[00:00:02]
>> [BACKGROUND] [INAUDIBLE] ALL RIGHT.
[Call to Order]
I'D LIKE TO OFFICIALLY CALL THE JULY 28TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER.STAFF, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING.
COUNCIL, GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.
BRIAN, GOOD MORNING. RON, GOOD MORNING.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US THIS MORNING.
JANELLE, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, BUT IF YOU COULD DO A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS. SHE'S HERE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER LISTOWSKI IS ABSENT TODAY.
[3A. Clarification Of Consent And Regular City Council Agenda Items - This Is An Opportunity For City Council To Ask Questions Of Staff On Consent And Regular Agenda Items (20 Minutes)]
IT'S ITEM 3, DISCUSSION ITEMS. IF YOU COULD READ 3A, PLEASE, JANELLE.>> 3A, CLARIFICATION OF CONSENT AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY COUNCIL TO ASK QUESTIONS OF STAFF ON CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS.
>> I WAS TALKING TO JUST A SECOND AGO TO COUNCILMAN BOUVIER.
WE HAVE QUITE A VARIED AND DIVERSIFIED AGENDA THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS, SO LET'S OPEN IT UP.
SHARON, DO YOU HAVE ANY TOPICS YOU'D LIKE I MENTIONED ON THE AGENDA?
>> I'M GOING TO LET SOMEONE ELSE REPRESENT THIS [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]
>> DID YOU WANT TO ASK ANYTHING, SHARON? I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.
>> I WILL COME BACK; IS THAT OKAY?
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. DAVID, ANYTHING, SIR.
>> WELL, 10B, THE NO PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH STREET [INAUDIBLE].
IS THAT LIMITING THE LANE SIZE?
>> I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD TO [INAUDIBLE].
[LAUGHTER] I GOT A REQUEST FROM BUSINESS OWNER, THEY'RE 415 9TH STREET.
RIGHT NOW THERE'S A RED NO PARKING IN FRONT OF THE BUSINESS.
THEY'VE ASKED TO GO AHEAD AND CHANGE THAT SPOT JUST IN FRONT OF BUSINESS THERE TO MAKE IT A LOADING ZONE, JUST SHORTEN THAT RED A LITTLE BIT.
THAT'S WHAT THE REQUEST IS, IS TO GO AHEAD AND [INAUDIBLE].
>> IS THIS BECAUSE OF THE MODIFICATIONS BEING MADE TO POST OFFICE [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]?
>> THERE WILL BE MORE COMING AS A RESULT OF THAT BECAUSE NOW THAT THEY'VE CLEARED THAT CORNER OFF, WE'RE GOING TO ADD SOME MORE TWO-HOUR PARKING IN THERE FOR THOSE TWO BUSINESSES.
>> THEN JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE APPLICANT WILL BE HERE TONIGHT OR SHE'S PLANNING TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
>> I'M SORRY. THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE RIGHT NOW.
I'LL HAVE TO COME BACK. I'M SORRY.
>> OKAY. WELL, IF YOU THINK OF IT, DAVID, JUST LET US KNOW. WILLIAM?
>> HEY. THE CBDT [INAUDIBLE] I SAW THERE WAS AROUND 600,000 GALLONS PAVES THE STREET.
>> ALICE, DO WE HAVE THE STREETS NAMED YET?
>> NO, SIR. SORRY, I COULDN'T HEAR IN THE BACK.
NO, WE DO NOT HAVE THE STREETS NAMED YET.
I'M WORKING WITH TRINO AND HE WILL PROVIDE A LIST OF STREETS AFTER THE FACT.
>> JUST TYPICALLY WHAT WE DO IS WE HAVE OUR STREET STUDY AND WE TAKE THE STREETS IN RED, BUT WE TRY TO DO THE ONES IN THE LMI AREAS USING THIS MONEY INSTEAD OF USING OUR GENERAL FUND MONEY BECAUSE IT JUST OFFSETS.
IT ALLOWS OUR OTHER MONEY TO GO FURTHER IN DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE LMI.
>> IF YOU SEE THAT MAP THAT WAS ATTACHED TO IT, I KNOW IT'S A VERY LARGE AREAS BASICALLY A WHOLE CITY [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT THERE ARE PIECES WITHIN THERE THAT DON'T QUALIFY.
THE WHOLE EAST END IS LMI EXCEPT FOR [OVERLAPPING] EXCEPT FOR DAVID'S.
>> I'M SERIOUS. EXCEPT FOR THE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
THERE'S LITTLE CARVED OUT PIECES THAT AREN'T.
>> WE HAVE ABOUT I THINK FIVE CENSUS BLOCK GROUPS WITHIN THAT AREA THAT WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE.
I CAN GET A BETTER MAP THAT SHOWS THE ZONES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE AND NOT ELIGIBLE AND SEND THEM TO YOU [INAUDIBLE].
>> FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC, WHO'S TALKING NOW AND VISITING WITH US IS ALICE LAW WHO IS DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND HOUSING HERE AT THE CITY.
>> HOW OFTEN DO WE APPLY FOR THESE [INAUDIBLE]?
[00:05:01]
>> IT DIMINISHES EVERY YEAR, AND IT'S A SHRINKING NUMBER.
IT USED TO BE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS. NOW IT'S [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH. WE GET WHAT'S CALLED AN ANNUAL ALLOCATION, SO WE AUTOMATICALLY GET IT AS LONG AS WE APPLY FOR IT AND ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE REGULATIONS.
I WAS JUST READING THROUGH THE NOTES [INAUDIBLE].
>> ON THAT, SINCE WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND SO FORTH AND SO ON, AND SINCE I HAVE SO FEW AREAS IN MY DISTRICT THAT QUALIFY FOR THESE FUNDS, AND WE HAVE HAD, I KNOW I'VE HEARD YOU SAYING MULTIPLE TIMES, THAT WE SPLIT THE MONEY EVENLY BETWEEN EACH DISTRICT, MY DISTRICT IS 20 MILES LONG, SO IT ISN'T QUITE FAIR.
DOES THAT MEAN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO MY ROADS BECAUSE I HAVE ROADS THAT ARE JUST CRUMBLING.
>> YEAH. OF COURSE THEY'LL SHOW UP ON THE STREETS STUDY AND THEY'LL GET PRIORITIZED.
>> I DON'T THINK YOUR STREET STUDY PEOPLE TRAVEL EVERY STREET.
>> WELL, THEY DO, AND THEY ALSO USE LIDAR.
>> I THINK TRINO COULD BACK ME UP ON THIS BECAUSE TRINO HAS DRIVEN SOME STREETS [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE].
>> WELL, IN YOUR STREETS, SO THEY CHANGE MORE RAPIDLY BECAUSE THE TIDES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE DO A STREET STUDY EVERY TWO YEARS, SO IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE STREETS FAIL FASTER THAN THEY DO IN OTHER PARTS.
THAT'S REALLY A POLICY ISSUE FOR COUNCIL RIGHT NOW.
WE TAKE OUR WHOLE POT OF MONEY INCLUDING THIS, AND WE DIVIDE IT UP.
WE TAKE THE WORST STREETS AND WE PRIORITIZE THE WORST STREETS.
IF YOU LOOK ON OUR WEB PAGE, YOU'LL SEE THEM RED, YELLOW, AND GREEN.
WELL, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF RED IN SOME RESPECTS SO WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE YELLOWS.
THOSE STUDIES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ROAD CONDITION, TRAFFIC COUNTS, USAGE, AND ALL THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
THEN WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS TO DIVIDE IT UP EVENLY AMONG THE DISTRICTS SO ALL THE CITIZENS SEE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF A FISCAL YEAR.
BUT THAT'S TOTALLY A COUNCIL DECISION.
IF YOU-ALL WANT TO FOCUS IT ALL IN ONE DISTRICT, [INAUDIBLE].
>> WELL, I'M NOT SAYING TO FOCUS AT ALL IN ONE DISTRICT, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CBDT FUNDS HERE THAT CAN GO TO DISTRICTS THAT QUALIFY, MINE DOES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MY DISTRICT IS 20 MILES LONG, SO WE HAVE A LOT MORE STREETS.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF MY STREETS HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN 20 YEARS.
>> BUT THEY PROBABLY HAD AN EXTREMELY LOW TRAFFIC COUNTS TOO.
>> WELL, IT MAY BE LOW, BUT THAT'S NO EXCUSE TO LOOK LIKE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY AND PEOPLE NOT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AND GET TO THEIR HOUSES OR PEOPLE BEING TOLD THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME WAY TO ADDRESS EVERY STREET.
>> CHRIS, A LOT OF IN THE PICTURES YOU SENT ME, WHERE YOUR PEOPLE SAY THEY'RE DEPLORABLE ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY FIXING.
>> I ASKED FOR US TO SET UP A MEETING AND DO A DRIVE THROUGH THE DISTRICT.
>> LET ME MENTION THIS, I THINK WE'RE ALL IN THIS LMI DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T THINK YOUR DISTRICT REALLY IS INCLUDED IN THAT, BUT IT MAY BE.
>> MARIA, IF YOU THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE, WE'LL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT.
>> OR WE CAN DO IT THE NEXT BUDGET AGENDA.
I HAD A QUESTION TOO I WANTED TO ASK YOU.
YOU GOT DOWN ON THE HOME PROGRAM THAT WE'VE GOT CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY IS ALLOCATED?
>> THAT'S NOT FOR REPAIR AND BUILDING OF HOMES, THAT'S FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE MAINLY.
>> BECAUSE WE WERE IN THAT PROGRAM EARLIER AND IT WAS NOT WORKING WELL.
>> YES. WE GOT OUT OF THE HOUSING REPAIR BUSINESS, I SHOULDN'T SAY BUSINESS, BUT DOING THE HOUSING REHABILITATION, THE COST WAS BECOMING SO EXCESSIVE THAT WE COULDN'T MEET THE CAP.
IT WAS OVER THE CAP THAT WAS ALLOWED BY HUD FOR ONE REASON.
WE WERE HAVING A VERY HARD TIME GETTING CONTRACTORS TO EVEN BID ON OUR JOBS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE BIGGEST ISSUE WAS AS YOU WOULD APPLY TO THE PROGRAM TO HAVE YOUR PORCH FIXED, WE WOULD GET IN THERE AND WE'D TEAR OFF THE PORCH AND WE'D FIND OUT THE ENTIRE SILL PLATE AND EVERYTHING ON THE HOUSE WAS GONE.
THEN HERE WE HAVE A RESIDENT THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS, BUT I CAN'T PUT THE PORCH BACK.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THAT MONEY IN THE HOME PROGRAM IS BASICALLY FOR RENTALS.
>> MORTGAGES ASSISTANCE TOO, CORRECT?
>> I THINK IT'S MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE TOO.
>> WE DO HAVE SOME MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.
[OVERLAPPING] WE HAVEN'T HAD VERY MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE REQUESTED.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT CONTACT US FOR MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE ARE
[00:10:02]
OUTSIDE OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY SO WE CAN'T HELP.>> OKAY. THIS WAS AN AREA IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE TALKED ABOUT STREETS, IN PARTICULAR WHEN YOU MENTIONED THIRD WORLD.
WE'D LIKE TO GET WITH TRINO AS WELL ON THESE STREETS.
MR. MILLER'S FAVORITE QUESTION IS WHY DO WE ALWAYS GO NORTH-SOUTH AND NOT EAST-WEST?
>> WE'RE DOING A LOT OF EAST-WEST, BUT WE USE AN ENGINEERING STUDY TO DETERMINE OUR STREET PRIORITIES.
THAT TAKES THE POLITICS OUT OF IT BECAUSE FOR YEARS, IF YOU KNEW THE COUNCIL PERSON, YOU GOT YOUR STREET PAVED.
IF YOU SCREAMED THE LOUDEST, YOU GOT JUMPED AHEAD OF EVERYBODY ELSE THAT'S WHY WE'VE RELIED ON THIS SURVEY TO DO IT NOW TO MAKE IT VERY FAIR TO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS BECAUSE SOME RESIDENTS ARE UNDERREPRESENTED AND JUST FOR OBVIOUS REASONS AND WE TRY TO MAKE IT FAIR AS WE CAN.
>> NOW, FOR THOSE ON THE CORNER OF 35TH IN BALL STREET, THAT STREET HAS BEEN TORN UP, WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY WOULD COME BACK TO REPAIRING THOSE?
>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO TORE IT UP, BUT WE WOULD TYPICALLY DO IT.
BRANDON, DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE DRAINAGE PROJECT?
>> I COULDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION.
>> IS THAT PART OF THAT DRAINAGE PROJECT?
>> OKAY. WHEN THE DRAINAGE PROJECT IS COMPLETE, THE WHOLE STREET IS PAVED.
>> VERY GOOD. WILLIAM, GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SET THE BACKGROUND FOR THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE TO WHAT BROUGHT THIS REALLY FORWARD TO WHERE WE'RE CHANGING THE ZONE.
IT SAID APPROVE A SIGN, SO I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT BROUGHT THAT FORWARD.
>> THIS IS ABOUT THE PERMIT THAT THE CHURCH APPLIED FOR, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH BASE ON THE SIZE.
THAT'S HOW IT STARTED AND THEN WE WENT TO THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS. WE EXPLORED DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
THIS WAS THE BEST PATH TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS SINCE THE PRE-DEVELOPMENT BIDDING.
I LIKE TO BASE MY LIFE ON THE TRUTH BECAUSE THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMEMBER THE STORY.
THE STORIES THAT ARE RUNNING ABOUT THIS PROPERTY ARE JUST SO OFF THE WALL, IT DRIVES ME CRAZY.
THEY CAME IN, THEY WERE DENIED.
THEN THEY REQUESTED TO HAVE A MEETING.
THEY REQUESTED THAT I JOIN THEM AND THEY DIDN'T COME IN LOOKING TO CHANGE THEIR ZONING.
BUT WHEN TIM AND I HEARD THE STORY, TIM SUGGESTED, SINCE THIS WAS ONE OF THE PROPERTY, THAT THEIR ZONING WAS CHANGED IN BLANKET ZONING.
TIM SUGGESTED AND I AGREED THAT THEY CHANGED THEIR ZONING.
BECAUSE THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT COME INTO PLAY HERE, THE FRONT OF THEIR PROPERTY IS ACTUALLY WHERE THEIR PARKING, IT'S ACTUALLY A COUNTY EASTMEN.
IF THE COUNTY EVER WANTS TO EXPAND STUART ROAD, THEY COULD TAKE OVER PART OF THEIR PARKING LOT.
THE ONLY PLACE THEY COULD PUT THEIR SIGN WAS IN THE FRONT OF THEIR BUILDING.
IN RESIDENTIAL ONE, WHICH WASN'T WHEN THEY WERE ORIGINALLY ZONE.
THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO THAT, BUT THEY ALSO WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PUT IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL OR TO GROW THE CHURCH AND ITS FAR AS THEIR BUILDING.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT THE UTILITIES BINS FOR THIS PROPERTY SET ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF 3005.
JUST BECAUSE IT'S A UTILITIES BIN, A UTILITY COMPANY DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL SOMEONE THEY HAVE PERMISSION TO PUT A SIGN THERE BECAUSE THEY DON'T OWN THAT PROPERTY.
THEY JUST OWN THE RIGHT TO PUT UTILITIES.
THIS CHURCH HAS BEEN THERE FOR 50 YEARS.
THAT'S A CHURCH I'VE GONE TO IN THE PAST THAT I PLAN TO GO TO IN THE FUTURE.
THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE WHO ONLY WANT TO PUT UP A SIGN THAT IS VISIBLE FROM THEIR STREET AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT A SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ADD TO THEIR BUILDING.
THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD ACHIEVE THAT WOULD BE CHANGING THEIR ZONING.
>> I GUESS IT WAS ORIGINALLY ON 2ND RESURRECT ON 2014.
[00:15:04]
>> I'D LIKE TO GET INTO THE SPECIFICS.
WHAT WAS THE ZONING BEFORE 2014 WHEN IT WENT R1. DO YOU KNOW?
>> NOT REALLY SURE ON THAT QUESTION.
>> DID WE HAVE RESURRECT AT POINT? I'M NOT SURE WE HAD IT. THANK YOU.
>> IF THEY WANT IT IN THE CURRENT ZONING, THEY ADD A PARKING LOT AND ALL THAT STUFF, IT WOULD JUST BE A VARIANCE OR WOULD THEY BE ALLOWED TO BUILD A NEW ONE?
>> THEY WANTED TO EXPAND THE BUILDING CURRENTLY OR ADD A PARKING LOT.
PARKING LOT WILL NOT BE INITIAL, THEY WANTED TO EXPAND THE BUILDING, THEY COULD DO SO.
IN 2016, AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE LDR SINCE 2015, WE MADE A MODIFICATION TO ALLOW CHURCHES IN THE R1 DISTRICT TO BE CONFORMING.
THEREFORE, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO EXPAND.
AS FAR AS SIGNAGE, WE JUST RECENTLY IN APRIL, COUNCIL PASSED AN ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR SOME MORE SIGNAGE IN THE R1 DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY WERE LIMITED TO ONLY TWO SQUARE FEET AND IT WAS A NAME PLATE ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING.
NOW THEY CAN HAVE DETACHED SIGNAGE OF 60 SQUARE FEET AND WE'LL ALL SIGNAGE UP TO 40 SQUARE FEET.
>> BASICALLY, CONFORMS TO WHAT'S IN THE UN ZONE.
THAT'S THE STANDARD THAT WAS ADOPTED FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
BUT SO THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE SIGN THAT THEY'RE SUBMITTING IS THEY'RE SUBMITTING A TALLER SIGN.
>> THE MAIN REASON THEY CHOSE THE TALLER SIGN IS ONE, SO IT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE ROAD.
TWO, THEY WANTED TO THE OTHER SIGN IT WOULD BE A MONUMENT SIGN, WHICH IS ABOUT 3-4 TIMES THE COST OF THE SIGN THEY WANT TO DO AND THEY DID A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE THE MONEY, TO PUT THE SIGN IN.
IT WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THEIR CAMPAIGN CUT OVER BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTY IS RESTAURANT, CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT AND IT'S A LARGE TRACK AS WELL.
THERE'S BEEN NO MARKET DEMAND THAT WE'RE AWARE OF TO EVEN USE RESURRECT.
THE FACT THAT THIS MIGHT SOMEDAY CONVERT TO SOME UNDESIRABLE USE ALLOWED IN RESURRECT IS REALLY UNLIKELY WHEN THIS CHURCH IS INVESTING.
THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE INVESTING FOR THEIR FUTURE.
THEY'VE TOLD US THAT THIS IS WHERE THEY WANT TO BE AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> ULTIMATELY, GUYS, WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES ON HOW MANY DIFFERENT COUNCILS.
ASIDE FROM CREATING A SPECIAL ZONING DISTRICT FOR CHURCHES, THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE BECAUSE WE DID IT OVER ON HERDS LANE.
WE DID IT SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN.
WE'VE HAD TO DO THIS SEVERAL TIMES.
FOR CHURCHES TO ACCOMMODATE A CHURCH, CORRECT?
>> TECHNICALLY, THIS IS THE FURTHEST WEST.
THIS IS THE LAST CHURCH ON GALVESTON ISLAND.
THERE ARE TWO CHURCHES IN JAMAICA BEACH, ONE IS A CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND ONE IS A BAPTIST CHURCH.
THIS IS A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND IT ACTUALLY DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE ISLAND.
MATTER OF FACT, ON EASTER SUNDAY, THEY HAD OVER 200 PEOPLE AT THE CHURCH.
ON EASTER SUNDAY, SINCE WE ONLY DO HAVE THREE CHURCHES ON THE WEST AND WEST OF 10 MILE ROAD.
IT'S INTRIGUING BECAUSE IF YOU GO TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THERE'S ABOUT EASILY 5,000 PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT.
>> THEM STEPS, IN THE PARKING LOT, IN THE BUILDING.
>> EVERYWHERE. I WOULD ASK YOU TO APPROVE THIS CHANGE BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE.
>> IT'S HARD TO REACH HIM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH THAT, BUT WE DO MANAGE TO GET THE COLLECTION OUT THERE AT ALL.
>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THEIR SIGN THAT ISN'T ALLOWED IN THIS DISTRICT? IN THIS ZONE?
>> THEY WANTED TALLER AND I THINK BIGGER.
>> WITH THE NEW SIGN, IT'S CONSIDERED A PYLON SIGN, WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED.
BASED ON THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED IN APRIL.
IT ALLOWS FOR A MONUMENT SIGN.
THEY WANT A PYLON SIGN A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY ALLOWED AS FAR AS SIGN AREA.
>> THE FACT THAT OUR ZONING ORDINANCE DOESN'T ALLOW FOR A VARIANCE EXCEPT FOR 5 PERCENT MORE LESS THE MAXIMUM DEVIATION YOU CAN APPLY FOR IN A VARIANCE.
IN THIS CASE, IT WOULDN'T HAVE HELPED HIM.
>> TO ME, SQUARE FOOTAGE-WISE.
THE WAY WE CHANGED IT, WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A UN SIGN ALLOWS 60 SQUARE FEET.
THEY'RE REQUESTING THE WAY I'M LOOKING AT IS 70 SQUARE FEET, IS THAT CORRECT?
[00:20:03]
>> IT'S JUST ABOUT 10 SQUARE FEET DIFFERENCE, BUT IT'S THE HIVE THAT THEY'RE.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING AT.
>> OKAY. WILLIAM, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> WHEN WE VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT, IN ESSENCE WHAT'S THE CITY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE WHEN WE [NOISE] PASS THIS ORDINANCE?
>> THIS DIDN'T USED TO BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEIR JURISDICTION STOPPED AT 61ST STREET BECAUSE THERE WASN'T A BEACH WEST OF 61ST STREET.
AS WE BUILT THE BEACH, WE'VE EXTENDED THE PARK BIRDS PURVIEW PRIMARILY TO MAINTAIN [NOISE] THE BEACH, BUT IT ALSO ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE A VENDOR RELATIONSHIP.
NOW THAT WE HAVE EXTENDED BABE'S BEACH EVEN FURTHER AND BECAUSE OF BABE'S BEACH BEING A FEEDER BEACH, THEY HAVE A CREATING BEACH FURTHER WEST.
WE HAVE A NEED FOR SOMEBODY TO MAINTAIN THAT BEACH, SO WE NEED TO EXTEND THE PARK BOARD'S JURISDICTION TO MAINTAIN THE BEACH.
NOW, THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE ABILITY TO DO VENDORS ON THE BEACH AS WELL.
BUT THE CITY'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO MAINTAIN THE BEACH.
>> WELL, THE STATE GIVES US $0.02 AND HOTEL TAX REBATE TO DO CARE AND MAINTENANCE TO THE BEACH, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SO FORTH.
THAT'S HOW WE FUND THE BEACH PATROLS, HOW WE FUND BEACH CLEANING, AND SO FORTH.
SOME OF THAT IS MADE UP WITH PERMANENCY CONSIGNMENTS ON THE BEACH.
PREVIOUSLY THIS ORDINANCE WAS WRITTEN 61ST WEST TO 69TH STREET BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BEACH OUT THERE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE WERE 61ST TO 69TH, SO WE EXTENDED IT TO 69TH.
>> THEN THE PARK BOARDS GOT VERY GOOD JOB OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE.
THIS IS CALLED THE BENEFICIARY USE OF DIRECT MATERIAL SAND THAT THE ARMY CORPS COMES AND PUTS OUT THERE AND IT KEEPS MOVING WEST AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.
THERE'S A 23 AND 25 IF WE CAN'T GET IT FOR THE WEST END, WHERE IT IS ALSO NEEDED, BUT IT'S LIKELY TO GO THERE.
THIS BEACH IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW OUT THERE.
THIS IS SIMPLY IT'S ALMOST MINISTERIAL.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO THE TERMINUS OF THE SEAWALL IN ITS ORIGINAL BUT SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS REALLY ON EVERYBODY'S PART.
IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE ZEAL, IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE PARK BOARD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH GLO SURFACE LEASE IS CONCERNED.
ALL IT DOES IS EXTEND TO THE TERMINUS OF THE SEAWALL.
OUR DELEGATION TO THE PARK BOARD THE RIGHT TO MENTION SESSIONS ON THEM.
>> THAT'S JUST THE WAY I VIEW IT.
>> MAINTAIN IT. WELL WE CHARGED FOR CONSIGNMENT CONCESSIONS, WE CALL AS A SUPPLEMENT THE COST OF MAINTENANCE AND BEACH PATROL ON THE BEACH.
>> BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS.
WE HAVE BEEN AMENDING THIS TO ALLOW BEACHES THAT, I THINK SUNNY BEACH WAS PUT INTO THIS.
>> YEAH, WE ADDED SUNNY BEACH.
>> WE JUST KEEP AMENDING AS THE PARK BOARD CONTINUES OR IF WE SEE THAT THERE ARE BEACHES THAT NEED TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE PARK BOARD.
>> WE'LL PROBABLY AMENDED IT AGAIN WITH THE CHANGE IN THE INTERLOCAL TO INCLUDE A BIGGER PIECE OF THE PASS, LIKE ALL OF IT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. ARE WE GOING TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE AREA AROUND LIKE WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT UP FOOD VENDOR BY JIMMY'S OR LIKE ARE WE GOING TO.
>> THAT'S A PARK BOARD POLICY ISSUE. I CAN'T ANSWER.
>> NOT ONE I COULD ADDRESS RIGHT THIS SECOND EITHER.
>> WELL, I HOPE THEY ARE SENSITIVE, BECAUSE IT'S NEVER GOOD FOR GOVERNMENT TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE BUSINESS.
>> THIS IS NOT GOVERNMENT BUSINESSES ON THE BEACH.
THESE ARE PRIVATE BUSINESS ON THE BEACH.
>> BUT IF YOU ALLOW THREE FOOD VENDORS THAT SET UP AROUND THE RESTAURANT HERE THEN COMPETING WITH THE RESTAURANT.
>> TO BE REAL HONEST WITH YOU, THERE'S NO ACCESS DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW.
>> IT'LL GOING TO BE A LONG-HAUL FOR SOMEBODY WITH THEIR HOT DOG CART IF THEY'RE [INAUDIBLE]. [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]
>> SOMEBODY WITH UMBRELLAS AS WELL BECAUSE RIGHT THIS SECOND WE HAVE NO ACCESS SHORT OF 61ST STREET TO EVEN GET BETWEEN ANY OF THAT FEATURE BETWEEN THERE, BUT THAT'S IN THE WORKS.
>> AND THE BEACH ISN'T ALWAYS THERE.
>> NO, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE, BUT THE BEACHES HASN'T BEEN THERE FOR SENSE OF PRIDE CERTAINLY, BUT THE BEACH IS SMOOTHING OUT, BUT THE CONTINUED [OVERLAPPING] I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE FOR [INAUDIBLE].
BECAUSE EVERYTHING FROM 10TH TO 61ST WE'VE ALREADY HAVE.
>> WE'RE SEEING THE SAND SHOW UP IN OTHER SPOTS SO IT'S A GOOD THING, BUT IT'S JUST I WISH WE CAN DIRECT IT WHERE WE REALLY WANT IT BUT IT IS MOVING.
[00:25:02]
WE'RE ALMOST CONNECTED TO BRAZORIA COUNTY NOW.>> SPEAKING OF THAT, REMIND ME OF SOMETHING I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT.
>> ON THIS VOTE, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADD ACCESS RAMPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> NO, THE PARK BOARD IS WORKING ON THAT EXACTLY BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS NOT [INAUDIBLE] KIND OF THING.
IT'S MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS INVOLVED AND SO FORTH.
BUT THIS IS SIMPLY TO SAY THAT AREA WHICH WE'VE DELEGATED CONTROL WITH CONSIGNMENT GOES TO THE TERMINUS OF THE SEAWALL.
SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT 10 YEARS AGO BUT LIKE I SAID, THERE WAS NO BEACH THERE SO IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.
>> IT WAS SUBMERGED LANDS OF THE STATE.
>> NOW, THE TYPICAL CONCESSIONAIRES YOU SEE WITHIN THE CITY PARK BEACH, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT AS EXTENSIONAL [INAUDIBLE].
>> YOU COULD IF WE KEEP NOURISHING THE BEACH OUT THERE.
BUT THERE IS A GREATER AND GREATER DEMAND WEST OF 61ST STREET.
MORE HOTELS ARE BUILT OUT THERE, MORE PEOPLE ARE TAKING UP RESIDENTS IN THE CONDOS AND SO FORTH OUT THERE ON THAT END OF THE SEA WALL.
SO THAT THE BEACHES ARE SEEING DEMAND.
>> THERE'S SOME QUESTION AS TO WHETHER THEY'LL EVEN BRING B&D THAT FAR, WE'RE KIND OF REACHING THE LIMIT TO WHERE THE CORE WANTS TO BRING THE BENEFICIAL USE DREDGE GOING WEST.
>> THAT'S AN ONGOING QUESTION, BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO SAY, WELL, THE SAND ENDS AT 71ST NOW, LET'S MOVE TO 71ST, LET'S JUST PUT IT TO THE END OF THE SEAWALL AND END UP NOT HAVING ADDRESSED THIS AGAIN?
>> I'VE RECEIVED SOME EMAILS AND SOME CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY ALONG THIS.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT PRIVATE PROPERTY?
>> IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT AT ALL.
>> IT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE HAS NO BEARING ON THIS AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR THE PUBLIC ON THIS TOO, IS AN EXAMPLE THAT IT HAS NO BEARING ON THIS.
WE HAVE HAD THIS ORDINANCE IN PLACE, PROPOSED BEACHES THAT ARE EAST OF 61ST, AND THERE ARE CLAIMS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY DOWN THERE AND THIS HAS NO BEARING EVEN THOUGH THIS ORDINANCE HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THOSE SEAWALL BEACHES, HAS NO BEARING ON THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO CLAIM PRIVATE RIGHTS ARE NOT OR ALL OF THAT.
>> IT'S UNRELATED TO THAT ANSWER.
>> THAT'S MY NEXT QUESTION, RIGHT?
>> PLEASE GO AHEAD WITH THE TOUGH ISSUES.
>> NO IT'S TRIVIA SOMETHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> HERE WINSTON, GLAD THERE'S NO CATS [LAUGHTER]
>> THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO GET ME [LAUGHTER]
IN CASE YOU CAN'T SEE, I'M HOLDING THE LASER, BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT.
>> THE ONLY QUESTION I DO HAVE AND IT HAS TO DO WITH 10 DAYS, THE NO WAVES ZONE ENDS SPANISH GRANTS.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SPANISH GRANT HOA AS WELL AS OTHER CITIZENS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE THE MEETING.
THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT COVERS THE PART THAT'S ON SPANISH GRANT ONLY COVERS APPLIES TO THE IMPROVED AREA, SO IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THE BAY ITSELF.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> DONNA, FOR THE PUBLIC, WOULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHO IS SPEAKING THERE.
>> I'M DONNA FAIRWEATHER, SENIOR ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
>> THE CHANGE THAT'S BEEN REQUESTED WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THIS MORNING.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY A LITTLE BIT WITH YOU, COUNCILWOMAN ROB, BECAUSE THE CHANGE THAT'S BEEN REQUESTED IS FOR THE ENTIRE JURISDICTION OF THIS ORDINANCE, NOT JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR SPANISH GRANT.
>> I THINK THEY'RE JUST INTERESTED IN THE PARAGRAPH WHERE YOU'RE ADDING SPANISH GRANT.
>> THAT'S NOT THE CHANGE THAT I RECEIVED.
>> I KNOW THAT. I THINK THERE WAS JUST BECAUSE OF THE QUICKNESS OF IT.
>> I UNDERSTAND. BUT WHAT I WAS ABLE TO DO BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE HAS TO BE IN LINE WITH STATE LAW AND SO I LOOKED AT THE STATE LAW AND WHAT THE STATE LAWS SAYS,
[00:30:06]
INSTEAD OF OTHER MAN-MADE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU PUT IN SHORE LINE, THEY JUST HAVE OTHER OBJECTS AND THEY HAVE KEPT IN SHORE.SO EITHER WE KEEP IT AS WAS PROVIDED TO THE GROUP FOR THEIR REVIEW.
I CAN DO A LITTLE BIT MORE RESEARCH.
THIS IS A QUICK 5-10 MINUTE THING.
I DON'T WANT US TO PUT SOMETHING IN AN ORDINANCE THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO COME BACK AND SAY WE CANNOT REGULATE OR WE CANNOT DO THAT.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT IN THE ONE PARAGRAPH, THAT HAS TO DO WITH SPANISH GRANTS, WELL, CAN WE PUT ONLY APPLIES TO IMPROVED AREAS?
>> ANY OF OUR REGULATIONS HAVE TO BE IN LINE WITH STATE LAW.
>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT WE PUT IN THERE.
>> WE CAN PUT IN AREAS THAT WE WISH TO REGULATE AND WE MARK THEM, AND WE PUT BUOYS UP OR WHATEVER MARKET SYSTEM WE PUT UP, AND THEY WILL HELP ENFORCE THAT.
THE ORDINANCE ITSELF IS ALMOST A REPEAT OF CERTAIN PORTIONS OF STATE LAW BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE IN LINE WITH THEM.
WHATEVER WE PUT IN, HAS TO BE IN LINE.
>> IN THE LANGUAGE THAT COVERS IF I DON'T HAVE THE ORDINANCE OPEN, BUT I WILL OPEN RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THERE'S THE ONE SECTION THAT ACTUALLY MENTIONS SPANISH GRANT.
>> YES. SPANISH GRANT IS JUST GIVING ANOTHER LOCATION FOR ENFORCEMENT.
>> THAT ONCE AGAIN, THE AREA THAT NO ONE CAN ENFORCE OR WILL ENFORCE.
ANYWAY, SO WHERE DOES SPECIFICALLY WHERE DO WE ADD IT?
>> THE CHANGE THAT YOU REQUESTED?
>> THAT'S ON PAGE 2, AND IT STARTS WITH THE FOURTH PARAGRAPH DOWN, NO PERSON.
>> IT APPEARS TO ME, [INAUDIBLE] THE REQUEST OF THE COUNCILWOMAN IS ABOVE ANY COVERED ANY ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT SAYS ALL OTHER OBJECTS.
[INAUDIBLE] JUST TO CHECK WHAT HAPPENED [INAUDIBLE].
THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE UNDERLYING RESTRICTION.
>> EXACTLY. WE CAN JUST KEEP IT ALL OTHER OBJECTS OR GIVE ME SOME TIME TO SEE IF THE MAN-MADE SHORELINE LANGUAGE IS GOING TO BE NOT IN LINE WITH STATE LAW.
>> WE CAN APPROVE IT AS THIS AND THEN LOOK AT IT AND YOU BRING IT BACK AND ASSESS IT.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO PROVE IT AS IT IS, THAT WAS PRESENTED, THE COUNCIL CAN SAY, JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE ALL OTHER OBJECT OR WE CAN BRING IT BACK.
>> BECAUSE THEIR CONCERN IS MAYBE SOMEONE MIGHT GRAB A BUNCH OF [INAUDIBLE] AND START PUTTING [INAUDIBLE] AND I GUESS THERE'S A CERTAIN AREA ON THE APPROACH THAT IF YOU'RE NOT GOING FAST, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE CANAL.
>> I ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THIS LANGUAGE WHEN IT SAYS ALL OTHER OBJECT, STATE LAW IS FOR PERSONAL WATERCRAFTS.
>> THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, PERSONAL WATERCRAFTS.
>> IT'S AT THE PLEASURE OF COUNCIL WHAT YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO DO TODAY. ANY QUESTION?
>> WELL, LET'S APPROVE IT AS IT IS, AND THEN TALK SOME MORE WITH THEM AND IF THEY WANT TO ADD SOMETHING [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE BIG THING IS IF WE APPROVE IT AS IT IS, THEY CAN GO AHEAD AND ORDER THEIR BUOYS AND GET THEIR NOWAY [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, THEY ALREADY HAVE BEEN [INAUDIBLE] SINCE NOBODY'S FOLLOWING.
>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> NO. THE REST, I THINK WERE COVERED.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK GLENN FOR [INAUDIBLE] AUDIT PLAN, IT'S EXCELLENT. THANK YOU, GLENN.
>> VERY GOOD. COUNCILMAN [INAUDIBLE]?
>> IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'VE COVERED EVERYTHING THAT I HAD SO [INAUDIBLE] TOPICS.
>> YOU ARE ALL RIGHT. I HAD A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I'D LIKE TO CLARIFY.
BRIAN ON 10C, IT MAY INVOLVE TIM ON THIS, I'M NOT SURE.
SINCE JOHN PAUL IS NOT HERE, I'M JUST GOING TO ASK A QUESTION.
IT MENTIONS IN THE, [INAUDIBLE] GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK WITH US.
>> BY THE WAY YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL TODAY.
[00:35:01]
THAT'S A GOOD OUTFIT.>> THANK YOU. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I LOOK ON THE OTHER DAYS BUT [LAUGHTER].
>> SHE'S CHALLENGING DON ON THE [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> JUST SOME CLARITY BECAUSE I MAY GET INVOLVED WITH THIS AS MAYOR, IT SAYS IN HERE ABOUT THE PORTA CANS AND PENALTY I THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> YEAH. BUT WHERE I WAS REALLY GETTING AT IS SECURING AND ANCHORING REQUIRED, AND THEN NUMBER 2, UNDER THAT, 2A IT SAYS, IN THE EVENT THE CITY OF GALVESTON ISSUES OR DECLARES AN EMERGENCY STORM WATCH, HURRICANE, OR OTHER EMERGENCY WEATHER OR WIND EVENT, WHAT DOES ALL THAT MEAN? DO WE HAVE TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY FOR THIS TO KICK IN?
THEY'RE ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO BE SECURED.
>> WELL, THIS HERE SAYS THOUGH, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE REMOVED.
>> WHEN IT'S AN EMERGENCY OR [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF YOU DECLARED AN EVACUATION, TAKE YOUR PORTA CAN WITH YOU.
>> WELL, THAT'S MY QUESTION ORIGINALLY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE REMOVED UNLESS WE DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> DIDN'T THEY SAY REMOVED OR SECURED?
>> IT'S REMOVED. I WANT TO KNOW IF WE GET A HIGH WIND WARNING, BUT THERE'S NO EMERGENCY DECLARED, DO THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THESE PORTA CANS?
>> THAT'S WHERE THE ANCHORING COMES IN.
>> IT'S JUST WITH THE DECLARATION OF AN EMERGENCY.
>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IS TO KEEP THESE THINGS FROM GETTING TIPPED OVER ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND ON THE BEACH AND JUST MAKE IT A GIANT MASS.
>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THAT.
>> I CONTACTED PORTA CANS, THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT NAMES FOR THE SAME THING BUT PORTA TOILETS AND THERE ARE ALREADY EQUIPPED TO BE ANCHORED AND SECURED.
IN OUR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, THERE'S ALREADY REGULATIONS FOR PORTABLE TOILETS SECURING THOSE DOWN AS WELL, SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.
>> BUT DON'T NEED TO BE REMOVED UNLESS WE DECLARE EMERGENCY.
>> WITH THE COMPANIES THAT WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION BILLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY ALREADY HAD THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE CONTRACT.
>> IF THEY WERE TO BE REMOVED OR SECURED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THIS IS FOR, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO RENT A PORTA CAN THE OWNER OR THE COMPANY, THEY ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THAT THAT PORTABLE TOILET IS TAKEN CARE OF APPROPRIATELY.
>> LET'S SAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES BECAUSE IT SEEMS THE MOST SECURE, THAT RED BOX ONE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE DUMPSTER AND IT HAS THE HOUSING THAT IS [INAUDIBLE] THAT HAS THE HOUSING WITH THE PORTA CAN INSIDE IT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO REMOVE THAT IF A STORM, THE ENTIRE [OVERLAPPING]?
>> WELL, IN THEORY, THAT WHOLE DUMPSTER SHOULD BE REMOVED BECAUSE IF WE GET A HURRICANE, IT'S LESS OF A WIND ISSUE AND IT BECOMES A FLOATING ISSUE [INAUDIBLE] AND WE LEARNED DURING [INAUDIBLE], DUMPSTERS CAN TAKE OUT WALLS, HOUSES, ALL KINDS OF STUFF.
I VERY MUCH SUPPORT THIS AND I LITERALLY HAVE GONE OUT BEFORE HURRICANES AND SECURED PORTA POTTIES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, TO WHICH I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO, BUT BECAUSE I KNEW THEY WERE STILL THERE, SO I JAM THEM INTO PLACES OR WHATNOT TO KEEP THEM FROM FALLING.
I WAS ONE IN THE ONES WHO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA WITH JOHN AND I ALWAYS DISCUSS CONSTRUCTION STUFF WITH HIM SINCE HE'S A CONSTRUCTION GUY.
BUT I THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE NEEDED FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
>> I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT PORTABLE TOILETS. [LAUGHTER].
>> IT'S A CRAPPY TOPIC. [LAUGHTER].
>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT CLEAN THIS MORNING. KEEP IT CLEAN.
>> NO, THAT'S IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BRIAN, WOULD YOU MIND, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC SAKE, FOR ITEM 11A S, THIS IS SAFETY IN CITY, SO FORTH.
WHAT PROJECTS IS THAT MONEY TO COVER OR AS THEY HAD BEEN.
>> WHAT NUMBER DID YOU SAY IS IT?
>> TESSA OBLESKI, DIRECTOR OF DISASTER RECOVERY AND GRANTS.
[00:40:04]
THIS IS FUNDING THAT WE ULTIMATELY HELP TO RECEIVE FROM HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.IT'S MONEY THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE UNDER HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S COMING FROM HURRICANE HARVEY FUNDS UNDER THE CDBG MITIGATION PROGRAM.
HOPEFULLY THIS MONEY, ONCE IT GOES THROUGH THE FINAL METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION, THE PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS ARE BEING FINALIZED TODAY AND THEN ONCE THE FINAL REGIONAL ALLOCATION AMOUNT IS DETERMINED AND APPROVED BY HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL, THE COUNCIL WILL SUBMIT THE FINAL METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION RECOMMENDATION, BACKUP TO THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND THEY WILL APPROVE THE FINAL METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION.
IF IT DOESN'T CHANGE, THE CITY IS IN LINE TO RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY $15.7 MILLION, AND WE WILL THEN BE ALLOWED TO GIVE THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR WHAT PROJECTS WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.
>> THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED AS YET.
>> THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO OR PROPOSE THAT WE DO WITH THOSE FUNDS IS USE IT AS MATCHING FUNDS ON THE LARGE GRANTS WE HAVE PENDING, SUCH AS THE 14TH STREET PUMP STATION, WHICH IS GOING TO HAVE ABOUT A $4.4 MILLION MATCH.
WE ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER LARGE PENDING GRANTS OUT THERE, WHICH ONE IS FOR THE CAUSEWAY WATER LINE.
WHICH IS GOING TO NEED ABOUT A SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR MATCH, WHICH IS CURRENTLY PENDING AT CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK.
THE 59TH STREET WATER STORAGE TANK, WHICH IS GOING TO ALSO NEED ABOUT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN LOCAL MATCH.
THOSE CURRENTLY ARE WORKING THROUGH THE CONGRESSIONAL EARMARK PROCESS AND STILL IN THE BILLS IN WASHINGTON.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE BELIEVE WE WOULD RECEIVE APPROXIMATELY FOR ALL THREE PROJECTS, APPROXIMATELY $88 MILLION AND ONLY COST THE CITY OF GALVESTON ABOUT TWO MILLION IF WE CAN LEVERAGE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT FUNDS THROUGH THE GRANTS AND THE MATCHING FUNDS THROUGH HGAC.
>> OUR TIMELINE IS PROBABLY IF THEY FINALIZE THAT NUMBER AND IT DOESN'T CHANGE FROM 15.7 MILLION AND THEY FINALIZE IT AT HGAC, WE SHOULD BE RECEIVING THE FINAL ALLOCATION AWARD LETTER IN THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS, AT WHICH TIME WE WOULD NEED TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE OF WHAT WE INTEND TO USE THAT MONEY FOR.
IT DOES HAVE THE LMI REQUIREMENT OF WHICH THE CAUSEWAY WATERLINE DOES BENEFIT THE 51 OR MORE PERCENT LMI AS JUST 59 STREET WATER TANK, AS THAT WATER TANK WOULD FEED MOST OF THE POPULATION OF THE ISLAND.
>> TESSA, I'M GLAD THAT YOU KEEP YOUR WIDTH AND KEEP THAT IN ALL STRAIGHTFORWARD [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WANT YOUR SECRET [LAUGHTER].
>> SHE IS, GOOD GREAT WITH THIS.
>> SHE DEALS WITH SUCH AN INTENSE AREA.
>> BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING.
>> MONEY JUST FALLS FROM THE SKY ON HER [LAUGHTER].
>> I JUST KEEP MOVING THE SHELFS AROUND [LAUGHTER] AND HOPEFULLY LIFT IT UP, THERE'S STILL SOMETHING THERE.
>> I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION ON SAY LIKE BOUVIER TALKING ABOUT THE WATER LINE, BECAUSE THAT'S ALSO IN OUR BOND LANGUAGE, HOW MANY PATHS?
>> WELL, THE DESIGN IS IN THE BOND ORDER, THE PERIPHERY.
>> THAT MONEY CAN THEN RE-DEPLOYED UNTIL WE GET THIS.
>> THEN MAYBE WE COULD DO SO ON THE WEST END.
>> THAT'S A POLICY DECISION OF THE COUNCIL.
>> AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT HASN'T BEEN OUR STANCE BEFORE, BUT THAT'S COUNCIL'S DECISION.
>> THANK YOU TESSA VERY MUCH, GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> BRIAN 12, COULD YOU FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC, JUST EXPAND ON THIS A LITTLE BIT AND JUST GIVE AN OVERVIEW ON THIS.
>> YEAH. MIKE OR BRANDON, WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THIS ONE IS ON THE BALANCE, JUST TO EXPOUND ON ANYTHING NEW.
>> JUST AN OVERVIEW BECAUSE WE MAY GO THROUGH IT QUICKLY THIS AFTERNOON.
I WANTED THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE ON THIS, BRANDON.
>> YES. THIS IS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, ISSUANCE OF $65 MILLION WORTH OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
I HAVE A LIST OF THE PROJECTS LAID OUT IN THE STAFF REPORT FOR YOU ALL, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AT YOUR LAST WORKSHOP MEETING.
REALLY, WE'RE APPROACHING THIS AS A CERTIFICATE BOND ALLEVIATION ISSUANCE INSTEAD OF A PURE REVENUE BOND ISSUANCE IS BECAUSE WE'RE PROJECTED TO SAVE ABOUT 15 BASIS POINTS,
[00:45:03]
WHICH AMOUNTS TO ABOUT $3.2 MILLION OVER THE LIFE OF THE BONDS.ALL OF THESE ARE VARIOUS ONES THAT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO GO THROUGH THE PROJECTS AGAIN.
>> I WILL SAY THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE PERSON AT THE TABLE, THEY'RE ALMOST ENTIRELY DISTRICT 6 PROJECTS [LAUGHTER].
>> THAT'S NOT ALL THE WAY TRUE, BUT GO AHEAD.
>> VERY GOOD. WHAT WAS I GOING TO ASK ABOUT THAT, I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK ON THAT, BUT ANYWAY, GO RIGHT AHEAD, BRANDON.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN PRETTY MUCH EVENLY BETWEEN WATER AND WASTEWATER.
THERE'S ABOUT $35 MILLION PROGRAM IN WATER, THERE'S $32 MILLION PROGRAM IN SANITARY SEWER AND A LOT OF THESE ARE DESIGN READY.
>> SANITARY SEWERS AS FAR AS THE WASTEWATER PLANTS, JUST SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND I DON'T HAVE TO.
>> WANT TO JUST CONFIRM, THERE'S NO INCREASE IN THE WATER RATES OR SO.
>> LET ME SPEAK TO THAT, GREG.
>> WHAT WE'RE BASICALLY DOING HERE IS WE RETIRED SOME DEBT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS SO WE'RE BASICALLY PICKING UP THIS NEW DEBT WITH THE MONEY WE WERE USING TO SERVICE THE OLD DEBT.
>> I JUST WANTED THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE.
>> TRUTHFULLY, WE CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THERE IS NO TIE TO THEM, THERE'S NO INCREASE IN WATER RATES AS A RESULT OF THIS.
WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE THROES OF SOME GREAT WORK RIGHT NOW THAT I'VE TALKED TO YOU GUYS ABOUT BRIEFLY BEFORE.
THAT IS, WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS ON BASICALLY SAVING OUR HOMESTEAD AND RESIDENCES AS BEST WE CAN WITHOUT HAVING ANY INCREASES ON THEM.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL PROBABLY BE FACED WITH SOME ADDITIONAL OPERATING EXPENSES, BUT WE'LL BRING THOSE TO YOU SOMETIME RUN FIRST OF THE YEAR.
ONCE WE GET OUR RATE CONSULTANT INVOLVED IN IT AND EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE GULF COAST WEREN'T ALWAYS, COST OF WATER HAS GONE UP SOME.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WITH SOME PILOT PROJECTS THAT WE'VE DONE LIKE THE INI PROJECTS, WHICH IS WHAT'S DRIVING A LOT OF THESE.
WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS TO SPEND $35 MILLION ON A NEW PLAN OUT HERE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY FILL IT WITH SALT WATER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE INI PROJECT AND THAT IS AN OPERATIONAL ISSUE AND TRINO CAN SHOW YOU THE SAVINGS WE'VE ALREADY HAD ON THAT.
WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THOSE PROGRAMS AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE RATE CONSULTED SOMETIME AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME PROBABLY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT POT OF MONEY IT WAS, BUT HAVE RESTORED WHATEVER THE MONEY THAT WE PUT TOWARDS THE RATE METERS MAJOR SO THAT WHEN PIRATES AND THEN THE OTHER WAS FOR THE INI FOR GERM WATER.
>> WE'VE BEEN MAINLY FUNDING THE INI OUT OF OPERATIONS.
WE USED A LITTLE BIT OF THAT DRY NOW, BUT MOST OF IT HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO THESE PROJECTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE BID THE PROJECTS, THEY CAME IN, NOT THE AMI, THAT'S UNDERWAY AND WE'RE GOOD THERE, BUT THE PIRATES PLANT CAME IN, HOW MUCH MORE?
>> LIKE $7 MILLION MORE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>> THAT'S WHAT'S PART OF THIS IS COMING FROM.
>> YES. WE STILL HAVE THAT OUR FULL MONEY PROGRAM IN THERE, BUT WE NEED THE CASH TO CONTINUE.
>> THIS IS GOING TO MAKE IT TO WHERE IT CAN HANDLE THE FULL CAPACITY OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENT COMING IN AND STUFF FOR.
>> THIS ALSO INCLUDES TERRAMAR, WHICH IS THE ONE, PIRATES IS JUST OLD, TERRAMAR IS AT CAPACITY, WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH TERRAMAR.
>> BUT A LOT OF THAT CAPACITY COMES FROM MINING OFF.
>> WE'VE CUT IT BACK QUITE A BIT, BUT EVEN THAT, IF YOU'RE GOING TO GROW YOUR SEWER SYSTEM ON THE WEST END, MOST OF IT'S GOT TO GO TO TERRAMAR AND THAT'S THE ONE THAT NEEDS THE WORK.
>> ESSENTIALLY, WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS EVENING FOR COUNCIL TO VOTE ON IS TO ALLOW STAFF TO ISSUE A NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC TELLING THEM THAT WE'RE GETTING READY TO ANTICIPATE ISSUING $65 MILLION WORTH OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
WHAT THAT ALLOWS PUTS THE PUBLIC ON NOTICE IN THE CASE THEY HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH IT, THEY CAN CIRCULATE A PETITION, GARNERED 5 PERCENT AND TRIGGER AN ELECTION ON THE WHOLE PROCESS.
THEN ALSO THE OTHER THING THAT WE'RE DOING IS APPOINTING THE FINANCIAL TEAM, YOUR UNDERWRITERS, YOUR BOND COUNSEL, AND FINANCIAL ADVISORS, WHICH FINANCIAL ADVISORS WE ALREADY HAVE UNDER CONTRACT, BUT YOU'RE IDENTIFYING THOSE PLAYERS AS WELL AS EMPOWER CITY MANAGEMENT TO GO OUT AND START PRICING THESE BONDS.
THEN IN SEPTEMBER 15TH, WE WILL BRING BACK THE PRICING FOR THE BONDS AND COUNCIL WILL NEED TO VOTE ON IT AT THAT TIME, IT WILL REQUIRE SIX VOTES OF THE COUNCIL IN ORDER TO PASS THE ISSUANCE.
>> THANK YOU, BRANDON. APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.
[00:50:02]
>> THAT'S ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAD AT THIS POINT, LET'S MOVE.
[3B. Discussion Of The FY 2023 Budget And Capital Improvement Plan (M. Loftin - 15 Min)]
JANELLE, IF WE COULD DO 3-B, IS IN BOY, PLEASE.>> 3-B, DISCUSSION OF THE FY 2023 BUDGETING CAPITAL AND BUSINESS PLAN.
>> WE HAVE OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR, MIKE LOFT. GOOD MORNING, MIKE.
WE WERE IN HERE LAST WEEK AND TOLD YOU THAT WE WOULD COME BACK ONCE WE HAD THE TAX ROLLS FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT ASSESSOR COLLECTORS.
WE'RE HERE THIS MORNING WITH THAT.
WHAT THE GENERAL FUND LOOKS LIKE IN THIS POINT AND YOU'LL NOTICE THAT [INAUDIBLE] MOST OF PROPERTY TAXES GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ESTIMATING 34.2 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
THE POLICE AND FIRE BUDGETS TOGETHER ADD TO $40 MILLION, WHICH IS 6 MILLION MORE THAN THAT, FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF SALES TAXES THAT COME IN.
THIS BUDGET IS SUBSTANTIALLY ORIENTED TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS IT HAS BEEN THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES HERE IN A SECOND AFTER I'VE FINISHED TALKING ABOUT GENERAL FUND.
WHAT'S IN THIS DRAFT BUDGET, WE'VE COVERED THE COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR FIRE AND POLICE THAT LAST WEEK WERE SHOWN AS A SEPARATE LINE ON YOUR SECOND PAGE.
THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT TOTALS HERE.
ALSO THERE'S ADJUSTMENTS TO PINCH THE CONTRIBUTION FOR BOTH POLICE AND FIRE PENSION.
IN FIRE'S CASE, IT DOES INCLUDE RIGHT NOW IN THE DRAFT, A 3.2 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION IS [NOISE] FOR BY THE ACTUARY.
IN THE MOST RECENT ACTUARIAL STUDY.
THAT WILL BRING THEM UNDER 30 YEARS FOR THE AMORTIZATION PERIOD, FOR THE UNFUNDED LIABILITY.
STREETS AND TRAFFIC IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S PROGRAMS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER FUNDS.
[INAUDIBLE] AGAIN IS A CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS YEARS.
I REALLY DON'T HAVE NEW POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET TO SPEAK.
I WAS TRYING TO THINK THIS MORNING WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE DRAWN IN THE GENERAL FUND IS PRETTY MUCH THE EXISTING STUFF.
CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE GROWTH AND THE FINANCE ADMIN BUDGET.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE MOVED TESSA FROM THE GOVERNMENTAL EXPENSES LINE INTO MY BUDGET LAST YEAR.
INSTEAD OF PAYING AN ASSISTANT AS A TEMP SHE HAS A FULL-TIME AS ASSISTANT.
IT'S MY JUDGMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE INVOLVED WITH GRANTS AND THE GLO AND TITUM FOR SOME TIME.
YOU JUST SAW WHAT TESSA DOES IS WORTH GOLD TO THE CITY.
THAT'S NOW PART OF MY BUDGET TO MAKE IT MORE OR LESS A PERMANENT.
>> TESSA HAS BROUGHT US VERY CLOSE TO BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
>> I'VE WORKED WITH TESSA FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.
>> THE CIVILIAN COMPENSATION STUDY IS ALMOST IN FINAL FORM.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER HERE IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT RECOGNIZE THE ASSEMBLY TO FUND ALL OF THAT.
AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS THEY WILL NOT INCLUDE THE TOP EXECUTIVES.
>> BUT IT'LL BE ORIENTED TOWARDS THE RANK AND FILE CIVILIANS, WHICH REALLY HAVE HAD LITTLE BESIDES THE TWO PERCENT INCREASE IN YEARS.
>> AND MIKE, I JUST WANT TO SITUATE THESE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE COMP STUDY IS FOR THE RANK AND FILE.
>> WE'VE EXCLUDED THE CITY MANAGER AND ACMS FROM THIS.
THAT'S WHERE WE JUST EXCLUDE OURSELVES [INAUDIBLE].
>> ALSO, WE DO HAVE A $500,000 AMOUNT RESERVED FOR PENSION BENEFITS, AND THAT COULD BE USED ON ANY OF THE THREE PENSION SYSTEMS. BUT WE REALLY ARE LOOKING TO TRYING TO IMPROVE THE CIVILIAN PENSION SYSTEM AS WELL.
>> YEAH, CIVILIAN PLAN IS AS YOU WELL KNOW, YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, IS IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN.
[00:55:02]
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THAT FUND BEING IN A VERY SOLID CONDITION RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HELP FROM THE CITY.I THINK WE CAN IMPROVE IT FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND BRING IT A LITTLE BIT MORE IN LINE WITH PDF FILES.
>> WE DO HAVE A HEALTHY FUND BALANCE SITUATION RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE EXPECTING TO END THIS YEAR WITH 24.7 MILLION, AND WE'RE POSTURED WITH THESE NUMBERS TO END NEXT YEAR WITH THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THIS YEAR, THAT IS 137 DAYS OF OPERATING COST.
LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR AS 127 DAYS, I LOOK FORWARD ON THAT PARTICULAR MEASURE BECAUSE THE BALANCE WILL NOT BE USED IN RETROSPECT IF WE HAVE TO USE IT.
>> THAT WILL HELP US TREMENDOUSLY AS WE GO IN FOR OUR BOND [INAUDIBLE]
>> [BACKGROUND] ASKED QUESTION.
>> WHY IS THE GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PRICES ARE MUCH LOWER [INAUDIBLE]
>> BECAUSE WE INCREASE THE CONTRIBUTION AND THE REST OF THE BUDGET, AND THAT IS JUST MAINLY A NUMBER FOR US.
IT'S IN THEIR CASE, WE NEED A LITTLE EXTRA BUMP DURING THE YEAR THAT WE CAN THROW IT IN.
>> THE BUDGETS ACROSS CITYWIDE HAVE BEEN INCREASED BY 80 PERCENT.
>> WE WENT AHEAD AND JUST SPREAD IT BECAUSE WE KNEW WE HAD TO DO IT.
WE SPREAD IT AMONGST ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THIS INTENTIONAL MONEY IN CASE WE NEED TO STUDY, IN CASE WE NEED AN ACTUARY CASE, WE NEED SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S THERE.
IF NOT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, IF WE DON'T USE IT WILL BE FOLDED INTO THE HEALTH FUND.
>> THE POLICE PAY INCREASE IS WEIRD.
>> IT'S IN THEIR SALARY BUDGET LINE.
>> SHOW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
>> WELL, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THIS IS POLICE BASE CBA, PAGE 2.
>> WE HADN'T SEPARATED OUT IT BEFORE, BUT NOW THAT WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE REAL CLOCK HERE, WE'RE PUTTING EVERYTHING WHERE IT NEEDS TO FIT.
>> ONE MORE QUESTION, SO ON THE VEHICLE PURCHASES, THAT ITEM IS ALSO [INAUDIBLE] THAT BECAUSE WE HAD SO MUCH BUDGET PREVIOUSLY THAT WE'RE STILL WAITING?
>> REMEMBER WE MOVED UP A YEAR OF PURCHASES THIS YEAR WHO HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY OF THESE THINGS BY THE WAY, BUT WE MOVED THEM UP.
THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR WAS SO HIGH, BUT WE'RE BACK TO NORMAL NEXT YEAR, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ORDER ALL OF THOSE VEHICLES AS SOON AS WE GET THIS APPROVED.
IN ESSENCE WON'T HAVE THREE YEARS WORTH OF VEHICLES IN THE SHOOT TO ARRIVE AT SOME POINT.
WE HEAR TELL THAT SUNNY MAY DELIVER ONE GARBAGE TRUCK BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK AND IT MIGHT NOT HAVE ALL OF ITS PARTS, BUT IT WILL BE HERE. [LAUGHTER] YEAH, WE BOUGHT IT FROM IKEA.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THAT TENDS TO BE WHERE OUR BIGGEST ISSUE IS RIGHT NOW.
>> TWO, WE HAVE RIGHT NOW OUR RENTALS, BUT THEY CAN'T GET THEM EITHER AND MATTER OF FACT, AS YOU RECALL, WE RENTED THEM AND WE'RE BEHIND THEM BUT WE'RE IN THE SAME BOAT AS EVERYBODY ELSE.
SMALL OPERATORS LIKE US WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO TRAIL BEHIND THE GUYS THAT ARE BUYING 1,000 TRUCKS BUT WE'RE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME EVEN RENTING AND A LOT OF OUR STUFF IS REAL SPECIALIZED LIKE OUR ALLEY TRUCKS.
>> I'M GOING TO JUST ASK ANOTHER QUESTION.
SINCE WE ARE LOOKING AT MAYBE DOING A CHARTER ELECTION, IS THAT SOMETHING WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT?
>> THAT'S TOTALLY A COUNCIL DECISION [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE GENERALLY HAPPY WITH OUR SANITATION DEPARTMENT.
>> WHEN DO WE GET CHARTER ABOUT SANITATION BEING DONE BY THE CITY? IS IT OUTSOURCING?
>> IT'S OPEN TO DISCUSSION BY ALL MEANS.
>> IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A CHARTER ELECTION, WE MIGHT AS WELL GO WITH THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT WOULD BE A MASSIVE CHANGE FOR OUR RESIDENTS IF WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE PICK UP SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT CONTRACT HOLDERS.
>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR CHANGE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DON'T KNOW. WHEN I LIVED IN PIRATES BEACH WHEN IT WAS AN INCORPORATED COUNTY, WE USED TO HAVE TWO TIMES PICK UP FOR LESS THAN WHAT WE PAY NOW BUT GRANTED, THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
>> TWO TIMES PICKUP IS ONE THING, AND THAT'S CLEARLY A FUNCTION OF OUR SIZE.
IF WE WERE TO DO THAT, WE'D HAVE TO REALLY BULK UP OUR STUFF.
>> BUT THE SECOND THING IS, JUST WHAT WE PICK UP WHICH IS BASICALLY ANYTHING.
[OVERLAPPING] YOU PUT GRANDMA AT THE CURB, WE'RE PICKING HER UP.
[LAUGHTER] I CAN TELL YOU IN OTHER CITIES THAT'S NOT THE CASE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I CAN JUST READ THAT IN THE PAPER.
>> [OVERLAPPING] LET THE RECORD REFLECT.
[01:00:02]
FOR THE PUBLIC THAT IS NOT THE CASE.>> BUT WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF PICKING UP EVERYTHING.
>> PRIVATE HOLDERS ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
>> NOT WITHOUT A LOT OF WORK IN HANDS.
>> TOO HEAVY. IT'S GOING TO SIT THERE.
>> YEAH, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
>> BUT IT WOULD BE A TOPIC TO DISCUSS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THAT HERE COMING UP SHORTLY.
>> BEFORE I LEAVE THE GENERAL FUND TO GO TO TALK ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES AGAIN, I WANT TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE OTHER REVENUES LINE IN THE REVENUE SECTION AT THE TOP OF THE FIRST PAGE WHERE WE NOW HAVE 2,129,000 THERE.
THAT INCLUDES THE LIBRARY'S CONTRIBUTION.
IT'S NETTED AGAINST THEIR CHARTER ALLOCATION.
THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN THE TAX ROLL.
THEY WILL GET THE SAME PERCENTAGE INCREASE THE CITY GETS ON THAT BASIS BUT THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THAT NUMBER UP SO MUCH.
ALSO, IT INCLUDES THE $300,000 ESTIMATE WE HAVE AS A PLACEHOLDER FOR THE PASSENGER HEADCOUNT AT THE NEW ROYAL CARIBBEAN TERMINAL, AND ALSO THE ONGOING CONTRIBUTION FROM THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
>> MIKE, I SENT YOU AN EMAIL ABOUT THESE OTHER REVENUES.
DOES THAT INCLUDE ALSO THE INCREASED SALES TAX FROM THE SURFACE PARKING FOR CRUISE TERMINAL 10?
>> BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PUT 1,800 CARS NOW ONLINE DOWN THERE THAT'S ABOVE AND BEYOND.
>> I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT. CRAIG HEARD ME GIVE THIS SPEECH [NOISE] YESTERDAY TO A GROUP THAT WE SPOKE WITH.
I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, BUT 27 YEARS AND I'VE REALLY BEEN INTENSELY INVOLVED IN BUDGETS.
WHEN YOU GOT THE CERTIFIED TAX ROLL, THAT WAS YOUR SAFE HAVEN.
[NOISE] IT MIGHT VARY ONE OR TWO PERCENT BUT THAT'S IT.
THERE IS STILL A HIGH DEGREE OF VARIABILITY WITH YOUR CERTIFIED TAX ROLL AS A RESULT OF ALL THE LAWSUITS.
WITH THIS RAPID GROWTH WE'VE HAD, EVERYTHING ELSE, THIS PAST YEAR WE GAVE BACK ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS RATHER BACK AND REFUNDS TO PEOPLE AFTER THE CERTIFIED ROLL.
[NOISE] WE PLAN FOR THAT IN THIS BUDGET, BUT WE ARE PLANNING FOR SOME VARIABILITY JUST AS WE DO WITH SALES TAX.
WE'VE INCREASED OUR SALES TAX PROJECTIONS BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE NUMBERS ARE MORE REALISTIC.
HOWEVER, KEEP IN MIND A RAINY 4TH OF JULY, A HEAVY TROPICAL SEASON NEXT SEASON.
THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT CAN REALLY VARY THAT SALES TAX.
AS WE POINTED OUT, YOUR PROPERTY TAX DOES NOT EVEN PAY FOR YOUR POLICE AND FIRE.
A THIRD OF YOUR SALES TAX IS PAYING FOR POLICE AND FIRE.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE HAVE ALL THESE THINGS BUILT IN HERE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF AND THAT'S WHY OUR RESERVES ARE SO IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S ALSO WHY WE HAVE TO BE VERY CONSERVATIVE IN WHAT WE DO WHEN WE ESTIMATE OUR REVENUES.
>> LET ME REITERATE FOR THE GROUP, THE ANSWER THAT I GAVE THE MAYOR THROUGH HIS EMAIL.
OUR NUMBERS FOR SALES TAX ARE PROVIDED ON A TOP-DOWN BASIS.
IN OTHER WORDS, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE GENERAL GROWTH OF GALVESTON'S ECONOMY AND SALES TAXABLE ITEMS. WE TEND NOT TO TAKE INDIVIDUAL THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED AND LOAD THEM IN ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE HISTORY OF THE SALES TAX AND I SHOWED YOU THAT GOES ON A VERY STEADY GROWTH PATTERN THAT INCLUDES ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
WE'LL PICK THAT UP AND MONITOR WHEN IT HAPPENS.
>> BUT WE DON'T WANT TO REITERATE.
WE HAVE A VERY HEALTHY FUND BALANCE NOW.
WE CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE ADVENTURESOME WITH OUR ESTIMATES BECAUSE IF WE END UP HAVING A RAINY 4TH OF JULY OR SOMETHING, WE'RE NOT IN HERE TELLING YOU WE GOT TO START LAYING PEOPLE OFF OR CUTTING SERVICES.
WE HAVE THAT BUILT-IN HERE TO LEVEL IT OUT.
THAT'S PART OF THE PURPOSE OF FUNDAMENTALS.
>> WE'RE STILL BEING CONSERVATIVE WITH OUR SALES TAX ESTIMATES.
>> I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT, BUT WE UPDATED THE COMPANY.
[OVERLAPPING] MIKE FEELS COMFORTABLE.
I'M JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE THAT IS SUCH A VOLATILE [OVERLAPPING] MONKEYPOX [LAUGHTER]
[LAUGHTER] MIKE JUST TO REITERATE SOMETHING BRIAN JUST SAID, IS INSTEAD OF BUDGETING TO SPEND FUND BALANCE, WE'RE IDENTIFYING A SPECIFIC REVENUE THAT WE THINK IT'S WORTH THE RISK OF USING A HIGHER ESTIMATE PERHAPS.
[01:05:02]
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH OUR SALES TAX.
>> WE HAVE A 90-DAY RESERVE REQUIREMENT.
>> YOU HAD MENTIONED WE'RE GOING UP TO 120 DAYS.
>> WHEN DO WE HIT A CEILING? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK WERE THERE AND WE'RE GOING TO MANAGE IT IN THIS RANGE NOW FROM GOING FORWARD.
>> HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVEN DAYS FOR THIS YEAR'S EXPENSE LEVEL AND 127 DAYS FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> THAT'S OUR BURN RATE AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT FOR FEMA PURPOSES.
>> BUT JUST KEEP IN MIND WE BLEW THROUGH ABOUT $70 MILLION OUT THERE BEFORE WE GOT ANYTHING.
>> WELL, WE HAD A LINE OF CREDIT AROUND IT'S TRUE, BUT WE STILL WILL BE SPENDING QUITE A BIT OF FUN BALANCE IF WE GET A BIG HIT BEFORE, IT'S FAMOUS GOOD.
BUT THEN IT'S FAST [LAUGHTER].
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'LL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE FUNDED UP FRONT BY FEMA AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING ANYMORE.
>> WE ALSO DIDN'T HAVE CREDIT LINES.
>> WE DID, BUT IT WAS SMALLER.
>> NOW THAT WE'VE HIT THE CEILING, NEXT YEAR WHEN WE DO TAXES, WHERE DOES THAT EXTRA MONEY GO TO?
>> WELL, YOU WON'T SEE IT TIED IN AS MUCH TO PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE WHEN YOU BEGAN TO DO THAT, YOU'RE USING FUND BALANCE AS A ONETIME REVENUE SHOULDERS.
>> NO. WE'RE FUNDING THIS EVERY YEAR, SO NEXT YEAR WE HAVE THESE FUNDS. WHERE DOES THAT GO?
>> WELL, ONCE THE MONEY GOES OUT OF FUND BALANCE IT'S GONE.
>> NO. BUT TO ANSWER MIKE'S QUESTION IS, IT'LL PROBABLY GO IN TO THE INCREASED OPERATING EXPENSES.
I MEAN, PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO WITH OUR REVENUE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT THAT WE'VE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THE OTHER DAY, AND THIS IS THAT THE END GOAL IS TO START REDUCING PROPERTY TAXES EVEN FURTHER.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.
BUT WHAT MIKE IS TELLING YOU IS, IS WE NEVER WANT TO TAKE FUND BALANCE AND JUST REDUCE THE TAX RATE BY THAT MUCH BECAUSE WE WANT TO MATCH UP RECURRING REVENUE WITH RECURRING EXPENSES.
HOWEVER, WHAT WE CAN START DOING IS OFFSETTING CAPITAL EXPENSE.
WE USING FUND BALANCE THAT WOULD NORMALLY ONETIME CAPITAL EXPENSES LIKE IF YOU GUYS DECIDE, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF CITY HALL.
THAT'S A ONETIME EXPENSE THAT YOU CAN USE IT FOR.
WE TRIED TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THAT FOR THE FUND BALANCE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TRY WITH GOOD REVENUE NUMBERS NOW AND GETTING A LITTLE AGGRESSIVE ON SALES TAX AND STUFF.
WE DON'T SEE THAT FUNDAMENTALS GROWING A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW.
>> WE MIGHT ACTUALLY FIXED THE STREETS SOMEDAY AND DISTRICTS.
[OVERLAPPING] WE HAVE SEPTIC AT THE BEACH HERE NOW.
>> LET ME SPEAK TO THIS SHEET HERE ON PROPERTY TAXES SO I CAN SHARE WITH YOU THE DISTRICT.
OUR TAXABLE VALUE IS 10.2 BILLION AND THAT'S UP 19 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR.
JUST LIKE LAST YEAR'S NUMBER WAS UP 19 PERCENT FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.
>> HOW MUCH OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH INCREASE AND HOW MUCH OF THAT HAD TO DO WITH DO WITH THE CONSTRUCTION. DO YOU KNOW?
>> NEW CONSTRUCTION IS SOMEWHERE DOWN THE PAGE HERE? NEW CONSTRUCTION IS A 174 MILLION THIS YEAR, WHICH IS $785 MILLION IN REVENUE.
>> I'M SORRY, 785,000. THANK YOU.
COUNCIL. THE NUMBER OF HOMESTEAD SHRUNK ONE PERCENT.
THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION THAT YOU VOTED FOR, THE MINIMUM HERE LAST MONTH IS BENEFITING 6,076 HOMESTEADERS.
IT REDUCED OUR TAXABLE VALUE FOR THAT ONE ELEMENT BY $142 MILLION.
THAT TRANSLATES INTO $644,000 IN TAXES, AND URBAN JOY $106 FOR EACH OF THOSE HOMESTEADERS.
THE THING THAT THOSE NUMBERS IS THAT THEY DON'T SEEM TO ADD UP.
>> HOMESTEAD SHRUNK, ONE PERCENT.
[01:10:03]
>> IS THAT BECAUSE OF NEW DEVELOPMENT OR BECAUSE OF SO MANY HOUSES TRANSFERABLE?
>> PROBABLY THOSE. YOU ADDED A LOT OF NEW ROOFTOPS.
SOME OF THOSE ARE GOING TO BE HOMESTEAD AND THE PROBLEM IS WE KNOW, MOST OF THOSE NEW ROOFTOPS ARE PROBABLY NOT HOMESTEADS.
>> AND A LOT OF THE EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY STOCK IS GETTING FLIPPED TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS AS WE SPEAK.
>> THAT'S A FRIGHTENING NUMBER TO ME.
>> IT'S NOT OFF SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
>> IS A TREMENDOUS MESS SECOND HOMES.
>> FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, SHE AND I WORKED ON THE TAX RATE CALCULATION THAT ARE CERTIFIED NUMBERS.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, IT'S AVAILABLE HERE.
>> OUR CURRENT TAX RATES, $49.85.
THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE PROVIDED TO US THIS YEAR IS 41.4675.
THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WHICH IS TO SAY THE RATE THAT IF YOU GO ABOVE THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE FILTER ON ELECTION IS $45.1386.
WE GOT TO BE RECOMMENDING A RATE, AND THAT'S WHAT'S IN THIS OTHER CALCULATION I'VE PROVIDED FOR YOU HERE THAT GOES IN THE BUDGET OF $0.45.
>> WE'RE COMING IN A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE NORMAL REVENUES.
>> HAS ANYBODY EVER DONE A CALCULATION ON WHAT THAT $0.45 WOULD BE.
WHAT IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE ON HOMESTEADS RESIDENTS?
>> LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
>> OKAY. INTERESTING YOU SHOULD ASK.
WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS WE'VE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE PRICE RANGE OF HOMES THAT LIKELY WILL NOT BENEFIT FOR THE MOST PART FROM THE MINIMUM EXEMPTION BEING RAISED TO 60,000.
THE TOP LINE SHOWS THE ASSESSED VALUES LAST YEAR AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND FOCUS ON THE $300,000 COLUMN.
THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION LAST YEAR FOR THAT GROUP WAS 20 PERCENT OF THE 300,000.
THAT WAS THE $60,000 REDUCTION.
TAXABLE VALUE NET OF THAT WAS 240,000.
LAST YEAR'S RATE OF 4,985 MEANT THAT THAT PERSON'S TAX BILL FROM THE CITY OF GALVESTON WAS $1,196.
NOW, IF YOU'RE IN A HOMESTEAD AND YOU'VE GOT A REALLY BIG INCREASE IN ASSESSED VALUE OR IN MARKET VALUE, THE CAP FOR HOMESTEADING PROPERTIES GUARANTEES YOU THAT YOU CAN'T BE TAXED FOR MORE THAN A 10 PERCENT INCREASE IN A SPECIFIC YEAR.
TAKING THE MAXIMUM INCREASE IN HOMESTEAD PROPERTY, IN THIS CASE, $30,000, BRINGS THE TAXABLE VALUE TO $330,000.
AGAIN, THE 20 PERCENT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS APPLIED, WHICH IS $66,000.
TAXABLE VALUE, NET OF THE 330 AND EXEMPT AMOUNT IS 264,000.
APPLYING THE PROPOSED RATE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, $0.45.
YOU END UP WITH A TAX BILL FOR THIS YEAR OF $1,188, WHICH IS $8 LESS THAN LAST YEAR.
>> BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE TO DO WITH THE TAX RATE AS MUCH AS IT HAS SUBDUED, THAT WE RAISE THAT EXEMPTION.
>> THOSE THAT FALL INTO THAT CASE, WE'LL HAVE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS.
>> WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT A LOT.
BUT THE CAP THE HOMESTEAD OWNERS HAVE REALLY IS A HIDDEN BENEFIT.
I MEAN, YOU CAN GET A REALLY BIG INCREASE IN MARKET VALUE FROM THE PRISON, BUT HE GETS PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.
OKAY. IT'S NOT FULLY PHASED IN, SO IN THIS YEAR, IN PARTICULAR, WITH THE SITUATION WE HAVE WITH THE LARGE GROWTH IN THE ROLE AND THE HOST $0.05 REDUCTION IN THEY CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT.
EXEMPTIONS TO THE OFFSET, THE TIP PERCENT INCREASE AND ASSESS.
>> THEY'LL ACTUALLY WITH OUR TAX RATE THIS YEAR, BEING REDUCED WITH THE CAPS PROVIDED TO THEM BY THE LEGISLATURE.
THEY WILL ACTUALLY PAY LESS TAX IF YOUR HOMESTEAD.
>> THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANY TAX GUYS.
>> THEY'RE PAYING LESS IN TAXES. THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
I DIDN'T SAY TAX CUT, THEY ARE PAYING LESS IN TAXES.
[01:15:03]
>> THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT IT, I SEE YOUR CALCULATIONS ON THE HOME OF 200,000, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THOSE PHONES OUT THERE.
>> REMEMBER CRAIG, THIS IS CAD VALUE NOT MARKED.
>> SO DON'T BE ALARMED BY TWO CAPS VALUE.
>> WHEN YOU SAY TAX CUT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
>> TAX RATE OR THE AMOUNT OF RATE?
>> WE CUT THE AMOUNT THEY PAID.
>> THE AMOUNT I PAY IS GOING DOWN $17 WOULD BE BUT I MEAN $70 IS WHAT.
>> NO. THIS IS POST APPRAISAL.
>> WE ARE NOT DOING THAT TAX CUT NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.
>> IF MY TAXES GO DOWN, WHAT DO YOU CALL?
>> HOMESTEAD OWNERS WILL NOT GET A TAX INCREASE THIS YEAR.
>> BUT ACTUALLY THEY WILL PAY LESS.
HOMESTEAD OWNERS, WHICH IS WHERE WE'VE BEEN DRIVING OUR FOCUS IS TO PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE.
>> THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED ARE RELATED TO THIS IS NOT CALCULATED.
>> THAT'S ADDITIONAL. I AM GOING TO THROW ANOTHER.
>> WHAT IS OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY THIS YEAR? WHAT DOES THAT ACCOUNT TO?
>> I'D SAID T READ ON IT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE NUMBER FOR FISCAL YEAR 22 IS GOING TO END UP BEING 4,530,000.
>> FOUR MILLION FIFTY THREE THOUSAND.
>> THAT'S THE CHARTER CALCULATION NOW.
I GUESS THAT BY THIS YEAR, I MEAN, THE YEAR THAT IS ENDING, I GUESS THAT THERE'S ABOUT 500,000 THAT ARE IN THE CITY.
THROUGH THE OTHER REVENUE LINE, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE CALCULATING THE FLOWCHART AMOUNT SO THAT WE CAN DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CHARTER.
>> THE CHARTER AMOUNT THIS YEAR, FISCAL '23, OR THIS NEXT YEAR THAT'S UP AND COMING WILL BE 4,891,000 AND 900,000.
AGAIN, BY THE TIME YOU RATCHET DOWN THEIR NET TOTAL SO THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE SAME INCREASE THE CITY DOES, YOU END UP WITH OVER OR ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS GOING INTO THE OTHER REVENUE CATEGORY THIS YEAR.
THAT IS DEFINITELY THE WAY WE'VE STRUCTURED IT.
>> BASICALLY, DAVID, THEY'RE GOING TO GET FIVE MILLION, THEY'RE GOING TO REBATE AS ONE.
>> WHICH IS CLOSE TO WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR?
>> YEAH. THE WAY I LOOK AT IT IS IT'S STILL ABOUT 607,000 DOLLARS MORE THAN WE SPEND TOTAL ON ALL PARKS AND MOWING AND EVERYTHING WE DO.
>> ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT IT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR GO UP THE SAME PERCENTAGE.
>> IT'S STILL A NICE BUMP FOR THE LIBRARY.
>> JUST A THROW-IN, IT WAS INTRIGUING IF YOU WATCHED SUNDAY MORNING, THE WHOLE THING ABOUT JUST HOW CITIES ARE IMPROVING THEIR LIBRARIES AND MAKING THEM A CENTRAL COMMUNITY SPOT, WHICH WAS INTRIGUING.
>> WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT WE WERE WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME ON THAT.
[LAUGHTER] OUR LIBRARY IS PROBABLY SECOND TO NONE IN THE STATE.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THE RACHEL ONE. I THINK THAT WAS IN THE AUSTIN THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT.
>> OUR TOWN OF 50,000, OURS IS PRETTY [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY'RE BECOMING MORE COMMUNITY-MINDED OVER THERE WITH HOTSPOTS AND THINGS THAT WE SEE A LOT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY ARE BECOMING A LOT MORE ELECTRONIC-ORIENTED THAN THE COMPUTER CENTERS WHERE A MATTER OF FACT, THEY'RE MOVING [INAUDIBLE] [OVERLAPPING] DOWNSTAIRS BECAUSE OF [INAUDIBLE]
>> THEY HAVE MORE MEETING SPACE FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND EVERYTHING NOW.
WAIT TILL THEY GET THEIR AUDITORIUM AND STUFF IN.
>> THEY ARE MAINTAINING ONE OF OUR GREAT BUILDINGS.
>> ONE OF OUR GREAT BUILDINGS.
>> NEVER MIND THE PORTION OF IT THAT'S UNDER LLC LEVEL 1 [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER].
