>> I CAN SPEAK TO [INAUDIBLE].
[00:00:03]
YOU ALWAYS GOT TO DO IT.CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME OUT THERE? I'M GOING TO BRING THIS MEETING TO ORDER AT 5:31.
OUR INVOCATION TONIGHT IS FRANK PACE WITH WINGS OF HOPE.
WOULD Y'ALL PLEASE RISE FOR OUR INVOCATION AND ALSO OUR PLEDGES?
>> WHEN YOU GET ASKED TO DO THIS, AND IT'S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE, AND A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, I'VE BEEN ASKING THE LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT SAID THROUGH ME, LORD? HE SAID ONE WORD.
PEACE IN THIS MEETING. THREE WORDS, PEACE IN THIS MEETING.
FATHER GOD, I COME TO YOU RIGHT NOW ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BURLESON, ALL OF ITS LEADERS, ALL OF ITS CITIZENS, AND THE COMMUNITY AROUND US.
I THANK YOU THAT YOU DESIRE, YOU WANT, AND YOU CRAVE PEACE IN THIS MEETING AND IN THIS CITY.
I THANK YOU, FATHER GOD, THAT YOU ARE THE GOD OF PEACE AND YOU REIGN DOWN PEACE ON THIS MEETING TONIGHT.
WE THANK YOU IN THE NAME OF MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS THE CHRIST, AMEN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[2.A. Proclamations]
THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 2, PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS.WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING, AND WE WILL WANT TO TAKE PICTURES, BUT I WOULD ASK THAT WE DO PICTURES AFTER ALL THE PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
AT THAT TIME, I'LL CALL EVERYBODY DOWN.
THOSE RECIPIENTS, IF YOU'LL JUST WAIT, AND THEN WE'LL DO IT ALL AT ONE TIME.
IT'S RECOGNIZING JULY 2024 AS PARK AND RECREATION MONTH.
>> NOW, THEREFORE, I, MAYOR CHRIS FLETCHER, ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF BURLESON AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL, HEREBY PROCLAIM JULY 2024 AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH IN THE CITY OF BURLESON. ONE DOWN.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 2, PRESENTATIONS 2B.
[2.B. Presentations]
FIRST PRESENTATION IS TO RECEIVE A REPORT TO RECOGNIZE THE SELECTED EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2024.OUR PRESTIGIOUS DIRECTOR OF HR WILL BE DOING THE PRESENTATION.
>> OKAY. WELL, IT IS MY HUMBLED, AND I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE TO BE THE ONE TO PRESENT THIS TO OUR EMPLOYEE, CRISPIN GIPSON.
CRISPIN HAS BEEN WITH THE CITY FOR OVER A YEAR SINCE MAY OF 2023.
HE SERVES IN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS SUPERVISOR, WHICH IS A PART OF OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
CRISPIN, WHENEVER HE WAS PROVIDED THE QUARTERLY REWARD, HE WAS NOMINATED BY ANOTHER DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY FOR HIS ENDEAVORS WITH REGARDS TO THE JUNETEENTH EVENT.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF FOOD VENDORS THAT HAD BACKED OUT, AND ON LAST-MINUTE NOTICE, THEY CALLED IN CRISPIN, AND CRISPIN CAME OUT ON A SATURDAY AND WAS ABLE TO HELP OTHER FOOD VENDORS GET SET UP TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY ENJOY THAT EVENT.
OFTEN FOLKS THAT WE TALKED WITH ABOUT CRISPIN SAID THE SAME THING.
HE ALWAYS GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND AND IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS.
HE'S VERY CALM WITH HIS ENDEAVORS WITH REGARDS TO MAKING SURE THAT WE FOLLOW THOSE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND DOES SO IN A VERY CALMING MANNER WHEN HE TALKS TO OUR CUSTOMERS.
I'VE GOT A LITTLE GIFT FOR HIM ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE.
I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT HIS WIFE SALLY IS WITH US TONIGHT. THANK YOU, CRISPIN.
CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] STAY AROUND FOR THE PHOTO. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. THAT BRINGS US ON TO THE NEXT PRESENTATION, THE ADOPTABLE SHELTER PET.
ANOTHER DYNAMIC DIRECTOR THAT WE HAVE HERE AT THE CITY, DEANNA PHILLIPS, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.
>> HELLO. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[00:05:02]
THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNNEST THINGS I THINK WE GET TO DO HERE AT COUNCIL.THIS IS OUR ADOPTABLE PET OF THE QUARTER.
THOR IS A ONE-YEAR-OLD BEAGLE MIX.
WE THINK HE'S BEAGLE MIX, WE THINK HE'S ONE-YEAR-OLD.
HE CAME ON AS A STRAY, SO WE'RE GUESSING.
BUT THOR, JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, DID THE BORROWED BUDDIES PROGRAM, WHICH, IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT AT A SHELTER, IT ALLOWS SHELTER DOGS TO GO HOME WITH THE FAMILY FOR THE WEEKEND, AND THE FAMILY GETS TO REALLY SEE HOW THEIR DOGS ARE AT A HOME ENVIRONMENT.
THOR LOVES CHILDREN, IS WHAT THEY FOUND OUT.
HE ALSO WENT ON A SIX-MILE HIKE AROUND CHISHOLM TRAIL AND BAILEY LAKE, SO HE IS A VERY ACTIVE DOG.
BUT HE'S ALSO QUITE A CUDDLER, AND HE LOVES PEOPLE.
[LAUGHTER] IT'S LIKE I PAID HIM TO DO THIS.
THIS IS THOR, AND ALSO WITH THOR IS SHELBY WELCH.
SHELBY IS ONE OF OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.
SHELBY REALLY HAS A PASSION FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION.
SHE RUNS A LOT OF OUR OFFSIDE ADOPTION EVENTS.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU GUYS MEET SHELBY.
THIS IS ONE OF HER PROJECTS IS TO TAKE ANIMALS OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO LET THEM BE SEEN BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
I ALSO WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON WESLEY, IF Y'ALL WILL REMEMBER WESLEY.
THE OTHER DOG THAT WE HAD HERE, HE WAS A ROTTWEILER MIX.
HE WAS ADOPTED AND HAS RECENTLY FINISHED HIS HEARTWORM TREATMENT.
HE IS IN A HAPPY HOME, AND HE'S VERY LOVED.
[APPLAUSE] IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN ADOPTING THOR, AND WHY WOULDN'T YOU BE, HE'S AVAILABLE AT THE BURLESON ANIMAL SHELTER. THANK YOU.
>> THAT MOVES US ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.
THIS IS ALSO BY DEANNA PHILLIPS IS TO RECEIVE A REPORT TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNICATION TEAM FOR STATEWIDE AWARDS.
>> ME AGAIN. I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION.
WE'RE READY. THIS IS VERY EXCITING.
I AM HONORED TO BE HERE TO PRESENT THE MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS TEAM TOOK HOME EIGHT STATE AWARDS AT OUR RECENT TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICERS, WHICH IS THE COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION.
THIS IS THE MOST AWARDS THE CITY OF BURLESON HAS BROUGHT HOME WITH EIGHT, AND WE WERE BEHIND THE ONLY CITY THAT BEAT US IN THE AWARD CATEGORY WAS ARLINGTON, AND THEY HAD 13 AWARDS.
TO COME UP WITH THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.
SINCE WE HAVE STARTED THE DEPARTMENT IN 2017, WE NOW HAVE 33 TROPHIES THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT HOME.
THIS YEAR, WE TOOK HOME AWARDS.
THIS CATEGORY IS CALLED MOST CREATIVE WITH LEAST DOLLARS.
THIS IS FOR OUR TRAIL ETIQUETTE SIGNS.
PARKS AND REC PARTNERED WITH US BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT BEING KIND ON THE TRAILS AND UTILIZING TRAILS AND NOT USING FLYING BY OTHER WALKERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE TOOK IT AND DID A VICTORIAN SPIN ON IT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT ETIQUETTE WAS A FUNNY WORD.
THANK GOODNESS, PARKS WENT ALONG WITH US.
IT COST $18 TO DO THIS WHOLE PROJECT.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT WE HAVE PLACED IN THIS CATEGORY AND THE SECOND TIME THAT WE'VE TAKEN HOME FIRST PLACE.
WE LIVE BY THIS, MOST CREATIVE WITH LEAST DOLLARS.
DON'T YOU WORRY. WE'RE DOING WELL IN OUR BUDGETING HERE.
WE ALSO BROUGHT HOME AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, THE MARKETING PSA FOR WHO YOU GONNA CALL? WAS THE 311 INTRODUCTION.
WE TOOK HOME A VIDEO AWARD FOR SPECIAL OR ONE-TIME PROGRAMMING WITH THERE'S A LOT TO DO IN BURLESON.
IT WAS A VIDEO FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
THEN WE ALSO TOOK HOME IT FOR THE CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE ANTI-VALENTINE PARTY AT THE LIBRARY.
WE MOVED ON TO AWARD OF HONOR AND OUR TRAIL ETIQUETTE SIGNS TOOK HOME AN AWARD THERE AGAIN FOR INNOVATION.
THIS ONE I'M PARTIAL TO IS A VIDEO FOR THE BEST USE OF HUMOR.
WE DID IT FOR PROJECT U WITH ALEX PHILLIPS, AND THAT'S MY DAUGHTER.
I THINK THIS ONE'S THE BEST ONE.
[LAUGHTER] WE ALSO TOOK HOME BEST USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE CITY'S EVENT PICTURES.
YOU'LL SEE THE COMMUNICATION STAFF AT ALL THE EVENTS.
THEN, OF COURSE, FOR THE EDUCATIONAL PSA IN VIDEO.
WE'RE BRINGING HELMETS BACK, AND THAT'S A BIG THANK YOU TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE QUITE THE STAR OF THE SHOW.
I DO WANT TO TAKE JUST A SECOND INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PAGES, IF YOU WILL.
THESE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY.
CHRISTINA BRINKMAN IS THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER.
THEN WE HAVE COLLIN GREGORY, HE WAS THE PREVIOUS VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALIST.
NOW HE'S MOVED ON TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CRIME PREVENTION SPECIALIST.
DID I GET THAT? YEAH. I DON'T KNOW.
THEN ALSO, WE HAVE MARCUS JACKSON, WHO'S THE VIDEO PRODUCTION SPECIALIST.
THIS WAS A TEAM THAT WON THE AWARDS FOR THIS PAST YEAR.
I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM, THEY'RE PART OF OUR TEAM, AS WELL, CARRIE CHAVEZ, WHO'S THE WEBSITE CONTENT COORDINATOR, AND JESSICA POUNDS, WHO'S THE MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST.
[00:10:01]
WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGEMENT, AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WORK WITH FOR TRUSTING US TO TELL THEIR STORIES AND FOR ALLOWING US TO DO SO IN A CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE MANNER. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]>> AS I SAID, MAYOR AND COUNCIL AT THIS TIME, WE'LL START TAKING PICTURES.
SINCE WE JUST ENDED WITH THE COMMUNICATION TEAM, MAYBE WE CAN START WITH THE COMMUNICATION TEAM TO TAKE THEIR FIRST PICTURES.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IF YOU'LL GO DOWN TO THE FRONT, WE'LL DO THAT ONE FIRST.
[2.C. Community Interest Items]
THAT BRINGS US TO 2C, COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS.[00:15:16]
>> WANT TO MAKE A PLUG FOR A COUPLE OF UPCOMING EVENTS, CANINE SONIC IS TURNING FIVE.
HE'S GOING TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER FROM 11:00-1:00 ON AUGUST 9TH, AND THEY'LL BE ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR ANIMAL SERVICES.
COME BY AND CELEBRATE WITH OUR AWESOME CANINE SONIC.
THEN ON THE 21ST, THE CLEBURNE RAILROADERS HAVE PARTNERED WITH OUR ANIMAL SHELTER, AND FOR THEIR SPOTLIGHT, FOR THE GAME ON THE 21ST OF AUGUST, FOR EVERY TICKET THEY SELL TO THAT GAME, FIVE DOLLARS GOES TO THE SHELTER.
IF YOU HAVE AN INKLING FOR SOME LOCAL BASEBALL, THEY PUT ON A REALLY GOOD GAME, AND IT'S A FUN FAMILY OUTING.
CONSIDER SUPPORTING LOCAL BASEBALL AND THE SHELTER. THANKS.
>> THE RAILROADERS ARE IN FIRST PLACE RIGHT NOW, AND THEY JUST SWEPT THE OTHER DIVISIONS FIRST PLACE TEAM.
WE HADN'T HAD ANY MEETINGS IN JULY, AND WE FORGOT ABOUT OUR 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND STUFF OF THAT NATURE.
I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THAT TOGETHER.
THE LIONS CLUB DID A GREAT JOB, POLICE, FIRE, ALL OF OUR POLITICAL WORKS ON THE BARRICADES.
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, THE POLICE HAD THEIR HANDS FULL WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC. THAT WAS AMAZING.
WE HAD A HUGE TURNOUT, AND THE FIREWORKS WAS PHENOMENAL. GOOD JOB, GUYS.
>> THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 3,
[3. CHANGES TO POSTED AGENDA]
CHANGES TO THE POSTED AGENDA.3A IS ITEMS TO BE CONTINUED OR WITHDRAWN, AND 3B ARE ITEMS TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION BY THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE.
>> MADAM SECRETARY, I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE REMOVE ITEM 5(D) AND PLACE IT ON THE GENERAL ITEMS WITH THE REST OF THE INTELLIGENT TRAFFIC SYSTEM AGENDA ITEMS.
>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? THAT'LL MOVE US ON TO SECTION 4.
[4. CITIZENS APPEARANCES]
CITIZENS APPEARANCE.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 IN TO THE CITY SECRETARY PRIOR TO ADDRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL.
EACH SPEAKER WILL BE ALLOWED THREE MINUTES.
EACH PERSON IN ATTENDANCE WHO DESIRES TO SPEAK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON AN ITEM POSTED ON THE AGENDA SHALL SPEAK WHEN THAT ITEM IS CALLED FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
THIS EVENING, I HAVE ONE SPEAKER CARD, JACQUELINE AVILA.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JACQUELINE AVILA, AND I'M A RESIDENT OF BURLESON.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
I'M HERE TO SHARE WITH YOU INITIATE WIN ISSUE, HOMELESSNESS.
TEXAS HAVE HAD AN INCREASE OF 12% IN PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
IN THE LAST YEAR, MANY OF THOSE HOMELESSNESS INCLUDE VETERANS, A MAJORITY ETHNICITIES IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS, INCLUDING CHILDREN.
TO ADDRESS THIS NATIONWIDE, I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR A POLICY THAT CAN COMBAT THAT HOMELESSNESS ISSUES WITHIN BURLESON.
BY HAVING A POLICY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM CAN HELP DECREASE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN BURLESON.
AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
I HOPE YOU CONSIDER CHANGING YOUR APPROACH TO HOMELESS POPULATION IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON AN ITEM NOT POSTED ON THE AGENDA? I SEE NO ONE ELSE.
[5. CONSENT AGENDA]
WE WILL MOVE ON TO SECTION 5, THE CONSENT AGENDA.ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED WITH ONE MOTION.
THERE'LL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THE ITEMS. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AUTHORIZES THE CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT EACH ITEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS EVENING, THE CONSENT AGENDA IS ITEMS 5A-5C WITH ITEM D BEING REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> IS THERE A MOTION WITH EXCEPTIONS?
