[5B. Update from the City Council and Management: Financial Position, Major Projects, Operational Issues, Upcoming Dates of Interest and Items of Community Interest.]

IS ITEM 5B. UPDATE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL POSITION, MAJOR PROJECTS, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, UPCOMING DATES OF INTEEST AND ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED TONIGHT SO I WILL ASK THE COUNCIL IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. COUNCIL MEMBER SHERRILL?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: YES AUGUST 26 WILL BE THE NEXT CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY. THURSDAY NIGHT.

IT RUNS 12 WEEKS. ALL THURSDAY NIGHTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE SATURDAY WHICH IS WHEN YOU GET TO SHOOT THE GUN AND DRIVE THE CARS. YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH THAT THING. REGISTRATION IS NOW.

YOU CAN NOW REGISTERED BY GOING TO ROWLETT.COM/CPA.> MAYOR: THANK YOU. NEXT WILL BE COUNCIL MEMBER MARGOLIS.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: THEY WILL LET YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AND YOU CAN GO AND FIND THOSE APPLICATIONS AT ROWLETT.COM / OR WHY .

[6. CITIZENS’ INPUT]

>> MAYOR: ANY OTHER COMMENTS? WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM 6.

CITIZENSB AT THIS TIME, THREE-MINUTE COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC. NO ACTION CAN TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL DURING CITIZENSB GOING TO DO THIS ONE MORE TIME SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS.

[00:10:04]

THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT FILLED OUT ITEM 3E . SOME PEOPLE ENTERED IN CITIZEN INPUT.

SOME PEOPLE DID BOTH YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO THAT IF YOU ARE COVERING DECLAMATIONS AND WATER TOWER AND YOU CITIZEN GENERAL COMMENTS ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THAT.

WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IS GO THROUGH THE CITIZEN INPUT COMMENT IN PERSON. THEN I WILL GO THROUGH THE 3E CARDS AND ASK YOU IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK NOW OR YOU WANT TO DO IT AFTER THE MEETING WHEN WE PICKED BACK UP ON 3E.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH. THEN I WILL READ THE COMMENTS THAT CAME IN VIA EMAIL. OKAY? SO, OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS RYAN KALIL.

I ALWAYS SAY IT WRONG. AND THEN AFTER RYAN WILL BE KATE WALKER. LIKE I SAID IF SHE SPOKE ON 3E, OTHER WAY. SPEAK TO US.

[INDISCERNABLE] I DON'T KNOW.

I THANK YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT I GUESS.

USUALLY YOU SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL THAT'S WHAT CITIZEN COMMENTS ARE. IS THE CAMERA FACING? ISN'T THE CAMERA GOING THIS WAY? LAURA? EITHER WAY.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> SPEAKER: ALL RIGHT AND DOING IT THIS WAY.

IS THIS GOING TO WORK HE MET TESTING, TESTING.

I'M GOING TO STATE MY NAME FOR THE RECORD AGAIN.

MY NAME FOR THE RECORD IS RYAN KALIL MY ADDRESS IS 215 RIVER FERN AVENUE, GARLAND TEXAS. I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN THAT IT IS TEMPORARILY. I AM MOVING BACK TO ROWLETT IN OCTOBER. TO MY FELLOW LGBTQ+ MEMBERS AND ALLIES WHO ARE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT, HAPPY PRIDE.

THIS MONTH IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING WHO WE ARE AND LOVING BOTH OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.

FOR THOSE HERE IN DIFFERENT OR IN OPPOSITION I HOPE YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING TODAY ABOUT WHAT MAKES LGBTQ+ CULTURE SO SPECIAL. HISTORICALLY THE MONTH OF JUNE HAS BEEN MARKED WITH PRIDE ACTIVISM, PROTEST, NOT CELEBRATION AND IN RESPONSE TO THE VIOLENCE AND BRUTALITY THAT LGBTQ+ PEOPLE FACE AT THE HANDS OF FELLOW AMERICANS, POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT.HIS SPEAKS TO THE DUALITY OF PRIDE MONTH.

IF TIME TO CELEBRATE A PERSON'S AUTHENTIC IDENTITY AND A TIME TO ADVOCATE FOR CIVIL LIBERTIES AND ACCEPTANCE AND THE ONGOING CULTURAL BATTLE FOR EQUALITY. THE GROWTH OF THE MODERN PRIDE MOVEMENT AND TACKING ON OF ADDITIONAL LETTER SPEAKS TO THE COMPLEXITY OF HUMAN NATURE. ORIGINALLY WHICH WAS SIMPLY THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT HAS BLOSSOMED TO INCLUDE LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER WHERE THE CLEAR PLUS AND UMBRELLA PLUS WHICH INCLUDES A SEXUAL AND NON-BINARY.

INSTEAD OF LISTING THEM ALL IT WOULD TAKE ME ALL DAY.

WHAT IS PRIDE? PRIDE IS A CULTURE OF SELF-AFFIRMATION AND DIGNITY. RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DIVERSITY. VISIBILITY AND CONNECTION THROUGH OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE. OF EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY SO NO MORE CHILDREN HAVE TO GROW UP FEELING CONFUSED, ISOLATED AND REJECTED LIKE WE DID. INCREASING VISIBILITY AND NORMALIZING THE CLEAR EXPERIENCE IS A BIG PART OF WHAT PRIDE MONTH IS ALL ABOUT. THE VISIBILITY COMES TO THE BENEFIT OF ADULTS THAT ARE COMING TO GRIPS WITH THE WORLD ITSELF. LGBTQ+ HAVE SELF-DOUBT, ANXIETY AROUND THEIR FEELINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT TYPICALLY GROWN UP WITH MANY RESOURCES TO UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES OR WITNESS REPRESENTATION THROUGH MEDIA OR IN THERE PERSONAL LIFE. I KNOW IF I KNEW WHAT TRANSGENDER WAS BEFORE MY LATE 20S I MIGHT FIND THE HAPPINESS AND CONTENT SOONER THAN I DID. NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU ARE, NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION YOU ARE FACING, REMEMBER, IT GETS BETTER AND TO LOVE YOURSELF.

>> MAYOR: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KATE VORE.

AND AFTER KATE IS JORDAN VORE. >> SPEAKER: I AM KATHERINE I GO BY KATE. I LIVE IN ROWLETT.

[00:15:04]

I HAVE ACTUALLY LIVED HERE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND 1/2.

WE JUST GOT. AND, I HOPE YOU ALL BEAR WITH ME. I AM MORE OF A WRITER THAN A PUBLIC SPEAKER. I TOOK SOME NOTES AND I WILL PROBABLY WENT DOWN EVERY SO OFTEN.

I THANK OU FOR GIVING ME THIS TIME TO SPEAK.

I AM A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND A DEVOUT CATHOLIC. ONE THING I SAY ABOUT MY RELIGION IS THAT CATHOLICS ARE A BLUJUS MINORITY.

LATIN MASS CATHOLICS EVEN MORE SO.

THERE'S ONLY ONE PARISH IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF DALLAS THAT SERVES MY COMMUNITY. THE REASON I AM HERE TO SPEAK TODAY IS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW DISTURBING I FOUND THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER AND THE PROCLAMATION. ONE THING IT DID WAS DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY. I DON'T LIKE TO SEE DIVISIVENESS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I DON'T LIKE TO SEE ANTI-CHRISTIAN SENTIMENT OR BIGOTRY.

I DON'T LIKE ANY OF THIS. THIS WAS VERY ALARMING.

AND VERY DISTRESSING COULD BE THE WORD.

I SAW PEOPLE OF MY COMMUNITY CALLED BIGOTS, HYPOCRITES, A SLEW OF NASTY TERMS. I ALSO SAW A LOT OF HATRED ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT I WAS VERY DISTURBED PERSONALLY BY THE NASTY THINGS THAT WERE SAID ABOUT PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY. WE TALK ABOUT INCLUSIVENESS WE TALK ABOUT ACCEPTANCE GOOD ONE THING I DIDN'T SEE WAS A LOT OF ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSIVENESS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CHRISTIAN BELIEFS OR EVEN CATHOLIC LEAFS WHICH ARE ANOTHER SUBSET AND CAN DIFFER. WHAT I SAW WAS A DIVISION AND A LOT OF ATTACKS BASED ON THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR OWN RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES. I THINK MEMBERS OF OUR CITY COUNCIL ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE THOSE RELIGIOUS EFFORTS THAT GUIDE THEIR LIFE. I DON'T THINK THE DIVISION I SAW IN THE COMMUNITY WAS ACCEPTABLE.

TO BE HONEST I STARTED ASKING MYSELF IF I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION MOVING HERE. MY HUSBAND AND MY SON MOVED HERE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO LIVE IN A TIGHTKNIT COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO SEE THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING. DECENT INFRASTRUCTURE, GOOD SCHOOLS. WE DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP IN DIVISIVENESS, POLITICAL POSTURING, SMEAR CAMPAIGNS, ANY OF THAT. WHAT WE WANT IS A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE FEELS INCLUDED AND ACCEPTED.

WHAT I SAW WAS APPALLING. I DID NOT FEEL EXCEPT IT.

I FELT ISOLATED AND I FELT LIKE MY OPINION DIDN'T MATTER IN MY COMMUNITY. MY ETHICS AND MY IDENTITY DIDN'T MATTER. I AM A CATHOLIC WOMAN AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE ATTACKED BASED ON THOSE BELIEFS.

I DON'T WANT TO FEEL THAT I CAN'T TELL PEOPLE I AM A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE THERE'S ASSUMPTIONS MADE ABOUT MY BELIEF SYSTEMS. I WANT TO KNOW THAT I HAVE REPRESENTATION ON MY CITY COUNCIL. ALSO DESERVE THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> MAYOR: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JORDAN VORE AND AFTER JORDAN IS KELLY MCKEE .

. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS JORDAN Q2 AND I LIVE IN ROWLETT, TEXAS.

ME AND MY WIFE MOVED HERE IN JULY OF LAST YEAR.

IN THAT TERM MY WIFE HAS SERVED AS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND I SERVED AS AN ELECTION JUDGE.

AT SURETY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND BALL ELEMENTARY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION AND JOINT ELECTION LAST MARCH.

I FIRST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS CONTROVERSY ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN SOMEONE POSTED PICTURES BETWEEN EMAILS BETWEEN CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE ESSENTIALLY PICTURES TAKEN WITH A CELL PHONE OF A COMPUTER SCREEN.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK BACK TO THE HISTORY.

THERE'S AN OLD ROMAN PROVERB OF QUI BONO.

WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS? STIRRING UP THESE KINDS OF DIVISIONS? I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK BUT MORE TO ASK IS WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF LIGHTING UP THE TOWER WITH THE RAINBOW FLAG.

HERE THAT PEOPLE SAY IT'S ABOUT INCLUSION, SAFETY AND LOVE AND REPRESENTING A WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESULT? IT'S BEEN DIVISION, CONTENTION, HATRED OF YOUR FELLOW NEIGHBOR. PEOPLE FIGHTING ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.

AS MY WIFE SAID WE ARE BOTH ROMAN CATHOLICS.

VERY TRADITIONAL ROMAN CATHOLICS AT THAT.

AND, OUR VERY SINCERELY HELD DEEPLY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

[00:20:06]

BACK TO MY LIFESTYLE ARE IMMORAL.

RECENTLY THE POPE HIMSELF CAME OUT AND SAID THAT HE COULD NOT LESS GAY MARRIAGES BECAUSE MAN CANNOT BLESS SIN.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING AND I'VE SEEN IT HAPPENED IN REAL TIME SINCE I WAS BORN IN 1985 IS IN THE LGBTQ+ MOVEMENT IT HAS GONE FROM TOLERANCE TO REQUESTING ACCEPTANCE TO NO DOMINANCE.

