[2.A. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction on the preliminary financial overview of the general fund, the upcoming budget process and receive any additional direction from City Council regarding the annual budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. (Staff Presenter: John Butkus, Assistant Finance Director)]

TWO A IS TO RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION AND GIVE STAFF DIRECTION ON THE PRELIMINARY FINANCIAL OVERVIEW OF OF THE GENERAL FUND, THE UPCOMING BUDGET PROCESS AND RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024.

THIS AFTERNOON THE STAFF PRESENTER IS JOHN BUTKUS, ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR, MISTER BUTKUS.

AND SHOW THIS TO YOU.

SO AGAIN, YEAH, WE WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND DO OUR GENERAL FUND OVERVIEW AND ALONG WITH THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, MAJOR AREAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO COVER THIS AFTERNOON, AGAIN, WE'LL DO AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET AND GENERAL FUND.

WE'LL TOUCH ON THE STRATEGIC FOCUS AND THE KEY BUDGET FOCUS AREAS AS WELL AS THE BUDGET PROCESS ITSELF.

JUST TO KIND OF GET A SENSE OF BALANCE.

THIS WAS LAST YEAR'S OVERALL BUDGET.

THAT WAS THE $204 MILLION, OF THAT 55 MILLION WAS THE GENERAL FUND.

SO ROUGHLY 27% OF THE BUDGET IS THE GENERAL FUND.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING THIS AFTERNOON.

JUST TO GIVE EVERYBODY A LITTLE BIT OF SCOPE AGAIN, LAST YEAR WE HAD GENERAL FUND REVENUE, $53 MILLION BROKE OUT INTO THESE AREAS AND PROPERTY AND SALES TAX COMPRISED 75% OF THAT.

EXPENSE WISE, AGAIN, IT WAS 55,000,300.

AND OUT OF ALL THAT, PUBLIC SAFETY COMPRISED 52%.

SO JUST GIVE EVERYBODY A LITTLE SCOPE.

TAX RATE HISTORY.

I THINK YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

[00:05:02]

AGAIN, WE'VE ADJUSTED IT DOWNWARD OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND OUR CURRENT RATE IS 0.6572 PER 100.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL BE TAKING A LOOK AT ALL THESE RATES AND EVERYTHING AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE MONTHS.

OUR CURRENT ASSUMPTIONS AND WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THIS IN MORE DETAIL LATER.

RIGHT NOW, AS FAR AS THE EXISTING APPRAISED VALUE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT A CONSERVATIVE 3% GROWTH PATTERN, NEW CONSTRUCTION, TAX VALUE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO AND ONE HALF TO 3% INCREASE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

AGAIN, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THESE AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS ITSELF.

SALES TAX GROWTH.

I'LL GET INTO THAT HERE IN A SECOND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT TO REALLY BE A FLAT LINE 3% AND IN COMPENSATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION, THREE AND ONE HALF PERCENT FLAT LINED JUST TO, YOU KNOW, REITERATE AS FAR AS THE INCREASED APPRAISAL VALUES, THAT 3% WILL PROVIDE INCREASED TAX REVENUE.

WE'VE ENTERED A KIND OF AN INTERESTING PERIOD.

WE'VE HAD GENERAL FUND SALES TAX OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ON AN UPWARD TREND.

WE CONTINUED THAT UP UNTIL THIS PAST MARCH.

AS FAR AS THE MARCH COLLECTIONS, WE WERE DOWN 9% AND THAT'S MARCH COLLECTIONS OR THE ACTIVITY FOR JANUARY.

WE GET THAT TWO MONTHS IN ARREARS.

SO LIKE I SAID, WE HAD AN UPWARD TREND.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE PROJECTING, YOU KNOW, A FOUR, FOUR PLUS PERCENT INCREASE IN SALES TAX AND THEN WE KIND OF TOOK A HIT AGAIN, JANUARY ACTIVITY, MARCH REPORTING.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MONITOR THAT CLOSELY AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS FAR AS ALL THE SALES TAX REVENUES WITHIN THE CITY.

AGAIN, I THINK YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

THIS WAS THE PRELIMINARY FORECAST.

WE HAD PROVIDED THIS IN THE WORKSHOP LAST YEAR AS FAR AS THE STANDARD REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES, THIS WAS UPDATED WITH THE WITH THE BEGINNING FUND BALANCE FOR THIS YEAR AFTER WE CLOSED OUT THE BOOKS AND EVERYTHING.

SO IT WAS ADJUSTED FOR THE THE CURRENT $21.9 MILLION FUND BALANCE THIS YEAR AND THEN THE NUMBERS MOVE FORWARD.

SO AGAIN, THIS WAS WHAT WE'LL BE WORKING ON IN THE COMING MONTHS AS FAR AS REVENUE PROJECTIONS AND OUR EXPENSE PROJECTIONS.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS FOR THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR, COUNCIL HAD APPROVED THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2022, AND IT REALLY WAS A HIGH PERFORMING CITY.

THAT'S DYNAMIC, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL, SAFE, VIBRANT AND A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS BUDGET PROCESS IN JUNE, AND WE'LL BE LOOKING TO BRING REVISED, UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN.

BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THIS BUDGET IS REALLY MELDED INTO, YOU KNOW, THESE THESE GOALS SO THAT, YOU KNOW, FINANCIALLY WE CAN SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE CITIZENS WANT AND WHAT COMES FROM COUNCIL.

SOME OTHER FOCUS AREAS.

AGAIN, WE WANT TO BUILD A BUDGET WHERE WE HAVE FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY.

NO, I'M SORRY. AM I MAKING YOU CRY? SORRY. SORRY.

NO, WE.

LIKE I SAID, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD THE BUDGET AGAIN WITH WITH COUNCIL'S INPUT AND EVERYTHING FOR FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT FIVE YEAR PROJECTIONS FOR ALL OPERATING FUNDS.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL BE BUILDING COST CONTAINMENT, EFFICIENCIES AND OPTIMIZATION INTO EVERYTHING THAT THAT WE TOUCH.

WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES.

AGAIN, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FIRE AND POLICE WILL BE DOING THE PREPARATION FOR THE TRANSITION FOR THE MEDICAL TRANSPORT TEAM.

AND WE'LL ALSO BE LOOKING AT THE FIRE STATION FOR OPERATING EQUIPMENT AND THE FIVE YEAR PROJECTION, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT STATION FOR.

I WILL ALWAYS WILL BE LOOKING AT THE DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR CASH FUNDING ANYTIME THAT WE CAN SHIFT CASH FUNDING AND MOVE AWAY FROM DEBT AND EVERYTHING, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.

SORRY. JUST ONE SECOND, JOHN.

SO GO. GO BACK.

ONE SLIDE. YES, MA'AM. WHEN IT SAYS INCORPORATE FIRE STATION FOR OPERATING, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE PERSONNEL IT'S GOING TO TAKE AS WELL? YEAH. AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE FORGET WHEN WE HAVE THESE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, BUILDINGS AND SO ON.

WELL, YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, TWICE THE SIZE, YOU'VE GOT MORE EQUIPMENT, YOU GOT ALL YOUR UTILITIES GO UP.

SO WE REALLY GOT TO FOCUS ON THAT AS WE'RE INVESTING IN THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS.

LOOK AT THE OPERATING. EXACTLY.

I KNOW WE'RE WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OUR AREA THAT BUILT BUILDINGS THAT THEY THEN COULDN'T STAFF.

[00:10:05]

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING VERY COGNIZANT OF ALL THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO ACTUALLY HAVE THAT A FUNCTIONING OPERATION.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT HIRING? I BELIEVE THE STANDARDS HAVE INCREASED, TO WHICH I'M SURE WE'RE GOING TO DIG INTO WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE PRESENTATION.

BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY BEEN ON MY MIND AS FAR AS LIKE NOW THAT WE KNOW STUFF'S MOVING OUT INCHES IN SUMMIT.

AND SO IT'S MAKING THAT WEST SIDE OF OUR AREA OF OUR COMMUNITY MUCH MORE LIKE PRESENT I GUESS BEFORE IT WAS JUST FIELDS AND NOW IT'S LIKE, OKAY, STUFF'S MOVING OUT THERE.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PREPARED AND AND SEEING THESE NUMBERS AND WHAT ALL THAT'S REALLY GOING TO COST US.

SO THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM.

I THINK THERE'LL BE A MINIMUM OF ABOUT 15 NEW FIREFIGHTERS FOR THAT NEW STATION.

AND THE BALLPARK COST FOR THAT OPERATION WILL BE ABOUT $2 MILLION PER YEAR ON OUR OPERATING BASIS.

SO YEAH, AS WELL AS THE CAPITAL COSTS THAT JOHN HAD MENTIONED, BUT WE'VE BEEN PLANNING FOR THAT AND LOOKING AT THOSE.

BUT THIS WILL BE KIND OF COMING INTO THE FIVE YEAR PLAN.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THOSE AND THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT.

THANK YOU. AND AGAIN, BACK ON THE FOCUS AREAS FOR THE BUDGET.

AGAIN, WE'LL BE LOOKING AND WORKING WITH HR TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION, ENSURING THAT WE'VE GOT BEST IN CLASS PEOPLE AND WE RETAIN THE TALENT. AGAIN, ANOTHER ANOTHER BIG ITEM, TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC.

I THOUGHT WE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB LAST YEAR.

THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION, NOT JUST FINANCE, BUT AS FAR AS PUBLISHING INFORMATION, GETTING INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE, WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM AND EVERYTHING. THEY DID A GREAT VIDEO, A BUDGET VIDEO, WHICH WAS KIND OF COOL BECAUSE IT'S IT'S BUDGET, BUT THEY MADE IT FUN AND INFORMATIONAL.

SO AGAIN, WE LOOK TO, YOU KNOW, DO ALL THAT AND HAVE THAT ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WITH THE PUBLIC AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS PROCESS AS WELL.

AND AGAIN, WE KIND OF TOUCHED ON A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

AGAIN, WE WILL ALIGN ALL THAT WORK WITH THE THE OPERATING BUDGET AND ENSURING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT THE OPERATING NEEDS MET ALONG WITH THE BRICK AND MORTAR AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE PROJECTS.

