>> THIS WILL START AT OUR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING.
[A. CALL TO ORDER-MAYOR]
[00:00:04]
THE TIME IS 6:49.TODAY IS GOING TO BE JULY 14TH, 2025.
I'LL CALL TO ORDER. MS. DAVID-GRAVES?
>> MR. GERFERS, IS NOT HERE. MR. DEFFIBAUGH?
>> WE HAVE QUORUM. THIS WILL TAKE US INVOCATION BY MR. STANFIE.
>> HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY FOR ALL THE MANY BLESSINGS WE HAVE.
LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THESE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO ARE WILLING TO GIVE FREELY OF THEIR TIME IN ORDER TO TRY AND HELP GUIDE THIS CITY INTO THE TYPE OF GROWTH THAT WILL BOTH BE BENEFICIAL FOR ITS CITIZENS AND ALSO JUST RIGHT.
WE PRAY FOR THEIR WISDOM, WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL GUIDE THEM AS THEY DISCUSS THINGS THAT AFFECT ALL OF US.
LORD, WE ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU ALWAYS FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, FOR OUR POLICE, OUR FIREFIGHTERS, OUR EMTS, AND OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO KEEP US SAFE AND WHO TAKE CARE OF OUR BODIES.
LORD, RIGHT NOW, WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO BOTH GRIEVE AND PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS DOWN SOUTH IN THE HILL COUNTRY AS THEY CONTINUE TO FACE FLOODING AND ALSO THE AFTERMATH OF THE TRAGEDIES OF JULY 4TH.
WE JUST PRAY THAT YOU'LL BLESS THOSE FAMILIES, THAT YOU'LL BRING COMFORT, YOU'LL BRING HOPE, AND LORD, YOU'LL ESTABLISH THEM.
WE JUST PRAY FOR YOUR PROTECTION FOR ALL OF US THAT LORD IN THE MIDST OF A STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD, WE KNOW THAT LIFE COMES FROM YOU, THAT PEACE COMES FROM YOU AND THAT HOPE COMES FROM YOU.
LORD, HELP US TO HOLD ON TO THOSE AND TO SHARE THAT LOVE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FRITZ AND JESUS NAME, I PRAY. AMEN. [BACKGROUND]
>> THIS WILL TAKE US TO OUR ITEM F ABOUT PUBLIC APPARENT,
[F. PUBLIC APPEARANCE]
MS. COOK. CAN YOU TAKE IT FROM HERE?>> THIS PORTION OF THE MEETING IS SET ASIDE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY ITEM OF BUSINESS THAT IS NOT FORMALLY SCHEDULED ON THE AGENDA AS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD COMPLETE A PUBLIC MEETING APPEARANCE CARD PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND PRESENT TO THE CITY SECRETARY.
SPEAKERS ARE ALLOWED UP TO THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK.
THE CITY COUNCIL IS UNABLE TO RESPOND TO OR DISCUSS ANY ISSUES THAT ARE BROUGHT UP DURING THIS PORTION THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, OTHER THAN TO MAKE STATEMENTS OF SPECIFIC FACTUAL INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO A SPEAKER'S INQUIRY.
OR TO RECITE EXISTING POLICY IN RESPONSE TO THE INQUIRY.
ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK, SHALL ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTLY, NOT CITY STAFF OR OTHERWISE.
BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND CORDIAL, AND REFRAIN FROM MAKING PERSONAL, DEMEANING, INSULTING, THREATENING, AND OR DISPARAGING REMARKS AS TO MAINTAIN DECORUM AND SUPPORT THE EFFICIENT AND ORDERLY FLOW OF THE MEETING.
>> THE FIRST PERSON, IT WILL BE SHARAD.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> SHARAD RAMANI, 716 UNION DRIVE.
I KNOW THIS IS A TOPIC IN THE REGULAR AGENDA SECTION, BUT I'M HERE AGAIN TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WINTER AVERAGING IN OUR WASTEWATER CALCULATION.
[00:05:01]
THE SOLUTION I HAVE CONSISTENTLY PRESENTED AS FUNDAMENTALLY EQUITABLE FOR US RESIDENTS.I UNDERSTAND THAT IMPLEMENTING WINTER AVERAGING DOES AFFECT THE UTILITY FUND, AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS, WHICH I KNOW WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE PRESENTATION AGAIN LATER TODAY.
HOWEVER, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE FINANCES OF OUR WATER DEPARTMENT ARE HEALTHY, THESE CHALLENGES ARE NOT INSURMOUNTABLE AND CAN BE OVERCOME WITH CREATIVE THINKING AND DEDICATED TEAMWORK.
THE RATE COMPARISON CHART THAT YOU ALL SAW DURING THE BUDGET RETREAT, WE SHOULD ALL HAVE A HANDOUT OF THAT TODAY AS WELL.
HIGHLIGHTS A CRITICAL INCONSISTENCY.
WHILE PRINCETON CHOOSES TO BENCHMARK ITS RATES AGAINST OTHER CITIES, IT'S VITAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT 60% OF THE CITIES SHOWN AS HAVING HIGHER BILLING AMOUNTS COMPARED TO PRINCETON ALREADY UTILIZE WINTER AVERAGE.
THE RATE CONSULTANT DID NOT CONSIDER THIS CRUCIAL FACTOR WHEN CALCULATING THE NUMBERS OF OTHER CITIES RENDERING THE COMPARISON NOT AN APPLES TO APPLES ONE.
THUS, THE CONCLUSION THAT PRINCETON'S RATES ARE IN THE BOTTOM QUARTILE IS INACCURATE.
FOR EXAMPLE, MCKINNEY IS SHOWN AS $107 AND SOME CHANGE.
IF MCKINNEY USES WINTER AVERAGING, IF WINTER AVERAGING WAS USED, MCKINNEY'S RATE WOULD DROP DOWN TO 92 AND CHANGE VERSUS PRINCETON AT CURRENTLY AT 98.
THAT'S A SEVEN PERCENT DIFFERENCE RIGHT THERE.
IF WE ARE TO TRULY COMPARE OURSELVES AND IF THESE CITIES CAN SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT THIS METHOD, THEN WHY CANNOT PRINCETON DO THE SAME TO ENSURE FAIRNESS FOR ITS RESIDENTS? FURTHERMORE, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO CHALLENGE THE STAFF ON THE NEED FOR ANOTHER RATE STUDY IN EARLY '26.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PREVIOUS RATE STUDY WAS COMPLETED LESS THAN THREE YEARS AGO. I COULD BE WRONG.
IF THE PRIMARY GOAL OF SUCH A STUDY IS MERELY TO BENCHMARK AGAINST OTHER CITIES, THIS CAN BE EASILY BE ACCOMPLISHED IN HOUSE, AVOIDING THE EXPENDITURE OF OUR TAX MONEY ON ANOTHER RATE CONSULTANT.
THE NECESSITY AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROPOSED STUDY NEED TO BE CLEARLY AND THOROUGHLY SPELLED OUT FOR US ALL.
ONCE AGAIN, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO IMPLEMENT WINTER AVERAGING.
WE RESIDENTS DESERVE A FAIR EQUITABLE BILLING SYSTEM. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. NITISH. IS THAT RIGHT? PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF THE FENCES ON THE WHITE WING TRAILS.
THERE WAS A STORM IN FIRST WEEK OF MARCH AND A LOT OF FENCES ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY WERE BROUGHT DOWN BY THE STORM.
WE WAITED FOR ALMOST FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ANYBODY TOOK ANY ACTION ON IT, OR WE AT LEAST GOT TO KNOW THAT IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE DEVELOPER.
BEFORE THAT, WE OURSELVES FIXED THE FENCE FEW OF US, AND I FIXED MY OWN FENCE AND MY FENCE WAS BROUGHT DOWN AND THEN REBUILD IT AGAIN.
I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT HAPPENED.
WHEN I ASKED, THEY SIMPLY TOLD ME THAT THE DEVELOPER, THE CONTRACTOR JUST TOLD THEM TO BROUGHT IT DOWN, AND THEY'RE ANYWAYS REFIXING IT.
I'M HERE JUST TO ASK THAT WE ARE HERE, THE CITY IS PROVIDING THE DEVELOPERS WITH THE FUNDS AND THE REIMBURSEMENTS.
I'M HERE TO ASK FOR THE SAME FROM THE DEVELOPERS.
THAT FENCE WASN'T FIXED FOR FOUR MONTHS, AND I'M ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR WHAT I FIXED AND INVESTED IN THAT.
YOU CAN TURN ON THE MIC, ISN'T YOU. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND FOR THE CITY'S ROLES IN
[00:10:03]
COORDINATING ONGOING REPAIRS IN OUR COMMUNITY.I LIE WITH 2406 KINGFISHER STREET IN THE SAME THING LIKE THE EARLIER GUY STATE.
MY CASE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT HERE.
I WOULD LIKE TO TALK THAT, MY FENCE, IT FALL DOWN IN THE SAME STORM. I FIXED MYSELF.
I TRIED MYSELF, WHATEVER THE BEST I CAN.
THE THING IS, MY NEIGHBORS FENCES BOTH ARE FIXED, BUT MINE WAS NOT FIXED.
I JUST WANT TO CHECK THAT, IF THE DEVELOPER THINK MY FENCE IS GOOD, IT LOOKS GOOD, THEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE LIKE, TOMORROW, IT SHOULD NOT GET ANY ISSUES BETWEEN THE OTHER DEVELOPER AND MYSELF SAYING THAT, YOUR FENCE IS NOT FIXED.
YOU HAVE TO GO AND FIX YOURSELF, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I WANT TO GET A CONCLUSION SAYING THAT, EVERYTHING IS GOOD.
YOURS IS NOT REQUIRED TO FIX. THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
VERY GOOD EVENING AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY ISSUE IS ALSO SIMILAR TO SUBA DAKOTA AND NITISH.
I ALSO LIVE IN THE KINGFISHER STREET.
MY HOUSE NUMBER IS 2310 KINGFISHER STREET, PRINCETON, TEXAS.
MY HOUSE IS ALSO EAST FACING, AND DURING THE MARCH STORMS, WE ALREADY HIT LIKE A FENCE.
AT THAT TIME, WE SEE A COUPLE OF SNAKES, TO ONE OR TWO SNAKES IN MY BACKYARD, BECAUSE I HAVE A TWO KIDS, LITTLE ONES BECAUSE OF THAT I FIXED FENCE MYSELF AND ONE OF THE FENCE PAD WAS FALLEN NEAR TO MY WINDOW.
I BACKED UP AND FIXED, IS A TEMPORARY FIX.
MY NEIGHBOR FENCE WAS FIXED COMPLETELY WITH A NEW POST AND EVERYTHING, BUT MINE WAS NOT FIXED.
WHEN I CHECKED WITH THE WORKER, SAID LIKE CONTRACTOR SAID TO FIX THE HOUSES ONLY FOR A FEW HOUSES, AND YOUR HOUSE IS NOT IN LIST.
BUT I SHARE THE PICTURES AND EVERYTHING, EVEN MAY YOU ALSO SEE THAT MAIL.
STILL IT'S A BABBLING AND EVERYTHING.
THERE IS A GAP AND EVERYTHING.
IF THERE IS A HOUSE BACKSIDE OUR HOUSE, DEFINITELY, WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE NEIGHBORS AND WE FIX OURSELVES, BUT THERE IS NO HOUSE AND EVERYTHING.
WE HAVE NO CLUE WHO TO CONTACT.
THANKS FOR THE TEAM WHO ARE COME FORWARD AND FIXING THE FENCE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AND I BELIEVE MY HOUSE IS ALSO GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT ONE.
ADDITIONAL TO THIS ONE, THE RETAINING WALL, WHATEVER OUR BACKYARD.
I SHARE THE IMAGES TO CRAIG FISHER AND TREVOR, WHO ARE THERE.
WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THERE IS A WEEP HOLES ON THE RETAINING WALL.
THE WATER IS COMING THROUGH WEEP HOLES ALSO IN BETWEEN THE ROCKS.
I HAVE IMAGE ALSO. IF YOU WANT TO SEE, I CAN SHOW YOU THE VIDEO ALSO.
IF THAT IS FIXED, THAT WOULD BE VERY NICE ALONG WITH THE FENCE. THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] TURN YOUR MIC ON.
>> HELLO, AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE], AND I RESIDE AT 2402 KINGFISHER STREET HERE IN PRINCETON.
I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SAME FENCE ISSUE ON MY STREET.
AT THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING THAT HAPPENED ON JUNE 16TH, THE DEVELOPER'S REPRESENTATIVE WAS HERE AND ASSURED US THAT ALL THE AFFECTED FENCES WOULD BE FULLY REPAIRED.
WORK BEGAN EARLY THIS MONTH, STARTING AT THE NORTH END OF THE STATE AND PROGRESS SOUTHWARD, BUT IT STOPPED JUST BEFORE IT REACHED MY PROPERTY.
I DID REACH OUT TO THE DEVELOPER, AND HE WAS PROMPT IN HIS RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRY AND SENT SOMEONE THE NEXT DAY TO FIX MY FENCE, BUT IT WAS ONLY A SUPERFICIAL FIX.
I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT IT GAVE US BACK OUR PRIVACY, AND FROM A DISTANCE, THE FENCE APPEARS COMPLETELY FIXED.
BUT THE ACTUAL ISSUE ITSELF, HOWEVER, HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED HERE.
THE POLES WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY BENT DURING THE STORM WERE PROPPED BACK UP BY OURSELVES,
[00:15:03]
AND THEY ARE STILL CRIMPED AND WEAK AT THE BASES.THE FENCE PANELS THAT WERE EITHER COMPLETELY BLOWN OFF OR LEANED, WERE PLACED BACK IN POSITION, AND WE WERE HOLDING IT BACK VERTICALLY BY USING SUPPORT BEAMS THAT WERE PROPPED TO THE GROUND.
THESE DAMAGED POLES AND BROKEN FENCE PANELS HAVE BEEN REUSED IN MY CASE, AND THESE POSE A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD.
I'M AFRAID THESE TEMPORARY FIX IS NOT GOING TO HOLD UNTIL THE NEXT STORM SEASON IS OVER.
UNLIKE OUR OTHER NEIGHBORS WHO RECEIVED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT, MY FENCE WAS PATCHED RATHER THAN RESTORED TO STANDARD.
EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FENCE STILL WOBBLES AND CREAKS, POSING A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILD, AND TO ANY PASSERBY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF OUR PROPERTY AS WELL.
THIS HALF MEASURE REMEDY NOT ONLY FAILS TO MEET THE COMMITMENT MADE BY THE DEVELOPER, BUT ALSO UNDERMINES THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AS THE CITY CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THIS DEVELOPER ON FUTURE PROJECTS.
I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE COUNCIL'S ASSISTANCE IN ENSURING THAT MY FENCE IS RECONSTRUCTED TO THE SAME STANDARD AS THE OTHERS ON THE KINGFISHER STREET.
I HAVE SHARED PHOTOS WITH THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT IN THE ORIGINAL PLANNING ZONING COMMISSION.
I CAN FORWARD THAT EMAIL TO ALL YOU PEOPLE HERE.
I REQUEST YOUR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING THIS GETTING FIXED. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> SORRY. FOR CLARITY, AND YOU GUYS CAN JUST LIKE THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN.
WERE YOUR FENCE MATERIALS ALSO REUSED OR WERE YOU PROVIDED NEW MATERIALS WHEN THE STUFF WAS DONE? [BACKGROUND] I KNOW YOU REUSED.
>> KENNETH JOHNSON? PRESENT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> I GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WHO CAME UP WITH THE CODES AND WHO VOTED ON THE CODES, AND WHO ALLOWED THE BUILDERS IN THE CITY TO BUILD? I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE'S VERY LITTLE THE CITY CAN DO, AND THEREFORE, THERE'S VERY LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY.
I THOUGHT THE JOB OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WAS TO PROTECT ITS PEOPLE.
BAD BUILDING IS UNSAFE PRODUCTS.
YOU COME UP WITH WHERE I STAY AT, IT LOOK LIKE A FAT BABE THAT SAT ON EVERY ROOF.
IT'S SINKING IN. I'M LIKE, HOW DO THEY MISS THIS? WHY ARE THE DOORS NOT CLOSING? I SAID, THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
WHO INSPECTED THESE HOUSES, BECAUSE THE HOUSES SHOULDN'T BE FALLING LIKE THIS.
I WISH I COULD GET A BETTER EXPLANATION FOR THE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS, WHAT CAN WE DO AS RESIDENTS AND AS A CITY TO GO FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT KEEP HAPPENING.
BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, BECAUSE THE BUILDERS ARE JUST THROWING THEM UP AND THEY KEEP SAYING, IT'S THE CITY OF PRINCETON CODE THAT WE GO BY.
ANY TIME YOUR HOUSE IS LEAKING, YOUR DOORS GOING TO STUCK, THAT IS A UNSAFE PRODUCT AND THEY KEEP PUTTING THE BLAME ON THE CITY.
I WISH SOMEBODY COULD EXPLAIN THAT TO ME.
SOMEBODY TAKE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT TAKING IT EITHER.
>> CAN WE HAVE SOMEBODY REACH OUT TO KENNETH? WE SUPPOSED TO SET UP A MEETING TOO. YOU CAN E-MAIL ME THAT.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. I DON'T CHECK MY E-MAIL EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. WISH THEY COULD TELL ME [INAUDIBLE].
MR. JOHNSON, WHO'S A DEVELOPER?
>> I WISH Y'ALL COULD COME OVER THERE [INAUDIBLE].
>> THE PODIUM IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU, PLEASE.
>> I SAID, I'D LIKE TO SEE Y'ALL COME OVER THERE AND LOOK AT THE ROOF.
THAT'S RIDICULOUS. ALL SINKING IN.
I SAID, MAN, THIS IS NOT GOING TO LAST 10 YEARS.
I SAID, WHO MISSED THIS? WHO'S KNOCKED THE DOOR? IS NOT SHUTTING.
IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY THUMB IN OUR NOSE THAT Y'ALL SAYING Y'ALL THE REASON WHY IS FALLING.
>> I GUESS I FAILED TO HEAR YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. I DIDN'T SAY IT.
I'M SORRY, BUT I SAID 302 STONE COURT. COME LOOK.
>> THANK YOU, KENNETH. TERESA MCGINNIS.
[00:20:13]
>> HELLO, I'M TERESA MCGINNIS AT [INAUDIBLE].
I'M PART OF THE SAFEGUARD PRINCETON.
WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE 8-900 SIGNATURES WE NEEDED FOR OUR PETITIONS.
IT IS UP TO YOU GUYS TO VOTE FOR A FULL FORENSIC AUDIT AND TO REPEAL THE ORDINANCE 2024091602, WHICH WAS ENACTED TO COVER UP THE CUSTOMER OVERCHARGES OF THE WATER BILLS.
SHOW PRINCETON OUR CITY COUNCIL IS WORKING FOR THEM.
I PRESENTED YOU ALL WITH A FLYER.
THIS IS IT. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PRESENTING THIS TO YOU TODAY SOMETIME.
WE GOT IT OFF OF THE THING. IT'S ALL WRONG.
I'VE CORRECTED IT, AND I'VE SENT IT TO YOU ON THE BACK IS THE CHARGES THAT WERE USED.
THIS IS WHAT THEY DID TO TRY TO PROVE THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY OWE THE CITY OF PRINCETON MONEY.
WELL, IT FELL THROUGH. THEY DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT.
ANYWAY, SO IT'S PRETTY CLEAR ON THE SLIDE THAT 19,600 GALLONS IN DECEMBER WERE USED FOR THE CALCULATION.
THERE'S ACTUALLY A 10,000 GALLON CAP.
THAT'S WHERE THE MISTAKE IS ON THAT PAPER.
ONCE IT'S CORRECTED, INSTEAD OF THE CUSTOMER OWING THE CITY $150, THE CITY OWES THEM $22.66.
NOW, IS THIS A COVER UP? IS IT A FLAT OUT CORRUPTION OR IS IT INCOMPETENCE? EITHER WAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.
THIS IS A REASON FOR TERMINATION.
WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER WHOSE COMPLETELY YEARLY SALARY PACKAGE IS OVER $330,000.
THIS IS MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF PRINCETON RESIDENTS.
HE ALSO DOES NOT LIVE IN OR CARE TO RELOCATE TO PRINCETON.
IT WAS A MISTAKE TO ALLOW THIS.
I UNDERSTAND MANY OF YOU WERE NOT HERE WHEN HE WAS HIRED.
HE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE INCOMPETENT AND UNTRUSTWORTHY.
LET'S NOT WAIT FOR ANY MORE DAMAGE TO BE DONE.
HE IS THE ONE WHO MADE THE DECISION TO COVER UP THE WATER BILL ERROR INSTEAD OF CORRECTING IT.
>> YOU CAN SPEAK TO US. YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER, BUT YOU CAN SPEAK TO COUNCIL IN THE BODY ITSELF IN THAT DISPARAGING COMMENTS.
LET'S NOT SPEAK ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER, YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE BODY, YOU CAN SPEAK ABOUT US, DO NOT SPEAK ABOUT THE STAFF, PLEASE, BUT THERE YOU GO.
>> HELLO, I DISAGREE WITH YOU, BUT THAT'S OKAY, WHATEVER YOU WANT.
ANYWAY, SO WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS IT'S BEEN MADE CLEAR THAT OUR LAST CITY ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE ERRORS.
WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO WE CAN TRUST TO FIND THOSE ERRORS, DISCLOSE THEM, AND CORRECT THEM.
WE DON'T NEED THEM HIDDEN UP TO CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. NOW, ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TOPIC, ABOUT THE PID ADMINISTRATOR, I HAD PLAN ON CALLING OURS.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S MY INTEREST RATE? WHAT'S MY BALANCE ON MY PID, AND WHEN'S MY PID GOING TO BE DONE? I FINALLY GOT IN TOUCH WITH SOMEBODY FROM THERE, AND THEY'RE NOT OUR PID ADMINISTRATOR NO MORE.
THEN I NOTICED ON OUR THING THAT YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT TODAY.
WELL, SO DID YOU LET THEM GO WITHOUT REPLACING THEM ALREADY?
>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT IN THE DISCUSSION EARLIER TODAY, THERE WILL BE AN ONLINE PLATFORM WHERE YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS INFORMATION, ALL RESIDENTS INDIVIDUALLY.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE?
>> I DO NOT, BUT WE CAN FIND OUT.
>> GREAT. WELL, ANYWAY, I HAVE A LITTLE RECAP.
ONE IS, YOU AND CITY COUNCIL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER A FULL FORENSIC AUDIT OF ALL DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE WATER DEPARTMENT.
YOU AS THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REPEAL THE ORDINANCE AND PUT THE WINTER WATER AVERAGE APPROACH BACK IN PLACE AND HAVE IT IMPLEMENTED.
YOU CANNOT TRUST YOUR CITY ADMINISTRATION.
WE NEED A NEW BLAH, BLAH, WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE AND GUTS TO CLEAN HOUSE AND MOVE FORWARD.
HOW MANY MORE THINGS IS THIS, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, COVERING UP? YOU NEED TO FIND ADMINISTRATION YOU CAN TRUST AND DO THINGS RIGHT.
THE CITY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED UP AND FIXED.
[00:25:01]
>> YOU SHOULD BE GOOD. I'M NOT SURE WHY THE TIME IS NOT WORKING, BUT YOUR MIC IS ON.
TURN IT BACK AND START TALKING.
>> KEN SLIGMAN, ARCADIA FARMS, PRINCETON, HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE OVERCHARGING OF WASTEWATER BILLING IN PRINCETON DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024.
IT'S BEEN PRESENTED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THIS ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF FORMER STAFF TO IMPLEMENT WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING.
THIS SHOULD BE A NON ISSUE AT THIS POINT.
