[*Portions of this meeting are not available]
[00:00:02]
>> WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED. I CALL TO ORDER THIS PRE COUNCIL MEETING.
[A. CALL TO ORDER-MAYOR]
TODAY IS MONDAY, AUGUST 11TH, 2025.LET'S START WITH OUR ROLL CALL.
MS. DAVID GRAVES IS RUNNING LATE. MR. JOHNSON?
>> MS. TODD IS RUNNING LATE, MR. WASHINGTON.
>> THIS WILL TAKE IT TO OUR WORK SET SESSION,
[C. WORK SESSION AGENDA]
AND WE'LL START WITH C12025-199 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CURRENT PROTOCOLS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR CONDUCTING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, AND WE'LL HAND OVER THE GRANT.>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
THE FIRST ITEM TONIGHT IS TO GO OVER LEGAL PROTOCOLS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THIS WAS AT THE REQUEST OF THE MAYOR.
FIRST OFF, I KNOW YOU GUYS KNOW A LOT OF THIS, BUT IT'S NEVER A BAD THING TO HAVE A REFRESHER.
WHAT IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION OR CLOSED MEETING AS THE STATUTE PROVIDES A DESIGNATED PORTION OF THE MEETING HELD BY A GOVERNMENTAL BODY WHERE CERTAIN SENSITIVE TOPICS CAN BE DISCUSSED PRIVATELY OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND LEGAL INTEGRITY OF CERTAIN MATTERS.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION WOULD BE POTENTIALLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE CITY'S POSITION, SUCH AS PURCHASING REAL PROPERTY OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEAL NEGOTIATIONS, AND IT COULD POTENTIALLY WAIVE THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE ON CERTAIN MATTER BECAUSE DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES THAT'S NOT WITHIN PRIVILEGE OF THE ATTORNEY CLIENT COULD WAIVE THE SUBJECT MATTER.
THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 551 SUBCHAPTER D PROVIDES CERTAIN NARROWLY DRAWN EXCEPTIONS TO AUTHORIZING DELIBERATIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THE SIX THAT YOU GUYS WILL SEE MOST FREQUENTLY OR THE SIX THAT ARE LISTED RIGHT HERE.
ONCE AGAIN, THESE ARE PROVIDED BY UNDER STATE LAW.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THE CITY ADOPTS, INDIVIDUALLY, STATE LAW GOVERNS THIS, SO 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH PENDING OR CONTEMPLATED LITIGATION AND OR SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE FROM AN ATTORNEY OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD INVOKE THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE.
IT'S NOT JUST LIMITED TO LITIGATION OR PENDING LITIGATION HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU, WHERE YOU'RE SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE.
OTHER WOULD BE DELIBERATION REGARDING REAL PROPERTY.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, VALUE, OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY, IF PUBLIC DISCUSSION WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH THIRD PARTY.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS COULD IMPACT PURCHASE PRICE, ETC.
THAT'S WHY YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO THAT BACK BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
THE THIRD BEING DELIBERATION REGARDING PROSPECTIVE GIFTS.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH MAYBE A NEGOTIATED CONTRACT OR DONATIONS TO THE CITY, WHETHER IT'S SOMEONE DONATING LAND OR EQUIPMENT, ETC.
FOURTH BEING PERSONNEL MATTERS UNDER 551.074.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE APPOINTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, EVALUATION, REASSIGNMENT, DUTIES, DISCIPLINE, DISMISSAL, OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING A PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE.
ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS WHEN YOU'RE POSTING UNDER 551.074, YOU HAVE TO LIST THE INDIVIDUAL'S NAME OR TITLE BECAUSE THEY'RE ENTITLED TO A PUBLIC HEARING IF YOU'RE POSTED UNDER PERSONNEL.
THERE'S SPECIFIC RULES REGARDING 551.074, 551.076, DELIBERATION REGARDING SECURITY DEVICES OR SECURITY AUDITS.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN SECURITY DEVICES BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THIS MATTER MAY IMPACT THE CITY'S OVERALL SECURITY.
THEN LASTLY, 551.087, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALREADY LOCATED IN OR NEAR THE CITY, OR THE COUNCIL DISCUSSING A POTENTIAL FINANCIAL OFFER OR INCENTIVE.
THOSE ARE THE SIX MAIN PROVISIONS ALLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
I BRIEFLY OUTLINED THE PROCEDURES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSIONS AND THE BEFORE, THE DURING, AND THE AFTER.
IN ORDER TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING, YOU HAVE TO NOTICE IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT BECAUSE EXECUTIVE SESSION CAN ONLY BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH A NOTICE MEETING.
A QUORUM OF COUNCIL MUST FIRST CONVENE AN OPEN SESSION AT A DULY NOTICE AND POSTED MEETING.
THEN THE MAYOR OR THE PRESIDING OFFICER ANNOUNCES THE BEGINNING OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, OUT IN OPEN SESSION AND THEN IDENTIFIES AND CITES TO THE LEGAL PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
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THIS INFORMS THE PUBLIC OF THE LEGAL BASIS THAT WE'RE RELYING UPON TO GO BACK IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE DURING.YOU CAN INCLUDE OR EXCLUDE CERTAIN PEOPLE AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW, AS A REMINDER.
THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE ENTITLED BY RIGHT TO BE BACK IN EXECUTIVE SESSION BE THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
THEN IF YOU'RE CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY BACK THERE.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS MERELY DISCUSSION.
YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY VOTE OR ACTION.
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS THE DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO DULY NOTICED AND POSTED TOPICS.
THERE ARE CERTAIN PENALTIES AND REMEDIES THAT ARE IN PLACE IF YOU GO OUTSIDE OF WHAT'S NOTICE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, SUCH AS THE ACTION CAN BE INVALIDATED, AND THE MEMBERS CAN BE SUBJECT TO A CLASS B OR CLASS C MISDEMEANOR.
THAT'S JUST ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND.
A CONFIDENTIAL CERTIFIED AGENDA OR RECORDING IS KEPT BY THE CITY SECRETARY.
THAT'S MAINTAINED FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
THE CERTIFIED AGENDA IS CONFIDENTIAL, IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE VIA A COURT ORDER.
WHAT THE CERTIFIED AGENDA DOES IS IT INCLUDES A STATEMENT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER, THE DELIBERATION, A RECORD OF ANY ACTIONS TAKEN, OF COURSE, ACTIONS HAVE TO BE TAKEN IN OPEN SESSION, NOT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND THEN THE START AND END TIME OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THEN AT THE END OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE MAYOR OR THE PRESIDING OFFICER CERTIFIES THAT AGENDA, THAT IT MEETS ALL THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
THAT'S A STATE LAW REQUIREMENT.
THEN THE AFTER THE MAYOR ANNOUNCES THE ENDING OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND OPEN SESSION.
THEN ANY FORMAL COUNCIL ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN OUT IN OPEN SESSION.
THEN THE LAST LITTLE BULLET POINT I HAVE UP HERE IS JUST A REMINDER TO NOT DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION DISCUSSED.
DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION IS THERE'S CERTAIN PENALTIES INVOLVED, BUT ALSO IT COULD WAIVE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND MAY POSSIBLY IMPACT THE CITY'S POSITION ON A CERTAIN MATTER.
I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION. I WENT FAST.
I KNOW WE GOT A LOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS TOPIC?
WHEN WE'RE AN EXECUTIVE AND LET'S JUST SAY WE'RE BACK THERE FOR ATTORNEY, ASKING OUR ATTORNEY QUESTIONS, ALL THE QUESTIONS FROM US, ALL EIGHT OF US, SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD YOU, NOT EACH OTHER?
>> THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME DELIBERATION.
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO BE BETWEEN US THE ENTIRE TIME.
IT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME RELATION TO YOU SEE GETTING A LEGAL ADVICE.
IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE LIKE I SAID, A 11 DIALOGUE.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME DELIBERATION AMONGST COUNSEL MEMBERS.
BUT IF WE'RE GOING BACK THERE FOR ATTORNEY CLIENT CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY, ONLY, IT NEEDS TO HAVE SOME RELATION TO SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE.
>> I THINK THAT WAS THAT WAS IT.
>> THANK YOU. THAT MOVE US TO C2 2025.
THAT'S 200, DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION REGARDING LIBRARY OPTIONS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL ON NEXT STEPS.
>> GOOD EVENING. TONIGHT WE'RE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR DOWNTOWN LIBRARY.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN YOUR MEMO, THE 2023 GO BOND DESIGNATED $1 MILLION FOR THE EXISTING LIBRARY.
ONCE YOU SELL THE BONDS, YOU HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME, YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS TO SPEND THOSE BONDS.
I KNOW YOU ALL REQUESTED A STATUS UPDATE TO WHERE WE ARE.
WE SHOULD HAVE MOST OF THAT INFORMATION BACK BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.
OUR PLAN IS, NOW, OF COURSE, THIS IS A CUTE LITTLE IMAGE WE GOT FROM GOOGLE.
THERE'S NOTHING PERFECT OR FANCY OR BINDING TO THE IMAGE.
YOU WANT TO SCROLL TO THE NEXT.
BUT I DID WANT TO PROVIDE SOME QUICK FACTS.
WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A STATUS UPDATE, WHICH IS TONIGHT, THE BUILDING ITSELF IS ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE FEET.
THE ACREAGE OF LAND IS RATHER CONSTRICTED.
WE KNOW WE HAVE $1,000,000 DEDICATED FOR THIS SPECIFIC ADDRESS.
THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WAS SENT OUT.
THEN THE NEXT. HERE'S THE NEXT STEP PLAN.
WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE BOARD.
I KNOW WE HAVE A COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF, AND WE NEED TO COME UP WITH SOME CONCEPTS, AND THEN WE SHOW IT TO THE COUNCIL.
I KNOW $1 MILLION IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY BECAUSE IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT IN THE WORLD OF COMMERCIAL RENOVATION, THAT WILL GO PRETTY QUICKLY.
BUT THOSE ARE THE PARAMETERS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.
I HAVE OUR LIBRARY DIRECTOR HERE,
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I HAVE OUR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER HERE.IF WE WANT TO TALK MORE THINGS SPECIFIC TO THE LIBRARY, BUT FOR JUST AN UPDATE TO THE ACTUAL FOOTPRINT OF THE BUILDING AND THE GO BOND, THOSE ARE THE PARAMETERS THAT WE HAVE.
YOU HAVE FIVE YEARS TO SPEND IT.
THAT MEANS WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO DO A MASSIVE RENOVATION.
BUT EITHER WAY, WE'RE GOING TO BRING IDEAS TO YOU ALL.
ALL CAN MAKE SOME CHOICES THIS FALL, AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEPS.
THE SLIDE BEFORE THIS, AMBER HAS.
THEN THE NEXT ONE. RENOVATE EXISTING LIBRARY TO.
THIS IS JUST I FEEL LIKE A PICTURE IS A LOT BETTER THAN ME EXPLAINING THINGS TO YOU OR READING WORDS.
THIS LITTLE LIBRARY DOES A LOT OF THINGS DURING THE YEAR.
IF YOU AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH IT, THEY HOST THINGS OUT AT VETERANS PARK.
THEY HOST THINGS AT CADWELL PARK.
WE HAD 1,000 PEOPLE AT A PARKS AND REC EVENT.
THEY HAVE A SUMMER READING PROGRAM.
THEY HAVE OVER 10,000 MEMBERS, SOME ARE RESIDENTS, SOME ARE NOT RESIDENTS.
GLENDA CAN TELL YOU ALL ABOUT THOSE THINGS, BUT THIS LOIS B LIBRARY PACKS A PUNCH.
IT COULD BE BIGGER. THE REALITY IS WE NEED A LOT MORE MONEY TO MAKE IT BIGGER.
THE 1 MILLION WILL GET YOU A RE SCANNED RENOVATION.
IF YOU WANT TO BE BIGGER, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO GET ANOTHER BOND. IT'S A REALITY OF IT.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND HAPPY TO BRING BACK SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT IN THE FALL. I'D SAY A MONTH OR TWO.
WE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION BY OCTOBER.
IN THE FUTURE, WE SHOULD CONSIDER A BOND.
DARE I SAY. I KNOW WE USE A B WORD A LOT OF BONDS.
>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY DO AN EXCELLENT JOB THERE.
I ACTUALLY ATTEND SOME OF THE EVENTS, OR INVITED TO DO A FEW THINGS, BUT THEY ARE OUT OF ROOM.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE COULD DO TO ENLARGE IT.
MORE PROPERTY AND ALSO MORE PARKING BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.
ALSO I THINK IT ALREADY IS AN ISSUE ON SOME DAYS.
GLENDA AND HER STAFF, THEY DO A OUTSTANDING JOB DOWN THERE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE.
>> THEY DO. THEY PACK A BUNCH.
THEY DO A LOT OF WORK WITH THEM.
THE LITTLE BITTY LIBRARY, WE CAN CALL IT. BUT IT CAN BE BETTER.
>> I THINK THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A BOND, HONESTLY, I KNOW WE HAVE TO DO THAT.
HONESTLY, I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR CITIZENS WILL BE OPPOSED TO.
I THINK THAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT THAT.
BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE AS SMART AS WE CAN WITH THAT $1 MILLION, RIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGN AND JUST THE EFFICIENCY OF WHATEVER WE DO IN THERE.
BUT I AGREE THE LIBRARY DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB, AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S A EFFICIENT.
>> I WISH WE HAD MORE MONEY, BUT THIS IS THE PARAMETER.
THIS IS THE BUDGET, SO WE WILL HAVE TO DO WITH IT FOR THIS YEAR.
>> UNTIL WE GET SOME MORE DOLLARS IN THE DOOR.
>> I DO, AS FAR AS THE VALUE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN GET OUT OF THERE.
I KNOW MISS GLENDA, AND HER STAFF DOES A WONDERFUL JOB ALL HANDS ON DECK, WORKING WITH WHAT THEY CAN.
