[1.CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:06]
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. TODAY IS MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025 AND IT IS 6:02 P.M. . CITY COUNCIL QUORUM IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY. WE MOVED TO GET EVERYBODY A LITTLE BIT MORE BREATHING ROOM WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE. IS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION OF THIS MEETING, CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY AGENDA ITEM HERE IN. WILL RECONVENE, REASSESS OR REALIGN WORK SESSION OR CALL EXECUTIVE SESSION OR ORDER OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT. FOR INTERESTING COMMENTS, REGISTRATION FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE BACK CORNER OF THE ROOM AND I DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKER CARDS. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND ADJUST OUR MEETING AGENDA A LITTLE BIT AND MOVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM TO THE VERY END OF THE WORK SESSION THIS EVENING AS TO NOT INTERRUPT
[3.CITIZENS INPUT ]
ALL OF THE CITIZEN COMMENT AND TO KEEP THINGS MOVING. WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM THREE, CITIZENS INPUT. AT THIS TIME, COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC AND NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN ON CITIZENS INPUT. I KNOW THESE ARE RELATED TO SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEMS AND WE WILL HAVE EVERYONE SPEAK NOW AS OPPOSED TO THE AGENDA ITEM, THAT WAY WE CAN FLOW THROUGH THE REST OF THE MEETING AND SAVE EVERYONE A BIT OF TIME.THE FIRST SPEAKING CAR I HAVE THIS EVENING IS ROBERT. ROBERT, IF YOU COME UP AND STAY OR NAME , YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOLLOWING ROBERT WILL BE RICHARD WHITE.
>> MY NAME IS ROBERT AND I HAVE LIVED IN ROWLETT, TEXAS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND I'M ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF ROWLETT HOCKEY PUT ON MARCH 11TH, THIS PAST WEEK, THE CITY OF ANNA LISTENED TO A PRESENTATION FROM THE DALLAS STARS REGARDING THEIR PROPOSAL TO BUILD A MULTI-SPORTS COMPLEX IN THEIR CITY. THIS ALIGNS WITH THE CITY 'S STRATEGIC PLAN. DOES ROWLETT HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN? THE CITY IS ONLY 14 MILES NORTH OF MCKINNEY WHERE THERE IS ONLY CURRENTLY A STAR CENTER WITH TWO ICE RINGS ON THE WEST SIDE OF CENTRAL OFF OF STACY ROAD. ON THE EAST SIDE JUST OFF OF STACY ROAD IS THE EVENT CENTER WITHIN THE JOINTING COMMUNITY ICE RINK. THERE ARE ALSO TWO FULL-SIZED ON MCDERMOTT AGAIN JUST OFF OF CENTRAL. ESSENTIALLY, THERE ARE FIVE HOCKEY RINKS AND WITH A SOON TO BE ADDED MULTI-FORTS MULTI-SPORTS FACILITY. PLEASE DON'T EXCLUDE US FROM THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION. THE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS FLUENT IN TAKING CARE OF BALL AND SOCCER FIELDS. WE KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT HOCKEY. THE HOCKEY BOARD MEMBERS, PARENTS AND ADULT PLAYERS KNOW WHAT IS NEEDED REGARDING A NEW RINK. IT SHOULD BE PLACED NORTH AND SOUTH TO ELIMINATE SUNRISE AND SUNSET , WHICH AFFECTS GOALIES IN THE EARLY MORNING AND EARLY EVENING GAMES. THE CURRENT RINK IS CONFIGURED EAST AND WEST. WE NEED TO HAVE IT SLIGHTLY SLOPED, SO THAT IT ALLOWS FOR DRAINAGE AND FOR US TO SQUEEGEE, LIKE WE DO TO ENSURE THAT WE PLAY AFTER THE RINK GETS WET. WE NEED TO KNOW THE DATE OF OUR CURRENT RINK TO BE REMOVED . WE HAVE TO GET ALL OF OUR GEAR OUT OF OUR STORAGE SHED, SO THAT WE CAN RENT A STORAGE UNIT TO STORE EVERYTHING UNTIL THE RINK IS BUILT. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE REGULAR HOCKEY RINK BOARDS THAT ARE USED IN ICE RINKS AND AT THE OUTDOOR RINKS. WE HAVE WOODEN BOARDS THAT ROT AND ARE REPLACED ANNUALLY BY ROWLETT HOCKEY PLAYERS AND PARENTS , NOT THE CITY. WE WOULD LIKE THE LENGTH TO BE REPLACED BY PLEXIGLAS AT LEAST ALONG THE BLEACHER SIDE. IF THIS IS NOT COST FEASIBLE, MAYBE WE CAN HELP FUND THE ITEM. WE WERE INVITED TO THE TABLE WITH THE DESIGN TEAM FOR THE KATY PARK RINK AND I WAS IN THAT MEETING AND WE GAVE THEM VALUABLE INSIGHT THAT THE CITY WAS UNAWARE OF . WE WOULD LIKE TO BE INVITED AGAIN. FOR 25 YEARS, WE HAVE MADE ROWLETT HOCKEY SOMETHING THAT THE CITY OF ROWLETT CAN BE PROUD OF . OUR PRIDE AND UPKEEP OF THE RINK TO OUR FOOD DRIVES TO PROVIDING KIDS OF ROWLETT , AS WELL AS SURROUNDING CITIES TO PLAY A UNIQUE SPORT. ROWLETT HOCKEY HAS BEEN A GOOD STEWARD OF THE RINK THAT THE CITY HAS PROVIDED EXPERT LET US HELP YOU MAKE THE NEXT RINK A VALUABLE ASSET THAT IS AN OPTION TO THE CITIES OF THE NORTH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS RICHARD WHITE FOLLOWED BY
BURKHALTER , I BELIEVE. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL. I WANT
[00:05:01]
TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TONIGHT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GRANTS. I WASN'T AWARE OF THESE UNTIL LAST YEAR AND I SEE IN THE PACKET THAT YOU ARE REVISING THIS TO DO SOME DIFFERENT WAYS OF APPROACHING A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. A COUPLE OF CONCERNS AND COMMENTS. FIRSTLY, ONE THING I NOTICED IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO LIMIT THIS TO ROB LET 501(C)(3) AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL . THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS AND I AM INVOLVED IN ONE, AND THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE OF ROWLETT THAT ADD TO ROWLETT AS FAR AS ITS UNIFICATION AND SERVICES.THE ANIMAL SHELTER FOLKS WHO PROVIDE RESCUE ANIMALS, ROWLETT BASED 501(C) AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE ARE NOT CUTTING OFF ESTABLISHED CHARITIES THAT ARE ALREADY SUPPORTING.
BEAUTIFICATION AND UPKEEP IS A VERY BROAD WAY. ARE WE LOOKING OR I WAS TOLD LAST YEAR WHEN I LOOKED INTO GETTING THE GRANT OR THE PARK THAT IT WASN'T APPLICABLE FOR PARKS. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I'M LOOKING TO THE CITY OF DALLAS WHERE THEY HAVE ORGANIZATIONS. THEY ARE NOT FORMAL 50C THREES, BUT I THINK THEY HAVE SMALL GRANTS AVAILABLE. FRIENDS OF THE DOG PARK , FRIENDS OF SPRINGFIELD PARK. GIVE THEM A STIPEND THAT THEY CAN USE FOR TRASH COLLECTION AND EYES ON THE GROUND IN THOSE PARKS. THEY CAN REPORT BACK TO PARKS AND REC AND IF ANYTHING IS OVER THERE HEAD THAT THEY SHOULDN'T TAKE CARE OF NEEDS TO COME BACK TO STAFF.
THESE ARE MUCH LIKE A TWO AWAY. THE H AWAY IN THE CITY, THEY ARE LIKE CODE ENFORCEMENT FOR LITTLE RESIDENTIAL AREAS. HAVING THESE GROUPS WITHIN THE CITY WOULD BE GREAT AS FAR AS HAVING CLEANUPS AND SOME OWNERSHIP IN THESE FACILITIES. WHAT ELSE DID I WRITE? ALSO, ACCOUNTABILITY. HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR THESE. HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR THEM ? I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF IT IS PARKS ORGANIZATION, UNDER THE PARKS BOARD THAT REPORTS INTO THE PARKS BOARD AND IF IT'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, A BOARD WHERE THEY CAN REPORT IN. OVERALL, NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE INTO STAFF SOMEHOW AND NEED TO RECORD THEIR HOURS. VOLUNTEER HOURS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT . THE CITY CAN UTILIZE THOSE WHEN YOU ARE DOING GRANT REQUESTS AND OFTEN MANY GRAMS YOU CAN USE VOLUNTEER MATCHING HOURS AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT WAS WORTH $20 AND MULTIPLY IT BY HOW MANY HOURS OF THE PERSON HAS VOLUNTEERED IN THE CITY USES THAT TO GET MATCHING GRANTS. THE CITY CAN ALWAYS SAY NO. IF YOU GET 50 APPLICATIONS, THERE ARE NO DOLLAR FIGURES. THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. ARE YOU PUTTING A REQUEST FOR $500 OR $100,000? IT'S NOT CLEAR AND MAYBE YOU SHOULD LIMIT IT FOR NONTITLE ONES. BY THE ONES 501 ARE MORE ACCOUNTABLE. THEY MANAGE THEIR OPERATIONS. ANYWAY, I'M OUT OF TIME. THERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ON OUR NONPROFIT GRANTS. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SPEAKER IS JEFF BURKHALTER FOLLOWED BY MARK.
>> EVENING, Y'ALL. I'M JEFF AND I LIVE IN JOSEPHINE. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING AT THE HOCKEY RINK FOR 10 YEARS NOW. IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WE HAVE MADE OUT THERE. THE BIGGEST THINGS AND I WATCHED A LOT OF VIDEOS AND I KNOW THAT PRICE IS A BIG ISSUE WITH THESE THINGS AND WHATNOT AND LOCATION ISSUES. I ACTUALLY HAVE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AND I WORK A LOT WITH CONSTRUCTION, SO I KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR THESE THINGS AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH BIDDING AND STUFF LIKE THAT. IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT HIGH. I WILL PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT HE SAID BACK THERE. LET US GET INVOLVED, AS WELL, TO HELP OUT WITH DESIGNS AND BUILDS. A LOT OF US HAVE DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES AND I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE CONCRETE.
CONCRETE COMPANIES, ELECTRICIAN COMPANIES, WOULD COMPANIES AND ANYTHING TO GET THIS THING GOING , SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY FIND A LOCATION. IF WE NEED DIRT, I HAVE HUNDREDS OF LOADS OF DIRT THAT I CAN GO PULL AND LEVEL WHATEVER WE NEED. I HAVE THE PAGEANT PEOPLE. IF YOU NEED INJECTIONS, I HAVE INJECTION PEOPLE. ANYTHING WE NEED TO HELP YOU OUT TO FIND A LOCATION FOR THIS OR TO MAKE IT MOVE FORWARD , WE ARE HERE TO HELP OUT.
THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY ON THAT ONE. I'M HERE TO HELP AND IF WE WANT TO GET YOU US OFF YOUR BACKS, SO WE CAN WORK
TOGETHER ON THIS PRETTY >> NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK FOLLOWED
BY STEVE. >> COUNSEL, MR. MAYOR, -- PRETTY
>> STATE OR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE.
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FOR THE AND I WANT TO SUPPORT STAFF AND COUNSEL IN THIS REGULATION. I READ SOME OF THE UPDATES THAT
[00:10:05]
LOOKS LIKE STAFF IS LOOKING AT. AS IN YEARS PAST, I DON'T THINK IT GOES FAR ENOUGH. I THINK SOME OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION I HAD OUT BY MY AREA A YEAR OR SO AGO . TAKING MY BUDDY'S 14-YEAR-OLD GIRLS DOWN THE LAKE AND ONE OF THE AIRBNB'S WITH GUYS HAGGLING AT 14-YEAR-OLD GIRLS.INAPPROPRIATE. IF PEOPLE WANT TO RENT THEIR FACILITY , THAT'S FINE. LONG-TERM RENTAL OR RENT IT FOR A MONTH, 30 DAYS MANY OF THEM MINIMUM , THAT'S FINE. THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF PROBLEMS. PEOPLE WANT TO COME OUT AND PARTY. NOBODY WANTS A DRUNK FEST NEXT TO THEIR HOUSE. THIS IS WHAT YOU DEAL WITH.
IT'S NOT THE GUY WHO WAS A WEDDING RECEPTION OR THE PERSON WANTS TO LIVE THERE FOR 30 DAYS OR SIX MONTHS, BUT THE GUYS WILL COME OUT AND BRING 15, 20 OR 25 PEOPLE. THEY WANT TO DRINK ALL AFTERNOON AND ALL NIGHT . THEY WANT TO GET DRUNK AND PARY.
THOSE ARE THE GUYS YOU GOT TO DETER. STRONG DETERRENCE FOR ANY LESS THAN I WOULD SAY A MONTH . SHORT-TERM RENTALS SHOULD BE 30 DAYS MINIMUM. ANYBODY FOUND THROWING A BEERFEST PARTY SHOULD JUST BE VIOLATED AND FINED BY THE CITY. $5000 FINE AND UP FRONT FIRST OFFENSE AND ALL YOUR PROBLEMS WILL GO AWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT LEGAL YOU CAN DO. IT'S THE SHORT-TERM STUFF THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DETER. THANKS.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE NEXT SPEAKER IS STEVE. AFTER , JONES.
>> STEVE HORWITZ, ROWLETT. THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING US WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE ORDINANCE . ONE COMMENT I WOULD HAVE IS ON THE WEBSITE, YOU HAVE ALWAYS PUT AGENDA AND MINUTES . FOR CITIZENS, YOU HAVE TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM TO GET TO THE PACKET. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PACKET IS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU REDESIGN THE WEBSITE TO SHOW THE MINUTES AND THE PACKET OR JUST ATTACH THE PACKET TO THE AGENDA, SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY INFORMATION ABOUT THE AGENDA. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE AGENDA PACKET WAS. WITH REGARD TO THE SPECIFICS OF THIS, SECTION 10 458, YOU SAY THAT A PROPERTY OWNER SHOULD PROVIDE PROOF OF MEDICATION AND USE 200 FOOT RADIUS. WHEN I USED GOOGLE MAPS ON MY STREET, THAT IS TWO HOUSES TO THE LEFT, TWO TO THE RIGHT AND TWO ACROSS THE STREET.
WE HAVE 15 HOMES ON OUR STREET. 200 FEET IS NOT ENOUGH. MAKE IT 500 OR 1000 PEOPLE TO TWO HOMES TO THE LEFT , RIGHT AND TWO HOMES ACROSS THE STREET IS ABSOLUTELY NOT ENOUGH. WITH REGARD TO THE LAKEFRONT, WE HAVE HAD ISSUES ON THE LAKEFRONT WITH THESE HOMES . I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT THE TAKE AREA. VERY SPECIFIC TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SHORT TERMS IF THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE SHORT TERMS STAY ON THE TAKE AREA. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE WALK ONTO THE DIFFERENT TAKE AREAS.
