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[00:00:02]

[INAUDIBLE].

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.

[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]

IT IS.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S 5 P.M, AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF CALLING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14TH.

WE HAVE QUITE A NUMBER OF DIGNITARIES IN THE OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON, SO LET'S GET RIGHT TO BUSINESS HERE.

BEFORE WE START, I WANTED TO WISH ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF GALVESTON EVERYONE THAT IS HERE, THOSE THAT MAY BE LISTENING TO THIS MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYBODY.

AND I KNOW COUNCIL WILL WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS HERE LATER AS WE GO ALONG ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

LET'S MOVE RIGHT ALONG.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE.

. WE HAVE OUR INVOCATION BY THE REVEREND DICK MADDOX FROM CHRISTIAN CENTRAL CHURCH.

REVEREND MADDOX.

I BRING YOU GREETINGS FROM THE GALVESTON MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION AND ALSO FROM CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH, DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.

HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO YOU ALL.

THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS, BUT THE PROPHETIC WORDS OF WALTER BRUEGGEMANN.

FOR A TIME LIKE THIS, FOR ALL OF US, LET US PRAY.

IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE PUSHING AND SHOVING AMONG US IN THE WORLD AND IN THIS CHURCH, PROPELLED BY ANXIETY AND ACTED AS BRUTALITY, YOU HAVE PLANTED YOURSELF, OH GOD, IN ALL YOUR FIDELITY.

YOU HAVE PLACED YOURSELF AMONG US IN STEADFASTNESS AND ABIDING CARE, PRESENT IN THE DAY, ALERT IN THE NIGHT, MAKING US ALL SAFE AND NOTICED AND CARED FOR.

SO IN THIS TIME EVIDENCE YOUR FIDELITY AS TO CURB OUR ANXIETY, AS TO RESTRAIN OUR BRUTALITY, AS TO OVERCOME OUR ALIENATION.

OH GOD, BY YOUR FIDELITY, RENEW US.

RENEW CHURCH, RENEW CITY, RENEW THE WORLD.

GIVE US THE SAFETY TO LOVE YOU FULLY, TO LOVE NEIGHBOR WELL, AND TO WELCOME THE PEACE YOU BRING TO US IN GLAD OBEDIENCE. AMEN.

VERY GOOD. LET'S HAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.

ARE THERE ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST COUNCIL THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO DECLARE? HEARING NO RESPONSE, I'M GOING TO FOR THE AUDIENCE HERE, I'M GOING TO GO OVER SOME HOUSEKEEPING CHANGES OR, THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO FOR OUR AGENDA TODAY.

SO I'M GOING TO MAKE SOME ANNOUNCEMENT OF SOME CHANGES HERE, FOLLOWING OUR PRESENTATIONS, WHICH IS ITEM SIX.

I'M GOING TO MOVE ITEM 12 A AND 12 B IS OUR NEXT SUBJECT.

AND I WILL GO OVER WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT ABOUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THAT.

AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT WE WILL GO INTO ITEM EIGHT D AS IN, DAVID, BEFORE WE GO THROUGH ANY OF OUR OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

VERY GOOD SAYING THAT, LET'S GO TO ITEM SIX NELLIE ITEM SIX PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS OF COUNCIL OFFICER BOARDS AND CITY MANAGER.

[6. PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS OF COUNCIL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER]

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RECOGNITIONS HERE, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO START WITH COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS, I THINK HAS TWO OF THEM.

THE FIRST ONE IS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP DAY PROCLAMATION.

AND I WANT TO SAY I'M LOOKING OUT HERE IN THIS AUDIENCE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT ARE A PART OF THIS CHAMPIONSHIP, GROUP.

I SEE ONE GENTLEMAN OUT HERE.

HE'S GOT HIS LETTER JACKET ON AND STILL FITS, SO.

[00:05:13]

WHAT AN EXCITING MOMENT.

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A BEARCAT.

ALWAYS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THE CITY OF GALVESTON PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IS A PART OF GALVESTON ISD AND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1885 AS THE FIRST TEXAS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS.

AND WHEREAS GALVESTON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC AWARDS, WINNING THE PRAIRIE VIEW INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE FOR A STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1963, BRINGING GREAT PRIDE TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND GALVESTON COUNTY.

AND WHEREAS ON DECEMBER THE 14TH, 1963, THE FIRST AND ONLY FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THIS MODERN ERA TOOK PLACE, WHEN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DEFEATED DALLAS MADISON 34 TO 14 DURING A COLD AND SNOWY EVENING. AND WHEREAS DECEMBER THE 14TH, 2023 IS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GAME AND IS NOW HONORED BY GISD BY PLAYING THE FIRST HOME GAME OF EACH SEASON WITH THE BLUE AND WHITE COLORS OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND THEREFORE WE, THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM DECEMBER THE 14TH, 2023 AS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DAY. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON THIS 14TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2023.

DR. CRAIG BROWN, MAYOR.

JANELLE WILLIAMS, CITY SECRETARY.

SO FIRST I'D LIKE FOR SOME OF THE GUYS WHO PLAYED, IF THEY WOULD COME UP SO THEY COULD ACTUALLY INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

AFTER ALL, IT MAY TAKE US A LITTLE WHILE.

REMEMBER THIS IS 60 YEARS AGO, BUT I'M THE YOUNG GUY OF THE GROUP, AS A SOPHOMORE, AND I'M 76, SO THESE GUYS ARE 77, 78.

SO IF YOU COULD COME UP AND JUST INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

THE GUYS WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED.

MR. DUMAS, IS HE HERE? MR. CHAPMAN, Y'ALL COME UP AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING.

MY NAME IS JOHN CHAPMAN.

I PLAYED CORNERBACK, I MADE ALL STATE.

AND I'M PROUD TO BE A BOI.

I'M PROUD TO BE A BEARCAT.

ALWAYS A BEARCAT.

KEEP THE BEARCATS ALIVE.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT. I'M STILL DOING.

[INAUDIBLE]. TWO IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IN THE SNOW IN DALLAS, MADISON 2 I SCORED 2.

ROSHAWN INTERCEPTED A FUMBLE, RAN TO THE TWO, AND THEY CAUGHT IT.

I TOOK IT THE REST OF THE WAY.

MY NAME IS JERRY WADDLES.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A GALVESTONIAN TO REPRESENT THE CITY IN THIS COUNTY WHENEVER AND WHEREVER I'VE GONE.

AND I'VE BEEN IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL IN COLORADO.

AND SO DENVER AND AT THE DENVER AIRPORT, SO MANY PLACES I'VE BEEN.

BUT I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN HOME.

ALRIGHT. MY NAME IS JARED POPE.

I PLAYED TACKLE FOR THE BEARCATS IN 64.

THIS GUY OVER HERE THAT GOT CAUGHT BEFORE HE GOT THE TOUCHDOWN, I CALLED THE FUMBLE.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.

AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE AMONG YOU.

YOU ARE [INAUDIBLE] FOR, THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

AND I FEEL FORTUNATE TO BE STILL HERE TO HELP CELEBRATE.

THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. [INAUDIBLE].

GUYS GOT TACKLED OVER ON CENTRAL SIDE.

[00:10:02]

YEAH. [INAUDIBLE].

YEAH. MY NAME IS ALFRED [INAUDIBE] MY NAME IS ALFRED GREEN.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO PLAY IN THAT GAME BECAUSE I HAD AN INJURY, BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE I'M PART OF THAT TEAM, IS THAT CORRECT.

OH, YEAH. I'M DONE.

MICHAEL LEON STENSON.

I WAS AN OFFENSE AND DEFENSIVE END, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A BEARCAT.

AND IN THAT STATE GAME.

I CAUGHT A 47 YARD, PASS, YOU KNOW, TO MOVE US ON DOWN THE FIELD.

SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU ALL GIVING US THIS CHANCE TO, FOR THESE 60 YEARS, TO COME FORTH AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DAVID DUMAS.

I WAS TEAM STATISTICIAN, NOT JUST IN FOOTBALL, BUT BASKETBALL AND BASEBALL.

AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AMONGST THESE GENTLEMEN AND LADIES AND, THESE GREAT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS. I'M VERY FORTUNATE, LIKE I SAID, TO JUST BEEN THERE AT THAT BALL GAME BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY CAREER.

JUST BEING THERE. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS ARTHUR RAY HUMPHREY, AND I HAVE ONE OF THE BIGGEST FAMILY IN SPORTS.

THE FOLKS, THE HUMPHREYS.

YEAH. THE HILTONS.

[INAUDIBLE] HILTON, FIRST RECOGNIZED PLAYER IN GALVESTON COUNTY.

BLACK OR WHITE? I WAS ON THE 63 TEAM, BUT I WAS HURT.

THIS WAS MY TRAINER, MY CUTMAN.

HE TOOK CARE OF ME ALL THROUGH SCHOOL.

MY FATHER WAS ALSO ON THE 1946 STATE TEAM.

YEAH. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. HELLO.

GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FRED FERGUSON.

THEY CALL ME PEANUT.

THAT WAS 60 YEARS AGO.

I MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT THEN, BUT I'M SO PROUD OF MY TEAMMATES, AND I'M GLAD TO BE A PART OF THIS DAY TO DAY, ALSO, THERE ARE SOME OF MY TEAMMATES THAT HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED IN THE PBIL.

THIS IS THE RING THAT.

I WAS HONORED WITH AND THE PBIL COACHES ASSOCIATION.

