[00:00:07]
>> GOOD EVENING, FLOWER MOUND.
[A. CALL TO ORDER]
WELCOME TO THE FLOWER MOUND REGULAR MEETING THIS DAY, AUGUST 19TH.WE WILL START THIS MEETING TONIGHT WITH OUR INVOCATION, LED BY ME, AND JUST GO AHEAD AND STAY STANDING AND WE'LL DO THE PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE.
TODAY, LET'S COME TOGETHER AND APPRECIATE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SURROUND US AND LIFT US UP AND GIVE ONE ANOTHER STRENGTH AS WE SEE CHALLENGES IN THEIR LIVES.
LOVE YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR LIFE PARTNERS AND MAKE THEM FEEL THE IMPORTANCE THEY HOLD IN YOUR LIFE.
BLESS THE RESIDENTS, STAFF, AND COUNCIL IN THEIR ENDEAVORS TO CONTINUE MAKING OUR HOME OF FLOWER MOUND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. AMEN.
>> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS OUR PRESENTATIONS.
[D. PRESENTATION(S) ]
WE HAVE A FEW TONIGHT, SO HANG OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WE'RE GOING TO GO IN A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT ORDER THAN WHAT'S ON YOUR AGENDA PACKET.WE WILL START WITH THE OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS PROCLAMATION FIRST.
FOR THIS FIRST PROCLAMATION, WE'RE GOING TO WELCOME STACY LANGLEY.
SHE'S GOING TO ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION FOR THE OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
STACY, DO YOU WANT TO COME ON UP? [APPLAUSE] YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS.
LET'S GO OVER HERE, YOU GET A PICTURE.
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, THIS PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS, OVARIAN CANCER IS THE FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES AND CAUSES MORE DEATHS THAN ANY OTHER GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER.
IMPROVED AWARENESS OF THE SYMPTOMS OF OVARIAN CANCER BY THE PUBLIC AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN LEAD TO A QUICKER DIAGNOSIS.
MEDICAL EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT FAMILY HISTORY SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION DURING THE ANNUAL WELL WOMAN VISIT OF ANY WOMAN DURING THE ANNUAL WELL WOMAN VISIT OF ANY WOMAN.
ONGOING INVEST INVESTMENTS IN OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AND AWARENESS EFFORTS ARE CRITICAL TO CLOSING THESE GAPS AND IMPROVING SURVIVORSHIP FOR WOMEN WITH OVARIAN CANCER.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CHERYL MORE, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2024 AS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS?
>> I APPRECIATE EVERYONE COMING AND THE COUNCIL AND THE STAFF.
THERE'S PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNITION.
IT WILL MEAN A LOT TO MY TWIN SISTERS.
I AM ADVOCATE FOR THE OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH ALLIANCE GROUP.
THEY DO A LOT WITH ADVANCING RESEARCH AND CARING FOR LADIES WITH [INAUDIBLE] CANCERS.
THANK YOU ALL. ANYONE BORN WITH OVARIES IS AT RISK? WE HAVE TWO YEAR OLD.
LIKE MYSELF. THEY ARE ALL AGES.
[00:05:04]
IF YOU HAVE A WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE, I'M SURE WE ALL DO. WE HAVE A MOTHER.BRING AWARENESS, AND I APPRECIATE IT FOR SEPTEMBER.
GOVERNOR ABBOTT, ALSO PROVIDED A PROCLAMATION AS WELL, SO THAT WAS EXCITING. THANK YOU ALL.
>> I HAVE, SCOTT, DO YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE?
>> UNDERSTAND I'M NOTORIOUS FOR STEALING PENS. BY THE WAY.
THE NEXT PROCLAMATION IS THE PRESENTATION OF OUR HOMETOWN HERO.
WE ARE ACCEPTING FOR THIS, THE FATHER IS JOHN, AND THE MOTHER IS ELAINE, ETAS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME UP HERE, CORRECT?
>> WELCOME. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAMILY, TOO. DO YOU WANT THEM TO COME UP? WELCOME Y'ALL. THANKS FOR COMING TO DO THIS.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO READ A PROCLAMATION.
THIS IS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF FLOWER MOUND, FOR MYSELF, THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS LIEUTENANT COMMANDER THOMAS ECONOMIDIS MOVED TO FLOWER MOUND WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE WAS FOUR-YEARS-OLD.
HE JOINED THE UNITED STATES NAVY IN MAY 2013 AND COMMISSIONED THROUGH THE NAVY OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN 2016.
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ECONOMIDIS, HAS EARNED MULTIPLE AWARDS DURING HIS SERVICE, INCLUDING THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS COMMENDATION MEDAL.
TWO NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS, TWO JOINT SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS AND THE COAST GUARD MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION.
HE CURRENTLY SERVES IN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS, WHERE HE SUPPORTS THE RESOURCING AND REQUIREMENTS PROCESS FOR MULTIPLE NAVY PROGRAMS OF RECORD.
I CHERYL MOORE, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS, AND ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND ALL OF OUR CITIZENS, DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR OUR OWN HOMETOWN HERO, THOMAS ECONOMIDIS.
LET ME COVER THAT UP. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND].
>> WE HAVE ONE MORE PROCLAMATION.
THIS IS FOR THE SENIOR CENTER MONTH PROCLAMATION.
ACCEPTING FOR THIS IS JAMIE JACO COOPER.
GOOD EVENING. DO YOU ALL WANT TO SAY? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY?
>> HI, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME A MINUTE TO BRING AWARENESS TO NATIONAL SENIOR CENTER MONTH, WHICH IS CELEBRATED EVERY SEPTEMBER.
IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR US TO GET INFORMATION OUT ABOUT OUR AMAZING, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED SENIOR CENTER HERE IN FLOWER MOUND.
I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS WILL JOIN US.
[00:10:01]
IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT EVENTS.WE'RE GOING TO BE CELEBRATING LIVING OUR BEST LIFE.
THAT'S OUR THEME THIS YEAR, AND WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON FRIENDSHIP, NUTRITION, WELLNESS, AND JUST HAVING A GREAT TIME.
PLEASE COME OUT AND SEE US IN SEPTEMBER.
I'VE GOT SOME FLYERS OUT FRONT, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS STOP BY ANYTIME. [BACKGROUND].
>> WELL, LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO THE PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, THROUGH THE WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES, THE FLOWER MOUND SENIOR CENTER HAS EMPOWERED CITIZENS OF FLOWER MOUND FOR 50 YEARS AND BETTER TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR OWN HEALTH AND WELL BEING AND THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS OF ALL AGES.
THE SENIOR CENTER AFFIRMS THE DIGNITY OF SELF WORTH AND INDEPENDENCE OF OLDER PERSONS BY FACILITATING THEIR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS, TAPPING INTO THEIR EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE, AND ENABLING THEIR CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE SENIOR CENTER IS RECOGNIZED AS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED SENIOR CENTER THROUGH THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING.
RECOGNIZE THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE SENIOR CENTER.
THESE DEDICATED SUPPORTERS PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS MEALS, FITNESS CLASSES, CREATIVE ARTS CLASSES, HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION, SENIOR BENEFITS, AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION, TRANSPORTATION TO LOCATIONS IN DALLAS FORT WORTH AND BEYOND IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES.
NOW, THEREFORE, I CHERYL MOORE, MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS, AND ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR TOWN COUNCIL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2024 AS SENIOR CENTER MONTH.
[APPLAUSE] [BACKGROUND] NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC COMMENT.
[E. PUBLIC COMMENT]
SO WE HAVE ONE PERSON MAKING A PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT THAT'S CLAIRE HARRIS.YOU WILL HAVE 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK ON ANYTHING THAT'S NOT A PUBLIC HEARING.
CLAIRE, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND JUST SAY YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS, AND THEN THE TIME SOUND WHEN YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.
>> CLAIRE HARRIS, 416 NORTHWOOD DRIVE FLOWER MOUND.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL, AND STAFF.
WANT TO SPEAK TONIGHT IN REGARD TO ITEM J 11 AND UPDATES BEING CONSIDERED TO CHAPTER 70, ARTICLE 6 WATER CONSERVATION.
I ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER INCLUDING LANGUAGE AND STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE THE USE OF RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENTS.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY TWO COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN FLOWER MOUND THAT HAVE A RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM IN PLACE, AND ONLY ONE OF THOSE IS ACTIVE.
THAT IS THE PRAIRIE COMMONS DEVELOPMENT, WHERE THEY USE THE WATER COLLECTED PRIMARILY FOR LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION.
I BELIEVE WE'RE MISSING OPPORTUNITIES WITH LARGE WAREHOUSES, COMMERCIAL OFFICE, AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD INCLUDE A RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM.
MAYBE THERE COULD BE CREDITS AVAILABLE TO DEVELOPERS TO UTILIZE SUCH A SYSTEM, SIMILAR TO THE CREDITS FOR THE TREE PRESERVATION.
TEXAS IS ACTUALLY ONLY ONE OF A FEW STATES THAT HAS DEVOTED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION TO RAINWATER HARVESTING, AND THIS MAKES A LOT OF SENSE WITH OUR CONSIDERABLE POPULATION GROWTH.
EVERY YEAR, OUR SERVICE AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES ARE BEING DEPLETED.
RAIN MARES HARVESTING PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSERVE AND EXTEND OUR EXISTING RESOURCES.
TEXAS HOUSE BILL 3391 REQUIRES RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF NEW STATE BUILDINGS.
THIS BILL WAS PASSED IN 2011, 13 YEARS AGO.
THAT AS OF APRIL 2024 IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, NEW COMMERCIAL, MULTI FAMILY AND MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OVER A CERTAIN SIZE MUST EITHER CONNECT TO THE CITY'S RECLAIMED WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OR INSTALL AN ONSITE WATER REUSE SYSTEM.
ARE THERE COST IMPLICATIONS? YES, OF COURSE.
THIS WOULD ADD INITIAL COST TO A PROJECT, BUT LONG TERM WOULD OFFER SAVINGS.
THE BIGGEST COST WILL COME IF WE DO NOTHING.
[00:15:01]
EXAMPLES OF BUILDINGS USING RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS ARE THE TEXAS AGRO LIFE RESEARCH BUILDING IN DALLAS, LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER, AND HEB STORES IN THE AUSTIN AREA.PLEASE CONSIDER WAYS WE CAN HELP INCREASE THE USE OF RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL AND MULTI FAMILY DEVELOPMENTS, ALONG WITH MORE EDUCATION FOR RESIDENTS, SO WE CAN ALL HELP CONSERVE OUR RESOURCES. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT THAT HASN'T PUT A PUBLIC COMMENT CARD IN? IF YOU'D LIKE, YOU CAN COME FORWARD.
NO. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ANNOUNCEMENTS,
[F. ANNOUNCEMENTS]
ITEM F. DOES ANYBODY ON TOWN COUNCIL HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THIS TIME? I HAVE ONE. MOTOR CITY PIZZA IS HAVING A MAYOR COOK OFF FUNDRAISER, SO I WELCOME EVERYBODY TO COME OUT.IT'S AUGUST 28TH, AT MOTOR CITY PIZZA IN LOUISVILLE.
IF YOU DECIDE TO COME, GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, MOTORCITYPIZZA.COM, AND YOU CAN PICK THE MAYOR THAT YOU WANT.
HOPEFULLY, YOU'LL PICK CHERYL.
EVERY MAYOR HAS A NON-PROFIT THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO RAISE MONEY FOR.
I WELCOME YOU TO COME TO THAT.
>> WHAT WAS THE DATE ON THAT, MAYOR?
>> AUGUST 28TH, AND IT STARTS AT 5:00 PM.
MY PIZZA IS GOING TO BE THE BEST PIZZA.
THE NEXT ITEM, NO OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS.
WE WILL GO TO THE TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT, JAMES.
[G. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT ]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IF YOU COULD JOIN ME ON THE FLOOR, WE'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE AN EMPLOYEE FOR A ANNIVERSARY.
THERE WE GO. ONCE A MONTH, WE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES FOR THE SERVICE ANNIVERSARY, ANYTHING OVER 15 YEARS AND FIVE YEAR INCREMENTS.
SOME MONTHS, LIKE WHEN WE HAVE A FIRE ACADEMY COME THROUGH, WE MIGHT HAVE 15, 20 FOLKS THAT HIT AN ANNIVERSARY.
THERE'S OTHER MONTHS WHERE YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE ANYBODY.
BUT WE HAVE TWO THIS MONTH, AND WE HAVE ONE PERSON THAT'S HERE IN-PERSON.
I WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE RYAN CHRIST, WHO IS A CREW LEADER IN OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT.
HE'S NOT HERE THIS EVENING, BUT HE IS CELEBRATING A 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, SO WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM FOR SERVICE TO THE TOWN.
BUT WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY HERE THAT IS CELEBRATING A 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, AND I'M GOING TO ASK LIZ ARMSTRONG TO COME ON UP FRONT.
LIZ, [APPLAUSE] SHE'S CURRENTLY A COMMERCIAL PLANS EXAMINER WITH OUR BUILDING INSPECTIONS GROUP.
SHE JOINED THE TOWN ON AUGUST 16TH, 2004.
IN APRIL OF 2005, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO A PERMIT SPECIALIST, AND IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007, SHE WAS PROMOTED TO OUR CURRENT POSITION OF COMMERCIAL PLANS EXAMINER.
