>> ALL RIGHT. [00:00:01] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. [1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER] GOOD AFTERNOON TO COUNCIL AND STAFF. GOOD AFTERNOON TO THOSE RESIDENTS OF GALVESTON THAT MAY BE JOINING US. THIS IS OUR FIRST-AFTERNOON MEETING STARTING AT FIVE AND WE WILL BE CONTINUING THIS SCHEDULE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SO WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU JOINED US. I'D LIKE TO FORMALLY CALL THE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER AND WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, THAT JANELLE, IF YOU COULD TAKE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR DR. BROWN. >> PRESENT. >> MAYOR PRO TEM`COLLIN. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER SCHUSTER. >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER QUIROGA.HE'S HERE BUT HE IS MUTED. >> COUNCIL MEMBER LISTOWSKI. >> HERE. >> AND COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB. >> PRESENT. >> VERY GOOD. WE DO HAVE A CORNEL. BILL, DO YOU HAVE YOUR VIDEO ON BILL? I CAN'T SEE BILL ON THE SCREEN, BUT BILL, IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, IF YOU CAN TURN YOUR VIDEO ON, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. NELLY, I DON'T EVEN SEE COUNCIL QUIROGA AT ALL ON MY SCREEN. EVEN IF HE'S JUST ON AUDIO, I DON'T SEE HIM. >> OKAY. >> THERE'S A BOX WHERE HIS NAME APPEARS, BUT IT SHOWS IT'S MUTED. >> OKAY. >> BILL, IF YOU COULD UNMUTE, PLEASE, SIR. >> HE IS PROBABLY AWAY FROM THE STATION. >> LET'S GO RIGHT AHEAD. WE DO HAVE A FORUM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ARE THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXCUSE ME BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT SORRY, I'D LIKE TO CALL FOR THE INVOCATION FROM REVEREND JOHNSON, REVEREND. >> GODFATHER WE GIVE YOU THANKS AND PRAISE FOR YOUR PRESENCE OF THIS DAY. WE ASK GOD AND YET WE COME TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN THAT YOU CONTINUOUSLY SHOWER US WITH YOUR WONDERFUL GRACE AND MERCY. YET BRING US TO OUR OWN ACCORD AS WE PREPARE TO SHARE IN THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT YOU HAVE PLACED UPON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. SO WE PRAY FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CITY. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THEM. THE WONDERFUL LEADERSHIP TEAM AND THEN THE STAFF AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY YET WHOM WE JUST OUR SPIRITS SUCH A TRYING TIME WHEN YOU HAVE KEPT US AND YOU HAVE SUSTAINED US AND WE PRAY THAT YOUR CONTINUOUS BLESSING WILL FLOW ON EACH ONE OF US AS WE GATHER DURING THIS MOMENT DURING THIS TIME. LET'S BE MINDFUL ONCE AGAIN THAT THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR US IS THE LOVE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ONE FOR ANOTHER THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO ALL OF US UNTO ALL MANKIND. SO THIS WE ASK YOUR SON JESUS NAME. AMEN. >> AMEN. >> THANK YOU REVEREND. >> YOU WELCOME. >> COUNCIL, IS THERE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO DECLARE? [4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST] >> I'M GOING TO DECLARE A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS ON ITEM 10A. AND MAYOR PRO TEM COLLINS WILL BE CONDUCTING THAT PARTICULAR ITEM. >> AND I'M GOING DECLARE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST I'M NOT SURE WHERE THE AMENDMENT IS BUT HAS ON THAT [INAUDIBLE] DISCUSSION. FORTUNATELY, I MISSED THAT AND THE EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE I WAS ON THE PHONE WHEN CAESAR GETTING ANOTHER PALETTE OF WATER OUT TO CIO SO? >> IF I COULD USE, THERE IS NO ACTUAL ITEM THIS AFTERNOON ON TREX MISS ROBB BUT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE APPRECIATED. >> UNFORTUNATELY, I MISSED THE DISCUSSION [OVERLAPPING]. SO SEE THE BOARD PROTECTS YOU THAT'S ALL AM SAYING. THANKS. >> ALL RIGHT. MOVING TO ITEM FIVE PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS. [5. PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS OF COUNCIL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER] NELLY, IF YOU COULD JUST READ 5A TO US, PLEASE. >> YES SIR. 5A PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.0415 THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REPORT ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM. >> VERY GOOD. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM 3. WE HAVE AS YOU KNOW COUNCIL AND I'M SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WE HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS A BIRD CITY, [00:05:01] USA DESIGNATION, WHICH IS QUITE AN HONOR, AND VERY FEW CITIES CAN MEET THOSE STANDARDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS THAT. WE HAD LEANNE BROWN, I THINK [NOISE] ON LINE HERE, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GALVESTON ISLAND NATURE TOURISM COUNCIL, THAT WANTS TO JUST SAY A FEW WORDS CONCERNING THAT. JULIAN, ARE YOU AVAILABLE? >> I'M HERE. BUT I AM NOT BEING LED IN. >> I'M SORRY. >> JULIAN? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU, JULIAN. >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> HERE I AM. >> YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. LIKE MAYOR BROWN SAID, WHEN I CALLED TO TELL HIM THAT GALVESTON RECEIVED THE BIRD CITY DESIGNATION. WE'VE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT WE'RE BIRD CITY. BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NICE TO HAVE OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. WE'RE EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE OF THE CITY'S SUPPORT OF OUR BIRD CITY APPLICATION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO MAINTAIN THE DESIGNATION. ALTHOUGH GINTC TOOK THE LEAD ON THE PROCESS, IT WAS TRULY A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT. WE HAD ORGANIZATION AND INDIVIDUALS FROM ACROSS THE ISLAND THAT CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING OUR APPLICATION A SOLID APPLICATION AND WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF THIS ACHIEVEMENT FOR GALVESTON. SO ON BEHALF OF GINTC AND THE BIRDS, I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU, JULIAN I APPRECIATE THAT. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR OWN, JANELLE WILLIAMS. SHE HAS JUST COMPLETED THE TAXES MUNICIPAL CLERKS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. IS A PROGRAM THAT INVOLVES CURRENT INSIDE INTO SUCH AREAS AS PUBLIC RELATIONS, ETHICS, MUNICIPAL BUDGETS, INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT. WITH THIS SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS PROGRAM, IT REQUIRES 200 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL HOME STUDY EXAMINATIONS OVER EACH OF THE FOUR COURSES IN ATTENDANCE AT A TWO-DAY SEMINAR. RE-CERTIFICATION REQUIRES AN ADDITIONAL 80 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSEWORK EVERY FIVE YEARS. JANELLE WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING OUT THE TIME AND ENERGY FOR THIS. IT NOT ONLY BENEFITS THE COUNCIL, BUT IT BENEFITS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. UPDATING YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND HAVING THE EXPERTISE THAT YOU DO. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND I KNOW YOU WANT TO SAY SOME THINGS ABOUT YOUR STEP ALSO. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I'LL KEEP IT BRIEF. I GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM IN 2010. I COMPLETED MY FIRST RE-CERTIFICATION IN 2015 AND I'VE JUST FINISHED MY SECOND CERTIFICATION IN 2020. ALSO THE ASSISTANT CITY SECRETARY, [INAUDIBLE] IS WORKING ON HER FIRST RE-CERTIFICATION, WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF 2022 SO, WE'VE BOTH BEEN WORKING HARD ON THIS TO STAY UP WITH TRY EVERYTHING THAT CHANGES IN OUR FIELD. WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE STAFF MEMBERS. >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> NELLY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALSO. >> THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO STATE THAT EXCUSE ME THAT COUNCIL, IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM COLONEL FOSSUM FROM TEXAS A&M HEARING GALVESTON. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST THIS IS A LONGER LETTER I'LL HAVE IT WITH JANELLE AND COUNCIL IF WANTS TO SEE THE WHOLE LETTER, BUT I JUST WANTED TO READ JUST SOME PARTS OF IT. SAYS, DEAR MAYOR BROWN, TWO WEEKS AGO, OUR CAMPUS SUFFERED THE TRAGIC LOSS OF TWO STUDENTS. ONE OF THESE STUDENTS WAS BELIEVED TO BE IN A REMOTE AREA OF PELICAN ISLAND. THE PROFESSIONALISM IN COMPASSION DISPLAYED BY THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO INCLUDE OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY IN THE SEARCH FOR EACH ONE OF OUR OWN WAS CATHARTIC. FOR SO MANY WHO SHOWED UP TO HELP ARE JUST IMPORTANT TO FELLOW AGGIES. WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. AS A RETIRED NASA ASTRONAUT, RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL, AND NOW VICE-PRESIDENT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO WORK WITH MANY OF OUR NATION'S FINEST INDIVIDUALS. [00:10:03] I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU AND YOUR OFFICERS, FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY ON DISPLAY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY NICE FOR COLONEL FOSSUM TO SEND OVER AND I KNOW WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT. ONE LAST THING. YES, MARIE. YOU'RE ON MUTE. MARIE. >> GOSH, I'LL BE SO HAPPY WHEN WE GO BACK TO MEETING IN PERSON. [LAUGHTER] I'LL DO THIS REALLY FAST, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO FORGET SOME NAMES. BUT I WANTED TO THANK SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR TEAMS, THAT WORKED THROUGHOUT DISTRICT 6 IN HELPING US GET THE WATER LEAKS UNDER CONTROL. I'M GOING TO START FROM EAST TO WEST AND I'LL BE VERY FAST. I WANT TO THANK KATIE BROWN, SHERRY BLACK. ANDREA SIDSERY, JOHNNY SPRANKER, DAN WELSH, PERES CAPTAIN, JUDY SHERMAN, SHAUN POSH, WHO WAS MY LEADER OUT THERE AND SHE COULD PROBABLY NAME 100 PEOPLE THAT WERE HELPING. ALL OF OUR FIREMEN THAT HELPED, AND THE BATTALION CHIEFS THAT I DEALT WITH. IT'S SO EXCITING TO HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS THAT DISTRICT 6, THAT ALLOWED US TO GET THE WATER SITUATION UNDER CONTROL. OUR PUBLIC WORKS PEOPLE ARE TRUE HEROES THAT GOT EVERYTHING DONE. BUT ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT THANKS OUT, AND I'LL PROBABLY DO AN OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION AT THE NEXT MEETING. BUT THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU. MARIE. ONE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT, I WAS JUST INFORMED BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR COUNCIL. MARILYN SCHWARTZ, BABE SCHWARTZ WIFE, PASSED AWAY TODAY. I'M SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT. BABE SCHWARTZ AND HIS WIFE MARILYN WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, SERVING ON MANY COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS, AND THINGS, BUT ALSO WAS SO GOOD FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS, AND IS THE FATHER OF THE OPEN BEACH ACT AS WE KNOW. I'D LIKE TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHIES TO THE SCHWARTZ FAMILY ON THIS. VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT. >> [NOISE] ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. MOVING ON. WE HAVE ITEM. >> MAYOR, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> YES, SIR. I CAN, BILL. >> I WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE MIC AND WE JUST GOT IT FIXED. >> ALL RIGHT. NOW, THINK, BILL, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ON AUDIO. THERE WON'T BE ANY VIDEO, IS THAT RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> VERY GOOD. MOVING TO ITEM 5B. NELLY? >> [NOISE] ITEM 5B. CITY MANAGERS REPORT. >> VERY GOOD. THEN 5B1 PLEASE, NELLY. >> 5B1, THE INVESTMENT REPORT FOR QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH AND DECEMBER 31ST, 2020. >> VERY GOOD. MIKE DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SUBJECT? MIKE, ARE YOU ONLINE? >> YEAH, I'M ON. >> OKAY. >> MAYOR. WE HAVE TWO QUARTER ENDING INVESTMENT REPORTS TO PRESENT TODAY, AND HAS THE MATERIALS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO VIEW AND SEE THAT WE'RE EARNING AS LITTLE INTEREST ON OUR INVESTMENTS NOW AS THEY ARE. WE ARE LIMITED BY STATE LAW TO BASICALLY INVEST IN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND OR DERIVATIVES OF GOVERNMENT SECURITIES IN THE FORM OF INVESTMENT POOLS. WE EARNED 0.14 PERCENT FOR THE QUARTER THAT ENDED SEPTEMBER 30TH AND EARNED $66,000 ON A PORTFOLIO OF $138 MILLION. FOR THE QUARTER THAT ENDED DECEMBER 31ST, WE EARNED LESS THAN THAT, 0.085 PERCENT, $39,000, ON A PORTFOLIO THAT WAS 12 MILLION LESS AND 126 MILLION. WE DO HAVE AN INVESTMENT POLICY APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ANNUALLY IN THE FINANCE FISCAL AFFAIRS AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE [00:15:02] REVIEWS A REPORT PREPARED BY HILLTOP SECURITIES ASSET MANAGEMENT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET US KNOW, BUT THE REPORTS AND COMPOSITION OF THE PORTFOLIO ARE ALL PROVIDED ONLINE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I APPRECIATE THAT. MOVING TO ITEM SIX PLEASE, NELLY? [6. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS] >> ITEM SIX. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS CLAIMS 21-006 THROUGH 21-010 ARE ON THE SCREEN. >> ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU NELLY. MOVING TO ITEM SEVEN. [7. PUBLIC COMMENT] PUBLIC COMMENT. FIRST OF ALL, JANEL DO YOU HAVE ANY WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT COULD BE READ, PLEASE? >> WE DO. I THINK WE HAVE NINE AND NELLY'S GOING TO READ THOSE. WE ALSO HAVE OVER 20 PEOPLE LIVE ON THE LINE WITH US THAT MAY WANT TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL. >> ALL MEANS. NELLY, GO RIGHT AHEAD. >> THE FIRST ONE IS FROM MARTY FLUKE, AND IT READS, "I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND OUR MAYOR, AND OUR CITY MANAGER, AND HIS STAFF FOR THEIR TIMELY COMMUNICATION AND THEIR TALENT EFFORT FOR AN EXPERIENCE RECOVERY. THE MAYOR WAS SPECTACULAR REPRESENTING OUR CITY ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. I RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS FROM AROUND THE NATION TELLING ME HOW ELOQUENT AND GRACIOUS HE WAS. WE LIVE ON THE WEST END AND YET THE POWER FAILED, AND YES THE WATER FAILED, AND WE WERE WITHOUT WATER FOR FOUR DAYS. A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH WATER DISTRIBUTION ON THE WEST END, WITH THE FAILURE OF TWO PUMPS AT THE MECHANICS BY THE CITY IN THE EARLY 2000. THE CITY MANAGER'S STAFF WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE A TEMPORARY FIX TO DELIVER WATER AROUND THE TWO FAILED PUMPS AND GET US ONLINE WITHIN HOURS OF EVERYONE ELSE. THE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER IS THE CITY UTILITY, BUT THE CITY HAS NO CONTROL OVER ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION. I SUSPECT IF WE WERE PART OF THE COUNTY AND NOT THE CITY, I WOULD STILL BE WITHOUT WATER. THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON." THE NEXT ONE IS FROM APRIL GARNIER, AND IT READS, "THE COYOTES HAVE GOT OUT OF CONTROL ON THE WEST END, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE?" THE NEXT ONE IS ALSO FROM APRIL GARNIER, AND IT STATES, "OUR STREET IS SO DARK AT NIGHT, WE NEED SOME STREETLIGHTS. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS DONE?" THE NEXT ONE IS FROM TIM LARRY, AND IT READS, "LOOKS LIKE WE GOT IT RIGHT WHEN WE ELECTED MISS ROB AS OUR WEST END AND REPRESENTATIVE. SHE HAS HAND ON AND VERY FRIENDLY AND SO PROFESSIONAL LOOKS LIKE SHE WILL BE OUR REPRESENTATIVE FOR MANY YEARS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND GUIDANCE DURING THIS CRISIS. TIM, LARRY, [INAUDIBLE] ". THE NEXT ONE READS AND IT'S COMING FROM JOHN WHITEFORD. IT SAYS, "IS THERE ANYTHING THE CITY OF GALVESTON CAN DO TO COST FOR THE SYNTHESIZED TEXAS GAS SERVICE TO EXTEND IT'S GAS MAIN FROM THE CURRENT TERMINATION POINT IN JAMAICA BEACH TO THE WEST END OF THE ISLAND? THOSE WHO LIVE WEST OF JAMAICA BEACH HAVE ONLY ONE OPTION FOR RUNNING A BACKUP HOME GENERATOR, THAT BEING LIQUID PROPANE GAS STORED IN LARGE CAPACITY TANK LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE HOME, AND NATURAL GAS FEED SYSTEM WOULD BE MUCH PREFERRED." JOHN WHITEFORD. THE NEXT ONE IS FROM MILT AND JANE BROCK. "ANYBODY WHO KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE POWER OUTAGE AND DID NOT SHARE THAT INFORMATION, PULLED A HORRIBLE TRICK ON GALVESTON RESIDENT. DECIDING THAT SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD SLEEP IN 19 DEGREE TEMPERATURES WITHOUT WARNING OR PREPARATION OPPORTUNITY, IS A CRIMINAL WRONGDOING. ANY PERSONS COMMITTING SUCH WRONGDOING SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. LIVES WERE LOST DUE TO THE DECISIONS MADE AND ACTIONS TAKEN BY PEOPLE WHO WOULD HELP EFFECT THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR." THE NEXT ONE IS FROM ESTHER MCKENNA. "AS A WEST END RESIDENT, I WAS DISAPPOINTED AT THE LACK OF EMERGENCY SERVICES DURING LAST WEEK'S STORM. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BELIEVER IN THE OLD ADAGE, IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND PAY MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE OF TAXES IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON. WELL, I DO NOT BELIEVE WE ARE ANY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE EAST END RESIDENTS, WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT LESS IMPORTANT. WE WERE NOT OFFERED ANY BOTTLED WATER, WARNING STATIONS, OR TOILETS. A SIMPLE HUMBLE APOLOGY WOULD HAVE GONE A LONG WAY, MR. MAYOR." THE NEXT ONE IS FROM HAROLD BAIBEN. "THE WEST END RESIDENTS RECEIVED NO INFORMATION FROM THE CITY UNTIL TUESDAY AND THAT WAS FROM HOUSTON TV NEWS. [00:20:03] THERE WERE NO SUPPLIES EVEN CONSIDERED UNTIL OUR DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE GOT INVOLVED. WE LOST POWER FIRST, AND REGAINED IT LAST. I HAD BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER AND LEASE RESIDENT FOR ALMOST 12 YEARS. I'M IN PIRATES BEACH, AND OUR ENTRANCE WAS DESTROYED BY ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND OUR DRAINAGE NOT RATIONALLY FIXING. THERE IS NO CITY INTERESTS IN COVID VACCINATIONS." THE LAST ONE IS FROM BOYD CARR. MY WIFE HELEN AND I WERE ALONE IN OUR HOUSE ON THE WEST END WHEN WE HEARD THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS GOING TO BE MUCH LOWER THAN EXPECTED. WE USE EVERYTHING WE COULD FIND TO WRAP OUR SHRUBS. WE HAD A PILE OF WOOD SCRAP THAT WE WERE GOING TO USE FOR AN OUTSIDE FIRE, BUT I STARTED HAULING IT UP INTO OUR HOUSE WHEN THE ELECTRICITY WENT OUT. WE BURNED SEVEN FIRE PLACE LOGS THE FIRST NIGHT. THE SECOND DAY AND NIGHT, WE BURNED EVERYTHING CUT UP IN MY WOOD STORAGE BINS. A PIPE BURST IT OVER OUR DINING ROOM AS WELL." THAT'S THE END OF THE COMMENTS THAT I HAVE. >> THANK YOU NELLY, I APPRECIATE THAT. NOW, I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO THOSE IN ATTENDANCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR THOSE TO SPEAK. NELLY, HOW WILL WE RECOGNIZE THOSE THAT WANT TO MAKE COMMENTS? >> MAYOR I'LL CALL EACH PERSON'S NAME AND OPEN THEIR MIC, AND IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT THEY CAN AT THAT TIME. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> FIRST IS, ALAN [INAUDIBLE]. >> NO COMMENT, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS APRIL GARNIER, SHE DID SEND IN SOME WRITTEN COMMENTS. >> I'M FINE THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ART SMITH. >> JUST HERE TO LISTEN. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS BILL SAREY. MR. SAREY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? I'M GOING TO MOVE ON. NEXT IS, CAROL STEWARD. >> NO, THANK YOU. JUST LISTENING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS, CINDY NELSON. >> I'M JUST LISTENING AS WELL. INFORMATION ONLY. >> NEXT IS DANIEL CALIPH. >> JUST HERE TO LEARN, THANK YOU. >> DAVID BARN. >> I JUST HOPE THE STATE OF TEXAS WILL LEARN FROM THIS LAST WEEK AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ELECTRICITY WHERE A LOT OF LIABILITY STAYS SAME. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS DAVID WILSON. >> [BACKGROUND] JUST HERE LISTENING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] NEXT IS CHERYL BELVIN. >> YOU HAVE MY WRITTEN COMMENTS. THANKS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS, JEFF MCPARLAND. [00:25:03] >> NO COMMENTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS, JERRY MOURN. >> I DIDN'T KNOW I SUBMITTED A COMMENT. [LAUGHTER] BUT WEST GAUSSIAN AND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION APPRECIATES WHAT MAUREEN BRAVO HAS DONE FOR THE WEST END AND WHAT THE CITY HAS DONE. CRAIG BROWN AND MAYOR AND EVERYBODY WERE FINALLY BACK ON WATER AND POWER, AND EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING QUITE WELL. BUT IT WAS A REAL-TIME EVENT FOR ALL OF US, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORTS OF THE CITY AND WHAT MAUREEN DID FOR US. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JIM NEADERLY. HE'S ON THE LINE, I'M NOT SURE IF HE WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT. >> I'M HERE FOR AN ACTION ITEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JOHN LIGHTFOOT. >> I WOULD JUST SAY AGAIN THAT WE NEED SOME HELP IN TRYING TO GET NATURAL GAS EXTENDED TO THE FAR WEST END OF THE ISLAND TO GIVE US SOME MORE OPTIONS TO RUN WHOLE-HOUSE GENERATORS. WHATEVER THE CITY COULD DO TOWARDS THAT END WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS, MELISSA WASHINGTON. >> HELLO. THIS IS MELISSA WASHINGTON WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE, JUST LISTENING IN TODAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS, PATTY WELCH. OKAY. [NOISE] NEXT IS RICHARD D ANTONY. >> I HAVE GOT NO COMMENTS BUT AGREED WITH JERRY MOURN'S COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ROBERT AND HELLEN BULLWINKLE. [BACKGROUND] OKAY. NEXT IS SUSAN YOUNG. >> JUST LISTENING AND LEARNING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. HARRY FARBER? >> HI. I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE THE CITY AND I'M HERE JUST TO FIND OUT AND LISTEN TO WHAT'S GOING ON. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. TRACY PARK? >> YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW NOW THAT WE ARE PAST THE DEEP FREEZE, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT DO DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE? >> WELL, MATTER-OF-FACT, GOOD COMMENTS UNDER THE RULES YOU CAN ONLY RECEIVE COMMENTS. YOU CANNOT ENGAGE IN RESPONSES TO ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR [OVERLAPPING]. >> LET'S FOLLOW THE PUBLIC COMMENT. >>OKAY, THANKS VERY MUCH, ALAN. THANK THOSE PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE HERE AND THOSE THAT MADE PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GREATLY APPRECIATED. GLAD TO HAVE YOU. ALL RIGHT. [8.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Declaring A State Of Disaster And Emergency In The City Of Galveston Related To The Winter Storm Of 2021; Confirming And Ratifying The Declaration Of The Local State Of Emergency Signed By The Mayor, Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject, Providing For A Penalty And Providing For An Effective Date. (Legal)] NOW LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 8 A IF WE COULD, PLEASE MA'AM. >> YES, SIR. ITEM 8 A, "CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS DECLARED A STATE OF DISASTER AND EMERGENCY IN [00:30:02] THE CITY OF GALVESTON RELATED TO THE WINTER STORM OF 2021, CONFIRMING AND RATIFYING THE DECLARATION OF THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY SIGNED BY THE MAYOR, MAKING VARIOUS FINDING AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT, PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." >> WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS, I KNOW. COUNCIL, WE ALSO PART OF THIS DIALOGUE WAS KEY IS SEND OUT AN AMENDMENT TO US CONCERNING THE EXTENSION FOR SEVEN DAYS TO ALLOW RESPONSE. REPUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST ALSO IT'S INVOLVED WITH THIS PARTICULAR DISASTER DECLARATION. VERY GOOD, I WOULD OPEN AT COUNCIL THIS MOTION OR ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ALL RIGHT. >> I'LL SECOND. >> THAT'S REVEREND JOHNSON, HAS SECOND TO THAT. ANY DISCUSSION COUNCIL? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? IT IS UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [8.B. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas; Extending The State Of Emergency And Disaster Related To The Covid-19 Virus Until April 30, 2021, Extending Certain Emergency Orders Ratified By City Council Relating To The Operation Of Electronic Amusement Machines, The Suspension Of Building Code And Flood Plain Regulations For Placement Of A Covid 19 Temporary Screening Facility At Scholes Airport; Requiring Commercial Entities Providing Goods Or Services Directly To The Public To Develop A Health And Safety Policy Mandating The Wearing Of Masks In Their Facility, Requiring The Wearing Of Face Masks In Public And Restricting Mass Gatherings; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject, Providing For A Penalty And Providing For An Effective Date.] ITEM 8B. PLEASE MA'AM. >> ITEM 8B, "CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, EXTENDING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY AND DISASTER, RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS UNTIL APRIL 30TH, 2021, EXTENDING CERTAIN EMERGENCY ORDERS RATIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT MACHINE, THE SUSPENSION OF BUILDING CODE AND FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS FOR PLACEMENT OF A COVID-19 TEMPORARY SCREENING FACILITY AT SCHOLES AIRPORT, REQUIRING COMMERCIAL ENTITIES PROVIDING GOODS OR SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC TO DEVELOP A HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY, MANDATING THE WEARING OF MASK IN THEIR FACILITY, REQUIRING THE WEARING OF FACE MASK IN PUBLIC AND RESTRICTING MASS GATHERING, MAKING VARIED FINDINGS IN PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT, PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE." >> VERY GOOD. IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF COUNCIL CONCERNING THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? YES, REVEREND JOHNSON. >> I ALWAYS DISCUSSED IT EARLIER ABOUT THE STANDING OF THIS PARTICULAR EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND CONVERSATION ABOUT PUTTING MAYBE SOMEBODY'S ITEMS OUT OF IT, IF THERE'S POSSIBLE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE. >> IT IS. >> IT IS POSSIBLE. >> YES, SIR. >> I WILL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH PULLING SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT OF COURSE LIKE THE AMUSEMENT AND THEMES AND MAYBE SALON BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY LOOK FOR US TO MAINTAIN THE MAYOR'S WAY AND ASPECT OF IT AND ALSO THIS RESTRICTION OF MASS GATHERING, AS I SAID EARLIER IN WORKSHOP, THAT WILL CAUSE THE TOURISM SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING OWNERS OR SPRING BREAK IS FAST APPROACHING OWNERS AND I WANT US TO GET INTO A POSITION WHERE WE'RE NOT PROTECTING COURSE THE CITIZENS OF GALVESTON AND PROTECTING THE WORKERS OF GALVESTON WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE COMING DOWN AND CERTAINLY SPENDING MONEY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT CERTAINLY THEY ARE BELIEVING OUR COMMUNITY AFTER THEY'VE DONE BAD IN LEAN, WE LEFT WITH SOMEWHAT OF A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, THE RAG OF ALMOST NOT HAVING SOMETHING IN PLACE FROM A CITY STANDPOINT, OF COURSE, THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS ASPECT OF IT BUT FROM A CITY STANDPOINT, I STILL FEEL THAT WE SHOULD STRONGLY KEEP DEBT COMPONENT IN THERE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS AND OF COURSE KEEP US FROM MIGHT'VE BEEN INSPIRED LINE. IF WE HAVE OF COURSE AND SOMETHING NOT IN PLACE, WHEREAS NO DECLARATION OR A PLACE FOR US TO PROTECT OURSELVES. >> REVEREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, SIR, OR JUST ENTERTAIN SOME MORE DISCUSSION? >> I WOULD ENTERTAIN IN MOST DISCUSSION. NO MORE DISCUSSION. I WOULD CERTAINLY ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO DO THAT. >> WE HAVE SOME HANDS UP. LET'S GET SOME DISCUSSION THERE AND THEN WE CAN COME UP. [OVERLAPPING] >> IF THE REVEREND IS PUTTING THAT OUT AS A MOTION, I WOULD SECOND THAT. >> WELL, LET'S CLARIFY REVEREND JOHNSON'S MOTION. REVERED WOULD YOU. CLARIFY THAT IN A MINUTE? >> I WOULD CLARIFY. I MAKE THE MOTION, BUT OF COURSE ONCE AGAIN, THEN WE WOULD EXTEND THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION FROM COVID WITH CERTAIN ATOMS BEING POOR, THEN, OF COURSE, THEY WE FEEL LIKE THE DEMES, NOT NECESSARILY THIS PARTICULAR TAB, BUT MOST CERTAINLY HOLDING ONTO THE MASK-WEARING ASPECT OF IT AND OF COURSE, THE RESTRICTION OF MASS GATHERINGS BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY GOING TO GET NO BIG PARTY, ON THE EASTERN ON THE WESTERN AND IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL AND THEN, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO THAT SO THAT WILL BE MY MOTION TO EXTEND THIS COVID DECLARATION, EMERGENCY DECLARATION WITH SOME OF THE ISLAND BEING PULLED, [00:35:03] THAT IS DEEMED NECESSARY TO BE PULLED OUT OF IT. >> TO CLARIFY THAT REVEREND MOTION TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF THE COVID DECORATION, KEEPING THAT COMPONENT OF IT THAT IS INVOLVED WITH MASK WEARING AND SO FORTH AND COVID PRECAUTIONS AND REMOVING FROM THAT THE PHI COMPONENT OF IT AND THE ELECTRONIC GAMES COMPONENT. IS THAT CORRECT SIR? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT, DAVID? >> YES. I WOULD SECOND THAT, THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. LET'S OPEN UP OUR PREDISCUSSION, YES JOHN, AND THEN LAUREEN. >> YEAH. AS I SAID IN OUR WORKSHOP, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS IS SO THAT OUR MAYOR COULD MAKE DECISIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND IN AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK WE'RE IN A STATE OF DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE WITHOUT COUNCIL'S APPROVAL. I THINK THIS IS GOING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE NOW. I'M ALL FOR THE PROTECTIONS THAT THIS HAS IN IT REGARDING WEARING MASK AND MASS GATHERINGS AND THE PHI ISSUES WITH FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT. BUT I THINK IT'S A TIME THAT WE TAKE THOSE AND EITHER CREATE SOME TYPE OF COORDINATES OR MORATORIUM ON THESE ISSUES AND DO AWAY WITH THE ACTUAL DECLARATION. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I'VE KEPT THIS IN PLACE AND GOING ALONG WITH THIS FOR THIS LONG IS BECAUSE WE HAD THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE HAD THIS WORKPLACE OR THE STATE. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THIS EMERGENCY. I THINK WE CAN HANDLE THESE ISSUES WITH OTHER TOOLS. I'D LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND SEE WHAT OPTIONS WE HAVE TO KEEP THESE IN PLACE WITHOUT AN ACTUAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY. >> ON THAT QUESTION, JOHN, IF YOU DON'T MIND, LET'S HAVE STAMP WAY AND LIST. LET'S TAKE A ONE AT A TIME CHAT. THE PHI ISSUE, REVEREND JOHNSON'S MOTION IS WE'RE DOING AWAY WITH THAT. HOW COULD THAT BE HANDLED? RIGHT AT THE STAFF LEVEL? >> I'LL TALK TO TIM ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK WE MAY BE ABLE TO DO THAT ADMINISTRATIVELY FOR A SHORT-TERM AND THEN BABY PLACE IT ON EITHER PLANNING COMMISSION OR ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS TYPE MEETING WITH THE OBJECT AND I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. IT'S A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE. I THINK WE HAVE SOME LEEWAY UNDER THAT DON AS IT STANDS NOW INTO THE FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS AS LONG AS IT CAN BE REMOVED. >> YEAH. >> DON YOU'RE MUTED. >> YOU'RE MUTED DON. >> YEAH. I THINK WE COULD LET THAT GO 30 DAYS AND MAYBE GIVE THEM AND I WILL TELL YOU, WE'D HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT. >> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT. THE ELECTRONIC GAME ISSUE, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT REVEREND JOHNSON HAS REMOVED FROM THE DISASTER DECLARATION. PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD MOVE THAT AS THE REVEREND MENTIONED, IT'S REALLY NOT BEING ENFORCED OR EVEN FOLLOWED REALLY. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO REMOVE THAT AND LET IT CONTINUE ON AS IT HAS. THE LAST ISSUE IS THE MASKS AND SO FORTH. REVEREND JOHNSON'S LET THAT IN HIS MOTION, STAFF ANY COMMENTS ON THAT BRIAN OR DON. >> THERE'S BEEN SOME MENTION OF AN ORDINANCE REPLACING THOSE AND OF COURSE, WE COULDN'T HAVE SUCH AN ORDINANCE OR ANOTHER MONTH FOR IT TO BE ADOPTED. THE REASON WE HAVE A MASS QUARTER, WHICH IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT THIS TIME. THE GOVERNOR HAS INCLUDED IT IN SOME OF HIS ORDERS. THE SIMPLEST WAY IS TO LEAVE IT IN PLACE AND THEN LET IT LAPSE WHEN THE GOVERNOR DECLARES THERE'S NO EMERGENCY. I CAN'T REALLY SAY HOW I CAN WRITE AN ORDINANCE [NOISE] AND PUT IT INTO EFFECT WITHOUT TYING IT TO THIS PUBLIC HEALTH AND [INAUDIBLE]. WE'VE BEEN THERE IN OUR ORDINANCE SUBJECT TO ITS CONTINUATION BASED ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE GOVERNOR DISCONTINUING IT, [00:40:03] BUT NOT THE HOME RULE TYPE OF CONTROL WE LIKE TO SEE, I THINK. >> ALL RIGHT. MARIA, YOU HAD A QUESTION AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO REVEREND JOHNSON. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO ECHO WHAT JOHN PAUL SAID, BECAUSE I THINK IN THE STATE OF EMERGENCY, ALTHOUGH FIRST, CAN WE MAYBE MAKE SURE THAT OUTSIDE MICS ARE MUTED BECAUSE NOISE IS COMING THROUGH [OVERLAPPING]. >> CHECK ON THAT. >> OKAY. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO WHAT JOHN PAUL HAS SAID. I THINK IT BEING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY AND PLAYS FOR, IT'S BEEN CLOSE TO A YEAR NOW? WHERE THE MAYOR ACTS SEPARATE FROM THE COUNCIL. I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THE MESSAGE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, WASHING YOUR HANDS AND SO FORTH. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE IS SOME WAY WE COULD DO THIS WITHOUT KEEPING THE EMERGENCY ORDER. PART OF IT, NOT IN IT. DO IT BY ORDINANCE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE STATE AND THE STATE OVERRULES THE CITY AND THEY ALREADY HAVE THE MASS ORDINANCE IN PLACE. I AGREE WITH JOHN PAUL, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE BEYOND THE EMERGENCY STATE OF ORDER WHICH WAS PUT IN PLACE TO GET FUNDING, WHICH WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET FUNDING. >> OKAY. VERY GOOD. REVEREND JOHNSON [INAUDIBLE]. >> GOING BACK TO REVISIT WHAT JOHN PAUL SAID, SO THIS WAS IN PLACE PARTICULARLY FOR FUNDING PURPOSES OR THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT A DECLARATION THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BASED UPON A SITUATION THAT WAS AT HAND WITH THE COVID? >> I DON'T WANT TO TALK OUT OF TURN, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHY WE ORIGINALLY PUT THAT ORDER IN PLACE. BUT IT STAYED IN PLACE THAT LONG FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS. ONE OF THOSE REASONS WAS, IF WE HAD THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING FUNDING FROM THE STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. THAT'S REALLY THE MAIN REASON WHY I'M BRINGING THIS UP, WANTING TO TRY TO MANDATE THESE IN DIFFERENT WAYS BESIDES EMERGENCY ORDER. CRAIG, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB, MARY ROBERT YOU DID A GREAT JOB IN THE STATE [NOISE] OF EMERGENCY. I'M NOT REALLY QUESTIONING THAT. I THINK WE CAN DO THIS IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN HAVING THIS STATE OF EMERGENCY IN PLACE, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE WE'RE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE, WE HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS, THERE'S NO DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE IN A TIME WHERE WE COULDN'T HAVE A MEETING AND MAKE THESE DECISIONS AS A COUNCIL. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY I THINK IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF THIS ORDER. >> OKAY. [OVERLAPPING] BASED UPON WHAT MR GAWASKI STATED, OF COURSE, IF WE WANT TO TRY AND PUT IT INTO AUDIENCE THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME. LIKE I SAID, MY CONCERN IS THAT WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, WE'RE FAST APPROACHING A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME MASS GATHERINGS HERE ON THE ISLAND. CERTAINLY, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SOMEWHAT OPEN TO THE IDEA OF MAKING SURE WE PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. THAT'S MY OVERALL CONCERN. I'M NOT SO MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSITION OF ME AND ONE, THAT'S THE MAYOR, WHO'S SITTING IN THE POSITION OF GIVING US LEADERSHIP TODAY. BUT I DON'T WANT US TO GET INTO A MASS GATHERING AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MAYOR HAS TO MAKE A DECISION AT A SPLIT TIME AND THEN WE GOT A SITUATION AT HAND. I'D RATHER WE'RE ALLOWED TO BE STILL IN PLACE UNTIL ONCE AGAIN, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO LIFT IT. HE MIGHT LIFT IT TOMORROW AND ONCE AGAIN, WE WILL FOLLOW SUIT WITH THAT. BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE A GAP IN HERE, SOME WAY OF NOT PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND, OF COURSE, OUR CITIZENS. >> ALL RIGHT. DAVID. [OVERLAPPING] >> MAYOR, MAY I INTERJECT? >>YES, DAVID. >> WELL, YEAH, I WOULD AGREE WITH JOHN PAUL SAYING THAT THE EMERGENCY ORDER IS ANY LONGER NECESSARY. BUT I WOULD HATE TO CANCEL THIS TODAY AND THEN GO [00:45:01] WITHOUT AN ORDINANCE THAT COVERS THE MASS OR MASS GATHERINGS. I WONDER, DON, IS THERE A WAY THAT YOU COULD FASHION SUCH AN ORDINANCE FOR US TO CONSIDER NEXT MONTH AND THEN WE CAN TAKE THIS UP AND ROLL ONE OUT AND THE OTHER END AT THE SAME TIME? >> I CAN CERTAINLY GIVE IT A SHOT. >> YOU THINK THAT'S A VIABLE SOLUTION HERE? [NOISE]. >> IT DOES GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE AND EXAMINE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF PROTECTION. THEN IF I COME UP WITH AN ORDINANCE AND YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE IT, AND YOU CAN KEEP THE PRESENT ORDERS IN PLACE. WE'LL GIVE IT A SHOT. [OVERLAPPING]. >> JOHN, WOULD THAT SUIT WHAT YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO? I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY WE KEPT THIS IN PLACE ALL THIS TIME AND YOU'RE RIGHT THAT IT HAS NOT BORN FRUIT, BUT IT HAS MAINTAINED THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECT AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE US CANCEL THIS JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED THE EMERGENCY ASPECT OF IT AND THEN OPEN OURSELVES UP TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS. >> REVEREND, I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND SOMETHING AND SEE IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT THIS, AND AS THE SECOND, DAVID. I'D LIKE TO SEE IF YOU WOULD AMEND YOUR MOTION TO KEEP IT AS YOU'VE STATED, AND ALSO ADD TO IT THAT THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD RESEARCH, COMING BACK WITH US AT THE NEXT MEETING, THE POSSIBILITY OF ENACTING AN ORDINANCE TO ADDRESS THE MASK WEARING. >> THAT'S FINE. >> DOES THAT MEET YOUR APPROVAL DAVID? >> YEAH, THAT'S FINE. >> YEAH. >> AS LONG AS WE'VE GOT SOMETHING IN PLACE, AS LONG WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE. >> YEAH. [OVERLAPPING]. >>THAT'S MY CONCERN. AS LONG WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING SOME OF THE COMPONENTS OUT WHICH, ONCE AGAIN, LIKE THE AMUSEMENT THAT'S DEALING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY TOO BUT LIKE I SAID I'VE BEEN A LOT OF THOSE PLACES AND NOBODY'S DOING NOTHING ABOUT THAT. BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE ALL WEARING MASK BUT THOSE MACHINES ARE STILL OPERATING. I DON'T WANT US TO, ONCE AGAIN, BE LEFT WITHOUT SOMETHING TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND CITIZENS, AND OUR CITIZENS IN THE COAST PART. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT, WITH THE LEGAL TEAM COMING UP WITH SOMETHING WITHIN THE NEXT TIME WE MEET TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE. THEN THE NEXT THING IS THAT ONCE WE PUT IT IN ORDINANCE, THEN, THAT GET LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AND THAT'S GOING TO BE ORDINANCE, THAT'S GOING TO ALWAYS BE THERE. SOMEONE'S GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THAT ORDINANCE BEING IN THERE. >>ALL RIGHT. >> I BET THEY DON'T FORGET ABOUT IT. [LAUGHTER] I WOULD BE [OVERLAPPING] SUCH AN AMENDMENT DR BROWN. >> YES. [OVERLAPPING]. >> YOU HAVE IT ON THE BOOKS FOR 20 YEARS AND NO ONE FORGOT ABOUT IT IT WHAT'S ON THERE. [LAUGHTER] >> RIGHT. I WANT TO GET COUNCIL'S COMMENTS. BILL, I THINK I HEAR YOU TRYING TO MAKE A COMMENT AND THEN WE HAVE MARIE. >> YEAH. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >>YES, SIR, WE CAN. >> I JUST WANTED TO CONCUR WITH JOHN AND MARIE AND SOMEWHAT WHAT REVEREND JOHNSON IS SAYING. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FREEZE, I WAS OUT THERE BECAUSE I EAT OUT ALL THE TIME. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO 90 TO A 100,000 PEOPLE BETWEEN 6TH AND ALL THE WAY TO 61ST STREET. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT RIGHT NOW, AND I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND EXTEND THE DISASTER ELEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU BILL. MARIE. >> WELL, I GUESS IF WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THIS IN PLACE FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE PULLING THE GAMING MACHINES OUT BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY I DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE LEGAL IN THE CITY ANYWAY. WE'VE HEARD ABOUT FRAUDS AROUND THEM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE PULLING THAT DOWN. >> ALL RIGHT, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS, COUNCIL? YES, WILLIAM. >> I JUST LET THAT GO [INAUDIBLE] BRYSON AND DAVID ON THAT. MY FEELING IS, I AGREE A LITTLE BIT WHAT JP SAY WITH THE EMERGENCY ASPECT OF IT, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT UNPROTECTED, ESPECIALLY WITH TOURISM SEASON COMING UP WITH A COUPLE OF SPRING BREAKS, AND SO LETS JUST TRUST IN THE MOMENT. >> YES, JOHN? >> ONE LAST THING, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE READ THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER REGARDING MASKS. [00:50:03] TODAY DOES HE ALSO HAVE SOMETHING IN REGARDS TO MASS GATHERINGS? >> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I KNOW ABOUT IT JOHN, AND DON KNOWS MORE. FOR ANY OUTDOOR GATHERING OVER 10 PEOPLE AND IT COMES ACROSS MY DESK, THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION IN EVERY COVID PLAN ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. TODAY, I HAVE NOT HAD ONE EVENTS SUBMITTED TO ME THAT I HAVE NOT APPROVED. EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD BEEN APPROVED. ON THE INDOOR EVENTS, THERE IS NOT REALLY ANY GUIDELINES. THEY DON'T NEED TO HAVE APPROVAL, I SHOULD SAY THAT. ON INDOOR EVENTS, THE GUIDELINES ARE, [NOISE] IT HAS TO BE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE OCCUPANCY ROOM AND THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK WEARING, BUT THEY DO NOT NEED PERMISSION FROM THE CITY OR ANY OTHER ENTITY LIKE THAT. DON DID YOU WANT TO COME IN ON THAT? >> YES. [NOISE] IT DON'T HAVE A MASS GATHERING [INAUDIBLE] WHERE HE REQUIRES APPROVAL BY THE MAYOR. FOR CERTAIN MASS GATHERINGS, THERE'S A NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONS SUCH AS [INAUDIBLE] SERVICES, CERTAIN SPORTING EVENTS, THAT TYPE OF THING. I BELIEVE OUR ORDER PRECEDES THE GOVERNOR, OUR ORDER FOLLOWED THAT A BEAR COUNTY YOU MAY RECALL. BEAR COUNTY CAME OUT WITH THEIRS, AND THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED THAT THAT WAS THE TYPE OF ORDER HE COULD SUPPORT. ALL THE CITIES ADOPTED THE BEAR COUNTY ORDER. HE SUBSEQUENTLY STARTED ADOPTING AS I RECALL, THE FACE MASK RULES AND THE ORDERS THAT WE HEARD [INAUDIBLE] >> YES. >> WELL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, I GUESS OUR ORDER MIRRORS TO GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, AND SO THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE IF WE DID GET RID OF THIS, THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE FOR OUR CITIZENS HERE IN GALVESTON. IS THAT RIGHT OR WE ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE? >> YES. BUT YOU MAY RECALL THERE WAS A GOVERNOR ORDER IN EFFECT IN DALLAS THAT APPLIED TO A CERTAIN SALON KEEPER. [OVERLAPPING] THE DALLAS OFFICIALS TRIED TO ENFORCE [NOISE] AND HAULED THIS WOMAN INTO COURT AND HELD HER IN CONTEMPT, AND ACTUALLY AS I RECALL, THREATENED TO PUT HER IN JAIL, AND THEN THE GOVERNOR PEELED BACK HIS ORDER SO AS TO GIVE HER A RELIEF. IF YOU WANT TO PUT FAITH IN THE GOVERNOR, [LAUGHTER] THERE YOU GO. THE DIFFERENCES, WHEN IT'S OUR ORDER, WE CAN CHOOSE TO ENFORCE IT OR NOT WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WE KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO SAY. WE KNOW WHAT IT SAYS RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ANY BACKPEDALING ON IT. JUST MY COMMENT. >> MORAY? >> THE ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS HAD AN ISSUE WITH OUR ORDER, IS IT PUTS THE ONUS AND IT PUT THE PENALTY ON BUSINESS, AND THAT I VERY MUCH HAVE A PROBLEM WITH AND I KNOW AT THE LAST TIME WE DISCUSSED THIS A MONTH AGO, AND WHEN WE DECIDED TO GO TO A MONTH TO MONTH, WE CHANGED THE ONE FINE WHICH HAD TO DO WITH THE GAMING MACHINES BUT I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE LEGAL. BUT WITH THE GAMING MACHINES FROM 1,000-500. BUT WE HAVEN'T EVER CHANGED THE FINES THAT A RESTAURANT WOULD GET WHEN THEY'RE BEING HURT SO MUCH WITH LACK OF BUSINESS, AND SO FORTH. I SAW A WAY THAT WE COULD TAKE THE ONUS OF THE BUSINESSES AND PUT IT ON INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT WE'RE PUNISHING OUR BUSINESSES. >> THE ORDINANCE WHICH WE CHANGED LAST MONTH THOUGH IT DEFINES NOT ONLY [00:55:01] FOR ALL OF THE EMERGENCY ORDERS, INCLUDING THIS. WE CAN DO AWAY THE ORIGINAL ORDER IT SHOULD I THINK 1,000. LAST MONTH IT HAS BEEN REDUCED FOR ANY VIOLATION DOWN TO 500. >> I KNOW BUT AGAIN, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS IS THE ONUS, IS ON THE BUSINESS. I DON'T THINK THE ONUS SHOULD BE ON THE BUSINESS, I THINK THE ONUS SHOULD BE ON INDIVIDUALS. IS THERE A WAY WE COULD ADJUST THE ORDER TO TAKE THE ONUS OFF THE BUSINESS? >> IF YOU WERE, MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE REVERENCE MOTION TO DO JUST THAT, AND IF IT ACCEPTS, THERE YOU GO. [OVERLAPPING] >> ARE YOU WILLING TO AMEND YOUR MOTION TO TAKE THE FINE ONUS OFF THE BUSINESSES?. >> YEAH, THAT'S FINE AND TAKE [INAUDIBLE] BUSINESSES, AND THAT TAKE FOREVER. >> I WOULD AGREE WITH MORAY'S THOUGHTS ON THAT. I THINK THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT ENFORCED, STILL ITS IN THE ORDINANCE AND I THINK THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF IT. DAVID? >> ARE WE WILLING TO PUT THE MARSHALL STORK ENFORCING MASK ORDINANCE? ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING CONCEPTUALLY ABOUT THIS. BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR HAVING THIS ON THE BOOKS AND APPRECIATE CITY'S ATTITUDE TOWARD ITS ENFORCEMENT. BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEM THEN TO SAY TO PEOPLE THERE'S A CITY ORDINANCE, YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK, YOU CAN'T COME IN WITHOUT A MASK AS OPPOSED TO SAYING, 'WELL, IT'S UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL', THE BUSINESS DOESN'T HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY HERE. AFTER THE BUSINESSES ON THE STREET, DON'T DO ANYTHING, THE OTHER HALF ARE TRYING TO ENFORCE MASK ORDINANCES AND PEOPLE WERE GOING TO THE BUSINESSES WITHOUT THEM. IT'S AKIN TO THE SMOKING ORDINANCE. IF YOU REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION, NO ONE WANTED TO BE FIRST TO SAY, "I DON'T WANT SMOKING IN MY RESTAURANT." BUT WHEN IT WAS IMPLEMENTED, EVERYBODY BREATHE THE SIGH OF RELIEF, BOTH FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY BECAUSE IT GAVE THEM SOMEONE TO POINT TO AND SAY, "THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS. IT WASN'T MY DECISION, DON'T LOOK AT ME." >> COUNSEL LET ME GET BACK INTO CLARIFYING THIS. MORAY HAS ASKED THE MAKER OF THE MOTION TO AMEND THAT. HE HAS AGREED TO DO THAT. DAVID, YOU ARE THE SECOND. >> I WOULD ASK EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS TO TAKE THE ONUS OFF THE BUSINESS. THAT MEANS WE DON'T FINE BUSINESSES FOR NOT HAVING A POLICY? DO WE NOT FINE ANYONE IN THIS CASE? BECAUSE ONE OF THE REASONS WE DID IT THIS WAY WAS BECAUSE WE FOUND IT IMPRACTICAL TO ENFORCE IT AGAINST INDIVIDUALS. TO SAY, IT'S NO LONGER THE BUSINESS'S RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN IF IT'S JUST SYMBOLIC. THAT SAYS ESSENTIALLY, WE NO LONGER HAVE AN ENFORCEABLE OR ENFORCED MASK ORDINANCE IN GALVESTON AS WE GO ONTO SPRING BREAK, MORAY? [OVERLAPPING] >> I WOULD SAY THE OPPOSITE BECAUSE THE MASS ROLE WOULD STILL BE IN PLACE. FINES COULD STILL BE PUT ON TO INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTUALLY WHEN IT COMES TO WHEN WE GO INTO SPRING BREAK AND WHATNOT, IT MIGHT BE EASIER TO ENFORCE THAN IT HAS BEEN WITH SOME OF THE OTHERS. BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO KEEP AN ONUS ON OUR BUSINESS AND EACH BUSINESS ALREADY HAS SOME PLAN IN PLACE AND THEY CAN STILL HAVE THEIR SIGNS THAT THEY [NOISE] REQUIRE MASKS TO COME IN BECAUSE THERE WOULD STILL BE AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE BUT IT TAKES THE ONUS OF THE BUSINESS. >> JOHN? >> I'M SORRY, JOHN, PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> LET ME JUST SAY ONE THING REAL QUICK. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE $500 FINE FOR THE BUSINESS. IF THEY HAVE A MASS COORDINATES IN PLACE. IF THEY HAVE A MASS COORDINATES IN PLACE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE THE ONE WHO IS GETTING FINE FOR SOMEBODY NOT WEARING A MASK. BUT IF THERE IS A $500 FINE IN PLACE FOR THE BUSINESS, THEN THERE SHOULD BE A $500 FINE IN PLACE FOR THE PERSON NOT WEARING THE MASK. IF WE HAVE A MASS COORDINATES, THEN IT'S UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO WEAR THE MASK. THE BUSINESS OWNER IS NOT FORCING THAT GUY TO WEAR THE MASK. [01:00:02] I THINK THERE SHOULD BE EQUAL ENFORCEMENT HERE, BOTH FOR THE BUSINESS AND FOR THE INDIVIDUAL. OUR COORDINATES RIGHT NOW, THEY HAVE NO ACCOUNTABILITY. ALL THE ACCOUNTABILITY IS ON THE BUSINESS. I DON'T MIND HAVING THE $500 FINE IN THERE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF MASS COORDINATES IN PLACE OR POLICY IN PLACE FOR THE BUSINESS. WE ALSO NEED THE FINE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO'S NOT COOPERATING WITH THE COORDINATES. >> I SEE YOUR HAND. >> IF WE GO ON AND GET RID OF THIS DECLARATION NEXT MONTH, THEN THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO WANT TO SEE IN OUR ORDINATES FOR A MASS COORDINATE. I'M GLAD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS NOW. WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS, I THINK WE SPENT A LITTLE TOO MUCH TIME ON THIS ONE THING, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION NEXT WEEK ANYWAY, WHEN AN ORDINATE COMES TO US AND THEN WE LIKE IT OR WE DON'T LIKE IT, WE WANT TO CHANGE IT AND SO I DON'T MIND SPENDING THE TIME I GUESS. >> WELL, I WOULD AGREE WITH JOHN'S COMMENTS ON THAT. I WOULD SAY THIS THAT, IT COULD BE SO FAR WE'VE HAD THE AMENDMENT THAT MARIE HAS REQUESTED IS NOT BEING APPROVED BY THE [INAUDIBLE]. I WOULD SAY THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD ASK STAFF TO PUT INTO THAT CHANGE OF THE MASS COORDINATES ONCE THEY BRING IT BACK IN A MONTH. YES. LET'S WIND THE DISCUSSION DOWN. MARIE AND THEN REVEREND JOHNSON. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AFTER LISTENING TO WHAT JOHN PAUL JUST SAID IF DAVID WOULD CONSIDER AMENDING HIS SECOND ALONG WITH THE REVEREND IN LINES OF THE BUSINESSES ALREADY HAVE THE PLAN TO THE FACTS, BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A CITIZEN WHO ISN'T FOLLOWING THE RULE. AGAIN, IN A PERFECT WORLD, WE COULD REMOVE THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND I JUST THINK WE NEED TO TAKE THE OWNERS OF THE BUSINESS SO THEN IT WON'T BE AMENDING REVEREND THAT IT WOULD BE INDIVIDUALS, COULD BE FINED OR MAYBE JOHN PAUL COULD SAY IT MORE ELOQUENTLY, I THINK WHEN HE PRESENTED WAS GOOD. >> MAYBE THAT WE CAN'T EVEN DO THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAD SOMETHING IN HIS ORDER THAT AN INDIVIDUAL COULDN'T BE FINED, OR DID I HEAR THAT WRONG? >> NO, I BELIEVE YOU REMEMBER THAT CORRECTLY,. >> [LAUGHTER]. >> TO BEGIN WITH. >> NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, MAYBE THAT IS THE CASE. I'M OKAY WITH PUSHING THIS FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. MY POINT IS THAT, I DON'T LIKE THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN PLACE. I THINK WE CAN DO OTHER THINGS AND MAYBE WE JUST NEED MORE DISCUSSION HERE THIS COMING MONTH. >> COUNCIL. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND WE HAVE A SECOND ON THAT. DON IF THIS MOTION PASSES, YOU'VE HEARD THE COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL. IF THIS MOTION DOES PASS AND YOU BRING THIS BACK IN A MONTH, YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE WITH THAT. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> OKAY. VERY GOOD. COUNCIL. YES, SIR. >> JUST FOR CLARITY, BECAUSE I HAVE STRETCHED IT OUT FIVE TIMES IN MY NOTES, WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE AMENDMENTS RIGHT NOW THAT WE'VE PROVEN OR ON THE FLOOR? >> WHAT WE HAVE IS THE MOTION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY STUDIED BY REVEREND JOHNSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL COLLINS, AND NOW WE HAVE ONE AMENDMENT TO THAT, AND THAT IS IF THIS PASSES, BRING THE MASK PORTION OF THE RETAINED DISASTER DECLARATION BACK TO COUNCIL NEXT MONTH AND HAVE A PRESENTATION BY LEGAL STAFF ON HOW THAT CAN BE CHANGED TO BE IN THE ORDINATES SO THAT WE CAN DO AWAY WITH THIS DISASTER DECLARATION. DON, I THINK YOU'VE HEARD WHAT OUR COMMENTS ARE, ESPECIALLY BY NOT PUTTING THE FINE AND SO FORTH ON BUSINESSES. >> I'LL GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT. >> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND WE'VE HAD A SECOND. BILL WHEN WE VOTE, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, SIR, WE'LL TAKE A VISUAL VOTE, THEN I'LL COME TO YOU FOR YOUR VOTE FROM THE AUDIO STANDPOINT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE OPPOSED. ALL RIGHT. BILL, WHAT IS YOUR VOTE? [01:05:08] >> I OPPOSE. >> I'M SORRY. >> I OPPOSE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU BILL. ALL RIGHT. THE MOTION DOES PASS AND WE'LL HAVE THIS ON OUR AGENDA NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOVING TO ITEM 8C PLEASE NELLY. [8.C. Consider An Ordinance Amending The FY 2020 Operating Budget By Transferring $1,526,606 From General Fund Balance To Create A One-Time Line Item Budget To Properly Record Hurricane Ike CDBG Housing Program Administration Expenses; Said Expenses Were Incurred From FY 2010 Through FY 2013 And Were Not Reimbursed By The General Land Office Using Grant Administration Funds; And Reimbursement Of Which Is Now Considered Tenuous And Contingent On A Number Of Events Of Uncertain Outcome. (M. Loftin)] >> ITEM 8C. CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 OPERATING BUDGET BY TRANSFERRING $1,526,606 FROM GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO CREATE A ONETIME LINE ITEM BUDGET TO PROPERLY RECORD HURRICANE IKE CDBG HOUSING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES. THAT EXPENSES WERE INCURRED FROM FISCAL YEAR 2010 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2013, AND WE'RE NOT REIMBURSED BY THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE USING GRANT ADMINISTRATION FUNDS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF WHICH IS NOW CONSIDERED TENUOUS AND CONTINGENT ON A NUMBER OF EVENTS OF UNCERTAIN OUTCOME. >> THANK YOU NELLY VERY WELL. MIKE, DID YOU WANT TO PRESENT THIS TO COUNCIL. >> YES, MAYOR, I'LL DO A QUICK EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND THEN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE. >> THIS IS A TIME SENSITIVE REQUEST. WE ARE WORKING TO FINISH UP THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT THE NEXT 30 DAYS TO BRING INTO COUNCIL AT THE END OF MARCH. IN OUR REVIEW AND PREPARATION OF THE FINANCIAL REPORT, WE LOOK AT A NUMBER OF CONTINGENT LIABILITIES, RECEIVABLES TO ENSURE THAT THE CITY'S FINANCIAL POSTURE'S PRESENTED ACCURATELY IN THAT REPORT. THIS REQUEST IS TO PROVIDE A LINE ITEM FOR US TO RECORD EXPENSES AS THE CAPTION WAS READ FROM FY 2010 THROUGH 2013 THAT WERE USED TO ADMINISTER THE PRIVATE OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REPAIR GRANT PROVIDED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE CITY GOT ITS FEMA GRANT. THIS WAS A $160 MILLION GRANT, 2 PERCENT OF IT OR 3.2 MILLION WAS SET ASIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT BY THE CITY. WE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE FOR HALF OF THAT COST. THIS IS THE OTHER HALF OF THE COST THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE BEEN INCURRED AFTER THE DECISION WAS MADE TO SWITCH CONTRACTORS FROM CDM SMITH TO URS. OVER THE YEARS, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN OFFSET WITH A RECEIVABLE WHICH REPRESENTED THE EXPECTATION ON THE PART OF THE CITY THAT THE COST WOULD ULTIMATELY BE REIMBURSED, AND IN RECENT YEARS, WE WERE OF THE HOPES THAT THE SUIT THE CITY HAS AGAINST THE GLO WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE RECOVERY OF THE FUNDS. NOW, FOR REASONS EXPLAINED VERY WELL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY THIS MORNING, AND AS STATED IN THE LAST LINE OF THE CAPTION, THE OUTCOME AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT WE WILL GET THIS MONEY BACK IS TENUOUS. THE ONLY FUNDING SOURCE WE CAN OFFER UP FOR THIS IS THE GENERAL FUND. WE'RE PROPOSING TO TAKE THE MILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS FROM GENERAL FUND BALANCE WHICH HAS BEEN REBUILT SOME SINCE WE PAID OUR CDM SMITH SETTLEMENT A FEW YEARS AGO. WE DO HAVE AN $18.2 MILLION FUND BALANCE PROJECTED RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS 4.2 MILLION MORE THAN OUR 90 DAY MINIMUM, IT'S ABOUT A 117 DAYS. THIS WOULD REDUCE THAT BY A MILLION AND A HALF TO A $2.7 MILLION EXCESS OVER THE 90 DAY MINIMUM OR A 107 DAYS TOTAL RESERVE. WE DO RECOMMEND APPROVAL. THE CITY'S EXTERNAL AUDITORS HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND AGREES WITH THIS, AS DOES THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND I RECOMMEND APPROVAL. >> VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. LOFT IN COUNCIL? I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM HC. [NOISE] SECOND. >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY WILLIAM SCHUSTER. THANK YOU. DISCUSSION STEP, COUNCIL. BILL, I'M GOING TO CALL BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE YOU. BILL, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD ON THESE BUGS, I'M GOING TO CALL ON YOU. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? >> NO, I DON'T, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS HC, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND. [01:10:01] IT IS UNANIMOUS, BILL, FROM THOSE THAT I SEE. BILL, YOUR VOTE? >> I APPROVE. >> THANK YOU. IT IS UNANIMOUS. WE'RE NOW MOVING TO OUR CONSENT ITEMS, COUNCIL. [9. CONSENT ITEMS] ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR ITEMS THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT AND DISCUSS SEPARATELY? MARIE? >> YES, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT, I BELIEVE IT'S 9 M, THE ONE THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE JACOBS ENGINEERING. >> YES, MA'AM. WE'LL DO THAT. ANY OTHER ITEMS IN THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT COUNSEL WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT? >> YES, MAYOR. I DO 9 I. 9 I. THANK YOU, BILL. ANY OTHER, COUNCIL? I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT ITEMS FROM 9 A TO 9 N AS IN NANCY, EXCLUDING ITEM 9 M AS IN MARY IN 9 I AS IN ICE. DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT? >> SECOND >> WE HAVE A SECOND. THANK YOU, ROBERT JOHNSON. BILL, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT? >> NO. NO, SIR. >> VERY GOOD. COUNCIL, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. >> I APPROVE, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, BILL. THAT IS UNANIMOUS. WE'RE NOW MOVING TO ITEM, [9.I. Consider For Approval The Purchase Of Eleven (11) Netmotion Mobility Software Licenses From Mobile Wireless LLC Utilizing DIR TSO 3810, 11 Laptops, Routers And Docking Stations From And Turn‐Key Mobile, Inc. Utilizing The Texas DIR Contract (DIR‐TSO‐4025) And Seven (7) Licenses From CentralSquare (Formally Known As Sungard Public Sector, Inc) For A Total Cost Of $108,311.09. This Purchase Will Supply Laptop Computers, Printers, Mounting Hardware, And Licenses To Upfit Eleven Marked Marshals Units With State‐Of‐The‐Art Equipment To Allow The Deputy Marshal’s To Perform Their Duties Reducing Face To Face Contact, And Enhance Their Ability To Work Independently In The Field. (B. Stroud)] LET'S DO 9 I FIRST. IF WE COULD, NELLY COULD YOU BRING 9 I PLEASE NOW? >> YES, SIR. ITEM 9 I. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF 11 NET MOTION MOBILITY SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR MOBILE WIRELESS, LLC UTILIZED IN THE DIR PSO 3810, 11 LAPTOPS, ROUTERS AND DOCUMENTATION FROM INTERIM T-MOBILE INCORPORATED, UTILIZING THE TEXAS DIR CONTRACTS AND SEVEN LICENSES FROM CENTRAL SQUARE KNOWN AS SUNGARD PUBLIC SECTOR FOR A TOTAL COST OF A $108,311.09. THIS PURCHASE WILL SUPPLY LAPTOP, COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, MOUNTING HARDWARE AND LICENSES TO UP FIT 11 MARKED MARSHALL'S UNIT WITH STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT TO ALLOW THE DEPUTY MARSHALL TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES, FOR USING FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT AND ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY IN THE FIELD. >> THANK YOU NELLY. BILL, I KNOW YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS. GO RIGHT AHEAD, SIR. >> YEAH. I JUST LIKE SOME INPUT FROM THIS DISCUSS TO WHAT IS THIS EQUIPMENT FOR? WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO USE IT FOR? TO GET PAPER CODE ENFORCEMENT? ARE WE GOING TO EMPLOY SECONDARY POLICE OFFICERS? SO I WANT TO KNOW WHY THEIR REQUESTS WITH THIS EQUIPMENT, AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE IT FOR PRIMARILY. >> O'BRIEN? >> WE HAVE BUNCHES ON BUT HOPE DEAN WOULD PROBABLY BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE PERSON TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION. >> OKAY. >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. SO CURRENTLY AT PRESENT, THE CITY MARSHALL'S OFFICE, WHICH IS INCLUSIVE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, DO NOT HAVE ANY EQUIPMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES. SO THE EQUIPMENT IS GOING TO BE USED TO GIVE THEM CONNECTIVITY TO THE SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS THAT THEY USE DURING THE NORMAL COURSE OF THEIR BUSINESS, WHICH INCLUDES CODE ENFORCEMENT. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COUNCIL MEMBER KRUGER? >> WELL, YOU MADE A STATEMENT ABOUT INCLUDING THEIR CODE ENFORCEMENT. WHAT IS THE OTHER THAT IT'S INCLUDED IN THIS? ARE THEY GOING TO PERFORM ARREST DUTIES OR THAT KIND OF THING? >> THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE SAME SOFTWARE THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES. IF IN FACT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MAKING ARRESTS, I WOULD ASK THEM. BUT STROUD ANSWER UPON THAT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE CASE, BUT I COULD BE WRONG. >> BUTCH >> BUT WHAT THEY DO HAVE IS THAT SAFE TO PEOPLE'S PRIVATE INFORMATION EVEN IF ITS THE LOOP? >> MY APOLOGIES. HIS SWORN PERSONNEL WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SYSTEM. HIS NON SWORN PERSONNEL I.E CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WILL NOT. >> SO WE'RE BROKEN UP IN TWO. [01:15:02] ONE IS CODE ENFORCEMENT, THE OTHER ONE HAS THE CAPABILITY OF ARRESTING PEOPLE? >> YES. THE ACTION CALLS FOR 11 LAPTOPS, BUT ONLY SEVEN OF THOSE LAPTOPS WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO RUN ANY TYPE OF C JUST RELATED SOFTWARE SOLUTION. I BELIEVE THAT BATCH HAS SEVEN SWORN PERSONNEL ON HIS TEAM. >> THEY SERVE AS POLICE OFFICERS? >> BATCH? >> THEY ARE SWORN POLICE OFFICERS. THE PROMINENT DUTIES IS NOT GOING TO BE ARRESTING PERSONNEL. HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE DEPUTIES THAT'S GOING TO BE THE [INAUDIBLE] FOR COURTS AND SERVING WARRANTS WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED OF THEM TO BE ARRESTING PERSONNELS FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS. WE'RE GOING TO NEED THIS SOFTWARE SO WE CAN PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS FOR THE JAIL TO TAKE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ARRESTED FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS. >> WELL, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HAVING A SECONDARY POLICE FORCE. THAT'S ALL MY COMMENTS, MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, BILL. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THIS, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. >> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> MOVE APPROVAL BY, WAS THAT REVEREND JOHNSON? >> COLLINS. >> COLLINS. I'M SORRY. IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. I THINK MARIE HAS THAT COMMENT TOO. >> YES. JOHN PAUL MARIE? I HAVE A QUESTION. HOW DOES THE POLICE CHIEF FEEL ABOUT THIS, ESPECIALLY WITH THAT THEY'LL HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IT DOES SEEM LIKE NOW WE'RE FALLING INTO A SECONDARY POLICE FORCE? >> ALAN, ARE YOU ON? >> ABSOLUTELY. I'M HERE. SO FIRST OF ALL, YOU LOOK AT MARSHALL'S OFFICES ACROSS TEXAS, THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MUNICIPAL COURT AND THINGS OF THAT SORT. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE AVAILABLE AT THE MUNICIPAL COURT IN [INAUDIBLE] DALLAS, ETC. WE WERE VERY CLEAR. I HAD THE SAME CONCERN WITH THIS NON SWORN PERSONNEL BEING ABLE TO ACCESS AEGIS, STOP WORK CENTER AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THIS FOR PROBABLY NINE MONTHS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONTROLS WERE IN PLACE AND WE WEREN'T GIVING THEM UNDO ACCESS TO PEOPLE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT. I EVEN HAD THE CITY MANAGER AND DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TO SEE THIS COURSE, JUST TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO. I TAKE THE PROXY CONCERN VERY SERIOUSLY AND THEY DO HAVE A JOB TO DO AND THAT REQUIRES AN ACCESS TO THOSE SYSTEMS. IT'LL CREATE EFFICIENCIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT STAFF IN THE CAR JUST LIKE WITH US, RATHER THAN HAVING THEM TO GO BACK TO THE STATION EVERY TIME. >> THEN MY OTHER QUESTION WILL BE BECAUSE I KNOW THEY CAN GIVE TICKETS, DOES THAT MEAN THEY COULD ALSO GIVE SPEEDING TICKETS? NOT THAT I'M A LEAD PHOTO OR ANYTHING, BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS. >> I THINK THAT'S UP TO THE CITY MANAGEMENT. I'VE NEVER KNOWN THEM TO GIVE SPEEDING TICKETS. >> THEY DON'T HAVE RADAR EQUIPMENT, THINGS LIKE THAT TO DO THAT. >> YOU JUST OUTED YOURSELF, MARIE [INAUDIBLE] >> I MUTED MYSELF BUT I'M STILL HERE. CAN YOU NOT SEE ME? >> I CAN. >> OKAY. NOW, THAT WAS A SEMI JOE QUESTION, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY COULDN'T, SO THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. I WOULD PREFER THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE UNDER THE PURVIEW SO THAT OUR OFFICERS CAN BE OUT THERE TO WRITE THE SPEEDING TICKETS AND DO THE OTHER POLICE WORK. MYSELF, THE MAYOR, AND MR. MAXWELL ARE WORKING HARD TO GET TO MANY DUTIES THAT ARE NOT POLICE WORK OFF OF OUR PLATE AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AS A CITY OVERALL. SO IT DOES US A SERVICE WHEN THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THOSE DUTIES OFF OUR PLATES, AND WE CAN'T DO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PIECES. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE HERE THAT HAS BEEN SECONDED. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE VISUALLY I SEE. YES, BILL. GO AHEAD. >> I'M JUST VOTE NO ON IT. >> WE HAVE SIX IN FAVOR AND THEN COUNCIL KRUGER AGAINST. MOVING TO A 9 M PLEASE, NELLY? [9.M. Consider Prequalifying Jacobs Engineering To Compile A Detailed Scope And Negotiated Fee For Developing The City’s Strategic Drainage Plan; Authorizing The City Manager To Execute All Necessary Documents Upon Final Approval By The City Attorney. (B. Cook)] >> ITEM 9 M. CONSIDER PRE-QUALIFYING JACOBS ENGINEERING [01:20:03] TO COMPILE A DETAILED SCOPE AND NEGOTIATED FEE FOR DEVELOPING THE CITY STRATEGIC DRAINAGE PLAN AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENT UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> VERY GOOD. MARIE, YOU HAD COMMENTS ON THIS? >> WELL, SINCE WE HAD TIME BETWEEN THE WORKSHOP AND NOW THE MEETING, I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THIS AND WITH THAT, I'M ESPECIALLY OPPOSED TO MOVING FORWARD AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DANIEL TO INFORM YOU ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE UNCOVERED. >> DANIEL? >> I KNOW I SAW HIM ON THERE BEFORE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL AND MAYOR. IS THE AUDIO CLEAR, PLEASE? >> IT IS. >> THIS MORNING WHEN THEIR BRAND AND MADE THE PRESENTATION, THE STAFF REPORT WAS FOR A REQUEST FOR THE COUNCIL TO PRE-QUALIFY JACOBS ENGINEERING, TO DO THE DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN. NOT TO DO THE DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN, BUT TO TRY TO PRE-QUALIFY THEM SO THE CITY STAFF CAN WORK WITH THEM TO DEVELOP THE SCOPE. THERE HAS BEEN A QUESTION IN PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND THIS COUNCIL MEETING IS JACOBS ONE OF THE 34 DRAINAGE ENGINEERING FIRMS THAT WILL PRE-QUALIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE PAST. I DO HAVE THE DRAINAGE ENGINEERING LIST OF PRE-QUALIFIED FIRMS, AND THEY DO NOT SEE JACOBS ENGINEERING'S NAME ON THE LIST WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE LIST OF PRE-QUALIFY DRAINAGE ENGINEERS. THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE CONFUSION. I JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP. >> ALL RIGHT, BRIAN. DO YOU HAVE COMMENTS ON THAT? >> NO, SIR. [INAUDIBLE]. >> ACTUALLY, THAT'S THE QUESTION BEFORE THE COUNCIL RIGHT NOW IS TO PRE-QUALIFY THEM, TO PUT THEM ON THE LIST SO THAT WE CAN NEGOTIATE AS GO AND A FEE STRUCTURE WITH THEM. >> I WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER COMMENT AT THIS POINT. IN THE DISCUSSIONS THAT I HAD WITH DANIEL, THERE ACTUALLY ARE OTHER COMPANIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PRE-QUALIFIED. I'M GOING TO ASK HIM TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ONE WHO HAVE ALREADY DONE SOME INITIAL STUDIES. BY GOING WITH ONE OF THE PRE-QUALIFIED COMPANIES, WE COULD ACTUALLY GET THIS PROJECT STARTED SOONER THAN STARTING WITH A COMPANY. YOU SHOULD KNOW THEY WERE SENT AN APPLICATION TO GET PRE-QUALIFIED AND THEY CHOSE NOT TO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GO WITH THE COMPANY THAT OR HAVE DANIEL TO GIVE YOU MORE INSIGHT ON. I KNOW WE HAVE. HE WAS SPEAKING OF ONE COMPANY WHERE THEY'VE ACTUALLY DONE SOME INITIALS STUDIES AND SO FORTH. DANIEL. >> YES. JUST TO NAME A FEW FIRMS. WE HAVE ZED AND COKE ENGINEERS THAT I'VE DONE EXTENSIVE DRAINAGE DESIGNS FOR GALVESTON AND EXTENSIVE HYDRAULIC MODELING FOR GALVESTON. ALSO, AWC ENGINEERS, BOTH OF WHOM ARE FAMILIAR WITH DRAINAGE DESIGNS AND THE GALVESTON [INAUDIBLE]. >> ALL RIGHT, BRANDON. I'D LIKE FOR YOU TO CLARIFY SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP HERE AT THE WORKPLACE. >> YEAH, SO THIS PROJECT IS WHILE THE HARD OF IT IS BEEN ENGINEERING STUDYING, IT'S MORE THAN THAT. IT'S THE PROBABLY THE BIGGEST PART OF THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO BE THE PUBLIC OUTREACH PORTION OF IT. FOR TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, WHERE WE IDENTIFY DRAINAGE PROJECTS, PRIORITIZE THOSE PROJECTS SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE THE VOTERS IN THE ELECTION THAT WE'RE PLANNING IN THE CIP FOR 2023 THAT'S GOING TO BE DRAINAGE RELATED. OTHERS MAY HAVE JUST PARTICULAR ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS, [01:25:05] THIS IS MORE OF A BROAD PROGRAM TYPE OF CHANGE AND PROGRAMMING PROJECT LIFT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT PUTTING TOGETHER. THIS ISN'T JUST NECESSARILY AN ENGINEERING PROJECT. ONE OF THE FIRMS THAT DANIEL MENTIONED THERE [INAUDIBLE] IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE SUBS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. HAVING THEM DO THE QA/QC MEASURES ON THE H AND H DRAINAGE MODEL, SO THAT WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET A GOOD QUALITY PRODUCT OUT OF IT. WE COULD GO THROUGH AND WHAT WE DID HERE, WE'RE TRYING TO EXPEDITE THINGS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE AN 18-MONTH TYPE OF PROJECT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO WRAP UP BY DECEMBER 2022, SO THAT WE CAN BE READY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WHAT DRAINAGE PROJECTS WE'RE PLANNING TO TAKE BEFORE THE VOTERS IN MAY OF 2023. NOW WE COULD DELAY THE PROJECT AND START PUSHING THE ELECTION DAYS BACK. STATE LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE NECESSARILY TO GO OUT AND DO A COMPETITIVE TYPE OF PROCESS, OR FORMAL TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, ENGINEERING SERVICES, AND THE LIKE. JUST LIKE ONE DOESN'T GO OUT AND SEEK THE CHEAPEST LAWYER OR THE CHEAPEST SURGEON, WE ENGAGE THESE PEOPLE. WE TRY TO UTILIZE THOSE ABILITIES UNDER STAY LONG AND WE HAVE THAT DISCRETION TO EXPEDITE PROJECTS, PRIORITIZE THEM. WE DEAL WITH A WHOLE LOT OF RED TAPE HERE. WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S JUST NATURE OF THE BEAST. WE TRY TO STREAMLINE THINGS WHERE POSSIBLE. THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO STREAMLINE IT SO THAT WE COULD GET THIS PROJECT WRAPPED UP AND EVERYTHING BY DECEMBER 2022. IF WE WOULD LIKE TO GO THROUGH A MORE FORMAL PROCESS TO RANK FIRMS AND IT'LL PROBABLY TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AND ADDITION. I'M ALL FOR THAT. WE CAN TOTALLY GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AS WELL, WHATEVER THE COUNCIL'S PLEASURE. WE STAND READY TO DO WHATEVER YOU WISH. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF I COULD ASK DANIEL TO COMMENT ON THE TIMELINE OF USING A FIRM THAT IS PRE-QUALIFIED BECAUSE I KNOW YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A FASTER PROCESS, NOT A LONG PROCESS. WE COULD GET GOING QUICKER BY USING ONE OF THE ALREADY PRE-QUALIFIED FIRMS THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR DRAINAGE ISSUE. DANIEL COULD YOU COMMENT ON THAT, PLEASE? >> YES, MA'AM. COUNCIL [INAUDIBLE]. WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FIRMS IN GALVESTON THAT ARE ALREADY PRE-QUALIFIED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, THAT ARE ALREADY DOING DRAINAGE DESIGNS, THEY'VE DONE HYDRAULIC MODELING, SMALLER MASTER PLANTS ALL ACROSS THE ISLAND. THE HDR, THE ZED AND COKE, AND THERE'S AWS, AND MANY FIRMS. THESE FIRMS SINCE THEY'RE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THE TERRAIN, AND THE DESIGN, AND THE FEATURES OF GALVESTON, THEY WOULD NOT BE ANY LEARNING CURVE. I UNDERSTAND JACOBS ENGINEERING IS ALSO A FIRM THAT IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE BOARD AND REGISTERED FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD HAVE A HUGE LEARNING CURVE BECAUSE GALVESTON IS NOT HOUSTON, GALVESTON IS NOT BOSTON. GALVESTON IS NOT AUSTIN, GALVESTON IS UNIQUE. IT'S AN ISLAND. WE HAVE ENGINEERS ON THE ISLAND WHO COULD GET THIS ROLLING REALLY FAST. HOWEVER, WHAT BRAND INSTEAD IS ALSO TRUE. JACOBS ENGINEERING DOES HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN DOING THE FINANCIAL PART OF THE MASTER PLAN. I DO RECALL BRIAN MAXWELL'S COMMENTS IN THE JANUARY MEETING THAT BRIAN SAID, THAT IS THEIR EXPERTISE. I THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO HIRE THEM TO DO THE FINANCIAL PART OF THE MASTER PLAN, BUT THE ENGINEERING PART OF THE MASTER PLAN COULD BE DONE BY ONE OF THE 34 ENGINEERS. THOSE WHO HAVE ACTUALLY PROVEN THEMSELVES IN DESIGN AND MASTER PLANNING, AND KNOW THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND ITS TERRAIN AND ITS INFRASTRUCTURE. LIKE THE BACK OF THE HAND WHO WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE LEARNING CURVE THAT WOULD BE PROBABLY JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. [01:30:01] COUNCIL RICH BEFORE WE GO ON WITH THIS, I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION HERE SO WE CAN OPEN UP DISCUSSION HERE, MAUREEN. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PRE-QUALIFIED ENGINEERING FIRM SO THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPEDITE GETTING THE DRAINAGE PLAN DONE. WELL, BASICALLY THAT'S ONE NOTION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH USING A PRE-QUALIFIED ENGINEER. >> OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN ROBBINS. [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL. >> I SECOND IT, MAYOR. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, BILL. WE HAVE A SECOND TO THAT, DISCUSSION ON THERE. YES, JOHAN AND THEN REVEREND JOHNSON. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK THERE AND I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DO TWO DIFFERENT THINGS HERE. THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS PROJECT. THERE'S FINANCIAL ASPECTS, THERE'S VOTER APPROVAL, THERE'S ACTUAL ENGINEERING. IF STAFF IS RECOMMENDING A CERTAIN ENGINEERING FIRM THAT THEY FEEL IS MOST QUALIFIED TO DO THE TASKS THAT WE NEED DONE, I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN REALLY GO AGAINST THAT. THE ONLY THING I'VE HEARD TO GO AGAINST IT IS THIS TIMELINE. I GUESS I NEED SOMEONE TO EXPLAIN TO ME A LITTLE BIT MORE IF THIS IS GOING TO BE A FASTER PROJECT. I'M ALL FOR GETTING DRAINAGE IN THE GROUND. WE KNOW WE HAVE DRAINAGE ISSUES HERE ON THE ISLAND AND THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. THE QUICKER WE CAN GET THESE THINGS RESOLVED, THE BETTER FOR OUR CITIZENS. I NEED SOMEONE FROM STAFF HERE TO SAY THAT JACOBS IS GOING TO BE A SLOWER PROCESS THAN PRE-QUALIFIED ONE OR JACOBS CAN TAKE THIS ON AND HAVE A TIMELINE THAT'S MANAGEABLE AND US GET THE DRAINAGE ON THE GROUND WHEN WE THINK WE CAN GET IT DONE. CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT? >> YES. IF WE CAN GET PRE-QUALIFICATION TO NEGOTIATE A SCOPE, WE CAN LIKELY HAVE A NEGOTIATED SCOPE TO YOU AT YOUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IN MARCH. THEN WE COULD BEGIN NOTICE TO PROCEED SOON THEREAFTER, PROBABLY A MONTH AFTERWARD. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT ABOUT A MAY START DATE, WHICH HITS US IN TIME FOR WRAPPING THE PROJECT UP IN DECEMBER OF 2022. >> DAVID? >> BRANDON, THE PROCESS YOU'RE DESCRIBING RIGHT NOW IS IF WE FOLLOW STAFF RECOMMENDATION WITH WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA. >> YES, SIR. THAT IS CORRECT. IF WE PRE-QUALIFY JACOBS HERE WE COULD HAVE A SCOPE AND A NEGOTIATED FEE FOR YOU AT YOUR NEXT MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION [OVERLAPPING]. >> SO TO ANSWER JOHN PAUL'S QUESTION, THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY TIMELINE ADVANTAGE BY DOING IT THE OTHER WAY. >> NO, SIR. I DON'T SEE THERE'S AN ADVANTAGE, NOT AT THIS POINT. MAYBE WE STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, THEN THERE PROBABLY WOULD. AT THIS POINT, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A TIME OF ADVANTAGE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> CAN I JUST FOLLOW UP WITH ONE THING THERE, WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC? DANIEL MENTIONED THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER ENGINEERS OUT THERE THAT KNOW THE ISLAND, KNOW OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, KNOW OUR DRAINAGE. IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE WITH GOING WITH ONE OF THOSE? ONE. TWO, IF WE GO WITH JACOBS, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO USE THOSE ENGINEERS ANYWAY TO DO THE DRAINAGE. >> YEAH, EXACTLY. ONE OF THE ENGINEERING FIRMS, THE ONE THAT WE PRIMARILY USE FOR A LOT OF THE DESIGN PROJECTS FOR OUR DRAINAGE PROJECTS IS ZARINKELK ENGINEERING. THEY'RE A SMALL MOM-AND-POP-TYPE SHOP. [01:35:05] THEY PROVIDE VERY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR US AND THAT'S THE FIRM THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING USING TO QA QC. JACOBS ENGINEERING IS MORE OF AN INTERNATIONAL-TYPE ENGINEERING FIRM THAT HAS PROFESSIONALS TO DO THE PLANNING, THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, THE FINANCIAL MEASURES. BECAUSE ONCE YOU BUILD THESE PUMP STATIONS, THEN ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU ALSO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO HIRE PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM OR ELSE THE STATIONS JUST GO INTO THE GROUND. YOU CAN'T JUST BUILD SOMETHING AND THEN LET IT DETERIORATE. YOU'VE GOT TO BUILD IT AND THEN YOU'VE GOT TO MAINTAIN IT. THAT COMES AT A COST. THAT'S PART OF THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH IS TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE COSTS AND THEN BE ABLE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT. IF WE VOTE FOR THESE DRAINAGE PROJECTS OR WE GET THESE FEDERAL GRANTS IN ORDER TO DO THIS, IT COMES AT A PRICE OF MAINTENANCE AND WE WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE PRICES JUST TO HIRE ELECTRICIANS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO SERVICE THESE STATIONS. THEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE STAFF ON CALL AT THE TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN THE PUMP STATION GOES OFF, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY ON CALL THAT'S GOING TO GO OUT THERE TO MAKE SURE IT'S FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. OR ELSE YOUR VALVES DON'T OPEN AND YOU END UP FLOODING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DURING THAT TIME BECAUSE NOBODY HAD THEIR EYES ON THE WHOLE SITUATION. THAT COMES AT A COST. THIS ISN'T JUST AN ENGINEERING PROJECT PER SE. LIKE I SAID THIS IS A MORE PROGRAMMATIC TYPE OF SHIFT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE DIFFERENT MOVING PARTS AND BE IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THAT. >> BRANDON, I'D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION, THEN WE HAVE MARIE AND COUNCILMAN COLLINS. WHEN YOU LOOKED AT MAKING YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS, YOU LOOKED AT ALL THE OTHER QUALIFIED COMPANIES THAT DANIEL'S MENTIONING, DIDN'T YOU? >> YES, SIR. WE DEFINITELY CONSIDERED THEM. WE DID NOT GO THROUGH A FORMAL TYPE OF PROCESS, JUST BECAUSE WE THOUGHT TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE AT THIS POINT. WE HAD STRATEGICALLY HELD BACK UNTIL THE NEW COUNCIL WAS SEATED BECAUSE WE KNEW OF THE IMPORT OF THIS PROJECT AND NOW IT WAS A HUGE TOPIC. IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS EVERYBODY HAS BEEN REALLY TALKING ABOUT DRAINAGE, SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS NEW COUNCIL IS SEATED AND WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE WAY WE'RE GOING. BUT LIKE I SAID, WE COULD GO THROUGH A MORE FORMAL PROCESS AND CHOOSE ANOTHER FIRM. IT WOULD JUST COME AT A DELAY AND WE WOULD PROBABLY BE LOOKING MORE AT MAYBE A NOVEMBER OF 2023 ELECTION OR EVEN POTENTIALLY A MAY OF 2024 ELECTION BECAUSE ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO GO WRONG IS GOING TO GO WRONG. WE'VE DEALT PANDEMICS, AND FREEZES, AND HURRICANES AND THAT'S JUST ALL IN THE LAST YEAR. >> YEAH. VERY GOOD. WE HAVE MARIE AND THEN DAVID. >> I'D LIKE TO INPUT TOO, MAYOR. >> YEAH. BILL, YOU WANT IN THAT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS, TOO? >> YES. >> OKAY. BILL, LET'S COME TO YOU RIGHT AFTER WE DO MARIE AND DAVID, WE'LL COME RIGHT TO YOU. >> I KNOW A NUMBER OF THE PRE-QUALIFIED FIRMS ARE EQUALLY AS LARGE AND HAVE THE CAPABILITIES OF JACOBS. MAYOR, YOU'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE IN THE DARK. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DANIEL IF HE WOULD GIVE HIS OPINION ON TIMELINES IF WE WENT WITH ONE OF THE PRE-QUALIFIED LARGE ENGINEERING FIRMS THAT WOULD HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF DOING THE SAME THINGS AS THE JACOBS. >> YES, COUNCIL MARIE. THERE ARE TWO TIMELINES. ONE IS DEVELOPING THE SCOPE AND ONE IS ACTUALLY DOING THE DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN. IN BOTH TIMELINES, I'VE DONE MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS. BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE 34 ENGINEERING FIRMS PRE-QUALIFIED BY CITY COUNCILOR FOR DRAINAGE AND A HANDFUL OF THOSE FIRMS ALREADY KNOW [01:40:01] THE GALVESTON TERRAIN AND HAVE DONE ENGINEERING DESIGN, AND HYDRAULICS, AND HYDROLOGY MODELING. NUMBER ONE, TO COMPLETE A SCOPE WOULD BE LESS THAN A MONTH BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T REQUIRE A FORMAL ADVERTISING BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY PRE-QUALIFIED. WE DID THE FORMAL ADVERTISING AND SENT IT OUT. WE HAD 34 FIRMS THAT ARE PRE-QUALIFIED. WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A FORMAL PROCESS. THAT WAS ALREADY COMPLETED AND APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL AND SELECTED, SO THE SCOPE DEVELOPMENT, WE COULD DIRECTLY GO AND SELECT THE BEST FIRM THAT IN THE TEAM'S OPINION CAN DO THE JOB AND THAT COULD BE DONE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE SCOPE COULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN THREE WEEKS. THERE WILL BE A LOT OF TIME THAT WOULD BE SAVED BECAUSE THERE WON'T BE A LEARNING CURVE IN COMPLETING THE DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN, AND THE FIRMS WOULD DO IT A LOT QUICKER, AND THE TIMELINE FOR THIS ENTIRE PROJECT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A LOT QUICKER FOR PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO, THE SCOPE AND DOING THE ACTUAL WORK BECAUSE THESE FIRMS HAVE BEEN IN GALVESTON FOR A LONG TIME, AND KNOW THE TERRAIN OF GALVESTON AND UNDERSTAND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE CHALLENGES BOTH DURING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION. MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING OPINION, UNBIASED OPINION, IS THAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE A LOT FASTER, EXTREMELY QUICKER BY GOING WITH THE FIRMS THAT ARE ALREADY PRE-QUALIFIED, AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FORMAL PROCESS, AND BEEN APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL, AND KNOW GALVESTON. >> DAVID, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE BILL AND LET'S WRAP UP ON THIS. >> I'M GOING TO FILE WHAT AMOUNTS TO AN OBJECTION, MR. MAXWELL. I'M HEARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS FROM STAFF REPORT HERE. WE'VE GOT ONE REPORT IN THE AGENDA AND WE'RE HEARING CONFLICTING CONVERSATION HERE. >> YEAH, I'M CONFUSED, TOO. APPARENTLY, WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A BREACH OF CHARTER PROTOCOL WHERE SOMEBODY WENT TO A STAFF MEMBER DIRECTLY WITHOUT GOING THROUGH MY OFFICE. I'M TOTALLY UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS. I WOULD ASK FOR COUNCIL TO WITHDRAW THIS AT THIS TIME AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO YOU AT A LATER DATE. >> ALL RIGHT, VERY GOOD. BILL, YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR HERE. BILL. BILL, CAN YOU HEAR US? >> HELLO CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> YES SIR. >> OKAY. BASICALLY WHAT BRANDON IS SAYING IS, WE'RE DEALING WITH A COMPLEX FEASIBILITY STUDY. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS RAPID. RIGHT NOW I'M NOT REALLY TOO PLEASED ON ONE OF THE JOBS THAT IS BEING PLACED OUT THERE, THAT IS DONE QUICKLY. FEASIBILITY STUDIES HAVE BEEN DONE AND WE'RE RUNNING INTO MANY PROBLEMS. SO MAXWELL HAD A TIMELY MECHANIZE THE STEPPING STONE TO GO FROM ONE TO THE OTHER AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE. I SAID THE FACEBOOK STUDY IS DOING THE SAME THING THAT MR. COOKIE PRESENTED. I THINK ONCE WE GO THAT WAY AND DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE LIST, AND I AGREE WITH DANIEL BLAKE, OTHER MEN THERE, AND THEY KNOW THE TERRAIN. THEY SHOULD BE WELL QUALIFIED TO PUSH THIS THING FORWARD IN A TIMELY MANNER. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SPEED, I'M LOOKING FOR QUALITY. >> ALL RIGHT. >> SURE. >> I MEAN, I'D BE WILLING TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION AND FORWARD TO THE NEXT MEETING AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BRIAN, I DID NOT GO AROUND THE CHARTER. I HAD ASKED YOU IF I COULD SPEAK WITH DANIEL LAST WEEKEND, THREE NOW AND THAT I WANTED TO MEET WITH THEM AND YOU HAD SAID YES, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. SO I CALLED HIM TODAY. WE JUST ASKED SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW, I HAD CONCERNS ABOUT IT, SO IF BRIAN WOULD LIKE TO DO FURTHER REVIEW, I'D BE WILLING TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION AND DEFER IT TO THE NEXT MEETING SO WE COULD GET SOME OF THESE THINGS CLARIFIED. >> I'LL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT, MARIE, BECAUSE DANIEL DID NOT SPEAK WITH ANYBODY ELSE ON STAFF ABOUT THIS, SO WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK. PLEASE DON'T HOLD US TO A NEXT MEETING. IT MAY TAKE US LONGER THAN THAT TO GET WITH THIS, BUT IT'LL BE BACK TO YOU AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. I PROMISE YOU THAT. >> ALRIGHT. >> THANK YOU. MARIE,. >> LET'S CLARIFY THIS. MARIE HAS WITHDRAWN HER MOTION BILL THAT MOTION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. >> OH, YES. DO WE NEED A MOTION FOR IT TO A FUTURE MEETING THAT THE TIMELINE WILL BE DESIGNED OR THE TIMELINE WILL BE WHAT BRIAN SUGGEST? [01:45:03] >> THEN I'LL SECOND THAT MARIE. REVEREND JOHNSON, YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING. >> JUST FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, MAYOR. THIS IS NOT OF COURSE IN ADDITION TO ANYBODY. I THINK WE NEED TO STAY FOCUS ON THE AGENDA ITEMS THAT WE HAD BEFORE THE WEEK. WE WENT OFF INTO A WHOLE ANOTHER AREA THAT'S NOT CONSIDERING THE GENDER HARM THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BEEN CONSIDERING. AND SO WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME, WHICH I'LL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THE INFORMATION. BUT WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DEALING WITH SOMETHING ELSE BESIDES THE GENDER ITEM THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA. WHICH SAYS CONSIDER SO IF WE WEREN'T GOING TO CONSIDER THAT WE JUST SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO REFER IT, MOVE ON AND MAKE DONE WITH BECAUSE WE CAN'T PUT AN ITEM AND VOTE ON AN ITEM THAT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. SO, THE AGENDA WAS TO CONSIDER PRE-QUALIFYING THIS PARTICULAR BOOK. IF WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO THAT, WE SHOULD'VE JUST WENT ON AND SAY WE COULD NOT DO THAT AND MOVE FORWARD. LIKE I SAID, WE GET A LOT OF INFORMATION WHICH IS GOOD INFORMATION. BUT I'M JUST CONSIDERING WE HAVE AGENDA. I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDER A TIMELINE THAT WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF THESE THINGS WE COULD GET OFF ON ANOTHER TANDEM AND WE MISSED IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE GENDER ITEM THAT WE SUPPOSED TO BE LOADING ON. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN BE AWARE OF THAT. >> I WOULD SAY I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE HEAR THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY DIFFERED IT ONCE AND I KNEW PEOPLE ARE EAGER TO GET THIS GOING. BUT WHAT THIS INFORMATION CAME TO LIGHT, AND I KNEW IF I JUST ASKED TO DEFER IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. SO I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE RECEIVE THE INFORMATION AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU AND RESPECT WHAT YOU SAID. >> POINT WELL TAKEN REVEREND JOHNSON WE HAVE MARIE ON THE FLOOR TO DEFER THE ISSUE TO THE NEXT MEETING, IT'S BEEN SECONDED, ALTHOUGH DEFER THAT TO BRING BACK WHEN ALSO BRIAN FEELS IT'S READY TO BE PRESENTED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. AND BILL? >> I OPPOSE. >> HE'S OPPOSED. ALL RIGHT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH COUNCIL. NOW ITEM 10A, DAVID, [10.A. Consideration Of Authorization To Expend Additional Funds Of $25,000 For The Firm Of Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech For The Defense Of The Case Of Allen Flores At Al V. City Of Galveston Before The Court Of Appeals. (Legal)] I'M GOING TO TURN THIS OVER TO YOU. I'VE DECLARED A CONFLICT ON THERE. >> ALL RIGHT. JANELLE, IF YOU'D READ THIS ONE FOR US, PLEASE. >> ITEM 10A, CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO EXPAND ADDITIONAL FINE OF $ 25000 FOR THE FIRM OF DAVID NAVARRO ROCHA, BERNAL, AND ZECH FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE CASE OF ALAN FLOORS AT ALL VERSUS THE CITY OF GALVESTON BEFORE THE COURT OF APPEAL. >> MINISTER GONG I'LL ASK YOU, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BRING US UP TO SPEED ON THIS? >> YES, SIR. WE HAD A DISCUSSION FROM MR. DENTIN DURING AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I THINK AFTER THAT, YOU CAME AWAY WITH AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NUMBER OF COMPLEXITIES AND NUANCES THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS CASE. IT HAS BEEN A MOVING TARGET FROM THE PLATING OF THE PLAINTIFFS, BUT FINALLY, IT WAS RESOLVED AT THE TRIAL COURT LEVEL. IN FAVOR AS A CITY. MR. FIRES HAS APPEALED. THE APPEAL HAS BEEN SET FOR AN ORAL ARGUMENT IN MARCH. WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE USING MR. DENTIN TO DO THE ORAL ARGUMENT OF THE CASE. ALONG WITH THAT THEY'RE USUALLY POST ARGUMENT BRIEF THAT ARE FILED. WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THAT ABOUT A FUNDS THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY CITY COUNCIL. I'VE ASKED FOR AN ADDITIONAL $ 25000. I DID THAT IN CONSULTATION WITH PAUL, HE THINKS THAT'S MORE THAN ADEQUATE, SO I'M ASKING FOR COUNCIL TO AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE AT THIS TIME. >> IF THIS WERE TO GO FURTHER, YOU WOULD COME BACK FOR AN ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATION TO WTO. >> I HOPE IT DOESN'T GO FURTHER. >> I KNOW, BUT THAT WOULD HAPPEN. >> YEAH. >> MARIE. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THAT? JOHN PAUL? ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THIS. REVEREND JOHNSON. >> YEAH, I MAY APPROVE IN. OF COURSE ONCE AGAIN AM NOT GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH APPROVING THE $ 25000, BUT AS I STATED EARLIER, THIS TERM WE HAVE SEEN LEGAL SITUATION COME UP IN NUMBER. THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A NUMBER THAT WE'VE USED. IS THERE ANY BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THIS $ 25000 ENTAILS OR IS WE'LL USE THE WHOLE ENTIRE $ 25000 OR WHAT? >> YEAH. UNDER THE AGREEMENT IAN, [01:50:02] HAS GIVEN US AN HOURLY RATE THAT BREAKS DOWN AMONG HIMSELF, HIS VARIOUS ASSOCIATES AND SUPPORT STAFF. THEY SUBMIT INVOICES TO US THAT ARE BROKEN DOWN AND WE BASICALLY PAY HIM ON AN HOURLY RATE, SO IT'S NOT LIKE WHERE WE ARE, I'M GOING TO GET A CHECK FROM THE CITY TREASURY AND SAY HERE YOU GO HALL, HAVE A GOOD TIME. NO, NO, NO. HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO SEND US AN INVOICE AND SHOW US HOW HE EARNED HIS MONEY, AND HONESTLY, HE DOES A HECK OF A JOB. >> YEAH, I DON'T DISPUTE THAT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GOT A CHECK AND BALANCE OF [INAUDIBLE]. HERE YOU GO WITH IF WE'VE GOT A CHECK AND BALANCE SYSTEM WHERE WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AND SEE THOSE EXPENDITURES, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING SHOWED PROPERLY FOR THE HOURLY WORK THAT'S BEING DONE ON THESE PARTICULAR CASES. [OVERLAPPING] AS LONG AS THERE'S SOMETHING THAT SAY, WE CAN PUT OUR HANDS ON TO LOOK AT AND SEE THAT ONCE AGAIN. THAT WE'RE GETTING MORE BANK FOR OUR BOOK AND NOT JUST THROWING OUT MONEY OUT THERE AND NOT EXPECTING ANYTHING FROM IT, THAT WAS JUST MY QUESTION ON. THANK YOU MAYOR, APPROVED IN. >> ALL RIGHT. CAN I SEE OTHER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ON THIS? WHAT DID YOU JUST THROW MARIE? THAT WASN'T YOUR CAT, WAS IT? [OVERLAPPING]. [LAUGHTER]. SHE JUST THREW SOMETHING OF THE BOX. >>AND ITS BEEN GOING NUTS WITH ME BEING ON THE MEETING ALL DAY SO I THREW A SQUEAKY TOY. >> SORRY, YOU JUST TOOK ME BY SURPRISE FOR THAT. ALL RIGHT WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE ON THE FLOOR. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? COUNCIL MEN QUIROGA DO YOU APPROVE? >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT IT'S UNANIMOUS. ALL RIGHT. THANKS EVERYBODY. NOW CAN WE MOVE ON? DR. BROWN, ARE YOU DONE WHERE YOU ARE? >> THANK YOU. AND IT'S A STANDING HONOR, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MARIE THREW A CAT ACROSS THE ROOM, SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. ITEM 10B PLEASE. [10.B. Consider For Approval A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Extending The Term Of The Recycling Ad Hoc Committee; Providing For Findings Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date.] [INAUDIBLE] >> NOW THAT YOU'RE COMING IN KIND OF DISTORTED, I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID BUT KIND OF COMING IN DISTORTED. THANK YOU FOR READING THAT. I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ITEM 10B. IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT? >> I'LL SECOND THAT. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT COUNCIL? >>YES. >> YEAH. ONE QUICK THING, JANELLE WOULD ASK THAT YOU PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT APPOINTMENT TO THIS COMMITTEE ON OUR NEXT REGULAR MEETING BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A VACANCY. MAN HAVARD HAD SERVED US ON THIS COMMITTEE QUITE WELL, BUT HE IS SET TO RESIGN IN THE INTERIM. AND SO WE WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE AND DO THAT NOMINATION NEXT TIME. >>WISH YOU WELL. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED BILL YOU OPPOSED OR FOR? >>AM FOR. >> IT IS UNANIMOUS. IT IS 6:55 PM. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF OUR ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, AND I AM NOW DECLARING OUR MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 25TH IS ADJOURNED. THANK YOU, EVERYONE AND THANK YOU TO THE PUBLIC FOR THOSE THAT ATTENDED. APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD BYE. >> THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.