[00:00:01]
>> IT'S 9:00 AM AND GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.
[1. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM AND CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
WHERE ELSE WOULD YOU WANT TO BE? AT CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP.WANT TO WELCOME, EVERYBODY THIS MORNING.
GOOD MORNING TO THE STAFF THAT'S HERE TODAY.
GUESTS, GLAD TO HAVE YOU IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY.
FOR THOSE THAT ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, WATCHING THIS TELECAST, GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US THIS MORNING.
LOT OF IMPORTANT TOPICS ON OUR WORKSHOP AGENDA.
WE DO HAVE A QUORUM, BUT JANELLE, LET'S HAVE A ROW CALL.
>> COUNCILMEMBER FINKLEA IS ABSENT FOR THE WORKSHOP.
>> COUNCILMEMBER FINKLEA, WILL NOT BE JOINING US THIS MORNING, AS JANELLE MENTIONED, BUT HE WILL BE HERE FOR OUR REGULAR MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.
BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS, I WANT TO HAVE SOME HOUSEKEEPING CHORES, COUNCIL.
FIRST OF ALL, ITEM 3L ON OUR WORKSHOP, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE DEFERRED, BOB UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING, IS THAT CORRECT, SIR?
>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S THE REPORT ON THE GALVESTON PROPERTY FINANCE AUTHORITY.
MICHELLE IS NOT HERE AND SHE NEEDS TO BE HERE FOR THAT, SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT NEXT TIME.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALSO, COUNCIL, ON ITEM 11L ON OUR REGULAR MEETING AGENDA, IF THAT COMES UP AT CLARIFICATION TIME HERE, DUDLEY HAS ASKED IF YOU COULD PLEASE HOLD THOSE QUESTIONS TILL WE GET TO ITEM 3F ON OUR AGENDA FOR THE WORKSHOP.
IF YOU HAVE A CLARIFICATION ITEM ON THE STEWART BEACH ITEM THAT IS 11L, IF YOU WILL HOLD THAT UNTIL 3F, HE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.
VERY GOOD. LET'S GO AHEAD AND START NOW ITEM 3.A, PLEASE.
[3.A Clarification Of Consent And Regular City Council Agenda Items - This Is An Opportunity For City Council To Ask Questions Of Staff On Consent And Regular Agenda Items (1 Hour)]
>> ITEM 3.A. CLARIFICATION OF CONSENT AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CITY COUNCIL TO ASK QUESTIONS OF STAFF ON CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS.
>> VERY GOOD. LET'S START, BOB.
>> I GOT A FEW. 8A, THIS IS ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WAY.
>> THIS IS ABANDONMENT OF THE RIGHT AWAY.
>> GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
>> HI. I'M CATHERINE GORMAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICE.
>> CATHERINE, IN THE REPORT, IT SAID THAT THE AREA IS IN A ELIGIBLE HISTORIC DISTRICT, IS THAT IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT, OR IS IT JUST ELIGIBLE?
>> IT'S ELIGIBLE. WE STUDIED AS PART OF OUR BROADWAY, WE'RE PLANNING COMMISSION YEARS AGO, POTENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS ALONG BROADWAY.
THIS AREA WAS IDENTIFIED AS ONE.
>> AS POTENTIALLY AREA, BUT THERE'S NOTHING ON THE SITE THAT IS HISTORIC.
>> DOES THAT MEAN IF THERE WAS SOMETHING BUILT ON THE SITE THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO CONFORM TO OUR STANDARDS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION HISTORIC DISTRICT?
>> IF AT SOME POINT, A HISTORIC DISTRICT IS ESTABLISHED THERE, YES.
BUT AT THIS POINT, NO THOUGH. IT'S JUST POTENTIALLY HISTORIC.
>> THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION. THANKS.
>> THIS IS ABOUT THE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME CDBG MONEY.
AS I UNDERSTAND, THIS GRANT IS [OVERLAPPING].
>> BOB, COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE MAN TO THE CAMERA?
>> REBEKAH ANDERSON, THE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND HOUSING.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE THIS GRANT IS GOING TO BE USED MOSTLY MAINTAINING CURRENT CDBG PROJECTS.
>> NO NEW INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT NOW.
>> NO NEW INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT NOW. THE ONLY THING THAT WE'RE ADDING IS THE FIRE TRUCK FOR STATION 1.
INSTEAD OF DOING THE STREETS BECAUSE STREET STILL HAS SOME MONEY LEFT OVER FROM 2022 AND 2023, AND WE NEED TO SPEND.
THE FIRE TRUCK THEY HAVE ORDERED.
THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER 32,000, AND THEN WE WILL FUND THE REST OF IT.
>> YOUR SCOPE OF WORK SHOWS 4,500 INSPECTIONS AND 900 RE-INSPECTIONS.
ALL THESE WOULD BE WITHIN THAT MAP THAT WE REFERS TO AS THE PLAN.
>> IT WILL HAVE TO BE WITHIN THE LOW MOD INCOME AREAS, SINCE IS TRACK, WHICH IS THE MAP THAT IS INCLUDED.
>> THAT'S LIKE MOST EVERYTHING.
[00:05:01]
>> THOSE INSPECTIONS ARE CURRENT CDBG FUNDING?
>> YES, SIR. WE FUND THE LOT CLEARANCE DEMOLITIONS EVERY YEAR FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THAT AREA.
IF ANYTHING PAST 61ST STREET, THEN THE CITY WILL FUND IF THERE NEED TO BE SOME LOT CLEARANCE OR SOME DEMOLITIONS OR BOARD UP, BUT WITHIN THE CDBG AREA, WE FUND IT.
THEY HAVE FUNDED IT EVERY YEAR FOR MANY YEARS.
I'VE BEEN HERE THREE YEARS AND WE FUNDED IT EVERY YEAR.
>> THAT'S BOARDING UP LOT CLEARANCE DEMOLITION ANY PROPERTY INSIDE THAT DISTRICT?
>> LET'S SEE. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE HERE, ON YOUR SCOPE OF WORK, AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION PROGRAM.
>> IS THAT THE $60,000? >> $40,101.
>> THAT'S CHDO, WHICH IS A COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
WE ARE REQUIRED BY HEAD TO SET ASIDE 15% OF OUR ALLOCATION AND GIVE IT TO CHDO.
UNFORTUNATELY, GALVESTON DOES NOT HAVE VERY MANY CHDOS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE ONE, BUT THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WITH US, I'M GOING TO SAY THREE YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE.
THE REASON IS BECAUSE THE TRYING TO BUY A LOT, TRYING TO FIND A HOUSE THAT THEY CAN REHAB, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO EITHER PURCHASE A LOT AND BUILD A HOUSE AND SELL IT OR RENT IT TO A LOW MOD PERSON OR FIND A HOUSE, REHAB IT AND RENT IT TO A LOW MOD INCOME PERSON OR SELL IT.
BUT THE PRICES OF HOUSING IN GALVESTON IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS.
TRYING TO GIVE SOMEONE $40,000 AND TELL THEM TO GO OUT AND BUY A LOT IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON IS JUST CAN'T BE DONE.
>> THE LIMITATIONS ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN TO SPEND, I GUESS ON ONE?
>> THERE'S NOT REALLY LIMITATIONS.
LIKE WE SAVE IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SO WE HAVE ROUGHLY 150,000 THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM NOW.
THEN USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THEY WILL GET OTHER DONORS OR USE OTHER GRANTS TO HELP SUBSIDIZE WHAT THEY NEED TO FINISH.
>> THAT'S VERY GOOD. IT'S ON TOP?
>> THERE'S ONLY ONE CHDO AND GALVESTON IS NOT ACTIVE?
>> WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. YES, SIR.
IT'S CALLED HOUSTON AREA URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND I DON'T KNOW THE LEVEL.
WHEN IS STERLING DAY? 2017, 2018.
THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 2017, 2018.
WE STILL TALK TO THEM, BUT AGAIN UNTIL WE GET A LARGE SUM OF MONEY.
>> LET HIM FINISH HIS THOUGHTS.
>> I GUESS YOU'RE GOING TO APPROACH THEM.
>> YES, SIR. IF YOU KNOW OF A CHDO, AND THERE ARE CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE TO BE A CHDO.
WE WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM.
THEY HAVE TO FILE AN APPLICATION, BUT WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH ANY OF THEM.
GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION WAS AT ONE TIME.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY, YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN THESE PROPERTIES FOR 15 YEARS, AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A LOW MOD PERSON LIVING THERE OR THAT HAVE PURCHASED IT.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE UPKEEP OF IT BECAUSE WE WON'T PAY FOR THE UPKEEP.
IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND BREAKS, THEN THE CHDO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.
THAT BECOMES A BIG ISSUE TOO BECAUSE A LOT OF THE CHDOS DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO CONTINUE TO UP KEEP A PROPERTY.
>> I WONDER THERE'S NOT VERY MANY OF THEM.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY ALL OF THE CDBG MONEY IS REALLY TARGETED AT LOW MOD?
>> YES, SIR. THERE'S THREE NATIONAL OBJECTIVES THAT WE HAVE TO MEET.
WE HAVE TO MEET AT LEAST ONE FOR EACH ONE OF OUR PROJECTS.
IT HAS TO BE EITHER LOW MOD AREA OR LOW MOD CLIENTELE.
IT HAS TO BE SLUM BLIGHT AREA, WHICH IS DESIGNATED, WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE A SLUM BLIGHT AREA DESIGNATED.
THEN IT HAS TO BE AN URGENT NEED.
AN URGENT NEED IS CLASSIFIED AS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED RIGHT NOW, AND THERE'S NO OTHER FUNDING SOURCES AVAILABLE TO FUND IT, BUT IT STILL HAS TO BE WITHIN THE LOW MOD AREA.
>> LOW MOD IS DEFINED BY AVERAGE MEAN INCOME?
>> EACH YEAR, IT CHANGES FROM HUD.
THEY SEND US OUR INCOME CALCULATIONS EVERY YEAR FOR LOW MOD AREAS, OUR CLIENTS.
>> THAT'S GREAT. THAT CLEARS UP MY QUESTIONS.
>> WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM COUNCILWOMAN LEWIS.
>> YOU WERE SAYING THERE ARE STREET MONEY LEFT AND WHAT YEARS?
>> THEY'RE SPENDING 2022 NOW, AND THEY STILL HAVE 2023 MONEY LEFT.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU, BUT IT'S ROUGHLY 400,000.
THEY USUALLY GET 400,000 PER YEAR.
[00:10:02]
THEN THE OTHER QUESTION ON CHDO.
>> COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
>> YOU MIGHT WANT TO START DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM AGAIN BECAUSE CURRENTLY THERE ARE 167 HOUSES THAT ARE ON SALE IN GALVESTON FOR UNDER 300,000 WITH AT LEAST HALF OF THEM BEING UNDER 160,000.
A LOT OF THESE HOUSES HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN EITHER TOTALLY RENOVATED OR PARTIALLY RENOVATED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE BOUGHT A SHORT TERM RENTALS, AND THEN MOST OF THEM ARE IN TOWN.
I WOULD LOVE TO GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AGAIN.
I WAS ASTOUNDED WHEN I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON HOUSING BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE GORGEOUS, REALLY.
>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT. THE PROBLEM THAT THEY RUN INTO IS WHEN THEY DO LIKE THE AUCTION IS THE CHDO HAS TO GO TO THEIR BOARD, EVEN THOUGH I'VE GIVEN THEM MONEY, THEY HAVE TO GO TO THEIR BOARD AND ASK FOR PERMISSION TO SPEND THIS MONEY.
BY THE TIME THEY GET PERMISSION FROM THEIR BOARD, THE PROPERTY IS GONE.
>> WELL, THESE HOUSES AREN'T MOVING.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HOUSES ON SALE RIGHT NOW IN THE MARKET.
>> THANK YOU. QUESTION ON THIS.
FEW YEARS BACK, WE HAD A REPAIR PROGRAM WITH THIS MONEY.
WE'VE STOPPED ALL THAT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> IT WAS QUITE A PROBLEM. WE'VE STOPPED ALL THIS.
>> YES, SIR, WE HAVE. BECAUSE OF THE LIABILITY AS BROWN SAYS, AND ALSO WITH ANY FUNDS FROM HUD, YOU HAVE TO BRING THE PROPERTY UP TO CODE, AND WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BRING A PROPERTY IN GALVESTON UP TO CODE USUALLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ELIMINATE LEAD BASED PAINT AND YOU HAVE TO ELIMINATE ASBESTOS.
>> WHAT ONE HOUSE WOULD TAKE. [LAUGHTER]
>> THE FUND RULES, IF YOU SPEND THAT MUCH ON IT, THEN YOU HAVE TO ELEVATE IT BECAUSE IT'S 15%, SO IT GETS TO BE ABLE.
>> WE HAVEN'T DONE A HOUSING PROJECT IN SEVERAL YEARS.
>> I KNOW WE STOPPED AT SHARON.
>> BACK TO THE PUBLIC FACILITY AND IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES LISTED HERE.
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
>> WELL, WE DETERMINE THE FIRE TRUCK.
>> YES, MA'AM. YOU'LL HAVE TO GO AND TELL ME, YES, THAT'S FINE.
BUT THAT'S WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS BECAUSE WE HAVE WHAT IS CALLED A TIMELINESS TEST THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH EVERY YEAR FOR HUD.
IF WE ARE OVER 1.5 TIMES OUR ALLOCATION, WE GET DINGED.
WHEN I SAY WE GET DINGED, IT JUST MEANS I HAVE TO DO A SPIN PLAN AND EVERYTHING AND SUBMIT IT TO HUD.
THE FIRE TRUCK, I KNOW IS COMING IN JANUARY.
MY TIMELINESS TEST IS ON APRIL 1, SO I KNOW I CAN SPEND 500 PLUS THOUSAND DOLLAR BEFORE MY TIMELINESS TEST HITS.
>> THIS IS THE SAME FIRE TRUCK THAT WE DISCUSSED IN PREVIOUSLY?
THIS IS A REPLACEMENT OF ONE OF OUR PUMPERS NOW.
THIS IS THE PUMPER ENGINE AT STATION 1.
>> STATION 1. MY SECOND QUESTION, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATION REGARDING CHDOS HERE ON THE ISLAND, AND I GUESS THAT CONVERSATION DIDN'T MOVE TOO FAR TO ANYWHERE.
>> REGARDING THE CITY MARSHAL, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET OF THE CDBG? CDBG FUND IS THE 177,000.
>> I DON'T HAVE THE PERCENTAGE.
OUR BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR IS ONE MILLION.
>> YES. IT PAYS FOR FOUR CODE ENFORCEMENT, AND IT'S PAYING FOR TWO CODE ENFORCEMENTS AT 100% THEIR SALARIES, ONE AT 80%, AND ONE AT 30%.
>> THIS CODE ENFORCEMENT, CAN WE GET SOME DATA STATISTICS ON LOCATION OF THESE PROPERTIES AND SEE WHAT AREA THEY'RE IN.
>> WAIT. WHAT'S YOUR TOTAL BUDGET?
>> PER HOME IS 267,000. THANK YOU.
[00:15:01]
>> THEN YOU SAID TWO WERE FUNDED AT 100%.
THIS WAS FUNDED AT 80%, AND THE OTHER ONE IS FUNDED AT?
>> THESE MARSHALS, ARE THEY LIMITED TO ONLY CDBG PROPERTIES?
>> THE TWO AT 100% HAS TO BE WITHIN OUR CDBG AREA? THE ONE THAT IT'S 80%, HE HAS TO SPEND 80% OF HIS TIME WITHIN THE CDBG AREA.
THE OTHERS HE CAN GO OUTSIDE AND THE ONE AT 30% ONLY SPENDS 30% OF THEIR TIME WITHIN THE CDBG AREA, AND THEN THEY COVER THE REST OF THE CITY.
>> I THINK IT'D BE INTERESTING AS MARIE SAID TO UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THEIR SCOPE OF WORK.
>> DO WE KNOW THE YEAR OF THE PUMPER THAT WE'RE REPLACING? DO WE KNOW HOW OLD IT IS?
>> I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE SHIFTING IT.
>> IT'S STILL GOING TO BE IN SERVICE?
>> WE DON'T RETIRE PUMPERS UNLESS THEY JUST DIE.
THE ONE NOW MAYBE THE ONLY ONE LEFT WE HAVE IT'S AT STATION 2.
WE WRECKED ENGINE 2 SO WE'VE AN ISSUE.
>> THAT CHDO MONEY THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HERE THAT $40,101.
IF WE DON'T FIND A PARTNER OR WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT DOES IT JUST ROLL OVER AGAIN?
>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE TWO YEARS TO ALLOCATE FIVE YEARS SPEND.
WE HAVE SEVEN YEARS FOR OUR CHDO MONEY.
IT JUST ROLLS OVER UNTIL WE EITHER FIND A PARTNER, IF NOT, THEN AFTER THE SEVEN YEARS, HUD WILL COME BACK BECAUSE IT'S SITTING IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, THEY WILL COME BACK AND TAKE JUST THE CHDO MONEY FOR THAT PARTICULAR YEAR.
>> WHAT WAS THE TOTAL IN THAT?
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, IT'S 40,100, LET ME SEE.
HAS THAT EVER HAPPENED THAT CHDO MONEY HAD TO GO BACK TO HUD?
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT ITEM? FOR ME I GOT ONE MORE ON ANOTHER ITEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> 11Q ON THE [INAUDIBLE] TO ELIGIBLE ART AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
>> I JUST WAS CURIOUS AS TO HOW THE APPLICANTS ARE EVALUATED.
I DON'T KNOW WHOSE QUESTION THAT IS.
>> THIS IS THE ARTS & HISTORIC PLANS, RIGHT?
>> THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH EVALUATED BASED ON, AND SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME FROM THAT MEETING.
I DON'T KNOW IF MEHRAN IS HERE.
>> LET'S GET SOMEBODY FROM STAFF FOR THAT.
>> BUT SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED BY SOME OF THE ARTS & HISTORIC MEMBERS IS DOUBLE DIPPING HOT TAX FUNDS.
ARE THEY RECEIVING HOT TAX FUNDS ELSEWHERE? ONE OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS WAS, HOW DO THEY PROVE HEADS AND BEDS? THE OTHER QUESTION WAS DOES IT ALIGN WITH THE PURPOSE AND GOAL OF THE ARTS & HISTORIC FUNDS MISSION STATEMENT OR PARAMETERS IN THE ORDINANCES? I FORGET THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS MORE REQUESTS THAN THERE IS MONEY TO GIVE OUT.
SOME OF IT IS SUBJECTIVE AND THEY WENT THROUGH DEBATE PRETTY HEAVILY ABOUT THE FUNDING REQUESTS AND THEY MADE THE DECISIONS.
THE ARTS & HISTORIC BOARD MAKES THE DECISIONS AND THEY SEND IT TO COUNCIL AND THAT'S THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, COUNCILMAN PORRETTO IS THE LIAISON FOR THE ARTS & HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT, BOB?
>> NO. THAT'S FINE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANKS.
I THINK I KNOW THEY ANSWERED GALVESTON CENTER TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCE.
>> THAT'S THE RAILROAD MUSEUM.
>> I GOT ONE MORE ON THAT TOO. I WAS CURIOUS.
WHAT IS THE CENTER FOR 20TH CENTURY TEXAS STUDIES? IS IT 18 ORGANIZATIONS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
>> ISN'T A STUDY AT A VUT THAT WAS BEING COORDINATED BY THE LIBRARY?
>> IS ANTOINETTE OR MEHRAN COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> MEHRAN MAY STILL BE IN MUNICIPAL COURT.
[00:20:02]
>> CORLIE, DO YOU WANT TO COME UP?
>> SHE'S ON THE ARTS & HISTORIC AND SHE COULD PROBABLY HELP ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS TOO.
>> WHAT'S THE QUESTION? IT'S HARD TO HEAR BACK THERE.
>> CORLIE, WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE CAMERAS PLEASE?
>> THEY'RE ALL OVER. [LAUGHTER].
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CORLIE JACKSON, AND I'M HERE IN THE PEOPLE AND I'M ON THE HOT TAX BOARD, THE HUMAN [OVERLAPPING]
>> HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD. THERE WE GO.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'M GOING TO LEAVE THE FLOOR TO ANTOINETTE.
>> CORLIE, YOU'RE LOOKING SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL TODAY.
MY FRIEND, I LOVE THE ADDITION OF THAT.
>> BUT CORLIE CAN ALSO ATTEST THAT THEY WENT THROUGH VOTING DEBATE AND THEY DISCUSSED IT.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS IS HOW DO YOU PROVE OVERNIGHT STAYS? CENTER FOR 20TH CENTURY TEXAS STUDIES.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, CORLIE, JUST EXCUSE ME.
ANTOINETTE, INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE CAMERA.
>> I'M SORRY. I'M ANTOINETTE PERRY LYNCH, THE ARTS AND CULTURE COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
>> BOB'S QUESTION WAS, WHO'S THE CENTER FOR 20TH CENTURY TEXAS STUDIES?
>> IT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE CHANGED NAMES ON THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AND SO BETWEEN CAVALLA AND THAT ONE AND ANOTHER ONE.
>> ONE OF THE MOODY GARDENS ONES.
>> THE CENTER IS MOODY GARDENS?
>> BUT IS THAT TIED INTO THE THING THAT I KNOW THE LIBRARY WAS TIED INTO THAT THEY WERE COLLECTING IF SOMEBODY PASSED AWAY AND THEY HAD A LOT OF OLD FOOTAGE AND WHATNOT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, BOB ON THIS?
>> YOU JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS OR YOU WANTED TO KNOW HOW THEY WERE DOING HEADS AND BEDS?
>> MY ORIGINAL QUESTION WAS, WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF THE BOARD?
>> WE HAVE A FULL ON CRITERIA AND A RUBRIC.
IT COMES DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTICLE WITH REGARDS TO THE HOT TAX AND THE ORDINANCE.
>> IT'S IN THE CURRENT ORDINANCE.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
THEY WENT THROUGH, GRADED THEM ALL.
MARY BRANUM ASSIGNED CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS TO SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND THEN MARY GRADED EVERYBODY, AND THEN THEY WENT BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THE GRADING.
>> NO, THERE WASN'T. A LOT OF IT WAS A FUNCTION OF EXPERIENTIAL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER WE DID.
ALL OF THE RUBRICS SPEAK TO WHAT'S IN THE ORDINANCE, HOW WELL THEY MEET THE CRITERIA WITH ARTISTIC AND WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CITY, HOW THEY BRING IN TOURISM, IF THERE'S REALLY A HEADS AND BEDS, AND WE CAN SAY THAT WE CAN LOOK TO OVERNIGHT STAY.
WE LOOK FOR THE POTENTIAL FOR THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO STAY OVERNIGHT, AND THEN WE LOOK AT THAT TO HOW IT HOLDS UP THE GALVESTON HISTORY AND LEGACY.
IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THOSE THINGS.
>> IT'S AN ART AND SCIENCE, BOTH, I CAN TELL YOU.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH IT FOR GOSH, 20 SOMETHING YEARS WITH THIS GROUP.
IT'S THE MOST ORGANIZED THEY'VE BEEN FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.
FOR THOSE THAT HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF THIS, IT USED TO BE YOU JUST CAME UP AND [OVERLAPPING].
MARY, INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE CAMERAS.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M MARY BRANUM, CHAIR OF THE ARTS & HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD.
>> IT USED TO BE THAT YOU JUST CAME AND TALKED TO ONE PERSON AND THAT PERSON SEEMED TO FEEL IT WAS OKAY, THEN YOU GOT MONEY.
IT'S QUITE AN ORGANIZED GROUP.
IT'S A TOPIC THAT IS HARD TO PIN DOWN TOTALLY OBJECTIVELY.
IT HAS AN ART AND SCIENCE TO IT AT SAME.
BOB, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> NO. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EXPERTISE TO ANSWER FOR MY SIMPLE LITTLE QUESTION.
>> WELL, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION THAT REALLY SUPPORTS GALVESTON.
>> APOLOGIES, YOU MOVED THE AGENDA [INAUDIBLE].
>> ALSO, THERE'S A LEG, SO I'M OVER THERE LIKE YOU TOO CAN. [LAUGHTER]
[00:25:03]
>> ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO, COUNCIL REDID THIS ORDINANCE AND REALLY CHANGED IT AROUND TO BE MORE OBJECTIVELY ORIENTED.
MARY AND HER GROUP HAS TAKEN THAT BALL, RIGHT? THANK YOU.
I WANT TO MAKE ONE COMMENT THAT THIS IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE BOARD WE'VE HAD IN YEARS.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM AND VERY PROFESSIONALLY.
>> THEY'RE TOUGH, TOO. THEY'RE REALLY GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.
THEY WERE REALLY TOUGH IN SOME OF THE GRADINGS.
>> I APPRECIATE HOW YOU COORDINATE YOUR OUTFITS.
>> LADIES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. BOB, ANYTHING ELSE?
>> THAT'S ALL FROM ME. THANKS.
>> NO, SKIP ME. I WROTE SOME NOTES, BUT MOST OF THEM WERE ON 11F ON THE ACOUSTIC SOUND.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS AWESOME FOR THE WATER.
>> THAT'S THAT'S PHASE 2. WELL, WE DID CARPET.
THAT HELPED. THESE ARE THE SOUND PANELS.
WE THINK THIS WILL PRETTY MUCH REMEDY THE REVERBERATION ISSUE WE'RE HAVING IN THERE.
IF IT DOESN'T, WE'VE GOT SOME THOUGHTS ON PHASE 3, BUT WE'RE HOPING NOT TO HAVE TO GET INTO THAT CEILING BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE BUILDING.
>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS AS TO IF THE INSTALLATION WOULD COMPROMISE ANY HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
>> NO. WE'RE NOT EVEN PUTTING HOLES IN THE WALL.
>> JUST A QUESTION. BUT YOU COME FORWARD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF SIR TO THE CAMERA.
>> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR, COUNCIL. CHARLES KENWORTHY DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES.
>> WE HAVE A GALVESTON COUNTY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER MEETING THERE SEPTEMBER 10, I THINK IT IS.
WILL WE BE READY WITH THIS NEW INSTALLATION?
>> I BELIEVE THE DELIVERY TIME ON THESE PANELS BECAUSE THEY ARE CUSTOM FABRICATED, THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE UP FOR THAT.
BUT WE WILL HAVE THEM IN PLACE FOR THE SISTER CITY EVENT.
>> THE CARPET HAS ALREADY HELPED US A LOT.
>> THIS WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SHARON, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> THE BUILDING IS GETTING MORE AND MORE USED.
IT'S BEEN A REAL ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> IT'S BECOMING VERY POPULAR.
>> THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE]. APPRECIATE IT.
>> YES, MA'AM, THE [INAUDIBLE]?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
I'M GLAD THAT IT'S HAPPENING AND WE AS CITIZENS NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES NOT TO PUT HEAVY STUFF, SNEAK IT IN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRASH CANS [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE THAT CAN TEAR UP THE TRUCK.
>> JUST ALSO A SHOUT OUT TO DUSTIN, THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB WITH THESE TRUCKS, SHUFFLING THEM AROUND.
IT'S A GOOD THING, AND WE'VE ACTUALLY GOT RESERVE AUTOMATED TRUCKS NOW, WHICH HELPS.
BUT IF ONE OF THESE TRUCKS GOES DOWN, WE'RE NOT REPUBLIC WASTE THAT I'LL HAVE 1,000 OF THIS.
EVERY TRUCK COUNTS, SO THIS IS A GOOD THING.
>> WHAT ITEM WAS THAT, SHARON?
>> IT'LL BE TOWARDS THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
THE PACKER HAS TO BE BUILT AND PUT ONTO IT.
THEN THESE PARTICULAR TRUCKS, WE HAVE TO DRIVE AND MOVE [INAUDIBLE] EVERY SIDE.
HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, IT WILL REPLACE TWO OF OUR OLDER ONES THAT ARE CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS.
>> DO WE ANTICIPATE HAVING TO PURCHASE ANY MORE TRUCKS IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO?
>> THIS IS THIS YEAR. I THINK AFTER THIS, WE'RE PRETTY [INAUDIBLE] AND I DISCUSSED IT LAST.
I THINK NEXT STEP WOULD BE REAR LOADERS ANYWAY, WILL IT?
>> YEAH. HI. DUSTIN BENDER, DIRECTOR OF SOLID WASTE.
WE DO HAVE A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE GOING FORWARD.
IT TOOK US A WHILE TO GET THERE, BUT WITH THE HELP OF COUNCIL IN OUR NEW RATE STRUCTURE, WE'RE IN A POSITION WHERE I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE REPLACING THINGS WHERE WE'RE NOT PUTTING SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THE GARAGE AND NOT HAVING EQUIPMENT OUT EACH IS WITH IRREGULARITIES.
>> WILL BE ABLE TO PROJECT INTO THE FUTURE WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST?
>> I THINK I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT IT.
>>> I THINK WE'RE 1.2 ON PURCHASES GOING FORWARD, WHICH BASICALLY REPLACES THE DEBT OBLIGATION WE HAD DURING THE LAST FIVE YEAR PURCHASING CYCLES.
WE'RE IN A GOOD POSITION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND DO IT WITH ONE OF THOSE EQUIPMENT.
>> ONE OF THESE TRUCKS WE'RE REPLACING IS THE ONE WE ACQUIRED DURING COVID, WHICH WAS A LONER TRUCK WE ENDED UP BUYING AND IT WAS A ONE OFF.
IT'S NOT ONE THAT REALLY WORKED FOR US, BUT IT WAS ALL WE COULD GET.
>> THERE WASN'T ANY [INAUDIBLE] STORM PURCHASED DURING COVID.
[00:30:04]
>> THEY WERE OF COURSE BOTH OF THOSE RENTALS?
>> BOTH OF THE RENTALS, WHICH WERE NOT OUR SPECT TRUCK, BUT WE'VE BEEN USING THEM.
>> SHARON, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
>> 11J, FOR THE PUBLIC, AND I GUESS FOR COUNCILS'S EDUCATION.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US THE SHANNON PUMP STATION?
>> BRANDON COOK, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
PHASE 2 OF THE RECONSTRUCTION FOR THE SHANNON PUMP STATION IS ONE OF THE LARGER PUMP STATIONS ON GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY'S SYSTEM.
IT'S SITUATED IN RICHMOND, TEXAS AND PUMPS FROM THE BRAZOS RIVER TO A CANAL THAT FEEDS THE THOMAS MATTHEW WATER PLANT IN TEXAS CITY.
IT WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY.
GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY THEY SECURED ABOUT $58 MILLION WORTH OF FEMA FUNDING.
THE OTHER $32 MILLION NEEDS TO BE PASSED DOWN TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
THAT COST SHARE IS ALLOCATED PROPORTIONATE TO THE CONTRACT QUANTITIES OF WATER THAT EACH CUSTOMER HAS RIGHT NOW.
THE CITY OF GALVESTON HAS ABOUT 20.99 MGD UNDER A TAKE OR PAY CONTRACT WITH THE GULF COAST WATER.
>> CAN YOU BLAME FOR PEOPLE LISTENING, MGD?
>> MILLION GALLONS A DAY, WHICH CONSTITUTES ABOUT 9.8% OF THE TOTAL WATER THAT COMES OUT OF THE MACKEY PLANT THERE.
>> WE GET ABOUT 10% OF OUR WATER SHARE FROM THERE?
>> IS THAT 10% OF OUR TOTAL WATER OR 10% OF JUST THIS?
>> NO. THAT'S WHERE WE GET ALL OF OUR WATER.
>> ALL OF OUR WATER. WE'RE 10%.
>> THIS IS ALL OUR WATER, BUT 10% OF THE SHANNON PUMP WE GET. PERFECT.
>> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> THIS IS A PERCENTAGE OF THE COST OR WE'RE PAYING FOR THE WHOLE THING?
>> THIS IS 9.8% OF THE [NOISE].
THEN $1.3 MILLION IS ACTUALLY COMING OUT OF GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY'S COFFERS AND FUND 12.
THE OTHER $600,000 PLUS IS BEING PAID FOR 2022 CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
THAT'LL THAT'LL WIPE OUT THAT FUND 12 AND GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY'S COFFERS.
>> THAT IS CRAZY THAT WE HAVE 100-YEAR-OLD PUMP. THAT IS WILD.
>> THOSE PUMP STATIONS ARE REALLY COOL, TOO.
>> THE TOTAL COST ON THAT WAS LIKE $90 MILLION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION ESTIMATED.
I GUESS WHEN THEY GET BIDS, WE'LL SEE EXACTLY.
>> WAS THIS THAT FIRST INTERRUPTION, THE INTERRUPTION IN SERVICE THAT WE HAD, THE PHASE 1.
WHEN THEY MOVED THE LINES OR IS THAT SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
>> SOMETHING DIFFERENT. THOSE ARE ALL TEXT OUT REALIGNMENTS THAT KEEP INTERRUPTING THIS.
>> WE DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY SIMILAR SITUATION. PERFECT.
>> VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, ALEX?
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA?
>> IT SAYS DECEMBER 2, 2010, COUNCIL HAD THE AGREEMENT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2025.
WHY ARE WE PAYING FROM APRIL 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025 DOUBLE, IF I'M READING THAT CORRECTLY?
>> I KNOW WE'RE TRANSITIONING TO MOVING AWAY FROM THE LEAGUE CITY CONSORTIUM, WHICH IS WHERE WE GOT OUR SERVICE FROM THEM AND CONTRACTED WITH THEM FOR MANY YEARS AND WE'RE MOVING INTO A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY, WHICH WILL HAVE GREAT COST SAVINGS FOR THE CITY.
I THINK APPROXIMATELY A MILLION DOLLARS IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO END UP SAVING US FROM WHAT WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME SOFTWARE PROGRAM AND MOVED INTO WITH LEAGUE CITY.
>> I TALKED TO BRIAN. ISN'T LEAGUE CITY MOVING TO THE COUNTY AS WELL?
>> THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND IN THE LAST.
>> THEY'RE DOING THEIR OWN THING. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR CONSORTIUM.
WE JUST LEFT THEIR CONSORTIUM, AND WE WERE THE MAJORITY OF THEIR CONSORTIUM, AND WE'RE MOVING TO THE COUNTY.
>> IT SEEMED AS IF WE WERE WERE PAYING A HEAVY SUM TO BE TO BELONG TO THAT CONSORTIUM.
[00:35:06]
HOWEVER, AS FAR AS THE MAINTENANCE IS CONCERNED, I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS OCCURRED OR WHY IT OCCURRED AND I CAN'T REALLY SPEAK TO IT.IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH LEAGUE CITY CANCELING THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY.
I JUST HOPE IT'S SOMETHING WE MAY BE ABLE TO.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT LIGHT ON THIS THAT I CAN.
>> WE'RE WORKING WITH LEAGUE CITY.
BECAUSE THE COUNTY IS RUNNING JUST A LITTLE BIT BEHIND ON THE TRANSITION.
THIS IS THE PROP UP TO KEEP US GOING WITH LEAGUE CITY, I THINK UNTIL WE GET IT THERE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] GOOD MORNING.
WHEN GALVESTON JOINED THE LEAGUE CITY GRID, THEY HAD A DISTRIBUTION WHERE ALL OF THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SYSTEM WENT TO LEAGUE CITY, AND THEN COST WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL OF THE GRID AGENCIES FROM THERE.
THE DIFFERENCE FOR GALVESTON IS THAT WE ON BOARDED AT A LATER DAY, AND SO WE GET A BILL FOR OUR LICENSES.
IN DECEMBER, WE'RE GOING TO GET ANOTHER BILL FROM CENTRALSQUARE, AND IT WAS $166,000, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT IT WAS LAST YEAR
>> THE 74 THAT YOU'RE SEEING NOW IS FOR THE CORE OF THE SYSTEM, WHICH RESIDES IN LEAGUE CITY.
THEY TRANSITIONED TO MOTOROLA IN MARCH.
WHEN THEY TRANSITIONED TO MOTOROLA IN MARCH, THEY CANCELED SUPPORT ON THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM.
IF THE SYSTEM GOES DOWN AND WE ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE IT, WE NEED THE VENDOR TO BE ABLE TO HONE IN AND DO IT.
THIS ADDITIONAL $74,000 IS TO COVER THE CORE COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM UNTIL WE MOVE OVER TO THE COUNTY'S SOLUTION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF '26, IS WHAT IT'S SCHEDULED FOR.
>> BECAUSE LEAGUE CITY CANCELED THE SUPPORT BY MOVING TO MOTOROLA, ARE WE TECHNICALLY DOUBLE PAYING FROM THAT APRIL 1ST TO DECEMBER 31ST?
>> NO. YOU'RE PAYING FOR A DIFFERENT PORTION OF THE SYSTEM. IT'S DIFFERENT.
>> BUT WE STOPPED BEING CHARGED FROM WHEN THEY SWITCHED BECAUSE THERE'S NO LONGER SUPPORT?
>> THERE IS NOTHING FOR THEM TO SEND US BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST OVER THERE ANYMORE, WE WON'T GET A BILL FROM LEAGUE CITY FOR THAT.
>> THEY CANCELED THE CONTRACT?
>> WE'RE JUST PAYING DIRECT AND WE'RE PAYING ALL OF THE SUPPORT, WHICH IT'S BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED.
IF YOU WERE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT HOW MUCH LEAGUE CITY WAS PAYING TO CENTRALSQUARE DIRECTLY, IT WAS RIGHT A LOT MORE THAN WHAT IS BEING COVERED IN THIS ONE RIGHT HERE.
WE'RE ONLY GOING TO NEED THIS FOR ONE YEAR UNTIL WE TRANSITION TO THE COUNTY MOTOROLA SYSTEM.
WHEN WE GET THE BILL FOR THE EXTRA 100 FOR OUR LICENSES, WHEN WE GET THE BILL FROM CENTRALSQUARE, WE'RE GOING TO RENEGOTIATE THAT IN DECEMBER AND SAY, HEY, I ONLY NEED COVERAGE FOR A VERY COMPRESSED PERIOD OF TIME, AND I'M GLAD TO BELIEVE I'M TALKING TO CENTRALSQUARE THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE THAT WITH US.
>> WE HAD BEAU AND THEN MARIE.
>> I'M TRYING TO PUT THIS TOGETHER.
THE 167,000, WASN'T THAT A 12 MONTH CONTRACT?
>> CORRECT. DECEMBER TO DECEMBER, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT THAT RUNS OR JANUARY TO JANUARY. IS IT JANUARY?
>> YES, MA'AM >> THAT WAS A FIXED COST FOR 12 MONTHS OF SERVICE?
>> THAT'S THAT'S A FIXED COST FOR 12 MONTHS OF GALVESTON PD BEING ABLE TO CALL AND SAY, I HAVE A PROBLEM AND I NEED YOUR HELP ON THEIR LICENSES THAT THEY OWN.
>> WOULDN'T THERE BE A REBATE FROM THAT PERIOD NOT COVERED?
>> BECAUSE THAT'S JUST ON THE GALVESTON LICENSES.
THAT'S NOT ON THE CORE SOFTWARE SYSTEM THAT RESIDES IN LEAGUE CITY.
>> THAT NEEDS TO BE HANDLED BY LEAGUE CITY.
THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL. THIS IS AN ADD.
THIS ISN'T SUPPLEMENTING ANYTHING. THIS IS AN ADD.
WE'RE HAVING TO TAKE OVER 100% OF THIS BECAUSE LEAGUE CITY SAID, WE'RE DONE.
>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT WEREN'T THEY GOING TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE FOR 12 MONTHS AND SO THEY CHANGE AND WE'RE LEFT HOLDING THE BAG?
>> NO. WHEN LEAGUE CITY CANCELED THE AGREEMENT, YOU NO LONGER HAVE SUPPORT ON THE CORE PART OF THE COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM.
LOOK, I'VE ALREADY DEBATED THIS WITH THEM.
I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
THIS ONE'S A TOUGH ONE FOR ME BECAUSE HOW CAN I
[00:40:03]
HAVE SUPPORT ON A LICENSE WITHOUT THE CORE PART OF THE SYSTEM? IT DOESN'T FUNCTION WITHOUT THE CORE PART OF THE SYSTEM.WE HAVE DEBATED IT, WE HAVE TALKED TO CENTRALSQUARE, WE'VE ESCALATED IT.
WHAT ARE MY 166 PAYING FOR IF I HAVE A LICENSE THAT I'M PAYING FOR SUPPORT ON, THAT'S NO GOOD WITHOUT THE CORE SYSTEM? IT'S JUST A PIECE OF PAPER.
>> MICROSOFT WINDOWS 98, AND YOU CAN'T GET SUPPORT FOR IT ANYMORE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> WE'VE ALWAYS PAID TWO BILLS.
GALVESTON PD HAS ALWAYS PAID TWO BILLS, ONE TO CENTRALSQUARE EVERY YEAR FOR THEIR LICENSES AND ONE TO LEAGUE CITY.
YOU WILL NOT GET THE BILL FROM LEAGUE CITY ANYMORE.
>> THERE'S NO REBATE FROM LEAGUE CITY?
>> NO. YOU USED TO BE SLICING THE COST BETWEEN ALL OF THOSE GRID AGENCIES AND NOW THEY'RE JUST ABSORBING IT ALL FOR ONE YEAR.
BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE USING THE SYSTEM.
>> BUT WOULDN'T THAT BE REVIEWABLE WHENEVER YOU SIGNED ON FOR THE CONTRACT FOR 12 MONTHS? IN OTHER WORDS, WOULDN'T THAT HAVE BEEN PART OF THE CONTRACT THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SUPPORTED?
>> [OVERLAPPING] IS THERE IS THERE ANY BREACH OF CONTRACT THAT THEY HAVE THERE?
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S THE OTHER CHALLENGE YOU DEAL WITH.
IT'S NOT LICENSED TO GALVESTON.
IT IS A REALLY DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING SITUATION TO NAVIGATE AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT LEAGUE CITY CANCELED THAT AGREEMENT.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THEY'RE GOING BACK IN TIME TO WHEN IT WAS CANCELED.
>> WE DON'T PAY FOR OUR LICENSE, WE PAY FOR THE USE OF THEIR LICENSE.
>> WE WERE PAYING LEAGUE CITY OR THE COMPANY?
>> WE WERE PAYING LEAGUE CITY OR THE COMPANY?
>> WE WERE PAYING LEAGUE CITY FOR A PORTION OF THE SUPPORT ON THE CORE SYSTEM.
THE CORE SYSTEM BEING THE CAD SERVERS AND THE MESSAGE SWITCHES AND THE RMS SERVERS AND THAT CORE COMPONENT OF THAT SYSTEM THAT RESIDES OVER THERE.
>> BUT THEN THEY CANCELED THEIR CONTRACT, SO THEY DON'T OWE US THE REMAINING OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE ALREADY PAID FOR?
>> WE HAVE A SEPARATE CONTRACT WITH SUNGARD OR CENTRALSQUARE.
>> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE LEAGUE CITY CONTRACT.
>> THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT, THEY WON'T BE BILLING US FOR THAT BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING TO BILL FOR ANYMORE.
>> BUT THEY QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR, RIGHT?
>> WE WERE PAYING THEM. WEREN'T WE PAYING THEM MONTHLY?
HOW MUCH DID WE PAY AND WHEN WAS THAT? I DON'T RECALL WHAT THAT WAS.
>> WELL, I THINK THE PAYMENT WENT OUT IN DECEMBER.
NO. I'M THINKING OF 166. I DON'T KNOW.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK AND PULL THE FIGURES AND SEE WHEN THEIR BILL THAT THEY GET FROM LEAGUE CITY EVERY YEAR IS, AND I CAN GIVE THAT TO YOU.
I PERSONALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
I JUST KNOW I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CENTRALSQUARE ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE WE SUPPORT THEIR SOFTWARE, AND IF WE CAN'T RESOLVE IT, WE NEED TO.
>> THE BILL IS GOING TO COME BACK UP DECEMBER 30TH, JANUARY 1ST?
>> THERE WILL BE ANOTHER BILL THAT'S GOING TO COME TO YOU IN DECEMBER OR COME TO THEM IN DECEMBER.
WE ARE EXPECTING TO NEGOTIATE THAT DOWN.
THEY ORIGINALLY TOLD US THAT THEY DON'T REALLY GO LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, BUT THEY'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH US.
>> IF THEY DON'T, THEN WE CAN JUST TURN IT DOWN?
>> WE COULD TURN IT DOWN, BUT THEN WE'RE AT RISK OF GETTING SOME SUPPORT ON SOME OF THE SYSTEM THAT WE NEED IT.
BUT WE'LL HAVE TO GAUGE WHAT THAT RISK IS IF THAT HAPPENS.
>> WE'RE MOVING SOME DATA INTO THE NEW SYSTEM AND THEN ANYTHING WE FIND THAT WASN'T MOVED OVER, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE IT OURSELVES AND SO WE'RE NEEDED SOME TIME TO DO THAT.
ALL OF THE THE CORE CASES THAT WE HAVE TO MOVE, WILL BE COLD CASES.
>> [OVERLAPPING] OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S LIKE DEJA VU. I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT MOVING TO THE MOTOROLA SYSTEM.
>> WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT IS MOVING SOME OF HIS DATA OVER TO MOTOROLA WHEN MOTOROLA GOES ONLINE.
>> YEAH. BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT MOTOROLA SYSTEM IS A BETTER SYSTEM THAN WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.
>> EVERYBODY'S MOVING TO MOTOROLA.
>> IT IS DEFINITELY THE LATEST CRAZE. YES.
>> ALL OF THIS IS LIKE DEJA VU.
I REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT THIS IN THE OCTOBER MEETING.
>> IS THERE ALSO A CHARGE TO GPD'S BUDGET TO ADMINISTER WHAT SUNGARD IS PROVIDING THROUGH IT?
[00:45:08]
EVERYBODY IN THE CITY PAYS A CHARGE TO IT FOR OUR SERVICES.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE US, THEN THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING EVERYTHING IN THEIR SYSTEM, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE STAFFING IN ORDER TO DO IT.
>> THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC CHARGE FOR SUNGARD.
IT'S BASED ON THE NUMBER OF THINGS.
>> IT ADMINISTERS THAT PROGRAM?
>> YOU ALL CHARGE GPD'S BUDGET TO ADMINISTER THAT PROGRAM?
WE CHARGE THEM BY THEIR END POINTS.
>> BUT THEY'RE PAYING FOR THIS.
THIS IS COMING OUT OF YOUR BUDGET.
>> IT'S NOT COMING OUT OF IT BUDGET.
>> IT'S COMING OUT OF YOUR BUDGET, EVEN THOUGH IT CHARGES YOU.
>> THIS IS SPECIFIC. BUT IT DOESN'T COVER THE CONTRACTS.
>> I DON'T COVER DEPARTMENTAL CONTRACTS.
>> WE'VE REVIEWED THE CONTRACT.
>> NO. THE INITIAL CONTRACT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE US ALL THE SERVICE FOR 167,000, THE CITY DROPS IT.
>> THAT INITIAL CONTRACT WAS PUT IN PLACE BACK IN 2011 WHEN THEY SIGNED ON WITH GRID.
>> I DON'T THINK THAT WAS YOUR QUESTION.
>> [OVERLAPPING] YOU'RE ASKING WHO IS THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN WITH ME?
>> NOT REALLY. I'M TRYING TO ASK IF THERE'S A COST TO ADMINISTER THIS INTERNALLY THROUGH IT.
IT'S AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO GPD'S BUDGET.
>> THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO. THEY'RE CHARGED FOR THEIR ENDPOINTS.
>> THE FEES THAT YOU SEE THAT ARE BEING CHARGED TO THE DEPARTMENTS ARE TO COVER THE COST THAT OUR STAFF PROVIDE.
I WOULDN'T EXIST IF THEY DIDN'T PAY FOR THAT.
MY STAFF WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT THAT.
WE PROVIDE A SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO BE THAT PERSON FOR THEM.
IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE MY TEAM SUPPORTING THEIR OPERATIONS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITHIN THEIR OPERATIONS DOING THE CONTRACT.
>> BUT THE WAY IT'S ALLOCATED IS IT'S NOT BASED ON SOFTWARE, IT'S BASED ON THE ENDPOINT UNITS, AND EVERYBODY'S ASSESSED BY THEIR ENDPOINT UNIT.
IN THIS CASE, SOME OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE PROBABLY SUCKING UP THE COST OF MANAGING THIS BECAUSE HOPE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON IT, BUT THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO PD FOR HER TIME AND IT'S TIME WORKING ON THE SOFTWARE.
IT'S JUST HOW IT WORKS OUT. BUT WHEN THEY ACTUALLY PURCHASE THE SOFTWARE, JUST LIKE WE'RE PURCHASING FINANCIAL SOFTWARE, JUST LIKE WE PURCHASED A SELLER, JUST LIKE WE'RE PURCHASING RMS, THOSE ARE SEPARATE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS THAT COME TO COUNCIL.
WE HAVE IT CAPITAL THAT COVERS SOME OF THAT, BUT THOSE ARE SPECIFIC CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT [INAUDIBLE]
>> CAPITAL IS SEPARATE FROM OPERATING.
>> BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, DOUG'S NOT GETTING CHARGED ANY MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN TERMS OF THIS SUPPORT.
IT'S SPREAD ACROSS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS EVENLY BASED ON THE NUMBER OF END POINTS.
>> THAT'S A WHOLE ANOTHER DISCUSSION OF HOW THOSE COSTS ARE DETERMINED, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR INFORMATION.
>> YOU'VE COVERED YOUR QUESTION?
>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS TOPIC.
ALEX, THANK YOU, CHIEF, THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE, SIR.
IDENTIFY YOURSELF PLEASE, SIR.
>> ROBERT SIMMONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
>> ON 11A, THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE PARKING CONTRACT AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE READERS.
WELL, I PROBABLY GET ANYWHERE FROM 3-5 CALLS A WEEK ASKING ME, WHY ARE THE MARSHALS STILL DRIVING SO SLOW ON THE SEAWALL.
I QUESTION IF IT'S THE FACT THAT THE READERS CAN'T LIKE, IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE READER THAT THEY STILL HAVE TO DRIVE THAT SLOW?
>> PROBLEM WITH THE READER. I'M SURE THEY CAN'T TRAVEL AT 30, 35 MILES AN HOUR AND GET ACCURATE READINGS, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LIMITS ARE ON THE READERS.
>> THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL AROUND TOWN 15 MILES AN HOUR?
>> I DON'T KNOW. I'VE NEVER COME ACROSS THAT ISSUE BEFORE.
I CAN FIND OUT WHAT THE LIMITS ARE.
[00:50:03]
THE POINT OF THE READER WAS SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP TO GET OUT AFTER THEY GOT A RED FLAG ON A PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WALKED BACK TO THE VEHICLE OR ORIGINALLY WHEN THEY WERE PARKING IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC TO AVOID ALL THAT.BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LIMITS ARE ON THE LICENSE PLATE READERS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE CARS MAYBE ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER JUST TO CONFIRM THAT THEY'RE GETTING ACCURATE READINGS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ERROR RATE IS ON THAT, IF THERE IS ANY AT ALL. BUT I CAN FIND OUT.
>> COULD WE FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE? BECAUSE I DO GET AT LEAST 3-5 CALLS FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER THE CITY STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT THE MARSHALS DRIVING SO SLOW ON THE SEAWALL AND CAUSING TRAFFIC BACKUPS.
>> I GET SOMETHING ON THE LIMITATIONS OF THOSE LICENSE READERS.
SEND THAT TO ALL OF COUNCIL, PLEASE, ROBBIE.
>> YES. >> THEN ON 11B, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW I ASKED ABOUT MULTIPLE TIMES.
I'VE BEEN TO MULTIPLE CITIES THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PARKING PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE, AND YOU CAN BUY INCREMENTS OF 30 MINUTES.
ALSO, WHAT A LOT OF CITIES HAVE, BECAUSE I'LL GO AND QUESTION THEIR PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S OF INTEREST.
THEY'LL HAVE A 30 MINUTE LOCAL.
BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING MORE ANNOYING THAN RUNNING INTO A STORE, ON THE STRAND, OR ON POST OFFICE AND YOU SIMPLY LIKE, FULL END JEWELRY, YOU'RE DROPPING OFF A PIECE OF JEWELRY TO GET FIXED, AND YOU HAVE TO PAY AN HOUR FOR PARKING.
I TRY MY FASTEST, AT LEAST EVERY TIME IT'S COME UP.
ONE, WHY CAN'T YOU BUY AN INCREMENT OF A HALF AN HOUR.
LET'S SAY I'M MEETING SOMEONE FOR LUNCH AT PACO'S.
I KNOW IT'S GOING TO RUN AN HOUR AND A HALF, BUT I HAVE TO BUY TWO HOURS.
>> WHY CAN'T AND IT'S THE SAME EXACT SYSTEM, LIKE AT LEAST TWO CITIES I'VE BEEN IN.
WHY CAN'T WE GET SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE A 30 MINUTE EXEMPTION FOR LOCALS.
>> A30 MINUTE WAIVER OF FEES FOR LOCALS OR HOUR.
>> OTHER CITIES DO IT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF YOU READ THE PLATE IT I DON'T KNOW IF THE REGISTRATION.
>> IT DOESN'T COME BACK TO THE REGISTRATION, IT SIMPLY COMES BACK EITHER PAID.
>> WE COULD START DOING THE STICKERS AGAIN.
I LIKE THE RE ENTRY STICKERS, I THINK.
>> BUT I CAN TELL YOU, I'LL GIVE A CALL AND ASK HOW THEY DO IT.
>> WE CAN LOOK INTO THE 30 MINUTE INCREMENTS FOR PAYMENT.
>> YOU SAY THAT EVERY SINGLE TIME.
>> BUT YOU HAVE. I [INAUDIBLE] THE TRANSCRIPT.
>> NO, I HAVEN'T. PLEASE DO YOU ALWAYS TRANSCRIPTS. I NEVER SEE THEM.
>> JUST A SECOND. WE'RE REQUESTING, COULD YOU FIND OUT ROBBIE MOVED TO 30 MINUTE INCREASE.
>> I THINK THE POLICY AND PARK CONTROL FOLKS IS WHEN THEY DRIVE AROUND THE FIRST TIME AND THEY GET A HIT ON A PLATE.
THEY'LL WAIT A TRANSITION MAYBE AROUND THE BLOCK SEVERAL TIMES AROUND THE AREA, AND IF THEY COME BACK AND GET THE SECOND HIT, THEN THEY'LL ISSUE THE CITATION, ALLOWING FOR THAT MAYBE 10 OR 15 MINUTE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE CALL ME FROM DOWNTOWN WHERE IT'S ALMOST LIKE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE MEETING TO END.
THEY KNOW A CERTAIN MEETING RUNS FROM 9:00-10:00, LET'S SAY.
WITHIN TWO MINUTES, THE CARS WE'VE ALREADY GOT.
>> I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT'S A PERFECT SYSTEM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LABEL OUR FOLKS AS TARGETING PEOPLE EITHER.
I GUESS THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN WITH THE CAPABILITIES OF THE SYSTEM THAT WE USE.
BUT I MEAN, WE CAN LOOK INTO IT.
>> IN WHICH WAY AS MANS PROBABLY MY THIRD OR FOURTH REQUEST, CAN WE FIND OUT IF WE CAN BAIL.
>> I'LL GIVE YOU A DEFINITIVE.
>> IS ACTUALLY TO GET HER CAR STORES.
>> NOW, ARE YOU ASKING FOR A 30 MINUTE OPTION FOR THE METERS OR A 30 MINUTE GREASE PERIOD?
>> I'M TALKING FOR THE METERS TO BE ABLE TO BUY AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF.
>> SHE WANTS TO GET HOUR INCREMENTS TO 30 MINUTE.
>> 30 MINUTES. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SIMPLY A PROGRAM. I'LL FIND OUT.
>> NO. IT'S THE SAME EXACT COMPANY AND TWO OTHER CITIES I HAVE BEEN IN.
>> I WANT TO SAY THIS DISCUSSION CAME UP WHEN WE IMPLEMENTED THE SYSTEM AND WE DID IT NOW.
>> IT CAME UP LAST YEAR THIS TIME AND IT CAME UP.
I HAVE PUT IT ON MULTIPLE TIMES.
>> THE COUNSEL'S GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE THAT'S A CHANGE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS A COUNCIL DECISION THAT, FIND OUT IF WE CAN DO THAT.
BOBBY GET WITH BRIAN AND THEM, AND THEN BRIAN, LET'S GET THAT BACK ON THE AGENDA.
[00:55:02]
>> WE WILL ALSO GIVE YOU THE REVENUE IMPACTS, TOO BECAUSE THAT'LL AFFECT WHAT THE SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE YOU.
>> BUT BOBBY. YESTERDAY, I LEARNED THAT WE HAVE CHECKING ON EVERY VEHICLE THAT WE OWN IN OUR FLEET.