[00:20:05]
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY ADAM, A SECOND BY LARRY. PLEASE VOTE.
>> MAYOR, COULD YOU ASK FOR A SHOW OF HANDS FOR THE VOTE, PLEASE IN FAVOR OF.
>> PLEASE, WITH SHOW HANDS, ALL IN FAVOR? PASSES UNANIMOUS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AS I SAY, IT, WE HAVE A DIFFICULTY ON THE SCREEN OVER HERE.
THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 6, DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS.
[6.A. 3162 S Burleson Blvd (Case 24-129): Hold a public hearing and consider approval of an ordinance for a zoning change request from “C” Commercial and “A” Agricultural to “PD”, Planned Development for industrial development utilizing Appendix C, Article VII; Business Park Design Standards. (First & Final Reading) (Staff Contact: Tony McIlwain, Development Services Director) (The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously)]
6A IS 3162 SOUTH BURLESON BOULEVARD, CASE 24-129, TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE FOR A ZONING CHANGE REQUEST FROM "C" COMMERCIAL TO "A" AGRICULTURAL TO "PD" PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT UTILIZING APPENDIX C, ARTICLE VII, BUSINESS PARK DESIGN STANDARDS.THIS IS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL ON FIRST AND FINAL READING.
THE STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS TONY MCILWAIN, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR.
>> MR. ORR HAS WORKED WITH BOTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AS WELL AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO GET THE APPLICATION FORWARD TO YOU TONIGHT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
THIS AREA IS DESIGNATED AS EMPLOYMENT GROWTH CENTER AND REGIONAL OFFICE COMMERCIAL ON A CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND THE CURRENT ZONING IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE PROPOSED FUTURE USE OF THE SITE, WHICH IS WHY MR. ORR IS LOOKING AT ZONING THE PROPERTY.
BY WAY OF OUR BUSINESS PARK STANDARDS, THE WAY THAT THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IS WRITTEN TONIGHT, MR. ORR HAS VOLUNTARILY AGREED TO GO AT A MORE STRINGENT REGULATORY APPROACH TO GIVE THE COUNCIL SOME COMFORT KNOWING THAT HE WILL PUT IN A HIGHER DEVELOPMENT STANDARD FOR ANYTHING GOING ON THE PROPERTY.
THE BUSINESS PARK REGULATIONS ENCOURAGE THOSE ELEVATIONS THAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN TO THE LEFT, AS OPPOSED TO THE ELEVATIONS ON THE RIGHT THAT DO NOT HAVE ANY REQUIREMENTS ATTACHED TO THEM IN OTHER ZONING DISTRICTS.
THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUSINESS PARK DESIGN STANDARDS, WHICH WILL BE REVIEWED AT THE SITE PLAN SUBMITTAL STAGE.
THE LAND USES THAT HE IS LOOKING TO PUT IN ARE INDUSTRIAL USES WITH SOME ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE BUSINESS PARK OVERLAY.
SOME OF THE USES THAT ARE PROHIBITED, WE'VE GOT ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU.
THOSE INCLUDE AUTO REPAIR, SHOPS AND THE LIKE, BRICK, CEMENT AND LIME PLANTS, GRAVEL, TOPSOIL EXTRACTION, SEWAGE PLANTS, AND SOBS.
THOSE WOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM ANY CONSIDERATION THAT YOU HAVE TONIGHT.
WE NOTIFIED PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 300 FEET OF THE SUBJECT SITE, PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER AND POSTED SIGNS ON THE PROPERTY, RECEIVED NO OPPOSITION TO THE REQUEST.
THE PLANING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THIS REQUEST BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION OF THE ITEM AT THAT MEETING.
THE SPEAKER WAS PRESENT, BUT WAS PRESENTED WITH NO QUESTIONS.
MR. ORR IS TRAVELING TONIGHT AND WILL NOT BE IN ATTENDANCE, BUT HE'S HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MY STAFF AS WELL AS MR. PHILLIP'S STAFF.
WE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE APPROACH THAT HE'S TAKEN WITH THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.
I'D LIKE TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE PRIOR TO OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE ZONING REQUEST FOR PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR THIS AREA.
>> ANY QUESTIONS, COUNCIL? I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:55.
IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT HAS ANY QUESTIONS OR STATEMENTS? THEN I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 5:56.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, AT THIS TIME, THE VOTING SYSTEM HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A GLITCH, SO YOU'LL HAVE TO DO A MANUAL COUNT UNTIL WE CAN RECTIFY THE PROBLEM.
SO IF YOU'LL JUST ASK FOR A MANUAL COUNT.
>> HAVE A MOTION BY ALEXIS. IS THERE A SECOND?
[00:25:02]
ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE VOTE.>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AT THIS TIME, WE ARE GOING TO CALL OUT OF ORDER,
[7.M. Consider approval of a resolution awarding FY 2025 Hotel Occupancy Tax funds for tourism activities (Staff Presenter: Alex Philips, Economic Development Director)]
MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE FOR AN ITEM LISTED ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT THAT'S LISTED PRETTY FAR DOWN.AT THIS TIME, WE WILL MOVE UP ITEM 7M, WHICH IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING FISCAL YEAR 2025 HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUNDS FOR TOURISM ACTIVITY.
THE STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS ALEX PHILLIPS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU, MR. PHILLIPS FOR COMING IN SHORT NOTICE.
>> I'M READY NOW. SO GET OVER HERE AND CATCH MY BREATH A LITTLE BIT.
ALEX PHILLIPS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF BURLESON HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE 2025 HOT/MOT GRANT APPLICATIONS.
JUST KIND OF GO THROUGH SOME OF THE PAST AWARDS, BUT ALSO THROUGH THE TIMELINE IN THE APPLICATIONS.
SINCE 2020, COUNCIL APPROVED AND UPDATED A POLICY ALLOCATING UP TO 50% OF THE PRIOR YEAR'S ANNUAL REVENUE FOR GRANT AWARDS.
PROJECTED YEAR END FUND BALANCE IS $376,363 IN HOT/MOT.
ANNUAL REVENUE THIS YEAR WAS $516,809.
JUST KIND OF INFORMATIONAL KIND OF THE PAST YEARS' AWARDS WITH LAST YEAR BEING $191,000.
CHANGES TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS, THESE WERE APPROVED BY COUNCIL IN MARCH OF '23.
WE REMOVED THE SCORING RUBRIC.
BUDGET OVERVIEW IS REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION NOW.
GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ATTEND A MANDATORY WORK SESSION, OUTLINING THE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.
THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH THIS YEAR.
WE ANNOUNCED THE HOT/MOT PROCESS VIA PRESS RELEASE, EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ON APRIL 1ST.
APRIL 12TH, THOSE APPLICATIONS WERE DUE.
APRIL 15TH, STAFF COMMITTEE REVIEWS FOR COMPLIANCE AND COMPLETENESS AND GIVES ANY COMMENTS TO THE APPLICANT IF WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
APRIL 17TH, THE APPLICANT HAS BACK TO RESPOND WITH ANY OF THE CORRECTIONS THAT WERE NEEDED.
THEN APRIL 24TH, APPLICANT IS NOTIFIED IF THE COMMITTEE INTENDS TO RECOMMEND PROJECT FOR AWARD.
THEN WE'RE HERE TONIGHT TO PRESENT TO COUNCIL.
THERE IS A TWO PART TEST FROM THE TEXAS TAX CODE CHAPTER 351, POTENTIAL FOR THE EVENT TO CREATE AND SUPPORT TOURISM IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY IN BURLESON.
THEN THE EXPENDITURES HAVE TO MATCH ONE OF THE SIX AUTHORIZED CATEGORIES; PROMOTION OF THE ARTS, VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, FURNISHING OF FACILITIES, AND REGISTRATION OF VISITORS, ADVERTISING OF PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES, AND THAT'S WHERE ALL THE APPLICANTS QUALIFY IN THAT TWO PART TEST.
WE GET PRIORITY ON EVENTS OR GROWING INTO MULTI-DAY EVENTS TOWARD EVENTS THAT ALLOW ACCESS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND TOWARDS EVENTS THAT ARE NEW OR STILL NEEDING SUPPORT FUNDING.
AGAIN, THE TIMELINE, THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED THE GRANTS ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL, WHICH WE'RE HERE TO DO TONIGHT.
GRANT RECIPIENTS HAVE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY MEETING OUTLINE, CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.
THE EVENT IS HOSTED, AND THEN A POST-EVENT FORM IS SUBMITTED TO CITY STAFF WITH ALL THEIR RECEIPTS THAT HAVE TO BE REVIEWED FOR CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY AND ELIGIBLE EXPENSES, INCLUDING ADVERTISING.
WE WORK WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE RECEIPTS THAT COME IN AFTER THE EVENT ARE ONES BEING REIMBURSED.
APPLICANT IS ISSUED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES UP TO THAT APPROVED AMOUNT.
NOTHING GOES OVER THAT APPROVED AMOUNT.
HERE'S ALL THE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS YEAR.
THE ONES HIGHLIGHTED ARE NEW EVENTS.
AGAIN, THE PROJECTED REVENUE IS $516,809.
THE GRANT REQUESTS ARE ABOUT $162,300, AND WE HAVE A BUDGETED AMOUNT THAT WE PUT IN HOT/MOT OF $130,000 FOR THIS YEAR.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THESE, BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, STOP ME AS WE GO THROUGH, AND SOME OF THE APPLICANTS ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL, LOCAL LIFE MAGAZINE & MARKETING SUPPORT THE FOURTH ANNUAL EVENT.
IT'S HELD AT STANDARD AT CHISENHALL.
THE REQUESTED GRANT IS $6,000.
THIS PROVIDES FUNDS TO EXTEND PROMOTION ADVERTISEMENT REACH TO SURROUNDING AREAS TO DRAW VISITORS FROM OUTSIDE THE METROPLEX.
IT ALSO ATTRACTS VISITORS TO AN UP AND COMING AREA OF THE CITY OUTSIDE OF THE OLD TOWN DOWNTOWN DISTRICT.
THIS IS ONE OF THE NEW EVENTS, THE HALLOWEEN PUP CRAWL, LOCAL LIFE MAGAZINE & MARKETING IS FOR A NEWLY CREATED ANNUAL PUP CRAWL SUPPORTING LOCAL RESTAURANT RETAIL LOCATIONS THROUGH THE OLD TOWN DISTRICT, REQUESTED GRANT OF $6,000.
PROVIDES FUNDS, AGAIN FOR THE PROMOTION AND ADVERTISEMENT TO REACH OUT OF TOWN VISITORS,
[00:30:04]
AND ENCOURAGES PATRONS TO VISIT A MULTITUDE OF AREA RETAIL RESTAURANT ESTABLISHMENTS IN OLD TOWN.ST. PADDY'S DAY PUB CRAWL, LOCAL LIFE MAGAZINE, THE ANNUAL PUB CRAWL.
THIS ONE HAS GROWN QUITE A BIT AND HAS A LOT OF PARTICIPATION.
PROVIDES FUNDS TO EXTEND PROMOTION ADVERTISEMENT REACH TO SURROUNDING AREAS AGAIN, AND VISIT THE LOCAL DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS.
CITY ON A HILL, CRAZY 8 MINISTRIES SUPPORT THE 12TH ANNUAL FREE COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT, AND THE REQUESTED GRANT IS $12,000.
IT'S A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR ALL PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY TO CULTIVATE UNITY AMONGST COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LOCAL BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND CHURCHES, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS IS A NEW EVENT, AUTISM AWARENESS MUSIC FEST.
CENTER FOR ASD IS THE APPLICANT.
SUPPORT FOR NEWLY CREATED ANNUAL EVENT TO SPREAD AWARENESS OF AUTISM IN THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
REQUESTED GRANT IS $5,850, PROVIDING THAT PLATFORM TO RAISE FUNDING FOR AUTISM AWARENESS.
VINEYARD VIBES, HARVEST HOUSE.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT HELD AT LOST OAK WINERY WITH LIVE MUSIC, VENDORS FOOD, WINE AND MORE.
IT'S COMMUNITY FUND RAISING THAT BENEFITS HARVEST HOUSE, FEEDING, CLOTHING AND RESTORING FAMILIES IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
BTX BREWFEST, VENTURE MATHIS, LLC IS THE APPLICANT.
FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL BTX BREWFEST EVENT, REQUESTED GRANT IS $18,000, PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL EVENT WITHIN THE OLD TOWN DISTRICT.
GRANT FUNDS ASSISTS WITH MARKETING COSTS, INCLUDING METRO MAILERS, SOCIAL MEDIA ADS, RADIO PROMOTION, AND VIDEO MARKETING.
EVENT OFFERS ENGAGING ACTIVITIES, QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND PARTNERS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.
SEASONAL EVENT SPECIFIC MARKETING PLAN, NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE PARK.
SUPPORT FOR ENHANCED SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING FOR THE PARK, ADVERTISING A VARIETY OF ANNUALLY HOSTED EVENTS, TOTALING 73 DAYS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF THAT ESTIMATED $516,809 IN THE HOT REVENUE EXPECTED, NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE PARK CONTRIBUTION'S ESTIMATED ABOUT 54% OF THAT REVENUE.
SUPPORTS ENHANCED MARKETING GOOGLE ADS TO TARGET ONLINE SHOPPERS SEEKING WEEKEND GETAWAYS AND DRAW THEM TO AN AREA FOR EXTENDED STAYS RESULTING IN OVERNIGHT LODGING, DINING, AND SHOPPING WITHIN OUR CITY.
A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE MARKETING PLAN FOR NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE PARK.
HERE'S THE EVENTS THAT THEY WOULD OFFER AND DO THE SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING ENHANCEMENT PROJECT TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS.
LAST YEAR OR THIS YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 55% OF RESERVATIONS BOOKED AT NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE PARK WERE FROM OUTSIDE THE 50 MILE RADIUS.
COUNCIL CONSIDERATIONS; IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 2020 POLICY REVISIONS, COUNCIL MAY GRANT UP TO 50% OF THE PROJECTED REVENUE FOR TAX GRANT APPLICATIONS.
AN AMOUNT OF $130,000 WAS TENTATIVELY BUDGETED FOR THE HOTEL/MOTEL TAX GRANTS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.
IT IS AT COUNCIL'S DISCRETION TO GRANT THE FUNDING TO EVENTS AS APPLIED FOR OR ALTER THE GRANT AMOUNTS IN ATTEMPT TO FIT WITHIN THE BUDGETED AMOUNT.
IF WE DID DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE EVEN BUDGETED AMOUNT, A DECREASE OF 20% ACROSS THE BOARD WOULD ALIGN WITH THAT $130,000 AS WE ENTERED BY STAFF.
COUNCIL ACTIONS REQUESTED. APPROVE, DENY OR MODIFY RESOLUTION AWARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FUND GRANTS FOR THE BUDGETED AMOUNT OF $130,000.
NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE APPLICATION IS CONTINGENT ON BEING UP TO DATE ON THEIR HOTEL/MOTEL TAXES BEING PAID BY OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR.
>> ALEX, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE $130,000, THE 20% OVER TO $160,000.
WHAT WOULD BE THE ALTERNATIVES TO GET THIS BACK DOWN TO $130,000, WHICH WAS BUDGETED.
>> WHICH WOULD DECREASE ALL OF THEIR ASK BY 20% ACROSS THE BOARD.
