Jul 18, 2023 City Council Meetings

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:03]

>> >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ALL RIGHT, GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION. WE'RE GOING TO START OFF OUR REGULAR MEETING WITH THE INVOCATION PROVIDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM JEFF WINGET

AND THE PLPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> PLEASE JOIN WITH ME IN

PRAYER. >> LOVING FATHER AS WE GEAR HERE TODAY, WE BOW OUR HEADS IN REFERENCE AND GRATITUDE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER ADS A COMMUNITY. WE SEEK YOUR DIVINE GUIDINGS AND BLESSINGS AS WE CONVENE THIS MEETING. WE HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU ARE RAH PRESENCE BE FELT IN THIS CHAMBER, BOBIDING US TOGETHER IN A SPIRIT OF UNIT AND COOPERATION. A GENUINE DESIRE TO SERVE THE COMMON GOOD. MAY OUR DECISIONS BE GUIDED BY FAIRNESS, SEEKING THE WELLBEING OF ALL OF ROWLETT'S RESIDENTS. RECOGNIZING THAT OUR COLLECTIVE STRENGTH LIES IN OUR DIVERSITY OF BACKGROUNDS, EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES. WE PAUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND MONDAYER THE BRAVERY, DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE THAT SERVED IN OUR NATION FOR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, BUT, ESPECIALLY MR. CHILTON. MAY WE NEVER FORGET THEIR VALOR AND MAY THEY INSPIRE US TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO A MORE JUST AND PEACEFUL SOCIETY. WITH GRATITUDE IN OUR HEARTS WE TRUST THIS MEETING TO OUR LOVING CARE. IN YOUR SON'S MOST HOLY NAME I PRAY, AMEN.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: RIGHT NOW, THE PLEDGE OF AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL."

>> . >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: NOW THE

[5A. Rowlett Veterans Recognition Program - Carl S. Chilton, Jr., US Army Air Corps.]

TEXAS >> "HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE

AND INDIVISIBLE." >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ALL RIGHT, WE'LL START WITH OUR FIRST ITEM WHICH IS ITEM VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM - CARL S. CHILTON, JR., US ARMY

AIR CORPS. >> .

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ALL RIGHT. SO, THE CITY INSTITUTED THIS PROGRAM IN 2017 IN ORDER TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO THOSE MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR TIME AND SERVICE TO OUR NATION. ASSISTING WITH THE SELECTION AND RECOGNITION OF HONOREES IS THE VETERANS RESOURCE AND OUTREACH CENTER, THREW BRIAN WILBURN. SO FAR WE HAVE HONORED OVER 27 MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE VETERANS. AND THIS ONE, TONIGHT, IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT BRIAN, IF YOU COULD COME AND EXPLAIN WHY

THAT IS? >> ALL GOOD. IT'S ALL GOOD.

>> AS WE STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND BEFORE I INTRODUCE MR. CHILTON AND WHY THIS IS ESPECIALLY, UM, IMPORTANT, TO ALL OF US, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST VERY QUICKLY READ THE NAMES.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: WE HAVE THE NAMES UP THERE AS WELL.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REMEMBER TO SAY THEIR NAMES OUT LOUD SO THAT WE DON'T FORGET THEM IN THEIR SERVICE. DONALD PEARSON SENIOR, REST IN PEACE. WILLIAM TURNER, AND JOHN STILLSON. CHRIS KILGORE, JOHN BARKER, REST IN PEACE. JEFFERY GREY. WILLIAM P RICE. . JIMMY GRAVES. . BILLY FERGUSON, REST IN PEACE. TYLER RAMIREZ, GLEN GARRISON. MICHAEL, GALLOPS, JAMES MOSLEY AND JOHN THAN FLORES.

>> SO, I GOT, ABOUT TWO MONTHS BACK WE WERE INVITED TO THE 100TH BIRTHDAY PARTY OF MR. CHILTON OVER HERE AT IRIS MEMORY CARE. WE WERE INVITED BY TAYLOR LEE WHO DOES THE BINGO AT

[00:05:05]

$12. >> HE WROTE THAT BOOK?

>> HE WROTE THE BOOK. HE SPENT A LIFETIME AS A CPA, RAN A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND MADE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS BACK TO THE UNFORTUNATELY. IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIM.

I'M DEAF AND HE'S DEAF. SO, IT'S HARD TO COMMUNICATE. BUT, HE HAS AN AMAZING STORY AND HE'S A TRUE AMERICAN HERO, AND I THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE HIM TONIGHT SO.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ABSOLUTELY. SO, WE HAVE FROM THE CITY OF ROWLETT, A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION, IT SAYS THE FREED DOM AND SECURITY THAT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ENJOY TODAY ARE DIRECT RESULTS OF THE BLOOD SHED ANDVILLE GENERALS GIVEN BY OVER THE HISTORY OF THE NATION - DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION, PROTECTING THE LIBERTY AND PAYING THE PRICE OF FREEDOM FOR AWES ALL. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE WARS AND THE WORST IN SOCIETY YET CONTINUE TO SERVE AND BEING THE BEST THEY COULD BE. THANK YOU, FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE TO OUR

COUNTRY. THANK YOU, SIR. >>

(APPLAUSE) >> SENATOR BOB HALL, SENT OVER A RESOLUTION FROM THE TEXAS STATE SENATE, I GUESS THIS WAS ENTERED INTO THE RECORD DOWN IN AUSTIN. AND, UM, I HOPE Y'ALL COMMUNICATE THAT WITH HIM, THAT THEY RECOGNIZED HIM FOR HIS SERVICE DOWN THERE. THEY COULDN'T MAKE IT, THEY GOT CALLED TO THE AIRPORT LATE. AND ASKED ME TO READ IT. THIS IS RESOLUTION 23 R 1311. WHEREAS THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF AN ESTEEMED TEXAN IS TRULY CAUSE FOR CLUB PROBATION AND CARL CHILTON MARKED THIS RELENTLESS MILESTONE OF HIS LIFE. AND WHEREAS BORN IN 1923, MR. CHILTON ANSWERED HIS CALL TO DUTY BY JOINING THE US ARMY AIR CORPS. HE WAS DEPLOYED TO EUROPE. HE FLEW 13 COMBAT MISSIONS OVER FRANCE AND GERMANY AND ULTIMATELY ROSE TO THE RANK OF FIRST LIEUTENANT AND WHEREAS FOLLOWING THE WAR MR. CHILTON RETURNED TO COLLEGE TO STUDY ACCOUNTING AND AFTER COMPLETING HIS DEGREE HE BEGAN TO TEACH AT BROWNSVILLE JUNIOR COLLEGE HE BECAME A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT AND HELPED ESTABLISH LONG CHILTON LLP. A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CPAS, HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF THROUGH CONSULTING WORK FOR HIS CLIENTS ALONG THE WAY HE PUBLISHED TWO BOOKS, SUCCESSFUL SMALL CLIENT ACCOUNTING PRACTICE AND HAARLAND BLAKE CPAS, A CHALLENGING CAREER. A WORK OF FICTION DROWN FROM HIS OWN EXPERIENCES. CIVICALLY ENGAGED HE LENT HIS TIME AND SUPPORT TO A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE ROTARY CLUB OF BROWNSVILLE AND, WHEREAS, OVER THE COURSE OF A CENTURY, CARL CHILTON HAS MET THE CHALLENGES OF A LONG LIFE WITH GRACE AND FORTITUDE AND HE IS BLESSED WITH THE DEEP RESPECT AND LASTING ADMIRATION OF LOVED ONE.