>> SOMEBODY THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA AT SOME POINT.
>> TEN YEARS AFTER HURRICANE CARLA, THEY THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA, BUT NO, THE OLD BUILDING THEY'RE MAINTAINING VERY WELL.
>> YEAH. JUST FULL DISCLOSURE HERE, WHEN THE BUDGET COMES TOGETHER, WE PUT LANGUAGE IN THE FRONT OF THE BUDGET THAT INDICATES HOW MUCH THIS YEAR'S BUDGET INCREASES TAXES OVER LAST YEAR.
WE INTERPRET THAT AS THIS YEAR'S PROJECTED COLLECTION AMOUNT VERSUS LAST YEAR'S ESTIMATED AMOUNT.
THAT IS ABOUT NINE PERCENT GIVEN THESE NUMBERS.
THAT INCLUDES THE THREE-AND-A-HALF PERCENT BASE INCREASE, THAT INCLUDES THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WHICH IS PROBABLY 1.2,
[01:20:01]
1.3 PERCENT, MAYBE A BIT MORE.BUT IT ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE DIFFERENCE IN COLLECTION RATES BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR.
IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT TAX REFUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.
I'LL HAVE A FULL RECONCILIATION FOR YOU IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET LIKE I DID LAST YEAR.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT, BUT WE HAD TO GIVE SO MUCH MONEY BACK LAST YEAR THAT IT MAKES THAT NUMBER.
BUT IF YOU LOOK BACK HISTORICALLY ON THE CHART, WE'RE RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHERE WE'VE BEEN BECAUSE OF THOSE.
LIKE I SAID, CERTIFIED AIN'T CERTIFIED ANYMORE LIKE IT USED TO BE.
THERE'S A LOT OF VARIABILITY IN OUR PROPERTY TAX.
>> WELL, THEN LET ME ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
THE CERTIFIED TAX ROLL IS THE ONE WE'RE GETTING OR THE ONE WE'RE WAITING?
>> THEN WE GOT IT. THIS IS CERTIFIED.
>> THAT'S THE ONE THE 3.5 PERCENT CAP IS CALCULATED AGAIN? [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S WHY THERE'S A DISPARITY.
YOU CALCULATE THE CAP ON THIS BIGGER NUMBER, BUT BY THE END OF THE YEAR, IT'S SMALLER NUMBERS, SO IT LOOKS LIKE A BIGGER GAP.
>> THERE'S A TREND THAT'S BEEN UNDERWAY FOR SOME YEARS NOW, THEY'RE REALLY VERY RESISTANT.
IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, THE NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS OVER 65 HAS GROWN EXPONENTIALLY AND THE TAX FREEZE INDIVIDUALLY FREEZES THEIR TAXES, BUT AS A GROUP, THEY ARE PULLED OUT OF THE TAX COLLECTION CALCULATION.
SO AS THEY GROW FROM YEAR TO YEAR, THAT'S AN INCREASE FOR US [INAUDIBLE].
>> IT'S ALL FAR TO HAVE A STATE.
WE USE THE STATE. CHERYL DOES IT FOR US.
TO CALCULATE OUR TAXES, THE FORMULA IS NINE PAGES LONG.
>> MIKE, HAD SHARED SOME OF THAT.
>> THAT'S HOW COMPLEX WE'VE MADE OUR TAXES TO BE IN TEXAS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> [INAUDIBLE] FROZEN STILL PROTEST THEIR TAXES.
>> WELL, THERE'S STILL SOME PROTESTS AND THE CERTIFIED ROLE INCLUDES A CERTAIN ESTIMATE FROM THE CAD FOR WHAT'S LED TO BE PROTESTED, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE POTENTIAL LITIGATION BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE IF YOU DON'T LIKE YOUR PROTEST, YOU TAKE IT TO THE NEXT STEP.
THAT'S WHERE LAST YEAR WE LOST, LIKE MIKE SAID, OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS.
>> BUT THAT ONLY CALCULATES TO, AND I SAY ONLY BUT IT'S ONE PERCENT OR LESS.
>> YEAH, BUT IT DOES SKEW THOSE PERCENTAGE VARIABILITIES IN THE END, THAT'S WHAT MIKE HAS POINTED OUT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU CAN SHARE ONE OF THOSE KINDS OF ADJUSTMENTS AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET FROM THREE-AND-A-HALF TO NINE?
>> YEAH. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE NINE PERCENT MORE CASH, BUT BECAUSE YOU BACK OUT OF ALL THAT LAST YEAR, YOU SEE IT THAT MUCH.
IT'S A VARIABILITY DIFFERENCE, IT'S NOT A CASH DIFFERENCE.
>> IS THE MAJORITY OF THOSE COMMERCIAL NOT RESIDENTIAL, THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY GO TO TRIAL?
I THINK THERE WERE A LOT THAT WERE RESIDENTIAL.
>> THANK YOU. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. [INAUDIBLE]? MIKE, I WANT TO TELL YOU WE GET SUCH GREAT ANALYSIS AND INPUT FROM YOU, THANK YOU.
>> ALSO CHERYL JOHNSON ALWAYS COMMENTS THAT YOU'RE ONE OF HER FAVORITE PEOPLE TO TALK WITH.
SHE DOES. SHE ALWAYS COMPLEMENTS YOU SO HIGHLY.
>> SHE TAKES US FIRST, BY THE WAY.
MIKE WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERY YEAR BECAUSE SHE HAS TO DO THAT NON-PAGE CALCULATION FOR EVERY TAXING ENTITY IN THE COUNTY, WHICH IS A LOT.
IT'S NOT JUST THE CITIES, IT'S A LOT.
SHE ALWAYS WORKS WITH MIKE FIRST FOR TWO REASONS, ONE, SHE REALLY LIKES MIKE AS EVERYBODY DOES, BUT SECOND THING IS IS THAT WE ARE THE GUINEA PIGS ON IT.
[LAUGHTER] WE PROBABLY HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE ISSUES OF ANY OTHER CITY IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF A THOUSAND DIFFERENT VARIABLES THAT WE HAVE.
>> I THINK PART OF THAT REPORT THAT MIKE ESTABLISHES IS NOT ONLY HIS FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE, BUT IT'S ALSO HIS APPROACH AND HIS PERSONALITY. THANK YOU, MIKE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THERE ARE OTHER CITIES THAT USE THE SAME MODELING SYSTEM NOW THAT WE USE, HOUSTON BEING ONE OF THEM. MIKE DEVELOPED THAT.
THEY'RE GETTING USED BY THE CITY SO WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STUFF, MIKE SCOTT HAS CAUGHT ON THE CUTTING EDGE HERE.
WHAT'S OUR VARIABILITY ON YOUR MODEL? IT'S USUALLY ABOUT HALF PERCENT OR LESS, ISN'T IT?
>> WHEN THE YEAR ENDS, WE'RE USUALLY WITHIN A PERCENT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANKS, MIKE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> ALSO, I'D BE [INAUDIBLE] AGAIN, AND I'M GOING TO SAY THIS EVERY MEETING UNTIL WE ADOPT, DEBBIE IS NOT IN HERE, BUT MIKE TAKES A LOT OF CREDIT HERE AT THE TABLE BUT DEBBIE PEARCE, SHE IS THE BEST BECAUSE DEBBIE CAN REMEMBER WHY SOMETHING WAS DONE THIS WAY AND HOW WE'VE DONE IT AND SHE KNOWS RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF HER HEAD WHERE EVERYTHING IS.
SHE'S THE BEST, ISN'T SHE MIKE?
>> I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT HER.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S DO THE 3C, PLEASE, JANELLE.
[3C. Update Of The Multi-Disciplinary Response Team Program (Chief Balli - 15 Min)]
>> THREE C. UPDATE OF THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM.
[01:25:01]
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, CHIEF.
APPRECIATE IT. CHIEF VALLE IS WITH US, OUR CHIEF OF POLICE.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN A FAVORITE TOPIC AS THE CHIEF KNOWS AND BRIAN KNOWS OF MINE AND OF STAFF AND CHIEF VALLE HAS BROUGHT THIS TO FRUITION.
>> THAT'S A LOT OF PLANS. [LAUGHTER]
>> [INAUDIBLE] I'M TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH MR. [INAUDIBLE]
>> FEEL REALLY WELL [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> I HAVE SOME NOTES AND I'LL GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW AND THEN EXPLAIN THE ROLES OF THOSE IN THE MDR TEAM, AND THEN WE'LL BRIEF YOU ON WHERE WE'RE AT AND SOME CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING AND WE'RE GOING TO OVERCOME AND WHILE I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE TOPIC.
I'M NOT A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT, SO I'LL DO A LITTLE READING FOR YOU.
A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM IS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH.
IT ASSESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ADDRESSES THEM THROUGH OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, HOSPITALS, PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES, HOUSING RESOURCES, FAMILY RESOURCES, FOLLOW-UP, OUTREACH, ONGOING CARE, TRANSPORTATION, VICTIM SERVICES, ETC.
IT'S VERY MUCH OUTSIDE OF WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING AND IT TAKES IT TO A VERY HOLISTIC LEVEL WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS IT SO THAT WE REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND GET THESE FOLKS THAT ARE SUFFERING WHOLE AGAIN.
AN MDR T CONSISTS OF A PARAMEDIC, A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, AND ESPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE OFFICER.
THIS INTEGRATED TEAM RESPONSIVE MENTAL HEALTH CALLS PLAYS THROUGH NUMBER ONE, THE TEAM IS SKILLED IN DE-ESCALATING A CRISIS WHILE ASSURING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CAN ASSESS BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTAL NEEDS ON THE SCENE.
THE TEAM IS ALSO LINKED TO COMMUNITY TREATMENT RESOURCES, INCLUDING SAME-DAY PRESCRIBER ACCESS.
THE PERSON DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO JAIL OR THE HOSPITAL.
THAT'S ULTIMATELY THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THE HOSPITAL BEDS OPEN AND KEEP THE JAIL FREE FROM THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
[NOISE] WE'RE TRYING TO TRANSFORM THE RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES THROUGH THE 911 SYSTEM FOR ONE THAT RELIES PRETTY MUCH HERE WHOLEHEARTEDLY ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ONE THAT CAN ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND BROADER HEALTH AND SOCIAL BROADER HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND BROADER HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL NEEDS WHILE ASSURING PUBLIC SAFETY.
BY HOLISTICALLY ADDRESSING AN INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS, THE DEPARTMENT CREATES TRUST AND LEGITIMACY AND COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS AND ENSURES ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.
THAT'S REALLY THE GOAL HERE IS TO INCREASE THE TRUST AND LEGITIMACY BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THOSE THAT WERE SERVING.
THE ROLES OF THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM.
[NOISE] THE PARAMEDIC PERFORMS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, PROVIDES ON-SCENE MEDICAL CARE, REFERS INDIVIDUALS RESOURCES TO PREVENT HOSPITAL ADMISSION OR RECIDIVISM AND LINKS INDIVIDUALS TO OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FACILITIES.
THIS ROLE, RIGHT NOW WE'RE WORKING TOWARD THIS ROLE BEING FILLED BY CITY GALVESTON AND FIRE PERSONNEL.
THE SECOND ROLE, BEING A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN, THEY WILL BE PERFORMING AN ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.
THEY MAKE MENTAL HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.
THEY FACILITATE SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS HELP ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, LACK OF FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, ETC.
VERY HOLISTIC SOCIAL SERVICES APPROACH.
THIS ROLE WILL BE FILLED BY PERSONNEL FROM THE GULF COAST CENTER.
>> CAN I MENTION SOMETHING HERE? I MENTIONED THIS TO BRIAN AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT FAMILY SERVICE CENTER IS 100 PERCENT MENTAL HEALTH AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU AS WELL BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY DOING THAT.
IF I CAN MAYBE SET UP THAT MAYBE BETWEEN YOU AND I AND CYNTHIA SMITH.
THEY HAVE BEEN WANTING TO HELP YOU WITH THIS.
WE COULD DO THAT. I THINK THEY COULD ALSO.
THAT'S 100 PERCENT OF WHAT THEY DO.
[01:30:02]
THEY ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE PLAY.>> FANTASTIC. GOOD PARTNER. THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] THE OTHER ROLE IS, OF COURSE, A POLICE OFFICER AND THEIR MAIN JOB IS TO ASSESS THE SAFETY OF THE SAME, MAINTAIN SAFETY AT ALL SCENES, AND THEN ORDER PSYCHIATRIC DETENTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN DO THAT BY LAW.
THIS ROLE WILL BE FILLED, OF COURSE, BY CITY GALVESTON PERSONNEL FROM THE PD.
THEN THE FOURTH ASPECT TO THIS IS THE COMMUNICATION CENTER.
NOW ONE COMMUNICATION OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND THE HANDLING OF CALLS INVOLVING THOSE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THERE WILL BE A FOURTH OPTION ADDED TO THE 911 CENTER.
IN RESPONSE TO A 911 CALL, IT MAY TYPICALLY INVOLVE AN EMERGENCY.
THE INDIVIDUAL CALLING MAY HEAR THAT 911 DISPATCHER ASK THE NATURE OF THE CALL, POLICE, FIRE, OR EMS. ONCE IMPLEMENTED, INDIVIDUALS WILL HEAR FOURTH OPTION, AND THAT'S FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CALLS WILL BE ROUTED TO A TELEHEALTH CLINICIAN IMMEDIATELY.
THE CLINICIAN WILL PERFORM A CLINICAL SCREENING ENTRY TO DETERMINE IF THE CALL CAN BE HANDLED OVER THE PHONE OR IF IT NEEDS TO BE ROUTED BACK TO THE DISPATCH CENTER FOR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE BY THE BRT TEAM OR OTHER POLICE OFFICERS.
WHERE WE'RE AT, WE MEET WEEKLY WITH MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE PERSONNEL, GULF COAST CENTER, GPD, AND GFD.
THEN THERE ARE ALSO ADDITIONAL MEETINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY BREAKOUT MEETINGS FOR THE DISPATCH CENTER FOR OPERATIONS FOR JUST GULF COAST, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE THIS IS HOW WE IDENTIFY THESE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE UP AGAINST.
THE GULF COAST CENTER, THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING CLINICIANS TO STAFF THE MDR TEAM.
GALVESTON FIRE IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO DETERMINE HOW TO FILL SPOTS ON THE TEAM WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT.
THE NON-TRADITIONAL WORKING HOURS OF FIRE PERSONNEL CREATE CHALLENGES TO STAFFING A TEAM THAT MAYBE WORKING 8,10 OR 12-HOUR SHIFTS BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THEY WORK 48-HOUR SHIFTS AND SO WORKING WITH THEM AND BRIAN ON THAT TO DETERMINE HOW WE MAKE THIS FIT FOR A MORE OF A WHOLE CITY APPROACH.
THE PD IS IDENTIFYING PERSONNEL INTERESTED IN THE PROGRAM.
WE ANTICIPATE HAVING FOUR STAFF MEMBERS TRAINED TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM.
VEHICLE PURCHASE. THE MDR TEAM WILL REQUIRE A FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT THE TEAM AND POSSIBLY INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
WE'RE WORKING TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER-
>> PROBABLY THE HARDEST PART OF THIS WHOLE THING IS GOING TO BEGIN WITH THIS VEHICLE. [LAUGHTER]
>> FOR THIS SITUATION WE KNOW BASED ON OUR HARDSHIPS TRYING TO GET A TAHOE OR THE TRUCK OR ANY OTHER POLICE VEHICLE.
THE FORD TRANSIT CONNECT PASSENGER WAGON ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD OPTION AND VIABLE OPTION FOR US AND WILL MEET THE NEEDS.
WE BELIEVE IT WILL MEET THE NEEDS OF THE TEAM.
THE GOAL IS TO KEEP THAT PURCHASE AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR IT UNDER $50,000.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE A POLICE PACKAGE VEHICLE.
IT'S NOT MEANT TO HANDLE OPERATED PRE-DRIVEN AS SUCH.
WE'RE TRANSPORTING AT LEAST ONE CIVILIAN CLINICIAN.
I DON'T THINK RUNNING EMERGENCY TRAFFIC AND RUNNING CODE THREE IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DO IN THIS VEHICLE.
IF SOMETHING COMES IN AND IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INVOLVING VIOLENCE SITUATION, WE'RE GOING TO RESPOND WITH PATROL UNTIL THIS VEHICLE GETS THERE.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE EMERGENCY TRAFFIC VEHICLE. OFFICE SPACE.
HOUSING IN THE MDR TEAM IS SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FAIRLY EXTENSIVELY. THE JUSTICE CENTER.
WE WILL MAKE SPACE AVAILABLE AT THE JUSTICE CENTER IF NEEDED.
HOWEVER, WE'RE CONSIDERING HOUSING THE TEAM AT THE GULF COAST CENTER LOCATION IN GALVESTON.
THEY MAY BE MOVING TO THE ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER FOR 700 BROADWAY.
WE BELIEVE THIS COULD BE AN ADVANTAGEOUS LOCATION BECAUSE IT MOVES SERVICES AWAY FROM THE PD.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL A LITTLE MORE COMFORTABLE.
YOU CAN BE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR A HOST OF THINGS AND HERE, VISITING WITH MDR T STAFF.
SO THERE'S LESS OF A STIGMA THAN GOING TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I THINK IT'S A PRETTY GOOD OPTION.
[01:35:01]
THIS IS A BIG ONE FOR US.OTHER CITIES WHO OPERATE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM HAVE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN TOWN.
WE DO NOT THINK THE AUSTIN UTILIZES SIX DIFFERENT ONES THAT ARE THERE LOCALLY.
>> I BELIEVE SO. [LAUGHTER] WE HAVE TO GO TO ST. JOSEPH'S HOUSTON.
OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE HERE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DO THAT WITHOUT TAKING THE TEAM OFF THE STREET FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
IT COULD BE 6, 8,10 HOURS TO TRAVEL UP, STAND BY AND THEN TRY TO GET BACK AND GET IN SERVICE.
CURRENTLY SITTING DOWN WITH FRED SWEENEY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO DETERMINE BECAUSE THEY'RE ALREADY DOING THESE THINGS.
IF THEY COULD HELP US, IF WE'RE TAKING SOME OF THEIR WORKLOAD OFF, PERHAPS THEY WILL ASSIST US AND WE THINK THAT THEY WILL.
IS JUST HOW MUCH WILL IS A SUCCESS.
WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES AND I THINK WE'LL GET THERE.
THEN IDENTIFYING STAFFING HOURS IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON.
MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE HAS A HOST OF COLD DATA REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH CALLS FOR THE CITY OF.
WE KNOW THAT WE'VE GIVEN THEM ABOUT 14,000 CALLS TO LOOK AT AND A LOT OF THOSE ARE WELFARE CONCERNS.
WE'RE TRYING TO COMB THROUGH THAT TO DETERMINE WHAT ACTUALLY IS MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED AND WHAT IS NOT.
BUT WE KNOW IT'S QUITE A BIT AND WE KNOW THAT GALVESTON COUNTY MHMR RESPONDED TO, I BELIEVE, 720 CALLS FOR SERVICE IN THE LAST CALENDAR YEAR.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT GULF COAST CENTER ALREADY SERVICES OVER 1,400 PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND.
LOOKING TO DETERMINE HOW MANY OF THOSE 14,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE, WHAT WE ACTUALLY TAKE OFF OF PATROL BY IMPLEMENTING THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM.
THEN THAT'LL DETERMINE ON WHAT HOURS WERE NEEDED.
AS I ENVISION IT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY HAVE TWO TEAMS OF THREE THAT WILL OPERATE 10-HOUR SHIFTS DEPENDENT UPON WHAT THE DATA SUGGESTS, THAT WOULD BE THE 10 BUSIEST HOURS OF THE DAY.
YOU HAVE TWO TEAMS THAT WOULD DO THAT.
THEN EVERY OTHER WEEK, ONE TEAM WOULD HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE DAY TO CATCH UP ON PAPERWORK OR TO DO TRAINING OR PERFORM TRAINING OR PERFORM SOME TYPE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE TRAINING AS FAR AS THESE ARE THE SIGNS TO LOOK FOR.
THIS IS HOW TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THAT HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, ETC.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE'RE AT.
I CAN ANSWER MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM AND WOULD LOVE TO OPEN UP THE FLOOR.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU, CHIEF.
AS I MENTIONED, THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
WHAT GOT ME INTERESTED IN THIS IS BASICALLY COUPLE OF THREE YEARS AGO, THE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS PLAY SUCH A ROLE AS WE KNOW IN MANY OF THESE CALLS TO 911 AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
I TALKED WITH OUR PAST CHIEF VERNON HALE ABOUT THIS AND ASKING HOW MANY CALLS HAVE COME IN IN 911 DISPATCHER OR HOW ARE THEY BROKEN DOWN? WE FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CALLS WERE SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH TYPE ISSUED CALLS COMING INTO OUR DISPATCHER.
AS STEVE VAREY AS MENTIONED, WE'VE GONE FOR SO MANY YEARS THAT YOUR RESPONSE FROM A 911 IS FIRE, EMS, OR POLICE.
IN THIS FOURTH OPPORTUNITY NOW FOR ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH, I THINK I'M VERY PROUD OF GALVESTON TAKING THIS ON.
BRIAN HAD MOVED THIS BALL FORWARD.
A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THIS.
OUR TIMELINE CHIEF, HOW DO YOU SEE THIS TIMELINE SHAPING OUT MOVING FORWARD ON THIS?
>> MEADOWS HAD A GOAL OF OCTOBER 1 BEING FULLY OPERATIONAL.
I THINK WE WOULD BE RUSHING A LITTLE BIT.
I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN BE AT THE FOURTH OPTION BY THEN FOR THE DISPATCH CENTER.
BUT FOR THE PD, I'M NOT SURE THAT WE CAN MEET THAT GOAL.
WE HAVE VACANCIES THAT WE'RE FILLING.
WE HAVE 15 TRAINEES IN THE BASIC POLICE ACADEMY RIGHT NOW.
[01:40:03]
THEY'LL BE OUT NEXT JULY, I THINK JANUARY 1 IS PROBABLY MORE REASONABLE TO BE LIVE AND ON THE STREET AND ROLLING.NOW WE CAN START IN THE DISPATCH CENTER AND START TRIAGING SOME OF THESE CALLS AND START SEEING HOW MUCH THAT TELEHEALTH FOURTH OPTION IS ACTUALLY GOING TO RELIEVE US OF CALLS FOR SERVICE ON THE STREET BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS YOUR PEOPLE CALL IN BECAUSE THEY JUST FEEL HELPLESS AND THEY NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO AND REPLACING THE POLICE OFFICER THAT WOULD RESPOND TO THAT CALL WITH THAT TELEHEALTH CLINICIAN COULD VERY WELL GET US TO A PLACE WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO KEEP MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET HANDLING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AS OPPOSED TO MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES.
>> SERVICES MAY VERY WELL BE ABLE TO HELP, AGAIN, THAT'S 100 PERCENT WHAT THEY [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES, MA'AM. I THINK THAT WE CAN STAY ON OUR TIMELINE AND BE LIVE BY OCTOBER 1 WITH THAT ASPECT.
THEN JANUARY 1ST WITH THE FULL TEAM.
>> OKAY. GREAT. THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR.
BRIAN, FROM THE FUNDING STANDPOINT, HOW IS THIS INTERPLAYING NOW WITH THE MEADOWS FOUNDATION?
>> MOST OF OUR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS IS GONG TO BE IN-KIND.
IT'S PROVIDING THE OFFICERS, WE'LL BUY THE EQUIPMENT MORE THAN LIKELY.
BUT MOST OF THE FUNDING IS COMING THROUGH THE PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS.
>> I'M JUST CONCERNED A LITTLE BIT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PATH FORWARD FOR CONTINUAL FUNDING OF THIS.
>> WELL, THE BIGGEST THING, CONTINUAL FUNDING IS ALWAYS A CONCERN BUT LET'S SEE OUR SUCCESS RATE.
>> I HOPE OUR PROBLEM IS, IS THAT THAT WE FIND OUT THAT IT'S WORKING AND WE CAN ADD TO IT RATHER THAN DOING AWAY WITH IT.
BUT LET'S GET SOME DATA AND SEE HOW WE'RE DOING WITH IT.
>> THE DECIDING FACTOR WHERE THE CALL GOES IS GOING TO REST ON DISPATCH SHOULDERS?
>> IF IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CALL, IT WILL GO TO THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESPONSE TEAM AND THEY ARE RECEIVING TRAINING THROUGH THE GULF COAST CENTER ON HOW TO HANDLE THOSE CALLS.
>> WHAT COULD THAT BE? IT COULD BE AN ARMED PERSON WITH A MENTAL HEALTH.
>> IT COULD VERY WELL BE THAT.
IT COULD BE SOMEONE [OVERLAPPING] WHO'S SUICIDAL.
IT COULD BE A CALL THAT COMES IN THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THEN CHURNS INTO THAT ONCE PATROL RESPONSE AND SEES THAT.
A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S THE CASE BECAUSE IT'LL COME IN AS A CRIMINAL TRESPASS OR IT'LL COME IN AS SOMEONE, IT'S A WELFARE CHECK OF SOMEONE THAT IS SLEEPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET OR SOMETHING.
IT'S HARD TO SAY PATROLS GOING TO GO NO MATTER WHAT.
THEN THEY'LL GET THERE AND IF THERE'S A MENTAL HEALTH NEXUS TO IT, THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET THE MDR.
>> WE COULD SHAKE THEM LOOSE QUICK AND GET THEM BACK ON THE STREET.
>> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME, CHIEF?
I REMEMBER LAST YEAR YOU COMING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED REGARDING FOR WHEN YOU CAN IMPLEMENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND WE DISCUSSED IT.
I'M GOING TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION, HAS UTMB AT ALL DECIDED TO DO ANYTHING IN THE MENTAL HEALTH CAPACITY FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I HEARD YOU SAY HAVING TO GO UP TO SAINT JOSEPH.
>> THEY'RE GOING TO DO MAINLY OUTPATIENT DAY SERVICES.
THEY ARE EXPANDING AND THEY'RE GETTING IT OPEN.
WE MAY HAVE SOME INTERPLAY WITH THEM.
BUT AS FAR AS COMPLETE COMMITMENT, IT'S STILL GOING TO GO TO HOUSTON FOR NOW.
>> BUT POSSIBLY THEY COULD HAVE SOME MEDS.
>> THEY COULD, BUT THEIR PRIMARY FOCUS INITIAL IS GOING TO BE OUTPATIENT DAY STEP.
>> THEY ARE NOT AGAINST EXPANDING THEIR INVOLVEMENT.
I'VE TALKED WITH THEM I KNOW ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH, BRIAN HAS BOTH DOUGLASS HAD TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT.
THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY, I THINK, FOR UTMB BE TO BECOME MORE A PARTNER ON THIS.
>> BUT BEING THE TOURIST DESTINATION WE ARE, WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE, WE ARE THE END OF THE ROAD WE GET A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME HERE, EVERYONE HIT THE WALL THE OTHER DAY.
WE CAN HAND OFF A LOT OF THAT.
I THINK WE CAN DO SOME REAL GOOD.
>> ON THE CALL RESPONSE, DO YOU HAVE A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE A COLLEAGUE COMES IN THAT COULD BE DEFERRED TO A COUNSELOR THAT WOULD
[01:45:01]
TAKE AWAY SO THAT THE OFFICERS WOULDN'T HAVE TO RESPOND TO THAT? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT WOULD BE?>> IT'S HARD TO SAY FROM OUR STANDPOINT.
BUT WHAT I CAN DO IS GIVE YOU PROVEN STATISTICS FROM THE RIGHT CARE TEAM THAT DALLAS INITIATED, WHICH IS THE PILOT PROGRAM FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING.
