8.A.Juneteenth And Beyond, LLC - Sightseeing And Tour Franchise Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Granting To Juneteenth And Beyond, LLC., The Right, Privilege, And Franchise To Use All Streets, Avenues, And Other Public Highways In The City Of Galveston For And During The Period Of Ten (10) Years For The Purpose Of Operating And Maintaining A Sightseeing And Tour Franchise For Transporting Passengers For Compensation In Said City; Providing Compensation To The City; Requiring Indemnity And Insurance; Requiring Payment Of Ad Valorem Taxes; Providing For Forfeiture Of This Franchise; Requiring Written Acceptance By Grantee; Finding The Public Convenience And Necessity Requires Such Transportation Service; Providing A Savings Clause; Providing A Severability Clause; Declaring Findings Of Fact; Providing An Effective Date. (A. Montalvan)

[8.A.Juneteenth And Beyond, LLC - Sightseeing And Tour Franchise Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Granting To Juneteenth And Beyond, LLC., The Right, Privilege, And Franchise To Use All Streets, Avenues, And Other Public Highways In The City Of Galveston For And During The Period Of Ten (10) Years For The Purpose Of Operating And Maintaining A Sightseeing And Tour Franchise For Transporting Passengers For Compensation In Said City; Providing Compensation To The City; Requiring Indemnity And Insurance; Requiring Payment Of Ad Valorem Taxes; Providing For Forfeiture Of This Franchise; Requiring Written Acceptance By Grantee; Finding The Public Convenience And Necessity Requires Such Transportation Service; Providing A Savings Clause; Providing A Severability Clause; Declaring Findings Of Fact; Providing An Effective Date. (A. Montalvan)]

ITEM 8A, JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND.

LLC, SIGHTSEEING AND TOUR FRANCHISE.

CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, GRANTING TO JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND LLC, THE RIGHT PRIVILEGE AND FRANCHISE TO USE ALL STREETS, AVENUES AND OTHER PUBLIC HIGHWAYS IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON FOR AND DURING THE PERIOD OF TEN YEARS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING A SIGHTSEEING AND TOUR FRANCHISE FOR TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS FOR COMPENSATION IN SAID CITY, PROVIDING COMPENSATION TO THE CITY REQUIRE AN INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENT.

PAYMENT OF AD VALOREM TEXAS PROVIDING FOR 44 OF THIS FRANCHISE, REQUIRING WRITTEN ACCEPTANCE BY GRANTEE FINDING THE PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY REQUIRES SUCH TRANSPORTATION SERVICE PROVIDING AND SAVINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, DECLARING FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, NELLIE.

AND WE HAVE KATHERINE GORMAN FROM THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

CATHERINE, THANK YOU.

THE CAPTION PRETTY MUCH COVERS WHAT THE REQUEST IS.

IT'S A REQUEST FOR A SIGHTSEEING AND TOUR FRANCHISE.

IT'S FOR THE JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND COMPANY.

[00:25:03]

THE PROPOSED TOUR WILL BEGIN ITS ROUTE AT THE OLD CENTRAL CULTURAL CENTER ON AVENUE M WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO SEVERAL POINTS OF INTEREST OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, USING GALVESTON STREETS, INCLUDING BROADWAY, HARBORSIDE AND THE STRAND STAFF HAS REVIEWED AND FOUND THAT THE PROPOSAL MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

THANK YOU, CATHERINE.

COUNCIL, BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS..

GORMAN. VERY GOOD.

IT IS 8:20.

EXCUSE ME. 5:25 P.M..

GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF.

5:25 P.M.

. YEAH. 5:25 P.M.

AND I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM EIGHT A.

I THINK WE HAVE DR.

SORRELL HERE. DID YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS, DR.

SORRELL? PLEASE COME FORWARD.

GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR BROWN.

I'M DR. ARAMINTA COLEMAN SORRELL, A GALVESTON CERTIFIED TOURISM AMBASSADOR.

I'M SEEKING TO OFFER CULTURAL HERITAGE GUIDED TOURS UNDER THE NAME OF JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND.

I AM A RETIRED EDUCATOR CERTIFIED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS AS A SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES AND K THROUGH 12 SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER.

I HOLD A PHD IN EDUCATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, CHARLOTTESVILLE, A NATIVE OF WASHINGTON, D.C., AND HAVING GROWN UP VISITING SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUMS, I DEVELOPED AN AFFINITY FOR GUIDED TOURS WHILE WORKING FOR JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, I WORKED IN CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY SUCH AS MIAMI, LOS ANGELES, DETROIT, D.C., BATON ROUGE, SAN ANTONIO, MEMPHIS, PEORIA, AND IN CITIES IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK, AS WELL AS GEORGIA.

IN THESE CITIES AND TOWNS, I FREQUENTED HERITAGE CULTURAL GUIDED TOURS DESIGNED AROUND AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

CURRENTLY, THE CITY OF GALVESTON HAS NO SUCH GUIDED TOURS.

ACCORDING TO ALEX THOMAS, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, VISIT GALVESTON.

GALVESTON HAS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LEADER IN THIS REGION AND THE COUNTRY BY DEVELOPING WAYS TO INCREASE VISITATION THROUGH HERITAGE, CULTURAL TOURS.

THEMATIC TOURS SUCH AS AFRICAN AMERICAN GUIDED TOURS WILL GIVE VISITORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN THE RICH FABRIC THAT HAS INFLUENCED TEXAS AND THE DEEP SOUTH ECONOMICALLY.

HERITAGE TOURISM CREATES JOBS, PROVIDES A NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, HELPS PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES, AND IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS.

THE BENEFITS OF HERITAGE TOURISM INCLUDE INCREASING THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR THE CULTURAL TRAVELER AND PROVIDING A ROADMAP TO THE LOCAL FLAVOR WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF GALVESTON ISLAND, AS WE ALL KNOW, AND THAT WE CREATE HERITAGE TOURS THAT SPEAK TO THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE PEOPLE WHILE SHEDDING LIGHT ON MEMORABLE EVENTS THAT SHAPED THE CITY SUCH AS JUNETEENTH.

JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND WILL HIGHLIGHT SIGNIFICANT POINTS OF INTEREST AND WILL ASSIST IN UNCOVERING THE UNTOLD STORIES CREATED ON THE SANDS OF GALVESTON ISLAND BLOOD BY BLACK TEXANS, AS WELL AS OTHER TEXANS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. IF THERE'S ANYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TESTIMONY OR MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, ARE THERE ANY WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THIS THAT WE RECEIVED? OKAY. IT IS NOW 5:28 P.M..

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM EIGHT A, BRING THAT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION.

SHARON. I'LL SECOND.

OKAY. YES.

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 8A BY COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS.

WE HAD A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER, ROB.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU. VERY GOOD.

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM EIGHT B, PLEASE, NELLIE.

[8.B. Galveston Landmark - 3128 Avenue L Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Designating The Property Located At 3128 Avenue L, As A “Galveston Landmark”, Property Is Legally Described As M. B. Menard Survey, Part Of Lots 4 And 5 (4-4), Block 91, In The City And County Of Galveston, Texas; Requesting The Historic Preservation Officer Record The Property's Landmark Designation In The Official Public Records Of Real Property In Galveston County, The Tax Records Of The City Of Galveston And The Central Appraisal District, And The Official Zoning Maps Of The City Of Galveston, Texas; Designating The Site As A Historically Or Archeological Significant Site In Need Of Tax Relief To Encourage Its Preservation; Planning Case Number 22P-079; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (D. Lunsford)]

ITEM EIGHT B, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3128 AVENUE L AS A GALVESTON LANDMARK.

PROPERTY IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS MB MINARD SURVEY, PART OF LOTS FOUR AND FIVE, BLOCK 91 AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION

[00:30:04]

OFFICER RECORD THE PROPERTY'S LANDMARK DESIGNATION IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF REAL PROPERTY IN GALVESTON COUNTY.

THE TAX RECORDS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT, AND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAPS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING THE SITE AS A HISTORICALLY OR ARCHEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANT SITE IN NEED OF TAX RELIEF TO ENCOURAGE ITS PRESERVATION.

PLANNING CASE NUMBER 22P-079, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

THANK YOU, NELLIE.

WE HAVE DANIEL LUNSFORD FROM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

DANIEL. YES, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO THIS IS, I THINK, THE SECOND CORNER STORE THAT WE'VE HAD NOMINATED OR APPROVED SO FAR.

SO THIS IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FOR A LONG TIME.

NOW WE HAVE POSSIBLY TWO.

THIS IS THE BENDIXEN PRO'S CORNER STORE IN RESIDENCE THAT DATES TO 1892.

IT WAS BUILT BY JORGE BENDIXEN.

HE WAS A GERMAN IMMIGRANT WHO RAN A MERCANTILE STORE AND RAISED HIS FAMILY HERE.

LATER, HE SOLD THE STORE TO ANOTHER GERMAN IMMIGRANT, MR. BEN PROCHE. THIS IS VERY TYPICAL OF OUR HISTORIC CORNER STORES, WHICH OF COURSE WERE VERY IMPORTANT TO GALVESTON COMMUNITIES AS NOT JUST A PLACE OF BUSINESS, BUT ALSO A GATHERING PLACE, VERY ARCHITECTURALLY IMPORTANT AND OFTEN SERVED AS LOCAL LANDMARKS.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS ONE AS WELL ON FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE LANDMARK COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, AS DID PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

AND HERE WE HAVE, OF COURSE, A PHOTO OF THE PROPERTY AS IT SITS NOW.

THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, DANIEL.

APPRECIATE IT. ARE ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. LUNSFORD, COUNCIL? VERY GOOD. IT IS 5:31 P.M..

I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM EIGHT B AND IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.

IS THE PROPERTY OWNER HERE? ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? AND, JANELLE, ANY COMMENTS THAT WILL BE RECEIVED? ALL RIGHT. IT IS 5:32 P.M..

AND I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM EIGHT B AND BRING THAT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION.

MAYOR, I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

COUNCILMEMBER SCHUSTER, WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER, YES COLLINS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OH, MY NAME IS DAVE.

THAT'S RIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER COLLINS.

ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

VERY GOOD. THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DANIEL, APPRECIATE IT.