AS THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY OUR CURRENT CITY MANAGER DURING THE BUDGETING PROCESS LAST YEAR, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCLOSURES OF THE OVERCHARGING NOR EFFORTS TO REFUND THE IMPROPERLY TAKEN MONIES.
EVEN IF IT HAD BEEN DISCLOSED TO AND VOTED BY THIS COUNCIL, NONE OF YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE OF THE CITY ABSCONDING WITH IMPROPERLY TAKEN FUNDS.
IT'S WRONG. DOESN'T BELONG TO THE CITY.
IF THIS ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN DISCOVERED AND PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL BY TERESA MCGINNIS OF SAFEGUARD PRINCETON, THERE WOULD BE NO DISCUSSION OF THE OVERCHARGING OR REFUNDING OF RESIDENTS FUNDS.
THIS ACT WAS NOT ONLY A VIOLATION OF OUR CITY ORDINANCES AND FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT, BUT ALSO A HUGE FAILURE OF ETHICS, WHICH MUST BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED.
THE ESTIMATED $1 MILLION WAS KNOWINGLY ATTRIBUTED TO THE FINANCIAL RESERVES OF THE CITY BY MR. MASHBURN IN THE 2024 FINANCIAL AUDIT.
WHEN IT DID NOT BELONG TO THE CITY? THIS IS NOT OKAY.
THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN DECIDING WHETHER RESIDENTS MUST REQUEST REFUNDS OR SHOULD THEY BE PROACTIVELY MADE TO ALL WHOM THEY'RE DUE.
MR. MASHBURN EMPHASIZED IN THE BUDGET RETREAT THAT THE WATER UTILITY IS NOT A FOR PROFIT DIVISION.
WITH 30% EXCESS REVENUES OVER EXPENSES OF NEARLY $14 MILLION, A REVIEW OF THE RECENT FINANCIAL AUDIT INDICATES EXCESS FINANCIAL WOULD BE OVER $50 MILLION.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE ADDRESS US AND NOT MR. MASHBURN?
>> I'M NOT SAYING ANYTHING DEROGATORY ABOUT HIM.
THIS IS RECORDED ON VIDEO, AND ALL I'M DOING IS SAYING WHAT HE DID. THIS IS A MATTER.
IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU GUYS WERE PREPARED TO AUTHORIZE THAT.
IN THAT DAY IN THE BUDGET RETREAT, YOU GUYS WERE PREPARED TO SAY, OH, THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO US.
I'M SORRY, BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
I DIDN'T INTEND TO SAY THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
MUNICIPAL UTILITIES ARE HIGHLY REGULATED AND ALLOWED TO TRANSFER EXCESS FUNDS OUT OF THE UTILITY ONLY AS LONG AS THE RATES ARE NOT EXCESSIVE.
THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER FAILURE IN THE OPERATING OF OUR UTILITY.
THEY SHOULDN'T BE MAKING 30% PROFIT.
THE SALES PITCH CONTINUED TELLING YOU THAT HE'S ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND HAS NOTHING TO HIDE, AND A NEW WATER TOWER IS EXPECTED AND WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $17 MILLION.
MR. MASHBURN STATED THAT WHEN DISCOVERING THE PROBLEM LAST YEAR AND VISITING WITH LEGAL AND CITY WATER CONSULTANTS, THE RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION WAS TO REPEAL AND REPLACE THE ORDINANCE, WHICH BROUGHT THE CITY INTO COMPLIANCE.
MR. MASHBURN STATED THAT WITH OVER 10,000 CITY WATER ACCOUNTS, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME TO RECALCULATE ALL ACCOUNTS.
>> THAT SHOULD BE THREE MINUTES.
>> I NEED TO FINISH. I WAS INTERRUPTED.
I'M SORRY. PLEASE ALLOW ME 15 SECONDS.
HIS INTENTION WAS CONVINCING YOU THAT IT WAS UNFEASIBLE TO REFUND ALL OVER CHARGE ACCOUNTS AND ONLY RESIDENTS WHO REQUEST THEIR ACCOUNT TO BE REVIEWED AND REFUNDED WOULD BE ADDRESSED.
HE PRESENTED 28 SELECTED ACCOUNTS SKEWED TO SHOW SOME RESIDENTS MIGHT EVEN OWE MONEY.
HIS SALES PITCH WAS EXCELLENT, AND APPEARED TO WORK THAT GIVING EVERYBODY AN OWED CREDIT WOULD RESULT IN $1.5 MILLION HIT TO THE CITY.
>> THANK YOU, KEN. AMISHA, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> AMISHA NEIL, 2100 MATOVI DRIVE.
I AM HERE BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER SOME FEES IN REGARDS TO THE RHYTHM AND JOY EXPERIENCE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE HERE IN PRINCETON.
THE ONE THING THAT MOST OF THE RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT IS NOTHING FOR US TO DO.
I PARTNERED WITH SOME OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO BRING SOMETHING TO OUR CITY, SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN COLLIN COUNTY.
WHEN TRYING TO RENT THE PARK, I COULD RENT THE COTTON BOWL WITH THIS AMOUNT.
PARKED PERSONNEL, WHEN I ASKED WHAT THEY WOULD BE DOING, IT WAS PULLING TRASH.
WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT'S GOING TO DO THAT.
ELECTRICITY, I PULLED PUBLIC RECORD FOR
[00:30:04]
THE FIELD LIGHTS AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN CHARGED $10.I'LL LET YOU GO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE CHARGING US.
AS IN FIRE EMS, THEY HAVE ORDERED US TO GIVE FIVE EMS PERSONNELS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO GET THE AMBULANCE FROM THE COUNTY.
THE COUNTY IS CHARGING $150 AN HOUR PLUS TWO EMS PERSONNEL AS WELL AS A SUPERVISOR.
THE INSPECTOR, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE FIRE CHIEF THERE, WE ARE BEING DOUBLE CHARGED FOR THE INSPECTOR.
POLICE. I COMPARE THE COST TO OTHER CITIES, AND WE ARE BEING CHARGED TWICE THE AMOUNT.
PRETTY MUCH, THAT'S IT. I'M ASKING TO HAVE THIS PLACED ON THE NEXT AGENDA AND LET'S GO OVER THESE FEES.
I DON'T WANT TO SAY THIS OUT IN PUBLIC RIGHT NOW BEFORE YOU GUYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE AMOUNT, BUT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO IT.
>> I WILL SAY ON THE 28TH IS WHEN THAT PRESENTATION FOR THE NEW PROCESSES, AND THAT WILL HAVE ALL THE FEES AND EXPLANATIONS OF EVERYTHING COMING UP HERE ON THE NEXT MEETING ON THE 28TH.
>> AS FAR AS YOUR PRICING, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT.
I'M NOT SURE, BUT NOT THIS AGENDA. NO, NEXT ONE.
>> UPCOMING WHATEVER. IS THAT OKAY?
>> THANK YOU. MAXINE ELLIS, COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
>> MAXINE ELLIS,914 BLUEWOOD STREET, ARCADIA FARMS. I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE WATER.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS, CAN WE GET A DETAILED ITEMIZATION OF WHERE OUR PID MONEY HAS BEEN GOING.
BASED ON THE PRESENTATION, FOR EXAMPLE, ARCADIA FARMS 2017, OUR MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO GO FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.
CAN WE SEE WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING, PLEASE? BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU A LOT OF RESIDENTS IN ARCADIA FARMS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING TO PAY PIDS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SEEING ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH OUR MONEY.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF DISABLED RESIDENTS IN ARCADIA FARMS THAT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AT OUR LAST HOA MEETING.
THEY HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE JM CALDWELL PARK TO WATCH THEIR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, NEPHEWS, PLAY SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER.
THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE PARK ITSELF TO GET TO THE FIELDS IS NOT ADA COMPATIBLE.
THEY HAVE TO TAKE THEIR WHEELCHAIRS.
THEY HAVE THE LITTLE BATTERY MOTORIZED AND GO THROUGH THE GRASS TO GET TO THE FIELDS.
I TOLD THEM I'D MENTION IT, SEE IF WE COULD MAKE OUR PARKS MORE ADA COMPATIBLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
ONE OTHER THING. IF YOU DON'T THINK THIS WAY, I KNOW I DO, STAFF, COUNCIL.
I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, AND I WANT TO DO WHAT I DO.
I'VE CONTRACTED FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD FOR OVER 20 YEARS NOW.
FOR OFFICE DEPOT, I WORKED FOR 18 YEARS, AND THE ONLY REASON I LEFT WAS TO MOVE TO TEXAS.
I DO ALL THAT BECAUSE I WAKE UP AND I WANT TO DO MY JOB.
I COME TO THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS, I MEET WITH THE MAYOR.
I SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO EVERYTHING BECAUSE I'M PASSIONATE, AND I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE I WANT THE CITY TO HAVE A VOICE.
WHETHER THERE'S STAFF MEMBERS THAT DON'T LIKE WHAT I DO, COUNCIL MEMBERS, OTHER BOARDS THAT DON'T LIKE WHAT I DO.
I'M SORRY, BUT I'M GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT BECAUSE PRINCETON NEEDS A VOICE.
OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD GET UP HERE AT ALL THE BOARD MEETINGS, AT ALL THE COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND HAVE A VOICE.
AGAIN, I DO IT BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT WHERE I LIVE.
[00:35:01]
>> I'M GOING TO GO A LITTLE OUT OF ORDER FROM THE AGENDA,
[K1. 2025-173 Presentation and discussion regarding the Water Billing Summary, presented by Utility Billing Revenue Manager William Rosales and Director of Public Works Tommy Mapp.]
AND WE'RE GOING TO JUMP RIGHT INTO THE FIRST ITEM ON THE REC AGENDA, WHICH IS THE WATER.IT'S GOING TO BE K1-2025-173, A PRESENTATION DISCUSSION REGARDING THE WATER BILLING SUMMARY PRESENTED BY UTILITY BILLING REVENUE MANAGER WILLIAM.
>> WE'RE ABLE TO JUMP RIGHT INTO THIS AND THEN GO BACK TO CONSENT, CORRECT?
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS WILLIAM ROSALES.
I'M THE UTILITY BILLING REVENUE MANAGER HERE IN THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
I'M GOING TO BE DOING A PRESENTATION REGARDING WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING.
BEFORE I START, I WAS MADE AWARE OF A CIRCULATION GOING AROUND ABOUT OUR FIGURES BEING INCORRECT.
SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW.
I WAS ASKED TO ADDRESS THAT, SO I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT FIRST.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN WE'RE CALCULATING THESE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE USING WATER CONSUMPTION, NOT WASTEWATER CONSUMPTION, BUT ACTUAL WATER CONSUMPTION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE INFORMATION ALL THERE IS INCORRECT, JUST FOR THE FACT WE'RE GETTING THEIR NUMBERS FROM, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THAT.
UNDERSTAND THAT THE CONSUMPTION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THAT FORM IS ACTUALLY WATER CONSUMPTION, NOT SEWER CONSUMPTION.
SEWER CONSUMPTION IS CAPPED AT 10,000 GALLONS, AND THAT PART IS CORRECT.
WHAT'S STATED ON THE FORM IS ACTUALLY WATER CONSUMPTION, NOT SEWER CONSUMPTION, SO JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THOSE FORMS. IT'LL MAKE MORE SENSE WHEN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE CORRECT INFORMATION.
WHAT IS WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING? IT'S A METHOD THAT A LOT OF CITIES USE TO CALCULATE ACTUAL CONSUMPTION.
WATER THAT ACTUALLY GOES DOWN INTO OUR WASTEWATER SYSTEM.
THESE TYPICALLY ARE TAKEN FROM DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT WASHING THE CARS OUTSIDE, NOT WATERING THE LAWNS.
IT'S TOO COLD FOR THOSE THINGS, THOSE ACTIVITIES.
THAT WATER THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY USING DURING THOSE MONTHS IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT YOU ACTUALLY USE DURING THE SUMMER.
IT'S A GOOD WAY TO GET AN AVERAGE OF WHAT ACTUALLY GOES DOWN INTO THE DRAIN, WHAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO CLEAN.
A LOT OF THEM USE FIVE MONTHS.
THEY DROP THE HIGHEST, DROP THE LOWEST, BECAUSE IT'LL GIVE US A BETTER AVERAGE OF WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED TO CALCULATE CONSUMPTION, CALCULATE THAT AVERAGE, MORE REFLECTIVE, IF YOU WILL.
LIKE I SAID, THOSE THREE MONTHS, WE TAKE THAT AVERAGE, AVERAGE IT OUT, THAT WOULD BE WHAT WE CHARGE YOU DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS IF WQA WAS IMPLEMENTED.
GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I KNOW SOME OF THESE THINGS WERE TALKED ABOUT IN THE BUDGET RETREAT.
I'M GOING TO JUST GO OVER SOME THINGS.
THE NEXT SLIDE IS GOING TO SHOW YOU A TIMELINE.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION, AND JUST BEAR WITH ME.
IT'S GOING TO GIVE YOU A LOT OF INFORMATION, BUT I'M DOING IT FOR A REASON.
I NEED YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, AND WHAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE, IT SAYS APRIL 18, 2023. THAT'S WHEN IT STARTS.
ON APRIL 24, 2023, AN ORDINANCE WAS BROUGHT TO COUNCIL.
COUNCIL VOTED ON IT AND PASSED.
IT WAS AN ORDINANCE IMPLEMENTING WASTEWATER WINTER AVERAGING.
BUT THIS CONVERSATION ACTUALLY BEGAN MUCH FURTHER BACK.
IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE ONLINE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY BROUGHT TO COUNCIL IN AUGUST OF 2022.
IT WAS BROUGHT UP DURING A CONVERSATION OF THE WATER RATE STUDY THAT PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT, THAT WAS BEING DONE FOR US BY NUGENT AND SAID, "HEY, WE RECOMMEND IMPLEMENTING WQA BECAUSE IT'S REVENUE NEUTRAL.
IT'S DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE CUSTOMERS OR RESIDENTS OF PRINCETON.
ANYONE WHO GETS WATER AND WASTEWATER WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS." THOSE WERE BROUGHT UP.
THEY TALKED ABOUT IT. AGAIN, IN DECEMBER OF 2022, THEY BROUGHT UP AGAIN, "HEY, WE RECOMMEND DOING THIS".
THERE WAS CONVERSATIONS AMONG COUNSEL.
THE MAYOR CHIMED IN AS WELL AT THE TIME.
"HEY, WE WOULDN'T DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS A WAY FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE SOME RELIEF." THIS IS MORE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT THE WATER ACTUALLY GOING INTO THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM IS THAN THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN YOU'RE, ONCE AGAIN, WASHING THE CARS, IRRIGATING WHATEVER PLANT OUTSIDE OF THE [INAUDIBLE] WATER.
YOUR WINTER MONTHS REFLECT THAT MORE.
[00:40:01]
IT'S BROUGHT TO COUNCIL ON DECEMBER.AN ORDINANCE ISN'T BROUGHT UP TO COUNCIL AND FOR MAYOR UNTIL APRIL OF 2023.
IT'S NOT IMPLEMENTED. ME AND MY STAFF INSTRUCTED, "HEY, THIS ORDINANCE PASSED.
DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT YET". I DON'T KNOW WHY.
I WAS JUST TOLD, DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT YET.
I DID WHAT I WAS TOLD, DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.
BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, THERE WAS MORE IN THE ORDINANCE THAN JUST THAT WQA.
THERE WAS ANOTHER PART OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS A WASTEWATER FLAT FEE FOR RESIDENTS OUTSIDE OF CITY LIMITS.
THAT PART I WAS TOLD TO IMPLEMENT.
WE DID THAT, GOT THAT SET UP, AND WENT OUT LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO.
OUR CITY MANAGER AT THE TIME RESIGNED IN SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER TIME.
THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE TIME, WINTER AVERAGING HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE.
IT'S NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED, NOTHING IS DONE WITH IT. I'M SORRY.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WHO GAVE YOU THAT DIRECTIVE SPECIFICALLY TO NOT FOLLOW THE ORDINANCE?
>> IT WAS MY BOSS. AT THAT TIME, I ANSWERED TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
THE CITY MANAGER AT THE TIME HE RESIGNS.
WATER AVERAGING IS NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR SOFTWARE AT THE TIME, WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE MODULE IN OUR BUILDING SOFTWARE TO IMPLEMENT THIS. IT WAS NONEXISTENT.
IT WAS SOMETHING THAT OUR SOFTWARE PROVIDERS COULD PROVIDE, BUT WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT.
WE NEVER ASKED FOR IT, SO IT WAS NEVER THERE.
I HAD TO GO OUT, CONTACT THE SOFTWARE PROVIDER, SAY, "THERE'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO.
CAN WE DO IT?" THE ANSWER WAS YES.
BUT IT WASN'T JUST A "HEY, FLIP THE SWITCH, HIT THE BUTTON", AND IT'S THERE.
IT WAS, WE NEED DATA, WE NEED NUMBERS, WE NEED FIGURES, WE NEED TIME TO FIGURE THIS OUT CORRECTLY.
THROUGHOUT THAT TIME, MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN THE CITY. CITY MANAGER IS GONE.
MY DIRECT BOSS RETIRES IN FEBRUARY, BRINGING ANOTHER INTERIM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
SHE'S HERE FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND SHE LEAVES US WELL.
I HAVE ANOTHER BOSS, COMES IN FOR A FEW MONTHS AS WELL. THEY'RE AWARE OF THE ISSUES.
THEY'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. THEY DEPART AS WELL.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE UTILITY BILLING HAS HAD FIVE DIFFERENT, I'M ON A SIXTH BOSS NOW, PRETTY MUCH.
I'M TELLING YOU ALL THESE THINGS.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND THERE WERE MANY HANDS IN THE POT AT THE TIME.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT FELL THROUGH.
IT FELL THROUGH. I WANT YOU JUST TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.
ONCE AGAIN, THIS ISSUE COMES BACK TO FRONT OF COUNSEL BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024.
THAT ORDINANCE IS AMENDED IS REPEALED.
THAT LANGUAGE REGARDING THE WINTER AVERAGING IS REMOVED FROM THE ORDINANCE.
I TELL YOU THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.
I KNOW PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS OF WHY THIS WASN'T IMPLEMENTED.
WHY WASN'T ANYTHING DONE WITH IT? AS FOR THE REASONS, THERE WHY.
NOW, I CAN'T SPEAK AS TO WHY SHE WAS INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT I WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO.
AT THE TIME, YOU DID NOT HAVE THE SOFTWARE TO ACTUALLY DO THIS.
REGARDLESS IF YOU WERE TOLD TO DO IT OR NOT TO DO IT, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE SOFTWARE.
>> NO. IT WAS A MODULE [OVERLAPPING]
>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BEING WORKED ON IN THE BACKGROUND, YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT, AS FAR AS CONTACTING SOMEONE TO DO THAT? I'M JUST ASKING A GENERAL QUESTION, IS IT POSSIBLE?
>> ONCE THE MODULE IS ADDED TO THE SYSTEM, IT SHOWS UP THERE.
I CAN STRUCTURE IT, AND IT'LL SHOW ONCE YOU'RE AVERAGING ON THERE.
IT WASN'T THERE. IT WAS NONEXISTENT.
>> THE SOFTWARE WAS NONEXISTENT.
>> NO, THE MODULE IN THE SOFTWARE WAS NONEXISTENT.
>> IT WOULDN'T MADE ANY DIFFERENCE.
WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT IT?
>> ANYWAY, AND IT WOULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL DECEMBER?
>> THIS ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN APRIL.
>> I KNOW, BUT YOU WOULDN'T START DOING THE AVERAGING UNTIL DECEMBER?
>> JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION, TOO. YOU ALREADY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF WHOEVER DEVELOPED THE SOFTWARE.
HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO IMPLEMENT THAT SOFTWARE?
>> IT TOOK A COUPLE OF DAYS. IT WAS QUICK.
ONCE I TOLD HIM WHAT WE WANTED AND HOW WE WANTED IT, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG AT ALL.
>> WHEN THIS FIRST GOT IMPLEMENTED, OR IT PASSED IN APRIL OF '22 OR '23,
[00:45:03]
IT WOULD HAVE TOOK A FEW DAYS FOR YOU TO MAKE A PHONE CALL AND GET UP AND ON.>> TO GET THE MODULE PUT IN OUR BILLING SOFTWARE, YES.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ONCE THAT MODULE IS THERE, YOU JUST HAVE SELF TO TEST IT.
TO INPUT DATA, RUN IT IN THE TEST SCENARIO, AND TEST AND TEST AND TEST.
>> THAT TEST WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM DECEMBER TO FEBRUARY, CORRECT?
>> THREE MONTHS. WE HAD FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER TO GET THIS MODULE TESTED AND MAKE SURE IT WORKS?
>> I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE SLIDE WE'RE LOOKING AT, THE AVERAGE TIMELINE.
ONE THING THAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THIS TIMELINE IS WHEN WAS THE COUNCIL OR THE CITY LEADERSHIP NOTIFIED THAT IT COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED OR IT WOULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED, AND THERE WAS A REFUND THAT WAS NEEDED?
>> BECAUSE IT DOESN'T INCLUDE IT ON THE TIMELINE, WHEN WAS THE CITY COUNCIL OR MAYOR NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS NEVER IMPLEMENTED?
>> WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MARCH 2024.
>> AT THAT TIME, THAT WAS WHEN WE HAD A DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.
AT THAT TIME, MY ORIGINAL BOSS HAD ALREADY RETIRED, BROUGHT SOMEONE ELSE IN TO FILL IN HER SPOT.
LIKE I SAID, I'M GIVING YOU ALL THIS DATA BECAUSE I WANT YOU GUYS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED.
HEY, MANY HANDS IN THE POT, IT JUST NEVER GOT IMPLEMENTED.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.
THE WAY THIS ORDINANCE WAS WRITTEN, IF I LEAKED IN DECEMBER AND MY CONSUMPTION WENT FROM 5,000 GALLONS TO 20,000 GALLONS, WITH THE WAY THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN, THAT 20,000 GALLONS WOULD BE PART OF MY AVERAGE.
YOU TAKE 20,000 GALLONS IN DECEMBER, 05,000 IN JANUARY, 4,000 IN FEBRUARY, GUESS WHAT? THAT 20,000 GALLONS IS KILLING ME.
THE WAY THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN, I WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE THAT 20,000 GALLONS AND USE THAT PART AS YOUR AVERAGE.
KEEP THAT IN MIND GOING FORWARD IF YOU GUYS DECIDE TO IMPLEMENT WQA.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU FACTOR IN EVERYTHING, THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE FIGURES AND EVERYTHING, AND WHEN YOU WRITE THE ORDINANCE, WRITE IT IN A WAY THAT IT'S GOING TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE AND THAT ACTUALLY CAUSES HARM.
>> WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO HELPING WITH THAT LANGUAGE IF WE WERE TO MAKE THAT ORDINANCE? YOU SEEM VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN IT, SO I FEEL LIKE YOUR INPUT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL IN OUTLINING SUCH AN ORDINANCE SO THAT IT COULD BE WRITTEN EXACTLY HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE.
>> I COULD DEFINITELY DO THAT. ACTUALLY, I'D BE GLAD TO HELP THAT. IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE.
IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF WQA, IS TO HELP PEOPLE.
SITUATIONS LIKE THAT, WHERE YOU HAVE A LEAK IN ONE OF THOSE MONTHS, IT'S GOING TO HURT YOU.
IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY A HIGHER RATE, EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY, YOU'RE NOT USING THAT.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP A LOT OF FACTORS IN MIND WHEN YOU'RE DOING THIS, AND I'M ASKING YOU GUYS NOT TO MAKE A DECISION RASH, THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE WHATEVER YOU GUYS DECIDE ON, ONCE WE MAKE THIS CHANGE IN THE SOFTWARE, IT CANNOT BE UNDONE.
I'M GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN. ONCE WE MAKE THE CHANGE IN THE SOFTWARE, IT CANNOT BE UNDONE.