>> JUST A SUGGESTION, I'M SURE YOU CAN PULL SOME REPORTS OF A WEEKEND SATURDAY OR SUNDAY ON THOSE VEHICLES JUST TO LOOK AT AVERAGE SPEED.
>> THAT MIGHT BE A LOT. I'M NOT POINTING FINGERS AT SAYING THEY'RE DOING WRONG OR RIGHT.
SIMPLY THAT MIGHT BE AN EASY WAY TO ASSESS WHAT'S COURSE.
>> TRAFFIC DON'T MOVE ALL THAT FAST SEE WALL ON A BUSY WEEKEND, ANYWAY EXCEPT ST.
>> GIVEN PARAMETERS, JUST THAT MIGHT BE AN EASY WAY TO SUMMARIZE WHAT, BUT IS IT A PROBLEM OR IS IT NOT A PROBLEM?
>> THAT MAY BE THE LIMITATION ON THE LINE SPLIT REAR. I DON'T KNOW.
I KNOW THEY'RE GOING FOR ACCURACY, SO THEY MAY HAVE TO SLOW DOWN THE SPEED SIMPLY TO GET ACCURATE READINGS.
>> I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE, GOING DOWN THE SEAWAY ON THE WEEKEND, THERE'S BEEN TIMES WHERE ON THE RIGHT IN THE PAST, BEFORE THEY HAD THE READERS.
THEY WOULD BASICALLY JUST PARK ON THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND IT WOULD CREATE ISSUES WITH.
>> YES. THAT DOESN'T PEN WITH BUMPER TO BUMPER, LIKE PEOPLE RUN INTO EACH OTHER.
>> IF TRAFFIC'S MOVING 35 OR MORE, THEN THAT USUALLY MEANS THE LEFT LANE'S FREE ANYWAY.
>> IT'S JUST THAT CARS HAVE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE SYMBOLS ON THEM.
>> IF WE HAVE THAT TECHNOLOGY AS THESE READERS ARE, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A NEED TO STOP ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE.
I THINK THAT THOSE REPORTS WOULD GIVE YOU A OVERALL TO YOU.
>> JUST SHARON, GO RIGHT AHEAD, YES.
>> I THINK THAT LAST PART IS JUST A LITTLE CONFUSING BECAUSE A CAR MIGHT BE SLOWING DOWN FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
I THINK THAT'S QUITE OBJECTIVE OR WHATEVER.
I DON'T KNOW HOW ACCURATE THAT DATA OR THAT REPORT WOULD BE, AND HOW IT COULD PINPOINT WHAT THE PERSON IS REQUESTING.
>> WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE THING.
>> JUST THAT COMMENT. I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED.
>> SECONDLY, I THOUGHT LAST TIME HAS THE USAGE OF THAT PAY BY PHONE PERCENTAGE INCREASE? THE THINK THAT.
>> PAY BY PHONE, THE LAST REPORT I HAD, IT VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH DEPENDING ON, I GUESS WHAT SEASON IT IS, WHAT SPECIAL EVENTS ARE GOING ON.
>> OUR PARKING REVENUES FAIRLY FLAT.
>> NOT MUCH CHANGED SINCE THE LAST REPORT?
>> THE MAJORITY OF YOUR TRANSACTIONS ARE PAY BY PHONE ON THIS.
>> YES. YOU HAVE THE METER OPTIONS ON THE STRAND AREA JUST AS AN OPTION.
BUT THE MAJORITY OF THEM PAY BY PHONE?
>> EXACTLY. GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, SHARON ON THAT.
VERY GOOD. ROBBY. THANK YOU, VERY.
APPRECIATE IT. I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> WE ARE MOVING. I'M GOING TO DO A HOUSEKEEPING ANNOUNCEMENT, THOUGH.
I FORGOT TO DO BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR OTHER ITEMS. ITEM 3D IS IN DAVID, THE DISCUSSION OF THE PARK BOARD'S BUDGET.
WE WILL HAVE THAT ON OUR AUGUST 14 AGENDA.
WE'LL NOT BE DISCUSSING THAT TODAY.
VERY GOOD. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3B, PLEASE, MA'AM.
[3.B Update and Discussion of the Water/Wastewater Master Plan (B Cook -15 min)]
>> ITEM 3B. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION OF THE WATER WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN.
>> STAFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. APPRECIATE THAT.
THIS IS BRANDON COOK THAT WILL BE JOINING US HERE.
>> BRANDON, GOOD MORNING TO HIM.
IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELF AGAIN, PLEASE, SIR.
>> BRANDON COOK, THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
KENDALL SHOULD BE WITH US IN A MINUTE.
HE STEPPED DOWN TO COVER THE REST ROOM.
>> WHO WILL BE JOINING US, BRANDON WHO DID YOU SAY?
[01:00:04]
>> START BRANDON OR WE NEED TO [INAUDIBLE]
>> THIS IS IN RELATION TO OUR WATER MASTER PLAN AND OUR WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN.
WE BEGAN THIS OVER A YEAR AGO.
THESE WERE SOME OF THE MAJOR TASKS THAT WE SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH.
DOING THIS? BIG PART OF THE [OVERLAPPING]
>> INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE, SIR FOR THE CAMERAS.
>> KENDALL RYAN WITH FREESE NICHOLS.
>> YOU MIGHT WANT TO COME UP HERE AND SET YOUR SIDES UP HERE.
>> BUT YOU HAVE GOOD NEWS. YOU ONLY 12 SLIDES.
[LAUGHTER] IF YOU COULD COME OVER HERE THAT ALL RIGHT WITH ME.
>> [INAUDIBLE] EVERYBODY EXCEPT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
APOLOGIZE AS I WAS IN THE RESTROOM.
MY NAME IS KENDALL RYAN FREESE AND NICHOLS.
MY COLLEAGUE ISHITA RAHMAN HERE WITH ME AS WELL.
TOGETHER, ISHITA AND I ALONG WITH ABOUT A DOZEN OR SO OF OUR COLLEAGUES FREESE AND NICHOLS MOSTLY BASED OUT OF OUR PAROLED OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD.
I'VE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH BRANDON AND ROB, CSILLA REST OF THE CITY STAFF TO PUT TOGETHER THESE WATER AND WE SAW MASTER PLANS OVER ABOUT THE LAST 18 MONTHS OR SO.
TODAY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE MAJOR TASKS ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN THE MASTER PLANS, REALLY LEADING UP TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIP.
I DO NEED TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP THAT THE TIMING OF THIS PRESENTATION BOTH IN THE CALENDAR YEAR AS WELL AS ON YOUR AGENDA TODAY, IS BASED ON PRESENTATION OF THE OVERVIEW OF THE CIP AND THE BUDGET MOVING FORWARD.
CHI IS GOING TO FOLLOW ME UP WITH MORE INFORMATION ON THE ACTUAL BUDGET, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SUMMARIZE THE WATER AND WASTEWATER CIPS AT THE END OF THIS PRESENTATION.
HOPEFULLY IT'S A GOOD SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR ME TO CSILLA PRESENTATION COMING ON NEXT.
WITHIN THE MASTER PLAN, ALL MASTER PLANS START WITH THIS BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE ARE WE AT RIGHT NOW IN THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AND WHERE ARE WE GOING MOVING FORWARD.
LIKE IN ALL PLANS, WE STARTED OFF LOOKING AT OUR EXISTING WATER DEMANDS, WASTEWATER FLOWS, AND OUR FUTURE GOING FORWARD.
THIS NEXT BULLET POINT IS VERY IMPORTANT, THE CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF FACILITIES.
IT WAS A MAJOR FOCUS OF THE EFFORT IN THIS STUDY TO GO AND LOOK AT THE HOLISTIC WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS OVERALL.
WE DID OVER 80 SITE VISITS WITH THE CITY OPERATIONAL STAFF TO ALL THE FACILITIES.
I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT. THIS THIRD BULLET POINT ABOUT PRESSURE TESTING AND FLOW MONITORING.
WHY DID WE PUT THAT ON THERE? WE PUT A LOT OF SENSORS OUT IN THE SYSTEM TO GIVE US GOOD HARD DATA.
WE TOOK A LOT OF OPINION OUT OF IT AND MADE IT VERY DATA AND DATA DRIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH OF THE WATER AND THE WASTE WATER SYSTEMS. THE NEXT THING, BULLET POINT IS ABOUT REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN TEXAS THAT ARE OWNED BY MUNICIPALITIES ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODES.
THEY'RE NOT GUIDELINES AND THEY'RE NOT RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO ASSESS WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AGAINST CHAPTER 290 AND CHAPTER 217.
WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
WE PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN LIST TO UNDERSTAND PROJECT DRIVERS PROJECT COSTS.
THE KEY OBSERVATION TO START OFF WITH IS THAT REALLY CONDITION AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ARE GOING TO DRIVE MOST OF THE 10 YEAR WATER AND WASTEWATER CIP THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE TODAY.
I SAID THE WORD SYSTEMS, A WHOLE BUNCH IN THIS LAST SLIDE.
WHAT SYSTEMS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? IN CASE YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR YOU NEED A REFRESHER, THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ON THE ISLAND THAT TAKES, AS A PREVIOUS CONVERSATION MENTIONED, ALL THE WATER FROM GCWA, BRINGS IT ACROSS THE BRIDGE.
IT GETS DISTRIBUTED TO EVERY TAP AND EVERY CUSTOMER ON THE ISLAND VIA FOUR PUMPING STATIONS, FIVE ELEVATED STORAGE TANKS, AND OVER 400 MILES OF UNDERGROUND WATER PIPE.
IN YOUR WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, IT DOES THE OPPOSITE, TAKES ALL THAT POOL WATER? VERY TECHNICAL TERM FOOD WATER.
BRINGS IT BACK TO TREATMENT PLANTS AND TREATS IT SO IT CAN BE DISCHARGED SAFELY.
THERE ARE OVER 60 LIFT STATIONS SCATTERED ACROSS THE ISLAND THAT MOVE THAT FLOW TO THE TREATMENT PLANTS.
THERE'S OVER 250 MILES OF UNDERGROUND GRAVE LINES, AND SOME ADDITIONAL FORTES UNDERGROUND. YOU PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER.
THAT'S ABOUT 700 MILES OF UNDERGROUND WATER LINES AND WASTEWATER LINES IN THE SYSTEM, MOVING WATER AROUND.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN WE GOT INTO THESE STUDIES AND STARTED LOOKING AT THESE SYSTEMS. GALVESTON PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING A HISTORIC TOWN.
WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION FROM THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD THIS MORNING. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.
[01:05:01]
WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WITH THAT HISTORY, WE HAVE A LOT OF HISTORIC INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND AS WELL.USING THAT TERM ON PURPOSE HERE.
I HAVE THIS 50-YEAR-OLD OR 50 YEAR NOTE RIGHT HERE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN PIPES AND FACILITIES ARE MANUFACTURED, THEY CAN'T LAST FOREVER.
THE INDUSTRY STANDARD EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE OF THESE FACILITIES IS AROUND 50 YEARS.
OVER HALF OF GALVESTON'S WATER AND WASTEWATER PIPES ARE OVER 50-YEARS-OLD.
SOME OF THOSE ARE 70, 80, 90,100-YEARS-OLD.
THERE IS A PIPE IN YOUR SYSTEM FROM 1894.
CERTAIN WATER CUSTOMERS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT.
>> NO. [LAUGHTER] ANOTHER OBSERVATION, I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT AND BRAG ON STAFF AND THEY DON'T DO THIS ENOUGH ABOUT THEMSELVES. I'M BEING SERIOUS.
I'M GOING TO SHOW AN EXAMPLE HERE.
THEY ARE DOING A REALLY ADMIRABLE JOB OF THE RESOURCES THAT THEY HAVE.
THIS IS JUST A LITTLE VIGNETTE LITTLE STORY HERE TO SHOW PART OF WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
BACK IN 2016, THIS 100-YEAR-OLD WATER SYSTEM HAD ABOUT 40% WATER LOSS.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT FOR EVERY 10 GALLONS OF WATER THAT PAYERS WERE PAYING TO BRING OVER ACROSS THE ISLAND FROM TCWA, FOUR OUT OF THOSE 10 GALLONS OF LOSS, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO BENEFIT ANYONE.
STAFF GOT TO WORK ON THAT, STARTED WITH MAJOR LINE REPAIR RELEASE ONCE THEY WERE FOUND WITH A WHOLE SERIES OF ACTIONS, AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING THAT WATER LOSS DOWN TO ABOUT 10%.
THESE ARE NOT FREESE NICHOLS EFFORTS.
THESE ARE YOUR STAFFS EFFORTS.
WE JUST OBSERVED THESE COMING IN 2023 AND 24.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THESE ARE NOT STAFF'S NUMBERS.
THESE HAVE ALL BEEN INDEPENDENTLY THIRD PARTY GOT NOT BY FREESE AND NICHOLS AND NOT BY YOUR STAFF, BUT BY OTHERS TO QUANTIFY THIS WATER LOSS REDUCTION. YES, SIR.
>> CAN YOU QUICKLY GIVE SOME COMPARISON OF OTHER MUNICIPALITY'S WHAT YOUR LOSS WOULD BE?
>> THOUGHT YOU MIGHT COME UP WITH THAT.
I'LL PROTECT THE SPECIFICS, BUT THERE'S ANOTHER CITY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS THAT HAS ABOUT 50% WATER LOSS.
>> THIS IS UNBELIEVABLY LOW COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES.
>> ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE AGE OF OUR SYSTEM.
>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AND OPINION, I WOULD USE THE WORD IT IS REMARKABLE STAFF HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE WATER LOSS DOWN TO 10%.
I REMEMBER BACK FROM 12-14 DEFINITE.
>> 50 SOMETHING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT BIG DIP WAS THE THREE MILLION GALLON A DAY WATER LEAK.
BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT'S HARDER TO GET FROM 20%-10% THAN IT IS FOR 40. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I GOT TO GET LUCKY WITH SOME OF THIS STUFF BUT DELIBERATELY THAT WAS 2017 WHEN WE FOUND IT, SO THE 2018 WATER CAME DOWN.
THEN WE INCREMENTALLY JUST CHOPPED IT AWAY THROUGH SATELLITE LEAK DETECTION, HIDDEN REVENUE SOFTWARE, WE CALIBRATED AGING METERS, WHICH SET THE STAGE FOR OUR MI PROJECT.
IT SHOWED HOW MUCH WATER LOSS THAT WE WERE TAKEN ON.
THEN IT JUSTIFIED IT WITH AN ROI BASIS SAYING, IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO REPLACE ALL OF THE METERS.
THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. NOW WE'RE AT A POINT AND YOU'LL HEAR PEOPLE CALL SAY I'VE REPORTED THIS LEAK.
IT'S BEEN LEAKING FOR FIVE DAYS OR SEVEN DAYS OR HOWEVER MANY DAYS.
DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE LEAK, THIS BECOMES NOW A COST ANALYSIS FOR US AND THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BAD LANDLORDS ARE GETTING SHUT OFF BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN STEALING WATER FROM THE NEIGHBORS. WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME.
>> WE DO OUR BEST TO GET EVERY LEAK ADDRESSED BUT WE TAKE THE MOST SEVERE ONES FIRST BECAUSE SOME OF THESE LEAKS, IF IT TAKES SIX DAYS, THE SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER WE WOULD LOSE, AND A LITTLE BIT OF A LEAK LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF WATER, BUT IT'S CHEAPER FOR US TO DO THAT THAN TO SCHEDULE OVERTIME CREWS OR PAY CONTRACTORS OR EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH MAINTAINING AT THIS 8-10% LEVEL RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S REALLY WORKING WELL FOR US.
>> WE'RE NOT SEEING AN ROI AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW TO INVEST MORE RESOURCES INTO LEAK DETECTION AND EVERYTHING ELSE BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY COME TO SUCH A LOW LEVEL.
I THINK THAT MISO, AT THIS POINT, LET'S HOLD STEADY, UNLESS THERE'S SOME ANOMALIES THAT POP UP.
IT JUST REALLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR US TO GO AND THROW DOLLARS AFTER DIMES AT THIS POINT.
>> THAT'S A PERFECT SIDE WE'VE RUN INTO THE LAST POINT I TAKE AWAY ON THIS SLIDE, WHICH IS, YES STAFFS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
YOU DO HAVE AN OLD SYSTEM, THERE IS INVESTMENT NEEDED.
BUT THIS IS A REALLY GOOD TIME FOR THE STAFF TO BRING AND DO THIS MASTER PLAN BECAUSE NOW THAT WE'VE SQUEEZED ALL THE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE CAN OUT OF THE SYSTEM AS IT IS, NOW OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING THE PROJECTS WE'VE IDENTIFIED, THEY'RE NOT TO PAY TO MOVE AROUND EXCESS WATER LEAKS.
THEY'RE A EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AS THEY CAN BE IN TERMS OF MAKING THE MONEY GO FURTHER, SO JUST WANTED TO POINT.
>> THAT'S ON THE LIST. YES, SIR.
QUICKLY GOING TO GO THROUGH MORE BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
PLAN NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT THEIR PLANNING PERIODS ARE LOOKING OUT IN THE FUTURE.
[01:10:02]
THIS STUDY LOOKED AT A FIVE YEAR PLANNING PERIOD, A 10 YEAR PLANNING PERIOD, AND THEN THIS FAR OUT THING CALLED BUILD OUT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A TIME ON IT JUST TEMPLATED WHERE YOU MIGHT GO IN THE FUTURE.WE'RE GOING TO OBVIOUSLY FOCUS ON THE FIVE AND THE 10 YEAR.
AS FAR AS THE PROJECTIONS GO, WE WORKED VERY HARD WITH STAFF TO SETTLE OUT OF PROJECTION, AND ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH RATE FOR THE ISLAND THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE AND MADE SENSE, WE DON'T WANT TO BE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE, UNREALISTIC, THAT COULD DRIVE UNNECESSARY PROJECTS.
THE RATE WE LOOKED AT AND SETTLED DOWN WAS ABOUT 1% AND THAT REALLY CAME OUT OF MEETING CLOSELY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TEAM AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE DEVELOPERS BEEN HAVING PRE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS AND ASKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THE ISLAND OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
WE LOOKED AT THAT HOLISTIC DATA SET AND CAME UP WITH ABOUT A 1% ANNUAL AVERAGE NUMBERS, WHAT THAT WOULD TRANSLATE TO IF THOSE HANGS OUT. YES, MA'AM.
>> ARE THEY COUNTING IN THE AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED NOW BY SEWER WHERE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE GOING IN?
>> IF YOU'RE REFERRING TO UNSERVED WEST END AREA, WE LOOKED AT POPULATION GROWTH THAT AREA.
I MIGHT TABLE TO FULL ANSWER THAT QUESTION THE LATER BECAUSE THE CIP GETS RATHER EXPENSIVE AND WE CAN ADDRESS THAT LATER SEPARATELY.
BUT THIS IS LOOKING AT THAT AREA AS WELL.
>> BECAUSE EVEN IN THE AREAS THAT ARE SERVICED, THERE ARE SOME VERY LARGE DEVELOPMENTS GOING IN THAT WILL PROBABLY BE LARGER THAN 1%.
>> THIS IS ON AN ANNUAL AVERAGE BASIS.
THOSE MIGHT POP TO 1 OR, 2% ON A GIVEN YEAR, BUT THEN THAT WON'T HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.
>> HOW MANY HOUSES WOULD BE A PERCENT?
>> WELL, GALVESTON HAS ABOUT 50,000 RESIDENTS, SO 1% OF THAT IS 500 PEOPLE.
>> BUT WE HAVE ROSETIA, AND THE OTHER HALF BEACHSIDE VILLAGE WHERE THAT'S GOING TO BE AROUND 300 HOUSES, ARE WE?
>> ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTS WERE ALL TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
>> WE MET WITH PLANNING STAFF BEFORE THAT IN ANY TYPE OF PARCELS THAT ANY DEVELOPERS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN AND WE'VE HAD PRE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS ON.
WE INCORPORATED THAT INTO THE MODELING AND EVERYTHING.
>> THESE ARE ALREADY PERMITTED.
IT'S ONLY 1%, THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME.
>> WHAT ABOUT PELICAN ISLAND AND THE POTENTIAL GROWTH THERE? DID THAT GO INTO THIS?
>> YES, SO WE HAVE SOME ACCOUNTING FOR AT LEAST SOME DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT ON PELICAN ISLAND, THE WHOLE ISLAND THAT THERE IS MOST LIKELY IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS THAT COULD TURNOVER THOSE REINVESTMENT.
>> I THINK THAT PERCENT PERSONALLY IS LOW JUST BY THE NUMBER OF DEVELOPERS THAT HAVE COME TO MEET WITH ME OF LATE.
>> I WILL SAY THAT WHILE MOST OF THE PROJECTS ARE NOT TRIGGERED BY FUTURE GROWTH, THE SIZING OF THEM THAT'S AGILE ENOUGH IF THAT TURNS INTO SAY A 2% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF BUFFER LIMIT THERE BUT.
>> WHAT IF IT TURNS INTO A THREE OR FOUR?
>> BUT YOU HAVE ENOUGH LAND FOR 3 OR 4%.
>> THAT AND EVERY MASTER PLAN SHOULD BE ON A CYCLE IN THE NEXT[OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK THE REAL ANSWER TO THAT, EVERY CITY HAS A HEALTHY PLANNING PROCESS, YOU REEVALUATE IN A FEW YEARS AND SEE WHAT THE DEVELOPMENT HAZARDS ARE.
IF YOU NEED TO ADJUST COURSE, THEN, THAT'S THE TIME TO DO, SO WE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO BE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE AND PUT IT OVER BURDENSOME CIP TOGETHER.
>> WOULD YOU SUGGEST READJUSTING EVERY FIVE YEARS OR 10 YEARS OR?
>> CITIES DO AROUND FIVE YEARS.
>> EVERY FIVE YEARS, YOU TAKE A RE LOOK AT IT AND THE HIGHER THAT GROWTH RATE IS, THE MORE EXPENSIVE YOUR CIP GETS, AND IT PUSHES YOUR RATES UP BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SIZE ACCORDINGLY.
ALL YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE HAS TO HANDLE THAT DEMAND IN THE FUTURE.
>> JUST WHY I'M SURPRISED WE'RE KEEPING IT 1%.
>> THAT'S ABOUT WHAT WE'VE AVERAGED, VERY ACCURATE.
>> TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT WATER SUPPLY.
>> WE'RE 1% GROWTH RATE, WHAT OTHER MUNICIPALITIES CLOSE BY, WHAT ARE THEIR GROWTH RATE?
>> THE ALBANS AND THE LAKE CITIES AND THOSE NEARBY THEY'RE IN THAT 1-2.
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE EXACT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
THEY'RE USUALLY SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE, THEY SAY IT'S PRETTY HIGH.
>> THEY'VE GOT A LOT MORE LAND TO BUILD ON TOO, THOUGH.
>> BUT THEY'RE BIGGER POPULATION, SO THE PERCENT, IT'S BASIC MATH.
>> IT'S ALL RELATIVE TO.[OVERLAPPING]
>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT DEVELOPMENT, JUST SET OF CURIOSITY, DO YOU LOOK AT BOTH VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL?
>> YES, MA'AM AND REDEVELOPMENT AS WELL, ALL THOSE WE PUT INTO OUR CONSIDERATION.
>> I APPRECIATE THE ENGAGEMENT. THANK YOU.
[01:15:02]
THIS NEXT SLIDE, REALLY TALKING ABOUT WATER SUPPLY FOR THE ISLAND.I JOKED TO BRANDON EARLIER, THANKS FOR GIVING THE BASIS FOR WHAT 1 MILLION GALLONS A DAY. MGD IS.
I HAVE TO COVER THAT, BUT IT WAS COVERED EARLIER THAT THE ISLAND GETS ALL OF THIS WATER SUPPLY FROM THE GULF COAST WATER GCWA.
STAFF AND HAS HUDDLED A DOZEN TIMES ON LET'S TALK ABOUT WATER SUPPLY, LET'S LOOK AT THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE OPTIONS TO SERVE WATER TO THE ISLAND, THINKING ABOUT RESILIENCY FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL.
STAFF WENT AHEAD AND PULLED THE TRIGGER EVEN DURING THE STUDY ON WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE ALTA LOMA WELLFIELD REHABILITATION.
THESE ARE SOME WELL FIELD THAT THE CITY OWNS ON THE MAINLAND THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY ONLINE, SO THE THOUGHT WAS, LET'S GO AHEAD AND REHAB THOSE WELLS AND HELP MEET SOME OF OUR SHORT TERM SUPPLY NEEDS IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO GO ABOUT DOING THAT.
A POTENTIAL NEXT STEP, WE'VE USED POTENTIAL BECAUSE EVERYTHING AFTER THIS IS ALL CONCEPTUAL AND WE GOT TO SEE HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT, BUT IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT GCWA IS CONTEMPLATING A POTENTIAL NEW REGIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION EITHER WAY AND SO IT IS THOUGHT AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO WELL, BUT THAT MAY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON IN TERMS OF COST EFFECTIVENESS AND TIMING, JUST LIKE YOU GUYS HAD A LOT OF THANKS TO MY OFFER.
>> WE GET THE CHEAPEST WATER IN THE COUNTY.
>> I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU YOUR WATER RATES HERE, I ASSUME AS WELL COMPARED TO A BUNCH OF SISTER COUNTY.
>> I KNOW WE'VE GOT TO GET TO THE NEXT ONE, BUT WHAT'S THE RETURN ON AN INVESTMENT IF WE'RE ALREADY GETTING THE CHEAPEST RATES?
>> THE ALTA LOMA THAT SEEMS TO BE LIKE IF IT'S OFFLINE AND YOU BRING IT BACK ONLINE, THERE SHOULD BE A GOOD CAUSE.
>> LIKE AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE IF WE HAD ANOTHER FREEZE, RIGHT BRIAN AND WE LOST EVERYTHING.
>> THAT WATER WILL NEVER COME DIRECTLY TO GALVESTON BECAUSE OF OUR SYSTEM.
BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IS IN OUR RECENT CONTRACT WITH GCWA BRIAN, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BECAUSE YOU WERE MORE INVOLVED IN IT THAN I WAS.
>> PUT IN AND THEY TAKE IT OFF THE RATE..
>> IT'S MORE ABOUT CAPACITY AND THOSE IF WE'RE REHABBING THE WELL FIELDS AND PART OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH GULF COAST WATER AUTHORITY, SO WE CAN GET MORE WATER FROM THE PLANT AND THEY CAN DIVERT THAT TO OTHER USERS IN THE SYSTEM.
IT ALL GOES INTO THE SAME PLANT SYSTEM.
THERE'S NO TREATMENT AT ALTA LOMA WELL FIELDS, SO IT ALL GOES BACK TO THAT.
BUT IT CIRCULATES AROUND, WHAT THAT WILL DO IS ALLOW US MORE CAPACITY IN FUTURE YEARS.
>> THAT'S HOW I WAS GOING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT WAS REALLY ABOUT SUPPLY.
THEN WE WERE ALSO TASKED WITH, WHAT COULD ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY SOURCES LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE? I'M USING WORD CONCEPTUAL ON PURPOSE HERE.
THIS IS AGAIN, NOT IN YOUR TENOR CIP.
JUST THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE COULD POTENTIALLY HOLD AND THINKING ABOUT WATER SUPPLY AND ALSO RESILIENCY FOR WATER SUPPLY.
>> DO YOU MEAN THE SALT PROBLEM WE HAVE IN THE BAY?
>> YEAH. DIRECT USE AND DESALINATION, WE'RE ALL LOOKED AT AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL.
THE IDEA HERE IS TO GIVE THE CITY JUST POTENTIAL FUTURE ROAD MAP IDEAS, BUT ALSO TO POSITION THE CITY WITH ENOUGH INITIAL CONCEPTUAL LEVEL STUDIES SO THAT IF SOME STATE OR FEDERAL FUNDING DOES BECOME AVAILABLE FOR ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY SOURCE, THE CITY HAS DOCUMENTATION READY TO GO, WE'VE GOT SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY MATURE OUT IN THE FUTURE, AND IT HELPED YOU BE MORE COMPETITIVE FOR THAT FUNDING AS WELL.
DESALINIZATION, THAT'S BEING PURSUED BY GULF COAST WATERS OR ALONE AND LOOKING AT MORE BRACKISH WATER, ISN'T IT RIGHT NOW?
>> IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE CONSIDERING IS BRACKISH.
>> DESAL WILL HAVE TO BE MORE REGIONAL, IT'S SO EXPENSIVE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CO GENERATION PLAN TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE WATER THAT'S COMING OUT OF IT, THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE ONE ON GALVESTON BAY.
>> THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF OPTIONS HERE.
I HAD A QUESTION, DID GILL CONSIDER ANY DEMAND SIDE METRICS LIKE WATER CONSERVATION AS A WAY TO DECREASE THE DEMAND?
>> THAT WAS AS BAKED INTO THE WATER DEMAND PROJECTIONS.
BRIAN MADE A GOOD POINT EARLIER ON THE WATER LOST SIDE, WE'VE GOTTEN THAT DOWN, CONSERVATION IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
IT'S NOT A GIANT NEEDLE MOVER, BUT IT DOES HELP ANYONE AS OFFICIAL WITH EVERY DROP OF WATER YOU CAN.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT IN YEARS TO COME, SO MORE TO COME LITERALLY FIVE, 10 YEARS FROM NOW ON ON A LOT OF THIS.
CONDITION, SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT CONDITION AND THESE REGULATORY CAPACITY TYPE CONSIDERATIONS.
IN TERMS OF CONDITION ASSESSMENT, THE REAL MESSAGE OF THIS SLIDE IS THAT WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME COORDINATING WITH YOUR UTILITY OPERATION STAFF, GOING OUT AND VISITING EVERY SINGLE WATER AND WASTEWATER PUMP STATION FACILITY
[01:20:01]
THAT MOVES WATER ON THE ISLAND, LAYING EYES ON EVERYTHING AND TALKING WITH THE STAFF THAT OPERATES THOSE SYSTEMS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.THEN WHAT WE DID IS WE DID A VERY QUANTITATIVE, SO AGAIN, TRY TO STRIP THE OPINION OUT OF IT.
LET'S DO A QUANTITATIVE SCOREABLE DATA BACK DECISION RUBRIC SYSTEM TO COMPARE ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST EACH OTHER AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE WHEN WE GET TO THE 10 YEAR CIP, THEY'RE NOT SMALL DOLLARS, BUT WE DID SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH STAFF BASED ON THESE QUANTITATIVE SCORES, PUSHING OUT EVERYTHING THAT WASN'T REQUIRED TO BE IN THE 10 YEARS.
IF IT'S IN THE 10 YEARS, IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY OR PERFORMANCE OR REGULATORY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE PRIORITIZED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
NOW WE HAVE SLIDE OF THE WATER AND THE NEXT TO BE WASTEWATER, SO ON THE WATER SIDE FROM A CAPACITY STANDPOINT AGAIN, THIS IS CAPACITY TO MEET REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS NOW.
THIS IS NOT SO MUCH BASED ON THE GROWTH.
CHAPTER 290 OF THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SETS FORTH MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
AGAIN, NOT SUGGESTIONS THESE ARE ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENTS THAT EVERY PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM MUST MEET FOR ALL THESE THINGS ON THE LEFT.
THE THING THAT THIS STUDY WAS ABLE TO DEVELOP THAT HAS NOT BEEN A TOOL GALVESTON HAS HAD IN THIS TOOLBELT BEFORE IS AN ALL PIPES, HYDRAULIC MODEL SYSTEM, AND CURRENT INDUSTRY STANDARD SOFTWARE THAT'S CALIBRATED TO ALL THOSE SENSORS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT ON THE VERY FIRST SLIDE, SO IT'S ALL THE BASELINE AGAINST ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH OF THE SYSTEM.
THIS WAS ABLE TO EVALUATE OUR PRESSURES WHERE THEY NEED.
TO BE, OUR ELEVATED STORAGE VOLUMES, WHERE THEY NEED TO BE, OUR FIRE FLOWS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE IF A FIRE HAPPENS ON IT.
SUMMER DEMAND DAY CAN WE GET THAT WATER WHERE IT'S NEEDED AND SO WE DO HAVE A LIST OF PROJECTS THAT CHI IS GOING TO FOLLOW WITH EVEN MORE INFORMATION ON.
EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE WATER PROJECTS ARE AN ELEVATED STORAGE TANK IN THERE AROUND MEETING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR ELEVATED STORAGE VOLUME AND THEN WE HAVE SOME PUMP STATION AND GROUND STORAGE TANK WORK.
PUMP STATIONS REALLY BUILT AROUND MAINTAINING AND SUPPLYING THOSE MINIMUM PRESSURES THAT YOU REFERENCED EARLIER, ESPECIALLY IN THOSE HIGH DEMAND TIMES.
IN TERMS OF THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM, SIMILAR TO THE WATER SYSTEM.
THIS ONE IS GOVERNED BY TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, CHAPTER 217, SO WE'RE ASSESSING THE ABILITY OF THE PUMP STATIONS AND THE PIPELINES TO MOVE WATER AROUND WITHOUT OVERFLOWING WATER OUT INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND BAD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT IT'S ALSO BAD FOR YOUR POCKETBOOK. STATE WILL FINE YOU FOR THAT.
TCQ, WHICH IS THE TEXAS ARM OF EPA HAS ALL FINES AND PROVISIONS FOR THAT THING, SO WE WERE ABLE TO USE COAL MONITORING TO AGAIN DIAGNOSE LIKE A HEALTH CHECK OR ANNUAL SCREENING, THE HEALTH OF THE SYSTEM.
AGAIN, ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE DEVELOPED IN THE WASTEWATER SIDE, WHETHER THEY'RE FOR CONVEYANCE CAPACITY OR PREVENTING OVERFLOWS OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, BECAUSE OF ALL THESE SENSORS IN THE SYSTEM AND THE SYSTEM WIDE CONDITION EFFORT, YOU STRONGLY BELIEVE ALONG WITH WORKING WITH THE STAFF THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAXIMIZE THE CITY'S DOLLARS HERE ONLY IDENTIFYING THE THINGS THAT ARE REALLY NEEDED IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO PROVIDE THE SYSTEM ITS CAPACITY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THIS REGULATORY COMPLIANCE BECAUSE THE WAY THAT GALVESTON WORKS IN TERMS OF WASTE, INCREASES IN THE SUMMER OFF SEASON MONTHS FOR TOUGH SEASON, IT DECREASES, HOW DO YOU HAVE LIFT STATIONS THAT THE PUMP CAPACITY CAN BE LOWERED OR RAISED BECAUSE ONE OF THE ISSUES I KNOW OF WITH PUMPS, IF YOU'RE NOT PUMPING AT OR NEAR CAPACITY, YOU HAVE CAVITATION, YOU HAVE THE BLOWOUT OF THE PUMPS.
HOW DOES THAT FACTOR IN WHEN TALKING ABOUT GEARING UP AND DOWN FOR INCREASE OR DECREASE OF WASTE?
>> VERY GOOD QUESTION. PART OF THE STATE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ARE TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE PUMP, YOU CAN NEVER JUST HAVE ONE PUMPS.
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE ANOTHER PUMP OR TWO TO COME IN AND HELP IN THOSE HIGHER DEMAND TIMES.
THAT'S PART OF IT AND TO WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPLY THOSE HIGHER DEMANDS AND SO THEY DON'T COUNTER AND HAVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE OTHER THING IS WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FULL MONITORING IN THE SENSORS OUT DURING THE SUMMER DURING THOSE PEAK TIMES SO THAT WE CAPTURED ALL OF THE HIGHER DEMANDS.
WE'VE ALSO GOT SOME REALLY GOOD RAIN FALLING IN ON TOP OF THE PEAK DEMANDS, SO WE WERE REALLY ABLE TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT A STRESS TEST ON THE SYSTEM, IF YOU WILL, AND SIZE THOSE PUMPS IN THOSE FACILITIES TO HANDLE THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF FLOW. YES, SIR.
>> YOUR DESIGN CRITERIA FOR MAXIMUM, I GUESS WOULD EXCEED OUR POPULATION IN ORDER TO ACCOUNT FOR 40,000 PEOPLE HERE ON.
THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DESIGN FOR?
>> ON THE TCEQ IN THE SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW INITIATIVE.
[01:25:08]
WHERE DO WE FACTOR INTO THAT? ALL THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE STILL ON SEPTIC TANKS, THAT EVERY TIME IN SOME OF THE AREAS, THERE'S A HIGH TIDE OR A HURRICANE WHERE ALL THE SEWAGE IS JUST FLOWING INTO THE WATER? IS THAT SOMETHING YOU LOOK AT IN THERE OR YOU'RE JUST LOOKING AT SEWER?>> THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE, WHICH WAS THE NEXT THING WE WERE GOING TO COVER.
THIS INITIATIVE FROM THE TCEQ IS NOT FOR SEPTIC AREAS.
IT'S FOR GRAVITY SERVICE AREAS.
THERE'S SEPARATE REGULATION FOR.
>> ARE YOU LOOKING AT THAT AT ALL?
>> SURE. THIS SSO INITIATIVE, WHAT IT DOES IS IT'S A PROGRAM CITY AND THE TCEQ PARTNER TOGETHER AND IT COMMITS THE CITY TO SPENDING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT DOLLARS ON REHABBING AND IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN EXCHANGE FOR THAT, YOU GET REDUCED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND TONES AS WELL, YOU'RE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING YOUR SYSTEM BETTER.
I REALLY JUST SAYS, LOOK, YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
LET'S SPEND IT ON THE SYSTEM, NOT ON PAYING A MINES.
IT'S ALSO THE OPTION THAT USUALLY IT HAS LESS LAWYERS INVOLVED BECAUSE IF THE STATE DECIDES TO GET FRESH WITH YOU ON ALL THE ENFORCEMENT OR THE FLOWS, THAT'S A LOT MORE LAWYERS.
IT'S A GOOD KUDOS TO THE STAFF.
THE CITY HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THIS FOR OVER A DECADE.
JUST BEEN RECENTLY TIME TO RENEW.
HAPPENED TO BE GOING ON WHILE THIS MASTER PLAN WAS IN PROGRESS.
THE STATE IS CURRENTLY RENEWING THE LATEST THE LATEST SSO INITIATIVE REPORT.
WE'VE GOTTEN THE MONEY SLIDE, FOLKS. I KNOW YOU'RE WAITING FOR IT.
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF PUTTING ALL THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER OF WATER AND THE WASTEWATER CAPITAL OUTLAY.
THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM REMOVAL AND MAINTAINING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
THERE ARE 32 PROJECTS IN THE WATER CIP, 31 PROJECTS IN THE WASTEWATER CIP.
A COUPLE OF NOTES BEFORE I HAVE TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS I HAVE TO MAKE ON THIS SLIDE.
LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF AGAIN, PRIORITIZING PROJECTS.
WHAT MUST BE IN THE TENURE? WHAT IS THE MOST RESPONSIBLE THING WE CAN DO? $80 IN REPAIR MONEY TO MAKE THE MONEY GO TO.
THEN ALSO, I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE CITY STAFF WHO GOES AND LOOKS FOR FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS AND GRANT MONIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO OFFSET PROJECTS.
THERE ARE PROJECTS IN HERE THAT WOULD BE HIGHER IF THEY WEREN'T BEING OFFSET BY SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONIES AND STATE MONIES ARE AVAILABLE.
THE GALVESTON IS REALLY REALLY GOOD ABOUT POSITIONING AND PURSUING FOR.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT'S PROBABLY OBVIOUS BY LOOKING AT THESE VENDORS THAT, THERE'S REALLY NO OTHER WAY TO PAY FOR THIS TO ENCUMBER DEBT AND TAKE ON BEST SERVICE.
YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT A SEWER RATES IN THE FUTURE AND WATER RATES IN THE FUTURE AND DETERMINE WHAT THOSE WILL NEED TO LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE GOING FOR.
>> I'M WANT TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO THAT THOUGH BECAUSE I HAVE HAD A LOT OF DEVELOPERS APPROACH ME ABOUT DEVELOPING.
I'M AS ACTUALLY ASKING THE DEVELOPERS TO PARTICIPATE, WHETHER IT'S PUTTING IN A WASTE WATER PLAN, A MUD, OR BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER RESOURCES INSTEAD OF PUTTING ALL THE BURDEN ON OUR CITIZENS.
>> THE NEXT THING WE WERE ASKED TO DO BY STAFF THE SECOND TO LAST SLIDE.
YOU MADE IT ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE 12 SLIDES.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AROUND. WE'VE STUDIED OUR SYSTEM.
YOU'RE THE BAR AT THE TOP HERE, 55,000 PEOPLE, 40 SQUARE MILES, BUNCH OF TANKS AND PUMP STATIONS AND PLANTS.
HERE'S YOUR RESIDENTS CURRENT AVERAGE IF YOU COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES.
ALL THESE WATER AND SEWER BILLS ARE A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL BILL OF 600 CUB FEET.
THIS IS WHERE GALVESTON CURRENTLY SITS.
WE LOOKED AROUND AT PARAN LAKE CITY, FRIENDSWOOD AND ALVIN AS EXAMPLES OF SISTER COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA.
POPULATION, SQUARE MILES, FACILITIES THAT THEY OWN AND MANAGE, AND THEN THEIR AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL SEWER BILL AS COMPARED TO GALS.
WE HAD A FEW OBSERVATIONS THAT I WANTED TO NOTE.
FIRST OF ALL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE, GALVESTON'S WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS ARE GENERALLY COMPARABLE TO A PAIR LAND IN LAKE CITY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF FACILITIES AND WHAT THEY NEED TO OWN AND MAINTAIN, BUT IT'S WORTH POINTING OUT THOSE COMMUNITIES HAVE MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER OF RATE PAYERS PAYING IN TO HELP WITH THAT OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT ALL FOUR OF THESE EXAMPLE COMMUNITIES DO HAVE HIGHER WATER AND SEWER BILLS IN GALVESTON, AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN UTILIZING IMPACT FEES TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE COST OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO SERVE DEVELOPMENT FOR QUITE A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
THEN FINALLY, GALVESTON DOES EXPERIENCE,
[01:30:02]
AS SOME OF YOU HAVE ALREADY POINTED OUT THESE HIGHER SEASONAL DEMANDS ON THE SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS A MORE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT THAN A LOT OF OTHER CITIES IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS.GALVESTON FACES REAL CHALLENGES.
THIS IS A PURELY INFORMATIONAL SLIDE.
THERE'S NOT AN ASK OF TODAY BASED ON THE SLIDE.
THIS IS JUST FOR CONTEMPLATION AND AGAIN, CONTEXT AND BENCHMARKING.
TAKES US TO OUR TAKEAWAY SLIDE HERE.
A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS THAT WE PERSONAL THE STAFF WANTED TO LEAVE YOU WITH TODAY.
THESE PLANS, THESE WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLANS, WE DO BELIEVE THAT THEY CONDUCTED A VERY HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS AND THEIR CURRENT NEEDS.
IT IS JUST A STATEMENT OF FACT THAT INVESTMENT IS NEEDED IN THE SYSTEMS FOR BOTH REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND CONDITION BASED IMPROVEMENTS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL OF THESE CIPS, AGAIN, THIS VERY DATA DRIVEN PROCESS, RISK AND PRIORITIZATION BASED PROCESS, FOCUSED AGAIN ON REALLY ADDRESSING THOSE EXISTING CONDITION AND REGULATORY ISSUES.
THEN THE LAST THING TO LEAVE YOU WITH IS JUST I MENTIONED ON THE LAST SLIDE.
WHEN THINKING ABOUT THE DEBT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS AND THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR THIS INFRASTRUCTURE, THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS CI IMPLEMENTATION WOULD BE A RATE STUDY, WE'RE CALLING AT THE FY 27 AND YOU KNOW NEXT TO YOUR RATE STEADY.
THE IDEA TALKING WITH SOME OF THE STAFF WOULD BE TO BRING THIS BACK MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THEY WOULD BE THINKING ABOUT AND LOOKING AT OPTIONS AND THE REALITIES OF THE SITUATION THAT MIGHT BE NEEDED GOING INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, BASED ON THE CIP IMPROVEMENTS COMING OUT OF HIS MASTER PLANS.
>> BRIAN IS THE RATE STUDY THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.
IS THAT IN OUR UPCOMING BUDGET?
>> THIS IS IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT.
THAT'S IN THEIR SCOPE MOVING AT.
I KNOW RAY HAS A QUESTION, BUT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE DID A RATE STUDY HERE?
>> HOW LONG AGO WAS LAST YEAR? WAS IT JUST LAST YEAR?
>> YEAH. THAT WAS THE ONE THAT HAVE, I THINK THE TERMINOLOGY WAS RIGHT THE SHIP ON THE WASTEWATER AND AGAIN, SHE WAS GOING TO COME UP AFTER ME AND CORRECT ANYTHING, I SAY WRONG HERE, BUT NOT SO FAR.
WATER AND WASTEWATER WAS LOOKED AT THE TIME.
THE DECISION WAS MADE TO JUST BRING THE WASTEWATER RATE UP TO GET US TO THIS POINT THIS YEAR.
NOW THAT WE HAVE THE FULL PICTURE OF THE CIPS.
NOW WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD WITH THIS NEXT.
>> WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE RATE ON THE WATER, WE HAVE THE WATER RATE THAT GOES TO THE HOUSE, BUT THEN WE HAVE A SECONDARY RATE THAT IS IRRIGATION SYSTEMS, WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER.
>> THE RECOMMENDATION TO LOOK AT THE THE RATES WOULD INCLUDE THE STRUCTURE AND THE DESIGN TIERS OF PARTITIONING BETWEEN AND WOULD LOOK AT ALL OF.
>> BECAUSE I THINK THE RATE FOR OUR WATER IN OUR IRRIGATION IS ABOUT TWICE ABOVE OTHER CITY OR SO RESIDENTS HAVE SAID TO ME.
IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THAT WHEN YOU BREAK IT DOWN, WHAT THE COST IS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL AND THE IRRIGATIONS.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT START THAT CHANGING THAT WITH THE IRRIGATION RATES, IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A CONSERVATION ISSUE TOO.
SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.
>> VERY MUCH SO. ANY QUESTIONS? YES, SHARON.
>> IT'S REGARDING, DO ANY OF THESE CITIES HAVE PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS THAT THEY PAY THIS EXTRA AMOUNT THAT WOULD COVER ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR PERSONAL HALL FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT? DO YOU KNOW IF LAKE CITY AND ANY OF THOSE? IT WAS A PROGRAM I HEARD AT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, AND I SHARED IT WITH BRIAN, SO I'M JUST CURIOUS.
THEY HAVE TO PAY A PREMIUM FOR IT.
IT'S JUST LIKE AN INSURANCE POLICY.
>> MOST OF THE TIME, THE CITIES ALLOW THEM TO OFFER IT, BUT THE CITIES DON'T PARTICIPATE IN IT.
>> IT'S ON THE OF WHAT DID I SEARCH FOR PERSON IS PAYING THE WATER. [OVERLAPPING]
>> EXACTLY. [INAUDIBLE] THE ONE I TALKED TO AFTER SHARON THEY BUILD THE CITIZENS DIRECT.
>> THAT'S PART OF OUR [OVERLAPPING]
>> NO, BUT THE OLD PIPING THAT WE HAVE HERE, THAT IT BECOMES IMPORTANT FOR THE HOME OWNER.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE GET THAT COVERED UNDER THEIR HOME WARRANTIES AND THINGS TOO.
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF COMPANIES THAT DO THAT.
>> EVERYTHING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY WOULD BE ON THE PUBLICLY OWNED INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> EVERYTHING FROM THE METER OUT.
>> BUT THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO BUY THOSE WARRANTIES AND THINGS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
[01:35:03]
>> WE'LL SEE MORE OF YOU, I THINK, COMING UP.
>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, BRANDON, VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
LET'S MOVE INTO THE MEAT OF THE MATTER NOW. YES, SIR.
[3.C Presentation and Discussion of the City of Galveston’s FY 2026 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan (C Ludanyi - 40 min)]
>> ITEM 3C. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON'S FY 2026 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
>> CSILLA, THE COUNSEL, REQUEST FOR A BATHROOM BREAK FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.
LET'S GIVE A BATHROOM BREAK HERE AND LET'S START WITH SHE COMING UP HERE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OR SO. THANK YOU.
WE ARE NOW BACK FROM OUR MORNING BREAK.
IF YOU COULD READ AGAIN, PLEASE, JANELLE, ITEM 3C.
>> ITEM 3C. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE CITY OF GALVESTON'S FY 2026 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
>> I WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE INTRODUCTION BEFORE CSILLA COMES ON BOARD HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL DISCUSSION COMING UP OF OUR BUDGET HERE.
FOR THOSE THAT MAY BE WATCHING THIS IN THE COMMUNITY, I WANT TO MENTION THIS THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TIME FOR THE CITY OF GALVESTON.
THESE DECISIONS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THIS BUDGET HAS FAR REACHING IMPACTS THROUGHOUT MANY YEARS TO COME.
AS THE CITIZENS WATCH THIS, KEEP AN EYE ON THIS BUDGET, NOT ONLY ON WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT IT MEANS TO US COMING UP HERE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE NOW SOMETIMES HAVE A WAY OF REALLY BECOMING IMPACTFUL IN ANOTHER TWO OR THREE YEARS, THE BUDGETS DECISIONS RIGHT NOW ARE GOING TO BE FALLING INTO THAT CATEGORY.
I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL HEAD OF OUR FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT, CSILLA LUDANYI.
>> GOOD MORNING. IT'S LIKE I TEED UP THE MAYOR FOR HIS INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS, BECAUSE I DID WANT TO SAY, I SET THE TONE WITH A PICTURE OF THE BEACH HERE IN GALVESTON.
IT IS A SUNRISE AT 61ST STREET.
IF YOU'LL NOTE THE PHOTO CREDIT, THIS WAS TAKEN IN 2015.
IT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TODAY, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE BUDGET AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CENTER RISE ON THE THINGS THAT WE CARE ABOUT THE MOST, WHICH IS THE ISLAND, THE BEACH, WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.
HAVE A LONG TERM PERSPECTIVE THAT SAYS, HEY, THIS IS WHAT IT WAS IN 2015, WHAT WILL IT BE IN 2035? THE THINGS WE'RE DOING TODAY ARE SMALL STEPS TO GET THERE.
THAT'S THE TONE I WANT TO SET. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
I WANT THAT TO INFORM THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE THIS MORNING, WHERE WE'RE HEADED.
I WANT TO START WITH THE COUNCIL GOALS THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE MANAGEMENT GROUP.
I'M SUMMARIZING IT'S NOT ALL THE DETAIL, OBVIOUSLY, BUT COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR NEW REVENUE SOURCES, EFFICIENCIES AND LOOKING AT DUPLICATION OF SERVICE ANALYSIS.
OBVIOUSLY, PUBLIC SAFETY IS A HIGH PRIORITY.
SHORT TERM, RENTAL ENFORCEMENT CONTINUES TO BE AT THE TOP OF EVERYONE'S LIST.
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AND I KNOW THIS MORNING'S PRESENTATION SPOKE TO THAT VERY WELL.
A TAX RATE THAT SUPPORTS THE LONG TERM FISCAL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
ONGOING INTERNAL AUDITS OF OUR ACTIVITIES, OUR SPENDING, OUR BUDGETING, AS WELL AS JUST GENERAL OPERATIONS.
AS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, WE WERE ASKED TO DO A 5% REDUCTION ANALYSIS ACROSS ALL FUNDS, INCLUDING THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS.
WE DISCUSSED THE IMPACT OF TRANSITIONING COLLECTIONS FOR BOTH HOT AND STR REGISTRATION AND THE CITY PARKS FROM THE PARK BOARD.
AN ENTERPRISE FUND REVIEW, REVIEW OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS FOR EFFICIENCIES, DISCUSSIONS REGARDING FIRE STATION NUMBER 2 AND THE STREETS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT THAT COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND FINDING WAYS TO SHIFT COSTS OF TOURISM FROM THE RESIDENTS TO THE TOURISTS, PERHAPS.
THOSE ARE THE PRIMARY HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED WITH COUNCIL SO FAR.
IT IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE, BUT HOPEFULLY EVERYONE HEARD SOMETHING THERE THAT RINGS TRUE WITH WHAT THEY'RE EXPECTING TO SEE FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE BUDGET.
[01:40:01]
IF YOU MOVE ON I'LL HOLD ON.THIS IS THE GENERAL CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE BUDGET AND TAX RATE SETTING YEAR.
LAST MONTH, WE HAD OUR FIVE YEAR FORECAST, AND I BELIEVE COUNCIL HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT AS WELL SINCE THAT TIME AND IN OUR MEETINGS.
TODAY, WE ARE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET, THE CIP, AND WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON THE EDGES OF PROPERTY TAX RATE, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION YET.
WE WILL ALSO THIS EVENING BE CALLING THE BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING FOR AUGUST 28TH.
THIS IS EARLIER FOR EVERYONE WHO'S LISTENING, THEN WE HAVE HISTORICALLY DONE IT.
WE'VE CHANGED UP THE SCHEDULE A LITTLE BIT, BUT OUR GOAL WOULD BE THAT AUGUST 28TH, A MONTH FROM NOW, WE WILL BE VOTING ON THE BUDGET AFTER THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BY LAW, RECEIVE OUR APPRAISAL ROLE TOMORROW AT THE LATEST.
WE WERE HOPING TO HAVE A EARLIER THIS WEEK, BUT TOMORROW IS A DROP DEAD DATE.
AT THE AUGUST 14TH MEETING, YOU WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION FROM ME ON THAT.
AUGUST 6TH IS OUR DEADLINE FOR PROVIDING A COPY OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE ENTIRE COUNCIL AS WELL AS HAVING IT ON FILE IN THE CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
COMING OUT OF THIS MEETING, WE WILL FINALIZE DETAILS AS WE GET THAT TAX RATE.
AUGUST 14TH, WE WILL HAVE OUR OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THAT PROPOSED BUDGET, CIP, AND TAX RATE.
WE WILL PRESENT THE TAX ROLL, AND COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE PROPOSED TAX RATE IS THAT SUPPORTS THAT BUDGET.
ON THE 28TH, WE WILL HOPEFULLY HAVE OUR HEARING AND VOTE ON ALL OF THAT.
THEN ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AND VOTE ON THE TAX RATE THAT SUPPORTS THAT BUDGET.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS SCHEDULE? THIS IS DRIVEN BY STATE LAW AND THE REQUIREMENTS ON POSTING AND INTERVALS OF TIME IN BETWEEN THAT SORT OF THING.
>> WE'RE GOING TO TOUCH ON THE GENERAL FUND FIRST AND PROBABLY PRO MOST OF THE PRESENTATION OR AT LEAST HALF OF IT BECAUSE IT IS THE AREA THAT IMPACTS OUR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TO THE GREATEST LEVEL.
AS I MENTIONED, PROPERTY VALUE CERTIFICATION IS ONGOING.
WE WERE INFORMED ON TUESDAY THAT IT WILL BE DONE BY FRIDAY AT THE LATEST, BUT THEY ARE HAVING TO DO TWO VERSIONS OF IT BASED ON STATUTORY CHANGES THAT OCCURRED EARLIER THIS YEAR AT THE STATE LEVEL.
WE'RE EXPECTING VALUES TO REMAIN RELATIVELY FLAT YEAR OVER YEAR.
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT AHEAD AND APPEALED THEIR VALUES BASED ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND WE THINK THEY PROBABLY HAD MORE SUCCESS MAYBE THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
WE THINK WE'LL SEE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
THE BUDGET YOU HAVE PRESENTED IS ON OUR ESTIMATE OF WHAT NO NEW REVENUE MIGHT LOOK LIKE. YES.
>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A REMAINING FLAT, WHEN WE CONSTANTLY HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENT UNTIL WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW DEVELOPMENT COMING IN.
>> WE ARE. WHEN WE GET TO THE TAX RATE SLIDES, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
BUT ABSOLUTELY THE NEW VALUE THAT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED SO FAR IS A PART OF WHAT WE ARE PROJECTING.
>> [INAUDIBLE], YOU HAD MENTIONED YOU HAVE IT IN HERE THAT DRAFT BUDGET IS BASED ON A NO NEW REVENUE RATE.
DO YOU HAVE A BUDGET THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT BASED UPON ACTUALLY COVING EXPENSES APPROPRIATELY FOR OUR CITIZENS?
>> ESSENTIALLY, THE WAY WE'RE PRESENTING IT TODAY IS TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE DEFICIT IS WITH THAT NO NEW REVENUE RATE.
HOPEFULLY, WHEN WE GET MORE PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY, AND AT THAT POINT, WE WILL COMMUNICATE WITH COUNCIL WHETHER WE THINK A NO NEW REVENUE IS SUFFICIENT TO COVER WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL BE, BUT WE WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT TO DEPARTMENT.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SEE A BUDGET THIS COUNCIL THAT COVERS THE EXPENSES OF SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENTS HERE AND BEING PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE YEARS TO COME TO THIS CITY?
