8.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Changing The Zoning From Residential, Single-Family (R-1) Zoning District To Restricted Residential, Single Family (R-0) Zoning District On Various Properties Of the Sea Breeze subdivision as a Restricted Residential, Single-Family (R-0) zoning district. Properties are legally described as Abstract 121 Page 48 Lots 1 through 11 Sea Breeze and Abstract 121 Page 48 North 75 Feet of Lot 12 (12-1) Sea Breeze, in the City and County of Galveston, Texas. Planning Case Number 25P-004; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (P. Milburn)

[8.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Changing The Zoning From Residential, Single-Family (R-1) Zoning District To Restricted Residential, Single Family (R-0) Zoning District On Various Properties Of the Sea Breeze subdivision as a Restricted Residential, Single-Family (R-0) zoning district. Properties are legally described as Abstract 121 Page 48 Lots 1 through 11 Sea Breeze and Abstract 121 Page 48 North 75 Feet of Lot 12 (12-1) Sea Breeze, in the City and County of Galveston, Texas. Planning Case Number 25P-004; Making Various Findings And Provisions Related To The Subject. (P. Milburn)]

>> ITEM 8A. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, CHANGE IN THE ZONING FROM RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT TO RESTRICTED RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT.

>> ON VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF THE SEABREEZE SUBDIVISION AS A RESTRICTED RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FAMILY ZONING DISTRICT.

PROPERTIES ARE LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS ABSTRACT 121 PAGE 48 LOTS ONE THROUGH 11 SEABREEZE, AND ABSTRACT 121 PAGE 48 NORTH 75 FEET OF LOT 12 SEABREEZE.

IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, PLANNING CASE NUMBER 25P-004, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT.

>> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE PETE, GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> THIS IS PLANNING CASE 25P-004, AND THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R1 TO THE R0 ZONING DESIGNATION.

THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE SEABREEZE ON [INAUDIBLE] NEIGHBORHOOD.

STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL, AND WE DID SEND OUT PUBLIC NOTICES AND WE SENT OUT 19, AND WE HAD FOUR RETURNED, AND THOSE FOUR WERE IN FAVOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT IN THE STAFF REPORT, THE CRITERIA THAT STATES THAT 75% OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS TO BE OWNER OCCUPIED AND 75% OF THE RESIDENTS NEED TO INITIATE THIS ZONING CHANGE REQUEST.

IN THIS CASE, 75% OF THE PROPERTIES ARE OWNER OCCUPIED, AND 83% OF THE NEIGHBORS INITIATED THIS PETITION.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEARD THIS CASE ON FEBRUARY 4TH, AND THEY DID VOTE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

THERE'S AN IMAGE ON THE SCREEN OF THE AREA OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THAT CONCLUDES STAFF REPORT.

>> THANK YOU, PETE. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. MILBURN? IT IS 5:20 PM, I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.

ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS ITEM? YES, MA'AM. COME FORWARD.

[00:20:03]

>> IT IS NOT OWNER OCCUPIED BY 75%, WE HAVE A LOT.

>> WELL, COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF?

>> YES. DOCTOR MADONNA MAMO.

I LIVE WHERE THERE'S NOTHING BUT MULTIFAMILY UNITS COMING UP IN SINGLE FAMILY LOTS.

THEY'VE BEEN BOUGHT OUT BY A PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR, SO I DON'T THINK THAT THAT RULE APPLIES TO EVERYONE WHEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE 75% OWNER OCCUPIED, BECAUSE I'M SURROUNDED BY NOTHING BUT RENTERS.

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM? IT IS 5:20 PM.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> MAYOR, I MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> MOTION FOR APPROVAL, IF YOU COULD, COUNCILWOMAN, ROBB, IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT?

>> SECONDED.

>> SECOND, COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS. I'M SECONDING.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

>> DID YOU PUT YOUR SECOND IN SHARON?

>> I'M HITTING IT. GET UP HERE.

>> YOU CAN NOW VOTE.

>> THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ITEM 8B, PLEASE.

[8.B. Consider for approval an ordinance of the city of Galveston, Texas, creating a planned unit development (PUD) overlay zoning district in a Commercial (C) zoning district to develop an Auto Fueling Station land use on property commonly known as 13722-14000 San Luis Pass Road / FM 3005, and which is legally described as part of Lots 32 and 45 (45-5), and Adjacent Abandoned street, Trimble and Lindsey Survey, Section 3, in the City and County of Galveston, Texas; Planning Case Number 25P-001; making various findings and provisions related to the subject; and providing for an effective date. (C. Gorman)]

>> ITEM 8B. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, CREATING A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT AND A COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AN AUTO FUELING STATION LAND USED ON PROPERTY, COMMONLY KNOWN AS 13722-14000 SAN LOUIS PASS ROAD, FM3005, AND WHICH IS LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS PART OF LOTS 32 AND 45, AND ADJACENT ABANDONED STREET, TRIMBLE AND LINDSAY SURVEY, SECTION 3, IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS.

PLANNING CASE NUMBER 25P-001, MAKING VARIOUS FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> WE HAVE KATHERINE GORMAN, KATHERINE.

>> GOOD EVENING.

>> THE APPLICANT IS INTENDING TO ESTABLISH AN AUTO FUELING STATION LAND USE IN THE COMMERCIAL-BASED ZONING DISTRICT? THE SITE PREVIOUSLY OPERATED AS AN AUTO FUELING STATION, HOWEVER, GASOLINE SALES CEASED IN 2020.

AS THE AUTO FEELING STATION USES LAPS FOR MORE THAN 365 DAYS, THE NEW REGULATIONS FOR SUCH MUST BE MET.

AT THE FEBRUARY 4TH MEETING, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH THE REQUIREMENT THE APPLICANT PUT IN THE VISUAL SCREENING, LANDSCAPING, AND STAFF IS ALSO RECOMMENDING APPROVAL.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS GORMAN, COUNCIL? IT IS 5:22 PM, I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 8B.

ANY COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE ON THIS ITEM.

HEARING NO RESPONSE.

I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:23 PM.

BRING THIS BACK TO COUNCIL.

>> MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL FOR MAYOR PRO TEM ROBB.

>> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN.

ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.

VERY GOOD. THAT'S UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

WE ARE NOW MOVING TO THE ITEM COME NUMBER 9, PLEASE, NELLY.

[9. PUBLIC COMMENT]

>> ITEM NUMBER 9, PUBLIC COMMENT.

A, AGENDA ITEMS. B, NON AGENDA ITEMS.

>> IF THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE ALLOW YOU TO COME UP, WE ALLOW THREE MINUTES FOR YOUR INPUT ON AGENDA OR NON-AGENDA ITEMS. AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE COUNCIL CANNOT RESPOND TO YOU ON THESE ITEMS BECAUSE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

BUT WE DO TAKE NOTES ON THIS, AND SO ANYONE THAT WANTS TO COME UP AND MAKE A COMMENT, STAFF, AND COUNCIL ARE TAKING NOTES OF THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HEARING THAT, BEFORE WE START, I'M GOING TO CALL ON JOSH HENDERSON.

JOSH, YOU'RE UP HERE.

YOU BRING A FRIEND AND WANT US TO TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT HIM, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> TODAY, WE'RE AT COUNCIL SEEKING APPLICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS, AND I BROUGHT A CHALLENGE.

I'M SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF SCOOTER.

HE'S CURRENTLY MY OFFICE MATE.

AS OF LAST NIGHT, HE HAS SPENT HIS FIRST EVENING TRUSTED IN MY OFFICE FULL OF ALL OF MY THINGS OUT OF A CAGE. IT IS PRETTY RARE.

I'VE BROUGHT A HANDFUL OF MY OFFICE, BUDDIES UP HERE.

THIS IS THE FIRST DOG I HAVE ALLOWED TO SPEND 24 HOURS IN MY OFFICE UNCAGED.

HE JUST OWNS THE HOUSE.

TO SAY HE'S THAT WELL HOUSE BROKEN IS A RARE THING TO BE ABLE TO SAY FOR ANY ANIMAL IN A SHELTER.

[00:25:06]

HE'S REMARKABLY FRIENDLY FOR PEOPLE.

NOW, LIKE A LOT OF OLD MEN, HE'S GOT HIS QUIRKS, HE'S NOT OVERWHELMINGLY DOG FRIENDLY.

HE WILL NOT GET TO ATTEND OUR PET PARADE BECAUSE HE'S SELECTIVE WITH HIS FRIENDS AND THAT'S OKAY.

HE'S A GENTLY USED DOG.

HE'S A SENIOR, AND SO HE'S ALLOWED TO BE A LITTLE CROTCHETY.

