[00:00:01]
[CALL TO ORDER]
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.THIS IS GOING TO CALL TO ORDER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
TODAY IS OCTOBER THE 11TH, 2022.
WE WILL START WITH A ROLL CALL.
MYSELF, BRIANNA CHACON IS PRESENT.
MR. UNDERWOOD, HERE, MR. DEFFIBAUGH, HERE.
MR. KLEIBER IS NOT HERE AND MR. OBERA IS NOT HERE.
WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO THE INVOCATION.
WE HAVE MR. KELLY CARR WITH US THIS EVENING.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S PRAY TOGETHER.
[INVOCATION] THANK YOU. THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR CITIZENS APPEARANCE.
CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THE COUNCIL IS UNABLE TO RESPOND TO OR DISCUSS ANY ISSUES THAT ARE BROUGHT UP DURING THE SECTION THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA OTHER THAN TO MAKE STATEMENTS OF SPECIFIC FACTUAL INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A CITIZEN'S INQUIRY OR TO RECITE EXISTING POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE INQUIRY.
IS ANYONE HERE THIS EVENING FOR CITIZENS APPEARANCE? IF NOT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD.
THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
CONSENT AGENDA, ALL ITEMS LISTED ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS UNLESS THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SO REQUEST IN WHICH EVENT THE ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED IN ITS NORMAL SEQUENCE ON THE AGENDA.
GENTLEMEN, IS THERE ANYTHING TONIGHT THAT YOU NEED PULLED OR IF NOT, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND HAVE A MOTION? YOUR HONOR, IF THERE'S NO OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
DO I HAVE A SECOND. I'LL SECOND THAT.
OK. WITH THAT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES 3-0 FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THAT WILL TAKE US TO OUR SPECIAL AGENDA THIS EVENING.
[SPECIAL AGENDA]
WE WILL START WITH AGENDA ITEM 2022-072, PROCLAMATION FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, PROCLAMATION HONORING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, OCTOBER THE 10TH THROUGH THE 14TH, 2022. AND WE DO HAVE A PROCLAMATION TO READ FOR THAT.SAYS, WHEREAS THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL THOSE LIVING IN AND VISITING PRINCETON, AND, WHEREAS WORKING SMOKE ALARMS CUT THE CHANCE OF DYING IN A REPORTED FIRE IN HALF.
AND, WHEREAS SMOKE ALARMS ON EVERY LEVEL OF THE HOME, INCLUDING THE BASEMENT AND OUTSIDE, ALL SLEEPING AREAS SERVE AN ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARDS INCREASING THE PUBLIC SAFETY FROM HOME FIRES. AND, WHEREAS NEWER HOMES ARE BUILT WITH LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS THAT BURN FASTER THAN OLDER HOME CONSTRUCTION, WITH MANY OF TODAY'S PRODUCTS AND FURNISHINGS PRODUCING TOXIC GASES AND SMOKE AND BURNED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND BREATHE WITHIN MOMENTS.
AND, WHEREAS THESE CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTE TO A MUCH SMALLER WINDOW OF TIME FOR PEOPLE TO ESCAPE A HOME FIRE SAFELY WITH PEOPLE HAVING AS LITTLE AS 1 OR 2 MINUTES TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIME THE SMOKE ALARMS SOUND.
AND, WHEREAS A HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN INCLUDES TWO EXITS FROM EVERY ROOM IN THE HOME, A PATH TO THE OUTSIDE FROM EACH EXIT, SMOKE ALARMS AND ALL REQUIRED LOCATIONS, AND A MEETING PLACE OUTSIDE WHERE EVERYONE IN THE HOME WILL MEET UPON EXITING.
[00:05:04]
AND, WHEREAS HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN SHOULD BE DEVELOPED BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.AND, WHEREAS PRINCETON RESIDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE OR RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION MEASURES AND ARE ABLE TO TAKE PERSONAL STEPS TO INCREASE THEIR SAFETY FROM FIRE, ESPECIALLY IN THEIR HOMES.
I ENCOURAGE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO OBSERVE THIS WEEK WITH THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES, AS WELL AS TAKE THE PROPER PREPARATIONS TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE.
IS ANYONE HERE THIS EVENING FROM FIRE? NO. AND THAT WILL TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM 2022-073, RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R FOR TIRZ 5-WHITEWING PID, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRELIMINARY PROJECT PLAN AND FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER FIVE, CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, AND ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARIES OF SUCH ZONE NUMBER FIVE CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING WITH REGARD TO THE CREATION OF SUCH ZONE, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
THIS ITEM IS A STANDARD PROCEDURE TO ESTABLISH A TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE.
THEY HAVE THEIR PRELIMINARY PROJECT PLAN AND FINANCE PLAN SUBMITTED.
THIS IS THE RESOLUTION THAT CALLS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT, ESTABLISHING THAT ZONE ALONG WITH THE ITEM THAT WE'LL HAVE AT THE NEXT OR ON THE NEXT ITEM. SO WITH THAT, ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, I'LL TRY TO ANSWER.
THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THIS EVENING? YOUR HONOR, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS I'LL MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 2022-073 TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R TIRZ 5-WHITEWING PID.
I'LL SECOND THAT. ALRIGHT WITH THAT WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MR. WASHINGTON? YES. MR. UNDERWOOD? YES.
SO THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM 2022-074 RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R01 FOR TIRZ-SICILY PID, CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PRELIMINARY PROJECT PLAN AND FINANCING PLAN FOR REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER FOUR, CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, AND ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARIES OF SUCH ZONE NUMBER FOUR.
CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING WITH REGARD TO CREATION OF SUCH ZONE.
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF ITEM, EXCEPT THIS IS FOR THE SICILY PROJECT AND THEIR TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE WITHIN THEIR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. THIS IS THE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THAT PUBLIC HEARING AND I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
ANY QUESTIONS? YOUR HONOR, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 2222-074 RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R01 TIRZ-SICILY PID.
THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT, YOUR HONOR.
THANK YOU. WITH THAT WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MR. DEFFIBAUGH? YES. MR. WASHINGTON? YES.
WE WILL NOW BE ON AGENDA ITEM 2022-075, FUTURE MULTI USE FIELD SPACE DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING ADDITIONAL FIELD SPACE FOR YOUTH SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBER WASHINGTON AND MAYOR CHACON.
WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN FRONT IS I HAVE PRESENTED A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE FIELD SPACE AS REQUESTED BY MR. WASHINGTON. WHAT WE HAVE HERE ON THIS FIRST SLIDE IS ACTUALLY THE NRPA STANDARDS, THE NATIONAL RECREATION AND
[00:10:08]
PARKS ASSOCIATION.THIS RIGHT HERE IS JUST RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR AREAS.
OUR CURRENT POPULATION IS ROUGHLY 30,000 RIGHT NOW.
SO WHAT YOU SEE IN GREEN IS WHERE WE SHOULD BE PROJECTED TO GET TO.
AND AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW, OBVIOUSLY, THOSE NUMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AS WELL.
WHAT WE HAVE IN THE GRAY IS ACTUALLY OUR CURRENT STATUS.
NOW, WHAT I CAN SAY IS WE DO HAVE SOME FIELDS IN PROCESS AS WE SPEAK.
WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF TEMPORARY FIELDS AND SO FORTH.
BUT WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SOCCER AND MULTI USE FIELDS, THIS IS OPEN SPACE THAT WE NEED AVAILABLE.
AND I KNOW, MR. WASHINGTON, YOU KIND OF BROUGHT IT UP IN THE LAST MEETING.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO MULTI USE FIELDS THAT CALDWELL PARK.
WE DO HAVE TWO TEMPORARY FIELDS THAT ARE BEING BUILT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS WE SPEAK ON MONTE CARLO.
BUT WITH THAT, WE STILL HAVE MORE SPACE TO GAIN.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF AND THEN BASEBALL SOFTBALL FIELDS, THIS IS ANOTHER AREA THAT WE SEE AND WE DO IDENTIFY THE NEED. SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS ROUGHLY ONE FOR 4000 INDIVIDUALS AND.
I APOLOGIZE. I JUST WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU FOR A MOMENT.
THE BASEBALL FIELDS THAT YOU HAVE HERE THAT ARE CURRENT, ARE THOSE INCLUSIVE OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH ARCADIA TO USE THEIR FIELDS? NO. SO THE FIELD THAT ARCADIA, WE DO HAVE USAGE OF THAT FACILITY, BUT THAT FIELD ALSO IS ONLY A T-BALL FIELD AS WELL.
SO ANYTHING UNDER THE, OVER THE AGE OF SIX, WE CAN'T HOUSE KIDS AND PARTICIPANTS, BUT WE DO UTILIZE THAT FIELD IN SPRING AND FALL AS IF ANYBODY IS AWARE THAT FIELD IS FULLY USED.
ON THE NEXT, ON THIS SLIDE THAT YOU SEE HERE.
SO THIS IS LOCAL COLLIN COUNTY CITIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE TO OUR SIZE WITHIN THE AREA.
I PUT THESE UP HERE TO IDENTIFY WHERE WE ARE VERSUS WHERE WE STAND WITH OTHER CITIES AROUND US.
WE DO HAVE FOUR BASEBALL SOFTBALL FIELDS.
AND I WILL SAY OUT OF SOME OF THESE PRINCETON DOES HAVE SOME OF THE NICER FIELDS IN THE AREA, BUT MOST ALL OTHER LOCATIONS ARE MOVING TO FULLY ARTIFICIAL TURF.
ONE OF THE REASONS FOR ARTIFICIAL TURF IS WE PLAY BASEBALL LEAGUES IN THE SPRING AND THE FALL.
ALONG WITH THAT, YOU HAVE NO RAIN OUTS.
SO MAINTENANCE COSTS, STAFF COST, PERSONNEL.
SO, FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE FOUR, TWO MULTI-USE AND THEN TWO TEMPORARY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ALONG WITH ONE HOA FROM ARCADIA. SO, MELISSA HAS TWO DIFFERENT COMPLEXES OVER THERE.
THEY HAVE A Z-PLEX, WHICH IS A FAIRLY NEW FACILITY.
THEY WERE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR ISD, SO THEY HAVE A MASSIVE FIVE PLEX BASEBALL/SOFTBALL FIELD ALONG WITH THREE AT THEIR DOWNTOWN OLD FACILITY, WHICH THEY CONVERTED ALL INTO ALL ARTIFICIAL TURF AS WELL.
AND THEN EIGHT MULTI-USE SOCCER FIELDS.
TWO OF THEM ARE ARTIFICIAL TURF.
MR. BRYANT, ARE WE LOOKING, GOING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE, ARE WE LOOKING TO DO THE SAME THING WITH OUR SOFTBALL FIELDS AS FAR AS ARTIFICIAL TURF? SO WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW.
I WILL BE LOOKING, I'M WORKING WITH OUR ENGINEERING TEAM RIGHT NOW.
