[1. Call to Order ] [00:00:04] >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S MEETING OF THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026, AT 7 P.M., AND THE CITY COUNCIL HAS A QUORUM PRESENT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE OPEN WITH AN INVOCATION, AND I INVITE YOU TO STAND WITH ME AS WE HAVE A MOMENT OF PRAYER. >> GOD AS WE GATHER THIS EVENING TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT, WE PAUSE WITH GRATITUDE FOR THIS COMMUNITY, THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER, AND FOR THE FREEDOMS THAT ALLOW US TO GOVERN WITH OPENNESS AND INTEGRITY. GRAND WISDOM TO OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF AND EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IN TONIGHT'S MEETING, HELP EACH DECISION BE GUIDED BY DISCERNMENT, FAIRNESS. AND MAY EVERY DISCUSSION BE MARKED BY RESPECT, HUMILITY AND A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN, EVEN WHEN PERSPECTIVES DIFFER, WE GIVE THANKS FOR THOSE WE RECOGNIZE TONIGHT, FOR MRS. MARJORIE MONTGOMERY AS SHE RECEIVES HER REMARKABLE MILESTONE, AND KARL VANLEEUWEN, AND THE MANY PARKS AND RECREATIONAL PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HELP MAKE ROWLETT A PLACE WHERE FAMILIES CAN THRIVE AND NEIGHBOURS CAN CONNECT. WE'RE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE PROGRESS OUR CITY CONTINUES TO MAKE, AND ASK FOR CONTINUED GUIDANCE AS WE PLAN FOR ITS FUTURE. BLESS THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY MEMBERS, VETERANS, EDUCATORS, BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES. KEEP THEM SAFE, STRENGTHEN OUR SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND HELP US REMAIN FAITHFUL STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED TO US. MAY ALL THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED HERE TONIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONTINUED FLOURISHING OF ROWLETT AS A PLACE TO LIVE, TO WORK, AND TO PLAY. IT IS WITH HUMBLE HEARTS WE PRAY, AMEN. >> THANK YOU REVEREND. >> 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. >> AND NOW THE TEXAS PLEDGE. >> HONOUR OF THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU, PLEASE BE SEATED. I CALL TONIGHT'S MEETING TO [2.A. Presentation of Rowlett Centenarian Recognition and Proclamation for Mrs. Marjorie Montgomery ] ORDER AT 7:02 P.M., AND THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS ITEM 2A, PRESENTATION OF ROW LET CENTENARIAN MRS. MARJORIE MONTGOMERY. AND WE WOULD INVITE MISS MONTGOMERY AND HER FAMILY UP TO THE FRONT. >> MRS. MONTGOMERY, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP FRONT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE MEMBERS OF OUR SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD TO COME UP. >> YEAH, YOU GOT A FEW FRIENDS. YOU'VE HAD A LIFE WELL LIVED TO HAVE THIS MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY I WANT TO THANK PAM BELL, SHE'S THE CHAIRPERSON AND CHAIR WOMAN FOR THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD, AND SHE'S THE ONE WHO SPEARHEADED THIS EFFORT TO RECOGNIZE THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO REACHED THE CENTURY MARK. I THANK THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD FOR SUPPORTING THIS GREAT PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE. >>> IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD THE CITY OF ROWLETT HAS INITIATED AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY AND HONOUR CENTENARIANS, I ALWAYS GET THAT WRONG, I WANT TO CALL YOU A CENTURIAN BUT YOU'RE NOT A ROMAN, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE SIGNIFIES A LIFE WELL LIVED AND CELEBRATING THOSE WHO REACHED THIS ACHIEVEMENT. THE THIRD HONOUREE IS MRS. MARGIE MONTGOMERY, WHO IS A NATIVE TEXAN AND REACHED THE AGE OF 100 YEARS ON JUNE 15 OF THIS YEAR. WITH THIS PROCLAMATION THE CITY OF ROWLETT COMES TOGETHER TO HONOUR, TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE MS. MONTGOMERY FOR REACHING THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE. I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION: WHEREAS MARJORIE, ALSO KNOWN AS MARGIE MONTGOMERY, WAS BORN ON JUNE 15, 1926, TO LOTTI AND HARRY CROCKETT AND LIVED A REMARKABLE LIFEMARKED BY FAITH, FAMILY SERVICE, AND ENDURING ZEST FOR LIFE AND WHEREAS MS. MONTGOMERY IS A PROUD NATIVE [00:05:01] TEXAN WHO GREW UP IN OAK CLIFF AND GRADUATED FROM SUNSET HIGH SCHOOL IN 1943 BEFORE EMBARKING ON A DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SERVING SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, A GREAT MILESTONE THERE. AND WHEREAS MS. MONTGOMERY AND HER BELOVED HUSBAND DR. DON MONTGOMERY, SHARED 67 YEARS OF MARRIAGE UNTIL HIS PASSING ON DECEMBER 17, 2014 BUILD ON LOVE, AND COMMITMENT TO FAMILY AND RAISED THREE CHILDREN, DAVID MONTGOMERY, CHERRY MONTGOMERY, AND MARK MONTGOMERY AND BLESSED WITH 6 GRANDCHILDREN AND 13 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN WHO CONTINUE TO ENRICH HER LIFE AND CARRY FORWARD HER VALUES AND TRADITIONS. AND WHEREAS AFTER MOVING TO ROWLETT IN 1994, MS. MONTGOMERY BECAME AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND REMAINED INVOLVED WITH THE SHRINERS AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE NILE FOR MORE THAN 60 YEAR, CONTINUING THE LEGACY OF SERVICE SHE SHARED WITH HER HUSBAND, WHO WAS AN ACTIVE MASON AND SHRINER, AND WHEREAS MS. MONTGOMERY IS A DEVOTED MEMBER OF THE HIGHLAND PARK METHODIST CHURCH AND IS KNOWN FOR HER JOYFUL SPIRIT AND WILLINGNESS TO EMBRACE EVERY ADVENTURE, MS. MONTGOMERY IS ALREADY READY WHEN SOMEONE SAYS LET'S GO AND SHE CONTINUES TO ENJOY DANCING, SHOPPING, AND WORKING CROSSWORD PUZZLES TO KEEP HER MIND SHARP, AND WHEREAS MS. MONTGOMERY ATTRIBUTES HER LONGEVITY TO HER STEADFAST CHRISTIAN FAITH, GRATITUDE FOR GOOD HEALTH, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, THE LOVING CARE AND CONCERN OF HER FAMILY, DAILY CROSSWORD PUZZLES, ENJOYING JUST ABOUT ANY FOOD, PLENTY OF BLACK COFFEE -- A WOMAN AFTER MY OWN HEART -- AND THE OCCASIONAL GLASS OF WINE OR MARGHERITA WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND MAKING SURE SHE GOES SOMEWHERE EVERY DAY. NOW THEREFORE I ON BEHALF OF THE MAYOR OF CITY OF ROWLETT AND ON BEHALF OF CITY COUNCIL DO HERE BY URGE ALL CITIZENS TO JOAN IN RECOGNIZING AND HONOURING MRS. MARJORIE MONTGOMERY FOR HER EXTRA ORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HER COMMUNITY AND FAMILY HAD A SPEECH TO GIVE, AND SHE'S GOT PAPER HERE, SO I'M GOING TO INVITE HER UP. >> YES, I DO. >> CAN YOU COME BACK THIS WAY? >> WELL, HERE I AM. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CITY COUNCIL, AND THE SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR THIS WONDERFUL HONOUR. I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD MAKE IT TO 100, AND I THINK A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK SO EITHER. I HAVE DEPENDED ON MY FAITH AND THE LORD, MY FAMILY, AND MY FRIENDS, AND UNTIL THE LORD MOVES ME FROM ROWLETT TO HEAVEN SO THAT I'LL BE WITH DON AND ALL MY FAMILY, I WILL CONTINUE SHOPPING BUT NOT ON LINE >> I HAVE NO COMPUTER, I HAVE NO WI-FI, I HAVE NOTHING. AND ENJOY MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WORKING CROSSWORD PUZZLES, AND AS HE SAID, AN OCCASIONAL GLASS OF WINE OR MAYBE A DESPERADO'S MARGHERITA. IN THE MEANTIME, THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH FOR THIS HONOUR OFFICIAL PHOTO. >> OVER THIS WAY? >> LOOK RIGHT THERE. >> LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD. >> STRAIGHT AHEAD. >> HI. >> THE MAN WITH THE BIG CAMERA. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU KEEP THAT. >> ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, YOU'RE A TRUE INSPIRATION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH [2.B. Presentation of Rowlett Veterans Recognition Program Certificate to Veteran, Chief Hospital Corpsman Karl VanLeeuwen, of the United States Navy. ] [00:10:28] >> THE NEXT AGENDA, ITEM, ITEM 2B, A CERTIFICATE TO KARL VANLEEUWEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY. WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ALEXIS COLD PEPPER WHO IS HERE ON BEHALF OF THE VETERANS RESOURCE AND OUTREACH CENTRE. >> GOOD EVENING, THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE TOUGH TO TOP, WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF OUR VETERANS IN THE COMMUNITY, WHO HAS DONE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS AND SO WE'RE EXCITED TO REPRESENT AND RESPECT THAT SACRIFICE. SO THE CITY INSTITUTED THIS PROGRAM IN 2017 IN ORDER TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO THOSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO DEDICATED THEIR TIME IN SERVIC TO OUR NATION. ASSISTING WITH THE SELECTION AND RECOGNITION OF THE HONOUREES, IS THE VETERANS RESOURCE AND OUTREACH CENTRE, AND THE VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM ALSO HELPS TO BRING AWARENESS TO VETERANS ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHAT IS STILL NEEDED. I'M HONOURED TO CONTINUE FORMALLY RECOGNIZING VETERANS OF ALL AGES AND BRANCHES OF SERVICE AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND OUR 49TH VETERAN TO BE RECOGNIZED IS VETERAN KARL VANLEEUWEN WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY. THANK YOU SIR, I'M GOING TO READ YOUR CERTIFICATE AND INVITE ALEXIS TO READ A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY. AND WE'LL GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE ANY WORDS YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR LOVE OF MARGHERITAS OR ANYTHING ELSE. >> THE FREEDOM AND SECURITY THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES ENJOY ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE BLOODSHED OF THE ARMED FORS OTHER THE HISTORY OF OUR GREAT NATION, PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTION, THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY AND PAYING THE PRICE OF LIBERTY FOR US ALL. WE'RE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE HORRORS OF WAR, AND CONTINUE TO SHOW THE BEST OF WHAT HUMANITY CAN BE. THANK YOU, SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR NAME IS ALEXIS COLD PEPPER, AND I'M GOING TO READ MR. LEWEN'S BIOGRAPHY. CAN I HAVE ALL THE VETS STAND UP SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM >> CHIEF HOSPITAL CORP. MAN KARL VANLEEUWEN ENLISTED IN 1972 IN MARYLAND. UPON GRADUATION, HE REPORTED TO THE RECRUIT TRAINING DEMAND GREAT LAKES. UPON COMPLETION OF BOOT CAMP AND BASIC HOSPITAL CORPS. SCHOOL HE SPENT THE REST OF HIS ENLISTMENT AT NATIONAL NAVAL MEDICAL CE CENTRE. BETHESDA -- IT'S A NEW WORD FOR ME -- MARYLAND LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY IN AUGUST 1976. AFTER SELECTION FOR THE TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION OF RESERVES PROGRAM IN MAY 1980, CHIEF VAN LEWEN REPORTED TO THE NAVAL AIR FACILITY IN WASHINGTON DC WHERE HE SERVED AS A GENERAL DUTY CORPS.MAN. HE REPORTED IN 1984 TO PENSACOLA LORIDA FOR TEN WEEKS AS AN AEROSPACE MEDICAL TECHNICIAN. Select to skip to this part of the video">LORIDA FOR TEN WEEKS AS AN AEROSPACE MEDICAL TECHNICIAN. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO BLUE DOLPHINS FOR OPERATIONAL DUTY MAKING NUMEROUS DEPLOYMENTS THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN TO INCLUDE FALLON NEVADA, LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, PHOENIX ARIZONA, PUERTO RICO AND DEPLOYMENTS ON BOARD THE USS ENTERPRISE AND USS FORESTALL. HE WAS ADVANCED TO CHIEF AND INITIATED BY THE CHIEFS COMMUNITY IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA IN 1988. AND REPORTED TO THE NAVAL RESERVE PERSONNEL CENTRE IN NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA AND ASSUMED THE DUTIES OF READING ASSIGNMENT SPECIALIST IN FEBRUARY 1989 AND RESPONSIBLE FOR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS [00:15:01] OF SPECIALISTS JOURNALISTS AND HOSPITAL CORPS.MEN IN FEBRUARY 1989. IN SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENT WAS WITH THE COMMANDER, MARINE FORCES RESERVE AS THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR FOR THE 4TH SUPPLY BATTALION, 4TH SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP, NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA, RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPLY OF ALL MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT TO UNITS OF THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION. DURING THIS ASSIGNMENT, HE TRAINED AND RECEIVED CERTIFICATION AS THE FIELD MEDICAL SERVICE TECHNICIAN, HMC VAN LEWEN REPORTED TO NEW ORLEANS IN 1995 AND ASSIGNED AS MEDICAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR AND THE DIRECTOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT OFFICE OVERSEEING THE TRANSITION OF SERVICE AND MEDICAL RECORDS TO OPTICAL IMAGING RETIRING FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN AUGUST 1999. PERSONAL AWARDS INCLUDE THE NAVY AND MARIE CORPS. COMMENDATION MEDAL, TWO AWARDS, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS., MERITORIOUS -- BLESS YOU -- MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION BATTLE EFFICIENCY AWARD AND FIVE GOOD CONDUCT AWARDS. IN SEPTEMBER 2000, KARL VANLEEUWEN WAS HIRED AS THE ASSOCIATE NAVAL SCIENCE INSTRUCTOR AT PEARL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTRUCTION OF A CADRE OF NGROTC, KA DEBTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF NAVAL SERVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR KA DEALTS HONOURED FOLLOWING GRADUATION. HE'S VERY PROUD OF ALL OF HIS STUDENTS WHO WENT ON TO SERVE IN ALL FIVE MILITARY SERVICES AND THOSE WHO CONTINUED THEIR EDUCATION RESULTING IN COMMISSIONED AS OFFICERS IN THE US MILITARY SERVICES, HE REMAINED IN THIS POSITION FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS RETIRING JUNE 30TH, 2020, PON RETIRING KARL AND HIS WIFE TRACY CONTINUED TO RESIDE IN SLY DEL -- THANK YOU, YOU ARE A BIG HELP, LOUISIANA AND THEIR SON ERIC RELOCATED TO DALLAS TEXAS FOLLOWING HURRICANE CAT FROM A AND EARNED A BACHELOR AND MASTERS DEGREE. TRACY AND KARL JOINED ERIC IN 2024. COULD EVERYONE PLEASE STAND AND HELP US RECOGNIZE OUR ROWLETT VETERAN JONES, AND I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE QUILTS OF VALOUR ORGANIZATION HERE IN ROWLETT, AND WE'RE CALLED A HEART FOR PATRIOTS AND WORK UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIONAL QUILTS VALOUR GROUP. I'M HERE AS A VOLUNTEER FROM QUILTS VALOUR TO HONOUR ONE OF OUR DISTINGUISHED VETERANS, AND I WANT TO TAKE YOU A MOMENT AND TELL YOU ABOUT THE QUILTS OF VALOUR. IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE QUILTS OF COMFORT AND HEALING BY THOSE TOUCHED BY WAR. THE ORGANIZATION IS STARTED IN 2003 BY BLUE STAR MOM CATHERINE ROBERTS AND AWARD OVER 140,000 QUILTS AS OF THIS MONTH. THE