IT'S GONE FROM WE JUST WANT TO LIVE TO ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW IT

IS BAKED THE CAKE. >> MAYOR: PLEASE LET HIM SPEAK

AND GIVE HIM THE RESPECT. >> SPEAKER: IT IS TELLING WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LIGHTING UP THE WATER TOWER . WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT THE WATER TOWER WAS LIT UP FOR A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY? HAS THE CROSS BEEN PUT ON IT? DO WE CELEBRATE EASTER OR

CHRISTMAS IN THE SAME WAY. >>> THE ONLY THING WE TALK ABOUT DOING IS LIGHTING IT UP WITH THE LGBTQ+ RAINBOW FLAG.

THIS NEW KIND OF RELIGION HAS COME UP THIS IDEOLOGY OF THIS CULTURAL MARXISM, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

BUT BUYING INTO THIS IS A PROMOTION OF THAT IDEOLOGY.

AKIN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION WHICH I THINK EVERYONE WOULD BE AGREEING IT IS SOMETHING WE COULD AVOID.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCLUSION WHY DO WE TALK ABOUT INCLUSION AND NOT TALK ABOUT INCLUDING ANY OTHER GROUPS IN THE FAR

MARGINALIZED ONE? >> MAYOR: YOUR TIME IS UP SIR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GUYS, PLEASE.

KELLY MCKEE AND THEN LEANNE WELK IS AFTER KELLY.

>> SPEAKER: I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS.

16 YEARS. Y'ALL HAVE JUST NOW ACCEPTED ME ENOUGH TO COME HERE. I CAME TO HAM, BROWNIE AND MARTHA. I CAME TO ADDRESS THE PASTORS WHO SPOKE AT THE LAST MEETING. THEN I REALIZE THEY DON'T MATTER. THEY ARE NOT ELECTED TO REPRESENT ME. THEY WERE JUST DOING WHAT YOU GUYS ASKED TO DO. YOU ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE.

YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO ME AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY. NOT JUST THE ONES YOU CHOOSE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO. YOUR ACTIONS AND YOUR WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. IT MAKES ME SAD TO KNOW THAT I VOTED FOR SOME OF YOU. I AM SAD THAT YOU HAVE SAID PRIVATELY TO ME ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT YOU VALUE AND SUPPORT LGBTQ+ CITIZENS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT YOU LIED.

AND BEHIND CLOSED DOORS YOU ARE ACTIVELY WORKING AGAINST THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF YOU ARE FROM A GENERATION THAT FORCED PEOPLE TO HIDE WHO THEY ARE AND PUBLICLY SHUNNED THOSE WHO CAME OUT.

THE IDEA THAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS DESERVING OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS IS NEW TO YOU. I GET THAT.

IT DOESN'T EXCUSE YOUR BEHAVIOR.

YOU CANNOT HIDE BEHIND A PRODUCT OF YOUR TIME.

IF YOU HAVE LEARNED HOW TO USE GOOGLE AND CELL PHONES YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO NOT BE HOMOPHOBIC. I ASK THAT YOU STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

COINCIDENTALLY MAYBE NOT. I SAW A NEW MAYOR PRO TEM AND DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM WILL BE APPOINTED TONIGHT.

SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE ASPIRATIONS BEYOND THE CURRENT COUNCIL SEAT. I ASKED THAT PAM, RONNIE AND MARTHA NOT BE APPOINTED TO THOSE POSITIONS.

YOU HAVE NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT YOU UNDERSTAND YOU REPRESENT EVERYONE.OU'VE OPENLY JUST TERMINATED AGAINST CITIZENS THAT YOU ARE CHARGED WITH REPRESENTING.

YOU DO NOT AND WILL NOT HAVE MY SUPPORT GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

FOLLOWED BY MISTY TIDWELL. >> SPEAKER: HELLO.

LEANNE WELK I PREFER NOT TO SAY MY ADDRESS.

I DON'T BELIEVE MY WORDS WILL SWAY YOU.

PERHAPS HEARING YOURS READ BACK WILL.

LEANNE WELK. I PREFER NOT TO SAY MY ADDRESS.

I DON'T BELIEVE MY WORDS WILL SWAY YOU PERHAPS HEARING YOURS READ BACK WILL. I DON'T SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION. SHE CAN DO A PROCLAMATION WITHOUT CONSULTING THE COUNCIL ALSO I AM NOT IN SUPPORT OF LIGHTING THE TOWER. ALL THIS WAS DONE WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE. PAM BELL.

I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT TO THE COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW THIS COULD BE DONE IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT STATE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AS A WHOLE

[00:25:01]

BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE CASE. WHILE I UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSONAL CHOICE TO SUPPORT GAY PRIDE MONTH I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY PERSONAL CHOICE NOT TO SUPPORT IT IN THIS PROCLAMATION AS IT VIOLATES MY DEEPLY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, MARTHA BROWN. THIS IS A PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF ROWLETT TO THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT ARE YOU REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT. ALL PEOPLE OF ROWLETT.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T AGREE WITH THE INVOCATION BUT WE STILL DO IT AS AN ENTIRE COUNCIL. PASTOR COLE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT I AND OTHER COUNCILMEMBERS DO NOT SUPPORT THIS RECLAMATION SO THE MAYOR WILL BE PRESENTING IT ON HER OWN BEHALF WHICH SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO.

HOWEVER, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PROCLAMATIONS SHOULD BE USED TO ENDORSE THE SEXUAL PREFERENCES OF ANYONE.

IT IS MEANT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AS A CITIZEN OF ROWLETT I CANNOT VIOLATE MY DEEPLY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND AS SUCH DO NOT SUPPORT GAY PRIDE MONTH OR SUPPORT THE LGBTQ+ ETC.

LIFESTYLE GRADE THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE, MARTHA BROWN. THIS WAS NOT A COUNCIL DECISION JUST SO YOU KNOW SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND PAM BELL WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE OF THIS MATTER. I TOO WAS EMBARRASSED BY AND NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH SOMEONE OF THE COMMENTS LAST NIGHT THAT COMPARED OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TO NT FOR, ETC. IT WAS A CRINGE WORTHY MOMENT FOR ME, MARTHA BROWN.

AGENDA ITEM 5 A DOES NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF OUR FAMILY ORIENTED COMMUNITY. COLD.

I AGREE WITH YOU WHENEVER SENT. I DON'T SUPPORT THE PROCLAMATION. IT IS THE MAYOR'S IDEA, PAM BELL. AS A CITIZEN OF ROWLETT I FULLY SUPPORT OUR MAYOR AND THE PROCLAMATION FOR PRIDE MONTH AND THE ENTIRETY OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MISTY TIDWELL FOLLOWED BY LAUREN FRANKS.

>> SPEAKER: WE YOU CLARIFY FOR ME I CAN STILL SPEAK ON THE

AGENDA ITEM? >> MAYOR: YOU'RE DOING CITIZEN COMMENTS. IF I HAVE A CARD FOR YOU I WILL CALL YOU FOR 3E. DON'T CROSS TOPICS.

NAME AND ADDRESS. >> SPEAKER: MISTY TIDWELL AND I PREFER NOT TO GIVE MY ADDRESS. I'M GOING TO START OUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORY LESSON. PRIDE MONTH IS CELEBRATED AT THE END OF JUNE TO COMMEMORATE THE STONEWALL RIOTS WHICH TOOK PLACE JUNE 28 1969 IN RESPONSE TO A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN WHERE LISA RESTED EMPLOYEES FOR SELLING LIQUOR WITHOUT A LICENSE. PATRONS WERE ASSAULTED AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WHEN BYSTANDERS OBJECTED POLICE TURNED ON THEM, 2 AND A RIOT ENSUED.

THE STONEWALL RIOT IS REMEMBERED AS A CATALYZING SYMBOL OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL RESISTANCE CALLING FOR SOLIDARITY AND EQUALITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. ON THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RIOTS ON JUNE 28, 1970, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHED IN THE STREETS OF MANHATTAN FROM THE STONEWALL INN TO CENTRAL PARK. AND THEN IT WAS CALLED CHRISTOPHER STREET LIBERATION DAY.

AMERICA'S FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE.

THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WE KNOW AS PRIDE MONTH.

PRIDE MONTH IS RECOGNIZING THE ONGOING STRUGGLE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND INJUSTICE. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY FACES TRAGIC LEVELS OF VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION, HATE CRIMES LIKE THOSE AGAINST MATTHEW SHEPARD, JAMES BYRD JUNIOR AND SHOOTING AT PULSE NIGHTCLUB. EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, MARRIAGE AND SCHOOL DISCRIMINATION.

THEIR OWN FAMILIES DISOWNING THEM, SUICIDES AND DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH NUMBERS.

BULLYING, HARASSMENT, HAVING TO HIDE YOUR TRUE SELF FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR FEAR OF THEIR REACTION.

HAVING TO SHOW UP AT THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH YOUR ROOMMATE FOR THE 20TH YEAR IN A ROW.

IF YOU HAVE THOUGHT TO YOURSELF, WOW, THAT IS AWFUL, NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE THAT WAY, MAYBE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIDE. MAYBE YOU CAN START TO UNDERSTAND THAT CELEBRATION ISN'T EA, I AM GAY! I AM SO GAY, COME BK WITH ME. IT IS.

YAY I HAVE LIVED ANOTHER YEAR WITHOUT BEING MURDERED, SHUNNED OR OPENLY BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

[00:30:02]

IT IS EA, I HAVE BEEN IN PUBLIC WITHOUT BEING JAILED.

YEA, I FACE A LITTLE LESS EMPLOYMENT DETERMINATION THIS YEAR. YAY, THE COMMUNITY SUFFERED LESS SUICIDES THIS YEAR AND YAY, ONLY HALF OF MY FAMILY STOPPED SPEAKING TO ME WHEN I CAME OUT.

THE COMMUNITY HAS MUCH TO DO AND PRIDE MONTH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. I URGE YOU TO REALIZE THIS AND RESPECT IT. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR: IF THIS DOES NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL I WILL HAVE PEOPLE REMOVED.

SHE GAVE HER NAME SHE CHOSE NOT TO GIVE HER ADDRESS.

>> SPEAKER: I WAS GOING TO END THIS WITH ACUTE WORD CALLED

TROUBLE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU MISTY.

I JUST TOLD MISTY TO SIT DOWN. LAUREN FRANKS AND THEN WHO?

I'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS LAUREN FRANKS I LIVE IN FLOWER HILL I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE MY ADDRESS BECAUSE OF THAT EGGS BACKED REASON.I'M GOING OFF SCRIPT. I'M SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT HOW DISTURBING IT IS. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT LIGHT ON A TOWER OR A PROCLAMATION. IT IS ABOUT HOW THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ALLOWED THE CHURCHES TO HAVE SO MUCH INFLUENCE ON CITY POLICY AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

I RESPECT EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

I WOULD NOT FALL YOU FOR AGREEING WITH THE PROCLAMATION, THAT IS YOUR RIGHT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

WHAT YOU DID BEHIND THE SCENES IS DISTURBING.

IT IS NO SECRET THAT THERE WERE SOME OBJECTION AHEAD OF TIME ABOUT THE PROCLAMATION AND THAT IS FINE.

IN THE EMAIL MARTHA SAID IF YOU TAKE OUR NAMES OFF OF IT I WOULD BE FINE WITH IT. SO THE MAYOR DID.

SHE REVISE THE PROCLAMATION AND THAT'S IT.

THEN SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS A CALL TO ARMS FOR THE PASTORS.

PLEASE COME SPEAK OUT AND THEY DID.

THEY SAID SOME THINGS THAT WE ALL KNOW WERE VERY HURTFUL.

AGAIN, THAT IS THEIR RIGHT, I GUESS.

BUT THEN AFTER THE MEETING IT WAS IMMEDIATELY THIS NEEDS TO BE REVERSED FROM A PASTOR TO WHICH THE RESPONSE WAS - DON'T WORRY WE ARE GETTING THIS CORRECT.