[00:10:07]

>> (APPLAUSE)

. >> SORRY, I ALMOST FORGOT. SO, WE HAVE LORI, ALBERTS QUILTS, FROM QUILQUILTS OF VALOR. AND HAS A PRESENTATION TO MAKE TO CARL. AS WELL.

>> I BROUGHT MY SHADOW WITH ME TODAY, I HOPE THAT'S OKAY. HI, TAYLOR. HI. HOW ARE YOU, SIR, HELLO. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY, I'M A VOLUNTEER WITH THE QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION THAT AWARDS QUILTS OF COMFORT AND HEALING TO THOSE TOUCHED BY WAR. MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME DESCRIBE THE ORGANIZATION BEFORE, I'M GOING TO FOREGO THAT PART OF THE EXPLANATION. I WOULD LIKE TO AWARD THIS QUILT OF VALOR TO THIS VERY DESERVING VETERAN AND THANK THEM VERY MUCH

FOR HIS SERVICE. >> YOU GET TO HAVE THIS. YOU

GET TO HAVE IT. LET'S SEE IT. >> I WOULD LOVE TO PUT IT

AROUND YOU. YES. >> SO, WE WOULD LIKE TO WRAP IT AROUND YOU, I KNOW YOU MIGHT BE KIND OF WARM. BUT, THE LABEL ON HERE HAS YOUR NAME ON IT. AND I'LL READ IT QUICKLY, IT'S THE SAME THAT WE SAY ON EACH QUIT. AWARDED TO US ARMY AIR CORPS SECOND LIEUTENANT AND WORLD WAR II COMBAT PILOT, AT THE SATELLITE CITY COUNCIL. ON BEHALF OF THE QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR THIS NATION, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE HONOR AND COMFORT UPON YOU THROUGH THIS AWARD OF A QUILT OF VALOR. THOUGH, WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE DEPTH OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE UNITED STATES AS A GESTURE OF GRATITUDE FROM A GRATEFUL NATION, WE AWARD YOU THIS QUILT OF VALOR. THANK YOU, SO MUCH,

SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE. >>

(APPLAUSE) >> .

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ALSO, FAMILY MEMBERS, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US FOR A PHOTO IF YOU WANT. WITH HIM.

>> OKAY. >>

>> YES, MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU. >>

>> THAT'S YOUR NAME? >> BLAKE.

>> HIS NAME IS BLAKE. >> .

[5B. Presentation of a Proclamation recognizing July 26th as Disability Independence Day and request to light the downtown water tower red.]

[00:15:23]

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, OUR NEXT ITEM A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 26TH AS DISABILITY INDEPENDENCE DAY AND REQUEST TO LIGHT THE DOWNTOWN WATER TOWER RED.

AND PRESENTING THAT ITEM IS COUNCILMAN BOWERS, AND THOSE WITH THE IDRC, IF YOU WOULD COME UP AS WELL.

>> >> THIS IS MY FIRST PROCLAMATION THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO DO AND I'M ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED TO DO IT WITH THE RDEIC. THANK YOU, FOR JOINING ME UP HERE. ON JULY 26TH, 1990, PRESIDGEORGE B SIGNED THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ADA INTO LAW. SERVING AS THE DE FACTO BILL OF RIGHTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY. THIS ACT COVERS ISSUE FROM PARKING TO VOTING SERVICE ANIMALS TO ONLINE COMMUNICATION AND EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. AND ACCESSING GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE DISABILITY EXPERIENCE IS A NATURAL PART OF LIFE. IT IS PART OF THE DIVERSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS MAY ALSO HAVE HID DEN DISABILITIES WHICH ARE NOT EASILY SEEN WHICH INCLUDE HEARING, SEEING, WALKING OR PROBLEM-SOLVING. DISABILITY IS ACTUALLY A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT WHERE THE LABELS OF DISABILITY DO NOT DEFINE THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY TO BE EMPLOYED, TO USE TRANSPORTATION, AND HOW THEY INTERACT WITH OTHERS. WE MUST NOT ALLOW STIGMA OR STEREOTYPE TO EINVOLVE INTO DISCRIMINATION.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE AN UNDER REPRESENTED AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITY. WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE INJUSTICES AND INEQUITY THAT EXIST AS WELL AS PROMOTE THOSE WHO USE THE SPIRIT OF THE ADA TO ENSURE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS SUCH AS: EASTER SEALS, A NATIONAL ADVOCACY GROUP SUPPORTS DEVELOPMENT IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH DISABILITIES. THE DISABILITY RIGHTS OF TEXAS WHO SUPPORT TEXANS WITH DISABILITIES WITH A MISSION TO HELP UNDERSTAND AND EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS ENSURING THEIR FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY.

ROWLETT'S OWN VALERYA HOLLANDS WHO IS HERE WITH US HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITIES FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES. MS. HOLLAND'S EFFORTS INCLUDE IMPROVING CURB-SIDE ACCESS AND EDUCATION AWARENESS FOR THOSE WITH ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS. SHE HAS DONE THIS THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND SHE SENT THOSE ONTO DALLAS COUNTY. SHE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SPREAD COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS IF A VOTER IS UNABLE TO ACCESS OR ENTER THE POLLING LOCATION. MOST RECENTLY, MS. HOLLAND'S ADVOCACY AT THE 88TH REGULAR SESSION, STATE LEGISLATURE FOR HB-386 PASSED THROUGH THE HOUSE WITH A VOTE OF 141-6. THIS BILL WILL AIDE IN EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VOTING POLLING PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS. UM, I ELISE IS A BOWERS ON BEHALF OF BLAKE MARGOLIS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT, AND THE ROWLETT DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION DIVISION, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM, JULY 26TH, 2023, AS DISABILITY INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE CITY OF

[00:20:04]

WORK, LIVE, AND PLAY. >> (APPLAUSE) .

