[1. Call to Order ]
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>> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S JUNE 1, 2026.
[2. Citizens’ Input ]
THE CITY COUNCIL HAS A QUORUM IN THE ROOM.OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS CITIZENS INPUT.
COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE.
I HAVE FOUR REQUESTS TO SPEAK FORM.
OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS NOELLE WALDRIP.
IF YOU STATE YOUR NAME. YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAND OR SILT
YOU TELL ME. >> WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
>> STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE.
>> NOELLE WALDRIP. 3418 MALLARD.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
WE TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES.
DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC, ENGINEER OF ROWLETT.
NO OUTSIDE ENGINEERING COMPANY WAS USED TO MAKE THE DECISIONS ON SPEED OF 40 TO 35. NOVEMBER 25TH, TO FEBRUARY 26TH, HOW MANY DAYS AND HOURS WERE SPENT ON THIS STUDY SOUTH OF 66? REMEMBER, WE'RE TALKING FOUR MONTHS.
WE STATED HIGHWAY 66 AND GEORGE BUSH FREEWAY ARE IN THIS AGENDA.
JUST MORE NUMBERS NOT NEEDED. I WAS ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE YEARS AGO FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
THE TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT CAME TO US FOR BUDGET AND REQUESTED $3 MILLION IMMEDIATELY TO FIX ROWLETT ROAD.
AND THERE'S 13300 PLUS CARS A DAY SAFETY.
WHERE SAFETY? NO CHANGES IN THE SPEED ON ROWLETT ROAD DURING THIS PERIOD FOR THE -- IS ONE MILE IN THIS AREA SPEED IS CAUSED MULTIPLE DATES STUDY, SAFETY.
ROWLETT STATES REDUCING SPEED FROM 40 TO 35 MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME. A LARGE NUMBER OF 13,000 PLUS THREE CARS A DAY USE ROWLETT ROAD.
REMEMBER SPEED IS NOT ENFORCED UNTIL 51 MILES AN HOUR.
REDUCING SPEED 35 WILL MAKE A LARGE DIFFERENCE.
WE WERE ENFORCING SPEED AT 45, AT 35 AND 50 THEY'RE GOING 15 OVER. SINCE ROWLETT MENTIONED THE SPEED IN GARLAND, REMEMBER, I SPOKE ABOUT FATALITIES.
WHERE IS SAFETY? THE CITIZENS HAVE MENTIONED THE SPEED ON NORTHWEST HIGHWAY FROM BAUCHMAN LAKE TO LOVE FIELD.
SIX LANES ALL THAT WAY WITH MEDIAN, SPEED IS 35 MILES AN HOUR. DALLAS IS THINKING SAFETY.
FROM MILLER ROAD TO THE LAKE NORTH AND SOUTH THERE ARE 33 HOMES AND ALLEYS THAT FALLS INTO TWO LANES, HAVE TO GET ACROSS TO THE CENTER OF ROWLETT ROAD, MERGE INTO THE OTHER LANES, THERE ARE THIS AREA WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR MAGNITUDE OF TRAFFIC COMING THROUGH OUR CITY. WHERE IS SAFETY WITHIN THE AREA?
ALL RIGHT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MICHELE
STOUTRIGHT FOLLOWED BY DANIEL. >> HI, MICHELE STATRIGHT, ROWLETT TEXAS, I AM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KEEP ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL. LIVING AT THE ENTRY TO THE CITY AT THE SOUTH AND ROWLETT ROAD. I CONCUR WITH NO CHANGE TO THE SPEED LIMIT. I MOVED TO THE BUSY THOROUGH FAIR AND DO NOT BELIEVE THERE ARE WILL BE A REDUCTION OF SPEED COMING INTO THE CITY. THE WORK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE IS SUFFICIENT. I HEAR IT EVERY MORNING WHEN
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THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND DOING -- IF ANYTHING, THE REDUCTION OF NOISE WITH SPEAKER WOULD BE NICE.GOING TO 3 C, WHICH IS CIP PROJECT FOR PARK AND RECREATION, JUST GENERAL COMMENTS. IN REFERENCE TO ROWLETT NATURE TRAIL NUMBER ONE, SOME OF THE $78,000 EXTRA OF FUNDING COULD GO POSSIBLY TO SOME PORTA POTTIES OR RESTROOM FACILITY AT THE AREA AND ALSO THE KEEP ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF A POLLINATOR GARDEN AND A PORTION OF THE GARDEN IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH PARKS AND REC.
IN REFERENCE TO PK 2109, SPRINGFIELD PARK IMPROVEMENTS, THERE HAVE BEEN COMMENTS THAT I RECEIVED FROM CITIZENS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR MORE TRASH BARRELS OR RELOCATION OF TRASH BARRELS THERE. AND SHERWOOD PARK, I HAVE CITIZENS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING PAINT TO THE HOCKEY AREA AND GENERAL SPRUCING UP THEY WILL BE WILLING TO DO THEMSELVES AND KEEP ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL AND THE CITY WILL BE TALKING ABOUT PARKS AND REC AND OUR BOARD MEETINGS IN THE FUTURE.
EROSION CONTROL DURING THE CLEAN UP.
I WAS THERE AT THE PARK AND WITNESSED PEOPLE GOING OVER THE CLOSED SIGNS WHERE THE SIDEWALK IS GETTING READY TO FALL INTO THE LAKE AND WENT DOWN UNDERNEATH THE AREA.
IT'S VERY UNSAFE AREA I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE WOODEN AREA AROUND IT THAT HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW. KENWOOD PARK, MAYOR AND SEVERAL COUNCILMEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU DID IN HELPING TO CLEAN KENWOOD PARK. WE NOW HAVE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PARK CREEK AREA CLEANED AND NOW THE ROTARY CLUB CAN GET TO THE PARK IN ORDER TO CLEAN IT BETTER.
WAL-MART DOES WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THAT AND MAKING IT CLEANER BUT IT WAS A GREAT COMMUNITY EFFORT AND THANK YOU.
THEN ALSO THE PARK COULD BE ANOTHER AREA THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST THAT COULD BE AN AREA FOR BLUE BONNETS LIKE ENNIS FOR EXAMPLE, HAS A LOT OF FIELDED AREAS THAT PEOPLE COME FROM MILES AROUND TO HAVE PICTURES TAKEN WITH BLUE BONNETS.
THAT COULD BE AN AREA MOVING FORWARD.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DANIEL FOLLOWED BY MARK TESHER.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS DANIEL, I RESIDE IN ROWLETT. I ALSO CURRENTLY SERVE AS THE 2026 CHAIR FOR THE CITY'S PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD.
I WANTED TO SPEAK AHEAD OF ITEM 3 C ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
THE UPDATE FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FOR PARKS AND RECREATION. ONE OF OUR GOALS AS A BOARD IS FOR EVERY MEMBER TO VISIT EVERY PARK IN THE CITY BY THE END OF THE MONTH. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING PARK INSPECTION FORMS TO DOCUMENT WHAT WE OBSERVED DURING THE VISITS. THE PARK DEPARTMENT IS AWARE WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING THE INSPECTIONS AND OUR HOPE IS TO ADDRESS MAINTENANCE, DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND OTHER ITEMS NEEDED WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE CITY.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERY PROJECT OR MAINTENANCE NEED CAN BE ADDRESSED. TIMING AND PRIORITIZATION ALL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. HOWEVER, AS THE CIP CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT THE CONDITIONS WE'RE SEEING IN OUR PARKS REMAIN PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.
OUR BOARD IS READY AND WILLING TO ASSIST IF THAT MEANS CONTINUING PARK VISITS, GATHERING COMMUNITY INPUT OR SUPPORTING STAFF AND CITY COUNCIL AS PRIORITIES ARE IDENTIFIED. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. OUR LAST SPEAKER THAT I HAVE A
CARD FOR IS MARK DESIC. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE HERITAGE PARKWAY AND THE COBBLE STONE BRIDGE THAT'S ON IT IT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD FOR 10 YEARS PROBABLY LONGER THAN THAT WE WOULD BE GETTING THAT ROAD FIXED. IT'S A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE FOR LAKE POINT HOSPITAL AND A THOROUGHFARE FOR DALROCK ROAD FOR PEOPLE TO CUT THROUGH AND BYPASS THE INTERSECTION.
WHEN THEY EXPANDED THE HOSPITAL, THEY DID A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THAT
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ROAD. AND NOTHING HAS BEEN EVER REALLY FIXED PROPERLY. WE HAD GOVERNOR ABBOTT COME TO OUR STREET ON WARWICK, WE GOT THE POTHOLES FIXD AND THEY DIDN'T LAST FOR A MONTH AND THE BLACK HOLE FALLS OUT.THE SMALLER POTHOLES, IT WOULD BE NICE TO PUT 5000 PSI CONCRETE IN THOSE. SOME OF THIS ROAD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SOME THE POTHOLES WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB AT FIXING. THE COBBLE STONE BRIDGE, I DID MAKE A COMMENT TO THIS SOME MONTHS BACK.
ONE SIDE, THE WEST SIDE SIDEWALK WAS REPLACED.
THANK YOU FOR WHOEVER GOT SOMEBODY TO FIX THAT.
THE EAST SIDE OF THE BRIDGE, THE SIDEWALK WAS NOT AND IS STILL A HAZARD. THE RAILINGS ARE STILL NOT FIXED. AND THE ELDERLY LADY THAT LIVES 20 FEET FROM THE BRIDGE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN TRYING FOR YEARS AND YEARS TO GET SOMETHING DONE. IT'S LIKE LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING GOT STARTED AND IT ENDED. SO I MEAN, I KNOW PRIORITIES GET CHANGED. BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IN THE PAST YEAR, YEAH, YOU'RE IN THE TOP THREE.
AND THEN SOMETHING HAPPENS AND NOTHING EVER GETS
DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE IN THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO SPEAK?
>> I'M NOT SURE. I JUST GOT HERE.
THE SURVEY. I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 33 YEARS.
SO SIR, I'M GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK.
IF YOU COULD FILL OUT ONE OF THESE FORMS, THEY'RE OUT IN THE ROUND TABLE. IF YOU WANT TO STAND AND STATE YOUR NAME, AND CITY OF RESIDENCE.
>> MY NAME IS LONNIE AND I HAVE BEEN FOR A WHILE AND WATCHED IT GROW. I REMEMBER WHEN LAKEVIEW WAS TWO LANES. THE CONCERN I HAVE ABOUT E-BIKES. AND YOU KNOW WE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF LAKES AND THINGS, THE E-BIKES ARE A PROBLEM.
KIDS GOING UP AND DOWN THE STREET, PULLING OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD I'M AFRAID SOMEBODY WOULD GET HURT.
IF WE COULD ADD SOMETHING TO SAY THEY COULD GO ON THE STREET INSTEAD OF RIDING UP AND DOWN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE NERVE TO JUST PULL OUT. I'M REAL NERVOUS ABOUT THAT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. IF I COULD HAVE YOU FILL OUT ONE OF THOSE FORMS AND GIVE IT TO ANY ONE OF US HERE AT THE TABLE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT.
ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO SPEAK THIS EVENING?
[3.A. Presentation of Rowlett Road Speed Study Results and Recommendation. ]
SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON WITH THE AGENDA TO THE WORK SESSION. ITEM 3 A.PRESENTATION OF ROWLETT ROAD SPEED STUDY RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. IS THAT SERGEANT -- CHRISTOF.
>> THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FROM A CONVERSATION WE HAD LAST NOVEMBER 17TH. THERE WAS SPECIFIC PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT COUNCIL ASKED FOR US TO GO OUT AND ACCOMPLISH FOR YOU. BACK THEN WE DIDN'T REALLY IDENTIFY THAT WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT SPEEDING PROBLEM.
IN IN FACT WE DON'T HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SPEEDING PROBLEM WE DID AN EVALUATION AT SIX LOCATIONS AND PROVIDED THAT NOVEMBER 17TH. ENGINEERING REVIEW TOOK A LOOK AT THIS MAJOR ARTERIAL AND GAVE THE FEEDBACK TO US.
THERE ARE A COUPLE PANELS THAT CAN BE USED.
OTHER THAN THAT, IT'S A FAIRLY STRAIGHT FOUR LANE SIGNIFICANT MEDIAN ARTERIAL STREET. CERTAINLY SPEED LIMIT IS 40, IT WAS MADE BACK ON THE 17TH AND THAT CONTINUES TO BE OUR RECOMMENDATION THIS EVENING. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OR THE FOLLOW UP YOU ASKED FOR US BACK ON THE 17TH, THE ADDITIONAL TARGETED ENFORCEMENT AND ADDITIONAL SPEED STUDY AFTER THE ENFORCEMENT. DATA AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THE MEDIANS. WE WILL GO THROUGH ALL THE QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE RESPONSES TONIGHT.
SO BEFORE AND AFTER. ACTUALLY THE SPEED LIMIT, THE AVERAGE SPEED CAME DOWN AFTER THE SIGNIFICANT ENFORCEMENT WE DID. BUT IT'S NOT DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT THAN THE CONDITION WE HAD BACK IN SEPTEMBER.
THE SORT OF HIGH-END SPEED IS OVER 50.
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AGAIN FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF COMPARABLE FAIRLY SMALL PROBLEM WITH EXCESSIVE SPEEDS IN THIS AREA.AGAIN NOT A BIG DIFFERENCE IN CHANGES.
AVERAGE SPEED. I WANT TO ALWAYS LOOK AT THIS, WHAT IS SAFETY OF THE AREA? HOW MANY ACCIDENTS ARE WE SEEING IN THE AREA? AND THE WITNESS IS OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD. WE HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC OF COURSE ON THIS STREET. EVEN THAT WE HAVE ONLY ONE SERIOUS ACCIDENT PER 180,000 VIEWS.
COMPARED TO OTHER ARTERIALS THIS IS SOMETHING UP MUCH SAFER THAN OTHER ARTERIALS IN THE AREA AM THIS IS A SUMMARY OF ALL DATA.
IF YOU LOOK AT DALROCK. LAKEVIEW PARKWAY.
FOR THE VOLUME, THIS ROAD AGAIN IS VERY SAFE COMPARED TO WHAT WE ACTUALLY SEE ON DALROCK AND LAKEVIEW PARKWAY FOR EXAMPLE.
SO THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE HAD.
DOES REDUCING IT ACTUALLY REDUCE THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE STREET? AND FROM OUR ENGINEERS, NO IT WOULD NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT BASED ON THE SMALL CHANGE IN THE STREET.
WENT HAVE IMPACT ON VOLUME AND NO WE DON'T SEE CHANGES IN THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE ADJACENT COMMUNITIES.
THESE WERE ALL QUESTIONS RAISED DURING THE NOVEMBER 17TH MEETING. SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO ADDRESS JUST SLIGHTLY IS WHEN YOU HAVE THIS VOLUME, 48, 49 MILLION TRAFFIC, 1% IS STILL A GOOD NUMBER.
SO WE'RE NOT SAYING YOU'RE GOT TO GO SEE PEOPLE SPEEDING OUT THERE. BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TRAFFIC, 99% ARE FOLLOWING WHAT WE SEE AS AN APPROPRIATE SPEED FOR THAT CORRIDOR. IF YOU LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT SPEED-RELATED CRASHES, OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN 26 SPEED-RELATED CRASHES. IN OTHER AREAS WE SEE HIGHER PERCENTAGES. THIS ONE, SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO BE DRIVING THE ACCIDENTS WE HAVE.
THE AREA OF MALLARD COVE.T IN - FEEDBACK IS THAT IS NOT SPEED RELATED. IT WAS ATTENTION RELATED.
THEY WERE DISTRACTED AND HIT THE CURB.
NOT SPEED RELATED IN THAT CASE. AGAIN THAT'S WHY WE'RE RECOMMENDING YOU RETAIN THE 40 MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT IN THE AREA OVERALL. THIS IS ONE OF OUR SAFER ARTERIALS GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF VOLUME IT CARRIES.
QUESTIONS SPECIFIC, YOU WANT TO ASK YOUR QUESTIONS?
>> YES, SO, I AM PREPARED. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU.
I ASKED IF WE COULD BRING IN A SHOW AND TELL TONIGHT.
>> WE DO. WE HAVE A LITTLE SHOW AND TELL.
SO WE WERE ASKED TO, SO WHEN WE STARTED THIS SPEED STUDY, BACK IN I BELIEVE IT WAS NOVEMBER, WE HAD THESE STRIKER RADAR DETECTORS. AND THEY'RE BASICALLY JUST CENSORS. THEY DON'T EMIT ANY LIGHT.
THERE'S NO IMAGE OF ANY SPEED ON HERE WHATSOEVER.
THEY SIMPLY ATTACH TO A LIGHT POLE AND THEY BASICALLY SHOOT OUT RADAR AND COLLECT THE DATA RELATED TO SPEED.
NO ONE WOULD KNOW THESE ARE DEPLOYED.
WE HAD THREE DEPLOYED ON THE NORTH SIDE FOR A WEEK AND SWITCH THOSE THREE TO THE SOUTH SIDE AND SPREAD THOSE OUT SO WE COULD GET THOROUGH DATA ANALYSIS FOR BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH USING THE CENSORS. SINCE, SO COUPLE DIFFERENT STUDIES WERE DONE. WE DID THE INITIAL AND THE ENFORCEMENT ASPECT. WE DID ANOTHER ANALYSIS OF THE SPEED AS YOU SAW. WE NOW HAVE EMPLOYED URBAN SDK.
IT'S ESSENTIALLY SOFTWARE AND USING GPS DATA.
SO NOW IT NEGATES THE NEED FOR THESE.
TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING FAST AND WE HAVE ACCESS AT OUR FINGER TIPS ANY TIME WE WANT TO LOOK AT VOLUME SPEEDS.
IT'S NOT MASS COLLECTION, IT PROVIDES GPS DATA.
ANYONE WITH A CAR THAT HAS ANY ELECTRONICS EMITS A SIGNAL AND WE'RE ABLE TO AT A FINGER TIPS NOW, GET SPEEDS AND TRAFFIC
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VOLUMES. SO WE USE THESE NOW TO CROSS REFERENCE THE DATA TO MAKE SURE IT'S ACCURATE.JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT. >> WHEN YOU CROSS REFERENCED
THERE'S OTHER THINGS I WAS KIND OF WANTING TO BREAK DOWN JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE COVERING EVERYTHING.
I HAD ASKED INTERIM CITY MANAGER TO ASK YOU JUST FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS BETWEEN THE THOUSAND BLOCK OF ROWLETT ROAD AND 2300 FOR THOSE COMING INTO THE CITY OF ROWLETT AT CHAUA.
HOW MANY ACCOUNTS AND WERE ANY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS OF SPEED?
>> YES. WE DID THAT ANALYSIS AND WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER, THERE'S BEEN 196 ACCIDENTS OVER THREE YEARS.
TWO OF WHICH WERE THE RESULT OF UNSAFE SPEED.
ONLY TWO OF THE 196 WERE CAUSATION SPEED.
>> THREE YEARS YOU SAID? >> YES, SIR.
AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT BUT I GOT IT.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. CHIEF IN YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND ALL THE FACTORS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PRESENTD AND COLLECTED, YOU BELIEVE FIVE MILES AN HOUR WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS ATTRIBUTED TO SPEED?
THAT ANSWER DIDN'T ANY LIGHTLY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ENGINEERING ON THIS. THIS IS A VERY DETAILED ANALYSIS. OVER THE COURSE OF ALMOST SIX MONTHS. MIGHT HAVE BEEN SIX MONTHS.
WE HAVE USED OUR MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ENGINEERS IN THE CITY TO EVALUATE THIS. WE USED OUR MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS TO ANALYZE THE DATA.
WE USED TWO SOURCES OF DATA ANALYSIS THROUGH THE STRIPERS AND OUR GPS DATA AND REALLY LET THE DATA GUIDE THAT.
WE ALSO WENT FURTHER THAN THAT AND LOOKED AT THE OTHER MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN THE CITY TO SEE HOW THOSE COMPARE.
YOU KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT ON THIS ROAD, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE OTHER MAJOR ARTERIALS BECAUSE WE HAVE BETTER DATA THAT WOULD MORE STRONGLY SUPPORT THAT DECISION ON THOSE ROADS LIKE DALROCK. OUR TEAM HAS BEEN CONDUCTING SIGNIFICANT ENFORCEMENT. I'M SURE THE RESIDENTS WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE. WE NEEDED TO DO THAT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE THOROUGH IN THE ANALYSIS, AND BASED ON EVERYTHING AND ALL OF THAT. THE TOTALITY OF THAT, I DON'T THINK THAT LOWERING FIVE MILES AN HOUR WILL REALLY ADDRESS THE 2% OF VIOLATORS WE ARE ALREADY ADDRESSING THAT WITH OUR REGULAR ENFORCEMENT. THIS CONTINUES TO BE A FOCUS AREA. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING WE TO GET ABOUT AND GO AWAY FROM. TALKED TO SERGEANT KLINGER IS THIS IS AN AREA OF ENFORCEMENT. I DON'T THINK THAT ADJUSTING IT FIVE MILES AN HOUR IS GOING TO MAKE A NOTABLE DIFFERENCE IN EITHER SAFETY OR REDUCE THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC.
>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE IS, ON QUESTION OF THE ENGINEER COMING IN AND DOING THIS, WHEN AN ENGINEER COMES IN AND DOES A STUDY OF WHAT SPEED AT AND WHAT ROAD CONDITIONS, CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN HOW THEY GO THROUGH THAT?
>> THE BIGGEST PREDICTOR OF SPEED IS THE 85TH PERCENTILE.
THE 85TH PERCENTILE IS THE AVERAGE SPEED OF WHAT NORMAL DRIVERS DRIVE IN THE GEOMETRY OF THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.
IF YOU DESIGN A ROAD WITH NARROW LANES.
ROUNDABOUTS AND TREES REAL CLOSE AND WILL HELP SLOW PEOPLE DOWN.
BUT GEOMETRY OF THAT ROAD, IS IT STRAIGHT LIKE A STRAIGHT SHOT.
NO CURVES, 85TH PERCENTILE IS WHAT I GO BY TO ADDRESS SPEED LIMIT. YOU CAN GO FIVE UP, FIVE DOWN.
IF THERE'S RESIDENTIALS ON THERE.
THAT ROAD DOES NOT HAVE RESIDENTIAL UP TO THE STREET.
SO, THAT SPEED LIMIT I WOULD RECOMMEND WOULD BE THE 85TH
PERCENTILE WHICH WOULD BE 40 >> YOU SAY RESIDENTIAL.
>> YES. WHERE A HOUSE FACES THE ROAD.
YES CORRECT. SO, WHEN WE COME TO THE DO THEY GO BY THE PERCENTILE, - 85TH PERCENTILE OF THE SPEED
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LIMIT AND USUALLY BRING IT DOWN WHEN THEY COME TO THATDETERMINATION >> TO LOWER IT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONDITIONS. HOW MANY ASSESS ENTRY POINTS.
ALL THE CONVENTIONS OF GEOMETRY DETERMINE THAT.
>> ONE MORE TIME, REMIND WE WHAT 85TH PERCENTILE?
>> 85TH PERCENTILE WAS 43. 46.
45 MILES AN HOUR UNDER ENGINEERING PLAN.
POSTED AT 40. THERE'S CONCERNS AND WE HAVE IN PROBLEM FOR YEARS. I WANT TO SEE THE STUDY AND DATA AND WHAT DRIVES IT. IF THE DATA SAYS WE'RE GOOD, PEOPLE GET MAD. THEY SAY, WHY ARE YOU STILL DOWN THERE? DO YOU QUIT FISHING WHEN THE FISH QUIT BITING. WHEN YOU PUT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE POLE SENDING THE THING ALL THE TIME.
WHEN THEY WOULD BE DOWN THERE DOING ENFORCEMENT.
ONCE THAT RADAR DETECTOR IS GOING OFF, THEY ARE ALREADY DO IT. NOW THEY'RE AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE THERE'S A RADAR GOING OFF ALL THE TIME.
I HAVE VISITED THAT AND I WILL HAVE TO GIVE KUDOS IT'S IMPROVED. I'M NOT GETTING MY DOORS BLOWN OFF BECAUSE I LIVE CLOSE TO THERE TOO.
I I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE VISITED THAT AREA TO SEE IF IT'S TRUE FOR YOU, IT'S TRUE FOR ME TOO.
I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PRESENTATION.
I ASK WE CONTINUE MONITORING IT AND MAYBE GETTING DATA COLLECTION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE NEW IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION AS WE'RE STEALING FROM OUR PHONES AND CARS THESE
DAYS. >> WE ACTUALLY DID THAT BEFORE WE CAME IN AND RAN THE SDK. HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS?
>> I PULLED THE BEGINNING THIS MONTH.
>> AGAIN, VERY CONSISTENT. YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOU PULL THE REPORT. THAT'S ALL I GOT.
MAYOR. >> DID YOU HAVE MORE OF THE PRESENTATION? OR YOU'RE WRAPPED UP.
>> CHIEF, YOU MENTIONED THE GPS TRACKING TOOL.
IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ROUTINELY CHECK OR WHEN YOU THINK YOU NEED
WE JUST STARTED USING THIS TECHNOLOGY, AND WE CAN ACCESS IT AT ANY POINT IN TIME NOW. WHEREAS WE HAVE TO PUT THE CENSORS OUT AND FOR A WEEK AND WAIT AND GET THE DATA.