>> THAT WOULD PUT US IN THE BUDGETED AMOUNT.
>> IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, I THINK WE NEED TO STAY WITHIN THE BUDGET.
>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT SHE WAS DOING.
>> I DEFINITELY THINK WE NEED TO STAY WITHIN BUDGET.
>> WELL, SOME OF THEM WERE LIKE A 25% INCREASE.
[00:35:03]
I WAS LOOKING AT, IF YOU GRANTED EVERYBODY'S PREVIOUS AWARD, AND THEN ALL THE NEW ONES, YOU'D BE AT 141,800, BUT THAT'S ABOUT 9% OVER THE BUDGET.>> WE'D LIKE TO TAKE A VOTE WITH THAT CONTINGENCY. IS THAT OKAY?
>> CAN WE DISCUSS A COUPLE OF THESE? WE KNOW THAT JELLYSTONE IS OUR LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR, AND THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.
MY FAMILY GOES THERE TWICE A YEAR.
>> BUT 93,000 IS A SIGNIFICANT REQUEST.
I KNOW THEY MARKET FAR AND WIDE, AND THEY DO A TREMENDOUS JOB WITH THEIR EVENTS.
I THOUGHT 75 LAST YEAR WAS A PRETTY REASONABLE COMMITMENT TO THEM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ANYONE ELSE'S THOUGHTS ARE.
>> I AGREE. I THINK THAT'S A PRETTY STEEP JUMP, FROM 75-93, 5.
>> THAT'S A 25% INCREASE, AND THEN HARVEST MOON, IT'S A 20%, AND THEN THE BREWFEST IS 6%, AND THEN EVERYTHING ELSE NEW.
YOU'RE PENALIZING THE NEW ONES, THE 20%, THAT'S WHY I WAS THINKING IF YOU JUST GAVE EVERYBODY WHAT THEY GOT LAST YEAR AND THEN APPROVED THE NEW ONES, YOU'D ONLY BE OVER BUDGET BY $11,800.
BUT I MEAN, I'M FINE IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE BUDGET TOO.
JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT EXTRA THOUGHT OUT THERE.
BECAUSE WE'RE 32,300 OVER BUDGET RIGHT NOW, SO THE 20% ACROSS THE BOARD TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING.
>> I'M SORRY. I'M NOT AS GOOD.
I HAVE TO SEE THESE NUMBERS, SO I NEED YOUR MENTAL CHART TO BE SHARED WITH ME SO THAT I KNOW. [OVERLAPPING]
>> CAN WE DRAW IT ON OUR SCREENS, PLEASE?
>> I WISH I HAD THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M TRYING TO DO MATH, JUST NOT AS FAST AS YOU.
>> IT'S OKAY. IF YOU LOOK AT JELLYSTONE, BREWFEST, AND HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL, THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT ASKED FOR AN INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.
>> HARVEST MOON THAT'S A 20% INCREASE, BREWFEST IS A 6% INCREASE, AND JELLYSTONE IS A 25% INCREASE.
>> BASICALLY ALL THE NEW APPLICATIONS, WHAT THEY REQUESTED, AND THE ONES THAT HAVE AN INCREASE FROM THIS YEAR FROM LAST YEAR, GO BACK TO WHAT WE WERE AWARDED TO LAST YEAR.
>> CORRECT. WE WOULD BE OVER BUDGET BY 11,800, WHICH IS A 9% OVER BUDGET.
>> BUT WE COULD STILL REDUCE A COUPLE MORE TO REDUCE THE 11,000, IS IT?
>> BUT THEN MY OPINION WOULD BE JUST TO GO ACROSS THE BOARD AT THAT POINT.
>> RIGHT. I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY FAIR.
>> BUT IF IT'S A NEW EVENT, I GUESS WE DON'T KNOW.
IF YOU REDUCE IT, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WOULD NEED.
>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS A BIT CONFUSING BECAUSE I'LL SAY I KNOW THAT THE BREWFEST, THEY'RE EXPANDING, THEY'RE GETTING BIGGER.
THEY NEED MORE MONEY IN ORDER TO PULL IT OFF.
I ALSO KNOW THAT JELLYSTONE, THEY'VE EXPANDED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AS WELL, AND THESE ARE TWO PARTICULAR EVENTS THAT DO BRING HOT MONT TO THE TABLE.
I'D HATE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THEM WHEN THEY'RE STILL GROWING THIS OUT, AND IT DOES BRING FUNDS TO US.
I KNOW THAT'S VERY LAYMAN'S TERMS, BUT THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT.
SOME OF THE OTHER ONES, DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'VE BROUGHT IN FROM HAVING THESE EVENTS?
>> TRYING TO TRACK THE HOTEL STAYS FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS.
>> THERE'S NOT A CITY AROUND US WE'VE CALLED THAT IS, LIKE, HOW DO YOU TRACK? IF YOU DON'T HAVE HOTEL OPERATORS THAT ARE WILLING TO BE A PARTNER WITH YOU, THERE'S NO WAY OF BEING CERTAIN OF HOW MANY HOTEL STAYS IT'S PROVIDING.
THEY SEE THE ZIP CODES THAT ARE COMING TO THE AREA FROM OUTSIDE OF TOWN, BUT VERIFYING THAT THEY STAYED IN A HOTEL THE NIGHT BEFORE OR THE NIGHT OF THE EVENT IS HARD TO TRACK.
>> LOCAL STAY AT JELLYSTONE FOR THEIR EVENTS?
>> ALEX, I'M STILL GOOD AT BRINGING IT DOWN THE 20% TO 130.
I KNOW THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MORE MONEY AT A 162, 3.
[00:40:01]
BUT AS WE GO THROUGH THE NIGHT AND DO THE BUDGET, WE'LL UNDERSTAND THERE'S STILL OPPORTUNITY AT 130,000 FOR EACH PARTY TO BENEFIT.>> YES, SIR. THAT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS THE 20% ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE COMING OUT OF HOT MONTH BUDGET NOW WITH PLAZA MAINTENANCE AND MORE OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR THAT.
STAYING WITHIN THAT 130,000 CREATES THE FUND AND MAKING SURE THE FUND IS STILL GROWING LITTLE BY LITTLE EVERY YEAR.
>> DOES ANYBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION ON THAT?
IT'S LIKE 129,000, SOME CHANGE.
>> OKAY. I MOVE TO APPROVE WITH THE 20% REDUCTION ACROSS THE BOARD.
>> I GOT A MOTION BY ADAM AND A SECOND BY VICTORIA.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE COUNCIL TAKE A SMALL BREAK SO THAT WE CAN FIX THE VOTING SYSTEM.
[00:49:32]
THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH OUR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
THAT WILL BRING US BACK TO SECTION 7 GENERAL,
[7.A. Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the ratification of expenditures for credit card processing payments with Paymentus Corporation in the amount of $248,050 and authorizing to spend $121,000 in order to complete this fiscal year’s financial obligation.(Staff Contact: Richard Abernethy, Director of Administrative Services)]
AND WE WILL GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING.WE WILL GO BACK TO 7A, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZING THE RATIFICATION OF EXPENDITURES FOR CREDIT CARD PROCESSING PAYMENTS WITH PAYMENTUS CORPORATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $248,050 AND AUTHORIZING TO SPEND
[00:50:04]
$121,000 IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THIS FISCAL YEAR'S FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.THE STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS RICHARD ABERNETHY, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
>> YES. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
YES, THE ITEM IN FRIDAY NIGHT IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RATIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE IN THE AMOUNT OF $248,050, AS WELL AS AUTHORIZATION, AND 121,000 TO MEET OUR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WITH PAYMENTUS SOLUTIONS.
JUST A REMINDER PAYMENTUS SOLUTIONS IS THE CREDIT CARD PROCESSOR FOR BOTH UTILITY BILLING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE A QUICK BACKGROUND ON THIS ITEM JUST TO SHOW WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND HOW WE GOT HERE TODAY.
IN OCTOBER OF 2020, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED A THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH PAYMENTUS SOLUTIONS FOR UTILITY BILLING IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $525,000.
THERE WAS A DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING PAYMENTUS SO AS A RESULT, WE DIDN'T START SPENDING ON THAT CONTRACT UNTIL MID 2021.
THEN AUGUST OF 2022, THE CONTRACT WAS AMENDED TO INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ON THE PLATFORM.
HOWEVER, THAT AMENDMENT DID NOT INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS OR ANY ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZED SPENDING AMOUNT SO THEY CONTINUED OPERATING UNDER THE 525,000 NOT TO EXCEED FOR THAT WAS APPROVED IN OCTOBER OF 22.
IN OCTOBER OF 2023, THE CONTRACT WAS AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED WITH THE NEW EXPIRATION DATE OF MARCH OF 2026.
SINCE THEN, STAFF HAS FORMALLY NOTIFIED PAYMENTUS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO RENEW THAT CONTRACT AT THE END OF THIS TERM AND THEN IN MAY OF 2024, THE ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION THAT WAS AUTHORIZED EXPIRED.
STAFF DID BEGIN WORKING ON PRESENTING AN AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND FOR THE REMIND OF THE FISCAL YEAR TO COUNCIL AND THROUGH THAT PROCESS, WE DID DISCOVER THAT THE EXPENDITURES FOR BOTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND UTILITY CUSTOMER SERVICE WERE BEING TRACKED SEPARATELY AND AS A RESULT, WE WEREN'T LOOKING AT THE OVERALL SPIN.
WHILE WE HAVE ADDRESSED THAT ISSUE GOING FORWARD ON THE TRACKING OF SPEND ON CONTRACTS, BECAUSE THIS WAS A NOT TO EXCEED CONTRACT, AND TO STAY COMPLIANT WITH PROCUREMENT RULES, REGULATIONS, THE LAWS, THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE RATIFICATION, AS WELL AS THE AUTHORIZATION IS NECESSARY TO GO FORWARD.
I WANT TO GIVE A BREAKDOWN ALSO OF WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING TONIGHT.
THE RATIFICATION, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AMOUNT, REALLY, THE BULK OF THOSE EXPENDITURES ARE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PORTION OF THE CONTRACT AND THEN THE REMAINDER FOR THE FISCAL YEAR IS REALLY JUST OUR ESTIMATED BILLING BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
AGAIN, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS, THESE ARE BUDGETED EXPENDITURES, AGAIN, JUST FROM A COMPLIANCE STANDPOINT, WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THAT AUTHORIZATION ON THE CONTRACT.
THIS IS JUST A REAL QUICK SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WE'RE PAYING IN FEES FOR PAYMENTUS RIGHT NOW AND THEN THIS ALSO WAS JUST A HISTORICAL SPIN.
AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE AN FY 2021, BECAUSE OF THAT DELAY IN THE LAUNCH DATE, WE DIDN'T EXPEND AS MUCH MONEY, BUT THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER THAT, OUR EXPENDITURES DID CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, I DO WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR NEXT STEPS WITH CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES.
IF YOU RECALL IN MAY, WE DID PRESENT SEVERAL OPTIONS TO COUNCIL ON HOW TO MITIGATE THE COST FOR CREDIT CARD FEES.
THE CONSENSUS AT THE TIME FROM COUNCIL WAS TO PASS THOSE FEES ON DIRECTLY TO THE CUSTOMERS WHO WERE FEASIBLE, BUT ALSO AS LONG AS THERE WAS LESS COSTLY OPTIONS LIKE ACH BEING AVAILABLE.
SINCE THAT MEETING, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR VARIOUS CREDIT CARD VENDORS AND WE DID ENGAGE PAYMENTUS.
THEY ARE ABLE TO PASS THOSE FEES ON STARTING OCTOBER 1, BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A CONTRACT AMENDMENT.
IN ADDITION, IF WE DO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THE COST OF ACH, WE ALSO WOULD NEED AN AUTHORIZED FUNDING REQUEST THERE TOO.
AGAIN, NOT A BUDGETARY, JUST AN AUTHORIZED SPIN FOR THE CONTRACT SO WE ANTICIPATE BRINGING THAT TO YOU IN AUGUST.
IN ADDITION, JUST AS AN UPDATE ON THE OVERALL MIGRATION OF THE TYLER MUNIS SOFTWARE SYSTEM.
AS YOU KNOW, UTILITY BILLING DID GO TO TYLER MUNIS IN APRIL AND AS PART OF THAT, WE WERE GOING TO TRANSITION FROM PAYMENTUS TO TYLER CASHIERING AS OUR CREDIT CARD SOLUTION PROVIDER.
WE WERE INFORMED THAT TYLER MUNIS WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT PAYMENTUS AFTER THE END OF THIS YEAR SO WE ARE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH BOTH COMPANIES TO WORK ON A TRANSITION.
THERE HAS BEEN CHALLENGES OF THAT BOTH COMPANIES HAVE THEIR CHALLENGES WORKING TOGETHER, BUT WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH THAT, AND WE DO ANTICIPATE BRINGING AN UPDATE RESOLUTION TO YOU ALL HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
AGAIN, THE ACTION AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION SO WE CAN STAY COMPLIANT AND CONTINUE OPERATING WITH PAYMENTUS CORPORATION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
[00:55:02]
WE'RE READY IN. IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS?
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY LARRY AND SECOND BY ALEXA, PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[7.B. Consider approval of a professional services agreement with Designing Local Ltd. for the creation of a Public Art Master Plan in the amount of $75,000. (Staff Contact: Jen Basham, Director of Parks and Recreation)]
THAT BRINGS US TO 7B, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DESIGNING LOCAL LIMITED FOR THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF 75,000.THE STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS JEN BASHAM, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. MS. BASHAM.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THIS EVENING, WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT A PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN.
WE STARTED HAVING THIS CONVERSATION QUITE A WHILE AGO SO I WANT TO START BY REFRESHING YOUR MEMORY ON WHAT THE GOAL OF THIS IS, WHICH WE STARTED WITH NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND KEEP BURLESON BEAUTIFUL.
A FEW YEARS AGO THEY REALLY WERE THE CATALYST AND THE DRIVER FOR THIS CONVERSATION.
THE GOAL RIGHT NOW IS TO CREATE THIS MASTER PLAN THAT MAKE SURE THAT AS WE MOVE THROUGH WITH PUBLIC ART THROUGHOUT THE PARKS AND THROUGHOUT OUR THOROUGHFARES AND ALONG BUILDINGS, THAT WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE STRATEGIC, AND WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A FIVE MEMBER BOARD, JANET JACKSON, WHO REPRESENTS BISD, CAMILLE BRANSOM, SHE'S A LONGTIME BUSINESS OWNER AND RESIDENT.
NANCY MCKENZIE, WHO REPRESENTS HILL COLLEGE ART DEPARTMENT, TOM SALE, WHO SERVES ON OUR RUSSELL FARM ART COMMITTEE AND DOES A LOT OF THE ART OUT AT THE FARM AND THEN CURRENTLY, WE HAVE A VACANT POSITION FOR KEEP BURLESON BEAUTIFUL.
THE HISTORY OF THIS, LIKE I SAID, NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES STARTED THIS WITH KEEP BURLESON BEAUTIFUL BACK IN 2022, AND THEY INSTALLED OUR CURRENT ONLY PIECE OF PUBLIC ART IN OUR PARK SYSTEM AT BAILEY LAKE IS A BEAUTIFUL MURAL THAT GOES BELOW THE BRIDGE AND WHEN COUNCIL IDENTIFIED THIS PUBLIC ART AS A PRIORITY IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, WE CREATED THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU JUST SAW.