>> I THINK COUNCIL WILL SEE THE DIRECTION STAFF WENT WITH TRYING TO GET COSTS DOWN, BUT ALSO MAINTAINING SERVICE LEVELS.
FROM THERE, WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT THE BEST WAY TO FILL THAT GAP WILL BE, AND IT MAY BE IN THE PROPERTY TAX.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE, AS WE TALKED ABOUT IN MY MEETING, BREAK DOWN THAT PROPERTY TAX TO WHAT IS UNDER THE 3.5 TAX CAP, AND WHAT ISN'T?
>> YES. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT. ABSOLUTELY.
>> SALES TAX REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO END FISCAL YEAR 25, $673,000 ABOVE THE BUDGET, WHICH IS FANTASTIC,
[01:45:03]
ESPECIALLY AFTER LAST YEAR'S MILLION DOLLAR BELOW THE BUDGET EXPERIENCE.THAT IS INCORPORATED BOTH IN YOUR FY22 PROJECTIONS, AND WE ARE PROJECTING 1% GROWTH FOR 2026.
WE HAVE AN OVERHEAD CALCULATION IN THE CITY AND OUR DRAFT OF IT AT THE MOMENT, AND IT'S A MOVING TARGET BASED ON ALL THE COSTS INCORPORATED IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS, IS ABOUT 3.34, AND THIS IS A APPLY TO ALL OF THE FUNDS THAT WE CHARGE AN ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE 2.
THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE WILL BE DOING HOT COLLECTIONS STARTING OCTOBER 1, WE ARE APPLYING THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO HOT COLLECTIONS AS WELL.
NO 200% HOT COLLECTIONS, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT APPLYING IT TO DEBT SERVICE.
WE'RE NOT APPLYING IT TO THE PORTION THAT GOES TO THE CONVENTION CENTER, THAT THING.
BUT THE PORTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR CITY AND PARK BOARD USE, WE ARE APPLYING THE 3.34, AND THAT REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $526,000 IN GENERAL FUND REVENUE.
THE PARK BOARD PROFIT SHARING IS REMOVED YEAR OVER YEAR.
LAST YEAR, COUNCIL HAD TWO PIECES.
THERE WAS A $300,000 PIECE THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS AND IT WAS BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE CITY FROM SEAWOLF PARK.
THAT 300,000 IS BEING REMOVED SINCE THE CITY WILL BE ADMINISTERING THAT PARK IN DELLANERA, AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT SEPARATELY, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SHOWN AS A PARK BOARD CONTRIBUTION.
THERE WAS ADDITIONALLY A $225,000 ITEM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME FROM THE PARK BOARD THIS YEAR IN FISCAL YEAR 25, AND THAT IS NOT COMING TO THE CITY.
THE NON-PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCLUDES LONG TERM PARKING REVENUE AND CRUISE PASSENGER CHARGES, AND THAT WILL TOTAL 300 OR 3,450,000 IN GENERAL FUND REVENUE.
THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THESE TWO FUNDING SOURCES NEXT YEAR WITH THE OPENING OF TERMINAL 16 AND THE PARKING GARAGE.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THEY'LL BE OPEN RIGHT AWAY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, BUT AS THAT OPENS UP IN PROBABLY LATE FIRST QUARTER, EARLY SECOND QUARTER, THEN WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING SOME OTHER REVENUE RELATED TO THAT AS WELL.
>> CRUISE PASSENGERS, THEY'RE PROJECTING THEY'RE SELLING TICKETS FROM NOVEMBER OF 2025.
>> WELL, MAYBE IT WILL BE RIGHT AWAY.
[LAUGHTER] LET'S TALK PROPERTY TAX AND TAXABLE VALUE FIRST.
WE RECEIVED ON APRIL 1 BEFORE RIGHT BEFORE APRIL 30TH, AN ESTIMATED TAXABLE VALUE OF $13.9 BILLION, OF WHICH 30% WERE UNDER PROTEST AT THAT MOMENT.
THAT INCLUDES ABOUT 37,479 PROPERTIES.
05,000 PROPERTIES WERE LISTED AS FROZEN ON THAT ESTIMATE.
09,731 OF OUR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
ABOUT 50% OF OUR SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES ARE HOMESTEADED.
THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THEM ARE RESIDENTS OF THE ISLAND, WHICH IS A UNIQUE NUMBER.
MOST COMMUNITIES HAVE A LOT MORE OF THEIR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL BEING HOMESTEADED, BUT SINCE WE'RE A TOURIST COMMUNITY, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
A LOT OF MORE SECOND HOMES AS WELL.
>> ON HOMESTEADED FROZEN HOUSES THAT ARE HIGH IN VALUE, THEIR PROPERTY RATE STILL GOES UP, THEREFORE, THEIR TAX RATE ALSO GOES UP.
>> TAX RATE WON'T BE HIGHER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE CITY, BUT THEY MAY END UP PAYING MORE BASED ON THE VALUE OF THEIR HOME.
>> THEY'RE PAYING MORE, LET'S JUST SAY HOMESTEADED BECAUSE THAT'S EASIER.
RATE HAS INCREASED, THEREFORE, THEIR HOMESTEAD RATE, THE AMOUNT OF TAX ALSO INCREASE.
>> HOMESTEAD IS JUST THE AMOUNT IT COMES OFF THE VALUE OF THE TOP.
>> OUR RS IS A MINIMUM OF 60,000 OR 20%.
AS THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY GOES UP, THAT 20% NUMBER GETS HIGHER AS WELL.
>> DO YOU AND YOU FACTOR THOSE INCREASES.
THIS WAS TO YOUR QUESTION EARLIER, THE NEW VALUE WAS ESTIMATED ON APRIL 30TH AT BEING TAXABLE AT $224 MILLION.
THE RESULTING REVENUE FROM THIS IS ABOUT 630,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND.
IT'S PROBABLY CLOSER TO 8,900,000,
[01:50:01]
BUT SOME OF THAT GOES TO THE LIBRARY, AND SOME OF THAT GOES TO DEBT SERVICE.THE IMPACT OF THAT NEW VALUE IS ABOUT 600. WE ARE GUESSING.
TO THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE RATES ARE SET.
AS WE KNOW, TRUTH IN TAXATION IS THE MODEL THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE.
THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS A CALCULATED RATE THAT PROVIDES US THE SAME REVENUE FROM THE SAME PROPERTIES YEAR OVER YEAR.
WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT NEW VALUE PIECE THAT WE WERE JUST DISCUSSING THAT $224 MILLION IS OUTSIDE OF THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.
THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE ONLY APPLIES TO THOSE PROPERTIES THAT WERE TAXED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AS WELL.
BUT FROM THOSE SAME PROPERTIES, YOU'RE BASICALLY GOING TO GET APPROXIMATELY THE SAME REVENUE IN TOTAL.
AN INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES VALUE MIGHT CHANGE UP OR DOWN, AND SO THEY MIGHT BE PAYING A DIFFERENT AMOUNT, BUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REVENUE DERIVED FROM THAT POOL OF PROPERTIES SHOULD BE RELATIVELY LEVEL YEAR OVER YEAR.
THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IS ALLOWING YOU TO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR DEBT OBLIGATION, AS WELL AS 3.5% INCREASE OVER THAT NO NEW REVENUE RATE.
YOU GET TO BRACKET OFF WHAT YOU NEED FOR DEBT SERVICE.
THEN ON EVERYTHING ADDITIONAL, YOUR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS PIECE, YOU CAN UP TO 3.5%.
THAT'S WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE'RE SAYING CAP.
RIGHT NOW, NEITHER OF THESE RATES HAVE OFFICIALLY BEEN CALCULATED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A CERTIFIABLE.
WHAT TESTING I'VE DONE ON IT? IT'S SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO KNOW THOSE LITTLE NUANCE PIECES LIKE THE LITIGATION AND HOW MUCH WAS PAID BACK.
WE JUST DON'T GET THAT INFORMATION UNTIL THE ROLL.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TO WHERE WE SIT WITH THOSE TWO SPECIFIC RATES, BUT YOU WILL HAVE IT AS SOON AS I HAVE.
>> [INAUDIBLE], WOULD YOU MAKE A COMMENT TOO ABOUT THE 3.5%, HOW IT APPLIES TO NEW DEVELOPMENT AND HOW WE CAN COMPARE TO THE MAINLAND AND WITH NEW DEVELOPMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT?
>> BOTH THE TRUTH AND TAXATION SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO HELP COMMUNITIES OR I SHOULD SAY, HELP TAXPAYERS KEEP COMMUNITIES TOTALLY HONEST AND FORTHRIGHT RELATED TO THEIR GROWTH.
AS WE KNOW, TEXAS HAS EXPERIENCED ENORMOUS PROPERTY AND DEVELOPMENT GROWTH IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.
THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT SAW HUGE VALUE INCREASES YEAR OVER YEAR.
BEFORE TRUTH IN TAXATION, THERE WAS NOTHING TO COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES.
IT ALLOWED THOSE CITIES TO MAYBE INCREASE THEIR TAXES A WHOLE LOT IN THEIR REVENUE A WHOLE LOT.
WITH THIS SYSTEM, WHAT IT DOES IS IT BECAUSE IT TIES EVERYTHING TO THAT NEW VALUE, AND IT ONLY ALLOWS GROWTH RELATED TO THAT NEW VALUE, THERE ARE LIMITS FOR COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T EXPERIENCING AS MUCH GROWTH.
THAT LIMITATION HAS A LARGER IMPACT ON A COMMUNITY THAT'S NOT SEEING THAT LARGE AMOUNT OF GROWTH.
LET'S TAKE A ROUND ROCK OR A SAN MARCUS OR AN AUSTIN MAYBE.
>> OR EVEN A LEAGUE CITY WHERE THEY'RE SEEING LARGE DEVELOPMENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THEIR VALUES ARE IN FACING A GREAT DEAL, THAT NO NEW REVENUE ISN'T AS HEAVY OF AN IMPACT BECAUSE THEIR NEW VALUE, WHICH IS OUTSIDE OF THAT, IS MUCH LARGER THAN OURS IS.
WE HAVE A MORE DEPRESSIVE IMPACT FROM THAT NO NEW REVENUE RATE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH NEW VALUE AVAILABLE TO GENERATE REVENUE.
>> ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING THAT IS THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT FALL AWAY WITHIN THIS 3.5% CAP CALCULATION.
>> IT DOESN'T FALL IN WITH THE NO NEW REVENUE.
ON THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE SIDE, I BELIEVE THEY TAKE THE WHOLE AMOUNT.
BUT FOR THE NO NEW REVENUE, THE NEW VALUE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT, THAT IS CORRECT.
AS WE MENTIONED, TOMORROW, I WILL HAVE IT, AND THEN THE TAX ASSESSOR WILL HELP US CALCULATE THOSE RATES, AND WE WILL PROVIDE IT TO COUNCIL AS SOON AS THEY ARE.
>> WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T GIVE IT TO US TOMORROW JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY?
>> THERE WAS SOME PENALTY WITH WITH THE CAD IN THE STATE.
IT'S NEVER HAPPENED IN MY 30 YEARS.
>> LAST YEAR, IF YOU RECALL, BECAUSE OF BARREL, THERE WAS [INAUDIBLE] AND THEY ACTUALLY PROVIDED US AN ESTIMATE BY THE 25TH, AND THEN THEY CERTIFIED IT TWO WEEKS LATER.
THERE IS A THING IN CODE THAT ALLOWS FOR AN EXTRA MONTH, BUT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE BY THE END OF JULY.
[01:55:01]
PART OF THAT'S DRIVEN BY HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY CAN NEVER GET ADOPTED.>> IT HAS TO BE THERE HAS IT HINGES AROUND THEY HAVE DISASTER EXEMPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE EXCUSE THEY'RE USING FOR THE SLIGHT DELAY THIS YEAR IS THE STUFF THAT CAME THROUGH AUSTIN REQUIRES TWO SEPARATE CALCULATIONS BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT COULD OR COULD NOT HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER.
>> LOOKING AT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE COMPARISON, THIS IS UPDATED FOR WHERE TAX RATES WERE FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR THAT WE'RE SITTING IN RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS NOBODY'S NEW RATES BECAUSE THOSE HAVEN'T BEEN SET.
BUT THE CURRENT YEAR WE'RE SITTING IN, GALVESTON SITS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF GALVESTON COUNTY AGAIN.
WE'VE GOT A REALLY NICE SWEET SPOT THERE.
YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE WELL OVER 50 CENTS IN THEIR PROPERTY TAX RATE.
THEN WE'VE GOT JAMAICA BEACH, WHICH IS JUST TEENY TINY OVER THERE, AND WE KNOW WHY IT'S TEENY, TINY.
WE FEEL LIKE GALVESTON ISN'T A REALLY GOOD SPOT WHERE OUR TAX RATE IS.
WE DON'T THINK WE ARE DOING ANYTHING OUTRAGEOUS COMPARED TO WHAT THE REST OF THE COUNTY IS.
WE DO THINK WE HAVE MORE PRESSURE FROM OUR 167 TO ONE TOURIST TO RESIDENT RATIO.
WITH A SMALL AMOUNT, WE ARE DOING A LOT.
ALSO, IF YOU NOTE, OUR DEBT SERVICE PORTION IS A SMALLER PORTION OF OUR TOTAL TAX RATE THAN A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES.
WHAT THIS SLIDE DOESN'T SHOW IS THAT FIVE CENTS OUT OF THAT TOTAL GOES TO THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY.
THAT'S NOT REFLECTED HERE BECAUSE OTHER COMMUNITIES DID.
>> DID YOU CORRECT THAT WITH OUR CONTRACT.
>> WE GET THE GROWTH, WHICH WAS NOT THAT MUCH THIS YEAR, IF ANY, BUT WHAT IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR IS LIKE LEAGUE CITY SPENDS WHAT?
>> 2.5% OF THEIR GENERAL FUND GOES TO THEIR LIBRARY SYSTEM.
FOR US, IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT GOING TO THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY, THAT WOULD REPRESENT 5% OF OUR PROPERTY TAX AND GENERAL FUNDS.
>> WHILE WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT OF REBAT BACK ON THE GROWTH, WE'RE STILL SPENDING.
>> WE'RE STILL SPENDING TWICE AS MUCH AS OUR NEAREST NEIGHBOR ON THE LIBRARY.
>> THIS IS JUST A RATE COMPARISON SPECIFIC TO GALVESTON SINCE 2021.
DUE TO VALUE INCREASES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DECREASE OUR TAX RATE. A YEARS.
LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR WE PLATEAUED AND THAT HAD TO DO PARTLY WITH THE VALUES GROWTH SLOWING DOWN AND THE INCREASED COST ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.
I THINK WE'VE DEMONSTRATED A DESIRE TO MOVE THAT TAX RATE DOWN TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS GIVE THEM RELIEF IN THAT AREA.
I THINK WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT, AND IT WILL SIMPLY BE A QUESTION OF BALANCING THE INCURRED COSTS WITH WHAT REVENUE STREAMS WE HAVE TO.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION, AND IT'S A CURIOSITY QUESTION.
WHEN IS A PROPERTY CONSIDERED NEW PROPERTY VALUE? IS IT WHEN IT STARTED OR WHEN IT'S COMPLETED?
>> IF THERE IS APPRAISABLE VALUE ON THE GROUND AT JANUARY 1, THEN FOR EXAMPLE, LET'S SAY IT WAS A LOT, AN EMPTY LOT.
I WOULD SAY IF IT WAS LIKE A BIG APARTMENT COMPLEX AND HALF OF IT WAS BUILT ON JANUARY 1, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GET SOME VALUE IN THAT YEAR, BUT IF IT'S JUST A HOUSE AND ALL THEY POURED IS THE FOUNDATION, THEY WON'T BRING THAT VALUE ON UNTIL THE NEXT YEAR.
>> IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED NEW PROPERTY VALUE.
>> WE HAD SOME MAJOR, OBVIOUSLY, ASSUMPTIONS TO MAKE AS FAR AS OUR EXPENDITURES IN THE GENERAL FUND.
ONE OF THEM IS THE POLICE AND FIRE CBAS, AND THE BUDGET THAT'S BEING PRESENTED ESTIMATES SOME PROGRAM SALARY INCREASES ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE CBA AGREEMENTS.
POLICE IS NOT NEGOTIATING THIS YEAR, AND FIRE IS ABOUT TO START NEGOTIATING, SO WE'RE ESTIMATING AT THIS POINT. [NOISE]
>> I DON'T WANT TO REVEAL MY HAND.
>> POLICE, WE PRETTY MUCH KNOW, IS ABOUT 4%.
>> YEAH, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST TO TRUE UP WITH THE OTHER TWO CITIES THAT WE USE AS COMPARATIVES.
>> WE HAVEN'T GONE INTO NEGOTIATION.
WE HAVE SOME ESTIMATES IN HERE, BUT WE STILL HAVEN'T GONE INTO NEGOTIATION YET.
>> EMS IS INTERESTING SITUATION.
YOU ALL MAY RECALL THE CONVERSATION FROM LAST YEAR WHERE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EMS, SPECIFICALLY DUE TO MARKET PRESSURE AND BEING ABLE TO RECRUIT AND PAY OUR PARAMEDICS.
THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT IMPACT MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, AND NATIONWIDE AMBULANCE SERVICES BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO SEE FISCAL IMPACTS FROM THIS.
[02:00:06]
THERE WILL BE MORE USERS THAT DON'T HAVE COVERAGE, AND SO THOSE COSTS WILL BE ABSORBED BY SOMEONE, AND IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE THE PROVIDER.[NOISE] THEY ARE ESTIMATING ABOUT A 20% INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR IN THE COST OF PROVIDING SERVICES.
RIGHT NOW, 5% OF THAT WAS THEIR ORIGINAL BUDGET FOR SALARY INCREASES, AND OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT PARAMEDICS BECAUSE GALVESTON IS A VERY BUSY SYSTEM.
IT IS NOT AN EASY SYSTEM TO WORK IN AS A PARAMEDIC, SO THERE'S STILL A 5% FOR SALARY INCREASES.
THE ADDITIONAL 15% IS DRIVEN STRICTLY BY ASSUMPTIONS MADE BASED ON THESE CHANGES.
>> THEY FEEL THERE'S GOING TO BE A REDUCTION IN COLLECTIONS.
>> BRIAN, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY, YOU HAD A MEETING WITH DR. KEISER.
>> TWENTY PERCENT, IT DID NOT WAIVER.
TWENTY PERCENT., HE DIDN'T EVEN STUTTER.
>> JUST TO BE TOTALLY CLEAR, AS YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGETS THAT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO YOU, THERE'S 118% INCREASE IN EMS BETWEEN 202 AND 2026, BETWEEN THE TWO INCREASES.
THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY COST TO THE CITIZENS HERE IN GALVESTON.
>> BUT IT'S A CADILLAC SERVICE.
>> YES. OF THE TOTAL COST, APPROXIMATELY 480,000 A YEAR IS SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS THROUGH WATER BILLS.
THE REMAINDER OF THAT 1.9 MILLION IS WHAT IS BEING SUPPORTED BY THE TAX RATE OR OTHER REVENUE SOURCES IN THE GENERAL FUND, AND ANIMAL CONTROL, NEW POSITIONS WERE ADDED.
ANIMAL CONTROL WAS MOVED OVER UNDER THE CITY MARSHAL, AND I BELIEVE TWO OR THREE POSITIONS WERE ADDED.
>> WE DID, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE IS THERE'S GOING TO BE CONTINUAL VACANCY IN THERE.
MY BEST ANALOGY IS THERE'S PEOPLE THAT LOVE ANIMALS, AND THEY THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A GREAT THING UNTIL THEY GET INTO IT AND THEY REALIZE IT'S REALLY NOT A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO TRULY HAVE SOFT HEARTS FOR ANIMALS.
SOMETIMES IT IS, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT, SO WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF TURNOVER, AND WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP THESE SERVICE LEVELS UP, ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT'S HIGHLY IMPACTED BY TOURISM, BY THE WAY, BUT WE ARE STRETCHED REALLY THIN IN ANIMAL CONTROL.
IT IS OUR HIGHEST CALL VOLUME, PERIOD.
>> HIGHEST ANIMAL CONTROL, HIGHLY STRESSED BY TOURISM.
>> WE BELIEVE DOGS, LOST COGS, DOG BITES.
>> FISHING LINE IS MORE OFTEN.
>> FISHING LINES AROUND, YOU NAME IT, PEOPLE FEEDING RACCOONS.
>> THAT ARE BEING TAKEN TO A PRESERVED AREA.
>> WE'RE TEACHING WILD ANIMALS TO BE WILD AGAIN.
>> HEALTH BOARD RECEIVED NEWS FROM OUR HEALTH INSURANCE ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS THAT THEY ARE PROJECTING A 20% INCREASE, IF NOTHING CHANGED YEAR-OVER-YEAR, AND THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE COULD MANAGE.
THE HEALTH INSURANCE BOARD IS USING OUR OPTIONS AND HAS COMMITTED TO MAKING PLAN CHANGES THAT WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP THE INCREASE A 10% YEAR-OVER-YEAR.
IN THE GENERAL FUND, THIS REPRESENTS ABOUT $692,000.
>> THE PLAN CHANGES THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT MAKING WOULD BE INCREASES IN COPAY, CHANGES IN DEDUCTIBLE LEVELS.
I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT THE BOARD IS TALKING ABOUT ANY REDUCTION OF ANY COVERAGES.
>> THAT'S ALSO ON THE TABLE, I SUSPECT, BUT WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT DOES ALL THAT.
>> BECAUSE TRANSFERRING THE COST ELSEWHERE.
>> THE COST IS WHAT THE COST IS, IT'S HOW YOU TRANSFER IT AROUND AND SPLIT IT UP.
WE CAN'T GO UP NECESSARILY ON EMPLOYEE PREMIUMS BECAUSE OF OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH AT THE CAP ALREADY.
AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE LIKE EMS, THIS IS A CADILLAC HEALTH PLAN.
>> SEPARATION PAY, WE'VE DISCUSSED SOME IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
WE HAVE A LARGE COHORT THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE, AND WITH THE CURRENT ACCRUALS THAT ARE IN PLACE, WE BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS YEAR COSTS RELATED TO SEPARATION PAY.
THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT 550,000, AND A LARGE PORTION OF THIS IS RELATED TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY CONTINGENTS WHO ARE PROTECTED BY CHAPTER 143 IN THE AMOUNT OF THEIR ACCRUAL PAYOUTS.
>> I KNOW WE ACCRUE FUNDS FOR THIS EVERY YEAR.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU REFER TO THEM, PEOPLE THAT SAY THEY'RE GOING TO RETIRE ALL THE TIME AND NEVER RETIRE.
[02:05:02]
>> HARD WORKERS, THAT'S HOW WE REFER TO THEM, COMMITTED HARD LOYAL WORKERS.
>> HOW MUCH OF THE ACCRUED IS USUALLY USED ANNUALLY?
LAST YEAR, WE DID A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND ADDED TO IT, SO THERE IS NOT REALLY A FUND BALANCE THERE.
WE ARE MOVING FUNDING OVER TO COVER WHAT WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO NEED.
IF THERE IS A LITTLE EXTRA, THEN THAT FUND BALANCE MAYBE 100, $200,000, AND IT WOULD JUST CARRY FORWARD TO THE NEXT YEAR'S LIABILITY, SO THERE'S NOT EVER A LOSS TO US TO DOING THAT.
IF, FOR SOME REASON, NOBODY RETIRED AND WE NEEDED THAT $1.5 MILLION, WE COULD CALL IT BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THERE'S NOT A RESTRICTION NOT TO DO THAT.
>> NO. IT WOULD PROBABLY BE NOT COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT ON MY PART, NOT TO DISCLOSE THAT WE THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE ACTUAL COST OF THAT.
IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO PLAN FOR IT, AND THEN IF WE'RE LUCKY AND OUR HARD WORKERS STAY A LITTLE LONGER, THEN WE CAN KEEP IT FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
>> [NOISE] I KNOW WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL FIRST, WE LOOKED AT WHAT CAN BE CARRIED OVER NONE, BUT WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE STUDIED THAT OR ANALYZED THAT?
>> IT'S BEEN PROBABLY FOUR YEARS AGO.
>> SEEMS LIKE LONGER THAN THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> MOST OF IT IS SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT, SO THERE'S NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO.
>> IT WOULD BE CURIOUS TO LOOK AT THAT.
>> IT'S IN OUR EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT.
>> OUTSIDE OF THE POLICE AND FIRE.
>> I WOULDN'T WANT TO TAKE OUR HARDWORKING CIVILIANS AND GIVE THEM ANYTHING LESS THAN WE'RE GIVING OUR [INAUDIBLE]
>> I AGREE. IT JUST WOULD BE INTERESTING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT IT'S ONLINE, AND IT'S IN OUR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK.
>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEBT SERVICE FUND TRANSFER, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS SET AT 8% OF REVENUE, NOT EXPENDITURES.
WHEN THOSE REVENUE AMOUNTS CHANGE, THIS NUMBER CHANGES, IT'S A DRAFT NUMBER.
THIS WILL NOT BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU SEE IN THE FINAL BUDGET, BUT IT'S APPROXIMATELY $169,000 INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.
THEN THIS BUDGET PROPOSES NO CIVILIAN INCREASE.
WE ARE LOOKING AT LAST YEAR'S 5% IS 2.5% DOWN PAYMENT ON FISCAL YEAR 26.
>> NO. WE MAY BE LOOKING AT THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT IT THAT WAY.
>> WELL, AS BRIAN SAID, MONEY EARLIER IS BETTER THAN MONEY LATER.
[LAUGHTER] IT WAS A REALLY SIGNIFICANT RAISE FOR OUR CIVILIANS LAST YEAR.
THE SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL FUND, AS IT STANDS YESTERDAY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE YOUR FY '25 ESTIMATED ACTUALS IN THE LEFT COLUMN AND YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET IN THE PURPLE COLUMN.
THE BEGINNING FUND BALANCE IS GOING TO INCREASE A LITTLE BIT, AND THAT IS LARGELY DUE TO THE AIRPORT PROPERTY SALE FROM FISCAL YEAR '25.
YOU'RE SEEING [NOISE] FORWARD FROM ENDING FUND BALANCE IN '25 TO BEGINNING FUND BALANCE IN '26.
THE TOTAL REVENUE IS JUST SEEING A SLIGHT DECREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR, AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE INCREASES IN CRUISE PASSENGER FEES AND LONG-TERM PARKING RELATED TO TERMINAL 16.
IT IS RELATED TO THE INCREASE IN SALES TAX, AND THAT SMALL INCREMENTAL INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX RELATED TO NEW VALUE.
THAT'S WHAT IS IN THAT REVENUE NUMBER RIGHT NOW.
IT WILL CHANGE SLIGHTLY WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT WHAT PROPERTY TAX RATE LOOKS LIKE.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE $2.9 MILLION, AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT REDUCTIONS AND ALL OF THAT IN FURTHER SLIDES, SO IT'S COMING.
BUT THE WAY THE BUDGET STANDS RIGHT NOW, IT'S $2.9 MILLION IN INCREASES, ALMOST THREE MILLION.
RIGHT NOW, AS IT STANDS, THERE IS ABOUT $843,000 MORE EXPENDITURES THAN THERE IS REVENUE TO PAY FOR IT, AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT THE MAYOR ALLUDED TO EARLIER.
WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE THINK THE BUDGET IS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE LEVELS THAT ARE EXPECTED AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THE CITY.
RIGHT NOW, THE GAP TO FUND, THAT IS ABOUT $843,000.
BY THE TIME YOU GET THE BUDGET ON THE 14TH, YOU'LL KNOW HOW WE FILL THAT GAP, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.
THE ENDING FUND BALANCE, YOU'LL SEE, IS DECREASING IN THIS PROPOSAL BY THAT SAME AMOUNT, THAT $843,000, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PLUGGED THAT HOLE YET.
THE 120-DAY RESERVE REQUIREMENT IS ABOUT $27.8 MILLION, AND THAT ENDING FUND BALANCE IS ABOUT $3.8 MILLION SHY OF THAT, BUT IT DOES LEAVE US AT 103 DAYS, SO IT'S STILL ABOVE OUR 90-DAY REQUIREMENT.
>> WE WOULD HAVE BEEN BELOW 100 HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE SALE OF THE AIRPORT PROPERTY.
[02:10:05]
>> THE 120-DAY REQUIREMENT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE SHOOTING FOR, BUT IN THE CHARTER, IT'S 90 DAYS.
>> NINETY IS YOUR FLOOR, 120 IS YOUR OPTIMAL.
WE'D HAVE BEEN IN THE 90S ABSENT HAD WE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SELL A PROPERTY BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY SPENT DOWN ON FUND BALANCE THIS YEAR AGAIN, AND WE PREDICTED THAT IF THOSE OTHER REVENUES DIDN'T COME IN.
>> I WILL ADD THAT DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION THAT FEMA CONTINUES TO MOVE IN, I THINK GALVESTON WILL BENEFIT FROM A HIGHER FUND BALANCE RATHER THAN A LOWER FUND BALANCE.
BECAUSE ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE FEMA FUNDING AVAILABLE LIKE THERE WAS AFTER HURRICANE IKE, WE WILL BE VERY RELIANT ON WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN GALVESTON.
>> OUR CONTRACTS THAT ARE IN PLACE.
>> THE COST OF THAT CONTRACT IS DRIVEN BY OUR FUND BALANCES AND OUR DEBT RATING, SO WE NEED TO BE VERY COGNIZANT.
THEY'RE NOT INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER.
>> THE EMERGENCY NOTE IS CONTINGENT OR IT'S DESIGNED WITH THE IDEA OF FEMA REVENUE PAYING OFF THAT DEBT OBLIGATION.
THAT'S A PART OF THE EQUATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK THROUGH SHOULD WE GET TO THAT POINT.
[LAUGHTER] THESE ARE SOME GRAPHIC SUMMARIES JUST SO WE HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE IN THAT PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT YOU RECEIVED.
ON THE REVENUE SIDE, 47%, ABOUT $38.9 MILLION IS PROPERTY TAX, AND 23.8 MILLION OR 29% IS SALES TAX.
ALMOST THREE QUARTERS OF YOUR BUDGET IS FUNDED BY THESE TWO REVENUE SOURCES.
YOUR OTHER REVENUE IS ABOUT 7% OR 6.2 MILLION, AND ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT THE HEAVY HITTERS IN THAT CATEGORY ARE.
IT'S THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY REIMBURSEMENT VIA THE MOU, IT'S ABOUT 1.9 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET.
CRUISE PASSENGER FEES ARE ABOUT 950,000, AND LONG-TERM PARKING IS ABOUT 2.5 MILLION.
THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF THAT 7% OTHER REVENUE CATEGORY.
YOU'LL SEE THE OTHER CATEGORIES THAT COME IN THERE, FRANCHISE FEES IS NEXT.
INTERFUND TRANSFERS, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEES THAT ARE COMING BACK TO THE CITY, THAT SORT OF THING.
THIS IS THE REVENUE MAKEUP RELATED TO THE GENERAL FUND.
WHEN WE GO ON TO THE COST CATEGORIES, YOU'LL SEE THAT 69% OF YOUR GENERAL FUND COSTS ARE PERSONNEL-RELATED, SO THEY'RE FIXED TO THE BODIES THAT ARE PROVIDING THE WORK AND ALL OF THE GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENTS.
CONTRACTUAL SERVICES IS 15%, AND OPERATING TRANSFERS IS 10%.
THE OPERATING TRANSFERS PORTION IS YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND, WHICH IS REQUIRED BY CHARTER, IT'S THE MAJORITY OF THAT.
THEN SEPARATION PAY, WE'VE PROGRAMMED AT 1.5 MILLION.
I WOULD SAY 8% OF THAT OPERATING TRANSFERS IS CHARTER REQUIREMENT.
THE OTHER CATEGORIES THAT WE HAVE ARE OTHER CHARGES AND SERVICES, SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS, CAPITAL OUTLAY, AND MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES.
HE COMBINATION OF WHICH IS 6% TOTAL.
>> WHAT'S ALL IN THE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES?
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE EVERYTHING FROM CONTRACTS, LIKE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SUPPORT FOR THEIR OSSI OR THEIR NEW MOTOROLA CONTRACT.
>> RADIOS. IT'S GOING TO BE ANY SOFTWARE.
>> POLICE AGREEMENTS ON CARS FOR COVER.
>> ANYTHING WE BRING TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL IS USUALLY IN THE FORM OF A CONTRACT, SO IT FITS IN THIS CATEGORY, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
SOMETIMES WE'RE BUYING THINGS, BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A CONTRACT FOR SERVICES.
>> BASICALLY, OUR CONSENT ITEMS.
>> BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES LEGAL.
>> IT ALSO INCLUDES OTHER DEPARTMENTS, IT IS NOT ALL OUT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. [NOISE]
>> NO. PRETTY MUCH, THIS MAKEUP, FOR MOST DEPARTMENTS, THIS IS THE ACTUAL BREAKDOWN FOR EACH DEPARTMENT AS WELL, 60%-80% PERSONNEL DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH OTHER THEY HAVE.
MOST OF THE REST IS CONTRACTUAL SERVICES AND THEN IN VERY SIMILAR, 6% RANGE, THOSE OTHER CATEGORIES.
>> BY DEPARTMENT, THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
OR I SHOULD SAY NOT BY DEPARTMENT, BY SERVICE AREA.
PUBLIC SAFETY MAKES UP 62% OR $52.6 MILLION OF THAT GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
PUBLIC WORKS COMES IN SECOND AT $5.6 MILLION OR 7%,
[02:15:02]
AND FROM THERE, YOU SEE THE ADDITIONAL SMALLER DEPARTMENTS.INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT, ONCE AGAIN, IS THAT $6.7 MILLION OR 8% OF THAT BUDGET IN THE GENERAL FUND.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, AND IT'S NOT COMPLETELY FINISHED IN THIS DRAFT IS THE OFFSET FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AND HOW WE'RE BRINGING THE NEW REVENUE FROM DELLANERA AND SEAWOLF TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF OUR GENERAL FUND COSTS.
THE FINAL PROPOSED BUDGET THAT WE BRING TO YOU ON THE 14TH, I WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON HOW THAT'S WORKING.
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF MOVING PIECES.
WE ARE WORKING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CATEGORIZE THE SPECIAL REVENUES THAT ARE COMING, BEACH USER FEES, WHATEVER IT IS, ENTRANCE FEES TO MCGUIRE DEBT, HOW WE'RE ALLOCATING ALL OF THAT AND WHERE THE OFFSETS ARE GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED TO OFFSET SOME OF THOSE COSTS.
THERE MIGHT BE A SMALL DECREASE ASSOCIATED WITH PARKS AND REC IN THE FINAL BUDGET.
FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO WHAT ARE IN THESE CATEGORIES, ESPECIALLY THE BIGGER ONES, YOU'LL SEE ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, WHAT'S INCLUDED IN PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS INCLUDES POLICE, FIRE, WHICH HAVE THE CVA INCREASES, EMS, WHICH HAS THE 20% INCREASE.
CITY MARSHAL, WHICH HAS THE ADDITIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.
YOU'LL SEE IN NON-DEPARTMENTAL, THAT'S WHERE TAXATION FACILITIES, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, SEPARATION PAY, CAPITAL OUTLAY.
THESE LARGER THINGS THAT IMPACT THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION.
THEN GENERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU'LL SEE THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT GENERALLY GO INTO YOUR OVERHEAD, EXCEPT FOR ISLAND TRANSIT.
BUT THAT'S ALSO GENERAL GOVERNMENT ITEM.
THAT IS HOW YOUR GENERAL FUND SPLITS OUT ON WHERE THE EXPENSES ARE.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS, WHAT IS INCREASING? WHAT'S DRIVING THAT $2.9 MILLION INCREASE? IS EVERYBODY STILL WITH ME? I KNOW IT'S A LOT. IT'S A SLOG.
LAST YEAR'S OR THIS CURRENT YEAR'S PROJECTED EXPENDITURES ARE $81.6 MILLION.
HOW DO WE GET TO THE 84.5 MILLION FROM THAT 81.5? YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE CBA INCREASES POTENTIALLY AND FICA AND PENSION, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE EMS INCREASES, ANIMAL CONTROL INCREASES.
THE PUBLIC SAFETY SUBTOTAL IS ABOUT 1.6 MILLION RELATED TO THOSE COSTS.
HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASE AT 10%.
FOR THE GENERAL FUND, IS THE 692,000, AND OF THAT, PUBLIC SAFETY IS ABOUT 462,000.
THE TOTAL INCREASES IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY PIECE ARE ABOUT 2,085,000 APPROXIMATELY.
THE INCREASE IN SEPARATION PAY IS THE 550,000.
THE TRANSFER TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT IS ABOUT 169,000.
VARIOUS OTHER CHANGES THROUGHOUT ALL DEPARTMENTS NET A TOTAL OF NEGATIVE $37,000.
OTHERWISE, WE HELD THE BUDGET FLAT AS YOU ARE RECEIVING IT AND THAT IS HOW WE GOT TO THAT 2.9 MILLION THAT IS BEING PRESENTED TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
BUT IT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK ON THE PART OF YOUR DEPARTMENTS TO GET TO THIS POINT.
WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH SOME GENERAL REDUCTIONS.
IT IS NOT A 5% REDUCTION BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE, 6% IS EVERYTHING OUT OF THAT PERSONNEL, AND YOU CAN'T CUT ALL THAT AS WELL, PERSONNEL AND CONTRACTS.
WHAT YOU SEE IS EVERY DEPARTMENT WENT THROUGH AND FROM THEIR ORIGINAL REQUEST MADE CHANGES.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE THIRD COLUMN IN BEING WHAT A 5% OF THEIR ORIGINAL REQUEST WOULD BE.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN POLICE, 5% OF THAT $28.4 MILLION THAT WAS REQUESTED INITIALLY WOULD BE ABOUT 1.4 MILLION.
THE ACTUAL REDUCTION THEY OFFERED US WAS 161,000, WHICH WOULD HAVE LEFT 1.2 MILLION TO GET TO 5%, AND THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF NINE OFFICERS.
WHAT THESE NEXT THREE SLIDES DEMONSTRATE TO YOU IS WHAT ACTIVITIES OCCURRED, AND IN SOME CASES, SOME DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY REVIEWED THEIR BUDGETS, THEY REALIZED, OH, THERE WAS THIS THING WE FORGOT THAT'S REALLY SERIOUS, AND SO THEY ADDED IT IN AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A REDUCTION.
THAT'S OKAY, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IN POLICE, IT WOULD REQUIRE NINE OFFICERS, FIRE, SEVEN FIREFIGHTERS, AND THE CBA PROHIBITS THAT.
POLICE IS ABOUT TO BE FULLY STAFFED.
ALSO NOT REALLY IN OUR INTEREST TO GET RID OF THOSE NINE OFFICERS AT ALL.
EMS, IT'S NOT APPLICABLE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO TAKE THEIR 20%.
WHAT WE DID IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE IT IN CITY MARSHAL WAS WE MOVED ONE MORE DEPUTY TO THE SHORT-TERM REGISTRATION FUND.
[02:20:01]
WE MOVED THE COST OF THAT ADDITIONAL DEPUTY FROM GENERAL FUND, SO NOW THERE'S GOING TO BE THREE IN THAT SHORT-TERM REGISTRATION.>> JUST TO BE CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT TO OUR PUBLIC, WHEN THEY WERE ASKED TO LOOK AT CUTTING THEIR BUDGETS BY 5%, THEY WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT TOUCH IT OR GARAGE CHARGES OR PERSONNEL, WHICH I CAN UNDERSTAND, BUT I REALLY CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT OR GARAGE.
>> ESSENTIALLY, THE IT DEPARTMENT AND THE GARAGE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THEIR OWN BUDGETS, AND THEY ALSO WENT THROUGH THAT 5% PROCESS.
DEPARTMENTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMPACT THEIR IT AND GARAGE BUDGETS BASED ON THE RESOURCES THEY'RE USING.
DECREASING THEIR FLEET, DECREASING THEIR MILEAGE, DECREASING MAYBE THE TYPE OF VEHICLES THAT THEY ARE USING WOULD DECREASE FLEET CHARGES POTENTIALLY.
DECREASING THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.
IF YOU TAKE AWAY EMPLOYEES, IT DECREASES YOUR CALCULATION ON YOUR IT, DECREASING THE NUMBER OF ENDPOINTS.
>> BUT IT DOESN'T DECREASE THE CHARGE. [OVERLAPPING]
IT'S A TAIL-END DEAL BECAUSE WE ASK BOTH THOSE FUNDS TO REDUCE THEIRS BY 5% AND IF THEY WERE TO REDUCE 5%, OVERALL CHARGES ACROSS, DEPENDING ON HOW THEY'RE SPLIT UP, WOULD GO DOWN 5% ACCORDINGLY AS WELL.
YOU COULDN'T JUST SAY EVERYBODY TAKE 5% OFF BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S SPLIT UP.
THOSE ENTERPRISE FUNDS ARE GOING TO TAKE THE SAME OR INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS ARE GOING TO TAKE THE SAME 5% AS EVERYBODY ELSE, THEN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS GET RECALCULATED.
>> THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DON'T KNOW HOW THE CHARGES WITH IT AND GARAGE ARE SPLIT UP?
>> HE SAID THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S SPLIT UP.
>> NO. LISTEN TO WHAT SHE SAID.
LET'S JUST SAY DOUG SAYS I'M GOING TO GO WITH NINE OFFICERS.
THAT RESULTS IN THREE LESS CARS, THREE LESS MDTS, MAYBE THREE LESS RADIOS.
IT RESULTS IN X AMOUNT OF FUEL BEING REDUCED.
THAT GOES INTO THE CALCULATION OF THE RESULT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] LET ME ASK THAT QUESTION ANOTHER WAY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY ELIMINATION OF OFFICERS.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY ELIMINATION OF FIREFIGHTERS.
>> OR OPERATIONAL OVERTIME, I CAN SECOND THAT.
EVEN ACROSS BOARD AND STAFF THAT I'VE BEEN REVIEWING, WE GOT A LOT OF DETAIL FROM THE GARAGE.
BRIAN MADE A STATEMENT SAYING IT WOULD DEPEND ON THAT TYPE OF VEHICLE, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY TRUE, BECAUSE THERE IS A FLAT NUMBER.
IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT FOR A VEHICLE AS IT IS FOR A TRAILER.
EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU QUESTION WHY IT'S STILL BEING CARRIED ON THE BALANCE, SOMETHING THAT'S VERY OLD, THEY CAN'T CHANGE THAT BECAUSE THOSE FIELDS ARE LOCKED AND THEY CAN'T ACCESS IT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. ESSENTIALLY, I DON'T THINK ANY OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS WOULD WANT ANOTHER DEPARTMENT HEAD TO CHANGE THEIR BUDGET.
IN FINANCE, I DON'T PROFESS TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED IN THE GARAGE.
I'M TRUSTING THE GARAGE TO DETERMINE WHO THEY NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES.
WHEN WE SPLIT THAT COST OUT, THAT CALCULATION IS OPEN TO ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD WHO WANTS TO LOOK AT IT, WHO WANTS TO REVIEW THEIR ENDPOINTS, WHO WANTS TO REVIEW WHAT FLEET IS BEING ACCOUNTED FOR.
THEY ARE WELCOME TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH EITHER OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS TO FIGURE OUT IF EVERYTHING IS BEING CHARGED CORRECTLY.
BUT ONCE WE DETERMINE THAT THE RIGHT THINGS ARE BEING ACCOUNTED FOR, THEN WE TRUST THAT THOSE DEPARTMENTS ARE PRODUCING BUDGETS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THAT ARE APPROPRIATE, AND THEY ARE SPLIT EQUITABLY IN THE ORGANIZATION BASED ON THE USE OF THOSE INTERNAL SERVICES.
WHEN IT APPEARS IN, LET'S SAY THE FINANCE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE THIS MANY COMPUTERS AND THIS IS WHAT OUR CHARGE IS, IT IS THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS WITH IT.
IT IS THE COST OF HAVING THAT SERVICE PROVIDED TO US.
I CAN'T CUT THAT BUDGET JUST BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE IT.
[LAUGHTER] THAT'S WHAT'S HARD.
THERE ARE BIG NUMBERS IN EACH OF THESE DEPARTMENTS.
ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BIG NUMBERS AND IT IS PERHAPS FRUSTRATING THAT YOU DON'T HAVE AUTONOMY TO CHANGE IT BUT IT'S TIED TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET THAT YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER, AND SO PART OF IT IS JUST TRUSTING THE SYSTEM.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, COME ASK AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ADJUST THE COST ASSOCIATED.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN YOU AND I TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, BUT I'M GOING TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION TOWARDS THE GARAGE.
[02:25:03]
ONE OF THEIR LINE ITEMS IS 38,000 ON INTEREST.THEY'RE GETTING INTEREST FROM A RESERVE THEY HAVE, AND WHY WOULD WE BE CARRYING A RESERVE?
>> THAT INTERNAL SERVICE FUND IS PART OF THE LARGER CENTRAL INTERNAL SERVICE FUND, AND IT'S A COMBINED FUND BALANCE, AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE WHAT ISN'T SPENT.
IN SOME CASES THAT'S TRANSFERRED TO THE IMPROVEMENT FUND, SO FOR THE PURPOSES OF CAPITAL.
IN SOME CASES IT BUYS DOWN THE FUTURE YEAR'S COSTS.
BUT WE STILL HAVE TO CALCULATE WHAT'S LEFT AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND LOOK AT THAT.
ANYTHING THAT IS REMAINING DOES ACCRUE INTEREST.
WE ACCRUE INTEREST THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION.
>> I THINK THAT FUND SHOWS ABOUT A $2.5 MILLION FUND BALANCE, BUT THE GARAGE ITSELF ONLY HAS ABOUT A $900,000 FUND BALANCE.
THE MAJORITY OF THAT COMES FROM THE FLUCTUATION AND FUEL COST.
THAT GETS TRUED UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND DAVID, HE GIVES US A DIFFERENT RATE EVERY YEAR, DEPENDING ON WHAT HE ANTICIPATES FUEL COST TO BE, WHAT HE HAS IN FUND BALANCE, AND WHAT FUEL USAGE HE INTENDS TO HAVE THAT YEAR.
WE TRY TO KEEP A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF FUND BALANCE IN THERE IN THE GARAGE IN CASE IF THERE'S FUEL SPIKES WHICH HAPPENS IN [NOISE] THE COURSE OF THE YEAR THAT WE CAN ADJUST.
BECAUSE REMEMBER, THE GARAGE FUND IS NOT JUST FUNDED BY US AS WELL, IT'S ALSO FUNDED SOMEWHAT THROUGH ALL THE OTHER ENTITIES THAT FUEL AT OUR STATIONS.
>> ONE, I KNOW, AND THE FUEL WAS ACCOUNTED FOR.
>> THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF THE VEHICLE.
>> I'M JUST GOING BACK TO THAT 38,000 OF INTEREST INCOME IMPLIES THAT THEY HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL RESERVE FUND.
>> WELL, AND SOME OF THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH DELAY IN RECEIVING VEHICLES.
WHEN WE ORDER A VEHICLE, THE MONEY MAY SIT THERE FOR A MINUTE BEFORE WE PAY FOR IT.
BECAUSE IT TAKES US A WHILE SOMETIMES TO GET SOME OF THE VEHICLES.
IN THE CASE OF THE GARBAGE TRUCKS, I BELIEVE THEY SAID SIX MONTHS.
THERE'S A PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT AND DURING THAT WHOLE PERIOD, OUR MONEY IS INVESTED, AND OUR INVESTMENT EARNINGS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FUNDS THAT THE MONEY IS IN.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD THING THAT WE'RE GETTING INTEREST.
I THINK IT BENEFITS THOSE FUNDS.
THERE WERE YEARS IN THE VERY BEGINNING OF MY CAREER THAT THERE WAS NO INTEREST ANYWHERE, AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT LITTLE ICING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'LL BUY DOWN THE COST OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN FUTURE YEARS.
WE ACTUALLY UTILIZE OUR FUEL SALES FROM EXTERNAL USERS TO HELP BUY DOWN THE COST AS WELL.
>> IT JUST SEEMS THAT THE GARAGE CHARGES CROSSBOARD, FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THE IT CHARGES CROSSBOARD FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH.
[OVERLAPPING] WE DON'T HAVE THIS MUCH DETAIL.
>> THOSE ARE OUR TWO MOST EXPENSIVE AREAS WHERE WE OPERATE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEN WHY IS ISLAND TRANSIT NOT PAYING ANYTHING EXCEPT THE INSURANCE PAYMENTS?
>> BECAUSE THEY OPERATE THEIR OWN GARAGE.
>> WE RECEIVED A VERY DETAILED REPORT.
THANK YOU, DAVID, FROM THE GARAGE, BUT WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED A VERY DETAILED REPORT FROM IT.
COULD WE GET A MORE DETAILED REPORT?
>> WE CAN GET A MORE DETAILED [OVERLAPPING] REPORT, ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] GO AHEAD.
>> [INAUDIBLE] IT'S THERE, BUT I'LL ASK SOME STUFF.
IF THE GARAGE BUDGET IS AROUND SEVEN MILLION. [OVERLAPPING]
>> DAVID, COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF, PLEASE?
>> THE CITY OF GALVESTON OVER MASS TRANSIT, ESPECIALLY VANS AND FLEET.
THE CITY'S GARAGE IS AROUND SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS.
OF THAT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS, FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ARE THINGS LIKE FUEL, PARKS, OUTSIDE REPAIRS, INSURANCE, CONTRACTS WITH GPS INSIGHT, AND SO ON.
THAT BRINGS YOU DOWN TO ABOUT TWO MILLION IN THE GARAGE.
THEN MY PERSONNEL IS ABOUT 1.9 MILLION.
WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER THE GARAGE, WE HAD 30.
WE REDUCED THOSE PARTS DOWN TO 23.
IN SIMPLE AMS, I CAN TAKE THAT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS AND DIVIDE IT BY THE AMOUNT OF FLEET THAT WE HAVE, WHICH I'LL SAY 600, I'LL COME TO ABOUT $800 PER MONTH PER CAR, BECAUSE I HAVE TO MAKE BACK WHAT I'M SPENDING.
WHAT WE DO IS WE DO A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.
INSTEAD OF JUST MAKING A BASE RATE; SO I ADD UP OR BRING IN ENOUGH REVENUES FOR MY EXPENDITURE OF SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS, THE SYSTEM GOES IN THERE AND DOES AN ANALYSIS.
WHAT IT DOES, IT'LL ADD UP 12 MONTHS PRIOR OF ALL REPAIRS, THE FUEL, OUTSIDE REPAIRS, ACCIDENT REPAIRS, FOR LET'S SAY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THAT NUMBER COMES IN A GRAND TOTAL, AND BASICALLY IT'LL TAKE THAT NUMBER AND IT'LL DIVIDE IT BY THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES THEY HAVE AND SET A FLAT RATE JUST FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
[02:30:01]
WE COULD DO IT CITYWIDE, BUT IS IT FAIR FOR A POLICE CAR THAT RUNS DOUBLE SHIFTS TO PAY THE SAME RATE AS AN AIRPORT VEHICLE? IT ONLY DRIVES EIGHT HOURS EVERY NOW AND THEN. NO, IT'S NOT FAIR AT ALL.IS IT FAIR FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PAY THE SAME AMOUNT THAT A GARBAGE TRUCK PAYS FOR? NO. THAT'S WHY THE SYSTEM GOES IN THERE, BY DEPARTMENT, DETERMINES THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS WHAT WE SPENT IN ALL REPAIRS, INSURANCE, EVERYTHING, AND IT JUST SIMPLY DIVIDES THAT DOWN BY A NUMBER AND THAT'S HOW THEY COME UP WITH A FLAT RATE.
WHEN CITY IS TALKING ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS NOT BEING ABLE TO GO IN THERE AND ADJUST THEIR IT CHARGES OR THEIR GARAGE CHARGES, WHAT IS MEANT IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER IS.
WHEN THEY COME TO ME AND THEY SAY, CUT 5%, WE DID.
WHEN I CUT 5% OUT OF MY BUDGET, THAT LOWERS THE CHARGES BACK TO THE DEPARTMENTS.
THE CHARGES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL GO DOWN.
IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD. IT WON'T BE AS MUCH.
>> BUT THE HIGHEST CHARGES ARE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, ACTUALLY.
>> ACTUALLY THE HIGHEST CHARGE, IT PROBABLY GOING TO BE YOUR PUBLIC WORKS.
IT'S GOING TO BE YOUR GARBAGE TRUCK BECAUSE WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME DOING THE REPAIRS.
THE CITY GARAGE HANDLED 5,860 REPAIRS IN 12 MONTHS.
>> NO, I WANT TO FINISH MY QUESTION.
ON A TRASH TRUCK OR A PUBLIC WORKS VEHICLE, SOMETIMES THE GARAGE CAN'T DO IT, AND IT HAS TO BE SENT OUT.
DID THEY STILL PAY THAT SAME AMOUNT OR IS THAT DEDUCTED FROM THAT?
>> YOU MEAN WHEN IT IS RETIRED.
>> NO, SHE SAID IF YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO A DEALER. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IF I SEND IT TO A DEALER, THEN I HAVE TO PAY THAT DEALER.
THAT IS PART OF THAT MONTHLY RATE. THEY DO NOT PAY THAT.
>> BUT THE NOTION THAT WE CAN OR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS CAN DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE RATE THAT'S NOT TRUE.
BECAUSE IF YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE WEIGHING IT OVER THE TOTAL FLEET, AND HERE'S A PROBLEM I HAVE IS WE HAVE AMERICAN FINCH TRAILER, $1,600 A MONTH THAT COMES OUT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
IT'S 2006, AND THEN YOU HAVE A 2005 TRAILER, AND THAT'S THE SAME PRICE, SO $42,000 A YEAR AND I KNOW IT'S ALLOCATED ACROSS EVERYTHING, BUT LET'S SAY THAT THOSE TRAILERS DON'T COST THAT MUCH, BUT IT'S ALLOCATED ACROSS EVERYTHING.
>> BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE BUILT IN WITH ALL THE COSTS OF THE OTHER, BECAUSE WE DO IT BY DEPARTMENT.
>> WHY DO WE HAVE ASSETS THAT ARE COMPLETELY DEPRECIATED BEING CHARGED AT THAT RATE?
>> BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IT'S A SIMPLE MATHEMATIC DEAL IF WE HAVE SO MANY VEHICLES, THIS IS THE COST, IT'S GOING TO DIVIDE IT BY THAT AMOUNT OF VEHICLES, AND IT MAY INCLUDE A TRAILER.
IT MAY INCLUDE A LIGHT TOWER, BUT IT'S GOING TO GET THE SAME COST AS A FULL SIZE HEAVY DUTY MACHINE, AND THAT'S ONLY HAPPENED REALLY IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
PRIOR TO THAT, WHAT WE DID IS WE SAID, INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, WE WANT YOU TO DO IT BY CLASSIFICATION.
THE TRAILS WOULD BE A SMALLER AMOUNT, AND THEN YOUR LARGER TRUCKS.
WE CAN TURN THAT SWITCH BACK ON.
BUT HONESTLY, IT WAS JUST EASIER TO SET IT UP FOR THIS IS WHAT WE SPENT ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, DIVIDED BY THAT AMOUNT OF CARS.
THE KEY ON REDUCING THOSE CHARGES IS THE NEWER YOUR FLEET IS, THE MORE THOSE REPAIR CHARGES GO DOWN, EVEN IF IT'S SEND OUT BECAUSE THOSE COSTS ARE INVOLVED IN THIS.
YOUR GPS INSIGHT IS INVOLVED IN THAT, YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE IS INVOLVED IN THAT.
ALL YOUR FUEL, 41% OF THE COST IN THAT GARAGE CHARGE IS GOING TO BE TO ACCOMMODATE FOR FUEL, MORE FOR SOME DEPARTMENTS THAN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH ANY ONE OF YOU AND GO OVER EVERY SINGLE DIME ON IT.
>> BUT TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID, AND REMOVING THE FACTOR THAT USED TO BE IN THERE, THAT NOW IT'S JUST MADE TO A FLAT CHARGE.
IN MANY CASES, THAT'S TAXING OUR GENERAL FUND MORE THAN IT IS OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
>> NO. BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME, IT'S SPREAD ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT.
IF THE DEPARTMENTS OF GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT, ALL THEY DID WAS [OVERLAPPING]
>> HEAR ME OUT. LET'S JUST SAY WE TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND THOSE TRAILERS GO TO ZERO.
THE REST OF THE CARS IN THAT DEPARTMENT GO UP.
>> EVEN IF LIKE [INAUDIBLE] SAID, IF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DECREASED VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE RATE, THAT'S A FALLACY BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT WEIGHING IT OVER THE ENTIRE.