IF WE DO MAKE THIS CHANGE IN THE SOFTWARE, WE DO IT.
HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'RE NOT BRINGING ENOUGH TO COVER THE COST OF IT, IT'S TOO LATE.
IT'S DONE. YOU HIT THE BUTTON, IT CALCULATES EVERYONE'S AVERAGE CONSUMPTION, AND IT'S DONE.
YOU CANNOT UNDO IT UNLESS YOU BUY NEW SOFTWARE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT.
THIS IS JUST A QUICK SLIDE. IT BREAKS DOWN ABOUT WHAT OUR UTILITY BILL COVERS.
AS I KNOW I SAID, A LOT OF STUFF HAS BEEN COVERED BEFORE.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON IT.
SOMEONE MENTIONED ABOUT THE SLIDE EARLIER, SAYING IT'S NOT REFLECTIVE OF WHAT CITIES AROUND US ARE CHARGING BASED ON THEIR WINTER AVERAGING RATE RIGHT NOW, BUT THE NUMBERS AREN'T THAT FAR OFF, HONESTLY.
THEY'RE ALMOST DEAD ON. I KNOW RIGHT NOW, IT SHOWS TO BE ON THE LOWER SECTION OF THE GRAPH WITH THE CURRENT RATES.
IN 2025/'26, IT DOES GO UP A FEW DOLLARS AND THEN CHANGE.
THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY WQA, BY WINTER AVERAGING, SO JUST KEEP OUT OF MIND AS WELL.
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SLIDE.
THIS IS A SLIDE THAT SOME OF YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN IN FRONT OF YOU.
SOME OF YOU HAVE GOT THE HANDOUTS SHOWING THAT OUR CALCULATIONS ARE INCORRECT.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS, THOUGH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE 19,600 GALLONS THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN IS NOT WASTEWATER.
THAT IS ACTUALLY WATER CONSUMPTION.
THIS CUSTOMER HAD SOMETHING GOING ON IN THAT MONTH OF DECEMBER.
OUR WASTEWATER IS CURRENTLY CAPPED AT 10,000 GALLONS RIGHT NOW.
YOU TAKE THAT 19,000, THAT 5,800, AND 1,300, THAT GIVES YOU A TOTAL OF 28,700 GALLONS WITHIN THREE MONTHS WORTH OF WATER USAGE.
OUR WASTEWATER IS BASED ON CONSUMPTION OF THE WATER.
[00:50:03]
IF YOU TAKE THAT AVERAGE DIVIDED BY THREE, IT GIVES YOU 9,566 GALLONS WORTH OF WATER AVERAGE IN A MONTH.YOU WILL ANSWER THAT AS 9,500 GALLONS.
BELOW THAT, YOU SEE THE TIERS.
THE FIRST 3,000 GALLONS, YOU'RE PAYING $16.08.
THE SECOND TIER, THE SECOND 2,000 GALLONS, YOU'RE PAYING $19.71.
THE FOLLOWING 2,000 GALLONS IS $23.37.
THE 1,000 GALLONS THAT REMAINS.
THAT GETS YOU AT THAT CAP. IT'S $4.50.
YOU ADD THAT UP WITH THE BASE RATE OF THE METER, IT'S $11.45, TOTAL THAT TO 75.11.
NO MATTER WHAT THIS CUSTOMER USE DURING SUMMER, EVEN IF IT HIT NOWHERE NEAR THAT 9,500 GALLON MARK, YOU'RE STILL PAYING $75.11 FOR SEWER WATER, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU USE THAT OR NOT.
I SAID, A LOT OF YOU HAVE THAT EXAMPLE IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW, IS INCORRECT.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I'D LIKE TO ANSWER THEM NOW.
I WANT TO CLEAR THAT UP FIRST BEFORE I MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE OOPS MOMENT DURING THE WINTER THAT HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON YOUR WINTER AVERAGING?
>> YOU MENTIONED A FIVE MONTH AVERAGE WHERE YOU DROPPED THE HIGH AND LOW.
IS THAT A METHOD TO HELP AVOID THIS TYPE OF SITUATION?
>> YES. IN THE CITY THAT I WORKED THERE BEFORE.
I CAME FROM DIFFERENT CITY. I DID 12.5 YEARS THERE.
IT WAS A WAY TO HELP RESIDENTS SAY, I DID HAVE A LEAK.
THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT ME NEGATIVELY DURING SUMMER.
CAN YOU DROP THAT? THAT'S WHAT WE DID.
WE DROPPED YOUR LOWEST AND YOUR HIGHEST AND KEPT THE THREE MOST CONSISTENT FIGURES TOGETHER AS YOUR AVERAGE.
IF YOU GUYS DECIDE TO GO THIS WAY, I WOULD SAY, PLEASE INCLUDE LANGUAGE LIKE THAT IN THE ORDINANCE THAT SAYS THAT BECAUSE IF THE ORDINANCE SAYS, WHEREVER MONTHS ARE IN THERE, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO FOLLOW.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS GOING INTO THIS.
A LOT OF THINGS IS GOING TO AFFECT.
I HOPE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR CAN TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN THINKING ABOUT THIS AND TALKING ABOUT THIS, HEY, DON'T DO THIS OVERNIGHT, THINK ABOUT IT, SLEEP ON IT, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WILL BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY IT.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. I KNOW I'VE HAD A LEAK BEFORE, AND I'VE CALLED THE CITY AND THEY WORKED WITH ME ON THAT.
BUT YOU KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE A LEAK, LET'S SAY IN THAT MONTH.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU GUYS TO DOCUMENT THAT AS WELL, BECAUSE I KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE GET DEPENDING ON, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S SILL THE CASE NOW, THIS WAS YEARS AGO, WE GOT A CREDIT BACK FOR THAT OVERAGE.
>> LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. SAY, THIS IS YOUR AVERAGE.
THIS IS TO SAY, HEY, I HAD A LEAK IN DECEMBER.
I'M GOING TO AVERAGE OUT THE BILLS BEFORE AND AFTER THAT CONSUMPTION TO GET YOUR AVERAGE TO REPLACE THIS CONSUMPTION WITH.
WELL, WHAT IF THAT LEAK WENT ON FOR MORE THAN A MONTH? WHAT IF YOU ONLY CAUGHT IT IN THAT MONTH? WHAT IF IT ACTUALLY SPREAD OUT OVER TWO MONTHS? I FIX IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BILLING CYCLE, IT'S AFFECTING TWO DIFFERENT MONTHS.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT ONCE YOU MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT, WE CAN ONLY MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE HIGHEST BILL.
ANY OF THE BILLS AREN'T TOUCHED.
THAT AVERAGE WOULD AFFECT THOSE OTHER BILLS AS WELL.
YOU STILL MAY BE GETTING TWICE, MAYBE THREE TIMES WHAT YOU USUALLY PAY FOR WASTEWATER JUST BASED ON THAT LEAK, EVEN THOUGH I'M ADJUSTING THAT LEAK, THAT CONSUMPTION FOR THAT LEAK IS STILL AFFECTING EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> I HAD THAT HAPPEN TO ME WHERE MY WATER BILL WAS REALLY HIGH, AND I JUST COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS.
IT WAS A LEAK, AND CITY WORKED WITH ME.
BUT THEN I HAD TO GO TO THE SOURCE SPECTRUM WHEN THEY WERE INSTALLING, DID SOMETHING TO THE WATER LINE, AND THEY WERE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE.
THEY DID FIX IT, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT WAS NOT AFTER I DUG DOWN AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY, MR. MAPP, SENT SOME INDIVIDUALS OUT THAT WE FOUND OUT WHAT THE REAL ISSUE WAS.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO REALLY LEAN UPON THE CITY TO HELP US TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE REAL ISSUE IS, AND IT MAY JUST NOT EVEN BE THE WATER.
>> I WILL SAY THAT THE CITY DOES HAVE A GENEROUS LEAK ADJUSTMENT PLAN.
HEY, I HAVE A LEAK IN MY HOUSE. I FIXED IT.
HEY, STOP BY THE OFFICE, GO ONLINE, PICK UP A FORM, FILL OUT OUT ONLINE, SUBMIT YOUR INVOICES, ANY PICTURES THAT YOU HAVE.
WE'LL WORK WITH YOU. JUST TALK TO US.
THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME DIALOGUE BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING ISSUES AND US.
IT CAN'T ALWAYS JUST BE, HEY, I GOT A LEAK. I'M MAD, I COULD PAY FOR IT.
HEY, THERE'S PROGRAMS IN PLACE FOR THAT.
LIKE I SAID, TWO OF YOU ALL HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
>> MOST PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE APP THAT YOU HAVE THAT MY WATER USE, I THINK SO.
[00:55:06]
>> RIGHT. IT WILL ACTUALLY, YOU CAN PUT AN ALERT ON THERE THAT IF YOU HAVE AN OVER USAGE LIKE DURING THE NIGHT OR THAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT, IT WILL ALERT YOU TO START CHECKING FOR THINGS AND MAYBE A LEAK TO ACTUALLY STOP IT BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, YOU DON'T KNOW FOR A WHILE UNTIL YOU GET YOUR WATER BILL.
BUT IF YOU HAVE THIS, IT ACTUALLY TELL YOU EACH DAY.
YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AND TELL YOU WHAT YOUR AVERAGE IS.
WHAT YOU'RE USED EACH DAY FOR THE WEEK, FOR THE MONTH, THEN IT'S A REAL GOOD APP TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE LEAKS OR POSSIBLE LEAKS.
>> I WOULD SAY, BECAUSE EARLY THIS MORNING, I GOT A MESSAGE FROM MY WATER ADVISOR SAYING MY MONTH OF CONSUMPTION HAS GONE A LOT MORE HIGHER THAN USUAL, AND I KNOW WHY MY DAUGHTER'S JUST TAKING THESE LONG SHOWERS.
THIRTY MINUTE SHOWERS AND SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND SHE'S DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
IF YOU TAKE ALL THOSE FIGURES AND YOU REPLACE THE AMOUNTS ON THE LEFT, AMOUNTS ON THE LEFT ARE WHAT THE CUSTOMER ACTUALLY PAID.
YOU SEE THE 40.67, 32.13, 30.82, 32.79, THAT 79.61, 79.61, 79.61, THAT IS A MAX WE WOULD PAY RIGHT NOW WITH A 10,000 GALLON CAP.
THAT'S THE MAX RATE THAT WE PAY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE ASSUMPTION ON THE RIGHT, YOU SEE WHY THEY'RE PAYING THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE USED MORE THAN 10,000 GALLONS OF WATER, WHICH REFLECTS AT 10,000 GALLONS OF WASTEWATER, SO YOU PAY THE MAX FOR THAT.
AVERAGING EVERYTHING THAT OUT, YOU'LL SEE THAT THE CUSTOMER WOULD ACTUALLY BE PAYING 75.11 PER MONTH BASED ON WQA.
THEIR CONSUMPTION FOR THOSE THREE MONTHS DICTATED EVERYTHING FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER.
INSTEAD OF PAYING $40, THEY PAY 75.11.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE LANGUAGE AND THE ORDINANCES THAT YOU GUYS CHOOSE TO WRITE, BECAUSE IF NOT, IT'S DEFINITELY CAUSE ISSUES.
THIS IS A SLIDE OF SOMEONE WHO'S ELIGIBLE FOR CREDIT.
YOU SEE THE CONSUMPTION FROM DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, TOTALED OUT 8,400 GALLONS, DIVIDE THAT BY 3, 02,800 GALLONS IS WHAT THEY PAY PER MONTH.
NO MATTER WHAT THEY USE, THEY COULD SIT THERE AND USE 9,600 GALLONS LIKE THEY DID IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, BUT THEIR WASTE CHARGE WILL ONLY BE 26.46.
IF THESE PEOPLE WANT TO WATER EVERY DAY AND LEAVE THE WATER WAS WITHIN 24/7, GUESS WHAT? THEY'RE GOING TO PAY 26.46, NO MATTER WHAT CONSUMPTION IS.
THIS CUSTOMER ACTUALLY QUALIFIED IF ONCE WE START DOING OR IF COUNSEL DECIDES TO GO AHEAD AND OKAY THE ADJUSTMENTS, THIS CUSTOMER RECEIVE ADJUSTMENT OF CREDIT OF 96.26.
THIS BRINGS US TO OPPORTUNITIES, OPTIONS.
ME AND MY STAFF ARE READY TO GO. I JUST NEED DIRECTION.
I SAY, HEY, YOU TELL ME HOW YOU WANT TO DO, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND SOME THINGS TO YOU GUYS.
BUT I WANT YOU GUYS TO ACTUALLY TO THINK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THIS WILL HAVE LASTING IMPLICATIONS ON EVERYTHING.
OUR WATER BILLS AFFECT EVERYTHING FROM UTILITY RATES, INFRASTRUCTURE, CIPS.
KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT THIS.
I DON'T WANT JUST A RASH DECISION.
JUST THINK ABOUT IT. I SAID, I WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR 120 DAYS.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY DAYS, THERE'S GIVE YOU SOME FIGURES REAL QUICK.
I'VE GOT 10,624 COUNTS I HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
WITH HELP IT, MR. RICKETIER, HE'S CREATED A TOOL FOR US WHERE IT'LL MAKE THE PROCESS A LOT SMOOTHER, A LOT QUICKER.
IT WILL ELIMINATE A LOT OF HUMAN ERROR.
ALL RIGHT. I WOULD HAVE TO PROCESS 2,656 ADJUSTMENTS A MONTH WITHIN 120 DAYS, AND THAT'S MINUS SATURDAY SUNDAYS, WHICH MEANS I WOULD HAVE TO DO AT LEAST 121 ADJUSTMENTS PER DAY, WITH AN AVERAGE TIME OF ABOUT THREE MINUTES PER ADJUSTMENT.
IT'S DOABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH A START TOP OF THE LIST.
I MEAN, OUR ADDRESSES ARE GROUPED TOGETHER BY ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
IF YOU GUYS OKAY THAT, I CAN START WITH THAT.
START PRETTY MUCH IF LOWER STAGE OF ACCOUNT NUMBERS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST PERSON GET ADJUSTED.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, THOUGH, YOU HAVE TO HAVE WATER AND WASTEWATER FROM THE CITY TO QUALIFY FOR ADJUSTMENTS.
IF YOU LIVE IN PRINCETON, BUT YOU ONLY HAVE ONLY WATER IN YOUR SEPTIC, YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR WASTEWATER.
YOU NEVER CHARGED FOR WASTEWATER AT ALL.
IT'S IMPORTANT KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WELL.
THE OTHER THING TOO, IS WHEN I'M DOING THESE ADJUSTMENTS, I'M SEEING PERSON ORDINANCE THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY OWE MONEY, EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY, THEY'VE ALREADY PAID FOR WHAT THEY USED.
NOW, I DON'T RECOMMEND GOING BACK AND TRY TO COLLECT THAT MONEY BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY PAID FOR WHAT WE'VE USED.
THAT'S UP TO YOU ALL, BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING I WOULD RECOMMEND DOING AT ALL.
[01:00:02]
ANOTHER OPTION, OPTION 2 IS WE CAN RINSE THAT WQA FOR 2025/26 BILLING.WE HAVE THE MODULE. THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO DO IS UPDATE THE FIGURES IN THERE.
COME UP WITH A GOOD CITY WATER AVERAGE, WHICH WE ACTUALLY GOT FROM HAVING ALL THESE ACCOUNTS TOGETHER.
WE COME UP WITH A GOOD AVERAGE OF WHAT EVERYONE IS USING RESIDENTIAL WIDE.
REMEMBER, THIS ONLY AFFECTS RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNTS, DOESN'T TAKE ACCOUNT MULTIFAMILY OR COMMERCIAL.
THIS IS JUST STRICTLY RESIDENTIAL.
WE HAVE INCREASES COMING IN OCTOBER FOR WATER, WASTEWATER, AND TRASH RATES.
AGAIN, THE QUESTION IS, DOES COUNSEL WANT WQA FOR 2024/25? DO YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL '25/26? EARLIER, SOMEONE RECOMMENDED WE DO A RATE STUDY IN EARLY 2026.
I'M RECOMMENDING THAT, THAT WAY WE SEE HOW THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT US, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, ONCE WE HIT THAT BUTTON, AND WE HIT UPDATE, THAT'S IT.
IT CANNOT BE UNDONE UNLESS YOU GUYS DECIDE TO GO WITH A DIFFERENT BILLING SOFTWARE.
THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES, OF COURSE.
WHAT DOES WQA AFFECT? HOW WILL THIS AFFECT OTHER THINGS? WQA WILL AFFECT UTILITY FUND THAT FUNDS PROJECTS, OPERATIONS, RATES, AND FUTURE BOND ISSUES OVER TIME.
EVERYTHING THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE USED FOR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LESS MONEY FOR THAT.
ONCE AGAIN, I NEED TO STRESS THIS TO YOU GUYS BECAUSE IT WAS STRESSED TO ME BY THE DEVELOPER.
IF YOU MAKE THAT CHANGE, AND IF YOU HIT UPDATE ON THAT MODULE AND THIS GOES LIVE, IT CAN ON BE UNDONE, AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR THAT.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE REFUNDS AND WQAS OF TODAY IS ESTIMATED TO IMPACT UTILITY FUND AT AROUND $1 MILLION.
OUT OF THE 10,624 ACCOUNTS THAT WE'VE GOT, ABOUT 7,500 OF THEM WOULD BE QUALIFY FOR A REFUND, ABOUT ANYWHERE FROM $0-120.
AROUND LITTLE MORE THAN 3,000 ACCOUNTS WILL END UP OWING OR BREAK EVEN.
TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE GETTING REFUNDS, CREDITS ON THEIR ACCOUNTS, JUST FOR THE FACT THAT THE WAY IT'S CALCULATED, THAT THEY USE MORE WATER IN SUMMER.
IT'S NOT THAT ORDINARY, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF THAT AS WELL.
I KNOW I WENT OVER THIS KIND OF QUICK.
I KNOW I GIVE A LOT OF DATA, BUT I WANT YOU GUYS TO HAVE QUESTIONS AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO ANSWER AS MANY AS I CAN.
>> I GUESS, JUST TO GO OVER THE DIRECTION.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE QUESTIONS AFTER THIS, BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO THAT WATER STUDY SO WE CAN KNOW THE FULL IMPLICATIONS OF PUTTING THE SYSTEM BACK IN PLACE, AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE UPDATED WORDING AND WORKING WITH YOU ON THAT.
I THINK THAT WIN AVERAGING IS SOMETHING THAT THE PEOPLE DO WANT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T NEGATIVELY IMPACT BECAUSE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW THAT WE THOUGHT WAS GOOD 10 YEARS AGO, THAT IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE CITY NOW.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE FROM COUNCIL THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS IN THE NEXT 5-10 YEARS FROM NOW.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
TOMMY MAPP, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THE RATE STUDY WILL NEED TO WAIT FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLANS, SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT THOSE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE FUNDED ARE GOING TO COST THE EXPECTED TIMELINE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THOSE PROJECTS, THOSE FIGURES WILL WEIGH HEAVILY INTO THE RATE STUDIES.
IF THAT'S THE PATH AND THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING TO GO, WE'LL NEED TO WAIT FOR THE WATER AND WASTEWATER MASTER PLANS TO BE COMPLETE.
>> I'M JUST GIVING MY THOUGHTS, AND I KNOW COUNSELS GOING TO SPEAK FOR THEIRS.
BUT NOW WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE REFUND, I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO REGARDLESS, THAT WAS LAW.
I THINK THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE ISSUES ARE NOW, I THINK THAT WE OWE THAT TO THE RESIDENTS TO MAKE SURE WE REFUND THEIR ACCOUNTS, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT IN A WAY THAT, LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE THE SYSTEM IN PLACE, SO IT CAN BE DONE THE RIGHT WAY.
I KNOW THAT YOU SAID AND RICK IS WORKING ON SOMETHING, DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE TO GET THAT UP AND GOING?
>> WE START TOMORROW. IF YOU WANT TO THESE ADJUSTMENTS, WILL WE START TOMORROW.
>> NOW YOU'RE SAYING THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU THREE MINUTES PER ACCOUNT IN, AND I GUESS, 120 ACCOUNTS PER DAY.
DO WE HAVE THE MANPOWER FOR THAT, BECAUSE THAT SEEM LIKE THAT'S SOMEBODY'S JOB? ONCE AGAIN, I'M TRYING NOT TO AFFECT OTHER STUFF, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS FOR THE NEXT 120 DAYS.
WHERE ARE WE MISSING SOMEWHERE ELSE? HOW CAN WE AVOID CAUSING ANOTHER ISSUE? THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> THINK ABOUT ME, GRASSES ARE GROWING UNDERNEATH MY FEET.
YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE, I'M GUY FOR IT.
I NEED THAT DIRECTION. WE CAN DO IT.
>> YOU CAN HANDLE BOTH JUST YOUR DAY TO DAY TASK AND GETTING THIS DONE?
[01:05:03]
>> I WAS TOLD RECENTLY THAT I DO THE WORK OF TWO PEOPLE.
>> I MEAN, IT NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDLESS.
I'M JUST MAKING SURE THAT WHATEVER HELP YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THIS DONE, EVEN IF IT'S FOR A TEMPORARY, WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE IT DOES NEED TO HAPPEN.
BUT LIKE I SAID, I'M GOING TO LET MR. JOHNSON GO.
>> WELL, NO, I JUST WANT TO SAY, WELL, MAN, THANK YOU.
THERE ARE VERY FEW TIMES WHEN SOMEONE COME, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO STAND IN FRONT OF COUNCIL AND SOUND LIKE A REAL PERSON THAT THIS IMPACTED THEM AS WELL AND HAVE THE ANSWERS, IN DENT MAN'S WORDS, AND PROVIDED DIRECT INFORMATION.
I MEAN, I THINK YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB.
YOU ANSWERED A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS ON HERE FOR US.
I DID WANT TO ASK YOU WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS PASSED AND THE MEETINGS WERE TAKING PLACE, YOU OR ARE YOU A PART OF THE STAFF MEETINGS THAT TAKE PLACE WHERE INFORMATION LIKE THIS IS DISCUSSED AMONGST THE LEADERS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY?
>> I WILL SAY, WHEN THESE CONVERSATION INITIALLY STARTED, I WAS NOT.
IT WASN'T UNTIL MICHAEL AND HIS TEAM CAME IN WHERE WE FINALLY STARTED ASKING ME QUESTIONS, THAT'S JUST CORRECT WAY TO DO IT.
BECAUSE YOU, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SOFTWARE, OH, EVERYONE, HEY, LET'S PASS THIS ORDINANCE.
LET'S GET THIS DONE. NO ONE EVER CARED TO ASK CAN THE SOFTWARE HANDLE IT? IS THE SOFTWARE READY TO GO? THAT'S WHAT PUT THEM IN A BIND.
IT'S LIKE, IT WAS NEVER THERE.
NO ONE CARED TO ASK. NO ONE THOUGHT OF ASKING.
NO ONE HAD SOMEONE FROM ME OR MY TEAM OR REPRESENTATIVE FROM MY TEAM THERE ON SITE TO SAY, HEY, CAN WE DO THIS? IS THIS FEASIBLE? NOW, WITH CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, HEY, I MET INCLUDED.
HEY, WELL, CAN WE MAKE THIS HAPPEN? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN? WHICH IS THE CORRECT WAY OF DOING IT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS, LET'S DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE ON THE FACT THAT YES, THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST, BUT IT HAS BEEN FOUND, IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED, AND THERE HAVE BEEN SYSTEMS PUT IN PLACE TO IDENTIFY THAT.
THERE OBVIOUSLY WAS A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION.
I'LL SAY THIS WITH EMPHASIS THAT STAFF, EVEN SEE THE LEADERSHIP, INCLUDING OUR CITY MANAGER, IT'S ONLY AS GOOD AS THE DIRECTIVES THAT ARE GIVEN TO THEM, WHICH IT STARTS HERE.
