[A. CALL TO ORDER-MAYOR]
[00:00:02]
>> TODAY IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2025. THE TIME IS 6:45.
WE'LL START OUR ROLL CALL. MS. DAVID-GRAVES.
>> EVERYBODY IS HERE. THIS WILL TAKE US TO OUR INVITATION BY WEST BROWN.
>> LET'S PRAY. HEAVENLY FATHER, IT'S A WONDERFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO CALL YOU OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, OUR CREATOR OR DESIGNER.
FATHER, DURING THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR CHARLIE KIRK YESTERDAY TO HEAR HIS WIFE SAY PUBLICLY TO THE ASSASSIN, I FORGIVE YOU, IS THE EPITOME OF WHAT BEING A CHRISTIAN IS ALL ABOUT.
I THANK YOU FOR THE KIRK FAMILY.
I PRAY THAT YOU COMFORT THEM IN THIS LOSS FOR THE CHILDREN, FOR HIS WIFE.
I THANK YOU, FATHER THAT YOU LOVE US AND YOU CREATED US.
I THANK YOU FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, FOR THE MAYOR.
I PRAY GOD THAT YOU GIVE EACH ONE WISDOM TONIGHT.
THANK YOU, FATHER FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.
LORD, I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OUR POLICE AND FIRE.
I PRAY THAT YOU WATCH OVER THEM AS THEY PROTECT THIS CITY 24/7.
WE LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU FIRST LOVED US IN CHRIST'S NAME WE PRAY. AMEN.
>> THIS WILL TAKE US TO ITEM F. MS. COOK.
[F. PUBLIC APPEARANCE]
>> PUBLIC APPEARANCE. 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 IT 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 ONE ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECTLY, NOT CITY STAFF, OR OTHERWISE.
TWO, BE COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL, AND CORDIAL.
THREE, REFRAIN FROM MAKING PERSONAL, DEMEANING, INSULTING, THREATENING, AND DISPARAGING REMARKS AS TO MAINTAIN DECORUM AND SUPPORT THE EFFICIENT AND ORDERLY FLOW OF THE MEETING.
>> OUR FIRST UP, IT WILL BE KEN. SELMAN
>> KEN SELMAN, ARCADIA FARMS. FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS I WOULD REQUEST THAT AGENDA ITEM H1, THE AGENDA ITEM AMENDING THE CITY WATER RATES BE TAKEN OFF OF CONSENT AGENDA AND MOVE TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
I AM FAR FROM THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT OUR REQUESTS FOR WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.
EMAILED ALL OF YOU. I'VE GOTTEN A FEW RESPONSES.
MAYOR ESCOBAR HAS INTERACTED WITH ME SOME.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN SOME CONSIDERATION, BUT I THINK THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHY THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT ADDRESSING OUR REQUEST FOR WINTER QUARTER AVERAGING.
WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE? WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER WATER RATE STUDY TO LOSE ANOTHER MILLION DOLLAR TO THE CITY.
SECOND IS, PRINCETON WAS THE FASTEST GROWING CITY.
EVERYBODY KNOWS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE FOR LONG.
[00:05:02]
WE HAVE THAT DESIGNATION NOW.I REQUESTED SEVERAL MEETINGS AGO THAT THIS BODY BIND, LOCK ARMS WITH SOME OTHER OVERBURDENED MUNICIPALITIES AND SUE THE STATE, A CLASS ACTION EFFORT.
SUE THE STATE. DID ANYBODY EVEN THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT AFTER I MADE THAT QUESTION? THE CITY OF TARO IS FIGHTING.
IF YOU GUYS HAVEN'T SEEN THAT, THEY ARE FIGHTING.
THEY'RE TRY DOING THEIR BEST TO STOP BEING OVERRUN BY DEVELOPERS.
WE WON'T HAVE THIS POSITION FOR LONG, BUT WE SHOULD USE OUR POSITION NOW TO RALLY OTHER CITIES AND FIGHT FOR US.
INSTEAD OF ROLLING OVER AND SAYING, DEVELOPERS ARE CONTROLLING OUR CITY AGAIN, FIGHT FOR US.
CRISTINA. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT CRISTINA.
I THINK THE LAST MEETING, I WATCHED IT OVER AND OVER.
THE 44 MINUTES REGARDING THE DRAINAGE STUDY WAS FULL OF ADVOCACY FOR ANYTHING BUT THE RESIDENTS.
MR. LONG, YOU SAID SEVERAL THINGS THAT REALLY BOTHERED ME.
ONE WAS YOU KEPT HARPING ABOUT PRUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ASKING, WHERE'S THAT $400,000 GOING TO COME FROM IN A DRAINAGE STUDY? THAT WAS EVEN AFTER CRISTINA HAD GOTTEN STAFF TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS $2.8 MILLION IN THE DRAINAGE FUND.
I NEED A FEW MORE SECONDS, IF I CAN JUST FINISH UP.
>> YEAH. I'LL GIVE YOU 30 MORE SECONDS.
>> THANK YOU. THE OTHER THING WAS YOU SAID YOURSELF, AND I KNOW I'VE HEARD YOU SAY IT BEFORE THAT YOUR PROPERTY HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY BAD SOIL, WATER, BUILD UP, FLOODING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL. I THINK YOU'VE SAID YOU HAD SOME FOUNDATION PROBLEMS. YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THAT YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LOT TO LOT DRAINAGE.
THOSE ARE FAILURES OF CITY CODE, FAILURES OF INSPECTION.
HAVE YOU ADVOCATED FOR THOSE RESIDENTS? I'VE NEVER HEARD YOU SPEAK ABOUT OR ADVOCATE FOR RESIDENTS IN BUILDING ORDINANCES AND DRAINAGE CONCERNS.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT CRISTINA, BUT I'M HERE ESPECIALLY TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO START WORKING FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESIDENTS.
ALL OF YOU, EXCEPT FOR OUR NEW REPRESENTATIVES, YOU COME IN HERE AND YOU PRESENT YOURSELF AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CITY.
I'VE HEARD THINGS SAID, WE WANT TO BE A DEVELOPER FRIENDLY CITY.
I'M HERE TO BE A GOOD PARTNER FOR THE CITY.
EVERYTHING YOU SAY IN THE DO IS I NEVER SEE ANY DEBATE OR PUSHBACK ON CITY PRESENTATIONS.
I REQUEST THAT YOU DO THE WORK TO DO THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU AGAIN. SORRY. TERESA MCGUINNESS?
>> TERESA MCGUINNESS, I LIVE IN ARCADIA FARMS. I DID GIVE YOU A HANDOUT THERE.
THAT'S JUST AN FYI, JUST SOMETHING I FOUND, JUST FOR Y'ALLS INFORMATION.
I'D LIKE TO START OFF BY RESPONDING TO SOME OF THE STATEMENTS MADE BY COUNSEL DURING THE LAST SECTION.
CAROLYN, YOU ADMITTED THAT YOU AND THE PART OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD SPEAK WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND OTHER ASSISTANTS AND BE GIVEN INFORMATION SO THAT YOU WERE PREPARED TO VOTE BEFORE YOU CAME TO THE MEETING.
THE SADDEST THING IS THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WRONG THAT IS.
YOU SEEM LIKE A VERY NICE AND WELL SPOKEN PERSON, BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN YOUR POSITION, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTED THE RESIDENTS AND NOT THE CITY MANAGEMENT.
ALSO, ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, THAT ADMISSION IS A REASON TO FILE A CRIMINAL LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU'RE A BAD PERSON, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE.
YOU AND THE OTHER MEMBERS WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THOSE TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.
YOU ALL WERE VOTED IN TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF PRINCETON.
ONCE PRINCETON BECAME A HOME RULE COMMUNITY, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE RESIDENTS INCREASED GREATLY.
IT IS THE COUNCIL WHO HAS THE FINAL APPROVAL OF JUST ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES.
BEN, YOU SAID THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE GIVE INPUT INTO TED MEETINGS, EXCEPT JUST A FEW AND WAVE US OFF LIKE WE WERE NUISANCES.
WE ARE RESIDENTS, AND WE COUNT.
MANY RESIDENTS ARE TOO BUSY RAISING CHILDREN AND WORKING.
SOME DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT A WHOLE RURAL COMMUNITY IS, AND MANY PEOPLE ARE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEM.
BEN, IT'S SAD TO KNOW THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP AND DON'T EMAIL.
I WENT THROUGH MY EMAILS, AND SINCE AUGUST OF 2024, I'VE SENT EIGHT EMAILS WITH MY CONCERNS.
YOU RESPONDED ONE TIME TO THAT VERY FIRST ONE, AND THAT'S IT.
DISCUSSING EMAIL, I SENT ONE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH TO ALL OF YOU AGAIN,
[00:10:02]
REQUESTING SOMEBODY INVESTIGATE WHY THERE IS A CONTRACT FOR NEW GEN STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR THE WATER RATE STUDY THAT SAID IT WOULD NOT EXCEED $50,000.I REQUESTED ALL THE CONTRACTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM 2021 TO CURRENT, AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE.
THE CITY CHECKBOOK SHOWS THEY HAVE BEEN PAID OVER $95,000.
I AM ASKING COUNSEL TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE.
I'VE NOTICED AN ORDINANCE IS BEING VOTED ON TODAY TO MODIFY ORDINANCE 202-409-1602 AND NOT REPEAL IT.
REMEMBER, THIS IS THE ORDINANCE THAT THAT WAS MADE ONLY TO COVER UP THE OVERCHARGING OF RESIDENTS.
NEXT AGENDA WAS BROUGHT OUT TO MAKE A PRESENTATION TO SUPPORT THIS COVER UP.
ONCE AGAIN, REMEMBER, THEY DISCLOSED THEY DID NOT HAVE ALL THE WATER AND SEWER COSTS.
A RATE STUDY WAS PRESENTED IN 12TH 2022 WITH A FIVE YEAR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEXT ONE, AGAIN, IN 2023, WITH ANOTHER FIVE YEAR RECOMMENDATION, IN 2024, IT WAS THE THIRD ONE IN THREE YEARS.
I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT COMPLETELY REPEALS ORDINANCE 202-409-1602, JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] BRUCE MARVIN.
>> BRUCE MARVIN WHITE WING TRAILS.
I CALL THIS MY THREE MINUTE TRIFECTA.
I HAVE TO ADDRESS HIM BECAUSE HE'S APPROACHED ME AND TOLD ME WHERE THE AEDS ARE. ONE IN THAT ROOM.
I CAN'T SEE IT, BUT I TRUST THEM COUPLE IN THE HALLWAY.
MY REQUEST IS ONE TO BE MOUNTED WHERE WE CAN SEE IT, PARTICULARLY ME, JUST CONCERNED. THAT'S ALL.
THE SECOND ITEM WHICH I'VE ADDRESSED BEFORE IS HAZARDOUS WASTE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IS GOING TO BE ADDRESSED WITH OUR WASTE MANAGEMENT PEOPLE.
I AM UP THE BELIEF THAT PERHAPS IF THERE IS TWO GREEN DAYS, THAT MAY BE THE SOLUTION, THE CHEAPEST SOLUTION, THE EASIEST SOLUTION FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
THE THIRD ITEM IS THIS BEING THE WEEK THAT WE WERE ALL ENCOURAGED TO GO TO THE LIBRARY AND GET A LIBRARY CARD, I GOT A LIBRARY CARD.
NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, MY WIFE DIDN'T GET A LIBRARY CARD BECAUSE I HAD TO GO BACK BECAUSE THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
NOW, I KNOW THAT'S A STAFFING ISSUE.
I KNOW THAT IT'S HARD TO FIND MONEY FOR STAFFING WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND CODE OFFICERS.
BUT OUR LIBRARY IS IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO HAVE THE LIBRARY AT HEART. I WON'T ADDRESS THEM.
THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. I WILL GET MY WIFE BACK DOWN THERE.
SHE WORKS, SO IT'S HARD TO GET DOWN THERE TO GET A LIBRARY CARD.
BUT I THINK EVERYBODY OUGHT TO HAVE A LIBRARY CARD IT'S A VOTER REGISTRATION CARD.
IT'S IMPORTANT. THAT'S MY THREE MINUTE TRIFECTA.
>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] MADELYN AWALT.
>> MADELYN AWALT, I LIVE IN WHITE LEAN TRAILS.
I HAVEN'T BEEN TO A MEETING IN A LONG TIME BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF MY HOUSE FOR 11 WEEKS AND TWO DAYS GETTING IT REMEDIATED FROM MOLD.
THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN I WAS HERE FOR THE LAST MEETING, I WAS AT A PNZ MEETING.
AT THAT PNZ MEETING, I BROUGHT THIS TO EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION, AND SOME OF THE CITY STAFF, ONE OF WHICH IS HERE TODAY, OUTRIGHT LIED AND SAID THAT FINAL WALK THROUGHS ARE COS.
LIKE YOU ALL, I ALSO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION.
THIS IS VERIFIED BY AN ATTORNEY.
YOU GUYS ARE NOT DOING YOUR INSPECTIONS.
YOU DON'T HAVE THEM ALL LISTED ON YOUR HOUSES.
I PERSONALLY, TODAY, HAVE BEEN OCCUPYING MY HOUSE FOR 1,400 DAYS.
THAT'S 1,400 DAYS, WHICH MEANS I AM UP TO LISTEN CLOSELY, $63 MILLION IN FINES PER THE CITY CODE THAT I KNOW YOU GUYS DON'T READ,
[00:15:07]
BECAUSE MY HOUSE WAS SOLD WITH 45 CONFIRMED AND SIDED VIOLATIONS BEFORE I EVEN STEPPED INTO THE HOUSE.SINCE THE CITY CODE SAYS THAT FOR EVERY DAY THAT YOU OCCUPY THE HOUSE, YOU CAN CHARGE $1,000 FEE THAT'S 63 MILLION AS OF TODAY.
YET WE HAVE THINGS LIKE THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT CRISTINA IS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS.
IT'S THAT YOU GUYS DON'T ASK ENOUGH QUESTIONS, BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION OF 43 OTHER HOUSES AND WHITE WING TRAILS THAT DO HAVE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY, AND YET THOSE WERE ISSUED WITHOUT ALL THEIR INSPECTIONS.
THERE ARE SOME HOUSES THERE THAT DON'T HAVE CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY.
THOSE ARE ALSO MISSING INSPECTIONS.
I PERSONALLY HAVE THREE INSPECTIONS THAT WERE DONE WITH AN EXPIRED PERMIT.
THERE WAS NOT A EXTENSION FILED.
>> YET I WAS ABLE TO BUY A HOUSE ANYWAY.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO LIE AND SAY THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE INSPECTIONS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT THE CODE IS AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE RIGHT DOCUMENTATION AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE YOU PUT IT OUT ON A MEETING AND HAVE EVERYBODY IN TOWN THINK ONE THING, WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT TRUE.
BECAUSE THE PROBLEM ISN'T THAT YOU'RE ASKING QUESTIONS.
YOU'RE NOT ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS, BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE INSPECTIONS, THE IECC, LOOK THAT UP, YOU SHOULD.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT ONE, YOU'LL GET MOLD IN YOUR HOUSE.
THAT'S HOW I GOT MOLD IN MY HOUSE.
THE HOUSES THAT WERE SOLD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT THAT INSPECTION DONE CORRECTLY OR DONE UNDER AN EXPIRED PERMIT, THEY'RE GOING TO GET MOLD AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SICK.
YOU'RE NOT IMPERVIOUS TO GETTING SUED.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE CITY RESPONDS WHEN YOU BRING THIS INFORMATION TO THEM, I HAVE THIS WONDERFULLY PRINTED OFF PACKET, WHICH IS CORRESPONDENCE, WHICH ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF HOW YOUR CITY MANAGER SPEAKS TO A CITIZEN BY SAYING, "IT'S REALLY NOT MY PROBLEM, I WASN'T EVEN HERE, THOUGH HE WAS HERE.
CRAIG FISHER, WHO LIVES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, ALSO HAS A HOUSE IN [OVERLAPPING] WHITE WING TRAILS.
>> MISS WHITE, ADJUST THE BOT BODY PLEASE.
>> GUY WHO WORKS AT CITY HALL.
HIS HOUSE HAS ALL OF THE RIGHT INSPECTIONS.
INSPECTIONS THAT SOME OF THESE OTHER DOCUMENTS DON'T HAVE, WHICH I FEEL IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, SINCE THAT DEPARTMENT IS THE ONE WHO ISSUES THE PERMITS.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO SAY THAT THINGS ARE TRUE VERSUS NOT TRUE, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE RIGHT INFORMATION.
WHAT'S HAPPENING TO CHRISTINA IS WRONG.
ANYBODY HERE WHO TRIES TO DO THE RIGHT THING IS SCARED INTO SILENCE.
THE ANGRIER PEOPLE GET, THE MORE ACTIVE THEY WILL BE [APPLAUSE].
>> I'M MARIA RAY. I LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY OF PRINCETON AND OUTSIDE THE ETJ, BUT I OWN SEVEN RENTAL PROPERTIES INSIDE TOWN.
THAT'S WHY I'LL BE SPEAKING ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS TODAY.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT CRISTINA FOR BEING OPEN.
THE OTHER LADY WAS EXACTLY CORRECT.
YOU DON'T ASK ENOUGH QUESTIONS YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR CONTROL A TO DEVELOPERS AND THE CITY MANAGER.
PRINCETON TRIED TO GET HOME RULE FIVE TIMES.