WHILE HE MAY NOT BE THE MOST OVERWHELMINGLY FRIENDLY FELLOW FOR OTHER DOGS, HE MAKES A GREAT OFFICE, BUDDY.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CHILL DOG TO HANG OUT ON THE DOG BED, HE DOESN'T REQUIRE A WHOLE LOT OF EXERCISE, HE REALLY WOULD MAKE SOMEBODY AN AMAZING FAMILY PET PROVIDED YOU CAN GIVE HIM A SINGLE DOG HOME.

WE'RE SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR SCOOTER REGISTRATIONS, GOES ALONG WITH THE CHALLENGE.

I'VE BROUGHT A TROPHY TODAY.

WE'RE HANDING OUT SIX OF THESE TROPHIES FOR OUR COSTUME CONTEST FOR OUR PET PARADE THIS SUNDAY, FOR THE BARKS AND MO PARADE.

IF YOU REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE, AT 12:30, WE'LL OPEN UP OUR COSTUME CONTEST FOR THE DOGS.

YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THE CRAZIEST DRESSED DOGS.

I DON'T THINK SCOOTERS CONTEST IS GOING TO WIN.

WE'VE SEEN SOME PRETTY OUTLANDISH COSTUMES ARISE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE'RE ASKING THE COMMUNITY TO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND, SHOW YOUR MARTY GRASS, SPIRIT.

DRESS YOUR PUPPIES UP, DRESS YOUR DOGS UP, DRESS YOUR CHICKENS UP. BRING THEM OUT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GRAND OLD TIME.

WE DO HAVE A CHICKEN THAT IS REGISTERED CURRENTLY.

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PET PARADE.

IT'S FAMILY FRIENDLY, FUN.

IT WILL BE A PROPER FURRY AND FEATHERED TAKEOVER OF THE STRAND.

>> THANK YOU, JOSH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

I THINK YOU HAVE SOMEONE'S GOING TO ADOPT THE DOG.

THANK YOU, JOSH. JOY HEWITT, JOY.

>> WHERE TO SIGN IN? I DID.

HI. [LAUGHTER]

>> HOW ARE YOU, JOY?

>> I'M GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M FINE.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE GALVESTON GHOST WOLVES, THE GENETICALLY UNIQUE CANIDS THAT CARRY THE DNA OF THE ENDANGERED RED WOLVES.

THESE ANIMALS MAY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PREVENTING THE SPECIES FROM TOTAL EXTINCTION.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, I'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED BY THE PEOPLE OF GALVESTON.

WHILE I'M NOT VERY ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, I DO FOLLOW SEVERAL LOCAL PLATFORMS. TIME AND AGAIN, RESIDENTS POST PHOTOS OF GHOST WOLVES SHARING THE RARE EXPERIENCES OF SEEING ONE.

WHILE THIS VISIBLY LOOKS LIKE THERE'S MORE ENCOUNTERS, IT'S SIMPLY THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMPLIFYING THESE MOMENTS.

THE TRUTH IS THESE ANIMALS AVOID HUMAN INTERACTION, BUT HABITAT DESTRUCTION HAS FORCED THEM INTO DEVELOPED AREAS.

WHILE THERE ARE OCCASIONAL MISCONCEPTIONS, THE MAJORITY OF THE ONLINE DISCUSSIONS REFLECT CURIOSITY, EXCITEMENT, AND A STRONG WILLINGNESS TO PROTECT THESE ANIMALS.

SCIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT REMOVING, RELOCATING OR KILLING THEM IS INEFFECTIVE.

HOWEVER, HAZING OR HARASSMENT METHODS TO SCARE THESE ANIMALS AWAY FROM HUMAN POPULATED AREAS CAN BE EFFECTIVE IF DONE CORRECTLY.

THE GHOST WOLF TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY FOR EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THROUGH THE TOWN HALLS AND PRESENTATION IN JANUARY, WE HAVE MEDIA COVERAGE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, TEXAS MONTHLY, PBS, THE GALVESTON DAILY NEWS.

THAT'S JUST A FEW.

BUT MUCH MORE EDUCATION IS NEEDED TO BE DONE.

I WAS ENCOURAGED AFTER WATCHING THE WORKSHOP THIS MORNING TO SEE THAT CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS THESE EFFORTS.

I HAVE EDUCATIONAL POSTCARDS WITH INFORMATION ON THEM THAT SAYS WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A GHOST WOLF.

BUT BEFORE I CLOSE, I WANT TO SHARE A STORY.

AT OUR LAST TOWN HALL MEETING, A MOTHER AND HER MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILD APPROACHED ME.

THEY HAD TRAVELED ALL THE WAY FROM DALLAS AFTER THE BOY HAD RESEARCHED THE GHOST WOLVES FOR A SCHOOL PAPER.

HE WAS SO FASCINATED BY THESE RARE ANIMALS THAT HE ASKED HIS MOTHER TO BRING HIM HERE TO GALVESTON. THINK ABOUT IT.

[00:30:02]

A CHILD SO DEEPLY MOVED BY WHAT HE LEARNED THAT HE CONVINCED HIS FAMILY TO DRIVE TO GALVESTON.

THAT'S THE IMPACT THAT THESE GHOST WOLVES HAVE, NOT JUST HERE IN GALVESTON, BUT BEYOND.

THEY INSPIRE WONDER, CURIOSITY, AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

THANK FOR YOUR TIME, AND IMPORTANTLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE CAN COEXIST. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JOY.

>> I'LL PUT THESE ON THE BACK TABLE.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUNE COLLINS PULLIAM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> I'M JUNE COLLINS PULLIAM, AS YOU SAID, I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF EDUCATORS HERE IN GALVESTON, STARTING WITH MY GREAT GRANDFATHER, RALPH ALBERT SKULL, WHO STARTED TEACHING IN GALVESTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1883, AND THAT BEGAN A 100-YEAR LEGACY OF GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY, TEACHING IN GISD.

THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN GALVESTON EQUATES WITH TEXAS HISTORY BECAUSE AFTER ALL, IT ALL STARTED HERE.

FOR DECADES, THIS LEGACY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOLS LEADING THE WAY STATEWIDE IN GALVESTON CONTINUED ACROSS THE STATE IN ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, MUSIC, AND MORE.

THIS IS PART OF THE UNIQUE STORY THAT PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE NOW INTERESTED IN COMING TO SEE HERE IN GALVESTON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DUE TO IT NOW BEING KNOWN NATION WHY THE GALVESTON IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH.

THEY WANT TO COME SEE OUR LANDMARKS AND LEARN OUR STORIES, SPENDING MONEY IN GALVESTON'S RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, GAS STATIONS, AND OTHER VENUES WHILE HERE.

THE SCHOOL AND LAND NAME FOR DOCTOR LA MORGAN IS THE ONLY SCHOOL LEFT IN ONE OF THE FEW PHYSICAL LOCATIONS STILL STANDING IN GALVESTON, THAT WE CAN SHOW OUR CULTURAL AND HISTORY TOURISTS, NAMED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A TRAILBLAZER.

DOCTOR MORGAN HAD SERVED IN VARIOUS PRINCIPAL AND OTHER HIGH ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES IN GISD, INCLUDING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.

HE LED THE INTEGRATION MERGER PROCESS OF CENTRAL HIGH AND BALL HIGH.

HE LED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OLD CENTRAL CULTURAL CENTER AND MORE.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT HIS NAME CONTINUE TO BE HONORED IN A MAJOR WAY, SUCH AS ON A BUILDING OR PIECE OF LAND, ESPECIALLY IF GALVESTON DOES NOT WANT TO BE KNOWN AS DEVALUING ITS RICH AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO THE NAMING OF BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES.

NOW, LET ME POINT OUT, THAT IF THERE IS NO LONGER AT LEAST THIS ONE PLACE, NAME FOR AN IMPORTANT AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATOR, WE WILL STILL HAVE ACTIVELY IN USE, SEVEN SCHOOLS, HONORING NINE WHITE PEOPLE, GEORGE W BALL, STEPHEN F AUSTIN, DAVID BURNETT, ROBERT AND MAMIE WEISS, GLADIO PARKER, GRETA API AND JAMES AND HENRIETTA CRENSHAW.

THESE PERSONS ARE HONORED IN BUILDINGS THAT ARE VISIBLE 2/47, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND LET GISD KNOW THE WEATHER THROUGH A JUNETEENTH MUSEUM OR HOUSING, SO OUR TEACHERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS CAN AFFORD TO LIVE ON THIS ISLAND OR BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE AND PARK.

HOWEVER, THAT THE CITY SUPPORTS THIS ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ERASE THE LAST VESTIGE OF A PHYSICAL SPACE NAMED FOR AND HONORING THE RICH AND IMPORTANT HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN EDUCATORS IN GALVESTON. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUNE.

>> ELIZABETH BEATON, ELIZABETH.

