Jun 02, 2026 City Council Meetings

[1. Call to Order]

[00:00:13]

>> IT IS 7:00 P.M. AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS QUORUM PRESENT IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF EACH MEETING WE OPEN WITH AN INDICATION.

CONDUCTING TONIGHT SYNDICATION IS PADS-- PASTOR DOBSON WITH FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME IN THE INDICATION. -- INVOCATION.

>> LET US PLAY. CREATOR GOD, WHAT A PLEASURE IT IS TO BE SURROUNDED BY THOSE WHO LOVE YOUR CREATION, LOVE YOUR PEOPLE, AND LOVE THE CITY. WE ASK YOU TO COVER THEM WITH WISDOM SO THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE BENEFIT ALL AREAS OF LET.

WE ASK YOU TO INFUSE THEM WITH YOUR PASSION SO THAT THEY CAN SEE AND HEAR AND TAKE TO HEART THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS.

WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE THEM YOUR PEACE SO THEY CAN REST KNOWING THEY HAVE DONE THE BEST FOR THE GOOD OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVANT HEARTS AND THEIR DEDICATION TO HELP ROWLETT BE A BLESSIG TO THE WORLD.

IN YOUR NAME, AMEN. >> THANK YOU.

PLEASE KNOW, WE WILL HAVE THAT ROAD OPEN AS SOON AS WE CAN.

PLEASE NOW THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> NOW THE TEXAS PLEDGE. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> THANK YOU.

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

OF THE CITY COUNCIL MANAGEMENT FINANCIAL POSITION MAJOR PROJECTS, OPERATIONAL ISSUES, UPCOMING DATES OF INTEREST AND ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. MAKING THAT PRESENTATION THIS

EVENING WILL BE MR. JOHN BOWERS. >> THANK YOU.

FROM CA MEDICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT, JUNE 5TH, LIVE ON MAIN, ROWLETT, GET READY. JOIN US ON FRIDAY FROM SIX TO 9:00 P.M., FOR AN EVENING ALL ABOUT US.

ALL-- OUR CULTURE AND COMMUNITY AND CITY.

WE ARE BRINGING THE ENERGY WITH A LIVE BAND AND A CELEBRATION THAT WILL HAVE YOU MOVING ALL NIGHT LONG.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, TAKE OUR COMMUNITY SURVEY AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. COME OUT, CONNECT, BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER. ROW LET HIS FOR EVERYONE.

AND ON THIS NIGHT IT IS FOR YOU. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE WEBSITE. FROM THE LIBRARY, START YOUR FAMILY'S FUN SEASON AT THE LIBRARY SUMMER READING KICKOFF ON SATURDAY JUNE 6TH FROM 11:00 P.M. TO ONE-- 11:00 A.M.

TO 1:00 P.M. IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND THE READING PARTY, THE ACTIVITIES LAST ALL JUNE AND JULY.

VISIT THE WEBSITE LIBRARY FOR THE DETAILS AND TO VIEW ALL THE GRAND PRIZES. CALLING ALL SHUTTERBUGS.

THE ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES COMMISSION LOOKS AT PHOTOS ON AUGUST 7TH AND EIGHTH WORK CONTRAS IN-- CONTEST INTEREST MUST BE TAKEN IN THE PAST YEAR, VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR CONTEST GUIDELINES.

DO YOU SING? THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES VOCAL COMPETITION ROW LET SAYINGS WILL BE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29TH.

THE COMMISSION WILL CHOOSE PERFORMERS FROM AUDITION ENTRIES DUE BY SATURDAY AUGUST 8. VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS. FROM POLICE.

THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT KICKED OFF IT'S CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVE ON JUNE 1ST, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH AUGUST.

THIS ALL HANDS ON DECK EFFORT IS FOCUSED ON REDUCING CRIME, IMPROVING RESPONSE TIMES AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DURING ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF THE YEAR.

USING REALTIME CRIME AND TRAFFIC DATA, THE DEPARTMENT WILL STRATEGICALLY DEPLOY RESOURCES CITYWIDE TO INCREASE VISIBILITY AND ENHANCE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND SUPPORT PROACTIVE AND REACTIVE POLICING. RESIDENTS WILL NOTICE AN INCREASED OFFICER PRESENCE IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESS DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. WE ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO STAY ALERT AND LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS AND PROBABLY REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. YOUR PARTNERSHIP PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN KEEPING ROWLETT SAFE. THROUGH ALL THIS WE CAN ENSURE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE SUMMER FOR ALL.

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE. WHICH IS A GOOD TIME TO MEMBER ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE HOME. CLEAR OUTLETS AND EXTENSION CORDS. AVOID OVERLOADING OUTLETS AND ENSURE THAT COURTS ARE UNDAMAGED.

MAJOR APPLIANCES SHOULD BE UNPLUGGED DIRECTLY IN TO A WALL.

RECIPROCAL OUTLET. CALL A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN IF YOU HAVE FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH BLOWING FUSES FOR CIRCUIT PLATE-- BREAKERS. , A WEIRD FEELING WHEN YOU TOUCH AN APPLIANCE. A DISCOLORED OUTLET, OR A RUBBERY SMELL COMING FROM AN APPLIANCE.