A FUN PART IS THAT, WE TRY TO GET FUN FACTS FROM OUR EMPLOYEES.
SOMETIMES THE FACTS AREN'T REALLY ALL THAT FUN.
YOU JUST GOT TO STRETCH IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT LIZ, YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING ONE.
I'M REALIZING WHAT YOUR FUN FACT, YOU'RE MISSING OUT ON YOUR TRADITION OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO. LET ME EXPLAIN IT REAL QUICK.
LIZ, HER FUN FACT IS THAT, AFTER DINNER, LIZ WATCHES WHEEL OF FORTUNE WITH HER HUSBAND AND HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.
ON TWO OCCASIONS, LIZ WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PUZZLE FROM THE OTHER ROOM JUST BY LISTENING TO HER HUSBAND AND MOTHER-IN-LAW DISCUSS THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
[LAUGHTER] LIZ USUALLY SOLVES A PUZZLE BEFORE HER MOTHER-IN-LAW, BUT SOMETIMES STAYS QUIET JUST SO SHE CAN SOLVE IT, JUST GIVE HER A WIN.
BUT THEN HER MOTHER-IN-LAW WILL TURN TO LIZ, AND ASK, DID YOU ALREADY GET THAT ONE? LIZ JUST SMILES.
I THINK THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION, LIZ, IS HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT PAT SAJAK RETIRING? IS THAT A TOUGH BLOW FOR THEM? NO, PAT SAJAK.
>> THAT'S A PRETTY COOL FUN FACT.
BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO PLEASE JOIN ME AROUND APPLAUSE AND LIZ PROVIDING 20 YEARS OF GREAT SERVICE FOR THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND.
[00:20:03]
OOPS.>> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
[H. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM(S)]
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO ADD TO THIS?ONE OF THEM, YOU MIGHT NEED TO REFRESH MY MEMORY A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I THINK WE MAY HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE, BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION IN TOWN LATELY ABOUT SCOOTER RIDING AND MANY NEAR MISSES.
I THINK WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THIS MAYBE NOT SO LONG AGO.
BUT IF WE HADN'T OR WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC SCHEDULED, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT ON A FUTURE AGENDA JUST TO EXPLORE AND MAYBE WITH THE HELP OF POLICE, SOME NEAR MISSES.
I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER IT'S TOO LATE FOR SOMEONE.
I KNOW I'VE NOTICED MANY MYSELF.
I'VE BEEN HEARING OTHER PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT [OVERLAPPING]
>> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MAYOR PRO TEM, SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, I RECALL EARLY ON, THE CONVERSATIONS ROOTED AROUND SCOOTERS WAS MORE ABOUT THE RENTAL SCOOTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERSONALLY OWNED SCOOTERS AT THIS POINT.
WE CAN PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER.
I'M AWARE OF HIGHLAND VILLAGE JUST RECENTLY PUT AN ORDINANCE TOGETHER IN REGARDS TO THAT, AND WE CAN CERTAINLY PULL THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER AND PRESENT IT AT A FUTURE WORK SESSION.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT FILLING OUR DANCE CARD UP TOO MUCH.
NEXT WORK SESSION WILL BE IN OCTOBER BECAUSE WE'RE DOING THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS INTERVIEWS DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY PUT SOME INFORMATION AND BRING IT TO YOU AT THAT WORK SESSION IN OCTOBER.
>> MY SECOND ONE IS RELATED A LITTLE BIT TO SOME INFORMATION I FOUND OUT KNEE DEEP IN THE BUDGET.
I WAS LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT APPLICATIONS AND HOW INCREDIBLY LENGTHY THEY ARE.
I HAPPENED TO TALK TO ONE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHO DID NOT APPLY THIS YEAR.
SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THEY GAVE ME WAS THAT, IT WAS A VERY ARDUOUS PROCESS.
I DO THINK WE SHOULD INVESTIGATE DONATIONS AND SUCH THOROUGHLY.
BUT IN PARTICULAR, THE AUDIT THAT'S REQUIRED IS VERY EXPENSIVE, PARTICULARLY IF THE ORGANIZATION IS NOT REALLY HIGH FUNDED, IT MIGHT BE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET IN ORDER TO JUST GET THAT AUDIT DONE.
I WONDERED IF WE COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT, IS THERE SOME OTHER FINANCIAL REVIEW OR SOMETHING OTHER THAN AN OFFICIAL AUDIT THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE COST-FRIENDLY FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS, BUT STILL GIVE US THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO PROPERLY VET EVERY ORGANIZATION.
>> I THINK THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT.
OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I DON'T HAVE INVERSE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT ALL THAT ENTAILS.
WE CAN CERTAINLY PULL THAT TOGETHER AND BRING IT AT A FUTURE WORK SESSION TOO IF THE COUNCIL AGREES.
>> MAYOR, MRS. HARRIS SUGGESTED THAT WE PULL ITEM G11 FROM CONSENT TO DISCUSS RAINWATER HARVESTING.
I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST MAYBE THIS WOULD BE BETTER SUITED AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT ALIGNS WITH OUR REUSE, WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE WASTEWATER AND PUT IT BACK INTO CIRCULATION AS IRRIGATION.
PERHAPS, RAINWATER HARVESTING COULD ALSO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THAT TO LOWER OUR USE OF FRESHWATER.
JUST AN ALTERNATIVE, INSTEAD OF PULLING THAT ITEM FROM CONSENT, IT CAN BE APPROVED, AND WE CAN HAVE A LATER CONVERSATION ON THAT TOPIC SPECIFICALLY.
>> I MEAN, ARE YOU ALL GOOD WITH THAT?
>> THE ITEM THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT IS REQUIRED BY TCQ AND TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO BE APPROVED EVERY FIVE YEARS.
IT'S A STANDARD DOCUMENT THAT WE UPDATE EVERY FIVE YEARS AND APPROVED, BUT I THINK RAINWATER MIGHT BE A SEPARATE ITEM THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT AND LOOK FURTHER AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, BUT I THINK IT'S PART OF TONIGHT, BUT THIS IS REALLY JUST A DOCUMENT THAT GETS UPDATED EVERY FIVE YEARS WITH NEW NUMBERS.
I THINK RAINWATER MIGHT BE A LARGER DISCUSSION.
>> I THINK YOU WERE SAYING, JUST KEEP IT ON THE CONSENT ITEMS [OVERLAPPING]
>> UNDERSTOOD. WE CAN BRING THIS UP AS A FUTURE ITEM THAT WE CAN GO A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DEPTH ON.
[00:25:03]
>> DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS? WE'RE GOOD. WE'LL MOVE ON TO COORDINATION OF CALENDARS.
[I. COORDINATION OF CALENDARS]
WE HAVE LABOR DAY COMING UP, SO SEPTEMBER 2ND REGULAR MEETING FOR TOWN COUNCIL IS CANCELED.SEPTEMBER 16TH, REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 17TH AND 19TH, IS OUR BOARD AND COMMISSIONS INTERVIEWS.
CAN YOU ALL MAKE ALL OF THOSE? I CAN TOO. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM J, CONSENT ITEMS.
[J. CONSENT ITEM(S)]
MAYOR PRO TEM MARTIN REQUESTED THAT NUMBER 2 BE TAKEN OFF FROM THE CONSENT TO A REGULAR ITEM.I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE ITEMS FROM SOMEBODY FOR ITEMS 1 AND 3 THROUGH 16.
>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEMS J1 AND J3 THROUGH 16 AS PRESENTED.
>> I THINK, TERESA, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. CAN YOU TAKE THE ROLL?
>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM SCHIESTEL?
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO OUR REGULAR ITEMS.
[J.2. SPAN Agreement - Consider approval of a Service Agreement for Demand Response Transit Service with SPAN, Inc., in an amount not-to-exceed $60,873.12, to provide transportation service for Town citizens who are age 65 or older and Town citizens with verifiable disabilities that prevent them from driving; and authorization for the Mayor to execute same on behalf of the Town.]
ITEM K. THE FIRST REGULAR ITEM WAS CONSENT NUMBER 2 ON SPAN.CHUCK JENNINGS IS GOING TO PRESENT ON THIS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CHUCK, PARKS AND RECREATION.
WE'VE GOT THE SPAN CREW HERE TONIGHT TO TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THEY'RE HERE ON THE FRONT ROW.
WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THEM AND THEY HAVE A PRESENTATION.
LET ME PULL THAT UP REAL QUICK.
BUT FIRST, I JUST WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW, THIS IS AN ANNUAL CONTRACT THAT WE BRING FORWARD EVERY YEAR IN AUGUST.
WE'VE BEEN PARTNERING WITH THEM FOR A LONG TIME, I THINK IT WAS 2005 OR SO, WHEN WE STARTED OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.
THIS IS A TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT FOR OUR SENIORS THAT ARE 65 YEARS OR OLDER AS WELL AS ADULTS WITH VERIFIABLE DISABILITIES.
I'LL GO OVER REAL QUICK. SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING IN THIS YEAR'S CONTRACT IS, WE ADDED A SECTION THAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY EVERY YEAR, AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
WE ALSO EXPANDED TRIP PURPOSES.
WE ADDED A FEW ADDITIONAL ONES.
ONE OF THEM IS RELATED TO PERSONAL HYGIENE WITH AIR APPOINTMENTS, AND THEN WE ADDED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ONE.
THAT'S, IF YOU REMEMBER, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT AT THE WORK SESSION ABOUT IF FOLKS NEEDED TO GO TO THE DMV OR SEE AN ATTORNEY FOR VARIOUS REASONS, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT RELATED TO ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF, POST OFFICE THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PUT IT UNDER THAT CATEGORY.
THEN WE HAD A SPECIAL PURPOSE ONE THAT WE ADDED.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE ONE IS REALLY GOING TO CATCH ALL THOSE THAT WE OCCASIONALLY GET, BUT THIS ONE NEVER FAILS.
I'LL GET SOMETHING THEY'LL CALL ME ABOUT, AND I'LL BE LIKE, OH, MAN, I WISH WE COULD COVER THAT SOMEHOW BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND IS A TRIP THAT THEY REALLY NEED TO TAKE FOR WHATEVER THE REASON MIGHT BE.
THE SPECIAL PURPOSE ONE WOULD BE WHERE I COULD WORK WITH THEM, AND BE LIKE, LET'S GO AHEAD AND LET THEM HAVE THIS ONE TRIP.
IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEEM WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO ADD, THEN WE WOULD COME BACK AND AMEND THE CONTRACT, AND ADD THAT AS AN ACTUAL TRIP PURPOSE OR WE'LL WAIT TO THE NEXT YEAR, AND ADD IT AS A TRIP PURPOSE.
BUT IT GIVES ME THAT ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM AND HELP THAT SENIOR OUT.
IN THE SERVICE AREA, I MENTIONED LAST TIME, OUR CURRENT CONTRACT JUST HAS DENTON, LOUISVILLE, HIGHLAND VILLAGE, AND FLOWER MOUND.
THIS NEW CONTRACT WOULD BE DENTON COUNTY WIDE.
WE TALKED ABOUT, I THINK, A LADY THAT NEEDED RIDES TO CORINTH AND ABOUT THE LAKE CITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND IT MADE SENSE.
BUT THE MORE WE WERE THINKING ABOUT IT, IF I'LL HEAR FROM SOMEONE, I KNOW THERE'S SOMEONE THAT NEEDS TO GO TO LANTANA FOR SOMETHING OR OREGON, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S LIKE, MAN, WE DON'T HAVE THAT.
BUT WORKING WITH THEM AND HEARING FROM THEM, IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT OUR RATE ANY.
WE CAN MAKE IT COUNTY WIDE, AND IT WON'T HURT OUR EFFICIENCIES OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
WHY NOT JUST DO IT COUNTY WIDE? THEN WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT PROBLEM WHERE THERE WERE JUST ONE MORE CITY OVER.
WHY CAN'T I GO THERE? LET'S SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE.
NO. THE ONE THING I WILL POINT OUT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY MIGHT WANT TO TALK TO IT IN THEIR PRESENTATION, BUT THE 5310 GRANT MONEY THAT WE HAVE IS SUNSETTING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON TRYING TO GET US ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS YEAR, AND I THINK IF WE WERE TO SEE ANYTHING, IT MIGHT BE MID-YEAR ISH THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
IF WE DON'T, I WILL SAY WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR FOLKS IN
[00:30:01]
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO GET US THROUGH THE REST OF THE YEAR, BUT WE WOULD CERTAINLY DO THAT, AND THEN AMEND THE CONTRACT TO ADD THOSE ADDITIONAL FUNDS, PROBABLY TO THE TUNE OF AROUND 20 ADDITIONAL THOUSAND DOLLARS.TO DATE, I THINK WE'VE HAD ABOUT 55 UNDUPLICATED RIDERS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE.
YOU CAN SEE I PUT A LITTLE CARD UP THERE FROM SPAN.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE DOING A SURVEY.
I THINK OVER THE LAST MONTH, THEY'VE BEEN HANDING THESE OUT AND GETTING FEEDBACK FROM THE DIFFERENT RIDERS.
THEY MAY TALK TO THAT HERE A LITTLE BIT IN THEIR PRESENTATION AS WELL.
WITH THAT, I'LL INVITE RICKY, I THINK IS GOING TO COME UP FIRST OR IS IT? THREE OF THEM ARE COMING UP, THE TRANSPORTATION TEAM.