AND AGAIN, WE'LL CONTINUE.

WE DID A ROBUST FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN LAST YEAR WITH THE FUNDING STRATEGY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S EBBS AND FLOWS WITH THOSE, YOU KNOW, WITH THOSE PROGRAMS. AND AS THOSE CHANGE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHIFT AND WE'LL MONITOR THE FUNDING FOR EACH ONE OF THE YEARS AND, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WORK WITH CITY MANAGER AND COUNCIL TO YOU KNOW FOR ANY CHANGES THAT OCCUR WITH THAT.

BUT THAT'LL BE THAT'LL BE MONITORED CLOSELY.

AND THEN AGAIN, IF WE NEED TO REALLOCATE FUNDS, MOVE CASH IN, IF WE HAVE THAT AVAILABILITY, YOU KNOW, WE'LL LOOK AT ALL THAT.

THE BUDGET PROCESS OVERVIEW.

BASICALLY, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND WE'LL TAKE OUR PROJECTIONS AND ASSUMPTIONS OVER THE COMING MONTHS AND WE'LL, YOU KNOW, REALLY LOOK TO TO MATCH OUR CURRENT REVENUES AND EXPENSES AS WE NORMALLY DO.

WE'LL OBVIOUSLY BE LOOKING FOR COUNCIL DIRECTION FOR THE PRIORITIES THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS.

AGAIN, WE'LL BE RECEIVING CITIZENS FEEDBACK, YOU KNOW, FOR PRIORITIZATION AND YOU KNOW, HOW HOW THEY WOULD LIKE THINGS TO GO AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE. YOU KNOW, IT'S APRIL, BUT OVER THE COMING MONTHS, WE'LL BRING FUND REVIEWS TO YOU AND WE'LL COVER ALL THAT WITH THE TEAM.

WE'VE KIND OF PUT THIS INTO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GROUPS AS FAR AS INFORMATION.

WE'VE GOT FUND FINANCIALS, YOU KNOW, GENERAL FUND SUPPLEMENTAL FOUR A, FOUR B AND SO ON IN ONE GROUP.

AND THEN WE'VE MOVED OVER OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION, THE STRATEGIC PLAN COMP AND BENEFITS OUR MAJOR DEPARTMENTS, POLICE, FIRE, PUBLIC WORKS AND SO ON.

I'LL TOUCH ON THESE IN A MINUTE, BUT THESE ARE TWO OF THE BUCKETS THAT I THINK WE WANT TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL AS FAR AS HOW WE REVIEW THIS GOING FORWARD. AND THIS IS REALLY THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF THE PRESENTATION.

WE REALLY ARE SEEKING COUNCILS DIRECTION FOR THREE MAIN AREAS AND THAT'S ASSUMPTIONS AND PRIORITIES OR THE CURRENT ASSUMPTION AND PRIORITIES APPROPRIATE.

DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY OTHER AREAS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE UPCOMING PROCESS? AND MEETING CONTENT OVER THE PAST YEAR.

STAFF PRESENTED DETAILED BUDGETS FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT.

DOES COUNCIL WISH TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS, OR WOULD WE WANT TO PREFER TO FOCUS ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE WHERE WE BROKE UP THE FUND FINANCIALS AND THE OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION? ONE OF THE OPTIONS WOULD BE AGAIN TO BRING THE FUNDS INDIVIDUALLY TO COUNCIL DURING OUR SCHEDULED MEETINGS AND THEN MAYBE HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION FOR THE OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION IN ONE SESSION.

[00:15:03]

AND THAT'S WHAT WHAT OUR STAFF RECOMMENDS DOING THAT AGAIN FOR PROCESSING THE INFORMATION.

AND AGAIN, MEDIUM FREQUENCY.

DOES COUNCIL WISH TO HOLD INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSIONS ON EVERYTHING, ALL THE ISSUES DURING THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETINGS? OR DO YOU WANT A SPECIAL WORK SESSION FOR ANY OR ALL? AND AGAIN, STAFF RECOMMENDS HOLDING AT LEAST ONE SPECIAL SESSION TO DISCUSS THE KEY AREAS YOU KNOW, THE MAJOR DEPARTMENTS, POLICE, FIRE, PUBLIC WORKS, THE STRATEGIC PLAN DUE TO THE TIME LIMITATIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

BUT AGAIN, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF THE LINEUP WE WERE LOOKING AT.

AND AGAIN, THAT REALLY CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION AND WE LOOK FOR INPUT FROM COUNCIL.

I WILL SAY THIS TO THE COUNCIL, BEFORE WE MAKE MANY ASSUMPTIONS OR PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE THREE NEW MEMBERS COMING IN AND I THINK WE CERTAINLY NEED TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS BEFORE WE MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF DECISIONS ON HOW IT SHOULD CONTINUE.

YEAH, WE CERTAINLY RECOGNIZE THREE NEW MEMBERS WILL BE ON THE COUNCIL AND I THINK FROM OUR VANTAGE POINT, WE'RE LOOKING AT AT JUNE AND JULY AND SAYING WE'VE ONLY GOT FOUR MEETINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED.

IT'S JUST A LOT OF INFORMATION TO GET THROUGH IN FOUR SESSIONS.

MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU IS THAT WE LOOK AT HAVING AT LEAST ONE SPECIAL MEETING, PERHAPS TWO, DEPENDING ON THE DETAILS THAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, SO WE CAN GO THROUGH THAT.

IT'S JUST A LOT OF INFORMATION TO TRY TO GET THROUGH.

I FELT LIKE THE LAST YEAR WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME GOING THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

PERHAPS THAT WAS TOO MUCH.

THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON THOSE, BUT WE DO SOME OF THE LARGER DEPARTMENTAL AREAS.

I THINK IT'D BE GOOD TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE SOME FOCUSED CONVERSATIONS.

SO I THINK THE SLIDE OR TWO BACK, JOHN, THE ONE THAT HAS THE OTHER BUDGET INFORMATION, WE WOULD TRY TO KNOCK ALL OF THAT OUT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN COMP AND BENEFITS ALL IN ONE DAY WITH YOU.

SO IT MIGHT BE A 9 TO 1, 9 TO 2 KIND OF DAY THAT WE TRY TO FIND OUT ON YOUR SCHEDULE THAT WOULD WORK AND THEN WE COULD HIT ALL OF THAT.

WE COULD CERTAINLY DO IT OVER TWO SESSIONS, DEPENDING ON YOUR INTEREST IN DOING THAT.

BUT IT'S A LOT TO GET THROUGH, AND THAT'S WHY WE WANTED TO COME TODAY AND JUST TRY TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT DISCUSSION WITH THE COUNCIL TO SEE HOW YOU WANT TO APPROACH IT.

THERE'S ANY NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE COULD DO IT, BUT JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A STARTING POINT.

I CAN APPRECIATE WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON SAID.

I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AS WELL, THAT THERE WILL BE NEW PEOPLE UP HERE AND I'LL JUST GIVE MY $0.02.

I THINK THE DETAILED DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET PRESENTATIONS WERE CUMBERSOME AND TIRESOME, AND I APPRECIATED LEARNING A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS.

BUT I THINK HONESTLY, IT'D BE BETTER TO DO THE TWO SPECIAL SESSIONS AND ENCAPSULATE THE WAY THAT YOU'RE SHOWING IT HERE.

AND AND OF COURSE, THE GREAT THING ABOUT IS HAVING ACCESS TO YOU AND AND DIRECTORS.

SO IF ANY OF THESE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS AND I KNOW YOU GO THROUGH A VERY FULL IN-DEPTH TRAINING WITH THEM AND THEY'RE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE ANYWAY.

SO THIS FIRST YEAR OF BUDGET IS A LOT TO TAKE IN SO THEY THEY CAN MEET WITH YOU GUYS AND AND ASK QUESTIONS AND ALWAYS ASK MORE QUESTIONS IN THE MEETINGS.

WELL, BY THE SAME TOKEN, THAT MIGHT MAKE A GOOD ARGUMENT TO GET INTO EVERY DEPARTMENT AND EVERY DETAIL FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAMILIARITY.

I DON'T KNOW. MY INCLINATION WAS TO SAY NO, LET'S FOCUS ON THE FOCUS AREAS AND THE BIGGER NUMBERS AND LET THE REST OF IT SORT ITSELF OUT.

SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE I'D BE.

DESPITE HAVING NEW MEMBERS, THEY CAN CATCH UP.

THEY'LL. THEY'LL GET IT LIKE WE ALL DID GOING DOWN THE LINE.

ON THE FIRST ITEM THAT YOU WERE ASKED FOR IS ASSUMPTIONS AND PRIORITIES.

NOTING THAT FUND BALANCES HAVE BEEN PROJECTED TO DECLINE 12% OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

MAKES ME WONDER IF COUNCIL NEEDS TO REVIEW OR NEEDS TO FINALLY SET A POLICY FOR MINIMUM FUND BALANCES FOR THE GENERAL FUND, SINCE WE'RE OBVIOUSLY ON A TREND OF REDUCING THAT. ON THE ONE HAND, MONEY KEPT IN FUND BALANCES IS NOT MONEY THAT'S PROVIDING SERVICES FOR CITIZENS, AND AN EXCESS OF THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE CAPABILITIES THAT WE'RE NOT, FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES THAT WE'RE NOT USING.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, I KNOW YEARS AGO WE USED TO TALK ABOUT HAVING A 90 DAY FUND BALANCE AT A 25% EXPENDITURE RATE.

THAT IS A 90 DAY BALANCE AND THAT'S A FAIRLY COMFORT ZONE.

BUT I'M FAIRLY COMFORTABLE ZONE, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BELOW THAT I'D BE COMFORTABLE GOING.

IT'S NICE TO KEEP THE TAX RATE DOWN ON AD VALOREM TAXES, WHICH ARE ROUGHLY HALF OF THIS REVENUE, THIS 55 MILLION THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING OUR NUMBERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE NOT ONLY ARE BEING FINANCIALLY

[00:20:04]

PRUDENT, BUT ALSO EARNING THE BEST BOND RATINGS AND THINGS THAT THOSE NUMBERS ALSO AFFECT.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULDN'T BE ONE THING I'D WANT TO DISCUSS.