I NEED THE RESIDENTS TO LOOK AT THIS DICES AND UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS IMPLEMENT AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO, YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE DIRECTION THAT'S GIVEN.
AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED INFORMATION. WE APPRECIATE IT WELL.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN, WILL.
TO REITERATE WHAT COUNCILMAN JOHNSON SAID, AND OBVIOUSLY, THE MAYOR DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT US BOXERS, MAN.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? WE'RE RESILIENT, MAN.
I KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM CAN HANDLE IT.
I APPRECIATE YOU MEETING WITH ME A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
ANOTHER THING I AGREE, I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE REFUNDS.
YOU SAID IN 120 DAYS, WE'D BE ABLE TO REVIEW ALL THE ACCOUNTS AND MAKE ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS.
ANOTHER THING I'D LIKE TO SEE US DO WITH THAT IS, IF WE COULD UPDATE MAYBE EVERY 30 DAYS, WE HAVE SOME TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST OR WHAT HAVE YOU ABOUT HOW MANY ACCOUNTS WE'VE CREDITED OR I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT JUST TO, EXACTLY, TO SHOW AND JUST GOT TO KEEP IT AT THE FRONT OF PEOPLE'S MIND. ABSOLUTELY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS IS JUST WE'VE BEEN INUNDATED WITH A LOT OF EMAILS OF RESIDENTS REQUESTING A REFUND.
DID AN OFFICIAL NOTICE GO OUT TO REQUEST THOSE EMAILS?
>> THE POST WAS MADE. IF YOU HAD QUESTIONS, CONTACT TO UNDER THE QA DO EMAIL THAT EMAIL ADDRESS.
I THINK THAT'S A POINT WHERE A POST HAD TO BE MADE BECAUSE WE WERE GETTING DATED SO MANY EMAILS.
I MEAN, MY INBOX EVEN NOW, I'M STANDING HERE IS JUST GOING OFF BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE EMAILING ME DIRECTLY, HEY, I NEED MY ADJUSTMENT, I WANT MY ADJUSTMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE EMAILING ME, THEY DON'T QUALIFY.
THEY WOULD ACTUALLY END UP OWING MONEY.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IS FOR ME TO STATE THAT NOT EVERYONE IS GETTING GETTING A CREDIT.
NOT EVERYONE'S GETTING AN ADJUSTMENT.
ADJUSTMENTS MADE MAY END UP SHOWING THAT YOU OWE MONEY.
>> I READ THROUGH FOR YOU THE EMAILS, AND I SAW THAT THEY WERE ACTUALLY ALMOST LIKE THE TEMPLATE.
SAME THING. I'M NOT SURE WHO PROVIDED IT.
>> I WOULD SAY ABOUT 90% OF THE EMAILS I RECEIVED OVER THE 200 MAYBE 300 EMAILS I'VE GOTTEN SO FAR, USE THE SAME TEMPLATE.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE NAME,
[01:10:02]
THE ACCOUNT NUMBER AT THE BOTTOM OF IT.>> WHAT WE RECEIVED THEY WERE NOT OFFICIALLY REQUESTED BY THE CITY FOR PEOPLE TO SEND IN.
AS COUNCILMAN, BRIAN WASHINGTON, MENTIONED, WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND WHEN THE CITY DECIDES, THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ALREADY SENT IN THIS TEMPLATED LETTER, THEY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A REFUND.
OUR INBOXES HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH ALL OF THESE EMAILS.
I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE RESIDENTS NO LONGER SEND THOSE EMAILS IN BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL REQUEST FROM THE CITY, AND WHEN THE CITY IS READY TO OFFICIALLY REIMBURSE, IF THAT IS THE CASE, PEOPLE WILL BE NOTIFIED.
THOSE EMAILS ARE NOT REALLY NECESSARY.
>> NOW WHEN YOU SAY NOTIFY, ARE YOU WANTING TO NOTIFY 10,624 PEOPLE?
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT. WE'LL PUT IT ON THE WEBSITE.
>> I MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADD MESSAGES TO WATER BILLS FOR BOTH PRINTS AND EMAIL.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO COME UP WITH A PROCESS.
LIKE I SAID EARLIER, WE COULD GO OFF BASED- OFF ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
EACH ACCOUNT NUMBER SERIES IS TIED TO A CERTAIN AREA.
FOR EXAMPLE YOU LIVE IN EAST RIDGE, WESTWOOD SOUTH RIDGE, YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER ARE TO 23.
THOSE WOULD BE THE NUMBERS WE BEGIN WITH FIRST BECAUSE 23 IS THE LOWEST ACCOUNT NUMBERS THAT HAS BOTH WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICES FROM PRINCETON. THAT'S WHERE WE BEGIN.
>> NOW, THOSE THE IMPRESSION OF THE EMAILS THAT WERE SENT IN, EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN'T OFFICIALLY REQUEST THEM, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THOSE EMAILS AS WELL, CORRECT? ARE WE STILL PROCESSING THOSE? OR ARE WE GOING TO JUST USE THE SYSTEM OVERALL TO JUST GO OVER IT? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN THE EMAILS FIRST STARTED COMING IN, I WAS TOLD TO FORWARD THEM TO YOU.
WAS THERE SOMETHING DONE WITH THOSE EMAILS OR WE'RE JUST GOING TO JUST DEPEND ON WHATEVER YOU AND RICK CREATED?
>> ME AND MY EMPLOYEES WENT OVER ABOUT 200 EMAILS.
WE WANTED TO SAMPLE OF ACCOUNTS JUST TO SHOW HOW MANY WOULD GET AN ADJUSTMENT.
WE PULLED THE 200 INITIAL EMAILS THAT I RECEIVED.
I RECEIVED A LOT MORE SINCE THEN, BUT WE GOT THOSE ADJUSTMENTS READY TO GO. I'VE GOT ON MY COMPUTER.
I JUST LITERALLY JUST LOG INTO SOMEONE'S ACCOUNT, MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT, IF THAT'S WHAT COUNCIL DECIDES.
>> I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME THAT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A CREDIT.
THOSE ACCOUNTS WILL BE REMOVED FROM THAT SYSTEM THAT YOU'RE RICK ARE CREATING?
>> WE'VE ONLY ACTUALLY ISSUED ONE CREDIT.
BUT WE'VE DONE ABOUT 200 SOMETHING ACTUALLY 201, 202 FIGURES READY TO GO, AS LEADERS HAVE TO PLUG IT INTO THEIR ACCOUNT.
>> I'M IN AGREEMENT. I THINK THAT MESSAGING ON THE BILL, SO THAT WAY IT DOESN'T SLOW YOU DOWN FOR BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THE OTHER THOUSAND THINGS THAT YOU DO ON DAY TO DAY SO THAT BILLING MESSAGE WILL PROBABLY BE THE BEST WAY TO NOTIFY EVERYBODY IN TERMS OF JUST AN OVERALL DISCLAIMER, HEY, WE'RE WORKING ON THE REFUND FOR THIS PROCESS.
CONTINUE TO LOOK AT YOUR BILLING, AND WE'LL DO OUR PART IN TERMS OF SPEAKING PUBLICLY IN TERMS OF GETTING EVERYBODY UP TO DATE ON HOW THAT WILL GO OUT.
THEY'RE NOT INUNDATING YOUR EMAIL WITH SO MUCH INFORMATION THERE.
THAT'S FINE AS LONG AS WE DON'T MAKE THAT THE SOLE OPTION TO RELAY MESSAGES, JUST FOR THE FACT THAT BILLS GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, A LOT CAN CHANGE IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
IF WE CAN KEEP LIKE A LIVE FEED OR JUST QUICK JUST PROVIDE LIVE UPDATES ON OUR WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, HEY, WE'RE WORKING ON THIS SERIES OF ACCOUNTS.
IF YOUR ACCOUNT BEGINS WITH 25, WE'RE STARTING THAT TODAY, JUST PLANNING AHEAD, LET PEOPLE BE AWARE OF IT.
I DO NEED TO BRING UP SOMETHING THAT AS FAR AS DAILY OPERATING PROCEDURES GO.
USUALLY ON THE 11TH OF THE MONTH, WE APPLY LATE FEES TO ANY ACCOUNT THAT HAS NOT PAID THEIR BALANCE.
I'M AN ASSUMPTION, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT PAID THEIR BALANCES RIGHT NOW ARE WAITING FOR A CREDIT ON THEIR ACCOUNT.
WE NEED DIRECTION, I DID NOT APPLY LATE FEES THIS FRIDAY.
FRIDAY THIS 11TH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE DAY I APPLIED, DID NOT DO IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU GUYS FIRST, GET YOUR DIRECTION, GET YOUR INPUT ON WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO.
I WILL SAY THAT WE NEED TO COLLECT THOSE FUNDS, WE STILL HAVE TO PAY NORTH TEXAS REGARDLESS.
NORTH TEXAS DOESN'T CARE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
SO, HEY, I NEED PEOPLE TO PAY THESE BILLS.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO LET YOU GUYS DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO WITH THAT.
[01:15:02]
IF YOU GUYS DECIDE THAT HEY, GO AHEAD AND DO LATE FEES, GO AHEAD AND PROCESS DISCONNECT, LET ME KNOW, I CAN GET THE PROCESS STARTED TONIGHT.>> PERSONALLY, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO CHANGE ANY OF YOUR PROCEDURES AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AS FAR AS COLLECTION.
I DO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF IT JUST SPELLED AN AWFUL LOT OF RUMORS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA THINGS, ON FINGER POINTING AND WHO'S TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE THINGS.
BUT YOU'VE ANSWERED A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS.
THERE WAS JUST A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OCCURRED BEYOND YOUR CONTROL.
BEYOND MANY PEOPLE IN THE STAFF, THE CURRENT STAFF, AND EVERYTHING.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A JOB, I THINK THE 120 DAYS AND GOING FROM THE LIKE YOU SAID, FROM THE ACCOUNTS WHERE YOU HAVE THEM BLOCKED OFF AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON THIS WEEK OR THIS MONTH OR THESE DAYS.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
PEOPLE WILL GET THEIR REFUNDS IN DO ORDER IF THEY'RE DUE THEM.
I DON'T KNOW IF I'M DOING ONE.
MY BILL IS ABOUT THE SAME IT'S BEEN THE SAME FOR A LONG TIME.
ANYWAY, BUT I DO APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS.
>> NO. I WOULD SAY THAT TO ADDRESS WHAT MAYOR PRO TEM DEFFIBAUGH, STATED THERE THAT I THINK THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE THE RUMORS OUT THERE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY YOU GOOD JOB ON THAT.
I THINK THAT STAFF, 100%, LIKE EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE HERE IN THE PUBLICLY STATED THAT THIS WAS A COVER UP OR SOMETHING MY STAFF. THAT ISN'T THE CASE.
I PERSONALLY MET WITH MARY ESCOBAR AND OUR CITY MANAGER AND GOT ALL THE INFORMATION AND REVIEWED THIS.
WHAT WHAT YOUR PRESENTATION DID FOR ME, AND HOPEFULLY, EVERYBODY IN THE PUBLIC WAS 100% CLEAR THE STAFF OF WHATEVER THIS COVER UP INFORMATION THEY THINK THAT WENT ON.
THEY DID. STAFF DID EVERYTHING THE WAY THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CITY MANAGER WHO AT THIS POINT, SPOKE TO HIS THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR AT THE TIME.
SO STAFF DID EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.
IT'S NOT FINGER POINTING TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY TO FIND OUT WHERE THE ISSUE WAS OR THE BOTTLENECK WAS TO HELP MITIGATE THESE ISSUES GOING FORWARD.
THERE'S STILL AN ISSUE THAT SOMETHING WAS REPORTED, AND FOR EIGHT MONTHS, NOTHING TOOK PLACE.
AS I STATED EARLIER, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS DIAS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE STAFF IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE DIRECTION THAT IS GIVEN TO THEM.
THAT'S ALL I WANT TO STAY ON THAT.
IT'S NOT A FINGER POINTING THING.
IT'S MORE OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT OURSELVES AND DETERMINE HOW DO WE AVOID THAT TO NOT TO PUT OUR STAFF INTO THESE SITUATIONS TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THEY'RE COVERING UP SOMETHING THAT WAS UNETHICAL OR TRYING TO HIDE OR TAKE MONEY, WHEN THAT WASN'T THE CASE.
WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR STANDING STRONG, STANDING HERE AND PROVIDING THIS EXCELLENT PRESENTATION TO US AND GIVING US ALL THE INFORMATION WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU, MAN. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.
FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
I APPRECIATE VERY WELL SPOKEN.
YOU ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT A LOT OF US HAD, INCLUDING MYSELF, SO I APPRECIATE IT.
SECOND IS, I SUPPORT YOU IF YOU NEED SUPPORT STAFF TO TAKE ON THIS CHALLENGE BECAUSE I SUPPORT THE 120 DAY GO THROUGH EVERY ACCOUNT NUMBER.
DON'T LEAVE IT UP TO THE CITIZENS TO REQUEST ANYTHING BECAUSE THAT WILL DRAG THIS ON FOR MUCH FURTHER THAN IT NEEDS TO.
IF WE DO YOUR 120 DAY PLAN WITH EVERY ACCOUNT NUMBER, YOU CAN DO THAT EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY AND GET THIS BEHIND US, AND IT WILL BE PROBABLY MORE ACCURATE TOO BECAUSE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON IT.
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT STAFF TO HELP MAKE SURE YOUR DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS, I SUPPORT MR. MASHBURN GETTING ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR YOU TO FILL IN THOSE GAPS IF NEEDED.
I ALSO SUPPORT MESSAGING ON THE BILL AND INTERIM MESSAGING IN BETWEEN THE BILLING CYCLES BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S ONE MONTH AT A TIME.
THINGS MIGHT CHANGE. DEFINITELY KEEP THE MESSAGING UP.
PART OF THAT MESSAGING, MAYBE INCLUDE A DISCLAIMER THAT IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE SEWER SERVICE FROM THE CITY OF PRINCETON, THEN DON'T BOTHER TRYING TO LOOK FOR A REFUND.
LIKE YOU'RE GETTING THOSE PEOPLE E MAILING YOU THAT AREN'T EVEN ELIGIBLE.
MAYBE PUT THAT IN THE BIG BOLD LETTERS WITH LITTLE BULLET POINTS ON BOTH SIDES, MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IF THEY'RE EVEN ELIGIBLE.
[01:20:01]
MAYBE HOW TO CHECK FOR THEIR ELIGIBILITY.SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED TO PULL THE BILL OUT TO EVEN REALIZE IF THEY ARE GETTING CHARGED FOR SEWER, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE BILLS NECESSARILY.
THE LATE FEES, I GET IT FOR THIS MONTH, BUT I ENCOURAGE MESSAGING TO GO OUT IMMEDIATELY, THAT LATE FEES ARE STILL GOING TO INCUR.
YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY YOUR BILL.
BUT THIS IS OUR PLAN OF ACTION TO ENSURE THAT IF YOU'RE DOING A REFUND, YOU WILL HAVE A REFUND DUE WITHIN X AMOUNT OF DAYS.
PLEASE PROVIDE THAT MESSAGING.
SOMEONE MENTIONED PROVIDING KIND OF PERIODIC UPDATES.
HEY, WE'VE MADE IT THROUGH 25% OF THE ACCOUNTS, AND THIS IS THE AVERAGE NUMBER PER REFUND.
PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT REALLY LEVEL OF FINANCIAL IMPACT.
I KNOW AT THE CITY AS A WHOLE, IT'S A BIG NUMBER, BUT I CALCULATED MINE AND IT'S LESS THAN $100.
I'M NOT TRYING TO DISPARAGE $100 TO PEOPLE BECAUSE THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
BUT IT'D BE NICE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT DATA.
SO PROVIDE THAT DATA THROUGHOUT THOSE 120 DAYS, MAYBE EVERY I WORK WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MARKETING AND MAKE SOME FACEBOOK POSTS OR SOMETHING.
BUT I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH A 120 DAYS, GO THROUGH EVERY ACCOUNT NUMBER, AND THEN LOTS OF MESSAGING.
I GET THE INFORMATION OUT THERE.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
IT'S VERY HELPFUL FOR ALL US TO KNOW.
I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE NOW INVOLVED IN THE MEETINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT.
>> ME TOO. I WILL SAY WHEN I SAT DOWN WITH MY STAFF AND I SAY, LOOK, WE POSSIBLY HAVE TO DO 10,000 ADJUSTMENTS. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS CRAZY.
BUT I SURROUND MYSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO A LOT OF TIMES ARE BETTER THAN ME.
PEOPLE WILL PUSH ME TO BE BETTER.
THIS NUMBER WHEN I SAY, GIVE ME 120 DAYS, I KNOW WE CAN REACH THAT.
EVEN IF I HAVE A OFF DAY IF SOMEONE CALLS ON SICK, SOMEONE GOES TO VACATION, WE CAN STILL HIT THAT QUOTA.
THIS IS A NUMBER THAT I KNOW MY STAFF CAN DO, AND THEY WILL DO.
BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY DO, AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS NUMBER IS ATTAINABLE.
IF THAT MEANS WORKING LATE ONE NIGHT, COMING DOWN ON SATURDAY, I WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT I'M AFTER.
YOU GUYS ARE DOING WHAT'S RIGHT BY TAKING THE FIRST STEP BY INCLUDING THE DUTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST MAKING DECISIONS FOR US AND TELLING US AFTER THE FACT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT GOT US HERE.
WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT THE ORDINANCE, I LEARNED FIVE DAYS BEFORE HE CAME FROM THE COUNCIL.
AT THAT TIME, I KNOW I WAS A SUPERVISOR. I WAS A NEW GUY.
I DON'T I CAN'T SPECULATE AS TO WHY I WASN'T TOLD, BUT I WASN'T TOLD.
NOTHING IN MY DEPARTMENT WASN'T TOLD.
MY BOSS AT THE TIME LITERALLY WALKED IN.
BY THE WAY, THIS PASSED YESTERDAY.
IMPLEMENTED. WELL, DO YOU GUYS EVEN HAVE THE MODULE? NO. WELL, HOLD OFF ON THAT. I'LL GET BACK TO THAT.
AHEAD TO IMPLEMENT THE OTHER PARTS OF THE ORDINANCE.
THAT WAS ISSUES, BUT NOW WE'RE HEADING THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED, PEOPLE IN TRENCHES LIKE ME.
I'M NOT A DIRECTOR, BUT I DO MAKE DECISIONS OVER THAT DEPARTMENT.
LUCKILY, I'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO CAN GUIDE ME MR. MASHBURN AND MR. MAPP, PEOPLE WHO WILL GIVE ME CLEAR, SOLID DIRECTION, AND GUIDE ME TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE GOING.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ME AND [INAUDIBLE] WORKED INTIMATELY TOGETHER WITH THIS PRESENTATION AND MR. MAPP TOO.
JUST KUDOS TO MR. MASHBURN AND THE TYPE OF CULTURE HE'S BUILT HERE WITH THE STAFF TO ALLOW US TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITH CONFIDENCE WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP HERE.
THIS IS A GOOD DISPLAY OF THAT.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT AND ALSO, WE'VE BEEN TALKING INTERNALLY ABOUT A GOOD COMMUNICATIONS PLAN TO ROLL THIS OUT SO THAT IT'S MEANINGFUL.
WHEN WE'RE ROLLING THIS OUT, I APPRECIATE WILL'S ZEAL OF STARTING TOMORROW.
BUT WE REALLY DEFINITELY WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A GOOD COMMUNICATIONS PLAN OUT THERE ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO ATTACK THE REFUNDS.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ACTIVELY LOOKING INTO RIGHT NOW, WHAT MAKES SENSE SO THE RESIDENTS KNOW WHEN AND WHAT TO EXPECT THEIR REFUND AND THEN HAVE UPDATES ALONG THE WAY AS WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO POINT SOME OF THAT OUT TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
AGAIN, I SECOND WHAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID.
THEY'VE SAID EVERYTHING THAT I PROBABLY WANTED TO SAY.
[01:25:01]
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY IS GOING TO BE CHARGED ANYTHING MORE.WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER NOBODY'S ACCOUNTS.
I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT ONLINE.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO REQUEST ANY REFUND FROM ANY CUSTOMERS.
IF YOU HAVE A CREDIT, YOU'LL GET YOUR CREDIT.
IF YOU NOT OWE THE CREDIT OR YOU OWE MONEY, WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER EITHER OR.
THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT COUNCIL IS GIVEN, CORRECT?
>> YEAH. IT WOULDN'T BE FAIR TO CHARGE SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING THEY'VE EVERYBODY PAID FOR.
>> EXACTLY. THEN, I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT.
I SAID I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHEN THIS WAS DISCOVERED BACK IN LAST YEAR.
BUT WHEN I BECAME MAYOR, I SAID THAT ALL THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY WILL BECOME MINE.
I PROMISED THAT WE AS COUNCIL, THIS COUNCIL, THIS ADMINISTRATION, THAT ANY OF THE ISSUES THAT COME UP, AGAIN, WE WILL RESOLVE THEM THE RIGHT WAY, WE'LL PUT THE COMMUNICATION OUT THERE, THE RIGHT WAY.
WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY MORE OF THESE TYPE OF ISSUES, BUT IF THEY DO COME UP, WE WILL ADDRESS THEM AND THIS WON'T BE SOMETHING THAT GETS SWEPT UNDER THE RUG, HOW IT'S BEING PORTRAYED.
I THINK THAT WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT STAFF IN AT THE TIME.
I THINK WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT TEAM HERE AND WE HAVE THAT NOW.
NOW WE'RE WORKING AND HOPEFULLY THAT PEOPLE START SEEING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS THAT WHAT WE'VE DONE NOW, AND TODAY MOVING FORWARD.
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY, JUST TO BE SUPER CLEAR, NO LATE FEES THIS MONTH?
>> I'M SO SORRY. HAVE YOU SEEN AN INCREASE IN LATE FEES THIS MONTH OR?
>> THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF PEOPLE WAITING TO PAY.
THEY'RE WAITING ON THE REFUNDS.
>> I WOULD MAYBE GIVE ANOTHER GRACE PERIOD FOR IT OR IMMEDIATELY HIT IT.
I DON'T NORMALLY TO PAY MY BILL LATE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE NORMALLY PAY THE BILL.
THE MESSING ONCE AGAIN, WENT OUT.
A LOT OF CONFUSION ON WHAT THE PROCESS WAS TO REQUEST AND HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND WE GIVE A GRACE PERIOD, MAYBE THE NEXT FIVE DAYS, PAY YOUR BILL BECAUSE YOU WILL BE HIT WITH THESE FEES.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE TIMELINE SHOULD BE.
>> I LIKE MR. MASHBURN'S SUGGESTION OF THIS MONTH.
>> JUST CANCEL OUT THIS MONTH?
>> YOU CERTAINLY CAN AND WILL BE FINE, IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION YOU'D LIKE TO GO.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, IF WE WAIVE LATE FEES, WE WAIVE DISCONNECT THIS MONTH.
LATE FEES IS THE BEGINNING OF THAT PROCESS.
THERE WILL BE NO ONE BEING DISCONNECTED THIS MONTH FOR NON-PAYMENT, JUST BE AWARE.
>> HOLD ON, THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. IF THEY DON'T PAY THIS MONTH, DOES THAT ROLL INTO NEXT MONTH? BECAUSE IF NOT, WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT A LATE FEE JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS MONTH GETS PAID.
ELSE WE START GETTING CAUGHT UP WHERE THEY HAVE TWO BILLS, AND THEY CAN'T PAY TWO BILLS.
>> CORRECT. IF YOU WERE TO PUSH NO LATE FEES, NO DISCONNECT, PEOPLE WOULD BE GETTING A BILL DOUBLE FOR TWO MONTHS.
