[1. Call to Order]
[00:00:06]
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
TODAY IS THURSDAY, MAY 14TH, 2026.
IT'S 5:32 P.M. AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS A QUORUM PRESENT IN
[2. Citizens’ Input]
THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS THIS EVENING IS CITIZENS INPUT AND AT THIS TIME COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL DURING CITIZENS INPUT. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CITIZEN INPUT CARDS AND SO JUST -- I KNOW THAT THERE'S LIKELY TO BE A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THE COMMENTS THAT ARE MADE, I WOULD ASK IN THE INTERESTS OF TIME IF WE COULD MINIMIZE APPLAUSE TO MOVE THROUGH MORE QUICKLY AND THEN OBVIOUSLY PLEASE TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL, WE APPRECIATE THAT, IF YOU'RE ABLE.OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING IS MICHELLE ON AND OFF HE NOVE D IS MICHAEL GLIN. STATE OF MIND AND CITY OF RESIDENCE AND YOU'LL HAVE 3 MINUTES.
>> I HAD NO IDEA I WAS GOING FIRST, I THOUGHT I WOULD BE GOING LAST BUT ANYWAY -- WELCOME NEW COMEMS. I JUST STARTED TO START THE EVENING --.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE CITY STAFF FOR TWO THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED. SO THIS IS A GOOD THING, I'M UP HERE SO Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO LOOK LIKE I'M GOING TO CHOP YOUR HEADS OFF OR ANYTHING. THE LIGHTS AT MILLER AND GEORGE W. BUSH SEEM TO BE KIND OF BEEN RESOLVED.
I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT THERE WITH NOBODY COMING FOR 10 MINUTES ANYMORE. SO THUMBS UP, THAT'S GREAT.
AND THE OTHER IS THAT MAIN STREET AND MILLER, THE TURN LANE THAT SAYS YOU MUST TURN RIGHT ON RED, THAT'S BEEN PAINTED, EVER SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE ABOUT 7 YEARS, YOU CAN'T SEE THAT TURN LANE. AND NOW YOU CAN.
SO PEOPLE DON'T STAY THERE AND THEN TRY TO JET AROUND OTHER PEOPLE PICKING UP THEIR KIDS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL SO THAT'S EVERYTHING I HAD TO SAY. JUST THANKS AND GOOD JOB.
>> THANK YOU, MS. NOUVELL. MICHAEL GLIN FOLLOWED BY JOSH
BROCK. >> HOWDY, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. MR. MAYOR, HOPE YOU'RE FEELING BETTER THIS WEEK AND WELCOME TO THE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS, WELCOME TO THIS NEW PROCESS. Y'ALL ARE GETTING THROWN RIGHT INTO THE FIRE RIGHT AWAY. I'M MICHAEL GLIN, I'M THE IAFF'S 11N DISTRICT VICE-PRESIDENT . I REPRESENT ALL THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF OKLAHOMA, TEXAS AND THE PANAMA CANAL ZONES SO I REPRESENT MORE THAN 32,000 PROFESSION AT FIREFIGHTERS OUT OF MORE THAN 365,000 THAT ARE MEMBERS OF OUR GREAT IAFF ACROSS CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. I WANT GOING TO SPEAK QUICKLY BECAUSE I WANT TO HIT ON A NUMBER OF QUICK TOPICS FOR YOU... I RECOGNIZE AS MANY CITIES IN TEXAS YOU HAVE A CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT. THE CITY MANAGE DOES NOT -- YOU DON'T WORK FOR THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY MANAGER WORKS FOR YOU.
AND I'VE BEEN AROUND A LOT OF CITIES, I'VE WORKED FOR CITIES WHERE SOMETIMES THE CITY MANAGER TRIES TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE THE COUNCIL ACTUALLY WORKS FOR THEM. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO HIRE AND FIRE A CITY MANAGER. THEY DON'T HIRE AND FIRE YOU.
OF COURSE BECAUSE YOU'RE ELECTED.
BUT MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR, YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY AS THE COUNCIL. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY AS YOU KNOW AS YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT YOU HIRE THE CITY MANAGER, CITY SECRETARY, CITY ATTORNEY, MUNICIPAL JUDGE AND CITY PROSECUTOR MUCH THAT'S WHAT'S IN YOUR CITY CHARTER.
YOU HAVE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES. AND BY HAVING THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AND HAVING THOSE ACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE TO HIRE THOSE INDIVIDUALS, YOU CAN HIDE BEHIND A CITY MANAGER WHO IS ALLOWING THINGS TO TAKE PLACE IN AN HR DEPARTMENT OR THE WATER DEPARTMENT AND THE EMPLOYEES OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE FIVE PEOPLE, YOU ARE THE EMPLOYER, YOU'RE THE ONE THAT THEY ANSWER TO. SO YOU CAN'T HIDE BEHIND THE CITY MANAGER AND SAY THAT THINGS AREN'T GOING WELL.
I WANT TO FOCUS TONIGHT'S COMMENTS PRIMARILY ON THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER. HE'S NOT THE CITY ATTORNEY BUT HE IS AN ATTORNEY. FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS, HE HAD A MEETING WITH THE CAPTAINS AND BY DOING SO HE TRIED TO COERCE THEM TO GIVE UP INFORMATION OF THINGS THAT WERE DONE WITHIN THE UNION, HE KNOWS THAT'S A VIOLATION THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE UP THE INFORMATION THAT TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE UNION. THAT'S PRIVATE ORGANIZATION.