DALLAS IS RIGHT CARE TEAM RESPONDED TO IN A CALENDAR YEAR, 6,679 CALLS FOR SERVICE REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES, 40 PERCENT OF THOSE CALLS RESULTED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUCH AS REFERRAL TO TREATMENT CENTERS OR TREATMENT PROVIDED ON THE SCENE.
NEARLY HALF AND THAT KEPT THEM OUT OF JAIL, OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, 29 PERCENT OF THE CALLS FOR SERVICE WERE RESOLVED ON THE SCENE WITH NO SERVICES NEEDED.
THEY JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO TALK TO.
THEY ASK HIM QUESTIONS, BUT THEY REALLY WEREN'T IN NEED OF ANY REAL SERVICE.
EIGHT PERCENT RESULTED IN INVOLUNTARY INPATIENT DETENTION, BASICALLY A DETENTION ORDER FROM THE POLICE OFFICER.
EIGHT PERCENT IS A PRETTY ADVANTAGEOUS NUMBER.
THE EIGHT PERCENT WAS A POLICE OFFICER OUTSIDE OF THE RIGHT CARE TEAM, SO A NON-DRT OFFICER, AND THEN ONLY SIX PERCENT WAS FROM WITHIN THE MDR TEAM.
EIGHT PERCENT WERE TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL OR A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY VOLUNTARILY, AND ONLY TWO PERCENT WERE ARRESTED.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THE NUMBERS GO DOWN AND IF WE'RE RESERVING OUR BEDS AT THE COUNTY JAIL FOR CRIME.
>> THEN WE'VE GOT 21 BEDS OUT THERE.
>> THAT'S GREAT. THE NUMBERS ARE THERE.
DALLAS WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL IN IT.
OF COURSE, DALLAS HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES, A LOT MORE OFFICERS THAN WE HAVE, BUT I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAN WORK HERE.
I REALLY DO. I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE BEYOND THE NEED OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WE LOOK AT THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY ALONE DEPENDENT UPON WHAT STUDIES YOU'RE LOOKING AT AND LOOKING ANYWHERE FROM 25-40 PERCENT SUFFER FROM SOME TYPE OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN OUR ALMOST POPULATION.
>> THEN WE SPEND A LOT OF POLICE TIME ON THAT.
>> THAT'S NOT ONLY THE CALLS, BUT ALSO THE TIME THEY SPEND WITH THEM, IT'S VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. VERY VALUED [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB AT THIS.
[OVERLAPPING] SHE'S PICKED IT UP AND RUN WITH IT.
I COULDN'T BE ANY MORE PROUDER.
>> COUNCIL, WE'VE HAD A REQUEST.
LET'S TAKE JUST A SHORT BREAK.
LET'S TAKE ABOUT A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK.
LET'S COME BACK IN FIVE MINUTES.
WE'LL START ABOUT THAT [NOISE]
COUNCIL IS BACK IN SESSION [BACKGROUND] AFTER A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK AND WE'RE NOW ON OUR WORKSHOP ITEM 3D AS INDENTED. PLEASE, JANELLE.
[3D. Discussion Of Policy For Lease Of Public Land To Non Profit Organizations (Brown - 20 Min)]
>> THREE-D, DISCUSSION OF POLICY FOR LEASE OF PUBLIC LANDS ON NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
>> COUNCIL, AS WE KNOW, IN OUR LAST MEETING, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT WE DO NOT HAVE A POLICY CURRENTLY INVOLVING THE LEASE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR NON-PROFITS.
WE HAD RECOMMENDED AND DIRECTED STAFF TO COME BACK AND WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON THIS.
OUR DEPUTY CITY MANAGERS FOLLOWED UP ON THAT.
IF YOU COULD GO OVER THIS, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. BASED ON THE DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL AND BRIAN GOT WITH ME IN RECESS, THAT WE LET THE STAFF LOOK AT THE USES OF CITY PROPERTY, THE AVAILABILITY OF CITY PROPERTY, WHAT WE HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC AND WHAT WE DON'T HAVE FOR THE PUBLIC.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, I KNOW YOU'VE ASKED US TO COME UP WITH A POLICY RECOMMENDATION.
OUR POLICY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE DON'T DEVELOP A POLICY FOR IT.
WE ALREADY HAVE PUBLIC MEETING SPACES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
WE HAVE PROCESSES FOR THE USE OF THOSE.
WE HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS, WE HAVE MEETING ROOMS, AND WE HAVE PARKS.
WHAT WE ENDED UP TALKING ABOUT OR THE DRIVING FORCE OF OUR DISCUSSION WAS UNINTENDED USES OF CITY PROPERTIES.
WE HAVE PARKING LOTS, AND PARKING LOTS ARE BUILT TO PARK CARS.
AN ORGANIZATION MAY WANT TO USE THE PARKING LOT FOR ANOTHER REASON.
IT GETS COMPLICATED WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT, IS THE CITY GOING TO HAND SELECT WHO CAN USE IT, IS THE CITY IS GOING TO THEN EXAMINE THE CONTENT OF WHAT THEY DO,
[01:50:01]
IS THE CITY THEN GOING TO MONITOR WHAT THEY DO ON THE LOTS? THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, OUR PARKING LOTS OUGHT TO BE USED FOR PARKING LOT, SO THEY'RE PUBLIC SPACE.WHEN WE'RE NOT USING THEM, THEY'RE OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC.
THE ONE WE BUILT ON MARKET STREET, THE INTENTION WAS WE USE IT DURING THE DAY AND IN THE EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS, IT'S THERE FOR MARKET STREET PARKING.
MARKET STREET HAS GROWN, AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH STREET PARKING THERE.
IT'S A GREAT THING FOR US TO HAVE THAT PARKING LOT.
CITY HALL, WE USE IT DURING THE WEEK.
IT HOUSE THE CARS OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES.
BUT ON WEEKENDS, IT DOESN'T GET USED AT ALL.
WE'VE BEEN CONTACTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN EVENT AT THE MOODY MANSION OR THE PARK OVER THERE, AND IT'S OPEN FOR PUBLIC PARKING.
WE BELIEVE THE BEST THING TO DO IS DIRECT PEOPLE THAT WANT TO USE CITY ASSETS TO THOSE THAT WE ESTABLISHED AND BUILT FOR THAT USE, OUR PARKS, OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND RUN EVERYTHING THROUGH OUR SPECIAL EVENTS OFFICE AND USE THE VENUES THAT WE HAVE THAT WERE SPECIFIED SPECIFICALLY FOR THOSE USES.
>> THANK YOU. DAN SENT OUT A WRITTEN COPY, OF COURSE, TO COUNCIL, I THINK YESTERDAY CONCERNING HIS RECOMMENDATIONS. MARIE.
>> I HAVE TO SAY I THINK THE DOCUMENT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, BUT I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION WITH THE THING THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.
LET'S SAY MOODY MANSION WANTS TO HAVE A [INAUDIBLE] AND THEY WANT TO USE THAT LOT FOR VALET PARKING, NO?
>> NO. IT'S OPEN FOR PUBLIC PARKING.
FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE. YOU HAVE THE STREETS, YOU CAN USE THE CITY HALL ON.
>> IT MAKES SENSE 100 PERCENT I UNDERSTAND.
>> IT'S USED QUITE A BIT DURING MARDI GRAS, I HAVE BEEN HERE MYSELF. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, FOR CERTAIN EVENTS LIKE THAT, [NOISE] WHEN WE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF WORKING, WE WILL ACTUALLY BLOCK OFF THE PARKING LOT SO STAFF HAS A PLACE TO PARK.
>> BUT IT'S NOT BEYOND GALVESTON TO MOVE BARRICADES?
>> NO. WE'RE PROFICIENT [OVERLAPPING]
>> SHOCKED EVERYBODY. [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S A CLASSIC BALL HIGH AND IT'S MOVING BARRICADES [LAUGHTER].
>> ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, TO DAN?
>> YES. IF I WAS TO DO REOCCURRING EVENT EVERY WEEK, OR MONTHLY WE JUST HAVE TO DO EVENTS PERMIT ON IT?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WOULD DO THAT AND WHAT THAT MIGHT BE.
>> IF YOU'RE DOING A COMMUNITY TRAINING.
>> A GOOD EXAMPLE IS THE CONCERT SERIES OUT THERE.
>> WE DO A SERIES. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED FEES FOR THAT, AND YES, WE CAN DO THAT.
>> IF THEY WANTED TO DO A 5K LIKE A MARS, THEY CAN'T USE PUBLIC SPACE IS JUST THE EVENT?
>> BUT THAT'S THE WAY WE DEAL WITH THEM.
WE HAVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE PROVEN AND TIME-TESTED.
>> BUT IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME-FRAME?
>> WE WOULDN'T ALLOW SOMEBODY TO OWN OUTRIGHT THE USE OF THE BAND SHOW.
IT HAS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE, AND THE FAIR USES FOR EVERYBODY.
BUT WE'RE PRETTY LIBERAL WITH THOSE USAGE.
>> YEAH. SOMEBODY USED IT ALL SUMMER.
IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL [NOISE] WE BOOK IT, BUT THEY DON'T USE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY OR IT GETS MIXED UP.
>> WHERE DOES THIS LIE WITH THE FARMER'S MARKET? HOW DOES THIS INTERACT WITH THAT?
>> THE RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF ON THAT WOULD BE THAT WE GO AHEAD AND WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN THEM NOTICE TELLING THEM WE'LL LET THEM CARRY OVER.
WE JUST GO AHEAD AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO GO AHEAD AND FIND ADDITIONAL SPACE AND GIVE THEM A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO FIND THAT SPACE.
WHETHER IT'S 90 DAYS OR 120 DAYS, I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE.
>> NO MORE CITY PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE FARMER'S BARN?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT'S EXACTLY CORRECT BECAUSE [NOISE] THEY DO PARTNER WITH US IN OUR PARK [OVERLAPPING] AND THEY HAVE A GARDEN THERE.
>> ANYTIME THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF OUR FACILITIES FOR AN EVENT, A SPECIFIC EVENT, OR A SERIES OF A COUPLE OF TWO OR THREE EVENTS, WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM ALWAYS.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THAT AT MENARD PARK, THEY CAN HOLD THEIR WEEKLY EVENT THERE?
>> NO. WHAT THEY HAVE AT MENARD PARK IS A COMMUNITY GARDEN.
THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH THE ROLE OF, THEY'RE TEACHING THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY HOW TO GARDEN AND RAISE THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PARK;S DEPARTMENT. IT'S NOT AN EVENT.
>> IN PART OF THIS TOO IS BEING DRIVEN ON.
I KNOW CRAIG HAS EVER HAD SOMEBODY REACH OUT TO.
WE HAVE DIFFERENT NOT-FOR-PROFITS THAT BASICALLY WANT TO OPERATE 100 PERCENT OUT OF CITY FACILITIES.
OUR CITY FACILITIES ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE, NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM OR THAT PROGRAM.
ALSO, IF WE STARTED PROVIDING SPACE FOR EVERY NOT-FOR-PROFITS PROGRAM, WE WOULD BE QUICKLY RUN OUT AND NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE EVERYBODY.
>> JUST AS MANY GOOD NON-PROFIT, EVERY BAD NON-PROFITS BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE WAS SUCH AN OUTPOURING FOR THE FARMERS MARKET WHEN THEY CAME TO COUNCIL.
>> SOMEONE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO FIND THAT SPACE, AND I THINK THAT'LL HAPPEN. IF THEY DON'T BUY THE TRUCKS.
>> YOU CAN PUT THIS ON ME. I'M A SUCKER FOR THE FARMER'S MARKET.
[01:55:03]
I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.THE REASON WE WENT AHEAD AND DID WHAT WE DID WAS BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE PROVIDING FOOD IN A AREA THAT IS CONSIDERED A FOOD DESERT HERE AT GALVESTON.
HOWEVER, IT'S PRECIPITATED A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER ISSUES FOR US, AS WE'VE MENTIONED IN, LIKE I SAID, CRAIG AND I HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROACHED BY OTHER NOT-FOR-PROFITS.
>> I WOULD COMMENT. I TOO LOVE THE FARMER'S MARKET.
IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN DO TO HELP THEM AND FIND SPACE TO PERPETUATE WHAT THEY'RE DOING, IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM. WE DO LOVE IT.
BUT I THINK THE KEY HERE IS THE LEASE OF CITY SPACE TO PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.
IT'S SLIPPERY SLOPE THAT YOU HAVE ONE THAT MAYBE IT'S OKAY, BUT IF IT'S NOT A CITY-SPONSORED EVENT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE 19 PLUS PEOPLE LOOK INTO [INAUDIBLE].
>> I WILL ALSO SAY THIS, AS WE ARE IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION, WE ARE MOVING TO SEVEN-DAY WEEK OPERATIONS SO THAT PARKING LOTS GETTING USED MORE AND MORE.
I KNOW SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE COME AND, "HEY, I CAN'T GET IN THE PARKING LOT." OUR GUYS WORK WHEN THINGS ARE NOT WELL, WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
FOR ME TO TELL MY EMPLOYEES, "I'M SORRY, I LEASED IT TO A NOT-FOR-PROFIT PARK YOUR CAR ON THE STREET AND I HOPE IT'S OKAY WHEN YOU COME BACK," I CAN'T DO THAT.
THAT'S AN ELEVATED PARKING LOT FOR THAT REASON.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IN THAT PARTICULAR INSTANCE THAT WE DO PRESERVE THAT RIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING OUR CREWS AS ALL YOU KNOW ON WEEKENDS A LOT NOW.
>> I WOULD SAY TOO NOT KNOWING WHAT COUNCIL'S THOUGHTS WERE, BUT BRIAN AND I MET WITH THE FARMERS MARKET HERE A COUPLE OF THREE, FOUR WEEKS AGO, TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT THIS RECOMMENDATION MAY BE AND WENT OVER WITH THEM OPTIONS ON HOW THEY GAVE THEM OPTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ON DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS AND THE PARCELS OF LAND THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO UTILIZE ON THEM.
GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS TOO? FROM THE CONSENSUS THAT I SEE FROM COUNSEL, I DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR AN ACTION [NOISE] TO MOVE FORWARD WITH POLICY UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A POLICY TO FORMALIZE WHAT'S HERE IN WRITING.
>> [INAUDIBLE] COUNSELS DON'T DO THAT. JUST DON'T DO IT.
>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK AT THIS POINT THAT THE REASON ALL OF THIS CAME UP IS BECAUSE THEIR CONTRACT WAS ENDING. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> ENDED. A LOT OF NEGATIVITY CAME FROM THIS.
I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE THAT IT WAS THE ENDING OF A CONTRACT FOR THEM.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
LET'S GO TO ITEM 3E, PLEASE, JANELLE.
[3E. Stewart Beach Ad Hoc Committee Update (Collins/Brown - 20 Min)]
>> THREE-E IS THE AD HOC [NOISE] COMMITTEE UPDATES.
>> LET'S HAVE SOME FUN. THERE SHOULD BE AN ITEM IN FRONT OF YOU, THE AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT.
WHAT THIS IS IS JUST A LIST OF BULLET ITEMS THAT WE HAD.
>> YEAH. I THINK WE DON'T HAVE TO.
>> IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW ALONG.
IF WE COULD START WITH THE IMAGE OF THE STEWART BEACH, THE PART I WAS POINTING AT WILLIAM WIVERIO WITH MY LASER POINTER.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO WORK ON THAT SCREEN [LAUGHTER] IF THE LIGHT IS OFF.
THAT'S AN OLD SATELLITE IMAGES OF STEWART BEACH.
LET ME POINT A COUPLE OF THINGS OUT TO YOU.
THE DRAINAGE SOILS, THE THREE GRAZING IS TAKING PLACE.
THE DRAINAGE SOILS BASICALLY START OVER HERE AND THEN COME DOWN HERE AND DROP INTO A CATCHMENT AREA HERE ACTUALLY CLOSER OVER HERE AND THERE ARE BRIDGES ACROSS THE SOILS AND SO FORTH SO PARKING DOESN'T GET AS QUITE AS FAR SOUTH.
THERE'S AN ARTIFICIAL DUNE LINE DOWN HERE AS WELL.
THAT'S JUST TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE LOOKING AT AND TO ORIENT YOU THIS IS THE ENTRANCE.
THIS IS L STREET, WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE AND THIS IS WHERE THE HELICOPTER PARKS, SO JUST ORIENT YOU TO IT.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, THAT'S THE EXISTING PAVILION.
THE COMMITTEE MET FOUR TIMES, I BELIEVE IT WAS.
WE WERE TASKED WITH COMING UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHAT TO DO WITH STEWART BEACH BECAUSE CLEARLY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE THERE, SAYING, WELL, PRETTY MUCH IN A WHILE.
THE GREAT ORIGINAL PROJECT IS THE ONLY DRAINAGE PROJECT WE CALL,
[02:00:02]
IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY COME UP.WE CAME UP WITH TWO SETS OF PRIORITIES.
ONE IS THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITY IS TEAR DOWN THE OLD PAVILION, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TALK ABOUT THAT.
[LAUGHTER] THAT IDEA HAS GOTTEN MODIFIED A LOT SINCE THE LAST MEETING, WHICH WAS ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO.
BUT THE GOALS FOR STEWART BEACH SHOULD BE TO PRODUCE REVENUE FOR THE CITY BEYOND THE COST OF PARK OPERATIONS AND PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND AMENITIES AND ACTIVITIES THAT WILL ATTRACT RESIDENTS AS WELL AS VISITORS, MAKE THE PARK SAFE AND CLEAN.
TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS IS NOT JUST A BEACH, BUT IT'S AN ENTERTAINMENT AREA BECAUSE WE HAVE A FULL 69 ACRES STORE HERE.
THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WERE ME, JOHN PAUL, RYAN, KELLY DESHAWN, AND JASON MARQUEZ, AND MARTY FLU FROM THE TRUSTEES, FROM THE PARK BOARD.
WE WERE JUST SO ABLY SUPPORTED BY MICHELLE, HEY, WHO I THINK IS HIDING BACK HERE IN THE AUDIENCE SOME PLACE.
MICHELLE HAS DONE JUST SOME REAL IMPORTANT WORK AND HELPING ME HERE.
LET'S FIRST FOCUS ON PUBLIC AMENITIES THEN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
[LAUGHTER] THIS IS MICHELLE'S BEST WORK IN FINDING PARK EXAMPLES OF PARKING GARAGES. THIS IS WHERE? IN SANTA MONICA, SOME PLACE LIKE THAT.
OF COURSE, THIS IS ON PIER STREET THERE AND THAT'S THE FRONT OF IT.
OUR VISION WAS TO BUILD A 2,000 CAR PARKING GARAGE ON THE SAND VERY CLOSE TO THE SEAWALL.
BECAUSE PARKING FEES ARE A MAJOR PART OF THE PARK REVENUE.
WE COULD BUILD SOMETHING ELEVATED THAT FACE THE SEAWALL AND WAS ACCESSIBLE FROM THE SEAWALL YEAR AROUND.
BUT THE BACKSIDE OF IT WOULD BE PROBABLY A TWO LEVEL PARKING STRUCTURE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOM BACK THERE, SO THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM TO DO THAT.
INITIAL ANALYSIS THAT BRIAN AND KELLY DID SUGGEST THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT CASH FLOW TO FUND A 2,000 CAR PARKING FACILITY AND THAT WOULD FREE ADDITIONAL SAND FOR OTHER USES.
THERE COULD BE SOME OTHER PARKING STILL ALLOWED IN THERE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM.
SUCH A STRUCTURE COULD ALSO HAVE A RESTAURANT, RETAIL SPACE, RESTROOMS, A VISITOR CENTER THAT'S ACCESSIBLE FROM EITHER THE SEAWALL OR FROM THE SAND, A TRANSIT HUB, WE CAN RUN THE RUBBER WHEEL TROLLEYS DOWN THERE AND MAYBE SOME EXTRA FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE VISITORS CENTER.
THAT WAS THE IDEA AND PUTTING A TRANSIT HUB DOWN THERE, IF YOU HAVE THAT PARKING, YOU TRY TO DIRECT PEOPLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BROADWAY.
WE'RE GOING TO REPLACE THE SIGN AND THAT'S ALREADY IN THE PLANS IS TO PUT UP A NICER SIGN, NICER GATE AT THE ENTRANCE, BRING THEM STRAIGHT DOWN ONTO THE BEACH, GET THEM INTO THE PARKING STRUCTURE, GET THEM OUT OF THEIR CARS, AND THEN KEEP THEM OUT OF THEIR CARS.
NOT ONLY KEEP THEM THERE, BUT AGAIN, PROVIDE A TRANSIT THAT ALLOWS THEM TO GET ON A RUBBER WHEEL TROLLEY TO GO BACK TO PART AT HERE DOWNTOWN AND SO FORTH.
NOW, THERE HAS BEEN A CERTAIN SENSE THAT COMMITTEE ENDED, THERE'S BEEN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PUSH-BACK ON WHETHER THE PARK WILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IF THE PARK REMAINS UNDER PARK BOARD MANAGEMENT, THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT REVENUE SHARING AND WHETHER THIS WOULD CUT INTO THE COST, WHETHER THE MONEY FROM THE PARK BOARD OPERATIONS ON STEWART BEACH.
ANOTHER THING WE HAD DISCUSSED IS A BEACH PATROL FACILITY, A REPLACEMENT FACILITY FOR BEACH PATROLS IS UNDER DISCUSSION OF THE PARK BOARD.
WHILE THE CITY MOSTLY FOCUSED ON CUSTOMER FACING AMENITIES, WE RECOGNIZED THAT WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY PERHAPS TO INTEGRATE THOSE WITH PARK SERVICES AND BEACH PATROL NEEDS AND WE CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT TOO, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE OLD PAVILION.
AGAIN, IT WAS A TRANSPORTATION OF THE GARAGE WOULD NECESSARILY BE CLOSE TO THE SEAWALL AND THE PARK ENTRANCE AND SO THAT'S WHERE YOUR INTEGRATED TRAFFIC STOP WOULD BE.
BUT IF YOU'VE BEEN DOWN THERE AND WALKED IT AT ALL, YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S A LONG VISION JUST AT THE SEAWALL LEVEL.
IT'S A LONG WAY FROM THERE TO THE WATER, SO WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS ONE OF MR. HART CASSIAS' FAVORITES IDEAS.
THIS IS BOARDWALKS AND A TRAM SO THAT WHEN YOU GET MOM, DAD, AND THE KIDDIES AND ALL THE GEAR AND THE COOLER AND THE UMBRELLAS AND YOU TAKE THEM DOWNSTAIRS, YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THEM WALK THAT THOUSAND YARDS TO THE WATER, SO WE COULD HAVE A LITTLE TRAM SYSTEM THAT WOULD PICK FOLKS UP, CARRY THEM DOWN TO THE BEACH.
[02:05:01]
>> ASTROWORLD. YEAH. IF YOU'LL GET CLOSER, IT LOOKS LIKE ME DRIVING THAT CAB, BUT IT'S A CAR BUT IT'S NOT VERY CLEAR, AGAIN.
[LAUGHTER] YOU'LL SEE SOME IDEAS WE HAVE FOR DEVELOPMENT ELSEWHERE ON PARK PROPERTY THAT WOULD ALLOW MAYBE THIS TO ORBIT AROUND AND CARRY PEOPLE BETWEEN ATTRACTIONS FROM THE PARKING GARAGE TO THE BEACH.
>> WILL THAT WORK ON THE BEACH THERE [OVERLAPPING] BECAUSE LIKE ON THE JERSEY SHORE WHERE THEY HAVE TRAMS, THEY ARE ON THE BOARDWALK AND THEY HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BEACH.
IT'S MORE ALONG THE LINES OF MY FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD, GOLF CART TYPE OF DEAL.
>> WELL, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE SOMETHING FLATTER TIRED.
THAT'S A FACT THAT OUR GOLF CARTS WORK OKAY ON THE BEACH.
>> IT PROBABLY WOULD INVOLVES SOME MONOCHROME WITH MAINTENANCE OF TRACK THAT THAT RUNS ON.
>> YEAH. BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT WAS THE EXTENT FOR ADDING BOARDWALKS FROM AROUND THE EDGES OF THE PARK SO THAT THIS MAYBE CAN TRAVEL ON IT, BUT WHEN IT GETS DOWN ON THE PARK SAND, YES.
THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR DOING THAT.
>> OR BEING MAINTENANCE FREE ON THE BEACH WOULD BE.
IT'S A QUESTION, BUT WE'RE CONCEPTUALIZING HERE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT THE COMMITTEE THOUGHT WOULD BE COOL TO HAVE DOWN THERE.
AGAIN, ASKING SOMEBODY TO DRAG THE COOLER IN [LAUGHTER] OVER A THOUSAND YARD AFTER THEY'VE PAID THE PARK COULD BE UNPOPULAR.
ANYWAY, AND THE TRAM WOULD BE FREE, OF COURSE, JUST LET PEOPLE ORBIT AROUND THE BEACH.
THESE EXIST TODAY. VINCE LORFUS, WHO'S DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND ART BOARDS, DONE A FABULOUS JOB ALONG WITH BREXIT EASTWOOD AND ENVISIONING THIS AND GETTING A BILL.
THESE ARE SHOWERS AND THEY'RE CHANGING ROOMS HERE.
IT ENCLOSES ON EITHER SIDE, WHAT WILL BE THE MOBILE AMENITIES, REST ROOMS, AND VENDOR SPACE THAT'S GOING IN THERE.
[NOISE] THE INITIAL DESIGN OF THOSE FACILITIES HE THOUGHT WAS PROVING INADEQUATE TO WITHSTAND THE BEACH ENVIRONMENTS.
HE ASKED THE REDESIGN OF THAT WAS DONE AND THE REBUILDING THOSE AND THEY'RE IN A PROCESS OF BUILDING THOSE NOW, WE HOPE TO HAVE THOSE IN PLACE THIS SUMMER.
BUT THESE WERE IN PLACE BY LABOR DAY.
THERE ARE PORTABLE RESTROOMS OUT THERE, BUT THE PORTER BODIES, THE PORTABLE MOBILE AMENITIES, WILL BE ESSENTIALLY THEY'RE TRAILERS.
THERE A HIGHER-END PORTABLE RESTROOM AND MULTIPLE RESTAURANTS WITH EACH ONE, ALONG WITH ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOMS AND SO FORTH.
>> THAT'S A FAIR QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S TRUE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> [INAUDIBLE] TOWARDS ASKING THE QUESTION.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I KNOW AT THE RODEO THEY HAVE MOLE HIGH STALL RESTROOMS THAT ARE TRAILERS THAT ARE ACTUALLY VERY [INAUDIBLE].
>> THE CITIES THAT WE HAVE THAT REPORT BORDER.
I JUST I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
>> THE QUESTION BECOMES WHETHER YOU RUN PERMANENT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> [OVERLAPPING] I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL WATCHED THE PORTRAY SHOWED THIS WEEK, BUT THEY DID A SHOWER AT THE HOUSE.
THEY DID EITHER WE COPIED THEM OR THEY COPIED US.
>> ANYWAY, THOSE GOALS FOR ME IS IN PLACE [LAUGHTER] THIS YEAR AND IF IT WORKS OUT, WE MAY FIND OTHER SITES ON THE BEACH DOWN THERE TO PUT THESE.
THESE ARE JUST SOUTH OF THE DRAINAGE SOILS.
NEXT TO THEM ARE SOME LARGE CANOPIES THAT ARE VERY WELL ANCHORED WITH SAND BAGS.
THEY'RE NOT TRUE SHADE THAT THEY LIKE THEIR GARDEN CLOTH THAT LETS US CREATE A SHADED SPACE ON ROME.