>> DO YOU HAVE A WORD VALERIA? >> YES.

>> >> I'M COMMISSIONER HOLLANDS, I WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE PROCLAMATION RECOGNITION. DISABILITY IS A PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. IF YOU LIVE WILL EXPERIENCE HAVING A F US - DISABILITY AT SOME POINT IN LIFE. THE GENERAL PUBLIC THINKS THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS A SEPARATE GROUP WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO MUST HAVE THINGS DONE FOR THEM AND ARE NOT SEEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSAL COMMUNITY. THESE ATTITUDE BARRIERS PUSH PEOPLE TO THE OUTER LIMITS OF INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WHILE PHYSICAL, SENSORY, INTELLECTUAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS MAY CAUSE INDIVIDUAL FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND IMPAIRMENTS, THOSE DO NOT HAVE TO LEAD TO DISABILITIES UNLESS SOCIETY FAILS TO CONSIDER AND INCLUDE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR DISABILITIES. AS AN ADVOCATE, ME ALONG WITH OTHER ADVOCATES, VOLUNTEERS, FAMILY, COMMISSIONERS, FRIENDS, WE, UM, THE MISSION IS TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS TO ELIMINATE PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS IN NORMAL, DAILY ACTIVITIES. SUCH AS WORKING, ENGAGING IN SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. IN THE SPIRIT OF THE ADA TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FROM DISCRIMINATION AND ENSURING EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL IN THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AND, JUST A QUICK NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO PASS ON NUGGETS OF INFORMATION. AND A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I HAVE HERE, IS, I REALLY ASK THAT WE ELIM ELIMINATE PREJUDICE LANGUAGE BY USING FIRST PEOPLE LANGUAGE. WHEN REFERRING TO ME, I USE MY NAME, VALERIA HOLLAND RATHER THAN MY DISABILITY. PEOPLE IN FIRST LANGUAGE, PEOPLE JUDGE TO BE ALLEGEDLY NEGATIVE ARISING FROM PLACING THE NAME OF THE CONDITION BEFORE THE NAME OF THE PERSON. BECAUSE, IT CAUSES UNDUE FOCUS ON THE FINANCE WHICH DISTRACTS FROM THE HUMANITY OF THE MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND ANOTHER NEGATIVE INFORMATION, IF YOU'RE SO WONDERFULLY ABLE TO RECEIVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLAQUE, ON MY WAY DR DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS PLAQUE TO DISPLAY PROUDLY THAT THEY'RE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.

HOWEVER, ON THE BACK OF THIS CAR, IT READS "DO NOT DRIVE VEHICLE WITH PLAQUE HANGING IN THE MIRROR". SO, NOW, ALL OF OUR ADVOCATES AND YOU, WE HAVE INFORMATION THAT SPREAD TO BE MORE OF AN ADVOCATE, TO MORE, THE MORE WE ADVOCATE, THE BETTER OUR ACCESS IN SOCIETY. AND, AS I STATED EARLIER, THANK YOU FOR PROCLAIMING JULY THE 26TH, 2023, AS DISAS DISABILITY INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, COME MEMORATING THE

[00:25:01]

THANK YOU. (APPLAUSE)

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

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT OUR NEXT ITEM IS ITEM MANAGEMENT: FINANCIAL POSITION, MAJOR PROJECTS, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST AND ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. PRESENTING THIS ITEM, IS DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM, JEFF WINGET

>> ARE YOU LACK LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY? IF SO, WE HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU. WE'RE LOOKING FOR COMMITTED RESIDENTS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON A BOARD OF COMMISSION. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS AUGUST 14TH.

>>> THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL HOSTS A TOWN HALL MEETING AT 7:00 P.M. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 14TH, AT THE ROWLETT COMMUNITY SENT ARE. JOIN US IN-PERSON OR ON FACEBOOK TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT THE EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN YOUR HOMETOWN. THE REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY ON AUGUST 17TH. COME LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DURING THIS FUN AND INTERACTIVE 12-WEEK COURSE. THE SOAR HAS AN EXTREME HEAT AND DROUGHT PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.

FIND RESOURCES TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE DURING YOUR HOT, TEXAS SUMMER AND GET INFORMATION REGARDING DROUGHT AND WATER CONSERVATION. TO HELP YOU FEEL COOLER RIGHT NOW, BY LOOKING FORWARD A FEW MONTHS, THERE'S ALSO A WINTER WEATHER PAGE. THE PARKS AND RECREATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN. FILL OUT THE SURVEY AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF THE THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY WILL HELP CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR PARKS TRAILS AND OPEN SPACES AT THE FOREFRONT. FOR INFORMATION ON THESE AND ALL THE OTHER GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY, PLEASE VISIT ROWLETT.COM OR CALL THE ACTION CENTER AT 972-412-6100 AND WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH MA MANAL MALIDAD, A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. AND I'LL QUICKLY SING, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. (APPLAUSE)

. >> .

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THAT'S LIKE THE FIRST TIME IT'S EVER HAPPENED ON THE COUNCIL DAIS, AND FOR SOMEBODY WHO TRIED SO HARD TO KEEP IT A SECRET. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM, SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MAYOR PRO TEM SHINDER.

>> ALL RIGHT. AFTER ALL THOSE DOGS, FINALLY WE HAVE A KITTY.

TONIGHT'S FEATURE FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU, THE ADORABLE MR. COSMO. IT'S DRESSED UP WEARING A TUX AND EVERYTHING. HE'S THE MOST LAID BACK CAT AROUND. HE'S SHY AT FIRST BUT WARMS UP QUICKLY. HE'S A SUPER CAT-FRIENDLY CAT AND HE ALSO LOVES PEOPLE. HE'S KID-FRIENDLY AS WELL. IT DOESN'T SAY WETHER OR NOT HE LIKES DOGS. CAUSE KNO COSMO HAS NO HEALTH ISSUES.

REMEMBER, ALT ADOPTIONS INCLUDE SPAY, NEUTER, MICROCHIP AND UP-TO-DATE VACCINATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR THE ANIMALS IT AT THE SHELLER, CONTACT ANIMAL SERVICES AT 972-412-6419 OR COME BY THE SHELTER, THEY'RE OPEN FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., TUESDAY-SATURDAY. OUR ANIMAL SHELTER IS STILL IN CODE RED. THAT'S FOR BOTH CATS AND DOGS. THIS MEANS THAT ALL THE KENNELS ARE FULL. IF YOU'VE BEEN TOSSING AROUND THE IDEA OF ADOPTION OR FOSTERING, STOP TOSSING IT AROUND AND GO DO IT.

NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. EVEN JUST SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT OUR ANIMAL SHELTER AND ALL THE AVAILABLE ANIMALS WILL HELP OUT A GREAT DEAL.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THANK YOU. I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT HERE, UM, ON AUGUST 15TH, 2023, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL ORDER A SPECIAL

[00:30:03]

BEGINNING TOMORROW MORNING, RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CANDIDATE MAY REQUEST A CANDIDATE GUIDE. THIS GUIDE PROVIDES INFORMATION AND THE FORMS REQUIRED FOR THE CANDIDACY. THE FILE REPORTINGS WILL BE FROM AUGUST 16TH TO SEPTEMBER 6TH. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FOUND ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE UNDER GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS OR CALL THE ACTION CENTER AT 972-412-6100. COUNCIL, IS THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENT? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL NOW MOVE ONTO, CONSENT AGENDA.

THE FOLLOWING MAY BE ACTED UPON IN ONE MOTION.

>> SORRY, I WAS ON A DIFFERENT WEB PAGE. SO, NEXT ITEM IS CITIZENS' INPUT. AT THIS TIME COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC. NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN ON A TOPIC

[7. CONSENT AGENDA]

REGARD. >> 7 A, CONSIDER ACTION

APPROVING THE MINUTES. >> 7B, CONSIDER ACTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF COUNCILMAN PLACE ONE, BRIAN

GALUARDI. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: I'LL

ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM WINGET.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS READ

INTO THE RECORD. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: MAYOR PRO

TEM SHINDER? >> SECOND.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: I HAVE A MOTION BY DEPUTY PRO TEM WINGET AND A SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM SHINDER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ INTO THE RECORD. CALL THE VOTE. ALL RIGHT THAT ITEM CARRIES, 5-0. NEXT ITEM IS INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. ITEM

[8A. Consider all matters incident and related to the issuance and sale of City of Rowlett, Texas General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023B, including the adoption of Ordinances authorizing the issuance of such bonds and approving all other matters incident thereto.]

PRESENTING THIS ITEM? >> ALL RIGHT. SO, THE 2023 GENERAL OBLIGATION ELECTION AUTHORIZATION FOR THE 2023 BONDS UM, THIS IS THE FINANCING TIME TABLE FOR THE 2023B BONDS. BACK IN MAY, AFTER THE ELECTION WAS APPROVED, WE WORKED WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND CIRCULATED A POS WITH THE RATING AGENCIES TO GET A RATING IN JUNE. AND THEN, UM, LAST WEEK IN JULY, WE RECEIVED RATINGS AND MAIL THE POS OUT TO THE INVESTOR COMMUNITY AND THAT CULMINATED WITH THE PRICING OF BONDS EARLIER TODAY TO KIND OF RECAP THE 2023 BOND ELECTION WHICH HAPPENED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. WE'RE FUNDING THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY, THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HURTFORD PARK WHICH AGGREGATING THE AMOUNT OF $76.3 MILLION IN THE ALLOCATION OF BONDS WHICH IS THE LARGEST IN ROWLETT HISTORY. THE SERIES 2023B WHICH IS, UM, SOLD TODAY AND PROCEEDS ARE EXPECTED TO PROCEED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR FOR $7.6 MILLION. AND THIS IS AN OVERVIEW OF THE SALE RESULTS. I'LL INVITE MAMARTY SHUE, OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR OF

HILLTOP TO DISCUSS. >> GOOD EVENING, MARTY SHUE, I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT YOU HAD A GREAT RESPONSE IN THE BOND MARKET. THEY WERE PUT OUT ON THE OPEN MARKET AND ANY AND ALL UNDER WRITERS WERE ABLE TO SUBMIT A BID. THE CITY RECEIVED SEVEN BIDS AND BANK OF AMERICA CAME IN WITH THE INTEREST COST OF A 3.70%. THIS, THE GREAT RATE THAT YOU RECEIVED IS A DIRECT RESULT, BECAUSE OF THE FAVORABLE CREDIT RATINGS OF THE CITY. SO, PART OF THE NORMAL BOND ISSUANCE PROCESS, THE CITY HAD TO APPLY FOR AND PURCHASE A RATING. AND THEY HAD TO ANSWER A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO THAT THEY COULD CONDUCT A FULL CREDIT ASSESSMENT ON THE CITY AND I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE

[00:35:05]

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THAT'S GREAT, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE

MARKET WORK LIKE IT DID TODAY. >> I WISH THAT I COULD TAKE ALL

THE CREDIT. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM IS TO CONSIDER ALL MATTERS, RELATED TO THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE BONDS, INCLUDING AN ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE AND APPROVE ALL RELATED MATTERS. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

RELATED TO THE SALE? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ARE INTEREST ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE SALE AT THIS TIME?

>> DO I SUGGEST THAT WE MOVE FORWARD?

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: I'LL, I'LL, I'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE. THANK YOU. SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY SOMETHING QUICKLY. AND YOU CAN SIT DOWN FOR NOW. SO, BACK WHEN COUNCIL WAS CONSIDERING WHAT TO PLACE ON THE MAY 2023 BOND ELECTION, I WAS IN FULL SUPPORT OF PLACING THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND ANIMAL SHELTER ON THE BOND ELECTION. FULL WELL KNOWING THAT IF PASSED, A TAX RATE INCREASE WOULD ENSUE AND THIS WAS BECAUSE A NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND ANIMAL SHELTER ARE NEEDED AND IS A PRIORITY. HOWEVER, I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN NOT TO PLACE THE PARK ON THE BOND BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, I DIDN'T BELIEVE IT RESULTED IN A TAX RATE INCREASE. THE REASON AT THE TIME FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH PLACING IT ON THE 2023 BOND WAS UNDERSTANDABLE AND IT WAS THAT WE COULD GET PHASES TWO AND THREE STARTED IMMEDIATELY UPON CONCLUSION OF PHASE ONE. HOWEVER, IT'S NOW MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS WAS NOT ACTUALLY THE CASE AND IN FACT, THAT PHASES TWO AND THREE HAVE STILL NOT UNDERGONE DESIGN. ALL OF THIS IS IN LIGHT OF THE IMPENDING TAX RATE INCREASE THAT WE WILL BE PASSING IN OCTOBER DUE THE ISSUANCE OF THESE BONDS AND A NEED FOR THE GENERAL FUND CAPACITY IN FUTURE YEARS, THEREFORE I WOULD SUGGEST THERE BE CONSIDERATION TO PAUSE AN ISSUES THE PARK BONDS AND ISSUE THE BONDS WHEN BONDING CAPACITY IS FREED UP AND FISCAL YEAR 2024 WHICH WOULD NOT RESULT IN A RATE INCREASE AND FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26 FOR THE HER FORD PARK PROJECT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE WAS TO BE A MOTION, IT WOULD INCLUDE ISSUES THE BONDS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND ANIMAL SHELTER AND ALL OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO, THEREFORE ASSIGNING THE MONEY TO PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND ANIMAL SERVICES. AND LOOKING TO THE BONDING CAPACITY IN 2024 IN ISSUING BONDS THAT WON'T RESULT IN A RATE INCREASE. BY VIRTUE OF ISSUING IT IN FISCAL YEAR 2024. DID YOU WANT TO SAY