AND SPARKS FROM AN OUTLET AND FROM PARKS AND RECREATION, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE ZONE IS OPERATING WAS SUMS-- FEATURES OFF-LINE DUE TO COMMIT ISSUES AND WE ARE USING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE A COMMUNITY-- THE COMMUNITY OUT AS

[00:05:04]

COME OUT AND ENJOY THE WATER AURORA-- WOLL OUR TEAM GET

THINGS BACK TO FULL CAPACITY. >> THANK YOU MR. BOWERS.

WE HAVE A UPDATE FROM COUNCILOR FASSETT.

>> THIS WEEK-- THIS ONE BOY IS WORTH FEATURING AGAIN.

HE'S A 5-YEAR-OLD DOG WITH A CALM AND RESERVED PERSONALITY.

ONE OF THE EASIEST DOGS TO MANAGE AT THE SHELTER, AND IS HAPPY RELAXING NEARBY WITHOUT NEEDING CONSTANT ATTENTION.

ROCKY ENJOYS WALKS AND IS POTTY TRAINED.

LIKE ALL OF US ROCKY HAS HIS OWN PREFERENCES.

HE IS LOOKING FOR A HOME WHERE HE CAN BE THE ONLY ANIMAL AND WOULD DO BEST IN A HOME WITH ONLY OLDER CHILDREN.

WHAT ROCKY REALLY WANTS IS A FAMILY OF HIS OWN, A COMFY PLACE TO REST AND SOMEONE TO LOVE HIM UNCONDITIONALLY.

OVER A YEAR IN THE SHELTER, 476 DAYS, THAT'S A LONG TIME.

TO BE EXACT, I REALLY LONG TIME FOR HIM TO BE UP THERE.

A LONG TIME WITHOUT A COUCH. A BACKYARD OR A PERSON TO CALL HIS OWN. WE KNOW ROCKY IS A PERFECT MATCH AND HAS A PERFECT MATCH OUT THERE.

WE JUST NEED HELP FINDING THEM. PLEASE SHARE THIS STORY AND HELP US GIVE OUR LONGEST RESIDENT THE HAPPY ENDING-- HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ROCKY, PLEASE CONTACT ANIMAL SERVICES AT 972, 412, 6219.

OVERCOME BY THE SHELTER AT 4402 INDUSTRIAL STREET FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

[3. Citizens’ Input]

>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, ANY OTHER UPDATES TO SHARE? SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ALONG TO OUR AGENDA ON ITEM THREE. AT THIS TIME COMMENTS CAN BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC.

NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL DURING CITIZENS INPUT.

OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING WILL BE DARRELL, FOLLOWING DARRELL WILL BE ALLISON. MR. TEST, I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT I DID SHARE THE LETTER THAT YOU HAD SENT WITH THE PHOTOS.

I SENT THAT TO ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THERE IS A COPY HERE AT THE DAIS AS WELL. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW IT MADE IT'S WAY AROUND. JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENTS. YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES.

>> MY NAME IS DARRELL. I LIVE IN LAKE POINT IN ROWLETT.

AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO TO THE COUNCIL.

AND I CAME BACK BECAUSE I'VE HAD CONVERSATION WITH CITY EMPLOYEES AND I'M A LITTLE PERPLEXED WITH THE ANSWERS I'VE GOTTEN.

AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE, I BACK UP TO THE THEY CLAIM.

AND MY NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE BACKUP TO THIS TAKE LINE.

SEVERAL OF THOSE NEIGHBORS ARE WITH ME TONIGHT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE CITY LEASES THIS FROM THE CITY OF DALLAS. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A COUPLE CITY EMPLOYEES THAT THE CITY OF ROWLETT IS RESPONSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THAT AREA. BUT THAT MAINTENANCE IS LIMITED TO THE CREEK. CLEARING THE CREEK OF ANY DEBRIS THAT INTERFERES WITH THAT DRAINAGE I WAS TOLD THE LIMITATION WAS A DECISION MADE BY CITY COUNCIL AND CITY EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PERFORM OTHER LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES.

THAT LIMITATION LEAVES MUCH MAINTENANCE UNATTENDED.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES. REMOVAL OF DEAD TREES.

THERE ARE DEAD TREES OUT THERE. WHEN I WENT OUT TODAY I SAW AT LEAST THREE DEAD TREES. ONE OF THEM IS A VERY LARGE TREE. IT COULD FALL.

REMOVAL OF THE FALLEN TREES. THERE ARE TREES LAYING IN THE CREEK BLOCKING THE WATER FLOW. JUST LAYING ACROSS THE CREEK.

REMOVAL OF FALLEN TREE BRANCHES. YOU SAW THOSE PICTURES THAT I SENT. PILES.

THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN OF THOSE PILES OUT THERE.

TREE BRANCHES. AND HERE IS SOMETHING THAT GETS TO BE A BIT MORE OF A CONCERN. THERE ARE TREE BRANCHES THAT HANG OVER ADJACENT PROPERTY. I USED TO HAVE A TREE BRANCH HANGING OVER MY PROPERTY. AND I CUT THAT DOWN.

BUT THERE ARE STILL BRANCHES HANGING OVER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY.

IF THEY FALL THEY CAN DAMAGE FENCES.

ONE IS HANGING OVER OUR HOUSE. SO IT COULD DAMAGE THE HOUSE.

