[1. CALL TO ORDER]
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>> GOOD EVENING. IT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2024. AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE THIS MEETING WILL BE CONVENED INTO CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY. THE CITY OF ROWLETT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REALIGN THE WORK SESSION OR CALL IT TO ORDER AT ANY TIME. FOR IN
[3. CITIZENS INPUT]
PERSON COMMENTS REGISTRATION FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE OUTSIDE THE DOOR. I WANT TO RING UP CITIZENS INPUT NOW. I KNOW IT IS SHOWING BELOW THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. DID YOU>> YEAH, I AM MARTIN LLOYD! -- MARTIN LLOYD --
>> WHEN YOU ARE DONE SPEAKING ABOUT THE FORM THAT WAY WE CAN ADD IT TO THE RECORD. STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> MY NAME IS MARTYN LLOYD. FOR A YEAR NOW I HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT FOR THE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL ON THE PECAN GROVE SIDE.
I CAME HERE, I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH COUNSEL. I WORK WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR.
ANYWAY, THE CITY HAS ABANDONED THE PROJECT. I THINK THAT IS VERY SHORTSIGHTED. I THINK IT IS A PROJECT THAT WOULD BRING A GREAT DEAL OF BENEFIT TO ROWLETT CITIZENS. IT WILL BE BUILT FOR FREE. IT IS AN EIGHT MILE TRAIL WHICH WOULD PUT YOU IN THE UPPER RANKS OF THE METROPLEX. THERE IS A LOT OF HEALTH, WELLNESS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT BUILDS AROUND ECONOMIC TRAILS. WE WOULD DO IT FOR FREE. I'VE HEARD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT USE FOR THE PECAN GROVE SITE. OUR CONTRACT HAD A 30 DAY TERMINATION AT WILL CLAUSE THAT COULD RUN US OFF. OUR CONTRACT HAD A PROVISION WHERE WE WOULD MOVE THE TRAIL IF YOU NEEDED ONE OF THESE AREAS. YOU HAVE OWNED THE PROPERTY FOR 27 YEARS. IT WAS BOUGHT 37 YEARS AGO IN A BANKRUPTCY SETTLEMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHO THE DEVELOPER WAS. IT HAS SAT. GARLAND BUILT THE HIGH SCHOOL, TOOK THE ACRES THAT THEY NEEDED AND INSTALLED YOU THE REMAINDER OF THE LAND.
A.B.-90 ACRES. YOU'VE DONE LARGELY NOTHING WITH IT. WELL, TWO SMALL PROPERTIES WERE THROWN INTO THE WEB ZONE AND THE KIDS KINGDOM. THE REST OF IT IS MAINLY SITTING THERE EXCEPT FOR THE DISC GOLF. DISC GOLF IS NOT SEEN AS A HIGH-RANKING COURSE. 20-30 PEOPLE A DAY MAYBE GET ON THAT THING. FOR US THIS TRAIL WOULD BE A SIGNATURE TRAIL. IT HAS A WONDERFUL POTENTIAL. I TOOK MICHAEL OUT THERE THIS PAST THURSDAY.
YOU SHOULD BE WANTING TO SAVE LAND LIKE THAT. I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY OF YOU ALL OUT THERE. BEHIND-THE-SCENES THE PROJECT HAS BEEN KILLED UNILATERALLY WITHOUT REALLY, I DON'T KNOW, I HAVE ONLY WORK WITH MICHAEL. MICHAEL WAS AN PROPONENT. I MAY HAVE COMPLETELY TURNED AROUND.