IDEA CAME TO MS. ROBERTS LITERALLY IN A DREAM. AT THAT TIME, HER SON NAT WAS DEPLOYED IN IRAQ, AND IN A DREAM SHE SAW A YOUNG SOLDIER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF HIS BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HUNCHED OVER. SHE SENSED WAR DEMONS WERE CLUTTERED AROUND HIM DRAGGING HIM DOWN INTO AN EMOTIONAL GUTTER, AS VIEWING A MOVIE SHE SAW HIM WRAPPED IN A QUILT, HIS DEMEANOUR CHANGED AND ONE OF DESPAIR TO ONE OF HOPE AND WELL-BEING. THE QUILT HAD MADE THIS DRAMATIC CHANGE. THE MESSAGE OF THE DREAM TO HER WAS QUILTS EQUAL HEALING. MISS ROBERTS DEVELOPED A MODEL WHERE VOLUNTEERS WOULD DONATE THEIR TIME AND MATERIALS TO MAKE A QUILT. PERHAPS ONE PERSON IN A GROUP WOULD PIECE THE TOP, AND THE OTHERS WOULD QUILT IT, AND OTHERS WOULD PREVENT IT OR ALL THE STEPS WOULD BE DONE BY THE SAIL PERSON IN THE GROUP, SHE SAW THE NAME OF THIS SPECIAL QUILT AS A QUILT OF VALOUR. A QUILT OF VALOUR WOULD SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, SACRIFICE AND VALOUR, IN SERVING OUR NATION. THE FIRST QUILT OF VALOUR WAS AWARDED IN NOVEMBER 2003 AT WALTER REID ARMY MEDICAL CENTRE TO A YOUNG SOLDIER FROM MINNESOTA, WHO HAD LOST A LEG IN [00:20:01] IRAQ. SINCE 2003, THE QUILTS OF VALOUR MOVEMENT, TODAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR LOCAL VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM AND THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE NEWLY FORMED GROUP QUILTS OF VALOUR CALLED A HEART FOR PATRIOTS, WE'RE HONOURED TO BE AWARDING KARL VANLEEUWEN WITH A QUILT TODAY. THROUGH THIS QUILT, YOU MAY BECOME PART OF OUR FAMILY. IF WE MAY, WE'D LIKE TO WRAP THIS AROUND YOU. >> SHOW THE GOOD SIDE THERE WE GO. IT'S A BIG QUILT. IT'S A BIG QUILT. OKAY. ON BEHALF OF QUILTS OF VALOUR FOUNDATION, IN RECOGNITION FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR THE NATION, IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE, HONOUR AND COMFORT YOU THROUGH THIS AWARD AS A QUILT OF VALOUR. THOUGH WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE DEPTH OF YOUR SACRIFICE TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS A GESTURE OF GRATITUDE FROM A GRATEFUL NATION, WE AWARD YOU THIS QUILT. EACH QUILT OF VALOUR IS FORMED BY LOVING HANDS, JOINING BITS OF FABRIC TOGETHER ONE PIECE AT A TIME, WE BELIEVE THAT WE CONDESTRUCT THESE QUILTS, WITH LOVE, CARING, AND GRATITUDE, FLOWS FROM OUR HEARTS THROUGH OUR HANDS, AND INTO THE QUILT. WE ALL AS VOLUNTEERS WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THROUGH OUR QUILLS YOU'LL BE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. THE QUILT WAS PIECE TOGETHER BY OUR VOLUNTEER WILLY HALL, AND I BELIEVE SHE BOUND THE QUILT, AND A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS ARE THE ONES THAT QUILTED IT THEY ARE PERSONALIZED WITH A LABEL, AND HE'S GOING TO HAVE -- I HAVE TO APOLOGIZE THAT WE HAVE LEWEN, WE CAN PUT VAN ACROSS IT, AND WITH OUR DEEPEST APPRECIATION, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY, AND WITH THIS QUILT OF VALOUR, WE WELCOME YOU HOME. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE ALSO, IT IS AWARDED TO KARL VANLEEUWEN, US NAVY, E7, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER, THE QUILT OF VALOUR FOUNDATION WISHES TO RECOGNIZE YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE NATION AND WE CONSIDER IT OUR PRIVILEGE TO DO SO, ALTHOUGH WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE EXTENT OF YOUR SACRIFICE, WE AWARD YOU THIS QUILT OF VALOUR AS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FROM A GRATEFUL NATION. AND THAT'S YOURS >> I'M OFTEN TOLD BY PEOPLE THAT WHEN I TURN AROUND AND I TELL THEM, I ENTERED THE NAVY IN 1972, AND I HAD A FOUR YOU'RE TOUR IN -- YEAR TOUR IN MARYLAND AS YOU HEARD IN MY BIOAND I LEFT ACTIVE DUTY, BUT I WAS NEVER REALLY SATISFIED WITH WHATEVER I WAS DOING AFTER I LEFT. MY WIFE HAS OFTEN TOLD ME THAT SHE REMEMBERS THE TWO DAYS OF MY LIFE, THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE, AND THE LOUSIEST DAY OF MY LIFE AND I WOULD ASK HER, WHAT WERE THEY AND SHE SAID THE WORST DAY WAS THE DAY YOU LEFT ACTIVE DUTY AND I SAID OKAY, WHAT ABOUT THE HAPPIEST. >> AND WAS IT ERIC, OUR SON BEING BORN, SHE GOES, NO, IT WASN'T HIM. AND I SAID OKAY, WAS IT WAS IT OUR WEDDING DAY AND SHE SAID IT WASN'T THAT EITHER. WELL, THEN, WHAT WAS IT. SHE SAYS WHEN YOU WENT BACK ON ACTIVE DUTY. AND I DID, I WENT BACK ON ACTIVE DUTY SO I COULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COUNTRY. SERVE THE MILITARY MEMBERS AROUND ME. AS A HOSPITAL CORPS.MAN YOU GET THAT OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF NAVY PERSONNEL BUT ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THE US MARINE CORPS., YOU KNOW, AND SPEAKING OF THAT, IT MENTIONED IN MY BIOI WENT THROUGH FIELD MEDICAL SERVICE [00:25:03] TRAINING WHEN I WENT TO THE MARINES IN VIRGINIA, OKAY, AND THAT SCHOOL LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IS DESIGNED AND MADE FOR 19-YEAR-OLD BOYS, OKAY, NOT 40-YEAR-OLD MEN. BUT, THROUGH PERSEVERANCE, I WENT THROUGH, AND I MADE IT. I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE BY A MEDAL OF HONOUR WINNER THAT POINTED OUT THAT THERE ARE 200,000 MEMBERS THAT GO THROUGH THE MILITARY EVERY YEAR, THAT EXIT THE MILITARY EVERY YEAR. MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE GO ON TO SERVE IN SOME KIND OF A CAPACITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO THE COUNTRY. I DID IT THROUGH MY TEACHING IN HIGH SCHOOL. AND SO WHEN THEY TOLD ME, THEY SAID, WHEN I WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY, YOU NEED TO TEACH ROTC WHEN YOU RETIRE, AND I LOOKED AT THEM, AND I SAID YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MIND. I SAID, ME, TEACHING IN A HIGH SCHOOL? THEY SAID, YEAH. WELL, YEAR AFTER I RETIRED I GOT THE CALL, AND I WENT AND INTERVIEWED, AND I GOT THE JOB. THE NEXT 20 YEARS, WAS FANTASTIC. AND THEN I RETIRED FROM THERE. I SIT DOWN AND I LOOK AT IT, AND I TELL ME PEOPLE, 45 AND A HALF YEARS IN A MILITARY UNIFORM AS AN INSTRUCTOR, I HAVE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM IN UNIFORM EVERY DAY MUCH MY STUDENTS WERE FANTASTIC, THERE WAS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ONES I TAUGHT IN 2000, AND THE ONES I TAUGHT IN 2020. HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE THING IS THOUGH, I'VE HAD THE SUPPORT OF MY WIFE AND MY SON, AND MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, WHO WASN'T ABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT, AND EVERYTHING THAT I'VE DONE, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MR. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, VROC ORGANIZATION, AND CHRIS KIZZIAR, PAM BELL, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU [2.C. Presentation of Proclamation recognizing July as National Parks and Recreation Month. ] >> I'LL READ THE NEXT ITEM INTO THE RECORD, ITEM 2C, RECOGNIZING JULY AS NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH. AND MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS COUNCIL MEMBER MARVIN GIBBS. >> IF I CAN GET ALL THE PARKS AND RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD IF YOU'RE HERE, TO COME ON UP. >> SO, NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH IS A NATIONWIDE CELEBRATION, THAT'S HELD EVERY JULY, TO HIGHLIGHT THE VITAL ROLE OF OUR LOCAL PARKS, GREEN SPACES AND RECREATION PROGRAMS, EACH YEAR THE NATIONAL RECREATION PARK ASSOCIATION [00:30:01] DESIGNATES A THEME FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, THE THEME OF 2026 IS THE POWER OF. SINCE 1985, AMERICA HAS CELEBRATED THE MONTH OF JULY AS A NATION'S OFFICIAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH. EACH JULY THE NATIONAL RECREATION PARK ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGES RECREATION FACILITIES IN PARKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO KICK OFF THE SUMMER PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE OUTDOOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PULL TOGETHER VOLUNTEERS, PROMOTE BUILDING STRONG, VIBRANT AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER OF PARKS, AND PROFESSIONALS, ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PART TIME SEASONAL WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS THAT MAINTAIN OUR COUNTRY'S LOCAL STATE AND COMMUNITY PARKS, MAKING THE OUTDOOR SPACE A THRIVING CENTRE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITY. THIS YEAR'S THEME AGAIN IS THE POWER OF, HIGHLIGHTING THE POWER OF PARKS AND RECREATION AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE. PARKS AND RECREATION BRINGS US TOGETHER, STRENGTHENS OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND BUILD MORE RESILIENT CONNECTED COMMUNITIES. THROUGHOUT THE AMONG, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE MANY WAYS PARKS AND RECREATION REVEALS THE POWER OF WHAT CONNECTS US. THE POWER OF CONNECTION, PARKS AND RECREATION IS WHERE RELATIONSHIPS GROW, CULTURES MEET AND COMMUNITIES BOND. THE POWER OF PLAY, FROM PLAYGROUNDS, TO PROGRAMS TO U SPORTS, PLAY FUELS CREATIVITY, JOY, AND LIFELONG LEARNING, THE POWER OF COMMUNITY, PUBLIC SPACES, OFFER ROOM FOR EVERYONE TO GATHER, CELEBRATE, AND HEAL, THE POWER OF NATURE, INSPIRES US, AND PARKS ENSURES EVERYONE CAN ACCESS ITS BENEFITS, THE POWER OF BELONGING, WELCOMING PARKS AND PROGRAMS MAKE EVERY PERSON FEEL VALUED AND THE POWER OF WELL-BEING, PARKS AND RECREATION, ADVANCES HEALTH, RESILIENCE AND SHARED COMMUNITY BENEFITS. NOW, FOR THE PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS, SINCE 1985, JULY HAS BEEN NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH, CELEBRATING THE VITAL ROLE LOCAL PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEMS PLAY IN PROMOTING HEALTH, WELLNESS, CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY VITALITY, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ROWLETT'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, ANNUALLY WELCOMES ROUGHLY 500,000 VISITORS, ENHANCING SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC AND HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR RESIDENTS, AND WHEREAS ROWLETT PARKS, TRAILS, RECREATION CENTRES, PARTS FIELDS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, PROVIDE CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FILLS ACTIVITY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY GATHERINGS, AND WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION CONTRIBUTES TO MENTAL WELL-BEING, COMBAT DEPRESSION, AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVE AGING AND STRENGTHEN CIVIC BONDS, AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATED PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF OF ROWLETT CONTRIBUTE DAILY TO THE SAFETY, BEAUTY, AND ONGOING PUBLIC RESOURCES AND NOW THEREFORE, I MARVIN GIBBS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND JEFF WINGET, DO HEAR BY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JULY, 2026 AS NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT TEXAS, AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS, CIVIC GROUPS AND VISITORS TO CELEBRATE BY VISITING PARKS, ENGAGING IN RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXPLORING TRAILS, PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASSETS. THANK YOU A BUNCH OF US ARE GOING TO HAVE MARGHERITAS WITH MS. MARGIE IN A MINUTE. ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE PARKS AND RECREATION TEAM MANY OF WHOM ARE STANDING HERE BESIDE ME, THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION. I WANT TO DIRECTLY THANK OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM FROM OUR PARKS MAINTENANCE CREWS WORKING IN THE INTENSE TEXAS HEAT TO KEEP OUR PARKS BEAUTIFUL AND SAFE, AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS MANAGING THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, RUNNING YOUTH CAMPS, AND A MULTITUDE OF PROGRAMS, THOSE WHO KEEP OUR SWIMMERS SAFE AT THE WET ZONE AND EVERYONE WHO ASIFED WITH COMMUNITY EVENS LIKE OUR RECENT FIREWORKS ON MAIN CELEBRATION, THANK YOU. YOUR TIRELESS DEDICATION, PASSION AND HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES DON'T GO UNNOTICED, YOU'RE THE HEARTBEAT OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO SERVE WITH ALL OF YOU. THIS PROCLAMATION ISN'T JUST A CELEBRATION OF A CALENDAR MONTH, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO EVERYTHING THIS TEAM DOES TO MAKE ROWLETT A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE, OUR PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS ARE TRULY WHERE OUR COMMUNITY GROWS, CONNECTS AND THRIVES BECAUSE OF YOUR EFFORTS, WE'RE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE COUNCIL'S CONTINUED SUPPORT, LEADERSHIP, AND SHARED VISION FOR A VIBRANT HEALTHY, AND ACTIVE ROWLETT. WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND CELEBRATE AT ONE OF OUR PARKS OR FACILITIES, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS HONOUR [2.D. Presentation of the State of the City Video. ] [00:35:42] IS OUR PRESENTATION OF THE STATE OF THE CITY VIDEO. COUNCIL, I WOULD INVITE YOU GUYS TO TAKE A SEAT IN THE AUDIENCE SO YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN AS OPPOSED TO OUR MONITORS OF. >> THERE YOU ARE. WITH YOU DIRECTLY, NOT THROUGH A PRESS RELEASE OR A MAILING, JUST AS YOUR MAYOR. THIS IS OUR STATE OF THE CITY, AND I WANT TO START BY BEING HONEST WITH YOU ABOUT SOMETHING. I TRULY WANTED TO DO THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, BUT I DIDN'T, BECAUSE 2025 WAS A DIFFICULT PLACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND 2026 DID NOT STARS IN OUR ORGANIZATION, CHALLENGES IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CHALLENGES IN THE TRUST IN THIS GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE IT SERVES, I'M NOT HERE TO GLOSS OVER ANY OF THAT, BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED, NOT SIMPLY BECAUSE WE SAY IT HAS, BUT BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE SAYS IT HAS, AND I WANT TO SHOW YOU THAT EVIDENCE. ROWLETT, WE HEARD YOU, AND WE MADE DIFFICULT DECISIONS, WE CHANGED COURSE WHERE CHANGE WAS NEEDED, AND TODAY ROWLETT IS MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION. THIS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IS TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE BEFORE I GET INTO THE SUBSTANCE OF THIS ADDRESS, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PEOPLE I SERVE LOOK ALONG SIDE, THIS MAY, ROWLETT WELCOMED THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE CITY COUNCIL. CHRIS KIZZIAR HAS CALLED THE CITY HOME FOR 35 YEARS, AND IT SERVED WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FOR OVER A DECADE. BYRON FASSETT SPENT 35 YEARS, AND CARTER HOLSTON BRINGS CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC COMMITMENT THAT RUNS DEEP IN THIS COMMUNITY. WELCOME TO ALL THREE OF YOU, I AM GLAD YOU'RE HERE. TO OUR RETURNING MEMBERS, MARVIN GIBBS, MAYOR PRO TEM MIKE BRIT BRITTON, AND JOHN P. BOWERS III, AND TO JONATHAN REEVES, LISA BOWERS, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED THEIR CITY, THANK YOU. WE'RE GRATEFUL, THIS COUNCIL IS UNITED AND WE'RE READY. THE NEW FACES ON COUNCIL REFLECT SOMETHING HAPPENING ACROSS THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION. ROWLETT IS REBUILDING. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THAT LOOKS [00:40:01] LIKE. OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, THIS CITY WENT THROUGH A PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER, POSITIONS SAT VACANT, LEADERSHIP CHANGED, THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING YOUR SERVICES WERE STRETCHED THIN, AND IN SOME CASES, THEY WERE LEARNING THEIR JOBS WHILE DOING THEM. THAT AFFECTED YOU, AND I KNOW IT. AND SO HERE IS WHAT WE DID ABOUT THAT. WE BEGAN REBUILDING. ACROSS THE CITY WE'RE WORKING TO FILL POSITIONS THAT HAVE LONG SAT VACANT, WE HAVE NEW FACES THROUGHOUT OUR OFFICES AND OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND SOME RETURNING ONES AS WELL. THROUGH OUR NEW DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING HOW WE COMMUNICATE WITH RESIDENTS, AND HOW WE INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN DECISIONS THAT AFFECT OUR LIVES, BECAUSE YOU SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT WONDERING WHAT YOUR CITY GOVERNMENT IS DOING AND WHY. BUT REBUILDING IS MORE THAN JUST WORDS, IT SHOWS UP IN PLACES WE CAN MEASURE. IN 2025, IT TOOK THE CITY UP TO 120 DAYS TO FILL AN OPEN POSITION, TODAY THAT NUMBER IS JUST 83 DAYS. A DEDICATED RECRUITER JOINED THIS SPRING AND IN JUST TWO MONTHS, SHE HELPED FILL NEARLY A THIRD OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS. THAT'S NOT A SMALL THING. EVERY DAY A POSITION IS VACANT, IS A DAY A RESIDENT DOES NOT GET THE SERVICE THEY DESERVE. OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AT 97% STAFFING, WITH 23 NEW OFFICERS ON BORDED IN THIS PERIOD AND ZERO DETENTION VACANCIES, BECAUSE OF THAT INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT IS DOWN 41% COMPARED TO OUR FIVE YEAR AVERAGE. OFFICERS ARE ARRIVING AT CALLS, 14 TO 17% FASTER THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO AND WHEN WE ASKED RESIDENTS TO RATE THE ROW LET POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY GAVE IT A 4.55 OUT OF FIVE. STRONG STAFFING, FASTER RESPONSE, LESS CRIME. THAT IS WHAT A WELL RUN ORGANIZATION LOOKS LIKE. AND WE'RE NOT FINISHED BUILDING YET. THANKFULLY, THE FOUNDATION IS SOLID AND THE PEOPLE WHO SERVE THIS CITY EVERY DAY DESERVE TO HAVE THAT SAID OUT LOUD. NOW I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN SEE OUT YOUR WINDOW, BECAUSE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS A CITY CAN DO IS FOLLOW THROUGH, NOT ANNOUNCE OR PROMISE WITH WORDS, BUT ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH. LET'S START WITH MILLER ROAD. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. ON JUNE 25TH, WE -- I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT WENT INTO EXPEDITING THIS PROJECT AND DOING IT RIGHT MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO WAITED AND WONDERED IF WE WOULD GET IT DONE, WE DID. WHILE WE'RE STILL A FEW YEARS AWAY FROM MAKING A FOUR LANE EXPANSIONHA REALITY, THIS WAS A HUGE FIRST STEP TO ENSURE MILLER ROAD REMAINS A SAFE AND EFFICIENT THOROUGHFARE. AND IN ADDITION FIVE STATION NUMBER 5 IS NOW OPEN AND RESPONDING TO CALLS. WHEN AN EMERGENCY HAPPENS IN ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PART OF OUR CITY HELP IS CLOSER, AND THAT MATTERS. LAST YEAR WE INSTALLED 284 SOLAR STREET LIGHT ALONG STATE HIGHWAY 66, AND ROWLETT ROAD. THIS WAS A VOTER APPROVED PROJECT, AND WE COMMITTED TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY. AND WE SET A GUINNESS WORLD MADE PEOPLE SAFER FOR PEOPLE WHO DRIVE ON THEM EVERY NIGHT. FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE LIVED WITH PROBLEMS IN PARTS OF THE CITY. I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS DIRECTLY. WE ACTED. WE LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE ABATEMENT PROGRAM, APPROVED 15 LIFT STATIONS AND IMPLEMENTED IF YOU NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, THAT'S BECAUSE YOUR CITY IS FOLLOWING THROUGH ON SOMETHING YOU TOLD US NEEDED TO CHANGE. WE'RE MAKING REAL PROGRESS ON FLOODING ISSUES, PRIORITY AREAS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED, SMALLER SCALE MITIGATION PROJECTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY AND WE'RE SCOPING A LONG TERM DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN SO WE ADDRESS THIS COMPREHENSIVELY, NOT JUST PIECE BY PIECE AND WE HAVE SEVERAL IMPORTANT PROJECTS UNDERWAY, A MAJOR INITIATIVE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN UPGRADING OUR TRAFFIC SIGNALS, OUR TRAFFIC SIGNAL REPLACEMENTS ARE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND THERE'S A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN TRAFFIC FLOWS RESULTING FROM ENHANCED SIGNAL TIMING, THE MERRITT ROAD INTERCONNECTOR, A HUGE PROJECT THAT STARTED IN 2026 IS NOW IN FINAL -- 2016 IS IN FINAL ENGINEERING, AND BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING AND BUILDING, WE HAVE CONCRETE PANEL REPLACEMENT CREWS ACROSS THE CITY TO ENSURE WE'RE MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS. EVERY ONE OF THESE PROJECTS IS IT A COMMITMENT KEPT. PROJECTED PLANNED FOR, BOND DOLLARS VOTED FOR, AND WORK YOU EXPECT. WE'RE COMMITTED TO GETTING IT DONE. ROWLETT IS GROWING AS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS. THE LAKE VIEW BUSINESS DISTRICT HAS COMPLETED LEASING ON PHASE 1 ON WHAT WILL BECOME A MASTER PLAN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS PARK. THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THIS COMMUNITY OVER TIME. AND CONSTRUCTION PERMITS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR NEW COURTYARD RESIDENTS INNS BY MARRIOTT AT SUNSET BRINGING APPROXIMATELY 200 HOTEL ROOMS TO ROWLETT. THAT'S NOT JUST ECONOMIC GROWTH, THAT'S CONFIDENCE IN OUR CITY'S FUTURE. AND WE'RE NOT BUILDING THIS CITY [00:45:02] ALONE. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DART HAS TURNED A REAL CORNER. WE'VE REACHED AN AGREEMENT THAT ALLOWS THE CITY TO USE DART'S DOWNTOWN LOT FOR PARKING, OPENING MORE ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS COMING TO MAIN STREET. WE'RE ALSO FINALIZING TWO SIGNIFICANT GRANT PROGRAMS TOGETHER, THAT WILL BRING MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT INTO OUR COMMUNITY. THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ROWLETT AND DART IS MORE PRODUCTIVE TODAY THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. WE'RE ALSO GROWING OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ENHANCE OURABLE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES AND RETAIN THOSE THAT ALREADY CALL ROWLETT HOME AND WE CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ROWLETT AREA CHAMBER, BECAUSE PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THOSE SERVE ALL OF US WELL. WE'RE COMMITTED TO ENSURING ROWLETT IS A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS AND IT STARTS FOR BUILDING THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED. THIS COMMUNITY ALSO SHOWED UP THIS PAST YEAR, IN A BIG WAY. MORE THAN 121,000 ATTENDED CITY EVENTS IN 2025, THAT'S 32% MORE THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. YOU CAME OUT TO MAIN STREET WITH YOUR FAMILIES, YOU FILLED OUR PARKS, YOU SUPPORTED OUR DOWNTOWN, AND THE BUSINESSES ON MAIN STREET FELT IT. THEY REPORTED SALES INCREASES OF 30 TO 300% DURING OUR EVENT PROGRAMMING. THAT IS NOT CITY GOVERNMENT DOING THAT, THAT IS YOU. US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKED ROWLETT NUMBER 83 IN THE NATION, AND NUMBER 26 IN TEXAS FOR BEST PLACES TO LIVE. I'M PROUD OF THAT RANKING, BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IT REFLECTS, REFLECTS NEIGHBOURS WHO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO SHOW UP. AND IT REFLECTS FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE TO PUT DOWN ROOTS HERE AND STAY. AND I WANT TO MENTION SOMETHING, THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS MAKE THE HEADLINES, THIS YEAR OUR ANIMAL SERVICES TEAM TOOK IN 300 ANIMALS. THEY FOUND HOMES FOR 186 OF THEM, AND TRANSFERRED 55 MORE TO RESCUE PARTNERS. THAT LIVE OUTCOME RATE REFLECTS A COMMUNITY THAT CARES ABOUT EVERY LIVING THING IF IT. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ADOPTED FOSTERED OR VOLUNTEERED. EVERYTHING I'VE SHARED IS EVIDENCE OF ONE THING, THIS CITY CAN DO THE WORK. WHEN WE ARE ORGANIZED, WHEN WE ARE HONEST, AND WHEN WE ARE LISTENING, ROWLETT DELIVERS. SO LET ME TELL YOU WHAT'S COMING NEXT, BECAUSE THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK IS STILL AHEAD. EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE CONDUCTED THE FIRST CITY WIDE COMMUNITY SURVEY IN OVER 15 YEARS, 754 ROWLETT RESIDENTS RESPONDED, THAT LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION TELLS ME SOMETHING IMPORTANT, THIS COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE A PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT. THE RESULTS ARE IN, AND I'M GOING TO BE STRAIGHT WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY. RESIDENTS GIVE THE CITY LOW MARKS ON HOW WELL WE COMMUNICATE. LOW MARKS ON HOW MEANINGFULLY WE INVOLVE YOU IN DECISIONS, AND LOW MARKS ON THE CONDITION OF OUR STREETS, AND THE APPEARANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY, THOSE ARE NOT MINOR CRITIQUES, THOSE ARE RESIDENTS TELLING THEIR CITY GOVERNMENT THAT IT'S NOT SHOWING UP THE WAY IT SHOULD. WE'RE NOT GOING TO DISPUTE THAT. WE'RE NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN IT AWAY. WE ARE GOING TO SHARE EVERY RESULT PUBLICLY, HOLD COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS AND LET WHAT YOU TOLD US DRIVE WHAT WE DO NEXT OF WE'LL SHARE MORE DETAILS ON HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. ON THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX I WANT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY. THAT PROGRAM BECAME A SYMBOL OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CITY MOVES WITHOUT ITS COMMUNITY. A DECISION WAS BEING MADE THAT WOULD AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES AND RESIDENTS WERE NOT MEANINGFULLY PART OF MAKING IT. THE COMMUNITY PUSHED BACK, AND WE LISTENED.% WE STOPPED. WE RESET. AND WE'RE STARTING THIS PROCESS OVER THE RIGHT WAY, WITH YOUR INPUT AT THE CENTRE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, SO I'M ASKING YOU, PLEASE, COME TO THE MEETINGS, TELL US WHAT YOU THINK, THIS DECISION BELONGS TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE MEAN THAT. WE'RE ALSO LAUNCHING A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, THE FIRST SINCE 2018. IT STARTS WITH THE SURVEY RESULTS, IT RUNS THROUGH COMMUNITY INPUT AND IT SETS A CLEAR COURSE FOR WHERE ROWLETT IS HEADED OVER THE NEXT DECADE. EVERY RESIDENT WHO PARTICIPATES HELPS SHAPE THAT PLAN. AND I WANT TO PLANT A FLAG ON SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD ALL START LOOKING FORWARD TO. ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2017, THE CITY OF ROWLETT TURNS 75. OUR DIAMOND JUBILEE. 75 YEARS, FROM A SMALL COMMUNITY ON THE EDGE OF THE LAKE TO ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE CITIES IN TEXAS, THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE CELEBRATING. AND WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE IT IN A WAY THAT DOES JUSTICE TO EVERYONE WHO BUILT THIS PLACE, START WATCHING FOR IT. THIS ADDRESS STARTED WITH A PROMISE, THAT SOMETHING HAS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED IN THIS CITY. WHAT HAS CHANGED IS NOT JUST THE PROJECTS WE COMPLETED OR THE POSITIONS WE'VE BUILT, WHAT HAS CHANGED IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. WE ARE LISTENING, WE ARE FOLLOWING THROUGH, AND WE ARE ASKING YOU STAY IN THIS WITH US. SHOW UP TO THE COMMUNITY FORUMS, WEIGH IN ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND COME TO THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX MEETINGS, ATTEND THE EVENTS, SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES ON MAIN STREET, AND THROUGHOUT% OUR CITY. [00:50:01] CHECK IN ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS, BECAUSE CITY GOVERNMENT ALONE DOESN'T MAKE ROWLETT WHAT IT IS. THE PEOPLE OF ROWLETT DO. 75 YEARS AGO PEOPLE BUILT A COMMUNITY HERE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN WHAT ROWLETT COULD BECOME. OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO LEAVE IT STRONGER THAN WE FOUND IT. NOT ONLY WITH BETTER ROADS, SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS, AND STRONGER CITY SERVICES, BUT WITH GREATER TRUST, BETWEEN A COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT SERVES IT. THAT WORK BELONGS TO ALL OF US, I'M HONOURED TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, AND I BELIEVE THE BEST CHAPTER OF OUR CITY'S STORY IS STILL AHEAD. LET'S WRITE IT TOGETHER, ROWLETT APPRECIATE THE APPLAUSE, BUT, IT'S REALLY OWED TO MY COLLEAGUES HERE THAT ARE NEXT TO ME, THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK, AS WELL AS OUR CITY STAFF, AND I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE I ACKNOWLEDGE THE TEAM THAT HELPED PUT TOGETHER THE STATE OF THE CITY VIDEO, WHICH IS OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM AND WE HAVE OUR DIRECTOR MALCOLM, WHO I THINK IS -- YEAH, HE'S BACK THERE WAVING, HE DID A PHENOMENAL JOB. I ALSO HAD KAITLYN IN THE STUDIO TOGETHER, I APPRECIATE THEIR INPUT AND VALUE THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THE VIDEO, AND AS WELL AS THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IN ENHANCING OUR COMMUNICATIONS, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING ON DRIVING THAT COMMUNICATIONS EFFORT, IT STARTS WITH THAT TEAM. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEM, AND ALL OF OUR CITY STAFF WHO WORK SO HARD EVERY DAY. [2.E. Update from the City Council and Management: Financial Position, Major Projects, Operational Issues, Upcoming Dates of Interest and Items of Community Interest. ] ALL RIGHT, NEXT WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 2E, UPDATE FROM CITY COUNCIL AND MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL POSITION, MAJOR PROJECTS AND MAKING THAT PRESENTATION IS MR. CARTER HOLSTON. >> THANK YOU MAYOR, BECAUSE OF MY AGE, THE MAYOR CUT THE ANNOUNCEMENTS DOWN TO ONE PAGE. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR STAYING FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENTS, I APPRECIATE THAT. FROM OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, FIREWORKS ON MAIN, ONCE AGAIN, BROUGHT OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS, AND VISITORS ENJOYED THE LIVE MUSIC, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, FOOD VENDORS, AND SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY AS ROWLETT CELEBRATED OUR NATION'S BIRTHDAY TOGETHER. THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL, SPONSORS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS SIGNATURE EVENT AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. NEXT, RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO THE UPCOMING MERRITT ROAD INTERCONNECTOR PUBLIC MEETING TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY JULY 8, THIS MEETING PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW ENVIRONMENTAL FININGS, ENGINEERING PLANS AND PROJECT DETAILS, ASK QUESTIONS AND SHARE FEEDBACK AS THE PROJECT MOVES THROUGH THE FEDERAL REVIEW PROCESS. A VIRTUAL PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 5, FOLLOWED BY AN IN PERSON OPEN HOUSE FROM 6 TO 8 AT THE ROWLETT COMMUNITY CENTRE, WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH JULY 23RD. AND FROM OUR LIBRARY, IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE LIBRARY'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE. TO EARN TICKETS FOR GRAND PRIZE DRAWINGS, LIKE A KINDLE FIRE, A TONY BOX, WHATEVER THAT IS AND A JUNIOR PALEONTOLOGIST PACKAGE, THE LIBRARY HAS A SPECIAL WEEKLY PRIZE DRAWING FOR AN AMERICAN FLAG ALONG WITH A SCAVENGER HUNT OF HISTORIC AMERICANS. AN ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST FEATURING PHOTOS TAKEN IN ROWLETT FOR THE PAST YEAR, VISIT ROWLETT .COM/ PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE ENTRY FORM, AND COMPLETE CONTEST RULES. PHOTO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON JULY 7 AND 8. AND FOR ALL OF US SINGERS, ROWLETT SINGS RETURNS ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29TH WITH A CHANCE TO WIN $200. TO ENTER THE CONTEST, SUBMIT A VIDEO OF YOURSELF SINGING BEFORE AUGUST 8TH. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VISIT ROWLETT.COM, ROWLETT SINGS FOR AN ENTRY FORM AND CONTEST DETAILS. FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FIFTH WOMEN'S SAFETY COURSE BEGINS TUESDAY JULY 14. THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 4 P.M. [00:55:02] THURSDAY JULY 9. APPLICATIONS MAY BE REQUESTED BY CONTACTING OFFICER ERIC MITCHELL AT E MITCHELL @ROWLETT.COM THE COURSE SCHEDULE, JULY 14, 1 TO 3, GENERAL SAFETY AND LAW KNOWLEDGE, THURSDAY JULY 16, CRIME PREVENTION, SCAMS, AND DATING SAFETY, TUESDAY, JULY 21, FROM 1 TO 3, BASIC SELF-DEFENCE, THE DATE MAY CHANGE TO TUESDAY JULY 28, THURSDAY JULY 23RD, 1 TO 3, 8 BEST HAND GUNS FOR WOMEN, WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 8 TO 11 IS RANGE DAY. THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO INVITES COMMUNITY TO BREW WITH THE BLUE, THAT'S COFFEE BREW WITH THE BLUE, FROM 8:30 TO 9:30 A.M. SATURDAY JULY 25TH AT THE VILLAGE COFFEE ALTARA AT 4113 MANE STREET. RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO STOP BY AND ENJOY A CUP OF COFFEE AND VISIT WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MR. HOLSTON, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN UPDATE FROM MR. FASSETT. >> WELL, I THINK IT'S GETTING READY TO COME UP, THERE IT IS, THAT'S ESPRESSO, ESPRESSO IS A 1-YEAR-OLD MEDIUM SIZED FEMALE WHO IS WAITING FOR HER FOREVER SOULMATE. ESPRESSO IS A BIT SHY AT FIRST, BUT ONCE YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO HER, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK, AND SHE WILL EXPRESS HER UNWAVERING LOVE THAT YOU SIMPLY CANNOT TURN DOWN. SHE'S LOOK FOG ARE A HOME WHERE HER SWEET AND GENTLE PERSONALITY CAN REALLY SHINE AND THERE'S A BONUS WITH HER. SHE IS AN AMAZING WALKER. WATCH THE PLAY ON WORDS -- AMAZING, AN AMAZING WALKER, SO NO SPILLED ESPRESSO ON YOUR MORNING WALKS, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO KICK START YOUR DAY OFF WITH, CONSIDER GIVING ESPRESSO A SHOT OR A SHOT OF ESPRESSO. AN UPDATE SLIDE, SO SOMEBODY HAS TO GO UP THERE QUICKLY AND GET ESPRESSO. AND THIS ONE IS AN UPDATE, AFTER OVER A YEAR, NOW, AND THE WAY THEY TAUGHT THEM IS HAPPY TAILS UPDATE, WHICH I LIKE, AFTER OVER A YEAR AND SOME TRIALS, WE'RE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT KATY HAS FOUND HER FOREVER FAMILY, AND HAS NOT STOPPED SMILING, AS YOU CAN SEE, OR WAGGING HER TAIL. YOU TOO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, EVEN IF ADOPTION IS NOT AN OPTION FOR YOU, FOSTERING IS A POWERFUL WAY TO HELP SHELTER A DOG IN NEED. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU, SIR. COUNCIL, ANY OTHER UPDATES TO SHARE? [3. Citizens’ Input ] ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 3, CITIZEN'S INPUT. COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AUDIENCE ON ANY TOPIC. NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE COUNCIL DURING CITIZEN'S INPUT. OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS EVENING WILL BE DAVE HOLE, FOLLOWED BY JOSH. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES, AND YOU CAN PULL THE MIC BACK TOWARDS YOU, PLEASE. >> ROW LET HAS FAILED TO MANAGE PET APPOINT PARK IN A SAFE MANNER, YOU ALLOW UNSAFE ACTIVITIES AT PADDLE POINT PARK AND IT'S UP TO THE GAME WARDENS TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESSES, EXHIBIT 1 SHOWS THE DALLAS MARINE UNIT RETURNING RESCUED SUP VICTIMS TO PADDLE POINT PARK. EXHIBIT 2 SHOWS THE GAME WARDENS DEALING WITH VIOLATORS AT PADDLE POINT PARK. ALL OCCURRING IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE JULY 4TH, 2026 HOLIDAY. THE DALLAS ROWLETT REQUIRES ROWLETT TO ENFORCE PARTS OF THE DALLAS CITY CODE, PLEASE SEE EXHIBIT 3. THE SECTION HIGHLIGHTED IN RED, THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR COMPLY, SO I ASKED THE RPD TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW AND ISSUE AN OPINION. EXHIBIT 3 SHOWS THAT ROWLETT NOW REALIZES THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE THE DALLAS ORDINANCES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN UNORGANIZED AND CONFUSING EXERCISE TO OBTAIN THE FACTS, IT'S POSSIBLE THE CITY ATTORNEY GAVE INCORRECT PRIOR ADVICE TO THE ROWLETT POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH THIS MATTER. I ASKED THIS QUESTION AND WAS TOLD TO SUBMIT AN OPEN RECORD REQUEST FOR THE INFORMATION, AS A RESULT I SUBMITTED AN OPEN RECORD REQUEST FOR THE INFORMATION. THE CITY ATTORNEY HAS SAID THIS INFORMATION IS COVERED BY ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE. [01:00:02] WHO IS THE CITY ATTORNEY WORKING FOR? OBVIOUSLY NOT THE RESIDENTS, MORE LIKELY THE ROWLETT POLICE, THE CLIENT. WHO POSSIBLY BOTH HAVE JOINTLY FAILED TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY. RELATED TO THIS MATTER IS EXHIBIT 4, THE LETTER FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING MY OPEN RECORD REQUEST. I AM THE REQUESTER OF INFORMATION, BUT IN THIS LETTER, AN ASHLEY MICHAEL IS IDENTIFIED AS THE REQUESTER, WITH THE WRONG DATE ON MARCH 23RD, 2026. IS THIS A FORM LETTER OUR CITY ATTORNEY USES? AND JUST UPDATES THE DATE AND REQUESTER? IF SO, THIS IS SLOPPY WORK, HOW MANY BILLABLE HOURS WERE WE CHARGED FOR THIS LEGAL ADVICE, THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOSH LEBINSKI, FOLLOWED BY LES CAROL. >> HELLO, EVERYBODY, I WAS HOPING TO FOLLOW LES, BUT I'LL JUMP UP HERE. SO I'M HERE TONIGHT TO DISCUSS FLOP CAMERAS, WHICH ARE ALWAYS SUPER FUN TO TALK ABOUT. I AM A CYBER SECURITY ENGINEER, AND I SERVED MY COUNTRY IN THE ARMY, AS FIRST A CRYPTOLOGIC WARFARE SPECIALIST AND A CYBER OPERATIONS SPECIALIST, WHENEVER WE STOOD UP THE CYBER BRANCH IN 2015 AND I'VE BEEN IN THE FEEL FIELD ABOUT 15 YEARS NOW. I DON'T COME TO TALK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF PLOT CAMERAS OR THE PRIVACY, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL DISCUSS THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES, BUT I DO WANT TO EXPRESS CONCERN FROM A CYBER SECURITY PERSPECTIVE FOR THESE DEVICES, AND I THINK I'M UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT IT IN THIS COMMUNITY. SO THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THESE DEVICES BEING COMPROMISED IN REALLY SIMPLISTIC WAYS THAT ARE CONCERNING. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT FORUM TO GET INTO SPECIFIC HAPPENED AND HOW IT'S DONE, BUT, MR. MAYOR, YOU AND I HAVE HAD A DIALOGUE BEFORE, AS IT RELATES TO RETAINING WALLS, AND I WOULD INVITE YOU TO HAVE THAT DIALOGUE WITH ME AGAIN AS IT RELATES TO CIDER SECURITY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET INTO SPECIFICS, AND ANYONE ON THE COUNCIL AS WELL, I'D LOVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, BUT THE WAY WE ANALYZE RISK IN THE CYBER SECURITY COMMUNITY IS IN TERMS OF VULNERABILITY, AND ATTACK SURFACE, AND MANY RESPECTED RESEARCHERS AND AUDITORS IN THE FIELD HAVE FOUND LOTS OF VULNERABILITIES IN THESE CAMERAS THAT ARE NOT BEING ASSESSED TO THE STANDARD THAT THEY SHOULD BE FOR THE SENSITIVITY OF THE DATA THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO. THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME AND GIVEN THE RECENT HIGHLIGHTS AND THE MEDIA OF DIFFERENT CITIZENS CONCERNS WITH THESE CAMERAS, THE ATTACK SURFACE IS HUGE, SO THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN INSTANCES OF POLICE OFFICERS CREDENTIALS BEING LEAKED ON RUSSIAN CYBER SECURITY FORUMS, AND BEING SOLD, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UTILIZE THESE IN MALICIOUS WAYS, AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING TO ME AS WELL. AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT IT CREATES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL BURDEN ON OUR CITY, SO THEY'RE EXPENSIVE, AS IT IS, BUT ALSO THIS PUBLIC SCRUTINY BRINGS VANDALISM, AND ALL OTHER SORTS OF TYPES OF DAMAGE THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THESE CAMERAS THAT WILL BE AT THE TAXPAYER'S DIME TO ADDRESS. >> MAYOR WINGET: ALL RIGHT, SIR, I'M SORRY YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE LES CARROLL, FOLLOWED BY RON MANS. AND LES, I APOLOGIZE FOR GIVING YOU WORK TO DO, BUT THERE'S A LITTLE TIMER BOX ON THE TABLE, IF YOU CAN -- PERFECT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THAT GOT MOVED AT SOME POINT. >> A LOT MORE HELPFUL. >> MY NAME IS LES CARROLL, I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ROWLETT FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR EXPEDITING THE SEWER SMELL ISSUE, THAT WAS MY REASON FOR COMING OUT HERE THE FIRST TIME. ALL RIGHT, ROWLETT, WE ARE BEING WATCHED. THERE IS A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING AMONGST US. [01:05:01] LET ME QUOTE GEORGE MASON, ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, HE WARNED IN 1776 THAT GENERAL WARRANTS, SEARCHES OF PEOPLE NOT NAMED AND OFFENSES NOT DESCRIBED ARE GRIEVOUS AND OPPRESSIVE, AND OUR CITY IS DOING THAT BY HIRING A PRIVATE COMPANY TO CREATE A PERMANENT RECORD OF EVERY RESIDENT'S MOVEMENTS. WE SHOULD NOT SURRENDER OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT FOUND A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR WILLING TO DO THE TRACKING FOR THEM. IN LATE 202, ROWLETT INSTALLED A NETWORK OF FLOC SAFETY CAMERAS THAT PHOTOGRAPH EVERY VEHICLE THAT PASSES AND PEOPLE NEAR THEM. THEY DON'T JUST READ LICENSE PLATES, THEY CAPTURE IMAGES OF INDIVIDUALS, TRACK MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND USE AI TO FLAG WHAT ALGORITHM CALLS SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOUR. THERE ARE ALREADY 22 CAMERAS AND CITY LEADERS SAY THEY WANT 32 MORE, THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT MASS LOCATION TRACKING, EVEN WHEN THE GOVERNMENT GOES THROUGH A PRIVATE COMPANY IS A SEARCH THAT REQUIRES CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS, OUR CITY IS RUNNING THE DIGITAL VERSION OF POSTING AN OFFICER AT EVERY INTERSECTION TO RECORD EVERY PLATE AND EVERY PERSON WHO PASSES 24 HOURS A DAY. AND HOW WAS THIS APPROVED, MOSTLY THROUGH CONSENT AGENDA WITH ALMOST NO DISCUSSION. THE FULL CONTRACT IS STILL HIDDEN FROM US. THE EXACT CAMERA LOCATIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN RELEASED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S OWN POLICY 427, THE RULES THEY CALL ROBUST, HAS NOT BEEN POSTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE LIKE EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT POLICY, SO FAR, WE HAVE SPENT OVER 218,000 ON THIS PROGRAM. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE RUNNING TOTAL WILL EXCEED 253,000, ONCE THEY EXPAND, WE'LL BE PAYING 130 TO 150,000 DOLLARS, EVERY SINGLE YEAR, FOREVER. THAT IS YOUR MONEY, AND CIVIL RIGHTS TAKEN WITH ALMOST NO OVERSIGHT. THAT IS NOT HOW A FREE PEOPLE GOVERN THEMSELVES, THIS IS HOW SURVEILLANCE STATES ARE BUILT, ONE QUIET CONSENT AGENDA AT A TIME. WHAT DO WE DO? WE SHOW UP, DEMAND THE FULL CONTRACT, AND WE DEMAND THE CAMERA LOCATIONS, AND WE DEMAND POLICY 427, AND WE TELL CITY COUNCIL IF YOU CANNOT JUSTIFY MASS SURVEILLANCE OF YOUR OWN RESIDENTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, THEN TURN THE CAMERAS OFF FOR GOOD. ROWLETT IS OUR HOME, OUR PRIVACY IS NOT FOR SALE, AND OUR RIGHT TO MOVE FREELY, WITHOUT BEING LOGGED AND TRACKED BY THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE. GET A WARRANT. THANK YOU SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS RON MANS. FOLLOWED BY MARGIE MANS. RON MANS, YOU'RE NEXT. YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU, I'M RON MANS, FROM ROWLETT. I LIVE IN THE LAKE BEND ESTATES AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE WALL BUT NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WALL, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FIREWORKS THROUGHOUT AND ACROSS ROWLETT. SO THIS LAST SATURDAY WAS JULY 4TH, AND I'M SURE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME, I WAS HAVING A GREAT TIME AT HOME, WITH MARGIE, AND MY FAMILY, WE WERE -- IT WAS ABOUT 8:45, AND THERE WAS AN ENORMOUS BOOM, THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CANNONBALL HIT MY HOUSE. AND I WAS -- WE ALL PANICKED AND WENT OH, MY GOD. THERE'S BEEN SHOOTINGS IN MY NAY BORE HOOD, SO THE IMMEDIATE PANIC WAS MAYBE SOMEBODY IS TRYING TO KILL US. WE HAVE A PANIC REACTION, WE GO OUTSIDE AND WE START LOOKING AND SURE ENOUGH A NEIGHBOUR ACROSS THE STREET IS LAUNCHING FULL SCALE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. WE HIT SMOLDERING PIECES HIT OUR HOUSES AND YARDS, AND THE FIREWORKS WERE CREATING A HAZARD, AND I WENT AND CALLED THE POLICE AT 8:52, AND WE WERE IMMEDIATELY THANKED FOR OUR TIME, AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO TRY, BUT THEN WE WERE DIRECTED TO THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER, AND WE THEN PROCEEDED OVER THE COURSE OF THE EVENING TO RECEIVE FOUR APOLOGIES, TEXT APOLOGIES FOR THE INABILITY TO RESPOND, BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH OF THIS GOING ON IN ROWLETT, I SUPPOSE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT -- WHERE THE RESPONSES WERE GOING, BUT NO ONE HAD TIME AND% IF YOU WENT OUTSIDE, YOU HEARD FIREWORKS ALL OVER THE CITY, WHEN I DROVE AROUND LATER, I SAW ROMAN CANDLES, AND EXPLOSIONS, AND IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS JUST ESSENTIALLY LAWLESS ABANDON FOR THE FIREWORKS THAT WERE GOING ON. FOR 13 YEARS WE LIVED WITH A DOG THAT HAD EXTREME ANXIETY, I [01:10:03] THINK THIS WOULD HAVE KILLED HER. OUR DOGS THAT HAVE NEVER -- WE HAVE THREE AND A HALF-YEAR-OLD DOGS, NEVER HAD ANY ANXIETY, THEY WERE FEARFUL THAT NIGHT, SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT YOU GUYS LOOK INTO THIS, AND I'M THINKING INCREASED RESPONSE STAFF FOR JULY 4TH, AND OF COURSE, FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE, GET MORE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKER, AND AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THIS IS ILLEGAL, AND UNACCEPTABLE IN ROWLETT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS MARGIE MANS, FOLLOWED BY DENISE OJOUIE. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARGIE MANS, I LIVE IN ROWLETT, THE LAKE BEND STATES, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LAKE BEND ESTATES, UGLY WALL, THE WALL IS UGLY, IT'S STILL UGLY, AND I SEE A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE HERE, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, BUT I'VE HAD SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF THINGS GO ON, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE NEW PEOPLE HERE AND I'M GLAD AND UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE NEW PEOPLE ARE HERE, THAT MAY BE THAT THAT'S WHY OUR WALL HAS NOT BEEN REBILL. IT'S TIME, IT'S TIME TO DO IT. WE BELIEVE IN YOU, I BELIEVE IN THIS NEW STAFF. COME ON, LET'S DO IT. TODAY. OKAY. LET'S DO THIS. WE WERE PROMISED A NEW WALL, AND IT'S TIME. LIKE, MAYOR WINGET SAID, LET'S MAKE ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL, LET'S PUT US IN THAT PERCENTAGE OF MAKING ROWLETT BEAUTIFUL. HELLO, I KNOW YOU. YOU USED TO SIT OVER THERE AND NOW YOU'RE SITTING THERE. YEAH. OKAY. RIGHT. LET'S DO THIS, RIGHT KEPT, OKAY, AND OH, GOD, LOOK AT YOU, ON THE UGLY WALL -- I'M THE UGLY WALL, AND RON IS THE PRETTY WALL, SEE, YEAH. OKAY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY, I BELIEVE IN YOU, AND I BELIEVE IN EVERYBODY, LET'S DO IT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MA'AM. ALL RIGHT -- >> BUILD THAT WALL. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MARGIE, OUR NEXT SPEAKER, DENISE, FOLLOWED BY OSAN. >> DENISE, ROWLETT TEXAS. THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION FAILED TO ENFORCE 66.02 CODE VIOLATIONS WHILE SOME REMAIN, SPENDING YEARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY CREATING ORDINANCE 1025 AS A BYPASS AHEAD. THIS TREATS OUR SAFETY AND PROPERTY VALUES DEPRIVING US OF EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER LAW. WE URGE THIS COUNCIL TO ENSURE FAIR ENFORCEMENT. THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, FORMALLY ADDRESSED FIRE AND DRAINAGE RISK, YET THIS ADMINISTRATION LABELLED THESE SAFETY CONCERNS A CIVIL DISPUTE ORDINANCE 1025, IGNORING THREE ACTIVE REMOVAL ORDERS, THIS RAISES A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION OF FAIRNESS WHY ANY OTHER RESIDENT RECEIVED THE SAME EXCEPTION. OVER 450 RESIDENTS PROPERLY OBTAINED THEIR PERMITS AND VALID STANDARD CITY GUIDELINES, IN CONTRAST, THIS PROPERTY REMAINED AN OPEN SHELL FOR 18 MONTHS CONFLICTING WITH STANDARD ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS IN ROWLETT CHAPTER 77, WE ASKED FOR A CLEAR DETERMINATION AS TO WHICH ADMINISTRATING OFFICIAL AUTHORIZED THE SUSPENSION OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ON ROOF DEMOLITION LACKING BOTH A PERMIT AND ENGINEERING REPORT. THE STRUCTURE USES PLASTIC PANELS BOLTED DIRECTLY TO A HOUSE AS EXTERIOR WALLS, THESE ARE NOT APPROVED STRUCTURE BUILDING MATERIALS FOR EXTENSIONS, ESPECIALLY WITHIN A ZERO SETBACK UNDER IRC SECTION R302.1, ZERO SETBACK LAWS REQUIRE A 1 HOUR FIRE RATING. WHICH THESE PANELS FAIL TO PROVIDE. THE SET UP CAUSES WATER RUNOFF, BREEDS PESTS, AND PREVENTS [01:15:02] MAINTENANCE WITHOUT ILLEGAL TRESPASSING. RECORDS KATE A CLAIM SENT TO CITY EMPLOYER STATING THE FIRE MARSHAL IDENTIFIED THEIR BRICK WALL AS A FIRE BREAK DESPITE OUR HOME BEING BRICK, BECAUSE THIS APPEARS INACCURATE I FORMALLY REQUEST THE FIRE MARSHAL PROVIDE THE SPECIFIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT IN WRITING, ON DECEMBR 31ST, 2026, THIS TEMPORARY ORDINANCE 01025 OFFICIALLY EXPIRES, THAT LEGAL SHIELD DROPS AND THE BUILDING INSTANTLY REVERTS TO WHAT IT TRULY IS, AN UNPERMITTED ZONING VIOLATION, RESIDENTS, INVESTIGATE THE ARCHIVES YOURSELF, LOOK AT THE TIMELINE AND DEMAND THIS COUNCIL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON DECEMBER 31ST, TO REMOVE IT, RATHER THAN LEAVING THE STRUCTURE -- ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON PROPERTY LINE AND OUR SIDE YARD WITH NO ALLEY. SETBACKS ARE THERE FOR A REASON. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AT THE EXTENT YOU HAVE GONE WHILE DENYING US EQUAL PROTECTIONS UNDER THE LAW. SOMETHING IS NOT ADDING UP, WE ASK RESIDENTS TO LOOK INTO THIS RABBIT HOLE THAT GOES DEEP. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, IS OSAN, FOLLOWED BY MIRANDA. >> I WAS LISTENING TO THE MAYOR ABOUT HIS SPEECH IN THE VIDEO, IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL, SO I'LL BE LOOKING IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD, AND WHAT I SEE, I SEE AN ILLEGAL SHACK THAT IS DUMPING WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS, FLOODING MY PROPERTY AND CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR ME, CAUSING FOUNDATION PROBLEMS, IT'S A FIRE HAZARD, PLASTIC, AND OFFICIAL BEEN TOLD THAT'S HIS BUILDING BRICKS, THAT'S HIS FIREWALL. WHAT I KNOW IS THE FIREWALL AND THAT SHACK AND THE EXTENDED BUILDING IS SUPPOSED TO BE CONTAINING THE FIRE INSIDE THAT BUILDING. SO ALL THE THREE AROUND SIDE SHOULD BE FIREWALLS, AND THE CEILING TOO, WHICH IT DOESN'T HAVE IT. THAT BUILDING HAS BEEN PASSED, GOD KNOWS HOW, THERE'S A LOT OF LONG FIGURES THAT MADE IT PAST, AND I KNOW -- AND EVERYTHING I SAID, THERE'S NO PRIVATE PERMITS, THERE'S NO INSPECTION, WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING, WE'RE BEING DENIED TO GIVE ANY LOOK AT ANY PERMITS, COUNCIL FOUGHT IT FOR ZERO SETBACK, NEVER HAVING ROWLETT BETWEEN A SIDE YARD AND HOUSE, ZERO FROM 5 FEET, TO ZERO SETBACK, ALSO THEY CHANGED THE ORDINANCE FROM 200 SQUARE FOOT TO 250, SO WE'LL COVER 6602 HIS BUILDINGS, IT'S 6602, TO MAKE THAT BUILDING PASS. THIS IS NOT FAIR. THIS IS THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IT HAS TO BE JUSTICE. WE HAVE RIGHTS, EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HE HAS. WHY NOT GET -- WE'RE TELL US DEAL WITH IT. I'M NOT GOING TO DEAL WITH IT. YOU STARTED, YOU DEAL WITH IT, FOR ALL THE COUNCIL TO START FRESH AND MAKE THE CITY RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS, YOU CAN'T BREACH -- YOU GOT TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. THIS IS BUILDING IS NOT STAYING THERE, IT'S CAUSING US A LOT OF TROUBLE. WE CAN'T TAKE IT, IT HAPPENED TO ME AND MY WIFE, AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO EVERYBODY ELSE, YOU CAN'T IS HAVE TWO SET OF RULES, CODE ENFORCEMENT, DOESN'T EVEN PROVIDE ANYTHING, HE HAS ELECTRIC, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD, PLASTIC FENCING, HAS A WALL, HE DOESN'T MATCH THE BUILDING, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CANNOT GET IN THERE, 3 FEET, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ALLEY, OUR LIFE MEANS SOMETHING, MY KIDS LIFE MEANS SOMETHING. MY WIFE'S LIFE MEANS SOMETHING, YOU CAN'T THROW US IN THERE, AND SAY, HEY, DEAL WITH IT, GO DO THIS, DO THAT, BEEN TOLD THE BRICK WALL IS THE FIREWALL. THIS IS INSANE. I KNOW WHAT THE FIREWALL IS SUPPOSED TO CONTAIN THAT FIRE INSIDE THE BUILDING. THIS CITY HAS TO DO SOMETHING GOOD, AND DO THE RIGHT THINGS IF IT'S GOING TO -- >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER MIRANDA FOLLOWED BY LAURA KALIL. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M A CITIZEN AND FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF SENSORY TEM PALS, AND MAYOR WINGET TONIGHT YOU SPOKE ABOUT LEAVING ROWLETT STRONGER THAN WE FOUND IT AND BUILDING GREATER TRUST BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT SERVES IT, AND ABOUT THE WORK BELONGING TO ALL OF US. I'VE BEEN SITTING WITH A STATISTIC I READ ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM LIVE WITH [01:20:03] CHRONIC LONELINESS, AND IT MADE ME THINK ABOUT WHERE THAT STARTS, THE PLAYGROUNDS THAT ARE NOT BUILT FOR EVERY CHILD, THE SPORTS TEAMS AND SUMMER PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE, THE THOUGHT OR THE BUDGET TO SUPPORT AND INCLUDE CHILDREN THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, AND THE COMMUNITY EVENTS ACROSS THE METRO PLEX, FAMILIES REFRAIN FROM ATTENDING, ALL BECAUSE THEIR CHILD HAS A DISABILITY. THESE CHILDREN WANT TO TAKE PART AND THEIR FAMILIES WANT TO BE INCLUDED AND THOUGHT OF AS PART OF THE PROCESS, NOT WATCHED FROM THE INTERNET, OR BE CONSIDERED AN AFTER THOUGHT. ROWLETT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLOSETA GAP, AND LEAD THIS ENTIRE METRO PLEX IN CLOSING IT. THAT'S WHAT SENSORY TEMP PALS HAVE BEEN BUILDING. ON JUNE 27 THE VISION BECAME A REALITY. IT WASN'T A CITY OF ROWLETT EVENT, BUT THE SWEET TASTE OF PRIDE WE SERVED 25 FAMILIES, AND THREE EMTS ON SIGHT, TOWARDS THE MSU TOLD US HOW MUCH THEY LOVED SEE IT THERE. ON JULY 4, WE SERVED 17 FAMILIES AND FIVE OF THEM ATTENDING AMAJOR EVENT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THEIR CHILDREN HAD BEEN BORN. SIMPLY BECAUSE THE MSU WAS THERE. AND BECAUSE FINALLY AN EVENT ACCOMMODATED THEIR FAMILY. AS THE MOTHER OF ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, I I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT AN AMAZING HONOR THAT IS FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT, TO HAVE A FAMILY GO TO THEIR FIREWORKS EVENT AS THEIR FIRST MAJOR OUTING WITH THEIR CHILD WITH AUTISM. THAT IMPRESSION WILL BECOME CORE MEMORYS FOR PEOPLE. BETWEEN THOSE TWO NIGHTS WE SERVED 42 FAMILIES AND WALKED AWAY WITH REQUESTS FOR PRIVATE BOOKINGS, AND OTHER CITY PARTNERSHIP REQUESTS AND FAMILY AFTER FAMILY ASKING WHERE WE'LL BE NEXT. I'M ASKING THE CITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE MOU THAT WAS APPROVED PENDING A FUNDING AGREEMENT AS THERE'S BEEN NO MOVEMENT SINCE THAT MEETING. THE MOBILE SENSORY UNIT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TWICE IN ROWLETT AND IT'S WORKING. WHAT IS LEFT IS FINISHING UP, THE BRANDING AND THE FINAL PIECES, WE'VE HAD FAMILIES ASK FOR OTHER CITY COUNCIL -- WE'VE HAD FAMILIES ASK FOR AND OTHER CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM OTHER CITIES INTERESTED IN OUR ATTENDANCE IN THE EVENTS SUCH AS GARLAND. ONCE THIS PROGRAM IS FINISHED, ROWLETT BECOMES THE CITY THAT MAKES THAT POSSIBLE, AND THE FOUNDATION OF THIS WHOLE PROGRAM STANDS ON. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SOMETHING INCREDIBLE HERE AND ROW LET HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE CITY THAT SET THOSE WHEELS IN MOTION. MAYOR, YOU SAID THE BEST CHAPTER OF ROWLETT'S STORY -- >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MA'AM. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS LAURA KAHLIL, FOLLOWED BY TAMARA HESS. >> HELLO, I'M HERE TO ADDRESS ALSO THE CHIEF OF POLICE, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ADDRESS. I WAS TRYING TO GET AHOLD OF YO- >> I NEED YOU TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL -- I NEED YOU TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL NOT A SINGLE MEMBER. >> I WAS HERE, BECAUSE I KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE HERE. MY NAME IS LAURA KALIL, AND I'M HERE TONIGHT FOR MORE THAN 35 DAYS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE MY CASE FEDERALLY REVIEWED, AND I HAVE REACHED A DEAD END. I'VE DONE SOMETHING NOT SMART ON JUNE 2ND, I LAID A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN MY BACK YARD TO DRY. IT GOT DAMP A LITTLE BIT AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT, AND I PUT IT OUTSIDE IN MY BACK YARD, AND I FORGOT ABOUT IT, AND I WENT IN, AND THERE IS A BRIEF TIME OF WIND CAME AND BLEW MY MONEY FROM MY BACK YARD INTO THE FRONT Y YARD. AND IT REACHED MY ADJACENT NEIGHBOUR AND SOME ON THE STREET, SO THE MONEY WAS BLOWING EVERYWHERE, BUT IT WAS KIND OF ALMOST ONE DIRECTION. I -- WHAT WE GOT, FIRST OF ALL, THOSE NEIGHBOURS, COLLECTED THE MONEY, THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME AND THEY DID NOT CALL THE POLICE, IT'S A CHUNK -- ALMOST 34,000, AND THEY DID NOT CALL THE POLICE, AND THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME, UNTIL I LOOKED IN THE MORNING, AND I LOOKED ON MY VIDEOS, IF I DID NOT HAVE THE VIDEOS, I COULDN'T KNOWN WHO PICKED THE MONEY AND OF COURSE, I WAS PANICKING, IN THE MORNING, I CALLED THE POLICE AND REPORTED TO THEM AND LATER ON I GIVE THEM THE VIDEOS, THE AUDIOS, PHOTOS, [01:25:04] AND EVERYTHING TO PROVE THAT HOW MUCH I STARTED WITH, AND WHO PICKED EXACTLY THE MONEY, AND THEY WERE SILENT ABOUT IT. AND I STUDIED THE CODE, 31.03, PENAL CODE, AND THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF THIS CODE, THEY BROKE IT, AND NONE OF THEM WAS DONE CORRECTLY. NONE OF THEM CAME TO THE POLICE, THEY EXPLOITED IT, SOME HALF, AND OTHER HALF, SO THEY WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH MY MONEY. AND THE POLICE KNOWS THAT, AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT I DISCOVER IS THAT ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBOURS, THAT THEY TOOK -- THEY PICKED UP THE MONEY -- >> MAYOR WINGET: I'M SORRY, MA'AM, YOUR TIME HAS EXPIRED. >> ANYWAY, I NEED TO TALK TO THE CHIEF. ABSOLUTELY, AS YOU MENTIONED HE'S IN THE BACK CORNER OF THE ROOM, AND I'M SURE HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAMARA HESS, FOLLOWED BY SHANNON VANDAL. >> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FROM MY CASUAL APPAREL, AS I'M COMING STRAIGHT FROM PHYSICAL THERAPY, SECOND WELL DONE AT THE EVENT. I'M FRUSTRATED THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME IN TEN MONTHS I'VE CHOSEN TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC AS I HAVE A PHOBIA