SO AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING I WILL BE BRINGING A MORE IN DEPTH PRESENTATION WITH POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ALONG WITH LAYOUTS FOR TO REMEDY SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE FACING.
[00:15:05]
SO THAT WAY WE CAN WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE'LL BE LOOKING AT WITH SOME OF THE FIELD SPACE AND THE PARK SPACE THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AVAILABLE.THIS RIGHT HERE IS A NEW 90 ACRE PARCEL, GEORGIA TEXAS LAND AND CATTLE.
THIS WAS THE PURCHASE THAT JUST CLOSED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO.
THIS IS A GREAT LOCATION, NUMBER ONE, FOR TRAIL CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
IT'S A PRIME PIECE OF PROPERTY FOR THE CITY.
IT'S GOT WATER AND SEWER THAT RUNS THROUGH THIS PROPERTY.
THE LOCATION IS OFF 400 OR MYRICK LANE AND 982.
SO IN OUR MASTER PLAN THAT WE HAVE ADOPTED IN 2019, IDENTIFYING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOR COMMUNITY PARKS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST.
AND YOU NEED COMMUNITY SPARKS SPACED OUT EVERY THREE MILES, 3 TO 5 MILES, THROUGHOUT YOUR CITY FOR THOSE RESIDENTS TO WALK OR JOG TO THOSE LOCATIONS.
AND THIS LOCATION RIGHT HERE MEETS ALL OF THOSE NEEDS.
SO THIS WAS A GREAT PURCHASE AND A GREAT WIN FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
I WILL SAY THAT. BUT ONCE AGAIN, THERE'S NO LAYOUTS.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY MASTER PLAN ON THE PIECES OF PROPERTY YET.
WE DID JUST CLOSE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, BUT IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS SO THAT WAY WE CAN FIT THE LAYOUT AND HOW THE PROPERTY WILL FIT THROUGH MASTER PLAN WILL BE BROUGHT BROUGHT BACK TO THIS COUNCIL AT A LATER DATE FOR MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS.
THE NEXT PIECE IS A CURRENT PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WE DO HAVE.
THIS IS ROUGHLY 28 ACRES LOCATED OFF 380.
SO THOSE WOULD BE IDENTIFIED LATER ON.
THIS LAST PIECE OF PROPERTY, THIS IS 11 ACRES.
THIS IS LOCATED JUST SOUTH OF CALDWELL PARK ON COLLEGE STREET AT THE PARK ENTRANCE.
THIS IS ACTUALLY A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
SO A LOT OF CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES USE FLOODPLAIN AREA FOR SOCCER FIELDS, MULTI-USE FIELDS.
BECAUSE YOU'RE REALLY DEALING WITH THAT AND ONE AND ONLY ONE THAT YOU GET MAJOR FLOODS IN.
WELL, AT THAT TIME, THE FIELDS ARE JUST UNDERWATER AND THEY'RE CLOSED FOR USAGE ANYWAY.
SO ALL WE WOULD DO IS JUST BLOCK OFF THE AREA AND NOT USE IT IF IT EVER DOES GO UNDERWATER.
AND AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN HERE ALSO, I'VE ONLY SEEN THIS PROPERTY UNDERWATER ONE TIME.
AND THAT WAS WHEN THE BRIDGE WASHED OUT IN 2014 I BELIEVE.
YES. SO THAT WAS A WHILE BACK.
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, THIS THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY I KNOW DEREK IS GOING TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ON IT, BUT I KIND OF WANTED TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHERE WE WERE LOOKING AND WHAT IT COULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR.
THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IS NOT CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
HOWEVER, IT'S, PART OF IT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO OBTAIN TO WIDEN COLLEGE STREET AS IT HEADS TO THE PARK.
AND AS YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF OUR PROJECTS THAT'S COMING UP HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THEY JUST POURED A BIG SECTION OF THE CONNECTOR THAT LEADS FROM THIS, FROM THE BRIDGES OVER AT THE PARK, OVER ON TO BEACH AND BOULEVARD.
WE ALSO HAVE A, PROBABLY A TEN BY TEN BOX CULVERT SECTION WITH TEN CULVERTS THAT WILL PROBABLY CREATE A BRIDGE STRUCTURE THERE OVER THE CREEK THAT WILL REPLACE OUR THREE BIG TEN HORN CULVERTS THAT ARE IN THERE NOW.
SO WE'RE GOING TO NEED A PRETTY BIG AREA TO OBTAIN, TO CREATE A LONG TERM DRAINAGE SOLUTION AND RUNOFF FOR THE PARK AREA LONG TERM.
[00:20:01]
THE OTHER PIECE IS THAT WE HAVE A EXISTING SEWER LINE IN THIS GREEN AREA THAT YOU SEE, AND WE ALSO HAVE A NEW SEWER LINE THAT IS GOING TO BE PLACED IN THAT AREA ALSO.WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND SHE'S MADE US AWARE ALSO THAT THE POWER COMPANY IS LOOKING AT THIS PROPERTY FOR ONE OF THEIR TRANSMISSION AREAS TO UTILIZE.
SO, TALKING TO CHASE, THIS BECAME A REALLY POPULAR IDEA PRETTY QUICK THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY.
IT'S ON THE MARKET TODAY AND IF WE WERE TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY, THIS WOULD SOLVE SEVERAL NEEDS.
IT WOULD SOLVE THE RIGHT OF WAY PROBLEM FOR COLLEGE STREET.
AT LEAST THE SECTION THAT IT ADJOINS.