>> THAT'S NOT TRUE, BECAUSE THEIR COST WOULD GO DOWN IN THE NEXT ALLOCATION, AND IT WOULD DROP BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE AS MANY CARS AND.
>> WE GET RID OF A TRAILER THAT'S GETTING CHARGED $1,600.
>> NO. IT'S NOT TRUE IT'S ALL YOU HAVE.
>> IT SCALED UP AND SCALE DOWN.
IF I REMOVE A VEHICLE, THE COST ISN'T [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES, THE COST GOES DOWN BECAUSE THERE'S NO FUEL. IF YOU ELIMINATE IT.
>> OVER A TRAILER, THE COST WON'T GO DOWN BECAUSE THE TRAILER COST $0.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE JUST DO THAT TO ALLOCATE OVER THE COURSE OF THE RESOURCES.
>> TRACK THE RESOURCE. [OVERLAPPING]
[02:35:01]
>> BUT SO IT'S A FALLACY TO DECREASE THE VEHICLES WILL REDUCE THE RATE.
>> THAT'S TO BE CLARIFIED. IF YOU DROP A TRAILER, NO.
IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO DECREASE YOUR MONEY A WHOLE LOT.
IF YOU DROP A MOTORIZED VEHICLE THAT BURNS FUEL AND REQUIRES REPAIRS, YEAH, THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE YOUR COST.
>> I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO THE SPREADSHEET, JUST ONE QUESTION, MA'AM.
WHEN I GO THROUGH THE TOP OF THE SPREADSHEETS, AND IT WOULD BE NICE JUST FOR FUTURE IF WE COULD CARRY THE TOPS ACROSS EVERY PAGE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE FIRST PAGE.
>> BUT IT TALKS ABOUT CLASS OF THE VEHICLE, RATE, GPS INSURANCE.
THAT'S HOW THE SO FUEL IS AFTER THAT.
>> YES, MA'AM. IF 40% OF THESE RATES IS GOING TO BE FUEL.
>> TO GO BACK TO ALEX'S EXAMPLE OF THE TWO TRAILERS THAT ARE REALLY OLD,
THEY'RE BEING CHARGED. WHAT WAS IT? >> 1685.
>> 1685, AND I DON'T THINK YOU FUEL A TRAILER RIGHT.
>> NO, YOU DON'T. REMEMBER, THE SYSTEM TRACKS ALL ASSETS, WHETHER IT'S OLD OR NOT.
ALL IT'S SIMPLY DOING IS SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU GOT THIS DOLLAR AMOUNT, THIS IS HOW MANY VEHICLES INCLUDES TRAILERS, SPREAD IT OUT.
NOW, IF YOU PULL THE TRAILERS OUT OF IT, WHICH WE COULD, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THE OTHER RATES SHOULD GO UP.
BECAUSE YOU'VE REDUCED THE AMOUNT COMING IN THERE FOR THAT YEAR.
BUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, YOUR COSTS WILL GO DOWN ON YOUR FLEET.
THE WAY TO BRING DOWN GARAGE CHARGES IS TO HAVE A NEWER FLEET, HAVE A REDUCTION IN FLEET.
THAT WAY, YOU DON'T SPEND AS MUCH IN FUEL.
YOU DON'T SPEND AS IN REPAIRS.
WHEN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR COMES UP AND IT DOES ITS ANALYSIS.
AFTER THIS DISCUSSION, THEY WILL DO IT BY CLASS FROM NOW ON.
WHEN YOU DO IT THAT WAY, THEN YOU WILL SEE A TRAILER IS $20, AND THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO INSURE AND SO ON, AND THE GARBAGE TRUCK IS GOING TO BE, WHATEVER THE NUMBER IS.
IT WILL BE DIFFERENT. I CAN DO THAT NOW.
THAT SPREADSHEET YOU HAVE NOW, I CAN GO IN THERE AND REDRAFT THAT SOFTWARE, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THE COST.
BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IF YOU REMOVE THE TRAILS OFF THAT RIGHT NOW, REMEMBER, I'M RECOVERING WHAT I SPENT.
IF I REMOVE THOSE TWO TRAILERS, I'M TAKING A SHORTAGE, SO THE OTHER UNITS SHOULD GO UP A LITTLE BIT COST.
>> YOU'VE GOT TRAILERS ON THERE MAYBE 10 OR 15-YEARS-OLD.
>> OLDEST ONE, I THINK WAS 19.
>> JUST TURN OFF THE TRAILERS, DAVID.
WE FIX THESE TRAILERS, AND THEY WRECK THE TRAILERS PRETTY REGULARLY, BUT LET'S GO AHEAD [OVERLAPPING]
>> ACTUAL COSTS ALLOCATION OVER EACH VEHICLE.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE 1991 48F 800 THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE REPLACING WITH THE CDBG MONEY.
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THAT IN SERVICE AND IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE.
>> I SURE CAN'T SEE THAT BECAUSE I'M 65 YEARS OLD.
>> YOU GET THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> I KNOW IT'S IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHETHER IT'S A TRAILER OR A PUMPER.
THAT IS GOING TO BE A COST, WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE REPAIRS [OVERLAPPING].
>> IF WE LOOK AT IT, IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE FOR AN OLDER VEHICLE, SO TO SPEAK.
IF THAT'S THE PUMPER, AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT IS THE PUMPER, BUT IF THAT'S THE PUMPER AND IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE, THEN WHY WOULD WE CONTINUE TO KEEP IT IN SERVICE?
>> WELL, WHAT WE DO IS THIS IS IN THE OLD DAYS, WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER THE GARAGE, WE HAD ADDED UP A WORK ORDERS, WE LOOKED AT THE MILES OF HOW MUCH FUEL IT USED, AND SO ON AND SO ON.
OUR SYSTEM HAS A POINT SYSTEM.
WHAT WE DO NOW IS WE REPLACE A VEHICLE THAT'S UPGRADED IN REAL TIME.
IF WE HAVE TOO MUCH MAINTENANCE COSTS, IT FLAGS IT.
IF THE MILES ARE TOO HIGH, IT FLAGS IT.
IF IT'S TOO OLD, THEN IT FLAGS IT.
IF IT'S NEW AND DOESN'T HAVE THAT MANY MORE MILES ON IT, BUT THE REPAIRS ARE ASTRONOMICAL, IT FLAGS IT.
THE SYSTEM SUGGESTS WHAT WE NEED TO REPLACE.
IN THE REAL WORLD, DO WE HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY TO REPLACE EVERYTHING? UNFORTUNATELY, NO, SO YOU DO HAVE TO HANG ON SOME OF THOSE VEHICLES.
THE KEYON, IF YOU WANT TO REDUCE THESE CHARGES, WHICH WE DID, WE WENT IN 5%.
I ESTIMATE FUEL AT $3.50 FOR NEXT YEAR. THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN.
>> WHAT IS OUR FUEL? WHAT ARE WE USING PREMIUM?
>> GOD. WE DID WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER.
>> THAT'S TOTAL FUEL THAT AVERAGES OUT FOR DIESEL.
>> WE PUMP 600,000 GALLONS OF FUEL EVERY YEAR.
>> I REALIZE, BUT I ALSO KNOW WHAT THE COST OF FUEL IS, AND THAT SEEMS HIGH.
>> BUT REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO JUDGE FOR NEXT YEAR IN CASE THE COSTS GO THROUGH THE ROOF FOR SOME REASON.
WE JUDGE IF FINANCE WILL COME BACK AND SAY, MICHAEL WAS GREAT AT THIS.
THAT WAY, WE HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY IN THE FUEL ACCOUNT IN CASE FUEL GOES UP.
>> THAT'S THE DIFFERENTIAL OF THE ACTUAL VERSUS THE BUDGET.
>> HIS FUND BALANCE? [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, IF YOU COULD RUN A REPORT ON THE LAST.
[02:40:03]
>> I CAN RUN A REPORT ON THE FUEL AT [OVERLAPPING].
WHAT I'LL DO IS WE COME BACK ON THIS WITH A 5%.
WE SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? THE LINE ITEM FOR FUEL IS $2,215,000.
WE PUMPED ROUGHLY 600,000 PER YEAR.
WE'LL BRING THAT DOWN TO $2.25 PER GALLON.
THAT BRINGS THAT LINE ITEM DOWN, WHICH MEANS THE GARAGE BUDGET GOES DOWN, WHICH MEANS ALL THOSE RATES REDUCE.
>> YOU RUN SHORT, YOU RUN SHORT.
>> I WOULDN'T DO 225, BUT LIKE 255 VERSUS 355.
>> LET'S MOVE FROM THE TRAILERS.
>> THIS AFFECTS OUR GENERAL VALUE.
>> I'M LISTENING TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, DAVID AND I'VE GONE THROUGH.
THE THING ABOUT IT IS IS THAT IF YOU PUT OUR CHECKING SYSTEM AND YOU TAKE YOUR REPORTING OF MILEAGE OR HOURS DRIVEN AND YOU GO THROUGH HERE, A, THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT MOVED, BUT ARE STILL BEING CHARGED OR QUITE A FEW THROUGHOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT.
>> AGAIN, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S AVERAGED ACROSS ALL VEHICLES, NOT SPECIFICALLY.
>> NO, IT'S NOT, BRIAN. I'M SITTING RIGHT HERE, LOOKING AT IT.
>> IT'S NOT AVERAGED ACROSS ALL VEHICLES.
>> I UNDERSTAND IT'S AVERAGE ACROSS ALL VEHICLES.
IF 10 SITTING HERE IN IN THE LOT AND 10 ARE OUT THERE MOVING, THAT'S 20 AND IT GETS AVERAGE OVER 20. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRIAN.
PRETTY SIMPLE. BUT LISTENING TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, DAVID, YOU SAID THAT YOUR PROGRAM, WHICH, BY THE WAY, BRIAN AND DAN GAVE YOU HUGE KUDOS, BECAUSE YOU TEACH THIS PROGRAM, I UNDERSTAND THROUGHOUT EVERYWHERE.
>> LOOK, THE SOFTWARE DOES A GOOD JOB.
>> BUT I'M SAYING YOU TEACH HOW TO USE THE SOFTWARE?
>> IF WE GO TO FIRE PREVENTION, TAKING WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT PUMPER TRUCKS, ABOUT SANITATION TRUCKS, YOU'RE CHARGING ON EXPEDITION, F 150 AND F 150, WHICH ARE FAR LESS, TO ME, WOULD BE A LOT LESS MAINTENANCE THAN A SANITATION TRUCK, OR YOU'RE CHARGING ALMOST 1,700 A MONTH FOR THAT.
YOU COMPARE TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IN SANITATION OR YOU COMPARE TO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING LIKE WITH GPD, BRIAN'S COMMENT YESTERDAY OF WILL GPD CARS, SOMEONE RUN 24 HOURS.
UNDERSTOOD THAT, THAT MADE SENSE.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VALUATION AND HOW THIS PROGRAM OR SOFTWARE IT'S CHARGING OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, WHICH TO ME, ESPECIALLY WITH GPD, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SEVERELY AFFECTS THEIR BUDGET.
>> ESPECIALLY WHEN THE UTILIZATION AS FAR AS THE VEHICLES NOT MOVING, SOME OF THEM, AT LEAST 50% OF THEM NOT MOVED AT ALL, NOT FUELED AT ALL, BECAUSE YOU SHOW IT ON HERE AND IF YOU CROSS REFERENCE THAT WITH GPS, WE COULD SUPPORT THAT AND SEE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVED.
WHAT YOU'RE SAYING DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
I GO BACK 12 MONTHS TO ESTIMATE WHAT I'VE SPENT ON THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES.
THAT INCLUDES ALL REPAIRS, ACCIDENTS, INSURANCE, GPS, ALL THE FUEL INVOLVED, THE LOOP, THE TIRES, EVERYTHING.
THIS IS MY COST FOR ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES. THAT'S 20 VEHICLES.
IT SIMPLY IT SIMPLY TAKES THAT ESTIMATION AND DIVIDES IT BY THAT AMOUNT OF VEHICLE AND DIVIDES IT BY 12 MONTHS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR ALL.
IN THE PAST, IT DID IT BY WHAT IT WAS.
I'M GOING TO TURN THAT SWITCH BACK ON.
BUT LONG STORY SHORT, IS STILL THE BOTTOM LINE STAYS THE SAME.
>> BUT WHY CAN'T THE MULTIPLIER BE DONE ON UTILIZATION AND EXPENSE?
>> BECAUSE REMEMBER, I'M SPENDING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO KEEP THEIR FLEET RUNNING IN REAL TIME FOR THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.
I'M ESTIMATING THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST ME FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
IF IT FALLS UNDER THAT, WE TRUE UP.
WE'VE DONE IT. IN MY RECORDS, WE DID IT TRUE UP IN 2022.
THE GARAGE IS NOT IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE A PROFIT OR HAVE FAT.
IF I HAVE MONEY THAT COMES IN THERE, WE TRUE UP. HOW DO WE TRUE UP? WE GO BACK INTO THOSE RATES AND WE LOWER THEM BACK DOWN, SO THOSE GARAGE LINE ITEMS REDUCE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OR IF THE MONEY SUPPORTS THE GENERAL FUND OR THE OTHER FUND, WE BOUGHT FIRE EQUIPMENT BEFORE.
>> WELL, DAVID, I UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE TALKING IN THE GENERAL BUDGET OF OVER $80 MILLION, YOU WERE A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER.
YOU KNOW THAT IF WE SAVE TWO UNITS, INSTEAD OF PROPOSING FOR NINE OFFICERS LIGHT, WE CAN DO SEVEN OFFICERS LIGHT.
SIMPLY BY FLIPPING THAT SWITCH OFF AND PAYING CLOSER ATTENTION ON WHAT THE SOFTWARE MULTIPLIER IS BECAUSE THAT AFFECTS THE BUDGET THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PROPOSE.
>> YOUR BIGGEST EXPENSE IN ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS PERSONNEL AND PROBABLY YOUR SECOND IS GOING TO BE FLEET.
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
>> YOU SAID 600,000 GALLONS OF FUEL,
[02:45:04]
I GUESS WE BASICALLY RUN OUR OWN CONSORTIUM BECAUSE WE FUEL COUNTY.WE FUEL TIKI, WE FUEL THE JAMAICA BEACH, WE FUEL CONSTABLES AND MULTIPLE OTHERS.
HOW MUCH OF THAT IS OURS, 600,000 GALLONS?
>> I UNDERSTAND, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED YOU.
>> YOU SAID THAT YOU PUMP OUT 600,000 GALLONS. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COST?
>> OUTSIDE AGENCIES, SO 163,000 GALLONS IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE OUTSIDE FUEL.
>> A HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE THOUSAND GOES TO COUNTY, TIKI JAMAICA BEACH, CONSTABLE, WHATEVER, WE'RE ROUGHLY AT 440,000.
>> THE OUTSIDE FUEL REVENUE IS 613,000?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE BILL. WE MARKET UP BY 10%, BECAUSE THE MORE MONEY I CAN MAKE OFF THOSE AGENCIES REDUCES THE GARAGE CHARGES FOR THE INTERNAL DEPARTMENT.
>> I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING, DAVE IS, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE NOT TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE GARAGE.
>> BUT I'M ALSO ON THE ON THE SAME, ON THE OTHER HAND, I GUESS I'M SAYING WE ESSENTIALLY COULD AFFECT TWO UNITS WITH GPD THAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
WE COULD AFFECT TWO FIREFIGHTERS THAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
SIMPLY BY PAYING A LITTLE BIT CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE SOFTWARE AND HOW IT'S CHARGING OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
>> THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULDN'T CHANGE IF WE DID IT THE WAY YOU'RE ASKING THE COST YOU'RE PAYING LAST YEAR'S, HE ESTIMATES IT.
>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE WENT UP ON OUR 10% RATE FOR FUEL?
>> ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO? NO, IT'S BEEN ABOUT THAT WAY FOR A WHILE, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING A 15%, BUT I NEED TO LOOK AT THE AGREEMENT AND THAT AFFECTS THESE OTHER AGENCIES TOO.
>> I GET THAT, BUT THEY'RE AFFECTING US.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WITH THE UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS AND ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT GOES INTO THAT AND INSPECTION, IT'S COSTLY TO RUN THOSE TANKS, AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO REPLACE THOSE TANKS BECAUSE THEY'RE ANCIENT.
THEY WERE THERE WHEN WE FIRST BUILT THE GARAGE, 30 YEARS AGO.
I'M PLANNING ON TRYING TO UP THAT BECAUSE THE MORE I CAN CHARGE OUTSIDE DEPARTMENTS, I'M NOT GOING TO GAUGE THEM.
THERE WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.
>> THAT'S THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
>> IF I CAN BRING THAT COST UP, AGAIN, HERE'S MY GARAGE BUDGET, DIVIDED BY HOW MANY UNITS, SO THE MORE MONEY I CAN BRING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE MORE I CAN BRING THE RATES DOWN.
I TRY TO HELP THE DEPARTMENTS AS MUCH AS I CAN.
THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE TOO ABOUT FLEET.
THERE'S HOW SHOULD I SAY THIS? RUNNING THE MUNICIPAL FLEET IS COSTLY.
>> IF I'M DRIVING MY TRUCK AND I HEAR A NOISE, I'M GOING TO PUT IT IN THE SHOP.
IF MY WIFE'S DRIVING HER CAR, SHE'LL HEAR A NOISE, SHE'LL DRIVE IT.
>> SHE'LL TURN THE RADIO UP. SHE'LL RUN OVER THE CURBS. SHE'S DONE THAT.
SHE'LL GET PULLED OVER BY DPS A COUPLE OF TIMES, WHICH I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT.
THEN SHE'S GOING TO DOWN THAT VEHICLE.
IT'S GOING TO COST ME A LOT MORE TO FIX HERS THAN MINE.
THAT'S THE MIXTURE IN THE CITY AND THE STATE FLEET.
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THAT COME IN THEY HAVE A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR OF THE GARBAGE TRUCKS.
WHEN THOSE CARS PULL UP, MY GUYS GET ON THEM.
THESE TRUCKS ARE FULL OF MAGGOTS, AND TRASH, AND DRIPPY STUFF, AND WE JUST TRY TO KEEP THESE THINGS GOING BECAUSE REFUGE IS WORKING THEIR TAILS OFF AND RUNNING THESE TRUCKS.
WHEN ONE GOES DOWN, THE SECOND ONE THAT'S RUNNING GOES OUT THERE AND MAKES DOUBLE THE ROUTES.
IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO KEEP THESE THINGS GOING.
AGAIN, FOR FLEET, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPENSIVE.
MY TRUCK IS A LOT EASIER TO KEEP GOING THAN MY WIFE'S.
>> BUT THE LONG STORY SHORT IS DAVID ALLOCATES THE TOTAL COST TO OPERATE THE POLICE FLEET ACROSS THE POLICE FLEET.
WE CAN DIVIDE THAT ANY WAY YOU ALL WANT US TO DIVIDE IT, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BOTTOM LINE OF WHAT IT COSTS TO FUEL AND OPERATE THOSE VEHICLES.
>> WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE WE ONLY USE UNLESS YOU HAVE TO CONTRACT, SPECIFIC USE VEHICLES OUT TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, PUBLIC WORKS, ETC, OR OTHER OUTSIDE.
>> WELL, A GOOD EXAMPLE IS YOUR MILLING MACHINES AND YOUR BLACKTOP MACHINES IN STREET DEPARTMENT.
WE DON'T REALLY GET INTO THOSE TOO MUCH.
WE SENT THEM UP TO RB AT THE DEALER.
WE DON'T DO ALL OF APPEARS IN THE HOUSE. THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN DO IT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT STILL COMES OUT OF?
>> [OVERLAPPING] NO, I WASN'T DONE. YOU ALL CAME IN FOR ME.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IF CITY MANAGER APPROVES OF IT, I PLAN ON MEETING WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY.
>> THE THING IS, WE CAN MEET WITH US, DAVID, AND WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ME IS THAT WE HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE PUBLIC TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR BUDGET.
IF WE'RE NOT OPENLY DISCUSSING THIS SO EVERYBODY CAN HEAR IT, THEN IT'S NOT REAL GOOD USE FOR ME AND YOU TO TALK TO ME ONE BY ONE, TRY TO TELL PEOPLE AND EXPLAIN IT.
THIS IS, TO ME, HOW THIS SHOULD BE [OVERLAPPING] CONDUCTED.
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME WE REALLY EVALUATED, ESPECIALLY WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT THIS GPS TRACKING YESTERDAY, WHICH TO ME IS A TOOL THAT COULD BE REALLY UTILIZED ON
[02:50:02]
USAGE AND ACTUALLY WEIGH OUR OPTIONS WITH HOW FAT OUR FLEET IS.I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF VEHICLES THAT HAVE TO BE KEPT FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS OR THERE'S SOME VEHICLES THAT HAVE TO BE KEPT FOR BACKUP.
BUT TO CARRY THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES WE HAD, BECAUSE YOU HAD EVERYBODY IN HERE.
YOU HAD COUNTY, YOU HAD CONSTABLES, YOU HAD EVERYBODY.
YOU LOOK AT THEIR UTILIZATION OF THE VEHICLES IN THEIR FLEET.
THEY'RE ALL UTILIZED. YOU LOOK AT OURS.
THERE'S SO MANY ZEROS BESIDES OUR VEHICLES.
ZEROS AS FAR AS WHAT YOU'RE REPORTING AS USE. ZERO.
>> THAT'S THE VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING FUELED.
HE DOES NOT HAVE A COUNTY VEHICLE THAT'S SITTING OUT?
>> NO, IT'S NOT. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING.
>> THIS IS ONLY THE MILES USED DURING THIS MONTHLY PERIOD THAT THIS BILL CAME OUT.
>> WELL, THIS WAS THROUGH JANUARY TO JULY.
THE MILEAGE YOU'RE SEEING THERE IS SIMPLY WHAT WAS DRIVEN DURING THAT MONTH.
THAT VEHICLE MAY NOT BE YET USED, MAY HAVE BEEN WRECKED, MAY HAVE BEEN IN MY SHOP, BUT THE FOLLOWING MONTH IT'LL GET GOING AS WELL.
THIS SYSTEM WILL COORDINATE WITH GPS INSIGHT. WE'RE FIXING TO DO THAT AS WELL.
>> EXPLAIN THIS. THIS IS ALL PARKS AND REC. THOSE ARE ALL ZEROS.
>> THESE ARE MOWERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WE DON'T GET THE READINGS ON THOSE.
THAT'S A MOWER, THAT'S A MOWER, THESE ARE TRAILERS.
THAT'S WHY, AND AGAIN, I DO WANT TO DISCUSS THIS IN PUBLIC IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA SO THEY SEE IT.
I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND SAY THIS IS THAT, IF THE CITY MANAGER APPROVES IT.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PUBLIC CAN'T SEE THIS SCREEN.
THEY HAVE NO IDEA [OVERLAPPING] WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> WELL, BUT I'M EXPLAINING TO EVERYBODY IN HERE.
>> NO, I UNDERSTAND. THE CONCEPT IS IMPORTANT.
IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, GET WITH DAVID.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU WANT TO GET FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> OUR DEPARTMENTS CHARGED A 10% SURCHARGE ON THEIR GAS PER GALLON?
>> OUR DEPARTMENTS? WHEN THE RATES GO IN THERE, WE LOOK AT THE FUEL AND EVERYTHING AT COST.
THERE'S AN ADMINISTRATION CHARGE INVOLVED, LIKE AROUND 20-29%.
THAT'S BECAUSE MY MECHANICS TOUCH THESE VEHICLES.
BUT MY SECRETARY DOES NOT, THE PARK'S MANAGER DOES NOT, THE PARK'S RUNNERS DO NOT, THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE'S AN ADMINISTRATION CHARGE IN THERE, SO THAT KICKS IT UP BY A CERTAIN PERCENT.
>> I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT THE SURCHARGE ON FUEL.
>> I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THE SURCHARGES NOW BECAUSE THAT'S EVEN MORE.
>> SEE, THE 10% IS ACROSS THE BOARD.
[OVERLAPPING] WE DO NOT CHARGE OURSELVES A 10% MARKUP ON THE FUEL CHARGE, WE ONLY DO THAT ON THE OUTSIDE AGENCY.
AGAIN, WE'RE LOOKING AT UPPING THAT MAYBE TO 15.
>> WE DON'T CHARGE A SURCHARGE TO OUR DEPARTMENTS.
ASIDE FROM ADMINISTRATION, YOU'RE SAYING, AND THAT RUNS FROM 20-29%?
>> HERE'S THE THING. THE GARAGE IS NOT A BUILDING.
THE GARAGE HAS PEOPLE IN IT, THE GARAGE HAS MECHANICS IN IT, THE GARAGE HAS DAVID'S ASSISTANT THAT TRACKS THE FUEL.
THAT IS BUILT INTO THE TOTAL COST OF THE RATE AND DIVIDED OUT EQUALLY AMONGST EVERYBODY THAT USES IT.
IT'S AN INTERNAL SERVICE FUND.
>> NO OFFENSE TO DAVID. THANK YOU.
>> I TAKE NO OFFENSE, COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU. MAYBE WE LOOK AT THE FEE STRUCTURES TO REDUCE COST, MAYBE WE LOOK AT CONTRACTING OUTSIDE GARAGES.
>> DOES THAT FALL UNDER THAT PERCENTAGE UNDER THE CONTRACT AMOUNT?
>> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS IF A POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE IS HANDLED BY AN OUTSIDE SERVICE PROVIDER, THAT'S IN THEIR TOTAL COSTS FOR THE YEAR, AND THAT TOTAL COST IS WHAT IS DIVIDED OUT FOR THEIR FEES FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
THOSE FEES ARE BASED ON ACTUALS INCURRED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
>> WE DON'T JUST THAT, BUT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS?
>> CORRECT. WHEN THEY RETIRE A VEHICLE, THEY STILL GET CHARGED OF THAT VEHICLE.
WHY? BECAUSE I HAVE TO SET UP TO RECOVER THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
NOW, AFTER THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THEN IT GOES AWAY COMPLETELY.
>> BILLING IS IN ARREARS, IS HOW YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT.
THE SERVICE WAS PROVIDED BEFORE THEY'RE EVEN PAYING FOR IT.
>> YEARS AGO WHEN THE CITY SET UP THE GARAGE, THEY GAVE IT ONE TIME FUNDING.
AFTER THAT, IT'S HAD TO RECOVER, IT HAS TO EAT WHAT IT KILLS.
>> WHAT IS YOUR RESERVE RIGHT NOW?
>> THAT COULD FLUCTUATE SOME MORE BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS.
[02:55:02]
>> OTHER THING TOO, IF YOU GET OUTRAGEOUS REPAIRS GOING ON, FUEL GOING UP, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THE GARAGE IS ABLE TO ABSORB THAT, AND IT IS NOT PASSED ON TO THE DEPARTMENT.
THEIR BUDGET ISN'T HIT WITH THAT WHERE THE GARAGE IS.
NOW, THE FOLLOWING YEAR IT'LL SHOW BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING THE REPORTS OF 12 MONTHS PREVIOUS TO GET THOSE RATES.
BUT THAT WAY, I'VE GOT A BOOM TRUCK, $60,000 OUTSIDE, IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.
>> HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND ON THE TERROR TRUCK THIS YEAR? WE PUT A WHOLE NEW DRIVE LINE, EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH THAT TRUCK.
DAVID DIDN'T GO TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY.
HE DIDN'T COME TO SHEILA AND ASKED FOR A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
THAT'S WHAT HE USES THESE RESERVE FUNDS FOR TO COVER THOSE TYPE OF BIG EXPENSES.
NEXT YEAR, THAT'LL BE ALLOCATED AND IT'LL BE ALLOCATED TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] DOES THE INTEREST INCOME GO TO THE GENERAL FUND WHERE IT'S NEEDED?
>> THE INTEREST INCOME GOES TO THE FUND WHERE IT'S ACCRUED RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU WANTED TO GO TO THE GENERAL FUND, YOU CAN, BUT THEN THAT'S JUST THAT MUCH MORE MONEY THE DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY IN FUTURE YEARS IF THEY NEEDED IT.
YOU'RE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.
>> THAT'S ON THE ANNUAL BASIS.
IF WE WERE DOING THIS ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WE WOULD HAVE MORE ACCURACY.
WE WOULD HAVE LESS OF RESTRAIN ON GENERAL FUNDS AND WE WOULD HAVE LESS OF A STRAIN ON OUR PUBLIC SERVICE ENTITY.
>> COST IS WHAT THE COST IS, WHETHER YOU COUNT IT EVERY DAY OR ONCE A YEAR.
>> WE HAVE TO SET A BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
WE CAN'T JUST SET ONE MONTH'S BUDGET.
>> IF I CAN SAY THAT I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT, BUT THE GARAGE BUDGET IS ROUGHLY AT SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS.
FUEL AND LUBE IS $2.2 MILLION OF THAT BUDGET.
YOUR PARTS, YOUR TIRES IS $925,000 OF THAT BUDGET.
THE OUTSIDE REPAIRS, VENDORS, DEALERSHIPS IS $900,000.
JUST THE INSURANCE ON THE FLEET ITSELF IS $763,000.
YOUR CONTRACTS FOR GPS INSIGHT AND SO ON IS $160,000.
>> [OVERLAPPING] COULD YOU ADD THAT TOGETHER?
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE CAN SEND IT.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY IN YOUR BUDGET. IT'S ACTUALLY IN THERE.
THE POINT IS, THAT'S FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF THE SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IS JUST FOR THOSE TYPICAL ITEMS, THEN YOU TAKE MY SALARIES OUT OF IT, IT BRINGS ME DOWN TO A BALANCE OF ABOUT $143,000.
>> WE STRUGGLE TO KEEP MECHANICS OVER THERE BECAUSE WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST ALL THESE DEALERSHIPS AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT ARE PAYING A LOT MORE MONEY.
>> SHEILA, I HAVE A QUESTION ACTUALLY ON YOUR SLIDE THAT YOU HAD.
COULD YOU GO BACK TO ONE? THAT EXERCISE THAT YOU DID, I'M GOING TO PUT IT IN MY WORDS.
YOU ASKED THE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE A 5% CUT IN THEIR BUDGET.
I WOULD ASSUME THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE DEPARTMENT LOOK WHERE THEY COULD CUT THINGS AND SOME OF THEM CAME UP AND SAID, LOOK, THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS IS CUT STAFF.
THAT'S WHAT'S OUTLINED HERE IN THE NUMBER.
>> WHAT WAS THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THE STAFF WERE, DO YOUR BEST TO TAKE A 5% CUT WHILE MAINTAINING AS MANY OR CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS AS YOU CAN.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT AND GARAGE CUT THEIR OWN BUDGETS.
>> CUT THEIR OWN BUDGETS, AND THEN THAT GETS TRICKLED BACK DOWN THROUGH.
>> [OVERLAPPING] HEY, I'M GETTING REAL TIRED OF YOUR COMMENTS TOWARDS COUNCIL ABOUT MATH AND QUESTIONING OUR THOUGHT PROCESS.
NO, BRIAN. YOU'RE DISRESPECTFUL TO COUNCIL, AND IF YOU HAD A STAFF MEMBER THAT SAID SOMETHING TO YOU ABOUT, I KNOW MATH IS CONFUSING, THEY WOULDN'T BE GETTING A PAYCHECK THAT SAID CITY OF GALVESTON MUCH LONGER.
>> WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY IS IT GETS CONFUSING WHEN YOU START MOVING THESE THINGS BETWEEN THE FUNDS.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU, ALEX, IS THAT WE ARE DOING OUR VERY BEST HERE TO EXPLAIN THIS TO YOU.
IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IT, WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOU.
OBVIOUSLY, WHAT WE'RE PROVIDING TO YOU IS NOT EXPLANATORY ENOUGH FOR YOU.
>> WHEN IT'S WEIGHTED OVER THE ENTIRE FLEET, IT'S NOT EXPLANATORY, NOT ONLY TO COUNCIL, TO THE PUBLIC, AND TOWARDS THE DEPARTMENT.
>> WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE THE BACKUP FOR ALL OF THAT.
>> MS SHEILA, LET'S MOVE ON WITH YOUR SLIDES, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.
YOU'RE GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURE REDUCTION EXERCISE.
>> THIS IS THE SECOND HALF OF THE GENERAL FUND.
YOU'LL SEE THAT IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT SECTION, THE AMOUNT TO GET TO 5% IN EACH OF THESE DEPARTMENTS DOESN'T EQUAL A PERSON, BUT THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE SOLUTIONS THAT ALLOWED FOR THAT MONEY THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF WHAT WAS AVAILABLE.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION LET GO OF ONE PERSON AND BUDGET IN THEORY.
IT'S AN OPEN POSITION, AND IT WOULD REQUIRE ANOTHER 1-2 STAFF MEMBERS.
NON DEPARTMENTAL, THERE ARE JUST AMOUNTS THAT REALLY CAN'T BE CHANGED, TAXATION, THE TRANSFER TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND, THAT THING.
THAT'S NOT WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO FIND THE 5%.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT WOULD STILL BE NEEDED TO GET TO 5% IS 3.2 MILLION,
[03:00:05]
WHICH IS MORE THAN THE BUDGET INCREASE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.>> DOES THIS CALCULATE INTO IT SINCE WE'VE BEEN ON A HIRING FREEZE OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE CARRY FORWARD FROM THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD THOSE POSITION BUDGETED?
>> ABSOLUTELY. THE PROJECTIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR '25 INCLUDED ANY SALARY SAVINGS THAT WERE RELATED TO FROZEN POSITIONS.
THE POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PERMITTED TO HIRE SINCE THAT POINT ARE NOW FULFILLED, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT THE WAY WE BUDGET, IT BUDGETS FOR ALL THE POSITIONS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN EACH DEPARTMENT FOR THE FULL YEAR.
THE ONLY DEPARTMENT THAT BUDGETS ANY OF THE VACANCY IS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND WE MAY NEED TO LOOK AT THAT A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY THIS YEAR BECAUSE HOPEFULLY, THERE AREN'T SO MANY VACANCIES.
KNOCK ON WOOD. [OVERLAPPING] IN THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THERE'S USUALLY NOT REGULAR VACANCIES, AND SO WE'RE NOT BUDGETING LAPS IN '26, BUT OUR PROJECTIONS FOR '25 ABSOLUTELY INCLUDED ANY PROJECTED SAVINGS FROM THE FROZEN POSITIONS OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
I KNEW THAT GARAGE AND TECH SERVICES WOULD BE HOT BUTTON ITEMS. THERE IS A SLIDE ON IT.
WE CAN GO OVER IT. I DON'T THINK I CAN ADD ANYTHING TO IT.
>> PLEASE TELL US IF WHAT WE'RE TELLING YOU IS NOT MAKING SENSE, LET US KNOW SO WE CAN GET YOU WHAT YOU NEED BECAUSE IT IS COMPLEX, AND IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND.
>> IT ONLY HAS $2,000 PER UNIT, AND YOU'RE JUST DOING UNITS PER PERSON AND PER DEVICE. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE IT BREAKDOWN.
>> NICE TO HAVE A BREAKDOWN LENGTH ACROSS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT'S NOT CLEAR TO COUNCIL AND TO THE PUBLIC OR TO DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO REQUEST THAT INFORMATION.
>> ON THE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES PORTION, WE WILL GET YOU A MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWN.
THOUGH SIMILARLY TO HOW THE FLEET IS PRESENTED, IT'S THE NUMBER OF ENDPOINTS DIVIDED INTO THE ACTUAL COST.
THAT'S WHY IT'S A FLAT AMOUNT.
WHAT THE ENDPOINTS INCLUDE IS EMPLOYEES, DESKTOP UNITS, AND MOBILE UNITS.
OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS A VEHICLE WITH A COMPUTER IN IT, THEN THOSE ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES, AND THAT COSTS MONEY.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS BOTH OF THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE SUPPORTING.
>> [OVERLAPPING] A POLICE OFFICER MAY HAVE THREE OR FOUR ENDPOINTS BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A MDT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A SELL.
>> YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT POLICE AND FIRE.
>> BECAUSE THEY'RE THE NUMBER ONE USER OF THE SERVICE.
>> BUT WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TAKEN AWAY FROM POLICE AND FIRE.
>> THEN YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET 5% [LAUGHTER].
EVERYONE IN FINANCE HAS TO HAVE A COMPUTER.
WE CAN'T DO OUR JOBS WITHOUT OUR COMPUTERS.
FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE IN FINANCE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AT MINIMUM TWO ENDPOINTS.
THE PERSON WHO NEEDS HELP FIGURING OUT AND THE COMPUTER.
>> THERE ARE, I THINK IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THERE'S TWO CELL PHONES MAYBE.
THE TOTAL COST IT TAKES TO PROVIDE SERVICE DIVIDED BY THAT NUMBER OF ENDPOINTS.
EACH DEPARTMENT HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS AND DIFFERENT NUMBER OF ENDPOINTS THAT REQUIRE SERVICING.
THAT'S WHY IT'S A FLAT FEE IN IT.
BUT WE CAN ABSOLUTELY PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AS TO WHAT THOSE DEVICES ARE AND WHAT EACH DEPARTMENT HAS, IF THAT'S THE INFORMATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
>> LET'S SAY THE '25 BUDGET FOR, I'M JUST GOING TO SAY, CALL XYZ DEPARTMENT THAT WAS BUDGETED TO HAVE 40 PEOPLE AND YOU HAVE THE FLAT CHARGE THAT COMES OVER FROM IT THAT COVERS 40 PEOPLE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE HIRING FREEZE, THAT DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY ONLY HAD 30 PEOPLE.
ARE THEY STILL CHARGED FOR THAT YEAR FOR THE 40 PEOPLE?
>> THEY PROBABLY NOT ALL THE PEOPLE, BUT IF THE COMPUTERS EXIST AND THE PHONES EXIST, THEN THERE IS COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
>> EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT BEING USED?
>> WELL, IT DEPENDS. THEY MAY BE REALLOCATED TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES WITH PERSONNEL AND THE ITEMS THAT THEY USE.
THE TECH SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING AT THAT.
NOW, FOR BUDGET PURPOSES, WE BUDGET A FLAT AMOUNT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
>> YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEVICE.
THEY'RE STILL PAYING A LICENSE FEE FOR THAT DEVICE.
>> WE DO OUR BUDGETS BASED ON BUDGETED POSITIONS THAT ARE GIVEN TO US.
[03:05:06]
MANY OF THOSE ARE FILLED, SOME OF THEM ARE VACANT, SOME OF THEM THERE'S A TURNOVER, THEY COULD BE FILLED, AND THEN THEY'RE VACANT AND SO FORTH AND SO ON.BUT IF WE STILL HAVE TO PAY THE LICENSING ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE NUMBERS, THEN LICENSING DOESN'T CHANGE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> IF PEOPLE AREN'T THERE, THEN THERE'S NO IT HELP THAT HAS TO.
BUT HERE'S MY QUESTION, AND IT'S NOT TO YOU, IT'S TO SHEILA.
THAT'S FACTORED IN FOR A YEAR, AND THAT CHARGE WOULD BE THERE FOR A YEAR.
EVEN IF THERE WERE ONLY HALF OF THOSE PEOPLE THERE.
THEY WOULD STILL BE CHARGED FOR THE TOTAL PEOPLE FOR A YEAR, AND THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD ROLL OVER TO THE NEXT YEAR.
>> ANY SAVINGS THERE ARE, ARE BASED ON COSTS THAT WEREN'T INCURRED.
LET'S SAY THERE'S A FLAT RATE OF $100 FOR EVERY PERSON, AND THAT POSITION WASN'T FILLED, AND A COMPUTER WASN'T ORDERED, AND SO THERE WAS SAVINGS.
THAT MONEY THAT IS IN THAT FUND BALANCE OFTEN MOVES TO THE TECH IMPROVEMENT FUND.
THAT MONEY IS UTILIZED, FOR EXAMPLE, IT WAS AVAILABLE FOR US IN OUR ERP PROCESS TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THAT CAPITAL PURCHASE OR WITH THE NEW ACCELA.
WHENEVER THERE'S SAVINGS IN THE OPERATING FUND FOR TECH, THEN WE HAVE THE OPTION, AND COUNCIL HAS, IN THEIR FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW NOW, MOVE MONEY TO THE TECH IMPROVEMENT FUND SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE.
>> WHAT WOULD BE IDEAL TO SEE AGAIN, AND THIS IS TO YOU, HOPE, A MORE DETAILED, BECAUSE IT IS EASIER, AND PLEASE CARRY FORWARD THE SPREADSHEETS, [OVERLAPPING] TO SEE THE TOTAL BREAKDOWN, BECAUSE WE DID NOT GET A DETAILED BREAKDOWN.
>> WOULD IT BE HELPFUL FOR COUNCIL FOR US TO INCLUDE IN THE FINAL BUDGET A FLEET LISTING AND AN IT EQUIPMENT LISTING? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, SO THE PUBLIC WOULD KNOW?
>> DAVID PROVIDED US A VERY DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF COSTS, WHICH ALLOWS US TO ANALYZE AND GIVE SUGGESTIONS HOW THIS COULD BE LESS TAXING ON DEPARTMENTS.
FROM IT, WE DID NOT RECEIVE THAT.
>> YOU RECEIVED THE SUM, NOT THE DETAILS.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ALLOCATION SPREADSHEET THAT DOESN'T EXACTLY SAY HOW MANY CIRCLED DOWN, HOW MANY CELL PHONES? I CAN TELL YOU THIS CITY HAS.
>> YOU CAN GET A COPY OF HIS REPORT.
>> NO, WE ALREADY HAVE THE DETAILS.
>> I ALREADY HAVE THE DETAILS.
>> I WOULD LIKE IT NOT SPREAD LIKE FROSTING AND HAVE IT DETAILED.
>> I ALREADY HAVE THE DETAIL ON A PER DEPARTMENT BASIS OF WHAT YOU'RE SEEING A SUMMARY FOR, SO I CAN GET THAT TO YOU VERY EASILY.
>> I CAN ALSO GIVE YOU A LIST OF THOSE CONTRACTS THAT ARE ON A PER-LICENSE BASIS.
ONCE I SIGN THAT AGREEMENT FOR THE YEAR. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE WANT A DETAILED INFORMATION JUST LIKE KATE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. THEY'RE TOTALLY AVAILABLE.
>> IN MANAGEMENT, I HAVE RUN IT DEPARTMENTS, I HAD A DIGITAL PRODUCTION COMPANY, I GET IT.
ALL I'M ASKING FOR IS A DETAILED BREAKDOWN LIKE WE MIGHT SEE FROM THE DEPARTMENT. SUPER. THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S A HARD ONE. IT'S A LOT TO PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND, A LOT TO ADD UP.
>> NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ON OUR END. I'M TALKING ABOUT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S A LOT.
>> I GUESS I NEED TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS.
YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS HOW MANY UNITS OF STAFF? WHAT IS YOUR TOTAL PEOPLE?
>> MY TOTAL BUDGETED POSITIONS ARE 18.
>> HOW MANY DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE AT FIELD?
>> FIELD? I HAVE FIVE VACANCIES.
>> YOU HAVE 13. THEN, AS FAR AS THESE PROGRAMS, THE SOFTWARE.
YESTERDAY, WHEN I SPOKE WITH DAN AND BRIAN, AND SHEILA IN SUPPORT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT, SOMETHING SHEILA SAID WAS LIKE, WELL, THESE PHONES HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE UPDATED.
THERE HAS TO BE NEW APPS, OR THEY HAVE TO ALWAYS UPDATE SECURITY.
>> WHAT I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING IS THAT'S A CONSTANT.
IN OTHER WORDS, YOUR STAFF GETS THERE IN THE MORNING AND THEY LEAVE IN THE AFTERNOON, AND THAT'S A CONSTANT COST.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S A 24/7 HOTLINE?
[03:10:03]
>> THERE'S A PERSON ON CALL OR SOMETHING?
>> THEN YOU WERE SAYING THE COST OF THE SOFTWARE.
BUT THEN, EARLIER WITH GPD, THAT COST OF THE SOFTWARE IS CHARGED TO THEIR BUDGET.
IT'S NOT CHARGED TO YOUR BUDGET.
>> RIGHT. YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SOFTWARE, I'LL JUST PUT THEM IN BUCKETS.
YOU HAVE USER-SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC SOFTWARE, AND THEN YOU HAVE SOFTWARE THAT SUPPORTS THE ENTIRE CITY.
WORKDAY WOULD BE COVERED IN MY BUDGET.
>> BANNER WOULD BE COVERED IN MY BUDGET.
ALL OF THESE OFFICE 365 LICENSES IS COVERED IN MY BUDGET.
ZERTO LICENSES ARE COVERED IN MY BUDGET.
ALL THOSE THINGS THAT SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ALL COVERED IN MY BUDGET.
ANYTHING THAT'S DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC, THEIR OSSI SYSTEM ONE SOLUTION, THEIR SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE, IT IS COVERED ON THAT, IS COVERED IN THEIR BUDGET.
ACCELA WOULD BE THE SAME THING.
IT'S COVERED IN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BUDGET, AND SO FORTH, AND SO ON.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DO NOT SUPPORT THOSE SOFTWARES.
MANY OF THOSE SOFTWARES, WE DO ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATION ON IT.
THE FRONTEND, BACKEND, IN THE END, THE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T TOUCH IT, SO WE HAVE TO HAVE STAFFING TO SUPPORT THAT.
WE'RE FIXING TO GO THROUGH ACCELA.
WE'RE GOING THROUGH A MAJOR DISCOVERY ON THE ACCELA SOFTWARE APPLICATION.
MY STAFF ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE LEADING THAT INITIATIVE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT SOFTWARE IS DEFICIENT FROM A CONFIGURATION STANDPOINT.
WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH AND WE'VE ALREADY STARTED SCHEDULING THOSE MEETINGS.
HEY, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU NEED? WHERE IS IT DEFICIENT? THEN MY TEAM IS THE TEAM THAT WILL ACTUALLY DO THE WORK IN ORDER TO GET THE CONFIGURATION STAGED AND SET UP.
>> THAT ADMINISTRATION IMPLEMENTATION NOW IS A DAILY JOB; IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING OUT AND HIRING? [OVERLAPPING] IT'S AN HOURLY DEAL?
>> IT IS UP AND DOWN. THERE ARE PERIODS WHERE IT'S SLOW.
THERE ARE PERIODS WHERE IT'S REALLY BUSY.
I WILL TELL YOU OUR BIGGEST CUSTOMER WHEN I LOOK AT SERVICE REQUESTS IS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE OUR BIGGEST CUSTOMER.
WE ALSO SEPARATE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FROM PROJECT SUPPORT.
IT'S THE SAME RESOURCES THAT ARE DOING THE WORK.
IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE A BIG ENOUGH TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT SAYS, YOU'RE DEDICATED TO PROJECTS, AND THIS TEAM OVER HERE IS DEDICATED TO OPERATIONAL SUPPORT.
THEY BLUR THE LINES RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME ONBOARDING STAFF THAT POSSESS THE SKILLS THAT WE NEED, GIVEN OUR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE RIGHT STAFF.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S REALLY HARD?
>> THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY, NOT JUST CITY COUNCIL, THAT SAYS, WE'RE CHARGING THIS MUCH FOR CELL PHONES PER MONTH.
WE'RE CHARGING THIS MUCH FOR ADMINISTRATION FOR SOFTWARE SUPPORT.
WE'RE CHARGING THIS MUCH ITEMIZED AND READILY AVAILABLE AND IT'S BEEN SO HARD TO GET THAT, SO WE'RE NATURALLY GOING TO QUESTION WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> YES. THE METHODOLOGY THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN USED, WHICH PREDATES ME AS WELL. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BRIAN'S, IT'S NOT IN THE BUDGET, BY THE WAY.
>> THE METHODOLOGY THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN USED IS A TOTAL COUNT BY PEOPLE DEVICES.
THEN YOU TAKE THE TOTAL BUDGET, WHATEVER THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE FROM AN IT PERSPECTIVE.
WE TRY TO KEEP OURS FLAT, ACTUALLY REMOVE SOME SECURITY PROJECTS IN ORDER TO KEEP THAT BUDGET FLAT, I'M GOING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER, WORKDAY IS ALMOST A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
>> I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE SOFTWARE COSTS.
I'M QUESTIONING THE CONSTANT COSTS.
>> IF YOU HAVE A CELL PHONE, WE HAVE A MOBILE IR AND A MOBILE MANAGEMENT LICENSE THAT HAS TO BE COVERED.
I WILL TELL YOU THE INCREASE IN CELL PHONES OVER THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS IS PRETTY TREMENDOUS.
WHEN I GOT HERE, THE NUMBER OF CELL PHONES WAS REALLY SMALL.
WE HAVE 616 MOBILE DEVICES, THAT'S CELL PHONES,
[03:15:01]
TABLETS, OR IPADS, AND CELLULAR EQUIPMENT LAPTOPS THAT ARE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION.>> BUT THEY'RE SITTING IN THE CLOSET IN THE STORAGE SHELF.
THEY'RE NEVER USED. [OVERLAPPING] HAVE YOU GOT AN ASSESSMENT ON THAT?
>> THESE ARE ACTUALLY ACTIVE DEVICES THAT WE ARE PAYING A CELLULAR FEE [OVERLAPPING] EVERY MONTH.
>> OUR TEAM, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THROUGH THE ONBOARDING AND THE OFFBOARDING PROCESS, THAT IF SOMEBODY LEAVES AND THEY HAVE A PIECE OF MOBILE EQUIPMENT, THAT THAT DEPARTMENT MUST RETURN IT TO US, AND THE VERY FIRST THING WE DO IS CUT THE CELL SERVICE OFF UNTIL THEY ONBOARD SOMEBODY ELSE.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT FIVE VACANCIES?
WE ARE ONLY KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON, Y'ALL.
THERE IS NO PROACTIVE WORK, THERE IS NO SECURITY MONITORING, MY MANAGERS ARE HEAVY WORKERS.
WE ARE STRUGGLING REALLY HARD TO BE PROACTIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESILIENT, AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ADDITION TO THE REACTIVE WORK, MEANING THOSE TICKETS THAT COME IN FOR SUPPORT.
>> OUT OF THE FIVE VACANCIES THAT ARE BUDGETED, I'M ASSUMING THOSE POSITIONS GET PAID FOR WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS, PAYING INTO THE IT CHARGES. THAT'S FACTORED IN?
>> THAT IS FACTORED INTO THE CHARGES, THAT'S CORRECT.
>> WITH THE FIVE THAT YOU'RE MISSING, I KNOW YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE ALL FIVE.
>> WHAT WOULD BE A COMFORTABLE SERVICE LEVEL SO THAT YOU COULD BE MORE PROACTIVE WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF, IF YOU COULD?
>> IF I WAS FULLY STAFFED, I WOULD BE ECSTATIC.
I WILL TELL YOU WHEN I GOT HERE, THOSE FIGURES WERE A LOT LOWER.
BUT I WILL ALSO TELL YOU THAT THE NUMBER OF ENDPOINTS THAT WE SUPPORT IS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IT WAS WHEN I STARTED WORKING AT THE CITY.
>> THERE WAS NO MOBILE EQUIPMENT.
THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT HAD MOBILE EQUIPMENT WHEN I GOT HERE, WAS THOSE TWO, THE MEN IN BLUE.
>> I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR NINE YEARS.
>> WE DIDN'T HAVE BADGE CAMERAS BACK IN EITHER?
>> NO. THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED IN 2017, AND I WAS PART OF THAT. THERE'S SO MUCH.
IT'S SO HARD, AND I DO TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AN IT TEAM DOES.
WE WANT TO BE AND GIVE YOU AS MUCH INFORMATION AS REASONABLY POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE THE DETAIL, IT'S AVAILABLE.
I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE IT, AND I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND TELL YOU HOW WE TACKLE IT.
IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY OF DOING IT, IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATION ON HOW WE SHOULD BE CHARGING, I'M ALWAYS OPEN TO THAT.
THERE ARE OTHER ENTITIES THAT DO IT BASED ON NEEDS, BASICALLY, THE REQUESTS THAT COME IN.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THAT HAS ITS OWN FAIR SHARE OF PROBLEMS.
>> IT'S REACTIVE MORE THAN PROACTIVE.[OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S VERY HARD TO DO IT THAT WAY AND THEN DEAL OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE MOST WORK.
>> THE COUNTY, WHEN I WAS THERE, WHAT WE DID WAS, THE IT JUST HAD ITS OWN BUDGET, AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEIR MONEY WAS GOING.
THEY JUST HAD AN IT BUDGET, AND THEY WOULD OUTLINE CELL PHONE COSTS, AND THIS COST.
IT WAS JUST TOTAL FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.
IT WASN'T BROKEN OUT BY DEPARTMENT.
WE ASSESS IT THIS WAY, SO IT'S MORE EVENLY ACCOUNTED ACROSS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THEY WERE DOING WHEN I GOT HERE.
>> THERE'S TRANSPARENCY TO WHERE THE COSTS ARE.
>> NO, THERE IS A TRANSPARENCY IF WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY BREAKDOWN.
>> CERTAINLY, WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT.
BUT WHAT I MEAN IS IF IT WAS JUST ONE BUDGET AND THERE WAS NO SPLIT, THEN YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHERE THE COSTS WERE BEING GENERATED.
YOU WOULDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT COST TO PROVIDE IT TO FINANCE.
>> BUT WE DON'T KNOW THAT NOW BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN A DETAILED BREAKDOWN.
>> I'VE NOT BEEN ASKED TO GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN, BUT I CAN DEFINITELY GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN.
LIKE I SAID, I CAN TELL YOU THE AREAS WHERE I CAN SUM MY BUDGET UP REALLY EASY FOR YOU; PERSONNEL, CONTRACTS.
>> I JUST WOULD LIKE A DETAIL.
>> WHAT SHE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU IS THE DETAIL THAT WRAPS UP INTO THESE PRINTED BUDGET ITEMS THAT SHOW YOU WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
>> BRIAN, THAT'S A GENERALIZATION, THAT'S A SUMMARY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ITEMIZATION, JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE THAT WILL GIVE US KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND COSTS.
BRIAN SAYS LEANING UP, AS I SAY EFFICIENT, AS ALEX SAYS 5%.
>> I HAVE NO ISSUE GIVING YOU THAT.
[03:20:02]
THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. [OVERLAPPING]>> IF WE CAN SAVE FOUR UNITS IN PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO CUT BACK IN IT, IT'D BE REALLY EASY JUST TO RAISE MY HAND AND SAY, APPROVED IT, WE'RE ALL GOOD.
BUT WE'RE ALL TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THE SAME THING HERE.
WE ALL HAVE TO BE INVOLVED, SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, WHICH IT'S ONLY JUST EDUCATING EVERYONE.
>> ALSO, THIS BUDGET IS A HISTORY BOOK, IN THAT EVERY COUNCIL HAS THEIR FINGERPRINTS ON OUR CURRENT BUDGET, AND THAT EVERY TIME THERE'S A DIFFERENT COUNCIL, THEY WANT DIFFERENT INFORMATION.
WE'VE HAD COUNCIL SAY, WHY ARE YOU PUTTING THAT IN THERE? TAKE THAT OUT. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PUT YOUR FINGERPRINT ON THE BUDGET.
STAFF, WE'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ASK FOR, BUT WE JUST WANT TO PLEASE YOU AND PLEASE WHAT YOU WANT.
BUT JUST REMEMBER, WE'RE OPERATING ON A LEGACY SYSTEM, TOO, SO IF THIS IS SOMETHING Y'ALL WANT TO ADD, WE'RE HAPPY TO DO IT. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
>> WELL, MANY PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE ASK WHY WE DON'T SHOW.
WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW IT, AND YOU'RE GOING TO ADD IT TO THE WEBSITE.
WE SHOW ADOPTED BUDGET, BUT WE NEVER SHOW ACTUAL; WE DON'T SHOW AMENDED, AND THAT'S NOT FULL TRANSPARENCY.
>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOW PRINTING REPORTS THAT WAY THAT WE'RE SEND TO ALL OF YOU.
BUT I JUST THINK WE NEED THE PEOPLE HIRE US TO DO OUR JOB.
PART OF WHAT WE OFFER TO PEOPLE IS FULL TRANSPARENCY.
IF WE'RE NOT GIVING FULL TRANSPARENCY, THAT WE'RE NOT DOING OUR JOB.
BUT THE REQUEST THAT YOU MAKE, THEY'RE GOING TO HONOR THESE REQUESTS.
WE KEEP ASKING YOU'RE HONORING THE REQUEST.
HOPE WILL HONOR THE REQUEST ON THAT. LET'S GO AHEAD.
I NEED TO GIVE COUNSEL SOME DIRECTION HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THIS WITH CSILLA HERE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IF WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, COUNSEL, THE STAFF CANNOT BREAK FOR LUNCH. THEY STAY HERE.