WE CAN LOG IN ON THE COMPUTER. >> ONCE THIS NEW TOOL IS BAKED IN, YOU FIGURED OUT ALL THE LEARNING CURVES, YOU COULD PROBABLY USE THAT IF YOU NOTICE CERTAIN TRENDS IN THE SEE TO
INCREASE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. >> THAT'S ONE OF BEST FEATURES OF THE SYSTEM, WE CAN AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE DETERMINE WHERE HOT SPOTS ARE. WE CAN SET ALERTS AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS. PUSH OUT INFORMATION FOR OUR OFFICERS BUT OUR REGULAR THAT PATROL OFFICERS.
WE NOTICE AN UPTICK AND IT BECOMES A SPEEDING ISSUE, WE CAN TARGET THE AREAS EFFECTIVELY MORE EFFICIENTLY.
>> I FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T USE THAT TOO.
YOU'RE CHECKING YOUR DATA AGAINST OTHER DATA.
YOU'RE GETTING CROSS REFERENCING.
I LIKE IT'S STILL HAPPENING. >> IT'S KIND OF A WIN-WIN.
>> I WILL JUST ADD ON TO WHAT COUNCILMEMBER GIBBS SAID, I'M COMING ALL THE TIME, MY WIFE LIKES TO GO TO COSTCO ALL THE
>> I NOTICED A PRETTY MARKABLE DROP BECAUSE LIKE MARVIN SAID, COMING SOUTH, PEOPLE ZIG-ZAG PAST YOU AND TRY TO GET THERE AS QUICK AS THEY CAN. IT SEEMED TO SLOW DOWN QUITE A
BIT. >> COUNCIL, OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> FIRST OF ALL, CHIEF. GREAT WORK.
THE DATA REALLY TELLS A GOOD STORY.
ESPECIALLY SHOWING THAT SPEED IS NOT CONTRIBUTING.
HOWEVER, DID WE WHEN I CALL FROM THE STAKEHOLDER SIDE, HAS ANYBODY GONE OUT THERE AND LOOKED AT IT AT 4 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON? HOW HARD IS IT FOR SOMEONE TO COME ACROSS THE BRIDGE? I HAVE DRIVEN IT AND I FIND IT
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DIFFICULT. I DON'T KNOW THERE'S A GOOD ANSWER. HAVE WE LOOKED AT THAT? WE HAVE A FEW PEOPLE TALKING HERE.UP AND DOWN ROWLETT ROAD ON THE SIDE.
THE OTHER MORNING I HAPPENED TO GET DONUTS FOR GRANDCHILDREN AND I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.
THEY ALL LEFT ME IN THE DUST GOING SOUTH.
THEN I WENT DOWN THERE TODAY TO CHECK OUT THE SIGN AND I HAVE TO SAY, I WAS LEFT IN THE DUST AGAIN.
SO. I MEAN, AGAIN, THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL THE TIME.
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT LIVE THERE AND THERE MAY NOT BE A GOOD ANSWER TO THIS.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO? IS THERE A PROBLEM AT 4 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON TRYING TO GET ACROSS OR 8 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING? IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO
YEAH. SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH GARY ABOUT IS THINGS LIKE LINE OF SIGHT WHEN YOU POINT OUT A RESIDENTIAL AREA ON TO A BUSIER THOROUGHFARE AND DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY CAN BE DIFFICULT.
IT CAN BE MORE CHALLENGING IF THERE'S ROADWAY DESIGNS THAT MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE.
IF YOU'RE HAVING TO PULL OUT EXTRA FAR.
THERE IS SOME POTENTIAL FOR US TO LOOK AT IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC CONCERNS AND SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS.
YOU KNOW WE DID TAKE A LOOK AT MALLARD FOR EXAMPLE BECAUSE THERE DOES APPEAR TO BE SOME I GUESS LINE OF SIGHT RELATED
CONCERNS THERE. >> THE UTILITY POLE.
IF YOU LOOK TO THE NORTH, THE UTILITY POLE WE ASKED IT GET MOVED AND THEN MERGING ON TO ROWLETT ROAD, THE ENTRANCE IS SKEWED. IT'S NOT PURE 90 DEGREES.
WE LOOKED AT TWEAKING THE ENTRANCE THERE OR EXIT TO A 90 S YOU'RE NOT LOOKING CROOKED THIS WAY.
WE LOOKED AT A FEW OPTIONS WITH HIS STAFF.
THE CHIEF STAFF TO LOOK AT THE GEOMETRY AND MAKE IT BETTER.
>> ONE OF THE IMPLICATIONS WHEN YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT AND KIND OF TURN JUST TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S SAFE TO PASS AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT FURTHER, CAN IT MAKE IT PAIR TRAFFIC IS TRAVELLING FASTER THAN IT IS WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET THAT CLOSE TO LOOK OUT AND SEE AND THAT CREATES THAT EXTRA STRESS.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE CAN LOOK AT IN THE FUTURE.
AND A BOND IF THEY'RE WILLING TO MOVE A POLE OR THE ROAD DESIGN AND SEE IF MAYBE REDESIGNING THE ENTRY OF THAT ROAD MAY HELP THE VISIBILITY AND MAY ALSO ALLOW PEOPLE TO MORE SAFELY CROSS.
>> WE HAVE THOSE SIGHT PROBLEMS ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
US BE TREE CITY U.S.A., WE DO SOME OF THIS STUFF TO OURSELVES AND NOT KEEPING THEM TRIMMED. THEY GET LOW OR WE GET THE BIG, WHAT DO YOU CALL CRAPE MYRTLES. I TURN ON TO DOGWOOD, YOU HAVE TO CREEP OUT JUST TO SEE IT'S CLEAR.
THERE'S BEEN POOR DESIGN ON 66 WHEN YOU LINE UP CARS.
YOU SHOULD BE LINED UP LIKE THIS.
ONCE SOMEBODY ELSE PULLS UP LIKE THIS, THERE WAS BAD ENGINEERING I THINK. ROWLETT ROAD IF WE COULD TAKE CARE OF ROWLETT ROAD 66, I MENTIONED STUFF TO CHRISTOF, WE NEED TO KEEP OUR STUFF TRIMMED DOWN.
TRIM THE HEDGES DOWN. GET THE TREES TRIMMED UP.
YOU NAME IT. SO WE'RE NOT CAUSING PROBLEMS SO PEOPLE CAN SEE ON THE BLIND SIDE.
OUR WALLS ACTUALLY HINDER YOU COMING OUT.
YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT TO SEE AROUND THE WALL.
IT IS OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE EXITING RIGHT. THE ONLY OTHER THING IS TO PUT MORE LIGHTS UP. GET THE SAFE PASSAGE I WILL SAY.
AND THE CITIZENS HAVE TO USE IT. THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE STREET TO USE IT FOR WHATEVER IT IS. I THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF CRAZY WE PUT A CROSSWALK AT FAULKNER BECAUSE YOU'RE COMING DOWN THROUGH THERE AND THERE'S A CROSSWALK THERE OR SOMEBODY WANTING TO CROSS IT. THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BETTER LIGHTING AND STUFF LIKE THAT. ANYWAY.
A LIGHT WOULD PROBABLY HELP ON THAT STUFF.
THOSE COST MONEY AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE MAY WANT TO LOOK AT DOING IN TRYING TO HELP THE FOLKS OUT.
YOU LOOK AT KENWOOD, THERE'S A CURVE THERE, THEY PUT A LIGHT THERE. IF WE HAVE THOSE ISSUES, MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP MOTORISTS
[00:35:01]
COMING OUT OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFELY.>> I THINK YOU WILL HEAR, AT LEAST I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY A COUPLE NEIGHBORHOODS ON DALROCK OF BEING ABLE TO ACCESS, ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF AND INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING LIKELY WILL HEAR ABOUT AND SOMETHING AS A COMMUNITY PROBABLY NEED TO DO DEEPER ANALYSIS AND PRIORITIZE THE INVESTMENTS. AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED HERE,
THOSE FIXES ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE. >> AND YOU HAVE TO TIME THE
>> I GOT ONE MORE QUESTION. >> SURE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD.
THAT'S FINE. DID THE DATA SHOW WHEN THERE WAS SPEEDING WAS IT NORTHBOUND OR SOUTHBOUND?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. >> I WILL DEFER TO SERGEANT
LIKE I SAID, IT COULD HAVE BEEN IF YOU'RE GOING NORTHBOUND ON ROWLETT ROAD FROM MILLER. SOMETIMES THAT'S A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE SOUTHBOUND FLOW. IT JUST DEPENDING HONESTLY.
>> I SAY THAT. TRAVELLING THAT ROAD, I LIVED OVER IN THAT AREA. GOING NORTHBOUND TO SEE FRIENDS.
I'M JUST WONDERING AND I WANT TO CHECK THE SPEED SIGN.
ARE YOU WONDERING, ARE YOU TAKING SOMETHING, I HAD A DISCUSSION EARLIER. IT GETS ME EVERY TIME I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. EVERY DRIVE I'M IN THE SCHOOL ZONE, IT MAKES ME SLOW DOWN. THE FLASHING LIGHT UNDERNEATH IF POSSIBLE UNDER THE SPEED SIGN. IT REALLY DRAWS ATTENTION TO THAT. I KNOW THE ONE ON DALROCK GETS ME EVERY TIME AND MAKES ME THINK.
AND I'M NOT A FAST LEARNER OBVIOUSLY.
>> WELL THAT ON ROWLETT ROAD, IT HAS A LITTLE YELLOW.
>> THAT ONE WILL WAKE YOU UP. MAKE WE CHANGE THE RED AND BLUE LIGHTS. WE'RE THE ONES THAT RIGHT TICKETS ON THE THE SIGNS. CAN'T DO THAT.
>> CHIEF, I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY THAT THERE ARE 196 NON-RELATED SPEED ACCIDENTS IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
>> YES, SIR. AND I'M DOODLING WITH MATH.
THAT WOULD BE 65 PER YEAR. FIVE FOR MONTH.
THAT THE 1,000 BLOCK OF ROWLETT ROAD?
>> THAT ANALYSIS I BELIEVE WAS FOUR SQUARE BLOCKS.
>> BASICALLY THE 196 WAS THE WHOLE LENGTH OF ROWLETT ROAD.
WE USED STATE REPORTING SYSTEM. 196 TOTAL IN THE BLOCK RANGE.
>> I'M TALKING NON-RELATED. JUST TOTAL ACCIDENTS.
I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY 196 OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD.
NONSPEED RELATED. ON THE FULL LENGTH OF ROWLETT
WE DON'T KNOW IN THAT PARTICULAR BLOCK.
>> AGAIN, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE ALL GOING TOWARD SPEED BUT REALLY, AS A COUNCIL AND CITIZENS WE WANT NO ACCIDENTS IN ROWLETT. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO STRIVE FOR. THAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE THAT WE HAD NO ACCIDENTS. SO I WAS JUST GOING DOWN TO HOW MANY ACCIDENTS OCCUR IN THAT BLOCK SPEED OR OTHERWISE.
AND IF IT WERE 5 PER MONTH AND I WAS SITTING IN MY BACKYARD AND HEARD FIVE CRASHES A MONTH, THAT WOULD SEEM LIKE A LOT.
JUST TRYING TO GET THE MATH ON THAT.
>> THE ONLY WAY, IT WILL NOT BREAK DOWN BY BLOCK.
I HAD TO MANUALLY PULL THE DATA AND THEY WERE 196.
I WAS TRYING TO GET -- >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR
COMMENTS? >> I'M THINKING WHEN YOU WENT
OUT, EVERYBODY -- >> YOU GOT TO GET THERE.
I GOT THREE OF THEM. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR TRAFFIC, WHATEVER THE CORRECT TERM IS.
NOT TO MAKE A CHANGE. I THINK FOR ME, BASED ON SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS PREVIOUSLY. SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE FACT DALROCK HAS MANY OF SAME CONDITIONS, IF WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE ONE, WE HAVE TO CHANGE BOTH.
THAT NECESSITATES A MUCH MORE HOLISTIC LOOK OF ROADWAYS
[00:40:03]
THROUGHOUT THE CITY WHICH SOMEONE ALLUDED TO EARLIER.I WOULD POINT OUT THAT I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM HERE IS THE ON-GOING CONSTRUCTION ON I-30 AND THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC VOLUME TO PUSHES THROUGH OUR THOROUGHFARES, WHETHER FROM THE WEST ON 66 OR FROM THE SOUTH ON ROWLETT ROAD, PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO BYPASS THINGS THAT HAPPEN ON THE BRIDGE OR THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN ROCKWALL. THERE'S JUST NO OTHER WAY TO GET THROUGH. CERTAINLY THAT'S NOT THE ENTIRETY OF IT. WE HAVE DOWN THAT WAY IN GARLAND, THERE'S A HIGH SCHOOL. CENTENNIAL HIGH SCHOOL IS DOWN THERE. THAT'S WHERE MY TWO OLDEST WENT.
I WENT THROUGH THERE ALL THE TIME AND RECOGNIZE THE TRAFFIC THAT GOES THROUGH THERE. I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT ROWLETT ROAD AND THE GARLAND SIDE OF THINGS AND TALK ABOUT TRAFFIC DEATHS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS OF WHERE THAT HAPPENS AS WELL. SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS WERE LAKEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IT'S A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL DOWNWARD SLOPE AND CURVE TO THE LEFT.
YES CARS HAVE LOST CONTROL AND FLIPPED.
GONE INTO THE WATER. AND IT'S BEEN TRAGIC.
THE GRADUATING CLASS JUST THIS YEAR HAD A STUDENT WHO LOST HIS SISTER TO THAT AS A RESULT. HOWEVER THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE ON ROWLETT ROAD IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT. IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME.
THERE'S NOT THE SAME SLOPE COMBINED WITH A SHARP CURVE.
SO, AGAIN I UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLE AND THE FRUSTRATION, BUT I DON'T THINK BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND A CHANGE AT THIS TIME.
>> I WOULD CONCUR. I WILL THROW MY $0.02 IN THERE.
I DON'T THINK DATA SUGGESTS A CHNGE.
I'M GOING WITH DATA AND I AM NOT FOR CHANGING THE SPEED LIMIT
>> YEAH, THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD, LAST TIME WE HAD THE CONVERSATION, I MENTIONED THE TRAFFIC SLIGHTS ON THE STAKEHOLDER SIDE OF IT. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN LOOKING INTO THAT IN FUTURE IF WE COULD HELP THOSE PEOPLE MOVE THROUGHOUT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS EASIER.
MORE SO SAFETY OF TRAFFIC. >> THE ANALYSIS OF COURSE OF WARRANT FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT IS FAIRLY COMPLEX AND SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO INHOUSE.
THAT ANALYSIS WE DID A ANALYSIS ON SHRADY.
WE WILL DO AN EMERGENCY FOR STATION 2.
THERE'S ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE WILL GO THROUGH ANOTHER ANALYSIS. SO, AS WE SORT OF MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS, WE WILL DO THAT ANALYSIS AND UPDATE YOU ON THE
PROCESS. >> I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN
THAT TOO. >> I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF UPGRADING THE SIGN AT THE SOUTHERN ENTRANCE OF THE CITY.
I WAS THE ONE WHO ORIGINALLY REQUESTED THAT SIGN AS PART OF THIS LARGER ISSUE, LARGER CONVERSATION BECAUSE I KNEW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING ACROSS THAT BRIDGE OFTEN DON'T REALIZE HOW FAST THEY'RE GOING. IT'S A VERY STRAIGHT ROAD WITH CARS GOING A SIMILAR SPEED. THAT HAS UNDOUBTEDLY HELPED.
I LIKE THE RED AND BLUES. WELL.
I DO KNOW THEY TURN RED AND BLUE.
DEFINITELY -- ALTHOUGH I CAN ALSO ATTEST THE ENFORCEMENT WORKS AT THE SOUTHERN END OF ROWLETT ROAD BECAUSE I JUST GOT FINISHED VISITING THE MUNICIPAL COURT WITH MY OLDEST DAUGHTER.
ENFORCEMENT DOES WORK DOWN THERE.
WE WILL WRAP UP THAT ITEM. THANK YOU CHIEF.
THANK YOU GARY. APPRECIATE IT.
[3.B. Present and receive input regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program 2026 Annual Action Plan. ]
SERGEANT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> AND WE WILL MOVE ON WITH OUR AGENDA, 3 B. PRESENT AND RECEIVE INPIT REGARDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM 2026.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL. I WANT TO INTRODUCE JOE CONSULTANT, SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING US UP TO SPEED WITH THE CDBG ACTION ITEMS AND WILL PRESENT THE 2026 ANNUAL
[00:45:06]
ACTION PLAN, ASSOCIATED STEPS AND WE WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY OR AFTER THE PRESENTATION. OKAY.WHAT WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO -- THERE WE GO.
IS TO TALK ABOUT THE ANNUAL PLAN FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
JUST TO GIVE YOU BASICS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND WHAT HUD CALLS AN ENTITLEMENT CITY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO COMPETE FOR THESE FUNDS. IT'S LITERALLY A FORMULA GRANT ALLOCATION AND THE NEXT YEAR IS $316,079.
ROWLETT IS ALSO WHAT HUD CALLS AN EXCEPTION CITY BECAUSE YOUR LOW END MODERATE INCOME POPULATION IS LOWER COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES THAT NORMALLY RECEIVE THESE FUNDS.
THE GENERAL RULE IS FROM HUD IS THAT YOUR SISTER TRACK BLOCK GROUPS THAT HAVE 50% LOW MODERATE IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDS TO BE SPENT. IN ROWLETT THEY LOWERED TO 38.2 %. HUD DOES DEFINE EXACTLY WHAT THE FUNDS CAN AND CANNOT BE USED FOR.
AND WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT IN JUST A SECOND. SO, THE PROCESS FOR THE ANNUAL PLAN, IT IS A ONE-YEAR ACTION PLAN.
IT'S BASED ON THE FIVE YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN.
IF YOU REMEMBER, Y'ALL APPROVED LAST YEAR.
IT TALKS ABOUT HOW EXACTLY THE FUNDS WILL BE USED THIS NEXT YEAR STARTING OCTOBER 1ST TO MEET THE IDENTIFIED PARTIES AND NEEDS THAT IT WERE FOUND IN THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN.
THE PROCESS INCLUDES HAVING A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS.
WE HELD TO AND THERE WILL BE A FINAL ONE HELD IN AUGUST DURING THE FINAL APPROVAL PHASE. WE LOOK AT DATA COLLECTION, WE DO RESEARCH AND AGAIN LOOKING AT IDENTIFYING AND RATING IF THAT STAND OUT.TICULAR NEEDS - AND WE DEVELOP THE PLAN AND SUBMIT TO HUD IN AUGUST. BY STATUTE, THE CDBG FUNDS HAVE TO MEET ONE OF NATIONAL OBJECTIVES TO PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME PERSONS.
HUD DEFINES AT HOUSEHOLDS ARE THAT LESS THAN 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. OR THEY MUST BE USED TO ELIMINATE A DEMOLITION OR CLEARANCE PROGRAM.
AND THEN URGENT COMMUNITY NEEDS AND THOSE ARE REALLY MORE ALIGNED WITH DISASTERS, TORNADOS AND SUCH AS THAT.
THIS CHART SHOWS THE INCOME ELIGIBILITY AMOUNTS FOR ROWLETT FOR INSTANCE A HOUSEHOLD OF FOUR COULD MAKE UP TO $96,900 AND BE CLASSIFIED AS LOW TO MODERATE INCOME.
HUD DOES PUT RESTRICTIONS ON HOW THE FUNDS CAN BE USED.
THERE'S A CAP OF 20% FOR COSTS THAT CAN BE SPENT WITH ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM. THERE'S A CAP OF 15% THAT CAN BE USED FOR PUBLIC SERVICES AND REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.
>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PUBLIC SERVICES?
RIGHT HERE. >> AGAIN THERE'S A CAP OF 15% AND IT CAN BE USED FOR THE CITY OR FOR A NON-PROFIT OPERATING EXPENSES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING.
PUBLIC SAFETY, SERVICES THAT ARE ESPECIALLY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
SERVICES THAT ARE SPECIAL OR LIMITED TO HOMELESS, CRIME PREVENTION, CHILDCARE, DRUG ABUSE, EDUCATION, RECREATIONAL NEEDS AND OUR EDUCATION COUNCIL. THE OTHER ACTIVITIES AND WE SAY IT'S A 65% MINIMUM. IF YOU MAX OUT YOUR EXPENSES FOR THE OTHER TWO ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES AND YOU'RE LEFT WITH AT LEAST 65% OF YOUR GRANT, THAT CAN BE USED FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES. THAT'S ONLY IN THE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME AREAS WITH THE ACQUISITION OR REHAB OF THE AREA. YOU RECEIVE THE GRANT, THIS IS THE 20TH YEAR AND PRETTY WELL MOST THE FUNDS ON TO STREET AND ALLY IMPROVEMENTS. YOU HAVE ALSO DONE PARK IMPROVEMENTS. A FEW WATER SEWER PROJECTS VERY
[00:50:01]
EARLY ON. DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, WE DEFINITELY HAVE DONE CURBS AND GUTTERS.YOU CAN USE THE MONEY FOR SHELTERS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS AND PARKING AND SIDEWALKS. THE FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT. ONLY IN THE LOW INCOME AREAS.
DEMOLITION, HOUSING REHABILLIATION.
HOME BUYERS ASSISTANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
THIS MAP THE GOLD AREA SHOW THE SHADED AREAS THAT ARE THE ELIGIBLE CENSUS TRACKS. AGAIN THESE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE GREATER THAN 38.2 % OF THAT BLOCK GROUP AS HAVING HAD LOW TO MODERATE INCOME. THIS IS WHERE YOUR ELIGIBLE AREAS WOULD HAVE BENEFIT PROGRAMS. JUST TO SHOW YOU HISTORICALLY. SINCE 2006, HOW THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN SPENT. FAIRLY AND THIS HAS BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PORTION WHERE THERE'S A 20% CAP, THE CITY HAS SPENT BETWEEN 17 AND 20% PUBLIC SERVICES. BETWEEN 10 AND 15%.
AND THEN FOR PUBLIC FACILITIES, BETWEEN 65 AND 80% OF THE GRANT.
THIS RIGHT HERE SHOWS LAST YEAR'S COUNCIL APPROVED BUDGET.
THIS WAS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR STARTING OCTOBER 1ST OF 2025.
THERE WAS 34 THOUSAND NINE 25 IN DOLLARS IN ADMIN.
PUBLIC SERVICES, POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE CRIME PREVENTION WAS $12,000 AND I CAN SAY THAT WAS A BIG SUCCESS THAT PRETTY ROUGHLY, THAT PROGRAM IS USED TO REALLY ENGAGE AND INCREASE POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH YOUTH AND THE ENCOUNTERS WHERE AVERAGE BETWEEN 100 AND 150 PER MONTH.
WE THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
THE SALVATION ARMY WAS USED FOR RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.
THEIR CONTRACT, THERE WAS A DELAY IN GETTING THEM UNDER CONTRACT AND DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL APRIL.
SO THEY ARE NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS AND BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND ALL OF THOSE FUNDS.
LAKE CREST II, THE ENGINEERING HAD BEEN COMPLETE AND IT'S OUT FOR BID. WE'RE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AT PHASE. THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IS GOING TO COME TO YOU GUYS THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
JUNE 16TH FOR APPROVAL REVIEW FOR THAT.
LAST YEAR THE COUNCIL DID APPROVE $99,000 FOR SIDEWALKS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. BUT THAT HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD BECAUSE WE WEREN'T REALLY ABLE TO IDENTIFY A SIDEWALK THAT MET ALL THE HUD CRITERIA BEING IN LOW-INCOME BLOCK GROUP AND BEING MORE THAN 50% RESIDENTIAL IN NATURE.
SO WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING IS THAT THOSE FUNDS WOULD CARRY FORWARD AND THEY WOULD GO INTO THE NEXT YEAR'S ALLY FACILITY PROJECT. THIS IS THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR. WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE HISTORICALLY TO PUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AMOUNTS AT $63,000.
IF ANY FUNDS ARE NOT USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, THEY ARE ROLLED OVER FOR PROJECTS. THAT GIVE US YOU MAXIMUM BENEFIT. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S A RECOMMENDATION OF $15,000. THIS YEAR FOR THEIR CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM. A RECOMMEND OF $32,000 FOR THE SALVATION ARMY THIS IS FOR RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE GRANT, $205,000 WOULD GO FOR THE ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION, I THINK IT'S RANDY ROAD OR WHAT THEY CALL THE LAKECREST III/IV ADDITION.
>> IS THAT 205 INCLUDE THE $99,000 FOR SIDEWALKS?
>> IT DOES NOT. IT WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT.
WHAT IS NEXT IS TO GET YOUR INPUT AND COMMENTS STARTING IN EARLY JULY WE HAVE TO DO A 30-DAY NOTICE.
SO IF THERE'S ANY COMMENTS OR INPUT, I'M SORRY, OTHER WAY.
SECOND TO LAST SLIDE FROM YOU. THERE YOU GO.