IT WOULD SOLVE US HAVING TO GO OUT AND ACQUIRE THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT AND AND RIGHT AWAY FOR THAT.
IT WOULD ALSO SOLVE TWO PROBLEMS ON THE SEWER ASPECT, IS IT WOULD GIVE US AN EASEMENT FOR OUR EXISTING LINE THAT WAS IN THERE MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO AND WAS WHAT YOU CALL A PRESCRIPTIVE EASEMENT.
THERE'S NO DOCUMENTATION THAT SAYS THAT IT'S THERE.
WE HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE RIGHTS TO GO AND DO MAINTENANCE THERE.
HOWEVER, WE DON'T HAVE AN ESTABLISHED RIGHT-OF-WAY.
THIS WOULD ESTABLISH THAT RIGHT AWAY.
IT LENDS ITSELF TO FOUR DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF FUNDING.
IT LENDS ITSELF TO RIGHT OF WAY FUNDING FOR ROADS.
IT LENDS ITSELF TO OUR DRAINAGE FUND THAT PAYS FOR DRAINAGE WORK AND AND PROJECTS WITHIN THE BASIN. IT ALSO LENDS ITSELF TO THE THE BOND MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED TO CONSTRUCT THIS NEW SEWER LINE BECAUSE WE NEED PART OF THAT PROJECT IS TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY RIGHT OF WAY AND EASEMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE JOB.
THIS IS ONE LAST PIECE THAT WE NEED TO CONNECT THE DOTS.
COUPLING ALL THOSE TOGETHER AND ADDING THOSE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES AND PUTTING A LITTLE BIT OF THE PARK'S MONEY IN THIS BUDGET ALLOWS US TO COME PRETTY CLOSE TO WHAT THE PROPERTY'S BEING LISTED FOR NOW.
AND SO WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS WE WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIS PROPERTY OWNER AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNCIL TO GO AHEAD AND SEE IF WE CAN TIE THIS DOWN FOR FUTURE PARK PROPERTY AND TAKE CARE OF ALL THESE NEEDS IN ONE PACKAGE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S NEARLY 11 ACRES OR SO AND THAT WOULD GIVE US SOME GOOD PLACES FOR SOME FIELDS CONNECTIVITY.
THERE'S A SUBDIVISION RIGHT NEXT TO IT.
IT'LL OFFER A LOT OF AMENITIES THAT CAN BE ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THERE.
I THINK IT'S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
AND SO WE WANTED TO TALK THROUGH THAT TONIGHT ALONG WITH THESE OTHER PIECES OF THE PUZZLE OVER OUR PARK AND TRAIL MASTER PLAN. THIS WILL HELP IT COME TOGETHER.
AND WITH THAT, MYSELF, OUR ENGINEERS HERE, CHASE IS HERE.
WE HAVE SHAWN FROM DEVELOPMENT.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS, PLEASE ASK THEM.
AND THEN WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS GET DIRECTION THAT WE CAN GO NEGOTIATE.
THE SIDE OF THE PROPERTY THAT IS ABUTTING UP TO PRAIRIE CREEK, ALL OF THOSE HOUSES RIGHT THERE? WHAT DO WE ANTICIPATE ENGINEERING WISE TO HAVE THERE TO BLOCK SOME OF THAT FROM BLEEDING INTO THEIR PROPERTY AND JUST STILL GIVING THOSE HOMEOWNERS PRIVACY AND NOT BE RIGHT ON THE PARK? WELL, I THINK THAT WOULD BE PART OF A MASTER PLAN.
AND I THINK THAT THAT MASTER PLAN WOULD GO THROUGH THE TYPICAL PROCESS.
WE WOULD ESTABLISH A PROJECT ORDER FOR OUR ENGINEERS TO START DESIGNING.
IF THAT WAS SOMETHING WHICH I ANTICIPATE WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THIS PROJECT, WE WOULD INCORPORATE IT INTO THE PLAN. AND WHEN WE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE WERE SATISFIED WITH THE OVERALL MASTER PLAN OF THIS PIECE AND HOW THE CONNECTIVITY AND THE SCREENING WAS, THEN WE WOULD IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES AND LET IT OUT TO BID AND BUILD IT.
SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW THAT WOULD GO.
ABSOLUTELY THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERATION OF SCREENING OF SOME SORT.
THEN, LIKE YOU SAID, IT ENCOMPASSES MANY OTHER PROJECTS THAT WE COULD GET DONE DOING THIS.
I ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
[00:25:06]
GENTLEMEN, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YOUR HONOR IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS I MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT CITY STAFF TO SEEK OR GO THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY THAT'S FOUND IN ITEM 2022-075, FUTURE MULTI-USE FIELD SPACE.DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT. WITH THAT WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MR. WASHINGTON? YES, MR. UNDERWOOD? YES.
MOTION CARRIES 3-0 FOR THE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 2022-075 FOR FUTURE MULTI-USE FIELD SPACE.
AND MOVING FORWARD, DIRECT STAFF TO SPEAK TO THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
SORRY. I ACTUALLY HAD A QUESTION.
BUT IN LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES, RIGHT, WHAT IS, I MEAN, IN SOME OF THESE WE ARE, MINUS PROSPER, RIGHT, WE HAVE A BIGGER POPULATION RATE.
SO WHAT'S THE REASON FOR THE DEFICIT, IF YOU WILL? RIGHT. OR THE, WHAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE, AS FAR AS SOME OF THESE OTHER CITIES, IF YOU WILL, OR CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT AT ALL? AS FAR AS THE NUMBERS, OR THE FIELDS? WHAT'S THE, WHAT WOULD BE THE REASON BEHIND THAT? SO I CAN SPEAK TO THAT A LITTLE BIT.
