Aug 17, 2021 City Council Meetings

[ 1. CALL TO ORDER]

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READY TRUE? GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IT IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021. AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551.071 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THIS MEETING MAY BE CONVENED INTO CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON ANY AGENDA ITEM HEREIN.

THE CITY OF ROWLETT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO RECONVENE, RECESS OR REALIGN THE REGULAR SESSION OR CALLED EXECUTIVE SESSION OR ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT. TO PROVIDE COMMENT FOR THE MEETING (IF YOU ARE NOT ATTENDING IN PERSON), PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO CITIZENINPUT@ROWLETT.COM BY 3:30 P.M. THE DAY OF THE MEETING. PLEASE SPECIFICALLY STATE WHETHER YOUR COMMENT IS REGARDING A SPECIFIC CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM OR A GENERAL COMMENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

WE ARE GOING TO START OUR EVENING OFF WITH OUR INVOCATION AND WE ARE PLEASED AND HONORED TO HAVE PASTOR ANN DOTSON FROM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH WITH US AND IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAND FOR THE INVOCATION THESE DO SO.

>> SPEAKER: WHAT A SPRAY. LORD, WE COME TONIGHT TO INVOKE YOUR PRESENCE OF THIS GATHERING OF THE LEADERSHIP AND TO ASK THAT THEY BE FULLY PRESENT TO YOUR WISDOM AMONG THEM. IN THE LETTER TO THE CHURCHES IN ROME WE ARE REMINDED THAT SHOULD NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERNS OF THIS WORLD WOULD ALWAYS ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE TRANSFORMED BY YOUR GRACE. WE PRAY THIS LEADERSHIP ALLOWS TO TRANSFORM THEM AND MOLD THEM AS YOU SHOWER YOUR GRACE OVER THEM. WE ARE TOLD TO USE THE GIFTS THAT WE ARE GIVEN FOR GOOD. WE PRAY THESE LEADERS KNOW THEIR GIFTS AND USE THEM TOGETHER WISELY AND PASSIONATELY FOR THE GOOD OF ALL ROWLETT CITIZENS. BY YOUR WORD WE LEARN TO BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION AND FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. AS WE LIFT UP THIS COUNCIL WE REQUEST THAT THEY RECEIVE A FULL MEASURE OF JOY, HOPE, PATIENCE AND FAITHFULNESS AS THEY STRIVE TO LEAVE THIS AWESOME CITY AND KEEP A SERVANTS HEART ALL ALONG IN WAY. IN JESUS'S NAME, AMEN.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU PASTOR ANN DOTSON. PLEASE ARE MADE STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTO INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. AND NOW FOR THE TEXAS PLEDGE. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE WILL CONVENE A

[5A. Presentation of Proclamation recognizing August 26, 2021 as Women’s Equality Day.]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I AM VERY HAPPY TO GIVE THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF THE DIVERSITY EQUITY INCLUSION COMMISSION AND I HAVE TWO MEMBERS HERE IN A MORE WHO IS OUR CHAIR OF DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION AND SUSAN, PRONOUNCE YOUR LAST NAME, AWUZIE A CAN NEVER SAY IT FRESH SO I APOLOGIZE IT WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY IS ALL ABOUT UPLIFTING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN, MARVELING HOW FAR WOMEN HAVE PROGRESSED TO FIGHT ALL ODDS OF OPPRESSION. TO REMIND US OF THE STRUGGLES OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE CONGRESS DESIGNATED AUGUST 26 AS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY OF 1971 OF THE BILL TO GIVE WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE PROCLAMATION. WE CELEBRATE AND HIGHLIGHT WOMEN WHO ACHIEVED AND OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES TO MAKE SURE THEIR WORK AND LIVE MATTER. SUSAN B ANTHONY, SOJOURNER TRUTH, ELIZABETH STANTON, GLORIA STEINMAN AND NUMEROUS OTHERS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD AND MADE TREMENDOUS SACRIFICES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF WOMEN, THEIR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES. ON THIS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY WE WANT TO MAKE SPECIFIC NOTES OF WOMEN LIKE JANE JOHNSON ALONG WITH HER HUSBAND PURCHASED A 100 ACRE FARM IN ROWLETT AFTER THE DEATH OF HER FIRST HUSBAND JANE MANAGE THE FARM, APPRAISED AT ONE OF $51 PER ACRE IN 1882 MAKING HER NET WORTH YOUR $3 MILLION IN TODAY'S STANDARDS.

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MARLEE MATLIN AND AMERICAN ACTIVIST WHO IS NOT ONLY A DEATH PERFORMER AND THE YOUNGEST EVER TO WIN A ACADEMY AWARD WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN CRATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEAFNESS AND HARD OF HEARING.