SOMETHING? GO AHEAD. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION. I MOVE TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT TO AUTHORIZE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2023B WITH $6.6 MILLION BEING APPLIED TO PROPOSITION A AND ONE$.4 MILLION BEING APPLIED TO PROPOSITION B AND INCLUDING ALL OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> COUNCIL SHUE? >> MOTION.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: AND I'LL OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM WINGET? >> MAYOR, I THINK THAT I UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATION WITH WHAT YOU'RE CHOOSING, BUT, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE. I THINK THAT WHEN VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS IN MAY, THEY MADE A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO FUND ALL THREE OF THE PROPOSITIONS, THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY, AND THE

[00:40:02]

PROPOSITIONS THAT VOTERS PASSED. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THANK YOU.

SO, I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THE INTENT. AND, NO QUESTION, THE CITIZENS ABSOLUTELY MADE THEIR VOICES CLEAR ON THIS UNDER THE INFORMATION THEY HAD AT THE TIME. AND, I THINK THAT WE CERTAINLY DO NOT AND SHOULD NOT PUT THIS BACK ON THE BALLOT FOR APPROVAL BECAUSE CITIZENS ALREADY APPROVED IT. MY SUGGESTION IS ONLY TO THREE THE ISSUANCE OF THIS BOND WHEN CAPACITY HAS FREED UP. WHICH WOULD NOT RESULT IN A RATE INCREASE. NOT SAYING THAT WE HAVE TO BUTT IT BACK ON THE BALLOT, SPECIAL THERE'S NO REASON TO DO THAT, THE CITIZENS HAVE ALREADY VOTED. BUT WE COULD ISSUE THE BONDS WHEN CAPACITY IS FREED UP IN 2024. AND BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A SEEMING URGENCY FOR THE PROJECT IN LIGHT OF PHASES TWO AND THREE NOT BEING UNDER DESIGN WHICH IS NOT INFORMATION THAT I UNDERSTOOD AT THE TIME. I THINK THAT HAS CHANGED THINGS.

ESPECIALLY, GIVEN OUR FISCAL CONDITIONS GOING INTO FUTURE BUDGET YEARS AND THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RATE INCREASES IN THOSE FUTURE FISCAL YEARS, THIS IS SIMPLY TO MOVE THE ISSUANCE OF THIS BOND WHEN THOSE RATE INCREASES ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT. DID YOU WANT TO FOLLOW

UP TO THAT? >> I ACTUALLY WAS JUST GOING TO COMMENT ON THE URGENCY OF THE DESIGN PIECE. ALTHOUGH DESIGN HAS NOT STARTED, IT WILL NEVER START UNTIL THAT BOND ISSUANCE HAPPENS. AND SECOND TO THAT, I WOULD APPRECIATE MAYOR PRO TEM SHINDER RESTATING HER MOTION FOR CLARITY'S SAKE, PLEASE.

>>> YES, THE MOTION WAS I MOVE TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF CITY OF ROWLETT, TEXAS GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2023B WITH $6.6 MILLION BEING APPLIED AGAINST PROPOSITION A, WHICH WAS THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY. AND, $1.04 MILLION BEING APPLIED AGAINST PROPOSITION B, WHICH WAS THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND APPROVING ALL OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO. AND I HAVE A COMMENT. UM, I RESPECT AND UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITION, COUNCIL MEMBER WINGET, AND I STRUGGLED WITH THIS MYSELF. I FELT VERY AMBIVALENT ABOUT IT. AS YOU SAID, THE VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS AND VOTED TO SUPPORT ALL THREE PROPOSITIONS. WE ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THOSE VOTERS, BUT, WE'RE ALSO ELECTED TO BE PRUDENT FIDUCIARY STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY. AND AS THE MAYOR STATED, WE DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION AT THAT TIME REGARDING THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STATUS, REGARDING THE TIMEFRAME FOR STARTING THIS PROJECT. AND THE VOTERS DIDN'T HAVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION EITHER. AND I'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE COME TO ME, AFTER THEY SAW THE VIDEO OF THAT FIRST STRATEGY MEETING WHEN WE FOUND OUT TO OUR SHOCK THAT THE CITY'S FINANCIAL STATUS WAS NOT QUITE AS SOUND AS WE THOUGHT IT WAS. AND THEY SAID, I WOULDN'T HAVE VOTED FOR THE PARK IF I HAD KNOWN THAT. AND SEVERAL SAID, I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND THE ANIMAL SHELTER, THOSE ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL SERVICES BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE VOTED FOR THE PARK. SO, THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM IN SUPPORTING THIS MOTION.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: COUNCILMAN BOWERS?

>> MY QUESTION IS IF WE FUND THE DESIGN, CAN WE MAKE A DECISION NEXT YEAR WETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO FUND THE ACTUAL BUILDING. AND MAKE A DECISION ABOUT EXPENDING THOSE FUNDS

THEN? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: DO YOU WANT

TO ANSWER THAT? >> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YOU COULD DO THAT, RIGHT? ULTIMATELY, THIS IS A POLICY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO ISSUANCE AND HOW YOU APPROPRIATE THESE FUNDS. SO, YEAH, YOU COULD GO AHEAD AND DEDICATE THIS $400,000 TOWARDS THE DESIGN WHICH WOULD MOVE IT FORWARD IF YOU DIDN'T ISSUE ADDITIONAL BONDS THEN THERE WOULD BE THIS

[00:45:04]

IT? YES, YOU COULD. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: DID YOU HAVE

ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? >> NO.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER WINGET?

>> YES, MAYOR, SO, I THINK I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THE INTENT OF RESERVING THIS BONDING CAPACITY, BECAUSE, THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS STILL TO ALLOCATE THE $7.4 MILLION BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT THE MAYOR PROVIDED.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SO, THAT BEING THE CASE, A ARE REGAINING BY PUSHING OFF THE PARK AND ALLOCATING THE FUNDING TO THE PUB SICK SAFETY FACILITY

AND THE ANIMAL SHELTER. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: IT'S THAT DOING IT SOME YEARS APART, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ALLOCATE IT UPON CONCLUSION OF THAT DESIGN. YOU COULD ISSUE THE BONDS FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE PARK DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WHICH, IN ESSENCE WOULD RESULT IN A RATE INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND FISCAL YEAR '26 IF WE ISSUE THAT IN '24.