LET THEM GO THROUGH THEIR PRESENTATION AND HAPPILY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
MY NAME IS JONA CORONADO, I'M THE TRANSPORTATION MANAGER.
THIS IS RICKY DELAPAZ, HE'S OUR DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, AND THIS IS KRISTINE HERRERA, SHE'S DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SERVICES.
SPAN HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS.
WE ARE HELPING SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIVE FULLY AND INDEPENDENTLY THROUGH TRANSPORTATION AND THROUGH OUR MEALS PROGRAM.
I'LL LET KRISTINE SPEAK ON THE SENIOR OR THE MEALS.
>> MY NAME IS KRISTINE HERRERA, AND I SUPERVISE AND RUN THE MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM, OUR CONGREGATE PROGRAMS, AND OUR SENIOR PAWS PROGRAM.
AND WE DID HIT A RECORD FOR MEALS ON WHEELS OF DENTON COUNTY LAST FISCAL YEAR AGAIN.
WE SERVED OVER 149 MEALS TO 1437 CLIENTS, AND THIS IS FALL OF DENTON COUNTY.
NOW IN THE CITY OF FLOWER MOUND, WE SERVED 51 CLIENTS, 5,091 MEALS.
ALL OF OUR CLIENTS IN FLOWER MOUND RECEIVE FIVE HOT MEALS PER WEEK THROUGHOUT HOME DELIVERY AT VARIOUS SENIOR CENTERS.
IN FLOWER MOUND, SENIORS THAT RESIDE IN FLOWER MOUND AND WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR CONGREGATE MEALS, THEY GO TO [INAUDIBLE], BECAUSE AT THE FLOWER MOUND SENIOR CENTER, I THINK IT'S METROPORT SERVING MEALS.
OVER HERE, YOU CAN SEE OUR MEALS ON WHEEL SCHEME.
THESE ARE SITE MANAGERS, EVERY SITE IN DENTON COUNTY.
SANGER HAS HIS OWN SITE, PILOT POINT.
OF COURSE, THE CITY OF DENTON.
THESE ARE THE LADIES THAT RUN. THOSE SITES.
THEY SCHEDULE THE VOLUNTEERS, THEY TRAIN THE VOLUNTEERS AND THEY SUPPORT THE SENIORS BY MAKING SURE THE VOLUNTEERS ARE BRINGING THEM THE MEALS, AND IF SOMETHING GOES SIDEWAYS, WHICH HAPPENS EVERY HERE AND THERE, THEN THEY ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THE SENIORS AND THE VOLUNTEERS.
OUR SENIOR PAWS PROGRAM, THIS IS A ADDITIONAL PROGRAM, THIS IS OUR LABOR OF LOVE, WE DON'T RECEIVE ANY CITY FUNDING OR GOVERNMENT FUNDING OR STATE FUNDING.
WE DELIVER PET FOOD TO ALL OF OUR HOME DELIVERED MEALS CLIENTS ONCE A MONTH.
THAT FOOD IS BASICALLY BROUGHT TO US MOSTLY AS THE ACTUAL FOOD TO OUR OFFICE BY CITIZENS AND JUST COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, WE WILL SPREAD THE LOVE BY BRINGING THAT FOOD TO OUR SENIORS THAT HAVE PETS, ESPECIALLY DURING COVID, WE LEARNED THAT THE PETS ARE SOMETIMES THE ONLY COMPANION THAT OUR SENIORS HAVE, AND ESPECIALLY THROUGH COVID, THAT WAS IT.
OH, GOSH, ABOUT 16 YEARS AGO, WE FOUND OUT THAT OUR SENIORS ARE SHARING THE HUMAN MEALS THAT WE BRING THEM WITH THEIR PETS.
THAT'S WHEN WE ASKED OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE COULD DO AND THAT'S HOW THIS PROGRAM WAS BORN.
IN ADDITION, ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, WAS THE FIRST TIME WE RECEIVED A GRANT FOR MEALS ON WHEELS OF AMERICA AND PETCO, TO PROVIDE VETERINARIAN SERVICES ALSO TO THE SAME ANIMALS.
WE ARE NOW ABLE TO PAY FOR BASIC SERVICES BLOOD WORK AND VACCINATIONS AND HARD-WORM MEDICATIONS FOR OUR SENIORS.
YOU SHOULD SEE THEIR FACES WHEN WE CAN PAY.
I DIDN'T KNOW IT'S THAT MUCH, BUT REGULAR VISIT IS OVER $300.
THAT'S USUALLY NOT IN OUR SENIORS BUDGET.
THEY'RE VERY THANKFUL. HERE WE GO.
SPAN, WE'RE A DEMAND RESPONSE SERVICE, AND BECAUSE OF THE CITY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE CITIES MAKE, WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE A LOW COST TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RIDERS OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND DISABILITIES.
WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, THAT'S ABLE TO HELP US KEEP THE FARE DOWN FOR $3 EACH WAY.
$3 FOR THOSE SENIORS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
[00:35:02]
I MEAN, THERE ARE TIMES THAT THEY REALLY STRUGGLE TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT $6 IN ORDER TO PAY EACH WAY BACK AND FORTH.WE'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES WHERE PEOPLE SAY, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PASS, I NEED TO CANCEL MY RIGHT, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, SO THAT IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE, YOU DON'T REALIZE, AND SO I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DO AND THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO BRING THAT SERVICE TO THEM AT THAT LOW COST.
OUR APPROVED TRIP PURPOSES, AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT TRIP PURPOSES THAT WE PROVIDE.
THE SHOPPING FOR NECESSITIES WENT THROUGH AND A LOT OF THEM ARE LIKE WALMART, TOM THUMB, WALGREENS GETTING PRESCRIPTIONS TO KROGERS, PLACES LIKE THAT.
THAT'S ABOUT ALL THEY CAN AFFORD TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE THAT FAIR, SO THEY'RE NOT REALLY GOING AROUND AND DOING THESE UNNECESSARY TRIPS, IT IS A VITAL PART OF THEIR LIFE.
TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR TEAM.
OUR DRIVERS, A LOT OF THEM ARE RETIRED PROFESSIONALS.
THAT'S WHERE I REALLY LIKE TO BRAG A LOT ABOUT OUR SERVICE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF VETERANS. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.
I DID HAVE THAT NUMBER, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.
OUR DRIVERS ARE RETIRED VETERANS.
THEY REPRESENT THEMSELVES ON OUR SAFETY COMMITTEE.
THEY DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR PASSENGER SO THAT THEY CAN RECOGNIZE WHEN SOMETHING'S GOING WRONG WITH THEM.
THE SAME THING WITH OUR DISPATCH DEPARTMENT.
WE RECENTLY HAD A LADY WHO CALLED AND THEY ENDED UP CALLING THE PARAMEDICS FOR WELL CHECK FOR HER BECAUSE SHE WAS HAVING A SEIZURE, AND THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THROUGH HER VOICE BECAUSE THEY GET TO KNOW PEOPLE AND YOU RECOGNIZE THEIR VOICES, AND THEY SAID THAT SHE HAD HAD A SEIZURE AND WAS TOTALLY OUT OF IT.
SHE DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER THAT PHONE CALL.
THERE'S TIMES THAT WE'VE SAVED LIVES BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T COME TO THE DOOR, AND WE KNOW THEY NEED THAT RIDE.
WE'LL SEND SOMEBODY OVER THERE AND HAVE THEM CHECKED AND WE HAD A GENTLEMAN ONE TIME THAT FELL, AND HE HIT HIS HEAD AND THEY SAID THAT HAD WE NOT BEEN THERE AND CALLED, HAD THE WHEREWITHAL TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT PHONE CALL, HE WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT.
WE SEE THIS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
OUR SCHEDULING SOFTWARE, WE TRY TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS WE CAN.
WE ARE SHARED RIDE PROGRAM, SO WE'RE ABLE TO GET ALL THESE GROUP TRIPS AND TRY TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS WE CAN, TO SAVE THE CITY'S MONEY, TO SAVE US MONEY, AND OUR RIDERS MONEY.
WE MADE AN UPDATE TO THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WHERE WE WERE BOOKING THE TRIPS FROM ONE DAY TO TWO DAYS OUT.
THIS WILL HELP US INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE CAN SERVE AND BE MORE EFFICIENT.
THEN WE JUST DID SOME UPDATES ON JUST FREQUENT RIDER QUESTIONS.
HERE'S ANOTHER PART OF SPAN THAT I REALLY LOVE.
THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.
WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE VETERANS TO GO TO THE DALLAS VA. WE DO THAT THREE TIMES A DAY, MORNING, MIDDAY, AND THE AFTERNOON.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO LIMITED FUNDING, WE ARE HAVING TO CUT THE MIDDAY OUT SO THAT UNTIL WE REAPPLY FOR OUR GRANTS AND GET MORE MONEY.
WE'RE TRYING TO GO AROUND AND BRING AWARENESS TO WHAT WE DO FOR THE VETERANS BECAUSE WE GO DOWN TO DALLAS VA, WE'LL TAKE THEM TO THE DENTON CLINIC AND TO THE FORT WORTH CLINIC, AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AT NO CHARGE TO THE VETERANS, AND IT'S A TOTALLY UNFUNDED PROGRAM, WELL, NOT TOTALLY, BUT VERY LIMITED FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM.
WE ARE GOING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WE ARE BRINGING AWARENESS TO WHAT WE DO FOR THE VETERANS.
OUR TRIPS PERFORMED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ARE 2406.
OF COURSE, AGAIN, HERE'S THE TRIP PURPOSES THAT WE HAD.
AS YOU CAN SEE WITH TRIP PURPOSES, THE PERCENTAGES OF WHAT THEY USE IT FOR, YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST OF IT IS DIALYSIS AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, EMPLOYMENT, LIFE SKILLS IS A BIG PART OF IT.
SHOPPING FOR NECESSITIES, AGAIN, JUST 6%.
BUT WE'RE ABLE TO LET THEM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT ON THEIR FAMILY.
I'M FAIRLY NEW IN THIS POSITION.
BUT BEFORE I STARTED IN THIS POSITION, I WAS THE HEAD MECHANIC AND I ALSO RAN ALL OF MAINTENANCE.
LOOKING AT THIS SLIDE, I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN WHAT WE HAVE.
I TAKE PRIDE IN MY WORK AND I MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ALWAYS MADE SURE TO GO BY WAS A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR.
EVERY VEHICLE, WE HAVE 34 OF THEM IS MAINTAINED UNDER A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR.
[00:40:04]
WE GET AUDITED BY TEXT, NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS, COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND DPS.THIS IS USUALLY A ONCE A YEAR THING.
JUST RECENTLY, WHAT WAS IT LAST AUGUST, WE GOT EIGHT NEW BUSES, WHICH COVID REALLY PUT A HANDER ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
REALLY WE HAD SOME AGING BUSES, BUT THE NEW EIGHT BUSES THEY'VE BEEN A GODSEND.
ALL OUR VEHICLES ARE STORED AT A SECURED FACILITY.
WE HAVE SECURITY FENCE AND GATES AND CAMERAS ALL COVERING EVERY ANGLE OF IT.
FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, WE PROVIDED 2,461 ONE-WAY TRIPS.
IN FISCAL YEAR 25, OUR MONTHLY TRIP COUNT IS PREDICTED TO BE 231 TRIPS PER MONTH.
WE HAVE 55 DUPLICATED RIDERS, AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FROM THE CITY IS $21.09 PER ONE WAY TRIP.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS GOING TO BE $6,873.12.
IF YOU'VE GOT ANY QUESTIONS, WE CAN ANSWER.
>> I FORGOT THAT THE 2,196, THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE FEES TOO.
>> FROM WHAT I WAS READING LAST NIGHT.
>> ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I ASKED FOR THIS TO BE PULLED FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS SO THAT WE COULD DISCUSS IT IN CONTEXT OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TOO BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE.
I KNEW WERE HAVING YOUR PRESENTATION, BUT I REALLY WANTED US TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THAT AND NOT JUST CARTE BLANCHE APPROVE THAT AMOUNT.
LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.
THE FUNDING CHUCK THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT'S GOING AWAY AND WE MIGHT NEED MORE MONEY.
IS THERE ANOTHER WAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE THAT AS A LOOMING QUESTION MARK THAT WE MIGHT NEED MORE MONEY? WE'RE NOT SURE IF WE CAN GET IT.
CAN WE ACTUALLY EARMARK MORE MONEY AS RIDERS MIGHT INCREASE, AND WE ARE INCREASING WHERE WE'RE GOING.
>> YES. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS AND DECIDE NOW.
>> ESPECIALLY SINCE WE'RE EXPANDING THE SENIOR COMMUNITY HERE.
>> OBVIOUSLY, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU COULD.
I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING THAT STRESS AND COMING BACK.
>> I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I THINK RATHER THAN WORRYING ABOUT, ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP DOING THIS AND THEN HAVE OUR SENIORS WORRY ABOUT IT? THE LAST THING WE WANT THEM TO WORRY ABOUT IS, AM I GOING TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION? BECAUSE I KNOW AS WE GET OLDER, SOMETIMES OUR WORLDS GET SMALLER AND SMALLER AND ONE OF THE KEY THINGS TO KEEPING OUR SENIORS HEALTHY AND HAPPY, IS KEEPING THEM CONNECTED AND ALSO MAKING THEM NOT FEEL LIKE THEY'RE A BURDEN ON EVERYONE.
