>> [BACKGROUND] WE ALL SIT. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
I AM OFFICIALLY OPENING THE WORKSHOP FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON TO ORDER FOR NOVEMBER 14TH, 2024.
WE DO HAVE A QUORUM HERE, BUT LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> MAYOR PRO TEM ROBB IS ON HER WAY, AND COUNCILMEMBER LEWIS IS ATTENDING THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES CONFERENCE, SO SHE WON'T BE HERE TODAY EXCEPT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> VERY GOOD. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM.
[NOISE] I WANTED TO WELCOME EVERYBODY THAT'S HERE IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY.
WE PRIVILEGE TO HAVE OUR PARK BOARD REPRESENTATIVES WITH US THIS MORNING, AND I WANTED TO WELCOME EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS MEETING ON THIS VERY PRETTY AND COOL MORNING HERE.
GOOD. SOME HOUSEKEEPING CHORES, COUNSEL, BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.
WE HAVE OUR INTERVIEWS FOR THE PARK BOARD COMING UP THIS MORNING.
THEY HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED THE INTERVIEWEES TO BE HERE AT 11:45.
FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND FOR AS WE START TO TRY TO MOVE THROUGH OUR SCHEDULE, KEEPING THAT IN MIND.
ALSO, ITEM 12C1 ON YOUR AGENDA THIS AFTERNOON.
THAT HAS BEEN DEFERRED PULLED AT THE REQUEST OF STAFF, WE NEED TO GET SOME THINGS CLEARED UP ON THE NOTIFICATION OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY CHILDREN IN YOUTH BOARD, LET THEM KNOW OF THE CHANGES THAT WE'LL BE MAKING AND SO FORTH.
THAT'LL BE MOVED TO OUR JANUARY AGENDA COMING UP HERE.
JUST WANT TO, FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON THAT.
ONE LAST THING, COUNSEL, WE HAVE A NEW SOUND SYSTEM.
THIS IS A WHIZ BANG NEW SOUND SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED.
WE'VE HAD COMPLAINTS FROM THE COMMUNITY AT TIMES, INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT BEING HEARD PROPERLY.
THIS NEW SYSTEM PICKS UP EVERYTHING IS UNBELIEVABLY SENSITIVE.
WHAT HAPPENS IS IF WE HAVE A DISCUSSION GOING ON, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, COUNSEL, MAKE SURE THAT WE ALLOW EACH PERSON TO SPEAK BEFORE WE INTERRUPT, IF NECESSARY, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE TWO CONVERSATIONS GOING ON, THEY'LL BE OVERLAPPED IN THE SOUND SYSTEM AND DIFFICULT TO HEAR.
[LAUGHTER] I KNEW THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING, ON THOSE NEW SOUND IS.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3A, PLEASE.
[3.A. Park Board (Park Board Staff And Chairman - 1 Hour) 1. Discussion of Park Board Goals for 2024 2. Discussion of Special Projects For 2024-2025 And Associated Approval Process]
ONE, DISCUSSION OF PARK BOARD GOALS FOR 2024.
TWO, DISCUSSION OF SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR 2024/2025, AND ASSOCIATED APPROVAL PROCESS.
>> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE ONE HOUR SET ASIDE, COUNSEL, FOR THE PARK BOARDS PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING.
THEY'LL BE COMING FORWARD TO THE TABLE HERE IN JUST A SECOND.
HOPEFULLY, THAT HOUR WILL BE ABLE TO BE UTILIZED AND BE PERFECT TIMING FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
[NOISE] I'M GOING TO INVITE OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KIMBERLY DANESI, BRYSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD.
JASON IS HERE, I THINK, JASON, CHAIRMAN.
SURE I'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD.
WE HAVE TWO ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, AND I'M GOING TO WOULD LIKE TO START THIS OFF. KIMBERLY.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALLOWING US TO COME FORWARD TODAY AND SHARE WITH YOU A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE GOING ON IN THE PARK BOARD.
STARTING WITH THE 2024 GOALS THAT YOU ESTABLISHED FOR US EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE RESULTS OF THOSE GOALS AND HOW WE PROGRESSED OVER THE YEAR.
THE FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO DO, THOUGH, IS REALLY THANK PARK BOARD STAFF.
I'M SIMPLY AN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ORGANIZATION.
I'M NOT THE ONE DOING THE WORK THAT YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT TODAY.
OF COURSE, WE CAN'T BRING ALL 200 PLUS EMPLOYEES OVER HERE FOR THAT PURPOSE, BUT I DO HAVE SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF STAFF HERE, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE ALL OF THESE THINGS A REALITY.
I'LL TRY TO BE CONCISE BECAUSE I KNOW WE'LL WANT TO GET TO PROJECTS AND TALK ABOUT.
>> YOU'RE ON RECORD, REAL QUICK.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY TRUST GRATITUDE FOR THE INVITATION HERE.
I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PROVE OUR CREDIBILITY AND HOW SERIOUS THAT THE PARK BOARD TRUSTEES,
[00:05:03]
TAKE YOUR DIRECTION AND HOW MOTIVATED WE ARE TO IMPLEMENT THAT.WE LIKE BEING ABLE TO COME AND SHOW THE RESULTS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SERVING THE COMMUNITY AS BEST BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT WITH YOUR CONTACT WITH YOUR ELECTIVE POSITIONS AND EVERYTHING, YOU DO KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE FROM THE RESULTS IN THE REVENUE PRODUCED BY TOURISM AS WELL.
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP GIVE YOU CONFIDENCE AND GIVING US FURTHER DIRECTION, MOVING INTO THE FUTURE ON ITEMS THAT YOU THINK THAT WE CAN ASSIST WITH BEST.
>> JUST A REMINDER OF THE GOALS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED, I'LL GO THROUGH THESE ONE-BY-ONE SO I WON'T READ OFF THIS LIST, BUT WE TOOK THE GOALS THAT YOU PROVIDED AND WE BROKE THEM INTO FOUR CATEGORIES BASED ON THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE ORGANIZATION.
FIRST UP WOULD BE TOURISM, COASTAL OPERATIONS, COASTAL PROJECTS, AND THEN OF COURSE THE GENERAL.
WE'LL START OUT WITH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.
THE THREE PRIORITIES THAT COUNCIL ESTABLISHED FOR US, WE'RE FOCUSING ON MARKETING OUR HISTORICAL, MEDICAL, SPORTS, ECO AND HERITAGE TOURISM, COLLABORATION ON CULTURAL ARTS INVESTMENTS, AND CRUISE MARKETING.
AS IT RELATES TO HERITAGE TOURISM, THAT'S WHAT WE REFER TO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL.
WE REFER TO THAT AS HERITAGE TOURISM.
WE PRIORITIZE INTEGRATING HERITAGE TOURISM INTO.
[LAUGHTER] TONGUE TIED THIS MORNING.
INTO ALL OF OUR CULTURAL INITIATIVES, ENSURING HERITAGE TOURISM BECAME A CORE ELEMENT OF OUR BROADER MARKETING STRATEGY.
TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, WE IMPLEMENTED TARGETED PAID MEDIA CAMPAIGNS THAT SHOWCASE GALVESTON'S RICH HISTORY, ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARKS, AND VIBRANT ART SCENES.
WHAT THAT MEANS IN PRACTICAL TERMS IS IF YOU WENT ON TO OUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, YOU WOULD SEE A LOT OF INTEREST AROUND THOSE DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASSETS THAT GALVESTON HAS TO OFFER.
THEN ANY OF THE PRINTED MARKETING MATERIAL THAT WE WOULD HAVE IMAGERY OF THOSE ASSETS AS WELL TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AND VISITATION ON THE ISLAND THAT ISN'T LIMITED TO THE BEACHES ALONE BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO GET PEOPLE OUT AND ABOUT ON THE ISLAND AND EXPERIENCING EVERYTHING THAT IT HAS TO OFFER.
WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAL TOURISM, WE MET MYSELF.
CHAIRMAN HARDCASTLE AND TONY LYLE, WHO OVERSEES VISIT GALVESTON.
WE MET WITH UTMB, SPECIFICALLY, BECKY [INAUDIBLE] OVER AT UTMB EARLIER IN THE YEAR, ACTUALLY, JUST A WEEK OR TWO AFTER WE MET WITH COUNSEL TO BEGIN FORGING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM RELATED TO MEDICAL TOURISM.
YOU'LL SEE IF YOU GO TO THE VISIT GALVESTON WEBSITE THAT WE DO HAVE AND THAT'S HIGHLIGHTED HERE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE SCREEN.
WE HAVE A MEDICAL TOURISM LANDING PAGE, AND IRONICALLY, NOT RELATED TO TODAY.
WE WENT AND MET MYSELF BRYSON AND CHAIRMAN HARDCASTLE, TONY [INAUDIBLE].
WE WENT AND MET WITH LANDRY'S YESTERDAY.
AS WE WERE MEETING WITH LANDRY'S, THEY LET US KNOW THAT THEY'VE HAD CONTACT WITH UTMB AS WELL, TRYING TO PROMOTE WELLNESS ON THE ISLAND AND WELLNESS TOURISM.
WE'LL START FORGING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTELS AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S A CONNECTION.
APPARENTLY, IT'S NOT JUST AN INITIATIVE COUNSEL, IT'S ALSO AN INITIATIVE AT UTMB, AND THEY HAVE GREAT INTEREST IN DEVELOPING THAT TOO.
YES. WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS TOURISM, WE HIRED A SPORTS SALES MANAGER.
THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS RESPONSIBLE EXCLUSIVELY FOR PROMOTING SPORTS ON THE ISLAND, WHETHER THAT BE SOCCER TOURNAMENTS, BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS, BUT ALSO CHEER COMPETITIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SHE DID A FANTASTIC JOB FOR US, VERY EXPERIENCED AND YOUNG IN HER CAREER, SHE FOUND ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY CLOSER TO HOME, SO SHE RECENTLY LEFT THE ORGANIZATION, BUT WE ARE LOOKING TO FILL THAT POSITION, AND WE DID SEE IN THE SHORT TIME THAT SHE WAS HERE THAT SHE HAD A PROFOUNDLY POSITIVE IMPACT ON SPORTS TOURISM.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS THAT VINCE AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF PROMOTING EAST BEACH AS A SPORTS VENUE.
JUST LAST NIGHT, I SIGNED AN AGREEMENT FOR THEM TO HOST A SOCCER TOURNAMENT AT EAST BEACH IN NOVEMBER.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN HAPPEN TWO YEARS AGO.
KUDOS TO HIS TEAM FOR REALLY EXPANDING ON THAT AND GETTING SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE OVER AT THAT PARK [NOISE] HAS STRUGGLED TO GET VISITATION.
WHEN IT COMES TO ECOTOURISM, WE REFER TO THAT AS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN THE DMO WORLD.
WE'VE DONE A LOT AROUND ECO TOURISM.
A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE IS WE ARE VERY CLEARLY IN THE CAMPAIGNS THAT WE'RE PUTTING FORWARD, FOCUSING ON PADDLING, KAYAKING, WATER SPORTS, THE EASTERN LAGOON, THE HERITAGE PRESERVE OUT ON THE WEST END, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING THOSE ASSETS AND ENCOURAGING VISITATION IN THOSE AREAS.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE DID WAS CREATE A ECOTOURISM VIDEO WITH A GROUP OUT OF LONDON, ACTUALLY.
[00:10:04]
AND WE WERE THE FIRST US COASTAL CITY TO BE FEATURED IN THAT SERIES.THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THEY FEATURE THE VIDEO AT THE SONOMA WINE FESTIVAL, AND IT'S REALLY BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN GOOD FOR US NOT ONLY TO EXPOSE THOSE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF ECOTOURISM, BUT ALSO TO GET OUR EXPOSURE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE BEYOND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND BEYOND THE US HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE ON THE ISLAND TO REALLY INCREASE RESILIENCY AND TREAT THE ISLAND AS IT SO DESERVES.
MOVING ON TO COLLABORATION ON CULTURAL ART INVESTMENTS.
WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE CITY CULTURAL ARTS COORDINATOR ANTOINETTE.
ALTHOUGH OUR PRIMARY ROLE WAS FOCUSED ON MARKETING, WE PLAYED AN ACTIVE PART IN PROMOTING THE CITY'S CULTURAL ARTS, PUBLIC ART PROJECTS, AND BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS.
WE ENSURED THESE INITIATIVES WERE PROMINENTLY FEATURED IN OUR MARKETING CAMPAIGNS, INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT.
HEATHER MELTON, WHO'S OUR GRANTS MANAGER, HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH ANTOINETTE OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, HELPING TO STREAMLINE ANY PROCESSES THAT MAYBE WE COULD CHANGE OR THAT PERHAPS THE CITY WAS LOOKING TO MODIFY THOSE TWO WHO HAVE WORKED REALLY WELL TOGETHER, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND WORKED VERY CLOSELY ON THE JUNETEENTH GRANT AS WELL, BECAUSE WE DO UNDERSTAND THE CITY WILL BE ASSUMING THAT RESPONSIBILITY IN THE NEXT BUDGET.
YOU'RE NOT THE ONE THAT WE IN NOW, BUT THE NEXT BUDGET, WE REALLY ENJOYED WORKING WITH ANTOINETTE.
SHE'S REALLY ADDED A LOT OF VALUE TO THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD.
SHE'S ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A TASK FORCE THAT WE HAD FOR THE TEXAS MUSIC FRIENDLY GALVESTON MUSIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE GROUP, AND SHE ADDED A LOT OF VALUE THERE FOR US.
UNDER CRUISE MARKETING, WE DEVELOPED A ROBUST WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PORT OF GALVESTON SPECIFICALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND SINCE TONY LYLE HAS JOINED US.
TONY HAS REALLY MADE THIS THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THAT HE'S DOING AND THIS TEAM IS FOCUSING ON.
JUST TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO, TONY'S GROUP WENT OUT AND THEY ACTUALLY WENT ONTO ONE OF THE CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIPS AND MET WITH DOZENS OF CRUISE TOUR OPERATORS.
THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BOOKING CRUISES FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE FURTHER AFIELD.
GENERALLY, YOU'RE LOOKING AT PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUT OF STATE OR THAT LIVE OUT OF THE COUNTRY.
THE BEAUTY OF THAT IS ONCE THEY'VE MET WITH THOSE TOUR OPERATORS, THEY'RE ABLE TO SELL THEM ON GALVESTON OUTSIDE OF THE SHIP.
THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN REALLY NICE TO SEE COMING OUT OF THE CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY.
THEY REALLY DO WANT TO WORK WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES TO ENSURE THAT THEIR VISITORS ARE NOT JUST GETTING ON THE BOAT, THAT THEY'RE COMING INTO GALVESTON, AND THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THE ASSET THAT WE HAVE.
I'LL ALSO SHARE WITH YOU THAT AT A RECENT MEETING WITH THE GALVESTON [NOISE] ASSOCIATION.
TWO OF THE MAJOR HOTEL YEARS HERE ON THE ISLAND WERE VERY THANKFUL TO THE PARK BOARD AND TO VISIT GALVESTON FOR THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE TO INCREASE INTERNATIONAL VISITATION.
THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE SEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS THAT THEY HAVE.
ONE OF THEM SAID IT'S BEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS REALLY NICE TO HEAR, AND QUITE FRANKLY, A LITTLE SURPRISING IN A GOOD WAY.
HE SAID THAT THEY NORMALLY STAY 4-5 DAYS WHEN THEY COME INTO MARKET.
TONY AND HIS TEAM'S EFFORTS ARE REALLY PAYING OFF.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DID IS WE JOINED CLEA AND CLEA THAT MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES US WITH VALUABLE INDUSTRY CONTRACTS, AND WE'VE GONE OUT TO SOME OF THEIR VARIOUS CONFERENCES TO MEET WITH CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATES SO THAT WE CAN JUST CREATE A LOT OF AWARENESS AROUND GALVESTON BEYOND HARBORSIDE DRIVE.
FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY LIKE YOUR REPORT ON THE FOCUS ON THOSE FOUR AREAS OF EXPANDED TOURISM.
>> I APOLOGIES FOR RUNNING LATE. OH, NO PROBLEM.
>> BUT I LET THE RECORDS REFLECT IT IS 8:15 AM.
COUNCILWOMAN, MAYOR PRO TEM, MARIE ROBB IS WITH US THIS MORNING.
GOING BACK TO THE FOUR AREAS THAT YOU'RE EXPANDING ON.
THANK YOU FOR THAT, ESPECIALLY THE MEDICAL TOURISM.
I THINK THAT'S AN UNTAPPED MARKET FOR THE ISLAND HERE, AND IT'S MADE TO ORDER, I THINK WITH YOUR TEAM.
ON SPORTS TOURISM, JUST A THOUGHT.
PLEASE LET US KNOW AS YOU START TO LOOK AT THAT, WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE CITY TO HELP EXPAND THAT HERE.
I'VE BEEN CONTACTED RECENTLY BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LITTLE LEAGUES AND ALL DIFFERENT THINGS.
I'VE TALKED TO STAFF ABOUT IT.
THERE IS A THOUGHT OF LOOKING AT A MASTER PLAN FOR OUR BASEBALL FACILITIES AND ALL OF OUR FIELDS.
AS YOU START TO WORK THROUGH THAT, PLEASE KEEP US IN THAT LOOP AND LET US KNOW WHAT THE CITY CAN DO TO ASSIST YOU ON THAT.
[00:15:05]
>> EVERYTHING AT WORK. [LAUGHTER]
>> I DO APOLOGIZE, BUT I HAD SURGERY ON [OVERLAPPING] OCTOBER 28TH.
>> I'M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT I HAVE NEVER MISSED A COUNCIL MEETING IN MY SEVEN YEARS, AND HENCE I'M HERE.
>> LOOK ON THE LITTLE, ODDLY SMALL ONES.
>> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO SAY I'M GLAD TO BE HERE, BUT I'D BE LYING. [LAUGHTER]
>> I WON'T TAKE THAT PERSONALLY.
>> I ALWAYS HAVE PREPARED FOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> MOVING ONTO COASTAL OPERATIONS, THIS IS ROLE WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.
THE GOALS THAT COUNCIL ESTABLISHED FOR US WAS THE MAXIMIZATION OF PARK REVENUES, SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT SEAWOLF, DELLANERA, THE BEACH PARKS, AND THE SEAWALL URBAN PARK.
I'LL GO THROUGH THOSE INDIVIDUALLY.
I KEEP GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF.
SEAWOLF PARK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT VINCE AND COREY, WHO'S OUR PARK MANAGER, HAVE DONE THAT HAVE REALLY PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED THE REVENUE STREAM AT SEAWOLF PARK WAS CHANGING UP OUR PRICING MODEL.
PREVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU WOULD COME IN, YOU WOULD PAY FOR YOUR PARKING AND YOUR FISHING SEPARATELY.
VINCE WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A MODEL THAT WAS REALLY SOMETHING THAT OUR VISITORS APPRECIATED AND SAW AS A VALUE ADD, BUT SAVED US FINANCIALLY THIS LAST YEAR.
WE SAW SOME PERIODS WHERE WE SAW LIMITED ACCESS TO THE PARK BECAUSE OF THE PELICAN ISLAND BRIDGE ISSUE.
IN A NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCE AND WITH HURRICANE BERYL, YOU WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULDN'T MAKE OUR BUDGETED REVENUE FOR THE YEAR, BUT BECAUSE WE CHANGED THAT PRICING MODEL, BECAUSE OF THAT RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD ACCEPTED, WE ACTUALLY EXCEEDED OUR REVENUE GOALS OUT AT SEAWOLF PARK THIS LAST YEAR, AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE.
IN TERMS OF SEAWOLF PARK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE THINK IS IMPORTANT IS CONTINUING WITH CAPITAL INVESTMENT OUT THERE.
WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING OUR PART THROUGH VISIT GALVESTON TO ATTRACT PEOPLE OUT TO PELICAN ISLAND BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, UNLESS YOU'RE GOING OUT THERE, YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING TO HAPPEN ON SEAWOLF PARK.
VISIT GALVESTON HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF HIGHLIGHTING THAT ASSET OUT THERE, BUT WE DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO INCREASE THE AMENITIES THAT ARE OUT AT SEAWOLF PARK, AND I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERING AS PART OF THE MASTER PLANNING OF THE PARKS TO DRAW A VISITOR OUT THERE.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH GALVESTON NAVAL MUSEUM VERY CLOSELY ON A PROOF OF CONCEPT OF DOING A WATER TAXI FROM PIER 21 OUT TO SEAWOLF PARK.
WE'RE IN THE ENGINEERING PHASE RIGHT NOW WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BULKHEAD.
OF COURSE, WE'LL BRING ANY MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY FORWARD TO THE CITY FOR THEIR APPROVAL, BUT JUST TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GARNER INTEREST IN THAT PARK BEYOND WHAT WE SEE TODAY.
WE ALSO HAVE A PROJECT THAT'S COMING UP WHERE WE'RE GOING TO EXPAND THE T HEAD OF THE FISHING HERE.
CHERYL HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT WITH REGULATORY, AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AT THE SPEED THAT WE ANTICIPATED WE WOULD BE ON THAT PROJECT.
WHILE WE DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE VISITATION NECESSARILY, WE DO BELIEVE THAT THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE AND ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE VISITORS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE THERE SPECIFICALLY TO FISH.
MOVING ON TO DELLANERA RV PARK, IF IT'S BEEN A MINUTE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE, I HAVE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO OUT AND VISIT.
[NOISE] THEY HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR THAT FACILITY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS AND EVEN IN THIS LAST YEAR.
IF IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE, I THINK THAT YOU'LL FIND THERE ARE A LOT OF ASSETS THAT THEY'VE INCREASED OUT THERE.
SIMILAR TO SEAWOLF PARK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT VINCE AND HIS TEAM LOOKED AT FOR DELLANERA WAS DYNAMIC PRICING.
LOOKING TO SEE SIMILAR TO HOTEL PROPERTIES THAT WHEN THE DEMAND IS HIGH, THAT YOUR RATE IS REFLECTED OF THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING A STATIC RATE.
THAT HAS PROVEN TO DO REALLY WELL FOR DELLANERA RV PARK.
I DO WANT TO MAKE NOTE THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE FINANCIALS OF DELLANERA RV PARK, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE FALLING BEHIND, THAT IS SIMPLY A FEMA DELIVERABLE.
WE HAD A PROJECT OUT THERE, A BEACH PROJECT, YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR.
WE HAVE EXECUTED ON THAT PROJECT.
OF COURSE, IT'S A REIMBURSED PROJECT SINCE FEMA, AND WE'RE WAITING FOR THOSE FUNDS TO BE REIMBURSED.
AS YOU KNOW, FEMA HAS THEIR HANDS FULL RIGHT NOW.
AFTER OUR RECENT HURRICANE SEASON, WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF SLOWING OF PROGRESS IN GETTING THAT REIMBURSEMENT, BUT REST ASSURED THAT CHERYL IS WORKING REALLY HARD TO GET THAT FUNDING BACK TO THE PARK, AND ONCE WE DO, WE'LL BE BACK ON THE CLOCK.
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT? BUT THE INCREASED AMENITIES THAT WE'VE SEEN OUT THERE ARE VISITORS COMING OUT TO THE PARK.
THEY'VE REALLY SAID THAT THEY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE INVESTMENTS THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS MADE, THAT THEY'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED DELLANERA RV PARK, BUT NOW THEY HAVE SOMETHING EXCITING TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN THEY COME BACK.
EACH TIME THAT THEY COME, THEY SEE SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF REPEAT VISITORS. [OVERLAPPING]
[00:20:01]
>> DO YOU HAVE A BIG WINTER POPULATION? I WAS AT RIBBON-CUTTING LATE AFTERNOON YESTERDAY.
>> THE KOA, AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME IN FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND LIVED HERE FOR SIX MONTHS.
THERE WERE PEOPLE FROM, I BET, TWO DIFFERENT PLACES, CANADA, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, KANSAS CITY, COLORADO.
I WAS ASTOUNDED, AND WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THEY'VE ALL BECOME SUCH GOOD FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY MAKE THEIR RESERVATIONS A YEAR IN ADVANCE, AND IT'S LIKE THEY MAKE A STREET.
THEY'RE ALL JUST PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE THAT AT DELLANERA.
OUR VISITORS, OUR WINTER TEXANS THAT COME IN ARE LIKE FAMILY.
THEY KNOW OUR STAFF BY NAME AND VICE VERSA, AND THEY COME BACK TO THE PARK EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
>> WHAT'S THEIR STAY TIMES? HOW LONG DID THEY STAY?
>> IT VARIES. IT'S BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE MONTHS.
>> YOU JUST HAVE TO [INAUDIBLE] 60 DAYS TO COMPOSE CITY ORDINANCE.
>> I THINK THAT'S WHY THESE PEOPLE LIE DOWN BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY ALL SWAMPED.
>> WE JUST ROTATE THEM AROUND THE PARK.
THEY KNOW THE RULES AND THEY KNOW WHAT SITE THAT THEY WANT WHEN THEY ROTATE SO THEY'RE VERY SPECIFIC.
THESE ARE VERY INFORMED VISITORS THAT KNOW PRECISELY WHAT THEY WANT OUT OF THEIR VISIT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S, QUITE FRANKLY, MY DEFINITION OF HELL, BUT THEY LOVE IT AND I'M HAPPY WE HAVE THEM.
>> YEAH. DELLANERA RV PARK IS REALLY AN ASSET THAT THE CITY OF GALVESTON HAS, FOR SURE.
AGAIN, I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO OUT AND VISIT THAT PARK.
THE ALCOHOL SALES, VINCE HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH CITY STAFF ON THAT.
WE'VE GOTTEN EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED FROM TABC.
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE SALE OF ALCOHOL MAYBE AS SOON AS THE END OF THE YEAR.
THAT'S VERY LENGTHY PROCESS AS YOU CAN IMAGINE.
>> DO YOU SELL FOOD REFRESH BEYOND THAT?
>> WE SELL FOOD, BUT IT'S PACKAGED FOOD IN OUR GIFT SHOP. YES, MA'AM.
WE'VE LOOKED AT SELLING HOT FOOD ITEMS, AND THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT WOULD DO WELL IN THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF OVERFLOW FROM POCKET PARK 2 AND PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING AND STAYING AT THE TWO CONDOS THAT ARE RIGHT THERE, SO THAT'S AN OPTION.
IT WOULD REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL EXPANSION IN THE GIFT SHOP ITSELF, AND THE FOOTPRINT THERE IS A LITTLE LIMITED, BUT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LITTLE MORE.
AS FAR AS THE BEACH PARKS ARE CONCERNED, THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOME POLICIES THAT VINCE AND HIS TEAM BROUGHT FORWARD OVER THE LAST YEAR, ONE OF THEM BEING A CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE, A SPECIAL EVENT POLICY, A FACILITY RENTAL POLICY, AND OUR LARGE EVENT POLICY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE SPECIAL EVENT ATTRACTIONS TO REALLY DEFINE AND CREATE SOME UNRESTRICTED REVENUES COMING OUT OF THE PARKS.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS PASSIVELY PURSUED IN THE PAST.
NOW THAT WE HAVE VINCE AND NICOLE CHARLEBOIS, WHO OVERSEES OUR EVENTS, THEY'RE ACTIVELY GOING OUT AND PURSUING EVENTS TO BRING TO THE PARKS.
THE FEE STRUCTURE ALLOWS US TO CHARGE A FEE IN ADDITION TO THE BEACH PARKING.
THE BEACH PARKING, AS YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE RESTRICTED FEES, THOSE ARE BEACH USER FEES.
BUT WHEN WE HAVE THESE SPECIAL EVENTS COMING IN AND THEY'RE PAYING THAT FEE TO THE FACILITY, THAT'S AN UNRESTRICTED FUND THAT WE CAN COLLECT.
AS I POINTED OUT EARLIER, AND I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED THIS, COUNCILMEMBER ROBB, VINCE'S TEAM HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB SPECIFICALLY WITH SPORTS OUT AT EAST BEACH, AND THEY HAVE SOCCER TOURNAMENTS NOW IN THE FALL, AND THAT NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST.
YOU MAY HAVE SEEN YESTERDAY IN THE CHAMBER BLAST THAT WE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE BEACH PARKS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING A PREFERRED VENDOR PROGRAM SO THAT IF YOU HAVE A BRIDE WHO COMES INTO THE ISLAND, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO DO A FAMILY REUNION, THAT WE HAVE A LIST OF VENDORS THAT PROVIDE TABLES, CHAIRS, LINENS, DJS, FOOD, ANY KIND OF EXPERIENCE, PHOTOGRAPHERS THAT THEY MIGHT WANT THAT THEY CAN EASILY GO TO.
THEY'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH OUR PROCESS OF GETTING APPROVED AS A VENDOR, PROVIDING CERTIFICATES OF LIABILITY INSURANCE, SO THAT IT'S TURNKEY FOR THAT LAST MINUTE EVENT THAT SOMEBODY WANTS TO HAVE AT THE BEACH PARK.
WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THOSE ARE BEYOND JUST THE BEACH, THAT THERE ARE VENUES WHERE PEOPLE COME AND REALLY HAVE A GOOD TIME.
YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THAT AIA SANDCASTLE MAN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR CAN MAKE WITH THAT EVENT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT THIS YEAR, BUT IT WAS A WEEKEND-LONG FESTIVAL.
WE WORKED WITH VINCE, WORKED WITH LA IZQUIERDA, AND AIA SANDCASTLE TO PUT ON A FABULOUS EVENT.
WE HEARD WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS OUR VISITORS HERE TO THE ISLAND, AND THEN THE PEOPLE PUTTING ON THE EVENT ABOUT HOW WELL THEY THOUGHT IT WENT.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GROW THAT EVENT.
GALVESTON ISLAND BREWING COMPANY HAD A BOOTH OUT THERE.
[00:25:03]
WE HAD AN AMATEUR CONTEST FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD THEIR OWN SANDCASTLES.WE HAD A PROFESSIONAL SANDCASTLE BUILDER OUT THERE TO TEACH THEM, AND THEN THEY COULD COME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND BUILD THEIR OWN SANDCASTLE.
WE HAD A BLOODY MARY CONTEST, WHICH THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH PARTICIPANTS.
IF YOU LIKE TO HAVE BLOODY MARYS, DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT THAT FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> WELL, I THINK YOU COULD PROBABLY VOLUNTEER TO BE A JUDGE. [LAUGHTER]
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO BE, A JUDGE.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST THING TO DO, BUT THAT'S BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS.
VINCE IS LOOKING ALSO AT PARTNERING WITH PORT ARANSAS.
THEY DON'T CALL IT A SANDCASTLE FESTIVAL.
I THINK THEY CALL IT TEXAS SAND FEST.
THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF REALLY COOL THINGS AND HAVE SOME VENDORS OUT THERE THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO BRING DOWN TO GALVESTON AND VICE VERSA, AND BRING SOME OF THE GALVESTON EXPERIENCE TO THEM SO THAT WE CAN SPREAD THE LOVE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE ON THE ISLAND.
ONE MORE THING ON SOCCER TOURNAMENTS THAT I'LL MENTION, AND THEN I'LL MOVE ON.
WE HAD A SOCCER TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR BEFORE THE SANDCASTLE EVENT, THAT THE CAR COUNTS FROM THAT, THE BEACH USER FEE REVENUES, RIVALED SANDCASTLE.
THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT SPORTS TOURISM IS, SPECIFICALLY TO EAST BEACH.
AS FAR AS THE REDEVELOPMENT OF STEWART BEACH, WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT.
WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DEPLOY THE MOBILE AMENITIES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
THOSE HAVE PROVEN THEIR WEIGHT AND GOLD.
THE VISITORS REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING NOT TO WALK AS FAR TO BE ABLE TO USE A REST ROOM OR A SHOWER.
THE GIFT SHOP HAS REALLY DONE WELL.
IT'S A TRAILER, BUT VINCE DOES A GREAT JOB OF OUTFITTING THAT.
THE PARK MANAGER, JUSTIN, REALLY ENJOYS TRYING OUT NEW PRODUCT TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO.
FLIP FLOPS AND RED SOLO CUPS ARE THE NUMBER 1 SELLS.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH THOSE RED SOLO CUPS, BUT PLEASE SELL OUT REALLY FAST.
THEN AS FAR AS THE SEAWALL URBAN PARK IS CONCERNED, WE WORKED WITH CITY STAFF THIS LAST YEAR, MR. MAXWELL, BARBARA SANDERSON, AND DAN BUCKLEY, TO WRAP THE LOOSE.
YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY HAVE THAT BEAUTIFUL WRAP ON THEM NOW.
THEY LOOK GOOD, BUT THEY'RE ALSO INFORMATIONAL.
WE HAVE OUR BEACH SAFETY INFORMATION ON THE BACKSIDE THAT FACES THE BEACH.
>> IT PROTECTS THEM. YES. IN ORDER FOR US TO QUOTE THEM, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT, AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO TAKE THEM OUT OF COMMISSION TO DO IT.
THIS ALLOWS US IN A DAY TO GO IN, WRAP THE LOOSE, GET SOME INFORMATION OUT THERE, AND THEY LOOK FABULOUS.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THEY'RE ALL STAINLESS STEEL, BUT WE'RE SLOWLY BUT SURELY FINDING THE LITTLE SMALL PIECES THAT AREN'T STAINLESS. [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S STAINLESS, NOT STAINPROOF.
>> JUST FOR THE COMMENT ON STEWART BEACH, COUNCIL, WE'LL HAVE THIS ON OUR DECEMBER AGENDA.
WE'RE GOING TO DELVE INTO STEWART BEACH QUITE A BIT WITH OUR DISCUSSIONS TO GET THE PARK BOARD GUIDANCE ON THAT.
THAT'S COMING UP DECEMBER 12TH.
>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR COASTAL OPERATIONS.
ACTUALLY, IT'S NOT. I'M SORRY.
I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE BEACHES REALLY FAST. WE HAVE BEACHES.
SPECIFICALLY, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SAN LUIS PASS AND THE WEST END SEAWALL RAMPS.
SAN LUIS PASS, HOPEFULLY YOU DIDN'T HEAR AS MANY COMPLAINTS THIS YEAR ABOUT THE TRASH.
IT WAS THERE, BUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR, ELIZABETH SCHNEIDER, WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND LOCAL NONPROFITS AHEAD OF TIME TO ARRANGE CLEANUPS FROM THOSE MAJOR WEEKENDS THAT WE KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE SO THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THOSE GROUPS OUT THERE.
THEY WORKED IN CONJUNCTION WITH COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT TO VERY QUICKLY PICK UP THE TRASH, COLLECT IT IN A COMMON AREA, AND THEN GET IT OFF OF THE BEACH RIGHT HERE.
>> DID NOT HAVE SO MANY, SO THEY WERE EFFECTIVE.
I WILL PASS THAT ALONG TO ELIZABETH, SHE WORKED REALLY HARD.
SPECIAL THANKS TO TURTLE ISLAND RESTORATION NETWORK, GALVESTON ISLAND NATURE TOURISM COUNCIL, ARTIST BOAT.
ALL OF THOSE GROUPS WERE REALLY PIVOTAL IN MAKING SURE AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY, I DON'T WANT TO FORGET THEM, IN VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME.
THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES, SO WE JUST WORKED TOGETHER AND CREATED THOSE FOR THEM.
THAT TURNED OUT REALLY WELL. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BRYAN AND I WILL NEED TO WORK ON VERY CLOSELY IS SAN LUIS PASS.
>> ESPECIALLY WITH SUNNY BEACH COMING TO AN END, WE THINK SAN LUIS PASS IS GOING TO BECOME OUR NEXT, NOT OUR NEXT BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY THERE.
>> WE'LL HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AND THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY HAS SOME SKIN IN THE GAME OUT THERE.
>> AREN'T WE GETTING THE REST OF THE BOLLARDS OUT, BECAUSE DON'T YOU ALL PUT THE BEACH ACCESS PART? BECAUSE WE'RE STILL HAVING QUITE AN ISSUE OF CARS DRIVING ALL OVER THE BEACH ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> SPECIFICALLY SAN LUIS PASS OR ON THE WEST END?
>> I WOULD SAY THEY ENTER THROUGH
[00:30:04]
THE ACAPULCO AREA AND PIRATES ARE WHERE I GET THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS.>> WE'LL HAVE OUR CZ AND CREW GO OUT THERE AND TAKE A LOOK.
ONCE YOU GET THE COMPLAINTS, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU COULD LET US KNOW BECAUSE WE CAN GO OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MY ISSUE IS THAT OUR FOLKS NOW, HOW OFTEN THEY LET YOU KNOW.
>> PART OF THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE NOT HAD THE MOST STABLE OF TITLE WORK, AS YOU UNDERSTOOD. [OVERLAPPING]
>> LORD, HAVE MERCY, THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> WE'VE HAD NOVEMBER STORM SURGES.
>> IN THE SHOULDER SEASON WHAT THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT TEAM WORKS ON.
THEY GO IN, THEY STRAIGHTEN ALL OF THE SIGNS, THEY REPLACE SIGNS, THEY STRAIGHTEN THE BOLLARDS, THEY REPLACE BOLLARDS.
IF THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO IT YET, I'M HOPEFUL THAT THEY WILL.
WE HAVE A WHATSAPP GROUP WHERE WE POST PICTURES OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
KYLE IS PART OF THAT GROUP, I BELIEVE HUNTERS AS WELL. THEY HAVE THAT INFORMATION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO ADD THESE SINCE I PROBABLY GET THE CALLS ABOUT ALL OF THAT.
>> YES, MA'AM. THEN THE WEST END SEAWALL RAMPS, THE TRUSTEES, EARLIER THIS YEAR, APPROVED AN ENGINEERING FIRM TO GO OUT AND WORK ON THE ENGINEERING SPECS TO PUT SOME RAMPS OUT ON THE WEST END OF THE SEAWALL, WEST OF 61ST STREET BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ANY CURRENTLY.