>> IS STAFF OF THE OPINION THAT $6.4 MILLION AND $840,000 ARE RESPECTFULLY ENOUGH TO DESIGN THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY AND THE ANIMAL SHELTER. AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE

TIMELINE TO HAVE THAT COMPLETE? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: DAVID?

>> I THINK THERE'S A PRESUMPTION THAT THE AMOUNTS ARE ENOUGH TO FUND SOME DEGREE OF PROGRAMMING. WITH RESPECT TO THE SCHEDULE, I HAVE INTENTIONALLY DELAYED THAT.

PART OF IT IS THAT WE'RE NOT AT A PLACE FROM A CAPACITY STANDPOINT TO UNDERTAKE THIS PROJECT JUST YET. TO BEGIN THIS PROJECT NOW, WE HAVE NOT SELECTED METHODOLOGY AND OTHER THINGS WHICH ARE IMPORTANT. SO, WHAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING IS TALKING WITH THE INTERNAL STAKEHOLDER AND FIGURING OUT THE METHODOLOGY AND OTHER THINGS. THIS CAME BEFORE YOU NOT TOO LONG AGO AND WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE WAS AN ARTIFICIAL SCHEDULE. SAYING THAT IS SAYING I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT SCHEDULE FOR THE DESIGN WORK AND THOSE THINGS. WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'LL COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND BEGIN TO LAY OUT THE PRELIMINARY

SCHEDULES. >> SO, WITH RESPECT TO THAT, IF WE BELIEVE, BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID THAT THAT FUNDING WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO COMPLETE SOME OF THE INITIAL DESIGN WORK AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, I'M CURIOUS WHY WE WOULD ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO A AND B, AND PERHAPS ALLOW MONEY TO SIT UNTIL CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION UNTIL WE HAD THE ADDITIONAL SECONDARY AMOUNT OF FUNDING, IS THAT CORRECT? AND THEN, WOULDN'T IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO HAVE ALL OF THAT MONEY GO TO WORK RIGHT AWAY BY DESIGNING ALL THREE PROJECTS AT THE SAME TIME?

>> SO, THERE'S A PRESUMPTION, RIGHT? SO, I'M SURE WE'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND EVERY PENNY THAT WE ARE ALLOCATING TO EITHER OF THOSE IN ANY INSTANCE. SO, WE MAY RUN INTO A DEFICIT, WE DON'T KNOW. WE MAY HAVE A SURPLUS, WHICH IS MOST LIKELY. SO, SOME OF THAT MONEY, UNDOUBTEDLY WILL PROBABLY SIT THERE UNTIL CONSTRUCTION, THERE'S AN INEVITABILITY TO THIS, THAT, I DON'T THINK WE WENT OUT AND SOL SOLICITED THE DESIGN AT THIS STAGE. TO YOUR POINT, WOULD SOME FUNDS BE SITTING THERE? MOST LIKELY, YES THEY WOULD.

EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T REAPPROPRIATE THOSE FUNDS AND APPORTION THEM TO THESE OTHER TWO PROJECT SAYS, IT'S MOST LIKELY THAT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS WILL REMAIN THERE. YOU DON'T WANT TO UNDER FUND THESE AS YOU BEGIN THE PROCESS. BUT, WE DON'T KNOW THAT, SO, I CAN'T SIT HERE AND TELL YOU WITH GREAT CERTAINTY THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. IT IS POSSIBLE AND IT DOES HAPPEN. WE'RE UNCOUNTERING THIS ON OTHER PROJECTS WHERE YOU THINK THE PRICE WILL BE ONE LEVEL AND BY THE TIME YOU MOVE INTO THAT PHASE, WHATEVER IT IS, WHETHER IT'S DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION, YOU'RE FINDING IN THE MARKET YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT PRICE. COULD THIS INSULATE US FROM SOME OF THAT, YES, IT COULD. BECAUSE, WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO RUN INTO IS THAT WE'RE SHORT IN THIS

PHASE. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS:

COUNCILMEMBER SHUE? >> I GUESS THIS KIND OF TOOK ME BY SURPRISE A LITTLE BIT HERE, I WAS REALLY, REALLY GLAD WHEN THE PARK DID PASS. BEING A BIG PROPONENT OF THE PARKS, I

[00:50:01]

I WOULD BE OKAY IF WE INTO YOU THAT MAY, 2024, WE WOULD ISSUE THE BOND AND I WOULD BE FINE WITH IT AND SUPPORT IT. IF IT'S NOT THAT DIRECT, I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TROUBLE SUPPORTING

IT. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: LANGUAGE?

>> YOU COULD, BUT, IT WOULD BE OFF THE AGENDA. SPORT OF IT IS THAT THE UNDERSTANDING HAPPENING AND THE CONSENSUS ON THE DAIS, IT'S NOT THE INTENT NOT TO ISSUE, IT'S DELAYING IT TO A TIME WHEN CAPACITY IS FREED UP. IF IT IS THE EXPRESS DESIRE FOR THE COUNCIL TO BRING THIS BACK IN MAY NOT TO IMPACT THE TAX RATEMENT NOW, REMEMBER, THERE'LL BE A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL CAPACITY AVAILABLE IN THE 2024 BOND CYCLE THERE. BUT, THIS CAN BE DONE AND YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO INCLUDE IT IN THE MOTION AND IN FACT, IT MIGHT BE INAPPROPRIATE TO DO SO.