HE ALSO ACCUSED THEM OF VIOLATING THE CITY CHARTER BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING TO YOU.
HE KNOWS AND HE SHOULD KNOW AND THE CITY ATTORNEY WOULD ADVISE HIM AS WELL THAT UNDER TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAPTER CODE 150002 POLITICAL ACTIVITIES ARE PROTECTED FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS SO HE CANNOT MAKE THREATS, HE CAN'T MAKE ANY ACCUSATIONS THAT THEY HAVE A VIOLATION OF THE CITY CHARTER JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING TO YOU.
HE DO FIRED THE EMERGENCY MANAGER -- YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT FIRE CHIEF -- YOU HAVE INTERIM CHIEFENSLY WHO HE REMOVED FOR
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SOME THINGS THAT I DON'T -- THERE'S REALLY NOTHING THAT HE REMOVED HIM FOR. THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT HE WAS DOING PRIOR TO THE UNION SUPPORTING HIM.AND SO WHAT I WANT TO CLOSE WITH IS LET YOU KNOW THAT HE WAS ABLE TO REPLACE AN INTERIM FIRE CHIEF, YOU CAN CERTAINLY -- OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOSH BROCK, FOLLOWED BY NORMAN GATES.
>> JOSH BROCK, RALLY OF FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 3358. MAYOR, COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF, TONIGHT I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF 105 MEMBERS OF IFF LOCAL 3358.
100% OF THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING THIS COMMUNITY IN FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. UNITED ONE ADVICE, IN COMPLETE SOLIDARITY. OUR REQUEST WAS SIMPLE: A SEAT AT THE TABLE. A VOICE INTO OUR FUTURE.
WHEN THE PROCESS SHIFTED FROM FAIR TO SEEMINGLY FIXED, WE CALLED FOUL. AGAIN, WE ASKED TO COMMUNICATE.
CITY MANAGEMENT DIDN'T JUST SAY NO, THEY SCOFFED AT US AND TOLD US NO CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATION COULD BE HAD.
THEY SHUT US OUT. AND THEN THEY MADE IT WORSE; WHAT BEGAN AS A REQUEST FOR COMMUNICATION AND FAIRNESS HAS GROWN INTO SOMETHING FAR MORE SERIOUS.
BECAUSE OF THE CHOICES THIS CITY MANAGEMENT HAS MADE, MANAGEMENT WHAT I REMIND THIS COUNCIL IS SUPPOSED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY THE PEOPLE IN THESE SEATS, THIS MISINFORMATION COMING FROM CITY MANAGEMENT UNDER THE NAME OF THIS GOVERNING BODY IS AN EMBARRASSMENT. EGO HAS NO PLACE IN LEADERSHIP.
MANDATING PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPTAINS WHILE EXCLUDING THEIR SUPERIORS IS SUSPICIOUS AT BEST AND AN ETHICAL BREACH AT WORST. AND THEN THERE'S WHAT HAPPENED IN THOSE MEETINGS. MANAGEMENT ATTEMPTED TO COERCE OUR CAPTAINS INTO DISCLOSING CONFIDENTIAL AND PROTECTED ASSOCIATION INFORMATION. THAT IS INTIMIDATION.
IT HAS CREATED WHAT FEELS LIKE A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PLACED UNDUE STRESS ON PEOPLE WHO ALREADY CARRY LIFE AND DEATH RESPONSIBILITY EVERY SHIFT. NOT ONLY IS THAT COERCION EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN BY DEPARTMENTAL POLICY, IT'S ALSO FORBIDDEN BY OUR OWN CITY POLICY.
THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP. THAT IS BULLYING.
TRUST HAS BEEN BROKEN. FURTHERMORE, THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS EXPLAINED... THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTS THE RIGHT OF ALL PERSONS TO ASSOCIATE TOGETHER IN GROUPS TO FURTHER THEIR LAWFUL INTEREST.
THIS RIGHT OF ASSOCIATION ENCOMPASSES RIGHT OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO JOIN UNIONS AND THE RIGHT OF THEIR UNIONS TO ENGAGE IN ADVOCACY AND TO PETITION GOVERNMENT ON THEIR BEHALF.
THUS THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS VIOLATED BY STATE ACTION WHOSE PURPOSE IS EITHER TO INTIMIDATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING A UNION OR FROM TAKING AN ACTIVE PART IN ITS AFFAIRS OR TO RETALIATE AGAINST THOSE WHO DO, SUCH PROTECTED FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS FLOAT TO UNIONS AS WELL AS TO THEIR MEMBERS AND ORGANIZERS. WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED, WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN AND I WILL DEFEND EVERY MEMBER OF THIS LOCAL FROM LEADERSHIP THAT CHOOSES FEAR AND INTIMIDATION RATHER THAN PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION. THE QUESTION BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS NOT WHETHER WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO LISTEN.