THANK YOU. SO IF THERE'S ANY COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING ON THE BUDGET, THAT WE NEED TO KNOW
[00:55:01]
REALLY IN THE MONTH OF JUNE BECAUSE BY JULY 11TH WEEK OR SO, WE HAVE TO DO A 30-DAY PUBLIC NOTICE.SO WHEN IT GOES TO YOU ON AUGUST 5TH FOR FINAL APPROVAL, IT'S TOO LATE TO MAKE A CHANGE. NEED TO GET CLEAR ON THAT.
AFTER THAT, WE STILL HAVE TO COMPLETE THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 5TH. WE WILL FINALIZE THE DRAFT OF THE PLAN AND THEN WE WILL DELIVER IT TO HUD BY AUGUST 16TH. SO.
ANY QUESTIONS? >> HOW SOON AFTER WE SUBMIT TO HUD DO WE NORMALLY GET THE MONEY?
>> THEY HAVE 45 DAYS TO COMMENT BACK AND SOMETIMES THEY HAVE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS IN NARRATIVES. THEY DON'T 45 DAYS TO ACCEPT IT.
>> ON THE $32,000 FOR RENT SUPPORT.
OUR HFC HAS $30,000 FOR THAT PURPOSE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE, IS THERE A DUPLICATION OF SERVICES WITH THAT MONEY? ARE WE COORDINATING WITH HSC NUMBER ONE AND IF SO, IF HFC, ARE THEY PROVIDING THE SERVICE AND HAVE A FOUNDATION FOR THAT. COULD THAT 32 K BE MOVED OVER TO
A MUCH MORE NEEDED PROJECT? >> SO, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE HFC'S FOUNDATION DOLLARS ARE A ONE-TIME THING.
WHEREAS CDBY HAS BEEN A RECURRING FUND THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED THROUGH THE FEDERAL PROGRAM.
IF THE HFC WERE TO UNDERTAKE A PROGRAM LIKE THAT, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE MY RECOMMENDATION TO BE TO TRANSFER TO THE SALVATION ARMY WHO ALREADY HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S A GOOD REASON TO NOT PROVIDE CDBG FUNDS FOR THAT PROGRAM. THE CDBG IS AN ON GOING PROGRAM.
WE ACCOUNT DIRECT THEM TO CONSIDER FUNDING LIKE MAYBE A FOUR-YEAR TRANCHE OF $40,000 EACH TO PROVIDE EXTRA OR EVEN TWO, $40,000 TRANCHES. THE SYSTEM HAS WORKED WELL AND HUD HAS BEEN FAVORABLE TO THAT. WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ISSUES ON RECEIVING THAT FUNDING. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
>> I'M JUST TRYING OUT A WAY TO EXTEND THE MONEY OUT THERE.
AND ALONG THOSE LINES, I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY POLICING CONSENT. TRYING TO FIND MORE MONEY SO THAT MONEY CAN BE USED SOMEWHERE ELSE WITHIN THE NEEDED PRIORITIES OF THE GRANT. I MAY GET SHOT DOWN HERE.
AS FAR AS STEPPING OUT OF SCOPE. YOU KNOW, ARE WE PARTNERING WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS I E DART AND GISD FOR HELP CONTRIBUTING IN PAYING FOR THE OFFSET OF WORKING OVER TIME AND ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA? THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF FUNDS ARE
BEING SPENT. >> SO I THINK I MISSED IT.
WHAT DID THEY -- I KNOW THEY KEEP HAVING ISSUES AND I SUPPORT 100% AND I'M PRETTY SURE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES.
IS IT OUR RED TAPE OR THEIR RED TAPE THAT BLOCKS THEM ON USING
THE MONEY? >> LET ME JUMP IN ON THAT.
I THINK THERE WAS, BECAUSE THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WE TALKED ABOUT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD A PROGRAM WITH OUR INTERNAL MONEY WHICH THEY WERE HAVING A HARD TIME SPENDING BECAUSE WE HAD SPECIFIC LIMITATIONS ON THE CDBG FUNDS. SO, THERE WAS ALSO CONFUSION ABOUT WHETHER THEY ACTUALLY HAD RUN OUT OF FUNDING.
THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD RUN OUT OF FUNDING WHEN THEY HADN'T.
THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD MORE EFFECTIVELY AND BASED ON YOUR DIRECTION, WE ADJUSTED THE CITY FUNDING.
>> THE LAST YEAR. AND THAT'S STILL PART --
WE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT CONTRACT FIRST QUARTER OF THIS
SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT PUTTING HURDLES IN THE
[01:00:01]
WAY. THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM WHAT THEYNEED. >> WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE SALVATION ARMY IN THE PAST EXPERIENCE AND MY CURRENT EXPERIENCE, THEY ARE AMENABLE. WE HAD HICCUPS BUT WE ANTICIPATE THIS GOING THROUGH VERY SMOOTHLY.
>> I'M VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT. >> SORRY, GO AHEAD.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION. THE THING ABOUT THE ALLOCATION OF THE CDBG MONEY. OUR REC CENTER IS HELD WITHIN THE LMI. HAVE WE LOOKED AT POTENTIALLY USING THE FUNDING TO INCREASE THAT FACILITY?
I KNOW WE HAVE SERIOUS NEEDS. >> THE REAL CHALLENGE, THESE, IT'S THERE BUT IT'S SERVES A MUCH BROADER COMMUNITY MAKES IT
NOT ELIGIBLE. >> PLUS THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PROBABLY RESIDENTS IN THAT GENERAL AREA THAT WOULD HELP
THEM QUALIFY. >> THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH RECREATIONAL. WE HAVE TO SHARE.
NOT ONLY IS THE FACILITY IN THE AREA BUT SERVES THE POPULATION
WITHIN THAT AREA. >> I WENT THERE AND SAW A COMMUNITY CENTER. MY MIND WENT THERE TOO.
>> IN THE PAST, THIS WAS WHAT I WAS GOING TO MENTION.
THIS DOVE TAILS WITH THAT. THE CDBG FUNDS HAVE BEEN TARGETED FROM A POLICY PERSPECTIVE BASED ON COUNCIL PRIORITIES. YOU LOOK AT ITEMS WE'RE TACKLES, ALLEY RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE A HUGE HARDEL FOR US BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY HAS AN ALLEY. IT'S DIFFICULT TO ASK ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR ALLEY WAY REPAIR.
MAYBE I DON'T HAVE AN ALLEY BEHIND MY HOME.
I AM PAYING FOR SOMETHING I WILL NEVER SEE THE BENEFIT OF.
IN ADDITION TO THE DOWNTOWN POLICING, HAVING INCREASED SAFETY DOWNTOWN WAS A COUNCIL PRIORITY THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO I WOULD SAY WHEN IT REALLY STARTED TO BE PROBLEMATIC.
IT WAS AFTER THE PANDEMIC WENT AWAY.
KIDS WERE ACTIVELY DOWNTOWN. COMING FROM COIL AND HANGING OUT WAITING FOR A RIDE. THAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE AS WE HEARD FROM OUR SROS WHO ARE HERE WITH US PREVIOUSLY.
YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER, I SAY THAT ALL TO SAY, IF THERE ARE OTHER POLICY INITIATIVES THE COUNCIL WANTS TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION, ONE OF WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE COMMUNITY CENTER, WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT THOSE. THAT'S WHERE GOOD FEEDBACK REALLY HELPS. IT MAY NOT BE THIS YEAR BUT MAYBE IT'S NEXT YEAR. MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE FOCUS ON A DIFFERENT AREA. THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THE DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK. THAT WAS THE GOAL.
INCREASE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS. >> MAYOR, I HAVE A QUESTION.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY IN THIS INVESTMENT.
THE THING THIS, THE QUESTION I GO AT YOU FIRST.
ARE, THIS FORMAT YOU HAVE UP HERE, THE USE AN OF 15%.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, IT'S THE SAME FORMAT FOR FOUR, FIVE YEARS ANYWAY. SINCE AFTER 2020, SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THAT. I DON'T REMEMBER HOW IT BROKE DOWN. IT USED TO BE PRIOR TO COVID, THERE WAS A REALLY MASSIVE PUSH TOWARDS THE PUBLIC SERVICES THAT ARE INCLUSIVE OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED WHICH WAS THE NON-PROFIT WORLD. THE QUESTION I HAVE AND FOR THE RECORD, THE MESSAGE IS ALL DONE WITH THAT STUFF OF BEFORE.
THERE ARE OTHER NON-PROFITS THAT ARE HERE AND THE QUESTION I HAVE YOU TALKED ABOUT HAVING A COUPLE OF MEETINGS ALREADY I WONDER IF YOU INCLUDED THOSE FOLKS. YOU INCLUDED THE 501S.
I KNOW WITH THE CAMERA YEARS AGO WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THAT WAS WHEN IT WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE 15%.
WE ALWAYS FOUND VALUE IN GETTING NON-PROFITS TO BE INVOLVED.
THOUGH IT DIDN'T COME WITHOUT ITS CHALLENGES.
AS MUCH AS I LIKE BOTH OF THESE, THE QUESTION IS, HAVE YOU REACHED OUT AT ALL INCLUSIVE OF THEM IN THE PROCESS OR OFFERED I KNOW WE HAVE TWO OR THREE OF THEM HERE IN TOWN THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE AN INTEREST BUT ARE THEY PART OF THE DISCUSSION SO
[01:05:05]
THEY KNOW WHAT'S THERE. STILL, IT'S 5013 C.WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE WHOLE THING?
>> I CAN SPEAK TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, COUNCILMEMBER.
WE HAD OUR OPEN MEETING. WE HAD TWO OPEN MEETINGS.
WE HAVE NOT SPECIFICALLY REACHED OUT TO ANY NON-PROFIT BUT WE HAD OUR OPEN MEETING TO ENGAGE WITH AND HOPEFULLY HAVE SOME FORM OF CITIZEN COMMENT. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT.
>> I WAS WONDERING IF THEY ARE IN TUNE?
>> I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE SOMETHING FROM.
I'M UNABLE IF THEY'RE IN TUNE WITH THAT.
DEFINITELY NEXT GO AROUND, WE CAN LOOK AT ADDRESSING THAT.
>> I AM STILL ENCOURAGED. TAKE NOTHING AWAY.
I AM IN FAVOR OF BOTH OF THOSE GUYS AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.
IN FAIRNESS, THERE ARE NON-PROFITS IN THIS CITY WHO HAVE GREAT PURPOSES OF WHAT WE DO HERE.
JUST TO BE, IT WOULD BE REMISS ON OUR PART IF WE DIDN'T SAY, HEY, BY THE WAY, THIS IS AVAILABLE.
YOU SHOULD AT LEAST INQUIRE ABOUT IT.
IF THEY GET INUNDATED WITH TOO MANY QUESTIONS IT MAYBE OVERWHELMING FOR THEM. STILL IT'S ONLY FAIR.
>> WE STILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
WE CAN STILL REACH OUT >> AND MAKE EVERYBODY AWARE OF
THIS PROGRAM. >> THIS ISN'T AN APPLICATION PROCESS PEOPLE GO THROUGH. THE COUNCIL STILL DIRECTS WHERE THESE FUNDS GO. THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE FUNDING PLAN. IF WE WANT TO SET ASIDE FUNDING TO MAKE IT ELIGIBLE AND AVAILABLE TO NON-PROFITS, AS WAY GROUP WE CAN DIRECT THAT. THE FEEDBACK I HEARD SPECIFICALLY FROM YOU AS ONE OF LOUDER VOICES IS HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO TRACK EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE TRACKED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT MONEY. THAT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT, AND FOR YOU KNOW I CONSIDER THERE ARE CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CITY THAT ARE WELL RUN AND HAVE GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE SYSTEM BEHIND THEM THAT WOULD BE BETTER SUITED TO DO THAT. IF THEY'RE STRUGGLING, I THINK OTHERS THAT ARE SMALLER WOULD STRUGGLE.
IT'S NOT I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT WORTH IT.
>> THE FACTS ARE WE SHOULD AT LEAST SAY HEY, IT'S THERE.
IT'S FAIRNESS TO ALL OF THOSE. INCLUSIVE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'RE NOT WRONG. IT'S A CHALLENGE.
2020 WAS A BIG CHALLENGE. THAT BEING SAID, FAIRNESS WITH THE COMMUNITY WE'RE TRYING TO GET THINGS OPENED UP TO THE POSSIBILITIES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT BUT IF THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, THEY CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT.
COUNCIL SAY MAYBE ALLOCATE WHICH IS AGAIN VERY DIFFICULT.
I WOULD JUST ASK IF YOU CONSIDER SOMEHOW NOTIFYING THOSE BIG ONES AND SAY LOOK, DON'T CALL MY BY THE WAY.
>> IF I COULD ASK IF COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON A SPECIFIC ENTITY YOU WOULD LIKE US TO REACH OUT TO, SPEND US AN E-MAIL AND WE WILL MAKE SURE TO CONTACT THEM.
>> I THINK IT MIGHT BE THE SIMPLEST SOLUTION WOULD BE TO JUST SIMPLY PUBLISH THESE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES ON THE CITY'S FACEBOOK PAGE. I DON'T THINK THAT HAPPENS.
AND I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF OUR NON-PROFIT LEADERS TO FOLLOW THAT AND HAD THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THAT, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN MORE INTERESTED IF ATTENDING. THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE MOST VALUE. VERSUS SEVERAL DOZEN PHONE
CALLS. >> REMIND ME, WHAT HAD TO BE
DONE BY JUNE? >> IF THERE'S SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
WE NEED TO KNOW THIS MONTH. GET THE PUBLIC NOTICE OUT IN JULY 1ST OF JULY. SO WE HAVE THIS WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE OUTREACH LIKE --
>> JO, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, LAST YEAR WAS OUR SUBSTANTIAL FIVE YEAR. ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE PLAN ON AN ANNUAL BASIS REQUIRES A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT.
THAT'S WHERE THERE'S DEADLINES AND NOTICES, IF WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE FROM OUR FIVE-YEAR PLAN, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS
PROCESS. >> AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS ABOUT HIS NON-PROFIT AND THE CITY'S WORK IS HORRENDOUS IN KEEPING UP WITH THOSE.
THERE'S TIMES I SAID, IT'S NOT WORTH IT.
[01:10:03]
APPARENTLY, IT'S WORTH IT TO THESE PEOPLE.CERTAIN HOOPS THEY HAVE TO JUMP THREE.
WE HEARD THAT VERY RECENTLY. >> MR. HOLSTON, YOU HAD A QUESTION. I'M ENCOURAGED BY COMMISSIONER AND FOUND OUT THERE'S $80,000 IN FOUNDATION FUNDS THAT AREN'T USED. I REALLY THINK THAT'S A TOPIC FOR THE HFC WE LOOK AT CAN WE USE THOSE FUNDS AND TAKE $32,000 IF YOU GO BACK TO SLIDE 12 AND TAKE HFC FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT THAT AND TAKE $32,000 TO BUILD ANOTHER ALLEY WOULD BE HELPFUL TO SEE SOME HARD COSTS AND FUNDED BY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SITTING THERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THAT'S AN HFC TOPIC AND SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT.
>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR SALVATION ARMY.
>> I DON'T WANT TO CUT SALVATION ARMY OUT OF THIS.
INSTEAD OF TAKING CDBG FUNDS WE TAKE AND USE THE FOUNDATION FUNDS AND USE THAT $32,000 FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
>> YEAH, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET INTO HAVING A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE PLAN. NOW YOU'RE TAKING IT FROM PUBLIC SERVICES AND PUTTING INTO THE PUBLIC FACILITIES.
>> ESSENTIALLY YOU'RE DOING A GRANT ADJUSTMENT.
>> IT'S NOT THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT, IT JUST TAKES A LITTLE MORE PROCESS. CERTAINLY AGAIN, THIS HAS TO BE A CONVERSATION WITH HFC FIRST TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ABOUT THAT.
GIVEN THE TIME FRAME, I'M NOT SURE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH FOR THIS YEAR. IF YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH FOR FUTURE YEARS, WE HAVE MORE TIME TO WORK WITH THE FOUNDATION AND COME BACK AND SEE IF WE WANT TO DO A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT FOR
THE CONSEQUENT YEARS. >> WE'RE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING TO MAXIMIZE THE FUNDS AND USE EVERY PENNY.
I ALSO HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION ON THE ADMINISTRATION PORTION.
I'M ASSUMING THIS IS JUST -- THE OTHER WAY.
>> BEFORE YOU GO INTO THAT. CAN I COMMENT ON YOUR HFC THING.
>> ONE THING THE HFC CAN DO IS DONATE THE MONEY TO THE CITY.
THE ONLY STRING ATTACHED IT HAS TO BE USED TO PROVIDE NEW HOME OWNERSHIP. THAT COULD BE THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEANS. THERE'S JUST FAR LESS OF REPORTING REQUIREMENT BACK TO THE HFC HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING USED. THAT MIGHT BE A POTENTIAL WAY OF OFFSETTING THE REQUIREMENTS THAN FOR THE SALVATION ARMY STUFF THAT MIGHT BE AN OPTION THAT THE HFC TO CONSIDER.
>> SORRY, DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF.
>> NO. I HAVE BEEN CUT OFF MANY TIMES.
ON THE $63,000. LAST YEAR THAT WAS 12% AND THIS YEAR 20%. IS THIS JUST A PLACE HOLDER? IS OUR GOAL TO COME IN AT 20% OR SPEND 20%?
>> I WOULD VIEW IT AS A PLACE HOLDER.
IT GRANTS YOU THE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY OF THE FUNDS.
YOU DON'T LOSE THE MONEY. CAN IT ROLL FORWARD.
YOU CAN'T USE FOR PUBLIC SERVICES BUT YOU CAN USE IT FOR INSTANCE IF THE $205,000 PLUS THE $99 WASN'T SUFFICIENT FOR
LAKE CREST. >> IT'S TO GET IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED IT AND NOT USE NEAR ADMINISTRATION.
WE LOOK AT OUR COMPANY, WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION FEE.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE STRETCHING THESE FUNDS AS FAR AS WE CAN AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THIS PROGRAM.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL, ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR CONCERNS QUESTIONS? SOUNDS LIKE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT WAS GREAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 3 C, PRESENT AN UPDATE REGARDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR
PARKS AND REC. >> CAN WE TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK. WE WILL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK AND RECONVENE HERE.
[3.C. Present an update regarding Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Projects for Parks and Recreation. ]
>> 7:22 P.M. WE CONCLUDED OUR FIVE MINUTE BREAK.
[01:15:05]
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL, I NEEDED THE FIVE MINUTE BREAK FOR CIP. THE CIP, FUNDING SOURCES CAME FROM THE GENERAL FUND. REMAINING IS $4.4 MILLION.
YOU CAN SEE WITH THE PROJECTS BELOW THERE, THE BULK.
77% IS WRAP UPDATE IN THE MAJOR PROJECTS, EROSION CONTROL AND REMAINING PROJECTS IS $2.8 MILLION.
MAJOR TRAIL SURFACE AND PARKING LOT.
WE'RE STILL DOING RESEARCH ON THE BALANCE.
WE FEEL THAT CURRENT BALANCE IS, IF THE CURRENT BALANCE IS CORRECT, WE WILL HAVE SOME OF THOSE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO RE-ALLOCATE TO OTHER PROJECTS. HOCKEY RINK.
COUNCIL VOTED TO REJECT THOSE BIDS ON MAY 19.
THESE FUNDS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
THE PERMITS AROUND THE FUND, SIDEWALK, EROSION CONTROL, TRAIL AND DRAINAGE WORK. PARTIALLY COMPLETED.
SIDEWALK AND TRAIL AND DRAINAGE COMPLETED.
THE REMAINING SCOPE WILL BE THE EROSION CONTROL AROUND THE POND.
>> MAY I JUMP IN REAL QUICK. ON THE PARKING LOT, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS DOWN THERE, I THOUGHT IT WAS STILL ROCK. IT DOESN'T HAVE ROCK IN THE PARKING LOT? WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN IN THERE?
>> COULD BE BETWEEN THE, THAT AND THE EXPANSION.
>> I WAS JUST TRYING, I THOUGHT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT USE
OF IT. >> SO THIS IS KIND OF A COUNTER TO THAT. WE HAVE MONEY HERE FOR PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS, THIS WAS FOR SPRINGFIELD OFF DEXAM.
THAT'S A SMALL PARKING LOT USED BY AN RC FLYING GROUP.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE PUTTING IN A HARD SURFACE.
IT'S ALSO CUTTING INTO THE PARK IF WE WANT TO ADVANCE IT.
WE WOULDN'T WANT TO RIP OUT CONCRETE.
THIS WAS ALSO TAGGED FOR EXPANDING THE PARKING LOT AT KATY RAILROAD PARK FOR THE HOCKEY RINK.
THAT WAS THE INITIAL THOUGHT. THE PARKING LOT WAS SMALL TO HOST IT. THE HOCKEY RINK IS NOT GOING ON KATY RAIL ROAD. WE HAVE FUNDS RE-ALLOCATED TO OTHER PROJECTS AS WELL. ROWLETT COMMUNITY CENTER.
WORKING WITH MY FRIEND HERE GARY AT PUBLIC WORKS AND GOT A QUOTE FOR THE ROOF REPAIRS AT THE RCC. HIGH PRIORITY NUMBER ONE LOOKING AT THE ESTIMATE THAT WE HAVE THERE IS ABOUT $1.5 MILLION TO $1.8 MILLION. THE HIGH END BEING A FULL REPLACEMENT, TETTERING ON $2 MILLION.
WILL DO WITH GARY AND FIGURE OUT THE BEST APPROACH.
YOU CAN SEE THE FUNDING FOR THE THINGS WE BROUGHT UP BEFORE IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO COVER THE NEEDS OF THE RCC.
>> SO, LET ME GO BACK. LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT FOR A SECOND. HOW -- I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.
THE QUESTIONS I GUESS IS HOW DID THEY GET IN THAT CONDITION WITHOUT US TAKING PREVENTATIVE ACTION? SO LET'S, IS THERE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION?
>> MOST OF IT IS BEFORE MY TIME HERE.
SOMETIMES DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. SOMETIMES IGNORED.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THOSE TIMES, IT APPEARS THESE FIXES WEREN'T MADE WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
THIS IS ON GOING FROM STAFF REPORT THROUGH THE BUILDING.
I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT TIMELINE WHEN THEY WERE REPORTED.
THIS PAST WEEK WITH THE HEAVY RAINS WE HAD, IS THE FIRST TIME I WAS IN THE BUILDING FOR THE REALLY HEAVY RAINS.
THAT WAS A HEAVIER RAINSTORM THAN I HAVE SEEN.
PROBABLY RECORD RAINFALL DURING THAT TIME.
>> PRETTY MUCH THROUGHOUT? >> MOSTLY ON THE EDGES.
SO, THE OFFICES THAT I WENT INTO, I WALKED THE ENTIRE BUILDING AND TAKING PICTURES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IT DURING A HEAVY RAINFALL. NEW ONES CROPPED UP THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE. WITH ROOF LEAKS, YOU MY FIND THE LEAKING HERE BUT THE LEAK IS OER THERE.
IS IT DRIPPING RIGHT ABOVE IT FROM THE ROOF OR RUNNING DOWN AND THAT'S WHERE IT'S BECOMING EXPOSED?
[01:20:03]
>> THE VIDEO I SAW, DOESN'T GIVE IT JUSTICE.
THAT LOOKED LIKE A SMALL WATERFALL.
>> THAT WAS BRAND-NEW. >> THIS IS A NEW ONE.
IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE ENTRANCE.
THERE WAS A LEAK COMING THROUGH. WE DID HAVE ON THE FACILITY REPORT. THAT ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
WHICH IS LOWER DECKING OVER THE ENTRY WAY OF IT.
NOT THE CURVE METAL ROOFING AT THE TIME THEY SPECIFICALLY
CALLED ON THE THE ROOFING. >> AND JUST TO REMIND THE COUNCIL, BECAUSE SOME WEREN'T HERE FOR THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS.
THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES ADDRESSED.
A LOT HAD TO DO WITH JUST SIMPLE WEAR AND TEAR.
TALK ABOUT THE FLOORS BUT THE HVAC SYSTEM WAS NEVER WELL DESIGNED AND WE SHOWED YOU ALL THE DIFFERENT THERMOSTATS ON THE WALL. AND OF COURSE, COUNCIL HAD PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE INCLUSIONS.
IT'S NOT WE WEREN'T AWARE OF THE ISSUES, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE ASSESSMENTS. WE HAVEN'T SUCCESSFULLY JUMPED IN AND MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS. COUNCIL IDENTIFIED I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN WE DID THE FULL ASSESSMENT WE NEED TO MAKE THE FUNDING TO IT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> SO 1.5 JUST FOR ROOF REPAIR? >> THAT WAS THE FIRST ESTIMATE SHOWING A REPAIRING OF 1.5, FULL REPLACEMENT OF 1.8 TO $2 MILLION. THAT'S THE CONTRACTOR GIVING US AN ESTIMATE OF 30,000 SQUARE FEET.
>> I SAID THIS BEFORE, Y'ALL REMEMBER, I THINK WE NEED A DIRECTOR OVER MAINTENANCE AND HAS A CREW THEY GO OUT AND THEY'RE OVER ALL THE BUILDINGS IN THE CITY KEEPING THEM MAINTAINED ENOUGH. WE HAVE A BUDGET FOR THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF THINGS.
WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO MAINTAIN DIFFERENT BUILDINGS, YOU CAN'T KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING.
THEY'RE ALL FIGHTING FOR FUNDS. YOU HAVE ONE PERSON AND SHE'S ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE TO KEEP THEM PRISTINE OR WHATEVER WE WANT THEM TO BE, WE HAVE SOMETHING TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE.
YOU CAN'T COME UP HERE TO MR. MULLINS AND GET ON TO HIM WHEN HE'S TRYING TO RUN A BUILDING ON THE INSIDE NOT THE OUTSIDE.
JUST A FUTURE THING TO MAKE THIS WORK.
>> I HAVE THAT JOB WITH NEC AND CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE STANDARDS AND AVERAGE COSTS AND THINGS THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK AT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. YOU SHOULDN'T WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SAY WE NEED A $1.8 MILLION ROOF.
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN OUR PLAN ALL ALONG.
>> WORKING FOR THE CITY, EVERYBODY NEEDED IT.
EVERYBODY WAS TRYING TO COMPETE FOR IT TO THE CITY MANAGER.
WHICH IS WHY WE'RE IN THE POSITION WE ARE.
WE NEED TO -- AGAIN THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
WE'RE HERE TO PUT IN PROCESSES THAT KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.
I WILL ALSO SAY THIS IS OUR HEAVILIEST USED FACILITY.
>> YEAH, IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING IN MY MIND. IT'S THE FACT THIS HAS TO HAPPEN JUST SO THE REST OF FACILITY STAYS IN THE CONDITION IT'S CURRENTLY IN AND THEN WE'RE OUT OF MONEY IN REPAIRING THE RCC WITH THE MONEY WE ISSUE AND HAVE TO START OVER AGAIN.
FIND ADDITIONAL FUNDING OR CREATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO HIT THE REST OF ITEMS ON THE PUNCH LIST OF WHICH THERE ARE 10 TO 15 THAT WERE DEEMED EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
>> IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ADDRESS THE INSIDE UNLESS WE'RE GOING TO
FIX THE OUTSIDE. >> AS WE LOOKED AT PRIORITIES AND THINGS STARTING SHAPING OUT, I KIND OF GO ROOF, HVAC, FLOORS.
BECAUSE OF THOSE THINGS, IT'S HARD TO DO ANYTHING ELSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT A GYM FLOOR WHERE WATER WILL INTRUDE.
>> THANK YOU. LAKE SIDE PARK AND PADDLE POINT PARK. THE PARKING LOT, SORRY ANOTHER ONE. I DIDN'T SCRATCH MY HEAD TO MUCH ON THIS. LAKE SIDE PARK LIGHTING CAMERA INSTALLATION AND SCOPE. THE RESTROOM INSTALLATION AT LAKE SIDE. LOOKS AT INSTALLATION.
WE HAVE THOSE COMING WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS BLOCK CAMERAS AND LIGHTING I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT'S DESPERATELY NEEDED AT THIS PARK. LIGHTING ALONG THE TRAIL.
JUST AMBIENCE TO MAKE IT SAFER. >> I WILL ADD IN THERE, WE HAD
[01:25:04]
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COME TO THE COUNCIL MEETING AND REQUESTED LIGHTING AROUND THE VOLLEYBALL COURT SO THEY COULD USE IT AND BE SAFE. IF WE COULD FIGURE OUT LIGHTINGI AGREE WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
THIS IS CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL. WE LOOK AT NOT TAKING LIGHTS UP TO HIGH OR WHAT WE CAN GET THERE WITHOUT BURDENING THEM.
I THINK THE HOUSES ARE, IF I REMEMBER SIGNIFICANT RETAINING
WALL. >> I THINK THE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THE PARKING LOT. THAT IS ONE OF OUR MOST PROBLEM AREAS DURING THE PEAK TIMES OF THE HOLIDAYS AND STUFF.
WHERE WE NEED TO PROBABLY LOOK INTO ADDING ADDITIONAL PARKING.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF FIRST STOPS I MADE BEFORE INTERVIEWING HERE WAS LOOKING AROUND THE PARKS AND IT WAS MEMORIAL DAY LAST YEAR.
I DROVE ALL THE WAY DOWN THE ROAD AND DIDN'T FIND A PARKING SPOT. PEOPLE WERE DOUBLE PARKED.
IT WAS VERY POPULAR AND I THOUGHT THIS IS A POPULAR SPOT.
LAKE FRONT AT PECAN GROVE. THIS WAS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT AT LAKE FRONT PARK AMENITIES. THE BUDGET OF FUNDING OF $1.2 MILLION. STILL $772,000 LEFT WAS THE FUNDING COMING LATER ON TO MAKE THAT 1.1.
I THINK THE SCOPE NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATED FOR THIS.
I LIKE THE LOCATION OF GETTING PEOPLE DOWN THERE I DRIVE IT EVERY DAY AS FAR AS GOING TO THE RCC AND I LOOK THROUGH THE TREES AND SEE THE WATER AND THINK, THAT'S SOMETHING.
LOOK AT THE WATER DOWN THERE. WE'RE A CITY ON THE LAKE.
AND TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE LAKE AND GET DOWN THERE TO THE PARK AMENITIES. THERE'S A LOT OF VALUE IN DOING SOMETHING DOWN THERE. EVALUATING THAT MASTER PLAN IS WARRANTED. TWIN STAR PARK.
INSTALLATION OF A BASKETBALL COURT AND IRRIGATION.
THE REMAINING SCOPE IS THE BASKETBALL COURT.
REEVALUATE THAT THERE. I KNOW WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOWN THERE THAT HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT.
WANT TO MAKE SURE A BASKETBALL COURT IS WARRANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO PUT THERE.
DISCUSS WITH THEM. THE FUNDING BALANCE THERE, MAYBE A LITTLE LESS FOR ACTUAL BASKETBALL COURT.
JUST DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANYBODY THAT WOULD BE INTRUSIVE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. COMMUNITY PARK.
SIDEWALK FROM PARK ENTRANCE TO PARKING LOT.
THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. RENOVATIONS FIELD LEVELLING AND UPGRADES. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THE FIELDS OUT THERE. WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER PLANS OF AIRATION, TOP DRESSING OF THE FIELDS.
THERE'S A LOT OF NEEDS AT COMMUNITY PARK.
THE PLAYGROUNDS ARE WARN. JUST A LOT OF ANCILLARY STUFF THAT POPS UP OVER TIME. REFRESHING, PAINTING.
JUST ALL AROUND. SHOREWOOD PARK.
THIS WAS PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT IRRIGATION.
THIS IS ONE OF OUR I THINK THE PLAYGROUND IS FROM AROUND WE BELIEVE FROM 2013. ABOUT 13-YEAR OLD PLAYGROUND.
IT SHOULDN'T SHOWING ITS WEAR AS MUCH AS OTHER PARKS.
I MAY PUT THAT ON HOLD AS FAR AS LOOKING THE OTHER PARKS.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT FIRST WEAR OUT.
ONE OF REASONS PEOPLE GO TO PARKS IS THE PLAYGROUND STRUCTURES. WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE.
OUR PARK BOARD WAS HERE AND WE HAVE A CERTIFIED PLAYGROUND SAFETY INSPECTOR. HE'S GOING AROUND DOING ASSESSMENT OF ALL PARKS FOR SAFETY AND THE LONGEVITY OF THOSE PARKS. A LOT IS RUBBER COATED METAL THINGS. THE METAL IS STARTING TO PROTRUDE. THIS KAYAK DOCK LAUNCH.
THIS IS WHAT I WAS SCRATCHING MY HEAD ON.
WE WERE LOOKING AT INSTALLING KAYAK AT SUNSET PARK.
WE DON'T HAVE DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
LAKE SIDE HAS A DOCK. NOT NECESSARILY THE FOR KAYAKS.
WANT TO REASSESS THE NEED. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANCE SLOPE FROM THE ROAD DOWN TO THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE WATER.
I DON'T KNOW THAT KAYAK LAUNCHES ARE WARRANTED AT THESE LOCATIONS. I THINK WE NEED TO REBUILD AT PADDLE POINT PARK TO GET THAT BACK UP TO SNUFF TO SAY.
>> ON JUST THE KAYAK LAUNCHES IN GENERAL, AS PART OF THE PARKS MASTER PLAN, THERE'S A PARKS TRAIL MASTER PLAN AND WATER
[01:30:02]
TRAIL. IDEA WAS A LONG TIME AGO, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S STILL WARRANTED OR WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD, THIS WAS CONNECTIVITY TO MANY DIFFERENT PARKS.MANY DIFFERENT LAKE SIDE PARKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
IT WAS INTENDED EACH WOULD SEVEN AS A CONNECTING POINT.
JUST TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT AS WHY THERE ARE PADDLE POINTS OR KAYAK LAUNCHES CONTEMPLATED AT PARKS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF OTHER BUILD OUT. THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE WOULD GET A KAYAK WITHOUT A PARKING SPAT.
CARRYING A KAYAK FROM GEORGE BUSH WOULD BE HARD.
>> IT'S PRETTY NEAT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PARKS MASTER PLAN AND HOW THE TRAILS CONNECT. IT'S THE PEDESTRIAN TRAILS THAT CONNECT TO THE OTHER TRAILS. THAT'S ONE OF HUGE QUALITY OF LIFE THINGS THAT PEOPLE LOOK FOR.
THERE ARE GOOD OUTDOOR SPACES FOR PARKS.
I'M NOT SAYING TO FORGE AHEAD BECAUSE WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF THINGS THEY DON'T MAKE SENSE. WE ALREADY HAVE A KAYAK LAUNCH IN TERRIBLE CONDITION TO BE BLUNT.
>> I AGREE, WE NEED TO BUILD OUT THE LOCATIONS BEFORE WE ADD LAUNCHES THERE. UNLESS YOU LOOSELY STRAP YOUR
KAYAK AND PUT ON YOUR BRAKES. >> IS IT AN AREA NOW THAT YOU
WOULD BE SAFE. >> I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY HERE, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THOSE AREAS DO GET A LITTLE THIN.
WE'RE AT 100 PERCENT LEVEL AT LAKE RAY HUBBARD.
I THINK I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AREA GETS THE LOWEST FIRST.
>> 2015, THAT AND SUNSET PARK AND THE NORTHERN INLET WAS COMPLETELY BONE DRY. AT SOME POINT, IF IT EVER HAPPENS AGAIN, WE NEED TO PETITION THE CITY OF DALLAS TO DREDGE THAT AND GET THE SILT OUT.
IT'S JUST FILLED UP WITH SILT. SEPARATE CONVERSATION.
>> PARKS MAINTENANCE FACILITY. CURRENTLY OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT IS HOUSED IN TWO LOCATIONS. OFF INDUSTRIAL AND AN OLDER WAREHOUSE USED AS A FITNESS FACILITY AND A MAKESHIFT OFFICE AT ROWLETT CITY PARK. THIS PROVIDES THEM WITH AN ADEQUATE PARK MAINTENANCE FACILITY.
TO GET THE EQUIPMENT OUT OF SUN. OFFICES AND RESTROOMS. THIS IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT THAT HAS SOME SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR IT. BUT FINDING A LOCATION THIS WAS PRESENTED AS A POSSIBLE LOCATION OFF SHRADY NEXT TO FIRE STATION TWO. ANYTHING WOULD BE ON THE TABLE FOR LOCATIONS. WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A DEPARTMENT GOING OUT ALL THROUGH THE CITY.
SOME KIND OF CENTRAL LOCATION WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE OUT SKIRTS OF THE CITY. EROSION CONTROL.
THIS IS A SPECIALTY PROJECT THAT HAD PARKS FUNDING FROM A BOND THAT LOOKS AT EROSION CONTROL. ALONG LAKE SIDE AND PADDLE POINT PARK. WE HAVE EROSION THAT HAS UNDERMINED THE TRAIL. WE HAD TO CLOSE IT.
THERE'S A SEWER LINE. CURRENTLY GETTING WORK WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS TO REPAIR THAT. SO THIS WAS PHASE ONE WAS COMPLETED. PHASE TWO AND THREE NOT STARTED.
THIS WAS I BELIEVE BEFORE I GOT HERE PUT ON HOLD BECAUSE OF THE PROBABLY REDESIGN OF THE THAT AREA TO INCLUDE THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND ANIMAL CONTROL.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WARRANTS REVISITING.
I BELIEVE THOSE BUDGETS AND WHAT IT WOULD COST TO CONSTRUCT THAT WAS FROM 2023, 22, ARE PROBABLY WAY OUT OF WHACK NOW AND NEED TO LOWER THE SCOPE TO MEET THE BUDGET OR WHAT DIRECTION TO TAKE
THIS. >> BRIAN, CAN YOU GO BACK ONE
SLIDE. >> LOOKING AT SCENIC POINT.
I KNOW THIS IS EROSION CONTROL SITUATION.
THE WOODEN STRUCTURE THERE, YOU KNOW, SIMPLEST OPTION IS TO DEMOLISH IT. REPAIR COULD BE AN OPTION.
OBVIOUSLY YOU GET QUOTES ON THAT.
WOULD THAT FULL UNDER THIS PROJECT OR NECESSITATE A DIFFERENT BOND ISSUANCE OR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE?
>> WE DON'T HAVE A LEGAL PROBLEM AS FAR AS EXPENDING IT.
IT WOULD QUALIFY FOR THE BOND. >> THAT IS WHAT I'M ASKING.
[01:35:07]
YEAH. OKAY.THANK YOU. >> A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THE WET ZONE. BY THE TIME I WAS ARRIVING HERE LAST YEAR, THE UPGRADES WERE MADE.
POOL PLASTER, PAINTING AND ADDITIONAL SHADE STRUCTURES AND INSTALLATION OF A NEW SPLASH PAD.
NEW WORK FEATURES TO THE ACTIVITY POOL.
THAT FUNDING IS $7,867 LEFT. MOVE THIS UP HERE, THERE ARE TWO PROJECTS THERE. SAME AMOUNT.
LARGER FUNDING THAT CAME OUT OF THIS ACCOUNT.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE SPLASH PAD AND SOME OF THE FUNDING CAME OUT. THERE'S STILL SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES NEEDED. A LOT OF GREAT UPGRADES WERE MADE. I WOULD SAY THERE'S MISSES WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRICAL GOING BACK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE SYSTEMS THAT WERE I SAY DATED A LITTLE BIT.
ORIGINAL TO THE PROJECT. IT'S ELECTRIC PANELS AND THINGS THAT HELP REALLY CONTROL THE ENTIRE FACILITY.
THERE'S ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT IS ORIGINAL AND WE'RE GOING THROUGH THINGS RECENTLY AND FINDING PARTS FOR IT.
JUST NOT READILY AVAILABLE FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS.
SOME OF THOSE UPGRADES REPAIRS WERE NECESSARY.
ELECTRICITY WATER. >> SO, WHEN YOU SAY UPGRADES, DID WE NOT GET WHAT WE WERE PAYING FOR OR WHAT?
>> THESE THINGS WERE NOT TOUCHED AS PART OF IT.
YOU REPLACE THE MOTOR BUT NOT THE ELECTRICITY GOING TO THE MOTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL THAT GOES THROUGH THE LIGHTS IN THE POOL HAD ISSUES. WE DISCONNECTED SOME OF THOSE LIGHTS. THE POOL IS NOT RUNNING AT DARK TIME. WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED LIGHTS FOR CODE. BUT OF COURSE, WE WILL WANT THOSE LIGHTS WORKING. IT'S MINOR STUFF.
THEY WERE NOT CONSIDERED. >> I KNOW THIS PREDATES YOU, BUT I THOUGHT WE LOOKED AT EVERYTHING.
>> I THINK THAT THEY WERE SOME DECISIONS MADE AT THE EXECUTIVE
LEVEL. >> WAS THERE VALUE ENGINEERING?
WERE THINGS CUT OUT? >> I THINK AGAIN THERE WAS, THERE WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECT DIRECTION OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED. IT WASN'T DONE BY AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT OR A THIRD PARTY EVALUATION.
IT WAS DONE BY EXECUTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION.
>> AND WAS IT A DIRECTOR OF PARKS OR ANYTHING
>> YEAH, TO ME, I WILL JUST BE BLUNT.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS A LIPSTICK ON A PIG KIND OF SITUATION.
WE DID A LOT TO MAKE THE APPEARANCE OF THE PARK WITHOUT
TOUCHING THE BONES OF THE PARK. >> SOUNDS LIKE WE RUSHED IT.
>> WE KNOW WE RUSHED IT. WE WERE DOWN FOR A YEAR.
WE BARELY GOT IT OPEN BY THE TIME WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO GET IT OPEN. TALKING LAST YEAR NOW.
CHRISTOF, WERE THE PUMPS REPLACED AS PART OF THIS?
>> A NUMBER OF THE PUMPS WERE REPLACED.
PART OF THE CHALLENGE WAS, GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS PICTURE.
WE CHANGED OUT THE AMENITIES. DIFFERENT AMENITIES REQUIRE DIFFERENT PUMPS. AND WHEN WE DIDN'T GO THROUGH AND DO THE DETAILED CALCULATION OF THAT NEEDS THIS SIZE PUMP, WE JUST REPLACED WHAT WAS THERE. SO WE HAD A PUMP OF A CERTAIN SIZE. TOOK IT OUT AND PUT IT BACK AND DIDN'T ACTUALLY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, WE WERE CERTAIN
WHICH CHANGED. >> WE MAY HAVE PUMPS THAT WERE
WORKING TOO HARD. >> SOMETHING RYAN HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN IS GETTING FLOW METERS IN AND GETTING THE SYSTEM REDESIGNED SO WE CAN GET ENOUGH WATERING TO THE SLIDES AND NOT NECESSARILY AS MUCH INTO THIS FEATURE.
I TOOK MY GRANDSON OUT HERE. THAT FEATURE IS THE FUNNEST SLIDE OUT THERE BECAUSE OF THE WATER COMING OUT.
IT'S JUST IMPRESSIVE. FOR ME, IT WAS A BLAST OF THE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH WATER THERE AND NOT ENOUGH GOING IN THE SLIDE. THAT'S CREATING CHALLENGES WHERE WE HAD A FLOODING PROBLEM AND DAMAGED THE PUMPS.
WE'RE HAVING THE PUMPS REBUILT. THAT'S NECESSARY TO GET WHERE WE
[01:40:05]
WERE, NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE. WE NEED TO TRACK THE PRESSURE AND DO CALCULATIONS AND DIVERT THE WATER TO THE RIGHT PLACE IS ONE OF THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT USING.VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE ON IT SO WE CAN RAMP THE THINGS UP AND DOWN. SO THAT WE CAN DIAL IN THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURE FOR THE APPROPRIATE AMENITY.
AND GETTING THE RIGHT PRESSURE. SO THAT'S AGAIN, WE YOU KNOW WE JUST HAD PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS WHO WEREN'T NECESSARILY THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THEY NEEDED TO BE.
I'M IN THE SURE THEY ADD SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE TO MAKE THE
BEST DECISIONS. >> WE HAVE A SURFING
>> TO THAT POINT, YOU TAKE A FEATURE THAT WAS THERE PREVIOUSLY THAT AN X HORSE POWER PUMP PUSHED OUT 800, 900 GALLENS PURPOSE MINUTE AND THE FEATURES THERE NEEDED THAT.
YOU CHANGE OUT TO FEATURES THAT THE VORTEX PRIDES THEMSELVES ON THE LITTLE AMOUNT OF WATER. YOU PUT THE SAME HORSE POWER PUMP, YOU DID A DISSERVICE TO IT.
WE WEREN'T SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND AQUATICS FOR 30 YEARS. I'M NOT A SUBJECT MATTER ON THIS AND KNOW IT NEEDS TO BE DIFFERENT.
HOW BIG IS THE PIPE? HOW FAR DOES IT NEED TO GO UP? THOSE CALCULATIONS NEED TO BE. THAT'S WHY THE COUNCILMEMBER WHO DESIGNED THIS ORIGINALLY THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FIX WITHOUT COUNCIL OR DOES COUNCIL NEED TO GET INVOLVED TO GET THIS DONE?
>> WELL, WE WILL LIKELY NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WILL NEED YOUR APPROVAL. OTHER THAN THAT, WE'RE WORKING
ON SOLVING PROBLEMS. >> IN SEVERAL OF THESE, I KNOW YOU'RE NOT FINISHED WITH THE PRESENTATION.
THERE'S, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GETTING TOLD WE KNOW THERE'S AN ISSUE. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? WHEN AND HOW DO WE GET INTO PROBLEM SOLVING?
>> NEXT STEP IS TO MEET SET UP WITH THE CITY MANAGER TO DISCUSS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS GOING FORWARD.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. WHAT NEEDS TO BE HELD OFF? THE $1.8 MILLION FOR THE PARKING LOT IS NOT IN THAT VAIN.
NARROW THE SCOPE AND SEE WHERE THE RE-ALLOCATION OF THE FUNDS
CAN GO. >> IS PART OF OUR BUDGET SESSION TO PRIORITIZE THESE PROJECTS?
>> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU TONIGHT, THIS HAS BEEN ON THE CIP.
IF THERE'S THINGS YOU WANT US TO LOOK AT, ADDRESS, BEFORE WE GET TO THAT MEETING, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE PREPARED TO SUPPORT THAT PROCESS. THIS IS OUR FIRST CONVERSATIONS TO SAY, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT. WE THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RE-ALLOCATED AND RCC IS A PROBLM.
THERE'S OTHER AREAS WHERE WE HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE.
IS THERE ANYTHING WE'RE NOT AWARE OF.
WE HAVE PLAYGROUNDS OUT AT COMMUNITY PARK IN BAD SHAPE.
THERE ARE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT.
WE MENTIONED IT. SOME DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON SOME OF THESE PLAY FACILITIES. SUNSHADES THAT ARE GONE.
THE IDEA IS THAT OUR HIGHER PRIORITY.
OR BUILD SOMEBODY NEW. MAYBE WE HAVE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. IF WE START TO BUILD THE PROPOSED CIP WE HAVE THE FEEDBACK IN ORDER TO BASE THOSE
RECOMMENDATIONS ON. >> MR. GIBBS, CAN YOU MAKE SURE THE PART ADVISORY BOARD KNOWS WE WANT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS. IF THEY WANT TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING, LET'S GET THAT ON THE AGENDA TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. THAT WOULD BE VALUABLE AS WELL.
>> AS YOU HEARD DANIEL TALKING, THEY'RE DOING RIGHT NOW GOING THROUGH AND TRYING TO MARK THOSE THINGS.
I HAD ASKED MR. MULLINS THERE IF WE COULD MAKE COPIES OF THIS AND BRING IT TO OUR BOARD NOT THIS WEEK BUT NEXT.
AND DON'T DO A BIG LONG PRESENTATION.
WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION AND SAY YOU'RE GOING OUT AND DOING YOUR WHAT DO YOU CALL IT REVIEWS OF THE PARK.
LET'S COME BACK AND HAVE ANOTHER DISCUSSION WITH IT.
AND MAKE DECISIONS ON WHAT WE PRIORITIZE ON THAT AS A PARK.
>> MR. HOLSTON. >> YEAH, CHRISTOF, I APPRECIATE YOU LISTENING ON COMMUNITY PARK PARTICULAR.
MY POINT WAS WE DON'T BUILD SOMETHING NEW WHEN WE HAVE SOMETHING FALLING APART. AND WE HAVE THAT CONDITION IN
[01:45:06]
COMMUNITY PARK. I RECALL THE GROUND THAT THE PLAYGROUND IS ON. CHASING GRAND KIDS THAT TRIPPED OVER THE SAME ROOF EVERY TIME. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE SAME BAR.YOU THINK I WOULD LEARN. BUT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE CONDITION FIRST BEFORE WE GO AND START ANY PROJECTS. WHY START A NEW PROJECT WHEN YOU
CAN'T MAINTAIN WHAT YOU'VE GOT? >> BEFORE I DO THAT, I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE STAFF. BECAUSE I TOOK MY GRANDCHILDREN OFF YOUR RECOMMENDATION TO KIDS KINGDOM.
IT SAVED MY LIFE OVER THE WEEKEND.
BUT, THE AMOUNT OF WORK Y'ALL DO.
I STAND HERE LOOKING AT THAT AND THAT PLACE WAS SPOTLESS.
IT WAS AMAZING. I LOOK AT IT, LIKE THE UPKEEP GAVE ME A REALLY GOOD PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH. KUDOS TO YOUR STAFF.
MY WIFE WASN'T IN FAVOR OF IT. I WENT OVER AND LOOKED AT IT.
AND IT WAS GREAT. >> I DIDN'T SEE DONUTS ON THE
THAT'S HOW WE GOT IN TROUBLE WITH THE WET ZONE.
WE WEREN'T ALLOCATING APPROPRIATE MONEY.
COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTON SAID, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE FROM US, I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT AND START ANY PROJECS UNTIL WE FIX
WHAT WEAVE GOT >> LET'S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS, LET'S GET IT FINISHED. LET'S MAKE IT LOOK NICE AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE. AND IT GOES ALONG WITH WHAT MR. GIBBS WAS SAYING. HAVING A DEPARTMENT IN CHARGE OF BUILDING SERVICES. THEY BECOME THE DECIDER YOU KNOW OF EVERYBODY GOING TO BE TALKING.