I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, WHEN PROPOSING THESE AMENITIES OR CHANGES TO IT, WOULD IT PROBABLY BE BETTER SUITED TO WORK WITH STAFF IN TERMS OF WHAT ITEMS THEY CAN SEE OR HOW THEY CAN GET CREATIVE WITH THE $1 MILLION IN TERMS OF UTILIZING AS MUCH OF THAT SPACE AS POSSIBLE, AND THEN BRINGING THAT TO COUNCIL AS FAR AS WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FOR THAT?
>> YES. THE GOAL IS TO WORK WITH STAFF IN THE LIBRARY BOARD, STAFF, CITY STAFF, MYSELF, OUR CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE, THE DESIGN FIRM.
WE'D LIKE TO BRING EVERYBODY IN BEFORE WE COME TO COUNCIL, SO WE CAN LET YOU ALL KNOW ALL THE VOICES THAT WERE HEARD AND THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE FINAL CONCEPT.
>> THANK YOU, ADISON. IT JUST MAKES IT EASIER.
>> TO GET THE INTEL OF ALL OF THOSE, SPITBALLING, THROWING THINGS AGAINST THE WALL.
SEE WHAT'S BRINGING IN GOING FROM THERE.
>> DEFINITELY. I LOVE READING, I LOVE BOOKS, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RUN A LIBRARY.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO PEOPLE THAT DO.
WE'RE GOING TO GET THEIR INPUT, WE GET THE BOARD'S INPUT. ABSOLUTELY.
>> I'M IN LINE EXACTLY WITH COUNCILMAN JOHNSON.
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I WAS GOING TO ASK IF LIBRARY STAFF WAS GOING TO BE A PART OF THAT AND HOW REALLY THE $1 MILLION WAS GOING TO BE SPENT.I'M NOT TELLING YOU ALL HOW TO DO THE MEETING OR HOW TO CONDUCT IT, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM LIBRARY STAFF, IF YOU COULD PICK ONE BIG WISH LIST TICKET ITEM, WHAT IS IT THAT IS GOING TO HELP YOU WITH THAT LIBRARY EXPANSION, THE MOST THAT WE CAN FIT WITHIN THIS MILLION.
REALLY, I THINK THEIR VOICE IS GOING TO BE HUGE WITH THIS LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE THEY'RE IN IT DAY IN AND DAY OUT, AND THEY'RE RUNNING IT.
I THINK THEY KNOW WHAT REALLY THEY NEED RIGHT NOW.
THEN THEY CAN PUT A WISH LIST TOGETHER IF WE HAVE ANOTHER BOND, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN'T FIT WITHIN THIS ONE, WHAT'S ON THAT WISH LIST.
>> WELL, WE ALREADY HAVE IT WORKING.
>> [LAUGHTER] GLENDA ALREADY HAS A FOLDER FOR NOW AND FOR FUTURE.
WISH LIST, IT'S REALLY LONG, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS.
GLENDA AND I STARTED WORKING TOGETHER, AND SHE'S ALREADY GOT A FOLDER FILLED WITH WISHES FROM OTHER LIBRARIES.
THINGS WITHIN A 4,000 SQUARE FOOT AND THINGS FOR A FUTURE, SO WE HAVE BOTH.
>> THAT'S GOOD. DO WE HAVE OPTIONS? I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WE'RE GOING TO EVEN ENTERTAIN ANOTHER BOND FOR THAT SPACE? DO WE HAVE O SPACE TO EVEN EXPAND? IF LET'S JUST SAY WE DID HAVE THE MONEY? IS THAT WE EVEN HAVE THE SPACE TO EXPAND THERE? BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND A MILLION IN THAT BUILDING RIGHT NOW.
BUT THEN IN A FUTURE PROBABLY HAVE TO MOVE AGAIN, SO HOW DID THAT WORK? BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE NEED A BIGGER LIBRARY, AND WE'RE OUTGROWN THAT ONE BY FAR.
>> THE BOND LANGUAGE DICTATES WE HAVE TO SPEND IT AT THIS PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
IF YOU SPEND IT AT THIS PHYSICAL ADDRESS, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS YOU MAKE IT AS PRETTY AS YOU CAN, BUT YOU ALSO PUT MONEY INTO THINGS THAT YOU CAN TAKE ELSEWHERE WITH YOU.
THAT'S WHERE THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW LIBRARIES FUNCTION AND THEIR PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES AND THE ASSETS WITHIN THE LIBRARY CAN TRANSFER TO A FUTURE PROJECT AT ANOTHER ADDRESS.
>> NOW, ARE WE DOING ANY OF I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME REPAIRS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE LIBRARY AS WELL.
>> REPAIRS. YES. WE HAVE A FULL FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF THE LIBRARY.
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IS WE HAVE THOSE NUMBERS?
>> DO YOU REMEMBER, IS THAT UNDER US.
WE WOULD MOST CERTAINLY ROLL IT IN.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE TOTAL WAS THAT 30 OR UNDER 50? ALL THOSE REPAIRS?
>> BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE TO SPEND THIS 11 MILLION HERE, SO I AGREE WITH FINDING THINGS THAT WE CAN POTENTIALLY MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THAT POINT.
>> WE ARE. THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO FIX AT THE LIBRARY, JUST SPEAKING JUST FROM REPAIRS ONLY IF YOU DIDN'T DO THE $1 MILLION BOND.
THOSE THINGS, WE KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE.
THEY WILL BE ADDRESSED, AND THEN RENOVATION BOTH.
>> THERE'S NO OPTIONS IN THAT CURRENT SPACE TO EXPAND OUT BACK OR?
>> WE DON'T OWN A WHOLE LOT OF THE LAND SURROUNDING IT, SO WE WILL BRING YOU SOME OPTIONS.
BUT THE EXPANSION IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED.
BUT WHEN WE BRING OPTIONS, YOU'LL SEE A FOOTPRINT IN THE BOUNDARY LINE OF WHAT WE OWN.
>> YOU MENTIONED THERE'S A SHOT CLOCK ON SPENDING THIS MONEY?
>> DO WE HAVE TO SPEND THIS MONEY?
I'VE ASKED THAT A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS BECAUSE I JUST WASN'T SURELY SATISFIED, AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE ANSWER IS YES, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YOU'RE AUTHORIZED UP TO THE ONE MILLION.
I THINK IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY, YES [LAUGHTER] BEING AUTHORIZED AND HAVING SUSPEND IT IS WE HAVE THERE ARE SOME TYPE OF PENALTIES FOR SPENDING IT.
BECAUSE LIKE I SAID IF WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR ANOTHER BOND, I'D RATHER NOT TAKE THAT BOND OUT AND JUST GET WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED.
IF THERE'S NOT A PENALTY IN IT, I THINK THAT WE'RE DOUBLE SPENDING AT THIS TIME.
>> I THINK THE OPINION WHEN WE ASKED, IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND ONE MILLION OR YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT AT THIS ADDRESS BECAUSE YOU KEPT ASKING THE SAME QUESTION.
>> NOT AS THE ADDRESS, BUT JUST NOT EVEN TAKING THAT ONE, JUST GOING TO GET A NEW BOND FOR THE LIBRARY, BUT NOT SPENDING THAT ONE MILLION AT ALL.
>> GETTING A NEW BOND, YOU MEAN? IT'S THE DEBT CAPACITY, I THINK, WAS THE QUESTION FOR THIS DAY AND AGE.
>> MY CONCERN IS WHEN THE CITIZENS LOOKED INTO THIS BOND, WE WERE TOLD SOMETHING ELSE.
WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THIS BOND TO RENOVATE THIS LIBRARY AND EXPAND IT.
[00:20:01]
>> IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THAT ANYMORE, AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
WE'RE LIMITED A LOT MORE THAN WHAT WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE BACK DURING THE SURVEY WHEN THIS WAS TAKING PLACE.
THE REASON I ASKED IF WE HAVE TO SPEND IT IS BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY, IT'S GOT TO BE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF IT.
IT'S GOT TO BRING A LONG LASTING BENEFIT.
IF IT'S JUST SIMPLY REMODELING A SPACE, WHEN ULTIMATELY THAT BOND WAS TO EXPAND THE SPACE, THEN TO ME, WE'RE NOT SPENDING THE MONEY PROPERLY, SO THAT'S WHY I ASK ABOUT THAT.
>> THE EXPANSION. WHEN YOU ASK EXPANSION, WHEN YOU SEE THE FOOTPRINT THAT WE OWN, WE DON'T OWN A LARGE AMOUNT, LIKE NEXT DOOR IS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THEN TO THE SOUTH IS A PRIVATE SECTOR.
WHEN YOU SAY EXPANSION, IT CAN GROW A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE THE WALLS, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EXPANSION, YOU'RE GOING TO THINK WE'RE DOUBLING IN SIZE AND WE'RE ADDING A SECOND FLOOR, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE BUDGET, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS PITCHED.
>> I AGREE WITH A FUTURE BOND FOR A BIGGER, BETTER LIBRARY IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE WE WILL NEED THAT, AND I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CITIZENS WOULD PROBABLY BE VERY PLEASED TO VOTE FOR A BOND FOR AN ACTUAL LIKE A BIGGER LIBRARY IN THE FUTURE.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SPENDING MONEY WISELY, AND IF WE DON'T HAVE SPEND IT ALL TO NOT NECESSARILY GET WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET BACK IN 2023 WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE CITIZENS FOR SURVEY.
THEN I SUGGEST WE LOOK AT THAT.
BUT I DO AGREE WITH BRINGING EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE, ESPECIALLY THE STAFF AND THE BOARD, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE MOST VESTED INTEREST IN THE PROJECT.
I DEFINITELY HOPE TO SEE EVERYBODY'S INPUT LIKE YOU'RE SUGGESTING YOU'LL HAVE.
>> WE OWN THE SAME REAL ESTATE FROM 2023, AND ALTHOUGH I WASN'T HERE, I CAN TELL YOU JUST FROM A CONSTRUCTION STANDPOINT.
THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH LAND WE HAVE FOR EXPANSION, AND EXPANSION CAN MEAN A LOT OF THINGS.
MAYBE IT MEANT A SECOND STORY AT SOME TIME, BUT THEN THE FOUNDATION NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.
I'M NOT SURE OF THE FULL SCOPE OF THE WORD EXPANSION AT THAT TIME.
WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WATER LINES AND PARKING AND THOSE THINGS, SO WE CAN DO A HYBRID LIKE AN OUTDOOR EXPANSION.
WE CAN CONSIDER EXPANDING TO THE WEST JUST A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO DOUBLE AND IT'S GOING TO BE THIS NEW FEEL.
IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT BETTER.
I WISH IT WAS MORE TO BE MORE SIGNIFICANT.
BUT I KNOW WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FUTURE BOND, I CAN FEEL THE HEAT OF THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT BEHIND ME BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, NO, YOUR CREDIT CARDS TAPPED.
THAT'S FOR ANOTHER DISCUSSION AGAIN OF A BIG BOND BIG BOND.
THAT WILL BE A DISCUSSION AND KELLY, I'M SURE IS RIGHT BEHIND ME WONDERING WHAT I'M SAYING.
>> MAYOR, COUNSEL, ONE THING TO NOTE TO, WITH A LARGER FOOTPRINT COMES A LARGER COST TO RUN, AND SO THAT'S ONE THING WE GOT TO BE SENSITIVE OF, AS WELL.
AS OF TODAY, THE CURRENT CAPACITY TO TAKE ON MORE DEBT IS STILL SEVERAL YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
WHEN WE BRING THIS TO YOU, I THINK IF IT WOULD BE HELPFUL, WE CAN BRING SOME OPTIONS THAT MIGHT BE PALATABLE FOR THE $1 MILLION TIME FRAME TO GET US THROUGH THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
BUT PROBABLY FUTURE PLANS TO SEE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ACHIEVED, SO WE CAN START THE PLANNING PROCESS JUST CAN'T PAY FOR IT ANYTIME SOON.
>> I JUST LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AND KNOWING THAT WHAT WE'RE NEEDING TO SPEND THIS MONEY FOR AND TO IMPROVE THE LIBRARY AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THIS MONEY.
BUT IN THE FUTURE, THOUGH, WE'RE GOING TO NEED A WHOLE NEW FACILITY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
WE COULD ACTUALLY FOR THE LIBRARY, TAKE THAT WHOLE BLOCK TO MAKE A GOOD LIBRARY.
>> BUT THAT'S FOR ANOTHER DISCUSSION.
WE JUST NEED TO BE GOOD STEWARDS WITH THIS MONEY, IMPROVE THE LIBRARY THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT.
THEN LOOK FOR THE FUTURE, LIKE MR. MACHIN SAID, MAYBE THREE OR FOUR YEARS DOWN THE LINE AND START LOOKING FOR SOME PLACE, AND PLANNING FOR THAT?
>> WE'VE GOT A WISH LIST GOING IT'S LIKE A MILE LONG, SO WE'RE READY.
>> I KNOW KELLY'S AT THE BITCH RIGHT NOW.
>> SHE WANTS TO STAND UP AND BE LIKE, STOP TALKING. >> [INAUDIBLE]
>> NO. SHE TOLD ME I'M OKAY [LAUGHTER] CAN WE ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE LIBRARY DIRECTORS HERE OR ANY SPECIFIC REAL ESTATE OR LIBRARY QUESTIONS?
[00:25:04]
>> NOT FOR ME. I THINK THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS COME UP WITH FOR THIS ONE WITH THE STAFF HELP IN THE LIBRARY LIBRARY BOARD AND BRING IT BACK TO US AND SEE WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.
>> WE'LL SHOW IN A SITE PLAN WHAT TEST FITS ON THE SITE FOR BLOWING OUT A WALL OR NOT OR EXPANSION, NOT EXPANSION.
>> I JUST IN THE RECORD. MS. DAVID GRAVES IS HERE AT 5:23, AND MS. TODD CAME IN AT 5:30.
2025, DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION REGARDING THE 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND CERTAIN CITY RELATED BILLS PASSED. YOU CAN START MR. LAURIE.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN. YOU GUYS GET ME FOR A SECOND PRESENTATION TONIGHT.