LET'S MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT NOW AT THIS POINT, KIND OF GIVE THE STANDARD PRESENTATION.

[9. PUBLIC COMMENT]

WE HAVE 3 MINUTES FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ANY ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA OR NON AGENDA ITEMS. ACCORDING TO THE OPEN MEETING ACT RULES AND REGULATIONS WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOUR COMMENTS, BUT WE DO NOT CANNOT RESPOND TO YOU.

BUT REST ASSURED THAT COUNCIL IS TAKING IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND STAFF IS ALSO, IF IT REQUIRES STAFF ACTION, SAYING THAT I'M GOING TO CALL DENNIS BIRD FIRST.

DENNIS. GOOD EVENING.

AND I'M DENNIS BIRD.

I'M A LOCAL DEVELOPER. I'VE GOT THREE BEACHFRONT DEVELOPMENTS ALONG SEAWALL BOULEVARD LIVE HERE AND RAISE MY CHILDREN HERE.

I THANK THE CITY COUNCIL.

ALL OF YOU HAVE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE CITY MANAGER FOR LEADING THE COMMUNITY IN HIS EFFORTS AS WELL.

THE ITEM THAT I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO TODAY IS ITEM NUMBER TEN C, THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.

I'M OPPOSED TO THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE OUR BUSINESSES ARE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THE EFFORTS OF BOTH THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD. AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT THE CITY DOES GREAT, I THINK INFRASTRUCTURE, CITY BEAUTIFICATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND WHAT I THINK THE PARK BOARD DOES GREAT IS.

MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS.

MANAGEMENT OF BEACHES AND MANAGED PARKS.

BEEN HERE 20 YEARS DEVELOPING IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THE TWO ENTITIES CAN COME TOGETHER AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL FOR OUR BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

THANK YOU. THANK VERY MUCH DENNIS.

ROBIN BOUSHAWN.

ROBIN.

[00:35:02]

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

MY NAME IS ROBIN BOUSHAWN, AND I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MY CONCERN FOR THIS PROPOSED SPECIAL ELECTION.

I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO SEE THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT BOTH SIDES, CALL BOTH SIDES IN.

SEE HOW WE CAN COME TOGETHER, DISCUSS THE PROS AND THE CONS AND NOT HAVE THE VOTE THIS EVENING.

THE MAIN THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT IN MY 47 YEARS OF BEING IN GALVESTON, I HAVE SEEN HOW THE PARK BOARD VISIT GALVESTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ENTITIES FOR THE ISLAND.

I SEE THE TOURISM LEADERS AND WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH THEIR LIKE MINDED COLLEAGUES AND THE REPUTATION THAT THE PARK BOARD HAS ESTABLISHED WITH THEIR RELATIONSHIPS THAT THEY'VE ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

THERE'S INTEGRITY, THERE'S TRUST, THERE'S CONFIDENCE.

AND WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT IF WE CHANGE THIS PROCEDURE, THAT COULD AFFECT THE MOMENTUM THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED OVER THESE MANY YEARS. I LIKE THE CONTINUITY AND I LIKE THE DIRECTION.

AND HOW DO I KNOW THIS? BECAUSE I'M A LONGTIME JOURNALIST WHOSE CAREER FOCUSES ON WRITING ABOUT DESTINATIONS AND ALL THERE IS TO SEE AND DO AT A DESTINATION.

I CITE A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT KIND OF QUALITY REPUTATION GALVESTON HOLDS.

NOT JUST IN GALVESTON, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

I'M THE PROJECT EDITOR FOR SIGNATURE TRAVEL NETWORK, BASED IN CALIFORNIA.

LAST NOVEMBER, I WAS PARTICIPATING IN SIGNATURE'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE WITH APPROXIMATELY 2000 ATTENDEES.

GALVESTON IS MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES AMONG NOT ONLY THE SIGNATURE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVES AND TRAVEL ADVISORS, BUT WAS MENTIONED BECAUSE OF CRUISING AND ALL THAT GALVESTON HAS DONE SINCE 2000, WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED AS A HOMEPORT AND A PORT OF CALL.

AND I'M CONCERNED THAT BEING THE FOURTH LARGEST PORT IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE POSITIVE COMMENTS, AGAIN, THESE WERE PEOPLE YOU KNOW, THEY KNEW I WAS FROM GALVESTON, BUT THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY.

AND THEY HAD SO MUCH RESPECT FOR OUR TOURISM LEADERS AND HOW THEY PARTNERED WITH THE PORT OF GALVESTON WORK TO GET THE $10 MILLION ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE PORT AND ALL OF THE OTHER GOOD THINGS GALVESTON IS DOING.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONTINUE.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE NO VOTE TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE FOR EVERYONE TO COME TOGETHER AND AND BASICALLY JUST APPROACH THIS ATTITUDE, THIS SITUATION OF HOW CAN WE MAKE IT WORK.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, ROBIN. APPRECIATE IT.

MARTY FLUKE.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I'M MARTY FLUKE.

I'M A RESIDENT IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

I'M ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE PARK BOARD.

AND I COME TO YOU, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU IN THREE AREAS HERE.

THE FIRST ONE IS KIND OF A LIGHT HEARTED JOUST AT OUR CITY MANAGER.

AND THE SECOND ONE IS TO CLEAR UP SOME MISCONCEPTIONS.

AND THE THIRD ONE IS A PLEA FROM THE PARK BOARD FAMILIES.

SO FIRST OF ALL, IN THE LAST WEEK, THE CITY MANAGER HAS SAID THIS ISN'T A MONEY GRAB, THIS ISN'T ABOUT THE MONEY.

SO YOU EDUCATORS THAT KNOW H.L.

MENCKEN, YOU KNOW, THE FAMOUS ESSAYIST, SATIRIST AND SCHOLAR OF AMERICAN ENGLISH, HE'S QUOTED WITH THE WELL-KNOWN LINE WHEN SOMEBODY SAID IT ISN'T ABOUT THE MONEY, IT IS ABOUT THE MONEY.

SO SO I THINK WE KNOW WHERE THAT GOES.

THEN THE SECOND THING IS, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LEGALITIES HERE.

EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THERE'S NO CONFLICT BETWEEN THE STATE LAW AND THE CITY CHARTER.

RIGHT. SO WHAT IS IN CONFLICT WITH THE STATE LAW IS THE ASSERTION THAT THE THREE PENNIES APPROPRIATED TO THE PARK BOARD FOR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION CAN BE USED FOR, AS QUOTED IN THE PAPER, FOR USE TO BUILD A ROBUST MEANS FOR FUNDING ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS FOR THE CITY.

DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE 351 TAX LAW.

SO THE OTHER THING I JUST WANT TO OFFER MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRESENT AND THE PREVIOUS PART BOARDS FROM GROWING, GROWING THE REVENUE FOR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION IN THIS CITY FROM $90000 TO $8.1 MILLION THIS YEAR IN THE COMING YEAR.

SO CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS, FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU'VE DONE, INCLUDING ALL OF OUR PREVIOUS TRUSTEES.

THIRDLY, I WANT TO MAKE A PLEA TO YOU, AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

SATURDAY WE HAD A HOLIDAY PARTY FOR THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PARK BOARD, AND NOT ONE BUT SEVERAL MEMBERS WALKED UP TO ME ASKING ME QUESTIONS

[00:40:03]

LIKE, WILL I HAVE A JOB? WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD? MY KIDS ARE IN GALVESTON SCHOOLS.

I DON'T WANT TO MOVE.

YOU KNOW, SOME EXPRESSED THEIR FEARS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SO I'M ASKING YOU TONIGHT TO SHOW SOME COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND, TO KEEP THE SEAWALL PRISTINE AND KEEP THE BEACHES CLEAN AND MAKE GALVESTON A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND VISIT.

SO I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO AND LET THESE FAMILIES GET BACK TO THEIR LIVES AND THEIR NORMAL LIVELIHOOD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, MARTY.

WILLIAM ADAMS. GOOD EVENING, BILL ADAMS. I LIVE ON THE SEAWALL IN EMERALD.

MY CONCERN, I'M A RETIRED FINANCIAL ADVISOR AFTER 37 YEARS.

IN FACT, DURING THAT TIME, I NEVER HAD A CLIENT COMPLAINT.

BUT I COMMEND THE CITY FOR MOVING THE MONEY FROM CUSTODIANS GUARDIANS.

I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING OR GOT REALLY OVERWHELMED BY THE DOLLARS.

AND THE CITY IS NOW, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, MOVED IT INTO ITS ACCOUNTS AND ARE EARNING ABOUT 1800 DOLLARS A DAY IN INTEREST.

I KNOW THE BALANCE WON'T STAY THERE, BUT IF IT DID THAT ANNUALIZED, IS IT OVER $600,000 A YEAR? AND THOSE DOLLARS, DESPITE WHAT I'VE READ IN THE PAPER, WHICH IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

THOSE ARE HOT DOLLARS.

THEY CAN'T BE USED BY THE CITY FOR OTHER THINGS UNLESS THE STATE LEGISLATURE CHANGES.

SO I REALLY COMMEND THE CITY FOR MOVING THOSE DOLLARS AND BECOMING THE FIDUCIARY FOR THOSE AND ACCEPTING THE FACT IF I WAS ON THE PARK BOARD, I'D BE APPLAUDING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THAT LIABILITY ANYMORE.

AND THEN I ALSO GET UPSET FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT THE PARK BOARD OR THE EXECUTIVE BOARD SPENDS FIVE TIMES MORE THAN THEY'RE ALLOWED TO CHALLENGE THE CITY WITH ATTORNEYS TO HAVE SOME RULINGS DETERMINED WHAT WASN'T IN THE PAPER IS WHAT THE CITY TAXPAYERS HAVE SPENT TO CLARIFYING THAT.

AND IF YOUR ORDINANCE WOULD BE VOTED ON IN MAY CLEARS THAT UP I'M FOR IT.

AS A TAXPAYER, THERE SHOULD BE COORDINATION FOR THE TWO.

AND I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO PROBABLY BE A LITTLE UNPOPULAR.

BUT CHANGING THE SUBJECT ON VISIT GALVESTON.

THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MY MIND AND I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE FOUR YEARS, IS WHY.

SO NOW, EVERYBODY LAUNDRY LIST.