WHAT IS A PRIORITY? WELL THIS ROOF.
I ARGUE THAT WAS IN PLACE. THIS ROOF PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE FAR HALF. WHAT WE ARE PAYING NOW BECAUSE, WHOEVER PUTS UP THE BEST ARGUMENT WINS THE DAY.
>> THEY PRIORITIZE IT. BUT ANYWAY.
I MEAN I AGREE WITH GETTING THINGS FIXED AND EVERYTHING.
YOU KNOW SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO START OTHER PROJECTS BECAUSE OF TIMELINES WITH YOU HAVE THOSE PROJECTS.
JUST KNOW THAT TOO. I'M GOOD WITH GETTING THOSE BUILT. COMMUNITY PARK WAS OUR JEWEL AND BRINGING PEOPLE OUT THERE. FOR SOCCER AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I KNOW SOME OF THE HARDSHIPS THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH.
I HAVE TO GIVE THEM STUFF BECAUSE WE HAD SOME OF THE YOU KNOW NO RAIN DRY SUMMERS AND HAD CRACKS OUT THERE WE COULD LOSE KIDS IN. WE COULDN'T FIND THEM THEY FALL IN. THEY WERE USING HAY TO FILL THE HOLES OUT THERE. AND SO, YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE UNDER RESTRICTIONS OF NORTH TEXAS WATER MUNICIPAL DISTRICT, THAT MAKES THINGS WORSE AND PUTS US BEHIND TOO.
I CONCUR. I THINK WE SHOULD FIX STUFF AND GET IT GOING. PUT FUNDING WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE ON THE PARKS. STARTING COMMUNITY PARK.
>> SO JUST BEFORE YOU GO ON, I RECOMMEND EITHER A SUMP PUMP AND/OR ALARM FOR PUMP IN THE WET ZONE SO THAT IF WE HAVE ANOTHER INFLOW OF WATER, FROM WHATEVER SOURCE, IT'S PUMPED OUT OR ALERTING SOMEONE THERE'S A PROBLEM.
>> WE ACTUALLY POTENTIAL MAYBE ACTUALLY COVERING THAT FACILITY.
>> THAT TOO. >> YOU SAY COVERED?
>> COVERED. >> LET'S MOVE ON RYAN.
>> TRAIL CONSTRUCTION HAS COMPLETED TRAILS FOR THE MASTER PLAN. COMPLETED LAKE HIGHLANDS TRAIL IF YOU REMEMBER COUNCIL DIRECTION BACK IN 2021, NOT PUTTING THE TRAIL BEHIND THOSE HOMES FROM LAKE SIDE DOWN TO BAY SIDE. THAT TRAIL HAS BEEN REROUTED.
PARK IMPROVEMENTS. THIS WAS ONE THAT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING MORE THAN PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
THERE'S FUNDING TO BE RE-ALLOCATED TO PROJECTS AS NEEDED FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS. WE IDENTIFIED THERE ARE MANY NEEDS. SAME WITH THIS ONE.
PARKS MASTER PLAN. THIS MASTER PLAN WAS CREATED IN
[01:50:01]
2018. SHOULD BE UPDATED IN FIVE YEARS.HAD A DRAFT UPDATED IN 2023. BELIEVE THE REVIEW AND THE APPROVAL PROCESS OF THAT WAS PAUSED DUE TO CHANGES OF HERFORTH PARK. WANTED TO TAKE ANOTHER BITE AT THE APPLE TO REEVALUATE AND LOOK AT THAT AND CREATE A NEW MASTER PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. KIDS KINGDOM IMPROVEMENTS.
THESE WERE MADE TO EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS.
NEW AMENITIES. I THINK THE WATER TOWER STRUCTURE IN THE PICTURE IS JUST AMAZING.
THE FOCAL POINT OF THE PARK WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT FEEDBACK FROM. THIS IS THE SURFACE WITH THE ENGINEERED WOOD. IT HAS TO BE REPLENISHED AND MAKE SURE IT'S AT THE RIGHT LEVELS IN THE PARK.
IT'S VERY GREAT AND EXPENSIVE. THIS IS ONE OF HIGHLY USED PARKS. MY MOTHER AND LAW AND HER HUSBAND MOVED TO ROWLETT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WENT TO SEE THEM. THEY SAID WE HAVE A GREAT PARK TO TAKE US TO. THEY TOOK US TO KIDS KINGDOM.
BEFORE WE OPENED UP WET ZONE. EVERYTHING WAS PACKED WITH CARS.
IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE COME TO THAT.
I DO THINK IT'S A REGIONAL DRAW SO MONEY WELL SPENT HERE.
>> CHRISTOF, TELL ME WHAT IS THE IMPACT FEE FUNDING FOR THIS? I SAW THIS IN THE PACKET AND RAISED A QUESTION.
>> HOW DO WE USE IMPACT FEES. THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND GET
BACK TO YOU. >> I WOULD LOVE US TO LOOK INTO THAT AND BE SURE THAT WAS WITHIN SCOPE OF THE APPROPRIATE USE FOR
IMPACT FEES. >> ADDITIONAL CONCERNS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE AND MONITOR THE PLAYGROUNDS IN OUR PARK SYSTEM. WE LOOK AT THOSE FOR POSSIBLE PROJECTS IN FUTURE. I'M ON BOARD FOR MAINTAINING WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE WE BUILD MORE.
SOMETIMES IN THE MUNICIPAL WORLD GETTING DOLLARS TO BUILD STUFF IS EASIER THAN GETTING DOLLARS TO MAINTAIN STUFF.
SO I THINK GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT THESE THINGS AND MAKING SURE WE'RE MAINTAINING THE STRUCTURES WE HAVE AT GOOD LEVEL IS PARAMOUNT. THE SPORTS FIELD AMENTITY UPGRADES. THAT GOES TO THE SPECTATORS AND BLEACHERS THEY'RE IN. THE SHADE COVERING THEY'RE IN.
UPGRADING THE FENCING AND LIGHTING ALONGSIDE AND IMPROVING THE RESTROOM FACILITIES. SYSTEM WIDE WAVE FINDING.
I ASKED STAFF AT RCC. I SAID HAS ANYONE EVER WALKED IN AND SAID IS THIS KID'S KINGDOM? THEY SAID YES.
PEOPLE PULL IN AND SEE THE BUILDING, THEY GO IN THE BUILDING AND FIND OUT THEY HAVE DOING BACK OUTSIDE, GET BACK IN THEIR CAR AND GO FURTHER. SAME THING AT ROWLETT COMMUNITY PARK. YOU COME IN AND HAVEN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE, WHERE AM I GOING? SIGNAGE THAT SAYS YOU'RE GOING TO FIELD X. KEEP ON GOING HERE.
AND THE WET ZONE CRITICAL MAINTENANCE WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDRESSING THOSE OUTSTANDING FACILITY OPERATIONAL NEEDS INCLUDING THE CENTRAL ELECTRICAL UPDATES AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND NOT REQUIRED BY CODE. AN ESTOP, IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THE POOL, YOU CAN HIT THE BUTTON AND IT KILLS THE PUMP.
WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCIES THAT HAPPEN IN THE FACILITY.
INSTALLATION OF SHADE COVERING OVER THE PUMP PIT.
>> I KNOW YOUR SYSTEM WIDE WAVE FINDING IS FOCUSED ON PARK.
TO ME THAT'S A BIGGER PUBLIC WORKS ISSUE.
WE HAVE SO MANY SIGNS ONE OFF IF THIS THAT AND THE OTHER.
HOW TO GET TO DIFFERENT POINT SAYS WITHIN THE CITY.
DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS ALL THIS STUFF AND THERE'S NO SORT OF RHYME OR REASON TO HAVING SHARED SIGNS ON SHARED POLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE'S JUST SIGNED EVERYWHERE.
THIS PARK AND THAT PARK AND END UP EVERYWHERE.
>> COME FROM A COLLECTION OVER THE YEARS.
GOING BACK AT LOOKING AT STANDARDS.
YOU DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ONE. GETTING PEOPLE IN THE LOCATIONS, YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT IT HOLISTICALLY AS A CITY.
[01:55:04]
THIS IS INTERNAL TO THE PARK IF THERE WAS A CITY WIDE WAVE FINDING AND ADAPTING THAT FOR WHAT YOU SEE INSIDE OF THE PARK.I ALWAYS EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE IT'S LIKE YOU GO TO THE MALL.
YOU SEE THE ENTRANCE AND THE SIGNS, SAYS DILLARDS THIS WAY
AND DICK'S THIS WAY. >> WE HAVE THREE SIGNS ON THE INTERSECTION, THREE HOLES AND THREE MOUNTS.
QUESTIONS FOR MR. MULLINS? THANK YOU FOR THE VERY COMPREHENSIVE PRESENTATION. THAT WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL.
JUST CHIME IN. >> DID I MISS SOMETHING OR THE PIECE ON THE HOCKEY RINK. DID THAT GET CANCELED OR JUST
BACK BURNER. >> IT WAS IN THERE.
IT WAS A SLIDE. >> I DON'T REMEMBER THAT BEING CANCELED. I THOUGHT WE BURNERED THAT
WE TOOK IT ALL OFF. >> THE FUNDING IS STILL THERE.
THE FUNDING IS STILL THERE BECAUSE IT'S STILL A CAPITOL PROJECT. WE DENIED THE BID THAT WAS
PROPOSED. >> IT SAYS IT HAS BEEN CANCELED AND FUNDS CAN BE USED FOR OTHER ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
THIS WAS JUST BEING USED AS WELL.
NOW WE CAN USE FOR OTHER THINGS. OTHER PROJECTS.
I JUST DIDN'T REALIZE WE CAN USE IT LATER FOR THE DEFINITION OF FUNDS THAT WE DECIDED TO REEVALUATE THAT.
> THAT CERTAINLY, IF CANCELING THE BIDS IS A CLEAR MESSAGE.
IF WE MISUNDERSTOOD. WE NEED DIRECTION.
RIGHT NOW THAT'S, THAT WAS THE BROAD.
AND DIDN'T HEAR AN ALTERNATIVE LOCATION OR INTEREST FOR THE HOCKEY RINK. WHAT WE HEARD IS DON'T KNOW YET.
>> THAT'S PART OF THE BIGGER CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR MUNICIPAL COMPLEX WHICH WE'RE GOING TO GET PART OF HERE IN A SECOND.
IS GOING TO BE A DETERMINING FACTOR OF WHERE THE HOCKEY RINK WINDS UP. WHETHER THE CURRENT SITE OR ANOTHER PARK IN THE CITY. THE TITLE OF THIS, ACCOUNT PK 2126 HOCKEY RINK RELOCATION IS STILL THE RIGHT TITLE.
I DISAGREE WITH THE SCOPE. IT'S PROBABLY CHANGED OVER TIME.
THE ORIGINAL WOULD BE TO CONSTRUCT A NEW RAILROAD RINK AND NOW SAYS COMMUNITY PARK. IT PROBABLY SHOULD SAY CONSTRUCT A NEW HOCKEY RINK. UNLESS THAT COUNCIL DECIDES AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IF WHERE IT IS AND DO UPGRADES OR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EXISTING SPACE, THIS ACCOUNT STILL EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FINDING A NEW HOME FOR THE HOCKEY RINK AS
FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. >> WHAT PROCESS WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET THROUGH THE LOCATION OF MUNICIPAL COMPLEX BEFORE WE TACKLE THAT SUBJECT
UNLESS THERE'S DISAGREEMENT? >> I AGREE WITH THAT.
AND AGAIN, THE ONLY REASON THAT IT'S UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE THREE THINGS THAT ARE COMPETING INTEREST.
TWO ARE LARGER. MUNICIPAL COMPLEX AND HERFURTH PARK. WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FUTURE OF HERFURTH PARK. THEY ARE ALL TIED TOGETHER BUT WE HAVE TO START WITH THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX AND SEPARATE AGENDA ITEM. THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING WITH
THAT. >> THEN WE WILL LEAVE THAT
FUNDING THERE. >> MAYOR, I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED HERFURTH PARK. WE FIX THINGS BEFORE WE BUILD NEW. HERFURTH PARK WAS THE EXCEPTION TO THAT. THEY WERE BONDS FOR THAT PROJECT. AS WE FIGURE THOSE THREE THINGS OUT, I'M NOT SAYING WE DON'T DO HERFURTH PARK.
JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THAT. >> I APPRECIATE SOMEONE SAID THIS. IT'S KIND OF WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN YOU, MIKE.
THERE'S NOTHING SEXY THAT YOU GET TO TELL THE COMMUNITY THAT HEY WE NEED TO REPLACE THE PUMP ROOM AT THE WET ZONE.
WE PUT A BUNCH OF BRAND-NEW STUFF AND LOOKS PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE AND IT'S NOT FUNCTIONAL BECAUSE THERE'S PROBLEMS ON THE INSIDE. WE HAVE TO DO WILL FUN STUFF AS
[02:00:02]
WELL AS THE STUFF NOT READILY VISIBLE.SAME TRUE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AS WE MAINTAIN THE SEWER LINES WERE IT'S A HOLISTIC CONVERSATION.
I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS WELL AWARE NOW OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD ABOUT MAINTAINING THE ASSETS WE HAVE THAT I DON'T SEE THERE'S GOING TO BE MAJOR PUSH BACK TO ALLOCATE FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE. WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS INTENT IN SOME AREAS TO BUILD IN NEW THINGS.
IT'S KIND OF A GROUP EFFORT. WE HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT FUNDING TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDING CONVERSATION.
OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? THANK YOU AGAIN. SUPER INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION.
AGAIN I THINK HAVING THE PARKS BOARD GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND HAVING THIS COME BACK DURING THE PACKAGE PROCESS WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT WE MOVE ON TO ITEM 3 D.
UPDATE ON COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING.
>> YOU COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME UNAWARE.
LOST OPPORTUNITY THERE. SORRY, TIME OUT.
RYAN, YOU'RE STILL HERE. I NEED DOING BACK TO THE PARKS PLAN. 3 C.
I DIDN'T SEE COIL HOUSE ON THE LIST.
I KNOW WE ALLOCATED FUNDING AT ONE POINT.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE WE'RE AT. OR IS IT CAPITAL PROJECT?
>> IT WASN'T LISTED AS A PROJECT WITH A COIL HOUSE ON IT.
>> IT'S NOT IDENTIFIED AS PARKS CIP.
THERE'S FUNDING, I THINK IT'S IN '28.
I HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK. THERE'S FUNDING IN AN OUTYEAR.
>> IN 2028? >> IT'S IN THE CIP AND PLACE.
WE WILL REVISIT THAT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.
[3.D. Present an update regarding Council Strategic Planning Process. ]
OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THAT. SORRY TO CATCH YOU BLIND THERE.>> 3 D. PRESENT UPDATE REGARDING COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS. >> WE STARTED THIS PROCESS IN DECEMBER. WE BROUGHT IN SOME CONSULTANTS AND DID SOME LOOKS AT THOSE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. THE MAJARENDO. THE GROUP WAS SELECTED.
AT THAT TIME, THE SCOPE WAS TO MOVE QUICKLY.
THEY WANTED TO JUMP ON IT AND GET MOVING.
THAT DIRECTION CHANGED AND WE DECIDED TO SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION. AND AFTER THE COMMUNITY SURVEY.
THIS IS THE KIND OF GROUP THAT CONSULTANT RUNS THROUGH EXAMINE, EXPLORE, EXECUTE. THAT'S THEIR FIVE-STEP STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS. THE QUESTION TONIGHT IS PHASE TWO. I'M LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK.
ONE OF THE REASONS WE DELAYED THIS IS THE COMMUNITY SURVEY.
WE WILL HAVE THAT COMMUNITY SURVEY BEFORE WE KICK THIS BACK IN JULY AND WILL HAVE THE RESULTS.
THE CONSULTANT PROPOSED TO ADD ADDITIONAL STAKEHOLDER MEETING AND ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR FOR FUNDING.
I'M LOOKING BEING TO SEE IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT ADDITIONAL STEP IN THE PROCESS OR THE COMMUNITY SURVEY IS SUFFICIENT SORT OF PUBLIC PROCESS. YOU WOULD HAVE OTHER STEPS OF PUBLIC PROCESS ALONG THE WAY. IF YOU WANT THE CONSULTANT TO DO ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT. THAT'S AN OPTION PRESENTED TO US. PHASE THREE, STEERING COMMITTEES. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS.
EXPLORING THE FACILITATION OF SESSIONS.
TAKE THE INFORMATION WE GET FROM THE COMMUNITY SURVEY AND BRING THEM TO COUNCIL AND DRIVE DIRECT OBJECTIVES.
THAT'S IS WHERE WE WANT TO GET TO.
THE FIFTH STEP TO TAKE ACTION AND DEVELOPING THAT.
THE GOAL IS THAT'S LIKELY TO OCCUR BY NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR.
THIS KIND OF LAYS IT OUT AS A PROCESS.
STARTING LATE JUNE. MOST OF OUR WORK WILL BE IN JULY, AUGUST AND MOVING FORWARD. THE QUESTION REALLY IS, DO YOU WANT TO DO THE BASIC SCOPE OR DO YOU WANT TO DO THE ENHANCED SCOPE WHICH HAS MORE DEEP PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT?
[02:05:01]
THAT'S THE KEY PIECE OF INFORMATION I'M LOOKING FOR TONIGHT. WHAT IS YOUR INTEREST HERE? THE ADDITIONAL COST WAS ABOUT $15,000 TO DO ADDITIONAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PROCESS.>> MY VOTE IS TO GET THE PUBLIC INVOLVED.
>> YEAH, I GOT A QUESTION ON THAT.
I AGREE WITH THAT 100%, BUT WHEN WE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED THE SCOPE OF WORK WHEN THIS WENT OUT FOR BID, DID THEY NOT PUT IN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE? WE WANT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
OR STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT? >> NO.
IT WAS ALWAYS AN OPTION BY ALL THREE CONSULTANTS.
AT THAT TIME, WE HAD DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP AND COUNCIL, THE INTEREST WAS TO MOVE QUICKLY. IT WAS KIND OF MORE OF A LET'S GET SOMETHING IN PLACE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T REALLY DONE ANY STRATEGIC PLANNING UP TO THAT POINT.
SO, LOWER COST, QUICKER WAS THE EMPHASIS AT THAT TIME.
WORLD HAS CHANGED. SO I'M COMING BACK TO SEEK
ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK. >> I KNOW YOU MENTIONED, ONE OF THE REASONS WE DELAYED IT WAS TO GET THE RESULTS OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY. I KNOW I EXPRESSED A DESIRE PRIOR TO THE ELECTION TO WAIT AT LEAST UNTIL WE HAD THREE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS SO THEY COULD BE PART OF THIS AS WELL.
>> AND YOUR ANSWER IS VERY, VERY HELPFUL.
I KEPT READING THAT. WHY WOULD WE DENY? IT'S LIKE WE'RE GOING TO, YOU CAN BUY THIS, THIS OR THIS.
BUT IT WAS IN THERE AND WE CHOSE NOT TO.
ALL RIGHT. I AGREE WITH MR. BRITTON.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT ALL STAGES IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HERE. I WOULD ALSO CHANGE THE TERM OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. AND THROW IN YOU KNOW, GISD DART AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT TOO. AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT SCOPE INCLUDES.
>> CERTAINLY IT WOULD BE COMING BACK TO COUNCIL FOR INPUT ON WHO ENGAGED IN THAT PROCESS. AS WE IDENTIFY THE STEERING COMMITTEES AND OTHERS, THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO -- WE'RE RELYING ON YOU TO DETERMINE WHO PARTICIPATES IN THAT PROCESS.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST-EVER, YOU USED A TERM WE'VE DONE A STRATEGIC PLAN. 2018, I WAS ON THE STRATEGIC STEERING PLAN AND DID THAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ASTHMA CONSULTING FIRM. WE HAVE -- WELL WE DO.
I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S BEEN A WHOLE PANDEMIC BETWEEN WHEN THAT STRATEGIC PLAN WAS ADOPTD AND TODAY WHICH HAS IMPACTED THINGS.
THERE WAS A HEAVY RELIANCE, HEAVY RELIANCE MIGHT BE OVER STATING IT. THERE WAS A RELIANCE IN THAT PLAN EVER WHAT WAS GOING TO COME OUT OF BAY SIDE DEVELOPMENT.
WHICH OBVIOUSLY SINCE THEN HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY.
THE IMPACT AND THIS IS, I DON'T WANT TO GET STRATEGIC PLAN CONFUSED WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE STRATEGIC PLAN ALSO RELIED HEAVILY THE ON NORTH SHORE BEING AN EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DRIVER.
THERE'S OPPORTUNITY. IT HAS NOT WORKED UP TO THE HYPE IN THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS OF WHEN THE PLAN WAS ADOPTED.
HERE WE ARE EIGHT YEARS LATER AND THERE'S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. NOT THE SCOPE OR THE SCALE OF WHAT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ORIGINALLY INTENDED.
>> IN MY IMPORTANCE, JUST BEST PRACTICE, YOU DO A STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS. IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE ONE BEFORE.
BUT YOU UPDATE IT ANNUALLY. REVISIT IT EVERY YEAR.
SAY OKAY, WHAT DID WE ACCOMPLISH IN THE LAST YEAR? WHAT IS STILL A PRIORITY? YOU DO THAT BEFORE THE BUDGET PROCESS. SO THEN IT DRIVES THE BUDGET PROCESS. THIS WILL ACTUALLY HELP US GET BACK TO TRACK TO THAT. BECAUSE NOVEMBER EVEN IF YOU'RE SURPRISED, WE START THE BUDGET PROCESS SHORTLY THEREFORE.
HAVING THIS INFORMATION UPDATED EVERY FALL I THINK IS A GOOD PRACTICE MOVING FORWARD. HOW DO WE DO IN THE LAST YEAR? LOOKING BACK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PRIORITY. WE COME FORTH IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. IT HAS A FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT TO USE TO DRIVE THOSE PRIORITIES.
IN THE LAST THREE YEARS I HAVE BEEN THREE, WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT FEEDBACK. IT HASN'T BEEN THERE TO SAY, WE'RE BRINGING THIS CHANGE BECAUSE OF PRIORITY NUMBER TWO.
YOU WILL SEE IN OUR PRESENTATIONS AND AGENDA MEMOS.
[02:10:03]
WE REFER BACK TO THE 2018 PLAN. BUT IT HASN'T HAD THE SAME SORT OF BUY IN AND INFLUENCE THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE IN A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS I USED IN THE PAST.>> IT'S OUTSIDE. >> AND THIS GROUP WHEN THEY SPOKE TO US. IT WASN'T TO TOSS OUT THE EXISTING STRATEGIC PLAN. IT WAS TO LESSONS LEARNED FROM THAT. BUT ALSO TO GO THROUGH THAT ANNUAL PLANNING PROCESS. THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT THEY EXPLAINED TO US. THAT'S THE BEST PRACTICE.
THAT'S WHAT WORKS. IN MY PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT, THAT'S WHAT WE DO. WE DO QUARTERLY PLANNING SESSIONS AND HAVE A ONE TO TWO DAY RETREAT WE GO OFF SET AND THINK ABOUT STRATEGY. THAT'S ONE THING THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, THAT'S ONE THING THIS COUNCIL HASN'T DONE WELL. WE HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO BUILD OUT A PLAN. I KNOW WE GOT AN E-MAIL TO A RESIDENT OPPOSED TO THE PLANNING PROCESS.
I RESPECT THAT. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN PLANS THE CITY HAS NOT EXECUTED WELL.
I BELIEVE THIS COUNCIL AND I BELIEVE OUR INTENT HAS BEEN TO EXECUTE ON THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE BOARD. FROM THE DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE MASTER THOROUGHFARE TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE BUILD THOSE PLANS SO THERE'S LESS DAY TO DAY WORK FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER. WE USE THAT FOR WHAT WE STRATEGICALLY DEVELOPED FOR THE CITY.
WE TAKE THE PLANS, HAND THEM TO STAFF CAPABLE AND COMPETENT AND CAN EXECUTE ON THEM AND GET THE WORK DONE.
THAT'S THE ULTIMATE GOAL. CERTAINLY WE HAVE PLANS THAT NEED UPDATES. WE JUST LOOKED AT PARKS MASTER PLAN FROM 10 YEARS AGO. WE'RE LOOKING AT A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EIGHT YEARS AGO. OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WAS ADOPTED IN 2018 AND CERTAINLY NEEDS UPDATES.
BUT OUR DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN BY GOLLY THAT THING IS ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF OLD. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT MAKE STUFF HAPPEN. I'M FOR OPTION B.
>> THIS IS A QUESTION. AGREE TO OPTION B IN GETTING PUBLIC INTEGRATION. HOW MUCH TIME DOES THAT ADD? IT WAS A DECISION TO NOT ADD IT. HOW MUCH TIME DOES THE
INTEGRATION TAKE? >> IT ADDS ABOUT 45 DAYS.
>> DROP IN THE BUCKET. ANY CONCERNS ON THIS SIDE OF
ROOM? >> YOU ALREADY GOT FOUR.
I'M JUST KIDDING. >> SO, THIS IS A LITTLE OFF.
WE WON'T BE MOVING FORWARD IN JUNE BUT JULY.