OF IT. HERE I AM DOING MY BEST TO SUPPORT MY NEIGHBOURS WHO CONTINUE TO SHOW UP. PATRICK AND SHANNON VANDAL, ALLAN AND SYLVIA HOGAN HAVE BEEN COMING FOR OVER 14 MONTHS, EVERY MEETING VOICING FOR ALL OF LAKE BEND ESTATES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS WE'RE STILL HERE AND DISHEARTENING WE ACTUALLY BELIEVE WHAT WE WERE TOLD. WE SEEM TO HAVE BEEN FED INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS A TIMELINE THAT WAS ON TRACK FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT TO FINALLY TAKE CARE OF THE CRUMBLING, DETERIORATING HODGEPODGE OF SIX COLOURS WALL, YOU ARE AND ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR. JUNE 30TH, CONSTRUCTION WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN. THAT HAS NOW PASSED AND NEW EXCUSES HAVE EMERGED AND BLAME GAME HAS BEGUN. IF I WERE TO CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT ON A FENCE IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT WAS FALLING APART WITH LARGE GAPING HOLES THAT VEHICLES HAVE RUN THROUGH, AND IT WAS PAINTED 6 DIFFERENT COLOURS THAT LOOKED LIKE A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHOSE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? WOULD THE OWNER OF THE FENCE NOT GET A NOTICE THEY HAD WHAT, 10 TO 30 DAYS, MAYBE, TO REMEDY IT, AND THEN WHAT? IF THAT OWNER OF THE FENCE DID NOT ADHERE AND PROPERLY FIX AND REPLACE THEIR FENCE WOULD HE THEN BE THREATENED WITH A FINE, AND THEN WHAT? STILL NOT FIXED? DOES THE CITY COME. >> AND FIX IT. IRONIC? YES. OUR NEIGHBOURS HAVE BEEN SPEAKING UP FOR 14 MONTHS. THE WALL HAS BEEN CRUMBLING FOR OVER THREE YEARS, YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING, THE MULTITUDE OF SHAME PAINTED ON THE WALL BY THE CITY OF ROWLETT IS PATHETIC AT BEST, CRIMINAL AT WORST. A TEN-YEAR-OLD COULD PICK OUT ONE SHADE THAT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE. HOW DOES KHAKI EVEN GET INTO THE MIX OF RED BRICK. YOU HAVE AND CONTINUE TO DEVALUE AND NEGLECT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND DECREASE OUR HOME VALUES AT THE SAME TIME. WHO WANTS TO LIVE IN A NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT CLEARLY GREETS YOU WITH, WE DON'T CARE, WELCOME. WE'RE TIRED OF THE DELAYS AND PROMISES AND TIMELINES, GET TO WORK, STOP FINDING EXCUSES, ALL FOUR OF THE PROPERTIES YOU SEEM TO BE USING AS EXCUSES HAVE HAD REPAIR WORK DONE IN THE PAST BY THE CITY WITH NO PERMISSIONS GIVEN BY THE HOMEOWNERS. SHOULD THEY SUE THE CITY FOR ACCESSING THE PROPERTY NOW THE CITY BELIEVES THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT, SHOULD OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD BEGIN TO CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT DAILY -- THE CITY OF ROWLETT HAD MONEY ALLOCATED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS IN THE BUDGET FOR YEARS, STOP MAKING PROMISES AND EXCUSES AND GET YOUR PROPERTY TAKEN CARE OF. PATIENCE IS NO LONGER FOR LAKE BEND RESIDENTS, I DON'T WANT OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD OR CITY LOOKING LIKE A SLUM -- >> MAYOR WINGET: MS. HESS, THANK YOU >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SHANNON BAN DEL, FOLLOWED BY PATRICK BAN [01:30:06] DEL. >> SHANNON BAN DEL, ROWLETT. DO YOU GUYS KNOW WHY I'M UP HERE? THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. DECEPTION AT ITS FINEST. AS YOU KNOW, I'M HERE AGAIN, REGARDING YOUR LAKE BEND ESTATES WALL. THE COMMUNITY WAS TOLD CONSTRUCTION WOULD BEGIN ON JUNE 30TH. TODAY, THERE'S STILL NO ACTIVITY. THE DAY AFTER THE SCHEDULED START DATE I REACHED OUT AND I ASKED WHAT HAS HAPPENED? I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROJECT HAD FALLEN BEHIND SCHEDULE AND ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISSING THE TIMELINE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO BOTH THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE WONDERING, WHEN DID STAFF KNOW THE SCHEDULE WOULD SLIP? YOU TOLD US CITIZENS THAT YOU WOULD KEEP US INFORMED AND UP TO DATE. WAS COUNCIL INFORMED IMMEDIATELY OR ONLY AFTER THE DELAY BECAME UNAVOIDABLE? ACCORDING TO THIS EMAIL, APPROXIMATELY 45 DAYS WERE LOST WHILE WAITING FOR AN AGREEMENT WITH ENCORE TO RELOCATE A POWER POLE AND WHILE NEGOTIATING ADDITIONAL WORK TO REQUIRE EASEMENTS ACROSS FOUR PROPERTIES. CHRISTOF ALSO STATED IN HIS OPINION, THESE TASKS COULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN PURSUED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE DESIGN BIDDING AND AWARD PROCESS INSTEAD OF DELAYING THE ENTIRE PROJECT. UTILITY COORDINATION IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST ACTIVITIES ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHY WASN'T ENCORE ENGAGED MUCH EARLIER, AND WHEN WAS THE RELOCATION REQUEST FIRST SUBMITTED WAS THE DESIGN DEPENDENT UPON THIS POLE, WAS ANYONE TRACKING UTILITY CRITICAL PATH ITEMS. A NEW SCHEDULE CALLS FOR FINAL DESIGN ON JULY 9TH. WE HAD A FINAL DESIGN. ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ON JULY 10TH. WE HAD BIDS. BID OPENING ON JULY 29TH, COUNCIL AWARD ON AUGUST 18TH, AND PRECOOKS MEETING AND NOTICE TO PROCEED ON SEPTEMBER 1. OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD HAS BEEN HEARING REVISED TIMELINES FOR QUITE SOME TIME, EVERY DELAY PUSHES THIS PROJECT FURTHER AWAY, AND AFTER YEARS OF WAITING, IT'S DIFFICULT NOT TO BE DISAPPOINTED. AGAIN. I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT THIS NEW SCHEDULE IS TREATED AS A COMMITMENT, NOT SIMPLY ANOTHER ESTIMATE. PLEASE HOLD EVERYONE INVOLVED ACCOUNTABLE AND PROVIDE PROACTIVE UPDATES AND ANY MILESTONE BEGINS TO SLIP. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPEATEDLY REACH OUT TO LEARN ANOTHER DEADLINE HAS BEEN MISSED. WE'VE CONTINUED TO TRUST THE PROCESS AND WE WANT TO SEE THIS PROJECT FINALLY MOVE FROM SCHEDULES AND PROMISE TO ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION. JEFF, JUST NOW ... SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS AND STRONGER CITY SERVICES WITH A GREATER TRUST BETWEEN A COMMUNITY AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT SERVES IT. JEFF COME ON. SHOW US THIS TRUST AND YOUR COMMITMENT. I SINCERELY HOPE THE NEXT UPDATE WE RECEIVE IS THE SOUND OF EQUIPMENT ON SITE RATHER THAN ANOTHER REVISED TIMELINE. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH YOUR PROMISES, ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MS. BAN DEL. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS PATRICK BAN DEL, FOLLOWED BY MARTIN MALLOY. >> THAT WAS A NICE VIDEO, JEFF. PATRICK BAN DEL, ROWLETT. IT'S WITH NO SMALL MEASURE OF FRUSTRATION, THAT I SHARE WITH YOU THAT THE CITY AND THIS COUNCIL CONTINUE TO FAIL ITS RESIDENTS. FOR FAR TOO LONG, I'VE COME BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND PETITIONED YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING. EVERYONE IN OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD HAD SO MUCH CONFIDENCE ONCE JEFF MADE HIS PRESENTATION ON REBUILDING THE SCREENING WALLS. BUT STILL, I CONTINUE TO COME, AND BE PERSISTENT, AND EVERYONE SAID FOR CERTAIN THE WALL WOULD BE BUILT IN SPRING, AFTER THE COUNCIL PASSED THE PLAN, AND COMMITTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION. BUT SOMETHING TOLD ME NOT TO SIT IDLE, SO STILL WE CAME AND MADE SPEECHES THAT SEEMED REPETITIOUS. BUT WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW, THAT WE WON'T GIVE UP. EVEN DURING AN INTERMISSION WHEN THE COMPUTERS WEREN'T WORKING, JEFF AND THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS [01:35:01] ALL ASSURED US THAT THE WALL WILL BE BUILT. EMAIL STATED THAT THE TIMELINE WAS SET. ON JUNE 16, AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, JEFF REAPPLIED TO MY SPEECH THAT STAFF WAS REACHING OUT TO THE CONTRACTOR AND THAT ILL GET AN UPDATE. AND MANOL TOLD ME A CONTRACTOR WAS MANY PLACE, TURNS OUT THERE WAS NO CONTRACTOR, WE HAD BEEN BAMBOOZLED. FROM THE FIRST TIME I MET YOU JEFF, BEFORE YOU WERE MAYOR, YOU PROMISED MY WIFE, SHOOK HER HAND AND LOOKED HER IN THE EYES, AND SAID REPLACING THE SCREENING WALL WAS A TOP PRIORITY FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN. NOW WE FIND OUT THE DESIGN AND BID DOCUMENTS ARE NOT EVEN FINALIZED, A BID OPENING MAYBE BY THE END OF THE MONTH, AND DEFINITELY NO CONSTRUCTION, UNTIL AT THE VERY EARLIEST, SOME TIME LATE INTO SEPTEMBER. OR REALISTICALLY, THE WAY THIS PROCESS MOVES, I'M GUESSING MORE LIKE 2027. I KEEP GETTING TOLD IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE ALL OF THE EASEMENT APPROVALS THAT BRINGS EVERYTHING TO A HALT. IT'S EITHER ALOR NOTHING. YOU'RE -- ALL OR NOTHING, YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, WHY NOT REMOVE YOUR WALL AND MAKE THAT HOMEOWNER HAVE NOTHING IF THEY WANT TO BE SO TROUBLESOME. AT LEAST THE THOROUGHFARE WILL LOOK DECENT WITH 95% OF IT REBUILT. ALL OR NOTHING, IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE US USING THIS AS A WAY OT OF THE PROJECT ALL TOGETHER. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, THEN WHAT? WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THE CITY STRUCTURE -- WATCH THE STRUCTURE OF OUR CITY CRUMBLE AROUND US. WE PAY OUR TAXES TIMELY. I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, SOME KID IS GOING TO GET HURT BY THE REBAR STICKING OUT, OR THEY'RE GOING TO LEAN AGAINST A BAD SECTION OF THE WALL AND IT'S GOING TO FALL ON THEM. MAYBE THE CITY GETTING SUED IS THE ONLY WAY TO SEE ACTION, THIS ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN DISGUSTING, AND A COMPLETE DISAPPOINTMENT. IT'S NO WONDER WE CAN'T DRAW NEW BUSINESS TO THIS JEWEL OF THE METRO PLEX, EVEN WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKE FRONT, TWO MAJOR HIGHWAYS AND 20 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN DALLAS, WE CAN'T EVEN GET A GOOD STEAKHOUSE. WHAT BUSINESS WOULD WANT TO COME HERE, YOU CAN'T EVEN BUILD A SIMPLY SCREENING WALL -- THANK YOU >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU SIR. THE LAST SPEAKER I HAVE A SPEAKER CARD FOR IS MARTIN MALLOY. THERE ARE SPEAKER CARDS IN THE BACK LEFT CORNER OF THE ROOM IF THERE'S ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK. >> MAYOR AND MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL, I LIVE ON NEW FOREST DRIVE ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROWLETT. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF ISSUES, FIRST, EXCELLENT PRESENTATION, THANK YOU, AND I KNOW YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THAT, AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE IT. A COUPLE THINGS THAT HAVE BUGGED ME IN MY PART OF THE WORLD ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN, I'M A CIVIL ENGINEER, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT LAKE VIEW PARKWAY, ONE, IN LAST YEAR WE EXPANDED THE ROAD, AND ADDED A THIRD THROUGH LANE GOING EAST, IN FRONT OF THE WATER BERGER, AND THE WALMART MARKET, IT GETS ALL THE WAY TO THE CAR WASH AND STOPS, PEOPLE RUN 50 MILES AN HOUR THROUGH THERE, WHICH IS THE SPEED LIMIT AND HITTING THAT CURB. THEY'VE BEEN HITTING THAT CURB FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AGO, A PERSON HAD THEIR FRONT TIRE TORN COMPLETELY OFF, AND I FELT I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS. I WROTE TO THE STAFF BACK IN JANUARY, WHAT IT NEEDS IS SOME ARROWS IN THE LANE, TWO ARROWS POINTING YOU OUT, AND A SIGN THAT SAYS LANE ENDS, MERGE LEFT AND THAT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM A LOT OF CAR DAMAGE IN ROWLETT AND DO IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE NEW COFFEE PLACE, WHATEVER THAT THING IS CALLED, DUTCH BROTHERS, I BELIEVE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THAT WOULD COST PRACTICALLY NOTHING, AND HELP A WHOLE LOT, I THINK, BECAUSE AT NIGHT IT'S BLIND, PEOPLE HIT IT, AND I THINK THE CAR WASH HAS SCATTERED OUT SOME REFLECTORS, BUT THEY'RE DOING A LITTLE GOOD, BUT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM EVERY TIME THEY GET SWEPT OFF. SECOND, RERECENTLY REDID THE SIGNAL AT SCENIC DRIVE, THE ROAD THAT GOES DOWN TO THE HOSPITAL, AND 17 YEARS AGO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY PUT IN FLASHING YELLOW ARROWS FOR PERMITTED LEFT TURN LIGHTS, WE GIVE PEOPLE A GREEN ARROW TO TURN LEFT, USED TO BE WE GAVE THEM A GREEN BALL AFTER THAT, IF YOU HAD A GAP TURN LEFT, THAT WAS CHANGED, BECAUSE IT WAS MORE DANGEROUS, A FLASHING YELLOW ARROW, IT BECAME THE STANDARD 17 YEARS AGO AND PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT EVERYWHERE. IT WAS NOT DONE ON SCENIC DRIVE, IT OPERATES AT LAKE VIEW PARKWAY, AND OPERATES A FLASHING YELLOW ARROW EAST AND WEST, AND HAS GREEN BALL NORTH AND SOUTH, YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEMS ON THE SAME INTERSECTION, WHICH IS TERRIBLE, I WROTE BACK IN MAY, TO THE ACTION CENTRE ON THAT, AND I'VE BUT IT'S AN EASY FIX, IT'S [01:40:03] PROVEN TO BE SAFER, AND IT JUST NEEDS TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY WHILE YOU'VE GOT THE SIGNAL PEOPLE WORKING RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU MR. MALLOY. THAT IS ALL THE SPEAKER CARDS I HAVE, DID ANYONE ELSE WISH TO SPEAK THIS EVENING? WITH THAT, ONE REQUEST I'M GOING TO MAKE TO OUR INTERIM CITY MANAGER IS WE GET THE COUNCIL RECEIVES WEEKLY UPDATES ON THE LAKE BEND ESTATES SCREENING WALL TO LET US KNOW IF WE'RE ON TRACK, IF WE'RE OFF TRACK ON THE PARTICULAR TIMELINE YOU PROVIDED, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU PROVIDED THAT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS WELL, FOR ALL OF THOSE MILESTONES THAT ARE UPCOMING AND WE'LL COMMUNICATE THAT OUT TO THE PUBLIC USING THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. SO JUST WANT TO BE SURE WE HAVE WEEKLY UPDATES GOING FORWARD ON [4. Consent Agenda ] THAT PROJECT. OKAY. >>> WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON WITH OUR AGENDA TO ITEM -- TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 4, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MAY BE ACTED UPON IN ONE MOTION, A CITY COUNCIL OR CITIZEN MAY REQUEST ITEMS BE REMOVED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. I HAD A REQUEST TO PULL ITEM 4B, WHICH IS THE FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITIZEN CORPS. COUNCIL, THAT LEAVES ONE ITEM WHICH IS THE MINUTES, DID ANYONE WISH TO PULL THE MINUTES FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. DEBBIE, IF YOU COULD READ THAT ITEM INTO THE AGENDA. >> CONSIDER ACTION IMPROVING THE MINUTE. >> CAN I GET A MOTION FOR OUR CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION BY MR. BRITTON. >> I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE AT WRITTEN. INTO AND A SECOND BY MR. GIBBS. >> I TOO. >> AND ANY DISCUSSION? >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE. THERE WE GO. [4.B. Consider action approving a funding