THAT GROUP IS GOING TO DO THE ENGINEERING, AS WELL AS THE REGULATORY.
THEY ARE ON TRACK RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THE PERMITTING CONCLUDED BY EARLY 2025.
>> YES. AS YOU KNOW, CONSTRUCTION ON THE BEACH TAKES TIME.
>> THE RAMPS YOU HAD TOOK A BEATING THIS YEAR.
>> THEY DID. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE END PRODUCT IS GOING TO BE THAT THEY RECOMMEND.
IT WOULD SURPRISE ME IF THEY COME FORWARD WITH HARD ENGINEERING.
IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE A SOFT ENGINEERING, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE ALONG THE SEA WALL AT VARIOUS ACCESS POINTS.
>> NO. ARE WE MOVING NOW TO YOUR SPECIAL PROJECTS SO FORTH?
>> I DO LOOK A COUPLE OF THINGS. I'LL GO QUICKLY.
I TALKED ABOUT BEACH NOURISHMENT IN THE FUTURE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HEARD CLEARLY FROM COUNCIL THAT YOU ALL WOULD LIKE TO DEFINE WHERE SAND IS GOING TO BE PLACED ON THE BEACHES HERE IN GALVESTON.
JUST YESTERDAY, IN FACT, WE MET WITH COUNCILMEMBER BROWN, CHERYL, MYSELF, AND BRYSON TO TALK ABOUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? WHAT WAY CAN WE ENSURE THAT YOU ALL ARE PROVIDING INPUT IN TERMS OF BEACH NOURISHMENT REALLY NOT JUST INPUT BUT LEADING THE DISCUSSION ON WHERE THIS PLACEMENT OF SAND SHOULD OCCUR.
>> ARE WE INCLUDING KYLE AND THE KEPPRA DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE I KNOW HE HAS BEEN TELLING ME THAT WE ARE THAT ALL AREN'T.
>> WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY KEPPRA DISCUSSIONS FOR THE EIGHT MILE PROJECT RECENTLY, JUST BECAUSE WE'RE HOLDING PATTERN WITH THE ENGINEERING ON THAT PROJECT.
BUT I'M SURE ONCE IT COMES BACK ONLINE AND CHERYL STARTS HAVING THIS WE MUST INCLUDE THE CITY OF GALVESTON WHEN IT COMES TO THAT PROJECT.
>> BECAUSE IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT.
>> BECAUSE I CONSTANTLY ASK ABOUT IT.
ESPECIALLY WITH THE HARD SUMMER WE HAD THIS YEAR.
>> GENERAL FUND, VERY QUICKLY, VACATION RENTAL DATA COLLECTION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BRYSON HAS BEEN WORKING ON VERY CLOSELY WITH CITY STAFF AND SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL.
WE'VE NOTICED THAT THE COMPLIANCE RATE HAS INCREASED.
WHERE COMPLIANCE IS AS FAR AS REGISTRATIONS.
WITH THE PARK BOARD A SHORT-TERM RENTALS WE'RE WORKING ON CLEANING UP PROPERTY CONTACT INFORMATION.
WE'RE WORKING ON MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S ALL CLEANED UP, WORKING WITH DECKARD.
THEN EVERY SINGLE CITY STAFF MEMBER WHO HAS REQUESTED ACCESS TO THE PLATFORM THAT WE'RE USING DOES HAVE ACCESS TO THAT.
AS FAR AS OFFSETTING GENERAL FUND EXPENSES, I'LL LET BRYSON TALK ABOUT THIS JUST REALLY BRIEFLY.
>> CAN I GET ACCESS TO THAT? I DON'T THINK I HAVE THE DATA.
>> YEAH, YOU CAN CALL AND ASK HIM IF YOU WANT OR WE CAN GET YOU ACCESS TO, AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO SIP THROUGH.
>> THERE'S PARTS OF IT THAT ARE WORKING GREAT.
THERE'S OTHER PARTS OF IT THAT WE KNOW NEED SOME IMPROVEMENT.
WE KNOW THAT THE CITY IS GOING TO BE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SHORT TERM RENTALS AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO HANDLE THAT.
THE PARK BOARD STANDS READY TO ASSIST, HOWEVER, IF WE CAN IN THAT EFFORT.
BUT NOW TO THE OFFSETTING GENERAL FUND EXPENSES, SO WE'VE TRIED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN OFFSET SOME OF THOSE EXPENSES AND CREATE SOME OF THAT REVENUE SHARING WITH THE CITY.
IN FY 24, WE PROJECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO SHARE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS.
A GOOD CHUNK OF THAT IS THE PORTION THAT COMES OVER AS BEACH USER FEES FROM URBAN PARK, THAT'S MORE OF A PASS THROUGH CONTRIBUTION.
BUT THERE IS A $300,000 FROM SEAWOLF THAT WE THINK CAN ALSO BE LOOKED AT.
[00:35:05]
WE THINK THERE'S SOME OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE AT DELMARE PARK.WE'VE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THE ADVERTISING REVENUE THAT WE GET.
WE PROJECT ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS TOTAL FROM ALL THOSE SOURCES IN FY 24.
THEN FY 25, WE HAVE ABOUT 1.2 MILLION PLEDGETED.
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 300,000 AND HOT THAT THE BOARD AUTHORIZED A MONTH OR SO AGO.
WE'VE BEEN MAKING SOME EFFORTS THERE AND WE STILL THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER.
I THINK THERE'S MORE REVENUE THAT WE CAN FIND FOR THE CITY.
>> THEN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, BRYSON AND I MET WITH DAN AND SHEILLA OVER THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR.
I UNDERSTAND THAT RECENTLY, COUNCIL RECEIVED COPIES OF THE INTER-LOCAL, AND YOU HAVE PROVIDED FEEDBACK TO STAFF ON THAT. YES, SIR.
>> THAT FEEDBACK, BY THE WAY, JUST AS REMINDER'S DUE TOMORROW.
>> YEAH. FEEDBACK ON THE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT, WE'LL DO THAT, DAN.
>> COUNCIL, WE GOT THAT A LITTLE WHILE BACK, SO IF YOU GOT INPUT, SURE TO GET IT OVER TO DAN ON THAT.
>> WHAT DAN SAID WITH BRYSON AND I WHEN WE MET LAST ON THE INTER LOCAL WAS HE WANTED TO WAIT TO GET THAT FEEDBACK BEFORE WE CONTINUED WITH THE DISCUSSIONS, WHICH MAKES PERFECT SENSE.
WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO SPEND TIME AND ENERGY CREATING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE NOT THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO SEE.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO RESUMING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH DAN AND SHEILLA.
THEY'VE BEEN GOING WELL SO FAR.
INTERESTED TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK ON WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IN THE INTER LOCAL.
WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO THANK COUNCIL AGAIN FOR PROVIDING US SOME GOALS AND SOME DIRECTIONS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR.
I HOPE THAT YOU SEE THAT STAFF TOOK THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU GAVE US VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE ACTION ON THOSE GOALS.
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT GOALS THAT YOU HAVE FOR US IN THE YEAR AHEAD SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN MOVING QUICKLY ON THOSE AS WELL.
>> LET ME MENTION ON THE GOALS COMING UP FOR THIS COMING YEAR AND SO FORTH.
WE'LL BE TALKING LATER IN OUR AGENDA ABOUT HAVING JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE PARK BOARD, THE WARDS BOARD, POSSIBLY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE DOWN ON THE AGENDA FOR OUR FIRST MEETING WITH THE PARK BOARD, THE JOINT MEETING TO TALK ABOUT THOSE GOALS.
I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT POSSIBLY MARCH TIME, BUT WE'LL BE GETTING WITH YOU ON SPECIFIC DATES ON THAT TO SET GOALS AND TO WORK WITH THE PARK BOARD FOR THESE COMING YEARS.
>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> ONE THING ON THE SPECIAL PROJECTS.
IT HAD BEEN MENTIONED, BUT THE SLEW OR THE MANMADE CREATED SLEW THAT'S THERE FROM LIKE 9TH, 10TH STREET ON EAST THAT'S BEEN SUCH A PROBLEM.
IS THERE ANY THING ON THE RADAR AS FAR AS GETTING THAT FILLED IN OR WHAT WE WE'RE LOOKING TO DO WITH THAT?
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE STEWART BEACH DRAINAGE PROJECT?
>> YEAH. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT BELOW K DAVIS' PROPERTY.
>> GOT YOU. WE JUST FINALIZED OUR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE FIRM THAT HELPED US PUT THAT PROJECT INTO PLACE.
THAT WAS ATKINS. WE HAVE ONGOING MAINTENANCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AND CONTINUE TO DO THERE THAT PARK TO MAINTAIN THAT.
AS FAR AS FILLING IN THE DRAINAGE PROJECT AS IT STANDS TODAY, WE'VE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY DIRECTIVE BY TRUSTEES OR COUNCIL TO DO THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL WANT TO DISCUSS OR YOU WANT TO LOOK AT HOW IT'S PERFORMING.
WE'RE HAPPY TO BRING THAT BACK AND HAVE A DISCUSSION AROUND THAT.
>> I GUESS JUST THE NATURAL DEPTH OF IT IS BASICALLY BELOW OUR TIDE LEVEL ANYWAY.
IT FEELS WITHOUT DRAINAGE, SO I WAS JUST WONDERING, ARE THEY TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT AS FAR AS DESIGN AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THAT?
>> I THINK THAT IF WE WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION, I AM NOT AN ENGINEER, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THEM IN THE ROOM AND WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THAT.
IF YOU ALL WANT TO HAVE THAT AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO GATHER ALL OF OUR NOTES AND BRING THAT BACK AND HAVE THAT AS A TOPIC. HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> CAN WE PUT THAT ON MARCH JOINTLY?
>> IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS, I GET AS FAR AS OUT THERE.
MAYBE A LITTLE HISTORY BEHIND IT, HOW IT HAPPENED.
>> WHAT WE CAN DO TURN ON. DON'T GET YOURSELF IN TROUBLE.
>> NO. I'M NOT INTERESTED IN DOING THAT ANY TIME SOON.
>> THIS IS ABOUT, I GUESS THEY'RE SOFT ENGINEERING, OR THEY'RE GOING TO BE EARTHEN RAMPS.
HOW ARE WE FORESEEING FROM WEST OF 61ST TO 103RD OF THE EROSION ON BABES BEACH.
[00:40:02]
HOW ARE WE SEEING THAT AFFECTING THE EARTHEN RAMPS?>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ON YOUR QUESTION.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE EROSION OF THE RAMP ITSELF OR THE EROSION.[OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S GOING TO BE CONTIGUOUS AT SOME POINT.
IS THAT BEING TALKED ABOUT OR THOUGHT ABOUT?
>> WOULD IT LOOK TO CHERYL AND SEE IF IT REACHED THAT CONVERSATION YET IN THE PROCESS OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN IF IT WOULD BE OKAY WITH YOU, MR. MAYOR.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE PUBLIC, COUNCILMAN MCPRETA, WOULD YOU REPEAT YOUR QUESTION, SIR.
>> BASICALLY, FROM WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS, IS THERE GOING TO BE EARTHEN RAMPS ON BABES BEACH WEST OF 61ST STREET.
HOW ARE WE DEALING OR HOW ARE WE FORESEEING THE EROSION AT BABES BEACH FROM 61ST-103RD AFFECTING THOSE RAMPS?
>> MOST LIKELY, NO DIFFERENT THAN WE SEE THE EARTHEN RAMPS ALONG THE ENTIRE SEA WALL, WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO REQUIRE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WHEN WE HAVE BIG TIDAL EVENTS.
BUT WE'RE STRUCTURING THEM SO THAT THEY ARE FACING OUTWARDS INSTEAD OF SIDEWAYS LIKE MOST OF THE RAMPS THAT WE HAVE, SO THEY JUST EAT AT THE TOE OF THE RAMP AS OPPOSED TO WASHING OUT AN ENTIRE SIDE WALL OF THE RAMP.
AS YOU GUYS PROBABLY KNOW ANNUALLY, THE PARK BOARD IN THE CITY PARTNER AND DO ANNUAL SURVEYS OF THE BEACH FRONT.
OF COURSE, THE ENGINEERED BEACHES ARE A FOCUS OF THAT WORK, AND THE ENGINEER OF RECORD THAT'S PERFORMING THE WORK RIGHT NOW ON THE RAMPS HAS ALL OF THAT DATA AND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE ELEVATION OF THE BEACH AND THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY'RE WORKING IN CURRENTLY.
THEY HAVE THE CURRENT DATA ON THAT INFORMATION.
IT IS A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, SO THE PARK BOARD WILL JUST CONTINUE TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEM JUST LIKE WE MAINTAIN THE OTHER RAMPS ALL ALONG SEA WALL BOULEVARD.
I'M NOT SURE IF I ANSWERED QUESTION THOUGH.
>> I THINK IT'S MORE OF LIKE THE BIGGER AND GENERAL DEFECT, BABES BEACHES IT'S A, BDM PROJECT, BUT IT DOES A ROAD.
>> SURE. WE'RE SEEING BABES PERFORMING FAIRLY WELL IN THE BIG PICTURE OF THINGS, TOO.
I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF THAT BEACH TEMPLATE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED, IT'S GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A HIGHER PROFILE THAN MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER TEMPLATES WHERE IT'S AT A +5 VERSUS A +4, GETTING INTO THE WEEDS HERE, BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S HELPED A LITTLE BIT WITH ITS PERFORMANCE.
>> WELL, I THINK THE OTHER THING TOO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF I ADD, CHERYL, IS THAT BECAUSE BABES BEACH IS AN ENGINEERED BEACH, IF WE DID HAVE A MAJOR EVASIVE EVENT, IF WE HAD A MAJOR STORM THAT CAME THROUGH AND IT WAS DECLARED FMA DISASTER, WE COULD UTILIZE FMA FUNDS TO RE-ESTABLISH THE BEACH FRONT THERE.
THAT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR EROSION THAT JUST HAPPENS ON AN ANNUALIZED BASIS, OBVIOUSLY.
>> THERE'S NO GROWING FIELD THERE.
>> CORRECT. BUT AS CHERYL POINTED OUT, WE DO SEE THAT BABES BEACH IS MAINTAINED.
IT'S REACHED A HOMEOSTATS, SO SLOWLY ERODE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF THE CORN SYSTEM THERE.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE MONITORING THAT THE GLO WILL BE MONITORING AS WELL, I'M SURE, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE A RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT BEACH STAYS THERE.
>> DO WE KNOW THE RATE? MAYBE KYLE COULD GET THE RATE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT OVER THERE.
>> YEAH. WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOST CURRENT SURVEYS THAT WERE DONE BY APTOM, COMPARATIVE TO YEAR OVER YEAR AND GETS YOU ARRANGE, OBVIOUSLY AS YOU KNOW.
IT'S NOT LIKE THE END OF THE SEA WALL WHERE IT'S A DIRECT POINT.
BABE'S IS A PROFILE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO MAYBE AN AVERAGE.
GOOD QUESTION THOUGH. THANK YOU.
>> THE OTHER THING THAT FOR EVERYBODY TO PUT IN THEIR NOTES, BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THE BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGE AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION AS WELL AS THE KEPPRA PROJECT, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO INCREASE OUR BUDGETS FOR SURVEYS BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO DEPTH OF CLOSURE.
>> YEAH. WE'VE BEEN TRACKING THAT.
>> ENGINEERS JUST KEEP GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.
>> THEY NEVER WANT TO FIX THE PROJECT.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF ENGINEERS MIGHT BE COMING MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT.
>> THAT'S ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE, COUNCIL MCPRETA ON THAT SAID? WE'RE MOVING TO YOUR SPECIAL PROJECTS, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> YES, SIR. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE READY FOR.
>> COUNCIL, LET'S GO WITH MOVING FORWARD. GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> WE SENT OUT IN ADVANCE THE LIST OF THE SPECIAL PROJECTS.
HOPEFULLY, YOU ALL RECEIVED COPIES OF THESE.
THESE ARE EXACTLY IDENTICAL TO WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN IN THE BUDGET BOOK THIS YEAR.
[00:45:06]
THEY MIGHT JUST BE ARRANGED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.I WAS JUST GOING TO PASS THEM ACROSS THE WAY, THERE WE GO.
WE HAVE STAFF HERE AVAILABLE AND READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD.
I HADN'T PLANNED ON GOING THROUGH THESE ONE BY ONE.
INSTEAD, I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
FIRST, LET ME EXPLAIN THE ORDER OF WHAT YOU SEE HERE.
THE FIRST THREE PAGES, YOU'LL SEE ARE ITEMS THAT REQUIRE APPROVAL BY CITY COUNCIL.
THESE ARE SPECIAL PROJECTS I'M SORRY, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR THAT ARE NEW THAT YOU HAVE NOT YET APPROVED.
AS YOU GO THROUGH THE DOCUMENT, IT MOVES INTO SPECIAL PROJECTS FROM THERE, SO YOU'LL SEE SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT YOU ALL NEED TO APPROVE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
WHAT WE DID NOT INCLUDE IN HERE, IF YOU WERE TO COMPARE THIS TO THE BUDGET BOOK, ARE THE ITEMS THAT COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY APPROVED.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS AND YOU SAY, HEY, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE SOME ITEMS MISSING, THAT IS CORRECT.
WE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO PUT ITEMS IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY THAT YOU'D ALREADY CONTEMPLATED LAST YEAR THAT YOU APPROVED, THERE JUST A CONTINUANCE BECAUSE THE PROJECT DIDN'T CONCLUDE AS SCHEDULED IN 2024.
>> LET ME MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR FOR COUNCIL'S SAKE AND FOR MY SAKE.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES THAT ARE UNDER 125,000, IF WE APPROVE THOSE IN THE BUDGET, DO THOSE HAVE TO INDIVIDUALLY COME BACK TO COUNCIL?
>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD PROBABLY CLARIFYING THE INTER LOCAL.
>> BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THAT 125,000 THRESHOLD THAT YOU MENTIONED IN THE INTER LOCAL IS SPECIFIC TO THE PARKS.
THAT'S WHY YOU'LL SEE SOME PROJECTS ON HERE, SAY NOT AT THE PARK, CENTER UNDER THAT $125,000 THRESHOLD.
IF COUNCIL FEELS LIKE THAT'S A GOOD THRESHOLD ACROSS THE BOARD, THEN WE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE THE INTER LOCAL AND THAT'S ALL THAT YOU'LL SEE.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AT THAT POINT, THEN YES, THE ONES THAT FALL UNDER THAT THRESHOLD WHEN YOU APPROVE THE BUDGET WOULD BE APPROVED.
>> THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THOSE ITEMS HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE FELT THAT THAT APPLIED ONLY TO THE PARKS.
>> I SEE THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTERS FOR 10,000.
YOU HAVE DOWN THAT YOU'RE REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY CLARIFY THAT, COUNCIL.
THE PAST COUNCILS HAD PLACED $125,000 LIMIT ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE PARK BOARD, THAT IF THEY FELL WITH UNDER THAT, THAT IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING IF WE APPROVED IT IN THE BUDGET, IT DID NOT COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL.
IF IT WAS OVER THAT AMOUNT, IT WOULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL.
WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT AND CLARIFY THAT IF WE COULD.
BRIAN, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?
>> COUNCIL, LET'S DISCUSS THAT AS WE'RE TALKING BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT LOGISTICALLY FOR THE PARK BOARD.
>> THAT WOULD APPLY JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S REFERENCE.
THAT WOULD APPLY TO THE FRONT PAGE HERE THAT YOU SEE BEACH CLEANING BEACH PATROL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT THAT FOLLOWS THROUGH JUST TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH ON THE BACK OF THAT FIRST PAGE.
>> ARE YOU ASKING US FOR OUR OPINION ON THIS THRESHOLD? DUNK TRAILERS, COMPUTERS, JET SKIS, FANS.
I THINK WE SHOULD NOT MICROMANAGE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.
I THINK MAYBE 100, 125, LOOKING AT THOSE EXPENDITURES WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO SAY, OKAY, THAT'S IT.
KEEP IT AS IS, JUST BRING US BACK THE DOLLAR.
>> NO, EXCEPT FOR 100,00O OR FIVE OF THEM ADD UP TO HALF A MILLION.
>> WELL, I MEAN, PER ITEM, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO BE WAITING A MONTH TO APPROVE TWO DUMP TRAILERS OR VANS OR JET SKIS OR.
>> ARE YOU USING THE CITY PURCHASING SYSTEM?
>> SOMETIMES WE DO. WE HAVE PIGGYBACKED OFF OF CONTRACTS THAT THE CITY HAS.
WE'RE A MEMBER OF SEVERAL PURCHASING COOPS AND HGAC BY BOARD AND STUFF LIKE THAT. WE UTILIZE THOSE.
>> IN ORDER FOR US TO ASSESS ANY POTENTIAL CHANGE, I WANT TO ASK, HOW IS THE PROCESS BEEN WORKING RIGHT NOW REGARDING THAT THRESHOLD? IS IT CUMBERSOME? IS IT OVERLY MICROMANAGING? ARE THERE ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU WOULD MAKE TO THE PROCESS?
>> I TEND TO AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO'S COMMENTS THAT A THRESHOLD SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
[00:50:02]
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH INTEREST COUNCIL WOULD HAVE IN LIKE DUMP TRAILERS OR JET SKIS OR EVEN WAITING TO APPROVE THOSE SO I THINK ESTABLISHING THAT THRESHOLD IS A GOOD IDEA.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN WHEN THE BUDGETS GETTING APPROVED SO RIGHT AROUND THAT SEPTEMBER TIME FRAME.
WE SUBMIT ALL THIS INTO JULY, HAVE A COUPLE OF MONTHS TO REVIEW.
IT WOULD BE NICE IF IT ALL GETS APPROVED IN THAT SEPTEMBER TIME FRAME SO WHEN OCTOBER ROLES AROUND, WE'RE READY TO.
>> YOU MEAN THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE UNDER THE 125?
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT EVEN THE ONES THAT ARE ABOVE.
LET'S SAY WE SET A THRESHOLD AT 125.
WE'LL HAVE THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET COME BEFORE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL IN SEPTEMBER AND I WOULD PREFER TO SEE THE 125,000 AND ABOVE PROJECTS ALSO COME IN THAT SAME TIME FRAME SO THEY'RE BOTH LOOKED AT IN DECEMBER.
>> I GUESS I CAN SAY THIS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE WHEN WE ORIGINALLY DID THIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE SPIRIT OF WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WHEN WE SET THIS MANY YEARS AGO WAS SIMILAR TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO MENTIONED.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO MICROMANAGE THE PARK BOARD.
THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE ABOVE $125,000 COULD COME BACK TO COUNCIL FOR INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL.
BUT THERE WERE CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BECAUSE OF TIMING AND A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THAT WERE APPROVED THAT WERE ABOVE THE 125,000 THAT WERE APPROVED AT THE BUDGET TIME SO THAT WE COULD MOVE FORWARD.
THERE WERE PROJECTS THOUGH OVER THE 125,000 THAT COUNCIL HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT.
THEY WEREN'T SURE ABOUT THOSE PROJECTS, THEY ASKED PARK BOARD TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
THOSE CAME BACK TO US INDIVIDUALLY FOR DISCUSSION, AND THAT WAS THE SPIRIT OR THE INTENT OF WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
>> THEY ARE COMPLETELY ON BOARD WITH THAT AS ALEX SPOKE AS WELL.
IS THIS FORMALIZED THROUGH THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT?
>> IT NEEDS TO BE FORMALIZED IN SOME MANNER.
I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO TOO, WHAT BRYCE IS SAYING THAT 125,000, SOME PEOPLE INTERPRET IT ONLY APPLIED TO THE BEACH PARKS, BUT IT COULD APPLY TO ALL THOSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH I THINK IT SHOULD.
>> THEN ALSO, I THINK AS YOU INFERRED, IT DOESN'T PRECLUDE US FROM COUNCIL FROM LOOKING AT INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS THAT ARE LESS THAN 125,000.
WE HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THEIR IMPACT OR THEIR.
>> ESPECIALLY PROJECTS THAT ARE REQUESTING THE CITY FUNDS.
EVEN IF IT'S 1,000 BUCKS, YOU GUYS SHOULD PROBABLY MAKE SURE WE GET THAT.
>> WE NEED TO WE NEED TO CODIFY THIS, BRIAN IN THE INTERLOCAL.
ARE YOU HEAR COUNCIL'S FEELINGS ON THIS AND HOW WE SHOULD PROCEED WITH THAT?
>> DAN'S WATCHING HE'S TAKEN NOTES.
>> WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT TRYING TO GET ALL OF THESE SPECIAL PROJECTS AND EVERYTHING THAT I NEED COUNCIL AND PUT DONE BEFORE THE BUDGET PERIOD SO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK TO SPECIAL PROJECT AND APPROVING THEM.
WE GET THEM ALL DONE RIGHT AT THE FRONT OF THE BUDGET YEAR, SO WE PUT THEM IN JOINT MEETINGS SO WE CAN PUT THEM THERE.
>> WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT LATER ON THE AGENDA, I THINK, A SCHEDULE OF JOINT MEETINGS WHERE WE COULD HANDLE THINGS THAT COME UP THAT WEREN'T ANTICIPATED PRIOR TO BUDGET.
>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL.
>> PROBABLY DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK OF WHAT TV DISCUSSED IN THE MEETINGS RATHER THAN.
>> I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU WHEN WE GET THERE.
>> YEAH. I THINK THAT WOULD BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL AND HELP US OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ALSO TRANSPARENTLY AS WELL TO COME THROUGH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR OR IN PREPARATION FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE VERY CLEAR AND WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THE DIRECTION THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED.
IF WE HAVEN'T AND WE'RE ON THE WRONG TRACK, WE'D LIKE TO HEAR THAT JUST AS MUCH AS WE'D LIKE TO KEEP GOING ON THE DIRECTION THAT YOU'RE GOING AS WELL SO WE CAN CHANGE OUR COURSE IF WE NEED.
>> TO BE MORE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE BEFORE WE LEAVE THIS SUBJECT, WE'VE COVERED ALL AREAS.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE THOUGH I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S CODIFIED SOMEWHERE OR IF IT'S JUST UNDERSTOOD.
IF THESE PET PROJECTS ARE IN YOUR BUDGET FOR THAT YEAR, AND THEY ARE BEING FUNDED BY THE REVENUES THAT YOU'RE
[00:55:02]
RECEIVING YOUR PROJECTED REVENUES FOR THAT YEAR.THAT'S ONE THING. WE HAVE THE RESERVE FUNDS OVER HERE.
THAT ARE THE HOT TAX HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX CITY RESERVE FUNDS OVER HERE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE WERE GOING TO TAP INTO THOSE AS A REQUEST AT THE PARK BOARD, THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR SPECIFIC APPROVAL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THAT, COUNCIL.
>> I'D LIKE TO KEEP THAT IN THERE IF WE COULD. BRIAN, DO YOU?
ANY QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THESE SPECIFIC ITEMS THIS YEAR?
>> ON THE LAST PAGE, CIP PROJECTS AT CITY OWNED PARKS REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT PROJECT AND THE COASTAL PROJECTS REQUIRING APPROVAL, ARE THOSE COMING BEFORE COUNCIL?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DISCUSS NOW.
BRINGING YOU FORWARD THE SPECIAL PROJECTS TO HAVE THE CONSIDERATION NOW TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION AROUND THEM WITH THE IDEA THAT YOU WOULD APPROVE THESE AT A FUTURE COUNCIL MEETING, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S NOT ON YOUR AGENDA FOR THIS AFTERNOON.
>> IT'S THE WILL OF COUNCIL, HOW YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
WE WERE PREPARED TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS TODAY IF YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO THOSE DISCUSSIONS.
IF YOU WANTED TO LOOK AT THESE INDIVIDUALLY AT A FUTURE MEETING, NOT IDEAL BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IF WE CAN.
SO IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE LIKE, ABSOLUTELY, LET'S GO, LET'S DO THIS, THEN I THINK YOU SHOULD INDICATE THAT TODAY.
IF THERE'S THINGS THAT YOU SAY, WE WANT INFORMATION NOW THAT WE CAN REALLY THINK ABOUT OR WE WANT INFORMATION LATER THAT WE CAN REALLY THINK ABOUT, THAT'S THE FEEDBACK THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU ALL ON WHICH DIRECTION YOU WANT TO PROCEED.
I UNDERSTAND SPECIFICALLY THE RV PARK OUT THERE IS OF COURSE, THAT'S A DISCUSSION THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.
>> COUNCILMEMBER ROBB, WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT LET ME MENTION I'LL JUST START THIS ON THE SEAWOLF PARK.
I'M STILL NOT SO ON HAVING THE WAY SEAWOLF PARK IS STRUCTURED DOWN, HAVING AN RV PARK THERE.
I THINK THAT FOR MANY REASONS, WE STILL HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED OUT THERE.
WE'RE GETTING READY, THE CITY MAY BE PURCHASING SOME LAND ON SEAWOLF PARK AND BE ABLE TO PUT LIFT STATIONS AND THINGS OUT THERE THAT WOULD REALLY PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RV PARK THAT'S OUT THERE, THE PROPER TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
SECOND OF ALL, I JUST THINK AESTHETICALLY, JUST ME, THE WAY IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY EXPANDED ACREAGE OF THE PARK, WHEN YOU DRIVE IN HAVING IN RV PARK, I JUST THINK AESTHETICALLY WOULD DETRACT FROM THE AMBIANCE OF THAT PARK.
AS WE START THIS, I'M GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR COMMENTS, THAT'S JUST AN IDEA I HAVE.
>> MY QUESTION ACTUALLY HAD TO DO WITH THE BEACH THERE FROM THE END OF THE SEAWALL TO DELMARE PARK.
WE'RE NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT LAURA.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT THAT BEACH BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT I GET DAILY CALLS ON.
>> WELL, THE END OF THE SEA WALL TO DELLANERA.
>> DELLANERA, THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT STRETCH RIGHT THERE.
SO WHEN WE ORIGINALLY DID THE PROJECT OUT AT DELLANERA, IT'S NOT JUST SPECIFICALLY IN FRONT OF DELLANERA.
WE STARTED AT THE TERMINUS OF THE SEAWALL AND WE WENT TO THE END OF DELLANERA.
SO EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T SAY THAT THERE, THAT'S INCLUDED IN CONTEMPLATED IN THAT SAME.
>> I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT TIMING BECAUSE THIS IS LAURA FUNDING, BUT NOW WE'VE HAD ALBERTA AND [INAUDIBLE] SO PEOPLE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHEN.
>> SURE. WE JUST COMPLETED A PROJECT OUT THERE LAST YEAR FOR HURRICANE HARVEY AND USUALLY WHAT WE SEE WITH THESE PROJECTS, CRADLE TO GRAVE IS 5-7 YEARS FROM THE EVENT TO THE TIME THAT IT'S ACTUALLY EXECUTED.
THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH PERMITTING AS WELL AS.
>> WELL, THEN LAURA SHOULD BE CLOSED BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE SIX YEARS.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK ABOUT THAT CHERYL AS FAR AS THE TIMELINE IS CONCERNED? SHE WORKS MORE CLOSELY ON CHERYL.
>> AGAIN, YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY.
COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOUR POSITION AT THE PARK BOARD, PLEASE, MA'AM?
>> MY NAME IS CHERYL ROGER AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF COASTAL PROJECT.
>> TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, MARIE,
[01:00:02]
THIS PROJECT WITH LAURA WAS JUST RECENTLY OBLIGATED.UNFORTUNATELY, THE STORM WAS 2020, AND IT TAKES A COUPLE OF YEARS JUST TO GET TO SAY THAT IT'S A PROJECT.
YOU MIGHT NOTICE BY THE PAPERWORK THAT THE CUBIC YARDAGE ON THE PROJECT AND THE LOSS WAS VERY LOW.
WHAT THE PARK BOARD IS CURRENTLY DOING AND LOOKING FORWARD IS TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES TO RAMP UP THE PROJECT TO GET MORE FUNDING TO PUT MORE MATERIAL OUT THERE AND POSSIBLY HAVE MOSTLY A DUNE IMPACT AS OPPOSED TO A BEACH NOURISHMENT IMPACT BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR DUNE LOSS AT THE PARK AS OPPOSED TO THE BEACH FRONT.
WE ARE ALSO TO ADD TO THAT IN THE PROCESS OF QUANTIFYING LOSSES FROM THE BARREL ACROSS ALL OF THE ENGINEERED BEACHES AND A DESIGN MEMO AND FROM APTIM WHO IS THE ENGINEER THAT'S PERFORMING THOSE POST STORM SURVEYS TO PUT FORWARD TO FEMA TO POSE COMMENTARY.
I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH TESSA ON CITY STAFF ON ALL OF THE FEMA PROJECTS ALONG THE BEACH RUN.
>> I KNOW GOVERNMENT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE MOST TIMES, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THE BERG AND DO LAURA TOGETHER JUST FOR COST EFFECTIVENESS.
>> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU AT ALL.
>> I KNOW IT'S GOVERNMENT, BUT ANYTHING I COULD DO TO HELP YOU FEDERALLY, I'M SURE WE COULD GET RANDY WARBURG MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US WITH THIS.
>> I JUST THINK WE NEED TO GET THEM WORKING MORE EFFICIENTLY.
>> YES, MA'AM. WE DON'T DISAGREE.
>> ESPECIALLY EVEN WITH SOME OF THESE OTHER MOBILIZATION IS SUCH A HUGE PART OF THE COST.
IF WE COULD DO THEM ALL AT ONCE, WOULD JUST I MEAN, I KNOW THE BENEFICIAL USAGE DREDGE THAT STANDS OUT THERE BY ITSELF, BUT I PROBABLY GET CALLS ON THIS DAILY. I'M SURE.
>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO SEAWOLF PARK A LITTLE BIT.
CRAIG, YOU HAVE TWO OBJECTIONS.
ONE I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE INABILITY AT THE MOMENT TO PROVIDE RV PLATFORM, I GUESS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE SANITARY SEWER, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT I THINK.
THE INVENTS CAN MAYBE HELP ON THIS.
AS I UNDERSTAND, THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WOULD ANTICIPATE SANITARY SEWER AND IT'S A PROJECT, SO BY THAT IT WOULD BUILD IN, I GUESS SANITARY SEWER DISTRIBUTION TO THE RV SLABS IN ANTICIPATION OF A PLANT COMING.
BUT THE OTHER THING YOU SAID IS YOU THINK IT'S UNSIGHTLY AND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS SOME ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ADJACENT TO SEAWOLF PARK, RIGHT?
>> NOT ADJACENT TO SEAWOLF PARK.
>> NOT ADJACENT. THERE IS SOME LAND THAT PORT OF HOUSTON OWNS THAT IS TO THE NORTHWEST OF THAT PARK, BUT THAT'S NOT IN DISCUSSION AT THIS POINT.
>> WELL, I WAS JUST GOING TO THROW OUT.
DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT SEE WHAT PENINSULA PROPER, BUT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY LOCATED ELSEWHERE, THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF YOUR CONCERN, I THINK ABOUT A SET IMPACT OF RV PARK.
>> I JUST THINK WE'RE GETTING OVER SATURATED WITH RV PARKS.
>> FROM A LEVEL OF SERVICE PERSPECTIVE, I THINK AN RV PARK WOULD BE JUST DYNAMITE OUT THERE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT THE FISHING PIER PEOPLE LIKE TO HANG OUT AND FISH FOR LONGER.
>> I THINK THERE'S NO FACILITY ANYWHERE NEAR FOR RVS.
>> HOW MANY FISHING PEOPLE ARE LOCAL VERSUS VISITING?
>> I'M SURE THAT VINCE DOES HAVE THAT INFORMATION.
MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER, DO YOU MIND IF I PROVIDE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON HOW WE GOT TO THIS IDEA OF AN RV PARK OUT?
BEFORE WE DO THAT, THOUGH, CAN WE QUICKLY.
COUNCIL, IT WOULD BE MY THOUGHT AND WE'LL SEE WHERE THIS HITS.
ON THE COASTAL PROJECTS, REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR DELLANERA BEACH REPAIR FROM LAURA.
I THINK WE NEED TO SEE ABOUT GETTING THAT ON OUR AGENDA MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
IF THAT COUNCIL'S THOUGHTS ON THAT, AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT MORE WHEN IT GETS ON OUR AGENDA FOR ACTION, BUT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING.
ON THE RV PART, DEPENDING ON HOW OUR CONVERSATIONS GO THIS MORNING, WE MAY WANT TO PUT THAT ON A WORKSHOP TO BE ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH THAT WE'RE RUNNING CLOSE ON TIME.
>> I HEAR YOU. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS BEEN LOOKING AT
[01:05:03]
SEAWOLF PARK DEVELOPMENT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW FROM A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES IS THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY OPEN TO ALTERNATIVES.WHAT CAUSED US TO ALIGN WITH AN RV PARK IS LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT POTENTIAL REVENUE PRODUCTION, WHICH COULD BE USED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.
ONE IS TO IMPROVE THE WASTEWATER FACILITIES OUT THERE TO HELP FINANCE THAT.
ANOTHER IS LOOKING AT POTENTIAL REVENUE SHARES TO THE GENERAL FUND AT THE CITY TOO.
WE DO THINK THAT IT ALSO WERE IN A UNIQUE POSITION THAT IT PROVIDES AN ECONOMIES OF SCALE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE THE STAFF IN OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES IN PLACE FOR AN RV PARK WITH DELLANERA.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE I LIKE THE DIRECTION YOU'RE GOING MAYOR WITH COMING BACK AND DISCUSSING THIS.