I CAN SAY WE DON'T AGREE. WE AGREE WITH YOU.

I WILL FORWARD YOU AN EMAIL FROM MARTHA WITH A PETITION GET AS MANY PEOPLE TO SIGN IT. IF WE CAN GET IT ASAP WE CAN GET IT ON THE AGENDA TODAY. IF YOU READ THE LANGUAGE OF THAT PETITION IT IS 100 PERCENT DISCRIMINATORY.

IT SAYS, WE WANT TO PROHIBIT PRIDE FROM BEING ON THE WATER TOWER. BUT EVERY OTHER EVENT CONSIDERATION WILL GET A MAJORITY VOTE.

BUT YOU EXCLUSIVELY WANT TO SAY PRIDE DOES NOT EVEN GET A VOTE?

HOW IS THAT OKAY IN AMERICA. >>> HOW IS THAT OKAY AT ALL.

IT'S NOT. THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR. BEHIND THE SCENES WHEN YOU THINK NOBODY IS WATCHING AND LISTENING, WE ARE THERE.

IF I WOULD'VE KNOWN IT WAS THIS BAD I WOULD'VE SPOKEN UP SOONER AND I'M SORRY I DIDN'T. ON TOP OF THAT THIS WATER LIGHTING POLICY HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A WHILE.

YOU HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO OBJECT THE ONLY REASON YOU SAID ANYTHING IS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU DON'T LIKE.

RYAN SENT IT TO YOU SAYING WE NEED TO GET THIS LAST MINUTE CHANGE. THE PART ABOUT PROCLAMATIONS BEING INCLUDED. THIS ISN'T ABOUT, THEY CAN MAKE IT SOUND LIKE IT IS CITY POLICY . WE WANT COUNSEL TO APPROVE IT AND THAT IS TRUE BUT THE REAL TRUTH IS THEY ARE JUST UPSET ABOUT PRIDE. I DIDN'T READ ANYTHING I WAS SUPPOSED TO BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OFF MY CHEST AND I REALLY HOPE YOU THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE

THIS AGAIN. >> MAYOR: NO.

NO, NOT YOU, THEM. [LAUGHTER] SORRY. MICHELLE FOLLOWED BY SARAH.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS MICHELLE AND AFTER WHAT I JUST HEARD I WOULD RATHER NOT SAY MY ADDRESS.

OBVIOUSLY I AM ALSO HERE TO ADDRESS THE PROCLAMATION OF PRIDE MONTH AND I AM VERY NERVOUS.

>> MAYOR: DEEP BREATHS. >> SPEAKER: AND THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER PER THE BASIC ISSUE AT HAND IS WHETHER THE MAYOR HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DECLARE PROCLAMATION WITHOUT

[00:35:02]

CITY COUNCIL CONSENT. THE MAYOR PROCLAIMED A DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH . ON FEBRUARY 4 2021 SHE PROCLAIMED BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND ON AUGUST 18, 2020 WOMEN SUFFRAGE AND EQUALITY WEEK THIS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONTESTED TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND A PRECEDENT HAS BEEN SET.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT SHE DID NOT COME UP WITH THIS ON HER OWN BUT AT THE REQUEST OF THE ROWLETT DIVERSITY AND EQUITY COMMISSION. SINCE THIS IS A DISCUSSION AROUND THE MAYOR'S DECISIONS I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A HISTORY OF PRIDE MONTH. FOR THOSE THAT ARE NOT AWARE IS NOT A NEW THING. AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.

SIMPLY SPEAKING IT BEGAN AFTER THE 1969 POLICE RAID ON A GAY BAR AND THE WORD PRIDE HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY EVER SINCE. SO WHY PRIDE? I WOULD ARGUE IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE WORD SHAME.

I AM A STRAIGHT WHITE FEMALE WHO CAN HOLD HANDS WITH MY HUSBAND IN PUBLIC WITHOUT INSULTS BEING HURLED MY WAY.

I HAVE NO THOUGHT OF GIVING HIM A SWEET KISS IN PUBLIC AND SOMEONE MIGHT BE OFFENSIVE TOWARDS US.

I DON'T HAVE VIOLENT HATE CRIMES AGAINST ME BECAUSE OF WHO I LOVE. THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY WANTS WHAT I TAKE FOR GRANTED, DIGNITY AND EQUALITY.

PRIDE MONTH AND THE LIGHTING OF THE WATER TOWER ARE TO BRING THESE ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT AND EDUCATE TO SIMILAR PEOPLE ON THEIR STRUGGLES AND HOW TO BE BETTER.

EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE LIFESTYLE IT IS LEGAL AND IT DESERVES THE RESPECT. JUST AS YOU RESPECT MY MARRIAGE. DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

SAID IT MAY BE TRUE THAT LAW CANNOT CHANGE THE HEART BUT IT CAN RESTRAIN THE HEARTLESS. I DON'T ASK YOU CHANGE YOUR PERSONAL BELIEFS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY I ASKED THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE REASONS WHY. I MENTION THE PROCLAMATION FOR THE DISABLED, BLACK HISTORY AND WOMEN SUFFRAGE.

THESE PROCLAMATIONS INCLUDE THE ONE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ARE NOT FOR THE MAJORITY. THEY ARE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED, DISRESPECTED AND HAVE HAD TO FIGHT THEIR WAY TO EQUALITY. BACK TO THE ORIGINAL QUESTION ON WHETHER THE MAYOR SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THESE PROCLAMATIONS WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL, I ARGUE THAT SINCE THERE HAS BEEN NO ISSUE IN THE PAST, THIS ISSUE SHOULD NOT BE THE REASON IT COMES TO QUESTION NOW.

THE MAYOR WAS HONORING THE WISHES OF A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE REPRESENTED WITHIN THE CITY OF ROWLETT ON THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: SARAH AND THEN BONNIE

MARTINEZ. >> SPEAKER: HELLO.

SARAH, I LIVE IN ROWLETT. I WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY THANK THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COUNSEL FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK NOT ONLY IN RECENT PEVENTS BUT IN ALL PRIOR EVENTS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR LISTENING WITH OPEN EARS. A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS TONIGHT ON ALL OF THE ISSUES IS ABOUT INTERPREATION. I CHALLENGE YOU AND CHARGE YOU TO USE THAT IN A VERY OPEN MIND THAT YOUR INTERPRETATION OF ANY WORD IN HOME RULE OR IN COUNSEL PROCLAMATION YOU'RE IN THE MAYOR'S GIVEN AUTHORITY IS EXACTLY THAT.

OPEN TO INTERPRETATION. BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU ALSO THEN HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWPOINTS OF YOUR CONSTITUENT. YES, THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE.

INCLUDING MYSELF. YOU ALL RECOGNIZE THIS ALREADY.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO STATE I AM SUPER CONFUSED ON WHY THIS IS EVEN BEING DISCUSSED. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: NEXT SPEAKER IS BONNIE MARTINEZ FOLLOWED BY

MIRANDA CONGEE. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL MY NAME IS DOCTOR BONNIE MARTINEZ I AM A ROWLETT RESIDENT AND I PREFER NOT TO STATE MY ADDRESS.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A FEW MINUTES TO TALK WITH YOU THIS EVENING. I AM HERE AS AN ALLY AND FRIEND OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN ROWLETT AND BEYOND OUR CITY BORDERS . THE RAINBOW COLORS ON THE WATER TOWER ARE A SYMBOL OF INCLUSION. FOR TOO LONG OUR LGBTQ+ FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE HAD TO HIDE IN THE SHADOWS OF OPPRESSION AND OPPOSITION. TO THIS DATE YOUNG CHILDREN TO GROWN ADULTS BATTLE WITH EXCEPTING WHO THEY TRULY ARE.

BECAUSE FOR FAR TOO LONG THEY HAVE HEARD HURTFUL WORDS AND HAVE SEEN HARMFUL ACTIONS COME TO PEOPLE THAT LOVE LIKE THEM.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY AS A CITY AND COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND SEND A MESSAGE OF LOVE AND INCLUSION.

IF HISTORY HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING IT IS THAT OPPRESSION

[00:40:01]

NEVER WORKS. IT ALWAYS HURTS.

AS A COUNTRY WE ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THE LIFE ALTERING EFFECTS OF OPPRESSION AND GENERATIONAL TRAUMA THAT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO HEAL FROM. WHY NOT TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM OUR PAST AND CLEARLY OUR PRESENT.

TO EMBRACE THOSE THAT MAY LIVE AND LOVE DIFFERENTLY THAN US.

WHY MUST WE ALL BE THE SAME? WHY STRIVE FOR THAT? I HAVE A SOON TO BE FOUR-YEAR-OLD IN A FEW DAYS.

I DECIDED TO JOIN THE ROWLETT EQUITY AND DIVERSION INCORPCOMMISSION BECAUSE I'M THINKING ABOUT HER FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN.

I WANT HER TO GROW UP KNOWING THAT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO BE OPPRESSED AND AS THEY STAND UP AS AN ALLY AND FRIEND FOR ALL MARGINAL POPULATIONS. EXCLUSIVITY, OPPOSITION AND OPPRESSION ARE MAN-MADE SYSTEMS. IT CAN BE UNLEARNED THROUGH THE POWER OF LOVE.

IT IS TIME TO COME OUT ROWLETT. IT IS TIME TO COME OUT TO BE A TRUE ALLY AND FRIEND OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

I HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS AND TO SAY THAT I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO MRS. BELL OR MISS BROWN I CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE ON YOUR PHONE A LOT WHEN WE ARE UP HERE TALKING AND I FIND THAT VERY DISRESPECTFUL. YOU OH US YOUR SINCERE AND UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUE] [CHEERING] WE WON OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARANDA CONGEE AND FOLLOWED BY JOEL MEDINA. I AM MISPRONOUNCING YOUR NAME.

>> SPEAKER: SAID IT PERFECTLY, THANK YOU.

I AM MARANDA G AND I PREFER NOT TO SAY MY ADDRESS BUT I AM A ROWLETT CITIZEN. HARVEY MILK, TERRY KNUTSEN, ROBERT ALLEN TAYLOR, STEPHEN CHARLES, ROBERT ALL SUM, CHARLIE HOWARD, REBECCA WRIGHT, TOMMY TRIMBLE, JOHN GRIFFIN, JULIO RIVERA, BRANDON TINO, ROXANNE ELLIS, MICHELLE DUGDALE, MATTHEW SHEPARD, DANIEL FETTY, MICHAEL SANDY, BRITTANY COSBY, RUSSELL JACKSON AND THE 49 VICTIMS OF THE ORLANDO PULSE SHOOTING. THIS IS A FRACTION OF THE VICTIMS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED FOR WHO THEY ARE. THIS LIST IS EVEN LONGER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR OWN LIVES.

THE RECOGNITION OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN THE CITY IS MORE THAN JUST LIGHTS. IT IS A SIGNAL THAT ALL ARE WELCOME HERE AND ALL ARE SAFE HERE.

IT IS A SIGNAL THAT WE REMEMBER THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY THE ENTIRE GENERATION THAT WE LOST IN THE 80S AND 90S DUE TO THE HIV OUTBREAK . THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED OR THOSE WHO WE HAVE LOST DUE TO SUICIDE AND THE BESTOWED UPON THE COMMUNITY. YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THAT THERE WAS A NEWS ARTICLE THAT HE DID PARTICIPATE IN ON MONDAY.

SINCE THEN I HAVE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF MESSAGES OF SUPPORT FROM BOTH CITIZENS OF THE CITY OR THOSE THAT HAVE BUSINESSES AND WHO ATTEND CHURCHES IN THIS CITY.

PEOPLE HAVE SHARED STORIES OF DEVASTATION THAT THEIR CHURCH PARTICIPATED IN THESE PETITIONS AND THAT THEY DO NOT SHARE THOSE VIEWS OF THEIR CHURCH. PEOPLE HAVE SHARED STORIES OF HEARTBREAK AND JOY. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SO MANY AMAZING MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY.