IT'S NOT YOURS. MY DOC IS MY DOG. STAY OFF OF MY DOC PERIOD.
THAT IS A PROBLEM ON THE TAKE AREA. WITH REGARD TO VIOLATIONS , LOVE IT. TWO CITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ACTUALLY DO THAT. THE WAY I'M READING THAT IS IF SOMEONE PARKS ON THE STREET, THAT IS A VIOLATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT I'M CORRECT ON THAT.
PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. WHEN THEY LEAVE THE TRASH CANS OUT, NO ONE ELSE ON MY STREET AND HAVE LIVED ON MY STREET FOR 12 YEARS. NOBODY LEAVES TRASH CANS OUT. TWO DAYS BEFORE AND TWO DAYS AFTER. PEOPLE BRING THEM OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND THE NEXT DAY. IN THE MORNING OR THAT NIGHT. IT IS REALLY DISTURBING TO SEE TRASH OUT DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY. I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND I THINK IT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL. I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES BEHIND THIS, BUT LET'S MAKE IT SAFE, SO THAT THE LEASE OF POLICE DON'T HAVE TO COME AND I AM CONCERNED ON THE TAKE AREA THAT THESE HOMES DON'T BECOME PARTY
[00:15:02]
HOUSES. WE HAVE HAD THAT ON MY STREET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS KENNETH JONES FOLLOWED BY VAL
JONES. >> MY NAME IS KENNETH JONES AND I LIVE IN ROWLETT . THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW YOU HAVE TO COME AND HEAR OUR OPINIONS. SPEAKING IN REGARD OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL, I HAVE -- MY NEIGHBORS AND I . I DID KNOW THERE WAS A PACKAGE AT THE BOTTOM AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WORK YOU HAVE DONE, BUT I THANK YOU FOR THE INJUNCTION. THINGS HAVE BEEN QUIET AT THE AIRBNB NEXT DOOR. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I THINK YOU KNOW THE ISSUES AND I KNOW YOU WALK A LINE WHERE YOU HAVE PRIVACY RIGHTS AND TRYING TO SERVE CITIZENS , BUT PERSONALLY THE AIRBNB'S DO NOT BELONG IN A NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT AGENDAS. THE NEIGHBORS WANT A NICE QUIET PLACE TO LIVE AND MOST PEOPLE WHO COME ARE THERE TO PARTY.
HAVE VERY DIFFERENT GOALS , SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU , I WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF THEM, BUT I ASK YOU TO DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO MAKE IT AS DIFFICULT AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU DON'T APPRECIATE THE MAGNITUDE OF SOMETHING UNTIL ITS NEXT DOOR AND WE HAD THAT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WITH A DEAD BODY FOUND IN THE POOL NEXT DOOR. THAT IS MORE THAN A LITTLE DISTRESSING WHEN YOU COME HOME AND THERE ARE POLICE EVERYWHRE AND YOU FOUND OUT SOMEONE HAS DIED NEXT DOOR. WIFE AND I HAD TO COME HOME TO THAT. I ASK YOU , AND SOMETIMES THINK ABOUT IT YOU COMING HOME.
IF YOU ARE COMING HOME AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE MARIJUANA SMOKE OR CARS PARKED OR MOTORCYCLES, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU COME HOME . WHEN YOU GO HOME TONIGHT, THINK ABOUT THAT , BECAUSE THAT'S MORE THAN A LITTLE UNNERVING. THAT'S ALL. DO WHAT YOU CAN DO. I APPRECIATE
IT AND I LOVE FOR THEM TO GO. >> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS
VAL JONES FOLLOWED BY BRAD. >> I'M VAL JONES AND I LIVE IN VOMIT. THAT WAS MY HUSBAND WHO SAID EVERYTHING I WANTED TO SAY, BUT I HAVE A DIFFERENT TAKE. HE IS MORE LENIENT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I'M A FOSTER PARENT. LICENSED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED , NIGHT TERRORS , DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE. MY HOME IS NO LONGER SAFE FOR THEM. I CAN'T GUARANTEE THE SAFETY , BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT WHEN I COME HOME AND WE HAVE HAD A DEATH IN THE POOL AND THAT IS AFTER HEARING THE KIDS COME . THAT WAS NEXT-DOOR , THE AIRBNB PEOPLE. WE HEARD THEM THAT NIGHT, THEN THE NEXT MORNING I HEARD THE SAME KIDS CRYING AND WAILING IN THE STREET WHEN CPS HAD TO COME AND GET THEM. I KNOW WE CAN PROVIDE A LOT OF RULES AND REGULATIONS. ON ONE HAND, YOU ARE ASKING OWNERS OF THE AIRBNB TO DO SOMETHING THAT CANNOT REGULATE THEMSELVES.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHO'S COMING EVERY WEEK. WHEN WE GIVE THEM A CITATION, I DON'T KNOW CARE HOW MUCH IT IS. KEEP THE NOISE DOWN. PICK UP THE TRASH . PARK YOUR CAR IN THE RIGHT PLACE. WE HAVE HAD A MOTORCYCLE GANGS AND WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE FOR A MONTH. THERE WERE CNSTRUCTION WORKERS WHO WERE ALLOWED AND TRUCKS ALL OVER THE PLACE . GIVE YOU A FINE FOR THAT. HE CAN PAY THE FINE. IS NOT THERE. HE DOES NOT LIVE THERE. HE DOESN'T LIVE THERE.
HE CANNOT REGULATE. EVEN IF HE WAS THERE, I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GO IN AND SAY, YOU NEED TO BE QUITE TO MOVE THE CARPET IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT. HE'S JUST NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
HAVING THE POLICE COME, WE HAVE HAD THEM COME IN AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING BREAKING CAR WINDOWS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. GIVE THEM A FINE AND THEY WILL BE BACK THE NEXT TIME, SO MY HEART IS SAD AND I WAS THINKING THAT IT WOULD APPEAR TO SAY AS MUCH AS I HAVE SAID, BECAUSE I'M SO PASSIONATE ABOUT IT . I CAN PROVIDE WHAT
[00:20:03]
YOU NEED FROM ME FOR THESE CHILDREN THAT JUST NEED A SAFE PLACE , A QUIET PLACE TO SLEEP UNTIL THEY CAN GET BACK WITH THEIR PARENTS. I HATE THAT'S THE CITY OF ROWLETT .>> THANK YOU, MRS. JONES. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BRAD GROSS
FOLLOWED BY JOHN. >> BRAD, ROWLETT, TEXAS. I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA, AS WELL AS THE HOCKEY RINK. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YOU MAY BE GOING DOWN THE PATH OF PROHIBITION . THE CITY OF DALLAS OBVIOUSLY HAS BEEN FORWARDED WITH THEIR ATTEMPT AND THERE IS AN APPEAL PROCESS GOING ON THERE. THE CITY OF ARLINGTON APPARENTLY HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND THAT MAY BE BECAUSE YOU GAVE THE CITIZENS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD AND SPEAK, SO I THANK YOU FOR THAT. AT THIS TIME, I DON'T HAVE A SHORT-TERM RENTAL ON EITHER SIDE OF ME, BUT WE HAVE 15 DOORS DOWN AND I KNOW THAT THE NEIGHBORS NEXT TO IT ARE AT THEIR WITS END OVER THE ISSUES. I WANT REPETITIVELY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR IN OUTSTANDING PRESENTATIONS ALREADY, BUT I JUST ENCOURAGE YOU , IT'S A BUSINESS. THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND STATE OF TEXAS IS DELEGATED FOR EACH MELISSA POLITY POWER TO MAKE THEIR OWN LAWS AND ORDINANCE IS RELATIVE TO IT. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE DEEMING THEM TO BE COMMERCIAL , THEREFORE THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES CANNOT BE IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS, BECAUSE THEY ARE ZONED RESIDENTIAL. THAT IS MY HOPE THAT IT IS THE PATH YOU ARE GOING. JUST FINES AND CITATIONS FOR LEAVING THE TRASH CANS OUT OR PARKING CARS ON THE STREET IN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
NEIGHBORHOODS. THANKS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER WILL
BE JOHN FOLLOWED BY BEN. >> THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME
SPEAK. >> CAN I GET YOU TO STATE YOUR
NAME OR CITY RESIDENTS CLICKS >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK I WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION. WHAT CRIMINAL PAYS ATTENTION TO WHAT LAWS? HOW CAN YOU ENFORCE THAT? THE PEOPLE THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE THERE CAN BE PEOPLE THAT ARE SEXUAL PREDATORS . THEY COULD BE SERIAL . THEY COULD BE PEDOPHILES. ALL SORTS OF TERRIBLE PEOPLE CAN COME INTO THESE PLACES AND BE HIDDEN FROM OUR VIEW. THESE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE CHILDREN , SINGLE PARENTS, MOTHERS TRYING TO RAISE FAMILIES, ALL SORTS OF POTENTIAL TO DO BAD THINGS. TERRIBLE THING. YOU CANNOT REGULATE A LAW THAT WILL KEEP THEM FROM DOING THIS IF YOU OPEN IT UP FOR THEM TO COME IN AND OUT AS THEY WILL. THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS RESTRICT IT. THEY CAN HAVE THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO DO, DO THAT. IT WILL DO NOBODY ANY FAVORS TO ALLOW THAT TO BE OPEN AND FLOURISHING THE WAY THEY WANT TO RUN IT RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE BIEN THEN FOLLOWED BY NICK.
>> MY NAME IS BENJAMIN AND I AM 13 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE PLAYED IN ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE FOR FOUR YEARS. IT HAS BROUGHT ME MANY MEMORIES THAT I WILL CHERISH AND REMEMBER FOR MY LIFE. I LOVE PLAYING AS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT. THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY ARE ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND AND HAVE TAUGHT ME HOW TO SKATE, SHOOT, PAST, STOP AND OTHER CULTURES AND NECESSITIES FOR HOCKEY. IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR FACTOR IN WHERE I'M GOING TO HASKELL. I HAVE APPLIED AND BEEN ACCEPTED . I DECIDED TO GO TO JUDGE WITH BECAUSE OF THEIR HOCKEY TEAM AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE I WOULDN'T BE WHERE I'M GOING. MY FUTURE WOULD LOOK WAY DIFFERENT IF IT WEREN'T FOR ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE. PLEASE BUILD ANOTHER RINK BEFORE YOU DESTROY THE OLD ONE. THE MEMORIES I HAVE MADE HAVE BEEN GREAT AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MORE. I HAVE FOUND MANY
[00:25:03]
FRIENDS THAT LIVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES OUT AND THE RINK IS A PERFECT MIDDLE GROUND THAT I CAN MEET THEM. I HOPE YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT I HAVE SAID. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO ALLOW ME TO STRESS CONCERNS I HAVE AND WHY I COME ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY LOVE THIS EXPERIENCE.>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS NICK FOLLOWED BY JONATHAN .
>> NICK AND I LIVE IN ROWLETT. MY FAMILY HAS LIVED IN ROWLETT FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. I AM OBVIOUSLY HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW LINK. THE FIRST SPORTING EVENT I TOOK MY SON BEEN TO WAS A STORIES GAME AND HE FELL IN LOVE WITH HOCKEY. HE EVENTUALLY BOUGHT HIM SKATES, TWIN STICK AND BALLS , BUT IT WASN'T UNTIL COVID THAT WE HELD FOUND A CONCRETE RINK . WE GO OUT AND SKATE AROUND", PLAY HOCKEY. WHEN SCHOOL STARTED BACK UP, WE FOUND A LEAGUE THERE. WE SIGNED HIM UP AS SOON AS REGISTRATION OPENED.
WHAT WE FOUND WAS A LEAGUE THAT WELCOMES EVERYONE, BEGINNER AND EXPERIENCE. THEY SELL GEAR FOR FIVE DOLLARS APIECE TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR JUST STARTING. IT IS COMMON TO SEE FANS OF ONE TEAM TELL AN OPPONENT GREAT SHOT OR GOOD SAVE. IT BUILDS SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE. MY SON SCORED ONE GOAL IN HIS FIRST YEAR . IN THIS PAST YEAR WAS COCAPTAIN OF HIS TEAM AND WAS ASKED TO JOIN THE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE . HE GREW SO MUCH THIS YEAR PLAYING AS A LEADER IN ONE LEG AND BEING THE SMALLEST KID IN THE OLDER LEAGUE. OUTSIDE OF HOCKEY DEPARTMENT, IT STANDS ON COMMUNITY SERVICE. DELIVERING FOOD HAS BEEN A VALUABLE EXPENSE FOR MY FAMILY AND EVEN MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS ZERO INTEREST IN HOCKEY. I JOINED THE LEAGUE BOARD THIS YEAR TO GET MORE INVOLVED MYSELF AND I AM PROUD TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY BY SERVING ON THE BOARD. THIS LEAGUE HAS THE MANPOWER AND DESIRE TO HELP BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE NEW LINK. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR RINK TONIGHT AND ASK YOU TO SUPPORT OUR LITTLE LEAGUE . WE HAVE HAD FRIENDS AND FAMILIES COME TO TREMONT TO WATCH GAMES AND LEAVE IMPRESSED WITH WHAT HAS BEEN BUILT IN OUR TOWN. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION OF SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THIS COUNCIL AND CITY IN THIS ENDEAVOR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JONATHAN FOLLOWED BY GARY BLAKEY -- GAVIN BLAKEY. MY APOLOGIES.
>> JONATHAN BLAKEY, RELEVANT, TEXAS. I WILL ECHO WHAT EVERYONE ELSE SAYS AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY. I'M A ROWLETT RESIDENT OF 20 PLUS YEARS AND ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE BOARD MEMBER, COACH AND PARENT, HOCKEY LEAGUE HAS BEEN PROMISED BY PREVIOUS MAYORS AND OFFICIALS THAT A NEW RINK WOULD BE BUILT BEFORE THE CURRENT ONE IS TORN DOWN. IN 2023, CITY OFFICIALS USE AND I FULLY MEAN THE INTENT OF THE WORD USE THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY AT ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE TO GET BEHIND THE BOND.