YEAH, I THINK WE CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A LOOK AT IF THE COUNCIL WANTS TO CHANGE THE FUND BALANCE POLICY, BUT OUR APPROVED POLICY IS 20 TO 25% OF EXPENDITURES.

SO CURRENTLY WE'RE IN EXCESS OF THE POLICY.

BUT WE CAN HAVE SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU TO LOOK AT OPTIONS TO CONSIDER THAT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN THAT YOU SAW EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION IS SOME CAPITAL PROJECTS AND FUNDING THAT WOULD BE USED FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS.

SO THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THE FUND BALANCE IS DROPPING.

BUT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT FRANKLY REALLY GOOD POLICY CONVERSATIONS FOR THE COUNCIL TO HAVE.

AND WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND GIVE YOU LOTS OF OPTIONS OF HOW TO CONSIDER IT.

BUT. MARTIN DID YOU HAVE OTHERS? YEAH, I THINK AS WE'RE WORKING ON UPDATING THE FINANCIAL POLICY THAT HOPE WE COULD BRING BACK IN JUNE, CURRENTLY IT IS AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN APPROXIMATE ABOUT 20% WAS THE MINIMUM AS REGARDS TO A FINANCIAL POLICY.

AND SO WE COULD ALWAYS LOOK AT THAT AND REVIEW AND TALK ABOUT IS IT 25, IS THAT REASONABLE? BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN 20%.

AND AGAIN, WE ALWAYS TRY TO STAY ABOVE THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE IN COVID WHEN CAME IN, WE DID HAVE THE STRONG FUND BALANCE TO COVER THAT AS WELL. BUT ALWAYS THE IDEA IS IT'S IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE A MINIMUM FUND BALANCE.

THE RECOMMENDED PRACTICE IS ABOUT 20%.

THAT'S ABOUT 73, 74 DAYS.

AND WE'RE ALWAYS ABOVE THAT.

SO WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD.

AND AGAIN, AS THE CITY MANAGER SAID IS RIGHT NOW WE DO HAVE $8 MILLION IN CAPITAL PROJECT CASH FUNDING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE BIG REASONS THAT'S GOING IS GOING DOWN OVER TIME. AND WE CAN ALWAYS LOOK AT THAT AS WELL.

GIVEN THAT I WAS JUST AT THE NLC CONFERENCE WITH SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY TALKED ABOUT A LOT WAS ARPA.

I THINK IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE NOT AN ELONGATED PRESENTATION, BUT OF WHAT DO WE HAVE LEFT, BECAUSE YOU'VE ONLY GOT TO THE END OF 2024, WHAT HAVE WE ALLOCATED OF WHAT WE HAVE LEFT? AND THEN TO POSSIBLY PUT THAT ON AS A PRIORITY FOR, OKAY, WHAT CAN WE USE THE REST OF THIS MONEY FOR? AND THE IDEA THEN IS DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS, I THINK LAST YEAR WE DID ONE IN IN AUGUST AND WE PROBABLY COULD DO THE SAME THING.

WE BRING IT IN JULY AS WELL AND TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINANCIAL, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS OUR ECONOMY, OUR NATIONAL ECONOMY, WHAT ARE YOUR INDICATORS AND WHAT'S OUR REACTION TO THOSE? IF WE START SEEING A TREND IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER.

WE'VE GOT PADS IN ON THIS.

THERE'S A COUPLE THAT WE LOOK AT A LOT, AND ONE OF THEM IS SALES TAX BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A SUCH A FLUCTUATIONAL PROCESS.

SO PEOPLE, IF THE ECONOMY IS GOING A CERTAIN WAY, THEY TEND TO HOLD ON SO THAT ADDITIONAL INCOME THAT THEY HAVE, THE OTHER ONE COULD POSSIBLY BE, YOU KNOW, REAL ESTATE MARKET. WHERE IS THAT GOING OVER TIME? AND SO THE REASON WHY WE REALLY HAVEN'T CHANGED MUCH OF OUR ASSUMPTIONS IS THAT TO STAY CONSERVATIVE, TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO, AT LEAST OVER TIME, FUND AND ADJUST TO THOSE MARKETS IF THEY EVER AFFECT BURLESON.

I THINK WHEN THE COVID HIT, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE CAME BACK WITH IS SALES TAX GOING TO BE AFFECTED.

AND SO WE ADJUSTED TO THAT.

BUT AS OTHER CITIES WERE IMPACTED WITH SALES TAX, BURLESON WAS NOT.

SO THAT'S ALSO THE OTHER THING THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IS IF IF THERE IS ECONOMIC INDICATORS THAT ARE IMPACTING US, IS IT IMPACTING US AS IT'S IMPACTING OTHER CITIES, OTHER STATES? SO THOSE ARE ALL OF THE COMBINATIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT CURRENTLY.

HOTEL TAX AS WELL.

ARE PEOPLE NO LONGER TRAVELING? THAT'S ANOTHER INDICATOR AS WELL.

I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE LOOK AT IS BUILDING PERMITS.

WE GET THOSE EVERY MONTH.

THOSE ARE REAL GOOD INDICATOR OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET IN THE CITY.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO WATCH THOSE ALMOST IN REAL TIME AS THEY'RE COMING IN.

THE INFLATION ENVIRONMENT IS OBVIOUSLY VERY DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING WE'VE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST 10 TO 20 YEARS, BUT THAT ACTUALLY HELPS OUR OUR SALES TAX NUMBERS BECAUSE THE COST OF GOODS IS GOING UP.

AND SO THE PRICES THAT WE'RE ALL PAYING TO ACQUIRE GOODS AND SERVICES, IT GOES UP AND THAT ACTUALLY HELPS DRIVE SOME OF THE SALES TAX.

IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO COVER THE COST INCREASES THAT WE'RE HAVING IN SOME OF OUR SERVICES, BUT WE DO FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THAT.

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING SALES TAX VERY CLOSELY AND WE FELT IT WAS VERY STRONG, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED.

WE HAD THAT LAST MONTH WHERE IT WENT DOWN OVER 9%.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

BUT IT'S JANUARY, THERE WERE SOME WINTER WEATHER IN THAT TIME PERIOD.

SO IT'S HARD TO KNOW, IS THAT A SUSTAINABLE ISSUE OR ONE MONTH ISSUE?

[00:25:01]

SO WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WATCH THAT.

WE'LL GIVE YOU AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE LATEST INFORMATION AS WE GO THROUGH IT.

IT'S SOMETIMES IN CITIES, WE'RE KIND OF THE LAGGARDS ON SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE THAT YOU SEE.

SO THE HOUSING MARKET, THE REAL ESTATE VALUES WERE USUALLY A YEAR OR TWO AFTER SOME OF THOSE IMPACTS, BUT WE STILL THINK 3% IS REASONABLE FOR EXISTING PROPERTIES. BUT WE'LL KNOW MORE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO WHEN WE GET OUR PRELIMINARY ROLES AND THEN WE'LL SEE HOW THOSE LOOK.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL. I DO HAVE A SPEAKER.

ADAM RUSSELL.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCIL.

I FIGURED YOU PROBABLY WANT INPUT FROM TWO OF THE THREE NEW ONES THAT ARE COMING ON.

JUST REGARDING THE MEETING FREQUENCIES FOR MEETINGS IS PROBABLY A LOT TO DIGEST.

THE BIG BUDGET.

SO WE'RE OPEN FOR SPECIAL SESSIONS IF YOU ALL WANT TO DO IT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE GREATEST TOOLS WE HAVE IS THE POWER OF THE PURSE.

SO WE MAKE SURE WE CAN GO THROUGH EVERYTHING LINE ITEM BY LINE ITEM, SO YOU GET VOTES FROM US FOR SPECIAL SESSION.

SO THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO GET WITH PHIL ON THAT FIRST OR.

WELL, I'M SURE HE'LL BE OKAY.

HE'S RETIRED, SO.

ANYBODY ELSE? WELL, YEAH, I GOT ONE LAST THING TO SAY.

THE MONEY FOLKS ARE NOW SAYING THAT THE BIG TAIL IS GOING TO COME TOWARD THE END OF THIS YEAR.

AND THAT WE STILL COULD BE IN SOME TROUBLE, IN SOME ECONOMICAL TROUBLE AND THE FOLKS I THINK FROM THE GOVERNMENT ALSO ARE HAVE INDICATED THAT TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR, WE PROBABLY HAVE A MUCH BETTER PICTURE OF WHERE IT'S GOING AND I OF COURSE, I'VE ALWAYS SAID THIS, I'D LIKE US TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

THE END OF THE YEAR WILL COME FAST AND I'D LIKE FOR US TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

I'D LIKE, I'M SORRY, SORRY RONNIE.

THE CASH FUNDING, THAT'S NOT CASH WE HAVE TO SPEND, IT'S NOT DEDICATED TO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN'T PULL BACK ON YET.

AM I RIGHT? LIKE, I FEEL THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES WHERE MR. RONNIE JOHNSON'S IS IN MY ERA OF CASH IS KING AND DOES THAT CHANGE SOME OF OUR FUND BALANCE IF WE DON'T TOUCH THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS YEAR AND THE NEXT WITH SOME CUSHION? JUST JUST THAT.

JUST IN CASE. MONEY.

CAN YOU PAY YOUR BILLS? DO YOU KNOW WHAT DO WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, NOT GO INTO THE BLACK OR WHICH ONE IS IT? BLACK OR RED? THE BAD ONE.

RED. RED. YOU WANT TO BE IN THE BLACK? YOU WANT TO BE IN THE BLACK.

SO BIZARRE TO ME. TO ME, BLACK SEEMS TAUNTING.

BUT ANYWAY. OKAY, SO JUST TO MAKE SURE WE CAN COVER EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

YEAH, GREAT QUESTION.

AND I THINK AS WE LOOK AT THE CAPITAL PLAN, THERE'S A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS WE COULD DO.