THEY DON'T GET A LUNCH WHEN WE BREAK FOR LUNCH.
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE FINISH CSILLA'S PRESENTATION.
THEN I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THROUGH E, F, AND G, BEFORE WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, AND THAT ALLOWS STAFF TO HAVE A LUNCH TIME.
>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO CAPITAL OUTLAY IN THE GENERAL FUND.
THE $1 MILLION TO FLEET IS PROGRAMMED LIKE IT HAS BEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
THERE'S ADDITIONAL FLEET PROGRAMMED FOR THE COMBINED UTILITY AS WELL OUT OF THE ENTERPRISE FUNDS.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND IS PROGRAMMED WITH PROJECTS AT $9.8 MILLION OF THAT 2.1 MILLION IS THE REPLACEMENT TOWER TRUCK THAT WAS ORDERED TWO YEARS AGO.
THERE IS 1.8 MILLION FOR INHOUSE MILL AND OVERLAY AND 2.7 MILLION RELATED TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING FOR THE IN-HOUSE STREETS AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES.
THERE'S $2.6 MILLION FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, HALF A MILLION FOR THE TRANSFER TO THE TECH FUND, AND THERE IS $100,000 FOR CONTINGENCY.
THAT IS APPROXIMATELY WHAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND IS PAYING FOR THIS YEAR.
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE IS WITH THE BOND ELECTION THAT'S PROPOSED FOR NOVEMBER, THE DEBT SERVICE RATE WOULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE IN 27TH, AND IF YOU WANT TO OFFSET IT, THEN THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED OUT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND IF WE'RE USING IT FOR DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS.
>> THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS, AND SAFETIES, IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEVER WAS COMPLETED. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS PART OF IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
>> THE EQUIPMENT AND SO FORTH.
WE'RE NOT CARRYING FORWARD THOSE COSTS, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPENDED.
>> CORRECT. ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN EXPENDED IS NOT IN FUTURE YEARS BUDGETS.
THIS IS COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAME PROJECT THAT GO INTO FUTURE YEARS.
YOU'LL HAVE WAITED TO HEAR THIS. WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.
THE AMI PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AS WAS REPORTED, AND METERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY ARE PROVIDING AUTOMATED METER READS BOTH TO UTILITY BILLING, AS WELL AS TO THE CUSTOMERS VIA ON WATER.
[03:25:03]
IF YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED UP FOR YOUR ON WATER ACCOUNT, DO IT.THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION THERE AND YOU'LL KNOW ON TIME IF YOU HAVE A LEAK.
RATE ADJUSTMENTS RELATED TO SEWER SERVICES OCCURRED IN FALL 2024.
IT WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER, WHEN WAS THE LAST RATE STUDY.
Y'ALL GOT IT LAST SUMMER INTO THE FALL, AND THE WHOLE PURPOSE WAS TO STABILIZE THE COMBINED WATER AND SEWER UTILITY.
WE HAVE ACHIEVED THAT, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.
FUTURE RATE ADJUSTMENT DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING TO BE TIED TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS RELATED TO THE ITEMS THAT WERE PRESENTED IN THE MASTER PLAN THAT YOU JUST HEARD.
THIS INCLUDES ANYTHING RELATED TO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WATER LINES AREN'T 100-YEARS-OLD TO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING PCQ REQUIREMENTS.
REGULATORY IS A BIG DEAL IN ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE PROPOSED IN THAT 10-YEAR PLAN.
MATERIAL SUPPLY COSTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
DAVID DID MENTION WHEN HE WAS STANDING THERE, BUT HE SAYS HE'S ALREADY FEELING THE IMPACTS OF TARIFFS.
THERE ARE THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WILL IMPACT OUR COMING FISCAL YEAR.
HEALTH INSURANCE, TECHNOLOGY GARAGE, AND INSURANCE COSTS ARE ALL IMPACTS OF ALL THEM.
THE WATER AND SEWER OVERVIEW, YOU'LL SEE THAT BEGINNING FUND BALANCE.
FAR RIGHT COLUMN IS FISCAL YEAR '26.
THE TOTAL REVENUE IS PROJECTED AT 47.6 MILLION, WHICH YOU SEE THAT INCREASE FROM 2024.
THOSE RATE CHANGES HAVE IMPACTED THE STABILIZATION OF THE COMBINED UTILITY.
TOTAL EXPENSES ARE PROJECTED AT 35.2 MILLION.
THIS IS MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION.
10.5 MILLION IS DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATION.
THERE'S A CAPITAL OUTLAY IMPROVEMENT FUND TRANSFER OF 1.3 MILLION.
THE ENDING FUND BALANCE IS PROJECTED TO BE $16 MILLION, WHICH IS JUST ABOVE OUR 120 DAY RESERVE.
PART OF THIS IS PROJECTED TO BE A PART OF ANY FUTURE DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATION PAYMENTS FOR DEBT ISSUES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING FIRST.
>> WHAT WAS OUR '24 BUDGETED BEGINNING FUND BALANCE?
>> THE BEGINNING FUND BALANCE BUDGET.
WHEN YOU'RE SETTING THE BUDGET, YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUDITED NUMBERS YET.
IT IS REALLY JUST A WAG BASED ON WHAT THE PROJECTIONS ARE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
>> WAS 19 IN MAY AND 190,000 $852,000 BUDGETED IN THE COMBINED UTILITY FUND.
>> WELL, THAT SHOWS THE ACTUAL SHOW AMENDED.
>> THIS IS ACTUAL BUDGET HERE.
>> BUT AT THE END OF AMENDMENTS WERE MADE TO THAT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, IT DOESN'T SHOW IT.
>> WE WOULDN'T AMEND THE FUND BALANCE.
YOU HAVE A BEGINNING AND ENDING.
THERE'S NO AMENDED FUND BALANCE.
>> WE CAN SHOW THE AMENDED BUDGET FOR '24 AND THE NEXT PRESENTATION, AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL BUDGET.
WATER CIP, AND THIS TIES TO THE MASTER PLAN YOU WERE JUST SHOWN FOR FISCAL YEAR '26, IT IS $61 MILLION.
OF THAT, WE ARE FUNDING IT 24.3 MILLION WITH EXISTING CITY BONDS AND 34.7 MILLION WITH FEDERAL GRANTS AND EARMARKS.
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR OF THE MASTER PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED TO YOU THAT IS FUNDED WITH FUNDS WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE.
THE RATES THAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE COMING YEAR, THE RATE STUDY WILL REFLECT FUTURE YEAR PROJECTS.
BUT '26 WE HAVE FUNDING FAR ON THE WATERSIDE.
THE MAIN PROJECTS, AS WE ARE ALL AWARE ARE THE 30-INCH CAUSEWAY WATER LINE AT 19.2 MILLION AND THE 59TH STREET PUMP STATION STORAGE TANK AT 19.4 MILLION.
THE OTHER PROJECT LISTED THERE SHOULD ALSO BE RELATIVELY FAMILIAR.
I WANT TO SAY THE GCWA SHANNON PUMP STATION DOUBLED IN COST, IS THAT CORRECT? THERE ARE SOME CHANGES IN PROJECTIONS RELATED TO SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, BUT IT IS $61 MILLION OF WATER PROJECTS THAT ARE PLANNED.
>> CAN I ASK A QUESTION TO OUR CONSULTANT JUST FOR CLARITY IN MY HEAD THAT HAS TO DO WITH THIS? YOU SAID 500 PEOPLE OR STRUCTURES?
>>THAT WAS A POPULATION OF. [OVERLAPPING]
I JUST WANTED CLARITY ON THAT.
>> ON THE SEWER SIDE, THE SEWER CIP IS PROGRAMMED AT $34 MILLION OF THAT 32 MILLION IS EXISTING CITY BOND FUNDS, AND 1.7 MILLION IS FEDERAL GRANTS.
THE LARGEST PROJECT IS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PIRATES BEACH AT 11.4 MILLION.
THE BELT PRESS PROJECT AT 9.6.
THERE ARE LIFT STATION PROJECTS THAT ARE RELATED TO THAT MASTER PLAN ALREADY,
[03:30:06]
AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.YOU'LL SEE THE FLYOVER ON THIS SIDE AND THE WATER SIDE RELATED TO THOSE STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND SEAWOLF PARK AT 1.3 MILLION.
>> FIRE IMPROVEMENTS IS BEING 100%.
IT ORIGINALLY HAD COSTS TO US, BUT THEN WITH THE TRANSPORTATION CREDITS, IT'S 100% FUNDED.
>> THE WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE PORTION OF IT AS WELL?
>> THIS IS THE WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE PORTION SATED WITH THE FLYOVER.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BREAKDOWN ON THAT JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY.
NOT NOW. WHENEVER. WHEN YOU HAVE CHANCE.
>> MOVING ON TO THE SANITATION FUND.
>> MIGHT INCREASE YOUR ID COSTS THOUGH. GO AHEAD.
>> THE SANITATION RATE STRUCTURE WAS ALSO CHANGED LAST FALL AS EFFICIENCIES AND ROUTING WERE MADE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AS WELL, AND ALL OF THOSE CHANGES HAVE RESULTED IN A REALLY GOOD STABILIZATION OF THE SANITATION FUND.
THE REVENUE IMPROVEMENTS ARE PROVIDING MORE FUNDING TO MOVE AWAY FROM A DEBT MODEL FOR THE GARBAGE TRUCKS AND THE EQUIPMENT TO A CASH FLOW MODEL.
THAT IS THE ULTIMATE PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED BY OUR SANITATION CONSULTANT LAST YEAR.
THE BEGINNING FUND BALANCE, AS YOU CAN SEE, IS PROJECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER IN FISCAL YEAR '26.
AS A RESULT OF THESE RATE CHANGES, REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO COME IN AT 11.1 MILLION, WHICH IS MORE THAN THAT 24 AMOUNT THAT WAS DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY.
EXPENSES ARE AT 10.4 ALMOST FIVE MILLION WITH AN OPERATING INCOME OF $687,000.
THERE IS A PLAN TRANSFER TO A SANITATION CAPITAL OUTLAY FUND TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR PLANNING THAT CASH FLOW MODEL OF EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT.
THE ENDING FUND BALANCE IS PROJECTED TO BE $2.7 MILLION, AND THAT IS RIGHT IN LINE THERE BETWEEN 90-120 DAYS.
WE ARE REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'VE ACHIEVED WHAT OUR GOAL WAS WITH THE SANITATION FUND.
IF I'M MOVING TOO FAST, TELL ME, I JUST FEEL LIKE PROBABLY EVERYONE'S HUNGRY.
STREETS CIP IS PROJECTED TO BE $38 MILLION.
THERE ARE LOTS OF FUNDING SOURCES BEING UTILIZED TO ACHIEVE THIS CIP.
THERE'S 4.1 MILLION TOTAL COMING FROM INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEBT SERVICE FUND.
THERE'S 2 MILLION COMING FROM CONVENTION CENTER SURPLUS, 2.7 MILLION COMING FROM IDC, $2 MILLION COMING FROM GALVESTON COUNTY.
THERE'S SOME CDBG FUNDS, THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE CDBG REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE STREET PROJECTS.
THERE'S 16.5 MILLION COMING FROM HDAC FTA AND 10.3 MILLION FROM OTHER VARIOUS GRANTS.
THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS GOING ON HERE.
THE DOWNTOWN STREETS CAPE, WHICH IS PART OF THE HDAC LIVABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE IS AT THE 20.1 MILLION.
THAT'S OUR BIGGEST PROJECT IN THIS FUND.
THE STEWART ROAD, MILL AND OVERLAY IS ALSO A REALLY BIG PROJECT AS IS JUST GENERALLY STREETS, MILL AND OVERLAY REHABILITATION.
THIS DO BEGINS THE CONVERSATION RELATED TO THE STREETS PLAN THAT IS GOING TO BE SHOWN TO YOU.
THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY ACCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING IN THAT PRESENTATION. CORRECT.
>> CSILLA, JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
TWO MILLION CONVENTION CENTER SURPLUS, THAT'S BEING UTILIZED. THAT'S A HOT.
>> THAT'S BEING UTILIZED IN THE APPROPRIATE MANNER DURING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS?
>> YES. ROB IS GIVING ME THE NOD.
I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHICH PROJECT IT IS, SO. [LAUGHTER]
>> DRAINAGE CIP IS PROGRAMMED AT 120,686,000.
THIS IS THE TWO LARGE DRAINAGE PUMPS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A WHILE.
OF THAT 7.2 IS COMING FROM EXISTING BOND REVENUE, 2.8 MILLION IS COMING FROM IDC, 88.4 MILLION COMING FROM FEDERAL GRANTS.
IT'S A VERY BIG INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND $2.1 MILLION COMING FROM POTENTIALLY FUTURE BONDS AND OPERATING REVENUE.
>> THAT 20.1 MILLION FOR THE DOWNTOWN STREETS CAPE THE I SPEND ALL THAT NEXT YEAR.
>> NO, BUT IT CARRIES FORWARD.
ESSENTIALLY, WE WANT THE FULL AMOUNT AVAILABLE IN CASE WE JUST ARE SPRINTING, AND THEN WHATEVER IS EXPENDED WILL BE PROGRAMMED FOR THAT.
>> A LOT OF THOSE PROJECTS, AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CAPITAL PURCHASE ON THE FRONT END THE RAILINGS AND ALL THIS IF YOU HAVE TO ORDER THIS.
IT'S HEAVY LOADED ON THE FRONT END AND TRAILS OUT.
BUT IT'S LIKE MOST OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS,
[03:35:02]
YOU BUDGET IT AND THEN YOU ROLL IT NEXT, YOU BUDGET WHAT'S LEFT AND THERE'S MORE LEFT YOU BUDGET THAT. IT ROLLS FORWARD.>> IF IT'S NOT BUDGETED, WE CAN'T ENCUMBER IT.
THE REQUISITION CAN'T BE FOR MORE THAN THE BUDGET IS, AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU BUDGETED IN THAT FIRST YEAR AND THEN CARRY FORWARD SO ENCUMBER.
>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO UNDERSTAND, I GUESS THE FULL SCOPE OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING NEXT YEAR?
>> AS SOON AS I CAN GET DUDLEY FREE.
[LAUGHTER] OF THE OTHER PROJECTS [INAUDIBLE]
ONE THAT COVERED IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS?
>> STARTED IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS, BUT NOT COMPLETED.
BIG PROJECTS, OBVIOUSLY, SOUTH SHORE IS AT 69.5 MILLION, AND 14TH STREET IS AT 48.4 MILLION.
THE DIP PROGRAM IS AT 2.5 MILLION, AND WE'VE ALSO GOT SOME MODELING SOFTWARE AND A STUDY IN THERE FOR DRAINAGE.
OUR HOT PROJECTIONS ASSUME A $3.21 MILLION PENNY BASED ON CURRENT AND HISTORIC TRENDS.
THE TRANSFER TO THE PARK BOARD FOR TOURISM BEACH CLEANING BEACH PATROL NOURISH BEACH ARE BUILT ON THAT $3.21 MILLION PENNY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OR THE TOTAL HOT COLLECTION INCLUDES CONVENTION CENTER ANNUAL DEBT SERVICE, CONVENTION CENTER OPERATIONS, AND THE CONVENTION CENTER SURPLUS.
IT INCLUDES CULTURAL ARTS PAYMENTS.
IT NOW INCLUDES THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THAT WAS RIGHT IN THE RANGE OF 560,000, IF I RECALL FROM EARLIER THIS MORNING.
THE COLLECTIONS WILL COME TO THE CITY EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1.
UNTIL THAT POINT, PARK FORD CONTINUES TO COLLECT, AND THEN WE WILL TAKE OVER COLLECTIONS.
>> HOT COMES IN MONTHLY, IS THAT RIGHT?
BECAUSE THE COLLECTION AGENCY IS PARK FORD NOW CITY IN THE FUTURE, WHEN A HOTEL PAYS THEIR HOT COLLECTIONS, IT SHOULD BE ON A MONTHLY BASIS, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE ALL THAT MONEY COMES IN ONE TIME. IT'S THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.
>> IT DEPENDS ON SHORT TERM RENTALS PAY DIFFERENTLY THAN THE HOTELS, AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT DATES.
>> WE SAW THIS SLIDE IN THE FORECAST, AND I'M JUST PUTTING IT BACK UP HERE.
THE CURRENT GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT IS THE TOP BAR GRAPH, AND THAT IS THE OBLIGATIONS WE CURRENTLY HAVE EXISTING.
THE BOTTOM IS THE ESTIMATED DRAFT WITH THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND POTENTIALLY $60 MILLION WORTH.
FOR THE FIRE STATION AND STREET REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
>> AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THE SLIDE THAT WE SHOWED YOU EARLIER ON THE BUDGET, WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST DEBT AMOUNTS OF ANY CITY, YET, WE HAVE THE OLDEST INFRASTRUCTURE.
>> THEN JUST FOR INFORMATION, THE EXISTING WATER SEWER DEBT IS PROGRAMMED TO END IN 2052.
THE WATER PORTION IS CURRENTLY HIGHER.
I THINK THAT'S HOW THE MASTER PLAN PROGRAMS IT INTO THE FUTURE AS WELL.
THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE MORE COSTS ON THE WATER SIDE.
BUT THIS IS WHAT THE EXISTING DEBT CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE.
>> MOVE FOR THE WATER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BURN.
>> BRIAN, JOKES. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THEM AS SUCH.
>> WHAT ARE WE EXPECTED TO HAVE IN THAT TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT FUND?
>> I DO NOT HAVE THAT HERE WITH ME, BUT I CAN SEND IT TO YOU.
>> IT PARTIALLY DEPENDS ON HOW WE FINISH OR WHEN WE FINISH RP AND WHAT THE TIMELINE ON THAT IS, BECAUSE THAT'S A $3 MILLION PROJECT.
THERE ARE SOME PORTIONS, LIKE THE BUDGET PIECE THAT'S GOING TO PUSH TO A PHASE X, AND IT WON'T ACTUALLY BE COMPLETED BY OCTOBER 1.
THE FUND BALANCE CARRY FORWARD MAY BE HIGHER THAN WE PROJECTED IT TO BE BECAUSE PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT WON'T BE PAID FOR THAT WE THOUGHT WERE.
>> WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THAT?
>> PORTIONS OF IT HAVE BEEN PAID IN PREVIOUS BUDGETS.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, EVERYTHING RELATED TO HR HAS BEEN PAID FOR.
WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF FINANCE AND PAYING FOR PORTIONS OF THAT.
THEN THERE'S PORTIONS OF THE FINANCE PROJECT.
ONE OF THEM IS THE BUDGET PLANNING SOFTWARE THAT WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY STARTING UNTIL AFTER OCTOBER.
THERE ARE PORTIONS OF THE TOTAL COST THAT WILL CARRY FORWARD.
THE FUND BALANCE, I'M GUESSING.
I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T HAVE THAT WITH ME.
>> THE TOTAL COST WAS LIKE 4,430,000, IS THAT THAT ONE?
[03:40:01]
>> I KNOW YOU'RE NOT LOOKING, I'M SORRY.
>> I CAN GET IT TO YOU, THOUGH.
I CAN GET YOU THE TECH IMPROVEMENT FUND AND THE BALANCE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR CSILLA? CSILLA, THANK YOU. VERY GREAT.
>> CHASEY, LET'S GO TO 3.E, PLEASE.
[3.E Pelican Island Bridge Update (D Buckley/D Glywasky - 10 min)]
>> 3.E, PELICAN ISLAND BRIDGE UPDATE.
>> DAN, GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
COUNCIL, AS YOU KNOW, OUR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PELICAN ISLAND BRIDGE.
WE HAVE ITEM 10.B ON OUR AGENDA FOR THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT INTERLOCAL THAT WE ARE TO APPROVE.
I THINK DON'S GOT ONE OUTSTANDING.
I THINK IT'S POOR US THAT; IS THAT RIGHT? WE ARE CHECKING OUR BOX OFF AND THROWING THE RESPONSIBILITY NOW OVER TO TXDOT AND TO H-GAC, AND TO OUR REPRESENTATIVE AT HGAC.
COUNCILMEMBER ROB, SO GO RIGHT AHEAD.
>> WHAT I CAN BRING IS THAT YOU'VE ALLOCATED 10 MINUTES, MAYOR.
OF THE AGREEMENTS WE HAVE OUTSTANDING OR THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, WE HAVE AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO A GALVESTON COUNTY AND GALVESTON WHARVES.
I TALKED TO ROGER REES THIS MORNING, AND THE FUNDING FROM THE WHARVES IS IN ROUTE.
WE WILL RECEIVE IT TODAY, ON MONDAY.
TEXAS A&M, WE HAVE A SIGNED AGREEMENT.
THE FUNDING IS IN PLACE, AND IT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE CITY.
WE HAVE A FINAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
ASSUMING COUNCIL APPROVES THAT, THEN WE'LL RECEIVE THE FUNDING FROM THE NAVIGATION DISTRICT.
THE FINAL AGREEMENT, ONLY OUTSTANDING AGREEMENTS WITH THE PORT OF HOUSTON THAT'S EXPECTED TO BE ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA.
THAT'S THE ONLY REMAINING ITEM, AND THAT WILL BRING THE 36.2 MILLION LOCAL MATCH.
ALL THE AGREEMENTS WILL BE IN PLACE, AND THAT WILL FACILITATE THE CITY'S ABILITY TO SIGN AN AFA WITH TXDOT.
A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THIS, AND DON HAS BEEN DOING THE LION'S SHARE OF THE WORK ON GETTING THESE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE.
WE'RE GLAD WE'VE REACHED THIS POINT, BUT WE'RE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW, MOVING FORWARD TO AFA.
>> DAN, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND STAFF AND DON, ESPECIALLY.
THEY PUT IN A TON OF WORK ON THIS, AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IT, IT SOUNDS VERY SIMPLE, BUT IT IS VERY COMPLEX TO GET THESE INTERLOCALS TOGETHER, GET PEOPLE TO AGREE UPON THAT.
IT INVOLVES ALSO RIGHT AWAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
A GOOD JOB TO THE STAFF ON THAT.
>> I HEARD THAT ALL THE FUNDING WILL BE IN PLACE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SIGN THE AFA NEXT MONTH?
>> WE HAVE WE SHOULD HAVE THE LAST AGREEMENT.
IT'LL BE NICE. WE SHOULD HAVE A FINAL AGREEMENT [INAUDIBLE] MONTH. THAT'S FOR HOUSTON.
THEN WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDING IN PLACE TO ALLOW US TO SIGN AFA.
THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A HURDLE. WE COULD NOT SIGN AFA UNTIL WE HAD THE FUNDING.
WE'LL HAVE THE FUNDING IN PLACE, AND THAT REMOVES THAT HURDLE FROM OUR ABILITY FOR COUNCIL TO APPROVE IT FOR US TO EXECUTE THE AFA.
THAT WILL BE UPON RECEIPT OF AFA FROM TXDOT, AND TXDOT WILL NOT FORWARD AFA UNTIL THEY HAVE ALL THE FUNDING IN PLACE.
>> OUR GOAL FOR HAVING ALL THE FUNDING WILL BE MET NEXT MONTH.
>> YES. THAT'S CORRECT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER.
>> THEN IT'S UP TO TXDOT TO FULFILL THE MARK ABOUT IT, SEND US THAT.
>> I THINK COUNCILMEMBER ROB IS WORKING TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.
BUT TXDOT HAS EXPRESSED ALL ALONG THAT THEY WON'T FORWARD THE AFA UNTIL ALL THE FUNDING IS IN PLACE.
>> THERE IS STILL A FUNDING GAP OF 206 MILLION THAT I AM WORKING ON.
>> BUT THE AFA WILL NOT BE SIGNED UNTIL ALL THE FUNDING IS THERE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] TAP HOES OR YOUR RED LINE MARKER.
>> WELL, MARIE, THERE WAS A REQUEST THAT H-GAC DECIDED TO APPOINT A COMMITTEE.
YOU'RE ON THAT COMMITTEE, OF COURSE.
>> WELL, I'M THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, ACTUALLY.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ON A STALL BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO WAS OVER THE TRANSPORTATION POLICY COUNCIL RESIGNED.
THERE WAS A SURGE, AND THE NEW PERSON HAS JUST STARTED.
WE WILL BE MEETING NEXT MONTH IN THE WORKING COMMITTEE.
[03:45:02]
PROGRESS ON THE BRIDGE HAS NEVER STOPPED.AS A MATTER OF FACT, NEXT WEEK, WHAT WE'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON RIGHT NOW IS ADVANCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL BECAUSE THAT'S THE LONGEST PORTION OF THE PROJECT.
IF WE CAN ADVANCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL, WE COULD TAKE THE LET TIME TO 2028, WHICH WOULD THEN MAKE US A MORE SHOVEL-READY PROJECT, WHICH WOULD MAKE OUR TASK EASIER ON FUNDING THE GAP.
>> WHAT'S YOUR PROJECTION FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING TO H-GAC FROM THE COMMITTEE?
>> I DON'T KNOW. SOMEWHERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.
>> NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO.
>> IT'S BASED ON A LOT OF THINGS.
THE COMMITTEE IS AD HOC COMMITTEE. LET'S JUST SAY THAT.
>> HERE, WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY UPDATES FROM TXDOT ON THAT.
THEY'RE PROGRESSING WITH WORK AS THEY HAVE ALL ALONG FROM DAY 1; THEY'VE NEVER REALLY TAKEN THE FOOT OFF THE GAS.
WE SECURED ALL THE RIGHT AWAY WE NEED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE.
THAT ONE WAS INTENTIONALLY LEFT OUT.
TXDOT IS WORKING, AND WE ASSIST THE CITIES; WE WORK TOWARD THAT FINAL PIECE OF RIGHT AWAY.
>> BUT TXDOT AND I WORK HAND-IN-HAND ON THE FUNDING AND SO FORTH, BUT THINGS JUST SLOW DOWN WITH THE NEW PERSON COMING IN AND SO FORTH.
>> CORRECT. BOB, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE'LL BE SIGNING AN AFA ONCE THEY FINISH THEIR DUE DILIGENCE AT H-GAC AND HOPEFULLY FUND THE DEFICIT, THEN WE'LL BE LOOKING AT PROPERTY SIDE.
>> WELL, WE DID CLEAR THE HURDLE WITH A&M 2. THAT'S A BIG ONE.
>> THAT WAS A BIG HURDLE, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH.
>> I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED WITH THE NEW CHANCELLOR, BUT IT ALL GOT DONE.
[OVERLAPPING] THANKS TO COLONEL FOSSUM. IT GOT DONE.
>> IT DID. COLONEL FOSSUM TOOK IT UP THERE PERSONALLY TO GOT HIM SIGN IT.
VERY GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS TO, DAN? THANK YOU, DAN.
[3.F Discussion of the Stewart Beach Master Plan, Developer Proposal and Public Input Structure (D Anderson - 20 min)]
>> 3.N, DISCUSSION OF THE ST BEACH MASTER PLAN, DEVELOPER PROPOSAL, AND PUBLIC INPUT STRUCTURE.
>> WE HAVE AN ITEM ON OUR AGENDA FOR ITS 11.L, COUNCIL ON THIS SUBJECT.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING THEM FORTH AT THIS POINT.
DUDLEY, COULD YOU AND YOUR ASSISTANT PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF, PLEASE.
>> DUDLEY ANDERSON, THE CITY'S ARCHITECTURAL PROJECT MANAGER.
>> [INAUDIBLE], I'M HIS ASSISTANT.
>> SIR, PROTECT INTERN, DOING A LOT OF THE WORK. WELL, I'M NOT WORKING.
BASICALLY, WE HAVE THE AGREEMENT FOR THE MASTER PLAN ON YOUR AGENDA.
IT IS AS WE TALKED ABOUT LAST MONTH, IT IS THE FIRST PART OF THE WHOLE PROCESS.
THEN WE HAVE THE SECOND PART COMING UP LATER, THE MASTER PLAN, AND THEN THE REAL ESTATE PROSPECTUS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE REAL ESTATE PROSPECTUS IN TIME TO PUT IT ON THIS AGENDA, BUT WE HAVE IT IN NOW.
WE KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST.
WE FOUND AN EXCELLENT FIRM TO DO THE WORK.
WE'LL ROLL INTO THIS SAME AGREEMENT.
THE COST OF THEM ARE FAIRLY REASONABLE WHEN YOU LOOK AT HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS.
WE'RE ON THE TIMELINE THAT WE GAVE YOU IN APRIL.
WE HAD HOPED TO CUT A MONTH OFF THAT FOR THE CITY'S END OF IT, BUT WE'RE HERE RIGHT AT THE FOUR-MONTH PROCESS FOR THAT.
WE LOOK TO BE DONE WITH THIS AND HOPEFULLY BE OUT AGAIN TO GET PROPOSALS FROM DEVELOPERS SOMETIME EIGHT MONTHS FROM NOW.
>> BUT THE SECOND THING, THAT'S THE MASTER PLAN OF WORK, WILL BE DONE THE OTHER [OVERLAPPING].
IT WILL BE DONE IN EIGHT MONTHS.
>> THE MASTER PLAN WORK WILL START NEXT FRIDAY, IF YOU APPROVE IT, AND WE GET A PO2.
ONCE THAT STARTS, WE NEED TO SCHEDULE CITY THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THAT.
THEN AUGUST 28 MEETING, I THINK IT IS AUGUST 28, THAT MEETING, IF YOU APPROVE THE ADDITION TO THIS CONTRACT FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROSPECTUS,
[03:50:04]
THAT SHOULD FLOW IN VERY WELL BECAUSE THE MASTER PLAN NEEDED TO BE DEVELOPED SOME BEFORE THEY STARTED WITH THAT.>> YOU'LL BRING THAT TO THE 28TH?
>> I WILL BRING THAT TO YOU ON THE 28TH.
>> HOPEFULLY, AS A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCIL, YOU HAVE FOR DUDLEY? THIS IS A GOOD UPDATE.
>> WE'RE MOVING ON WHAT WE ALL TALKED ABOUT [INAUDIBLE].
>> SOUNDS GOOD. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> JUST A COMMENT, I GUESS. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD PROCESS, A GOOD PLAN, A GOOD WAY TO GET TO WHAT THE CITY'S BEEN TRYING TO DO FOR A REALLY LONG TIME.
THIS ENSURES THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE ANOTHER PLAN THAT SITS ON THE SHELF.
THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT'S EXECUTABLE AND SUSTAINABLE, AND WE'LL TRANSCEND ALL OF OUR TERMS HERE, I THINK.
>> WE HIRED A CONSULTANT TO DESIGN A NEW SHELF.
>> WE WORKED WITH THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.
WE STARTED COMPLETELY FROM THE FOUND THINGS THAT WERE DONE IN THE PAST THAT COULD BE UPDATED AND RATHER THAN PAYING FOR AND STARTING ALL COMPLETELY OVER.
WE'RE BUILDING ON WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED THAT NEVER CAME TO FRUITION.
HOPEFULLY, IT DOES COME TO FRUITION.
>> IS THE ARCHITECT GOING TO HAVE 11 MEETINGS WITH COUNCIL?
>> A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING FOR COUNCIL.
>> OR I CAN PUT FOR THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PART.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME TO THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS, THAT'S FINE.
>> YOU IN PARTICULAR MIGHT HAVE A LOT OF INPUT BECAUSE OF YOUR FAMILIARITY WITH THAT PART OF THE BEACH.
THAT WOULD BE THAT EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> DUDLEY, IT'D PROBABLY BE GOOD IF THE GROUP COULD MEET WITH EACH COUNCILMEMBER AND GET THEIR INPUT ON THIS.
>> WE CAN'T DO IT AS A GROUP, INDIVIDUALLY, YEAH.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, INDIVIDUALLY.
>> WE WILL SCHEDULE SOMETHING FOR THAT.
WHEN THEY COME DOWN FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, MAYBE WE CAN SCHEDULE SOME SLOTS.
>> PLEASE, I THINK IT'D BE GOOD FOR THE COUNCIL TO INDIVIDUALLY SIT DOWN AND GIVE THEIR INPUT.
>> I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE A PRETTY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR SCOPE OF WORK, ESPECIALLY THEIR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
WE CAN, IN TURN, TRY TO DRIVE THE PUBLIC TO THAT ENGAGEMENT SO WE CAN GET THEIR INPUT.
>> I'VE ASKED THEM TO GO AHEAD AND START ON THEIR WORK SCHEDULE SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO PUT THOSE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TIMES IN THERE SO THAT EVEN BEFORE THEY START TO WORK, WE CAN START SCHEDULING THINGS.
I'LL BRING THAT BACK TO YOU ALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
>> ONE MORE THING I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT.
WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE HIGH PRIORITY OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE A REAL PATROL FACILITY OUT THERE.
THEY'RE IN THOSE TRAILERS RIGHT NOW, AND THOSE TRAILERS HAVE A SHELF LIFE, AND WE JUST NEEDED TO KEEP.
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY WRITTEN INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
>> DUDLEY AND I ARE WORKING ON ADMIN STUFF AS WELL AS WE SPEAK.
>> WE HAVE A POSSIBILITY THAT WE'RE EXPLORING.
>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT PART OF WHAT YOU'RE ALREADY DOING RIGHT NOW IS WORKING ON THE PROGRAM TO SEPARATE WHAT'S REAL REQUIRED ON THE BEACH AND [OVERLAPPING] WHAT'S NOT REQUIRED ON THE BEACH.
OF COURSE, IT'S GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO GET WITH THE BEACH PATROL TO HELP FOR THAT PROGRAM.
>> THE PROGRAM THAT WE DID FOR THE FULL FACILITY WAS POSSIBLY A LITTLE INFLATED.
IT REFLECTED THEIR HISTORIC GROWTH.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO PLAN FOR MUCH GROWTH, BUT THAT ADMIN PART THAT WE CAN SEPARATE OUT SHOULDN'T CHANGE MUCH OVER TIME.
>> I WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MARTY TOO TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE AVAILABLE IN PARK BOARD PLAZA VERSUS WHAT NEEDS TO BE A THIRD-PARTY LOCATION VERSUS WHAT NEEDS TO BE.
SO FAR, MARTY'S BEEN A GIANT HELP TO ME ON THAT.
>> THEY DO HAVE EQUIPMENT SCATTERED AROUND THE ISLAND, TOO, IN DIFFERENT PLACES, SOME DOWN THE STREET, SOME AT THE PARKING GARAGE, PLACES LIKE THAT.
>> SOME OF THAT FALLS UNDER THAT MARINE SAFETY UNIT THAT I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IS TRYING TO GET A GOOD INVENTORY OF ALL THIS EQUIPMENT, SEE WHAT WE HAVE, SEE WHERE WE CAN USE IT.
>> REDUCE DUPLICATION OF PROJECTS [INAUDIBLE]
>> WE HAVE BEAU AND SHARON. BEAU.
>> DUDLEY, WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO BRW? WHAT WAS YOUR SELLING POINT WITH THEM?
>> BRW DID OUR FIRE STATION OVER HERE.
THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE KNOWN FOR, IS THEIR FIRE STATION DESIGN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
THE COLLEGE STATION OFFICE THAT WE WORK WITH HAS DONE A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER IN THIS REGION.
WE WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THEY PROCEEDED WITH THAT FACILITY.
WHEN WE STARTED ON THE BEACH PATROL FACILITY, WE CHOSE THEM, AND THEY WORKED ON THAT BASICALLY THROUGH SCHEMATICS UNTIL WE SHUT THAT DOWN.
[03:55:01]
THEY BEGAN TO BE FAMILIAR WITH STEWART BEACH A LOT, AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT NEED TO GO ONTO IT.THEY'RE ALSO PROBABLY THE ONLY ONE IN OUR PRE-QUALIFIED LIST OF DESIGN FIRMS WITH THE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
THEY HAVE BEACH EXPERIENCE, THEY HAVE LIFE SAFETY BUILDING EXPERIENCES ON THE BEACH.
THEY WERE A PRETTY GOOD FIT FOR IT.
THEY'RE ALSO WORKING WITH THE LAST PEOPLE WHO DEVELOPED THE MASTER PLAN, ROGERS PARTNERS.
THEY'RE WORKING WELL TOGETHER.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I WAS HOPING THAT COORDINATION WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH WORK PUT INTO THAT.
>> WE'RE BEING ABLE TO BUILD ONTO WHAT WAS DONE IN 2020, SO IT'S NOT A COMPLETE NEW PROCESS.
THAT'S WHY I SAID WE'RE CONTINUING TO BUILD ON WHAT IT'S COME BEFORE.
>> BUT THE SPECIFIC REASON FOR BRW IS THEY ARE ON OUR LIST OF PRE-QUALIFIED, AND THAT CUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE PROCESS OF GETTING ANOTHER QUALIFIED DESIGN FIRM.
>> THEY'VE GOT GREAT PROJECTS ON THEIR WEBSITE.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THEY'RE VERY GOOD.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S EASY TO WORK WITH [INAUDIBLE]
>> THAT'S WHO WE WANT TO USE ON FIRE STATION 2, BECAUSE THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB FOR US.
>> THEY HAVE AN EDGE. THEY DO A GOOD JOB.
>> MAYOR, BACK TO YOUR COMMENT, AND I THINK ABOUT EACH COUNCIL PERSON MEETING, AND I WAS JUST WONDERING SHOULD EACH COUNCIL PERSON HAVE A BULLET LIST OF WHAT THEY'RE WANTING WHEN THEY MEET WITH THAT EXPERT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
>> THEN, SECONDLY, IS THERE GOING TO BE A SCHEDULED SPECIFIC TIME FOR IT? BECAUSE WE'RE JUST THROWING THIS OUT HERE NOW FOR THAT.
BUT THOSE ARE TWO SUGGESTIONS OR IDEAS.
LASTLY, I LOVE THAT YOU'VE GONE BACK AND MADE THE CONNECTION AND THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, AND ABLE TO CONNECT IT TO MOVE US ON IN A FASTER PROCESS.
BUT NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE KNOWLEDGE THAT'S THERE BY THIS COMPANY, I QUICKLY LOOKED THEM UP AS WELL.
I DIDN'T LOOK THEM UP EARLIER.
I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A BULLET-POINT PRESENTATION.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD JUST WALK IN WITH A CONVERSATION.
>> I THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA.
SO THAT THEY ACTUALLY CAN LEAVE WITH SOMETHING IN WRITING WITH YOU THAT SAY THIS IS WHAT I WANT. THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
>> YES. WE'LL GET A SCHEDULE PUT TOGETHER, AND THEN YOU CAN PICK WHAT WORKS WITH YOUR PARTICULAR SCHEDULE ON THAT.
YOU MIGHT HAVE TO FIGHT AMONG YOURSELVES AS TO WHO GETS WHICH SLOT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BY OURSELVES.
I DON'T HAVE THAT. I COULD SAY, OH.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I THINK THERE'S A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER THAT CAN DO AT ONE TIME.
>> SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL INPUT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS BY THEMSELVES.
>> OR YOU COULD BRING YOUR SPOUSE. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING.
>> ON TOP OF THAT, WE'LL HAVE A SCHEDULE FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT WE CAN MARKET AND GET OUT THERE.
>> TO BE EFFICIENT, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOME OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS WITH TIMES SET ASIDE FOR COUNSEL SO THAT THOSE THINGS MAKE ONE TRIP RATHER THAN HAVING THE COME RUN DOWN HERE EVERY OTHER DAY [OVERLAPPING] HOW TO DO THIS.
WE'VE ONLY BOUGHT SO MANY TRIPS DOWN HERE.
>> THANK YOU, DUDLEY. AMBER, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY?
>> NO FOR STIR BEACH? NO, YOU GOT EVERYTHING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, DUDLEY.
>> CAN WE STOP HERE FOR THE NEXT ITEM? [LAUGHTER]
>> YES, SIR. LET'S GO TO 3G, PLEASE.
[3.G Discussion of Items for the November Bond Election (C Brown - 20 min)]
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S WHY I DID THAT.>> LET'S DO THE FIRE STATION PART OF IT FIRST, THEN BRANDON DO THE STREET.
>> ITEM 3G: DISCUSSION OF ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER BOND ELECTION.
ONE, STREET ASSESSMENT AND STREET REPAIRS, TWO, FIRE STATION NUMBER 2, AND THREE, OTHER COUNSEL SUGGESTED ITEMS.
>> I WANT TO PREFACE THIS, COUNSEL.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO TALK HERE TODAY ABOUT WHAT WE WANT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.
ALSO, THE LANGUAGE FOR THAT NEEDS TO BE TO JANELLE BY AUGUST 25TH.
WE WILL HAVE ON OUR AUGUST 14TH AGENDA, WE WILL NEED TO VOTE ON THE LANGUAGE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT WE ELECT TO PUT ON TO THE BOND ELECTION.
>> MAYOR, ON AUGUST 14, YOU'LL NEED TO VOTE ON THE ORDER OF ELECTION.
THE LANGUAGE NEEDS TO BE IN THAT ORDER.
[04:00:01]
>> YOU CAN'T DECIDE ON THE LANGUAGE ON THE 14TH.
>> YOU CAN'T DECIDE ON THE LANGUAGE.
IF YOU HAVE OPTIONS, YOU NEED TO KNOW ON THE 14TH WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO ORDER BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES THAT DAY.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM TO THE 25TH AND OUR NEXT MEETINGS, NOT TILL THE 28TH.
WE WANT TO GET THAT. LET'S TALK OF FIRE STATION NUMBER 2, IS THE SECOND ITEM ON THAT.
>> IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE, SORRY.
WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK LOOKING ON THE EAST END OF PROPERTY FOR FIRE STATION 2.
WE PRESENTED TO YOU, I THINK LAST MONTH OR THE MONTH BEFORE A LITTLE PACKET FOR WHAT WE DEVELOPED.
WE'RE TAKING THAT AND WE'VE GONE OUT TO AN ARCHITECT AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE US A PROPOSAL TO PUT A BOND INFORMATION PACKET TOGETHER, SOMETHING THAT IS ATTRACTIVE, INFORMATIVE, THAT WE CAN GET TO THE PUBLIC.
I'D LIKE TO BRING NEXT MONTH TO YOU A PROPOSAL FROM THEM, THE ARCHITECT, ON WHAT IT WOULD COST US TO GET THAT.
BASICALLY, IT WOULD APPROACH A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN, SO THAT WE KNOW WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT SPACES INVOLVED, WE KNOW WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT SITE INVOLVED, AND IT CAN BE DONE.
I DID IT, BUT WHETHER THAT'S REALISTIC OR NOT, IT'S ALWAYS UP FOR DEBATE.
HAVING THEM DO ONE WITH A LITTLE BIT BETTER GRAPHICS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WOULD HELP US WITH THAT ISSUE.
>> THAT'LL VALIDATE THE PROGRAM AND THEN VALIDATE THAT THE SITE CAN HANDLE THE PROGRAM.
>> THEN ALSO, THAT THE DESIGN WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A NUMBER IF WE CAN RELY ON.
>> WE SHOULD HAVE A FAIRLY DECENT NUMBER, AND WE SHOULD HAVE THE PRETTY PICTURES AND A WAY TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT IT IS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BUILD.
>> WE'VE GOT TO DO ALL THAT NOVEMBER 3RD, BEFORE THAT.
>> THAT'S WHY I WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOU NEXT MONTH, AND I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO THEM ABOUT BEGINNING TO THINK ABOUT IT.
THEY'VE ALSO HAD THE STUDIES THAT WE DID.
THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONCEPTUALLY DEVELOP SOMETHING IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, GET IT PUBLISHED, AND GET IT OUT ON THE STREET.
>> TODAY AT THIS WORKSHOP, WE NEED TO GIVE SOME THOUGHTS CONSENSUS-WISE THAT WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS FIRE STATION TO PUT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT FOR THE BOND ELECTION.
IF THAT IS GIVEN BY COUNSEL HERE, THEN STAFF WILL PUT TOGETHER AND WE'LL HAVE AN ACTION ITEM ON NOVEMBER 14TH TO APPROVE THE LANGUAGE THAT WILL BE ON THE BOND ELECTION, AND YOU'LL BRING MORE INFORMATION TO GIVE US MORE THOUGHTS ON THIS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] SHEILA CAN ALSO GIVE YOU THE TAX RAMIFICATIONS.
>> WE WON'T KNOW THE BUDGET NUMBER FOR THE LANGUAGE FOR THE BOND ISSUE.
>> WE HAVE A STRONG ESTIMATE NOW, BUT I THINK WITH [INAUDIBLE] WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO HONE IT IN A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> WE ARE TRYING TO STAY AHEAD OF YOU AND ANTICIPATING THAT THIS WAS NOVEMBER, SO WE BEGAN TO SCHEDULE THESE ACTIVITIES.
THEY'RE NOT DONE YET, OTHER THAN THE STUDIES THAT WE'VE DONE BEFORE.
WE WILL FIND OUT WHETHER THAT'S A REALISTIC STUDY.
>> [INAUDIBLE] SCHEMATIC DESIGN.
>> TO GET A NUMBER WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FLUFF.
>> AT LEAST CONCEPTUAL. I'M THINKING SCHEMATIC, MAYBE PUSHING IT A LITTLE BIT.
BUT YOU AND I THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY ELSE QUITE GRASPS THAT SUBTLE DIFFERENCE.
>> THE THING THAT I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT TO EVERYONE, GIVEN WHAT JANELLE JUST SAID TO US, THAT WE'D HAVE TO HAVE THE FULL LANGUAGE.
IF WE DO A BOND ELECTION AND IT FAILS, WE CAN'T DO IT FOR FIVE MORE YEARS.
IF WE DECIDE NOT TO PUT IT ON IN NOVEMBER, AND WE WANT TO MOVE IT TO MAY, AS BRIAN POINTED OUT YESTERDAY, THERE IS A BILL RIGHT NOW IN SESSION THAT STATES THAT BOND ELECTIONS, IF IT PASSES, CAN ONLY BE HELD IN NOVEMBER.
IF WE DIDN'T DO IT THIS NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF THAT OTHER BILL, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT IN MAY, WE MAY HAVE TO WAIT TO THE FOLLOWING NOVEMBER.
[04:05:02]
[BACKGROUND] I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF ALL THE MOVING PARTS.IT MAY BE SOME OTHER BILL SURFACES THAT SAYS THAT WE CAN'T EVEN DO A BOND WITHOUT AN ELECTION.
TO ME, I THINK IF WE CAN GET THIS ON IN NOVEMBER, BOTH ITEMS, THAT IT MAY BE IN OUR BEST INTEREST.
>> WELL, THERE'S POTENTIAL LEGISLATION OUT THERE EVEN OUTLINING IF WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION, WHAT THE MINIMUM [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S LIKE TWO, THREE DIFFERENT ONES OFFERING DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE LEVELS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] SAYING LIKE 76%.
>> SEVENTY-SIX IS AN EVEN NUMBER; IT WAS AN ODD.
>> WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF THAT WAY BEFORE NOVEMBER?
>> BUT YOU HAVE TO DO ALL THIS BEFORE.
>> YOU HAVE TO CALL THIS BY AUGUST.
>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING DESCRIBED AND ACTUALLY BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
>> COUNSEL, IF ANYBODY IS AGAINST PUTTING THIS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT FOR THE FIRE STATION, SPEAK UP NOW.
IF NOT, WE NEED TO DIRECT STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AND PUT THE LANGUAGE FOR ACTION ON OUR AGENDA.
>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S DRIVING THIS FIRE STATION? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR AT THIS.
>> CAN YOU JUST DO A QUICK SUMMARY OF THAT?
THE BIGGEST ONE IN MY MIND IS FIREFIGHTER SAFETY, IS THAT THEIR BUNK ROOM IS RIGHT OFF WHERE THE FIRE TRUCK STARTS.
EVERYBODY IN THE BUILDING GETS A GOOD SLOUGH OF CARBON MONOXIDE EVERY TIME THEY START.
>> THEY'LL HAVE A FEW DAYS BEFORE THEY CAN RECOVER FROM IT.
>> BUT SECONDLY, AND PROBABLY MORE SIMPLY, IS THAT WE'RE PROBABLY ONE TRUCK PURCHASE AWAY FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT A TRUCK IN THAT STATION BECAUSE THE NEW TRUCKS THAT WE'RE SPECING WITH THE CANONS AND EVERYTHING ON THEM DON'T CLEAR THE DOORS HERE, AND THERE'S NO WAY TO MODIFY THOSE DOORS.
WHAT WE'RE PUTTING IN THERE NOW CLEARS BY ABOUT THAT MUCH.
>> [LAUGHTER] SOMETIMES MORE DEPENDS ON [INAUDIBLE] WE ARE STRUGGLING GETTING OUR TRUCKS IN THERE.
THE THIRD THING, WHICH IS LESS OF AN IMMINENT ISSUE, IS THAT WITH THE GROWTH ON THE EAST END, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO PLAN FOR SOME TYPE OF LADDER APPARATUS, BRUSH APPARATUS, IN AN EMS BOX AT THAT LOCATION.
>> THE [INAUDIBLE] ITSELF HAS JUST GROWN [INAUDIBLE] DOUBLE THE SIZE.
>> HISTORICALLY, [OVERLAPPING] BEFORE THE BIG DEVELOPMENT ON THE EAST END AND WHAT WE'RE DOING ON STEWART BEACH, NOTWITHSTANDING, SERVICE TO THAT OF STATION 1, IT WAS A LITTLE LAG, BUT NOT MUCH.
BUT NOW WE'VE GOT SO MUCH OUT THERE.
THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN DO THAT.
NOW, NOBODY'S GOING TO EXPLODE IF WE DON'T DO IT NOVEMBER, BUT THERE'S WAITING, JUST MAKES THINGS MORE EXPENSIVE.
>> DUDLEY, I THINK WE'RE GEARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS IF WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, HAVE IT ON OUR AUGUST 14TH AGENDA. SOUNDS GOOD.
>> IT'S A GOOD THING WE STARTED LAST MONTH.
>> ACTUALLY, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT FIRE STATION 2 FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT WE STARTED TRYING TO MAKE SOME INFORMATION THAT'S READILY DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC LAST MONTH.
WE JUST WANT TO BUILD ON THAT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE FUTURE IN HERE.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NOW, THE OTHER PART OF THIS, WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION. THANK YOU, DUDLEY.
I'M HEARING A RUMOR THAT WE MAY WANT TO WAIT ON THAT, BUT I'M LETTING YOU GUIDE US ON THAT, BRANDON.
YOU HAVE THE CONSULTING COMPANY THAT PERFORMED OUR STREETS ASSESSMENT AND NOW UPDATED IT. TURN IT OVER TO YOU.
>> PERFECT. WE'LL JUMP INTO IT.
ZAC THOMASON, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WITH ROADWAY ASSET SERVICES.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY.
[04:10:03]
I FULLY RECOGNIZE I STAND BETWEEN YOU AND LUNCH.I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE SLIDES.
SOME SLIDES I'M GOING TO BE VERY BRIEF ON ON PURPOSE BECAUSE SOME OF THIS CONTENT YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD, YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN AND YOU ALREADY KNOW.
>> YOU GOT BOLD. I'VE NEVER SEEN YOU WITH LEGS.
>> I KNOW. EXACTLY. IT'S A TEAMS MEET ON THIS FAR.
EXACTLY. I'M GOING TO MOVE FAST, AND THEN I'M GOING TO SLOW DOWN WHEN WE COME TO NEW CONTENT.
WE START TALKING ABOUT BUDGET NUMBERS AS WELL.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME BASIC TERMINOLOGY.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE.
YOU FOLKS OWN ABOUT 300 CENTER LINE MILES OF ROADWAY.
THIS IS A HUGE ASSET ON THE BOOKS THAT YOU FOLKS MAINTAIN ON A DAILY BASIS.
IF WE ADD WIDTH TO THAT CENTER LINE, THAT EQUATES TO ABOUT 5.6 MILLION SQUARE YARDS OF PAVEMENT THAT YOU MAINTAIN ON A DAILY BASIS.
IF YOU DESIRE TO DO SO, YOU COULD PAVE A SMALL TWO LANE ROAD ALL THE WAY FROM HERE TO OKLAHOMA CITY.
THAT'S HOW MUCH PAVEMENT AND ROAD YOU MAINTAIN ON THIS ISLAND.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT PCI.
THAT'S A PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX.
IT IS A 0-100 SCORE THAT RANKS THE HEALTH OF A ROADWAY.
VERY SIMPLY, ZERO IS AN ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE ROAD ON ITS WAY BACK TO GRAVEL, 100 IS A PERFECTLY BRAND NEW ROAD THAT HAS BEEN PAVED YESTERDAY.
I'M GOING TO SKIP SOME OF THOSE OTHERS BECAUSE I'M GOING TO TALK THROUGH THEM ON THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES.
WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT? LET'S TALK THROUGH THAT VERY BRIEFLY HERE.
YOU FOLKS ALREADY KNOW IT AS WELL.
THE PURPOSE IS TO REDUCE THE TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP OF THE ROADWAYS.
WE DO SO BY APPLYING THE RIGHT TREATMENT ON THE RIGHT ROAD AT THE RIGHT TIME.
THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT, PRODUCE THE COST OF OWNING THIS MASSIVE ASSET THAT YOU FOLKS HAVE. WE DO SO HOW? BY MAINTAINING THAT ASSET WHILE IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION.
BECAUSE IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG, YOU LOSE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY THAT PASSES YOU BY.
YOU CAN'T SEE MY RED DOT BUT YOU CAN SEE THERE AT THE TOP END OF THAT SCREEN HERE.
WE HAVE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO TREAT ROADS IN GOOD CONDITION.
IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE FLEET PRESENTATION EARLIER, VEHICLES THAT ARE NEWER AND ARE IN BETTER SHAPE, COST LESS TO MAINTAIN THAN VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT.
IF WE CAN CAPTURE ROADS WHILE THEY'RE IN GOOD CONDITION, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND $5.50 A SQUARE YARD AND APPLY A LIGHT WEIGHT PRESERVATION TREATMENT, SUCH AS A MICRO SURFACE OR A SLURRY SEAL THAT YOU FOLKS HAVE ENACTED IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
THE PURPOSE OF THOSE ACTIVITIES, AGAIN, IS TO EXTEND PAVEMENT DESIGN LIFE AT THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST COSTS.
YOU GET A HUGE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK WHEN YOU DO ACTIVITIES IN THAT UPPER RANGE.
DOWNSIDE, IF YOU DEFER AND YOU WAIT, THINGS COST MORE.
THEY COST AT LEAST $22 A SQUARE YARD JUST TO DO A MILL AND OVERLAY.
IF IT FALLS INTO A RECONSTRUCT, IT BLOWS UP FROM THERE, AND COSTS EXPONENTIALLY MORE.
>> IF A ROAD HAS NEVER BEEN PAVED, THEN IT'S NOT COUNTED IN HERE EVEN THOUGH IT'S A PUBLIC ROAD?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS ONLY FOR PAVED ROAD.
ALL THE NUMBERS YOU SEE TODAY IS FOR YOUR PAVED ROADWAY NETWORK, NOT UNPAVED ROADS.
BUT THOSE OBVIOUSLY ARE STILL MAINTAINED BY THE CITY, BUT NOT ACCOUNTED FOR IN ANY OF THE MODELS THAT WE'VE RUN.
VERY SIMPLY, THINK ABOUT YOUR ROADS LIKE THE CAR THAT YOU DRIVE EVERY DAY.
YOU CHANGE THE OIL, YOU FLUSH THE COOLANT, YOU ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF THAT VEHICLE.
YOU'RE TRYING TO LOWER THE COST OF YOUR OWNERSHIP OF THAT VEHICLE AND ROADS ARE THE SAME.
YOU'VE MADE A CONSCIOUS DECISION WITH YOUR VEHICLE TO CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES INSTEAD OF SIMPLY SWAPPING THE ENGINE EVERY 30,000 MILES.
BOTH OF THOSE DECISIONS ARE FINE.
ONE JUST HAS HUGE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
IF YOU DIDN'T CATCH US LAST TIME, THIS IS THE VAN THAT DROVE ALL OF THE STREETS BACK IN LATE 2022, RIGHT AROUND DECEMBER.
THIS VAN, KIDS LIKE TO CALL THIS THE GHOSTBUSTER VAN, SOME CALL IT THE MYSTERY MACHINE.
IT DROVE EVERY PAVED STREET THAT IS OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY THE CITY.
HAS LOTS OF FANCY EQUIPMENT ON IT, LASERS, HIGH RESOLUTION CAMERAS, GPS TECHNOLOGY, NATURAL NAVIGATION.
ITS JOB, VERY SIMPLY WAS TO CAPTURE THIS IMAGERY AND ASSESS THE ROADWAY CONDITIONS.
YOU CAN SEE THE RIGHT AWAY IMAGERY ON TOP THAT WAS CAPTURED AND THEN THAT DOWNWARD IMAGERY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THAT ALLOWS US TO ASSESS THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DISTRESSES THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THE ROADS.
THE ALLIGATOR CRACKING, THE POT HOLES, THE REEDING.
