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CITY OF DESOTO REQUEST FOR BID (RFB) SOLICITATION NUMBER: DEA-2404

CITY OF DESOTO
REQUEST FOR BID (RFB)

SOLICITATION NUMBER: DEA-2404

DUE DATE: July 17, 2024 @ 2:00 P.M. Central Time

BID TITLE: S. Hampton Rd. Mill and Overlay
Project

The City of DeSoto, Texas is accepting sealed bids for the S. Hampton Rd. Mill and Overlay Project.

Sealed bids will be received and time stamped at the Action Center located at 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, TX 75115 until 2:00 P.M. Central Time (CT) on July 17, 2024. Bids will be opened and firm names read out loud shortly after 2:00 P.M. CT that same day. Any bids received after 2:00 P.M. CT on July 17, 2024, regardless of the mode of delivery, shall be returned unopened.

Statement of Work and other bid documents can be downloaded from www.publicpurchase.com or www.civcastuas.com or can be requested from the Purchasing Division via email at BRidings@desototexas.gov. The City is not responsible for any vendor’s cost associated with the preparation of bid documents.

The City of DeSoto reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or part, to waive any informality in any bid or accept bids which, in its discretion, is in the best interest of the City of DeSoto.

The post CITY OF DESOTO REQUEST FOR BID (RFB) SOLICITATION NUMBER: DEA-2404 appeared first on Focus Daily News.

CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Case Number B24-01

CITY OF DESOTO
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Case Number B24-01
The City of DeSoto Zoning Board of Adjustment will conduct a Public Hearing to consider variance requests from Section 38.6.7 Parking Requirement Based on Use to allow for fewer parking spaces and Section 39.7.B Minimum Landscaping Requirements for Nonresidential and Multifamily to allow for a reduced landscape buffer along S. Hampton Road. The property is located on the northwest corner of S. Hampton Road and Ace Drive, addressed as 1239 S. Hampton Road. The applicant and property owner is Adieb Isa. The public hearing before the Zoning Board of Adjustment will be conducted on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Número de caso B24-01
La Junta de Ajuste de Zonificación de la Ciudad de DeSoto llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para considerar las solicitudes de variación de la Sección 38.6.7 Requisito de estacionamiento basado en el uso para permitir menos espacios de estacionamiento y la Sección 39.7.B Requisitos mínimos de paisajismo para no residenciales y multifamiliares para permitir una zona de amortiguación de paisaje reducida a lo largo de S. Hampton Road. La propiedad está ubicada en la esquina noroeste de S. Hampton Road y Ace Drive, con dirección como 1239 S. Hampton Road. El solicitante y propietario de la propiedad es Adieb Isa. La audiencia pública ante la Junta de Ajuste de Zonificación se llevará a cabo el jueves 18 de julio de 2024 a las 7:00 p.m.

For meeting information 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) 230-9624. This hearing will be held in the Council Chambers at Town Center, Suite A, 211 East Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto, Texas. 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 prior to the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting where they will hear this case.

The post CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Case Number B24-01 appeared first on Focus Daily News.

DeSoto’s New City Manager takes the reins Today

Majed Al-Ghafry, who the DeSoto City Council selected in late May to become DeSoto’s next City Manager, formerly starts his new position on Monday, July 1st.

Majed Al-Ghafry, the Assistant City Manager for the City of Dallas, has been selected by the DeSoto City Council to serve as DeSoto’s next City Manager. Mayor Rachel L. Proctor announced his appointment at Tuesday evening’s DeSoto City Council Meeting.

“After conducting a comprehensive national search to find the very best City Manager to lead DeSoto into the future, we are proud to say that we have accomplished our mission and are bringing the best of the best to DeSoto,” said Mayor Proctor. “While Majed Al-Ghafry has built an impressive track record of high-level accomplishments, it was the steady praise that we heard from those who knew him best that told us what we needed to know about his character and leadership abilities.”

 

The process of finding a new City Manager began in November of 2023 when the DeSoto City Council hired the municipal consulting firm Government Professional Solutions (GPS) to conduct a nationwide search. On Thursday, April 18th, three finalists including Al-Ghafry were invited to DeSoto City Hall for a public meet and greet event. It was there that Majed Al-Ghafry distinguished himself with his demeanor, knowledge, and love of DeSoto.

 

 

“When I told our residents back in April that I loved DeSoto, I meant it! I’ve had many friends and colleagues from DeSoto over the years and they’ve shared the love and enthusiasm they have for this wonderful city with me.” Al-Ghafry continued, “I’ve also been able to experience DeSoto on my own as a neighbor and a professional, and I can see both its greatness and its untapped potential. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am looking forward to working with our Mayor and City Council, team members, and residents to make DeSoto the absolute best it can be!”

 

Majed Al-Ghafry is an Executive Engineer and educator who has spent more than 35 years as a leader in both the public and private sectors. He has worn many hats with the City of Dallas including overseeing all of Dallas’ infrastructure departments, Economic Development, Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, Planning and Urban Design, Development Services, the Office of Historic Preservation and the Tourism, Conventions and Events Departments.

