Jun 15, 2021 City Council Work Session

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>> MAYOR: GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS TUESDAY JUNE 15, 2021 5 P.M. AND WE ARE

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

YOUR COMMENT WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD DURING THE MEETING (MUST BE WITHIN THE 3-MINUTE TIME LIMIT). FOR IN-PERSON COMMENTS, REGISTRATION FORMS/INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE INSIDE THE DOOR OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE DO HAVE TWO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS TONIGHT. AGENDA ITEMS, WE ARE GOING TO DO THOSE AFTER REGULAR MEETING SO WE ARE GOING TO START WITH OUR WORK SESSION ITEMS AND THAT IS ITEM 3A. JOINT MEETING OF

[3A. Joint meeting of Arts and Humanities Commission and Council. (45 minutes)]

CHAIR? >> SPEAKER: I AM NOT. >> MAYOR: JEFF IS HERE ACTING

ON BEHALF. >> I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR AND REST OF THE COMMISSION. I TERMED OUT. I DO HAVE REPRESENTING THE COMMISSION AS WELL WE HAVE OUR CHAIR AND SINCE WE DO HAVE A QUORUM WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. I WILL START OFF THE MEETING INTRODUCING ALL OF OUR MEMBERSHIP ON THE SECOND SLIDE.

. SO, WE HAVE MYSELF, DEBORAH CROSBY CHAIR, GARY ALEXANDER WHO IS OUR VICE CHAIR BARBARA MORRISON, KATE FORWARD, PATRICIA WHO GOES BY ELIZABETH SWAGGART 19 AND THEN WE HAVE THREE VACANT POSITIONS AS WELL.

THAT IS A LIST OF OUR MEMBERSHIP.

JUST LOOKING AT WHAT THE BUDGET LOOK LIKE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR WE WERE AWARDED AN OPERATING BUDGET BY COUNSEL FOR THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE AND THAT MONEY IS USED FOR CONTEST GRANTS, SPECIAL PROJECTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR. WE WERE ALSO GIVEN A PUBLIC ART PROJECT MAINTENANCE BUDGET TO CARE FOR THESE CULTURES THAT ARE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CITY'S MAIN CYCLE.

FOR THE CONTEST THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED THROUGHOUT THIS PAST YEAR WE DID THE YOUNG ARTIST EXHIBIT WHICH HAD REDUCED PARTICIPATION WHICH WAS STILL HELD.

IT WAS DETERMINED AT A LATER DATE THAT THE DISTRICT FINE ARTS ADMINISTRATORS MAY NOT HAVE AWARDED THE NOTICE DIVIDED BY THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION FOR TEACHERS SURROUNDING THE AREA. UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTICIPATION WE WERE LOOKING FOR BUT WE ATTRIBUTED IT TO THAT. COVID-19 OBVIOUSLY WE THINK HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THAT AS WELL AS VIRTUAL LEARNING AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES AS WELL. WE ALSO HAD OUR WRITING CONTEST WHICH HAD REDUCED PARTICIPATION AND WE JUST ANNOUNCE THE WRITING WINNERS AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT COVID WAS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IMPACTED THE PARTICIPATION THERE AS WELL.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR CONTEST WE ATTEMPTED TO AID IN THE EVENT THIS YEAR BUT IT WAS CANCELED DUE TO A LACK OF ONLY HAD SIX ENTRIES AND WE DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS ENOUGH PARTICIPATION GIVEN THAT WE HAD FOUR CATEGORIES TO TRULY HAVE A COMPETITION. WE WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THOSE TALENTED SINGERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

WE DID SEND A LETTER OF APPRECIATION'S FOR ALTHOUGH THERE ARE DISSIPATION'S AND URGE THEM TO PARTICIPATE NEXT YEAR. LOOKING AHEAD WE ARE PLANNING THE 2021 PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST THE THEME FOR THAT IS MY HOMETOWN. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ENTER THEIR PHOTOS THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN DURING THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER THE FOLLOW THAT THEME OF MY HOMETOWN.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO DISPLAYING THOSE IN THE LIBRARY IN AUGUST.

ANOTHER TOPIC OF THINGS WE DO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR OUR GRANT.

WE HAVE A CULTURAL ARTS GRANT THAT WE AWARD $2500 AND THAT WAS THE BUDGET AMOUNT THIS YEAR TO A LOCAL PERFORMANCE ARTS GROUPS. THIS YEAR WE AWARDED TO THE RELATIVE THEATER AND ARTISTS AROUND TEXAS FOR $2500.

WE ALSO DO AN ARTS IN EDUCATION GRANT AND THIS YEAR WE ELECTED A BUDGET OF $1000 AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT

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NEXT WE WILL TALK ABOUT SOME PROJECTS WE DO.

THIS YEAR WE IMPLEMENTED A MENTORING PROGRAM TO PAIR UP SOME OF OUR NEW MEMBERS. WE HAD A NUMBER OF NEW MEMBERS THIS YEAR. WE PAIR TEM UP WITH OUR EXPERIENCED MEMBERS TO BRING THEM UP TO SPEED AND ADAPT MORE QUICKLY TO THE MANY PROJECTS AND EVENTS THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THAT REALLY HELPED EVERYONE GET ON THE SAME PAGE QUICKLY. WE ALSO DID A BOOT CAMP WHICH WE HAD DONE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND THAT ALSO BROUGHT EVERYONE UP TO SPEED. WE DID START THE YEAR WITH 12 MEMBERS AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A COUPLE OF DEPARTURES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WHICH IS MADE UP OF NEWER BOARD MEMBERS, THANK GOODNESS HAS EXPANDED OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE DRAMATICALLY.

HE REALLY BEEN A LOT MORE ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I THINK THAT HAS BENEFITED AND RAISED AWARENESS OF OUR COMMISSION AND WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY THEY ARE ALSO PLANNING UPCOMING EVENTS LIKE A VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY. THAT WILL ALSO HELP US INCREASE AWARENESS WITHIN THE CITY AND GOODWILL BUILDING WITHIN THE LOCAL BUSINESSES AS WELL. FINALLY THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, WE PRODUCED A PUBLIC ART STATEMENT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF LIMITED FUNDING AND LIMITED CAPACITY TO DO MORE PIECES OF ART BROUGHT THE CITY. WE ISSUED A STATEMENT THROUGH THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNEL AND THE STATE WEBSITE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE STAND WITH PUBLIC ART PROJECTS AND WHAT THE FUTURE OF THAT WILL LOOK LIKE. CONTINUING ON WITH PROJECTS WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE CALENDAR PROJECT.

WE USED THE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT FOR THE 2021 CALENDAR.

THE REASON WE HAD TO DO THAT IS THAT OTHER CONTESTS WERE CANCELED . WE WOULD TYPICALLY USE THE YOUNG ARTISTS PIECE FROM THAT WE ONLY USE THE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST BECAUSE WE HAD TO CANCEL THE YOUNG ARTISTS FROM THE PAST YEAR.

THE CALENDAR WAS PLACED STRATEGICALLY AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THE LIBRARY AND CITY HALL.

WE DID THIS DISTURBING OUT TO BUSINESSES THE LIMIT CONTACT AND COVID CONCERNS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE DID MEET WITH THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION WE WANTED TO IMPLEMENT THAT REGARDING WRAPS ON TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THEM ON AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

WE DID PROVIDE THEM WITH A LIST OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. WE WANTED TO POINT OUT THE COLLABORATION WE HAD WAS SOME OF THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. WE THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO AS A COMMISSION IS TO INTERACT WITH OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO NOT ONLY GAIN INPUT TO SUPPORT THEM

IN THE SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SHOULD I KEEP IT FOR NOW OR LATER?

>> SPEAKER: GO AHEAD. >> MAYOR: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE TRAFFIC CONTROL WRAPS NOTHING HAS COME TO COUNSEL?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THAT'S ALL IN PLANNING.

>> MAYOR: THIS IS LAURA TURNER WE SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT EARLIER THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND COUNCIL LIAISON.

SORRY, LAURA. SO, YOU ALL ARE WORKING WITH THE PROPOSAL TO COME TO COUNSEL?

>> CORRECT. THAT INVOLVES PUBLIC WORKS AND THAT IS FEASIBLE AND LONG-TERM. JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT CAN

WORK, BASICALLY. >> MAYOR: IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES IS EMBRACING AS A GOOD THING?

>> SPEAKER: YES. IN THE PAST WORK SESSIONS WE HAVE PRESENTED THAT AS A CONCEPT BUT IT DID NOT COME TO COME TO FRUITION. THE NEXT STEP WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE ASPHALT OR GRANT. THIS IS A GRANT THAT IS SPONSORED BY THE BLOOMBERG FOUNDATION AND THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES ADMINISTRATION UTILIZE THE CITY GRANT WRITER TO SUBMIT THE GRANT IN HOPES WE WILL BE APPROVED SPEED THAT LEAVES A BALANCE OF 51,002 OR 28 DOLLARS WE HAVE SECURED MULTIPLE LETTERS FROM VOLUNTEERS THAT COME FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS THAT PRODUCE BAIT AND THE YOUNG ARTISTS EXHIBIT IN THE PAST. THIS WILL BE A COMMUNITY PROJECTWHERE WE HAVE PEOPLE COME OUT.

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BUT WE WERE REJECTED. >> MAYOR: THIS IS THE SECOND

TIME YOU ARE APPLYING? >> SPEAKER: IT IS.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: IS AS ASPHALT, IS IT ON THE STREET?

>> SPEAKER: CORRECT. NOT NECESSARILY THE STREET IT COULD BE SIDEWALKS. WE WOULD CONSIDER THE GREEN SPACE SIDEWALK IN THE VILLAGE FOR EXAMPLE.

AND THE ROWLETT ART EXCHANGE IS ANOTHER ONE WHERE WE HAD ENVISIONED GREAT HOPES FOR CONNECTING ARTISTS AND HAVING THEM MEET UP AT A MUTUALLY AGREED LOCATION LIKE THE LIBRARY, A CAFC) SPACE, UNFORTUNATELY THAT GOT LAUNCHED AND THEN WE RAN IT FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THEN COVID HAPPENED.

IT IS STILL ON OUR RADAR AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE CONCEPT AND ACTUALLY, COUNCIL MEMBER GRUBISICH THAT CAME OUT OF AN IDEA IN 2019 YOU SUGGESTED THAT WE WORK TO NETWORK DIFFERENT ARTISTS TOGETHER. THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME FROM THE DIRECTION COST WAS THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO COST TO IT. THE LIBRARY MAYBE WE COULD PROCURE SOME SNACKS BUT REALLY IT IS A HANG OUT AND CHAT SESSION FOR THE ARTIST TO COME AND SPEAK.

HE ALSO WORKED WITH AND ARTIST BY THE NAME OF JD MOORE ULTIMATELY WE WORKED WITH THE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AND WE AGREED NOT TO DO THAT. WITH JD WE WE'RE ABLE TO CONNECT HIM WITH THE MANAGER OF THE VILLAGE APARTMENTS.

THE MURAL THAT WAS PAINTED ON THE SIDE OF THE BOOK CLUB CAFC) THAT CAME FROM JD MOORE. IT WAS ONE OF THE WAYS WE TRIED TO CONNECT ARTISTS WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH AND HE IS A LOCAL ARTIST AND THAT IS THE TYPE OF GUY WE WANT TO HAVE NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO TALK MORE ABOUT PUBLIC ART TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THE SCOPE AND SCALE OF THE LOOK AT THIS.

THIS PARTICULAR PIECE IS DAUNTING, I WILL SAY THAT.

THE LARGEST NEED FOR THE COMMISSION AT THIS TIME IS AN INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE SCULPTURE PIECES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE AS WELL AS A NEW SCULPTURE WE HAVE PLANNED FOR FIRE STATION TO WIN IT IS BUILT ON TRAINING ROAD .

THE CURRENT MAINTENANCE BID JUST FOR THE SPIRIT OF ROWLETT SCULPTURE THAT WE JUST SAW A $7000 WHICH WILL TAKE A BIG PIECE OF THE $10,000 THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW. SO, YOU CAN SEE THE OTHER MAINTENANCE ITEMS THERE, THE SPIRIT OF ROWLETT, 7000, PAST MAINTENANCE ON THE OTHER SCULPTURES WHICH INCLUDES A ONE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THE OTHER THREE FIRE STATIONS OUT THERE IN FRONT OF THE LIBRARY, WE HAD THE MARK TWAIN SCULPTURE CLEANED AS WELL AS THE ONE AT THE VETERANS PARK.

SYNERGY. ALL OF THOSE PIECES TOGETHER WAS $10,000 TO GET THOSE CLEANED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND IT IS A ONE-TIME CLEANING. ANTICIPATING THE FUTURE CLEANING ON WHAT WILL BE FIRE STATION TO PIECE IN THE FUTURE AT $2500. THAT WILL DETERMINE THE TYPE OF CARE IT NEEDS AND THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE PEACE.

WE ARE ESTIMATING ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST IN THIS BUDGET YEAR OF $20,000. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING

TO COUNSEL AS A BUDGETARY MEAN. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: DO YOU HAVE A COST ON THAT SCULPTURE? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE

LOOKING AT? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE DO NOT.

LET'S BECOME THAT BRIEFLY. FIRE STATION TO THIS IS OUTDATED BECAUSE THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKLY AND FLUIDLY.

WE INITIALLY TALKED ABOUT A 9/11 CONCEPT THAT HAD THIS IMAGE WE ARE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS.

9/11 FIREFIGHTERS RAISING THE FLAG AT THE SITE . WHAT THIS HAS EVOLVED TO VINCE THEN IN SPEAKING WITH CHIEF HOWARD HAS BEEN A DIFFERENT CONCEPT. AS OF TODAY WE WERE TALKING POTENTIALLY ABOUT THE FIREFIGHTERS ACROSS AND I WILL BRIEFLY SHOW IT ON MY SCREEN. I WILL SHOW YOU THIS.

OMETHING LIKE THAT PERHAPS AS A POTENTIAL CONCEPT.

VERY FLUID. NOTHING IS BEING PROPOSED AT THIS TIME. WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH CHIEF

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CONSIDERING HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON THE PIECE AT FIRE STATION THREE. WE ANTICIPATE THIS WILL TAKE A

SIGNIFICANT PIECE. >> I LOVE THE SCULPTURE YOU ALREADY HAVE AT THE FIRE STATION.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE CONSIDERED AS A NEW CONCEPT.

>> THAT WAS ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF CHIEF HOWARD AS WELL. I WANT TO RECOMMEND HIS ARTISTIC EYE AND HE IS LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION AND STYLE FOR THIS PIECE THEN WHAT IS BEING INSTALLED AT THE OTHER

THREE FIRE STATIONS. >>> SPEAKER: IN ALL SERIOUSNESS WE WERE CAREFUL TO CONSIDER WHERE THIS FIRE STATION WAS LOCATED. WE DON'T WANT TO TRY TO REPLICATE OR DO ANYTHING THAT WILL OVERSHADOW WHAT WE HAVE IN THE SPIRIT OF ROWLETT SCULPTURE.

IT HAS A VERY SPECIFIC PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM IT'S SEMBLANCE.

OR IT'S MEETING. JUST KEEP IN MIND THOSE TWO MIND THOSE TWO SITE ARE IN RELATIVE CLOSE GEOGRAPHY OF ONE

ANOTHER. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I COMMEND YOU ALL FOR TAKING ON THE MAINTENANCE WORK OF THE SCULPTURES BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A COMMISSION FUNCTION

VERSES A CITY A CITY FUNCTION. >> SPEAKER: WHEN WE HAD THE PIECES INSTALLED WE HAD BEEN FROM THE ARTIST TOLD TO DO A REGULAR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. THIS DEAL SCULPTURES THAT ARE NOT PAINTED BUT ARE POWDER COATED KID THE POWDER COATED SCULPTURES WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO IS A TWICE ANNUAL WAXING OF THE SCULPTURE. JUST CLEAN THEM, WAX THEM DOWN.

WITH AUTOMOTIVE WAX. WE ARE PROPOSING A ONCE A YEAR CYCLE WHICH WE HOPE WILL BE ENOUGH FOR THOSE CULTURES.

GIVEN THE COST WE DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN ASK TWO TIMES A YEAR ON COUNSEL FOR THOSE PIECES. THE SPIRIT OF ROWLETT SCULPTURE IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE OF IT SCALE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LIFT OUT THERE, OBVIOUSLY HEAR THEIR HAS TO BE CAREFUL CLEANING BECAUSE OF THE INTRICACIES OF BOTH THE WINGS OF THE SCULPTURE ITSELF AND THE TORNADO SWIRLS AROUND THE BOTTOM.

THAT IS DEAL THAT HAS AUTOMOTIVE THINGS ON IT.

IT IS NOT A POWDERED PIECE. AUTOMOTIVE PAINT IS LESS RESILIENT AND THAT IS WHY IT WILL NEED SOMETHING VERY SOON BECAUSE IT HASN'T HAD ANYTHING APPLIED TO IT SINCE IT WAS INSTALLED. WE DO NEED TO JUMP ON THAT QUICKLY AND WE ARE. WE DO HAVE CONTRACTED WITH THE BRONZE CONSERVATION SERVICE AND THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT THESE OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. IT WILL BE CLEANED BUT WE ARE ADAMANT THAT WE GET IT ON HERE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THAT PIECE.

>> WHAT THE MAYOR IS SAYING IS THAT SHE IS VIEWING IT AS MAINTENANCE OF CITY PROPERTY MUCH LIKE THE MAINTENANCE -

>> MAYOR: I DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WHY ARE WE CREATING IT DIFFERENTLY INSTEAD OF LIKE THE MAINTENANCE OF SOME OTHER CITY FACILITY?

>> MAYOR: IT JUST SEEMS STRANGE THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD TAKE

THAT OVER. >> SPEAKER: AND I DON'T AGREE.

>> MAYOR: THIS IS WHEN YOU COMMENT ON MY COMMENTS.

WOULD YOU LIKE MY COMMENT AGAIN?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THE FACT THAT THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES IS TAKING ON THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SCULPTURES WITHOUT BE AKIN TO CITY MAINTENANCE OF THE PARKS OR ANY OTHER BUILDINGS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WHAT I WONDER IS IF WE GOT OFF TRACK SOMEWHERE WHAT WE HAD ASKED ORIGINALLY FOR YOU GUYS TO DO WAS COME UP WITH A POLICY LIKE HOW WE WOULD ACTUALLY DO IT.

IT SHOULD BE STAFF THAT EXECUTES IT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: SHOULD IT BE THE STAFF BUDGET?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I DON'T THANK YOU SHOULD BE GETTING CONTRACTS AND BIDS.

I THINK YOUR PLAN IS TO TURN IT OVER.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THAT.

THAT REALLY SHOULD NOT BE -WE DID WANT THAT POLICY BUT YOU

GUYS DON'T HAVE TO MANAGE THEM. >> SPEAKER: OKAY.

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WE FOUND A CONTRACT THERE, WE GOT THE NECESSARY BID IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LIBRARY STAFF REPRESENTATIVE.

IT HAS BEEN WORKING IN TANDEM. >> MAYOR: WE NEED TO GO THE

RIGHT PATH NOW. >> SPEAKER: ABSOLUTELY.

WE DON'T WANT THIS TO BE AFFECTED LONG-TERM.HIS IS A STEWARDSHIP ISSUE. IN SOME CASES WE'VE BEEN DONATED THINGS TO THE CITY AND WE HAVE PURCHASED THINGS FROM THE CITY AND NOW IT IS A STEWARDSHIP ISSUE.

THESE ARE CAPITAL ASSETS THE CITY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THE POLICY THAT WE WOULD NEED TO FRAME I GUESS WOULD BE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW OFTEN AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? AND THEN PERHAPS WIN SELECT NEW ARTWORK WHAT CONSIDERATIONS DO WE NEED TO TAKE FOR MAINTENANCE

AT THAT TIME? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THOUGHT WE STARTED THAT WORK I COULDN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS CONCLUDED.

I THOUGHT WE STARTED THAT WORK. >> SPEAKER: INITIALLY WHEN WE DID THIS WE WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO RECEIVE ONE BID AND WE WENT WITH THE BRONZE CONSERVATION SERVICES BECAUSE THEY WERE MOST EQUIPPED AND BEST PRICED FOR WHAT WE WERE DOING.

THIS LAST GO AROUND FOR THE SPIRIT OF HER ROWLETT WE HAD TO RECEIVE THREE BIDS. IT IS HARD TO ENVISION WHAT THAT SCULPTURE IS UNTIL YOU ARE IN PERSON LOOKING AT THE SIZE OF IT. IF YOU SAY IT IS X FEET TALL THEN THAT CAN VARY. THERE'S A LOT OF INTRICATE PIECES TO GO INTO IT. WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAND THAT OVER. IN THAT CASE, IF ANYTHING THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET COUNSEL KNOW WHAT TO ASK ACT GOING FORWARD IF WE DO THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ONLY THOUSAND DOLLARS PER YEAR IF WE DID A SEMIANNUAL BASIS THEN WERE LOOKING AT $40,000 PER YEAR. WE MIGHT GET A SLIGHT PRICE BREAK ROOM THE VENDOR FOR DOING IT MORE FREQUENTLY THAT THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE TO HAVE WITH THEM.

WE ARE CARING FOR THE BRONZE PIECES THAT ARE BOTH AT THE LIBRARY AND AT VETERANS PARK HERE DOES REQUIRE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CARE TO MAINTAIN THE BRONZE.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT PROCESS AS WELL.

WE HAVE ONE VENDOR THAT IS DOING ALL OF THAT FOR US.

SO, WE WANTED TO BRING UP THE FUNDING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OF WHAT WE HAD FOR THE PUBLIC ART THESE ARE THE CAPITAL FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED IN THE PAST.

2015 RECEIVED $4000.20 1760 AND THEN IT WAS ULTIMATELY REDUCED TO 40 AND THE 2013 WAS 50 FOR THE REASON THAT WAS 60 INTRODUCED TO 40 WAS INITIALLY WAS WHEN WE STARTED THERE WAS A THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT FROM THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME TO DO A STAIRSTEP PROGRAM OF 40, 5060 AND THEN THE BUDGET YEAR ROLLED AROUND AND THAT WAS CHANGED. IT WASN'T ANYTHING THAT WAS CHANGED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IT WAS JUST PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AWARDED TO THE COMMISSION AND THEN IN 2013 RECEIVED 50. INTO A 19 WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANYTHING AND THEN THIS YEAR WE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY ASIDE FROM THE MAINTENANCE FUNDS THAT WE ARE SEEING THAT WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT. WHILE WE ARE CERTAINLY OPEN TO RECEIVING PUBLIC ART FUNDS IN THE FUTURE THAT'S A DECISION THAT THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO MAKE WITH THE COMMISSION GOING FORWARD. AND, I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I WOULD CERTAINLY ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYONE HAS AT THIS TIME.

IF WE HAVE NOT ALREADY ANSWERED IT.

>> MAYOR: I HAVE A GENERAL QUESTION THAT IS NOT EVEN RELATED TO THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION.

WE WERE DOWNTOWN IN THE ROUNDABOUT AND IT IS REALLY IN NEED OF SOME MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING.

THEY NEED POWER WASHING. >> THEY ALL NEED TO BE PRESSURE

WATCH. >> I'M SURE THEY DO.

THE STAFF DID A GOOD JOB AND THEY DID THAT THREE MONTHS AGO WHICH IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD. SO, I KNOW THIS WILL BE A

LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE SCHEDULE THEM FAITHFULLY EVERY 12 YEARS LEFT BACK.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: IS WORKING. >> TO THE POINT MAYOR, AND SHE IS OVER THERE TRYING TO GIVE ME A SIGN.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: COUNCIL MEMBER: THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS WORKING ON THAT AND THEY HAVE IT ON ROTATION.

THEY STARTED AT DEL ROCK AND THEY HAVE HAD TO STOP HAVE HAD

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THEY DID SOME STUFF AT CITY HALL, TWO CITY HALL, TWO BUT THAT IS ON THE LIST OF PROJECTS NOW THAT EVERYONE IS BACK.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: DOES THAT HELP?

>> MAYOR: COUNSEL, MORE QUESTIONS?

>> EVER QUESTION, THIS IS BROUGHT UP EVERY YEAR.

THE SOUND WALL ON 66 HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISCUSSION SENSE AND I

KNOW WE HAD TO MAKE IT WORK. >> IT REALLY HASN'T.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA NOT LONG AGO.

THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY DON'T WE DO SOMETHING WITH THAT WALL. THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY IN THAT WALL AND THE COMMISSION HAS TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT BUT NOT IN ANY GREAT DETAIL.

I THINK THE QUESTION REALLY IS THAT WE NEED GUIDANCE FROM COUNSEL. DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS THAT IS THE SOMETHING WE WANT TO PURSUE OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE COMFORTABLE LEAVING IT AS A HISTORICAL ROWLETT LANDMARK.

THE ARTIST OF THAT PIECE HAS A GUESS THEM TYPE OF HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY. I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, I APOLOGIZE LUCY PHELPS HAS SOME HISTORY IN THE COMMUNITY AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME RATHER SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION TO CHANGING THAT PIECE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: MY OPINION, I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL. I WANTED SOMETHING DONE TO IT BUT THAT'S MY PERSONAL OPINION. I THINK THE DECISION ON THE COUNCIL RIGHT NOW WOULD BE WOULD WE ULD WE ASK ARTS AND HUMANITY COMMISSION TO COME UP P WITH POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR US TO LOOK AT AND VOTE ON. AT THAT TIME WE DECIDE IT'S OKAY AND GOOD TO CHANGE IT TO THIS OR NOT.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK? WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS FOR 9

YEARS. >> SPEAKER: ONE BENEFIT THAT THOUGH WALL HAS IS SINCE IT FACES NORTH IT DOESN'T GET A LOT OF SUN. ONE DRAWBACK IT HAS IS THE SURFACE OF IT IS PROBABLY VERY DIFFICULT TO DO A MURAL ON.

ESPECIALLY ONES THAT MIGHT HAVE INTRICATE PIECES AND PARTS.

THAT MIGHT GET LOST. IT MIGHT NOT LOOK RIGHT.

IT MIGHT NOT LOOK HOW IT IS INTENDED.

>> MAYOR: YOU COULD DO A MOSAIC YUMA.

>> SPEAKER: TRUE. WE'VE WORKED WITH TEXAS D.O.T.

AND IS NOT AN OBSTACLE IT'S JUST AN OBSERVATION.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YOU HAVE A PATTERN HERE THAT IS MORE INTRICATE BECAUSE OF THE SURFACE.

BUT I THINK THAT IT TAKES A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT TO CHANGE THAT OUT. AND I AGREE THAT AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME KIND OF PARTICIPATION FROM TEXAS D.O.T. AND MAYBE YOU CAN DO IT FROM THE PUBLIC WHERE WE HAVE SUPPORT AB FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO DO IT.

BUT, WITH THE THOUGHT THAT WE CAN DO SOME KIND OF SCULPTURE NEAR THE FIRE STATION AND WE HAVE SOME INCREASED COST WITH THE MAINTENANCE ON THAT AS WELL WITH THE SPIRIT OF ROWLETT SCULPTURE. I WONDER IF MAYBE THOSE THINGS ARE BEING MISSED GOING TOWARD RATHER THAN TRYING TO VISIT THAT AT THIS TIME ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME. JUST LOOKING AT THAT AND SEEING WHAT THE COST IS FOR THESE ARTISTIC EFFORTS, YOU KNOW? YOU ARE THE LIAISON SO I'M INTERESTED IN THE ARTS IN ROWLETT AND I WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE ALL I CAN.

SO THE NEW STUFF WE ARE DOING GOING FORWARD.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK IF YOU START THE CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW MAYBE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A FELLOW CAMPAIGN, I THINK WE BETTER TO DO SOMETHING THIS YEAR RATHER THAN NEXT YEAR. IT IS AN OBSTACLE.

AT LEAST LOOK INTO IT. MAYBE LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS.

AN OPTION COULD BE DON'T DO A THING.

THE OTHER THING THAT CAN BE LET'S DO SOME DIFFERENT DESIGNS

OR COSTS, FOR SURE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK IF

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THEN DECIDE ABOUT THE MONEY AND WHERE YOU ARE AT THIS POINT WITH OTHER PROJECTS IN THAT TYPE OF THING.