THIS COMMITTEE HAS BEEN WORKING PRETTY HARD OVER THE LAST YEAR TO GET THIS PROCESS STARTED.
WE SOLICITED AN RFP LAST FALL, AND IN DECEMBER, WE STARTED TO REVIEW THOSE PROPOSALS.
WHEN WE MET, WE REVIEWED THE TWO SUBMISSIONS THAT WERE RECEIVED.
WE ACTUALLY REVIEWED THREE, ONE OF THE FIRMS THAT SUBMITTED IT ACTUALLY SUBMITTED A PIECE OF ART AND NOT A MASTER PLAN SUBMITTAL, SO THAT ONE WAS DISQUALIFIED.
BUT WE INTERVIEWED THE TOP FIRM THAT THE COMMITTEE WANTED TO SEE IN JANUARY.
DESIGNING LOCAL IS THE FIRM THAT THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
THEY HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO THE WAY THEY LOOK AT IT.
IT'S VERY KIN TO A LOT OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THAT WE DO FOR PARKS OR FOR PUBLIC WORKS, BASICALLY, ANYTIME WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING NEW WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A VERY INTENSE AND COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.
THEY'VE IDENTIFIED THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT YOU SEE, SO THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE, CITY STAFF, OUR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, ALL LOCAL ARTISTS, OUR YOUTH, RUSSELL FARM, AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
ON THE LEFT, YOU SEE THE TEAM THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING TO UTILIZE.
THE PHASING OF THE PROJECT IS WHAT WE WOULD BRING THIS FORWARD THIS EVENING FOR COUNCIL TO REVIEW.
ONCE AWARDED, THEY WOULD MOBILIZE AND THEIR FIRST THING TO DO WOULD BE TO GET ON SITE AND LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT'S CURRENTLY EXISTING SO OUR CURRENT INVENTORY OF PUBLIC ART WHETHER THAT'S JUST THINGS THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE PUT ON THEIR OWN BUILDINGS.
THERE'S PUBLIC ART THROUGH DESIGN OF LANDSCAPE, AND THEN OF COURSE, OUR MURAL THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE SO THEY'LL TAKE ALL OF THAT, AND THEN THEY'LL START LOOKING AT WHAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
THEY'LL DO ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS.
THEY'LL TAKE ALL OF THAT DATA AND COME UP WITH A STRATEGY AND THEN IN ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT GETTING THOSE INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOW WE WILL DO PUBLIC ART MOVING FORWARD.
THE TIMELINE WOULD BE THIS EVENING WE WOULD HOPEFULLY AWARD THIS.
WE'LL TAKE THE NEXT 12 MONTHS TO DO THAT, AND THEN IN A YEAR, WE'LL START DOING CALLS FOR ART SO THAT WE CAN GET ART INSTALLED.
WHAT I DO WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IS THE PROJECT FUNDING.
ORIGINALLY, WHEN THIS WAS PROPOSED, WE SAID THAT WE WOULD BE UTILIZING HOT/MOT FUNDING TO DO THE PUBLIC ART MASTER PLAN ITSELF.
LEGAL DID A REVIEW OF THIS, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE UTILIZING FUNDING PROPERLY AND SO WE CAN USE HOT/MOT FUNDING FOR THE ACTUAL ART INSTALLATION.
HOWEVER, WE CANNOT USE IT FOR THE MASTER PLANNING OF THAT AND SO WE HAVE FUNDING AVAILABLE IN 4B CASH THAT WE WILL UTILIZE TO PAY FOR THIS THEN ONCE WE ACTUALLY START DOING ART, WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE THAT HOT/MOT FUNDING. ANY QUESTIONS?
[01:00:03]
>> I LIKE THE IDEA. ANYBODY GOT ANY QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS? I GOT A MOTION BY VICTORIA SECOND BY FIL.
PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[Items 7.C. & 7.D.]
I WILL AT THIS TIME, CALL FORWARD C AND D TOGETHER FOR ONE PRESENTATION, BUT WILL REQUIRE TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS.7C IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH DOBBS TENNIS COURTS LLC, ON A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR TWO PICKLEBALL COURTS INSTALLATION INSTALL IN THE AMOUNT OF $88,914.
THEN 7D IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A BUY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT 679-22 WITH PLAY WELL FOR THE INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FROM MEADOW CREST PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $293,853.89.
THE STAFF PRESENTER FOR BOTH ITEMS IS JEN BASHAM, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION.
>> THANK YOU, AMANDA. WE WILL GET STARTED THIS EVENING BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.
WE'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU A NEW WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT OUR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS SO THAT COUNCIL CAN SEE AND THE COMMUNITY CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND FROM THE PRACTITIONERS STANDPOINT, HOW WE REALLY WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND MAKING SURE THAT OUR PARKS ARE INCLUSIVE AND HOW WE'RE DESIGNING THOSE.
WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU THAT FIRST THIS EVENING, AND THEN WE'LL GET INTO THE DESIGN OF MEADOW CREST.
WE STARTED DOING A NEW AGENDA PROCESS WHERE STAFF GETS TO REVIEW THESE PRESENTATIONS, AND ONE OF THE FEEDBACK WAS, WE DON'T ALWAYS SHOW YOU GUYS WHERE THESE PARKS ARE THAT WAS SOME SIMPLE FEEDBACK FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INCORPORATE.
MEADOW CREST IS BETWEEN JOHN JONES AND ALSBERY.
ALL THE LITTLE GREEN SPOTS THAT YOU SEE ON THAT GOOGLE MAP ARE OTHER PARKS SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S LOCATED AMONGST A BUNCH OF LITTLE POCKET NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS.
BACKGROUND FOR THIS PARK SPECIFICALLY, WE USED THE SAME PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS THAT WE ALWAYS DO FOR OUR PARK REFURBISHMENTS.
THIS ONE'S BUDGETED AT $400,000.
WE STARTED THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LAST FALL, AND ORIGINALLY, WE PROPOSED THE DESIGN FOR THIS PARK IN FEBRUARY TO PARK BOARD.
THEY HAD SOME FEEDBACK REGARDING HOW MANY PICKLEBALL COURTS WE HAVE, AND THEY WANTED JUST MORE PLAY VALUE FOR THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF AND SO WE TOOK THAT FEEDBACK.
WE WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, AND WE REPRESENTED THIS IN JULY THIS MONTH FOR PARK BOARD TO SEE.
WE DID DO TWO ROUNDS OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
WE HAD NINE PLAYGROUND MANUFACTURERS SUBMIT CONCEPTS.
WE SELECTED THOSE TOP FOUR FOR THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE.
THEN, OF COURSE, FOR THIS ONE, BECAUSE WE WERE ADDING A NEW AMENITY TO A PARK, WE DID HOST A TOWN HALL MEETING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY THAT BACKS UP TO THE PARK KNEW THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE ADDING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE PARK ITSELF.
THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT IS.
BUT THE PLAYGROUND THAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE WAS THE ONE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED IN FEBRUARY, AND SO AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION THIS EVENING, YOU'LL SEE THAT THIS HAS CHANGED A BIT.
WE'LL START WITH THE PARK DESIGN MINDSET.
LIKE I SAID, IN FEBRUARY, WE TALKED TO THE BOARD, AND THEY WERE LIKE, WE REALLY JUST WANTED TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S INCLUSIVE.
WHAT DOES INCLUSIVE MEAN? THAT WORD GETS THROWN AROUND A LOT, BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN? WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING IT PROPERLY WHEN WE TALK TO THE COMMUNITY, WHEN WE TALK TO BOARD, AND WE TALK TO COUNCIL THAT YOU UNDERSTAND, THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY WE'RE INCLUSIVE.
THE BOARD ITSELF RECEIVED AN ENTIRE WORKSHOP ON WHAT INCLUSIVE DESIGN LOOKS LIKE AND SO THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES THAT ARE INCLUDED ARE TO BE FAIR, TO BE INCLUDED, TO BE SMART, INDEPENDENT, SAFE, ACTIVE, AND COMFORTABLE AND SO THAT'S THE MINDSET THAT WE REALLY ADOPT, AND WE DO THAT, AND THE WAY THAT WE BREAK IT DOWN SO THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO EVERYONE ELSE IS TO LOOK AT THESE FIVE DIFFERENT AREAS SO YOUR PHYSICAL, YOUR SENSORY, YOUR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND THEN, OF COURSE, COMMUNICATION.
YOU SEE DEFINITIONS UNDER EACH ONE OF THOSE BUT WHEN WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE WAY WE ASK QUESTIONS IN OUR SURVEYS IN THE FUTURE AND WITH THE WAY THAT WE PRESENT THAT, WE'LL SHOW YOU A CHART OF HOW THOSE DESIGNS MEET THOSE DIFFERENT NEEDS.
THIS IS JUST A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT IT MEANS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT DESIGN FROM ALL FIVE OF THOSE CATEGORIES.
THIS IS NOT AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST, THIS IS JUST A WAY OF SAYING, LIKE, IF I'M LOOKING AT A SENSORY PANEL, WHICH OF THESE FIVE AREAS, DOES IT MEET? IF I'M DOING RAMP PLAYGROUND ACCESS POINTS, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FROM EACH OF THESE DIFFERENT MINDSETS? IF I'M DOING A SLIDE, HOW DO I DO THIS TRANSITION POINTS? IF I'M LOOKING AT SEATING AREAS, HOW DOES THAT MAKE IT INCLUSIVE? BECAUSE IF I PUT THE SEATING AREA WHERE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, AND I CAN'T SEE MY KIDDOS PLAYING, THEN IT'S NOT AN INCLUSIVE DESIGN BECAUSE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET UP AND BE WALKING AROUND, AND IF I HAVE A PHYSICAL LIMITATION, I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT SO MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WE LOOK AT ALL OF THAT WHEN WE'RE DESIGNING PLAYGROUNDS.
THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF, THIS IS MEADOW CREST
[01:05:02]
THIS EVENING YOU'LL SEE OBVIOUSLY FROM A PHYSICAL STANDPOINT, A PLAYGROUND IS ALWAYS VERY ACTIVE, IT'S HITTING ALL OF THOSE.WE HAVE SYNTHETIC TURF SURFACING, SO IT'S A COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE SURFACE.
THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF, SO THE CUSTOM PLAY SYSTEM, IT MEETS ALL FIVE CATEGORIES.
IT'S PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL IT HITS DIFFERENT COGNITIVE ABILITIES, SENSORY, AND THEN IT HAS COMMUNICATION PANELS.
SAME THING, WE HAVE SPECIFIC SENSORY PANELS, MUSICAL FEATURES, AND WE DO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE SWING SET, AND THEN WE HAVE A CELEBRATION SPINNER.
WE'RE GETTING SOME NEW STUFF IN THIS ONE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE IN OUR SYSTEM.
THIS IS THE UPDATED DESIGN, AND I'LL SHOW YOU A FEW DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.
WHAT YOU SEE ON THIS ONE IS YOU STILL SEE A SUPER TALL STAIRCASE THAT LEADS UP TO A TALLER PLATFORM AND SLIDE THAT'S BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT A WHOLE CHILD, WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THE KIDDOS THAT HAVE COME TO THIS PLAYGROUND ARE GOING TO WANT THAT EXTREME EXPERIENCE.
THEY WANT TO GO REALLY HIGH, THEY WANT TO GO DOWN A BIG SLIDE.
THE OTHER THING THAT YOU'LL SEE FROM ALL OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE RECEIVE ON EVERYTHING WE DO IS WE WANT MORE SHADE, WE WANT MORE SHADE SO FROM THE ORIGINAL DESIGN TO THIS DESIGN, YOU SEE BIGGER SHADE SALES ON THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF, AS WELL AS OVER THE BENCHES AND THE PICNIC TABLES.
THE CELEBRATION SPINNER IS WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT HERE AND SO IF YOU ARE IN A WHEELCHAIR, YOU CAN GET IN THERE AND YOU CAN SPIN, OR IF YOU HAVE ZERO PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, YOU CAN ALSO GET IN THERE AND SPIN SO IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES TO BE ABLE TO GET IN IT TOGETHER.
THE SECOND THING THAT YOU'LL SEE THAT'S SUPER FUN IS, YOU SEE THIS RAMPED ACCESS UP TO THIS TRANSITION FOR OUR GLIDER AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN USE A WHEELCHAIR, YOU CAN BE USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRUTCHES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, OR YOU CAN JUST RUN AND SPRINT UP TO, AND YOU'LL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS, AND YOU CAN ENGAGE.
>> THEN THE MUSICAL FEATURES ARE JUST REALLY GREAT SENSORY THINGS.
THEY'VE REALLY UPGRADED THE DESIGN OF THESE OVER RECENT YEARS.
IN THE LAST 15 YEARS, THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE WERE THAT THEY WERE ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN PEOPLE WOULD ALWAYS STEAL THE LITTLE DRUMSTICKS AND BREAK THE XYLOPHONES, AND DO ALL OF THAT.
BUT THEY'VE CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THESE, SO THEY'RE MUCH MORE MAINTENANCE FRIENDLY, AND THEY'RE WAY MORE FUN FOR THE KIDS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE ONES LOOK LIKE FLOWER PETALS.
THEN THIS IS JUST A TOP-DOWN VIEW.
YOU CAN SEE THE CELEBRATION SPINNER OVER HERE, YOU CAN SEE THE GLIDER, YOU CAN SEE THAT YOU HAVE RAMPED ACCESS TO THE FIRST TWO PLATFORMS, AND EVEN IF YOU WANTED TO GET TO THIS, IF YOU WERE IN A WHEELCHAIR, YOU COULD BE TAKEN OFF, AND YOU COULD GO DOWN THE SLIDES IF YOU WANT.
THEN IF YOU HAVE MORE EXTREME SPORT STYLE KIDDOS, THEY CAN GO UP TO THOSE HIGHER, MORE EXTREME THINGS.
WE HAVE OUR SENSORY PANELS DOWN HERE FOR DIFFERENT FLOOR PLAY, AND THEN THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR ARE LITTLE NUGGETS SO PEOPLE THAT CAN HIDE OUT.
IF YOU GET REALLY OVERWHELMED OR YOU HAVE SENSORY PROCESSING ISSUES AND YOU JUST WANT TO RESPITE.
YOU WANT A LITTLE PLACE TO CALM DOWN.
WE HAVE LITTLE PLACES DESIGNED THROUGHOUT THE PLAYGROUND ITSELF SO THAT YOU CAN JUST TAKE A BREATHER AND RELAX.
THE LAST PART OF THIS IS PICKLEBALL AND LIGHTING.
ORIGINALLY, WE WERE LOOKING AT THREE COURTS.
WE REDUCED THAT NUMBER TO THREE, WHICH GAVE US $55,000 TO PUT BACK INTO THE PLAYGROUND DESIGN, WHICH YOU JUST SAW.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING THIS EVENING IS TWO PICKLEBALL COURTS WITH LIGHTING.
THE COURTS THEMSELVES WILL HAVE EIGHT FOOT FENCING AROUND IT WITH WINDSCREEN.
THEY'LL HAVE SOLAR PANEL LIGHTS THAT ARE ON A TIMER, SO THEY WILL FOLLOW ALL OF OUR PARK RULES AS FAR AS LIGHTING, WE WON'T LIGHT THEM.