THIS IS A QUICK LITTLE LEGISLATIVE UP DATE BASED ON THE 89 TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WAS HELD FROM MID JANUARY, AND THEN IT ENDED JUNE 2, 2025.
THERE WAS A RECORD, I BELIEVE, OVER 9,000 BILLS FILED.
OF COURSE, OF THOSE, THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL THAT HAVE TO DO WITH MUNICIPALITY, SO I'VE PINPOINTED JUST A COUPLE.
IF THERE'S ANY ON THIS LIST THAT YOU GUYS ARE AWARE OF THAT I'M NOT ADDRESSING TONIGHT, I'M HAPPY TO DO A SUBSEQUENT PRESENTATION OR A MEMO.
I JUST WANTED TO SPOON FEED IT A LITTLE BIT, SO IT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION.
FIRST IS HOUSE BILL 15 22, AND THIS HAS TO DO WITH OPEN MEETINGS ACT NOTICE.
THIS GOES INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1 OF THIS YEAR.
WHAT THE NEW LANGUAGE PROVIDES IS THAT IT, IN ORDER TO HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING.
YOU HAVE TO POST NOTICE AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED MEETING.
PREVIOUSLY IT WAS 72 HOURS BEFORE THE TIME.
NOW IT'S AT LEAST THREE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PRINCETON? IF WE CONTINUE TO HOLD OUR MEETINGS MONDAY AT 5:00, STAFF WOULD HAVE TO POST THE AGENDA BEFORE 5:00 ON TUESDAY, THE PRIOR WEEK.
RIGHT NOW IT'S FRIDAY, SO IT ESSENTIALLY DOUBLES THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT'S PUT OUT BEFORE THE MEETING.
LIKE I SAID, THAT GOES INTO EFFECT, SEPTEMBER 1.
IT ALSO IN THIS BILL, FOR ANY MEETINGS TO DISCUSS OR ADOPT A BUDGET, YOU MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF THE BUDGET ON THE ACTUAL AGENDA UNLESS IT'S ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE WEBSITE.
IT'S ALSO A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE IT ON THE AGENDA, AS WELL.
IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT, AND THAT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE WHAT'S CALLED A TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT AS WELL.
JUST TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING BUDGET AND TAX ITEMS. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE SENATE BILL 1883.
THIS HAS TO DO WITH IMPACT FEES IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AS A HIGH LEVEL.
BEFORE YOU ADOPT OR AMEND IMPACT FEES, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS THERE'S REALLY FIVE MAIN COMPONENTS.
IT PROVIDES ENHANCED NOTICE PROVISIONS IN ORDER TO AMEND YOUR LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, AND IMPACT FEES.
YOU PROVIDE ADDITIONAL NOTICE BEFORE HOLDING PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC.
IT JUST INCREASES TRANSPARENCY THERE.
I THINK THAT'S A THEME THROUGHOUT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THE NEXT IS REQUIRING THAT AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL AUDIT BE DONE BEFORE ADOPTING A NEW OR INCREASING AN EXISTING IMPACT FEE.
THAT HAS TO BE DONE BY A THIRD PARTY PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.
THERE ARE CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT THEY LOOK AT AND FINDINGS AS FAR AS THE FUNDS COLLECTED PREVIOUSLY, THE FUNDS, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE USED MOVING FORWARD.
THE THIRD COMPONENT IS THIS BILL PLACES CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON INCREASES IMPACT FEES.
YOU CAN ONLY INCREASE IT ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS, SO YOU HAVE TO YOU CAN'T INCREASE IT UNTIL THREE YEARS AFTER YOU ADOPT A NEW IMPACT FEE OR AMEND THE IMPACT FEE.
THEN NOW IT REQUIRES A TWO THIRDS SUPERMAJORITY VOTE OF COUNCIL PRIOR TO IMPOSING AN IMPACT FEE.
PREVIOUSLY, IT WAS JUST MAJORITY.
BUT NOW THERE'S A SUPERMAJORITY REQUIREMENT, AND THEN THE LAST COMPONENT OR KEY COMPONENT IS TO ADJUST THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE.
PREVIOUSLY, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION COULD SERVE AS THE COMMITTEE.
THEN YOU WOULD ADD A MEMBER FROM THE ETJ, BECAUSE IF YOUR IMPACT FEES ARE TO BE APPLICABLE IN THE ETJ, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ETJ ON THE COMMITTEE, WHICH THE CITY'S WATER AND WASTEWATER IMPACT FEES ARE APPLICABLE IN THE ETJ.
BUT MOVING FORWARD, YOUR P&Z CANNOT SERVE AS THIS COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF AT LEAST FIVE MEMBERS AND 50% OR MORE OF THOSE MEMBERS HAVE TO BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT OR BUILDING INDUSTRIES.
THEY CANNOT BE AN EMPLOYEE OR OFFICIAL OF A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY,
[00:30:05]
WHETHER IT'S PRINCETON OR ANYWHERE ELSE.WHAT IT DOES IS TO GET SOME OUTSIDE EXPERT OPINIONS ON THE COMMITTEE, SO THOSE ARE NEW REQUIREMENTS.
I KNOW THE CITY'S IN THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTING THEIR IMPACT FEES.
WHEN THE CITY GOES THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE'LL HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS NEW LAW.
THIS TAKES EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1, AS WELL.
FOR ANY IMPACT FEES THAT ARE ADOPTED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, SO BECAUSE OF THE TIMING, OBVIOUSLY, WE'LL COMPLY WITH THIS NEW STATE LAW.
THE NEXT IS SENATE BILL 1173, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE NEW COMPETITIVE BIDDING THRESHOLD, SO IT INCREASES THE THRESHOLD FROM 50000-100 THOUSAND.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE CITY BECAUSE I THINK THE LAST TIME IT WAS INCREASED FROM MAYBE 25,000 TO 50,000 WAS 2007.
WE'VE BEEN LOCKED AT THAT 50,000 FOR A WHILE.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, SINCE 2007, THERE'S BEEN INFLATION, RISING COST OF GOODS, ETC.
IT DOUBLES THAT BIDDING THRESHOLD.
>> THAT TAKES EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1, 2025, AS WELL.
THE LAST CITY RELATED BILL THAT I'VE PINPOINTED IS INCREASED PID TRANSPARENCY, WHICH I THINK THE CITY AND A LOT OF ITS RESIDENTS WILL APPRECIATE.
THIS ONE TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1 OF 2026, SO NOT SEPTEMBER BUT IN JANUARY.
IT AMENDS CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE PID ACT, AND IT REQUIRES A MUNICIPALITY TO POST A COPY OF THE PID SERVICE PLAN ON THE MUNICIPALITIES WEBSITE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF APPROVING, AMENDING, OR UPDATING THE PLAN.
PREVIOUSLY, THE CITY WAS JUST REQUIRED TO FILE A COPY OF THE PLAN WITH THE COUNTY, SO NOW THEY HAVE TO DO THAT AND POST IT ON THE WEBSITE.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE DID THAT PREVIOUSLY, BUT NOW IT'S A STATE LAW REQUIREMENT MOVING FORWARD, WHICH ADDS, ONCE AGAIN, MORE TRANSPARENCY OF THE PUBLIC.
THE SECOND COMPONENT WOULD BE SUBMITTING AN ASSESSMENT ROLE FOR EACH PID TO EACH APPRAISAL DISTRICT IN WHICH THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO ASSESSMENT IS LOCATED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF LEVYING THE ASSESSMENT.
PREVIOUSLY, YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL ASSESSMENT LEVY, SO NOW YOU HAVE TO DO THAT PLUS THE NEW REQUIREMENT.
THE LAST IS THAT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS TO MAINTAIN AND INCLUDE CERTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING PIDS IN THE PUBLIC DATABASE, PROPERTY DATABASE, THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, THE TOTAL ASSESSMENT VALUE, AND THEN THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS.
ONCE AGAIN, MORE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, MORE TRANSPARENCY ON THIS BILL.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE FOUR THAT I'VE PINPOINTED OR ANY BILLS THAT YOU WERE AWARE OF THAT YOU'D LIKE ME TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN ADDITIONAL PRESENTATION.
>> I DID HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE OPEN MEETING BILL.
>> ARE WE PREPARED TO, I KNOW THAT THAT CHANGES HOW WE DO EVERYTHING.
I KNOW WE WERE TRYING TO POTENTIALLY GET THOSE OUT SOONER BEFORE.
I KNOW THAT WE'D RUN INTO SOME COMPLICATION MAKING THAT HAPPEN SO I'M SURE WE'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO MAKING THAT.
I'VE TALKED TO AMBER ABOUT THIS AND IT'S JUST PEOPLE WHEN THERE'S DEADLINES, WE GOT TO MAKE DEADLINES.
WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY PREVIOUSLY JUST BECAUSE AS LONG AS IT WAS POSTED BY FRIDAY FIVE O'CLOCK BUT NOW IF WE WANT TO KEEP THAT MONDAY DATE, IT'S PRETTY STRICT.
>> QUESTION ABOUT THE SB 1173.
ARE WE FORCED TO INCREASE TO 100,000 TO REQUIRE COMPETITIVE BIDDING, OR CAN WE STILL KEEP IT AT WHATEVER VALUE WE WANT?
>> I MEAN, WE COULD HAVE IN OUR PURCHASING POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL, WHICH I THINK WE HAVE CURRENTLY.
WE PROBABLY NEED TO AMEND THAT TO COMPLY WITH STATE LAW WE COULD CERTAINLY HAVE MORE RIGOROUS REQUIREMENTS, IF THAT'S YOUR QUESTION.
BUT STATE LAW ALLOWS UP TO 100,000 NOW.
>> IF THERE'S NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I THINK WE'RE GOOD TO GO. THANK YOU.
>> THAT WOULD TAKE US TO C4 2025-218, DISCUSSION IN DIRECTION REGARDING THE USE OF 2023 PARKS AND RECREATION BOND FUNDS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
CHASE BRYANT, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
TODAY, I'LL BE SEEKING SOME GUIDANCE AND COUNSEL'S INPUT ON THREE DIFFERENT DESIGNS FOR JJ BOOK WILSON MEMORIAL PARK.
THIS PARK IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF CROSSVILLE NEXT TO ARCADIA FARMS AND LOW ELEMENTARY.
THE ORIGINAL TARGET BUDGET FOR THIS PARK WAS AT 51, AND THAT IS ACTUALLY THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS WITH D.R.
THROUGH THE DESIGN PHASE, WE'VE COME UP WITH THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS,
[00:35:01]
AND WE HAVE A BUDGET RANGING FROM 5.1-6.5 AND I'LL BE SEEKING YOUR DIRECTION ON THE THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS ON HOW WE WANT TO PROCEED.IN FEBRUARY OF '25, THIS YEAR, WE TOOK A LOOK AT THIS PARK, AND IN THE ORIGINAL SCOPE, IT WAS DESIGNED FOR A SPLASH PARK AND SKATE PARK.
WE'VE IDENTIFIED WITH THE AQUATIC CENTER LOCATED AT THE MULTI GEN FACILITY, THAT IT'S BEST SUITED TO SHIFT THE FOCUS OF THIS PARK MORE TO A TEAM FOCUS PARK AND WITH THAT, WE'VE LOOKED AT ADDING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FOR ALL AGES.
THIS IS KIND OF A ROUGH OVERVIEW AND SOME PICTURES, LOOKING AT THE DESIGN THAT WE WANTED TO SHIFT TOWARDS.
IF YOU LOOK DOWN THERE AT THE BOTTOM AND SOME OF THESE PICTURES, YOU SEE A LOT OF NICE SITTING AREAS, WHICH IS WHAT TEENS LIKE TO HAVE TIKTOK REELS, MURALS, BACK WALLS, BACKDROPS.
WHAT IS DESIGNED IN THIS PARK IS ROUGHLY 15-22,000 FOOT SKATE PARK, PUMP TRACK, PLAYGROUND, SITE PLAY, WALKING TRAILS, RESTROOM FACILITY, AND THE PAVILION.
BREAK INTO THE THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE HAD, THIS RIGHT HERE, AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THE TOTAL COST.
THIS WOULD BE AT NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE FROM PARK FUND, PARK FEES.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS 5.1, WHAT WE HAVE IS I'LL SHOW YOU THE OVERLAY BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCE FROM OPTIONS 1 THROUGH OPTIONS 2 AND 3 BUT I'LL WALK YOU THROUGH EACH SECTION.
WE HAVE A SPORT COURT, WHAT YOU'LL NOTICE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF OPTIONS WOULD BE A SPORTS WALL, AND WHAT THAT IS IS THAT'S A MURAL.
YOU HAVE MULTI USE OUT OF IT, AND IF WE LOOK DOWN HERE ON THE BOTTOM LEFT MIDDLE PICTURE YOU'LL SEE A MURAL BEHIND THE BASKETBALL COURT, AND THAT'S WHAT WILL BE IDENTIFIED LOCATED BEHIND THE SUPPORT COURT.
WELL, WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A LOT OF FLEX GRAPHS, MORE OPEN SPACE, FLEX TURF SO THAT WOULD BE SET FOR SITTING AREAS, MULTI USE, ACTIVE PLAY, AND PICNICS.
MR. JOHNSON, ONE OF YOUR MENTIONS BACK IN FEBRUARY WAS YOU'D LIKE TO SEE AREAS WITH THE FOOD TRUCK, AND THAT WAY, WE CAN REALLY ACTIVATE THE SPACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE UP HERE TO THE NORTH IS A TURNAROUND WITH A PARKING ZONE FOR FOOD TRUCK SO WE CAN UTILIZE ACTIVITIES YEAR ROUND.
REST ROOM, PAVILION, PLAY SHADE, LOCATED ON THE BOTTOM RIGHT, AND I'M GOING TO MOVE INTO OPTION 2, SO WE'LL BOUNCE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE OPTIONS 1 AND 2.
WHAT YOU HAVE ON OPTION 2 IS THE LOWER AREA, WHICH SHOWS AREA 7, THAT IS A PLAY STRUCTURE FOR AGES 2-12, SMALLER PLAY STRUCTURE THAT WE WOULD BE DESIGNED.