>>> SO, THEN, IS THE IDEA THAT THEN IN MAY, THE ENTIRE $4 MILLION BOND WOULD BE ISSUES OR WILL IT STILL GO THROUGH THE SAME SCHEDULE WHERE WE HAVE THE DESIGN UP FRONT AND ISSUE IT THE

FOLLOWING YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTION. >> I THINK AT THAT POINT, WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE SCHEDULE. WE'RE SIMPLY PUSHING THE

SCHEDULE BACK. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS:

COUNCILMEMBER BOWERS? >> I HAVE OFTEN HEARD THAT HAVING SHOVEL-READY PROJECT SUNSHINE VERY IMPORTANT. SO, IS THERE, ARE WE LOSING ANY OPPORTUNITY COST, ARE WE LOSING ANY GRANT FUNDING IDEAS, ARE WE LOSING ANYTHING BY NOT HAVING

THE DESIGN READY? >> IT'S PREFERABLE TO HAVE SHOVEL-READY PROJECTS IF WE'RE SEEKING GRANTS, BUT, THE $4 MILLION WOULD COVER THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT, I MEAN, UNLESS A GRANT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE QUITE VALUABLE, AND EVEN THEN, WE COULD STILL APPLY FOR THE GRANT, FULL WELL KNOWING THAT PHASE ONE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND FUTURE ISSUANCE OF MAY 2024, FOR THE BONDS WOULD BE OCCURRING. SO, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HAVE THIS MUCH OF A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT IF WE'RE SEEKING GRANTS,

WICH, I DON'T THINK WE ARE. >> MAYBE NOT. MY QUESTION WAS, JUST, AGAIN, I'VE ALWAYS HEARD, SHOVEL-READY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SO, I, I, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS, I THINK THAT THE DESIGN IS ONLY $400,000. THAT'S ALL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUING RIGHT NOW, CORRECT?

>> SO, I'LL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT MORE. ANYBODY

ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS:

COUNCILMEMBER WINGET? >> I HAVE TO AGREE. UM, AND, I THINK COUNCILMEMBER BOWERS' POINT IS VERY WELL MADE. IF THERE ARE GRANTS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE, WE MAY NOT SEE THOSE NOW, BUT, IF THEY WERE TO COME AVAILABLE AND WE WERE ABLE TO REALLOCATE FUNDING AS A RESULT OF A GRANT THAT MIGHT BE RECEIVED AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, I WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE THE DESIGN THERE AND READY TO GO. I DON'T SEE -- I'M NOT, MAY BE, FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFIT OF REALLOCATING THE $400,000 TO THE OTHER TWO PROJECTS. IF, IF WE FEEL THAT, IF STAFF FEELS THAT WE'RE GOING TO RUN SHORT ON FUNDING DESIGN OR ANY OF THE NEEDS TO GET PROPS A AND B UP OFF THE GROUND AND MOVING, THEN, I COULD BE IN FAVOR OF THAT. BUT, I'M ASSUMING THAT THESE NUMBERS CAME FROM SOME ASSUMPTIONS THAT WERE DRIVEN FROM SOMEWHERE OR SOME MODEL, SO, IF IT COSTS APPROXIMATELY 10% OF BOTH PROJECTS TO DO THE DESIGN, THEN, IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE THE FUNDING OR ARE ALLOCATING THE FUNDING TO BEGIN THE DESIGN PROCESS ON ALL OF THE PROJECTS SIMULTANEOUSLY. WHICH, TO ME, IS A BETTER USE OF TAX DOLLARS,

[00:55:02]

THAN, PERHAPS, LESS. >> CERTAINLY, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE'RE EXPECTING A DEFICIT. WE DON'T KNOW. THE 10% IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD. SOMETIMES IT'S LESS, SOMETIMES IT'S MORE.

WE'RE NOT DRIVING THIS CONVERSATION, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THE RECORD. THE QUESTION WAS ASKED. I THINK YOU POSED IT, IF THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY OF FUNDS BEING IN EXCESS, KIND OF, WAITING, AND THAT IS A POSSIBILITY. EQUALLY SO, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF FUNDS NOT BEING SUFFICIENT. I CERTAINLY HAVE A POSITION IN THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. THIS IS TRULY A POLICY DECISION. I SIMPLY WANT TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION

TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: SO, WE ARE AT A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO ISSUE THIS $7 MILLION. PERIOD.

WE CAN'T TAKE THAT BACK. BUT, IT'S A MATTER OF THE SCHEDULE, RIGHT? IF THE INTENTION IS THAT WE WISH TO PUSH THIS TO BE FUNDED OUT OF 2024 BONDING CAPACITY IN ESSENCE, NOT RESULTING IN A RATE INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26, THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO ISSUE THESE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT RIGHT NOW.

I GUESS IF YOU DID WANT TO GET STARTED WITH DESIGN AND ENGINEERING, SURE. BUT, WITH FUTURE REFERENCE KNOWING THAT, THE FUTURE ALLOCATIONS OUT OF THIS FACILITY, OUT OF THE FACILITY'S BONDS, WOULD NOT OCCUR AND WOULD ONLY OCCUR OUT OF 2024 BONDING CAPACITY. AS TO NOT RESULT IN A RATE INCREAS.

WOULD THAT STILL ACCOMPLISH THE SAME GOAL?

>> SO, FOR ME, IT ACCOMPLISHES A GOAL IN TERMS OF THE DESIGN WORK BEGINNING. BUT, GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION I WAS ASKED EARLIER BY COUNCILMEMBER BOWERS, IT CREATES A LOW PERIOD.

THERE'S A PERIOD OF TIME IF WE ISSUE THE BOND NOW, WE'RE GOING TO WAIT. THE PUSH BACK, THERE'S A LULL, I DON'T KNOW, IT MAY HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT. IF THAT MEANS DELAYING THE START, THAT'S UP TO YOU. IF THAT MEANS STARTING NOW, THEN, I WOULD ASK TO CONTINUE ON BOTH IN FUNDING AND IN PROGRESS. WITH YOU, THAT'S MY POSITION. WETHER OR NOT WE START NOW OR NOT IS UP TO

YOU. >> THIS WILL LIKELY BE MY LAST COMMENT. I APPRECIATE YOU ENTERTAINING ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. I BELIEVE THAT, THAT THE SEATED COUNCIL AT THE TIME WAS INTENTIONAL ABOUT ADDING THIS TO THE MAY BALLOT. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT THEIR VOTE AND THE VOICE THAT THEY HAD, AND, I WON'T BE ABLE TO

SUPPORT THIS MOTION. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: THANK YOU.

AND AGAIN, I WANT TO CLARIFY THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THE CITIZENS SUPPORT THIS ITEM AS A RESULT OF THE MAY 2023 BOND.