THE BEACH PATROL, THE JUNIOR GUARD IS WORKING ON WITH THOSE NOW BECAUSE PETER BUILT A TENT DOWN THERE IN THE WIND TOOK IT ALL JUST ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
BUT THIS, WE THINK THIS IS A GOOD CONCEPT AND IF IT PROVES OUT WE'LL BE PERHAPS PUTTING ANOTHER SET OF THESE AND THE OTHER PART AS WELL.
NEXT SLIDE, IF YOU WOULD. THIS IS A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND. PARDON ME.
GO BACK TO THE SATELLITE IMAGES THAT. WOULD YOU NOW? BECAUSE ONE THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS KELLY HAS TALKED TO WOUNDED WARRIORS AND SOME OTHER ADA GROUPS BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, THE DETENTION POND IS HERE.
BUT WE'RE TALKING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING A WORLD-CLASS ADA COMPLIANT SPACE DOWN HERE,
[02:10:01]
BEACH MATS, THE BIG CHAIRS, THAT KIND OF THING.GETTING THE CITY TO OPEN AVENUE WELL, WE HAVE THIS RIGHT AWAY HERE AND THIS RAMP ALREADY EXIST.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS RIGHT ACROSS STREET AND GORDY DOES, THAT RUNS DOWN HERE AND MAKE THIS A HANDICAP ONLY ACCESS BECAUSE THE DRAINING SOILS RESTRICT PARKING TO DOWN ABOUT HERE.
IF WE BUILD A PARKING GARAGE UP IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT WOULD KEEP YOUR PARKING ON THE NORTH END OF THE PARK.
BUT HERE WE'D BE ABLE TO HAVE, LIKE I SAID, A REAL WORLD-CLASS ADA COMPLIANT SPACE FOR HANDICAP AND BRING THEM IN ON THIS ROAD HERE BECAUSE CURRENTLY, YOU COULDN'T COME IN HERE AND COME ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE PARK.
THE SOILS PREVENT THAT TODAY [NOISE] WE THINK THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NEWSWORTHY.
IT WOULD NOT BE AN EXTRAVAGANT COST AND WOULD BE A REAL SERVICE.
>> THAT WOULD HELP THE ARGUMENT, THIS IS THE PROPERTY LINE OF STEWART BEACH RIGHT HERE.
THIS THOUSAND OR SO FEET, 1600 FEET, I FORGET EXACTLY WHAT IT IS IS WHAT'S CALLED THE SPECIAL USE AREA.
>> THAT'S WHERE FISHING, LAUNCHING ON NON-POWER WATERCRAFT, AND HANDICAP ACCESS IS ALLOWED.
WHEN THE PARKS OPEN AND IT'S STAFFED, WE HAVE SOMEBODY UP HERE, AT THE GATE UP HERE, QUESTIONING WHETHER YOU'RE HAVING HANDICAPPED PLACARD OR YOU'RE TAKING YOUR NON-POWER WATERCRAFT WITH YOU, OR YOU HAVE A FISHING LICENSE.
BUT THERE'S NO WAY TO JUST COMPLETELY CLOSE THIS OFF AFTER HOURS.
THE RESIDENTS, THIS IS THE PRESERVER BRAND BEACH HERE.
THE RESIDENTS TRULY HATE [LAUGHTER] THIS AREA IS OPEN AND AS YOU KNOW, IT COMES BACK UP HERE AND THERE'S SOME PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT GOING ON IN THAT SPACE BETWEEN THE PRESERVED AND ISLANDER EAST, AND THAT SPACE EXTENDS WELL INTO WHAT COULD BE HOTEL FRONTAGE AREA THERE.
WE'RE WORKING TO FIND A WAY TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM AND GET THIS OFF HERE.
SOME PEOPLE SUGGEST THAT TAKING IT TO EAST BEACH, THERE WAS A LOT OF PUSHBACK ON THAT AND I WENT OUT AND LOOKED AT IT THIS PAST WEEKEND.
IT'S A I THINK A REALLY BAD IDEA TO TRY TO MOVE [LAUGHTER] THE AREA THERE.
IF WE HAD A GOOD HANDY CAPABLE AREA HERE, I THINK THAT WOULD BE [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT'S SOLVE A LOT OF ISSUES AND PERHAPS ALLOW US TO RESTRICT PARKING CAR IS ON THIS AREA OF THE BEACH.
>> WHERE DO YOU PUT THE FISHERMAN?
>> I'M NOT SURE THAT WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF FISHING OUT THERE.
>> I HAVE FRIENDS THAT GO THERE.
>> THEY CAN DO IT STILL FROM THAT AREA OVER HERE.
[OVERLAPPING] IT'S ACTUALLY BENDING ACCOUNT GOING ON IN THAT AREA.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THERE'S CERTAIN NUMBER OF THOSE THAT DO COME DOWN HERE.
BUT I'VE GOT PICTURES OF SEMI TRACTORS PARKED OVERNIGHT DOWN HERE.
WELL, BECAUSE THERE'S NO AS LONG AS IT'S THERE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I UNDERSTAND. YEAH.
>> THEN PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, IT'S JUST NOT REALLY PART OF TODAY'S DISCUSSION.
BUT WHEN YOU GO OUT HERE ON A BUSY WEEKEND AND YOU START COUNTING WITH PEOPLE, WITH SURFBOARDS OR KAYAKS OR FISHING GEAR, IT'S PRACTICALLY NIL.
>> IT'S JUST PEOPLE JUST GO, OH LOOK, THERE'S A GIANT STAMP.
>> WE'VE GOT FOUR YEARS OF INFORMATION ON THAT [OVERLAPPING]
>> GIANT FREE-BOARD. I SAW A HIGH SCHOOL KID GO ON THE GATE, AND ALL THEY GOT TO DO IS [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT IS TRUE. YOU DON'T HAVE A LICENSE OFFICER WORKING ON IT.
YOU CAN'T ASK AS YOU'RE SAYING, A HIGH-SCHOOL KID STANDING ON THAT GATE TO TRY TO TRULY ENFORCE THE LAW.
>> [OVERLAPPING] ARE YOU HERE TO FISH? YEAH, SURE.
>> THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FISHING LICENSE AND [INAUDIBLE] AND SO FORTH.
ANYWAY. NOW IF WE JUST GO TO THE PLAYGROUND IMAGE.
AGAIN, THIS IS MICHELLE FINDING THE BEST EXAMPLE SHE COULD FIND OF THE KIND OF PLAYGROUND BECAUSE WE'VE ALSO TALKED ABOUT A SPLASH PAD.
BUT WE THINK THERE'S A GREAT DEMAND FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH BUT NOT SPEND THE ENTIRE TIME IN THE WATER.
YOU HAVE THIS DOWN CLOSER TO THE SOILS, DOWN CLOSER TO THE WATER WHERE YOU COULD HAVE A BEACH THEMED PLAYGROUND.
MICHELLE, DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE THIS ONE IS?
>> IN SWEDEN? FAVORITE PLACE TO GO TO THE BEACH.
>> HOW HOT DO YOU THINK THOSE SURFACES ARE?
>> THERE THEY'RE NICE. THEY'RE NICE [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S CERTAINLY A QUESTION BUT, BRIAN HAD SOME EXPERIENCE WITH.
>> THOSE PEOPLE ARE IN LONG SLEEVES AND THEY'RE FINE AND SWEET [LAUGHTER]
>> [OVERLAPPING] IF YOU WANT AN EXAMPLE WHERE THIS IS DONE AND
[02:15:03]
IT'S DONE VERY WELL IT'S IN CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA.>> THEY'VE DONE SOMETHING SIMILAR.
THEY ACTUALLY TOOK PARKING OFF THEIR SEAT WALL AND PUT IN AMENITIES LIKE THAT.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE HAVE THOSE IN FLORIDA [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE'VE ALSO MOVED AWAY FROM EVEN OUR STUFF FROM OUR PARKS NOW AS A HEAT RESISTIVE.
YOU REMEMBER THE SLIDES WE HAD GROWN UP WHERE YOU ARE AND ALL [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.
>> THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT THE SPLASH PADS BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE [OVERLAPPING] YEAH.
>> WELL, SPLASH PAD AND BEACHES DON'T GO WELL.
WHEN WE TALKED TO SOME OF BARBARA'S CREW ABOUT THIS, THEY SAID IF YOU WANTED TO SPLASH PAD DOWN THERE, DO WHAT THEY CALL PUMP-AND-DUMP.
DON'T TRY TO FILTER THE WATER BECAUSE YOU GET, IT'S 50 PERCENT SAND.
>> THEY'LL BECOME DE FACTO SHOWERS WHEN YOU DO A SPLASH PAD AND IT'S A CONSTANT.
IN WHICH THEN YOU HAVE A RUNOFF PROBLEM.
>> YOU HAVE RUNOFF PROBLEM. NONETHELESS IT'S ON THE TABLE.
NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE WILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE SURFACES.
WE'LL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, I DON'T HAVE A PICTURE OF IT HERE, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'VE SEEN A SECURING THAT NICE.
WE DON'T HAVE VAGRANTS LIVING IN THE SIDEWALK.
>> I DID SEE A HOMELESS MAN SHOWERING ON THE SIDEWALK TODAY ON MY WAY IN [OVERLAPPING] I WAS HAPPY THAT HE WAS SHOWERING.
>> SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT WE DO AT THE BEACH ARE GOING TO PERHAPS REQUIRE SOME PRIVATE INVESTMENT.
SOME PUBLIC, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FEATURE. TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
>> CAN I MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS SLIDE?
>> BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT.
THERE IS ALWAYS A DEMAND ON THERE'S NOT ENOUGH THING TO DO WITH THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN.
>> I THINK THAT'S TRUE OF EVERY DISTRICT HAS THAT.
>> NO. BUT I MEAN THERE IS A DEMAND.
>> THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH. ONE OF OUR FOCUSES WAS, WHAT A JOHN PAUL, WHAT WOULD JASON DO WITH THE KIDS IF THEY GO TO THE BEACH? THEY DON'T JUST WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH TO PUT THEM IN WATER.
THEY WANT SOMETHING TO ENTERTAIN KIDS THAT AGE.
>> COME ON. YOU'RE NOT EVEN READY TO GET OFF HIS BACK [LAUGHTER]
>> MOST OF THE THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AND CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH LOCAL FUNDING SUPPORT REPORT REVENUES, AND PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE WILL LIKELY REQUIRE A PRIVATE DEVELOPER.
NOW, THIS IS A PLACE CALLED HANGOUT IN MOBILE?
>> GULF SHORES, ALABAMA. THEY DON'T HAVE A SEAWALL, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO THIS DOWN THERE.
[LAUGHTER] THEY'VE GOT A NICE WIDE BEACH, BUT WE HAVE A NICE WIDE BEACH, STEWART BEACH.
I TAKE IT THIS IS NOT A POST-HURRICANE PICTURE, BUT THIS IS A RESTAURANT, A BAR, THEY HAVE AN OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE.
IT INTEGRATES THE BEACH AND THE ADULT PLAY SPACE IF YOU WILL.
I DON T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS, THIS CLOSE TO THE BEACH.
IF WE HAVE A RESTAURANT, IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY TO BE IN THE PARKING STRUCTURE UP CLOSER TO THE SEAWALL, SO IT'S ACCESSIBLE FROM BOTH SIDES AS OPPOSED TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS MIGHT HAVE TO BE ELEVATED.
>> IT WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO BE ELEVATED [NOISE].
ANYTHING WE PUT ON THE BEACH HAS TO BE ELEVATED.
WHICH GIVES YOU A PROBLEM, IF YOU DO PERMANENT RESTROOM FACILITIES AND SO FORTH.
YOU WANT YOUR RESTROOM FACILITIES.
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE USING THE MOBILE AMENITIES NOW.
AS I'VE SAID SEVERAL TIMES, MOBILE DOESN'T MEAN TEMPORARY.
IT JUST MEANS, IN THE FACELESS FORM.
EVENTS CAN CLEAR THOSE THINGS OFF THERE IN 6-7 HOURS.
>> IN THE EGG. THEIRS IS A SEASONAL.
SO THEY HAVE FIVE MONTHS, SIX MONTHS THAT THEY COULD HAVE RESTAURANTS AND WHATNOT ON THE BEACH.
THEN THEY HAVE THAT NORTH SEA WHATNOT.
THAT'S WHY THEY DO SUCH A GOOD JOB AND SUCH PROTECTION.
THEIR RESTAURANTS ARE ACTUALLY MOBILE.
NOT MOBILE ON WHEELS, BUT THEY PUT THEM UP IN THIS SEASON AND THEY TAKE THEM DOWN AND ITS PRIVATE OWNERS.
YOU WOULDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT THEY WERE MOBILE WHEN YOU SIT IN ONE EATING, BUT I MEAN. [OVERLAPPING]
[02:20:01]
>> SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS NOT AT ALL OUT OF THE QUESTION IF YOU'VE GOT THE INVESTOR BECAUSE WE CAN DO THE WATER AND SEWER DOWN THERE, BECAUSE WE'RE DOING IT NOW, WE'VE PIPED THOSE MOBILE AMENITIES SO THAT THEY HAVE PERMANENT HOOKUPS.
THE IDEA IS JUST TO GET THEM OUT OF THE WAY OF THE STORM EXACTLY. MIKE, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION?
>> IS THIS ENVISIONING BEING ON THE BEACH SIDE? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, THIS IS A QUESTIONABLE SLIDE BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE BEST INTEGRATION OF WHERE YOU SEE THE STREET HERE.
IT'S ON THE BEACH, BUT ACCESSIBLE FROM THE PUBLIC ROAD.
>> IT'S BLOCKING OUR BIGGEST ASSET, WHICH IS THE GULF.
>> YEAH. IF I'M ON THE SEAWALL RIGHT HERE, ON THAT SIDEWALK, I CAN'T SEE THE GULF.
>> AT SOME POINT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP SOME OF THE SIDELINE.
>> COULD YOU PUT THAT ACROSS THE STREET ON THE ARMY CORPS ENGINEERS' SIDE?
>> THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SIDE.
>> THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SIDE?
>> THAT'S NOW ON THE EASTERN SIDE.
>> THAT'S ALL PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.
>> THAT'S A SPOIL SIDE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>> BUT I DON T THINK WE SHOULD BLOCK OUR BIGGEST ASSET.
THE TROUBLE IS THAT YOUR BIG ASSET IS ONLY SO USEFUL IF ANYTHING TO DO THERE.
IF WE BUILD A PARKING GARAGE, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE HIDDEN BY THE SEAWALL.
IT WILL HAVE TO RISE ABOVE THE SEAWALL.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN EIGHT-BLOCK WALL, THIS IS NOT MIAMI BEACH AFTER ALL.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE BUILDING HOTELS DOWN THERE, DESPITE WHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
BUT THAT FIRST SLIDE WHERE I SHOWED YOU THE PARKING GARAGE, WHATEVER WE DO IS PROBABLY GOING TO EXTEND ABOVE.
WE DIDN'T DO NOTHING TO KEEP THE VIEW, BUT THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
THAT'S ALL WE'VE DONE DOWN THERE, IT'S PRETTY MUCH NOTHING.
>> I AGREE THAT WE TAKE A CERTAIN PORTION AND BUILD PARKING, SO WE'RE NOT PARKING ON THE BEACH, BUT TO PUT A HUGE VENUE OUT THERE, IT'S TAKING AWAY FROM GOING TO THE BEACH.
>> TO ME I THINK THERE IS A WAY OF DOING THAT AT THE SIDELINES AND SO FORTH. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MIKE WAY BACK IN THE DAY, THERE WAS THESE LITTLE PARCELS OF LAND.
THEY HAD A PATIO BAR, THEY HAD A MINI GOLF COURSE, A MAZE.
YOU HAD THESE STRUCTURES DOWN THERE THAT, IF YOU'RE ON THE SEAWALL, YOU CAN SEE THE BEACH.
>> YOU CAN SEE THE GOLF TRACK THAT IS STILL UP THERE.
>> [BACKGROUND] I THINK THAT'S STILL ONE OF THE HIGHEST POINTS OF THE SEAWALL.
I MEAN, YOU PUT SOMETHING DOWN BELOW IN THAT BASE, YOU'RE NOT BLOCKING TOO MUCH VIEW AND REALLY, PEOPLE SEE THE GULF ON THE WAY IN.
YOU MIGHT BLOCK IT FOR THE PEOPLE GETTING SNOW CONES AT BAHAMAS BUCKS, BUT EVERYWHERE ELSE IT'S LIKE [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY'LL SEE THAT WHOLE OTHER AREAS.
>> I DON'T WANT TO GO TRAVEL. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RESTAURANTS AND AMENITIES, THEY'RE ALREADY A PRE-EXISTING FOOTPRINT.
SOME RESTAURANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> THERE USED TO BE A RESTAURANT, JUST BECAUSE IT WAS EASY TO BE DONE.
>> IF WE CAN GO BACK, I'M SORRY.
AGAIN, RESTAURANT RETAIL WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE PARKING AND VISITORS STRUCTURE, SO THAT IT WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE BOTH FROM THE BEACH SIDE AND FROM THE SEAWALL.
IF IT'S NOT UP THERE, IT'S UNLIKELY IT WILL OPERATE HERE ROUND AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE AS A RESTAURANT.
EVEN IF IT'S A CASUAL RESTAURANT THAT CAN OPERATE HERE ROUND.
MAYBE HAVE A BEACHFRONT VIEW FROM YOUR VISITOR'S CENTER, BUT OFTEN YOUR VISITOR CENTER, YOU'LL WANT TO HAVE THAT ACCESSIBLE FROM THE SEAWALL SIDE.
BECAUSE IT MAY NOT BE PEOPLE IN THEIR BOARD SHORTS COMING UP FROM THE BEACH.
ONE OF THOSE VISITOR CENTER, BUT RATHER [OVERLAPPING]
YOU CAN HAVE ONE ON THE ROOF, THAT WAS MORE FROM HERE AROUND.
>> YEAH. WHAT WE DO WITH THE ROOF [OVERLAPPING]
>> I CAN ENVISION A SERVE ROOM PLACE IN THERE.
SOMEBODY'S TALKING TO ME, IT'S A WHOLE LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY.
>> HEARD YOU SAY YOU GOT ROUND PLACE AROUND THERE.
>> I'M NOT SAYING THAT, IT'S RIGHT THERE.
>> I DON'T LIKE HEARING THE NOISE AROUND.
>> IF YOU GOING TO MAKE A RESIDENT ATTRACTIVE FACILITY, IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE OFF-SEASON.
THAT WAS ONE OF OUR CHIEF FOCUSES BECAUSE WE
[02:25:03]
REALIZED WHAT AN ASSET THIS IS FOR OUR TOURIST, FOR OUR VISITORS, BUT WE NEED TO KEEP IT.WE WANT TO REFOCUS THIS AS SOMETHING OUR RESIDENTS WOULD USE.
ONE OF THE GREAT ADVANTAGES IS, WE CHOOSE FEES, HOTEL TAX, MUCH OF OUR SALES TAX AS WE GET THAT FROM OFF THE ISLAND.
THAT'S MONEY THAT FLOWS IN AS PART OF THE ECONOMY.
THIS IS A WAY TO LEVER THAT FOR THE BENEFIT AND THE BEAUTIFICATION FOR OUR CITIZENS.
>> IT'S ALWAYS SAYS DOWN TO ME, HAVING TRAVELED TO BEACHES ALL AROUND THE WORLD, BECAUSE I'M A BEACH GIRL.
THAT WE HAVE SO FEW RESTAURANTS ON THE BEACH.
WE ONLY HAVE THEM ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE BEACH, BUT [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE USED TO HAVE A LOT MORE BARS ON THE BEACH, ESPECIALLY RIGHT DOWN HERE.
I CAN REMEMBER SOME OF THAT FROM MY TEEN YEARS, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DON'T.
THE TROUBLE IS THAT, WELL, THIS IS ON A CREATING BEACH AND IT'S QUITE WIDE.
IT STILL ISN'T HIGH RAISED, IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY MUCH FOR WATER TO GET UP THERE.
IT'S WHY WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE MOBILE AMENITIES.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE FOCUSED ON RAISING EVERYTHING.
THAT WAY, YOU DON'T LOSE IT TO THEM IN A STORM ANYMORE.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MAJOR STORM AS YOU KNOW.
>> IT'D BE JUST A BRISK TROPICAL STORM AND DO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
MOBILE CONCESSIONS ALSO THINKS THAT WE HAVE A VERY HEALTHY CONCESSIONAIRE PROGRAM ON STEWART BEACH TODAY.
ABOUT 75 OR 80 PERCENT OF ALL THE CONCESSION MONEY THAT BOARD EARNS COMES FROM CONCESSIONS DIRECTLY ON STEWART BEACH.
CHAIRS, UMBRELLAS, SOME OTHER OPERATIONS THAT ARE OPERATING ON THIS END TODAY, PROBABLY COULD BE EXPANDED AS THE NON-PARKING FOOTPRINT OF THE PARKING EXPENSE.
ANOTHER THING THAT MR HART CASTLE WANTS TO SEE WAS CONCIERGE SERVICE GROUP.
[LAUGHTER] HAVE A CAR GOING AROUND AND ASKING YOU WHAT YOU WANT, YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER AND THEY GO GET IT.
>> THERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IT, MICHELLE, IT'S CALLED DIAMOND BEACH AND IT'S IN WILDWOOD NEW JERSEY.
THEY ACTUALLY SERVE DRINKS ON THE BEACH AND WHATNOT.
>> I USE WILDWOOD AS ONE OF MY [INAUDIBLE]
>> REMEMBER THAT THING I WANTED TO TELL YOU, NEW JERSEY.
>> NEW JERSEY, WRITE THAT DOWN.
>> WITH 69 ACRES TO WORK WITH, AREAS CAN ALSO BE DEDICATED TO AIR STREAM RENTALS OR UPSCALE CLAMPING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> WE KNOW THIS IS AGAIN, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
MAYBE THESE GUYS WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND INTO THIS SPACE, AT LEAST BASED FROM US TO DO THIS END.
OR WE CAN FIND A VENDOR TO DO SOME HIGHER AND OVERNIGHT STAYS DOWN HERE, AS OPPOSED TO JUST AN RV COURT.
>> MR. HARTFORD DOES. THAT'S OWNED BY THE HENDERSON.
>> THE WRITE-UP IS OURS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS ALL OURS. RIGHT. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FOLLOWING WHERE OUR BORDERLINE IS.
THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STEWART PROPERTY COMES STRAIGHT DOWN 6TH STREET, JUST STRAIGHT DOWN LIKE THIS.
>> BUT THE CITY OWNS SOME PIECE OF THIS AND WE HAVE RIGHTS AWAY THROUGH HERE ANYWAY.
THEN THIS LINE RIGHT HERE IS THE OLD MILITARY RESERVATION OUT THIS WAY.
>> EVERYTHING THIS SIDE OF THAT DOTTED LINE IS STEWART BEACH THAT ACCEPTS THESE PROPERTIES AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THESE EVER FELL OUT OF CITY HANDS, BUT THIS IS WINGS, THIS IS MCDONALD'S AND THE DAVIS'S ON THIS SECTION, THE HENDERSON'S OWN THIS.
IT ENCOMPASSES JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF THIS RIGHT HERE.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. IT'S JUST TRUE.
>> THAT'S WHERE THAT FOOD TRUCK IS OVER.
>> YEAH. THAT'S THE FOOD TRUCK SITS IN THAT SPACE.
THE HELICOPTER SITS ON STEWART BEACH SPACE.
>> TO THE RIGHT OF IT THAT'S OWNED BY THE CITY.
>> WHERE THE OLD GO-KART TRACK IS?
>> EVERYTHING FROM HERE TO THE RV PARK BELONGS TO THE CITY.
>> IF YOU'VE BEEN DOWN THERE, THE GO-KART TRACK STILL THERE.
YOU CAN STILL DRIVE DOWN HERE AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT HADN'T BEEN UTILIZED SINCE THE GO-KART TRACK GOT CLOSED.
THERE'S A TINY BIT OF WETLANDS UP HERE BUT I DON'T THINK IT CONCERNS US TOO MUCH.
[OVERLAPPING] DRIVE ACTUALLY RIGHT AWAY THAT COMES IN HERE.
THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR ACCESS FROM THIS [NOISE] IF YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING UP THERE.
[02:30:05]
>> CABANA RENTALS, THINGS LIKE THAT, RESERVE PRIVATE EVENT AREAS, BRIAN'S CONCEPTUALIZE SOME OF RAISED PLATFORMS DOWN IN THIS AREA.
>> MAYBE THAT'S WHERE YOU PUT YOUR VENUE CITE.
>> YOU COULD. MY THOUGHT WAS WE GET A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CORPORATE PEOPLE, THE BIG CRYSTAL SAY THAT EVEN THE BIG ACCOUNTING FIRMS DON'T BRING EVERYBODY DOWN HERE FOR CORPORATE EVENTS.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> YOU CAN HAVE PLATFORMS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT ARE GENERALLY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT THEY CAN BE RESERVED FOR CORPORATE EVENTS OR PRIVATE EVENTS, THAT THING.
AGAIN, IT'S A REVENUE SOURCE AND THERE'S MAYBE ADDITIONAL RETAIL AND RESTAURANT SPACE.
AGAIN, IF IT'S SOMETHING MOBILE. BUT WHEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> FOOD TRUCK PARK THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> WE HAVE THE PARK BOARD, WE'VE LOOKED AT FOOD TRUCKS A NUMBER OF TIMES.
YOU'RE TALKING NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, THREE DAYS A WEEK.
YOU ONLY WIND UP WITH A COUPLE OF 100 DAYS MAX, MAYBE EVEN LESS THAT IT'S VIABLE.
FOOD TRUCK VENDORS WANT SOME PLACE WHERE LOCALS CAN GO OR THEY HAVE A CONSTANT STREAM OF TRAFFIC.
MAYBE WE CAN ENCOURAGE SOME MAYBE IF THERE'S MORE DEVELOPMENT DOWN HERE, PEOPLE WILL SEE MORE OPPORTUNITY AND WE'LL GET MORE INTEREST IN IT.
BUT WE'VE A NUMBER OF TIMES TALKED ABOUT PUTTING A FOOD TRUCK COURT DOWN HERE AND IT JUST HASN'T GENERATED INTERESTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> YOU HAVE MORE SLIDES. [OVERLAPPING]
WHY WOULD WE DO THAT AS THE CITY ON OUR LAND? THAT'S A WAY FROM WHERE THE- [OVERLAPPING].
>> THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS FROM THE RESIDENTS THERE ABOUT A MUSIC VIDEO.
>> OH, I KNOW THE CITY OWNS ALL THAT BUT I MEAN WE OWN AND MANAGE THAT.
>> WE OWN AND MANAGE THAT TOP CORNER, RIGHT?
>> ALL OF THIS IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT.
>> NO. BUT DOESN'T THE RESERVE GO UP TO.
>> DOESN'T IT CUT ACROSS TO WHERE THAT WHITE SPOT WAS FOR THE.
>> YEAH, THERE IS. [NOISE] BUT IT'S HERE, MARIE.
ALL OF THIS. THIS SIDE OF THIS LINE TO EAST BEACH DRIVE IS PRIVATE.
NOW IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
CLICK ON "DOWN" TO THE BEACH SIDE. THAT ONE.
THIS IS WHAT'S CALLED PUP STROKE GOLF.
THIS IS A TIGER WOODS PROPERTY.
THEY'RE BUILDING ONE IN KATY RIGHT NOW.
THEN THE GOLFERS FROM THE CROWD GOT REAL EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THIS.
THIS WAS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WE COULD DO IF THEY'RE IN THE GO-KART TRACK SPACE.
ITS PROVEN TO BE VERY POPULAR.
>> IT'S A PIGEON PARK. [OVERLAPPING]
>> [LAUGHTER] THAT'S REALLY DANGEROUS.