>> HELLO.

>> I'M ELIZABETH BEATON.

I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO FOCUS ON THE CITY'S INTERESTS WHEN YOU COMMUNICATE WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THE ROSENBERG SCHOOL PROPERTY.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IF THE FUNDRAISING GOES WELL, THE CITY WILL RECEIVE A GIFT DOUBLING THE SIZE OF EDUPARK, A GOOD THING FOR THE CITY.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL GET $2.2 MILLION.

THE DISTRICT RELIED ON THE COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPERTY WHEN IT ENTERTAINED A PROPOSAL FROM THE FUNDRAISING GROUP AND REJECTED ALL OTHER BIDS.

THE BEST INTEREST OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOW IS FOR THE FUNDRAISING TO BE SUCCESSFUL SO THAT IT GETS PAID.

ALTHOUGH THE CITY'S INVOLVEMENT IS RECENT, THIS BEGAN WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD TO CLOSE A NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL THAT HAD BEEN THERE FOR 60 YEARS.

[00:35:02]

MANY UNHAPPY NEIGHBORS AND FORMER AND CURRENT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THAT LOSS BECAUSE THE CITY IS WILLING TO CREATE A PARK THERE.

I REPRESENT THE DISTRICT WHERE ROSENBERG SCHOOL WAS LOCATED.

BUT I WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED THE CITY INCORPORATING SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY INTO AN EXISTING CITY PARK, WHEREVER IT WAS LOCATED, SUCH AS AT BURNETTE ELEMENTARY, NEXT TO THE BALL FIELDS.

BUT BURNETTE IS NOT CLOSING.

I SUPPORT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CURRENT AGREEMENTS ALLOWING THE CITY TO USE SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY AT NO CHARGE FOR THE WESTEND DOG PARK AND THE SOFTBALL FIELDS.

ONE LAST THING ABOUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PROCESS.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD TO USE TWO PROCESSES AT THE SAME TIME TO ACCOMMODATE ALL PROPOSALS.

ONE WAS FOR SEALED BIDS, CULMINATING IN BEST AND FINAL CONFIDENTIAL OFFERS, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW FOR ANY BIDDERS THAT ARE NOT GOVERNMENTS.

THE OTHER METHOD IS FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONVEYING PROPERTY TO A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, SUCH AS THE CITY, WHICH IS A PUBLIC PROCESS WITH NO DEADLINES UNTIL THE FINAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

IT WAS CONFUSING INDEED, TO HAVE PUBLIC OFFERS AND CONFIDENTIAL SEALED BIDS AND FINAL BIDS BEING ANNOUNCED ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

BUT IT DID SERVE TO PUSH ALL BIDS HIGHER.

IN THE END, A GOOD THING FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. LET'S HAVE EMILY HENDERSON, EMILY.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I JUST CAME HERE TO APOLOGIZE FOR MY PAST BEHAVIOR.

I APOLOGIZE IF I'VE OFFENDED ANYONE.

I'VE GONE TO COUNSELING TO DEAL WITH MY ISSUES AND COUNSELING HAS HELPED ME SEE BOTH SIDES OF THINGS.

ONCE AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING DISRESPECTFUL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, EMILY. APPRECIATE IT.

[APPLAUSE] MADONNA, MAMROE.

>> HELLO. I ACTUALLY SAW THAT I HAVE AN ITEM.

IT'S ON THE AGENDA.

I SUBMITTED RELIGIOUS ARTWORK IN NOVEMBER OF 2024 TO THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AND APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS WENT BY WITHOUT A RESPONSE FROM THE COMMISSION AFTER BEING PLACED ON A MEETING AGENDA TO SPEAK TO THEM ABOUT MY ARTWORK IN DECEMBER, AND I HAD TO CONTACT THEM FOR AN UPDATE.

I WAS INSTEAD SWIFTLY CONTACTED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY THAT MY ARTWORK WOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS DENIED DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION.

HE STATED AN ENTIRELY NEW APPLICATION WOULD BE NEEDED AND DIDN'T STATE WHAT WAS INCOMPLETE.

MY ARTWORK WAS TO DISPLAY AN ALTERNATIVE INTERPRETATION OF THE RAINBOW AS MANY RELIGIONS FEEL LEFT OUT AND DISTANCE FROM THE SACRED RAINBOW DUE TO THE HIGHLY PUSHED LGBTQ FLAG.

WE WANT TO ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THAT INTERPRETATION.

I ASKED FOR ONE CROSSWALK.

NEAR CITY HALL FOR MARDI GRA, DEPICTING JESUS PULLING A MARDI GRA FLOAT THAT LOOKED LIKE NOAH'S ARK DOWN THE SACRED RAINBOW, AND TO BE PAID FOR BY MYSELF.

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY OTHER APPLICANT WOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY AN ATTORNEY NOR COMPLETELY DISMISSED BY THE COMMISSION.

MY QUESTION IS, HOW WAS I PLACED ON AN AGENDA TO SPEAK ABOUT MY ARTWORK IF THE APPLICATION WAS SUPPOSEDLY INCOMPLETE.

THE COMMISSION ALSO COULD NEVER PRODUCE THEIR CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING MERITED ART.

THIS WAS A TYPICAL DARVO MOVE BY THE GALVESTON OFFICIALS.

I NOTICED DURING THE JANUARY 2025 MEETING, THEY HAD AN AGENDA TO APPROVE STREET ART PRETTY QUICKLY FOR SOMEONE ELSE AND HAD ALIGN ITEM TO DETERMINE WHERE ART CAN BE DISPLAYED IN THE CITY.

I CANNOT FIND ONE CULTURAL COMPECENCY CERTIFICATION OF ANY MEMBER OF THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC RECORD TO ENSURE SENSITIVITY TO ALL PROTECTED CIVIL RIGHTS CLASSES.

SINCE 2019, WE HAVE HAD TWO LGBTQ PRIDE CROSSWALKS ON A SHARED PARADE ROUTE WITH THE THIRD LARGEST CHRISTIAN MARDI GRA PARADE IN THE COUNTRY.

THE CITY SECRETARY PROVIDED ME A NEWS ARTICLE THAT INDICATES

[00:40:02]

A COUNCILMAN TOLD THE PUBLIC THAT THE PRIDE FLAGS WOULD BE TEMPORARY.

NO OTHER PUBLIC RECORDS EXIST WHILE MARDI GRA IS A THAT MOCKS ALL SIN, THUS THE KNIGHTS OF MOMUS PARADE IS THE GOD OF MOCKERY.

MOMUS WAS THE GOD OF MOCKERY.

THE COUNCIL ALSO DIDN'T THINK THAT PERHAPS IT WOULD LOOK LIKE CHRISTIANS WERE MOCKING LGBTQ AND VICE VERSA, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE NATION TODAY.

NONETHELESS, MANY CHRISTIANS ARE GATHERING HERE THIS WEEK.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS ITEM 10 THAT SAYS IT IS UP FOR APPROVAL AS A SIDEWALK, PROBABLY BE ON SOME BACK ROAD.

I ASKED FOR A CROSSWALK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SEAN ARTHUR.

SEAN, HOW ARE YOU, SIR? THANK YOU.

>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 12A, WHICH IS THE LA MORGAN PROJECT.

I LEARNED A LOT TO DAY IN WORKSHOP, AND IT WAS JUST A LOT OF THINGS LEFT OUT ABOUT THE LA MORGAN PROJECT.

IT'S MORE OR LESS ABOUT THE BUILDING OF SOMEONE WHO REALLY PAVED THE WAY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN GALVESTON, ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICANS.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER PROPOSAL, WHICH WE HAVE SHARED WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY ASKED THAT WE MADE SURE THAT IT WAS KID FRIENDLY THAT WOULD DO EXACTLY JUST THAT.

BUT WE HAD MORE THAN JUST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM.

WE IMPLEMENTED GREEN SPACE AND POSSIBILITY OF WORKFORCE HOUSING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD SINCE DECEMBER ON GETTING THIS DONE, AND THE RESOLUTION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS TO SHOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO SUPPORT US IN GIVING US A FAIR SHOT AS MAKING THIS COME TO A REALITY, WHICH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM WOULD HAVE RESTAURANTS, RENTAL SPACES, OFFICE SPACES, AND ALL THESE TYPE OF DEALS ON THE INSIDE OF IT.

WE HAVE HEAVILY THOUGHT THIS THROUGH.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD WITH TWO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, WHICH IS, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE OLD CENTRAL COLE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND WILLIAMS BOARD.

THAT'S THE HARD THING TO DO.

WE HAVEN'T PROBABLY DONE THAT IN 15 YEARS AND WE ALL ON BOARD.

