At approximately 1 p.m. this afternoon, District 7 Councilmember Adam Bazaldua issued a sharp public rebuke against several of his colleagues, accusing them of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) by convening without public notice or access.
In a joint statement with District 9 Councilmember Paula Blackmon, Bazaldua said that four members of the City Council’s Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee—including its chair and vice chair—met privately, constituting a quorum. That, the pair stressed, is a direct violation of state law, which requires government meetings to remain open and transparent.
“This directly violates the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires that all meetings of governmental bodies be accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability,” the statement read. “This did not occur today.”
Bazaldua and Blackmon argued that secrecy on an issue as urgent as homelessness erodes public trust and called for attorneys—and possibly the Dallas County District Attorney—to investigate the matter.
“The public has every right to expect decisions to be made openly, where they can take part in the policymaking process, and not behind closed doors on the fifth floor,” they added. “Violation of the TOMA erodes trust in our government and should be taken seriously. Dallas deserves better.”
Councilmember Gracey Responds at 5 p.m.
Just a few hours later, at around 5 p.m., District 3 Councilmember Zarin D. Gracey posted a statement on his Instagram account offering clarity about his participation in the disputed meeting.
Gracey explained that he was invited to learn about the Haven for Hope model in San Antonio and its possible application in Dallas. According to what was presented, the concept included relocating The Bridge homeless shelter to Dallas Executive Airport (commonly known as RedBird Airport) in his district.
Gracey made clear he does not support such a proposal.
“Dallas Executive Airport is not just an airport; it is a cornerstone of economic development in District 3,” he wrote. “To repurpose it for uses that could discourage economic momentum would run counter to the vision we share for our community.”
Instead, Gracey reiterated his plan to move forward with the Independence Triangle project, which he said better balances economic growth with compassionate solutions for the unhoused population.
“My plan for District 3 remains the same: sell the property at 2929 S. Hampton and use the proceeds to complete the Independence Triangle project,” Gracey stated. “This approach will fulfill District 3’s commitment to supporting our unhoused community while ensuring that our broader vision for growth and stability is preserved.”
What’s Next?
The clash underscores both the urgency and sensitivity surrounding Dallas’ approach to homelessness. On one side, Bazaldua and Blackmon are pressing for transparency and legal accountability; on the other, Gracey is pushing back against proposals that would reroute homelessness solutions to a hub of southern Dallas’ economic hopes.
As of publication, other members of the Housing and Homelessness Solutions Committee have not issued a response. Dallas Weekly will continue to follow this developing story.