MEMBERS WHO THE PASTORS PREACHED TO THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE YOU COFFEE AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SERVE.

CITY COUNCIL IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT ALL OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS NOT JUST THOSE WHO ALIGN WITH THEIR VALUES.

TO THOSE OF THIS COMMUNITY THAT THIS AFFECTS ICU.

I HEAR YOU. YOU ARE WORTHY OF EXISTENCE AND YOU ARE WORTHY RTHY OF TAKING UP SPACE IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOU ARE LOVED, SAFE AND WELCOME WITH ME.

TO THOSE THAT ARE DEVASTATED THAT THEIR CHURCH TOOK PART IN THE PETITION AGAINST THE PROCLAMATION OF THE LIGHTING WATER TOWER YOUR ANGER, SADNESS AND GRIEF ARE VALID.

TO THOSE OF YOU ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHO ARE OPPOSING THIS, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT MY VOICE AND MY DOLLARS ARE HEARD AS LOUD AS THEY CAN COME ELECTION TIME AND THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT LOST ON THE VOTERS. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JOEL MEDINA FOLLOWED BY TIFFANY

[00:45:02]

LEBOEUF. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBERS FOR LETTING OUR VOICES BE HEARD TODAY.

MY NAME IS JOEL MEDINA AND I WILL ALSO NOT ALLOW ANYBODY TO HAVE MY ADDRESS. I'M GOING TO TAKE MY THREE MINUTES TO START WITH SOME RHETORICAL QUESTIONS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU CANNOT RESPOND. I MEAN NO DISRESPECT TO ANYONE IN THIS ROOM. MAYOR, YOUR RECENT ACTIONS HAVE LED ME TO THANK YOU COULD BE RUNNING A SMALL GANG IN ROWLETT. ACTING AS A GANG MEMBER AND NOT ALLOWING THE COUNCILMEMBERS TO HAVE THE OPINION THAT MATTERS OF THE LIGHTING OF THE TOWER. WAS IT THE COUNCIL'S DECISION TO ISSUE THE PROCLAMATION TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY OR JUST YOURS? SOME OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE EJECTED AND I ASSUME IT WAS JUST AS JUST YOURS.

I'M SURE YOU ARE HOPING THAT MANY PEOPLE WOULD NOT SHOW UP TO THIS AND IT WOULD AN DISCREETLY FALL UNDER THE RADAR BUT IT SEEMS IT IS NOT WORKED OUT THAT WAY.

HERE'S MY QUESTION. IF THE FIRST THING I ASKED EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHEN MEETING YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS WHAT IS YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, YOU AND MOST OF THE OTHERS WOULD SAY IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS AND YOU ARE RIGHT, YOU ARE CORRECT. I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE STATEMENT OF THE LGBTQ+ FLAG AND THE COLORS OF THE TOWER.

AS A CONSERVATIVE THE RAINBOW WAS FROM GOD TO NEVER FLOOD THE EARTH AGAIN. IT DOES NOT REPRESENT GAY EQUALITY. SOME ISSUES THAT I HAVE WITH THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT ARE NOT SPOKEN WITH TODAY ARE THE PROMOTION OF GENDER MODIFICATION TO CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS EIGHT YEARS OLD AND IT IS TRUE AND INDOCTRINATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND THE DISREGARD AND INSULTS TO PEOPLE WHO DISAPPROVE OF THEIR IDEAS. ATTACKING PEOPLE WITH NAME-CALLING BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS AND BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION YOU SHOULD INCLUDE ALL GROUPS. IF I CAN FORMALLY REQUEST A BIBLICAL MONTH, A HETEROSEXUAL MONTH, A MASCULINITY MONTH, A BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND LET US NOT FORGET A VETERANS MONTH. MAYOR BASHIAN SEVEN BLACK LIVES MATTER AND LGBTQ+ ISSUES ARE FAR LEFT AND THE COUNCIL IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE BIASED OR POLITICAL.

WE KNOW WHICH POLITICAL PARTY IT BELONGS TO.

YOU ARE THE SPOKESPERSON TO THE CITY FOR THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND IT APPEARS SOME COUNCILMEMBERS WERE NOT ON BOARD WITH THIS PROCLAMATION. ONE OF THE EMAILS TO YOUR COUNCILMEMBERS THAT WAS TAKEN BY A LOCAL LGBTQ+ POST-STATE AND I QUOTE, THIS IS PROCLAMATION TO CITY OF ROWLETT TO THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT, ALL THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT. MANY PEOPLE DON'T AGREE WITH OUR INVOCATION BUT WE STILL DO IT AS AN ENTIRE COUNSEL.

" DID THE MAYOR MAKE THE DECISION ALONE TO DO THE INVOCATION? OR DID THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE MAKE THAT DECISION? IS THIS AN ABUSE OF POWER OR POLITICAL STUNT FOR YOUR FUTURE IN POLITICS? I AM A CHRISTIAN AND I WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ONES THAT ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK OUT OF FEAR OF BEING ATTACKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FEAR OF JUDGMENT.

>> MAYOR: PLEASE. PLEASE.

WE NEED TO KEEP THIS IN ORDER, PLEASE.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I ASSUME IT IS SERGEANT? SERGEANT TIFFANY LEBOEUF AND FOLLOWED BY DEBORAH THOMPSON.

>> SPEAKER: MY ADDRESS IS 8022 GOT CLUB DRIVE IN ROWLETT.

I AM GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN FOR THOSE OF YOU IN THE BACK.

MY ADDRESS IS 8022 YACHTS CLUB DRIVE.

I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY IN TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD.

I PROMISE YOU I DIDN'T WRITE A BLANK CHECK FOR MY LIFE OR VOLUNTEER A CHUNK OF MY LIFE TO NOW HAVE TO ARGUE FOR THE RECOGNITION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF A POPULATION.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXTREMELY PROUD TO BE A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT BUT QUITE FRANKLY I AM EMBARRASSED RIGHT NOW.

THE VERY FACT THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE ABOUT LIGHTING UP A WATER TOWER IN SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY IS SAD.

MY DADDY ALWAYS TOLD ME TO WRITE AN EMAIL AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BE READ IN PUBLIC. CLEARLY, SOME OF YOU MISSED THAT LESSON. I HOPE THAT A NUMBER OF YOU, I HOPE A NUMBER OF YOU AND YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE STEPPED DOWN FROM YOUR POSITION BECAUSE YOU CLEARLY ARE NOT UNBIASED. AND NOT REPRESENTING EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC IN THIS COMMUNITY. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO LOVE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF COLOR, RACE, LIFESTYLE OR WHO IT IS THAT THEY LOVE.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO STAND UP HERE AND THROW STONES WHEN THEY

[00:50:04]

THEMSELVES LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES.

YOU CAN'T TELL ME YOU HAVE NEVER SINNED IN YOUR LIFE.

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AND WELCOME EVERYBODY. EMPHASIS ON EVERYBODY AND BE INCLUSIVE OF EVERYBODY. ROWLETT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND WELCOMING AND YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD HAS NOT PREACHED ABOUT. MOVED HERE ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO AND EVERYTHNG I EVER HEARD ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY IS ABOUT SAFETY, INCLUSION AND LOVING OUR COMMUNITY. NONE OF YOU HAVE EXHIBITED THAT WHATSOEVER. THIS IS THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING I'VE BEEN TO SINCE I LIVED HERE AND IT IS BECAUSE I FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT THIS AND I AM SO ASHAMED OF EVERY SINGLE GROWN ADULT THAT HAS PARTICIPATED IN THESE EMAILS.

DECIDING AGAINST LIGHTING THE TOWER IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF ROWLETT. OF WHAT ROWLETT IS SUPPOSED TO STAND FOR IT AGAIN, I HOPE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU CAN CONSIDER YOUR ACTIONS MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE I PROMISE YOU, COME ELECTION SEASON I WILL BE RUNNING FOR YOUR SEAT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR: PLEASE FOLKS, PLEASE. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THESE COMMENTS. IF WE KEEP HAVING THESE OUTBURSTS IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD PLEASE.

EVERYBODY IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

DEBORAH THOMPSON FOLLOWED BY REVEREND PAM WHITE.

>> SPEAKER: [INDISCERNABLE] >> MAYOR: SIR, YOU ARE NOT RECOGNIZED IN THE CITY ATTORNEY, I PROMISE YOU THE CITY ATTORNEY IS TAKING CARE OF THE BUSINESS YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DEBORAH THOMPSON FOLLOWED BY REVEREND PAM WHITE.

IS MS. THOMPSON STILL HERE? ANYBODY? OKAY. I WILL MOVE TO REVEREND PAM WHITE FOLLOWED BY STEPHEN LOVING WOULD.

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING REVEREND PAM WHITE REPRESENTING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN ROWLETT.

I SERVE AS THE SENIOR PASTOR AT FIRST ROWLETT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT A CALL TO ARMS FROM THE PASTORS AND I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS CALL DID NOT GO TO ALL PASTORS.

I DID NOT LEARN ABOUT THIS UNTIL LATE LAST WEEK.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY NOT ONLY TO OUR LEADERS BUT ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

UNITED METHODIST PASTORS ARE APPOINTED TO SERVE NOT JUST AS THE PASTORS OF A CONGREGATION, BUT THE LANGUAGE YOU USE IS THAT WE ARE SENT TO A MISSION FIELD.

ROWLETT AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY IS MY MISSION FIELD.

THIS MAY SEEM LIKE SEMANTICS OR SMALL DISTINCTION BUT IT REALLY MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THIS CHANGES MY FOCUS TO NOT INCLUDE NOT ONLY THOSE WITHIN MY CONGREGATION BUT ALSO TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

MY CALL IS TO BE SURE THAT THE LOVE OF CHRIST IS SHARED IN TANGIBLE WAYS. I HAVE LISTENED TO THE CONVERSATION AROUND THIS THIS PAST WEEK AND I HAVE SEEN PLACES WHERE THE MESSAGE OF LOVE HAS BEEN DROWNED OUT BY WHAT CAN BE PERCEIVED AS JUDGMENT AND NEGATIVE COMMENTS BY THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

I WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE MESSAGE OF LOVE DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A FOOTNOTE FOR LIMITATIONS.

WE ARE CREATED IN GOD'S LOVE AND GOD'S LOVE NEVER LEAVES US.

I COULD QUOTEBIBLE VERSE AFTER BIBLE VERSE.

MICAH 6:8 IS A GUIDING VERSE FOR MANY TO SEEK JUSTICE, TOO LOVE KINDNESS AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD.

THAT JUSTICE THAT WE SEEK IS FOR EVERYONE.

IT IS NOT LIMITED BY OUR OWN OPINIONS.

AND THE EQUALITY THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR IS NOT ALTERED THROUGH A THEOLOGICAL LENS. DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE ARE NOT A PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN CALL.

I BELIEVE OUR CHURCH EXISTS FOR ONE PURPOSE.

THAT IS TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

NOT JUST WITHIN OUR WALLS AND INTO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

AND THAT IS WHAT I HOPE TO HEAR FROM ME TODAY.

I WANT EVERYONE TO HEAR FROM ME AS A PASTOR IN THE COMMUNITY THIS MESSAGE OF LOVE. THANK YOU.

[00:55:08]

>> MAYOR: NEXT SPEAKER IS STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD FOLLOWED BY

MISSY TIDWELL. >> SPEAKER: I AM STEPHEN LEATHERWOOD MY ADDRESS IS 2110 AMY AVENUE HERE IN ROWLETT.

SINCE 91. I WASN'T PLANNING ON SPEAKING TONIGHT BUT I DO WANT TO SUBMIT A LIST OF PETITION AND NAMES WHICH COUNSEL HAD TUNA 50 AND 400 THAT OPPOSE THE LIGHTING ON THE TOWER AND I WILL GIVE THOSE TO THE SECRETARY IN A MINUTE.