IT WILL TAKE YOU A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME TO COME UP WITH THOSE OPTIONS. I THINK IT IS A WORTHWHILE EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS POINT TO DEVELOP A PRELIMINARY

PACKAGE OF CHOICES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I'VE BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH THAT I CAN REMEMBER WHEN THEY CREATED THAT WALL AND THE TEXTURE OF THAT THING TOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE A LONG TIME TO PAINT THAT WALL. HE PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO IT.

I HAVE A QUESTION AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S FOR YOU OR FOR LAURA. WHAT WAS THE GUY FINDING STUFF THAT DOESN'T ADD UP? IN YOUR FISCAL YEAR 2022 OPERATING BUDGET, IT HAS ARTS AND HUMANITIES PROGRAM FOR 12,003 TO 96. OPERATIONAL EXPENSES FOR 4200 AND IT SAYS TOTAL IS 13.6 WHEN IT SHOULD BE 16.6 OR SOMETHING.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YOU'RE RIGHT EYE APOLOGIZE.

[LAUGHTER] >> COUNCIL MEMBER: SORRY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT OUT LOUD.

YES. EXCELLENT.

[LAUGHTER] I CANNOT AFFIRM THAT THE AMOUNT WE ARE REQUESTING FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS THAT FIGURE PAID THE NUMBER ON THE TOTAL TO 13,600 IS THE CORRECT TOTAL.

AND JUST A REMINDER THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE ARE IN, THE CURRENT COMMISSION GAVE 13,200. THIS IS ONLY AN INCREASE OF $400 FROM OUR PREVIOUS YEAR. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IT GOES

FROM THE HOTEL MOTEL FUND. >> MAYOR: BRIAN, WHAT DO YOU

NEED FROM THEM ON THE MAINTENANCE FEES >>> WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY GOT ALREADY TONIGHT?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: FOR NOW WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLAN.

WHAT I WAS SAYING WAS I HAD THOUGHT WE HAD STARTED THE WORK TO COME UP WITH A POLICY ON HOW WE WOULD MAINTAIN IT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T LOSE TRACK OF THAT PROJECT. IF IT'S ALREADY DONE AND WE ALREADY ADOPTED IT THEN THAT'S FINE.

THAT WILL BE ON MY PLATE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK THE DIVERSION WAS A CHANGE IN DIRECTORS BECAUSE I THINK KATHY

WAS JUST GETTING IN. >> MAYOR: DON'T YOU THINK THAT KATHY IS LIKE THAT WHEN LIFETIME EMPLOYEE THAT WHEN SHE LEAVES NO ONE INVITES HER TO ANYTHING! [LAUGHTER] COME ON.

IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY RETIRE YOU CAN'T LAME THEM.

I REALLY DO THINK THAT I REMEMBER HER TALKING ABOUT THAT AND WE DO HAVE, WE DID TALK TO FRISCO AND DALLAS AND A COUPLE OTHER PLACES TO SEE WHAT THEIR POLICIES ARE.

WE HAVE, INSTEAD OF CRAFTING OUR OWN WE LOOKED AT THOSE AS FAR AS GUIDELINES. WHAT WE WILL DO IS WE WILL GET TOGETHER, GET THOSE DOCUMENTS, CRAFT SOMETHING THAT WE WILL TAKE CARE OF AND ADDRESS. WE HAVE NOW AND THEN WHAT WE

MAY GET IN THE FUTURE. >> SPEAKER: I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THE LIAISON, THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR, LAURA, AS WELL AS LISA WHO HAS BEEN FANTASTIC ON KEEPING US ON TARGET.

WE DID LOSE BRENDA KENNEDY THIS YEAR AND SHE DID RETIRE AND THAT WAS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW BUT LISA HAS STEPPED UP AND FILLED HER SHOES. GIVEN EXCELLENT SUPPORT SYSTEM WITH THE CITY STAFF AND WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THEIR HELP.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: GOOD WORK. EVEN IN THE FACE OF THIS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS TO COME IN THE FUTURE.

ROWLETT IS COMING BACK. >> SPEAKER: WE ARE PLANNING ON ROWLETT SINGS TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR WITH A LOT MORE PARTICIPATION. I HOPE WE ARE PAST COVID AND THAT PEOPLE WILL BE EXCITED TO COME OUT AND GET BACK IN THE COMMUNITY. THE JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION THAT IS COMING UP WILL BE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> MAYOR: ANYTHING ELSE? >> SPEAKER: IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS WE WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING.

THANK YOU ALL AND WILL GIVE YOU 10 MINUTES BACK AS YOU HAVE AN ACTION-PACKED MEETING. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU EVERYBODY. ALL RIGHT.

[3B. Informational presentation covering the Fire Department’s transition to the 48/96 work schedule for their Operations Division. (30 minutes)]

[00:35:03]

HELLO GUYS! YOU GUYS TRY TO PRESENT THIS

BEFORE AND WE KICKED YOU OUT. >> SPEAKER: THAT'S OKAY I LIKE FACE-TO-FACE MUCH BETTER. THE ZOOM WAS TOUGH.

>> MAYOR: DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT CARD? ALREADY I AM ON RECORD. NOW I HAVE TO ASK WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT.

>> SPEAKER: I WAS VERY GLAD THAT I GOT TO DO IT IN PERSON.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY. I AM MORE OF A PERSONAL GUY.

SO, THIS IS A PROGRAM WE WILL FIRST START BY SAYING THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, COUNCIL, ALLOWING US TO PRESENT THIS.

HIS HAS BEEN A PROJECT THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR TWO YEARS. COVID HAS REALLY SLOWED IT DOWN. HAD TO CHANGE OUR FUNCTIONS.

THIS IS A TWO-YEAR PROJECT.T IS A SCHEDULE THAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT HAS BECOME POPULAR IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

IT IS NOT A SCHEDULE THAT IS NEW.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

IT IS JUST GAINING POPULARITY HERE.

THIS AREA BECAUSE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS.

SO, WHAT THE SCHEDULE IS, CURRENTLY EASY TO SCHEDULE ON THE LEFT AND IN BLUE THIS WOULD BE A SHIFT, SEE RED SHIFT.

WE WORKED WEDNESDAY ON A SHIFT AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO DAYS OFF AND WENT BACK TO WORK. THAT IS WHAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS OPERATED UNDER EVER SINCE THEY HAD FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES. THE SCHEDULE WE ARE LOOKING AT GOING TO IS TWO DAYS 48 HOURS AND THEN YOU HAVE 96 HOURS OFF BEFORE YOU HAVE TO RETURN BACK TO YOUR SHIFT.AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE CALENDAR. WHEN THE COMMITTEE WAS FORMED SOME OF THE THINGS THEY WERE CHARGED WITH WAS IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT THE CITY? IS IT GOING TO BE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE LOOKING AT COST AND PAYROLL AND LEGISLATION.

ALL THESE THINGS. WE DO A GREAT JOB OF PUTTING ALL THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER AND HERE ARE SOME BULLET MEANS OF THINGS WE FOUND WHILE TALKING TO OTHER CITIES.

IN THE AREA AS WELL AS EXPANDING OUR SEARCH TO OTHER STATE. WE FOUND THAT 20 TO 40 PERCENT IN REDUCTION OF SI TIME OVERAGE. DUE TO THE FACT THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS AND YOU CAN ALL THAT FROM WHEN YOU ARE AT WORK MOSTLY YOU WILL CALL IN THE NEXT DAY.

IF A KID IS SICK AT HOME YOU WILL MORE THAN LIKELY TRY TO FIND SOMEONE TO WATCH THEM. I THINK THAT'S THE NUMBER WE FIND. THE REASON WHY IT IS SO HIGH EVERYONE WILL HAVE THEIR NUANCES.

DURING THIS TRIAL TIME WE WILL KEEP INDICATORS UP AND BENCH MARKS WE CAN FOLLOW. WHAT IS OUR SICK TIME? WHAT IS THE OVERTIME PAY? IS IT HELPING OR HURTING? WE WILL SEE IT DROP IN AND SEE IT COME BACK WHICH IS LOWER THAN WHERE WE WERE. THAT IS JUST A CONNECTION AND SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO TEST OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

AN INCREASED WORK PRODUCTIVITY, WE SAW WORK PLACE ACTIVITY, TRAINING TIME REDUCED BURNOUT, THESE BULLET POINT WE WILL GET INTO IN THE NEXT FEW SLIDES. ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE SAW BECAUSE OF COVID THERE WAS A 50 PERCENT REDUCTION IN INFECTIOUS EXPOSURE. WHEN YOU COME TO WORK AND YOU CUT YOUR TIME, THERE ARE SHIFT CHANGES.

THAT IS REAL DATA THAT THE CITY TRACKED.

DECREASE IN LONG-TERM FATIGUE, INCREASE IN WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WE ALSO FOUND THAT IT WAS AN EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT TOOL THAT WILL TALK ABOUT IN JUST A MINUTE.

THE OVERTIME DEPARTMENTS HAVE SWITCHED AND THAT SHOWED THAT REDUCTION BY 20 TO 40 PERCENT OF THE DATA THAT WE HAVE IS FROM 2018 AND WE DID GO BACK AND LOOK AT IT AND IT HASN'T CHANGED MUCH. OF COURSE WE PUT THIS TOGETHER PRIOR TO COVID AND THAT'S WHY WE HAD THE 2018 DATA.

[00:40:01]

GIVEN THAT NUMBER WE DO SAVINGS OF 800 7200 HOURS OF SICK TIME WHICH WOULD IMPACT THE OVERTIME FREQUENCY OF COST.

AGAIN, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL WATCH ALONG THE WAY.

THE PRODUCTIVITY AT WORK, THIS IS ALSO A NUANCED THING THAT WILL HAVE TO ATTRACT AND SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT.

THESE REDUNDANT ACTIVITIES REDUCED TRAINING TIME FOR PROJECTS, WORKING OUT WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO THE JOB OF A FIREFIGHTER AS WELL. CERTAIN THINGS DAILY EQUIPMENT CHECKS, TRIPS TO THE ADMINISTRATION, WE CAN CUT ALL THOSE THINGS BACK AND SAVE US TIME TO FOCUS ON THE JOB AT HAND WHICH IS TRAINING AND PROTECTING THE CITIZENS.

TO BREAK THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT IF YOU ARE ON A 48-HOUR SHIFT YOU START A PROJECT AND NOW YOU'RE NOT GOING HOME AND WAITING TO DO THE PROJECT. YOU CAN GET FURTHER INTO THE PROJECT AND OFTEN TIMES YOU WILL BE WORKING ON A PROJECT AND WE WILL STOP AND YOU MIGHT NOT GET TO IT IN THE NEXT SHIFT SO MAYBE A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OUT UNTIL YOU CAN TOUCH IT.

THE CITIES HAVE GONE ALONG WITH IT AND THEY HAVE FOUND THAT PROJECTS GET DONE SOONER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY.

THE INCREASED MORALE A LOT OF CITIES SAW INCREASED MORALE WHICH INCREASES YOUR PRODUCTIVITY.

THE REDUNDANCY OF WORK YOU ARE AT WORK FOR 2 DAYS AND YOU'RE NOT MAKING THAT TIME UP. SO THE MORALE IS INCREASED.

BURNOUT WAS SHOWN TO BE REDUCED LONG-TERM FATIGUE AND AS FAR AS RIDING UNITS IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER OR A PARAMEDIC USE SHIFT TO AMBULANCE AND THAT ALLOWS CREWS IF THEY HAD A LONG NIGHT ON THE AMBULANCE YOU CAN SWITCH TO ENGINE.

THERE'S A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS BEING THERE AS FAR AS THE MORALE GOES. THE TRAININGS AND MEETINGS WE HAVE ALREADY WORKED OUT WITH OUR MED CONTROL AND THEY ARE CHANGING IT. CURRENTLY THEY USE TO SEE US TUESDAY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND ON THE CURRENT SCHEDULE THEY WOULDN'T HIT THOSE SHIFTS. THE CHANGING IT TO MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY. THAT THERE MED CONTROL IS FOR THEIR CHANGING THAT AS WELL. IT ALSO OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SPECIFIC TRAINING AND WE HAVE MANY TRAINING CLASSES ROPE RESCUE, SECOND DRIVER PROGRAM AND THEN TODAY CLASSES BEARD WHAT THE SCHEDULE ALLOWS US TO DO IS WE CAN DO THIS WITH GUYS ON THE SHIFT AND NOT HAVE TO CALL BACK INTO OVERTIME OR ASKED FOR COVERAGE FROM THOSE GUYS WHO NEED THIS TRAINING COULD DO THAT ON OUR SHIFT TODAY AND IT DOESN'T HURT OPERATIONS. AS FAR AS MEETINGS WE COULD MISS MANDATORY MEETINGS WITH THE CITY, ONE THING WE REALIZE IN COVID IS THAT DIGITAL ACCESS IS GREAT.

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THOSE AS WELL.

GREAT RECRUITMENT TOOLS. SO, COMPARING NEIGHBORING CITIES DON'T WANT TO COME HERE ON A WORK YEAR? SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE OFFERED TO OFFSET, OTHER BENEFITS AREN'T AS HIGH AS OTHER CITIES.

LOOKING AT THAT, A LOT OF YOUNGER GUYS COMING INTO THE FIRE SERVICE HAVE REALLY LATCHED ON TO THE SCHEDULE.

I REALLY LIKE IT. SEVERAL OF THE GUYS WE HAVE HIRED NEW THAT WE WERE RESEARCHING IT AND ACTUALLY APPLIED IT BECAUSE OF THIS RESEARCH.

DOCTOR SUSAN COHEN IS FROM AROUND-THE-CLOCK SYSTEMS. SHE WORKS WITH, SHE IS A CONSULTANT AND WORKS WITH COMPANIES THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES WORK SHIFT SCHEDULES.

THIS WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT STATEMENT THAT WE FOUND IN HER RESEARCH FOR THE SAFETY STUDIES DOCUMENTED THAT A ROOT CAUSE FACTOR IN HUMAN FATIGUE IS A PATTERN OF WORK AND REST IN A SEVEN DAY PERIOD. FOR THIS REASON IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXAMINE THE WORK REST RATIO OF THE STRIP SCHEDULE AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE GO TO WORK AND HOW MUCH REST DID YOU GET PRIOR TO COMING TO WORK THAT DAY? THE CURRENT SCHEDULE YOU HAVE TWO DAYS BEFORE YOU ARE AT WORK PRIOR TO THAT.

SO IF YOU'RE COMING INTO WORK AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE WHAT THE DOCTOR FOR SAID WAS A SEVEN-DAY REST.

[00:45:01]

I'M NOT GOING TO READ ALL OF THIS.

THE QUANTITY OF SLEEP IS NOT AS VITAL AS THE QUALITY OF UNINTERRUPTED SLEEP. RIGHT NOW YOU WORK 24 HOURS AND YOU MAY HAVE A HARD CALL IN THE BRAIN WAS TRYING TO PROCESS THROUGH IT.HE NEXT DAY THAT YOU ARE HOME YOUR BODY IS TRYING TO REST. THE DAY AFTER THAT YOU MAY HAVE FAMILY DAYS THAT YOU NEED TO ATTEND TO, TAKE CARE OF THE KIDS, DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO PROCESS ANY OF THE MENTAL STRESS THAT YOU WANT TO AND THEN THE NEXT DAY YOU ARE BACK TO WORK. WHAT THAT SCHEDULE PROVIDES IS THAT MENTAL REST THAT YOU MAY NEED FOR THE THINGS YOU SEE OR WANT TO WORK THROUGH OR JUST THE LONG SHIFT THAT YOU HAD.

THE NEXT DAY YOUR BODY REST AND THEN YOU HAVE THREE DAYS TO GET THROUGH THAT MENTAL PROCESS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID WHAT WE WERE RESEARCHING WAS SET UP A TRIAL FOR A LOT OF THE GUYS WE HAVE SUBS WHICH MEANS I CAN OFFER TO WORK FOR SOMEBODY ON THEIR SHIFTS AND THEN IN RETURN THEY WILL WORK FOR M IN THE FUTURE. YOU CAN ACTUALLY SET UP THE SCHEDULE ON THE SUB ROTATION. WHAT THIS ALLOWED FOR WAS GUYS WHO WERE ON THE FENCE ABOUT IT AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY WERE GOING TO BE THERE FOR 48 HOURS TO TRY IT OUT.

WE HAVE A FIREFIGHTER WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE.

TOWARDS THE END OF HIS CAREER HE WAS DEALING WITH SOME MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND NEEDED SOME REST.

HE CAME TO OUR STATION AND HE WAS AGAINST IT.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT BUT HE MOVED THERE AND SAID OKAY I WILL TRY IT. IT WOULD BE HARD TO TALK HIM OUT OF DOING THAT NOW. HE HAS SEEN SUCH RESTORATION IN HIS LIFE WITH HIS KIDS ON THOSE DAYS OFF.

YOU SEE A CHANGE IN HIS DEMEANOR AND HE'S PRODUCTIVE AND PART OF THE SHIFT. THAT WAS A SUCCESS STORY THAT WE SAW. A TANGIBLE RESULT FROM THE MENTAL REST AND PHYSICAL REST ON THE SCHEDULE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: SO I'M CONFUSED.

DO WE HAVE A STATION THERE? >> SPEAKER: WE HAVE TWO CREWS.

ONLY TWO CREWS COULD DO IT WITH EACH OTHER.

ONE CREW WOULD WORK AND RIGHT NOW I AM DOING IT WITH THAT SET UP. I WORKED YESTERDAY AND TODAY.

>> COUNIL MEMBER: YOU LOOK VERY RESTED.

[LAUGHTER] >> SPEAKER: THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE I WOULD PROBABLY DO IT MOST OF THE NIGHT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: SO THERE ARE POCKETS?

>> SPEAKER: YES. TWO THIRDS OF THE DEPARTMENT IS. WHEN WE ORIGINALLY STARTED THIS IT WAS 65 PERCENT. IT WAS ABOUT 50 PERCENT THEY WANTED TO TRY IT AND ABOUT 65 PERCENT AND WE STARTED RESEARCHING AND EDUCATING OUR GUYS ON WHAT IT MEANT AND WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE. THE GUYS WANTED TO TRY IT AND AT THIS POINT WE ARE AT 87, 88 PERCENT APPROVAL.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YOUR SAYING IT TAKES TWO CREWS TO DO IT?

>> SPEAKER: TO DO IT ON A PILOT TRIAL BASIS.

WHEN WE GO TO THE SCHEDULE IT WILL BE THE SAME THING.

IT IS JUST ON THE PILOT. YOU CAN ONLY DO IT WITH TWO

SEPARATE ONES. >> SPEAKER: GOOD QUESTION.

ON THE PILOT PROGRAM ONLY TWO PEOPLE COULD SWITCH.

HE COULDN'T INCORPORATE ALL THREE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YOU JUST BE SWITCHING SHIFTS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: RIGHT. ONE BIG THING THAT DOCTOR COHEN DID POINT OUT IS IF A CREW IS AVERAGING OVER THREE CALLS PER NIGHT AND THAT NIGHT CALL IS 11:00 P.M. TO 5 A.M. THAT PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE BEST FOR THEM.

CURRENTLY ON OUR RUN NUMBERS, THE CREWS ARE AVERAGING LESS THAN ONE BETWEN THE HOURS OF 11 P.M. AND 5 A.M..

WE DID THE NUMBERS FOR FUTURE GROWTH, EXPECTATION AND POPULATION AND WE WILL STILL FIT WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME.

THE SIZE OF ROWLETT AND IT'S GROWTH REALLY FIT THAT MOLD FOR THE SCHEDULE REALLY WELL. SO THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE NIGHTLY CALL FOR THE CREW AND YOU CAN SEE ENGINE ONE AND THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND THIS IS THE KNIGHTS PER MONTH WITH FREE PLUS CALLS AND SO, WHEN NIGHT PER MONTH A LITTLE OVER ONE NIGHT PER MONTH THE CREW WILL RUN THREE CALLS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 11:00 AND 5 A.M. AND THAT WAS ME LAST NIGHT.

[00:50:01]

[LAUGHTER] ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION PEOPLE WHO WORK ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF HEALTH.

HEART DISEASE AND THIS GOES WITH FIREMEN ARE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER FOR FIREMEN IS HEART DISEASE AND HEART ATTACKS.

GETTING THAT RESTORATIVE SLEEP IS WHAT WAS GOING TO HELP.

I COULD READ THROUGH ALL OF THIS IF YOU WANT.

I'M JUST GOING TO PRESENT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK WE ARE GOOD. SO THIS IS THE BIG TICKET ITEM FOR US. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS THE COST FOR THE CITY AND WHAT WAS THE LEGISLATION.

CURRENTLY OUR CYCLE IS 15 DAYS AND YOU CAN GET SIX HOURS OF HALF TIME PER PAID PERIOD. THE PAY CYCLE RIGHT NOW CURRENTLY OCCURS 23 TIMES PER YEAR.

ON A 49 -6 SCHEDULE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE A MULTIPLE OF SIX.

LOOKED AT THE GRADUAL WE COULD GO ON.

15, 12, 12, 34, WE SPOKE WITH FINANCE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE DIDN'T WANT TO UPSET THEM. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE FRIENDS WITH THEM SINCE THEY ARE WRITING THE CHECK.

THEY AGREED THAT THAT 1212. 12 PAYDAY CYCLE.

AS THAT WAS ACCRUING THEY WOULD HAVE FIVE HOURS OF HALF TIME FOR CHECK. YOU'RE GOING TO GET MORE CHECK SO THAT WOULD BE 30.4 CHECKS PER YEAR AND THIS YIELDS AN ADDITIONAL SIX HOURS OF HALF TIME PER SHIFT EMPLOYEE FOR THE YEAR. THAT IS NOT ADDING SIX PER PAYCHECK THAT IS JUST ADDING ON THE YEAR.

PER PAYCHECK IT IS .2 HOURS OF HALF TIME.

OF COURSE THAT GOES INTO CALLING IN SICK, OR NOT CALLING IN SICK. WHICH IS A MOVING NUMBER ON THAT. ONE THING THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION WANTED TO DO WAS TO PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY TO REVIEW OUR PLAN AND TO SIGN OFF ON IT AND TO GIVE INPUT ON A CHANGEOVER AND AS TO WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THINGS THAT WE'D ALREADY DONE. SHE SAID TALK TO FINANCE, TALK TO FINANCE. MAKE SURE THEY ARE ON BOARD.

THIS COULD BE A HEADACHE. WE HAD ALREADY DONE EVERY SUGGESTION THAT SHE HAD MADE. SHE WAS ALSO A LITTLE HESITANT WHEN I CALLED BECAUSE SHE SAID I USUALLY DON'T WORK WITH FIRE ASSOCIATIONS AND I SAID WELL, WE ARE DIFFERENT.

WE LIKE OUR CITY AND WE LIKE OUR CHIEF AND WANT TO WORK GATHER. [LAUGHTER] SHE SAID I'M USUALLY ACROSS THE TABLE FROM YOU GUYS.

I SAID WE WANT TO BE ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE TABLE.

THAT WAS A GOOD THING. SHE DID A LOT OF GOOD WORK FOR US. WE DO HAVE A LETTER FROM HER THAT SIGNS OFF ON THAT. SO, CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY ON THE SCHEDULE.

THE AREA THOSE ARE THE CITIES OF THEIR THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON IT AND THERE ARE MANY THAT ARE RESEARCHING.

WE GOT MANY CALLS OVER THE LAST FEW MONTH ON WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE? WHAT'S THE RESEARCH?

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS GMAC. >> IS THE 90 DEPARTMENTS IS

THAT TEXAS OR? >> THAT IS NATIONWIDE.

THE 90 DEPARTMENTS IS THE DEPARTMENT WHO PUTS OUT THE RESEARCH AND WHAT THEY FOUND WHEN THEY WERE NEXT TO IT.

SOME OF THEM THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE 49-6 THEY'VE NEVER DONE A

R DONE A SWITCH. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: ARE THERE

OTHER OPTIONS OUT THERE? >> SPEAKER: SCHEDULE OPTIONS? THERE ARE. THE 49-6 IS MOST EFFICIENT WHEN IT COMES TO COST. THERE ARE SOME SCHEDULES THAT HAVE 1/4 SHIFT SO YOU WOULD WORK 24, ON 24, OFF 24, OFF , OFF 24, OFF 96. HOUSTON DOES S THAT BUT THEY HAVE 1/4 SHIFT SO THEY HAVE A, B, C, D SHIFT AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE MORE ABLE TO HIRE. IT DOESN'T REALLADD TO THE OPERATIONS IT JUST EXPANDS IT PER THE SCHEDULE.

SO DON'T COME BACK ON THAT. >> MAYOR: IT WASN'T ANOTHER ONE

THAT WAS VIABLE TO THE STATION? >> SPEAKER: NO.

THAT WAS REALLY THE ONLY OTHER ONE OTHER THAN THE KELLY DAYS AND WE DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE ON THAT SCHEDULE.

I DIDN'T ACTUALLY WORK ON THE KELLY DAYS.

I KNOW THAT THE CHIEF - >> SPEAKER: WE WERE LOOKING AT

[00:55:06]

IT WAS A GOOD SCHEDULE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: HE WAS THE

ONE THAT INVENTED IT. >> MAYOR: OR SHE.

>> SPEAKER: IS MORE MANAGEMENT AND CALL VOLUME.

THEY DO THEIR RESEARCH IN THE CONVERSATIONS AND WE FELT LIKE EVEN IF AT BUILDOUT WE COULD PROBABLY KEEP THE SCHEDULE GOING. WE ALL KNOW WE ALL WENT INTO THIS THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO GET TO THE POINT WE WERE HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND EXAMINE WHAT THE RIGHT THING WAS TO DO.

>> THAT WAS THE ONLY NEGATIVE THING THAT I SAW.

MAYBE YOU WOULDN'T BE AS PRODUCTIVE AS YOU WERE IF YOU WERE ON A FIRE ALL NIGHT PAIRED WITH THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IT

COULD BE TOUGH. >> WOULD HAVE TO MONITOR THAT.

IN A CITY LIKE DALLAS THIS WOULD NEVER WORK.

WE HAVE CRUISE THAT COULD BE 24 HOURS THEY ARE UP 24 HOURS AND THERE'S NO WAY IT WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE.

SO, THE CITIES THAT REVERTED TO THE SCHEDULE WE WANTED TO ALSO HAVE A PLUG TO PULL IF IT'S NOT WORKING HOW ARE WE GOING TO GO BACK? WE WANTED A PLAN OF ACTION JUST IN CASE EVERYBODY DOES IT FOR THE TWO YEARS AND WE ARE LIKE NOW, WE DON'T LIKE THIS IT'S COSTING THE CITY OR WE ARE SEEING MORE INJURIES AND MULTIPLE HEALTH ISSUES TO MONITOR THE OVER TIME IT'S CRAZY.

THE PLAN WAS TO GO BACK TO THE 15 DAY CYCLE THAT WE ARE USING CURRENTLY AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT POLICIES THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED JUST A LITTLE BIT AND REVERT BACK TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW.HAT WAS JUST A FALLBACK TO THEM.

WE DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING BASED ON THE RESEARCH MODELS.

WE WANT TO HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE IN CASE THAT DID HAPPEN.

THE CITY'S REVERTING TO IMPLEMENTING ARE EXTREMELY RARE. THIS GOES INTO AND BRIAN PRESENTED THIS AND I HAD TO GO BACK AND LOOK FOR THE DEPARTMENT THAT LINK BACK TO 24 48.

THERE WASN'T ANY REASON BASED ON THIS OTHER THAN THAT SCHEDULE. THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA WERE ON A 24-48 AND A LOT OF THOSE WORK VOLUNTEERS.

THE VOLUNTEERS WERE FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTERS FROM LA COUNTY OR LA CITY. THEY COULDN'T KEEP THE VOLUNTEERS BECAUSE THEIR SCHEDULES DIDN'T ALIGN.

THEY SWITCHED BACK TO A 24-48 SO THAT THEY COULD RETAIN THAT.

SO THEY SWITCH TO 24 -48. THEY DID A VOTE BETWEEN THE GUYS AND THEY WANTED TO GO. SO THEY DID.

THAT'S REALLY ALL THE INFORMATION WE HAVE APPEARED WE JUST TOOK A VOTE AND WE WENT FOR IT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WHEN DO YOU WANT TO START THIS?

>> MAYOR: CAN WE GO BACK? SO, ROWLETT FIRE, DO YOU ANTICIPATE LOSING SOME OF THAT SOON?

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS? >> SPEAKER: AS FAR AS PEOPLE NOT APPROVING OF IT? I DON'T.

THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF GUYS THAT WERE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THIS. A LOT OF GUYS SAID NO I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS BECAUSE THEY BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS EARED FIREMEN, WE DON'T LIKE THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE AND WE DON'T LIKE CHANGE. THAT IS TOUGH FOR THEM.