THE MAIN THING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE WOULD BE AFRICAN AMERICAN JUNE 10TH MUSEUM AND KEEP THE NAME OF DOCTOR LA MORGAN ALIVE ON THE BUILDING.

ALSO THE WILLIAMS BOARD THERE IN FEAR THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO COME AND PUT 100 WEEKEND RENTALS ON THAT PROPERTY APARTMENT COMPLEX.

WITH THAT, THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN, WE HAVE HELD TWO TOWN HALL MEETINGS, AND WE'VE HAD OVER 70 TO 125 PEOPLE SHOW UP AT THESE MEETINGS, AND ENGAGEMENT WAS GREAT.

I WISH SOME OF YOU GUYS COULD HAVE CAME OUT AND INVOLVED.

MS. LEWIS CAME OUT AND SHE WAS AT THE SECOND MEETING.

LIKE I SAD, THE COMMUNITY ADAPTED TO THE MUSEUM A LOT BETTER THAN WE ALL THOUGHT THEY WOULD, ALONG WITH THE GREEN SPACE AND THE WORKFORCE HOUSING.

I'M JUST ASKING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE OPEN MIND AND GET BEHIND PASSING THIS RESOLUTION SO WE CAN MOVE ON FORWARD.

LIKE I SAID, THE MOST IMPORTANT I'VE FOUND OUT IN THE WORKSHOP TODAY, THE DEAL AIN'T DONE UNTIL THE MONEY'S IN THE BANK. THANK YOU.

>> VERY GOOD. [APPLAUSE] TORRES WOODS, TORRES.

>> WE HAD A PARTICULAR ORDER THAT WE WERE TRYING TO GO BY WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE WILLIAMS BOARD NEIGHBORHOOD, THE REV SITES, AND THEN MYSELF.

BUT SINCE YOU WERE SO ANXIOUS TO GET TO ME, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD CALL ME UP TO GIVE ME A KEY.

I DID NOT HAVE A KEY FOR YOU, TORRES.

HOLD ON TO THAT KEY.

ALSO, MAYOR VERY QUICKLY, IS THAT I, TOO, AS A FORMER CITY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER COUNCIL PERSON THAT GOT ME INTO CITY POLITICS OVER 35 YEARS AGO, AND HIS NAME IS DANNY ALLEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A ROUND APPLAUSE FOR DANNY ALLEN.

[APPLAUSE] IF I HAVE MADE ANY GOOD TROUBLE OVER THE LAST 35 YEARS, BLAME DANNY ALLEN.

[LAUGHTER] THERE'S ANOTHER COINCIDENCE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOUR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT YOU HAVE TOLD THAT YOUR HOMETOWN IS FORTWORTH AND THAT IN THE CITY OF FORTWORTH,

[00:45:02]

THEY ARE BUILDING A 50,000 SQUARE FEET JUNETEENTH MUSEUM.

THEY ARE ASKED TO HAVE THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR UP TO $15 MILLION TO GO TOWARD BUILDING THAT JUNETEENTH MUSEUM.

I HEAR YOU, YOU MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO GALVESTON, AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH YOU FOR FOUR YEARS AND WE NEED TO GET BEHIND YOU TO HELP PUSH YOU ALONG BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN MOVING A LITTLE SLOW FOR US.

THE THING IS IS THAT I THINK THAT CITY GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE A CITIZENRY WITH THE TYPE OF THINGS THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THEMSELVES.

WE CANNOT AFFORD POLICE DEPARTMENTS, WATER DEPARTMENTS, PARKS.

NEITHER CAN WE AFFORD MUSEUMS. THAT'S WHY THE CITY OF GALVESTON SHOULD GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS.

BE SLAVERY ENDED HERE IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON.

NOW, YOU MENTIONED SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT GALVESTON BEING THE RICHEST CITY WHEN YOU GO BACK INSIDE THIS HISTORY, BUT WE SHOULD NOT ERASE CERTAIN PART OF OUR HISTORY.

SLAVERY IN THIS TOWN IT HAPPENED AND YOU CANNOT GO THROUGH ERASING IT, MARIA.

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU GOT YOUR NAME IN FROM THERE.

I JUST WANT TO PERSON LET YOU KNOW THAT.

BUT WHAT MR. ARTHUR WAS SAYING EARLIER IS THAT WE SIMPLY WANT YOU TO PASS THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION.

ALL THE OTHER DETAILS THAT CAN BE HAMMERED OUT OVER A GISD, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT.

BUT IF THE CITY GET BEHIND US, THEN WE CAN SEND LETTERS TO MAYES MIDDLETON.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE FUNDING FROM THE TEXAS LEGS.

THEN WE CAN HAVE THE CITY OF GALVESTON TO WRITE LETTERS TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATOR AS WELL AS TRYING TO GET MORE MORE FUNDING.

BUT LET US WORK WITH THAT AT GISD, AND HOPEFULLY YOU ARE PASS THIS RESOLUTION SO WE CAN HAVE SOME SUPPORT AT OUR BACK.

>> THANK YOU, TORRES. APPRECIATE IT.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] THOMAS SINGLETON, THOMAS.

>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH ME TODAY.

I JUST WANTED TO SPAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ITEM 12A ON THE AGENDA.

EVERY YEAR, GALVESTON CELEBRATES JUNE 19TH AS A WATERSHED MOMENT IN OUR SHARED AND NATIONAL EFFORTS TO FORM A MORE PERFECT UNION.

JUNETEENTH REPRESENTS THOSE AMERICAN IDEALS OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM THAT WE HOLD DEAR.

IT REPRESENTS OUR SHARED STRUGGLES AND VALUES AND IT CELEBRATES, AS DOCTOR KING PUT IT, THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE BENDING TOWARDS JUSTICE.

TODAY, JUNETEENTH REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL GALVESTONIANS.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM OUR SHARED HISTORY, VALUES, AND ACTIONS.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A LEGACY FOR A GENERATION OF GALVESTONIANS AND BEYOND.

I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDER AGENDA ITEM 12A IN THE FUTURE OF THE JUNETEENTH MUSEUM IN GALVESTON.

YOUR SUPPORT WOULD HELP TO DRIVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

IT'D BE AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE, AND IT WOULD ENHANCE AND EMBRACE GALVESTON'S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INSTITUTIONS.

YOUR SUPPORT FOR ITEM 12A WOULD ALLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SERIOUSLY ENGAGE WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDERS AND ALLOW US TO CONSIDER CREATING A WORLD CLASS JUNETEENTH MUSEUM RIGHT HERE IN GALVESTON, THE BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH.

I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, TOM. TONY BROWN, TONY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> AFTERNOON.

>> I'M TONY BROWN, LONGTIME NO SEE.

I CAME HERE ON AGENDA ITEM 12A.

I'M SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR MY BOARD, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT YOU DEFER THAT AGENDA ITEM TO GIVE AT THE VERY LEAST, GIVE THE SCHOOL BOARD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND POSSIBLY PROVIDE ANY INPUT OR COMMENT.

PERSONALLY, I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH ANY OF THE PURPOSES, THEY ARE ALL VERY LAUDABLE PURPOSES, AND I DOUBT ANY OF MY FELLOW TRUSTEES WOULD OPPOSE THOSE EITHER.

IT'S LIKE IN THE DAY, MOM AND APPLE PIE.

THEY'RE ALL VERY GOOD, VERY SOLID PURPOSES.

BUT AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND MAKE SURE THAT THE DISTRICT, WHATEVER PURPOSE THE PROPERTY IS DEVOTED TO THAT WE GET THE FUNDS FOR THAT PROPERTY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE MISSION.

IN THIS DISTRICT, IN OUR DISTRICT,

[00:50:03]

ON THIS ISLAND AND BOLIVAR PENINSULA, 77% OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

THEY HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS, WE LIVE UNDER A STATE MANDATED SYSTEM, AS HARD AS IT IS FOR YOU GUYS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA.

WE SHOULD SOMETIME MAYBE HAVE A PRESENTATION WHEN TIME PERMITS ON ALL THE ADDITIONAL CONSTRAINTS WE HAVE TO OPERATE UNDER.

EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS, AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER USE THE PROPERTY ENDS UP BEING DEVOTED TO, WHETHER IT'S THESE GOOD PEOPLE OR SOMETHING ELSE, THAT THE DISTRICT GETS MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN.

THAT HAS TO MATTER AT SOME POINT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, TONY. PASTOR TIM SIKES, PASTOR SIKES. HOW ARE YOU, SIR?

>> HOW ARE YOU ALL?

>> GOOD. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ITEM 12A ON THE AGENDA.

DOCTOR LEON AUGUSTUS MORGAN, 1900 1903 EDUCATOR, TEACHER ADMINISTRATOR GALSY, FROM 1934-1974.