WE'VE THE BUSINESS MODEL IN SHOWING HOW THAT WE GOT THERE, BUT WE DO HAVE TO EXTEND IF THERE'S A VOTE HELD THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE RV PARK OUT THERE.
WE'RE HAPPY TO GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE AND START OVER.
>> I'M NOT NECESSARILY TOTALLY AGAINST RV PARK THERE, BUT I THINK HAVING A WORKSHOP WHERE WE CAN DELVE INTO THE DETAILS AND LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND ALL THAT.
>> IF SOMEONE THAT DROPS OFF KIDS, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
>> ABSOLUTELY IN SUPPORT OF THAT. I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THE ECONOMIC MODEL OF UNDERSTANDING HOW THAT FULFILLS AN OVERALL PLAN OBJECTIVE FOR THE PARK, HOW IT MEETS ADDITIONAL TOURISM NEEDS, AND THEN HOW THOSE REVENUE STREAMS THAT YOU'RE GENERATING GO BACK, HOW YOU ENVISION THOSE GOING BACK TO HELP IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THERE THAT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED.
>> LET'S PUT IT ON WORKSHOP AGENDA ITEM.
>> SAM, WE CAN PUT THAT ON THE WORKSHOP.
WE'LL GET THAT ON THERE QUICKLY.
>> THE ITEMS WE'RE ADDING, IS THAT GOING TO BE LIKE 26?
>> WE'RE PLANNING TO GO FROM 7:00 AM.
>> JASON AND I WILL SEE YOU [INAUDIBLE].
>> BUT WE WILL GET IT ON THE WORKSHOP AND OWN IT.
COUNCIL, IF YOU APPROVE OF THIS, YOUR THOUGHTS, GETTING ON ACTION ON THE DELLANERA RV PARK SAND MANAGEMENT.
LET'S GET THAT ON FOR ACTION ON THAT.
>> NO. I THINK THAT WE CAN SAVE THAT.
I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE ISSUE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SEPARATE CONVERSATION, CERTAINLY, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE FEEDBACK ON DELLANERA, BUT THERE ARE SOME SPECIAL PROJECTS IN THERE FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, I KNOW WE'RE PAST OUR HOUR, BUT IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL HAS, WE'D LOVE TO SEE THESE ON THE DECEMBER AGENDA.
>> WE CAN DISCUSS IT AT THE DECEMBER AGENDA BUDGET.
>> WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK, I WOULD JUST SAY ANYTHING AROUND $100,000.
I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW MUCH OF THAT IS STAFF, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS MARKETING, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS JUST COST BREAKDOWN.
TOURISM SUMMIT, UNDER $25,000, HOW MUCH IS THAT SPACE RENTAL, HOW MUCH IS THAT STAFF TIME?
>> HOW MUCH IS TRAVEL EXPENSE?
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE ON PASSENGER VAN AND MOBILE VISITOR CENTER LIKE THE YEAR YOU BOUGHT THE PREVIOUS ONE AND WHAT YEAR IT IS.
JUST HAD A CURIOSITY ON THE PASSENGER VAN, THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A GRANT FOR BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMMITTED TO THE JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM.
>> THE QUESTION IS IF YOU'RE ONLY USING THAT FOR PRIMARILY FOR SIX WEEKS A YEAR, MAYBE WE COULD WORK WITH YOU ON A LEASE PROGRAM OR SOMETHING OR AN AGREEMENT [OVERLAPPING].
>> SOMETHING, YEAH, IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
>> KIMBERLY AND I WE'LL SIDEBAR ON THAT AND SEE.
>> WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO, KIMBERLY, THOSE ARE ITEMS THAT YOU WANT TO GET BACK THROUGH COUNCIL.
IF YOU COULD GIVE US A LIST ON THOSE, YOU'RE GOING TO PULL SOME OUT OF THIS THAT NEED TO BE ACTED ON QUICKLY, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, SIR. ACTUALLY, IT WAS OUR ANTICIPATION TODAY AND MY APOLOGIES FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS FULLY.
I THOUGHT THAT THESE WERE ITEMS THAT WE WOULD BE BRINGING FORWARD TO DISCUSS TODAY THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED ON THE DECEMBER COUNCIL AGENDA, THE ACTUAL COUNCIL MEETING.
WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT YOU WANT US TO BRING THIS BACK TO WORKSHOP IN DECEMBER.
DOES THAT MEAN THEN THAT YOU WOULDN'T VOTE ON THE ITEMS UNTIL JANUARY?
[01:10:04]
>> MAYOR, I WOULD THINK THAT WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED IT TODAY.
YOU COULD PROBABLY DISCUSS AND VOTE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
I DIDN'T REALIZE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS HERE WERE PROJECTS THAT YOU WANT TO ACT ON AT OUR NEXT MEETING.
PROBABLY I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, BUT WE SURELY CAN.
IF COUNCIL FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THIS, WE CAN SEE ABOUT GETTING THESE ON OUR AGENDA FOR DECEMBER, AND THAT'LL GIVE US TIME TO DISCUSS IT AT OUR DECEMBER MEETING.
>> IF I COULD, MAYOR BROWN, I'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS.
MARIE, THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING THIS IS BECAUSE YOUR QUESTION ON THE BREAKDOWN FOR LIKE A PASSENGER VAN AND SUCH, ARE WE ONLY GOING TO BRING BACK THE PROJECTS THAT ARE AT THAT THRESHOLD, THAT $100,000 OR $125,000 OR WE WANTING TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'LL WANT TO LIKE TO SEE THE OTHER, AND THE ONES I CITED AT LEAST.
>> KIMBERLY TO YOUR POINT, I THINK IF WE WANTED TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION CONTINUE ON THIS, BUT I WOULD SEE THAT BASED UPON WHAT YOUR IMPRESSION WAS OF THE PROCESS IS THAT WE WOULD PUT ALL THESE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SEAWOLF RV PARK AND PUT THAT ON THE WORKSHOP.
>> I'D LIKE THE WORKSHOPS OVER THE OTHER ITEMS AS WELL.
>> [INAUDIBLE] YOU BRINGING ABOUT CLARIFICATION?
>> IF WE PUT ALL THESE ON THE CLARIFICATION ITEMS, IS THERE GOING TO BE A PORTION OF THIS MEETING AS JOINT?
>> NO. DECEMBER WILL NOT BE A JOINT MEETING.
NO, SIR. ARE YOU THINKING ALEX WE'D WANT TO WAIT ON THESE TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING?
>> NO, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ON IT TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING.
I THOUGHT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING REGARDING STEWART BEACH.
THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, WE HAD THAT.
>> COUNCIL, IF YOU MAY REMEMBER SAY ONE OR TWO MEETINGS AGO, WE REQUESTED COUNCIL WANTED 45 DAYS TO SEND IN ALL YOUR THOUGHTS TO STAFF CONCERNING STEWART BEACH.
WE WERE WAITING TO GET ALL THAT INPUT IN, BY THE WAY, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY INPUT, BUT WE'RE WAITING FOR THAT INPUT TO COME IN.
THEN WE WERE GOING TO DISCUSS THOSE JUST AT A COUNCIL LEVEL, STEWART BEACH AND LOOK AT THOSE AND THE INPUT THAT WAS GIVEN AND SO FORTH.
THEN WE OF COURSE CAN COME BACK AT OUR JOINT MEETING AND THEN DISCUSS IT WITH THE PARK BOARD.
THE 12TH MEETING WAS JUST FOR COUNCIL TO LOOK AT STEWART BEACH AND GIVE THEIR OPINION.
>> [INAUDIBLE] WITHIN JANUARY.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY AND MAKE SURE THAT I FULLY UNDERSTAND AND THAT WE BRING FORWARD WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WHAT WE ALL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
WHAT PIERSON AND I WILL DO IS GO BACK TO STAFF AND DIRECT THEM TO LOOK AT EACH OF THESE ITEMS. OBVIOUSLY A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.
BUT FOR MORE OF THOSE LARGER PROJECTS THAT COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO POINTED OUT, PROVIDING MORE OF A LINE ITEM BUDGET, SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF THOSE.
CERTAINLY, I THINK WE COULD PREPARE THOSE AND TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE SEND THEM THROUGH COUNCILMEMBER BROWN IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING SO YOU GUYS HAVE PLENTY OF TIME AHEAD OF THE MEETING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE ITEMS.
>> YOU CAN PUT THEM UNDERNEATH EACH AGENDA ITEM, THAT WAY THE PUBLIC CAN LOOK AT IT TOO.
>> NOW, JUST LOGISTICALLY THE WAY MY MIND WORKS, WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE'D HAVE AN ITEM FOR THE APPROVAL OF THESE ITEMS. WE WOULDN'T HAVE ACTION ITEM FOR EVERY ONE OF THEM.
>> YES, SIR. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> THEN COUNCIL CAN PICK AND CHOOSE.
I BELIEVE THAT WE APPROVE THESE BUT TO DEFER SO AND SO ITEMS OR WHATEVER.
>> WOULD COUNCIL BE SEEKING THAT WE WOULD DO A PRESENTATION ON EACH ONE OF THESE ITEMS OR YOU PREFER THAT WE JUST MAKE OUR STAFF AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AS YOU HAVE THEM?
>> JUST GIVE US INFORMATION AT LEAST A WEEK IN ADVANCE. YES, MA'AM.
>> [OVERLAPPING], SEND A SACRIFICIAL LAMB FOR OUR WORKSHOP, THEN THAT'S FINE.
>> DECEMBER MEETING IS RIGHT AROUND THAT POINT OR TWO OR SO.
>> DECEMBER 12 IS OUR MEETING FOR DECEMBER MEETING ON THAT.
IN OUR CLARIFICATION, IT'LL PROBABLY COME UP TO DISCUSS THOSE.
IF SOMEONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE, IF YOU WOULD BE AT THAT DECEMBER 12 MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
>> IN ADDITION TO WHAT WE JUST SAID, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BRING TO THE MEETING OF DISCUSSION ABOUT STEWART BEACH AND PARKS?
[01:15:02]
>> DID YOU WANT US TO PREPARE THE SEAWOLF PARK DISCUSSION FOR THAT MEETING?
>> THE SEAWOLF PARK DISCUSSION, PERSONALLY I WOULD HOLD ON THAT.
LET'S GET THIS OTHER BEHIND US, AND THEN WE'LL PUT THAT ON THE EDGE.
>> IT'S NOT ANYTHING DRIVING IT.
>> WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCIL? PARK BOARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, KIMBERLY, JASON, BRYSON.
[BACKGROUND] WE ARE TELEVISING.
WE ARE NOW BACK INTO OUR WORKSHOP SESSION THIS MORNING, AND WE ARE ON ITEM 3B.
[3.B. Clarification Of Consent And Regular City Council Agenda Items - This Is An Opportunity For City Council To Ask Questions Of Staff On Consent And Regular Agenda Items (1 Hour)]
JANELLE'S HERE. JANELLE, WE'LL JUST READ 3B.>> 3B, CLARIFICATION OF CONSENT AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY COUNCIL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO STAFF ON CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS.
>> VERY GOOD. THIS IS WHAT WE DO EVERY WORKSHOP MEETING.
I'M GOING TO GO TO COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. COUNCILMAN FINKLEA?
>> GOOD MORNING. THIS IS A REAL SHORT QUESTION.
ON PAGE 4 OF THE PACKAGE, IT STATES THAT THE CITY WILL ATTEMPT TO RECRUIT A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN COORDINATOR TO ASSIST THE DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPALITY UTILITIES IN MEETING THESE GOALS.
MY QUESTION IS THAT IF THIS PLAN IS APPROVED, IS THIS JOB THEN GOING TO BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO BE PUT INTO THE NEXT BUDGET AS AN FTE?
>> WELL, TECHNICALLY, WE ASSIGNED THAT ROLE TO OUR MANAGERS OF TREATMENT AND COMPLIANCE.
I HAVE THEM HERE TO ANSWER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING DEEPER, BUT BENJAMIN STANDS OUT.
BENJAMIN LIRETTE, HE IS OUR WATER TREATMENT COMPLIANCE MANAGER.
>> IF YOU CAN'T TELL FROM HIS IRISH NAME, HE'S FROM LOUISIANA. [LAUGHTER]
HE MANAGES WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND THEN PRE-TREATMENT.
HE FOCUSES DEEPLY ON ALL THE WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS FROM WATER LOSS TO REVENUE WATER LOSS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THAT'S HOW IT [INAUDIBLE].
>> SURE. THIS WAS REALLY JUST A PERSONNEL QUESTION, NOT A PERSONAL QUESTION JUST BECAUSE I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE ANY FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, OR YOU'RE GOING TO ABSORB THAT FUNCTION INTO EXISTING [OVERLAPPING].
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ABSORBING IT.
>> BY THE WAY, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE QUICK FEEDBACK FROM A RESIDENT THAT I HAD CONVERSATION WITH LAST NIGHT AT A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING.
SHE SAID THAT THEY HAD A LEAK. LEAK WAS DETECTED.
CITY CAME OUT, MADE THE REPAIR. THAT'S THE ONE I REPORTED.
THEN THEY GOT A NICE LITTLE NOTE THAT SAID, HEY, WE'VE NOTICED THAT YOU'VE HAD A LEAK, YOU'VE HAD SOME ADDITIONAL WATER BILLS GO UP A LITTLE BIT.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
SHE WAS SO AMAZED THAT ALL THIS AUTOMATION NOW HAS RESULTED IN A LITTLE MORE EFFICIENCY AND ALSO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN LOSS DETECTION TOO.
GOOD FEEDBACK. THAT'S ALL MY QUESTION WAS.
>> THANKS, TRINA. NEXT ITEM, 11H.
>> IS THE AGREEMENT WITH BNSF ON THE OLD GALVESTON CAUSEWAY.
I HAD TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF A HISTORY LESSON. SORRY, GO AHEAD.
>> GO AHEAD AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF.
>> ROBERT WINIECKE, DIRECTOR OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENGINEERING.
>> I KNOW THAT THIS GOES BACK TO AGREEMENTS WITH BNSF WHICH CAN BE CHALLENGING.
BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED OVER THE DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
CENTERPOINT'S REMOVED THEIR ASSETS.
THE GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY IS NOW CLAIMING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ASSETS ON THE CAUSEWAY AS WELL.
THEN IN LOOKING THROUGH THE AGREEMENT, THE COUNTY ORIGINALLY KIND OF I DON'T WANT TO SAY SHIRKED, BUT I'M GOING TO SAY IT ANYWAY, COUNTY OWNS THE BRIDGE.
BUT THEY GAVE BNSF A PRIVATELY-HELD COMPANY THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGER.
THEY DID THAT IN THE AGREEMENT STATING THAT THEY BELIEVE THEY HAD THE THE BEST EXPERTISE IN ORDER TO DO THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS A RAILWAY ON THE BRIDGE.
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE UP FOR CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT IF THE GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY COMES BACK AND SAYS,
[01:20:02]
THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ASSETS ON THE BRIDGE, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE THAT WE RENEGOTIATE THAT AGREEMENT AND REMOVE THEM FROM THE COST SHARE AGREEMENT.I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN ANY FUTURE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENT THAT CITY SHARE IN OUR COST SHARE PORTION, PLEASE DON'T INCREASE IT AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
WE'VE SEEN IT GO UP WHEN CENTERPOINT BACKED OUT.
WE'RE GETTING DOUBLE CHARGED ANYWAY BECAUSE THE WHARVES PARTICIPATES IN THE COST SHARE AGREEMENT.
IF YOU ADD OUR PORTION, THE WHARVES PORTION, IT'S ALMOST TWICE AS MUCH AS WHAT THE COUNTY'S PUTTING IN AND THEY OWN THE BRIDGE.
I WANT TO BRING THAT UP FOR A POINT TO BE MADE.
THE OTHER THING IS I'D ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT WHO GETS THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF THAT BRIDGE.
BY FAR, BNSF IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS THE MAJORITY RESPONSIBLE PAYEE IN IT.
HOWEVER, THAT RAIL SERVICE, THE MAJORITY OF IT DOESN'T EVEN GO TO THE WHARVES BOARD, IT GOES TO THE WEST END PORT FACILITIES, WHICH ARE PRIVATELY HELD.
I'D ASK THAT YOU TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THAT WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE TABLE FOR NEGOTIATIONS.
>> THEY CHANGED IT BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING THE NEW WATER LINE ON THE NEW CAUSEWAY BRIDGE WHICH WILL GIVE US THE REDUNDANCY.
IT'S A FEARFUL POINT THAT EVERYTHING'S HINGED ON THAT OLD BRIDGE.
>> PLUS YOU ALSO HAVE TO FACTOR IN.
WHEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT OUR PORT PRODUCTION, WHICH IS WHERE ALL OUR GRANTS COME FROM AND SO FORTH, AS WELL AS TXDOT OR SO, THEY LOOK AT THE PRODUCTION OF THE ENTIRE SHIP CHANNEL.
IT'S NOT JUST THE GALVESTON PORT.
IT'S OUR PRODUCTION THAT DERIVES THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING WE GET.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE FUNDING SIDE OF THIS.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE COST SHARE FOR CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE OF THE BRIDGE, OF WHICH THERE IS NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR.
IT'S NOT DEFINED IN THE AGREEMENT.
THERE'S NO FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THAT.
MAYOR, CONTINUING ON, RELATED TO BNSF'S AUTHORITY TO PROCURE AND PERFORM ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION, I'D ASK YOU TAKE A HARDER LOOK AT THAT.
I GET THAT BNSF HAS A RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY ARE THE EXPERTS RELATED TO RAILROAD.
BUT WHEN I LOOK THROUGH THE INVOICES AND THE PICTURES AND THE REPAIRS THAT WERE BEING MADE TO THAT BRIDGE, THEY WERE NOT ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAILROAD BED THEMSELVES.
THOSE ACTIVITIES ARE CLEARLY WITHIN THE ABILITY OF EITHER THE COUNTY OR IF THE CITY WANTS TO BE A GOOD PARTNER FOR US TO BE AS A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER.
THEY WERE SIMPLE CONCRETE REPAIR, THEY WERE SIMPLE DRAINAGE REPAIRS.
THERE IS NO REASON THAT THAT WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED TO A FIRM IN WASHINGTON AND WISCONSIN TO PERFORM THE WORK.
THIS IS NOT A COMMENT RELATED TO OUR ACTIVITIES.
IT'S REALLY A COMMENT RELATED TO HOW WE PROCURE THIS SO THAT OUR LOCAL GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND ENGINEERS CAN SEE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM THESE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
WHAT I'D ASK IS THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THAT WORK IS BEING BROKEN OUT.
LET BNS HANDLE A LIFT BRIDGE, LET THEM HANDLE THE RAILWAY ROAD BRIDGE OR ROAD BED.
BUT EVERYTHING ELSE, IF IT'S PEER REPLACEMENT OR PEER PROTECTION SYSTEM, ETC, LET'S PULL THAT BACK TO EITHER THE COUNTY OR THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT AS A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER.
THE LAST POINT ON THIS IS, I KNOW WE'RE GOING THROUGH AND LOOKING AT NEGOTIATION ON COST SHARE FOR PELICAN ISLAND BRIDGE AS WELL.
I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO TAKE THESE TWO TOGETHER, SINCE THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE ITEMS THAT IMPACT THE ISLAND, AND LOOK AT THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY, THE CITY'S COST SHARE, AND TAKE THEM UNDER CONSIDERATION TOGETHER.
I DON'T WANT TO PLACE AN UNDUE BURDEN ON OUR TAXPAYERS FOR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ORGANIZATIONS OR ENTITIES THAT RECEIVE A MUCH GREATER BENEFIT THAN WHAT OUR COST SHARE MIGHT BE.
THANK YOU, ROBERT, I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THESE ARE RELATED TOGETHER.
>> YES, THE FENCE IN THE WALL.
>> [INAUDIBLE] BARBARA. GET WELL SOON, BARBARA.
BARBARA HAD A LITTLE MINOR SURGERY, AND SHE'S DOING WELL.
>> COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF. [LAUGHTER]
[01:25:02]
>> I READ THROUGH THE PACKAGE, AND I UNDERSTAND THE MASONRY REPAIRS TO THE WALLS.
GIVE ME A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE FENCING OR REQUIREMENT.
>> YEARS AGO, DATING BACK TO ACTUALLY, WHEN MY COUSIN WAS THE CITY MANAGER HERE, THEY ERECTED A FENCE AROUND THERE.
AT THAT TIME, IT WAS TO KEEP IT MORE SECURE FOR FOLKS WHO WERE VISITING THAT CEMETERY.
AS TIMES PROGRESSED, I THINK THE CEMETERY HAS FEWER VISITORS TO THE GRAVES THAN IT USED TO.
WHEN THE FENCE FAILED AFTER MANY YEARS, HURRICANES AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE TOOK IT DOWN AND TRIED TO KEEP IT OPEN.
THE CEMETERY GETS USED FOR A WHOLE HOST OF PEOPLE NOW, INCLUDING GHOST TOURS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE HAD SOME VANDALISM IN THE CEMETERY WITH THE FENCE BEING GONE.
OF COURSE, REMEMBER, WE ONLY HAVE THE FRONT PART OF THE CEMETERY.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE BACK PART, AND IN THE BACK PART, THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF THE FENCE THAT WAS MISSING.
GIVEN THE VANDALISM OF THE CEMETERY THAT WE'VE HAD NOW AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE WANT TO GET THE WALL REPAIRED, WHICH THE FENCE IS GOING TO BE ATTACHED TO OR ADJACENT TO, AND THEN GET OUR FENCE UP AT LEAST ON OUR PART AND THEN WORK WITH THE OTHER CEMETERIES, THE CATHOLIC CEMETERY, AND I THINK THERE'S AN ORTHODOX CEMETERY THERE, AND EPISCOPAL, AND GET WITH THEM TO GET THE FENCE UP SO WE CAN START SECURING THE CEMETERY AGAIN AT NIGHT.
JUST BECAUSE SOME OF THE HEADSTONES ARE GETTING DAMAGED BY VANDALS AND THEY'RE SO OLD THEY'RE HARD TO REPAIR, SO WE JUST WANT TO DO THAT TO PROTECT IT.
THIS IS A HISTORIC CEMETERY, SO IT QUALIFIES FOR SOME HELP. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT. I SAW THAT THE FUNDING FOR THIS WAS COMING OUT OF THE ARTS HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS THAT IN ADDITION TO THIS, DO YOU KNOW OF SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT MIGHT BE EARMARKED IN 2025 FOR THE ARTS HISTORIC PRESERVATION?
>> NO. I CANNOT AT THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I'M HAPPY TO GET THAT.
>> IT'S INTERESTING. I THINK THAT'S VERY CREATIVE IN THE PROPER USE OF IT.
>> THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE'RE DOING IT. KATHERINE GORMAN WORKED VERY HARD TO RESTORE SOME OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE CEMETERY USING THAT FUND IN THE PAST.
I WILL TELL YOU ONE OF THE BIG PROJECTS THAT YOU'RE GETTING READY TO SEE OUT OF THE ARTS AND HISTORIC DEAL IS WE'RE GOING TO START WORK ON THE STATUE HERE RIGHT AFTER MARDI GRAS, WHICH WE HAVE TO DO.
THE BIG ONE, 25TH STREET HAS TO BE MAINTAINED EVERY SO MANY YEARS OR IT STARTS TO FAIL.
SOME OF ITS PATINA, SOME OF ITS FAILURE, SO WE HAVE TO GET ON THAT.
THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG ONES IN ADDITION TO A FEW OTHERS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
>> GARTEN VEREIN, TOO, AS WE ASSUME CONTROL OF GARTEN VEREIN, WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING QUITE A BIT OF MONEY ON THAT BUILDING GETTING IT TO TIP TOP SHAPE.
>> YOU'RE DONE WITH CITY HALL, RIGHT?
>> ARE YOU DONE WITH ITS SPENDING HISTORIC [INAUDIBLE].
WE HAVE MORE INTERIOR WORK TO DO, YES.
>> IT'S NOT RELATED TO THE HISTORIC.
>> WHAT WOULD GET US OUT OF THE GRAVE DIGGING PISTONS?
>> WE'RE GETTING REALLY CLOSE.
I THINK WE'RE DOWN TO ONE OR TWO A YEAR NOW.
>> THE OTHER THING TOO IS THE GRAVES BACK THEN WERE BEFORE WE DID THE BIG VAULTS, THIS IS WAY MORE THAN ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW.
I KNOW MY FAMILY HAS A PLOT OF EIGHT SPOTS, THERE'S NO PLACE ELSE TO PUT ANYBODY IN THERE EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY I THINK WE STILL HAVE TWO EMPTY SPOTS.
BUT BECAUSE THE VAULTS NOW ARE SO LARGE THAT YOU ACTUALLY ARE LARGER THAN THAT.
WHILE THEY ARE STILL "AVAILABLE" GRAVES FOR FAMILIES TO BE BURIED IN THERE, MOST OF THEM ARE FAIRLY WELL BUILT OUT BECAUSE THE VAULTS THAT WERE REQUIRED FOR THE BURIALS ARE SO MUCH BIGGER THAN WHAT THE ORIGINAL PLOTS WERE LAID OUT FOR.
I THINK WE'RE DOWN TO ONE OR TWO A YEAR.
>> I'M STILL LOST THERE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ASTOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT WE DO THAT.
>> I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON DAVID'S COMMENT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE FENCE.
I WAS CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSE WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE FENCE AND APPARENTLY IT'S SECURITY, BUT THAT REALLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HAPPEN UNTIL THE OTHER TWO OWNERS OF THAT PROPERTY [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT TOO, AND I'VE MET WITH THE CATHOLIC CEMETERY FOLKS BOTH ABOUT THAT AND SOME STUFF OUT ON 61ST STREET AND THEN WE'RE WORKING WITH THE OTHERS.
IF ANYTHING, WE CAN DO SOME TEMPORARY SECURING [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT INVOLVES A GATE SOMEWHERE I GUESS AT THE ENTRANCE?
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE GATES ON THE STREET.
>> IT WOULD BE CLOSED AFTER CERTAIN HOURS?
>> YES. WE HAVE A NIGHT GUARD THAT SECURES ALL OF OUR PARKS AT NIGHT.
>> MY OTHER QUESTION WAS, I REMEMBER THAT FENCE, ONE OF THE REASONS IT FAILED WAS IT RUSTED OUT, LIKE EVERYTHING MADE OUT OF METAL IN GALVESTON DOES.
>> WE'RE GOING TO USE GALVALUME THIS TIME.
>> THAT WAS MY QUESTION. WHAT WAS THE METAL SPECIFICATION ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ON THAT FENCE THAT'S EXTEND ITS LIFE DUE TO RUST?
>> GALVALUME IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO USE.
WE'RE HAVING GOOD SUCCESS WITH THAT IN OTHER SPOTS.
>> YEAH, WITH GALVALUME. OKAY.
[01:30:01]
>> GALVALUME IT'S ACTUALLY A TREATED ALUMINUM, SO IT SHOULD BE GOOD.
>> THAT SHOULD LAST FOR A LONGER PERIOD.
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS AND THIS PROJECT WITH THE FENCE ON THE CEMETERY IT'S BEEN ONE OF THOSE HAS BEEN A MARATHON FOR US.
THAT'S QUITE AN ICONIC POINT FOR GALVESTON.
I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THAT.
>> WE'VE ALREADY DONE SOME LIGHTING AROUND THE CEMETERY TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SECURE.
AGAIN, PEOPLE ARE USING IT IN THE EVENINGS NOW.
>> ONE MORE ITEM. MAYOR ITEM 12A.
>> THANK YOU, MEGAN. GOOD JOB. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS TOO, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DIRECTED AT BRIAN.
IF THE CITY ACCEPTS CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY, WHICH I UNDERSTAND VERY CLEARLY THERE'S NO COST TO THE CITY IF THIS GOES FORWARD WITH THE PRIVATE FUNDING, WILL THE CITY BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY AND THE IMPROVEMENTS?
>> WELL, IT'S TO BE DETERMINED.
I THINK THE GOAL WOULD BE TO GET THE BUILDING REMOVED.
I DON'T WANT TO JUMP OUT AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO ASSUME 100% RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEMOLISHING THAT BUILDING BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN IT.
CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY, NO COST, LONG TERM MAINTENANCE BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH IS A GREEN SPACE, AND WE'LL HAVE TO MOW AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> JUST LIKE ANY CITY PARK? CORRECT.
>> FAIRLY MINIMAL IMPACT, BUT THERE IS A SMALL FINANCIAL IMPACT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF OF THE PARK AREA.
BUT THAT DOESN'T COVER THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING?
>> NO. THAT HAS TO BE NEGOTIATED OUT.
>> WE DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT TO THAT NEGOTIATION OR WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE ASKING FOR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CITY.
>> IN THE RESOLUTION, IT REALLY SAYS THAT THERE WON'T BE A CONVEYANCE UNTIL THE BUILDING IS DEMOLISHED.
>> THERE WON'T BE ANY MUNICIPAL FUNDS UTILIZED.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT JUST IN MY OPINION, A DEMOLITION, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NO MUNICIPAL FUNDS UTILIZED FOR THAT EITHER.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING.
PLEASE, WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT IT BROWN.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE IDC MAYBE PARTICIPATING AND NOT FUNDING THE WHOLE DEMOLITION, BUT PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMOLITION WITH THE OTHER BODY.
>> THAT'S WHOLLY POSSIBLE, BUT A SUBJECT TO IDC APPROVAL, HAS TO BE DISCUSSED AT IDC.
THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT IF YOU DO USE IDC FUNDS IN SOME FORM OR FASHION ON THE PROPERTY, THEN YOU CAN ALSO USE IT FOR SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEPING FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL.
>> I'VE HAD SOME CALLS ABOUT THAT.
JUST TWO THINGS, I THINK THAT WE WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THE PUBLIC.
THIS RESOLUTION IS IN SUPPORT OF IF THIS PROJECT, IF THE LAND IN SOME MANNER IS PURCHASED OR GIVEN TO BE USED FOR A CITY PARK, IF THE CITY WOULD BE OPEN TO WORK WITH THAT TO HAVE A CITY PARK THERE, IT'S NOT THAT WE ARE SAYING THAT THAT SHOULD BE A CITY PARK, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD ENTERTAIN IF THAT IS BROUGHT FORWARD FOR OUR USE AS A CITY PARK.
SECOND OF ALL ON THAT IS THAT, WHAT WAS I GOING TO SAY ON THE SECOND PART OF THAT, CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW, BUT ANYWAY.
>> THE RESOLUTION IS NOT INTENDED TO PUT ANY BURDEN ON THE CITY FOR ANY MONEY AT THIS POINT, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO PUT ANY BURDEN OR DEMAND ON AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
NOTHING THAT THEY'RE DOING IS CHANGING.
IT'S REALLY A RESPONSE TO A NEIGHBORHOOD GRASSROOTS CONCERN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT BUILDING.
>> IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THE LEGAL CONVEYANCE OF THE PROPERTY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT CANNOT CONVEY PROPERTY FOR LESS THAN THE APPRAISED VALUE AND LENDS TO ANOTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.
THAT'S THE DIRECTION THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP IS GOING WITH.
IT ULTIMATELY HAS TO LAND WITH A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, AND THAT'S WHY WE AGREED TO DO THAT.
>> YOU REMOVE THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THEN THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY GOES DOWN.
>> I THINK THEIR GOAL THOUGH IS TO SELF FUND BY RAISING MONEY.
>> THEIR GOAL IS MONEY. THAT'S FOR SURE.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS GOING TO RAISE SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS.
MORE POWER TO THEM, WE JUST WANT TO BE THERE TO PARTICIPATE TO HELP IF WE CAN.
>> I CAN TELL YOU A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT ALL OF THAT BECAUSE I LIVE A BLOCK FROM THE SCHOOL OVER THERE.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR, IT'S STARTING TOMORROW BECAUSE ABOUT A YEAR AGO TOMORROW WAS THE FIRST TIME THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOT BEFORE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ASKED THEM TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM WN TO R3, WHICH CAME TO CITY COUNCIL AT OUR LAST MEETING FOR APPROVAL.
THEY'VE ALREADY FORMED A GROUP AND I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS A BIT MORE AT THE THE NEXT MEETING THAT WE HAVE THIS AFTERNOON.
[01:35:03]
BUT THIS GROUP THAT GOT TOGETHER DETERMINED ON SUNDAY TO SOLICIT FUNDS, NOT ONLY FROM THE EAST END HISTORICAL DISTRICT ASSOCIATION AS A BODY, BUT FROM ITS MEMBERS.IN THE LAST THREE DAYS, I GUESS THAT'S MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, THEY'VE RAISED SOMETHING LIKE $45,000.
THOSE ARE THE THREE DAYS FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIP, ABOUT 34 PEOPLE OR SO.
THEY'RE STILL LOOKING AT THE LARGE DONORS.
THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY COMMITMENT FROM THERE YET.
BUT IN JUST THOSE THREE DAYS, THEY'VE RAISED QUITE A BIT OF MONEY, WHICH I THINK REALLY SPEAKS TO THEIR COMMITMENT TO HAVING THIS PROPERTY BECOME SOMETHING THAT'S COMPLEMENTARY TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY ALSO UNDERTOOK A SURVEY WITH VISION GALVESTON ABOUT A MONTH AGO OR SO THAT ONE ROUND NEIGHBORHOOD DOOR TO DOOR, ASKING PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE THERE AND OVERWHELMINGLY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WANT TO SEE A PARK.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S ADJACENT TO [INAUDIBLE] PARK.
THAT WOULD FUNCTIONALLY EXPAND THAT PARK.
>> THE CITY'S PLANS, IF THIS IS A SUCCESSFUL ENDEAVOR IN THE CITY IS IT'S GOING TO BE GREEN SPACE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO DEVELOP IT NOW, BUT WE CAN WORK IN FUTURE WAVES WITH DIFFERENT GRANTS AND FUNDING SOURCES TO EITHER EXPAND IT EVEN IF IT'S JUST LITTLE LEAGUE PRACTICE FIELD AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT THAT'S NOT EVEN ON THE TABLE TO DISCUSS RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW IS JUST TO RECEIVE THE PROPERTY AND CREATE GREEN SPACE.
>> BUT THE RESOLUTION ALSO PROVIDES THAT BETTER PARKS IS GOING TO BE RECEIVING THE DONATIONS.
>> THIS IS JUST TO HELP FACILITATE WHAT BROWN WAS ALLUDING TO EARLIER.
STATE LAW SAYS THAT A CIVIC INSTITUTION CAN SELL IT TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION AT BELOW MARKET RATE.
THAT'S WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP IS REALLY HANGING OUR HAT ON, I THINK.
>> DOES THEY HAVE A TIMELINE OF WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT?
>> PRETTY QUICK, I THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHEN WE GOT THE ZONING CHANGED, AND AFTER THAT THE NEXT STEP THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD DID WAS VOTE TO DECLARE ROSENBERG A SURPLUS AND PUT IT OUT TO BIDS AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP SHOWED UP AT THAT.
THEY'VE BEEN AT EVERY MEETING IN THE LAST YEAR, I GUESS.
THEY SHOWED UP TO THAT MEETING TO ASK THE SCHOOL BOARD TO GIVE THEM SOME TIME TO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY.
THE SCHOOL BOARD GAVE THEM UNTIL DECEMBER 1.
>> DECEMBER 1 WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD WILL WEIGH IN.
>> THIS HELPS WITH THEIR STRATEGY SO TO SPEAK.
>> YOU CAN IMAGINE IF THEY'RE TRYING TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY FROM ESPECIALLY A BIG DONOR, THAT DONOR WOULD WANT TO KNOW THAT THE CITY IS PARTICIPATING IN THAT.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TO HELPING TO RAISE FUNDS KNOWING THAT THE CITY WILL ACCEPT THIS CONVEYANCE UNDER THE TERMS OF OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> LET'S SAY DECEMBER 1 HAPPENS, IS IT LIKE THEY'RE LOOKING AT A YEAR, LESS THAN A YEAR, SIX MONTHS A YEAR?
>> RISING MONEY IS AN UNCERTAIN ACTIVITY, UNCERTAIN THING.
I'M SURE THIS GROUP WILL BE AT THE DECEMBER GISD MEETING REPORTING ON WHAT THEY'VE DONE SO FAR.
IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT PRICE THIS IS GOING TO SELL FOR BECAUSE THAT'S NOT A PUBLIC NUMBER.
THEY'RE NOT REALLY CLEAR HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE TO RAISE.
IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THE GISD BOARD BECAUSE IT'S NOT BASED ON MARKET VALUE.
BECAUSE BETTER PARKS IS PAYING, ARE THE ONES TO SEE IF IT PASSES THROUGH.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY IT OUT AS IT GOES ALONG.
AT SOME POINT WE'LL BE ASKING GISD, IS THIS ENOUGH MONEY FOR YOU TO WORK WITH US? IT'S HARD TO PUT A SCHEDULE ON IT RIGHT NOW, BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.
>> EXACTLY. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THAT?
>> NO, I'M GOOD. THOSE ARE MY ITEMS. THANK YOU.
>> YES. I KNOW. IT'S 9:48. COUNCILMAN FINKLEA I THINK HE'LL BE OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE WITH ANOTHER COMMITMENT.
HE'LL BE BACK WITH US SHORTLY.
HE HAS NOW LEFT TO COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING. BOB, GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> WE JUST TOOK CARE OF TWO. I WANTED TO ASK A VERY QUICK QUESTION ON 10A, WATERWORKS.
IN THAT SCHEDULE, THERE'S AN ITEM FOR THE UTMPB WATER STORAGE TANK FOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> NO, 10A IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
>> BUT THERE'S AN ITEM IN THIS FOR THE STORAGE TANK.
>> [INAUDIBLE] UTMPB WATER STORAGE TANK.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. WE HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND [INAUDIBLE] THE TANK.