THIS GIVES THEM A SEMBLANCE OF MORE INDEPENDENCE THAT THEY CAN ARRANGE THESE RIDES AND THEY CAN AFFORD IT WITHIN THEIR BUDGET AND WE CAN HELP THEM DO THAT.
THEY CARED FOR US AS WE WERE YOUNGER AND NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO CARE FOR THEM.
I JUST WOULD LIKE IT TO BE A LITTLE MORE OF A THING THAT WE CAN DEPEND ON.
>> YEAH, I THINK WITHOUT THE 5310, IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT FUNDING IT FULLY AND HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF CUSHION BECAUSE WE MIGHT GET SOME ADDITIONAL RIDERS AND IT SEEMS TO GO UP A LITTLE BIT EVERY YEAR.
SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT 19,000, 20,000 WILL PROBABLY GET US THROUGH THE YEAR.
>> I LIKE THAT IDEA. I'D RATHER BE FULLY FUNDED, AND THEN IF WE GET LUCKY AND GET A GRANT, THEN THAT'S TO THE GOOD, BUT NOT HAVE TO SCRAMBLE AND WORRY HALF THE YEAR.
WHERE CAN WE FIND 20 MORE THOUSAND DOLLAR SO THAT WE CAN COMMIT IT TO THIS?
>> WE'LL FIND THE MONEY. AWESOME. NOW, MY NEXT QUESTION WAS ACTUALLY RELEVANT MORE TO THE CONTENT OF THE AGREEMENT.
I REMEMBER WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT IN MARCH IN THE WORK SESSION, I HAD WRITTEN IN MY NOTES VETERANS.
BUT THEN WHEN I WENT BACK TO READ WHAT IT ACTUALLY SAID, I DIDN'T SEE VETERANS SPECIFICALLY CALLED OUT.
IS THAT BECAUSE WE PRESUME THEY WOULD BE PART OF THAT AGE 65 AND OR DISABLED SUBSETS, THOSE TWO THINGS ARE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED IN THE CONTRACT?
>> WE DON'T SPECIFICALLY CALL OUT VETERANS NOW.
>> BUT WE ARE PROVIDING THEM SERVICES.
>> WELL, THEY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE, AND IT'S ONLY TO THOSE CERTAIN LOCATIONS.
ANYWHERE LIKE ANY OF THE OTHER TRIP PURPOSES,
[00:45:01]
RIGHT? YOU GUYS WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT?>> THE VETERAN SERVICES IS TOTALLY A SEPARATE THING.
WE JUST LIKE TO BRING AWARENESS TO EVERYONE.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS TO HELP FUND THAT PROGRAM.
WE'RE JUST BRINGING AWARENESS TO EVERYONE ABOUT IT.
THE CITY DOES NOT FUND THAT AT ALL.
>> DO YOU NEED FUNDING FOR THAT?
>> HOW ARE YOU CURRENTLY DOING IT?
>> TOTALLY, I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DOING IT UNFUNDED WITH VERY LIMITED RESOURCES.
LITERALLY WHEN THEY DRIVE DOWN TO DALLAS, IT TAKES A BUS OUT OF SERVICE FOR LIKE 3 HOURS THAT WE COULD BE DOING IN THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
BUT WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE VETERANS TO GET WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND THEY WENT AND SERVED OUR COUNTRY FOR US TO GIVE US THE RIGHT TO BE UP HERE IN FRONT OF YOU PRESENTING, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DOING FOR THEM.
ONE IS CERTAINLY TO CARVE OUT X NUMBER OF DOLLARS TO HELP FUND THIS NEED.
I PROBABLY WOULD WANT TO KNOW.
YOU SAID WE CURRENTLY SERVE ABOUT 51 RESIDENTS FOR MEALS ON WHEELS PART.
HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE WE SERVING FOR THE TRANSPORTATION PIECE IN FLOWER MOUND?
>> THERE'S 55 UNDUPLICATED RIDERS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR FLOWER MOUND.
AND THEN WE HAVE FOUR VETERANS THAT RIDE THAT ARE IN THE CITY OF FLOWER MOUND? THEY'RE A FLOWER MOUND RESIDENT.
WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GROW OUR VETERAN SERVICES BACK WHEN I STARTED.
I'VE BEEN WITH SPAN FOR ALMOST 15 YEARS, THERE WERE A LOT OF VETERANS THAT USED TO RIDE A LOT.
AFTER COVID, WE NEVER REALLY PICKED BACK UP, AND SO WHAT OUR GOAL IS IS TO GROW THAT AND TO GET THE WORD OUT TO VETERANS AND TO BE ABLE TO FUND IT SO THAT WE CAN COVER THOSE COSTS.
>> IT WOULD EVEN HELP, IF WE EVEN HELPED OUT WITH THE FOUR THAT WE KNOW IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE USING YOUR SERVICES, DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT MIGHT NEED? IS IT SIMILAR AS THE REGULAR RIDERS?
>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TRIPS.
I WASN'T PREPARED FOR THAT, BUT I KNOW 721 ONE WAY COUNTY WIDE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE THIS YEAR.
>> IT CAN ALSO BE A PROPORTION OF THAT.
>> WOULD WE BE ABLE TO GET SOME TRACEABILITY? YES, MA'AM. I CAN DEFINITELY PULL THAT DATA FOR YOU.
I DO KNOW WE HAVE FOUR RIDERS, BUT I CAN GET THE TRIP COUNT.
>> EVEN IF WE FUNDED $2,500, THAT WOULD BE A BIG HELP?
>> JOHN, CAN WE FIND $2,500 FOR THIS?
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN ITEM ON THE BUDGET THAT'S COMING UP.
>> FOR $2,500 FOR THIS? HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?
>> NO. NOT AN ITEM. I'M JUST SAYING WE CAN ADD IT IN WHEN WE DISCUSS THE BUDGET.
>> YOU'RE REALLY GOOD IF YOU KNOW THAT.
>> EXPAND AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUNDING, IS THAT AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO TRY TO?
>> THAT MONEY FOR THE $10,000, IS THAT? I WAS TOLD THAT WAS FOR THE MEALS ON WHEELS PORTION, NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP.
BUT IF WE COULD EXPAND THAT, MAYBE THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO DO IT?
>> OH, GOOD. THAT'S REALLY GREAT.
I SO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
SERVING OUR VETERANS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AND ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO FOR THEM AND FOR YOU ALL BY HELPING THEM, I THINK IS GOOD FOR A WHOLE COMMUNITY.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. ARE WE READY TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE?
>> WE NEED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM?
>> I THINK WE DO BECAUSE IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF CONSENT, BUT WE WOULD CHANGE THE AMOUNT TO $80,873.12?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. BECAUSE THE AGREEMENT CURRENTLY DOESN'T [INAUDIBLE] ADDITIONAL.
>> THEN I DON'T HAVE TO MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT ADDING THE VETERANS OR I DO?
>> YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU ALL WANT TO DO ABOUT THE VETERANS.
>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT THERE'S NO QUESTION WHATSOEVER THAT THIS IS A GROUP THAT COULD BE APPROVED FOR SERVICES.
>> DO WE WANT TO ADD IT TO THE AGREEMENT THAT $2,500 IS SPECIFICALLY EARMARKED FOR THAT PURPOSE EXCLUSIVELY? I GUESS I'M JUST SAYING WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONCEPT IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO SUPPORT, BUT THE CURRENT CONTRACT DOES NOT REFLECT WHAT YOU'RE CONTEMPLATING, SO DO WE WANT IT IN THE CONTRACT?
>> WOULD YOU RATHER DO IT IN THIS OR IN COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUNDING?
>> WELL, SINCE IT'S CONTRACTUAL, I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER PLACED IN THE CONTRACT AS PART OF THIS ITEM.
>> THAT MIGHT REQUIRE US GETTING WITH BRENT AND HIS TEAM TO REWRITE SOME STUFF AND PUT IT IN HERE.
>> REALLY, IT WAS JUST AN ADDITION OF AND VETERANS AND QUALIFIED VETERANS.
>> BUT AREN'T THERE OTHER SPECIFIC TRIPS THAT THE VETERANS ARE TAKING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO INCLUDE IN THIS AS WELL? BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE SAYING DALLAS.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THE MOST PART OF IT IS DALLAS AND VA.
>> THAT SHOULD BE IN THE CONTRACTUAL LANGUAGE AS WELL
[00:50:02]
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE CONTRACT WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF DENTON COUNTY AND A FEW THINGS FOR VETERANS ARE OUTSIDE.>> YOU'D BE LOOKING AT HAVING US REIMBURSE THEM FOR THOSE RIDES, OR ARE YOU JUST WANTED TO GIVE THEM 2,500 TO SUPPORT THAT PROGRAM?
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
DO WE WANT IT INSIDE OF THE REGULAR TRANSPORTATION WHERE WE'RE DOING THE $21 AND THEY'RE STILL DOING $3.
ARE THE VETERANS DOING $3 ONE WAY OR NO, THEY HAVE 100% FREE?
>> CAN WE JUST DO THE CONTRACT WITH ADDITIONAL 20,000 TONIGHT, SO WE GET THAT DONE, IT'S CLEAN AND THEN BRING A CONTRACT AMENDMENT BACK THAT CONTEMPLATES A VETERAN PIECE OF IT? SURE. I'M OKAY WITH THAT IF YOU ALL ARE.
>> WILL THAT WORK FOR EVERYBODY?
>> WE STILL NEED TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> IF I CAN MAKE A SUGGESTION, ONE THING I WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL IS THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF BALLS IN AIR RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T WANT ANY OF THEM TO DROP.
WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THAT WE GO AHEAD AND PASS THE CONTRACT SEPARATE.
THOUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE AND THAT CONVERSATION, WE CAN RECONCILE AND PUT THIS OTHER PIECE TOGETHER.
I JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE'RE ADDING CERTAIN THINGS.
I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO GET MISSED.
I'M LOOKING FOR SOME CLARITY FROM STAFF.
WE CAN APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH THE ADDITIONAL 25,000.
>> TWENTY THOUSAND AND THAT OTHER PIECE FOR THE VETERANS, I'M SORRY, I'M NOT TRYING TO UP THE NUMBER WHILE TALKING.
>> BUT 20,000, WHATEVER THEY SAID.
BUT THE REMAINING PIECE THAT WE CAN RECONCILE AND PUT IT AS PART OF COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THAT VETERANS PIECE JUST KEEP IT SEPARATE.
>> I'LL TAKE A STAB AT A MOTION.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THE SPAN AGREEMENT, ITEM J2 AS APPROVED, INCREASING THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED TO $80,873.12.
>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM SCHIESTEL.
>> OUR NEXT ITEM, JOHN ZAGERSKI IS GOING TO DO THE PRESENTATION.
[K.1. Proposed Budget FY 2024-2025 - Discussion and direction regarding the FY 2024 - 2025 proposed budget, including community support funding, and water, wastewater and stormwater rates (continued from August 15). ]
CORRECT, JOHN? ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET.>> MEG IS ACTUALLY COMING UP TO DO THIS.
>> AS SHE COMES UP, JUST TO RESET WHERE WE ARE WITH THIS CONVERSATION.
LAST THURSDAY, WE HAD OUR BUDGET WORK SESSION.
WE WANTED TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW UP.
MEG HAS A CONDENSED PRESENTATION TO JUST TOUCH ON THOSE HIGH POINTS AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO FRAME A FEW CONVERSATIONS THAT Y'ALL WANTED TO HAVE TODAY OR WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON AND ALSO, COUNCILMAN WERNER IS ABLE TO JOIN US THIS EVENING.
IF THERE'S ANY ITEMS THAT WE MISSED, BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME WE MEET IS GOING TO BE ON SEPTEMBER 16TH WHEN WE ADOPT A BUDGET.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOME SPACE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS, CONCERNS, IDEAS, SO WE CAN IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THAT TOGETHER AND BAKING THIS CAKE AND BRINGING IT TO YOU ON THE 16TH.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MEG.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
YES, AS JAMES SAID, GIVEN THE POINT WE WERE A LITTLE BIT MIXED UP WITH WHO WAS PRESENT AND WHATNOT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE HAD COVERED EVERYTHING, WE DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING.
WE KNOW YOU GUYS NEEDED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO REVIEW OVER SOME INFORMATION.
WE HIT YOU WITH A LOT THURSDAY NIGHT.
WE JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT MOMENT, JUST MAKE SURE WE'RE CHECK IN AND GOOD BECAUSE BY THE NEXT TIME WE MEET, IT WILL BE THAT FINAL ADOPTION POINT, AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE REFLECTING EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS PART OF THIS BUDGET BEFORE WE GET TO THAT APPROVAL STANDPOINT.
JUST AS A REMINDER, I'M NOT GOING TO REHASH THE ENTIRE PRESENTATION.
BUT JUST FOR THOSE WATCHING, WE VERY MUCH TOOK AN APPROACH WITH THIS BUDGET OF WHAT CAN WE DO? HOW CAN WE MOVE YOUR OBJECTIVES FORWARD? THAT WAS THE LENS BY WHICH WE LOOKED AT ALL OF OUR DECISION PACKAGES, JAMES' CONSIDERATION FOR WHAT WOULD HE RECOMMEND FOR FUNDING, AND OF COURSE, THEN HOW YOU SEE YOUR CHANGES TO ALIGN WITH YOUR GOALS AND FOCUS AREAS THAT YOU'VE IDENTIFIED.