WE FOUGHT IT AND WHEN I SAY WE, I MEAN, MY NEIGHBORS, WE FOUGHT IT FOUR TIMES BECAUSE IT WAS THE CITY'S PLAN TO ANNEX US AGAINST OUR WILL.
THE FIFTH TIME, Y'ALL LOST FOUR TIMES.
THE FIFTH TIME, WE DIDN'T FIGHT IT BECAUSE THE STATE LAW HAD CHANGED, AND YOU CAN NO LONGER ANNEX PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR WILL.
WE DIDN'T FIGHT. I'M SEEING WE TOLD PEOPLE, DON'T VOTE FOR HOME RULE BECAUSE THE CITY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF WHAT THEY'VE GOT.
IT'S JUST NOT GOOD. THEY DON'T NEED MORE POWER.
THEY'RE NOT MANAGING THEIR STUFF RIGHT.
I'M JUST GOING, YOU ALL AIN'T GOT IT TOGETHER.
I HATE THAT I WAS RIGHT ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I SAID, I DO OWN PROPERTY IN TOWN, AND IT COSTS ME MONEY.
YOU ARE ADVERTISING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON PLAY THINGS, LIKE WRECK BUILDINGS, WHATEVER, PARKS, ALL THOSE THINGS.
THOSE THINGS ARE LOVELY AND EVERYBODY ENJOYS THEM NOT EVERYBODY.
[00:20:02]
MANY PEOPLE ENJOY THEM WHEN THEY'RE HERE.BUT YEARS AGO, A STUDY WAS DONE ON THE ROADS IN TOWN, AND THEY WERE GIVEN A RATING AT THAT TIME, DOGWOOD WAS RATED A ZERO.
IT WAS THE WORST ONE IN THE WHOLE TOWN.
SINCE THAT TIME, THERE WAS A BIG WATER MAIN BREAK ON SECOND STREET BECAUSE OF PEOPLE DOING BORING THAT SOME DEVELOPER TO TAKE OUT A LINE OUT OF TOWN.
THEY DID BORING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY MISSED THE BIGGEST WATER LINE IN TOWN ON THE THING WHERE THEY GOT THE WATER LINES MARKED BECAUSE THEY WENT THROUGH THE MAIN WATER LINE THAT COMES OUT OF THE ABOVE GROUND STORAGE THAT'S THERE AT DOGWOOD AND SECOND.
AND IT REALLY QUICK, DUG A HOLE THAT WAS BIG ENOUGH TO PUT A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF SECOND STREET.
IT WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A WHILE TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE.
DURING THAT WORKING, THE CITY OF PRINCETON HAD TO FLUSH LINES, OF COURSE, AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
THEY WENT DOWN DOGWOOD IN BETWEEN TWO OF MY PROPERTIES AND TURNED ON THE FIRE HYDRANT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THEY LEFT IT RUN.
MY TENANTS WHO ARE IN THE FOUR PLEX ON DOGWOOD CALLED SAYING THERE'S WATER UP TO THE BRICKS.
IT'S NOT GOOD. THE PARKING LOT THERE IS ONE I BOUGHT IT, BLACKTOP, AND OTHER.
>> IT'S AN OLD BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT IN THE 80S.
THE WATER WENT ACROSS THE ROAD, WASHING A TRENCH ACROSS THE ROAD, WASHING OUT MY BIG SECTION OF MY PARKING LOT OVER THERE AND TAKING THE ROCK OFF THE PARKING LOT AND OVER ONTO SOME CITY PROPERTY OVER THERE.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, SOME GUYS FROM THE CITY BROUGHT SOME ROCK OVER AND SPREAD IT AROUND, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT ROCK GUYS.
BUT THAT IS JUST SOME OF THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE ON DOGWOOD SINCE THAT STUDY WAS DONE, AND NO REPAIRS ON DOGWOOD.
I WANT YOU TO SPEND MONEY ON THE ROADS, THE PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN PAYING THE TAXES ON THOSE ROADS FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON BAD ROADS FOR 30.
I WANT YOU TO SPEND THAT BEFORE YOU SPEND IT ON PLAY THINGS. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, MAYOR.
I DO THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU PUT IN, AND, THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE TO DO.
I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'VE NOTICED AROUND TOWN.
THERE IS A DEVELOPER, AND I DON'T HAVE THE NAME OF THAT DEVELOPER.
IT'S OVER BY HARPER ELEMENTARY.
I GUESS THE SECOND PART PHASE TWO, THREE, FOUR, WHATEVER IT IS, BUT IT'S TERRACED.
I LOOKED OUT THERE BECAUSE IT'S ACROSS FROM WHERE MY GRANDDAUGHTER GOES, BUT IT'S TERRACED, AND THE HOUSES ARE STARTING TO BE BUILT DOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE THREE TERRACES WITH A SIX FOOT WALL.
I'VE LOOKED, AND THEY'VE GOT A SORT OF A PVC PIPE AT THE BOTTOM FOR DRAINAGE.
THAT WAS BEFORE WHEN THE HOUSES WERE JUST STARTING TO GET BUILT.
NOW THEY HAVE SOME THAT ARE BUILT.
I HAD A GENTLEMAN SHOW ME AROUND THE BACK YARD AND THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE THAT'S JUST STARTING TO MOVE IN.
WELL, WE WERE LOOKING AT THE WALLS.
THE DRAINAGE HOLE, THE YARD SORT OF SLOPES DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THEN GOES UP BEFORE IT GETS INTO THE HOUSE, WITH A SLIGHT DITCH TO THE SIDE FOR DRAINAGE.
HE SAID THE DEVELOPER TOLD HIM, IF HE EVER HAS ANY DRAINAGE PROBLEMS TO LET HIM KNOW.
I SAID, WELL, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO DO THAT AFTER YOU HAVE PROBLEMS. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S JUST GOING TO DRAIN RIGHT INTO HIS HOUSE.
THEN THE DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, IT WAS A LITTLE SWAMPY AREA THERE.
I SAID, WELL, IT HADN'T EVEN RAINED.
WHY IS IT SWAMPY? HE GOES, WELL, IT MIGHT BE THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM.
I'M GOING, WELL, IT'S NOT SOAKING INTO THE GROUND.
BUT ANYWAY, I THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO I DON'T KNOW WHO INSPECTS IT, BUT I LOOKED ACROSS THE STREET WHERE THERE'S NOT TERRACES, AND IT SAID,
[00:25:02]
AVAILABLE, AND WE BOTH LOOKED OVER THERE, AND I SAID, WELL, THAT ONE'S AVAILABLE.IT'S NOT NEXT TO A WALL WITH DRAINAGE.
ALSO, ETJ, THOSE THAT ARE GETTING OUT OF ETJ, I REALIZE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELL THEIR PROPERTY TO WHOMEVER.
BUT IF OUR CITY IS IN A MORATORIUM, AND DEVELOPERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROVED, AND THEY JUST HAVE DONE PHASE 1.
NOW THEY'RE DOING PHASE 2, 03, 4, AND 5, AND PEOPLE STILL THINK, WELL, WE'RE STILL BUILDING WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE THAT WAS APPROVED.
BUT GETTING OUT OF THE ETJ, THAT ALLOWS THEM TO SELL IT AND NOT HAVE THAT MORATORIUM ON IT.
I'M WONDERING, CAN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY WORK TOGETHER TO PUT SOME TALK A LITTLE LONGER.
OR REGULATIONS, RESTRICTIONS? THAT'S WHY THE CITY HAS A MORATORIUM.
WE HAVE ALL THIS GROWTH, SCHOOLS HAVING TO BE DEVELOPED.
CAN THERE BE SOMETHING TOWARDS THOSE THAT ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE ETJ, WHICH IS A MORATORIUM. THANK YOU.
>> ACTUALLY, CAN I GIVE YOU MY CARD? I WOULD LOVE TO GO SEE THAT PROPERTY.
>> I THINK YOU TALKED ABOUT IT ONCE BEFORE, THAT TRACE OVER THERE BY HARPER ELEMENTARY.
>> BUT I HAVEN'T GONE TO THAT PROPERTY.
I'VE SEEN PICTURES, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING THEM DIRECTLY.
>> HE GRACIOUSLY WALKED ME AROUND.
>> I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT CAUSE I'VE BEEN TOURING THE HOMES. THANK YOU.
>> I RAMANI WHITE WING TRAILS. MAYOR, COUNSEL.
I STAND BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING TO ADDRESS WHAT I KNOW IS A FUNDAMENTAL BREAKDOWN OF OUR CIVIC DUTY.
IN THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE COUNCIL MEMBER MISS TODD.
APOLOGIZE TO THE CITY STAFF FOR ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS.
I MUST ASK. IS THIS WHAT WE HAVE COME TO? ISN'T THE FUNDAMENTAL DUTY OF A COUNCIL MEMBER TO ASK QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS WHO VOTED THEM INTO THIS POSITION? WHEN RESIDENTS APPROACH CITY STAFF AND CANNOT GET ANSWERS, IT IS YOUR ROLE, YOUR SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND IN THEIR PLACE AND DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY.
I HAVE OBSERVED MEETING AFTER MEETING WHERE ONLY THREE OF YOU CONSISTENTLY ENGAGE IN CHALLENGING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY STAFF.
I URGE THE REST OF YOU TO DO THE SAME.
NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO ENTRUSTED YOU WITH THIS POSITION.
ALWAYS KEEP THEIR INTERESTS AS YOUR TOP PRIORITY.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASON CITY STAFF IS FLOODED WITH QUESTIONS IS A FAILURE TO PRACTICE ONE OF THE CITY'S CORE VALUES, TRANSPARENCY.
LET ME GIVE YOU A SMALL EXAMPLE.
THE WASTEWATER REFUND FOR EXCESSIVE BILLING IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
THE ORDINANCE WITH WHICH THE CITY CHOSE NOT TO FOLLOW CLEARLY STATES THAT FOR ACCOUNTS WITHOUT WINTER AVERAGING DATA, THE CITYWIDE WINTER AVERAGING DATA WILL BE USED.
I MADE A REQUEST TO THE CITY SOME TIME AGO TO PUBLISH WHAT THAT DATA IS.
TO THIS DATE, THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. WHAT IS THERE TO HIDE? PUBLISHING THIS DATA WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS TO FIGURE OUT THEMSELVES IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND, THEREBY MINIMIZING THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THE CITY STAFF RECEIVES.
IT ALSO DEMONSTRATES THAT THE CITY IS PRACTICING ONE OF ITS CORE VALUES, WHICH IS TRANSPARENCY.
LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER EXAMPLE.
DID YOU ALL KNOW THAT THIS YEAR, THE CITY HAS DECIDED TO RECOVER $420,000 FROM PIT PAYING RESIDENTS FOR ITS OWN COST OF PIT ADMINISTRATION.
NONE OF THE PIT PAYING RESIDENTS WERE MADE AWARE OF THIS.
I ASK YOU ALL, IS THIS A TRANSPARENT WAY OF CONDUCTING THE CITY'S OPERATIONS? THE ISSUES I'VE HIGHLIGHTED ARE NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS.
THEY ARE SYMPTOMS OF A DEEPER PROBLEM.
THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT DESERVE A GOVERNMENT THAT OPERATES WITH INTEGRITY AND OPENNESS? THEY DESERVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE UNAFRAID TO CHARGE AND TO HOLD THE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.
I IMPLORE YOU TO RISE TO THIS CHALLENGE.
REMEMBER THAT A LOYALTY LIES NOT WITH THE CITY'S BUREAUCRACY BUT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THIS CITY. THANK YOU.
[00:30:13]
>> COUNSEL, MAYOR, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
ORIGINALLY, I WAS PLANNING ON COMING AND PROVIDING A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DEPTH INFORMATION ON SOME DRAINAGE ISSUES, BUT SOMETHING CAME UP ON THE AGENDA THAT I DID NOT EXPECT, AND I WANTED TO SPEND MY TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT.
OF COURSE, I'M SPEAKING ABOUT COUNCILWOMAN TODD WOUNDING UP ON THE AGENDA.
SHE WOUND UP ON THE AGENDA FOR VERY SIMILAR REASONS THAT I WAS TARGETED DURING MY WORK AS PLANNING AND ZONING CHAIR.
I'LL TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS IN THREE MINUTES.
AS THE FORWARD PLANNING ZONING CHAIRMAN, I'M FIRSTHAND WITNESS TO SYSTEMIC LAWLESSNESS, AND INTENTIONAL LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITHIN OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, VIOLATIONS THAT EXPOSE EVERY TAXPAYER IN PRINCETON TO LITIGATION AND EVERY INVOLVED CITY OFFICIAL TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
>> WHEN MAYOR ESCOBAR FILED CHARGES AGAINST ME WITHOUT AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 9.01 OF OUR HOME RULE CHARTER, WHICH VESTS THAT POWER IN THE COUNCIL, NOT THE MAYOR, HE DIDN'T JUST BREAK PROTOCOL.
HE VIOLATED THE LAW. WHEN HE BYPASSED THE MANDATORY PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE REQUIRED BY SECTION 9.4B OF OUR BY LAWS, HE VIOLATED THE LAW.
WHEN HE CONDUCTED HIS SUPPOSED INVESTIGATION THROUGH EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS WITH COMMISSIONERS, CREATING WHAT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 551 DEFINES AS AN ILLEGAL WALKOM QUORUM, HE VIOLATED THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
WHEN HE DENIED ME DUE PROCESS GUARANTEED UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT AND RETALIATED AGAINST MY PROTECTED SPEECH UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT, HE DIDN'T JUST PLAY POLITICS.
HE VIOLATED FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND LEGAL PRECEDENTS.
BUT WHEN LAWLESSNESS DIDN'T END WITH MY FORCED RESIGNATION, IT CONTINUES TODAY, DOCUMENTED IN BLACK AND WHITE.
WHEN I REQUESTED RECORDS OF THE SHAM INVESTIGATION THROUGH THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT.
YOUR CITY SECRETARY, YOUR CITY ATTORNEY, ALSO BECAME KNOWING PARTICIPANTS IN CRIMINAL CONDUCT.
THEY HAVE VIOLATED TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 552.301 BY FAILING TO PROVIDE MANDATORY DISCLOSURES.
THEY HAVE VIOLATED SECTION 552.302, WHICH CREATES A LEGAL PRESUMPTION OF THAT ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RELEASED WHEN THESE PROCEDURES ARE IGNORED.
THEY HAVE VIOLATED SECTION 552.221 TIMELINE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE STANDARDS SET BY ATTORNEY GENERAL DECISION, ORD-664.
THESE ARE CRIMES. SECTION 552.352 MAKES A CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR FOR A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO WILLFULLY FAIL TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INFORMATION.
SECTION 552.353 MAKES IT A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO WILLFULLY VIOLATE THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT.
YOUR CITY SECRETARY AND CITY ATTORNEY FACE NOT JUST CIVIL PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 552.321 TO MANDATORY ATTORNEY FEE PROVISIONS, THEY FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
I HAVE NO DOUBTS AS TO THE REASONING FOR EFFECTIVE.
>> YOU HAVE 30 MORE SECONDS TO GO?
>> FOR EFFECTIVELY DENYING MY REQUEST FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION.
THE INFORMATION AND LACK THEREOF POINTS TOWARD POLITICAL GAMES PLAYED WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT TO RETALIATE AND SILENCE ONE OF THE FEW VOICES CALLING FOR INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN ORGANIZATION WHERE LITTLE IS TO BE FOUND.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED SPEAKING UP MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, I WAS WARNED THAT THE CITY HAS A HISTORY OF TARGETING THOSE WHO CALL ATTENTION TO THESE ISSUES.
NOW OUR MAYOR HAS DONE HIS PART TO CONTINUE THAT PATTERN.
RESIDENTS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE AFFECTED BY AND WILL ULTIMATELY PAY FOR THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES.
MEANWHILE, THE CITY MANAGER IS CIRCUMVENTING COUNCIL'S DIRECTIVE AND PUBLICLY PROMISED FUNDS TO KEEP HIM COMFORTABLE AND FEELING IMPORTANT WITH OVER $60,000 AND A SHINY NEW OFFICE UPDATE AND A PAID ASSISTANT.
NOW THE SAME CORRUPT MACHINERY HAS TURNED TOWARDS COUNCILMEMBER TODD.
ONE OF THE FEW AMONG YOU WHO EXAMINES BUDGETS FOR MISINFORMATION, WHO QUESTIONS RECKLESSNESS AND DEVELOPMENT, AND VIOLATES HER ORDINANCES AND RESIDENTS PROPERTY RIGHTS, WHO REFUSES TO BE COMPLICIT AND WASTEFUL SPENDING AND ENRICHES OUR OUT OF TOWN DEVELOPERS AT THE RESIDENTS EXPENSES.
THIS IS ORGANIZED CORRUPTION, USING CITY RESOURCES TO SILENCE OVERSIGHT, HIDE EVIDENCE, AND MAINTAIN POWER THROUGH INTIMIDATION, RETALIATION.
EVERY PROPERTY OWNER IN PRINCETON SHOULD UNDERSTAND WHEN CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF VIOLATE STATE LAW TO HIDE THE TRUTH, WHEN THEY IGNORE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DUE PROCESS, WHEN THEY CREATE ILLEGAL WALKING QUORUMS AND COORDINATE POLITICAL ATTACKS, YOU DON'T JUST LOSE GOOD GOVERNMENT.
YOU INHERIT MASSIVE LEGAL LIABILITY.