WHY COME TO GALVESTON? YOU CAN DO THE SAME WITH GARY, INDIANA, OR MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA.

BUT WHEN SOMEONE CALLS ME FROM MINNEAPOLIS AND SAYS, WHAT'S GALVESTON LIKE? WHY DO YOU LIKE GALVESTON? I'D SAY, AND THIS IS A FREEBIE.

IT'S THE TEXAS RIVIERA, OK AND I, AFTER I TALKED TO THE MAYOR, MENTIONED THAT I WENT TO THE INTERNET TO FIND THE DEFINITION. AND IT'S OFTEN CAPITALIZED.

IT'S A COASTAL REGION FREQUENTED AS A RESORT AREA AND USUALLY MARKED BY MILD CLIMATE.

TO ME, THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF WHAT GALVESTON IS, AND IT LITERALLY EXPANDS GALVESTON.

IMAGINE HOTEL GALVESTON.

YOU KNOW, DANCE IS NOW GALVESTON OR HOTEL GUILD.

GUILD IS ON THE TEXAS RIVIERA.

GALVESTON, TEXAS.

OR YOU'RE LEAVING ON A CRUISE.

WHERE ARE YOU LEAVING FROM? I'M LEAVING FROM THE TEXAS RIVIERA.

GALVESTON, TEXAS.

THANK YOU, BILL.

YOU'RE REALLY EXPANDING WHAT YOU HAVE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

BILL'S A ONE MAN PROMOTION HERE FOR GALVESTON.

YOU'RE A ONE MAN PROMOTIONAL UNIT FOR GALVESTON.

LOVE IT. WELL, MAYBE WHAT THE CITY SHOULD DO IS POPULATE IT SO THAT IT ALWAYS IS.

VERY GOOD, BILL KEYES.

BILL. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMAN.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TODAY.

MY NAME IS BILL KEYES.

I LIVE AT 1401 25TH STREET.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE WORKSHOP THIS MORNING AND EXPRESSED YOUR OPINION.

AND IT GAVE ME GREAT HOPE FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT IN GALVESTON AND BETTER COOPERATION.

[00:45:06]

SO THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE SAID TODAY.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I'VE CHANGED MY TESTIMONY SOMEWHAT.

I DO WANT TO MAKE SOME POINTS.

I HAVE BEEN IN GOVERNMENT NON-PROFIT IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 50 YEARS IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THOSE AREAS.

AND, YOU KNOW, BEING IN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE, YOU PROJECT ON TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY PROJECTS ON TO YOU.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE CIVIL WITH EACH OTHER IN OUR DEBATES AND OUR PROGRAMS, OUR DISCUSSIONS AND OUR NEWSLETTERS TO OUR CONSTITUENCIES.

IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAD VERY STRICT CODES OF ETHICS THAT MOST OF US FOLLOW THEM, PRETTY MUCH SOME DIDN'T, BUT MOST OF US DID.

BUT I WOULD URGE ALL OF YOU ALL TO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU SEND OUT CONSTITUENT EMAILS AND NEWSLETTERS THAT YOU DON'T DISPARAGE YOUR FELLOW COUNCIL PEOPLE IN BY NAME.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ISSUES, BUT LET'S NOT GET PERSONAL ABOUT THINGS.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO RUN A GOVERNMENT, NOT A GOOD WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE.

I'M SAYING THAT FROM MY EXPERIENCE.

I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT YOU ALL HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER OPINION FROM THE TEXAS HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION CONCERNING THE NEED OR LACK OF NEED FOR A CHARTER AMENDMENT.

PLEASE DON'T DISMISS THAT OFFHAND LIKE YOU DID LAST TIME WHEN WE HAD THREE OPPOSING OPINIONS BECAUSE OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY'S OPINION THAT THREE PEOPLE DISAGREED WITH, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DISAGREE WITH IT.

BUT DON'T JUST DON'T JUST DISMISS THAT.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR LEADERS TO GET A WIDE VARIETY OF INFORMATION BEFORE THEY MAKE A DECISION.

YOU CAN'T DEPEND ON ONE PERSON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WE DIDN'T DEPEND ON ONE LAWYER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO GUIDE US AND WHAT OUR VOTE SHOULD BE.

WE TALKED TO CONSTITUENTS.

WE TALKED TO OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS, WE TALKED TO THE LAWYERS.

WE TALKED TO OTHER BUSINESS PEOPLE BEFORE WE MADE DECISIONS.

THAT'S THE WAY GOOD GOVERNMENT OPERATES.

THAT'S THE WAY LEADERS OPERATE.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU, TOO, WILL FOLLOW THAT ROAD AND AND CALM SOME OF THE RHETORIC, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER.

WE WANT TO MAKE GALVESTON ALL IT CAN BE.

AND I KNOW EACH ONE OF US HAS THAT IN YOUR HEART, BUT WE NEED TO SHOW IT MORE OFTEN.

WITH THAT, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DID.

UH, I WANT TO URGE YOU TO NOT TO PUT THIS ON A BALLOT.

IT'S UNNECESSARY IN MY PERSPECTIVE.

AND I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS FOR Y'ALL TO GET TOGETHER WITH THE PARK BOARD BEHIND THE SCENES WHEN YOU CAN NOT TO CONFLICT WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS RECORD.

BUT WORK THIS THING OUT.

DON'T MAKE IT FUN. THANK YOU, BILL.

APPRECIATE IT. JAY BENGAL.

JAY. HERE WE GO.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, I USED TO HAVE LUNCH WITH BABE SCHWARTZ A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH WHILE I WAS ON THE PARK BOARD.

HIS WIFE WAS ON THE PARK BOARD WITH ME AND WE WERE ON THE SAME COMMITTEE.

SO WHEN WE HAD A COMMITTEE MEETING OR THE REGULAR PARK BOARD MEETING, WE WOULD HAVE LUNCH WITH BABE.

AND BABE TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT GALVESTON, AND BABE KNEW MORE ABOUT GALVESTON THAN ANY HUMAN BEING I'VE EVER MET.

AND WHEN THE ACTUALLY BEFORE I MOVED DOWN HERE, I MOVED INTO HOUSTON, AND MY FORMER IN-LAWS WERE SHOCKED AND DISMAYED WHEN I SAID I WAS GOING TO BRING MY YOUNG CHILDREN TO GALVESTON, TO THE BEACH, BECAUSE EVEN THAT MANY YEARS AFTER BABE HAD CREATED THE CARETAKERS OF THE GALVESTON BEACH, THE REPUTATION LINGERED.

I BROUGHT MY KIDS DOWN ON THE BEACHES.

WE'RE FINE. OH, A FEW BROKEN BOTTLES, BUT.

I JUST, I CAN'T BELIEVE THE BLINDNESS IN UNDOING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WAS EVER DONE IN GALVESTON.

CLEAN, SAFE BEACHES.

BECAUSE GALVESTON IS THE BEACHES.

WHEN I WAS ON THE PARK BOARD, I WAS INFORMED THAT WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS THERE WERE 5 MILLION.

[00:50:10]

THEN I THINK IT'S PROBABLY 6 MILLION PEOPLE.

NOW, WHERE DO THOSE FAMILIES GO FOR INEXPENSIVE? I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO TO CORPUS AND SPEND THE BUCKS OR YOU CAN COME TO GALVESTON AND HAVE AN INEXPENSIVE DAY AT THE BEACH WITH YOUR KIDS. AS LONG AS THE BEACHES ARE CLEAN AND SAFE.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH IT IS YOU ALL HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

YOU ALL GOING TO NEED MONEY TO GET REELECTED.

AND THERE'S MONEY.

YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO USE IT, BUT YOU'LL FIND A WAY.

YOU GOT HIM. HE'LL HELP YOU.

THE. THE OTHER THING.

I'M SORRY. I'M NOT USED TO SPEAKING IN FRONT OF AUSTERE GROUPS OF FOLKS, BUT I AM REALLY DISMAYED TO SEE GALVESTON TAKE THIS GIANT STEP BACKWARD.

THE BULK OF YOUR SALES TAXES COME FROM THE WATERFRONT, JUST LIKE EVERY BEACH CITY.

SECURITY BREACHES.

THANK YOU, JAY.

APPRECIATE IT. YES, SIR.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE DOING.

THANK YOU, JAY.

SUE JOHNSON. SUE.

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING.

IT'S REALLY GOOD TO BE HERE.

MY NAME IS SUE JOHNSON.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NIA CULTURAL CENTER AND ALSO THE JUNETEENTH LEGACY PROJECT HEADQUARTERS ON THE STRAND.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE GALVESTON UNITED JUNETEENTH ALLIANCE.

AND IF THERE ARE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE WHO ARE NOT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HERE, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND? ANYBODY? SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE LEFT, BUT I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO JUNETEENTH AND BEYOND.

ELSIE AND MISS ARAMINTA SORREL.

AND THANK YOU FOR APPROVING HER COMPANY FOR CULTURAL TOURS BECAUSE THEY WILL HELP EXPAND AND ACQUAINT VISITORS AND LOCALS WITH MORE HISTORIC PLACES OFTEN LEFT OUT OF EXISTING TOURS. I, TOO, WANT TO THANK VISIT GALVESTON AND ALEX THOMAS FOR SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE OFFERINGS OF THE PARK BOARD AND VISIT GALVESTON AND ALL ABOUT CULTURAL TOURISM, FESTIVALS AND EVENTS AND ALL OF THE NEW INFORMATION THAT I'VE GOTTEN AFTER BEING ON THIS ISLAND ALL MY LIFE.

THIS WAS NEW INFORMATION TO ME, NOT THAT IT WASN'T AVAILABLE, BUT PEOPLE MADE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT WHAT WAS.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WERE AVAILABLE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY THROUGH VISIT GALVESTON AND THE PARK BOARD.

WE WANT TO HELP GALVESTON TO DEVELOP ARTS AND CULTURAL DESTINATIONS.

WE WANT TO FIRST EXPAND FIRST RATE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS AND PROGRAMING AND ATTRACT CULTURAL TOURISTS.

AS STATED IN THE GALVESTON ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN.

BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE ARE UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE ARTS.

GALVESTON IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY, BUT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE LESS VISIBLE IN THE ARTS THAN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAND LIFE.