BY THE WAY SHE'S GONE. SHE HAD A PARTY CALL BUT I LOVE HER PASSION BUT I DISAGREE WITH HER POSITION AND I WISH I COULD COMMUNICATE TO THE GAY GROUP HERE AS I TRIED TO THE OTHER WEEK. OUR OPPOSITION IS NOT TO ATTACK THEM OR TO CAUSE THEM ANY TROUBLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ANY OF THESE FOLKS HAVE LIVED HERE APPARENTLY FOR A GREAT NUMBER OF YEARS. THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE CITIZENSHIP AND I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYONE BEING ATTACKED IN ROWLETT BECAUSE THEY ARE GAY. I AM AWARE THAT PEOPLE WORK FOR OUR CITY AND I'VE BEEN RUNS WITH THEM, I HAVE MINISTERED TO THEM, THEY HAVE CALLED ME TO THE HOSPITAL.

I HAVE ADMINISTERED TO CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CAME TO OUR CHURCH WHEN I WAS PASTORING AND TOOK CARE OF THEM IN THE PROCESS OF DYING WITH AIDS. I'VE DONE THEIR FUNERALS AND HAVE MINISTERED TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE COME FROM OUT-OF-STATE. WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF GAY PEOPLE BUT WE DO HAVE A THEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCE.

IT DOES AFFECT OUR CITIES. SOMEONE SAID A WHILE AGO ABOUT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. THAT IS NOT A PART OF OUR COUNTRY. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FOUNDERS OF OUR COUNTRY WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE LAWS THAT ARE BASED ON JUDEO-CHRISTIAN VALUES. I WOULD SAY TO YOU ARE FRIENDS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY AND CITIZENS OF THE GAY COMMUNITY OPPOSING THE LIGHTING OF THE TOWER, SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A HATE TOWARDS YOU AS INDIVIDUALS.

IT IS A MORAL STAND THAT WE TAKE.

I KNOW YOU LOOK AT SCRIPTURE DIFFERENTLY FROM WHAT I DO, AND FROM WHAT MOST CHRISTIANS DO. BUT KNOWING WHAT THE SCRIPTURES TO SAY AND KNOWING THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET ALONG WITH EACH OTHER IN THE COMMUNITY WITH YOU ACKNOWLEDGING OUR POSITION AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOURS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOD IT IS GOING TO DO WITH YOU ON JUDGMENT DAY. HOLD IT.

I KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. AND I SURELY HOPE, I KNOW THAT AN ADULTERER AND A GAY PERSON ARE BOTH DEALING WITH SEXUAL SINS. I HAVE TO LEAVE THAT IN GOD'S HAND TO DEAL WITH YOU.

>> MAYOR: LET ME MANAGE THE TIME.

THANK YOU. MISTY TIDWELL AND I ASSUME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT SUBJECTS?OLLOWED BY RYAN

THEY RUN. >> SPEAKER: I'M TALKING ABOUT

AN ITEM IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME? >> MAYOR: YES.

LET ME PAUSE FOR A MINUTE. THIS IS A LITTLE WEIRD BECAUSE I'M GOING THROUGH ALL THE CITIZEN INPUT ONES AND ALL OF YOU THAT WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT 3E I AM DELAYING YOU ALL.

I APOLOGIZE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS BUT HANG IN THERE AND

WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS MISTY TIDWELL AND I WOULD CHOOSE NOT TO GIVE MY ADDRESS.

THANK YOU. I AM SPEAKING ON COMBINED ITEMS RIGHT NOW. 8C AND 8D.

THE EARTH CURRENTLY THREE COUNCILMEMBERS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE FACING ETHICS VIOLATION COMPLAINTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL IMPACT THAT POSSIBLE LAWSUITS AND REELECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF TERMS COULD HAVE ON

[01:00:05]

THE CITY AND TAX DOLLARS. I ALSO HOPE YOU STRONGLY CONSIDER THE NEGATIVE MEDIA ATTENTION THAT THIS COULD FURTHER BRING TO OUR CITY. THESE COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE MANAGED TO TARNISH THE REPRESENTATION OF OUR CITY BY SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT DAY AS COUNCILMEMBERS ELECTED TO REPRESENT EVERYONE NEVER DID AND DO NOT EVER INTEND ON REPRESENTING THEM.

AGAIN, I AM URGING YOU TO MAKE THESE APPOINTMENTS WITH REFLECTION, CAUTION AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.

AND, FURTHERMORE, USING THE PHRASES AGAINST MY DEEPLY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS DOES NOT ABSOLVE YOU AS YOUR DISCRIMINATION, YOUR BIGOTRY OR YOUR HATE.

IT MERELY ATTEMPTS TO JUSTIFY IT.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THE NEXT SPEAKER IS RYAN BARON FOLLOWED BY BEN VOS.

>> SPEAKER: Y'ALL HAVE A HARD JOB.

TO PUT A RAINBOW ON THE TOWER WOULD BE A POLITICAL MOVE AND HERE WE ALL ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF POLITICS.

TO TAKE IT DOWN. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: NAME AND

ADDRESS? >> SPEAKER: RYAN BERAN.

RELIGIOUS MOVE. NO ONE HAS PRESENTED A SINGLE REASON OTHER THAN CHRISTIANITY. AS A FORMER EVANGELICAL MYSELF, I AM GOING TO SPEAK TO THAT. I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO FEEL LIKE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SIMPLY EXISTING IS A THREAT TO YOUR VALUES AND YOUR RIGHT TO WORSHIP HOW YOU WANT.

AFTER MY DECONSTRUCTION TIMEI REALIZED I WAS IN A DROPOUT FROM CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANITY I WAS A GRADUATE .

THE DOCTRINE OF HEAVEN AND HELL IS ETERNAL STATE TO THE SOUL ONLY CAME AROUND AFTER DONT'A WROTE INFERNO PURGATORY AND PARADISE. THE IDEA OF THE RAPTURE CAME AROUND IN THE EARLY 1800 'S. ALL THE PASSAGES THAT PEOPLE USE FROM THE BIBLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LGBTQ+ PEOPLE THAT BEHAVIOR IS LESS THAN 100 YEARS OLD.

CHRISTIANITY IS NOT WHAT CHRISTIANS THINK IT IS.

YOU ALL KNOW VERY WELL THERE WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE USED THE BIBLE TO DEFEND SLAVERY. PEOPLE USED THE BIBLE TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHT TO KEEP WOMEN OUT OF POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP.

THERE IS ONLY ONE DIRECTION THIS STORY GOES.

IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN IN THIS CITY THE EXISTENCE OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IS NOT A THREAT TO YOU. IF YOU ARE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY CHRISTIANS ARE A THREAT TO YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE SHOWING UP TO MEETINGS LIKE THIS IN THERE SUITS AND TIES CALLING THEMSELVES PASTORS, ACTIVELY GOING OUT OF THEIR WAY TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO A COMMUNITY THAT FAILS TO ACCEPT THEIR HUMANITY AND DIGNITY AS PEOPLE.

IT IS A FACT THAT IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THAT COMMUNITY BEING WHO YOU ARE IN FRONT OF THE WRONG PEOPLE CAN GET YOU KILLED, ASSAULTED, SICKLY ASSAULTED, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, YOU KNOW THIS. YOU KNOW THIS.

LET ME GIVE THEM A MONTH. WE GIVE THEM A MONTH.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR: BEEN VOS FOLLOWED BY JESSICA HARP?

[01:05:05]

I CAN'T READ WHAT YOUR LAST NAME IS.

>> SPEAKER: I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR FOR HAVING SUCH AN EXTENSIVE DELIBERATION.

I'M SURE IT IS PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT.

FOR ME I KNOW DEBATE IS A REAL PASSION OF MINE AND I LOVE IT AND I THINK IT'S GOOD. IT DOESN'T LOOK SO GOOD WHEN IT'S HARD TIMES LIKE THESE BUT I WANT TO COMMEND THE COUNSEL FOR DOING THIS AND GOING THROUGH THE ROUGH TIME OF THIS.

DO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM OPPOSED TO LIGHTING UP THE TOWER IN THE WAY THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED AND I SAY THAT AS SOMEONE WHO HAS A LOT OF GROUND IN LGBTQ+ ACTIVISM AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I HAVE A LOT OF CLOSE FRIENDS THAT WOULDN'T AGREE WITH ME IN THE GAY COMMUNITY.

I MYSELF WAS CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY BY A GAY FRIENDS AND HE WOULD NOT BE HAPPY THAT I AM GIVING YOU THIS ADVICE TONIGHT. I DO THINK IT IS WRONG FOR THE CITY TO TAKE A STAND ON SUCH A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AND ESSENTIALLY ESTABLISH THAT AS A NORMATIVE POLITICAL OPINION.

THAT IS A CRITERIA THAT STANDS INDEPENDENT OF THE VERY PASSIONATE RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE TONIGHT.

I DON'T THINK THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHING ON A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE LIKE THIS THAT HEY, WE WANT TO LIGHT UP THE TOWER AND SAY THESE ARE THE WINNERS AND WE THINK THOSE WHO DISAGREE ARE THE LOSERS. I THANK YOU KNOW THAT.

I THANK YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT AT THE END OF IT ALL.

I WILL SAY I AM A COLLEGE PROFESSOR OF MORE THAN 30 YEARS. I AM A TENURED PROFESSOR AND I HAVE WATCHED THE POLITICS OF THIS FOR MANY YEARS.

I WOULD SAY IN TERMS OF THE INTIMATE PARTS OF THIS, I DON'T THINK THAT SEXUALITY IS A GOOD WAY FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT OF WHO THEY ARE. I HAVE SAID ON THE CAMPUS PRIVATE AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES BOTH, I DON'T IDENTIFY AS HETEROSEXUAL. I DON'T THINK THOSE ARE GOOD TERMINOLOGIES PEOPLE TO MAKE POLITICS ABOUT.

I ALSO DO A LOT OF WORK ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK YOU RISK BUILDING POLITICS ON SOME REALLY FRAGILE GROUND. I SAY THAT AS A PROFESSOR AND SOMEONE WHO IS VERY EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CONTROVERSY.

I KNOW TO STAND UP ON THIS ISSUE WOULD PROBABLY TAKE A LOT OF COURAGE BUT I WOULD URGE YOU TO TAKE THE COURAGE OF YOUR TRUE CONVICTIONS. AND TO NOT BE INTIMIDATED.

I KNOW BOTH SIDES FEEL LIKE THERE IS AN INTIMIDATION ARGUMENT. I WILL CONFESS YOU THAT MY WIFE HAS SAID PLEASE DON'T SAY OUR ADDRESS.

I ACTUALLY TEACH STUDENTS TO STAND UP EVERYWHERE I GO ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO SPEAK YOUR MIND.

STUDENTS OF ALL PERSPECTIVE. STUDENTS WHO ARE GAY, CHRISTIANS OR HAVE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

AS A PERSON OF COURAGE AND CONVICTION I HAVE TO COME TO YOU TRANSPARENTLY AND HONESTLY AND I HOPE YOU DO THE SAME THING WHEN YOU REPRESENT ME HERE IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

>> MAYOR: YOUR TIME IS UP SIR. I AM SORRY.

[APPLAUSE] JESSICA AND THEN JENNY.

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY YOUR NAME JENNY.

PARDON ME? >> SPEAKER: I WROTE IT TOO FAST BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS. NAME AND ADDRESS.

JESSICA HARP.

RESIDENT OF ROWLETT IN SOME FORM OR FASHION OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS. SINCE I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

YOU CAN DO THE MATH. I GREW UP HERE AND I AM RAISING MY SON IN THIS COMMUNITY. I AM CHOOSING TO RAISE MY SON IN THIS COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY I GREW UP IN.