>> DID YOU ALL LOOK AT ALL THE RIGHTS OF WAYS LIKE ALLEYS AND STUFF AS WELL, OR WAS THIS NOT INCLUDED IN THE UNPAVED AND PAVED?
>> ALLEYS ARE CONSIDERED UTILITY EASEMENTS.
[OVERLAPPING] WE DON'T MAINTAIN THOSE.
>> NOT LIKE A DRIVABLE UTILITY?
>> IF IT WAS PAVED IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN COUNTED.
>> WE LOOK AT ALLEYS AS UTILITIES.
>> IF IT'S A ROAD THAT IS PAVED THAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN 30 YEARS,
[04:15:07]
IT MIGHT LOOK UNPAVED.>> YES. SO LONG AS THERE WAS SOME PAVED SURFACE THAT GAVE US AN INDICATION THAT IT'S A PAVED SURFACE, AND AS LONG AS IT WAS ON THE CITY'S GIS MAP AS A PAVED SURFACE, IT WAS DRIVEN.
NOW, IT MAY NOT HAVE LOOKED PAVED AND IT MAY HAVE COME BACK IN VERY BAD SHAPE.
>> IT MAY HAVE NOT EVEN GONE TO SCORE AT THAT POINT.
IF IT'S NOT A PAVED SURFACE THAT COULD BE ASSESSED, BUT IF IT WAS ON THE MAP AS A PAVED SURFACE, IT WAS GOOD.
>> YOU DIDN'T ASSESS IT IF IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS IN REAL BACK?
>> IT WOULD JUST SCORE OUT AS A ZERO.
>> IF IT'S NOT A PAVED SURFACE, THERE'S NOTHING THERE.
>> THAT WAS THE VAN THAT RAN, GRAB THE CONDITION DATA.
THE VAN RAN AROUND INTO 2022, WE PRESENTED THE CONDITION RESULTS IN 2023.
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE. THIS IS A SNAPSHOT FROM 2.5 YEARS AGO, WHAT THE CONDITIONS OF THE CITY'S ROADWAY NETWORK WAS AT THAT TIME.
THE CITY AT THAT TIME WAS SITTING AT A NETWORK, AVERAGE PCI OF A 76.
IF WE TOOK ALL OF YOUR ROADS, THREW THEM IN A BLENDER AND HIT FOR A PAY, YOUR AVERAGE NUMBER SCORE IS A 76.
YOUR BACKLOG WAS LESS THAN 2%.
BACKLOG IS ALL OF THE BIG TICKET WORK, THE FULL RECONSTRUCTION, PARTIAL RECONSTRUCTION CANDIDATES.
BASICALLY, ANYTHING YOU SEE THERE THAT'S A SERIOUS, VERY POOR OR POOR ROADWAY.
FINANCIALLY SPEAKING, ANYTHING LESS THAN 8% IS A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO BE, VERY MANAGEABLE PLACE TO BE.
THOSE CAUTION FOLKS, DON'T FEEL TOO CONFIDENT ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT CAN SLIDE ON YOU VERY FAST.
UNDER FUNDING THE ROADWAY NETWORK CATCHES UP WITH YOU FAST, AND THEN IT COSTS YOU A WHOLE LOT MORE TO CATCH UP LATER BECAUSE YOU ARE PAYING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM AT AN EXPONENTIALLY HIGHER RATE.
IT'S LIKE LOOSING COOLING IN A HOSPITAL.
>> WE'VE BEEN LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS ALL ZEROS.
>> HERE'S WHERE WE ARE TODAY. WHAT DID WE HAVE TO DO TO RUN THESE MODELS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT? WE TOOK THE DATA THAT WAS CAPTURED 2.5 YEARS AGO.
WE HAD TO AGE IT, FORECAST CONDITIONS IN TIME.
WE HAD TO GIVE YOU FOLKS CREDIT FOR ALL THE GOOD WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE.
YOU'VE DONE MILL AND OVERLAYS, YOU'VE DONE MICRO SURFACING, YOU'VE DONE SLURRY SEALS OUT IN THE FIELD.
ALL OF THAT WAS ACCOUNTED FOR SO THAT WE COULD GET YOU UP TO A STEADY STATE OF TODAY.
HERE'S WHERE YOU'RE STARTING TODAY SO THAT WE COULD PROJECT FORWARD WHAT THE POTENTIAL NEEDS ARE AND WHAT THE POTENTIAL BOND IMPLICATIONS MAY BE AS WELL.
CURRENT NETWORK CONDITIONS ARE 74.
IT'S DROP TWO POINTS. THAT'S NOT A SURPRISE.
BACKLOG TICKED UP A LITTLE BIT TO 2.2%.
AGAIN, NOT A HUGE JUMP ON THAT SIDE YET.
I'M GOING TO FLY THROUGH THIS ONE.
WE MET WITH CITY STAFF AND WE UPDATED THE PARAMETERS OF THE ANALYSIS.
WE HAVE TO DEFINE ALL THE INTELLIGENCE.
WE HAVE TO DEFINE THE UNIT COSTS THAT YOU PAY FOR THE MICRO SURFACING AND THE SLURRY SEALS AND THE MILL AND OVERLAYS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS THAT FEED THE MODELS SO THAT WE CAN RUN THESE DIFFERENT SCENARIO RESULTS AS A PART OF IT.
REAL QUICKLY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW ROADS ARE SELECTED, BECAUSE THERE'S OFTEN A LOT OF CONFUSION OF HOW ROADS ARE PICKED AS A PART OF A OPTIMIZED FINANCIAL PLAN.
THAT'S WHAT WE RAN, AN OPTIMIZED PLAN.
THIS IS NOT A WORST FIRST SCENARIO WHERE WE SIMPLY PICKED THE WORST ROADS AND WORKED OUR WAY UP.
THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO DEFERRING ALL THOSE OIL CHANGES IN THE CAR AND JUST SWAPPING THE ENGINE EVERY 30,000 MILES.
IN TERMS OF PRIORITY, THIS IS HOW ROADS GET PICKED.
EVENTUALLY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A SEVEN YEAR PLAN THAT SAYS, THESE ARE THE STREETS THAT ARE MODEL OR FORECASTED AS A PART OF THIS BOND ELECTION.
THAT SELECTION PROCESS STARTS WITH FINANCIAL OPTIMIZATION.
WE USE COST AND DEFERRAL ANALYSIS.
I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
SOUND FINANCIAL MAP TO DETERMINE WHERE YOU GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
WE TRY TO CAPTURE ROADS BEFORE THEY COST YOU EXPONENTIALLY MORE LATER.
THAT WILL BECOME CLEAR ON THE NEXT SLIDE.
>> HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO PROPERTY TAX PAYERS THAT HAVE A ROAD THAT IS SO NEGLECTED THAT, WE'RE GOING TO FIX THE GOOD ROADS FIRST.
YOU HAVEN'T HAD YOUR ROAD DONE IN 25 YEARS.
WELL, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY?
>> IT'S NOT ABOUT PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS IN TERMS OF THE GOOD ROADS GETTING ALL THE MONEY OR THE BAD ROADS GETTING ALL THE MONEY, IT'S A BALANCE.
I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW WE USE THE FINANCIAL OPTIMIZATION TO BALANCE THOSE NEEDS AND LOOK AT CRITICAL ROADS ACROSS ALL CONDITION SPECTRUMS. BECAUSE YOU ARE RIGHT. IT'S DIFFICULT.
IF YOU'RE THE PERSON WHO LIVES ON THAT CRAPPY ROAD, WELL,
[04:20:01]
THAT'S THE ONE YOU SEE EVERY DAY, AND THAT'S YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN.I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU HOW THAT LOOKS LIKE AND AND TRY TO BREAK THAT DOWN SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S NOT EASY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW THESE MODELS ARE RUN.
BUT THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF SELECTING ROADWAY CANDIDATES IS MAKING SURE THAT YOU GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK AS A CITY AND THE TAXPAYERS.
>> WELL, I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU HALFWAY ON THAT.
YOU WOULD ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PROPERTY VALUES OF THE STREET.
IF YOU HAVE A STREET THAT IS TOTALLY DIMINISHED, AND YET THE PROPERTY VALUES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH, YOU'RE ERODING YOUR PROPERTY TAX BASIS BECAUSE THOSE VALUES WILL BE DIMINISHED AND THE FACT THAT THE STREET IS UNDONE.
UNLESS YOU'RE FACTORING THAT IN, THERE'S A FLAW IN MY OPINION.
>> WE DO NOT FACTOR IN PROPERTY VALUES.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS FROM A FINANCIAL AND ENGINEERING STANDPOINT.
HOWEVER, YOU BRING UP A GOOD POINT.
THERE ARE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE ACROSS THE NATION THAT DO SAY IF A ROAD IS IN BAD CONDITION, IT CAN DECREASE PROPERTY VALUES.
>> I'M BRINGING THAT TO THE CAD.
>> BUT THAT IS NOT A PART OF THIS EQUATION.
WE ARE TAKING A VERY UNBIASED LOOK FROM A FINANCIAL AND ENGINEERING STANDPOINT TO MAKE THE BEST SELECTION CITYWIDE WITH ONE BUDGET AND TRY TO BALANCE ALL NEEDS AT THE SAME TIME.
IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT THING TO DO BECAUSE THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH MONEY TO TOUCH EVERYTHING.
SOME ROADS GET PICKED AND SOME DON'T.
BUT IT GOES BEYOND FINANCIAL OPTIMIZATION.
WE ALSO LOOK AT PAVEMENT TYPE.
ASPHALT ROADS ARE GOING TO DETERIORATE FASTER THAN CONCRETE ROADS. THAT PLAYS INTO IT.
ARTERIAL COLLECTOR ROADS SERVE MORE VOLUME.
THEY GET POUNDED ON BY TRAFFIC.
THEY DETERIORATE AT A MORE RAPID RATE.
THEY SERVE COMMERCE. THEY SERVE TOURISM.
THOSE TYPICALLY HAVE A HIGHER PRIORITY IN THE SELECTION SEQUENCE AS WELL.
YOU GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS PRIORITY MATRIX., WE USE OVERALL CONDITION AND HAS A TIE BREAKER AT THE END OF IT.
THAT'S HOW THE SEVEN YEAR PLAN IS PRODUCED.
VERY DEFENSIBLE FINANCIAL MATH.
>> THAT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER HARD ONE TO EXPLAIN TO OUR CITIZENS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ROADS, AND IF IT'S A ROAD THAT SERVICES TOURISM, THEN THAT'S MORE OF A PRIORITY THAN A PROPERTY TAXPAYER.
>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. IT IS TEXTBOOK PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT TO PRIORITIZE HIGHER VOLUME ROADS BEFORE LOWER VOLUME ROADS BECAUSE THEIR [OVERLAPPING] MATERIAL DEGRADE IN A RAPID RATE.
>> NOW, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DONE.
IF THE CITY AND STAFF AND EVERYBODY SAID, NO, WE WANT IT INVERSED, IT'S RESIDENTIAL ROADS FIRST, I COULD MAKE THAT CHANGE IN THE MODEL.
I WOULDN'T SUGGEST THAT FROM AN INDUSTRY STANDPOINT BECAUSE YOUR HIGHER VOLUME ROADS ARE DEGRADING AT A MORE RAPID RATE AND FASTER THAN THE RESIDENTIAL ROADS AS A PART OF THAT.
BUT TO YOUR POINT, IT COULD BE DONE.
>> QUICK ILLUSTRATION HERE ON COST OF DEFERRAL AND HOW IT WORKS.
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE, THIS IS A GENERAL GENERIC EXAMPLE OF ASPHALT TREATMENTS ACROSS THE NETWORK.
YOU'RE SEEING DIFFERENT TREATMENT TYPES, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SURFACE PRESERVATION, MILL AND OVERLAY, FULL DEPTH RECON.
THE WHITE NUMBERS ARE THE AVERAGE SQUARE YEAR COST TO DO THAT TREATMENT.
WHAT THE ANALYSIS DOES, IT GOES THROUGH AND IT DOES BASIC MATH THAT YOU CAN DO IN YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW.
WHAT'S THE COST OF KICKING THE CAN, DEFERRING FROM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO SURFACE PRESERVATION.
WHAT ABOUT SURFACE PRES MILL AND OVERLAY COST IS 16.50 SQUARE YARD AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.
NOW, LET'S GET BACK TO THE BALANCE PART. HOW DO WE BALANCE THAT? THE OTHER PART THE ANALYSIS DOES IT SAYS, LET'S GO LOOK AT ALL THE CRITICAL ROADS.
A ROAD IS CRITICAL IF IT'S AT RISK OF DEFERRING THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
MEANING IF WE DON'T CAPTURE IT AS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THIS YEAR, IT DEFERS AND BECAUSE EXPONENTIALLY MORE EXPENSIVE NEXT YEAR.
IT DOES THE SAME THING FOR SURFACE PRESERVATION, AND IT DOES THE SAME THING FOR MILL AND OVERLAY CANDIDATES, AND IT DOES THE SAME THING FOR FULL DEPTH RECONSTRUCTION.
IT WOULD CREATE THE LIST, BUT ORDER COST OF DEFERRAL.
WHAT THE ANALYSIS WILL DO IS IT'LL SAY, I'M GOING TO GO FIRST, GO IN, AND I'M GOING TO GRAB MY CRITICAL MILL AND OVERLAYS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A EXPONENTIAL COST OF DEFERRAL. IT'S HUGE.
AS A FINANCIAL STEWARD, I NEED TO GRAB THOSE FIRST.
THEN IT WILL SAY, NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE.
WE'RE GOING TO GRAB THE CRITICAL SERVICE PRESERVATION CANDIDATES, AND THEN THE CRITICAL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CANDIDATES, THEN THE CRITICAL FULL DEPTH RECONSTRUCTION CANDIDATES.
IF YOU STILL HAVE MONEY LEFT OVER, THEN IT GOES AND STARTS GRABBING ALL THE NON CRITICALS IN THE SAME SEQUENCE.
THAT'S A PART OF THAT FINANCIAL MATH THAT IT USES WHEN IT CREATES THAT SEVEN YEAR PLAN.
[04:25:06]
LET'S TALK THE NUMBERS. LET'S TALK THE MODEL.WE RAN A WHOLE BUNCH OF MODELS THAT YOU'RE NOT SEEING HERE, OVER 10 DIFFERENT MODELS IN THE SYSTEM.
THERE'S FOUR THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT TO YOU TODAY.
THAT LINE THAT YOU SEE ON THE BOTTOM THERE, THAT IS YOUR EXISTING BUDGET FOR $2.1 MILLION THAT'S SPENT ANNUALLY.
A SEVEN YEAR MODEL, IT IS ANNUALIZED WITH INFLATION.
THE 2.1 MILLION IS PREDICTED TO DROP YOUR PCI IN SEVEN YEARS FROM A 74 THAT IT IS FORECASTED AT NOW DOWN TO A 69.
WE KNOW IT'S NOT ENOUGH FUNDING.
THE SECOND MODEL WE RAN WAS THE INFUSION OF A $20 MILLION BOND.
YOU CAN'T SEE THE START OF IT BECAUSE IT IS JUST BEHIND THIS DARK LINE HERE, BUT YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT STOPS FUNDING.
WE GET ALL THIS BOND MONEY, INCLUDING THE $2.1 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET, BOND MONEY SPINS OUT, AND THEN WE'RE BACK TO THE $2.1 MILLION BUDGET HERE.
THAT BOND INFUSION IN 70 POINT TO A NETWORK AVERAGE PCI OF 73.
VERY CLOSE TO WHERE YOU'RE AT TODAY.
IT'S YOUR STATUS QUO TYPE BUDGET NUMBER THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT HERE IN A MINUTE.
IF YOU DID A $50 MILLION BOND ELECTION, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE NEXT INFUSION OF BOND MONIES KICKS IN AND WE CONTINUE AN UPWARD RISE.
THAT PROJECTED NETWORK AVERAGE PCI IS A 79 IN SEVEN YEARS.
WE GET RISING CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF THAT BOND SCENARIO.
FOLKS, SOMETIMES ASK, THEORETICALLY, IF WE DO THIS $50 MILLION BOND ELECTION, WHAT'S GOING TO COST TO MAINTAIN THE ROADS AT A 79 SEVEN YEARS FROM NOW? I DON'T HAVE A MAGIC CRYSTAL BALL ON INFLATION.
I RAN THAT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
AT 79 SEVEN YEARS FROM NOW, THE COST TO MAINTAIN THAT 79 WOULD BE $3.5 MILLION ANNUALLY USING TODAY'S DOLLARS.
NOW, IF I USE THE ANNUALIZED INFLATION RATES AS A PART OF THE MODELS, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE $5.9 MILLION DEPENDING ON HOW INFLATION PLAYS OUT OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS OF THAT AS WELL.
>> LAST SLIDE HERE. SAME SCENARIOS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE GRAPH A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
THIS IS THE ANNUAL AVERAGE BUDGET OVER THE SEVEN YEARS.
THIS BLUE LINE IS THE RESULTS OF ALL THE MODELS THAT WE RAN, THE TREND LINE.
ALL THOSE 10 MODELS THAT WE RAN HERE IS PART OF THIS BLUE LINE.
THREE OF THE LINES YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN.
YOU'VE SEEN THIS. THIS IS YOUR BUDGET HERE, RESULTS IN AN ENDING PCI OF 69.
THE $20,000,000 BOND INFUSION RESULTS IN A PCI OF 73, THEN THE $50 MILLION BOND INFUSION RESULTS IN A NETWORK PCI OF 79.
THE YELLOW DOTTED, AGAIN IS YOUR CURRENT PCI OF 74.
IT TRENDS SUPER CLOSELY WITH THAT $20 MILLION BOND INJECTION.
THE DOLLARS NEEDED ANNUALLY TO MAINTAIN YOUR CONDITIONS AS THEY ARE NOW, STATUS QUO CONDITIONS ARE 5.7, $5 MILLION ANNUALLY OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BRANDON, WHAT ARE YOU SUGGESTING STAFF, WHEN YOU'RE COMING FORWARD IF YOUR BOND PROPOSES ON THIS?
>> WELL, THIS WAS A COUNCIL DRIVEN.
WE'RE JUST BRINGING YOU THE INFORMATION FOR COUNCIL TO MAKE THE DECISION ON WHETHER IT WANTS TO PROCEED WITH A BOND ELECTION.
I THINK RIGHT NOW WHAT HE'S DEMONSTRATED WAS WE ARE RUNNING A FUNDING DEFICIT.
THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE OVER TIME ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO INVEST THE REQUIRED MONEY RIGHT NOW RATHER THAN KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. BUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE HAVE A DRAFT LIST THAT STAFF IS REVIEWING RIGHT NOW. IT'S A DRAFT MAP.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT ALL OF YOUR PLAN TO WORK ACCOUNTED FOR AND ALL OF THAT, ANY UTILITY PROJECTS.
IT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP A LITTLE BIT, BUT YEAH, THAT MAP WILL BE COMING TO YOU.
>> YEAH, BECAUSE IF WE'RE ON A TIME CRUNCH, WHAT IS IT? JANE THE 14TH? WE'RE A TIME CRUNCH.
IF WE DON'T HAVE A MAP, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO 2050, WHATEVER IT IS AND ASK THE VOTERS TO.
THE VOTERS WILL DEFINITELY HAVE THE FINAL SAY ANYWAY, BUT IF IT'S ROADS THAT THEY PROBABLY DON'T FEEL THAT ARE NECESSARY,
[04:30:02]
THEN IT'S ALL FOR NOT, BUT IF IT'S A LOT OF INTERNAL ROADS THAT ARE HEAVILY USED, AND THEY COULD USE A NICER PAVING, HOPEFULLY, MOSTLY CONCRETE.THEN THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORTS KNOWING [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT WOULD BE SOME OF THE POLICY THAT WE'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TODAY.
HE'S GOT A LOT OF SCIENCE BEHIND WHAT HE'S DOING.
IF WE TOOK HIS TOP PROJECTS AND THEN WORKED THEM AND DIVIDED THEM BY DISTRICT, I THINK YOU HAVE A MUCH BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A BOND ISSUE PASS.
IT JUST DEPENDS IF ALL THE BAD STREETS IN HIS LINE COME END UP BEING IN SHARON'S DISTRICT OR BARI'S DISTRICT OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S DISTRICT, WELL, THEN YOU'RE PLAN NOT GOING TO GET ALL ON THAT SUPPORT TO DO THAT. MY SUGGESTION [OVERLAPPING].
>> LOOKING TO DEAL WITH THE TOP ONES AND JUST DRAFT.
>> IF IT'S STANDARD THEN IT WOULDN'T BE IN MY DISTRICT AND IT GUARANTEES IT'S GOING TO FAIL.
>> I DO NOT HAVE THOSE TOP OF MIND.
I COULD NOT TELL YOU STREET NAMES OR [OVERLAPPING].
>> ANYBODY ELSE IN THE TOP LIST.
>> THE INITIAL ONE THAT HE PROVIDED OVER THERE, IT HAS IT'S BLENDED WITH THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND EVERYTHING [OVERLAPPING]
>> CAN WE JUST GET THE DRAFT LIST?
>> WE'LL GIVE YOU A PICTURE OF IT. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE.
WE DON'T HAVE A LIST, BUT IT WAS A PICTURE THAT HASN'T REALLY BEEN VETTED BECAUSE WHAT IT'S ASSUMING IS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE 2.1 THAT'S CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED AND PUSH IT OVER INTO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE MICRO SURFACING AND CRACK SEALING AND THINGS LIKE THIS.
THEN YOU FREE UP THE BOND MONEY FOR THE MILL AND OVERLAY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SPEND BOND MONEY ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, MICRO SURFACING.
IT'S PROHIBITED BECAUSE IT'S NOT A LONG ENOUGH TERM ASSET ON THERE.
THESE ARE THE NUMBERS WE'VE GOT TO TWEAK AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION AGAIN, BY AUGUST 14TH.
IF WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKING A DECISION, WE NEED TO SEE SOMETHING. I AGREE.
BECAUSE YOU DON'T MAKE AN UNEDUCATED.
THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE.
>> NO, IT'S NOT BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE ON THIS BUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> BUT BRANDON, IS THAT PUSHING YOU TOO MUCH, TRY TO GET ALL THIS TOGETHER BY THE 14TH.
I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO CALL IT OVER REAL QUICK AND MAKE SURE [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE HAVE TO SEE THE DRAFT BEFORE THE 14TH [OVERLAPPING]
>> I SHARED THIS WITH BRANDON WHEN WE MET THE OTHER DAY.
I SAID COUNCIL'S GOING TO WANT TO SEE A LIST BEFORE THEY DO THIS.
AGAIN, MY SUGGESTION, AND IT'S TOTALLY UP TO YOU ALL, WOULD BE TO TRY TO SPLIT IT UP ACROSS THE ISLAND, SO THAT WAY, EVERYBODY, AND THAT'S HOW THE COUNTY DOES THEIR BOND ISSUES.
THAT'S WHY THEY GO TO EACH CITY AND ASK THEM TO GIVE THEM THEIR PRIORITIES AND ALL THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
THE BIGGEST THING THEY HAVE TO CULL THROUGH IS IS THAT WE MAY HAVE A REALLY BAD STREET, BUT WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING IN THERE DOING A BUNCH OF SEWER WORK OR WATER WORK OR SOMETHING ELSE.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ON THE PAVING LIST, AND THEN WE'RE TEARING THE STREET UP.
THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO CULL THROUGH.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE ON A TIME CRUNCH [OVERLAPPING] > I AGREE.
>> IT'S 30 DAYS. STAFF NEEDS TO [OVERLAPPING].
>> FOURTEEN. WE GOT 30 DAYS, BUT LESS THAN 30 DAYS TO PUT TO YOU.
IF WE HAVE TO, MAYOR, CALL A SPECIAL MEETING AND PUT IT ON THE VOTE BECAUSE WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT, DO WE WANT PRIORITIZED BY DISTRICT IS THE LIST THAT HE PROVIDES WITHOUT PRIORITIZING BY DISTRICT.
I THINK AND, I HATE CONTINUALLY SAYING THIS, BUT A MENU OF OPTIONS.
IF THERE'S BY DISTRICT AND EVERYONE FEELS GOOD AND THEIR VOTERS WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT IT, THEN WE CAN MOVE FORWARD THAT WAY.
IF IT'S BETTER AND IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD OVERALL, JUST THE LIST OF HOW YOU HAVE STRUCTURED IT, THEN THAT'S ANOTHER AVENUE, BUT I THINK [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M STILL TRYING TO GET YOUR 30 DAYS.
>> TWENTY-THREE, SORRY. [OVERLAPPING].
>> LESS DAYS, BUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHAT WE A GOING TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> WELL, THE KEY IS GETTING THIS INFORMATION TO COUNCIL SO THAT WE CAN EVALUATE THIS AND MAKE AN EDUCATED VOTE HERE ON THIS [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK WE DO NEED TO VOTE ON SOMETHING.
>> AS A $50 MILLION BOND TO FIGURE OUT [OVERLAPPING]
>> YOU SHOULD ALSO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IF THIS BOND FAILS, WE CAN'T DO ANOTHER BOND FOR FIVE YEARS.
TO CLARIFY, THAT WAS SUGGESTED IN THE LAST SESSION. IT FAILED.
[04:35:05]
IT IS ON FOUR PASSAGE DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION.I SUSPECT THAT THINGS DON'T GET PUT ON SPECIAL SESSIONS THAT AREN'T GOING TO [NOISE] BECAUSE IT IS REALLY [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY TO FURTHER CLARIFY [OVERLAPPING].
>> CHYLA, FOR PUBLIC, YOU NEED TO COME UP.
>> YOU CANNOT USE COS TO DO THE SAME PROJECTS FOR FIVE YEARS.
BUT YOU CAN CALL ANOTHER ELECTION AND PUT THE SAME PROJECTS IN FRONT OF THE ELECTORS AGAIN.
YOU JUST CAN'T USE A NON-VOTED SOURCE OF REVENUE TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS FOR FIVE YEARS.
>> I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVEN'T VOTED DOWN AND I WERE TO PASS COS ANYWAY.
>> BUT SO YOU COULD ALWAYS TAKE IT BACK TO ANOTHER ELECTION IF YOU NEEDED.
>> BRANDON, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO GET THIS INFORMATION?
>> I MEAN, WE CAN GIVE YOU THE FIRST DRAFT BY NEXT WEEK.
WE JUST RECEIVED THE INITIAL ONE.
THIS WEEK THIS WEEK WHEN THE FIRST MINUTE AND SO WE LOOKED AT IT INITIALLY AND WE WEREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH IT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS BEHIND IT.
HOW THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS GOING TO SUPPLEMENT THE BOND STREETS, AND THEN THERE WAS SOME THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE TWEAKED.
ROB POINTED OUT SOME DEVELOPMENTS LIKE MARGARITAVILLE THAT WERE CALLING FOR SOME OF THOSE ROADS TO BE PAVED, WHERE IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE UNTIL TO RUN A LOT OF, HEAVY TRAFFIC ON NEWLY PAVED ROADS.
YOU WANT TO PEEL THOSE OUT UNTIL AFTER THE FACT AND STAGE IT ACCORDINGLY.
THERE'S ALL LITTLE TWEAKS THAT THAT WE IDENTIFIED AND SAID, WELL, WE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE FIRST QUESTION IS, COUNCIL, IN MY MIND, IF WE GET THE INFORMATION TO MAKE AN EDUCATED JUDGMENT ON THIS, DO WE WANT TO VOTE ON THIS ON THE 14TH TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT? WE HAVE FOR THIS COMING NOVEMBER.
>> NO, I UNDERSTAND. I'M JUST SAYING IF A COUNCIL MEMBER SAYS, I THINK THIS IS PUSHING IT TOO MUCH, WE NEED TO PUT IT ON THE MAY BALLOT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT ON.
>> I'M JUST THROWING THIS OUT.
>> I THINK THAT THE POLICY DECISION IS WHETHER WE WANT TO ISSUE THE DEBT OR NOT.
I THINK WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO PULL TOGETHER THE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS BETWEEN AUGUST AND NOVEMBER AND WORK [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE VOTING [INAUDIBLE].
THEY NEED TO KNOW WHAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THEY NEED TO HAVE AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE 14TH. THAT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE LANGUAGE HAS TO BE [OVERLAPPING].
>> IN NOVEMBER. THE LANGUAGE HAS TO BE FINALIZED ON THE 14TH.
>> IS ANYTHING WE VOTE ON THE BOARD? [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WANT TO MAKE DAMN SURE WE DO.
>> LAST TIME AND WE HONORED OUR WORD, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME.
I MEAN, THAT'S HOW I AM [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M GOING TO THROW OUT IT TO YOU. COUNCIL [OVERLAPPING].
>> I AGREE WITH THAT? I'M GOING TO THROW OUT AN IDEA TO PUT THIS ON THE PLAN ON PUTTING THE LANGUAGE AND FOR US TO VOTE ON AUGUST 14TH AND TO GET THE INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN REVIEW IT AND GET OUR THOUGHTS TOGETHER ON THAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, IF YOU COULD BRING THAT FORWARD TO US.
>> THEN WHAT THE INFORMATION YOU'RE GOING TO PROVIDE US WITH, YOU SAID IT WOULD BE A LIST OF STREETS AND THEIR CONDITION INDEX, IS THAT [OVERLAPPING]
WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS WE BRING YOU HIS LIST, WHICH IS IN THE ORDER THAT HE THINKS THE ENGINEER THAT THEY THINK SHOULD BE DONE.
THEN I WOULD ASK BRANDON AND ROB TO SIT DOWN AND BREAK IT DOWN DOWN BY DISTRICT.
[OVERLAPPING] WE'RE SPENDING AND TRIED TO SPEND IT.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EXACT DOLLARS, GUYS, BUT TRY TO BREAK IT OUT.
>> THE MAP THAT HE SHOWED UP HERE, ISLAND WIDE, THAT HAD A OVERLAY OF CONDITIONS WAS REALLY INFORMATIVE TO ME. IT COULD GIVE ME [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'VE GOT WE'VE GOT THAT CONDITION ASSESSMENT AND OUR GIS.
>> THAT TO ME WAS USEFUL INFORMATION FOR AN ISLAND WIDE PERSPECTIVE.
BY DISTRICT IS IMPORTANT, BUT I ALSO WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE ISLAND WIDE PERSPECTIVE.
MAYBE A MAP LIKE THAT WITH WITH THE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES OVERLAY WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL.
>> WELL, WHAT WOULD BE REALLY USEFUL WILL BE THIS.
SEE THE LIST THAT THEY PROVIDED.
AS BRIAN SAID, THE LIST, THEN [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE CAN THUMB WRESTLE OVER THAT.
>> BUT WE NEED TO BREAK IT DOWN BY DISTRICTS AND GET THE INFORMATION TO US AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
>> WE'LL PUT IT ON THE NOVEMBER 14TH AGENDA, WORST CASE SCENARIO, AUGUST 14TH.
WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING TO VOTE ON IT BECAUSE
[04:40:01]
WE HAVE TO HAVE THE LANGUAGE FOR THE ELECTION BY 14TH.>> CAN I ASK JUST A PROCEDURAL QUESTION.
ON AUGUST 14TH, ARE WE HAVING A WORKSHOP IN A REGULAR MEETING LIKE NORMAL?
>> WE IN THEORY DO IT IN WORKSHOP AND THEN HAVE THE ORDER [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST HAVING AN JUST A MEETING STARTING IN THE MORNING AND NOT A 5:00 MEETING.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE'LL HAVE A REGULAR MEETING AND WE'LL HAVE A WORKSHOP, BUT THEY'RE ALL GOING TO BE IN THE MORNING, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO RUN FOR HOURS. ARE THIS [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN ACTION ITEM FOR THE ELECTION WE'RE GOINT TO HAVE A WORKSHOP ON THIS [OVERLAPPING].
IF WE DID A MORNING SESSION AND THEN AN EVENING SESSION, WE COULD [OVERLAPPING].
>> WHAT WE CAN DO, MAYOR, IS WE COULD DO AN ORDINANCE WITH A FILL IN THE BLANK ON IT, AND WE FILL IN THE BLANK SO WE CAN VOTE ON THE MEETING.
>> EXACTLY. I THINK WE CAN PULL THAT OFF TO HAVE IT ON OUR AUGUST 14TH. [OVERLAPPING]
>> TYPICALLY IN THE ORDINANCE, YOU DON'T LIST THE STREETS.
THAT GOES OUT IN YOUR ACTUAL MATERIAL TO YOUR CONSTITUENCY.
THE ORDINANCE, THE ORDINANCE IN GENERAL NEEDS TO BE WE WANT TO ISSUE X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS IN BONDS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
I AS A COUNCIL PERSON, I WOULD WANT TO SEE THE STREETS FOR I AGREE TO GO OUT FOR A BOND ISSUE.
BUT IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL DRAFTING OF THE ORDINANCE.
YOU DON'T NEED THE LISTING OF STREETS.
THEY NEED THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER THEY WANT TO DO THIS OR NOT.
>> BUT WE COULD GET THAT INFORMATION. [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU COULD PUT THE ORDINANCE TOGETHER.
>> BUT THE LANGUAGE ON HOW IT'S GOING TO BE DECIDED WOULD BE KEY.
>> NO. BUT YOU CAN PRETTY WELL PUT THAT LANGUAGE TOGETHER FOR THE ACTION ITEM.
>> AGAIN, THE ORDINANCE IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PASS $50 MILLION IN BONDS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS IN CITY OF GALVESTON
>> YOUR MATERIAL AND FROM US [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE ARE GET TO HEAR FROM THE CITIZEN AND DOES THAT INCLUDE OUR STREET?
>> YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> BEING SAYING LIKE, IF THE DECISION IS IT'S ONLY GOING INTO XYZ AREA, THEN THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE VOTE.
I THINK THE MORE EXPLICIT WE COULD BE WITH THE LANGUAGE WOULD HAVE A DECIDING FACTOR IN PASSING OR NOT PASSING.
>> AT LEAST PUT YOUR MAJOR ONES, YOUR TOP ONES IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT DONE IN AN ORDINANCE BEFORE VOTE. [OVERLAPPING]
IT'S EASY TO CONFUSE THE ELECTOR.
>> YOU DON'T WANT [OVERLAPPING]
>> PUTTING THOSE STREETS IN THE BALLOT LANGUAGE.
>> NO, YOU DON'T [OVERLAPPING].
>> ALSO, IF YOU GET INTO ONE OF THESE STREETS, YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO.
IF THERE'S AN ISSUE OR WE RUN INTO [OVERLAPPING].
>> ANYWAY, LET'S SEE THE LIST.
>> YOU ALSO WANT TO UNDER PROMISE AND OVER DELIVER ON IT, TOO.
PARTS OF ASPHALT JUMPS UP, 10, 20% OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, AND THEN YOU HAVE TO CALL OFF STREET.
>> THIS IS A FIVE YEAR [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE NEED PRETTY MUCH USED TO BRANDY WE NEED AN ORDINANCE THAT WE'LL HAVE ON THE AUGUST 14 AGENDA.
WE NEED TO GET THE LIST TO US AND DIVIDED BY DISTRICTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
JANELLE, WE'LL NEED TO WORKSHOP THIS BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT.
WE'LL NEED TO ARRANGE THE SCHEDULE TO HAVE A REGULAR MEETING TO FOLLOW THIS ALSO. YES, MA'AM.
>> I THINK THERE'S REALLY NO QUESTION THAT WE [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S NOT ONE OF THE OPTIONS.
BUT I GUESS THERE'S STILL A QUESTION OF WHETHER WE DO A 20 MILLION OR A $50 MILLION BOND ISSUE.
IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CORRECTLY?
>> YOU HAVE THE NUMBERS TAX LAWS, WHAT ALL THIS DOES.
>> THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] HEADED WITH THAT.
>> BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE THE VOTERS WILL BE VOTING ON IS THEY'RE GOING TO BE VOTING TO TAX THEMSELVES [OVERLAPPING].
>> THOSE PROJECTIONS LOOK LIKE WITH THOSE TWO DIFFERENT BOND ISSUES.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF ALL RECALL THAT SLIDE, BUT IT'S ABOUT $2.5 MILLION OF ANNUAL OBLIGATION RELATED TO BOTH TROCHES, OKAY? IF THE BOND FOR $50,000,000 GOES TO THE VOTERS AND THEY APPROVE IT, THEN IT'S AT THE CITY'S DISCRETION WHEN THOSE BONDS ARE ISSUED.
WE WOULD WAIT TO ISSUE THE DEBT UNTIL WE NEED IT WHICH WE'RE TALKING WOULD BE A DESIGN PERIOD PROBABLY THAT WOULD LAST MOST OF THIS COMING YEAR, AND THE DEBT WOULD BE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN WE WERE READY TO KICK OFF PROJECTS AND ACTUALLY HAVE RELATED EXPENSES.
RIGHT NOW, THE PLAN IS TO PUSH THE NEXT TRANCH OUT THREE YEARS, ASSUMING WE CAN SPEND THE FIRST 20 MILLION.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE PROJECTING A THREE YEAR GAP.
LET'S SAY IT TAKES US LONGER TO SPEND IT.
WELL, WE MIGHT NOT ISSUE FOR FOUR YEARS THEN.
BUT RIGHT NOW THE VERY BASELINE PROJECTIONS ARE THAT THE ANNUAL OBLIGATION WOULD BE ABOUT 2.5
[04:45:02]
MILLION FOR BOTH TRANCHES. A TOTAL OF FIVE MILLION.>> WHICH IS ABOUT TWO PENNIES?
>> COULD WE GET THAT SPECIFIC ANALYSIS AS PART OF INFORMATION THAT WE CAN SEND OUT.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE MUNICIPAL ADVISOR TO GET YOU BETTER NUMBERS AS WELL BECAUSE NOW THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ELECTION, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO GET REAL NUMBERS.
>> COUNCIL, I GET A LITTLE CONCERNED TRYING TO PUSH THIS THING ON THROUGH.
BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT MARIE SAID AND SOME THINGS THAT COULD BE CHANGING IN THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS.
>> THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT THE FIRE STATION OUT THERE BY ITSELF.
YOU'RE PAYING FOR AN ELECTION, YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR TWO.
>> BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT, AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE WORKING WITH BOND COUNCIL.
BECAUSE WE WERE ALREADY TOLD BY [INAUDIBLE] THAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS LAST YEAR, WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE IDEAL. BUT WE DIDN'T.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE BOND MARKET IS LIKE AND WHETHER WE'RE HURTING OURSELVES OR HELPING OURSELVES.
SINCE WE KNOW THE BOND MARKET RIGHT NOW IS IN FLUCTUATION, MAYBE IT WOULD BE BETTER TO DO IT NEXT YEAR, BUT MAYBE NOT BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT LAST YEAR, SO WE HAVE A LOT OF FACTORS TO LOOK AT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
>> WELL, LET'S GET THE INFORMATION TO US.
WE'LL STRUCTURE IT, JANELLE, TO HAVE AN ACTION ITEM 5 WORKSHOP ON THIS ITEM.
>> I HEARD YOU SAY YOUR LIST, BUT DID I NOT HEAR SOMEONE SAY A SUGGESTED PRE WRITTEN FOR THE BOND ISSUE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT?
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE LIST. YES, MA'AM.
>> NOT THE LIST FOR THE STREETS.
BUT A SUGGESTED PRE WRITTEN LANGUAGE FOR THE BOND.
>> I DIDN'T HEAR YOU RESTATE THAT.
>> THAT WAS BASICALLY, WE'RE GOING TO PREPARE FILL IN THE BLANK WHENEVER COUNCIL.
[OVERLAPPING] I'M THE ONE WHO SAID THAT.
>> WHEN YOU DID YOUR POINT, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.
>> I CAN SAY THOSE THINGS WHEN DON'S NOT HERE BECAUSE HE'S NOT GOING TO GET MAD AT ME.
>> WE'LL HAVE A DRAFT AND THE LANGUAGE ON THE AGENDA AND THE LIST ALSO.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, INPUT, BRANDON? WHAT WAS YOUR NAME AGAIN, SIR?
>> ZACH, GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, IT WAS A PLEASURE.
>> WE THINK IT WAS BEING A TURTLE.
I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 2:30 FOR LUNCH, AND THEN WE'LL RECONVENE AT 2:30 TO FINISH UP.
IT IS 2:30 P.M. WE ARE NOW BACK IN SESSION AT OUR WORKSHOPS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 24TTH.
IT STARTED AT 9:00 A.M. [LAUGHTER] AND WE TOOK A 30 MINUTE BREAK FOR LUNCH, AND WE ARE NOW MOVING THROUGH OUR AGENDA.
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3H, PLEASE.
>> ITEM 3H. CLARIFICATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE LEASE TRANSFER AND REASSIGNMENT AT THE END AT THE WATER PARK.
>> NOW, THIS IS COUNCILMEMBER ROBB'S ITEM AND COUNCILMAN PORRETTO, YOU'RE GOING TO SECOND.
>> I'M GOING TO WAIT ON MARIE.
>> THE BULK OF THE QUESTION. WHY DON'T WE DO THIS? LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3I,
[3.I Update on the "Only Footprints" initiative (Porretto/Rawlins - 10 min)]
AND WE'LL COME BACK TO 3H. 3I, PLEASE.>> 3I, UPDATE ON THE ONLY FOOTPRINTS INITIATIVE.
>> COUNCILMAN PORRETTO. YES, SIR.
>> I'M PASSING THESE OUT AND THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL GET THEM AS WELL. HERE YOU GO.
BRIAN, I'LL GET YOU ONE. THEN ONE FOR JANELLE TO PUT IN RECORD.
>> COUNCILMAN FINKLEA, PUT THIS TOGETHER, ACTUALLY.
HE PUT THIS TOGETHER ACTUALLY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD.
SOME OF THE DATES MIGHT BE OFF.
BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD MARKETING PLAN USING VISIT GALVESTON AND THE PARK BOARD FOR SOME OF THE BRANDING, THE BUDGETING.
IT HAS SOME STUFF IN THERE ABOUT THE CITY OF GALVESTON'S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
[04:50:04]
THIS IS, OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING THAT WE COULD FURTHER DEVELOP.I WANTED TO GET COUNCIL THIS TO GO THROUGH ADD, SUBTRACT, EXPAND.
SOME OF THE DATES ARE, I WOULD SAY, LOFTY.
DEFINITELY EXTEND THEM OUT JUST A LITTLE BIT.
LIKE JULY 15 WOULD BE BRAND FINALIZED.
>> IT IS REALLY WELL DONE. I WAS SURPRISED.
>> LOOKS LIKE DAVID DOES THIS FOR A LIVING. [LAUGHTER]
THIS JUST ADDS TO, IT WOULD BE THE MARKETING ASPECT OF IT.
REALLY, THE NEXT STEPS, THAT WOULD BE ON PAGE, WHAT IS IT, FIFTH OR A FOURTH PAGE WHICH IS RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM.
IT WOULD BE, I WOULDN'T SAY, PART OF THE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT, BUT IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSSED WITH THEM.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE THE CITY TO DO OR COUNCIL IS TO THINK ABOUT A RESOLUTION FOR ONE OF THE NEXT UPCOMING MEETINGS AND MAYBE WE CAN CLEAN IT UP TALKING ABOUT, USING ONLY FOOTPRINTS, IT'S LIKE A OFFICIAL MONIKER FOR LITTER AND TRASH.
IT'D BE ONLY FOOTPRINTS IN GALVESTON.
I THINK DAVID AND I WISH HE WAS HERE SO I GIVE MORE CREDIT, BUT THIS WHAT DAVID PUT TOGETHER IS ABSOLUTELY VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS I DON'T SEE IN HERE IS THE ENFORCEMENT COMPONENTS AND THAT'S WHY I'VE ASKED THE CHIEF TO STAY ON WITH ME TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THAT.
>> 'CAUSE HE AND I HAVE TALKED BRIEFLY AND I'VE ALSO TALKED TO MARTY. THAT MARTY, THERE.
I ALSO TALKED TO MARTY ABOUT IT, TOO, SO THE PARK BOARD, IT'S NOT GOING TO HIT HIM.
WE TALKED ABOUT, WHETHER THIS NEEDS TO BE IN THE LOCAL.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR THEM.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE MEETING ON TUESDAY, WE BROUGHT IT UP.
>> BECAUSE AFTER READING THIS THING FROM DAVID, IT'S CLEAR THAT THE PARK BOARD WAS GOING TO HAVE A ROLE. HE SENT IT TO YOU TOO?
>> YEAH. IT'S GOING TO HAVE A SERIOUS ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS.
THE PARK BOARD ALREADY HAS ON OUR WEBSITE A, WHAT DO YOU CALL, HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE TOURIST.
IT SAYS SOMETHING LIKE TO LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS, BUT SOMETHING SIMILAR. THEY'VE ALREADY GOT.
>> I WANT TO SAY WHEN KELLY WAS HERE, SHE DID A SIMILAR THING.
[OVERLAPPING] THE ONLY OTHER ONE THAT WE LOOKED INTO IT, THERE'S ONE IN GULF SHORES BUT IT'S MAINLY CENTERED AROUND TURTLES AND WILDLIFE.
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THIS ONE.
>> IT'S ALSO ABOUT RESPONSIBLE TOURISM.
>> THAT'S WHAT VISIT GALVESTON WAS ALSO FOCUSING ON, WHICH I THINK IS A REALLY BIG PART OF THIS WHOLE THING.
THEY HAD COMMENTS ALSO ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.
HOW IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN? I DON'T KNOW.
ONE OF THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS BROUGHT UP THE IDEA THAT WE COULD REALLY LEVERAGE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS BY COORDINATING THE MESSAGE WITH OTHER GALVESTON NONPROFITS THAT ARE SIMILAR MISSIONS LIKE TURTLE ISLAND AND SURF RIDER, ALL OF THOSE, JUST IN ORDER, JUST TO BE CONSISTENT IN THE MESSAGE AND THEN FLOOD THE MARKET WITH IT.
>> I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD.
IT'S JUST A ROUGH DRAFT AND I'M SURE WE CAN GET AN E MAIL SENT OUT TO EVERYBODY AT THE TABLE.
BUT THIS IS A REALLY GOOD ROUGH DRAFT TO START WITH, AND THEN BRIAN, DOUG AND HEATHER, YOU ALL COULD PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GOOD.
>> BECAUSE FUNDING FOR THIS IS A LITTLE EASIER.
I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INELIGIBLE, 100%.
NOW, OF COURSE, THAT'S GOING TO INVOLVE YOU GUYS WHEN YOU GET THEIR BUDGET SAYING, HEY, I NEED X AMOUNT OUT OF THAT FOR THIS PROGRAM.
BUT I THINK THIS IS REALLY GOOD.
MATTER OF FACT, TO PLAY ON WHAT ALEX DID.
I THOUGHT WHEN I WAS OUT THERE LAST WEEKEND FOR THE SURF COMPETITION THAT IT SHOULD BE LEAVE FOOTPRINTS AND/OR PAW PRINTS AND YOU COULD DO THAT ON CERTAIN WEEKENDS, AND I THINK YOU WOULD ACTUALLY GROW A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERYBODY THERE HAD THEIR BAGS.
>> AREN'T THERE SOME BEACHES THAT DON'T ALLOW DOGS? OR THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON A LEASH? I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO BE.
>> THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE ON LEASH.
>> WHEN YOU JUST SAY FOOTPRINTS AND PAW PRINTS,
[04:55:01]
I SEE THE LEASH THING FALLING OUT.>> THE OTHER THING TOO IS, YOU HAVE OTHER.
I DON'T WANT TO LIMIT OURSELVES TO ONE PARTICULAR AVENUE THAT WORKS OR THAT WE THINK WORKS.
THERE'S UP TO YOU ONION BAGS THAT LET THE LIQUIDS DRAIN THROUGH.
AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE HOT ELIGIBLE COMPLETELY, AND EVEN IF WE GOT INVOLVED WITH SOME ARTISTS TO PUT ART ON IT, PUTTING THE BAGS OUT SO PEOPLE CAN TAKE THEM HOME.
IT'S A MARKETING MATERIAL, IT IS USEFUL MATERIAL AS WELL, INSTEAD OF HAVING PLASTIC BAGS.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL HERE IS TO GET PEOPLE.
>> WELL, YEAH. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE NO TRASH CAN.
NOW, WE DO LIVE AND EVEN I USE THE EXAMPLE OF GOING TO ST. AUGUSTINE, EVEN JACKSONVILLE, WHICH IS A MUCH LARGER CITY, COMPARABLE TO HOUSTON.
BUT THE BEACHES DID HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT IT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE.
GPD HAS SOME OFFICERS THERE THAT USED TO BE ON BEACH PATROL, SO THEY UNDERSTAND THAT DYNAMIC ON THE BEACH AND USING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER IN THIS TEMPLATE FORM, I THINK WE REALLY COULD CREATE A REALLY NICE TEMPLATE AND A WHOLE PLAN ABOUT HOW WE'RE MARKETING, HOW WE'RE ENFORCING AND HOW WE'RE KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND SHOWING THE RESIDENTS TOO, HEY, WHEN WE DO HAVE A HUGE INFLUX OF TOURISTS, WE ARE TAKING OUR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY, AND WE EXPECT THE TOURIST TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND TREAT OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE SAME RESPECT THAT THE ISLANDERS DO.
>> BUT I THINK THE TRASH INITIATIVE NEEDS TO BE THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.
>> FOR AN EXAMPLE, THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT BARBARA WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH SOME OF THE PARKS.
HERE'S THE RULES, HERE'S THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER.
HERE'S YOUR PARKING AT POCKET PARK 3.
I KNOW IT'S NOT POCKET PARK. I KNOW AND SEE WHAT PARK.
IT'S NOT JUST THE ENTIRE. I'M LISTENING.
>> WELL, YOU'RE NOT LISTENING.
>> THE MONIKER IS AT THE END OF IT.
HEY, JUST REMEMBER, ONLY LEAVE YOUR FOOTPRINTS.
THE CHAMBER YOU PUT OUT TO OTHER BUSINESSES.
AT THE END OF IT, YOU HAVE A CASHIER, YOU'RE ON THE STAND.
HEY, JUST REMEMBER THE ONLY THING YOU SHOULD LEAVE IN GALVESTON IN YOUR FOOTPRINTS.
>> I'M GOING TO USE AN EXAMPLE THAT BARBARA IS FULLY WELL AWARE OF.
OVER 4TH OF JULY, IF YOU DROVE DOWN START ROAD, IT HAD TRASH DUMPED ON IT LIKE BAGS OF TRASH, TRASH EVERYWHERE.
WE HAD COMPANY IN THAT WERE VISITING FROM [INAUDIBLE], AND IT WAS EMBARRASSING.
WE NEED TO STEP UP OUR FINES ON PEOPLE LITTERING.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN DRIVING AND YOU SEE SOMEBODY THROW CRAP OUT OF THEIR CAR?
>> A LOT. THAT COULD BE A DIRECTIVE THAT WE GIVE TO BRIAN FOR THE PD, AND I'M ALL FOR IT.
IF WE SEE LITTERING, WE SHOULD TICKET THEM.
I THINK NOT ONLY DOES IT BLEEDS OFF ON THE BEACH, BUT MAYBE THAT'S JUST A DIRECTIVE [INAUDIBLE] DON'T BE AFRAID TO RIDE A LITTERING TICKET IF YOU SEE IT.
>> BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE EASIEST ONES.
IF YOU SEE SOMEBODY DUMP A DIAPER OUT OF IT.
>> YOUR CAR'S VIDEO AT THAT POINT.
>> BRIAN, MY QUESTION, AND I THINK THIS IS GREAT, ALEX.
>> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT. JUST LIKE THE WAY FINDING, IF WE DO THE ISLAND WIDE, YOU PUT SIGNS UP, ONLY LEAVE YOUR FOOTPRINTS.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A JOKE, BUT YOU CAN GET A TRASH BAG OR A BODY BAG, YOU PICK.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TALKS ABOUT IT.
>> I WOULD SAY, BRIAN, NOW, BUDGET WISE, I'M ALWAYS LOOKING AT MONEY HERE.
WE NEED TO INCLUDE THIS IN THIS UPCOMING BUDGET, AND WE NEED TO GET WITH THE PARK BOARD TO HAVE THEM INCLUDED.
>> I AGREE. IN LONG TERM, LONG TERM BEING WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OR HOWEVER LONG I HAVE TO WORK WITH MARTY OVER THERE, I WANT TO WORK.
I STILL THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE PART OF AN OVERALL MARINE/BEACH UNIT THAT EXISTS.
I KNOW MARTY'S GOING THROUGH ALL THE CHANGES OVER THERE NOW,
[05:00:03]
AND I THINK WE NEED TO LET HIM DRINK NORMALLY, NOT THROUGH A FIRE HOSE.BUT I THINK WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS NOW, BUT I THINK LONG TERM THAT'S THE BETTER SOLUTION AND WE'LL GET THERE.
>> WELL, THIS ISN'T LIKE DOING IT NOW, BUT THE POINT IS TO GET IT TO WHERE IN NEXT YEAR.
>> WELL, IDEALLY, TO ME, YOU WANT TO WRAP THIS UP IN THE OFF SEASON, SO YOU'RE GOING WHEN THE SEASON STARTS.
>> WE COULD START THE ENFORCEMENT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THAT, BUT ENFORCEMENT WISE, THAT COULD BEGIN BEFORE SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE PUT TOGETHER.
>> WE ALREADY HAVE ORDINANCE AGAINST LITTERING.
>> WE HAVE THE ORDINANCES. THE BEACH LITTER IS HARDER THAN SOMEBODY THROWING IT OUT OF THE CAR. DOUG, YOU CAN TELL.
>> YOU HAVE TO WITNESS IT AND YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY AND HOW FAR.
THAT'S HARDER, BUT THERE'S SOME THINGS YOU'RE RIGHT. WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.
>> WELL, SOME OF IT IS RIGHT ON THE SEAWALL.
THEY'LL BE TWO FEET FROM A TRASH CAN, AND THEY JUST CHUG THEIR CRAP OUT. I YELL AT THEM.
>> I KNOW AMIGAS KNOWS [OVERLAPPING].
NO DOG ON A LEASH. THAT'S EASY BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A DOG ON A LEASH.
>> BUT THE OFFICERS GPD USED TO BE BEACH PATROL.
THEY KNOW THE NUANCES, AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATIONAL, TOO.
SO THE OFFICERS THAT WE DO HAVE DOWN THERE, WHETHER MARSHALS OR PD OR BEACH PATROL LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT'S ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER.
YOU WALK UP TO SOMEBODY THAT YOU SEE HAS TRASH ALL AROUND THEM.
YOU DIDN'T WITNESS THEM PUT THE TRASH UP.
YOU SAY, HEY, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR TRASH.
WE ARE LITTERING THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND COUNCIL.
YOU CAN EVEN NAME ME DIRECTLY.
>> OR WOULD YOU LIKE A BAG TO PUT YOUR TRASH IN?
>> I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WRITE YOU A TICKET.
>> ON THE POINT THAT YOU MUST HAVE DROPPED IT.
>> I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WRITE YOU A TICKETS. PLEASE, PICK UP YOUR TRASH.
>> SO YOU MEAN, WHO IS YOUR MOTHER APPROACH?
>> IT'S ONE THAT NOBODY IS [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO DEVELOP WHAT WE ALWAYS USED TO JUST THREE KEY THINGS, BUT BEFORE YOU START ANY PART OF THE SCOPE, SCHEDULE AND BUDGET.
WE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO DEVELOP A SCOPE WITH OUR PARTNERS, WITH VISIT GALVESTON AND ALL THESE OTHER PLACES, A SCHEDULE OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO ROLL IT OUT, AND THEN A BUDGET.
WE HAVE THOSE THREE KEY THINGS THAT WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS ON.
I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME TO START ALL THAT.
>> I'LL GET WITH MARTY FIRST THING, AND I'LL ALSO VISIT WITH THE CHIEF SEE WHAT WE CAN GET STOOD UP AT LEAST FOR MAYBE SOME OF THE BIG WEEKENDS WE STILL GOT COMING.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA, AND YEAH, LET'S MOVE FORWARD.
>> IT'S VERY POSITIVE, AND I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY THAT SOME ADVERTISEMENT WOULD NEED TO GET OUT THERE.
I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH AND DISCUSS IT WITH MARTY AND EVERYBODY.
BUT IT NEEDS TO BE MORE OF A POSITIVE.
IF WE SEE THEM WITH TRASH, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SEE THEM THROW THE TRASH.
I LIKE THE IDEA. HERE'S A BAG, AND IF THAT BAG HAPPEN TO LEAVE FOOTPRINTS ONLY.
>> THEN PAPER BAG OR WHATEVER.
>> THE ONION SACKS. THAT'S A VISUAL THAT SHOULD ALERT THEM, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD START OFF WITH BEING VERY POSITIVE AND NOT ACCUSATIVE OF PEOPLE.
EVEN THOUGH IF YOU DID SEE THEM THROW IT OUT.