WITH THE IMPORTANT EXCEPTION, OF COURSE, OF JUNETEENTH, THE JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL AND THE ABSOLUTE EQUALITY MURAL ARE BRINGING NEW ATTENTION TO GALVESTON'S AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND THESE REPRESENT EXAMPLES OF HOW ART AND CULTURE TOGETHER CAN CELEBRATE AND UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATION AND ATTRACT NEW AUDIENCES TO GALVESTON. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO READ THE MASTER PLAN, YOU HEARD THOSE WORDS BEFORE.

IT'S ALL. IT ALSO STATES THAT JUNETEENTH IS A HOLIDAY THAT GALVESTON OWNS SINCE ITS RECOGNITION AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN 2021.

IT IS EVEN GREATER POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT CULTURAL TOURISM TO GALVESTON.

AND I THINK WE CAN START BY PROVIDING EQUITABLE FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR A NEW JUNETEENTH MUSEUM.

[00:55:01]

AND. THAT DOING IT? THAT IS 3 MINUTES.

THANK YOU, SUE. APPRECIATE IT.

VERY GOOD, THAT'S ALL.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, SIR. COME FORWARD.

WE'LL HAVE A PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER COMING.

GOOD EVENING. HOW ARE YOU ALL TODAY? STEPHEN PENA? I'M IN THIS IS ROB'S DISTRICT.

THAT WAY I'D LIKE TO BEGIN.

PARK BOARD IS A GROUP OF IN MY DEALINGS WITH THEM IS A GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS DEVOTED TO PROMOTING AND TO MAINTAINING GALVESTON BEACHES.

THEY'VE DONE A EXEMPLARY JOB.

ARE THERE SOME HOLES AND THINGS? WELL, OF COURSE, IN EVERY ORGANIZATION THERE ARE THERE ARE PROCEDURES THAT NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AND NEED TO BE LOOKED AT WITH SOME BIT OF OVERSIGHT.

THEY ARE BEHOLDEN TO TO THEIR BUDGET, TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO WHAT THEY BRING IN, NOT TO OUR CITY TAX DOLLARS NOT TO TO TO THAT HOT TAX.

I TOO AM A FIDUCIARY, BUT I'M A FIDUCIARY OF MY CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAY AND CHRISTMAS FUNDS.

AND WHEN I GET THOSE FUNDS, I PUT THEM IN MY POCKET AND I HOLD ON TO THEM TO MAKE THEM SPEND WHAT I SEE BEST ON AS THAT.

HOWEVER, TO SAY THAT I ALWAYS ALLOW THEM TO SPEND IT ON WHAT THEY WANT, IT WOULD BE A MISQUOTE.

ALLOW THE PARK BOARD TO COLLECT THEIR TAXES TO TO COLLECT THAT HOT TAX, TO USE THAT TOWARDS WHAT THEY ARE PROFESSIONALLY DRIVEN TO DO, PROMOTE PROMOTING MAINTAINING THE THE BEACHES MAINTAINING AND PROMOTING GALVESTON TO TO THE OUTSIDE AND LET SOME OF THAT OVERSIGHT BE A PARTNERSHIP AND BE SOMETHING THAT THE CITY CAN COME TOGETHER WITH THE PARK BOARD AND TALK ABOUT MAINTAINING BETTER CONTROLS AND CRITERIA ABOVE THAT.

BUT LET THEM DO WHAT THEIR JOB IS TO DO.

IT'S A GROUP OF DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS THAT THAT THEY HAVE DEVOTED THEIR LIFE TO THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, STEPHEN.

VERY GOOD. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS? ANY COMMENT? VERY GOOD.

OH, YES, MA'AM. COME FORWARD.

HELLO, CRAIG.

HELLO. MY NAME IS LAWANDA, AND I'M COMING FOURTH FOR THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF GALVESTON.

I INVITED FRIENDS HERE TODAY, AND I DID IT BY WAY OF FACEBOOK.

AND SOMEONE SAW THAT I INVITED PEOPLE TO THE MEETING, AND I RECEIVED A CALL THAT SOMEONE SCREENSHOT THAT I WAS INVITING PEOPLE TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

VERY INTERESTING.

AND I RECEIVED A CALL AND FOUND OUT.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M UP HERE TO TALK ABOUT.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY COMMUNITY.

I GREW UP HERE IN GALVESTON.

I WAS AROUND A LOT OF EDUCATORS GROWING UP.

THERE WERE LOTS OF BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT GALVESTON COUNTY.

IF I WAS TO ASK EACH ONE OF YOU TO NAME AT LEAST FIVE BLACK OWNED RESTAURANTS HERE ON THE ISLAND, YOU WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO NAME APPROXIMATELY TWO OR THREE.

IF I WAS TO ASK YOU HOW MANY BLACK BEAUTY SALONS WAS HERE ON THE ISLAND, YOU WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO TELL ME ONE.

IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT BACK WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

LITTLE BY LITTLE, OUR HISTORY ON THIS ISLAND IS BEING ERASED.

THE INTERNATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM THAT MR. COLLINS HAD, THE STUDENTS AT TEXAS A&M AND PRÉVUE AND TO DESIGN WOULD BE PHENOMENAL ON THIS ISLAND.

BUT FROM WHAT I KNOW, THERE'S A PLAN TO TEAR DOWN A SMALL BUILDING.

AND I THINK Y'ALL SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION SERIOUSLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE TRULY, LITTLE BY LITTLE, OUR HISTORY ON THIS ISLAND IS BEING ERASED.

[01:00:03]

I WANT YOU TO MARINATE ON THAT TONIGHT.

SERIOUSLY. OUR HISTORY.

THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS DISAPPEARING ON GALVESTON ISLAND.

AND SOMETHING.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT PICTURE.

AND THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY.

THANK YOU. I CALL HIM CRAIG BECAUSE HE'S.

I CONSIDER HIM A FRIEND.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

BUT REALLY THINK ABOUT IT.

THE BLACK POPULATION ON GALVESTON ISLAND IS DISAPPEARING.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LAWANDA.

WE HAVE A LADY IN THE BACK.

I THINK SHE HAD HER HAND UP.

WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.

WELCOME. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS TRINA HARRIS.

AVENUE L ON 25TH.

I'M AN EMPLOYEE OF NIA CULTURAL CENTER AND ALSO PART OF THE JUNETEENTH LEGACY PROJECT.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ECHO SOME OF THE SENTIMENTS THAT WERE SHARED TONIGHT REGARDING CONCERNS OF THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS OR HOW THE FUNDS ARE MANAGED FROM HOW THEY CURRENTLY ARE UNDER THE PARK BOARD AND THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING THEM.

BUT ALSO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RECENT MOMENTUM THAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE RESOURCES AND THE SUPPORT ALLOCATED NOT JUST FOR JUNETEENTH BUT FOR CULTURAL TOURISM AS A WHOLE.

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN ASCRIBING BLAME OR POINTING FINGERS, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE LACK OF SUPPORT THAT A LOT OF US HAVE SEEN.

AND I'M NOT FROM GALVESTON.

I WASN'T BORN IN GALVESTON.

I DIDN'T GET HERE UNTIL 2016, BUT I HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE.

I WAS IN THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF GALVESTON UNIVERSITY, SO I DID AND HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF TIME TO LEARN ABOUT THE CITY AND APPRECIATE A LOT OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

BUT I HAVE ALSO SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BORN AND RAISED IN GALVESTON.

AND WHEN I LOOK AT JUNE COLLINS, WHEN I LOOK AT SUE JOHNSON, WHEN I LOOK AT SAMUEL COLLINS AND LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORY THAT HAD I NOT HAD THE PROXIMITY, THE PRIVILEGE OF THE PROXIMITY OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, I WOULDN'T HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT HISTORY, NOT UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN ALEX THOMAS CAME ON STAFF WITH A PARK BOARD THAT I SEE THE INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BUILDING NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR THOSE PLANS AND THE IDEAS FOR HOW TO MAKE CULTURAL TOURISM MEANINGFUL AND NOT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF GALVESTON TO COME IN AND PROFIT OFF OF THE HISTORY THAT WE HADN'T FOUND A WAY TO MEANINGFULLY UPHOLD.

DID I SEE WHAT WE NEEDED IN ORDER FOR THOSE THINGS TO CHANGE, FOR THOSE THINGS TO HAPPEN? THE JUNETEENTH THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.

THE EVENTS AT THE OPERA HOUSE, THE EVENTS ON THE STRAND.

I HADN'T SEEN JUNETEENTH CELEBRATED DOWN HERE LIKE THAT BEFORE.

I HADN'T SEEN PEOPLE TAKING THE TIME TO TEACH OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH FOR DECADES, LEARN ABOUT WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT MARKETING STRATEGIES THAT YOU NEED, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EVENTS? AND SO THEY BROUGHT ON THE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS WORKSHOP.

MY CONCERN IS THE WAY THAT IT PRESENTS.

WHEN YOU SEE THAT KIND OF MOMENTUM HAPPENING, THAT HADN'T HAPPENED BEFORE.

WHEN YOU SEE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS BEING BUILT, THE FUNDING, THE ATTENTION, THE STAFFING, THE HOURS BEING ALLOCATED IN ORDER TO BUILD THOSE NONPROFITS UP TO HONOR OUR HISTORY AND A MANNER DESERVING OF THE WEIGHT OF THAT HISTORY, TO THEN CHANGE AT THAT POINT IS VERY CONCERNING IN THE WAY THAT IT PRESENTS.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT INSTEAD OF THAT BEING A TIME TO THEN SHIFT WHAT WE'RE DOING, THAT WE CAN STEP BACK AND TAKE SPACE TO HONOR THE PROCESS THAT'S BEING MADE, THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEING MADE, AND GET TO ALL FULLY PARTICIPATE COLLABORATIVELY IN THE FRUIT OF THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

VERY GOOD. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? OKAY, VERY GOOD.

WE MAY HAVE SOMEONE.

GOOD JOB, MOMMY. HERE WE GO.

JANELL, WE HAD SOME WRITTEN COMMENTS, PUBLIC COMMENTS.

COULD YOU READ THOSE, PLEASE? DO WE HAVE FIVE? ALL RIGHT. FIRST ONE IS FROM MARTY MILES.