SOME OF THE CUTS FROM ONE AND TWO, WHAT YOU SEE.
LIKE I SAID, I'LL FLIP BACK AND FORTH SO YOU CAN VIEW THE DIFFERENCE IN THE PLAYS.
IS A REDUCTION IN THE TURF MOVING UP ONE OF THE NET STRUCTURES MORE TO THE CENTER AND ELIMINATING THE SPORT COURT WALL AND CHILD PLAY AREA TO THE AREA NUMBER 7 IN THE LOWER RIGHT.
WE HAVE A TURF REDUCTION ON THE WALL AND A 50% REDUCTION IN THE SKATE ZONE ON THIS.
OPTION 3, IF WE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, NOW, THIS IS AN OPTION OF 6.5.
THIS IS CURRENT, WHAT IS DESIGNED AND WHAT WE HAVE IS THE SPORT COURT WALL, A LARGE NET AREA.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS A 50% INCREASE IN THE SKATE PARK, BUT THAT'S WHAT'S DESIGNED.
TO GET THAT BUDGET DOWN TO THE 5.1, THESE ARE THE AREAS THAT WE WOULD BE RETRACTING.
IS ENHANCED WITH THE SITTING OR MULTI USE TURF SPACE,
[00:40:04]
SO THAT'S USED AS FLEX SPACE FOR THROWING THE BALL, PLAYING CATCH, SITTING, PICNIC AREAS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT, AND THE CHILD PLAY IN THE AREA 7, WHAT YOU SEE.WITH THESE THREE, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
I ALSO HAVE EPT COMMERCIAL, WHICH IS THE CITY'S CONSULTANT AND PROJECT MANAGER TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OR TIMELINE, IF YOU'D LIKE.
OPTION 1 IS BASICALLY WHAT WE BUDGETED FOR AND AND THAT'S COVERED 100% BY DR, CORRECT?
>> OPTION 2 AND 3, THAT WILL BE ADDITIONAL MONEY THAT WE'LL HAVE TO PUT INTO IT ON TOP OF WHAT WE RECEIVED FROM DR?
>> I GUESS THE ADDITIONAL WILL BE COMING FROM THE PARKS BOND?
>> NO. THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD BE THROUGH PARK FEES, DEVELOPMENT AND DEDICATION FEES.
>> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MONEY.
CAN YOU HOLD THIS FOR ME? LET'S SEE, WHERE DO WE START, 720 OF 2020, WE GOT $3,000,490 THEN, WE RECEIVED IN 2022, $25,712.50.
THEN AGAIN, 273,304, FOLLOWED BY 38,770 AND THEN, OF COURSE, D.R.
HORTON'S 2,000,550 SO WHEN WE ADD THAT UP, WE GOT 77687773.
WE HAVE REALLY $6,377,786.77 ALLOCATED TO JJ PARK IN ACCORDANCE TO RESOLUTIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PASSED BY COUNCIL, BUT SOMEHOW WE HAVE 5.1 MILLION, AND SO I WANT TO KNOW WHY WE WENT FROM THIS NUMBER TO ONLY HAVING 5.1 MILLION CURRENTLY TO USE.
>> I CAN DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK INTO SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT ALL RESOLUTIONS THOSE WERE IN REFERENCE ON.
>> I CAN WRITE THEM DOWN. I HAVE THEM RIGHT HERE AND I CAN GIVE YOU THOSE RESOLUTION NUMBERS.
>> OKAY. YES. I'LL DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AND BRING THAT INFORMATION BACK.
>> BUT DO YOU KNOW? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE PARKS, AND I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN LIKE YOUR BABY PROJECT, AND SO DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA, HOW WE'RE GOING FROM ONE NUMBER TO THE OTHER WHEN WE GOT ALL OF THESE THINGS?
>> YES. WHAT I CAN SAY IS THE 3.4 MILLION, THAT NUMBER THAT YOU WERE JUST SHOWING, THAT WAS ACTUALLY PHASE 1, WHICH WAS MILLERS CONSTRUCTION, AND THAT WAS WHEN THE PARK WAS DONATED BY DRAWING A BLANK ON THE DONATION.
HOWEVER, PHASE 1 OF THAT PARK WAS THE POND, THE WALKING TRAILS, ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE UTILITIES AND THAT'S WHERE THAT 3.4, THAT NUMBER THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
THAT ALSO INCLUDES THE DESIGN UP FOR PHASE 1 AND NOT THE DESIGN FOR PHASE 2.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS PHASE 2, WHICH IS THE ACTIVE SIDE OF THE PARK, AND THAT TOO, WHEN YOU GET INTO PHASE 2, NOW YOU START A NEW DESIGN DEVELOPMENT INTO CONSTRUCTION DOCKS.
THAT TOO, THAT COST FROM PHASE 1, SOME OF THOSE FEES THAT YOU'VE SHOWN WERE ASSOCIATED TO PHASE 1 AND NOT FOR PHASE 2.
>> THEN THE MONEY FOR THE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND EVERYTHING THAT'S ALL BEEN SPENT AND PUT INTO JJ PARK?
>> YES. THOSE ARE IN PLACE, AND THOSE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE BREAKDOWN IN DIFFERENCE BECAUSE THAT'S SAYING THAT WE'RE SPENDING AN AWFUL LOT MORE ON THIS PARK THAN WHAT'S KIND OF BEING PRESENTED OUT HERE.
WE'RE PRESENTING THE PEOPLE THAT WERE BUILDING THIS PARK 5.1 MILLION, BUT WE'VE ACTUALLY PUT A LOT MORE INTO IT THEN.
[00:45:01]
>> THE 2023 BONDS, FROM THE ORIGINAL PARK PROJECTS, THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A PARK BOND PROJECT, WHICH IS DESIGNED FROM THE 2023.
HOWEVER, THE PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION WAS ALREADY COMPLETED,.
AND THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE LOOKING AT WITH THAT FIVE PLUS MILLION DOLLAR FOR THE POND, THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR BOTH THE GRADING, ALL OF THOSE THINGS WERE ASSOCIATED TO PHASE 1.
PHASE 2, WHICH WAS THE SKATE PARK AND ORIGINALLY OUT LOOKED AT AS A SPLASH PAD, WAS PHASE 2, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH DESIGN, AND THAT WAS WHERE WE WERE LOOKING AT WITH THAT $5 MILLION BUDGETED FOR PHASE 2 SPECIFIC, NOT WHAT HAD BEEN SPENT IN THE PAST OF 6 MILLION FOR PHASE 1.
>> I GUESS, WELL THE 6 MILLION INCLUDES PART OF THE MONEY FROM D.R.
HORTON. WITH THAT, ACTUALLY GIVE ME ONE SECOND I ADD SOMETHING AND I'LL ASK MY QUESTION.
>> OH, I'M SORRY. MR. LONG, YOU HAD YOUR MIC ON.
>> YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DESIGN.
OPTION 2 AND OPTION 3 ADDED ELEMENTS JUST TO GET SOME BETTER UNDERSTANDING BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THOSE.
OPTION 2, I JUST WANT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS WALL IS ALL ABOUT, A SPORT WALL.
CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT? IT LOOKS LIKE OPTION 2, YOU CAN ADD A SPORT WALL AND ALSO OPTION 3.
YOU CAN ADD SPORT WALL. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?
>> WELL, JUST WHAT IS THE SPORT WALL? HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OPTION 1 TO OPTION 3?
>> SPORT WALL IS A CONCRETE WALL THAT IS PAINTED WITH A MURAL ALONG THE BACK THAT THE BASKETBALL COURT AND EVERYTHING CAN BE IN FRONT OF.
THAT WAY, SOME KIDS PLAY WALL BALL, SOME PLAY SOCCER, SOME USE TIKTOK REELS AND SO FORTH IN FRONT OF IT.
BUT IT FALLS IN LINE WITH THE THEMING FOR THIS PARK AND A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE THOSE SPORT WALLS FOR BACKDROPS.
>> BETWEEN OPTION 2 AND 3, IS IT THE SAME WALL YOU'RE PROPOSING?
>> YES. BETWEEN OPTION 2 AND 3, THE PLAY ELEMENTS ARE THE SAME.
IT'S THE INCREASE IN THE SKATE PARK OR THE REDUCTION IN THE SKATE PARK, WHICHEVER WAY, BETWEEN OPTIONS 2 TO OPTION 3, THE SHADED ORANGE AREAS TO LOWER LEFT AND THE UPPER, THOSE ARE THE EXPANSIONS IN THE SKATE PARK.
WHAT I WILL SAY ABOUT OPTION 3, WHAT'S CURRENTLY DESIGNED AND THERE ARE THREE ZONES IN THE SKATE PARK FOR BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, AND MORE ADVANCED.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE LOWER LEFT PORTION OF THIS THAT SHADED, THAT'S MORE OF A BEGINNER LEVEL SKATE, MORE FLATS, A COUPLE SMALL RAMPS, AND THEN UP THERE IN THE WEST SIDE, THE TOP PORTION, IT'S MORE OF AN EXPERT LEVEL, ADVANCED LEVEL.
THOSE WERE TWO AREAS THAT WE TOOK A LOOK AT AS FAR AS A REDUCTION IN, WHICH WAS YOUR HIGH LEVEL SKATER OR YOUR VERY BEGINNING SKATER AND FOCUS MORE ON AN INTERMEDIATE, WHICH WOULD BE IF WE WENT WITH THE REDUCTION IN SIZE, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
>> THEN MY LAST QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE AREA 7, POTENTIALLY AN ADDITIONAL PLAY AREA IN OPTION 2 AND 3.
I KNOW THIS WAS MORE OF A TEEN TYPE PARK AND THERE ALREADY IS A PLAY CLIMB THAT IS DESIGNED FOR TEENS.
WHAT IS THIS ADDITIONAL AREA? WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
>> THIS ALLOWS ANY INDIVIDUALS TO COME AND STILL HAVE ACTIVE PLAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN, NO MATTER WHAT AGE.
EVEN IF WE KEEP IT A TEAM FOCUS PART, YOU STILL WANT ALL AGE AND KIDS TO PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY IT.
THIS JUST CREATES A PLAY STRUCTURE AND ELEMENT FOR THOSE KIDS THAT ARE THE AGES OF 2-10.
>> ALL RIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE OPTION 2 AND 3 BOTH ADD IN THAT YOUNGER LEVEL PLAY AREA.
[00:50:05]
YOU CAN GET ALL THE KIDS THERE, WHICH ISN'T A BAD IDEA.BUT OPTION 3 IS THE ONE THAT REALLY EXPANDS ON THE SKATE PARK.
THAT'S WHERE WE SEE THE BIG DIFFERENCE IN PRICE OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THAT'S JUMPED UP TO SIX POINT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. OPTION 2 AND 3 ARE THE SAME FOR THE PLAY.
JUST OPTION 2 IS A REDUCTION IN THE SKATE PARK.
OPTION 3 IS EXPANSION IN THE SKATE PARK,.
>> THE DIFFERENCE IN COST FOR OPTION 2 AND 3, THE REASON THE BIG JUMP IS A WHOLE LOT MORE CONCRETE AND A WHOLE LOT MORE PHYSICAL EQUIPMENT ON THE PROPERTY TO BE USED, BASICALLY?
>> WHAT YOU SEE HERE WITH OPTION 2, YOU HAVE MORE FLEX GRASS SPACE.
MORE OPEN SPACE FOR ANY ACTIVITIES VERSUS WHAT YOU SEE IN OPTION 3, LESS FLEX GRASS SPACE AND MORE CONCRETE AND SKATE.
>> IF WE'RE THINKING THE 5.1 THAT WAS DEEMED FOR THIS PARK SPECIFICALLY FROM A DONATION FOR SAY, IF WE LET'S SAY WE GO WITH OPTION 3, WE'RE SHORT WE GOT TO GET UP TO 6.5.
WHERE WOULD THAT MONEY COME FROM?
>> THOSE ARE FROM PARK FEES, WHICH ARE AS BASICALLY SIMILAR TO IMPACT FEES.
THEY'RE THROUGH ALL PERMITS THROUGH DEVELOPERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
THOSE ARE PAID BEFORE THIS CITY WILL ISSUE A PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION.
WE DO HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL 1.4, 1.5.
>> OPTION 3, THEN, THAT'S WHAT I CHOOSE.
>> MR. BRYAN, WHAT IS THE AS FAR AS CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE? WHAT ARE WE LOOKING LIKE RIGHT NOW?
WE'RE STILL IN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAD TO CUT BACK, AND AFTER THIS MEETING, I'LL HAVE DIRECTION.
WE'LL GET THROUGH, BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT SUMMER OF '26.
>> WHEN LOOKING AT EVERYTHING, BECAUSE I THINK ONE THING IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS THING BUILT.
I THINK THAT IT'LL BE A HUGE ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I THINK SOME OF THIS WERE OPTION 3, I THINK IT'S NICE, BUT I THINK THAT OPTION 2 IS PROBABLY THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO. THAT'S MY INPUT.
>> HOW MUCH MONEY WE SAVE WHEN WE REMOVED ALL THE SPLASH PADS FROM THIS?
>> IT'S NOT THAT WE SAVED ANY MONEY.
THERE'S NO COST SAVINGS BECAUSE WHEN YOU CREATE NEW ELEMENTS VERSUS A SPLASH PAD OR DIFFERENT PLAY STRUCTURES AND DIFFERENT ELEMENTS, THEY REALLY OFFSET THE COST WITH ONE ANOTHER.
IT'S JUST A DIFFERENCE SHIFT IN DESIGN AND THE ELEMENTS.
>> WHAT WAS THE TRADE OUT OF WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPLASH PAD AND IS NOW NOT THE SPLASH PAD.
>> ARE THE PLAY SHADE AREAS? WHAT WAS THE TRADE OUT?
>> WELL, IT'S A DIFFERENT DESIGN AND DIFFERENT LAYOUT.
BUT ORIGINALLY WHERE A SPLASH PAD WAS LOOKED AT WAS WHERE YOU SEE A SPORTS COURT WITH SOME OTHER SHADE AREAS AROUND IT.