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NORMAL GATES FOLLOWED BY DAVE HALL.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS NORMAN GATES.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS AND I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO PUT IN MY SUPPORT OF THE FIGHTERS AND WHO THEY WANT TO LEAD THEM. FOR ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE HERE THAT ARE PROFESSIONALS, TRAINED IN THEIR JOB, IF THEY CAN DETERMINE WHO THEIR LEADER IS OR WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR THAT, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY SOMEONE WITH THAT TRAINING SHOULD DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
TO ME IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO TAKE SOMEBODY THAT HAS RETIRE, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING IN A JOB FOR 40 YEARS, AND BRING THEM IN AND MAKE HIM THE FIRE CHIEF. HE PROBABLY RETIRED FOR A REASON. OBVIOUSLY IF HE'S AT RETIREMENT AGE, HE'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO WANT TO WORK VERY MUCH LONGER.
I AM SUPPORT THE FIREFIGHTERS AND I SUPPORT AN OPEN AND FAIR PROCESS IN DETERMINING WHO IS GOING TO BE THEIR CHIEF.
THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY AND I CAN'T THINK OF ANY REASON WHY SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO OVERRIDE THE WISHES OF THEM AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
SO I HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL CAN UNDO WHAT'S BEEN DONE AND MAKE THIS WRONG RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
[00:10:05]
>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DALE HALL FOLLOWED BY SHELBY COME MAN.
>> DAVE HALL, ROWLETT. REMEMBER THE LAST PARK PADDLE POINT PARK WEST. THE FEEDBACK I RECEIVED FROM YOU WAS... THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT US TO DO NOW? WELL, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES SO WE DON'T REPEAT THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO REPORT YOU HAVE LOST ANOTHER ONE. EXHIBIT 1, HAVE THOSE BEEN PASSED OUT? EXHIBIT 1 SHOWS THE THREE PHASES OF THE MILLER ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT AS PLANNED BY AN OLD IN-HOUSE STAFF. IN-HOUSE PURPLE PHASE 2 EXTENDS EAST TO CONNECT WITH THE FOUR LANE PHASE 2, ANOTHER MILLER ROAD PHASE 2 PROJECT IN FRONT OF MY STORE AND 4 ACRES.
WHY DON'T YOU COME OUT AND DO A SITE VISIT FOR THIS MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECT. YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS MILLER ROAD CONCRETE PROJECT PHASE 2 IS GALLON.
THE BLACKTOP IN FRONT OF MY STORE AND FOUR ACRES REMAIN.
NOW THAT MINAL IS BROUGHT A GREATER LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL IS BROUGHT INTO THIS PROJECT. EXHIBIT 2 IS AN ENGINEERED SEALED REPORT SHOWING THE PROJECT.
THIS REPORT SHOWS THE IN HOUSE PURPLE PHASE 2 IN FRONT OF MY PROPERTY IS GONE, LOST. MILLER ROAD IS A MAJOR TRAFFIC ARTERY. IT EXTENDS WEST FROM LAKE RAY HUBBARD ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE DFW AIRPORT WITH THE NAME CHANGE. IT IS ALL CONCRETE EXCEPT FOR THE AREA IN FRONT OF MY STORE AND PROPERTY.
ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF THE CITY WITH A POOR CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGETING PROCESS. HOW DID WE GET HERE? INACCURATE STAFF REPORTS TO BNZ AND CITY COUNCIL.
EXHIBITS 3 AND 4 SHOW EMAIL CHAINS RESPONDING TO THE INTERIM CM'S ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING.
40 OR 50 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS AT MY PEAK, I WOULD PULL OUT A YELLOW LEGAL PAD AND A COUPLE NUMBER 2 PENCILS AND MANUALLY CALCULATE A FEW STANDARD DEVIATIONS AND ISSUE MY OPINION, AND I'M STATISTICALLY 95% CONFIDENT THAT THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER'S ANALYSIS DOES NOT PRESENT THE FACTS FAIRLY.
GOOD THING TODAY I DON'T HAVE TO DO ALL THIS, BECAUSE I AM 100% CONFIDENT THAT THE INTERIM CM'S ANALYSIS TODAY DOES NOT PRESENT THE FACTS FAIRLY IN THESE TWO EMAIL CHAINS AND MANY OTHERS.
IT'S A GOOD THING THAT THE ORIGINAL BLACKTOP HAS BEEN RETAINED IN FRONT OF MY MILLER PROPERTY.
REMOVING IT WOULD COMPLICATE THE TAKING OF THE 15-FOOT 6917 RIGHT-OF-WAY AND ITS REACTION TO MILLER ROAD.
THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL IN
RESIDENCE. >> THANK YOU, DAVID.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHELBY COLEMAN FOLLOWED BY ALISON
HAPT-FELDERHOF. >> I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS BUT I REALIZE THIS ISSUE GOES BACK FART HE. RECENTLY I WATCHED A COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE 1980S WHERE CITIZENS BROUGHT SIGNATURES ASKING FOR A POLICE CHIEF TO BE REHIRED AFTER THE CITY MANAGER FIRED HIM. DURING THE MEETING, THE CITY MANAGER STATED "THE CITY MANAGER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HIRE AND FIRE". TECHNICALLY, OUR CHARTER DOES GIVE THAT AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER, BUT THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART SHOULD DEFINE THE CULTURE IN WHICH THAT AUTHORITY IS EXERCISED. BECAUSE WHILE THE CHARTER DEFINES AUTHORITY, THE ORG CHART DEFINES ACCOUNTABILITY, REPRESENTATION AND FLOW OF LEADERSHIP.
