13 • Agenda ItemCity of Mesquite (Dallas County)

Public hearing and Ordinance - Youth Programs Standards of Care

Presented in: City of Mesquite City Council on 2026-03-16

Official Roll-Call Vote

Expands Gov't • 6.9/10 Impact Weight

PASSED (6 - 0)

“A public hearing was held regarding the Parks and Recreation Department Youth Programs Standards of Care. Elizabeth Harrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that the Parks and Recreation Department operates youth programs at various recreation centers during after-school hours and on school breaks. These programs are designed to provide constructive recreational experiences and ensure school-aged children in the community have access to quality programs with supervision when school is not in session. Ms. Harrell stated that the Youth Programs Standards of Care (SOC) is reviewed annually and adopted by ordinance, following a public hearing. This year, the SOC includes the following revisions: 1. Recreation Leader I Position a. Licensing: Removed the requirement for a valid Texas driver’s license as a minimum qualification. b. Age Requirement: Lowered the minimum age requirement for this position to 16 years of age. 2. Recreation Aide Position a. Consolidation: ”

Jeff Casper

Councilmember, Place 1 (Place 1)

YES

“Aye”

Kenny Green

Councilmember, Place 2 (Place 2)

YES

“Aye”

Elizabeth Rodriguez-Ross

Councilmember, Place 3 (Place 3)

YES

“Aye”

Andrew Hubacek

Councilmember, Place 4 (Place 4)

YES

“Aye”

B.W. Smith

Councilmember, Place 5 (Place 5)

YES

“Aye”

Brandon Murden

Councilmember, Place 6 (Place 6)

YES

“Aye”

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

A public hearing was held regarding the Parks and Recreation Department Youth Programs Standards of Care. Elizabeth Harrell, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that the Parks and Recreation Department operates youth programs at various recreation centers during after-school hours and on school breaks. These programs are designed to provide constructive recreational experiences and ensure school-aged children in the community have access to quality programs with supervision when school is not in session. Ms. Harrell stated that the Youth Programs Standards of Care (SOC) is reviewed annually and adopted by ordinance, following a public hearing. This year, the SOC includes the following revisions: 1. Recreation Leader I Position a. Licensing: Removed the requirement for a valid Texas driver’s license as a minimum qualification. b. Age Requirement: Lowered the minimum age requirement for this position to 16 years of age. 2. Recreation Aide Position a. Consolidation: This position has been eliminated and combined into the Recreation Leader I position. Vivian Johnson, 4538 Live Oak Drive, expressed support for the proposed ordinance. No others appeared regarding the proposed ordinance. Mr. Casper moved to approve Ordinance No. 5234, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MESQUITE, TEXAS, ADOPTING STANDARDS OF CARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY’S RECREATION PROGRAMS TITLED “2026 YOUTH PROGRAMS STANDARDS OF CARE”; REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 5158; PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS RESOLUTION CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion was seconded by Ms. Rodriguez-Ross and approved unanimously. (Ordinance No. 5234 recorded in Ordinance Book No. 136.)

Bastiat Liberty & Property Rights Analysis

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 6.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).