AND ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS TO REMOVE VEGETATION THAT INFRINGES UPON ADJACENT PROPERTY. TREE SPREADS THAT GOES THROUGH A

[00:10:04]

RECENTLY, A COUPLE IN THEIR MID-80S WENT UP AND CUT UP ONE OF THOSE FALLEN TREES. IT'S THE PICTURE I SENT YOU OF

THAT TREE THAT HAD FALLEN DOWN-- >> MR. TEST, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. BUT WE DO HAVE THE LETTER AND THE PHOTOS APPEAR. THE PHOTOS YOU MENTIONED ARE UP

HERE AS WELL. >> CAN I TAKE TEN SECONDS TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION? DOES THE CITY CARRY INSURANCE TO COVER OUR PROPERTIES IN CASE THOSE FALL ON OUR HOUSES OR HONOR FENCES? DO HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE?

>> WE CANNOT RESPOND TO THE QUESTION, BUT IT'S THE FORMAT FOR CITIZENS TO SPEAK. WE ARE UNABLE TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTION. BUT I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

THANK YOU. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS ALLISON,

FOLLOWED BY DAVE. >> ALLISON.

FROM ROWLETT. MAYOR ROWLETT RESIDENT AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL. TONIGHT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY. I WANT TO BE CLEAR, EVERY PERSON DESERVES DIGNITY, COMPASSION AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES WHEN THEY ARE STRUGGLING. THIS IS NOT ABOUT BLAMING PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OR ADDICTION.

THE REAL QUESTION IS WHETHER DART IS FULFILLING IT'S OBLIGATIONS TO COMMUNITIES THAT FUNDED.

BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS ARE INCREASINGLY REPORTING CONCERNS AROUND OUR STATION AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

POLICE ARE CALLED FOR WELFARE CHECKS, TRESPASSING CUT PUBLIC DISTURBANCES, IN SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE APPEARED TO BE IN CRISIS, AND HAPPEN TO BE OR, OR PASSED OUT ALONG OUR PUBLIC ROADWAYS-- ROADWAYS. THESE ARE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS FOREVER UNINVOLVED. ROWLETT IS A CITY OF 70,0003 RESIDENTS. WE DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, MANPOWER, OR NONPROFIT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SERVE AS THE PRIMARY SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR CHALLENGES THAT ARE REGIONAL IN NATURE. IF DART IS BRINGING PEOPLE IN TO OUR COMMUNITY, THEN DART, DALLAS AND THE BROADER REGION MUST BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. ONE OBVIOUS PLACE TO START IS ENFORCEMENT. PASSENGER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SCAN VALID FAIR CREDENTIALS-- FARE CREDENTIALS WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING STATIONS AT, AS MANY TRANSIT SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD REQUIRE. FARE ENFORCEMENT SHOULD BE CONSISTENT. AND THERE SHOULD BE A REGULAR AND CONSTANT DART LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE AT STATIONS SERVING ROWLETT AND GARLAND.

AT THE SAME TIME, CITIES LIKE ROWLETT AND GARLAND SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO HOLD DART ACCOUNTABLE FOR ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS AND CONNECTING PEOPLE IN CRISIS WITH THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. WHAT IS ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING IS THAT TAXPAYERS ARE CONTRIBUTE IN SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS TO DARK, WHILE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CONTINUES TO RISE.

ACCORDING TO PUBLICLY RECORDED FIGURES, DART SPENT $2.4 MILLION ON EXECUTIVE BONUSES LAST YEAR ALONE, WHILE LOCAL COMMUNITIES CONTINUE ASKING BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY, SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. RESIDENTS ARE NOT ASKING FOR LUXURY. WE ARE ASKING FOR CLEAN, SAFE STATIONS, AND MEANINGFUL ENFORCEMENT.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT SERVES THE COMMUNITY FUNDING IT. IF DART IS WILLING TOMATOES COMMUTE-- IMPROVEMENTS, ROWLETT SHOULD PURSUE A SERIOUS RENEGOTIATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP, AND ESTABLISH MEASURABLE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.

AND IF DART IS UNWILLING TO PROVIDE THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE, SECURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT TAXPAYERS DESERVE BASED ON OUR CONTRACT, THIS COUNCIL SHOULD EVALUATE WHETHER REMAINING IN THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT IS IN ROWLETT'S BEST INTEREST.

A PARTNERSHIP ONLY WORKS WHEN BOTH PARTIES UPHOLD THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. OUR RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND TAXPAYERS ARE UPHOLDING THERE IS.

IT IS TIME FOR DART TO DO THE SAME, AND IF THEY DO NOT, IT IS TIME TO RENEGOTIATE. THANK YOU.

>> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DAVE, FOLLOWED BY MARK.

>> DAVE, ROWLETT. LAST NIGHT DURING THE WORK SESSION WE ASKED FOR THE PARK ADVISORY BOARD TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO COUNCIL WITH THE REMAINING OUTSTANDING PARK CIP.

DURING THE CITIZENS INPUT THE PARK ADVISORY BOARD TOLD YOU THAT THEY COMPLETED AN EVALUATION OF THE PARKS AND WANTED COUNCIL TO USE THIS EVALUATION.

THIS EVALUATION IS THE SAME EVALUATION USED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST. THIS PROVIDES LITTLE OR NO RELEVANT INFORMATION TO BE USED BY COUNCIL WITH THE CITY'S CAPITAL BUDGETING PROCESS. AND THE PAST, STAFF HAS CHANGED THE PAB RESULTS TO HYPE PROBLEMS FROM COUNCIL-- HIDE PROBLEMS FROM COUNCIL WITH THESE VALUATIONS.