CERTAINLY SOME OF THE PROJECTS COULD BE PUSHED BACK THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATED FOR THESE FUNDS.

YOU COULD ISSUE DEBT INSTEAD OF ISSUING OR INSTEAD OF PAYING CASH OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE TWO.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE CAN LOOK AT.

2.5 MILLION, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WAS EARMARKED FOR THIS FACILITY TO TO RENOVATE THIS FACILITY.

SO COULD YOU ISSUE DEBT INSTEAD OF THAT? YOU CAN. IN FACT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL ON IS FOR THE CIP PLAN.

AS YOU MAY RECALL, WE HAD PLANNED TO ISSUE ABOUT 16 MILLION FOR THE PD EXPANSION.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE REQUIRED THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE DESIGN IS NOT COMPLETED.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ISSUE MORE DOLLARS WITH THE SAME TAX RATE FOR OTHER PROJECTS AND WE WILL GIVE YOU PROJECT OPTIONS OR YOU COULD LOWER THE TAX RATE OR SOME COMBINATION OF THOSE THINGS.

SO WE'LL GIVE YOU LOTS OF OPTIONS AS WE GO THROUGH.

BUT I THINK CERTAINLY IF YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND LOOKING OUT AT THE FINANCIAL FORECAST, PRESERVING CASH IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

AND WE CAN WALK YOU THROUGH HOW WE COULD LOOK AT THAT FROM THE CAPITAL PLAN.

BUT THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WHICH IS GOOD.

IF I MAY IF I MAY ADD SOMETHING AS WELL, BECAUSE THE STATE LEGISLATION, PAYNE ALSO HAS SOME RESTRICTIONS IN REGARDS TO WHAT YOU CAN ISSUE OR NOT ISSUE.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THAT AS WELL, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY HALL, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE, BUT AGAIN, IT'S A MATTER OF WHAT CAN WE DO BALANCING OUT.

WE HAVE 8 MILLION THAT WE DID CASH FUNDING.

WE COULD USE TWO AND ONE HALF AND NOT USE THE REST OF IT GOING OVER TIME, SPLIT IT.

WE HAVE OPTIONS FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WHATEVER WE MENTIONED AS REGARDS TO BOND ISSUES, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ISSUE THOSE BOND ISSUES AND NOT JUST SAY THAT AND THEN WE'RE NOT ABLE TO.

SO THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

[00:30:02]

I'M SORRY. THAT'S EXACTLY THAT WAS WHERE I WAS GOING WITH THAT.

DO WE ARE THEY COMMITTED OR DO WE HAVE TO SPEND THEM A CERTAIN WAY? LIKE, THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I WAS HEADING.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

MARTIN OF LIKE, OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE GOING TO BE SOME AREAS WE CAN ISSUE DEBT AND SOME WE CAN'T, THEIR STATE LEGISLATURE OR STATE REGULATION THAT RESTRICTS SOME OF THAT STUFF.

SO THAT'S WHERE I WAS HEADING WITH THAT.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT BACK.

YEAH, MARTIN'S CORRECT. THERE WAS A LAW THAT WAS PASSED A RECENT SESSION THAT SAID ESSENTIALLY THAT YOU CANNOT ISSUE COSTS FOR A FACILITY UNLESS IT HAS PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED ASPECTS TO IT.

THERE'S WAYS TO GET THERE IF WE WERE INTERESTED IN DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT IT'S A GREAT POINT.

WE'LL NEED TO GIVE YOU ALL THOSE OPTIONS.

THANK YOU. THERE'S ONE OTHER THING LEGISLATION ON ON PROPERTY TAX.

ARE WE AWARE OF THAT AND IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT OUR REVENUE? WELL, IT I THINK I THINK THE IDEA IS ONE OF ONE OF THEM WAS IN RELATIONSHIP TO PROPERTY TAX GROWTH, NOT GOING BEYOND 5% VERSUS 10%.

I THINK THAT WAS ONE THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.

BUT AGAIN, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT 3% AND SO WE'RE ALWAYS BELOW THAT, EVEN IN REGARDS TO OUR GROWTH.

DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL PASS, BUT THAT'S THE ONE THAT REALLY CAUGHT MY ATTENTION IN REGARDS TO WILL THEY LIMIT THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING A 10% GROWTH? IF YOU HAVE A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION NOW GOING DOWN TO 5% TO ALLOW IT NOT TO BE ABLE TO GROW AS MUCH OVER TIME, BUT THAT'S THE ONE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

I THINK THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION TO YOU, AND I KNOW JOHN COVERED THIS BRIEFLY, BUT OUR ASSUMPTION IS 3% INCREASE IN EXISTING VALUATIONS FOR PROPERTIES.

AND THAT SOUNDS PRETTY NOMINAL WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS IT'S A 3% REVENUE GROWTH ASSUMPTION.

SO THAT MEANS IF PROPERTIES GO UP 5% OR 6%, THE TAX RATE WILL COME DOWN, BUT ONLY DOWN ENOUGH TO STILL GET US 3% GROWTH.

AND LIKEWISE, IF PROPERTY VALUES WERE -5%, THAT ASSUMPTION WOULD ASSUME YOU'RE RAISING THE RATE TO GET THE 3% REVENUE.

WITH QUITE A BIT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT WITH THE COUNCIL LAST YEAR AS WE LOOKED AT VARIOUS OPTIONS.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT OF WHAT WE'RE FORECASTING.

STATE LAW THAT WAS PASSED A COUPLE OF SESSIONS AGO, SB TWO LIMITS US TO THREE AND ONE HALF PERCENT.

SO THIS IS LESS THAN THE STATUTORY CAP, BUT IT'S STILL AT THAT 3% LEVEL.

WE CAN CERTAINLY GIVE YOU OPTIONS OR ONE, 2% OR 0%.

THERE'S IMPACTS WITH ALL OF THOSE.

AND AS YOU SAW THE CHART, WITH ALL OF THE COMPOSITION OF OUR REVENUE, HALF OF OUR REVENUE IS PROPERTY TAXES.

AND IF THAT NEVER GROWS AT ALL OR LESS THAN 3% AND YOUR OTHER EXPENSES ARE GROWING, THAT'S THE CHALLENGE THAT WE'LL HAVE, IS MATCHING THOSE TWO UP.

BUT WE CAN SHOW YOU THOSE THOSE OPTIONS.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE MAJOR POLICY PIECE FOR THE COUNCIL TO BE THINKING ABOUT AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

ANYBODY ELSE. THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU ALL. DID WE SETTLE IF WE WANTED TO DO THIS IN A SPECIAL MEETING, OR WAS THAT.

I'M SORRY, SIR. DID WE SETTLE THAT? WE WANTED TO DO THIS IN A SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FOR THIS PURPOSE OR.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HEARD IS IS PERHAPS 1 OR 2 SPECIAL SESSIONS IN JUNE OR JULY.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE GROUP, IS WE CAN LOOK AT BRINGING THIS BACK TO YOU.

AND I THINK IT'S JUST A LOT OF THINGS TO GET THROUGH IN FOUR MEETINGS.

SO WE'LL SCHEDULE IT FOR AT LEAST ONE IN JUNE, TRY TO FIND A TIME THAT WORKS WITH EVERYONE AND THEN WE CAN ALWAYS ADD MORE IF WE NEED THEM.

THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING, EVERYONE.

YES. OKAY. OKAY.

THANK YOU, JOHN. THANK YOU.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM TWO B, RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING THE DESIGN OF GATEWAY SIGNAGE STAFF PRESENTED THIS

[2.B. Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide staff direction regarding the design of gateway signage. (Staff Presenter: Jen Basham, Director of Parks and Recreation)]

AFTERNOON IS JEN BASHAM, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.

MS. BASHAM GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THIS SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, SO I'M JUST HERE THIS EVENING TO PROVIDE YOU GUYS AN UPDATE.

SO GATEWAYS TO OUR COMMUNITY BACK LAST YEAR, COUNCIL SET THIS AS A PRIORITY AS PART OF THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN, STAFF ENGAGE LEVEL FIVE ARCHITECTURE TO DETERMINE WHAT LOCATIONS FOR MONUMENTS WOULD MAKE THE MOST SENSE BASED ON TRAFFIC COUNTS AND VISIBILITY AT MAJOR ENTRY POINTS TO THE CITY.

WE BROUGHT THAT FORWARD LAST SEPTEMBER TO COUNCIL COUNCIL ELECTED TO JUST FOCUS ON I-35 AND AYLESBURY AT THIS TIME WHERE WE HAVE OUR EXISTING GATEWAY SIGNAGE AND CONSIDER ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS IN THE FUTURE.

SO THIS IS THE LOCATION YOU CAN SEE RIGHT HERE.

I'LL TRY TO GET IT WITH THE POINTER.

THIS IS WHERE OUR EXISTING ONE IS.

SO IF YOU ARE COMING SOUTH, DOWN 35 WEST, YOU'LL SEE IT.

YOU DO NOT SEE IT COMING OUT, WHICH WOULDN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE.

BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT REDOING THIS EXISTING LOCATION.

SO THE MATERIAL. WAIT A MINUTE.

THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY THE EXISTING LOCATION.

OH, I'M SORRY, IS IT NOT? LOOK AT THE LITTLE CRESCENT CIRCLE TO THE.

[00:35:03]

OH, I'M SORRY. YOU'RE RIGHT.

THAT'S THE EXISTING THAT IS THE STUCK ON THAT WHILE I WAS READING THE WHOLE AGENDA PACKET THINKING, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU CAN'T SEE IT THERE.

SO THE ACTUAL LOCATION YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE EXISTING LOCATION THAT IS NOT MOVING IT BACK FURTHER.

I'M SORRY. MY APOLOGIES.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS. ALL RIGHT.

SO THE MATERIALS THAT WERE SELECTED ARE LOCAL, KIND OF TO THE LOOK AND FEEL TO SOME OF OUR EXISTING BRANDING THROUGHOUT THE TOWN.

SO WE'VE GOT NATURAL STONE.