I WILL GET THIS EXECUTED BEFORE I HEAD TO FRANCE LET'S PUT IT
THAT WAY. >> I'M GOING TO FRANCE WITH
DO YOU FIT IN MY CARRY ON? >> I DON'T THINK SO.
>> I DO WANT TO YOU KNOW PUT A FEATHER IN CHRISTOF' CAP.
HE DIDN'T BRING THIS UP. BEFORE WE HAD THE LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN THE CITY, THE INTENT WAS TO MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH THIS PLAN AND GET A PLAN IN PLACE WERE THE IDEA IS WORK WITH COUNCIL. FIGURE OUT WHAT NEEDED TO BE TWEAKED AND GET THAT OUT THERE. YOU KNOW ONE OF FIRST THINGS CHRISTOF DOES WAS SAY WE NEED TO START HAVING CONVERSATIONS AMONGST THIS GROUP MORE THOROUGHLY AND IN DEPTH AND GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN THAT. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DECIDED.
THERE'S A REASON. WE MET WITH THE GUY FROM THIS GROUP SAID, NOW IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME.
I TALKED TO HIM ON THE PHONE. WE'RE ABOUT TO HAVE AN ELECTION.
WE JUST HAD TURNOVER IN CITY LEADERSHIP.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO FORGE AHEAD AND WE NEED TO BE MUCH MORE STRATEGIC ABOUT OUR STRATEGIC PLAN OTHERWISE IT'S POINTLESS. WE END UP WITH A DOCUMENT AT THE END OF THE DAY IS COBBLED TOGETHER AND NOT REFLECTIVE OF
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY THINKS. >> CHRISTOF HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK.
THE ONLY WAY IT WILL WORK IF YOU COME TO IT EVERY YEAR.
IT'S A LIVING DOCUMENT. WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT IDEA. WE THINK THIS.
OTHERWISE, IT'S JUST PAPER WITH SOMETHING WROTE ON IT.
YOU HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF IT. >> SO EVERYBODY IS GOOD WITH
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DONE WITH THE BUDGET.
WE WILL START IN JULY. YOU WILL START YOUR MEETINGS ON
[02:15:01]
BUDGET IN JULY. YOU DON'T FINISH THAT UNTIL SEPTEMBER BUT, WE WILL BE MOVING IN PARALLEL AT THAT POINT.[3.E. Present an update on the Municipal Site Selection ]
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU CHRISTOF.NEXT MOVE TO ITEM 3 E. ANYBODY NEED A BREAK OR GOOD TO FORGE AHEAD? HE'S UP.
I THINK HE'S JUST GRABBING WATER.
MOVE TO 3 E, PRESENT UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL SITE SELECTION.
>> MAYOR, I MIGHT MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AS WE SPEAK ABOUT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS.
>> YEAH. THE COUNCILMEMBER ASKED ME ABOUT THIS AND IF THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OR YOUR FEELINGS OF VALUE OF PARTICULAR LOCATIONS, THAT COULD ALL AFFECT YOUR NEGOTIATIONS IN ACQUISITION OF A PROPERTY.
SO YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN EXECUTIVE
SECTION. >> SO I WANT TO, THE PRESENTATION, WHAT IS THE PRESENTATION? ARE WE TAKING ABOUT SPECIFIC SITES?
WHERE ARE WE GOING TO THIS? >> THE SPECIFIC SCOPE OF
ALTERNATIVE SITES. >> ARE WE GOING TO MENTION
ALTERNATIVE SITES >> THERE'S ONE SLIDE.
IT'S NOT AN EXECUTIVE ITEM TONIGHT.
>> CORRECT. >> SO JUST SO YOU KNOW.
>> CORRECT. WE CAN GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE PLAY NOT.
ONLY FOR LEGAL ADVICE. >> YEAH.
SO, I THINK MR. HOLSTON, YOUR POINT IS, BE JUDICIOUS WHAT WE SAY ABOUT PARTICULAR SITES TONIGHT.
>> I THINK THE RIGHT AND I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT IF WE DO GET INTO A NEGOTIATION FOR ANY SITE, WE HAVE MOST ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE THE PROCESS AND THAT WE HAVE NOT GIVEN AWAY WHO WE
ARE AND WHAT WE'RE DOING. >> I THINK THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE IS THAT WE CAN'T DISCUSS POTENTIAL SITES WITH THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT DISCUSSING POTENTIAL SITES WITH THE COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S BEEN THE DIRECTION OF COUNCIL, WE DISCUSS PLUSES AND MINUSES FOR VERY SPECIFIC SITES WITH THE COMMUNITY AND GET FEEDBACK.
>> WELL, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO PUT ON MY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HAT. WHEN YOU DISCLOSE.
WE NEVER DISCLOSED WHO WE ARE. WE HAVE A BROKER OF SOMEONE IN THE MIDDLE. WE NEVER DISCLOSED UNTIL IT GOT DOWN TO NEGOTIATING THE PRICE. THAT'S MY BACKGROUND.
THAT'S MY CONCERN IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE WHAT I THINK IS A VERY CLEAR PROCESS. THIS IS NOT TO KEEP THE PUBLIC OUT OF INFORMATION AND ALL THAT. THAT'S NOT THE INTENT.
BUT THE INTENT IS THAT WE HAVE THE MOST ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE WHEN THE TIME COMES. AND THAT WE DON'T DISCLOSE TO A HOMEOWNER THE FACT WE ALL RECEIVED AN E-MAIL TODAY FROM SOMEONE THAT HAS AN IDEA OF THE PIECE OF PROPERTY AND SAYS, HERE'S MY IDEA, HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN PUT ON THAT -- WELL, DOES HE OWN THAT PROPERTY? ARE WE GOING TO NEGOTIATE? SO, I JUST HAVE CONCERNS THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, YOU LOSE YOUR ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE.
>> SO WE HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED A HANDFUL OF LOCATIONS. MANY OF WHICH ARE INCLUDED HERE.
IF THE DISCUSSION STAYS AT A HIGH LEVEL ABOUT THE PROCESS, FOR ASSESSING THE LOCATIONS, I THINK WE'RE PROBABLY OKAY.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE USAGE OF JUDICIARY LANGUAGE ABOUT PARTICULAR SITES IS VERY IMPORTANT TO YOUR POINT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR SAYING.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROPERTY THE CITY DOES NOT OWN.
>> I REMEMBER ONE SPECIFIC INCIDENT WHERE AN EXECUTIVE OF THE CITY WENT AND CALLED REAL ESTATE OWNERS AND ASKED THEM HOW
[02:20:03]
MUCH WOULD THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY COST.I THINK THAT'S A VERY POOR PROCESS.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY PROCESS.
>> SURE. >> SO, TO MY EXPERTISE SAYS, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU SHOULD NEVER DO.
THAT YOU SHOULD USE SOMEONE IN THE MIDDLE A BROKER TO HELP YOU DO THAT. CERTAINLY CHRISTOF IS AN EXTREMELY TALENTED GUY BUT NOT GOOD AT NEGOTIATING REAL ESTATE DEALS. REAL ESTATE BROKERS ARE GOOD AT THAT. I'M JUST SUBMITTING WE LOOK, BE VERY LONG CAREFUL OF THE PROCESS, ONCE YOU GO DOWN A ROAD, YOU CALL AN OWNER AND SAY, I'M WITH THE CITY OF ROWLETT.
HOW MUCH WILL YOU SELL YOUR PROPERTY, YOU PLAYED YOUR CARDS.
>> SO I THINK WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT OF HAVING SOLICITED PUBLIC FEEDBACK AND WE TALK ABOUT SITES, USING THAT FEEDBACK, THAT IS THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.
LET'S GO AHEAD WITH THE PRESENTATION.
>> OKAY. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL.
PERSON OF TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION IS MERELY TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE REGARDING REVISED PROPOSAL FOR THE MUNICIPL COMPLEX SITE SELECTION PROCESS. IF YOU RECALL, EARLIER IN MARCH
-- >> I WANT TO START OFF, I HAVE A QUESTION FROM COUNCILMEMBER HOLSTON.
THE SCOPE WAS NOT APPROPRIATE. IT WAS DEVELOPED BY THE CONTRACTOR, THE VENDOR, NOT BY CITY STAFF.
CITY STAFF SHOULD HAVE REVIEWED IT ASK CAUGHT IT BUT WE DIDN'T.
THERE'S PROBABLY AN AI MODEL IN THERE.
IT'S STILL SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE CAUGHT.
AS SOON AS WE WERE AWARE, WE CORRECTED IT.
>> I WANT TO ADD A THANK YOU ON THAT FOR ADDRESSING THAT.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC.
WE STUMBLE, CORRECT IT AND MOVE ON.
>> AND AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, THE TEAM IS HERE.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE'RE GOING TO TAG TEAM TOGETHER.
SO BEAR WITH US. THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT'S CONVERSATION OR DISCUSSION IS TO DISCUSS THE PROCESS AND THE NEXT STEPS BASED ON DIRECTION WE RECEIVE IN WORKSHIP EARLIER THIS
YEAR. >> THIS IS GOING BACK TO WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER. BY WHACK OF BACKGROUND IN 2023, THE FOLLOWING PROPOSITION WERE VOTER APPROVED.
THEY ARE THERE ON THE SCREEN FOR VIEWING.
WE ARE ALL GONE THROUGH THESE. PROP A, B AND C.
WITH THOSE ASSOCIATED DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
THE AMENDED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT THAT IS ATTACHED WITH YOUR PACKET TONIGHT, COUNCIL, FROM FO WILCUSTOMER LLC. THE SCOPE IS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS. ONE IS PART A, WHICH IS THE SITE SORT OF AVAILABILITY ASSESSMENT AND PROCESS AND B COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH PROCESS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER WHICH IS IN THE FORM OF THOSE MODULES. PHASE ONE A, ADDRESSES THE SITE SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT AND THE PROCESS.
IT CONSISTS OF FOUR TIERS AND THESE TIERS START WITH TIER 0, TIER 1, 2 AND THREE, ONE IS PRELIMINARY PRESCREENING, THE CONSULTANT PERFORMS A HIGH LEVEL VETTING OF UNUSED PARCELS.
TO SUPPLEMENT THE 7 PART OF THE ORIGINAL STUDY.
THREE PRIMARY DRIVER SPECIFIC IDENTITY EFFICIENCY AND STEWARDSHIP. TIER 1, YOU'RE CHECKING THE SITE'S FEASIBILITY. THE CONSULTANT WILL CONDUCT A MORE DEEP DIVE IT SAYS IN THE PRESENTATION EVALUATING DURING THE TIER 1 PROCESS AND ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SITES.
>> IF I COULD INTERRUPT. >> PLEASE.
[02:25:03]
I APOLOGIZE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH HOFNER WILKER.HAVE THEY DONE THIS TYPE OF RESEARCH? THEY APPEAR TO BE AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM.
I NEVER USED AN ARCHITECT TO BE INVOLVED IN SITE SELECTION.
THIS IS WHERE I FEEL LIKE, IF IT WERE ME AND I WERE ON COUNCIL THEN, THIS IS NOT WHO I WOULD HAVE SELECTED.
SO, PLEASE KEEP THAT, BEAR THAT IN MIND.
CAN YOU SPEAK TO THIS? >> YES.
I CAN. WHEN HOFNER WILKER BRINGS TO THE TABLE, THEY HAVE DONE THE NEEDS ANALYSIS FOR WHAT EACH FACILITY NEEDS AS FAR AS SPACE. THE CRITICAL FEATURES AS FAR AS ADJACENCIES, SIZE, SQUARE FOOTAGE AND ALL THOSE PIECES THEY HAVE AND THEN WE ALREADY PAID FOR.
AND THEY'RE BRINGING TO THE TABLE TO EVALUATE SITES.
ARE THEY SITE IDENTIFICATION SPECIALISTS? NO. THEY ARE WORKING WITH SUB CONSULTANTS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE A LITTLE MORE OF THAT EXPERTISE.
THAT'S WHY WE REACHED OUT TO THEM TO DEFINE WHAT WAS REQUIRED
FOR THESE FACILITIES. >> I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH. IT APPEARS WE WERE ALREADY DOWN THE ROAD WITH THESE GUYS AND GIVEN THEM ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. IS THAT TRUE? IT'S NOT SOMEONE THAT YOU WOULD START OUT SELECTING TO DO SITE
SELECTION. >> I DON'T FULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT. YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY HAVE TO GIVE TO A SITE SELECTION.
>> WHICH IS WHAT AN ARCHITECT DOES.
GO FIND IT. >> WE COULD HAVE TAKEN THE INFORMATION AND GONE TO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COMPANY.
THEY DO PUBLIC SHARET PROCESS. THE ONLY PIECE THEY'RE A LITTLE WEAKER ON IS THE SITE SELECTION PROCESS.
>> WHICH IS WHERE I'M STUMBLING WITH --
>> CHRISTOF, TELL ME WHAT THE PROCESS IS LIKE IF WE SOLICITED BIDS OR USED I GUESS THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRMS, WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FINDING SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE A SITE SELECTION SPECIALIST THAT THEY WOULD PARTNER WITH AND HAND THAT INFORMATION OFF LIKE HE'S TALKING ABOUT.
WHAT SORT OF TIME DOES THAT ADD TO THE PROCESS WE'RE ON?
>> WELL, OF COURSE, THIS CONTRACT IS RIGHT HERE.
THAT WOULD BE STARTING. SO, IF WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFY A FIRM WITH THAT EXPERTISE.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE 30, 45 DAYS TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. TO BE HONEST, I NEVER USED A SITE SELECTION CONSULTANT. THAT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.
THE REALITY IS IT'S HARD TO USE THAT IF THE PUBLIC SECTOR BECAUSE WHAT WE DO IS SO PUBLIC. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK FOR JUST THAT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. SO IT'S A LITTLE HARDER FOR US TO BE SECRET. SO I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY HAD A LOT OF INVOLVEMENT WITH SITE SELECTION SPECIALISTS.
CERTAINLY I HAD A LOT OF INVOLVEMENT WITH ACQUISITION SPECIALISTS. WE USE THOSE ALL THE TIME.
ONCE WE IDENTIFY WHAT WE NEED, WE BRING THE PROFESSIONALS IN TO NEGOTIATE THE DEAL. BUT SOMEBODY WHO IS MORE OF JUST, WHO WOULD DO THE STANDING FOR US, THAT'S SOMETHING, I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT WOULD BE. I NEED ASSISTANCE TO TRY TO FIND
THAT PERSON. >> CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, WE SELECTED THEM. YEAH, THEM BEING ARCHITECTS.
I THOUGHT THEY ENGAGE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO HELP THEM LOOK AT THESE PARTICULAR SITE AND DETERMINE IS THIS GOING
THEY HAVE GOT CIVIL AND OTHER SORT --
>> IT WASN'T JUST THE ARCHITECT FIRM WAS GOING TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN. THEY WERE GOING TO SUB CONTRACT.
>> TO COUNCILMEMBER KIZZIAR'S POINT.
THEY ARE DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS. THEY ARE ENGINEER ARCHITECTS AND DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS. SO THEY'RE NOT SOMEBODY WHO JUST LOO LOOKS AT REAL ESTATE.
[02:30:05]
>> I WOULD TO SUGGEST WE MIGHT CONSIDER A REAL ESTATE BROKER.
THEY ARE NOT THE GUYS THAT WILL NEGOTIATE.
THAT MAKES ME A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE THAT WE'RE NOT GIVING THEM EVERYTHING TO THIS GROUP.
BUT THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE COMING ALONGSIDE THEM THAT WILL REPRESENT THE CITY WHEN THAT TIME COMES.
I APOLOGIZE WITH THE CHANGE OF DIRECTION.
I SPENT A FEW YEARS IN THIS. >> WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD. I APPRECIATE THE DUE DILIGENCE.
LET'S REALLY IMPORTANT. IF I'M LOOKING AT MAYBE YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO THIS. ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO DELIVERABLES OF WHAT THEIR SCOPE PROVIDES US?
>> THEY TIED INTO THIS IF YOU WOULD INDULGE ME --
>> YEAH. MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
>> I READ THE PRESENTATION. >> IF YOU RECALL, WE TALKED ABOUT THE SCOPE, AND THE SITES. I WILL RUSH THROUGH THOSE.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP THEM ON THE SCREEN FOR TOO LONG.
IN TERMS OF SITE SUITABILITY SELECTION PROCESS, IT CONSISTS OF THE 4 TIERS I MENTIONED. TIER TWO IS A DEEP DIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CANDIDATE SITES. AND THEN THE THIRD TIER IS COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TO RANK THE SITES ON THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY CITY LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
PHASE TWO OF THIS WOULD BE A, IS THE EXHIBIT A WHICH IS A PROFESSIONAL DESIGN SERVICES. B COULD BE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH. AND THEN CITY COUNCIL DECISION-SUPPORT POST THE SCHEDULE DEED.
THE WORD WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF TIMELINES.
JUNE RELEASE THE CONSULTANT SUITABILITY SITE SELECTION AND THIS PROCESS IS APPROXIMATELY EIGHT WEEKS IN AUGUST.
FOUR COMMUNITIES EVENTS WILL BE HELD.
DATA SYNTHESIS AND STRATEGY WITH CITY MANAGEMENT.
FINE TUNING AND SELECTION AND EARLY SEPTEMBER, FINAL COUNCIL WORKSHOP WITH SELECTED SITE OPTIONS.
THE DELIVERABLES WOULD BE SITE SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT REPORT AND THEN COMMUNITY CONSENSUS REPORT.
>> I THINK THAT GETS TO MY POINT WHICH IS THAT THEY'RE NOT HELPING US NEGOTIATE THE PROPERTY.
THEY ARE ASSESSING THE SITE SUITABILITY.
ONE OF THE METRICS WOULD BE PRICE.
WE CAPTURE PRICE THAT WILL HAPPEN THROUGH THE SUB
CONTRACTED THIRD PARTIES. >> OKAY.
AND IS THAT, THAT'S NOT MARKET VALUE THOUGH.
IS THAT, OKAY. >> THAT'S THE DYNAMIC OF THE NEGOTIATION WHERE SOMEONE MIGHT SAY, I WOULD NEVER SELL IT UNDER ANY SCENARIO. YET YOU'VE GONE THE PROCESS WITH AN ARCHITECT NOT SOMEONE THAT'S A NEGOTIATOR.
JUST SEEMS LIKE WE'RE MISSING -- >> YEAH.
>> I THINK THAT, THOSE TWO PIECES OF INFORMATION THEN INFORM THE PECKING ORDER WE GO THROUGH AND TRYING TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY. AND IF SOMETHING IS NOT
ATTAINABLE, THEN -- >> YOU HAVE GONE TO THE CITIZENS AND SAID HERE'S YOUR LOCATION.
>> NO, WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT. >> WE HOLD AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND START TALKING ABOUT PRIORITIZATION OF SITES.
STAFF WORKS WITH A REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION WHATEVER THE TERM YOU USED AND START MAKING OFFERS.
FROM THERE, ONCE WE SETTLE ON A SITE AND HAVE FIRMED UP AN OFFER WITH THE LANDOWNER, THEN THAT'S, HEY THIS IS THE SITE.
HERE'S THE PROCESS WE WENT THROUGH TO GET THERE BY THE WAY COMMUNITY. THIS WASN'T WE JUMPED TO THIRD ON THE LIST. WE PRIORITIZED AND HERE'S HOW WE CAME TO THAT CONCLUSION. AND UNFORTUNATELY, FIRST TWO OWNERS WEREN'T INTERESTED IN SELLING OR THE PRICE OF $5 MILLION OVER THE D CAD PRICE. WHATEVER THE REASONS MIGHT BE.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LEFT WITH. AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO TAKE
OWNERSHIP OF THAT. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR.
IF THIS IS IN THE INTEREST OF COUNCIL WE BRING A REAL ESTATE
[02:35:01]
EXPERT ON EARLIER, WE WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN.>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO INFORM THE WORK OF
THE ARCHITECT IS DOING. >> I DON'T WANT TO DEBATE THIS.
THE ARCHITECT, THAT IS NOT THEIR EXPERTISE.
I AGREE. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US ANYTHING BETTER THAN D CAD OR THE POINT THEY'RE MAKING. I DON'T DISAGREE IT'S JUST ABOUT TIMING. I WAS THINKING ABOUT LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT UNIVERSE WE'RE IN.
IF YOU WANT TO ENGAGE EARLIER, I'M NOT ADVERSE.
WE CAN MOVE EARLIER. AND GET THEM PAIRED UP WITH NDA IN PLACE. IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE.
>> ISN'T THAT GREAT? >> NO, I THINK GOING BACK TO THE POINT. YOU KNOW I GET IT.
WE WANT TO BE, I TRIED THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I NEVER FOUND A WAY FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES TO NOT BE IN THE KNOW OF WHO IS APPROACHING THE SELLER. THEY WILL ALWAYS KNOW IT'S US BEFORE THEY SIGN THE BOTTOM LINE.
AND THAT WILL IMPACT PRICE. IT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT TRUE.
IT WILL IMPACT PRICE. >> QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? I THINK WE'RE GOOD.
>> OKAY. THERE'S A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS CONVERSATION THAT I THINK NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UP AND BEFORE WE CONSIDER THIS ON TOMORROW'S AGENDA.
THE CITY HALL MUNICIPAL COMPLEX. IS THAT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS AGENDA ITEM? THE CITY HALL WAS INCLUDED AS AN IDEA OF PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I WOULDN'T EVEN SAY LEADERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS PART OF THE LEADERSHIP.
IT WAS AN IDEA THAT WAS PITCHED. AND THE CONCEPT WAS THAT THE TOTAL OF THOSE BOND DOLLARS THAT WERE SHOWN UP TO THE SCREEN EARLIER WERE FAR MORE IN EXCESS OF WHAT WAS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH A PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND ANIMAL SHELTER.
THE DISCUSSION WAS HAD, WE CAN ISSUE BONDS AND REDUCE GENERAL BONDS BY $20 MILLION AND THE TOTAL BOND ISSUANCE WAS THE SAME. THE 50ISH MILLION FOR THE PARKS, ANIMAL SHELTER BECAME ONE ITEM AND THEN THE CITY HALL BECAME A SEPARATE ITEM AND SO YOU I UNDERSTANDED UP WITH LIKE FOUR PROJECTS THAT WERE RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME.
SO WHEN WE USE THE TERM MUNICIPAL COMPLEX, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THOSE AS A WHOLE. IGNORE THE PARK FOR THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION. THE CITY COUNCIL ISSUED THAT $20 MILLION IN BONDS IN DECEMBER OF 2024.
THERE ABOUT. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SINCE THEN, THE INTENT HAS BEEN TO HAVE THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX CONSIST OF A PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND A CITY HALL.
THE CITY HALL INCLUDS A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY.
NOT JUST THE CITY HALL THAT YOU SEE TODAY BUT HR FINANCE,
UTILITY BILLING. >> COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
PLANNING, ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND UTILITY BUILDING. THE INTENT WAS TO CENTRALIZE THESE FACILITIES. AS PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> SO, WHEN WE STARTED TO LOOK AT WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK AT, AT THE HERFURTH PARK SITE. THERE WAS A PUBLIC SAFETY ENDING AT THE SOUTH END OF THE PARK. WITH WHAT WE HAVE GIVEN HOFNER WILKER, I BELIEVE WE NEED A CITY HALL AND THIS BUILDING HAS TOLD US WE NEED A NEW CITY HALL. IT'S NEARING 100 YEARS AND WE NEED ECONOMIES OF SCALE TO HAVE OUR CITY STAFF NEXT TO EACH OTHER TO WORK TOGETHER. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WALKED INTO THIS BUILDING THAT I HEARD MONICA SAY, NOT THAT'S 5702 ROWLETT ROAD.
[02:40:02]
HERE'S HOW TO GET THERE. TAKE A LEFT AND A RIGHT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE PEOPLE COME TO CITY HALL THINKING THIS IS WHERE I GET A PERMIT OR DUMP PASS AND IT'S NOT.AGAIN CENTRALIZING THAT LOCATION AND CENTRALIZING ALL OF OUR FACILITIES TOGETHER I BELIEVE IS IMPORTANT.
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEEDBACK ON THE GROUP WHETHER OR NOT WE CONTINUE DOWN THAT PASS. IT DIDN'T COME MUCH MORE.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS PLAN WITH THE CITY HALL, THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY EXCLUDING THE PARK THE PROPERTY, THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THIS CONSISTING OF THE POLICE PUBLIC SAFETY CITY HALL.
>> I THINK THAT'S TBD PARTIALLY BASED ON THE TIMELINE WE HAVE DEALT WITH. ONE OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED WITH ONE OF THE SITE SYSTEM TO HAVE THE BUILDINGS TOGETHER.
THERE MIGHT BE SAVING IF YOU COMBINE THE CITY CHAMBERS WITH THE MUNICIPAL COURTROOM. THEY FUNCTION THE SAME.
IT'S POSSIBLE YOU COULD SAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT IF NOT SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET WITH SPACE, CONFERENCE ROOMS. THOSE COULD BE MADE MORE MODULAR AND USER FRIENDLY.
MY ANSWER IS TBD BECAUSE I GENERALLY DON'T KNOW.