RIGHT NOW THERE'S A SINGLE INLET AND OUTLET PIPE TO IT.
WE'RE GOING TO BASICALLY ADD A SECOND PIPE.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ADD DISINFECTION AT THAT.
>> ADD DISINFECTION [INAUDIBLE].
>> THE SECOND PIPE WILL [INAUDIBLE].
[01:40:02]
>> BASICALLY, WILL ALLOW US TO GO AHEAD AND PUT WATER IN IT, HAVE TRUE STORAGE, AND THEN ALLOW IT TO COME BACK OUT, WHERE RIGHT NOW IT JUST FLOATS ON THE SYSTEM.
>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST A PRESSURE VESSEL IS ALL IT IS NOW, THIS WILL ACTUALLY ALLOW IT TO BECOME FULL STORAGE.
THE OTHER THING IS WE CONTINUALLY HAVE ISSUES AT UTMB.
>> STEVE [INAUDIBLE] JUST CAN'T GET AWAY FROM THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
HE AND I CONSTANTLY HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, THEY CHECK CHLORINE LEVELS BEING A HOSPITAL.
WHILE OUR CHLORINE LEVELS ARE VERY GOOD, AND ACTUALLY WE RUN A HOT SYSTEM IN TERMS OF CHLORINE, WE HAVE TO DO SO ACROSS EVERYBODY IN ORDER TO KEEP THOSE CHLORINE LEVELS OUT THROUGH THAT NETWORK OF PIPES AT UTMB.
IF WE PUT A DOSING STATION RIGHT THERE, THAT'S GOING TO SOLVE A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS.
>> THEN THE LAST THING IS THERE'S SOME STRUCTURAL REPAIRS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN [INAUDIBLE]
>> NO. WE DON'T THINK IT'S QUITE THERE YET, BUT WE WANT TO GET IT ADDRESSED BEFORE IT GETS ANY WORSE.
>> THEN RECOAT IT WHEN WE'RE DONE.
>> WHEN WE DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH UTMB ON THE COLOR.
>> WE DID BLUE AND THEY WANTED BEIGE.
>> THAT ANSWERS THAT QUESTION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> IT'S 9:50 A.M. COUNCILWOMAN ROBB HAS LEFT.
SHE'LL BE BACK SHORTLY. GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> I JUST GOT ONE MORE VERY QUICK ONE, 11(K).
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TYPICAL MANHOLE COVERS.
MANHOLE COVERS YOU SEE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> THESE HAVE PROVEN TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
WE WENT THROUGH AND INSTALLED A LOT OF THESE OUT IN THE WEST END WHERE [INAUDIBLE] GIANT I AND I PROBLEMS IN TERRAMAR, AND THEY HAVE PERFORMED.
THEY'VE ACTUALLY BROUGHT US BACK INTO COMPLIANCE AT TERRAMAR.
THE MORE OF THESE WE DO IN TOWN, IT'LL STOP THESE BIG EVENTS WHERE OUR PLANTS ARE STARTING TO GET OVERRUN WHEN WE HAVE THESE GIANT RAIN EVENTS.
>> THEY HAVE HOLES IN THEM. OFFLINE I CAN SHOW YOU VIDEOS, BUT WHEN IT RAINS IN THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE PONDING, YOU CAN SEE THE WATER GO THROUGH.
WE HAVE A VIDEO ON THE CITY YOUTUBE PAGE.
WE ACTUALLY TOOK A TANK, AND WE TOOK A CAST IRON LID, AND THEN WE FILLED IT WITH WATER, AND THEN WE WERE CAPTURING THE FLOW GOING THROUGH, AND WATER WAS RUNNING THROUGH AT APPROXIMATELY 60 GALLONS PER MINUTE.
>> YES. THEN WE DID A TEST WITH THE SUPER COVER, AND WE GOT DROPS.
>> BUT DURING A HUGE TIDAL/STORM EVENTS, YOU CAN SEE STORM SEWER WATER COMING UP THE OTHER WAY.
>> NO. THESE AREN'T FOR STORM SEWERS.
THESE ARE FOR SANITARY. THIS IS TO STOP.
>> WHAT HAPPENS, WE GET A REPORT.
JOHN [INAUDIBLE] LOVES TO SEND ME EVERY MONTH HIS REPORT, BECAUSE THEY GET EFFLUENT FROM US, FOR THE GOLF COURSE, HOW MUCH OF IT IS UNUSABLE BECAUSE OF SALTWATER INUNDATION INTO THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME VERY LOW LYING AREAS THAT GET INUNDATED WITH SALTWATER, LIKE AROUND THE HEARDS LANE AREA AND THOSE AREAS.
THIS IS GOING TO STOP A LOT OF THAT.
WE'VE BEEN BUYING THESE, WE DID THEM ON THE WEST END, THEY WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE, AND HOPEFULLY WE'RE GOING TO GET THE WHOLE CITY DONE WITH THEM BEFORE WE'RE SAID AND DONE.
BUT THIS IS FOR SANITARY SEWER, NOT FOR STORMWATER.
WE'RE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WITH STORMWATER AND PUTTING IN MORE COVERS WITH HOLES IN ORDER TO CREATE MORE HEAD PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM TO PUSH WATER OUT AGAINST HIGH TIDE.
>> THESE AREN'T CAST IRON. THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME COMPOSITE.
>> YES. THEY'RE DOUBLE GASKETED.
AT THE BOTTOM THEY HAVE A GASKET WITH AN INNER PLATE THAT'S BOLTED DOWN, AND THEN AT THE TOP THEY HAVE ANOTHER GASKET WITH THE LID THAT'S BOLTED DOWN.
>> TRINA HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB TOO.
WE ACTUALLY INSPECT THE MANHOLES WHEN WE DO THESE, SO IF THERE'S OTHER FAILURES IN THE MANHOLES THEY'RE ADDRESSING THOSE AT THE SAME TIME.
>> DO THESE MANHOLE COVERS, LIKE THE STORM SEWER COVERS, HAVE THE CITY SEAL?
>> WE'RE STARTING TO GET THEM NOW.
THIS ORDER IS ACTUALLY COMING WITH THE CITY SEAL, BUT YOU HAVE TO BUY THEM IN A CERTAIN VOLUME.
THE OTHER THING TOO IS IF YOU'RE IN NEED OF THEM, IT DELAYS THE DELIVERY TIME.
WE HADN'T BEEN DOING IT, BUT THIS PARTICULAR ORDER IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST ONE THAT ACTUALLY HAS THE CITY SEAL ON IT.
>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE OLD CAST IRON COVERS?
>> YOU MEAN THE ONES WITH CITY SEALS ON THEM? OR THE OLD ONES?
>> I KNOW WHERE WE'RE HEADED BECAUSE I WAS HEADED THERE TOO.
THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY FABULOUS.
I WOULD CAUTION NOT TO GET RID OF THOSE, NOT TO THROW THEM AWAY, BUT CONSIDER WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THEM TO MAYBE GET THEM BACK INTO THE [INAUDIBLE]
>> BUT TO BE QUITE HONEST, WE REPURPOSE THEM BECAUSE A LOT OF THE CAST IRONS, AS THEY AGE,
[01:45:02]
EVENTUALLY THEY'LL BREAK AND FALL INTO THE MANHOLE AND THEN THAT CREATES A PROBLEM IN THE MANHOLE, BUT THEN AN OPEN HOLE ON THE STREET.WE USE THESE BECAUSE THEY'RE STANDARDIZED SIZES.
>> WE USE THOSE IN PLACES WHERE CAST IRON NEEDS REPLACING THAT YOU HAVEN'T [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY ALSO CAN BE REPURPOSED FOR THE STORM SEWER SIDE TOO.
>> THEY STILL HAVE A USEFUL LIFE IN THE SYSTEM.
>> ON THE SAME SUBJECT, CAN YOU DO A VERY BRIEF SUCCESS OF TERRAMAR.
>> YOU DID THAT. I MISSED IT. SORRY.
>> YOU ALREADY GOT TO TAKE YOUR VICTORY LAP ON THAT BECAUSE IT HAS WORKED REALLY WELL.
WE SHOULD SUBMIT THAT FOR AN AWARD.
>> WE WERE GETTING READY TO HAVE TO DOUBLE EXPAND THAT PLAN.
WE WERE GETTING SO MUCH I AND I, AND WE BROUGHT IT BACK [INAUDIBLE] I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE STILL NOT GOING TO NEED TO EXPAND THAT PLAN, BUT WE'VE SLOWED THAT PROCESS DOWN A LOT.
>> WE SEE THESE NEW MANHOLE COVERS [INAUDIBLE]
I WOULD SAY ABOUT 75% OF THE MANHOLES OUT THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN CONVERTED.
>> BUT THE NEW ONES WILL HAVE THE CITY SEAL [INAUDIBLE]
>> THESE ARE GOING TO BE INTERSPERSED IN SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS BECAUSE WE'LL GET REPORTS WHEN WE HAVE A FLOOD EVENT THAT OUR COUNTS AT THE PLANTS GO WAY UP, AND THAT'S NOT GOOD.
IT KILLS EVERYTHING. IT KILLS ALL THE MICROBES AND IT CAUSES ALL KINDS OF ISSUES.
IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG PLUS TO US.
>> WHAT WE'RE DOING IS LIKE THE DRAINAGE MASTER PLAN PROJECT THAT BRANDON COOK AND ROBB [INAUDIBLE] LED.
THEY GAVE US A PONDING MAP FOR A FIVE YEAR RAIN EVENT, 10 YEAR RAIN EVENT, AND ABOVE, AND THEN THEY OVERLAID THE SANITARY SEWER MANHOLES IN THOSE PONDING MAPS.
THAT'S HOW WE'RE ADDRESSING THEM.
>> TRINA'S GOT A REALLY ROBUST TEAM, ESPECIALLY WITH GIS.
>> THAT'S MORE THAN WE EVER WANT TO KNOW ABOUT MANHOLE COVERS.
>> WE'RE DONE? COUNCILMAN RAWLINS.
WE TALKED ABOUT STREET PATCHING AND STUFF.
IS THIS FOR STREET PATCHING? PEOPLE DON'T REALLY KNOW THERE'S DIFFERENT GRADES, THE PUBLIC, OF HIGH QUALITY GRADE ASPHALT, AND PATCHING ASPHALT.
WOULD THIS FIT THE GAMUT FOR EVERYTHING?
>> IT'S FOR EVERYTHING, AND IT GOES BEYOND ASPHALT.
IT'S ESSENTIALLY FOR OUR FIELD OPERATION, IT'S FOR STREETS, DRAINAGE, WATER, AND WASTEWATER.
IT IS PART OF THEIR SUPPLY BID THAT GOES OUT ANNUALLY.
IT'S THROUGH THIS MECHANISM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BUY THE DIFFERENT GRADES OF ASPHALT, WHETHER IT'S FOR COMPLETE MILL AND OVERLAY, OR FOR JUST A PATCH.
IT ALSO INCLUDES SUBGRADE ITEMS IN THERE AS WELL LIKE CEMENT STABILIZED SAND, AND LIMESTONE, AND CRUSHED CONCRETE, AND WHATNOT, THAT WOULD BE USED FOR BACKFILL MATERIAL.
>> FOR THE RECORD, ABOUT A YEAR, A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, WE UPGRADED ON THE ASPHALT THAT WE WERE USING.
GALVESTON, HISTORICALLY, WHEN I SAY HISTORICALLY, GOING BACK DECADES, HAS ALWAYS USED BOTTOM OF THE BARREL ASPHALT, BUNKER C WITH GRAVEL, AND WE NOW ARE USING MORE OF A TEXTILE GRAY ASPHALT ON ALL OF OUR PROJECTS, AND YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE.
>> LIKE 37TH STREET [INAUDIBLE]
>> YES. [OVERLAPPING] IT'S OUR NEW SPEC.
>> IT RESPONDS BETTER TO CRACK SEAL AS WELL.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'VE GOT ONE ITEM, 11(D), AS IN DAVID.
THAT IS OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
IT'S MORE OF A PROCEDURAL QUESTION, NOT REALLY ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
IT'S DOWN TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
WE HAVE TWO ITEMS. TWO PACKET MATERIALS.
ONE IS OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, IS ORIGINALLY PRODUCED, AND THEN WE HAVE AN AMENDED VERSION.
YOU'RE ASKING COUNSEL TO MAKE A MOTION ON WHAT VERSION YOU WANT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THE AMENDED VERSION REFLECTS THE CHANGE THAT YOU REQUESTED AT THE WORKSHOP, WHICH INCLUDES SENIOR INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITIES.
THAT WOULD BE THE VERSION THAT WE WOULD REQUEST ADOPTION.
>> THAT'S ALL I NEED TO KNOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WAS TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE [INAUDIBLE] REVIEW.
BUT WE WERE ASKING FROM THE STATE FOR THAT TO ALLOW US TO PROCEED WITH A BEACH AMENDMENT,
[01:50:01]
EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH [INAUDIBLE]>> LIKE THE ASPHALT IT'S A DIFFERENT SHADE OF GRAY. [LAUGHTER]
>> THAT'S WHO WE ARE RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH OUR BEACH ACCESS PLAN NOW.
BUT LET'S SAY THREE YEARS FROM NOW WE RUN INTO PROBLEMS LIKE WE DID PREVIOUSLY WITH SIGNS GETTING STOLEN.
TECHNICALLY, THAT'S A NON-COMPLIANCE.
TECHNICALLY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE BEACH ACCESS SIGNS IN PLACE, YOU'RE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH YOUR PLAN.
OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE'D STILL BE ABLE TO PROCEED WITH AN UNRELATED AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN NECESSARY FOR PARKING, OR SOME OTHER CRITICAL AREA WHILE WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THAT RELATIVELY MINOR NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUE.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US IN THE PAST, THERE'S TWO THINGS.
THERE'S COST CUTTING STATE LAW THAT PREVENTS DEPARTMENTS FROM PROCEEDING ON A MATTER WHERE THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED RULE MAKING.
THAT'S THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT.
THAT'S CLEARLY IN STATUTE AND AGENCIES MUST FOLLOW THAT DIRECTION.
HOWEVER, WHAT WE'VE RUN INTO IN THE PAST WITH AMENDMENTS IS THE GLO HAS EXERCISED IN THEIR DISCRETION PUMPING THE BRAKES ON MOVING AMENDMENTS FORWARD BECAUSE THEY WANTED US TO CATCH UP ON OTHER AREAS OF NON-COMPLIANCE.
THAT CAUSED US A LOT OF PROBLEMS TO ADDRESS THE REALLY CRITICAL ISSUES THAT WE WERE TRYING TO ADDRESS HAVING TO DO WITH PARKING SPACES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THIS IS INTENDED TO CLARIFY IN STATUTE THAT ADMINISTRATIVELY THESE AMENDMENTS CAN GO FORWARD WHILE THE JURISDICTION IS WORKING ON UNRELATED NON-COMPLIANCE.
>> ACTUALLY, BRIAN, HAVEN'T WE RESOLVED THAT WITH OUR TRUE COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM, WITH OUR INTERIM MEETINGS WHERE NOW IT'S LIKE A SIXTH MONTH THAT THEY LOOK AT SIGNS, OR SO FORTH.
>> WE'RE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING THE SIGNS, AND KYLE AND HUNTER ARE OUT THERE CONSTANTLY, SO WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST TO KEEP UP WITH IT.
BUT BETWEEN PEOPLE AND GOD STEALING THE SIGNS WITH THE TIDES, IT'S A YEOMAN'S TASK.
I'M SURE AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME IF SOMEBODY WERE TO CHECK WE'RE MISSING A SIGN SOME PLACE.
>> THIS WILL BE IN MY WEEKLY REPORT, BUT I JUST WANT TO INFORM COUNSEL THAT REPRESENTATIVE TERRI LEO-WILSON FILED THAT BILL THIS WEEK.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SEES THAT AS SOME LEVERAGE TO GET US TO COME [INAUDIBLE] WITH EVERYTHING [INAUDIBLE]
>> NO. THEY ACTUALLY CAME TO OUR DEFENSE.
THE COMMISSIONER AGREED WITH US AND ADVISED HER STAFF TO NO LONGER DO THAT.
>> I THINK THEY UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM MORE THAN ANYBODY, BECAUSE SHE'S ACTUALLY BEEN HERE AND UNDERSTANDS IT, HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.
BECAUSE THE PLAN HAS SUCH SPECIFICITY IN TERMS OF THESE SIGNS, AND BOLLARDS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THAT WOULD BE LIKE US HAVING EVERY DAY, HOW MANY STOP SIGNS GET KNOCKED DOWN.
>> [INAUDIBLE] AN ONGOING MAINTENANCE.
>> IF THERE'S A BIG THING, LIKE WE'VE SOMEHOW MANAGED TO SHUT DOWN AN ACCESS POINT WRONGLY, OR SOMETHING, OBVIOUSLY THOSE ARE BIGGER ISSUES.
THIS IS JUST TO KEEP US MOVING WITH THESE LITTLE SMALLER THINGS THAT MOVE ALONG.
>> ASSUMING THAT WE ARE NOT RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.
>> THE ONE THING I DO WANT TO MENTION IS WE DID MEET KYLE AND I MET WITH GLO STAFF ON THIS ISSUE, AS A COURTESY TO GIVE THEM A HEADS UP THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE PROCEEDING POTENTIALLY WITH THIS BILL, ASSUMING COUNSEL ADOPTED THE AGENDA.
THE ONLY CONCERN THAT GLO HAS IS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A NECESSARY TOOL.
THAT THEY'RE NOT ADVOCATING FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
THEY'RE NOT SAYING THEY NEED THIS LEGISLATION.
THEY'RE A RESOURCE FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
>> BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO OPPOSE IT.
>> BUT THEY CAN'T OPPOSE OR SUPPORT.
THEY JUST MAKE THE OBSERVATION.
>> EVEN THOUGH THEY DO THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> THAT THEY'RE NOT REQUESTING THIS LEGISLATION.
[01:55:04]
>> NO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU, JILL. THANK YOU, SALLY. APPRECIATE IT.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF OUR CLARIFICATION.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3(C) PLEASE.
[3.C. Discussion Of Findings From Recent Park Board Audit (G. Bulgherini - 15 Min)]
>> ITEM 3(C). DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS FROM RECENT PARK COURT AUDIT.
THIS IS OUR CITY AUDITOR, GLENN BULGHERINI.
GLENN, COME ON UP AND HAVE A SEAT.
>> I WANT TO INSTRUCT COUNSEL, GLENN IS GOING TO GIVE A FINAL AUDIT REPORT ON THE AUDIT THAT WE HAD REQUESTED FOR THE PARK BOARD.
ALSO, THIS ITEM IS ON OUR AGENDA ITEM 11G IS IN GREEN.
HERE IT IS ON OUR AGENDA TO RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARK BOARD ON THE RESPONSE TO THIS AUDIT.
YOU CAN LOOK ON THAT LETTER ON THE PACKET MATERIAL [NOISE] AND SEE WHAT JASON HARDCASTLE HAS RESPONDED ON FOLLOWING UP WITH GLENN'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> JUST LET ME RECAP WHAT WE FOUND.
THERE WERE 80 P-CARD AND CHECK DISBURSEMENTS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED.
IT WAS WITH THE TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF $11,019.29 THAT WERE NOT PART BOARD [NOISE] BEACH PATROL PURCHASES.
THEY WERE TAKEN OUT ILLEGALLY FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES BY A FORMER PARK BOARD EMPLOYEE.
WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE 80 TRANSACTIONS AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT.
WE MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PARK BOARD, WHICH THEY DID PUT IN WRITING.
USE OF PERSONAL ACCOUNTS WHEN USING A PARK BOARD CREDIT CARD WILL BE PROHIBITED.
DELIVERY OF TANGIBLE GOODS AND SERVICES TO PERSONAL ADDRESSES WILL BE PROHIBITED.
CREATE A CHAIN OF CUSTODY RECORD FOR THE CREDIT CARDS.
NON-ITEMIZED RECEIPTS WILL BE DISALLOWED.
MISSING RECEIPTS WILL BE DISALLOWED.
RECEIPTS FOR MEALS MUST BE ITEMIZED.
SIGNATURE STAMPS ARE DISALLOWED.
WE FOUND THAT PIERSON HAD DID AN EXCELLENT JOB IN PUTTING ALL THESE THINGS IN WRITING SINCE OUR REPORT.
LIKE MAYOR BROWN SAID, THAT CHAIRMAN JASON HARDCASTLE WROTE A VERY GOOD LETTER, [NOISE] ENCOURAGING MORE ROUTINE AUDITS FROM CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
WE FULLY EXPECT THEM TO BE ENFORCED, BUT WE'LL COME BACK IN 6-9 MONTHS AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT WAS PUT IN WRITING IS BEING ENFORCED.
>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT, GLENN, THAT'S GOING TO BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS TO COME BACK IN SIX MONTHS OR SO TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CHANGES THAT WERE ACCEPTED VIA THE LETTER OF CHAIRMAN HARDCASTLE BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH.
>> YES, SIR. TO BE CLEAR THE PARK BOARD YESTERDAY ON TUESDAY AT THEIR MEETING, APPROVED AN AGENDA ITEM THAT AMENDED THE PARK BOARD'S TRAVEL POLICY, CREDIT CARD POLICY, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE POLICY, AND PROCUREMENT POLICY.
>> WONDERFUL. THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR, MARIE.
>> HOW MUCH WAS REPUBLIC FUNDS?
>> DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND IT IN I'M LOOKING AT HARDCASTLE LETTER.
I'M ASTOUNDED THAT THE BEACH PATROLS TRANSACTIONS WERE 1.4 MILLION.
DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THAT'S AN EXTREMELY HIGH NUMBER? EVEN I DON'T PROBABLY DO THAT ANNUALLY.
>> CHRISTA DID THAT. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK THAT'S EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH.
>> IT WAS OVER A PERIOD OF FROM MAY 18, 2020 THROUGH APRIL 23RD, 2024.
FOR PURPOSES OF THE AUDIT REPORT, WE JUST WANTED TO QUANTIFY WHAT WE LOOKED THROUGH.
>> THIS WAS JUST SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS ONE EMPLOYEE?
>> WE HAVEN'T DONE A FULL AUDIT.
[02:00:03]
ARE THEY REIMBURSING US FOR THIS AUDIT?>> I'VE TALKED TO BRYSON AND WHAT WE MENTIONED WHAT I'VE MENTIONED TO HIM AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN HIS MOUTH, BUT THAT CITY OF GALVESTON WITH MORE ROUTINE AUDITS, WE WOULD RECEIVE $20,000 PER AUDIT, AND TWO MORE AUDITS.
>> NOW IN THIS PARTICULAR AUDIT, WE SAID WE REQUESTED GLENN DO THAT, AND WE DID NOT ASK FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
>> BUT WE DID MAKE THE WHARF'S BOARD PAY FOR THEIRS, BUT WE'RE NOT MAKING THE PART BOARD PAY FOR THIS.
>> WHEN WE DID THE FORENSIC ORDER AUDIT OF THE WHARFS BOARD, THEY REIMBURSED US.
>> THAT WAS IN THE MOTION WHEN WE DID THAT.
>> I JUST THINK THAT THE PARK BOARD SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THIS.
>> I WOULDN'T DISAGREE WITH THAT.
GLENN IS WORKING WITH BRYSON ON THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO FORMALIZE THAT GLENN, ONCE WE GET THAT ARRANGEMENT FROM REIMBURSEMENT.
>> THE COUNSEL DIRECTED GLENN TO GO BACK AND ASK THEM TO BE REIMBURSED, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD PROBABLY TALK TO HIM ABOUT?
>> WE'D HAVE TO GET THAT DONE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> WAS THIS INDIVIDUAL THE ONLY ONE OR THAT ACCOUNT, THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS AUDITED OR DID YOU DO A BLANKET AUDIT OF THE ENTIRE STAFF?
>> NO, SIR. WE HAVE IT IN OUR AUDIT PLAN TO DO MORE AUDITING OF THE CREDIT CARDS.
>> HAVE YOU FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CHECKS EXCHANGED FROM SOMEONE ON STAFF TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBER?
>> WE'VE FOUND THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT, AND WE'RE GOING IN AND WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THAT AUDIT RIGHT NOW.
>> I THINK THAT'S VERY CRITICAL BECAUSE IT'S OUT IN PUBLIC, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF VERY SOON.
>> YES, SIR. WE PLAN ON DOING A FORENSIC TYPE AUDIT ON THAT AS WELL OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD TO LOOK FOR ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND RELATED PARTY.
>> THESE ARE YOUR COMMENTS, I THINK ARE WELL TAKEN ABOUT THEN, THEN THESE ARE COVERED IN THE AUDITS THAT WE HAVE APPROVED FOR GLENN TO CONTINUE AT THE PARK BOARDS SO THIS IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
>> IN YOUR NEW AUDITS, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, BUT.
>> OBVIOUSLY, I'M GOOD AT THAT TODAY.
>> YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO INTERRUPT.
>> ARE YOU AUDITING THIS ENTIRE CHECKING ACCOUNT?
>> FOR THE BEACH PATROL FOR THIS REPORT, AND WE PLAN ON DOING AN EXTENSIVE REVIEW OF THE OTHER FUNDS AS WELL.
>> THIS LET'S JUST CALL IT 300 [OVERLAPPING].
BECAUSE YOU ASK YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, BUT MY BRAIN IS WORKING NOW.
THIS IS LIKE 350K A YEAR, THAT WAS PURCHASING JUST THROUGH THE SINGULAR EMPLOYEE WITH THAT P-CARD?
>> I MEAN, BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL PASSED COUNCIL AS WELL AS COUNCIL PEOPLE ON THE CURRENT COUNCIL HAVE ALWAYS QUESTIONED THE EXTREMELY LARGE BUDGET OF THE BEACH PATROL.
EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT WERE ON THERE, A LARGE NUMBER WAS BEACH PATROL.
I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO EXPAND OR AUDIT BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS OUT THERE, RANDOM RAMPANT IN THE PUBLIC AND AUDIT ALL THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE BEACH PATROL.
>> HOW MANY SIGNERS WERE ON THE SECOND ACCOUNTS? I MEAN, WERE THERE MULTIPLE, WAS THERE JUST [NOISE] ONE, WAS THERE TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED?
>> LET ME MAKE SURE I ANSWERED.
>> I WANT TO CLARIFY HERE BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING OFF.
COME ON IN AND, HI, HOW ARE YOU? IF YOU WOULD IDENTIFY YOURSELF IN YOUR POSITION?
>> YES, MARIA LA SILVA I'M INTERNAL AUDITOR.
I WANT TO CLARIFY HERE NOW, SO WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CAME THROUGH CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE PRIVATE NON-PROFIT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WE DID NOT LOOK AT THAT AT ALL.
>> THIS IS STRICTLY GOVERNMENT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT NON-PROFIT GOT DRAINED.
BUT THE PUBLIC FUNDS THAT ARE INVOLVED THAT ARE IN QUESTION,
[02:05:06]
STATE AGAIN, HOW MUCH THAT IS?>> ELEVEN THOUSAND AND NINETEEN DOLLARS AND TWENTY NINE CENTS.
>> BUT HE ONLY LOOKED AT THAT ONE SMALL PIECE.
>> NO. I UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S WHERE [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT WE STILL NEED TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE.
>> THAT'S 1,000,004 OF THIS PARTICULAR EMPLOYEES P-CARD?
>> NO. THAT WAS ALL THE CREDIT CARDS.
>> WE HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED WITH CHECK YET.
>> WE LOOKED AT THE DISBURSEMENTS AND THEN.
>> BUT THE MILLION FOUR IS [OVERLAPPING] NOT NECESSARILY IN QUESTION OF HAVING SOME CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.
>> BUT THAT'S NOT BEEN LOOKED AT.
>> WHEN YOU GAVE US THE SHEET WITH THE BREAKDOWN, WITH THE RECEIPTS AND EVERYTHING.
DID YOU DO THAT FOR EVERY PURCHASE?
>> YOU HAVE THAT SOMEWHERE AND YOU JUST PLUCKED OUT THE ONES THAT WEREN'T BONAFIDE?
>> THE BEACH PATROL HAD TWO P-CARDS, TWO OTHER PEOPLE'S NAMES, THE MANAGERS.
WE LOOKED AT EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE ON THAT.
>> YOU COULD PRODUCE THAT TO COUNSEL WITH THE ENTIRE PURCHASE JUST EVEN IF IT'S BONAFIDE OR NOT, JUST A [INAUDIBLE]?
>> WE SAW THAT AS I GOT A PREVIOUS VIDEO.
>> THAT ACCOUNTING OF ALL THE PURCHASES [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT WAS THE ONES THAT WERE NOT BONAFIDE, BUT THEY HAVE THE 1.4 MILLION.
[OVERLAPPING] IT WASN'T JUST A LOT OF WORK ON THE 11,000.
IT WAS A LOT OF WORK ON THE ROOM.
>> APPLIED ALL THE INFORMATION FROM ONE P-CARD, ALL THE PURCHASES, AND THEN WE WERE LOOKING INTO WHERE IT WAS DELIVERED, WHAT TIME IT WAS PURCHASED, WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED.
THAT'S WHEN WE COME UP WITH 11,000.
>> I'M ASKING COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF THAT.
WITHIN OUR AGENDA, IT SAYS DISCUSS WHAT YOU FOUND.
I THINK THIS PART AS PART OF THIS.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU'LL HAVEN'T ACTUALLY STARTED DOWN THE ROAD OF INVESTIGATING CERTAIN CHECKS THAT WERE WRITTEN FROM STAFF?
>> OTHER STAFF. EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE BEACH PATROL, WE HAVE NOT STARTED YET.
THAT'S WHY I DISCUSSED WITH BRYSON, BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE WAY MORE THAN WHAT THIS WAS.
THIS WAS JUST ON BEACH PATROL.
BUT I DISCUSSED WITH BRYSON ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED $20,000.
>> FOR THE DEPARTMENT OR SORRY TO SPEAK.
>> TO LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE PARK BOARD OUTSIDE OF THE BEACH PATROL.
THEN ALSO LOOKING AT THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, LOOKING AT THE ENTIRE PARK BOARD AS WELL.
THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY TIME CONSUMING.
>> I WANT TO START WITH THE BEACH PATROL BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE'S POSSIBLY SOME CHECK WRITING THAT WENT ON AS WELL.
>> EXCUSE ME FOR INTERRUPTING BOB.
YOU HAVE DETERMINED THAT, HAVEN'T YOU?
>> THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED.
>> IF THAT'S BEEN DETERMINED, WHY DON'T WE KNOW ABOUT IT?
WE'RE GOING TO COVER THAT IN THIS NEXT AUDIT COMING UP, BECAUSE THAT IS WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
>> LOOKING AT ALL THE 1.4, YOU CAN DETERMINE THAT THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES.
>> THAT'S WHAT SPURRED THIS NEXT AUDIT THAT WE HAVE TO.
THIS AUDIT WAS JUST ON THE ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OF TAKING OUT THE 11,000 OVER THE PARK BOARD.
THE NEXT WE NOTICED A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND THAT'S WHEN WE DECIDED TO ADD ONTO OUR AUDIT PLAN TO DO A CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AUDIT OVER THE ENTIRE PARK BOARD.
>> BECAUSE I WOULD CONSIDER THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED UNTIL YOU GET THAT INVESTIGATION DONE OR ARE THEY PUT ON TEMPORARY LEAVE, OR THEY BEEN GIVEN ANY WRITE UP, LIKE, I KNOW ANYBODY ELSE WOULD.
>> WE HAVE TO GET INFORMATION FROM PARK BOARD IF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM WAS FILED [INAUDIBLE].
>> PARK BOARD WILL GIVE US ANY INFORMATION AS TO DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> HOW LIKE, I THINK IT WAS JASON WHO SHARED THIS WITH ME, BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY COMMITTED THE CRIME WE KNOW OF SO FAR ACTUALLY WAS GIVEN PETER SIGNATURE STAMP?
>> YES. THE SIGNATURE STAMPS ARE ALLOWED.
>> COULD YOU TELL A SIGNATURE STAMP FROM A SIGNATURE?
>> I THINK SHE'S BEEN ARRESTED?
>> I KNOW THAT, BUT I THINK THAT I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE DOING AN AUDIT OF THE ENTIRE ACTIVITIES.
[02:10:04]
>> WE JUST NEEDED TO SEE THAT IF IT WARRANTED FURTHER AUDITS THERE FROM WHAT WE DISCOVERED IN THIS PARTIAL AUDIT.
THAT'S WHY I TALKED TO BRYSON ABOUT BEING REIMBURSED $20,000 A PIECE FOR THE NEXT TWO AUDITS.
>> DEFINITELY I WILL GET WITH COUNSEL IF IT'S NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> CERTAINLY CHEAP THAN AN OUTSIDE FIRM CHARGE.
>> LET ME ASK THIS, COUNCILMAN RAWLINS, TO FOLLOW BACK UP ON HIS QUESTIONS HERE.
THIS WILL BE DISCOVERED AND BROUGHT BACK TO COUNSEL HIS CONCERNS AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR AUDIT THAT YOU'RE GETTING READY TO GO INTO.
WHAT'S OUR TIMELINE ON THAT, GLENN?
>> WE PLAN ON FINISHING IT IN TWO MONTHS.
>> THIS TOOK A MONTH. THAT'S RUSHING IT.
WE PLAN ON USING ALL THREE OF US ON THIS AUDIT.
BECAUSE COREY AND I WERE LOOKING AT SALES TAX AND HOT TAX, WHILE MASHA CAME IN RUNNING.
SHE WAS AUDITOR IN CHARGE ON THIS AUDIT AND DID AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB AND FORENSIC TECHNIQUES TO DISCOVER THIS.
>> JUST LOOKING AT IT FROM THE FRONT AT THE SIGNATURES, OR THROUGH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CASH DISBURSEMENTS JOURNAL, CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS, YOU COULDN'T TELL.
>> CAN I REQUEST THAT BREAKDOWN OF THE 1.4, THE ONE THAT MARCIA DID, PLEASE.
>> THEN DISTRIBUTED TO COUNCIL.
>> THE ONE QUESTION THAT COUNCILMAN RAWLINS ASKED THAT I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO IS HOW MANY, ON THE CHECKS THAT WE DID, THAT WE LOOKED AT, MARCIA, HOW MANY SIGNATURES WERE ON THOSE CHECKS? WAS IT A DUAL SIGNATURE, OR JUST ONE SIGNATURE, OR DO YOU REMEMBER?
>> YES. FROM THE BEACH PATROL, THESE CHECKS THAT WE IDENTIFIED AS PART OF THE 11,000 THAT WERE ILLEGALLY TAKEN OUT.
DO YOU REMEMBER ALL THE CHECKS IF THERE WAS TWO SIGNATURES OR ONE, THAT AUTHORIZED IT AT THE BOTTOM THERE?
>> I BELIEVE IT'S TWO SIGNATURES, BUT IT'S A CHECK FROM THE PARK BOARD.
>> PLUS IF YOU HAVE TOTAL FREEDOM WITH YOUR SIGNATURE CARDS, IT'S REALLY EASY TO GET TWO SIGNATURES.
>> ESPECIALLY IF YOU GOT A STAMP.
>> [LAUGHTER] YEAH. A STAMP AND A NAME.
>> SHE WAS NOT THE ONE WHO WAS ISSUING CHECKS.
THAT'S A PARK BOARD CHECK THAT WAS REIMBURSED.
>> YOU'RE GOING TO DISTRIBUTE THAT INFORMATION TO COUNCIL THAT COUNCILMAN PORRETTO HAD REQUESTED.
I WANT TO KNOW WHO ON BEACH PATROL COULD SIGN CHECKS AND CASH CHECKS.
BEACH PATROL, NOT PARK'S BOARD.
>> BEACH PATROL DIDN'T ISSUE CHECKS.
>> WAS THERE A PERSON ON BEACH PATROL THAT COULD SIGN CHECKS?
>> THEY SUBMITTED FOR PAYMENT THROUGH THEIR NORMAL JUST LIKE WE DO.
>> THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY WERE PUTTING EVERYTHING ON P CARDS.
>> INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH CHECKS.
>> I DON'T EVEN USE THEM IN SPECS. THEY'RE TOO EASY TO [INAUDIBLE]
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR GLENN? YOU'LL BE REPORTING BACK TO US IN APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS, GLENN.
>> ALSO IN SIX MONTHS YOU'LL BE GETTING A RE-EVALUATION OF THE PARK BOARD AND FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHANGES THEY'VE APPROVED AND OUTLINED IN THE LETTER.
>> YES. IN TWO MONTHS WE WILL COME BACK AND REPORT TO LET YOU KNOW OUR STATUS OF THE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE BEACH PATROL.
IT WASN'T PART OF THIS AUDIT SCOPE THAT WE DID ON THIS ONE.
THAT'S WHEN WE DECIDED WE NEEDED TO DO AN AUDIT ON THAT.
>> I JUST HAVE TO SAY, MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA [LAUGHTER] HAD TO DO IT. SORRY.
[3.D. Discussion Of Short Term Rental Committee (B. Brown/D. Finklea - 20 Min)]
>> DISCUSSION OF SHORT TERM RENTAL COMMITTEE.
>> THIS HAS BEEN PUT ON THE AGENDA BY COUNCILMEMBER BROWN AND FINKLEA.
JUST TO RE-EDUCATE COUNCIL, WE ARE GOING TO DISCUSS THIS PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF AN ORDINANCE THAT HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER.
THIS THEN WILL BE ON OUR DECEMBER 12TH AGENDA FOR VOTING ON THIS ORDINANCE.