>> HERE'S A PROFILE. THE PEOPLE THAT DUMP TRASH ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO DON'T PUT THEIR SHOPPING CARTS UP AFTER. THAT'S MY PET PEEVE.
>> THAT'S THE GOAL ON THE BEACH.
JUST TO SAY, HEY, WE'RE WRITING TICKETS FOR LITTERING.
WOULD YOU PLEASE MIND PICKING UP YOUR TRASH OR WE CAN GIVE YOU THIS BAG.
>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS.
>> EVEN IF WE'VE PRINTED UP SOME BAGS, AND THAT'S WHAT I'LL GET WITH MARTY, THAT'LL BE REALLY COOL.
>> YOU CAN START WITH THAT AMNESTY.
>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIMITED TO THE BEACH BECAUSE WE HAVE TRASH PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE CITY.
>> A GUY IN A YELLOW VEST GIVING THEM A BAG MIGHT TICK THEM OFF.
A COP GIVE IT TO THEM IS PROBABLY GOING TO MAKE THEM, I PROBABLY NEED TO PUT THIS STUFF IN A BAG.
I'VE SEEN SOMEBODY RUN TO A FOOTBALL FIELD, CHASING AFTER A PLASTIC BAG BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OFFICER THERE RATHER THAN NORMALLY JUST LETTING THE GALVESTON TUMBLEWEED GO BY.
WE'LL GET WITH MARTY, AND LET'S MOVE FORWARD.
>> I ASSUME WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO [INAUDIBLE].
[3.H Clarification and discussion of the lease transfer and reassignment of the Inn at the Waterpark (Robb/Porretto - 10 min)]
IF YOU COULD READ AGAIN, PLEASE.>> VERIFICATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE LEASE TRANSFER AND REASSIGNMENT AT THE IN AT THE WATER PARK.
>> OKAY. SO THE REASON I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE ALL EXPERIENCE THIS, BUT I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PHONE CALLS, PEOPLE ASKING ME HOW WE WENT THROUGH A MEETING WHERE AND I HAVE THE TRANSCRIPT HERE.
[05:05:07]
THINGS WERE SAID LIKE, WELL, NO MATTER WHAT, WE NEED TO NEGOTIATE THIS LEASE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A GOOD LEASE FOR THE CITY.THE TERMS OF THE LEASE, IT'S LIKE 100,000 A YEAR AND THAT IS WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT UNDER WHAT THE FAIR MARKET WOULD BE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE IT EXPLAINED OUT LOUD FOR OUR CITY ON SOMETHING WE TOLD ON THURSDAY, WE SHOULD NEVER NOT DO, IT SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED.
IT SHOULD BE TWO ON TUESDAY OR THURSDAY, THE FOLLOWING WEEK IT WAS RELEASED TO SOMEONE ELSE.
>> I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
DAN BUCKLEY, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
THE FIRST ORIGINAL REQUEST CAME FROM 1859 HISTORIC HOTELS TO OUR OFFICE, AND IT RELATED TO THE HOTEL COMPANY WANTING TO ASSIGN THEIR LEASE TO A NEW OWNER.
IN EXPLAINING THAT TO US, THEY BASICALLY DESCRIBED TO US A CHANGE OF USE.
I READ THE LEASE, WENT TO LEGAL, I SAID, THIS IS A CHANGE OF USE, AND A CHANGE OF USE WE HAVE TO APPROVE.
THEY CAN'T UNILATERALLY ASSIGN IT.
THEY AGREED WITH ME, WE BROUGHT IT TO COUNCIL.
FOR THAT SPECIFIC REASON, BECAUSE IT WAS A CHANGE OF USE.
Y'ALL MET ON IT, THAT DEAL FELL APART.
1859 HISTORIC HOTELS, TWO WEEKS LATER, MAYBE THREE WEEKS LATER, BROUGHT FORWARD ANOTHER DEAL, AN ASSIGNMENT OF THEIR LEASE WITH NO CHANGE OF USE.
LEGAL DID THEIR ANALYSIS, PROVIDED A MEMO TO ME, WHICH I SENT TO COUNCIL, AND IT BASICALLY SAID, CITY CAN'T WITHHOLD ITS APPROVAL OF THIS.
IT'S IN THE LEASE. THEY CAN ASSIGN IT.
THERE'S NO CHANGE OF USE, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, AND WE DID.
>> BUT IT WAS LIKE A SEVEN DAY PERIOD FROM WHEN WE WERE TOLD ALL THE THINGS THAT WERE SAID IN THIS TRANSCRIPT OF WHY WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO REASSIGN THIS LIST AS IT READS AND SEVEN DAYS LATER IT WAS ASSIGNED TO SOMEONE ELSE.
IT WAS LONGER THAN THAT, BUT WHATEVER THE DAYS WERE, COUNCIL MEMBER, QUITE HONESTLY, THE FIRST PACKAGE THAT CAME TO US WAS A CHANGE OF USE.
THEY WANTED TO CHANGE IT INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR J1 VISA WORKERS.
THAT'S WHAT THE CHANGE OF USE.
THAT TRIGGERED IN LEGAL'S MIND, IN MY MIND. DONNA IS NOT HERE.
DONNA IS THE ONE THAT WROTE UP THE OPINION.
IT WOULD HAVE TO COME TO COUNCIL.
WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A NEW LEASE AND RENEGOTIATION.
THEY ARGUED THAT IT WASN'T A CHANGE, BUT ULTIMATELY THEY BACKED OUT OF THE DEAL.
THE NEXT DEAL THAT 1859 HISTORIC HOTELS BROUGHT TO US, IT WASN'T A MATTER OF DAYS LATER, IT WAS WEEKS LATER.
>> IT WASN'T. IT WAS DAYS LATER.
UNLESS WE WEREN'T TOLD THERE WAS ALREADY ANOTHER DEAL ON THE TABLE.
>> WELL, OUR MEETING WAS ON JUNE 24, THE LEASE EXCHANGE WAS DONE ON JULY 1ST.
>> IT WASN'T DAYS. SEMANTICS. I MEAN, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
>> IT REALLY DIDN'T MATTER HOW MANY DAYS IT WAS.
>> I'M JUST SAYING, THIS IS WHAT THE PUBLIC IS ASKING ME, AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED THIS PUBLICLY ANSWERED.
>> I GAVE ALL THE INFORMATION TO COUNCIL.
WE FOLLOWED LEGALS ADVICE, AND WE CONDUCTED THE BUSINESS THE WAY THE CITY WAS CONTRACTED TO CONDUCT BUSINESS.
THERE WAS AN ASSIGNMENT AVAILABLE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF LEASES AT THE AIRPORT THAT ALLOW FOR ASSIGNMENTS.
IF THERE'S A CHANGE IN TERMS, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A NEW CONTRACT, THAT WOULD COME BACK TO COUNSELS.
WELL, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THIS CASE.
>> BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT BECAUSE IT WAS MORE THAN A 50 YEAR LEASE, THAT THAT WOULD AFFECT OUR AIRPORT MOVING FORWARD.
>> WELL, THAT'S TRUE. THOSE LEASES WERE OF MY OPINION, SOME OF THE WORST LEASES WE EVER DID BACK THEN.
I MEAN, THERE'S A NUMBER OF DEALS THE CITY DID THAT BEFORE I GOT HERE, THAT I WOULD THINK PROBABLY THIS COUNCIL KNOWING Y'ALL WOULD NOT DO AGAIN.
>> THE REASON THAT WAS TOLD TO YOU IS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT AMEND THE LEASE.
[05:10:01]
>> BUT CAN YOU UNDERSTAND WHY THE [OVERLAPPING]
>> I UNDERSTAND IT'S CONFUSING.
>> NOBODY'S CONTACTED THIS OFFICE.
>> I GUESS THEY DIDN'T HIRE YOU.
THEY HIRED US, SO THEY CALLED US.
>> OUR MEETING WAS ON JUNE 24TH, THE NEW LEASE WAS SIGNED ON JULY 1ST, AND OUR ASSIGNMENT OF LEASE.
WHO WAS THAT MASK BAND? I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE JUST SAYING THAT'S HIGHLY UNUSUAL.
>> WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SECOND DEAL UNTIL THE FIRST DEAL FELL APART.
WELL, WE TOOK IT TO LEGAL AS WE NORMALLY DO.
>> DAN, YOU'VE ANSWERED THE QUESTION ON WHY THAT OCCURRED.
>> I THINK YOU HAVE DONNA'S OPINION FROM LEGAL SAYING, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS A CITY, AND WE DID.
WE FOLLOWED AS WE DO WITH EVERY OTHER LEASE.
>> JUST TRYING TO BE TRANSPARENT.
[3.J Discussion of Golf Cart Inspection Policy (M Robb/C Brown - 10 min)]
>> ITEM 3J. DISCUSSION OF GOLF CART INSPECTION POLICY.
>> THIS IS AN ITEM THAT WAS ON OUR AGENDA A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO.
YOU HAD ASKED TO HAVE IT PUT OFF MARIE TO A SUBSEQUENT MEETING.
>> I MET WITH ROBBIE AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MEETING.
BUT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND AS FAR AS THIS AND THE MARSHALS, AND YOU WERE GOING TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN.
YOU MEANING ROBBIE, BUT I'M SURE HE TOLD YOU.
HEATHER, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE CAMERA.
>> MY NAME IS HEATHER MORRIS, AND I'M THE CITY MARSHAL.
ESSENTIALLY, AT COUNCIL'S DIRECTION, IF COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE TO A FIVE YEAR INSPECTION PERIOD FOR MASTER PLAN GOLF CARTS, WE'RE PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
THE ONLY TWO LITTLE THINGS THAT WOULD CAUSE FOR US TO CHANGE IS JUST ADDITIONAL SHORT VERIFICATION PROCESS.
WE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO GET WITH IT TO CHANGE THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS BECAUSE CURRENTLY, WHEN YOU APPLY, YOU HAVE TO UPLOAD THREE THINGS SEPARATELY, A DRIVER'S LICENSE, THE INSURANCE, AND THE INSPECTION.
IF WE'RE GOING TO NOT REQUIRE AN INSPECTION, BUT ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE SO THAT THAT PROCESS CAN BE SUBMITTED ONLINE WITHOUT SUBMITTING INSPECTION WITHIN THAT FIVE YEAR PERIOD, EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST YEAR.
>> DOES IT HAVE TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY, THE INSPECTION CURRENTLY?
>> CURRENTLY, THERE'S A NEW INSPECTION EVERY YEAR FOR BOTH THE MASTER PLAN AND ALSO THE NON MASTER PLAN.
STATE LAW WISE, DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN INSPECTION OF A GOLF CART?
THIS IS A CITY OF THE [INAUDIBLE] BOARD.
>> THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE ACCIDENTS AND THE DEATHS OF THE KIDS FALLING OUT OF THE GOLF COURSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO GET IT INSPECTED UPON TRANSFERRING OR SELLING, YOU STILL HAVE TO GET IT INSPECTED ONCE TO GET YOUR PERMIT, SO YOU WOULD SEE THAT ALL THOSE THINGS ARE THERE.
>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GOING TO FIVE YEARS FOR NON-RENTAL CARTS ACROSS THE ISLAND BECAUSE IF HEATHER OR ONE OF HER COHORTS OR DOUG AND ONE OF HIS COHORTS STOPS YOU IN THAT FIVE YEAR PERIOD, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AT THAT POINT, WHATEVER THE HELL THEY WANT TO INSPECT.
IF IT DOESN'T HAVE SEAT BELTS, THEY'RE GOING TO GET TICKETED AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE THE CART.
I THINK FOR YOUR FIRST REGISTRATION, YOU SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT, AND THEN THE FREQUENCY IS UP TO YOU ALL.
>> BECAUSE JUST SO EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS IF YOU'VE DEALT WITH GOLF CARTS, SO YOU HAVE TO GET IT INSPECTED.
TO BE ABLE TO GET YOUR PERMITS, SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE COME OUT OR IN THE CASE OF ON THE WEST ENDS, EITHER HAVE IT TOWED TO SOMEWHERE OR THEY DO GROUP INSPECTIONS.
THEN ONCE YOU SUBMIT YOUR STUFF, YOU HAVE TO COME DOWN TO CITY HALL AND PICK UP YOUR PERMIT.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO ONLINE AND THEY MAIL IT TO YOU.
YOU HAVE TO COME DOWN AND PICK UP YOUR PERMIT.
>> WE DO ALLOW THE PROCESS THAT IF YOU PAY A $10 FEE THAT WE WILL MAIL IT TO YOU FOR THE GOLF CARTS.
>> YOU HAVE REALLY EXPENSIVE POSTAGE.
>> I WAS REQUESTING A THREE TO FIVE YEAR NOT HAVING TO PERMIT ANNUALLY, DO IT EVERY THREE OR FIVE YEARS.
[05:15:01]
>> KEEP EVERYTHING ELSE THE SAME, BUT ONCE THEY GET THEIR INITIAL INSPECTION, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE ON FIVE.
>> THEY HAVE INSPECTED TO GET IT INITIALLY AND THEN THREE YEARS SUBSEQUENT OR FIVE.
>> OR TRANSFER OR IF YOU SELL IT.
>> IF YOU TRANSFER OR SELL IT.
>> I'M FINE WITH THAT. COUNCIL GET YOUR [INAUDIBLE]
>> THIS IS FOR RESIDENTIAL GOLF CARTS NOT FOR RENTAL.
BECAUSE THE RENTAL CARTS, IT GETS HARD TO.
>> TO CLARIFY ALSO, WE'RE NOT SAYING LIMITING THAT TO MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL GOLF CARTS, NON-COMMERCIAL.
>> I THINK A GOLF CART IS THE SAME SAFETY WISE.
I DON'T KNOW. WHY WOULD WE GIVE IT TO ALL OR RESIDENT?
>> I LIKE THREE YEARS, BETTER THAN FIVE YEARS TOO.
>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MAKE THAT ORDINANCE CHANGE FOR THREE YEARS.
>> THAT UNBURDENS THE RESIDENTS.
>> THEN WE CAN LOOK AT IT IN THREE YEARS AND WE FIND IT'S SMOOTH, THEN WE CAN TAKE IT TO FIVE YEARS.
>> WE CAN ALSO TRACK IT THEN TO SEE IF WE'VE HAD ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND, HEY, WE'RE FINDING ALL THESE CARTS. THAT'S A GOOD THING.
>> WE ALSO HAVE TO CLARIFY THAT THE MARSHALS HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE RULES ARE, SUCH AS GOLF CARTS DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE PLATE.
THEY MAY CHOOSE TO HAVE A LICENSE PLATE, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE.
>> IF IT'S A MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY GOLF CART, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE PLATE.
BUT IF IT'S NOT A MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY GOLF CART, IT DOES REQUIRE.
>> EVEN IF IT'S REGISTERED TO MASTER PLAN AND YOU OPERATE IT OUTSIDE THE MASTER PLAN, THEN IT HAS TO HAVE.
>> IS THAT A STATE LAW OR CITY LAW?
>> THAT'S YOUR CITY ORDINANCE.
>> YEAH. BUT IT'S NOT A STATE LAW.
>> YEAH. I THINK WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT, COUNCIL.
LET'S CHANGE IT TO THREE YEARS IF WE COULD, HEATHER, AND WE'LL BRING THAT BACK.
>> HEATHER, WOULD YOU GET WITH LEGAL AND HAVE THEM MODIFY THAT?
>> WE'LL GET IT TO YOU PROBABLY MAYBE FOR THIS LAST MEETING IN AUGUST.
>> IF YOU'RE IN THE MASTER PLAN AREA, BUT YOU GO OUTSIDE OF IT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PLATE.
>> IF YOU OPERATE OUTSIDE OF A MASTER PLAN, YOU HAVE TO MEET ALL THE OTHER CRITERIA.
>> WELL, THAT'S NOT TRUE BY OUR ORDINANCE.
IT SAYS THAT IF YOU'RE IN A MASTER PLAN AND YOU'RE DRIVING TO THE BEACH OR TO THE GOLF COURSE.
IT'S A DIRECT CONNECTOR STREET TO THE GOLF COURSE.
>> IF THEY BROUGHT IT INTO TOWN, WHICH I'VE SEEN PEOPLE TRAILER THEIR CARTS, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
>> BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO GO AHEAD EVEN IN MASTER PLAN COMMUNITIES, A LOT OF TIMES THEY GO AHEAD AND GET THE LICENSE WHERE THEY CAN USE IT EVERYWHERE.
>> BECAUSE THEY WANT TO USE THEIR CARTS.
IT'S NOT A PRICE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE, AND IF ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENTS THERE.
>> I SAW A GUY AT ART WALK DO THAT.
HE CAME UNLOADED HIS GOLF CART.
I KNEW HE WAS LIVING ON THE WEST END AND HE DROVE IT DOWNTOWN, BUT HE DIDN'T DRIVE IT ALL AWAY FROM THERE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T.
HE LOAD IT BACK UP AND WENT BACK OUT.
>> THAT WAS ONLY DURING HIS ELECTION, THOUGH.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3K, PLEASE.
[3.K Comprehensive Plan steering committee and consultant project and scope update (B Brown/C Brown - 15 min)]
>> ITEM 3K. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE AND CONSULTANT PROJECT AND SCOPE UPDATE.
>> THIS HAS BEEN PUT ON BY COUNCILMAN BROWN AND TIM TIETJENS.
>> TIM AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND START.
>> GENTLEMEN, IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO US.
>> TIM TIETJENS, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND WITH ME IS PETE MILBURN, OUR SPECIAL PROJECTS.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON OUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS ON THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS THE CITY'S MOST IMPORTANT REGULATORY DOCUMENT.
IT DRIVES THE LDRS, ORDINANCES, STAFF ANALYSIS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS, THE CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING, LANDMARK, AND ALL THESE OTHER COMMITTEES.
IT'S THE BASIS FOR ALL OF OUR REGULATIONS.
THE COMP PLAN IDENTIFIES GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STRATEGIES AROUND NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH, TRANSPORTATION, CITY SERVICES, PROTECTION OF NEIGHBORHOODS, AND RESIDENTS' QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS.
IT'S INTENDED TO REFLECT THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE GOVERNED BY IT, AND THIS REVISION PROCESS PRESENTS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY RESIDENTS WILL EVER HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN SHAPING THEIR COMMUNITY AND THEIR FUTURE.
THE LAST COMP PLAN REVISION PROJECT WAS INTERRUPTED BY HURRICANE IKE, AND SO IT TOOK THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE.
AS A RESULT, THE COMP PLAN WE HAVE NOW TO UPDATE IS HEAVILY IMPACTED BY ISSUES RELATED TO RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE IKE, AND THE ISLAND HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN THE 13 YEARS SINCE THAT PLAN'S ADOPTION.
BECAUSE THIS UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WILL IMPACT THE DAILY LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK, AND INVEST IN THE ISLAND FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS, IT'S CRITICAL TO HAVE AS MUCH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN THIS PROCESS AS WE CAN GET WITH THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE PROJECT.
THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S BEST OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND HAVE AN IMPACT ON THEIR CITY GOVERNANCE.
WE DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES FOR THIS PROJECT TO DUPLICATE THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN 2011,
[05:20:01]
BUT WE SHOULD DO ALL WE CAN TO ENGAGE THE RESIDENTS IN THIS PROCESS.THE 14-MEMBER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE WE APPOINTED WILL REPRESENT THE ISLAND TO GUIDE THE PROCESS.
WE CAN EXPAND THAT COMMITTEE SEVEN MEMBERS RIGHT NOW WITHOUT ANY IMPACT ON CONSULTANT FEES.
THIS IS THE ONE ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENT BY EACH COUNCIL MEMBER TO INCREASE TOTAL STEERING COMMITTEE TO 21 MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE ISLAND.
I THINK BACK WHEN YOU WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO YOU WANTED TO PUT ON THIS COUNCIL ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TWO, WHO WOULD BE YOUR THIRD PERSON YOU WANT TO PUT ON HERE? THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INTO THE PROCESS.
THERE'S NO DOWNSIDE TO THIS, THAT CONSULTANT AGREES IT'S NOT GOING TO INCREASE ANY FEES OF ANY KIND.
I'M ASKING COUNSEL HERE TO CONSIDER THAT ISSUE RIGHT THERE.
IF WE WANT TO DO THIS, WE COULD APPOINT THEM AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING, AND NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO SLOW DOWN WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH THE PROCESS, BECAUSE GLO HAS NOT FUNDED THE PROJECT YET, AND WE CAN'T SPEND ANY MONEY ON THIS AND EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED UNTIL GLO FUNDS THE PROJECT.
ONE OTHER THING I WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH COUNSEL IS A I DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE PHONE CALL WITH TIM, AND ANDREW ASKED HER ROBINSON'S PROJECT MANAGER ON THE TOP PLAN, AND I ASKED HIM, HOW WOULD HE RECOMMEND THAT WE IMPROVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IF HE HAD ADDITIONAL FUNDING? HE SAID THAT HE'D SPENT ADDITIONAL TIME ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN A DEEPER ANALYSIS.
ALL THE PLANS PRODUCED BY THE CITY SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE 2008, 2011 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
MANY OF THOSE PLANS CAME OUT OF THE IIC RECOVERY EFFORT UNDER PROGRESS GALVESTON INITIATIVE, BUT HAVE NEVER BEEN MEASURED, EVALUATED, OR UPDATED.
THESE PLANS STILL APPLICABLE TODAY.
HAVE WE IMPLEMENTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THESE PLANS? WERE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS SUCCESSFUL? ALL THESE PLANS INVOLVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND REPRESENT WHAT RESIDENTS WANTED AT THE TIME.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO GET THOSE PLANS OFF THE SHELF AND MAKE THEM WORK FOR US AS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PROJECT.
I TALKED WITH HIM ABOUT THIS, AND HE CREASES ANDREW THAT THIS WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND GET A BETTER PRODUCT.
I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE THAT, AS ESSICA ROBINSON WOULD DO AN EXEMPLARY JOB, AND I TRUST THE JUDGMENT.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING THIS ADDITIONAL SCOPE OF WORK TO GET A MORE IMPACTFUL PLAN AT NO COST TO THE CITY THROUGH LOCAL PHILANTHROPY, IF COUNSEL WANTS TO DO SO.
AGAIN, THESE IDEAS TO GET A BETTER PRODUCT DON'T IMPEDE THE PROGRESS OF THE PLAN RIGHT NOW.
THEY HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE COST OF.
I WANT TO THROW THOSE TWO THINGS OUT TO COUNSEL FOR DISCUSSION AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.
>> EXCUSE ME. YOU WANT TO YOUR FIRST THOUGHT IS TO HAVE AN INCREASE OF SEVEN MEMBERS ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
>> ONE ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENT EACH BY EVERYBODY ON THE COUNCIL.
>> THE SECOND THOUGHT WOULD BE TO INCREASE THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT BY HAVING A MORE IN-DEPTH REVIEW ON THE CITY WEBSITE, THERE'S PROBABLY 30 OF THESE PLANS RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE A SECTION ON THE WEBSITE FOR PLANS AND STUDIES, AND THESE THINGS.
SKAR ROBINSON HAS SAID, IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, THEY WOULD WANT TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THOSE STUDIES, EVALUATE THEM, SEE WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT DOESN'T WORK, AND HAVE PUBLIC INPUT ON THAT.
I'M SUGGESTING THAT WE DO THAT ONE THING, FIRST OF ALL, IS ONE MORE MEMBER.
SECONDLY, LOOK AT INCREASING THE SCOPE OF HIS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT BY ADDING THAT TO THE ASS CEROSCOPE, THAT LOOKING AT THOSE OTHER DOCUMENTS.
IF THEY WANT TO DO THAT, THEN THIS WOULD BE THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WOULDN'T COST THE CITY ANYTHING.
>> THIS WOULD BE FUNDED ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING.
>> RIGHT. ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING.
>> I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT FIRST TO ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING.
IT'S TO AN OLD ADAGE, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
I THINK THAT WHEN THE CONSULTANT WAS HERE, HE WAS VERY COMFORTABLE WITH TWO PEOPLE FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT.
I THINK WHEN WE START BRINGING IN OUTSIDE FUNDS, IT GIVES A TIE TO WHOM EVER THOSE OUTSIDE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM.
BECAUSE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO REPEAT, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH.
I WOULD STAND ON WHAT WE APPROVED INITIALLY.
>> WELL, THERE'S NO TIES TO ANY OF THIS FUNDING.
WE GET FUNDING ALL THE TIME FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES, PARKS.
[05:25:04]
FOR ONE THING. THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES THAT WE HAVE OUTSIDE FUNDING, AND THERE'S NO STRINGS THAT TIED TO THIS, IN FACT.>> I KNOW WE HEAR FROM THE OTHER COUNCIL PEOPLE.
>> THAT'S WHY I ASKED TO ASK OF CARL ROBINSON FOR THEIR IDEAS.
>> TIM, I THINK THE FUNDING HAS BEEN APPROVED, RIGHT?
>> NO, IT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED YET.
IT'S BEEN APPLIED FOR WE ARE WAITING FOR THAT APPROVAL.
THERE'S BEEN THERE WAS AN RFI ISSUED RIGHT AFTER WE RIGHT ABOUT THE TIME WE AWARDED.
ANOTHER RECENT RFI CAME IN AGAIN.
BOB IS RIGHT, THERE IS SOME DELAY IN THE AWARD.
THERE IS SOME TIME TO WORK THROUGH THIS.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH FOUR DIFFERENT MEETINGS ON THIS, AND I JUST NEED DIRECTION FROM A WHOLE OF COUNSEL.
>> I GUESS WHEN I'M HEARING RFI, THAT MEANS THAT THE GLO IS INQUIRING ABOUT OUR PROCESS.
EACH CHANGE OR ADAPTION THAT WE MAKE LEAVES MORE ROOM FOR THEM TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS.
I THINK THE MORE DIRECT WE ARE IN SAYING.
HERE'S OUR GROUP. WE'RE READY.
GLO, WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING IN PLACE.
TO ME, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD STAND BY.
I KNOW THAT TWO PEOPLE THAT I'VE GOT ARE GREAT REPRESENTATION OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND.
IT'S UP TO THE PEOPLE OF GALVESTON TO PARTICIPATE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN TOWN HALLS.
I'M NOT IN ANY WAY DISRESPECTING YOUR REQUEST, BUT I'M SAYING ANYBODY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AN ASSIGNMENT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A DIRECTIVE FROM COUNSEL TO SAY, OK, NOW WE HAVE THREE.
ANYBODY HAS OPEN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.
THIS IS AN ISLAND-WIDE TOWN HALL PARTICIPATION THAT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.
>> THERE'S LOW-COST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO, LIKE SEND A MAILER OUT, VERY RUDIMENTARY, HEY, THIS DATE, THIS TIME.
>> THEY PUT IN THE WATER BILLS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'M SORRY. I DON'T MEAN TO UP.
THE COUNT PLAN, RFP HAS DETAIL ABOUT ALL THE LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT.
IT WAS PRETTY WELL DEFINED BOTH ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE LEVEL, ON THE COMMUNITY-WIDE MEETINGS, POP-UP MEETINGS, ALL THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING, CREATION OF A WEBSITE AND WORKING WITH MARESA.
I THINK IT WILL BE PRETTY WELL PUBLICIZED.
WE WILL ENSURE THAT IT'S PRETTY WELL PUBLICIZED.
BEYOND THAT, I'M OF THE OPINION THAT MORE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN MORE COMPREHENSIVE.
I THINK THE MORE COMPREHENSIVE GETS TO US WHEN WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE INTERACTING WITH IT.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC, NOT NECESSARILY STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
THEY WILL STEER THE PROJECT CLEARLY AND GO THE DIRECTION THAT THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE.
OUR CONSULTANT HAS BEEN PRETTY CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT DOESN'T REALLY RAISE COST TO DO SOMETHING LIKE BOB SUGGESTING WITH THE COMMITTEE.
BUT IT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT ON TIME.
RECALL THAT WE HAVE A DEADLINE, BASICALLY TO PRODUCE THE PLAN IN A YEAR AND THEN TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
IF WE DON'T DO THAT AND GET IT COMPLETED AND DONE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THAT BACK.
I KNOW YOU ALL DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.
I'M SUGGESTING THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE IS PROBABLY AT ITS APPROPRIATE MIX.
HOWEVER, THAT SAID, THE INTERACTION THAT ANDREW AND I HAD ABOUT THE PREVIOUS PLANS MAKES SENSE TO ME BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS PLANS HAVE BEEN GENERATED.
THEY'VE GONE THROUGH, THEY'RE VETTING ADOPTED OR NOT,
[05:30:01]
THERE ARE THINGS IN THE RFP THAT ARE GOING TO BE REVIEWED BY THE CONSULTANT.WHAT I THINK WOULD BE IMPORTANT IN THIS CASE WOULD BE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING OR A PUBLIC HEARING OF SOME SORT THAT WOULD INVITE FOLKS TO COMMENT ON THOSE PREVIOUS PLANS.
GET IT OUT THERE, AND WE COULD DO THIS WITH.
>> WELL, SURE. ALL THOSE PLANS ARE ONLINE, BUT WE COULD SPECIFICALLY SEND OUT SOME PR THAT WE'RE INVITING THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON ANY PREVIOUS PLAN THAT'S ON THIS LIST THAT YOU ALL THINK WAS A GOOD IDEA, OR SOMETHING THAT WE EITHER FAILED TO IMPLEMENT AND SHOULD BE FOR RECONSIDERATION.
ALL THAT BACKGROUND WORK HAS BEEN DONE IS JUST THEN A PROCESS OF INCORPORATING IT INTO THIS CURRENT PLAN.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO THROUGH YOUR DEPARTMENT, TIM?
>> WE WOULD NEED THE CONSULTANT THERE AS WELL.
WE HAVE THIS PLAN IS ABOUT $293,000.
WAS THE BID THAT 7,000 UNDER WHAT WE HAVE ALLOTTED FROM THE GL, OR WE HAVE ALLOTTED? IN THAT CASE, I THINK PERHAPS THAT PUBLIC HEARING COULD BE PAID FOR FROM THAT GAP.
>> THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO.
>> YES, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT WOULD REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT.
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SUGGESTING WE HAVE, WE COULD GET FUNDING FOR IF WE WANTED.
>> HE SAID WE HAVE THE FUNDING FOR.
>> WELL, WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDS. WE DON'T HAVE IT YET, BUT WE'RE ANTICIPATING HAVING IT.
WE APPLIED FOR 300,000 EVEN THOUGH OUR BID CAME BACK AT 293.
>> DESCRIBES THAT PARTICULAR ACTIVITY AS AN ADDITIONAL SCOPE.
>> YES. IT WOULD REQUIRE A CHANGE IN THE SCOPE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT IN THERE RIGHT NOW.
>> THE AMOUNT THAT WE REQUESTED WOULD COVER THE AMOUNT OF THE CHANGE.
THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE CONSULTANT TO SAY, WE HAVE A 7,000 EXTRA.
COULD YOU PROVIDE THIS SERVICE FOR THAT AMOUNT?
>> I CAN CERTAINLY MAKE THAT INQUIRY.
HE'S ALREADY AWARE THAT THAT MIGHT BE A POSSIBILITY, WE MIGHT BE SEEKING SOMETHING ON THAT, BUT HE HASN'T RESPONDED BACK AS TO WHAT IT MIGHT COST YET.
WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. IF I'M DIRECTED TO DO THAT BY A WHOLE OF COUNSEL, I WILL DO THAT.
>> IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THESE PLANS OFF THE SHELF AND MAKE THEM WORK FOR US.
>> I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF REVIEWING THESE PAST PLANS.
I DO FEEL THAT IT WOULD BE BEST TO HAVE THAT COVERED, IF WE CAN, WITH THE $7,000 WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.
I UNDERSTAND BOB'S THOUGHT ON WANTING TO EXPAND THIS COMMITTEE, BUT WE'VE MADE A DECISION ON THAT.
I THINK TWO APPOINTEES FROM EACH COUNCIL MEMBER IS APPROPRIATE.
I WOULD STAND WITH THAT PERSONALLY.
SHARON, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ON THIS?
>> WE'VE ALREADY MADE OUR REPORT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> LET'S GET THIS THING GOING.
>> I'VE HEARD FROM FOUR. ARE YOU OF THE SAME OPINION?
>> WE'VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH, AND THAT MEETS YOUR THREE CRITERIA, BOB.
>> DIRECTING TIM TO SEE IF THAT SCOPE WE DISCUSSED HERE WOULD BE POSSIBLE?
>> IF NOT, WHAT WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO DO THAT?
>> THE LESS CHANGE THAT WE DO, I THINK, THE BETTER.
WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR IT TO COME IN.
IF SOMETHING CHANGES, SOMETHING CHANGES, BUT WE'RE PUTTING A LOT OF RESOURCES AND TAKING A LOT OF RESOURCES AWAY FROM OUR STAFF BY CONTINUALLY TALKING AND CHANGING THINGS.
I THINK THAT'S A LOT OF EXTRA WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
IT'S NOT THAT THE COMPLAINT ISN'T IMPORTANT.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T HAVE AN INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING.
BUT IF WE DO ALL THIS EXTRA WORK AND WE GET PEANUTS IN COMPARISON TO DOING IT, THEN IN MY OPINION, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF TIME AND MONEY WASTED.
IF WE HAVE TO GO ADDITIONALLY AND WE HAVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT, BUT THEN I THINK IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT, AND WE CAN ALWAYS ADJUST AS NEEDED.
>> I DON'T THINK ANYTHING THAT I'VE ASKED TIM ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T THINK ANYTHING THAT I PROPOSED HERE TODAY WOULD PUT THE GLO GRANT IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE THE GRANT ALSO DESCRIBES THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
IT SAYS YOU CAN GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT ALL YOU WANT.
I DON'T THINK ANYTHING WE'RE PROPOSING SCOPE-WISE HAS ANY IMPACT ON GLO GRANT TIMING OR ANYTHING.
>> I'M NOT SUGGESTING HE SAY THE RESOURCES THAT THE 40 HOURS A WEEK THAT TIM AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE, TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THAT.
[05:35:06]
>> JUST REDISCUSSING, THIS IS, I THINK, THE FOURTH TIME IT'S BEEN ON OUR AGENDA.
WHEN WE ALL COLLECTIVELY MADE A VOTE AND A DECISION FOR WHAT WAS TO BE, TO KEEP BRINGING IT UP IS CONSUMING TIM AND STAFF TIME.
>> THE ONLY REASON I KEEP DOING THAT IS BECAUSE I WAS ON THE LAST COMMITTEE, AND I WAS ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE THE LAST TIME WE DID THAT.
THEN I'VE WORKED ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES THAT HAVE USED THAT COMP PLAN SINCE THEN, AND I HAVE A REALLY GOOD UNDERSTANDING AND GOOD APPEAL FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF IT AND THE EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT IN THIS PROCESS.
I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO, AND THAT'S WHY I KEEP BRINGING IT UP.
>> [OVERLAPPING] GO RIGHT AHEAD. LET'S HAVE SHARON SPEAK WITH TIM.
>> I THINK WE COULD STILL DO THAT WITHIN OUR DISTRICT OR OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE A MEETING OR WHATEVER THERE AND INFORM PEOPLE, ENLIGHTEN THEM, AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND PUSH THEM TO COME TO THE PUBLIC.
I THINK THERE'S STILL AN OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR US TO DO THAT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WE ADD ANOTHER PERSON.
>> THAT OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE THERE REGARDLESS OF [OVERLAPPING] ANYTHING.
THAT'S WHY I WAS TRYING TO GET AS MUCH AS WE COULD OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.
>> WELL, AND I DON'T TAKE EXCEPTION AT ALL, BOB, YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE TO SEE IF WE COULD EXPAND THAT.
BUT I THINK THERE'S A CONSENSUS AT THE TABLE TO KEEP IT AT TWO INDIVIDUALS AS WE'VE ALREADY DETERMINED.
I WOULD SEE THAT IF WE COULD CHECK WITH THEM, SEE IF THIS COULD BE PROVIDED REVIEW OF THE PAST PLANS, IF THEY COULD DO THAT FOR THE 7,010.
>> THAT'S ALREADY IN THE SCOPE, THE REVIEW OF THEM.
THIS WOULD BE LIKE A MEETING, BASICALLY A PUBLIC HEARING, A PUBLIC MEETING FOR FOLKS THAT FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT PAST PLANS, AND THEY COULD SAY, HEY, I WISH YOU WOULD PUT THIS INTO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OR BRING THIS FORWARD IN THAT PREVIOUS PLAN.
>> WELL, I'M ALL FOR THAT IF THAT CAN BE COVERED UNDER THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
>> IF IT COULDN'T BE COVERED, LET'S JUST SAY, FOR INSTANCE, IT WOULDN'T COVER.
HE DID GIVE US A PRICE TO DO THAT.
WOULD YOU STILL WANT TO DO THAT? EVEN WITHOUT HAVING IT AT ANY COST TO THE CITY.
>> [NOISE] CAN WE HEAR ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT?
>> WE WILL GET TO IT WHEN WE GET TO IT.
>> YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE WORKSHOP, AM I RIGHT?
>> HE'S HERE FOR THE REGULAR MEETING.
>> NO, IT'S EARLY FOR THE REGULAR MEET.
>> IT IS 3:20 [INAUDIBLE]. THE COUNCILMAN HAS JOINED US.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. I THINK BOB, MY FEELING ON THAT IS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT COVERED UNDER THE EXPENSE THAT WE HAVE OR THE FUNDS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
IF IT CAN'T BE COVERED UNDER THAT, I WOULD FEEL WE OUGHT TO JUST MOVE ON.
>> TO EVERYBODY, I'M THROWING THAT OUT. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL.
>> I UNDERSTAND. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THIS?
>> IF I WERE JUST BRINGING UP ONE LAST ITEM.
I WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY AS COUNCILMAN BROWN IF WE HAD MORE MONEY AND MORE TIME DONATED TO THIS PROJECT FROM THE GLO.
THEY HAVE THEIR TIME FRAMES AND THEIR MAXIMUM AMOUNT, AND, WELL, SHORT OF THE CITY PONYING UP FOR THE MONEY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT ABILITY.
>> NO. YOU ALL HAVE SAID WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO.
>> THANK YOU. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ITEM 3.
[3.M Discussion of City/Park Board Joint Meeting Dates and Agenda (C Brown - 10 min)]
LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 3.M, PLEASE.>> ITEM 3.M. DISCUSSION OF CITY AND PARK BOARD JOINT MEETING DATES AND AGENDA.
>> THERE WAS ON THE AGENDA TO HAVE A JOINT PARK BOARD AND CITY MEETING YESTERDAY.
IN TALKING WITH THE PARK BOARD AND STAFF, THEY NEEDED TO GET THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND WITH THEIR NEW MEMBERS.
THEY'VE HAD A CHANGE, AS YOU KNOW, IN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL THERE.
THEY'VE REQUESTED THAT WE LOOK AT AN ALTERNATE DATE, AND TALKING WITH THEIR CHAIRPERSON, THEY HAD RECOMMENDED SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.
BUT I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO THE COUNCIL TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE HERE FOR THEIR BUDGET PRESENTATION ON AUGUST 14.
[05:40:02]
BUT TO HAVE THE JOINT MEETING WITH ALL THEIR TRUSTEES, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.I'D LIKE TO GET INPUT FROM THE COUNCIL ON WHEN YOU WANT TO DO THIS. YES, MA'AM.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS WHOLE CONCEPT OF JOINT MEETINGS.
LIKE, DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO HAVE THEM FOUR TIMES A YEAR OR SUCH LIKE ADDING [OVERLAPPING]?
>> WAIT A MINUTE. THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING FROM THE BEGINNING.
>> I KNOW WHY I'M ECHOING YOU, AREN'T YOU HAPPY? [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE MEETING WITH THE WHARVES BOARD IN AUGUST, BUT BEING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR BUDGET, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
IF IT WEREN'T FOR THEIR MASTER PLAN, I WISH WE COULD MOVE THAT TO THE END AND PRESENT THE MASTER PLAN, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW, AFTER WHAT WE DISCUSSED THIS MORNING, THAT WE HAVE A MEETING ON THE 14TH.
[OVERLAPPING] YOU'RE DREAMING.
WE'RE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT ON.
>> WE'VE GOT EVALUATIONS OF COUNCIL STAFF.
WE'VE GOT OUR INTERVIEWS FOR THE WHARVES BOARD AND PLANNING COMMISSION.
WE'VE GOT THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] ON THE BOND, POTENTIAL BOND.
>> WE'VE GOT SHELIA COMING BACK. >> [INAUDIBLE].
>> THAT'S FOR US. WE'VE GOT THE BUDGET FOR THE PARK BOARD ON THERE.
>> THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SECOND LONG MEETING ON THE 28TH, AND THEN IN BETWEEN THERE, WE HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH THE WHARVES BOARD.
>> I'M FINE WITH THROWING THAT OUT THERE.
WHEN WE STARTED THE DISCUSSION ABOUT [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, IT WAS THAT I THINK THAT WE WERE LOOKING DEEPER INTO THE OPERATIONS OF BOTH ENTITIES.
I THINK WE'RE PAST THAT, MAYBE.
NOW, THERE'S A NEW LEADERSHIP IN PLACE.
TWICE A YEAR, IF WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR SET AGENDA, I THINK IT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE.
>> IF WE FEEL THE NEED TO ADD A MEETING IN, YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY. WELL, [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S WHERE I WANTED TO BEGIN.
>> DOES THE CITY HAVE TO APPROVE THEIR MASTER PLAN, OR DO THEY JUST WANT US TO RECEIVE IT AND EXPLAIN IT?
>> I THINK THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE THERE.
THEY'RE DOING IT AS A COURTESY TO THE COUNCIL.
THEY WANTED TO NOT FINALIZE THEIR PLAN UNTIL IT WAS PRESENTED, AND THE COUNCIL COULD GIVE INPUT ON THEIR PLAN.
IF THE COUNCIL DOESN'T WANT THAT, I'VE SEEN THE PLAN, THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT.
IF THE COUNCIL DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT THAT WAY, WE COULD PUT IT OFF AND HAVE THEM JUST SEND OVER THE FINAL PLAN TO US.
>> WHEN ARE THEY APPROVING IT?
>> CAN WE JUST PROVIDE WRITTEN COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO THEM?
>> BECAUSE THE PLAN HAS ALREADY BEEN ON A TELEVISED MEETING, THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS GOTTEN THIS.
>> WELL, THE PLAN IS CHANGING, THOUGH.
THIS IS THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT.
THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH OPEN PUBLIC SESSIONS.
>> ESPECIALLY NOW THAT YOU'RE SAYING THEY'RE NOT DOING IT UNTIL SEPTEMBER, IF WE FELT THE NEED.
>> WELL, THEY ARE DOING IT AS A COURTESY TO COME TO THE COUNCIL AND SEE IF WE WANT TO GIVE INPUT ON THIS PLAN BEFORE THEY FINALIZE.
>> I DO TOO. IF THE COUNCIL SAYS, HEY, WE TRUST WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING, JUST SEND US THE PLAN. THEY'RE FINE WITH THAT.
>> IT'S NOT ABOUT TRUSTING ANYBODY.
I TRUST THEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH THEM THE MASTER PLAN BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.
>> YOU MEAN BEFORE OR AFTER IT'S FINALIZED?
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE SUGGESTING.
>> THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER MEETING THAT WE'LL HAVE.
>> IT WOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR 27 AUGUST.
IT WOULD BE AT 9:00 A.M., PROBABLY A TWO-HOUR MEETING.
>> WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER JOINT MEETING WITH THE WHARVES BOARD SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 22.
>> COULDN'T WE MOVE THAT ONE UP TO EARLY IN SEPTEMBER?
>> WELL, WE CAN [OVERLAPPING]. >> [INAUDIBLE].
>> THE PLAN WILL POSSIBLY BE FINALIZED BY THEN.
THEY'RE GOING TO PRESENT IT IN SEPTEMBER.
THEY'LL PROBABLY FINALIZE IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST OR THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER.
LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE DOING IT AS A COURTESY TO THE COUNCIL.
>> SINCE WE CAN REVIEW IT, IT'S ALREADY BEEN MADE PUBLIC WITH THEIR MEETING THAT'S ONLINE.
IS THERE A REASON WE COULDN'T EACH SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR [OVERLAPPING] DISCUSSION? SUBMIT THAT TO JANELLE, AS A COUNCIL AS A WHOLE, IF WE HAVE COMMENTS?
>> YOU COULD, AND THEN JANELLE COULD TRANSFER HIM TO THE WHARVES BOARD OR TO THE PORT.
[05:45:06]
THEY HAVE A SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, TOO, THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE NOTIFIED OF.YOU COULD ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND GIVE INPUT IF YOU WANT. FINE WITH ME.
>> WE SAID FOR FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION WITH PARTNERS LIKE THE WHARVES BOARD.
IT IS THE SAME WITH THE PARTNER BOARD.
IT BUILDS TRUST, I THINK, AND IT BUILDS A RAPPORT.
IT BUILDS CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER, JUST BY BEING FACE-TO-FACE ON STUFF LIKE THIS, AND ESPECIALLY SOMETHING LIKE A MASTER PLAN.
>> THE MASTER PLAN IS A POLICY-SETTING DOCUMENT, A POLICY FOR THE LOOKING DOCUMENT.
>> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH DAVID ON THIS.
IT'S JUST, I THINK IT'S ALL HITTING IT ONE TIME.
>> WE MIGHT FIND AT THE 14TH MEETING THAT WE NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER MEETING BETWEEN THE 14TH AND THE 28TH.
>> NO. >> WE MAY, THERE'S STILL A LOT [OVERLAPPING].
>> THIS AGENDA ITEM IS REALLY FOR CITY AND PARK BOARD JOINT MEETINGS.
>> THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TO DISCUSS THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD MEETINGS.
>> I'M GOING TO TELL THE PARK BOARD THAT WE'LL BE TALKING WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE.
THIS WASN'T A POLICY DECISION TO HAVE THE FOUR MEETINGS, WAS IT, JANELLE?
>> I UNDERSTAND WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO EVERY SIX-MONTH MEETINGS?
>> WELL, OR WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT FOR THE PARK BOARD.
>> FOR THE PARK BOARD ONLY. THAT'S THE AGENDA ITEM.
>> IT WAS APPROVED BY ORDINANCE IN THE CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR.
IF YOU WANT US TO BRING SOMETHING BACK.
>> [OVERLAPPING] ARE THEY BOTH UNDER THE SAME ORDINANCE?
>> COUNCIL, IF IT'S ALL RIGHT, I'LL NOTIFY CHAIRMAN HARDCASTLE THAT WE'LL BE LOOKING AT CHANGING OUR JOINT MEETINGS.
IF YOU'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING OR 28TH, PROBABLY.
>> 28TH. >> THE 28TH, ABOUT CHANGING THE ORDINANCE, AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT EVERY SIX MONTHS.
>> BUT I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE MEETING THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THIS MONTH, AND DO THAT IN OCTOBER STILL.
>> NOT WHARVES BOARD, SORRY, PARK BOARD.
WE RESCHEDULED THE PARK BOARD, TOO.
THEY HAD ASKED TO BE RESCHEDULED.
>> BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> I'M JUST SAYING, SINCE THERE'S A NEW PERSON, IT WOULD STILL BE GOOD TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH THE PARK BOARD IN OCTOBER.
>> THAT'S WHAT I ORIGINALLY ASKED.
>> [LAUGHTER] I'M GOING BACK TO YES TO YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION.
>> THE RESPONSE WAS, WE NEED TO DO IT EVERY SIX MONTHS.
>> IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A MEETING IN OCTOBER.
[LAUGHTER] I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
[3.N Discussion of Potential Policy Changes for Council Meetings and Agendas (20 Min)]
>> ITEM 3.N. DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL POLICY CHANGES FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS AND AGENDAS.
ONE, ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, TWO, TYPES OF ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA, AND THREE, SETTING THE ENDING TIME OF A WORKSHOP MEETING.
>> NUMBER 1, ORDER OF ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
>> WELL, YOU TEND TO PUSH MY ITEMS TO THE END.
>> IF IT'S LIKE YOU'RE DOING IT BY DISTRICT, THE MINE WOULD ALWAYS BE AT THE END.
I USUALLY GIVE MY ITEMS TO JANELLE FOR THE NEXT MEETING BY THE END OF THE MEETING THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY IN.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT, BUT YOU DO TEND TO PUT CERTAIN PEOPLE'S ITEMS AT THE END [OVERLAPPING].
LET ME TELL YOU HOW I DO THIS, AND THEN WHATEVER COUNCIL WANTS TO DO.
>> I KNOW WE CAN TRY TO BREAK THE SYSTEM.
>> I TRY TO FOLLOW ACCORDING TO THE CHARTER OF ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER.
THE WAY I DO THE AGENDA, AND BY THE WAY, JANELLE, TEND TO TELL YOU, THIS IS A MULTI-DAY TASK TO GET THIS AGENDA TOGETHER.
I PUT THE CLARIFICATION UP FRONT AND ANY BUSINESS WITH STAFF UP FRONT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET ON TO THEIR JOBS.
I PUT WHOLE BUSINESS THEN, AND THEN I PUT NEW BUSINESS.
WE IN THE ITEMS YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS THEY COME IN AT THE LAST MOMENT, MARIE, AND YOUR NEW BUSINESS [OVERLAPPING].
>> I GIVE MINE TO JANELLE EARLY.
>> SOMETIMES, MOST OF THEM COME IN AT ABOUT 30 MINUTES.
>> BUT THERE IS NOTHING ON YOU BEING IN 100% CONTROL OF THE AGENDA IN THE CHARTER, JUST TO CLARIFY.
[05:50:05]
BUT I CONDUCT THE MEETINGS [OVERLAPPING].
>> EVEN IN ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER, THERE IS NOTHING THAT DEFINES WHERE THE AGENDA, JUST TO CLARIFY.
>> I DON'T KNOW [OVERLAPPING].
>> PUT MARIE'S STUFF BEFORE EVERYONE.
>> PUT MARIE'S FIRST [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, THAT'S IT, SHE WANTS HER ITEMS AT THE BEGINNING.
THAT'S WHAT SHE CALLED ME AND SAID, I WANT MY ITEMS ON THE BEGINNING.
>> BECAUSE WHEN I DON'T WANT THEM ALWAYS AT THE BEGINNING, I JUST DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE LAST.
THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, FIVE TIMES I HAVE DEFERRED MY ITEM TO THE NEXT MEETING BECAUSE IT WAS AT THE END, AND THEN THE NEXT MEETING IT'S AT THE END AGAIN.
>> THAT'S INCORRECT. THAT'S TOTALLY INCORRECT.
>> I DON'T WANT TO PULL UP THE AGENDAS, BUT I WAS CURIOUS TO HEAR EVERYONE'S OPINION.
>> IF COUNCIL WANTS TO DO THE AGENDAS IN A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT IT'S LIKE BOB, BOB HAD AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR LAST MEETING, AND IT GOT ACCIDENTALLY HELD OFF, SO BOB WENT UP TO THE BEGINNING OF THE LINE FOR THE NEW ITEMS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE HE WAS ON THERE TO GO FOR LAST MEETING AND IT DIDN'T GET PUT ON THE AGENDA.
IT'S LIKE YOUR ITEM ON THE GOLF CART, MARIE.
THAT WAS AN OLDER ITEM, AND SO WE MOVED IT UP TO THE TOP.
>> THEN I PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AS OLD BUSINESS.
IT'S LIKE COUNCILMAN PORRETTO'S FOOTPRINTS.
HE WASN'T PUT AT THE END BECAUSE THIS WAS OLD BUSINESS THAT WE HAD TO DO.
I KEEP A LIST AND I STILL HAVE A LIST OF ABOUT 10 ITEMS THAT PEOPLE WANT ON THE AGENDA THAT WILL BE GOING ON THE AGENDA FOR AUGUST AND POSSIBLY SEPTEMBER.
HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT, I'M FINE, BUT I PUT OLD BUSINESS AND THEN NEW BUSINESS, THAT'S THE PROGRAM THAT ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER FOLLOW. YES, SHARON?
>> WELL, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IF YOU HAVE AN ORDER AS TO WHY YOU DO IT, THEN I THINK IT SHOULD CONTINUE THAT WAY.
MAYBE MARIE SENT HERS IN, THEN SHE CAN SAY, WELL, WHERE AM I ON THE AGENDA, MAYOR? OR AM I AT THE TOP? ONLY BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, IN MY OPINION BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE THE AGENDA FOR ALL THIS TIME.
>> I'M HAPPY, MARIE, I HAVEN'T DONE THIS, BUT I'M HAPPY TO KEEP TRACK OF THE DATE AND TIME THAT THE ITEMS COME IN, SO THAT I CAN TELL THE COUNSEL THIS CAME IN 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE OTHER ONE, THAT'S WHY THEY'RE IN AHEAD OF YOU OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S WHAT EVERY COUNCIL WANTS TO DO.
>> YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR SO LONG, AND YOU'VE APPARENTLY GOT A SYSTEM.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH GOING THE WAY WE'RE GOING.
>> EXCELLENT PROPOSAL FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ROBB, I BELIEVE THAT AS THE HEAD OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AS MAYOR, I THINK IT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE TO SET THE AGENDA. THERE YOU GO.
>> BECAUSE IF YOU START PUTTING ALL OF HERS FIRST, AND I'M GOING TO SAY WHERE ARE MINE. JUST JOKING.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I THINK MARIE BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT THOUGH, BECAUSE [OVERLAPPING].
>> ONE MONTH WE TAKE ODD NUMBER DISTRICTS, AND THE NEXT MONTH WE TAKE EVEN NUMBER DISTRICTS.
>> [LAUGHTER] WELL, I WILL KEEP TRACK, MARIE, OF THE ITEMS AND THE TIMES THEY COME IN, SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THEY'RE PUT IN ORDER OF WAY THROUGH.
IF THERE'S OLD ITEMS THAT STILL NEED TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL, THOSE GO ABOVE THE NEW ITEMS. THE KEY IS, AND WHILE WE'RE ON THIS SUBJECT, I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR JANELLE ON THIS.
COUNCIL, GETTING ITEMS TO COME IN AND THE LAST 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR BEFORE THE END OF THE POST OF OUR TIMELINE IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR OUR CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR STAFF TO GET ALL THIS TOGETHER.
IF YOU DO HAVE ITEMS AT THE LAST MINUTE, OF COURSE, WE'LL ENTERTAIN THAT, BUT IF YOU CAN SEND THEM THEN AHEAD OF TIME, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL ON THAT.
>> I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT [LAUGHTER] A LOT BETTER, TOO IT'S [OVERLAPPING].
>> I DON'T CARE IF YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO, WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
YOU'RE DOING THIS AS A SERVICE AND WE UNDERSTAND.
>> THAT ONE THING, LAST MEETING THAT CAME IN LAST,
[05:55:03]
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, THAT TRIGGER.I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHAT THE ITEM WAS.
>> IT HAD TO DO WITH MANHOLE COVERS OR SOMETHING.
>> IT WAS RAW SEWAGE DRAINING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT THAT IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED EARLY.
ALL OVER THE ISLAND, I MIGHT ADD.
>> BUT ONLY AFTER I'VE REQUESTED.
>> AFTER SHE SAID SHE WANTED HER ITEMS AT THE TOP.
>> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CRAP FLOWING EVERYWHERE.
>> VERY MUCH SO. LET'S TALK ABOUT TYPES OF ITEMS ON INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA IN THE SETTING AND ENDING TIME.
OF COURSE, COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN PUT ANY ITEM THEY WANT ON THE AGENDA.
IF IT'S A FACT FINDING INFORMATIONAL ITEM, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO GET WITH STAFF, GET THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED, AND POSSIBLY NOT USE THE AGENDA FOR YOUR INFORMATIONAL VENUE FOR GAINING THIS INFORMATION.
>> OH, GOODNESS. WHAT STREETS ARE BEING PAVED OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
I CAN GO BACK THROUGH THE AGENDA.
I WAS GOING TO GO DO THAT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SINGLE OUT ANYTHING.
I'M JUST SAYING IF WORKSHOP ITEMS COULD BE ITEMS. I THINK A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WORKSHOP ITEMS WAS COUNCILMAN PORRETTO'S HERE RECENTLY WITH THE LEAVE NO FOOTPRINT.
HE BROUGHT THE IDEA TO COUNSEL, HE GAUGED THE IDEA OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ON THAT, AND IF COUNCIL HAD AN INTEREST IN PURSUING THAT, HE SAW THAT IT DID, THEN HE GOT WITH COUNCILMAN FINKLEA, AND THEY SUBMITTED A VERY GOOD WRITE UP ON THIS, AND SUBMITTED A PLAN MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS TO GET COUNCIL'S INPUT, SO THAT WE CAN GIVE DIRECTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH POLICY AND BUDGET CHANGES ON THAT.
>> WELL, I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO MY ITEM.