YOUR TAX DOLLARS WILL PAY THE SETTLEMENTS, AND YOUR CITY'S REPUTATION WILL BEAR THE STAIN.
OUR HOME RULE CHARTER GRANTS US ULTIMATE REMEDY, SECTION 12.03 EMPOWERS US TO RECALL ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO PORTRAYS OUR TRUST,
[00:35:04]
WHO VIOLATES THE OATH, AND MAKES US COMPLICIT IN THEIR LAWLESSNESS THROUGH OUR TAX DOLLARS AND OUR SILENCE.IT'S BEEN SUBMITTED TO COUNSEL, STAFF, AND THE CITY ATTORNEY.
THE CRIMINALS WEAR THE TITLES OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS.
PUBLIC SERVICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST, WHEN THAT TRUST IS SHATTERED BY THOSE WHO SWORE TO UPHOLD IT.
WHEN THE LAW ITSELF IS PERVERTED TO PROTECT THE LAWLESSNESS, WE MUST ACT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, OUR RESPECT SHOULD BE EARNED, NOT GIVEN.
IN THREE MINUTES, I CAN'T INFORM THE RESIDENTS OF PRINCETON, THE ENTIRETY OF THE ISSUES I'VE SEEN, THE LAWS, ORDINANCES, AND BY LAWS.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO JUST CORRECT YOU ON A FEW THINGS.
WHEN YOU FIRST GOT PUT ON THE AGENDA, IT WAS BECAUSE I'VE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM THE CITY.
THE REASON WHY THAT I PUT YOU ON THE AGENDA IS SO EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I'VE RECEIVED COMPLAINTS.
IT WASN'T BECAUSE I HAD TO THEY DID NOT WANT TO ADD YOUR NAME TO THE AGENDA.
I ADDED TO THE AGENDA MYSELF. SO EVERYBODY. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I TOLD YOU THE SAME EXACT THING.
>> WELL, YOU TOLD ME UP HERE AT THE PODIUM THAT YOU CAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE CAN'T COME BACK FAR, SO I'M NEED TO HAVE AN ONGOING DIALOGUE. YEAH, I CAN'T.
>> YOU'RE GOOD TO GO ON THE RECORD.
>> BUT THERE'S A FEW FALSE STATEMENTS YOU MADE SO FAR.
THAT TYPICALLY IN THE PAST, HAS NOT HAPPENED.
YOU CAN ASK THEM MR. COUNCILMAN JOHNSON.
YOU CAN ASK JASON RADISON IN THE PAST.
WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST IS HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND THEY REMOVE THEM.
WELL, THEY ASKED THEM TO RESIGN.
WHAT I'VE DONE, I'VE LEARNED FROM THE PAST, AND I'VE DONE SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHERE I'M GO TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND JUST LIKE I PICK CHRISTINA ON THE AGENDA TOO, BECAUSE WHEN I RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER, I PUT ON THE AGENDA, SO EVERYBODY ELSE KNOWS.
THESE ARE NOT CONVERSATIONS THAT HAPPENED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
ALSO, I WANT TO SAY YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING THAT YOU RESIGNED BEFORE YOU EVEN HAD IT.
YOU COULD HAVE ADDRESSED EVERY COMPLAINT, EVERY WRITE UP THAT I WROTE.
YOU COULD HAVE ADDRESSED IT THEN, BECAUSE YOU GOT WRITTEN CHARGES, SO YOU COULD HAVE ADDRESSED IT THEN, BUT YOU DECIDED TO RESIGN BEFOREHAND.
YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, AND YOU DID NOT CHOOSE THAT.
THAT IS ON YOU. IF WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS OFFLINE, WE HAD CONVERSATIONS ONLINE, WHATEVER, BUT YOU HAD YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PLEAD YOUR CASE, AND YOU CHOSE TO RESIGN BEFOREHAND.
THAT WAS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD THIS TALK BACK AND FORTH.
BUT ALL RIGHT, SO WE'LL MOVE FORWARD. MAXINE ELLIS.
>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL, MAYOR, STAFF.
I DO WANT TO THANK ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE COME OUT TONIGHT.
AS ONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS MENTIONED LAST WEEK THAT USUALLY IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE OVER AND OVER.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT DOESN'T MATTER.
IT TRULY DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S ONE PERSON COMING OUT OR 50 PEOPLE COMING OUT. IT'S IRRELEVANT.
YOU ALL ARE RESIDENTS OF OUR CITY.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT A DEFINITION OF A COUNCIL MEMBER IS? A COUNCIL MEMBER IS AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICIAL WHO SERVES ON THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE BODY, REPRESENTING RESIDENTS.
NOT REPRESENTING THE STAFF, REPRESENTING RESIDENTS, MAKING DECISIONS ON CITY POLICIES, BUDGETS, AND ORDINANCES, AND LISTENING TO WHAT THE RESIDENTS SAY.
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I COME UP HERE AND TALK AND I SEE EYE ROLLS.
I SEE PEOPLE SITTING THERE STARING DOWN AT THEIR PHONES.
AFTER THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, I WALKED OUT A J TO QUIT EVERY SINGLE THING I DO WITH THIS CITY AND NEVER COME TO ANOTHER BOARD.
I'M SURE THERE'S A NUMBER OF YOU OUT HERE AND A FEW OF YOU UP THERE, PROBABLY, THAT WOULD BE REALLY HAPPY THAT THAT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE IN TO ANY OF YOU.
I'M GOING TO KEEP DOING WHAT I'M DOING.
ON THE SIT, ON COUNCIL, IT WAS BROUGHT UP AT THE HOME RULES CHARTER, AND YOU CAN WATCH IT ON THE MEETING.
TO HAVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR HOLD A MONTHLY TOWN HALL TO HEAR RESIDENTS CONCERNS.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I GOT TOLD? I GOT TOLD NO, THAT WON'T WORK.
[00:40:01]
I WORK TOO MANY HOURS.I GET UP AT 5:00 AM AND START MY DAY.
THREE MINUTES, I'VE GOT TO GIVE YOU MY CONCERNS.
WHERE'S MY TIME TO TELL YOU ALL OTHER THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE CITY? COUNCIL MEMBER GERFER, YOU AND I TALKED HOW MANY TIMES? COUNTLESS TIMES ABOUT RENTALS.
MOST OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE CLOSE TO 50% RENTAL HOMES, AND YOU WANT TO PUT THAT ON THE BACK BURNER? ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I BROUGHT UP AT HOME RULES IS ASKING MAYOR, COUNCIL TO DO A PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
LET THE CITY WHO ELECTED YOU KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING? LET YOU ALL TELL US WHO ELECTED YOU ALL, WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR US.
BESIDES SITTING THERE AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION, YEAH.
I ASKED PEOPLE TO COME OUT TO UNITE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DO SUPPORT CHRISTINA TODD.
I DO SUPPORT OUR MAYOR EUGENE ESCOBAR JUNIOR, AND I SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER TERRENCE JOHNSON BECAUSE THEY ASK QUESTIONS.
PUBLIC RECORDS IS FOR PUBLIC RECORDS.
IF YOU ALL ASKED MORE QUESTIONS, OUR CITY WOULDN'T BE GOING THROUGH WHAT IT'S GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.
WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE ASKING RESIDENTS TO UNITE TO STAND UP FOR PEOPLE.
YOU ALL NEED TO START GETTING ALONG, AND YOU ALL NEED TO START GETTING ALONG WITH THEM ALSO.
YOU ALL NEED TO GET ALONG OR YOU ALL NEED TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ELECTION.
SOME OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER, IF YOU ALL AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT WE'RE DOING, YOU NEED TO, BECAUSE THERE'S COMPENSATION NOTED IN THERE.
YOU KNOW WHAT? I WILL BE THE FIRST.
I WAS THE FIRST TO BRING IT UP TO VOTE YES, TO GIVE YOU ALL COMPENSATION, AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO PROTEST AGAINST IT UNTIL YOU SHOW ME WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING FOR US.
>> THANK YOU, MAXINE ELLIS. THIS WILL TAKE US.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE HERE FOR [OVERLAPPING] YES.
THAT WILL TAKE IT TO ITEM G. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST. MS. DAVID-GRAVES.
[G. ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST]
>> ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST? JOIN US AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK ON SEPTEMBER 24TH AT 10:30 AM FOR A READING OF JABEZ JABEZ WHAT DO YOU SEE BY AUTHOR AMBER HILL? PLEASE NOTE, STORYTIME WILL BE HELD AT VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, WEATHER PERMITTING.
IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, STORY TIME WILL BE HELD AT THE LIBRARY.
IT'S LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH.
DISCOVER HOW A SINGLE CARD CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES.
STOP BY THE LIBRARY AT 3:23 MCKINNEY AVENUE, HERE IN PRINCETON, OR VISIT US ONLINE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CARD TODAY.
COME JOIN US AT THIS OPEN HOUSE FOR THE STEVE AND JUDY DEFIBAR COMMUNITY CENTER THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, FROM 2:00-5:00 PM DURING THE HOMECOMING PARADE.
LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MEDICARE RECIPIENTS.
JOIN US FOR A MEDICARE 101 WORKSHOP ON OCTOBER 14TH AT 5:30 PM AT THE LIBRARY.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE ULTIMATE AUTUMN CELEBRATION AT PUMPKIN PALOOZA.
JOIN US ON OCTOBER 18TH, FROM 5:00-9:00 PM AT JM CALDWELL SENIOR COMMUNITY PARK FOR A VIBRANT EVENING FILLED WITH FAMILY FRIENDLY, FUN AND FESTIVE ACTIVITIES.
THESE ARE YOUR ITEMS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST FOR TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. THIS WILL TAKE US TO OUR TO ITEM,
[H. CONSENT AGENDA (Part 1 of 2)]
THE CONSENT AGENDA, MS. COOK.>> CONSENT AGENDA. ALL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS LISTED ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION.
[00:45:03]
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 ON THE AGENDA.
>> SO WE'RE GOING TO PULL [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WOULD LIKE MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE REMOVAL OF ITEMS H814 AND 15.
>> YOUR HONOR, IF I CAN ALSO REQUEST H7 TO BE REMOVED.
>> MS. TODD, IS H815 AND WHICH OTHER ONE?
>> I WILL TAKE A MOTION FOR THOSE.
>> YOUR HONOR, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REMAINDER.
[I. CEREMONIAL ITEMS]
AND THIS WILL BE A PROCLAMATION.CHILDHOOD CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH BY DISEASE AND CHILDREN, AND ONE IN 285 CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE DIAGNOSED BY THE 20TH BIRTHDAY.
HUNDREDS OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL, INCLUDING AMERICAN CHILDHOOD CANCER ORGANIZATION, ARE HELPING CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE THROUGH THESE EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AND THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 40,000 CHILDREN ON ACTIVE TREATMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME.
IN THE LAST 30 YEARS, ONLY SIX NEW DRUGS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA TO SPECIFICALLY TREAT CHILDHOOD CANCER.
I, EUGENE ESCOBAR, JUNIOR, MAYOR OF CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 20TH 2025, AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
THERE'S NOBODY HERE TO RECEIVE IT, BUT ANN.
DO YOU WANT TO GET A PICTURE WITH IT? WE CAN DO IT UP HERE, UNLESS YOU WANT IT DOWN. UNLESS YOU WANT.
[J. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER 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 551.072, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CONSULTATION WITH CITY ATTORNEY ON UPDATE ON FURTHER LAND OPPORTUNITIES, 559, WEST PRINCETON DRIVE, A CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, AND CITY COUNCIL BYLAWS, ARTICLE 9.
WE'LL ALSO GO INTO EXECUTIVE FOR PERSONNEL MATTERS, CLOSED MEETING.
THIS WILL BE FOR CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL MEMBER PLACE 2.
ALSO, UNDER SECTION 551.087, DELIBERATION REGARDING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATION CLOSED MEETINGS.
THIS WILL BE FOR PROJECT RED, PROJECT HOME RUN, AND PROJECT LONESTAR.
>> I'D LIKE TO INVOKE MY RIGHT TO A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL GO INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING FIRST.
GRANT, DO WE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE A TIME FOR THIS OR?
>> I WOULD PREFER THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE TIME.
[OVERLAPPING] WHEN WE OPEN, THEN ALSO WHEN WE CLOSE.
>> THE TIME IS 7:35, AND THIS WILL OPEN UP A PUBLIC HEARING.
THEN AT THIS TIME, MS. COOK, I PROVIDED YOU WITH THE DOCUMENTS OF THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST MS. TODD.
[00:50:01]
I WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE READ OUT LOUD.FROM ONE IS A CITY THAT WAS HANDED TO ME.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS HANDED TO ME BY MR. MASHBURN, AND ONE IS AN EMAIL THAT WAS SENT BY MISS DAVID-GRAVES.
>> ARE YOU SAYING YOU WANT ME TO READ BOTH OF THESE DOCUMENTS? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
>> WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, I'M TO HAVE YOU READ IT, READ THE CHARGE, WELL, READ THE COMPLAINTS OUT LOUD.
THEN I'LL LET MISS DAVID-GRAVES SINCE SHE'S HERE. MR. MASHBURN NOT HERE.
SHE CAN TALK TO OUR COUNTY COUNCIL.
>> TO BE CLEAR, WE DON'T KNOW THAT THIS CAME DIRECTLY FROM MR. MASHBURN.
>> IT WAS HANDED TO ME. BUT I DON'T KNOW HE DIDN'T SPECIFICALLY SAY THIS IS WRITTEN FROM HIM.
>> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE FROM HIM SPECIFICALLY? WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW.
>> YOU WANTED ME TO READ MISSES DAVID-GRAVES' LETTER, OR WOULD YOU RATHER HER READ IT?
>> SHE CAN READ IT, OR YOU CAN READ IT.
IT'S ON YOU GUYS. LET ME PASS IT.
>> MISS DAVID-GRAVES SAID SHE WOULD READ IT.
IT'S I THINK TWO PAGES AND THEN A EMAIL ON THE BACK.
WE HAND THAT TO HER? IS THAT THE EMAIL?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
I WAS TOLD THAT ON FACEBOOK, I SAW THAT A COUNCIL MEMBER HAD BROUGHT A COMPLAINT AGAINST MISS TODD.
>> THIS IS NOT YOUR PUBLIC HEARING.
IT'S MINE, AND YOU ARE HERE TO READ YOUR COMPLAINT.
>> I AM NOT SURE WHO AND HOW THIS WAS BROADCAST.
I DON'T KNOW WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A COMPLAINT.
CHIEF, IF YOU WILL, I HAVE SOME.
I'M GOING TO READ, AND IF YOU WILL, PASS IT OUT TO THE AUDIENCE SO THEY CAN SEE, IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, WHAT THIS LETTER PERTAINS TO THAT WAS QUALIFIED AS A COMPLAINT.
YES, PLEASE. TO THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE HERE VISITING SO THAT THEY CAN ALSO SEE AS THE LETTER IS READ OR THE EMAIL IS READ.
>> WHILE WE'RE DOING THAT, CAN IT BE READ? YOU CAN EXPLAIN?
>> I'LL START READING. AUGUST 19, 2025, HONORABLE EUGENE ESCOBAR.
DEAR MAY ESCOBAR, I AM WRITING TO FORMALLY EXPRESS MY CONCERN REGARDING A RECENT CONVERSATION I HAD WITH COUNCILWOMAN CHRISTINA TODD ABOUT HER ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH CITY STAFF.
THIS ISSUE IS HAVING A NOTICEABLE IMPACT ON COUNCIL MEETINGS AND MAY BE AFFECTING CITY STAFF, DEVELOPERS, OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, AND A BROADER PERCEPTION OF OUR CITY.
COUNCIL TODD SHARED THAT SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH CITY STAFF.
THIS IS DEEPLY CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INCREASINGLY ANTAGONISTIC TONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS.
OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MEETINGS HAVE BEEN RUNNING MUCH LATER THAN NECESSARY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME STRAINED.
COUNCILWOMAN TODD FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS ON THE OPEN FLOOR IN WAYS THAT APPEAR TO CHALLENGE THE EXPERTISE AND INTEGRITY.
[00:55:04]
WHILE HER PASSION FOR DRAINAGE AND FLOOD PAIN ISSUES IS THESE ARE HIGHLY TECHNICAL MATTERS THAT REQUIRE THE EXPERTISE OF LICENSED ENGINEERS WITH KNOWLEDGE OF RELATED REGULATIONS.WHEN THESE EXCHANGES OCCUR PUBLICLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR DISCUSSION, THEY RISK CONFUSING RESIDENTS AND DEVELOPERS, UNDERMINING STAFF EXPERTISE AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND EXPOSING THE CITY TO LEGAL AND FINANCIAL LIABILITY.
ALLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADDRESS COMPLEX ISSUES AND RECEIVE ANSWERS BEFORE MEETINGS WOULD HELP PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS, FOSTER COLLABORATION, PROTECT STAFF MORALE, AND ENGENDER PUBLIC TRUST.
TO MY KNOWLEDGE, COUNCIL HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS CONTINUING MATTER OPENLY NOR PRIVATELY, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE URGENT.
FURTHERMORE, OUR BYLAWS EXIST TO ENSURE COUNCIL MEMBERS EXERCISE PROFESSIONALISM, RESPECT, AND PROCEDURAL INTEGRITY IN EXECUTING OUR DUTIES.
THIS REGARDING THE STANDARD SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT AND THREATENS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR LEADERSHIP, AND DAMAGES PUBLIC TRUST.
SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AND MUDDLING OF CULTURE AND CO-VALUE, CITY MANAGER MASHBURN HAS COMMITTED TO MEETING BIWEEKLY WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PROVIDE UPDATES, ANSWER QUESTIONS, AND SEEK DIRECTION IN UPCOMING MATTERS.
HAS COUNCILWOMAN TODD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THESE MEETINGS, AND IF SO, WHAT HAS BEEN THE OUTCOME? TO RESTORE TRANSPARENCY, PROMOTE GOODWILL, AND MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION IN OUR WORK, AND BRING CLOSURE TO COUNCILWOMAN TODD'S REPORTED STATUS.
I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS.
A FORMAL REVIEW OF THE TIME COUNCILWOMAN TODD HAS MET WITH OR REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM CITY STAFF, INCLUDING ANY INTERACTIONS WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND AFFILIATED CONTRACTORS.
PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE THE FINANCIAL COST OF THESE MEETINGS AND REQUEST.
THIS WILL HELP ASSESS THE RATIONALE BEHIND LIMITING HER ACCESS, A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, TO REVIEW THE ABOVE-REQUESTED INFORMATION AND ASSESS WHETHER COUNCILWOMAN TODD'S REQUESTS HAVE BEEN UNREASONABLE, INAPPROPRIATE, DESERVING OF THE CURRENT STANCE, VIOLATED THE CODE OF CONDUCT RULES OF ORDER, AND HELP DETERMINE ANY NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL BYLAWS.
TRAINING OR FACILITATED SESSIONS FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CLARIFY THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR ROLES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DEFERRING TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.
PROMOTE A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND PROFESSIONALISM BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND AFFIRMING THE AUTHORITY AND EXPERTISE OF CITY STAFF, PROMOTE RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, PROHIBIT ANY PERCEIVED HARASSMENT, AND ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ANY MISCONDUCT OR MISINFORMATION.
PRINCETON WAS RECENTLY NAMED THE FASTEST GROWING CITY IN AMERICA, AND OUR MEETINGS ARE WATCHED BY DEVELOPERS, CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS, CITY OFFICIALS IN TEXAS AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND MANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
A COUNCIL MEMBER BEING PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING WITH STAFF PRIOR TO MEETINGS REFLECTS POORLY ON OUR CITY AND MAY DISCOURAGE DEVELOPERS FROM INVESTING AND POTENTIAL RESIDENTS FROM RELOCATING HERE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS CRITICAL TO EXPANDING OUR TAX BASE, MAINTAINING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SUPPORTING OUR GROWING POPULATION.
IF THIS SITUATION CONTINUES, WE RISK DEVELOPING A REPUTATION FOR DISORGANIZATION, INEPTITUDE, POOR GOVERNANCE, AND FRANKLY NOT BEING SERIOUS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, ALL OF WHICH COULD HINDER OUR PROGRESS AND HAVE IMMEASURABLY DEVASTATING AND ENDURING CONSEQUENCES.
MR. MAYOR, THIS WAS NOT AN EASY LETTER TO WRITE.
OUR CITY DESERVES LEADERSHIP THAT MODELS INTEGRITY, RESPECT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ENGENDERS TRUST BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC.
THIS MATTER IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE AND COULD HAVE LASTING CONSEQUENCES IF LEFT UNADDRESSED.
I URGE YOU TO TREAT IT WITH THE SERIOUSNESS IT DEMANDS AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO RESTORING A PEACEFUL, COLLABORATIVE, PROFESSIONAL, AND WINSOME ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL.
OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON YOUR BOLDNESS AND WILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER OR TIMIDITY IN ALLOWING IT TO CONTINUE TO THE DETRIMENT OF OUR CITY,
[01:00:05]
ITS EMPLOYEES, AND RESIDENTS.I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DISCUSS THIS MATTER.
PLEASE CONTACT ME BY TELEPHONE EMAIL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION OF THIS VERY CRITICAL MATTER.
>> WE'LL GO INTO THE SECOND COMPLAINT.
>> I THINK I CAN GO AHEAD AND RESPOND TO THAT, CAN'T I?
>> WELL, LET'S GET ALL THE COMPLAINTS OUT THERE, AND THEN WE CAN RESPOND.
>> I'LL READ THE SECOND COMPLAINTS THAT WAS STATED.
MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AUGUST 13, 2025, HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS, COUNCIL MEMBER CONDUCT. PURPOSE OF MEMO.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEMORANDUM IS TO DOCUMENT AND FORMALLY COMMUNICATE CONCERNS REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF COUNCIL MEMBER CHRISTINA TODD, WHICH HAS CREATED A HOSTILE AND UNPRODUCTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT FOR CITY STAFF, CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF OUR ADOPTED COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER.
THE COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER REQUIRE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TREAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND STAFF WITH COURTESY AND RESPECT AT ALL TIMES, AVOID PUBLICLY CRITICIZING STAFF, AND INSTEAD ADDRESS CONCERNS THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER, WORK COLLABORATIVELY, AND AVOID UNDERMINING THE CREDIBILITY OF STAFF IN PUBLIC FORMS. OBSERVED CONDUCT, OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, AND MOST RECENTLY IN JULY 2025, THE FOLLOWING RECURRING BEHAVIORS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED.
NUMBER 1, EXCESSIVE AND ADVERSARIAL PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS, REPEATED HIGH-VOLUME PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS IMPLYING STAFF OR WITHHOLDING INFORMATION, OR ACTING IMPROPERLY.
EMAIL EXAMPLE, KEEPING IT IN EXECUTIVE ONLY REINFORCES THE BELIEF THAT WE ARE WITHHOLDING OR HIDING INFORMATION.
THIS DIRECTLY QUESTIONS STAFF INTEGRITY IN A MANNER CONTRARY TO THE DIRECTIVE TO RAISE CONCERNS THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER.
NUMBER 2, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STATEMENTS QUESTIONING STAFF COMPETENCE.
COUNCIL MEETINGS AND DIRECT COMMUNICATION, INSINUATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE THAT STAFF ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS PROPERLY OR ARE MISLEADING THE COUNCIL/PUBLIC.
IN EMAIL EXAMPLE, WE ARE ONCE AGAIN OPTING TO NOT ADHERE TO THE VERY RULES WE'RE HERE TO UPHOLD.
THIS PATTERN IS VERY, VERY CONCERNING.
NUMBER 3, COUNCIL MEETINGS AND ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS FRAMED AS GOTCHA SESSIONS.
MULTIPLE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN MARKED BY EFFORTS TO CATCH ERRORS RATHER THAN SOLVE PROBLEMS COLLABORATIVELY, ERODING THE COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP, THE RULES AND TEN, THE LATEST DURING THE MONDAY, AUGUST 11, CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE DRY RACE BOARD IN THE PARKS DISCUSSION.
NUMBER 4, PUBLICLY DISMISSING STAFF WORK PRODUCT.
EXAMPLE FROM EMAIL DATED JULY 22ND, 2025, SERIOUSLY, NEGATIVE 50 STARS DO NOT RECOMMEND.
THAT PRESENTATION IS NOT AN ITEM WE WANT TO DISCUSS PUBLICLY AGAIN.
A DISPARAGING REMARK INCONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR COURTESY AND RESPECT.
IMPACT ON STAFF IN OPERATIONS, EROSION OF TRUSH.
STAFF PERCEIVE THAT THEIR WORK WILL BE MET WITH SUSPICION OR PUBLIC CRITICISM REGARDLESS OF QUALITY.
OPERATIONAL DISRUPTION, OVERLAPPING IN DUPLICATIVE REQUESTS, DIVERT STAFF TIME AWAY FROM CORE SERVICES CHILLING EFFECT.
STAFF ARE HESITANT TO SHARE INNOVATIVE IDEAS OR EARLY DRAFTS FOR FEAR OF NEGATIVE PUBLIC COMMENTARY, WORKPLACE STRESS.
THE ONGOING ADVERSARIAL TONE CONTRIBUTES TO A SENSE OF HOSTILITY AND DECREASES MORALE.
CONCLUSION. CITY STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND PROFESSIONALISM.
OVERSIGHT IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT MUST ALIGN WITH THE COUNCIL RULES OF ORDER TO ENSURE A RESPECTIVE, COLLABORATIVE, AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE ENVIRONMENT.
THIS CONDUCT HAS PROVEN TO BE A CHALLENGE TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT TALENT FOR THE CITY.
IN ADDITION, ATTRACT HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT TO THE CITY TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE COUNCIL.
THAT'S IT, IT DOES NOT STATE WHO OR WHERE THIS CAME FROM.
>> IT WAS HANDED TO ME FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
IT CAME WITH A PACKET. I'M NOT SURE.
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY, I THINK THE DIALOGUE WE NEED TO KEEP THE DIALOGUE AMONGST COUNSEL.
THIS WAS AN INQUIRY THAT WAS RAISED BY A COUNCIL MEMBER.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER TODD HAS OBVIOUSLY A RIGHT TO CHIME IN AND ADDRESS AND RESPOND TO THE ISSUES RAISED, BUT LET'S TRY TO KEEP IT AMONGST COUNSEL AT THIS TIME.
>> WE WILL START WITH COUNCILWOMAN, DAVID-GRAVES'S EMAIL.
FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A COMPLAINT.
[01:05:04]
THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS IN THIS.I DO SEND EMAILS AND INFORMATION TO STAFF ABOUT THINGS.
I'VE TRIED TO MEET WITH THEM AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS, CASE IN POINT, WHEN WE HAD AN ITEM ON OUR DEVELOPMENT PERMIT THAT WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE LAW.
I BROUGHT IT UP. FIRST, WHEN I WASN'T ELECTED, IT WAS IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.
THEN WHEN I WAS ELECTED, THREE MORE TIMES, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL I REFUSED TO VOTE, AND I KEPT ABSTAINING, AND THAT IT ACTUALLY GOT REMOVED FROM THE PERMIT.
I DO NOT MEET WITH CITY MANAGER MASHBURN, AND THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.
ORIGINALLY, SOMETHING I BROUGHT UP MANY TIMES WHEN I GOT ELECTED IS THAT THE AGENDA WOULD GET POSTED THURSDAY EVENING.
STAFF DOESN'T WORK FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY.
MONDAY, I'M A TEACHER, AND STAFF WALKS IN AND THEY'RE SCRAMBLING TO GET INFORMATION THAT I ONLY KNEW I WOULD WANT TO SEE AS SOON AS I HAD AN AGENDA.
THERE'S NO TIME FOR ME TO MEET, DISCUSS MY QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA.
I DIDN'T SEE MEETING WITH HIM REGULARLY WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT AN AGENDA WOULD BE, AS A GOOD IDEA, BECAUSE OF OPEN MEETINGS.
FURTHERMORE, IN RECENT MONTHS, A REQUEST WAS MADE TO THIS COUNCIL FOR A SPECIAL MEETING, AND SOME INDIVIDUALS DID NOT WANT TO GIVE QUORUM OR LET US HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THE CITY MANAGER THREATENED MY JOB.
WE HAVE OVERLAPPING MUTUAL, HE KNOWS WHAT SCHOOL I WORK AT.
THE MESSAGE WAS SENT TO ME THROUGH TWO PEOPLE SITTING UP HERE TODAY.
THEY ARE THE WITNESSES, AND THERE IS A WRITTEN COMPLAINT WITH THIS INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN FILED.
I DID TRY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THIS COUNSEL, BUT COULDN'T GET THAT SPECIAL MEETING, AND I CAN'T DISCUSS IT WITH ANYONE UNLESS WE'RE UP HERE IN A MEETING.
TO BE CLEAR, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE MEETING WITH HIM IN PRIVATE.
FURTHERMORE, ASKING FOR MY FINANCIAL COST WITH THE LAWYER. WE CAN LOOK AT THAT.
BUT I WOULD ALSO ASK THAT WE GO WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO LOOK AND COMPARE MY SHORT TIME COSTS TO THE LAST TWO YEARS COSTS.
WE DO HAVE SOMEONE UP HERE, IT'S CURRENT IN THE DOCUMENTS I SAW ITS REDACTED.
I DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS, HAD THEIR CONFLICT OF INTEREST A COST THE CITY MONEY.
MY QUESTIONS TO THE LAWYER HAVE BEEN FOR LEGALITY PURPOSES.
HOW CAN I HELP THE CITY? WHAT CAN WE DO TO NOT BREAK THE LAW? HOW DO WE ADDRESS THINGS TO ENSURE THAT WE FIX PROBLEMS, SO WE'RE NOT BREAKING THE LAW? THAT'S THE COST.
I TRY TO WEIGH IT AS I'M TRYING TO SAVE THE TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS, SO WE DON'T END UP IN LAWSUITS.
THE NOT BEING ABLE TO TALK TO STAFF MEMBERS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS TOLD TO ME BY THE CITY MANAGER WHEN HE APPROACHED ME AFTER A MEETING UP HERE, WHICH WAS AFTER I HAD LEARNED ABOUT THE THREAT, AND I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T WANT TO MEET WITH HIM.
MOVING ON TO THE STAFF COMPLAINT? YES. THAT'S RIGHT HERE.
AS MISS GRAVES HAD MENTIONED, WE WANT THE EXPERTS.
WELL, THERE'S FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS THAT ALL EXPERTS HAVE, AND I TEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
I TEACH THOSE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS.
I GUESS THIS IS ADDRESSING BOTH.
WHEN I GO LOOK AT A RETAINING WALL, I MAY NOT BE AN ENGINEER, BUT I TEACH EROSION, WEATHERING,
[01:10:01]
AND DEPOSITION, AND I CAN LOOK AT A WALL AND SEE THAT IT'S CRUMBLING.I CAN LOOK AT LAND AND SEE THAT IT'S ERODING.
ENGINEERS KNOW HOW TO DO THESE THINGS BECAUSE OF TEACHERS WHO TAUGHT THAT TO THEM.
THE REASON I BROUGHT THE WHITEBOARD WAS BECAUSE, AGAIN, EVERYONE WANTS EXPERTS, AND I HAD TO SHOW THAT I TEACH NUMBERS IN DECIMALS, AND THAT I CAN, IN FACT, ADD BECAUSE I'M A TEACHER WHO DOES THOSE THINGS.
THAT MAKES ME AN EXPERT IN ADDING NUMBERS WITH DECIMALS.
Y'ALL KEEP SAYING TO ME, ASK AN EXPERT, TRUST THE EXPERTS.
I'M JUST TRYING TO SHOW THE PARTS AND ABILITIES THAT I DO HAVE.
I'M SORRY THAT I HAD TO BRING A WHITEBOARD.
BUT WHEN I SAY SOMETHING, IT'S TRUST THE EXPERTS.
I SHOWED YOU I CAN ADD WITH DECIMALS.
NEXT UP ON THIS, THESE EMAILS.
WHEN YOU CROP OUT THE CONTEXT OF AN EMAIL, YOU CAN MAKE IT SOUND HOWEVER YOU WANT IT TO SOUND.
SINCE MY EMAILS ARE PUBLIC RECORD, LET'S LOOK TO THE EMAILS AND SEE WHAT I REALLY SAID AND WHY I SAID IT.
LET'S SEE. WE'LL START WITH THE LAST ONE HERE FOR THE NEGATIVE 50 STARS.
ON THIS ONE, I SAID, GOOD MORNING.
ONE THING I DID NOT GET TO MENTION LAST NIGHT IS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WE DO NOT BRING UP THE OCTOBER PRESENTATION FROM KIMLEY HORN IN THE FUTURE.
YOU'RE NOT HERE, BUT AS A RESIDENT, I CRASHED THAT MEETING WITH A STACK OF EVIDENCE THAT WHAT THEY PRESENTED IS NOT TRUE.
ALL INFORMATION I HAVE IS AS A RESIDENT, AND SOME OF WHICH I GAVE OUT TO THE PUBLIC ALREADY.
IF THE CITY STAFF PLAN TO STAND BEHIND THE STATEMENTS MADE DURING THAT PRESENTATION, YOU'LL PROBABLY WANT TO MEET WITH ME TO SEE WHAT TO EXPECT.
SERIOUSLY, NEGATIVE 50 STARS DO NOT RECOMMEND.
THAT PRESENTATION IS NOT AN ITEM WE WANT TO DISCUSS PUBLICLY AGAIN.
IT WOULD SERVE FAR BETTER AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR US TO COLLABORATE, SO YOU CAN SEE WITH MY INFORMATION AREAS WE HAVE FOR GROWTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
NEXT UP, WE HAVE THIS ONE'S FOR THE SUP.
LET'S SEE. WHERE ARE WE AT? IT'S A SERIES OF EMAILS.
MANY CORRESPONDENCES. HERE WE GO.
THANK YOU FOR SENDING ME THIS.
I APPRECIATE THE SIGNS BEING UP.
I DON'T BELIEVE THE PERMIT PROCESS IS SOMETHING WE CAN JUSTIFY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION SET FOR THE AGREEMENT.
WE WOULD NEED TO ASK GRANT ABOUT THAT AND BE SURE TO REFLECT ON IT IN THE MINUTES TAKEN DURING THE SESSION.
FURTHERMORE, IT DOES NOT GIVE ME ANY COMFORT.
THIS INFORMATION CAN ONLY BE PROVIDED IN EXECUTIVE.
THE PEOPLE DESERVE AN UPDATE THAT I REQUESTED ON THE AGENDA. THEY LEARNED ABOUT THINGS.
KEEPING IT IN EXECUTIVE ONLY REINFORCES THE BELIEF THAT WE ARE WITHHOLDING OR HIDING INFORMATION.