IF THE PARK ADVISOR HAS AN EVALUATION, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH

[00:15:05]

THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT COST ANY MONEY.

DOESN'T REQUIRE A LICENSE. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE USE. IT INVOLVES A RESIDENTS, STAFF AND COUNCIL. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE COSTLY AVAILABLE HOUR CONSULTANTS WHO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL PREFERENCES IN CULTURE. IT DOES SHOW THE PARKS MOST IN NEED OF MAINTENANCE AND CIP ATTENTION FOR COUNCIL TO ADDRESS. YOU HAVE IGNORED MY RECOMMENDATION AND ALLOWED THE PAB TO PROGRESS WITH A PROJECT THAT WILL NOT PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION FROM WHICH YOU, COUNCIL, CAN ACT. MY RECOMMENDATION IS FOR YOU TO DIRECT THE PAD TO DISCONTINUE A NEW WORK ON THEIR PARK EVALUATION PROJECT AND BEGIN WORK ON THE PUCK EVALUATION PROJECT USING THE SYSTEM RECOMMENDED BY THE NORTH TEXAS COUNCIL GOVERNMENT AND ALSO USED BY CARROLLTON.

PLEASE HAVE THESE RESULTS READY WHEN THE CURRENT BUDGET PROCESS CYCLE BEGINS. A YEAR AGO TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR THE PARK ORDINANCES TO BE REVISED AND UPDATED. WE DIRECTED THE PAB TO PROVIDE INPUT TO COUNCIL FOR THE REVISIONS.

AND UPDATES. LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE.

THE POLICE CURRENTLY CANNOT SPEE RESPOND TO PARK VIOLATION SINCE HE ORDINANCES ARE POORLY WRITTEN AND UNENFORCEABLE.

YOUR WATERFRONT PARKS ARE DUMPS AND BECOMING JUNKYARDS.

IT'S QUESTION ALONE WHETHER ROWLETT WILL EVER BE ABLE TO MANAGE THE WATERFRONT TO THE BENEFIT THAT THEY RESIDENTS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING DESERVE.

THEREFORE, YOU COUNCIL SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVES WHICH WILL INCREASE THE RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM OUR LATE GREAT WATERFRONT. THE SUCKING SOUND YOU HEAR FROM MILLER ROAD IS NOT THE RESURFACING OF MILLER ROAD BUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES YOUR WATERFRONT PARKS ARE SUFFOLK-- SUCKING FROM NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE RESIDENTS POCKETBOOKS. THIS COMES AS A RESULT OF TWO DECADES OF MISMANAGEMENT. OTHER CITIES DO IT BETTER, JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WINGET. THANK YOU.

>> REPORTER: OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARK FOLLOWED BY DAN.

>> REPORTER: MARK, FROM ROWLETT.

WE'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT STREET REPAIRS.

HERITAGE PARKWAY, ROSEDALE, SCENIC ROAD, ALL NEED MAJOR REPAIRS. THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN IN JUNE 2003, IN 2013 AND IN 2017 TO 2019.

NONE OF THE ROADS WERE REPAIRED AFTER ANY OF THESE MAJOR UPGRADES TO THE HOSPITALS. THE STREETS ARE LINED WITH HOSPITALS AND-- POTHOLES AND NEED TO BE FIXED.

JUST BETWEEN 66 AND SCENIC DRIVE THERE IS A MINIMUM OF 30 POTHOLES. WHITE GOVERNMENT ABBOTT WAS OUT WE HAD BLACKTOP AND IT ONLY LASTS MAYBE A MONTH.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG POTHOLES. A LOT OF EXPENSIVE HOUSES.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD GET THE POTHOLES FIXED AND FIXED RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT SPEAKER IS DAN FOLLOWED BY DENISE.

>> DAN HAPPED, FROM ROWLETT. I WANT TO BRING ATTENTION TO HOW WELL THE ROWLETT WRIGHT'S CAR SHOW WAS FOR DOWNTOWN ROWLETT.

THE SHOW WAS PUT ON THE CALENDAR BY BLAINE OUR GOAL IS.

HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN SO WE CALLED OUR VERY OWN SHELBY. I'M BRINGING THIS UP BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN ROWLETT USES THE HELP OF CITIZENS WHO KNOW HOW TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

THIS LEADS ME TO MY NEXT ITEM OF ATTENTION.

THE LOTS ARE STILL NOT WORKING DOWNTOWN.

IT'S PASTIME-- PAST TIME TO MAKE THEM WORK.

IF THE CITY IS NOT CAPABLE OF MAKING THEM WORK, JUST TAKE THEM DOWN. NEXT I WAS INFORMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION THAT THIS DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY MEDIANS.

RYAN MULLEN SENT ME AN EMAIL, AGREEING WITH ME THAT THE MEDIANS ARE NOT BEING MAINTAINED PROPERLY.

I SAY THIS BECAUSE AFTER WATCHING THE COUNCIL WORK SESSION LAST NIGHT, THERE IS A THEME FOR ROWLETT.

THE CITY DOES NOT MAINTAIN IT'S ASSETS.