PROVIDED THE BOND WOULD HELP PAY TO RELOCATE THE RINK. THE CITY IS KNOWN FOR BETTER PART OF THE YEAR THAT KATIE RAILROAD SOIL WOULD NOT SUPPORT A RINK AND THERE IS NEXT TO ZERO COMMUNICATION TO THE LEAGUE OF AN ALTERNATE SITE. THANKFULLY WE WERE ALERTED IN JANUARY OFF THE RECORD THAT THE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMMENCING AND WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO PLAN FOR AN ALTERNATE. ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE CITY, WE FOUND OUT THAT MOST INFORMATION FROM FACEBOOK RESPONSES TO CITIZEN EMAILS AND THE COUNCIL MEETING TWO WEEKS AGO , WHICH DESPITE COMMENTS TO THE CONTRARY IS WHAT I BELIEVE THE FIRST SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT -- THIS FIRST SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT A NEW RINK IN MONTHS. SAPPHIRE BAY, KIDS KINGDOM AND ALL PROJECT THE CITY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AN DELAYED, BUDGET OVERRUNS OR FLAT OUT FAILED . THE CITY HAS LOST THE TRUST OF ITS CITIZENS THAT I CAN HANDLE PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY AND YOU OF THE COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION IN AN ELECTION YEAR DO NOT WANT ANOTHER PROJECT FAILURE ON YOUR RECORD. THE RUSH JOB TO BUILD THIS RINK IS WHAT IT APPEARS WHEN YOU HAVE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE ON A TIMETABLE IS LUDICROUS. THE LEAGUE DOESN'T EVEN TRUST THE CITY TO DO REPAIRS , BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO. NOW, YOU WANT TO BUILD ONE WITH A DEADLINE. YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE ANOTHER FAILED PROJECT AND IT COSTS NOTHING. YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT. WAIT UNTIL THE RINK CAN BE BILLED PROPERLY BEFORE TURNED ON THE CURRENT ONE. YOU WOULDN'T TEAR DOWN BASEBALL OR SOCCER FIELDS WITHOUT A NEW ONE. WHY ARE WE DOING IT FOR HOCKEY? IF THE LEAGUE AND THIS IS A SEASON, GIVE OVER 8000 POUNDS TO ROWLETT'S LIFE MESSAGE EVERY YEAR WILL GO NORTH AND PLAY AND NEVER COME BACK. THE CITY HAS IT ON THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN AND THEY ARE 2.5 TIMES SMALLER THAN ROWLETT. YOU'RE JUST ASKING FOR TABLE SCRAPS AND ASKING ONLY THAT YOU NOT BULLDOZE OUR RINK
[00:30:04]
UNTIL A SUFFICIENT REPLACEMENT IS THE NO RESIDENT REALLY CARES ABOUT THIS ANNEX THAT'S GOING IN. THEY DO CARE ABOUT THE RINK.I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE AND I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR AN OFFICIAL IN THIS COUNCIL, AND LIKELY NEVER VOTE TO APPROVE ANY FUTURE BONDS UNTIL THIS HAS BEEN MADE RIGHT BY LITERALLY WAITING. WEIGHT DETERRED EXISTING RINK DOWN BEFORE ANYONE IS BUILT. THANK
YOU. >> THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS GAVIN BLAKEY FOLLOWED BY JULIE BLAKEY.
>> MY NAME IS GAVIN AND THIS IS MY SISTER KAITLYN. WE HAVE PLAYED FOR FOUR YEARS AND I'M HERE TO ASK YOU NOT TO TEAR DOWN THE RINK UNTIL YOU BUILD A NEW ONE, BECAUSE THE RINK IS WHERE I HAVE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS ON THE TEAM THAT PLAYED ON. I GO TO THE RINK TO PLAY WITH MY NEIGHBORS WHO ALSO PLAY AND HAVE FUN AND BURN OFF ENERGY WHILE KEEPING UP SKILLS. PLAYING HOCKEY IS GIVING YOU LEADERSHIP SKILLS. THING HOCKEY HAS ALSO TAUGHT ME THE TEAM OF TEAMWORK AND I GET TO KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE AND LEARN TO WORK WITH NEW PEOPLE EVERY YEAR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OUR LAST SPEAKER THAT I HAVE A CARD FOR THIS EVENING IS JULIE BLAKEY. IF THERE IS ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK, YOU CAN GRAB A SPEAKERS CARD FROM THE BACK CORNER AND DROP IT WITH THE CITY SECRETARY. ELECTRIC IS SO MUCH.
I HAVE BEEN A ROWLETT RESIDENT FOR OVER 12 YEARS. I'M ASKING FOR YOU TO HOLD OFF ON TEARING DOWN THE EXISTING RINK UNTIL THE NEW RINK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE RINK IS USED YEAR-ROUND. TODAY, WE WERE UP AT THE RINK PLAYING AND SHOOTING AROUND AND IT EASED AFTER SCHOOL, ON BRICKS AND THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND NOT JUST DURING THE OFFICIAL SEASON. I WAS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR OVER A DECADE MANAGING MULTI MILLION DOLLARS OF PROJECTS EACH YEAR AND THE ONE THAT IS ALWAYS TRUE , PROJECTS TAKE LONGER AND COST MORE. COMMUNITY PARK DOESN'T COUNT AS A SOLID LOCATION OPTION IF THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A SOIL TEST AND OTHER ITEMS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND CHECKED OFF THE LIST. IT IS FOOLISH TO EXPECT THAT ANYONE LET ALONE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER BUILT A RINK AND PROBABLY MAYBE EVEN NEVER ATTENDED A ROWLETT HOCKEY LEAGUE GAME THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS LONG LIST OF ITEMS AND THE 166 DAYS BEFORE OUR SEASON OPENS IN THE FALL. KNOWING THAT THERE IS ENTIRELY TOO MUCH STILL TO DO FOR THE RINK TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FALL SEASON BEGINS, THE ONLY ANSWER IS TO KEEP THE RINK IN USE WHILE YOU MAKE THE PLANS, GET THINGS IN ORDER AND TO CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW RINK.
WAITING TO TEAR THE RINK DOWN OFF THE MULTITUDE OF ISSUES .
THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS OBVIOUSLY WORK FOR US, THE RESIDENCE. THE BOND FINALLY APPROVED DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE HELP OF OUR HOCKEY LEAGUE THROWING OUR SHOULDER BEHIND IT TO GET IT PASSED WAS NOT ORIGINALLY FOR A BUILDING, BUT FOR A PARK WITH THE ALLOTMENT THAT A RINK WILL BE BILLED AND COMPLETED BEFORE TEARING DOWN OUR EXISTING RINK. IT IS NOT ONE THAT WILL QUIETLY LET THIS SLIP AWAY IF YOU THINK THAT THE EMAILS WE SENT WERE ALLOWED, YOU HAVE NOT SEEN MUCH OF ANYTHING FROM OUR GROUP. CITY OFFICIALS CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER FAILED PROJECT IN THE CITY , WHETHER BY YOUR OWN HAND OR THOSE PREVIOUS IN YOUR POSITIONS, YOU AS A GROUP HAVE A LOT OF DAMAGE CONTROL AND TRUST TO BUILD BACK. TEARING DOWN THE RINK GIVING THESE NEARLY 100 KIDS NO PLACE TO PLAY IS DEFINITELY NOT THE ROUTE. LIKE MY HUSBAND SAID, IF THIS WAS SOCCER, BUT ALL OR ANY OTHER SPORT, NO ONE WOULD DREAM OF GIVING NO OPTIONS .
RESPECTFULLY AND PROFESSIONAL OPINION, AS SOON AS THE SOLE TEST FAILED AMONG OTHER ITEMS THAT WOULD NOT WORK FOR THE RAILROAD PARK LOCATION, THE VERY NEXT THING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE MAX -- LAST SPRING SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO IDENTIFY A SECOND LOCATION AND TO GET THE SOIL TESTED. THE FACT THAT YOU ARE ONLY NOW CAN DO DURING THE NEXT STEPS PROVES THAT ONLY ONE OF THREE OPTIONS ARE TRUE . RESPECTFULLY, INCOMPETENCY OR INEPTNESS ON THOSE PART . YOU ARE LYING OR GAS LIGHTING TO TRY TO MAKE US BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE LAST SPRING WHEN HE GOT THE FAILED SOIL TEST OR THERE IS A LACK OF CARE IN WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED TO THE RESIDENTS WHO VOTED FOR THE BOND AND LEAGUE AND WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THESE NEARLY 100 KIDS WHO PLAY HOCKEY HERE. WE DO APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THAT IT NOW APPEARS TO BE AN ITEM YOU ARE DISCUSSING. LET'S BE HONEST, WITH WHERE THINGS ARE AT HERE, TRYING TO DECIDE A LOCATION, GET SOIL TESTED, DRAW UP , HIRE CONTRACTORS ORDER NECESSARY BOARDS, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL AND EVERYTHING NEEDED TO BOTH THE RINK IN 166 DAYS, WHO ARE WE KIDDING? THAT'S WHY MYSELF AND THE REST OF US HERE STRONGLY ASK THAT YOU KEEP THE EXISTING RINK
[00:35:01]
UP UNTIL THE NEW ONE CAN BE BUILT. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME ONTHIS MATTER. >> THANK YOU. I DID RECEIVE ANOTHER SPEAKER CARD, BUT YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN THIS EVENING. YOU ONLY GET ONE TURN. SORRY. DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO TAKE THIS EVENING? DID SHE WANT TO SPEAK? WE DID RECEIVE ONE CITIZEN INPUT EMAIL ON ITEM 4B. EVERYONE HAS BEEN
[4A. Presentation of options for the relocation of the Roller Hockey Rink to be displaced by the Municipal Complex project.]
PROVIDED A COPY OF THAT, AS WELL. NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT, WE WILL MOVE TO OUR WORK SESSION ITEM 4 A . RELOCATION OF THE ROWLETT -- ROLLER HOCKEY RINK TO BE DISPLACED BY THE MINUTES OF A COMPLEX PROJECT MAKING THE PRESENTATION THIS EVENING ISDEPUTY CITY MANAGER . >> I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN SET
UP FOR SUCCESS HERE. >> WE WILL RUN THROUGH QUICKLY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LOCATION OF WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GO WITH THE NEXT STEPS . OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE HOCKEY RINK . WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON A MUNICIPAL COMPLEX ON THE 25TH, WHICH WILL BE GROUNDBREAKING UNTIL A LITTLE BIT AFTER THAT , WHICH THE DATE HAS NOT BEEN SCHEDULED , BUT WE NEED TO GO THROUGH BEFORE THE NEXT FALL SEASON AND THAT IS CERTAINLY OUR GOAL. WE DID LOOK AT KATIE PARK AND EVERYONE HAS MENTIONED THAT IN 2018 WE HAD A VALID THAT WAS PASSED $500,000 FOR THIS PROJECT AND WE DID SOME TESTING NOT ONLY WAS THE SOIL BAD, BUT WE HAD A DIFFICULTY GETTING APPROPRIATE AMENITIES AT THE FACILITY. WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PARKING OR OTHER THINGS WE NEEDED FOR THE FACILITY BATHROOMS OR LIGHTING AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY. WE DO HAVE $482,000 REMAINING . THIS IS WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT PLACING IT WHERE WE HAVE ADDITIONAL AMENITIES THAT ARE ALREADY THERE. PARKING AND LIGHTS WILL SUPPLEMENT THE FACILITY AT SELF. ALSO, BATHROOMS. WELL USED BY THE COMMUNITY AND WE DID HAVE SOME CONGESTION FOR THE CURRENT LOCATION THAT IS THE SAN ANDREWS LANE ROADS. ENTRANCE TO REPEAT SOME OF THAT PRESSURE. FOR EXISTING LEASES AND FOR THIS NEW USE. WE DO HAVE A THOROUGH PLAN THAT APPLIES TO THIS AREA. ONE IS THE RAINY ROAD, WHICH IS PRINCETON AND TURNS INTO RAINY, THEN COMES UP THE SITE. THAT IS PAVED TO THE POINT WHERE AS YOU CAN SEE IT IS THE SIGNED THERE, THEN IT GOES INTO SHORTER ASPHALT FOR MOST OF THE WAY UP , THEN WE HAVE TO TALK TO OUR NEIGHBOR ABOUT WORDS THAT THAT ROAD IS . WE HAVE A SURVEY ABOUT WHERE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE ROAD IS AND HOW IT FITS AND HOW TO GET ACCESS INTO THE FACILITY.
NOT ONLY TO BUILD THE HOCKEY RINK, BUT IMPROVE ACCESS DRIVE , SO WE HAVE A SECONDARY ENTRANCE AND EXIT. WE DO HAVE PLANS THAT WERE DEVELOPED TO RELY ON FOR THE FACILITY AND WE USE THAT TO PUT TOGETHER SOME BIDS. THIS IS FOR OUR OWN STAFF AND PUTTING TOGETHER THE FACILITY FOR THIS IS ALSO WITH PLEXIGLASS ALONGSIDE OF IT, SO IT INCLUDES THE AMENITIES THAT HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT HERE. RIGHT NOW, ESTIMATES ARE BETWEEN 163 AND 45 DAYS. WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN. IT IS MORE COMPLEX AND WILL TAKE 60 DAYS TO ASSEMBLE SOME OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY. WITH ALL INFORMATION WE HAVE AVAILABLE, WE STILL HAVE ADDITIONAL WORK TO DO, INCLUDING SURVEYS . WE FULLY EXPECT THAT WE CAN COMPLETE THIS WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME IDENTIFIED.
NEXT STEPS WOULD BE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY AND DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS TO START THE PROJECT AND LOOKING FOR ANY FEEDBACK YOU HAVE ABOUT THIS LOCATION.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION. I WILL PUT OUR MICROPHONES IN DISCUSSION MODE, SO YOU JUST NEED TO PUSH -- MY MICROPHONE TURNED OFF. DISCUSSION MODE , PUSH RTS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO COMMENT OR SPEAK. TAKE IT AWAY, WHOEVER
WANTS TO GO FIRST. >> HAVE WE DONE A SOIL TEST AT COMMUNITY PARK? DO WE HAVE PLANS? DO WE KNOW WHEN WE WILL
[00:40:04]
DO THAT? OKAY. >> IF I COULD ADD TO THAT QUITE , LET'S GIVE FULL CONTEXT. BEFORE WE SPENT THE MONEY, WE HAD TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE OKAY WITH US PUTTING IT IN THE LOCATION. THEY COME BACK IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS ONCE APPROVED.
>> THE 45 DAYS IS PREDICATED ON GETTING THE PROPER SOIL TESTED.
HOW MANY DAYS DO WE HAVE IN THE OFF-SEASON? 156. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THERE? IS IT SOIL TESTING? WHAT IS THAT? OF ALL LOCATIONS, WE THINK COMMUNITY PARK IS THE MOST VIABLE?
>> PARKING AND RESTROOMS PRIMARILY.
>> YOU ARE AT THE VERY END I'M ASSUMING AND THERE IS OFFICIAL PARKING WHEN YOU ARE HAVING THE GAME FOR WHATEVER.