AND IT'S ABOUT THE CITY REMOVING AUTHORITY FROM PARK BOARD ASSOCIATES AND THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

AS GHLA CHAIR.

THERE HAS BEEN NO CLEARLY COMMUNICATED PLAN OR PROCESS SET IN PLACE FOR HOW PARK BOARD BUDGET APPROVAL AND FUNDING WILL BE HANDLED.

DOES THE CITY MANAGER GET LINE ITEM BUDGET APPROVAL OVER THE PARK BOARD TOURISM EXPENDITURES? IF SO, WHAT INPUT WILL THE TOURISM INDUSTRY HAVE ON THESE DECISIONS? HOW WILL FUNDS BE DISPERSED? AND HAS THE CITY CONSIDERED HOW CHANGING INTO CERTAIN DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULES WILL IMPACT THE AUDIENCE ABILITY TO SECURE COMPETITIVE TOURISM, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS CONTRACTS? NEXT IS FROM SHRUB KEMPNER REGARDING POSSIBLE ELECTION TO CHANGE CHARTER TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOT BE GIVEN TO THE PARK BOARD AND THUS

[01:05:04]

LET COUNCIL DECIDE SOMEHOW HOW TO SPEND THE MONIES.

FOOLISH IDEA.

THE PARK BOARD KNOWS HOW TO ATTRACT TOURISTS.

CITY MANAGEMENT DOES NOT.

IF THE PRESENT STATE OF THINGS IS ILLEGAL, ACCORDING TO SOME, TAKE IT TO COURT AND PROVE IT.

BUT DO NOT ASK THE CITIZENS TO CHOOSE WHICH WOULD BE BETTER STEWARDS BY CHARTER CHANGE.

UNLESS YOU WISH TO SET THE COMMUNITY AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS IN WHAT WOULD BE AN AMAZINGLY DIVISIVE MOVE.

NEXT IS FROM CHARLOTTE O'ROURKE.

THE 1967 CHARTER PROVISION REQUIRING 3% OF HOT FOR ADVERTISING GO TO THE BEACH PARK BOARD, REGARDLESS OF THE VALUE OF THE PENNY AND BUDGET, ARE BASED ON PERFORMANCE. FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND COOPERATION WITH THE CITY HAS HOPEFULLY REACHED ITS EXPIRATION DATE.

PLEASE ALLOW VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS ISSUE.

AS THIS REQUIREMENT WAS APPROVED WHEN HOT FUNDING WAS ABOUT 90,000 VERSUS 10 MILLION, WITH A LARGE PORTION OF TODAY'S REVENUES REMAINING IDLE IN RESERVES. IDLE EXCESS FUNDS ARE ALSO OCCURRING WITH THE OTHER 3% OF HOT THE PARK BOARD RECEIVES.

YET THE PARK BOARD KEEPS TELLING OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT IF IT WANTS HOT, IT MUST SEEK ANOTHER PENNY FROM THE STATE.

IN OTHER WORDS, MORE TAXES INSTEAD OF REEVALUATING HOT NEEDS AFTER 50 YEARS.

THE PAST PARK BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE DID NOT PERCEIVE THE CITY AS THE ENEMY, BUT AS A PARTNER AND PROVIDER OF OVERSIGHT OF PUBLIC HOT FUNDS.

WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW CAN THE CITY TURN THIS AROUND? THE CVB DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB ON ADVERTISING AND HAS THE REQUIRED EXPERTISE, BUT TRUSTEES AND MANAGEMENT KEEP SPENDING MORE AND MORE MONEY ON LEGAL OPINIONS INSTEAD OF HAMMERING OUT AN INTERLOCAL WITH THE CITY.

IT'S TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND MANDATE AN ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT, WHICH IS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF AUDIT TO EASILY SEE STATISTICAL STRENGTH TRENDS AND IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND AT THE SAME TIME FOSTER A COLLEGIAL VERSUS ADVERSARIAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG OUR TWO MAJOR BOARDS AND THE CITY.

IT'S TIME FOR A VOTE TO TAKE THE CITY OFF THE HOOK FOR AN OUTDATED MANDATORY COMMITMENT OF 3% TO A BEACH PARK BOARD THAT REALLY NO LONGER EXISTS AS VOTERS APPROVED IT.

AND REGARDLESS OF UNDERLYING ISSUES, BUDGET OR PERFORMANCE.

NEXT IS FROM VICTORIA NEWSOME.

THE PARK BOARD, ESPECIALLY VISIT GALVESTON, HAVE DONE MORE FOR OUR BUSINESS UNDER THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT STAFF THAN PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS DID.

THE PARK BOARD AND VISIT GALVESTON SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO TRANSACT BUSINESS AS THEY HAVE DONE.

THE CURRENT GROUP'S MANAGEMENT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A STELLAR TOURISM SEASON AND HOPEFULLY MORE TO COME.

AND THE LAST ONE IS FROM JAMES CLARK.

I'M APPALLED BY THE BEHAVIOR IN PARTICULAR, MEMBERS WHO, REMEMBER, WERE ELECTED TO SUPPORT AND REPRESENT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

TO PROPOSE ORDINANCES AND CHARTER AMENDMENTS, TO REMOVE FUNDING AND RESPONSIBILITIES FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT JUST CLOSED ONE OF THE BEST YEARS EVER IN PERFORMANCE AND HEART COLLECTION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

ARE THEY IN TROUBLE FOR DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN HELPING PULL OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH ONE OF THE WORST PANDEMICS OUR GENERATION WILL EVER SEE? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

EVEN THOUGH THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION HAS NEVER BEEN VIEWED AS OUT OF CONFORMITY WITH STATE LAW, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE MUNICIPALITY WANTING TO MAKE CHANGES IN ORDER TO CONFORM, BUT THIS IS MORE THAN WANTING TO CONFORM.

THIS IS A BLATANT TAKEOVER OF MARKETING, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTING THE MUNICIPALITY'S RECREATIONAL ADVANTAGES.

I ASKED THE MUNICIPALITY TO PROVE BY PRESENTATION AND STATISTICS THEY ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING AND EXCELLING IN THIS DELICATE AND CRUCIAL ACTIVITY. THE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION HAS PROVEN YEAR AFTER YEAR THEY ARE NOT ONLY CAPABLE OF HANDLING THIS RESPONSIBILITY, BUT THEY ARE ALSO REALLY GOOD AT IT AND FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ARRANGEMENT VERIFIED BY ANNUAL AUDITS.

INSTEAD OF A SPITEFUL AND CONTROVERSIAL TAKEOVER.

I'D LIKE TO SEE THESE TWO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WORK TOGETHER TO DRAFT OPERATING CONTRACTS THAT NOT ONLY ALLOW CONFORMITY TO STATE LAW, BUT ALSO ALLOW THE MUNICIPALITY AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE CAPACITIES.

AS A BUSINESSPERSON AND MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY THIS IS MY OPINION IS A LOGICAL SOLUTION, ONE THAT MAKES SENSE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. RESPECTFULLY, JAMES CLARK.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, MAYOR.

ANYONE ELSE? THAT'S IT.

THAT'S IT. VERY GOOD.

THAT CLOSES THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

WE'RE MOVING TO ITEM TEN, ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[10.A. Election Order - District 2 Vacancy Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Ordering And Calling A Special Election To Be Held In The City Of Galveston On The 6th Day Of May, 2023, For The Purpose Of Electing A District Council Member For District Two, For A Term Ending In May 2024; Making Provisions For The Conduct And Giving Notice Of The Election; Designating Polling Places; Designating Dates And Hours For Early Voting; Designating The Date And Hours For The Election Day; Providing For Publication Of The Notice Of The Election; Providing Bilingual Election Requirements; Providing For A Severability Clause; Providing An Open Meetings Clause; Providing A Savings Clause; Declaring Findings Of Fact; And Providing For An Effective Date. (City Council)]

[01:10:03]

TEN A, PLEASE NELLIE.

ITEM TEN A, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON ON THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY 2023 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT TWO FOR A TERM ENDING IN MAY 2024, MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CONDUCT AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES, DESIGNATING DATES AND HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING, DESIGNATING THE DATE AND HOURS FOR THE ELECTION DATE, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, PROVIDING BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, DECLARING FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DON. DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A VACANCY WHICH HAS OCCURRED AND MR. SCHUSTER IS HOLDING OVER AS WE SPEAK, AND THE CHARTER REQUIRES THAT THIS VACANCY BE FILLED BY A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CALLING IT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

VERY GOOD. I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO START OUR DISCUSSION ON THIS.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ITEM TEN A.

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT SECOND.

I GOT IT. I GOT IT. I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOST QUICK.

AT LEAST I CAN FINISH THERE.

WILLIAM, I'M SORRY.

OH, NO. IF YOU'LL PRESS AGAIN, WILLIAM.

IF YOU [INAUDIBLE] THERE WE GO.

WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND ON THAT.

I'M OPENING UP TO DISCUSSION AND HAVE A QUESTION HERE.

THE WAY THESE POLLING LOCATIONS ARE ITEMIZED ON THIS, THESE ARE IN PRIORITY, I THINK.

IS THAT CORRECT STAFF? THAT IS CORRECT. IT'S IN PRIORITY.

SO IF THE TWO FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON HAVE TO CHANGE, THEY WE WOULD TAKE THEN THE BOTTOM ONE OFF AND MOVE UP DEPENDING ON. CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S CLARIFY.

THE FIVE THAT THE CITY CHOSE PREVIOUSLY.

THAT'S IN SPECIFIC ORDER.

YES, MA'AM. OTHER POLLING LOCATIONS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNTY AND THEY'LL GIVE US THOSE AND THEY'LL BE AMENDED.

CORRECT. OKAY.

JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS THE CASE.

ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM COUNCIL? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. OH, EXCUSE ME.

DAVID. WILLIAM.

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE WORKING WITH YOU.

IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW WE'RE NOT KICKING YOU OUT TODAY, BUT, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BE SURE THERE ARE NO CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS AT YOUR HOUSE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

BUT IT'S BEEN.

IT'S BEEN GREAT WORKING WITH YOU.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU.

THANK YOU. I MEAN, EVEN THOUGH I'M GAINING A NEW CONSTITUENT, IT IS SAD TO SEE WILLIAM LEAVE THE COUNCIL BECAUSE I CERTAINLY HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM ON MANY THINGS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BECAUSE I VALUE YOUR INPUT.