 

Before joining the City of Dallas, Al-Ghafry served as the Assistant City Manager of the City of El Cajon, California, and as the Public Works Director for the City of San Antonio. Majed is a Credentialed City Manager who earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, Denton, a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, professional engineering registrations in Civil and Traffic from the State of California and a professional engineering registration from the State of Texas. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas.

The post DeSoto’s New City Manager takes the reins Today appeared first on Focus Daily News.

CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TA -0007-24

CITY OF DESOTO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TA -0007-24

The City of DeSoto Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing to consider the amendment of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, Section 10 Changes and Amendments to all Zoning Ordinances and Districts and Administrative Procedures to align with State Bill 929 (SB 929). The hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission has been set for Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. If the Zoning Ordinance, Section 10 Changes and Amendments to all Zoning Ordinances and Districts and Administrative Procedures to align with SB 929 is recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission, then the hearing before the City Council will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

TA-0007-24
La Comisión de Planificación y Zonificación de la Ciudad de DeSoto llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para considerar la enmienda de la Ordenanza de Zonificación de la Ciudad, los Cambios de la Sección 10 y las Enmiendas a todas las Ordenanzas y Distritos de Zonificación y los Procedimientos Administrativos para alinearlos con el Proyecto de Ley Estatal 929 (SB 929). La audiencia ante la Comisión de Planificación y Zonificación ha sido fijada para el martes 25 de junio de 2024 a las 6:00 p.m. Si la Ordenanza de Zonificación, los Cambios y Enmiendas de la Sección 10 a todas las Ordenanzas y Distritos de Zonificación y los Procedimientos Administrativos para alinearse con la SB 929 se recomienda para su aprobación por la Comisión de Planificación y Zonificación, entonces la audiencia ante el Concejo Municipal se llevará a cabo el martes 16 de julio de 2024 a las 6:00 p.m.

For meeting information please go to the City website (http://www.desototexas.gov/1515/Agendasand-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 TA -0007-24 appeared first on Focus Daily News.

DeSoto Mayor Pro Temp Selection Process Sparks Controversy

Desoto Residents’ Comment on Latest Mayor Pro Tem Vote

DESOTO – Citizen’s comments took up most of the time at the most recent DeSoto City Council meeting.

Shanitta Cleveland began the comments with a thorough discussion of the May 21 Mayor Pro Tem vote. While she spoke for three minutes and then had her microphone turned off, she had an issue with the recent voting for the city’s Mayor Pro Tem. Cleveland felt, as did others who spoke after her, that Place 5 Dinah Marks had originally won and not current Mayor Pro Tem Letitia Hughes, who is serving her second Mayor Pro Tem term.

She felt the Marks vote, which was originally 4 – 3, was a win for Marks, but then she stated, “There was a second unlawful vote that stripped her of that title. She started to dissent, but” Cleveland said after that current Mayor Pro Tem Letitia Hughes said she did not vote correctly, and the vote started again, this time with Hughes keeping her Pro Tem seat.

“You guys have corruption in the city, and it is going to continue, and it is not going anywhere,” Cleveland said to the mic, which had been silenced as she walked away with no time left to speak.

Rachelle Jones spoke as a concerned citizen, educator and former city employee. She said she has a concern for the city, and she is not happy with the safety in the city and the lack of security.

Bernadine Harrison said she was speaking out because she does not like the way DeSoto is headed.

“Nothing seems to get better in this city other than the fact that everything seems to get more expensive,” Harrison told the city council. She had an issue with the short three minutes residents are allowed to speak at the council meetings and added, “They can talk to you forever when they are out there looking for votes.”

Harrison also brought up the ISD $7 million missing money, “but we can’t take care of the needs of a child who has been molested.”

Harrison went on to add “it is time for change” and she is going to try and make change happen. She said she is starting a website and asks, “We the People, all you need to do is take one day out of your busy day, and I wish the council would remind people regularly you can get this meeting online so we can do something about it.”

Mary Bonaparte, a 34-year DeSoto resident, said she is challenging the city council to do the right thing.

“This is not the city I moved into 34 years ago, this city has declined as you have allowed developers, investors, Airbnb, and rental property owners to run this city down while they make big money on the backs of us taxpayers.”

Bonaparte, too, mentioned the Mayor Pro Tem election and said, “After Marks had given her speech, Mayor Proctor said there was a voting mistake by Hughes.”

So, Marks’ win was taken away and given to Hughes. Bonaparte insisted Marks won the Mayor Pro Tem nomination, adding, “ignorance of the law is no excuse, which is what the judge tells everybody downtown. You cannot start a meeting using Roberts Rules of Order and then change the rules to benefit your own agenda. I am going to ask you to put your differences aside and honor the initial Mayor Pro Tem vote by confirming Councilmember Marks as the new Mayor Pro Tem. And be reminded this city belongs to every citizen in DeSoto and not the nine individuals sitting on this dais. If we, the citizens, must put our differences aside and rally together to get change in DeSoto, that is what we are going to do. I am asking ya’ll to do the right thing.”

Anna Williams, a 33-year resident, said, “I stand before you in shame and disbelief in what our morals have adapted to. We have allowed personal feelings and greed to ruin our once-beautiful community and city. We have allowed investors, developers, and slumlords to disturb the peace of our once-quiet community. We, the residents of DeSoto, say no more. You are putting $10,000 worth of tires on a $1000 city.”

She sa

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