>> I WANT TO ADD, WE ARE MENTIONING , BECAUSE I WANT TO ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE , BUT WE WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE CAN BUILD THIS WITHOUT HAVING BUILT THE ACCESS ROAD . I DON'T WANT THEM TO SOUND INEXTRICABLY LINKED. THEY ARE NOT. WE TRY TO BE VERY COMPREHENSIVE WHEN WE TALKED TO YOU, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MENTIONED THAT IS HOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS FOR THE EXPERIENCE. WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAPPEN IS YOU PROVE THE LOCATION AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE LOOKING AT RANEY ROAD . IF APPROVED AND WHEN BUILT, IT PROVIDES MORE DIRECT ACCESS . IS IT NECESSARY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION? NO. IS IT NECESSARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT? NO. IT IS FOR ENHANCEMENT AND EXPERIENCE. WE SAY THAT, BECAUSE IT CAN BE BUILT ONE OF THE REASONS GOING TO YOUR POINT OR TWO MAYBE TWO OR QUESTION, WHICH IS PARTIALLY HOW WE ARRIVED AT COMMUNITY PARK. IT IS NOT AS EVERYONE MENTIONED, THE ORIGINAL LOCATION. AS WE DISCUSSED LAST TIME, KATY HAS SIGNIFICANT DRAWBACKS FOR PARKING, ACCESS, LIGHTING . THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF DRAWBACKS THAT NOT ONLY OPERATIONALLY LOGISTICALLY, BUT COST PERFECT -- PERSPECTIVE MADE IT NOT THE
BEST CHOICE. >> I DIDN'T THINK THAT THE ROAD OR ANY ROAD -- I DIDN'T THINK THE PARK WAS CONTINGENT BEING BUILT ON THAT. I WAS LOOKING PURELY FROM APPROPRIATE INGRESS AND EGRESS. YOU ARE HAVING OTHER EVENTS, IT CAN GET CROWDED TRYING TO GET IN AND OUT UP THERE. I WOULD HOPE THAT IF THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, THAT THEY WOULD BE DONE MAYBE NOT IN
CONJUNCTION, BUT CLOSE TOGETHER. >> YES, IF WE CAN. I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO CONFUSE. THIS WILL BE AT THE COMMUNITY PARK. I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO CONFUSE . IF WE DON'T GET RAINY DONE IN TIME, WE CAN'T DO OR OPEN OR UTILIZE OR BUILD . NOT YOU. I JUST WANT TO CORRECT AND MAKE SURE WE WERE CLEAR, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE BEEN AMBIGUOUS ABOUT IT. RAINY ROAD IS AN ENHANCEMENT AND WE WANT TO DO IT YOUR POINT IN CONJUNCTION IF WE CAN, BUT THERE ARE OWNERSHIP ISSUES THAT MAY DRAG ON WITH PARTNERSHIP ISSUES AND NONE OF THAT IS POSITIVE WITH RESPECT TO BUILDING THE RINK AND DOING IT WITHIN A TIME THAT WE HAVE ALLOTTED. THE REAL QUESTIONS ARE SOIL CONDITION ALWAYS WITH RESPECT TO A SPECIFIC SITE, BUT YOUR APPROVAL IF YOU BELIEVE COMMUNITY PARK IS THE IDEAL LOCATION.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, I HEARD RCC AND THIS IS NOT LOCATED NEAR THE RC'S , BUT NORTH OF WATERVIEW AND COMMUNIY PARK AT THE FAR WEST END . I JUST DIDN'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY CONFUSION ABOUT
[00:45:04]
WHERE THIS IS LOCATED. THERE IS ONE POINT OF INGRESS AND EGRESS OFF OF WATERVIEW PARKWAY AND IT DOES GET CROWDED WHEN THERE ARE BALL GAMES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I THINK THE DECISION TO UTILIZE IT IS VALUABLE AND NOT JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE, BUT THE COMMUNITY PARK. ACCESSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT.>> WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I DO KNOW THAT THE SOCCER FIELDS ARE USED QUITE EXTENSIVELY. WILL THERE BE ANY CONFLICT? WILL THERE BE PARKING FOR BOTH SOCCER AND HOCKEY IF THEY HAVE CONCURRENT OR WHAT THEY HAVE CONCURRENT GAINS?
>> I CAN TELL WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS. YOU ARE RIGHT TO A DEGREE. PUBLIC WORKS HAS TALKED ABOUT PHASING AND TRYING TO ENHANCE ON OUR SEPARATE TIME, THE PARKING. PARKING IS CHALLENGING AND I WOULD OFFER TO ANYONE ? THIS IS THE BEST LOCATION AND IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S IDEAL, BUT IT'S THE BEST WE HAVE , BUT YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON ONE PARTICULAR DATE, PARKING WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR ANYONE.
FUTURE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE SOME PARKING ENHANCEMENTS OUT THERE.
>> I DON'T WANT TO KEEP CAPTURING THE MICROPHONE, BUT ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I DO HAVE, BECAUSE I HEARD SEVERAL COMMENTS TONIGHT , JUST INCLUDING THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOCKEY LEAGUE AS WE ARE GOING FORWARD. CAN WE HAVE AN ONGOING DIALOGUE WITH THE LEADERSHIP MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF PLANS AS THEY FORMULATE AND GO FORWARD, SO THEY CAN HAVE INPUT INTO THIS,
AS WELL? >> THERE HAS BEEN VALUABLE INPUT GIVEN TONIGHT . THEY GAVE INPUT ON THE PLANS, ALL THE BETTER AND AS WE GO FORWARD, WE WILL MAKE SURE TO INCORPORATE INPUTS. THE ORIENTATION WAS SOMETHING VALUABLE , SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF INSIGHT AND WE WILL CONTINUE THE DIALOGUE THROUGH THE DURATION OF THIS PROJECT AND ONGOING.
>> ONE OF THE POINTS BROUGHT UP WAS BEING WITHOUT A RINK AT ANY POINT AND IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE BASED ON THAT TIMELINE AND BASED ON THE GROUNDBREAKING AND ASSOCIATED DEMOLITION, WHICH A DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET WHAT HAPPENED SOON THEREAFTER, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WOULD BE WITHOUT A RINK . IS THAT A CORRECT STATEMENT BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW TODAY?
>> YES. >> DO WE KNOW WHAT THE DURATION
MIGHT BE? >> WE DON'T HAVE A DATE OF WHEN
THE DEMOLITION >> THE ANSWER IS NO. I WILL TELL YOU WHY. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS TODAY. PART OF THIS IS STILL MOVING AND I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION OF THE LEAGUE UNEQUIVOCALLY. I WILL SAY THAT WE DISCUSSED THIS MONTHS AGO AND MAYBE NOT AS EARLY AS WE SHOULD HAVE. DEFINITELY LONG BEFORE CONVERSATIONS AND THE REASON WHY MAYBE YOU HAVE HEARD INFORMATION IS BECAUSE I SAID THIS IN OUR LAST MEETING THE ONE DANGER IS RELEASING INFORMATION THAT IS NOT FULLY. UNDERSTANDING THE LACK OF INFORMATION IS DEFINITELY FRUSTRATING , BUT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS. IS THERE GOING TO BE A TIME WHERE THERE WON'T BE A RINK? THE ANSWER IS POTENTIALLY. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF IS THE CLOSE OF THE HOCKEY SEASON AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW SEASON. SOMEWHERE IN THAT GAP, IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT THERE MAY NOT BE A RINK, BUT WE FIGURED THAT IT'S THE OFF-SEASON, SO IT WOULD GIVE US CONSTRUCTION TIME. THE REASON I SAY MAYBE IS BECAUSE IF WE SAY NO AND WE CAN DO IT, WE DON'T KNOW AND WE HAVEN'T SET UP DEMOLITION SCHEDULES FOR THE PARK , BECAUSE IT WILL BE THE FIRST THING. THE DEMOLITION. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO SOME OF YOU AND I WILL SAY IT PUBLICLY.
WE ARE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE SCHEDULE AND EVERY INTENTION AND EVERYTHING THAT STAFF IS WORKING ON IS TO CREATE ACCESS TO THE SOUTH OF THAT PROPERTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THEY START ON THE FURTHEST END , WHICH IS STRATEGIC TO ENSURE THAT BY THE TIME THEY MAKE IT TO THE TOP, IT BUILDS MORE TIME FOR US TO WORK THROUGH THE PROJECT AND POTENTIALLY MITIGATE ANY DOWNTIME FOR THE AVAILABILITY.
WE CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT WE WILL MAKE IT SEASON TO SEASON,
BUT THE AVAILABILITY OF A RINK. >> DIDN'T ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
>> YES, I BELIEVE SO. WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?
[00:50:13]
>> THIS IS JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM. COUNCIL SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT LOCATION AND NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS. TWO WE HAVE LEVEL OF CONSENSUS OF COMMUNITY PARK BEING OUR LOCATION AND ARE WE ON BOARD WITH BOTH THE RINK AND SECONDARY
ACCESS? >> CITY MANAGER, COULD YOU PLEASE SAY THAT STUFF WITH THE ROAD AGAIN? WE NEED THE ROAD TO CONSTRUCT IT? I DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> YES , MA'AM. >> IS YOUR QUESTION THAT WE NEED THE ROAD TO CONSTRUCT THE INVISIBLE COMPLEX OR THE RINK?
>> HOCKEY RINK. >> NO, MA'AM. WE DON'T.
>> I JUST WANTED TO BE SURE. THAT WAS UNCLEAR. THE STEPS WOULD BE A SOIL TEST AT WHICH POINT THEN THE DECISION TO BE MADE FINAL TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION? A SOIL TEST WOULD
TAKE APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG ? >> A COUPLE OF WEEKS. LET ME OFFER THIS FOR THE COUNT , SO YOU ARE AWARE. THIS IS THE BEST OF WHAT WE HAD AND FOR SOME REASON THE SITE THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FOR YOU AND ANY ADJACENT SITES, BECAUSE IT IS A DECENT AREA GROUP TO BE UNATTAINABLE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT SECONDARY LOCATIONS AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PROS AND CONS AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU WITH THE NEXT BEST OPTION. THEY ARE NOT PERFECT AND SOME ARE ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO MITIGATE FOR IN GOING TO COMMUNITY PARK, BUT I DO WANT YOU TO BE AWARE THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT EVERYTHING FROM BEYERS PARK, WHICH IS UNDEVELOPED. WE HAVE WE CAN COME BACK TO YOU WITH IF FOR SOME WORK FOR THE SAME REASON THAT THE SOIL IS UNATTAINABLE. I WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF THAT.
>> I DO HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION. THERE IS A CONCRETE RINK OVER ON THE ROCK WALL. WHAT IS THE PARK OVER ON THE ROCKWALL SIDE? THERE IS A PARK THERE. DOES THAT CONCRETE HOCKEY PARK LINK NEED UPGRADES , SO THAT THEY CAN USE THAT PART DURING THE TIME WHEN THEY MIGHT ? WHEN IT MIGHT BE CLOSED OR NOT IN BETWEEN THE
CONSTRUCTION TIME? >> I DON'T KNOW THE LOCATION.
ANOTHER LOCATION, BECAUSE WERE LOOKING AT IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW
THE CONDITION. IT IS SMALLER. >> THANK YOU.
>> MY QUESTION WAS JUST, YOU ARE PRACTICING IN THE SUMMERTIME , NOT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING GAMES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT THAT WOULD BE A PLACE WHERE YOU COULD MEET? NO. IT'S
WORTH A QUESTION. >> YOU ASKED FOR SUPPORT OR NOT . I DO SUPPORT THIS , PROVIDED AND I HAVE ALREADY STATED THIS , PROVIDED THAT WE HAVE CLEAR AND I DON'T WANT TO USE THE WORD CONSTANT, BUT ROUTINE MEDICATION COMMUNICATION WITH LEADERSHIP OR WHO WANT TO DESIGNATE FOR THE HOCKEY LEAGUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT AND I BELIEVE , CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT WOULD BE USED? THE PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT. OKAY.
I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE PERSPECTIVE AND I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT CALL. I AGREE WITH ACCESS TO RANEY ROAD, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD MY SON IN SOCCER UP AT THOSE FIELDS AND I DO SEE THAT IT IS SOMEWHAT BUSY AND THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AMPLE PARKING BASIS AT THE WESTERN END AND I WILL SAY THAT, BUT THE SOCCER FIELDS TO GET USED HEAVILY. NOT AS HEAVILY AS THE SOFTBALL FIELDS, WHICH ARE PACKED AND LINING BOTH ENDS OF THE ROADWAY, WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF CONGESTION. HAVING A SECONDARY INGRESS EGRESS POINT WILL BE VALUABLE.
>> I SHOULD HAVE STATED THAT. I AM INCLUDING BOTH OF THOSE ASPECTS OF THE ROAD AND THE RINK.
[00:55:03]
>> THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT I DID WORK FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AND I EMPTIED THE TRASH IN COMMUNITY PARK AND I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE BACKFIELD'S , THOSE ARE COMPLETELY FULL. I HAVE SEEN IT PERSONALLY. ROUTINELY ON THE WEEKENDS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT IS CLEAR. >> GOOD FEEDBACK. THANK YOU.
>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY COMMENTS.
>> I WENT SAY THAT I AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER. THIS IS A GOOD PLAN AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU HAVE CONTINGENCIES IN CASE THAT WE FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE GLITCHES THAT WE WEREN'T AWARE OF OR THAT WE DID HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION. I DEFINITELY ECHO THE DESIRE TO HAVE THE HOCKEY LEAGUE INVOLVED AND MAKE SURE THAT WE COMMUNICATE WITH THEM , SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS, LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND PEOPLE GETTING PERCEPTIONS
BASED ON THAT. >> I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS AND MOVING THE RINK TO COMMUNITY PARK.
>> DOES THAT GIVE YOU THE FEEDBACK YOU NEED?
>> I HAVE HEARD SOME THINGS AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE GO FORWARD WE ARE ON YOUR PATH. COMMUNITY PARK, OKAY. WITH THE ROAD. I SAY THAT, BECAUSE REMEMBR CHRISTOPH MENTIONED HOUSE HOW WE ARE STILL UNCERTAIN ABOUT OWNERSHIP RIGHTS .
OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THAT OUT. I WOULD ASK YOU THIS .
WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY PROPOSED RANEY ROAD. WITH THAT , BUT IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SECURE THE RIGHTS WE NEED, WHATEVER THEY ARE. TO DEVELOP THIS ROAD, ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU WOULD NOT FAVOR THIS LOCATION COLLECTS IT WOULD STILL BE OUR NUMBER ONE LOCATION, BECAUSE THE OTHERS HAVE WHAT WE BELIEVE ARE MORE AGGRAVATING ISSUES SUCH AS BEING SPRINKLED PARK . MAYBE THIS IS NUMBER TWO. YOU HAVE PARKING ADJACENCIES TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS. DO YOU WANT US TO COME BACK TO YOU? AND SEND THIS TO SAY THAT IT WAS OUR THOUGHT AND IF WE ARE WRONG, CORRECT ME . WE WOULD PUT IT THERE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU SUPPORT RAINY ROAD, BUT THERE ARE FACTORS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL THAT MAY ULTIMATELY DETERMINE IF WE CAN PAVE RANEY ROAD AND USE IT AS AN ACCESS OR NOT. IF THOSE FACTORS PROHIBIT US , ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU DO NOT WANT US TO PLACE IT AT COMMUNITY PARK? I JUST WANT CLARITY.