THIS IS A WOOD STONE PRODUCT, SO IT'S ACTUALLY A STONE, BUT IT'S IT'S MADE TO LOOK LIKE WOOD CORTEN STEEL.

AND THEN OF COURSE, CONCRETE BOTH OPTIONS THAT WE'RE SHOWING THIS EVENING ARE JUST PRELIMINARY OPTIONS.

IT'S JUST TO KIND OF GAUGE WHAT DIRECTION YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO GO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THEM, IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

BUT THESE ARE JUST THE BASIC ELEMENTS.

SO WE'VE GOT SOME STONE TIERED LANDSCAPE BEDS.

THEY BOTH WOULD BE BACKLIT AND UPLIT LOGOS AND LETTERING.

WE DID USE THE CITY'S RUBICK FONT AND THEN WE HAVE SELECTED NATIVE AND DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANT MATERIAL THAT WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE IN THESE BEDS.

SO THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT YOU SEE.

THE ESTIMATED COST IS, OF COURSE, AS OF RIGHT NOW.

SO WE DID BUILD CONTINGENCY.

SO YOU COULD SEE THAT 585 WOULD BE THIS.

IT'S MULTIPLE TIERS.

I'LL SHOW YOU. THIS IS THE SUNSET VIEW AND THEN I'LL SHOW YOU THE DAYLIGHT VIEW.

THIS IS A TALLER, MORE DRAMATIC VERSION OF THIS.

IT'S A TRIANGULAR TOP.

SO YOU SEE IT FROM BOTH 35.

AND IF YOU'RE ON THE SERVICE ROAD, YOU'LL SEE OUR SIGNAGE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY JUST NATURAL TURF.

SO IT'S EASY FOR US TO MAINTAIN.

THERE'S SOME GRASSES ON TOP AND THEN WE WOULD DO SEASONAL PLANTINGS ON THE BOTTOM.

AND THIS IS THE DEBUT.

JAN, THIS LOOKS A LITTLE OUT OF SCALE HERE AS FAR AS THE CARS AND THE ROAD AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IS THERE DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF PERSPECTIVE FROM THE HIGHWAY ONCE YOU GET.

ONCE WE'VE DETERMINED WHICH WAY WE'RE GOING.

WE'LL GET RENDERINGS AND PERSPECTIVES FROM ALL.

SO THE SCALE ON THESE, THOUGH, IS BASED ON THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC MOVING FORWARD.

SO AT 70 MILES AN HOUR, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT LETTERING.

SO IT MAY LOOK RATHER LARGE, BUT THAT'S ALSO WHY YOU DON'T REALLY SEE THE EXISTING ONE NOW BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SCALED TO THE SIZE THAT IT SHOULD BE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR.

OKAY. SO RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T KNOW HOW TALL THAT LOWER WALL IS.

DOES THAT THIS IS JUST A SCHEMATIC DESIGN.

SO IF WE LIKE THE DESIGN, WE'LL GET ALL THE DETAILS IN.

AND THEN OPTION TWO IS A MUCH MORE TIMELESS, CLASSIC LOOK.

IT'S TIMELESS. IF WE CHANGE OUR LOGO OR LETTERING, WE CAN SWAP THAT OUT AND WE'VE UPDATED OUR SIGNAGE, WE CAN CHANGE OUT PLANT MATERIAL AND WE'VE UPDATED IT.

WE CAN CHANGE LIGHTING.

IT'S JUST VERY SIMPLE.

THIS ONE COMES IN AT A LITTLE LESS, ABOUT $40,000 LESS.

AND THIS WOULD BE THE DAYTIME PERSPECTIVE OF IT.

ON OPTION ONE, THE TALL TRIANGLES.

WHAT IS THAT MADE OF? THAT'S THE CORTEN STEEL.

SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO SHOW YOU GUYS THE MATERIALS FIRST.

SO IT LOOKS VERY RED HERE.

THAT AGES OVER TIME, SO IT LOOKS KIND OF ORANGE WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT UP.

AND THEN OVER TIME, I BELIEVE IT'S ON ONE OF MY NEXT SLIDES, MAYBE.

I THINK I TOOK IT OFF.

I'LL SHOW YOU ON THIS FIRST ONE.

SO THIS BOTTOM LEFT IS THE CORTEN STEEL.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT IN.

THEN OVER TIME IT ACTUALLY GETS DARKER.

SO THAT'S WHY WE WOULD WANT TO BACKLIGHT THAT BRANDING BECAUSE IT WOULD GET IT WOULD TURN KIND OF A DARKER RED AND THEN A BROWN AND THEN ALMOST A BLACK OVER TIME.

SO THE WHITE CIRCLES WITH OUR LOGO, THOSE WILL SIT ON TOP OF THAT.

THOSE COULD BE CHANGED OUT AS WELL.

SO IF WE CHANGE OUR LOGO, IF WE GO AWAY FROM BTX AT ANY TIME, IF WE CHANGE OUR CITY BRANDING FONT FROM RUBIK, WE COULD CHANGE ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS OUT.

UPDATE THE SIGNAGE IN 10 TO 15 YEARS, WHICH IS ABOUT AVERAGE ON WHEN WE REALLY FEEL LIKE WE WANT TO GIVE THAT A FACELIFT.

IT WOULD BE EASY FOR US TO DO AND NOT HAVE TO REDO THE THE ENTIRE PROJECT.

AND IT IS THREE SIDED.

YES. YES.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO NOT HAVE SEASONAL PLANTINGS.

JUST STAY LIKE STAY IN THE WHOLE NATIVE, THAT WAY THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE REPLANTED EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S A LOT OF GREEN SPACE UP THERE AND I THINK TO ENJOY SEASONAL PLANTING, NO ONE'S REALLY GOING TO BE WALKING PAST IT.

SO I JUST DON'T SEE THAT WE'RE GETTING A BANG FOR OUR BUCK THERE, AND IF EVERYTHING'S NATIVE, THEN WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO COME BACK AND IT'S GOING, THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT ARE NATIVE THAT FLOWER AND MAKE PRETTY COLORS, SO WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO HAVE SEASONAL PLANTINGS.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S AN AREA THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THAT LANDSCAPING MONEY AND TIME.

SO THAT'S JUST ONE THOUGHT I HAVE.

ABSOLUTELY. AND WE COULD PLANT PERENNIALS THAT BLOOM AT DIFFERENT SEASONS.

[00:40:04]

AND SO YOU'LL SEE SOME THINGS DIE OUT.

THEY MAY NOT LOOK AS GOOD. AND THEN AT THAT SAME TIME, OTHER THINGS WOULD BLOOM.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY GOOD FEEDBACK.

I LIKE ALL THE LIGHTING IN BOTH OF THEM.

BUT I JUST KIND OF WORRY ABOUT THE OPTION ONE WITH THE BURLESON BEING LOW THAT IT'S NOT SEEN THAT WELL, KIND OF LIKE THE ONE WE HAVE NOW, IT'S HARD TO READ.

OF COURSE IT'S FADED AND I KNOW IT'S NOT A GOOD COMPARISON, BUT I LIKE OPTION TWO, THAT BURLESON IS UP HIGH.

AND THAT YOU CAN SEE IT AND READ IT.

I FEEL LIKE I'M LEANING MORE TOWARD TWO.

AND I HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NEITHER OF THESE PERSPECTIVES ARE GOING TO BE WHAT WE SEE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY LOOKING UP AT THIS AND A LOT OF THE LIKE THE PLANTINGS AND STUFF.

I REMEMBER WHEN WE CONSTRUCTED THE ROUNDABOUT OUT ON HULEN STREET AND ALSBURY, WE BUILT A BEAUTIFUL WALL AND PUT A TON OF LOVELY LANDSCAPING BEHIND IT AND YOU CAN'T SEE A DARN BIT OF IT.

IT LOOKED GOOD ON THE ARTIST'S RENDERINGS BECAUSE YOU WERE LOOKING AT IT FROM ABOVE.

BUT UNLESS YOU HAPPEN TO BE FLYING A DRONE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.

THE CLOSEST VIEW THAT WE GET FOR WHAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE IS THE RENDERING FROM OPTION TWO, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY TAKEN DOWN FROM A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

I TEND TO THINK THAT THE LOGO ON THE SIGN ON OPTION ONE IS GOING TO BE MISSED BECAUSE THE FONTS ARE JUST GOING TO BE TOO SMALL TO BE READABLE FROM A DISTANCE AT SPEED.

BUT I LIKE NUMBER TWO BECAUSE IT'S JUST SIMPLER AND I THINK IT'LL BE MORE, MORE DRAMATIC, PERHAPS.

THE THING I LIKE ABOUT ONE IS THAT YOU COULD SEE IT ON MULTIPLE SIDES, BUT THAT'S A VERY VALID POINT OF IT'S GOING TO BE TOO BUSY.

AND WHEN YOU'RE GOING PAST IT, WHETHER YOU'RE ON THE ACCESS, YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY, ALL OF THAT'S JUST GOING TO SMUDGE TOGETHER.

SO MY ONLY CONCERN ABOUT TWO IS THERE'S NO TREES SHOWN IN THAT AND WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TREES.

THIS WOULD NOT HAVE ANY TREE REMOVAL.

THOSE TREES ARE SET.

WELL, THEY'RE AROUND THEIR EXISTING PERIMETER.

YEAH. SO WE COULD PHASE THOSE IN OR WE COULD SHIFT THIS FORWARD AND LEAVE THOSE PLANTINGS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ROOM.. BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF CALIPER OF TREE RIGHT THERE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN.

YEAH. SHIFTING IT FORWARD SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S RIGHT? I AGREE.

I LIKE WHAT VICTORIA IS SAYING ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS THING, SO YOU NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT.

AND THE LINE OF SIGHT FROM THE ROAD COULD AFFECT WITH THIS RETAINING WALL OUT IN THE FRONT AND YOU'RE LOOKING UP AT IT.

SO YOU'VE GOT SOME LOGISTICS HERE THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KIND OF ADDRESS.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA OF THE HEIGHT OF THE LETTERS THAT ARE THERE NOW? I CAN GET THOSE FOR YOU.