IT WASN'T IN FOOTBALL.

THIS IS BASEBALL.

I WAS ALSO ON THE STATE BASEBALL TEAM IN 1962 AT CENTRAL.

SO I'M JUST A PROUD BEARCAT, AND I ALWAYS WILL BE.

THANK YOU.

PARDON US.

YOU KNOW, US OLD GUYS GET A LITTLE WORDY, BUT, WE WANT TO SAY THANKS TO EVERYONE.

AND IF YOU NOTICE SOME OF THESE NAMES, THEY HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH, THE GREATNESS OF GOING ON IN GALVESTON AND GALVESTON COUNTY. AS, MR. HUMPHREY STATED EARLIER, EVERYBODY, SOME OF THESE NAMES ARE CHATMAN, WADDLES, POPE, FERGUSON, ALL THESE NAMES.

IF YOU LISTEN, SOME OF THOSE NAMES JUST CONTINUE TO, EXPAND THEMSELVES IN GALVESTON COUNTY.

SO, THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY WANT TO COME BACK AND DO SOME THINGS TO HELP US HELP THE CITY GROW.

AND, IN FACT, WE'VE GOT A BANQUET ON SATURDAY NIGHT AT OLD CENTRAL WHERE THEY WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE MORE.

BUT WE'VE GOT YOUNG PEOPLE COMING FROM AS FAR AWAY AS FLORIDA, THE HEAD COACH'S DAUGHTER AND OUR GRANDSON AND GRANDSON AND SO FORTH, AND SOME OF OUR COACHES.

SO WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

AND, WHERE'S MR. HOLLIS? WELL, MR. HOLLIS. YEAH.

MR. HOLLIS, MR. HOLLIS IS LITTLE LIMPING IN THERE.

YEAH, BUT, HE WAS ALSO A TACKLE ON THE STATE TEAM, AND HE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN, PUTTING THIS WHOLE EVENT FORWARD.

SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU.

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND ONE MORE THING.

WE HAVE TO DO THIS TOO.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR NUMBER ONE, MAJORETTE.

IF YOU WOULD STAND UP, MS. THOMAS.

YEAH. JUST SUCH A SPIRITED, SPIRITED PERSON THAT HAD THREE

[00:15:05]

SUPERLATIVES IN THE SENIOR CLASS.

SHE WAS MISS EVERYTHING, SO TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

[INAUDIBLE] YEAH. EXCUSE ME FOR A MOMENT.

IT'S ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION.

AND I THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN WE SIT THERE.

WHEN WE WERE RECOGNIZED AT BOYLE HEIGHTS, I THINK IT WAS NEXT TO THE LAST GAME.

THEY HAD US TO ATTEND THAT GAME.

AND WE HAD ONE OF OUR TEAMMATES, LONNIE FUMBLE.

FOMBY. YEAH, 6'5, 275.

IN HIGH SCHOOL, HE ACTUALLY WAS GOING TO COME UP THE STADIUM STEPS AND HAD A HEART ATTACK.

HE'S DOING REAL GOOD RIGHT NOW.

HE'S STILL UNDER THE DOCTOR, BUT LET'S KEEP HIM IN PRAYER.

WE WILL DO THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF YOU BEING HERE.

AND LET'S MOVE NOW TO OUR SECOND RECOGNITION OF ROSE ROYCE.

YES. AND MAYOR, I THINK SHE'S CAUGHT [INAUDIBLE] IN THE HALLWAY.

OH, OKAY. [INAUDIBLE].

HERE SHE IS. WE'RE JUST SO EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG LADY.

OUR LITTLE PRECIOUS ANGEL.

SHE HAD THE TOP ESSAY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND THAT IS ALL GRADE LEVELS.

AND HER ESSAY WILL BE HOUSED IN THE BRYAN MUSEUM HERE.

THE CITY OF GALVESTON CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO ROS ROYCE BRITTON FOR BEING THE TOP WINNER FOR THE 2023 I AM TEXAS ELEMENTARY WRITING CONTEST HERE IN GALVESTON.

THEREFORE, WE, THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF GALVESTON WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE ROSE FOR HER TOP PLACEMENT AND WISH HER THE BEST IN ALL OF HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, WITNESS MY HAND AND THE SEAL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON THIS SIXTH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2023.

DR. CRAIG BROWN, MAYOR JANELLE WILLIAMS, CITY SECRETARY.

WHERE'S YOUR MOMMY? OH, THERE SHE.

OKAY. ALL RIGHTY.

SHE'S A GREAT WRITER.

SHE SAID, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW, [INAUDIBLE].

VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YEAH, I'M GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR RECOGNITIONS TONIGHT.

AND WE HAVE A RECOGNITION OF MRS. TERESA KOTERAS BY SERGEANT STACY PAPILLION.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

GOOD EVENING, GOOD EVENING.

CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? OKAY.

SO, MRS. TERESA KOTERAS HERE.

DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.

WE WERE GIVEN PERMISSION THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PATCHES PLACED ON OUR PATROL UNIFORMS.

[00:20:08]

SO WE WENT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND SPOKE TO A FEW BUSINESSES.

AND MRS. TERESA FROM [INAUDIBLE] DONATED HER TIME TO SEW ON PATCHES ON OVER 60 UNIFORM SHIRTS WITHIN ONE WEEK. WOW.

SHE DID THIS BY HERSELF.

I WENT TO HER SHOP, FULLY ANTICIPATING HAVING TO HAVE HER SHOW ME HOW TO REMOVE THE PATCHES CORRECTLY SO SHE CAN SEW THEM ON, AND SHE GOES, NO, BABY, I GOT IT.

I GAVE HER KIND OF A HARD DEADLINE, AND SHE MADE IT WITH A DAY TO SPARE.

SHE DONATED HER TIME.

SHE DID NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING, AND THAT WAS TRULY A BLESSING TO THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

WE DEFINITELY, VERY TOUCHED.

AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOUR DONATION TO US.

SO WE HAVE A PLAQUE HERE.

PRESENTED TO TERESA PIRANI KOTERAS OF [INAUDIBLE] COUTURE.

AND GRATEFUL APPRECIATION FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATION OF YOUR TIME AND TALENT TO THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IN RECOGNITION OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

WE THANK YOU.

AND IN GALVESTON, WE JUST DON'T RAISE AWARENESS.

IN OCTOBER WE RAISE AWARENESS EVERY MONTH.

SO WE THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.

OKAY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? I'D LOVE TO SAY SOMETHING.

THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, [INAUDIBLE] IN THE MIC.

WITH THE GALVESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE HONOR.

WHEN I WAS CALLED, THERE WAS NO QUESTION.

THERE WAS JUST NO QUESTION.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE AND BREAST CANCER ABSOLUTE.

IT'S, WONDERFUL TO SEE EVERYBODY THAT HAD THEIR PATCHES ON AND YOU SEE THE PINK COME THROUGH.

IT WAS LIKE, YES! NO, I DIDN'T GET TO SLEEP MUCH THAT WEEK, BUT IT GOT DONE AND IT WAS AN HONOR.

THANK YOU. AND THANK THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THEY DO.

THANK YOU.

NOW WE'LL HAVE THE PRESENTATION OF THE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

THIS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

I THINK WE HAVE STORMY SMITH WITH US.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING US DO THIS I HAVE VERNON KENNEDY WITH ME AS WELL.

HE'S OUR RECREATION COORDINATOR AT [INAUDIBLE].

REAL QUICK.

SO WE PARTICIPATE IN TEXAS AMATEUR ATHLETIC FEDERATION FOR OUR SWIM TEAM PROGRAMS, OUR BASKETBALL PROGRAMS AND THEY ALLOW US.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1920S, ALL SORTS OF SPORTS, THEY ALLOW THE MEMBER CITIES TO PICK LOCAL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR EVERY YEAR, SUPPLY THE PLAQUES, EVERYTHING.

SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, WE HAVE A MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ANNOUNCE THE FEMALE ATHLETE, AND THEN I'LL LET MISS COACH KENNEDY DO THE MALE.

ALL RIGHT, SO OUR FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, RENIYAH POPE.

ALL RIGHT. SO RENIYAH IS AN ALL AROUND ATHLETE PARTICIPATING IN VARIOUS SPORTS TRACK, GYMNASTICS AND SWIMMING.

SHE'S JOINED OUR SWIM, OUR INAUGURAL SWIM LEAGUE, WHICH SHE'S GREAT IN ALL FOUR SWIM STROKES.

SO RENIYAH I PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT PART IN THE TEAM AND PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS EVENTS AND RELAYS AND EARNED MANY TOP SIX FINISHES IN THE COASTAL CITIES LEAGUE SWIM MEETS, SHE PARTICIPATED IN OUR TA'IF REGIONAL MEET AND FOUR EVENTS IN THE AGE 13 TO 14 GIRLS GROUP.

SHE CAME IN FIFTH IN BUTTERFLY, FOURTH AND FREESTYLE, THIRD IN BACKSTROKE AND BREASTSTROKE, HER THIRD PLACE FINISHES ALLOWED HER TO GO TO STATE IN BROWNSVILLE THIS YEAR, WHERE SHE COMPETED AGAINST ATHLETES, SWIMMERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE AND FINISHED 11TH IN BACKSTROKE.

SO, CONGRATULATE RENIYAH FOR BEING THE CITY OF GALVESTON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FOR 2023.

[INAUDIBLE].