ITS CITIZENS, COUNCIL, THEN MANAGEMENT.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY EMBRACE THAT STRUCTURE THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED, NOT TO WEAKEN MANAGEMENT BUT TO STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION.
HEALTHY ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT BUILT AROUND ONE PERSON HOLDING THAT POWER. THEY ARE BUILT BY EMPOWERING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE WORK AND ALLOWING THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK TO STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP INSTEAD OF THREATEN IT.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEING THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIFTING AWAY FROM THAT CULTURE. WE HAVE 105 FIREFIGHTERS SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE AND INSTEAD OF TREATING THAT AS A VALUABLE ORGANIZATIONAL FEEDBACK FROM THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE WORK, IT HAS BECOME A POINT OF CONFLICT.
THEN WHEN RESIDENTS SPEAK UP TO SUPPORT THOSE FIREFIGHTERS, WHOSE DEPARTMENT HAS DATA SHOWING STRONGER RETENTION ALIGNMENT AND INTERNAL SUPPORT THAN EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE LABELED AS SPREADING MISINFORMATION.
THAT IS NOT A HEALTHY CULTURE. BECAUSE WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE COMMUNICATING IS NOT SIMPLY A PREFERENCE, IT IS FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD, STRONG LEADERSHIP DOES NOT IGNORE THAT FEEDBACK.
IT EVALUATES IT CAREFULLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS DEMONSTRATED OUTCOMES MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE STRUGGLING TO ACHIEVE RIGHT NOW. THAT DATA SHOULD MATTER MORE THAN EGO, HIERARCHY AND PROTECTING AUTHORITY.
WHAT I'M DESCRIBING TONIGHT IS NOT GIVING INTO THE MOB, IT IS BUILDING A CULTURE OF HONOR, TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPRESENTATION. A CULTURE WHERE CITIZENS' VOICES EMPOWER COUNCIL. WHERE COUNCIL EMPOWERS LEADERSHIP. AND WHERE LEADERSHIP EMPOWERS THE EXPERTS CLOSEST TO THE WORK. THAT IS HOW HEALTHY CITIES FUNCTION. BECAUSE WHEN AUTHORITY BECOMES
[00:15:02]
DISCONNECTED FROM THE PEOPLE IT SERVES, TRUSTEE ROADS AND WHEN TRUSTEE TRUST EYE ROADS EVERYTHING BECOMES MORE CHALLENGING. THIS MEETING IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF CULTURE WE ARE GOING TO BUILD MOVING FORWARD. WILL WE CONTINUE BUILDING A CULTURE CENTERED AROUND PROTECTING AUTHORITY? OR WILL WE BUILD ONE CENTERED AROUND TRUST, COLLABORATION AND LONG-TERM HEALTH? WE WILL NOT ACCIDENTALLY BUILD A HEALTHY CULTURE, IT HAS TO BE INTENTIONAL.AND THAT RESET STARTS FROM THE TOP.
WELCOME TO COUNCIL, NEW GUYS. >> THANK YOU.
FELDERHOF. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO SAY YOUR WHOLE NAME? I KNOW YOU OFTEN DO --
INAUDIBLE ] >> I FEEL LIKE MADONNA.
JUST CALL ME ALISON. >> AFTER ALISON WILL BE
CARISELIS. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. TONIGHT FEELS LIKE A TURNING POINT FOR ROWLETT. FOR A WHILE SOME RESIDENTS FELT LIKE WE WERE LIVING IN A CROSSOVER EPISODE BETWEEN PARKS AND REC AND "REAL HOUSEWIVES": IN THE PAST WE HAD ENOUGH DRAMA, PLOT TWIST AND POLITICAL THEATER.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, MANY RESIDENTS FEEL HOPEFUL AGAIN, HOPEFUL FOR STRONG LEADERSHIP AND THAT ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS. HOPEFUL THAT THE VOICES OF TAXPAYERS WILL FINALLY BE HEARD. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS, MANY OF US WORKED HARD TO SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT ROWLETT NEEDS A NEW DIRECTION AND LEADERS TO STAND FIRM WHEN DIFFICULT DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE. I'M GENUINELY EXCITED FOR WHAT THIS COUNCIL CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOMETHING IMPORTANT.
THICS OF THE SEVEN FORMER CHANGE WAS NEEDED REGARDING OUR CITY MANAGER SITUATION. THAT DECISION MATTERED AND IT CONFIRMED THAT THE CONCERNS BEING RAISE I WOULD BY RESIDENTS WERE SERIOUS AND COULD NO LONGER BE IGNORED.
WHAT HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING IS WHAT'S HAPPENED AFTERWARDS.
ANT INTERIM SERVE MANAGER SHOULD BE INTERIM, A PLACEHOLDER.
STABILIZING PRESENCE UNTIL THE NEWLY ELECTED COUNCIL, YOU ALL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE OFFICE AND DETERMINE THE LONG-TERM DIRECTION OF THIS CITY.
INSTEAD OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER HAS APPEARED TO GO ON A HUMAN RESOURCES WAR PATH SINCE TAKING OVER.
RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON STABILITY AND CONTINUITY DURING A LEADERSHIP TRANSITION WE HAVE WATCHED PERSONNEL CONFLICT AND DECISIONS THAT HAVE DEEPLY IMPACTED THE MORALE ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. THAT IS NOT HOW TRUST IS REBUILT. THAT'S WHY SO MANY RESIDENTS ARE ENERGIZE DOLLARS TONIGHT. FORMER INTERIM FIRE CHIEF INSTANTLY HAD THE SUPPORT OF 105 FIREFIGHTERS.