[01:15:01]
MY REQUEST WAS EMAILED TO THE MAYOR AND SENT ON TO THE CITY MANAGER WHILE IN SAN ANTONIO ON JULY 16TH-18TH.I KNOW THAT YOU ALL ARE JUST TRYING TO FOLLOW THE STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR THINGS, BUT I ALSO FIND IT ODD, WE ARE DISCUSSING AN AGREEMENT.
YET COUNSEL ISN'T EVEN BEING PROVIDED THE CURRENT ONE OR THE PROPOSED ONE PRIOR TO THE MEETING FOR REVIEW.
THE AGREEMENTS INCLUDE A LINE THAT COUNSEL READS THEM IN FULL.
AGREEING TO IT WOULD IMPLY I HAVE HELD THE CONTRACTUAL COMPONENT PERTAINING TO MYSELF AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IF THE EXPECTATION IS TO VOTE ON THAT AGREEMENT ON MONDAY, THAT I FULLY INTEND TO READ EVERY PAGE BEFORE LEAVING EXECUTIVE, AND WE SEEK ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS THAT COME UP.
SORRY IN ADVANCE FOR IT, BUT I CAN'T HOLD DEVELOPERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR DOING THEIR PART IF I DON'T DO MINE.
MR. MASHBURN, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO TAKE YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER TO TALK.
CAN YOU SEND ME SOME TIMES YOU'RE AVAILABLE TO TAKE A CALL? I'M CURIOUS IF ANY OF YOU TOOK THE TIME TO READ THE BYLAWS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SITUATION LIKE THIS, BECAUSE I HAVE.
IT APPEARS WE ARE, ONCE AGAIN, OPTING TO NOT ADHERE TO THE VERY RULES WE'RE HERE TO UPHOLD.
THIS PATTERN IS VERY CONCERNING.
THIS WAS IN RELATION TO THE INVESTIGATION ON COMMISSIONER HISS.
AS YOU SEE, WHEN YOU HAVE THE WHOLE CONTEXT OF THE EMAIL, I'M LOOKING OUT FOR THE CITY IN THE ONE, I WAS LOOKING OUT FOR A STAFF MEMBER WHO WASN'T HERE, AND HAD NO IDEA THAT I KNOW HERE IT'S SAYING STAFF WORK PRODUCT.
IT WAS NOT A STAFF WORK PRODUCT.
WE WERE CITING THE WORK OF ENGINEERS AND HAD NO IDEA THE INFORMATION I HAD REGARDING THAT.
MY ATTEMPT WAS TO SAY, LOOK AT THE INFORMATION.
BUT THAT WAS TAKEN AS DISRESPECT AND DISPARAGING.
I FIND IT CONCERNING THAT WE'RE CROPPING OUT MY WORDS TO MAKE THIS STORY TO SAY ONE THING.
DOES THAT NOT TELL PEOPLE WHY I DON'T WANT TO MEET IN PRIVATE WITH CITY STAFF? MY WORDS GET TWISTED.
A DIFFERENT STORY IS BEING TOLD.
BUT IF I'M UP HERE, IF IT'S RECORDED, IT'S IN PUBLIC.
YOU CAN'T GO BACK AND CHANGE WHAT YOU SAID.
I KNOW WHAT CITY STAFF SAYS ABOUT ME.
THERE ARE STAFF MEMBERS IN THIS BUILDING THAT TALK.
I'VE HEARD THE THINGS THAT STAFF MEMBERS SAY ABOUT ME.
THE THINGS YOU'VE CALLED ME. I KNOW.
BUT I STILL COME HERE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO GET MONEY FOR DEPARTMENTS.
I TRY TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE THINGS EASIER.
YES, I HAVE TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.
I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL INHERITED A MESS, AND I COMMENT ON THAT FREQUENTLY.
I TRY TO PUT OUT THE PRAISE WHEN I CAN.
I DO RECOGNIZE WHEN STAFF DOES THINGS.
BUT I ALSO RECOGNIZE WHEN THINGS FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS, AND IT IS MY DUTY UP HERE TO HOLD THE ORDINANCES.
I CAN'T GIVE DIRECTION TO CITY STAFF, BUT MY PER THE HOME RULE CHARTER, THE ORDINANCES THOSE ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY.
IT GOES THEN TO THE CITY MANAGER TO REINFORCE WHETHER OR NOT STAFF FOLLOWS IT.
BUT I CAN AT LEAST POINT IT OUT, AND I CAN UPHOLD THE ORDINANCES.
IT WAS JUST MY HOPE THAT MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD ALSO BE SEEKING TO UPHOLD THOSE ORDINANCES.
I'M SORRY IF THERE'S AN EROSION OF TRUST FROM THE STAFF TOWARDS ME.
THERE'S AN EROSION OF TRUST OF ME TOWARDS YOU.
BECAUSE I'VE SEEN STUFF THAT ISN'T FROM PAST LEADERSHIPS.
I'VE SEEN THINGS FROM CURRENT EMPLOYEES.
[01:20:01]
I TRIED TO MEET AND TO ADDRESS THINGS.I'VE TRIED MEETING ABOUT ORDINANCES MULTIPLE TIMES.
I'VE MET ABOUT THE 212 MULTIPLE TIMES.
I'M THE ONE WHO FOUND OUT THAT COUNCIL VOTED 10 YEARS AGO TO HAVE ALL THE HOAS APPROVED.
NEVER ONCE IN 10 YEARS, DID THE CITY FOLLOW THAT ORDINANCE UNTIL I PULLED IT OUT AND SAID WE HAD TO FOLLOW IT.
ONLY THE HOAS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH HERE SINCE MY TERM, HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS. THAT'S WILD.
THERE ARE ORDINANCES THAT PASSED THAT NEVER GOT UPDATED IN MUNICI CODE.
THERE ARE ORDINANCES THAT CREATE LOOPHOLES, AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS FIX THEM SO THAT WE CAN DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE PEOPLE.
I'M NOT HERE TO SEND AWAY DEVELOPERS.
BUT WHEN I PUSH TO HAVE THE DRAINAGE DONE RIGHT SO THAT A RESIDENT'S PROPERTY ISN'T DAMAGE, IT'S NOT JUST THE RESIDENT WHO BENEFITS, IT'S THE DEVELOPER, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO GET SUED FOR DOING SOMETHING THAT CREATES DAMAGE ONTO A RESIDENT'S PROPERTY.
IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE IF WE ALL JUST FOLLOW THE LAW, WHICH IS ALL I'M ASKING.
I'M SORRY IF THAT IS A LOT TO ASK.
BUT IT'S THE BASICS OF WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.
THE LAW IS THE LAW. FOLLOW IT.
IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW IT, THEN THOSE NOT FOLLOWING IT SHOULD QUESTION WHY THEY'RE HERE.
>> IF THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO PUNISH ME FOR ASKING FOR PUBLIC RECORDS.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THOSE RECORDS ARE THINGS FOR DEVELOPMENTS, SUCH AS MORNING RIDGE, BECAUSE OF MY WORK WITH FORMER COMMISSIONER HISS, WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY MASSIVE PROBLEMS WITH THE RETAINING WALLS.
WHEN THE DEVELOPER DID GO BACK AND CAME BACK TO US WITH A THIRD-PARTY ENGINEER'S REPORT, NOT ONLY WERE WE RIGHT, THERE WAS MORE WRONG, AND THEY HAD THAT ADDRESS.
THE RESIDENTS WHO MOVE INTO THAT COMMUNITY ARE MOVING IN WITH RETAINING WALLS THAT ARE GOING TO WORK.
BECAUSE THE RESIDENT MOVING IN AND HAVING $50,000 THING TO PAY FOR BECAUSE THEIR WALL IS NOT WORKING, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
IF YOU WANT TO PUNISH ME FOR ASKING FOR BUDGET THINGS, BECAUSE I WENT BACK TO 2017 AND 2018 AND FOLLOWED MONEY TRAILS AND WAS QUESTIONING SOME STUFF BECAUSE I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A BUDGET COULD END WITH A NUMBER AND START WITHOUT A NUMBER.
I GOT QUESTIONS. ITEM R-55, STILL WAITING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE WENT FROM $150,000 OF SPENT MONEY TO A YEAR OF NOTHING TOWARDS IT, TO A YEAR OF ITS 2 MILLION THAT WAS SPENT.
STILL WAITING. THAT'S NOT ON KELLY.
SHE WAS NOT HERE FOR ANY OF THAT.
I NEED TO STRESS THAT SHE WAS NOT HERE FOR THAT.
SHE JUST WALKED IN AND WAS HANDED THIS STUFF.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE INFORMATION SHE NEEDS IS THERE. I DON'T.
I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT SHE'S HANDED THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
THAT'S A HUGE BURDEN THAT IMPACTS HER PROFESSIONALLY, AND YET SHE'S STILL HERE.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH SO MANY PEOPLE IN FINANCE, AND SHE IS STILL HERE AFTER SHE HAS GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING. THAT'S COMMENDABLE.
BUT I'M SORRY, I HAVE QUESTIONS.
WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
COUNCIL NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
HOW MANY PEOPLE UP HERE EVEN REALIZE THAT YOU CUT DEVELOPMENT'S BUDGET LAST YEAR BY OVER $400,000? NO WONDER THEY CAN'T AFFORD STAFF.
DID ANYONE ASK ABOUT THAT? HOW ABOUT AT THE BUDGET MEETING THAT I COULDN'T ATTEND BECAUSE I WAS AWAY? I MET WITH MASHBURN ON THE PHONE.
I ASKED QUESTIONS. I HAVE NUMBERS.
I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO BACK AND WATCH THAT MEETING.
THERE ARE NO NUMBERS IN THOSE PRESENTATIONS.
[01:25:02]
BUT I HAVE NUMBERS BECAUSE I ASKED QUESTIONS.I KNOW THE IMPACT OF THE TOURS AND HOW MUCH MONEY THAT'S IMPACTING BECAUSE I ASKED QUESTIONS.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE ONE SNEEZE AWAY FROM BEING 50% OF OUR TAX REVENUE PAYING DEBT.
I'M SORRY IF THAT'S OFFENSIVE TO PEOPLE.
I'M SORRY IF MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS DISLIKE THESE LATE MEETINGS, BUT IF YOU ACTUALLY READ OUR CHARTER, OUR MEETINGS CAN GO TO, I BELIEVE, MIDNIGHT, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR WHEN YOU GOT ELECTED.
THAT'S WHAT THE BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONS SIGNED UP FOR BECAUSE IT IS IN WRITING, AND YOU SIGN A DOCUMENT, AND IT SAYS THE MEETINGS CAN GO TO MIDNIGHT.
I DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO MIDNIGHT, BUT THEY CAN GO TO MIDNIGHT.
IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO DO THE WORK, IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO BE THERE, EITHER ONE, CHANGE IT WITH AN ORDINANCE OR TWO, WALK AWAY BECAUSE WE'RE HERE TO SERVE, AND THAT'S A PART OF THE JOB.
I'M NOT TRYING TO HAVE MIDNIGHT MEETINGS, BUT COMPLAINING WHEN THINGS GO LONGER.
I'M SORRY. WE SIGNED UP FOR THAT.
I HAVE TO GET UP EARLY AND GO TEACH SPECIAL EDUCATION.
I CAN GET PUNCHED FOR A WHOLE DAY OR HAVE THINGS THROWN AT ME.
I WOULD LOVE TO GO HOME AND GET SLEEP.
BUT I'M HERE, AND I STICK THROUGH AND I ASK MY QUESTIONS.
I DON'T HAVE TO. I CAN MAKE THE MEETING GO QUICK AND NOT ASK A THING, SO I CAN GET HOME AND SLEEP.
THAT IS NOT THE DUTY THAT I HAVE.
I WAS ELECTED TO DO SOMETHING, AND I'M DOING IT.
I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE COUNCIL WHAT IS THIS CONSEQUENCE OR SANCTION Y'ALL ARE SEEKING TO DO BECAUSE I ASK QUESTIONS AND ASK FOR DOCUMENTS I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL, I CAN CHIME IN REAL QUICK.
ON THIS ITEM IN PARTICULAR, THERE'S NO ACTION TO BE HAD.
MY INTERPRETATION OF WHAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED IS JUST A COUNCIL MEMBER RAISING PERCEIVED INFRACTIONS OF THE CODE.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE DISCUSSED IT.
THERE'S NO ACTION TO TAKE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE HASN'T BEEN AN INVESTIGATION.
I HAVEN'T BEEN ADVISED OR DIRECTED TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STEP.
THIS IS JUST ESSENTIALLY BRINGING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COUNCIL.
THERE'S NO ACTION TO TAKE TONIGHT, NO SANCTIONS, NOTHING TO THAT REGARD. I JUST WANT TO PROVIDE CLARITY.
>> BUT THEN, DOES THIS GO ON RECORD AS A VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 9? BECAUSE I DON'T SEE THIS AS A VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 9, I SEE WHAT I DO AS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE THAT GOES BECAUSE THE SEQUENCE IN ORDER IS THAT THINGS GO ON FILE, SO ON AND SO FORTH, YOU GET MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, AND THEN STUFF CAN HAPPEN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
>> HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT?
>> YEAH, I'M NOT GOING TO ADDRESS WHETHER IT IS A VIOLATION OR NOT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THAT, NEITHER MYSELF NOR THE CITY'S THIRD-PARTY PERSONNEL ATTORNEY.
BUT LIKE I WILL SAY, IT'S JUST A PERCEIVED INFRACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BYLAWS, IF AN INDIVIDUAL COUNCIL MEMBER SHOULD POINT OUT PERCEIVED INFRACTIONS TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL, AND THEN IF THEY CONTINUE, THEN THE MAYOR MAY INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION.
WE'RE AT THAT FIRST STEP RIGHT NOW.
I CAN'T COMMENT AS TO WHETHER IT IS A VIOLATION OR NOT.
IT'S JUST A COUNCIL MEMBER WITH A PERCEIVED VIOLATION.
>> I GUESS AT THIS TIME, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SEE, THE REASON WHY I BROUGHT THIS TO COUNCIL IS BECAUSE I, MYSELF, ONCE AGAIN, CRISTINA AND GO BACK AND FORTH, ABOUT THE WAY SHE APPROACHES THAT, THE WAY SHE SAYS ANYTHING, BUT WE DO AGREE THAT THINGS NEED TO CHANGE.
WE DO AGREE THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO SPEAK MORE.
WE DO AGREE THAT WE NEED MORE QUESTIONS.
THAT'S WHERE MAYBE YOU'VE SEEN US IN THE PAST GO BACK AND FORTH, BUT WE'RE STILL AT THE SAME DIRECTION OF SOMETHING IN THE CITY NEEDS TO CHANGE.
WHEN I GET THESE COMPLAINTS, AND I'M LOOKING FOR VIOLATIONS.
I GOT IN THE SECOND EMAIL, AND IT SAID, PLEASE PARDON ME.
THIS IS FROM MS CAROLYN DAVID-GRAVES.
THIS IS THE REASON WHY I BROUGHT IT TO THE COUNCIL THIS TIME, THIS SEPTEMBER 14.
IT SAID, PLEASE PARDON ME, SEND THE EARLIER EMAIL ABOUT THE ETJ.
I MEANT TO RESEND THE BELOW ONE, BUT THIS WAS INITIALLY SENT 819, SO IT MOVES TO THE TOP OF YOUR EMAIL BIN FOR ACTION.
[01:30:03]
AS OUTLINED IN THE EARLIER EMAIL, THE CONCERNS I EXPRESSED ARE STILL ONGOING AND HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.IN YOUR REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY, PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH COUNCILWOMAN TODD; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THIS TO THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
THIS ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DIVIDE THE CITY, CREATE A SITUATION WHICH WILL CAUSE STAFF TO LEAVE, AND DEVELOPERS TO AVOID INVESTING IN PRINCETON.
IF ANY OF THESE OCCUR, I'M AFRAID THE CITY WILL NOT RECOVER.
IN MY OPTIONS HERE, IT WAS TO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL, AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO DO AND PROCEED FROM HERE.
>> FOR THE STAFF MEMBER WHO DID THE COMPLAINT ANONYMOUSLY, YOU JUST COME TALK TO ME.
YEAH, I CAN GET PASSION FOR DRAINAGE.
BUT I CAN LISTEN. I LISTEN TO PEOPLE.
BASED ON WHICH EMAILS THESE ARE, I GOT A 50 50 ON WHERE IT CAME FROM.
BUT JUST KNOW YOU CAN COME TALK TO ME.
THEN I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, WITH THIS BEING A PUBLIC HEARING, DOES THE PUBLIC GET TO SAY THEIR INPUT?
>> NO. I DON'T BELIEVE FOR THIS ONE, NO.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD TO THIS IS THAT I THINK THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHERE I STAND WITH COUNCILWOMAN TODD.
I THINK SINCE SHE FIRST DECIDED TO RUN, I THINK I BELIEVE I WAS THE FIRST PERSON YOU REACHED OUT TO.
WE'VE BEEN LOCKSTEP EVER SINCE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH ON HOW WE DO THINGS, AND I HAD NO ISSUE WITH HOW SHE APPROACHED IT BECAUSE IT WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
WHEN I WAS A RESIDENT AND LOOKING AT THE MEETINGS, I USED TO WISH THAT THERE WAS SOMEONE ON HERE THAT WOULD DO THAT.