I DON'T HAVE THOSE REALLY SMALL.

THEY ARE VERY SMALL.

I THINK THEY'RE 12 INCHES, BUT DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.

THEY'RE VERY SMALL. THEY'RE TERRIBLE.

YEAH. YEAH, THEY'RE VERY, VERY SMALL.

I THINK IF IF THE COUNCIL IS LEANING TOWARDS OPTION TWO, PERHAPS WHAT WE COULD DO IS GO BACK TO THE DESIGNER AND GET YOU SOME ROADWAY IMAGES OF HOW THEY MIGHT LOOK SO YOU COULD SEE THAT COME BACK TO YOU WITH SOME DIMENSIONS OF THE WALLS, THE LETTERS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, AND A LINE OF CHARTS FOCUSING ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, IF THAT'S WHERE YOU'D LIKE TO DO. IS THIS THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS? YEAH, BECAUSE WE JUST WANTED TO SEE IF WE WERE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WAS THE WHOLE GOAL OF THIS EVENING.

DO YOU LIKE THEM? DO YOU NOT LIKE THEM? DO WE NEED TO THROW THEM OUT? AS FAR AS SCALING OF THE LETTERS ON HERE, DO YOU LIKE THAT SCALING? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IT SPAN THAT ENTIRE PAYNE OF STONE? DO YOU WANT IT CENTERED? DO YOU WANT IT RIGHT ALIGNED? THAT'S THE KIND OF STUFF WE WERE REALLY THINKING.

SOME OF THE GRASS UP ON TOP IS NOT GOING TO BE SEEN.

YOU KNOW, VICTORIA BROUGHT THAT UP, THE LANDSCAPING AND STUFF OF THAT NATURE.

I THINK IT NEEDS SOME TYPE OF LANDSCAPING.

BUT THIS, YOUR ROAD IS A LONG WAYS DOWN AND YOU'RE LOOKING UP AT IT.

I THINK YOU WOULD SEE IT MORE PROBABLY AS YOU'RE COMING DOWN THAT ACCESS ROAD.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THIS ON A LOT OF LIKE 114, 820, 20, WHEN YOU GET INTO THOSE CORRIDORS WHERE THERE'S MASSIVE GREEN RIBBON PROJECTS ALONG THE HIGHWAYS, THE PLANTINGS CAN BE SEEN REALLY WELL, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO BE STRATEGIC IN HOW WE PLACE THEM.

I'M ASSUMING YOU'VE BEEN ON THE ACCESS ROAD.

ARE YOU REALLY LOOKING AT ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES THE TWO CARS BESIDE YOU? YOU KNOW, I THINK I DROVE THAT ROAD FIVE TIMES BEFORE I EVER SAW OUR GATEWAY SIGN, SO I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER THAN OUR EXISTING.

YEAH, THAT'S A THAT'S A TOUGH ACCESS ROAD.

AND I LIKE THE DESIGN.

I JUST THINK WE GOT SOME TWEAKING TO DO.

ABSOLUTELY. THE SIZING AND THE LETTERS IS CRITICAL.

I MAINTENANCE ON NUMBER TWO THAT THE BURLESON IS SET CLOSER TO THE COLUMN BRICK.

I THINK THAT LOOKS SHARP.

I THINK IT WOULD LOOK WONKY.

LEFT LIKE THAT IS GOOD, AND NOT LONGER.

OKAY. NO, I LIKE THAT THERE'S MORE BRICK LEFT.

MY ONLY CONCERN, JUST, I WON'T BE HERE ANYWAY WHEN IT COMES BACK.

BUT YOU'LL LIVE HERE AND YOU'LL SEE IT WHEN YOU DRIVE.

[00:45:02]

MY ONLY CONCERN IS WHEN YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT IT BEING UP SO HIGH AS I'M LOOKING AT THE TREES BECAUSE I TOOK PICTURES TODAY COMING IN IS IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT HIGH BECAUSE THOSE TREES, BECAUSE OF THOSE TREES, YOU WILL HAVE TO COME DOWN THAT SLOPE.

AND SO THE SIGN WON'T SIT AS HIGH AS IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO COME DOWN.

WE'LL ADJUST THAT NEXT TIME.

SO IF EVERYONE'S LEANING TOWARDS OPTION TWO, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE THE TREES IN THEIR EXISTING STATE AND HOW THEY WOULD RELATE TO THIS DESIGN.

I JUST THINK THE SIGN WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE WHERE WE, WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE TREES OR ANYTHING ELSE, I JUST THINK IT'D BE MORE EFFECTIVE FROM THE ROAD IF WE MOVED IT DOWN TO ANYWAY. OKAY.

YEAH, I'LL AGREE WITH THAT. OKAY.

AND THEN I JUST I WANTED TO BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE FUNDING WITH WHERE WE'RE AT.

SO WE DID PROGRAM $400,000 OF THIS FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.

SO BOTH OF THESE ARE RIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OVER IT.

SO WE WILL WE'LL BLEND THAT TOGETHER AND BRING THAT IN AN UPDATED CIP BASED ON WHICH DESIGN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH.

AND THEN IF WE WANTED TO DO FUTURE SITES, THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL CIP PROJECT WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR THEM.

I ALSO WANT TO BRING FORWARD THAT AND REMIND THAT THE HOT/MOT MONEY CAN BE USED FOR THIS BECAUSE IT PROMOTES TOURISM.

SO WE KEEP FORGETTING TO USE THAT MONEY FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

SO THIS PROMOTES TOURISM AND PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR CITY.

YEAH, WE COULD CERTAINLY SIGNAGE WAS ACTUALLY SPECIFICALLY IN THE TERMINOLOGY, I BELIEVE FROM THE STATE.

WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT THAT AND GIVE YOU SOME OPTIONS.

SO THIS EVENING THE GOAL WAS JUST TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNCIL, SEE WHAT ELEMENTS YOU LIKED, WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE.

WE'LL WORK THROUGH THE REVISIONS THAT I HEARD THIS EVENING AND WE'LL PRESENT THOSE REVISED DESIGN TO COUNCIL.

ONCE THAT'S APPROVED, IT'LL TAKE US ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE THAT FINAL DESIGN.

WE'LL NEED TO BID IT, AND THEN IT'LL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO CONSTRUCT.

SO IN A COUPLE MONTHS, WHEN THIS IS FINALLY DONE, I WOULD SAY WOULD BE A YEAR OUT FROM THAT DATE WHEN DESIGN IS APPROVED UNTIL YOU'D ACTUALLY SEE THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THIS.

SO JUST FULL TRANSPARENCY, WHICH IS WHY WE WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND GET THIS BEFORE COUNCIL THIS EVENING SO WE COULD START MOVING THIS PROJECT FORWARD.

ARE WE ON BOARD, EVERYBODY? SAME THING. KIND OF MOVE IT DOWN.

GIVE US SOME LINE OF SIGHT ON THE VIEWS.

ANYTHING UP? AM I MISSING ANYTHING? WE'RE GOOD. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

AT THIS TIME, WE DO HAVE A NEED TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[9. RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION]

SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS NEED TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE CITY COUNCIL WORK ROOM AT CITY HALL TO CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING TO DISCUSS ANY ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA, SPECIFICALLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 551 .071 AND SECTION 551.072.

MAYOR, IF YOU COULD ASK FOR A MOTION AND A SECOND AND A VOTE.

IS THERE A MOTION? MOVE TO APPROVE.

SECOND. OKAY.

I'M GOING TO GO BY THE SCREEN.

I GOT A MOTION BY VICTORIA AND A SECOND BY RICK.

PLEASE VOTE.

HOLD YOUR HAND UP DAN.

ALL RIGHT. PASSES UNANIMOUS.

WE'RE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 4:50.

MAYOR.

IF YOU COULD ASK FOR A MOTION AND CALL FOR A VOTE TO RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION AND STATE THE TIME, PLEASE.

IS THERE A MOTION TO RECONVENE? I'LL MOVE TO RECONVENE THE MEETING.

SECOND, A MOTION BY VICTORIA, A SECOND BY TAMARA.

PLEASE VOTE.

SHERRY, SETTLE DOWN.

PASSES UNANIMOUS. WE'RE BACK IN SESSION AT 5:09.

THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION THREE PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.

WE HAVE NO PROCLAMATIONS OR PRESENTATIONS THIS AFTERNOON.

[3.C. Community Interest Items]

THAT MOVES US ON TO SECTION THREE C, COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS. COUNCIL. WHAT DO WE NEED? WHAT'S GOING ON NOW? THAT'S RIGHT, MAYOR.

I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE MUSIC IS COMING FROM, I PROMISE.

FOR THE PUBLIC, THERE IS SOME OPERA PLAYING THROUGH SOME MUSIC IN HERE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON?

[00:50:02]

WHERE ARE WE AT? SOMEBODY HAS A VERY ELOQUENT, ELOQUENT RINGER.

WE ARE ON COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS AT THIS TIME WITH APPARENTLY BACKGROUND MUSIC TO ACCOMPANY YOUR COMMENTS.

MAYBE THOSE ARE THE LOST SOULS SINGING.

OKAY. WE GOT TO BE SERIOUS NOW.

COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS. OKAY. WHAT ARE WE. OKAY.

SO SAW THE ELEMENTARY ART EXHIBIT AT THE BRICK.

IT WAS FANTASTIC.

SOME OF THOSE KIDS ARE VERY TALENTED.

I SAW SOME THAT REALLY AMAZED ME.

AND THEN THE EASTER EGG HUNT.

I GOT A CHANCE TO GO BY THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, AND WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE FOR THAT, A LOT OF KIDS.

SO VERY SUCCESSFUL.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT FOR AUTISM WAS HELD SATURDAY EVENING AT BARTLETT PARK.

VERY WELL ATTENDED EVENT.

VERY INTERESTING. VERY EXCITING EVENT.

HAD A GOOD TURNOUT AND HELPED TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR AUTISM AND PARTICULARLY THE CENTER FOR ASD, WHICH IS LOCATED IN BURLESON, A VERY GOOD COMMUNITY PARTNER.