WE CANNOT EVEN GET THE MONUMENTS FIXED AT MERRITT ROAD AND GEORGE BUSH. IT'S BEEN BROKEN FOR THREE YEARS. WE BUILT A NEW FABULOUS

[00:20:01]

BACK TO THE WEST. YOU GET OFF THE ROAD, THERE IS A CRUMMY SIGN THERE. IT'S EMBARRASSING.

I AM HOPEFUL THE NEW COUNCIL CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS AGAIN SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, THE CITIZENS WILL NEVER ACCEPT A CITY BUILDING AT THE PARK.

WE WILL ACCEPT THE PARK THAT WE VOTED FOR.

LET'S REPAIR WHAT IS BROKEN AND CONTINUE TO REPAIR THE TRUST BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE CITIZENS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS DENISE-- DENISE-- DENISE, FOLLOWED BY

HASSAN. >> DENISE FROM ROWLETT, TEXAS.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I'M HERE TO REQUEST YOUR HELP.

WE NEED TO RESOLVE A MULTIYEAR VIOLATION LOCATED AT 662 WORK DRIVE. TO OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN YOUR NEW LEADERSHIP AND TRUSTEE WILL LOOK AT THIS FILE OBJECTIVELY. TO OUR RETURNING MEMBERS, YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORY. IT'S ON PUBLIC RECORD FROM THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION ON APRIL 18TH, 2023.

38, 3D. I WANT TO ASK ALL RESIDENTS TO WATCH THAT VIDEO. IT SHOWS THE EXACT MOMENT THAT THE CITY WAS BRIEFED. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE LACK OF PERMITS, THEY KNEW ABOUT THE RENEWABLE ORDERS.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE NEW DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM JOHN BOWERS. HE WAS NOT HERE WHEN THIS LOOPHOLE BEGAN BUT HE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP TO RESIDENTS.

HE STANDS UP FOR CODE INTEGRITY. AND WE HOPE THIS WHOLE DYESS VALUES HIS LEADERSHIP. THE CITY KEEPS LABELING THIS AS A CIVIL DISPUTE BUT THAT'S A CONTRADICTION.

IF THIS IS A PRIVATE DISPUTE WHY DID CITY HALL WRITE A WHOLE NEW ORDINANCE FOR. THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL PASSED ORDINANCE 1025 GIVING THE PERMIT AFTER THE STRUCTURE WAS BUILT.

WHO IN CITY HALL WRIGHTSON ORDINANCE FOR A BUILDING ADDITION THIS. THE STRUCTURE SITS RIGHT ON THE PROPERTY LINE. PROPERTY PROTECTIONS MUST NOT BECOME COMMUNITY PENALTIES. NO MUNICIPAL DESIGNATION SHOULD EVER FORCE A HOMEOWNER TO ENDURE TRESPASS ON THEIR LAND OR STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION TO THEIR HOME.

IT STILL CAUSES REAL-WORLD DAMAGE.

IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. IT CAUSES STORMWATER FLOODING ON OUR PROPERTY. YOU HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH INFORMATION FROM US TO ACT. THE CITY HAS LEGAL AUTHORITY TO REWRITE THE RULES. YOU CAN ORDER IMMEDIATE REMOVAL BEFORE THE 2026 SUNSET DATE. I AM RESPECTABLY ASKING FOR THREE THINGS TONIGHT. PLACE THIS CODE CASE ON THE NEXT FORMAL BUSINESS AGENDA. DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REPEAL ORDINANCE 1025 FOR EARLY REMOVAL.

TO RENEW COUNCIL MEMBERS-- TO OUR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, PULLED THE APRIL 18TH FILE THIS WEEK. THAT DISCUSSION WAS A WORK SESSION. THAT VIDEO RECORDING IS AN OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORD. THE PROOF OF HOW THIS ISSUE WAS HANDLED. IS DOCUMENTED ON THAT VIDEO.

AND I ASK YOU TO WATCH IT TO SEE HISTORY FOR YOURSELVES.

PLEASE PLACE US ON THE NEXT AGENDA.

AND GO TO YOUTUBE AND WATCH THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETINGS OCTOBER 12, NOVEMBER 9TH, 2022.

LISTEN TO WHAT STAN POLLOCK HAS TO SAY ON SETBACKS.

AND THIS IS ONLY AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> LAST SPEAKER THAT I HAVE A CARD FOR IS HASSAN. IF ANYONE ELSE WISHES TO SPEAK WE HAVE SPEAKER CARDS IN THE BACK LEFT CORNER OF THE ROOM.

>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

FIRST I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN THE MAYOR.

AND TO THE CITY MANAGER. I HOPE YOU WILL ALL DO THE RIGHT THINGS. WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FOR A LONG TIME. MY HOUSE IS BEING BASICALLY DEMOLISHED. DAY BY DAY.

WE SEE THE VIDEOS. YOU SEE THE DAMAGE.

TO MY PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WATER.

MY FOUNDATION IS COLLAPSING. BY WINDOW IS SHIFTING.

MY BRICK IS CRACKING. THIS BUILDING DOESN'T HAVE AN ALLEY. THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING WRONG.

AND I HAVE TWO BOYS. AND I DON'T PAY TAXES ON A 100,000-DOLLAR HOUSE TO GET IGNORED.

SOMEHOW THIS IS NOT FILLED UP WITH ANYTHING.

NO CONCRETE, ELECTRIC. HE SAID THE BUILDING IS PASSED,

[00:25:09]

BUT THAT TORNADO HAPPENED IN 2015.