>> I THINK THE GRACE PERIOD IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO GO.
>> CAN YOU GUYS DEFINE GRACE PERIOD?
>> I THINK THIS WEEK, THIS FIVE DAYS, TAKE MONDAY BY THE END OF THIS WEEK AND STARTING LATE FEES ON NEXT MONDAY.
>> LATE FEES NEXT MONDAY. WE USUALLY GIVE 10 DAYS BEFORE WE DISCONNECT SOMEONE ONCE THE LATE NOTICE GOES OUT.
DO WE WANT TO KEEP THE 10 DAYS, OR WE WANT TO KEEP THAT AS [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE RUNNING AT THE END OF THE MONTH, SO I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T.
IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR PEOPLE IF THEY'RE WAITING FOR THIS, AND THEY'RE NOT EXPECTING TO PAY DOUBLE.
>> YOU'VE GOT TO REALLY LOOK AT ARE THESE PEOPLE ACTUALLY WAITING FOR A REFUND, IF THEY MADE A COMMENT.
IF THEY CALLED IN AND SAID, HEY, I'M NOT PAYING MY BILL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I'M DOING A REFUND.
ARE THESE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY FREQUENT FLYERS, BUT YOU DO HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE ALWAYS LATE REGARDLESS.
THEY MIGHT HAVE TO PAY THE MINIMUM AMOUNT EACH MONTH, AND THEY JUST DON'T PAY IT.
YOU GOT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT ALSO.
>> THAT'S THE REASON WHY I SAID I WOULD JUST FOLLOW POLICY, WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT SAYS ON THERE REGARDLESS ON YOUR BILL, IT SAYS THAT REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU GET THE BILL OR WHATEVER, YOU STILL GOT TO PAY IT.
YOU STILL OWE THE MONEY FOR YOUR WATER USAGE.
IF YOU DO A REFUND, YOU'LL GET A REFUND AND YOU'LL GET CREDIT WHENEVER IT GETS TIME.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE USUALLY GIVE 10 DAYS.
IF WE APPLY LATE FEES TONIGHT, WE'RE STILL IN THE 10-DAY WINDOW, PEOPLE WOULDN'T BE DISCONNECTED UNTIL NEXT THURSDAY, WHICH IS FOUR DAYS AFTER WE USUALLY DO CUTOFF.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DEFINITELY DO.
IF THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS WANT DONE, I'LL DO IT TONIGHT.
>> FIVE DAYS AND THEN WE'LL JUST CONTINUE ON REGULAR SCHEDULE IF THEY DID NOT PAY FOR IT SO WE DISCONNECT.
>> TO BE CLEAR, YOU WANT TO WAIT TILL FRIDAY?
[01:30:02]
>> THEN STILL FOLLOW THE NORMAL DISCONNECT SCHEDULE FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND?
>> JUST ONE LAST THING, WOULD WE WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE WEBSITE SO PEOPLE KNOW DEFINITELY BEYOND JUST THE TONIGHT'S MEETING?
>> AARON, I THINK YOU CAN WORK ON A MESSAGE AND SEND IT TO US AND AND WE'LL GIVE THAT OKAY FOR THAT. THAT WORKS. THANK YOU.
I KNOW THESE SLIDES HAD SOMETHING THERE ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A WQA FOR THE FOLLOWING FOR OCTOBER OF 2025-2026.
DOES COUNCIL WANT US TO START WORKING ON THAT TO BRING BACK FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER FOR THE FUTURE OR DO WE [OVERLAPPING]
>> I THINK WE NEED TO WAIT FOR THE WATER STUDY, BUT THAT CAN'T BE DONE UNTIL AFTER THE WATERWAYS AND THE OTHER STUDY THAT WE HAVE GOING ON.
WE'RE NOT DROPPING IT. I STILL WANT THAT TO COME BEFORE US, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NUMBER THAT WE PRESENT IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD.
>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD TO GO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANKS AS WELL. ACTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A 10-MINUTE RECESS.
THE TIME IS 8:36, AND WE'RE BACK FROM OUR RECESS.
[G. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]
THIS WILL TAKE US TO ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.ITEM G, MS. DAVID-GRAVES, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE IT FROM HERE?
>> ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST FOR JULY 14, 2025.
TEST YOUR CREATIVE SKILLS AND JOIN US FOR A MORNING OF READING, PAINTING, AND PLANTING.
JOIN US ON JULY 16, AT J. M. CALDWELL SR. COMMUNITY PARK FROM 9:00-11:30 A.M FOR DOUGHNUTS, STORY TIME, AND FLOWER POT PAINTING.
FIND THE FULL LIST OF PARKS AND REC MONTH ACTIVITIES ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.
TREAT YOUR POP TO A DELICIOUS TREAT AT THE DOG PARK.
JOIN US FOR PAUSE IN THE PARK ON JULY 18 AND JULY 25, FROM 8:00-10:00 A.M AND 5:00-7:00 P.M. JOIN US FOR POPS WITH COPS ON JULY 21, FROM 9:00 A.M TO NOON.
DROP BY J. M. CALDWELL SR. COMMUNITY PARK TO ENJOY A COOL TREAT AND MEET SOME OF THE FRIENDLY PRINCETON POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
JOIN US FOR SCAVENGER HUNT ON JULY 23.
DISCOVER THE PRINCE STONE HIDDEN IN ONE OF THE FOUR PARKS, J. M. CALDWELL SR. COMMUNITY PARK, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, PARK VIEW HEIGHTS PARK AND MUNICIPAL CENTER PARK.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BACK OF THE STONE TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE.
LAST MONTH, WE CELEBRATED THE GRADUATION OF OUR RISE YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
THE RISE YOUTH PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN AND EMBODY THE CORE VALUES OF THE PRINCETON POLICE DEPARTMENT THROUGH HANDS ON EXPERIENCES AND TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRINCETON ISD MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR JUST TO KEEP IN MIND AND TO SEND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR MS. CYNDI DARLAND.
SHE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE PRINCETON ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN HIP AND SHOULDER IN AN AQUATIC ACCIDENT WHILE ON VACATION AND IS CURRENTLY IN HOSPITAL RECEIVING THE NECESSARY MEDICAL ATTENTION.
CYNDI OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO YOU, AND WE PRAY THAT YOU HAVE A QUICK RECOVERY AND WILL RETURN TO WORK IN NO TIME.
THESE ARE ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS WE'LL TAKE IT TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA. MS. COOK.
[H. CONSENT AGENDA]
THE CONSENT AGENDA 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 A COUNCIL MEMBER SO REQUEST IN WHICH EVENT, THE ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED IN ITS NORMAL SEQUENCE OF THE AGENDA.
[01:35:07]
>> I MOTION TO APPROVE, BUT TO PULL EIGHT ITEMS, H2, 3, 9, 10 AND 11.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, IS H2, 03, 9, 10, 11.
WE HAVE A SECOND. I GUESS, EVERYBODY VOTE.
I'M GOING TO MOVE EXECUTIVE TO THE END OF THE MEETING.
THIS WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO OUR REGULAR AGENDA, STARTING WITH THE FIRST ITEM POLLED, WHICH WOULD BE H2.
[H2. 2025-167 Consider approving a request from D.R. Horton - Texas, LTD for final plat approval for a property being a 49.050 acre tract of land situated in the William D. Thompson Survey, Abstract No 892, City of Princeton, Collin County, Texas.]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING A REQUEST FROM DR HORTON, TEXAS LIMITED FOR A FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR A PROPERTY BEING 49.05 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, SITUATED IN THE WILLIAM D. THOMAS SURVEY, ABSTRACT 892 CITY OF PRINCETON. MR. FISHER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, THIS REQUEST IS FOR FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR WINCHESTER CROSSING PHASE 11.
THIS FINAL PLOT WENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IN JUNE AND WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
THE CITY ENGINEER HAS COMPLETED THEIR INSPECTION OF THE SUBDIVISION AND HAS FOUND IT TO BE COMPLETE AND IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE CITY REGULATIONS.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE, AND THE DEVELOPER HAS A REPRESENTATIVE HERE THIS EVENING AS WELL.
>> I POLLED THIS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE THAT'S HERE TODAY.
YOU WANT TO COME FORWARD? I'M DELAYS ON FOR PLANNING AND ZONING.
THOUGH THE REASON I'M PULLING THIS IS BECAUSE I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU.
AS EVERYONE SAW, HE WALKED UP HERE OVER THE FOLDER.
YOU ARE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF PERSON WE WANT DOING WORK HERE IN THE CITY.
WHEN YOU CAME BEFORE PLANNING AND ZONING, YOU CAME WITH ANSWERS.
WHEN THEY ASKED FOR A GENERALIZED THING, YOU SAID, HOLD ON, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS, AND YOU OPENED YOUR FOLDER AND YOU SPECIFICALLY GAVE INFORMATION.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED MORE OF HERE IN THE CITY.
I JUST WANTED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE DEDICATION AND WORK YOU'VE PUT INTO THE PROJECT AND FOR THE TRANSPARENCY AND INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE AT PLANNING AND ZONING TO SHOW THAT THE THINGS ARE HOW THEY SHOULD BE AND READY TO GO.
>> WITH THAT, I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H2.
MS. DAVID-GRAVES, YES, NO? [INAUDIBLE] FOR THIS.
[H3. 2025-168 Consider approving a request from Centurion American Development Group for final plat approval for a property being a 29.800 acre tract of land situated in the David Cherry Survey, Abstract No. 166, City of Princeton, Collin County, Texas. ]
MS. COOK, CAN YOU TAKE IT FROM ME?>> YES. H3. CONSIDER APPROVING A REQUEST FROM CENTURIAN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT GROUP FOR FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR A PROPERTY BEING 29.8-ACRE LOT, ATTRACTIVE LAND, SITUATED IN THE DAVID CHERRY SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 166, CITY OF PRINCETON, MR. FISHER.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, THIS REQUEST IS FOR A FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR WHITE WING TRAILS PHASE 3A.
THIS FINAL PLAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IN JUNE.
THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL CONTINGENT UPON TWO ITEMS BEING COMPLETED.
THAT SCREEN WALL HAS NOW BEEN CONSTRUCTED AND ALSO TO HAVE THE STREET LIGHTS ENERGIZED.
THE STREET LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ENERGIZED.
BOTH CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL HAVE BEEN MET.
THIS ITEM IS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND THE DEVELOPER AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALSO HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
[01:40:04]
>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN ABOUT THIS ITEM, EVEN COMING BEFORE PLANNING AND ZONING, IS THAT THIS DEVELOPER IS NOT MEETING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE DEVELOPER.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE 7.1 ADDITIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
THE AMENITY CENTER SHALL BEGIN WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE FINAL PLAT OF PHASE 1 AND WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE ISSUANCE OF THE BUILDING PERMITS FOR PHASE 3 OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT WAS DISCUSSED AT PLANNING AND ZONING IS WE WILL NOT ISSUE THOSE PERMITS UNTIL THEY HAVE MET THAT, BUT IT'S CONCERNING THAT SUCH AN IMPORTANT AND VITAL THING ENDS UP ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
BECAUSE NO ONE ON COUNCIL WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF SUCH A VERY BIG DEAL.
WITHIN THAT, THERE'S 7.3, WHICH IS THE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED BY PHASE IN EXHIBIT J.
THEY MUST BE COMPLETED DURING EACH PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION AS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT J. EXHIBIT J INCLUDES THE RETAINING WALLS AND THE AMENITY CENTER AND THE OPEN SPACES.
WITH THAT, I BRING TO THE ISSUE OF THOSE FENCES AND SPECIFICALLY THE REUSE OF THOSE MATERIALS.
OUR CITY ORDINANCES REQUIRE 40 GALVANIZED STEEL POSTS.
IT'S A TYPE. IT HAS A WALL THICKNESS OF 0.54.
THE STICKER OF THE TYPE OF THAT FENCING POLE WAS STILL ON SOME OF THOSE POLES.
IT IS 15GA, WHICH IS A WALL THICKNESS OF 0.071 ", WHICH IS 54% THINNER THAN IS REQUIRED BY OUR CITY CODE.
I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT THEY BENT OVER THE WAY THAT THEY DID IN THAT STORM.
THOSE RETAINING WALLS WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
THEY WERE FALLING APART WHEN THOSE FENCES WENT DOWN.
IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE A MATTER OF FENCES BEING JUST PUT BACK UP THERE.
THOSE WALLS, PER THE AGREEMENT, PER THE FACT THAT THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW OUR CITY ORDINANCES, THAT ENTIRE THING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL, TREVOR COOLINGER, 01,800 VALUE LANE, DALLAS, TEXAS 75234.
I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT EVERY ONE OF THE ISSUES, MS. TODD, THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT.
I BELIEVE THE FIRST ONE WAS A MINI CENTER, CORRECT? MINI CENTER, PER THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, STARTED IN PHASE 1 AND HAD TO FINISH BY PHASE 3.
THAT WAS AMENDED TO BE STARTED IN PHASE 2, FINISHED IN PHASE 2 BY FIRST PHASE AND THEN THE SECOND PHASE HAD TO BE FINISHED BY PHASE 3.
WE DID FINISH THAT FIRST PHASE IN PHASE 2, WHICH WAS THE POOL, THE RESTROOMS, THE SPORTS CENTER.
THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, THE BASKETBALL, ALL THE AMENITIES AROUND THAT, ALONG WITH THE SPORTS CENTER THAT'S GOING TO THE CITY.
PHASE 2 WAS THE BUILDING AND I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'VE BEEN OUT THERE.
WE ARE NOT GETTING PERMITS UNTIL THAT BUILDING IS DONE.
THAT BUILDING SHOULD BE DONE IN THE NEXT 20 TO 30 DAYS.
CITY IS DOING AN AMAZING JOB ON INSPECTIONS AND GETTING THAT TO THE POINT THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH PERMITS.
AS FAR AS A MINI CENTER, I BELIEVE WE DID FOLLOW THAT AGREEMENT AND BECAUSE WE DON'T GET PERMITS, WE CAN'T GET PERMITS, SO THERE'S NO WAY TO NOT FOLLOW THAT A MINI CENTER.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? I BELIEVE THE SECOND ONE WAS THE ROADS.
YOU SAID THERE WAS AN EXHIBIT J?
>> THIS IS FOR THE RETAINING WALLS BEING COMPLETED AND TO CODE.
>> RETAINING WALLS OR BUILDER FENCES, BECAUSE RETAINING.
>> THOSE FENCES ARE ON RETAINING WALLS.
IT'S A TWO-FOR-ONE SPECIAL RIGHT THERE.
BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, THE FENCES WERE DONE WITHOUT FOLLOWING CODE AND THE RETAINING WALLS THEY'RE LEAKING WATER.
THEY'RE NOT GOING THROUGH THE SCRAPING THROUGH THE WEEPING HOLES AND THE MAINTENANCE AND ALL OF THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE REQUIREMENTS THERE FOR THESE TO BE DONE.
>> CORRECT. IT'S NOT A TWO-FOR-ONE PER SE, BECAUSE DEVELOPER PUT THOSE RETAINING WALLS IN.
WE INSPECTED THEM. THERE ARE NO FAILURES IN THE RETAINING WALL.
THE RETAINING WALL IS GOOD STRUCTURALLY.
I DID SEE A VIDEO ABOUT WATER COMING OUT OF THE MORTAR.
THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE THE LOTS ON THE TOP SIDE,
[01:45:01]
SINCE OBVIOUSLY, PHASE 3 IS A HIGH SIDE, THOSE HOMEOWNERS ON THE LOW SIDE, THAT'S ALL DIRT RIGHT NOW.A LOT OF THAT WATER THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE MORTAR IS BECAUSE THERE'S NO GRASS TO SOAK IT UP.
WE DO HAVE OUR GUYS LOOKING AT IT.
THERE ARE NO STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
>> THEY LOOKED AT THEM AND HOW THE ROCKS HAVE BEEN RIPPED OUT WITH THE FENCES COMING DOWN, BECAUSE WE HAVE PICTURES OF THAT.
>> THEY ARE NOT THE ROCKS. THE STONES FOR THE WALLS, STONES TUMBLED DOWN FROM THOSE WALLS.
>> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE WALL ALONG PHASE 3 OR DIFFERENT WALLS?
>> THE WALL WHERE THE FENCES COME DOWN.
BETWEEN THE PHASES, GOING FOR SOME A ROW OF HOUSES FOR PHASE 3 THERE.
THE FENCES YOU ARE CURRENTLY PUTTING BACK TOGETHER?
>> UNDERNEATH THOSE IS RETAINING WALL.
THAT WALL HAD STONES TORN OUT WHEN THOSE FENCES WENT DOWN. I'VE SEEN IT?
>> I'M GETTING INFORMATION FROM MY GUYS, SO I'LL GO LOOK AND SEE THAT BECAUSE THEY GAVE ME INFORMATION THAT THERE WAS NO STRUCTURAL ISSUES WITH THAT WALL.
>> PLEASE ASK YOU TO GO LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
AS FAR AS THE FENCE, TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES, BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER PUT THAT WALL IN, BUT THE BUILDER PUT THAT FENCE IN.
DEVELOPER DID NOT PUT THAT IN.
WHATEVER MATERIAL WAS USED FOR THAT BUILDER FENCE FOR THOSE HOMEOWNERS WAS NOT BY DEVELOPER.
I WAS BY THE BUILDERS FOR THAT FENCE.
OBVIOUSLY, BUILDERS WENT UP, BUILT THEIR FENCE AND WHEN WIND HIT IT, I DON'T KNOW THE MATERIALS THE BUILDER USED, BUT SUPPOSEDLY, IF IT WAS OR WASN'T TO CODE, I'M NOT SURE.
BUT THAT'S WHEN THAT WALL THAT BUILDER FENCE FELL.
DEVELOPER DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS, AS FAR AS THE HOMEOWNERS NOT REPAIRING THEM AND THE BUILDER NOT REPAIRING THEM.
FIRST THING WOULD BE, OKAY, BUILDER, DID YOU PUT THE RIGHT MATERIALS IN? IF NOT, WARRANTY SHOULD COVER THAT.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, THAT TOOK TIME FOR PULTY TO SAY NO.
ONCE IT CAME TO ME, I SAID, WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO PUT THIS IN.
WE'RE GOING TO FIX THIS FENCE BECAUSE A BUILDER FENCE IS A SMALL ISSUE COMPARED TO EVERYTHING ELSE OUT HERE.
A MINI CENTER, ROADS, 2000 LOTS.
WE DECIDE, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO PUT THIS FENCE IN.
THAT WAS A DECISION I MADE NOT ONLY TO HELP THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT ALSO SHOW GOOD FAITH THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
OUR CONTRACTOR WENT OUT THERE.
HE STARTED FROM THE NORTH IS GOING TO THE SOUTH.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IT'S NOT REUSING MATERIALS.
ALL THE MATERIALS ON A COMPLETELY RUINED FENCE. HE'S GETTING THEM.
I THINK YOU SAID A PRICE TAG OR A TAG ABOUT THE TYPE OF POLE THEY USE.
ALL THE AREAS THAT CAN BE REPAIRED, THEY ARE REPAIRING IT BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE, WHETHER IT'S NOT THE POLE, BUT PORTIONS OF THE FENCE THAT CAN BE REPAIRED, THEY ARE REPAIRING IT.
AS FAR AS THE POLE IS NOT MEETING CODE, HE KNOWS THE CODE, SO I'M GOING TO HAVE A NICE TALK WITH HIM AFTER I GET OUT OF HERE.
HE KNOWS THE CITY HAS TO DO INSPECTION. CITY HAS TO HAVE THAT.
AGAIN, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE BUILDER DID, BUT HE SHOULD KNOW THAT IT SHOULD BE THE RIGHT.
I HAVE THE PICTURE OF THAT TAG.
I'M GOING TO SEND IT TO HIM AND GO RIP ALL OUT THE ONES THAT YOU DIDN'T USE THE RIGHT BUILDING MATERIAL AND REDO IT.
AS FAR AS THE HOMES THAT HAVEN'T GOT REPAIRED YET, I JUST DON'T THINK THEY'VE GOTTEN THERE.
I BELIEVE A COUPLE OF GENTLEMEN THAT I'VE TALKED TO, I'VE EMAILED THEM.
WE'VE TALKED OVER THE LAST WEEK.
ONE GUY MENTIONED A WEEK AGO THAT HIS FENCE HAD BEEN DONE, THE NEXT DAY WAS DONE.
THEY'RE JUST NOT ALL THE WAY THERE YET.
WE'VE OBVIOUSLY HAD SOME RAIN.
CAN AMERICANS MAKING A POINT TO GO FIX ALL THAT? I CAN PROMISE THAT.
AS FAR AS THE RETAINING WALL, THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE THAT IS A HOA RESPONSIBILITY AFTER IT GOES AWAY FROM CENTURION, AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS, I WILL MAKE SURE BECAUSE THAT PLATE IS NOT DONE AND THERE ARE THOSE HOMES BEHIND THIS PHASE THAT THIS FENCE IS ON ISN'T IN YET THAT WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE'LL REPAIR AREAS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
THEN, ONCE YOU KNOW HOMES START GOING IN THERE AND HOMEOWNERS ARE THERE, THE HOA WILL TAKE THAT OVER.
>> NO PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE OTHER ITEM.
OH, AS FAR AS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, NOT FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, WE LOOK AT THESE.
WE KNOW THEM LIKE THE BACK OF OUR HAND.
I BELIEVE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO FOLLOW THEM.
OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S DEVELOPMENT.
THERE'S GOING TO BE THINGS CHANGING AND MOVING.
BUT WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH STAFF. THEY DO A GREAT JOB.
WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS NOW AND WE TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW THOSE AND KEEP DEVELOPING OUT HERE AND HAVING GREAT CITIZEN MOVES IN.
>> I HAD A QUESTION FOR YOU, CRAIG.
>> ARE YOU ABLE TO CONFIRM OR VERIFY WHAT COUNCILWOMAN TODD IS MENTIONING REGARDING THE WALLS? I JUST WANT SOMEBODY TO TELL ME SHE'S WRONG IN
[01:50:02]
THIS INSTANCE. THAT'S ALL I'M WAITING TO HEAR.>> I CAN'T QUITE HEAR YOU WITH THE AC.
SORRY THAT ABOUT WHAT SPECIFICALLY THE RETAINING WALLS OR THE FENCE.
>> IS SHE WRONG ABOUT ANY OF THIS? HAS ANYBODY ANY CITY STAFF WENT AND LOOKED AT ANY OF THE THINGS THAT SHE'S MENTIONED SO FAR IN HER COMMENTS?
>> I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RETAINING WALLS FAILING THIS EVENING WHILE IN THIS MEETING.
I DID RECEIVE SIMILAR PICTURES.
I KNEW ABOUT THE FENCES COMING DOWN.
I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RETAINING WALL AT THE SAME TIME.
THAT'S NEW INFORMATION THAT I GOT THIS EVENING.
>> SURE. I'M GOING TO CHIME IN TOO.
WHILE CRAIG IS A PHENOMENAL DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, TOO, HE'S NOT A LICENSED ENGINEER, SO AS FAR AS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY.
>> I THINK YOU'RE BASICALLY TO THE POINT.
COUNCILWOMAN TITLE, I DUE RESPECT, SHE'S NOT A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, EITHER.
BUT I THINK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT YOUR EYES ON SOMETHING, IF IT LOOKS MESSED UP, IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG.
I THINK YOU NEED TO BE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO SAY, HEY, THAT WALL IS FALLING APART.
I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE DOING IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE STILL IN A BUILDING PHASE OF IT.
FOR ME TO VOTE ON IT CONFIDENTLY HERE.
I JUST WANT SOMEBODY OF A PROFESSIONAL STANDARD TO TELL ME HEY, NO, WE'VE LOOKED AT A STAFF THAT HAS VERIFIED THIS.
THIS IS GOOD TO GO. COUNSEL, YOU SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR VOTE TONIGHT.