[02:15:05]
THEN IN JANUARY, WE'LL MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMITTEE AT THAT POINT.>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE LAST TIME WE REVIEWED THIS INFORMALLY THERE WAS A FEW COMMENTS, AND I SPOKE TO [INAUDIBLE] MAYOR ABOUT THIS, AND THERE WERE SOME CHANGES RECOMMENDED, AND THOSE CHANGES HAVE BEEN INCORPORATED IN THIS NEW PROPOSAL.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING [INAUDIBLE] THE LAST TIME THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IT, I PRESENTED A PROPOSAL THAT I'VE BEEN REVIEWING WITH BRIAN, DAN [INAUDIBLE] MAYOR, AND DAVID FINKLEA BECAUSE HE GOT A BALL ROLLING ALREADY WITH ANOTHER COMMITTEE HE HAD SO HE AND I WERE BOTH REVIEWING THIS.
WE WENT THROUGH SEVEN DIFFERENT ITERATIONS OF THIS TRYING TO GET IT RIGHT.
TRYING TO MAKE IT WHERE IT'LL WORK BECAUSE BASICALLY, AT ITS FOUNDATION, THIS IS MEANT TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS, THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH STRS A VOICE, AND THE GOVERNMENT, AND OUR REGULATION OF IT.
THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A LOT OF WORK AS EVERYBODY KNOWS.
THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST CITY SANCTIONED, CITY SPONSORED COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS SHORT TERM RENTALS.
OF COURSE, IT WOULD HAVE ALL THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS ON THE COMMITTEE LIKE STROAG, SHORT TERM RENTERS OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF GALVESTON, AND GAR, THE GALVESTON AREA REALTORS ASSOCIATION, AND VISION GALVESTON, WHICH HAS A WEALTH OF BACKGROUND DATA ON THIS.
THEN, OF COURSE, CITY STAFF, AND THEN A CITY COUNCIL EX OFFICIO, WHICH I'M WILLING TO FILL THAT POSITION HAVING DONE ALL THIS WORK AND BEING FAMILIAR WITH IT.
THEN EACH COUNCIL PERSON AND MAYOR WOULD BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND TO THIS COMMITTEE ONE PERSON EACH, OF ANYBODY THEY WANT TO, FROM ANYWHERE THEY WANT TO.
AS CRAIG COUNSELED ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE ON FORMING THESE COMMITTEES IN THE PAST, I WANT TO BE SURE WE DO SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYBODY.
>> CAN I MAKE A COMMENT THERE?
>> LET ME JUST FINISH ONE THING.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER WITH STROAG, GAR, AND VISION GALVESTON, CITY STAFF MANAGER, AND THE COUNCIL EX OFFICIO WOULD NOT VOTE.
THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH A VOTE WOULD BE THE SEVEN RESIDENTS ON THIS COMMITTEE.
OF COURSE, THEY WOULD BE INFORMED BY ALL THESE OTHER ENTITIES, BUT THESE OTHER ENTITIES ARE THERE FOR SUBJECT MATTER CONTRIBUTION, NOT FOR VOTING BECAUSE IT IS A COMMITTEE OF RESIDENTS.
>> I STILL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH HAVING ONLY ONE REPRESENTATIVE.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR THEORY, BUT MY DISTRICT HAS MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOTAL SHORT TERM RENTALS.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, IT HAS GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES.
THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEBODY ON 12TH STREET WHO HAS A GARAGE APARTMENT VERSUS A FIVE BEDROOM HOUSE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO TIE A NUMBER TO IT, OR SOMETHING, EVERY THOUSAND SHORT TERM RENTALS GETS A REPRESENTATIVE.
DAVID TRIED TO USE THE ARGUMENT OF IF YOU ADD THREE DISTRICTS TOGETHER THAT'S THE SAME AMOUNT.
BUT YOU HAVE THREE REPRESENTATIVES, I HAVE ONE.
I THINK EVEN IN DISTRICT 6 THERE'S A MEGA DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RENTAL ON 99 STREET VERSUS A RENTAL AT TERRAMAR, AND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUES THAN YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ENTERTAIN, DO SOME NUMBER TIED TO THE AMOUNT OF RENTALS.
>> THAT'S TIED TO THE NUMBER OF STRS IN A DISTRICT. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. THE SHORT TERM RENTALS ARE DIFFERENT ALL ACROSS THE ISLAND.
THAT'S PART OF THE REASON BEHIND EACH COUNCIL PERSON PROVIDING [INAUDIBLE]
>> WOULD THEY HAVE TO BE IN THE DISTRICT, THE ISLAND?
>> BUT I STILL FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD ABOUT THE DISPARITY AND DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF SHORT TERM RENTALS ACROSS DISTRICTS.
IT JUST SEEMS ANECDOTALLY THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF THEM IN THE WEST END.
>> YEAH. I THINK OVER 50% OF THEM ARE IN THE WEST END.
THEN THE NEXT ONE, I THINK, IS DAVID'S DISTRICT, IS THE NUMBER 2 DISTRICT FOR SHORT TERM RENTALS.
>> THEN I THINK YOU MIGHT BE NUMBER 3.
I THINK THE LEAST IS IN ALEX'S DISTRICT.
>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY ABOUT THAT IS IF WE GO DOWN
[02:20:02]
THAT ROAD WE MIGHT GET A HUGE NUMBER OF MORE RESIDENTS ON THIS COMMITTEE APPROACHING MAYBE UNMANAGEABLE. I'M NOT SURE [OVERLAPPING]BECAUSE EVEN IF I'M TALKING ABOUT THE EAST SIDE OF MY DISTRICT TO THE WEST SIDE OF MY DISTRICT, IT'S A MAJOR DIFFERENTIAL BECAUSE THE EAST SIDE IS MORE SIMILAR TO YOUR DISTRICTS VERSUS THE WEST SIDE IS NOT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] MAKE THIS CUT OFF IF WHAT WE DO IS TIE IT TO A PARTICULAR NUMBER OF SHORT TERM RENTALS.
IT MAY BE THAT THE WEST END HAS THREE, DAVID'S DISTRICT HAS TWO, MINE HAS ONE-AND-A-HALF, OR SOMETHING.
I'M NOT SURE HOW WE WOULD MANAGE THAT.
TO BE CLEAR, WITHIN THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, THAT CAN COME UP.
YOU CAN SAY IN THAT COMMITTEE, AND THAT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS CAN POINT OUT, THAT YES, THERE'S A LOT MORE MONEY COMING THROUGH [INAUDIBLE] FROM THE WEST END SHORT TERM RENTALS AND OTHER PLACES, AND WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT.
>> BUT I THINK THAT'S NOT EVEN A PART OF THE DISCUSSION.
>> IT IS, BUT MORE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL IN THE TYPES OF RENTALS.
I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 6.
>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT.
IT'S NOT A POINT THAT WOULD GET IGNORED, OR SHOVED UNDER THE TABLE.
IT WOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THIS COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT, NOT BECAUSE YOU NEED ANOTHER VOTE TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN, BUT BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ANALYSIS.
>> WE ONLY HAVE ONE EX OFFICIO ON THERE?
>> BUT, OF COURSE, THIS BEING A CITY SPONSORED COMMITTEE, ANY COUNCIL PERSON CAN ATTEND ANY MEETING AT ANY TIME.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT THAT TOPIC OF HOW MANY WOULD BE ON THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE SOMETHING IN THE MOTION ON THIS ITEM WHEN IT COMES UP FOR A VOTE, AND COUNCIL CAN SUPPORT HAVING AN EXTRA MEMBER OR NOT ON THAT.
>> ONE MORE THING THAT DAVID REMINDED ME OF.
HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE THE WAY WE'RE SET UP RIGHT NOW, THE RESOLUTIONS, OR THE ORDINANCE SAYS THAT ANY WORK OF THE COMMITTEE THAT HAS TO DO WITH FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS WILL BE DONE BY MAY SO WE CAN GET IT IN THE BUDGET.
BUT THE OVERALL WORK OF THE COMMITTEE, ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCE, WOULD BE DUE IN AUGUST, AT WHICH TIME IT WOULD EITHER SUNSET, OR WE'D TAKE FURTHER ACTION.
BUT DAVID THOUGHT THAT WASN'T ENOUGH TIME, SO THAT'S ANOTHER MATTER OF DISCUSSION.
>> MY RECOMMENDATION THERE WAS TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE TERMINATION OF THE COMMITTEE BE ONE YEAR FROM THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE REASON FOR THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY THE FINANCIAL SIDE, WHICH I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER BROWN THAT THAT COMMITTEE SHOULD STRIVE VERY QUICKLY TO BRING FORWARD ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE PUT INTO THE BUDGET.
BUT ALSO, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROCESS AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO BE TAKING A LOOK AT, PARTICULARLY AS WE JUST HEARD FROM THE PARK BOARD AS WE START TO HAND OVER THE REGISTRATION OF SHORT TERM RENTALS TO THE CITY, AND GETTING THE CONSOLIDATED CALL CENTER UP TO DATE.
THIS COMMITTEE, I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO STAY APPRISED AND INFORMED ABOUT THAT PROCESS, ALONG WITH LOOKING AT OTHER PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.
THE OTHER ONE THAT WE HEARD TODAY WAS CLEAN UP THE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH ONE HOUR CALLS, OR ONE HOUR RESPONDENTS.
RESPONDERS? WHATEVER. I WOULD LIKE THAT COMMITTEE TO HAVE A ONE YEAR TIME PERIOD IN ORDER TO HAVE THE TIME AND EFFORT ASSOCIATED WITH TAKING A LOOK AT THOSE PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.
>> WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND ON YOUR POTENTIAL CHANGES FOR THAT, WOULD YOU LET DON KNOW.
>> COUNCIL MEMBERS COULD TELL DON ABOUT THESE POTENTIAL CHANGES, AND WE CAN PUT THOSE IN THE DOCUMENT AND THEN EITHER SUPPORT THEM OR NOT.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY, I THINK THE TIMELINE THAT DON PUT IN IS APPROPRIATE.
I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT SHORT TERM RENTAL COMMITTEES, AND I THINK THE LONGER TIME, THE LESS YOU'LL ACHIEVE.
I THINK THE TIME THAT DON PUT IN IS ACCEPTABLE.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE, GOING FORWARD, MAKING APPOINTMENTS, WHICH WOULDN'T BE MADE MOST LIKELY UNTIL JANUARY.
WHICH MEANS THAT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE COULD BE IN FEBRUARY, AND NOW YOU'RE LEAVING YOURSELF ONLY 5-6 MONTHS OF MEETINGS.
[02:25:02]
>> IT HAS BEEN, AND I REMEMBER YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE LITTLE GROUP THAT WE PUT TOGETHER, AND THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LAUNDRY LIST OF IDEAS THAT WE HAD TO CONSIDER.
>> ALL OF THESE WILL BE VOTED ON BY COUNCIL, EITHER SUPPORTING ONE OPINION OR NOT, SO WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT.
I WANT TO BRING UP A TOPIC I HAVE ON THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS WOULD BE NON VOTING.
THE VOTING MEMBERS WOULD BE JUST THE SEVEN THAT ARE APPOINTED BY COUNCIL.
READING THROUGH THE DOCUMENT, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S CLEAR.
IT'S LIKE A COMMA, OR A SEMICOLON.
THERE'S SOMETHING MISSING IN THAT FIRST PARAGRAPH WHERE YOU OUTLINE THE MEMBERSHIP.
I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FIRST FIVE IN NAME ARE ACTUALLY EX OFFICIO.
>> YEAH. IN SECTION 2, ALSO, IT'S STILL CONFUSING.
IT DOESN'T DELINEATE, SO WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ON THAT IN SECTION 2 AND WHAT YOU MENTIONED ALSO, DAVID, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DELINEATE WHO THE VOTING MEMBERS ARE.
THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.
>> DID YOU CATCH THE ABBREVIATION OF GARM? WAS IT CORRECTED?
>> YEAH. THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED ALSO.
>> YOU HAVE THE CORRECTION ON THAT? ALL RIGHT.
>> LET'S MAKE SURE DON GETS YOUR POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THIS DOCUMENT SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW IT THEN AT OUR DECEMBER MEETING WHEN IT'S ON FOR ACTION.
>> WE CAN SUBMIT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS ON WORKSHOP AGAIN.
>> IT'LL BE AS AN ACTION ITEM.
>> BUT WE NEED WORKSHOP ACTION.
>> YOU CAN BRING IT UP AT THE CLARIFICATION TIME, BY ALL MEANS.
>> WOULD YOU-ALL BE AMENABLE, OR WOULD COUNSEL BE AMENABLE TO ADDING DISTRICT 6 EX OFFICIO TO THAT, OR AS A NON-VOTING MEMBER?
>> I WOULD STILL LIKE TO SEE MORE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE CITIZEN REPRESENTATION TO JUST HAVE ONE PERSON TO A 20 MILE DISTRICT THAT HAS 2,600 SHORT TERM RENTALS THAT, FROM THE EAST SIDE OF THE DISTRICT TO THE WEST SIDE, THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENTIAL.
THE EAST SIDE IS MORE SIMILAR TO YOUR DISTRICT.
THE WEST SIDE IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
>> IF WE'RE GOING TO OPEN IT UP FOR THAT, I'M OPEN FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT.
THIS IS A NEW COMMITTEE. WE DO HAVE A DEFINITE TIMELINE FOR IT.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING HIM AS EX OFFICIO BECAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INPUT AND INFORMATION FROM HIM, PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GET RESIDENTS THAT ARE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE URBAN VERSUS SUBURBAN SHORT TERM RENTALS.
>> I ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE IN MIND.
I JUST THINK IT'S FAIR TO OUR CITIZENS BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A DIFFERENTIAL.
I THINK YOU WERE OUT OF THE ROOM WHEN I SAID [OVERLAPPING] IF YOUR SHORT TERM RENTAL IS A APARTMENT ON A GARAGE, VERSUS A SIX-BEDROOM HOUSE, THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
>> I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THAT BRIDGING JUST TO GIVE YOU A SEAT AT THE TABLE.
>> I'VE GONE TO THE MEETING AS OFTEN AS I CAN, BUT I'VE PUT IN 30-50 HOURS A WEEK ALREADY.
>> IT'S JUST THAT YOU'RE SO SHY WHEN YOU GO TO THESE MEETINGS. [LAUGHTER]
>> BUT WE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO WATER DOWN AND CREATE A GIANT VOTING COMMITTEE WHERE NOTHING REALLY GETS DONE.
>> THOSE ARE THE BITS [OVERLAPPING] [LAUGHTER]
>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE, BRYSON SAID HE WAS GOING TO SEND IT OVER, THE NEW BREAKDOWN TO LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS, AND THEN LOOK AT THAT, JUST BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A BIG DIFFERENTIAL.
>> TRUE. COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO, IN THE INTEREST OF CONSENSUS BUILDING, WHICH I THINK YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS, I WOULD SUPPORT BRINGING ON ANOTHER REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 6, AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF ACTING AS AN EX OFFICIO.
KEEPING SEVEN MEANS THEN YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A UP OR DOWN VOTE.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT AND ACCEPT THAT PARTICULARLY IF WE CAN GO FORWARD [BACKGROUND] WITH THIS ON THE AGENDA IN DECEMBER AND NOT DELAY IT, THEN WORKSHOP IT AGAIN IN DECEMBER AND THEN PUT IT ON THE AGENDA IN JANUARY.
>> I'LL SEND MY COMMENTS TO DON.
>> I'LL SEND MY COMMENTS TO DON.
[02:30:02]
JUST MY THOUGHTS ON THE EX OFFICIO.
THE EX OFFICIO THAT IS APPOINTED BY COUNCIL DOESN'T HAVE A VOTE.
>> ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN ATTEND THE MEETING AND GIVE [LAUGHTER] YOU'RE BASICALLY ALL EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.
>> LET'S KEEP IN MIND WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT WHO TO NOMINATE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS INTENDED, ONCE AGAIN, TO FOCUS ON THE RESIDENTS' INPUT, THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH LIVING NEXT TO STRS, AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO.
THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WE SHOULD BE LISTENING TO AND THEY HAVE YET TO HAVE A VOICE IN THIS, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMITTEE.
>> WHICH IS WHY I THINK MY POINT IS A VALID ONE [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE IT IS THE RESIDENTS.
WE ALL HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF RESIDENTS, BUT I HAPPEN TO HAVE MORE THAN HALF THE SHORT TERM RENTALS.
>> I MAY HAVE MORE RESIDENTS NEXT TO MY STRS THAN YOU DO AND I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO GO THERE WITH ALL OF THAT BECAUSE IT GETS REALLY COMPLICATED, AND IT INDICATES A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMITTEE TO BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THOSE THINGS, WHAT I THINK ARE PART OF OUR JOB.
>> LET'S WIND THIS SUBJECT UP. YES.
>> ONE MORE THING. TO HELP US ALL OUT, WE'RE GOING TO ASK FOR AN UPDATE ON THE DATA ON SHORT TERM RENTALS.
BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE IF WE HAVE THIS IN OUR GIS, IF WE HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT WOULD DEMONSTRATE TO US THE DENSITY AND THE FREQUENCY IN EACH DISTRICT.
IN OTHER WORDS, IF OUR GIS IS CAPABLE OF DOING THIS, SHOW US A MAP THAT HAS DATA AND THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF ALL THE SHORT TERM RENTALS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
>> OUR GIS IS ALL ON OUR UTILITIES DIVISION, SO WE'D HAVE TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT UNLESS THE PARK BOARD HAS THAT ABILITY.
>> I THINK WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE.
I CAN PROBABLY GO TO MY HOA PRESIDENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE SOME IDEAS.
>> I THINK WHAT BOB WANTS TO SHOW GRAPHICALLY.
>> GEOGRAPHICALLY, MY DISTRICT, WHERE THEY ARE, WHAT THEIR DENSITY IS, AND [INAUDIBLE] JUST TO BETTER INFORM US ON WHAT WE'RE STARTING FROM.
>> WE CAN HAVE AVA LOOK AT HER NOTES.
[LAUGHTER] DR. HIGHFIELD'S CLASS, SHE'LL REMEMBER HOW TO INTERPOLATE THAT.
>> WE'LL HAVE THIS ON AS AN ORDINANCE TO DISCUSS AGAIN AT OUR NEXT MEETING WITH THE CHANGES THERE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE CAN TALK ABOUT.
IF YOU'LL SEND THOSE TO DON, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.
THE ONLY THING IS, ON THIS SUBJECT, I'M STILL NOT SURE IF COUNCILWOMAN ROBB WANTS AN EXTRA PERSON ON THIS OR NOT.
[LAUGHTER] [OVERLAPPING] I THINK I'VE HEARD THIS MANY TIMES.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3(E), PLEASE.
[3.E. Discussion Of Potential Charter Review Changes And Associated Process (C. Brown -30 Min)]
>> ITEM 3(E). DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CHARTER REVIEW CHANGES AND ASSOCIATED PROCESS.
>> COUNSEL, THIS IS ON THE AGENDA AT THE REQUEST OF COUNCIL TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL CHARTER CHANGES.
THE PACKET MATERIAL THAT YOU HAD TO REVIEW WAS ALL OF THOSE CHARTER CHANGES THAT ORIGINATED FROM A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE IN 2016, AND WAS PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PUBLIC TO VOTE ON.
THAT GAVE YOU A THOUGHT OF WHAT PRIOR DISCUSSION CENTERED AROUND.
WE NEED TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT CHARTER CHANGES, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LOGISTICS A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THIS PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN IT.
IF COUNCIL FELT THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO HAVE CHARTER CHANGES ON THE MAY 25 BALLOT ELECTION HERE IN THE CITY, WE WOULD NEED TO COME TOGETHER ON WHAT WE WANT ON THERE BY FEBRUARY 14TH, AND WE NEED TO INFORM THE COUNTY BY THE END OF JANUARY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THE FIRST DEADLINE WOULD BE TO CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY FOR THE ELECTION.
THEN THE DEADLINE TO ORDER THE ELECTION IS FEBRUARY 14TH, AND THAT ORDER WOULD NEED TO INCLUDE THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR YOUR CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
>> WHEN IS THE COUNTY BOND ELECTION? IS THAT IN NOVEMBER?
>> I THINK THEY'VE SET THE DATE [INAUDIBLE]
>> THE SECOND THING IS, ON THIS, NOT ONLY THE TIMELINE, AND IF COUNSEL WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD FOR MAY OF '25 YOU KNOW WHAT THE TIMELINE IS.
THE OTHER IS, WHAT IT COST THE CITY.
JANELLE, WOULD YOU OUTLINE TO COUNCIL WHAT OUR COSTS ARE AND HOW THAT'S DETERMINED.
[02:35:05]
>> IF WE HAVE A STANDALONE ELECTION WITHOUT ANY OTHER ENTITY PARTICIPATION, IT COULD BE UPWARDS OF 75,000.
>> IF WE JUST HAVE ONLY THIS ON THE AGENDA IT'S 75,000 TO THE CITY TO PUT THIS ON.
IF WE HOOK INTO THE COUNTY ELECTION, IF THEY HAVE A BOND ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
>> THEN WE GET TO SHARE THE COST FOR THE POLLING LOCATIONS, IF THEY HAVE AN ELECTION AND WE HAVE AN ELECTION.
>> SHE SAID IF THEY HAD THIS ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, THAT'S DIFFERENT.
I BELIEVE SHE'S TALKING ABOUT A MAY ELECTION.
>> NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT NOVEMBER.
>> POSSIBLY. IT COULD BE A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT.
>> IF THERE WERE OTHER, THERE WOULD BE SCHOOL BOARD RACES, THERE WOULD BE OTHER RACES WHERE THE COST.
>> WOULD BE SHARED BETWEEN ALL THOSE ENTITIES.
>> WE'D SHARE THE COSTS FOR THOSE, YES.
>> PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S A BETTER IDEA TO DO IT IN NOVEMBER OVER MAY ANYWAY.
WHAT IS OUR DEADLINES THEN ON NOVEMBER OF '25?
>> IT WOULD BE THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST.
>> I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE FOR THAT ONE.
>> NOW WE HAVE THAT CLEAR ON OUR MINDS, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE LOOKING AT IF WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD FOR NOVEMBER OF '25.
LET'S OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.
I'VE GONE THROUGH AND GIVEN THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT ON WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.
THE ONLY ITEM THAT I'D LIKE TO BRING FORTH IS THE ITEM OF CHANGING THE TERMS FOR COUNSEL TO TWO, THREE YEAR TERMS INSTEAD OF THREE, TWO YEAR TERMS. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD TO HAVE STAGGERED ELECTIONS ON THAT SO THAT WE'RE NOT DOING COUNCIL ALL AT ONE TIME, THE WHOLE COUNCIL CHANGES.
>> WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE IDEAL TIME TO DO THAT WAS AT COVID.
>> PEOPLE HAD ALREADY SERVED SIX MONTHS MORE THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE IDEAL TIME.
BUT I THINK THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD ELECT A WHOLE NEW COUNCIL EVERY TIME IS INSANE.
>> STAGGERED TERMS MAKE SENSE.
THAT CHARTER CHANGE WAS ON THE 2016 AGENDA AND WAS TURNED DOWN BY THE PUBLIC.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO ASK.
IN TERMS OF A STRATEGY FOR PRESENTING APPROPRIATE CHARTER CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC, I THINK LESSON'S LEARNED.
IF YOU'RE OFFERING UP FEWER, THAT YOU CAN ALLOW MORE TIME FOR EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE CHARTER CHANGES.
>> PERSONALLY, I THINK HAVING MORE THAN FOUR IS PUSHING IT.
>> I ALSO HAVE A QUESTION RELATED TO THE TIMING OF IT.
IS THERE HISTORICAL INFORMATION RELATED TO SUCCESSFUL CHARTER AMENDMENTS, EITHER BEING ON OFF YEARS, OR ON YEARS, FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS? IS IT BETTER TO GO 2025.
IS IT BETTER TO GO IN MAY OF '26?
>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO'S ELECTED AT THE TIME NATURALLY.
>> IF WE GO BACK ON HISTORY OF GALVESTON.
>> IT'S JUST EVERYWHERE. [LAUGHTER]
>> BOND ISSUES ARE MUCH THE SAME.
THERE'S TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT.
YOU HAVE GREATER CITIZEN PARTICIPATION WHEN YOU HAVE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT WITH IT.
HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THEY BECOME MORE CANDIDATE ISSUES RATHER THAN CITY ISSUES AND THEY GET LOST IN THAT FRAY.
THERE'S TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT ON IT AS TO HOW YOU DO IT.
IF YOUR GOAL IS ULTIMATE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS THEN YOU DO IT ON YEARS WHEN YOU HAVE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.
BUT THE DOWNSIDE OF THAT IS THESE ARE ATTACHED TO CERTAIN CANDIDATES AND A VERY VIABLE CHARTER AMENDMENT MIGHT GET SHOT DOWN BECAUSE IT'S ATTACHED TO A CANDIDATE THAT'S CAUSING ISSUE, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I'M NOT SPEAKING OF THIS SPECIFICALLY ON A CHARTER ISSUE, BUT EVEN WITH BOND ISSUES GOING BACK MY 30 PLUS YEARS OF DOING THAT, THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT WITH THAT.
>> IF YOU LOOK BACK ON THE HISTORY OF NUMBERS, THE LARGEST ELECTION TURNOUT WE EVER HAD WAS WHEN WE HAD OUR ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
UNDENIABLY THAT WAS THE LARGEST NUMBERS.
[02:40:03]
>> IT IS. I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS STATEMENT TOO.
WHEN YOU HAVE AN ELECTION WHEN THERE IS FEDERAL ELECTIONS, WHICH THIS ONE NOVEMBER WAS, YOU GET INDIVIDUALS TURNING OUT TO VOTE THAT REALLY DOESN'T FOLLOW LOCAL POLITICS AT ALL.
WHEN YOU HAVE AN ELECTION THAT IS NOT COUPLED WITH A LARGE FEDERAL ELECTION, YOU GET PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO VOTE THAT BASICALLY ARE LOCALLY ORIENTED AND RESEARCH THE ISSUES TO A POINT, AND UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUES.
>> I THINK THAT'S AN INSULT TO THE PUBLIC, QUITE FRANKLY.
>> BUT WE'VE ALSO SEEN, AND WE'VE ALL SEEN IT, A HUGE DECLINE IN VOTER TURNOUT.
IN MAY ELECTIONS THE VOTER TURNOUT HAS BEEN TERRIBLE.
>> DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE FAILURE RATE WAS IN 2016?
>> COULD WE GET THE HISTORY OF CHARTER CHANGES PASS AND FAIL?
>> WE HAVE TO GET THAT FROM JANELLE.
>> YOU CAN SEND IT OUT, BUT THERE WAS NO INDICATION AS TO WHICH ONES PASSED AND WHICH DIDN'T. THAT'S WHAT I WAS WONDERING.
>> CAN YOU SEND US THE HISTORY?
>> OF OTHER ELECTIONS AS WELL.
>> BUT IT'S JUST LIKE BOND PROPOSITIONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
THE FEWER YOU PUT ON THERE, THE MORE PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO A DEEP DIVE, UNDERSTAND THEM.
>> ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES OF A CHARTER CHANGE THAT FAILED AND THEN PASSED WOULD BE IDC FOR THE SALES TAX.
THAT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING HISTORY TO LOOK AT.
>> I WOULD TELL YOU ON THE MAYOR'S ITEM, FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, WITH THE TWO YEAR TERMS IT'S LIKE WE'RE LIVING IN GROUNDHOG DAY HERE BECAUSE WE KEEP GETTING NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND [INAUDIBLE] WITH THREE YEAR TERMS I THINK YOU HAVE A BETTER ABILITY TO GET THINGS DONE IN YOUR TERM.
YOU HAVE A BETTER ABILITY TO GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE JUST HOW SLOW GOVERNMENT TURNS TO GET THINGS DONE, AND FUNDING, AND BUDGETS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> STAGGERING SUPPORTS THAT AS WELL [INAUDIBLE]
>> THE TWO OF THEM REALLY GO HAND IN HAND.
>> THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING AT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS IT WAS 3-2-2 TO WHERE THERE'S ALWAYS CONTINUITY [INAUDIBLE]
>> GOOD. JANELLE, YOU'VE MADE A LIST OF CHARTER CHANGES THAT I RECOMMENDED.
>> LET'S OPEN UP TO DISCUSSION OF ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT COUNSEL MIGHT WANT TO BRING FORWARD.
>> I SPOKE BRIEFLY WITH SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY.
FINALLY GETTING THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE SOLIDIFIED IN A CHARTER AMENDMENT.
THAT'S GOING TO PROBABLY REQUIRE COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD, AND I DON'T WANT TO OVERSPEAK ON THAT.
I'VE TALKED TO AT LEAST BOB ABOUT IT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC COULD REALLY GET BEHIND IF BOTH PARTIES AGREE.
>> LET ME MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR, ALEX.
THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE NOW YOU WANT TO REFORMALIZE THAT IN THE CHARTER. I UNDERSTAND.
>> IS THAT ALSO INCLUDING POTENTIALLY CHANGING THEIR PERCENT OR WHATEVER THE PERCENT OF THE TAX RATE THAT THEY GET?
>> IT'S A POLICY ISSUE FOR YOU GUYS.
>> BUT THAT'S A POLICY DECISION HERE THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE LIKE INTO THE STATE?
>> NO. I BELIEVE IT DOES. IT'S IN THE CHARTER.
>> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, SEE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE, DON.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO CLEAN UP THAT ROSENBERG LIBRARY FUNDING.
>> THAT FAILED TOO. ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS INSTEAD OF US OR THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME TAKING IT BY THE REINS AND CONTROLLING IT AND DISCUSSING IT, IT WAS A COMMITTEE DEAL.
YOU HAD OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE LOCAL POLITICAL SPECTRUM WEIGHING IN ON IT.
>> A LARGE COMMITTEE THAT WAS GIVEN A GENERAL CHARGE TO LOOK THROUGH THE ENTIRE CHARTER.
AS A RESULT, THEY FELT COMPELLED TO COME UP WITH CHANGES EVERY EIGHT LINES IS WHAT IT FELT LIKE THE OPPOSITE.
>> YOU'RE THINKING TAKING THE WORDING THAT WE HAVE IN THE CONTRACT AND IN SOME WAY HAVING THAT APPROVED AS IN OUR CHARTER.
>> ONE OF THE DRIVERS IS WE WANTED TO NOT HAVE THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIBRARY TIED TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE CITY AND NOT DRAINING THE CITY BUDGET IN ANY WAY.
>> PART OF IT IS BECAUSE THAT CHARTER PROVISION
[02:45:05]
WAS PLACED IN THERE LONG BEFORE THEY WERE IMPOSED CAPS AT THE STATE LEVEL, WHICH CAUSES MATHEMATICAL ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE IT JUST STARTS CONSUMING YOUR WHOLE RATE.THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO.
IT'S NOT HAMSTRINGING THE CITY WITH A MANDATORY CONTRIBUTION THAT WAS NOT TIED TO ROSENBERG LIBRARY.
>> I'M NOT TRYING TO REDUCE FUNDING TO THE LIBRARY, BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO REFLECT THE CURRENT STATE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS THAT ARE IN PLACE TODAY.
>> IT NEEDS TO BE TIED TO THE CITY'S PROSPERITY BECAUSE THEY SHOULD BE ALL GOING DOWN THE SAME ROAD.
>> WELL, IN A WAY, THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE NOW IS THAT WAY.
THEY CANNOT RECEIVE ANY MORE INCREASE THAN WE RECEIVE [OVERLAPPING] WHAT IT IS.
>> WE MAY BE REALLY CLOSE NOW, BUT THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE COULD HAVE.
>> IT'S WORTH LOOKING AT AND CLARIFYING.
>> I AGREE. JANELLE, IF YOU'LL MAKE A NOTE ON THAT, TOO, PLEASE. YES.
>> I ALSO THINK WHEN THIS WAS TALKED ABOUT EARLY ON AS YOU REMEMBER THE BOARD OVER THERE.
BUT FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS THE GREATEST FEAR EVER.
NOW THAT WE'VE LIVED THIS CONTRACT AND IT'S WORKING AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OPPOSITION TO CODIFYING IT.
>> I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE TWO MEMBERS I SPOKE WITH THEY STRUCK THE AGREEMENT.
THINGS SEEM TO BE WORKING WELL.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND SOLIDIFY IT AND GIVE THE VOTERS SOMETHING.
>> IT TAKES AWAY UNCERTAINTY ON BOTH SIDES.
>> IT PUTS IT CONCRETE. GOES TO MY NEXT ONE.
>> IS THIS THE COUNCIL POLICY FOR THE 120 DAYS OF RESERVING?
>> IT'S JUST A COUNCIL POLICY.
>> MAYBE THAT'S A SMALLER ONE THAT WE JUST AMEND THE 90 DAYS TO 120 DAYS?
>> I THINK YOU COULD DO THAT BY ORDINANCE.
>> IS THAT AN ORDINANCE THING OR IS THAT A CHARTER? I THINK IT'S A CHARTER.
>> I THINK IT'S IN THE CHARTER, BUT I THINK YOU COULD AMEND IT BY ORDINANCE.
I THINK WE HAVE AMENDED IT BY ORDINANCE.
>> I THINK IT'D BE SAFER AMENDING IT BY ORDINANCE.
>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE OFFICIALLY AMENDED IT BY ORDINANCE, BUT WE'VE JUST SET A UNDERSTOOD POLICY WE WOULD DO THAT.
>> WE'RE GOING TO SAY THAT IT'S ADOPTED THROUGH THE BUDGET BY AN ORDINANCE.
>> THIS IS SOME FLEXIBILITY THAT YOU MAY WANT TO MAINTAIN.
>> I THINK YOU NEED TO CREATE ISSUES [OVERLAPPING].
>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID IS THAT YOU COULD DO THAT BY ADOPTING A BUDGET THAT HAD THAT INCLUDED IN IT?
>> WE DO. IT'S OUR BUDGET GOAL EVERY YEAR.
>> IT'S A BUDGET GOAL. I GOT YOU.
>> YOU KEEP THE 90 DAYS IN THE CHARTER, AND YOU SAY VIA ORDINANCE, AMENDING THE CODES.
>> VIA THE BUDGET SO IT'S REALLY JUST TAKEN CARE OF BY THE BUDGET AND NOT NECESSARILY BY ORDINANCE.
>> IT'S NOT A SEPARATE ORDINANCE.
>> BUT IT'S AN ORDINANCE. IT'S NOT A SEPARATE ONE.
>> BUT YOU COULD PUT IN THE ORDINANCE WITH THE GOAL TO ACHIEVE 120.
>> THE FLEXIBILITY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MEANS AS THAT PERCENTAGE NUMBER FLUCTUATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
IF YOU'RE ABOVE 90 DAYS RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT.
>> WELL, AND ALSO REMEMBER YOUR RESERVES ARE TWO-FOLD AND PURPOSED.
ONE IS FOR EMERGENCIES, BUT THE OTHER IS FOR CASH FLOW PURPOSES DURING THE YEAR, ESPECIALLY ON REIMBURSABLE GRANTS BECAUSE WE DO USE THAT FOR CASH FLOW DURING THE YEAR AS WE GET REIMBURSED.
WE KNOW WE GET THE MONEY, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH SOME OF THE FEMA STUFF, WE HAVE TO FRONT THE MONEY, SO THAT'S PART OF WHAT YOU USE THAT FOR.
>> YOU CREATE A SPOT IN THE ACCOUNT THAT NEEDS TO BE PAID BACK.
>> OTHERWISE, YOU'D BE ARTIFICIALLY INFLATING YOUR TAX RATE TO COVER REIMBURSEMENTS, AND THEN YOU END UP WITH IT'S NOT.
>> BUT YOU WOULD NEVER GO BELOW 90 DAYS FOR THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE WOULD NEVER GO BELOW 90 DAYS.
10:29 AM COUNCILMAN FINKLEA REJOINED THE WORKSHOP.
>> I GUESS ME AND THE MAYOR HAD TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR POTENTIAL.
ONE OF THEM WAS PAYING COUNCIL MEMBERS A STIPEND.
MARIE ROBB SPENDS 30-50 HOURS A WEEK.
I'VE REALIZED THAT ALMOST LIKE AN ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME JOB TO DO THIS.
I WOULD AGREE WITH A SMALL STIPEND THAT'S TO BE KICKED AROUND HERE.
BUT I WOULD BE VERY CLEAR ONLY TO DO THAT IF THERE IS A SURPLUS OVER 120-DAY OPERATING RESERVE.
THERE'S AN INCENTIVE ONLY IF WE CAN MEET OUR BUDGET GOALS.
>> IS THERE SOME OTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE THAN THAT OR [OVERLAPPING]?
>> YOU GUYS ATTRACT TOURISM LIKE CRAZY.
[02:50:05]
WE ALREADY CLARIFIED THAT WORKING OUT THE SHORT TERM.
[LAUGHTER] THAT'S MOST OF MY ISSUES TOO.
>> I'M SAYING THAT. THERE WE GO. I'LL TAKE MINE FROM THE LIBRARY.
>> AS ALEX MENTIONED, I, OF COURSE, SUPPORT THAT.
AS WE ALL KNOW, WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THIS.
IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE THAT WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE JOB.
BUT THE EXPENSES THAT EACH ONE OF US INCUR IN PROVIDING THE TYPE OF REPRESENTATION FOR OUR DISTRICTS IN THE CITY TAKES MONEY, AND WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF OUR PERSONAL MONEY DOING THAT.
I THINK SOME STIPEND IS APPROPRIATE.
WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW COUNCILS IN GALVESTON COUNTY THAT DOES NOT HAVE THEIRS.
>> COULD BE THE ENTIRE STATE THAT DOES NOT HAVE SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT.
I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY APPROPRIATE.
>> EVEN YOUR SMALLEST OF CITIES DO 50-75 A MEETING.
>> THEY GIVE JUST A VERY SMALL STIPEND.
I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CHANGING THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT THAT WE HAVE.