TAUGHT ENGLISH AT CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, BECAME PRINCIPAL OF CENTRAL IN 1941, AS WELL AS BASKETBALL AND DEBATE TEAM COACH.

CAREER SPANS, SEGREGATED AND INTEGRATED SCHOOLS, PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN INTEGRATING GALVESTON SCHOOLS IN THE LATE 1960S, ACTIVE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, STEWART AT REEDY CHAPEL AME, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF OLD CENTRAL CULTURAL CENTER, TAUGHT AT HBCUS, PRAIRIE VIEW, A&M, TEXAS SOUTHERN AND TEXAS COLLEGE, BURIED HERE IN GALVESTON LAKE VIEW CEMETERY.

NAME SAKE SCHOOL IS LA MORGAN ELEMENTARY.

I HEARD COMMENTS AND READ NEWS ARTICLES REGARDING THE PROPERTY.

WE'VE HAD MEETINGS WITH A COUPLE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS MEETING AND THEY MADE IT SEEM LIKE THAT THEY WERE SO DESPERATE TO HAVE MONEY FOR THIS LA MORGAN PROPERTY, BUT YET THEY REJECT $2 MILLION FROM UTMB.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT PHILOSOPHY.

I'M HERE TO ASK THE COUNCIL CONSIDER THIS RESOLUTION FOR THIS, DOCTOR L A MORGAN NATIONAL MUSEUM, WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A 34 PAGE WELL ARTICULATED, WELL WRITTEN PLAN.

GISD HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET.

WE WILL PRESENT IT TO THEM.

IT HAS BUDGET COSTS AND EVERYTHING.

MYSELF AND OTHERS ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY ON GRANT EFFORTS TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM HAPPEN, SO I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT THE TIME BEING SPENT FOR THIS IS NOT TIME WASTED.

I'VE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR A LONG TIME RETIRED FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MY INVESTIGATIVE KNOWLEDGE, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IN SEVERAL MEETINGS, THEY MADE LIKE THEY WERE SO BROKE.

THEY SO NEEDED MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT, BUT YET THEY REJECT TWO MILLION.

I'M JUST AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.

BUT I PRAY THAT YOU ALL CONSIDER THIS RESOLUTION, THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND PRESENT THIS WELL ARTICULATED PLAN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE] THE LAST ONE I HAVE IS SHEILA BELL.

SHEILA, HOW ARE YOU TODAY.

>> WE MET SHEILA.

>> COMMUNITY AROUND HERE.

THE DOG WAS GOOD.

THAT WAS GOOD, BUT YOU.

HEY, LAST TIME I WAS HERE AND I MISSED YOU ALL

>> ME AND MY SON WAS STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND THERE'S NO BUSES.

WE'RE WAITING ON OUR RIDE.

WOULD YOU KNOW THAT A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ASKED ME IF I NEEDED A RIDE HOME.

IT TOUCHED MY HEART. IT TOUCHED MY HEART, MR. RAWLINS.

IT TOUCHED MY HEART, MR. PORRETTO.

IT TOUCHED MY HEART BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACKS AROUND HERE.

WE'RE GALVESTON, WE DIFFERENT.

I JUST BELIEVE THAT.

I THANK GOD FOR CITY COUNCIL.

I THANK GOD FOR THE COUNCILWOMEN, COUNCILMEN.

THANK GOD FOR MR. MAXWELL. YOU JUST HANG IN THERE.

THANK GOD FOR THE SECRETARY.

THANK GOD FOR EVERYBODY, AND I'M JUST GLAD TO BE HERE.

I WANTED TO SAY THE SIDEWALKS FROM CENTRAL CITY BOULEVARD TO SEAWALL, EITHER ARE NOT THERE AT ALL, OR YOU CAN'T PASS THEM IN A WHEELCHAIR.

I KNOW OF A FEW ACCIDENTS.

IF IT'S NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE, CAN SOMEONE PRETTY PLEASE TAKE A GOOD LOOK AND FIX THOSE SO THAT ALL OUR RESIDENTS CAN GO AND PASS SAFELY BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT WE DO AS A COMMUNITY.

I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT TORNADOES. NOW, HERE'S THE THING.

I'M JUST SHEILA BELL, I'M A NOBODY, I AIN'T Y'ALL.

[00:55:02]

BUT I LOVE GOD. I WAS CURIOUS.

I SAID, TO GOD, WHAT'S WITH TORNADOES? HOW ARE THEY FORMED? HE TELLS ME.

NOBODY PAYING ATTENTION, BUT HE TOLD ME.

HERE'S THING. CLOUDS ARE FILLED WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ELECTRICITY.

EVERY CLOUD, WHICH MEANS EVERY ELEMENT FROM THE CLOUD IS ALSO FILLED WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ELECTRICITY. HOW DO YOU KNOW? LIGHTNING. HERE THERE'S MILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF VOLTS AND MEGA VOLTS OF LIGHTNING IN OUR ATMOSPHERE AND NOBODY GAUGING IT.

THE LORD SIMPLY TOLD ME TO TELL EVERYBODY TO START GAUGING ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY.

NOW, ALL THAT ELECTRICITY STARTS SPINNING AROUND CONSERVE SPINS.

THEN IT GROUNDS AND ELECTRIFIES THE GROUND AND SPREADS.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW WE GOT TORNADOES.

WHAT WEATHERMEN ALSO NEED TO DO IS QUIT CALLING THEM F5 WHEN THEY GOT FIVE EXTRA TORNADOES AROUND THEM.

THAT'S NOT JUST AN F5, THAT'S AN F6, 7, 08, 9 AND 10.

WHAT GOD'S TRYING TO DO IS HELP YOU ALL KNOW BECAUSE WHEN YOU TURN ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND THESE OTHER CHANNELS, THEY SAID, NOBODY KNOWS HOW TORNADOES ARE FORMED. THAT'S NOT TRUE.

YOU'RE NOT ASKING, AND YOU ALL ALREADY THINK YOU KNOW WHEN YOU DON'T.

PEOPLE ARE DYING, SO CALL SHEILA BELL, GIVE ME A CALL. THEY GOT MY NUMBER.

GOD WANT ALL TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND THEN THERE'S A CLUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THERE.

YOU ALL GOT TO READ WHAT GOD SAID ME.

I'LL BE ALL EXCITED.

ANYWAY, I'M JUST GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING SHEILA BELL TO GIVE HER A LITTLE THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU. GOD BLESS.

>> THANKS, SHEILA. [APPLAUSE] VERY GOOD.

ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S MOVE TO ORDINANCES NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS 10A.

[10.A. Consider For Approval An Ordinance Of The City Of Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Amending The Designated Meeting Days For The Year 2025 Of 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)]

>> ITEM 10A. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, AMENDING THE DESIGNATING MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR 2025 OF JOINT MEETINGS WITH THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GALVESTON WARS, RESERVING THE RIGHT OF COUNCIL TO SCHEDULE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS AS NEEDED, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> VERY GOOD. WE DISCUSSED THIS AT OUR WORKSHOP.

COUNCIL, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE DATES AS OUTLINED IN OUR PACKET MATERIAL.

>> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> IN A SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PORRETTO.

ALSO I WAS GOING TO MENTION, I KNOW COUNCILMAN BROWN HAS A CONCERN WITH THE APRIL 30TH, SO I WANT HIM TO KNOW THAT WE'LL LOOK AT A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE THAT WE COULD BRING BACK TO COUNCIL ON THIS.

[BACKGROUND] YOU'RE WELCOME.

[BACKGROUND] YES, MA'AM. VERY GOOD.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES ON THAT.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE TO CONSENT ITEMS, PLEASE.

[11. CONSENT ITEMS]

> CONSENT ITEMS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR ACTION AS A WHOLE UNLESS ONE OR MORE COUNCIL MEMBERS OBJECTS.

THE CITY MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS UPON FINAL APPROVAL BY THE CITY ATTORNEY.

CONSENT ITEMS 11A-11Z ARE ON THE SCREEN.

>> VERY GOOD. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS A COUNCIL MEMBER WOULD LIKE TO PULL OUT INDIVIDUALLY? YES, SIR.

>> I'D LIKE TO PULL OUT 11D.

>> ELEVEN WHAT?

>> 11D.

>> 11D AS IN DAVID.

ANY OTHER ITEMS? I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS 11A THROUGH 11Z, EXCLUDING ITEM 11D.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT?

>> I'LL SECOND THAT.

>> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

IT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[11.D. Consider for Approval an Application by Madonna Mamerow to place her art on a public sidewalk (Legal)]

ITEM 11D, PLEASE, NELLY.

>> ITEM 11D. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL AND APPLICATION BY MADONNA MEMRO TO PLACE HER ART ON A PUBLIC SIDEWALK?