[00:25:19]

THANK YOU FOR MY MOM FOR SUPPORTING ME.

AND THANK YOU FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR SUPPORTING ME AS WELL.

I WANT MY WHOLE FAMILY TO STAND UP RIGHT NOW.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING.

MISTER MAYOR, I'M VERNON KENNEDY, COACH KENNEDY.

YOU CAN CALL ME COACH KENNEDY.

EVERYONE KNOWS ME BY THAT.

BUT I'M HONORED TO PRESENT TO YOU, MISTER DENNIS.

WILLIAM BENSON, HE'S A STELLAR ATHLETE.

HE FACED THEM.

HE'S ALSO, AN ACADEMIC GURU.

HE GETS HIS WORK.

SO HE'S NOT LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE HIS PARENTS, MISS MISTER DANA ATKINSON AND MISS AARON ATKINSON, ARE ALWAYS ON HIS ON HIM AS WELL AS THE OTHER KIDS.

SO THAT IS A BIG MUST THAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR OUR KIDS.

JUST LIKE MISS POPE AND THE POPE'S.

KEEP YOUR KIDS IN THEM STUDIES SO THEY CAN BE WELL PRESENTED WITH THE ATHLETIC ABILITIES THAT THEY MAY HAVE, OR THEY CAN JUST HAVE REGULAR SCHOOL WORK, ACADEMICS.

YOU GET A LOT OF SCHOLARSHIPS ON ACADEMICS FOR THAT.

SO MY MAN, FRIEND, THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU ALL.

[INAUDIBLE] MAYOR BROWN. MAYOR? COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS POINTS OUT THAT'S NOT THE FIRST POPE WE HEARD FROM TONIGHT.

THAT WAS NOT THE FIRST POPE WE HEARD FROM TONIGHT.

WE HEARD ONE OF THOSE FROM CENTRAL.

RUNS IN THE FAMILY. ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

WE ARE NOW MOVING TO, ONE OF OUR OWN HERE.

DONNA FAIRWEATHER, HAS WITH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT, SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY HERE.

WITH OUR. SHE IS OUR SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY HERE IN THE CITY.

AND SHE WAS SELECTED HERE RECENTLY.

TO HAVE HER PAPER PRESENTED ON DEMOLITIONS AND DUE PROCESS HIGHLIGHTING GALVESTON'S HOUSING ABATEMENT PROGRAM. AND THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE NOVEMBER DECEMBER INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE.

THIS IS QUITE AN HONOR, AND I'M GOING TO ASK OUR CITY ATTORNEY TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

IF YOU'VE EVER MET, DONNA FAIRWEATHER YOU, THEN YOU KNOW THAT HER UPLIFTING AND POSITIVE PRESENCE MAKES EVERY DAY BETTER AROUND HERE IN CITY HALL AND THAT HER, THOROUGH AND THOUGHTFUL REVIEWS OF MATTERS BROUGHT BEFORE HER, GET THINGS RESOLVED QUICKLY AND MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS HERE.

AS WE'RE LAWYERS, WE TAKE CARE OF A NUMBER OF THINGS.

BUT WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THE PRACTICE OF LAW IS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE THAT REQUIRES SCHOLARSHIP AND ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS.

AND THAT SCHOLARSHIP AND, WRITING ABILITY IS RECOGNIZED THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES, WHICH I ENCOURAGE ALL MY STAFF TO DO, AND REMIND THE REMAINDER OF MY STAFF THAT I'M WAITING FOR THEIR PAPERS.

THE INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION IS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, WITH MEMBERS BOTH IN CANADA AND ALSO IN EUROPE.

AND, HAVING AN ARTICLE IN THAT PUBLICATION IS NOTEWORTHY, TO SAY THE LEAST.

AND I WANT TO CONVEY MY PERSONAL CONGRATULATIONS TO HER, AND I APPRECIATE THE CITY TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE IT AS WELL.

[00:30:09]

DONNA, CONGRATULATIONS.

DID YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS, DONNA? I'LL SAY FROM THE CHAIR JUST BECAUSE I'M HERE, BUT YOU KNOW, THE MLA INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION IS, FROM ALL THE STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CANADA AND EUROPE AS WELL.

IT IS REALLY AN HONOR TO FOR MY PAPER THAT I PRESENTED IN DC TO BE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION.

AND IT'S NOT EASY TO WRITE THESE PAPERS AND THEN TO HAVE IT REDUCED TO SOMETHING THAT HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL READ.

SO I'M VERY THANKFUL.

I'M THANKFUL TO MLA.

I'M THANKFUL TO MY OFFICE FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO WORK ON A PRESENTATION AND ALLOW ME TO TRAVEL A LITTLE BIT TOO, AS WELL TO PRESENT THE PRESENTATION.

I ADD THAT JUST YESTERDAY, OR MAYBE THE DAY BEFORE, SHE GOT A CALL FROM A CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN MONTANA SAYING, HEY, WE READ THAT ARTICLE AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

AND, YEAH AND I GET THAT QUITE OFTEN, ACTUALLY.

SO JUST FROM THE PRESENTATION ITSELF, WE GET DIFFERENT FOLKS CALLING FROM DIFFERENT PLACES, AND I ALWAYS TALK UP THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

AND SO I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL BEACHES, AND I WILL SAY THAT THE PREVIOUS CITY COUNCILS TO THE PRESENT CITY COUNCIL, IT IS A MARK OF, YOUR ABILITY TO SEE THE FUTURE AND HOW THINGS CAN BE AND DO AND FEEL BETTER IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

AND IT IS WITH THE SUPPORT OF NOT ONLY THE OFFICE, BUT WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, PAST AND PRESENT, THAT PEOPLE RECOGNIZE HOW WELL GALVESTON HAS IT, AND THAT IT WAS NOT ONLY AN INITIAL STRUGGLE, BUT THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

AND IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE YOU CAN BE PROUD TO SAY, YES, I'M FROM GALVESTON, OR I WORK IN GALVESTON AND AND PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT US AND THEY HEAR ABOUT US AND THEY COME VISIT US. SO THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS VERY MUCH.

VERY GOOD. AND TO WIND UP OUR PRESENTATIONS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'LL BE DOING THIS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THIS ON SOMEWHAT OF A REGULAR BASIS HERE AT COUNCIL.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO CALL ON OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER, JOSH HENDERSON, WHO WANTS TO INTRODUCE US TO A FRIEND YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU, JOSH.

ALRIGHT. SO SORRY WE HAD TO COME STEAL THE SHOW A LITTLE BIT.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO THE QUEEN.

SHE'S BEEN WITH US SINCE NOVEMBER THE 3RD.

SO LONG ENOUGH TO LEARN HOW TO RULE THE ROOST.

THERE'S JUST NO OTHER WAY TO PUT IT.

SHE IS ABSOLUTELY QUEEN OF THE SHELTER.

THERE'S NOT ANYBODY ON STAFF OR ANYBODY THAT MEETS THIS DOG.

YOU CAN'T MEET HER AND NOT FALL IN LOVE.

IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE THIS.

AND SO I'VE ONLY GOT 254 ANIMALS IN THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

WHO ELSE TO BRING? BUT WE HAVE CLEOPATRA.

ABSOLUTELY. PERFECT.

COUCH POTATO.

WE COME INTO A VERY CROWDED CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND SHE LAID ON THE FLOOR.

YEAH. HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE DOGS THAT YOU WOULD BRING? OH, YEAH.

NO. ALL RIGHT.

YEAH. THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL.

YEAH. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU LOOKING FOR A, ON THAT NOTE, IN ADDITION TO OUR NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS, 8TOMORROW'S AN EXCITING DAY FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

NOT ONLY ARE WE OPEN OUR NORMAL 11 TO 6, WE THEN HAVE A ADOPTION EVENT AND A FIREFIGHTER CALENDAR SIGNING AT LUNA HOME AND GIFTS ON THE STAND FROM 6 TO 9.

AND THEN WE HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY, BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO GET 254 ANIMALS OUT TO AN EVENT.

WE WANT TO BRING THE EVENT TO THE SHELTER, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE OPEN FROM 8 P.M.

TILL MIDNIGHT.

SO YOU CAN'T MAKE IT BY BECAUSE YOU'RE WORKING.

CAN'T GET OUT OF CITY COUNCIL EARLY ENOUGH.

WE GOT YOU, AND CLEOPATRA IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, RIGHT? AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.

[00:35:01]

SHE IS SPAYED.

SHE'S, UP TO DATE ON HER.

ALL OF HER VACCINATIONS.

DE-WORMING, MICROCHIP.

SHE IS THE FULL PACKAGE READY TO GO OUT THE DOOR.

AND WHETHER YOU COME BY AT OUR OFFSITE EVENT OR AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY TOMORROW, ANY ANIMAL WE HAVE CUSTODY OF IS $25.

SO IT'S A HELL OF A BARGAIN.

YOU CAN'T GET A MICROCHIP, MUCH LESS EVERYTHING ELSE THAT COMES WITH IT.

FOR $25. WE ARE LITERALLY GIVING THESE DOGS AWAY.

JOSH, WHAT IS YOUR PHONE NUMBER? IF SOMEONE WANT TO CONTACT YOU THERE 409-740-1919.

IS THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE SHELTER.

EVERY ONE OF OUR DOGS THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, EVERY ONE OF OUR CATS THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE.

SO GO TO GALVESTON HUMANE.