WE DID PUT FORWARD $11.4 MILLION IN DECISION PACKAGES, AND THIS WAS HOW THAT AMOUNT WAS BROKEN DOWN BY THE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES THAT YOU AS COUNCIL HAVE IDENTIFIED.
WE DO HAVE 70.1 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL PROPOSED CAPITAL PROJECTS BUILT INTO THIS BUDGET, AND BUDGET AMOUNT OF 75 MILLION AGAIN, FOR THOSE PRIOR AUTHORIZED CAPITAL PROJECTS SO THAT WE CONTINUE TO APPROVE THE ABILITY TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE ALREADY RECEIVED AND IN PROJECTS ONGOING.
THEN THIS WAS HOW THAT WAS BROKEN DOWN.
[00:55:03]
TODAY, THOUGH, WE WANT TO TOUCH BASE.WE SENT YOU ON FRIDAY, ALL OF THOSE APPLICATIONS.
YES, AS MAYOR PRO TEM MARTIN MENTIONED, THEY ARE PRETTY IN DEPTH AND LENGTHY.
YOU CAN SEE THE PROCESS DID CHANGE WITH THIS YEAR WHERE WE HAD THAT STAFF EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSALS AND THEN STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OF THE NUMBERS.
WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE THIS TIME NOW FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE OVER WHERE STAFF IS.
HE ALSO SERVED ON THAT COMMITTEE WITH ME AND A FEW OTHER STAFF MEMBERS.
I HAVE ANOTHER BRAIN TO RELY ON OF WHY WE DECIDED WHAT WE DECIDED.
BUT HAPPY TO OPEN THE FLOOR AT THIS POINT TO QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE IN REGARDS TO THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE DID RECEIVE THIS YEAR.
>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY LEWISVILLE LAKE SYMPHONY HAD A JUMP IN THEIR REQUESTED BUDGET FROM 3,000-10,000.
>> THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY SPELL OUT WHICH PARTICULAR OTHER THAN INCREASED COST, INCREASED PRODUCTION COSTS IN THEIR BUDGET.
WE FELT THAT THERE WAS ENOUGH JUSTIFICATION ON HOW MUCH HAD CHANGED DIFFERENT TO JUSTIFY THAT MUCH OF AN INCREASE, AND SO WE DID HOLD AT WHAT WE'VE APPROVED THEM PREVIOUSLY.
>> I WONDER TOO, MEG, IF SOMETIMES THE AMOUNT THAT THEY REQUESTED IN PRIOR YEARS WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT THAT WE ACTUALLY BUDGETED.
BECAUSE I THINK SOME OTHER TOWNS AND 501(C)(3) THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH ASK FOR MORE THAN THEY ARE BUDGETED, BUT THE BUDGET ITEM IS CONSISTENT FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
>> I DON'T HAVE THE HISTORY KNOWLEDGE.
I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHECK.
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THAT WASN'T POSSIBLE.
>> I NOTICED THE SAME THING FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, BUT WE BUDGETED HIGHER.
>> CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, THEIR REQUEST IS ACTUALLY BASED ON A FORMULA BASED ON THEIR SERVICES PROVIDED.
GIVEN THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PD AND THE FACT THAT IT IS BASED ON ACTUAL CENSUS COUNT AND ACTUAL SERVICES, WE ACTUALLY HAD A DEBATE ON WHETHER THIS WAS THE RIGHT FUNDING SOURCE OR WHETHER THIS SHOULD JUST BE A STANDING PIECE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET.
>> THAT'S AN IMPORTANT SERVICE.
I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHY THAT WENT UP.
>> IT'S TOTALLY BASED ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND THE POPULATION COUNT.
THAT'S A NUMBER THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO GROW, GIVEN THE PERSON THAT RUNS THAT.
>> FOR THEM, EXACTLY WHAT MEG SAID, IT'S ACTUALLY BASICALLY BASED ON SERVICES ALREADY RENDERED.
THIS REPRESENTS 20% OF THE COST.
JUST TO EXPLAIN THAT NUMBER WILL CHANGE EVERY YEAR, AND THAT IS DIRECTLY TIED TO ACTUAL SERVICES THAT WERE ALREADY RENDERED.
>> IS THAT A SIMILAR SITUATION FOR SOME OF THE OTHER CHILD RELATED CARE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE PEDIPLACE?
>> I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE. DID YOU HAVE THAT?
>> I KNOW WE HAD ALLOCATED 40,000 IN '21, '22 AND THEN WE DROPPED IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK UP TO THAT 40,000 RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT.
>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT PEDIPLACE.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS OUT OF ALL OF THEM, I WILL SAY THAT THEY'RE PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST ON PROVIDING DATA AND INFORMATION IN ACTUALS.
THERE ARE SOME OTHERS THAT GET CLOSE.
BUT THEY HAVE A VERY GOOD THING GOING ON INFORMATION AND DATA AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR ONE FIFTH OF THE TOTAL COST THAT HAVE BEEN RENDERED.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL TO SUGGEST THAT YOU GO FOR A TOUR THERE.
I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT A YEAR OR A YEAR AND A HALF AGO SOMETIME.
BUT IT WAS SO INFORMATIVE AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHAT A TOP NOTCH FACILITY THAT THEY ARE RUNNING AND HOW THAT REALLY AUGMENTS THE CARE THAT CHILDREN GET.
SOMETIMES THAT'S THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF CARE FOR THEM.
>> I THINK THAT'S GREAT, AND I'M 100% ON BOARD WITH PROVIDING THE FUNDING AS PRESENTED FOR THE CHILD ADVOCACY, WHETHER IT'S PEDIPLACE OR THE ADVOCACY CENTER IN NORTH TEXAS.
THIS PROBABLY ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME TO DISCUSS THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO PLANT A BUG THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S BEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF FLOWER MOUND KIDS AND RESIDENTS THAT HAVE REQUIRED THESE SERVICES.
MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A WORK SESSION AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.
I'LL BRING THAT UP NEXT TIME, BUT TO LOOK INTO THAT, SEE IF THE POLICE HAVE ANY INDICATION AS TO WHAT'S LEADING TO THAT INCREASE, AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE COULD DO ABOUT THAT, BUT AGAIN, NOT FOR TODAY.
IT'S A CONCERNING TREND, IF THAT'S THE CASE.
[01:00:02]
>> YEAH. WHEN THE NUMBER JUMPS THAT HIGH, YOU HAVE TO BE CONCERNED.
>> WOULD NOW ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE SPAN INCREASE 10,000-12,500? SINCE THAT WOULD BE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS DOCUMENT.
FRIEND JAMES, WE'RE GOOD? YES. IF COUNCIL WANTED THAT NUMBER TO GO UP TO THE 12,5, OBVIOUSLY, THAT WAS NOT PART OF THEIR REQUEST OR THEIR PLAN, BUT WE CAN ABSOLUTELY ADJUST THE BUDGET FOR IT.
OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM DOES REQUIRE REPORTING ON THEIR USE OF FUNDS, REIMBURSEMENT BASIS, SO WE WOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THEN TO ENSURE THAT THE TWO 2,500 THAT COUNSEL IS REQUESTING TO ADD FOLLOWED IN LINE WITH WHAT YOUR REQUEST WAS.
>> IT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM PRODUCING THAT.
ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY'RE A KNOWN TRUSTED COMMUNITY SUPPORTER AS IS, THEN I ALSO THOUGHT MAYBE THEIR APPLICATION AND THE ACCEPTANCE ALREADY WOULD ALSO INDICATE THEY'RE CERTAINLY WORTHY.
>> I CAN ABSOLUTELY ADD IT AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE APPROVAL LETTER THAT WE'RE APPROVING MORE THAN THEY REQUESTED AS DISCUSSED WITH COUNCIL FOR THE VETERAN SERVICES.
>> I WANTED TO ADD A FEW THINGS ON SPAN. YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.
IN FACT, THIS IS PROBABLY THE APPLICATION THAT GOT CLOSEST TO WHAT YOU ASKED ABOUT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.
THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR MEALS ON WHEELS.
EARLIER, YOU JUST DID SOMETHING FOR THE TRIPS.
THIS IS FOR THE MEALS ON WHEEL SERVICE.
THEY'RE PROJECTING 6,000 MEALS THIS YEAR.
THIS REQUEST, YES, WOULD REPRESENT ONE SIXTH THE OVERALL COST OF EACH MEAL GIVEN TO A FLOWER MOUND RESIDENT.
THAT ADDITIONAL I JUST TALKED WITH THEM ON THE WAY OUT.
LET THEM KNOW THAT, HEY, IF COUNCIL WANTED TO ADD THAT FUNDING IN HERE, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PROVIDE DATA ON IN FUTURE YEARS.
BUT THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GOOD WAY TO DO IT.
JUST WANT TO ADD SOME OF THAT EXTRA INFORMATION.
>> SURE. YES. I THINK THAT 2,500 WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY FOR VETERAN RELATED TRANSPORTATION TO THOSE, WAS IT FIVE LOCATIONS THAT THEY MENTIONED ON THEIR SLIDE? IT WOULD TAKE IN THEM INTO DALLAS AND FORT WORTH.
I DON'T KNOW IF I WROTE DOWN THE OTHER ONES NECESSARILY.
I THINK I SAW CONSENSUS ON THAT.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO WHAT THE MAYOR MENTIONED ABOUT LEWISVILLE LAKE SYMPHONY.
I KNOW IT'S BEEN RELATIVELY STEADY FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
I THINK YOU SAID THERE WASN'T ENOUGH JUSTIFICATION IN THE APPLICATION TO GO UP TO THE 10.
I DID HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING ONE OF THEIR CONCERTS IN THE SPRING, THEY DID A PHENOMENAL JOB.
I'D BE IN FAVOR OF MAYBE BUMPING THAT TO 5,000 FOR THIS YEAR AND THEN FOLLOW WITH A REQUEST TO THEM TO SAY, HEY, WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO SUPPORT AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF FUNDING AND GO BACK TO THEM FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT MAYBE WE COULD BUMP UP TO 5,000.
>> STAFF ACTUALLY WAS WILLING TO GO UP TO 5,000 IF LOUISVILLE WOULD AGREE TO DO SOME SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIBRARY.
WE'D LIKE TO SEE THEM COME INTO FLOWER MOUND IN PARTNERSHIP.
STAFF WOULDN'T BE ADVERSE AT ALL TO THE 5,000, BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE THAT A LITTLE MORE CONDITIONAL TO GET THAT MONEY SO THAT THERE WAS MORE OF A DIRECT FLOWER MOUND TIE WAS OUR SUGGESTION.
>> HAVE WE REACHED OUT, OR HAS STAFF REACHED OUT?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE CAN WORK WITH AGAIN IN THE AWARD LETTER TO SAY WE'D BE HAPPY, BUT STAFF'S REQUEST WOULD BE IF WE GO UP TO THAT AMOUNT THAT WE DO REQUEST THAT THEY DO SOME PROGRAMMING AT THE LIBRARY WITH US.
>> I PROPOSE WE BUMP UP TO 5,000 GAVE YOU THAT WINDOW, AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT THAT CONDITION IS.
>> BECAUSE WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYTHING FOR THE FLOWER MOUND COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS.
>> WELL, THEY DIDN'T MEET THE DEADLINE OF THE APPLICATION.
>> YES. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DID NOT SUBMIT ON TIME, AND WE HAVE DENIED OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PAST FOR NOT MEETING THAT DEADLINE, AND SO THEY DID NOT GET A REQUEST THIS YEAR.
>> I THINK THAT'S REALLY GREAT. LEWISVILLE LAKE SYMPHONY, $3,000, AND IF THEY AGREE TO THE LIBRARY, HOWEVER, YOU WANT TO STATE THAT AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 COULD BE ADDED.
>> THEN I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE TOUCHED ON THIS EARLIER FOR FUTURE THINGS, BUT RANCH HANDS RESCUE WINNING THE FIGHT, WE'VE HISTORICALLY DONATED FOR THEM AND NOTHING FOR THIS YEAR.
>> I DID TALK TO WINNING THE FIGHT TODAY THAT'S HOW I GOT SOME OF MY VERY GOOD INFORMATION, AND IT WAS ACTUALLY A CASE WHERE THE AUDIT WAS SO EXPENSIVE THAT IT WAS LIKE PAYING HALF OF WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR JUST THE AUDIT THAT'S REQUIRED.
THEY CHOSE NOT TO APPLY THIS YEAR, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT RANCH HANDS RESCUE
[01:05:02]
RECEIVED A VERY SUBSTANTIAL GIFT FROM ANOTHER SOURCE, SO THAT THEY FELT THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO COME TO US THIS YEAR FOR THE 20,000.HAS ANYONE ELSE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THAT?
>> I KNOW THEY DID NOT SEND IN APPLICATIONS.
I DON'T KNOW THE STORY BEHIND IT.
I DID LOOK BACK AT OUR CRITERIA, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE AN AUDIT, IT CAN BE A CPA REVIEW.
>> YES. THAT WAS MENTIONED IN MY CONVERSATION EARLIER, BUT APPARENTLY, THE COST FOR THAT WAS ALSO QUITE SUBSTANTIAL.
I WAS LIKE, WELL, WE NEED TO JUST LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO BE WELL VETTED, AND WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC MONEY THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM IS APPROPRIATELY USED.
>> THAT REQUIREMENT ONLY COMES INTO PLAY IF THEIR BUDGET IS OVER 100,000.