SO THEY HAD ONE AT CLARK PARK AND ALSO AT THE BRICK? NOW THIS ONE WAS AT THE BRICK.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY HAD AT CLARK PARK.

THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WAS LAST SATURDAY.

AND IT WAS VERY WONDERFUL.

I HAVE TO SAY, FOR ME, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A GREAT GOING AWAY GIFT.

MY FATHER WAS THE SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER AS A VIETNAM VETERAN AND MARINE AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT.

SO I JUST THINK THE STAFF AS USUAL, THOUGH, THEY PUT ON AN INCREDIBLE EVENT AND SEEING THE STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOLS COME OUT AND SING AND PLAY THEIR INSTRUMENTS.

IT'S ALWAYS QUITE WONDERFUL.

AND OF COURSE, CHATTING WITH THE VETERANS WAS WONDERFUL.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I WENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

AND WENT TO TO THE NLC CONGRESSIONAL CONFERENCE.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GO BECAUSE OF COVID AND IT WAS NICE TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND THIS IN PERSON AND REALLY BE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE IN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT STUCK OUT TO ME FOR ME THAT I WENT TO, ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW TO USE SMALL BUSINESS MANUFACTURING TO REVITALIZE YOUR OLD TOWN AREA.

NOW, OUR OLD TOWN AREA DOESN'T NEED REVITALIZATION, BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PARTS OF OUR CITY THAT DO.

AND SMALL TOWN MANUFACTURING IS NOT ABOUT BRINGING MANUFACTURING PLANTS.

THIS IS ABOUT SMALL BUSINESSES WHO MANUFACTURE AND MAKE THINGS, WHETHER IT'S FURNITURE OR CANDLES, MAYBE A CHOCOLATIER, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WHILE THEY'RE NOT THE BIG GIANT PROPERTY TAX AND SALES TAX MAKERS, THEY DO HELP TO REVITALIZE THE CITY.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US FOCUS MORE ON THAT.

THIS WAS A PART OF THE SMALL TIER GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION THAT I'VE BEEN A PART OF SINCE I JOINED ON COUNCIL.

I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING AND PARTICIPATING IN VIRTUAL STUFF WITH THEM.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS SOME REALLY GOOD INFORMATION.

ANOTHER ONE THEY TALKED ABOUT THAT I WENT TO, TALKED ABOUT ALTERNATIVES FOR FUNDING MUNICIPAL BONDS FROM A RACIAL EQUITY STANDPOINT, AND THAT IS JUST SPECIFICALLY GOING AFTER CERTAIN FUNDING SOURCES OR BANKS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY 100% BLACK OWNED OR FEMALE OWNED, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SOMETHING FOR US TO LOOK INTO IN THE FUTURE.

BUT CONVERSATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT WAS WITH SOME LOCAL COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM DALLAS AND GRAND PRAIRIE THAT I CONNECTED WITH, AND WE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS IN PARTICULAR ABOUT BEST PRACTICES THAT THE CITIES IN NORTH TEXAS ARE USING.

THE COUNCIL MEMBERS EXCUSE ME, THE COUNCILS THAT ARE PUTTING INTO EFFECT THAT ARE BECOMING BEST PRACTICES FOR THEIR CITY THAT WE COULD THEN DUPLICATE.

AND WHY ARE WE NOT WORKING TOGETHER MORE AS COUNCILS AND GETTING TOGETHER MORE? NOW WE DO HAVE REGIONAL COUNCILS FOR TEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, BUT TYPICALLY WHEN WE GET TOGETHER IT'S ON A TOPIC THAT'S SET FORTH BY TML OR SO THIS WOULD WHAT WE HAD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT AND THIS WAS ME AND A COUPLE OF OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WAS HOW DO WE BRING COUNCIL MEMBERS TOGETHER IN THE NORTH TEXAS AREA AND SHARE THOSE BEST PRACTICES? AND I'M MEETING WITH THESE FOLKS, SO I'M TELLING YOU THAT EVEN THOUGH I WON'T BE HERE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I HOPEFULLY WILL BE ABLE TO BRING TO YOU GUYS TO HELP CONNECT WITH OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS ACROSS NORTH TEXAS TO, LIKE I SAID, SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND IDEAS.

HOW DO WE GET THIS DONE? HOW WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT WE COULD WORK ON? AND THEN HOW DO WE WORK ON THINGS TOGETHER? BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME THINGS HAPPEN AT A LOCAL LEVEL AND WHEN WE BAND TOGETHER, THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF NLC IS WHEN THESE CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES BAND

[00:55:09]

TOGETHER AND GO TO THE HILL AND SPEAK TO THEIR SENATORS AND THEIR CONGRESSMEN.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE POWER TOGETHER THAN WE DO SEPARATE.

WELL, THAT APPLIES AS WELL HERE IN TEXAS.

SO WHEN COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE MEETING AND CONVENING AND TALKING ABOUT THINGS AND SHARING IDEAS THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO THEIR CITIES, NOT IDEAS THAT WERE BEING BROUGHT FORWARD BY ASSOCIATIONS, BUT THINGS THAT ARE FOR THE REAL THAT WE'RE WORKING ON, THEN THAT IS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

SO IT'S SOMETHING I HOPE TO WORK ON.

A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT FORWARD DURING CAPITOL HILL DAY IS A SAFETY.

IT'S A LONG NAME, BUT I'LL JUST CALL IT THE SAFETY ACT.

YOU'LL LIKE THIS DAN.

THIS WAS TO TALK TO OUR LEGISLATORS TO SENSIBLY UNLOCK 100% FEDERAL SAFETY FUNDS TO EMPOWER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD SAFER, MORE COMPLETE CONNECTIONS FOR BIKING AND WALKING INFRASTRUCTURES.

SO THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.

ANOTHER ONE WAS THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM TO HOPEFULLY TRY TO EXTEND THIS.

AND WE KNOW WE'VE TALKED WITH A LOT OF HOMEOWNERS ABOUT FLOODING AND THE FLOOD PLAINS AND THE ISSUES WE'RE HAVING WITH THAT HERE.

SO AGAIN, IT'S A LONGER THING TO READ, A LOT TO READ.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE OTHER THING THAT WE TALKED THAT CAME UP THAT I REALLY WAS UNAWARE OF AND MAYBE THIS TERMINOLOGY WAS FEDERAL PREEMPTION. SO THE PREEMPTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY THAT THREATENS THE ABILITY OF LOCAL LEADERS TO BALANCE BUDGETS AND MAINTAIN KEY PUBLIC SERVICES.

SO IT'S SOMETHING I WOULD RECOMMEND IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, TO LOOK UP PREEMPTION FOR HOME RULE IN STATE OF TEXAS.

AND THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIGHT FOR SO THAT WE CAN STILL MAKE AND MANAGE AND GOVERN OUR CITY AT OUR LOCAL LEVEL WITHOUT THE STATE TAKING THAT AWAY FROM US IN CERTAIN AREAS.

THAT'S JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW.

I KNOW THAT FOR ME IT WAS ABOUT MEETING OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, SHARING IDEAS AND LISTENING AND CONVERSATIONS AND FINDING OUT THAT WE'RE ALL GOING THROUGH A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS AND THAT WE'VE EXCHANGED CARDS AND I'VE MADE FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

SO IT WAS REALLY COOL. HOW MANY WORKSHOPS DID YOU GO TO? PROBABLY 4 OR 5.

WE DID GO TO THE CAPITOL ON MONDAY TO MEET WITH ROGER WILLIAMS, WHO WASN'T ABLE TO BE THERE.

EXCUSE ME. AND THEN TUESDAY WAS HILL DAY, WHICH ENDED UP KIND OF BEING A LITTLE BIT OF A BUST.

LONG STORY ON THAT ONE.

BUT YEAH, 4 OR 5.

WOW, THANK YOU.

RICK. I WANT TO REMIND CITIZENS THAT APRIL 6TH IS THE FINAL DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE MAY 6TH ELECTION.

SO YOU HAVE THREE MORE DAYS TO CHECK IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR IF YOUR ADDRESS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF IS UP TO DATE.

YOU CAN CHECK VOTETEXAS.GOV.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED THEN YOU CAN GET THAT APPLICATION SUBMITTED BEFORE THE SIXTH AND YOU'LL BE GOOD TO GO FOR OUR UPCOMING CITY ELECTION AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MANY VOLUNTEERS THAT CAME OUT THIS LAST WEEKEND.

THERE WAS THE COYOTE LOOP CLEANUP AS WELL AS TRASH BASH.

TRASH BASH IS ALWAYS SO WELL RECEIVED.

WE GET TONS OF VOLUNTEERS OUT AND IT JUST MAKES SUCH A BIG IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHEN YOU PICK UP A PIECE OF TRASH, YOU'RE BEAUTIFYING OUR COMMUNITY AND MAKING IT A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO VISIT AND SEE.

SO THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE VOLUNTEERS AND ESPECIALLY THE VOLUNTEERS WHO STUFFED OVER 4000 EGGS FOR THE VERY SUCCESSFUL BUNNY DAYS.

SO WE JUST ARE SO BLESSED IN THIS COMMUNITY TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT CARE AND COMMIT THEIR TIME TO BEAUTIFICATION AND ALL KINDS OF FUN ACTIVITIES.

AND UPCOMING IS THE FAMILY FAR OUT FAMILY CAMPOUT.

AND IT IS APRIL 29TH THROUGH 30TH AND IT WILL BE AT BAILEY LAKE.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THAT.

I BELIEVE IT'S $25 A FAMILY.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN CAMPING, BUT YOU WANT TO STAY LOCAL, TAKE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE OUR AMAZING PARKS TEAM JUST MAKES IT SUCH A FUN DAY.

AND THERE'S FISHING AND S'MORES AND ALL KINDS OF COOL STUFF.

SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

OKAY. THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION FOUR.

CHANGES TO THE POSTED AGENDA.

ANY ITEMS TO BE CONTINUED OR WITHDRAWN FROM THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.

AND THAT BRINGS US TO FOUR B ITEMS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COUNCIL, BY STAFF OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE OR ITEMS TO BE ADDED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH REQUIRE AN OFFICIAL VOTE TO ADD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION? ANYBODY? GUESS NOT.