[INDISCERNABLE] PAKISTANI GIRLS EDUCATION ADVOCATE BEGAN SPEAKING OUT FOR THE EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS FOR ALL GIRLS AT THE AGE OF 11. AT 15 SHE SURVIVED A TALLOW BAND ASSESS ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AND AT 15 SHE SPOKE AT UNITED NATIONS AND AT 17 SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST PERSON TO WIN A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. SHE IS A SELLING AUTHOR, A UN MESSENGER OF PEACE AND MAKE SURE THAT GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD HAVE 12 YEARS OF FREE SAFE EDUCATION STATING EDUCATION IS NEITHER EASTERN OR WESTERN. EDUCATION IS EDUCATION AND IS A RIGHT OF EVERY HUMAN BEING. WHILE WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY COMMEMORATES THE PASSAGE OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT WHICH STATES THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS IN THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE UNITED STATES OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SEX. IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. IT FOCUSES ALSO ON INCOME, JOBS, EDUCATION AND LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION.

THEREFORE, I, MAYOR DANA-BASHIAN, FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY DISTINGUISH AUGUST 21, 2021 AS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND ENCOURAGE ALL CITIZENS TO EMBRACE THEIR HARD-WON RIGHTS AND WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. NO PHOTOS TONIGHT? OR IS DENISE?

[5B. Presentation of Comprehensive Monthly Financial Report (CMFR) for the period ending June 30, 2021.]

ROBERT? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. GOOD EVENING COUNSEL I AM ROBERT COHEN THE CITIES BUDGET FINANCER.

TONIGHT'S REPORT IS FOR THE. INDIAN JUNE 30, 2021 PAIRED PRIOR TO TONIGHT PRESENTATION THIS QUARTERLY REPORT WAS REVIEWED BY THIS CITIES FINANCE COMMITTEE. ON A BUDGETARY BASIS THE CITY REPORTS REVENUES OF 99 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER. THIS OF NO IS 86.9 PERCENT OF THE REVISED OPERATING BUDGET OF 114 MILLION AND IS 6.9 PERCENT MORE OF THE FORECAST THROUGH THE MONTH OF JUNE. EXPENSES TOTAL 84 MILLION A YEAR TO DATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 THIS IS 2.8 OF THE REVISED OPERATING BUDGET OF 116 MILLION AND IS 2.6 PERCENT LESS THAN FORECASTED THROUGH THE MONTH OF JUNE. GOING ONTO REVENUE TRENDS PROPERTY TAXES REPRESENT ALMOST 60 PERCENT OF THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET AND ARE PROJECTED PRIMARILY FOR THE CITY OF JANUARY PAIRED THE CITY CREATED 116 MILLION WITH THIRD QUARTER. SALES TAXES ARE COLLECTED BY THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND REPRESENT TO PERCENT GENERAL FUND REVENUES IN THE CITY COLLECTED 5.9 MILLION THROUGH Q3 WITH REVENUE EXCEEDING THE FORECAST BY 829,000 OR MORE THAN 16 PERCENT. DRIVEN BY EXTREMELY STRONG MARGINS IN JUNE. WINTER STORM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR DRIVING RETAIL SALES IN MARCH AND WE DO NOT YET HAVE THE SECTOR DETAIL FROM THE STATE COMPTROLLER FOR THE JUNE INCREASES THAT WE WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE. THE WATER REVENUES REPRESENT THE FIVE PERCENT OF THE UTILITY FUND REVENUE E BUDGET THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER. THE CITY EARNED 11.8 MILLION AND WATER REVENUES WITH REVENUE EXCEEDING FORECAST BY 100 81,000 00 OR 1.6 PERCENT.

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FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU ROBERT.

QUESTIONS COUNSEL? ERIE THOROUGH. ARE YOU GOING TO DO

[5C. Presentation of the third quarter investment report for June 30, 2021.]

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING COUNSEL I WILL CONTINUE TONIGHT PRESENTATION WITH A THIRD-QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT WITH THE PERIOD ENDING IN JUNE 30, 2021. OUR INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE FOR OPERATING DEBT SERVICES ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST SAFETY AND THEN LIQUIDITY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SUFFICIENT CASH FLOW AND THEN FINALLY RATE OF RETURN. PERFORMANCE MEASURES HAVE SHOWN HERE HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM INVESTMENT. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, INCLUDE FALLING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FROM 6.9 PERCENT TO 5.1 PERCENT INCREASING THE DOMESTIC GROSS PRODUCT TO INCREASED 6.4 PERCENT AND CONSUMER PRICE INDEX RISING FROM 2.6 TO FIVE PERCENT. AS FAR AS SAFETY AND LIQUIDITY GO THE CREDIT QUALITY MEETS CREDIT POLICY LIMITS AND INVESTMENTS EXCEED THE CREDIT RATING MINIMUM. OUR FUNDS ARE WITHIN THE AUTHORIZED POLICY LIMIT NO SINGLE SECURITY TYPE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOCATION LIMIT FOR POLICY AND AS FAR AS LIQUIDITY POLICY GOES TWO MONTHS OPERATING EXPENSE IN A LOCAL BANK ACCOUNT OR LOCAL INVESTMENT POOL AND WE HAVE 73 PERCENT OR ONE UNDER $3 MILLION IN THE PORTFOLIO IN A TEXT POOL OR LOCAL BANK. FOR THE RATE OF RETURN PERFORMANCE MEASURES, LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO THE LONG-TERM FUND PORTFOLIO IS QUARTERLY RETURN PERFORMANCE OF .01 PERCENT OUTPERFORM THE BENCHMARK PERFORMANCE OF NEGATIVE .03 PERCENT, 5.0 FOUR PERCENT AND THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE PORTFOLIO HAS RETURNED A TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE OF 2.7 PERCENT AND OUT PERFORMED THE BENCHMARK BY .02 PERCENT PAIRED THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE YIELD TO MATURITY DECREASED FROM .35 PERCENT TO .1 PERCENT OR 14 BASIS POINT FROM THE LAST ORDER. SO WHILE WE ARE NOT GETTING A LOT ARE OUTPERFORMING OUR BENCHMARKS. WITH THAT THAT CONCLUDES THE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR Q3. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> MAYOR: ANY QUESTIONS COUNSEL? THANK YOU ROBERT, WE