IT'LL ALSO BE VERY DIRECTLY OVER THE COURTS THEMSELVES, SO YOU WON'T HAVE A LOT OF LIGHT POLLUTION INTO PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORING YARD.
THEN WE'LL STRATEGICALLY ACTUALLY PLACE SOME LANDSCAPE AROUND THOSE HOMES THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY IN CASE THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT A PICKLEBALL COURT BEHIND THEIR HOME BECAUSE WE DO HAVE WROUGHT IRON FENCING.
LIKE WE SAID, THE BUDGET FOR THIS PROJECT IS $400,000.
THE BREAKDOWNS ARE RIGHT THERE. WE'RE RIGHT UNDER THAT THRESHOLD AT 396,000.
THE LEAD TIME ON THIS IS ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT WINNER FOR THIS GETTING INSTALLED.
THEN WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ITEMS TO APPROVE THIS EVENING.
I BELIEVE THE TENNIS COURT OR THE PICKLEBALL COURTS ARE FIRST, AND THE PLAYGROUND IS SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> DOES PICKLEBALL COURTS HAVE A FENCE AROUND THEM LIKE A TENNIS COURT?
>> YES, SO THEY'LL HAVE EIGHT-FOOT FENCE ROD.
>> NO ONE YOU SMACKED ON THE HEAD WITH A PICKLE BALL. ANYBODY ELSE?
>> HOW FAR ARE THE COURTS FROM THE RESIDENCES?
>> I DON'T KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT IT'S SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK.
WE ARE AS FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS WE CAN BE AND STILL FIT THE FOOTPRINT.
WE ALSO HAVE AN ACCESS PATH FROM THE PLAYGROUND TO THE PICKLEBALL COURTS AND FROM THE TRAIL TO THE PICKLEBALL COURTS SO THAT YOU CAN ACCESS THEM. ANYBODY ELSE? I KNOW ONE OF THE ISSUES THEY HAVE HERE IS GRASS.
IT GETS MUDDY WHEN IT RAINS AND LEACHES OUT OF THE SOIL.
IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, IF THERE'S ANY EXCESSIVE FUNDS, COULD WE LOOK INTO PUTTING SOME GRASS DOWN?
>> OR SEED OR SOMETHING THAT WILL MOP UP THE MOISTURE?
>> ANYBODY ELSE? IS THERE A MOTION?
[01:10:05]
IF WE COULD BE CLEAR THAT WE'RE MAKING A MOTION ON 7C FOR DOBBS TENNIS COURTS.CORRECT. FOR TWO PICKLEBALL COURTS. THANK YOU.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY VICTORIA SECOND BY ALEXA.
>> THE NEXT ITEM BEFORE, COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IS 7D, THE BUY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR PLAY WELL INSTALLATION.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, 7D.
>> I GOT A MOTION BY ADAM. SECOND BY LARRY. PLEASE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THE NEXT PORTION OF THE AGENDA WILL BE SEVERAL ITEMS CALLED FORWARD TOGETHER AS
[Items 7.E. - 7.L. ]
ONE WITH SEPARATE MOTIONS AT THE END FOR EACH OF THESE ITEMS. ERIC IS TESTING ME. I KNOW IT.WE'LL START WITH 7E. PUT MY GLASSES ON.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS PROVISIONS AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT WITH TXDOT.
SEVEN F, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A BUY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH ALTERIOUS INCORPORATED FOR THE PROCUREMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PORTION OF THE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, ITS, PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,744,183.80 WITH A PROJECT CONTINGENCY OF 87,200.19 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 1,831,392.99, 7G CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A BUY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH PARADIGM TRAFFIC SYSTEMS INCORPORATED FOR THE PROCUREMENT AND TRANS AND CONSTRUCTION OF A PORTION OF THE ITS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 334,200 WITH PROJECT CONTINGENCY OF 16,710 FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF 350,910, 7H, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LJA ENGINEERING, INCORPORATED FOR WEBSITE DESIGN FOR THE ITS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 150,000.
SEVEN I. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A DIR, COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH SOLID BORDER INCORPORATED FOR THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RELATED EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE FOR A PORTION OF THE ITS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 488,670.64.
SEVEN J, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A DIR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT, DIR CPO 4547 WITH CDWG FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR A PORTION OF THE ITS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 118,831.50.
SEVEN K. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A DIR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT, DIR CPO 4167 WITH CDWG FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, HARDWARE, AND SOFTWARE FOR A PORTION OF THE ITS SYSTEM, PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 93,259,076.
THEN OUR FINAL ITEM HERE, 7L, CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A DIR COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT WITH GTS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR A PORTION OF THE ITS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF 198,261.64.
FOR ALL OF THESE ITEMS, STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS DEPUTY CITY MANAGER ERIC OSCARSON.
>> MADAM SECRETARY. I HAVE ONE MORE FOR YOU.
CAN WE READ THE CONSENT ITEM INTO THE RECORD AS WELL?
>> CORRECT. WE'VE REMOVED THE CONSENT ITEM.
CONSENT ITEM 5D, WHICH IS NO LONGER CONSENT UNDER GENERAL, IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A COOPERATIVE PURCHASING CUSTOMER AGREEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR
[01:15:02]
TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEMS WHERE TIRAS INCORPORATED THROUGH BY BOARD COOPERATIVE PURCHASING.CONTRACT NUMBER 69523 FOR TWO YEARS IN THE AMOUNT OF 400,000.
THAT HAD STAFF PRESENTER ERIC THOMPSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
>> GOOD EVENING, MARYLAND COUNCIL.
I WAS TRYING TO SET THE RECORD FOR THE MOST AGENDA ITEMS, ONE PRESENTATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF I DID A AMANDA, BUT I FEEL LIKE I HAD TO BE PRETTY CLOSE.
TONIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU COUNCIL IS MULTIPLE ITEMS, EIGHT THAT ARE TIED TO ITS, ONE OTHER ITEM THAT'S TIED WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS GROUP, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL THOSE THIS EVENING.
ITS, AS YOU REMEMBER, AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING ON JUNE 17, ABOUT A MONTH AGO, ERIC THOMPSON PRESENTED TO YOU BACKGROUND ON THE ITS, THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHAT THE PROJECT WAS, AND WHAT OUR CURRENT PROCUREMENT PLAN FOR THIS PROJECT WAS.
THE BURLESON ITS PROJECT TODAY INCLUDES THE DESIGN INSTALLATION OF OUR ATMS, VEHICLE DETECTION AND NEW CAMERAS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLE PREEMPTION, THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER BUILDOUT, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A RESIDENT-FACING WEBSITE.
THIS SYSTEM WOULD BE DESIGNED PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON ALL 44 TRAFFIC SIGNALS WITHIN THE CITY, INCLUDING OUR 16 EXISTING SIGNALS, 27 TXDOT SIGNALS THAT WE WOULD TAKE OVER MAINTENANCE FOR, AND THEN THE HIDDEN CREEK GARDEN SIGNAL, WHICH YOU AWARDED CONSTRUCTION FOR, AND THEY'RE IN PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS TODAY.
JUST A REMINDER, WE DID TALK LAST TIME THAT THE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ITS INCLUDED ADDITIONAL SIGNAL TECH AND A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER OPERATOR, ADDITIONAL INVENTORY, A BUCKET TRUCK, ONE-TIME, TRAFFIC CONTROL EQUIPMENT FOR LANE CLOSURES WITH THE SCORPION AND THEN ONGOING MAINTENANCE COSTS.
IT TOTALS $250,000 ON ONE-TIME AND $300,000 ANNUALLY RECURRING COSTS.
THE ACTION ITEMS READ TONIGHT AS AMANDA READ IN, INCLUDES A SIGNAL MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH TXDOT, WHICH MEANS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE SIGNALS, PROCUREMENT OF ITEMS FROM ITERRACE, WHICH IS THE ATMS, PARADIGM PROCUREMENT, WHICH IS OUR PREEMPTION SYSTEM, CONTRACT WITH LGA FOR THE WEBSITE, DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND THEN MULTIPLE IT CONTRACTS FOR THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR THIS PROJECT.
THE FIRST ITEM IS THE SIGNAL MAINTENANCE SCREEN WITH TXDOT.
WE'D BE TAKING OVER THE MAINTENANCE OF 27 INTERSECTIONS, THAT'S CABINETS POLES, OTHER EQUIPMENT, EIGHT SCHOOL ZONE FLASHERS, AND FIVE ADVANCED FLASHER LOCATIONS.
WE WOULD IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING IN COORDINATION WITH TXDOT AND COG ALONG THEIR CORRIDORS.
WE'D BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC CONTROL.
WE'D BE DOCUMENTING INSPECTIONS, MAINTENANCE, OR REPAIRS FOR EACH INTERSECTION, AND WE'D BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TROUBLESHOOTING, AND RESPONDING TO REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS.
THE TIAS CONTRACT IS INCLUSIVE OF THE ATMS, WHICH IS THE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE, WHICH IS THE BRAIN OF THE ITS SYSTEM.
I WOULD INCLUDE THE VEHICLE DETECTION SYSTEM, OUR SIGNAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES, TRAVEL TIME MODULE, BUILDING OUT OF THE TRAFFIC CENTER, AND THEN THE HARDWARE INSTALLATION AT ALL THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
THE TOTAL COST OF THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 1.74 MILLION.
WE DO HAVE A CONTINGENCY IN THERE BECAUSE THERE'S A CONSTRUCTION PIECE FOR A TOTAL OF 1.83.
THE PARADIGM CONTRACT IS FOR THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE PREEMPTION.
THIS WOULD BE GOING IN OUR FIRE VEHICLES, OUR FOUR MAJOR VEHICLES, AND THEN THE PREEMPTION UNITS ON THE ACTUAL SIGNALS THEMSELVES.
AGAIN, WITH INSULATION, WE HAVE SOME CONTINGENCY FOR 350,000.
THE WEBSITE WOULD BE A WEB-BASED APPLICATION THAT WOULD BE RESIDENT-FACING.
THE BENEFIT OF THIS WEBSITE WOULD BE IT WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THE CITY.
YOU'D BE ABLE TO VIEW CAMERAS IN REAL-TIME THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
IF WE HAVE VEHICLE, WE HAVE ACCIDENTS, OR IF WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION, RESIDENTS CAN SIGN UP AND BE NOTIFIED THAT THINGS ARE GOING ON WITHIN THE CITY.
THE DESIGN CONTRACTOR IS LJA ENGINEERING AT A COST OF $150,000.
FOR IT, WE HAVE MULTIPLE CONTRACTS FOR IT THAT INCLUDES OUR FIREWALL COMMUNICATION, THE PURCHASE OF THE CAMERAS, THE PURCHASE OF THE WORKSTATION COMPUTERS, AND THE VIDEO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
THOSE ALTOGETHER, WE HAVE $899,000 TIED UP IN THE BURLESON IT PROCUREMENT.
AS YOU REMEMBER, WE ORIGINALLY TRIED TO SUBMIT THIS AND GO OUT TO BID AS ONE LARGE PROJECT.
IT WAS OVER $4 MILLION THROUGH PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES.
[01:20:02]
WE WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THAT COST DOWN TO THE $3.2 MILLION NUMBER.CURRENT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IS 3.3 MILLION, SO WE'RE JUST IN ON THEIR BUDGET.
IMPLEMENTATION, WE ANTICIPATED IT TO TAKE ABOUT NINE TO 12 MONTHS, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
WE EXPECT FIELD INSTALLATION TO TAKE A MONTH OR TWO, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY SOFTWARE BUILDING OUT OF THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER AND TAKING OVER THE SIGNALS.
OVERALL, WE ANTICIPATE 9-12 MONTH IMPLEMENTATION.
NEXT STEPS, IF APPROVED THIS EVENING, WE'D KICK OFF WITH OUR CONTRACTORS, BEGIN THE FIELD IMPLEMENTATION AND SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION, WORKING WITH OUR CONTRACTORS AND OUR RT GROUP.
THEN AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT 9-12 MONTHS FOR US TO BE FULLY UP AND RUNNING.
WITH THAT, BEFORE I GET TO ACTION, I WILL TAKE ALL YOUR QUESTIONS.
>> ERIC, BEFORE YOU DO THAT, WILL YOU BRIEFLY SPEAK ON THE CONSENT ITEM AS WELL.
>> SURE BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING WAS AN ITEM FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF HARDWARE FROM ITERRACE.
ITERRACE CURRENTLY IS OUR PROVIDER FOR OUR TRAFFIC SIGNALS TODAY.
THE 16 TRAFFIC SIGNALS THAT WE HAVE IN SERVICE TODAY WITHIN THE CITY, A LOT OF OUR MODULES WITHIN THE HARDWARE INSIDE THE TRAFFIC CONTROL BOXES IS THROUGH ITERRACE.
THAT HAPPENED TO COME ON THE HEELS OF THIS ITEM IN AN EFFORT TO BULK UP THAT PURCHASE FOR FUTURE ITEMS IN CASE WE NEED THEM.
IF FOR SOME REASON, THIS WASN'T APPROVED TONIGHT, I WOULD STILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF ERIC TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT CONTRACT.
AGAIN, THAT'S JUST AN AUTHORIZATION AMOUNT.
DOESN'T MEAN WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THAT.
BUT IF EQUIPMENT GOES DOWN IN OUR BOXES, GOD FORBID A BOX GET HIT BECAUSE THEY DO ALL THE TIME, THAT ALLOWS US TO PROCURE THE EQUIPMENT, TO GO BACK INTO THOSE TRAFFIC CONTROL BOXES.
TWO SEPARATE ITEMS. THEY JUST HAPPENED TO COME TOGETHER.
>> IS THE 400 ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE 27 ADDITIONAL, LIKE TO HAVE SPARE PARTS?
>> THAT'S WHY THAT NUMBER IS THAT.
>> THAT'S WHY IT'S THAT HIGH? OKAY.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? IS THERE ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT WITH THAT TERRACE TO WAREHOUSE ANY MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT?
>> PARDON ME, SAY THAT AGAIN. I COULDN'T HEAR YOU.
>> IS THERE ANY AGREEMENT WITH THAT TERRACE TO WAREHOUSE OR STORE ANY EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE SPECIFIC TO WHAT BURLESON NEEDS?
THE INTENT WOULD BE WE PURCHASE IT AND KEEP IT ON HAND.
MOST OF THE COMPONENTS WE'RE USING, WE'RE NOT USING COMPONENTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE NORM, SO THEY'RE READILY AVAILABLE.
THAT'S WHY IT'S ONLY A 1-2 MONTH TURNAROUND.
BUT THE INTENT IS TO STOCKPILE AND HAVE SOME ON HAND.
IF WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING GO DOWN, WE HAVE STUFF ON HAND TODAY.
IF OUR BOX WERE TO GET HIT, WE'RE ABLE TO REPLACE SOME OF THE PARTS.
THE PLAN WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF ON-HAND EQUIPMENT SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THOSE REPAIRS QUICKER AND SWAP OUT ITEMS AS THEY GO DOWN.
>> IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH LIKE FORT WORTH OR ANY SURROUNDING CITIES TO HELP US WITH THAT SO THAT MAYBE WE'RE NOT OUT OF POCKET SO FAR IN ADVANCE OF NEEDING SOME OF THESE ITEMS?
>> YEAH, WE DON'T HAVE ANY AGREEMENTS TODAY, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AND HAS BEEN MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY.