I WAS OVERJOYED TO HEAR THAT A PRIDE PROCLAMATION WAS MADE.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. HOW WONDERFUL I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, FINALLY SOME ROWLETT HAS DONE SOMETHING NICE.

FINALLY THE CITY GETS IT RIGHT. AND THEN CAME THE INEVITABLE BACKLASH. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZE THAT ROWLETT WILL NEVER CHANGE. NOT UNLESS PEOPLE LIKE ME, PEOPLE WITH EMPATHY AND KINDNESS AND LOVE IN THERE HEART SPEAK UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I HAVE WATCHED THE CITY CHANGE GREATLY IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THE LANDSCAPE HAVE CHANGED A BIT BUT CLEARLY WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE STILL NEEDS WORK. DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I LOVE THIS TOWN. I LOVE WHERE I AM FROM.

I AM CONSISTENTLY EMBARRASSED BY HIS ACTIONS.

[01:10:01]

I SURE HOPE THAT THOSE OPPOSED TO THE PROCLAMATION SEE THE HARM THAT THEY ARE CAUSING NOT JUST TO THE CITY BUT PERHAPS THOSE AROUND THEM WHO ARE TOO AFRAID TO COME OUT FOR FEAR OF HOW THEY WILL BE TREATED. I WENT TO SCHOOL HERE AND 9 NEW KIDS AT ROWLETT HIGH SCHOOL THAT WERE PART OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY. I AM POSITIVE THAT THERE ARE KIDS THAT ATTEND SCHOOL THERE NOW THAT ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS TELLING THEM THEY DON'T BELONG. THAT THEY AREN'T LOVED OR CARED FOR. YOUR LACK OF LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE IS INVALIDATING, HARMFUL AND DANGEROUS.

I AM HERE TO SAY I LOVE THEM. I KNOW THAT MANY OTHERS DO WHETHER YOU ALLOW THIS PROCLAMATION OR NOT.

MY SON IS FOUR YEARS OLD. HE LOVES RAINBOWS.

I'VE GOT RAINBOWS ALL OVER MY HOUSE.

I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE SHOWN HIM THE RAINBOW ON THAT TOWER. I REALLY HOPE THAT I GET TO.

RAINBOWS BREED HOPE AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT ROWLETT WILL BE INCLUSIVE AND A LOVING CITY. I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN BE PROUD OF WHERE I LIVE. I USED TO GO TO YOUR CHURCH.

I USED TO BE IN THE YOUTH GROUP AND I USED TO PLAY IN THE BAND.

I KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM BUT I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

I HOPE THAT ONE DAY MY SON CAN BE AOUD OF ROWLETT JUST LIKE I HOPE I CAN CONTINUE TO BE PROUD OF ROWLETT.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR: PLEASE, NO APPLAUSE. JENNY, I AM SORRY I AM NOT PRONOUNCING YOUR NAME RIGHT, AND THEN ZACHARY MCGINNIS.

>> SPEAKER: I'M JENNY VELAZQUEZ.

SENIORS WALK ACROSS THE STAGE AND GRADUATE IN HIGH SCHOOL FROM ROWLETT HIGH SCHOOL. AS A MOTHER, ONE OF MY CHILDREN WERE GRADUATING THAT DAY AND AS A MOTHER I HAVE LOVE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE CHILDREN WHO WALKED ACROSS THAT STAGE.

EVEN THE ONES THAT GOT DRUG OUT FOR HAVING A LITTLE RAINBOW LAPEL ON HER CALLER. WHENEVER I SAW THAT THE WATER TOWER HAD BEEN LIT UP PRISMATIC I WAS SO PROUD.

THEN TO SEE ON THE INCLUSION I FORGOT.N THE PAGE 4 EQUALITY FOR THE BOARD FOR EQUALITY I SAW THAT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A MALFUNCTION. IT REALLY BROKE MY HEART AND BROKE MY CHILDREN'S HEART. I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS THE WAY WE WERE HERE. AND SO, I HOPE THAT MAYBE ONE DAY WE CAN ACTUALLY INCLUDE EVERYBODY AND LOVE EVERYBODY EQUALLY. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: ZACHARY MCGINNIS FOLLOWED BY KIM MARTINEZ.

>> SPEAKER: HELLO. THANK YOU MADAM MAYOR FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS ZACHARY MCGINNIS.

KNOW WHERE TO START. ARE WE AT CHURCH OR ARE WE AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING? I THOUGHT WE HAD FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN THIS COUNTRY. I THOUGHT ALL MEN ARE CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE. I THOUGHT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL AND FOR PEOPLE TO STAND UP HERE AND SAY OTHERWISE IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE TO ME. I STAND HERE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE DIED BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO STAND UP HERE - OVER LIGHTS? IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT BEING GAY, STRAIGHT, CHRISTIAN OR NOT. BUT LIGHTS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT OVER? I FEEL LIKE I CAN'T EVEN COMPOSE THE SENTENCE BECAUSE IT'S SO RIDICULOUS. JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.EAUTIFUL

LIGHTS BY THE WAY. >> MAYOR: KIM MARTINEZ FOLLOWED

BY ANGIE ANN ARBOR. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS KIM MARTINEZ.

INTEND TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I CAME AS AN ALLY TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMITTEE. I'M SORRY I'M NERVOUS BECAUSE I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I'M ON A DIVERSE OF INCLUSION COMMITTEE AT THE HOSPITAL AND I AM A WHITE WOMAN ON THE

[01:15:03]

COMMUNITY AND I HAVE FOUND OUT SO MUCH ABOUT OTHER ETHNICITIES AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND I THINK WE ARE NAC/VE WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH.

I HAVE HAD MENTORS THAT HAVE LOST JOBS BECAUSE OF ORIENTATION. I HAVE FRIENDS WHO WERE INJURED AND BEAT UP BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSIDERED IMMORAL OR SINFUL.

THE WORDS THAT I HEARD FROM THE FAITH LEADERS WERE APPALLING TO ME. AS A NURSE WE TAKE CARE OF SO MANY PEOPLE TO SUFFER. I WAS A NURSE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE HIV TIME IN THE EARLY 90S AND SAW PEOPLE DIE ALONE BECAUSE PEOPLE SHUNNED THEM. I CAN IMAGINE NOT HAVING SOMEONE WITH YOU DURING THOSE TIMES.THIS REMINDS ME OF THAT IN A WAY BECAUSE WHEN WE SAY THINGS THAT OUR FAITH LEADERS HAVE SPOKEN TO US EXCEPT FOR THE METHODIST PASTOR, THANK YOU. I CAN'T IMAGINE FEELING WHAT SOMEONE MUST FEEL TO HEAR THOSE WORDS AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WHO YOU ARE.

FOR PEOPLE TO CONSIDER WHO YOU WANT TOBE AND THAT'S WHY I GOT THIS IMAGE ON THE SHIRT. BE YOU.

WHY IS THAT A BAD THING? I AM AN ALLY AND I'M A MAJORITY BECAUSE I AM A REPUBLICAN WHITE GIRL BUT I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO I HAVE WORKED WITH AND HAVE MENTORED ME ON THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES SO I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MAYOR: ANGIE ANNA BUYER FOLLOWED BY DALTON HENDRIX.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ANGIE AND I WOULD RATHER NOT SAY MY

ADDRESS. >> MAYOR: SPEAK UP JUST A

LITTLE. >> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS ANGIE AND I WOULD RATHER NOT SAY I ADDRESS BUT I HAVE LIVED IN ROWLETT MY WHOLE LIFE. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT SURPRISED. GROWING UP I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE WORD GAY OUTSIDE OF AN INSOLENT TILL I WAS11 .

I AM 19 YEARS OLD IN A RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

I WISH SOMEONE HAD EDUCATED ME ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SOONER BUT I'M GLAD I EDUCATED MYSELF.

I GREW UP IN A DIFFERENT GENERATION THAN A LOT OF YOU.

A GENERATION MORE OPEN TO ACCEPTANCE, TOLERANCE AND ATTEMPTING TO WEIGH OUT BIGOTRY AND HATE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

THE MINUTE THOSE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS ALLOW PEOPLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MARGINAL PEOPLE IT IS A PROBLEM.

ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IS A LESBIAN AND ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IS ALSO TRANSGENDER. I CAN'T FULLY DESCRIBE THE HARDSHIP THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH AS SUCH A YOUNG AGE JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION. LOSING FAMILY, BEING BULLIED AND SO MUCH MORE. BOTH OF THOSE PEOPLE WERE BORN AND RAISED IN ROWLETT, TEXAS. THE OUTCRY AGAINST SOMETHING AS INNOCENT AS COLORS ON THE WATER TANK IS HEARTBREAKING.

A RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE DOES NOT EXCUSE BIGOTRY.

PUTTING UP LIGHTS ON A WATER TOWER IS NOT A FORM OF HATE.

DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS.

IT IS DIRECT HATE AND PREJUDICE DISGUISED AS A RELIGIOUS BELIEF. PRIDE MONTH EXISTS FOR A REASON THE SAME WAY THAT BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXISTS OR SPANISH HERITAGE OR WOMEN'S HISTORY. TO DISCUSS THE BIGOTRY AND SUCCESSES OF THE MARGINALIZED GROUP OF PEOPLE.

WHO PEOPLE ARE IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL.

BEING GAY IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL. BEING A LESBIAN, BI, TRANS OR PLUSES IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVELY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THEM MAKE THOSE ISSUES CONTROVERSIAL. I JUST GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL.

EVEN I KNOW THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE UP FOR DEBATE.

THERE SHOULD BE NO PROTEST TO LGBTQ+ PEOPLE EXISTING AND BEING RECOGNIZED AND IS BAD THAT THE CITY I GREW UP IN IS ALLOWING THIS DISCOURSE TO TAKE PLACE AGAINST THESE GAY PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: DALTON HENDRIX AND THEN STATE REPRESENTATIVE RETTA BOWERS.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS DALTON HENDRIX AND I PREFER NOT TO STATE MY ADDRESS. I HAVE TWO SHORT STORIES TO TELL YOU. IMAGINE A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY.

A 10-YEAR-OLD INNOCENT CHILD AND HE WAS AT CHURCH ONE DAY AND HE IS SITTING THERE IN A GROUP OF PASTOR TEACHING THESE CHILDREN AND HE GETS GROPED BY THE PASTOR AND HAS HIS LIFE DESTROYED. I WAS THAT 10-YEAR-OLD BOY.

THE CHRISTIANS THAT ARE COMING UP TO PROTEST COLORS ARE

[01:20:02]

WORRIED ABOUT THE WRONG THINGS! THE AMOUNT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT HAPPENS IN THE CHURCH IS ASTRONOMICAL AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT AFRICAN COLORS ON THE WATER TOWER? I WAS DESTROYED AFTER THAT DAY. THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF A TRANS BLACK WOMAN IS 35. THEY DON'T EVEN GET TO THE AGE OF RETIREMENT. MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN OWN A HOME BY THAT AGE AND THEY ARE DESTROYED, KILLED.

MOST OF THEM DON'T EVEN MAKE IT TO 35.

AS A 14-YEAR-OLD I WAS IN A MOVIE THEATER WITH MY FRIENDS AND I WAS CONFRONTED BEING A FE. AND BEING WHO I WAS.

I HAD TO LEAVE THE MOVIE THEATER BECAUSE I WASN'T COMFORTABLE BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULD GET KILLED OR WORSE.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY GOING TO A MOVIE THEATER WITH FRIENDS TO ENJOY MY LIFE? THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE WRONG THINGS.

LET PEOPLE BE THEMSELVES. LET ME BE MYSELF.

AND, I, I WAS RAISED A CHRISTIAN.

I DO NOT STAND WITH CHRISTIANITY ANYMORE BECAUSE OF PTHE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AND I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER RESPECT THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION AFTER THE THINGS THAT THEY SHOW THEIR BIGOTRY AND HATE. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: GIVE ME JUST A SECOND.

