A coalition opposing the potential relocation of Dallas City Hall has filed a formal notice of claim against the City of Dallas, alleging officials violated the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Dallas City Charter by restricting residents’ ability to speak on public business.
Attorneys for the Save Dallas City Hall Coalition filed the notice Tuesday, one day before the Dallas City Council is scheduled to vote on up to $3 million in due diligence tied to possible City Hall, 311, and 911 relocation options, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The coalition alleges the city has used a 30-day speaking rule, shortened speaker time limits, and disputed agenda procedures to limit public participation during the City Hall relocation debate.
Public Comment Dispute
The notice challenges a Dallas City Council rule that prevents residents from registering to speak more than once every 30 days.
JUST FILED: A new legal notice is escalating the fight over Dallas City Hall, and it alleges the City is actively blocking residents from being heard.
The Save Dallas City Hall Coalition has filed claims accusing the City of Dallas of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act and… pic.twitter.com/xaScPlScsQ
— Amelia Mugavero (@amugaverotv) June 16, 2026
The coalition argues the rule unlawfully blocks residents from speaking on posted briefing agenda items if they addressed the council at another meeting within the previous month.
“The City is using procedural gymnastics to silence public dissent,” Bruce Richardson said in the coalition’s release. “By forcing public comment into ‘open microphone’ sessions and then applying a 30-day prohibition, the City is effectively barring citizens from speaking on critical agenda items in direct violation of state law.”
The coalition also challenges one-minute speaking limits imposed during a June 10 special-called meeting. The notice contends the limits violated the City Charter’s requirement that residents receive a “reasonable opportunity” to be heard.
June 10 Vote Challenged
The notice also targets the council’s June 10 vote rejecting City Hall repair funding and directing City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to continue exploring relocation options.
The coalition alleges the vote was invalid because the city did not properly post the subject for a vote under the Texas Open Meetings Act. It also claims the action violated a temporary restraining order issued by State District Judge Eric Moyé.
The June 10 meeting already faced a separate legal challenge from Council Members Adam Bazaldua and Paula Blackmon, who sued over the city’s agenda language. Moyé blocked several relocation-related items from that meeting after finding the notices too vague, though he allowed the council to vote on the City Hall repair item.
Bazaldua and Blackmon later asked Moyé to require the city and several officials to explain whether they violated the temporary restraining order.
June 17 Vote Questioned
The coalition’s notice also questions whether any votes taken at Wednesday’s special-called meeting would be valid.
The coalition alleges the city posted incorrect information online about the deadline for residents to sign up to speak at the Wednesday meeting.
Wednesday’s agenda includes up to $2 million for City Hall relocation due diligence and up to $1 million for separate analysis tied to possible relocation of the city’s 311 and 911 call centers.
The vote would not approve a City Hall move or authorize a relocation contract. The items would allow Tolbert to gather more detailed cost information before any final relocation decision returns to the council.
Coalition Seeks Relief
The coalition is demanding that the city stop using the 30-day rule to bar public comment on agenda items, create what it calls a lawful registration process for briefing meetings, and disavow the June 10 vote.
The notice says the coalition is prepared to seek mandamus and injunctive relief to challenge the alleged violations.
The City Hall debate comes as consultants have estimated major repairs at the existing 1500 Marilla Street building could cost $531.6 million to $610.8 million. The broader 20-year occupancy cost could approach $1.6 billion after factoring in modernization, swing space, financing, and operations, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
A final relocation vote has not been taken. Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at Dallas City Hall.