OKAY. ONE OF THE CONTROLLING ASPECTS IS OBVIOUSLY FUNDING.
RIGHT AND SO ONE OF THE OTHER ASPECTS IS OUR CITY IS ONLY SO BIG RIGHT NOW IN SQUARE MILES .
ALL THOSE OTHER CITIES BECAME CHARTER CITIES SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THEY EXPANDED THEIR BORDERS.
THEY HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN FRONT OF THEM TO ACQUIRE LAND EARLY ON.
WE WEREN'T AFFORDED ALL THOSE OPPORTUNITIES EARLY ON.
AND SO NOW THAT WE ARE STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD AND LOOKING, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE SOME LAND AND I THINK MR. MUNGER AND CHASE CAN PROBABLY ALSO TELL YOU THAT IT WON'T BE LONG TO MEET THOSE NUMBERS NOW THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO WORK WITH.
IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO MEET THOSE NUMBERS WHEN YOU ACQUIRE ANOTHER 100 ACRES.
SO I THINK YOU'LL SEE THOSE THINGS COMING PRETTY QUICK.
AND JOE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SPEAK TO MAYBE WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, WOULD FIT ON THAT, JUST FOR INSTANCE, THAT 100 ACRES, WHAT YOU'RE CONTEMPLATING.
CATTLE COMPANY. WE'VE GOT ROOM ON THERE FOR SOFTBALL DIAMONDS.
WE'VE GOT ROOM ON THERE FOR MULTI-USE FIELDS.
WE PUT A LOT OF THOSE AMENITIES INTO THE COMMUNITY PARK AND THEY'VE NOT BEEN FUNDED YET.
THERE'S JUST BEEN A LACK OF FUNDING.
SO TRAILS FOR SURE WILL CONNECT FROM MYRICK LANE, ALL THE SUBDIVISIONS ON THE, I SHOULDN'T USE THE WORD ALL, BUT SUBDIVISIONS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF MYRICK LANE WILL BE CONNECTED. THERE'S SOME EXISTING TRAILS THAT WERE BUILT WHEN TOWN PARK WAS BUILT.
BUT IF WE CAN GET ACROSS THE CREEK, WHICH WE INTEND TO, WITH PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES, WE CAN TIE TO THE TRAIL INTO SO, YES, THERE'LL BE A LOT.
JUST THE WAY THE LAND, THE TOPOGRAPHY WORKS REALLY GOOD OVER THERE.
[00:30:02]
SO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR SURE.IS THAT A DISCUSSION THAT'S BEEN HAD WITH OUR ISD THAT WE CAN MAYBE DO SOME TYPE OF COST SHARE AND HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM TO BRING ON MORE FIELDS? SO I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH OUR ISD, WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
ONE OF THE, OUR ISD CURRENTLY ACTUALLY HAS FIELDS THAT THEY'RE NOT EVEN USING.
SO THEY DO HAVE JV BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL FIELDS RIGHT NOW THAT JUST SIT AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY THINKING OF, IN PROCESS OF IS THAT SPACE MORE AVAILABLE, BETTER SUITED ELSEWHERE.
I'M NOT SAYING IT IS OR IT'S NOT, BUT WOULD IT BE BETTER SUITED FOR THEM IF IT WAS ASTROTURF? YOU KNOW, THEY'RE IN THE SAME, I'LL SAY, THE SAME BOAT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE EVERY SQUARE INCH OF LAND THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE TO MAXIMIZE THE FIELD SPACE THAT THEY HAVE AS WELL.
AND WHAT IS THEIR MOST IMMINENT NEEDS? THE CURRENT TURF FIELDS THAT THEY DO HAVE, THE NEW JV AND THE NEW VARSITY FIELDS IS UTILIZED BY BOTH, THE NEW VARSITY TURF FIELDS THAT THEY HAVE IS ACTUALLY UTILIZED BY THE JV AND THE VARSITY.
SO THE PREVIOUS FIELDS THAT THEY HAD WERE FOR THE JV, BUT THEY'RE NOT EVEN BEING USED FOR THAT.
THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT WAS, MOVING FORWARD, HE DOESN'T REALLY SEE THE NEED FOR MORE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL COMPLEX AS MUCH AS WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR, I SAY TURF FIELDS, MULTI USE FIELDS FOR THEIR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS AND SO FORTH, SOCCER AND FOOTBALL.
AND THOSE ARE LARGE GROWING WITHIN THE ISD AS WELL.
SO AT THIS TIME, UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE NOT.
AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THEY HAVE SUCH MASSIVE, FRONTIER PARK IN PROSPER HAS NUMEROUS MULTI-USE FIELDS, SEVERAL TURF FIELDS, ALONG WITH $60 MILLION FOOTBALL STADIUM.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL IN THAT ONE COMPLEX.
AS WELL AS MELISSA'S DOING THE SAME THING.
BUT THE ISD HAS USAGE ON THOSE PROPERTIES.
SO IT'S KIND OF A JOINT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM WHENEVER THE ISD NEEDS IT.
BUT IT'S RAN AND OPERATED BY THE CITY.
AND AS MR. BORG SAID, YOU KNOW, THE TAXES THERE ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE HERE IN PRINCETON.
SO. YEAH. OKAY, WELL, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, GENTLEMEN.