BUT THE LAYOUT DEPENDS ON THE SPLASH PAD COULD HAVE BEEN LOCATED WHERE THE PLAY SHADE TO THE WHICH IS ACTUALLY THE EAST SIDE, BUT WOULD BE ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS PICTURE.
WHEN WE MADE THE DECISION, COUNCIL MADE THE DECISION AND WE LOOKED AT CREATING THIS MORE OF A TEAM FOCUSED ALL IN PLAY WITH THE REMOVING THE SPLASH PAD.
AT THAT POINT, THE DESIGN TEAMS WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE LAY OF THE LAND AND DEVELOP, ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION GIVEN.
>> AS WE LOOK AT OPTION 3, THE AREA THAT SAYS FLEX GRASS AND FLEX TURF, THEY ACTUALLY THE SAME THING.
>> YES. THE FLEX TURF IS ARTIFICIAL.
WHAT YOU SEE AS FAR AS FLEX GRASS, THAT'S NATURAL GRASS.
BUT WITH ARTIFICIAL TURF, YOU CAN CREATE THAT AS OPEN LAWN SPACE, FREE PLAY, AND IT'S BEING LOCATED RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE PARK.
NATURAL GRASS IS ONE, BUT WITH THE TRAFFIC THAT'S TRAVELING THROUGH IT, YOU WANT MORE ARTIFICIAL SO KIDS CAN THROW A FOOTBALL AROUND OR KICK A SOCCER BALL OR JUST SIT AND HAVE A PICNIC, IT CREATES LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES FOR WHAT THAT SPACE CAN BE UTILIZED FOR.
[00:55:05]
>> I REALLY BELIEVE THAT I LIKE THAT WE WANT TO CONTAIN COSTS WITH OPTION 2.
BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE AS A CITY AND HOW WE ARE GROWING, AND THAT WE ARE SO LANDLOCKED, IN A SENSE, 380 SCARY.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS OPTION 3 WOULD BE MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT IS A NEED RIGHT NOW IN PRINCETON, AND IT WOULD ALSO HELP TO CONTAIN FUTURE COST OF EXPANSION IF WE DO THAT NOW.
I REALLY AGREE THAT OPTION 3, IT IS FOR ME.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. LET'S JUST SAY HYPOTHETICAL WE DID THIS OPTION 1, BUT TO GET TO THREE, IS THAT POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN ADD ON IN THE FUTURE? BECAUSE MY CONCERN IS THAT WE'RE BUILDING OTHER PARKS SOON WE'RE PULLING MONEY FROM A RESERVE, AND WE'RE ABOUT TO ALSO BUILD THE MULTI GEN TOO.
IS THERE ENOUGH THAT WE WANT TO, LET'S JUST SAY, WE GET TO THE NEXT PARK, AND THERE'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT WE WANT MORE AT THAT PARK, BUT NOW WE JUST USE THIS MONEY HERE.
ARE WE LOOKING AT ALL OF THE PARKS AT THE SAME TIME AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SPENDING, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S EXTRA MONEY? BECAUSE OPTION 1 IS COMPLETELY PAID FOR BY THE DEVELOPERS.
BUT EVERY OTHER OPTION, WE'RE HAVING TO USE OUR RESERVES TO COVER IT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FUTURE PARKS THAT WE ALSO HAVE THOSE COVERED AS WELL.
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MULTI GEN AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO THERE AS WELL.
HAVE WE LOOKED AT THOSE FACTORS TOO WHEN WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS?
>> THERE HAVE BEEN. WE'VE LOOKED AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
WE'VE LOOKED AT POTENTIALLY PHASING THIS PARK OUT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LAYOUT AND THE LOCATION AND THE SIZE ONLY BEING 3.4 ACRES.
THIS PARK IS VERY DIFFICULT TO THROW OUT INTO MULTIPLE PHASES.
PHASE 1, WHICH WAS THE POND AND ALL THE UTILITIES, AND IT GOT GRADING AND PAVILIONS AT BOTH LOCATIONS.
THAT WAS PHASE 1, BUT THAT WAS A LOT OF THE UTILITIES AND UNDERGROUND WORK.
WHAT WE ALSO HAVE, AND I DO WANT TO POINT OUT IS IN THIS 5.1 OR 6.5, IT IS AN EXPANSION TO THE PARKING, A FIRE LANE, TURNAROUND, AND RESTROOM FACILITY.
THOSE ARE ALL INCLUDED IN THIS TOTAL NUMBER, WHETHER IT IS 5.1 OR 6.5, AND THAT ACTUALLY EATS UP A LOT OF THE COST FOR PROGRAMMING AND PARK AMENITIES AND FIXTURES THROUGHOUT.
MAYOR, BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, WE LOOKED AT POTENTIALLY PHASING THIS OUT OR CAN WE COME BACK IN AND LOOK AT A LATER DATE? THE ONLY THING THAT WE WOULD REALLY BE ABLE TO DO WOULD BE POTENTIALLY ADD SOME ADDITIONAL SITTING OR NET PLAY STRUCTURES AND NOT REALLY BEING ABLE TO EXPAND ON A SKATE PART.
BECAUSE IN A SKATE PART, THE DESIGN AND THE FLOW, IT ALL HAS TO FLOW, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO TIE IN ADDITIONAL CONCRETE THAT HAS A BASICALLY A 1" TOLERANCE.
THE SKATE PARK IS DESIGNED THROUGH ENGINEERING TO ONLY BE ABLE TO SHIFT ROUGHLY AN INCH.
WHEN YOU COME BACK IN AT A LATER DATE AND TRY TO TIE IN, WE ALL SEE IT AROUND TEXAS OR ANYWHERE, EXPANSION JOINTS AND SO FORTH FROM ONE TO ANOTHER, THEY DON'T MATCH, AND THEY DON'T MEET UP.
LOOKING INTO ADDING ON THE SKATE PARK AT A DIFFERENT DATE, THAT WOULDN'T BE FEASIBLE, BUT ADDING OTHER PLAY STRUCTURES COULD BE A POSSIBILITY AS YOU'D HAVE TO SHUT THE PARK DOWN FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME DURING THAT TIME FRAME.
>> THE CONCRETE WORK IS A BIG EXPENSE AS WELL.
JUST, I GUESS, MR. JOHNSON, THE FOOD TRUCK OPTION WAS FOR YOU I THINK.
WAS THAT NOT FOR COWELL PARK THAT WE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FOOD TRUCK WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING OR JUST FOOD TRUCKS AT EVERY PARK.
>> I THINK IT'S INCLUDED IN DESIGN.
WHEN I BROUGHT UP FOOD TRUCKS, I WAS JUST TALKING FOOD TRUCKS IN GENERAL, BUT NOT SO MUCH AS THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR.
I THINK IT IS WHAT DIRECTOR CHASE WAS ALLUDED.
>> BECAUSE LET'S JUST SAY WE GOT RID OF THE FOOD TRUCK ZONE, COULD WE STILL HAVE THE OTHER FACTORS LIKE OF DESIGN OF OPTION 3? IS THAT MAKES THAT PRICE CLOSER TO 5.1 AND BRING THAT COST DOWN? IF WE JUST GOT RID OF THE FOOD TRUCK ZONE AT THAT PARK?
[01:00:02]
>> CUTTING THE FOOD TRUCK AREA.
I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE MUCH COST SAVINGS THERE.
THAT ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE DROP OFF IN PICK UP ZONE FOR PARENTS THAT ARE WANTING TO PULL IN.
FOOD TRUCKS AREN'T GOING TO BE THERE ALL THE TIME.
WE'LL ACTUALLY DUAL PURPOSE THAT SPOT AS A DROP OFF IN PICK UP ZONE FOR PEOPLE TO UTILIZE.
BUT WHEN WE WANT TO RUN EVENTS OR PROGRAMS OUT THERE AND WE WANT TO BRING IN FOOD TRUCKS, THAT AREA WOULD BE DESIGNATED ALONE.
IT DOES FALL OUTSIDE OF THE FIRE LANE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE WHY IT'S ACTUALLY CUT IN INTO THE PARK.
>> MR. BRYAN, CAN YOU PAINT A PICTURE FOR US, PLEASE, WE'RE GOING TO AS THE MAYOR BROUGHT UP, WE'RE LOOKING AT BUILDING A NEXT GEN FACILITY.
WE ALSO HAVE PLANS FOR OTHER PARKS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
GIVE US AN IDEA OF HOW BUILDING THE PARK AND FOLLOWING, AT LEAST MAYBE OPTION 3, JUST TO GO ALL IN AND HAVE ALL THOSE AMENITIES INCLUDED AND COMPARE THAT TO THE TIME THAT WE'LL HAVE WITH THE NEXT GEN FACILITY, LIKE THE TIME TO BUILD THE NEXT GEN FACILITY, AND WHAT IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON THE SOCIAL LIFE IN PRINCETON FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD USE THIS PARK.
>> THAT'S THAT'S TWO PART QUESTION.
THE MULTI GEN FACILITY WILL BRING, OUTSIDERS IN, IT'LL CREATE ECONOMIC GROWTH INTO THE CITY.
THE TIMELINE ON THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THAT FACILITY.
NOW, WE'RE STILL IN DESIGN DEVELOPMENT, BUT THE TIMELINE ON THAT FACILITY IS ROUGHLY TWO YEAR CONSTRUCTION FROM BREAK GROUND.
THIS PARK ALONE, THIS ONE'S A NINE MONTH BUILD THREE MONTHS, FROM NOW THROUGH COMPLETION FOR THE PLAN SETS.
WE'RE LOOKING, YOU KNOW, A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO, BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE, PUSHING IT MORE AND WHAT I SAY, A TEEN FOCUS PART.
THAT'S GOING TO CREATE A SPACE FOR THE YOUTH AND THE TEENAGERS TO MIGRATE TO RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT TO DO IN THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
BUT 12 MONTHS FROM NOW, IT IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THIS WOULD BE OPEN AND WOULD BE ACTIVATED FOR THE TEENS OF THIS TOWN OR ANYBODY OF ALL AGES, REALLY, BECAUSE THERE ARE NET STRUCTURES, BUT LIKE I SAID, WE WANTED TO MIGRATE THIS MORE INTO A TEAM FOCUS PART.
>> IS THERE IS QUITE NOT JUST ONLY A FINANCIAL COST TO THIS, MEANING THAT THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ONE POINT SOMETHING MILLION DOLLAR, BUT THERE IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY COST FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE IN.
WHEN WE WEIGH THOSE THINGS, WHILE IT IS TO REWIND TO CONTAIN COST, I BELIEVE THE SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY COSTS ARE GREATER.
WE DO NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THOSE BECAUSE THERE ISN'T MUCH TO DO IN PRINCETON.
WE ARE NOT LIKE OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE CORD EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN MELISSA, THERE IS 75, YOU CAN JUST QUICKLY JUMP ON 75 AND GO SOMEWHERE, O MCKINNEY, ALLEN, ANY OF THE OTHER CITIES ALONG 75 OR EVEN THE TOLLWAY, PRINCETON DOES NOT HAVE THAT.
I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THOSE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AS WELL AND NOT JUST THE FINANCIAL COST.
>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> NO. I JUST WANT TO BE ON RECORD SAYING THAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD GO WITH OPTION 1, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE'VE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW, AND WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF STUDYING THE BUDGET, AND I'M A GUY THAT TENDS TO GO WITH DATA.
THE DATA TELLS US THAT IT WILL PROBABLY BE IN OUR BEST INTEREST IF WE WERE TO BE GOOD STEWARDSHIPS AND TAKE THIS PARK AT THE 5.1 MILLION DOLLAR ESTIMATE AND PROCEED THAT WAY.
AGAIN, PARKS ARE BREATHING STRUCTURES.
THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE WORK GOING ON WITH THESE PARKS.
I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO FURTHER STRAIN OUR FINANCES TO ADD THESE ADDITIONS THAT CAN BE ADDED ANOTHER TIME.
[01:05:02]
FROM WHAT I BELIEVE IMPACT FEES OR A DONATION OF FUNDS FOR THE BUILDER.I THINK IT WOULD PROBABLY BETTER SUITED TO LET THOSE FUNDS PAY FOR THE PARK, AND IF THAT'S WHAT WE CAN GET FOR THAT AMOUNT, I BELIEVE THAT'S THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD GO. I'M FOR OPTION 1.
>> I'M GOING TO HAVE TO AGREE FOR ME PERSONALLY AND FOR OPTION 1 JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE IS.
I KNOW THAT, LIKE I SAID, WE WILL BE GOING UP A BUDGET MOVING FORWARD, BUT I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH THIS 1.4 MILLION DEPLETES YOUR FUNDS.
BUT IN THE FUTURE, WE NEED IT FOR WHATEVER REASON.
I SAID, WE'RE BUILDING COW WELL BUILDING OTHER WE HAVING A LOT OF BIGGER PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING UP, AND THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE A REASON WHY WE DON'T GET SOMETHING THERE THAT THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY WANT, AS WELL.
BUT I'M GOING TO GO WITH OPTION ONE JUST BECAUSE THAT IS 100% PAID FOR ALREADY.
I THINK THAT WITHOUT SEEING THE WHOLE ALL OF THE PARKS AND WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY SPEND ON EVERYTHING AND WHAT IT IS, I THINK IT'S EARLY JUST TOO EARLY TO SPEND 1.4 MILLION RIGHT NOW FOR ME.
I KNOW WE CAN ALWAYS ADD TO THE PARK LATER DECEMBER 1ST, WE'RE GOING TO BE ACCEPTING MORE THINGS FROM DEVELOPERS.
AT THAT TIME, WE CAN START PUTTING IN THOSE CONTRACTS TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TOWARDS THE PARKS.
BUT AT THIS TIME, HAVING LOOKED AT THINGS FOR THE BUDGET, WE NEED MORE OFFICERS, WE NEED MORE FIREFIGHTERS.