BEFORE WE EXTENDED THAT BUILDING 140 FEET EXTRA.

HE DID NOT HAVE PERMITS. HE DEMOLISHED THE 84 SQUARE FEET. IT WAS 7 FEET HIGH.

NOW THAT WALL IS 7 FEET IN THE FRONT.

THAT BOLDING WAS ONLY THERE FOR THE EVENTS.

THAT'S-- THAT BUILDING WAS ONLY THERE FOR THE EVENTS.

IT $1600. 26 SQUARE-FOOT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY FIRE RESISTANCE.

IT'S ALL PLASTIC. IT'S A REAL EYESORE.

EVERYBODY THINKS THAT. THE CITY HAS A RIGHT TO GO AHEAD AND INFORM THAT PERMIT THAT IT WAS NOT CORRECT BUT HE SAID THERE. THAN THE AFFIDAVIT, HE BUILT THAT BUILDING. HE SAID.

THERE'S PLUMBING, ELECTRIC, YOU HAVE PICTURES OF IT.

CONCRETE. I WANT YOU GUYS TO PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP ME OUT. AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

THIS IS WRONG. >> THANK YOU.

WAS OR ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WHO WISHES TO SPEAK THIS EVENING AND GIVE THEIR INPUT. HIS BEING NONE,-- SEEING NONE, WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAYBE ACTED UPON IN ONE MOTION.

[4. Consent Agenda]

WE HAD A REQUEST TO PULL TWO ITEMS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

FOR A, AND 4B. PURCHASE OF A VAPOR PHASE ODOR PROGRAM. TO HAVE A REQUEST TO PULL ANY OF THE OTHER INDIVIDUAL ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION THIS EVENING? ALL RIGHT. WITHOUT, CITY SECRETARY, IF YOU COULD REDUCE OTHER TWO ITEMS IN TO THE RECORD.

>> FOR CONSIDERING ACTION AND APPROVING A LETTER CREDIT WITH COYLE LAKES LLC. FOR D, CONSIDER ACTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HOEFER

WELKER, LLC. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION?

MOTION BY MR. BRITTON. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I MOVE THAT THESE ARE APPROVED AS WRITTEN.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY MR. BOWERS.

>> SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE TWO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS READ.

SEEING NONE, LET'S CALL THE VOTE.

[4.A. Consider action approving the minutes. ]

NEXT WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM FOUR A.

CONSIDER ACTION TO APPROVE THE FALLING MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MAY 13TH, 26.

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING. MAY 14TH, 2026.

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING. MAY 18TH, 2026, CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION. AND MAY 19TH, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MR. BOWERS, I BELIEVE YOU HAD A CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES? IS CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. AND DEBBIE AND I, WE GOT IT RIGHT LAST NIGHT. BUT I FEEL LIKE OBVIOUSLY ONE WORD CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE MINUTES.

SO IT WAS JUST ON THE ITEM FIVE E, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ACCURATE TO REFLECTING EVERYBODY'S BOATS.

>> GOT IT. UNDERSTOOD.

WERE THERE ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THOSE SETS OF MINUTES TO BE CONSIDERED? IF NOT I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. DEBBIE?

I HAVE A MOTION BY MR. HOLSTON. >> I HAVE A MOTION THAT WE

ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS MODIFIED. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> MOTION TO PREVENT A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S CALL LEVO, PLEASE. THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[4.B. Consider action approving the purchase and installation of a Biological and Vapor-Phase Odor Control Program. ]

[00:30:01]

I BELIEVE, MR. KIZZIAR'S ADJUSTED TO PULL THIS ONE.

WE WILL DO A PRESENTATION. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE THE PRESENTATION? OKAY.

PERFECT. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.

MUCH BETTER. GARY AND I ARE GOING TO TAG TEAM THIS. ANY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE PROGRAM ITSELF, GARY WILL RESPOND TO.

I'LL GIVE SOME HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

SEE IF WE CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. FROM A HISTORICAL STANDPOINT, THERE HAVE BEEN ODOR CONCERNS FOR A FEW DECADES, FOR OVER A DECADE IN ROWLETT. AND MOST RECENTLY WE RECEIVED MULTIPLE REPORTS OF ODOR FROM MULTIPLE AREAS.

THE CITY INITIATED THE CITYWIDE MITIGATION ODOR ABATEMENT MITIGATION PROGRAM. THAT'S OR IMPLEMENTING RIGHT NOW. AND THAT WAS BY TREATING OUR LIFT STATIONS WITH FERRIC CHLORIDE, OR CHEMICAL TREATMENT TO EMIT OR MITIGATE POTENTIALLY ABATE THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE THAT WERE SEEING. WE ALSO HAD PROGRAMS FOR MONITORING, WHICH WE CONTINUE TO DO AS WELL.

THE ITEM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS TO CONTINUE WITH OUR CITY ODOR ABATEMENT PROGRAM. AND THEREFORE THERE IS A RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A BIOLOGICAL VAPOR PHASE ODOR CONTROL PROGRAM. SPECIFICALLY AT THE ROWLETT LIFT STATION. COUNCIL YOU MAY RECALL, AND FOR NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE BEEN EVALUATING OUR LIFT STATIONS IN DETERMINING WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THEM.

INSTALLING AERATORS AND DOING CHEMICAL TREATMENT.