>> I WILL ALWAYS PUT AN ITEM TALKING ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF THE LEASE AT THE AIRPORT.
I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY COUNCIL PERSON THAT RECEIVED A NUMBER OF CALLS.
I HAVE BEEN STOPPED IN STORES, PEOPLE HAVE COME OVER TO ME AND ASKED, AND I THINK WHEN WE HAVE THAT MANY QUESTIONS FROM OUR PUBLIC, THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT OUT LOUD, AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE AN ANSWER BECAUSE THAT WAS A HIGHLY PECULIAR EVENT TO HAVE A MEETING ON THE 24TH, AND THEN SOMETHING 100% DIFFERENT HAPPENED ON JULY 1ST.
>> THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, I AGREE.
>> I THINK OUR CITIZENS DESERVE TRANSPARENCY.
I WILL ALWAYS PUT STUFF LIKE THAT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE UPSET ABOUT THAT, AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
THEY NEEDED TO HEAR AN EXPLANATION.
>> THAT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, AND YOU KNOW BEST BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CALLS YOU HAVE RECEIVED.
>> IT WAS PEOPLE OVER THE ISLAND.
IT WAS MATTER OF FACT, IT WAS MORE QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE IN EVERYBODY ELSE'S DISTRICT THAN EVEN MY OWN.
>> WELL, THAT'S YOUR CHOICE, AND AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER, YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT, AND I THINK COUNCIL HONORS THAT.
I'M JUST SAYING IF YOU DO HAVE INFORMATIONAL QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO USE STAFF AND GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED ON THAT.
THE OTHER TOPIC TOO ON THIS IS SETTING AN ENDING TIME OF WORKSHOP.
I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT OPEN TO YOU, COUNCIL ON THAT.
LET'S SAY WE SET AN ENDING TIME OF WORKSHOP UNTIL 3:00 PM, AND IF WE GET TO THAT 3:00 PM, THOSE TOPICS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DISCUSSED WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM, TO THE NEXT AGENDA.
>> I CAN AT LEAST DRIVE HOME AND LET MY DOGS OUT AND DRIVE BACK.
>> IS 3:00 PM ENOUGH OR DO YOU NEED MORE TIME?
>> I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HELP PRIORITIZE WHAT GETS ON THE AGENDA.
MAKE SURE WE JUST GET THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ON THERE.
>> OR THAT WE DON'T OVER DISCUSS SOMETHING.
>> IF COUNCIL IS OPEN, DO WE NEED TO HAVE A POLICY ON THAT, JANELLE, WHERE WE VOTE ON THAT?
>> LET'S GET TOGETHER ON THAT.
>> I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE ACTUALLY WE'RE SAYING WE'RE FOLLOWING THE CHARTER.
THE CHARTER ACTUALLY CALLS FOR TWO MEETINGS A MONTH, AND THAT'S WHEN YOU DIDN'T FALL INTO HAVING EXCESSIVELY LARGE LONG MEETINGS.
[06:00:06]
I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT OR I DON'T KNOW.>> WELL, WE HAVE A POLICY, DON'T WE? WE DON'T HAVE A POLICY.
>> ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER SAYS THAT YOU CAN PUT AN END TIME FOR A MEETING.
WE HAD A FORMER MAYOR THAT USED TO PUT AT 7:00 PM ON THE REGULAR MEETING.
OF COURSE, THEY USED TO START AT ONE O'CLOCK.
>> [LAUGHTER] FOR NOW WE STARTED OUR WORKSHOPS AT 1:00 AND [INAUDIBLE] TO COUNCIL AT 5:00.
>> BUT AT 7:00 PM YOU COULD MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING AND KEEP IT GOING IF YOU WANT TO.
>> THE ONLY PROBLEM IS ON THE WORKSHOPS.
>> THE SAME THING, YOU CAN'T VOTE IN A WORKSHOP.
>> YOU CAN'T VOTE IN WORKSHOP, SO IF STOPPING WORKSHOPS IS AT 3:00, THAT GIVES TIME FOR PEOPLE TO RELAX BEFORE THE FIVE O'CLOCK.
BUT IF WE HAVE THAT POLICY, WE NEED TO PUT A POLICY TOGETHER ON THAT, WOULDN'T WE JANELLE?
>> [OVERLAPPING] I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE AN ORDINANCE.
>> YOU COULD JUST ADD IT TO YOUR COUNCIL SCHEDULE IN THE ORDINANCE IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS?
>> I DON'T WANT TO VOTE AGAINST OUR SCHEDULE, BUT I'M SORRY, I GOT A CHUNKY BEAGLE AT THE HOUSE THAT I GOT TO LET OUT TOO, BUT IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY OPINION.
I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO ENDING TIME, AND WE END WHEN WE END BECAUSE WE'VE ENDED AT 1:00 PM BEFORE [LAUGHTER] AND WE'VE ENDED AT 4:45 EVERY OTHER MEETING, BUT THAT ONE.
>> [LAUGHTER] I BEING PART OF THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY HARD TIME.
I DON'T THINK YOU COULD PUT THIS IN EFFECT UNTIL WE'RE THROUGH BUDGET BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE HAD TWO BUDGET MEETINGS THIS MONTH AND TWO BUDGET MEETINGS THE NEXT MONTH.
I KNOW I SEE CHILLA LIKE, OH, GOD.
>> BUT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE AS LONG MEETING AS WE'RE HAVING TODAY BECAUSE WE SHOULD TECHNICALLY AS BRIAN SAID, NOT OFTEN THAT YOU HEAR ME QUOTE BRIAN IN A FAVORABLE WAY, WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET ALL YEAR LONG.
HOW MUCH DID WE EMPHASIZE THAT WE WANTED TO START BUDGET DISCUSSIONS EARLIER, AND HERE WE ARE.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ITEM OF ENDING THE WORKSHOPS AT A PARTICULAR TIME.
>> WELL, AND I'M SAYING I'M NOW AGREEING WITH HIM THAT WE SHOULDN'T PUT AN END TIME.
WELL, CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T PUT AN END TIME UNTIL WE GET THROUGH THIS BUDGET SEASON BECAUSE WE'RE DOWN TO THE WHATEVER HOUR, WHATEVER THAT SAYING IS [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT WILL BE PROBABLY 10 O'CLOCK RIGHT NOW.
>> WHAT, TONIGHT? TO THE 10TH HOUR.
>> WE'RE NOT TO THE 11TH HOUR YET, WE'RE GETTING THERE.
>> WELL, FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, WE WOULD JUST LIKE YOU TO TAKE AN HOUR BREAK FOR LUNCH.
ON COUNCIL DAY, STAFF NEVER GETS TO EAT.
>> WE COULD START WORKING THAT INTO THE AGENDA. WE COULD POST IT.
>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT BUYING FOOD, SO I THINK WE ALL OUGHT TO BREAK FOR LUNCH, GO HAVE LUNCH AND COME BACK.
>> BUT IF THAT'S WHEN WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO LET OUR DOGS OUT, THEN I NEED A POLICE ESCORT, AND I GET TO EAT.
>> BUT YOU COULD BREAK FOR LUNCH, IT COULD BE TWO HOURS.
I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE TIME YOU TAKE FOR THAT.
MAYBE EVEN LONGER THAN AN HOUR WOULD WORK FOR EVERYBODY, BUT THAT WOULD BE THE TIME TO DO IT RATHER THAN PUT AN END TIME, MY OPINION.
>> WE COULD DO THAT. IT DOES BOTHER ME THAT ON COUNCIL DAY STAFF NEVER GETS TO EAT.
>> OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU'RE DOWN TO THE LAST ITEM AND IT'S 12 O'CLOCK, AND YOU WANT TO KEEP GOING, YOU ALL CAN VOTE TO KEEP GOING, THEN WE END, BUT IF YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER TWO HOURS TO GO.
>> WHY DON'T WE JUST SET AT 12:00-1:00 OR 12:00-1:30.
>> OR DO IT 12:00-2:00 [OVERLAPPING]
TWO HOURS, AND THEN WE START BACK AT 3:00, AND THEN GO STRAIGHT.
>> WELL, IF NEEDED. IF WE HAVE AN AGENDA THAT IS GOING TO GO PAST NOON, WE COME BACK AT 2:00 AND FINISH IT.
>> HOUR AND A HALF OR TWO HOURS EITHER WAY.
[06:05:03]
>> THEN WE EITHER GO 2:00-5:00 OR 2:00 TO WHENEVER.
>> I WOULD DO 12:00-2:00, GIVE EVERYBODY TIME TO DO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO, GIVE BRIAN TIME.
>> BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES TOO, WE CAN ACTUALLY GET YOU INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ASKED FOR, QUESTIONS AND STUFF.
JANELLE, LET'S ASSUME OUT, WOULD YOU REMIND US ON THE AGENDA COMING UP?
>> IF WE ALL COME BACK TOO SLEEPY, WE CAN CUT IT 30 MINUTES.
>> VACATION. ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO START A WORKSHOP AT 9:00 [OVERLAPPING]
>> THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TO 12:00, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO BREAK AND COME BACK AT 2:00.
>> I HEAR IF A LOT, AND SO I'M LIKE, TODAY, FOR EXAMPLE, AND THIS IS JUST ME, THE PARTICULARS OF THE BUDGET, IT SEEM LIKE THOSE SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOTTEN AHEAD OF TIME, THEN YOU COME BACK SO THE PEOPLE CAN HEAR IT AND UNDERSTAND IT.
BECAUSE AS I BEGAN TO LISTEN WHEN I STARTED HEARING ENDPOINTS, I STARTED HEARING DIFFERENT VARIABLES THAT MADE THOSE NUMBERS NOT SO CONCRETE OR SO BLACK AND WHITE, THEN THAT GAVE ME A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.
BUT I THINK THAT IF IT'S LIKE IT WAS TODAY, THAT WE NEED TO GO TO BROWN OR TO WHOEVER AND SAY, HEY, BREAK THIS DOWN MORE FOR ME, INSTEAD OF THE TIME WE SPENT TODAY TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING.
WE ARE SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HOST OR HAVE CITY COUNCIL THOSE TIMES AVAILABLE.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT EXTRA OUTSIDE-THE-BOX STUFF.
BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL SAYING IF.
IF IT GOES LONGER, IT HAS TO GO LONGER, IF IT DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T.
>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS ABOUT SETTING A LUNCH BREAK.
>> I NOW WANT TO HAVE [OVERLAPPING] EXTENDED.
>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE IN EVERY [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, SEE. THAT'S WHAT I DON'T AGREE WITH BECAUSE IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE THAT LONG.
WE'VE COMPLETED THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA BEFORE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
[OVERLAPPING] WE HAVE, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS EVERY COUNCIL.
>> WELL, BUT THE WAY IT WOULD BE STRUCTURED, YOU WOULD BREAK FROM 12:00-2:00.
IF WE FINISH ALL OF OUR ITEMS BY NOON, YOU DON'T COME BACK.
>> OR IF WE CAN FINISH THEM BY 1:00 OR 2:00.
>> YOU GET CLOSE TO 12:00, WE LOOK AT IT AND [OVERLAPPING]
>> I LIKE THE HOUR AND A HALF BETTER THAN TWO HOURS TO YOUR POINT, BECAUSE WE COULD ALWAYS EXTEND OUR MEETING TO 1:30 IF WE CAN WRAP IT UP BECAUSE IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO TIMES NOW.
>> AGAIN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESPECT TO OUR STAFF.
>> WAITS FOR THEIR [OVERLAPPING] TURN OR AGENDA ITEM COME UP.
TO ME, IT'S MORE OUT OF RESPECT TO STAFF TO BE ABLE TO GO BY AND SPEND AN HOUR AND A HALF, GET LUNCH, GET BACK AND JUST IN CASE WE HAVE MORE THINGS TO DISCUSS.
TO ME, IT WAS A DECISION MORE FOR THEM.
>> THE STAFF UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS ARE VOLUNTEERS, AND YOU'RE GIVEN YOUR TIME.
WE'LL WORK WITH YOU. THAT'S OKAY.
I'M JUST ASKING THAT JUST BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, I'VE GOT A DOZEN STAFF MEMBERS THAT ARE ABOUT TO KEEL OVER, MAYBE I'M ONE OF THEM.
>> BUT BROWN, YOU CAN LOOK AROUND THIS TABLE AND YOU CAN SEE OUR FACES.
>> YOU ALL SMELL LIKE BARBECUE.
>> YOU CAN LOOK IN OUR FACES, OUR LIFE IS THIS CITY.
>> WE'LL LOOK AT THAT, SEE ABOUT STRUCTURING.
>> THEN MAYBE JUST BE SOMETHING Y'ALL PLAY BY HERE.
>> WE'LL JUST SEE HOW IT WORKS.
>> YOU WERE THE ONE THAT STARTED THIS, BROWN, SAYING YOU WERE HUNGRY.
>> I'M HUNGRY AND I'M EATING 15 JOLLY RANCHERS.
[3.O Discussion of required training and education for City Council and City boards, commissions, and committees (Porretto/Rawlins - 15 min)]
>> 3.O, DISCUSSION OF REQUIRED TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR CITY COUNCIL AND CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES.
>> THIS ITEM STEMS FROM TWO THINGS.
ONE WAS THE TDEM TRAINING THAT WE ALL GOT THAT IS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW THAT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, HADN'T BEEN DONE IN AT LEAST 10 YEARS, WHICH I'M GLAD THAT WE DID IT.
BUT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD AT LEAST BE GETTING HELP WITH EITHER LEGAL OR THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STAFF FOR THAT ONE PARTICULAR ITEM.
WE'RE GOT TO BE GOOD ABOUT THAT MOVING FORWARD.
BUT THE OTHER THING WAS WE HAVE A NEW IDC ATTORNEY,
[06:10:05]
AND HE HAD SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SALES TAX TRAINING ON IDC.I'VE NEVER RECEIVED A SALES TAX TRAINING.
>> I HAVE NOT. I DID NOT HEAR ABOUT THIS.
I THINK MAYBE STAFF APPOINTEES CAN LOOK AT STATE LAW AND REQUIRED TRAININGS.
AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST.
ANY ADDITIONAL TRAININGS THAT CAN BE OFFERED TO COUNCIL TO BETTER US, BETTER OUR CITY, MAKE US LOOK BETTER TO TEE THEM, MAKE US LOOK BETTER TO THE STATE FOR SALES TAX SO WE ALL HAVE THE ACCREDITATIONS AND THE TRAININGS AND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR IT, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'D LIKE COUNCIL TO WEIGH IN ON, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'D LIKE TO PUSH FORWARD AND HAVE OUR STAFFS DO ON OUR BEHALF SO THAT WE ARE EDUCATED AND INFORMED AND TRAINED AND QUALIFIED.
>> THE TDEM TRAINING, ISN'T THAT ANNUALLY?
>> I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S ANNUALLY.
>> I THINK IT'S THE SAME TRAINING.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT ANNUALLY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT AS I SAID.
>> I TOOK IT HERE IN THIS ROOM.
>> BUT HADN'T BEEN DONE IN YEARS.
>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS MANDATORY FOR COUNCIL TO TAKE.
>> NO, KEEP ON THE SAME TOPIC, I'VE GOT ONE RELATED TO OTHER COMMITTEES AFTER WE GET OFF [OVERLAPPING]
>> THIS IS ALSO FOR JANELLE OR HER SUCCESSOR WHENEVER COUNCIL GETS ONBOARDED, THAT WE HAVE THOSE THINGS REWRITTEN FOR ONBOARDING SO THAT COUNCIL KNOWS.
BESIDES THE IT TRAINING THAT WE RECEIVE, BESIDES THE OTHER STATE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE RECEIVE, WE SHOULD HAVE A WHOLE LIST OF, HEY, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
MAYOR PRO TEM, THERE'S ADDITIONAL TRAININGS FOR TDEM AS WELL.
THE MAYOR GETS ADDITIONAL TRAININGS FOR TDEM, AND SO I THINK WE SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROACTIVE IN THAT APPROACH.
IT MAKES US MORE RESILIENT, IT MAKES US MORE EDUCATED, IT MAKES US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS WHEN DOING IDC WHEN DOING EMERGENCY TRAINING.
WHATEVER ELSE THAT I'M MISSING THAT IS OUT THERE.
>> I'M ACTUALLY GLAD YOU PUT THIS ON HERE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS AS IT RELATES TO SOME OF OUR OTHER CITY COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS.
IN FACT, OUR CODE OF ORDINANCES HAS SOME SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS FOR QUALIFICATIONS THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO MEET.
SECTION 2.201 STATES THAT THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE TO HAVE GREATER THAN FIVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT COMMITTEE, AND MAYBE BROWN CAN HELP ME OUT.
I'D LIKE TO DO AN AUDIT OF THAT TO GET THEIR CVS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE MEETING THAT REQUIREMENT BECAUSE IN THE CODE AS WELL, IT SAYS, IF THOSE MEMBERS DO NOT MEET THAT REQUIREMENT, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BE DISMISSED.
>> I ALSO SAID IT WAS EXPERIENCE, [OVERLAPPING] FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
>> COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL POSSESS A REPUTATION FOR PERSONAL INTEGRITY, INDEPENDENCE, JUDGMENT, AND DILIGENCE.
WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE EX OFFICIO MEMBER, COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHALL HAVE AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF SOPHISTICATED EXPERIENCE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS EXPERIENCE AND ANALYSIS OF THE ACCOUNTING, REPORTING, AND INFORMATION UTILIZED IN THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF SUCH ENTITIES.
I THINK THE KEY IS IS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO FIND FOLKS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED IN GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING.
WHAT I DON'T WANT IS I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO JUST COME IN AND THE FIRST TIME THEY TAKE A LOOK AT A GOVERNMENTAL BUDGET EVER IS WHEN THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE FINANCE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
GOVERNMENT FINANCE IS EXTREMELY DIFFERENT THAN PRIVATE FINANCE.
I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THAT.
>> GREAT. THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY IMPORTANT [OVERLAPPING] TO US.
THESE FOLKS ARE DOING [OVERLAPPING] WORK OF COUNCIL.
THEY ARE SITTING THERE WITH OUR BUDGET GOING THROUGH IT LINE BY LINE AND MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SETTING OUR TAX RATE AND BRINGING THAT TO COUNCIL.
NOW, WHETHER OR NOT WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THAT IS A POLICY DECISION THAT WE MAKE AS COUNCIL.
BUT THESE PEOPLE VOLUNTEERED TIME,
[06:15:04]
THERE WE GO, DIGGING THROUGH THESE BUDGETS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR CODE OF ORDINANCE.>> BUT JUST TO REMEMBER, IT SAYS OR SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, SO THAT COULD.
>> SURE. >> BUT EVEN THE EX OFFICIO, I HAVE MORE THAN FIVE YEARS [LAUGHTER] IN GOVERNMENT BUDGET.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN [OVERLAPPING]
>> I HAVE EIGHT YEARS. [LAUGHTER]
>> I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE ONE OF THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE QUALIFICATIONS SPECIFIED IN THE CODE OF ORDINANCES?
>> THERE ARE SOME OTHER COMMITTEES LIKE PLUMBERS AND THINGS.
>> LANDMARK, [OVERLAPPING] I JUST SEE.
>> BUT FINANCE COMMITTEE, MANY OF THE MEMBERS DON'T MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS. I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
>> SOME OF THEM DO, SOME OF THEM DON'T.
>> SOME OF THEM DON'T. I'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION WITH OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT HERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW.
THEY DON'T MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS, BUT THAT BECOMES THE WAY IT'S STATED.
IT DOESN'T SAY GOVERNMENTAL FINANCING.
>> IT WOULD SAY SUBSTANTIAL [OVERLAPPING] FINANCIAL EXPERIENCE.
>> OR SUBSTANTIAL [OVERLAPPING] EXPERIENCE AND WHAT? HOLD ON. BUT IT'S OR, BUT IT VERY CLEARLY SPECIFIES THE VERY FIRST PRIORITY [OVERLAPPING]
>> SUBSTANTIAL IS A SUBJECTIVE TERM.
>> OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
IS THAT A FIVE PERSON FIRM, [INAUDIBLE]? IS IT A FIRM?
>> THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THERE THAT PROBABLY DON'T HAVE EVEN THAT NUMBER.
>> BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THERE THAT HAVE EITHER IN THEIR CORPORATE EXPERIENCE OR WHATNOT, WOULD QUALIFY, AND THEN THERE ARE SOME NOT.
BUT IT USED TO BE, I'M GOING BACK UNTIL EVERYBODY WHO WAS ON THERE GOT KICKED OFF AND IT WAS IN 2015 THAT PEOPLE MET THAT REQUIREMENT.
>> WHY DON'T WE GO BACK TO THAT?
>> WHY AREN'T THEY VETTED WHEN THEY PUT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN?
>> THEY ARE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, BUT IT GETS BACK TO THIS THIS SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE OR INVOLVED.
>> ALEX JUST THREW SOMETHING OUT THERE.
>> WHY DON'T WE INTERVIEW FINANCE AND FISCAL AFFAIRS?
>> BUT NAME ME ANOTHER COMMITTEE THAT WE APPOINT AS COUNCIL THAT HAS AS MUCH IMPORTANCE TO THE FUNCTION OF THE CITY.
>> WE'RE ASKING THEM TO EVEN HAVE MORE.
>> I'M NOT TRYING TO ASK FOR MORE. REALLY I'M NOT.
>> IF A COUNCIL WANTED TO BE SUPER HANDS OFF WITH THE BUDGET, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO RIDE SOLELY ON THE FINANCE.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I SAID MAYBE WE OUGHT TO ENTER.
>> IF A COUNCIL, NOT WITH COUNCIL. FOR SURE.
I SAID IF COUNCIL IN THE FUTURE WANTED TO BE HEARD.
>> I THINK THIS REQUIRES FURTHER DISCUSSION BECAUSE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS A CONCERN.
IN MY OPINION, IT HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.
>> IT WAS ON TOPIC AND I WAS PLEASED TO SEE IT ON THE AGENDA.
>> ONE OTHER TOPIC I WANT TO BRING UP AND JANELLE, WHEN YOU GO ON A COMMITTEE, YOU HAVE TO UNDERGO THE OPEN MEETINGS TRAINING, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT, AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT.
ONCE YOU'RE REAPPOINTED, DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT OVER AGAIN?
>> I'M NOT SURE WHY WE HAVE TO DO THAT.
>> I'M NOT SURE EITHER, MAYOR.
>> I WOULD HAVE SAID NO TO THAT ONE.
>> THIS WAS CHANGED A FEW YEARS AGO TO REQUIRE REAPPOINTMENTS TO DO THAT TRAINING.
>> I JUST THINK THAT ONCE YOU DO THAT TRAINING, YOU DON'T HAVE TO, EVERY TIME THAT YOU'RE, [OVERLAPPING].
>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET.
>> LOOKING AT OUR CURRENT SITUATION WITH ONE OF OUR BOARDS WHO FORGOT HOW OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THAT TRAINING.
>> IT PROBABLY BE BETTER TO HAVE THEIR ATTORNEY GO THROUGH THE TRAINING. I'M SORRY.
[06:20:06]
>> THAT'S IN MY JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE JOKES, MAYOR.
>> WELL, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT IF, IN FACT, WE NEED TO HAVE THEM HAVE THAT TRAINING EVERY TIME THEY COME UP FOR REAPPOINTMENT.
>> WELL, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT SECURITY TRAINING EVERY YEAR, AND TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S LIKE, YOU WANT TO JUST SMACK YOURSELF IN THE HEAD BEFORE YOU START BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST RIDICULOUS, BUT IT'S BY LAW.
>> CYBERSECURITY. IT'S TAKE OFF.
>> I KNOW. BUT I DID NOT REQUIRE PEOPLE TO DO THE OPEN MEETINGS.
[3.P Update and discussion on the Arts umbrella to include the three models Council requested and potential implementation timelines (Porretto/Rawlins – 10 min)]
ITEM 3P, PLEASE.>> ITEM 3P. UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE ARTS UMBRELLA TO INCLUDE THE THREE MODELS COUNCIL REQUESTED AND POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINES.
>> HELLO. >> I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE SUPER JACK.
>> I'M JUST GOING TO RUN OUT FOR A MINUTE BUT SINCE HE SAID, I GET SMALL BARBECUE.
NOW IT'S LIKE, I CAN SMELL MY HAND.
>> IT'S NOT SUBTLE. IS IT BARBECUE?
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A WHILE, Y'ALL.
I WANTED TO COME BACK BECAUSE OF THE TIMING.
WE'VE GOT BOTH OF OUR BOARD CHAIRS HERE.
WE'VE GOT KATHLEEN DINATALE FOR OUR CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION BOARD AND MARY BRANUM, WHO IS THE CHAIR OF OUR ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD.
I WANTED TO GET ALL THIS IN ADVANCE, BUT HERE IS JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHY I'M HERE.
THEN I PUT IN WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO COME BACK.
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF LINE UP. THEN THESE ARE THE CITIES THAT WE HAD COME DOWN TO.
WE'D ACTUALLY DOWN TO FIVE CITIES YOU ASKED ME TO COME BACK WITH SOME FUNDING MODELS OR SOME DIFFERENT MODELS OF OVERSIGHT.
INCLUDED THE FIVE CITIES, ONE OF THE CITIES THAT IS MISSING IS ASHVILLE AS THEY COULD NO LONGER.
WHEN THEY HAD ALL OF THE ISSUES IN ASHVILLE, THEY COULDN'T COMMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE REST OF US SEEMS GOOD.
>> THE FLOOD THAT WIPED OFF ASHVILLE.
>> THEY WERE OPEN TO CIRCLING BACK IN A YEAR OR SO AND TALKING ABOUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE [INAUDIBLE], WHICH I THOUGHT WAS GREAT.
I DID EACH CITY WITH A BREAKDOWN AND THEN KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR EACH CITY, SO YOU ALL CAN FEEL FREE TO DO MORE IN DEPTH DRIVE.
THERE'S MORE INFORMATION SHOULD ANYONE CHOOSE THAT ROUTE AVAILABLE ANYTIME YOU ASK ON EACH OF THOSE CITIES.
THEY WERE ALL VERY GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR TODAY IS GUIDANCE, DIRECTIONAL, AND WHEN I SAY THAT, IT'S ABOUT THE TIMING IS THAT WE HAVE, I BELIEVE, FIVE MEMBERS OF EACH BOARD, WHICH I SAID I WOULD CHECK WITH MARY BRANUM TIMING OFF BECAUSE BOTH CHAIRS STAYED OVER.
THERE'S A VACANCY ON ONE, AND BECAUSE OF THE TIMINGS, PEOPLE STEPPING IN MIDWAY THROUGH A SEAT SO BOTH BOARDS WOULD BE LOSING FIVE MEMBERS.
IF THERE WERE A TIME TO COMBINE THE BOARDS AND MAKE A NEW BOARD, IT WOULD BE NOW.
IT WOULD ALSO BE THE TIMING OF THE FACT THAT ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDS FOR TWO YEARS CURRENTLY, AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO DO THAT.
WE'LL HAVE THIS WINDOW OF TWO YEARS, REALLY ABOUT A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS.
THIS IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT. TO GET IT ALL STRAIGHTENED OUT AND WORRY ABOUT FUNDING CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION THAT FIRST YEAR AND STRUCTURE AND FLOW FOR ARTS AND HISTORIC CURRENT DELIVERABLE.
IF YOU LOOK ON PAGE 14, THE FIRST MODEL IS ON PAGE [INAUDIBLE] IS HOW WE CURRENTLY ARE SET UP.
Y'ALL SEEN THAT BEFORE WHERE THE ARTS PENNY PORTION GOES DIRECTLY TO THE ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION FORWARD, GOES TO THEIR FUND.
I'VE SAT DOWN WITH [INAUDIBLE] AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT WOULD BE NICE IF IT CAME TO AN ARTS FUND, AND THEN THE ALLOCATIONS GO TO ARTS AND HISTORIC, BARE MINIMUM, JUST TO BREAK IT OUT SO THAT ARTS AND HISTORIC AND ARTS AND CULTURAL ARTS, AND THEN SHOULD WE DO AN UMBRELLA, THERE WOULD BE THREE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT MONEY WOULD GO.
BUT INSTEAD, RIGHT NOW, IT GOES TO ARTS AND HISTORIC DIRECTLY AND THEY FUND THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION,
[06:25:04]
AND WE'VE CURRENTLY NEVER DISCUSSED THE UMBRELLA.ON PAGE 14, YOU SEE THE IMMEDIATE FIX IS THE FUNDING.
THIS IS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH FINANCE SO IT WOULD COME TO THAT FUND AND SO THOSE BOARDS WOULD COME AND WHATEVER'S ASKED SO FUTURE SURPLUS, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT DISCUSSION, THAT WOULD STILL SIT IN THAT ONE ACCOUNT, RATHER THAN A SITTING AT ART AND HISTORIC OR CULTURAL ARTS WHOEVER THAT WOULD BE.
>> HAVE WE LOOKED SMU DATAARTS, DID WE GET ANY MOVEMENT ON THAT?
>> THAT IS SITTING IN PURCHASING RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE GOT THE [INAUDIBLE] LETTER.
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I THINK ACTUALLY BARBARA HAS IT, I THINK.
>> THAT I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE IT'S OVER $15,000 AND NEITHER MYSELF NOR MR. MAXWELL CAN SIGN ANYTHING OVER 15,000.
THAT WILL BE ON NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT FORWARD.
>> THAT'S GOING TO BE FUNDED VIA HOT?
>> [INAUDIBLE] IDENTIFY THAT AS A HOT SPENT.
>> WE HAVE TO HAVE IT ALL REVIEWED.
I'M GOING TO LET ANTOINETTE TALK ABOUT SMU DATAARTS, BUT BEFORE YOU DO, AND I KNOW WE ALL GOT QUESTIONS ON THIS, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST TO MAKE THIS, I WOULD SAY EXPEDITIOUS AND A CLEANER PROCESS AND I THINK DAVID, BOTH OF US, I'M ON ARTS AND HISTORIC AND WE HAVE TWO REALLY GOOD CHAIR PEOPLE ON THOSE TWO BOARDS.
I THINK DAVID AND I COULD LEAD UP THIS INITIATIVE WITH GETTING COUNCIL UP TO SPEED BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT, AND WE'RE BOTH OF UP TO OUR NEXT IN IT AT THIS POINT AND IF WE HAD TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING, IT'D BE A THREE HOUR MEETING ON EXPLAINING EVERYTHING.
>> WE SAT IN HERE, WHAT, 3,4 TIMES, AND YOU'VE GONE THROUGH IT IN VERY GOOD DETAIL.
MORE DETAIL THAN I THINK ANY ONE OF US REALLY WANTED.
[LAUGHTER] I WILL TELL YOU, BUT THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THESE BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS HAS BEEN TASKED WITH A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE, AND THERE'S A DIRECT FUNDING THAT'S TIED TO THAT AND SO THEY'VE BUILT THEMSELVES AROUND THAT STRUCTURE.
I THINK THE ASK IS, IS RIGHT THERE ON PAGE 15, I'LL HIGHLIGHT IT FOR YOU.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE STAFF HAS BEEN VERY DELIBERATE IN THEIR TIME AND ANALYSIS OF MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE BRINGING FORWARD A REASONABLE REQUEST TO YOU NOT JUST SAYING, HEY, I THINK FROM 30,000 FEET, IF YOU COMBINE THEM, YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOME EFFICIENCIES, STAFF CAN BE MORE FOCUSED, NOT GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO SO MANY MEETINGS, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
MAYBE THERE'S MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THE WAY THAT YOU'RE DISTRIBUTING FUNDING RATHER THAN HAVING IT STRUCTURED SIX-EIGHTHS OF ONE PENNY OF $0.05 HAS TO GO HERE.
>> ACCOUNTABILITY. LET'S JUMP TO THE END, 15.
ALEX AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE COUNCIL CONSIDER COMBINING CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION AND ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD UNDER A SINGLE GALVESTON ARTS COUNCIL.
>> ACTUALLY, COUNCIL MEMBER, FRANKLY, I CAN SAY THIS FROM THE OVERVIEW.
BOTH LADIES THAT HAVE BEEN OVER BOTH BOARDS AND BOTH BOARDS HAVE BEEN VERY PASSIONATE AND ADD A GREAT DEAL OF COMPLIMENTARY TO THE CITY AND HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY THROUGH SOME OF THESE THINGS AND I THINK THIS COULD BE A GREAT THING.
>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT.
>> IF COUNCIL WANTED TO, THAT WAS THE SUGGESTION I HAVE, WE MOVE TO THIS ARTS UMBRELLA.
WHICHEVER ONE OF THE THREE, I THINK, DAVID AND I COULD GET WITH OUR RESPECTIVE BOARDS AND GIVE A UNIFIED RECOMMENDATION FROM EVERYBODY TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> UP CREATING LIKE A [INAUDIBLE] COUNCIL AND WHAT DOES IT WORK FOR.
>> WE'VE HEARD SIX YEARS AGO, PARK BOARD HAD IT, AND NOW WE HAVE IT.
IT'S GONE THROUGH SOME REITERATIONS.
WE INCREASED THE AMOUNT THAT WE WENT FROM 100,000 TO 250,000 AND THEN NOW WE'RE AT A PERCENTAGE BASIS SO I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE JUST OF NOT HIT THE RESET BUTTON.
WE DO HAVE THE TWO YEAR TIME FRAME, LET'S RESTRUCTURE IT.
WE CAN LOOK AT HOLISTICALLY HOW WE CAN DO IT.
I'VE GOT MORE OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT.
[06:30:02]
CULTURAL ARTS IS, THEY DO OTHER THINGS AND DO IT WELL, BUT MAINLY THEY'RE DOING PUBLIC ART FUNDING AND ALLOCATIONS.ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BASICALLY DOES ALLOCATIONS FOR PROMOTION AND MARKETING.
THERE'S NOT AN ENTITY THAT A NONPROFIT CAN COME AND REQUEST HOT FUNDING FOR OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON AND WHO SERVED THAT ROW WAS THE PARK BOARD.
THE PARK BOARD TOOK ON THE ROLE OF FUNDING OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND THEN THE ARTS AND HISTORIC DID PROMOTION AND CULTURAL ARTS, OF COURSE, PUBLIC ART.
IF YOU COMBINE ALL THESE, MY QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES THE PARK BOARD STAND AND WHAT WILL THEY BE DOING? THEN ALSO, WILL YOU THEN EXPAND TO ALLOW HOT FUNDING FOR OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES?
>> THOSE ARE REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.
ONE THOUGHT I HAD TO THAT, THERE ARE SOME PARK BOARD POSITIONS ON OUR BOARDS.
>> CULTURE AND ARTS. SORRY, I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONE THAT WAS JUST YOUR DAUGHTER ON THERE.
>> THAT'S NOT YOURS? [LAUGHTER]
THEY DON'T HAVE THAT POSITION.
>> DO YOU WANT A PARK BOARD APPOINTEE?
>> CVB. BUT ANYWAY, THE POINT BEING IS MAYBE WE LOOK AT THAT RELATIONSHIP AND SAY, WELL, DO WE HAVE A REPRESENTATION ON A COMMITTEE THERE, THEY HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE COMMITTEE HERE.
THAT'S A WHOLE ANOTHER DEAL, BUT IT TIES INTO THAT.
WHAT'S THE ROLE? WE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT, BUT I THINK IN TERMS OF THE GRANT ASPECT OF GIVING HOT TAX.
WHEN WE GIVE HOT TAX GRANT WISE, THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP IN ARTS AND HISTORIC, ARE THEY UTILIZING BOTH THE CITY AND THE PARK BOARD FOR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES? THAT TO ME POSES THE DOUBLE DIPPING QUESTION.
CAN YOU PROVE HEADS AND BEDS? WHETHER IT BE THROUGH THE PARK BOARD OR THE CITY, ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE FUNDING OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS? I THINK THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE SURFACE FOR A WHILE AND WITH MARTY, IT GIVES US A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SAY, WHAT ROLE WOULD THE PARK BOARD HAVE HERE IN THIS OF UMBRELLA? WHAT ROLE WOULD THE CITY HAVE? LET'S DEFINE THOSE ROLES.
IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANTS, IF THE PARK BOARD CAN BE A VESSEL TO FUNNEL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES HERE, THEN I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.
AGAIN, THIS IS REALLY IN THE WEED STUFF, BUT I THINK WE TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
>> I ALREADY GOT SOMETHING, LIKE IT SEND YOU TOMORROW.
>> WE GOT A SERIOUS YEAR OF LOOKING AT HOW WE CHANGE, HOW HOT TAX GRANTS ARE GIVEN AT THE CITY.
>> LIKE YOU SAID, DELINEATION OF SCOPE BETWEEN MARKETING AND OPERATIONAL FUNDS AND THE USE OF HOT FOR THAT, WE DO NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH PARK BOARD ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, BUT I THINK THAT ELEVATING THESE TWO GROUPS TO A SINGLE UNIFIED GALVESTON ARTS COUNCIL STARTS TO BRING SOME FOCUS TO THIS AND MAYBE ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME STREAMLINING OF THE APPLICATION OF GRANT PROCESS.
BUT OPERATIONAL QUESTION, WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO TALK TO THE PARK BOARD ON THAT.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF THE BEST PRACTICES DO THIS.
THEY HAVE A SINGLE UMBRELLA AND THEN THEY GO DOWN FURTHER.
I'M JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM WE'RE TRYING TO FIX AND IF IT IS GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM WE'RE TRYING TO FIX.
THEN THIRDLY, THE TWO BOARDS HERE REPRESENTED ARE ALL ON BOARD AND DOING THIS.
>> WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY WE WERE DOING THE UMBRELLA THING.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ANTOINETTE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT? WE'VE LOOKED AT HOW WE SIMPLIFY THE PROCESSES BETWEEN THE TWO.
WE WENT TO PERCENTAGES, UP TO 250,000.
WE'VE LOOKED AT A LOT OF THINGS.
AGAIN, THERE'S ONE BOARD, AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER BOARD, AND THEY HAVE TO MEET, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO COORDINATE, AND THEN WE MEET AGAIN.
IT'S ALMOST SOME TYPE OF REDUNDANCY IN THE SYSTEM, BUT I THINK THE PURPOSE IS FOR THE ARTS AND IF THAT MEANS CONSOLIDATING THE BOARDS, WE HAVING ONE OR TWO MORE POSITIONS.
[06:35:02]
I'M JUST SUGGESTING THAT DAVID AND I WORK WITH OUR BOARDS, AND WE COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED WHEN WE GET STUFF DONE AND IF IT'S ONE ARTS UMBRELLA THAT HAS THREE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS, SO BE IT.IF IT'S A DIFFERENT SYSTEM, WHATEVER WE DO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THERE'S THREE DIFFERENT FRAMEWORKS THAT WE CAN.
>> BUT THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE SOLVING. GO AHEAD.
>> CURRENTLY, WE GIVE OUT ALL OF OUR MONEY, WHICH IS GREAT, TO ORGANIZATIONS AND WHATEVER BUT WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENT IN BIG PICTURE.
ALSO, A THIRD COMPONENT OF THE TIMING IS THAT FUNDING THAT WE HAVE, THAT SURPLUS FUNDING THAT IS ARTS EARMARKED, AND HOW COULD THAT BETTER SERVE US AND HOW COULD WE BE LEVERAGING OUR HOT TAX TO THE GREATEST STABILITY.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FUNDING SERVING OPERATIONAL, THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN ARTS FUNDING.
A LOT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO BRING FORWARD AT A LATER DATE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS ACTUALLY A VERY SMALL PORTION DOES JUST THAT.
THE DIFFERENT GRANTS, SAY LIKE A CITYWIDE FESTIVAL.
> THE ENTERTAINMENT PORTION IS A BUDGET ITEM FROM THE ARTS, BUT THE ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT COMES FROM TOURISM DEVELOPMENT OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
EACH GRANT, DEPENDING ON WHAT ITS IMPACT IS OR PURPOSE COMES FROM MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR THAT GRANT.
ARTS FOCUSED GRANTS ARE USUALLY MUCH SMALLER, AND THEY'RE DIRECTLY TO THE ARTIST, AND THERE'S A LOT LESS OVERSIGHT THAN WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, WHERE WE'RE DOWN IN THE WHEAT STAFF IS CONSTANTLY MEETING WITH ARTISTS AND CHECKING THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE USE OF ART TAX AND ALL THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SIMPLIFY.
THAT'S THE GOAL IS TO FOCUS MORE ON DEVELOPMENT AND HOW TO LEVERAGE THE ART.
MAYBE MONEY MATCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES.
THE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME, BUT ALSO, WE'RE ENCOURAGING THEM THROUGH SMU DATAARTS AND THAT REPORTING.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK WITH CALL IT THE DELICIOUS DATA EARLIER, BUT IT'S TRUE, WHERE YOU ALL CAN REALLY LOOK AT WHAT OUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING OR GAPS AND WHAT THEY NEED AND WE CAN SAY IF THAT'S TRUE OR IF IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE TELLING US.
WE'LL HAVE ALL OF THAT IN TWO YEARS TIME.
IF WE'RE APPROVING SMU DATAARTS, WE'RE GOING TO GET THEM STARTED DOING THAT REPORTING NOW.
>> IT'LL SEPARATE THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ARTS IN HOUSTON, WE ARE A PART OF THAT INSTEAD OF SEPARATING US OUT FROM BEING GALVESTON COUNTY ARTS, THE ART SCENE THEY HERE, AND IT'LL BE SEPARATED AWAY FROM EACH.
>> WE'RE PART OF THE GREATER HOUSTON EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN THAT SMU DATAARTS PARTNERED WITH THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT FUND TO CREATE.
WE WOULD BREAK OURSELVES OUT AND THEN BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND BACK TO THE HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE AND SAY, IN AN EMERGENCY, HOW DO WE ENACT THIS AND IMMEDIATELY MEET SOME THINGS THAT HOPEFULLY THAT SURPLUS FUNDING OR WHATEVER THAT WE'VE DECIDED FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE, WE CAN MATCH THAT WITH GRANTS FROM HOUSTON AND THEN FEDERAL GRANTS AND HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE
>> BACK TO BOB'S QUESTION, FOR SIMPLIFICATION LET ME JUST SAY, I THINK, SINCE I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS AND STARTING WITH THE PARK BOARD AND THEN MOVING IN CITY COUNCIL.
WHAT THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION DOES IN PROVIDING ALLOCATIONS FOR PUBLIC ART IT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND WELL RUN PROCESS I'VE SEEN.
WHAT ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD DOES IN PROVIDING ALLOCATIONS FOR PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES IS THE SAME.
THEY DO A SPECTACULAR JOB DOING THAT.
WELL FOR SATISFYING WHAT WE DO VERY NICELY, I THINK.
NOW, IF WE MOVE TO A ARTS COMMISSION, DOES THAT COMMISSION HANDLE BOTH THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES?
>> GREAT QUESTION. YES, BUT WE'RE ALSO ALLEVIATING THE SUBJECTIVE.
WHEN WE'RE DOING ALL REPORTING THROUGH SMU DATAARTS, WHAT WE'VE DISCUSSED EARLIER AND IF EVER THIS WAS THE DIRECTION, THEN WE WOULD COME BACK TO YOU AND SAY THIS WITH MUCH MORE INFORMATION.
WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE IS WHEN WE COME TO YOU AROUND THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR WITH BUDGET, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SET THE PARAMETERS FOR HOW WE WANT TO FUND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS.
ORGANIZATIONALLY, THEY'RE REPORTING THROUGH SMU DATAARTS.
WE CAN GO, DO WE WANT TO PUT AN EMPHASIS ON ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DRIVING TOURISM?
[06:40:01]
DO THEY GET BONUS POINTS IF THEY'VE APPLIED FOR STATE FUNDING AND FEDERAL FUNDING? HOW WE SCORE THEM WOULD COME TO YOU EARLY ON.THEN WE'RE JUST PULLING THE DATA BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND GOING, THIS IS WHO QUALIFY FOR WHAT YOU DECIDED EARLY ON.
> HAVING BEEN HERE A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THIS QUESTION HAS COME UP, HOW ARE YOU SCORING THEM? WE'VE NEVER HAD A SUFFICIENT ANSWER.
>> THIS WOULD BE A VERY DEFINITIVE AND THIS IS THE SAME.
>> DO WE HAVE HUGE RUBRIC ON THIS?
>> IT'S THINGS THAT WE'VE WORKED ON THAT CAN BE COMPILED INTO EVERYTHING, AND MARY CAN TELL YOU BECAUSE SHE'S AT THE BINDER, IT'S A LONG ARDUOUS PROCESS.
IT'S SUBJECTIVE, BUT ANYTIME YOU COME TO A BOARD, AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S STILL SUBJECTIVE.
BUT IT'S A LOT OF WORK, AND YOU RELY ON THE CHAIRPERSON GIVING DULLING OUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THAT BOARD MEMBER TO GO AND DOUBLE CHECK THE ORGANIZATION, LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE SUBMITTED AND ALSO GO DO A ONSITE VISIT AND LOOK AT IT.
WITH SMU DATAARTS, IT TAKES THAT ASPECT OUT OF IT, BUT YOU CAN STILL HAVE THE SAME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT WE HAVE, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE TWO HOLDOVERS, NOT THAT I DON'T APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MANY PEOPLE YOU CAN FIND IN THESE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND IF YOU HAVE THE SAME MINDSET ON THE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND YOU HAVE ONE UNIFIED BOARD THAT HAS A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY USING SMU DATAARTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, I THINK IT'S A BETTER IDEA.
>> IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE SUBJECTIVE EVEN IF YOU'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL RUBRIC, IT'S STILL THE HUMAN FACTOR WHERE MARY'S VERSION OF, ARE THEY KEEPING THEIR BOOKS WELL IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN SOMEONE ELSE'S VERSION OF IF THEY'RE KEEPING THEIR BOOKS WELL.
SHE'S SCORING THEM A ZERO, AND SOMEBODY ELSE IS LIKE, FOUR.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. IT'S JUST THAT'S JUST THE FACT.
IF WE'RE PULLING SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY PREDETERMINED AND GOING, THIS IS WHO QUALIFIED NUMBER 1, THAT ALLEVIATES A LOT.
>> OF SUBJECTIVITY. NUMBER 2, WHAT THESE COMMISSIONS HAVE DONE THAT ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENTS, SIMILAR TO LIKE IDC IS WHAT I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS ARTS OVERSIGHT BOARD WOULD DO, WHERE THEY'RE REALLY JUST FOCUSED ON WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
THEY DO AN ANNUAL COMMITTEE THAT SIGNS UP JUST TO JURY.
THAT'S ALL THEY DO. THEY COME ON BOARD, WE GO.
HERE'S THE PLACES THAT CITY STAFF HAS AGREED WE CAN PUT PUBLIC ART.
HERE ARE THE PIECES OR HERE ARE THE NEEDS FROM CITY STAFF THAT ARE CONSIDERED ARTISTIC, AND THERE'S A WHOLE LIST OF FANTASTIC THINGS.
ALL OF THAT WOULD GO TO THAT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND THEN THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WOULD SAY, OKAY, HERE'S THE CALLS WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUT.
THOSE PEOPLE, THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE IN ART IS JUST USED TO JURY THE ART THAT COMES IN. MAYBE TO HELP WRITE.
>> THIS WHOLE SCHEME DEPENDS ON UTILIZING SMU DATAARTS, RIGHT?
>> THEN ALSO WHEN WHEN WE DO GRANTS, THE HARDEST PART, AND MARY CAN TELL ME IF IS GETTING THE REPORTING BACK ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
WHEN I GIVE SOMEBODY A GRANT, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S BRIAN SEEKING A FEMA GRANT OR A [INAUDIBLE], THERE'S RECORDING THAT IS ON THE BACK AND THAT HAS TO BE DONE.
THE BIG PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO GET THAT REPORTING AND SMU DATAARTS MAKES IT EASIER, AND I THINK IT'S ANOTHER LEVEL OF TOOL.
ANOTHER TOOL OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT YOU CAN SAY, OKAY, INSTEAD OF CITY STAFF CALLING REPEATEDLY TO GET THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION, YOU HAVE SMU DATAARTS.
SMU DATAARTS INTERACTS WITH WHOEVER THAT GRANDEE IS, I BELIEVE.
>> I WILL ALSO SAY THAT IT WILL GREATLY ENHANCE OUR CHANCES OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING OTHER GRANTS.
SMU DATAARTS IS WHO TEXAS CULTURAL TRUST USES FOR ALL OF THEIR DATA INFORMATION.
IF YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A STATE LED COMP AND SHOW THAT IN A GRANT THAT YOU'RE APPLYING FOR FROM THE STATE.
>> THEN IF THEY DON'T GET THE GRANT FROM THE CITY, HEY, THERE'S 10 OTHER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES THAT SMU DATAARTS PARTNERS WITH THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU ABLE TO. APPLY FOR.
>> YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAY AT SOME POINT THAT IT WOULD PAY FOR YOURSELF.
>> I THINK THAT, FIRST OF ALL, SMU DATAARTS IS VERY EXCITED THAT WE'RE DOING IT.
HOUSTON IS DOING A BIG, COMPREHENSIVE THING WITH SMU DATAARTS RIGHT NOW THAT THEY SAID THERE'S OPPORTUNITY IF WE ON BOARD FOR US TO PARTNER WITH THEM.
[06:45:02]
>> COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE THIS OVERARCHING ARTS COUNCIL AND CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE TWO GROUPS YOU HAVE NOW?
>> WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO HERE?
>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GIVE DIRECTION TO INTERNET TO ALEX DAVID TO MOVE FORWARD TO BRING BACK TO COUNCIL ALTERNATE APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR ARTISTIC.
>> I THINK NARROWING IT DOWN TO TWO BECAUSE WE GOT THREE AND IT'S LIKE, WELL, WE HAVE TO REVIEW WHICH ONES THAT WE LIKE.
I THINK NARROWING IT DOWN TO TWO AND WHATEVER ITERATIONS THAT THE BOARDS CAN FIGURE OUT, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO BRING THOSE TWO BACK AND SAY, DOES COUNCIL WANT TO DO THIS WAY OR DO IT THIS WAY OR A AN AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO.
>> WE HAVE THESE THREE RIGHT HERE.
>> WE'LL ALSO SAY ALONG WITH THE TIMING IS THAT WE STAFF HAS BEEN ASKED TO REWRITE THE CLEAN UP THESE ORDINANCES.
WHERE WE GOT THE A RESERVE THAT ARTS AND HISTORIC CAN'T TOUCH, AND WE'VE GOT FUNDING THAT THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION.
THERE'S THINGS CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION WANTS TO BUY PLAQUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WELL, ACTUALLY, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
YOU CAN SET THAT MONEY ASIDE, BUT YOU ACTUALLY CAN'T SPEND IT IN THAT WAY.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CLEAN UP ALL AT ONCE.
THOSE ORDINANCES, WHATEVER ORDINANCE WE WRITE, IS CLEAN AND NOT CONFUSING.
>> IT DEPENDS ON WHICH ONE OF THESE THREE SCHEMES THAT YOU WRITE FOR.
>> WE CAN'T WRITE AN ORDINANCE PLAN THAT WE DON'T WHERE WE'RE GOING.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP SOMETHING THAT.
>> THAT MARY BRANUM CHAIRMAN ARTS DISTRICT PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALL DISCUSSED AND MORE SO ON ARTS DISTRICT PRESERVATION.
IT FIRST TRANSPIRED TWO YEARS AGO, AND IT HAPPENED TO COME UP AGAIN THIS YEAR.
IS THE FACT THAT WITH WHAT WE HAVE AWARDED OR LET ME SAY, APPLICANTS HAVE COME IN FOR MONEY.
WE HAVE FOUND OUT AT A LATER TIME THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME ART TAX BECAUSE IT'S ALL ONE BIG, IT'S UP HERE.
THEN THERE'S THE DIFFERENT POTS OR SILOS.
THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE'RE AWARE OF IT.
BY DOING THIS, YOU HAVE AN UMBRELLA, EVERYTHING FEES DOWN THROUGH HERE, AND THEN IT'S DISTRIBUTED DOWN.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANOTHER ENTITY PROVIDING FUNDING.
>> BUT FOR THAT TO WORK, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THE PARK BOARD.
>> THE PARK BOARD'S INVOLVEMENT WITH ARTISTIC FUNDING WILL HAVE TO FALL WITHIN THIS UMBRELLA?
>> THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT A MEETING WITH THE PARK BOARD TO DISCUSS THE OPERATION SIDE COMPONENT OF IT.
>> DO YOU SAY AUTISTIC OR ARTISTIC? [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU'RE FINE. I'LL LET YOU GO.
>> WHAT REALLY OUR MAIN CONCERN IS TRANSPARENCY.
I FEEL THAT IN SEVERAL RESPECTS WE'VE BEEN BLINDSIDED.
FORTUNATELY, IT'S BEEN CAUGHT IN TIME, BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT EITHER IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
IT'S BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW ONE ANOTHER.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE AND THEY'RE ASKING, I'M GOING TO HYPOTHETICALLY SAY 10,000, BUT FOUND OUT THEY GOT 50,000 FROM EVERY YEAR, AND IT'S THE SAME, AND I THINK WITH THIS AS TO WHAT INTERNET HAS PROPOSED, YOU HAVE REPORTING ALL IN ONE AREA AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT.
BUT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE'RE GETTING MORE AND MORE APPLICANTS AND MORE POSSIBILITIES OF IT.
I THINK IT'D BE VERY GOOD IDEA.
>> IN THERE, I THINK THAT HAPPENED ACCIDENTALLY OR WHATEVER BECAUSE THE PARK BOARD WAS GIVING JUNETEENTH GRANTS AND THEN I ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD DO IT ONE MORE TIME, AND THEY DID.
THAT GRANT PERIOD ENDED, AND THEN YOUR NEW GRANT PERIOD STARTED.
>> THEY DIDN'T MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS.
>> BUT ONE DID, ONE GOT BOTH OF THEM.
I KNOW, BECAUSE THEY WERE NONPROFITS.
> I DON'T THINK IT WAS JUST JUNETEENTH, MISS LEWIS.
>> THE REASON I SAID JUNETEENTH IS BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT WAS OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE WERE DOUBLE DIPPING THE CAN.
>> THERE'S ALSO A POSITIVE TO THIS AS WELL.
THIS ALL SOUNDS VERY NEGATIVE IN OVERSIGHT REASONING.
BUT IT GIVES US THE OPTION OF DIVERSIFYING HOW WE'RE DOING THIS FUNDING IN A WAY WHERE THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT APPLY AND RECEIVE FUNDING FROM ARTS AND HISTORIC,
[06:50:03]
WHICH ARE FANTASTIC ORGANIZATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND WE'VE NEVER REALLY BROACHED THAT SUBJECT BECAUSE THEY'RE FANTASTIC ORGANIZATIONS.>> MARY YOU SAID TOO IT'S IT'S SOMEWHAT SPECIAL OR IT'S A EVENT TYPE OF FUNDING, BUT IT'S CALLED THE ARTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION BUT NOT EVENTS FUNDING.
ALTHOUGH IT IS EVENTS AND THAT WAS A GRADING CRITERIA, AND I THINK IT GETS RID OF ALL THIS EXTRA STUFF AND IT COMBINES IT AND IT MAKES IT UNIFORM AND UNDER A SINGLE CLEARING HOUSE.
>> I'M GOING TO BRING THIS FULL CIRCLE AND SAY, WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE OUR COUNCIL.
IF WE DON'T WRAP THIS UP RIGHT NOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO THAT. GREAT PRESENTATION.
>> WE HAVE THE DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL MEMBER PERO AND MYSELF ARE TO WORK WITH ANTOINETTE.
BRINGING FORWARD TWO OPTIONS FOR AN UMBRELLA.
>> WE HAVE TO WORK FOR DEPARTMENT.
>> I'LL BRING THIS BACK NEXT. GOOD.
>> THAT GOOD. IF TIMELINE THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
ITEM 4A, PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNOR 551.071.
[4.A Pursuant To Texas Gov’T Code 551.071- Consultation With Attorney, An Executive Session Will Be Conducted To Discuss And Receive Legal Advice Concerning Pending Litigation And/Or A Settlement Offer, Or On A Matter In Which The Duty Of The Attorney To The Governmental Body Under The Texas Disciplinary Rules Of Professional Conduct Of The State Bar Of Texas Clearly Conflicts With This Chapter, Related To The Following: Roznovak V. City Of Galveston, 24-CV-2072]
CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE CONDUCTED TO DISCUSS AND RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE CONCERNING PENDING LITIGATION AND DO A SETTLEMENT OFFER.OR ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY OF THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY, UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THIS CHAPTER RELATED TO THE FOLLOWING: ROSNEV V CITY OF GALVESTON 2024-CV-2072.
IT IS 4:34, WE ARE NOW IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
IT IS 4:43 PM, WE ARE NOW OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.
>> THANK, DAVE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.