ORG AND YOU CAN BROWSE THROUGH ALL OF THAT.

DO YOUR WINDOW SHOPPING BEFOREHAND SO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE COMING FOR.

YOU CAN EVEN FILL OUT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION BEFOREHAND SO THAT YOU'RE READY TO GO.

YOU CAN BE IN AND OUT LIKE THE CONVENIENCE STORE, NICE AND QUICK, LIKE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

JOSH, I HAVE I HAVE TWO RESCUES AT HOME OR I WOULD LOOK AT CLEO, BUT I CAN'T TELL EVERYONE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ADOPT. DON'T SHOP.

ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE ABSOLUTELY AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THIS IS OUR FINAL PUSH.

WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO HIT THAT, NO KILL BENCHMARK OF OVER 90%.

I THINK WE'VE GOT IT. BUT THE MORE PUPPIES WE PUSH OUT, MORE KITTIES WE PUSH OUT.

AND THESE FINAL DAYS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, LET'S TAKE THAT NO KILL BENCHMARK.

AND LET'S PUSH FOR GREATNESS.

SO. THANK YOU, JOSH, VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

YEAH. OKAY.

VERY GOOD. THAT IS ALL OF OUR PRESENTATIONS FOR THIS AFTERNOON.

AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO OUR AGENDA.

AS I'VE ALREADY ANNOUNCED, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE AGENDA UP.

WE'RE GOING TO DO ITEMS 12 A AND 12 B AS IN BOY NEXT.

AND BEFORE WE DO THOSE ITEMS, I'M GOING TO CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO ITEM 12 A OR 12 B, THAT IS THE PARK BOARD'S HOTEL OCCUPATION TAX CONTRACT, AND IT IS THE ITEM 12 B THAT CONCERNS THE PARK BOARD'S BUDGET.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT EITHER 12 A OR 12 B? HEARING. NO RESPONSE.

LET'S MOVE TO 12 A PLEASE, MA'AM.

[12.A. Consider For Approval A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas Approving And Authorizing The City Manager To Execute An Interlocal Agreement / Contract With The Galveston Park Board Of Trustees Providing For The Collection Of Hotel Occupancy Taxes, (Hot), The Delegation By The City Of Duties Arising Out Of Texas Tax Code Chapter 351, The Delivery Of Hot To Fund Those Duties; Providing For A Specific Date; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject (Legal)]

ITEM 12 A CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE GALVESTON PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION OF HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAXES.

THE DELEGATION BY THE CITY OF DUTIES ARISING OUT OF TEXAS TAX CODE, CHAPTER 351 THE DELIVERY OF HOT TO FUND THOSE DUTIES.

PROVIDING FOR SPECIFIC DATE MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.

I'M GOING TO TURN TO OUR PARK BOARD LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER BOUVIER, FOR GUIDANCE.

YEAH. MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION OF AMENDMENT.

I'LL TAKE THE WHOLE DOCUMENT AS IS, BUT STRIKE ONE SENTENCE OUT OF THE DOCUMENT THAT'S ON SECTION NINE AT THE LAST PARAGRAPH OR LAST SENTENCE ON THE LAST PARAGRAPH, HOWEVER, THESE PARTIES AGREE NONE OF THE 57% SHALL BE USED FOR LIFEGUARD SERVICES.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE I THINK COUNCILMAN, BOUVIER IS MAKING A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE HOT TAX CONTRACT.

BUDGET? WITH THE AMENDMENT OF REMOVING THE LAST SENTENCE IN ITEM NINE THAT HE JUST READ.

DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THAT? I'LL SECOND THAT. WE HAVE A SECOND.

I'M OPEN THAT UP TO DISCUSSION.

IF WE COULD, MAYOR, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, IT'S THE CONTRACT, NOT THE BUDGET.

THAT IS CORRECT.

THIS IS THE CONTRACT.

THANK YOU. THIS IS THE HOT TAX CONTRACT.

AS YOU KNOW, I'M THE ONE WHO BROUGHT THIS FORWARD TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS RUNS COUNTER TO THE BOND AGREEMENTS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE CONVENTION CENTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT.

IT'S NOT THE EXPENDITURE OF THE MONEY THAT I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.

IT'S HOW IT'S STATED IN OUR, ORDINANCES WE'VE ADOPTED PREVIOUSLY, THIS POINT, FIVE SEVEN PENNIES IS DESIGNED TO BE USED FOR BEACH RENOURISHMENT AND IT IS BEING SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF AMOUNT OF IT IS BEING TRANSFERRED OUT OF THAT FUND.

AND I THINK INCORRECTLY, WE DID AGREE TO ALLOW THE PARK BOARD TO CONTINUE TO USE THE, AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT, ABOUT

[00:40:07]

$350,000 FOR SAND OR FOR BEACH CLEANING BECAUSE OF THE SHORTFALL IN THEIR BUDGET.

SO I'LL POINT OUT THAT ASSERTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THAT WE WERE CUTTING THE PARK BOARD BEACH PATROL BUDGET ARE SIMPLY INCORRECT.

THAT'S JUST THAT'S NOT THE, IT WAS THE ALLOCATION OF THIS MONEY FROM THE CITY, TO THE PARK BOARD.

THE PARK BOARD HAS SUFFICIENT RESERVES IN THAT BUDGET OR IN THAT SILO TO COVER ALL OF THIS.

SO IF WE DO WIND UP, ALLOWING THEM TO KEEP THIS ADDITIONAL 200, $350,000, THIS IS GOING INTO THE RESERVES, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR.

AND IF WE DO THAT, I'M GOING TO ASK THAT THIS IS THE FIRST MONEY THAT GETS SPENT WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT OF BUILDING THE BEACH PATROL HEADQUARTERS, WHICH IS NOW UNDER DEVELOPMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERABLY MORE MONEY THAN THAT.

BUT THE MONEY THAT'S IN THAT RESERVE ACCOUNT SHOULD BE THE FIRST MONEY DEDICATED TO BUILDING THAT BUILDING.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? COUNCILMEMBERS? VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY REALIZES THIS HOT CONTRACT IS FOR ONLY 2024.

SO THIS WILL BE REEVALUATED AND WE'LL START DISCUSSIONS ON THIS I THINK SHORTLY ON THE 25, HOT CONTRACT COMING UP HERE.

SO WE DO NOT HAVE OUR, ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THIS BY A SHOW OF HANDS.

COUNCILMAN BOUVIER HAS MADE THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS PARTICULAR MOTION.

IT IS UNANIMOUS, BUT FOR ONE THAT DIDN'T AND AGAINST COUNCILMAN COLLINS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12 B PLEASE.

[12.B. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Approving The Annual Operation Budget And Cip For The Park Board Of Trustees For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2023 And Ending September 30, 2024; Providing For An Effective Date; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (C. Ludanyi)]

ITEM 12 B CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, APPROVING THE ANNUAL OPERATION BUDGET AND CIP FOR THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST, 2023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

I'M GOING TO LOOK TO COUNCILMAN BOUVIER AGAIN.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET, BUT I DO HAVE ONE ADDENDUM TO IT.

THAT THE PARK BOARD BRINGS BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

THOSE PROJECTS THAT WILL BE COVERED WITHIN THE PARK BOARD HELD FUNDS.

AND AFTER THE EVALUATION, THOSE PROJECTS FOR WHICH THEY WERE REQUESTED, THE CITY, DESIGNATES HOT FUNDS.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THAT WORD.

VERY GOOD. SO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET AND BUT I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION.

SO IT IS APPROVAL OF THE HOT CONTRACT.

BESIDES, I'M SORRY, THE BUDGET.

BESIDES, EXHIBIT A, PAGE FIVE OF FIVE WITH THOSE SPECIAL PROJECTS THERE, AND THOSE WOULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR THOSE WOULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE ABOVE, THEIR AMOUNTED, BUDGET, AND THIS WOULD BE COMING OUT OF THE COFFERS OF THE HOT FROM THE CITY.

OKAY, CAN I CLARIFY? WE MAY NEED TO CALL ON MISS [INAUDIBLE] TO CLARIFY THIS FOR US, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S JUST PAGE FIVE.

I THINK THERE'S ITEMS ON PAGE FOUR AND FIVE OF THAT EXHIBIT.

AM I? YES, I BELIEVE IT'S PAGES FOUR AND FIVE.

THOSE THINGS THAT WE LAST PAGE.

WELL IT'S THE LAST TWO PAGES ACTUALLY.

WELL NO THE PAGE BEFORE THAT IS THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE APPROVED THAT INCLUDE THE THINGS IN WHITE ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE.

WELL, CORRECT. SO ON PAGE FOUR EVERYTHING IS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL REGARDLESS OF THE COLOR.

IT'S JUST SEPARATING IT BY FUND OKAY.

SO IT'S EASY TO SEE WHAT FUNDS THOSE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH.

AND PAGE FIVE IS THE ONLY ONE.

THOSE ARE ITEMS BEING HELD BACK FOR FURTHER APPROVAL FROM COUNCIL.

SO EACH OF THESE ITEMS WOULD COME BACK TO US ONE AT A TIME FOR APPROVAL.

HOWEVER PARK BOARD WANTS TO BRING IT BACK.

YES OF COURSE, HOWEVER THEY WANT TO PRESENT IT WOULD COME BACK FOR BUT EACH WOULD HAVE TO BE INDIVIDUALLY APPROVED.