I THINK OPTION 1 IS THE BEST MOVE RIGHT NOW FOR OUR MONEY, BUT ALSO KEEP IN MIND AS WE'RE DOING MORE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS IN DECEMBER, LOOK AT, SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO TO GET THOSE ADDITIONAL PIECES IN FOR THE PARK.
I'D REALLY LIKE OPTION THREE, BUT THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE, THIS IS KIND OF A COMPROMISE.
BUT SOME OF THE FEES THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, PAY FOR ADDITIONAL THINGS, THEY CAN'T BE USED FOR ANY OTHER THING BUT PARKS.
THAT'S CORRECT. THEY'RE ONLY USED FOR PARK DEVELOPMENT.
YOU COULD YOU COULD USE OF CONSTRUCTION.
FIREFIGHTERS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IT COULD ONLY BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SO I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE US, HAVE THE MOON, SO TO SPEAK, WITH OPTION 3 BECAUSE IS IT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN THE FUTURE AND LOOK AT EXPANDING, I THINK ABOUT THAT.
BUT I THINK OPTION 2 IS A GOOD COMPROMISE IN BETWEEN, AND THAT'S MY OPINION, THOUGH.
>> I THINK I NEED TO CLARIFY MYSELF ON THIS.
YOUR FUNDS AND EVERYTHING, THOSE ALSO PAY FOR THE STAFFING AND THINGS AND NEEDS FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT? YES OR NO? THE FUNDING THAT HELPS PAY FOR LIKE THE STAFFING AND THE NEEDS OF YOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE DEVELOPMENTS FACIAL FEES AND THE FUNDS THAT YOU'RE GETTING IN, DO THOSE ONLY GO TO BUILDING PARKS OR DOES THAT ALSO FUND YOU.
>> IT DOES NOT GO TO MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.
NO. IT'S IT IS ONLY DESIGNED FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PARK FACILITY.
THE FUNDS CAN'T BE USED ON ANYTHING ELSE.
>> WHICH IS GOOD. IT JUST WHATEVER WE CAN PRESERVE INSIDE THE GENERAL FUND IS PRECIOUS RIGHT NOW.
WHATEVER WE CAN ENSURE THAT YOU CAN SAVE WITHIN YOUR FUNDS AND STRETCH IT OUT WILL HELP US REFRAIN FROM HAVING TO PUT MORE FROM THE GENERAL FUNDS ON SOME THINGS.
THAT'S WHY I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING IN EXTRA NOW VERSUS TRYING TO BUILD UP MORE OF A RESERVE FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS.
>> I THINK THOSE FUNDS COME FROM THE GENERAL FUNDS ARE SEPARATE FUNDS, RIGHT COME OUT OF THAT. THEY'RE SEPARATE FUNDS.
BUT I WOULD COMPROMISE OPTION 2 AT THE MINIMUM, BUT I STILL, I'M WITH OPTION 1, BUT LIKE I SAID, IT'S UP TO COUNSEL THE MAJORITY AND AND WHAT YOU GUYS WANT TO DO.
COUNSEL, WE'LL ADD, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS PROJECT, IT WAS ANTICIPATED TO BE AT 5.1 WITH THE FULL PICTURE YOU SAW, AND AS YOU CAN PROBABLY GUESS, COSTS HAVE GONE UP, AND THEY CONTINUE TO RISE.
WE WILL EITHER NEED SOMEWHAT OF A CONSENSUS TONIGHT OR WE'LL HAVE TO BRING IT BACK FOR A VOTE JUST SO WE HAVE GENERAL DIRECTION MOVING FORWARD.
ALSO, THE MAYOR IS CORRECT, WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY ON A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS.
[01:10:03]
MANY OF THEM ARE GOING TO COST A LOT MORE THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED.BEING CONSERVATIVE MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA RIGHT NOW.
>> I THINK IT NEEDS TO COME TO A VOTE BECAUSE THAT WILL SHOW WHERE EVERYONE STANDS SPECIFICALLY ON THIS RATHER THAN ANYTHING VAGUE BECAUSE MR. MASHBURN, I DEFINITELY AGREE THAT BEING CONSERVATIVE IS A PRIORITY FOR US RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS AHEAD OF US.
>> CO WORKS, I'LL BRING THIS BACK AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING FOR A VOTE.
>> CAN I ADD ONE MORE THING? WHEN WE DO THIS, CAN YOU BRING BACK A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL ON WHERE THE FUNDS WOULD COME FROM? YOU'RE TALKING IT COMES FROM CERTAIN FEES.
JUST GIVE US MAYBE SOME FORECAST OF THAT ACCOUNT, TO SEE IF WE PULL THIS 1.4 OR WHATEVER OUT OF IT, IS IT GOING TO COMPLETELY ZERO OUT THAT ACCOUNT? WHAT'S THE FORECAST? JUST GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT BUDGET LOOKS LIKE OVER THE NEXT TWO TO FIVE YEARS. I DON'T KNOW.
WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT LONGER, SHORT TERM IMPACT WE WOULD HAVE IF WE DID PULL THAT MONEY FROM THAT FEE ACCOUNT.
>> THAT WILL TAKE US TO C5, DISCUSSION UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE WINTER CORY AVERAGING ACCOUNT COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORK TOMMY MATT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL.
SINCE THE JULY 14TH MEETING WHERE WE WERE ADVISED ON HOW TO PROCEED AND MOVE FORWARD, THE UTILITY BILLING DEPARTMENT AND ALONG WITH PUBLIC WORKS, AND SOME OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN THE CITY HAVE BEEN MOVING VERY RAPIDLY ASSESSING THE ACCOUNTS, APPLYING BILL CREDITS, AND MAKING SOME REALLY GOOD PROGRESS.
AT THE TIME, THERE WERE 10,543 ACCOUNTS THAT WERE FOUND TO BE ACTIVE DURING THAT TIME FRAME.
THAT NUMBERS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.
SOME OF THOSE ARE DUPLICATE ACCOUNTS WHERE SOMEBODY MOVED IN, THEN MOVED OUT, AND THEN OR MOVED TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION WITHIN THE CITY.
SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN TRIMMED BACK.
THAT NUMBERS CHANGED NOW TO ROUGHLY 9,800.
I HAD NUMBERS FOR EVER ONE OF THESE LINE ITEMS WHEN I FORMED THIS ON A WEEK AGO.
I MADE THE PRESENTATION, SHOWED IT TO WILL, AND HE WAS LIKE, WELL, THOSE NUMBERS ARE INACCURATE.
I REVISED IT WITH A NEW NUMBERS, AND I SHOWED IT TO HIM AGAIN ON TUESDAY, AND HE WAS LIKE, THOSE NUMBERS ARE INACCURATE.
TO AVOID HAVING TO FIGHT THAT UPHILL BATTLE, PROVIDING YOU WITH THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION, I JUST BROUGHT WILL.
I'LL LET HIM GIVE YOU THE UPDATE TO ALL OF THESE STATISTICS, AND WE'LL BE HERE AND AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
>> WELL, THAT'S AN INTRODUCTION I'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
I JUST BROUGHT WILL. HE'S CORRECT.
WHEN WE FIRST STARTED, WE HAVE 10,543 ACCOUNTS.
I TRIMMED IT BACK TO 98 58, A LOT OF THOSE WERE DUPLICATES.
I WAS ABLE TO TRIM THOSE BACK, MINIMIZE THOSE NUMBERS AS WELL.
AS OF DATE, I'LL SAY PROBABLY ASSESSED OVER 7,000 ACCOUNTS, AND NOT JUST ALONE.
STEFFANY DEPARTMENTS ALL PITCHING IN, TRYING TO GET THIS DONE, LINK IT AS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE.
EVEN WHEN THIS IS COMPLETED, I WILL STILL BE GOING THROUGH THE SPREADSHEETS, THE WORKSHEETS, AUDITING, PICK A SAMPLE, JUST TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT.
I WILL THROW SOME NUMBERS THAT YOU GUYS.
I LIKE PROVIDING DATA THAT MINIMIZES QUESTIONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, IT DOES MAKE UP QUESTIONS, BUT I'M HERE TO ANSWER THOSE.
FAR WE'VE REFUNDED I'M SORRY, 4,161 ACCOUNTS.
AVERAGE IS ABOUT 104, 474 ON CREDIT REFUNDS.
LIKE I SAID, WE AS OF 12 DATER DAY, WE HAD ABOUT 6,000 188 ACCOUNTS, NOW CLOSER TO FIVE, MAYBE OVER 7,000 ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN ASSESSED.
NO COMES AT THE COST, OF COURSE, NO LONG NIGHTS WEEKENDS, BUT WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO GET THIS DONE FOR EVERYONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
OUT OF THOSE 7,000 ACCOUNTS WE'VE ASSESSED, I WOULD SAY IT'S ABOUT 1,600 THAT ARE NOT GOING TO QUALIFY FOR A REFUND OR ACTUALLY END UP OWING MONEY TO THE CITY IF WQ A HAD BEEN IN EFFECT DURING THAT TIME.
I WAS WANTING SOME MORE NUMBERS AT YOU.
IF WE HAD DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND COLLECT ON THOSE ACCOUNTS THAT WE SHOULD OWNED MONEY,
[01:15:03]
WE'VE COLLECTED ABOUT $150,000 BACK TO THAT FUND.A AVERAGE ABOUT 1,642 ACCOUNTS WOULD HAVE OWED AN AVERAGE OF $11.66.
NOW, OF COURSE, THAT DOES RUN ANYWHERE FROM $0.10 TO $300 AND EVEN HIGHER.
JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT WE'RE NOT COLLECTING THAT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BACK BILL.
THAT'S JUST WHAT IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE COLLECTED HAD DMK BEEN ENFORCED DURING THAT TIME.
AS OF NOW, BUT I'VE SEEN THE HIGHEST REFUND IS $357.45, AND I'VE SEEN IT AS LOW AS $0.10.
I'M JUST TRYING TO GIVE YOU MUCH DATA THAT SEE IT CAN FLUCTUATE GREATLY DEPENDING ON THE CONSUMPTION OF THE ACCOUNT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
I HAD ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR 120 DAYS.
I'M GOING TO SHOOT FOR 60 DAYS.
WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE. WE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF MEMBERS HELPING OUT. I WOULD HAVE PITCHING IN.
MY EMPLOYEES GIVE A SHOT AT YOU BECAUSE I COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THEM.
THEY'VE BEEN PUTTING PUTTING IN THE TIME, COMING IN DAYS OFF, WEEKENDS. THEY'RE HERE WITH ME.
THEY'RE STRUGGLING JUST AS I AM, BUT IF WE CAN GET THIS DONE, WE GET DONE CORRECTLY.
IF YOU ASK ANY QUESTIONS, I CAN ANSWER THAT RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU'RE PUTTING INTO THIS AND THE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WHO ARE HELPING.
I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN A CREDIT ON MY ACCOUNT, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER RESIDENTS WHO EXPRESSED THE SAME SENTIMENTS AS I'M SPEAKING.
ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO OWE THE CITY, ARE THEY ALSO RECEIVING NOTIFICATION AS TO HOW MUCH THEY OWE AND THAT THE CITY WILL NOT BE CHARGING THEM?
>> IF YOU DO THAT, ANYTHING ABOUT THE QUESTION YOU'RE ASKING, YOU WANT TO NOTIFY SOMEONE, HEY, THIS IS WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE OWED.
I WOULD HAVE TO AT LEAST DO THAT BUT SAY ANYWHERE 2000-2400 TIMES.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ACTUALLY FEASIBLE, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO CALL SOMEONE OR NOTIFY THE EMAIL OR A LETTER, SAY, HEY, JUST FYI, YOU SHOULD HAVE OWED US MONEY.
THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU WOULD HAVE OWED. AT MY END, IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE TO DO THAT, 2000, 500 TIMES.
HEY, I'M SENDING LETTERS OUT TO PEOPLE WHO SAYING, I SHOULD HAVE OWED MONEY.
ONE OF THE REASONS I ASK IS THAT WE ARE DOING AS A CITY, WE'RE GOING THROUGH AND WE'RE BEING TRANSPARENT AND WE'RE LETTING RESIDENTS KNOW, HEY, THERE'S BEEN OVERCHARGE, WE'RE REIMBURSING YOU.
BUT THEN THERE ARE SOME OF YOU WHO OWED MONEY, AND WE'RE NOT CHARGING YOU.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET THOSE INDIVIDUALS KNOW AS WELL.
IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DURING THIS TIME THAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH AND WITH THAT 120 DAY TIME THAT YOU'VE GIVEN YOURSELF, BUT IT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT'S DONE AFTERWARDS, BECAUSE I ALSO THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE, AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH A LOT OF EMAILS FROM RESIDENTS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO ALSO REALIZE THAT WE ARE CONSIDERATE OF THIS SITUATION, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY DO OWE, WE'RE NOT CHARGING.
WE'RE JUST HAVING A FAIRNESS ACROSS THE BOARD.
THOSE WHO WE OWE, WE'RE REIMBURSING, THOSE WHO OWE US, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO PAY.
>> ONCE AGAIN, THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.
I WAS COUNSEL DECIDES TO GO THAT WAY.
I HAVE A LIST OF THOSE ADDRESSES OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD OWE AN AMOUNT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE OWED.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE.
RIGHT NOW, MY FOCUS IS AGAIN ON PEOPLE THAT REFUNDS, THE CREDITS APPLIED TO THEIR ACCOUNTS.
>> I THINK WHAT MS. DAVID GRAVES WAS TALKING ABOUT, MADE ME THINK OF WHEN THIS IS SETTLED, WE'RE DONE, PEOPLE MAY STILL WONDER, WELL, I NEVER SAW A CREDIT TO MY ACCOUNT.
IS THERE SOME MESSAGING WE CAN DO IN THE BILLING? THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MESSAGE IN THERE, THAT'S JUST GENERIC ACROSS ALL BOARDS.
THAT THESE ACCOUNT NUMBER, LIKE YOU'RE DOING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SPECIFIC TO ACCOUNT NUMBERS, STARTING WITH THIS NUMBER, WE'VE ASSESSED YOUR ACCOUNT.