OF COURSE, ALL IS SAID AND IF ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS WILL DO IT. WE'LL SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING OF ANYONE SAYING THERE IT LEAVING.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE WITH QUESTIONS THAT WERE SEMI AGAINST THE CHANGE. WE WENT THE EXTRA MILE AND WE PUT OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION AFTERWARDS TO MAKE SURE WE HAD CONSENSUS OF THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO US AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THAT

[01:00:03]

SEEM TO BE CONTENT. >> SPEAKER: I AM ON TOP OF THAT. WE WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING. OUTSIDE OF THE SCHEDULE AND THE WAY IT COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTH YOU COULD GET PAID EVERY 12 DAYS DOWN.OUR CHECK WOULD BE A LITTLE SMALLER HERE THESE ARE THE POLICIES THAT YOU COULD GET.

THERE WAS A SURVEY AFTER THAT. THE NEXT STEPS THE IMPLEMENTATION ON JUNE 27 AND WITH THAT WE HAD TALKED WITH THE ESO OUR SCHEDULER AND THEY HAD THE CAPABILITIES OF DOING THIS. THE FINANCES ON BOARD WERE READY TO GO. AS THIS IS ALL SET UP FOR THE TIME OFF AND COMPENSATION IN THE NEXT STEP AFTER THAT IS TO CONTINUE THE ANALYSIS TO KEEP THE INDICATORS FOR THE OVER

TIME AND SICK TIME USE. >> YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF PLANS FOR A SURVEY THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS AND, NINE MONTHS IN? JUST TO ASSESS EVERYBODY'S TEMPERATURE AND MAYBE GET WRITTEN RECOMMENDATIONS BACK FROM THEM?

>> YES MA'AM. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT FURTHER OUT. FOR THOSE IN DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR, AROUND THAT TIME IT WOULD BE ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

AND WE JUST WANT TO SEE WHERE EVERYONE IS AT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK THIS WOULD CUT DOWN ON DAYS OFF OR OVER TIME. FOR DAYS, IF YOU GET TWO DAYS OFF IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GO ON VACATION OR DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR FAMILY AND YOU WIND UP TAKING THAT DAY OFF TO GET THE EXTRA DAYS WHERE YOU COULD GO SOMEWHERE AND POTENTIALLY COME BACK AND NOT MISS A SHIFT.

AND NOT HAVE TO FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE TAKING VACATION

TIMES. >> I WOULD EXPECT THAT YOU COULD ACHIEVE SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUES FOR A SURVEY BECAUSE THIS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR SUPERVISOR OR IF THEY ARE BEING TRAINED PROPERLY.

ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT ARE NATURALLY ASKED.

I THINK WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE.

HE'S A MORALE BOOSTER. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: ARE THERE CERTAIN POLICY LIMITS OR DAYS IN A ROW?

>> SPEAKER: 72 HOURS. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: THEY CAN'T WORK MORE THAN THREE DAYS. THEIR LAST DAY THEY COULD WORK A THREE DAY DEAL IF THEY WANTED TO.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: ANOTHER THING THAT PUSHED US TO THIS CURRENTLY WE ARE WORKING 72 HOURS AND NOW WE WORK 48 HOURS.

SO WE HAD SOME HOURS OFF BEFORE WE HAVE TO BE BACK ON SCHEDULE HERE SO YES, IT GOES INTO THE MANDATORY OVERTIME POLICY AS WELL WITH HOW MANY CONSECUTIVE DAYS WE HAVE.

AND THAT IS SEVEN. >> SPEAKER: I TALKED TO JOSH A WHILE BACK. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID TWO DAYS OFF REALLY DOESN'T GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO RECOVER MENTALLY FROM WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS. WE CAN GO THROUGH STUFF THAT IS ROUGH. TWO DAYS ISN'T ENOUGH TIME OFF.

>> SPEAKER: TWO DAYS ISN'T ENOUGH FOR ME.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: AND OF COURSE ON SATURDAYS!

[LAUGHTER] >> COUNCIL MEMBER: COUNCILMAN

DON'T HAVE WEEKENDS! >> COUNCIL MEMBER: COUNSEL ARE

THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: IT SOUNDS

EXCITING. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I HAVE A QUESTION. BUT I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON

THE RESEARCH. >> MAYOR: THIS IS A SILLY QUESTION AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DEPARTMENT.

DOES THIS INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE OR FIREFIGHTERS THAT THEY WORK WITH? OR DO THEY STAY WITH THEIR SHIFT REGARDLESS?

[01:05:01]

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: IS STAYS THE SAME.

IT REDUCES THE EXPOSURE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

THERE ARE NOT AS MANY SHIFT CHANGES.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE ON THE A SHIFT AND

THEY THE SHIFT IS CHANGING. >> SPEAKER: ALSO, I FORGOT TO ADD THIS. IT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY OR ADD THE DAYS OF THE YEAR. WE STILL WORK THE SAME AMOUNT

OF DAYS. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK ALSO THE FACT THAT THERE'S SO MUCH SUPPORT IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT GOES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: 88 PERCENT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS. [INDISCERNABLE]

[LAUGHTER] >> SPEAKER: THIS WOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE HOURS FOR THE SENIOR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB. LESS THE ADMINISTRATIVE TYPE STUFF, THERE'S MORE HOURS IN THE DAY.

THEY TAKEN A 24 HOUR DAY AND MAKING IT INTO A 48.

SO, YOU CAN GET BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THE SHIFTS HAVING THE LONGER TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> SPEAKER: I WANTED TO SAY GUYS, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK, THE PILOT PROGRAM THAT THEY DID.

YOU KNOW, NEIL BRIEFED ME AND THEN D THEN JOSH GAVE ME A SIMILAR PRESENTATION. AT THAT TIME WE HAD NOT TALK INTO THE FLSA ATTORNEY AND MY MAIN CONCERN WAS BURNOUT.

WHEN WE GOT DONE WITH THE PRESENTATION I WAS LIKE YOU.

AS NO-BRAINER AS LONG AS WE UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE ON OUR TEAM? ALL THE OTHER WORK AND RESEARCH THEY DID AND I THINK WHAT IS USUALLY POWERFUL, THE OTHER THING IS CALL IT AN INDUSTRY STANDARD, HOW MANY CALLS PER NIGHT AND TELL IT WOULDN'T WORK FOR YOU. IT ABSOLUTELY WORKED FOR US AND THE OTHER THING I FOUND WAS THE ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE THAT CHANGING THE SCHEDULE WOULD CREATE A SITUATION FOR US IN WHICH WE WOULD HAVE A LARGE LIABILITY THAT WE DON'T KNOW OF RIGHT NOW. I REALLY TIED EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO AND WE CAME UP WITH A GOOD PLAN.

THEY WANT TO TREAT IT AS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE THEY LOCK IT IN. THINK AGAIN THAT'S VERY ADMIRABLE. I THINK THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS.

THANK YOU GUYS. I APPRECIATE THE WORK ON IT AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT.

>> SPEAKER: WE APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT.

I APPRECIATE YOU LETTING ME TALK!

>> MAYOR: AND IN PERSON! [CROSSTALK]

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE ARE STILL FIVE MINUTES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

MUNAL! >> MAYOR: COUNCILMAN BROWN WANTED TO PAUSE FOR JUST A SECOND.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: LOOK, WHILE WE ARE PAUSED, COUNCIL WOMAN BELL JUST BLASTED ME BECAUSE I HAVE DIFFERENT SOCKS ON.

THIS IS KETCHUP AND MUSTARD! THAT IS WHY THEY ARE DIFFERENT!

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD BOTTLES! >> COUNCIL MEMBER: IT'S HARD TO FIND PAIRS OF SOCKS THAT ARE DIFFERENT COLORS.

I HAVE LOOKED. THEY COME OUT OF THE DRIER LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME. IT IS LIKE A CAMOUFLAGE SOCKS.

I CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE. THEY ARE ALL YELLOW AND RED.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: NOW I'M JUST DEBATING.

[CROSSTALK] >> MAYOR: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE

[3C. Present and receive input regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program 2021 Annual Action Plan. (30 minutes)]

[01:10:29]

FOR BEING HERE. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING COUNSEL. I'M EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT 2021 THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT THE STAFF PROPOSALS ARE.

PI KNOW NONE OF THIS INFORMATIO IS NEW TO YOU BUT IN THE VIEWING AUDIENCE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW IN THIS PROGRAM.

IT HAS TO BE OBJECTED AS DESCRIBED BY HUD.

OBVIOUSLY DIRECTLY TO ASSIST LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE AND THEN TO ELIMINATE THE URGENT COMMUNITY NEEDS SUCH AS DISASTER RELIEF. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SEVERAL FACETS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE THREE BULLET POINTS AND THEY ARE SO FAST. I WILL SPEAK TO THOSE BRIEFLY.

YOU RECALL I MENTIONED HELPING THOSE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES GOOD THERE IS A LOW CRITERIA AS BY HUD AT 80 PERCENT OF THE MEDIUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME BASED ON THE HUD METRO 2021 STATS FOR THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN THIS INSTANCE IS $89,000 AGAIN, YOU'VE ALSO GOT THOSE INCOMES AS REFLECTED DEPENDING ON THE HOUSEHOLD SIZE.

HUD DOES ALLOCATE US ANNUAL MONIES TO WORK TOWARDS IMPROVING AND PROVIDING FACILITIES AND NEEDS TO OUR COMMUNITY. AGAIN THERE ARE LIMITS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT FOR THE FIRST BEING A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH WE CAN EXPAND TOWARDS AN MINISTRATION COST WHICH IS A AT 20 PERCENT. 15 PERCENT OF THE ALLOCATION CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND THEN 65 PERCENT MINIMUM 65 PERCENT AND GO TO OTHER ACTIVITIES AND WHEN I SPEAK TO THOSE WE TYPICALLY TALK ABOUT PUBLIC FACILITIES.

PUBLIC FACILITIES WITH NO TO MODERATE AREAS AND THE MINIMUM IS 65 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL ALLOCATION AND THAT RELATES TO ACQUISITION, REHAB OR CONSTRUCTION RESTRAINT AND ADDING PARKS AS WE NOTICE THE SIDEWALK AND SIDEWALK BLOCKS THE CURB, GUTTER, WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE TALKED ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT ELIGIBILITY, PUBLIC SERVICES, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY FOR HOUSING SERVICES FOUR HOURS SENIOR COMMUNITY AND FOR THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION CHILDCARE AND THOSE TYPES OF ELEMENTS. THE PROPOSED ALLOCATIONS THIS YEAR FOR 2021 IS A GRANT TOTAL ALLOCATION IS 286,000.

IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT THOSE AND WE WERE TO LOOK AT THOSE MEN'S AND MAX WE WOULD LOOK AT 65 PERCENT OFF THE PUBLIC FACILITIES AND WE WOULD LOOK AT 186,000 IN THIS INSTANCE WE HAVE WORKED WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE TRACY TRAIL IS A PROJECT THAT DESERVES SOME REHABILITATION TO IT AND WE ARE PROPOSING TO ALLOCATE DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE SALVATION ARMY AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING PROCESS DESCRIBED BY HUD AND THE SALVATION ARMY ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT ATTEND OR ASK FOR ASSISTANCE WITH RENT AND UTILITIES COULD WE KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND WE REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH THEM. THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS TO ALLOCATE $25,000 TOWARDS THAT AND THEN THE ADMINISTRATION OF 57,000 $83. JUST TO TOUCH ON THE TRACY TRAIL ALLEY YOU CAN SEE THAT IS SHOWN ON THE MAP.

[01:15:04]

I TOUCHED ON THE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

HUD DOES REQUIRE THE RECIPIENTS TO CONDUCT PUBLIC MEETINGS TO SOLICIT INPUT REGARDING FUNDING ALLOCATION.

WE DID HAVE TWO MEETINGS ON JUNE 14 AT 10 A.M. AND 6:30 P.M. AND ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS ON OUR VIRTUAL MEETING THE SALVATION ARMY DID SUBMIT A WRITTEN REQUEST SHOWING KEEN INTEREST TO PROVIDE RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO THE RESIDENT. WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS COUNSEL RECEIVE INPUT AND CONSENSUS AND THE PROPOSAL FROM STAFF OR RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF CAN BE MODIFIED.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WE MIGHT COME BEFORE YOU IF SOMETHING CHANGES FROM THE FACILITY CONSTRUCTION PERSPECTIVE FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO ASK FOR CHANGING THAT FUNDING AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL ACTION PLAN.

WE ALSO CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS ON JULY 6 SEEK APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND THEN DELIVER THAT TO THE 16TH.

WITH THAT COUNSEL, I WOULD BE HAPPY, TO GIVE YOU A QUICK HEAD'S UP, I DON'T MEAN TO JOG EVERYONE'S MEMORY BUT IF YOU RECALL THE 2021 PROGRAM THAT WE WILL REVIEW WE HAD SIDEWALKS AT ONE AND 43,000. WE HAD A PARKS PROGRAM THAT REFLECTS A TWO-PART PROGRAM AND THEN THE LIFE MESSAGE WAS A RECIPIENT FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND THEN THE ADMINISTRATION COST IS UNDER. LAST YEAR THE GRANT TOTAL.

COUNSEL WE ARE ASKING CONSENT TO PROCEED WITH THE ALLOCATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FINANCE OF 2021 PROGRAM.

WITH THAT I WILL TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE ALLOWABLE USES

SLIDE? >> SPEAKER: THERE WE GO.

I AM RELEARNING EVERYTHING. >> MAYOR: IS LIKE THE SECOND SLIDE. A LITTLE MORE.

UNDER PUBLIC SERVICES FOR CRIME PREVENTION WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> SPEAKER: THAT WOULD BE WORKING WITH TD AND WORKING UNDER. [INDISCERNABLE]

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I HAD A THOUGHT THAT THE DARK STATION IS WITHIN S WITHIN THE ALLOWABLE AREA AND P.D. WOULD PROBABLY LOVE TO HAVE A PREVENTION PROGRAM MODEL AROUND

THIS THAT COULD HELP THEM. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: EVEN IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WE WOULD NEED A STATION.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THAT, TOO. THE MARSHAL IS ALREADY AT THE

LIBRARY. >> SPEAKER: COULD YOU GIVE US SOME TIME TO EXPLORE THAT WITH P.D. AND WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING WE CAN SUPPLY THAT INFORMATION TO YOU?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE COULD REALLY USE SOME FUNDS THERE.

IF THERE IS A SELF-SUFFICIENT PROGRAM.

>>>. >> MAYOR: THAT'S THE QUESTION CAN WE DEVELOP THAT PROGRAM. I KNOW THAT HE IS HAVING SOME ISSUES AND THAT COULD GIVE THEM AN AVENUE FOR FUNDING.

THE. >> SPEAKER: WE WILL DEFINITELY EXPLORE THAT AND BRING IT TO THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THEY CAN HAVE A COUPLE OF ARING AND THEY CAN HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS.

>> MAYOR: WE NEED TO GET MORE BASIC I'M SORRY WE DO THIS ALL THE TIME. WHAT IS PROPOSED TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR THOSE RECONSTRUCTION COSTS WHICH IS

THE OTHER MAP IN THE PICTURE? >> SPEAKER: IN THIS INSTANCE WE ARE REFERENCING THE ONE ALLEY. AND SO, THE COST, THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST IS $353,000. THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING? LET ME TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AGAIN WOULD YOU REPEAT

IT? >> MAYOR: THE ONLY REASON WE ARE USING THESE FUNDS FOR THIS CONSTRUCTION IS THAT WE KNOW IT

[01:20:05]

SO, WHERE ARE THOSE ALLOCATIONS? WHAT IS IS THAT? BECAUSE WE NEVER APPROVED IT PLAN LIKE THAT WITHOUT KNOWING THOUT KNOWING THAT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THEY ARE IN THE CAPITAL MAINTENANCE PLAN.

>> MAYOR: NOT WHERE THEY AT THAT HOW ARE THEY APPLICABLE.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION?

>> MAYOR: [LAUGHTER] WE JUST WENT THROUGH THAT.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK SOME OF IT GOES TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WE DID OUT OF THAT MONEY.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THE SIDEWALK LAND?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: NO IT IS NOT THE SIDEWALK PLAN.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: LAST YEAR I THINK IT WAS ALL.

[INDISCERNABLE] FUNDING.

>> MAYOR: I'M ASKING ABOUT THE FUTURE FUNDING MECHANISM YOU GO TO THE SLIDE WHERE YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH THEY ARE ALLOCATING, I AM ASKING LET'S SEE IF I UNDERSTAND THE TWO DIFFERENT.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS, WHAT I AM ASKING IS WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH $200,000 OUT OF GENERAL FUND TO WHAT PROGRAMS AND HOW MUCH? AND WITHOUT THAT I CAN'T EVEN

COME CLOSE TO THESE NUMBERS. >> SPEAKER: GOT IT.

>> MAYOR: AND THEN WHERE IS THE LIKE MESSAGE ALLOCATION?

>> SPEAKER: AT THIS TIME FOR THE 2021 ALLOCATION, FROM A STAFF RECOMMENDATION STANDPOINT WE WORK WITH SALVATION ARMY.

AT THIS POINT WE WANT TO SEE WHAT THE COUNSEL'S OPINION WOULD BE AND WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IF THEY WANT TO CHANGE ANY OF THE PROGRAMMING.

>> MAYOR: OKAY. I'M PRETTY SURE -IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN I DO THIS FROM MEMORY BUT I AM PRETTY SURE THAT YOU CAN USE THOSE FUNDS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY BECAUSE THEY ARE USED TO DOING THAT. YOU CAN ONLY USE THE GENERAL FUNDS FOR THE LIKE SUCH OUT OF THIS MATCH THING.

I COULD BE WRONG ON THAT. >> SPEAKER: IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS FOTHE REVERSE WAY.

>> MAYOR: I'M CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOCATING MONEY TO LIFE MESSAGE. I GUESS I NEED TO TALK TO THE

COUNCIL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: RIGHT.

WE NEED TO ADJUST THE NUMBERS. >> EXCUSE ME CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, CITY COUNCIL IS FINISHING UP THE WORK SESSION AND THEY WILL MOVE IN HERE FOR ITEM 3E.

I WANT TO TOUCH BASE WITH YOU BEFORE THEY MOVE IN.

SURE TO TURN OFF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND THEY WILL BE IN SHORTLY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: I KNOW THAT CHRIS IS IN THE ROOM.

I FEEL, PERSONALLY PRETTY STRONGLY IF THE LIFE MESSAGE IS TO FIND THE FUNDING FROM OTHER CITIES, TOO.

A LOT OF THE WORK THAT Y'ALL DO BENEFITS A LOT OF CITIES.

WE HAVE SAID THAT BEFORE TO CHRIS AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION. I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW TO DO THAT. BUT CERTAINLY I BELIEVE THAT THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT Y'ALL DO.

I'M NOT SURE WHY HE LEFT THE ROOM.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WHILE THEY ARE FIGURING THAT OUT, I THINK WE WENT OVER THIS THE LAST TIME AND MAYBE YOU CAN HELP REFRESH MY MEMORY . WHEN THEY REFIGURED THE ALLOCATIONS WE NEED TO COVER THE ELIGIBLE AREAS IN THE CITY USED TO COVER 80 PERCENT OF THE CITY. CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH THAT HAPPENED AND WAS IT A CHANGE IN THE MEDIAN INCOME IN THE CITY? OR WAS IT CHANGED IN TERMS OF THEY LOWERED THE RATE THAT THEY

WERE LOOKING AT FOUR CDBG. >> SPEAKER: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK WE CALL IT THE GOLDEN MAP AND WHY THERE WERE SO MANY AREAS THAT WERE GOLD IN TERMS OF THE SENSES TRACK? THERE WAS AN ERROR. WHAT TRANSPIRED WAS THEY DID

[01:25:02]

AND SO THOSE AREAS SHRUNK SIGNIFICANTLY.

LUCKILY WE WENT BACK AND AUDITED OURSELVES AND DETERMINED THERE WERE NO IMPLICATIONS ON ANY OF THE OTHERS AND IN THE PAST WE DID NOT.

IT WAS JUST AN ERROR ON OUR PART.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: OKAY. THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> SPEAKER: AND THEN TO ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION COUNSEL, WITH THE FINANCE PERHAPS THAT IS SOMETHING -WE JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND NEED TO EXPLAIN IT OR MEMORIALIZE IT IN THE PRESENTATION AND WE CAN BRING

THAT UP. >> ONE MORE THING.

EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU.

IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND KEEPING YOUR INSIDE VOICE INSIDE TOGETHER AS. AND, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

WE HAVE DIFFICULTY HEARING IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.

SO IF YOU DOWN A LITTLE BIT WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: MAYOR, ONE THING THAT WENDY AND I WERE TOUCHING BASE ON, THERE WERE A LOT OF CHANGES WE MADE LAST YEAR AND YOU MAY REMEMBER WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND SOME OF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED BY COVID AND SOME OF IT MIGHT NOT BE.

WE ALSO HAD EXTRA CDBG FUNDS. THAT'S HOW WE HAVE ENDED UP DOING A LOT OF DISTRIBUTION. WHEN THE DUST SETTLED AND WE LOOKED AT THE ADOPTED BUDGET WE AMENDED IN JANUARY BUT THIS IS THE ADOPTED BUDGET.E HAD ALLEY PROJECTS IN THE CBG FUND AND THEN WE HAD SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT AND $50,000 IN THE CDBG FUNDS. OTHER THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY DO FOR SALVATION ARMY REHAB WHATEVER, COMES OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND WE HAD NO BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE SHIFTED THE FUNDS ELSEWHERE. FOR ME TO LOOK AT THIS NOW AND TRY TO RECAP THAT CONVERSATION, I CAN'T DO IT.

>> MAYOR: DOES NOT EVEN MY QUESTION.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE WE PROPOSING TO DO OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE UP COMING BUDGET YEAR TO MATCH THIS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YOU ARE SAYING 2022?

>> MAYOR: YES. ISN'T THAT HOW WE ALLOCATE THE

FUNDS? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: WHAT I AM SEEING IS CONTINUING THE SALVATION ARMY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS WHEN THAT IS STILL IN THERE.

>> MAYOR: YES, BUT MUNAL'S STAFF RECOMMENDS IT COMES OUT OF THE CDBG FUND NOT GENERAL FUND THE 25,000.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THAT IS THE CDBG FUNDS.

>> MAYOR: MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE WHAT ARE WE PROPOSING OUT OF THE BUDGET TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR THAT $200,000?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE AREN'T THERE YET.

IT. >> MAYOR: WE DON'T EVER APPROVE THESE PLANS HISTORICALLY WITHOUT A PROPOSAL.

>> SPEAKER: THEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WAITING TWO OR THREE MONTHS BECAUSE WE WON'T GET TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET UNTIL

AUGUST. >> MAYOR: WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE PRESENTED US A PLAN YOU ALSO PRESENT THESE PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD TAKE MONEY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.

THIS COUNSEL, WE CAN MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS BUT IF THIS COUNSEL HAS NEVER AGREED TO ALLOCATE $200,000 OF CDBG FUNDS TO AN ALLEY PROJECT WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING A LIKE AMOUNT OF MONEY WELCOME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE CDBG TYPE

PROJECTS. >> MAYOR: THAT'S A QUESTION IF

WE WANT TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE'VE ALWAYS DISCUSSED THESE POSSIBILITIES. IT HAS CHANGED HERE AND THERE.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE SAY ABOUT THE SIDEWALK VERSES THE OTHER THINGS. THAT WAS THE CONVERSATION WE HAD LAST YEAR. TO YOUR POINT, YES.

WE HAVE AT LEAST HAD A CONVERSATION.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THE AND WE HAVE DONE IT THAT WAY GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS FIVE TIMES NOW, GOING ON SIX, IS THAT THIS IS THE MOST MANAGEABLE WAY FROM AN ADMINISTRATION POINT OF VIEW TO DO A LARGE OUT PROJECT RATHER THAN PIECEMEAL THOSE FUNDS OUT TO THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD WANT TO DO UNDER A CDBG TYPE OF CRITERIA.

IT IS MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE THAN A PAID ONE ALLEY PROJECTS.

THEN, WE OFFSET THAT OUT OF THE GENERAL BUDGET, THE GENERAL

[01:30:02]

AND SO, THAT IS WHAT THE MAYOR IS REFERRING TO.

WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THOSE OPTIONS TO LOOK AT BEFORE WE APPROVE THIS OR SIMULTANEOUSLY APPROVE THIS.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: DO WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS NOW ABOUT WHAT WE DO WITH THOSE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I DON'T THINK WE ARE PREPARED TO.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WE ARE NOT PREPARED.

THE QUESTION IS THAT THE MAYOR IS ASKING, WE ARE NOT PREPARED

TO ADDRESS TONIGHT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: SO WHAT DO

WE DO HERE TODAY? >> SPEAKER: THIS IS JUST A WORK SESSION. NO ACTION IS FIRED.

THIS IS JUST TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS.

WE WILL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 6 AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE NO LATER THAN AUGUST 16 DO WE HAVE TWO PUSH THE PLANS OUT TO HUD. WE DO HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY AND TIMING AND THE PURPOSE IS TO VISIT AND PROVIDE YOU WITH WHAT THAT ALLOCATION IS AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS APSLEY WHEN WE COME BACK FOR PUBLIC HEARING. WE WILL KNOW WHAT THAT PROJECT DELINEATION OR ALLOCATION IS AS IT RELATES TO THE GENERAL

PUBLIC. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: THIS COULD BE A CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM THAT WE DON'T WANT TO ADMINISTER THROUGH A CDBG FUNDS BUT IF IT IS A CDBG TYPE PROJECT WOULD BE EASIER TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND? WE MIGHT GET LOST IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS AND WE GO DOWN OUR MERRY WAY AND WE ARE NOT USING THE CDBG FUNDS

APPROPRIATELY. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: ABSOLUTELY.

WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH MORE DETAIL WHEN WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND IF THAT GOES INTO THE CDBG FUNDS. WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT TONIGHT SO THAT WHEN WE MEET IN JULY WE WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WERE TALK ABOUT WITH THE BOTTOM LINE AND WHAT TYPES OF FACILITY AND STAFF IS RECOMMENDING JUST OVERALL. AND THEN, WE WILL INCORPORATE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. >COUNCIL MEMBER: THE PUBLIC WATCHES THESE MEETINGS AND JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE CDBG USES THE MONEY THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS ASCERTAIN ALL THE AVAILABLE FUNDS THAT CAN USE FOR THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE CDBG AND THAT'S THE CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING . WE WILL GET THAT INFORMATION FOR THE JULY 6 MEETING AND OBVIOUSLY WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT

IN THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. THANK YOU.

[3D. Discuss the scheduled issuance and sale of City of Rowlett, Texas General Obligation Bonds authorized in 2021, and Waterworks and Sewer System Revenue Bonds, both Series 2021. (15 minutes)]

>> MAYOR: WERE GOING TO MOVE TO P3D. DISCUSS THE SCHEDULED ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CITY OF ROWLETT, TEXAS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZED IN 2021, AND WATERWORKS AND SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS, BOTH SERIES 2021. BEFORE WE HAVE WENDY START, CAN YOU COME UP? DOES ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS MATTER? OKAY.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING WENDY. >> SPEAKER: HELLO COUNSEL.

TONIGHT I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE 2021 GENERAL OBLIGATION ELECTION. THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE SERIES THE 2021 BONDS AND WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM REVENUE BONDS.

TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE TO GAIN COUNSEL CONSENSUS ON ISSUING BOTH SETS OF BONDS THE WATER AND SEWER BONDS IN THE AMOUNTS THAT WE HAVE SET UP FOR THE PROJECT TIMELINE AND ALSO GET THOSE PRODUCT SCHEDULES APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL.

I DO HAVE THE PROJECT LEADS HERE TONIGHT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. WE WILL COME BACK FOR THE COUNCIL BUDGET STRATEGY SESSION ON JUNE 17 AND THAT'S WHEN WE'LL DISCUSS THE ITEMS THAT PASSED AND THE OPTIONS BASED ON THE PROPERTY EVALUATION GROWTH. WE ARE JUST GETTING A COUNSEL CONSENSUS ON ISSUING THE BOND AND THE TIMELINE AND SCHEDULES OF THE PROJECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO FUNDS.

WE WILL ALSO HAVE A COUNSEL WORK SESSION ON JULY 7 AND THAT'S WHERE WE WILL BRING FORTH THE RATE AND THE FINAL DISCUSSION ON THE ACTUAL ISSUANCE OF THE BOND.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: WOULD THAT BE JULY 6?