SHE'S ONE OF THE PRINCETON HOTSHOTS AND ALL OF THE TEAMS, NOT JUST THE ONES FROM PRINCETON, BUT BLAND, FARMERSVILLE, THEY ALL LIKE TO COME HERE BECAUSE THE WAY OUR FACILITIES LOOK AND THE WAY THEY RUN.
SO IT'S A GOOD REPRESENTATION OF OUR CITY.
IT ALWAYS LOOKS GOOD. IT'S ALWAYS CLEAN.
THE FIELDS ARE WELL MAINTAINED.
AND I THINK GOING FORWARD, AS WE BUILD MORE, YOU KNOW, WE KEEP THAT SAME LOOK AND WE GOT IT.
IT LOOKS GREAT. IT'S A GREAT JOB OUT THERE.
I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, SIR.
ALL RIGHT. THAT'S GOING TO TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM 2022-076, RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R02 FOR ONCOR 2022. GENERAL RATE CASE-SETTLEMENT AND DENIAL.
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DENYING ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC'S APPLICATION TO INCREASE RATES RELATED TO ONCOR STATEMENT OF INTENT TO INCREASE RATES FILED ON OR ABOUT MAY 13, 2022, AND REQUIRING ONCOR TO REIMBURSE THE ALLIANCE OF ONCOR CITY'S RATE CASE EXPENSES.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS THE OUTCOME OF THE ALLIANCE OF ONCOR CITIES.
AND THEY'RE REPRESENTED BY ONE LEGAL COUNSEL IN TEXAS AND THEY COLLABORATE AND THEN THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
[00:35:03]
GENTLEMEN, I HOPE YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ OVER THIS.ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? YOUR HONOR I MAKE A MOTION FOR ITEM 2022-076 TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R02 ONCOR 2022 GENERAL RATE CASE-SETTLEMENT AND DENIAL.
MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD SECOND THAT, PLEASE.
OKAY WITH THAT WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE. MR. DEFFIBAUGH? YES.
MR. WASHINGTON? YES. MR. UNDERWOOD? YES. MOTION CARRIES 3-0 FOR THE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 2022-076.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2022-10-11-R02 FOR ONCOR 2022 GENERAL RATE CASE-SETTLEMENT AND DENIAL.
THIS IS GOING TO TAKE US TO AGENDA ITEM 2022-077 RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R03 FOR CITY HOLIDAY DISCUSSION, STOCK, DIRECTION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING A DRAFT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE CITY HOLIDAY FOLLOWING ON THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER DURING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WEEK DESIGNATED BY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE IN 2022 AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS A DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT WOULD DECLARE THE MONDAY FOLLOWING, THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER TO BE THE HOLIDAY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY IN ADDITION TO ITS PRIOR DESIGNATIONS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS, THE APPROACH THAT'S BEEN TAKEN BY A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CITIES AND IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE TREND TO REORIENT THE FOCUS OF THAT TIME OF YEAR AWAY FROM MATTERS THAT ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE CONTROVERSIAL AS MORE HISTORY IS DEVELOPED AND UNFOLDS REGARDING SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND JUST A GENERAL SENSE OF A NEED TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA AND SOCIETY.
SO THIS FOLLOWS UP AND IS KIND OF A COMPANION ACTION OR IN THE SPIRIT OF THE RESOLUTION PASSED DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2021, WHERE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE DESIGNATED THE SECOND WEEK OF OCTOBER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WEEK.
THAT WAS IN THE HOUSE RESOLUTION 62.
THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THAT HAD ALSO PROVIDED FOR RENAMING THE COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY, BUT THAT PROVISION WAS TAKEN OUT AS THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS UNFOLDED AND RATHER THAN FORMALLY DESTROY THE EXISTING HOLIDAY AND NAME IT SOMETHING ELSE, IT IS NOW HAS A STATUS OF ESSENTIALLY DUAL DESIGNATION.
THE ENTIRE WEEK IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WEEK.
MANY JURISDICTIONS STILL RECOGNIZE COLUMBUS DAY AND HAVE IT MARKED OR REFERENCED ON THEIR DOCUMENTS, BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIES THAT EITHER DULY DESIGNATE OR HAVE RENAMED THE HOLIDAY IN A SIMILAR FASHION.
IT DOESN'T STRIP AWAY ANY PREEXISTING DESIGNATIONS OF THE HOLIDAY.
IT'S KIND OF AN OVERLAY WHERE WE'RE SAYING IT'S BOTH THINGS AT ONCE.
IT IS NOT MAKING A NEW HOLIDAY OR ADDING PAID LEAVE BENEFITS FOR ANY CITY EMPLOYEES TO THE SCHEDULE BECAUSE COLUMBUS DAY IS ALREADY A DAY OFF AS RECOGNIZED IN THE PERSONNEL MANUAL.
THIS IS JUST ESSENTIALLY RELABELING IT.
SO AS I SAID BEFORE THERE, THIS WOULD BE IN KEEPING WITH NATIONAL TRENDS.
THERE ARE SOMEWHERE ON THE ORDER OF 130 PLUS MUNICIPALITIES WHO HAVE TAKEN SIMILAR ACTION.
THERE ARE, I BELIEVE, 13 STATES THAT, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH ALL RECOGNIZE IT AS A DUAL HOLIDAY, WHERE IT'S COLUMBUS DAY AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THEY DON'T EVEN, THEY TOOK IT ENTIRELY OFF.