TO GIVE PEOPLE AN INFORMATION THAT YEAH, THEY'VE DONE MY ACCOUNT NUMBERS.
I NEVER SAW A CREDIT, SO IT SAYS RIGHT HERE, IF YOU'VE NEVER SAW A CREDIT THAT MEANS NO CREDIT WAS DUE TO YOU.
JUST TO KIND GIVE SOMEBODY SOMETHING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION OF, DO I DESERVE A CREDIT WITHOUT PHYSICALLY HAVING TO CALL YOU OR SEND YOU AN EMAIL?
>> THAT DEFINITELY IS AN OPTION. WE CAN DEFINITELY AMEND OUR MESSAGES ON THE BILLS.
ONCE WE COME UP WITH A DIALOGUE THAT WE WANT TO USE EVERYONE'S OKAY WITH, WE CAN DEFINITELY DO THAT.
[01:20:02]
ONCE WE LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD, PAST THE CREDIT ISSUES.>> I DON'T THINK THAT YOU HAVEN'T TO PUT THE MESSAGE OUT THERE.
I THINK IT'S COUNTERPRODUCTIVE IN TERMS OF YOU STRESSING THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HERE WEEKENDS WITH YOUR STAFF.
YOU GUYS ARE STRETCHED A LITTLE THIN.
I THINK A FINAL MESSAGE, HEY, WE'VE COMPLETED THE REVIEWS.
IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE CREDIT, YOU'RE WELCOME, BASICALLY.
IF WE HAVEN'T TESTED YOUR ACCOUNT, THAT MEANS YOU EITHER OWED OR YOU WEREN'T OWED A CREDIT.
I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE WISE ON OUR PART TO PUT ANY ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON YOU GUYS TO HAVE TO PUT THOSE MESSAGES OUT.
>> COUNSEL IS AMENDABLE TO WE CAN DEFINITELY WRAP THIS UP AT THE END, HEY, HERE'S THE STATS, HERE'S THE ANALYTICS BEHIND IT.
THIS IS HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT CREDIT.
WE CAN WRAP THAT UP, AND PUT A BOW ON IT AT THE END OF THIS EXERCISE, AND THEN LET FOLKS KNOW, HEY, IF YOU DIDN'T GET A REFUND AS PART OF THAT, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ONE AND AD VICE VERSA.
WE CAN DEFINITELY WRAP THIS UP IN A PACKAGE TOWARD THE END OF IT IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COUNCIL IS AMENDABLE TO.
>> I THINK TOWARDS THE END, THAT'LL BE FINE.
INSTEAD OF HAVING TO MESSAGE 1,600 ACCOUNTS FOR HOWEVER MANY.
I THINK JUST PUTTING OUT A MESSAGE, HEY, WE'RE DONE, JUST LABOR, WE DONE, IF YOU RECEIVE A CREDIT, LIKE I SAID, THEN IF YOU'RE NOT, THEN IT IS BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR IT.
>> THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ARTICULATED IT MUCH BETTER THAN I DID, BUT I THINK OUR INTENT IS THE SAME.
MY WIFE WAS HAPPY WHEN SHE PAID THE WATER BILLS A MONTH.
I'VE SEEN YOUR EMAILS GOING BACK AND FORTH, TRYING TO GATHER STAFF AND TO GET THIS DONE.
I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN AND DOING IT SO FAST BECAUSE IT HAPPEN A LOT FASTER THAN WE OUGHT.
>> YOU'RE STILL PUTTING THE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WATER BILL.
THAT WHERE WE'RE AT ON EVERYTHING.
PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT THEIR WATER BILL.
THEY'RE ALREADY CAN SEE ON FACEBOOK.
I KNOW AARON'S DOING A GREAT JOB PUTTING THAT OUT THERE, BUT IT'S STILL ON THE WATER BILL.
>> IT'S NOT ON THE WATER BILL YET.
IT'S BEEN POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE.
>> I DATED EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS.
ONCE WE COMPLETE A ROUTE, I TELL YOU, HEY, THIS IS HOW MANY ACCOUNTS GOT CREDIT OUT OF X AMOUNT ACCUNTS.
THIS IS MANY PEOPLE DID NOT QUALIFY OR JUST NEED FURTHER REVIEW.
FURTHER REVIEW MEANS, I JUST NEED TO DOUBLE A LITTLE BIT DEEPER INTO IT TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON TO SEE IF EITHER YOU OWE OR YOU OWED A CREDIT.
>> WOULD IT NOT TO PUT EXTRA WORK, BUT WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE WHEN THE NEXT WATER BILL GOES OUT TO JUST AT THE VERY BOTTOM, ACCOUNTS ZERO WHATEVER THROUGH THIS, YOU'RE DONE.
THEN JUST TO MAKE SURE IT'S ON THERE SO WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE WATER BILL, THEN THEY SEE IT AND IF THEIR ACCOUNT NUMBERS IN THAT RANGE, IT'S DONE AND THAT'S JUST LIKE THE PRELIMINARY OF THE MESSAGE OF YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING IS COMING, JUST TO HAVE THAT EXTRA RANGE THERE WHILE THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE WATER BILL IN CASE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO THE WEBSITE OR LOOKING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
NOT TO ASK YOU TO DO A LOT OF BUNCH OF THINGS? IS IT POSSIBLE TO JUST PUT THAT AS A STRAIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD, IT PRINTS ON ALL THE BILLS?
>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT.
HAVE YOU KNOW THOUGH NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT AREA THAT I'M ALLOWED TO MODIFY FOR THE BILLS.
BUT NOW AS A HOT COMMODITY, WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
A LOT OF STUFF THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE CITIZENS RESIDENTS AWARE OF.
THAT SPOT, I'M LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF LINES OF DATA I CAN INPUT.
MAYBE NOT NEXT TWO MONTHS, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT, MAYBE PAST OCTOBER, ONCE NEW RATES HAVE BEEN POSTED AND EVERYONE'S AWARE OF THAT.
DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT.
ALSO I DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADD A QR CODE TO THE BILLS.
YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT THAT, PUT THE PHONE OUT, SCAN IT, TAKES IT TO A PAGE AS DIRECTED, INFORMATION POPS UP. ALL THE DATA IS ON THERE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M TRYING TO GET DONE FOR THIS BILLING CYCLE.
IT'S JUST A COUPLE OF STEPS, JUST INFORMATION.
I KNOW EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE THE INPUT INTO IT, WHICH IS GREAT.
I JUST NEED TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION DOWN, TESTED IT BEFORE I ACTUALLY SEND IT OVER TO OUR BILL PRINTERS AND ACTUALLY PUT ON THE BILLS.
>> I JUST LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT.
I DID ALSO RECEIVE A LITTLE REBATE AND EVERYTHING.
I APPRECIATE THAT. WASN'T ENOUGH TO MAKE A MOTORCYCLE PAYMENT, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
BUT I'VE HEARD A LOT OF GOOD EXAMPLES OR WAYS TO DO THIS.
BUT WHENEVER ALL THE DUST IS SETTLED AND YOU DO GIVE A FINAL THING ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR WHATEVER CASE OR EVEN ON THE WATER BILL ITSELF SAYS IF YOU DIDN'T GET RECEIVE ONE, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE CONTACT YOU.
THAT TO WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T GET ONE, AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO THEM AND THAT'S GOING TO BE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.
THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE JUST THE NATURE OF THE BEAST, SO TO SPEAK.
BUT I THINK JUST IF WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE TO GIVE A RECAP ON IT,
[01:25:06]
WHAT HAS HAPPENED, AND HOW MUCH WAS ACTUALLY GIVEN OUT, AND ALSO SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OWED DURING THAT TIME FRAME THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO COLLECT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, AND THIS IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO, NO INDIVIDUAL NAMES OR ANYTHING.LEAVE IT AT THAT AND JUST LET THE PEOPLE COME FORWARD THAT WANT TO ASK BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> I WILL SAY AS HARD AS THIS HAS BEEN FOR ME AND MY STAFF AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS, IT'S BEEN GOOD IN A WAY BECAUSE IT'S GIVEN ME A LOT OF DATA TO LOOK AT IF WQ ARE BROUGHT UP AGAIN, IN FRONT OF COUNCIL, FROM THE MAYOR, YOU GUYS WILL HAVE A GOOD PICTURE OF WHAT IS THIS ACTUALLY GOING TO DO TO US? LIKE I SAID, IT'S ANOTHER WAY I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO DO THIS AND FIND THE DATA THIS WAY, BUT IT ACTUALLY GIVE ME A CHANCE TO LOOK AT A LOT OF ACCOUNTS, A LOT OF THINGS THAT I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER, AND ALSO THAT INFORMATION THAT YOU GUYS CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ON.
SHOULD YOU GUYS EVER CHOOSE TO DO WQA YEAR? IT'S A LOT OF DATA, GOOD INFORMATION, BREAKS DOWN, WHAT IT HAPPENS IF X AMOUNT DOLLARS IS TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS, WHAT IF WE ADD MONEY INTO THAT ACCOUNT? IT'S JUST A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT I THINK IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE TO SEE HOW THIS REALLY AFFECTS THE CITY'S RESIDENTS.
>> I REALLY LIKE YOUR QR CODE THING.
I DON'T KNOW IF ERIN CAN HELP FACILITATE THAT BECAUSE IF LONG TERM, HONESTLY, THAT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THE WATER BILL BECAUSE IF YOU HAD ON YOUR PAGE UPDATES PAGE, WHATEVER, AND IT'S ALWAYS ON THERE, YOU ONLY HAVE TO UPDATE ONE THING, WHICH IS YOUR PAGE, AND EVERY TIME THEY SCAN, THEY CAN JUST GO TO WHATEVER IT IS YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY TO EVERYONE.
I THINK THAT'S A BRILLIANT LONG TERM THING THAT WOULD REDUCE A LOT FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO INSTEAD OF HAVING TO PUT IT IN TEN DIFFERENT PLACES.
I DON'T KNOW SHE'S LIKE THE GURU OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA OVER THERE.
IF SHE CAN HELP PUT THAT TOGETHER, SO THAT'S SOMETHING YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AND YOU JUST KEEP DOING YOUR THING IF SHE CAN HELP YOU GUYS COLLABORATE. I THINK THAT'D BE GREAT.
>> WE ALREADY DID. IT WAS MALLORY AND AARON, THEY GET THIS DONE FOR US, PUT IT ON THE BILL, TESTED IT.
MESS AROUND WITH THE PLACEMENT OF IT JUST TO SEE THE MOST AVAILABLE SPOT FOR PEOPLE OPEN THE BILLS.
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU GOING TO LOOK AT WHAT QR CODE? WHAT IT SAYS, YOU CAN SCAN IT AND IT WORKS.
NOW WE HAVE IT SENT TO A PAGE.
IT'S NOT LIVE, BUT WE'RE TESTING IT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING'S PERFECT BEFORE IT GOES OUT.
I'M TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE, A LOT OF IDEAS.
I'M FINALLY GIVING A VOICE HERE WITH THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AS BEFORE, I WAS AFTER THE FACT, BUT NOW I'M ACTUALLY GIVEN AN AVENUE TO EXPRESS MY IDEAS AND ACTUALLY GO FROM THERE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I'M HAPPY ABOUT IT.
I'M GLAD IS SOME GOODS COMING OUT OF THIS.
OF COURSE, WORKING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, IT'S BETTER FOR US, MORE OF US CAN PITCH AND GIVE IDEAS, THE BETTER WE CAN BE AS A CITY.
DUE TO TIME THAT I MOVE ON TO C5. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO C6, 2005-2012, DISCUSSION AND PRESENTATION REGARDING CO COMPLIANCE PRESENTED BY CRAIG FISHER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COUNSEL. MY NAME IS CRAIG FISHER.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
HERE THIS EVENING TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ON CODE ENFORCEMENT OR CODE COMPLIANCE EFFORTS IN THE CITY AS REQUESTED BY MAYOR ESCOBAR.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO TURN THE TIME OVER TO OUR CODE COMPLIANCE SUPERVISOR, LEONARD MENDEZ, AND OUR CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER TALIA HERNANDEZ.
THEY'RE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS IN THIS AREA.
THEY'LL BE GIVING TODAY'S PRESENTATION, GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE CODE COMPLIANCE PROCESS, COMMON CODE COMPLIANCE ISSUES, AND WE'LL PROVIDE SOME STATISTICS FOR THE BUDGET YEAR.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO TALIA.
>> THANK YOU, CRAIG. GOOD EVENING, COUNSEL.
I'M TALIA HORNETS, I THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
I'M GOING TO GO OVER THE PROCEDURE THAT MY DEPARTMENT TAKES WHENEVER WE ARE ADDRESSING A VIOLATION OF OUR CODE OR ORDINANCES.
FIRST, WE MAKE THE INITIAL NOTICE, WHETHER THAT BE ROUTINE OR AS A RESPONSE TO A RESIDENTS COMPLAINT.
WE'LL START BY ISSUING A NOTICE OF VIOLATION.
WE DO THAT BY LEAVING IT EITHER AT THE PROPERTY ADDRESS OR TO THE PROPERTY OWNER'S MAILING ADDRESS, WHICH WE RECEIVED FROM COLLIN COUNTY'S APPRAISAL DISTRICT MAP.
THAT FIRST NOTICE ALLOWS FOR A TEN DAY WINDOW FOR THE PROPERTY TO COME TO COMPLIANCE.
[01:30:05]
AFTER THAT, WE'LL CONDUCT A NEW INSPECTION.IF WE FIND THAT THE ADDRESS IS STILL IN VIOLATION, WE WILL THEN BEGIN USING OTHER RESOURCES TO TRY TO CONTACT THE PROPERTY OWNERS DIRECTLY.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS DO, BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY REQUIRED PER OUR ORDINANCE.
WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE AT LEAST AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME TO ADDRESS THEM.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHETHER WE FIND THEM THROUGH WATER RECORDS OR BY REACHING OUT TO PD FOR HELP.
ONCE WE MAKE CONTACT, WE'LL TYPICALLY ASK, HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED? BECAUSE WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE.