THE TUESDAY? >> SPEAKER: YES, SORRY.

[01:35:01]

AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PLANNED TO ISSUE 14 MILLION IN GEO BONDS THIS IS THE ELECTION. AND 7 MILLION OF WATER SEWER REVENUE SYSTEM BONDS. THE TIMELINE FOR THE ISSUANCE IS THAT WE ARE HAVING OUR RAINFALLS THIS THURSDAY AND THEN WE ARE EXPECTING TO RECEIVE OUR READING RESULT ON JUNE 28 THEN WE PLAN TO GO TO PRICING IN THE CONVERSATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF THE BOND ONJULY 6 AND THEN WE WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 5. AND, AS YOU ALSO KNOW ROWLETT AUTHORIZED THE 7 MILLION IN GO BONDS AND OF THAT AMOUNT STAFF IS WILLING TO ISSUE 14 MILLION IN JULY TO ACCOMMODATE THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROJECT SCHEDULE AND THE TABLE TO THE RIGHT ALONG WITH TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PRIME LOW INTEREST RATES AND IN 2022 AND 7.119 MILLION IN 2023.

THIS YEAR'S ISSUANCE IS PROPOSED THAT WILL FULLY FUND LAKELAND HEIGHTS STREET PHASE 2 LONGBRANCH CREEK EROSION CONTROL EAST INDUSTRIAL STREET AND AN OUTDOOR WARNING SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AND THE ENGINEERING OF THE JOINT FIRE STATION AT SAPPHIRE BAY. IT WILL PARTIALLY FUND ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION CONCRETE RECONSTRUCTION AND COUNTRY AIR STATES. WITH THE CITY'S FOCUS ON ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER DELIVERY AND WASTEWATER COLLECTION THE MULTIYEAR COMPREHENSIVE RATE PLAN REVISED EACH SUMMER INCLUDES AN ANNUAL 7 MILLION DEBT INCH REALLY ISSUANCE TO SUPPORT THE STABILITY AND IMPROVEMENT IN EXPANSION ON THE UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE . THIS YEAR'S BOND ISSUANCE IS REPRESENTED IN THE TABLE TO THE RIGHT UNDER SERIES 2021 COLUMN AND IS DESIGNED TO FUND THE PROJECT AND ALSO SUPPORT THE WATER SEWER PORTION OF THE APPROVED OBLIGATION PROJECTS. THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE PLANNED FOR THE YEARS ISSUANCE ARE 1.6 MILLION FOR STATE HIGHWAY EAST OF 66 SEWER LINE TO 2.4 MILLION ON 66 1.5 MILLION FOR GRAVITY LINES TO ABANDON THE STATIONS AND 600,000 FROM THE STATION ONE REPLACEMENT FOR 3 TO 50,000 FOR LAKELAND HEIGHTS WATER REPLACEMENT PHASE 2 AND 4 TO 50,000 FOR LAKELAND HEIGHTS.

THOSE TWO ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE GEO BOND PROGRESS.

THIS CONCLUDES TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN COUNSEL CONSISTENCE TO MOVEFORWARD AND APPROVAL OF THE TIMELINE

>> MAYOR: IS AT THE FASTEST TIMELINE YOU CAN DO THAT FUNDING AND GET THE INTEREST RATE LOCKED IN? I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHANGE IN THE MARKETPLACE.

>> ARE YOU WANTING TO SPREAD OUT THE PROJECT OR ISSUE MORE?

>> I'M JUST SAYING HOW FAST CAN WE GET THE INTEREST RATE LOCKED

IN? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: THIS IS PRETTY MUCH IT HERE JULY 6 WE ISSUE RIGHT?

>> IT IS AND WE DO THE BOND RATING FIRST.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: SO JULY 6 IS THE FIRST? WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THEY WELCOME IN THAT NIGHT.

IS THAT THE NIGHT THAT THEY ARE COMING IN WITH THE ACTUAL BIDS?

THE FINAL BID? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: IT'S THAT

MORNING. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: THAT IS AS FAST AS WE CAN GET IT LOGGED IN.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WEREN'T STRETCHING IT OUT FOR ANY REASON BECAUSE INTEREST RATES AREN'T GOING DOWN. ANY QUESTIONS COUNSEL? CONSENSUS MOVING FORWARD? ALL RIGHT YOU'VE GOT IT.

>> SPEAKER: ,THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: WERE GOING TO DO IT IS GOING TO A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND GO INTO COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND THEN WE WILL READ THE RECORD AND THEN WE WILL START.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: MAYOR, I THINK WE SHOULD SEE IF THERE'S

ANYTHING WE NEED TO PULL. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

ARE THERE ANY RUSSIANS ON THE CONSENT ITEMS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: NO. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I'M AFRAID TO EAT SOMETHING I'VE NEVER EATEN BEFORE.

[01:40:04]

[LAUGHTER] >> MAYOR: DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING TO PULL? OKAY.

FIVE MINUTE BREA ALL RIGHT.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WORK SESSION AND WE CAME INTO COUNCIL CHAMBERS INSTEAD OF FINISHING THE WORK SESSION IN THE ROOM FOR OBVIOUS REASONS WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE. I'M NOT GOING TO READ THE INTRODUCTION VERY COMMENTS AND BECAUSE OF.

[BLEEP] DONE THAT FOR THE WORK SESSION.

WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS READ INTO THE RECORD ITEM 3E WHICH IS THE LAST WORK SESSION ITEM. THEN WE ARE GOING TO START TE CITIZEN COMMENT. OKAY? WE HAVE TWO TYPES OF CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR 3E WE HAVE IN PERSON AND WE HAVE EMAILS THAT CAME IN BY THE DEADLINE TODAY.

GOING TO TAKE THE IN PERSON COMMENTS FIRST AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE EMAILS. OKAY? THEN IF THERE IS TIME REMAINING BEFORE THE 7:30 REGULAR MEETING STARTS, THE COUNCIL WILL START DELIBERATING ON ITEM 3E.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I THINK WERE GOING TO RUN OUT OF TIME.

WERE GOING TO START OUR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:30.

OKAY? IF WE DON'T GET FINISHED WITH ITEM 3 WE WILL PICK UP ITEM 3E AFTER THE REGULAR MEETING CONCLUDES. OKAY? SO I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE TO EVERYBODY.

THE OTHER LITTLE TWEAK THAT WE WILL PROBABLY DO, THERE IS A SECTION IN THE REGULAR MEETING CALLED CITIZEN INPUT.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING. IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ITEM 3E YOU HAVE TO LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE AGENDA ITEM WHICH IS THE PROCLAMATION AND THE WATER TOWER LIGHTING.

IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CITIZEN COMMENT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING. OKAY? IF WE DON'T GET THROUGH ALL OF THE COMMENTS FOR 3E BY 7:25 WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK THEN START THE REGULAR MEETING. I WILL ASK YOU DURING THE CITIZEN INPUT, DO YOU WANT TO READ YOUR 3E COMMENTS AT CITIZEN INPUT OR WAIT UNTIL THE DEALER MEETING?'M GIVING YOU THE OPTION SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE ARE DONE WITH THE REGULAR MEETING IF YOU WANT TO DO IT EARLIER.

INCORPORATED ABOUT THAT IF I DON'T GET TO YOUR COMMENTS.

THE OTHER THING IS I AM CALLING UP THE SPEAKERS IN THE ORDER THAT THE CARDS WERE RECEIVED. OKAY? THEN WHEN WE READ THE COMMENT INTO THE RECORD FROM THE EMAILS THOSE WILL BE READ INTO THE RECORD IN ORDER WHEN WE RECEIVE THOSE EMAILS IN THE EMAIL BOX. OKAY? ALL RIGHT. SO, COUNSEL ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT BEFORE I PROCEED? ALL RIGHT.

I AM GOING TO TELL YOU ALL ONE OTHER THING.

THERE IS USUALLY A WIZARD BEHIND ME THAT RUNS EVERYTHING.

HE IS NOT HERE SO I HAD TO DO SOME THINGS THAT I WOULDN'T NORMALLY DO. SO IF I MISS SOMETHING, PLEASE GIVE ME A LITTLE GRACE ON THAT. ALL RIGHT.

[3E. Discuss the City’s Water Tower Lighting practice and the issuance of proclamations. (30 minutes)]

WHEN YOU COME TO THE PODIUM STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD. OUR FIRST SPEAKER TONIGHT IS

BRIAN HITE. >> SPEAKER: I AM SORRY ONE MORE THING JUST SO YOU KNOW. WE WON'T BE COMMENTING ON ANY OF THESE UNTIL WE DELIBERATE 3E AT A LATER TIME.

I AM SORRY BRIAN. GO AHEAD.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS BRIAN HITE AND I RESIDE AT.

[INDISCERNABLE] SECOND, THE MONTH OF JUNE IS GAY PRIDE MONTH ALONG WITH THE LIGHTING TOWER LIGHTING IN THERE HONOR.

I AM GRATEFUL THAT I AM ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN A DEMOCRACY WHERE MY VOICE CAN BE HEARD AND NOT STIFLED.

I DO SO HUMBLY AND WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE.

I'M ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO DID RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCLAMATION ON JUNE 2.

MY HEART WAS HEAVILY BURDENED AND GRIEVED AT THE NEWS OF THE PROCLAMATION ON JUNE 2. ONE OF MY HEROES, DOCTOR EDWIN LEWIS COLE SAYS THIS. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN SILENCE IS

[01:45:03]

I AM IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH MY COLLEAGUES WHO SPOKE ON JUNE 2 AGAINST MAKING THIS A CITYWIDE PROCLAMATION AND I AM IN COMPLETE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE WATER TOWER LIGHTING.

AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST I AM COMMANDED TO LOVE EVERYONE.

THOSE WHO I AGREE WITH AND THOSE WHO I DO NOT AND I DO MY BEST TO DO THIS EVERY DAY. I DO DISAGREE WITH SOME OF THE CHOICES THAT PEOPLE MAKE AND MAYOR, I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH YOUR DECISION TO GO ALONG WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL . BY MAKING THIS A CITYWIDE PROCLAMATION LUMPED US ALL GATHER IN AGREEMENT WITH THE LGBTQ+ LIFESTYLE AND I'M NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH IT.

I RECOGNIZE THAT I WILL PROBABLY LOSE FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS FOR SPEAKING WITH WHAT I DO AND DO NOT AGREE WITH REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE THINKS OR SAYS IN THIS ROOM WATCHES ONLINE IT IS POSSIBLE TO DISAGREE WITHOUT HATING SOMEONE. JESUS DID IT AND I DO, TOO.

THE SCRIPTURE IS MY STANDARD FOR LIVING AND HIS WORD IS CLEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT SEXUAL IMMORALITY IN ANY FORM IS NEVER CONDONED OR CELEBRATED.

IT IS NEVER PROMOTED IN HIS WORD AS WELL AND I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO RESCIND THIS PROCLAMATION AND ALL FURTHER PROCLAMATIONS THAT NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL . CORNERSTONE HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOVE ALL THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT HEAR THE STRONG DISAGREEMENT DOES NOT CHANGE OUR LOVE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AS WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE. WE WILL LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND LOVE THOSE WITH WHOM WE DISAGREE WITH I'M TOLD THAT IF I WANT TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY I SHOULD SELL ICE CREAM.

THERE'S NO ONE AMONG US IN LEADERSHIP THAT DESIRE THAT AND THAT IS TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. FOR MYSELF I HAVE NO ICE CREAM TO SELF. IN OVER 30 YEARS OF MINISTRY 20 OF THOSE HERE IN ROWLETT IS THAT I PLEASE GOD AND NOT MAN.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR: OKAY, HANG ON EVERYONE. I HAVE NEVER USED THIS IN MY ENTIRE TENURE AND I'M GOING TO USE IT TONIGHT.

I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE YOU GOT UP THERE BRIAN AND I APOLOGIZE. WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE SPEAK AND MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER AND BE RESPECTFUL.

I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO CLAP AND MAKE NOISE.

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE RESPECTFULLY DON'T DO THAT.

LET'S GO SPEAKER TO SPEAKER. IF YOU HEAR THIS, THAT MEANS YOU ARE NOT DOING WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS DIANA MOORE.

>> SPEAKER: DIANA MOORE CHAIR OF THE ROWLETT EXCLUSION COMMISSION I AM FROM ROWLETT AND I PREFER NOT TO STATE MY ADDRESS. THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION WAS GREETED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO FOSTER INCLUSION IN ROWLETT AND ENGAGE OUR DIVERSE POPULATION IN THE CITY GOVERNANCE. IN SERVICE OF THAT CHARGE THE RDI SEE REQUEST OF THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNE 2021 AS LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT AS WELL AS THE CORRESPONDING LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER WHICH IS ALLOWED IN THE CONJUNCTION OF THE PROCLAMATION IN THE EXISTING WATER TOWER LIGHTING POLICY.

THIS IS CRITICAL TO THE MISSION BECAUSE THEY SHINE A LIGHT ON GROUPS THAT OFTEN FEEL FEARED IN DOUBLE SPACES AND IT SAYS THAT WE AS A CITY SEE THEM AND WELCOME THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CITY DISCOURSE. UNFORTUNATELY WITH THIS AGENDA ITEM THE COUNCIL IS SITTING OPPOSITE MESSAGE.

THAT INITIAL JOY FROM BEING ACKNOWLEDGED HAS TURNED TO HER AND I THANK YOU WILL HEAR THAT FROM THE COMMUNITY TONIGHT.

THE RDI SEE WANTS TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL TO ENHANCE ROWLETT FOR ALL OF THE CITY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

LAST JUNE THE COMMISSION DECIDED TO FORGO THE REQUEST TO LIKE THE WATER TOWER IN THE RESPECT OF THE WISHES OF THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A WATER LIGHTING POLICY.

THEY HAD A REVIEW OF THE POLICY AND SUBMITTED THE RECOMMENDATION LAST SEPTEMBER BEING THE COUNCIL AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE CONCERNS TO US PRIOR TO THE RECENT LIGHTING REQUEST WHICH I MENTIONED BEFORE IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTIN POLICY.

YOU POINTED US TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORK WE ARE DOING COULD CAUSE TENSION BUT WE WELCOME IT ESPECIALLY WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WE ASK IN THESE MOMENTS YOU

[01:50:01]

>> MAYOR: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRIAN CAHILL.

>> SPEAKER: HELLO. MY NAME FOR THE RECORD IS RYAN KALIL. MY ADDRESS IS 215 RIVERFRONT AVENUE, GARLAND, TEXAS, 75050 I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY IT IS A TEMPORARY RESIDING GRADE I AM A ROWLETT RESIDENT AND MOVING BACK INTO ROWLETT APPROXIMATELY IN OCTOBER.

GOOD EVENING COUNCILMEMBERS. YOU MAY KNOW ME AS A MEMBER OF THE ROWLETT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION.

MANY OF MY PEERS ARE HERE TODAY.

HOWEVER TODAY I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND A REGISTERED VOTER OF ROWLETT FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS. LET ME START BY SAYING THAT ROWLETT IS GROWING. IT IS BECOMING MORE DIVERSE BY THE DAY. DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS OR THE PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION THAT IDENTIFIES AS LGBTQ+ BUT I KNOW WE EXIST IN THE COMMUNITY AND WERE NOT THAT HARD TO FIND.

WHICH IS WHY THE WORK THAT THE RDI SEE IS DOING WITH THE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEARCH FOR NEW HOME.

THE REACTION TO THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER WAS HURTFUL AND SHAMEFUL. THE RAINBOW FLAG IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A SYMBOL OF PRIDE, INCLUSION AND SUPPORT SOCIAL MOVEMENTS THAT ADVOCATE FOR LGBTQ+ PEOPLE AND HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT WHICH HAS SEEN MANY GAINS IN THE LAST DECADE IN THE FORM OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND ACCEPTANCE SOME OF WHICH WE CELEBRATED IN THE BODY OF LAST MEETINGS PROCLAMATION DID HOWEVER, THE LGBTQ+ COMMITTEE HAS SEEN A CLASH IN EXTREME LEVELS OF VIOLENCE, DETERMINATION AND CURRENTLY AN EPIDEMIC OF ANTI-LGBTQ+ PLUS DISCRIMINATORY LAWS THAT ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE STATE AND AS WE ARE WITNESSING HERE TODAY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR ROWLETT.

MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE COUNCIL ARE STILL UNDER THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT THIS CITY IS A SMALL TOWN OF POPULATION 1000 AND HOME TO A HOMOGENOUS GROUP OF STRAIGHT, WHITE, CHRISTIAN, NONDISABLED PEOPLE.HIS COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. WE WILL KNOW MORE ONCE THE CENSUS NUMBERS COME OUT BUT RECENT POPULATION PROJECTIONS HAVE US AT NEARLY 70,000 STRONG AND NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION IS NONWHITE. THIS CULTURE WAR IS HURTING EVERYBODY. I RECOMMEND RETHINKING IT.

TERMINATION IS BAD FOR BUSINESS WHICH IN TURN INHIBITS OUR GROWTH. THIS IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DEMONSTRATED DISCRIMINATORY POLICIES.

ALL CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS BE ASKED SUCH AS LIGHTING THE WATER TOWER NORMALIZES THE EXISTENCE OF OTHER COMMITTEES IN ROWLETT. THIS IS A TOUGH CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE HAVE PURPOSELY CHOSEN NOT TO HAVE IT BEFORE BUT IF WE LIKE THE TOWER EVERY YEAR BECOMES A MUNDANE AND NORMAL PART OF ROWLETT LIFE AND THAT IS THE POINT . WHAT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT DOING THESE KINDS OF THINGS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF CREATING PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY FOR INDIVIDUALS NOT ONLY TO LIVE BUT TO THRIVE IN ROWLETT.

CREATING ASININE POLICIES TO TIE THE RDIC HANDS AND THE MAYOR'S HANDS AS A PROCLAMATION AND A REACTIONARY FEELING OF

HEARING THE WORD PRIDE IS B&. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER AND IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED TO ME AND I WILL TAKE THAT UP. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS CHARLES WRIGHT. THE SPEAKER AFTER CHARLES IS

SARAH EMMETT WITT EO. >> SPEAKER: I AM CHARLES WRIGHT I LIVE ON MUNICH DRIVE IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

I HAVE LIVED IN ROWLETT NOW FOR 22 YEARS.

I HAVE A LARGE FAMILY. LIKE MANY FOLKS MY FAMILY HAS BEEN TOUCHED WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE THINKING DIFFERENT THINGS. AND I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF IT. BUT I LOVE THEM AND THEY ARE MY FAMILY. I DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT EVEN AMERICA DOES. I FEEL LIKE YOU CANNOT LEGISLATE HOLINESS. THAT IS AN ACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO DO. AND ALL OF US, WE ONLY GET 24 HOURS A DAY. YOU CAN'T BUY ANY, HE CAN'T FIND ANY, CAN'T STEELE ANY . 24 HOURS A DAY.

[01:55:02]

YOU WILL WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE 30 SECONDS TO TEND TO IT.

TEND TO IT WHILE YOU BREATHE IT.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU. SARAH AND THEN AFTER SARAH IS JR -I NEVER SAY YOUR NAME RIGHT BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS SIMILAR TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE PASTORS LAST WEEK IT IS THREE EA REQUEST TO THE COUNCIL TO CHANGE THE REQUEST TO THE

PROCLAMATION? >> MAYOR: RE- HE IS THE DISCUSSION OF THE TOWER LIGHTING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF

A PROCLAMATION POLICY. >> SPEAKER: DOES THAT FALL UNDER THE DECLARATION OF A CELEBRATION DOES THE PROCLAMATION FALL UNDER CELEBRATION?

>> MAYOR: I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SO MOVE

FORWARD WITH YOUR COMMENTS. >> SPEAKER: BRIAN IF YOU CAN PULL UP SOME OF THE DECORATIONS IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO DEBATE AFTER THE END OF THE SESSION MY NAME IS SARAH AND I LIVE AT 6313 SAN MARINO DRIVE. IN MARINERS COVE IN ROWLETT.

I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE FACT THAT I AM UNAWARE THAT THE COUNCIL AMENDED THE DECK WIDEFINITION OF CITIZEN.

I THINK A COUPLE MEMBERS WERE NOT MEMBERS LAST WEEK.

SOME WOULD LIKE TO WIPE THEIR COMMENT FROM THEIR MINDS I LIKE TO START WITH THAT. I AM A CARD-CARRYING MEMBER OF THE ULTIMATE COMMUNITY IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HANDSHAKE I WILL BE OUTSIDE. FULL DISCLOSURE IT HAS BEEN UNIVERSALLY ADOPTED AS AN ELBOW BUMP FOR COVID AND IT IS A SUPERSHORT LESSON. AS A PART OF THESE APOLOGIES, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ADVOCATING FOR ECCLESIASTIC LAW. YOU ARE BOUND BY HOME RULE TO REPRESENT THE GOVERNMENT. IF VOCABULARY WAS NOT YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT CIVIL MEANS ESTABLISHED BY THE SOCIETY PERTAINING TO ALL CITIZENS. ECCLESIASTIC ON THE OTHER HAND MEANS INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS CANON.

YOU CAN REFER TO IT AS BIBLICAL LAW, SHARIA LAW, DEPENDING ON YOUR INTERPRETATION THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PASTORS THAT CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT. SINCE CIVIL LAW APPLIES I ASKED THE MAYOR FOR THE CITY CELEBRATIONS THIS IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED IN HOME RULE. I COULD NOT FIND ANYWHERE WHERE U.S. COUNCILMEMBERS WERE ENCOURAGED TO APPROACH PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY TO FIGHT FOR OPINIONS OR THINGS YOU FIND THAT AFFECT ME AS A ROWLETT CITIZEN.

I WAS ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING THAT MAY APPLY AND IT FALLS UNDER THE CODE OF ETHICS AND WRONGFUL INFLUENCE.

I WOULD PREFER THAT YOU STICK TO ROWLETT CITIZENS AND THINKING ABOUT ROWLETT CELEBRATIONS.

MAYOR, I SEE PRIDE AS A CELEBRATION.

PRIDE CELEBRATES THE RIGHTS THAT I HAVE HAD TO FIGHT FOR FOR FEDERAL PROTECTION, CONSTITUTIONAL REDUCTION, CIVIL PROTECTION FAMILIAR PROTECTION FOR MY WIFE AND CHILD.

THAT IS WHAT PRIDE IS ABOUT. THAT IS WHY LIGHTING THE TOWER MATTERS AND THAT'S WHY WE CELEBRATE IT AND CELEBRATE OTHER HISTORICAL AND CIVIL HE RECOGNIZED WAS TO BE EVENTS IN OUR SOCIETY. I ALSO WANT TO APOLOGIZE QUICKLY TO ALL THE CONGREGATIONS AND PASTORS WHO CHOSE TO SPEAK HERE LAST WEEK. I WANT THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT CHANGE IS HARD. BEING THOUGHT OF AS DIFFERENT IS HARD. IF THEY LOOK AT THIS THEIR PEERS MAY JUDGE THEM FOR EATING PORK.

YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO STOP SHAVING.

IF YOU ARE A FEMALE PASTOR OR CONGREGANT MEMBER THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR ON YOU BEING SILENT AND ALL CHURCH MATTERS.

IN THE FIRST CORINTHIANS. ALSO THERE'S PRETTY SEVERE PENALTIES FOR LOOKING OR DREAMING ON REDFIN OR THE LOW SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR ONLINE BEHAVIORS AS WELL.

B&. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JR AND THEN

AFTER THAT MIKE BRITTON. >> SPEAKER: [INDISCERNABLE]

[02:00:06]

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A SUCH THING AS AN LGBTQ+ LIFESTYLE.

THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT A LIFESTYLE THAT IS CHOSEN BUT THE REALITY THAT YOU DON'T CONFORM TO THE SIMPLISTIC BINARIES THAT COME MINUS. PRIDE MEANS WE SEE YOU AND CELEBRATE YOUR DIVERSITY. THEY SAY THE BIBLE CREATED MALE AND FEMALE. ARE YOU GREATER THAN GO GOD CREATED NIGHT AND DAY BUT WE BELIEVE THAT DOG CREATED DESK AND DON. GOD CREATED ALL KINDS OF CREATURES . WHEN THE BIBLE TALKS AS GOD AS A CREATOR IT DOES NOT PUT THEM IN A BOX BUT TALKS OF HIS IN LESS CREATIVITY. OUR DUTY CITIZENS ARE OF THE SAME LOVING CRAFTSMANSHIP. ACKNOWLEDGING PRIDE MONTH MEANS YOU ARE SEEN AND APPRECIATED. WE DO NOT HATE ANYONE BUT I TELL YOU PRIDE MONTH EXISTS BECAUSE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DO SO MUCH HARM. FOR EXAMPLE AS BT CHILDREN AND TEENS ARE AMONG OUR MOST VULNERABLE.

A STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN SAID THAT USING TRANSGENDER PRONOUNS INCREASES SUICIDE BY 65 PERCENT.

WE CANNOT SAY WE LOVE THEM WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR PERSONHOOD. ACKNOWLEDGING PRIDE MONTH MEANS WE SEE YOU, HERE YOU AND WANT YOU TO LIVE.

THEY SAY THE SCRIPTURE IS CLEAR.LGBTQ+ LIFESTYLE IS A SIN. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ ALL THE PASSAGES BUT I REFERENCE SODOM AND GOMORRAH.WO ANGELS SURROUND HIS HOUSE AND DEMAND THE TWO STRANGERS BE SENT OUT TO HAVE SEX WITH THEM. HE REFUSES AND THEN SAID TO THE CITY THAT GOD DESTROYS THEM. THIS STORY HAS BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES TO VILIFY THE COMMUNITY BUT IS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE THE SIN OF SODOM? HERE IS THE PROPHET EZEKIEL.

THIS WAS THE CENTER OF YOUR SISTER SHE AND HER DAUGHTERS WERE ARROGANT AND UNDERFED THEY DID NOT HELP THE POOR AND NEEDY BUT THEY DID DETESTABLE THINGS BEFORE ME THEREFORE IT DID AWAY WITH IT. THE SIN OF SODOM WAS NOT GAY SEX THEY JUST EXPLODED THE PVULNERABLE LIKE THE TRAVELING STRANGERS. THE LIFESTYLE CHOICE THAT GOD JUDGES US TO KEEP OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LIKE US.

ACKNOWLEDGING PRIDE MONTH AS I SEE YOU, AND YOU BELONG HERE.

THEY SAY PRIDE PROCLAMATION IS DIVISIVE THAT I TELL YOU THAT ELDER BEATTY CITIZENS ARE AMONG US.

OUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, PARENTS AND CHILDREN.

OUR STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS.

TO CELEBRATE THEIR LIFE INDIGNITY IS NOT TO DIVIDE.

BUT IT IS IF YOU PRETEND THEY DON'T EXIST OR DENY THE WAY THEY WERE CREATED TO ACCOMMODATE PREJUDICE.

MADAM MAYOR AND COUNCIL PERSONS YOU HAVE HEARD THAT THE PROCLAMATION DOES NOT ALIGN WITH ROWLETT'S VALUES.

I SAY WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT IDEA.

WE VALUE HOSPITALITY THAT IS NOT UNIFORM AND CELEBRATE ALL CITIZENS NOT JUST THE ONES THAT LOOK AND THINK LIKE US.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MIKE BRITTON AND THEN AFTER MIKE IS

PASTOR HUDDLESTON. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU. MY NAME IS MIKE WRITTEN. I AM ACTUALLY SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF PASTOR COLE HICKOK WHOSE ON BUSINESS TRAVEL TONIGHT. I WILL READ FAST.

SO, HAVING LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES, HAVING LISTENED TO BOTH SIDES THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION FROM JUNE 1, 2021 I WANT TO OFFER IN ALTERNATIVE IDEA AND INCLUSION THAT RESPECTS ALL BELIEFS, ALL LIFESTYLES AND ALL RESIDENTS.

SOMETHING I BELIEVE HAD GOOD INTENTIONS WITH THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION BUT HAS DIVIDED THE CITY.

I WANT TO DO MY PART TO BE A BRIDGE BUILDER WHO IS PART OF THE SOLUTION WITHOUT VIOLATING MY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

ADMITTEDLY I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS CORRECTLY FORMATTED FOR A RESOLUTION OR PROCLAMATION AS I AM NOT A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WANTED TO OFFER A RESOLUTION WITH RESPECT TO ALL PEOPLE AND OUR CITY. BELOW IS MY RESOLUTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER FOR CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION.