THE BOSS WANTS TO TELL ME SOMETHING.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RETTA BOWERS.

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING. FIRST I WANT TO SAY IT IS REALLY GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

I AM STATE REPRESENTATIVE RETTA ANDREWS BAUERS JUST HOME FROM THE EVIDENCE BILLY 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

A HORRIBLE SESSION FILLED WITH VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AND PLENTY OF RED MEAT ISSUES THAT PRETTY MUCH TORE ME APART.

BUT I HAVE RESTED AND COME SUNDAY I HAPPEN TO HEAR AND SEE AND GET WIND OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN MY HOMETOWN OF ROWLETT. I WANT TO GO BACK BECAUSE I WANT TO BE FAIR TO YOU ALL AND I CHOOSE NOT TO GIVE MY ADDRESS BECAUSE YOU CAN GET IT ANYWAY. [LAUGHTER] IT IS PUBLIC RECORD. I TRULY WAS ELATED WHEN I SAW THE NEWS REPORT OF THE PROCLAMATION THAT WAS GIVEN AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A TOWER LIGHTED UP.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT WE KNOW THAT INCLUSION IS A GREAT BUSINESS MODEL. IF WE REALLY WANT ROWLETT TO THRIVE ECONOMICALLY IN BUSINESSES TO COME HERE THEN WE HAVE TO BE ABOUT TRULY BE ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

THERE IS SOMETHING I SAID TO MY MOTHER BEFORE I LEFT TO COME HERE TONIGHT THAT I WASN'T GOING TO SAY BUT YOU CANNOT A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT JUST LIKE YOU CAN'T SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. YOU ARE EITHER FOR IT OR YOU ARE NOT. THAT IS JUST RIGHT.

WHEN I GOT HOME FROM THE 86 LEGISLATIVE SESSION I WAS SO PROUD THAT WE HAD A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH IN THE LAST YEAR AND 1/2 WITH COVID.

PEOPLE HAVE MENTIONED THE PEACEFUL PROTEST THAT WE HAD HERE IN ROWLETT TOGETHER. WE ALL STOOD THERE TOGETHER.

ANY OF YOU ON THE PICTURE WITH ME.

MOST OF YOU I HAVE SERVED ON PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD FOR THIS CITY WITH. WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY. I SUBMITTED MY STATEMENT EARLIER TODAY AND I WASN'T GOING TO COME.

I WAS LIKE NO. I COULD JUST SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY. BE AT HOME.

THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE THAT I WOULD BE TONIGHT.

NOWHERE ELSE. I LIVE HERE.

I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 20 YEARS. ACTUALLY, 21.

I THINK MY HUSBAND WOULD CORRECT ME.

[01:25:06]

NO. I WANT TO READ MY STATEMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE BETTER ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

>> MAYOR: YOU HAVE TWO SECONDS. YOU CAN'T.

I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY YOUR TIME IS UP.

I HAVE TO BE THE SAME TO EVERYBODY.

I'M SORRY, THE MICROPHONE IS OFF.

>> SPEAKER: I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROCLAMATION.

[APPLAUSE] >> MAYOR: CARL PAYNE CRAFT IT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT A DIFFERENT SUBJECT.

>> SPEAKER: COUNSEL I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT EVERYBODY IS IN HERE TODAY AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS IT IS SOMETHING THAT MEANT A LOT TO ME.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> SPEAKER: MY NAME IS CARL PAYNE CRAFT AND OBVIOUSLY WE ARE DOING ADDRESSES TODAY SO WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT.

HERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS CROWD THAT I LOVE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL THAT I LOVE AND I'M REALLY HERE ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT AND IT IS ISAAC SCRUBS PARK.

WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNCIL ONE OF THE THING I WAS FOR WAS PUTTING TOWARDS PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND A PLAQUE FOR DEVON OLIVER. A LOT OF YOU GUYS, MARTHA DID SO MUCH FOR THE PARKS. PAM, YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR THE PARKS BUT DEVON OLIVER WAS A BASKETBALL PLAYER AT ROWLETT HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS A STRAIGHT A STUDENT AND SHE WENT ON TO TEXAS UNIVERSITIES.HE WAS AN AMAZING ATHLETE AND STUDENT AND FUTURE LEADER.

HER LIFE CAME TO A TRAGIC END. WE RALLIED ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A PLAQUE AND EVERY TIME I GO BY THE PARK IT IS HIDDEN UNDER THE GRASS AND SEEMS DISRESPECTFUL. THERE WAS A WAY WE COULD FUND RAISE OR A DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT I WOULD KNOW TO ELEVATE IT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE HER A BETTER MEMORIAL BECAUSE SHE WAS AN AMAZING YOUNG WOMAN.

AND LAST PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, THE SHADE ON IT IS NOT COVERING THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. IT IS COVERING A SIDE OF WHERE CHILDREN MIGHT PLAY. ISAAC SCRUBS PARK IS AN IMPORTANT PART FOR MANY REASONS.

I ASKED PLEASE, GIVE THEM AND ALL OVER THE MEMORIAL SHE

DESERVES. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU.

HANG ON. CARL, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IS NOT A CDBG QUALIFIED AREA. YOU TITLED IT AS CDBG.

GRETA, WHERE ARE YOU AT LET'S GET THIS PART GOING!

>> SPEAKER: I HAVE A MINUTE LEFT IF IT'S NOT A CDBG RANT IF WE CAN FUND RAISE, I WOULD LIKE HER TO HAVE AN ELEVATED BETTER

MEMORIAL. >> MAYOR: I JUST WANTED YOU TO HEAR THAT. THAT'S ALL THE CARDS FROM CITIZEN INPUT. HOLD ON.

HANG ON PLEASE. I STILL HAVE ALL OF THESE CARDS THAT WERE PUT IN THE PILE FOR 3E AND IF THAT IS WRONG IS WRONG AND WERE NOT TRYING TO EXCLUDE ANYBODY HERE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK BECAUS LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. THERE WERE TWO MORE CITIZEN INPUT EMAILS SO I'M GOING TO READ THOSE.

MY NAME IS BILL REDD I'M THE COORDINATOR FOR THE HARBORSIDE CRIME WATCH PROGRAM. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS HAVE NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS BUT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED.

THESE QUESTIONS ARE FOR 2 PROPOSED CONCRETE TRAILS BETWEEN PRIVATE HOMES ON THE LAKE.

TRAILS BETWEEN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IN THE LAKE ARE SAFETY INSECURITY PROBLEM. EXAMPLES ARE, UNSECURED BOATS AND BOAT DOCS THAT HAVE PROPERTY INSURANCE ISSUES.

DOES THE COUNSEL DOCTOR AND APPLY TO AN OWNERS BOAT AND BOAT DOCK? ADDITIONAL SECURITY CAMERAS WILL BE NEEDED DUE TO ASSURED VANDALISM.

WE WILL POLICE THE TRAILS NIGHT AND DAY? WILL POLICE CALL TRAILS BE ALONG TRAIL? IF SO VANDALISM DEFEATS THEIR USE AND VALUE.

THE TRAIL PROXIMITY TO OWNERS HOMES DOES A WAY WITH PRIVACY PAND SECURITY WHICH WAS ASSURED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.

WILL THE TRAIL BE SHARED WITH BIKERS IN MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION? HOW WILL POLICE BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO VIOLATIONS IF SUPPORTED? WILL THEY BE SUPPORTED BY EMS VEHICLES? WILL THE TRAIL BE OPEN TO USE 24/7 OR WILL IT BE OUR RESTRICTED WITH A CURFEW? HOW WILL THAT BE ENFORCED?

[01:30:06]

WILL FISHING BE ALLOWED ALONG THE TRAIL AT ANY HOUR? WILL THERE BE PUBLIC RESTROOMS ALONG THE TRAIL? WILL THERE BE REGULAR POLICE BICYCLES ON THE TRAIL TO DETER A POTENTIAL CRIME? AS HISTORY HAS SHOWN TRAILS BREED CRIME EVEN WHEN WELL PATROLLED THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED.HANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

AND THEN, THE LAST CITIZEN INPUT IS THIS ONE AND THEN WE WILL START READING THE WRITTEN COMMENTS FOR 3E.

DANIEL OR LENA. I LIVE AT 3205 SUNRISE DRIVE.

DEAR CITY COUNCIL I PURCHASED MY HOME HERE IN DECEMBER 2017 WHILE STATIONED OVERSEAS AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN GUATEMALA.

I DIDN'T MOVE BACK TO THE U.S. UNTIL JUNE 2013.

I DECIDED THAT AFTER 20 YEARS OVERSEAS I WANTED TO COME HOME TO MY FOREVER HOUSE. I SPENT YEARS LOOKING FOR LAKEFRONT PROPERTY MARKET ENJOY LAKE ACCESS.

I STILL DREAM OF HAVING A BOAT DOCK ONE-DAY.

THE CITY'S PLANS TO CONVERT THE WALKWAY INTO A PUBLIC PLACE BY CREATED A WALKWAY IS VERY CONCERNING.

I DON'T THANK YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL THE RISK AND LIABILITY FOR THE CITY. FIRST YOU WILL HAVE FOLKS URINATING ON PEOPLE'S BOAT DOCKS.

WHAT IF THEY FALL AND HURT THEMSELVES ON A BOAT'S PROPELLER? WILL THE CITY BE ABSORBING THE LIABILITY? I DON'T THINK SO.

THEY WILL PROBABLY TRY TO PUT IT ON THE BOAT OWNER AND THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR. ALL OF MY NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE BOAT DOCS HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY TO ENJOY THE LAKE THAT THIS WILL MAKE IT A LIABILITY. AFTER ALL THE INVESTMENT AND PAYING A PREMIUM FOR HOMES IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE CITY IS PUNISHING US FOR HAVING THAT OPTION BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE CHARGED THE HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES IN THE CITY DID I PAY OVER 14,000 IN PROPERTY TAXES. I HAVE A COUSIN ON TRAIL LAKE DRIVE IN HIS MONTHLY MORTGAGE IS 1100 INCLUDING TAXES AND INSURANCE. THAT IS STILL LESS THAN WHAT I PUT INTO ESCROW EVERY MONTH JUST FOR MY PROPERTY TAXES.

I DREAM OF HAVING A BOAT DOCK THAT I WILL NOT HAVE THAT IF IT PUTS ME IN JEOPARDY OF BEING SUED.

I HONESTLY BELIEVE YOU HAVE NOT CAREFULLY THOUGHT THIS THROUGH AND HAVE NOT COME TO THE REALIZATION THE LIABILITY YOU ARE CREATING FOR THE CITY. IF YOU DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL

REPUTATION OVER THIS. >> MAYOR: OKAY.

IT IS 10:50 AND WE ARE STARTING OUR REGULAR MEETING.

THANK YOU TO ALL CITIZENS AS WELL TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE'S TOLERANCE TO LISTEN TO EVERYONE SPEAK. IT HAS BEEN A LONG NIGHT.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION AND WE WILL MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA AND THEN AFTER THE REGULAR MEETING CONCLUDES WE WILL GO BACK TO ITEM 3E FOR COUNSEL DISCUSSION.

[7. CONSENT AGENDA]

AT THIS TIME WE WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS IS A SERIES OF ITEMS CONSIDERED AT ONE-TIME TO THE COUNSEL DID NOT WANT ANY ITEMS REMOVED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE ITEMS CONSIDERED INDIVIDUALLY RAISE YOUR HAND AT THIS TIME.

I SEE NONE. LAURA, WE READ THE ITEMS INTO RECORD? 7A CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTE FROM THE JUNE ONE DEALER MEETING.

7B CONSIDER ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF GARLAND. 7C. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS.

7D. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF

BACKUP POWER GENERATORS. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU LAURA.

DO I, THIS IS WHERE I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M DOING BECAUSE OF THE BUTTONS HAVE TO PUSH TONIGHT FOR THE RIGHT SCREEN.