AGAIN, IT IS THE BEST USE OF THE LAND. THERE IS A LOT OF LAND THAT WE DO NOT TOUCH THAT YOU CAN USE. IT IS NOT AN EXCEPTIONAL PIECE OF LAND BECAUSE IT IS ON A LONG CUL-DE-SAC, THREE TIMES THE LENGTH OF YOUR OWN ORNAMENTS FOR WHAT YOU ALLOW FOR A COMMERCIAL CUL-DE-SAC.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL BE IN TOUCH. IF YOU COULD PLEASE FILL THE FORM OUT THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE IT ON RECORD. IS THERE
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ANYBODY ELSE? I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE. I DID NOT RECEIVE[2. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
ANY ONLINE INPUT FORMS. I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ IT ITEM 2A.CITY COUNCIL WILL CONVENE INTO A CLOSE EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071-CONSULTATI ON WITH CITY ATTORNEY TO RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LISTED BELOW. AND B, TEXAS GOVERNMENT
[4A. Discussion of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) Proposed Budget. (60 minutes)]
HAVE CONCLUDED EXECUTIVE SESSION AROUND 6:24 P.M. AND HAVE TAKEN NO ACTION. WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM WHICH IS DISCUSSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET.>> GOOD EVENING. WE PRESENTED THIS TO YOU LAST WEEK. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SESSION IS TO RCEIVE ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK, IF THERE IS ANY. WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE BUDGET SINCE ADMITTING IT TO YOU. PRIOR TO YOUR ADOPTION, REALLY THIS IS TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK OR INFORMATION ? OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER O SESSIONS. I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE LOST ON ANYONE. WITH THAT I AM REALLY HERE TO LISTEN AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> I THOUGHT IN OUR '25 ENHANCEMENTS WE TALKED ABOUT THE CITY WEBSITE BEING REDESIGNED AND NOT JUST
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. >> THE WHOLE THING WAS SCHEDULED. IT WAS IN THE BUDGET. IT WAS APPROVED PRIOR
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COUNSEL? >> WE HAVE A CONVERSATION IN THE BUDGET START OF THE SESSION. WE HAVE A CONVERSATION IN THE BUDGET STRATEGY SESSION ABOUT POTENTIALLY ADDING A SECOND CALL COMPLIANCE OFFICER IN ADDITION TO THE ONE WE ARE ALREADY ADDING WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET YOU PUT TOGETHER. I AM CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE GIVEN THAT ANY FURTHER CONSIDERATION OR IF THERE IS ANY IDEA THAT MIGHT BE FEASIBLE? IT SEEMS LIKE THE CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICE IS VERY MUCH IN A REACTIVE MODE AND I AM INTERESTED IN GETTING US TO A PROACTIVE MODE. IF ONE WILL GET US THERE, LET'S GO WITH
ONE. >> FOR THE SAKE OF THE RECORD I RECALL THERE BEING A BIT OF HESITANCY EVEN WITH THE ONE. I
RECALL HAVING TO OFFER THAT. >> I THINK SOMEBODY ASKED THE QUESTION IS THAT BAD? DO WE NEED TWO?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF CONVERSATION. I HAVEN'T GIVEN IT ADDITIONAL FIVE. IN THINKING IT THROUGH I MADE THE THOUGHT AT THAT TIME THAT IN GOOD CONSCIOUS BEING FISCALLY AND OPERATIONALLY PRUDENT I COULD NOT SAY TO YOU EVEN NOW YES, PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER POSITION. WE ARE IN A REACTIVE MODE I WOULD NOT SAY FULLY. THE GOAL IS TO BE VERY PROACTIVE WITH CODE AND CODE COMPLIANCE. SOME OF THAT IS OPERATIONAL.
SOME OF IT IS CAPACITY. THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CHANGES BOTH LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS. CHIEF AMONGST THEM IS THE DECISION BY THE CALL COMPLIANCE GROUP ON THEIR OWN AND TO THE CREDIT ABSORB THE MULTI FAMILY INSPECTIONS. THAT
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IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT DOES INCREASE THEIR LOAD. THUS THE IMPOTENCE FOR ASKING FOR THAT ADDITIONAL POSITION. I COULD NOT RIGHT NOW TELL YOU WE NEED. I DO NOT HAVE THE DATA OR THE METRICS TO SUPPORT THAT. CERTAINLY REST ASSURED WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT. COREY GAVE YOU GUYS A PRESENTATION AND MONTH OR SO AGO. THE DATA EVEN THEN I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SAY SUSPECT, BUT NOT WELL VETTED. SHE ADMITTED THAT. WE HAVE SOME OPERATIONAL REVIEW TO PERFORM. IF THERE IS A NEED REST ASSURED WE WILL CREATE THAT POSITION AND PUT IT INTO EFFECT MUCH LIKE WHAT WE DID THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER.>> I RECALL A DISCUSSION, I THINK IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN YOU ARE MORE APT TO GIVE COREY A LITTLE MORE TIME TO UNDERSTAND AND GET HER FEET UNDER HER BEFORE YOU GO BACK AND SAY THIS
NEEDS TO BE DONE. >> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
BELIEVE YOU ME, WHAT SHE HAS HAD TIME TO GET IMMERSED INTO THE DATA IF THERE IS A NEED WE WILL COME TO YOU AND ASKED FOR
SOME NECESSARY LIMITS. >> I WOULD APPRECIATE A MIDYEAR BUDGET UPDATE IF WE GET TO THAT POINT TO DETERMINE WHETHER WE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL OR RATHER IT'S TIME FOR US TO DO
SOMETHING ELSE. >> I HOPE I CAN MAKE THAT ASSESSMENT. PART OF THAT IS WHAT SHE IS DEALING WITH. WE CAN CERTAINLY GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.