>> OH, SO ONES THAT ARE RIGHT ON THE CUSP, UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT IF IT'S LIKE 101,000, THEN THEY HAVE THIS.
>> BUT IF THEY WERE, BUT STILL IT'S MAYBE WE CAN JUST LOOK AT THE AMOUNT.
>> WE ABSOLUTELY CAN REVIEW, BUT YES, WE DO PROVIDE TWO DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR THOSE BUDGETS OVER 100,000.
UNDER 100,000, IT'S ASSIGNED FINANCIAL BY THEIR BOARD.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. THANK YOU.
>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ON THAT? WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON.
MAYOR, YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE NEXT ONE, CORRECT? NEXT PRESENTATION WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP.
>> WE'RE GOING TO SHIFT OVER TO THE UTILITY, SO I'M GOING TO SHIFT THAT OVER TO JOHN.
JUST TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR, WE'RE FINE WITH ALL OF THE NUMBERS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ADDING 2,500 TO SPAN FOR VETERAN SERVICES AND PROVIDING THE PARTNERSHIP OPTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 WITH LOUISVILLE, LAKE SYMPHONY.
THANK YOU. THEN I WILL FLIP OUR SLIDE.
JUST TO REFRESH THIS WAS THE SUMMARY OF WHAT WAS DISCUSSED THURSDAY NIGHT.
I DID JUST WANT TO PUT THIS OUT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE GOOD.
WE WERE ADJUSTING FUNDING SOURCES FOR TWO OF THE DECISION PACKAGES, THE FALL FESTIVAL, MOVING TO HOTEL OCCUPANCY, THE AXON TASERS, MOVING TO CRIME DISTRICT FUND.
WE WERE ADDING DECISION PACKAGES, PUBLIC ART.
WE DID LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFICALLY THAT THE 15% THRESHOLD WE WERE ALL UNDER THE IMPRESSION OF WITH HOTEL OCCUPANCY DOES NOT APPLY TO US BECAUSE OF OUR POPULATION SIZE.
WE DID PUT IN THE FULL 100,000 THAT HAD BEEN REQUESTED SO THAT THAT MONEY WAS AVAILABLE TO COUNCIL AT YOUR DISCRETION FOR THAT PROGRAM.
THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TOOLS TO THE FIRE DISTRICT FUND, ME, THE OSSF REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR STORMWATER FUND, AND THEN WE'LL MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE CAPITAL SIDE TO REMOVE THE FUNDING FOR THE SMART TRAFFIC SIGNALS PROGRAM, REALLOCATE THAT MONEY TO THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS PERFORMANCE MEASURES.
>> THEN ALSO, I THINK I HAD ASKED FOR THE TICKET RIDERS.
>> IT WAS 5,000, BUT THEY BELIEVE THEY HAD THE SOLUTION AND DIDN'T NEED FINES.
>> NO. IT WAS NOT BEING IGNORED, BUT WE DID NOT NEED THAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE FALL FESTIVAL.
I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO SCALE IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF.
>> WE'RE RIGHT NOW JUST PUTTING THE BUDGET DOLLAR IN THERE.
WE DON'T EXPECT TO SPEND UP TO THAT, BUT JUST FOR SIMPLICITY SAKE, WE'RE JUST MOVING THE BUDGET DOLLARS FROM GENERAL FUND TO FALL OR TO HOTEL OCCUPANCY WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THE SPECIAL EVENTS TEAM CHECKS GROUP.
WELL, OBVIOUSLY, THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE WORKING PLANS ON HOW THAT ACTUALLY LAYS OUT, AND WE'LL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE PLANNING TO SPEND.
BUT JUST FOR A BUDGET AUTHORIZATION, WE KNOW WE WON'T EXCEED AND DON'T EXPECT TO EVEN COME CLOSE TO IT, BUT THAT WOULD BE THE ABSOLUTE MAX IN CONJUNCTION WITH HOW COUNCIL DEVELOPS IT WITH THE PUBLIC PARKS AND REC TEAM.
>> ONE THING THAT I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS THAT WE HEARD SOME OF THE FEEDBACK OBVIOUSLY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AUTHORIZED, WE WOULD COME BEFORE YOU AGAIN BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD IN ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE SCOPE AND APPROACH THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE WITH IT.
>> AS A DECISION PACKAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, OR?
>> NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS GEARED TOWARDS HAVING A EVENT EFFECT OF THE FALL OF 2025.
WHAT WE WOULD DO IS MORE THAN LIKELY HIRE OWN NO STAFF, THAT STAFF WILL COME ON, DO THAT RESEARCH, LOOK INTO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE.
I WOULD ASSUME THAT WE WOULD BRING IT TO YOU IN A WORK SESSION OR SOME OTHER MEETING TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF HOW IT'S COMING TOGETHER.
YOU WILL SEE IT BEFORE WE EXECUTE ANYTHING AND START APPROPRIATING FUNDS TOWARDS THE EVENT.
>> TECHNICALLY, SINCE IT'S TARGETED FOR OCTOBER OF 2025, WE DON'T NEED THIS MUCH MONEY IN THE 25 BUDGET BECAUSE THAT WOULD TECHNICALLY BE THE 26 BUDGET, CORRECT?
>> CHUCK IS SAYING, WE ABSOLUTELY NEED BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF LEAD TIMES WITH DIFFERENT THINGS OF THAT NATURE SO EVEN THOUGH.
>> YOU NEED SOME OF IT TO PAY AHEAD OF TIME?
>> EXACTLY. EVEN THOUGH IT'S TECHNICALLY IN FISCAL YEAR 26,
[01:10:03]
WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND SECURE EVERYTHING IN FISCAL YEAR 25.>> WE'RE GOING INTO THE FUND REALM WHERE SPECIAL EVENT BUDGETS WILL ALWAYS RUN IN ARREARS BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A BUDGET PLAN BEFORE WE ACTUALLY KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO PERFORM, GENERALLY SPEAKING.
AS EVENTS FLUSH OUT AND DEVELOP THE CYCLES GET A LITTLE BIT OFF TO THE BUDGET CYCLE.
>> DIDN'T WE ROLL AN FTE IN THAT?
>> THERE ARE TWO FTES PROPOSED.
THOSE ARE STILL IN THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THEM.
>> WE DIDN'T BRING IT DOWN TO ONE, I THINK WE KEPT IT AT TWO, RIGHT?
>> WE TALKED ABOUT DECREASING IT THOUGH.
>> IT MAKE SENSE, THIS IS HOT TAX, AND IT'S EARMARKED.
ANYTHING WE DON'T SPEND SIMPLY STAYS IN THAT FUND AND CARRIES OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE COULD REASSIGN IT TO SOMETHING ELSE ANYWAY.
THEN DO WE HAVE A SENSE OF HOW MUCH HOT TAX WE WOULD EXPECT TO GET IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS?
>> AS MORE HOTELS DEVELOP AS WE HAVE EVENTS THAT BRING PEOPLE TO FLOWER MOUND, YES, WE EXPECT THAT TO GROW, BUT AT WHAT PACE? I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY OF US WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU A LEAD TIME OF.
>> SINCE THE HOTEL THAT WE HAVE, THEIR TAX INCENTIVE IS GOING AWAY, WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE INCENTIVE AT THIS TIME?
>> THE REVENUE BUDGET WE'VE PUT IN FOR IT IS 600,000.
>> WE EXPECT AT LEAST IF NOTHING CHANGES, 600,000 APPROXIMATELY PER YEAR RENEWABLE MOVING FORWARD, THEN IF WE OPEN ANOTHER HOTEL INFLATION, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS, MAYBE IT GOES UP.
>> I'VE GOT THE TAX RATE WE'LL SKIP PAST THIS.
THIS WAS JUST A REFRESH IF THERE WERE QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING WE WANTED TO RE-ADDRESS.
I'M GOING TO MOVE IT FORWARD TO OUR UTILITY RATES AS THE NEXT PIECE THAT NEEDED SOME ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP, AND I'M GOING TO TURN THAT OVER TO JOHN.
I THINK WE HAVE TWO HOTELS RIGHT NOW OR ONE. TWO, OKAY.
THE $600,000 IS PROBABLY AN AGGREGATE OF THOSE TWO HOTELS.
ON AVERAGE, IT'S ANYWHERE FROM 100, AND $200,000 ROUGHLY A HOTEL, AND THEN ANY NEW HOTELS WE COME ONLINE MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS OR INCENTIVES OR THINGS LIKE THAT SO EACH ONE THAT COMES ONLINE, MAYBE ONE OR $200,000 IN ADDITIONAL INCOME.
AFTER LAST CONVERSATION, I WANTED TO PROVIDE THIS IN A DIFFERENT NARRATIVE.
NEGIN SOLUTIONS PROVIDE US A GREAT PRESENTATION, A VERY IN DEPTH ANALYSIS.
HONESTLY, THEY'RE SOME OF THE BEST OF THE BUSINESS WHEN IT COMES TO UTILITY RATE, PROJECTING, BUT NARRATIVE IS A CHALLENGE.
SOME OF THIS THAT I WANTED TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT IS HELP YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND WHAT'S DRIVING THESE RATES AND WHAT'S ACTUALLY PUSHING THIS AND THEN HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT.
OVERALL COST INCREASES IS ABOUT 8% SO THAT'S ABOUT 14% FROM OPERATIONS, AND 8% IS WHOLESALE INCREASES, WHICH IS THE LARGEST CHUNK OF THINGS AND THEN CAPITAL, SORRY, I GOT MY LESS THAN SIGN BACKWARDS, BUT IT'S LESS THAN 1%.
CAPITAL CHANGE INCREASE IS LESS THAN 1%.
IT'S REALLY NOT A CAPITAL DRIVER IT'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPERATION AND WHOLESALE THAT'S REALLY PRESSING THE PEDAL THERE.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE DID WAS WE DECREASE THE AMOUNT THAT WE ARE CONTRIBUTING IN CAPITAL PROJECT CASH FUNDING BY 4.5 MILLION DOLLARS.
WE DID THAT AND THAT GETS US TO THE 0.25%.
WE'RE PULLING A LOT OF THOSE ONE-TIME LEVERS SO THAT THIS RATE INCREASE DOESN'T HIT HARDER THAN IT SHOULD.
THAT WAS SOME OF THE DRIVERS BESIDE THAT.
I KNOW A LOT OF THINGS HE THREW OUT HE SAID, WHOLESALE COSTS WILL RUN YOU ABOUT 4.6% AND ON THE RATE INCREASE.
THE OTHER DRIVER AREA IS OPERATIONS THAT'S PUSHING THAT, AND A LOT OF THAT'S JUST COSTS.
UTILITIES ON AVERAGE WITH THE TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND HAVE ACTUALLY RUN BELOW INFLATION ON INCREASES.
I THINK LAST YEAR, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 15% BASED ON THE GOVERNMENTS AND PROJECTION OF WHAT INFLATION IS ON UTILITIES, AND WE'RE ABLE TO KEEP THAT AROUND 4.5%.
THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO RUN AND TREND UNDER WHERE PROJECTED.
THESE COSTS ARE NOT GOING AWAY.
IF WE DO LOWER THAT BACK TO THE 4.5%, YOU'RE ROUGHLY GOING TO SEE A LARGER INCREASE THE FOLLOWING YEAR BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST ONGOING COSTS.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT TO THAT.
THAT ANALYSIS THAT WE SENT YOU HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT PAGES AND EVERYTHING, BUT IT DOES RUN YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF THE ANALYSIS.
THE ONLY THING THAT'S GETTING WARNING SIGNS IS BASICALLY, OUR DEBT RATIO.
OUR DEBT PAYMENT RATIO TO RESERVES, THAT'S GETTING A LITTLE BIT ON EDGE, LUCKILY WE DON'T DO REVENUE BONDS, BUT IF WE EVER DID, WE WOULD HAVE TO PUMP UP OUR RESERVES IN THE UTILITY FUND.
BUT AS WE STAND NOW, WE USE COS AND THAT SAVES US A LOT ON INTEREST AND NOT PUTTING ON REVENUE BONDS.
IT'S A WARNING SIGN, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY UNTIL WE HAD TO ISSUE DIRECTLY OUT OF THE UTILITY FUND.
[01:15:03]
DOES THAT PROVIDE YOU GUYS A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT ON DECISION-MAKING BEHIND THAT 5.25%? WE'RE NOT SAYING THIS TO GO THREE YEARS PAST THIS.WE'RE REALLY JUST SAYING THIS WAS A THREE-YEAR PLAN.
THIS YEAR, WE SHOULD HAVE GONE UP 4.5% BASED ON THAT PLAN.
WE ACTUALLY NEED TO GO UP 5.25 BASED ON THESE NEW COSTS.
>> OPERATIONS, IS THAT MAINTENANCE WAIVER?
EVEN THOUGH WITH THE DECISION PACKAGES YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE ABOUT $800,000 WORTH OF DECISION PACKAGES.
IF YOU CUT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM YOU HAD, IT'D BE ABOUT $300,000 IN SAVINGS ON PERSONNEL AND VEHICLES AND ALL OF THAT, THAT WOULDN'T GET YOU EVEN BACK TO YOUR CLOSE YOUR 4.5% BECAUSE THE WHOLESALE COST DRIVERS.