>> IF YOU'RE ALL THE WAY UP THERE CLOSER TO THE SEAWALL SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL PARKING BEHIND IT.
>> THIS WOULD NOT BE SO THREATENED BY WATER.
EVERYTHING IN ASYLUM IS THREATENED BY WATER AT SOME POINT.
BUT THIS WOULD NOT BE BEACH LEVEL BECAUSE THE AREA AROUND THE GO-KART TRACK IS ACTUALLY QUITE A BIT HIGHER THAN THE REST OF THE PARK.
THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MARTY AND MICHELLE CAME UP WITH.
>> OF COURSE MARTY DID. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW. [OVERLAPPING]
I LOVE THEM WHICH IS HOW I STUMBLED UPON IT, BUT THEY ARE BUILDING ONE IN KATY.
>> ANYWAY, THE POP STROKE GOLF IS A GREAT CONCEPT.
BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS THING, SOMETHING THAT'S FAMILY-ORIENTED, IT'S STRICTLY A PRIVATE VENTURE ON PUBLIC LAND.
WE WOULDN'T BE OUT HERE BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THIS FACILITY.
THERE ARE POSSIBILITY OF SMALL EVENT VENUES, FOR MUSIC, FOR FESTIVALS, FOR WEDDINGS, BEACH WEDDINGS.
WE COULD ADD SOME BEACH SPORTS COURTS.
I SAID VOLLEYBALL AND A COUPLE OF PEOPLE SAID, YEAH, YOU GOT TO HAVE PICKLEBALL.
I'VE NEVER SEEN BEACH PICKLEBALLS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> A LOT OF WIND OUT THERE FOR PICKLEBALL.
MY DAUGHTER PLAYS PICKLEBALL A COUPLE DAYS A WEEK.
>> BUT IT IS APPARENTLY A VERY POPULAR SPORT AT GUARDIA.
[02:35:03]
>> IT'S TAKING OVER THE TENNIS COURTS.
>> AND OF COURSE, THERE USED TO BE BOTH SKATING AND GO-KARTS.
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD SKATING IN THE SAND BUT THERE YOU ARE. THERE USED TO BE A SKATING.
>> THERE WERE BUMPER BOATS TOO.
>>WITH 69 ACRES TO WORK WITH WE HAVE ROOM FOR JUST ALMOST ANYTHING.
THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON PARK USAGE.
FOR INSTANCE, WE COULDN'T BUILD FACILITIES THAT WOULD DIRECTLY COMPETE WITH THE CONVENTION CENTER.
THIS IS WHERE THE HOTEL IDEA WENT DOWN IN FLAMES.
THEIR LIMITATIONS ON HOTEL TAX AND BEACH USER FEES AND THAT INCLUDES THE PARKING REVENUE THAT WE GENERATE FROM STEWART BEACH.
[NOISE] BUT A CREATIVE COMBINATION OF THOSE REVENUE STREAMS AND SOME POTENTIAL PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT MAKES US, I THINK WORKABLE.
I'M OPEN TO QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE PROCEED ON THIS.
BUT [OVERLAPPING] THEN I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE PAVILION IN A MINUTE.
>> AS YOU CAN SEE, THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK ON THIS, RESEARCHING A LOT OF DIFFERENT USES AND LOOKING, REALLY BETTING A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE HOTEL, THEY BUILD INTO THAT AND YOU CAN SEE THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRAINTS ON REALLY MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.
I THINK THE KEY HERE IS RIGHT NOW IN MY MIND, AND DAVID AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH.
WE NEED TO DETERMINE A PATH FORWARD FROM THIS POINT FORWARD.
WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS AT THE CITY LEVEL, AT THE PARK BOARD LEVEL, WE NEED TO REALLY START MOVING THIS FORWARD IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
I'VE GOT PERSONALLY SOME THOUGHTS ON HOW WE COULD DO THAT.
DAVID'S GOING TO MENTION ABOUT THE PAVILION OVER THERE.
I'LL JUST MENTION MY THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW.
IF WE KEEP THAT PAVILION OR NOT KEEP THAT PAVILION AND UTILIZE IT, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A FORMAL ENGINEERING STUDY DONE ON THAT PAVILION TO SEE WHAT IT WOULD [NOISE] ACTUALLY KEEP THAT BUILDING.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S WORTH IT.
WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT YES, WE CAN KEEP THAT BUILDING OR NO, WE CAN'T AND YES.
I TELL YOU WE NEED TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE ENGINEERING SERVICE COME IN AND TELL US EXACTLY HEY, IT'S GOING TO COST YOU $8 MILLION TO KEEP THIS BUILDING OR WHATEVER.
WE NEED TO DO THAT AND I THINK THAT'S ONE THING MOVING FORWARD.
I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO MY OTHER THOUGHTS HERE BECAUSE DAVID, WHY DON'T YOU FINISH UP.
>> WELL, ONE OF MY FIRST RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE ENGINEERING FIRM TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CURRENT PAVILION IS SALVAGEABLE.
BECAUSE [NOISE] WE'VE TALKED AND TALKED ABOUT NOT IT IS, IT'S NOT, AND I THINK WE'VE DEMONSTRATED THAT IT'S SALVAGEABLE TO A CERTAIN DEGREE BECAUSE THIS WEEK, PARK BOARD APPROVED $800,000 EXPENDITURE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO KEEP THE BEACH PATROL IN THAT FACILITY.
WE DON'T HAVE THE JUNIOR GUARD IN THERE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC ACCESS TO IT.
BUT WE KNOW WE CAN STABILIZE IT TO THE POINT, THE GUARD ON EACH PATROL CAN STAY IN THERE [NOISE] WHILE WE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DEVELOP, SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH THEM.
A LONG CONVERSATION WITH DR. ANDERSON CITY ARCHITECT, HE THINKS THE BUILDING IS VIABLE.
[LAUGHTER] THAT THE CONCRETE THERE ARE CERTAIN RUST AND CONCRETE SPRAWLING ISSUES AND SO FORTH.
BUT THAT'S WHY WE NEED A DEEP DIVE FROM AN ENGINEER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THAT BIG BUILDING IS VIABLE.
>> THE CITY NEEDS TO DO IT. IT'S A CITY BUILDING AND WE NEED TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> BECAUSE THE PARK BOARD HAS HAD AN ENGINEER, I THINK DO A CURSORY SURVEY ABOUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND DECIDE THAT YOU COULD MAINTAIN IT.
HONESTLY, THERE FOLKS OVER THERE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO TEARING IT DOWN AND BUILDING A NEW PAVILION.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOOD ENGINEERING SURVEY AND THEN OUR ARCHITECT CAN TELL US IS WHETHER WE COULD CONTINUE TO USE THAT BUILDING.
IF WE COMPLETELY AND DUDLEY SAYS YOU GOT TO GUT IT TO THE CONCRETE BECAUSE YOU GOT TO GET THE WATER OUT OF IT.
THERE ARE WAYS NOW YOU CAN REPAIR THE CONCREATE AND THE SPRAWLING AND THEN WRAP IT AND WHATEVER THEY DO WITH IT TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
[NOISE] HE LIKENED IT TO A BIG PARKING GARAGE [BACKGROUND].
IT'S A CONCRETE STRUCTURE, AND IF THEY CAN DO THIS WITH THE PLEASURE PAIR, WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT BUILDING.
[OVERLAPPING]. WE DISCOVER THAT IT WAS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES, WE NEEDED TO JUST DETERMINE SO THAT [OVERLAPPING] EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.
>> THAT'S BECAUSE IF THE STRUCTURE IS VIABLE, THEN WE COULD DEDICATE THE HOTEL TAX, WHICH USER FEES AND PARK REVENUE TO REDESIGNING AND REPROGRAMMING THE BUILDING.
[02:40:02]
IT'S ABOUT 17,000 SQUARE FEET, WHICH IS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR BEACH PATROL PARK OFFICES AND SO FORTH, AND IF WE MOVE FORWARD ALSO [NOISE] WITH THE 2,000 CAR PARKING GARAGE AND VISITOR CENTER CLOSER TO THE SEAWALL BY RE-PURPOSING THE EXISTING PAVILION, REDESIGNED, NEW ROOF LINE, COLOR SCHEME, OFFICES UPSTAIRS [OVERLAPPING].>> BASICALLY, YOU GOT TO THE CONCRETE FRAME.
>> YEAH. START OVER THE NEW PROGRAM.
>> WELL, YOU WANT AN EXAMPLE? THERE ARE CHURCH, A CLOSER COMMUNITY CHURCH.
>> IT WAS AN EYESORE BEFORE [LAUGHTER] AND IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL NOW.
WE CAN CUT IT DOWN TO THE CONCRETE.
THAT'S THE FIRST CHURCH, THE 23RD STREET VIEW, I'M I RIGHT?
>> MY THING THOUGH IS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT AS A MASTER PLAN, IS THAT IN THE MIDDLE TO WHERE IT'S NOT GOING TO FIT?
>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST FITS TO IT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT. BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAVILION, AGAIN, THIS IS 69 ACRES, THE PAVILION.
>> THE REAL ISSUE IS IS THAT THE GLO IS NOT GOING TO REALLY LET US BUILD IT ANYWHERE BUT ON IT'S RIGHT.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, THAT'S MINUSCULE COMPARED TO THE WHOLE, THING.
IF WE CAN SAVE THIS, AND DISCOVER WE CAN DO IT FOR HALF THE PRICE BECAUSE DUDLEY THINKS IT'S HALF THE PRICE OF WHAT PARK WAS PROJECTING A NEW BEAT PATROL ONLY FACILITY.
BECAUSE YOU CAN HAVE BEAT PATROL AND PARK OFFICES UPSTAIRS.
YOU CAN HAVE DOWNSTAIRS, CAN BE OPEN AIR, YOU CAN HAVE VENDING.
YOU CAN HAVE A CUSTOMER-FACING COUNTER WHERE PEOPLE COME IN AND SAY, I LOST MY KID, I LOST MY BEACH BALL, LET'S GET THE BEACH PATROL ON THE LINE.
YOU COULD HAVE A MINOR MEDICAL FACILITY DOWN THERE FOR HEAT STROKE AND THAT THING.
>> BECAUSE PARK BOARD IS TALKING ABOUT BUILDING AND DO BUILDING FOR 8-10 MILLION.
>> RIGHT THIS SECOND, THEY TOLD ME THERE'S THESE NOTES ARE STILL IN FLUX, BUT THE FIVE-YEAR CIP IS COMING TO BAN THIS WEEK.
WE WON'T SEE UNTIL SEPTEMBER, BUT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT OVER THERE.
BRYSON SAYS HE THINKS THAT WHAT'S IN THERE IS A LITTLE INFLATED, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S $10.5 MILLION FOR A BEACH PATROL FACILITY, WHICH I THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> NOT COUNTING ANYTHING ELSE?
>> NOT COUNTING ANYTHING ELSE.
WHICH I THINK IS JUST A PRELUDE TO TALKING ABOUT THE PAVILION.
>> WOULD THAT BE COMPARABLE IN THE SIZE OF THE ONE TODAY?
>> COUNCIL, LET'S BRING IT BACK AND WE NEED TO GIVE DIRECTION ON THIS ON HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.
ALL THE DETAILS OF THIS WE KNOW, AND DAVID'S DONE A GOOD JOB OF OUTLINING EVERYTHING.
WE NEED TO GIVE DIRECTION NOW, HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS PROJECT? DO WE REMAND THIS BACK TO THE PARK BOARD TO LOOK AT IT FURTHER? WHAT ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT? DO WE GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF HERE AT THE CITY TO WORK WITH PARK BOARD STAFF TO COME UP WITH THE PLAN OF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AND COME BACK WITH THOUGHTS ON THE PAVILION AFTER AN ENGINEERING STUDY IS DONE AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF STEWART BEACH PARK.
>> WE HAVE TO TAKE RECEIPT AT COUNSEL.
FOR NOT HAVING PROVIDED TERRIBLY GOOD DIRECTION TO PARK BOARD.
THEY GET OFF ON THEIR OWN SIDE ROAD SOMETIMES BECAUSE WE'VE NOT DONE A GOOD JOB IN PROVIDING THAT DIRECTION.
I THINK THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY [BACKGROUND].
I THINK STEP 1 WOULD BE TO HAND THIS TO CITY STAFF AND SAY GET AN ENGINEERING STUDY ON THIS BUILDING DONE, DECIDE WHETHER IT'S VIABLE, AND LET'S BUILD A PLAN AROUND THAT.
[NOISE] WE KNOW WE NEED THE PARKING STRUCTURE.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO FUND THAT? WE KNOW WE NEED SOME FACILITY DOWN THE BEACH AND ONE ADVANTAGE OF REDOING THE FACILITY THERE IS WE DON'T HAVE TO ARGUE WITH THE GLO ABOUT WHETHER WE OUGHT TO BE BUILDING SOMETHING CONCRETE AND STEEL DOWN THERE ON THE BEACH.
IF WE TEAR IT DOWN AND START OVER THE GLO SAYS WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET ANY CLOSER TO THE BEACH THAN THAT.
THERE WOULD BE THE BIG QUESTION OF WHERE WE PUT THAT.
>> MY QUESTION WOULD BE, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO GET CITY STAFF INVOLVED.
BUT ARE WE GOING TO ASSUME ALL THE COST WHILE THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THE REVENUE.
>> AS WOULD I. BUT I THINK THERE'S MONEY TO DO THIS.
THERE'LL BE $25 MILLION IN HOTEL TAX COLLECTED THIS YEAR.
THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS JUST IN PARKING FEES COLLECTED DOWN THERE.
THE PARK BOARD TODAY IS SITTING ON A $19 MILLION SURPLUS AND WE DON'T WANT TO PUT GENERAL REVENUE FUND [OVERLAPPING] WE DON'T WANT TO.
[02:45:01]
>> BUT ARE WE GOING TO DIRECT THAT?
>> YES, WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THAT.
WE DON'T WANT TO PUT GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS INTO THIS [OVERLAPPING].
>> BECAUSE IT'S PRIMARILY TOURISTS RELATED.
>> IT HAS TO BE TOURIST RELATED FUNDS.
THIS IS MY THOUGHT ON THIS IS THAT WE NEED TO GET THE ENGINEERING STUDY.
WE NEED TO GIVE IT TO CITY STAFF TO WORK WITH PARK BOARD STAFF.
THIS IS OUR LAND, THESE ARE OUR STRUCTURES DOWN THERE, BUT PARK BOARD MANAGES THESE, AND SO WE NEED TO FORM A RAPPORT WITH THE PARK BOARD STAFF TO GET TOGETHER AND PUT TOGETHER A PLAN THAT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT SPECIFICS HERE.
WE'VE TALKED FOR YEARS AND YEARS ABOUT STEWART BEACH AND WE'RE NO CLOSER, WELL, WE'RE CLOSER AND I DON'T WANT [LAUGHTER] TO UNDERMINE ANYTHING THAT'S DONE.
BUT WE STILL NEED TO REALLY GET SOME SPECIFICS ON THIS.
>> I'VE TALKED TO BRIAN ABOUT THAT.
HE SAYS, YES, WE HAVE MONIES TO DO THAT.
HE QUOTED A FEE ON HOW MUCH THAT WOULD BE. HE QUOTE [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT IT'S COMING OUT OF WHERE?
>> WE NEED TO GIVE BRIAN BACK HERE AND SAY.
>> IT WOULD COME OUT OF GENERAL FUND OR PARK'S REVENUE SOMEWHERE.
>> WE CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE ANYTHING OUT OF BARK PARKS.
>> WE GET ADC TO FUND IT BECAUSE MARIE, WE'RE TALKING $20,000 AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS.
>> BRIAN [NOISE] WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PLAN HERE, BRIAN, TO GET AN ENGINEERING STUDY FOR THIS AND FOR YOU TO WORK WITH PARK BOARD STAFF TO BRING BACK A PLAN TO COUNSEL HERE.
>> NOW, THERE WAS A QUESTION, WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENGINEERING STUDY? WE TALKED ABOUT THE CITY PAYING FOR THAT.
>> IF IT HAS TO BE THE CITY TO PAY FOR IT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE FUNDING FROM [OVERLAPPING].
>> SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY'S COMING FROM.
>> FIGURE THAT OUT [LAUGHTER].
>> WE COULD PROBABLY FIND HOT FUNDS TO DO THAT WITH THEM IF THAT'S AN APPROPRIATE THING TO DO.
>> BUT THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHO IS HOT FUNDS AT THAT POINT?
>> WELL, AGAIN, THIS IS NOT A MILLION DOLLARS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO, DEFINITELY I TALKING W, BUT WE'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT BETWEEN $35,000 AND $50,000.
>> THAT'S FOR THE ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT?
>> BRIAN, IF WE MOVE FORWARD THIS [OVERLAPPING].
>> SO THE ASSESSMENT, NOT THE STUDY. I WE DO THAT.
>> WELL THAT'S THE SKETCHING [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS WHAT'S YOUR TIMELINE ON GETTING WITH PARKING STAFF AND WORKING AS A PLAN OUT?
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT I NEED PARK BOARD STAFF TO GET ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING, I THINK.
>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP BECAUSE THERE'S NO SENSE IN GOING THROUGH A BIG PLANNING DEAL IF THE ASSESSMENT IS NOT GOING TO PAN OUT.
I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED THIS TO DUDLEY, HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE GATHERING ME UP A COUPLE OF FIRMS THAT CAN DO IT.
EVERYBODY IS SLAMMED RIGHT NOW, AND SO THE QUICKNESS OF THAT IS GOING TO BE THE REAL ISSUE.
I TOLD DUDLEY THAT I WANT A VERY THOROUGH GOOD SURVEY, THAT CAN ALSO GIVE ME SOME GOOD NUMBERS OR REASONABLE NUMBERS TO WORK BY BUT I ALSO NEED SOMEBODY THAT CAN GET THIS DONE IN MY LIFETIME.
>> MIKE, YOU'VE GOT A QUESTION?
>> THE OTHER THING THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL IS A LAYOUT DRAWING OF PROPOSED NOT IN CONCRETE.
>> IF I MAY INTERRUPT. WE STARTED TRYING TO DO THAT AND IT'S GOING TO BE A DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS. THIS IS GOING TO BE FIVE YEARS.
IF WE GET A PRIVATE ENTITY INVOLVED IN IT, THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE PERHAPS WHAT'S THERE.
>> WHICH YOU'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE.
>> YOU CAN'T JUST GO SPLAT IT HERE, SPLAT IT THERE, YOU GOT TO HAVE A MASTER PLAN, THEN YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN PHASES.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT THE WHOLE SEASON TRYING TO DEVELOP THINGS AND NOT HAVE A SEASON FOR THE PEOPLE TO COME TO THE PARK.
>> TO THAT POINT WE MAY NEED A MASTER PLANNER TO DO THIS.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOMEBODY TO HELP US DESIGN THE PARK
>> THAT NEEDS TO BE DETERMINED, I THINK.
BRIAN, YOU NEED TO WORK IN MY OPINION WITH PARK BOARD STAFF AND TO COME UP WITH A PLAN ON HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, THE FUNDING ON THAT.
NOT THE FUNDING FOR WHAT WE WOULD DO BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SURE OF THAT RIGHT NOW BUT YOU'D NEED TO LOOK AT THAT.
>> WHAT TENDS TO HAPPEN IS THAT WE GET TO A STALEMATE.
IF THIS IS GOING TO BE THE CITY OWNED THIS PROJECT, THE CITY WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON IT AND GET MOVING WE'LL CERTAINLY HAVE PLENTY OF PARK PORT INPUT BUT IT'S GOING TO BE THE CITY'S PROJECT.
>> ABOUT THE STUDIES, I GUESS ANY STRUCTURE, BUILDING, OR DEVELOPMENT WE DO DOWN THERE, I GUESS WE HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SAYING WHAT IT COULD DO TO THE SURROUNDING AREA OR TO VEGETATION.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO GO TO THE BEACHFRONT CONSTRUCTION PERMITTING PROCESS WHICH HAS SOME COMPONENTS OF THAT.
[02:50:02]
>> BECAUSE WE COULD REALLY SPEND SOME TIME ON THIS BRIAN, IF YOU COULD BRING BACK WE NEED TO GET AN ENGINEERING STUDY TO START WITH.
I'M GOING TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA JUST FOR AN UPDATE ON THIS FOR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, SO YOU CAN KEEP US UPDATED ON WHERE WE'RE GOING.
NOT A REPORT BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY [OVERLAPPING].
>> GIVEN MY SCHEDULE I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN HAVE SOME TEA BY AUGUST 11TH.
HOW ABOUT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING?
>> BY ALL MEANS. BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOUR FINDINGS ARE IT'S WE'VE HIRED A FIRM AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPORT TO YOU AT CERTAIN DATE AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.
YOU'LL GET WITH PARK BOARD OF STAFF AND VISIT WITH THEM ON THIS.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3F IF WE COULD PLEASE.
[3F. Discussion Of Additional Funding Of Public Art (Collins/Brown - 15 Min)]
>> 3F. DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF PUBLIC ART.
>> I HOPE YOU'RE NOT TALKED OUT, DAVID.
>> I ALWAYS GET PUT OFF SOMEHOW, I'M ALWAYS THE LAST OF THE EVENING.
[LAUGHTER] [NOISE] CURRENTLY ART FUNDS WE HAVE FUNDED THE CITY'S CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION TWO YEARS AGO, PROBABLY?
>> FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS OVER THERE SO THAT THEY COULD DEVELOP A PROCESS, AND THE PROCESS THEY DEVELOPED WAS LOOKING FOR A SERIES OF 5,000 DOLLAR ART PROJECTS.
THEY TOOK A LONG TIME COMING UP WITH A PROCESS BUT I THINK THEY'VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB WITH THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THEM JOIN US IN A WORKSHOP AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHEN WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT HOW THOSE 5,000 DOLLAR PROJECTS HAVE BEEN.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY PUT A LITTLE MORE EMPHASIS ON PUBLIC ART.
WE PROBABLY HAVE ENOUGH MURALS AROUND TOWN.
BUT THE MAYOR AND I'D LIKE TO RAISE THEIR ALLOCATION TO $100,000 THIS YEAR.
THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE RESERVE FUND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEARCH AROUND LOOKING FOR THE CASH IT'S THERE.
THEN ALLOW PARKS AND REC TO BE THE HOME OF NEW IDEAS FOR PUBLIC ART.
THEY'LL COME UP THROUGH PARKS AND RECS, AND THEN WE WOULD TAKE THOSE TO THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AS OPPOSED TO THE ARTIST'S ON CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION LOOKING AT INDIVIDUAL ARTIST OR ANYONE WHO COMES TO US AND SAYS I HAVE AN IDEA FOR PUBLIC ART, WE'D SEND THEM THROUGH BARBARA'S DEPARTMENT FIRST, SO THE CITY CAN VET IT AND TALK ABOUT SIGNING AND THAT THING.
THEN YOU GO TO THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION BECAUSE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OUR ARBITERS OF TASTE [LAUGHTER] AND JUDGMENT ON ART.
I THINK THEY'VE DONE A GOOD JOB.
I THINK IT'S TIME TO HAVE [OVERLAPPING].
>> VERY SIMILAR PROCESS TO LIKE THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
STAFF GOES THROUGH IT, WE GET IT, WE CHECK IT SAYS IT CHECKS THIS BOX, HERE YOU GO ARTS AND THROUGH HISTORIC COMMISSION.
>> IT WOULDN'T COME TO COUNCIL [OVERLAPPING].
>>THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO COME TO COUNCIL [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION THEY RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL.
>> IT'S MY THOUGHT ON THIS COUNCIL THAT AS DAVID HAS MENTION THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION HAS BEEN AWARDING SMALLER GRANTS, $5,000 GRANTS, AND THAT ALWAYS COME TO COUNCIL FOR OUR APPROVAL.
I'D LIKE TO SEE THIS CITY TAKE ON LARGE PUBLIC ART PROJECTS THAT WOULD MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE CITY IN DIFFERENT AREAS GOING THROUGH THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT.
IT COULD BE THAT WE WOULD AWARD $50,000 FOR A PROJECT ONE YEAR.
IT WOULD MAKE QUITE A STATEMENT FOR THIS ISLAND.
I DO THINK PUBLIC ART ADDS TO THE ENTIRE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR A COMMUNITY AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF OUR PUBLIC ART.
I THINK THAT THIS WOULD REALLY EXPAND THAT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
>> WHEN YOU SAID RAISE 100,000 SO YOU'RE TALKING TOTAL BE A 150,000 OR RAISE THE LIMIT TO 100,000?
>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EITHER GETTING 50,000, WE'D NOW ADD ANOTHER 50 TO PUT IT IN 100.
>> THEN THE PROJECTS MAKE IT AN ANNUAL.
>>> THERE'S THE MONEY TO DO IT.
IF NEXT YEAR WE DON'T SEE WHERE IT'S GOING, WE CAN CHANGE THAT.
>> THEN PROJECTS TO BE A MAXIMUM OF $5,000?
>> NO, THAT WAS THEIR INITIAL. NOT AT ALL.
>> WE DIDN'T ADD THAT STRUCTURE THEY DID,
[02:55:01]
BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY WANTED TO APPROVE THE PROCESS.>> I'VE TALKED TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION IT'S KATHLEEN DINATALE.
SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION IS AN ACTIVE GROUP AND THEY'RE VERY HAPPY ON RECEIVING EXTRA FUNDS, THEY TAKE IT EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY WHEN THEY EVALUATE THESE AND SEND THEM TO COUNCIL.
>> SHE'S ON THE ZOOM CALL BY THE WAY, KATHLEEN.
>> WHAT PROJECTS HAVE WE DONE? HAS IT ALL BEEN THE MURAL? [OVERLAPPING]
>> ON OUR AGENDA WE HAVE SOME OTHERS [OVERLAPPING].
>> TODAY WE'VE GOT MORE OF IT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WHAT DO WE NEED KNOW ABOUT THIS? [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK IT WAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE CULTURE ARTS COMMISSION THEY HAD A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS WHERE THEY'RE SHOWING AND TAKE AN INPUT ON A STRATEGIC MASTER PLAN.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A SEPARATE.
>> WE CAN TALK ABOUT THEM SEPARATELY.
THEY WERE DESIROUS OF BEING HERE TO PRESENT THE CULTURAL ARTS MASTER PLAN IS BEING DEVELOPED WITH AN NEA GRANT THROUGH THE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE THEM AT LEAST BY ZOOM.
THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION, THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE YESTERDAY.
I HOPE WE CAN HAVE THEM VIA ZOOM NEXT MONTH, SOMETIME TO [OVERLAPPING] NO THIS IS AN OUTSIDE GROOVING.
>> BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT, I MEAN IT WASN'T JUST MURALS AND PAINTINGS, IT WAS COOLS BY BIKE RACKS EXECUTIVE.
>> YES IT'S A WIDE RANGE OF LAND, A FRAMEWORK.
>> ONCE THE CRITERIA BUT I HEAR YOU'VE EXPANDED IT BECAUSE I HEARD YOU SAY WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT MURALS.
>> NO I UNDERSTAND BUT I HEARD YOU SAY LIKE TO BIKE RACKS AND THAT THING THEN THAT'S ART BECAUSE I WAS JUST WONDERING WHAT WAS THE CRITERIA, WHO WAS SETTING? IS IT OPEN-ENDED? I COME UP WITH AN IDEA?
>> IT'S PRETTY BROAD. THE CULTURE OF MASTER PLAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY HAVE A VERY STRUCTURED WAY OF DOING THAT. SURE.
>> DID I MISS THE POINT OF PARKS AND RECREATION WITH BARBARA, IS THAT WHO PEOPLE ARE GOING TO APPLY THROUGH?