I FREQUENTLY SEND MAYOR ESCOBAR EXAMPLES OF OTHER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS OF WHAT OF OUT-OF-CONTROL COUNCIL MEETING LOOKS LIKE, WHAT INTERROGATION LOOKS LIKE TO STAFF.
I SAY, SO ARE OUR MEETINGS THIS BAD? WE BOTH LAUGH AND LIKE, NO, OUR MEETINGS ARE PRETTY TAME.
I THINK COUNCILWOMAN TODD DOESN'T SHOW THE INEPTITUDE THAT IS BEING DESCRIBED IN THESE COMPLAINTS.
I BELIEVE THAT SHE APPROACHES THE MATTER WITH A LOT OF DETAIL AND A LOT OF PASSION, AND THAT I APPRECIATE.
WHAT I HAVE NOTICED, I FEEL AS IF THIS ATTACK ON COUNCILWOMAN TODD IS MORE OF A SCAPEGOAT FOR THE FAILURE OVERALL IN THE CITY.
I BELIEVE IT'S EASIER TO POINT THE BLAME OR PUSH IT ON HER WEIGHT, RATHER THAN TO ADDRESS THE ACTUAL ISSUES THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING HERE.
I'VE SAID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES: TO BE IN THIS SEAT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE STOMACH FOR IT.
YES, WE'RE VERY POLITE WITH THE STAFF.
THE APPRECIATION IS THERE, BUT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
IF THE COMPLAINT IS, DEVELOPERS AREN'T COMING HERE BECAUSE CHRISTINA TODD OR COMMISSIONER HISS WAS ASKING TOO MANY QUESTIONS, THEN THEY WEREN'T GOING TO COME HERE TO BEGIN WITH, BECAUSE I'VE SEEN A LOT OF HARD QUESTIONS HAPPENING THERE IN OTHER CITIES.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I DON'T RECOMMEND OR APPROVE ANY SANCTIONS OR ANY INVESTIGATION MOVING FURTHER ON HER, AND I WOULD EMPLOY MY COLLEAGUES TO FOLLOW SUIT [APPLAUSE].
>> I JUST WANT TO SET IT FOR THE RECORD.
IF YOU GO BACK TO THE FIRST SENTENCES OF MY EMAIL, I WENT TO MR. MASHBURN, AFTER YOU AND I SPOKE CRISTINA, WHEN YOU TOLD ME, YOU WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH STAFF, AND I WAS QUESTIONING, WHY AREN'T YOU AS A COUNCIL MEMBER ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH STAFF TO CLARIFY ISSUES, TO GET THE ANSWERS THAT YOU NEED, SO YOU CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.
THOSE MEETINGS THAT WE HAVE ONE-ON-ONE VIRTUALLY WITH THE CITY MANAGER IS VERY OFTEN AFTER WE HAVE REVIEWED THE AGENDA AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ITEMS, SO WE CAN PREPARE TO COME TO COUNCIL MEETINGS.
YES, YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT DRAINAGE.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
BUT WE ALL SHOULD BE ALLOWED AND GIVEN THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH STAFF, TO HAVE OUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, SO WE CAN BE ADEQUATELY INFORMED TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.
>> ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT YOU GET THE AGENDA SOONER THAN I DO? BECAUSE HONESTLY, I'M JUST CURIOUS.
PREVIOUSLY, THE AGENDA WOULD GO OUT ON A THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
USUALLY, BEFORE THE STAFF LEAVES.
[01:35:01]
FRIDAY, THEY DON'T WORK; SATURDAY, THEY DON'T WORK.THEN THERE'S MONDAY, WHICH IS THE DAY OF THE MEETING.
ARE YOU MEETING ON I'M SORRY, ON MONDAYS WITH HIM? OR ARE YOU REVIEWING, LIKE, A DRAFT AGENDA IN ADVANCE? I GENUINELY WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND HOW AND WHEN YOU'RE MEETING WITH HIM IN THAT TIMELINE, BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE JOBS.
WE ALL HAVE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING, AND THAT'S A REALLY TIGHT TURNAROUND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE WORKING FOR THOSE THREE DAYS.
>> THAT IS NOT THE IMPLICATION, AND STAFF DO WORK ON FRIDAYS.
WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK DO YOU USUALLY MEET WITH THE CITY MANAGER?
>> EVERY TWO WEEKS, ON A WEDNESDAY.
IT IS BEFORE THE MEETING, REMEMBER WE HAVE UPCOMING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
THOSE THINGS CAN BE DISCUSSED AS WELL.
>> THE AGENDA GOES OUT ON THURSDAY, SO YOU MEET ON WEDNESDAY.
>> NOT THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE IT GOES OUT.
I DON'T MEET WITH MR. MASHBURN, AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US MEET WITH MR. MASHBURN IF WE DO AT ALL UNTIL AFTER WE'VE REVIEWED THE AGENDA.
>> BUT THEY GO OUT ON THURSDAYS, AND THEN THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY IS IN FACT THE COUNCIL MEETING, SO THE ONLY WAY TO MEET ON A WEDNESDAY IS TO MEET THE DAY BEFORE THE AGENDA GOES OUT.
>> I GUESS WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE COUNCIL TO SEE HOW YOU WANT TO PROCEED.
THE MAJORITY OF US, I GUESS, WE'LL GO FROM THERE.
>> I'D JUST LIKE TO MAKE A LITTLE COMMENT.
I THINK COUNCILMEMBER DAVID-GRAVES ACTUALLY SEEMS LIKE ME IN COUNCILMEMBER TODD'S CORNER, BECAUSE THIS ONE STATEMENT HERE SAYS, COUNCILMEMBER TODD SHARED THAT SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH CITY STAFF.
THEN SHE GOES ON TO SAY THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO HAVE A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEMBER TO REVIEW THE REQUESTED INFORMATION, ASSESS, SO THAT THE REST OF US CAN ACTUALLY SIT ON THIS AND FIND OUT THE REASON WHY COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN'T DIRECTLY RESPOND AND TALK TO CITY STAFF.
THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME, THE WAY THAT'S WRITTEN.
>> HONESTLY, THE FIRST TIME I READ IT, I TOOK IT THAT SAME WAY, BUT SHE DOES SAY THAT I'VE CREATED AN INCREASINGLY ANTAGONISTIC TONE FOR OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND THAT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MEETINGS HAVE BEEN RUNNING MUCH LONGER THAN NECESSARY.
THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME STRAINED.
COUNCILWOMAN TODD FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS OF THE FLOOR AND WAYS THAT APPEAR TO CHALLENGE OUR EXPERTISE AND INTEGRITY.
>> I DIDN'T SEE WHERE SHE ACTUALLY SAID THAT.
IT SAYS THAT IT'S SAYING THAT THIS WAY, THE WHOLE ENVIRONMENT IS FOR EVERYONE.
IT DOESN'T POINT YOU OUT; IT'S SAYING THAT OR CAUSING THAT, DOES IT?
IT SAYS THAT COUNCILWOMAN TODD SHOWED THAT SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH C. STAFF.
THIS IS DEEPLY CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INCREASINGLY ANTAGONISTIC TONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS.
THEN, OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MEETINGS HAVE BEEN RUNNING MUCH LONGER THAN NECESSARY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BECOME STRAINED.
COUNCILWOMAN TODD FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS ON THE FLOOR IN WAYS THAT APPEAR TO CHALLENGE OUR EXPERTISE AND INTEGRITY.
>> WELL, AND I THINK THAT IF YOU'RE ABLE TO SPEAK AND I'M JUST SAYING THIS FROM THE PAST, IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND SOMETIMES MAYBE YOU NEED TO GO USE THE CHAIN OF COMMAND OR I SAY THAT THE CHAIN OF COMMAND BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF THE CHAIN OF COMMAND, TO GO TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS THEMSELVES.
IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING'S COMING UP ON THE AGENDA, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED.
IF YOU CAN GET INFORMATION AND GET THEM TO RESEARCH IT, ALSO BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AND ACTUALLY APPEAR BEFORE US WHENEVER WE ASK THEM QUESTIONS, MAYBE THEY WILL GIVE A GOOD ANSWER AND EVERYTHING. THAT'S JUST MY POINT.
AS I MENTIONED, A THREAT WAS MADE TO MY JOB.
THERE'S A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE I WOULDN'T EVEN SAY HI TO THE CITY ATTORNEY IN FEAR THAT IT MIGHT BE PERCEIVED AS ME GETTING LEGAL COUNSEL.
[01:40:06]
>> I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL IF AND WHEN I TALK TO STAFF, BECAUSE OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE.
I DO ENCOURAGE OUR COUNCIL TO ACTUALLY READ THAT COMPLAINT THAT WAS MADE.
AGAIN, WE TRIED TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING SO WE COULD DISCUSS IT AND GO OVER IT, AND WE COULDN'T GET QUORUM.
THAT IS THE REASON I WROTE THE EMAIL.
>> HI, SO WHAT IS OUR DIRECTION?
>> MAYOR, ONCE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO CHIME IN.
THERE'S THERE'S NO ACTION TO TAKE AT THIS TIME BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, IT WAS A INITIAL PERCEIVED VIOLATION FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER TO ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER.
I THINK AT THIS POINT, THAT COUNCIL MEMBER HAS PUT THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBER ON POTENTIAL NOTICE OF WHAT SHE THINKS IS A PERCEIVED VIOLATION.
JUST GOING OFF WHAT THE BY LAWS SAY, IF THEY CONTINUE, THEN THERE IS A ACTION POTENTIALLY FOR COUNCIL TO DETERMINE.
BUT NO ACTION TO TAKE AT THIS TIME.
>> BUT I WONDER IF COUNCIL SEES THIS AS A VIOLATION OR NOT.
SURE. YOU GUYS CAN DISCUSS THAT.
I WILL SAY, I WON'T BE ABLE TO BECAUSE I HAVEN'T DONE AN INVESTIGATION, AND ALSO ANYTIME IT HAS TO DO WITH COUNCIL TO COUNCIL, I'LL LOOP IN A THIRD PARTY PERSONNEL ATTORNEY.
YOU GUYS CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO ACTION AT THIS TIME.
>> I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF WE GET THAT CLARITY BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HAVE TO BE IN FEAR THAT I ASK FOR A RECORDS REQUEST, AND THEN HAVE ANOTHER COMPLAINT AGAINST ME FOR DOING SO BECAUSE THERE'S A COMPLAINT ON FILE FOR ASKING FOR RECORDS.
>> IF COUNCIL COULD PLEASE GET ON RECORD AND STATE IF YOU PERCEIVE THIS AS A VIOLATION OR NOT, SO THE MAYOR CAN DETERMINE IF HE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH AN INVESTIGATION OR NOT.
I COUNCILMAN JOHNSON STATE THAT NO, THERE ARE NO INFRACTIONS, AND I WOULD LIKE THE MAYOR TO NOT INVESTIGATE THIS ANY FURTHER.
>> AFTER LISTENING TO ALL OF THIS AND READING THROUGH BOTH THE EMAIL AND THEN THE STAFF LETTER.
I PERSONALLY DO NOT SEE THIS AS A VIOLATION.
I THINK, HONESTLY, JUST LISTENING TO THE TONE AND READING THE TONE, ESPECIALLY THE STAFF'S LETTER.
IT COMES OFF TO ME THAT STAFF, JUST MAY BE INTERPRETING YOUR PASSION THAT YOU SPEAK, AND YOU ARE PASSIONATE, AND I APPLAUD YOUR PASSION.
I THINK THEY MAY BE PERCEIVING THE PASSION MORE IS ANTAGONISM AND AGGRESSION.
ARE YOU BEING ANTAGONISTIC AND AGGRESSIVE? ME, PERSONALLY.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ARE. LIKE YOU, I'M A TEACHER.
I TEACH SPECIAL NEEDS, JUST LIKE YOU DO.
ONE OF THE LIFE SKILLS THAT I TEACH IS HOW TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE AND TONE AND JUST HOW TO HAVE A CONVERSATION IN DAY TO DAY LIFE.
I THINK AT TIMES, PASSION CAN COME ACROSS AS THE PERSON RECEIVING IT AS AGGRESSION.
I THINK MORE COMMUNICATION SHOULD HAPPEN BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES TO CLEAR UP ANY OF THOSE MISCONCEPTIONS.
BUT HONESTLY, I DON'T IN MY OPINION, SEE A VIOLATION.
>> JUST BASED ON THE LETTER FROM MS. DAVID-GRAVES, I DON'T MYSELF PERSONALLY, I DON'T SEE ANY VIOLATIONS IN THERE.
THE OTHER VIOLATIONS, ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE SOME EMAILS AND THINGS LIKE THAT GOING BACK AND FORTH, BUT IT'S NOT A ASSIGNED COMPLAINT.
IT'S NOT ANYONE, IT DOESN'T SAY WHO'S PUTTING THIS OUT. IT'D BE ANYONE.
ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE, YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE AN ACCUSER.
THAT I THINK AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S AFFORDED TO EVERYONE THAT IF YOU GET A COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU, YOU GET THE RIGHT TO FACE YOUR ACCUSER.
THE OTHER ONE, IT'S NOTHING TO IT.
BUT I THINK WITH THE MS. DAVID-GRAVES' LETTER TO ME, THERE'S NOTHING ACCUSING YOU OF ANYTHING IN FACT, HE COULD BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLE COUNCIL.
I KNOW BUT THAT'S MY PERSPECTIVE.
EVERYONE HAS HER OWN MINDS AND PERSPECTIVE, THE WAY THE WAY YOU READ IT AND EVERYTHING.
[01:45:01]
BUT AT THIS TIME, I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE ANY SANCTIONS OR ANYTHING GOING FORWARD WITH THIS.>> I DON'T SEE IT AS A VIOLATION EITHER.
I SEE IT AS A WAY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND FLESH OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS.
FOR COUNCILWOMAN TODD TO EXPRESS THAT SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK WITH STAFF, THAT'S AN ISSUE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
ON THE STAFF SIDE, WE FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
ON THE COUNCILWOMAN TODD'S SIDE, WE FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
THIS THAT WE SHARED TONIGHT OR WHAT WE'RE DOING TONIGHT IS JUST A SNIP OF WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN GOING ON, AND IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING.
IT NEEDS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT'S ADDRESSED.
IF NOT, IT WILL CONTINUE, AND IT MAY NOT BODE VERY WELL EITHER FOR CITY, STAFF, COUNCIL, OR MS. TODD.
>> MY THOUGHTS COMING INTO THESE TWO WRITTEN COMPLAINTS THAT WERE PRESENTED THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN THEM.
I'VE HEARD COMPLAINTS. ANY OF THESE, DO THEY MEET THE THRESHOLD OF BEING VIOLATIONS OF LAW? I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.
IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT TO ME IF I'M JUST GOING TO THINK OF IT LOGICALLY.
JUST TO BE CLEAR, I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE DESIRES OF MOST OF THIS COUNCIL AND THE DESIRED OUTCOME TO IMPROVE THE CITY.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE MASSIVE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT THAT.
ONE THING I DEFINITELY DO NOT AGREE WITH IS COUNCILWOMAN TODD'S METHODS OF DOING IT.
I THINK IT'S COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.
I THINK WE ALL HAVE OUR METHODS OF GETTING THINGS DONE IN THIS WORLD, AND I THINK EVERYBODY'S METHOD HAS SOME FORM OF NEGATIVE IMPACT WHEN YOU PURSUE YOUR AGENDA AND YOU PURSUE YOUR GOAL.
MY AGENDA MY GOALS, THE WAY I APPROACH THEM, I WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO SOMEONE SOMEWHERE, TO SOME PROCESS, SOMETHING.
BUT I TRY MY BEST TO LIMIT THAT NEGATIVE IMPACT WHILE I'M TRYING TO BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY, AND SO THAT'S WHERE I DISAGREE.
I THINK THERE IS THE TONE AND THE RHETORIC.
I LIKE TO DESCRIBE WHEN I CAME HERE, I DIDN'T BRING A SLEDGEHAMMER TO DESTROY THINGS.
I BROUGHT MY TOOL BELT TO HELP BUILD THINGS UP AND MAKE THINGS BETTER TO IMPROVE.
I THINK THERE'S WAYS THAT WE CAN APPROACH PROBLEMS IN THE CITY, AND I THINK WE SHOULD DO IT IN A MANNER THAT BRINGS PRODUCTIVE BUILDING AND NOT TEARING DOWN OF THINGS.
WHEN I WALK ACROSS CITY HALLS, NICE FLOORS OUT THERE, I DON'T DRAG MY SLEDGEHAMMER ACROSS TO COME KNOCK A WALL DOWN IN HERE CAUSING DAMAGE AS I WALK ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE BUILDING.
I BRING MY IDEAS IN ON A CART WITH NICE SMOOTH WHEELS, SO I DON'T DAMAGE EVERYTHING AS I COME IN THE BUILDING.
THERE IS THINGS THAT I DISAGREE WITH WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WE APPROACH PROBLEMS IN THE CITY AND HOW WE BRING THEM UP PUBLICLY.
BECAUSE OUR WORDS DO MATTER BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO THEY GET QUOTED, BUT THEY GET TWISTED ALL THE TIME.
THEY GET MISCHARACTERIZE ALL THE TIME.
I HEAR PEOPLE COLLECTIVELY SAY COUNCIL DOES CERTAIN THINGS, AND NOT ALL COUNCIL DOES THOSE THINGS.
WE HAVE A DUTY AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO APPROACH THESE PROBLEMS IN THE CITY AND APPROACH THE CONCERNS OF THE CITY RESIDENTS.