>> THOSE ARE TWO SEPARATE AND EXCLUSIVE ISSUES FROM ONE ANOTHER AND I THINK THE HOCKEY RINK IS ABSOLUTELY A YES AND RANEY ROAD IS ABSOLUTELY YES, BUT ONE IS NOT CONTINGENT UPON
>> I AGREE. >> CLARITY. GOT IT?
>> I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT ONE.
>> WE ARE NOT REALLY UP FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AT THIS TIME, BUT GIVEN THAT YOU HAVE SOME PERSPECTIVE AS A PROJECT MANAGER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO SAY. I WILL GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO CLARIFY. AGAIN, WE ARE TRYING TO FOSTER A CONVERSATIONAL SITUATION HERE.
>> I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. ENCOURAGED TO HEAR THAT YOU THINK 45 DAYS AND SORRY THAT YOU HAD TO FOLLOW OPERA ALL OF OUR COMMENTS. MY QUESTION WOULD GO BACK TO AND I THINK WE LIKE -- YEAH. LOVE ALL OF THAT AND APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT. IF ONCE AGAIN COMMUNITY PARK COMES BACK WITH A NEGATIVE TEST OR SOMETHING THAT PROHIBITS US FROM BUILDING, WE HAVE TO KEEP LOOKING AT THE MARKET, WHICH IS GREAT IF IT TAKES 45 DAYS TO BUILD IT, BUT IT TAKES FIVE MONTHS TO LAND ON A LOCATION AND WE DON'T HAVE A RINK IN OUR REASON SEASON . WE DON'T THINK THAT WE WOULD SURVIVE ONE SEASON WITHOUT HOCKEY . IF WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE SEASON OF HOCKEY , THE LEAGUE WOULD LIKELY SHUTDOWN, SO I JUST GO BACK TO THE QUESTION OF, CAN WE JUST NOT TEAR IT DOWN UNTIL WE HAVE AN ACTUAL LOCATION ? SOIL TEST AND ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ACTUALLY A YES AND NOT JUST A WE THINK, BECAUSE THAT IS GREAT AND WHERE EVERY PROJECT STARTS, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY QUESTION. DO WE REALLY HAVE TO TEAR DOWN THE EXISTING RINK PRIOR TO COMPLETION , SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY WHAT-IFS?'S
THANK YOU. >> IF WE COULD GET AN ANSWER TO
[01:00:03]
THAT. >> FOR US, IT'S A TIMING QUESTION THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO YET . I MAY GIVE YOU ANSWERS YOU DON'T LIKE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO INTENTIONALLY MISINFORM YOU. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, PHASING DEMOLITION TO NOT IMPACT YOU NOT HAVING A RINK. A FAIR RESPONSE FOR TO BE, LET US GET THE SOILS TEST, LET US FIND OUT WHAT THE RESULTS ARE, COMMUNICATE THAT AND IF WE NEED TO COME BACK IN ANOTHER PUBLIC SESSION, WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT. THAT'S ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY. IT IS A VALID CONCERN AND IT WILL NOT BE FIVE MONTHS FROM NOW. TO THAT POINT OF COUNCIL GIVING US DIRECTION, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR YOU TO HAVE FULL INFORMATION, SO IF WE RUN INTO ISSUES, WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS AND SOLUTIONS, SO YOU CAN DIRECT US
FORWARD. >> ANY OBJECTION? ONE MORE QUESTION, CITY MANAGER AND MAYBE THIS IS MOST SUITED FOR YOU, BUT THERE WAS MENTION OF AMENITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THE RINK , PLEXIGLAS AND DIFFERENT BOARDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT LEVEL OF SETUP WE MIGHT HAVE
WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE? >> IT IS FOR PLEXIGLAS WITH ALUMINUM . IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FEEDBACK AND THAT IS WHAT WE BUILT THE CURRENT COST ESTIMATE ON.
>> PLEASE. >> IT WILL BE NICER THAN WHAT THE ORIGINAL PLANS CALLED FOR AND I WANT TO MAKE THAT NOTE, BECAUSE THE PUBLIC WORKS STAFF WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO FIND THE NICEST WALLS THAT THEY COULD FIND , NICER THAN THOSE .
CHRISTOPH'S POINT, THEY WILL BE THE NICEST THAT WE COULD FIND.
>> IT WILL BE A FULL-SIZE RINK? THAT WE HAVE NOW IS TWO THIRDS OF REGULATION. WILL WE HAVE A REGULATION SIZED RINK?
>> WE ARE BASING THE SIZE ON THE KIDDIE PARK DESIGNS AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THOSE ARE FULL-SIZED . I COULD GET THE
ANSWER FOR YOU TOMORROW. >> YOU SAID YOU GAVE INPUT ON THAT. WAS THAT FULL-SIZE OR TWO THIRDS? THE SAME THAT WE HAVE TODAY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I THINK BEING A YOUTH RINK, EYELET IS MULTIGENERATIONAL. LAST QUESTION WAS HOW WE ARE IN A UNIQUE SITUATION WHERE WE ARE PROVIDING STORAGE THE LEAGUE ON THIS PROPERTY IN THE EXISTING SPACE . HAS THERE BEEN DISCUSSION BY STAFF OF WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF SOME OTHER FORMALIZED RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD INSTEAD OF A
HANDSHAKE AGREEMENT? >> THAT WOULDN'T BE FAIR FOR CHRISTOPH TO ANSWER THAT. THE REALITY IS THAT STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING WITH ALL OF OUR LICENSE HOLDERS TO DEVELOP FORMAL LICENSING AGREEMENT AND ARE OPERATING UNDER THE OLDER AGREEMENT. THE NEW AGREEMENT IS MORE FORMAL AND I COULDN'T TELL YOU SPECIFIC CONTEMPLATES WITH STORAGE, BUT IT IS AN AGREEMENT THAT THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH JOINTLY.
>> THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION AND I APPRECIATE THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 4A WITH REGARD TO THE HOCKEY RINK? NECESSARY DIRECTION? PERFECT. THANK YOU. WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO -- THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE APPRECIATE IT. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING INVOLVED AND THE CONVERSATION
WILL CONTINUE. >> WHAT ARE YOU MOVING ONTO?
SHORT-TERM RENTALS? >> WE WILL MOVE THAT TO THE LAST ITEM. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION WE MIGHT NEED TO HAVE RATHER THAN US MOVING BACK AND
[4C. Discuss updating the policies governing the Community Servies Grant Program for non-profit organizations.]
FORTH, WE WILL MOVE TO THE LAST ITEM. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 4C AND PUT YOUR COLLEAGUE ON THE SPOT. DISCUSS UPDATING THE POLICIES FOR GOVERNING THE COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS CITYMANAGER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER. I AM ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER HERE IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT . I AM HERE TO DISCUSS THE NON-PROFIT PROGRAM.
ORIGINALLY BOUGHT TO A WORKSHOP IN 2023 BY THEN MAYOR. THE
[01:05:04]
REASONING FOR THAT COMING FORWARD WAS TO STANDARDIZE OUR PROCESS. SAID AT THE TIME THAT WE WERE ACTUALLY JUST TAKING REQUESTS AND NOT HAVING A FORMALIZED PROCESS. AT THE TIME OF THE PRESENTATION, DEPUTY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER BRITT MOORE WHO WERE ACTUALLY ON COUNCIL AT THAT POINT AND I BELIEE THAT OTHERS WERE ACTUALLY NEW TO COUNCIL AND I WANT YOU A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. SEVERAL DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS HERE HISTORICAL FUNDING BACK TO 2021 AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT HAS INCREASED FROM 65,000 UP TO LAST YEAR OR THIS CURRENT YEAR THAT WE ARE IN OF $206,000. IT WAS TO ADDRESS WILL REQUEST AS I STATED TO ALSO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY FOR THE CRITERIA OR GUIDELINES TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THIS FUNDING AND PART OF THE CRITERIA WAS THAT YOU COULD NOT ACTUALLY APPLY FOR SOMETHING THAT THE CITY WAS ALREADY TAKING CARE OF IN THE GENERAL FUND, SUCH AS PARKS OR DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. ALSO, SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF WHAT IT HAD TO ATTEST TO AND SPECIFICALLY WAS PUBLIC SAFETY, BEAUTIFICATION AND VERY LIMITED TO WHO COULD APPLY AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED. THEY WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND PROVIDE CONSISTENT VENDORS AND ALSO HAVE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS TO MAKE IT SIMPLE OR EASIER FOR THOSE THAT WOULD WANT TO APPLY FOR THIS TYPE OF GRANT. DURING THAT CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, THERE WAS DISCUSSION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT TO BRING EVERYONE UP TO SPEED. THE BOARD WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GRANTS WOULD BE SEPARATE AND APART FROM BOARD MANAGEMENTS AND SPECIFICALLY THE ONE THAT WAS THE HUMANITIES BOARD, WHICH WAS BROUGHT FORWARD BY MAYOR BRITTON AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PARTICULAR GRANT AND YOU ALL JUST APPROVED IT AT THE LAST WORKSHOP, WHICH WAS SEPARATE AND THAT WAS THE CASE. WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE APPLICATION PROCESS WAS SET FORTH WHERE THE APPLICATIONS WOULD COME INTO THE CITY'S OFFICE AND THEY SAID THERE WOULD BE A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND IT WOULD COME TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL ACTION. I THINK THE DEPUTY MAYOR WAS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT COMING FORWARD TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL AND NOT HAVING ANYONE AT THE SUBCOMMITTEE LEVEL BE ABLE TO DISQUALIFY ANY GRANT, SO THE WAY THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT IT ALL JUST CAME DIRECTLY TO THE CITY COUNCIL , SO THE REASON WHY THE PORTION IS IN RED IS BECAUSE THE CURRENT STAFF IS SUGGESTING TO ELIMINATE THE SUBCOMMITTEE AND JUST BRING IT ALL TO THE A SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW IT ING- FIRST. THEY ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS TRANSPARENCY IN APPLICATIONS. I BELIEVE THIS IS ALSO DEPUTY MAYOR WHO WANTED TO KNOW IF AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION WAS STILL PRESENTED TO COUNCIL. AT THE CURRENT READING OF THE ACTUAL POLICY, IT SAYS THAT AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED ESSENTIALLY FOR FUNDING, BUT THAT THE APPLICATION CAN BE BROUGHT FORTH, SO THAT YOU KNOW THEY DID THE. I WANTED TO POINT THEM OUT IN CASE YOU WANTED TO MAKE A CHANGE ON THAT PARTICULAR BULLET POINT . ADDITIONALLY, THEY WANT TO ESTABLISH THE TIMELINE FOR THE APPLICATION THAT WOULD BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUDGET CYCLE AND THAT IT WOULD BE SET BY STAFF WHEN THE APPLICATION WOULD OPEN OR CLOSE. WE ANTICIPATE THAT NORMALLY IN JUNE, YOU ALL LOOK AT THE BOARD REQUEST AND APPROVAL OF THOSE REQUESTS, WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME TIME YOU WOULD LOOK AT THESE PARTICULAR GRANTS IN THAT REQUEST. THE ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS A REPORT SUBMITTED AND THAT THE CITY HAD FULL ACCESS TO DO AN AUDIT, WHETHER IT WAS FOR EXTERNAL AUDITORS OR BY CITY STAFF. WE HAVE ASSURED THAT ALL OF THOSE ITEMS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE CURRENT POLICY AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE ADDED INTO THE POLICY IS TO CLARIFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WHERE WE ARE OPENING IT UP TO ALL 501(C)(3) NONPROFITS THAT ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OR AT LEAST HAVE A PRINCIPAL OFFICE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS . WE ARE EXPANDING REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION OF GRANT RELATED EXPENDITURES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT INFORMATION , BUT RIGHT NOW THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT ANY OF THAT INFORMATION. WE DID ADD A STRONGER LINK REGARDING AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE AND WE ALSO ADDED[01:10:05]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING QUALIFICATION GRILL CLARIFICATION OF USE. PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COST OR SALARIES , CAPITAL EXPENSES AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED OR NOTED AS IN ELIGIBLE EXPENSES , THEN WE HAVE INCLUDED A DEFINED TIMELINE OF THESE UPDATES TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC DOLLARS AND THINK WITH CLARITY FOR APPLICANTS AND CONSISTENCY AND REVIEW IN MEASURABLE OUTCOMES. OUR NEXT STEPS ARE TO GO TO COUNCIL TOMORROW WITH THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE POLICIES AND APPLICATION PROCESS . AT THIS POINT, I WELCOME ANYQUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK. >> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. THE ONLY QUESTION I HAD WAS HOW YOU SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED DUPLICATION OF CITY PROGRAMS AND I WAS WONDERING , IS THAT UP TO THE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE WHAT DUPLICATION CITY PROGRAMS MIGHT LOOK LIKE? IS THAT OUR JURISDICTION?
>> THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM IS YOUR JURISDICTION. PROCESS THE
APPLICATION TO YOU. >> I WANT TO BE SURE WE WOULDN'T SEE SOME IN, BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE DEEMED TO DUPLICATE A CITY PROGRAM THAT CAN BE INTERPRETED IN A NUMBER OF
DIFFERENT WAYS. >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. THE ANNUAL REPORTING THAT THEY NEED TO DO , WHEN IS THAT DO? WHEN IS THE ANNUAL REPORTING IN THAT PROCESS?
>> THE ACTUAL PERIOD OF TIME FOR THEM TO EXPAND THE FUNDS OUR FISCAL YEAR. FROM OCTOBER TO SEPTEMBER. THE ANNUAL REPORT YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO WOULD BE THE YEAR TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING, SO WE ARE LOOKING AT OCTOBER TO THE LATEST NOVEMBER.
>> IT WOULD BE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR , SO WHEN WE COME INTO BUDGET THIS YEAR, WE WOULD HAVE THEIR PREVIOUS YEARS
EXPENDITURES? >> AND ASK FOR CLARITY ? SECTION 4.3 OF THE FUNDING AGREEMENT , IT SAYS THAT THE CONTRACTOR MUST USE GRANT FUNDING BETWEEN JANUARY 1ST AND SEPTEMBER 30TH.
SHOULD THAT BE OCTOBER 1ST? >> YES, SIR.
>> SHOULD THE COUNCIL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, WE WOULD NEED THAT CORRECTED BEFORE TOMORROW'S MEETING. GO AHEAD.
>> IN REGARDS TO THE INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS, MY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT A LOT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE SMALL. THEY ARE NOT EXACTLY FULLY PROFESSIONAL. THEY DON'T HAVE STAFF WHO KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT GRANT APPLICATIONS CORRECTLY , SO MY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT IF AN APPLICATION COMES IN AND THEY HAVE LEFT OUT SOMETHING MINOR , EXACTLY HOW DO WE ENFORCE THAT? HOW STRICTLY? WITH THE STAFF GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO COMPLETE THAT BEFORE OUT OF HAND DISMISSING IT?