THIS IS SIMPLY, UM, CHANGING OUR COURSE, OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH THAT THE COUNSEL SEATED AT THE TIME DIDN'T HAVE, AND WAS UNDER A DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDING, IN ADDITION, THAT PREVIOUS COUNCIL DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE FISCAL CONDITIONS, THE FINANCIAL CONDITIONS THAT WE WERE CURRENTLY IN GOING INTO FUTURE FISCAL YEARS AND THAT'S WHY, AGAIN, MY ONLY REQUEST IS THAT WE PUSH THE ISSUANCE TO 2024, NOT RESULTING IN RATE INCREASES IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26. NO NEED TO PUT IT BACK ON THE BALLOT, THE CITIZENS HAVE MADE THEIR VOICES CLEAR. SIMPLY, THIS IS JUST TO MOVE THE ISSUANCE BACK TO 2024. SO, IS THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> I'M NEW AT THIS, SO, I'VE GOT TO ASK ONE MORE TIME: IS THE QUESTION -- ARE WE TALKING ABOUT JUST $400,000 FOR THIS

ISSUANCE? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: SO, IT IS $400,000 FOR THIS ISSUANCE, BUT, THE STATEMENT HAS BEEN MADE, IF WE GO FORWARD WITH THE $400,000. THEN, IT WOULD BE PREFERRED THAT WE WOULD JUST MOVE FORWARD IN FUNDING OUT OF THE MAY 2023 BOND. FUNDING IT IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26 WHICH WOULD CREATE A SLIGHT TAX RATE INCREASE AS A RESULT OF NOT WAITING UNTIL 2023 BONDING CAPACITY TO FREE UP. THAT'S WHAT THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS IS. IS TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE FREED UP CAPACITY TO ISSUE

THIS BOND. >> SO ISSUE THE, THE, THE

[01:00:04]

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: YES. >> SO, SO, I'M JUST TRYING, SO, YOU'RE SAYING, BASICALLY, CITY MANAGER, THAT YOU DON'T WANT PLANS TO SIT ON A SHELF FOR A YEAR, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WOULD

RATHER JUST -- >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: OH, I CUT

YOU OFF, SORRY. >> YES, MA'AM. IF HE START NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO START AND MOVE THE PROJECT ALONG. IF WE DON'T START NOW, AGAIN, AT YOUR DISCRETION, THAT'S FINE. I JUST DON'T WON'T TO STOP AND START AND STOP AND START, THAT'S BEEN A BANE FOR THIS CITY, ANYWAY, SO, YOU LOSE MOMENTUM AND THINGS. I DON'T HAVE A PREFERENCE IF WE START NOW OR NOT. THAT IS UP TO YOU. IF YOU DETERMINE TO START NOW, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO. MY ONLY PREFERENCE IS THAT WHEN WE START, WE BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE ONWARD.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: SO, IT'S KIND OF AN EITHER/OR, WE MOVE ON NOW WITH THE FULL INTENTION OF ISSUING THESE BONDS OUT OF THE MAY 2023 APPROVAL WHICH WILL RESULT IN FUTURE RATE INCREASE IN '25 OR '26 OR YOU WAIT UNTIL THE ISSUANCE IN 2024 WHEN BONDING CAPACITY IS FREED UP NOT RESULTING IN RATE INCREASES GOING INTO THE FUTURE, AS A RESULT OF THIS BOND BEING ISSUED. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES?

>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR. WHAT WE'RE ISSUING TODAY REMAINS

THE SAME? >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: RIGHT.

>> $7.64 MILLION REGARDLESS. AND FROM THE PACKET, HOW DOES THAT STRUCTURE CHANGE IN 2023, AND 2025?

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: SO, BASICALLY, LET ME SCROLL DOWN HERE AND GET TO IT. SO, BASICALLY, WE WOULDN'T ISSUE THE $3.63 MILLION IN THE SERIES 2024 ISSUANCE AND INSTEAD, HOLD THAT OFF, THE $4 MILLION TO BE ISSUED IN 2024. ACTUALLY, $400,000 TO BE ISSUE IN 2024 WHEN BONDING CAPACITY IS FREED UP. AND $3.6 MILLION TO BE ISSUED IN 2025. SO, YOU'RE JUST SHIFTING THIS DOWN A YEAR. WHENEVER BONDING CAPACITY IS FREED UP.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR FROM WHAT MR. HALL SAID, IF WE WERE TO APPROVE THE BONDING NOW, GET STARTED, AND PUSH THIS THROUGH T MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE'RE NOT READY TO PUSH THROUGH, IS THAT CORRECT? EVEN IF WE HAD THE PLANS AND EVERYTHING STARTED NOW, IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO GO OR JUST THE REALITIES OF WHERE THE PARK IS RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS THE CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE, THE CONSTRUCTION STAGES, WILL WE STILL HAVE A LAG PERIOD? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING?

>> I DO, TO SOME DEGREE, AND IF I DON'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, PLEASE COME BACK AND BE SURE THAT I'M ANSWERING IT. SO, WE'VE DONE SITE PLANNING, AND THIS MONEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN US CONSTRUCTION PLANS. AS YOU KNOW, YOU GO FROM CONSTRUCTION PLANS, YOU LET, YOU GET THE CONSTRUCTION FIRM AND DO ALL OF THAT WORK. SO, SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THE DESIGN PROCESS, RIGHT, THIS ISSUANCE WILL GET THE FUNDING, HOPEFULLY S SYNCHRONIZED ENOUGH, THAT THERE'S NOT A LAG, I COULDN'T TELL YOU ONE MONTH, TWO MONTHS, TWO WEEKS, THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN 12 MONTHS. AND THAT'S THE POINT THAT I'M MAKING, WOULD THERE BE A DELAY HERE, POSSIBLE, TO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FUNDS TO GO OUT AND LET FOR CONSTRUCTION AND BEGIN THAT PROCESS AFTER THE DESIGN IS COMPLETE, VERSUS PUSHING THE ENTIRETY OF THE PROJECT OR FUNDING NOW AND NOT FUNDING AGAIN. DID I ANSWER

YOUR QUESTION? >> YES.

>> OKAY. >> ANY OTHER.

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR. DO WE NEED TO RESTATE THE MOTION

FOR ANY OF Y'ALL? >> I MOVE TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SOAR, TEXAS GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND SERIES 2023B WITH $6.6 MILLION BEING APPLIED AGAINST PROPOSITION A AND $1.04 MILLION BEING APPLIED AGAINST PROPOSITION B AND APPROVING ALL OTHER MATTERS

[01:05:03]

RELATED THERETO. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I CALL THE VOTE? ALL RIGHT. THEN, I WILL CALL THE VOTE. WAITING FOR THE SYSTEM TO TABULATE OUR RESULTS.

IT'S NOT ON MY SCREEN. (INDISCERNIBLE).

>> MAYOR MARGOLIS: OKAY. GOT YOU. FOR THE RECORD, BOWERS,

YES, MARGOLIS, YES, >> SHINDER YES.

>> WINGET NO. SHUE YES. >> MAYOR MARGOLIS: OKAY. THAT ITEM CARRIES THEN, 4-0. AND WE NOW MOVE ONTO ITEM NINE, MEMBER TOPICS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING, ANY DELIBERATION OR DECISION SHALL BE LIMITED TO A PROPOSAL TO BE PLACE TOPIC ON THE AGENDA FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. ANY ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON A

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.