THEY WOULD COME BACK WITH THE PARK BOARD DENOTING AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN COUNCILMAN BOUVIER'S, BUT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, THE PARK BOARD WOULD DENOTE WHICH ONE OF THOSE PROJECTS IN THIS FINAL PAGE THEY WOULD LIKE TO COVER WITH PARK BOARD FUNDS, AND THEN THE REMAINING WOULD BE COVERED, POTENTIALLY WITH THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE DEPOSITED WITH THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD WOULD NEED TO DENOTE THOSE.

AND THAT WOULD TAKE US BACK TO COUNCIL TO.

[00:45:02]

THAT IS CORRECT.

YES, SIR. THE COUNCIL WOULD BE APPROVING.

YES, MA'AM. THAT IS CORRECT.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BOUVIER.

I MAKE ONE OTHER QUICK COMMENT THAT WE APPROVED THE HOT CONTRACT THAT HAS PRESENTED WITH COUNCILMAN BOUVIER'S AMENDMENT, AND WE'RE APPROVING THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THESE ITEMS. BUT IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT HAVING APPROVED THE BUDGET, AND WE STATED BEFORE, YOU COULD NOT THE FUNDS COULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF THE HOT CONTRACT, BUT THAT HOT CONTRACT HAS TO BE ACCEPTED AND SIGNED BY THE PARK BOARD AS WELL BEFORE THESE FUNDS ARE TRANSFERRED.

CORRECT. AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THIS BUDGET HERE, THIS BUDGET WOULD THEN BE GOVERNED BY THE HOT CONTRACT THAT STATES THAT THE 0.57 WILL GO TO BEACH PARK PATROL.

IS THAT UNDERSTOOD IN THE BUDGET? THAT'S UNDERSTOOD.

SO YES, I MEAN, YEAH, THAT PORTION.

WITH THAT RESTRICTION BEING TAKEN OUT, THAT LIMIT IS REMOVED FOR THE PARK BOARD.

ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD.

I'LL SECOND THAT. ALL RIGHT.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR FROM COUNCILMAN BOUVIER FOR, APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? I WAS WAITING FOR DISCUSSION, BUT, I MEAN, WE WERE ALREADY DOING IT, SO.

YEAH. AND I THOUGHT WE ALREADY HAD A SECOND ON THAT, BUT NO, WE DIDN'T NOT.

I'M SORRY. SO COUNCILMAN LISTOWSKI WAS THE SECOND.

AND I JUST WANT TO GO BACK THROUGH THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET, AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF WITH THE FINAL, THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE CIP AND SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT, ARE IN THE TOURISM SILO AT THE PARK BOARD WOULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, DENOTING WHICH ONES WOULD BE PAID FOR BY PARK BOARD FUNDS THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IN THEIR BUDGET, AND THOSE THAT WOULD BE PAID BY CITY.

HOT POINT OF ORDER.

WHO SECONDED THIS? JOHN LISTOWSKI.

OH, THIS ONE. OKAY, COOL.

YEAH. LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION.

COUNCILMAN FINKLEY NO, YOU JUST STATED YOU RESTATED IT THE WAY THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR IT, SO.

OKAY. I'M FINE, THANK YOU.

VERY GOOD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? DO WE NEED TO ADD THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE MONEY FROM THE BEACH NOURISHMENT THAT IS NOW GOING TO LIFEGUARDS BE THE FIRST THAT IS USED.

DO WE NEED TO ADD THAT WE DO NOT.

THAT'S COVERED IN THE HOT CONTRACT CHANGE THAT WE MADE? YES, MA'AM. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THIS PUTS THE END TO QUITE A SAGA HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYBODY.

[INAUDIBLE] APPLAUSE IS COMING FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PARK.

CEO OF THE PARK BOARD. THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE TO ITEM.

WE'RE GOING TO DO NOW THOSE ITEMS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC HEARING.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE EIGHT D UP IF WE COULD.

CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, CREATING A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT IN A RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 13733 AND 13751 STEWART ROAD AND WHICH IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS A WO RANCH.

REPLAT 2021 ABSTRACT 121 TRACTS A AND B, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

PLANNING CASE NUMBER 23P-055.

MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

VERY GOOD. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE.

CATHERINE GORMAN.

CATHERINE, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT FOR A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

14 NOTICES WERE SENT, THREE RETURNED, TWO IN OPPOSITION AND ONE NO COMMENT AS THE MAYOR JUST STATED.

THE RETURNED NOTICES AND OPPOSITION CONSTITUTE MORE THAN 20% OF THE LAND AREA WITHIN 200FT OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY PER STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.

ONCE THE 20% THRESHOLD IS MET, THE REQUEST REQUIRES A SUPERMAJORITY OF VOTE TO PASS.

THE SUPERMAJORITY IS SIX.

THE INTENT OF THIS POD REQUEST IS TO DEVIATE FROM THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE, LOT WIDTH, LOT DEPTH, AND FRONT AND REAR SETBACK REQUIREMENTS OF THE R-1 ZONING DISTRICT TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE DRIVES AND REDUCE THE WIDTH OF THE PRIVATE DRIVE RIGHT OF WAY FROM 60FT TO 50FT.

STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

ON THE SCREEN. WE HAVE AN AERIAL SHOWING THE LOCATION OF THE DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN, STEWART ROAD AND TO 3005, JUST EAST OF BUCCANEER BOULEVARD.

AND THEN THE NEXT SLIDE IS THE LAYOUT.

AND THAT CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.

CATHERINE COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS GORMAN ON THIS? IT IS 5:49 P.M..

[8.D. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Creating A Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay Zoning District In A Residential, Single-Family (R-1) Zoning District To Construct A Single-Family Residential Development On Property Commonly Known As 13733 And 13751 Stewart Road, And Which Is Legally Described As The W.O. Ranch Replat (2021), Abstract 121, Tracts A And B, In The City And County Of Galveston, Texas; Planning Case Number 23P-055; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject; And Providing For An Effective Date. (C. Gorman)]

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

D. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS?

[00:50:04]

MIKE COME FORWARD.

GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

I FORGOT TO SAY IT LAST TIME I WAS HERE, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR SERVING ON CITY COUNCIL.

MY DAD WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY WHERE WE LIVED FOR 23 YEARS.

AND YOU DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH.

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE REALLY DO APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH TIME AND EFFORT AND CONCERN GOES INTO THIS.

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT IS APPRECIATED.

GOSH, I REALLY THOUGHT THAT ITEM 12 WAS GOING TO TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN IT DID.

I WAS AMAZED ABOUT THAT.

JUST THE COULD HAVE BEEN WITH THIS LAST YEAR.

YEAH, THE PURPOSE OF THIS, PROPOSAL IS TO CREATE WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES IN GALVESTON.

AND IN ORDER TO DO THIS, WE HAVE TO WATCH EVERY PENNY WE CAN, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE DEVELOPMENT COST OF THIS PROPERTY WITH SLIGHT REDUCTIONS IN THE LOT SIZE, BUT KEEPING THE BUILDING AREA FOR EACH LOT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS IT IS NOW.

THIS AFFORDS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE THE COST OF EACH LOT BY ABOUT 20%.

I'M NOT GREAT WITH MATH, BUT LET'S JUST PRETEND THAT IF YOU HAD $100,000 LOT, THAT WOULD MEAN IT WOULD ONLY BE $80,000.

SO THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT CHUNK OF CHANGE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE'RE TRYING TO, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BLEND IN AND BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

I GUESS THAT OUR MODEL, IF YOU WILL IS BRUCE AND DEBBIE REINHART'S SUBDIVISION, BEACHSIDE VILLAGE, WHICH WE REALLY THINK HAS BEEN A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO WEST END DEVELOPMENT IN GALVESTON.

SO THAT'S OUR MODEL MOVING FORWARD.

WE JUST WANT TO KEEP IT AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN GALVESTON.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT, THERE WILL BE RESTRICTIONS ON SHORT TERM RENTALS.

THAT WILL BE A PART OF THE PROTECTIVE COVENANTS IN THE PROPERTY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT IS A CONCERN.

OTHER THAN THAT, IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU, I'D BE GLAD TO DO SO NOW.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. GARDNER? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? IT IS 5:52 P.M.

I'M CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

BRING THIS BACK TO COUNSEL.

MAYOR. I MOVE TO APPROVE.

MOVED MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

COUNCILWOMAN ROBB.

IS THERE A SECOND? COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS IS SECONDING THAT.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUS OF ALL SEVEN PRESENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM EIGHT A NOW ITEM.

[8.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Designating The Property Located At 2805 Avenue O, And Legally Described As M.B. Menard Survey, Lots 3 Through 7 And The East 10-10 Feet Of Lot 2, Northwest Block 65, Galveston Outlots, In The City And County Of Galveston, Texas; As A Historically Or Archeological Significant Site In Need Of Tax Relief To Encourage Its Preservation; Granting A Substantial Rehabilitation For Historic Property Tax Exemption; Designating The City Manager To Execute Those Documents Necessary To Implement The Tax Incentive Program; Planning Case Number 23LC-050; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (C. Gorman)]

MAYOR, BEFORE WE DO THAT, I'M GOING TO STEP OUT OF THE MEETING.

YES, SIR. I JUST WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU, JOHN.

HI, JOHN. THANKS. GOOD LUCK TO LILY AND HER PERFORMANCE.