>> IT WAS TIGHT AT HERFURTH PARK AND WE ADDED COST.
THERE'S A POSSIBILITY BUT WE'RE AT A REDESIGN.
WE'RE AT A NEW LOCATION. AND WE'RE AT PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES OF THE $5 MILLION TO SPREAD THE DEVELOPMENT COSTS. EVEN FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, WE ADDED COSTS TO THE PROCESS MAKING THIS CHANGE IN DIRECTION. SO IT'S GOING TO BE HARD.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD THE CITY HALL HOWEVER, I THINK THE MOST SUFFICIENT WAY TO BUILD IS PART OF A BUILDING OF PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING. YOU CAN ADD A THIRD FLOOR WITH YOU GET THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FOUNDATION, ELEVATORS AND ET CETERA. IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT, THAT WOULD BE THE LOWEST COST WAY TO DO IT.
I CANNOT SAY WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH THE EXISTING FUNDING. GIVEN THE FACT WE ARE GOING TO
HAVE TO REDESIGN THIS. >> SO, WHEN YOU DEFINE THAT, I THINK EVERYBODY IN THIS CITY WOULD CITY A NEW CITY HALL.
BEING DECENTRALIZED IS VERY INEFFICIENT.
I THINK IT'S DOABLE. >> WELL, I WILL JUST SAY THIS.
I'M NOT SAYING THE WHOLE CITY. THERE'S OPPOSITION TO CITY HALL BECAUSE THERE'S THE RATIONALE IS THEY DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO VOTE FOR THE CITY HALL. THEY VOTED FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ANIMAL SHELTER. NOW, I WANT TO BE RATIONAL ABOUT THIS. MY PRIORITIES ARE PUBLIC SAFETY, ANIMAL SHELTER AND FOR THE REASON THE RATIONALE THAT THE MAYOR PLAYED OUT, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE IT'S A VERY INEFFICIENT WAY WE'RE DOING BUSINESS NOW.
WITH THE DEPARTMENTS SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE CITY.
AND THE CONFUSION WITH PEOPLE COMING HERE TO PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS, THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN TO DALROCK OR DO THIS OR THAT.
I AM ON BOARD WITH IT, BUT I DO LIKE IT.
THE APPROPRIATE LOCATION TO HOUSE EVERYTHING.
I THINK OUR CITIZENS WOULD BE MORE OPEN TO THAT THAN THE ORIGINAL THING WITH BUILDING A CITY HALL BUILDING AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND HAVING THE -- I MEAN, I THINK EVERYBODY SUPPORTS PUBLIC SAFETY. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEY WANT AN ANIMAL SHELTER. WHEN JONATHAN WAS HERE, HE WAS
[02:45:01]
TALKING ABOUT WE ARE IN CODE RED.WE NEED AN ANIMAL SHELTER. FOR THE EXAMPLES YOU LAID OUT, WE NEED A CITY HALL. I'M FOR THAT.
>> IN ADDITION TO WHAT COUNCILMEMBER BRITTON SAID, I BELIEVE OUR REACTIONS TO OUR CITIZENS CITY HALL AND THE LOCATION, YEAH, MAYOR I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
OUR EFFICIENCY AS A CITY IS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD BE AND OUR TEAMS ARE NOT TOGETHER. I COULD AGREE FROM MY IMPRESSIONAL WORK IN THE BANK. THAT'S A NEED.
I SAW MINNAAR WALK AWAY. IT DEPENDS ON HOW WE DO IT.
I DO AGREE WITH WHAT THE MAYOR SAID.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO, DISCUSSION CAME UP TALKING ABOUT ADDING A CITY HALL AGAIN. I THINK MOST OF US AGREE FOR EFFICIENCY SAKE IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
WHEN PEOPLE PUT TOGETHER PLANS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, WHOEVER PUT THAT TOGETHER UP FRONT IS SOMETHING THEY WOULD NEED FOR TOMORROW. AFTER WHICH WE HEARD LATER WE DON'T NEED ALL THAT SPACE. IF YOU'RE CUTTING BACK THOSE AREAS, I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT GO BACK AND SAY WHOEVER THOUGHT THAT THROUGH IN THE VERY BEGINNING HAD AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY WOULD NEED TOMORROW.
I KNOW WE DEFINITELY HAVE OUTGROWN NOW.
WE NEED THE ANIMAL SHELTER IS THE SAME THING.
WHOEVER DREAMT UP $8.4 MILLION IDEA THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, I'M ASSUMING THERE WAS LOGIC. WE'RE GOING TO NEED ALL THAT SPACE. ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS WE EXPERIENCE IS THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH TIME LAPSE IN '23, '24, '25, '26 THAT NO LONGER IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU HAVE TO ALMOST GO BACKWARDS AND BEGIN TO AFFORD THE CONCEPT OF SPENDING THAT $64 MILLION OR THAT $8.4 MILLION.
OR WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
I LOVE THE IDEA OF CONSOLIDATING THE SERVICES INTO ONE.
I JUST, FROM A SMALL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE EFFICIENCY IS EVERYTHING. I GO BACK TO THINK OF HOW WE PLAN TO THAT START WITH, THOUGH WE HAVE A WIDER ARRAY OF REASONS WHY WE DELAYED. IT'S COME WITH A MAJOR COST BEHIND IT. DOES THAT REQUIRE NOW EVALUATING THAT COST FACTOR AGAIN? AGAIN YOU GUYS ALREADY PULLED MONEY FROM BONDS. IS IT EVEN ENOUGH TO COME CLOSE TO? CAN YOU THINK OF ONE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THREE OR FOUR FLOORS OR WHATEVER IT WOULD BE? THIS IS WHAT MAKES ME NERVOUS. WHEN PEOPLE GET TOGETHER, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK AND I WILL USE ONLY MY THOUGHT OF MY DOING BUSINESS ASPECTS IS WE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT IN THAT TO BEGIN WITH. THAT'S WHY WE DID IT.
WE WENT TO THE CONSUMERS. WE SAID THESE ARE OUR IDEAS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE IDEAS OF USING EXISTING STAFF? SAME THING HERE HAPPENED. WE WENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SAID, LOOK THESE ARE OUR IDEAS. WE NEED THIS $64 MILLION FOR THIS PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AND THIS IS WHY WE NEED IT.
ALL OF US WENT TO THE TABLE AND SAID, YEP, LET'S VOTE FOR THAT.
AND SHIFTING GEARS. I UNDERSTAND TIME PASSED.
PREVIOUS PEOPLE PUT SOMETHING INTO IT THAT CHANGED THE DYNAMICS OF THINGS. WE NEED TO GET OUR HANDS AROUND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FINANCIALLY.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GET THE MONEY FROM.
20 MILLION, I APOLOGIZE, I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU TOOK 20 MILLION FROM THIS YEAR TO USE OVER HERE. IT MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED THAT THAT'S SIMPLE YOU KNOW, $78 MILLION OR WHATEVER IT IS, NEAR ENOUGH MONEY NOW TO COVER THAT.
I LOVE THE IDEA OF CITY HALL BEING ADDED.
MAYBE WE USE THE PROPERTIES AROUND IT.
FINANCIALLY, I WONDER WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND GO BACK AGAIN TO THOSE FOLKS. I DON'T KNOW WHO DID ALL THAT.
THE 2013 BOND. WHO PREPARED WHY WE NEED THIS MUCH OF A PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING BUT NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN WE DON'T
[02:50:01]
NEED THAT BUILDING. I NEED THIS.AGAIN WHY DID WE SAY THIS TO BEGIN WITH? WERE WE SHOOTING THE MOON? IS THAT WHAT WE WERE DOING? I KNOW THIS IS A VERY DEPARTMENTALLY BROKEN DOWN PROCESS. I GET ALL THAT.
I'M CONCERNED ON THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF THINGS WHICH IS WHERE I WILL ALWAYS LAND ON WHY DO WE DO SOMETHING AND WHY ARE WE MISSING THE TIME AND COST THAT SKY ROCKETS ON IT? THIS IS PART OF OUR JOB AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
LET'S FIND A PLOT OF LAND AND MAYBE WE CAN MAKE ALL THAT WORK TOGETHER. I WANT TO PULL THAT MONEY AND PUT IT ASIDE WHEREVER IT'S AT TO ADDRESS AND BEGIN THE PROCESS ONCE WE GET THERE. I'M STILL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE COVER THAT, WHY DID WE GO AWAY FROM THE INITIAL PLAN? CITY HALL, MOST OF US THAT WEREN'T INVOLVED IN CITY POLITICS AT THAT TIME, IT WAS WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THAT MONEY FROM TO COVER THE CITY HALL? NOW, IT MAY WORK.
AT THE AT THE TIME, IT WAS A QUESTION MARK.
SO I JUST -- I WOULD LIKE TO DEEP DIVE EVEN DEEPER AND I ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ECONOMIC SIDE OF THIS THING.
WE'RE NOT HERE TO MAKE A DECISION.
I LOVE THE IDEA. IT PUTS US ALTOGETHER.
FRANKLY, WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE GONE DOWN THAT ROAD IN MY OPINION. WE SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THROUGH TOMORROW WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
TODAY IS TOMORROW FOR US FROM THE CDBG DEVELOPMENT TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING AND THE LIBRARY.
THIS IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOMORROW.
WHAT IS THE COST OF MAKING THAT WORK? TODAY IS TOMORROW FOR US. NOW WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? SO IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK AND TASK OURSELVES WITH THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, FEW MONTHS IS WHERE CAN WE MAKE THIS WORK? STILL MEET AND NEEDS FOR THE SAFETY AND NEEDS FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER WE ALL TOOK THAT TOUR. THE TOUR IS OVER THERE.
THEY NEED HELP. THERE'S NO DOUBT.
WHAT IS BIG ENOUGH OVER THERE FOR THAT? HOW MUCH SPACE DO THEY REALLY NEED? IT WOULD BE HINDSIGHT IF WE DON'T THINK OF TOMORROW.
>> SO, WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE THE FINANCIAL CONVERSATION.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REASON I ASKED THE QUESTION AND THANK YOU, THAT HELPS. YOUR ANSWER IS YES, KEEP IT IN, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT MORE.
TOTALLY APPRECIATE THAT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE'RE TASKING TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT SITES.
IS CITY HALL A PIECE? IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE THAT SAY, YES IT NEEDS TO BE A PIECE.
THERE MAYBE A YES BUT, THERE NEEDS TO BE A PIECE.
>> MAYOR, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK ONE THING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH CERTAINLY THE NEW COUNCIL IS THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER.
AND EVERY TIME YOU GO BACK TO THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER, YOU'RE DOING RIGHT THING. YOU'RE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. AND SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE VOICE OF CUSTOMER THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THE CUSTOMER FELT LIKE THEY WERE IN MANY CASES DECEIVED.
THEY WEREN'T COMMUNICATED WITH AND THEREFORE A LACK OF TRUST.
I THINK PUTTING THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER AS A PRIORITY IS SOMETHING THIS COUNCIL NEEDS TO ALWAYS LET IT BE OUR NORTH STAR.
SO HAVING SAID THAT, IF YOU ASK THE CUSTOMER, WHAT SHOULD WE DO IN ROWLETT? WE SHOULD BE EFFICIENT.
AND WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS NOT EFFICIENT.
TELLING THE CUSTOMER, IT'S ALMOST A GAME.
I WANT YOU TO GO OVER TO HERE AND SUBMIT YOUR PLANS.
THEN COME BACK OVER HERE AND GET YOUR INSPECTION AND YOUR BUILDING PERMIT AND THEN YOU KNOW, FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> BY THE WAY, LIQUOR PERMITS ARE HERE AT CITY HALL.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK ON LIQUOR TONIGHT.
>> OR WITH LIQUOR. >> SO, BEING EFFICIENT, LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER, THEY'RE GOING TO TELL YOU WE WANT AN EFFICIENT OPERATION. IF YOU LISTEN TO CITY MANAGER, I WANT ALL MY PEOPLE UNDER ONE ROOF TO MANAGE THEM BETTER AND THERE'S COMMUNICATION LIKE YOU TALKED ABOUT AT THE BANK.
VOICE >> WE'RE NOT A GAME OF WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM, OR
[02:55:05]
HOW YOU CAN FIND IT. WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST, WHERE IS IT COMING FROM, AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU AS A HOMEOWNER OR A BUSINESS? SO I THINK WE HAVE TO QUANTIFY TO YOUR QUESTION THIS DEAL, WHAT'S THE COST TO INCLUDE THIS IN THE CITY? BECAUSE THE VOTERS ARE RIGHT THEY DID NOT VOTE FOR THIS. THAT'S WHAT THE VOICE OF THE CUSTOMER IS GOING TO TELL US AGAIN.IF YOU WANT US TO BE EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE, SO WE GET BACK TO WHAT'S THE COST TO YOUR POINT, CHRIS.
AND THEN I THINK WE HAVE TO SET PRIORITIES.
OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING IN A HORRIBLE ENVIRONMENT. FORGET EFFICIENCY, BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE -- YOU KNOW THIS MORE THAN ANYBODY, YOU KNOW THIS IN PUBLIC SAFETY HAVING TO DEAL WITH A VERY DIFFICULT RELATION, THERE IS NO PRIVACY, THERE IS NO DIGNITY WHEN YOU'RE INTERVIEWING A VICTIM OF CRIME. WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER.
SAME THING WITH THE ANIMAL SHELTER.
SO OUR FIRST PRIORITY HAS TO BE THOSE TWO AREAS IN EVERYTHING WE DO. SO, YES, I RELUCTANTLY SAY YES, INCLUDE CITY HALL IN THIS DISCUSSION, BUT HOWEVER, I THINK THE PRIORITIES THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR CUSTOMER WITH THOSE TWO THINGS -- SO NOT TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.
I'M A YES TO THE CITY HALL BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, I WAS NOT PRIVY TO ALL THIS STUFF, I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHEN I CAME ON, HOW DO WE GET CITY HALL ON THIS, AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT OKAY WITH STARTING SOMETHING AND THROWING IT AWAY.
WE KEEP ON THROWING MONEY AWAY BECAUSE WE'RE MOVING STUFF AROUND, WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THIS OUT -- WHAT WAS THE WORD YOU USED, PROFICIENT? WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR MONEY.
BUT THERE IS THINGS, YOU KNOW, WE WEREN'T -- WE WERE GOING TO ADD THINGS TO THE TAX ROLL, POTENTIALLY GOING TO ADD BACK 66 .01 ON THE TAX ROW. SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND A PARCEL, WE'LL TAKE THAT OFF THE TAX ROW.
SO THAT'S POTENTIAL GOOD COMMERCIAL, WHATEVER WE WOULD GO GIVING MONEY IN FOR THERES A LOT OF FACTORS WE'RE WEIGHING IN HERE AND, HOW MUCH WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING ON THE PROPERTY, AND HOW MUCH WE'RE LOSING ON THE PROPERTY TO MAKE -- SO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. AND I SUPPORT, BUT I KNOW -- WHAT DO YOU CALL IT, HIS PROBLEMS ARE, RUNNING TO CITY HALL, THEY'RE NOT THERE, HAVE TO GET A CAR, CAN'T GET HIM ON THE PHONE. IT'S A MESS.
AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT. AND EVERYBODY UNDER ONE ROOF SAID, WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE IT OUT, WE'VE GOT TO DO IT ONE WAY, AND IT'S EITHER -- WE WOULD BE KILLED IF WE DID THAT.
TWO FIND LAND SOMEWHERE WE CAN AFFORD, AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT'S GOING TO BE, AND WE NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE TAKING OFF. WE NEED TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE'RE PICKING THAT PROPERTY. BECAUSE IF WE DOWN, WE'RE POTENTIALLY SPENDING MORE MONEY ON THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S IN FOR.
SO I SUPPORT IT, I'M NOT GOING TO GO ANY DEEPER THAN THAT, BUT MY THOUGHTS WERE IS WE'RE TAKING A LOT OF MONEY OFF TAX ROW AND PUTTING MONEY ON TAX ROW. WHERE ARE WE ON THIS? WE'VE GOT TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE GETTING INTO WHEN WE'RE DOING THIS INSTEAD OF JUMPING RIGHT INTO THIS INSTEAD OF DOING
NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE REPORT. >> THANKS, EVERYBODY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. AND I KNOW THAT WAS A LENGTHY CONVERSATION. BUT IT'S A CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD AS A GROUP YET AND WE NEEDED TO HAVE.
IN FACT IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST CONVERSATIONS THAT I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL HAS HAD ABOUT A GROUP ABOUT CITY HALL AND OUR COMMITMENT TO IT, SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TODAY BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. THE LAST THING I WANTED WAS FOR THIS ITEM, WHICH IS KIND OF STILL MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, BASED ON THE SCOPE AND ALL OTHER THINGS INCLUDED, I DIDN'T WANT THE COMMUNITY TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, WELL, THEY JUST KIND OF FORGED AHEAD, WITHOUT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION, WITHOUT TALKING PUBLICALLY ABOUT IT. SO THAT WAS WHY I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AND BE REALLY IN THE SPIRIT OF OPENNESS AND HAVING A REAL CLEAR CONVERSATION WITH NOT ONLY YOU ALL BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR WHAT WE'RE SAYING, I THINK THAT WAS A VALUABLE USE OF OUR TIME. SO THANK YOU.
DOES THAT GIVE YOU THE DIRECTION YOU NEED FOR TOMORROW? WE'RE GOOD TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THAT?
>> WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON MEETING WITH A REAL ESTATE
[03:00:02]
PROFESSIONAL AT SOME POINT VERY SOON.>> YEAH. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS ON MUNICIPAL COMPLEX FOR TODAY? OKAY.
MORE CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD THEN.
ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT -- DO WE NEED A BREAK? YES? OKAY.
[3.F. Discuss the creation of a Downtown Advisory Board. ]
WE'RE BACK. THIS IS AN ITEM I ADDED TO THE ADDING AND I'LL BE MAKING THE PRESENTATION ON THIS.HAPPY TO STOP AT ANY POINT FOR QUESTIONS, COUNCIL, FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AS WE GO ALONG.
HOPEFULLY EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE PACKET, THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUMMARY OF WHAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE PACKET.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, JUST STARTING THEY VERY TOP, WHY WOULD WE WANT TO CREATE A DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD? FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WE DID HAVE A PREVIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT A ADVISORY BOARD AND WE DETERMINED AT THAT POINT WE DIDN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH IT. BUT I THINK THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW WITH THE ENGAGEMENT WE'VE HAD FROM MEMBERS OF OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY AND BEYOND TO HAVE KIND OF A STAKEHOLDER FORUM.
IT PROVIDES A FORUM FOR THESE FOLKS TO NOT ONLY PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT ON THE BOARD TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO A BOARD, THAT WOULD HELP VET THOSE IDEAS.
HELP KIND OF DETERMINE VIABILITY, WORK WITH -- AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON WHAT STEPS WE WOULD WANT TO TAKE FROM THERE. THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR EAR TO THE GROUND ON EMERGING ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DOWNTOWN SPACE. AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE AS A CITY COUNCIL, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US TO KIND OF BE EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE ALL THE TIME.
AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHY WE HAVE DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT WE TASK WITH MONITORING WORKING WITH CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE CITIES, FROM PARKS ADVISORY BOARD, ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION, ACROSS EVERYWHERE, WE HAVE KIND OF THESE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT HELP US STAY IN TUNE AND GIVE US RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE NEEDS OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO THAT'S EXACTLY KIND OF WHAT I HAD OUTLINED HERE FOR DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD.
I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WHAT WE ARE SUGGESTING THEY PROVIDE US ARE POLICY-LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS.
AND ASIAN THROUGH THE SLIDES I HOPE YOU WILL NOTICE A THEME, I WANT TO ESTABLISH WHAT IS IN SCOPE FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD, AND WHAT IS OUTSIDE OF SCOPE FOR THE ADVISORY BOARD.
AND JUST LIKE ANY ADVISORY BOARD TO THE COUNCIL, THEY SHOULD BE ADVISING US ON HOW THINGS COULD BE BETTER IMPLEMENTED AT A PLICY LEVEL, WHAT VISION SHOT COUNCIL BE SETTING, WHAT TONE SHOT COUNCIL BE SETTING FOR OUR DOWNTOWN SPACE.
SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS WELL.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IT PROVIDES ONGOING VISIBILITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE DOWNTOWN SPACE BEYOND JUST OUR SOCIAL VISITS AND VISITS TO RESTAURANTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO I THINK IT ALLIANCE REALLY WELL WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THE DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN AS WELL BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY FROM WHAT WE'VE ADOPTED WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND HOW IT GETS IMPLEMENTED REALLY POSITIONS US NOW TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE SOME OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
AND SO AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE THE DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN WITHIN THAT PLAN OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES THAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH WITH DOWNTOWN AND WITHIN EACH ONE OF THOSE OBJECTIVES ARE DIFFERENT ACTION ITEMS. SO HOW DO THOSE GET ACCOMPLISHED? IDEALLY WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM OR STAFF WHO ARE WORKING WITH DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES WITH DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS, WITH PARTNERS, FROM DART TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO ACCOMPLISH ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THAT ARE PROPOSED WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN PLAN.
IMPLEMENTATION-WISE, THOUGH, IT WOULD HELP TO HAVE A DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO REVIEW THESE POLICY ITEMS, THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT TACTICAL ITEMS, AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THEY ONLY EVER LIVE IN THE POLICY WORLD, THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK AT TACTICAL ITEMS AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON AREAS WHERE WE CAN BE BETTER AND DO BETTER.
THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO GET HELP COORDINATE STAKEHOLDERS AND I THINK THAT PART IS REALLY CRITICAL BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE RELYING ON OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND MAYBE SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS OR ALL OF US IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM TO KIND OF BE THE GLUE THAT HOLDS DOWNTOWN TOGETHER.
WE GO VISIT WITH BANKHEAD AND GIRLFRIENDS AND WE COME TALK TO CITY HALL AND THE VILLAGE AND ALL THESE OTHER GROUPS THAT ARE DOWNTOWN AND RIGHT NOW WE JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE HAD A DEDICATED GROUP, BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO ANSWER PHONE CALLS FROM ACROSS THE CITY.
THEY WILL HELP US MONITOR PROGRESS, TO HELP US BE SURE WE'RE ON TRACK WITH WHERE WE WANT TO BE, WHERE WE DESIRE TO BE AS A GROUP. RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE THE OPPORTUNITY IS RIGHT BECAUSE WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A LOT OF NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES COMING IN DOWNTOWN, WE'VE HEARD SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME INVESTMENT THAT IS MAKING ITS WAY DOWNTOWN. SOME EXPANSION OF SOME EXISTING
[03:05:02]
BUSINESSES. SOME NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ALREADY LOCATED INTO DOWNTOWN, THE TWO STOREY BUILDING THAT JUST COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION, NOW HOUSES ABOUT 25 TO 30 EMPLOYEES DOWN THERE AT ANY GIVEN DAY. THAT'S A SUBSTANTIAL CUSTOMER LOAD WE DIDN'T HAVE SIX WEEKS TO TWO, THREE MONTHS AGO.THE FUNDING WITH THE DART AVAILABILITY IS ALSO A KEY PART OF THIS, CHRIS OBVIOUSLY JUST PRESENTED AT OUR LAST MEETING THE PAVILION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COMES WITH ALL OF THAT, RIGHT. SO HAVING A BODY THAT CAN HELP US VET THOSE IDEAS AND WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS TOGETHER I THINK WOULD REALLY HELP. EVENTS AND HEAR ME SAY WHEN I SAY EVENTS, I DON'T MEAN THEY'RE PLANNING EVENTS, I MEAN THEY'RE IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY, STRATEGIZING WHICH EVENTS WORK WELL, EVENT EXECUTION, ROAD CLOSURES, PARTNERING WITH BUSINESSES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION. THOSE TYPES OF STRATEGIES WILL HELP STAFF DO THEIR JOB EVEN BETTER BECAUSE THEY'LL HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS TO DO SO. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY DOWNTOWN ACTIVATION IS KIND OF ALL ENCOMPASSING.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE VERY HEAVY INTO ACTIVATING OUR DOWNTOWN, AND HAVING A BOARD DOWN THERE I BELIEVE WOULD HELP US TO ACCOMPLISH THAT EVEN MORE SO. SO, AGAIN, POLICY LEVEL.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS ACTIVITY, THERE IS A HUGE FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESS.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TYPICALLY WANT SOMEONE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THEM, TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM, SPEAK WITH THEM.
I WOULD IMAGINE THAT SOME OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS PROBABLY HAVE A PHONE NUMBER OF SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THIS ROOM, THEY'RE HAPPY TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.
THE COORDINATION WITH DART IS CRITICAL, WE HAVE OUR DART REPRESENTATIVE WHO I JUST MET WITH LAST WEEK, AND CONTINUING TO COORDINATE WITH DART AND ENGAGE WITH THEM, I BELIEVE, IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL AS WELL. PLACE-MAKING, AND THEN THE USE OF OUR PUBLIC SPACES IS OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT, NOT ONLY WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN BUT WITH SOME OF THE DART CONVERSATIONS. MOBILITY AND PARKING.