COUNCILMAN SCHUSTER.

COUNCILMAN SCHUSTER HAS BEEN A QUITE A POSITIVE FOR THIS COUNCIL.

WE HAVE A BIG GOING AWAY PARTY FOR HIM, SO I WILL HOLD THOSE ALL THE COMMENTS HERE.

BUT HE HAS BEEN A VERY POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THIS COUNCIL.

HE'S BROUGHT A PERSPECTIVE THAT IS DIRELY NEEDED ON THIS, NOT ONLY FROM AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS IS YOUNGER, BUT LOOKS AT THE COMMUNITY FROM THE INSIDE OF THAT YOUNGER PERSON AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW THIS COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU, WILLIAM, FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR THE COUNCIL.

YOU'RE WELCOME. VERY GOOD.

ALL RIGHT. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES, IF YOU WOULD.

NO VOTE. YEAH.

WHAT HAVE WE VOTED NOW? I THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

BELIEVE ME, YOU'RE VOTING NO.

THERE. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU. ITEM TEN B, PLEASE.

[10.B. Election Order - Industrial Development Corporation Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Ordering And Calling A Special Election To Be Held In The City Of Galveston On The 6th Day Of May, 2023, For The Purpose Of Submitting To The Qualified Voters Of The City Of Galveston, Texas A Proposition To Determine Whether The City’s Existing One-Half Of One Per Cent Sales And Use Tax, Collectively Authorized At Elections Held On November 2, 1993, December 4, 1994 And November 4, 2008, Under Former Section 4b Of Article 5190.6 Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann, Now Codified As Tex. Loc. Government Code Ch. 505, Be Extended; And As Authorized By Chapter 505 Of The Texas Local Government Code, The Types Of Projects To Be Funded With The Sales And Use Tax And Apportioned Are As Follows: One-Eighth Of One Percent For Beach Remediation Projects Along The Gulf Of Mexico, Including Beach Renourishment; One-Eighth Of One Percent For Projects Related To Recreation And Community Facilities, Including Parks And Park Facilities; One-Eighth Of One Percent For Projects Related To Infrastructure Improvements; And One-Eighth Of One Percent For Projects Related To The Promotion Or Development Of New Or Expanded Business Enterprises, Including The Maintenance Of The Projects; All As Authorized By Chapter 505 Of The Texas Local Government Code; Making Provisions For The Conduct And Giving Notice Of The Election; Designating Polling Places; Designating Dates And Hours For Early Voting; Designating The Date And Hours For The Election Day; Providing For Publication Of The Notice Of The Election; Providing Bilingual Election Requirements; Providing For A Severability Clause; Providing An Open Meetings Clause; Providing A Savings Clause; Declaring Findings Of Fact; And Providing For An Effective Date And Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (City Council)]

ITEM TEN B, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON ON THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY 2023 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, A PROPOSITION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CITY'S EXISTING ONE HALF OF 1% SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTIVELY AUTHORIZED AT ELECTIONS HELD ON NOVEMBER 2ND, 1993, DECEMBER 4TH, 1994, AND NOVEMBER 4TH, 2008, UNDER FORMER SECTION FOUR B OF ARTICLE 5190.6, NOW CODIFIED AS TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 505 BE EXTENDED AND AS AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER 505

[01:15:01]

OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.

THE TYPES OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED WITH THE SALES AND USE TAX AND APPORTIONED ARE AS FOLLOWS.

ONE EIGHTH OF 1% FOR BEACH REMEDIATION PROJECTS ALONG THE GULF OF MEXICO, INCLUDING BEACH RENOURISHMENT ONE EIGHTH OF 1% OF PROJECTS RELATED TO RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING PARKS AND PARK FACILITIES, ONE EIGHTH OF 1% FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, ONE AND ONE EIGHT AND 1% FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO THE PROMOTION OR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW OR EXPANDED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES, INCLUDING THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PROJECTS AS ALL AS AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER 505 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CONDUCT AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES, DESIGNATING DATES AND HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING, DESIGNATING THE DATE AND HOURS FOR THE ELECTION DAY, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, PROVIDING BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETING CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, DECLARING FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

WOW. NELLIE. GOOD JOB.

FAIR. YES.

TO MOVE TO APPROVE.

BUT COULD YOU REREAD THAT NELLIE.

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL BY COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB.

SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER.

SCHUSTER GOT THAT UP? YES, JOHN. YEAH.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, I'VE SERVED ON THE IDC FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND OF ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT THE IDC HAS DONE AROUND THE ISLAND AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT MORE GREAT PROJECTS COMING UP.

AND SO I WOULD ASK EVERYBODY TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE AND GET OUT AND VOTE YES FOR IT.

IT REALLY DOES GREAT THINGS AROUND TOWN AND IT'S VERY BENEFICIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT TO THE IDC.

BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, THE CITY OF GALVESTON CAN'T PROMOTE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE ON ANYTHING THAT'S ON THE BALLOT HERE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT, JUST MENTION THAT THE IDC HAS, AS JOHN HAD MENTIONED, HAS DONE WONDERFUL THINGS.

AND WHAT THE IDC IS DOING IS TAKING THE SALES TAX.

THESE ARE NOT AD VALOREM TAX OR MONIES COMING IN FROM THE PROPERTY TAX.

IT'S TAKING THE SALES TAX THAT IS GENERATED THE MAJORITY FROM VISITORS THAT COME ON THIS ISLAND.

AND IT'S TAKING THAT SALES TAX AND THEN UTILIZING IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR RESIDENTS.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT THE IDC.

IT TAKES A HALF CENT OF OUR SALES TAX AND I COULD GO THROUGH AND FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES TO LIST ALL OF THE PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS THAT IDC HAS PROMOTED AND HELPED FUND ALL THE WAY FROM BEACH NOURISHMENT TO THE SANDHILL CRANE PARK TO OUR LITTLE LEAGUE PARK, CROCKETT LITTLE LEAGUE PARK AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

SO IT IS A VITAL, VITAL INTEREST INSTRUMENT FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON, UTILIZING SALES TAX FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS. DAVID YEAH, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I TO OF COURSE SERVE ON IDC AND WE'VE WE'VE SEEN SOME GREAT PROJECTS COME THROUGH THERE.

FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, THOUGH, I WANT TO SAY THERE ARE FOUR SILOS THAT THIS MONEY IS DIVIDED EQUALLY INTO.

THIS IS THIS IS THE MAYOR SAYS IS A QUARTER HALF CENT OF OUR SALES TAX IS DIVIDED INTO INTO QUARTERS WHERE IT'S USED FOR BEACH RENOURISHMENT, MATCHING FUNDS FOR BEACH RENOURISHMENT.

IT IS EXTRA FUNDING FOR OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

IT PROVIDES A FUND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT AND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WHERE WE'RE PROVIDING PRIMARY JOBS.

AND WE TOUCHED ON THIS JUST BRIEFLY THIS MORNING, AND I WANTED TO KIND OF REENGAGE MARIE, ON THIS.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO HOW WE'RE HOW WE'RE DOING THIS AND HOW WE HOW WE FUNDED THIS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT IN IN IDC WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THREE SILOS AND FOUR SILOS BECAUSE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO REQUIRING PRIMARY JOBS, IT'S SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TO TO TO APPLY THAT.

NOW IT'S BEEN THE SOURCE OF THE MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE PELICAN ISLAND BRIDGE WHICH BECAUSE THAT THAT NO DOUBT THAT WILL THAT WILL SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON PELICAN ISLAND.

BUT THOSE ARE THE PROJECTS OF THAT SIZE OR THAT COMPLEXITY WERE KIND OF FAR BETWEEN.

AND I'M NOT SURE WE COULDN'T HAVE USED, SAY, THE INFRASTRUCTURE SILO TO DO THE SAME THING.

[01:20:04]

ONE OF THE IDEAS THAT WAS FLOATED IN IDC AND WE DECIDED NOT TO GO WITH AND I'D LIKE I'D LIKE TO REVISIT JUST FOR A MOMENT, IS THREE SILOS EQUALLY DIVIDED? IT WOULD PROVIDE GREATER FUNDING FOR BEACH RENOURISHMENT.

IT WOULD ENHANCE FUNDING FOR OUR PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS GOING TO NEED IT AS THE 3.5% CAP ON AD VALOREM TAXES SQUEEZES THE CITY'S BUDGET FURTHER. AND THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING WE CAN DO WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND.

SO YOU AND I SPOKE BRIEFLY ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING.

YOU KNOW WHAT? WHY WOULD WE NOT GO TO THREE INSTEAD OF FOUR? WELL, PERSONALLY, I THINK ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, HAVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO IS OF KEY IMPORTANCE BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS ELECTION IS TAKING AWAY THE SUNSET OF THE FOUR B SALES TAX.

AND WITH THAT IT GIVES US THE CAPABILITY TO FLOAT A BOND FOR PURCHASING.

COULD BE THE PORT OF HOUSTON PROPERTY.

IT COULD BE ANYTHING ALONG THAT LINES WHICH WOULD CREATE PRIMARY JOBS.

AND WITH THAT AND AND IN THAT, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO IS IDEAL.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING THIS MORNING ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT OF NORTH OF BROADWAY.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH THE OTHER AVENUES AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, THAT LOOKING AT WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH DEVELOPING THE DEPOT OR SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINES WHICH A LOT OF THAT WILL IT WOULD QUALIFY WITH PRIMARY JOBS.

BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE FOUR SILOS.

AND, YOU KNOW, FOR ME TO WALK AWAY FROM MORE MONEY FOR BEACHES, I FEEL STRONGLY.

BUT I JUST THINK THAT'S THE KEY FACTOR WITH SOME OF THE ELEMENTS THAT HAVE COME UP, ESPECIALLY WITH PELICAN ISLAND AND OPPORTUNITIES NORTH OF BROADWAY, WHERE HAVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO IS OF KEY IMPORTANCE.

I WOULD, YOU KNOW ABOUT BUYING THE LAND.

THE POSSIBILITY OF BUYING LAND OR DOING DEVELOPMENT ON PELICAN ISLAND IS A VERY AN EXCELLENT POINT.