AND WHILE YOU WOULD START PROBABLY TRYING TO GUESS BASED ON NATIONAL POLITICAL CLIMATES, WHICH STATES THOSE ARE, IT'S ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT STATES LIKE ARKANSAS AND LOUISIANA AND KENTUCKY HAVE ALREADY DONE A SIMILAR THING BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SIGNIFICANCE TO THAT TIME AND THEIR NEED FOR A HOLIDAY WAS MORE SUBSTANTIAL TO THEM THAN THERE WAS THE NEED TO RECOGNIZE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ON AN ONGOING BASIS.
[00:40:04]
SIGNED INTO LAW IS TEN YEARS IN DURATION.IT WILL LAST FOR AT LEAST THAT LONG.
IT MIGHT EXPIRE IF THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T TAKE ACTION AND MAKE IT PERMANENT DURING THAT TIME.
BUT IT MADE SENSE, AND IT SEEMED LIKE AN APPROPRIATE MEASURE TO CRAFT THIS RESOLUTION IN A WAY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT AND HELPS SERVE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE STATED PURPOSES OF INCREASING AWARENESS OF THESE ISSUES.
AND WITH THAT, I'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I APPRECIATE YOUR THOROUGH EXPLANATION OF IT AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE WE'VE ALL SEEN THE CHATTER ON OUR OWN CITY PAGES.
WE'VE SEEN THE FACEBOOK CHATTER EVERYWHERE FROM PEOPLE WITHIN OUR CITY.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT WHAT THIS IS.
THIS IS AN EXTREMELY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITY TO SHOW AN INITIATIVE THAT WE ARE INCLUSIVE OF ALL PEOPLE AND THAT WE DO RESPECT THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION HERE AND TO EMBRACE THEM INTO OUR CITY.
SO WE ARE NOT GETTING RID OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY.
IT IS THOROUGHLY WRITTEN OUT IN THIS RESOLUTION.
AGAIN, I HOPE YOU'VE HAD A TIME TO READ THAT.
THIS DOES BECOME A DUAL OBJECTIVE.
SO IF WE DON'T HAVE IT WRITTEN INTO OUR RESOLUTION, WE SHOULDN'T BE POSTING IT, RIGHT? SO IT AGAIN IS A FORMALITY.
AND, MAYOR, IF I MAY, TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT COMMENT.
ONE OF THE OPERATIVE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE SPECIFIES THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, CITY STAFF AND EMPLOYEES OR OFFICIALS WILL NOT BE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED IN ANY WAY FROM REFERRING TO IT AS COLUMBUS DAY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THAT IS NOT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE AT ALL.
IT IS AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO EXCHANGE THE LABELS IN VARIOUS DOCUMENTS, BUT NOBODY'S GOING TO FACE ANY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IF THERE'S AN OVERSIGHT OR IF SOMEBODY, OR FOR SOME REASON, WE DELIBERATELY WANT TO USE BOTH DESIGNATIONS OR AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATION AND SAY IN THIS PARTICULAR NOTICE, WE'RE GOING TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IT'S STILL DESIGNATED AS COLUMBUS DAY.
THANK YOU. GENTLEMEN, DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YOUR HONOR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 2022-077 TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R03 CITY HOLIDAY.
THANK YOU. DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT. THANK YOU.
WITH THAT, WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL VOTE.
MR. UNDERWOOD? YES. THANK YOU. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-0 FOR THE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM 2022-077 FOR RESOLUTION 2022-10-11-R03 FOR CITY HOLIDAY.
THAT TAKES US TO AGENDA ITEM 2022-078 FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE REQUEST FOR ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA AND NOT FOR DISCUSSION OF THESE REQUESTS.
GENTLEMEN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TONIGHT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE ON A FUTURE AGENDA? NO. ALL RIGHT.
IF NOT, WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE DOWN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[EXECUTIVE SESSION]
UNDER THE TERMS OF CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THE CITY COUNCIL MAY ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION OR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: SECTION 551.071 (2) TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY ON A MATTER IN WHICH THE DUTY OF THE ATTORNEY TO THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES, A PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS CLEARLY CONFLICTS WITH THIS CHAPTER ON ANY POSTED AGENDA ITEMS. DELIBERATION REGARDING PERSONNEL MATTERS UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.074 IN CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEYS UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071.RECEIVE INFORMATION AND DISCUSS THE DUTIES OF THE CITY MANAGER; CONSULTATION WITH THE CITY'S ATTORNEYS, WHERE A PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE SAME WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE DUTY OF THE CITY'S ATTORNEY TO THE CITY OF PRINCETON AND THE CITY COUNCIL UNDER THE TEXAS DISCIPLINARY RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF THE STATE BAR OF TEXAS, OR WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE CITY'S LEGAL POSITION IN NEGOTIATIONS OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION.
THE TIME [INAUDIBLE] INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ALRIGHT. THE TIME IS NOW 8:25.
THIS WILL BRING US BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION.
THERE IS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
OOP. NOPE. THAT'S NOT TAKING US THERE. THAT'S TAKEN US TO OUR REPORT AGENDA.
[REPORT AGENDA]
[00:45:02]
THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL.JUST A REMINDER, THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING'S MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, HERE AT 6:30.
OCTOBER 22ND IS THE ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL.
WE'D LIKE A BIG TURNOUT THERE IF WE CAN GET IT.
NOVEMBER 8TH IS OUR SPECIAL ELECTION CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A HOME RULE CHARTER.
THAT'LL TAKE US TO OUR CITY COUNCIL REPORT AGENDA.
[CC REPORT AGENDA]
IF I CAN TURN THE PAGE.CITY COUNCIL REPORTS ABOUT ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST REGARDING WHICH NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
SO OUR ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 22ND, PLEASE MAKE FOR SURE YOU'RE THERE.