WE STILL HAVE A CITY MANAGER FORM OF GOVERNMENT, AND THAT THIS IS ONLY TO SIMPLY OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS THAT WE INCUR AS A PART OF SERVING.
>> I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT MARIE WAS TALKING ABOUT A LITTLE MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT BEST PRACTICES ARE THERE AROUND THE STATE FOR THIS. CITIES OF OURS.
>> I THINK YOU CAN PULL THAT FROM TML.
>> CITY OF OUR SIZE AND WHAT THEIR SUPPORT ALREADY IS AND WHAT SUPPORT THEY NEED IN TERMS OF STIPEND.
JUST COMPARE US WITH OTHER PLACES.
>> JANELLE, COULD YOU PROVIDE THAT FOR COUNSEL IF YOU WOULD? THANK YOU. ALEX, GO RIGHT AHEAD, SIR.
>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ONE, BUT CHANGING THE DISTRICTS TO FOUR DISTRICTS, TWO AT LARGE AND ONE MAYOR SEAT.
>> WHEN WAS THAT? WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?
>> THE LETTER IS ACTUALLY ONLINE AT THE END OF THE CHART.
>> IT WAS A WHILE AGO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE PRE-CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE COUNTIES ACT HAS BEEN DONE AWAY WITH.
>> ALEX, YOU'RE RECOMMENDING TO DISCUSS FOUR?
>> THERE WERE TWO AT LARGE, ONE MAYOR SEAT, AND THEN FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND THE BACKGROUND OF THAT.
I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR OR AGAINST IT.
BUT IF YOU'RE A CITIZEN AND YOU'VE GOT A CITY ISSUE, RIGHT NOW, IN THEORY, YOU'VE GOT TWO PEOPLE ON COUNCIL WHO ARE REPRESENTING YOU.
YOU'VE GOT YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT AND THE MAYOR.
>> UNDER A 4, 2, 1, YOU COULD HAVE FOUR PEOPLE REALLY REPRESENTING OR CHAMPIONING YOU.
IT ALSO WOULD BREAK DOWN SOME OF THE SILOS THAT WE'VE HAD HISTORICALLY IN THE CITY.
[NOISE] IT MAKES COUNCIL THINK MORE GLOBALLY BECAUSE FOUR PEOPLE ARE NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T WANT TO DILUTE ANY TYPE OF MINORITY VOTING, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, I UNDERSTAND THE REPRESENTATION DISCUSSION THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT.
AS A CITIZEN, NOT A CITY MANAGER, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING FOUR PEOPLE.
>> THERE'S NO GUARANTEE FOUR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO AGREE WITH YOU WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, BUT AT LEAST YOU GOT FOUR PEOPLE THAT IF YOU'RE REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT THEM, AND IF YOU'RE UNHAPPY, YOU CANNOT SUPPORT THEM.
>> SORRY. GO RIGHT AHEAD, DAVID.
WELL, I WAS GOING TO ASK, DON, COULD YOU RESEARCH THIS AND LET US KNOW WHERE WE STAND WITH THAT LEGALLY?
>> IF WE WANTED TO MAKE THIS CHANGE.
>> IF WE WANTED TO BRING IT FORWARD. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I THINK YOU GUYS SAID THAT.
>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T THINK OF IT.
>> MAYOR, I WANTED TO ECHO WHAT BRIAN SAID.
THAT'S WHAT ALEX AND I TALKED ABOUT WHEN WE FIRST TALKED ABOUT THIS IDEA TOO IS THAT THE ABILITY FOR OUR CITIZENS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL VOICES ON COUNCIL WAS REALLY IT.
>> THE OTHER THING, LIKE YOU SAID, IS FOR THESE TWO AT LARGE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A MORE GLOBAL VIEW OF THE INTERESTS OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND.
[02:55:01]
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. I'VE WORKED WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS THAT HAVE THAT AND IT FUNCTIONS JUST LIKE THAT.>> I'M THINKING TWO TO STOP ANY OF THE NO OFFENSE TO MAYOR PRO TEM ROBB, BUT THE MAYOR PRO-TEM COULD BE THE SECOND TOP OR THE FIRST TOP VOTE-GETTER OUT OF THE TWO AT LARGE SEATS.
>> IT'S A STRONG CHOICE. WE DID.
>> BECAUSE THE VOTERS REALLY WANT TO [OVERLAPPING] CONTROL OVER WHO LEADS THEIR PROCLAMATIONS. [LAUGHTER]
>> AT LEAST IN THE '70S, IT WAS AT LARGE.
>> BUT THERE WAS JUST A POSITION YOU RAN FOR.
THE SECOND TOP VOTE-GETTER BECAME.
>> ADD THE MAYOR PRO-TEM AS THE LARGEST VOTE COUNT VOTE FOR AT LARGE.
>> THE LARGEST VOTE-GETTER [OVERLAPPING] POSITION.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A GOOD POLICY.
>> IF THEY TIE, GOES TO RUNOFF.
>> TELL YOU ONE THING THAT EASY ON COUNCIL THAT WAY.
>> IT SURE TAKES A LOT OF THE SUBJECTS [OVERLAPPING].
>> THIS CASE WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYWAY.
>> THAT ASSUMES [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT CLASHES WITH THE STAGGERED PAST DURATION ON THAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW. NOT THAT I HEAR A LOT OF POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS.
I HEAR MORE OPERATIONAL STUFF, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY COMPLAINING ABOUT WHO OUR MAYOR PRO-TEM IS.
>> ONE THING THAT OCCURRED TO ME THAT WOULD PUT A LITTLE MORE RESPONSIBILITY ON EACH DISTRICT COUNCIL REPRESENTED.
I KNOW IF MY DISTRICT GOT BIGGER, I WOULD GO FROM A 40-HOUR A WEEK TO A 50-HOUR A WEEK OR SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY I WOULD HAVE.
THAT TIES INTO WHAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT EARLIER ABOUT A STIPEND.
IF WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT WOULD DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE A STIPEND BECAUSE THERE'D BE MORE WORK FOR WHOEVER DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IS.
>> FOUR DISTRICTS TWO AT LARGE.
>> I WOULD GO WITH A CONSENSUS ON THAT ONE.
I WILL SAY I TEXTED ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS, THE ELECTION IS MAY 2025 FOR THE BOND, SO NEED TO CONSIDER.
>> I DIDN'T REALIZE THEY WERE GOING TO DO IT THIS EARLY. [NOISE].
>> [OVERLAPPING] CUT DOWN THE COST.
>> THAT TAKES THE COST FACTOR OUT.
>> ACTUALLY BRING MORE PEOPLE TO VOTE.
>> I'M ALL FOR ACCELERATING THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT AND GETTING THAT ON TO BE ALONG THE SIDE IN MAY WITH THE BOND ELECTION.
FIRST OFF, I WANT TO FINISH THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE 4, 2, 1, BUT I WANT TO GET ONTO THE GLOBAL PROCESS OF MAKING CHANGES TO A CHARTER.
>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO, BEFORE WE DO THAT, THE MAY 25TH ELECTION.
NOW, WE CAN HAVE SPECIAL MEETINGS, BUT WE'VE GOT THE DECEMBER MEETING AND THE JANUARY MEETING.
THOSE ARE THE TWO MEETINGS WE HAVE TO FINALIZE WHAT WE WANT ON THE CHARTERS, SO WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE.
>> MAYOR, I'M SHOCKED AND NOT SHOCKED, BUT I'M PLEASED THAT THERE'S SUCH GREAT CONSENSUS ALREADY.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT GOT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR LIFE.
>> WE JUST ADD THE ONE WE HAVE THEN.
>> THE ONE WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON WOULD BE TRASH. [OVERLAPPING].
>> AND THE CHARTER BECAUSE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY SAVE OUR CITIZENS FUNDS.
UNDENIABLY, WE WOULD WANT TO STRIKE SOMETHING THAT PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES, WHETHER THEY MOVE TO WHATEVER COMPANY OR HOWEVER, WE COULD DO THAT.
THEN THE OTHER ONE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSED TO THE 4, 2, 1 WOULD BE TERM LIMITS BECAUSE THAT COULD BECOME VERY CONVOLUTED.
>> THAT'S THE 2, 3 YEAR TERM LIMITS.
>> WELL, BUT IF WE HAVE A 4, 2, 1, YOU COULD BE A 4, 6 YEARS.
>> WE COULD DO THE MAYOR'S STANDALONE.
>> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SOME KIND OF SOMETHING.
>> IF WE DID IT STAGGERED, EVERYONE LOVES A MAYOR'S RACE.
SO MAYOR'S STANDALONE WITH TWO DISTRICTS OR THREE DISTRICTS, AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO AT LARGE WITH ONE DISTRICT.
[03:00:02]
>> WELL, COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB, I THINK YOU'RE LEANING AND I HEAR YOU.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY LIMIT THE TERMS FOR THE SERVICE FOR BOTH THE DISTRICT AND AT LARGE AS A COLLECTIVE?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DISCUSSED.
>> IT'S OUR SIX-YEAR WAITING PERIOD TO.
THAT WAS PUT IN, I THINK, BASED ON PERSONALITIES BEFORE I WAS HERE.
BUT MY READING IT FROM THE OUTSIDE WAS BASED ON PERSONALITIES THAT YOU HAVE TO SIT OUT SIX YEARS.
>> I THINK YOU HAVE BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S TRUE.
>> NOT IF YOU'RE RUNNING FOR A DIFFERENT POSITION.
>> YOU CAN BE A DISTRICT COUNCIL PERSON SIX YEARS.
YOU CAN THEN RUN DIRECTLY FOR MAYOR.
>> BUT YOU COULD ALSO [OVERLAPPING]
>> HERE IS WHAT MS. BOBB WAS ALLUDING TO.
IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE FOUR DISTRICT PEOPLE, THEN THE SIX YEARS START AGAIN YOU BECOME AN AVERAGE PERSON, AND THEN START AGAIN IF YOU BECOME MAYOR.
UNDER THAT SCENARIO, YOU COULD SEE SOMEBODY IN OFFICE THEORETICALLY FOR 18 STRAIGHT EIGHT YEARS.
>> FOR A SMALL STIPEND [LAUGHTER]
>> IT COULD BE GREAT. I THINK IT WOULD.
>> I'M JUST SAYING WE HAVE MORE DISCUSSION ON THERE THAN WHAT MEETS THE EYE.. THAT'S WHY IT'D BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY HAD IT STRUCTURED BEFORE.
LOOK AT THAT. LOOK AT OTHER CITIES WHO DO A SIMILAR THING, HOW THEY HANDLE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE COULD PUT TWO BECAUSE THEY COULD SAY, YEAH, WE LIKE THE 4, 2, 01, BUT SCREW Y'ALL [LAUGHTER] GET TWO YEARS AND THAT'S IT.
>> I THINK THE MORE WE PUT ON HERE, TO ME, I THINK WE HAVE A CONSENSUS OF SAYING, HEY, WE WANT SOME MORE CONTINUITY.
LEADERSHIP STAFF NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DEPEND ON MORE THAN TWO YEARS, AND I THINK WE NEED TO CROSS THAT ROAD FIRST.
WE'RE ALL IN CONSENSUS OF THAT AND THEN MOVE FROM THERE.
THE MORE WE PUT ON HERE, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ALREADY ENTRUSTING AND JUST [OVERLAPPING].
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE JUST BRINGING THAT UP.
>> I THINK THE EASIEST THING TO DO WOULD JUST BE COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR IS THE MAYOR, AND THE TERM LIMITS ARE THE SAME.
>> I WANT TO ADDRESS THE SANITATION ISSUE.
IN MY MIND, IT'S A TRICKY SUBJECT HERE. VERY TRICKY.
>> I AGREE. IT'S SOMETHING THEY BRING UP EVERY BUDGET.
>> WELL, THE REASON I SAY THAT IS IT COULD MY SENSE IS IS THAT IF WE WENT TO A PRIVATE SERVICE, THE BASE RATE MIGHT BE A LITTLE LOWER, BUT I'M TELLING YOU, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PICK UP THE TRASH WE PICK UP.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND A LOT.
THESE CITIZENS OUT THERE WILL PAY A LOT MORE FOR SANITATION.
PUTTING STUFF OUT ON THE CURB AND ELDERLY CITIZENS HAVING THIS STACKED OUT.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PICK THAT UP.
>> WE COULD LOOK AT A COMPARISON TO OTHER CITIES WHO ALREADY DO IT.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK CLOSELY BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOING TO WIND UP COSTING THESE CITIZENS.
>> THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION RIGHT THERE IF THE DRIVER FOR THIS IS TO REDUCE COST, YOU CAN'T LOOK AT REDUCING COST WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE, AND THOSE TWO THINGS ARE BALANCED.
THEN I HAVE TO BE INFORMED [OVERLAPPING]
>> EXCEPT MOST PRIVATE CARRIERS FROM OTHER CITIES THAT I TALKED TO, THEY'RE DOING MULTIPLE DAY-A-WEEK PICK UP.
THEY'RE DOING RECYCLE FOR LESS THAN WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING ONCE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE ON COUNCIL, MARIE.
WE LOOKED AT RECYCLING VERY CLOSELY WITH A PRIVATE CARRIER, AND IT WAS NOT COST-EFFECTIVE WHATSOEVER.
>> WELL, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST RECYCLING.
>> WELL, IT WAS THE ONE DOING THE TRANSFER STATION.
THEY SAID WE NEED TO CHARGE FIVE DOLLARS EXTRA A MONTH TO HANDLE RECYCLING.
THE COMMUNITY SAID WE ARE NOT AGAIN
A PRIVATE CARRIER WHO OFFERS THAT AS PART OF THEIR SERVICE, IT WOULD COST LESS THAN JUST SEPARATING THAT OUT.
>> RECYCLING NOTWITHSTANDING, THE BIGGER ISSUE [NOISE] I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WITH THIS IS THAT A PRIVATE CARRIER THAT COMES IN IS GOING TO WANT EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO THE ISLAND.
AS YOU RECALL, STAFF SUGGESTED TO DO THAT BEFORE TO HELP BENEFIT THE RECYCLING PROGRAM AND TO SAVE THE CITIZENS' MONEY AND IT WAS REJECTED.
[03:05:02]
>> BUT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS [OVERLAPPING] YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAVE ANY MONEY WITH A PRIVATE HAULER UNLESS YOU GIVE THEM EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO COMMERCIAL.
>> EXACTLY RIGHT [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK IT'S WORTH ASKING SOME QUESTIONS OR EXPLORING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT OTHER CITIES HAVE EXCLUSIONS ON HAVE THAT INCLUDED IN THEIR COMMERCIAL.
IT'LL JUST BE WORTH LOOKING AT.
BUT ALL I'M SAYING IS WE NEED TO BE VERY REALLY RESEARCHED THIS CLOSELY.
>> IT'S A DIRTY SUBJECT [NOISE]
>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO TRYING TO FIND LOW-HANGING FRUIT TO PUT ON THE MAY BALLOT TO BE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BONDS.
ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN YOU REVIEW THE LITANY OF ITEMS THAT WERE DONE IN 2016, AS WE KNOW, SOME OF THEM PASSED, A LOT OF THEM DIDN'T.
BUT THAT REPRESENTED A GREAT DEAL OF WORK BY A CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE.
SOME OF THOSE ARE PROBABLY APPROPRIATE NOW, SOME OF THEM MIGHT NOT BE.
BUT ONE THING THAT I MIGHT SUGGEST IS THAT WE HAVE A STRATEGY FOR LITTLE, SMALL AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BASED UPON PREVIOUS WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE AND ALSO COUNCIL DIRECTIVE.
FOR EXAMPLE, MAY 25, WE PUT THREE OR FOUR. MAY 27.
>> WE LEGALLY CAN ONLY DO A TRIGGERED CHANGE
>> LET ME FINISH, PLEASE. EVERY TWO YEARS, WE COME WITH LITTLE, SMALL CHANGES TO THE CHARTER THAT ARE BASED UPON, AS I SAID, PREVIOUS EFFORTS AND THE DIRECTION OF COUNCIL.
I THINK THAT IF WE HAVE A STRATEGY LIKE THAT, THAT I THINK WE'LL ACTUALLY HELP TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL EFFICIENCIES AND OPERATIONS WITHIN THE CITY.
>> THAT'S A LONGER-TERM PERSPECTIVE THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING.
>> A MUCH LONGER-TERM PERSPECTIVE THAN WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
LISTENING TO THE FIVE OR SIX THAT WERE THROWN OUT THERE, ONE OF THEM, I THINK IS REALLY EASY TO GO FORWARD WITH ROSENBERG LIBRARY, BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS, FOUR YEARS.
THE CHANGING OF THE TERMS TO TWO BY THREE WITH STAGGERED ELECTIONS I THINK IS A LOW-HANGING FRUIT AS WELL.
YOU HEARD A LOT OF CONSENSUS ABOUT THAT HERE FROM COUNSEL.
ACTUALLY, THE ONE THAT I THINK COULD BE REALLY INTERESTING AND YOU SAID IT WAS CONTROVERSIAL, BUT I THINK IF YOU PACKAGED IT TOGETHER, DO EITHER THE PAIN OR THE CHANGING OF THE 4, 2, 1.
LOOK AT THOSE AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE TO SEE IF WE WERE TO PACKAGE UP ONE OR WHAT DO WE THINK THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACCEPTANCE OF ALL FOUR? BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, WE COULD GET IN A POSITION WHERE THE VOTING PUBLIC SAYS, YEAH, WE'LL DO THE TWO BY THREE, BUT NOT THE 4, 2, 1, OR NOT DO THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT DOESN'T JUST HAVE TO BE YES OR NO.
IF WE GIVE THEM NO, THIS OPTION, OR THIS OPTION.
I KNOW THAT'S CUMBERSOME ON A VOTER.
>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE YES OR NO.
>> IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT ELECTION, BUT THINKING AROUND THAT COULD ARGUE WITH THE ADDED VALUE.
I WAS GOING TO SAY PACKAGE UP THE TWO BY THREE PLUS A 4, 2, 1.
>> IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S AN UP-DOWN VOTE.
THESE TWO TOGETHER, IT'S AN UP-DOWN VOTE.
OR IT'S AN UP-DOWN VOTE ON PAYING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CHANGING TO TWO BY THREE.
>> WELL, EACH HAS TO BE A SINGLE ISSUE. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WOULD NOT ATTACH PAYING COUNCIL TO ANY OTHER ISSUE.
>> NOW, I AGREE WITH THE MATTER
>> [OVERLAPPING] BRIAN'S $50,000 LIMIT [OVERLAPPING]
>> MY POINT WAS I THINK IF WE FOUND THE THREE THAT WE THINK HAD THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS AND THEN STRATEGIZED ON WHAT WE WERE GOING TO BE BRINGING FORWARD WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WE COULD CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION AND WORK THROUGH WHAT HAD BEEN DONE IN 2016.
WHAT DO WE THINK [OVERLAPPING] IS MOVING FORWARD?
>> IT MAY NOT GET ON THE BALLOT COMING UP HERE.
SAY WE DECIDE ON THREE, THAT ALLOWS COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THESE AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO THE NEXT CYCLE OF ELECTIONS.
>> WHAT'S THE OTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT AS WE APPROACH THEM AS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CHAMBER ON BOARD TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE GEDP ON BOARD BECAUSE IT WAS THEY ARE ALLOWED TO MARKET IT.
THAT'S WHAT HELPED GET THE IDC.
I KNOW IN GEDP, WE HAD A WHOLE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I SERVED THERE. ON THE CHAMBER, I SERVED ON THAT.
>> ALSO, TOO, I THINK YOU HAVE TO CATEGORIZE THESE THINGS.
WHAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW ARE FUNDAMENTAL CORE CHANGES TO HOW WE OPERATE.
[03:10:02]
IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, YOU LET THE VOTERS SPEAK ON HOW.ONCE THEY GET THAT NEW STRUCTURE, IN THEORY, IF YOU GO TO A 4, 2, 1 WITH LONGER TERMS, THEN YOU HAVE MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS' TIME AND ABILITY TO WORK ON THESE SUBSEQUENT CHARTER AMENDMENTS IN FUTURE YEARS, GET BETTER INPUT.
AS A CITIZEN, IF YOU'RE GOING TO START MAKING SMALLER CHANGES IN THE CHARTER DOWN THE ROAD, AND I KNOW I'VE GOT FOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT ARE AT LEAST GOING TO LISTEN AND REPRESENT ME, I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO HAVE A BETTER CHANCE AT HAVING A VOICE IN THOSE FUTURE CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
I THINK YOU'RE FOLLOWING THE RIGHT PATH AND ATTACKING YOUR CORE ISSUES FIRST, WHICH ARE YOUR STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
THEN THEN IF YOU WANT TO PUT SANITATION ON THERE OR IF YOU WANT TO PUT OTHER THINGS ON THERE, THEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A BETTER STRUCTURE TO RECEIVE INPUT THAN YOU HAVE NOW.
>> JANELLE, YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US BACKGROUND RESEARCH INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE OUTLINED TO YOU.
>> SECOND OF ALL, WOULD YOU CHECK WITH THE COUNTY? WE NEED TO CONFIRM.
COUNCILMAN RAWLINS SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S MAY 25.
I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT ON THEIR ELECTION SO WE WOULD KNOW.
ALSO, IF YOU WOULD SEND TO COUNSEL THOSE CHARTER CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TODAY SO EACH COUNCIL MEMBER CAN SEE THOSE IN WRITING SO THAT WE CAN GO AND POSSIBLY GIVE US BETTER THOUGHT ON MODIFYING THOSE IF NEED BE.
WE'LL SET UP. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THIS TRYING TO PUT IT AT DECEMBER OR JANUARY'S MEETING.
I THINK MAY NEED A SPECIAL MEETING. EXCUSE ME.
>> HEY, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THE CHOIR ON STARTING AT 9:00.
BUT WE MAY NEED A SPECIAL MEETING AND WE'LL COORDINATE THAT WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. YES.
>> I'M GOING TO BRING UP ONE THING.
WE HAVE INTERVIEWEES ARE ALREADY ARRIVING.
>> THEY'RE HERE AN HOUR EARLY.
>> NO. WELL, THEY'RE HERE 30 MINUTES EARLY.
>> I'VE GOT ONE QUESTION FOR DON. SORRY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU.
>> SO LET'S JUST SAY THE TWO ONES THAT WE PUT ON, THE 4, 2, 01, AND THREE STAGGERED YEARS.
THAT'S GREAT. YOU CAN DO THAT.
BUT LET'S SAY THE 4, 2, 1 PASSES, AND THE THREE YEARS DOESN'T PASS.
HOW DO YOU WORK THAT OUT WITH OUR CURRENT SYSTEM? DO YOU MAKE THE CHANGES OR DOES IT MAKE THE FIRST ONE?
>> WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST IS THAT YOU NOT DO THE THREE-YEAR TERM NOW.
GO WITH THE 4, 2, 1 POINT NOW.
DO THAT FOR A SINGLE TWO-YEAR TERM.
THEN TWO YEARS FROM NOW, YOU CAN HAVE THE NEXT CHARTER YOU PROVIDE THE THREE-YEAR TERMS. YOU'LL HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE 4, 02, 1 SYSTEM, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DECIDE BETTER HOW YOU WANT TO IMPLEMENT THOSE THREE-YEAR TERMS BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS IF YOU WANT THEM STAGGERED, SOME ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE FOR TWO YEARS, THE OTHERS THREE, AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY AFTER THE TWO-YEAR TERM, THAT'LL SWITCH TO A THREE-YEAR TERM.
YOU HAVE THE SIX-YEAR LIMIT RIGHT NOW.
THE PERSON WHO PUTS IN FIVE YEARS, THEY CAN STILL RUN FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM, AND THAT'LL PUT THEM IN FOR EIGHT.
I WOULD SUGGEST YOU CONSIDER, AND THAT'S NOT FOR NOW, WHETHER YOU WANT TO LIFT THOSE TERM LIMITS.
WHAT I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST IS I WILL BRING LANGUAGE BACK FOR A WORKSHOP IN JANUARY WITH THE 4, 2, 1.
THAT SEEMS TO BE YOUR BIGGEST LIFT ON THIS.
NEXT, WE'LL HAVE TO COME UP WITH WHAT?
>> I HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION FROM DON [OVERLAPPING] TO NO ONE'S SURPRISE.
NEXT, WE WOULD NEED TO COME BACK WITH THE ISSUE ON THE LIBRARY.
>> I AGREE. MY DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AND DON IS IS I THINK IT'S A PERFECT TIME TO DO YOUR TERM CHANGES AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR A NEW OFFICE.
SOME PEOPLE WILL RUN FOR A SHORTER TERM, SOME PEOPLE RUN FOR A LONGER TERM THE FIRST TIME IN ORDER TO GET IT DONE.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SIGNING UP FOR WHEN YOU RUN AND THAT'S WHAT YOU RUN FOR AND THE VOTERS GET TO DECIDE.
I THINK IT'S A BETTER TIME TO DO IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
THEN YOU'RE NOT DEALING WITH EXISTING SEATED PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS.
MY TAKE, A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN DON'S.
>> MINE IS TO AVOID VOTER CONFUSION TO THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EXTENT POSSIBLE.
[03:15:07]
>> IT BECOMES VERY CLEAR BECAUSE THE MAYOR IS THE MAYOR.
BUT IF YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE TWO AT LARGE, ONE OF THE AT LARGES IS GOING TO BE FOR TWO YEARS, ONE IS GOING TO BE FOR THREE YEARS [NOISE] WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THE FOUR SEATS, TWO ARE GOING TO BE AT TWO YEARS, TWO ARE GOING TO BE THREE YEARS.
IT'S VERY CLEAR UP FRONT, WHO IS RUNNING FOR WHAT.
TO ME, THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE THEN, AND THAT'S HOW IT WORKS, AND THEIR TERMS GO.
THAT'S CLEARER TO ME AS A VOTER THAN BRINGING IT UP AND TRYING TO DO IT WHEN YOU HAVE SEATED PEOPLE IN THESE DISTRICTS AND YOU'RE STARTING TO JACK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN HERE WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE HAPPY, POPULAR, WHATEVER ELSE.
TO ME, YOU DO YOU DO IT WHEN YOU SET THE DISTRICTS.
>> WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO TAKE THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, I DON'T HAVE ANY PAST ONES, BECAUSE IT'S TRIED AND TRUE.
GIVE THEM THE EXACT [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT TO US NEXT WEEK SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT?
>> WE'LL HAVE TO PULL IT INTO THE AGENDA.
>> JANELLE, WE NEED TO GET THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FROM THE PAST ONE SENT TO US ON THIS.
>> I'M TRYING TO THINK WHEN EXACTLY IT WAS.
>> ANY MORE THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO LEAVE US WITH? WORDS OF WISDOM?
>> ABOUT THIS TOPIC. I'M NOT SURE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> I THINK SO. BRIAN'S POINT TOO BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO STAGGER THEM, SOME PEOPLE DO GET TWO-YEAR TERMS AND SOME PEOPLE DO GET THREE-YEAR TERMS.
>> I JUST THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRESENTING THIS AND PASSING IT OUT ON JANUARY 31 IS WHEN FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING.
IT'S DEFINITELY ON MAY 2025 ELECTION.
I DON'T NEED TO CONFIRM THAT. THAT'S DONE.
>> BUT JANUARY 31 IS THAT YOU HAVE TO COMMIT TO THE ELECTION.
>> WE WOULD HAVE BASICALLY TWO OR THREE WEEKS TO PUSH.
>> WELL, YEAH, IF WE STARTED LOOKING IT NOW.
>> FEBRUARY WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BALLOT LANGUAGE.
>> THREE MONTHS TO GET TO THAT POINT.
>> NO, TWO MONTHS, YOU HAVE CHRISTMAS AND YOU HAVE THANKSGIVING.
>> I'M A POLLYANNA GUY, BUT IF WE WANT TO GET SAY THREE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR MAY 25, I THINK WE GOT ENOUGH TIME TO DO IT.
WE'LL NEED TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING.
>> ESPECIALLY THESE ITEMS BECAUSE THESE ARE NOT NEW ITEMS TO THE PUBLIC AND WITH SOME NUANCES, THEY'RE FAIRLY EASY TO EXPLAIN, AND THEY'RE FAIRLY EASY TO JUSTIFY FROM A COUNCIL ON A STAFF PERSPECTIVE.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT JUSTIFYING, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT BUYING NEWSPAPER, I'M TALKING ABOUT GOING IN PRESENTING IT TO THE CHAMBER, GOING IN PRESENTING IT TO THE GDP, GOING TO THE DIFFERENT ROTARIES, GOING TO ALL THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS.
TO ME, ALL YOU'RE DOING IS EXPLAINING WHY THIS IS ON THE BALLOT AND WHY THIS COULD BE A BETTER SOLUTION.
TOTALLY UP TO THE CITIZENS TO DECIDE THAT DOWN.
>> ABOUT THE 4-2-1 AND THE TERMS AND ALL THAT, THERE'S AWFUL LOT OF MOVING PARTS ON THAT, BUT IF WE JUST CAN CONSIDER THE REASONS WE'RE DOING IT, THERE'S TWO REASONS WE'RE DOING THIS.
ONE, IS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN OUR BUSINESS AS WE GO ALONG WITH THIS TERM, AND SECOND IS TO HAVE BETTER REPRESENTATION FOR THE PUBLIC.
EVERYTHING WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER THOSE TWO THINGS AND ARE WE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THOSE TWO THINGS.
>> THE EFFECTIVE DATE WOULD NOT IMPACT ANY OF YOUR CURRENT TERMS. KEEP THAT IN MIND BECAUSE IT WOULD COME INTO EFFECT AT THE NEXT ELECTION.
>> THEN I HAVE ONE MORE THING I JUST WANT TO THROW OUT FOR OUR DISCUSSION.
THAT'S THERE'S TWO, THREE, FOUR PAGES IN THE CHARTER THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE GALVESTON WORKS AND IT WAS WRITTEN IN 1940.
IT'S REALLY GOT A LOT OF AGE ON IT.
IT ALSO CALLS FOR THAT STIPEND OF $160,000 FROM THE WHARVES BOARD TO THE CITY, 25.39% OF WHICH IS PAID OVER TO GISD.
THAT AMOUNT $160,000 JUST SEEMS GRATUITOUS ALMOST ON ITS FACE.
I'M JUST THROWING OUT FOR DISCUSSION.
DO WE WANT TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN AND SEE IF THIS IS THE WAY WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GO BECAUSE IT'S SO OLD, AND I THINK EVERYBODY IS UP IN MIND THAT WE NEED TO SHARE GREATER IN THE PROSPERITY OF THE WHARVES BOARD SUCCESS THAN WE HAVE.
>> I THINK THAT FALLS UNDER THE DISCUSSION OF LET'S GET THE LOW HANGING FRUIT BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE CONTROVERSIAL.
SECOND OF ALL, WE HAVE A JOINT MEETING, COUNCIL.
YOU'VE BEEN NOTIFIED ON JANUARY 9TH WITH WHARVES BOARD.
[03:20:03]
THIS TOPIC IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS ON THAT DISCUSSION.THE WHARVES BOARD STAFF HAS INFORMED ME THEY LIKE TO BRING FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION THEY HAVE THEY'VE PUT TOGETHER TO POSSIBLY ADDRESS THESE COSTS.
>> BOB I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU.
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF IT'S AT THE RIGHT TIME.
>> BUT TWO SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT TO AGREE WITH WHAT YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT.
ONE, THE MODEL WE USED WITH THE LIBRARY WORKED PRETTY WELL.
MAYBE WE DO THIS UNDER SOME OTHER TYPE OF AGREEMENT FIRST AND GET EVERYBODY USED TO IT.
THEN ONCE EVERYBODY'S ON THE SAME PAGE, THEN IT GOES TO THE VOTERS.
THE SECOND THING IS, IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH THESE CORE CHANGES, AGAIN, THE CONDUIT TO GET INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL ON SUGGESTIONS FOR CHARTER AMENDMENTS IN THE FUTURE IS MUCH BETTER, I THINK.
>> I'M AFRAID THAT IT'S GOING TO BE POPULAR TO CHANGE, AND IT PUTS THE PORT IN A BAD SPOT FOR THE SHORT TERM.
LIKE THE WAY THAT WE DID ROSENBERG, STRIKE AN AGREEMENT.
HASH OUT WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T WORK.
>> THEY'RE ADDING LINES AS WE SPEAK.
THEY'VE JUST PULLED ON THE BOND, THEY'RE DOING QUITE A BIT OF IMPROVEMENTS.
I THINK TO HIT THAT IN DISCUSSION NOW MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY.
>> I AGREE WITH THE LIBRARY MODEL. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD PATH.
>> LET'S SEE WHAT THE PORT HAS TO OFFER TOO.
BY THE WAY, WE'RE GETTING $2.8 MILLION IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR COMING FROM THE PORT.
THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GO UP SOON AS CRUISE TERMINAL 16 OPENS.
THAT'S GOING TO REALLY PICK UP.
ANYWAY. GOOD. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THIS SUBJECT, COUNCIL, I THINK WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION COMING TO US ON THAT.
>> THAT WAS A VERY HEALTHY GOOD DISCUSSION.
>> THAT WAS A VERY GOOD DISCUSSION ON THAT.
COUNCIL, I'M GOING TO THROW OUT AN IDEA BEFORE WE MOVE TO 3F.
WE HAVE OUR INTERVIEWEES THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD TO BE HERE AT 11:45.
THEY KNOW THAT THERE MAY BE A WAY TO EVEN PAST THAT TIME.
WE TECHNICALLY HAVE THEM TO FOLLOW OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION DISCUSSION ON THAT.
DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THAT APPROACH?
>> WHY DON'T WE TAKE THEM EARLY? HOW MANY ARE HERE?
>> WE'RE ONLY GOING TO DO THREE.
>> ALL THREE ARE HERE. WHY DON'T WE TAKE THEM?
>> LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND TAKE THEM.
>> YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DO THOSE NOW, COUNCIL?
>> SHARON, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE HERE FOR THESE.
>> SHE'S ASKING ME WHAT TIME SHE SHOULD BE ONLINE FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> 4:30. NO. [LAUGHTER] IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO PREDICT.
IF WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND DO THOSE INTERVIEWS AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE ALL THREE HERE?
>> LET ME GO FIND OUT IF THEY'RE ALL HERE.
>> I WAS THINKING WE COULD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE LUNCH.
>> WE CAN, AND WE CAN EVEN [INAUDIBLE].
>> I'M GOING TO RUN THROUGH THESE OTHER ONES REAL QUICK WHILE SHE'S GATHERING [OVERLAPPING].
>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
[3.F. Discussion Of Port Of Galveston Funding For The City’s 2024 - 2025 Budget (A. Porretto/M. Robb - 15 Min)]
I'M GOING TO READ ITEM 3A, DISCUSSION OF PORT OF GALVESTON FUNDING FOR THE CITY'S '24-25 BUDGET.THIS IS AN ITEM THAT IF COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, WE NEED TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, I GUESS FOR DECEMBER TO VOTE ON.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PORT HAD MENTIONED TO ME THAT THE STAFF THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT MOVING FORWARD NEXT YEAR ON PUTTING TOGETHER A PERMANENT APPROACH TO FUNDING AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND NOT DOING ANY FUNDING THIS YEAR.
BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED BY THE WHARVES BOARD.
IF COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD IN REQUESTING X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FROM THE PORT FROM THIS YEAR, I'M PREPARED TO PUT IT ON THE WHARVES BOARD AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 26.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE'RE HAVING A JOINT MEETING IN JANUARY.
>> JANUARY 9TH IS A JOINT MEETING THAT WE CAN DISCUSS IT AT THAT TIME ALSO.
WELL, LET'S OPEN IT UP FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT.
>> AT AN EARLIER POINT THIS YEAR, THEY WERE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE A MILLION DOLLARS.
[03:25:04]
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE REQUEST EARLIER, THE WHARVES BOARD HAD NOT WEIGHED IN ON THAT. I'M NOT SURE.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE BOARD, THEY DID NOT DISCUSS IT.
NOW, STAFF HAD MENTIONED THAT.
I AM GETTING SOME INPUT FROM STAFF THAT AT THIS POINT, SOME THINGS HAVE COME UP THAT HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FINANCIAL DEMANDS ON THE PORT THAN THEY WERE AWARE OF TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO.
THEY DID GIVE ME INPUT THAT THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THEY WOULD STAFF MENTIONED MIGHT WANT TO WAIT AND DISCUSS THIS FOR MORE OF A PERMANENT FUNDING AFTER THIS YEAR.
BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THE WHARVES BOARD HAS NOT WEIGHED IN ON.
IF YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, IF THE COUNCIL DOES, I'LL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 26.
>> ONE OF THE ISSUES I HEARD WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT A FORMAL REQUEST FROM COUNCIL TO GO TO THE WHARVES BOARD AND ASK.
I JUST WANT TO PUT IT ON THERE FOR A FORMAL REQUEST TO ASK THE WHARVES BOARD FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
BUT I THINK THE WHARVES BOARD, PORT AND WE ALL IN THE CITY, I THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS A CYCLICAL OR STIPEND OR HOWEVER IT WORKS, DIVIDEND FROM THE PORT IN THE FUTURE.
JUST SHOOT ME FOR WANTING TO SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET WITH ALTERNATIVE REVENUES THIS YEAR.
>> [INAUDIBLE] INDEED GOES UNPUNISHED.
>> NOW, I WANT TO BE CLEAR TOO.
THIS REQUEST IS COMING FROM COUNCIL, NOT STAFF.
BRIAN HAS HANDLED THE BUDGET BASED UPON THE TAX RATE WE'VE APPROVED.
LET'S OPEN IT UP FOR YOUR DISCUSSIONS.
I'M OPEN TO WHATEVER COUNCIL WANTS TO DO.