AND I SAY LARGE PROJECTS ARE RARE, THAT THAT'S A BIG ONE AND IT COULD BE COMING AT US.

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

I'M NOT SURE HOW WE WOULD DIVERT THOSE FUNDS.

FOR DEVELOPMENT NORTH OF BROADWAY, THAT THAT WOULDN'T BE INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT WOULDN'T BE INFRASTRUCTURE ELIGIBLE.

BUT THE ARGUMENT ABOUT ABOUT THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF PELICAN ISLAND IS FAIRLY COMPELLING.

I WOULD MENTION TO ABOUT THE IDC THAT WE DISCUSSED THIS AT THE IDC, THE THREE SILOS, OR FOR QUITE A BIT.

WE WENT BACK AND FORTH ON THAT.

YES, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO RECENTLY HAS NOT BEEN UTILIZED QUITE AS EXTENSIVELY AS THE OTHER SILOS, BUT I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE NEW OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOPING THAT.

I THINK WE WILL TAP INTO THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SILO.

THE OTHER THING IS TO AS WE BRING THIS TO THE VOTERS, IT'S THE SAME BASICALLY AS WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR THE PAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

AND SO THE THE VOTERS, IT'S NOT A CHANGE FROM 4 TO 3.

IT'S THE SAME AS WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT.

AND I THINK THE VOTERS AND I THINK THE RESIDENTS OF GALVESTON CAN SEE THE BENEFIT OF THAT AND SEEING THAT IT'S REALLY THE SAME ORDINANCE JUST EXTENDING THAT WITHOUT AN EXPIRATION DATE AND MAKE A COMMENT ON THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL CAN ALWAYS CANCEL THE EDC, BUT NOT HAVING AN EXPIRATION DATE ALLOWS US THEN TO LOOK AT PROJECTS WHERE WE CAN LEVERAGE IT EDC MONEY FOR LONG TERM GAIN AND DEVELOP MORE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS.

I WOULD MAKE THE POINT THAT THAT EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF ADC COMES TO COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL ANYWAY.

SO THAT IS CORRECT. BUT ALWAYS, ALWAYS SAY NO.

I THINK JOHN HAD A COMMENT.

JOHN WELL, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT I THINK THAT FULL TITLE SILO IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE WOULD SPEND, WAS IT NOT? I THINK IT IS.

IT'S OH, I'M SPEAKING LOUD ENOUGH.

YOU'RE DOING FINE. WE WOULD SPEND EVERY PENNY OF THAT MONEY ON BEACHES, PARKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THAT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, AND SO THAT FOURTH SILO GIVES US THAT OPTION TO DO THOSE PROJECTS WHERE WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE THAT ABILITY IF WE ONLY HAD THE THREE SILOS.

THAT'S A GOOD POINT. YEAH, THERE'S A GOOD POINT.

IT'S A VERY GOOD POINT. IT'S KIND OF LIKE OUR 8% SET ASIDE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

YEAH, IN A WAY.

VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT?

[01:25:02]

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THAT.

ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[10.C. Election Order - Charter Amendment Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Ordering And Calling A Special Election To Be Held In The City On The 6th Day Of May, 2023, For The Purpose Of Submitting To The Qualified Voters Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, A Proposition To Amend City Charter Article Viii Section 2(A) To Provide That Hotel Occupancy Tax (Hot) Be Appropriated And Expended In Compliance With State Law Which Requires That If A Municipality Imposes Hot Tax At A Rate Of 4% Then 3% Of The Proceeds Shall Be Appropriated By The City For The Purpose Of Advertising And Conducting Solicitations And Promotional Programs To Attract Tourists And Convention Delegates Or Registrants To The Municipality; Eliminating The Requirement That Hot Tax Funds Be Given To The Beach Park Board Of Trustees; Making Provisions For The Conduct And Giving Notice Of The Election; Designating Polling Places; Designating Dates And Hours For Early Voting; Designating The Date And Hours For The Election Day; Providing For Publication Of The Notice Of The Election; Providing Bilingual Election Requirements; Providing For A Severability Clause; Providing An Open Meetings Clause; Providing A Savings Clause; Declaring Findings Of Fact; And Providing For An Effective Date And Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (Legal)]

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM TEN C, PLEASE.

ITEM TEN C, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, ORDERING AND CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY ON THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY 2023 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

A PROPOSITION TO AMEND CITY CHARTER ARTICLE EIGHT, SECTION TWO, TO PROVIDE THAT HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX BE APPROPRIATED AND EXPENDED IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW, WHICH REQUIRES THAT IF A MUNICIPALITY IMPOSES HOT TAX AT A RATE OF 4%, THEN 3% OF THE PROCEEDS SHALL BE APPROPRIATED BY THE CITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADVERTISING AND CONDUCTING SOLICITATIONS AND PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS TO ATTRACT TOURISTS AND CONVENTION DELEGATES OR REGISTRANTS TO THE MUNICIPALITY, ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOT TAX FUNDS BE GIVEN TO THE BEACH PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES, MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CONDUCT AND GIVEN NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES, DESIGNATING DATES AND HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING, DESIGNATING THE DATE AND HOURS FOR THE ELECTION DAY, PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF THE ELECTION, PROVIDING BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, DECLARING FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AND MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FOR THE AUDIENCE SAKE.

CITY COUNCIL. CITY SECRETARY MEMBERS GET PAID PER WORD SPOKEN SO.

YES, SIR. WELL, GO AHEAD.

I WAS GOING. I'M GOING TO BRING IT BACK FOR ACTION AND I WAS GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS.

ALLOW ME. ALLOW ME THAT, PLEASE.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE FAILED IN A COUPLE OF WAYS HERE BY BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

ONE, I FAILED.

I THINK I FAILED TO EDUCATE BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PERHAPS SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS.

I ALSO FAIL TO ANTICIPATE THE LEVEL OF MISINFORMATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING AND EVEN SOMETIMES DELIBERATE DISINFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT THERE ABOUT THIS.

I'LL SAY AGAIN, THE CVB DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB AT WHAT THEY DO.

THEY YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BEACH OR EVEN THE STRAND.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE STRAND TEN YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOBODY DOWN THERE, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING.

AND TODAY IT'S IT'S A BOOMING, BOOMING BUSINESS.

AND YOU CAN SEE DOWNTOWN SPREADING OUT MARKET STREET ALL THE WAY TO 28TH STREET NOW.

SO I WOULDN'T I WOULDN'T FOR A MOMENT SUGGEST THAT THAT CVB DOESN'T DO A GREAT JOB.

THE ISSUE HERE HAS BEEN THAT THE PROBLEM HERE HAS BEEN THAT HAS SAID MANY TIMES THAT THIS WOULD COST CVB JOBS OR WE WANT TO ELIMINATE THE CVB.

NONE OF THAT IS TRUE. IT'S NOT EVEN REMOTELY TRUE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, SAYING ALL OF THAT, ANYONE WHO SAYS THAT IS EITHER MISINFORMED OR BEING DISINGENUOUS, BUT SAYING THAT I'M GOING TO MOVE, THAT WE TABLED THIS MOTION TO PERHAPS CONSIDER IT LATER FOR A NOVEMBER ELECTION OR WHEN THERE ARE OTHER.

BECAUSE THIS MORNING WE BRIEFLY TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF OTHER CHARTER CHANGES.

SO IT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO TABLE TABLE THIS MOTION.

I'LL SECOND. WE HAD A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB ALSO.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM TEN C TO DEFER THIS TO TABLE IT.

TABLE IT. YES, SIR.

AND LET'S RESTATE YOUR MOTION, PLEASE.

DAVID. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON IT.

I MOVE THAT THE ELECTION ORDER ON THE CHARTER AMENDMENT BE TABLED AND NOT CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL AT THIS TIME.

MAYOR, COULD I SUGGEST USING THE MOTION TO POSTPONE RATHER THAN TABLE? TABLE MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE IT UP LATER AT THE SAME MEETING.

OKAY. THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. PARLIAMENTARY.

THEN I WOULD I MOVE.

WE POSTPONE CONSIDERATION OF THIS MOTION UNTIL SOME INDETERMINATE FUTURE TIME.

I APPROVED THAT WITH THIS SECOND. AND I'M SECOND IN COUNCILWOMAN ROBB HAS SECONDED THAT ALSO.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN.

VERY GOOD. GOOD WORK, JANELLE.

AND ALTHOUGH THIS SAYS APPROVED WE'LL WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE POSTPONING IT.

YES. SO WE'RE MAKING A MOTION HERE ON TEN C TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY THIS MOTION AND IT HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.

PUT YOUR MOTION IN THERE.

EXCUSE ME. OH, IT'S YOUR SECOND.

SECOND? YES, MARIE'S GOT IT.

OKAY. AND, JOHN, YOU KNOW, AS WE DISCUSSED THIS MORNING, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST GIVE SOME DIRECTION TO

[01:30:02]

STAFF TO BRING BACK TO COUNCIL A SCHEDULE AND POSSIBLY PUT TOGETHER A COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT OTHER TO LOOK AT THE CHARTER AS A WHOLE AND PUT TOGETHER A SCHEDULE OF ELECTIONS OVER THE NEXT 6 TO 8 YEARS TO LOOK AT THE CHARTER AND PUT THESE CHARTER AMENDMENTS ON A BALLOT.

SO IF WE COULD GET THAT TOGETHER AS WELL WHEN THIS COMES BACK, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

AND THIS CORRECT? YEAH, I'M JUST YOUR LANGUAGE.

WHATEVER YOU ALL NEED TO BRING BACK TO COUNCIL.

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO ON THAT, I'M GOING TO MAKE A SUGGESTION, JOHN.

IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH THIS, WE COULD PUT THIS ON AS AN ITEM FOR COUNCIL TO WEIGH IN AND VOTE ON AT OUR NEXT MEETING THEN.

IT DOES THAT MEET YOUR.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE NEXT MEETING.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE CHARTER AMENDMENTS OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

I'D ALSO LIKE THAT TO COME BACK TO US WITH A SCHEDULE AND WHEN I AND I'M SORRY NOT SO FOR NOT NECESSARILY NEXT MEETING, BUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IF IT WAS ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, IT PROBABLY HAVE TO BE AT OUR JULY AGENDA, WOULDN'T YOU THINK? WE HAD THE SUGGESTION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY TODAY THAT THERE MAY BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, SO THEREFORE WE WOULD ONLY HAVE ONE VOTING LOCATION IN NOVEMBER.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CHARTER, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

SO AND LET ME LET ME SAY THIS.