>> YES, THAT IS THE WAY I INTERPRET YOUR COMMUNICATION .
MY THOUGHTS ARE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A DEADLINE THAT IS WELL AHEAD OF THE JUNE DATE THAT WE WOULD BRING FORTH TO MEET WITH THE CITY COUNCIL , WHICH WOULD GIVE STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE BACK AND FORTH WITH THOSE THAT SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE ABOUT ANY INFORMATION . IF THEY ARE ABLE TO BRING FORTH INFORMATION, WE WOULD SUBMIT IT TO YOU AS AN ENTIRE PACKET AND IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BRING FORTH THE INFORMATION TO THE DAY OF THE MEETING , THEN BY THAT TIME I WOULD SAY THAT THIS WAS SUBMITTED AS OF LATE, BUT HERE IT IS. IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE THE PACKET , THEN IT WILL BE INCOMPLETE PACKET. WE WOULD HOPE TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE BACK AND FORTH WITH THEM AND TRY TO GET INFORMATION.
>> I HAD A COMMENT AND NOT REALLY A QUESTION, BUT A COMMENT AS TO WHETHER WE MIGHT WANT TO REVISIT THAT PROVISION THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAD TO BE HEADQUARTERED IN THE CITY IF IT'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS A PROGRAM THAT EXCLUSIVELY BENEFITS THE CITY AND WE WOULD REQUIRE THAT ALL OF THE FUNDS, GRANT FUNDS THAT WE GAVE HIM WOULD BE SPENT IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, BUT I KNOW WE HAVE SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT DON'T QUITE MAKE THE HEADQUARTER IN THE CITY REQUIREMENT, BUT A LOT OF GOOD
WORK HERE IN THE CITY. >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I DON'T
[01:15:05]
KNOW THAT IT'S CRITICAL TO ME THAT THEY AREN'T PART OF IT AS LONG AS THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING EXPENDED FOR THE BENEFIT OFROWLETT. >> THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS LATER. I'M NOT A STICKLER ON IF THE ORGANIZATION
HAS TO BE HOUSED . >> I THINK WERE COMING BACK WITH AN ORDINANCE TOMORROW, SO WE WOULD NEED TO GIVE HER SOME
GUIDANCE. >> YOU ASKED THE QUESTION I WAS THINKING. THESE APPLICATIONS WILL COME TO STAFF FIRST, SO THERE WOULD BE A LEVEL OF ACCURACY OR WHATEVER BEFORE IT
COMES TO THE COUNCIL. >> I AGREE WITH DEPUTY MAYOR . I DON'T THINK THAT THE 501(C)(3) NECESSARILY MUST BE HEADQUARTERED IN ROWLETT. OF COURSE, THE FUNDS MUST BE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIES OF ROWLETT.
>> I WILL WORK WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY AND I HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN WITH HER JUST IN CASE THIS CAME UP, BECAUSE I NOTED IT A SHORT TIME. I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO ADJUST THE MOTION WHEN WE MAKE IT TOMORROW OR WHEN YOU MAKE IT TOMORROW TO INCLUDE THE ITEMS YOU POINTED OUT TODAY, THEN WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE
FORWARD. >> ANY OBJECTION TO MAKING THAT CHANGE OPERATING -- THE BULLET POINT WOULD BE PRIMARY OFFICE LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS , WHICH WOULD BE STRUCK FROM A
REQUIREMENT . >> JUST A QUESTION . HOW FAR OUT DO WE GO? 5013C FROM WASHINGTON STATE? SHOULD THERE BE GUARDRAILS ON IT? I DON'T KNOW. SOME SORT OF GEOGRAPHICAL LIMITATION , BECAUSE IF YOU OPEN IT UP AND I'M NOT SAYING YAY OR NAY, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE THOUGHT THROUGH A LITTLE BIT IF YOU ARE GOING TO OPEN THINGS UP AND SAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN ROWLETT, BUT THAT MEANS YOU CAN BE ANYWHERE.
>> WHAT ABOUT TEXAS. >> I THINK ONE THING THAT THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION IS THAT WE ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS FROM THE AREA. WE DO THAT VERY INTENTIONALLY AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THE SOLUTION, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THE COUNCIL IS THE ONE THAT IS BETTING APPLICATIONS AND MAKING A DETERMINATION ON WHETHER WE AWARDED A GRANT. IF WE FIND AN ORGANIZATION FROM WASHINGTON STATE , BECAUSE IT'S NOT PROHIBITED, WE STILL HAVE THE OPTION TO SAY NO THANK YOU.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE GUARDRAILS.
>> WE ARE THAT GUARDRAIL FOR THIS PURPOSE.
>> IS THERE AN ACTUAL OBJECT DEFINITION ?
>> IT'S NOT ANYMORE FURTHER DEFINED, BUT IT'S USUALLY WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT KIDS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT WAY IT DOESN'T EXPLICITLY SAY THAT HAS TO BE FROM ROCKWALL ISD OR IT MIGHT BE SOMEBODY WHO LIVES HERE AND HAS A KID THAT GOES TO SCHOOL IN DALLAS OR SUNNYVALE. IT'S TO LIMIT IT, BUT NOT SO MUCH LIMIT IT THAT PEOPLE FROM OUR AREA CAN'T STILL APPLY.
ABSOLUTELY. >> I AGREE , BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS A BUTTERFLY ORGANIZATION IN WASHINGTON STATE WHO WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR A BUTTERFLY SITE IN ROWLETT . YOU ARE FROM WASHINGTON. WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU. NO, I THINK
WE WOULD WANT TO TALK TO THEM. >> SURE.
>> YEAH. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? >> CAN WE GET CLARITY ON THE AMENDMENT WE NEED TO MAKE TO IT BEING LOCATED IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT? AND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE JUST STRIKE IT COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY OTHER PARAMETERS?
>> ANY OBJECTION TO STRIKING THAT REQUIREMENT COMPLETELY?
>> AS LONG AS WE HAVE THE REQUIREMENT BEING FOR EXPENDED
FOR THE BENEFIT OF ROWLETT. >> THAT DOES NOT CHANGE. THAT IS
A SEPARATE REQUIREMENT. >> DOES THAT GIVE YOU ALL OF THE INFORMATION? FIX THAT ONE SPOT. I THINK WE ARE GOOD TO GO. THIS IS A PUT TOGETHER PROGRAM AND I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WAS YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ON YOUR TEAM, BUT IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE AND BETTER THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, SO I APPRECIATE STAFFS
[4D. Discuss potential fee waivers, reduced fees and/or participation in programs to provide senior citizens with financial savings regarding city services and amenities.]
WORK ON THIS. WITH THAT, IF THERE'S NO OTHER COMMENT, WE WILL MOVED TO ITEM 4D. DISCUSS POTENTIAL FEE WAIVERS, REDUCED[01:20:09]
FEES AND/OR PRODUCE FISHING AND PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE SENIOR CITIZENS WITH FINANCIAL SAVINGS REGARDING CITY SERVICES ANDAMENITIES. >> AS SOON AS I GET MY PRESENTATION. THERE IT IS. CAN JUST DO THIS FROM HERE I GUESS.
I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA , BECAUSE WE TALKED A WHILE BACK .
THERE IS AN ITEM THAT CAME TO THE COUNCIL REQUESTING TO INCREASE SOME FEES, PARTICULARLY THE RCC FEE INCLUDING THE SENIOR CITIZENS FEE AND THE COUNCIL CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT THE OTHER CITIES DO FOR SENIOR CITIZENS . THIS IS JUST TO OPEN US UP FOR DISCUSSION AND PROBABLY NOT TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS TONIGHT, AND I'M NOT NECESSARILY SAYING THAT I'M PROPOSING WE DO ALL OF THESE , BUT THESE ARE POSSIBILITIES I THINK THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. IF WE WOULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THE SENIOR POPULATION IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 9000 OR 12,000 OVER 55 DEPENDING ON THE SOURCE AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT SOURCES WITH NUMBERS, BUT IT IS SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE AND ABOUT 11 .6% OR AROUND 8000 PEOPLE OVER 65 ACCORDING TO EXPENSES IN 2023. WITH HOUSING ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITIES WHERE WE HAVE SENIORS LIVING THERE. IT IS NOT A HUGE POPULATION, BUT SIGNIFICANT POPULATION AND A POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO IN MANY CASES HAVE LIVED IN ROWLETT FOR 30, 40 OR 50 YEARS OR MAYBE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES. I THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING AT WHETHER WE CAN, ESPECIALLY WITH NEW BUDGET COMING UP SOON, WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE JUST TO HELP THEM ALONG , BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW INFLATION, COST OF LIVING AND ALL OF THAT IS TOUCHING ALL OF US, BUT THOSE PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOME MORE THAN THE REST OF US.
NEXT SLIDE. NOT HAVING A CLICKER IS STRANGE. THE AARP OF AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL LET IS A MEMBER OF AND A GOOD PROGRAM THAT IS THERE TO ENCOURAGE CITY OFFICIALS TO ENACT PROGRAMS -- THANK YOU. THAT WILL BE MORE AMENABLE TO THEIR SENIOR CITIZENS AND GIVE SENIOR CITIZENS MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOCIALIZE. WE KNOW THAT ISOLATION IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH OLDER PEOPLE AND THINGS THAT CITIES CAN DO TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE. THERE WAS NO FEE TO JOIN THIS. WHAT IT DID REQUIRE WAS LETTER OF COMMITMENT TO THE CITY'S HIGH SCHOOL ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHICH WAS AT THE TIME AND SHE DID PROVIDE THAT LETTER AND ALSO SUGGESTS , BUT DOESN'T REQUIRE A COUNCIL RESOLUTION AND ENCOURAGES THOSE AGE FRIENDLY INITIATIVES AND CITY INVESTMENT IN PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT SENIORS. WE DID HAVE THAT IN 2020 AND ROWLETT BECAME A MEMBER. AT THAT TIME, WE DEVELOP WHAT WAS CALLED A ROWLETT AGE FRIENDLY FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN , WHICH CAME TO THE COUNCIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND WE REALLY HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT WAS EVEN COUNCILMEMBER BOWERS AND SCHUPP ARE ELECTED, WHICH I KNOW WAS AFTER COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON AND WERE HERE. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT WHAT THAT SAYS. SEE WHETHER WE ARE ACTUALLY IPLEMENTING IT AND WHERE WE ARE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS , BECAUSE IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WENT THROUGH 2025, WHICH WAS THIS YEAR, HARD TO BELIEVE . ACCORDING TO COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON, YOU SAID THAT SENIOR BOARD IS ACTUALLY NEXT YEAR.
[01:25:08]
>> WE JUST STARTED YEAR FOR, SO I ASKED FOR DETAILS ON WHERE WE ARE AT. IT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OTHER THAN STAFF DRIVEN INITIATIVE AND IT INVOLVES A NUMBER STAFFS. THEY ARE CURRENTLY EVALUATING . AT SOME POINT, MAYBE WE CAN GET THAT ON AN AGENDA ITEM OUR DISCUSSION TO GET A FULL REVIEW . MAYBE WE HAVE SOME TIME AND IF IT WAS DONE IN 20, THEN 25 WOULD BE
YEAR FIVE. >> THAT'S WHAT IT SAID . 2023 2025. NOT SURE WHERE THAT GOT. MAYBE 2020 PUT ON HOLD. THAT'S JUST PART OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TODAY AND PART OF THE LONGER-TERM INITIATIVES THAT I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT. WE ALREADY HAVE A NUMBER OF AMENITIES THAT WE OFFER TO OUR SENIORS, SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THEM. WE HAVE OUR SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH IS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE COUNCIL AND THEY COME TO US ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND SOMETIMES MORE OFTEN THAN NOT TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW WHAT PROGRAMS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL AND COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON IS THE LIAISON TO THE LORD. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO ADD, I WANT TO TO JUMP IN.
>> WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF THE YEAR IN TERMS OF SEMINARS? TRIED TO COME UP WITH SOME VERY GOOD SEMINARS THAT ADDRESS SENIOR NEEDS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MORNING AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT IS THAT THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD, I ENCOURAGE THEM TO INITIATE ANYTHING IN OUR CITY. WE ARE GOING TO START AND I THINK WE HAVE ONE UP FOR APRIL, THE FIRST COUNCIL MEETING WHERE WE WILL START RECOGNIZING THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR CITY WHO HAVE REACHED 100 YEARS AND OUR FIRST ONE WILL BE 105, SO THAT IS SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN DO ON A FAIRLY ROUTINE BASIS. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ARE OUT THERE, BUT WE PROBABLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE. >> THAT MAKES SENSE. WE HAVE THE BOARD. WE HAVE A DISCOUNT ON RCC . I WENT THE WRONG WAY. WE HAVE A DISCOUNT ON MEMBERSHIP AND RELEVANT COMMUNITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS TO PAY $10 AND TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MINIMAL AMOUNT, BUT JUST SOME OF THE SENIORS WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOMES AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES THAT KEEP UP WITH INFLATION WITH PENSIONS OR SOCIAL SECURITY, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THEIR BUDGET. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE FREE MEMBERSHIP OR HOWEVER WE DEFINE THAT. WE DEFINE THAT AS A 55 OR 65 OR OVER 60, WHICH WOULD BE UP TO US. THEY DO OFFER FREE MEMBERSHIPS . SINCE THEY ARE ONLY PAYING $10 TO BEGIN WITH AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE A HUGE BITE OUT OF THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR US TO DO THAT AND HAVE A LOT OF IMPACT ON THEM AND THEIR BUDGET THE CITY'S BUDGET. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS GOING TO PROPOSE. WE DO HAVE A LOT OF SENIOR ACTIVITIES AND WE HAVE PROGRAMS AND A LOT OF THEM THAT ARE FREE. SOME OF THEM DO REQUIRE , BUT WE DO OFFER A LOT OF THAT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US OFFER MORE . WE RAISED THE PET REGISTRATION FEE, WHICH IS A REALLY GOOD THING, BECAUSE A LOT OF STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT HAVING PETS HELPS KEEP SENIOR CITIZENS HEALTHIER AND RESULTS IN LONGER LIFESPAN. WE HAVE THE ONE DOLLAR DISCOUNT ON THE TRASH SERVICE . IT SEEMS LIKE A TINY AMOUNT AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE, BUT IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN SOMEONE IS ON A TIGHT BUDGET. THE DART DAY PASSES ARE ANOTHER AMENITY THAT WE HAVE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. WE HAVE AN OVER 65 PROPERTY TAX
[01:30:01]
EXEMPTION OF $30,000 PLUS A FREEZE ON PROPERTY TAXES FOR THOSE OVER 65 , WHICH FALLS AND IS BETTER FOR SOME CITIES AND IT'S NOT AS GOOD AS OTHERS. DOLLARS HAS $139,400 AND EIGHT JUST RECENTLY INCREASED THERE IS TO $50,000 PLUS THE FREEZE AND THEY ARE SMALLER THAN WE ARE. THAT IS SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO AS WE GO INTO THE NEW BUDGET YEAR OF THE 2026 BUDGET. WE DO SOME THINGS. WE DO SOME GOOD THINGS. AND ASKING, CAN WE DO MORE? THESE ARE JUST SUGGESTIONS AND ARE FOR DISCUSSION OR FOR THE COUNCIL TO THINK ABOUT. TO BRING BACK ANOTHER MEETING AND AT BUDGET TIME . IT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO GET OUT THERE. IN THE SHORT-TERM AND MIDTERM, IT WOULD BE EASY AND QUICK TO FURTHER REDUCE THE WHETSTONE FEE. WHAT ABOUT REDUCING IT FROM $10 TO FIVE DOLLARS. IT WOULDN'T BE AN IMPACT ON CITY BUDGET MORE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AND MAY BE AT MORE LOCATIONS RATHER THAN JUST THE RCC. A LOT OF THE CITIES OFFER FREE LUNCHES TO THE SENIORS ON A DAILY BASIS AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.SOMETHING HAS COME UP RECENTLY AND SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE ALSO GOTTEN AN EMAIL ABOUT IT. QUESTIONS ABOUT MORE HANDICAP PARKING AND I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE THE GOLF COURSE TO TAKE SENIORS FROM THEIR CARS TO THE BUILDING , BUT THE ONES WHO ARE DRIVING THEMSELVES, MAYBE THEY CAN MAKE IT FROM THE HANDICAP PARKING PLACE. THAT IS SOMETHING WE MIGHT THINK ABOUT.