>> THEN YOU COME THROUGH THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AND IN THE COUNCIL.
>> VERY GOOD. NOW COUNCIL, I GET A FEELING THAT WE HAVE A CONSENSUS OF SUPPORT.
WE'LL NEED TO MAKE AN ORDINANCE CHANGE IN THE CULTURAL ARTS BUT PROBABLY THE ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD ALSO.
WE'LL WORK WITH LEGAL, BRING THAT BACK, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT? LET'S MOVE THE ITEM 3G IF WE COULD PLEASE. THANK YOU, DAVID.
[3G. Ordinance/Policy Discussions And Updates (30 Min)]
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. 3G PLEASE, JANELLE.
>> 3G ORDINANCE POLICY DISCUSSION AND UPDATES.
ONE, TAXIS ORDINANCE UPDATE, TWO, DISCUSSION OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND THREE, DISCUSSION OF ISLAND TRANSIT BUS STOPS, ROUTES, AND OTHER TRANSIT ITEMS.
>> I PUT NUMBER 1 ON HERE, TAXI ORDINANCE.
THIS IS JUST FOR STAFF TO UPDATE THE PUBLIC ON WHERE WE ARE, BRIAN.
>> BASICALLY, WE SENT OUT TO ALL THE TAXI COMPANIES.
THEY'VE ALL AGREED ON A NEW INCREASED RATE.
WE'RE FINE WITH IT. CRAIG'S NOT GOING TO LET ME SAY THIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY WE REGULATE TAXI RATES IN TODAY'S WORLD AND ENVIRONMENT OF UBER BUT WE DO.
THEY LIKE IT THAT WAY SO WE CONTINUE TO DO IT BUT THEY'VE ALL AGREED TO THE RIGHT AND WRITING SO WE'LL BE BRINGING FORTH AN ORDINANCE TO YOU AND TO INCREASE THOSE WRITINGS NEXT MEETING.
>> I APPRECIATE STAFF WORKING ON THIS.
THIS WAS A POINT OF CONTINGENT.
>> WE DID GET IT ALL IN WRITING BECAUSE WE TRIED IT ONCE AND THEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE DONE AND THEN SOMEBODY ELSE SO NOW WE'VE GOT IT ALL IN WRITING FROM ALL THE CAB COMPANIES.
>> WE CHANNELED ALL THAT. YOU DID A GREAT JOB BUT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE THAT. LET'S MOVE.
>> I JUST REMEMBER. [OVERLAPPING] WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT TAXIS AND THIS MIGHT BE OFF TOPIC BUT LET'S SAY SOMEBODY WANTED TO BRING A NEW TYPE OF TAXI INTO THE ISLAND, HOW WILL THAT WORK IN THE ORDINANCE TILL WE HAVE THEM?
WE'VE STUCK TO OUR GUNS ON THIS.
IT WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND WHAT IT IS.
WE ALLOW PETTY CABS, I BELIEVE NOW.
>> LIKE A GOLF CART RENTAL TAXI.
>> THERE'S CERTAIN SAFETY GUIDELINES AND THINGS ON THAT.
WE NEED TO HAVE A LARGER-SCALE DISCUSSION ON GOLF CARTS IN GENERAL I THINK BUT.
[03:00:04]
>> WE TRIED TO DO THAT WITH A MID-60S, LIKE DRIVE THE GOLF CART UP AND DOWN THE STRAND TO BRING PEOPLE OVER TO US BECAUSE IT WAS A FREE RIDE, THE UNDERWRITERS COULDN'T WRITE THE INSURANCE CONTRACT FOR THAT.
>> IT WOULD TAKE A COMPLETE REVAMP FOR A TAXI ORDINANCE BECAUSE WE HAVE CERTAIN SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, WILLIAM.
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO PURSUE THAT COUNCILMAN SCHUSTER'S MENTIONING, WE SHOULD.
>> WHAT WOULD BE THE PROPER CHANNEL?
>> THAT'S ALL UNDER THE MARSHALL'S OFFICE.
>> TO TALK WITH WHICH WE HAD TO MOVE FORWARD.
>> WE'VE GOT SO MANY VEHICLES COMING OUT TODAY.
>> THE BIKE WITH THE CARRIAGE ON THE BACK.
>> THE ISSUE BECOMES IS AGAIN, THE AFTERWARD.
I THINK THE BIGGER QUESTION IS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OUR OVERALL REGULATORY AUTHORITY WITH THESE THINGS BECAUSE IF WE'RE SAYING THAT'S A SAFE WAY TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT.
>> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION I THINK.
HOW MANY TAXI CAB COMPANIES OR WHATEVER ARE HERE AND WHAT WAS THE RIGHT INCREASE WITHIN THE?
>> I KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO COME UP BECAUSE BUCH STEPPED AWAY BUT IT'S NOT SUBSTANTIAL.
I DON'T KNOW MS. LEWIS I DON'T.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ITEM 2 DISCUSSION OF CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
>> I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE WE SEEMED TO HAVE SOME BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT APPEAR TO BE OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THEIR AUTHORITY OR WANTING TO SET POLICY OR DOING THINGS THAT WOULD BE COUNCIL.
WE ALSO, INTERESTING ENOUGH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE APPLICATIONS FOR BOARDS VERSUS THE APPLICATION FOR COUNCIL, IT'S BROAD AND THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE TO OPEN OR FOLLOW THE OPEN MEETINGS NOW, OR DO THEY? THEY DO? DID THEY GO THROUGH TRAINING? I KNOW THAT WAS PART OF WHAT I READ.
I PUT AN ORDINANCE CHANGE UP TODAY BECAUSE I KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOME BOARDS THAT DID THEIR OWN TRAINING AND THE CITY'S SECRETARIES WHEN SOMEBODY GETS APPOINTED, THEY SEND THEM A PACKET SAYING GO TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SO THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A CLEAR STATEMENT ON THAT.
SO PUTTING IN AN ORDINANCE TODAY THAT SAYS TAKE THE AHA TRAINING, HERE'S THE LINKS, PRINT OUT THE CERTIFICATE, AND GIVE IT TO JANELLE.
SO AT LEAST WE HAVE SOME CONSISTENCY ON TRAINING AND OPEN MEETINGS AND RECORDS.
>> DON IF AN INDIVIDUAL FELT THAT ONE OF OUR BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, WHAT'S THEIR MECHANISM? WHERE DO THEY GO THROUGH ON THAT TO REPORT THAT?
>> IF YOU RELATE THE CONCERN TO ME, WE'LL LOOK INTO THAT AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND ADMONISH THEM IF IT'S NECESSARY TO GET BACK IN LINE AND IF THEY'RE TRULY REALLY OPERATING AS A ROGUE COMMISSION, [NOISE] WE CAN CHANGE BY ORDINANCE THEIR CHARGE OR IF IT'S REALLY EGREGIOUS, SOMEONE CAN FILE AN ETHICS COMPLAINT.
>> SO THEY'RE LIKE, THERE ARE NO CONTROLS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, OR WHAT ARE THE CONTROLS IN PLACE?
>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS BUT IN TERMS OF CONTROLS, THE SCOPE OF EACH BOARD IS SET OUT IN THE CODE, AND IN THE PAST WHEN WE HAD, I DON'T WANT TO PICK ON THE LANDMARK COMMISSION.
BUT MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A LANDMARK COMMISSIONER WHO WOULD RUN INTO STORES AND THE STRAND AND SAY, "I'M A LANDMARK COMMISSIONER AND YOU CAN'T DO X, Y, Z." AS I RECALL, THE RESPONSE WAS AS A LANDMARK COMMISSIONER, YOU SIT INSIDE HERE, YOU'RE NOT A POLICE OFFICER.
[03:05:02]
REPORT SOMETHING TO CITY STAFF IF YOU SEE IT BUT NO, THIS DOES NOT CONFER GREAT POWERS UPON YOU.>> THE LANDMARK COMMISSION TODAY AND OTHER BOARDS THAT I SIT ON OR SIT IN.
I BELIEVE THE LEGAL STAFF AND PLANNING STAFF DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THEM ON TRACK, KEEPING THEM ON THE AGENDA, KEEPING THEM STRAIGHT ON WHAT THEIR POWERS ARE AND AREN'T.
IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING SOMEBODY DOES AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, I'M TALKING ABOUT LIKE SOMEONE ON A PLANNING COMMISSION CALLING A UTILITY COMPANY AND TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A [INAUDIBLE] THAT SEEMS ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR AUTHORITY.
>> I BELIEVE IN THAT INSTANCE, THAT PERSON WOULD ALREADY HAVE BEEN ADMONISHED FOR THAT VERBALLY.
WE FIND THAT SELLING SOMEBODY VERBALLY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT, REALLY DOES HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT.
>> ONE OTHER QUESTION BECAUSE THIS WAS SOMETHING I GUESS JANELLE AND I WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT TODAY, CURRENTLY ON OUR APPLICATIONS FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
UNLIKE OUR APPLICATION FOR COUNSEL AND GRANTED COUNCIL IS DIFFERENT, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING ON THERE THAT SAYS, "HAVE YOU COMMITTED A FELONY," SAY.
>> WE DON'T WANT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST FELONS DO WE?
>> YOU CAN ADD THAT AND IF YOU WANT.
>> MAINLY WHAT'S THE THOUGHT? WHICH IS I FORGET HOW WE GOT OFF ON THIS DISCUSSION.
>> WE'RE FEARFUL THAT WE HAVE FELON SERVING ON SOME COMMISSION TODAY?
>> OH, NO, I DON'T KNOW BUT IT'S ON OUR APPLICATION AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA ON OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
>> CURIOUS IS DRIVEN MORE AS A FUNCTION OF THE OTHECTION CODE.
THERE'S NO SUCH PROHIBITION IN THAT CHARTER OR CITY CODE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT SOMEBODY WHO HAS A FELONY FROM APPLYING AND EVEN SERVING WELL.
>> MURRY IF YOU DON'T MIND, MAYBE YOU COULD VISIT WITH LEGAL SO IT IF YOU FEEL THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
>> I MEAN IT WOULD BE COUNCIL'S DECISION.
>> THEN IF YOU FEEL. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS ON ALL OUR APPLICATIONS AND I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT IT WASN'T.
>> I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE ONLINE APPLICATION AND IT IS ON THERE.
>> HAVE YOU BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY IN ANY STATE WITHOUT YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS HAVING BEEN RESTORED?
>> BECAUSE I THINK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING AND IT WASN'T ON ONE OF THE APPLICATIONS BUT I COULD BE WRONG.
>> ARE THERE NO APPLICATIONS FOR SEPARATE BOARDS? THERE'S A SINGLE APPLICATION.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT MURRY?
>> ITEM 3, DISCUSSION OF ISLAND TRANSIT, BUS STOPS, ROUTES, AND OTHER TRANSIT ITEMS, COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS.
COME ON UP JAMES AND PULL UP A CHAIR OR SOMETHING.
>> THIS IS A DESIGNATED HOT SEAT TODAY. [BACKGROUND]
>> THIS IS PLACED ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE I HAD A FEW PEOPLE WHO CALLED ME THE DAY THAT IT RAINED AND TOOK SOME PICTURES OF PEOPLE WAITING OUT AT WALMART AND FIRST THE OUTSIDE WAITING AREA HAD BEEN RELOCATED?
>> YES. THAT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF WALMART IN 2020.
>> OKAY. THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF IT.
BUT ANYWAY, THE QUESTION IS THE COVERINGS.
THERE IS NO COVERING AND THERE WERE A GENTLEMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR AT THE TIME AND SHE SENT A COUPLE OF PICTURES OF THAT.
WHEN DO THEY DECIDE WHEN A VAN WILL COME AS OPPOSED TO THE METRO BUS? BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAD TO GET OFF TO ALLOW HIM TO GET ON THE VAN, SO COVERINGS AND WHEN DOES THAT SWITCH?
>> SPECIFICALLY FOR WALMART, WALMART ASKED US TO MOVE TO THE FAR WEST END OF THE PARKING LOT.
THEY CROSSHATCHED SOME PARKING SPOTS.
WE CHANGED OUR ROUTES BECAUSE ORIGINALLY WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE THEY WERE DROPPING PEOPLE OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF CLEAR TRAFFIC, SO WE CHANGED THAT ROUTE.
WHEN IT DOES RAIN, YES IT'S AN ISSUE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THEIR APPROVAL FIRST OFF EVEN TO CONSIDER PUTTING THE SHELTER ON.
>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN CONSTRUCT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
>> THE SECOND ASPECT OF THAT, DEPENDING ON THE SHELTER, SHELTERS THEMSELVES RUN ANYWHERE FROM $6000-$18,000 DEPENDING ON YOUR OPTION ON STYLE,
[03:10:07]
SIZE, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.THEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE SLEW OF ADA GUIDELINES THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW IN TERMS OF THE PATH, YOU GOT THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.
IF THE GENTLEMAN WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR WHEN HE SCHEDULED HIS TRIP TO GO TO WALMART AND COME BACK FROM WALMART, THAT WOULD BE THE TRIP THEY WOULD PICK UP.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, FOR ADA WE PICK UP IN THE FRONT OF WALMART.
IT'S ONLY ON THE FEDERAL SIDE, ON THE BUS SIDE OF IT, THE METRO BUSES THAT YOU WOULD CALL IT WHAT WE PICK UP IN THE PARKING LOT
>> THAT WAS PROBABLY UNKNOWN THAT DAY OR A [OVERLAPPING] OR SOMETHING.
>> HE RODE THE FEDERAL BUS OUT THERE.
THAT IS ACTUALLY A SUPERVISOR VAN WHERE WE WENT OUT AND GOT THEM.
>> I THINK BEFORE WHEN, WHAT IS IT, CARECO, WHO MET BACK IN JANUARY, A GROUP OF.
>> GALVESTON COCARE, AND THE CONCERN AGAIN WERE COVERINGS.
I UNDERSTAND YOU JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE WALMART IS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
>> BUT I'M THINKING BACK AT WHAT DAVID WAS SAYING WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BEACH, SOMEONE WHO HAS TO DRAG THEIR COOLERS OR WHATEVER FROM THERE, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LEFT TO DRAG THEIR ITEMS TO ANOTHER LOCATION TO CATCH A BUS.
IS THERE ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE BOX THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IN COVERING?
>> YES, THERE IS. GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, SMALL AGENCIES LIKE GALVESTON OR OTHER AGENCIES, THERE'S A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUS STOPS AND BUS SHELTER.
YOU CAN GO UP AND PUT A SIGN ANYWHERE AND SAY THAT'S A BUS STOP AND YOU CAN GO THROUGH THERE.
FOR THE MOST PART FTA TAX DOT GOES WITH IT.
WHEN YOU DO A SHELTER, IT OPENS UP A WHOLE DIFFERENT ASPECT OF IT IN TERMS OF ADA REQUIREMENTS, THE COST OF IT.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN GENERALLY SPEAKING, TRANSIT WILL BY A SHELTER THROUGH DIFFERENT FUNDING, WHAT THEY CALL 5339, STATE OF GOOD REPAIR OR EVEN 5310, ELDERLY, DISABLED.
BECAUSE YOU GET CAPITAL MONEY OUT OF THAT.
GENERALLY YOU'LL BUY A SHELTER ON THAT.
YOU GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL REQUEST SAFE.
HEB IS REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS.
DON'T PONY UP THE MATCHING FUNDS FOR IT AND THE CITY WILL COME IN AND SAY, WE'LL PUT THE PAD IN, HERE IS OUR PRICE FOR IT.
GENERALLY HALF OR A LITTLE BIT MORE, DEPENDING IN THE PRIVATE PARTNER, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MOST CASES HEB OR WALMART, AND WE'LL PICK UP THE REST.
SO BIGGER TRANSIT, THAT'S HOW A SHELTER GENERALLY GETS DONE WHEN YOU DO LARGER PROJECTS, LIKE ON SEAWALL.
ALL THOSE BUS STOPS ON SEAWALL THAT'S FEDERAL FUNDING.
THAT WAS A HUGE PROJECT LONG BEFORE I GOT HERE.
I THINK IT WAS FOUR OR FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> AT THE END OF THE DAY WALMART HAS TO WANT TO DO IT.
>> OKAY. SO IT COULD BE A COLLABORATIVE?
>> [OVERLAPPING] WALMART GETS A LOT OF BUSINESS ON TRANSIT.
I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY THEY WOULDN'T BUILD A SHELTER.
HAVE YOU TALKED WITH WALMART ABOUT SEEING WHAT COULD BE DONE ON THIS?
>> WE HAVEN'T TALKED WITH WALMART AS OF YET.
SINCE OUR FATE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED YET WE HAVE STUCK EVERYTHING INTO JUST OPERATING AS MUCH AS WE CAN, EFFECTIVELY WE CAN, AND CHEAP AS WE CAN.
>> ALSO REMEMBER IF WE LEVERAGE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR THAT THAT'S HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO PAY BACK IF WE HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE TRANSIT.
>> WELL, MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE LAST MEETING, IT'S BEEN SINCE IKE BEFORE I'VE LOOKED AT BUS ROUTES AND THAT KIND OF THING.
THEN MAYBE THAT CAN AFFECT NUMBERS.
>> CURRENTLY OUR ROUTE SYSTEM, EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED WITH HURRICANE IKE.
I WENT THROUGH HURRICANE ANDREW IN FLORIDA SO I KNOW HOW MUCH CHANGE HAD HAPPENED. EVERYTHING CHANGED.
PEOPLE LEFT, PEOPLE COME BACK.
ALL THE DEMOGRAPHICS HAVE CHANGED ON GALVESTON ISLAND.
THE ONLY THING THAT HASN'T CHANGED WAS EITHER TRANSIT.
OUR ROUTES ARE STILL GOING THE SAME WAY THEY WERE.
THERE'S NOBODY THERE. OUR ROUTES ARE INEFFECTIVE.
WE TRIED AS MUCH AS WE COULD WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE TO MAKE THEM EFFICIENT, BUT IT'S STILL PRETTY COSTLY.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT [OVERLAPPING], BUT MY QUICK QUESTION IS, IS IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK AT?
>> YEAH. [OVERLAPPING] WE PURCHASED THE SOFTWARE.
>> OKAY. SINCE THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE IKE,
[03:15:03]
IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT THAT CAN TIGHTEN [OVERLAPPING] THAT CAN IMPROVE?>> ACTUALLY WHAT I'LL DO IS I WILL SEND YOU AN ARTICLE I SENT TO DAVID AND MR. BUCKLEY YESTERDAY WHERE DENVER REDOING THEIR STRUCTURE.
>> THE SOFTWARE THAT THEY'RE USING TO DO ALL THIS, IS THE SAME SOFTWARE THAT WE HAVE.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I GOT THREE YEARS AHEAD OF THEM BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY USED IT THREE DIFFERENT PLACES.
>> YEAH. THAT WAS BASICALLY IT.
HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS BETTER, I MEAN, FOR THE CITIZENS WHO USE THAT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
>> I'LL BE THE FIRST TO AGREE WITH YOU. OUR ROUTE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.
OUR FATE IS NOT DETERMINED YET.
WE'RE IN THAT HOLDING PATTERN.
MONEY STARTS FLOWING AND FLOODGATES OPEN THEN DO ALL THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO.
THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO A DO IS LOOK AT THE ROUTE.
>> AS YOU SAY, WE DON'T KNOW OUR FATE YET.
OBVIOUSLY, THE NUMBERS ARE TIGHT AND EVERYTHING.
BUT I GUESS THE DEMAND FOR TRANSIT IS STILL THERE.
WE HAVE OUR DIAL ARRIVE PROGRAM IN GALVESTON AND THAT ONLY CAN BE USED FOR HANDICAPPED.
>> IT'S ABA COMPLEMENTARY PAIR OF TRANSITS.
SINCE WE RUN A FIXED ROUTE I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE ABA COMPLEMENTARY PAIR OF TRANSITS.
WE CONTRACTED OUT, PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL, TO HARRIS COUNTY RIGHTS.
THEY DO A FAIRLY GOOD JOB WITH IT.
IT'S NOT AS TIGHT AS WE WOULD HOPE, BUT THEY DO A GOOD JOB WITH IT.
OUR COST FOR THAT IS ABOUT $15 PER TRIP.
IF WE HAD TO DO IT RIGHT NOW IT WOULD BE IN THE $45-$48 PER TRIP RANGE.
>> I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT, BUT WE'RE NOT THERE YET.
>> DID YOU GET YOUR [NOISE] QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE?
>> YES, AND LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THAT INFORMATION.
>> JUST TO ADD TO IT, SINCE WE MOVED TO COVID AND WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE BACK IN NOVEMBER, FROM THIS SAME POINT, FROM THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR, WE'VE ALREADY INCREASED OUR RIDERSHIP BY 22 PERCENT.
>> WE'RE DOING IT MORE EFFECTIVELY, A LITTLE CHEAPER AND WE'RE STRETCHING THE DOLLARS AS MUCH AS WE CAN. IT'S GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP IT RUNNING.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. IF YOU FOUND A WAY TO MAYBE INCENTIVIZE RIDING A BUS, WHETHER IT'D BE LIKE HOW WE TALKED ABOUT, MAYBE, A WHILE BACK WITH PROBLEMS, IF YOU GAVE UTMB STUDENTS A $10 YEARLY PASS.
>> WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THAT LAST YEAR.
> THE QUICKEST WAY, AND I'LL REFER BACK TO THE ARTICLES AND COMES FROM LOADS, THE QUICKEST WAY TO INCREASE RIDERSHIP, CONCENTRATE ON YOUR CORE, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT, EITHER WHEN YOU NEED IT.
IF YOU'RE CONSISTENT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE RAN UP AGAINST WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE LOOKING AT THIS, [NOISE] CONSISTENCY WASN'T THERE, EFFECTIVENESS WASN'T THERE.
IT HAS GONE UP BECAUSE, GUESS WHAT, WE'RE THERE WHEN WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.
WE'RE ON TIME AND WE'RE THERE EVERY TIME.
>> THAT'S THE SAME MODULE WE'RE TRYING TO FOLLOW WITH THE TROLLEYS.
I KNOW ALL OF YOU GET, "WE WANT TO STOP HERE." [LAUGHTER] WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP CONSISTENT HEADWAYS AND SERVICE THE POPULATION THAT'S ACTUALLY PAYING FOR THOSE TROLLEYS.
WE'RE ADDING STOPS AS WE CAN BUT EVERY STOP PUTS CHINKS IN THE ROUTE.
>> NOW THAT YOU MENTIONED THE TROLLEYS, IS THERE A WAY YOU CAN PUT THE COST OF WHAT THE TROLLEY IS ON THE SIDE OF THE TROLLEY? I DON'T THINK ANYBODY UNDERSTANDS IT'S ONLY A DOLLAR.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TROLLEY YOU'RE LIKE, WHAT IS THAT? A $15? [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE KEPT IT THE SAME ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON ALL OUR OTHER BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO TIE IT IN.
WE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM THE RESTAURANT.
WE TIED IN OUR SEA WALL AND THE STEEL WHEELS ALL IN A ONETIME AND POLISH THAT OUT BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALIZED RIGHT OFF HAND WAS THAT.
>> I LIKE WHAT MIKE'S SAYING, THOUGH, IF WE COULD GET THAT ON THE TROLLEYS.
>> IF IT COULD BE DISPLAYED ON THE TROLLEY OR SOMETHING, IT WOULD BE AWESOME.
>> MY NEIGHBORS GOT ON THERE WITH THEIR CREDIT CARD.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.
>> I'M SURE THERE'S SOMEBODY ON THERE THAT WOULD TAKE THEIR CREDIT CARD.
I WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK TO THEM. [LAUGHTER]
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. [INAUDIBLE]?
[03:20:03]
>> WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO OUR END OF OUR AGENDA.
[3H. Discussion Of Signage Designating Galveston As The Birthplace Of Juneteenth (Brown - 10 Min)]
3H, PLEASE DO NOW.>> 3H. DISCUSSION OF DESIGNATING GALVESTON AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH.
>> I WILL MAKE THIS VERY SHORT.
I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY SOME INDIVIDUALS AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DENOTE A PERMANENT MARKER AS YOU COME ONTO THE ISLAND THAT GALVESTON IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH.
I TOOK THE LIBERTY OF TALKING WITH TECH STOCK TO SEE WHAT PROCESS WE NEED TO GO THROUGH ON THAT.
I'VE GOTTEN INFORMATION FROM THEM.
THEY HAVE A CITY PRIDE SIGN PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED JUST FOR WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP US WITH THAT BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT AND GIVING STAFF DIRECTION ON THAT.
I WOULD JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COUNCIL FELT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.
>> I THINK THAT IF I WAS ON IT, PUT IT UP YESTERDAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK THE IDEAL FOR THIS CITY, BRIAN, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT THEN [NOISE].
THANK YOU COUNCIL. WE ARE DOWN TO OUR LAST ITEM, PLEASE DO NOW.
[3I. Report Of City Council's Park Board Representative (Collins/Brown - 10 Minutes)]
>> 3I. BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL [OVERLAPPING] CELEBRATION [INAUDIBLE]
>> THANK YOU. [BACKGROUND] I'VE SAID WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY.
[BACKGROUND] DID YOU WANT THIS ON?
>> FOR THE LAST OPERATION STATUS.
>> NO, I JUST DON'T THINK THE CITY COULD EVER STOP CELEBRATING 4TH OF JULY.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S ANY SUGGESTION.
>> I DO NOT THINK THE PARK BOARD APOLOGIZED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE DELAY AND SO FORTH ON THE DRONE SHOW.
I KNOW I'VE RECEIVED, MY PHONE WAS ON FIRE AS I'M SURE ALL YOUR PHONES WERE ON FIRE THAT NIGHT.
NEVER ONCE WAS THERE A PUBLIC APOLOGY FOR THE DELAY OR LACK OF COMMUNICATION.
THAT WAS THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO EXPRESS.
IT JUST SO HAPPEN WATCHING TV I SAW SOMEONE ELSE AND THEY HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH A FIREWORKS SHOW.
THE MAYOR WHO WAS A CITY SHOW WHERE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A PARK BOARD, THEY ACTUALLY DID A PRESS CONFERENCE AND PUBLICLY APOLOGIZED TO THE PUBLIC AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.
THAT WAS JUST THE ONLY THING THAT I WANTED TO SAY.
>> I WILL SAY THE PARK BOARD OF THE CITY RECOGNIZE THAT 4TH OF JULY JUST WENT FROM BEING A BUSY WEEKEND TO AN EVENT.
PARK BOARD AND CITY STAFF ARE IN CONVERSATION NOW ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO MANAGE THIS GOING FORWARD.
I CAN'T GIVE YOU BETTER INFORMATION THAN THAT.
>> IT IS BEING ADDRESSED AND AS DAVID MENTIONED, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME GUIDANCE ON THAT HERE SHORTLY.
>> LIKE MY THING WAS MORE THAT THEY DID NOT DEVELOP PUBLIC APOLOGY TO BOTH THE CITIZENS AND ALL THE TOURS.
THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO TURNED AROUND BEFORE THE SHOW EVEN STARTED.
I JUST THINK THEY NEEDED TO DO A PUBLIC APOLOGY, IT'S NOT ONLY NOW BUT JUST FOR THE RECORD.
WELL, BEFORE WE ADJOURN WE HAVE A CELEBRITY IN THE AUDIENCE, COMMISSIONER JOE JEWS [OVERLAPPING] HERE.
>> JOE CALLED ME AND SAID HE DIDN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS, HE WANTS TO SIT IN AND [LAUGHTER].
>> WE HAVE A MEETING COMING UP BUT BRIAN AND I WOULD COMMISSIONER JOE JEWS.
IT IS 12:31 PM, WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF OUR AGENDA ITEMS. GREAT DISCUSSION TODAY. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.