GOODNESS, THAT IS A GIANT ONE RIGHT THERE ALL BY ITSELF, RIGHT. WORKING WITH HOW WE GET FOLKS FROM THE DART LOT, HOW WE ACTIVATE ADDITIONAL PARKING DOWNTOWN, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE COULD STRATEGIZE WITH THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD ON. AND THEN ACTIVATION AND PROGRAMMING PRIORITIES OF COURSE IS SIMILAR TO WHAT I TALKED ABOUT ON THE LAST SLIDE AS WELL. SO DOWN AT THE BOTTOM YOU WILL SEE TRAGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, PRIERTION, AND THEN ONGOING EVALUATION. THAT IS JUST THE CYCLE OF THINGS. WE'RE IMPLEMENTING, WE'RE PRIORITISING, EVALUATING, WE'RE ADJUSTING AND THEN IMPLEMENTING ALL OVER AGAIN. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE SHOULD ASK OF THIS BOARD TO HELP US DO. SO I HAVE KIND OF A RECOMMENDED STRUCTURE HERE. THIS IS NOT AN END-ALL BE-ALL.
I'M HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN OTHER MEMBERSHIP.
AFTER I HAD PRODUCED THIS SLIDE DECK, IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A EX-MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS WELL. BUT YOU WILL SEE I HAVE FIVE REGULAR MEMBERS, TWO ALTERNATE, AN EX-MEMBER FROM DART, IF THEY WERE ABLE AND WILLING TO ATTEND, AS WELL AS TWO CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS. I KNOW THE MAKE-UP IS DIFFERENT, TYPICALLY WE MIGHT HAVE 7 REGULAR MEMBERS, AND SOME NUMBER OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS, MAYBE ONLY ONE COUNCIL LEE WE NEED TWO STAFF TO KIND OF HELP ENSURE THAT WE NUMBER ONE ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE AT A MEETING, BUT NUMBER TWO, ENSURE WE HAVE A GOOD VOICE FROM THE COUNCIL THAT'S ENGAGED WITH WHAT'S GOING ON. THE REASON I SAY FIVE REGULAR MEMBERS IS A BOARD OF THIS KORCH DECISION CAN GET HAIRY WHEN YOU HAVE 7 OR 9 OR 11 OR 13 REGULAR MEMBERS THAT ARE VOTING MEMBERS.
WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO IS I DON'T WANT TO GET US IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE A CHALLENGING TIME MAKING CORUM, WHICH IS WHY I HAVE TWO ALTERNATES, YOUR FIVE REGULAR MEMBERS ARE YOUR VOTING MEMBERS, WHICH MEANS YOU NEED THREE AT ANY MEETING TO HOLD A MEETING, BUT BETWEEN 7 FOLKS, SURELY WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET 3 TO A MEETING TO MEET QUORUM AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I THINK IDEALLY SOMEONE FROM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WHO IS THERE POTENTIALLY ASSIST THE CITY MANAGER OR DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, SIMILAR TO THAT CALIBER MIGHT BE THERE AS WELL. DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THE DISCUSSION, BUT OUR TWO COUNCIL LIASO -- MANY OUR OR BOARDS AND COMMISSION REQUIRE YOU TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT.
THERE IS ONE EXCEPTION TO THAT, MAYBE MORE THAN THAT, THAT'S THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD, YOU CANNOT BE A RESIDENT BUT STILL BE ON THE BOARD AND BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH THAT I'M NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING FOR RESIDENTS IN EVERY CASE BECAUSE I MIGHT BE A PROPERTY OWNER AND/OR BUSINESS OWNER DOWNTOWN, BUT I DON'T LIVE IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, I MIGHT LIVE OUTSIDE.
I STILL HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH VESTED INTEREST IN WHAT GOES ON
[03:10:02]
DOWNTOWN BECAUSE I'M A BUSINESS OWNER BUT I DON'T WANT TO SPECIFICALLY REQUIRE THAT EVERYONE BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT. I THINK DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS WOULD BE A GOOD FIT AS WELL. WE HAVE A NUMBER BOTH WITHIN THE VILLAGE DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL SMALL HOMES THAT ARE IN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT. WHEN I SAY DOWNTOWN I'M TALKING ABOUT REALLY THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT AS IT'S KIND OF DEFINED. BECAUSE THAT'S A PRETTY WIDE AREA, I DON'T WANT TO GET SO NARROW WE JUST SAY ONLY IF YOU'RE ALONG MAIN STREET, THAT REALLY DOES LIMIT THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION.SO KIND OF TALKING ABOUT THE WHOLE DISTRICT.
>> IS IT WORTH MAYBE ADDING A CITIZEN AT LARGE?
>> TOTALLY. AND I HAD THOUGHT I PUT THAT ON THERE, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT. THAT'S TOTALLY VALID.
AS FAR AS THE FIVE REGULAR MEMBERS, I DON'T HAVE A IDEA OF WHO MEETS THE REQUIREMENT. IT MIGHT BE GOOD TO OPEN THIS UP
TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. >> DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
>> NOPE. >> THAT MIGHT BE ONE OPTION AS WELL. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, WE COULD HAVE AND MAYBE THIS IS WHERE I GET INTO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, WE MIGHT HAVE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO KNOW WHAT IT'S TAKE OR A STRONG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND WHO MAYBE HAVE WORKED WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE PAST THAT MIGHT BE WELL VESTED IN DOING THIS. REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS I THINK IS PRETTY IMPORTANT AS WELL.
ARTS AND CULTURE EXPERTS, MOBILITY AND PLANNING PROFESSIONALS, SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS, ANY/ALL/WHATEVER WE CAN GET. I WANT OBVIOUSLY THE BEST QUALIFIED, MOST CAPABLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE BIGGEST INTEREST IN OUR DOWNTOWN BEING SUCCESSFUL TO BE ON THIS BOARD.
SO I'M GOING TO PAUSE HERE. NUMBER ONE I KIND OF WANT TO DETERMINE IF YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED AND I'LL SAY I JUST HAVE TWO MORE SLIDES -- LET ME GET THROUGH MY TWO SLIDES AND THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT. SO CLEAR SEPARATION OF ROLES, WHAT IS THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD TASKED WITH DOING VERSUS WHAT ARE THEY NOT TASKED WITH DOING? ON THE LEFT WE HAVE THINGS THAT FALL INTO THE BUCKET OF POLICY, THEY ARE TO ADVISE THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS, PRIORITIES THAT THEY SEE FOR THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, ANY STAKEHOLDER CONCERNS, WHICH COULD BE BUSINESS OWNERS, COULD BE POTENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS, COULD BE INVESTORS, COULD BE DART, COULD BE RESIDENTS, KIND OF ACROSS THE BOARD. AND THEN FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS. AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS WOULD HAPPEN VIA REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES.
-- I WOULD WANT TO SEE THEM, I HOPE YOU ALL WOULD AS WELL, AT LEAST ONCE A QUARTER IN SOME SORT OF A JOINT SESSION TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THAT COULD BE JUST A JOINT WORK SESSION THAT WE DO TO KIND OF TALK THEM THROUGH NOT ONLY WHAT THEY'RE SEEING, BUT WHAT WE'RE EXAMINING FROM THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF FROM THE POLICIES.
THE BOARD WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN GIVING STAFF DIRECTION.
WHILE THERE WILL BE A LIASSON WITH THE BOARD, I DON'T WANT THEM TELLING THAT STAFF PERSON, NO, THE STAGE NEEDS TO GO OVER HERE, OR, NO, THE VENDERS NEED TO BE OVER HERE, NONE OF THAT, THAT IS STILL A STAFF FUNCTION. I WOULD LOVE THEM TO MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL AND THEN THE COUNCIL CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF AND PROVIDE THAT DIRECTION THROUGH OUR STAFF, WHICH IS OUR CITY MANAGER OR IN THIS CASE -- THEY ABSOLUTELY DO NOT APPROVE DEVELOPMENT.
THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THEY DO NOT MAKE PERMIT DECISIONS.
SO IF WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS SETTING UP A BOOTH DOWNTOWN AND SEEKING A PERMIT, THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THAT.
THEY DO NOT OBLIGATE ANY SORT OF PUBLIC FUNDING, THEY DON'T NEGOTIATE GREAAGREEMENTS WITH A PARTIES, THEY DO NOT EXECUTE EVENTS, THEY'RE NOT DOWN THERE ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK.
I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY IF THEY WERE TO PARTNER WITH STAFF AND VOLUNTEER TO WORK IN AN EVENT AND HAND OUT FLIERS, POST A TENT, COLLECTION INFORMATION FROM FOLKS, BUT I DON'T WANT THEM DIRECTING STAFF IN WHAT GOES ON DOWNTOWN.
I THINK THAT'S A CLEAR LINE WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH.
THEY SHOULD NOT ALSO BE COORDINATING WITH VENDERS AND CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SAFETY LOGISTICS.
WE HAVE A VERY CAPABLE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO DO THAT.
AND WE WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO CONTINUE DOING THAT WITHOUT OUTSIDE VOICES. WITH THAT, I'M REQUESTING CONSENSUS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROCEED, WE WOULD NEED TO CONFIRM THE COMPOSITION, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT, CONFIRM THAT THEY ARE ADVISORY IN NATURE AND CONFIRM THE COUNCIL LIAISON INSTRUCTION. WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO ADD THEM AS AN OFFICIAL ADVISORY BOARD.
THAT'S HOW ALL OUR OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT ARE
[03:15:02]
CURRENTLY IN OPERATION WERE FORMED.AS WELL AS AN UPDATE TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HANDBOOK.
BECAUSE THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HANDBOOK I THINK PRETTY EXPLICITLY STATES THAT IF IT'S NOT IN THE HANDBOOK, IT DOESN'T EXIST. SO THERE WOULD NEED TO BE AN UPDATE THERE AS WELL. SO THAT'S NOT TOMORROW, TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THOSE DOCUMENTS READY AND IN THE BARREL READY TO GO. I WOULD CERTAINLY NEED TO WORK WITH VICTORIA ON WHAT THE ORDINANCE LANGUAGE WOULD LOOK LIKE AND DO TWEAKING WITH THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HANDBOOK.
BUT IF WE'RE PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, THAT WOULD BE KIND OF OUR NEXT STEPS AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT WE WOULD NEED TO WORK ON APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD, AND SET THEM OFF IN A COORDINATED DIRECTION AND GIVE THEM AN INITIAL WORK PLAN OF WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO. SO COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE SOME SORT OF CONSENSUS TO MOVE FORWARD IN THIS DIRECTION? I WOULD WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK BEFORE I ASK FOR
CONSENSUS, I SHOULD SAY THAT. >> I'M GOOD WITH GOING FORWARD.
AND I'M FINE WITH THE MENTORSHIP.
>> DITTO. >> MAYOR, I'VE GOT SUGGESTIONS ON ADDITIONAL NONVOTING MEMBERS, BUT RPD AND GIS, THEY ARE BOTH PLAYERS OF DOWNTOWN, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED.
WE DEAL WITH ISSUES FROM THERE YOU'VE GOT -- BUT I THINK THEY
WOULD BE GREAT ADDITIONS. >> AND WHILE I DON'T DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, NOT EVERY MEETING MIGHT NECESSITATE THEIR PRESENCE. AN ALTERNATIVE TO THAT MIGHT BE THAT THEY ARE CERTAINLY INVITED TO ITEMS WHERE THE ADDING MIGHT NECESSITATE THEIR PRESENCE. OR DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE
ON THERE REGARDLESS? >> I THINK FROM WHAT I'M HEARING WE DEAL WITH ISSUES RELATING TO THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
SO UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THERE IS NOT AN ISSUE --
AND CHAMBER, ANY OBJECTION TO CHAMBER.
DO YOU HAVE AN OBJECTION? SO I WAS NOT THE -- THEY ARE VOTING MEMBERS ON THE ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD.
>> I THINK THERE IS -- I DON'T KNOW, CONFLICT OR WHATEVER.
SO I THINK THERE COULD BE -- WHEN I HEARD HIM SAY IT EARLIER, I WAS LIKE THEY'RE ALREADY ON THE ECONOMIC BOARD, SO I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S A GOOD FIT OR NOT.
BUT I'M ONE OF YOU KNOW MANY. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE, I WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY, I DON'T THINK THEY NEED TO SIT ON THE BOARD, THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF STUFF THERE, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THE CITY MANAGER WOULD PROBABLY -- IT'S PART OF HIS OPERATION. I THINK THEY'RE A PERSON THAT COMES WHEN THEY HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS AND THEY COULD PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. BUT FOR THEM TO BE ON THE BOARD, YOU KNOW, AND NOT A VOTING MEMBER, I DON'T THINK THAT'S
NEEDED. >> I THINK -- I AGREE WITH GIC.
I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY THE POLICE HAVE TO BE --
>> SO TRYING TO GET ALL THE PLAYERS IN THE ROOM, BUT YOU
KNOW BETTER THAN I DO. >> WHAT OTHER FEEDBACK DO YOU
HAVE FOR ME? >> I THINK WE DO NEED THE L LIAISONS ON THERE. I LIKE HAVING FOLKS ON THERE.
I WOULD ALSO WANT TO OPEN IT UP TO EVERYBODY, LET'S GIVE EVERYBODY A CHANCE TO SERVE AND MEASURE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE PUT YOU ON THERE. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH US.
BUT SOMETIMES YOU MIGHT NOT GET ANYBODY.
WE MIGHT THINK PEOPLE WILL PUT IN FOR THIS, BUT THEY DON'T PUT IF YOU CUT EVERYBODY ELSE OUT, YOU WON'T HAVE CANDIDATES.
>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COUNCIL APPOINTEES REAL QUICK, I HAD IN MIND, I BELIEVE I'M STRUGGLING TO FIND MY NOTES AT THE MOMENT, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE I HAD IN MIND BYRON AND MARVIN.
>> I'LL DO IT, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT I THINK THERE WOULD
[03:20:02]
BE A BETTER FIT. WOULD YOU WANT IT?>> THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT QUESTION.
RIGHT QUESTION? >> YOU'RE ASKING ME TO BE ON IT, I WILL BE ON IT. AS I BELIEVE IN DOWNTOWN
PROJECTS. >> I WOULD ALSO -- I'M NOT OPPOSED WITH THE CHAMBER BEING IVOLVED BECAUSE THEY ARE BIG FOR -- AS PART OF THE CITY AS REMINDER OF THAT, IS THAT NOW I AM THE COUNCIL LIAISON TOO. I CAN KEEP MYSELF COMPLETELY IN PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FROM A SMALL BUSINESS PET OWNER AS OPPOSED TO A COUNCIL PERSON.
I JUST WILL DO THAT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN DOWNTOWN.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
I DON'T HAVE TO BE ON IT, BUT IF HE'S GOING TO SAY NO --
>> I WOULDN'T SAY NO, BUT THAT'S WHERE I THOUGHT HE WOULD GO, THE REASON I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO GO WITH THAT IS BECAUSE
OF YOUR EXPERTISE IN THAT AREA. >> HE AND I WILL TAKE IT --
>> I MEAN, IF THERE IS -- >> I THINK, AGAIN, EVERYTHING FOR ME STEMS AROUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO GO, AND THIS DOWNTOWN IS A PERFECT
OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD JUST THAT. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S SELLING HIMSELF.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO I'M GOING TO -- WE CAN DEFINITELY CHANGE IT.
B >> NOT TRYING TO GIVE YOU WORD
-- WORK. >> THAT WAS A NICE DODGE.
>> I WAS WAITING FOR THE PLANE TO LAND.
>> I GOT A EX-OFFICOI MEMBER. I'M GOING TO ADD THE CHAMBER, IF WE GET TO THE MEETING AND WE AGREE TO REMOVE THE CHAMBER, WE WILL REMOVE THEM. BUT I DIDN'T HEAR A RESOUNDING LET'S TAKE THE CHAMBER OFF. WE GET TO THE MEETING, THE COMPOSITION IS THERE ON PAPER, IT CAN BE ADJUSTED AS NEEDED AT THE MEETING WHEN WE'RE VOTING ON IT.
RPD I'M GOING TO TAKE OFF. OKAY.
SAW SOME HEAD NODS OVER HERE. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU SAID.
ARE WE GOOD WITH THE 5 AND 2? OR DO WE THINK IT NEEDS TO BE 7
AND 2 VOTING MEMBERS? >> WHEN YOU ADD THE -- WHAT WAS
THE ONE, THE CITIZEN AT LARGE. >> CITIZEN AT LARGE WITH HIT TWO
OR THREE OF THOSE CATEGORIES. >> I DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK, WELL, I DON'T LIVE DOWNTOWN AS A RESIDENT, SO I
CAN'T -- >> NO, THAT'S EXTREMELY VALID.
>> DART, CHAMBER, GISD, AND TWO COUNCIL LIAISONS, YES.
>> NOT COUNTING THE TWO MEMBERS, ALTERNATES, THOUGH.
>> I GUESS WE HAVE SO MANY NONVOTING MEMBERS.
AND YOU HAVE ADVISER TO HELP WITH THAT.
B BUT, YOU KNOW, WE STILL WOULD
NEED TO TALK TO -- >> SURE, THEY MAY NOT EVEN ATTEND. AND SO THEY'RE THE ONES AGAIN THAT JUST LIKE THE POLICE THAT WE COULD ASK THEM TO COME AND BE APART IN DISCUSSIONS WHEN THEY'RE ON THE AGENDA.
>> IF YOU ADD ONE TO THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, THEN YOU'VE GOT TO ADD OTHER PLACES. COULD WE START WITH THE FIVE AND THEN IF WE SEE THAT WE NEED TO INCREASE IT, WE COULD ALWAYS
YEP. >> THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD WAY TO DO IT. BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S EASIER TO START SOMETHING SMALL. THEN SEE WHAT WORKS OUT, THEN
WEEK SEE HOW IT GOES. >> I'M REALLY HOPING THAT, SO BACK WHEN WE HAD THE DIVERSITY EQUITY COMMISSION, THAT WAS A COMMISSION OF EITHER 9 OR 11. AND I HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO GET ANYTHING DONE IN THOSE MEETINGS BECAUSE IT JUST DRUG ON. SO I WAS REALLY TRYING TO NARROW THE SCOPE TO START SMALL. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT FIVE IS RIGHT. SEVEN MIGHT BE RIGHT, THAT'S WHERE MOST OF OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS SIT, AND I THINK THEY'RE FAIRLY EFFECTIVE FOR THE MOST PART.
I KNOW THE ARTS COMMISSION THEY TEND TO GO LONG.
BUT THEY GET STUCK IN THE WEEDS A LOT OF TIMES.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE OTHER BOARDS.
>> I WOULD SAY FIVE STARTING OFF IS GOOD, IF IT NEEDS TO BE
[03:25:05]
ADJUSTED -- THEY'RE ALL VOTING MEMBERS.>> WE'RE GOING TO GO 5 PLUS 2, I'LL TALK TO THE LEADERSHIP AND GISD AND SEE IF THEY'RE INTERESTED, IF THEY'RE NOT, WE WON'T SEE THEM ON THE RECOMMENDATION.
I'LL KEEP THE CHAMBER ON THERE. I'LL TALK TO DART AND MAKE SURE HE WANTS TO BE APART. WE HAVE OUR TWO COUNCIL APPOINTEES, AND OKAY. THAT'S EVERYBODY IS GOOD WITH THEM BEING A ADVISORY BOARD, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THEY NEED TO OPERATE IF THEY'RE GOING TO OPERATE WITH COUNCIL.
AND THEN THE COUNCIL LIAISON STRUCTURE, WHICH WE JUST DID.
SO I THINK WE'RE PRETTY SET THERE.
I'LL BRING THAT BACK I'M HOPING TO THE NEXT MEETING HERE IN JUNE TO GET THAT FORMED UP. ONCE IT FORMS UP, WE WILL HAVE TO HAND IT UP TO DEBBY TO START THE APPLICATION PROCESS, AT WHICH POINT WE'LL KEEP THAT OPEN FOR 30, 40, 60 DAYS, WHATEVER, TO GET ENOUGH. WE'LL HAVE TO SET A DEADLINE FOR THAT. TO GET ENOUGH FOLKS TO APPLY, AND THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND MAKE SOME REQUIREMENTS HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF MAYBE AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS?
>> WILL WE JUST ADVERTISE THAT ON THE WEBSITE.
>> SOCIAL MEDIA JUST LIKE NORMAL.
WE'RE WORKING ON ANOTHER BOARD LIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ADVERTISING FOR, A BOARD THAT ALREADY EXISTS, I SHOULD BE CLEAR. THAT WE HAVE VACANCY FOR.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL, THAT RUNS US OUT OF OUR WORK SESSION, ITEMS, AND BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE
[6. Discuss Consent Agenda Items for June 2, 2026, City Council Meeting ]
SESSION, I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM SIX, WHICH S TO DIS-- DID HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEMS FOR TOMORROW'S MEETING THAT WMENT WE WANTED TO PULL FOR CONSIDERATION?I THINK IT'S THE FIRST ONE -- >> PROBABLY NOT THE FIRST ONE,
>> WHICH ONE WAS IT, CHRIS, I'M SORRY?
>> 4B. >> THE IMPROVING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A BIOLOGICAL VAPOR ODOR CONTROL PROGRAM?
>> SHOULD THAT BE SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD TELL THE COMMUNITY, THE WORDS THAT WAS CHOSEN INSIDE THE PACKET WAS THERE WERE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ODOURS.
IF THERE IS ALL THOSE COMPLAINTS, FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THEM, BECAUSE AGAIN, JUST IN A DEFINITION WHEN WE PUT IT IN TO CONTEXT HERE THAT WE'RE JUST KIND OF GETTING THIS THING APPROVED, BUT THEY'RE ALL COMPLAINING ABOUT IT. DOESN'T IT SIT BETTER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO SEE YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU'RE LISTENING TO US, YOU'RE MAKING THE MOVES, YOU'RE DOING THESE THINGS THAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO, AND THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT ALL THAT DOES. BUT IT'S A LOT TO IT.
>> LET'S PULL THAT FOR A BRIEF PRESENTATION TOMORROW.
AND WE'LL HANDLE THAT ONE. >> IT'S A STICKY SITUATION.
>> AND WE'RE GOING TO PULL -- >> -- JUST TO AVOID THE CHALLENGE THAT THE CONCERNS -- I KNOW --
>> WE DON'T DO THE PRESENTATION.
>> SO LET'S -- YEAH, NO, TOTALLY VALID FEEDBACK.
FEEL FREE TO BRING THAT UP TOMORROW WHEN WE PULL THE ITEM.
WE ARE ALL JOKES ASIDE THE MINDS DO HAVE AN ERROR, WE'RE GOING TO PULL 4A FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION SO WE CAN DO THOSE AS AMENDED. OKAY? SO WE'LL PULL 4A AND 4B, 4A JUST TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND YOU'LL GET WITH DEBBY ON THAT, AND 4B FOR PRESENTATION.
OKAY. ANY OTHER ITEMS, THERE IS ONLY TWO LEFT TO PULL. ALL RIGHT.
WITH THAT, WE WILL CONCLUDE OUR REGULAR WORK SESSION.
[4. Executive Session ]
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW OUT OF 4A, CITY COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE -- PERSONNEL MATTERS TO DELIBERATE THE EMPLOYMENT EVALUATION DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL OF PUBLIC OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEE, IT'S 9:45 P.M. AND WE WILL SECURE THE ROOM, TAKE A VERY BRIEF RECESS FOR ANYBODY TO GET WATER OR U[5. Reconvene Into Open Session and Take Any Necessary or Appropriate Action on Closed/Executive Session Matters ]
>> WITH THAT SAID WE WANT TO PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING OUR ONGOING PROCESS WITH CITY MANAGER.
FIRST AND FOREMOST THE CITY COUNCIL APPRECIATES THE TRANSPARENCY AND CANDOR HE HAS SHOWN THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
WE RECOGNIZE THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS HUMAN WORK AND THAT ERRORS
[03:30:01]
CAN OCCUR, WHICH MATTERS IS WHETHER THOSE ERRORS ARE ACKNOWLEDGED, ADDRESSED AND FOLLOWED BY MEANINGFUL CORRECTIVE ACTION. WE HAVE SEEN CONSTRUCTIVE FOLLOW THROUGH FROM HIM, AND A CONTINUED FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION, RESPONSIVENESS, PACE OF WORK.AND EXECUTION. THE PROGRESS IS VERY ENCOURAGING, AND IT IS APPRECIATED.
AT THE SAME TIME THIS DOES REMAIN AN ONGOING PROCESS.
AND THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. BOWER, REGARDING OUR EXPECTATIONS, HIS PERFORMANCE AND THE WORK REQUIRED TO PROVIDE STABILITY FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND CONFIDENCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE ALSO WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW MR. BOWER WILL BE TAKING PREARRANGED TIME OFF THAT COINCIDES WITH OUR NEXT CITY MEETINGS AND AS A RESULT OUR NEXT REVIEW WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE JULY 6TH MEETING.
AS A COUNCIL, OUR GOAL REMAINS THE SAME.
TO PROVIDE CLEAR DIRECTION, APPROPRIATE ACCOUNTABILITY, AND STEADY LEADERSHIP DURING THIS PERIOD AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK AT MOVING FORWARD. WITH THAT, ANY OTHER COMPENSATES BEFORE WE CONCLUDE THIS EVENING? ALL RIGHT, THEN THIS IS 10:25 P.M., AND WE ARE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.