO ALLOW FOR THE ENLARGEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF THE USE THEREON; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00) FOR EACH OFFENSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. DULY PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, THE 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024. APPROVED: RACHEL L. PROCTOR, MAYOR; ATTEST: ALICIA THOMAS, CITY SECRETARY; APPROVED AS TO FORM: JOSEPH J. GORFIDA, CITY ATTORNEY.

ORDINANCE 2417-24 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13 “UTILITIES” BY REPEALING ARTICLE 13.600 “MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM” IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ARTICLE 13.600; AND AMENDING APPENDIX A “FEE SCHEDULE” BY REPEALING ARTICLE 23.000 “MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM FEES” IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ARTICLE 23.000 ESTABLISHING DRAINAGE UTILITY FEES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. DULY PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, THE 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024. APPROVED: RACHEL L. PROCTOR, MAYOR; ATTEST: ALICIA THOMAS, CITY SECRETARY; APPROVED AS TO FORM: JOSEPH J. GORFIDA, CITY ATTORNEY.

The post CITY OF DESOTO ORDINANCE 2416-24 and ORDINANCE 2417-24 appeared first on Focus Daily News.

CITY OF DESOTO
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Case #TA-004-23
The City of DeSoto City Council will conduct a Public Hearing to consider amending the Zoning Ordinance in order to establish green space regulations for commercial and residential developments in the City of DeSoto. The applicant is the City of DeSoto. The public hearing before the City Council will be conducted on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.

Caso #TA-004-23
El Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de DeSoto llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para considerar enmendar la Ordenanza de Zonificación con el fin de establecer regulaciones de espacios verdes para desarrollos comerciales y residenciales en la Ciudad de DeSoto. El solicitante es la ciudad de DeSoto. La audiencia pública ante el Concejo Municipal se llevará a cabo el martes 19 de noviembre de 2024 a las 6:00 p.m.

For meeting information please go to the City website (http://www.desototexas.gov/1515/Agendas-and-Minutes) to view the agenda. If you have any questions regarding this case, contact the Planning and Zoning Department at (972) 230-9622.The building in which the above meeting will be conducted is wheelchair accessible; spaces for the mobility impaired are available. Any request for sign interpretative services must be made forty-eight hours prior to the time of the meeting.

Arrangements for sign interpretative services may be made by calling the City Secretary at 972/230-9646 or by calling TDD-1-800-RELAYTX (1-800-735-2989).

To be a valid written protest the protest or petition in opposition must be filed with the Planning Department before 4:00 P.M of the working day immediately preceding the date in which the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council will hear this case.

The post CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Case #TA-004-23 appeared first on Focus Daily News.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, at approximately 7:54 p.m., police were dispatched to an active disturbance in the 400 block of Raintree Circle, DeSoto, Texas. The caller, an adult female, reported to dispatch that an unknown adult male armed with a pistol was in her backyard. During the 911 call, dispatch could hear screaming as the suspect attempted to force entry through the rear garage door. Multiple neighbors also called 911, reporting gunshots in the area. Police arrived on scene at the victim’s residence by 7:57 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers encountered the victim in front of her home. She informed them that she believed she had shot the suspect, who was likely at the back of the property. Police searched the premises and found the suspect lying on the ground inside the garage, with a pistol nearby. The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Octavio Flores Mondragon, had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to the chest and another to the face. Officers secured the scene and administered first aid until an ambulance arrived. The suspect was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

The victim stated that she noticed a dark truck following her as she entered her neighborhood, and it pulled in behind her when she parked in her driveway. Concerned for her safety, she ran inside her home and called the police. She armed herself with her pistol as the suspect tried to break in, firing multiple shots to stop him. She then met officers at the front of her home when they arrived.

The suspect faces charges of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Another Felony, a first-degree felony. No motive has been determined. The pistol found beside the suspect is believed to be the firearm he had during the incident.

No further details are available for public release.

The post Armed Intruder Shot by Homeowner During Break-In Attempt in DeSoto, Texas appeared first on Focus Daily News.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

The City Council of the City of DeSoto, Texas will hold a Public Hearing during a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 6 p.m. in the City Of DeSoto City Council Chambers located at 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, Texas, to hear public opinion regarding the adoption of the following proposed Ordinance to modify the regulations of the current Municipal Drainage Utility System and the rate structure and provisions of the current Municipal Drainage Utility System Fees.

This notice is being published in accordance with the public notice requirements set forth in Subchapter C of Chapter 552, Local Government Code, V.T.C.A. for public hearings. As required by the aforementioned statute, this public notice is being published in a newspaper of general circulation to the residents of the City of DeSoto thirty (30) days or more prior to the date of the public hearing and will be published twice more, for a total of three times, before the scheduled hearing.

All interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing and express their opinions on the proposed Ordinance. Council may vote on the proposed Ordinance immediately following the public hearing. State law provides that approval of the proposed Ordinance shall require an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the City Council.

The building in which the above public hearing will be conducted is wheelchair accessible; spaces for the mobility impaired are available. Any request for sign interpretative services must be made forty-eight hours prior to the time of the meeting.

Arrangements for sign interpretative services may be made by calling the City Secretary at 972/230-9646 or by calling TDD-1-800-RELAYTX (1-800-735-2989).

The entire proposed Ordinance to modify the existing Municipal Drainage Utility System and Municipal Drainage Utility System Fees in the City of DeSoto is provided herewith, in accordance with requirements set forth in Subchapter C, Chapter 552, Local Government Code, V.T.C.A.:

ORDINANCE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13 “UTILITIES” BY REPEALING ARTICLE 13.600 “MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM” IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ARTICLE 13.600; AND AMENDING APPENDIX A “FEE SCHEDULE” BY REPEALING ARTICLE 23.000 “MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM FEES” IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW ARTICLE 23.000 ESTABLISHING DRAINAGE UTILITY FEES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE OF FINE NOT TO EXCEED THE SUM OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000.00); AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DESOTO, TEXAS:

SECTION 1. That the City of DeSoto Code of Ordinances is amended by amending Chapter 13 “Utilities” by repealing Article 13.600 “Municipal Drainage Utility System” in its entirety and replacing it with a new Article 13.600, to read as follows:

“CHAPTER 13
UTILITIES
. . .
REPEAL ARTICLE 13.600 IN ITS ENTIRETY AND REPLACE WITH A NEW ARTICLE 13.600, AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 13.600 MUNICIPAL DRAINAGE UTILITY SYSTEM

§ 13.601 Adoption of Act.

(a) The Council finds that notice has been given, and hearings held as required by Section 552.045(c) (Adoption of System; Rules) of the Texas Local Government Code.

(b) The Council makes the findings required by Section 552.045(b) (Adoption of System; Rules) of the Texas Local Government Code.

(c) Chapter 552 (Municipal Utilities), Subchapter C (Municipal Drainage Utility Systems), of the Texas Local Government Code is adopted, and this chapter shall be administered in accordance with its provisions.

(d) The drainage of the City is declared to be a public utility. Existing facilities are incorporated in the drainage utility as permitted b