THAT SHOULD MATTER. THESE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE FRONT LINES AND MANY OF THEM HAVE 20 TO 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ROWLETT WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE MISSED OUT ON 6 TO 13 YEARS OF TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES TO SERVE US.
STRONG LEADERS LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK AND STRONG LEADERSHIP VALUES MORALE, STABILITY AND TRUST INSIDE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS. MANY PEOPLE RESPECTED CHRIS INSLEY BECAUSE HE HAD KNOWLEDGE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN A PIECE OF PAGE. THIS IS NOT ABOUT REVENGE, IT IS ABOUT RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN CITY GOVERNMENT AND MAKING SURE THAT CITY STAFF WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. ROWLETT HAS INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL. FAMILIES WANT TO LIVE HERE, BUSINESSES WANT TO INVEST HERE AND OUR CITY SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON GROWTH, PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND REBUILDING TRUST WITH RESIDENTS AGAIN. TONIGHT I SIMPLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE STAYED ENGAGED. THANK YOU TO THE FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS EMT AND POLICE OFFICERS WHO CONTINUE TO SERVE THIS SERVICE WITH PROFESSIONALISMAGED THANK YOU TO THIS NEW COUNCIL FOR BRINGING STRENGTH, ACCOUNTABILITY AND HOPE BACK TO ROWLETT. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, IT FEELS LIKE ROWLETT HAS ITS BACKBONE BACK.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS KARA SOLIS
FOLLOWED BY BREATH BETH CROCKET. >> CARA SOLO ISSUES ROWLETT, TEXAS. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL AND CONGRATS TO OUR NEWBIES. SOMEONE GRACIOUSLY SAID THAT MR. BAUER HAS A BAD BEDSIDE MANNER.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.
THE TONE OF EMAILS AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE DISMISSIVE, INACCURATE AND EXTREMELY UNPROFESSIONAL.
THE FORMER CM CREATED A DIVISIVE, DESTRUCTIVE CULTURE THAT BROUGHT DIVISION AND CHAOS. WE WERE HOPEFUL THAT CULTURE WOULD END WITH HIM. UNFORTUNATELY, MR. BAUER HAS CONTINUED THAT SAME CULTURE. HALL TARGETED INDIVIDUALS AND WE LOST NEARLY 300 EMPLOYEES. HOWEVER, MR. BAUER SINGLEHANDEDLY CREATED THE LARGEST DIVIDE OF STAFF AND CITIZENRY FROM LEADERSHIP WE'VE SEEN.
WE WERE PROMISED A NEW DAY OF TRUST BUILDING AND TRANSPARENCY.
BAUER'S MISMANAGEMENT DID MORE DAMAGE IN THE SHORTEST TIME TO FURTHER DESTROY THAT. THE FIREFIGHTERS FOUND STABILITY AND MORALE IN THEIR INTERIM CHIEF, AT A TIME OTHER
[00:20:01]
DEPARTMENT HEADS WERE DIGGING OUT FROM THEIR WRECKAGE OF HALL TO REBUILD STAFF AND STRUCTURE. WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER TURNOVER, WE COULD HAVE LEARNED AND LEANED INTO THAT.BUT WE CHOSE TO BURN BRIDGES RATHER THAN BUILD.
THERE WERE MISS CHARACTERIZATIONS OF OF STAFF AND CITIZENS, COMMENTS WERE HIDDEN AND INTIMIDATION TACTICS WERE EMPLOYED. STILL, I HAVE FAITH AND CONFIDENCE THIS CITY CAN TURN AROUND WTH NEW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL ALONGSIDE OUR EXISTING ONES.
TOGETHER WE CAN SET THE TONE FOR OUR FUTURE BUT NOT WITH THIS TYPE OF MANAGEMENT. TOGETHER, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN UNITY AND BUILD SOMETHING AMAZING.
AND WELCOME BACK, MAYOR. WE MISSED YOU AT THE LAST
APPRECIATE THAT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS BETH CROCKET FOLLOWED BY DENISE AUJUDY. JUROR GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS. I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW COUNCILMEMBERS. WE WORKED HARD TO GET Y'ALL ELECTED AND WE BELIEVE IN YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT TO START OFF WITH. AND JEFF, WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK TONIGHT. WHEN CHRISTOPHE WAS APPOINTED INTERIM CITY MANAGER, I HAD SOME CONCERNS, BECAUSE I HAD HAD SOME PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH HIM AND I WONDERED IF IT WAS GOING TO CONTINUE IN THE SAME CITY MANAGER PRIOR TO HIM.
AND UNFORTUNATELY AS THAT HAS TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRUTH.
WE'VE STILL GOT DIVISION IN OUR DEPARTMENTS, EVEN MORE SO PROBABLY. AND HE'S MICROMANAGED EVERY LITTLE THING. AND WE REALLY NEED TO -- AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER -- THE OTHER THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS AN INTERIM CITY MANAGER IS NOT A TWO-YEAR CITY MANAGER.