>> MY ISSUE WITH THAT IS WE DON'T HAVE AN ENGINEER ON STAFF TO VERIFY THIS INFORMATION.
BUT YOU AREN'T A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND I DON'T LIKE THAT THINGS SUCH AS THAT REQUIRE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER CONTINUE TO BE PUT ON YOUR PLATE WHEN YOU'RE NOT AN ENGINEER.
THAT ISN'T FAIR TO BE DONE TO YOU AT ALL.
THAT SHOULD NOT BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND IT SHOULD NEVER BE ASKED OF YOU BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE AN ENGINEER AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE GETTING ONE, AND WE'RE TRYING TO HIRE ONE.
BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? THIS IS MY QUESTION FOR THE REST OF COUNCIL, FOR THE CITY.
IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO MAKE SURE THESE THINGS ARE DONE RIGHT? WE DON'T HAVE AN ENGINEER TO CHECK THIS BECAUSE KIMBLEY HORN DOES NOT CHECK RETAINING WALLS.
IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THEM.
>> WELL, WHAT DO WE CURRENTLY DO? CURRENTLY, WE GET A REPORT WE GET A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S REPORT FROM THE DEVELOPER, CORRECT? ONCE IT'S BEEN INSPECTED.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THE SUBJECT RETAINING WALLS ARE PART OF PHASE 2.
WHEN THAT PHASE CAME FORWARD, WE HAD A RETAINING WALL LETTER FROM THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THEM THAT THEY WERE BUILT AS DESIGNED.
>> THAT IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR RETAINING WALLS OF A CERTAIN HEIGHT.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE WORKING ON A NEW RETAINING WALL ORDINANCE AND I HOPE THAT IT GETS DONE SOON, SO WE CAN SEE IT COMING THROUGH BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE BIG ONES THAT WE NEED TO FIX FAST.
BUT THAT ONLY COVERS WHAT FOUR FEET AND HIGHER WALLS TO HAVE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S CERTIFICATE AND I DON'T ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT THOSE ARE FOUR FEET.
THEY SHOULD BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND SINCE THERE'S POLES GOING THROUGH THEM.
BUT AGAIN, OUR ORDINANCES ARE EXTREMELY VAGUE AND OPEN UP SOME LOOPHOLES THERE.
AGAIN, MY QUESTION IS, UNTIL WE HAVE AN ENGINEER ON STAFF, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS?
>> I CAN JUST CHIME IN A LITTLE BIT.
EVEN IF WE DO HIRE A CIVIL ENGINEER ON STAFF, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE SAVVY ENOUGH TO INSPECT ANYTHING THAT'S ON THE STRUCTURAL SIDE, BECAUSE CURRENTLY WE HAVE A POSTING RIGHT NOW FOR OUR CITY ENGINEER, WHICH WOULD OPERATE VERY SIMILAR TO WAY OUR CURRENT ENGINEERS ARE OPERATING FROM A INSPECTION STANDPOINT.
NOW, IF THE CITY WANTS TO GET INTO INSPECTING STRUCTURAL, INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL OF EXPERTISE THAT MOST LIKELY, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO WANT A THIRD PARTY THAT OUT ANYWAY, BECAUSE TO HAVE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER ON STAFF WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S VERY RARE, NOT SAYING IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, BUT IT'D BE VERY RARE TO HAVE.
I HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN MANY CITIES THAT DO THAT.
BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO GET INTO STRUCTURAL INSPECTION BUSINESS, I WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE SOME TYPE OF THIRD-PARTY SERVICE THAT WOULD VERIFY THE VERIFIER.
>> I DON'T WANT TO CREATE ANOTHER THING THAT OUR CITY HAS TO GO START FUNDING, ANOTHER DEPARTMENT AND WHATNOT.
[01:55:02]
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY IS WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF HOMES IN THIS CITY THAT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DRAINAGE AND A LOT OF THEM ARE WITH RETAINING WALLS THAT ARE CRUMBLING WITHIN A FEW YEARS.I'VE BROUGHT IT UP SINCE THE MOMENT I GOT ELECTED AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BRING IT UP BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS WE LET THE DEVELOPERS AND THE BUILDERS PUT THESE THINGS IN.
THE RESIDENT TAKES OVER THE HOUSE.
SUDDENLY, THE HOA AND THE RESIDENT ARE TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS ON TOP OF WHAT THEY'RE PAYING TO PURCHASE THESE HOMES.
I KNOW THAT IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KEEP BRINGING IT UP.
BUT WHEN YOU BUY A HOUSE FOR $400,000 AND WITHIN A YEAR, YOU'RE PAYING $50,000 TO FIX A RETAINING WALL, THAT'S NOT OKAY.
WE'RE HAVING THESE COMPLAINTS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
WE HAVE SO MANY RESIDENTS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS.
I JUST DON'T SEE US ACTUALLY, WE TALK ABOUT IT.
WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE LITTLE STEPS HERE AND THERE, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BIG THINGS THAT WE NEED TO JUST TAKE THE BIG LEAP AND FIND A SOLUTION AND HOLD THE LINE WITH BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS.
BECAUSE IF WE ARE NOT HOLDING THE LINE, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO CUT THE CORNERS, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO USE MATERIALS THAT ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR RESIDENTS BEING THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE OF OUR GROWTH AS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN THE NATION.
>> ARE YOU STILL TALKING TO CRAIG OR? BECAUSE I KNOW HE'S BEEN WANTING TO SPEAK. GO AHEAD.
>> MR. FISHER, WHEN WE RECEIVE THE REPORT FROM THE ENGINEER, DOES IT INCLUDE THE STRUCTURE, THE RETAINING WALL? THEY'RE SIGNING OFF ON EVERYTHING.
WE'VE SEEN, AND AS LIKE TONIGHT, WE HAD ABOUT SEVEN PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT AND TALK ABOUT THE RETAINING WALL, THE FENCE.
AFTER THE ENGINEER SUBMITS THE REPORT, AND WE SEE THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGES OCCURRING, WHO THEN BECOMES RESPONSIBLE?
THE RETAINING WALLS ARE EITHER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOA OR THE INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS.
BUT TO ANSWER TO THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION, RETAINING WALLS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE DESIGNED BY A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, WE REQUIRE THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO PROVIDE STAMPED PLANS TO THEIR DESIGN, AND THEN A LETTER VERIFYING THAT THE WALLS WERE BUILT PER THEIR PLAN.
>> MY QUESTION, WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IS THAT REGARDLESS OF HAVING THIS OR NOT.
DOESN'T SAY THE RETAINING WALLS ALL FILLING, THERE'S NOBODY RES RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
LET'S JUST SAY THEY BUY A HOUSE IN A YEAR FROM THEN THAT RETAINING WALL FALLS APART.
THE CITY IS JUST SAYING THAT THEY RECEIVED SOMETHING FROM THE ENGINEER.
IS THE ENGINEERING FIRM RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WALL FOR THE LONGEVITY OF IT OR HOWEVER LONG THAT THEY'RE YOU MIGHT KNOW.
>> IT DEPENDS I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THAT STRUCTURAL LETTER. DO YOU KNOW BY CHANCE?
>> MY NAME IS MAC CLARK. I'M THE ENGINEER FOR ONE OF THE ENGINEERS FOR THIS JOB.
IN THAT SPECIFIC SITUATION, YOU'D HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHY IT FAILED.
IN THE CASE OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE, YOU HAD 60 MILE AN HOUR WINDS THAT KNOCKED OVER A FENCE, PUT LOAD ON THE RETAINING WALL IN A VERY WEIRD WAY.
I LIVE IN CARROLLTON. MY FENCE FELL DOWN IN THE EXACT SAME STORM.
IT JUST IT HAPPENS WHEN THERE'S HIGH WIND, AND THERE'S DAMAGE.
WE DON'T DESIGN THINGS THAT STRONG BECAUSE IT'S NOT FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE.
TO ASSIGN BLAME REQUIRES A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF EFFORT, HIRING SOMEBODY EVEN A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL THAN WHAT MR. GIBBS IS TALKING ABOUT, AS FAR AS A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER TO COME OUT AND THEN DO AN ANALYSIS ON, OKAY, WAS THE DIRT OKAY? WAS THE ROCK USED ON THE WALL OKAY? WAS THE MORTAR USED ON THE ROCK OKAY? DID ONE NEIGHBOR THE HIGH SIDE OR THE LOW SIDE? DID THEY DAMAGE THE AREA? DID THEY CUT GROUND ON THE LOW SIDE AND CAUSE THE WALL TO SLIDE? DID THEY OVER WATER ON THE HIGH SIDE AND CAUSE THE WALL TO SWELL? THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COULD GO IN THERE.
YOU CAN'T JUST UNIVERSALLY ASSIGN BLAME TO A WALL REALLY ANY FAILURE, RETAINING WALLS, JUST WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
[02:00:01]
YOU'D HAVE TO GO INDIVIDUALLY LOOK AT EACH PARTICULAR SITUATION TO DETERMINE WHAT FAILED.AT THAT POINT, YOU'RE SPENDING MORE ON FORENSICS THAN YOU WOULD SPEND ON THE FIX.
>> WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIX? AT THAT POINT BECAUSE IF THEY PROVE THAT SOMETHING WAS DONE WRONG AT THE BUILD, THEN WOULD THAT BE ON THE ENGINEER FIRM? BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE SIGNING OFF, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S THE POINT OF YOU GUYS SIGN IT OFF IF IT DOES NOTHING.
>> IN NATURE AND SOMETHING DIDN'T OCCUR FOR IT TO BREAK DOWN, LET'S SAY, THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER DID NOT DESIGN IT CORRECTLY, THEY HAVE INSURANCE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.
>> IS THERE A CERTAIN MILEAGE OF EAR.
>> MILES PER HOUR EAR THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO STAND UP TOWARDS I DEPENDS ON WHAT THE STRUCTURAL PLANS HAD ON THE MILES PER HOUR.
EVERY PLAN, WHETHER SCREENING WALL, BUILDER FENCE, HAS A STRUCTURAL DESIGN OR A DESIGN THAT SAYS THE WIND LOAD.
IT WOULD DEPEND ON, LET'S SAY, IF IT'S 100 MILE/HOUR WIND LOAD.
IT DEPENDS ON, REALLY, AT THAT POINT, ORDINANCES AT THAT POINT.
IN THIS SCENARIO, AS MATT SAID, THE FENCE WAS BLOWN OVER THAT CAUSED STRAIN ON THE RETAINING WALL.
AGAIN, I NEED TO GO INSPECT IF THERE ARE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE ON WHERE, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE.
BUT IN THIS SCENARIO, BECAUSE OF THIS RETAINING WALL AND RIGHT WING, WHEN RETAINING WALLS FAIL, WHICH THEY COULD FAIL IN TEN, 20, 30, 40 YEARS, IT JUST DEPENDS ON SOMETHING THAT OCCURS.
THE HOA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT FIX THROUGH ASSESSMENTS AND RESERVES THAT THEY HAVE ON THE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IN INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS, LET'S SAY, TODAY, THAT INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER ISN'T GOING TO HAVE TO GO FIX THAT RETAINING WALL, THE HOA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
IN OUR OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT THAT DOESN'T EXIST, BUT WE DO THAT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SO INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS NOT LIABLE FOR THAT ON TOP OF THEIR HOA DUES ON TOP OF THEIR TAXES.
THAT'S WHY WE PUT THOSE WALL MAINTENANCE EASEMENTS IN THERE AND THE OBLIGATION FOR THE HOA TO FIX IT.
THAT'S THE RESPONSE THAT WE PUT ON AND PUT ON THE HOA FOR A REASON.
>> IN REGARDS TO THE HOA, INSIDE THE HOA DOCUMENT THEN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO THEN SUBMIT, LIKE, THIS IS YOUR HOA THING.
DO YOU HAVE ANY CLAUSES IN THERE THAT REQUIRES THE HOA TO BE SETTING FUNDING ASIDE TO HAVE MONEY FOR IT BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS, AND I'VE HEARD IT FROM, LIKE THREE DEVELOPMENTS ALREADY, HOAS DON'T REALLY REALIZE THAT THAT'S A THING THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THESE WALLS HAVE CRUMBLED, AND NOW THEY'RE HAVING TO INCREASE ALL PRICE THE COSTS TO THE HOMEOWNERS TO GO IN AND FIX IT, AND IT'S UPSETTING OTHER HOMEOWNERS BECAUSE IT'S LIKE, WELL, IT'S NOT MY WALL AND IT CREATES A BIG PROBLEM.
DOES YOUR HOA DOCUMENT PROVIDE SOME KIND OF CLAUSE THAT, LIKE, PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY IT PUTS A FUND UP WAY FOR RETAINING WALLS, BUT THERE'S USUALLY A RESERVE ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TYPES OF THINGS.
OBVIOUSLY, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT IS MUCH MORE, THEY MAY HAVE TO DO A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
THINGS OF A RETAINING WALL FIX, IT'S MOST LIKELY BECAUSE WE HAVE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND WE BUILD THESE WALLS THE RIGHT WAY, AND YOU HAVE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE ALL OVER THE CITY DOING THIS.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOIL REPORTS. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER.
YOU GOT TO GET PERMITS FROM THE CITY.
IT'S NOT A WALL FAIL COMPLETELY.
MOST OF THE TIME, ESPECIALLY I HAVEN'T SEEN IN MY YEARS WITH CENTURION AMERICAN ANY OF OUR WALLS FAIL.
THERE ARE REPAIRS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN, AND USUALLY IT'S NOT AT A LEVEL THAT REQUIRES A HUGE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
IT'S USUALLY A RESERVE THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES, THE HOA IS OBLIGATED TO KEEP SOME TYPE OF RESERVE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS OF CALIBER OF THAT SIZE.
>> I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR CRAIG. SORRY, MISS FISHER.
>> IT'S JUST A QUESTION, WHEN YOU GUYS ARE INSPECTING THE FENCES.
DO YOU GUYS INSPECT THE TYPE OF POLE THAT'S BEING USED? DO YOU GUYS HANDLE THE INSPECTIONS FOR FENCING?
>> YES. DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTING THE HOME BUILDER FENCES, SUCH AS THE WOOD FENCES.
>> DO WE MEASURE OR TAKE A LOOK AT WHICH POLE IS BEING USED? I'M NOT SAYING I'M PRETTY SURE THAT YOU GUYS LOOK AT A LOT, BUT WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF FENCES FALLING ALL AROUND TOWN EVERY TIME THAT THEY'RE AT A STORM, AND THIS COULD BE THE REASON WHY THAT THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING OUR CODE.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF IF NOT, WE NEED TO DEFINITELY START INSPECTING THOSE SIDES CAUSE THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE REASONS WHY WE'VE BEEN HAVING THE FENCES FALL.
>> ABSOLUTELY, I'LL MAKE AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT'S PART OF OUR INSPECTION.
I CAME TO THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS AFTER THAT STORM.
THERE WERE A LOT OF FENCES THAT CAME DOWN THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
I'LL SEE TOO THAT WE ARE INSPECTING THE GAUGE OF STEEL USED FOR POSTS ON FENCES.
[02:05:07]
I THINK THAT WE'RE GOOD TO GO.I ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME.
>> I'M SORRY. I HAVE MOTION TO DENY THE PLAT.
>> IT APPEARS THAT THE MOTION TO DENY HAS FAILED, SO WE'LL NEED ENTERTAIN ANOTHER MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 3.
>> POINT OF INFORMATION. WHAT'S THE OR WHAT WAS THE MOTION I THINK HEAR.
>> HE HE MOTIONED TO APPROVE THIS ITEM.
THE DENIAL FAIL. GRANT CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY I FEEL?
BECAUSE IT WAS DENIED FOUR TO THREE.
IT APPEARS IF YOU VOTED AGAINST THE DENIAL, SO THE DENIAL MOTION. I'M NOT USED TO VOTING.
I WAS VOTING FOR IT. THERE'S A NEW MOTION ON THE FLOOR. LET'S GO AHEAD [OVERLAPPING]
>> I HAVE A POINT OF INFORMATION.
>> IF WE DENY THIS TONIGHT, HOW WILL THIS IMPACT THE CITY IS THE TIMELINE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH?
>> WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND GIVE A REASON FOR THE DENIAL.
THEN THEY'LL HAVE TIME TO RESPOND TO THAT.
BUT I WOULD ASK, WE JUST CLARIFY THE BASS FOR DENIAL OF THE PLAT TONIGHT ON THE RECORD, SO WE CAN HAVE THAT.
>> ASIDE FROM THE REPAIRS THAT HE DONE, IT CLEARLY STATES THE AMENITY CENTER IN THE CONTRACT WILL BE COMPLETED AND HERE WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD FOR PHASE 3, AND THE STUFF TO BEGIN BUILDING FOR PHASE 3 HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED.
>> DO WE HAVE THE AMENDED AGREEMENT OR IS THIS AGREEMENT THAT'S UPLOADED HERE, THE ACTUAL DEVELOPER AGREEMENT FOR THIS ITEM? BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THERE WAS AN AMENDED I MEAN, IN AMENDED AGREEMENT THAT CHANGED THE WORDING.
>> ONE THING, TOO, AND I WOULD INVITE MAYBE THE APPLICANT TO COME UP HERE TOO, AS FAR AS THE AMENITY CENTER, THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SAYS THAT IT HAS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE BUILDING PERMITS ARE ISSUED, NOT BEFORE A PLATE.
IT'S NOT FOR COMPLETIONS BY BUILDING PERMIT, NOT COMPLETION PER THE AGREEMENT.
ALTHOUGH IT IS BEING COMPLETE, IT'S NOT NEEDED FOR COMPLETION OR PLATE OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
>> I ALSO WANT TO REMIND THAT THIS IS ALSO THE DEVELOPMENT WHERE WE HAVE HOMES.
THIS IS UNFORTUNATE, LIKE IT'S YOUR BUILDERS THAT ARE DOING A LOT OF THIS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HOMES THAT ARE HAVING MASSIVE PROBLEMS OUT THERE.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IN A MORATORIUM, WE ARE UNABLE TO STOP THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN AGREED ON BEFORE THE MORATORIUM.
I WISH THAT WE COULD HIT A PAUSE BUTTON AND ACTUALLY GO LOOK AT ALL THE THINGS AND DO THIS CORRECTLY, AND I HATE THAT THIS COMES AND IMPACTS YOU ALL.
BUT THERE ARE BIG PROBLEMS WITH THE PRODUCT THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE GETTING.
[02:10:07]
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, SO I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT PROBLEMS WITHIN THE HOMES.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, ON WHAT GROUNDS OF DENIAL TONIGHT, BECAUSE THE FENCE IS NOT DEVELOPER, AND THE RETAINING WALL WAS BUILT IN PHASE 2, AND PHASE 3 IS COMPLETED PER ALL SCOPE OF THE CITY.
ALTHOUGH THE DEVELOPER IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO FIX IT AS YOU SAW IN THE LAST MEETING, AS I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH RESIDENTS, I'M NOT SURE WHY WE WOULD DENY PHASE 3 AND MOVING FORWARD, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE GROUNDS OF DENIAL.
I'LL WORK WITH WHATEVER WHATEVER I NEED TO DO, BUT I'M NOT SURE PUSHING ANOTHER MEETING.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DENIAL HERE WOULD MEAN NOT MOVING TO THE NEXT MEETING.
WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP. THANK YOU.
>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR DENIAL THAT FAILED 3-4, WE'LL JUST NEED TO EITHER TO RE-VOTE, RESTATE THE MOTION.
>> THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN SECOND.
MOTIONS TO HAVE APPROVED THIS FILE.
WHO MADE THE MOTION BEEN? THEY HAVE BEEN MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE, THAT HAS NOT BEEN SECOND.
>> I'LL SECOND THE MOTION TO APPROVE IT.
[H9. 2025-07-14-R05 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-07-14-R05, suspending Oncor Electricity Delivery Company LLC’s proposed rate increase effective date; authorizing the intervention and participation in related rate proceedings; and take appropriate action.]
MS. COOK. I THINK IT.>> CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION 2025-07-1405 SUSPENDING ENCORE ELECTRICITY DELIVERY COMPANY LLC, PROPOSED RATE INCREASE EFFECTIVE DATE, AUTHORIZING THE INTERVENTION AND PARTICIPATION IN RELATED RATE PROCEEDINGS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF BACKGROUND, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS.
ON JUNE 26, 2025, ENCORE ELECTRIC FILED A STATEMENT OF INTENT TO INCREASE ITS REVENUES.
THEY FILED THAT WITH THE PUC, AND THOSE WERE TO TAKE EFFECT JULY 31ST OF THIS YEAR, UNLESS THE CITY IN PARTICIPATION WITH THE ALLIANCE OF ON CORE CITIES TAKES ACTION, WHICH IS THE CORRESPONDING RESOLUTION THIS EVENING TO DELAY THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR UP TO 90 DAYS.
WHAT THIS DOES IS ALLOW THE CITY IN IN WORKING THROUGH THE THIRD PARTY LAW FIRM OF HERRERA LAW AND ASSOCIATES, WHICH REPRESENTS THE ALLIANCE ON CORE CITIES.
THERE'S DOZENS OF CITIES THAT ARE A PART OF THAT ALLIANCE.
IT ALLOWS THE CITY AND THE REST OF THE ALLIANCE TIME TO EVALUATE THE MERITS OF THE RATE INCREASE AND THEN POTENTIALLY INTERVENE IN THE PROCEEDINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FULL INCREASE, WHICH I THINK IS ABOUT A 12 OR 13% INCREASE ON RESIDENTIAL RATES, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS SUPPORTED AND JUSTIFIED.
THAT'S WHAT THE RESOLUTION DOES THIS EVENING, IS IT DELAYS THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE RATE INCREASE BY 90 DAYS, AND IT MAY BE EXTENDED FURTHER UPON AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES.
ONE THING TO NOTE, THIS WILL NOT IMPACT THE CITY'S BUDGET.
ALL COSTS RELATED TO THE LAW FIRM WILL COME OUT OF THE COURT'S POCKET.
IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPACT THE CITY'S BUDGET FOR LEGAL FEES OR OTHERWISE.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THESE DOCUMENTS WERE PREPARED BY MR. HERRERA, BUT I'M HAPPY TO DO MY BEST TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED THAT INFORMATION TO BE SHARED OUT PUBLICLY, SO PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD WHY WE WERE MAKING OUR CHANGES.
I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ALL THAT INFORMATION BEFORE I EVEN HAD TO ASK IT.
>> WITH THAT, I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H9.
>> MOTION PASSES 6:0. WHICH'LL BRING US TO H10, MS. COOK.
[H10. 2025-07-14-R06 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-07-14-R06, authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Pattillo, Brown & Hill, L.L.P. for financial audit services; allocating necessary funds for said services; and take appropriate action. ]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-07-14-R06, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH PATTILLO, BROWN, & HILL, LLP, FOR FINANCIAL AUDIT SERVICES, ALLOCATING NECESSARY FUNDS FOR SAID SERVICES AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
[02:15:03]
MS. KELLY.>> THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT DID SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO QUALIFIED FIRMS TO PERFORM THE ANNUAL AUDIT OF THE CITY FINANCIALS FOR FISCAL YEAR '25 AND '26 WITH OPTIONAL RENEWALS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS AFTER THAT.
WE PUBLICIZED IT IN THE PAPER, JUNE 5TH AND JUNE 12TH.
WE RECEIVED TWO PROPOSALS BACK, AND WE REVIEWED THOSE PROPOSALS BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS WE SPECCED OUT IN THE RFP.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IN MY MEMO, AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL FOR PATTILLO, BROWN, & HILL AUDIT FIRM.
>> THANK YOU. WITH A LOT OF CHATTER ONLINE ABOUT THE FORENSIC AUDIT AND STUFF LIKE THAT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS CLARIFIED TO EVERYONE THAT THIS IS THE ANNUAL AUDIT THAT WE ARE DOING.
>> THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD NORMALLY BE DOING EVERY YEAR.
>> CORRECT. AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW. YES.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS FOR HER? THEN I MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H10.
>> MOTION PASSES 6:0. BRING US TO ITEM H11. MS. COOK.
[H11. 2025-07-14-R07 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-07-14-R07, authorizing the City Manager to execute agreements with MuniCap, Inc. to provide administrative, financial, and consulting services related to the City’s Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs); and take appropriate action.]
>> H11. CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION 2025-07-14-R07, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH MUNICAP, INC. TO PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE, FINANCIAL, AND CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE CITY'S PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS, AND TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONES, TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> WE ARE PRESENTING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION THOSE TWO PROFESSIONAL AGREEMENTS WITH MUNICAP SERVICES, WHICH YOU HEARD TONIGHT THAT PRESENTED THE PRESENTATION ON THE PIDS AND THE TARS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE'RE CHANGING SERVICES.
>> TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS WHAT WE ARE HEARING, AND THAT WE CAN GET THAT WITH MUNICAP VERSUS THE COMPANY THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.
>> YOU SAY THE WORD TRANSPARENCY.
WHAT IS IT THAT THEY WERE NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT THAT RAISED THE RED FLAGS OF TRANSPARENCY TO SWITCH COMPANY?
>> WE HEARD, I GUESS, FROM COUNCIL, WITH REGARD TO A DASHBOARD WE HAD REQUESTED THAT FROM THE PRIOR PID ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH WAS NOT TAKING PLACE.
WE COULD NOT GET THOSE THINGS THAT WAS BEING REQUESTED BY COUNCIL.
WE FOUND A COMPANY THAT COULD PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.
>> IF I MAY, SO WE WANTED TO HAVE SOMEBODY MORE LOCAL IN TUNE WITH THE BUILDERS ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER CITIES THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PIDS, SOMETHING I WORKED WITH KELLY ON WHEN SHE GOT ON BOARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD SOMEBODY TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF DETAIL THAT THE RESIDENTS, I THINK WERE REQUESTING VIA THE DASHBOARD AS MS. WILSON ALLUDED TO.
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO LOG IN, LOOK AT THEIR ASSESSMENTS, LOOK HOW THEIR MONEY'S BEING DISTRIBUTED, AND JUST REALLY GIVE US BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I THINK THAT WAS SOMETHING BOTH THE CITY WANTED AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE RESIDENTS WANTED.
WE FEEL IT'S A GOOD MOVE TO MOVE WITH MUNICAP.
>> OUR RESIDENTS AND COUNCIL HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND OUR STAFF LISTENED TO THAT AND MADE A MOVE IS WHAT I'M HEARING, MR. GIBBS, RIGHT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT, YOU DO THE STAFF.
>> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THAT. I JUST WANTED CLARIFICATION ON WHY WE WERE SUDDENLY CHANGING.
I DO LOVE EVERYTHING THAT WAS PRESENTED TODAY, SO, THANK YOU.
AND I MOTION TO PASS ITEM H10. SORRY, H11.
>> MOTION PASSES 6:0. THIS WILL BRING US INTO OUR REGULAR AGENDA, STARTING WITH ITEM K2.
[K2. 2025-172 Presentation by Hilltop Securities, City's Financial Advisor, on Plan of Finance for the Issuance of the Series 2025 General Obligation Park Bonds and Series 2025 Certificate of Obligation.]
>> PRESENTATION BY HILLTOPSECURITIES, CITY'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR ON PLAN OF FINANCE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF THE SERIES 2025 GENERAL OBLIGATION PARK BONDS AND SERIES 2025 CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITIZENS OF PRINCETON.
TONIGHT, WE'RE ACTUALLY TAKING THE STEPS TO ISSUE THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION AND GENERAL OBLIGATION TO FUND THE CITY'S 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
OUR PLAN OF FINANCE IS TO ISSUE THESE TWO BONDS.
[02:20:01]
TOMORROW, WE'RE ACTUALLY MEETING WITH THE RATING AGENCIES HERE AT CITY HALL.WE HAVE CONFIRMATION OF OUR AA AND AA+ RATING.
THESE WILL BE STANDARD 25-YEAR ISSUE TRANSACTIONS.
THE CERTIFICATES WILL FUND APPROXIMATELY $25.3 MILLION OF PROJECTS, EXCUSE ME $25 MILLION PROJECTS, AND THE BONDS ABOUT 55,050,000 OF PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF $80,050,000.
OUR PLAN IS TO ISSUE THEM BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE SCHEDULE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE FOR THIS INVOLVE, IF THIS IS APPROVED BY YOUR COUNCIL TONIGHT, WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE MEETING WITH STANDARD & POOR'S AND FITCH TOMORROW.
WELL, ACTUALLY IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WE'LL HAVE OUR RATINGS IN PLACE.
OUR PLAN IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 6.
WHAT WE HAVE TONIGHT WAS CALLED THE PARAMETERS ORDINANCE.
IT DESIGNATES A PRICING OFFICER TO FINALIZE THE ACTUAL PRICING OF BONDS ON THE SIX.
YOU ACTUALLY APPROVE THE FORM OF THE ORDINANCE FOR BOTH FOR THE GENERAL OBLIGATION AND CERTIFICATES OBLIGATION.
WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS, WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE IN A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A RUSH.
THIS GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SALE.
RIGHT NOW, THE MARKETS ARE PRETTY TURBULENT, AND THIS GIVES US SOME FLEXIBILITY WHEN WE ACTUALLY PRICE THE TRANSACTIONS.
AFTER THEY'RE PRICED, WE'LL PRESENT THEM TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
JEFF, YOUR BOND COUNSEL, WILL PRESENT THEM, AND AFTER HIS REVIEW AND APPROVAL, WE EXPECT TO CLOSE ON AUGUST 28TH, TO HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE INVESTED FOR THE CITY.
THEN THE NEXT MEETING AFTER THAT, WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE, BE ON SCHEDULE, WE'LL PRESENT THE RESULTS OF THE SALE.
IN SUMMARY, WE WORKED WITH THIS PLAN WITH KELLY, SPENT, UPDATED, AND REVISED, MATCH YOUR MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL PLANNING.
CURRENTLY, WE THINK THAT IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE ISSUED AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR CURRENT INS TAX RATE.
VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS THAT WE SPENT MONTHS WORKING ON.
LOOK FORWARD TO EXECUTING FOR YOU ON YOUR BEHALF.
I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
LATER ON THE AGENDA, YOU HAVE THE TWO ORDINANCES.
JEFF, BOND COUNSEL WILL EXPLAIN THEM BOTH TO YOU.
THEY'LL BE DEALT WITH INDIVIDUALLY, BUT JUST THE GENERAL PLAN OF FINANCE IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCIL?
>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS'LL TAKE US TO ITEM K3. MS. COOK.
[Items K3 & K4]
>> K3, CONSIDER APPROVING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-07-14, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, DELEGATING THE AUTHORITY TO CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE CERTAIN DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SALE OF THE CERTIFICATES, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND INSTRUMENTS AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO SAID CERTIFICATES, AND ENACTING OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. MR. GULBAS.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, JEFF GULBAS.
MAYOR, IF IT PLEASES YOU, MAY I DISCUSS THESE TOGETHER, ALTHOUGH THEY DO REQUIRE A SEPARATE VOTE?
>> THAT SHOULD BE FINE, CORRECT?
>> YEAH. JUST AS LONG AS THERE'S TWO SEPARATE VOTES TO MR. GULBAS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. AS JIM SAID, WE ARE GEARING UP FOR THE CITY SALE OF ITS GO BONDS, WHICH WERE APPROVED BY VOTERS IN NOVEMBER 2023, AS WELL AS A SERIES OF CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION.
I WILL COVER THE ORDINANCES THAT ARE BEFORE YOU.
THE GO BOND ORDINANCES AUTHORIZE THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST SERIES OF BONDS THAT VOTERS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER 2023.
THE ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU AUTHORIZES UP TO 56 MILLION IN BONDS FOR THE PARK, RECREATIONAL, AND TRAIL FACILITIES THAT VOTERS APPROVED, AS WELL AS THE ONE MILLION DOLLAR FOR THE LIBRARY.
THIS CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZES UP TO 25.5 MILLION IN COS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAINING FACILITY, AND IF WE NEED TO PURCHASE ANY INTEREST IN LAND IN CONNECTION WITH THAT FACILITY.
EACH ORDINANCE USES CHAPTER 1371 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE.
WHAT THIS DOES IS IT DELEGATES FINAL PRICING OF EACH SERIES OF THESE TO WHAT WE CALL A PRICING OFFICER, WHICH IS NAMED IN THE ORDINANCE AS THE MAYOR, THE CITY MANAGER, AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
THIS IS A COMMON METHOD OF SALE.
THE CITY HAS USED THIS IN CONNECTION WITH PRIOR REFUNDING BONDS, BUT IT ISN'T UNTIL THIS YEAR THE CITY'S BECOME ELIGIBLE TO USE THIS TYPE OF SALE IN CONNECTION WITH NEW MONEY BONDS,
[02:25:02]
NOT RELATED TO A REFINANCING.UNLIKE A TRADITIONAL SALE WHERE WE ENTER THE BOND MARKET AND HAVE TO TIME THAT AROUND A COUNCIL MEETING, THIS METHOD OF SALE LETS WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR HILLTOP TO LOCK IN ON ANY DATE.
WHAT THAT DOES IS IT LETS THE CITY AVOID MAYBE A TUMULTUOUS MARKET, MAYBE THERE'S SOME BAD ECONOMIC NEWS, IT COULD BE SOMETIMES THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER MUNICIPAL BONDS BEING ISSUED ON THAT DAY, AND MAYBE PRINCETON DOESN'T GET THE ATTENTION THAT HILLTOP THINKS IT DESERVES, AND SO IT ALLOWS US TO SAY WE'RE ACTUALLY KNOCKING A PRICE ON THIS DAY.
IT GIVES YOU A LOT OF GREAT FLEXIBILITY WITH THE OTHER METHOD OF SALE, IT ABSOLUTELY WORKS, BUT IT MEANS IF WE'RE TIED TO A COUNCIL MEETING DATE, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OPTION IF THE MARKET JUST DOESN'T LOOK REALLY GOOD ON THAT DATE.
WHAT WE WILL DO IS THE PARAMETERS FOR THE GO BONDS ARE AS FOLLOWS.
THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF GO BONDS WE CAN ISSUE IS 56 MILLION.
THE TRUE INTEREST COSTS CANNOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM RATE PERMITTED BY TEXAS LAW.
THE FINAL MATURITY CANNOT EXCEED FEBRUARY 15TH, 2050, AND THE BONDS MUST BE PRICED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
THE REALITY IS, WE'RE PLANNING ON PRICING AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST, AND WE HAVE TO BE RATED IN ONE OF THE TOP 3 RATING CATEGORIES BY NATIONAL STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATION.
AS WE PRICE BONDS, OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT BEFORE WE DELIVER DOCUMENTS TO THE PRICING OFFICER, AGAIN, THE MAYOR, CITY MANAGER, OR CFO, THAT WE'VE HIT ALL OF THOSE PARAMETERS.
IF WE CAN'T HIT THOSE PARAMETERS, WE DON'T PRICE BONDS, AND WE WILL HAVE TO JUST WAIT A LITTLE LONGER.
THE PARAMETERS FOR THE COS ARE AS FOLLOWS.
WE CAN'T SELL MORE THAN 25.5 MILLION.
AGAIN, THE MAXIMUM RATE CANNOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM RATE PERMITTED BY LAW.
THE FINAL MATURITY CANNOT EXCEED FEBRUARY 15TH, 2050.
AGAIN, WE HAVE TO PRICE THESE WITHIN ONE YEAR, BUT THE REALITY IS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, THEY WANT THESE PRICED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM TONIGHT, AND AGAIN, THESE ALSO MUST BE RATED ONE OF THE THREE HIGHEST RATING CATEGORIES.
ONCE WE PRICE, I'LL PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS CALLED A PRICING CERTIFICATE TO SEND TO OUR PRICING OFFICER OF THE CITY, THAT WE'LL SIGN IT, AND THEN WE'LL LET THE WINNING BIDDER KNOW THAT THE CITY HAS ACCEPTED THEIR TERMS TO PURCHASE THESE.
THE ORDINANCES CREATE A SINKING FUND TO REPAY THESE OBLIGATIONS, ALSO CONTAINS REQUIRED COVENANTS FOR THESE BONDS AND CSB ISSUED AS TAX EXEMPT UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY VERIFIED WITH CITY'S CFO.
ALSO REQUIRES THE CITY TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN DISCLOSURE COVENANTS THAT HILLTOP ASSISTS WITH IMPOSED BY THE MUNICIPAL SECURITIES RULE-MAKING BOARD.
THESE BONDS ARE SECURED BY THE CITY'S AD VALOREM TAXES.
THE CITIES HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SECURITY OF PLEDGE OF WATER AND SEWER.
THE REALITY IS ANY OF THESE BONDS CAN BE BE REPAID FROM ANY LAWFUL SOURCE.
WE DO PLEDGE COS, THEY HAVE A REVENUE PLEDGE TO THEM AS WELL, ONLY BECAUSE THE CO ACT IS VERY OLD, IN ORDER TO SELL COS FOR CASH, YOU HAVE TO ALSO SECURE THEM IN ADDITION TO AD VALOREM TAXES BY A PLEDGE OF REVENUES.
WITHOUT THAT, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DELIVER THE CERTIFICATES TO VENDORS, WHICH IS WE HAVEN'T DONE IT THAT WAY IN 40 YEARS.
I'VE COVERED THESE RATHER QUICKLY, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE ORDINANCES, HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM, BUT AGAIN, I BELIEVE THE ONLY ACTION ITEM IS ON THE FIRST ONE, AND THEN WE CAN TAKE UP THE OTHER ONE, BUT HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> YOUR HONOR, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I'D MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM K3 ORDINANCE 2025-07-14.
MS. TODD STEPPED OUT. SHOULD WE WAIT FOR HER TO COME BACK TO VOTE?
>> THE MOTION PASSES 5:00, SO WE CAN JUST TAKE IT.
>> THAT WORKS. MOTION PASSES 5:0.
DID YOU DO K4 OR YOU GOING TO JUST GO OVER IT.
>> I'M SORRY, MAYOR. I COVERED THAT ONE IN THAT, SO IF YOU ALL WANT TO TAKE IT UP.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'M HERE.
>> I ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR K4 AS WELL.
>> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM K4.
THIS WILL TAKE US TO K5. MS. COOK.
[K5. 2025-169 Consider approving a Moratorium Waiver Application submitted by Rubio Texas Investments LLC for that certain 0.28-acre parcel of real property located at 607 and 609 E College Street, Princeton, Texas, and take appropriate action. Presented by Craig Fisher, Director of Development Services.]
[02:30:01]
A MORATORIUM WAIVER APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY RUBIO TEXAS INVESTMENTS, LLC FOR A CERTAIN 0.28 ACRE PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 607 AND 609 EAST COLLEGE STREET, PRINCETON, TEXAS, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. MR. FISHER.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COUNCIL, CRAIG FISHER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THIS REQUEST IS FOR A WAIVER FROM THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MORATORIUM.
THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF EAST COLLEGE STREET, JUST TO THE EAST OF NORTH 6TH STREET.
THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING APPROVAL OF ONE RESIDENTIAL LOT TO BUILD A DUPLEX.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY, THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSITION DISTRICT, WHICH PERMITS THIS TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE.
BUT GIVEN THAT WE'RE IN A MORATORIUM, THIS PLAT REQUIRES A WAIVER.
I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO PRESENT THIS PLAT TO YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE.
>> WOULD THIS POTENTIAL DUPLEX HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE EXISTING SEWER AND WATER SYSTEM THAT'S RUNNING DOWN COLLEGE?
>> THERE'S ADEQUATE CAPACITY IN THE SEWER AND WATER LINES THAT ARE IN COLLEGE STREET TO SERVE THIS DEVELOPMENT.
>> IF I'M CORRECT, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD IS ALREADY BUILT AS DUPLEXES, SIMILARLY?
>> YES. TO TO THE EAST, THERE IS AN EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD WITH DUPLEXES, CORRECT.
>> THEN WOULD THIS POTENTIAL WAIVER HAVE VERBIAGE IN IT THAT WE'RE WAIVING IT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DUPLEX AND THAT'S IT?
>> THE WAIVER IS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL PLAT.
IF APPROVED WOULD THEN ALLOW THEM TO RECEIVE A PERMIT TO BUILD THE DUPLEX, CORRECT.
>> JUST TO ADD ON TO THAT, IF YOU APPROVE THE WAIVER, THEN IT ALLOWS THEM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PLAT PROCESS, WHICH THIS IS A MINOR PLAT?
>> CORRECT. THE MINOR PLAT WOULD BE APPROVED WITH A WAIVER.
IF YOU WERE TO APPROVE IT, THEN A MINOR PLAT IS APPROVED AT A STAFF LEVEL, AND THEN THEY COULD THEN SUBMIT BUILDING PERMITS AND GET A BUILDING PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT THE DUPLEXES.
>> NOW, IF THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND AND WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING DIFFERENT AFTER LET'S SAY WE APPROVED THIS, LET'S SAY THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND AND WANT TO BUILD A QUADPLEX OR SOMETHING.
ARE THEY ABLE TO CHANGE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD?
>> POTENTIALLY, I DON'T KNOW THAT A QUADPLEX COULD FIT ONTO THE LOT.
THEY'D HAVE TO STILL MEET EVERY OTHER STANDARD WITHIN THE ZONING DISTRICT OR ZONING ORDINANCE.
BUT YES, THEY COULD PROCEED IN SUCH A MANNER.
BUT THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY NEIGHBORHOOD TRANSITION DISTRICT DOES PERMIT ATTACHED SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES.
>> MY CONCERN IS THAT MINOR PLATS CAN BE CHANGED AND APPROVED AND EVERYTHING AT THE CITY LEVEL.
AS COUNCILMAN LONG WAS SAYING, IF WE APPROVE THIS, WE'RE APPROVING BASICALLY A VERY GENERIC MULTIFAMILY.
THEY CAN MAKE CHANGES TO IT, AND IT CAN BE APPROVED WITHOUT COMING TO COUNCIL TO SEEK APPROVAL OF THOSE CHANGES BECAUSE IT'S BEING SEEN AS A MINOR PLAT.
>> CORRECT. MINOR PLATS ARE APPROVED AT A STAFF LEVEL.
THEY HAVE TO MEET THE MINOR PLAT CRITERIA.
THERE'S NO PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE BEING BUILT.
THERE'S NO RIGHT OF WAY BEING DEDICATED.
I HAVE SEEN THE PLOT PLAN FOR THIS.
I DON'T THINK YOU COULD PUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THERE BESIDES THE DUPLEX TO MEET THE PARKING REQUIREMENTS, AND HAVE A DRIVEWAY, GARAGE PARKING THAT'S REQUIRED.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIT ANYTHING ELSE MORE THAN THE DUPLEX.
BUT WITH APPROVAL OF THIS WAIVER, THE REMAINING ITEMS PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION WOULD BE STAFF APPROVED.
>> I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD PUT STAFF IN THIS POSITION TO HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION ESPECIALLY SINCE WITH THE NEW STATE LAW, WE'LL BE COMING OUT OF THIS MORATORIUM SOON.
I HONESTLY DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD APPROVE THIS, IN MY OPINION.
[02:35:01]
I THINK THAT WE SHOULD STICK TO THE MORATORIUM AND FINISH PREPARING FOR COMING OUT OF IT AND LETTING STAFF FOCUS ON THAT, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IT'S A MINOR PLAT, BUT IT'S JUST ONE MORE THING WE'RE ADDING TO THEIR SCHEDULE.>> THE BIG DIFFERENCE FROM THE LAST WAIVER WAS THAT THEY WAS NOT BUILDING ANY HOMES ON IT ON THAT LAND. THEY WERE JUST SEPARATING LAND.
I THINK THAT THAT WAS ONE OF THE DECIDING FACTORS WHY WE APPROVED THE LAST MORATORIUM WAIVER.
BUT LIKE YOU SAID, THIS WILL BE LIFTED IN 100 AND SOME SOMETHING DAYS.
IT'S NOT TOO MUCH OF A DETRIMENT THAT I CAN SEE AT THIS TIME.
>> TO ADD TO THAT, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE WE'RE DOING OUR PRINCETON PLAYBOOK, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY AND WHAT OUR PLANS ARE AND EVERYTHING.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT WHENEVER WE ARE APPROVING, WE ARE ALSO APPROVING SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO ALIGN WITH OUR VISION FOR THE CITY BECAUSE DOWNTOWN IS ESSENTIALLY UNTOUCHED RIGHT NOW.
WHEN WE GO IN THERE AND WE DO SOMETHING, IT NEEDS TO ALIGN THE VISION THAT WE'RE HAVING FOR THIS CITY.
I'M CONCERNED THERE THAT ONE THING GO FOLLOWING THIS CURRENT PLAN WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT CHANGING WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, AND WILL IT ACTUALLY MATCH OR NOT?
MS. TODD'S COMMENT ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY.
THIS ONE LITTLE LOT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALREADY FULLY DEVELOPED AREA, I DON'T THINK WOULD REALLY AFFECT ANY OVERLAY IN THE FUTURE.
MY CONCERN WOULD BE IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO WITH AN APPROVAL NOW OR A WAIVER THAT SAYS, WE'RE WAVING FOR WHAT IS PROPOSED TO US NOW? IF THAT PROPOSAL CHANGES, LIKE SAY THEY CHANGE IT TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN A DUPLEX THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK FOR ANOTHER APPROVAL.
>> I THINK WE DID THAT PREVIOUSLY.
I THINK, MAYBE TO MAYOR ESCOBAR'S POINT, NOW THAT APPLICANT, THEY WEREN'T BUILDING ANYTHING.
THEY WERE JUST DIVIDING THE LAND.
THEY WEREN'T ACTUALLY PROPOSING TO BUILD.
WE COULD CERTAINLY PROPOSE THAT.
I WILL SAY, THAT I THINK MAYBE TO COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON'S POINT, THE MORATORIUM PER STATE LAW, IT'S GOING TO EXPIRE HERE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
ANY APPROVAL OR DENIAL WILL STAY UNDER DURATION OF THE MORATORIUM.
IF COUNCIL DID DENY THE WAIVER APPLICATION, WE'RE ONLY TALKING 120, 150 DAYS AT THIS POINT. JUST ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND.
>> K5. I MOTION TO DENY ITEM K5.
THIS WILL TAKE IT TO K6. MS. COOK.
[K6. 2025-170 Consider approving a contract with OmniWarn/Federal Signal for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of a ten-site, encrypted outdoor warning siren system, and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents; and take appropriate action. Presented by Fire Chief Shannon Stephens.]
>> K6. CONSIDER APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH OMNIWARN FEDERAL SIGNAL FOR THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A 10 SITE ENCRYPTED OUTDOOR WARNING SIREN SYSTEM, AND AUTHORIZE A CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
THE AGENDA ITEM BEFORE YOU IS TO RECEIVE A DISCUSSION AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF OUR OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS SYSTEM.
UPON MY APPOINTMENT BACK IN MARCH, I NOTICED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ISSUES WITH OUR SIREN SYSTEM.
ON MAY 8TH, I ASKED OMNIWARN TO COME OUT AND TAKE A LOOK AND JUST CONDUCT A TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT.
JUST A REAL QUICK OVERVIEW OF OUR SYSTEM.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE DIAGRAM THERE, WE CURRENTLY HAVE EIGHT AMERICAN SIGNAL SIRENS THAT SERVICE OUR CITY.
INITIALLY, THE COVERAGE MAP THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US HAD A LOT OF OVERLAP OFF OF 380.