BUT WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T BE ANYTHING RIDICULOUS.
WE TRY TO KEEP IT UNDER A TWO WEEK WINDOW.
AFTER THAT GRACE PERIOD, WE'LL CONDUCT ANOTHER INSPECTION.
IF THE PROPERTY IS STILL IN VIOLATION, THEN WE WOULD EITHER MOVE FORWARD WITH ABATEMENT OR A CITATION.
IF WE DECIDE TO ABATE THE ISSUE, FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT IS A PROPERTY WITH VERY HIGH GRASS, THEN WE WOULD SEND SOMEONE TO MOVE IT AND SEND AN INVOICE TO THE PROPERTY OWNER.
WE GIVE THEM 30 DAYS TO PAY THAT INVOICE.
IF IT'S NOT PAID, THEN WE WOULD FILE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY THROUGH THE COUNTY CLERK.
IF THE OFFICER DECIDES THAT A CITATION IS APPROPRIATE, THEN WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD BY ISSUING A CITATION THROUGH OUR MUNICIPAL COURT SYSTEM.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO MY SUPERVISOR LEONARD MENDEZ.
HE'S GOING TO GO OVER THE MOST COMMON VIOLATIONS THAT WE SEE THAT TYPICALLY END IN A CITATION.
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES.
TONIGHT, I'LL BE SHARING THE MOST COMMON PROPERTY VIOLATIONS, WEEDS AND GRASS, DILAPIDATED FENCES, OVERSIZED VEHICLES, BENDED SIGNS, WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT.
CLEAN PROPERTIES PREMISES, JUNKED VEHICLES, ILLEGAL DUMPING, TRASH AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND RESIDENTIAL.
WE HAD 450 CASES OPEN, 401 WERE CLOSED, COMPLIANCE ACHIEVED, 49 STILL IN PROGRESS, 14 CITATIONS ISSUED, 15 TOTAL VIOLATIONS RECORDED.
COMPLIANCE FIRST APPROACH, CITATIONS IS OUR LAST RESORT.
ALSO WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR E-TICKET ROUTER SOFTWARE THAT WE HAVE.
THE E-TICKET ROUTER SOFTWARE IS CURRENTLY IN TEST MODE.
MINOR ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED AND SENT TO THE DEVELOPER.
WE EXPECT TO BE READY TO USE IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE THIS IS I GUESS COMPLIANCE.
DO YOU GUYS ONLY RESPOND TO CALLS THAT YOU RECEIVE AROUND THE CITY? HOW DO I GUESS THE VIOLATIONS START? I THINK I MISSED THAT IN THE BEGINNING, BUT YOU FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU GUYS ONLY RESPOND IF YOU GET A CALL? CORRECT?
>> WE WERE RESPONDING ONLY WHEN WE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT.
WE'RE IN PROACTIVE MODE RIGHT NOW.
>> BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE I'VE RECEIVED MULTIPLE EMAILS AND MESSAGES FROM RESIDENTS JUST ABOUT THE WAY THE CITY LOOKS, OVERALL, JUST FROM PROPERTIES, ESPECIALLY LIKE THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AROUND HERE THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING MAINTAINED, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
I'M JUST SEEING WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT THOSE ISSUES, MORE SO THAN JUST THE RESIDENT ISSUES AS WELL.
>> WE HAVE INSPECTED THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.
MY DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN IT AS FAR AS CLOSING DOWN THE JOB SITE TO GAIN COMPLIANCE.
[01:35:01]
>> ARE WE ARE WE FINDING THEM AS WELL?
>> WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANYBODY, WE HAVE NOT WRITTEN ANY CITATIONS ON THAT.
WE HAVE CLOSED THE SUBDIVISIONS FOR NOT MAINTAINING IT.
>> I KNOW THAT WE'RE GETTING THE NEW ESI SYSTEM.
WOULD THAT START UP WHERE WE'LL START FINDING THESE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE BUILDING, BUT THEY'RE NOT MAINTAINING THEIR THEIR LAND?
RIGHT NOW, THE PROCESS IT JUST TAKES TOO LONG.
WE'RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE A CITATION ON SITE.
WE GOT TO GET THEIR INFORMATION, COME TO THE OFFICE, PRINT IT, SEND IT IN THE MAIL.
WITH THE NEW SOFTWARE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ISSUE THE CITATION ON SITE.
THAT WILL EXPEDITE OUR PROCESS TO THROUGH THE COURT.
>> IF I CAN JUST MAKE A FEW COMMENTS, I APPRECIATE THE JOB YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE IN A FORMER LIFE, THIS IS WHAT I DID QUITE A BIT FOR MANY YEARS.
BUT I DO HAVE JUST A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT THE WEED AND GRASS AND THINGS.
RIGHT NOW, I ACTUALLY ASKED MR. FISHER SOMETIME BACK.
YOU HAVE ALLEYWAYS AND I UNDERSTAND IT'S THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOMEOWNER THAT HAS THE ALLEYWAY IN BACK OF THEM, THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.
I'M SAYING ALLEYWAY THAT THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR.
BUT YOU HAVE PRIVACY FENCES THAT ARE UP THAT HAVE NO ACCESS, NO GATES OUT TO THE BACK.
THE PEOPLE HAVE NO ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE GRASS BACK THERE.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IT'D BE UNFAIR TO GO ISSUE THEM A NOTICE TO ABATE THAT GRASS WHENEVER THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO IT.
THEN ALSO ON 1377, WE'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH TEXT DOT.
THEY CAME ALONG AND THEY RESURFACED THE ROAD AND THEN THEY CLEANED OUT I'M GOING TO SAY THE BAR DISHES OR THE DRAINAGE DITCHES AND THEY THEY CUT THEM IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE OWNERS OUT THERE, THEY USED TO TRY TO MAINTAIN THAT, BUT THEY CAN'T NOW BECAUSE OF THE WORK THE TEXT DOT DID.
WHO'S GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT? IT SAYS RIGHT HERE THEY GO TO THE OWNERS GOT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR UP TO THE ROADWAY AND USED TO, THEY COULD DO THAT, BUT NOW THEY CAN'T.
IS THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO COME TO? THEN WHENEVER YOU TALK ABOUT ISSUE CITATIONS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE THIS PROCESS DONE IT, I WORKED UNDER 343.011 AND TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE WHENEVER I FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE COUNTY, AND WE HAD TO GIVE THEM 30 DAYS IN WHICH TO ABATE.
BUT THEN EACH DAY THAT THEY DON'T ABATE AND WE GO OUT THERE AND INSPECT IT AS A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
I'M SURE ON OUR CITY ORDINANCE, IT'S THAT WAY TOO, ISN'T IT? THAT'S A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
EACH DAY IS A SEPARATE OFFENSE.
YOU CAN FILE MULTIPLE CASES AGAINST SOMEONE.
INSTEAD OF ISSUING CITATIONS BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO GO OUT AND FIND THE PERSON THERE OR CATCH THEM THERE AT THE HOME OR WHATEVER.
WE WOULD DO THAT AND GIVE THE NOTES, THEN WE JUST FILE THE COMPLAINTS WITH THE COURT.
THE COURT HAD ISSUED A NOTES TO APPEAR ON ALL THOSE COMPLAINTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THAT IF THAT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT'S A SOMETIMES EASIER WAY THAT YOU ISSUE IT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER FROM ONCE YOU GET OFF THE CAD SYSTEM, FIL COMPLAINT.
THAT'S JUST MY THOUGHTS PASSED ON TO YOU, BUT IT IS A THANKLESS JOB WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO DO AND THE FOLLOW UPS AND THINGS AND AND YOU'D LIKE TO BE PROACTIVE IN GOING OUT AND SOMETIMES HIT EACH NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF FOR THAT. I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
>> LET ME TOUCH BACK ON TEXT DOT DID.
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'LL HAVE SEEN THE PILE OF DEBRIS THAT THEY HAD SET OUT OVER THERE ON THAT PROPERTY WEST OF JACK IN THE BOX.
I HAVE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF COMPLAINTS ON THAT, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY REMOVED THE PARKING LOT AT JACK IN THE BOX AND THEY MOVED THEIR ACROSS STREET.
THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY OPERATE.
ON 380, THEY GOT THIS PILES OF DIRT THAT NO ONE CAN MOW.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT SB 2440 THAT TAKES EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
HOW MANY COMPLIANCE OFFICERS DO WE HAVE THAT MEET THE CRITERIA THAT IS REQUIRED NOW TO BE ABLE TO ISSUE THESE CITATIONS AND HOW MANY QUALIFY AS IN TRAINING AT THIS TIME?
[01:40:04]
>> CURRENTLY, I'M THE ONLY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT, WELL, ACTUALLY ANTHONY MOVED TO BUILDING INSPECTIONS.
HE'S ALSO A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, BUT I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THE CODE DEPARTMENT THAT CAN ISSUE A CITATION RIGHT NOW.
>> IS THERE ANYONE IN TRAINING.
SHE'S GOING TO ATTEND THE CLASS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND SHE'LL BE TAKING THE EXAM.
>> WHAT IS THE ANTICIPATED TIMELINE ON THAT FOR COMPLETION? DO WE KNOW?
>> ONCE YOU TAKE THE CLASS, YOU'RE BASICALLY AT THE MERCY OF THE STATE.
IT'S JUST CRAZY WITH THEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT.
>> SEPTEMBER 1, YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO WAS ABLE TO ADDRESS ANY OF OUR CODE ISSUES IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW?
>> I GOT A QUESTION. JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, YOUR BEST ESTIMATE, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THESE LIKE YOUR FIRST NOTICES ARE TO PEOPLE THAT JUST SIMPLY DON'T KNOW THEY'RE VIOLATING CODE? IS IT MAJORITY, MINORITY?
>> WE ALL KNOW THAT IN THE CITY OF PRINCETON PROPERTIES ARE CHANGING HANDS EVERY DAY.
MOST OF THE PROBLEM COMES IN WITH PEOPLE BUYING THE PROPERTIES THAT LIVE OUT OF STATE.
THAT'S WHERE THE ISSUES ARE COMING FROM MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO MAINTAIN IT.
THEY THINK AND SOMETIMES IT'S CHEAPER FOR US FOR THEM TO HAVE US GO OVER THERE AND TAKE CARE OF THE HIGH GRASS, THAN THEM CALLING SOMEBODY ELSE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.
>> THE REASON I ASK IS, I WOULD HOPE THAT WE OFFER EDUCATIONAL TYPE INFORMATION TO FOLKS THAT, THE OUT OF TOWN PROPERTY OWNERS, THEY KNOW DARN WELL WHAT THEY'RE DONE.
IT'S NOT A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR PROPERTY.
BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT FOR THE COMMON CITIZEN THAT LIVES IN THE CITY, I HOPE THAT WE ARE OFFERING EDUCATION TOO ON WHAT THEY'RE VIOLATING SO THEY CAN LEARN TO NOT DO IT IN THE FUTURE.
THAT'S OUR GOAL TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND LET THEM KNOW, YOU CAN'T DO THIS.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY.
>> I PERSONALLY AM IN A POSITION OF ENFORCING COMPLIANCE IN A DIFFERENT INDUSTRY, AND THAT IS THE NUMBER 1 SOLUTION IS EDUCATING PEOPLE WHY THE CODE IS THERE GETTING THEIR BUY IN.
THAT'S IT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO OUT THERE.
>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD TO GO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THIS WILL TAKE US TO C7, DISCUSSION REGARDING DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION VARIETY BOARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COUNSEL, CHASE BRYANT, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
THIS WAS A REQUEST BY MR. JOHNSON TO BRING BACK THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD, JUST INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THEIR DUTIES AND WHAT THEY ARE REALLY.
REALISTICALLY, THIS WAS AN ADVISORY BOARD THAT DISBANDED ROUGHLY 12 YEARS AGO.
THIS IS THE DUTIES DESCRIBED IN OUR ORDINANCE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER.
>> IN THE PAST, WHO SERVED AS THE FUNCTIONING BOARD FOR PARKS AND REC? WAS IT RESIDENTS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT IN? WAS IT CITY STAFF? WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL BOARD?
>> THIS WAS A BOARD SIMILAR TO SOME OF THE OTHERS.
IT WAS VOLUNTEER RESIDENTS SAT ON AS THE ADVISORY BOARD.
[01:45:09]
>> AT THIS TIME, SO WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITIES, ACCORDING TO THE ORDINANCES.
I'M GUESSING THE NEXT STEPS HERE WILL BE JUST TO GO TO A VOTE TO ENACT THIS BOARD.
>> THIS IS JUST INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE DUTIES THAT WERE HELD BY THAT BOARD.
IF THAT WOULD BE A DIRECTION COUNSEL WANTED TO GIVE, THEN WE WOULD DO A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND BRING BACK WHAT THE DESCRIPTION FOR THAT BOARD AND ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO VOTE FOR TO RESURRECT THAT BOARD AT A LATER DATE.
>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE POINT OF THIS BRINGING IT UP NOW SO WE CAN DECIDE ON WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT BASICALLY RESURRECT THAT BOARD OR NOT.
NEXT TIME WE BRING THIS UP, CAN IT BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN VOTE ON?
>> I THINK THAT AFTER THIS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. THE CITY DISCUSSED IN REVIEW ITEM CITY COUNSEL MAY ASK QUESTIONS REGARDING OR DISCUSS ANY ITEMS LISTED ON THE MAIN MEETING AGENDA.
NO FORMAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE PRE MEETING AS ANY FORMAL ACTION SHALL ONLY OCCUR DURING THE MAIN MEETING.
IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AT THIS TIME.
ACTUALLY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE CAN JUST JUMP INTO WE CAN TAKE A RECESS AND JUMP INTO THE NEXT MEETING.
I'M GOING TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING AT THIS TIME.
I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY GO TO F AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN THE WORKING SESSION. THE WORK SESSION.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE.
>> ANY NAYS? THE WORK SESSION END AT 6:52.
WE'LL TAKE A 10 MINUTE RECESS, AND WE'LL BE BACK.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.