IT SHOULD BE A YEAR OR LESS AND I LOOK FORWAR TO THIS COUNCIL BEING ABLE TO GET US A NEW CITY MANAGER HOPEFULLY WITH THE NEW RESEARCH FIRM THIS YEAR SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A NEW BRIGHT FUTURE
IN ROWLETT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
MONDAY'S AGENDA, WE DO HAVE A REVIEW OF SEARCH FIRMS FOR THE CITY MANAGER SEARCH PROCESS. ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DENISE FOLLOWED BYN AUJUDY.
>> DENISE, ROWLETT TEXAS. WELCOME NEW COUNCILMEMBERS.
ROWLETT DESERVES CHRIS INSTANTLY AS OUR FIRE CHIEF.
HE IS ROWLETT'S TRUE GEM. A RESIDENTIAL ADDITION, SAT AN OPEN SHELL, NO ROOF FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, NO ONE HAD A PERMIT TO TEAR IT DOWN. OUR CONCERNS HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. I WANT TO THANK FORMER BOARD ADJUSTMENT VICE-CHAIR KEN ROMAINE FOR SPEAKING OUT.
HE WAS ON THE RECORD, THE BOARD VOTED TO REMOVE THE WARWHICH WAR WHICH CAN DRIVE STRUCTURE. NEW COUNCILMEMBERS WE APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING TO OUR CONCERNS. WITH YOU NEED YOUR HELP TO END THE DELIBERATING STALLING AT 6602 WAR I CAN DRIVE BEFORE THE DECEMBER 31ST SUNSET ALLEGATIONS OF STAND DOWN OR SUGGESTS CURRENT MANAGEMENT IS SIDELINING CODE ENFORCEMENT AT OUR EXPENSE OF OUR SAFETY. WE ARE ASKING FOR LEADERSHIP THAT CARES ABOUT EVERY RESIDENT. WE NEED LEADERS WHO WILL PUT THE LAW AND OUR SAFETY FIRST, TO FULLY GRASP THE A ABSURDITY.
PLEASE WATCH THE FEBRUARY 25TH MEETING.
AT THE TIME HE WAS THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
IT IS NOT NORMAL FOR SOMEONE IN THIS ROLE TO HAND DELIVER A SOLUTION FOR ONE SPECIFIC PROPERTY.
WHILE MY HOME WAS BEING DAMAGED, CITY LEADERS WORKED ON A PRIVATE SOLUTION CALLED ORDINANCE 1025, ALSO WATCH THE PNZ MEETING JANUARY 28TH, 2025. THE ACTING MAYOR PERSONALLY PRESENTED THIS CHANGE. HE ADMITTED IT WAS UNPRECEDENTEDDED AND THAT NOTHING LIKE IT IS IN THE BOOKS.
THIS WAS A MASSIVE BAIT AND SWITCH.
THE DECEMBER 17TH, 2019 CODE WAS FOR SMALL GARDEN SHEDS.
THIS ADMIN USED IT TO LEGALIZE A LARGE RESIDENTIAL ADDITION.
YOU BYPASSED BUYER AND DRAINAGE CODES TO CREATE A LOOPHOLE FOR ONE PERSON. PLASTIC FENCING AND
[00:25:01]
CORRESPONDING GATED METAL ROOFING IN NO WAY MATCH THE HOUSE. THE COUNCIL PUSHED THIS THROUGH EVEN THOUGH THE P AND Z VOTED 5-0 AGAINST T IT IS NOT NORMAL TO IGNORE YOUR OWN EXPERTS. BY DOING SO, IT CREATED A PERMANENT FIRE BRIDGE. ROWLETT DESERVES CHRISENSLY AS I JUST SAID. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I HOPE YOU ADDRESS MY CONCERNS AND LOOK INTO THIS.THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS HASSAN OJUDYI.
>> HASSAN, ROWLETT. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK ALL THE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS AND HOPEFULLY I'M ASKING FOR -- ASSURE US THAT THIS COUNCIL WILL LOOK INTO MY CONCERN.
WAY BEFORE THE SUNSET DATE OF DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 FOR 6602 WAR RICK DRIVE, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CITY INSPECTION REPORT FROM APRIL 10TH, 2026. OFFICIAL CARLTON BUSH STATED WE ASKED FOR A GUARANTEE, THAT IS NOT TRUE.
THE NEIGHBOR PROMISED TO FIX THE DRAINAGE BACK IN OCTOBER 2022 IN THE BOA MEETING. THE REPORT FOLLOW DISHONEST.
IT SHOWS SNOW ON THE GROUND AND AN END CUT DOWN SPOUT DRAINAGE.
ON APRIL 10TH IT WAS 82° AND WAS NO SNOW AND THE DOWN SPOUT WAS OUT BACK BEFORE THIS DATE. THIS CITY USE ALL FORMS TO FAKE WHATEVER YOU CAN'T CALL IT FOR THIS RECORD.
THIS PERMIT APPLICATION IS BASED ON FAIR CLAIMS. IT SAYS THE BUILDING SURVIVED AN F4 TORNADO THAT WAS IN 2015 BUT IT WAS NOT BUILT UNTIL 2016. THE CITY ACCEPT AN APPLICATION PERMIT WITHOUT BLANK BOX -- WITH BLANK BOXES FOR ELECTRIC, CONCRETE, MECHANICAL AND PLUMBING.
IT DOES NOT EVEN STATE IF THE -- IF IT'S ATTACHED OR DETACHED.