OMNIWARN CONDUCTED A SOUND PROPAGATION STUDY, AND THIS IS OUR ACTUAL COVERAGE OF THE CITY AS IT STANDS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF COVERAGE GAPS.
ON TOP OF THAT, WE'VE GOT A COUPLE ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THE DIFFERENT MECHANICAL ASPECTS THAT NEED ATTENTION.
THE FIRST BULLET POINT HERE CAN SOUND AWFULLY SCARY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS KNOWN IN TERMS OF THESE ARE THE SIRENS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY IMMEDIATE MECHANICAL NEEDS, THAT DON'T NEED SOME MAINTENANCE AS OF NOW.
[02:40:01]
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I ASK YOU GUYS TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE ARE PRETTY COMPLEX, ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SYSTEMS. THEY'RE OUTSIDE 365 DAYS A YEAR IN TEXAS, WHICH MEANS THEY GET THE HEAT, THEY GET THE WINDS, THEY GET HAIL, THEY GET LIGHTNING, THEY GET IT ALL.THESE THINGS HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED METICULOUSLY, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO NEED A CREDIBLE SERVICE PROVIDER TO COME OUT AND CONDUCT REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO THESE SYSTEMS. WHEN WE DON'T HAVE MAINTENANCE LIKE THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE RESULT HERE.
SOME OF THE ASPECTS ARE GOING TO BE MINOR IN TERMS OF BATTERY REPLACEMENTS.
SOME OF THEM MAY APPEAR MINOR AS WE LOOK AT THIS POLE HERE, WHERE IT'S OFF BY FOUR DEGREES.
HOWEVER, WHEN A SIREN IS MEANT TO COVER ABOUT A HALF MILE RADIUS, THAT FOUR DEGREES MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF POSSIBLY HUNDREDS OF FEET IN TERMS OF ACTUAL COVERAGE.
I ASKED OMNIWARN TO PREPARE NUMBER 1, A SERIES OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
EVEN THOUGH THEY DID COME OUT IN MAY, WE WENT BACK AND FORTH A NUMBER OF TIMES TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT A LITTLE ASTERISK BY OPTION NUMBER 1.
JUST FROM THE ASPECT, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE COULD DISCUSS WITH OPTION NUMBER 1.
BUT OPTION NUMBER 1 IS TO GO AHEAD AND IMMEDIATELY CONDUCT THE REPAIRS TO THE SYSTEM AND CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE SYSTEM AT A RATE OF ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT SIRENS A YEAR UNTIL WE GET FULL CITY COVERAGE, WHICH WITH THE CURRENT MODEL OF SIRENS THAT WE HAVE WILL BE ABOUT 20 SIRENS TOTAL.
WITHIN THOSE OPTIONS. I UNDERSTAND, COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON HAD SOME INTERESTS IN TERMS OF GRANTS.
YES. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GRANTS THAT WE COULD APPLY THROUGH FIMA.
ONE OF THE MOST LIKELY ONES IS GOING TO BE BRIC, BUILDING, RESILIENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITIES.
A COUPLE OF THE OTHER GRANTS, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE FUNDED.
THE OTHER ONE IS GOING TO BE A POST DISASTER ONLY STYLE GRANT.
BUT THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THERE IF WE WANT TO LOOK AT OPTION NUMBER 1.
THE BIGGEST REQUIREMENT IS WE HAVE TO HAVE A HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN WITH COLLIN COUNTY.
OF ALL THE DIFFERENT HAZARD MITIGATION PLANS I'VE SEEN, I HAVE TO ADMIT, THIS ONE THROUGH THE COUNTY IS VERY GOOD.
I'D BE CONFIDENT THAT IF WE WANT TO PURSUE THAT WAY, WE'RE GOING TO BE EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE WITH ANY OTHER CITY.
THE OTHER OPTION IS TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SIREN SYSTEM.
WITH THAT, I KNOW THE COST COULD BE SCARY IN TERMS OF SCRAPPING EIGHT CURRENT SIRENS AND GOING 10 NEW ONES.
HOWEVER, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRICING PLAN THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, IT'S ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT MORE AFFORDABLE TO SCALE US UP.
THESE SIRENS ARE DIFFERENT, AS OPPOSED TO THE OMNIDIRECTIONAL, WHICH ARE SPEAKERS THAT BROADCAST OUT 360 DEGREES AT ONE TIME.
THIS IS YOUR TRADITIONAL AIR RAID STYLE SIREN.
WE'D ONLY NEED HALF AS MANY, I.E WE NEED 10 DIFFERENT SIRENS.
WHERE YOU REALLY START MAKING UP THE COST WOULD BE THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE.
THE DIFFERENCE OF THAT ROUGHLY THE $1,000 A YEAR YOU NEED FOR EACH SIREN SITE THAT START TO EAT UP THE COST BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
WITH THAT, I KNOW THERE ARE PROBABLY PLENTY OF QUESTIONS YOU GUYS MAY HAVE.
I GATHER YOU GUYS DID NOT GET TO CITY COUNCIL BECAUSE YOU HAVE A HUGE AFFINITY FOR OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS.
BUT BASED ON THE DIFFERENT COST ANALYSIS, WE DO RECOMMEND JUST REPLACING THE SYSTEM FROM A COST STANDPOINT.
WE ARE ELIGIBLE THROUGH A LEASE TO OWN PROGRAM TO WHERE WE CAN REPLACE THE SIRENS AS SOON AS THEY COME IN IMMEDIATELY, FULL CITY COVERAGE AS OF RIGHT NOW.
WE DON'T HAVE TO GROW INTO IT.
WE'VE GOT 100% COVERAGE OF THE EXISTING CITY LIMITS.
WE DELAY PAYMENT FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY PAYMENT DUE UNTIL ROUGHLY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.
>> CHIEF, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY, I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE CITY.
MY TENURE HERE IS PROBABLY ON OF THE LAST VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS HERE IN PRINCETON, BUT WE ACTUALLY STARTED THIS WHENEVER WE WERE A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WE ONLY HAD THREE SIRENS AT THAT TIME BEFORE WE ADDED A COUPLE OTHERS.
WE ALWAYS HAD ISSUES WITH A COUPLE OF THEM.
ALWAYS GOING DOWN, WHETHER IT WAS THE BATTERIES OR WHETHER ANTS GETTING INTO THEM.
FIRE ANTS AROUND HERE ARE PRETTY DAMAGING.
PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANALOG RADIOS AND DIGITAL RADIOS.
DIGITAL IS EASIER TO ENCRYPT, SO IT'S PROTECTED.
ALSO THE ANALOG, SOMETIMES THE RANGE ON THAT BECAUSE PEOPLE TRY TO THINK THAT,
[02:45:08]
WELL, YOU SET OFF THE SIRENS, IT'S AN ELECTRIC WIRE RUN INTO IT.IT'S A RADIO TRANSMISSION TO ALL THESE BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY CLEAR WAY TO DO THAT BECAUSE IF POWER GOES OUT, EVEN THOUGH IT'S GOT BATTERY BACKUP AND ALL THAT, BUT YOU STILL NEED THAT RADIO TRANSMISSION.
IT'S LIKE THE OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS ARE FOR PEOPLE OUTDOORS TO TELL YOU TO GO INDOORS.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY THAT.
IN THE SAME WAY, ALWAYS RECOMMEND NO WEATHER RADIOS BECAUSE LOTS OF PEOPLE SAY, WELL, I'VE GOT THIS APP ON MY CELL PHONE THAT'S GOING TO WARN ME.
IT'S GOING TO DO THAT. WELL, THESE ARE STREAMING.
IF YOU'RE STREAMING STUFF AND IT'S STREAMING TO YOUR PHONE, THERE'S A DELAY.
SOMETIMES COULD BE UP TO A MINUTE DELAY BEFORE YOU GET IT.
BUT WITH NO WEATHER RADIOS, IT'S IMMEDIATE BROADCAST.
IT'S A RADIO AND IT'S IMMEDIATE.
JUST LIKE THIS IS, WHENEVER THESE SIRENS ARE SET OFF, YOU DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON SOMETHING THAT'S STREAMING WHERE THERE MIGHT BE SOME DELAY.
IT'S A RADIO BROADCAST AND SETS THESE SIRENS OFF.
BUT I THINK THIS IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE THIS COVERAGE LIKE THIS.
I'M ALL ABOUT WEATHER, I GUESS YOU MIGHT SAY, AND MONITORING THE SEVERE WEATHER.
I LIKE THIS PLAN, THE LEASE PURCHASE PLAN THAT WE CAN GET IT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY, WELL, WE'RE GETTING OUT OF THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM SEASON.
BUT WE'RE NOT BECAUSE WE'VE HAD SOME DEADLY TORNADOES IN DECEMBER.
AT ANY TIME, WE CAN HAVE SEVERE WEATHER HERE.
JUST WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND IT MAY BE SNOWING TOMORROW.
BUT CHIEF, I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. I APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
ONE THING TO DE-EMPHASIZE ON YOUR REMARK ABOUT SWITCHING FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL.
THAT'S ACTUALLY A COMPONENT OF BOTH PLANS.
BASED ON YOUR DIRECTION, WE CAN LOOK AT OPTION 1, WE CAN EVEN UNDO THE DIGITAL SWITCH.
HOWEVER, I VIEW THAT AS A BASE PRACTICE MINIMUM.
THIS PLAN ALSO OR BOTH PLANS ALSO INCLUDE AN ADDED REDUNDANCY TO WHERE IT'LL SWITCH OVER TO THE CELLULAR NETWORK IN THE EVENT OF A RADIO FAILURE.
ON TOP OF THAT, THESE SYSTEMS ALLOW CLOUD BASED ACTIVATION FROM ANY OF OUR COMMAND STAFF.
AS OF RIGHT NOW, OUR ON DUTY BATTALION CHIEF IS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE THE SIRENS.
WELL, DURING STORM EVENTS, HE MAY BE VERY BUSY AND WON'T HAVE TIME.
THIS WILL ALLOW ANY STAFF MEMBER TO ACTIVATE THE SIRENS FROM THEIR PHONES.
>> THANKS CHIEF FOR THE INFORMATION.
YES, I THINK WE DO ALL SIT UP ALL DAY ALL NIGHT AND THINK ABOUT.
[LAUGHTER] I JUST WANT TO CORRECT YOU ON THAT.
THIS IS ALL WE THINK ABOUT. BUT WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM K6 USING THE RECOMMENDED.
>> OPTION 2 TO APPROVE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH OMNIWARN FEDERAL SIGNAL.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE ITEM K6, WITH RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 2, APPROVING THE CITY MANAGER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THESE ITEMS.
I WILL TAKE IT INTO K7. THANK YOU.
MS. COOK. MS. COOK IN THE BACK.
>> YOU GOT IT. K7 2025-07-14-R08.
[K7. 2025-07-14-R08 Consider approving Resolution No. 2025-07-14-R08, amending Resolution No. 2025-04-28-R10 by updating Committee appointments and specifying a quorum requirement; and take appropriate action.]
CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-7-14-R08, AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-04-28-R10 BY UPDATING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT, AND SPECIFYING A QUORUM REQUIREMENT, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.>> HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, I'LL JUST BRIEFLY INTRODUCE THIS ITEM.
THIS RESOLUTION 2025-07-14-R08.
IT AMENDS THE EXHIBIT A FROM THE APPOINTMENT RESOLUTION BACK IN END OF APRIL OF THIS YEAR, WHERE COUNCIL APPOINTED THE HOME RULE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY MADE UP OF 23 MEMBERS.
BUT SINCE THAT DATE, WE'VE HAD THE CITY RECEIVED WRITTEN RESIGNATIONS FROM FIVE MEMBERS.
[02:50:05]
JUST IN ORDER TO UPDATE THE EXHIBIT A LIST OF REGULAR MEMBERS AND TO SPECIFY A NEW QUORUM REQUIREMENTS.WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF INSTANCES WHERE WE'VE CUT IT CLOSE ON A QUORUM, AND THEN ALSO CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL OF APPOINTING ALTERNATE MEMBERS IN CASE WE KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE REGULAR MEMBERS THAT WON'T BE THERE.
LIKE I SAID, THIS RESOLUTION MODIFIES THE LISA REGULAR MEMBERS, CONSIDERS APPOINTING ALTERNATE MEMBERS, AND SPECIFIES A CORE REQUIREMENT FOR THE HOME RULE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE VICE CHAIRPERSON ELLIS IS HERE THIS EVENING, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR RECOMMENDATION.
>> GOOD EVENING. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THAT WE SET A QUORUM AT 10.
THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, WE DID STRUGGLE GETTING TO 12.
BUT WE DEFINITELY HAD 10 ALTERNATES.
I THINK IT WOULD BE ALTERNATES ARE OKAY.
JUST AT THIS POINT IN TIME OF WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE CHARTER.
IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT ONE ADDING A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND TWO GETTING THEM UP TO SPEED TO WHERE WE'RE AT.
THESE CURRENT 18, THIS IS EVERYBODY, CORRECT?
>> I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DROP THE QUORUM DOWN.
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T SHOW UP MAJORITY OF TIME, BUT THEY CAN BE AN ALTERNATE THAT'S BEEN ON THIS ALREADY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE MISSING PEOPLE ALMOST EVERY MEETING.
IF IT'S THE SAME GROUP, MAYBE THEY CAN BE THE ALTERNATES AND JUST HAVE, INSTEAD OF BRINGING SOMEBODY ELSE IN, IS THAT POSSIBLE?
>> OR GRANT IF YOU COULD HELP ME OUT HERE.
IS THE QUORUM FOR THIS NUMBER, DOES IT HAVE TO BE 10? BECAUSE I THINK WE CAN RESOLVE OUR ISSUE IF THERE'S AN OPTION TO MAKE THE QUORUM SEVEN.
>> THAT TOO, BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN TOPICS.
>> THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS STEP OUT FOR.
THAT WOULD LEAVE US POTENTIALLY AT SEVEN.
>> THAT HAS HAPPENED ALREADY, WHERE THEY STEPPED OUT AND YOU GUYS DIDN'T MEET QUORUM?
>> CORRECT. WE'VE HAD TO TABLE A TOPIC TWICE NOW DUE TO THAT.
>> I THINK COUNCIL COULD ADJUST THE QUORUM REQUIREMENT.
RIGHT NOW, IT SAYS A MAJORITY.
TO MISS ELLIS'S POINT, IT WOULD BE 10, BUT I THINK WE COULD SPECIFY A NEW QUORUM REQUIREMENT, POTENTIALLY.
THEN ALSO, THERE'S A LIST OF FOUR POTENTIAL ALTERNATES. YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
YOU COULD APPROVE THE RESOLUTION WITHOUT APPOINTING ALTERNATES, IF THAT'S THE ROUTE THAT COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO GO.
>> LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION, GRANT, AND MAYBE ARE YOU ALL MEETINGS, STATED MEETINGS, REGULAR MEETINGS ON A REGULAR DATE.
LIKE I'M SAYING, LIKE IT'S THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH?
>> JUMPS AROUND. BUT IF YOU HAD A REGULAR STATED MEETING THAT EACH MEETING THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD ON THIS DAY, AND IT'S NOT A CALLED MEETING. IT'S STATED.
>> WORDS LIKE THAT, THEN YOU COULD ACTUALLY PROBABLY WE COULD PROBABLY MAKE A MOTION THAT WHOEVER'S PRESENT AT THAT STATED MEETING, BECAUSE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THAT'S WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE REPRESENTS A QUORUM, PERIOD.
IF YOU MET ON SPECIFIC DATES, LIKE THE LAST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?
>> CORRECT. YES. RIGHT NOW, WE DO MEET WEEKLY.
JUST UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO OTHER MEETINGS, AND GRANT, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT DUE TO OTHER SCHEDULED MEETINGS, THAT HAS PREVENTED US FROM HAVING CONSISTENT SAME-DAY LIKE EVERY WEEK.
>> IS THERE A POSSIBILITY BEFORE WE GO TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD THAT HAVE SPECIFIC DATES THAT SET IN STONE, THAT THESE ARE GOING TO. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THESE ARE GOING TO BE THE MEETING, DATES AND THEY HAVE BYLAWS, GRANT, AND THAT COULD BE WRITTEN IN THEIR BYLAWS, AND THIS WHAT IT IS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CITY STAFF AND GRANT.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES BECAME, AND AGAIN, GRANT, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
WHEN THE EDC AND CDC CHANGED THEIR MEETING DATES, SO THAT AFFECTED WHEN WE WERE MEETING.
[02:55:04]
>> [INAUDIBLE] ESTEVA. SHE'S IN THOSE MEETINGS, AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIND THOSE, AND SHE'S DOING THAT ON THE FLY AS MEETINGS ARE BEING SCHEDULED ON THE CALENDAR.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE IT'S A MOVING GOAL POST FOR US TO FIND THAT.
I WOULDN'T WANT TO IMPACT ANYTHING THAT CDC AND EDC DOES BECAUSE THIS IS A TEMPORARY COMMITTEE.
>> HAVING TO MOVE THESE AROUND IS PART OF THE GIG.
I DON'T MIND LEAVING IT LIKE THAT, AND THEN IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY EVERY WEEK TO REVIEW EVERYBODY'S SCHEDULES AND GET SOME BUY-IN FOR THE NEXT ONE.
>> I AGREE IN A CERTAIN WAY, BUT YOU HAVE BETTER ATTENDANCE IF THE MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED ON A SPECIFIC DATE EACH AND EVERY TIME.
IT'S LIKE OUR CITY COUNCIL, WE DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT MONDAY THIS WEEK.
WELL, LET'S HAVE IT WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK OR NEXT TIME.
WE'VE ALREADY GOT OUR SCHEDULES SET OUT, AND MOST PEOPLE DO THAT.
THEY HAVE SCHEDULES. THEY HAVE CERTAIN THINGS.
HERE'S NOT THE ONLY THING THEY'VE GOT TO DO AND BE BETTER IF THEY HAD A SCHEDULED MEETING, EVEN IF THEY HAD TO JUST MEET TWICE A MONTH, BUT IF IT'D BE THE SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS, THAT WAY, THEN IT'D BE EASIER ON THE QUORUM.
MORE PEOPLE THEY COULD SET THEIR SCHEDULE, PROBABLY MORE PEOPLE WOULD ATTEND IF THEY HAD THAT.
BUT IF YOU'RE JUST JUMPING AROUND, THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO MEET, THEY'RE GIVEN MAYBE THREE DAYS NOTICE, AND THEY CAN'T CHANGE THEIR SCHEDULES.
>> THE WAY IT'S WORKED AT THIS POINT IS AT THE END OF EACH COMMITTEE MEETING, THERE'S AN AGENDA ITEM WHERE THE COMMITTEE DELIBERATES AND THEY SET THE NEXT MEETING.
JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE 23 MEMBERS, AND THE CITY'S JUST THERE'S EDC, CDC, COUNCIL, P AND Z, BYLAWS COMMITTEE.
THERE'S JUST SO MANY MEETINGS GOING ON.
THAT'S HOW THEY'VE APPROACHED IT UP TO THIS POINT, SUCH A NEXT MEETING AT THE CURRENT MEETING.
>> IT HAS WORKED SUCCESSFULLY.
A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN ATTENDING HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DUE TO EMERGENCIES OR FAMILY CHALLENGES THAT CAME UP AT THAT MOMENT THAT WHETHER IT WAS SCHEDULED OR NOT, THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE THERE.
>> ANOTHER COMPETING ISSUE, A CONVENIENT ISSUE IS THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.
IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH, WE'RE SCHEDULING THE MEETINGS EVERY WEEK, SO AT LEAST WE CAN GET THROUGH THE CHARTER, AND THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE MEETINGS THAT WE CAN SUMMARIZE AND GO OVER TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE THE ISSUES WE REALLY NEED TO GO ON THE BALLOT.
IT'S JUST WE'RE NOT ABLE TO HAVE IT CONSISTENTLY, METHODICALLY, ON ONE PARTICULAR DAY OF THE WEEK.
NO ONE HAS REALLY HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT AT LEAST [INAUDIBLE].
>> THERE HASN'T BEEN A CHALLENGE FROM ANY COMMITTEE MEMBER SETTING THE NEXT MEETING DATE.
IT'S ACTUALLY WORKED OUT VERY WELL.
>> I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT WE TRYING TO HIT, I GUESS THE NOVEMBER DATE, BUT WE STILL HAVE MAY AS WELL.
I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT I KNOW WE HAD THAT TIMELINE, BUT WE STILL HAVE ADDITIONAL TIME IF WE NEED, AND WE CAN GRANT THAT ADDITIONAL TIME.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON THAT IF WE COULD ACTUALLY GO 10-7 BEING A QUORUM SO THAT WHEN THE THREE COUNCIL MEMBERS STEP OUT BASED ON THE TOPIC, WE STILL HAVE A QUORUM.
>> YEAH, I GUESS AT THIS TIME, I SAY ANY MOTION.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATIONS OF THOSE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS AND MOVE THAT THE QUORUM IS SEVEN.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WITH NO ALTERNATE APPOINTEES?
[K8. 2025-171 Consider approving a request for items to be placed on a future agenda and NOT for discussion of these requests]
>> THANK YOU, MAXIE. LET'S TAKE ON THE ITEM K8.
CONSIDER APPROVING REQUESTS FOR ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE FUTURE AGENDA, AND NOT FOR DISCUSSION OF THESE REQUESTS.
[03:00:02]
IF ANYBODY HAS ANY REQUESTS FOR A FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS? IF NOT, THIS WILL TAKE US TO ITEM L REPORT AGENDA.[L. REPORT AGENDA]
NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE MONDAY, JULY 28TH, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M. NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, AUGUST 19TH, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M. NEXT REGULAR CDC MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M.THE NEXT P&Z MEETING WILL BE MONDAY, JULY 21ST, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M.
THE NEXT AT COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JULY 16TH, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M. NEXT HRC REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH, 2025 AT 6:00 P.M. NEXT REGULAR LIBRARY BOARD MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY, AUGUST 21ST, 2025 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THIS TIME,
[I. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
THIS WILL TAKE US TO EXECUTIVE.EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER THE TERMS OF CHAPTER 551 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
THE CITY COUNCIL MAY ENTER INTO A CLOSED SESSION OR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING.
SECTION 551.071 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY.
FOR 599 WEST PRINCETON DRIVE AND NORTH COLIN SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT VERSUS THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
ALSO, SECTION 551.072, THE GOVERNMENT BODY MAY CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING TO DELIBERATE PURCHASE EXCHANGE LEASE OF OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY.
THIS WOULD BE FOR PRINCETON PROFESSIONAL PARK AND FUTURE LAND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
UNDER SECTION 551.087 TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THIS CHAPTER DOES NOT REQUIRE A GOVERNMENT BODY TO CONDUCT AN OPEN MEETING TO DISCUSS OR DELIBERATE A REGARDING COMMERCIAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT BODY HAS RECEIVED FROM A BUSINESS PROSPECT THAT THE GOVERNMENT BODY SEEKS TO HAVE LOCATE, STAY, OR EXPAND IN OR NEAR THE TERRITORY OF THE GOVERNMENT'S BODY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENTS BODY IS CONDUCTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS.
THIS WOULD BE FOR PRINCETON PROFESSIONAL PARK.
THE TIME IS 10:06, THIS WOULD TAKE US INTO EXECUTIVE.
[J. ACTION PERTAINING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION]
THE TIME IS 10:48.THIS WOULD TAKE US OUT OF EXECUTIVE.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> YOUR HONOR, MAKE A MOTION TO IMPROVE THE INCENTIVES FOR PRINCETON PROFESSIONAL PARK AS DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> FOR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, I HAVE TO ABSTAIN.
AT THIS TIME, I'LL ENTERTAIN THE MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> YOU MAKE THAT MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> ANY NAMES? THE TIME IT'S 10:49.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.