Debi Meek is running against Chris Coy for Grapevine City Council Place 5. Debi Meek is running against Chris Coy for the Grapevine City Council Place 5 seat.[/caption]

Debi Meek, owner of Bermuda Gold & Silver in Grapevine, is running for the Grapevine City Council Place 5 seat in the May 6 election.

Place 5 is currently held by Chris Coy, whose term ends in May. He will be seeking re-election.

Community Impact Newspaper sent Meek a series of questions. Her written responses, edited for publication style, are below.

1. Why are you running for Grapevine City Council Place 5?

I love our city! I have a long history in Grapevine. I’m a proud sixth-generation Texan that loves Grapevine and embraces our history. I’m currently serving as the president of the Grapevine Historical Society.

For the last 25 years, I have worked on Main Street. In addition to being a small-business owner, I have served on a variety of committees and various organizations for many years. I believe it is time for me to serve our city and our residents as a member of the City Council.

It has been over 50 years since we have had a Main Street retail merchant on the council.  My perspective is different than any current City Council member. I will stand up for what is best for Grapevine and continue to promote solid growth in our community.

2. What makes you qualified for this position?

I believe in serving the community and the charitable events that we host. During the 25 years that I have been on Main Street, I have developed a keen understanding of the challenges that our small-business owners face. I have worked with our small businesses and various organizations throughout the city to bring them together so that everyone benefits.

I have a long track record of service above self through a variety of clubs and organizations in Grapevine, such as the Rotary Club, Grapevine Chamber [of Commerce] and the Historic Downtown Grapevine Association. One of the highlights of my career came when I was awarded the Citizen of the Year 2015.

3. If elected, what will you focus on?

As we continue to grow as a city and tourism increases, parking and traffic will be a growing concern. We need more parking in and around Main Street. A parking garage in the 300-400 blocks could be beneficial in alleviating the parking problem. TEX Rail is coming to Grapevine, and this will potentially help with traffic congestion as it offers our citizens another form of transportation. That said, I believe it’s imperative that we make certain that it is integrated into our city properly, allowing for the preservation of our history while also building for the future.

Development is a challenge in Grapevine. There is not a lot of open land left for development in Grapevine. We must make responsible decisions with future development to maximize the benefit for our current residents and those to come. One of these areas is the 185 acres in north Grapevine. All options for this property should be considered to maximize the value it brings to the city. Additionally, there is a growing concern about potential multifamily housing, and I believe we should consider alternatives and limit the number of new apartments we bring to the city.

Finally, Concourse Event Center, located next to the Grapevine Golf Course, is old and dated. Renovation of this facility would make it a more desirable location for events, complement the very nice golf course and could help generate more revenue.



Election day is May 6 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and early voting will run April 24-29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and May 1-2 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.