YES. COUNCIL COULDN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT ALLOWING COUNCILMAN LISTOWSKI TO MAKE HIS DAUGHTER'S CHRISTMAS PLAY, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

VERY GOOD. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM EIGHT A PLEASE.

ITEM EIGHT A CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL.

[INAUDIBLE]. NO.

IT COMES WITH THE ITEM.

OKAY. YEAH.

[INAUDIBLE]. ITEM EIGHT A CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2805 AVENUE O AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS M.B. MENARD SURVEY, LOTS THREE THROUGH SEVEN AND THE EAST 10-10 FEET OF LOT 2, NORTHWEST BLOCK 65 GALVESTON OUTLETS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AS A HISTORICALLY OR ARCHEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANT SITE IN NEED OF TAX RELIEF TO ENCOURAGE ITS PRESERVATION.

GRANTING A SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION FOR HISTORIC PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.

DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THOSE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

PLANNING CASE NUMBER 23 LC DASH 050, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

THANK YOU. NELLIE.

MISS GORMAN, THE APPLICANTS HAVE SUBMITTED FOR TAX VERIFICATION FOR THE SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

THE THRESHOLD TO PARTICIPATE WAS $134,000.

THEY SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION THAT SUPPORTS A TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $137,000.

[00:55:02]

STAFF AND LANDMARK COMMISSION ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

THANK YOU CATHERINE.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS GORMAN? COUNCIL? IT IS 5:55 P.M..

I'M OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM EIGHT.

A ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS.

HEARING NO RESPONSE.

AT 5:55 P.M.

I'M CLOSING PUBLIC HEARING.

MOVING THIS BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION.

MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE 23 LC 050.

I WOULD SECOND A MOTION FOR APPROVAL.

COUNCILMAN FINKLEY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN COLLINS.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN APPROVAL.

THAT IS FOR ALL SIX THAT ARE HERE.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

ITEM EIGHT B.

[8.B. Galveston Landmark Designation For 1918 31st Street - Full Text In Description Field Consider for Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Designating The Property Located At 1918 31st Street, As A “Galveston Landmark”, Property Is Legally Described As Abstract 628, M. B. Menard Survey, Lot 2 Dawson Subdivision, 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 23P-077; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (D. Lunsford)]

ITEM EIGHT B CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1918 31ST STREET AS A GALVESTON LANDMARK PROPERTY IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS ABSTRACT 628 MB MENARD SURVEY LOT TWO, DAWSON SUBDIVISION AND 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 23P-77077, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

THANK YOU. NELLIE.

YES. DANIEL LUNSFORD.

ALRIGHT. THANK YOU.

SO, GRAIN BROKER CHARLES ESSENFELDER BUILT THIS TWO STORY SIDE HALL PLAN TOWNHOUSE IN 1915 FOR USE AS A TENANT PROPERTY, ALONG WITH THE TWO HOUSES ON EITHER SIDE OF IT.

THE ESSENFELDER THEMSELVES RESIDE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET AT 3102 AVENUE P AND A HALF.

ESSENFELDER WAS BORN IN BERLIN, GERMANY, AND IMMIGRATED TO GALVESTON AT THE AGE OF FOUR.

IN 1887, HE MARRIED PAULINE ELIZABETH FREDERICK, WHO WAS ALSO FROM GERMANY.

AFTER ESSENFELDER'S DEATH IN 1937, HIS WIDOW REMAINED IN THEIR HOME AND CONTINUED TO RENT THE TENANT PROPERTIES ACROSS THE STREET, AS DID THEIR DESCENDANTS AFTERWARDS. THE CHARLES AND PAULINE ESSENFELDER TENANT HOUSE, WOULD BE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THE CITY'S HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND PART OF, KEMPNER PARK, OF COURSE, WAS HOME TO SEVERAL OF GALVESTON'S OLDEST HOUSES AS WELL.

LANDMARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION BOTH RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST, AS DOES STAFF.

AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE A PHOTO OF THE HOUSE, HERE ON SCREEN.

AND THAT CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT.

THANK YOU, MR. LUNSFORD.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR DANIEL? IT IS 5:57 P.M.

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

IS THERE ANY RESPONSE FROM THE AUDIENCE? WE'D LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:57 P.M.

WITH NO RESPONSE, AND BRING BACK BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION.

[INAUDIBLE] IT'S NOT WORKING.

WE JUST [INAUDIBLE] OH, THE MIC IS.

NO. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO.

TO APPROVE. CASE 23P-077, AS PRESENTED.

I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION.

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM EIGHT B BY COUNCILMAN FINKLEY, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

ITEM 8C, ITEM 8C CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

[8.C. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Creating A Planned Unit Development (PUD) Overlay Zoning District In A Residential, Single-Family (R-1) Zoning District For A “Public Utility Facility, Neighborhood” On Property Commonly Known As 12210 Stewart Road, And Which Is Legally Described As Portion Of Lots 292, 305, 306, 309 And 310 And Adjacent Right-Of-Way, Trimble And Lindsey Section 2, In The City And County Of Galveston, Texas; Planning Case Number 23P-081; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject; And Providing For An Effective Date. (C. Gorman)]

CREATING A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT IN A RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT FOR A PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITY.

NEIGHBORHOOD ON PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 12210 STEWART ROAD AND WHICH IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS PORTION OF LOTS 292, 305, 306, 309, AND 310, AND ADJACENT RIGHT OF WAY, TRIMBLE AND LINDSEY.

SECTION TWO, IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

PLANNING CASE NUMBER 23P-081.

MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

THANK YOU MISS GORMAN.

THE REQUEST IS TO INCORPORATE A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT TO THE R-1 BASED ZONING DISTRICT TO EXPAND THE EXISTING PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITY.

NEIGHBORHOOD LAND USE.

THE INTENT OF THIS PUD REQUEST IS TO DEVIATE FROM THE ONE ACRE MAXIMUM SITE AREA STIPULATED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.

THE REQUESTED DEVIATION IS FROM ONE ACRE TO FIVE ACRES.

CENTERPOINT ENERGY INTENDS TO UTILIZE THE FIVE ACRES AS A LAY DOWN YARD FOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES.

STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

THANK YOU. CATHERINE. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS GORMAN? YES, MIKE, DO YOU KNOW THE INTENT OF THAT LAY DOWN.

IS THAT GOING TO HELP US WITH EMERGENCIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT? IS THIS THE KIND OF EQUIPMENT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THERE? YES. AND IT'S ALSO FOR REPLACING POLES ON THE WEST END IN PREPARATION OF HURRICANE SEASON.

OKAY. THE APPLICANT IS PRESENT AS WELL.

[01:00:01]

YOU'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL WOODEN POLES WITH THE CONCRETE POLES.

GOOD. VERY GOOD.

IT'S 6 P.M.

I'M OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM 8C.

IS THERE ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS? HEARING NO RESPONSE.

AT 6 P.M. I'M CLOSING PUBLIC HEARING AND BRINGING THIS ACTION, THIS ITEM BACK TO COUNCIL.

I'LL MAKE FOR A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM EIGHT C.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS SECONDS.

THAT ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE SIGNIFY YOU'RE APPROVAL BY RAISING YOUR HAND.

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

FOR ALL THAT ARE HERE.

THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW MOVING TO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE EITHER AGENDA OR NON AGENDA ITEMS.

[9. PUBLIC COMMENT]

I ONLY HAVE TWO SHEETS HERE WE HAVE CHARLOTTE O'ROURKE.

CHARLOTTE.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

NICE TO SEE YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT CHRISTMAS.

I WANTED TO START BY SHARING THAT.

I THINK THE CITY IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

I'M SO GLAD THE PARK BOARD IS OFF YOUR AGENDA.

I'VE BEEN CHUCKLING FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS, NOT BECAUSE IT'S REALLY FUNNY, BUT BECAUSE IF THEY REALLY CREATED THE PARK BOARD TO STOP POLITICS OVER THE LAST 60 YEARS, WE HAVE FAILED MISERABLY BECAUSE IT'S ALL POLITICAL, REGARDLESS OF WHAT SECTION YOU'RE IN.

I CAME TODAY BECAUSE I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT REALLY ON THE AGENDA, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH ABOUT RECENTLY, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH YOUR ETHICS COMMISSION.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU STILL HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING AND IF PEOPLE CAN FILE ETHICS COMPLAINTS.

MY BIG ISSUE CURRENTLY IS TO DO WITH THREE THINGS IT HAS TO DO WITH OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS, HAS TO DO WITH BONUSES OR SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME FROM PROFIT SHARING AT THE PORT OF GALVESTON.

AND IT HAS TO DO WITH, THOSE POTENTIALLY HAVING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THAT.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT WOULD BE LIKE ME SAYING TO BRIAN, BRIAN, IF YOU SAVE US MONEY AND YOU GO OUT AND YOU GET THESE CONTRACTS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ALL THIS EXTRA MONEY, YOU CAN THEN TAKE THAT MONEY AND SHARE IT AMONG YOUR STAFF.

MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT MAY BE NOT A GOOD IDEA FOR GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE YOU'RE SHARING THE PROFITS AND YOU'RE BORROWING MONEY OR GETTING MONEY IN THAT CASE OF HAVING TAXES.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE PORT OF GALVESTON HAS STARTED DOING SINCE 2019.

SO SINCE 2019, THEY'VE BEEN PROFIT SHARING.

AND THAT HAPPENS A LOT OF TIMES IN THE PRIVATE WORLD.

BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY HAPPEN IN PUBLIC GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT ETHICS CODE THAT SAYS YOU DON'T HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN DOING CONTRACTS.

SO YOU THINK, WELL, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THAT? WELL, LET'S SAY I WANT TO DO A CONTRACT AND I WANT ALL CREWS BECAUSE IT GENERATES MORE MONEY, PUTS MORE MONEY IN MY POCKET.

THAT'S GOOD FOR THE PORT AND IT'S GOOD FOR THE STAFF THAT GET THE MONEY FROM THAT BONUS.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY MAY NOT BE PICKING THE BEST CONTRACT OVERALL FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE A CONFLICT, YOU THINK ARE THEY DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS? AND SO THAT'S WHAT I JUST WANT YOU TO PONDER AND THINK ABOUT.

IT'S AN ISSUE BECAUSE RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST ON A MANAGEMENT LETTER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW WHAT MANAGEMENT LETTERS ARE, BUT IT'S WHAT YOUR AUDITOR GIVES YOU SOMETIME.

IT'S CALLED AN INTERNAL CONTROL LETTER.

MOST PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC DON'T SEE THAT LETTER, AND THEY DON'T SEE THE LETTER BECAUSE THE AUDITOR DOESN'T GIVE IT OUT.

SO IF YOU DO AN OR REQUEST, YOU CAN GET THAT LETTER.

I'VE ASKED THE PORT FOR THAT LETTER AND THEY MORE PRETEND LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LETTER IS.

SO I'M SURE EACH OF YOU KNOW WHAT A MANAGEMENT OR INTERNAL CONTROL LETTER IS.

I'M SEEKING THAT LETTER.

I WANT THAT LETTER.

IN 2022, THEY HAD $10 MILLION OF ADJUSTMENTS.

THEY GIVE OUT THEIR BONUSES, HALF THEIR BONUSES BEFORE THEY FINISH THEIR AUDITS.

THAT'S BASICALLY WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

AND I WANT TO ASK YOU TO HOPEFULLY ADVISE ME ON YOUR ETHICS COMMISSION, IF YOU STILL HAVE THAT GOING AND TO CONSIDER THOSE ISSUES.

THANK YOU CHARLOTTE.

GREAT CHRISTMAS AND CONGRATULATIONS.

ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TELL YOU IS YOUR TRANSCRIPTION.

I SENT AN EMAIL TO JANELLE.

IT'S AWESOME.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE MEETINGS, TRANSCRIBES IT FOR YOU.

I'M IMPRESSED. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

CHARLOTTE. SHEILA BELL.

SHEILA, IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME, SO BRING YOUR CHRISTMAS CHEER TO US.

[01:05:02]

OH, WELL.

I'LL TRY. HOW EVERYBODY DOING? GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE.

WELL, SHEILA BELL GOT SOME ON HER HEART TODAY.

THIS IS MY BABY CHRISTIAN.

MANY YEARS AGO.

HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN OVER 20 YEARS AND I WANT TO SEE HIM.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS.

AND I JUST BELIEVE SOMEBODY ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH KNOW WHERE HE IS.

HE GOTTA BE ALIVE.

I'M HOPING, YOU KNOW, CHRISTMAS TIME, BRING UP STUFF.

YOU KNOW, THEY WERE TAKING AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME, AND CHRISTIAN IS SPECIAL NEEDS.

HE'S SPECIAL.

AND HE NEEDS HIS MAMA.

HE DID NOT SPEAK HIS FIRST WORDS.

HE SUNG THEM. JESUS SAVES.

JESUS SAVES.

AND HE SAID, I WANT SOME MACARONI AND CHEESE.

THAT'S MY BABY.

NOW, THE COURT ORDER SAYS WE HAD VISITS, BUT I DON'T KNOW, Y'ALL.

SOMEBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE SOMEBODY COMPLY AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SHEILA BELL NOT FUSSING, BUT I WANT TO SEE MY CHILD.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE HE IS.

SO I'M JUST SAYING MAYBE SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE GOT SOME CLOUT, GOT SOME SOMETHING THAT I DON'T HAVE.

APPARENTLY, YOU CAN GET THAT BALL TO US.

WE ARE MISSING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

THERE WAS A COURT HEARING JANUARY 5TH, 1998, IN THE PROBATE COURT.

THE JUDGE GAVE US EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING WE LIVE IN LIKE PAUPERS.

MY HUSBAND NEEDS A CHAIR RIGHT NOW.

ELECTRIC CHAIR. WE CAN'T GET IT BECAUSE OF WHERE WE LIVE.

WE'RE DRIVING A HOOPTIE.

HE SHOULD HAVE A BRAND NEW TRUCK.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS JUST GONE.

SO I GUESS MY P.O.

BOX IS P.O. BOX 1001, GALVESTON, TEXAS 77553.

I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING.

Y'ALL GOT EDUCATION AND DEGREES AND STUFF.

Y'ALL HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT.

HELP ME FIGURE IT OUT.

WE WON OUR CASE IN 2003.

AND CONTRARY TO THE LAW, WHICH SAYS THE COURT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE CHILDREN TO THE CUSTODY OF THE PARENTS, I WON, AND THEY GAVE THEM AWAY.

SO I CAN'T VOTE.

I CAN'T GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE, I CAN'T GET A JOB, I CAN'T GET PUBLIC HOUSING.

I CAN'T GET, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT IT WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ID.

SO SHEILA BELL NOT FUSSING.

I JUST BELIEVE SOMEBODY ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

20 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HADN'T SEEN YOUR CHILD IN 20 YEARS? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? LEGAL AID TURNED US DOWN.

THERE AREN'T PRO BONO ATTORNEYS.

THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE, BUT THEY REALLY AREN'T.

Y'ALL FIND CHRISTIAN BELL 1 POUND, TEN OUNCES AT BIRTH.

HE'S SOMEWHERE.

Y'ALL GET HIM TO US IF YOU CAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SHEILA, VERY MUCH.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? THANK YOU. I'M CLOSING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT.

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 11.

[11. CONSENT ITEMS ]

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. ITEM 11 CONSENT ITEMS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR ACTION AS A WHOLE, UNLESS ONE OR MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS OBJECTS, THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.

CONSENT ITEMS 11 A THROUGH 11 Y ARE ON THE SCREEN.

VERY GOOD. ARE THE.

ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS LIKE TO PULL UP ONE OF THESE AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPARATE, DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 11 A THROUGH 11 Y FOR APPROVAL.

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

COUNCILMAN COLLINS, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

[12.C. Discuss And Consider For Action The Scope Of The Financial Audit For The Park Board Of Trustees, And Directing Staff To Find An Outside Audit Firm To Conduct The Audit. (Collins/Brown)]

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12 C, PLEASE, MA'AM.

ITEM 12 C, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FOR ACTION THE SCOPE OF THE FINANCIAL AUDIT FOR THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND DIRECTING STAFF TO FIND AN OUTSIDE AUDIT FIRM TO CONDUCT THE AUDIT. COUNCIL.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.

I MOVE THAT COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE A QUALIFIED EXTERNAL AUDITOR UTILIZING CITY PROCUREMENT RULES AND POLICIES TO CONDUCT AGREED UPON PROCEDURE REVIEWS OF THE PARK BOARD TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SCOPE ONE INTERFUND TRANSFERS SLASH POOLED CASH AS IT RELATES TO CHAPTER 351 FOR HOT DUE TO DUE FROM ENSURING THE FUNDS WERE ONLY USED AS INTENDED AND AUTHORIZED.

[01:10:05]

NUMBER TWO REVIEW OF GRANTS AND AWARDS OF HOT DERIVED FUNDS TO THIRD PARTIES, ENSURING SUFFICIENT CONTROLS EXIST TO MONITOR TERMS, CONDITIONS, USE AND GRANT RESTRICTIONS.

NUMBER THREE REVIEW ALL BEGINNING AND ENDING FUND BALANCES FOR FOUR YEAR PERIOD, INCLUDING FOR FIXED ACCESS ASSETS, AND RECONCILE ANY DIFFERENCES AND FOUR REVIEW CASH ACCOUNTS AND RECONCILE HOT VERSUS NON HOT FUND BALANCES.

THESE REVIEWS ARE TO BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS IS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE START OF THE ENGAGEMENT.

REVIEWS. THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME AND DON DAN BUCKLEY PUT THIS TOGETHER FROM OUR DISCUSSION THIS MORNING.

IS THERE A SECOND SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB? ANY DISCUSSION? YES, SIR.

BUT GO AHEAD.

WE JUST GOT THIS TODAY AND I MEAN, REALLY DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO REVIEW OR GO OVER ANYTHING.

IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE I JUST DIDN'T HAVE TIME.

I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE.

THEY'RE NOT ASKING TO DO THIS.

OR AT LEAST PUT THIS OFF UNTIL MARCH.

I WISH WE COULD WAIT UNTIL JANUARY TO MAKE A VOTE ON THIS, BUT I'M JUST SAYING.

COUNCILMAN FINKLEY.

YEAH, PART OF THE DISCUSSION THIS MORNING, THE WORKSHOP, WAS THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO START THIS AUDIT PROCESS WITH THE PARK BOARD BEFORE MARCH OF 2024.

I GUESS MY QUESTION IS TO STAFF OR SOMEBODY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STARTS THE PROCESS OF, FINDING THE APPROPRIATE AND PROCURING THE PROPER FIRM, BUT I DIDN'T HEAR ANYWHERE IN YOUR MOTION THAT WE WOULD NOT START BEFORE MARCH.

THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

I'M PERFECTLY FINE TO AMEND THAT MOTION.

IF TO MOVE THIS TO MARCH.

I AM VERY COGNIZANT, THOUGH, OF COUNCILMAN BOUVIER'S CONCERNS ABOUT WANTING TO LOOK AT THIS.

AND SINCE IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE RECEIVED IT, I WOULD SAY COUNCIL.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT ADVICE UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND I'M GOING TO WITHDRAW MY MOTION ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE DEFER THIS TO OUR NEXT MEETING IF WE COULD.

WELL, I MEAN TO SAY WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED IT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS FROM BACK WHEN WE DID THE AUDIT FOR THE [INAUDIBLE] BOARD.

IT WAS MONTHS AGO.

YEAH, BUT THIS IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE SEEN A SCOPE RELATED TO THIS AUDIT.

WE WERE PRESENTED WITH TEN TOPICS THIS MORNING, OF WHICH I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THEM WERE PERTAINING TO REGULAR AUDIT PROCESSES, THAT THOSE ITEMS WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT. AND THEN WE HAVE THE FOUR THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD THAT WERE OUTSIDE OF A STANDARD AUDIT.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE ONLY SCOPE DISCUSSION THAT WE'VE HAD RELATED TO WHAT SCOPE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE AUDIT PERFORM.

I'M FINE WITH DEFERRING IT TO JANUARY.

ALRIGHT. I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO REFER DEFER THIS TOPIC TO JANUARY.

GIVE COUNCIL A TIME TO LOOK AT THIS.

IF WE COULD CIRCULATE THIS, JANELLE, IF YOU COULD SEND THIS TO COUNCIL AS THE THOUGHTS THAT ARE COMING FROM STAFF ON THAT.

VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A SECOND WITH COUNCILWOMAN ROBB.

ANY DISCUSSION ONE OTHER ITEM, WHEN WE DO BRING THIS BACK TO COUNCIL, I WOULD LIKE A DELINEATION OF THESE TEN ITEMS BETWEEN WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE COVERED IN A STANDARD AUDIT, WHICH WASN'T DONE PREVIOUSLY, IN OTHER WORDS.

WHAT WOULD BE CAUGHT IN A FUTURE INTERNAL AUDIT BY OUR OWN INTERNAL AUDITORS OR BY OUR EXTERNAL AUDITOR, WHATEVER, AND WHICH ONES ARE ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT? WE'RE TRYING TO SCOPE PARTICULARLY FOR THIS.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

IT DOES. BRIAN, [INAUDIBLE] THAT MAKES SENSE.

[INAUDIBLE] YEAH.

SO SHEILA, SPECIFICALLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS THAT SOME OF THESE ITEMS SAID THAT THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE CAUGHT AS PART OF AN AUDIT PROCESS, BUT PREVIOUSLY THEY WEREN'T. SO WHEN YOU COME BACK, LET US KNOW WHAT THOSE ITEMS ARE AND WHEN WILL THEY BE CAUGHT? ABSOLUTELY. AT THAT POINT, BY MARCH, WE SHOULD ALSO SEE THE PARK BOARD'S AUDIT COME BACK.

AND THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THE PARK BOARD IS REVIEWING IN THEIR AUDIT.

SO EVEN FROM THERE, THERE MIGHT BE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS FROM COUNCIL'S END.

BUT PART OF THE FEEDBACK WAS BASED ON THE FY 22 AUDIT AND WHAT WAS NOT CLEAR IN THAT.

SO YES, WE'LL DELINEATE IT.

THANK YOU. VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE A MOTION ANY FURTHER ON DEFERRAL.

IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

[01:15:01]

THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

ITEM 12 D, PLEASE, MA'AM.

[12.D. Discuss And Consider Appointments To H-GAC's 2024 Transportation Policy Council And Transportation Advisory Committee. (Brown)]

ITEM 12 D DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO HGAC 2024 TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNCIL AND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION ON THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNCIL TO APPOINT COUNCIL MEMBER MARIE ROBB AS THE MEMBER, AND SINCE HE HAS LEFT, JOHN LISTOWSKI IS THE ALTERNATE.

I WOULD SECOND THAT. I HAVE NO PROBLEM.

AND ON THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, I WOULD RECOMMEND THE MEMBER WOULD BE ROBERT [INAUDIBLE] AND BRANDON COOK AS THE ALTERNATE. I WOULD LIKEWISE SECOND THAT COUNCILMAN COLLINS SECONDS THAT ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR AGENDA.

COUNCIL. I'M GOING TO MOVE DOWN THE LINE AND LET COUNCIL MEMBERS GIVE SOME THOUGHTS FOR OUR CHRISTMAS SEASON.

MARIE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START? YES. I'D LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND A NEW YEAR FULL OF MANY BLESSINGS, AND I THANK THE LORD THAT THE DISCUSSIONS ON THE PARK BOARD ARE FINISHED, BUT MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND, BLESSED NEW YEAR.

COUNCILMAN BOUVIER.

I'D LIKE TO SAY ALSO, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODY.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT APPEARS THAT, DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE DISAGREEMENTS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE STILL ARE ALL FRIENDS.

AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM PEOPLE ON THIS, THIS COUNCIL, AND I APPRECIATE IT.

AND I SAY THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN COLLINS.

HAPPY TO MAYOR.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I DO WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL CALL OUT TO THOSE FOLKS IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS WHO ARE ON THE JOB REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT'S HOLIDAY.

REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER, REGARDLESS WHETHER IT'S DAY OR NIGHT, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN SERVICE ALL THE TIME, AND WE WANT TO KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AS WE GO FORWARD THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS. COUNCILMAN FINKLEY.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY.

I WOULD LIKE TO, TELL STAFF AT THE CITY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, FOR YOUR TIME AND COMMITMENT ON MAKING THIS CITY A BETTER PLACE AND A SAFER PLACE.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO TELL THE COUNCIL HERE HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU WELCOMING ME AS THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK FOR SHOWING ME THE ROPES AND ALLOWING ME TO FIND MY VOICE, AND TO THAT I'M VERY THANKFUL.

I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS.

[INAUDIBLE] HOLIDAYS.

IT'S ON.

YOU GOT ME.

ALL RIGHT. MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH.

KWANZAA. AND, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERY CITY EMPLOYEE AND PRAY FOR SAFENESS FOR YOUR FAMILY AND EVERYONE THAT MAKES THIS CITY WHAT IT IS.

THANK YOU. BRIAN.

AND I JUST WANT TO ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID ABOUT OUR CITY STAFF AND KNOW THAT THERE'LL BE A WHOLE COMPLEMENT OF THEM WORKING OVER THE HOLIDAYS, MAKING SURE THAT YOUR TOILETS FLUSH AND YOUR HOUSE DOESN'T BURN DOWN AND YOU DON'T GET ATTACKED OR ROBBED AND, GOD FORBID OUR EVEN OUR ANIMAL CONTROL WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. SOME ANIMALS THAT JUST DON'T HAVE LOVING HOMES.

I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT JOSH WAS HERE WITH CLEOPATRA, AND THAT THERE'S 250 PLUS ANIMALS OUT AT THAT SHELTER. THAT WOULD GIVE YOU MORE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, MORE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAN I GET HERE.

HE WOULD GET MORE. YOU'D GET WAY MORE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAN THAN YOU PROBABLY WOULD EVER GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VISIT OUR SHELTER AND TAKE A PET HOME.

AND I ALSO PRAY FOR OUR VERY SAFE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE.

AND JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE WORKING FOR YOU HERE AT THE CITY, ATTENDING TO YOUR NEEDS VERY MUCH.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CITY BECAUSE I WAS REMISS AND NOT DOING THAT.

ALL THE EMPLOYEES, OUR POLICE, OUR FIRE, OUR PUBLIC WORKS PEOPLE, I MEAN, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY WHEN IT FREEZES, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE OUT ALL NIGHT AND WE HAVE A WONDERFUL STAFF HERE.

I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE WE'LL ALL CHIP IN AND BUY BRIAN A NEW SUIT.

THE PLAIDS ARE GONE.

[01:20:01]

BUT ANYWAY, I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY AT THE CITY AS WELL.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO WIND THIS UP.

AS MAYOR OF THE CITY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

THIS LAST YEAR.

WE WON'T BE TALKING WITH THE COMMUNITY UNTIL AFTER THE NEW YEAR.

SO WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS AND A VERY PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

LOOKING BACK ON THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD A, IN MY OPINION, A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

OUR COASTAL MENTAL HEALTH TEAM HAS BEEN JUST A GODSEND FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

AND THEY WORK VERY DILIGENTLY ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

I COULD GO THROUGH SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED THIS LAST YEAR, BUT I WANT TO TELL COUNCIL IT'S BEEN A TRUE PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU.

THANK YOU COUNCIL, FOR ALL YOUR INPUT.

WE HAVE, I THINK, ONE OF THE BEST COUNCILS EVER AND THEY ARE VERY DEDICATED OF WHAT THEY DO.

I WANT TO THANK STEADY STAFF AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

EVERY ONE OF YOU. YOU WORK SO HARD FOR THIS CITY AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO EVERYBODY IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

AND TO THOSE CITIZENS HERE, WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU ADD TO THIS CITY.

WE ARE ADJOURNED FOR 2023.

THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE].

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.