BY PASSING A SAFE DATE, LEADERSHIP INCLUDING THE MAYOR AND THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER HAVE IGNORED THE STANDARD MEANT TO PROTECT US. THERE IS A ZERO SET BACK AND NO ALLEY. WE HAVE NO ALLEY.
THE CONCERNS ACT ARE WATERED DOWN AND THIS GUTTER DO NOT WORK, PERIOD. SETBACK EXISTS FOR A REASON.
THIS STRUCTURE IS A FIRE HAZARD, CAUSING DESTRUCTIVE WATER DRAINAGE INTO MY PROPERTY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS WARNING SIGN. IT CAN'T BUILD THE 1600 -- 226 SQUARE FOOT YOU KNOW WITH A SLA-
>> THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS NAM PHAM AND THAT'S THE LAST SPEAKER CARDIFFI HAVE.
GO AHEAD. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AND NEW COUNCILMEMBERS.
NOT LONG AGO, I STOOD BEFORE YOU TO HIGHLIGHT THE ONGOING --
>> CAN I GET YOU TO STATE OF MIND --
>> MY NAME IS NAM FROM ROWLETT. NOT LONG AGO I STOOD BEFORE YOU HIGHLIGHTING THE ONGOING LACK OF OWNERSHIP AMONG THE CITY OF ROWLETT EMPLOYEES AND LEADERS. THE PROBLEM FROM TWO YEARS AGO, PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND RECENT MONTH.
UNFORTUNATELY, FROM MY EXPERIENCE, THAT CULTURE HAS NOT CHANGED. RECENTLY ON UNRELATED MATTERS, I WOULD THE MISFORTUNE OF NEEDING SERVICES FROM BOTH THE DMV AND THE CITY OF ROWLETT. NOW, EVERYONE KNOWS THE DMV IS NOTORIOUS FOR ITS BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.
YET TO MY SURPRISE THE DMV PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE THAN THE CITY OF ROWLETT. THE EMPLOYEE AND MANAGER LISTENED TO ME, UNDERSTOOD MY ISSUE AND ADDRESSED IT
[00:30:04]
COMPLETELY. WITH A SMILE.BY CONTRAST, WHEN I SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO ROWLETT, AN EMPLOYEE CALLED TWO DAYS LATER. THE EMPLOYEE CLEARLY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM, REFUSED MY OFFER TO MEET IN PERSON SO THAT I CAN EXPLAIN IT, DECLINING IT TWICE, AND INSISTED THE ISSUE WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. AFTER THE UNPRODUCTIVE CALL, I ESCALATED THE MATTER TO A MANAGER, WHO THEN ADDRESSED IT.
AND BY THE WAY, IT WASN'T MY RESPONSIBILITY.
IT WAS WITHIN HIS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
THERE IS NO OWNERSHIP. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. ROWLETT CONTINUES TO SHOW A CLEAR LACK OF OWNERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP, FOR EXAMPLE CITY LEADERSHIP RECENTLY FAILED TO SIGN A PUBLIC LETTER TO THE BUYER ASSOCIATION, ANOTHER CLEAR DISPLAY OF LACK OF OWNERSHIP.
LOOK, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ROWLETT ALL WE WANT, WITHOUT CHANGING ITS CULTURE, LEADERSHIP AND OWNERSHIP, IT'S ONLY WISHFUL THINKING. THE RESIDENTS OF ROWLETT ARE TIRED OF THIS ONGOING POOR SERVICES.
WE EXPECT BETTER. WE DESERVE BETTER FROM LEADERS THAT WE HAVE ELECTED. CHANGE DOES NOT HAVE TO TAKE A LONG TIME. IT CAN BE SHORT, CAN HAPPEN WITHIN THREE TO SIX MONTHS, IF YOU FIND THE RIGHT LEADER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
THE PUBLIC WHO WANTED TO SPEAK THIS EVENING?
[3. Executive Session]
ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 3A. THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE IN A CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE... LEGAL ADVICE TO DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYMENT REVEAL AGRICULTURES DISPLAIN OR DISSAL OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE TO WIT INTERIM CITY MANAGER.WE'LL CONVENE HERE IN THE WORK SESSION ROOM SHORTLY AFTER WHICH
WE WILL RETURN TO THE COUNCIL. >> THE COUNCIL SESSION.
[4. Reconvene Into Open Session and Take Any Necessary or Appropriate Action on Closed/Executive Session Matters]
IT IS NOW 10:09 P.M. FOLLOWING ITEM THREE A.AND I WILL READ A STATEMENT THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL MYSELF INCLUDED PREPARED. THIS IS BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR STABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE CRAFT THESE WORDS. THIS HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT EVENING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO CAME IN PERSON TO SPEAK, EVERYBODY WHO EMAILED MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AND EVERYBODY WHO HAS TAKEN TIME TO ENGAGE ON THIS ISSUE. WE KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED, AND WE KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE CONCERNED, AND WE KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT HAS BEEN SHARED FROM A DEEP PLACE FOR ROWLETT, FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE OUR CITY EVERY DAY. WE HEARD THE DESIRE FOR THE CITY TO MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY THAT RESPECTS OUR EMPLOYEES, LISTENS TO OUR RESIDENTS, AND RESTORES TRUST WHERE TRUST HAS CONTINUED TO BE STRAINED. WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE OPERATIONAL REALITIES AND NEEDS OF ROWLETT. AS A CITY COUNCIL WE ARE UNITED AND OUR SUPPORT FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY.