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

I HAVE ASKED COUNCILMEMBER BROWNIE SHERRILL TO READ THOSE AGAIN. > COUNCILMEMBER: THANK YOU GOOD EVENING. THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND THE CARTER BLOOD CARE CENTER OR HOSTING A BLOOD DRIVE IN HONOR OF THE 20 ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11. AT THREE ROWLETT LOCATIONS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AND DONATING. YOU WILL RECEIVE A CARD VALID FOR ONE FREE GAME OF BOWLING AT ROWLETT BOWLER RAMA FOR DONATING. YOU HAVE TWO MORE CHANCES TO ENJOY THE

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MOSQUITO SEASON IS UPON US. YOUR PART TO CONTROL THEM. TWO FREE DUNKS ARE AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLY LASTS TWO ROWLETT RESIDENTS WITH A CURRENT UTILITY BILL OR ID. STOP BY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LOCATED AT.THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 TO 4:00 TO GET YOURS. THERE IS A MAP UP ON YOUR SCREEN THAT YOU CAN WATCH WITH THIS ONE. WHILE WE ARE DISCUSSING MOSQUITOES, DALLAS COUNTY REPORTED A POSITIVE MOSQUITO TESTING SAMPLE FROM ZONE SEVEN. AS A RESULT GROUND SPRING WILL TAKE PLACE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS BETWEEN 9 PM AND 5 AM.

WEATHER CONDITIONS PERMITTING. REPEAT, THIS IS A GROUND SPRAY ONLY. ONE MORE ITEM, THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THIS IS DUE TO THE UP TICK IN THE COVID PANDEMIC. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU COUNCILMEMBER BROWNIE SHERRILL, COUNCILMEMBER MARTHA BROWN DO YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

>> COUNCILMEMBER: I DO. THIS IS A COUPLE OF MARK YOUR CALENDAR DATES. KEEP ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL OB HOSTING THE FIFTH ANNUAL TRI-CITY CLEANUP ON OCTOBER 2. AND THAT IS A CITYWIDE CLEANUP THAT WE DO THE CITIES OF ORLAND AND DALLAS AT LAKESHORE AND ALSO THE STREETS AND PARKS. THEN ON OCTOBER 16 WE WILL HAVE OUR ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AND DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT THAT IS A DRIVE-THROUGH EVENT AT ROWLETT HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU CAN GET INFORMATION ABOUT BOTH OF THESE EVENTS AT KEEP ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL.ORG.

>> MAYOR: I ALREADY HAVE MY TWO BOXES FULL. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? ALL RIGHT WE WILL NOW MOVE TO CITIZENS INPUT

[6. CITIZENS’ INPUT]

RECORD YOUR THREE-MINUTE. >> SPEAKER: HELLO COUNSEL MY NAME IS KEN STANLEY AND I AM HERE WITH SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROJECT GOING OUT IN THE FAR NORTHEAST CORNER OF LIBERTY GROVE AREA WITH THE BUILDING OF THE HUGE HOMES, 600+ HOMES IN THE AREA. I LIVE ON COTTONWOOD CREEK AND IT FLOODS YEARLY ALL THE TIME AND MY CONCERN IS WITH ALL THE CONCRETE BEING POURED IN THE DRAINAGE GOING TO THE NEW CREEK, THAT IS GOING TO INVOLVE MY HOME AND ALL MY NEIGHBORS AROUND ME. I JUST WANT TO SAY WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WE WANT SOMEONE TO REALLY STUDY, MAYBE GET MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED TO COME OUT AND MAYBE THIRD PARTIES AND DO INVESTIGATIONS ON THE BRIDGES BY MY HOME. I'VE GOT VIDEOS OF FLOODS THAT HAS COME OVER THE BRIDGE AND RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO CONCRETE ON THEIR AND WE DUMP THE WATER DOWN THE CREEK IT IS GOING TO FLOOD MY HOME AND I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AT ALL.

