The possibility of moving or closing the day labor center, located at the corner of Miller Road and Saturn Road, was discussed at the Sept. 17 City Council work session.
District 5 Council Member Rich Aubin shared some of reasons for possible relocation or closure of the center. He explained that he receives constituent complaints from individuals accosted by people who loiter at the center as well as the service station across the street. He added that usage of the center is declining and placement of laborers has decreased by more than 30 percent in the last two years.
According to Aubin, the annual cost to operate the center is $82,000 and only about 37 percent of individuals being placed are from the city of Garland.
“We’re spending money…and it’s not really even focused on Garland,” he said.
He would like to have a public hearing to explore the possibility of moving or closing the center.
District 2 Council Member Deborah Morris said that she employs temporary workers from the day labor center and that local contractors depend on the center for labor needs.
She has also been accosted at the service station across the street but doesn’t feel that the center should be closed.
“The problem isn’t the day labor center itself, it’s the people loitering around the outside,” Morris said.
She added that there are signs asking contractors not to hire workers at the service station, but to go to the labor center and follow the proper process. She would rather see the rules, that include no loitering and following proper hiring procedures, be enforced.
Morris said that the center is a needed service.
“Even if it’s only 30 percent Garland, that’s still a large number of Garlandites who need work and that’s how they support their families,” she said.
Aubin pointed out that even with police presence at the service station, people continue to be hired there. He added that other businesses around the center are having problems related to the center. One business has moved from the area and another is considering moving. Nearby businesses do not want to pay for 24-hour security.
Mayor Lori Dodson requested a report from staff outlining how many individuals are being placed in temporary jobs and how many are Garland residents, along with details on what actions could be taken when workers are hired outside of the correct procedure at the service station or other areas around the center.