WE HAVE A CERTAIN WAY THAT WE SHOULD DO IT IN MY OPINION, AND THAT IS A PRODUCTIVE BUILDING, NOT A TEARING DOWN.
BUT AGAIN, BACK TO THESE COMPLAINTS OR CONCERNS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THEM, I DON'T KNOW ALL THE PROPER LEGAL TERMS. I DON'T FIND THERE TO BE ANY COMPLAIN OR I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE ANY INVESTIGATION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
BUT I DO AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID ALREADY BY
[01:50:01]
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE PEOPLE UP HERE IS THAT WE DO NEED TO DO BETTER.WE DO NEED TO CONTINUALLY WORK WITH STAFF AND IMPROVE PROCESS, AND WE NEED TO DO IT WITH THE IDEA OF BUILDING THE CITY UP AND NOT CAUSING HARM WHILE WE'RE DOING IT.
THAT'S JUST PRETTY MUCH THE WAY I SEE.
>> THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT I WANT TO SAY.
FIRST OFF, FOR THE RECORD, THESE AREN'T COMPLAINTS.
THESE HAVEN'T BEEN CLASSIFIED AS COMPLAINTS, MORE OF CONCERNS, NOT COMPLAINTS.
I THINK EARLIER SOMEONE CLARIFIED THE CHARTER LANGUAGE WHEN IT COMES TO THE STAFF AND THAT WE DON'T DIRECT STAFF, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T SPEAK TO STAFF.
I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT, BECAUSE I THINK THAT COUNCIL REPRESENTS THE RESIDENTS.
WE WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS, BUT THE STAFF THEY WORK IN THIS BUILDING, THEY WORK FOR THE RESIDENTS AS WELL.
I THINK THAT OFTENTIMES EVERYTHING THAT COMES UP, THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS NOTION THAT THE STAFF IS CORRUPT.
THE STAFF IS OUT TO GET THE RESIDENTS, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM.
I REALLY DON'T, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S UNFAIR TO STAFF.
I REALLY DO. I THINK THAT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE SAY THINGS LIKE THAT, PEOPLE THINK THAT WE'RE JUST DISREGARDING THE RESIDENTS, AND THAT'S NOT TRUE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OUR STAFF THAT LIVE IN THIS CITY.
THEIR RESIDENTS AS WELL, THEY FEEL THE SAME GROWING PAINS AND PUN INTENDED THERE, BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
WHEN IT COMES TO COUNCILWOMAN TODD, I THINK THAT HER PASSION IS WELCOMED. I REALLY DO.
I THINK THAT SHE HAS GOOD INTENTIONS BUT I WILL SAY THAT FOR ME, PERSONALLY, AND THIS IS JUST ME, MS. TODD, I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU CAME ONTO THIS COUNCIL, I FEEL LIKE YOU CAME IN WITH A LOT OF PASSION, BUT ALSO, I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT, I FEEL LIKE YOU JUST LOOKED AT FOLKS THAT WERE ALREADY ON THE COUNCIL IS JUST IDIOTS.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND YOU HAD ALL THE ANSWERS, AND YOU HAD EVERYTHING FIGURED OUT, AND THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OFF PUTTING TO ME.
BUT I DO SHARE THE FACT THAT YOU WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE RESIDENTS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT'S THE REASON THAT WE'RE ALL HERE.
I JUST THINK THAT SOMETIMES YOUR APPROACH CAN BE TAKEN WRONG.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE WHITEBOARD INCIDENT, IF I WERE A STAFF MEMBER, I CAN SEE HOW THAT INCIDENT COULD BE TAKEN AS A GOT TO MOMENT.
WHY WOULD YOU PUT ME IN THAT TYPE OF POSITION IF YOU REALLY WANTED ANSWERS AND YOU REALLY WANTED TO WORK FOR WHAT? IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO WORK TOWARD EXCUSE ME, GETTING THE RIGHT ANSWER FOR THE RESIDENTS.
WHY WOULD YOU PUT ME IN THAT POSITION? IT JUST LOOKED LIKE SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE JUST TRYING TO CATCH STAFF OFF GUARD TO CREATE CONTROVERSY.
I KNOW THAT MAY NOT BE YOUR INTENTION, BUT MAYBE STATE THE INTENT PRIOR TO ASKING THE QUESTION.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I LEARNED IN LEADERSHIP LONG TIME AGO, YOU STATE THE INTENT, AND THEREFORE, YOUR QUESTION LANDS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
WHEN I READ THESE, AS FAR AS ANY INFRACTIONS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT.
BUT MY QUESTION IS, AS FAR AS US WORKING TOGETHER AS A COUNCIL, BECAUSE THAT'S TRULY WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, AS WELL AS WORKING WITH THE STAFF, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT TO SEE GOING FORWARD? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SEE? BECAUSE I KNOW I DO, AND I THINK THAT EVERYONE OF THIS COUNCIL DOES AS WELL.
I KNOW OUR STAFF WANTS IT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SEE?
>> I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH COUNCIL.
AGAIN, THE REASON I USE THE WHITEBOARD IS BECAUSE MEMBERS OF STAFF AND COUNCIL HAVE MADE COMMENTS UP HERE ABOUT TRUSTING THE EXPERTS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
THEN OUTSIDE OF THIS ROOM, TALK ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING.
I'M AN IDIOT. IT'S A FOUL WORDS.
[01:55:03]
IT GETS BACK TO ME.PEOPLE UP HERE HAVE SAID, GETS BACK TO ME.
YOUR COMMENTS THAT YOU MAKE TO ME DURING MEETINGS SOMETIMES.
>> THE COMMENTS THAT I MAKE TO YOU DURING MEETINGS?
>> FOR THE RECORDS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, BUT DURING MEETINGS, I'VE NEVER MADE ANY COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO YOU.
>> YOUR JOKES TOWARDS ME NOT APPROPRIATE, AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THEM.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IF THEY STOP THAT WOULD ALSO HELP TOWARDS A MORE COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT UP HERE.
AGAIN, WHEN I CAME UP HERE, THERE WAS HOSTILITY FROM COUNCIL TOWARDS ME FOR REPLACING SOMEONE WHO WAS A DEAR FRIEND AND BELOVED TO PEOPLE UP HERE.
I WALKED INTO THIS POSITION WITH PEOPLE LOOKING AT ME NEGATIVELY AND DISLIKING THE FACT THAT I GOT ELECTED.
I WALKED INTO THIS FINDING OUT DURING THE ELECTION THAT THE PREVIOUS LAWYERS LIED TO COUNCIL AND SAID THAT I WAS TRYING TO SUE THE CITY AND THAT'S WHY COUNCIL STOPPED TRYING TO HELP WITH SOME OF THE THINGS I WAS TRYING TO PUSH TO GET DONE WHILE I WAS A RESIDENT.
THAT WAS A PERCEPTION THAT WAS MADE OF ME FROM THE PREVIOUS LAWYERS.
THAT WAS A PERCEPTION THAT PEOPLE SITTING UP HERE HAD OF ME, AND TALKED ABOUT WITH PEOPLE HURTING MY REPUTATION, AND THEN I HAD TO BE LIKE, YOU WANT TO SEE THE EMAILS? I CAN SHOW YOU THE EMAILS.
I WALKED INTO A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT, AND I'VE BEEN DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET THROUGH IT.
WITH THAT, IT HAS BEEN THE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE, 100% SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IN HOPES THAT EVEN THE DISLIKE THAT INDIVIDUALS UP HERE HAVE TOWARDS ME CAN BE SET ASIDE TO AT LEAST DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE.
BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THAT REALLY MATTERS UP HERE.
WE DON'T HAVE TO BE SAYING BAY OR BEING BEST FRIENDS.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE PEOPLE. THAT'S IT.
>> IF I'M HEARING YOU CORRECTLY, YOU WANT TO SEE US WORKING TOGETHER GOING FORWARD, THAT IS COUNSEL AND STAFF REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS AND DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR PRINCETON?
>> THAT IS ALL I'VE ASKED FOR.
I'VE MET WITH STAFF COUNTLESS TIMES TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE WITHOUT HAVING TO BRING IT UP HERE.
I ONLY BRING THINGS UP AT THE DAIS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MOVE ANYWHERE WHEN I TRY AND TALK PRIVATELY WITH THE STAFF OR SEND EMAILS.
THE ONLY WAY TO GET SOMETHING DONE IS TO BRING IT UP PUBLICLY UNFORTUNATELY.
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME GO BACK TO SOMETHING ELSE.
WHATEVER YOU WERE REFERRING TO EARLIER, EVEN THOUGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID TO YOU OR THAT YOU OVERHEARD THAT WAS TAKEN INCORRECTLY.
BUT THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY ABOUT STAFF, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE HAVE STAFF MEMBERS WORKING EVERY DAY ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, AND WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE WORK.
I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THINGS TAKE TIME.
THERE'S SEVERAL MOVING PIECES TO IT AND THEN WE PUT THINGS OUT THERE IN OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT'S NOT HAPPENING OR WE PUT THE WRONG INFORMATION OUT THERE AND PEOPLE RUN WITH IT.
ALL IT DOES IS SLOW DOWN OUR PROGRESS AND IT CAUSES MORE DIVISION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I JUST WANTED TO STATE.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU DO.
PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME.
BUT I THANK YOU FOR WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD AS A COUNCIL, AND SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR PRINCETON.
IN REGARDS TO THESE COUNCILMAN LONG, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SEEING THEM AND AS FAR AS INFRACTIONS OR ANYTHING, I DON'T SEE THESE AS THAT JUST CONCERNS.
[02:00:04]
>> IS EVERYBODY DONE MAKING COMMENTS? AT THIS TIME, I GUESS THERE'LL BE NO FURTHER ACTIONS ON THIS MATTER.
>> YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT AND IF THERE'S NO MORE COMMENTS OR STATEMENTS, THEN WE JUST CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:45, AND THIS WILL TAKE US INTO EXECUTIVE AS WELL.
[K. ACTION PERTAINING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION]
AND THIS WOULD TAKE US OUT OF EXECUTIVE AND THERE IS ACTIONS TO TAKE FROM EXECUTIVE.AT THIS TIME I ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> MR. MAYOR, I MOVED TO DESIGNATE FRED GIBBS AS THE ALTERNATE CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON, TEXAS WHO SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO PERFORM ANY AND ALL DUTIES DELEGATED TO THE CITY MANAGER, WHETHER VIA CHARTER OR OTHERWISE, IF AND WHEN THE CITY MANAGER IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE TO PERFORM SAID DUTIES.
>> AT THIS TIME, THIS WILL TAKE US TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA.
[H7. 2025-243 Consider approving a request from Princeton ISD for final plat approval for a property being a 71.446 acre tract of land situated in the Hardin Wright Survey, Abstract No. 957, City of Princeton, Collin County, Texas; and take appropriate action. ]
THIS WILL START US WITH H-7, MS. COOK.>> CONSIDER APPROVING A REQUEST FROM PRINCETON ISD FOR FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR A PROPERTY BEING 71.446 ACRE TRACT OF LAND, SITUATED IN THE HARD AND RIGHT SURVEY, CITY OF PRINCETON, COLLIN COUNTY, TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION, MR. FISHER.
>> GOOD EVENING MAYOR, COUNSEL, CRAIG FISHER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THIS REQUEST IS FOR A FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR THE PRINCETON ISD FOR THE PROJECT THAT CONSISTS OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THEIR CAMPUS ON MAPLE AVENUE.
ALL THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND HAS PASSED IN CITY INSPECTION AND THE FINAL PLAT WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE.
>> IS IT CURRENTLY OCCUPIED WITH A TEMPORARY CO OR IS IT UNOCCUPIED?
>> HOW LONG HAVE THEY HAD THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. THEY MOVED IN JUST BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTED.
LATE AUGUST OR MID TO LATE AUGUST.
>> IT'S MUCH SHORTER THAN THE SCHOOL WHERE IT WAS HALF A SCHOOL YEAR?
>> THIS WAS AS SOON AS WE COULD GET ONTO A P&Z AGENDA AND TO COUNSEL.
>> MAYOR, I'M GOING TO HAVE RQ OR PULL MYSELF AWAY FROM THIS ITEM.
I DON'T WANT A PERCEIVED CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR THAT PERFORMED THIS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FOR PRINCETON ISD IS MY EMPLOYER.
>> AT THE TIME I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H-7.
>> THERE'S ONE MORE. [BACKGROUND] ITEM PASSES SIX.
THE ONE IS. THIS WILL TAKE US TO ITEM H8. MS. COOK.
[H8. 2025-244 Consider approving a request from Pulte Homes of Texas, L.P. for final plat approval for a property being a 42.482 acre tract of land situated in the David Cherry Survey, Abstract No. 166, City of Princeton, Collin County, Texas; and take appropriate action. ]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING A REQUEST FROM PULTE HOMES OF TEXAS LP FOR FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR PROPERTY BEING 42.482 ACRE TRACT OF LAND SITUATED IN THE DAVID CHERRY SURVEY, ABSTRACT NUMBER 166, CITY OF PRINCETON, COLLIN COUNTY, TEXAS, AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> MY NAME'S CRAIG FISHER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR A SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHITE WING TRAILS PHASE 3B.
THIS DEVELOPMENT HAS A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE MORATORIUM, SO IT IS EXEMPT FROM THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MORATORIUM.
THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN INSPECTED, AND ALL PUNCH LIST ITEMS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.
THIS ITEM WAS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF FOR APPROVAL AND WENT TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AND WAS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.
I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE.
THE APPLICANT IS ALSO REPRESENTED HERE THIS EVENING.
>> I KNOW IN 3.5 MINUTES THERE WASN'T MUCH TO
[02:05:03]
TALK ABOUT AT THAT PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING WHEN THIS PASSED.IN THAT AGREEMENT, THEY HAVE TO FINISH THE FACILITY.
HAS THAT FACILITY BEEN COMPLETED AND THEY'RE ALLOWED TO START GETTING BUILDING PERMITS?
>> YOU'RE CORRECT. NO BUILDING PERMITS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR PHASE 3A.
WE DID HAVE A FINAL INSPECTION OF THE CLUBHOUSE TODAY.
I DO NOT KNOW THE RESULTS OF THAT, BUT NO BUILDING PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED FOR 3A OR 3B UNTIL THAT BUILDING HAS RECEIVED A FINAL CO.
>> HAVE THEY DONE THE REPAIRS TO THE FENCES THAT WENT DOWN AND HAVE LOOKED AT THE POLES THAT DID NOT MEET CODE THAT WERE USED TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM AND POTENTIALLY HOPEFULLY TALKED TO THE BUILDERS THAT THEY WERE WORKING WITH TO BUILD THOSE TO MAYBE CHECK IN ON USING THE RIGHT MATERIALS?
>> I DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE FOR YOU ON THAT.
AT THIS TIME, I DEFER TO THE APPLICANTS.
>> IF THEY REBUILD THE FENCE, DO THEY HAVE TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT? IS THAT HOW THAT GOES AND WE SHOULD BE EXPECTING TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE USING THE RIGHT MATERIALS, CORRECT?
>> HAVE THEY SUBMITTED ANY PERMITS TO GET THOSE FENCES REPLACED?
I KNOW THAT THOSE FENCES, FOR THE MOST PART, HAVE BEEN REBUILT, I THINK.
>> EVEN THE RETAINING WALLS THAT GOT DAMAGED DURING THAT?
>> I DO NOT KNOW AT THIS TIME.
>> IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME.
>> I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.
THEY HAVEN'T MET THE AGREEMENT BY FINISHING THE FACILITY.
I KNOW YOU SAID THAT THEY'RE DOING THE INSPECTION TODAY, AND I GET THAT.
BUT WHY DID THEY GET TO PUT ANOTHER FINAL PLAT FORWARD IF THEY HAVEN'T MET THE AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS DISCOVERED AT THE LAST TIME THEY CAME WITH THE PLAT AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUSH THEM FORWARD WHILE WAITING FOR THEM TO MEET THEIR END OF THE AGREEMENT?
>> THE AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY CAN'T GET ANY BUILDING PERMITS.
WE'RE BRINGING A FINAL PLAT FORWARD FOR THE SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE STILL FOLLOWING THE AGREEMENT AND NO PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL THAT CLUBHOUSE BUILDING HAS BEEN FINISHED.
THE WORK ON 3B IS DONE SO IT'S GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, SO IT'S FINISHED AND THEY'LL THEN BE ABLE TO GET PERMITS ONCE THEY MET ALL THEIR OBLIGATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
>> QUESTION. THEN THE BUILDING PERMIT WILL HAVE TO COME BACK THROUGH COUNSEL IN THAT WAY WE CAN CONFIRM IF IT'S COMPLETED OR NOT, RIGHT?
>> NO, SIR. THE BUILDING PERMITS ARE ISSUED BY MY DEPARTMENT.
I'M OVERSEE THE BUILDING PERMITTING STAFF AND I'M ENSURING THAT THEY'RE NOT ISSUING ANY PERMITS FOR ANY PART OF PHASE 3 FOR WHITE WING TRAILS UNTIL THE FINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE AMENITY CENTER.
>> JUST TO HAVE A RECORD OF IT.
WHEN THEY DO COMPLETE THAT, CAN YOU JUST EMAIL COUNSEL IF THIS DOES PASS? I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S GOING TO PASS OR NOT, BUT IF IT DOES, CAN YOU JUST KEEP JUST TO LET US KNOW THAT THAT'S BEEN DONE?