A LOT OF TIMES, ESPECIALLY WITH POLES AND STUFF LIKE THAT, IF WE CAN WORK WITH TXDOT OR FORT WORTH OR OTHER COMMUNITIES TO HAVE THOSE INTER-LOCALS.
LUCKY ENOUGH, WE HAVEN'T HAD THAT SITUATION, BUT IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS I'VE WORKED IN, WE'VE HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GRAB A MAST, OR A POLE, OR IF SOMETHING GOES DOWN.
>> THEY'LL INVOICE US BACK, WE'LL SWAP, WE'LL PURCHASE ONE AND GIVE IT BACK, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
THOSE THINGS ARE ALWAYS OPTIONAL AND THINGS THAT WE TRY TO WORK WITH OUR NEIGHBORS ON ALL THE TIME.
>. I'VE REALLY GIVEN THIS SOME THOUGHT SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.
I THINK A NUMBER OF THINGS WERE POINTED OUT TO US THAT WERE EYE-OPENING.
WE HAVE NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO STREETS AND ROADS IN THIS TOWN.
WE ALL HEAR ABOUT IT REGULARLY.
NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS, WE KNOW IT'S NOT ADEQUATELY FUNDED.
AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE GOES, WE KNOW THAT THE BOND PACKAGE, WE KNOW THE NEEDS ARE SO MUCH GREATER THAN THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE.
I AM REALLY CONCERNED THAT WE MIGHT BE GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
I RECOGNIZE THAT WE PUT IT OUT TO VOTERS, BUT I DON'T THINK WE FULLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE PROJECT WAS REALLY GOING TO ENTAIL.
LAST MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT ONE POSITION, POTENTIALLY TWO, IF ONE PERSON'S OUT ON VACATION, HOPEFULLY THE OTHER PERSON DOESN'T NEED VACATION OR AN EMERGENCY.
I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE THERE.
I THINK WE'RE REALLY GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES.
[01:25:03]
GIVEN THE FINANCIAL SITUATION AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DEDICATE TO ROADS CURRENTLY, ASKING FOR MORE TO MAINTAIN, I THINK IT'S STEPPING OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OVER THESE ROADS AND THESE LIGHTS FROM TXDOT, THAT'S A CHOICE WE'RE MAKING.WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THEM OVER UNTIL WE OFFICIALLY BY CENSUS HIT 50,000.
AND SO LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE OF WHAT WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH, WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE AS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, WHAT IS IN OUR NETWORK THAT WE'RE ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND THEN KNOWING WE'RE IN THE NEGATIVE ON THAT, TO VOLUNTARILY TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY AT THIS TIME, I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THAT ARGUMENT MAKES SENSE TO ME RIGHT NOW.
UNDERSTANDABLY, THERE ARE SOME PERKS TO THIS, THE PREEMPTION.
BUT, LAST MEETING, IT REALLY BECAME CLEAR, THIS ISN'T JUST FLIPPING A SWITCH, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO TURN ALL THE LIGHTS ON 174 GREEN, AND EVERYONE JUST GETS TO MOVE ON THROUGH TOWN.
WE HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
WE HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH THE COG, WE HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH TXDOT.
THEY MIGHT SAY, NO IN SOME OF THESE CASES, BECAUSE 174 GOES INTO OTHER COMMUNITIES, AND SO IT'S NOT JUST AS SIMPLE AS SAYING, THERE'S A JAM AT HIDDEN CREEK IN WILSHIRE, CAN WE MOVE IT THROUGH? IT'S JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE.
MAYBE I'M OVERSIMPLIFYING IT, BUT LAST MEETING REALLY WAS EYE-OPENING TO ME.
THIS IS QUITE AN INVESTMENT, AND GIVEN THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED IN THIS TOWN RIGHT NOW, AND SO MANY THAT NEED REBUILDS.
RENFRO, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT IT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE MEETING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, ALSBURY, HIDDEN CREEK, AND THOSE AREN'T EVEN ON OUR BOOKS ANY TIME SOON TO COMPLETELY REBUILD.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE FUNDS WILL COME FROM.
I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO TAKE ON THIS ENORMOUS OF A STEP.
>> GOING OFF WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, I WORRY ABOUT, BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION THAT WE NEED TO BE FULFILLED RIGHT NOW, THAT ADDING MORE POTENTIAL CHAOS, IF YOU WILL, FROM THE SYSTEM NOT WORKING RIGHT OR NOT KNOWING HOW TO WORK THE SYSTEM ADEQUATELY, IT'S VERY SCARY TO THINK THAT WE WOULD BE TAKING OVER SOMETHING WHEN WE HAVE THESE OTHER PROJECTS THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE FIRST, WHICH WOULD HELP MAKE THIS MOVE AT A BETTER PACE AND A SMOOTHER TRANSITION.
>> WELL, YOU GOT TO REMEMBER, THE LIGHTS WAS A BOND PACKAGE.
IT'D DEDICATED TO THAT PROJECT.
WE CAN'T TAKE THAT MONEY AND GO FIX ROADS WITH IT.
YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS, SO WE CAN GO DO THAT, THAT'S NOT ACCURATE.
I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH YOU. I REALLY CAN'T.
WE WERE SOLD SOMETHING THAT WASN'T TOTALLY ACCURATE AND THAT'S BOTHERING ME.
IF WE GO IN AND WE GO THROUGH THIS PROJECT, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY BENEFITS UNTIL WE START SEEING SOME OF THE SOFTWARE EXCEPT FOR THE DATA THAT WE'RE SENT IN THE TXDOT, AND THAT'S HUGE.
I CAN SEE THAT. BUT I CAN'T DISAGREE WITH VICTORIA ON THIS. JUST EVERYBODY ELSE.
>> I FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS.
THIS IS NOT AN ROI PROJECT, A RETURN ON INVESTMENT, THIS PROJECT, BUT WE TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CITY.
WE'VE ALREADY PUT IN AN APPLICATION TO TXDOT FOR MAINTENANCE.
THE PROCESS IS ALREADY THERE AS FAR AS REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.
A LOT OF THIS EQUIPMENT, I'VE BEEN IN THIS FIELD FOR A LONG TIME, IS PLUG IN PLAY.
IT'S GOT A LOT OF EXECUTIVE AND APPLICATION SOFTWARE THAT YOU CAN SWAP OUT WITH MINIMAL TESTING.
THERE WON'T BE ANY DOWNTIME AS FAR AS EXTENSIVE DOWNTIME IF THERE'S ANY FAILURES.
ABOUT THE BIGGEST DOWN TIME IS THE MAINTENANCE IF SOMETHING GETS KNOCKED DOWN, IT TAKES TIME TO GET A TRUCK OUT THERE, GET A CREW OUT THERE AND GET IT PUT UP, WHICH YOU CAN BE DONE IN A DAY OR TWO.
AS FAR AS THE CITY MAINTAINING THIS, I FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THEY'RE QUALIFIED TO DO IT AND DO IT CORRECTLY.
AS FAR AS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT, THE INVESTMENT, RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS GOING TO BE IN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CITY, TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIGHTS, JUST LIKE WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ROADS.
I FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING THROUGH WITH THIS.
[01:30:04]
>> WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE ON THAT RESPONSIBILITY ONCE WE MEET THE CENSUS.
BUT ARE WE JUMPING AHEAD OF OURSELVES WHEN WE KNOW WE HAVE OTHER NEEDS? YOU'RE RIGHT, MAYOR.
I DON'T KNOW THE LEGALITY OF NECESSARILY RE-ALLOCATING THESE DEDICATED FUNDS.
BUT IF WE DON'T USE THOSE FUNDS, WOULD IT THEN FREE UP THE SAME AMOUNT OF CAPACITY TO DO OTHER PROJECTS? I DON'T KNOW.
>> YOU'RE CORRECT, COUNCIL-MEMBER JOHNSON.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A CONTRACT WITH THE VOTERS, AND SO WE HAVE TWO PROPOSITIONS.
WE HAVE RUNS AND OTHER COSTS, I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE FLEXIBILITY FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS TO SPEND MORE MONEY IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT THROUGH GO.
SHOULD YOU NOT ELECT TO UTILIZE GO FUNDING, YOU COULD FREE UP ADDITIONAL CO CAPACITY.
YOU WOULD HAVE TO ISSUE A CO, BUT YOU COULD, TO THE MAYOR'S POINT, ABOUT CHANGING WHAT YOU'RE SENDING SOMETHING FOR A GO THROUGH, YOU COULD ISSUE COS IN LIEU.
>> I JUST WORRY ABOUT THIS NOT BEING, AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, WHAT WE WERE SOLD ON.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A FLIPPING OF THE SWITCH AND MAKING IT AS JAZZY AND ATTRACTIVE TO CITIZENS AS WE INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS.
I DIDN'T SUPPORT THE BOND PACKAGE BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE WE DID ENOUGH LEG WORK ON THE FRONT-END, AND YET LAST MONTH'S PRESENTATION WAS AN PRIME EXAMPLE.
THAT PRESENTATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE HEARD IN THE PROCESS OF PICKING THE PROJECTS THAT WENT THROUGH IN THE BOND PACKAGE.
IT'S JUST HOW THINGS ALL LANDED.
BUT I THINK GIVEN THE INFORMATION THAT WE KNOW NOW, I GENUINELY DO NOT BELIEVE TWO POSITIONS ARE GOING TO BE ENOUGH FOR THIS LOAD OF WORK.
I THINK IT'S ALMOST $3.5 MILLION THAT IF IF WE TOLD SOME CITIZENS THOSE POTHOLES THAT YOU'RE ANGRY ABOUT WOULD GET FILLED A LITTLE BIT FASTER, I THINK THAT THEY WOULD MUCH RATHER SEE THAT RETURN.
WE'RE JUST HEARING TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT WE'RE NOT REPAIRING ENOUGH.
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO MY STREETS? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO MY ROADS? WE HAVE TO GET CREATIVE ABOUT SAVING HERE, DEDICATING THERE, AND IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S SMART TO TAKE ON NEW STUFF WHEN WE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.
I UNDERSTAND, AND I HAVE SAID THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN ABOUT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT'S IN OUR CITY, THAT WAY, WE CAN CONTROL IT, BUT WE ONLY CONTROL A SMIDGEN OF IT WHEN WE HAVE TO ASK FOR TXDOT AND COGS COOPERATION, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THE OTHER CITIES THAT SIT ALONG THE EXACT SAME ROADWAY.
>> I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE CONCERNS IF WE WERE FLYING BLIND, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY SIGNALS, BUT WE ALREADY MANAGED 16 OF THEM, SO WE'RE ADDING MORE.
IN SEVEN YEARS, WHICH IS 2031, BE ABOUT WHEN THE CENSUS GETS RELEASED.
THAT'S WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THIS ON, SO WE'RE ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AHEAD OF TIME.
THE 3.2 MILLION WILL BE PROBABLY 6.8 MILLION, IT'LL PROBABLY BE DOUBLE THAT WITH THE INFLATION.
IF YOU LOOK AT THREE MILLION DOLLARS, THAT'S THREE MILES OF CONCRETE ROAD, IT'S A MILLION DOLLARS A MILE TO REPAIR A CONCRETE OR TO REBUILD A COMPLETE HIGHWAY ROAD.
YOU'RE REALLY NOT GETTING THAT MUCH.
THAT'S LIKE FROM I-35 TO JOHN JONES, PROBABLY IS ABOUT THREE MILES.
>> I THINK, YEAH. THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF ALSBURY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE COULD ADDRESS WHAT THE CITIZENS ARE DEALING.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING.
I THINK IT'S ABOUT A 20% IMPROVEMENT.
BUT ANYTHING, AND LIKE I SAID, WE'RE ALREADY USED TO DOING IT, SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT OTHER THAN JUST TAKING ON A LITTLE BIT MORE AND WE'RE ADDING TWO POSITIONS FOR IT.
BUT I'M FINE WITH MOVING FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO GET IN-BUDGET BY PROCURING THINGS INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH THE BID PROCESS.
>> I'LL ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ONE OF OUR SENIOR ENGINEERS, YOUNG, IS WITH THE CITY.
HE'S IMPLEMENTED THESE IN FORT WORTH AND IN RICHARDSON.
I'VE IMPLEMENTED THEM IN SUGAR LAND TEXAS.
I CAN SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS TO HELP OUT THIS CONVERSATION.
ONE, TWO PEOPLE IN THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER.
SUGAR LAND IS 120,000 PEOPLE, THEY MANAGE OVER 70 SIGNALS. THEY DO IT WITH TWO.
THEY OPERATE JUST FINE, YOU HAVE A TRAFFIC ENGINEER, YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN MANAGE IT.
I DON'T THINK THE PERSONNEL IS THAT BIG OF AN ISSUE.
JUST BEING ABLE TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE IN THERE ACTUALLY FUNCTIONS ACTUALLY PRETTY WELL.
YOU HAVE SOMEBODY DURING THE MORNING RUSH, SOMEBODY DURING THE EVENING RUSH, AND YOU HAVE OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN STEP IN AND GET TRAINED HOW TO USE THE SYSTEM.
I THINK TWO PEOPLE WORKS REALLY WELL.
I THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE TXDOT SIGNALS, EVERYBODY'S HUNG UP ON 174.
IF YOU REMEMBER FROM OUR SYSTEM SATISFACTION SURVEY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES ABOVE ROADS IS TRAFFIC ALONG OUR ROADWAYS, INCLUDING 174.
[01:35:03]
I THINK THAT'S A PRIORITY.YOU'RE HEARING IT FROM THE RESIDENTS.
YES, ROADS ARE IMPORTANT, SO IS TRAFFIC.
YOU GOT TO REALIZE HIDDEN CREEK PARKWAY, WE MAINTAIN.
ALL THESE OTHER ROADWAYS WHERE WE HAVE TRAFFIC SIGNALS, THOSE COME ONLINE. YOU'RE RIGHT.
WE DO HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH TXDOT AND COG.
THE NICE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH TXDOT AND COG IS, OR I SHOULD SAY, SOMETHING THAT'S BAD ABOUT WORKING WITH THEM IS THEY ONLY DO AN ASSESSMENT EVERY FIVE YEARS.
THEY TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TRAFFIC STUDIES EVERY FIVE YEARS.
WE WILL NOW HAVE CONTINUOUS DATA COLLECTION, AND WE CAN PROVIDE THEM RECOMMENDATIONS, AND YES, IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THEIR PROCESS, BUT WE HAVE TRAFFIC ENGINEERS THAT ARE WORKING FOR US NOW THAT CAN SIT THERE AND SAY, THESE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
I THINK YOU COULD HEAR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT THEY WOULD REALLY LIKE PREEMPTION FOR THEM TO GET AROUND TOWN, TO BE ABLE TO COME AROUND THE CORNER AND HAVE A WIDE OPEN ROADWAY TO GET THEM TO AND FROM THE HOSPITAL OR TO CALLS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THEM.
YES, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A LAG TO GET THERE, BUT I THINK LONG-TERM, THE INVESTMENT ACTUALLY PAYS FOR ITSELF OVER TIME.
I THINK WE HAVE BETTER RESPONSE TIME TO OUR RESIDENTS.
I THINK TRAFFIC WILL IMPROVE ON ALONG OUR CORRIDORS.
I THINK THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS DURING MAJOR EVENTS.
DURING THOSE TYPE OF EVENTS, YOU STAFF THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER, AND THEY CONTROL THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS DURING EVENTS.