>> THE TWO PROJECT MANAGERS THAT YOU MENTION IN OUR LAST DISCUSSION IS THAT INCLUDED IN THIS PROPOSED BUDGET?
>> I DON'T THINK WE ADDED THEM YET. THEY WILL BE IN THE CURRENT VERSION. THEY WILL CARRY OVER INTO FISCAL YEAR
'25. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE MILLER BRIDGE FISHING AREA ISSUE THE COUNCIL DID NOT WANT TO SHUT THAT DOWN, BUT DID SAY THEY FELT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING. THAT ISSUE IS COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME BACK TONIGHT, BUT THAT WAS MOVED BECAUSE OF OTHER THINGS THAT I'VE GOTTEN IN THE WAY. IF THE COUNCIL SHOULD DECIDE THAT SOMETHING INCLUDES MAKING IMPROVEMENTS I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED WILL WE HAVE THE BUDGET? DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN THE BUDGET ANYWHERE TO BE ABLE
TO DO THAT? >> WELL, NOT A DIRECT ANSWER, BUT IF IT'S NOT AS CLEAR LET ME KNOW. THAT WILL DEPEND ON WHAT COUNSEL SAYS. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS. THAT'S HYPOTHETICALLY SAY COUNSEL SAYS MAKE IT A PART. WHERE DOES THAT PROJECT AND IT'S A QUEUE OF OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY, OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY.
THAT IS STEP ONE IN THE DESIGN OF THE COUNCIL ARTICULATES.
THEN THERE HAS TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PRIORITIZATION OF THAT POTENTIAL PROJECT. LET'S ASSUME ALL THINGS BEING FAVORABLE TO THIS PROJECT COUNSEL SAYS THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT IN THE CITY, MAKE IT NUMBER ONE. THE MONEY PART IS EASY. WE GO BACK AS A TEAM AND WE LOOK AT WHAT THE BEST FUNDING MECHANISMS ARE. MAYBE A DESIRE PLAN FOR WHAT THIS PARKS LOOKS LIKE -- LOOKS LIKE. THAT IS NOT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE TO DO. WE COULD BE TALKING MANY MONTHS. LET'S SAY ALL THAT GOES WELL. ALL THOSE THINGS BEING EQUAL IT COUNSEL SAID THIS SHOULD BE A PART IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO AT LEAST IDENTIFY SEED MONEY TO MOVE THE
PROJECT FORWARD. >> THAT IS MY QUESTION SINCE
THIS IS A BUDGET DISCUSSION. >> IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, AS YOU KNOW, TRYING TO DESIGNATE THINGS SUCH AS THAT INTO A BUDGET. WE COULD NOT DO IT. THERE WOULD BE MONEY THERE IF WE NEEDED TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR AN ADJUSTMENT.
>> OKAY. >> QUESTION, AND I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER. WE JUST GOT THROUGH FINISHING UP A REALLY AWESOME PROJECT ON COUNCIL DRIVE. I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE TIME TO EVALUATE THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING THAT A PERMANENT SOLUTION AND THEN WITH THAT I WOULD ASSUME TIME HAS BEEN HAVE TO GO OVER THE NUMBERS FINANCIALLY SPEAKING AND WHAT
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PLAN WE GO WITH. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING TOWARD A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT OR POSSIBLY SOMETHING WE CAN HANDLE INTERNALLY WITHOUT HAVING TO DOTHAT? >> WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO DO A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE YOU ARE APPROPRIATING THOSE DOLLARS ALREADY. IT WILL REALLY BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION ON HOW WE SPEND IT. BEFORE WE REALLY LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM WE WILL COME BACK AND GET YOUR BLESSING. THAT IS JUST HOW I WANT TO DO THE BUSINESS. FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT IT IS NOT
TACTICAL AT ALL. >> GREATS. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COUNSEL? ALL RIGHT. THAT IS SURPRISING.
[5. DISCUSS CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST 20, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.]
COUNSEL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND LOOK AT THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR AUGUST 20. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULLOR GET SOME CLARIFICATION ON? >> 6E.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL THAT ONE AND GET A VERY BRIEF
REVISION. >> WE GAVE YOU AN EMAIL TODAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A REAL PRESENTATION, BUT WE WILL ADDRESS IT FOR THE RECORD.
>> OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE? >> DO WE FEEL LIKE 6D , ITEM 6D THAT WAS DISCUSSED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ABANDONED --
>> YES. I ASKED FOR A SPOKEN PRESENTATION.
>> I AM SORRY. I WAS BUSY. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, Y'ALL? ALL RIGHT. ITEM 6D AND 6E HAVE BEEN PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION TOMORROW NIGHT.
IF THERE IS NOTHING ELSE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.