>> THE WHOLE CONCEPT IS THAT WE GOT A TOUGH BUDGET YEAR BECAUSE OF THE TAX RATE.
THE BOARD HAS HAD UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY.
MAYBE THEY SHOULD HELP US OUT WITH OUR BUDGET CUTTING.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO END UP TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THAT JUST BECAUSE SALES TAX CONTINUES TO UNDERPERFORM.
>> SAY THAT AGAIN, ALEX, WHAT YOU JUST SAID?
THAT'S WHAT WE GOT. OUT OF OUR BUDGET, WE CUT 3.8.
WE PUT BRIAN TO THE TASK AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB.
HOWEVER, I THINK THERE'S SOME BENEFIT THAT COULD BE HAD.
DON'T THINK OF IT AS A ONE TIME PAYMENT.
IN MY OPINION, IT FEELS LIKE, HEY, HERE'S SOME EARNEST MONEY FOR GOOD NEGOTIATIONS IN THE FUTURE, AND WE ALL HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF, HEY, THE PORT HAS BILLS TO PAY, SO DO WE, AND HOW CAN WE FOSTER THAT RELATIONSHIP GOING FORWARD.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING BOTH THINGS AT ONCE, I THINK.
APPARENTLY, THE REASON OR ONE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO BUILD ON WHAT ALEX WAS SAYING ABOUT THE REASON THEY DIDN'T CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING IS BECAUSE COUNCIL DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY ASK THEM FOR THAT.
YOU COULD ASK THE QUESTION TODAY, SHOULD WE DO THAT, AS WELL AS IN JANUARY, PURSUE A MORE PERMANENT STABLE RELATIONSHIP.
FIRST OF ALL, AT ONE TIME, SOMETHING TO GET US THROUGH THIS BUDGET YEAR AND THEN SOMETHING MORE PERMANENT.
>> IF COUNCIL WANTS TO DO THAT, I'LL BRING THAT FORWARD.
>> BUDGET ENDS IN DECEMBER OR STARTS AT JANUARY 1.
THAT'S WHY BOUNDARY TIME MOVE.
TO BRING THIS TO THE WHARVES BOARD TO REQUEST X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FROM THEM, WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT AS A COUNCIL.
>> WE'LL NEED TO GET ON THE AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 12 TO VOTE ON THAT.
>> WELL, WE COULD EVEN PUT IT ON THE SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA.
>> YOU COULD COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL MEETING, WE COULD PUT THAT ON.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE FOR THE CHARTER.
>> WE WOULD. I'M NOT SURE WE WOULD HAVE ONE BEFORE THE 26.
THEIR REGULAR MEETING OVER AT THE PORT IS NOVEMBER 26, AND THEIR NEXT MEETING WOULD BE THE LATTER PART OF DECEMBER.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A RUSH TO GET THIS DONE NECESSARILY.
>> WHEN'S THEIR MEETING AFTER OUR DECEMBER 12 MEETING?
I'VE GOT IT IN MY SCHEDULE HERE.
[03:30:02]
DECEMBER 17.>> GIVES THEM PLENTY OF TIME TO POST IT, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. IF WE VOTE ON IT DECEMBER 12, THEN WE CAN GET IT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE WHARVES BOARD ON DECEMBER 17. YES, SIR.
>> DO WE ENVISION THIS AS JUST A SINGLE SOLITARY, JUST LIKE ONE TIME ASK, OR IS THIS WRAPPED UP ULTIMATELY INTO AN INTER-LOCAL, LIKE WHAT WE HAVE WITH THE PARK BOARD?
>> ONE TIME ASK, AND THEN I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD TO A PERMANENT [OVERLAPPING].
>> A PERCENTAGE DIVIDEND, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
>> EXCEPT DON'T CALL IT PILOT PAYMENT.
>> BUT DAVID, I THINK YOU'RE CORRECT.
IF WE VOTE DECEMBER 12, THAT WE WANT TO REQUEST X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FROM THE PORT JUST FOR THIS YEAR, WE'VE GOT TO WORK OUT SOME KIND OF DOCUMENT TO SUBSTANTIATE THIS.
THE PORT, AS WE ALL KNOW, WHARVES BOARD MAY SAY, THANK YOU, BUT WE'VE GOT TOO MANY COMMITMENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR THAT WE DIDN'T FOR PLAN FOR.
IF THEY VOTE TO HONOR IT, THOUGH, WE NEED TO HAVE A DOCUMENT SOMETIME.
>> THERE WOULD BE INSTRUCTIONS BY BOTH CITY COUNCIL AND THE WHARVES TO COME UP WITH AN AGREEMENT TO REFLECT THE VOTES SUBMITTED WHICH WILL BE VOTED ON IN JANUARY.
>> THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> [OVERLAPPING] OR WITHOUT THAT DOCUMENT?
THE SECOND PART OF IT IS, HOW DO WE IDENTIFY HOW MUCH, AND WHAT'S THE PRIORITY THAT WE WOULD BE USING THAT MONEY FOR? I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN DO THAT OR NOT.
IT BACKS UP THE REQUEST, HOW MUCH AND WHAT FOR?
>> WE'RE ALREADY DEFICIT AND RESERVE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WOULD TELL YOU IF I GOT A MILLION DOLLARS DROPPED ON ME RIGHT NOW, I WOULD PUT IT STRAIGHT INTO FUND BALANCE TO REBUILD IT.
>> THAT WAS ALWAYS THE ANSWER.
>> WHERE ARE WE ON OUR FUND BALANCE DAY-WISE RIGHT NOW?
>> BUT WE'RE WAITING ON THIS SALES TAX NUMBERS NOW TO SEE.
>> WELL, IT'D GO INTO FUND BALANCE, SO THE WHARVES BOARD IS GOING TO LOOK AT IT, DO WE NEED TO FUND THEM FOR MOVING FROM [OVERLAPPING].
>> A MILLION IS GOING TO ADD LIKE FOUR DAYS.
>> YEAH. WE WANT TO MOVE THEM FROM 109-113 DAYS AND GIVE THEM A MILLION DOLLARS.
THAT'S WHY THEY'LL LOOK AT IT.
>> THEY WERE WILLING TO DO IT BEFORE UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED.
>> THE ROADS BOARD HAD NOT WEIGHED IN.
BUT AS I MENTIONED, I THINK SOME NEW THINGS HAVE COME UP.
THEY'RE PUTTING TOGETHER HOW MUCH CAPITAL THEY DO HAVE AVAILABLE.
THEY'VE GOT SOME COMMITMENTS ON PROJECTS COMING UP AND THERE'LL PROBABLY BE OVERAGES ON THAT.
THEY'VE HAD SOME CHANGES IN THE FUNDING FOR DREDGING OVER THERE THAT THEY DIDN'T REALIZE THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE.
SO THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME OTHER ISSUES, AND THEY STILL HAVE A FEMA ISSUE OVER THERE TO RESOLVE ON REFURBISHMENT OF THE WEST END AREA AND SOME FEMA FUNDS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH THAT.
THERE'S A LOT STILL GOING ON OVER THERE THAT THEY WEREN'T AWARE THEY WERE GOING TO NEED TO FUND.
>> LET'S SAY WE DON'T DO THE IMMEDIATE ASK RIGHT NOW, BUT IN OUR JANUARY MEETING, WE DO COME UP WITH A NUMBER AND THAT THING, IT WOULD STILL BE USEFUL TO PLUG INTO YOUR.
>> I LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. I WOULD NEVER ASK MY KIDS FOR MONEY, BUT IF ONE OF THEM SHOWED UP AND SAID, "DAD, I GOT A MILLION DOLLARS FOR YOU," I'LL PROBABLY TAKE IT.
>> IT WOULD STILL HELP US OUT, BECAUSE THERE'S STILL MORE OF THE FISCAL YEAR TO GO FOR US.
>> YES. I THINK THE OTHER THING IS, IS IT STARTS THE PROCESS.
IT'S REACHING OUT WITH THE OVERTURE AND STARTING THE PROCESS OF SAYING, LOOK, WE WANT TO DEVELOP A LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE REVENUE SOURCE THAT'S GREATER THAN WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN THE CHARTER WITHOUT MAKING A CHARTER CHANGE THAT HELPS TO OFFSET THE INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHARTER.
>> I'D GO A STEP FURTHER. I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE, GOING FORWARD, HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE WHERE WE BOTH SHARE IN THE PROSPERITY OF THE PORT, AND WE ALSO SHARE IN THE OPERATION OF THE PORT BY ENCOURAGEMENT, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SKIN IN THE GAME.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE INVESTED IN THAT, BECAUSE THEY COME HERE LOOKING FOR DEBT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT IT STRICTLY FROM.
THE CITIZENS NEED SOME SKIN IN THAT GAME TOO.
>> THERE'S THINGS THAT WE CAN DO BETTER TO ASSIST.
[03:35:03]
>> BINGO, THAT PUTS YOU ON THE TEAM.
>> GUIDE ME ON, COUNSEL, WHERE YOU WANT TO GO WITH THIS.
DO YOU WANT TO WAIT TILL THE JANUARY 9TH MEETING?
>> IF WE WAIT TILL THE JANUARY 9TH MEETING AND WE WANTED TO FULFILL BOTH GOALS, THEN WHATEVER AMOUNT WE COME UP WITH WOULD BE AT LEAST THE FIRST INSTALLMENT PAYABLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS FISCAL YEAR.
>> WE COULD VOTE ON IT IN JANUARY.
I DON'T THINK YOU'RE END RESULT IS A FEW DAYS DIFFERENCE?
>> I THINK DECEMBER 12TH, AND IF THE WATERS BOARD SAYS, "WE'RE POUNDING SAND.
WE'LL TALK IN JANUARY," THEN WE'LL DO THAT.
>> PUT IT ON AS AN AGENDA ITEM IN DECEMBER.
IF THEY SHOOT DOWN THE FORMAL REQUEST, BY ALL MEANS I DON'T [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON THERE FOR THE ONE MILLION THAT HAS BEEN THROWN OUT THERE PREVIOUSLY?
>> EARMARKED FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
>> EARMARKED FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
>> YES, FUND BALANCE. ABSOLUTELY.
>> ONE THING THAT WAS BROUGHT UP LAST NIGHT AT THE GALVESTON COUNTY AREA COUNCIL, IT WAS STATED THAT WITH THIS BOND, THEY'RE DOING A MILLION DOLLAR MATCH ON INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING ALONG ON.
>> WE'VE ALREADY MET WITH MIKE SHANNON.
WE'VE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON THAT, BECAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT CAME AS A RESULT OF US PITCHING THAT, BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE TOLD HIM IS THAT IT'S GREAT THAT THE COUNTY WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN STUFF, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME POTENTIAL LEVERAGE.
IF THE COUNTY WOULD JUST MEET US HALFWAY ON THE LEVERAGE, WE COULD TAKE YOUR MILLION DOLLARS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE US JUST NOT ROUND NUMBER AND GET 10 MILLION IF YOU'RE WILLING TO COME UP WITH THIS MATCH.
BEFORE, THEY WANTED TO DO THE PROJECT.
I THINK NOW, WE WANTED TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THAT.
THAT ACTUALLY CAME FROM OUR DISCUSSIONS, AND I'M GLAD THEY CARRIED IT FORWARD.
>> THEY MENTIONED THAT LAST NIGHT TO MAKE SURE I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
>> EXCELLENT. GOOD GROUP OF GUYS OVER THERE.
MIKE SHANNON AND HIS GROUP ARE FANTASTIC TO WORK WITH.
>> COUNCIL, I'VE GOT A FEELING FROM COUNCIL WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT ON THE DECEMBER 12 COUNCIL AGENDA TO EITHER VOTE UP OR DOWN TO REQUEST PAYMENT FROM THE PORT.
IF COUNCIL APPROVES THAT, WE'LL HAVE IT ON THE DECEMBER 17TH WATERS BOARD AGENDA FOR THEIR INPUT INTERVIEW.
>> MAYOR, I KNOW THE GOAL IS TO SPEED THIS ALONG, BUT I THINK TIM CAN GIVE YOU EVERY UPDATE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK IN FIVE MINUTES, AND THEN ALL OF OUR STAFF EXCEPT FOR DON AND I ARE DONE.
>> CRAIG, TO YOUR POINT, I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE INTERESTED IN INFLICTING ANY PAIN ON THE WATERS BOARD BY DOING THIS.
I THINK IT'D BE A GOOD IDEA FOR AT LEAST OUR WATERS BOARD LIAISON TO TO RUN THIS BY THE PORT AND SEE WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE ON THIS BEFORE DECEMBER 12TH. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> WELL, JUST TO YOUR POINT, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT A BUNCH OF UNEXPECTED EXPENSES.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO INFLICT ANY PAIN ON THE WATERS BOARD BY DOING THIS.
WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS, IS THAT YOU LET THE WATERS BOARD KNOW WHAT WE'RE CONSIDERING AND FEEL THAT OUT.
>> BECAUSE YOU HAVE A MEETING ON THE 24TH.
>> 26TH, YOU CAN PUT IT ON THAT AGENDA TO FEEL THEM OUT, SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT NUMBER OF VALUE WOULD BE.
>> I WILL BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
I HAVE BEEN KEEPING THEM UPDATED.
I EVEN VISITED WITH THEM YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS.
THIS WAS ON OUR AGENDA AND THAT WE MAY BE COMING TO THEM FOR REQUEST TO FUND.
YES, BUT I'LL PUT IT ON THE 26TH AGENDA JUST FOR A DISCUSSION ITEM SO THEY'RE EDUCATED ON WHERE WE'RE GOING ON THIS.
ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT? THANK YOU, COUNCIL. 3G, PLEASE. JANELLE?
[3.G. Update From Staff On The Status Of The Comprehensive Plan, And Discussion Of The Comprehensive Plan And Related Subjects (Robb/Porretto - 10 Min)]
>> 3G, UPDATE FROM STAFF ON THE STATUS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DISCUSSION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND RELATED SUBJECTS.
>> THIS HAS TO DO, I THINK, WITH A GRANT TOO, DOESN'T IT?
>> WE'RE MOVING AT A SCHEDULE, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT.
>> SORRY, THIS IS MY GRANDFATHER'S TIDE, 90-YEARS-OLD.
>> I HAD TO GET ONE OF THOSE SHORT ONES IN HERE.
>> MORE LIKE FOUR FEET TALL? [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU KNOW WHO DID THAT, IT WAS ABBOTT AND COSTELLO.
>> I WAS A LITTLE SHORT THERE, BUT THAT WAS THE STYLE BACK THEN.
>> YES, THAT WAS THE STYLE BACK IN THE '30S. GOOD MORNING.
I REALLY WANT TO JUST GIVE YOU THE LATEST ON WHERE WE ARE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR PROCUREMENT AND THE GRANT.
OF COURSE, 2011 WAS THE LAST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, AND I THINK IT WAS ADOPTED IN 2012.
WE GENERALLY SEEK TO DO THAT ABOUT EVERY 10 YEARS OR SO THEREAFTER.
THAT HAPPENED TO COME RIGHT WHEN COVID WAS HITTING US, SO WE THOUGHT IT BEST NOT TO PROCEED AT THAT POINT.
[03:40:05]
WE'VE ESSENTIALLY BEEN READY SINCE THAT TIME.BUT IN THAT TIME IN 2022, A SOURCE OF FUNDING CAME AVAILABLE FROM THE GLO CALLED THE COASTAL RESILIENCY PROGRAM FOR THEIR FUNDING FOR PLANNING, BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT, THOSE THINGS.
THEY OFFERED A GRANT TO ALL CITIES WITHIN TEXAS THAT UP TO $300,000 TO DO COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING EFFORTS.
ALSO ADOPTION OF BUILDING CODE PROGRAMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE'VE ALREADY ADOPTED THE MOST RECENT ICC BUILDING CODE PROGRAMS, SO WE'RE ALREADY PRETTY MUCH SET THERE.
WE HAVE, OF COURSE, SOME MINOR AMENDMENTS IN THAT THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO GALVESTON.
BUT WITH REGARD TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING SIDE OF THINGS, THEY FOCUSED ON THE COUNTIES BASICALLY THAT ARE ON THE COAST.
WITH REALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MAP OF ELIGIBLE COUNTIES, WE ARE RIGHT IN THE DEAD CENTER OF IT. OF COURSE, WE'RE ON THE COAST.
WE ARE CLEARLY ELIGIBLE FOR THIS FUNDING.
THE FUNDING HASN'T MOVED ALL THAT FAR YET, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE GLO IS FEELING AS OUT AS THEY GO TO SOME DEGREE.
THEY BASICALLY TOLD US THAT, WHEN WE APPLIED FOR THIS IN MAY OF 2023, THAT THE APPROVAL WOULD BE FORTHCOMING FROM OUR APPLICATION, BUT THAT THEY WERE CREATING THE RULES AS THEY WENT, TO A DEGREE WE'RE IN A POSITION THAT WE'RE WAITING.
>> AT THIS POINT, SINCE IT'S UNDER HUD, DOES IT FALL UNDER THE LOAD OF MIDDLE INCOME?
>> NO, THIS IS COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING THAT ANY CITY WOULD DO.
THE ONE KEY TO THIS THOUGH IS RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.
WE ARE AT THAT POINT IN IN OUR EVOLUTION AS AN ISLAND, AND SO IT MADE SENSE TO PARTAKE OF THAT FUNDING, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THAT ANYHOW.
THAT'S GOING TO BE A KEY ELEMENT.
WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO SOME PROCUREMENT ASPECTS OF THIS ALREADY.
WE PUT OUT AN RFP AND GOT FOUR BIDDERS BACK.
THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS BASICALLY A STAFF COMMITTEE THAT REVIEWED THIS STUFF HAS MADE A RECOMMENDATION ON ONE OF THOSE APPLICANTS OR REQUESTERS, AND WE WILL BE GETTING THAT TO YOU, BUT WE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO PUSH THAT CART BEFORE THE HORSE UNTIL WE GET THE FUNDING.
THE REAL KEY TO THIS IS, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET THAT FUNDING? THAT'S THE QUESTION.
WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE AS EARLY AS THE END OF THIS YEAR, BUT I'M THINKING PROBABLY MORE LIKE SPRING.
IN OUR APPLICATION ITSELF, WE HAD A REPORT THAT SAID WE HAD COMPLETED ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OUR APPLICATION.
THEN WE ALSO RECEIVED ANOTHER SUBSEQUENT REPORT THAT SAID WE NEED TO AMEND TWO SECTIONS IN THE APPLICATION.
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE RESUBMITTING FOR THAT FUNDING APPLICATION.
>> HOW MUCH IS THIS GRANT FOR?
>> WE'RE PROJECTING HOW MUCH FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN?
>> EVEN THEN THE REVISIONS FOR THE CONSULTANT.
>> EVEN THEN, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE SELECTED AND WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE IT? BECAUSE UNLESS THE GRANT IS JUST OPEN, BUT THERE'S A FUNDING.
>> THEY'RE WELL FUNDED WITH THIS.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CASES WHERE THE MONEY IS ACTUALLY THERE.
>> YES, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE IT IN PLACE.
>> GLO HAS THE MONEY IN PLACE.
>> THE OTHER THING TOO IS, LET'S SAY THAT WE MOVE FORWARD, WE PAY FOR 300,000, THE GRANT COMES THROUGH.
WE CANNOT REIMBURSE OURSELVES. I UNDERSTAND.
[03:45:04]
>> WE HAVE TO FUND IT UPFRONT, AND IT IS REIMBURSABLE.
>> WELL, IF WE GET THE GRANT LATER.
>> NO, BUT WE CAN'T PRE SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN GET THE GRANT AND PAY OURSELVES BACK.
WE CAN'T START SPENDING THE MONEY UNTIL THEY'VE AWARDED THE GRANT UNDER THE REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THERE'S A PURE RULE.
>> COUNCIL SAYS, WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD NOW AND SPEND 300,000.
>> YOU CAN'T GET THE MONEY BACK.
>> THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE US FOR THAT.
>> HE WAS READY. YOU ARE NEXT. GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> BRIAN, THERE IS A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS ON THIS FOR $250,000 THAT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A GRANT, THAT IS IDENTIFIED PURELY AS A BUDGET LINE ITEM, CORRECT?
>> IN THEORY, YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF $550,000.
>> NOT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET THOUGH.
>> THREE FIFTY WAS CARRIED FORWARD AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. YES, I MADE SURE OF THAT.
MY POINT IS, IS THAT YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE 300 TO COME IN.
I FULLY EXPECT THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, BECAUSE IT BREEDS OTHER PLANS ALONG THE WAY.
MY QUESTION IS, CAN YOU NOT DELAY THE PROCUREMENT OF THE SELECTED OR PREFERRED VENDOR USING THE FUNDS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE APPROVED IN THE BUDGET, KNOWING THAT YOU'VE GOT THE GRANT COMING FORWARD? IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH FUNDS.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR US NOT TO WAIT UNTIL Q2 2025, HAVE A CONSULTANT ON BOARD AND START THE COMP PLAN. THAT'S MY QUESTION.
>> I THINK YOU'RE RUNNING INTO HAIRY LINES THERE.
>> YES, I THINK YOU'D BE SPLITTING PROCUREMENT.
THAT COULD BE A BIG ISSUE. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM ANY EXCUSE NOT TO GIVE US THIS MONEY.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WE MAY END UP SPENDING SOME OF THAT 250, BUT I'M HOPING TO HAVE SOME OF IT DROP BACK INTO FUND BALANCE AT THIS POINT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE SO FAR BEHIND IT.
I'M GOING TO KEEP SAYING THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SALES TAX IS UNDERPERFORMING.
>> CAN YOU GIVE US THE LATEST SALES TAX NUMBERS?
> WELL, SHEILLA, WE HAVE YOU IN THE BACKGROUND THERE COME FORWARD, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.
>> THE POINT IS, WE DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE THE GRANT BY SPENDING ANY MONEY NOW, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> NO, I THINK WHAT DAVID'S SUGGESTION IS, IS A VERY GOOD SUGGESTION.
IF WE GET INTO Q1 AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FROM THE GLO, THEN I THINK THAT WE CAN PICK UP AND GO.
>> MAYBE YOU CAN SPLIT THE SCOPE EVEN.
YOU COULD SAY, FOR INSTANCE, WAS THE SAME CONTRACTOR SPLIT THE SCOPE AND START YOUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS NOW WITH OUR FUNDS AND THEN WHEN GLO COMES THROUGH.
>> WE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME SOUL SEARCHING WITH THE GLO.
>> WELL, IT'S WORTH A QUESTION, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO EXPEND MORE THAN $250,000 ON A COMP PLAN.
ULTIMATELY, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT SCOPE WITHIN THAT COMP PLAN, BOTH FOR PLANNING, FOR PUBLIC OUTREACH, FOR DATA COLLECTION, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.
COVER THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN GO START EARLY, GET SOMEBODY ENGAGED, AND BREAK IT DOWN TO WHERE YOU CLEARLY IDENTIFY, YOU'RE MATCHING UP YOUR SCOPE EXPENDITURES WITH WHERE YOUR FUNDS ARE COMING FROM SO YOU'RE NOT PUTTING AT RISK THE GLO GRANT.
>> I STILL THINK THERE'S A FINE LINE AND WE HAVE TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.
>> I HAD THE GLO PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES.
WE HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER FIRM WHETHER THAT CURRENT FIRM WOULD USE THE OLD DATA.
>> I COMPLETELY AGREE AND RESPECT YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR TEAM'S EFFORTS.
I'M JUST SAYING I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TRY TO GET A LITTLE CREATIVE. THINK ABOUT IT.
>> ONE MORE QUESTION. THE RECOMMENDED RESPONDENT TO THE RFP CAN DO THIS WORK FOR 300,000 OR LESS.
>> I THINK THEY WERE RIGHT AT 300 OR MAYBE JUST A HAIR ABOVE.
WE ARE BASICALLY ASSURED OF GETTING THIS GRANT.
I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE OPERATORS OF THE PROGRAM AND BASICALLY SAID THIS THING WAS CUSTOM MADE FOR YOU GUYS.
>> SHEILLA, WHAT'S THE ANSWER?
>> THE SALES TAX WAS 5.8% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR AND 7.4% BELOW WHAT WAS BUDGETED.
THE BUDGETED REVENUE WAS 1,761,597 UNDER WHAT WAS BUDGETED IN FISCAL YEAR 2024.
>> WHAT MONTH ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
>> THAT'S THE TOTAL FOR THE YEAR.
>> YEAR END, WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT?
>> THE YEAR END TOTAL COLLECTIONS OR THE AMOUNT THAT WE WERE DOWN?
>> TOTAL COLLECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 INCLUSIVE OF IDC IS 29,251,203.
[03:50:03]
IN THE GENERAL FUND, THE REVENUE WAS 21,938,402.>> WE'RE STILL RUNNING BEHIND.
>> YES, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, THAT'S HOW WE ENDED THE YEAR, $1.7 MILLION LOWER THAN WE HAD BUDGETED.
ON THE HOT TAX SIDE, WE WERE DOWN 10.5% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND 9% FROM THE BUDGETED NUMBERS.
>> WE'LL BE GETTING IS IT OCTOBER'S NUMBERS?
>> NO, THIS IS SEPTEMBER'S NUMBERS.
>> YES, SO WE'LL BE GETTING OCTOBER'S NUMBERS HERE NEXT WEEK?
>> IN DECEMBER, THAT'S RIGHT. WE JUST GOT THOSE.
>> WE JUST GOT SEPTEMBER'S NUMBERS.
>> LET'S GO BACK TO THIS TOPIC. GO AHEAD.
>> IN THE PAST, WHENEVER YOU GET THESE GRANTS.
>> IS THIS HUD FAQ OR CDBG FAQ OR COMBINATION OF BOTH?
>> IT'S CDBG, WHICH IS FUNDED BY HUD.
THAT'S A DERIVATIVE PROGRAM OF HUD.
>> TAKING THIS GRANT, I KNOW THAT A LOT OF GRANTS IN THE PAST, THEY STIPULATE CERTAIN THINGS, EITHER A HAVE TO BE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR INCLUSIVE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, WE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THOSE THINGS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PUSH DOWN OUR THROATS BY GIVING US MONEY.
>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS GRANT IS RIGHT ALONG WITH WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING ANYHOW.
REALLY, THE ONLY ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE BEYOND THE TYPICAL TRANSPORTATION LAND USE, SOCIAL ELEMENTS.
ALL THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT ARE IN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, RESILIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY.
>> SO IS FEMA TIED INTO THAT THEN?
>> YES, AND IN PARTICULAR WITH OUR STORMWATER MASTER PLAN AND WHAT WE'RE PLANNING TO IMPLEMENT WITH THAT, WE'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD TIES WITH THIS CONSULTANT, CHOOSE TO AWARD TO THEM, FOR COORDINATING THOSE PROGRAMS EVENTUALLY WITH WHAT WE WILL DO IN THE SUSTAINABILITY REALM.
THEY'RE NOT ASKING US TO DO ANYTHING WE WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE DOING IN THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ANYHOW.
>> YOU WILL BE COMING TO US IF YOU FEEL FAIRLY ASSURE THAT THIS IS MOVING FORWARD.
IN YOUR GUESSTIMATION, WHEN WILL IT COME TO THEM?
>> THAT'S THE HARD PART, IS THIS IS THE GLO.
REALLY, WE'VE HAD SOME ISSUES IN TYING DOWN WHEN WE THINK THIS WILL ACTUALLY OCCUR, BUT WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT'S COMING.
AGAIN, WE STILL HAVE TWO THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO AMEND, AND I'M THINKING, WE CAN GET THAT DONE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> YOU'RE THINKING MARCH, APRIL?
I'M HOPING AT LEAST BEFORE THAT.
>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS MAYBE WE CAN DO BEFORE THAT GRANT MANAGE EXPECTATIONS BECAUSE THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND TOWN THAT BEEN BUGGING ME ABOUT IT, AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MAKING UP THINGS HOW THEY THINK IT'S GOING TO GO.
I REMEMBER HOW IT WENT AND ACTUALLY IT STARTED IN 2006 GETTING ALL THE MEMBERS ON BOARD BECAUSE I WAS ON THAT COMMITTEE THAT REVISED IT.
WE STARTED IN 2008 AND GOT INTERRUPTED BY A LITTLE HURRICANE AND DIDN'T FINISH UNTIL 2011.
FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS THE WAY IT USED TO BE, AND IT WORKED PRETTY WELL.
I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE THE SIMILAR PROCESS.
THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE WHERE WE HAVE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF SOME KIND AND THEN THERE'S A SEPARATE COMMITTEE FOR EACH ELEMENT.
ALL REPORTS BACK UP AND ALL THAT.
KATHERINE GORMAN WAS ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THAT LAST REVISION.
>> WE WOULD ANTICIPATE CERTAINLY A MAIN STEERING COMMITTEE.
IF THERE WERE SUBCOMMITTEES BEYOND THAT, WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT ALL THAT.
IN FACT, THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO SUGGEST WE MAYBE CONCENTRATE ON.
I WAS 12 YEARS OLD WHEN WE STARTED THE FIRST ONE.
I'D LIKE TO GET A LITTLE SCHOOL ON IT BECAUSE WHAT I THINK WHAT THE ISSUE WITH THE LAST COMP PLAN WAS, I MADE THIS POINT I THINK THE FIRST MEETING, IT'S A GOOD PLAN, BUT WE DIDN'T UPDATE IT.
WE'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE. WHAT ARE OUR VALUES? WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO? WHAT DO WE SEE FOR GALVESTON? WE'RE GOING TO BE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY? ARE WE GOING TO BE THE BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN BE FOR TOURISM? IT'S OBVIOUSLY A BLAME, BUT DISCUSSING THE VALUES, SUBCOMMITTEES, COMMITTEES, HOW THAT'S GOING TO GO MOVE FORWARD.
[03:55:02]
I THINK WE STARTED IT TODAY.LET'S SAY, GLO DROPPED FUNDS IN OUR ACCOUNT TODAY, I THINK WE'D BE A LITTLE PREPARED.
>> TO YOUR POINT, IT'S NOT A STATUTORY DOCUMENT.
IT'S POLICY DOCUMENT THAT INFORMS REGULATION, AND HOW WE USE IT IS IMPORTANT.
YOU'VE SEEN IT USED EVERY TIME WE HAVE A STAFF REPORT ON LANDMARK COMMISSION, PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL.
THERE'S ALWAYS A REFERENCE TO THE COMP PLAN THAT SUPPORTS THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION.
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT. BUT THE OTHER THING THAT IS IMPORTANT IS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO BY THE TERMS OF THAT COMP PLAN, REVIEW EVERY YEAR ON WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE COMP PLAN GOALS.
FOR THIS THING TO HAVE SOME CREDIBILITY IS TO BE ABLE TO REPORT OUT ON ITS USEFULNESS AND HOW WE'RE PROGRESSING AT THE CITY.
THAT'S IMPORTANT TOO: WHAT THE DOCUMENT IS, WHAT IT'S FOR, HOW IT'S USED, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.
>> THEN COUNCILS AND THE PUBLIC'S INPUT ON THE PROGRESSION AND GOING FORWARD AND WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
>> IT'S REALLY SUPPOSED TO REFLECT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO SEE BECAUSE IT'S THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN.
ONCE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS THE PLACE TO BE, THEN IT ALL FEEDS BACK DOWN TO THE REGULATION DEVELOPMENT.
>> EXACTLY. COUNCILMAN PORRETTO, YOU AND COUNCILWOMAN ROBB HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA.
HEARING WHAT TIM HAS SAID, DO YOU HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS OR YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD? LIKE TO SEE HOW THIS GRANT MOVES FORWARD?
>> I THINK MOVING FORWARD, WE SHOULD PROBABLY DISCUSS WHAT AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WOULD LOOK LIKE.
MAYBE WE ALL BRING VALUES AND WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR DISTRICTS.
>> I THINK GALVESTON WANTS TO BE ABLE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN THE GRANT HITS.
>> THAT CONTROL EXPECTATION BECAUSE IS OUT THERE.
>> I THINK THERE'S BIG MISUNDERSTANDING AS TO WHERE OUR COMP PLAIN IS [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, REALLY, IT SHOULD START AT COUNCIL, AS FAR AS [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, I FEEL DIFFERENT ON THEM.
I WOULD SAY, TIM, THOUGH, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE FUNDING FOR THE GRANT AND OUR TIMELINE, OR IS COUNCIL COMFORTABLE IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THE TIMELINE THAT THIS GRANT MAY DICTATE ON THIS?
>> ONLY IF WE CAN BEGIN TO PREPARE THE GROUNDWORK THAT IS GOING TO BE NEEDED TO BE DONE TO CONTROL EXPECTATIONS AHEAD OF THE DAY.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HISTORY WITH DOING THIS.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE MAKING ANYTHING UP.
IF WE COULD GET SOME REVIEW OF THE PROCESS ANTICIPATED, WHICH WILL BE BASED ON OUR PREVIOUS PROCESS, THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION CHART.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, HOUSE COUNCIL INVOLVED, HAVE PLANNING COMMISSION INVOLVED.
ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, ALL THE WAY THROUGH FINAL ADOPTION.
>> COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE COUNCIL THAT SUPPORTS IT.
IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN A GUIDING DOCUMENT.
I HEAR IT ALL THE TIME, WHAT'S THE CITY DOING? THAT'S NOT HOW COMPREHENSIVE PLANS WORK.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS ARE GUIDING DOCUMENTS FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO RECEIVE POLICY INPUT FROM THE CITIZENRY.
THAT'S THE TEXTBOOK 101 GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSE OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
>> THAT'S PROBABLY THE TOP OF A NARRATIVE ON HOW THIS IS ALL GOING TO WORK AND WHAT IT'S FOR.
IT IS EXPLAINING WHAT EXACTLY IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS.
>> I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME WORK THAT CAN BE DONE BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE WITH YOUR CONSULTANT.
I THINK WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO, AND ROBB, AND BROWN ARE POINTING TO IS THAT, LET'S CALL IT A PROJECT DELIVERY PLAN.
THERE'S RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE AS STAFF AND AS COUNCIL HAVE IN TERMS OF SETTING UP THIS FOR SUCCESS, WE CAN DO FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, WHETHER IT BE WHAT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LOOKS LIKE.
I DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN TOO FAR IN TERMS OF WHAT PRIORITIES ARE BECAUSE THAT'S TRULY A PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS.
BUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADMINISTER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE COME BACK IN THE DECEMBER MEETING.
>> HOW OFTEN THEY ARE GOING TO MEET? WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO MEET? HOW ARE THEY GETTING APPOINTED?
>> NOT SPEND MONEY WITH A CONSULTANT FOR THEM TO TAKE US THROUGH THAT ACTIVITY.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE STAFF TAKE US THROUGH THAT ACTIVITY.
>> THAT WAY THE CONSULTANT CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE ACTUALLY, AS STAFF, WE'VE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CONSULTANT PRELIMINARILY.
WE WERE SIMPLY JUST THROWING OUT THE CONCEPTS AND FULLY INTENDING TO ENGAGE WITH YOU GUYS BEFORE WE GET TO THAT FINAL POINT.
THESE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS WE CAN DO OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES.
>> WHEN CAN YOU SIGN WITH THE CONTRACTOR?
>> WE COULD ENGAGE WITH THEM IF WE INTEND TO USE SECONDARY FUNDING, THE 250 [OVERLAPPING]
[04:00:06]
>> NOT UNTIL THE GRANT IS EXECUTED, THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
WE HAVE LEG WORK TO GET PREPARED.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF HOUSE CLEANING WE CAN DO TO GET READY FOR THE GUEST.
>> THE MORE YOU DO THAT, I THINK THE MORE INTEREST IN THE PUBLIC FOR THIS ACTIVITY IS GOING TO GENERATE.
IF THEY'RE HEARING ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING TO WORK, THEY'LL GET PREPARED AND WHEN IT'S TIME, THEY'LL STEP UP, HOPEFULLY.
>> GUIDE ME COUNCIL, WHERE YOU WANT TO GO ON DECEMBER.
YOU WANT SOMETHING ON DECEMBER OR JANUARY?
>> I THINK DISCUSSION AND HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT THIS STAFF WILL GIVE US, AND THEN WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CAN BRING FORWARD FROM CONSTITUENTS AND SO FORTH.
>> GIVE US A COMMUNICATION TOOL.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND, TIM, ON DECEMBER WORKSHOP, WHICH YOU WOULD FORWARD TO THIS.
>> I THINK WHAT WE WOULD DO IS COMP PLAN 101 JUST TO DESCRIBE WHAT TO EXPECT.
I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS ALREADY.
THEN WE COULD GET INTO THE STEERING COMMITTEE, A COMPOSITION, TIMING, ADJUSTMENT, ALL THOSE THINGS.
AT THAT POINT, I COULD COME FORWARD WITH MAYBE A PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATION, IF YOU'D LIKE.
>> IS THIS DOCUMENT IN THE END, WHEN WE'VE GONE THROUGH, IT WILL BE THE GUIDING DOCUMENT FOR THE CONSULTANT.
>> THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING IN DECEMBER, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A COMP PLAN 101 YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.
IT'S GOING TO DESCRIBE THE PROCESS AND THE GOALS AND DEFINITIONS.
THAT PARTICULAR DOCUMENT THERE WHEN WE'RE DONE ACCESSING IT ALL OUT COULD BE A GUIDING DOCUMENT FOR THE CONSULTANTS WHEN THEY COME ON BOARD BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXECUTE THIS.
>> I CAN TELL YOU THESE GUYS THAT WE'VE ALREADY INTERVIEWED.
THEY'RE SHARP. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN THIS.
THEY'RE PLANNERS THROUGH AND THROUGH THIS.
>> I THINK THEY WOULD APPRECIATE SUCH CLARITY AND A GUIDING THING LIKE THIS CAME FROM US.
