[00:00:02] >> WE READY TO GO, JANELLE. [1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER] GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IT IS 5:00 PM AND I'M OFFICIALLY CALLING THE CITY OF GALVESTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR DECEMBER 12 TO ORDER. GLAD TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE IN THE AUDIENCE HERE. COUNCIL SPENT A LONG DAY FOR US, BUT A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION IN WORKSHOP THIS MORNING. FOR THOSE THAT ARE WATCHING IN THE COMMUNITY, WELCOME TO OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR DECEMBER. WE DO HAVE A QUORUM HERE, BUT LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR BROWN. >> PRESENT. >> MAYOR PRO TEM ROB. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER LEWIS. >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEA. >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN. >> HERE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETTO. >> PRESENT. >> COUNCIL MEMBER RAWLINS. >> HERE. >> VERY GOOD. ALL OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE HERE AND ACCOUNTED FOR. HAVE OUR INVOCATION. WE HAVE THE REVEREND DICK MADDIX. REVEREND MADDIX, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, SIR. >> MY PLEASURE. AS WE COME TO THE END OF THE YEAR, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE ON THE PART OF CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH, DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, MY CHURCH, BUT MORE THAN THAT, THE GALVESTON MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE, WHOM YOU HAVE INVITED AT EACH AND EVERY MEETING TO COME AND PROVIDE THIS INVOCATION, THIS OPENING OF A PRAYER. THIS HAS BEEN OUR HONOR. WE PRAY THAT IN SOME WAY THAT BLESSINGS MAY HAVE COME TO YOU BY VIRTUE OF US OFFERING THOSE PRAYERS. NOW WHAT MAY WE PRAY TOGETHER? HOLY GOD, AS WE BREATHE OUT THAT WHICH WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS DAY, THE STRESSES, PERHAPS THE CONFUSION, THE SETTING ASIDE THOSE THINGS THAT WE INTENDED TO DO, BUT NEVER WERE ABLE TO GET TO. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARRIVE AT THIS PLACE WITH SOME STRESS, PERHAPS SOME WORRY. FATHER LORD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE ALSO THAT AS WE BREATHE OUT, AND THEN BREATHE IN, WE BREATHE IN YOUR SPIRIT. A SPIRIT THAT IN THIS TIME OF THE YEAR BRINGS FORTH PEACE. WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH GRATITUDE THAT YOU ARE HERE, HAVE COME BEFORE US TO PREPARE THIS PLACE FOR THIS MEETING, AND NOW GOD AS WE BREATHE IN, AS WE BREATHE OUT, PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR WHAT'S BEFORE US THIS DAY. ESPECIALLY OUR LORD, THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO GIVE SO MUCH TO ALL OF US IN THIS COMMUNITY ON THIS ISLAND, AND EVEN BEYOND. EVERY DELIBERATION, EVERY ACTION THAT'S TAKEN THIS NIGHT, LORD, LET IT BE FROM THE FOUNDATION AND EXPRESSION OF LOVE WITH NO REGARD FOR POWER, POSITION, OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS, LORD, WHICH BRINGS EVEN GREATER CHALLENGES TO OUR LIFE. LORD, WE SETTLE BEFORE YOU NOW AND WE HONOR YOU, AND WE THANK YOU FOR LIFE AND LOVE, AND FOR ALL THOSE THINGS THAT FILL THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH JOY. IN YOUR HOLY NAME, WE PRAY NOW AND FOREVER, AMEN. >> AMEN. >> THANK YOU, REVEREND MADDIX. LET'S HAVE OUR PLEDGE, PLEASE. >> OF ALLEGIANCE]. >> COUNSEL, DO WE HAVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, ANY COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO DECLARE? HEARING NO RESPONSE. [6. PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS OF COUNCIL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER] NELLIE, LET'S GO TO ITEM 6, PLEASE? >> ITEM 6, PRESENTATIONS, REPORTS OF COUNSEL, OFFICER BOARDS, AND CITY MANAGER, 6A, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.0415, THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REPORT ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. >> I'D LIKE TO BEGIN. WE'VE HAD ENTERTAINMENT IN OUR FOYER AND THEN HERE THIS MORNING OR THIS AFTERNOON WITH TWO TALENTED MUSICIANS, AND I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE HOLIDAY MUSIC IS PROVIDED BY THE COASTAL SERVICE. IT'S AUSTIN TAYLOR AND EZRA KAI. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS AFTERNOON. EZRA IS THE WORSHIP LEADER AT GALVESTON CENTRAL CHURCH, AND AUSTIN WORKS AT UTMB. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEM PLAY AT YOUR NEXT GATHERING, YOU CAN REACH THE COASTAL SERVICE ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM. THEY HAVE JUST FINISHED THEIR HOUSE CONCERT SERIES AND ARE BOOKING NOW FOR THEIR SPRING SERIES. THEY'RE GOING TO ENTERTAIN US WITH ONE MORE SONG AND THEN [00:05:03] I'M GOING TO ASK FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE WE GET TOO DEEP INTO OUR AGENDA TO GIVE YOUR HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. GO RIGHT AHEAD, SIR. >> [MUSIC]. >> [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND OUR CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND I'M GOING TO START WITH OUR MAYOR PRO TEM. YOU WANT TO GO THE OTHER SIDE. OKAY. SHARON. HELLO. [INAUDIBLE] ISLAND, AND A SPECIAL GREETING TO THE WIFE OF DAVID MILLER, A 90 PLUS OLD RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 1, WHO HAS BEEN A LITTLE UNDER THE WEATHER AND LARRY MITCHELL. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND TO THE WHOLE GALVESTON ISLAND. THANKS. >> HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE. THIS SEASON, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE EFFORTS OF OUR CITY STAFF WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY THRIVING. YOUR DEDICATION FROM MAINTAINING THE BEACHES THAT ATTRACT OUR VISITORS TO ENSURING AN ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICE RUNS SMOOTHLY DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED. TO OUR RESIDENTS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, COLLABORATION, AND THE PRIDE THAT YOU BRING TO OUR CITY. TOGETHER, WE CREATE A WONDERFUL, VIBRANT COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYBODY CAN FLOURISH. I WISH ALL THE STAFF, OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON. GOD BLESS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU ALL HERE FOR JOINING US. I WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY ON THE ISLAND A WONDERFUL AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS AND PREPARE FOR A GREAT AND PRODUCTIVE NEW YEAR. THANK YOU. >> THANKS. I'D LIKE TO JUST WISH EVERYBODY HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH. THIS IS A GREAT JOB, AND I KNOW THANKSGIVING IS GONE, BUT I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE TRUST THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS AND ALL OF US UP HERE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS AND JUST REST ASSURED THAT WE'RE DELIVERING THEM CHRISTMAS PRESENTS EVERY DAY OR TRYING TO TO MAKE GALVESTON A BETTER PLACE. THANK YOU. HAPPY HOLIDAYS AGAIN. >> COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. >> TO ALL THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY. SELFISHLY, I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M VERY THANKFUL AND [00:10:02] LOOK FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS WITH MY THREE, TUCKER, AVA AND GANNON, AND OF COURSE, MY TWO LITTLE GRAND KIDS, AND ALL THAT WE'VE COMBINED AS A FAMILY. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY DURING THIS BREAK. I WANT TO SAY, I'M VERY THANKFUL AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH IN 2025, I THINK WE HAVE A VERY GOOD COUNSEL AND IT'S A COUNCIL THAT PRESSES EACH OTHER LIKE AN OFFENSE DOES A DEFENSE, BUT THEY'RE STILL ON THE SAME TEAM. THERE'S A LOT OF FOCUS THIS COMING YEAR ON MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE A COUNCIL THAT DOESN'T JUST TALK ABOUT IT, WE ACTUALLY ARE GOING TO GET IT DONE. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO GALVESTON, I LOVE MY ISLAND AND THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU. >> WELL, I WANT TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND MOST OF ALL, IN THE NEW YEAR, MAY YOU HAVE GOOD HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND MANY BLESSINGS. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU TO ALL THESE FOLKS THAT I SERVE WITH AND EVERYONE AT THE CITY WHO DOES SUCH AN EXCELLENT JOB. GOSH, EVEN JASON, SOMETIMES, THANK YOU, BUT I HOPE YOU HAVE THE MERRIEST OF HOLIDAYS, FAMILY, LOVE, AND PEACE. MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO WIND THINGS UP. AS THE MAYOR HERE. I WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE HERE IN THE CITY, CITY STAFF FOR ALL THAT THEY DO IN MAKING THIS CITY IN MY OPINION IS EVEN BETTER FROM YEAR TO YEAR. I WANTED TO WISH FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE, ANGELA, I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. ANY FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT ANYBODY HAS? YES, BOB. >> I GOT ONE. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU ALL REMEMBER THE GHOST WOLVES OF GALVESTON AND THE TOWN HALLS THEY HAD OUT AT MOODY GARDENS. WELL, THEY'RE GOING TO DO THEIR THIRD ANNUAL GHOST WOLF TOWN HALL. I'M GOING TO JUST READ A LITTLE SUMMARY TO YOU ABOUT THIS EVENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT IT. THIS SAYS ACCLAIMED GALVESTON GHOST WOLVES SCIENTIST DR. BRIDGET VON HOLT AND, DR. KRISTEN BRISKI WILL BE IN GALVESTON FOR THE THIRD ANNUAL GALVESTON GHOST WOLVES TOWN HALL TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 11, SIX O'CLOCK TO 8:30 P.M. AND MOODY GARDENS AUDITORIUM, WHICH HAD AN OVERFLOW ATTENDANCE AT LAST YEAR'S TOWN HALL. THE AGENDA WILL INCLUDE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT RESEARCH REGARDING GALVESTON GHOST WOLVES AND THE ALMOST EXTINCT RED WOLF. OTHER SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE GHOST WOLF DISCOVERER, RON WOOTON, GALVESTON ISLAND HUMANE SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOSH HENDERSON, AND HE'S USUALLY HERE WITH A DOG, AND I DON'T SEE HIM RIGHT NOW. IN ADDITION TO THE GHOST WOLF UPDATE, AN ARCHITECT REPRESENTING THE A WEST END DEVELOPMENT OF 16 ACRES ON THE END OF THE SEAWALL, WHO IS WORKING WITH THE GHOST WOLF TEAM TO INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE CONCEPTS INTO THE DESIGN PLANS, WE'LL DO A PRESENTATION THERE. DR. BRIDGET VON HOLT, PROFESSOR OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND DR. KRISTEN BRISKI ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MICHIGAN TECH UNIVERSITY HAVE BROUGHT WORLD ACCLAIM TO GALVESTON THROUGH GROUNDBREAKING GENETIC RESEARCH, IDENTIFYING GALVESTON GHOST WOLVES AS CARRYING SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF DNA OF THE ENDANGERED RED WOLF. THE SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN EMBRACED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND HAD BEEN FORMALLY RECOGNIZED BY THE PARK BOARDS WOMEN AND SCIENCE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS ARTIST BOATS FLOAT THE BOAT ANNUAL GALA. THEIR