I KNOW THAT PARKING IS TIGHT DURING EVENTS, SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT. THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS I GOT FROM TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SENIORS.
MORE EASILY NAVIGATED ONLINE RESOURCES. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, NOT ALL SENIORS ARE COMPUTER ILLITERATE. A LOT OF THEM DO USE THE INTERNET AND THE WEB A LOT, BUT OUR WEBSITE IS NOT THE GREATEST IN A LOT OF AREAS. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FIND RESOURCES AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT WE HAVE THEM OR KNOW THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER TAX EXEMPTION INCREASE IN THE 2026 BUDGET. LONG-TERM, FOR A LONG TIME, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE WOULD LOVE TO PROVIDE A DEDICATED SENIOR CENTER, BUT WE HAVE NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO BUILD A BUILDING. NOW THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO BUILD A NEW MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, WE WILL HAVE SOME BUILDINGS THAT WILL BE VACATED AND I KNOW SOME ARE NOT IN THE CONDITION THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO EASILY, QUICKLY OR INEXPENSIVELY FIX THEM UP FOR SENIOR CENTER, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE AND SEE IF THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF REPURPOSING THOSE TO PROVIDE A DEDICATED. THE ASK IS TO DISCUSS THESE THINGS, CONSIDER SOME OF THE SHORTER-TERM LOW-COST ADDITIONAL AMENITIES FOR SENIORS AND MAYBE TWO APPOINTED A SUBCOMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD , COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON IS A GREAT LIAISON , BUT THE MORE PEOPLE YOU HAVE WORKING ON SOMETHING UP TO A POINT, THE MORE YOU CAN GET DONE. THAT IS JUST SOMETHING I WANT TO THROW OUT THERE AND MAYBE THOSE MEMBERS CAN WORK WITH TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR PART OF OF THE FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN IN TERMS OF REVIEWING IT, DISCUSSING POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING IT. THAT IS THE STAFF'S JOB. REPORTING ON IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS AND HELP DEVELOP A 2026 OR 2027, WHICHEVER IT IS PLAN . ANOTHER PLAN TO CITE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO AFTER WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING ? FIRST OF ALL, HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED EVERYTHING WE ATTENDED INTENDED? HAVE THINGS CHANGED? DO WE NEED TO REVISE SOME GOALS THAT WE HAD ? ALIGN
[01:35:03]
THIS PLAN WITH OUR OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN , THEN FINALLY EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR THE DEDICATED SENIOR CENTER. THAT'S MY PRESENTATION. LIKE I SAID, THE REASON I BROUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WANTED TO START THE CONVERSATION, SO THAT MAYBE DEFINITELY BY THE TIME I GO INTO THE BUDGET, WE WOULD HAVE SOME OF THIS ON OUR MINDS AND BE ABLE TO THINK ABOUT AND MAYBE STAFF COULD BRING BACK SOME IDEAS AND ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THESE WOULD COST AND THAT KIND OF THING . THAT'S MY PART.>> THANK YOU. DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS?
>> THIS IS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND I DO SEE HOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS. SILVER SNEAKERS, RENEW ACTIVE. THEY QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE. IS THERE A WAY TO SYSTEMATICALLY INCORPORATE MEDICARE BENEFITS INTO THIS WHERE THE SENIORS ARE STILL NOT COMING OUT OF POCKET , BUT BEING COMPENSATED IN SOME WAY? ? CAN WE LOOK INTO THAT? I DON'T EXPECT ANYONE TO HAVE THAT ANSWER, BUT SOMETHING TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN OFFSET.
>> THOSE ARE PROGRAMS THAT A LOT OF OUR SURROUNDING CITIES ARE INVOLVED IN, SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. WE
CAN LOOK TO THEM I THINK. >> I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS. THE PARKS AND RECREATION , THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE 70% SELF FUNDED.
ONLY 30% OF THE COST FOR PARKS PROGRAMMING CAN COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND. ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO
CHANGE THAT PERCENTAGE? >> I BELIEVE THAT IS ESTABLISHED
BY ORDINANCE. >> I WOULD BE WILLING TO LOOK AT. I DO THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE I HAVE MY GRAY HAIR AND I'M OVER 62 AND THEN IN THIS COHORT OF PEOPLE, BUT AS A SENIOR, I WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO REDUCE ANY SERVICES AND OUR SCHOOL AGED PROGRAMMING TO OFFSET SENIOR DECREASES IN SENIOR COSTS. STUDENT THAT WASN'T WHAT I WAS SUGGESTING
FOR SOME >> SOMETIMES IT'S A GAME, SO I'M JUST PUTTING MY TWO CENTS IN. I THINK THAT -- I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR A SEPARATE FACILITY. IF YOU ARE AT THE RCC ANYWHERE FROM 7:00 TO 2:00, IT IS ONLY SENIOR CITIZENS . THEY MIGHT BE ON THE CHAMBER LUNCHEON'S OCCASIONAL PARTIES OR SOMETHING. THE CHILDREN ARE YOUNG ADULTS AND THEY DON'T COME IN UNTIL AFTER 2:00. I WOULD REALLY HESITATE TO WANT TO SPEND ALL OF THE COST TO RUN THE SECOND BUILDING AND HAVE
IT EMPTY OPENING UNTIL 2:00. >> I'M GLAD THERE'S NO ONE GROUP AROUND HERE AND I KNOW I WILL PROBABLY BE UNPOPULAR THIS.
I DO THINK THAT THE SENIOR TAX IS IMPORTANT AND I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT 100%. , BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SENIOR TEXT PHRASE IN 2023 WAS OVER $2 MILLION TO THE GENERAL FUND. I CERTAINLY WANT TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT WE CAN , BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO REMEMBER OUR YOUNG FAMILIES , SO THAT WOULD BE
MINE. >> I WILL MAKE A FEW COMMENTS.
THE TIMING OF THIS ITEM IS NOT LOST ON ME. LIKE I MAY HAVE HEARD A CAMPAIGN SPEECH' THINGS WE WANT TO DO. IT'S NOT BUDGET SEASON YET AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE BUDGET FOCUSED AND BUDGET STRUCTURE. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE
[01:40:03]
TO THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD TO MAKE SOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AND SOME DECISION AND BRING THINGS BACK TO US. WHAT I DIDN'T HEAR A LOT OF RIGHT NOW IS EXAMPLES FROM OTHER CITIES THAT GIVE US ON WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING AND WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING IN TERMS OF THE EXEMPTIONS. THAT'S GREAT , BUT I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE OTHER CITIES ARE THAT ARE PROVIDING THE ZERO COST FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND WHAT DIFFERENT CITIES ARE DOING BASED ON DIFFERENT PROGRAMMATIC COSTS AND DISCOUNTS TO SEE WILL BE STUCK UP, BECAUSE I'M CERTAINLY IN SUPPORT OF PROVIDING A FEE STRUCTURE. I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE INFORMATION TO MOVE DOWN THAT PATH AND THE AGENDA ITEM AND RECOMMENDED ACTION IS TO CONSIDER WAITING FOR THE REDUCING THESE THAT THE SENIOR CITIZENS PAY . IF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE NATION FOR THAT TODAY. THAT'S MY COMMENT.>> THE FREE LUNCHES DELIVERED, THOSE ARE ACTUALLY DELIVERED BY MEALS ON WHEELS. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE CITY -- I DON'T THINK THE CITY PROVIDES THOSE. I THINK IT'S IN GARLAND THAT HAS THAT.
>> IF I COULD ASK ONE QUESTION AND IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP AND I'M NOT PARTICULARLY TAKING A SIDE , BUT MAYBE BECAUSE I'M OLDER. 55 SEEMS ON THE YOUNG SIDE, ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EACH DISCOUNTS OR COMPLETELY SUPPLEMENTING THE EXPENSES . I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE THAT AS WE LOOK AT WHAT KIND OF DISCOUNTS WE ARE GIVING AND EVERYTHING , I THINK WE NEED TO BE SOMEWHAT CONSCIOUS OF WHAT EXACT PORTION OF THE POPULATION , WHETHER IT IS 60 OR 65 OR 90 OR WHATEVER.
>> I AGREE. I WOULD BE FINE IF WE MOVED THE AGE FOR THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD DOWN TO 55, BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE 55, YOU ARE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT THAT. I DO THINK THAT 62 , SINCE I'M THERE, I WOULD CONSIDER THE CORRECT AGE FOR ANY DISCOUNTS.
>> 62 ALSO AND GOING BACK TO MAYBE THE MEDICARE DISCUSSION , IT DOVETAILS WITH THAT, SO THERE IS REASONING THAT COULD GO INTO WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO DO THAT ALSO.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT FORWARD AND WE WILL NOT HASH AT ALL HERE TONIGHT. THIS IS TO TEE UP FOR THE FUTURE TO TALK ABOUT AND WHETHER WE CAN OR NOT I DON'T KNOW. THE EFFORT TO TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN FOR SENIORS AND I AM ONE, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO ABSTAIN ON A VOTE WITHOUT. JUST DOING WHAT WE CAN
FOR SENIORS IS THE RIGHT THING. >> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD PUT IN THE HANDS OF STAFF IN THE PARKS BOARD? I THINK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO WHAT I WISH THIS ITEM WAS, BECAUSE IT WENT DOWN THAT ROAD WAS A STATUS UPDATE ON THE AARP PROGRAM THAT
WE HAVE GOING >> THAT WAS PART OF THE REQUEST.
>> ARE WE ASKING STAFF TO DO THAT AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM ? WHERE ARE WE GOING WITH THAT? THAT'S NOT A CONSULATE PROCESS.
THE COUNCIL APPROVED THAT. THE REQUEST ALSO WAS TO CONSIDER APPOINTING COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD. AS A COUNCIL , I WOULD RATHER APPOINT ASSIGNMENT TO THE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AND SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD TO JOINTLY WORK ON THOSE ISSUES WITH STAFF AND SEE WHAT OPTIONS THEY COULD COME UP WITH, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE THE RIGHT PEOPLE HAVING THE RIGHT CONVERSATIONS , GIVING SOME GUIDEPOSTS TO KEEP THEM ON THE PATH, IF YOU WILL. LET THEM KNOW THAT THE GOAL HERE IS TO PROVIDE FAIR AND COMPETITIVE PROGRAMMING WITH WHAT OTHER CITIES PROVIDE AND TO EXPLORE OPTIONS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WE OFFER
[01:45:01]
TODAY WITH PROGRAMS OR DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES. THAT'S MY TWOCENTS. ANY OTHER FEEDBACK? >> I THINK THAT WOULD BE A FINE IDEA. I DO THINK THE PARKS BOARD NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED, BECAUSE THEY CERTAINLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE RCC.
>> I THINK THOSE ARE APPROPRIATE AND I DO THINK THAT THERE PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE SOME DEFINITION FOR EACH BOARD OF WHAT THEY WILL BE TALKING ABOUT . YOU ARE TALKING MOD FEES AND THINGS THAT ARE DEFINITELY --. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE IT FAIRLY STRUCTURED WHERE WE ARE NOT JUST TELLING THEM TO GIVE ALL YOUR IDEAS ON THIS AND END UP WITH A MASH OF STUFF AND I'M FINE. I THINK HAVING A SUBCOMMITTEE AND WORKING WITH THOSE ARE GREAT. I THINK WE HAVE TO DEFINE A MISSION FOR EACH OF THOSE BOARDS, SO WHEN WE GET TO TALKING ABOUT IT, WE ARE NOT
GOING BUDGET TRAILS. >> WHICH WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT
A COMMITTEE COULD DO. >> COULD WE HAVE TWO LIAISONS TO THOSE BOARDS WORKING TOGETHER AS A PSEUDO-SUBCOMMITTEE?
COORDINATE THE PLAN OF ATTACKS? >> IF YOU NEED MY HELP, I WOULD
OFFER ASSISTANCE, AS WELL. >> ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT IDEA?
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INCLUDED, BECAUSE E WILL ONLY BE THE LIAISON AND MAKE SURE THAT WE EXECUTE.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO RELY ON STAFF FOR THAT INFORMATION , BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY -- STAFF HAS PARTNERS IN OTHER CITIES DEPARTMENTS AND THEY CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND FRANK CONVERSATIONS ABOUT FEE STRUCTURES AND WHETHER THE COUNCIL IS LEANING, UP, DOWN OR SIDEWAYS AND ADDING PROGRAMS .
MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE INSIDE WHAT WE CAN GET BASED ON THE CITY'S RESEARCH WEBSITE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THAT ITEM?
[4B. Discuss proposed revisions to the regulation of Short-Term Rental use within the City. ]
WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 4B. PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL USE WITHIN THE CITY. WE NEED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THIS TIME. OKAY. WE WILL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE WORK ROOM. FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL RESUME REGULAR SESSION IN THE WORK ROOM , SO WE WILL MAKE SURE WE COME AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT WE WILL BE RESUMING OUR REGULAR SESSION FOLLOWING THAT EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT WE WILL CONCLUDE THE MEETING IN THE OTHER ROOM , SO WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND HAVE DISCUSSION AND TAKE ADVICE FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY, THEN BACK TO REGULAR SESSION TO DISCUSS THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ITEM 4B PRINT AS AUTHORIZED BY OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THIS MEETING WILL BE ENCLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION ON AGENDA ITEM 4B AND WE WILL CONVENE IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES IN THE WORK ROOM>> CITY COUNCIL HAS CONCLUDED EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:22 P.M.