>> YES, I'D BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
>> CAN WE ALSO GET AN UPDATE ON THE FENCES IF THEY DID REPAIR THEM, AS WELL AS THE WALLS AND CHANGE THOSE POLES TO MEET OUR CITY CODE?
>> I WILL GET AN UPDATE TO COUNSEL, YES.
>> IF THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION AT THIS TIME.
>> YOUR HONOR, I'M TRYING TO THINK OF A WAY TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT WITH THE CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED BY MS. TODD IN THE-
>> YEAH, SORRY. I WAS A LITTLE LOUD.
CRAIG CORRECTLY STATED, SO THAT THE AGREEMENT DOES SPECIFY THAT THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE THE AMENITY CENTER BEFORE GETTING ANY BUILDING PERMITS.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S A CONDITION WE WOULD PUT ON A PLAT.
IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE BUILDERS DEVELOPER'S BEST INTEREST TO COMPLETE THE AMENITY CENTER BECAUSE PLATS GREAT, BUT SO ARE BUILDING PERMITS AND SO FINISHED HOMES.
I THINK THAT'S JUST A TERM OF THE AGREEMENT.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD NEED TO PUT IN OUR MOTION TO POTENTIALLY APPROVE THE PLAT.
[02:10:08]
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL ENTERTAIN ANY MOTION.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H8.
THIS WILL BRING US TO H14, MS. COOK.
[H14. ORD-2025-09-22 Consider approving Ordinance No. 2025-09-22, amending Appendix A, entitled "Fee Schedule", Section 1, entitled "Fees" of the Princeton Municipal Code; and take appropriate action.]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-0922 AMENDING APPENDIX A, ENTITLED FEE SCHEDULE.
SECTION 1 ENTITLED FEES OF THE PRINCETON MUNICIPAL CODE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. MISS WILSON.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNSEL, KELLY WILSON, CFO FOR THE CITY OF PRINCETON.
THIS ORDINANCE TONIGHT IS TO UPDATE VARIOUS CITY FEES.
WE DID DISCUSS THIS WITH COUNCIL AT A BUDGET WORKSHOP IN JUNE, AS WELL AS HAVING A COUNCIL WORKSHOP IN JULY TO GET DIRECTION FROM COUNCIL ABOUT THESE FEES.
I FELT LIKE WE GOT SOME GOOD FEEDBACK.
WE DID PUT THIS THROUGH THE ADOPTED BUDGET AS WELL.
I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF IT'S ABOUT A SPECIFIC FEE.
ALSO, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT.
>> OF THESE FEES, DO ANY OF THEM IMPACT THE ETJ OR THE MUDS?
>> I DO BELIEVE THERE IS AN ETJ REMOVAL FEE.
IF CRAIG WANTS TO ADDRESS THIS OR FRED?
>> WELL, THIS IS MORE OF A GRANT QUESTION.
I BELIEVE IT'S NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
THE PEOPLE OF THE ETJ HAVE NOT HAD A VOICE OR A SAY IN US PUTTING THIS FEE ONTO THEM.
I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY POTENTIAL LEGAL COMPLICATIONS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE BECAUSE OF THAT, OR IS THIS OKAY TO DO THAT WITHOUT GIVING THEM A VOICE?
>> NO, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.
OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A RELATIVELY NEW MECHANISM THAT THEY APPROVED TWO LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS AGO.
AS LONG AS THE FEE IS REASONABLE IN COST RECOVERY, AND THAT'S THE STANDARD.
LIKE I SAID, I'VE SEEN FEES ANYWHERE RANGING FROM MAYBE 3-500 UP TO 1,500 FOR ETJ.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING THE FEE.
MY QUESTION IS, THE TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.
THE ETJ DID NOT HAVE A SAY OR INPUT WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO US TO DISCUSS.
MY LEGAL QUESTION IS, CAN WE HAVE A LEGAL LIABILITY FOR NOT ALLOWING THE ETJ TO AT LEAST HAVE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING OR A VOICE TO SAY THEIR SIDE OF THINGS BEFORE WE IMPOSED A FEE ONTO THEM?
>> I THINK MY COMMENT TO THAT IS, THERE'S NO PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION OF CERTAIN FEES.
WE'VE MENTIONED THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES.
ETJ IS AN EXTENSION OF THE CITY.
NO, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IF AN ETJ RESIDENT WANTS TO REMOVE FROM THE ETJ AND SEEK THE BENEFIT OF REMOVING IN THEIR MIND, THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
THEN TO ANSWER YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION.
SOME OF THESE FEES DO APPLY IN THE ETJ BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE PLATTING AUTHORITIES.
SOME OF THESE PLAT FEES DO EXTEND TO THE ETJ.
>> DOES THE CITY INCUR COST? IS THERE A COST FOR ETJ REMOVAL?
>> ONLY A STAFF TIME IS THE ONLY COST THAT WE INCUR DOING RESEARCH TO ENSURE THAT THE PETITION IS CORRECT, DRAFTING RESOLUTION.
NO OTHER COSTS OUTSIDE OF STAFF TIME.
>> THE LAW SAYS WE CAN'T EVEN STOP IT.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WHETHER OR NOT WE DO PAPERWORK, IT HAPPENS.
>> YES. THAT'S CORRECT. THAT IF A COMPLETE PETITION IS RECEIVED, COUNSEL IS OBLIGATED TO APPROVE IT.
STAFF DOES TAKE THE TIME TO ENSURE THAT
[02:15:01]
THE PETITION MEETS ALL OF THE STATE'S REQUIREMENTS, AND WE DRAFT A STAFF REPORT, WE DRAFT A RESOLUTION, PUT IT ONTO AN AGENDA.WE HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTION ON THEM.
>> TO CRAIG'S POINT, THE LAW DOES SAY IF WE RECEIVE A VALID PETITION, AND YOU STAFF REVIEWS THOSE TO MAKE SURE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE LAW ARE FOLLOWED WHEN THEY'RE SUBMITTED.
STATE LAW DOES SAY IF WE RECEIVE THOSE THAT WE SHALL.
THEORETICALLY, WE COULD RECEIVE A PLAT APPLICATION AND NOT DO ANYTHING, IT'S APPROVED BY OPERATIONAL LAW.
YES, TO YOUR POINT, IF WE DIDN'T ACT ON THE ETJ REMOVAL PETITIONS, IT WOULD BE APPROVED BY OPERATIONAL LAW.
BUT THE LAW BEFORE THAT SAYS, IF WE RECEIVE A VALID PETITION, THAT WE SHALL.
THEREFORE, IT'S WHEN THERE'S A SHALL, STAFF NEEDS TO REVIEW THE PETITION, AND THERE'S STAFF TIME AND FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
>> MR. [INAUDIBLE], I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME MUNICIPALITIES ARE BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT OVER THE FEES THAT THEY'VE IMPOSED.
I'M JUST WONDERING IF YOU KNOW THE STATUS OF THOSE BECAUSE I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO GO TO A HIGHER COURT AND MAKE THAT DECISION, WHETHER THIS IS LEGAL TO DO OR NOT.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT ANY INFORMATION ON THOSE.
>> SURE, AND I CAN PROVIDE SOME UPDATE.
ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE ETJ REMOVALS, OR IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT, AND I CAN PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO COUNSEL.
SOME MUNICIPALITIES HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED ON THAT THEY CANNOT CHARGE A FEE.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF WHERE THAT STANDS AT IN THE COURTS RIGHT NOW.
>> SURE. I DON'T HAVE A STATUS ON TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I CAN PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO COUNSEL.
I THINK THAT ANYTIME MUNICIPALITY ASSESSES A FEE, IT JUST COMES DOWN TO, ACTUAL COST RECOVERY CAN'T BE AN UNLAWFUL TAX.
>> BECAUSE MY SUGGESTION IS TO, WE'VE NOT BEEN CHARGING A FEE AND IF WE DO JUST CHARGE A MINIMAL FEE, WHAT IT MAY COST, AND WAIT UNTIL WE SEE WHAT THE RESULTS OF THE HIGHER COURTS ARE GOING TO SAY ON THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE CHALLENGED AND IT IS GOING TO BECOME LAW.
>> SURE. I THINK THIS WAS DISCUSSED, MAYBE AT A BUDGET WORK SESSION A COUPLE OF TIMES.
IF COUNSEL DESIRES, YOU CAN ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED AND NOT HAVE THE ETJ REMOVAL FEE, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PRESENTED FROM COUNSEL WITH A DESIRE.
THIS IS WHAT STAFF HAS CALCULATED IS A REASONABLE COST RECOVERY, REVIEW THE PETITIONS, ETC.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS FEE SCHEDULE HAS NOT BEEN ADOPTED YET, AND COUNSEL CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE ANY AMENDMENTS TO IT IF DESIRED.
IT'S IN REGARDS TO UNDER THE APPENDIX A PUBLIC WORKS.
I DIDN'T THINK WE AGREED TO ALL THE THINGS THAT THE PICK THE RECYCLING, LIKE ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. I DIDN'T THINK THAT WE AGREED TO ADDING THEM WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT.
I THOUGHT WE WERE SENDING IT BACK TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE PEOPLE, AND THEN WE WERE GOING TO REVIEW IT FOR THE RECYCLING AND ALL OF THAT WITH THE MEAN GREEN EVENT.
>> CORRECT. THESE ARE THE CURRENT CHARGES.
THEY ARE INCREASING DUE TO THE CONSUMER INDEX PRICING FLUCTUATION, BUT SO IT'S JUST ADOPTING THOSE NEW RATES AS A PASS THROUGH TO THE RESIDENTS.
IT'S NOT IMPOSING ANY OF THOSE INCENSES. NO, MA'AM.
>> I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THEY WEREN'T, THE OTHER ONES ON TOP OF THAT.
WE LISTENED TO THE SURVEY AND DID NOT PRESENT ANY OF THOSE AS ANY RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> PERFECT. I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM.
>> I STILL THINK WE NEED ANOTHER EXTREME GREEN.
YOU CAN'T GO TO THE TRASH, THE LANDFILL FOR THIS PRICE.
>> DO WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON ASKING ABOUT THAT? BECAUSE I AGREE 1000%.
>> WE CAN ADD THAT TO A FEED FUTURE ITEM, BUT WE CAN DEFINITELY GET AN UPDATE ON ALL OF THAT.
>> WE JUST HAD THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THAT WAS THE DIRECTION WE HAD WITH THE CURRENT AMENDMENT WAS FROM THE SURVEY RESULTS, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN DIVE BACK INTO IT IF WE NEED TO.
>> AT THIS TIME, THERE'S NO MORE QUESTIONS, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR AGE 14.
>> I WOULD MOTION TO APPROVE IT WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE ETJ FEE.
[02:20:06]
[H15. ORD-2025-09-22-04 Consider approving Ordinance No. 2025-09-22-04, amending Appendix A, entitled "Fee Schedule", Section 3, entitled "Rate Schedules" and Section 78-131, entitled (Sewer Rates), of the Princeton Municipal Code; and take appropriate action.]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025092204 AMENDING APPENDIX A ENTITLED FEE SCHEDULE SECTION 3 ENTITLED RATE.
SCHEDULES. IN SECTION 708131 ENTITLED SEWER RATES OF THE PRINCETON MUNICIPAL CODE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION, MISS WILSON.
AGAIN, THIS ORDINANCE IS FOR COUNSEL TO UPDATE OUR WATER AND SEWER RATES.
BASED ON THE DIRECTION WE GOT FROM COUNCIL IN JULY.
WE ARE REMOVING THE FLAT RATE WASTEWATER THAT IS APPLIED TO THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF PRINCETON THAT WE PROVIDE SEWER SERVICES FOR.
I CAN ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
BUT THAT IS THE ONLY CHANGE TO THIS RATE SCHEDULE.
>> THAT'S THE CLARIFICATION I WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN I PULLED IT. THANK YOU.
>> THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS I'LL ENTERTAIN THE MOTION.
>> YEAH, I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION TO APPROVE A GEN ITEM AGE 15.
NOW THIS WILL TAKE US TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA.
[L1. 2025-251 Consider approving Tom Heslep's voluntary resignation from his appointed office on the Zoning Board of Adjustments, Place 3; and take appropriate action.]
WE'LL START WITH ONE, MS. COOK.>> CONSIDER APPROVING TOM HESLIP'S VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION FROM HIS APPOINTED OFFICE ON THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS, PLACE THREE AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM L22025250.
>> WE HAVE A SECOND. ITEM PASSES 70.
[L2. 2025-250 Consider approving the appointment and/or reappointment to the Boards and Commissions for the Planning and Zoning Board; and take appropriate action.]
>> CONSIDER APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT AND OR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE BOARDS AND COMMISSION FOR THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
>> I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS.
I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM A RESIDENT SHOWING CONFIRMATION FROM THE CITY THAT THEY HAD APPLIED FOR THE BOARD AND THAT THEIR APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED, BUT THEIR APPLICATION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF APPLICANTS THAT WE RECEIVED FOR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.
I WAS CURIOUS WHY APPLICANTS WHO APPLIED AND HAD CONFIRMATION FROM THE CITY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE OPTIONS FOR US TO APPROVE.
I'M HAPPY TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO THE REST OF COUNSEL AND WHOEVER ELSE NEEDS IT.
>> CRAIG, DO YOU KNOW? THE ITEM IS FROM WHO IT FROM THE ITEM.
>> COULD WE POSSIBLY TABLE THIS UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO GET CONFIRMATION, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE APPLICANTS THERE? JUST TO GIVE THEM A FAIR SHOT.
A ROMER, YOU WANT TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION?
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE L22025250 UNTIL THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
>> YES. I BELIEVE YOU OR WHO THEY WERE IN COMMUNICATION WITH. YEAH, I WILL FORWARDED.
[02:25:12]
CAN I UNDO THAT AT MY FINGER TOUCHED THE WRONG ONE.>> THERE WE GO. EVERYBODY HAS TO VOTE AGAIN.
GRANT. AMBER, I HAVE A QUESTION.
I HAVE THIS MOTION HERE FOR A CORRECTION AND WE APPROVED IT, BUT WE DIDN'T MAKE THE MOTION FOR IT.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A CORRECTION TO THE MINUTES.
HOW DO WE WANT TO MAKE THIS CORRECTION?
>> YEAH. BUT ARE YOU REFERRING TO ITEM H 1 CONSENT?
>> WHAT WE COULD DO IS, WE COULD JUST DO A CLARIFYING MOTION ON H 1.
SPECIFICALLY, JUST TO REFERENCE AT SCRIVENER'S ERROR.
I THINK IT WAS FOR MAYBE THE ADJOURNMENT TIME.
JUST TO GET A CLEAR DIRECTION TO CORRECT THAT.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. CAN WE HANDLE THAT NOW BEFORE WE GO TO OUT THREE?
>> YES. FROM COUNSEL, MAKE THE MOTION.
>> I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT H1 AS SUBMITTED.
[H. CONSENT AGENDA (Part 2 of 2)]
>> NO, IT'S A CORRECTION. LET ME GIVE IT TO YOU.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, INCLUDING, WELL, THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2025 MEETING AS PRESENTED WITH A CORRECTION TO THE ADJOURNMENT TIME FROM 6:42 PM TO 9:42 PM, AND THAT'S JUST THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8TH.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER, DO YOU MIND JUST CLARIFYING THAT IT'S FOR H1 ONLY?
>> CLARIFYING THAT THIS IS FOR H1 ONLY.
>> I'LL SEE. YEAH, WAS A SECOND.
>> WE'LL DO A CALL. I'M MISS DAVID-GRAVES.
>> MOTION PASSES. THIS WILL TAKE US TO ITEM L3, MS. COOK.
[L3. 2025-247 Consider approving a request for items to be placed on a future agenda and NOT for discussion of these requests.]
>> THREE, CONSIDER APPROVING A REQUEST FOR ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA AND NOT FOR DISCUSSION OF THE REQUESTS.
>> I WOULD LIKE THE EXTREME GREEN TO BE RE LOOKED AT AND A NEW SURVEY SENT OUT.
>> COULD WE ADD AN AGENDA ITEM TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE AI WHAT WAS IT RAS ROW DETECTION JUST TO SEE.
>> YES. TO SEE WHAT THE RESULTS WERE FROM THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT.
>> I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RFQS THAT HAVE COME IN FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SO WE CAN GET THAT BALL ROLLING.
I'M SURE CHIEF IS EAGER TO PRESENT TO US, AND I'M EAGER TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE TO PRESENT.
I WOULD SPECIFICALLY LIKE THAT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.
>> MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA CONCERNING THE ABBOTT ADDITION, AND THAT'S JUST THE CONDITION THERE.
THE ROADS IN DESPERATE NEED TO REPAIR, A LOT OF DRAINAGE ISSUES IN THAT AREA.
THAT'S THE OLDER PART OF TOWN.
>> THERE'S NOTHING ELSE. WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM M. MS. COOK?
[M. REPORT AGENDA]
>> BOARD AGENDA. NEXT SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, AT 6:30.
NEXT REGULAR EDC MEETING, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 6:00 PM.
NEXT REGULAR CDC MEETING, OCTOBER 15, 6:00 PM.
NEXT REGULAR P&Z MEETING, OCTOBER 6, 6:30 PM.
NEXT AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER30TH, 6:30 PM.
NEXT HOME ROLE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH, 6:30 PM.
NEXT SPECIAL LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING,
[02:30:02]
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 6:30 PM.>> AT THIS TIME, I ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I MAKE THAT MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY HI.
>> HI.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.