>> YES, MA'AM. COUNCILMAN PORRETTO.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF MY QUESTIONS OF HOW IT GOT PLACED ON THE AGENDA AND THE APPLICANT WAS HERE.

I THINK WHAT WE SHOULD DO, IN THIS CASE IS GIVE HER THE OPPORTUNITY TO REAPPLY.

MEMRO? FRESH FROM UNI COURT.

>> THANK YOU. I MISSED YOUR QUESTION. I WAS WALKING UP.

>> IT WAS A STATEMENT,

[01:00:02]

BUT WHY IT WAS PLACED ON OUR AGENDA AFTER IT WAS RECOMMENDED THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION DENIED IT.

>> THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND DENIAL, BUT OUR CODE SAYS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE ULTIMATE ARBITER.

EVEN THOUGH THE COMMISSION DENIED IT, IT'S STILL UP FOR COUNCIL TO ACCEPT OR DENY.

>> FOR WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, AND THEN WE CAN OPEN THIS UP MORE.

IF WE CAN GIVE HER THE GUIDELINES OF WHAT SHE NEEDS, I'M SURE THAT MIGHT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED, BUT BE CLEAR THAT GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT IT UP THERE.

AGAIN, THAT WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK FOR THE CULTURE ARTS COMMISSION ANYWAY.

BUT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S COMPLETE AND CLEAR, AND WE CAN ALL GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> OF COURSE. YES. IF SHE WANTS TO AMEND HER APPLICATION, IT STILL HAS TO GO BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

>> I EXPECTED THAT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> SORRY, MAYOR. WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME, WAS SHE AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND HER APPLICATION OR DID IT JUST COME STRAIGHT DIRECTLY AS PRESENTED TO COUNCIL?

>> IT CAME STRAIGHT AS AS IT WAS PRESENTED AT THE COMMISSION TO COUNCIL.

IT WOULD NOT BE PROPER TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT OR AMEND THE APPLICATION [OVERLAPPING] BEFORE THE COMMISSION HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW WHAT I BELIEVE IS A NEW APPLICATION.

>> SHE COULD BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION?

>> YES.

>> WITH THE MOTION POTENTIALLY OF DENIAL, DOES NOT MEAN THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE [OVERLAPPING].

>> NOT STOPPED FROM PAINTING FOREVER.

NO. IT'S JUST THE APPLICATION.

>> THANK YOU. YES.

>> ONE OF THE STATEMENTS THAT THE APPLICANT MADE WAS SHE ASKED TO DO A CROSSWALK, NOT A SIDEWALK.

WHY WOULD IT CHANGE THE SIDEWALK?

>> I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT PORTION OF HER APPLICATION, I'M SORRY.

>> YEAH. IT'S RIGHT.

>> IT WAS LENGTHY.

>> [INAUDIBLE], THE APPLICANT ALSO STATED THAT IT TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS FOR THE COMMISSION TO RESPOND TO HER INITIAL APPLICATION.

HOWEVER, IN THE MEETINGS THAT I ATTENDED, I UNDERSTOOD THAT BOTH STAFF AND SOME COMMISSION MEMBERS WERE IN DISCUSSION WITH HER RELATED TO HER APPLICATION.

>> I WAS NEVER AWARE OF A TWO MONTH SILENCE FROM ANY CITY REPRESENTATIVE AND GETTING TO MS. MEMRO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> VERY GOOD. YES, SIR.

>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DENY.

>> I'LL SECOND.

>> HAVE A MOTION FOR DENIAL.

THIS IS FROM COUNCIL MEMBER PORRETTO AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FINKLEY.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ON THAT.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[12.A. Consider For Approval A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Galveston, Texas, Related To The Disposition Of L.A. Morgan School; Expressing Support For The Galveston Independent School District Trustees To Consider Alternative Use Plans For The L.A. Morgan School Site, Which Could Include A National Juneteenth Museum, And/Or A Community Park; Providing For Findings Of Fact And Providing For An Effective Date. (Lewis/C. Brown)]

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12A, PLEASE.

>> ITEM 12A. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL OR RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON, TEXAS, RELATED TO THE DISPOSITION OF LA MORGAN SCHOOL, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE GALVESTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEES TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE USE PLANS FOR THE LA MORGAN SCHOOL SITE, WHICH CAN INCLUDE A NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM AND/OR A COMMUNITY PARK, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> VERY GOOD. SHARON.

>> YES.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> WELL, I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCIL MEMBERS IF THEY WOULD SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

AGAIN, IT WAS PRESENTED.

>> COULD YOU MOVE YOUR.

>> SORRY. [NOISE] THIS RESOLUTION WAS PRESENTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND IT'S BASICALLY TO TRY TO KEEP THE BUILDING AS A COMMUNITY CENTER.

IT'S ALSO MENTIONED A POSSIBLE JUNETEETH MUSEUM, OR ANY ORGANIZATION THAT CAN BE USED TO ADVANCE THE CULTURE AND THE HISTORY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS SIMPLY A SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR IDEAS OF WHAT TO USE THAT BUILDING FOR IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'M ASKING, COUNCIL, IF YOU WOULD PASS THIS RESOLUTION.

[01:05:01]

> YOU'RE MAKING A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THIS?

>> FOR APPROVAL.

>> IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT, COUNCIL MEMBERS? COUNCIL MEMBER BROWN HAS SECONDED THAT? [BACKGROUND] I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION.

THIS IS FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD TO CONSIDER THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE JUNETEENTH MUSEUM AND THING IS THEY MAKE THEIR DELIBERATIONS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. JUST TO CONSIDER.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> I AM GOING TO ABSTAIN AND NOT BECAUSE I'M NOT IN SUPPORT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE MADE A BIG MISTAKE WHEN WE WENT AHEAD OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND DID THE RESOLUTION FOR THE ROSENBERG.

TO TORRES'S COMMENTS, I HAPPENED TO KNOW THAT MAYS MIDDLETON, I TALKED TO HIM.

HE IS WORKING ON MONEY IN AUSTIN.

HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT A BUILDING IN THE STRAND AREA, AND I THINK IT'S NOT TO SAY THAT IT COULDN'T BE SWITCHED TO THE OTHER.

I CERTAINLY RESPECT AND APPRECIATE THE KEEPING THE NAME OF LA MORGAN.

BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LET THE SCHOOL BOARD DEAL WITH THEIR ISSUES, AND I THINK THAT WE INTERFERED WHEN IT CAME TO ROSENBERG.

IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T SUPPORT IT, BUT I AM GOING TO ABSTAIN ON IT.

I KNOW IT'S A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER THAT MAYS IS WORKING ON IN AUSTIN, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM.

THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA BEFORE THE SCHOOL MEETING BECAUSE THAT WOULD GIVE YOU THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO EXPLAIN MY REASONING.

>> VERY GOOD. BOB?

>> WHEN I READ THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION HERE, WHAT IT REALLY SAYS TO ME IS THAT WE'RE ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

NOTHING IS WORSE FOR A COMMUNITY THAN APATHY.

ANYTIME A COMMUNITY CAN GET ENGAGED LIKE THIS, LIKE ROSENBERG IS DOING, I THINK THAT'S THE BEST THING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

ALL OF YOU SITTING OUT HERE ARE ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RIGHT NOW BY SHOWING UP HERE.

I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ANY HEALTHY COMMUNITY.

IT DOESN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT, REALLY, THE RESOLUTION IS JUST SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND I'LL READ THE PART I'M TALKING ABOUT SPECIFICALLY.

SECTION 4 SAYS CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE PART OF THE PUBLIC DECISION MAKING THROUGH HEARINGS, FORUMS, AND OTHER PARTICIPATORY OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH ARE ALL PART OF THE CIVIC INVOLVEMENT OF ALL CITIZENS SHOULD HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

I FULLY SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S ALL I WANT TO SAY. THANKS.

>> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

>> ONE MORE THING. THANK YOU, MARIE FOR REMINDING ME MAYS MIDDLETON AND STATE SUPPORT AND FEDERAL SUPPORT.

>> FEDERAL SUPPORT THROUGH RANDY WEBBER'S OFFICE IS LOOKING AT THIS ALSO.

>> YES. VERY MUCH SO.

YES, MA'AM. OH, I'M SORRY. COUNCILMAN PORRETTO.

>> I'M SURE MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WATCHED THE MEETING.

MY FRIEND OVER HERE, STATED IT'S ABOUT MONEY IN THE BANK.

I WANTED TO SEE THAT BUSINESS PLAN.

I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WORDING I CAN DO.

MY CONCERN WAS MAKING SURE THE CITY WASN'T ON THE HOOK FOR ANYTHING AND I DON'T MEAN ON THE HOOK AS IN I DON'T SUPPORT IT.

JUNETEENTH HAS A RICH HISTORY IN GALVESTON STARTED HERE.