AND WE WILL RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION DISCUSSING ITEM 4B. PROPOSED REVISION TO REVELATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL USE. AS MENTIONED, WE WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I WAS MADE AWARE THAT WE NEEDED LEGAL ADVICE FROM OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WHICH HAPPENED LITERALLY TONIGHT AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT BEFORE THIS MEETING. I APPRECIATE THE ADVICE AND WHAT SHE SHARED WITH US AND I WILL MAKE A STATEMENT TO THAT AFFECT. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF ROWLETT HAS BEEN CONSIDERING AND ACTING ROLES AGAINST SHORT-TERM RENTALS,WHICH LIMIT THE LOCATION OF THEM TO DISTRICTS WITHIN CITY LIMITS. WE WERE MADE AWARE TONIGHT OF A FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS DECISION, WHICH APPEARS TO WEAKEN OUR ABILITY TO ENFORCE ANY SUCH ORDINANCE. THE ORDINANCE INCLUDED WITH TONIGHT'S PACKET DOES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND CONTROLS AGAINST SHORT-TERM RENTALS. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY DISTRICT RESTRICTIONS THAT MIGHT LIMIT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE AWAITING THE OUTCOME AND OTHER PENDING LITIGATION THAT WILL HELP GUIDE DECISION-MAKING BEYOND THE CONTROLS THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING. WITH THAT, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER IS GOING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS INCLUDED IN OUR PACKET , WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY DISTRICT RESTRICTIONS. TAKE IT
AWAY. >> THIS PRESENTATION WAS DESIGNED TO SET THE STAGE AND FRAMEWORK FOR ADDITIONAL, WHICH
[01:50:03]
NOW MAY NOT BE ABLE TO -- THAT IS WHY A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION IS HERE AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF SHORT-TERM RENTAL AND THAT IS PART OF OUR JUDICIAL RECORD. THAT IS WHY WE HAD THIS MEETING. WE WILL GO OVER A LOT OF IMPACTS . WE WILL TALK ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE , WE DO HAVE 78 SHORT-TERM WITHIN THE CITY AND THIS IS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND COMPLAINTS , WHICH YOU CAN SEE OVER ON THE MAP. THOSE CIRCLES ARE BASED ON A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THOSE PROPERTIES AND YOU HAVE THE OFFENDERS . 37% OF OUR SHORT-TERM RENTALS HAVE HAD A COMPLAINT . YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE BIGGEST IMPACTS OF THOSE SHORT-TERM RENTAL IMPACTS ARE. COMPLAINTS LEAD TO CITATIONS AND WE HAD 26% THAT HAD CITATIONS, SO NOT ALL CITATIONS , SO DRIVEN BY OUR INSPECTION PROGRAM OR OTHER ACTIVITIES TO ENFORCE REGULATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE. IT SHOULDN'T SURPRISE ANYBODY THAT WHERE THERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MORE CITATIONS. CITATIONS AND VIOLATIONS ARE NOT ACTUALLY THE SAME . A CITATION CAN INCLUDE MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS, SO YOU CAN SEE THE PROPERTY THERE AT THE TOP AND 94 VIOLATIONS.THE NUMBER OF CITATIONS WERE WRAPPED UP . 68% ARE SHORT-TERM RNTALS WITH SOME KIND OF VIOLATION. THOSE VIOLATIONS MAY NOT INVOLVE CITATIONS IF THEY ARE CORRECTED AND THEY DO NOT RESULT IN CITATIONS, WHICH IS WHY THERE ARE LESS THAN VIOLATION. WE ALSO GET POLICE CALLS , SO SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN THAT IS DONE BY CODE ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO RESPOND. 46% OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS ACTUALLY HAVE POLICE CALLS AND THOSE YOU WILL SEE ON THAT AND THEY ARE NOT ALL CONSISTENT OF OTHERS, SO HAVE SOME THAT DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY VIOLATIONS OR CITATIONS, BUT ACTUALLY DID RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF POLICE CALLS. THAT IS THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SOLVE. AN ORDINANCE WHERE A CURRENT STICK CODE UNFORTUNATELY THE REGULATIONS WERE KIND OF SPREAD ACROSS SECTIONS OF THE CODE CURRENTLY, SO WE HAVE PULLED IT ALL TOGETHER. RATHER THAN HAVING ANYBODY LOOK FOR DIFFERENT PLACES TO LOOK WHETHER IT IS A VIOLATION, NOW IF COUNCIL MEMBERS MOVE FORWARD WITH THE STRICT CONSOLIDTING INTO ONE SOME CHANGES AND COUNCIL MADE REGARDING HOW WE HANDLE IT FOR A NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD , WHICH CLARIFIES WHEN THAT APPLIES AND WHEN THEY CAN ACTUALLY REAPPLY FOR A PERMIT. IT ALSO CLARIFIES THE APPEAL PROCESS . IT WASN'T A CLEAR PROCESS FOR A GOOD APPEAL DENIAL . IT INCLUDED -- SMALL THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE TO STRENGTHEN AND CLARIFY THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. THAT WAS SITTING THE FRAMEWORK AND NOW I THINK IT IS THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE RECOMMEND WE MOVE FORWARD AT THIS TIME GIVEN THE LEGAL ADVICE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED. IN THIS, I DID INCLUDE THE CONVERSATION REGARDING POTENTIAL FOR MOVING ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT AND YOU CAN SEE HOW IT MATCHES OR DOESN'T MATCH WHAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST , SO WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE A NUMBER AND ARE SHORT-TERM RENTALS WHO DID NOT GET A LOT OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THE AREA, SO THAT IS A DENSE DEVELOPED AREA , SO LESS LIKELY FOR THAT TO BE AN IMPACT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WHEN THE CLOUDS CLEAR AND MAY BE BRINGING BACK TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND WHETHER WE WANT TO RESTRICT SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE CITY WHERE THEY ARE LIKELY TO HAVE LESS IMPACT ON RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AS WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THROUGH THE DATA AND WILL CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD. IF WE MOVE FORWARD, THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF ORDINANCE , WHICH REQUIRES FULL NOTICE AND WE HAVE TO DO A WRITTEN NOTIFICATION. THAT WAS THE ADVICE, WHICH WE ALREADY
[01:55:01]
RECEIVED. QUESTIONS AND FEEDBACK?>> AFTER TWO CITATIONS, DOES THAT MEAN ON THE THIRD VIOLATION OR DOES THAT MEAN ON THE SECOND VIOLATION?
>> ELIGIBLE TO NOT BE RENEWED . >> THEY HAVE BEEN.
>> ONE LITTLE CLARIFICATION. IT WOULD BE ON CONVICTION. WE WOULD
AWAIT THE DISPOSITION. >> THANK YOU. THERE WERE SOME COMMENTS MADE DURING THE PUBLIC INPUT EARLIER THAT WERE VALID, WHICH IS THE NOTICE DISTANCE ABOUT AN SGR BEING 200 FEET, WHICH MAY BE THE REZONING PROCESS AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT
THAT WAS IN REFERENCE TO. >> DO WE HAVE A NOTICE REVISION?
>> WE DO. THEY HAVE TO NOTIFY WHAT THEY DO. SUBMIT THE APPLICATION AND HAVE TO GET THIS WRITTEN NOTIFICATION WITH LOCAL
CONTACT INFORMATION. >> THE APPLICANT HAS TO SEND A LETTER TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS , SO IT'S NOT A PUBLIC HEARING
PROCESS, BUT A NOTIFICATION. >> THE LETTER WILL BE
SHORT-TERM. >> I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF
EXPANDING. >> I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT EXPANDING, BECAUSE THERE WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE . IT DIDN'T COVER A LOT.
>> 500 FEET APPROPRIATE? >> AT LEAST A MINIMUM OF 500
FEET. >> BEAR IN MIND, 200 FEET IS THE RADIUS THAT WE USE FOR THE REZONING. BY STATE LAW, IT IS 200 FEET. WE ENACT FOR THIS AND LARGER NOTICE AREA.
>> IN SOME CASES, THIS IS SOMEWHAT EXISTING HOUSE , THEN TURNING IT INTO A
>> CAN WE EXPAND THE NOTIFICATION? IS A BIGGER AREA.
FEEL LIKE WE ARE GETTING PRETTY MUCH OVER THAT.
>> 500. >> THESE NOTICES ON PROPERTY
OWNER. >> IS IT CONSIDERED TRESPASSING IF SOMEONE IS UTILIZING SDR AND MAKES THEIR WAY OVER AND GOES ON
THE DOCKET THAT THEY HAVE? >> I THINK IT IS TRESPASSING IF
THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. >> PLEASE DON'T CONSTRUE THAT AS LEGAL ADVICE. I AM NOT LICENSED.
>> IS THAT A VIOLATION OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT?
>> IT DOES SAY THE HAVE TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE PROVISIONS .
I FORGET THE AGREEMENTS . >> MY QUESTION ON THAT . SOMEONE GOES AND BUYS THE APARTMENT FROM THE OWNER THEY HAVE A TAKE LEASE DOES THAT TAKE THE LEASE TRANSFER OVER?
>> YOU HAVE TO APPLY. >> SO SOMEONE JUST BUYING THE PROPERTY TO TURN IT INTO A SHORT-TERM RENTAL DOESN'T
NECESSARILY MEAN THEY HAVE -- >> WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE .
>> SIR, I THINK YOU MAKE A POINT ON TRESPASS, SINCE WE ARE GOING TO GO DOWN THAT PATH. CODE ENFORCEMENT DOES A LOT OF THE
ENFORCEMENT . >> CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
>> THANK YOU. IT WOULD NOT BE CODE ENFORCEMENT, IT WOULD BE
[02:00:05]
ENFORCING A TRESPASS VIOLATION. THAT IS ALL.>> THE OTHER ONE I HAD, WHICH I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT UNTIL IT WAS SAID, DO THESE SHORT-TERM RENTAL COMPANIES CAN WE FORCE THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS TO SCREEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE TENANTS? CAN WE HAVE SOME SORT OF SCREENING TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT POTENTIAL SEXUAL OFFENDERS?
>> YOU MEAN THE PROPERTY OR THE COMPANY?
>> ALL OF THE ABOVE. PROBABLY AIRBNB. CERTAINLY A TENANT WOULD HAVE SOME SORT OF RATING. LIKE IF YOU DRIVE IN AND. THE DRIVER IS RATED BUT THE PASSENGERS ALSO RATED. HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT TENANTS DON'T CARRY EXTRA BAGGAGE WITH THEM? THERE ARE SEX OFFENDERS NOTICES WHEN SOMEONE MOVES INTO A RENTAL AND SHORT-TERM THERE IS NOT, WHY NOT?
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY PUT AN ORDINANCE . ARE WE READY TO FOUL
A LAWSUIT AGAINST AIRBNB? >> IT'S PROBABLY NOT ENFORCEABLE. BECAUSE IT IS SIMILAR TO A GUEST IN A HOTEL. I HAVE NEVER LOOKED AT THE ISSUE BUT I HAVE A STRONG SUSPICION THE OCCUPANT /GUESTS RIGHTS IF WE REQUIRE THE BACKGROUND CHECK
. >> IT'S LIKE IF SOMEONE HAS THE RELATIVE OR FRIEND COME OVER FOR A WEEK AND THEY ARE NOT
REGISTERED . >> IS SIMILAR TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE HOTEL BUT NOT SO SIMILAR THAT WE WOULD CALL IT A
BUSINESS. THAT IS THE IRONY. >> WE DO GET TAX.
>> COUNCIL WE HAVE A PROPOSED ORDINANCE, WE'RE NOT APPROVING IT TONIGHT OR EVEN TOMORROW NIGHT BUT WE ARE PROVIDING FEEDBACK . THE ONLY CHANGE I HEARD WAS THE 200 TO 500 FOOT NOTICE ON THE PERMIT. WAS THERE ANY OTHER SUGGESTED CHANGES WE WANT TO INCORPORATE IN WHAT WAS PROPOSED?
>> ARE WE GOING 500? >> I FEEL LIKE IF IT GETS MUCH BIGGER WE HAVE A HARD TIME JUSTIFYING PUTTING THAT EXPANSE IN ON THE PROPERTY OWNER WHEN A RESIDENT SPOT 1500 FEET AWAY MAY
NOT NEED THAT. >> I MISSED THAT PART, I THOUGHT
YOU SAID 200. >> CAN WE, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS PART OF THE ARGUMENT, CAN WE POST ON THE WEBSITE WHERE THE STR'S ARE SO PEOPLE KNOW WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE NOTICE?
>> YEAH, I WAS TALKING TO STAFF ABOUT THAT TODAY. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CURRENT APPLICATION WE USE TO TRACK STR'S . THEY DO HAVE AN APPLICATION SO WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN USE THAT FOR OUR OWN GIS RESOURCES TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE WE ARE. I THINK A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE THINK A PLACE IS STR BUT THEY HAVE A NOISY NEIGHBOR. THEY GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CONFIRM .
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MANY PERMITS HAVE BEEN REVOKED?
>> WE HAD ONE ON INDIAN TRAIL. STATEMENT HAS A WARNING NOTICE
AND ANOTHER VIOLATION. >> ALL RIGHT, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE GOOD TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THAT PARTICULAR REVISION IN THE ORDINANCE. THOSE THAT ARE HERE WITH US AND THOSE WATCHING FROM HOME, THIS IS A STEP FORWARD. JUST NOT AS BIG OF A LEAP I THOUGHT WE WOULD TAKE, FOR THE REASONS I INTRODUCED . WE, ALL OF US, APPRECIATE YOU SHOWING UP TO THIS MEETING AND SPEAKING.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT ACTION ON BEHALF OF OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FRUSTRATED AND IMPACTED BY THE SHORT-TERM RENTALS. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT GOING FORWARD. NOT JUST ON A LOCAL LEVEL BUT ON A STATE LEVEL. SHORT-TERM RENTALS COME UP TO OUR LEGISLATURE , WHICH I DON'T THINK THEY ARE.
>> I DIDN'T SEE ANY. >> A COUPLE OF YEARS FROM NOW, WHO KNOWS? IT'S IMPORTANT WE STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED AT THAT LEVEL TO DO WHAT WE CAN. SO, FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE,
[02:05:05]
COUNCIL ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK .
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. AT THIS TIME, BEFORE WE MOVED TO OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO ITEM 5 , DISCUSSING AGENDA ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ARE THERE ANY CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS YOU WANT TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION? LET ME GIVE YOU A SECOND. SEEING NONE, WE WILL
[2. EXECUTIVE SESSION ]
MOVE BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 2 A , CITY COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE INTO PRIVATE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS TO RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE FROM AN ATTORNEY>> COUNCIL HAS CONCLUDED EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:07 WITH
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.