WHEREAS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT SHARE THE SAME BELIEFS THOUGHTS OR VALUES WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT EVERY PERSON DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE, LOVED, VALUED AND RESPECTED. WHEREAS ROWLETT IS A DIVERSE POPULATION WITH DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES, ORIENTATIONS AND SEXUAL PREFERENCES WHEREAS ROWLETT HAS A DIVERSE POPULATION OF POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND WHEREAS EVERY RESIDENT IN THE CITY DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT PROCLAIMS THE MONTH OF JUNE 2021 AS UNITY AND RESPECT MONTH FOR ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHAT DIVIDES US, ACKNOWLEDGING ALL PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT ARE VALUABLE TO OUR CITY

[02:05:01]

>> MAYOR: THE NEXT SPEAKER IS PASTOR KASON HUDDLESTON AND AFTER HIM WILL BE BRIAN HIATT. YOU ALREADY SPOKE.

I AM CONFUSED. HANG ON JUST A SECOND PASTOR, BRIAN, ARE YOU GOING TO SPEAK DURING CITIZEN INPUT OR ARE YOU DONE? AFTER CASON WILL BE DEBORAH'S

GENDER. >> SPEAKER: PASTOR HUDDLESTON IN ROWLETT. I HAVE SERVED OUR CHURCH AND THE WONDERFUL CITY FOR 18 YEARS.

I ALONG WITH THE ELDERS AND LEADERSHIP IN THE MEMBERS OF FREEDOM PLACE CHURCH STAND IN COMPLETE OPPOSITION OF THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION MAKING JUNE PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT AS WELL AS THE USE OF CITY FUNDS OR PROPERTY IN THE CELEBRATION OF PRIDE MONTH INCLUDING THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER. MAYOR, I REALLY WISH I HAD A GAVEL LIKE YOU HAVE SO I COULD KNOCK IT ON THIS PODIUM TONIGHT BECAUSE I REALLY THANK YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO. THE MAYOR SADDENS ME THAT YOU INTENTIONALLY CHOSE TO SOLELY OVERSTEP YOUR AUTHORITY I MISS USING AND ABUSING YOUR MAYORAL POWER AND EFFORT TO ENFORCE ON THE CITY A CONTROVERSIAL AGENDA THAT IS NOT SUPPORTED THE MAJORITY OF THE ROWLETT RESIDENCE.

MAYOR, COUNCIL, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT, ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT FEEL SAFE AND ARE SAFE, PROTECTED, VALUED AND RESPECTED. LIGHTING A WATER TOWER AND MAKING A PROCLAMATION DOES NOT FACILITATE THAT HEAR THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT IS ACHIEVED.

IT IS YOUR ELECTRIC CHARGE, ELECTED CHARGE TO MAKE US FEEL SAFE NOT TO PUSH A SEXUAL PREFERENCE THAT IS CULTURALLY DIVISIVE. THE COUNCIL WAS VOTED IN BY THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT. THEY NEED TO REPRESENT AND MAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE MAJORITY OF THE ROWLETT CITIZENS NOT A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTS NOR ROWLETT IS PROVIDENCE OWNERS NOR COMMUNITY LEADERS.

COUNSEL, PLEASE RESEND THIS PROCLAMATION AND ALSO CHANGE THE CITY'S WATER TOWER LIGHTING POLICY AND PROCLAMATIONS TO A MAJORITY DECISION INSTEAD OF ONE SOLELY BY THE MAYOR OF THIS CITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR: DEBORAH'S GENDER AND THEN AFTER DEBORAH WILL BE MARVIN I THINK IT SAYS LEE. I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

>> SPEAKER: HELLO AGAIN MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

I WILL PREFACE MY REMARKS WITH A STIPULATION THAT I AM OLD AND SOME OF MY REMARKS MIGHT BE THOUGHT TO BE A LITTLE

OLD-FASHIONED. >> MAYOR: CAN YOU GIVE YOUR

NAME AND ADDRESS? >> SPEAKER: DEBORAH SCHINDLER 3009 SUNRISE DRIVE. I THOUGHT YOU HAD IT MEMORIZED BY NOW. ANYWAY, I WAS TAUGHT MANY YEARS AGO THAT SEX AND RELIGION ARE TWO THINGS THAT YOU NEVER WANT TO TALK ABOUT IN PUBLIC AT LEAST IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR FRIENDS. AND YET, HERE WE ARE TONIGHT WITH A LOT OF IMPASSIONED RHETORIC ABOUT SEXUALITY AND RELIGION AND THEY SEEM TO BE STEMMING FROM THE PROCLAMATION THAT WAS ISSUED AT THE LAST MEETING ON JUNE 1. WHAT I AND MY OLD-FASHIONED WAY OF THINKING DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW DID THE COLOR OF THE LIGHTS ON THE WATER TOWER, HILL TO DIE ON ANYONE ON EITHER SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.HIS CITY FACES A LOT OF IMPORTANT ISSUES AND TO ME I DON'T SEE HOW THAT IS ONE OF THEM. FRANKLY SCARLETT, I DON'T GIVE A DARN. THE CITY COUNCIL WANTS TO LIGHT UP THE WATER TOWER IN RED WHITE AND BLUE, INCORPORATED AND PURPLE OR ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW.

I LIKE RAINBOWS. RAINBOWS ARE PRETTY.

RAINBOWS SYMBOLIZE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THROUGHOUT HISTORY. YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE OF JUDEO-CHRISTIAN FAITH YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RAINBOW AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS GOD'S PROMISE.

IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE SPT COMMUNITY YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AND SEE A SYMBOL OF DIVERSITY. AND THOSE TWO THINGS ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, EITHER. YOU CAN LOVE GOD AND YOU CAN LOVE DIVERSITY AT THE SAME TIME.

I DO. SO LIGHT UP THE TOWER LIGHTS I DON'T CARE. WHO YOU LOVE, THAT'S NOT MY BUSINESS. SOMETHING THAT DOES CONCERN ME ARE THE ACCUSATIONS I HAVE HEARD THAT THE MAYOR ISSUED THE

[02:10:02]

[INDISCERNABLE] BY THE CITY BONDS ISSUED WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER AND SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. THAT BEGS THE QUESTION, WAS THIS PROCLAMATION AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY COUNCIL? APPARENTLY, BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE HEARD, NOT.

SHOULD ALL PROCLAMATIONS BE AUTHORIZED BY COUNCIL MAJORITY? IF NOT WHY NOT? MAY ORAL PROCLAMATIONS ARE NOT UNUSUAL ANYTHING PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

MY RESEARCH SHOWS THERE ARE A LOT OF CITIES THAT HAVE POLICIES STATING THAT THE MAYOR MAY ISSUE PROCLAMATIONS WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON PART OF THE COUNCIL.

SOME OTHER CITIES REQUIRE COUNCIL APPROVAL AND SOME HAVE RULES THAT PROCLAMATIONS THAT ADDRESS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES ARE PROHIBITED. THE KEY HERE IS THAT THEY HAVE POLICIES. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL WE HAVE A WATER TOWER LIGHTING POLICY BUT WE DON'T HAVE A PROCLAMATION POLICY. I THINK WITH SOME OF THE UPSET

AND CONTROVERSY B&. >> MAYOR: I'M SORRY YOUR TIME IS UP. ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS MARVIN LEE AND THEN AFTER MR. LEE IS

ASHLEY SANDERS. >> SPEAKER: I AM MARVIN LEE I LIVE AT 4302 ASPEN DRIVE. I AM DIRECTLY BEHIND THE APARTMENT COMPLEX. I HAVE BEEN HERE IN ROWLETT SINCE 1972. I HAVE ENJOYED MY PLACE HERE.

I FEEL LIKE I AM PART OF THE TOWN AND THE TOWN IS PART OF ME. I THINK OUR CITY SHOULD SUPPORT ALL OF IT'S CITIZENS. AND THEY CAN'T SUPPORT ALL OF THEM THE SAME WAY, EACH ONE IS DIFFERENT AND HAS THEIR OWN DESIRES OR WANTS, LIKES AND DISLIKES.

I THINK WE SHOULD SUPPORT ALL OF THEM AND SHOW THE SUPPORT WHEN WE CAN. WHEN WE HAVE A GROUP THAT IS HERE WITH US THAT HAS KNOWN PERSECUTION AND BIAS AND PREJUDICE THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES, READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS. THAT GROUP IS FINALLY REACHING A POINT OF LIBERTY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE A FREE LIFE TO WALK AMONG US, TOO BE A PART OF US AND ONE OF US AS THEY SHOULD BE, I THINK WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE BATTLE THAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH TO GET TO THAT POINT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, FINALLY, I CAN'T BE OR DELIVER ENOUGH PERSUASIVE RHETORIC TO CHANGE ONE'S MIND PERHAPS BUT PUT ME ON THE TALLY SHEET OF SUPPORTING THE RAINBOW LIGHTING

OF THE WATER TOWER. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU MR. LEE.

PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE. ASHLEY SANDERS AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ONE MORE SPEAKER BEFORE WE START THE REGULAR MEETING. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ASHLEY AND TONY HUTTON AND THEN TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND START OUR

REGULAR MEETING. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ASHLEY SANDERS KIT I AM AN LG BT BUSINESS OWNER.

I LIVE AT 306 LILY LANE. THAT IS IN 5089.

I CAME TO STATE SOME FACTS AND OPINIONS. DON'T HAVE FANCY WORDS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. BECAUSE I AM PRETTY BASIC.

BUT I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE ON JUNE 12 2016 AT THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA. 49 PEOPLE WERE KILLED 56 WERE WOUNDED AND ONE WAS LOUIS THE ALMA.2 YEARS OLD.

HIS SISTER IS ACTUALLY A ROWLETT CITIZEN.

MY NEXT POINT, I AM NERVOUS. IT'S MY FIRST TIME.

PASTOR CASTEN HUDDLESTON, I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS HERE.

I WATCHED YOUR VIDEO. I WATCHED YOU SPOKE LAST TIME.

WHAT BOTHERED ME IS YOUR WORDS WHAT GOD MEANT FOR GOOD IS NOW TURNED TO EVIL WITH THE GAY PRIDE RAINBOW.

MY COMMENT IS THAT IS WHO ARE YOU TO CALL ANYONE EVIL? PRISONERS ARE BROUGHT TO GOD EVERY DAY THAT DO HORRENDOUS THINGS AND YOU ARE CALLING THE PRIDE FLAG EVIL.

I DON'T LIKE THAT. PASTOR COLE HITCHCOCK, THEY SAY THE LIFESTYLE IS A SIN AND NOT ACKNOWLEDGING GOD'S PRESENCE.

GOD IS WITH ME EVERY DAY EVERYBODY.

EVERY DAY. FUN FACT.

THE CDC SAYS, THIS IS A REALLY FUN BUT I WROTE THAT.

[02:15:05]

WE ARE TALKING KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 17.

14 PERCENT SAID THEY HAD A PLAN TO DO IT.

WHEN IT CAME TO THE LGBTQ+ 42 PERCENT CONSIDERED SUICIDE.

THE LGBTQ+ YOUTH IS FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE THAN HETEROSEXUAL YOUTH. BELIEVE THAT THE CHURCH AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SEPARATED. ONE THING THAT I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IS THAT EVERYBODY IS ACCEPTED.

I HAVE BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER SINCE 25 YEARS OLD.

I HAVE BEEN GAY SINCE EIGHTH GRADE YEAR NOTHING CAN STOP ME.

I RESIDE IN ROWLETT . MY BUSINESS IS IN ROWLETT AND 80 PERCENT OF MY CLIENTS ARE FROM ROWLETT.

I WOULD GLADLY, HONESTLY, IF IT GETS CRAZY HERE, I WILL MOVE TO ROCKWALL! THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY! I WILL PUT MY TAXES OVER THERE! [APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

>> MAYOR: THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF FUNNY.

[LAUGHTER] I HAVE TO SAY.

OKAY. MR. HUTTON YOU WILL BE THE LAST SPEAKER AND THEN WE WILL DO THE OTHER PROCESS.

GO AHEAD. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS TONY HUTTON I LIVE AT 1001 LAKE STARROW DRIVE IN ROWLETT.

I HAVE BEEN A REGISTERED VOTING CITIZEN SINCE 2008.

SO, MY THING IS, I DON'T GET INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THIS BUT WASN'T THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN AT THIS LEVEL? IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS ALL A BIG REALLY JUST RELIGIOUS DEBATE. REALLY, DOES ANYONE CARE WHAT THE COLOR OF THE WATER TOWER IS? IF WE CAN JUST SHOW ONE SMALL THING LIKE THAT SHOW A LARGE GROUP THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED? I WANT THEIR TAXES! [LAUGHTER] I REALLY THINK THAT THIS HAS BECOME A RELIGIOUS BIPOLAR SEPARATE EVERYBODY BECAUSE OF THEIR ISSUES . LET'S LOOK AT THE ISSUE AT HAND AND REALLY THE COLOR OF THE WATER TOWER.

I WANT TO GO ON RECORD AS A VOTING CITIZEN THAT I AM VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER.

I REALLY WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT GOING TO CHURCH DOES NOT MAKE YOU A CHRISTIAN ANY MORE THAN GOING TO MCDONALD'S MAKES YOU A BIG MAC. REMEMBER THAT! BIT OF A BREAK AND THEN WE WILL START UP OUR REGULAR MEETING.

THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE ASKED TO TALK ON ITEM 3E AT 1POINTI WILL READ YOUR NAME AND YOU CAN DECIDE TO TALK AT CITIZEN INPUT OR YOU CAN WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE MEETING AND TALK AT 3E.

IT CAN BE YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE.

FIVE MINUTE BREAK COUNSEL.WANT? WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR THE LAST COUNCILMAN TO JOIN US IN GOING TO SAY THIS ONE MORE TIME. I'M NOW GOING TO GO THROUGH 3E.

I'M GOING TO CALL THE NAME COME UP AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS.

IF FOR SOME STRANGE REASON YOU WANT TO STAY UNTIL LATER ON IN THE NIGHT AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS AND I WILL HAVE YOU SAY JUST GIVE THEM LATER. DAVID MILLER I THINK? I CAN'T TELL FOR SURE. NICOLE MILLER FOLLOWED BY DEBBIE REESE. IS THERE A DAVID? I CAN'T READ YOUR LAST NAME. IT MIGHT BE MILLER? ANY DAVID HERE? GOING, GOING GONE.

DEBBIE REESE FOLLOWED BY RORY CLOTH.

>> SPEAKER: DEBBIE REESE CITIZEN OF ROWLETT AND I CHOOSE

[02:20:03]

I'M VERY NERVOUS EVEN THOUGH I SPEAK DAILY IN FRONT OF LOTS OF PEOPLE. I AM A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF ROWLETT. WIFE, MOTHER, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF 20 YEARS AND ROWLETT CATALYST TEACHER.

I AM HERE TO OFFER MY VOICE AS A MOM AND TEACHER WITH THE PROCLAMATION OF PRIDE MONTH IN ROWLETT.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE MAYOR WANTING TO CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH AND WHAT IT CELEBRATES EQUAL RIGHTS AND LOVE FOR ALL IT IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND THIS IS THE MONTH TO CELEBRATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OPPRESSED FOR SO LONG.

OTHERS IN THIS COMMUNITY SAY GAY IS A LIFESTYLE CHOICE.

LGBTQ+ DO NOT GET TO CHOOSES AS AN ORIENTATION.

PRIDE MONTH IS LIFTING UP THE VOICES AND MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND CULTURE. WHEN WE CELEBRATE PRIDE WE CELEBRATE THOSE WHO ARE TOO AFRAID TO SPEAK FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS PAID FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK AND BROKE DOWN THE WALLS THAT WERE BUILT AROUND THEM AND TO SHOW THOSE THAT ARE STILL TODAY TOO AFRAID TO SPEAK THAT THEY ARE LOVED AS THEY ARE FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WHO THEY LOVE.

AS A MOTHER I SPEAK TO MY CHILDREN THAT I HOPE THEY GROW UP IN A WORLD THAT IS AND NOT FOR WHO THEY WANT TO MARRY OR WHAT GENDER PRONOUNS THEY CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES.

AS A TEACHER I SPEAK TODAY FOR THE TEENAGERS WHO ARE TOO AFRAID TO SPEAK OF WHO THEY TRULY ARE.

WHO THEY SEE IN THE MIRROR AND HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED FOR WHO THEY WERE BORN TO BE IN THIS FREE WORLD.

FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE I SPEAK BECAUSE THEY SEE OTHERS AGAINST THEM WHO BELIEVE THAT WHO THEY WANT TO LOVE IS WRONG.

AS WE HAVE SEEN FOR MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY THESE PAST WEEKS.

THEY ARE AFRAID THAT THEIR VOICE WON'T BE HEARD.

CAN YOU IMAGINE IF YOU WERE OSTRACIZED FOR WHO YOU LOVE AND PARTNERED WITH? THIS IS HOW THEY HAVE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES. I PRAY THAT THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION CAN BE SEEN AND HEARD AND NOT SILENCED.

WHAT HE LEARNED FROM A CHRISTIAN IS THAT I AM A SINNER AND IT'S GOD'S DECISION TO JUDGE.

IF GOD JUDGED YOU AS A CHRISTIAN TODAY WOULD HE SAY YOU FAILED HIM? YOU THEN WHY DO YOU JUDGE YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER OR WHY DO YOU TREAT THEM WITH CONTENT OR WE WILL STAND BEFORE GOD'S JUDGMENT SEAT.

IT IS WRITTEN SO SAY THE LORD EVERYONE WHO BOWS BEFORE ME WHO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD SO THAT EACH OF US WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF OURSELVES TO GOD. I WOULD LIKE TO GO ON WITH THAT BUT I WANT TO FINISH WITH THIS. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PERSON CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID THAT THIS PROCLAMATION DOES NOT ALIGN WITH ROWLETT'S VALUES.

I BEG TO DIFFER. OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS PART OF US. PART OF OUR SMALL-TOWN FEEL AND DIVERSE POPULATION. IT IS OUR TIME CELEBRATE THE GREAT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LOVE FOR ALL.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK THIS EVENING.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU DEBBIE. NEXT IS RORY CLOTH FOLLOWED BY

ORVAL MOORE. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS RORY CLOTH. I LIVE AT Q2.

I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT FOR 20 YEARS.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM PROUD TONIGHT TO BE A MAN OF GOD. A MAN OF VALUE AND CHRISTIAN MAN. THERE'S NOT A PERSON IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT THAT I WOULDN'T HELP IF I HAD THE MEANS AND ABILITY TO. THERE'S NOT A PERSON THAT I DON'T LOVE. I BELIEVE IN TWO THINGS.

I BELIEVE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 1ST AND THE LOVE OF PEOPLE AND I DO. I AM NOT UP HERE TODAY TO CHANGE ANYBODY'S MIND OF HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. I HARBOR NO ILL WILL OF ANY KIND TOWARDS ANYONE OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY OR OF ANY OTHER RELIGION OR STANCE. I DO STAND BEFORE YOU TO SAY I AM AGAINST THE PROCLAMATION FOR ONE REASON.

I AM A MENTOR TO YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN AND I DO HAVE A MORAL STANDARD BECAUSE OF MY BELIEF AND MY FAITH.

I SAW IN THE MISSION STATEMENT MY PURPOSE IS TO SERVE PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE YOU AS A CITY COUNCIL NEED TO SERVE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A MORAL STANCE.

I HAVE SOME FRIENDS WHO ARE GAY.

I DON'T AGREE WITH THEM BUT I DO LOVE THEM BUT THE MORAL STANCE I HAVE MAKES ME STAND UP TODAY AND ASK YOU TO PLEASE STAND WITH THE MAJORITY IN THE FACT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO CELEBRATE THIS TO OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE UPCOMING.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG WOMEN OF THIS COMMUNITY.

NONE OF YOU KNOW ME BUT I DID VOTE FOR SOME OF YOU AND SOME

[02:25:03]

I'M JUST SAYING WE SHOULDN'T CELEBRATE THAT TO THE FACT THAT WE WOULD BRING OUR CHILDREN AND SAY LET'S CELEBRATE THIS.

YOU CELEBRATE A LOT OF THINGS. WE ARE FLAGS FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE DON'T PUT UP IN CELEBRATE.

I ASK YOU ALL TO STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

FOR ME AND MYSELF AND THE MANY MEN THAT I REPRESENT FROM OUR CHURCH, WE STAND FOR THAT. WE STAND FOR WHAT WE ARE AS A FAITH WERE NOT GOING TO CELEBRATE IT TO OUR CHILDREN.

I THINK ALL OF Y'ALL FOR STANDING STRONG FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. WE THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND

GOD BLESS. >> MAYOR: THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ORVAL MOORE FOLLOWED BY BO POLEI.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ORVAL MOORE.

I'M A PROUD CITIZEN OF ROWLETT. I HAVE SEEN IT DEVELOP INTO SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WAS GREAT.

EVERYBODY HERE HAS A FREE WILL. EVERYBODY HAS A FREE WILL IN THIS PLACE. TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY BELIEVE, WHO THEY BELIEVE IN AND WHY THEY BELIEVE.

WE ALL SAID IT A WHILE AGO. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. EVERYONE OF US.

Y'ALL ARE THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY.

Y'ALL ARE OUR VOICE. SO Y'ALL SPEAK OUT FOR US.

I LOVE THIS CITY. I LOVE WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

FOR GOING TO SHOW HONOR, LET'S SHOW HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO STOOD FOR THE FLAG.

SHOW THAT. SHOW THE BLOOD ON THE FLAT WHERE SOMEONE HAD GIVEN OUR LIVES FOR THE LIBERTY WE HAVE TODAY IN THE FREEDOM WE HAVE TODAY THAT YOU STAND FOR LIBERTY ALL. HELP THE CITY AND NOT REFLECT ON ONE THING BUT FOR EVERYBODY. Y'ALL STAND FOR EVERYBODY.

LOWER OUR VOICE TO ALL PEOPLE AND LET THAT BE RECOGNIZE, EVERYONE OF YOU, LET THAT BE ON YOUR HEART TO STAND FOR ALL OF US UNDER TRUTH. WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU ALL. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU MR. MOORE.

BO POLEI FOLLOWED BY DUSTY KLIM.

>> SPEAKER: IS THIS GOOD? MADAM IT IS PROBABLY AS IN WANT A CRACKER. I LIVE I PROBABLY THE MOST DEBATED TOPIC I LIVED IN AN APARTMENT.

Q2 I AM ALSO A IS AS OWNER. I FOUND THIS TOPIC ABSOLUTELY MOVING TO COME BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.

MA'AM, I COMMEND YOU I COMMEND YOU FOR MAKING A MOVEMENT IN THE PROGRESS OF MY LIFESTYLE. I DIDN'T CHOOSE IT.

FOR 33 YEARS IT IS TAKEN ME A LONG TIME TO LOVE MYSELF.

LET'S TAKE A DATE THAT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT'S JUNE 4, 1919 AND REFORMED ON AUGUST. I HAVE MISSED THE DATE BUT YOU CAN LET 100 YEARS PASS AND YOU CAN SIT IN YOUR SEATS AND REPRESENT THIS COMMUNITY. 100 YEARS AGO YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE 80S. 100 YEARS AGO.

MY PATIENTS ARE 102. THEY LIVE TO SEE THIS.

100 YEARS AGO YOU COULD NOT VOTE.

TO TAKE A VIEW IN THIS ROOM OF THE WOMEN PRESENT VERY LIMITED.

VERY LIMITED PERSONS OF COLOR IN THIS ROOM.

MA'AM. USE IT IN A HEATED SPOT.

I WILL NEVER ATTACK A PERSON FOR THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN NOR SHOULD ANYONE ATTACK A PERSON FOR WHO THEY ARE.

[02:30:05]

THEY TOLD ME I WAS AN EMBARRASSMENT.

THAT TOLD ME DO NOT COME BACK. I, TOO, WAS MOLESTED IN THAT CHURCH. I STAND BEFORE YOU VERY PROUD TO BE GAY, VERY PROUD TO BE A MAN AND VERY PROUD TO HAVE RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN. THESE RIGHTS CANNOT BE INFRINGED UPON. NOT WHEN YOU SIT THERE IN YOUR SEAT AND YOUR SEAT AND GO HOME EVERY NIGHT MAKING DECISIONS FOR THIS COUNSEL. YOU ARE TO SEPARATE YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS. I OPERATE A DAY TO DAY BUSINESS THAT CARES FOR MORE PEOPLE AND IT IS IN DIRE NEED OF MORE PEOPLE THE CARE WITH THEM OPEN HEART.

YOU KNOW THE SPELLING OF MY NAME AND YOU MAY GOOGLE MY BUSINESS AND YOU WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE I STAND I AM BO

POLLY AND. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU MR. POLLY.

NEXT SPEAKER IS DUSTY KLIM FOLLOWED BY ROBERT MCCLARY.

>> SPEAKER: I AM DUSTY KLIM AND I LIVE AT 2701 BASSWOOD IN ROWLETT. I FEEL COMPELLED AFTER READING EMAILS AND LISTENING TO SOME OF YOU PEOPLE TALK ANTICIPATING ALL OF YOUR BOAT ON THIS ISSUE. WE ARE, NONE OF US THE AGE THAT OUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS ARE GOING TO WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE A BIG IT OR NOT. WE MAY NOT KNOW WHAT OUR GRANDPARENTS HAVE THOUGHT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY NANNY AND PAWPAW FELT ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS. BUT EACH OF YOUR GRANDKIDS WILL KNOW. YOUR GREAT GRANDKIDS EACH ONE OF THEM WILL KNOW AND IT'S WORTH THINKING ABOUT.

LOOK, I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO CHANGE ANY OF YOUR MINDS SOME NOT GOING TO TALK TO YOU. I'M GOING TO TALK TO A SUBSET OF PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED HERE TONIGHT.

I WANT TO TALK TO THE KIDS OF THE PASTORS WHO CAME LAST WEEK IN THE GRANDKIDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO TALKED EARLIER TONIGHT.

IF FOR SOME REASON YOU ARE OUT THERE AT 9:20 6:00 P.M. AND YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE ROWLETT COUNCIL MEETING AND YOU SIT IN THE PEWS AND YOU HEAR THE VILENESS AND BIGOTRY COMING FROM THE PULPIT I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I USED TO IT IN THAT SAME PULPIT AND I USED TO HEAR THOSE SAME THINGS.

I UNDERSTAND THE CRIPPLING DYSPHORIA AND ANGST AND ALL THE NEGATIVE CASCADE OF EMOTIONS THAT COME WHEN YOU ASK VERY SIMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT REALITY. QUESTIONS LIKE, DOES GOD EXIST? AM BY A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY? I WANT TO SAY TO YOU YOU LIVE IN A BUBBLE AND THERE IS A GRAND, WONDERFUL WORLD OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE.

YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO STICK YOUR HEAD OUT UNTIL YOU ARE 18, 19 AND YOU WANT TO LEAVE BUT I PROMISE YOU THERE ARE PEOPLE IN YOUR TOWN, RIGHT HERE, THE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU BELIEVE OR WHAT NARROW PATH YOU WANT TO WALK DOWN.

THEY DON'T CARE WHO YOU HAVE SEX WITH, THEY DON'T CARE WHAT POSITION YOU DO IT IN, WITH WHO YOU DO IT WITH AND HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU DO IT AT ONE-TIME OR HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU DO OVER A LIFETIME. NONE OF THEM CARE BECAUSE THEY VALUE YOU AS A HUMAN BEING. THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.

INSIDE YOUR BUBBLE IT IS NASTY AND I UNDERSTAND IT.

IT IS HATE FILLED, IT IS SANCTIFIED AND YOU ARE IN THE BUBBLE BUT IF YOU TAKE A STEP OUT I PROMISE YOU THE PEOPLE IN THE BUBBLE MIGHT NOT LOVE YOU. THEY MAY REJECT YOU AND TURN THEIR BACK ON YOU. I LIVE AT.

>> MAYOR: ROBERT THE CARRIER FOLLOWED BY PASTOR BARNEY HUGHEY. HANG ON.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ROBERT THE CARRIER.

[02:35:09]

I CAME HERE TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT -I HEARD ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO COME AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT ALL OF THAT. WE HAD A LOT TO FIGURE OUT WHEN WE STARTED THAT COMMISSION. WHAT WERE WE ABOUT? WHAT ARE WE TO DO? AND WHAT WAS IT REALLY MEANT TO DO FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND HOW WILL WE GO ABOUT THEM? THAT WASN'T AN EASY TASK. SO, AS WE STARTED TO FIGURE THAT OUT AND REALLY STARTED TO DIG INTO THE WORK, WE REALIZE THAT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY THIS WELCOME TO A DIFFICULT MOMENT. GUESS WHAT, HERE WE ARE.