I WANT EVERYONE TO SET BACK, RELAX, SLOW DOWN AND DO SOME MORE STUDIES AND SEE THAT EVERYTHING IS CORRECT BEFORE YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU MR. STANLEY, REGINA MARTINEZ AND THEN AFTER HIM IT WILL BE SCOTT ROSINSKI. NAME AND ADDRESS FOR

THE RECORD. >> SPEAKER: I AM REGINA MARTINEZ AND I BEEN HERE WITH MY NEIGHBORS A COUPLE OF TIMES.

WE HEARD THERE WAS A FLOOD STUDY AND WE HAVE NO ACCESS TO IT. WE HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED WITH THE DEVELOPER BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT THE VERY HONEST ABOUT THIS AND I AM

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SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. PLEASE TALK TO THE DEVELOPER AND TELL THEM THAT THEY NEED TO BE MORE PRECISE. OUR HOMES ARE CRITICAL TO US. I ONLY HAVE ONE HOME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU MR. MARTINEZ. SCOTT, I'M NOT SURE OF YOUR LAST NAME BUT AFTER SCOTT IS SAMANTHA. IS IT AN R

OR A B? >> SPEAKER: ROSE INSKEEP.

SAMANTHA IS MY DAUGHTER AND SHE COULD NOT MAKE IT TONIGHT. I WILL SPEAK ON HER BEHALF AS WELL. MY NAME IS SCOTT ROSINSKI AND, LIVE ON 1.1 ACRES RIGHT ON THE CREEK AND A LITTLE BLUE HOUSE AND I AM IN THE FLOOD ZONE AREA AND AND I HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.

SINCE 1990 BC COTTON CREEK FLOOD NUMBER OF TIMES. IT HAPPENS DURING A SEVERE RAINFALL EVENTS. SOME FLOODS STAY AWAY FROM THE HOUSE WHILE OTHER RAINFALL EVENTS RESULT IN FLOODING THAT CAN PUT THE ENTIRE 1.1 ACRES UNDERWATER.

IN 2007 WE HAVE THE 50 YEAR FLOOD AND WE HAD THOUGHT WE MIGHT LOSE THE HOUSE DURING THE REIGN OF IT. THE WATER ROSE FROM 1/4 INCH FROM THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MY HOME AND ROSE ABOVE THE GUARD RAIL ON THE BRIDGE ON STONEWALL ROAD.

THE GUARDRAIL WAS ACTUALLY UNDERWATER. A FEW YEARS BACK A BUSINESS OWNER PUT IN HINES EQUIPMENT RENTAL ON SEVEN ACRES AND THIS IS AT.SLIGHTLY UP THE HILL WEST OF OUR HOUSE. ORIGINALLY THIS LAND WAS LIKE ALL THE OTHER SURROUNDING LANDS, PASTURE LANDS. THEN WHEN RAIN EVENTS OCCURRED THE LAND WAS ABLE TO ABSORB THE WATER NOT CAUSING ISSUES. SINCE THE INSTALLATION OF THE BUSINESS TURNING 7+ ACRES OF PASTURE LAND INTO BASICALLY CONCRETE AND GRAVEL THAT HAVE NO ABSORBENT PROPERTIES THE RAINWATER RUNS DIRECTLY ONTO STONEWALL ROAD WHICH IS A HAZARD BECAUSE OF DRIVING THROUGH AND HYDROPLANING. IT AFFECTS NUMEROUS HOMES AND IS BASICALLY WASH MY FRONT YARD AWAY. THIS CHANGES FROM SEVEN ACRES. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO 150 ACRES BACK BEHIND ME. I'M NOT HERE TODAY TO STOP THE DEVELOPMENT

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MONEY GRENCE. REASON TO BE HERE TODAY IS TO ASK THAT THE CITY ENSURE THAT THE DEVELOPER TAKE PROPER ACTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR HOMES DOWNSTREAM OF THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT BEING PROPOSED. THEY MUST PERFORM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES OF RAINWATER COMING INTO COTTONWOOD CREEK PEERED ONCE YOU TURN ONE OR 50 ACRES OF PASTURE LAND INTO CONCRETE THE RAINWATER RUNOFF WILL CHANGE AND CHANGE DRAMATICALLY PEERED THE CURRENT CAPACITY OF COTTONWOOD CREEK CANNOT CONTAIN A MEDIUM TO SEVERE RAINFALL EVENT RIGHT NOW. IF YOU TURN 150 ACRES INTO CONCRETE DIRECT THE RAINWATER INTO THE CREEK WE WILL LOSE OUR HOMES WITHOUT PROPER CONTROL AND PROPER WATER MANAGEMENT. I MOVED OUT TO THIS AREA IN 1992 ENJOY THE COUNTRY AND SINCE THEN I'VE SEEN THE CITY OF GARLANDS PUT IN THE -

>> MAYOR: I'M SORRY SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DEBORAH SHOWN HER AND AFTER DEBORAH IS BRAD CRUZ.