NORMALLY YOU SEE POLICE OFFICERS OUT THERE TRIGGERING THE SIGNALS AFTER FOOTBALL GAMES, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE NOW FROM THE SAFETY OF AN OFFICE, AND SOMEBODY CAN LITERALLY BE TRIGGERING THAT.
DURING SPECIAL EVENTS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SIGNAL OVER BY CHISENHALL OVER AT GARDENS AT HIDDEN CREEK.
YOU DID MENTION ISSUES IF WE HAVE BACKUPS OR ACCIDENTS.
THE NICE THING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER IS IF THERE'S AN ACCIDENT ON 35, WE CAN TURN ALL THE LIGHTS GREEN ALONG THE FRONTAGE ROAD, AS ALL THE TRAFFIC'S BEING DIVERTED OFF OF 35 ONTO OUR ROADWAYS, WE CAN CONTROL THE TRAFFIC TEMPORARILY AND THEN ROLL IT BACK.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF BENEFITS.
I'M NOT SAYING YOU ARE ALL SOLD ON IT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST CHANGE 174 TODAY.
I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF BENEFITS.
I THINK THERE'S A REASON THAT MUNICIPALITIES DO THIS TYPE OF THING.
I THINK THERE'S A REASON FORT WORTH, RICHARDSON, THE BIG COMMUNITIES HAVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTERS IS BECAUSE IN THE LONG-RUN, YOU HAVE A BENEFIT.
I'M NOT HERE TO SAY, IS IT MORE IMPORTANT THAN A ROADWAY.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR THAT IN THE LONG-RUN, I THINK ITS SERVES A MASSIVE PURPOSE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE CITIZENS.
I THINK THERE IS A BENEFIT FOR DOING SO.
HOW YOU RANK THAT COMPARED TO ROADS, THAT'S UP TO ALL OF YOU.
BUT I WANTED TO PUT MY TWO-CENTS ON SOMEBODY WHO'S IMPLEMENTED IT, AND WE'VE HAD STAFF HERE THAT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT IT IN TWO OTHER COMMUNITIES, AND IT'S WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE DO REALLY APPRECIATE IT BECAUSE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND FASTER, AND IT IS IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE UNTIL 2031, BY THE TIME WE PROCURE IT 2034. IT'S JUST WHERE DO WE RANK IT, AND THAT'S UP TO ALL OF YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE TWO SENTENCES.
I'M TRYING TO LEAN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON THIS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S POPPED INTO MY HEAD IS THE FACT THAT COMING BACK FROM CLEVELAND THE OTHER NIGHT AND THE AMOUNT OF HIGH DENSITY THAT'S GOING IN ON 174, AND I'M MINDFUL OF OUR ROADS NEEDING BEING REPAIRED.
BUT 174 IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL ON SOME THINGS.
THEY'VE GOT A BRAND NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX GOING IN AND JOSH ON THE OTHER SIDE, CLEAR FINISHING UP ONE, AND ALL OF THEM ARE FEEDING ONTO ON OUR ROAD, AND YOU KNOW THOSE APARTMENTS ARE GOING TO FORT WORTH TO WORK.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO LOCK IN ON THE LIGHTING SYSTEM.
THAT'S WHERE I THINK I'M GOING TO GO WITH IT. I THINK WE NEED IT.
I THINK THE COST IS JUST GOING TO KEEP GOING UP.
I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE LAST PRESENTATION, BUT STILL, IN THE LONG-RUN, IT CAN GET US THERE.
IT CAN HELP US, AND I THINK WE NEED TO DO IT.
>> ANOTHER ADVANTAGE I SEE TO TAKING OVER THE SYSTEM IS PERIODIC MAINTENANCE.
RIGHT NOW, TXDOT DOES PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ANNUALLY.
ONCE A YEAR, THEY COME BY AND TEST THE SIGNALS, AND THAT'S KIND OF LUDICROUS WHEN THE GROUND IS THE BIGGEST FAILURE ON A SIGNAL SYSTEM, AND YOU NEED TO CHECK THAT AT LEAST QUARTERLY.
WE'D BE ABLE TO SET UP OUR OWN PERIODIC SCHEDULES, TEST OUR OWN EMPLOYEES, AND DOCUMENT THE MAINTENANCE AND HAVE A SAFER SYSTEM, I THINK.
>> I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ECHO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ERIC SAID, BUT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE CONCERNS I HEAR AT THE DIAS AS WELL.
I HAVE NO CONCERNS IN TERMS OF STAFF'S ABILITY TO TAKE OVER THE SYSTEM.
I THINK THAT WE COULD DO A VERY GOOD JOB TO ERIC'S POINT.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE IT BEFORE, SO I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN TAKING OVER THE PROJECT.
I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PRIOR PRESENTATION IN TERMS OF I WANT THE COUNCIL TO BE VERY WELL AWARE OF WHAT THE SYSTEM DOES AND WHAT IT DOESN'T DO,
[01:40:03]
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU GUYS TO MAKE A DECISION THINKING SOMETHING AND NOT KNOWING.I DON'T DISAGREE THAT MAYBE SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAD BEFORE, BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS ARE MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS.
I DO THINK WITH REGARDS TO COUNCIL MEMBER RUSSELL, IF YOU DO POSTPONE THIS, WE WILL HAVE TO DO IT AT SOME POINT.
IT WILL LIKELY BE MORE COSTLY.
WITH THAT SAID, THERE ARE CERTAINLY LOTS OF NEEDS IN THE CITY, AND I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH A BUDGET PROCESS.
WE'VE REALLY TRIED TO TIGHTEN THE BUDGET.
WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK LONG TERM AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE FROM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE, WHERE WE CAN LEVERAGE MORE DOLLARS.
I'M GOING TO VERY SHORTLY GET UP AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE CITY AND WHAT I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING TO YOU GUYS.
THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY MORE NEEDS THAN THERE ARE DOLLARS.
IT IS ULTIMATELY A POLICY DECISION.
I DO THINK THAT THERE IS MERIT TO THE PROJECT IN TERMS OF, I DON'T THINK IT IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM.
IT JUST WON'T CAPACITY IS WHAT DOES THAT.
I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THERE ARE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT ARE GREATER THAN THIS, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE COUNCIL.
WE CAN UTILIZE CAPACITY, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO, BUT I WANT TO STRESS THAT I CAN'T USE THAT FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION.
I KNOW POTHOLES WAS PROBABLY JUST SOMETHING THAT WAS SAID, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION.
THERE'S $300,000 ANNUALLY THAT I'VE FORECASTED IN THE BUDGET FOR A POSITION AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH ITS.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF M&O.
I THINK IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF, WHERE'S YOUR MOST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK? WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE? WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
>> I'M NOT SAYING NO IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE DONE; I'M JUST SAYING NOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS WITH OUR ROADWAYS.
IT WAS MENTIONED ABOUT HIDDEN CREEK AND ASBURY.
THOSE ARE TWO OF THE ONES THAT NEED THE MOST MAINTENANCE THAT WE'RE ALREADY IN CONTROL OF.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE CITIZENS ARE SEEING IS WE'VE GOT THESE ROADS THAT ARE IN TERRIBLE SHAPE, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO IN AND TAKE ON A WHOLE NEW PROJECT BEFORE THIS ONE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED.
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A WIN ON 174 IN ADDING CAPACITY BETWEEN ELK DRIVE AND WICKER HILL, ADDING THE LANES, AND THAT HAS BEEN BUMPED UP IN A TIMELINE.
NOW THAT CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THROUGH COOG, THAT'S GOING TO HELP MOVE TRAFFIC, BUT THAT ALSO GIVES ME PAUSE WHEN I THINK ABOUT US IMPLEMENTING THIS, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON, AND THEN IT'S GOING TO APPEAR LIKE TIMING OF THIS JUST ISN'T GOING TO FLESH VERY WELL.
IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO MAKE SENSE BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE A BIG CONSTRUCTION PROJECT GOING ON.
THAT'S JUST TIMELINES OF THINGS.
NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S INTENDED OR ANYTHING, BUT I REALLY WORRY ABOUT DOING THIS RIGHT NOW.
I SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE ARGUMENTS THAT EVERYONE HAS MADE TODAY.
IT'S ALL THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING IN THE DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING.
I GENUINELY APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE BROUGHT UP BECAUSE I'M TORN.
>> HOW DOES THE LIGHTS INTERFACE WITH THE NEW LINES?
>> HOW DOES THE NEW LIGHTINGS INTERFACE WITH THE NEW LINES THAT'S COMING IN WITH TXDOT?
>> WITH REGARDS TO TIMING OF THE PROJECT, OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD GO THROUGH AND UPDATE ALL OF THE ITRS COMPONENTS.
WE GET THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER BUILT WHEN THOSE NEW LIGHTS COME ON.
WHEN WE EXPAND THE LANES, ALL NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL ARMS HAVE TO GO IN.
AS PART OF THAT PROJECT, WE WOULD IMPLEMENT ALL OF OUR NEW SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE INTO THOSE NEW TRAFFIC CABINETS WHEN THE NEW LANES COME ON.
AS THEY BUILD OUT THE NEW SYSTEM, OUR NEW EQUIPMENT GOES IN.
THERE'S NO DELAY. AS THEY COME ON, THE SAME THING HAPPENS.
IT WOULD JUST BE LIKE IF WE DECIDED TO WE NEEDED ANOTHER TRAFFIC SIGNAL ON ANOTHER ROADWAY, WHEN WE BUILT THAT SIGNAL, WE'D PUT ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN AND IT WOULD COMMUNICATE BACK TO THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER.
YOU'D SEE IMPACT ON 174 WITH ADDITIONAL CAPACITY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION,
[01:45:02]
BUT THE REST OF THE CITY WOULD KEEP MOVING WITH THE SIGNALS AND THE UPGRADES.>> ERIC, LET'S JUST SAY BEST CASE OF WHEN THEY WOULD START EVEN CONSTRUCTION ON WIDENING, BEST CASE.
JUNE OF 2025 IS WHEN IT'S LET BY THE TIME IT GETS THROUGH TXDOT, MEANING AUSTIN, IT'S USUALLY TWO TO THREE MONTHS FOR IT TO GET APPROVED.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT CONSTRUCTION LATE 2025, EARLY 2026.
>> IF WE APPROVE THIS NOW, YOU'VE GOT 9-12 MONTHS TO IMPLEMENT IT.
IT WOULD END AND THEN WE WOULD BE DONE BEFORE CONSTRUCTION STARTED ON THEORETICALLY.
>> I'M ASSUMING WE WOULD START WITH THOSE SIGNALS OR I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONES WE'D START WITH TO GET THEM.
>> WE WOULD LOOK AT WHAT WAS THE BEST OPTION TO IMPLEMENT AND TAKE OVER, BUT TIMINGWISE, WE WOULD LOOK AT WHICH ONES IT MADE SENSE TO START WITH.
>> THIS WOULD BE DONE BEFORE [OVERLAPPING].
>> I'M SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT ALL OF IT.
RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT, WRONG, RIGHT.
ONE THING IS TO GET THE TRAFFIC MOVING.
THAT'S ONE OF WHAT YOU SAID, ONE ON THE SURVEY.
NOT ONLY THE STREETS ARE REALLY BAD.
I HEAR THAT EVERY DAY, WALKING, EVERY DAY SHOPPING.
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THIS? I DON'T SEE ANYTHING COMING ON ASBURY.
PEOPLE ARE NOT SEEING STUFF DONE.
THEN YOU'RE GOING TO PUT ANOTHER PROJECT ON TOP OF THAT.
I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS TOWN WAY BACK, WHOEVER WAS ON THE COUNCIL, NOT BAD MOUTHING ANYBODY, BUT THEY DIDN'T THINK IN THE FUTURE.
I DON'T WANT TO PUT THE BRAKES ON THE KIND OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP MOVE TRAFFIC AND BE IN THE FUTURE.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU PUT A VOTE BEFORE ME, I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO GO YES OR NO.
IF I COULD SEE A TRUCK ON RENFRO OUT HERE TOMORROW, I'D VOTE YES, PROBABLY.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I TALKED TO CITY MANAGER ABOUT IT.
I DON'T WANT THIS TO TAKE AWAY ANY MONEY FROM THAT.
IF THIS TAKES AWAY MONEY FROM FICTION ROADS, I'M GOING TO VOTE NO.
YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN ON THAT SINCE I'VE GOT ON COUNCIL.
THAT'S ONE THING THAT CITIZENS WANT, AND THAT'S ONE THING WE NEED, AND WE NEED IT NOW.
NOT NEXT YEAR, NOT THE YEAR AFTER NEXT, NOW.
>> TO THAT END, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CIP PRESENTATION LATER IN THE EVENING.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT THE DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL AT OUR LAST MEETING WAS WE HAD SOME SMALL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL CAPACITY ON THE DEBT SERVICE SIDE.
ABOUT $5 MILLION WAS SHIFTED TO ADDITIONAL STREET MAINTENANCE REPAIR.
WE TALKED ABOUT $1 MILLION ANNUALLY.
WE LOOKED AT POTENTIALLY FRONT LOADING THAT.
WE HAD KIND OF AT A HIGH LEVEL, SAID THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE MONEY FOR RENFRO, ASBURY, AND/OR HIDDEN CREEK, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEAR PERHAPS THE MOST FROM RESIDENTS AND FROM YOU ALL.
WE LOOKED AT THAT. I DON'T THINK THAT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO IT IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HARLAN OR I ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS RIGHT NOW, AND WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND GET AN OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION AS I PRESENT THE INITIAL BUDGET TO THEM.
BUT IT MAY BE BEST TO IN YEAR 2, HAVE $2 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE, AND THEN IN YEAR 5 HAVE $3 MILLION.
COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON, TO YOUR POINT, IT WOULDN'T BE IMMEDIATE.
I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON.
A LOT OF THEM TO THE POINT ABOUT WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO GET GOING? THEY'RE EITHER WITH TXDOT RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE UNDER DESIGN.
I PROMISE CONSTRUCTION IS COMING.
WITH THAT SAID, A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS ARE BASED ON CAPACITY.
THERE'S SOME SMALL AMOUNT OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREET REBUILD.
THERE ARE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT NEED TO BE SPENT.
TO YOUR POINT ABOUT, DOES IT TAKE AWAY FROM STREET MAINTENANCE? IT CAN.
IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WANT TO REPROGRAM THE DOLLARS.
BUT DO YOU GET MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK BY GOING WITH THE SYSTEM? I THINK THAT'S THE POLICY QUESTION AT HAND; BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL VIABLE PROJECTS.
THEY'RE ALL PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE FUNDED.
WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS THAT AND I DON'T WANT TO OVER PROMISE THIS BECAUSE I CAN'T.
BUT AS WE LOOK FORWARD IN GROWTH, IF WE CONTINUE TO GROW, AND WE MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ROLL CAPACITY FROM THE TAX RATE TO THE INS SIDE AND ADD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.
THAT'S NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY BE THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRIOR YEAR INCREMENTS.
[01:50:01]
IF WE CONTINUE TO GROW AT THE RATE THAT WE HAVE, I THINK WE HAVE SOME CAPACITY THERE, AND THEN YOU MAYBE YOU'LL ADD SOME OF THESE OTHER STREETS IN SOME ADDITIONAL REHABILITATIONS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NEEDS IN THE CITY.>> WELL, I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE 500,000 PEOPLE MOVED INTO THIS AREA.