THIS IS WHERE THE WORK BEGINS. AND HOW WE MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS MOMENT IS DEFINITIVE FOR THIS CITY, FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS CITY AND IT IS GOING TO DEFINE WHERE YOU GO FROM HERE AND HOW PEOPLE VIEW THE CITY AND IT WILL SET THE FUTURE.

AS I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS, FIRST I WAS SAD BECAUSE I WASN'T HERE TO BE A PART OF THIS AND I HAVE THREE MINUTES TO EXPLAIN TO YOU MY SAGE ADVICE.

I REALLY WANTED TO SAY ONE IMPORTANT THING TO YOU WHICH IS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION GOING TO HAVE TONIGHT ABOUT THESE POLICIES AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CONSIDER ONE THING. THESE TOOLS, BEING ABLE TO HAVE PROCLAMATIONS LIKE WATER TOWERS AND OTHER THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT JUST THE DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION BUT OTHER COMMISSIONS AS WELL.

DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BUT PLEASE DON'T MAKE THOSE TOOLS TO DIFFICULT TO USE FOR ANY OF THESE COMMISSIONS.

THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, ROBERT.

PASTOR HUEY FOLLOWED BY I HAVE TWO OF THEM FROM PASTOR HUEY.

HIS PASTOR HUEY STILL HERE? DAN SAID NO.

AND MAN IS THE AUTHORITY. HE IS NOT HERE? STEPHEN CANALS FOLLOWED BY ASHLEY LEVENS?

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS STEPHEN CANALS I LIVE AT.

END OF POINT WORLD DRIVE. MORE SPECIFICALLY MY NAME IS PASTOR STEPHEN CANALS. I HAVE BEEN AN ORDAINED LUTHERAN PASTOR FOR 47 YEARS. I SERVED FIVE CONGREGATIONS AND WORKED ON BEHALF OF OUR NATIONAL CHURCH BODY HERE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. I'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 52 YEARS.

TO MY WONDERFUL WIFE. I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS WITH YOU TONIGHT THINGS THAT I HAVE NOT YET HEARD. FIRST OF ALL WE SHARE MANY THINGS IN COMMON AS A LUTHERAN PASTOR WE HAVE IN OUR DENOMINATION THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF AMERICA A RESOLUTION KNOWN AS RECONCILED IN CHRIST CONGREGATIONS.

[02:41:10]

AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE WAS MY COLLEAGUE FOR A YEAR AND 1/2.

WE GRADUATED FROM THE SAME COLLEGE TETHER AND WENT OUR SEPARATE WAYS. THERE WERE SIX OTHERS OF US INCLUDING MY WIFE WHO DID THIS TOGETHER.

HE MARRIED B&. >> MAYOR: I'M SORRY SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. I AM SO SORRY.

YOU ARE STEPHEN? STEPHEN CANALS.

ASHLEY. HANG ON ONE SECOND.

KATHERINE RENTZ WILL FOLLOW YOU.

>> SPEAKER: I AM A ROWLETT CITIZEN AND I PREFER NOT TO STATE MY ADDRESS. I WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE HAPHAZARD NATURE OF THE SPEECH.

I DIDN'T INTEND TO SPEAK WHEN I CAME TODAY BUT I FELT DRAWN TO IT AS I BECAME MORE AND MORE EDUCATED IN THIS PRIDE RELATED ISSUE. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS BY NO MEANS NEW. THERE HAVE BEEN GAY PEOPLE SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GENDER NONCONFORMING SINCE TIME WAS REPORTED.

THE STONE AGE, ANCIENT GREECE AND ANCIENT EGYPT.

I WOULD URGE THOSE WITH PREJUDICE TO GET WITH THE TIMES.LL OF TIME HAS HAD DIFFICULTY REACHING YOU.

I CANNOT THINK OF ONE LOGICAL REASON FOR THIS CITY TO REFUTE THE DECISION TO HONOR THE STRUGGLES AND JOY OF GAY PRIDE.

IT IS A NAME, A TITLE, TWO WORDS.

PRIDE MONTH. IT IS A SIMPLE SHINING OF A LIGHT ON A WATER TOWER. IT CAUSES LITERALLY NO DAMAGE.

YOU REFUSE OUR COMMUNITY TO WORDS BECAUSE OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL BELIEFS. BECAUSE YOU FEEL THE WAY YOU WERE BORN IS REPRESENTATIVE. THE CITY AND STATE HAS BEEN PART OF S SINCE THE BEGINNING. I'VE HAD HEARD OF SO MUCH MENTION OF THE MAJORITY BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN TO IGNORE THE MARGINALIZED. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS JUST THAT, A COMMUNITY. NO DIFFERENT THAN THOSE OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS OR ETHNICITIES.

YOU'VE NO RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST US AS YOU CANNOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYONE ELSE.

WE ARE JUST AS MUCH CITIZENS AS YOU ARE.

YOU CANNOT CHANGE US SO GET BEHIND US.

I AM 18 YEARS OLD, I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF ROWLETT AND PROUD TO BE PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND I AM ANGRY. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ALLOW US THOSE TWO WORDS AND THAT ONE LIGHT.IT IS THE LEAST YOU CAN DO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO

SPEAK. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU ASHLEY AND I BELIEVE THAT KATHLEEN HAD TO LEAVE TO RESCUE AN ANIMAL? WE APPRECIATE WHAT SHE DOES FOR OUR ANIMALS.

CURTIS SMITH AND THEN FOLLOWED BY LISA LANDRY.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS CURTIS SMITH AND I CHOOSE TO WITHHOLD MY ADDRESS. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I THOUGHT ABOUT STARTING WITH A HISTORY LESSON CONCERNING THE STONEWALL RIOTS OF 1969 AND NOW THE PRIDE MOVEMENT WAS BORN OUT OF RESISTANCE TO SOCIAL PERSECUTION AND LEGAL PROSECUTION OF HOMOSEXUAL INDIVIDUALS. INSTEAD I WILL ENCOURAGE ANY OF YOU WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE EVENTS TO LOOK THEM UP.

LOOKING AT HOW HOMOSEXUALS WERE TREATED IN THE 1960S AND THE HISTORY OF HOW EASILY HUMAN BEINGS CAN BE PERSUADED TO HATE

[02:45:03]

CERTAIN CHURCH LEADERS HAVE BEEN USING RELIGIOUS LANGUAGE TO NEGATIVELY DESCRIBE THE ACTIONS OF GOOD, HARD-WORKING CITIZENS OF THE CITY. THEY USE WORDS LIKE PROMISCUOUS AND ADULTEROUS. THEY LIKE AND HOMOSEXUALITY TO ASSAULT AND BATTERY. TO BE A MEMBER OF THE ARYAN NATION. THEY LIKE AND BEING GAY TO BEING A NAZI. IN THIS CHAMBER.

THEY USE HATEFUL LANGUAGE AND FOLLOW IT UP WITH A HOLLOW CLAIM OF LOVE FOR THE SAME PEOPLE.

THIS IS NOT LOVE YOUR THIS IS INTOLERANCE.

THEY ALSO USE THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF PRIDE.

PRIDE BIBLICALLY IS AKIN TO ARROGANCE.

TO CLAIM ALL PRIDE IS A SIN THAT BEEN PROUD OF ONE'S CHILDREN IS A SIN. THESE LEADERS DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE THEY ARE SPEAKING OR ARE INTENDING TO MISLEAD THEIR FOLLOWERS. IN LUKE CHAPTER 3:22 THE MAGICAL BEING SPOKE TO JESUS SAYING YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON, IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED. THIS IS PRIDE FOR ONE'S SON.

THIS IS THE PRIDE THAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SEEKS.

THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO ENDORSE EVERY DIFFERENT WAY OF BEING GAY, LESBIAN, TRANS OR QUEER THAT EXISTS, THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO EXIST WITHOUT BEING PERSECUTED SIMPLY FOR WHO THEY ARE. THEY WANT TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT SAYS YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON OR DAUGHTER MY BELOVED NEIGHBOR, FRIEND, BROTHER OR SISTER AND IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED. PRIDE MOVEMENT AND THE ENDORSEMENT OF IT IS SIMPLY A COMMENCEMENT TO QUALITY AND THOSE IN THE LG BT COMMUNITY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUPPORT ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT THAN TO SAY YOU SUPPORT PRIDE.

WE RECOGNIZE THIS MOVEMENT ANNUALLY WITH MARCHES AND PROCLAMATIONS BECAUSE THE FIGHT IS STILL BEING FOUGHT AROUND THE WORLD AND IN AMERICA. TOO OFTEN WE FORGET TOO SOON.

F YOU'RE PERSONAL BELIEFS PREVENT YOU FROM STANDING UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTQ+ PEOPLE, FIRSTLY I WOULD SPEND A LOT OF TIME QUESTIONING SUCH BELIEFS.

SECONDLY, IF YOU CAN'T STAND UP TO SUPPORT AT LEAST DON'T STAND IN OPPOSITION. TO STAND AGAINST THE PRIDE MOVEMENT IS TO JOIN THE OPPRESSORS WHO CAME BEFORE YOU.

YOU STAND AGAINST PRIDE IS TO TELL THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE NOT WELCOME HERE AND ROWLETT.

IF WHAT YOU STAND FOR IS BIGOTRY AND INTOLERANCE YOU WILL FIND MANY WHO STAND AGAINST YOU.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: LISA LANDRY FOLLOWED

BY REVEREND AND DODSON. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS LISA LANDRY AND I LIVE AT.

PROBABLY GET IN TROUBLE FOR THAT AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

I MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO TEXAS 10 YEARS AGO.

FOR THE MOST PART IT WAS TO MAKE A NEW LIFE AND GET AWAY FROM MY FAMILY. HALF OF WHICH DIDN'T WANT TO TALK TO ME ANYMORE AND THE OTHER HALF I JUST GOT TIRED OF SAYING I HAVE A ROOMMATE. IT GETS HARD TO INVITE THEM OVER AND HAVE PICTURES OUT. SO I MOVED TO TEXAS.

I LOOKED FOR 9 MONTHS OF WHERE WE WERE GOING TO LIVE AND BUY A HOUSE. ONE THING I REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ROWLETT. I REALLY LOVE THE CITY AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH I WANTED TO MOVE HERE.

MY SPOUSE WAS PROBABLY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY THAN I WAS. I SAID REALLY?

WE ARE STILL THERE. >>> OKAY.

SO, I GUESS BECAUSE I DID TRY TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS OCCURS TO EVERYONE YOU WOULD LIKE THAT MOMENT IN TIME WERE YOU SICK AND DELETES IN THE TEXT TO THE WRONG PERSON AND YOU FIND OUT THAT INTERNAL EMAILS MIGHT NOT BE THAT INTERNAL.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT'S LIKE ON THE CHRISTIAN SIDE BECAUSE I'M ALSO A CHRISTIAN FOR 20 YEARS.

I THINK THE CALL TO DUTY IS REALLY BIG FOR YOU GUYS AS LEADERS WHO DO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND THE ASK.

LET'S SEPARATE RELIGION. WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN BE ANY RELIGION YOU WANT TO BE OR THE MAJORITY.

MAYBE THAT CLASSIFICATION IN SOME INSTANCES, MAYBE I DO.

I THINK WE HAVE ALL FELT DISCRIMINATION AT SOME WEIGHT OR ANOTHER. MAYBE BECAUSE SOMEONE FINDS OUT THAT YOU ARE A CERTAIN WAY OR YOU ARE GAY OR EVEN WITHIN THE

[02:50:01]

BUT, LIVING A LIFE OF TRYING TO BLEND IN AND THEN HAVING TO CROSS INTO RECOVERY YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS LIKE.

I WANTED YOU TO COME AND KNOW MY HEART.

I AM NOT SPEAKING FOR MYSELF I AM SPEAKING FOR EVERY OTHER MEMBER THAT LIVES HERE. I WOULDN'T GET UP AND TALK TO BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE UNHEARD OF.

I DO WANT TO SPEAK UP FOR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND I THANK YOU FOR THE PROCLAMATION. I WILL SAY THAT IT IS THE MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION. WHEREVER IT GOES, AND NEEDS TO BE SAID BUT AFTER READING SOME OF THE EMAILS IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I THINK THIS NEDS TO BE EXPOSED AND WE HELP DO WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO LEARN.

>> MAYOR: REVEREND AND DIOXIN FOLLOWED BY MICHELLE NOVELL.

>> SPEAKER: I AM THE FIRST CHRISTIAN PASTOR AT.

SISTER, PAM, DID TO THE COUNCIL, COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY ANY OF MY CONGREGANTS WHO WERE LISTENING, I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY EMAIL OR AT ANY OTHER WAY.

NO ONE ASKED REGARDING MY THEOLOGICAL ISSUES OR ASKED TO SIGN A PETITION. I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ON FACEBOOK LIKE MOST OF THE CITY DID.

SECONDLY, I DON'T SPEAK FOR ANYBODY, I SPEAK FOR MYSELF.

DO NOT SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY MEMBERS OF DISCIPLES OF CHRISTCHURCH BECAUSE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST REALIZES THAT WE ALL AGREE TO DISAGREE IN LIFE. THAT'S HOW WE LIVE OUR LIFE.

I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW AND REMEMBER THAT ROWLETT ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE WORLD CHRISTIAN BELIEFS AND THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF SCRIPTURE ARE AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN.

AND THE PASTORS IN THIS CITY HAVE TRIED REALLY HARD AS DIVERSE AS WE ALL ARE IN OUR BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDINGS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE CHURCH BECAUSE WE CHOOSE TO FIND THAT MIDDLE GROUND WHICH WE CALL GRACE.

THAT IS WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO. WHILE MOST OF THE TIME I LIKE TO LET THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH SPEAK ON IT'S OWN, THEIR COMPASSIONS SPEAK ON THEIR OWN, TONIGHT I NEEDED TO SPEAK ON MY PAIN AND GRIEF.

IT HURTS MY HEART TO HEAR WHAT IS SPOKEN AS FAITH HAS BECOME A BLANKET STATEMENT TO THE HEART OF ALL CHRISTIANS.

THIS IS NOT CORRECT. NOT ALL CHRISTIANS INTERPRET SCRIPTURE THE SAME WAY. IT HURTS MY HEART THAT THOSE SAME STATEMENTS HAVE BECOME A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR SOME PEOPLE TO TRULY KNOW AND EXPERIENCE THE DEEP LOVING GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST. IT HURTS MY HEART IN A CITY SO RICH OF DIVERSITY LEADERS MAKE DECISIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM THEIR OWN PERSONAL BELIEF SYSTEM.

I KNOW THIS IS A FINE LINE IN A DIFFICULT WALK TO WALK.

I BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT CHURCH AND STATE STAY SEPARATE SO ALL VOICES CAN BE HEARD WITHOUT BIAS OR PREJUDICE.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND GET TO KNOW THEM AND YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT TODAY TO UNDERSTAND THE DIVERSITY IN THERE DIFFERENCES THEIR SPIRIT AND THEIR PAIN AND THEIR HOPE FOR THE PLACE THEY CALL HOME.

EVEN THOUGH I WON'T SPEAK TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH ON THEIR DIVISIVE ISSUES BUT I WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THAT WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU, THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALL THE OTHER CITY LEADERSHIP AND STAFF, EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY AND FOR ALL OF THE ROWLETT CITIZENS. YOUR DECISIONS DON'T JUST AFFECT ONE OR TWO GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY AFFECT THE WHOLE OF THE CITY AND EVEN THOSE CONNECTING CITIES.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WHILE DIVERSE IN ITSELF AND YES I HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED BOTH PETITIONS.

>> MAYOR: YOU HAD US ON A CLIFFHANGER, YOU WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT? [LAUGHTER] I AM GLAD WE CAN ALL STILL LAUGH MICHELLE NOVELL FOLLOWED

BY KATHERINE CRENSHAW. >> SPEAKER: SECOND, YOU ARE OUT OF TOILET PAPER IN THE LADIES ROOM HERE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS. I AM MICHELLE NOVELL AND I LIVE AT.

AS I UNDERSTAND THIS PROCLAMATION WAS REQUESTED BY THE RDEIC TO THE LGBTQ+ GROUP. SHE TOOK IT UPON HERSELF TO

[02:55:08]

I READ WITH BRAD PALOMBO A GAY JOURNALIST WHO HAS WRITTEN THAT PRIDE MONTH IS NOT ONLY VIEWED AS MERELY A CELEBRATION OF INDIVIDUALITY AND FREEDOM. IT HAS BEEN INFECTED WITH WOKE NONSENSE AND AN OPENLY POLITICALLY PARTISAN AGENDA.

WHILE MANY CONSERVATIVES BELIEVE SEXUALITY IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF AND FEEL THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP THEIR PRIVATE LIVES TO THEMSELVES CONSIDER THIS POSSIBILITY.

IT IS LIKELY THERE IS SOMEONE ON THIS COUNCIL WHO IS A PRESIDENT TRUMP SUPPORTER. A REQUEST COULD BE MADE AND GRANTED FOR A PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE MR. TRUMP'S 75TH BIRTHDAY WHICH WAS YESTERDAY. COULD WE EXPECT WATER TOWER TO BE LIT BRIGHT ORANGE? CAN YOU IMAGINE THE OUTRAGE? I DARESAY ROWLETT WOULD BE ON NATIONAL NEWS INSTEAD OF THE CBS LOCAL AFFILIATE. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WOULD REPEAT A VIRAL CHANT OFTEN HEARD AT RALLIES, WE ARE HERE, WE ARE CLEAR, GET THAT KETO OUT OF HERE.

I BELIEVE THAT ROWLETT PROCLAMATIONS SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR AND GRANTED TO PERSONS OR GROUPS WHO PERFORM OR OR ABOVE AND BEYOND SOCIETAL NORMS AND CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE ASPECTS OF THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY SERVICE, HEROIC ACTS OF BRAVERY AND SACRIFICE, COMMITMENTS TO BETTER OUR CITY, PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS, ETC. AND I BELIEVE A UNANIMOUS CONSENSUS MUST ALSO BE THE RULE AND NOT DICTATED BY ONE INDIVIDUAL.

TO THE PRIDE COMMUNITY PLEASE DO NOT LABEL ME AS HOMOPHOBIC OR RACIST. I WILL NOT SIMILARLY LABEL YOU AS PERVERTED OR DEVIANT. TO DO SO WOULD BE OFFENSIVE, INCORRECT AND WOULD EXACERBATE TENSIONS AND SILENCE FURTHER UNDERSTANDING OF ONE ANOTHER. PLEASE DON'T EXPECT CONSERVATIVE AMERICANS TO EMBRACE THE WOKE AGGRESSIVE VISION OF GAY PRIDE MONTH.ND WE WILL NOT BURY OUR HEADS IN

THE SAND B&. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KATHERINE CRENSHAW FOLLOWED BY REVEREND

ANGELASTONE CAMPBELL . >> SPEAKER: I LIVE AT.

IF WE LIKE THE TOWER I PUT FORTH IT IS A HEROIC ACT TO FACE BIGOTRY THAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HAS OFTEN FACED.

THAT'S FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. I AM METHODIST, CHRISTIAN A MARRIED MOTHER OF TWO. I SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION AND I SUPPORT THE LIGHTING OF THE TOWER AND I STAND AGAINST THE PETITION WITH IT. I REPRESENTED AS A MOTHER OF A SON LOVES PURPLE AND PINK AND PLAYS WITH DOLLS AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS BECAUSE HE IS FIVE BUT I SUSPECT THAT GOING INTO SCHOOL HE WILL BE BULLIED BECAUSE THOSE THINGS ARE VIEWED AS HOMOSEXUALITY. EVERYTHING THAT WE ASK IS THAT THE LTT COMMUNITY STAY SILENT AND IT PUBLICLY ENDORSES THAT BULLYING. I PUT TOGETHER THIS ITSELF IS A TYPE OF BULLYING IN THE GOVERNMENT CHURCH BULLYING HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.

BECAUSE GOVERNMENTS HAVE FOR YEARS SUPPORTED DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY I FEEL IT IS NOW THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE SAFE IN THERE JOBS, HOMES AND LIVES IN ROWLETT. I OBJECT TO THIS PETITION AS AN AMERICAN. A COMMON SECULAR ARGUMENT AGAINST RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH IS THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD NOT BE USED TO SUPPORT SOCIAL EVENTS THAT DON'T REPRESENT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND MAY OFFEND OTHERS BECAUSE IT IS DIVISIVE. WHERE IS THIS CONCERN WHEN THERE ARE CHRISTMAS PARADES? EASTER EGG HUNTS AND HALLOWEEN EVENTS SUPPORTED BY THE CITY. THIS DOESN'T REPRESENT ALL MEMBERS OF ROWLETT.ALLOWEEN IS OFFENSIVE TO MANY CHRISTIANS BUT THESE PEOPLE DON'T MAKE PETITIONS AGAINST THOSE EVENTS

[03:00:02]

YET, WHEN THEY FIND THEMSELVES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STICK WHEN THEY SEEK GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED EVENTS THAT OPPOSE THEIR BELIEFS THEY CRY OUT STOP IN THE NAME OF EQUALITY! ASKING THAT THE CITY ONLY SPONSORED EVENTS THAT YOU AGREE WITH? AND TO SUPPRESS THE EVENTS AND PROCLAMATIONS THAT YOU DO NOT NOT ASKING FOR EQUALITY.

TO PARAPHRASE, IT IS ASKING FOR YOUR PIG TO BE EQUAL TO OTHER PIGS. AS AN AMERICAN THAT OFFENDS ME.

I SUPPORT THE DECISION IN THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LIGHTING OF THE TOWER AS A CHRISTIAN. THIS CLAIM IS BASED ON TRANSLATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS THAT ARE DISPUTED BY BIBLICAL SCHOLARS. FURTHERMORE WHILE I LOVE MY FAITH WE HAVE IN UNCOMFORTABLE, HISTORICAL TENDENCY TO MISREPRESENT BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION.

WE ONCECLEARLY STATED THAT THE BIBLE CLEARLY SAID SLAVERY WAS SUPPORTED. WE WENT STATED THAT THE BIBLE SAID CONDEMN CIVIL RIGHTS. WE WENT STATED THAT THE BIBLE CONDEMNS INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE AND NO OTHER CHRISTIANS STAND BE FOR THE COUNCIL AND SAYS THAT THE BIBLE CONDEMNS HOMOSEXUALITY. I SAY THIS IS NOT B&.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS REVEREND ANGELA STONE CAMPBELL FOLLOWED BY KATHERINE RICK.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ANGELA STONE CAMPBELL.

I AM A MINISTER AND CURRENTLY A HOSPICE CHAPLAIN WHICH MEANS I HELP PEOPLE GET READY TO GO TO HEAVEN WHICH IS A FAR CRY BETTER THAN MY TIME HERE HAS BEEN TONIGHT.

IT'S NOT WHAT I EXPECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU MY ADDRESS BUT I'M NOT GOING TO. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PRETTY HATEFUL PEOPLE TONIGHT BUT WE HAVE A REALLY COOL TH THE CANOE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I'M A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I AM BUT I WOULD RATHER SAY I AM A CHILD OF GOD AS WE ALL ARE AND I WAS EVEN MADE IN HIS IMAGE AS EVERYONE ELSE WAS, TOO, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE THAT TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR MAYOR, I HAVE GAINED A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HER BECAUSE I THINK SHE IS PRETTY DANG BRAVE FOR BEING INCLUSIVE AND FOR WANTING EVERYONE TO FEEL WELCOME.

I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY FELT WELCOME IN THE PAST SIX YEARS I HAVE LIVED. I MOVED HERE BECAUSE I LOVE THE LAKE AND I NEEDED PEACE IN MY LIFE.

I THOUGHT I COULD TAKE THE BACKWARDNESS OF A LOT OF THINGS AND PEOPLE NOT APPRECIATING MY BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE A GAY PERSON GIVING THEM THE BUSINESS.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, I HAVE MET SOME REALLY GOOD HUMANITY TONIGHT. ONE OF THOSE BESIDES MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE, I DIDN'T MEET HER TONIGHT BUT IT'S THAT YOUNG MAN, THAT MARINE WHO HAS BEEN HERE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN AND FOUND A CHAIR FOR MY WIFE AND MOVED IT FOR HER.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HIS NAME I JUST KNOW THAT HE HAS USMC ON HIS ARM AND HE'S REALLY NICE. AND OUR NEW FRIENDS DEBBIE AND CASEY WHO SIT BEHIND US AND HAVE BEEN SO SO BORED IF IN MY PASTOR, PASTOR PAM WHO IS JUST GOOD PEOPLE.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU IS A BIBLE VERSE THAT IS KIND OF THE FOUNDATION OF MY MINISTRY.

THOSE OF US WHO ARE STRONG AND ABLE IN THE FAITH AND NEED TO STEP IN AND LEND A HAND TO THOSE WHO FALTER AND NOT JUST DO WHAT IS CONVENIENT FOR US. STRENGTH IS FOR SERVICE NOT STATUS. EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO LOOK AFTER THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE AROUND US ASKING OURSELVES HOW CAN WE HELP? I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE LIGHT ON THE TOWER.I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING THOUGH. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE NEED TO FEEL INCLUDED AND JESUS KNOWS ALL ABOUT THAT.

BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER MAKING THE OUTCAST NOT FEELING LIKE AN OUTCAST. HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING AND ALONE NOT FEEL ALONE AND HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH THE

GRIEVING. >> MAYOR: I AM SORRY.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS KATHERINE RITZ AND MISTY FILLED OUT ANOTHER CARD BUT I THINK SHE HAS LEFT.

I THINK KATHERINE YOU ARE OUR LAST SPEAKER.

[03:05:02]

>> SPEAKER: OH MY GOSH SHE BRINGS A POSSUM TO THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS! I LOVE IT! ONLY CATHERINE! [LAUGHTER]

>> SPEAKER: I KNOW Y'ALL ARE READY TO WRAP UP.

>> MAYOR: CATHERINE, ORDER IN THE COURT.

>> SPEAKER: KATHERINE RITZ, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE I LIVE IT'S A MIRACLE.

>> MAYOR: SPEAK TO US IN THE MICROPHONE.

>> SPEAKER: YOU KNOW I AM YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTERS.

I ALWAYS CHEER ON THE CITY ABOUT HOW GREAT THIS CITY IS IN THE GREAT THINGS YOU DO BUT I TELL YOU THIS HURTS ME TREMENDOUSLY. I AM YOUR AVERAGE PERSON YOUR HETERO, WHITE, FEMALE MOTHER RAISING THEIR CHILDREN.

I SUPPORT GAY PRIDE. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. IT'S A GOOD THING.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT EVERYBODY AND BE INCLUSIVE.

THAT IS IMPORTANT. THIS ISN'T ALL ABOUT CHURCH AND GOD EVEN THOUGH I CAN THROW OUT ONE MILLION VERSES ABOUT JESUS SAYING WE NEED TO LOVE EACH OTHER.

THIS IS NOT WHAT THIS IS. THIS IS ABOUT YOU REPRESENTING US, ALL OF US. IF YOU TAKE AWAY THIS, THE NEXT THING TO GO IS JUNETEENTH. WE DON'T CELEBRATE THAT HERE, THAT IS NOT A HERO, THAT IS A MINORITY.

EASTER EGG ROLL, THAT'S CHRISTIAN WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.

THE MORE EASTER EGG HUNTS PUT ON BY THE CITY.

THAT IS WRONG. NO CHRISTMAS PARADE.

I AM TELLING YOU, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE HEADING IF WE GO DOWN THIS ROAD. WE ARE TAKING THE TIME TO SAY THIS ISN'T ALLOWED IT IS GOING TO BACKLASH LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN. JUST LIKE TONIGHT, I HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE FRIENDS OF MINE WHO ARE ATHEISTS WHO TELL ME THIS IS WHY I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD BECAUSE THEY SEE THIS THAT WE ARE DOING. THIS ISN'T JESUS'S LIFE.

THIS IS SHOWING PEOPLE HATE AND BIGOTRY AND EXCLUSION.

THAT IS WRONG. IF WE WANT TO BE THAT LIGHT AND WE CALL EACH OTHER CHRISTIANS WE TRULY HAVE TO BE INCLUSIVE.

THE THING IS, THAT HAS NO BEARING IN WHAT WE ELECTED YOU TO DO. WE ELECTED YOU TO REPRESENT EVERYONE. I DON'T CARE WHO THAT PERSON IS. I WANT YOU TO REPRESENT THEM.