WE ARE ALSO UNITED IN OUR BELIEF THAT ROWLETT DID STABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF TRANSITION. FOLLOWING OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS PROVIDED CORRECTIVE ACTION TO THE CITY MANAGER. THAT ACCIDENT IS FIRM AND WILL INCLUDE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE COMMITTED TO INSTITUTING FREQUENT REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE, ACTIVITIES, COMMUNICATION, AND PROGRESS UNTIL THE PERMANENT CITY MANAGER POSITION IS FILLED.
THIS IS NOT A SMALL MANNER AND WE DO NOT INTEND TO TREAT IT LIKE ONE. THE SEARCH FOR OUR NEXT CITY MANAGER WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING OUR WORK SESSION ON MONDAY MAY 18TH. IT IS OUR EXPECTATION THE CITY COUNCIL WILL COME TO CONSENSUS SHORTLY THEREAFTER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONSENSUS OF AN ENGAGEMENT SEARCH FIRM.
THE HIRING OF A CITY MANAGER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND WE INTEND TO APPROACH THAT PROCESS STRATEGICALLY, DELIBERATELY, AND WITH THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF ROWLETT AND MIND.
WE ALSO WANT TO DIRECTLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE POSITION SHARED BY MEMBERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE RESPECT THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY DAY AND NIGHT AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO KEEPING ROWLETT SAFE. THE CITY HAS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ROWLETT'S FUTURE FIRE CHIEFS STAND STRONG FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT RESPONSIBILITY REQUIRES PROCESS THAT IS FAIR, THOUGHTFUL, THOROUGH, AND CAPABLE OF PRODUCING CONFIDENCE IN THE FINAL DECISION. WE RECOGNIZE THAT RESTARTING OR EXTENDING THIS PROCESS CREATES ADDITIONAL FRUSTRATION AND WE DO NOT DISMISS THAT. BUT WE ALSO BELIEVE THE CURRENT SITUATION IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. THAT MOVING FORWARD REQUIRES
[00:35:03]
MEASURED STEPS THAT RESTORE TRUST, PROVIDE STABILITY, AND GIVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT A MEANINGFUL ABILITY TO BE HEARD -- OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. LISTENING CANNOT SIMPLY BE SOMETHING WE SAY IT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION.TO THAT END IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS THE CITY WILL BE WORKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT TO PERFORM A MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS NEEDED IN THE FUTURE FIRE CHIEF AND TO REFINE THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
THE CONSULTANT WILL BE INTERVIEWING DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL FROM ALL RANKS AND ALL THAT WAS OF TENURE WITHIN THE FIRE SERVICE. ACTION MATTERS AND THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF WORK THAT MUST BE EXECUTED IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD CONSTRUCTIVELY. WE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FRUSTRATION MANY RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED ABOUT COMMUNICATION.
SINCE FEBRUARY 28 THAT HAS BEEN THE DIRECTIVE OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS ACROSS THE CITY, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THAT RULE HAS NOT BEEN FILLED BY A SEASONED PROFESSIONAL IN THIS FIELD AND WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE IMPACT HE WILL HAVE AND HAS ALREADY HAD ON THE CIT'S ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND MORE TRANSPARENTLY WITH THE PUBLIC. IN THAT SAME SPIRIT THE CITY WILL SCHEDULE A PUBLIC FORUM FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY TO PROVIDE AN OPEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC, ANSWER QUESTIONS, LISTEN TO CONCERNS, AND CONTINUE REBUILDING LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR RESIDENTS. WITH THAT SAID WE ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE WORK AHEAD. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE INNER CITY MANAGER TO GUIDE AND DIRECT THE NEXT STEPS THAT LIE BEFORE US.
THAT INCLUDES IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC, MOVING FORWARD WITH STRATEGIC AND DELIBERATE HIRING OF A PERMANENT CITY MANAGER, AND ENSURING THE THOUGHTFUL AND INCLUSIVE PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION OF A PERMANENT FIRE CHIEF. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF COMMENTS TONIGHT ABOUT HOPE FOR ROWLETT. WE BELIEVE THAT HOPE IS STILL HERE. HOPE DOES NOT MEAN IGNORING PROBLEMS, COPE DOES NOT MEAN PRETENDING THAT FRUSTRATION IS NOT REAL. HOPE MEANS BELIEVING THAT WE CAN DO BETTER, AND IN ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO BETTER.
THAT RESPONSIBILITY BELONGS TO ALL OF US WHO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. STABILITY WILL NOT COME FROM ONE MEETING, ONE APPOINTMENT, OR ONE STATEMENT LIKE THIS ONE, IT WILL COME FROM MEASURED STEPS, ACCOUNTABILITY, LISTENING TO STAFF, LISTENING TO RESIDENTS, EXTENDING AN OLIVE BRANCH WHERE TRUST HAS BEEN STRAINED, AND REMAINING FOCUSED ON WHAT IS BEST FOR ROWLETT. OR ASK OF THE COMMUNITY IS THIS, PLEASE STAY ENGAGED, BUT ALSO GIVE THIS PROCESS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND A BETTER DIRECTION.
WE KNOW THERE IS WORK TO DO AND AS A CITY COUNCIL WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT WORK. SINCERELY, THE MAYOR AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. COUNSEL, ANY COMMENTS BEFORE WE ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING? SEEING NONE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.