IT MEANS A LOT TO THE COMMUNITY TO SEE YOU THERE, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT THERE THE ENTIRE TIME.
PLEASE MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO BE THERE.
OUR STAFF DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB PUTTING THAT ON.
NOVEMBER THE EIGHTH, THE SPECIAL ELECTION.
I IMPLORE YOU, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GO OUT AND TALK TO OUR CONSTITUENTS, TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE, EDUCATE THEM ON WHAT THE CHARTER ACTUALLY IS, WHAT THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE. THERE IS A TON OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE, SO PLEASE DO THAT.
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED. WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT JUST ON VARIOUS THINGS IN REGARDS TO OUR PARKS, THE ADVANCEMENT OF OUR CITY NOT BEING ABLE TO DO AS MUCH BECAUSE OF OUR CITY STATUS AND OTHER THINGS. THAT HAS REALLY HELD US BACK AS A CITY.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GO OUT THERE AND EDUCATE PEOPLE.
THAT'S ALL I GOT. YOU GOT ANYTHING? MADAM MAYOR I DO HAVE SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I TOUCHED ON THE OTHER DAY WITH YOU, IN REFERENCE TO A PROGRAM I WANT TO GET WITH YOU AND MR. BORG IN REFERENCE TO KIND OF AN INITIATIVE THAT I WANTED TO START IN OUR CITY, MAINLY AIMED AT OUR OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS.
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I SERVED AS A POLICE OFFICER IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION FOR MANY YEARS.
AND A SECOND PERSON, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT I SERVED ALONGSIDE OF AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS NO LONGER WITH US. AND THAT WAS DUE TO MENTAL ILLNESS.
WE'RE LOSING FAR TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A FAR PREVENTATIVE PROBLEM.
I HAVE EMAILED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GIVE SOME STATISTICS ON HOW MANY VETERANS WE HAVE SERVING, IF WE HAVE ANY ACTIVE DUTY RETIRED, ANY OF THAT TYPE OF NATURE, MORE OR LESS JUST FOR STATISTICS.
BUT I WANT TO DEFINITELY START AN INITIATIVE THAT PUTS A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS IN A WAY FOR CITIZENS TO HELP OTHER CITIZENS WITH THIS AND THE CITY ALSO BE INVOLVED. NOT ANYTHING THAT WOULD NECESSARILY COST US MONETARILY, BUT SOMETHING VOLUNTARY WHERE WE'RE TEACHING OUR CITIZENS TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT.
I'M GOING TO GET SOME STATISTICS AND SOME MORE INFORMATION AND BRING THAT ALL BACK TO US.
BUT I DID WANT TO, IF YOU'LL GRANT ME JUST A MOMENT.
I WANTED TO READ SOMETHING TO YOU.
GIVE ME JUST A MOMENT. I DO APOLOGIZE.
OFFICER MELVIN LETT WAS A 37 YEAR OLD GENTLEMAN.
HE WAS A HUSBAND, A FATHER, A BROTHER, AND A.
YOU KNOW WHAT? WE'LL SAVE THIS FOR NEXT TIME.
THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT ME TO READ IT FOR YOU? PLEASE? YES, ABSOLUTELY.
MR. MELVIN LETT WAS A CARING HUSBAND, FATHER, BROTHER AND FRIEND.
HE LEFT THIS WORLD SUDDENLY ON SEPTEMBER THE 28TH, 2022, AT THE AGE OF 37.
IN 2022, THEY HAD THEIR ONLY CHILD, JOURNEY LETT.
[00:50:01]
BUT MOST OF ALL, HE LOVED SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, ESPECIALLY HIS DAUGHTER, WHOM HE AFFECTIONATELY NAMED SUGARFOOT.(DENIENE), SISTER-IN-LAWS, BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND A HOST OF UNCLES, AUNTS, COUSINS AND FRIENDS.
THE FAMILY OF THE LATE MR. MELVIN LETT REQUEST YOUR PRAYERS AT THIS TIME.
THE FAMILY OF THE LATE MR. MELVIN LETT HAS ENTRUSTED HIS FINANCIAL CARE TO C.C.
THANK YOU. YOUR HONOR, TO JUST SAY A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE, PLUS IT HAS TO DO WITH PTSD.
AND I WEAR A RING RIGHT NOW, YOU SEE ON MY INDEX FINGER, 22 KILL RING.
THERE'S 22 VETERANS A DAY COMMITTING SUICIDE.
AND IT'S JUST NOT RESTRICTED TO JUST MILITARY, RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THE THINGS THE POLICE AND THE FIRE SEE THE WORST OF THE COMMUNITY.
AND THEY TAKE A LOT OF THAT HOME WITH THEM.
AND THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN AND OCCUR IN THEIR CAREER.
MINE WAS OVER 40 YEARS AND YOU SEE A LOT OF THINGS.
I'M SURE I PROBABLY HAVE SOME PTSD.
AND EACH ONE DEALS WITH IT A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE MADE MORE AWARE OF AND MORE ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
WELL, IN SAYING THAT, I THINK WE SHOULD BACK UP TO OUR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE PLACED ON OUR FUTURE AGENDA THAT WE REACH OUT TO MENTAL HEALTH ENTITIES AND EXPLORE THOSE RESOURCES THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR COMMUNITY.
I KNOW PATHWAY OUT OF MCKINNEY IS A GREAT RESOURCE AND OFTEN THAT'S A FREE RESOURCE.
ANYTHING ELSE TONIGHT, GENTLEMEN? YOUR HONOR, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
AYE. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.