IF COUNCIL MOVES IN THE DIRECTION, WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE OFF TOPIC, BUT IF WE MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF A CHARTER AMENDMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE, THAT TAKES TIME.

THAT TAKES AWHILE. I'M NOT I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I JUST YOU KNOW, IF THIS COMES BACK TO US, SINCE WE'RE POSTPONING THIS, I MEAN, WE'RE NOT DENYING THIS.

WE'RE POSTPONING THIS.

SO THAT IN MY OPINION, THAT MEANS IT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO US SOMETIME.

AND SO BEFORE IT COMES BACK TO US, I JUST WANT STAFF TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR IS MORE THAN JUST THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT.

IF IT DOES COME BACK TO US, I WANT TO SEE A SCHEDULE OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS AND PERHAPS STAFF COULD VOLUNTARILY ASSEMBLE SUCH A LIST FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AT A TIME OF YOUR CONVENIENCE.

THAT'D BE GREAT. YEAH, THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

THAT'D BE GREAT. THAT SOUNDS GOOD.

VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE TO POSTPONE ITEM 10C.

IT HAS BEEN SECONDED.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? YES, SIR. IF WE HAVE PRESSING CHARTER IDEAS, THESE KIND OF YOU WANT TO NAVIGATE.

SORRY, NAVIGATE A COMMITTEE FOR THE URGENCY IN NOVEMBER.

COULDN'T YOU HAVE A WORKSHOP FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS AT A FUTURE DATE BROUGHT CHARTER IDEAS OF CHANGES.

WE COULD WE'VE HAD THAT MANY MEETINGS IN THE PAST WHERE COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESPONSE ON THAT.

BUT I THINK THIS HAS BROUGHT UP A RENEWED INTEREST IN LOOKING TO THIS CHARTER AGAIN.

YES, THAT WAS JUST A SUGGESTION.

YEAH, I AGREE.

AND COUNCIL HAS SOME IDEAS.

SEND THEM TO US AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY GET INCLUDED.

AND I THINK THAT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S POSTPONING THE CHARTER ELECTION, NOT THAT THIS ITEM WILL NECESSARILY COME BACK. YES.

AND THAT'S I WANT, THAT'S A GOOD POINT MARIE.

THE POSTPONEMENT HERE IN YOUR MIND, JANELLE, MEANS THAT THIS ITEM IS COMING BACK ONLY WHEN COUNCIL PUTS IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. OKAY, THAT'S OKAY.

VERY GOOD. SO MAKE THE QUICK POINT THAT JOHN BROUGHT THIS UP THIS MORNING BY CHARTER.

WE CAN ONLY CALL A CHARTER ELECTION EVERY TWO YEARS.

AND WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY NOT DONE IT IN ELECTION YEARS AND EVEN NUMBERED YEARS.

SO WOULD EITHER BE KIND OF THIS FALL IN NOVEMBER OR IN A FUTURE NOVEMBER OR IN 2025.

SO THIS IS THAT'S JUST KIND OF HOW WE'VE DONE IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT TO WASTE A CHARTER ELECTION.

YEAH, EXACTLY.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND, WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION.

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LET'S MOVE ON. AND BEFORE WE MOVE TO 10D.

[Items D - N]

COUNCIL, AS I MENTIONED AT OUR WORKSHOP THIS MORNING, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS I'D LIKE TO HAVE STAFF.

I THINK LEGALLY THEY HAVE TO READ EVERY PARTICULAR MOTION.

TEN D THROUGH 10 N ARE MOTIONS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH CODE REVISIONS HERE IN THE CITY

[01:35:03]

AND I'D LIKE TO TREAT THOSE ONCE THEY ARE ALL READ.

IF THERE IS A COUNCIL MEMBER WANTS TO PULL ONE OF THEM OUT TO BE DISCUSSED INDIVIDUALLY, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT I WOULD LIKE IF NOT, WE WILL VOTE ON THEM ALL AT ONE TIME.

AND BEFORE WE READ THOSE, I WANT TO THANK DONNA FAIRWEATHER.

DONNA, YOU HAVE DONE A YEOMAN'S JOB ON THIS.

NOT AT ALL. SHE DONNA HAS DONE SUCH A GOOD THIS IS FOR THE COMMUNITY, THIS GOING THROUGH THESE CODES AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE IN IN IN SYNC WITH STATE LAW AND AND WITH WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODES AND ALL OF THE OTHER REGULATIONS THAT GOVERN MUNICIPALITIES.

AND FOR HER TO GO THROUGH THESE AND THEN BRING THEM IN A SUCCINCT MANNER AND BRING THEM TO COUNCIL, WE HAD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THESE IN ROOM 204 RECENTLY.

AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF FOCUS AND IT TAKES A LOT OF PASSION TO MAKE THIS BETTER.

AND THANK YOU, DONNA, VERY MUCH.

VERY GOOD, CHAIRMAN.

YES, ALL OF THESE CAPTIONS HAVE TO BE READ LOUD.

YES. YEAH, THERE YOU GO.

YES, IT'S IN THE CHARTER.

YES. WRITE THAT DOWN.

VERY GOOD. LET'S START WITH 10 D, WE'LL GO TO 10N AND THEN WE'LL SEE IF WE WANT TO PULL ONE OUT OR SO.

GO RIGHT AHEAD. YEAH.

ITEM TEN D, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED.

CHAPTER 18 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.

IN ITS ENTIRETY, ADOPT IN THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO AMEND REGULATIONS, STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS AS APPLICABLE TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME, RENUMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

TEN E, CONSIDER FOR THE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED TO AMEND CHAPTER TEN ARTICLE TWO BUILDING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, MODIFICATIONS, REMEMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER APPLICABLE PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

TEN F, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 1982 AS AMENDED.

ARTICLE 4, INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE IN ITS ENTIRETY, ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS PROVIDED FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

TEN G, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED.

CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE REMOVING ARTICLE FIVE THE DANGEROUS AND SUBSTANDARD BUILDING CODE IN ORDER TO RELOCATE THE APPLICABLE REGULATIONS TO CHAPTER 18, THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

TEN H, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

AMENDING CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 1982, AS AMENDED BY AMENDING ARTICLE SIX RESERVED TO THE SWIMMING POOLS AND SPA CODE, ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOLS AND SPA CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS PROVIDING FOR MINIMUM REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO PUBLIC AND RESIDENTIAL POOLS, SPAS AND HOT TUBS PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

TEN I, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, 1982 AS AMENDED, AMENDING CHAPTER TEN, ARTICLE SEVEN THE INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE, ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

TEN J, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED.

CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME RENUMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE. PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

TEN K, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED.

CHAPTER TEN BUILDING CODE ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME RENUMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

START OVER TIME NOW.

[01:40:02]

TEN L CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED TO AMEND CHAPTER 13, FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION TO ADOPT A 2021 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS.

ADOPT 2021 PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME, REMEMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

10M, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED TO AMEND CHAPTER 21 MECHANICAL AND AIR CONDITION CODE IN ITS ENTIRETY, TO ADOPT THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE TO ADOPT A PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME, RENUMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

TEN N, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AS AMENDED TO AMEND CHAPTER 30 PLUMBING AND GAS IN ITS ENTIRETY. ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS TO MAKE CLARIFICATIONS, RENAME RE NUMBER AND REARRANGE THE CHAPTER AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES AS APPLICABLE, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, NELLIE.

VERY, VERY GOOD.

EXCUSE ME. TEN O IS NOT PART OF THE.

YEAH. SO COUNCIL IS THERE ANY OF THESE PARTICULAR CODE REVISION ORDINANCES THAT ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT AS A SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL ITEM? NO. I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT TIM DID MAKE A REVISION TO ONE OF THE BUILDING CODE. AND SO YOU'LL HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF Y'ALL.

ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT ITEMS 10 D THROUGH 10 N AS IN NANCY BE APPROVED.

IS THERE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN LOUIS.

THANK YOU, SHARON.

ANY DISCUSSION? FURTHER DISCUSSION.

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU. GOOD JOB.

GOOD JOB.

LET'S MOVE TO 10 O, I THINK IT IS PLEASE ITEM 10 O, CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, 1982

[10.O. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Amending “The Code Of The City Of Galveston, Texas 1982, As Amended,” Chapter 28 “Pensions,” Article I “In General” By Adding Section 28-11 “Amendment No. 10” To Increase The Employer Contribution Rate To The City Of Galveston Employees' Retirement Plan For City Employees; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject; And Providing For An Effective Date. (B. West)]

AS AMENDED. CHAPTER 28 PENSIONS ARTICLE ONE IN GENERAL BY ADDING SECTION 28 DASH 11, AMENDMENT NUMBER TEN TO INCREASE THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION RATE TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT PLAN FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT IN PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DON OR BEVERLY.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON THIS? DAN BUCKLEY AND I BELIEVE ROBBY SIMMONS AND A MEMBER OF THE PENSION BOARD, DON DAVISON, SPENT SOME TIME HAVING THE ACTUARIES LOOK AT HOW WE WOULD FUND ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO IMPROVE THE EMPLOYEES PENSION PLAN AND THE THREE BENEFITS THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT AND THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO APPROVE TONIGHT ARE TO CHANGE THE VESTING PERIOD FROM TEN YEARS TO FIVE YEARS, VESTING SERVICE TO CHANGE THE MULTIPLIER FROM 2.55 TO I MEAN, FROM 2.25 TO 2.2 5 TO 2.55.

AND I JUST FORGOT THE LAST ONE.

FIVE YEARS, 2.55.

I BELIEVE THAT IS IT.

AND THESE WERE RECOMMENDED.

OH, AND THE BIGGEST PIECE, THE PIECE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO APPROVE IS CHANGING THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION FROM 9% TO 12.15%.

RIGHT. WHICH IS BUDGETED.

AND THIS WAS RECOMMENDED AND THIS IS ALL PART OF THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE THEY FOUND WE WERE MARKET DEFICIENT.