>> SPEAKER: DEBORAH SCHINDLER, SUBJECTS TO ADDRESS TONIGHT FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR READING MY HUSBAND'S LETTER. THAT'S REGARDING CLYDE JENKINS ATTEMPT AGAIN TO MANDATE MASKS IN DALLAS COUNTY IN VIOLATION OF GOVERNOR ABBOTT EXECUTIVE ORDER GA 38. I KNOW SOME CITIES HAVE LIKE WISE ORDER ISSUES OR PAST ORDINANCE TRYING TO DO THE SAME AND I WANT TO THANK YOU COUNSEL FOR HAVING THE GOOD SENSE AND COURAGE FOR NOT FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS. GOVERNOR ABBOTT'S ORDER TO PERMITTING SCHOOLS TO MANDATE MASKS OR DOES NOT PREVENT ANY ONE PERSON TO DO SO IT JUST UPHOLDS THE RIGHT OF EVERY CITIZEN WITH A DISEASE OF A 95 CENTS RECOVERY RATE BASED ON THEIR HEALTH AND IMMUNITY STATUS AND THE RIGHT OF THE BUSINESS TO SET THEIR OWN POLICIES WITHOUT A PERMIT PORTION. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALSO UPHOLD THAT RIGHT. NOW I RETURN YOU TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM. THE SECOND SUBJECT AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED IS THE TRAILS. AT THE LISTENING SESSION REGARDING THE SPINNAKER POINT TRAILS WE HEARD THAT THERE WOULD BE A FOLLOW-UP MEETING AUGUST 2 AND IT WAS POSTPONED UNTIL PROBABLY NEXT WEEK. THAT WEEK CAME AND WENT AND ACCORDING TO CORRESPONDENCE FROM ANGE WHO HAS BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT GETTING BACK TO ME ON THAT MATTER THERE MIGHT BE A COUNCIL MEETING TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU GUYS WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLANNING BEFORE ANOTHER LISTENING SESSION. IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES OUT THE COUNCIL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA SOON. LAKEFRONT PROPERTY OWNERS ARE IN A STATE OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER TO INVEST MORE MONEY TO IMPROVE THEIR TAKE AREA OR THE BACKYARD WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS TRAILS LEADING.

OF COURSE WE KNOW THAT ANY PROMISES THAT ARE MADE BY THIS COUNSEL COULD BE RESCINDED BY A FUTURE ONE THAT IT WOULD STILL BE COMFORTING TO HAVE A PRECEDENT SET THE RECOGNIZES AND RESPECTS THE RIGHT OF THE TAKE AREA AND SET SUCH A TONE FOR THE CITY GOING FORWARD. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH COUNSEL AND CITY STAFF MEMBERS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD US LOUD AND CLEAR.

I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO THE ARGUMENTS AND CONSIDER THE POINTS HE MADE. I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS STARTED THIS OUT IN THE STATE OF UNDERSTANDABLE ANGER AND BELIEVE THAT THE CITY DID NOT CARE AND WOULD NOT LISTEN. I WANTED TO APPROACH IT WITH THE BELIEF THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS AND YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT A HUGE IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE ON A LAKEFRONT OWNER AND WHEN PROVIDED YOU WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING FOR US. I KNOW WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET BUT I FEEL LIKE A RESOLUTION IS CLOSER AND WE WILL END UP WITH SOME GREAT TRAILS THROUGH THE SHARED PUBLIC SPACES THAT EVERYBODY CAN ENJOY AND PRESERVATION OF PRIVACY TO THOSE WHO HAVE INVESTED IN THEIR OWN RESOURCES IN THE LAKEFRONT. THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU. BRAD CRUZ FOLLOWED BY DAVE HALL.

>> SPEAKER: I HAVE SWAG. ACTUALLY IT'S NOT SWAG IT'S JUST A PHOTO. WE COULD GET SOME SWAG.

>> MAYOR: I ACCEPT SWAG. >> SPEAKER: BRAD CRUZ, ADDRESS] THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS EVENING. I'M

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>> MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. CRUZ. DAVE HALL FOLLOWED BY BUDDY CANNOT READ YOUR LAST NAME I WILL LET YOU PRONOUNCE IT WHEN YOU COME UP. DAVE HOME, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 WE HAD A SEVERE STORM IN ROWLETT AND ON THE LAKE. I PULLED MY CUSTOMERS OFF THE WATER THIS IS A UNIVERSAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT WHICH CANNOT BE IGNORED.