I MEAN, I I DON'T SEE WHY NO OFFENSE TO FORT WORTH, BUT WHY WE SHOULDN'T HAVE IT HERE.

IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A WHILE.

BUT TALK IS CHEAP AND WHERE RANDY WEBBER LIES WITH THE SMITHSONIAN, I WANT TO SEE THAT SOME OF THAT COME TOGETHER.

I WANT TO SEE THE BUSINESS PLAN.

AGAIN, I CAN AGREE WITH COUNCILWOMAN ROBB.

I MEAN, WE SHOULDN'T BE STICKING OUR NOSE IN THE SCHOOL BUSINESSES DISTRICT OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUSINESS. IT'S NOT OUR PLACE.

UNDERSTANDING AND TAKING THE POSITION THAT I'M AT, IT'S A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DOLLARS.

I SAID IT AT THE MEETING AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, IF WE SUPPORT THESE THINGS, IT'S A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR TAXES LOW, BUT WE ALSO WANT OUR COMMUNITY WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER WITH ENGAGEMENT,

[01:10:05]

TO BE A PART OF MOLDING WHAT WE DO AND WHERE WE GO IN THE FUTURE.

ROSENBERG, THEY HAVE A TALL ORDER, PROBABLY CLOSE TO THREE MILLION DOLLARS.

THEY GOT A BANK ROLL FOR ALL THIS STUFF.

I HOPE WE DO GET SOME SUPPORT, AND AGAIN, TALK IS CHEAP.

WE'LL SEE WHERE A LOT OF THIS LIES WHEN PEOPLE ON THE HOUSE IN DC AND IN AUSTIN VOTE ON IT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT ON THE HOOK FINANCIALLY, AND THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AND I GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT BUSINESS PLAN BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY IN THE BANK.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT.

I WANT TO SEE IT THROUGH PROBABLY AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT, GOING AGAINST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BUSINESS, BUT I STILL WANT THEM TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK WITH THEIR INPUT AND LOOK IT.

AGAIN, I WANT TO LOOK AT THAT BUSINESS PLAN TOO, BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY TO ME.

IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AND HOW WE CAN ALL MERGE TOGETHER AND MAKE A BETTER WAY FOR GALVESTON AND GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. YES. GO AHEAD. COUNCILMAN FINKLE.

> FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES NOT FINANCIALLY BIND THE CITY IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY, DOES NOT COMMIT A SINGLE DIME OF ANY TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE COMMUNITY COMES UP, WE REPRESENT YOU.

WHEN YOU'LL SHOW UP, THAT MEANS A LOT.

WHEN THE COMMUNITY COMES FORWARD AND PUTS TOGETHER A PLAN FOR THE POTENTIAL USE OF A SURPLUS PROPERTY, IT BEHOOVES US TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY.

YES, WE DO HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CITIZENS WHO LIVE HERE TO FIND THE BEST USE FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY.

ELIZABETH BEATON MENTIONED IT THAT IT WAS A COMPLEX PROCESS WITH GISD.

WAS IT PERFECT? NO. DID WE LEARN A LOT THROUGH THAT PROCESS WITH ROSENBERG? WE LEARNED A LOT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT I EXPECT THAT THIS COUNCIL AND OUR STAFF WILL UTILIZE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN CONTEMPLATION OF WHATEVER THAT SURPLUS PROPERTY IS GOING TO BECOME. THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. THIS ITEM WAS ACTUALLY ON OUR LAST AGENDA.

>> YES, SIR IT WAS.

>> WHY WAS THAT REMOVED FROM THE LAST AGENDA, IF I MIGHT ASK.

>> AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF COUNCIL, I THINK THE WORD CAME FROM EITHER THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE ATTORNEY FOR IT TO BE PULLED AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

THAT'S WHY IT WAS PULLED.

LATER I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE ATTORNEY BROWN REGARDING IT.

HE BASICALLY JUST SAID AT THAT TIME, FUNDING.

>> I DON'T WANT TO TALK FOR TONY BROWN, BUT I THINK IT WAS A SIMILAR THOUGHT HE TOLD US THIS AFTERNOON.

HE WANTED IT DEFERRED.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM, AND I'LL TELL YOU WHY I'M SUPPORTING IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT COMMITTING THE CITY IN ANY WAY.

I WANT EVERYONE TO BE CLEAR ON THAT, AND I THINK EVERYONE IS.

BUT I AM SUPPORTING THE ABILITY, AS COUNCILMAN FINKLEA MENTIONED, OF THE CITIZENS THAT STAND UP AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE THERE.

THIS IS A DECISION OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS, NOT THE COUNCIL'S.

BUT I WOULD SUPPORT THEIR ABILITY TO STAND UP AND SAY, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS THERE OR THAT THERE AND HAVE THAT IN THEIR CONSIDERATION AS THEY DELIBERATE THIS SUBJECT.

>> JUST ONE MORE THOUGHT, MR. BROWN ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, HE MADE GOOD POINTS, 77% OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE UNDER THE POVERTY LINE.

WE HAVE EDUCATORS HERE IN THE ROOM WHO'VE BEEN BLACK EDUCATORS FOR OVER 100 YEARS, THAT'S IMPORTANT.

SHE PROBABLY UNDERSTANDS TOO THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK TO OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE FUNDED TOO.

THAT ROBIN HOOD AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, IT'S ALL FACTORED INTO MY DECISION MAKING.

IN THE MEETING, I SAID YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING MOVING FORWARD AHEAD, ALL POSSIBILITIES, HOW THEY PLAY OUT.

AGAIN, THE BALLS IN YOUR COURT AND IN GISD'S COURT.

IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO HELP LEGISLATIVELY, THAT'S FINE.

BUT FINANCIALLY, WE CANNOT BEAR IT.

[01:15:01]

JUST UNDERSTAND THAT FROM COUNCIL'S PERSPECTIVE THAT WE CANNOT BEAR MUCH MORE RIGHT NOW FINANCIALLY.

>> VERY GOOD. ANY FURTHER THOUGHTS? YES. I'M SORRY, BOB.

>> ON THE RESOLUTION, IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE SOMETHING ELSE, OR IS THIS ALL THAT WE CAN REBUT ON?

>> YOU COULD OFFER THAT TO COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS AND SEE IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION.

>> SAM, TERRANCE, ALL THE OTHER FELLOW THAT I'VE KNOWN MOST OF MY LIFE? LET SEE YOU OFF.

I THINK YOU ACCIDENTALLY VOTED.

SORRY VOTED FOR IT.

>> IT'S REAL IMPORTANT TO ME.

I SPENT 9 AND 1/2 YEARS ON THAT SCHOOL BOARD AND SERVED IN MULTIPLE POSITIONS.

THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE TEACHERS AND ALL THE STAFF THAT I SPENT SO MUCH TIME REPRESENTING ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

JUST AS MOST SITUATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S PRETTY MUCH HALF AND HALF, JUST LIKE IT IS, PRETTY MUCH OUR ENTIRE LIFE.

IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE JUNETEENTH MUSEUM AND THAT'S WHAT GETS FUNDED AND THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD DECIDES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ACCEPT, JUST UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT UP TO US.

IF THEY DECIDE TO DO A CLOSE BID PROCESS AND IT'S THE HIGHEST BIDDER, ALL OF THIS IS FOR NOT.

IT SIMPLY IT'S NOT OUR BUSINESS.

IT'S THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS BUSINESS.

THERE IS JUST AS MANY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO INCLUDE THAT AS A POSITIVE TO THE TAX BASE INSTEAD OF CONTINUING IT TO BE TAX EXEMPT.

THE CITY NEEDS IT RIGHT NOW.

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS THE MONEY, AND WE NEED THE TAX BASE.

I WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A CONSIDERATION, JUST SIMPLY WORDS TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

THAT ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE INCLUDED, BUT WE ALSO PUT THE SIMPLE ITEM OF OR WORKFORCE HOUSING SO THAT IT INCORPORATES ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE REPRESENT.

IT'S NAMES THE NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING ALL YOU CAN TO MAKE HAPPEN.

BUT AGAIN, BEING THAT THIS IS A RESOLUTION, IT'S NOT HARD TO PUT WORKFORCE HOUSING SO THAT WE COVER ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE'VE BEEN PRESSED ON IN THIS.

AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE EARLY FOR US TO BE HEARING OR SEEING THIS NOW.

I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT, WHETHER I'M TOLD THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO INCLUDE THAT WORD OR NOT.

BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT IT IS UP TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND JUST AS MANY PEOPLE CAN SHOW UP IN THAT NEXT BOARD MEETING WHERE THEY CONSIDER WHAT THE BIDDING PROCESS IS GOING TO BE THAT ARE COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

AGAIN, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS.