agreement with the Rowlett Citizens Corps Council (RCCC). ] AND THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 4B, INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION ITEM, CONSIDER ACTION TO ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, AND ROWLETT CITIZEN'S CORPS. COUNCIL, AUTHORING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNATE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. CHIEF RANDALLS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. >> MR. MAYOR MARJORIE ASKED ME TO MAKE SURE SHE SAYS GOODBYE. >> I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE ROWLETT CITIZEN CORPS. COUNCIL. I HAVE SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE GROUP TO HELP ME OUT, AND SO, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. GOTCHA, I DIDN'T REALIZE I HAD CONTROL. >> IT'S THE BIG BUTTON. OR MAYBE NOT. >> THAT'S ALL RIGHT, TELL DEBBIE WHEN YOU'RE READY TO GO AND SHE WILL KEEP YOU ON TRACK. >> THANKS MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT, SO A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THE GROUP. THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT, AND THEY ARE EXTRAORDINARILY DEDICATED GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, THAT SERVE THE CITY. PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THING I'VE SEEN THEM DO SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE IS STAND BY AT MOST OF OUR CITY EVENTS FOR FIRST AID, AND JUST BASIC CARE OF OUR CITIZENS, HANDING OUT WATER, MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS WELL, TAKING CARE OF, ESPECIALLY IN THIS HEAT WE'VE HAD THIS SUMMER. THEY PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY GROUPS, POLICE, FIRE, EMS, OUT ON SCENES, ESPECIALLY THE LARGER SCENES, AND WE'VE SEEN THEM AT A COUPLE OF OUR STRUCTURE FAIRS, AND -- FIRES AND SEVERAL OTHER EVENTS THIS YEAR PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL, AND THEY'RE VERY KEY TO OUR SUCCESS OUT ON EMERGENCY SCENES HERE IN TOWN. THEY PROVIDE SEVERAL GROWTH AND LEARNING TUNINGS FOR BOTH GISD, AND RISD STUDENTS THAT LIVE HERE IN THE CITY, THROUGH A COUPLE OF THEIR GROUPS THAT THEY HAVE AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THOSE HERE IN JUST A BIT MORE, AND THEY DO SUPPORT OUR CITY, IN PARTICULAR, BUT ALSO SURROUNDING CITIES, IN TIMES OF DISASTER, AND AGAIN, THEY HAVE OVER 300 VOLUNTEERS AND THEY PROVIDE OVER 22,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE ANNUALLY. AND THEY DO THIS THROUGH SIX AFFILIATED PROGRAMS THAT THEY OPERATE, AND MANAGE, PRIMARY ROWLETT, THAT TAKES CARE OF THOSE DISASTERS, AND DISASTER RESPONSES, TO HELP US OUT, AND FIRE CORPS., WHICH IS THE ONE WHICH TYPICALLY RESPONDS OUT ON THOSE LARGER EVENTS TO HELP OUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY GROUPS, AND THEY EXPLORE POSTING THE BOY SCOUT TROUPE ARE THE ONES THAT PROVIDE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PARTICULAR, AND IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE HAD AN EXPLORER GROUP, BUT IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, IT'S AGED 13 TO 18 -- 14 TO 21, A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. [01:45:01] BUT ANYWAY, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE KIDS, AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INTRODUCE THEM TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY JOB OPPORTUNITIES, THAT ARE OUT THERE. ROWLETT AERS GROUP, OUR AMATEUR RADIO GROUP AND EAST TEXAS CERT, WHICH SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER COMMUNITIES DURING TIMES OF DISASTER. SO IN DOING ALL THOSE THINGS, OBVIOUSLY THEY NEED SOME SUPPORT FROM THE CITY AND TO EXPLAIN WHERE THEIR FUNDING GOES, I'LL YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, THESE GENTLEMEN ARE HERE TO ANSWER THOSE, BUT OBVIOUSLY, SOME MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP AND UTILITIES ON THEIR BUILDING THAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS OUR FORMER FIRE STATION 2 OUT AT 5100DEL ROCK ROAD, THEY HAVE SOME PAYMENTS AND UPKEEP ON THE ROLLING STOCK, AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT VEHICLES, UTVS AND TRAILERS FOR HAULING THAT EQUIPMENT AND KEEPING THAT EQUIPMENT MOBILE, AND ABLE TO GET TO THE RESPONSES THEY NEED TO. PURCHASING OF SUPPLIES, AND OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT, AND FIRST AID EQUIPMENT, FIRST AID NEEDS, AND REHAB SUPPLIES, SUCH AS TENTS OR AWNINGS, COOLING CHAIRS FOR US, THOSE COOLING TOWELS THAT ARE OUT THERE, ALL TYPES OF DIFFERENT REHABILITATION ITEMS THAT HELP OUT, AGAIN, FIRE, AND POLICE ROUTINELY, AND THEN THEY PROVIDE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRAINING FOR THEIR VOLUNTEERS, AND ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY, AS TO AGAIN, MONEY WELL SPENT AND WELL INVESTED BACK IN THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT ONLY HELPING THE CITIZENS, BUT ALSO HELPING THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS HERE IN TOWN. AND SO, THAT'S MY PRESENTATION FOR TONIGHT, AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS WE'RE HERE AND HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU, SIR. COUNCIL, WHAT QUESTIONS. MR. GIBBS, I THINK YOU REQUESTED THIS ITEM BE PULLED. >> I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION, IT WAS INFORMATIVE. I WANTED THE CITIZENS TO GET TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WHAT Y'ALL DO, SO WITH WHEN YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE, SOMETIMES YOU BECOME INVISIBLE, I WANT YOU BACK OUT FRONT. THERE WERE THINGS THAT WEREN'T MENTIONED YOU SHOW UP TO EVERY EVENT, THAT WE HAVE, AND REHAB PEOPLE AND HELP THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH THAT, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS I'M NOT THINKING OF, BUT I'VE PERSONALLY SEEN Y'ALL SINCE, WHAT YEAR DID YOU START? >> 2003, AND I CAN TELL YOU I'VE USED YOU AS BEING PART OF THE POLICE FORCE TO FIND LOST CHILDREN, WE'VE USED TO FIND LOST ELDERLY, AND WE'VE USED YOU ON SO MANY EVENTS THAT WE NEEDED YOUR HELP, TO HELP US WITH FROM FIREWORKS ON MAIN TO ANY EVENT WE HAD BACK IN THE DAY, WE USED TO DO THREE DAYS OF FIREWORKS, AND IT WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK. I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO, AND I WANTED THE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THIS THIS INVESTMENT IS REALLY SMALL -- IT LOOKS BIG, BUT IT'S SMALL FOR WHAT YOU DO, 22,000 HOURS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT EQUALS TO, SOMEBODY COULD PROBABLY TELL ME, QUICK WITH MATH. MAYOR, YOU SAID A LOT. >> IT'S WORTH ABOUT $750,000 IF THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEER TIME. >> THANK YOU, THAT'S A LOT. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT, AND I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING UP HERE AND DOING THE PRESENTATION, AND IT WAS WELL DONE, THANK YOU. >> MAYOR WINGET: COUNCIL, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. WHITNEY, ERIC, I WANT TO OFFER YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, TO MR. GIBBS' POINT, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HEAR WHAT YOU DO, AND ALTHOUGH CHIEF RANDALLS GAVE A GREAT OVERVIEW, IF THERE ARE ANY SPECIFICS YOU'D LIKE TO COVER, PLEASE DO. >> ONE THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS IN YOUR PRESENTATION, YOU MENTIONED ABOUT VOLUNTEERS AND WE'RE THE VOLUNTEERS THAT SHOW UP. AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING WHEN IT'S RAINING OUT, AND NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO GET OUT OF BED, WE DO, AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THOSE 300 PLUS VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ABLE TO COME OUT IN A DISASTER. YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT WE HAD A BIG DISASTER BACK IN 2015 HERE, AND IN THE FIRST FOUR DAYS WE WERE IN OPERATE, WE DID OVER 3800 SERVICE HOURS DURING THAT FIRST WEEK, THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE HAVE IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE YOUTH, BECAUSE WE SPECIALIZE IN YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND ARE DEVELOPING THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW, TODAY AND THAT'S ONE OF THE CRUXES OF OUR PROGRAM, IS PUSHING THAT EXPLORER PIECE, AND HELPING THEM TO BE GREAT PEOPLE, AND GREAT FUTURE FOR ROWLETT. >> YOU COVERED IT PRETTY WELL, THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO ADD WAS WE'RE A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, BUT WE ARE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY -- >> MAYOR WINGET: CAN YOU JUST STEP OVER TO THE MIC, THANK YOU. >> WE'RE A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, BUT WE'RE ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR, WE GET TO MISS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE [01:50:02] HOLIDAYS, WHEN WE'RE SUPPORTING CITY EVENTS, AND ASSISTING THE CITY, AND MY WIFE CONSIDERS HERSELF A CERT WIDOW, BUT I GUESS IT KEEPS ME OUT OF TROUBLE, I COULD BE DOING WORSE THINGS, RIGHT. I DO WANT TO ANNOUNCE, WE HAVE A CERT CLASS COMING UP THE FIRST TWO SATURDAYS OF AUGUST, ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT BOTH OF THEM. COUNCIL MEMBER FASSETT HAS OFFERED TO HELP TEACH THAT ONE, SO WE'RE GOING TO PUT HIM THROUGH THE COURSE, AND ALSO WE HAVE A COUPLE MODULES WE'D LIKE TO RUN BY YOU, AND IT'S GREAT TO GET THAT COLLABORATION, AND KIND OF SEE WHAT WE DO, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, I THINK, WHO HAVEN'T BEEN THROUGH THE CERT COURSE EITHER, IT USED TO BE KIND OF A TRADITION WHERE THE WHOLE COUNCIL HAD BEEN THROUGH IT. >> MAYOR WINGET: THERE MAY BE A THIRD COURSE ON DANCING YOU COULD ASK HIM TO TEACH. >> I'VE BEEN SEEING THOSE VIDEOS, HE'S GOOD. >> REAL QUICK, I WAS GOING TO ASK, IF SOMEBODY IS INTERESTED IN BEING A CERT MEMBER, HOW DO THEY DO THAT, AND WHEN DO THEY KNOW AND HOW WOULD THEY BE ALERTED TO KNOW IT'S TIME TO BECOME A MEMBER. >> SO THEY HAVE TO ATTEND THE FIRST TWO BASIC TRAININGS, AND THAT'S THE FIRST TWO SATURDAYS IN AUGUST, IT'S 20 HOURS ALL TOGETHER FOR BOTH SATURDAYS, AND ONCE THEY COMPLETE THAT, WE HAVE A PERIOD OF ORIENTATION TRAINING, IT'S ABOUT FOUR HOURS, AND THEN FOR THE REMAINING OF THEIR FIRST CALENDAR YEAR, THEY HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE 20 HOURS, TO THE PROGRAM TO MAINTAIN THEIR ACTIVE STATUS. SO JUST TAKING THE CLASS DOESN'T MAKE YOU PART OF THE TEAM. IT'S THE FIRST STEP, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE TO TAKE THE CLASS, BECAUSE IT'S GREAT TRAINING TO HAVE, FOR EVEN PREPARING YOUR FAMILIES OR YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR DISASTER AND WHAT TO DO WHEN A DISASTER STRIKES. AFTER THAT FIRST YEAR, WE REQUIRE EACH MEMBER TO CONTRIBUTE 40 HOURS PER YEAR MINIMUM TO MAINTAIN THEIR ACTIVE STATUS. SO WE OFFER WHAT WE CALL SPECIALTY TRAINING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, TO ENHANCE OUR SKILLS, DEBRIS REMOVAL, SWIFT WATER AWARENESS, MISSING PERSONS, WIDE AREA SEARCH, AND SO WE HAVE A VERY HIGHLY CREDENTIALED AND TRAINED TEAMS. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU BOTH FOR% WHAT YOU DO, CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY -- LONG STANDING, LONG SERVING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ONE QUESTION I HAD BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE IT IN THE AGREEMENT HERE, AND IT'S POSSIBLE I OVERLOOKED IT, WAS THE LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE OLD FIRE STATION, I SHOULD BE CLEAR, THAT YOU GUYS ARE IN, IS THAT A SEPARATE DOCUMENT FROM THIS. >> IT IS. >> MAYOR WINGET: I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. >> IS IT GOING TO BE SEPARATE GOING FORWARD OR ROLLED INTO THE MOU. >> IT'S SEPARATE. >> MAYOR WINGET: AND I DIDN'T SEE IT IN THIS DOCUMENT, SO I THINK IT'S DESIGNED TO BE SEPARATE GOING FORWARD AS WELL. PERFECT, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY -- >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT, AND WE'VE ENJOYED 23 YEARS OF SERVICE TO DART COMMUNITY HERE, AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO MANY MORE. >> THANK YOU, WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. >> CHIEF RANDALLS. >> I WANTED TO SAY, THAT HAVING THESE GENTLEMEN TO SUPPORT US AND BACK US UP, IS FOR ME, AS A CHIEF, IT'S A VERY GOOD FEELING TO HAVE THEM THERE, AND KNOWING ANY TIME WE CALL THEM, THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO COME OUT AND ADD TO OUR FORCES, IN THOSE LARGE EVENTS, SO AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THEM, AND THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, OVER THE YEARS, AND EVEN JUST THIS LAST SATURDAY THEY WERE A HUGE PART OF OUR EVENT, AND OUR SUCCESS OUT THERE, AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY SUCCESS OF FIREWORKS ON MAIN, AGAIN, APPRECIATE THE HECK OUT OF THEM. >> MAYOR WINGET: THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IF NOT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I SEE A MOTION BY MR. GIBBS. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FUNDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND THE ROWLETT CITIZEN'S CORPS. COUNCIL, AND THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000, AUTHORIZING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND HIS DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, AND OLENELLUS DOCUMENTS PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR WINGET: I SEE A SECONDER. MR. BOWERS. >> I SECOND. >> MAYOR WINGET: ANY DISCUSSION? >> ALL RIGHT, LET'S CALL THE VOTE, PLEASE. THAT ITEM CARES UNANIMOUSLY. [5.A. Consider action to adopt an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by amending Chapter 2 "Administration", Article II "Boards, Committees, Commissions", by adding a new Division 12 "Downtown Advisory Board". ] THANK YOU GENTLEMEN, AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU. NEXT WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 5A, CONSIDER ACTION TO ADOPT AN ORDERRANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCE, ARTICLE 2, BOARDS COMMITTEES COMMISSIONS BY ADDING A NEW DIV 12 DOWNTOWN [01:55:01] ADVISORY BOARD. COUNCIL, I DID NOT PREPARE A PRESENTATION FOR THIS MEETING BECAUSE WE DISCUSSED IT EARLIER IN OUR WORK SESSION, AND ESSENTIALLY, WHAT IS IN THE PACKET PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD MADE UP OF 5 VOTING MEMBERS, TWO ALTERNATE MEMBERS, TWO EX OFFICIO MEMBERS MEMBERS OF BOTH DART OR APPOINTED BY DART AND ROWLETT AREA CHAMBER, AND TWO CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS AND I BELIEVE WE'VE IDENTIFIED THOSE AS MR. BOWERS AND MR. FASSETT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THAT'S WHAT IS ON THE TABLE. >> MR. KIZZIAR, AND MR. FASSETT. OKAY. >> ONE SECOND, LET ME DOUBLE-CHECK THAT. I WANT TO BE SURE THE LAST PAGE OF THE NEXT ITEM WHICH WE'RE NOT CONSIDERING YET HAS THAT INFORMATION CORRECT. IT SHOWS FASSETT AND GIBBS. IS THAT CORRECT? NO. FASSETT AND KIZZIAR, WE NEED TO'D THAT WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM. FIVE VOTING MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC, TWO ALTERNATE MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC, TWO EX OFFICIO MEMBERS, ONE FROM DART, AND ROWLETT AREA CHAMBER, AND TWO CITY COUNCIL LIAISONS, THIS WOULD ESTABLISH THE BOARD, AND WE WOULD BEGIN RECRUITING FOR THOSE POSITIONS JUST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. MR. KIZZIAR? >> I'LL POINT OUT THE TIMELINES WHICH YOU WANT TO PUT THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC. WHAT THAT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE, EXACTLY, AND IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY STIPULATIONS ABOUT WHO APPLIES, IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY EXPECTATIONS AS TO WHO WILL APPLY. OBVIOUSLY WE TALK ABOUT THAT BEING AN OPEN APPLICATION ENVIRONMENT, SO MAYBE WE COULD FURTHER EXPAND HOW THAT IS SPECKED TO LOOK. IN THE -- INTENDED TO LOOK IN THE TIMELINES. >> MAYOR WINGET: THE TIMELINE IS NOT NECESSARILY OUTLINED IN THE ORDINANCE, BUT THE SCOPE OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO APPLY IS -- I'LL START OUT WITH THAT PIECE, AND UNDER -- IT TALKS ABOUT THE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS AND IT SAYS VOTING MEMBERS AND ALTERNATE MEMBERS SHOULD GENERALLY POSSESS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFIES, IT DOESN'T SAY MUST REQUIRE, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IT'S A GENERAL REQUIREMENT, AND OWN PROPERTY IN DOWNTOWN ROW LET, OR A BUSINESS, NUMBER THREE RESIDE, NUMBER 4 BE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REAL ESTATE OR MOBILITY PLANNING PROFESSIONAL, AND NUMBER 5 IS TO HAVE AN EXPERTISE OR STRONG BACKGROUND IN ARTS AND CULTURE. ALL OF THOSE KEEP IT FAIRLY OPEN FOR WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, NONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY OR ALL TOGETHER OR EXCLUSIONARY, MEANING YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO HAVE ANY OF THOSE, WE'RE LOOKING FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE A PASSION AND INTEREST IN FURTHERING NOT ONLY THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT BUT THE DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC PLAN AND BRINGING THAT TO FRUITION. I WANT TO MENTION ONE OTHER RECOMMENDATION THAT I HAD HEARD ONLY TO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL. THAT WAS POTENTIALLY HAVING SOMEONE FROM THE ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD ALSO SERVE AS THE EX OFFICIO MEMBER ON THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD. I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AGREEMENT, BUT I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO Y'ALL IN CASE THERE'S INTEREST TO ADD ANOTHER EX OFFICIO. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 11 MEMBERS, WHICH IS A FAIRLY FULL MTH MEALING, AND I IMAGINE THERE WILL BE SOME PASSIONATE FOLKS APPLYING, AND A ROBUST DIALOGUE, SO I WANT TO KEEP THE MEMBERSHIP E MEMBERSHIP -- I THINK 11 IS A GOOD NUMBER, UP TO 15 AND MORE, AND SUDDENLY PEOPLE DON'T FEEL HEARD OR THE MEETINGS ARE RUNNING MANY HOURS LONG. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD IN THERE, AS A REMINDER AND DISCUSSION, THAT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD HAD KIND OF STARTED THE IDEAS OF A DOWNTOWN ADVISORY PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S BEEN KIND OF PUT ON HOLE A LITTLE BIT, OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE AN INTEREST, TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS LEVEL, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT THE NUMBERS, I WOULD ONLY ENCOURAGE, PERHAPS, SINCE THEY'VE GOT SOME INTEREST TO INVOLVE THEMSELVES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IMTOO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME, BUT, SOMEHOW IF WE DON'T CONSIDER THEM AS BEING EX OFFICIO, AT LEAST CONSIDERED AS PART OF THOSE FIVE [02:00:02] TO BE HEAVILY CONSIDERED, SOMEBODY FROM THAT DEPARTMENT, WHO AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTEREST IN THE DOWNTOWN ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBVIOUSLY IS ONE, THAT HAS THAT PERSPECTIVE AND ITS MINDSET ABOUT THE GROWTH OF DOWNTOWN, AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEHOW WE INCLUDE SOMEONE OF THAT GROUP, THAT WAS ON THERE, JUST BECAUSE THEIR OWN PREVIOUS ACTIONS ON THERE, AGAIN, HEARING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION AGAIN, JUST BECAUSE I KNOW. >> MAYOR WINGET: AND NOTHING WOULD PRECLUDE THEM FROM APPLYING FOR THE BOARD, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PROVISION IN THE BOARD AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK YOU CAN ONLY SERVE ON ONE BOARD, SO IF THEY WANTED TO SERVE ON THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD, THEY WOULD NOT BE SERVING ON THE EDAB. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ARE WE HAPPY WITH THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD? >> LET ME ALSO -- SO THAT WOULD NOT PRECLUDE THEM FROM PROCEEDING FROM THEIR OWN, WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN DOING BEING OBVIOUSLY, AN INTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD MADE UP FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE, AT LEAST EDAB PERSPECTIVE, IS THAT CORRECT. >> CERTAINLY. >> THEY CAN'T SERVE ON TWO, THAT'S A GOOD COMMENT, BUT SINCE THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT ALREADY, THERE'S NO REASON THAT WOULD PRECLUDE THEM FROM CONTINUING THEIR OWN. >> MAYOR WINGET: IF THAT BOARD WANTED TO HAVE A COMMITTEE, A SUB COMMITTEE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY DEVOTED TO DOWNTOWN INITIATIVES, WHICH THEY DO TODAY, THEY COULD CERTAINLY CONTINUE THAT. ILL THINK IT WOULD BE REDUNDANT, BECAUSE THERE'S LIKELY TO BE SOME STAFF IN BOTH OF THOSE MEETINGS, AND THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION AND TRANSITION SOME OF THAT INFORMATION OVER SO THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD COULD TAKE THE WORK THEY'VE DONE AND CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH. >> MAYOR, ALSO, I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WOULD HOLD THEM BACK FROM DOING A PRESENTATION, OR COMING OVER AND PART OF THEIR AGENDA FOR THE NEW BOARD AND GIVING THEM A CATCH UP ON WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, AND THEIR VISION WAS, IS THAT CORRECT. >> DEFINITELY, WE'VE HAD JOINT MEETINGS OURSELVES WITH DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND THEY CAN HAVE A JOINT MEETING TOGETHER TO HELP TRANSITION THAT INFORMATION OR DO JOINT MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, IF THEY WANTED TO ADVISE EACH OTHER ON DIFFERENT ITEMS, THAT'S AN OPTION AS WELL. THEY ARE ASKED OR REQUIRED IN THE OR NANS TO HAVE ONE MEETING PER MONTH, BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT WOULD PRECLUDE THEM FROM HAVING MORE MEETINGS THAN THAT, IF THEY CHOSE TO. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> EVERYBODY IS AWFULLY QUIET TONIGHT, TRYING TO ALLOW TIME. >> I KNOW, IT WAS A LATE NIGHT. WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS IN A WORK SESSION, SO MAYBE ALWAYS QUESTIONS WERE -- ALL THE QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED THERE. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. >> A MOTION BY MR. BRITTON. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, I MOVE WE ADOPT AN ORDERRANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDERRANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE 2 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS BY ADDING A NEW DIVISION DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BO BOARD. >> MY NAME OFF AND KIZZIAR ON. >> MAYOR WINGET: THAT'S NOT IDENTIFIED IN THE ORDERRANCE. >> I SECOND THEN. >> A MOTION BY MR. BRITTON, SECONDED BY MR. GIBBS TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PROTECTED. ANY DISCUSSION. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE VOTE PLEASE. AND THAT ITEM CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AS FAR AS THE TIMELINE GOES, WHICH I TOTALLY GLOSSED OVER YOUR QUESTION WHEN YOU ASKED THAT, LET ME TOUCH ON THAT QUICK, MY SUGGESTION IS WE OPEN THE APPLICATION PERIOD BASICALLY AS SOON AS IS FEASIBLE, UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION ADDED TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE, AND THEN PUBLICIZE THAT, TO GET PEOPLE TO APPLY, AND ILL LIKE US TO NOTIFY IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM TASK, I WOULD LIKE US TO NOTIFY ALL THE DOWNTOWN BY BUSINESSES THAT ARE ON MAIN STREET IN THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, AND I THINK WE HAVE A DISTRIBUTION LIST, WHERE WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH FOLKS, SO LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, SO COORDINATE WITH CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, JUST TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT THERE, AND THEN COUNCIL, I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE KEEP THE APPLICATION WINDOW OPEN FOR 6 WEEKS, TWO MONTHS, SUGGESTIONS. >> I'M HEARING A COUPLE 6 WEEK, I'M HEARING AN APPLICATION WINDOW OF SIX WEEKS, AT WHICH POINT WE'LL BRING IN AND INTERVIEW THE MEMBERSHIP, AND THEN APPOINT MEMBERS VERY SOON THEREAFTER. OKAY, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THAT ITEM. [5.B. Consider action to adopt a resolution amending the City's Boards and Commissions Handbook by adding the Downtown Advisory Board.] ALL RIGHT, PERFECT, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, NEXT WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 5B, CONSIDER ACTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK BY ADDING THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY [02:05:04] BOARD. THERE ARE A FEW OTHER CHANGES IN THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT, SO EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ON WHAT CHANGES ARE BEING CONTEMPLATED UNDER THIS ITEM. THERE'S SECTION 2.2, THERE'S AN ELIGIBILITY SECTION, WHICH BASICALLY SAYS WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WHAT, AND MOST OF OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REQUIRE THAT YOU BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT, IN THIS CASE, BECAUSE YOU CAN BE A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNER AND NOT NECESSARILY RESIDE IN THE CITY OF ROWLETT, WE'RE ADDING THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD AS A BOARD WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT. THE ELIGIBILITY ADJUSTMENT. SECTION 3.6, BASICALLY JUST CLEANS UP THE LANGUAGE AND ALLOWS THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE MULTIPLE LIAISONS TO A BOARD, TODAY, WE GENERALLY ONLY HAVE ONE PER BOARD AND IN THIS CASE, WE'RE CONTEMPLATING 2, IF CHANGES IT FROM ONE -- FROM A LIAISON, TO ONE OR MORE LIAISONS, THAT'S THE CLEAN UP THERE, 4.2, IS A CLEAN UP ON STATE LAW, BECAUSE AGENDA POSTING REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK WAS PREVIOUSLY REVISED AND NOW WE HAVE TO POST THREE DAYS IN ADVANCE, RATHER THAN 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE IN THE NOTICING REQUIREMENTS, OF COURSE, OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK WOULD NEVER PRENUP STATE LAW. SECTION 4.4 IS ALSO A CLEAN UP OF LANGUAGE REGARDING CITIZEN INPUT, REALLY NOTHING MATERIAL THERE THAT I NOTICE, IT'S JUST A BRIEF CHANGE IN THE LANGUAGE AND THIS WAS ALL PUT TOGETHER BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY AS WELL. SECTION 5.4, BRINGS OUR EDAB MEMBERSHIP INTO ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY, WE PREVIOUSLY PASSED A CHANGE TO THE EDAB MEMBERSHIP, AND THIS BRINGS THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK INTO ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING UNDER WITH THE EDAB, AND SECTION 5.15 AS THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD AND ALL THE PARAGRAPHS THAT DEMONSTRATE THE MEMBERSHIP AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE AND ALL OF THAT. AT THE VERY END OF THE DOCUMENT IS IT AN APPLICATION, THAT ADDS THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD AND THEN THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS LIAISON TABLE, AND THAT SHOWS ALL THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS LIAISONS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, THAT'S WHERE I WAS CONFUSED BY THE MEMBERSHIP, SO THAT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED, SO WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT OF MAKING A MOTION, IF YOU MAKE A MOTION, JUST AMEND THE APPOINTEES TO THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD TO BE COUNCIL MEMBERS KIZZIAR AND FASSETT. ANY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. I SEE A MOTION BY MR. BOWERS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, SO I WILL MAKE A MOTION WITH AMENDMENTS TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER KIZZIAR, AND FASSETT TO THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD, A RESOLUTION AMENDS THE CITY'S BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK AMENDING AS APPEALED. >> AA MOTION TO APPROVE AS APPEALED AND A SECOND BY MR. BRIT DON. >> I SECOND. >> MAYOR WINGET: ANY DISCUSSION. ALL RIGHT LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE VOTE PLEASE AND THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY, SO WE'LL GET THOSE AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAND BOOK IN CONJUNCTION WITH VICTORIA, INTEGRATED AND PUBLISHED ON THE [Members of the City Council may request topics to be placed on an agenda for a subsequent meeting. Any deliberation or decision shall be limited to a proposal to place topic on the agenda for a subsequent meeting. ] CITY'S WEBSITE. THANK YOU FOR THOSE TWO ITEMS, AND NEXT ITEM 7, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REQUEST TOPICS BE PLACED ON AGENDA FOR A SUBSEQUENT MEETING ANY DELIBERATION WILL BE LIMITED TO A PROPOSAL TO PLACE A TOPIC. DO YOU DO WE HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS. >> I DO HAVE ONE, IT'S BEEN A WHILE, NOT TOO LONG, BUT CAN WE GET MAYBE A REFRESHER UPDATE WHERE WE'RE AT FOR THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX SITE SEARCH. >> DO WE HAVE A SECONDER. >> I'LL SECOND. >> MAYOR WINGET: WE'LL GET THAT ON A FUTURE MEETING. ANY OTHER AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS? ALL RIGHT, IF THERE'S NO OTHER * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.