HERE'S A PICTURE OF A PARK VISITOR WHO SET UP A SUNSHADE ON THE SHORELINE COULD THIS BLOCKS THE ACCESS FOR UP 50 KAYAKERS BY THIS ONE PARTY AND THEY ARE NOT USING THEIR SUNSHADE PICNIC SITE IN THIS PICTURE. THE REASON THEY ARE NOT USING THEIR PERSONAL SHORELINE SITE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT SWIMMING AND FLOATING ON THE NON-SWIMMING LAKE. LAKE HUBBARD IS ONE OF THE LARGEST LAKES IN TEXAS AND SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. THE PLASTIC INFLATABLE'S USED BY THIS FAMILY AND OTHERS ARE NOT SAFE IN THIS VENUE AND CERTAINLY NOT IN A THUNDERSTORM. PLEASE LOOK AT THE BLACK SKY WHICH ALSO INCLUDES LIGHTNING IT ON THE NEXT PICK YOUR, PLEASE OBSERVE THE ADULT SUPERVISION, ALSO, YOU CAN SEE THE WINDSHEAR ON THE LAKE SURFACE. THIS BEHAVIOR LEADS TO UNNECESSARY DROWNINGS. I HAD TWO COUPLES FLY DOWN FROM MINNESOTA SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND RENT KAYAKS.

KAYAKING ON THE LAKE THEY SAW PEOPLE JUMPING OFF THE RAILROAD RIDGE PEERED AFTER THEY RETURNED MY KAYAKS AND LIFEJACKETS A HIKE UP TO THE BRIDGE, ONE JUMPED AND DID NOT COME UP. IN SUMMARY, FOUR ADULTS FLEW DOWN TO ROWLETT IN DILI IN FOUR ADJOINING SEATS. THREE ADULT FLEW BACK TO MINNESOTA WITH AN NTC NEXT TO THEM. ROWLETT SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING OCCURRING ON THE LAKE. DALLAS SAYS ROWLETT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM ENTERING THE LAKE FROM THE SHORE TAKE LINE TRAILS. ROWLETT SAYS THEIR POLICE AND ONLY ENFORCE ORDINANCES AND THERE IS NO ROWLETT ORDINANCE TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM PARKING IN THE PADDLE POINT PARKING LOT AND ENTERING THE LAKE. DALLAS SAID THERE IS A CLAUSE IN THE AGREEMENT THAT REQUIRES ROWLETT TO ENFORCE DALLAS ORDINANCES. DALLAS SAYS THAT ROWLETT SHOULD BE PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM ZOOMING IN THE LAKE. AS LONG AS THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY IS ALLOWED TO OCCUR THERE WILL

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>> MAYOR: YOU CAN GIVE THEM TO LAURA. THANK YOU MR. HALL.

WERE YOU DONE? >> SPEAKER: YES.

>> MAYOR: OUR LAST SPEAKER AND THEN I HAVE AN EMAIL IS BUDDY AND I CANNOT READ YOUR LAST NAME. HUDA?

>> SPEAKER: I AM BUDDY HUDA. >> MAYOR: NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> SPEAKER: I HAVE PROPERTY AT.AGAIN WITH MY NEIGHBORS BASICALLY JUST WANTING TO EXPRESS CONCERN REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT GOING UP ON THE CORNER OF STONEWALL AND BENSON. I WANT TO REITERATE WHAT THEY SAID. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN REGARDING THAT CREEK AND FLOODING. I MOVED OUT THERE IN ABOUT 2008 AND I GOT LUCKY BECAUSE I HAVE SOME OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE NEIGHBORS WHO LIVE AROUND MY PROPERTY SO I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN FOR THEM, THEIR HOMES AND OBVIOUSLY MY OWN PROPERTY. I THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE A DEVELOPMENT YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN DO THINGS VERY QUICKLY DO THINGS QUICKLY AND THINGS CAN BE MISSED. I THINK THAT IS THE CURRENT YEAR IS THAT RIGHT NOW IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A WHOLE LOT OF TRANSPARENCY FOR THE HOMEOWNERS AS TO WHAT EXACTLY HAS BEEN GOING ON, WHAT PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT RESEARCH HAS BEEN MADE AND STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE. PARTICULARLY THE FLOODING ON THE CREEK. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE PROPER STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE AND THE APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT INTO ASSURING THAT THE FUTURE OF THAT AREA WILL BE SAFE AND TAKING CARE OF THEM PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES ARE TAKING CARE OF. IF THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE ON THE WATERFALL ON THE ACTUAL CREEK ITSELF, THAT SHOULD BE A STRONG DURATION GOING FORWARD WITH ALL THE NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THE INCREASED WATER. THAT IS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS TO GET THE TRANSPARENCY TO SEE WHAT STUDIES AND WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE SHOWS PROPERTIES THERE ARE. SO YEAH, THAT'S THE BIGGEST REASON I'M HERE AND I WOULD ALSO REALLY LIKE TO SAY THAT IT WOULD BE AN AWFUL IDEA TO PUT THE TRAILS BEHIND THOSE PRIVATE HOMES ON THE LAKE. SO MUCH INVESTMENT GOES INTO THOSE HOMES AND PEOPLE MOVE OUT HERE, THEY BUY THE HOMES SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE TO BE ON THE LAKEFRONT. I THINK WE WOULD BECOME THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE DFW AREA IF WE JUST DISREGARDED THE INVESTMENT THAT PEOPLE PUT INTO THEIR LAKE PROPERTIES. IT IS A

TERRIBLE IDEA. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR.