COUNCIL MEMBER MARGOLIS DO YOU HAVE A MOTION?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEMS IN CONSENT AS READ INTO THE RECORD.

>> MAYOR: COUNCIL MEMBER LANING?

>> COUNCIL MEMBER: SECOND. >> MAYOR: PLEASE VOTE USING YOUR VOTING BUTTONS. AND THOSE ITEMS PASS 7-0.

YOU KNOW, WE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME UNTIL WE WENT

[8A. Conduct a public hearing and take action on an ordinance regarding a request by Humberto Castillo, on behalf of property owners Jose and Yenny Amaya, regarding a Special Use Permit to allow for an accessory structure exceeding 500 square-feet on property zoned Single-Family Residential (SF-40) District. The approximately 9.21-acre site is located at 4701 Dexham Road, being Lot 1, Block A of the Dexham Creek Ranch Estates Addition, in the City of Rowlett, Dallas County, Texas.]

VIRTUAL AND EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

I'M TRYING TO KEEP CAUGHT UP. WE WILL MOVE TO THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WE WILL START WITH ITEM 8A. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION ON AN ORDINANCE REGARDING A REQUEST BY HUMBERTO CASTILLO, ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNERS JOSE AND YENNY AMAYA, REGARDING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE EXCEEDING 500 SQUARE-FEET ON PROPERTY ZONED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (SF-40) DISTRICT.

[01:35:01]

THE APPROXIMATELY 9.21-ACRE SITE IS LOCATED AT 4701 DEXHAM ROAD, BEING LOT 1, BLOCK A OF THE DEXHAM CREEK RANCH ESTATES ADDITION, IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS.

GOOD EVENING MUNAL. >> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING COUNSEL. LAURA, WOULD YOU ASSIST ME WITH THE PRESENTATION? OKAY.

GOT IT. BEAUTIFUL.

NOW YOU ARE GOING TO CHALLENGE MY BIFOCALS.

APOLOGIES. USER ERROR.

GOOD EVENING COUNSEL THE REQUEST BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A 2100 SQUARE FOOT ACCESSORY BUILDING AT THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

YOU CAN SEE IT IS OUTLINED IN RED ON YOUR SCREEN AND IT IS FROM DECK SOME ROAD. THE STRUCTURE WILL BE MASONRY AND CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE IN A GARAGE COMPONENT AND CARPORT AND BE PART OF THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OR THE RESIDENTIAL HOME ON SUBJECT PROPERTY. THE ROWLETT DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIRES A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR ENCLOSED ACCESSORY STRUCTURES THAT ARE IN EXCESS OF 500 FEET. SOME BACKGROUND RELATED TO THIS SITE DATA AS YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE A FEW COLOR COATINGS ON THE IMAGE IN FRONT OF YOU. THE ANGRY AT THE PROPERTY IS ENCOMPASSED BY A 500 YEAR FLOOD PLANE AND THEN IN PINK YOU CAN SEE A 100 YEAR FLOOD PLANE. THERE'S ALSO A FOOTPRINT OF THE PROPOSED HOME ON THE PROPERTY TO SHOW YOU THE RELATIONSHIP WITH NOT JUST THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF THE SITE WHICH IS A PROXIMALLY NINE ACRES BUT ALSO THE IMPACT OF THE FLOODPLAIN AND 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN ON THE PROPERTY.

IT DOES NOT IMPACT THE PROPOSED ACCESSORY BUILDING NOR THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. IN APPROXIMATELY 3500 SQUARE-FOOT HOME IS PROPOSED TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THIS SITE.

IF APPROVED THIS BUILDING WILL BE A DETACHED GARAGE AND A CARPORT FOR THE PRIMARY DWELLING UNIT.

I DID MENTION THE FLOODPLAIN YOU SEE ON THE SITE AND THAT HE SHOULD ACRES IN AREA. NO TREE WILL BE REMOVED TO ACCOMMODATE THIS STRUCTURE. FURTHERMORE, THE RDC FURTHER OUTLINES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ACCESSORY BUILDINGS WITH STRUCTURES. THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF THE STRUCTURES PERMITTED ON RESIDENTIAL LOTS ARE REGULATED AS IT RELATES TO THE MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE THAT IS PERMITTED IN THE ZONING DISTRICT OR A MAXIMUM OF 35 PERCENT OF THE REAR YARD WHATEVER IS LESS. THE STRUCTURES CANNOT SEE THE HEIGHT OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURE OR RESIDENCE OR THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THAT ZONING DISTRICT. WHEN AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE IS IN THE REAR YARD THE BUILDING HAS TO MAINTAIN A THREE FOOT SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACK. TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE, THOSE ELEMENTS THAT I JUST MENTIONED THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF THE ACCESSORY STRUCTURES PERMITTED ON THE RESIDENTIAL LOT IS REGULATED BY MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE OF 35 PERCENT.

IN THIS INSTANCE 35 PERCENT OF THAT YARD IS 35,000 SQUARE FEET.HE REAR LOT COVERAGE IS 3800 SQUARE FEET SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER THAN THE MAXIMUM PERMITTED.

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES CANNOT EXCEED THE HEIGHT OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURE. THE PROPOSED ACCESSORY BUILDING IS 22 FEET FOUR INCHES. THE HEIGHT OF THE RESIDENCE IS 26 1/2 FEET. WHEN THE STRUCTURE IS LOCATED IN THE REAR YARD AND MENTIONED A MINIMUM OF A THREE FOOT SETBACK IS REQUIRED IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE PROPERTY LINES THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE OR BUILDING IS IN EXCESS OF ALL THOSE AND THOSE ARE STIPULATED IN FRONT OF YOU ON YOUR SCREEN WHICH ARE OVER 100 FEET HEAR THERE ARE NO PROPOSED SCREENING OR FENCING AROUND THE PROPERTY. THE STRUCTURE IS LOCATEDAROUND THE PRIMARY HOME AND THEREFORE VISIBILITY IS LIMITED.

SECONDLY THIS IS A PRIMARY RESIDENTIAL AREA AS WELL SO THERE WOULD BE ANY INCONSISTENCIES IN TERMS OF VISUAL APPEAL OR AESTHETICS. THERE IS AN IMAGE ON THE SCREEN WITH THE EXTENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION THIS FAR ON THAT PROPERTY AND THE SCALE OF THIS ACCESSORY STRUCTURE IS COMPLEMENTARY TO NOT JUST THE LOT SIZE BUT THE ITSELF. AS MENTIONED EARLIER THE APPLICANT WILL PROVIDE THE MASONRY MATERIAL THE COLOR AND

[01:40:01]

USE OF THE STRUCTURE WILL BE COMPLEMENTARY OF THE MAIN STRUCTURE.S REQUIRED BY ANY PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CHANGE OR AN S&P CHANGE IN ZONING A TWO FOOT NOTIFICATION IS SENT TO, I AM SORRY BEG YOUR PARDON. A NOTICE WITHIN 200 FEET OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS SENT TO ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS AND IN THE CITY PROVIDES A COURTESY 25 FEET NOTICE.

RESPONSES IN THE 200 FOOT AREA RECEIVE ONE FAVORABLE RESPONSE.

THOSE IN THE 500 FOOT RADIUS ONE IN OPPOSITION THREE IN FAVOR AND WE RECEIVED TWO ADDITIONAL NOTICES IN OPPOSITION AND ONE IN FAVOR BUT IT IS WELL BEYOND THE 500 FOOT NOTIFICATION AREA. SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED AS IT RELATES TO THE OPPOSITION WERE THE SIZE AND USE OF THE STRUCTURE. THIS ITEM WAS HEARD AT THE MAY 25 LANDING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND THEY RECKONED APPROVAL OF THE SEP UNANIMOUS FI5-0.

IT DOES NOT OPTIMIZE THE INTENT OF THE DISTRICT WHICH IS THE ZONING OF THE SITE AND THE SITE IN THE ADJACENT PROPERTY.

WITH THAT I WILL TRY TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY

HAVE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COUNSEL THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE YOU OPEN THAT DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE STAFF?

>> SPEAKER: THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN WAITING, TO SO THEY ARE

PRESENT. >> MAYOR: DOES THE APPLICANT WANT TO DO A PRESENTATION? OKAY.

AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

I SEE NONE AND I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION. COUNCIL COUNCIL MEMBER

SHERRILL. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I MOVED TO

ACCEPT ITEM 8A. >> MAYOR: I DON'T SEE A NAME APPEAR COUNCIL WOMAN BROWN IF YOU ARE PUSHING A BUTTON? AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG? WHICH ONE? I AM TRYING TO RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK.

SHE IS PUSHING RIGHT TO SPEAK AND IT IS NOT SHOWING.

THERE IT GOES. >> COUNCIL MEMBER: I SECOND THE

MOTION. >> MAYOR: [LAUGHTER] YOU COULD HAVE JUST YELLED THAT! ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE I CALL A VOTE? PLEASE VOTE. THAT ITEM PASSES 7-0.

[8B. Conduct a public hearing and take action on an ordinance regarding a request by Mitchell Erp, on behalf of property owner Roberto Palacios, regarding a Special Use Permit to allow an accessory structure exceeding 500 square-feet on property zoned Single-Family Residential (SF-40) District. The approximately 1-acre site is located at 3402 Westwood Circle, being Lot 4, Block A of the Westwood Estates Addition, in the City of Rowlett, Dallas County, Texas.]

I USED TO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS! [LAUGHTER] ITEM 8B. CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION ON AN ORDINANCE REGARDING A REQUEST BY MITCHELL ERP, ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNER ROBERTO PALACIOS, REGARDING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE EXCEEDING 500 SQUARE-FEET ON PROPERTY ZONED SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (SF-40) DISTRICT. THE APPROXIMATELY 1-ACRE SITE IS LOCATED AT 3402 WESTWOOD CIRCLE, BEING LOT 4, BLOCK A OF THE WESTWOOD ESTATES ADDITION, IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS. MUNAL?

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING COUNSEL.

THE REQUEST IN FRONT OF YOU IS FOR AN SEP ADDITIONAL BUILDING.

TAMMY, IF YOU WOULD OBLIGE ME WITH THE PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU. SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED OFF OF WESTWARD ROAD AND YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT THERE.HE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A SEP TO CONSTRUCT AN 1800 SQUARE-FOOT ACCESSORY BUILDING ON THEIR PROPERTY.

IT IS A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. IT WILL BE MEDDLED IN CONSTRUCTION AND WILL CONSIST OF AN ENCLOSED GARAGE FOR THEIR CUSTOM VEHICLES. THE RDC DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIRES AN RDC FOR A BUILDING IN EXCESS OF 500 FEET TO THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS ONE ACRE AND YOU CAN SEE THIS IS THE SURROUNDING LAND USE PATENT. THERE IS A RESIDENTIAL HOME APPROXIMATELY 2100 SQUARE FEET. SIGNIFICANT TREE CANOPY IS ALONG THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY AND YOU CAN SEE THAT CANOPY COVERAGE. NO TREES WILL BE REMOVED AS A RESULT OF THIS ADDITION TO THE PROPERTY.

THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF STRUCTURES PERMITTED IS REGULATED BY THE RDC WHICH STATES THE MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE PERMITTED IN THE ZONING DISTRICT OR 35 PERCENT OF THE REAR YARD PREVAILS. THE STRUCTURES OR BUILDINGS CANNOT EXCEED THE HEIGHT OF THE PRIMARY STRUCTURE.

IF THEY ARE LOCATED IN THE REAR YARD THAT THE MAINTAIN A MINIMUM 35 FOOT SETBACK YOU CAN SEE THAT IMAGE ON YOUR SCREEN COUNSEL THAT THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO INSTALL THAT ALONG THEIR SIDE YARD. THERE IS THE RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE AND SWIMMING POOL ON THE PROPERTY AS WELL . WITH THE

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