THE ROWLETT LIFT STATION SHOWN ON SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THE ARROW IS ONE OF OUR LIFT STATIONS THAT RECEIVES FOR-- FLOW FROM MULTIPLE LIFT STATIONS, THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WITH THESE RETENTION TIMES, HOW TO COMBAT THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE GENERATED FROM THAT.

THIS ITEM IS FOR THE PURCHASE OF WHAT THEY CALL AN ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESS. AND A.M.P. UNIT.

AND THIS REMOVES THE GAS THAT HAS ENTERED INTO THE VAPOR STAGE. AND THE SYSTEM CAPTURES AND OXIDIZES ANY COMPOUNDS PRESENT WITHIN THE LIFT STATION HEADSPACE, WITHIN THAT GAP PRIOR TO IT BEING RELEASED IN THE ATMOSPHERE. TOGETHER WITH THIS WE ARE HOPEFUL WE WILL SEE A REDUCTION. WE ARE TAPPING THIS AS A CITYWIDE PROGRAM AND WE ARE SLOWLY INTRODUCING THESE COMPONENTS INTO OUR STATIONS. JUST TO GIVE YOU A VISUAL DEMONSTRATION. NOT GRAPHICALLY, BUT SHOWING YOU HOW MUCH ROWLETT STATION TAKES IN.

YOU CAN SEE THAT'S ON THE SCREEN.

THERE IS A MAJOR OE AFFECTED THERE.

WITH THAT FROM A FUNDING MECHANISM STANDPOINT, THIS-- WE HAVE AN AVAILABLE BUDGET WITH A LITTLE OVER $317,000.

THE PROPOSAL FOR THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE $140,000.

AND WITH THAT, COUNCIL, GARY AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?

>> I DID NOT HAVE A QUESTION. BASED ON SO MUCH CONCERNS OVER THE ODOR ISSUE WE HAVE, I REALLY FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE PUT THE-- LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WE ARE ADDRESSING AND DOING SOMETHING WITH IT. I KNOW WE SAY A LOT OF THINGS.

BUT TO DO IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

I FELT IT WAS NEEDED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE ACTIVE.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> NOTED. >> COUNCIL OR ANY OTHER

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> YES, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. ADMITTEDLY I AM WEAK ON ODOR CONTROL. SO I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS.

APPLE USE THIS IN OTHER AREAS? HAVE OTHER CITIES USED THIS PROGRAM? WHAT'S THE EXPERTISE AS FAR AS

IT BEING BENCHMARKED. >> COUNCILMEMBER YOU SAID EXPERTISE, I WILL POINT TO THE EXPERT HERE AND LET THEM TAKE

IT. >> GARY HERE.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. WE HAVE CASE STUDIES IN CITIES AROUND THE AREA. WE VISIT SITES TO MAKE SURE THERE SATISFIED WITH THE PRODUCT.

AND THE FILTER BASICALLY SUCKS THE GASSES OUT OF THE WELL

[00:35:02]

THROUGH A FILTRATION SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU.

COUNCILOR, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT.

IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM. I SEE A MOTION BY MR. HOLSTON.

>> NOT BEING AN EXPERT ON ODOR CONTROL, I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE AND

INSTALLATION OF THIS PRODUCT. >> I SEE A SECOND BY MR. BOWERS.

MOTION TO APPROVE WITH A SECOND. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE VOTE PLEASE.

THAT ITEM CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WITH THAT WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT WRAPS UP OUR REGULAR ITEMS FOR THIS EVENING. BEFORE WE DO THAT, COUNCIL, LET'S MOVE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE AGENDA AND ALLOW FOR TOPICS PLACED ON AGENDA FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING, DELIBERATIONS OR BE LIMITED TO A PROPOSAL TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. IS THERE ANY AGENDA ITEM REQUEST? MR. BOWERS?

>> THIS THEME ABOUT HAVING MENTIONED THE COMMUNITY TRUST AND ENGAGEMET IN BUILDING THAT, AND WE KNOW THAT SEPTEMBER 4TH OF 2027 WILL BE 75 YEARS OF THE CITY VALETTE.

SO I PROPOSE THAT WE HAVE THE CREATION OF A 75TH ANNIVERSARY TASK FORCE TO BE BUILT WITH CITIZENS AND HELP THEM AS WE GO THROUGH ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS OUR CITY HAS HAD.

>> WE HAVE A REQUEST TO ADD AN AGENDA ITEM TO TALK ABOUT A TASK FORCE FOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY.

IS THERE A SECOND ON THAT PROPOSAL? SECONDED BY MR. BRITTON. MR. BOWERS, WILL YOU BE BRINGING THAT INFORMATION BACK TO COUNCIL? JUST SO STAFF IS AWARE OF THE FLOW OF THINGS WITH THAT.

DO WE HAVE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS, COUNCIL?

MR. GIBBS? >> I THINK WE ARE ALL ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS WAITING TO GET TO-- GET THE SAFE HAVEN BOXES UP AND RUNNING. SO CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON THAT?

>> I WILL SUPPORT YOU ON THAT ONE.

100%. ANY OTHER REQUESTS? WITH THAT WE WILL MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I WILL READ THESE INTO THE RECORD AND WE WILL MOVE TO THE

[5. Executive Session]

ITEM FIVE A. THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE INTO CLOSED, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE S551.072 (DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY) TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE, OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF ROWLETT, TEXAS AND ITEM 5B.

THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL CONVENE INTO CLOSED, EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE S551.074 (PERSONNEL MATTERS) TO DELIBERATE THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, REASSIGNMENT DUTIES, DISCIPLINE, OR DISMISSAL OF A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, TO WIT: CITY ATTORNEY IT IS

[6. Reconvene Into Open Session and Take Any Necessary or Appropriate Action on Closed/Executive Session Matters]

>> WELCOME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL. WE CONCLUDED OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:57 P.M. IT'S 8:58 P.M.

AND WE ARE BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.

TAKING ACTION ON OUR EXECUTIVE ACTION ITEMS. ITEM FIVE A WAS CONCLUDED WITH NO ACTION TAKEN.

ITEM 5B WAS ALSO CONCLUDED WITH NO ACTION TAKEN.

WITHOUT WE WANT TO PROVIDE A BRIEF STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC ON OUR REVIEW. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DECISIONS MADE BY THE CITY. HOW THE DECISIONS WERE COMMUNICATED AND THE ROLE THAT VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS PLAYED IN THE PROCESS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT IN MOMENTS LIKE THAT THERE ARE SOMETIMES-- THERE CAN BE A PERCEPTION THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF STAFF, CONTRACTED PROFESSIONALS, ARE RESPONSIBLE BY ASSOCIATION FOR DECISIONS THAT WERE ULTIMATELY MADE BY OTHERS. TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION HOPE-- HELP TO CLARIFY A NUMBER OF CONCERNS RAISED BY FORMER MEMBERS AND CURRENT MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. AND AFTER THAT DISCUSSION THE CITY COUNCIL WAS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH VIC-- THE CITY ATTORNEY.

WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE EXCEPTIONAL LEGAL SERVICE INCLUDING RESPONSIBLE... AND WE BELIEVE THAT VICTORIA DELIVERS ON THAT EXPECTATION. AND WE-- LET ME ALSO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE BROADER RESPONSIBILITY THAT LIES BEFORE US.

THE ROLE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY IN LINE WITH THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS IS TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST.

THAT REQUIRES ACCOUNTABILITY OR ACCOUNTABILITY AS NEEDED.

IT REQUIRES FAIRNESS, DISCIPLINE AND THE WILLINGNESS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CONCERNS ABOUT PROCESS, CONCERNS ABOUT PAST MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, AND THE PROFESSIONAL ROLE OF THOSE WHO ADVISE THE CITY. OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S ROLE IS TO PROVIDE LEGAL GUIDANCE TO THESE-- SO THE CITY COUNCIL, MANAGER AND STAFF CAN MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE LEGALLY SOUND AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ROWLETT.

JUST AS THIS COUNCIL WAS COMMITTED TO CONSTRUCTING THE DEPARTMENT WITH OUR CITY MANAGER, STAFF, RESIDENCES,

[00:40:05]

THAT QUESTION WAS WORTH ASKING. PART OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE IS REVIEWING OPTIONS AND UNDERSTANDING COST IN DETERMINING IF A DIFFERENT MODEL WOULD BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY. IN RESEARCHING THE POSSIBILITY, WE LEARNED THAT THE COST OF AN IN-HOUSE MODEL GOES WELL BEYOND THE SALARY OF ONE INDIVIDUAL. IT WOULD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL STAFFING NEEDS AND SOFTWARE AND LEGAL RESEARCH TOOLS, OFFICE SPACE, SUPPLIES AND OTHER OPERATIONAL COSTS TO SUPPORT THAT FUNCTION. BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO OUR STAFF, THE ESTIMATED COST TO MOVE INTO A DEDICATED IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY SERVING MODEL WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION ANNUALLY.

BY COMPARISON THE CITY'S CURTLY ON TRACK TO SPEND APPROXIMATELY $3000 IN LEGAL IT SPENT-- $300,000 IN LEGAL EXPENSES THIS YEAR. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE, AND THE COUNCIL DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THAT LEVEL OF EXPENSE IS JUSTIFIED AT THIS TIME. AS STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, IT FURTHER REINFORCES OUR DECISION.

WE ALSO REVIEWED HOW ROWLETT COMPARES TO OTHER CITIES.

ROWLETT HAS A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

AND THE SMALLEST CITY WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WITH A DEDICATED IN-HOUSE CITY ATTORNEY WAS CARROLLTON, WITH APPROXIMATELY A PARKS MAKES-- A POPULATION OF 124,000.

ALMOST DOUBLE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE MODEL IS WRONG FOR EVERY CITY, BUT IT DOES HELP OUR QUESTION IN CONTEXT. FOR A CITY OF THE SIZE, CURRENT NEEDS AND LEGAL SPENDING, COUNCIL DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT MOVING TO A DEDICATED IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY CITY MODEL-- CITY ATTORNEY MODEL IS THE RIGHT STEP AT THIS TIME.

A CITY COUNCIL, OUR FOCUS REMAINS ON STABILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND REBUILDING TRUST.

THAT WORK DOES NOT HAPPEN TO ONE MEETING OR ONE DECISION.

IT HAPPENS THROUGH MEASURED STEPS, CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND A CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO DO THE WORK IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR AND THOUGHTFUL AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITY.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? VERY GOOD. THANK YOU ALL FOR A PRODUCTIVE MEETING THIS EVENING

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.