ANY OTHERS? I HAVE ONE EMAIL AND GOING TO READ AND MY NAME IS KIRK STALLION AND I LIVE AT.FRST MOVED HERE AND I LATER RETURNED WITH MY NEW BRIDE TO RAISE OUR TWO KIDS. BEFORE MOVING INTO THE WINDJAMMER HOME WHICH WAS A TORNADO REBUILT COMPLETED LAST AUGUST WE LIVED IN THE MARINER TRUCK SUBDIVISION FOR 20 YEARS YOUR LOVE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN WE FOUND A WATERFRONT HOME WE MADE OUR OFFER WITHIN HOURS PEERED WE KNEW THIS WOULD BE OUR LAST PURCHASE AS WE HAD JUST FOUND OUR DREAM HOME. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE SHARE MY DREAM AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY SELF-MADE PERSON WHO MADE SACRIFICES AND RAISED MONEY FOR THE STREAM.

THE STREAM COMES WITH A FEW THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL. SET THE COST ASIDE FOR EXAMPLE, $800 TAKE SURVEY, $800 INITIAL LEASE FEE 3 TO 50 PER YEAR AFTER THAT AND THAT AMOUNT CAN CHANGE FAIRLAWN MESA FLEET MAINTENANCE 2004 AND BOATHOUSE AND WOULD FOCUS ON THE CONTRACT I HAVE AT CITY OF DALLAS IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT FOR TWO AS A RESIDENTIAL SUB LEASE AGREEMENT. HERE ARE SEVERAL XERS FROM THE LEASE. ON SEPTEMBER 2020, SUBLESSOR AS LESSIE AND THE CITY OF DALLAS, TEXAS INJURED INTO IT AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT AND LEASE DEFINED AS THE BASE LEASE COVERING THE LAKE HUBBARD AREA PEERED INTO, THE LEASED AREA ADJACENT TO THE SUBLESSEE PROPERTY BE DESCRIBED AS LOT 7 ARE BLOCK SEVEN A OF SO AS TO PERMIT USE BY SAID SUBLESSEE AND NUMBER 3, THE ZONES ARE TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A HIGH POLITY LIFE STYLE STABLE VALUES THAT THE CITY OF ROWLETT PEOPLE HAVE COME TO ENJOY. AND NUMBER 4, THE SUBLESSEE SHALL PAY AN INITIAL PAYMENT TO THE SUB LESSOR AN ANNUAL PAYMENT OF THREE AND A DOLLARS DUE ON JANUARY 30 OF EACH CALENDAR

[00:40:01]

HAVING BEEN A 35 YEAR RESIDENT OF ROWLETT AND FORMER RESIDENT OF MERRITT PARK HAVE PLENTY OF OTHER TRAIL SITES THAT DON'T VIOLATE ACTIVE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE HIGHEST RESIDENTIAL TAX BASE. I STAND WITH MY FELLOW LAKEFRONT HOMEOWNERS AND WILLING TO FINANCE EFFORTS FROM KEEPING TRAILS FROM GOING BEHIND ANY LAKEFRONT EAGLE FAMILY HOME IN ROWLETT INCLUDING MY OWN. SUE KWAK TO GARDNER IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO NOT BEHIND MY HOUSE OR ANY OTHER WATERFRONT DREAM HOUSE AND THAT INCLUDES OUR CITIZEN

[7. CONSENT AGENDA]

RECORD. >> 7A. CONSIDER APPROVING THE MINUTES. 7B. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION EXECUTING A FACILITY AGREEMENT. 7C. CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE ROWLETT ANIMAL SHELTER RENOVATION PROJECT.

>> MAYOR: COUNCILMEMBER BROWNIE SHERRILL? > COUNCILMEMBER: I MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> MAYOR: COUNCILMEMBER MARTHA BROWN?

>> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE VOTE. THOSE ITEMS PASSED 7-0 PEERED THANK YOU VERY MUCH WE WILL MOVE TO OUR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEMS. WE WILL START, DO WE DO EIGHT A AND THEN DO SEPARATELY DO 8A. CONSIDER ACTION TO

[8A. Consider action to approve a resolution calling for a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2022 proposed tax rate for Monday, September 20, 2021, and to consider approval of a maximum tax rate of $0.792537 for the 2021 tax year.]

