[July 18, 2011] Irving City Council sets priorities in first meeting under new mayor Tweet Jul 16, 2011 (The Dallas Morning News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Irving City Council on Friday discussed several priority areas for the coming year, including Heritage Crossing in South Irving, code enforcement and a potential convention center hotel. The strategic planning session was the council's first under newly elected Mayor Beth Van Duyne. "I encourage you to dissect anything we bring to council and ask questions," she told her colleagues. "I welcome discussion and disagreement if necessary, as long as we focus on the issues and not each other." Van Duyne asked that members elected from single-member districts provide updates from their districts and become "subject-level experts." "Especially now that we've got single-member districts, it would be an avenue and opportunity for those council members from those districts to say, 'This is what I'm hearing,'" Van Duyne said. Several council members said they'd like to see more efforts to encourage development in the Heritage Crossing area to lure retailers. They also suggested planning festivals to draw people in. "I don't think they have enough resources," member Joe Philipp said. Gerald Farris said restaurants would also help. "Maybe the problem with Heritage Crossing is thinking too small," he said. "People in South Irving feel slighted, abandoned and neglected." Farris also suggested that efforts should be taken to look for new people to serve on city committees and to "eliminate bias," instead of tapping into the pool of people who have served in the past. Members discussed the need for a hotel near the new convention center. They also mentioned the need to address residents who are repeat code violators. Several commented that they have seen more homeless people and that the issue may need to be addressed. "I've noticed the homeless situation in the area," said member Rick Stopfer. "It kind of blows my mind." Van Duyne announced plans to hold three town hall meetings on July 27, Aug. 2 and Aug. 10. The locations have not been finalized. The intent is to go to different sections of the city and encourage residents to ask questions. Council members will speak with the public, unlike at City Council meetings when the members listen to public comments but don't respond. To see more of The Dallas Morning News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dallasnews.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]