>> WHAT I ALSO ADD IS THAT A LOT OF FOLKS GET HYPER-FOCUSED ON THE GENERAL FUND, BUT THAT MARKET MERCOLA, THAT ALSO APPLIES TO OUR UTILITY FUND, AND THAT'S THE PRINCIPAL DRIVER ON THE OPERATION SIDE FOR THAT INCREASE SO JUST BE MINDFUL THAT FOR THE FOLKS THAT GET PAID AT A UTILITY FUND, WE'RE ALSO USING THESE RATES TO PAY FOR THE MARKET MERCOLA ON RETIREMENT.
>> I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THIS 5.25% WOULD JUST BE FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
>> YOU WOULD LOOK AGAIN NEXT YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
>> ABSOLUTELY, WE CAN EVALUATE THAT OR WE CAN GO ON AN ANNUAL BASIS IF THAT'S MORE OF THE ONE.
I'VE EVEN SEEN COUNCIL SAY, HEY, WHATEVER WHOLESALE DOES, WE'RE GOING TO KICK THAT AS AN IMMEDIATE PASS-THROUGH.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FINANCIAL POLICIES OF WAY WE CAN MANAGE THIS, BUT THIS IS JUST RUNNING OUT THE END OF THAT THREE-YEAR CONTRACT.
WE'RE JUST ASKING TO DECIDE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN PLACE BY ORDINANCE.
>> THIS HELPS, JOHN. THE ISSUE I HAD WITH THE EARLIER PRESENTATION WAS THAT IT SEEMED TO SAY THAT WHOLESALE COST WAS THE ONLY VARIABLE.
WE HAVE TO PASS THIS RATE INCREASE BECAUSE OUR WHOLESALE COSTS ARE GOING UP.
BUT I'M LOOKING AT PAGE 10 OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER RATE STUDY THAT YOU SHARED AND IT SAYS, YES, WHOLESALE WATER PURCHASES ARE GOING UP 30% OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS PROJECTED, BUT OPERATING EXPENSES PLUS DEBT SERVICE IS GOING UP 60% SO IT'S MUCH LARGER AND THOSE ARE VARIABLES THAT WE CAN CONTROL.
IF I'M A RATEPAYER AND I'M SAYING MY WATER BILLS GOING FROM 150 A MONTH TO 220 A MONTH OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, ARE YOU GUYS DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO GET YOUR OWN COST STRUCTURE UNDER CONTROL TO FIND EFFICIENCIES, OR ARE WE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN? WE HAVE MONOPOLY ON WATER.
ARE WE JUST SAYING, LET'S JUST PASS IT ON TO THE CONSUMER, OR ARE WE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE OUR OPERATING EXPENSES AND DEBT SERVICE ARE CONSTRAINED? I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE PRESENTATION.
ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP AT TWICE THE RATE OF OUR WHOLESALE WATER COSTS, WHICH IS A BIT CONCERNING TO ME.
I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH A ONE YEAR, BUT I THINK MOVING FORWARD, WE NEED TO DIVE INTO ESPECIALLY THIS DEBT SERVICE, WHICH APPEARS TO BE GOING FROM 4.7 TO OVER NINE MILLION PER YEAR.
THAT'S QUITE A BIT OF INCREASE.
I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER SO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GIVING EVERYBODY THE BEST DEAL.
>> IS THAT NOT PART OF OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NECESSITY TO UPDATE SOME THINGS THAT MIGHT BE HITTING THEIR END-OF-SERVICE LIFE?
>> A LOT OF THAT IS IF IT'S IN THE OPERATIONS BUCKET, IT IS TRULY MAINTENANCE COSTS.
A LOT OF THAT IS MAINTENANCE REPAIR OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE AGING.
AS YOU GETTING OLDER AND OLDER SYSTEM, YOU ARE DOING A LOT MORE.
PUBLIC WORKS AND SPEAK A LOT BETTER THAN THAT THAN I CAN.
BUT YES, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT SPECIFICALLY.
NEW GIN IS VERY CONSERVATIVE WITH HOW THEY FORECAST OUT.
LUCKILY, THEY JUST HAVE A MODEL THAT SHOWS WHAT RATES CAN DO BASED ON THOSE ASSUMPTIONS.
>> IF THOSE THINGS CHANGE, IF COSTS DON'T GO UP THAT MUCH, ACTUALLY THEN YEAH, WE WILL NOT BE PASSING THROUGH A RATE THAT MUCH HIGHER, BUT WE CAN ACTUALLY LOOK AT OPERATIONAL INCREASES, AND HONE IN ON THAT AT EVERY YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS TO REALLY SAY, WHAT IS DRIVING THOSE COSTS? A BIG ONE A COUPLE OF YEARS OUT FOR ME WAS JUST CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES AND MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, CONSTRUCTION COSTS WERE BASICALLY DRIVING A HUGE CHUNK OF IT, THEN TREATMENT COSTS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF.
SOME OF THAT MAY BE THOSE THINGS BEING PASSED BACK THROUGH THE OPERATIONAL SITES, BUT WE CAN PROVIDE A MUCH DEEPER BREAKDOWN AND UNDERSTANDING OF THAT WHENEVER WE SEE THOSE THINGS CHANGING.
>> MAYBE IT'S JUST A STORY THAT WE HAVE TO TELL.
I KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE BUILT A SHOP TO MAINTAIN OUR FIRE TRUCKS BECAUSE IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND TO SEND THEM OUT.
THERE WAS A CONSENT ITEM FOR A TRAILER THAT WAS $150,000 FOR A TRUCK, I THINK IT WAS RELATED TO UTILITIES.
ARE WE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THE MAXIMUM LIFE OUT OF THESE VEHICLES, TO GET ONLY THE EQUIPMENT WE NEED, NOT JUST BUYING THINGS AND THEN NOT USING THEM? THERE WAS SOMETHING I SAW ABOUT CENTERPOINT, THE POLES AND WIRES COMPANY DOWN IN HOUSTON.
THEY WENT TO THEIR RATEPAYERS AND THEY, I THINK, GOT $900 MILLION FOR GENERATORS SPECIFICALLY FOR BIG EMERGENCIES.
WELL, THEY JUST HAD A BIG EMERGENCY.
THEY DIDN'T USE THE GENERATORS.
IT'S FRUSTRATING AND IT'S INFURIATING, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT DOING THE SAME THING.
ARE WE BUYING EQUIPMENT AND JUST LETTING IT SIT? ARE WE GETTING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT? BECAUSE IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS, I THINK MAYBE OUR OPERATIONAL EXPENSES ARE
[01:20:02]
EVEN INCREASING FASTER THAN WHOLESALE WATER PRICES, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN EITHER DO SOMETHING ABOUT OR TELL A BETTER STORY.>> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS START SEPARATING OUT THE REVENUE FORECAST FROM BASICALLY AN OPERATIONAL UTILITY FORECAST.
WE CAN WORK ON A PRESENTATION THAT'S SPECIFIC INTO THE UTILITIES THAT TELLS BOTH SIDES OF THOSE STORIES BECAUSE WE REALLY DID FOCUS WITH NEWGEN ON TELLING THE WHOLE STORY OF ALL THESE THINGS MAKE UP, BUT IT'S REALLY A FOCUS ON REVENUE FORECASTING AND WHOLESALES THAT ARE BEING PASSED THROUGH.
ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IN CAPITAL IS WITH REUSE, WHICH SHOULD GIVE US LARGER CONTROLS OVER OUR CAPITAL OR BASICALLY OUR WHOLESALE SUPPLY IN THE FUTURE.
THAT'S A RATE-SAVING LONG-TERM PROJECT AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT'S DRIVING SOME OF THOSE OUT-OF-YEAR DEBT NUMBERS.
ONE OF THE NICE THING THOUGH IS, ANYTIME WE DO HAVE EXTRA IN RESERVES IN THIS UTILITY FUND, WE DO SWEEP IT OVER INTO CASH, TAKE THAT CASH, PUT IT TOWARDS CAPITAL PROJECTS, WHICH DECREASES THE AMOUNT OF DEBT THAT WE HAVE TO ISSUE AND THEN WE'LL SLOW THAT DEBT COMING ON THAT ROLE.
ONE GOOD THING IS THAT LUCKILY WE'RE NOT JUST BUILDING UP A BUNCH OF FUNDS AND NOT USING THEM.
>> JOHN OR JAMES, MAYBE, IF WE INCREASE THIS TO 5.25 FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, YOU MENTIONED WE COULD POSSIBLY DO A POLICY CHANGE WHERE INSTEAD OF DOING A THREE-YEAR, WE DO A ONE YEAR OR WE DO AN AUTOMATIC INCREASE WITH THE WHOLESALE RATE.
COULD WE HAVE A WORK SESSION OR ANOTHER TYPE OF MEETING AGENDA ITEM WHERE WE COULD DIG INTO THAT AND SEE WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND WHAT DIRECTION WE CAN GIVE YOU GOING FORWARD?
>> YEAH. THERE'S SOME FINANCIAL POLICIES THAT WE CAN REVIEW AS A PART OF THAT AS WELL.
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A CONSULTANT NOW TO COME IN THREE TIMES AS OFTEN OR WE DO A RATE STUDY?
>> THEY DO A RATE STUDY EVERY YEAR JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING ALL RIGHT, BUT THAT'S PART OF THEIR ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WITH US.
>> WHAT I'M HEARING THOUGH IS JUST AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS GOING INTO NEXT YEAR, WE WANT TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE AND TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE ITEMS. I'M FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AND SHARE SOME OF OUR PRACTICES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAXIMIZING THOSE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN BRING FORWARD TO YOU GUYS IN A FUTURE WORK SESSION.
MAYBE IN THAT TIME FRAME, RIGHT BEFORE WE KICK OFF THE BUDGET PROCESS IN EARNEST, MAYBE IN THAT MARCH WORK SESSION OR AROUND ABOUT THAT TIME, WE CAN GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THAT PARTICULAR AREA.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT DEFINITELY GIVES US A WELL-ROUNDED RATIONALE FOR THAT INCREASE SO THAT IT CAN BE EVALUATED.
>> WE DO A GREAT JOB WITH THE GENERAL FUND.
WE JUST NEED TO GET THE UTILITY FUND UP TO THAT SAME LEVEL OF DUE DILIGENCE, SO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND.
>> ABSOLUTELY. IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT, WE CAN ACTUALLY BUILD IN ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE OVER COST CHANGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT HELP EXPLAIN THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, ESPECIALLY TO OUR RATEPAYERS.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THE 5.25%? STORMWATER RATES.
STORMWATER RATES ARE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
STORMWATER RATES TRULY HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY RE-EVALUATED, REASSESSED SINCE 2021.
WE ALSO DID A THREE-YEAR ORDINANCE WITH THIS ONE.
2021 WAS THE LAST TIME THAT WAS THOROUGHLY ASSESSED.
CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THEN.
NOW THAT WE HAD TO DO AN INFLATIONARY INCREASE ON IT, AND WE'VE RUN OUT THROUGH OUR TIME ON THAT.
WHAT CHANGES, HOW PEOPLE ARE ENFORCING THESE RATES AND WHAT THEY'RE USING.
ONE OF THE THINGS THEY TALKED ABOUT WAS AN IMPERVIOUS AREA OF STUDY.
WE ARE PLANNING TO DO THAT IN FISCAL YEAR 2025.
THAT IS TO CREATE A RATIONAL NEXUS BETWEEN HOW THE FEES ARE PAID AND THE BENEFITS ARE RECEIVED.
NOW, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THERE'S A MATHEMATICAL BACKING TO WHY YOU'RE CHARGING WHAT YOU ARE, AND IT ACTUALLY TIES BACK TO HOW MUCH SOMEONE IS PUTTING OUT IN WATER AND WHAT THAT IMPACT IS TO YOU ON COST.
WE HAVE TO TIE THOSE THINGS TOGETHER VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE IF WE'RE EVER PROTESTED, IF SOMEONE EVER GOES TO THE PUC AND SAYS, THEY'RE CHARGING UNFAIR RATES, WE HAVE TO SAY, NO, NO, HERE'S THE STUDY THAT BASICALLY SHOWS WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CORRECT.
THERE'S A LOT LESS WIGGLE ROOM AND INABILITY TO EVEN SET THOSE RATES IN THERE OR ANYTHING BASED ON INFLATIONARY MEASURES OTHER THAN A FULL STUDY.
WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE FULL STUDY THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE IS A STOPGAP MEASURE DUE TO THE NEED OF THE FUND.
HERE'S WHAT'S CAUSED THAT NEED.
SPECIFICALLY, THE DEBRIS CLEANUP FROM THE SPRING STORM HAS DRAINED THE RESERVE OF THIS FUND.
INSTEAD OF MAKING ALL OF OUR GENERAL FUND PAYERS PAY THAT STORM DRAINAGE BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS DEBRIS CLEANING UP WOULD GO INTO OUR STORM DRAINS AND THEN FURTHER AFFECT OUR STORM DRAINS, STORM DRAINAGE IS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY CHARGE THAT.
BECAUSE IT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON WHAT EVENTUALLY WOULD HAVE ENDED UP AND CLOGGING UP YOUR STORM DRAINS.
>> YES, I HAVE A QUESTION. YOU'RE STARTING TO READ ME REALLY WELL.
THIS IS, I DON'T EVEN KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE PUBLIC SEWER.
IF YOU'RE ON A SEPTIC SYSTEM, YOU DON'T PAY THE SEWER COMPONENT OF THE WATER BILL, BUT YOU DO STILL PAY THE STORMWATER PART?
>> EVERYONE HAS A HAND IN THIS NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE?
>> GREAT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I KNEW THAT.