I WANT YOU, SHARON TO CONSIDER IF WE CAN ADD THE WORD WORKFORCE HOUSING.

IF NOT, I UNDERSTAND. IT'S OKAY.

>> IT SAYS ALTERNATIVE USE PLANS IN HERE AS WELL.

IN THE TWO COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND I ATTENDED BOTH OF THEM, THEY TOOK EACH PARTICIPANT, GAVE THEIR THOUGHTS, AND THEY HAD TO ORDER WHAT THEY WANTED.

THIS CAME FROM THE COMMUNITY.

IT DOES SAY ALTERNATIVE USE PLANS.

THAT IS AN OPEN DOOR TO BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

THE WORD CONSIDER IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS NOT CEMENTING ANY PARTICULAR PROJECT.

>> I THINK THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN OUR LAST ONE.

>> MUCH DIFFERENT.

>> I WOULD MOVE TO LEAVE IT LIKE IT IS.

>> I'M FINE WITH THAT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

>> EVERYBODY HERE THANK YOU ALL. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.

>> YOU GUYS DID INCREDIBLE PRESENTATION.

I SUPPORT WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT I DO APOLOGIZE THAT I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN JUST BECAUSE I THINK IT SHOULD GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD FIRST.

AS WE HAVE HEARD FROM YOU,

[01:20:02]

I HAVE HEARD FROM SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SO FORTH.

THAT'S WHY I'VE GOT TO ABSTAIN.

>> COUNCIL, WE HADN'T EVEN VOTED YET SO PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. THAT IS UNANIMOUS AND COUNCILWOMAN ROB HAS ABSTAINED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 12B, PLEASE?

[12.B. Consider For Approval The Creation Of A Steering Committee Of Fourteen (14) Members; Charging The Committee To Review The City’s Comprehensive Plan, To Provide Input And Feedback Of Long-Range Goals and Policies Affecting The City, And To Provide Recommendations As May Be Appropriate. (P. Milburn)]

>> ITEM 12B. CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL OF THE CREATION OF A STEERING COMMITTEE OF 14 MEMBERS CHARGING THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PROVIDE INPUT AND FEEDBACK OF LONG RANGE GOALS AND POLICIES AFFECTING THE CITY AND TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE.

>> VERY GOOD. I WANT TO ASK CLARIFICATION FROM JANELLE AND DON ON THIS.

WE HAVE ITEM 12B.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS TO APPOINT OUR MEMBERS TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

WE ALSO HAVE 12D-3.

>> YOU CAN DISREGARD 12D-3.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.

I WANTED TO JUST MAKE SURE WE WERE PROPER.

LET'S LET THE SETTLE DOWN FOR JUST A SECOND.

>> YOU GOT THE GAVEL, MARE?

>> I DON'T USE THAT GAVEL A LOT.

LET ME SAY THIS IF I DO, YOU BETTER WATCH OUT. [LAUGHTER].

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

>> ITEM 12B.

CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL, THE CREATION OF A STEERING COMMITTEE OF 14 MEMBERS, CHARGING THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PROVIDE INPUT AND FEEDBACK OF LONG RANGE GOALS AND POLICIES AFFECTING THE CITY, AND TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE.

>> COUNCIL, WE DISCUSSED THIS AT OUR MEETING TODAY AT OUR WORKSHOP MEETING, I THINK AT LENGTH.

THIS WAS TO SUBMIT YOUR NAMES FOR NOMINEES FOR THIS STEERING COMMITTEE.

I AM GOING TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.

I WOULD MOVE THAT THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FOLLOWING DIFFERENT COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FROM THE MAYOR'S POSITION BE APPOINTED TO THIS STEERING COMMITTEE.

>> A NOMINATE FROM THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS, RAYMOND LEWIS AND MARY BRANHAM.

FROM DISTRICT 1, JANE PULLIAM AND DARRYL DAVIS.

FROM DISTRICT 2, KATE BLACK, AND JERISADAE ROBBINS BRIZ.

DISTRICT 3, CHRISTINE BRYANT AND JASON HARDCASTLE.

DISTRICT 4, GINA SPAGNOLA AND JONATHAN ZEN DE DELL.

DISTRICT 5, ERICA FARMER AND LAURA ADDISON.

DISTRICT 6, MARTY MILES AND WILLIAM SCHUSTER.

DO I HAVE A SECOND?

>> I'LL SECOND.

>> LET'S SEE WHO CAN BE THE QUICKEST ON THE DRAW THERE.

>> COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS, SECOND DID THAT ANY DISCUSSION.

>> IS IT WEIRD HOW THE FIRST MOTION NAME KEEPS DISAPPEARING?

>> THE MACHINE BROKE. THERE IT GOES.

THAT WAS THAT WAY ON THE LAST ONE, TOO.

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

THANK YOU. ITEM 12C.

[12.C. Receive and accept the report of the City Auditor related to the conflict of interest audit that office has conducted on the Park Board.]

IF YOU WILL READ, PLEASE NELLY 12C.

LET'S DO 12C, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND READ 1, 2, AND 3.

>> ITEM 12C, RECEIVE AND ACCEPT THE REPORT OF THE CITY AUDITOR RELATED TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AUDIT THAT OFFICE HAS CONDUCTED ON THE PARK BOARD.

THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT OUR WORKSHOP ALSO, AND I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION AT THE REQUEST OF OUR CITY AUDITOR THAT THIS ITEM BE DEFERRED TO OUR MARCH MEETING.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED, COULD YOU READ 12C-1, C-2 TWO AND C-3, PLEASE.

>> ITEM 12C-1.

CONSIDER FOR ACTION ANY RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THAT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AUDIT CONDUCTED BY

[01:25:01]

THE CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE OF THE PARK BOARD BE EXPANDED IN ANYWAY? 12C, CONSIDER FOR ACTION ANY PROCEDURAL CHANGES AS MAY BE RECOMMENDED IN OR INFERRED FROM THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST REPORT DELIVERED BY THE CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE12C.

CONSIDER FOR ACTION AND AMENDMENT TO THE CITY AUDITOR'S AUDIT PLAN TO INCLUDE AUDITS OF THE PARK BOARD STAFF'S USE OF HOT FUNDS AS MAY BE RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY AUDITOR.

>> VERY GOOD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS? YES, COUNCILMAN FINKLEA?

>> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO COMBINE ITEMS 12C-1 AND THREE IN ONE MOTION LANGUAGE,

[Items 12.C.1 & 12.C.3]

AS WE DISCUSSED IN THE WORKSHOP THIS MORNING.

IF THAT WOULD BE. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE CURRENT PARK BOARD CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND STAFF'S USE OF HOT FUNDS AUDIT TO INCLUDE A 100% REVIEW OF TWO YEARS OF ACTIVITY.

ONE YEAR SHALL BE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PREVIOUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ONE YEAR SHALL BE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

THE SELECTED YEARS SHALL BE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY AUDITOR.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT?

>> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND, COUNCILMAN PORRETTO?

>> SORRY, HOLD ON.

>> THERE WE GO. VERY GOOD.

ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

[12.C.2. Consider for action any procedural changes as may be recommended in or inferred from the Conflict of Interest report delivered by the City Auditor Office.]

IT'S EITHER DEFERRED OR REMOVED.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE TALKED ABOUT TAKING ANY ADDITIONAL ACTION OTHER THAN WHAT HAD BEEN TAKEN IN THE SPECIAL MEETING.

>> MOTION TO DEFER?

>> MAKE MOTION TO DEFER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT MOTION TO DEFER OR 12C2.

>> SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR DEFERRAL AND SECONDED. ANY DISCUSSION.

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES ON THAT.

THAT IS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED,

[12.D. Discuss and consider appointments to the following City Boards, Commissions, and Committees: Short Term Rental Ad Hoc Committee - District 1 Galveston Housing Finance Corporation/Galveston Property Finance Authority Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee]

12D PLEASE, AND ONE, AND THEN TWO.

>> 12D DISCUSS AND CONSIDER APPOINTMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING CITY BOARDS COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.

ON, SHORT TERM RENTAL ADVOC COMMITTEE DISTRICT 1, 2, GALVESTON HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, GALVESTON PROPERTY FINANCE AUTHORITY.

>> SHORT TERM RENTAL ADVOC COMMITTEE.

DISTRICT 1.

SHARON, DID YOU HAVE SOMEONE.

>> YES. DOMINIC BROWN.

>> DOMINIC BROWN? YES. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE DISTRICT 1 SHORT TERM RENTAL INDIVIDUAL.

THAT WOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF WHOM?

>> THAT WOULD TAKE THE PLACE OF THE LARRY MURPHY.

HE COULD NOT COMMIT.

>> DOMINIC BROWN.