No kayaks for Mercer Park

As part of the annual update for the Parks and Recreation Department, Director Robert Diaz informed Farmers Branch City Councilmembers there would be no water sports allowed on the lake at Mercer Park.

The Trinity River Authority of Texas would not authorize it or a floating dock at the park, possibly because of liability and because a 14-foot water level rise made a floating dock “impossible,” Diaz said in response to City Councilmember Richard Jackson’s questions about kayaking.

In his annual update to the council, Diaz confirmed that the park had been turned over to the city by the developer, Centurion American Development Group, and the parks department is working on the irrigation system so tree planting can begin.

Centurion American set aside money into a fund for the city to purchase trees when it was determined that the summer heat would be detrimintal to the planting of the trees before the park was given to the city.

Diaz said that based on community feedback, the department is planning for a basketball court, pickleball and tennis courts and a playground. He suggested the work be done in two additional phases. The first phase, which includes the hiking and biking trail and tree and sod planting, will be completed soon.

The park is already open and the trail is being used, he said.

He said he hoped the parks department could get the second phase planned and out to bid before the end of the year. He anticipated the park would be complete by the end of 2025.

Other council items

In a marathon council meeting and study session on Dec. 10, the council received year-end updates from the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission as well.

In addition, Matthew Church, vice president of government affairs for the MetroTex Association of Realtors provided an in-depth review of the real estate market in North Texas and answered questions from council about short-term rentals in the area and the ordinances other cities have put in place.

Mayor Terry Lynne suggested having a workshop so the council could learn more about the topic.

Other topics the council discussed included a draft of rules of procedures and decorum, entering into an economic development agreement with Southwest Airlines

Council approved a site plan for signage at 1501 and 1505 LBJ Freeway allowing three signs on the building, the transfer of maintenance of three medians in the Oakbrook subdivision, voted for representation to the board of directors of the Dallas Central Appraisal District, appointed City Councilmember Tina Bennett-Burton and City Manager Ben Williamson to the Farmers Branch Local Government Corp.

Executive Sessions

The council also convened into closed executive session to discuss six topics.

They:

• Deliberated the appointment of the city’s Municipal Court Judge.
• Discussed, deliberated and received legal advice regarding the civil suit Eva Morena. et. al. vs. Michael Dunn and the city of Farmers Branch. In December 2023, Farmers Branch Police Officer Michael Dunn was acquitted in the criminal trial the 2019 killing of Juan Moreno. The council approved Resolution R2024-239 for the Mediated Compromise Settlement Agreement in that case. No more details were made public.
• Discussed economic incentives for “Project Six B.”
• Discussed and authorized the city manager to negotiate the sales and purchases of the properties at 12918 Harrisburg Circle for $195,000 and 2837 Ermine Way for $211,000 for the city’s Renaissance Program.
• Discussed the sale of the property at 1349-1399 Valley View Lane, which was formerly the Citizens Collection Center. The council approved transferring the property to the Farmers Branch Local Government Corp.