>> OVERALL, WE ARE JUST ASKING TO MOVE
[01:25:01]
THIS FORWARD FOR ONE MORE YEAR TO GIVE US INFLATION TO ALSO HELP US PROJECT THIS FUND SO IT DOESN'T GO INSOLVENT.IT, BEING A UTILITY FUND, WE'VE GOT TO SET OF REVENUE THAT WILL GENERATE ENOUGH.
NOW, SOME OF THESE INCREASES, THIS IS A FLAT INCREASE FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER JUST TO GENERATE ENOUGH REVENUE TO MEET THOSE EXPENDITURES.
TO REALLY ADJUST SOME OF THESE RATES AND TINKER WITH THIS ABOUT WHO PAYS WHAT COMMERCIAL VERSUS RESIDENTIAL, THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO THROUGH THAT IMPERVIOUS AREA OF STUDY.
THAT'S WHY I'M LOOKING JUST TO MOVE THIS FORWARD FOR ONE YEAR.
STAVE OFF INSOLVENCY, AND THEN WE WILL GET YOU A FULL IMPERVIOUS AREA OF STUDY, WHICH BELIEVE ME, WE WILL BE A LOT MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF WHO PAYS WHAT, BASED ON HOW MUCH IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA THEY'VE DONE OR DRAINAGE THEY'VE DONE.
>> YOU ANTICIPATE AFTER THIS STUDY WILL BE VARIABLE LIKE ANY LOT EVEN OF THE SAME SIZE IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT RATE BASED ON THAT?
>> THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED A RESIDENTIAL EQUIVALENT UNIT.
I JUST DID ONE OF THESE STUDIES RIGHT BEFORE I LEFT NORTHLAKE.
RESIDENTS ARE CHARGED ON A RESIDENTIAL BASIS.
NOW, THERE ARE SOME CITIES THAT CHARGE MORE FOR LARGER LOTS BECAUSE THEY USUALLY HAVE MORE PAVEMENTS.
BUT IT IS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY ON WHETHER TO CHARGE ALL RESIDENTS THE SAME OR TO CHARGE BY SOME OF THOSE LOT SIZES AND EVERYTHING.
YES, YOU COULD EVEN GO DOWN TO SWIMMING POOLS AND AERIABLE MEASURES THROUGH SATELLITE PHOTOS, IT FEELS A LITTLE INVASIVE.
NORMALLY, YOU SET A RESIDENTIAL EQUIVALENT UNIT.
THEN YOU GO AND MEASURE YOUR COMMERCIAL AND ALL OF THOSE BUSINESSES AND THEN YOU LOOK HEAVILY AT THEIR IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA.
BASICALLY, YOU SAY THERE'S AN AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL IMPACT, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU USE TO MEASURE YOUR COMMERCIAL.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I LIKE THE APPROACH OF A STOPGAP. LET'S PUT A BAND AID ON IT.
LET'S GET THROUGH THIS YEAR, THAT BUYS US TIME, BUYS YOU TIME TO DO THE DEEP DIVE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE RIGHT LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD APPROACH.
I HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THE IMPERVIOUS AREA.
WE CAN SAVE THAT FOR NEXT YEAR WHEN WE START GETTING INTO THAT.
BUT I THINK WE WANT TO BE REALLY CAREFUL ON HOW WE INCREASE AND HOW WE TARGET.
IT HAS TO BE EQUITABLE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO, AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, MANAGE THE MESSAGING AS WELL AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THAT ARE MORE ADVERSELY IMPACTED FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF A LARGER BILL, UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY WHY IT'S HAPPENING AND THERE'S THAT FULL TRANSPARENCY AS WELL.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL BRING FORWARD A FULL STUDY ACTUALLY AND THEN WE'LL ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, WHEN WE'RE TARGETING THIS AND WHAT PROJECTS WE BELIEVE ARE REIMBURSABLE FROM THIS AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT IS.
THERE'S ALSO THINGS LIKE WE GIVE CREDITS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO ONSITE DRAINAGE AND DRAINAGE AREAS.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO OFFSET THAT AND MANAGE THAT IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
>> THEN I GUESS GOING BACK TO PUBLIC COMMENT EARLIER WITH THE RAINWATER RECOLLECTION.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD FACTOR IN IN THIS CONVERSATION OR IS THAT STILL A SEPARATE CONVERSATION?
>> I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW THAT ONE.
>> YES, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT COULD BE FIGURED INTO THE STORMWATER RATES, PARTICULARLY IF YOU WANTED TO OFFER SOME REBATE PROGRAM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR A COMPANY OR FOR BUSINESSES DOING THAT.
WE CAN DEFINITELY HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
>> JOHN, YOU MENTIONED YOU HAD DONE THIS BEFORE? WHEN YOU DID THAT, DID YOU FIND THERE WERE EXORBITANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SO THAT THE PERCENT INCREASE FOR COMMERCIAL WOULD BE VERY HIGH VERSUS RESIDENTIAL MIGHT BE A MODERATE INCREASE?
>> REMEMBER TO SHARE BALLPARKS?
>> IT'S REALLY BASED ON PARKING AREAS.
NORTH HAD A LOT OF WAREHOUSES.
WAREHOUSES HAVE A LOT OF PARKING, SO THERE WAS HIGH IMPACTS, BUT THEY ALSO DID A WHOLE LOT OF DRAINAGE RETENTION, AND SO THEY DID A LOT TO SLOW HOW MUCH WAS GOING IN THERE.
THERE WAS SOME CREDITS AND EVERYTHING TO OFFSET THAT BECAUSE ENGINEERING DOES REQUIRE THEM TO DO A LOT TO MITIGATE HOW QUICKLY WATER IS FLOWING.
JUST THINK ABOUT YOUR ROOFTOP COMPARED TO A WAREHOUSE OR COMPARED TO A TARGET OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> JOHN, THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT, EVEN THOUGH I MISSED THE MEETING BECAUSE I WAS SICK, I REWATCHED THIS MEETING AND I WAS FEELING TERRIBLE AND I GOT TO THIS PART AND I JUST FELT BETTER BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO ENCOURAGE LONG-TERM, LESS CONCRETE.
I AGREE IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A PENALTY, BUT I THINK IN THE LONG RUN, IT'S GOING TO CHANGE POSSIBLY FUTURE BUILDS, AND THAT'S HOPEFULLY WHERE WE FEEL THAT.
I KNOW WE DON'T WANT TO, BUT I THINK IT COULD CERTAINLY LEAD TO LESS CONCRETE.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT JUST ARBITRARILY SETTING A RATE FOR COMMERCIAL VERSUS RESIDENTIAL.
WE STILL HAVE TO BALANCE WHAT WE CHARGE WITH WHAT THE NEEDS ARE FOR OUR OUTLAY, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A REVENUE POSITIVE FUND,
[01:30:03]
IT'S A NEUTRAL OR A LITTLE BIT LESS JUST SO WE'RE A LITTLE SAFE CUSHION.>> CORRECT. MOST OF THIS LEADS TO ACTUALLY LONG-TERM PLANNING WITHIN YOUR DRAINAGE.
WE ALREADY DO THAT WITH OUR CIP, BUT REALLY SPECIFICALLY PROGRAMMING OUT WHAT PROJECTS YOU'RE TRYING TO UTILIZE OUT OF YOUR DRAINAGE FUND, WHAT OPERATION COST YOU'RE GOING TO PUT OUT OF THERE.
THAT MAKES YOU LOOK HEAVILY AT BOTH SIDES WHEN CITING IT.
>> I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO START GETTING WORRIED ABOUT PRICE GOUGING THAT OH, THIS IS GOING TO BE 300 TIMES MORE THAN WHAT I'M PAYING NOW.
WE HAVE NO INDICATION THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN AND WE HAVE TO BALANCE IT AGAINST WHAT THE NEEDS ARE VERSUS COST.
>> I THINK THIS IS ALMOST THE EXACT OPPOSITE.
IT'S GOING TO HELP SHIFT THE BURDEN AWAY FROM RESIDENTS BACK TO COMMERCIAL.
RESIDENTS ARE OFFSETTING COMMERCIAL RIGHT NOW.
>> THE BILLS ARE FULLY CALCULATED BASED ON AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY OF THEM AND WHAT WE CAN MEASURE WITH LIKE IT'S ONE PERSON GOING ON GIS AND MEASURING THOSE AREAS. IT'S VERY EQUITABLE.
>> FOR THOSE BUSINESSES, THIS IS A DROP IN THE SMALL AMOUNT.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, ARE YOU OKAY WITH THIS INCREASE? YOU SEND US BUILDING INTO THE BUDGET.
THAT'S ACTUALLY WHY WE'RE BRINGING THIS ITEM IS BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE MOVE IT FORWARD IN THE BUDGET THAT WE BUILD IT IN THERE.
YOU WILL SEE A CHANGE ON THIS THEN.
>> LET'S GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING FIRST.
>> ARE WE READY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TO DISCUSS FROM THURSDAY NIGHT?
>> WE GOT OUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
>> DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF YOUR OWN?
>> TURN THAT ON. I'VE ENJOYED ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS AND AGREED WITH ALL OF YOUR DECISIONS. THANK YOU FOR THE INPUTS.
>> WE'RE GOOD? WE CAN MOVE ON? WE'RE GOING TO OPEN ITEM K2,
[Items K.2. & K.3.]
AND 3 FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CRIME DISTRICT BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING AND THE FIRE DISTRICT BUDGET.>> MEG, BEFORE YOU GET STARTED.
FOR THOSE WATCHING FROM HOME, THERE'S SOME, I THINK, LEGIT QUESTIONS THAT SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE AS TO WHY WE HAVE FOUR DIFFERENT POTS THAT PULL FROM THAT ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE OF SALES TAX, AND WE'RE ONLY BRINGING TWO IN FRONT OF YOU.
JUST FOR CLARITY WITH THE PUBLIC, ONE IS THAT 4B, WHICH IS EARMARKED FOR PARKS, WE HAVE A CDC BOARD THAT MAKES APPROVALS FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S SPENT, SO THAT'S WHERE THAT OVERSIGHT AND AUTHORIZATION COMES FROM.
FOR OUR STREET MAINTENANCE, EVERY FOUR YEARS, WE BRING IT FORWARD FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT OUR CRIME AND FIRE DISTRICTS DO COME UP ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WITH THIS PUBLIC HEARING.
JUST TO CLEAR UP ANYBODY WHO KNOWS A LITTLE BIT, MAY ASK.
THAT'S A LEGIT AND A VERY GOOD QUESTION TO ASK, WHY DON'T WE BRING ALL FOUR UP EVERY YEAR? THAT'S THE REASON WHY. I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE BEFORE WE GO INTO CRIME AND FIRE DISTRICTS.
>> YEAH, THANKS FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. YES. TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CRIME DISTRICT, FIRE DISTRICT.
THIS COMES DOWN TO, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS OF TIMING.
THE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING, WE WON'T HAVE UNTIL THE NIGHT OF ADOPTION, AND SO IT'S A LITTLE VARIATION IN TIMING FROM WHAT YOU HAD BEFORE.
PART OF IT IS THE ALLOWANCES THAT WE.
ONE OF THE FEW MINOR NICE THINGS THAT WE DID GET OUT OF SB2 IS BEING ABLE TO DO THAT PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SAME NIGHT AS ADOPTION.
IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO PROCEED TONIGHT.
I'LL JUST GO OVER BOTH REALLY QUICKLY, SO THEN WE CAN HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING.
BUT WE HAVE ONE SUMMARIZING OUR CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISTRICT BUDGET.
YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING ON THE NUMBERS BASED ON WHAT WE PROPOSED.
YOU'LL NOTE AT THE BOTTOM, COUNCIL, IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS THURSDAY NIGHT, DID REQUEST THAT WE ADD 37,700 FOR AXON TASERS.
THAT IS NOT IN THIS NUMBER AT THIS POINT, BUT WILL BE AT THE TIME OF ADOPTION ON THE 16TH.
THEN FOR FIRE CONTROL, PREVENTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DISTRICT, AGAIN, YOU SEE A VERY SIMILAR SETUP, WHAT WE'VE INCLUDED AND RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.
THEN THE PROPOSED CHANGE HERE WAS TO ADD THE 11,500 FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TOOLS, AND SO THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE ADDED PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION ON THE 16TH.
I'M HAPPY FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AND THEN I KNOW WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THESE TWO BUDGETS.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? I'M GOING TO CLOSE THIS AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ANY COMMENTS.
DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS?
>> WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE OPEN SESSION AND IF THERE'S NO MORE COMMENTS, I GUESS WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION TONIGHT ON THIS, SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
[M. CLOSED MEETING ]
[01:35:05]
AND THE TOWN COUNCIL IS CONVENING INTO CLOSED SESSION, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551, SECTION 071, 072, 074, AND 087.[N. RECONVENE]
AND THE TOWN COUNCIL IS RECONVENING INTO AN OPEN MEETING.IS ANYONE WILLING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR OUR CLOSED MEETING?
>> MAYOR, I HAVE A MOTION. I MOVE TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO PURCHASE PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS LOT 1, RA, BLOCK A, THE RIVER WALK AT CENTRAL PARK, AN AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TOWN MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY, TO PAY ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CLOSING IN ADDITION TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PROPERTY, AND TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AT CLOSING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN.
>> THERESA, THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. CAN YOU TAKE THE ROLL?
>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM SCHIESTEL?
THE TIME IS NOW 8:02 STILL, AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.