>> SPEAKER: GOOD EVENING COUNSEL. I AM ROBERT COHEN THE CITY BUDGET OFFICE AND I'M HERE WITH A PRESENTATION FOR YOU TO CONSIDER ACTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 AND TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A MAXIMUM TAX RATE OF .792537 FOR THE 2021 TAX YEAR. WE WILL BEGIN WITH SOME AND TAXATION GROUNDS. TRUTH AND TAXATION IS A CONCEPT IN BODY BUT IN THE TEXAS ONTO TOUSON AND TAX CODE TO MAKE TAXPAYERS AWARE OF TAX BREAK PROPOSALS. WHEN A PROPOSED TAX RATE EXCEEDS THE PROPOSED RATE WHICHEVER IS LOWER THE TAXING UNITS GOVERNING BODY WILL VOTE TO REPLACE A PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE RATE ON THE AGENDA WITH A FUTURE MEETING ACTION ITEM PEERED THIS VOTE MUST BE RECORDED. THE PROPOSAL MUST SPECIFY THE DESIRED RATE IN A TAXING UNIT CANNOT VOTE TO ADOPT A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TAXES BY AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT.

IF THE MOTION PASSES THE GOVERNING BODY MUST SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE. THERE ARE FOUR PRINCIPLES TO CHOOSE FROM TAXATION, PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT INCREASES IN THEIR PROPERTY'S APPRAISED VALUE AND TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE ESTIMATED TAXES THAT COULD RESULT IN A NEW VALUE. THEY MUST ESTABLISH THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE BEFORE ADOPTING AN ACTUAL TAX RATE IN A TAXING UNIT MUST HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE ADOPTING A TAX RATE THAT EXCEEDS THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE OR TAX RATE. IF A TAXING UNIT EXCEEDS THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE THE REGISTERED VOTER O THE TAXING UNIT AT AN ELECTION HELD FOR THAT PURPOSE MUST DETERMINE WHETHER TO APPROVE THE ADOPTED RATE. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS A CALCULATED RATE THAT WOULD PROVIDE TAXING UNIT WITH PROXIMALLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT IS RECEIVED IN THE YEAR BEFORE ON PROPERTIES TAXED IN BOTH YEARS. IF PROPERTY VALUES RISE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WILL GO DOWN AND VICE VERSA.

THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE WILL PROVIDE THE TAXING UNIT WITH APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE OF TAX REVENUE IS

[00:45:02]

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU ROBERT. COUNSEL WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD MANY OF TIMES. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? EMOTION? COUNCILMEMBER MATT GRUBISICH?

>> COUNCILMEMBER: I MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON FISCAL YEAR 2022 TAX RATE IN SETTING

THE MAXIMUM RATE AT .792537. >> MAYOR: COUNCILMEMBER BROWNIE

SHERRILL? >> COUNCILMEMBER: A SECOND.

>> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ANY DISCUSSION? CALLING NONE CALL THE VOTE. THAT ITEM PASSES 7-0 ARE YOU TAKING THE

[8B. Receive public comment on the proposed budget and tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022.]

>> SPEAKER: THANK YOU MAYOR. I AM ROBERT COHEN AND I'M HERE TO DIVIDE THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR YEAR 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET.

FIRST, HIGHLIGHT IN THE 22 PROPOSED BUDGET, THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE PROPOSING TO KEEP THE TAX RATE THE SAME AS LAST YEAR AND LOWERING THE SEWER RATE OF FIVE PERCENT TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS. THE BUDGET CONTAINS THE ADDITION OF THE FIRE TRAINING BATTALION CHIEF, FOR NEW OFFICERS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REORGANIZING OUR STAFF INTO A DESIGNATED DEPARTMENT AND ADDING A GREASE AND H2O INSPECTION FOR RESTAURANT PROGRAM. WE ARE GOING TO REPAIR THE TURF IN THE KIDS KINGDOM AND HAVE ANNUAL FUNDING FOR THE WATERVIEW GOLF COURSE AND IMPROVE A STREET PATCH TRUCK AND A CONTRACT TO MAP OUT ALL ROWLETT STREETS AND ALLEYS AT ONCE TO QUICKLY REQUIRE A CITYWIDE PAVING PROJECT. THESE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS. WE HAVE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS FOR ALL OF COUNSEL'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE ADDING

[00:50:04]

THE MEETING TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET WILL BE HELD TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 AND WE WILL NOW WATCH A VIDEO PRESENTATION ON FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROPOSED BUDGET.

[00:56:58]

>> SPEAKER: THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP TO ANY PUBLIC COMMENT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> MAYOR: THANK YOU ROBERT. I GET CONFUSED WITH THIS LANGUAGE. HIS RECEIVED PUBLIC COMMENT WITH OPENING A PUBLIC HEARING, LAURA? DAVID? IT IS SYNONYMOUS? OKAY. BEFORE I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS FOR ROBERT OR STAFF, OKAY, SEEING NONE THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND I WILL OPEN IT UP FOR ANY COMMENTS IF ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. DAVID IS NOT TRYING TO SPEAK. [LAUGHTER] OKAY, ARE YOU TRYING TO SPEAK? OKAY. THUMBS UP. OKAY. IF THERE ARE NO COMMON SO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.