[01:00:02]

OKAY, THEN THAT'LL MOVE US ON TO SECTION FIVE, CITIZENS APPEARANCE.

[5. CITIZENS APPEARANCES]

EACH PERSON IN ATTENDANCE WHO DESIRES TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON AN ITEM NOT POSTED ON THE AGENDA SHALL SPEAK DURING THIS SECTION.

A SPEAKER CARD MUST BE FILLED OUT AND TURNED INTO THE CITY SECRETARY PRIOR TO ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL.

EACH SPEAKER WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES.

EACH SPEAKER IN ATTENDANCE WHO DESIRES TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON AN ITEM THAT IS POSTED ON THE AGENDA SHALL SPEAK WHEN THAT ITEM IS CALLED FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION.

I DO HAVE ONE CARD FOR CITIZENS APPEARANCE.

CHARLES WILLIS.

BEFORE I START, MAY I APPROACH? GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS CHARLES WILLIS, I LIVE AT 453 NORTHWEST CHARLENE DRIVE IN BURLESON, TEXAS.

BETWEEN THE POLICE, THE FIRE AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES, TRASH PICKUP TRUCKS, RECYCLABLE PICKUPS, BRUSH AND DEBRIS PICKUPS.

THERE ARE IN A FIVE WEEK PERIOD OF TIME, 32 OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY EMPLOYEES TO NOTICE AND NOTICE THE DISGUSTING TRASH AT TWO LOCATIONS THAT I WILL PRESENT.

DO THEY NOT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OR PRIDE TO REPORT THIS GROSS BUILDUP OF NASTY DEBRIS IN THERE AND MY COMMUNITY.

IF YOU WOULD, OPEN YOUR FOLDER, PLEASE, TO PICTURE NUMBER ONE.

THIS LOCATION IS 3.60 N LOESS FROM THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE TO THE RIGHT OF THE PICTURE.

THAT PILE OF TRASH MEASURES OVER 100FT.

TO GIVE YOU A SORT OF AN IDEA.

IT'S PROBABLY FROM THE BACK OF THAT TO THE DOORWAY.

PLEASE TURN TO PICTURE NUMBER TWO.

THIS IS A CLOSE UP OF THE SAME TRASH PILE UP THAT IS SPILLING OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY.

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE PICTURE NUMBER THREE.

THIS IS LOCATED AT 439 NORTHWEST CHARLENE DRIVE.

THIS DISGUSTING PILE OF TRASH, IT'S APPROXIMATELY 15FT LONG AND SIX FEET HIGH. THIS NASTY PILE OF DEBRIS HAS BEEN RAINED ON THREE TIMES.

PLEASE TURN YOUR PICTURE TO NUMBER FOUR.

I HAVE LIVED AT 453 NORTHWEST CHARLENE DRIVE FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS.

MY DOG AND I WALK AROUND THE HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL AND PICK UP TRASH AND THOUGHTLESS DOG OWNERS DOG POOP.

IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME OF WALKING, MY DOG AND I HAVE PICKED UP TEN GALLONS OF OTHER PEOPLE'S DOG POOP, TWO 55 GALLON DRUMS OF TRASH AND ANIMAL CARCASSES.

WHY? BECAUSE I WANT MY PART, MY LITTLE PART OF BURLESON CLEAN AND NEAT. I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU ON THIS COUNCIL WOULD NOT TOLERATE THIS KIND OF MESS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FIVE DAYS.

NOT ALONE FIVE WEEKS.

YOU WOULD NOT STAND FOR IT, NOR SHOULD I.

[01:05:05]

I'M ASKING, I'M SEEKING YOUR COUNSEL AND HELP.

THANK YOU, SIR.

SIR? SIR.

SIR. LOOK AT ME IN THE MIDDLE.

HERE YOU GO. HAVE YOU? WELL, YOU NEED TO BE AT THE MIC.

IF YOU WOULD. OKAY. IF YOU'D BE AT THE MIC, I'LL.

I'LL TRY TO TALK LOUDER.

HAVE YOU CONTACTED ANYBODY AT THE CITY? PARDON? HAVE YOU CONTACTED ANYBODY AT THE CITY? NO, I WOULD NOT THOUGHT.

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT AS MANY TIMES AS TRASH TRUCK WENT BY AND THE DEBRIS TRUCK WENT BY THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME KIND OF ORDINANCE IN THE CITY PLANNING THAT WOULD HAVE PICKED IT UP OR AT LEAST CITED THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS TRASH IN THEIR YARD AND HAVE THEM REMOVE IT.

I GUARANTEE YOU I GUARANTEE YOU, WE'RE LISTENING TO YOU AND YOU'VE GOT THE RIGHT PERSON RIGHT HERE.

SO BEAR WITH US.

AND IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM SOMEBODY, YOU NEED TO TALK TO US.

YOU NEED TO TELL US. OKAY, WE WILL DO.

OKIE DOKE. THANK YOU, SIR.

WILL CERTAINLY TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE ISSUES WITH OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT TEAM.

GET THE COUNCIL FULL REPORT ON THAT.

AND TOMMY, IF YOU DON'T MIND GETTING THIS GENTLEMAN'S CONTACT INFORMATION, THEN WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU VERY QUICKLY AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IS.

WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING FORWARD, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST I'VE SEEN OF IT.

BUT WE'LL WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND GET YOU AN ANSWER.

ONLY THING I'M STRIVING FOR IS TO MAKE BURLESON A MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE FOR ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON AN ITEM NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA? I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT REAL QUICK AND JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE PAYING FOR LITTER ABATEMENT NOW.

AND OBVIOUSLY, IF THESE ARE AREAS THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC MOWING, I JUST WANT US TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND FOLLOW THROUGH ON THAT.

THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE COULD ALREADY BE CITATIONS OUT ON THESE.

I JUST DON'T KNOW. WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE.

I'M SPECULATING A BIT HERE, BUT I'M SPECULATING THAT EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE PROBABLY THE RESULT OF A TENANT CLEAN OUT.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WARRANTS.

I KNOW WE'VE HAD THESE THINGS COME UP BEFORE WHERE WE'VE HAD TENANTS THAT LEFT THINGS BEHIND AND THE PROPERTY OWNER HAD TO JUST REMOVE IT AND PUT IT OUT ON THE CURB.

BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THERE THERE'S A SPECIAL SORT OF REGULATION THAT SHOULD TAKE PLACE WHEN IT'S THAT CIRCUMSTANCE AS OPPOSED TO JUST A PERSON TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BULK PICKUP TO PUT STUFF OUT ON THE CURB.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULDN'T BE A GOOD IDEA FOR US TO LOOK INTO THAT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COME UP VERY OFTEN.

BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUS BECAUSE AN ENTIRE HOUSE CONTENTS OF OLD FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF CAN SIT OUT ON THE ON THE CURB FOR WEEKS.

AND PERHAPS WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT AS A AS A NEW ORDINANCE..

WHEN WE HAVE OUR WHEN OUR GUYS ARE OUT THERE AND THEY'RE PICKING UP THE TRASH AND DOING STUFF LIKE THAT, MAYBE WE NEED TO INSTRUCT THEM TO REPORT IT BECAUSE HE MADE A VALID POINT THAT ALL THE TRASH TRUCKS CAME THROUGH AND THINGS HAPPENED.

YEAH, BUT IT'S A MATTER OF TIMING BECAUSE I THINK BULK PICKUP IS JUST ONCE A MONTH AND IF IT HAPPENS TO GO OUT THERE THE DAY AFTER AND IT WILL SIT THERE FOR A MONTH BECAUSE SO DOES JUST THE WAY IT IS ON REMODELING PERMITS AND IT'S SITTING OUT THERE.

THEY HAVE TO CALL IN TO PICK IT UP OR THEY CAN'T WAITING ON US TO DO IT.

YEAH, I'M NOT SURE WE'LL GET YOU A FULL REPORT ON IT.

AND THERE COULD BE OTHER FACTORS AT PLAY HERE THAT WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

SO WE'LL FIND OUT ALL THE DETAILS OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

IT COULD BE THAT IT'S BEEN SEEN.

IT'S BEEN REPORTED IT'S ALREADY BEING ADDRESSED.

THEY JUST HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IT.

OR IT COULD BE THAT IT'S BEEN MISSED.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

I'LL GET YOU A COMPLETE REPORT.

WE'RE GOOD. THANK YOU.

OKAY. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO CONSENT AGENDA.

[6. CONSENT AGENDA]

ALL ITEMS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED IN ONE MOTION.

TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTS OF ITEMS SIX A THROUGH SIX F.

MAYOR, IF YOU COULD CALL FOR A MOTION AND A VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, IS THERE A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? HAVE A MOTION BY VICTORIA AND A SECOND BY RICK.

PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

[7.A. Consider approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., for the design of the Town Creek Parallel Interceptor project in the amount of $2,318,936.31 (Staff Presenter: Errick Thompson, Deputy Director of Public Works - Engineering)]

THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION SEVEN GENERAL.

SEVEN A IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC.

FOR THE DESIGN OF TOWN CREEK PARALLEL INTROSPECTOR PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,318,936.31. THE STAFF PRESENTED THIS EVENING IS ERIC THOMPSON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING.

MR. THOMPSON, YOU'RE UP.

THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING TO THE COUNCIL.

PRETTY SHORT PRESENTATION, BUT A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT.

[01:10:03]

SO HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES I'LL GIVE YOU A GOOD OVERVIEW OF THE CONTRACT THAT WE'RE ASKING YOU THAT YOU APPROVE TONIGHT.

AS WAS READ INTO THE RECORD, THIS IS THE TOWN CREEK BASINS PARALLEL SEWER INTERCEPTOR PROJECT.

AND BIG PICTURE.

ALMOST ALL OF THE WASTEWATER IN BURLESON NEEDS TO FLOW THROUGH THIS LINE TO GET OUT OF BURLESON.

THAT'S JUST HOW IMPORTANT THIS PROJECT IS TO THE OVERALL SYSTEM.