>> I'LL HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA, COUNCIL, FOR THIS COMING DECEMBER'S WORKSHOP.
TIM, YOU KNOW WHERE WE NEED TO START WITH THAT.
>> MAYOR, ONE LAST THING THAT TIM SAID, HE MENTIONED THAT HE COULD COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS OR CONCEPTS FOR AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE YOU-ALL ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH THESE BEFORE.
ALSO, IT'S EASIER FOR US TO RESPOND AS COUNCIL IF YOU COME FORWARD WITH AN IDEA RATHER THAN JUST [OVERLAPPING] PLEASE DO. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
[3.H. Update From Ex Officios About Scheduled Joint Quarterly Meetings For 2025 (Porretto/Robb - 10 Min)]
>> 3H UPDATE FROM EX OFFICIO ABOUT SCHEDULED JOINT QUARTERLY MEETINGS FOR 2025.
>> VERY GOOD. IT WAS DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL GAVE ME AT OUR LAST MEETING OR MAYBE THE MEETING BEFORE LAST.
BEAU WAS GOING TO BE IN THE LIAISON TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS GOING TO GET WITH THEM.
SEE WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO FROM THE STANDPOINT OF JOINT MEETINGS AND THE FREQUENCY OF THAT.
BOB WAS GOING TO DO THAT WITH PARK BOARD.
BOB HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT PARK BOARD WOULD LIKE TO DO THREE MEETINGS A YEAR.
ALSO, I HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 26 FOR REWARDS BOARD FOR THEM TO GIVE INPUT.
WE'LL BRING THAT BACK, HAVE IT FOR COUNCIL IN DECEMBER.
THEN WE CAN MOVE IT INTO OUR CALENDAR FOR 25.
>> I'VE ACTUALLY ALREADY HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH PARK BOARD LEADERSHIP.
IT'S NOT BEEN TO A VOTE FOR THE MEETING AT THIS POINT.
BUT I'LL JUST LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE I AGREE, WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT IS SCHEDULING AN AGENDA FOR A YEAR OUT FOR A LEASE.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO COMMITTEE.
WE SAID THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS.
IN MY MIND AND IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, WE REALLY BASED ALL THESE MEETINGS ON THE DRIVING THING THAT THE PARK BOARD AND THE CITY NEEDS, AND THAT'S TO CLARIFY THE BUDGET.
THEN WE CREATED MILESTONES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN ACROSS THE YEAR TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT GOAL.
WHAT WE CAME UP WITH WAS WE HAVE FOUR MEETINGS.
I THINK THREE OR FOUR, IF YOU CAN DO IT THREE, GREAT.
BUT IN MARCH, WE START IN MARCH, A JOINT MEETING TO REVIEW THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR GOALS, APPROVE ALL SPECIAL PROJECTS, REVIEW THEIR FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN, THEIR BUSINESS PLAN, THEIR 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH IS A NEW THING COMING UP, AND ALSO CLARIFY UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON POTENTIAL DISASTER RESPONSE ACTION.
THEN IN JULY, WE HAVE THE JOINT MEETING TO REVIEW THE BUDGET DRAFT, PARK BOARD'S BUDGET DRAFT BECAUSE SUB-MILESTONES INCLUDING
[04:05:02]
JULY PARK BOARD BUDGET MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PARK BOARD IN JULY.IN SEPTEMBER, THE PARK BOARD BUDGET IS SENT TO THE CITY FOR APPROVAL.
IN OCTOBER, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES THE HOT CONTRACT.
ALL OF THOSE ARE SUB-MILESTONES UNDER THE JULY MEETING.
THEN IN NOVEMBER, WE REVIEW THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR GOALS, THE ACHIEVEMENTS, AND THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
THEN IN JANUARY, THE JOINT MEETING WOULD REVIEW THE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS, AND THE AUDITS, CLARIFY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT COMES UP.
WE HAVE A REAL CLARITY OF PURPOSE ABOUT THESE MEETINGS AND WHEN THEY'RE SCHEDULED AND WHAT THEIR MAJOR GOALS ARE.
OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE THINGS COMING UP TO DROP INTO THIS AGENDA, BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY MUST COVER IN ORDER TO STAY ON TRACK.
>> OF COURSE COMMUNICATION TODAY.
I JUST THINK, HAVING IT CLEAR.
>> THAT'S THE APPROACH WE TOOK. IF WE NEED TO, I CAN TAKE THAT TO THE PARK BOARD FOR A VOTE OF ACTION OR SOME SUPPORT THERE.
>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD. COULD YOU SEND ME THAT, BOB, THAT LIST? THAT'D BE GOOD.
ANY QUESTIONS? ALEX, I THINK THIS WAS ON ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, SIR?
>> HAVE YOU-ALL HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THE PLANNING?
>> IT'S ON NOVEMBER 26 FOR MORE RESPOND.
>> MAYOR, I SHOULD ENVISION THAT THESE JOINT MEETINGS WOULD BE AT THE SAME TIME A WORKSHOP?
>> MAY I MAKE A RECOMMENDATION IF THEY ARE? THEY ARE NOT INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL MEETINGS.
>> WELL, I HAD TO INTERRUPT, BUT WE HAVE TO PUT THIS ON TO DECEMBER AGENDA BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SET THE SCHEDULE.
>> WE CAN PROBABLY ADD, BUT BETTER TO HAVE IT SET.
>> BETTER TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER IN DECEMBER FOR A VOTE.
>> I AGREE THOUGH THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE REGULAR MEETING.
>> BE PART OF THE REGULAR MEETING.
>> BEFORE THE REGULAR WORKSHOP AGENDA.
>> START AT NIGHT. I CAN GO FOR THAT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, ALEX? VERY GOOD.
WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO IN OUR NEXT ITEM, IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I ASSUME WE WANT TO DO OUR INTERVIEWS AT THIS TIME?
>> SOMEBODY IS GOING TO LEAVE IT FOR ONE.
[5. PARK BOARD APPLICANT INTERVIEWS]
>> LET'S BRING THAT GENTLEMAN IN AND WANT US TO LEAVE IT ONE.
I THINK THAT'S MR. [INAUDIBLE]
>> [OVERLAPPING] GIVEN AN ORDER.
>> THEY GAVE US AN ORDER. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.
>> WELL, HE HAS 130 TX CLASS IN TEXAS CITY.
>> JOSEPH WILLIS HAVE THREE INDIVIDUALS.
MISS O'BRIEN WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND.
KIMBERLY GUIDO HAS WITHDRAWN HER APPLICATION.
SHERRY BROOKS IS WITHDRAWN, AND SCOTT GORDON CAN'T BE HERE, UNFORTUNATELY.
>> HOW MANY INTERVIEWS ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
>> SO YOU DON'T HAVE TIME TO RUN OUT FOR LUNCH?
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME.
>> MR. WILLIS, HOW ARE YOU, SIR?
>> HELLO. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.
I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE TODAY.
WE SO TURN A LITTLE OVER ON OUR WORKSHOP, SO I APPRECIATE YOU HANGING IN THERE WITH US.
APPRECIATE YOU HAVING YOUR APPLICATION, PUTTING YOUR APPLICATION IN FOR THE.
WHAT WE'LL DO HERE, MR. WILLIS WE'LL GIVE YOU ABOUT A JUST A MINUTE OR SO JUST TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOURSELF.
THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO OUR COUNCIL FOR QUESTIONS.
ONCE WE FINISH OUR INTERVIEW TODAY, THEN COUNCIL WILL GO THROUGH A RANKING PROCESS OF THE CANDIDATES.
THOSE WILL BE SUBMITTED TO OUR CITY SECRETARY, AND WE WILL MAKE OUR APPOINTMENTS THEN BASED ON THOSE RANKINGS ON DECEMBER 12 AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETINGS.
>> WELL, I'M JOE WILLIS, AND I'M INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.
THE FIRST REASON IS THAT WHEN WE MOVED HERE IN 2017, I HAD LEFT MIDLAND TEXAS BECAUSE, WELL, MY WIFE LOVES THE BEACH AND WE RETIRED.
AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE IN PARALAN SO IT WAS A NO BRAINER THAT WE WERE GOING TO WE WERE GOING TO BE HERE.
AND WHEN I WAS IN MIDLAND, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND GROUPS THERE, AND I WANTED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT, AND THAT'S THE GENESIS OF MY APPLICATION WAS THAT.
[04:10:02]
THAT'S SOMETHING I I'VE DONE IN THE PAST, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE, I WROTE IT DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET IT WRONG.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, I WAS CHAIR FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
I WAS ON IT FOR FOUR OR FIVE YEARS BEFORE THAT, AND I DON'T HAVE ANY GRAND PLANS TO ANNOUNCE, OH WE WANT TO DO THAT OR WE WANT TO DO THIS.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS BE FRESH EYES ON THE BOARD.
I WANT TO BRING A PERSPECTIVE THAT'S NOT BLOCKED INTO ONE PARTICULAR POINT OF VIEW, BUT JUST LOOKS AT WHAT'S THE BEST FOR OUR CITY? PERIOD. NOT ANYTHING ELSE? WE NEED TO HAVE A BALANCE BETWEEN, IN MY VIEW, WHAT WORKS FOR THE PARK BOARD AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A HUGE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
BUT WE ALSO NEED POLICIES THAT HELP THE FOLKS THAT ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.
I THINK THAT'S THE BALANCE I'M SEARCHING FOR AND WOULD SEARCH FOR ON THE BOARD.
I WANT TO BE THOSE FRESH EYES.
>> THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I CAME TO SAY.
>> QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR MR. WILLIS? ANY THOUGHTS? YES, BOB.
>> MR. WILLIS, IN YOUR APPLICATION, YOU SAID THAT YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU'RE AN EXPERT COMMUNICATOR?
>> IF YOU WOULD MIND TELLING US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU THINK THAT WOULD SERVE YOU IN THIS POSITION AND SERVE THE CITY?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMUNICATION IS.
I TEACH BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION, FOR EXAMPLE, AND COMMUNICATION IS CENTRAL TO BEING EFFECTIVE.
TEAMS IN ANY THING THAT YOU WANT TO TRY TO GET DONE.
WHAT I THINK IT BRINGS US IS A CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO STEP BACK, LISTEN TO FACTS AND NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE OTHER STUFF THAT GETS IN THE WAY OF BEING SUCCESSFUL AS A CITY.
I THINK IF I WOULD POINT YOU TO ONE THING, WHEN I STARTED TEACHING SCHOOL IN 1979 AT TEXAS TECH, NONE OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT YOU HAVE IN HERE TODAY WAS IN EXISTENCE.
I'VE MANAGED TO ADJUST AND ADAPT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THAT TECHNOLOGY TO STILL TEACH STUDENTS TODAY.
IS IT HARD FOR ME? YEAH, BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN I JUST HAD A BLACKBOARD AND DESK, BUT I THINK THAT'S THE KEY.
IF WE CAN FOCUS IN ON WHAT MAKES SENSE RATHER THAN THE SIDE ISSUES.
MY BACKGROUND AS A COMMUNICATOR, I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THAT IN HELPING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LISTEN.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE LEARNED BOTH IN MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS AND MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY FAMILY IS, IF YOU JUST CLOSE THIS AND OPEN THIS, THINGS TEND TO WORK BETTER.
>> YEAH, I CAN'T AGREE YOU MORE ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS IT IS HARD, BUT EVEN TODAY WHEN WE MOVED AWAY FROM BLACK MOORS, IT'S STILL HARD.
>> YES, SIR. IT DOESN'T GET ANY EASIER? ABSOLUTELY NOT. ABSOLUTELY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, MR. WILLIS. AND I APPRECIATE.
I THINK YOUR BACKGROUND AND COMMUNICATION AND SO FORTH IS A VERY BIG PLUS.
AS YOU KNOW, THE PARK BOARDS INVOLVED WITH BASICALLY TOURISM ITEMS, PROMOTION OF THE ISLAND, NOURISHMENT OF THE BEACHES.
THEY CURRENTLY MANAGE THE BEACH PATROL.
IN YOUR MIND, WHAT QUALITIES FROM A TOURISM STANDPOINT DO YOU BRING FROM TO THE PARK BOARD?
>> HONESTLY, PROBABLY NOT MUCH TO BE BLUNT.
I PROBABLY DON'T BRING A LOT IN THAT REGARD.
ACCEPT THE MOTIVATION TO KEEP THINGS CLEAN AND KEEP THINGS APPROPRIATE AND KEEP THINGS THE WAY THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THEM.
I'D BE LYING IF I SAID, OH, YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THE INTRICACIES OF ALL THAT BECAUSE I DON'T.
THAT'S PROBABLY A DRAWBACK FOR ME. THERE YOU GO.
I'M WILLING TO LISTEN AND TO DO THE READING THAT'S NECESSARY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THAT ALL WORKS. BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.
>> VERY GOOD. COUNCILMEMBER ROBB.
>> HI. I OWE YOU A PHONE CALL TOO.
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR APPLICATION TODAY.
A BIG PART OF WHAT THE PARK BOARD DOES HAS THE DOWD BEACHES.
WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON FORTIFIED DUDES?
>> I'M REALLY NOT IN A POSITION TO SAY YEAH OR NEY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT IT.
>> BUT I DO KNOW THAT WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE DO,
[04:15:03]
IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY.>> IT NEEDS TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND IT NEEDS TO BE BASED ON FACTS AND NOT ON, OTHER I FEEL THIS WAY.
I FEEL A LOT ABOUT X OR Y OR Z.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE A STUDENT IN MY CLASS RIGHT NOW THAT I LOVE TO DEATH, BUT HE CAN'T SEEM TO DO AN ASSIGNMENT.
HE CAN'T SEEM TO GET AN ASSIGNMENT IN, SO HE'S GOING TO FAIL, BLESS HIS HEART, BUT I LOVE HIM TO DEATH.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS GREAT CONNECTION.
IT'S REALLY IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL.
BUT NO, I DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT IT.
>> SURE. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBERS?
>> HOW MUCH HAVE YOU KEPT UP BETWEEN CITY AND PARK WELL, THERE'S THE HOT TAX ISSUE AND ALL OF THAT THING, AND YEAH, I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT.
>> HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE AND HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PARK FOR THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, AND SO YOU'RE COMING IN WITH FRESH EYES, HOW HOW WOULD YOU JUST I'LL BE YOUR OWN WORD TO SEE HOW THAT HAS WORKED?
IT'S NOT WORKED AT HOW AS A CITIZEN, JUST LOOKING AT IT.
I WISH THAT THERE WAS THERE'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE TENSION.
>> IT'S BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE LAW IS SET, THERE'S GOING TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TENSION, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT ISN'T A GOOD THING IN SOME WAYS.
BUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO TRY TO REDUCE THAT, TRY TO KEEP A FOCUS ON HOW TO DO THE BEACH, YOU KNOW, HOW WE SHOULD OPERATE, RATHER THAN THE POLITICAL, I DON'T LIKE THE WHAT SUIT YOU'RE WEARING TODAY, NONSENSE.
BUT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I SPEAK TO WHERE I LIVE OUT IN A VIA, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THAT SAME VIEW OF IT.
IT'S LIKE THEY SHOULD JUST QUIT FIGHTING ABOUT STUFF THAT DOESN'T MATTER AND JUST FOCUS ON THEIR JOB.
I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY VALID WAY TO SEE IT.
>> MY SECOND QUESTION IS ABOUT HOT TAX COLLECTIONS.
SHOULD THAT LIE WITH THE CITY OR SHOULD IT LIE WITH THE PARK?
>> WELL, WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
>> IT'S A CITY TAX, BUT WE'VE CHARGED THE PARK BOARD WITH COLLECTING IT.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S IN THE LAW.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I THINK THAT'S A GOOD ARRANGEMENT.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I THINK IF LONG AS YOU'RE FOLLOWING THE LAW AND IT WORKS FOR BOTH GROUPS, I'M I'M GOOD WITH THAT.
I DON'T HAVE ANY LIKE, OH, MY GOD, WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT.
I THINK IF WE BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS, THEN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.
I HAVEN'T LIVED HERE LONG ENOUGH, AS I SAID, I CAME HERE IN 2017, BUT IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE TENSION BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE TENSION BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN BECAUSE YOU KNOW, EACH GROUP WANTS TO HAVE CONTROL, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE LAW IS.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO WORK THAT OUT WITHOUT GETTING IN THE WAY OF DOING OUR BUSINESS FOR THE SENSE SO THIS TEN.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR FRESH EYES.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ME SINGING THAT SONG ON MY HEAD OF MY FRESH EYE.
>> YEAH. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WAS TALKING TO MY STUDENTS.
I SAID AND I WAS DOING THIS TODAY AND THEY WERE GIVING ME ALL THE HINTS.
ONE OF THEM SAID, YOU SHOULD SAY BECAUSE I WAS EXPLAINING WHAT I MEANT BY FRESH EYES AND ONE OF THEM SAID, SAID, OH, YOU SHOULD YOU SHOULD SAY FRESH EYES.
THAT'S A BETTER WAY TO PHRASE IT. I WAS LIKE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WOULD TAKE CREDIT FOR THAT, BUT THAT'S REALLY THERE.
>> TOLD THEM THEY DID A GOOD TO.
>> I WAS PROUD, THEY WANTED EXTRA CREDIT.
>> SURE. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS SO FAR.
I THINK THE ONE THING KNOWING YOUR BACKGROUND, KNOWING YOUR EXPERTISE, AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF PARK BOARD OPERATIONS, THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
IF YOU WERE TO PICK ONE THING OUT OF THE VARIOUS EITHER THINGS THAT THEY DO OR THE PROCESSES THAT THEY CONTROL OR THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR, IS THERE ONE THING THAT IS JUST REALLY INTERESTING TO YOU WHERE YOU SEE, HEY, THAT REALLY INTERESTS ME AND I'D LIKE TO DIG DOWN MORE INTO IT AND UNDERSTAND IT TO SEE IF THERE'S SOME IMPROVEMENT.
>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT JUMPS OUT AT ME IN RESPONSE TO THAT IS, I THINK THEY DO NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATING WHAT THEY DO BETTER.
BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARK BOARD REALLY DOES.
THEY SAY, WELL, IT DEALS WITH TOURISM.
BUT WHAT? THAT'S A FAKE. WELL, OF COURSE, WE KNOW THEY DEAL WITH TOURISM, AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO IS TRY TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THAT,
[04:20:06]
SO I CAN PASS THAT ALONG TO THE FOLKS THAT I'M WITH EVERY DAY.BUT TO ME, THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING IS THE ABILITY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DO.
BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE CONTROL OVER LIKE THE HOT TAX.
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME CLARITY BECAUSE THERE'S JUST ALL KIND OF WELL, ONE GUY TELL ME, OH, THE CITY COUNCIL STEALING THE HOT TAX, AND I SAID, ACTUALLY, I THINK THAT WORKS THE OTHER WAY.
I THINK THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE ONE THAT DOLES OUT AND THEY'RE REALLY AND I SAID, YEAH, I THINK THAT WORKS THE OTHER WAY.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCIL? MR. WILLIS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WILLIS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] LET'S GO DOWN THE REST HERE, WE GOT REST.
>> IT'S IN GRAMMAR. THANK YOU.
>> I'VE NEVER HEARD OF FRENCH.
>> YOU HAVE, IT'S A GREAT SONG. IT'S A CURRENT.
>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'RE NOT IN YOUR LIVING ROOM.
>> YOU GOT TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY SOMETHING TO HAVE FUN WITH.
>> WELL, THAT'S GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE TODAY.
WE'VE RUN A LITTLE OVER ON OUR SCHEDULE, BUT APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION.
AS YOU KNOW, WE'LL DO OUR INTERVIEWS TODAY.
WE WILL THEN RANK THE CANDIDATES, GIVE THOSE TO THE CITY SECRETARY.
THOSE APPOINTMENTS THEN BASED ON THE RANKINGS, THE NOMINATIONS WILL COME TO COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 12.
THAT AFTERNOON IS WHEN WE'LL MAKE OUR APPOINTMENTS.
I LIKE TO GIVE YOU ABOUT A MINUTE OR SO TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF OR INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS, AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS.
>> RANDALL COPPER, BEEN HERE IN GALVESTON SINCE RIGHT AFTER HARVEY MOVED HERE, I GUESS, ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
GOOD FRIENDS OF OURS HAD MOVED HERE THE YEAR BEFORE, AND SO THEY WERE HAVING TOO MUCH FUN SO WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR US TO MOVE DOWN HERE.
I RETIRED FROM THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY AND I RETIRED SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND SO THIS SOUNDED LIKE THE PLACE TO BE.
IT'S CLOSE TO THE GOOD AIRPORTS AND STUFF FOR TRAVELING AND WHATNOT, AND WE JUST LOVED IT HERE.
>> FANTASTIC. WELL, GLAD GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE AND GLAD THAT YOU MADE AN APPLICATION FOR THE PARK BOARD.
LET'S OPEN IT UP FOR QUESTIONS, COUNCIL MEMBERS. YES, BOB.
>> WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK YOU COULD BRING TO THE PARK BOARD TO HELP IT BE SUCCESSFUL?
>> WELL, I'VE HAD QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE ON PUBLIC BOARDS.
THE LAST BOARD THAT I SERVED ON.
I SERVED ON IT FOR MANY YEARS AND ENDED UP AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE APPRAISAL FOUNDATION.
THEY WERE BASED IN WASHINGTON, DC.
WE LOOKED AT EVERYTHING THROUGH THE LENS OF PUBLIC TRUST AND THE APPRAISAL PROFESSION.
I THINK I CAN BRING THAT TO THE PARK BOARD, THE PUBLIC TRUST PART OF BEING A BOARD MEMBER. THANKS.
>> VERY GOOD. RANDALL, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LITTLE WHILE ON THE ISLAND HERE.
PARK BOARD IN THE CITY IS STARTING TO LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF STEWART BEACH AND WHERE THAT'S HEADING.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, AND HOW DO YOU FORESEE STEWART BEACH UNFOLDING AND EVOLVING HERE AS WE MOVE FORWARD?
>> WELL, I THINK YOU GOT A LITTLE JAM THERE AT STEWART BEACH.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS YOU COULD DO.
I COULD SEE, YOU KNOW, SOME UPSCALE RV, MORE RV IMPROVEMENTS DOWN THERE.
THAN THE RV PARK THAT'S ALREADY THERE, IT'S HARD TO SAY THE EXACT VISION, BUT, I WAS THE PROPERTY MANAGER FOR LCRA FOR THE ISLAND LAGS AND I DID ALL THE THE MARINAS AND THE RV PARKS THERE.
LOOKING AT THE PARK THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT'LL BRING LOCALS IN AS WELL AS TOURISTS.
[04:25:05]
YOU BUILD IT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE AND THEN THE TOURISTS CAN COME AND ENJOY IT.ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCILMEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETO.
>> IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS OR SO, HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD AND HOW DO YOU SEE IT MOVING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE?
>> I THINK YOU HAVE TWO BODIES.
THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING THE PARK BOARD IN PLACE AND THE PARK BOARD HAS ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.
>> I THINK THERE A BEEN WHAT I READ THE NEWSPAPER, A LITTLE BIT OF CONTROVERSY GOING BACK AND FORTH.
THAT'S POLITICS I DON'T USUALLY GET INVOLVED IN THAT.
BUT AS FAR AS I SEE, I SEE THE RELATIONSHIP HAS GOTTEN REALLY GOOD, I THINK.
I THINK IT'S BECOME MORE COLLABORATIVE, AND THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT BE AS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS WHERE THE TWO ENTITIES WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF GALVESTON.
>> THE LAST QUESTION FOR ME, HOT TAX COLLECTIONS, SHOULD THE CITY HANDLE IT OR SHOULD THE PARK BOARD HANDLE IT?
>> I THINK HOT TAX SHOULD BE HANDLED THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE.
IF THE CITY I THINK THERE JUST NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING PUT IN PLACE SO THAT IT'S DONE THE SAME WAY ALL THE TIME.
WHETHER THE CITY HANDLES IT OR THE PARK BOARD HANDLES IT, IF YOU HAVE THE PROPER MEASURES IN PLACE, IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE WAY EITHER ENTITY HAS RUN.
BECAUSE WITH THE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO.
I THINK IF YOU PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON WHO'S HANDLING, WHO TAKES THIS OR THAT, THEY NEED TO WORK TO THE BENEFIT OF EACH OTHER. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCILMEMBER, DAVID?
>> KNOWING YOUR SKILL SET IN YOUR BACKGROUND, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU LOOK AT THE OPERATIONS OF AN ENTITY THROUGH THE EYES OF PUBLIC ENSURING PUBLIC TRUST.
KNOWING YOUR SKILL SET AND KNOWING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PARK BOARD.
IS THERE ONE PARTICULAR ITEM OR AREA THAT YOU WOULD LIKE, HEY, I REALLY LIKE THAT OR I REALLY INTERESTED IN? I THINK I MIGHT BE ABLE TO, I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, OR I WANT TO HELP IMPROVE THAT PARTICULAR AREA?
>> WELL, I'VE BEEN SERVING ON THE PARKS AMENITIES COMMITTEE, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE MY EXPERTISE LIES AS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND, PUTTING THINGS IN PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND DO.
WHETHER IT BE A PERSON THAT LIVES HERE OR A PERSON THAT IS COMING AS A TOURIST.
WHAT REALLY INTERESTS ME IS THE FACILITIES THAT THEY'RE OPERATING.
FOR INSTANCE, THE STUFF ON PELICAN ISLAND, I THINK THAT IS UNDER UTILIZED.
THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT COULD BE DONE OUT THERE, BUT IT WOULD TAKE SOME FUNDING TO DO IT.
BUT I THINK THAT FUNDING WOULD PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN.
WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT STEWART BEACH AT.
I THINK PUTTING SOME MONEY INTO STEWART BEACH WITH FACILITIES THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO THE BEACH TO DO, AND THEY'VE BEEN IMPROVING EAST BEACH AND BRINGING MORE LIKE YOUR SPORTING EVENTS OUT THERE, THE VOLLEYBALL, THE LITTLE SOCCER TOURNAMENTS, THE SAN CASTLE TOURNAMENT.
I SEE THESE THINGS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE MEANT TO DO IS BRING PEOPLE IN AND ALSO PROVIDE SOMETHING FOR RESIDENTS.
I LOVE GOING TO THOSE EVENTS LIVING HERE.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> YOUR THOUGHTS ON BEACHES FORTIFIED DUNES OR NON FORTIFIED?
>> OR THOUGHTS ON BEACHES, DUNES, FORTIFIED OR NON FORTIFIED.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT FORTIFIED DUNES, SO I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK OUT OF SCHOOL, BUT I KNOW THAT IF WITHOUT DUNES PROTECTING YOUR BEACHES, YOUR SAND IS GOING TO WASH AWAY AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM.
I THINK THAT PUTTING EFFORT INTO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE DUNES STAY IN PLACE.
I KNOW A LOT OF THE I GUESS AFTER BEFORE BARREL, THE HURRICANE THAT WENT SOUTH OF US AND THEN BARREL.
THERE'S A LOT OF DAMAGE OUT IN THE WEST HAND.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT GETS REPAIRED
[04:30:02]
AND FIXED BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE WHOLE ISLAND.>> THANK YOU. AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, THE FORTIFIED VERSUS SAN FORT, I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK.
WHICH IS BEST. I JUST KNOW WE NEED THEM.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? RANDLE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GREATLY APPRECIATE. NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, I'M GO HOME AND GET SOME SLEEP.
I JUST GOT HOME FROM GERMANY YESTERDAY AND SAW [OVERLAPPING].
> OUR LAST CANDIDATE, SHEILLA BECKER.
>> I HAVE FRESH EYED KEYED UP WHEN Y'ALL WANT TO HERE AND I'LL DO IT AT.
>> LET'S ROLL WITH IT. LET'S GET SOME BACKGROUND MUSIC.
>> I'LL GO WITH THAT AND SOMEONE'S SINGING.
>> I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE.
>> OH, FINE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE TODAY.
WE RAN A LITTLE OVERBOARD, AS YOU CAN SEE AND OVER TIME, BUT APPRECIATE THAT, AND I APPRECIATE ALSO YOU FILING YOUR APPLICATION TO BE ON THE PARK BOARD.
WE'LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE OR SO TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOURSELF AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE WILL THEN AFTER THE INTERVIEWS RANK THE CANDIDATES, WE'LL GIVE OUR RANKINGS TO OUR CITY SECRETARY.
WE WILL BE MAKING THESE APPOINTMENTS ON DECEMBER 12.
IT'LL BE AT OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING BASED IN THE NOMINATIONS WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE RANKINGS GIVEN BY COUNCIL. GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> WELL, THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR TIME, AND IT'S NICE TO BE HERE WITH YOU, MAYOR BROWN, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME. I'M MICHELLE BECKWITH.
I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT IN GALVESTON FOR 31 YEARS.
I WORK IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND I'VE WORKED IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY FOR OVER 30 YEARS AS WELL.
I'M CURRENTLY WITH THE SAN LOUISE RESORT.
I FEEL THAT I WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THE PARK BOARD BECAUSE I AM A HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL.
THAT'S MY EXPERTISE, AND I THINK I BRING SOMETHING TO THE BOARD THAT THEY DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE RIGHT NOW.
I'M A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I CURRENTLY BELONG TO THE GALVESTONAL ROTARY CLUB WITH MR. FINKLEA.
I'M ALSO ON THE GALVESTON REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD.
I'M AN ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER FOR THE GALVESTON HUMANE SOCIETY AND FOR THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE.
THROUGH MY RELATIONS WITH WORK AND LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE GOOD RELATIONS WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS WITH THE CITY PARK BOARD AND RESIDENTS.
ONE OF MY STRENGTHS IS THAT I'M A STRATEGIC THINKER.
I BELIEVE IN COLLABORATION, AND I BELIEVE THAT RESULT ORIENTED SOLUTIONS, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.
I THINK I'D BE A GOOD ADDITION TO THE PARK BOARD.
>> LET'S OPEN IT UP TO QUESTIONS. COUNCIL MEMBERS.
>> I'LL GO AGAIN. HOW DO YOU SEE THE CURRENT STATE OF COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD, AND HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO CHANGE IT?
>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK THAT THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH.
THERE'S BEEN SOME GROWING PAINS BETWEEN THE PARK BOARD AND THE CITY.
BUT I FEEL LIKE RIGHT NOW THAT IT IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I WOULD PUSH FOR PEOPLE TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE AND OPEN COMMUNICATION.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S HOW YOU SOLVE PROBLEMS AND YOU GET TO THE PLACE THAT YOU WANT TO BE.
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS NEXT, BUT BOB STILL MY QUESTIONS AROUND.
THE HOT TAX COLLECTION, SHOULD THAT BE WITH THE CITY OR WITH THE PARK BOARD?
[04:35:02]
>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE WHERE IT'S MOST EFFICIENT.
WITHOUT DIVING INTO EXACTLY HOW IT'S DONE AND THE EFFICIENCIES THAT ARE BEING DONE RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO ANSWER, BUT WHATEVER IS THE MOST EFFICIENT TO BE ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE IS WHERE I THINK IT SHOULD BE.
I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT IT MATTERS WHERE MONEY IS HELD AS LONG AS IT'S DONE PROPERLY, AND IT'S ACCESSIBLE WHEN NEEDED.
>> KNOWING YOUR STRENGTHS AND YOUR SKILL SET, YOU VERY CLEARLY SAID YOU'RE A HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONAL AND YOU BELIEVE THAT THAT IS NEEDED AS FAR AS AN IMPORTANT VIEW GIVEN THE PARK BOARD ACTIVITIES.
KNOWING ALL OF THE PARK BOARD ACTIVITIES AND KNOWING YOUR SKILL SET AND INTEREST.
WHAT'S AN AREA OR ITEM OR PROCESS OR WHATEVER THAT YOU'RE LIKE, HEY, I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN THAT.
I'D LIKE TO DIG DOWN ON IT AND SEE WHAT I CAN LEARN AND MAYBE HELP BRING SOME MORE VALUE OR IMPROVEMENT TO THAT.
>> I THINK JUST MARKETING TO INDIVIDUALS TO BRING MORE VISITORS AND WHEN I SAY VISITORS, WE NEED THE RIGHT VISITORS.
WE NEED THE VISITORS THAT ARE GOING TO COME TO THE ISLAND, STAY MORE THAN ONE DAY AND SPEND MONEY IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN OUR SHOPS, IN OUR RESTAURANTS, IN OUR HOTELS, EVEN IN OUR GROCERY STORES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS THIS COMMUNITY GOING.
>> THANK YOU. WELL, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO ASK A QUESTION BECAUSE I'VE KNOWN YOU PROBABLY FOR 30 YEARS.
LONGER THAN THAT I HAVE WORKED ON MANY AN EVENT WITH YOU OR I SHOULD SAY MANY A SUCCESSFUL EVENT WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SO GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PORT BEACH IS, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT FORTIFIED DUDES OR NON FORTIFIED DUDES?
>> I THINK WHATEVER KEEPS THE BEACHES THERE.
AND IF THAT MEANS IT'S FORTIFIED, THEN THAT'S WHAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD DO.
THERE'S A LOT IN GALVESTON OTHER THAN BEACHES.
BUT I THINK BEACHES IS THE NUMBER 1 THING THAT BRINGS VISITORS TO GALVESTON.
I THINK WE SHOULD FORTIFY OUR BEACHES AND SAVE THEM.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS THE RIGHT ANSWER, BUT THAT'S WHAT I THINK.
>> LIKE MARIE, I'VE KNOWN YOU REALLY LONG TIME AND ALWAYS HAVE HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, SO IT'S MORE JUST GETTING IT OUT PUBLIC.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A REAL GOOD PULSE ON HOW WE'RE DOING AS FAR AS FOR THE YEAR FOR TOURISTS THAT ARE COMING IN.
WHERE LIKE BEING ABLE TO GAUGE THAT, WHERE DO YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES OR WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THAT BOARD AS FAR AS PROMOTING AND MARKETING THIS ISLAND?
>> I THINK I HAVE A GOOD PULSE WITH THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND I CAN BRING TO THE BOARD WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT WE NEED TO GET THOSE VISITORS HERE.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT I THINK, AND I THINK THAT THAT CHANGES ALL THE TIME? IT REALLY DOES. IT DEPENDS ON THE ECONOMY? WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD ON HOW VISITORS ARE COMING AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO ATTRACT THEM? I THINK HAVING SOMEONE THAT'S LIKE WITH THE HOTEL YEARS AND THE RESTAURANTS AND THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, I CAN COME BACK TO THE PARK BOARD AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS THE PULSE.
>> MICHELLE, I HAVE A QUESTION.
YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THE LENGTH THAT YOU'VE BEEN IN THERE, DO YOU THINK THERE'S SUCH A CONCEPT OF HAVING TOO MANY TOURISTS ON THE ISLAND? IF SO, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED?
>> I THINK YOU CAN HAVE TOO MANY TOURISTS IF THEY'RE NOT THE RIGHT TOURIST.
ONCE AGAIN, I BELIEVE IN THAT HIGH VALUE TOURIST THAT'S COMING HERE AND SPENDING MORE THAN ONE DAY, AND I BELIEVE YOU MARK IT TO THAT PERSON THAT'S GOING TO COME THAT WILL GO TO OUR RESTAURANTS AND GO TO OUR SHOPS.
NOT JUST THE PERSON THAT'S COMING IN FROM HOUSTON GOES TO THE BEACH FOR THE DAY, BRINGS THEIR OWN FOOD, AND THEN THEY LEAVE.
THAT'S HARD, AND THOSE BEACHES ARE PUBLIC AND THEY ARE FOR EVERYBODY TO ENJOY, SO I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE.
I JUST THINK FOR GALVESTON, WE NEED A HIGH VALUE GUEST THAT'S COMING AND SPENDING TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SPENDING MONEY.
>> HOW DO YOU SEE A FOLLOW UP AND I WOULD AGREE.
HOW DO WE IF YOU'RE ON THE PART BOARD, WHAT DECISIONS ARE MADE TO TRY TO PROMOTE THAT HIGH VALUE TOURIST?
>> I WOULD THINK THAT YOU WOULD SPEND TIME WITH HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING MARKETED, YOU'RE SPENDING IN MARKETING AND WHERE THE MARKETING IS GOING AND MAKING
[04:40:01]
SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SO THAT WE'RE MARKETING TO THE RIGHT GROUP OF PEOPLE.>> I'LL GIVE YOU A PHONE CALL. LIKE MARIE SAID EARLIER.
IN YOUR APPLICATION, YOU MENTIONED A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST, PLAIN WITH THAT.
>> MY PARTNER DOES WORK FOR VISIT GALVESTON AS THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, AND I FELT LIKE JUST FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY, THAT I SHOULD MENTION THAT.
>> VISIT GALVESTON IS PART OF THE PARK CODE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? MICHELLE, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, AND THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
>> HOPEFULLY YOU WILL CHOOSE ME.
>> COUNSEL, WE HAVE ACTUALLY FINISHED OUR INTERVIEWS AND PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 5512071,
[4. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, AND EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED TO DISCUSS AND RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE CONCERNING PENDING LITIGATION AND/OR A SETTLEMENT OFFER OR ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OR THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THIS CHAPTER RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING, ONE, REPORT ON POSSIBLE EPA ENFORCEMENT ACTION, ARISING OUT OF INSPECTION AT THE PORT OF GALVESTON AND TWO STATUS REPORT AND SUGGESTED DIRECTION RELATED TO THE PROPERTY OF 4229 SAND CRAB, GALVESTON, TEXAS.IT IS 12:51 P.M, AND WE ARE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
VERY GOOD. IT'S 1:54 P.M. WE ARE NOW OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.
WE ARE NOW ADJOURNED AT 1:54 P.M. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.