RESEARCH, WHICH MAY HELP REVIVE THIS ENDANGERED SPECIES FOCUSES ON GENETICALLY UNIQUE AND SCIENTIFICALLY IMPORTANT GHOST WOLVES AND HAS BROUGHT WIDESPREAD POSITIVE MEDIA ATTENTION TO GALVESTON, INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES, AND NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, TV INTERVIEWS, DOCUMENTARIES, PODCAST. VISION GALVESTON RESEARCH HAS ESTIMATED THAT THIS FREE MEDIA TO BE VALUED IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR GALVESTON. THE GHOST WOLVES ENTHUSIASM HAS REINFORCED THE COMMITMENT AMONG LOCAL CONSERVATIONISTS TO PROTECT THE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE, WHICH ATTRACTS RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND REVENUES. THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE CONDUCTING A CLASS AT ALI THE DAY BEFORE. THAT'S 10TH OF JANUARY AT TEN O'CLOCK. YOU HAVE TO REGISTER OR TO SIGN UP FOR IT, AND THERE'S ALREADY ABOUT 85 OR 90 PEOPLE REGISTERED. TO DO SO, YOU SCAN A QR CODE AND IT TAKES YOU TO A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN REGISTER. THAT QR CODE IS ON SOME FLYERS THAT ARE OUT IN THE LOBBY FOR ANYBODY HERE THAT'S INTERESTED, JUST GRAB ONE AND TAKE IT HOME. >> THANK YOU, BOB, SHARON, AND THEN WE HAVE COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. YES. >> I DO HAVE ONE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE NIA CULTURE CENTER. [00:15:01] ON DECEMBER SATURDAY, DECEMBER THE 28TH IS QUANZA AT THE OLD CENTRAL CULTURAL CENTER. IT IS THE VILLAGE KEEPERS DISTINGUISHED AWARDS, AND THEY WILL BE HONORING EIGHT PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY. >> IF YOU CAN MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR 6:00 PM AT THE OLD CENTRAL CULTURAL CENTER ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28. I APOLOGIZE IT'S AT 4:00 NOT 7:00, 04:00 PM. THANK YOU. >> COUNCILMAN. YES. >> IF YOU DRIVE EAST ON THE SEAWALL, GETTING TOWARDS STEWART BEACH, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT OUR STEWART BEACH PAVILION IS NOW GONE. IT'S A BIG STEP FOR US, AND AS I SAID, AS A COUNCIL, I THINK THAT WE ARE WORKING HARD TOGETHER TO PUSH EACH OTHER TO GET PROJECTS DONE INSTEAD OF JUST DISCUSS THEM. EARLIER IN WORKSHOP. IF YOU FEEL FREE TO GO WATCH IT ON GTV, BUT WE DISCUSSED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US TO GET A PLAN TOGETHER TO REPRESENT TO THE COMMUNITY. AS TO OUR NEXT STEP BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO GET THE BEACH PATROL BACK IN A PLACE AND OUT OF THE TRAILERS AND THAT JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY KNEW WHAT'S GOING ON AND THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING SOMETHING OUT THERE TO THE PUBLIC TO MEET THE NEEDS OF BEACH PATROL AND FOR THE BUILDING, GETTING A PLANE OUT THERE TO PRESENT SO THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING MOVING AND PUTTING SOMETHING BACK THERE. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY KNEW ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU. >> AS WE APPROACH THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND AS ONE WHO HASN'T STARTED CHRISTMAS SHOPPING YET, I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE TO SHOP LOCAL. WE HAVE SO MANY WONDERFUL STORES ON THE ISLAND AND ANOTHER GREAT GIFT IS TO STOP AT A RESTAURANT OR YOU COULD GO TO THE EMPORIUM, PICK UP A NUMBER OF 2020 $5 GIFT CARDS. YOU COULD GIVE THEM TO YOUR TRASHMAN, YOUR MAILMAN, AND THEN YOU'RE DOUBLY HELPING A BUSINESS. YOU'RE SUPPORTING THEM. THEY'LL GO THERE, SPEND A LITTLE MORE. I'D LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE ABOUT THERE'S STILL TIME TO SHOP LOCAL, WHICH I'LL PROVE NEXT WEEK, AND TO MAKE SURE YOU SUPPORT ALL OUR BUSINESSES ON THE ISLAND. THANKS. >> ONE LAST THING, IT'S A CELEBRATORY TIME HERE AT CHRISTMAS, BUT WANTED TO EXTEND FROM THE CITY OF GALVESTON, OUR SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES TO JERRY MOON AND HIS WIFE WINKI. THEIR SON SUDDENLY PASSED AWAY WITH A UNEXPECTED HEART ATTACK HERE RECENTLY, AND IT'S BEEN QUITE A LOSS TO THE FAMILY. THOSE THAT KNOW THE ISLAND HERE AND FOLLOWS IT, JERRY AND WINKI HAVE BEEN INTEGRAL IN MOVING THIS ISLAND FORWARD, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST END. WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHIES AND CONDOLENCES TO THAT FAMILY. >> I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO DAVID MILLER, WISHING YOU WELL. YOU'LL BE IN MY PRAYERS, PAL. YOU GOT THIS. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER? YES, DAVID. >> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO LIFT AND CELEBRATION THE LIFE OF MARIA SMITH, WHO IS A BOI WHO GAINED HER WINGS AT THE RIGHTFUL AGE OF 100 RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. THE FAMILY REACHED OUT TO US, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY RESPONDED WITH A RECOGNITION FOR HER. I JUST WANTED TO LIFT OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THAT FAMILY IS A CELEBRATED THE LIFE OF A CENTURION. >> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS, COUNCIL? LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 6B, PLEASE. >> ITEM 6B. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT PRESENT FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET REPORT FOR FOURTH QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. >> THIS IS CSILLA LUDANYI AND I SEE HER COMING ACROSS THE HALL, OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR HERE IN GALVESTON. GOOD EVENING. CSILLA. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THE FOURTH QUARTER REPORT IS FOR THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2024. IT WAS PRESENTED. I ALWAYS RUN, THEN I'M OUT OF BREATH WHEN I GET OUT. IT WAS PRESENTED TO THE FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON DECEMBER 3, AND BASED ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS REPORT, YOU WILL RECEIVE BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING '24 FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER, 2024 IN JANUARY. BUT TO BE TIMELY AND TO GO OVER THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2024, I WANT TO BRING A COUPLE OF THINGS TO YOUR ATTENTION. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPORT IS THE LETTER, THE TRANSMITTAL LETTER, AND THE ITEMS IN THE TRANSMITTAL LETTER THAT I THINK ARE OVERARCHING FOR [00:20:04] OUR COMPLETION OF FISCAL YEAR 2024 IS THE GENERAL ENDING FUND BALANCE, WHICH WAS $23.8 MILLION. THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 113 DAYS OF OPERATING RESERVES AS OF THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. THIS IS DOWN 15.9% FROM THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2023, WHICH AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2023, WE HAD ABOUT 134 DAYS. OUR STATED GOAL IS 120, BUT THE CHARTER REQUIREMENT IS ONLY 90, SO WE'RE WITHIN THE CHARTER REQUIREMENT, BUT IT IS A SHIFT DOWN. SOME OF THIS WAS IMPACTED BY SALES TAX REVENUE, WHICH WAS DOWN ABOUT 7.4% FROM WHERE THE BUDGET WAS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE BARREL EXPENSES WHICH WERE ALSO OBVIOUSLY NOT PLANNED FOR. WHILE WE WILL GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR SOME OF THOSE BARREL EXPENSES, ABOUT 75% OF THEM IS WHAT WE'RE HOPING. THE YEAR END FUND BALANCE IS STILL A CASUALTY OF THAT BECAUSE ANY REIMBURSEMENT WE GET FROM FEMA IS NOT ACCRUED BACK TO FISCAL YEAR '24. THIS IS THE WAY FISCAL YEAR '24 ENDS INCLUSIVE OF THOSE BARREL COSTS. HIGHLIGHTS, AS YOU KNOW, WE CRUISE PASSENGER CHARGES AND LONG TERM PARKING REVENUE, BOTH OF WHICH WERE UP FROM WHERE WE BUDGET. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE. I SHOULDN'T RUN, ESPECIALLY IN HEELS. PROPERTY TAX REVENUE COLLECTIONS FOR THE YEAR END, WERE 98.2%. THAT REMAINDER, AS YOU KNOW, WILL BE PART OF THE DELINQUENT COLLECTIONS IN FUTURE YEARS. PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR '24, WAS THE 408850, AND THAT WILL BE MAINTAINED GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR '25, AS YOU KNOW. LET ME SEE. WHAT ELSE? HIGHLIGHT. HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX, AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, WAS DOWN 9% FROM WHAT WAS BUDGETED. THIS IS ABOUT 2.7 MILLION DOLLAR LESS THAN WE ANTICIPATED AND THAT IS THE EFFECT OF THAT WILL BE FELT BY ALL THE BUDGETED RECIPIENTS OF THAT HOT REVENUE. ADDITIONALLY, JUST VERY QUICKLY, THE HIGHLIGHTS. PAGE 2 OF THE REPORT SHOWS YOUR REVENUE AMOUNTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 IN THE GENERAL FUND, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT $1.6 MILLION DEFICIT COMPARED TO SALES TAX BUDGET, AS WELL AS THE 98.2% COLLECTIONS ON PROPERTY TAX. AS YOU FLIP TO PAGE, LET'S SEE, HOLD ON, 12 OF THE BUDGET, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE SEPARATION FUND AND THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO DO BUDGET AMENDMENTS. WE HAD A LOT OF LONG TIME EMPLOYEES LEAVE IN THE PAST YEAR AND SO THE AMOUNTS OWED TO THEM WERE HIGHER THAN PROJECTED. THIS WILL REQUIRE A BUDGET AMENDMENT AT YEAR END. I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ON PAGE 28, WE TALKED A LOT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS ABOUT STABILIZING THOSE FUND BALANCES IN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS, AND I THINK THE WORK WE DID AND THEN DIALING BACK OUR EXPENDITURES AT YEAR END, ALL THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ARE EXITING 24 ON SOLID FOOTING. SANITATION IS THE ONLY ONE THAT STILL HASN'T MET OUR GOAL OF 90 DAY FUND BALANCE. IT IS NOT REQUIRED IN THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS, IT IS IDEAL. BUT HOPEFULLY THE SANITATION RATE CHANGES THAT TOOK EFFECT FOR FISCAL YEAR '25 WILL ASSIST WITH THAT AS WELL. FINALLY, THE LAST BUDGET AMENDMENT OR THE LAST PORTION OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT IS RELATED TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUND. WE WERE SELF INSURED FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION, AND SO THERE WILL BE A PART OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENT IN JANUARY, WILL ADDRESS THAT AS WELL. AND THEN THE LAST PAGE THAT I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION IS PAGE 72, WHICH IS THE SUMMARY OF THE BARREL COSTS THAT WERE INCURRED IN FISCAL YEAR '24. THIS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE OF REPAIRS AND LARGER CAPITAL ITEMS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN AND ARE CONTINUING TO HAPPEN IN FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26 TO REPAIR SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, BUT THE COSTS INCURRED IN '24 ARE CAPTURED FOR YOU ON PAGE 72, AND YOU WILL SEE A CITYWIDE COLUMN, GENERAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUNDS, AND OTHER YOU'LL SEE THAT THE OVERALL EXPENDITURE IMPACT IN FISCAL YEAR '24 IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT $3,024,598. GENERAL FUND INCURRED ABOUT 1,011,000 OF THAT, AND ENTERPRISE FUND EXPERIENCED ABOUT $1.7 MILLION OF THAT. WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT ABOUT 75% OF THAT WILL BE REIMBURSED AS WE MOVE FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, BUT THAT'S JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF WHAT WAS INCURRED IN THE INITIAL RESPONSE. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR ME? [00:25:02] >> ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL? >> I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, BUT IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH, THERE'S A THAT THAT SHOULD BE THEN RIGHT BEFORE OPTIMAL. >> WELL, THANK YOU. I'LL CHECK IT OUT. >> I PICKED THAT UP LAST. >> NO, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? >> ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCIL, OR COMMENTS? CSILLA, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE IT. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 7, NELLIE. [7. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS] >> ITEM 7, COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS, CLAIMS 24-082 THROUGH 24-088 ARE ON THE SCREEN. >> LET'S NOW MOVE TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, [8.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Designating The Property Located At 3111 Avenue L, As A “Galveston Landmark”] PLEASE, NELLIE. ITEM 8A. >> ITEM 8A. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3111 AVENUE L AS A GALVESTON LANDMARK. PROPERTY IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS ABSTRACT 628 MB MINARD SURVEY, LOT 1, REPLANT OF LOT 6 AND 7, BLOCK 1, GALVESTON, IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, REQUESTING THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER RECORD THE PROPERTY'S LANDMARK DESIGNATION IN THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC RECORDS OF REAL PROPERTY IN GALVESTON COUNTY. THE TAX RECORDS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT. IN THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAPS OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING THE SITE AS A HISTORICALLY OR ARCHAEOLOGICAL, SIGNIFICANT SITE IN NEED OF TAX RELIEF TO ENCOURAGE ITS PRESERVATION. PLANNING CASE NUMBER 24 P-039, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT. >> WE HAVE DANIEL LUNSFORD FROM THE DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. >> THE STRUCTURE CURRENTLY AT 3111 AVENUE L STARTED AS A REAR ADDITION TO AN 1872 HOUSE BUILT KNOWN BY PATRICK CARVILLE, WHO WAS AN IRISH IMMIGRANT AND BUILT CISTERNS AND BARRELS FOR A LIVING. LATER, HIS DAUGHTER SOLD THE HOUSE TO THOMAS D ARMSTRONG. ARMSTRONG WAS A GRADUATE OF TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IN PRAIRIE VIEW A&M, AND AN IMPORTANT GALVESTON BUSINESSMAN WHO OWNED A MORTUARY, SALON, BARBERSHOP, AND NUMEROUS OTHER RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. HIS SUCCESS WAS SO GREAT THAT HE WAS FEATURED IN EBONY MAGAZINE IN 1961 AND 1962. HE WAS ALSO GALVESTON'S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. EXCUSE ME. ADDING THE CARVILLE ARMSTRONG HOUSE TO GALVESTON'S HISTORIC LANDMARK LIST WILL ENSURE THIS IMPORTANT PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE CITY IS PRESERVED IN THE FUTURE. LANDMARK COMMISSION PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF RECOMMEND APPROVAL. HERE WE HAVE A PHOTO OF THE HOUSE AS IT SITS TODAY AND THIS CONCLUDES STAFF REPORT. >> THANK YOU, DANIEL. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS FROM MR. LUNSFORD? IT IS 5:27. YES, MA'AM. >> ARE THE PROPERTY OWNERS REQUESTING THIS? >> YES. THEY MAY BE PRESENT. I'M NOT SURE, BUT YES, THEY ARE. >> SUPER. THANK YOU. >> IT IS 5:27 PM. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 8A. ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? HEARING NO RESPONSE. WE'RE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:28 PM. BRINGING IT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION. >> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL. MOTION TO APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS FOR MOTION FOR APPROVAL. WE'RE DOING ELECTRONICALLY, IS THAT RIGHT? GO AHEAD, SHARON. >> MOTION. >> WELL, WE HAVE BOB BROWN. >> HOW DID WE GET IT LONG TIME? >> I PUSHED THE WRONG BUTTON, I BET. I'M SORRY. >> WE HAVE COUNCILMAN BROWN WITH THE MOTION AND SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB AND LET THE RECORD REFLECT COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS WAS TRYING TO THE PUSH BUTTON FOR THE MOTION ON THAT. SURE. THAT'S FINE. YEAH. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S DISTRICT 1. >> THAT MOTION IS FOR APPROVAL BY COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS, SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES. COUNCIL? >> THE BOX ISN'T WORKING. >> WE MAY HAVE TO DO MANUAL VOTE IF OUR BOX IS NOT GOING TO WORK. >> WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO IT THROUGHOUT THE MEETING TIME. YEAH. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 8B, PLEASE. [8.B. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Revoking, Terminating, Repealing Or Otherwise Cancelling A Specific Use Permit In Order To Operate A “Substance Abuse Facility” Within A Commercial (C) Base Zoning District, On Property Commonly Known As 11279 Stewart Road And Legally Described As The Northeast Part Of Lot 39 (39-1), Trimble And Lindsey Survey, Section 2, In The City And County Of Galveston, Texas, Declaring As Expired; Ordinance No. 20-063; Planning Case Number 24p-040; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject And Providing For An Effective Date. (C. Gorman)] >> ITEM 8B, CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, REVOKING, TERMINATING, REPEALING, OR OTHERWISE, CANCELING A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT IN ORDER TO OPERATE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE FACILITY WITHIN A COMMERCIAL BAY ZONING DISTRICT ON PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 11279 STEWART ROAD, [00:30:02] AND LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS THE NORTHEAST PART OF LOT 39, TRIMBLE LINLEY SURVEY, SECTION 2. IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DECLARING HAS EXPIRED, ORDINANCE NUMBER 20-063, PLANNING CASE NUMBER 24 P-04, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> VERY GOOD. DANIEL. >> THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN. YES, THIS IS A REVOCATION OF ORDINANCE 20-063, WHICH WAS FOR A SPECIFIC USE PERMIT FOR PROPOSED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER AT THE NOTED ADDRESS. THE INITIAL EXPIRATION DATE OF THEIR QUEST WAS OCTOBER 22ND, 2022. HOWEVER, THAT WAS EXTENDED DUE TO A DECLARATION OF A FEDERAL DISASTER, SO IT AUTOMATICALLY WAS EXTENDED TO OCTOBER OF 2024. BUT BECAUSE THIS DEADLINE HAS PASSED WITHOUT ANY PERMITS OR OTHER MEASURES TAKEN, AND BECAUSE THE APPLICANT HAS INDICATED THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER PURSUING THIS PROJECT, STAFF AND PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMEND REVOCATION OF THE SUP. THIS CONCLUDES STAFF'S REPORT. >> VERY GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LUNSFORD ON THIS ITEM, COUNCIL? >> NO. >> IT IS 5:31 PM. I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 8B. ANYONE IN THE ROOM LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT? HEARING NO RESPONSE, I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:31 PM AND BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL FOR ACTION. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL FOR COUNCILWOMAN ROBB FOR APPROVAL OF 8B. SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THERE YOU GO. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. [9. PUBLIC COMMENT] LET'S MOVE TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION. >> ITEM 9, PUBLIC COMMENT, A, AGENDA ITEMS, B, NON-AGENDA ITEMS. >> VERY GOOD. COUNCIL, WE HAVE FOUR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE FILLED OUT A FORM TO VISIT TODAY. WITH COUNCIL, AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS A THREE-MINUTE TIME FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND ACCORDING TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS, BUT HAPPY TO HAVE THEM AND WE ARE MAKING NOTE OF THEM AS YOU GIVE THEM. I'M GOING TO START WITH MR. MANUEL MERINO JR. HOW ARE YOU, SIR? >> I'M FINE. HOW YOU DOING? WHERE'S THAT CLOCKS THOUGH? I'M NOT MISSING. GOOD. I'M HERE FOR THE FRANK GIUSTI RENAMING. AGAIN, I'M GIVING MY OPINION. I FEEL LIKE IT'S A CONSOLATION THAT WE'RE DOING THIS OR THAT IT'S BEING BROUGHT UP. I FEEL LIKE COACH GIUSTI DESERVED TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE BASEBALL FIELDS NAMED AFTER HIM. THERE'S TWO LEGIT NAMES THERE. THERE'S ONE I DON'T I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR NAME GOT UP THERE. I HAD EVEN PROPOSED TO TRY TO NAME THE BASEBALL COMPLEX AFTER COACH GIUSTI. I TURNED IN A COUPLE OF REQUESTS AND SOMEWHERE SOMEHOW THAT GOT ALL LOST. OF COURSE, WE HAD THAT MEETING WITH COACH JANNEKE AND I FEEL LIKE HIS EGO GOT IN THE WAY. HE COULDN'T SHARED THE TITLE WITH COACH GIUSTI. THAT'S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. FEEL LIKE IT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS ALREADY MADE, TOO. IT WAS A FORMALITY WHEN WE MET. BUT NOW, THE PRESENTATION OF WANTING TO NAME THE FIELD AFTER COACH GIUSTI. LIKE I SAID, IT'S A CONSOLATION, BUT AT LEAST SOMETHING'S BEING DONE FOR COACH GIUSTI. THERE'S NOBODY IN GALVESTON THAT DID MORE FOR GALVESTON YOUTH BASEBALL THAN FRANK GIUSTI. I HAD HIM AS A COACH IN PONY LEAGUE, BUT I'VE WATCHED HIM COACH THE LEGION TEAMS WITH COACH KROGER AND WHEN HE WAS AT O'CONNELL, HELPING THE KIDS THERE, WHERE I WENT TO SCHOOL. HE'S DONE SO MUCH, AND I'M JUST GLAD THAT SOMETHING'S FINALLY BEING DONE IN HIS HONOR. AGAIN, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE SEEN HIS NAME UP ON THE COMPLEX BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE HE COACHED. LIKE I SAID, I FEEL LIKE EVEN THOUGH HE DID COACH IN PONY COLT STADIUM, HIS NAME REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE COMPLEX THERE AT 53RD STREET. BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERING DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, AND HOPEFULLY THIS DOES PASS FOR HIM. BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, NOBODY IN GALVESTON DID MORE FOR [00:35:03] GALVESTON YOUTH BASEBALL THAN FRANK GIUSTI. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. I APOLOGIZE FOR MISPRONOUNCING YOUR LAST NAME, HENRY NAFSI. I'M SORRY, SIR. [LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL. I'M HERE ALSO TO SPEAK ON THE NAMING OF THE FIELD AT BERNARD DAVIS STADIUM FOR FRANK GIUSTI. I KNEW BOTH MEN. BERNARD DAVIS WAS MY UNCLE, BECAME REALLY MY FATHER FIGURE WHEN MY MOTHER DIVORCED WHEN I WAS YOUNG, AND I'M GOING TO GO TO MY NOTES BECAUSE I WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT. HE BECAME MY FATHER. I GREW UP WATCHING HIS RELENTLESS DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF GALVESTON. IT'S NOT HYPERBOLE TO SAY THAT HE DEDICATED THE MAJORITY OF HIS WAKING LIFE TO CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS CITY'S CHILDREN THROUGH SPORTS AND RECREATION. ESTABLISHING THE PONY COLT LEAGUE IN 1957 WAS JUST ONE EXAMPLE, AND HE ENSURED A HOME FOR TEENAGE BASEBALL BY PONY COLT STADIUM IN 1961, AND OF COURSE, REBUILDING AND AFTER CARLA KNOCKED IT DOWN. HE SHAPED THE CITY'S ATHLETIC RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION LANDSCAPE FOR GENERATIONS AND NEVER STOPPED WORKING FOR THIS COMMUNITY. HIS VISION BROUGHT PONY COLT AND MANY OTHER CITY FACILITIES THAT STAND TODAY TO LIFE, AND HIS NAME HAS RIGHTFULLY BEEN ON PONY COLT STADIUM SINCE '71. FRANK GIUSTI OR COACH GIUSTI, AS WE CALL HIM. HE WAS MY MENTOR, MY COACH, AND A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY CARE FOR OTHERS. FROM PERENNIAL CHAMPIONSHIP LITTLE LEAGUE TEAMS THAT MANUEL TALKED ABOUT TO A WORLD SERIES CONTENDER IN '72 TO AMERICAN LEGION TEAMS, O'CONNELL, BALL HIGH, GALVESTON COLLEGE. AS EVEN AS I BEGAN COACHING MYSELF, HE WAS ALWAYS THERE, TEACHING, GUIDING, INSPIRING. I REMEMBER COUNTLESS MOMENTS ON THE FIELD WHEN HIS LESSONS WENT FAR BEYOND BASEBALL. HE GAVE HIS TIME AND TALENTS TO KIDS FOR OVER 60 YEARS, AND HE DIDN'T JUST CREATE ATHLETES, HE BUILT CHARACTER. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, BUT NOT SURPRISING, FRANK ALWAYS REFUSED PAYMENT FOR COACHING, SAYING HIS GREATEST REWARD WAS WATCHING HIS PLAYERS GROW. FRANKLY, BOTH OF THOSE MEN WOULD JUST BLUSH AT THE FACT THAT SOMEBODY WAS NAMING ANYTHING AFTER THEM. THEY JUST RATHER STAND THE BACKGROUND. THESE TWO MEN WERE NOT JUST LEGENDS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT. THEY WERE COLLEAGUES WHO TRUSTED AND SUPPORTED ONE ANOTHER TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF GALVESTON'S YOUTH. BERNARD ENTRUSTED ME, HIS NEPHEW, TO FRANK AS A YOUNG PLAYER KNOWING THE ROLE MODEL FRANK WAS. FRANK IN TURN OFTEN CREDITED BERNARD FOR THE FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS THAT ALLOWED HIM TO COACH IN MENTOR GENERATIONS OF YOUNG ATHLETES. THE PROPOSAL NAMED THE FIELD WITHIN BERNARD DAVIS PONY COLT STADIUM AS FRANK GIUSTI FEEL IS A PERFECT WAY TO HONOR THEIR INTERTWINED LEGACIES. BERNARD LAID THE FOUNDATION WITH HIS VISION AND LEADERSHIP AND FRANK KEPT THE LIGHTS ON WITH HIS DEDICATION AND MENTORSHIP. TOGETHER THEY MADE A LASTING IMPACT IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUES TO RESONATE TODAY. I'D LIKE TO THANK BARBARA SANDERSON, THE PARK'S ADVISORY BOARD FOR THEIR HELP, JOE GIUSTI AND THE GIUSTI FAMILY. THE ONLY PERSON THAT DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS IS FRANK'S WIDOW GLORIA GIUSTI PROVING THAT KIDS OF ALL AGES CAN KEEP THINGS FROM THEIR PARENTS. I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. VAN PHIPPS. VAN. >> HI, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I'M VAN PHIPPS. FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR THE JOB YOU DO. I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES IT'S PROBABLY A THANKLESS JOB, BUT APPRECIATE IT. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE RESTORATION OF THE TEXAS HERO STATUTE. I'VE SEEN IT IN THE PAPER, AND THEN I REALIZE IT'S AN AGENDA ITEM 11Z. JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS WHEN I READ ABOUT IT IN THE PAPER. ONE IS JUST HOW DID THAT EVEN COME ABOUT? DID A COMPANY JUST COME TO YOU GUYS AND SAY, HEY, I THINK YOU OUGHT TO RESTORE YOUR STATUE AND HERE'S A QUOTE. WAS IT COMPETITIVELY BID? IS IT THE RIGHT THING TO DO RIGHT NOW GIVEN THE FACT THAT THREE MONTHS AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A BUDGET SHORTFALL? IS IT THE BEST USE OF MONEY? ALMOST $200,000 ON SUCH A SMALL PIECE OF REAL ESTATE. NOT SURE THAT'S A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY. IT GIVES ME HEART BURN TO THINK ABOUT IT. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL STATUTE, BUT IT'S A STATUE THAT'S ADMIRED FROM 40 MILES AN HOUR OR FAR AWAY. I DON'T KNOW THAT THE FINER DETAILS OF THE STATUTE ARE EVER REALLY LOOKED AT BY PEOPLE. SOMETIMES THE SANDS OF TIME NEED TO JUST WEAR ON THINGS AND TAKE IT, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF STATUES AROUND THE WORLD THAT I'M SURE HAVE NOT HAD A $200,000 RESTORATION AND THEY LIVE ON AND BY THE TIME THIS ONE WEARS AWAY, I DOUBT THAT THE PEOPLE OF GALVESTON WILL EVEN KNOW WHO HENRY ROSENBERG WAS OR WHO THE TEXAS HEROES WERE. THEY MAY NOT EVEN CARE. WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE? I QUESTION THE REAL VALUE OF SPENDING $200,000 TO REPAIR AT THE STATUTE. I THINK IT WILL STAY BEAUTIFUL FOR MANY YEARS AFTER ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM ARE GONE, WHETHER YOU SPEND THE $200,000 OR NOT. [00:40:02] THAT MONEY COULD BE USED FOR CITY EMPLOYEE RAISES OR FIXING POTHOLES, BUCKLED SIDEWALKS WHICH THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM IF I HAVE TIME LEFT. IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS JUST DONE LIKE FOUR YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING WAS DONE TO THAT STATUE FAIRLY RECENTLY. WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO GALVESTON I THOUGHT IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING HAD BEEN DONE OR I'D HEARD SOMETHING HAD BEEN DONE. LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE I GOT. I THINK THAT WAS IT. JUST REALLY THINK ABOUT SPENDING THAT MONEY. IT COULD PROBABLY BE USED SOMEWHERE ELSE. IN REGARDS TO SPENDING THAT MONEY, THERE'S A CUTOUT SECTION OF THE SEA WALL THAT A UTILITY COMPANY, I THINK, DID BETWEEN MURDOCH AND PLEASURE PIER, THAT IF SOMEBODY HITS IT ON A SCOOTER, IT'S GOING TO KILL THEM, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED PROBABLY RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF SERVICE WORKERS THAT USE THAT AS THEIR HIGHWAY AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED LIKE TOMORROW, PROBABLY. WHOEVER CUT IT OUT NEEDS TO FIX IT. FINAL THING I HAVE IS THE TRASH TRUCK, 700,000. I'M PROBABLY GOING TO KEEP COMING ASKING THIS QUESTION. HAS THE CITY AUDITOR DONE A FORMAL REPORT ON THAT? HAS THE INVESTIGATION BEEN WRAPPED UP ON THAT? THE MALFEASANCE BY TWO CITY EMPLOYEES THAT ALLOWED THE $700,000 OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO BE SENT OFF? WHERE DOES THAT LIE? WHAT'S THE RESOLUTION TO THAT? I WILL PROBABLY KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL I CAN FIND IT ON THE CITY WEBSITE OR IN THE NEWSPAPER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE IT. ROBERT DAGNAN. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. WELL, I'M NO NEW PERSON HERE IN FRONT OF COUNCIL. I'M COMING TONIGHT, I GUESS FOR A BIT OF A DIFFERENT REASON. IN WATCHING A COUNCIL MEETING, I THINK TWO MONTHS AGO, I HEARD THAT THERE WAS AN OPENING ON THE FINANCE FISCAL AFFAIRS AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE AND WHILE I'VE BEEN VOCALLY A CRITIC, I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SERVE THE CITY AND GIVE SOMETHING BACK. I CALLED COUNCILMAN RAWLINS AS IT'S HIS APPOINTMENT AND I LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT AS WELL AND I WANTED TO ASK HIM IF HE WOULD CONSIDER APPOINTING ME AND WE MET AND SPOKE ABOUT IT. I THINK I BRING AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE TO THAT COMMITTEE AS I RELATED, I THINK I'VE SPOKEN TO PRETTY MUCH ALL OF YOU. I GREW UP POOR IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA SO I BRING A POOR KID'S PERSPECTIVE TO MONEY, AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE POOR. I THINK $25 TO A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND FOR TRASH INCREASES OR $100 ON THEIR PROPERTY TAX MAY NOT MEAN A LOT. BUT WHEN YOU'RE STRUGGLING TO GET BY, WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN PAYING BILLS AND HAVING LUNCH, I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT. I'VE ALSO BEEN A BUSINESSMAN. I STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS IN MY PARENTS GARAGE WHEN I WAS 15-YEARS-OLD, AND I GREW THAT BUSINESS TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL, RAN IT FOR 35 YEARS. I'VE ALSO BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE FROM THE TIME I WAS IN UNIVERSITY. I SERVED ON A BUDGETING COMMITTEE FOR AN $800 MILLION UNIVERSITY, WHICH I GOT BECAUSE I HAD RECEIVED A SERIES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS ALONG THE WAY. I'VE BEEN A PRESIDENT OF A NON-PROFIT BASEBALL ASSOCIATION SO I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO RAISE MONEY FROM PARENTS AND TRY TO SCRAP TOGETHER MONEY TO DO THINGS. I'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING THESE TYPES OF NON-PROFITS. ALSO, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE COME UP, SERVE AND GO ON THEIR WAY. IT WOULDN'T BE MY INTENT TO TRY TO BE THERE FOR TOO LONG, BUT I THINK THE CITY IS FACED WITH SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AND MIGHT BENEFIT FROM SOME CREATIVE THINKING. THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL TO VOTE FOR ME TONIGHT WHEN COUNCILMAN RAWLINS NOMINATES ME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL THE APPLICATIONS I HAVE FOR SPEAKING. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS 10A, PLEASE, NILLY. [10.A. Consider adopting Ordinance 24-__ amending Chapter 34, “Traffic”, Section 34-110 “Parking Totally Prohibited” of “The Code of the City of Galveston 1982”, as amended, by adding the “South side of Barracuda Drive between 6th Street & Holiday Drive”; Making various findings and provisions related to the subject; Providing for an effective date; Authorizing the City Secretary to execute all necessary documents upon final approval by the City Attorney. (R Winiecke)] >> ITEM 10A, CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 34 TRAFFIC, SECTION 34-110, PARKING TOTALLY PROHIBITED THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON 1982, AS AMENDED BY ADDING THE SOUTH SIDE OF BARRACUDA DRIVE BETWEEN 6TH STREET AND HOLIDAY DRIVE, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY SECRETARY TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE ROB WINIECKE. ROB. >> GOOD EVENING MAYOR, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR HAVING HERE TONIGHT. WE'VE GOTTEN A BUNCH OF REQUESTS FROM TRAFFIC DIVISION AS WELL AS THE MARSHAL ABOUT THERE BEING AN INABILITY TO PARK ON THIS BLOCK WHEN PEOPLE ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CURB. [00:45:01] IT LOOKS LIKE AT ONE POINT IN TIME, THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CURB LEAST PAINTED RED AS WELL SO WE'RE LOOKING TO RE-ESTABLISH THAT RED ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE DO THIS ORDINANCE. >> ANY QUESTIONS FROM MR. WINIECKE? >> HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE NEIGHBORHOOD OUT THERE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH THEM OR LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND WHAT'S GOING ON? >> NO. THIS IS THE PIECE ACTUALLY OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S BACK BEHIND THE PCP FACILITY. >> THE NEIGHBORHOOD USES THAT STREET THOUGH. >> THEY DO USE THE STREET. [NOISE] WHEN YOU HAVE VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET PARKED, IT LEAVES BARELY ENOUGH ROOM FOR ONE LANE SO THERE SHOULD BE A BENEFIT BY DOING THIS. >> I JUST WANT THEM TO BE IN THE LOOP IN WHAT'S GOING ON AND BE ABLE TO. >> I HAVE NOT GONE DIRECTLY OUT TO THEM ABOUT THIS. >> COULD WE DO THAT? >> WE CAN PUT SOMETHING OUT. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. >> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. WINIECKE? >> I HAVE ONE. >> YES, MA'AM. >> DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S BEEN ANY CITATIONS OR ANYTHING GIVEN? [OVERLAPPING] >> OF THE TOP MY HEAD, I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY'VE DONE ANY CITATIONS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITING THAT ABILITY. >> ARE THERE ANY BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA THAT ARE AFFECTED? >> NO. ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE STREET, YOU HAVE A OVERFLOW PARKING LOT FOR THE YACHT BASIN FOR THEIR BOATS AND TRAILERS. THE VEHICLES PARK ON THE NORTH CURB LINE, AND THERE'S A UTMB STAFF AND STUDENT PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE AS WELL, AND THEN ON THE SOUTH SIDE, YOU HAVE THE UTMB FACILITY ITSELF. >> THAT'S WHERE THE PRIMARY CARE PAVILION IS, IT'S JUST RIGHT? >> UH-HUH. >> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, ROB, VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION FROM COUNCIL ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND IT COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. ON THAT, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU, COUNCIL. APPRECIATE IT. [10.B. Ordinance Creating the Short Term Rental Committee] ITEM 10B, PLEASE, NELLIE. >> ITEM 10B. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, CREATING A CITY AD HOC COMMITTEE TO STUDY SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON, PROVIDING FOR A NUMBER OF VOTING AND NON-VOTING MEMBERS. CHARGING THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AVAILABLE DATA TO DETERMINE THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON. DETERMINE WHAT, IF ANY, REGULATIONS OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. DETERMINE WHETHER IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL FEES WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2025, REQUIRING A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL RELATED TO MONETARY ISSUES, IF ANY, IN MAY 2025, AND A REPORT OF OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF ITS CREATION, PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATION OF SUCH COMMITTEE 12 MONTHS AFTER ITS CREATION UNLESS EXTENDED BY CITY COUNCIL, PROVIDING AN OPEN MEETINGS CLAUSE, PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE, DECLARING FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NELLIE. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO US AND CHAMPIONED BY COUNCILMEMBER BROWN AND COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, GENTLEMEN, ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? >> I JUST DESCRIBE WHAT THIS IS ABOUT FOR EVERYBODY IN THE PUBLIC. THIS IS A COMMITTEE OF 13 PEOPLE. THERE'LL BE ONE PERSON APPOINTED BY EACH COUNCIL PERSON AND THE MAYOR, SO THERE'LL BE SEVEN PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE, SEVEN PEOPLE THAT WILL BE VOTING. THEN WE'LL ALSO HAVE SOME SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO HELP THE COMMITTEE DO THEIR WORK. SHORT-TERM RENTALS ASSOCIATION OF GALVESTON, THE GALVESTON VACATION RENTAL, VISION GALVESTON, AND ALSO GALVESTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. WE'LL HAVE FOUR OTHER SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THERE TO HELP THIS COMMITTEE DO THEIR JOB AND OF COURSE, THERE'LL BE A CITY COUNCIL EX-OFFICIO AND THEN CITY STAFF MANNING THE COMMITTEE. YOU MAY THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN A WHOLE LOT OF COMMITTEES ALREADY TO LOOK AT SHORT-TERM RENTALS, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY CITY-SPONSORED COMMITTEE THAT IS GOING TO LOOK AT SHORT-TERM RENTALS. THIS IS REALLY INTENDED TO BE A COMMITTEE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY TO HEAR FROM THE RESIDENTS ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT LIVING NEXT TO ALL THESE SHORT-TERM RENTALS. WE'VE HAD OTHER COMMITTEES AND OTHER STUDIES DONE BY STROGE AND GARM, AND THEIR WORK HAS BEEN REALLY USEFUL AND WE'VE INCORPORATED SOME OF IT IN OUR REGULATION ALREADY, BUT THIS IS INTENDED TO HEAR FROM THE RESIDENTS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON THEIR LIVELIHOOD, THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, THEIR LIFESTYLE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL INFORM OUR REGULATION GOING FORWARD WITH WHAT THE RESIDENTS THINK THEY NEED TO SEE. >> VERY GOOD. COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. >> I'D LIKE TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT THIS ISN'T. THIS IS NOT A COMMITTEE THAT'S DESIGNED TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS. WHAT IT IS IS TO LOOK AT THE EXISTING REGULATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE BEING ENFORCED EQUITABLY AND EFFECTIVELY AND TO IMPROVE THE PROCESSES AROUND THAT, [00:50:05] AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SOME INFORMATION OUT IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THAT. BUT THE GOAL IS FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPERATING NEXT TO OUR RESIDENCES ARE DOING SO IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER AND THAT THE EXISTING REGULATIONS THAT ARE BEING ENFORCED ARE DONE FAIR AND EQUITABLY AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. SAYING THAT, I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION, COUNCIL. >> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. >> A MOTION FOR APPROVAL FOR COUNCILMAN BROWN. >> I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION. >> SECONDED BY A COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS. >> WE HAVE THAT CLARIFIED. THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS PENDING. ONE IS THE ONE THAT INCLUDES GALVESTON. [OVERLAPPING] >> AREA REALTORS? >> YES. >> YES. >> THAT THE ONE YOU'RE VOTING FOR? >> YES. >> OKAY. >> YES. FOR COUNCIL'S CLARIFICATION, WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON IS NOT THE ONE THAT'S POSTED IN THE AGENDA. WE'RE VOTING ON ONE THAT IS LIKE THE ONE THAT'S POSTED IN THE AGENDA WITH THE ADDITION OF. [OVERLAPPING] >> GALVESTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. >> GALVESTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, HAVING A NON-VOTING SEAT AND CHANGING THE NUMBER IN THE COMMITTEE FROM 12 TO 13, IS THAT RIGHT, BOB? >> THAT'S CORRECT, MR. MAYOR. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [10.C. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Designating Its Meeting Days For The Year 2025; Designating Joint Meetings With The Park Board Of Trustees And The Board Of Trustees Of The Galveston Wharves; Reserving The Right Of Council To Schedule Additional Meetings As Needed; Providing For Findings Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date. (Brown)] LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 10C, PLEASE. >> ITEM 10C. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, DESIGNATING ITS MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR 2025, DESIGNATING JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GALVESTON WHARVES, RESERVING THE RIGHT OF COUNSEL TO SCHEDULE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AS NEEDED, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> COUNCIL, THIS IS ON OUR AGENDA TO APPROVE OUR CALENDAR FOR '25 COMING UP. JUST WANT TO SEE IF COUNCIL HAD ANY COMMENTS ON THAT, ANY CHANGES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> I'VE GOT A COMMENT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT COUNCILS PAST, AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF COHESIVENESS BETWEEN THE WHARVES BOARD, AND BETWEEN THE PARK BOARD, AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND WITHOUT COMMUNICATION, WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WITH PARK BOARD WHARVES BOARD. I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND A LOT OF CAMPAIGN TALK, AND I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS WITH OUR CAMPAIGNS AND DOING WHAT WE PROMISED WE'D DO. >> COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. >> I'D LIKE TO THANK THE PARK BOARD AND COUNCILMEMBER BROWN FOR PUTTING FORWARD A PROPOSED AGENDA FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE JOINT MEETINGS. I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL. NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE MEETINGS FOR THE PURPOSES OF HAVING MEETINGS AND SO MY HOPE IS IS THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH OTHER QUARTERLY MEETINGS FOR THE WHARVES BOARD THAT WE'LL MAKE SURE TO HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED AGENDAS THAT ARE CENTERED AROUND BUDGET AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING THOSE ITEMS IN A TIMELY MANNER. >> I WOULD AGREE. I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR APPROVAL THEN OF ITEM 10 C. >> SECOND. >> SECOND OF COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. ON THAT, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. WE'RE MOVING ITEM 11, PLEASE. [11. CONSENT ITEMS] >> ITEM 11. CONSENT ITEMS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR ACTION AS A WHOLE, UNLESS ONE OR MORE COUNCILMEMBERS OBJECTS. THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. CONSENT ITEMS, 11 A THROUGH 11 DD ARE ON THE SCREEN. >> WE HAVE 11 A THROUGH 11 DD ITEMS. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT AND ADDRESS INDIVIDUALLY? >> ELEVEN L, PLEASE. >> ELEVEN L. YES, SIR. >> ELEVEN T. >> ELEVEN C. >> T AS IN TOM. >> TOM. >> ELEVEN Z. >> Z IS IN ZEBRA? >> UH-HUH. >> OKAY. ELEVEN L, 11T, 11Z. >> ELEVEN B, PLEASE. > ELEVEN B. YES, SIR. ANY FURTHER ITEMS? I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF ITEMS 11 A THROUGH 11 DD, EXCLUDING 11 L, 11 T, 11 Z, AND 11 B. [00:55:01] >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. >> MAYOR, DID YOU SAY 11 B? >> ELEVEN B. YES, MA'AM. I HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT EXCLUDING THOSE FOUR ITEMS, AND THAT SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER RAWLINS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. LET'S GO IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, [11.B. Consideration of the receipt of and action to submit to the Park Board, the Agreed-Upon Procedures Report - Final Draft regarding the processes of the Park Board of Trustees, a component unit of the City of Galveston, for the period of October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2024. (Ludanyi)] READ 11B, PLEASE. >> ITEM 11B. CONSIDERATION OF THE RECEIPT OF AN ACTION TO SUBMIT TO THE PARK BOARD THE AGREED UPON PROCEDURES REPORT, FINAL DRAFT REGARDING THE PROCESSES OF THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES, A COMPONENT UNIT OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2019 THROUGH MARCH 31ST, 2024. >> VERY GOOD. COUNCILMAN FINKLEA, YOU WANT AT THIS POINT. YES, SIR. >> I'M GOING TO DEFER TO COUNCILMEMBER BROWN. >> THE PARK BOARD HAS ALREADY HAD ABOUT SEVEN AUDITS IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS, BUT THIS GROUP HERE IS DESCRIBING METHODS AND PARTICULAR ITEMS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE IN AUDITS GOING FORWARD. I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SUMMARY OF THAT SOME ARE, JANELLE, RIGHT? >> YES. I'LL SEND IT TO [INAUDIBLE]. WELL HERE IT IS. SHOULD I JUST READ THIS? >> YOU DON'T NEED TO READ ALL OF THEM. I THINK IT WAS SENT TO US, BUT THERE ARE SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS THERE. [OVERLAPPING] >> SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE WAS NOTHING NEFARIOUS FOUND IN ANY OF THEIR INVESTIGATION. THEY'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PARK BOARD AND THE PARK BOARD IS VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE THEY'RE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE BEST ACCOUNTING PRACTICES THAT YOU CAN GET, AND THIS AUDIT IS HELPING THEM DO THAT. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE REALLY SMALL THINGS, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IN THE LONG-RUN AND GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I THINK IT'S A GOOD RECOMMENDATION. >> I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THIS ITEM, COUNCIL? >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. EXCUSE ME. [OVERLAPPING] >> [INAUDIBLE] PROCEDURES THAT THEY FOLLOW. >> YES. THIS IS FOR APPROVAL, COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS, SENDING THESE TO THE PARK BOARD SO THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THESE SEVEN RECOMMENDATIONS? >> CORRECT. >> WOULD YOU ENTERTAIN THE IDEA OF HAVING THE PARK BOARD RESPOND IN WRITING TO SIGNIFY THEIR COMPLIANCE OF FOLLOWING UP WITH THESE? >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL THAT THE PARK BOARD WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SEND, IN WRITING, THEIR AGREEMENT TO DO IT? >> THEIR COMPLIANCE. >> THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH IT? >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB. THERE WE GO. ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. LET'S GO TO ITEM 11L, PLEASE. [11.L. Consider approval of a contract with MC2 Civil, LLC for the construction of the South Shore Drainage Project (BID 24-10) Base Bid work items as recommended by staff in the amount of $67,934,881.75; Authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents upon final approval by the City Attorney. (R Winiecke)] >> ITEM 11L. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH MC2 CIVIL LLC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH SHORE DRAINAGE PROJECT, BID 24-10, BASE BID WORK ITEMS AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,934,881.75 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. >> WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT BRIEFLY AT THIS AT WORKSHOP, AND THE WAY THAT IT'S PRESENTED TO US IN THE BID OR THE PACKET THAT WE GOT, IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING TO SEE IN THE CONDITION IT'S IN AND GIVEN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS WITH THE GLOS FUNDING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS FOR THE PROJECT READY YET. WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON THAT? >> WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THOSE BETWEEN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TRYING TO GET THOSE WRAPPED UP. >> DO YOU KNOW WHEN, LET'S SAY, EVERYTHING GETS PULLED TRIGGER TOMORROW, WHEN WHEN DOES WORK START? >> THE ANTICIPATION WAS WORK WOULD START AROUND FEBRUARY 1ST. >> FEBRUARY 1ST? >> THAT'S IN A PERFECT WORLD, SIR. >> ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME AMONGST THE RESIDENTS WAS, MC2 OR MAINLANE AT THE TIME WAS WITH 45TH STREET. SOME OF THOSE ISSUES WERE SOME ON [01:00:01] FAULT OF THE CITY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING ASPECT OF THINGS PREDATED YOU. SOME OF THAT WAS MAINLANE, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE'VE ADJUSTED SOME OF OUR POLICIES WITH HOW WE DO CONSTRUCTION BECAUSE OF THAT. GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS IS A HIGHLY TECHNICAL PROJECT, WE HAD STANTEC DO THE ENGINEERING FOR THIS, 13% OVER WHAT WE EXPECTED. IT'S A LITTLE FRUSTRATING BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING OUR MARGIN VERY THIN ON WHAT WE CAN DO. IF I WERE TO OFFER ANY WORDS TO THE CONTRACTOR OR EVEN TO MANAGEMENT, WOULD BE THAT THERE IS A TON OF PUBLIC SCRUTINY ON THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I CAN GIVE YOU 1,000 REASONS WHY IT WON'T WORK, BUT IT HAS TO WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS. >> I LIVE A BLOCK AWAY, IT'S GOING TO BE IN MY BACKYARD, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY AFFECTED ARE THE ONES THAT THEIR CARS ARE UNDERWATER EVERY TIME WE GET A HIGH TIDE. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH, THE IMPORTANCE. I FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS, BUT WITHOUT THIS, WE DON'T SEE ANY RELIEF EXCEPT TO MAYBE TELL PEOPLE TO PARK ON THE SIDEWALK OR THE CURB. THERE WILL BE A TON OF PUBLIC SCRUTINY ON THIS PROJECT. I CAN GUARANTEE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT AT THE CAMPAIGN, I WILL BE GIVING THIS PROJECT SCRUTINY BECAUSE I WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE SPEND IS A DOLLAR WELL SPENT AND THAT IT GOES AND IT FIXES THE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE AT THAT AREA. I DON'T WANT CORNER-CUTTING. I WOULD LIKE TO BE AT LEAST KEYED IN. I DON'T WANT TO SAY I WANT TO SHOVEL, BUT IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, I'D LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS AND COUNCIL AS WELL TO ENSURE THAT THIS PROJECT DOES WORK BECAUSE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE FIRST PUMP STATION IN A LINE OF SEVERAL THAT WE ARE PLANNING, AND IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING. PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TOO THAT THIS WILL INCREASE A COST, BUT THAT COST DOES COME WITH A BENEFIT, AND THAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT I WANT TO STRESS IS WE NEED THE BENEFIT OR ELSE WE CAN'T JUSTIFY HAVING OUR TAXPAYERS EAT THE BURDEN AND BE THE PIGGY BANK THAT HELPS FUND THIS. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY MORE QUESTIONS. >> YES. WE DON'T HAVE A MOTION AS YET, SO I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> A DISCUSSION POINT. >> GO RIGHT AHEAD. YES, SIR. >> I WILL SAY THAT I REACHED OUT TO KELSO, WHO HAS THE POTENTIAL IN PAST PERFORMANCE HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH MAINLANE AND SUBSEQUENTLY, I THINK IN THE FUTURE, MC2. I FELT A LOT MORE CONFIDENT IN KNOWING THE BACKGROUND OF THE PLANS THAT WERE LACKING WITH THE TIE-IN THAT CREATED A DELAY OF NINE MONTHS, WHICH WAS OF NO FAULT TO MAINLANE. I FELT LIKE I GOT A GOOD REFERENCE FROM KELSO ON MAINLANE SLASH MC2 OF A FIRST-CLASS OPERATION, AND JUST SAME IN MY CONTRACTING WORLD, MY PROJECTS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS MY OVERSIGHT. IF I DON'T PROVIDE THE OVERSIGHT, THEN WHAT I'M LEFT WITH IS ONLY MY FAULT. I THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONSIDER HAVING AN IN-HOUSE PROJECT MANAGER, WHICH WOULD BE THOUSANDS OF A PERCENT OF WHAT THIS CONTRACT IS TO HELP PROVIDE COMMUNICATION TO MC2 AS FAR AS BEING ON-SITE EVERY DAY. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT NOT ONLY IS IT GOING TO BE SCRUTINY FROM OUR CITIZENS, BUT ULTIMATELY IT'S OUR PERFORMANCE WITH THE GLO, WHICH WILL CONSTITUTE WHETHER OR NOT WE RECEIVE FUNDING IN THE FUTURE FOR MULTIPLE PROJECTS INSTEAD OF BEING ON THE BURDEN OF THE LOCAL TAXPAYER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S IN CONSIDERATION. I THINK THAT WOULD DO NOTHING MORE THAN SAVE US MONEY, AND CHANGE ORDERS, AND PROVIDE COMMUNICATION. [01:05:03] TO ADD TO THAT, KELSO WILL BE EMPLOYING 25-30 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE TO WORK HERE IN GALVESTON, WHICH WILL PROVIDE NEEDED JOBS. THEY'LL BE BUYING MATERIAL FROM CRESCENT, AND CHALMERS, AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL SUPPLIERS. IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR ALL OF US AS A COMMUNITY, AND TO ME, IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD CHANCE TO BE THE POSTER CHILD WITH US WITH THE GLO OF BEING ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THEIR WEBSITE OR NEVER TO BE AGAIN. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS, AND I JUST HOPE THAT WE CONSIDER STAYING CLOSE TO IT. DEPENDING ON BRIAN AND HIS TEAM TO REALLY HAVE SOME GOOD OVERSIGHT OVER THIS, NO DIFFERENT THAN IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD. I'LL BE SUPPORTING IT AND I HOPE THAT IT'S A JEWEL AND IT OPENS BIG DOORS FOR US. >> COUNCILWOMAN ROBB. >> I GUESS I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE BIDDER ON THE PROJECT. THAT MAKES ME QUESTION A LOT OF THINGS. BUT A QUESTION I HAVE THAT I DIDN'T ASK EARLIER TODAY, WITH SANTOS WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE, WHY DIDN'T WE LOOK AT DOING A DESIGN-BUILD? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE DESIGN-BUILD DOES NOT ALLOW FOR CITIES OF OUR SIZE. WE CAN USE CMA RISK AS AN ALTERNATE METHOD, BUT THE CITY HAS NOT EMPLOYED THAT IN THE PAST. >> CITY'S UNDER WHAT? I KNOW IT'S LEGAL IN TEXAS. >> YEAH. I THINK IT'S 200,000 IS THE BREAKOVER ON DESIGN BUILD, WHERE IT CAN BE USED AND WHERE IT CAN'T. >> I DON'T KNOW. IT BOTHERS ME THAT WE ONLY HAD ONE BIDDER. SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. >> I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION, COUNCIL, ON THIS ITEM. YES, SIR. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE 11L. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, COUNCILMAN PORRETTO FOR APPROVAL OF 11L. SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER RAWLINS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. >> MAY WE MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DISSEMINATE EVERY PROJECT UPDATE THAT ROB DOES. HE'LL PERFORM ONE. IS MONTHLY AS TYPICALLY WHEN YOU PUT THOSE OUT AND WE'LL DISTRIBUTE THOSE TO COUNCIL SINCE THIS IS SUCH A MAJOR IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY, THAT WAY YOU CAN DISSEMINATE IT TO ALL YOUR CONSTITUENTS. >> THAT'D BE GREAT. >> ESPECIALLY ALEX, IT'S IN HIS BACKYARD. ALTHOUGH THIS IMPACTS YOURS TOO, BEAU, BECAUSE IT GOES ALL THE WAY UP TO SEA WALL. >> THERE WE GO. WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ONE, 2, 3, 04, 5, 6. WE HAVE ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN FAVOR. >> I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN BECAUSE THAT I'M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE BIDDER. >> FOR THE RECORD, ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE APPROVED THE MEASURE, BUT FOR COUNCILWOMAN, ROBB, WHO HAS ABSTAINED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ROB. >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE IT. WE'RE MOVING TO 11T, AS IN TOM. [11.T. Consider for Approval naming the baseball field at Bernard Davis "Pony Colt" Stadium, "Frank Guisti Field", in accordance with Sec. 26-31 of Chapter 26 "Parks and Recreation" of "The Code of the City of Galveston 1982, as amended," Article II "Park and Recreation Board" and sections thereunder, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (B. Sanderson)] >> ITEM 11T. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL NAMING THE BASEBALL FIELD AT BERNARD DAVIS "PONY COLT" STADIUM, FRANK GIUSTI FIELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 26-31 OF CHAPTER 26 PARKS AND RECREATION OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON 1982 AS AMENDED, ARTICLE 2, PARK AND RECREATION BOARD AND SECTIONS THERE UNDER AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD. >> YES, BEAU. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT AGAIN, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MR. MARINO THAT THIS IS A CONSOLATION. I WISH THAT IT WAS DIFFERENT, BUT I'M HAPPY THAT THIS CONSOLATION OPPORTUNITY'S HERE. THANKS, BARBARA FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THIS AND THANKS FOR YOU-ALL COMING UP HERE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE, BESIDES BEING PERSONALLY AWARE, BUT MAKING THE PUBLIC AWARE JUST HOW IMPORTANT MR. DAVIS AND MR. GIUSTI WERE TO OUR COMMUNITY. IT MEANS A LOT. I PERSONALLY REPAIRED MS. GIUSTI'S HOME AFTER BERYL, AND I HAVE KNOWN JOE FOR SOME TIME, AND I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT, JUST THE HUMBLENESS OF THAT FAMILY CONVEYS TO US IS AMAZING, AND I GOT TO PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE AND REALIZE JUST HOW MUCH THAT FAMILY MEANT TO THIS ISLAND, AND JOE, ME AS A SON, AND WHAT I WOULD DO TO FIGHT FOR MY FATHER, JOE DID THE SAME THING THAT HIS FATHER WOULD HAVE DONE, I'M SORRY. [01:10:08] BUT HE DID IT, AND HE DID IT WITHOUT HIM HERE, AND HE DID IT IN A WAY THAT REPRESENTED ALL THE CHARACTER THAT FRANK WAS. JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, AND I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF 11T. WE HAVE A SECOND, COUNCILWOMAN ROBB. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. I WANT TO SAY I DIDN'T HAVE THE HONOR OF KNOWING THE GIUSTI FAMILY. BUT I'VE HEARD SO MANY WONDERFUL THINGS. THEY REPRESENT, I THINK, WHAT ALL IS GOOD ABOUT GALVESTON. THIS IS A WONDERFUL HONOR FOR THE FAMILY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU. 11Z, PLEASE. [11.Z. Consider for approval awarding Bid# 25-01 to R. Alden Marshall & Associates LLC. in the contract amount of $181,065.00 for the restoration of the Texas Heroes and Sydney Sherman Monuments authorizing the City Manager to sign all documents upon the review and approval of the City Attorney. (C.Kenworthy)] >> ITEM 11Z. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AWARDING BID NUMBER 25-01 TO R. ALDEN MARSHALL AND ASSOCIATES LLC, IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $181,065 FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE TEXAS HEROES AND SIDNEY SHERMAN MONUMENTS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS UPON THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> THIS WAS PULLED COUNCILMAN BROWN. >> I'M SORRY. I WANTED TO PULL THIS ONE TO RECOMMEND OR AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MONUMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STRUCTURES ON THE ISLAND, THE MOST HISTORIC. I THINK WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T CONSULT OUR LOCAL AND STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION AUTHORITIES AND EXPERTS ON OUR METHODS AND MEANS BEFORE WE DO THIS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INCLUDE THE WORLD WAR II MONUMENT, THE GRANITE MONUMENT AT 23RD AND BROADWAY BECAUSE IT'S IN VERY BAD CONDITION. WHAT I'M SUGGESTING IS THAT WE DEFER THIS UNTIL JANUARY AND GIVE THE CITY A CHANCE TO CONSULT WITH THE GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION AND THE TEXAS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION ON THE MEANS AND METHODS FOR THE RESTORATION OF THESE MONUMENTS. >> COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. >> MAYOR, SINCE WE'RE ADDING THE WORLD WAR II MONUMENT, I'D ALSO LIKE TO SUGGEST A QUICK EVALUATION OF THE WORLD WAR I MONUMENT IN FRONT OF MCGUIRE-DENT. SORRY. I'D LIKE FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THAT TO MAKE SURE TO SEE THE CONDITION OF AND MAKE SURE. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO TEXAS HEROES, AND WORLD WAR II, AND SIDNEY SHERMAN, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE CARE OF THE WORLD WAR I ONE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> WE CAN CLARIFY THIS NOW. I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO REFLECT YOUR THOUGHTS. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER 11Z, IS JANUARY ENOUGH TIME? IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> IS JUST ENOUGH TIME. >> DEFER TO JANUARY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE PROJECTS, THE WORLD WAR II MONUMENT AT 23RD, THE SIDNEY SHERMAN MONUMENT. THE TEXAS HEROES MONUMENT, AND THE WORLD WAR I MONUMENT AT MCGUIRE-DENT ARE COORDINATED WITH OUR LOCAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION AUTHORITY, THE GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION AND THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, AND THEN COME BACK TO COUNCIL. >> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A SECOND TO THAT? >> YES, SIR. >> COUNCILMAN FINKLEA. COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. >> I JUST WANTED TO REFER TO THE CITIZEN THAT CAME EARLIER JUST SO THAT HIS CONCERNS WEREN'T LEFT UNDISCUSSED, BUT 1937 WAS WHEN THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED, AND AT THE TIME, GALVESTON HAD COMMISSIONERS, NOT A COUNCIL. >> SIDNEY SHERMAN WAS 1937. >> SIDNEY SHERMAN. >> AREN'T WE IN 11Z. >> I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TEXAS HEROES OR SIDNEY SHERMAN. >> THERE'S TWO. >> I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT THE ONE WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA. >> BOTH OF THEM. >> THERE'S TWO OF THEM. >> I'M REFER TO THE ONE THAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT, SHERMAN. >> TEXAS HEROES. >> SHERMAN. 1937 IS WHEN THIS MONUMENT. >> THAT WAS WHEN THE SIDNEY SHERMAN WAS IN. TEXAS HEROES, I THINK 1900. >> APRIL,1900. >> APRIL, 1900. >> LET'S GO WITH TEXAS HEROES. BUT I THINK THEY'RE BOTH UNDER THE SAME CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT WAS SIGNED WAY BEFORE US, CORRECT? LIKE THEY ERECTED IT AND WE OWN IT, CORRECT? >> SIDNEY SHERMAN, YES SIR. THAT'S FOR SURE BECAUSE I ADDED A COPY OF THE ORDINANCE IN THE PACKET. >> JUST TO PASS ON OR COMMUNICATE, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN IT AND IT'S BEING PROPOSED TO BE PAID THROUGH THE HOT FUNDING HOT TAX, AND I JUST WANTED TO BASICALLY ANSWER HIS CONCERNS THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE, WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE RESPONSIBLE, BUT GLAD WE'RE DOING IT NOW. THAT'S ALL. >> THAT'S A GOOD POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE MOTION THAT WE VERIFY OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES. [01:15:03] >> ON THE TEXAS HEROES? >> ON ALL OF THEM. >> ON ALL OF THEM. >> DOES THAT MEET YOUR APPROVAL, DAVID? >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. >> I'M A HISTORY GUY AND I'M SUPPORTIVE OF OTHER ONES, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD THAT POSE ANY ISSUE ON TIMELINE BY ADDING THE EXTRA ONES. >> IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE MONETARY, YES, SO WE MAY HAVE TO REBID. >> WHICH WOULD TAKE MONTHS? >> YES. >> THE PURPOSE OF ADDING THE LANGUAGE ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT FOR WORLD WAR I WAS SIMPLY AN ASSESSMENT, DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE DIRECTIVE TO GO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. I DON'T WANT TO DELAY THIS AND GET US INTO MAKING THESE REPAIRS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HURRICANE SEASON. >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> YEAH. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE MONETARY VALUE OF THE AWARD OR THE SCOPE UNLESS THROUGH YOUR INVESTIGATIONS, THROUGH WITH TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION, OR THESE OTHER ENTITIES THAT YOU FIND THAT A DIFFERENT APPROACH IS NECESSARY FOR RESTORATION. THAT WAS MY INTENT ONLY TO DO AN ASSESSMENT FOR THE WORLD WAR I. >> IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN WE CAN DO A SECOND RF. >> SURE. ABSOLUTELY. >> WE DID THIS IN 20? >> 2014. >> 2014 I BELIEVE MS. GORMAN WAS INVOLVED IN THAT DISCUSSION [OVERLAPPING] IT'S BEEN THROUGH OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER, BUT WE'LL PURSUE IT AGAIN,. >> IF THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE NOW, WOULD THAT AFFECT THIS BID? >> WELL, YES, YOU'RE PUTTING IT OFF A MONTH. IF YOU FIND AFTER BUTCHER'S INVESTIGATION, WE CANNOT DO WORK ON THE TEXAS HEROES MONUMENT. I THINK THAT IS SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE TO THE SCOPE OF WORK IN ALL FAIRNESS TO THE CITY AND THE BIDDER? IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REBID AS TO THE CITY SHERMAN MONUMENT. IS PRICING MAYBE REFLECTING DOING TWO STATUES INSTEAD OF ONE. >> DO WE SEE THAT AS AN ISSUE? >> ALEX, I DON'T. I REALLY DON'T. >> LOOK, I BELIEVE IN HISTORY, AND I'M A HISTORY GUY AND I'M ALL FOR PRESERVING MONUMENTS, AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR INTO SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO STOP. >> NO. THE ONLY CONCERN WE'RE UP AGAINST IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO GET SCAFFOLDING UP AND DOWN BEFORE THE WE USED TO THINK BEFORE THE HEART OF HURRICANE SEASON, BUT SINCE THE HEART OF HURRICANE SEASON SEEMS TO BEGIN EARLIER NOW, THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY CONCERN WE HAVE. SO JANUARY MAY, WE'LL HAVE TO TALK TO THE POTENTIAL BIDDER, BUT I THINK WE'RE OKAY. >> I THINK WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT. >> WITH THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. >> WE MAY NEED TO MOVE HEROS MONUMENT UP A LITTLE EARLIER AND DO SIDNEY SHERMAN LATER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REC. >> I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY DELAYS ON THIS. >> SHOULDN'T. >> I DOUBT THERE WE'RE GOING TO START. IF WE CAN GET THE INFORMATION SOONER, YOU HAVE A JOINT MEETING IN EARLY JANUARY, WE CAN POSSIBLY GET IT ON THERE EVEN EARLIER IF WE CAN GET THE INFORMATION BACK. >> WE WORK BETTER UNDER PRESSURE. [LAUGHTER] >> BEFORE WE VOTE, I WANT THIS MOTION RESTATED. >> I WANT TO DEFER TO JANUARY TO BE ABLE TO CONSULT WITH OUR LOCAL PRESERVATION RESOURCES, THE GALVESTON HTORICAL FOUNDATION, AND WITH OUR STATE PRESERVATION RESOURCE, THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION FOR THE WORLD WAR II MONUMENT ON 23RD, TEXAS HEROES MONUMENT ON 25TH, THE WORLD WAR I MONUMENT, THE RIGHT COONEY, AND DID I GET THEM ALL, I THINK. >> REPHRASE THAT LAST SENTENCE TO BE AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WORLD WAR I MONUMENT ONLY ASSESSMENT. >> TO VERIFY OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY? >> IS EVERYONE CLEAR ON THE MOTION? I THINK. VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. GOT 1, 2, 3, 4. WE HAVE FIVE. WE HAVE COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS, COUNCILMAN FINKLEA, COUNCILMAN BROWN, MAYOR BROWN, AND COUNCILWOMAN ROBB IN FAVOR. >> AGAINST. >> WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER PALETA AND COUNCILMEMBER RAWLINS AGAINST. IT DOES PASS WITH FOUR VOTES. THANK YOU. BEFORE WE LEAVE OUR CONSENT ITEMS, COUNSEL, ITEM 11A THAT WE APPROVED IS FOR THIS LETTER OF SUPPORT. WE'RE ON A VERY SHORT TIME SCHEDULE FOR THIS. [01:20:02] JANELLE HAS THIS LETTER OF SUPPORT, AND WE NEED TO GET EACH ONE OF THE COUNCIL SIGNATURES ON THIS TONIGHT. MARIA, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND SIGNING AND PASSING IT DOWN, AS WE DISCUSSED THESE OTHERS, WE'LL MAKE SURE WE GET THAT SIGN FOR SENDING THAT OFF TONIGHT THEN. VERY GOOD. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12A, I THINK IT IS. [12.A. Discuss and consider approval of Park Board Capital Expenditures and Special Projects requiring City Council Approval. (B. Brown/C. Brown)] >> ITEM 12 A. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PARK BOARD CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND SPECIAL PROJECTS, REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL. >> VERY GOOD. OUR PARK BOARD LIAISON, COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN, DID YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS? OR I'D ENTERTAIN A MOTION, SIR. >> WELL, THESE ARE SPECIAL PROJECTS FROM THE PARK BOARD THAT WE'VE REVIEWED A FEW TIMES. I THINK THAT WE'VE CLARIFIED THAT THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BUCKET. THAT'S A TOTAL OF $300,000, I BELIEVE. ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS? >> WHERE'S THE FUNDING COME FROM? >> IT'S IT'S THE CITY HOT RESERVES. THIS IS OUTSIDE THE CURRENT BUDGET OF THE PARK BOARD, BUT IT'S WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAD ASKED THEM TO DO AT ONE TIME. >> YES. DAVID. ANY COMMENTS ON THIS? >> NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. I'M JUST GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEA IS THEIR SECOND. >> SECOND. COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS IS SECONDED. >> THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSIONS ON THIS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [12.B. Consider a motion directing the City Manager to contact the Port of Galveston related to a transfer of funds from the Port to the City for infrastructure costs in an amount as determined by Council. (Porretto/Robb)] LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12B, PLEASE. >> ITEM 12B. CONSIDER A MOTION DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO CONTACT THE PORT OF GALVESTON RELATED TO A TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE PORT TO THE CITY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE COST IN AN AMOUNT AS DETERMINED BY COUNSEL. >> VERY GOOD. I THINK WE HAD DISCUSSED THIS MANY TIMES AND WE DISCUSSED IT AGAIN THIS MORNING. I THINK COUNCILMAN PRETA MIGHT HAVE A THOUGHT ON THIS. >> THE ILLUSTRIOUS DON GLA WALSKI, HELPED WRITE THIS MOTION. FOR 12B, I MOVED THAT COUNSEL DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO COMMUNICATE TO THE CEO OF THE GALVESTON WHARVES TO REQUEST THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE PORT TO THE CITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1 MILLION OR AMOUNT THAT WHARVES BOARD DEEMS NECESSARY. FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS OR ACQUISITIONS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CITY, WHICH WILL ALSO BENEFIT THE PORT OF GALVESTON SAID FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE CITY DURING THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR WITH THE DATE TRANSFER TO BE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON. >> I SECOND THAT MOTION. >> I HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRETA. YES, BROWN. >> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER THAT THIS MONEY WOULD BE USED FOR EITHER THE PUMP STATION AT 14TH STREET OR SOME FIRE SUPPRESSION PROJECTS. >> I THINK DON COVERED IT IN A GENERAL FORM THAT WAY WE HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY BETWEEN THE TWO. >> WELL, I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING THAT THE PORT HELPS THE CITY OUT, BUT ALSO THAT THE EXPENDITURES THAT THEY GIVE US GO TOWARDS BENEFITING NOT ONLY THE RESIDENTS, BUT THE PORT AS WELL. SO IT'S A GOOD USE OF THE FUNDS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED FROM THE BENEFIT OF THE PORT THAT THE CITY AND THE CITIZENS CAN BENEFIT FROM AS WELL THAT GO TOWARDS THE PROPER USES OF THE FUNDS BETWEEN MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS. >> AS MENTIONED AT THE WORKSHOP, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND MENTIONED AT THE WORKSHOP, I HAVE TOOK THE LIBERTY OF PUTTING THIS ON THE DECEMBER 17, WHARVES BOARD AGENDA. SAYING THAT, ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE AGAINST. [12.C. Discuss and consider appointments to the following City Boards, Commissions, and Committees: Park Board of Trustees Finance, Fiscal Affairs and Investment Committee Landmark Commission Sister Cities Program Committee] MOVING ALONG TO ITEM 12B. WELL, EXCUSE ME, I'M SORRY 12C. >> ITEM 12C. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES. >> WE ARE STARTING WITH OUR PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WE HAVE HAD OUR RANKINGS AND MICHELLE BECKWITH. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. [01:25:01] >> AS BEEN OUR TOP NOMINEE, AND WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. THE MOTION WAS BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, ANY DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. ITEM 2 FINANCES FISCAL AFFAIRS INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. >> WOULD BE INTERESTING. >> YOU GIVE ME A SETUP AND I'M NOT GOING TO FOLLOW. [LAUGHTER] YES. THIS IS DISTRICT 5. YES, SIR. >> I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE ROBERT DAGNAN FOR THE FINANCE FISCAL AFFAIRS INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, MR. DAGNAN, FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN RAWLINS. SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING YOUR HAND, THOSE ARE IN FAVOR OF MR. DAGNAN FOR THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. WE HAVE THREE VOTES, AND THAT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT MOTION FAILS FOR LACK OF A QUORUM. >> LACK OF A QUORUM. >> A LACK OF A MAJORITY, I'M SORRY. MOVING TO LANDMARK COMMISSION. WE HAVE ONE APPOINTMENT OPEN THERE, AND I THINK SHARON, YOU'RE THE LIAISON. YES. >> ON THE LAST ONE, WERE THE REMAINING FOUR NO? >> YES. >> WOULD YOU CALL FOR THAT, PLEASE? >> THAT IS CORRECT. LET ME CALL FOR THAT. ALL THOSE AGAINST. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. LANDMARK COMMISSION. SHARON, YOU'RE THE LIAISON FOR THAT. DO YOU HAVE A NOMINATION? >> WE HAVE A NOMINATION FROM MS. LEWIS FOR ALLISON SMITH TO FILL THE ALTERNATE VACANT POSITION ON THE LANDMARK COMMISSION. >> THAT'S YOUR NOMINEE, SHARON? >> YES. >> I'LL SECOND THAT. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT'S 1, 2, 03, 4, 05, 6, 7. WE HAD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED SISTER CITIES PROGRAM COMMITTEE. >> AT THE LAST MEETING, COUNCIL APPROVED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE, WHICH STAGGERED THE TERMS. THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED SEVEN NAMES FOR COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TONIGHT IS DONNA WILLIAMS, SYDNEY TREG, JOE CAPPADONA, SHERI ROOKS, PAM WILLIAMS, PATRICIA BOLTON LEG, AND EILEEN DONLIN. >> TO APPROVE? >> MOTION FOR APPROVAL BY COUNCILWOMAN ROBB SECONDED BY COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS ON THOSE THAT WERE READ BY OUR CITY SECRETARY FOR THE SISTER CITIES PROGRAM COMMITTEE. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUS. [12.D. Discuss and consider appointments to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) boards and committees: (Brown)] 12D, PLEASE. >> ITEM 12 D. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. >> VERY GOOD. WE'LL START WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THAT HAS BEEN COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, I ASSUME YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SERVE AS THE BACKUP ON THAT, THE ALTERNATE. I DID ATTEND ONE QUASI MEETING FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND REPLACEMENT OF COUNCILWOMAN ROBB, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS ALTERNATE IF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE. VERY GOOD. DID YOU WANT TO MAKE NOMINATION ON THOSE? >> WAS THAT TPC, WHAT ABOUT TAC? >> WE'RE GOING TO GET TO TPC. >> SEPARATE? >> YES, SIR. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> WE HAVE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND BOARD DIRECTOR, AND I'LL SECOND THAT. GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND BORDER DIRECTORS, COUNCILWOMAN ROBB AS THE PRIMARY PARTICIPANT AND MAYOR BROWN AS THE ALTERNATE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THAT IS UNANIMOUS. TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNSEL. WE HAVE MARIE, IS OUR TPC REPRESENTATIVE. WHO'S OUR ALTERNATE MARIE ON THE DAVID FINKLEA, YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE? [01:30:03] I'D MAKE A MOTION FOR MARIE ROB FOR TPC, AND THE ALTERNATE WOULD BE COUNCILMAN FINKLEA, IS THE SECOND. >> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> SECOND. COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS. VERY GOOD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUS. TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE CURRENTLY IS ROB WINIECKE, AS THE PRIMARY MEMBER AND BRANDON COOK AS THE ALTERNATE. I'M GOING TO NOMINATE THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARE ANXIOUS TO SERVE AND BROWN HAS RECOMMENDED THEIR SERVING ON THAT. IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. >> I HAVE A SECOND, COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEA. VERY GOOD. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. THAT IS UNANIMOUS. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA. JUST BEFORE WE LEAVE, DID WE GET ALL THE SIGNATURES, JANELLE? >> YES, SIR. >> ONE COMMENT. >> YES. GO RIGHT AHEAD, SIR. >> ROBERT, THANK YOU FOR APPLYING AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO SPEAK TODAY. I HOPE THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO SERVE IN THE FUTURE. JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS FOR PUTTING YOUR NAME IN. YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT APPLIED TO, SO WE GOT TO FIND ANOTHER ONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA. IT IS 6:31 PM. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.