IF IT IS A BLACK GUY THAT JUST MOVED TO TOWN, SOME FOREIGNER, SOMEONE WHO IS MUSLIM. I THOUGHT YOU BELIEVED IN THAT TOO, WHEN YOU CREATED THE INCLUSION BOARD THAT WAS ALL ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF ROWLETT, WAS THAT REAL? DID YOU MEAN TO GET THE INPUT OR DID YOU WANT THEM TO JUST FEEL INCLUDED. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT DEALS LIKE. IT FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T TAKE WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. THIS IS AN ISSUE AND WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IS THIS ISN'T A MINORITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THAT WAY. I'M NOT GAY.

MY DAUGHTER ISN'T GAY HERE AND WE HAVE GAY FRIENDS AND WE SEE THEIR PAIN AND WE SEE WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH BUT THAT'S WRONG. AND I THINK SHE WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING. SHE IS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS TOPIC. AT HOME, THIS IS OUR FUTURE AND I'M GLAD TO SEE IT THAT SHE WANTS TO FIGHT FOR EVERYONE'S RIGHT. SHE FIGHTS FOR MINORITY RIGHTS

B&. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THE POSSUM SHOW.

BUT SERIOUSLY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR ANIMALS.MISTY, THIS IS YOUR THIRD TIME IN CITIZEN INPUT IT HAS GOT TO BE A DIFFERENT TOPIC.

>> SPEAKER: MISSY TIDWELL I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE MY ADDRESS.

IT IS NOT SAFE IN THIS TOWN. I AM HERE TO GIVE YOU ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE WITH PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. OKAY? YOU GUYS WHO HAVE RALLIED AROUND AND BROUGHT THIS RELIGIOUS FOREFRONT IN HERE, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING. WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLES YOU ARE SETTING AND WHAT KIND OF GROUNDWORK THAT YOU ARE ALLOWING OTHER PEOPLE TO DO. YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY COMPLACENT IN LETTING IT HAPPENED AND MAKING IT HAPPENED.

TONIGHT THERE WAS SOMEONE IN THIS ROOM WHO STOPPED SOMEONE ELSE AND SHARED A STORY OF HOW WHEN THEY REALIZED THAT THEY WERE PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT THEY

[03:10:01]

THE PERSON THAT THEY WERE SPEAKING TO TURN AROUND AND LOOKED AT THAT PERSON AND TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST KILL THEMSELVES. ROBERT BLUMENTHAL SAID THAT.

>> MAYOR: STOP, THAT IS NOT OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, THAT IS MY LAST CARD I'M NOT GOING TO ASK FOR ANY MORE CARD.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE CHARGE DO WE? WE HAVE PAGES AND PAGES OF CITIZEN COMMENTS THAT WERE SENT IN VIA EMAIL. DO YOU ALL WANT ANOTHER BREAK OR DO YOU WANT ME TO JUST GO? IT IS UP TO YOU ALL.

WERE GOING TO START READING THEM.

>> SPEAKER: WE HAVE CITIZEN INPUT EMAILS AND DID YOU WANT TO KEEP THE 3E EMAIL FOR THE 3E ITEM?

>> MAYOR: HOLD ON I'M LOST. OKAY.

I NEED A BREAK BECAUSE I AM CIT. IF YOU DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL GET HURT YOU'RE SIMPLY NAC/VE O DON'T CARE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS OF OUR LOVELY CITY. PLEASE RESPECT THE AGREEMENT THAT WE ALL MADE WE SIGNED OUR LEASE.

THAT CONCLUDES CITIZEN COMMENTS.

NOW WE WILL READ ITEM 3E AND I WILL ASK MAYOR PRO TEM MATT TO HELP AND HE WILL TAGTEAM WITH THE DUTY SECRETARY.

>> NATALIE PEARSON I'VE LIVED IN ROWLETT FOR 10 YEARS NEVER DID I THINK I WOULD BE SO DISGUSTED WITH THE HATRED I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SPEW OVER COLORED LIGHTS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. WHY ANYONE WOULD WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER PERSON FEEL THEY NEED TO HIDE OR BE ASHAMED OF WHO THEY ARE IS BEYOND MY CALL BRANCH AND.

I TEACH FOURTH GRADE AND REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

I SEE THE NEED FOR IT IN MY CLASS OF NINE-YEAR-OLD AND 10-YEAR-OLDS. EVEN IF IT IS JUST AS SIMPLE AS COLORED LIGHTS. WHILE I AM SURE YOU WILL GET EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS IN OPPOSITION TO THIS I'M 100 PERCENT POSITIVE THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL HEAR THE COLORS AND SMILE AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE WANTED AND WELCOME IN OUR

COMMUNITY. >>> ALAN GILMOREAND MICHELLE CINI ROWLETT TAXPAYERS PAIRED WHILE I SUPPORT EACH AND EVERY PERSON'S RIGHT TO HIS OR HER OPINION I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY ROWLETT IS INVOLVING CHURCHES AND PASTORS INTO THE DISCUSSION HERE CHURCHES ARE TAX EXEMPT AND THEREFORE DO NOT PAY ROWLETT TAXES OR TAXES OF ANY KIND.

PRIVATE CITIZENS CERTAINLY DO. THE REASONING BEHIND MAKING CHURCHES TAX-EXEMPT AND UNBURDENED BY IRS PROCEDURES STANCE FROM A FIRST AMENDMENT CASE STANCE TO INVOLVE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN RELIGION.

LET'S REITERATE THAT RELIGION DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE IN GOVERNMENT ISSUES. AGAIN THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINIONS INSIDE THEIR OWN INSTITUTIONS.

PLEASE DISREGARD THE OPINIONS TO THE ENTITIES THAT DO NOT IN TRIBUTE TO THE FINANCIAL MATTERS OF THE CITY.

>>> CHRISTIAN BASSETT. CHRISTIAN AND A ROWLETT CITIZEN OF 35 YEARS. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THE CHURCH LEADERS AND COUNCILMEMBERS WRITING SUCH SHAMEFUL EMAILS IN A FLURRY TO EFFECTIVELY KILL A PROCLAMATION FOR LOVE. THE BIBLE MAY SAY A LOT OF THINGS BUT MANY CHRISTIANS HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT BEING A CHRISTIAN IN AMERICA YOU FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF YOUR NEIGHBORS EVEN IF IT DOES NOT FOLLOW YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF JESUS'S TEACHINGS. I REPEAT, BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT A PREREQUISITE TO CITIZENSHIP.

GUESS WHERE JESUS WOULD BE? AT A PRIDE PARADE.

JESUS WAS NOT A STUCK UP, EASILY OFFENDED MIDDLE-AGED WHITE MAN. HE WAS A CONSERVATIVE AND DIDN'T IMPOSE CHARGES ON PEOPLE WHO DID NOT OBEY CHRISTIAN RULE OR SEGREGATION OR MANY OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH HAVE GONE AGAINST GOD AND AGAINST PEOPLE OF ALL SHAPES AND COLORS. SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS NO MORRISON THAN ANY OTHER SIN AND SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE IT'S OUR JOB TO COMMIT SIN ALL DAY AND THEN PUBLICLY CALL SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVE A SIN. AND THEN FIGHT ABOUT EQUAL RIGHTS IN THE LAW OF THE LAND. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE IS CRUCIAL. IF CHRISTIAN VALUES AND BELIEF HAVE NO PLACE IN GOVERNMENT AND YOUR ANCESTORS BELIEVE THE SAME. NEXT IT WILL BE YOUR BELIEFS THAT ARE OUTLAWED OR PROHIBITED WEIRD AS A CHRISTIAN WHAT WOULD BE YOUR IMPACT OF OPPOSING PRIDE MONTH? IT WOULD BE TOO FURTHER A HATE OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE AND IT WOULD BE NO MORE THAN A BABY BORN INTO A CERTAIN FAITH.

STOP HATING PEOPLE WHO DON'T PRESCRIBE TO A JOURNEY LIKE

[03:15:02]

I WISH YOU WOULD LEARN TO LET GOD BE THE JUDGING PIT IS NOTHING YOU OR A GENTILE NOR SLAVE NOR FREE NEAR MALE OR FEMALE FOR YOU ARE ALL WON IN JESUS CHRIST.

GALATIANS 3:28. >>> SONNY CLARK.

I WAS TOLD I COULD WRITE IN ON THE SUBJECT EVEN THOUGH I AM NO LONGER A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT. THE REASON FOR THIS MEETING IS THE REASON WE HAVE VACATED ROWLETT.

AS A BLACK MAN MARRIED TO A WHITE WOMAN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THINGS WE SHOULD NOT HAVE.Y SON WHO IS TRANS HAS BEEN HIT EVEN HARDER. THE FACT THAT A PASTOR WOULD SPEAK ON HATE AGAINST THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND THEN ONLY BLANKET HIS OBVIOUS BIGOTRY TO THE NAME OF RELIGION AND GOD I FIND INSULTING. IT'S THE REASON I WILL NEVER ATTEND CHURCH EVER AGAIN. BUT THIS AGAIN TODAY AND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS THAT THOSE SITTING IN THE CHAIRS OF THE COUNCIL PEOPLE REMEMBER THEIR OATH TO GOD AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY. ALL THE CITIZENS.

I FEEL YOU NEED TO REMIND IT OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND WHAT YOU DID IN OATH, TOO.

BY LAW YOU CANNOT CHOOSE YOUR OATH TO GOD OVER SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE HEAR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE MAKE EXCUSES LIKE PRIDE MONTH OVER THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IS IN FACT HATE SHADOWED BY GOD AND RELIGION AND HAVE NO PLACE IN THE DECISION TO HAVE A PROCLAMATION OF PRIDE MONTH.

NONE.HE DECISIONS MADE TO OUR COMMUNITY BASED ON RELIGION AND RELIGIOUSBELIEFS ARE IMPROPER.

YOU CANNOT BE ALLOWED AND THOSE WHO ALLOW IT ARE NOT HOLDING THE POSITION THEY WERE ENTRUSTED WITH THE RIGHT WAY.

THOSE INVOLVED NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THEY CANNOT PUNISH THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WITH A SPITEFUL GOD BECAUSE THAT WOULD NOT BE GODLIKE BASED ON WHAT THE GOOD BOOK SAYS.

IT IS ALSO NOT AT ALL CORRECT TO BE SUPPORTED OF BLUE LIVES MATTER AND TURN AROUND AND SAY WE SHOULD ONLY BE CELEBRATING STATE AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS ONLY AFTER THIS DECLARATION HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN. IT IS DISINGENUOUS AND AFTER ALL, THERE'S NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAD A PROBLEM WITH AND NOW WE HAVE TO STRIKE DOWN THIS DECLARATION BECAUSE WERE HOLDING TO A STANDARD AND AGAIN IT IS DISINGENUOUS.

NOW THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THE RHETORIC OF MEMBERS ON THIS ISSUE.

IN FACT PERSONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS DECISION. I WILL LET YOU DO THE NEXT.

THOSE ON THIS COUNSEL ALSO NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT PRIDE MONTH REALLY IS ABOUT PRIDE MONTH IS NOT ABOUT CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE THE GROUP OR PERSPECTIVES.

IT'S ABOUT RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT THAT LGBTQ+ Q PEOPLE HAVE HAD ON THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND ON THE LIVES OF THIS COMMUNITY. IT IS ALWAYS A WAY TO REMEMBER THE INJUSTICE THAT LGBTQ+ HAVE ENDURED MUCH LIKE BLACK HISTORY MONTH OR INDIGENOUS DAY. THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE PROCLAMATION ARE SO CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT PRIDE IS, LIGHTS ALLOW PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY ARE NOT TO BE AFRAID TO LIVE THERE MOST AUTHENTIC LIFE AND THEY CAN SHOP AT LOCAL BUSINESSES WITHOUT BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND IT TAKES AWAY JUST SAID OTHERWISE. THANK YOU.

>> LINDSAY BOX. GOOD EVENING. AM WRITING THIS EMAIL AS I AM OUT OF TOWN TUESDAY EVENING AND I CANNOT COME IN PERSON TO SHOW HOW APPALLED I AM OF THE HATE AND BIGOTRY BEING SHOWN BY THE COUNCIL.

I WILL REGISTER THE NAME OF EVERY HATEMONGER WHO MAKES A DECISION AGAINST THE LIGHTING OF THE ROWLETT TOWER AGAINST PRIDE MONTH AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE MY VOTE AGAIN.

I WILL DO MY BEST TO GET YOUR SMALL HEARTED VALUES REMOVED.

I'M ASHAMED OF YOUR COOL TILL CRUELTY AND I HOPE SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE BETTER.AITH DOES NOT SUPPORT HATE, SHAME ON YOU.

>>> BARNEY HEALY. PTO WHOM IT MAY CONCERNED.

I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY.

NO MATTER WHAT THEIR CHOICE IS TO BE I STAND IN OPPOSITION OF LIGHTING THE WATER TOWER. IT IS IN OPPOSITION OF THE WORD OF GOD I HOLD IN GREAT ESTEEM. IT OFFENDS MY GODLY VALUES.

THIS IS WHY I STAND IN OPPOSITION OF LIGHTING THE

TOWERS IN HONOR OF THIS. >>> MY NAME IS HEATHER WORKS AND I AM A LESBIAN.OWLETT IS MY HOMETOWN.

I HAVE LIVED AND LOVED HERE FOR 37 YEARS AS HAS MY FAMILY.

TRUSTINGLY ENOUGH, MY GRANDFATHER WAYNE PETRIE COMPLETED SEVERAL JOBS FOR THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ROWLETT WHOSE PASTOR WE HAVE HEARD SPEW VITRIOL AGAINST THOSE LIKE ME.

THAT'S RIGHT. YOUR FEET WALK A UPON A FLOOR THAT LESBIANS CREATED FOR YOUR PULPIT.

[03:20:06]

WE ARE TWO PEOPLE WHO LOVE EACH OTHER IMMENSELY.

WE TOOK VOWS RIGHT HERE IN ROWLETT INSIDE THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT. I CRIED BECAUSE I NEVER IMAGINED IT WOULD MEAN SO MUCH TO ME TO GET MARRIED IN MY HOMETOWN. WE GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND AFTERWARDS WE TAKE CARE OF OUR AGING PARENTS.

COME HOME TIRED AS HELL AND MOW OUR LAWNS IN THE TEXAS HEATS.

WE DON'T LOVE HOW HIGH THE WATER BILLS ARE EITHER.

BUT WE LOVE ROWLETT. WE OPPOSE THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND MY WIFE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE LOVE YOU ANYWAY.

IF YOU CAN HATE US WITHOUT KNOWING US WE CAN LOVE YOU WITHOUT KNOWING YOU AS WELL. WE WILL DO JUST THAT WHETHER THAT TOWER LIGHTS UP PRISMATIC LEE OR NOT.

OF COURSE, I HOPE IT DOES LIGHT BACKUP BECAUSE WHEN I SEE IT IT MAKES ME CRY HAPPY TEARS. IT MAKES ME FEEL THE COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE FINALLY ACCEPTS AND APPRECIATES ME IN RETURN.

THIS IS A FEELING THAT I ONLY EVER FELT THE OPPOSITE OF WHEN I WAS GROWING UP HERE. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME AND OTHERS. IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY GRATITUDE TO THE MAYOR AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS FOR STANDING WITH ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT.

I'M EMBARRASSED I DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU LAST TIME A MISTAKE THAT WILL NOT REPEAT ITSELF. THINK OF YOUR TIME.> THE CONCERN WILDLIFE OF ROWLETT IS VOICED VIA AMP.

I DON'T THINK THE TOWER SHOULD BE LIT EVERY.

THE NIGHTTIME POLLUTION HARMS MIGRATORY BIRDS AND INSECTS SUCH AS VERY SMALL AND NIGHT HUNTERS SUCH AS BATS AND NIGHT BIRDS. THAT'S ARE WELL KNOWN IN THE AREA A HUGE EATER OF MOSQUITOES AND FLIES.

WITHOUT THE DARK TO HIDE THEM THEY CAN'T HUNT PROPERLY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF UNDESIRABLE INSECTS THAT WILL OTHERWISE BE EATEN. THE BIRDS CRASH INTO BROADCAST TOWERS OR BUILDINGS OR CIRCLE THEM UNTIL THEY DROP FROM EXHAUSTION. FINALLY ONCE ON THE GROUND STUNNED WORDS BECOME VULNERABLE TO PREDATORS.

THE PICTURES THEY HAVE COLLECTING ARE STUNNING AND GRUESOME. ANYWHERE THAT HAD LIGHT SHINING OUT, THEY WERE FLYING THEIR BODIES INTO THE GLASS.

IT WAS INSTANT DEATH. IT BROKE THEIR NECK AND WERE LYING IN PILES BY THE DOOR. SOMETIMES OUT BY THE TRUCK ON THE DRIVEWAY ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I FIGURED SOME OF THEM DIDN'T HIT SO HARD, FRACTURE THEIR SCHOOL AND DIED ELSEWHERE FOR YOUNG BIRDS STEAK THE BRIGHT LIGHT AS SPORTS FIELDS, HOTELS, PARKING LOTS AND OTHER PLACES FOR THE MOON AND STARS REPEATING THEM TO FLY AROUND IN CIRCLES. THEY BECOME EXHAUSTED AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHEN THEY ARE ATTACKED BY CATS OR HIT BY CARS UNLESS THEY ARE RESCUED BY VOLUNTEERS.

THERE IS A LINK PROVIDED.

THE BIOLOGIST FOUND THAT BIRDS WERE NESTING IN MONTH MORE THAN NORMAL IN AN ENVIRONMENT IN 18 DAYS EARLIER.

THE CONCEPT CAN BE MISMATCH. HUNGRY CHICKS COULD BE HATCHED BEFORE THE FOOD IS AVAILABLE. ANOTHER LIST IS DIVIDED.

THEY FOUND THE BATS WERE TWO TIMES MORE LIKELY TO ENTER DARK FEEDING COMPARTMENTS THEN LIGHT FEEDING COMPARTMENTS IN THE LAB AND 8 ROOT TWICE AS OFTEN IN DARK COMPARTMENTS THEN LIGHT COMPARTMENTS.HE TEAM OBSERVED THE AFFINITY FOR LIGHT AND DARK IN THE FIELD. ANOTHER LINK IS PROVIDED, MOVE INTO THIS AREA BECAUSE WE LIKE TO LOOK AT THE STARS.

WE ENJOY NATURE. YOUR POLLUTION IS CONTAMINATING OUR VIEW OF THE NIGHT SKY AND THIS IS TO ASSUME LIGHT POLLUTION TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS DID AND NOW WE HAVE BLUE NEON A GIANT VILLAGE SIGN THAT IS LIT UP AT NIGHT ATROCIOUSLY LIKE IT IS LAS VEGAS.

IF WE WANTED LAS VEGAS WE COULD MOVE THERE BUT WE HAVE MOVED TO

THE DARK ROWLETT B&. >> SPEAKER: KATHY AND JACK

[03:25:09]

LESSING, PEACE AND GRATITUDE. >>> CHRISTIAN FREEBORN OF ROWLETT. I AM SO EMBARRASSED FOR OUR CITY. THE NEWS COVERAGE MADE OUR CITY LOOK INTOLERANT AND FOOLISH. THIS SHOULD'VE NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE. TURN ON THE RAINBOW.

IF IT MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU I'M HAPPY FOR YOU.

IF NOT, THEY ARE JUST PRETTY LIGHTS THEY SHOULD NOT OFFEND

OFFEND YOU. >>> CHRISTIAN GUERRA.

I AM WRITING TO VOICE MY SUPPORT OF THE MARRIAGE PROCLAMATION IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PRIDE MONTH AS WELL AS TURNING THE LIGHTS ON THE WATER TOWER TO A RAINBOW TEAM TO SHOW SOLIDARITY TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

THIS PAST WEEK HAS BEEN EQUAL PARTS HORRIFYING AND DISCUSSIONS AT BROWN, BELL AND COUNCIL MEMBER SHERRILL THIS IS DIRECTLY ANTITHETICAL FOR THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND A NOTION IN WHICH OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED.

NO CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION SHOULD EVER BE INVOLVED IN CITY BUSINESS OR ALLOWED TO THROW THEIR COLLECTIVE WEIGHT AROUND AND SHAME ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHO SUPPORT THEM. THEY SHOULD BE REMINDED THAT THEY REPRESENT ALL OF ROWLETT, NOT JUST THE ONES THAT AGREE WITH THEIR DEEP BELIEFS. I ENJOY MY TIME AND MONEY IN ROWLETT. IF THESE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST A PROTECTED CLASS OF CITIZENS, I, ALONG WITH OTHERS WILL HAPPILY SPEND OUR MONEY AND TAX DOLLARS OUTSIDE THE ROWLETT CITY LIMITS.

THE COUNCIL IS TO REALIZE THAT THIS HAS FAR-REACHING CRITICISMS. I SUPPORT MAYOR BASHIAN SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. EVERYONE DESERVES TO LIVE THEIR LIFE FREE OF DISCRIMINATION IN A COMMUNITY OF THEIR CHOOSING.

I HOPE THE CITY OF ROWLETT WILL TURN THE CITY AROUND AND BE A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE CITY FOR ALL.

>> SPEAKER: KATIE PASSION. I ACKNOWLEDGE MAYOR BASHIAN'S PROCLAMATION. THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER SOLIDIFIES MY SUPPORT OF HER DECISION.

I AM JEWISH AND VERY PROUD TO NOT ONLY BE RELIGIOUS BUT A DEEP BELIEVER IN GOD. FAITH IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I TOO HAVE READ THE SAME BIBLICAL STORIES YOU HAVE READ. HOWEVER, NOT ONCE IN MY ENTIRE RELIGIOUS UP RINGING IN WHICH I HAVE OVER 30 YEARS OF, WAS I EVER TOLD IT'S NOT OKAY TO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ+.OT ONCE WAS I EVER TOLD THAT GOD WOULD PUNISH SOMEONE FOR THEIR SEXUALITY. WHAT YOU THREE ARE DOING IS PROOF TEXTING IT IS DEFINED BY WHICH THE METHOD APPEALS TO A BIBLICAL TEXT TO PROVE A THEOLOGICAL DECISION WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE THEY ARE CITING.

YOU SAY YOUR RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS JUSTIFY YOUR ACTIONS THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN DIVERSITY, GOD AND THE BIBLE AND USE THESE WORDS FOR GOOD. WE CAN USE THESE WORDS IN WAYS THAT INCLUDE INCLUSIVITY AND PROMOTE VARSITY WATCH ME DO IT GENESIS 9 8:13 AFTER THE FLOOD GOD MADE A COVENANT WITH NOAH AND ALL HIS DESCENDENTS THAT NEVER AGAIN WITH THE HUMAN FAMILY BE THREATENED WITH TOTAL ANNIHILATION BY FLOOD.

THE SIGN THAT GOD GAVE NOAH WAS THE RAINBOW.

SPECIFICALLY I WANT TO NOTE, ALL HIS DESCENDENTS.

GOD ISN'T NOTING THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE HETEROSEXUAL, EVERYONE.

WE AS HUMANS MUST CELEBRATE EVERYONE BECAUSE GOD IS DOING JUST THAT GOOD COUNSEL PERSONS BELL, BROWN AND COUNCIL MEMBER SHERRILL DON'T SPEAK FOR ALL CITIZENS OF ROWLETT BECAUSE NOT ALL CITIZENS OF ROWLETT FOLLOW THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

I PREFER MY TAX DOLLARS DON'T GO TOWARDS EASTER EGG HUNTS OR DECORATING CHRISTMAS TREES BUT I BELIEVE MY SON SHOULD BE EXPOSED TO PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS, ETHNICITIES AND REALITIES. IT WILL MAKE HIM A MORE OPEN INDIVIDUAL. RESEARCH SHOWN EXPOSURE TO DIVERSITY MAKES US MORE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE.

RECENTLY A STUDY CAME OUT SHOWING ROUGHLY 70 PERCENT OF

[03:30:02]

COUNCIL MEMBER SHERRILL BROWN AND BELL SHOW THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY OF THE 30 PERCENT OF ALL AMERICANS.

IF IT FEELS LIKE THE VAST MAJORITY OF ROWLETT AGREES WITH YOU I URGE YOU TO STEP OUT OF YOUR BUBBLE AND UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE CRITICIZING AND CONDEMNING REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE TAXPAYING CITIZENS OF ROWLETT THE SAME INDIVIDUALS CAN VOTE YOU OUT OF OFFICE. IN SUMMATION I WOULD WANT MORE LIKE TO STATE MY SUPPORT FOR MAYOR BASHIAN FOR HER FIGHT OF INCLUSION. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME FOR OUR FAITH, ETHNICITY AND OUR BELIEFS.

PTHANK YOU. >>> KENT ROSS.

ONE PERSON SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TELL THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE VOTED ON BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

THE MAYOR SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STATE PRIDE MONTH, TATTOO MONTH OR WHATEVER MONTH. WE ARE NOT A DICTATORSHIP.

>>> RIVER AND CAN. AS A PASTOR IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH I COMMEND THE CITY COUNCIL TO SHOW SUPPORT OF THE LGT CITIZENS WITH THE PROCLAMATION AND TOWER.

WE BELIEVE THAT GOD LOVES AND CREATED EACH AND EVERY ONE PERSON. HIS LOVE IS BROUGHT HE LOVES PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSGENDER, THOSE WHO LOVE OPPOSITE GENDERS AND THOSE WHO FALL ON OFF DIFFERENT POINTS OF THE LOVE SPECTRUM. THIS ACTION SUPPORTS THE GREAT VARSITY THAT HIS PRESENT IN YOUR CITIZENS.

THANK YOU FOR THIS ACTION. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAND YOUR GROUND AND NOT ALLOW THE RELIGIOUS BELIEF OF THE FEW INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

>> SPEAKER: LUIS AND YET TOE. I AM IN FAVOR OF THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER IN RAINBOW COLORS TO SUPPORT ROWLETT, TEXAS. I BELIEVE IN THE INCLUSION POWER OF PEOPLE. I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCILMEMBERS WHO WROTE EDITION IN SUPPORTING THE LGT COMMUNITY. COUNCIL LEADERS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL ROWLETT MEMBERS, PERIOD. LEAVE RELIGION

AND GOD OUT OF POLITICS. >>> TREVOR ROTHMAN.

1ST AND FOREMOST I STAND ON THE SIDE OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO COLORFUL RAINBOW LIGHTS ON THE WATER TOWER AS A MEANS THAT LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ARE SAFE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT BASED ON THIS IDEA SOME OF THE GAY FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY MIGHT WANT TO THINK LONG AND HARD IF THEY ARE SAFE AND PROTECTED HERE AND THAT IS SAD. LUCKILY THE EMAIL, PAM L SAYS IT'S TIME FOR CHRISTIANS TO BE HEARD.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THE REALITY OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH PAM BELL DOES NOT LIVE IN AS IT RELATES TO CHRISTIANITY.

THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY IS HEARD AND INFLUENCED ROUTE OUR US GOVERNMENT DESPITE THERE BEING A SUPPOSED SEPARATION BETWEEN FAITH AND STATE.

THE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T MENTION GOD BUT EVERY STATES CONSTITUTION DOES. 9/10 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIAN TODAY. MOST ARE CHRISTIAN MEN SWORN IN WITH THE BIBLE ENDING THEIR OATH AND SO HELPED ME GOD.

IN GOD WE TRUST IS ON OUR CURRENCY.

WHEN YOU TESTIFY IN COURT WHAT YOU SWEAR ON IS THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE. CHRISTIANS DON'T PAY TAXES SINCE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HOUSE NEEDY AND HOMELESS.AKE A GUESS AT HOW MANY CHURCHES OVERWHELMINGLY MAJORITY CHRISTIAN IN ROWLETT HOUSE THE HOMELESS? STUDIES SHOW 2 MILLION PEOPLE IDENTIFY AS CHRISTIAN IN THE U.S. WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF THE WEST BEING 3 TO 50 MILLION.

SO MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATION.

WE CANNOT BUY BEER BEFORE NOON ON SUNDAY IN TEXAS DUE TO BLUE LAWS WHICH ARE ROOTED IN CHRISTIANITY.

TEXAS JUST PASSED A LAW IMPACTING WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE THAT IS ROOTED IN CHRISTIAN BELIEFS, PANTS, ABORTION.

I BRING UP THESE POINTS THAT ARE CHRISTIANS ARE HEARD OVERWHELMINGLY IN OUR LAW, POLITICS AND MONEY IN THE VERY FABRIC OF THE U.S.. IT IS THOSE WHO HOLD THE BELIEFS AND LIFESTYLES THAT DIRECTLY CONTRADICT CHRISTIANS OWN BASED ON THE RELIGIOUS CONSTRUCTS OF SIN HAVE NOT BEEN HEARD YESTERDAY AND TODAY. IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AND CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN ASKING YOU WHAT THE RAINBOW LIGHTS MEAN ON THE LIGHT TOWER AS YOU DO NOT WANT TO TEACH THEM THAT LIFESTYLE JUST LIE ABOUT IT.

THAT'S WHAT YOU MOST LIKELY DO IN REGARDS TO SANTA CLAUS, THE EASTER BUNNY, TO GARY, ETC. JUST REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS GO CONFESS YOUR SINS BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE AND THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE JESUS HAS A TONE FOR YOUR SIN WHICH GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO JUDGE OTHERS AS YOU ARE DOING NOW WITH THIS TOPIC.

COUNCILMEMBER, PLEASE READ THIS AND ALIGN YOURSELF WITH REALITY. CHRISTIANS ARE NOT OPPRESSED AND HEARD MORE OFTEN THAN NOT CONCERNED, EDUCATED AND TIRED OF RELIGION DRIVING PUBLIC POLICY.

>> SPEAKER: REVEREND DOCTOR NEIL THOMAS SENIOR PASTOR HE IS HIM CATHEDRAL OF CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST.

I WRITE IN RESPECT OF ITEM 3E ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA WHICH WILL REVIEW THE POLICY AND REVISIT POLICY OF JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH. AS A MEMBER OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY PASTOR OF 30 YEARS AND HAVING MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN ROWLETT I SUPPORT YOUR PROCLAMATION AND AFFIRM YOUR DECISION TO LIGHT UP THE ROWLETT TOWER WITH PRIDE COLORS

[03:35:03]

HERE WE SHOW THE RAINBOW FLAG AS AFFIRMATION OF INCLUSIVE LOVE FOR OUR LGBTQ+ MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND ALLIES THAT OFTEN PERFORM MARRIAGE CEREMONIES FOR SAME GENDER LOVING COUPLES.

WE ARE HONORED AND PROUD TO DO SO.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MANY WHO SPEAK TODAY DON'T REPRESENT ALL CHRISTIANS AND THERE ARE MANY OPEN AND AFFIRMING CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES AND TEMPLES ALIKE THAT NOT ONLY WELCOME LGBTQ+ PEOPLE BUT HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND AND CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE IN FAITHFULNESS OF IT'S MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AND MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

THIS MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED FROM THE FOLLOWING.

GIVE HER RECENT RECLAMATION IN HONOR OF LGBTQ+ PRIDE AND THE LGT CITIZENS OF ROWLETT. LETTING THE WATER TOWER AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SENT A POWERFUL MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE AND BELONGING.

AS A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT IT MEANT A LOT TO DO THE CITY EMBRACING THE HE DIVERSITY THAT MAKES IT'S GREAT.

RETRACTING THAT MESSAGE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE WOULD BE A HUGE BLOW TO THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE THAT LOVE.

PLEASE KEEP THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION AND THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER AS A SYMBOL THAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS A WELCOME AND VITAL PART OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

>> SPEAKER: MATTIE BEVEL. ROWLETT IS A CITY WITH A DEEPLY DIVERSE POPULATION THAT INCLUDES MANY ETHNICITIES, CULTURES, BACKGROUNDS AND MORE. WHY ARE WE MAKING THE CHOICE TO EXCLUDE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND NOT CELEBRATE THEM.'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SOME OF THE STATEMENTS OF PASTORS HERE IN ROWLETT AND AS AN LGBTQ+ MEMBER I AM SUPPORTIVE.

WE DESERVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE AND BE LOVED AND ARE NOT ADULTERERS OR ANY OTHER LABELS THAT THESE CHRISTIANS WOULD LIKE TO PLACE ON THEM. THE CHERRY PICKING OF THE BIBLE SCRIPTURE IS REPREHENSIBLE. WE ARE TAUGHT TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS ABOVE ALL ELSE EVEN IF THEY ARE DIFFERENT THAN US.

THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY DESERVES TO BE CELEBRATED JUST LIKE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY WITHIN THE CITY.

IT DOES NOT CAUSE HARM TO ROWLETT TO DISPLAY PRIDE COLORS AND IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING BUT SHOW THAT ROWLETT IS EXCEPT THING OF ALL IT'S INHABITANTS. ISN'T THAT THE GOAL OF THE CITY? TO SHOW ACCEPTANCE FOR ALL CITIZENS REGARDLESS OF THEIR DIRECTIVES.

I URGE THE CITY OF ROWLETT TO TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION FROM HERE ON OUT. YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR NAMING JUNE AS PRIDE MONTH.

I AM A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA PASTOR AND LIVE AND SERVE IN THE GREATER SOUTHLAKE ROWLETT AREA.

THROUGHOUT TONY FIVE YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL MINISTRY, I HAVE REGULARLY BEEN BLESSED AND STAND IN EMPATHY AND PROTECTION AND FELLOWSHIP WITH AND FOR LGBTQ+ PERSONS.

I CONFESS I HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN BRAVE OR CLARIFIED MY LOVE AND BELIEF IN THERE INCLUSION IN THE COMMUNITY BUT LET ME BE SO BOLD TODAY. I BELIEVE THAT CHRISTIANS CAN FOLLOW JESUS AND CONFIRMED THE FULL INCLUSION OF LGBTQ+ PERSONS IN OUR WORLD. I WORRY REGULARLY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AND ASK YOU STAND STRONG TO AFFIRM THEIR BEAUTY, ALTERATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

>>> TONYA HALE, THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY COMMENTS TODAY.

I AM NOT THERE AND WHILE I DO WANT MY SON TO KNOW THERE ARE INJUSTICES IN LIFE I DO NOT WANT TO PERSONALLY SHOW HIM THE

[03:40:04]

I'M A CALL THAT MARTHA BROWN AND PAM BELL HAVE USED HIS PERSONAL LEAVES TO IGNITE THE PASTOR WHO DO NOT FEEL THE WAY HE DOES TO TAKE SHAMEFUL ACTIONS AGAINST THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT. I AM A CITIZEN.

I DON'T PROTEST AGAINST MARRIAGES OR LIFESTYLES THAT ARE NOT LIKE MINE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HURT ANYONE.

BECAUSE OF OUR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SO DON'T PROTEST AGAINST THE BIBLE AND WHAT IT SAYS.

I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR BIBLE SAYS BECAUSE I HAVE THE FREEDOM IN ROWLETT, TEXAS, USA TO NOT HORRIFY THEM.

I WILL ALWAYS RESPECT THOSE WHO LOVE AND RESPECT.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ASHAMED TO LIVE IN ROWLETT. DIDN'T KNOW THAT I LIVED IN A CITY THAT DOESN'T TAKE PRIDE IN IT CITIZEN.

TO ME THESE LIGHTS ARE IN A CELEBRATION, THEY ARE SUPPORT TO REAL PEOPLE RIGHT BESIDE US WHO HAVE A REAL AND DEPRESSIVE BACK IN THERE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY.

THOSE OPPOSED TO THE RAINBOW ARE THE REASON IT EXISTS.

OR THAT ANYTHING I WANT TO THANK MAYOR BASHIAN FOR BEING A NONPARTISAN LEADER. SUPPORT YOU AS SO MANY OTHERS IN THE CITY DO. YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY THOSE WHO ARE ACCEPTING ARE OFTEN QUIET AND THOSE WHO HATE ARE OFTEN LOUD.

THANK YOU FOR SERVING. >> SPEAKER: LAURA BINGHAM.

MY HUSBAND JAMES AND I MOVED HERE WITH OUR THAN TWO-YEAR-OLD. WE PLAN TO RAISE A FAMILY HERE.

WE FOUND A HOME IN A CHURCH HERE.

WE VOLUNTEER AND VOTE AND SHOP HERE.

WE FEEL PART OF THE COMMUNITY. I WAS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE WIN MAYOR BASHIAN ATTENDED A SMALL GESTURE OF INCLUSION WELCOMING ALL PEOPLE INTO OUR COMMUNITY JUST LIKE ME AND MY FAMILY WERE, SOME OPPOSE THAT. REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE OUR LGBTQ+ NEIGHBORS DON'T MAKE THEM LESS GAY AND CERTAINLY DOESN'T MAKE US ANY MORE RIGHTEOUS.

IT MAKES US BIGOTED AND EXCLUSIVE.

A CITY ONLY OPEN TO THOSE WHO FIT A NARROW MOLD, PLEASE NOTE THOSE AREN'T THE VALUES ME AND MY FAMILY HOLDS.

AS CHRISTIANS, I RECENT THOSE THAT WOULD WEAPON EYES OUR FAITH TO EXCLUDE OR BELITTLE GOD'S CHILDREN.

AS A MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY I WANT TO BE PROUD OF MY CITY AS A PLACE THAT THRIVES ON DIVERSITY.

PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THINAND ALLOWED THE PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION AND R LIGHTING CONTINUE.

WE HAVE A PRO TEM COUNCIL MEMBER GRUBISICH AND A DEPUTY PRO TEM COUNCIL MEMBER SHERRILL.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR REGULAR MEETING.

WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 3E. WE HAVE A LOT OF BREAKS TONIGHT DO WE WANT ANOTHER BREAK OR DO WE WANT TO JUST MOVE INTO IT? PI'D LIKE TO SAY LET'S JUST MOV INTO IT UNLESS I HEAR DIFFERENTLY. OKAY.

SO, WE CAN MOVE BACK INTO THE WORK SESSION ROOM OR JUST STAY.

I PROPOSE WE JUST STAY HERE. OKAY.

I ALREADY READ IT INTO THE RECORD BUT I WILL READ IT AGAIN TO MAKE CLEAR. ITEM 3 3E. DISCUSS THE CITYB WATER TOWER LIGHTING PRACTICE AND THE ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATIONS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS COUNCIL WOMAN BROWN AND COUNCIL WOMAN BELL ASKED TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA SO IT OPEN THE DISCUSSION UP TO EITHER OF YOU.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YES. I PLACED THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND, ALL THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE AS COUNSEL, YOU'VE SEEN US MAKE A FEW TONIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE WATCHED US, MONTH AFTER MONTH, WEEK AFTER WEEK, YEAR AFTER YEAR THE WAY WE MAKE DECISIONS ON THIS COUNSEL OF WHAT WE SUPPORT AND WHAT WE DO IS ALWAYS BY MAJORITY VOTE.

YOU HAVE SEEN THAT TONIGHT. I DO BELIEVE THAT AS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A VOICE OF THE PROCLAMATIONS, WHAT IS APPROVED OF A PROCLAMATION, THEY ARE DONE IN THE NAME OF THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

THAT'S PRETTY INCLUSIVE THAT THAT IS ALL OF US INCLUDING OUR CITIZENS AND IT'S REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR CITIZENS. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BY MINORITY VOTE THAT IS NOT TO EXCLUDE ANYONE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THAT. I HAVE NEVER PROPOSE THAT TO

[03:45:04]

I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

IF THERE IS SOME THAT I DON'T SUPPORT THAT THE REST OF THE COUNCIL DOES THEN THAT IS OUR PROCESS.

AND, THE SAME GOES IF I SUPPORT SOME THING IN THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL SUPPORTS IT. NOT EXPECTING THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE 100 PERCENT IN OUR COMMUNITY HAPPY WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REPRESENT THE MAJORITY AND THAT IS WHAT I AM PROPOSING AND SUPPORTING TONIGHT.

I DO WANT TO MAKE ONE EDITORIAL COMMENT.

I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THINGS SAID BUT I DO WANT TO SAY PUBLICLY THAT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE WANTING TO RESEND THE PROCLAMATION.

I PERSONALLY DO NOT SUPPORT THAT.

EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION BUT IT WAS DONE UNDER THE GUIDANCE THAT WE HAD.

I DO BELIEVE IN THE PROCESSES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

SOMETIMES THEY NEED TO BE TWEAKED.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF RESCINDING THE PROCLAMATION. IT WAS ALREADY GIVEN EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T SUPPORT IT. I'VE ALSO HEARD TALK OF PEOPLE WANTING TO RECALL THE MAYOR OVER THE ISSUE.

I KNOW SHE FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT IT AND I FEEL STRONGLY INTO MY DEEPLY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND I LOVE EVERYONE.

YOU CAN BELIEVE ME OR NOT BUT I DO.

I DON'T HAVE HATE IN MY HEART FOR ANYBODY AND I VALUE EVERY SINGLE PERSON FOR WHO THEY ARE INDIVIDUALLY AS IT SHOULD BE.

I WILL SAY THIS. TAMMIE HAS SERVED OUR COMMUNITY HONORABLY AND VERY WELL FOR OVER NINE YEARS.

I WOULD NEVER SUPPORT A RECALL FOR HER.

I WANT TO EDITORIALLY SAY THAT AND BE ON RECORD FOR THAT.

THIS DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PERSONAL FEELINGS.

I DO BELIEVE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS DESERVE TO BE WELL

REPRESENTED. >> MAYOR: COUNCIL WOMAN BELL?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I ALSO AGREE WITH MARTHA.

TAMMIE HAS BEEN AN AWESOME MAYOR AND I DO NOT AGREE WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO ME AND SAID RECALL AND I SAY NO, OR NOT GOING THERE. I ALSO DON'T WANT TO RESEND THE PROCLAMATION EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT AGREE TO IT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON IT AND THAT IS IN THE PAST. I DO NOT DISLIKE ANYONE.

I AM NOT A BIG IT AS PEOPLE SAY I AM, WHICH I AM NOT.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR HATE.

I ACCEPT A PERSON FOR HOW THEY ARE, I DON'T CARE.

BECAUSE I DO HAVE GAZE IN MY FAMILY.

I CAN'T DENY IT. I LOVE THEM TO THE MOON AND BACK. I WOULDN'T TAKE ANYTHING FROM THEM.N FACT, I DO HAVE A BROTHER WHO DIED FROM AIDS.

WHEN PEOPLE GET UP HERE AND THEY SAY THOSE HATEFUL THINGS TO ME, IT HURTS. IT REALLY HURTS.

I COME FROM ANOTHER ANGLE. I REPRESENT THE MAJORITY.

AND I STILL FEEL YOU ALL. BECAUSE I GREW UP, MY BROTHER WAS YOUNGER THAN ME. I SAW HIM AT SIX YEARS OLD.

I KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. HE WAS A LOT YOUNGER THAN ME.

YES I AM TREMBLING BECAUSE I LOVED MY BROTHER.

SO, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, THE BIGOTRY, NO I AM NOT.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR IT. AND HE IS REPRESENTED IN MY HEART. OKAY? AND I HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT ARE TRANSGENDER ALSO.

DON'T COME TO ME AND TALK TO ME LIKE THAT.

[03:50:01]

WHEN YOU GO OUT THERE AND SAID IT, NO YOU DIDN'T TALK.

I DIDN'T TALK TO YOU. SO, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL. DON'T BLAST ME ON FACEBOOK.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: COUNCIL MEMBER

SHERRILL? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED TONIGHT OF HATRED AND I HAVE NEVER HATED ANYBODY NOR ANYTHING UNLESS IT'S A RATTLESNAKE AND I DON'T LIKE THAT BUT THAT'S THE. I'VE NEVER HATED ANYBODY.

ONE THING THAT BOTHERS ME I GUESS IS SEPARATING PEOPLE BY THEIR LIFE CHOICES I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY.

WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. WE ARE ALL PEOPLE AND WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. WHY ARE WE SEPARATED? WHY DO PEOPLE SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM OTHER PEOPLE? I'M NOT RUNNING AROUND SAYING I AM A WHITE MALE WHATEVER.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT DOING THAT. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEPARATE MYSELF FROM ANYONE. WHETHER IT BE I CAN'T GET THE LETTERS RIGHT TO SAVE MY LIFE. LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

I DON'T, I THINK THAT IS WRONG. THAT IS A SEPARATION AND SEPARATING YOURSELVES. WHY NOT BE AMERICANS, WHY NOT JUST BE PEOPLE? I ACCEPT EVERYBODY, I DON'T CARE. I DON'T KNOW.

I GUESS PEOPLE LOOK AT US DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT WE LOOK AT OURSELVES. I DON'T KNOW.

I LIKE EVERYBODY. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY DON'T TRY TO PUSH THEIR LIFESTYLES ON ME.

THEY DON'T CARE WHAT MY LIFESTYLE IS AND I DON'T CARE WHAT THEIR LIFESTYLE IS.E ARE JUST FRIENDS.

WE ARE GOOD FRIENDS AND WE WORKED TOGETHER.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SEPARATION.

PEOPLE TRYING TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES.

JUST BECOME ONE OF US. THAT FLAG RIGHT BACK THERE, WE ALL OUGHT TO BE SAYING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THAT

GUY AND B-1 PEOPLE. >> MAYOR: I CAN SPEAK NOW OR LATER. I DON'T LIKE TO BE THE LAST WORD BECAUSE THAT'S NOT FAIR, EITHER.

DO YOU WANT TO GO COUNCIL MEMBER MARGOLIS?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THANK YOU. AS A COUNCIL MEMBER ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO REPRESENT ALL PEOPLE WITHIN ROWLETT I REFUSE TO CAST JUDGMENT UPON THOSE WHO LIVE OR WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY OR EXCLUDE PEOPLE FROM BEING EQUALLY REPRESENTED IN THIS COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT WHO I AM AND IT'S NOT BE WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A PUBLIC SERVANT PAIRED WITH THAT I WILL EITHER SUPPORT A PROCLAMATION POLICY THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE INTENT TO DISCRIMINATE OR I WILL SUPPORT THERE BEING NO FURTHER PROCLAMATIONS GIVEN.

ANYTHING IN BETWEEN I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING.

ADDITIONALLY THE WATER TOWER LIGHTING DISCUSSION HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNSEL FOR OVER A YEAR. IT WAS ONLY TWO MONTHS AGO THAT WE FINALLY REACHED A CONSENSUS ON THE WATER TOWER LIGHTING POLICY. MY QUESTION IS, WHY TWO MONTHS LATER IS THERE SOME OUTRAGE IN THE COUNCIL REGARDING THE LIGHTING POLICY THAT WE ALL AGREED TO? I WANT TO SAY TO ALL OF YOU HERE THAT WERE BRAVE ENOUGH TO COME UP AND SPEAK, I HEAR YOU, I RESPECT YOU AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED AND EQUALLY TREATED IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT. AND LASTLY I WANT TO TO SAY SHAME ON THOSE WHO PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO WASTE OUR TIME. WE HAVE REAL ISSUES IN OUR CITY THAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON LIKE THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE THIS THURSDAY.

YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DIVIDED THIS CITY AND SPARKED A CULTURE WAR. I SUGGEST THAT WE MOVE ON TO REAL ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT CONTINUE THIS RIDICULOUS DISCUSSION AND EMBARRASSMENT.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: OKAY, I WILL GO.

SO, I DON'T HAVE A PREPARED SPEECH.

I HAVE BULLET POINTS THAT I WANT TO COVER.

[03:55:04]

IS THAT WHAT I AM TELLING THEM TOMORROW >>> YOU MIGHT AS WELL DISSOLVE IT AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL ADMIT THAT YOU REALLY DON'T SUPPORT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOR ALL.

THE ACTIONS I HAVE SEEN FROM CERTAIN COUNCILMEMBERS AND TO A LESSER EXTENT RESIDENTS IS EXACTLY WHY WE DID NEED TO ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION AND IS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED TO LIGHT THE WATER TOWER. THIS PROCLAMATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND ACCEPTED AS A MATTER OF FACT WITH ABSOLUTELY ZERO CONTROVERSY. I WAS SHOCKED.

MAYBE I AM NAC/VE. MAYBE I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE TOO MUCH. THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I GAVE A PRIDE PROCLAMATION JUST LIKE I HAVE GIVEN BLACK HISTORY PROCLAMATION.

JUST LIKE I HAVE GIVEN WOMEN VOTING RIGHT PROCLAMATIONS.

JUST LIKE I GAVE JUNETEENTH PROCLAMATIONS.

AND DISABILITY PROCLAMATIONS. AS REQUESTED BY THE ROWLETT DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION COMMISSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR MISSION THAT WAS APPROVED BY THIS COUNSEL.

THIS IS NOT A MAYOR BASHIAN ISSUE.

THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF ME TRYING TO SEEK HIGHER OFFICE TO GUESS WHAT, I WON'T BE. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE THIS IS ABOUT THIS COUNSEL FORMED A RDEIC COMMISSION WITH A MISSION AND WE FULFILL THAT MISSION BY ISSUING A PRIDE PROCLAMATION AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE SHIP SHOW STARTED FOR NO GOOD REASON.

ROWLETT ISSUING A PRIDE PROCLAMATION AND LIGHTING THE WATER TOWER DOESN'T TAKE AWAY ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY ELSE.

I AM NOT PUSHING MY AGENDA ON YOU.

I AM REPRESENTING ALL CITIZENS. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS ARE. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ARE. I DON'T PUSH MY RELIGION ON YOU.DON'T PUSH YOUR RELIGION ON ME.

WE REPRESENT CITIZENS. THIS IS CITY POLICY OR THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RELIGION. WE PUT THE LIGHTS ON THE WATER TOWER WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WOULD USE THEM TO CELEBRATE. WE HAVE CELEBRATED A LOT WITH THOSE LIGHTS. WE USE THE WATER TOWER TO CELEBRATE FOURTH OF JULY, CHRISTMAS, BACK THE BLUE.

WE CAN'T TURN THE LIGHTS ON TO CELEBRATE PRIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR MISSION OF THE ROWLETT DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION COMMISSION? OUR COUNTRY IS ONE THAT UPHOLDS THE IDEALS OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

ANYONE CAN PRACTICE WHATEVER RELIGION THEY CHOOSE.

AND THAT ONE RELIGION SHOULD NOT BE FAVORED ABOVE ANOTHER.

OPPOSING THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION AND THE WATER TOWER LIGHTING ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS MEANS YOU THINK YOUR RELIGION SHOULD BE PREFERENCE OVER OTHER PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS.

THAT VIOLATES OUR FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT TO SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. I DON'T USUALLY QUOTE PEOPLE BUT I HEARD IT AND I LOVED IT. IT WAS FROM BOBBY KENNEDY.

EACH TIME A MAN STANDS UP FOR AN IDEAL OR ASK TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF OTHERS OR STRIKES OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE HE SENDS FORTH A TINY RIPPLE OF HOPE IN CROSSING EACH OTHER FROM A MILLION DIFFERENT CENTERS OF ENERGY AND DARING THOSE RIPPLES BUILD A CURRENT WHICH CAN SWEEP DOWN THE MIGHTIEST WALLS OF OPPRESSION AND RESISTANCE. PROBABLY THE SADDEST THING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE ARE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS.

I DON'T WANT ANYBODY DISAPPOINTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

[04:00:02]

ROWLETT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BUILD A FAMILY.

PWHATEVER YOUR FAMILY LOOKS LIKE.

MY FAMILY IS A SINGLE WOMAN RIGHT NOW WITH A HECK OF A LOT OF FRIENDS IN THIS COMMUNITY. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS. THIS IS HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE PROGRESS. IN DISCUSSION IS IMPORTANT AND UNDERSTANDING IS IMPORTANT AND ACCEPTANCE IS IMPORTANT.

COUNCIL MEMBER GRUBISICH? >> COUNCIL MEMBER: FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY. I THINK IT HAS BEEN A LONG NIGHT. EVERYONE THAT HAD THE COURAGE TO COME UP AND STAND UP AND SPEAK TONIGHT ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME VERY PERSONAL STORIES THAT CAME OUT TONIGHT. I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SPOKE TONIGHT THAT HAD NEVER SPOKEN IN FRONT OF A CROWD LIKE THIS. IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAD COME OUT. THEY DID THAT IN A VENUE LIKE THIS. TO ME THAT NEEDS TO BE CELEBRATED. TO ME, THAT IS WORTH CELEBRATING. DEMOCRACY WORKS.

BOTH SIDES GOT TO STAND UP AND SAY THEIR PIECE AND SAY WHAT THEY BELIEVED IN. THERE IS VERY FEW PLACES IN THE MALL WORLD THAT YOU CAN DO THAT AND WE DID THAT HERE TONIGHT.

I GO BACK TO A PHILOSOPHER THAT YOU ALL KNOW.

YODA. FEAR LEADS TO ANGER, ANGER LEADS TO HATE, HATE LEADS TO SUFFERING.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUFFERING OUT THERE A LOT OF SUFFERING IN OUR WORLD. ONE THING I WANT TO ADD TO HIS QUOTE IS, WHAT LEADS TO FEAR HIS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.

IT IS LACK OF EDUCATION. IT IS A LACK OF SITTING DOWN AND TALKING TO THE PERSON SITTING ACROSS THE AISLE FROM YOU. WE HAVE GOTTEN SO FAR AWAY FROM THAT IN THIS COUNTRY. IF ANYTHING WE HAVE TAKEN WHAT COULD'VE BEEN AN EXCELLENT TOOL WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BRING THE WORLD TOGETHER, AND FURTHER ISOLATED US.

IT HAS PUT US INTO GROUPS. LOOK AT YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

IT TELLS YOU WHAT GROUPS YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH.

YOU FOLLOW PEOPLE OF YOUR OWN LIKE AND THEN WE HIDE BEHIND KEYBOARDS AND LASH OUT AGAINST THOSE THAT ARE IN DIFFERENT GROUPS THAN US. THAT'S NOT ABOUT JULIE EQUALITY AND EQUITY. THAT'S NOT ABOUT BUILDING CHRISTIANITY. WHEN WE HAVE THAT LACK OF UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE HERE. YOU ARE THAT TONIGHT.

YOU GET ANGER, WE HEARD THAT TONIGHT.

WE GOT HATE, HE HEARD THAT TONIGHT.

AND WE HAVE SUFFERING AND WE HEARD THAT TONIGHT.

THE ONLY WAY YOU MOVE FORWARD AS YOU KEEP THAT CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD. AND YOU GET PEOPLE TALKING TO EACH OTHER. NOT ACROSS KEYBOARDS BUT OUT ON A GREEN PASTURE IN DOWNTOWN ROWLETT TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES UNDERNEATH A LIGHTED WATER TOWER.

I AM ALL IN FAVOR OF US CONTINUING OUR PROCLAMATIONS AS WE HAVE GOING FORWARD OF RECOGNIZING EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEIR BELIEFS AND LIGHTING OUR WATER TOWER TO RECOGNIZE THOSE GROUPS. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK? I'M NOT PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.

THERE IS NO VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT IT WAS NOT PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR A VOTE WAS PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR A DISCUSSION.

THIS IS WHEN YOU USUALLY TAKE OVER AND SAY WHAT YOU I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT A CITY POLICY AND COUNSEL POLICY SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF IS DIRECTED ON THIS.

ARE WE GOING TO BRING IT BACK? IF SO WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO HEAR TONIGHT TO BRING BACK SOMETHING THAT IS SUCCESSFUL.

>> MAYOR: I THINK WE NEED TO GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[04:05:01]

[2. EXECUTIVE SESSION]

AT THIS TIME WE WILL ADJOURN THE WORK SESSION AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS ITEM. THE TIME IS NOW, IS SO LATE I WATCH DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE AT 11:20 9:00 MAYOR: ALL RIGHT.

IT IS 12:05. THE 16TH.

WE HAVE CONCLUDED OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE WILL, WE ARE ADVISING THE PUBLIC THAT WE HAVE ASKED THE CITY STAFF TO DO RESEARCH ON WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING IN REGARDS TO PROCLAMATION POLICIES.

AND THEY WILL UNDERTAKE THAT RESEARCH AND WILL CONSIDER AFTER THE RESEARCH WHAT TO DO. AT THAT TIME IN REGARDS TO POTENTIALLY PUTTING LANGUAGE IN PLACE FOR A POTENTIAL PROCLAMATION POLICY FOR A VOTE OF CITY COUNCIL. THAT RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE FIRST. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A WATER TOWER LIGHTING POLICY THAT IS IN PLACE AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT POLICY AND WE WILL BE LIGHTING THE WATER TOWER. WE HAVE DECIDED.

DID I SAY THAT CORRECTLY DAVID? OKAY.

AND THEN IN REGARDS TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL MEETING WE HAD TWO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WERE GOING TO DELAY THAT FOR A FUTURE MEETING AND WE ARE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.