I'M COMING HOME FROM CHURCH EVERYDAY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT ONE O'CLOCK FROM FORT WORTH, AND IT'S LITERALLY JUST NOTHING BUT TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT ONE O'CLOCK GETTING STOPPED ON I35.
AND THAT'S RIGHT OUT HERE, HUGULEY HOSPITAL.
WE'RE DEAD STOPPED AND THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON.
I UNDERSTAND WE NEED TO MOVE TRAFFIC THROUGH.
I UNDERSTAND THAT. WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS MAKING TRAFFIC MOVE A LITTLE BIT FASTER, A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE I'M LEANING. PUT A VOTE TO IT OR NO.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT. WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE GROWING FOR A WHILE.
BUT MY QUESTION, ERIC, IS IF WE LOOKED AT THIS, AND I KNOW YOU HAD A GREAT PRESENTATION ON HERE, YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE THIS SYSTEM IN PLACE BEFORE THE WIDENING OF 174 STARTS, RIGHT?
>> YEAH. WE'RE ANTICIPATING 9-12 MONTH IMPLEMENTATION.
TWELVE MONTHS IS JULY OF NEXT YEAR.
RIGHT NOW, THE LETTING FOR 174 WIDENING IS JUNE OF 2025.
THANK YOU, VICTORIA. WE HAVE ALL THE FUNDING TO BUILD THAT PROJECT.
WE HAVE UTILITY RELOCATION, AS MAYOR PRO TEM WOULD TELL YOU, OBVIOUSLY MOVING OTHER PEOPLE'S UTILITIES IS ONE OF THE LONGEST LEAD TIMES, SO WE'RE WORKING ON THOSE THINGS CURRENTLY.
BUT WE ARE SCHEDULED FOR WHAT'S CALLED JUNE LETTING, WHICH MEANS WE GET BIDS BACK IN JUNE, AND THEN IT HAS TO WORK THROUGH.
SINCE IT'S TXDOT FUNDED PROJECT; IT HAS TO GO THROUGH AUSTIN, AND THAT USUALLY TAKES TWO TO THREE MONTHS TO GET THAT GOING, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY IT'S THE RAMP UP OF THE CONTRACTOR.
SO IT TAKES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, BUT THAT'S THE CURRENT LETTING TIME FRAME FOR THE 174 PROJECT.
THIS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED BY THAT.
>> WE COULD HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE BEFORE THAT START?
>> TOMMY, THE FUNDING FOR THIS, WAS IN THE GO PACKAGE SO IT'S THERE ALREADY?
>> THE CITIZENS HAVE VOTED AND SAID, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT WE'VE GOT NEEDS FOR THE ROWS, WHICH IS WHY WITH THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY, WE'VE DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO ADD ANOTHER $5 MILLION TO ADD ON THE CAPACITY FOR THE STREETS.
>> CORRECT. THERE ARE GOS AND COS FOR THIS PROJECT.
>> IT'S A COMBINATION. I UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS ON BOTH SIDES.
WE'RE KIND OF TRYING TO ADDRESS BOTH AT THE SAME TIME A LITTLE BIT.
I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT BECAUSE ALL THE WORK AND BEING ABLE TO GET IT UNDER BUDGET AND GET IT GOING.
>> NOW ERIC, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT AS FAR AS THE TRANSITION FROM THE CITY FROM TXDOT TO THE CITY, IMPLEMENTATION IN THE FIELD, WE'VE GOT SOME CELLULAR UNITS, HARDWARE TO PUT IN, SOFTWARE.
THE BIGGEST PORTION IS THE ITS CENTER.
THERE IS NO HEAVY MAINTENANCE IN THE FIELD, SO DURING THE TRANSITION THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MOST CITIZENS WON'T EVEN KNOW IT'S HAPPENING.
CORRECT. DURING THE TRANSITION PROCESS, AS WE TAKE OVER THE SIGNALS, AND WE DO IMPLEMENTATION, WE'LL BE WORKING ON SIGNALS, THE SIGNALS WILL BE UP AND OPERATIONAL.
WE'LL BE BUILDING OUT THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER.
THEY'LL SEE SOME BUCKET TRUCKS UP IN THE AIR.
WE'RE REPLACING EQUIPMENT ON A LOT OF THESE POLES, SO WE'RE PUTTING IN OUR EQUIPMENT ON THE POLES THAT DID BELONG TXDOT.
THEY'LL SEE THAT TYPE OF WORK, BUT FROM DAY TO DAY TRAVELING, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE IMPACTED.
THE IMPACT OF THE RESIDENTS FOR THAT IS MINIMAL.
>> THE FIRST ITEM 7E, RIGHT, MADAM SECRETARY? THE FIRST IS ITEM 7E?
ARE WE DONE WITH THE PRESENTATION AND READY TO MOVE ON TO VOTES?
>> I'M GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVE 7E.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY ADAM, A SECOND BY LARRY. PLEASE VOTE.
[01:55:07]
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY ADAM AND SECOND BY LARRY, PLEASE VOTE.
PASSES 5-1. YOU MAY KEEP GOING.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY ADAM, SECOND BY LARRY.
>> MOTION BY ADAM. SECOND BY LARRY.
PLEASE VOTE. UNANIMOUS. THANK YOU [LAUGHTER].
I HAVE A WEBSITE, BUT NO TRAFFIC STILL.
>> YOU WANT TO DO ONE? YOU WANT TO KEEP GOING?
>> [OVERLAPPING] A MOTION BY ADAM, SECOND BY ALEXA, PLEASE VOTE. PASSES 5-1.
>> YOU GOT A MOTION BY ADAM, SECOND BY ALEXA.
>> MOTION BY ADAM AND SECOND BY ALEXA, PLEASE VOTE. PASSES 5-1.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY ADAM, AND A SECOND BY LARRY, PLEASE VOTE.
[5.D. Consider approval of a Cooperative Purchase Customer Agreement for replacement parts for traffic signal systems from Iteris, Inc., through BuyBoard Cooperative Purchasing (Contract #695-23), for two years in the amount of $400,000. (Staff Contact: Errick Thompson, Director of Public Works)]
>> LASTLY, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE 5D FOR THE EXTRA PARTS. OVERSIMPLIFIED.
>> MOTION BY ADAM. SECOND BY LARRY.
PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUS.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[7.N. Consider approval of a resolution determining the costs of certain public park improvements to be financed by the Parks at Panchasarp Farms Public Improvement District JC-1; accepting a preliminary Service and Assessment Plan, including proposed assessment rolls; directing the filing of the proposed assessment rolls with the City Secretary to make available for public inspection; calling a public hearing on August 5, 2024, to consider an ordinance levying assessments on property within the district; directing city staff to publish and mail notice of said public hearing; and resolving other matters incident and related thereto. (Staff Contact: Tony D. McIlwain, Development Services Director)]
THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM 7N.WE'VE ALREADY DISPENSED OF 7M WITH THE HOT MONTS AT THE BEGINNING.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION, DETERMINING THE COSTS OF CERTAIN PUBLIC PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE PARKS AT PANCHASARP FARMS, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, JC1, ACCEPTING A PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, INCLUDING PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLES, DIRECTING THE FILING OF THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT ROLES WITH THE CITY SECRETARY TO MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST 5TH, 2024 TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE LEVYING ASSESSMENTS ON PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT, DIRECTING THE CITY STAFF TO PUBLISH A MAIL NOTICE OF SAID PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS INCIDENT AND RELATED THERE TOO.
THE STAFF PRESENTED THIS EVENING IS TONY MCILWAIN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. MR. MCILWAIN.
>> THANK YOU, MS. CAMPOS AND YOU'RE EARNING YOUR PAY WITH THESE LONG AGENDA CAPTIONS TONIGHT.
I'M NOT SAYING IT'S ANY LESS COMPLEX, BUT I'M SURE IT IS COMPARED TO WHAT YOU LAST DEALT WITH.
COUNCIL, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT HERE IN THE CITY, PANCHASARP FARMS, WHICH IS A SUBDIVISION.
THAT SUBDIVISION IS ALLOWED TO TAKE FORM AS A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OR PID THROUGH CHAPTER 372 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE.
THAT'S THE ENABLING LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS CITIES TO CONSIDER THESE REQUESTS WHEN THEY'RE PLACED BY PROPERTY OWNERS.
WE'VE GIVEN YOU PID PRESENTATIONS IN THE PAST, SO I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY,
[02:00:02]
BUT THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ALLOWS IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS LANDSCAPING, FOUNTAINS, LIGHTING SIGNS, AND THOSE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE BULLETED THERE ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU.JUST BY WAY OF JUST REFRESHING YOUR FAMILIARITY WITH PANCHASARP FARMS, IT IS A TOTAL DEVELOPMENT SITE OF 220.88 ACRES.
IT WILL CONSIST OF 659 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS, 250 MULTI-FAMILY UNITS, A COMMERCIAL SITE OF SCHOOL SITE, 25 ACRES OF PARKS, AND IT WAS CREATED BACK ON FEBRUARY 4TH, 2019 BY PREVIOUS COUNCIL.
THAT LAYOUT IS THE LAYOUT THAT WAS PROVIDED AS FAR AS THE PRELIMINARY PLAT THAT WE HAVE ON FILE.
A SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN WAS PREPARED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY, IDENTIFYING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, THE COST OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, THE INDEBTEDNESS TO BE INCURRED, AND ALSO THE MANNER OF ASSESSING THE PROPERTY IN THE PID.
NOW, DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE PASSED HOUSE BILL 1543 AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE PID ACT.
WHAT IT DOES IS IT REQUIRES ALL SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLANS AND ANNUAL SERVICE PLAN UPDATES BE APPROVED CITY ORDINANCE, EXCUSE ME IN ORDER TO BE FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF EACH COUNTY IN WHICH ALL OR PART OF THE PID IS LOCATED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.
IT'S CRITICAL BECAUSE IT PUTS US ON A STATUTORY TIMELINE IN WHICH TO CONDUCT THIS BUSINESS.
WE'RE ALSO REQUIRED TO INCLUDE A COPY OF THE NOTICE FORM FROM THE TEXAS PROPERTY CODE AS A DISCLOSURE OF THE OBLIGATION FOR ANY FUTURE PROPERTY OWNER TO PAY THE PID ASSESSMENT.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SINCE 2020? THIS IS A LIST AND BREAKDOWN OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND TAKEN PLACE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL WITH REGARD TO RESOLUTIONS FIRST AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES OF ANNUAL SERVICE ASSESSMENT PLANS.
YOU'VE HAD SOME ASSESSMENTS, OBVIOUSLY, STARTING WITH PHASE 1, PHASE 2, AND YOU'RE NOW ON THE EVE OF CONSIDERING PHASE 3 ASSESSMENTS.
I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO GO INTO SOME OF THE MORE DISCRETE INFORMATION IN THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN.
BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, WE DO HAVE MS. JENNIFER SLOAN FROM MINICAP.
MINICAP, OF COURSE, IS THE CITY'S PID ADMINISTRATOR.
SHE'S SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I WANT TO GO AND LOOK AT THE PHASES THAT WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROFILE.
WHAT THIS IS, COUNCIL IS JUST A PRETTY RUDIMARY SET OF INFORMATION THAT GOES INTO DETAIL AS FAR AS THE LOT SIZES AND THE UNIT MEASUREMENTS.
WHAT WE HAVE ARE A TOTAL OF 98 LOTS IN PHASE 1 AND 130 LOTS IN PHASE 2, AND WE GIVE YOU A BREAKDOWN OF THE WIDTH OF THE LOTS BECAUSE THAT WIDTH IS TIED INTO OUR EQUIVALENT UNIT CALCULUS, WHICH IS THE METHODOLOGY BY WHICH THE ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON.
WITH PHASE 3, WHAT MR. PANCHASARP IS LOOKING AND PROPOSING IS 152 LOTS, 18 OF WHICH WILL BE 70 FEET WIDE LOTS, SO WE CALL THEM IN HOUSE 70 FOOTERS.
YOU'VE GOT 34, 65 FOOT WIDE LOTS, AND THEN SO FORTH WITH THE 60 AND 55 FOOT WHITE LOTS.
GOING INTO THIS PRESENTATION, WHEN WE SAY NUMBER OF LOTS, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE NUMBER OF PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CITY FOR HOME CONSTRUCTION. AN EQUIVALENT UNIT.
THIS IS THE CALCULUS THAT I JUST MENTIONED.
I SHOULD SAY, MINICAP, LOOKS AT THE LOT TYPES, WORKS THIS PROCESS THROUGH WITH A DEVELOPER, AND ESSENTIALLY, WE ASSIGN EQUIVALENT UNIT FACTOR OF ONE.
THAT ONE IS FOR THE LARGEST LOT.
A 70-FOOT WIDE LOT IS ONE, AND THEN WE TAKE OFF AND REDUCE THAT NUMBER BASED ON THE LOT SIZE.
IF THE LOT SIZE GETS SMALLER, THE ONE WILL GET TO A SMALLER AMOUNT, AND THAT IS HOW WE GO AND WORK TOWARD THE ASSESSMENT THAT EACH HOME OWNER WILL PAY BASED ON A LOT SIZE.
IT'S NOT BASED ON THE HOME SIZE, IT'S BASED ON THE WIDTH OF THE LOT SIZE.
KNOWING THAT, THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT UNIT FACTOR THAT MINICAP HAS WORKED THROUGH WITH MR. PANCHASARP.
BASED ON HIS SIX LOT TYPES, WE HAVE A ONE EU FACTOR FOR A 70-FOOT WIDE LOT.
THEN IT NETS DOWN TO 0.31 FACTOR FOR ANY MULTIFAMILY LOT, NONE OF BEING PROPOSED IN THIS PHASE.
BUT THEN THERE'S MATH THAT IS DONE, AND WE TAKE THE UNIT FACTOR AND THE NUMBER OF UNITS, AND IT'S A SIMPLE MULTIPLICATION PROCESS.
WE HAVE A TOTAL EQUIVALENT UNIT
[02:05:02]
OF 131.42 UNITS OVER 152 UNIT TYPES.WHAT DOES THE PID IMPROVEMENT ALLOCATION MEAN? AT THE TIME THAT MR. PANCHASARP ENVISIONED THIS PROCESS, HE HAD A LITTLE MORE THAN $2.9 MILLION AND IMPROVEMENT COSTS THAT WERE BROKEN DOWN ON NUMBER OF FACTORS, GRADING, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WITH THERE BEING EIGHT PHASES, THERE WAS AN ALLOCATION DONE OF HOW MUCH WAS GOING TO BE SPENT PER PHASE.
WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR IS 12.76% OF THE PROPOSED COST ALLOCATION, TIED UP IN PHASE 1, PHASE 2, WHICH HAS ALREADY COME ONLINE, IS 16.46%, AND WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED WITH PHASE 3 IS A TOTAL ALLOCATION OF 20.58% OF THE BUDGET PARK IMPROVEMENT COSTS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THIS PHASE.
TABLES 3B AND 3C ARE ESSENTIALLY A LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN, IF YOU WILL, WITH WHAT WE'VE ALLOCATED THOSE AMOUNTS TO, GRADING, IRRIGATION, LANDSCAPING, SITE FURNISHINGS, SITE ELEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS, AND THEN THEIR SOFT COST, INCLUDING THE PID CREATION COSTS.
WE TAKE THE ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE, THE TOTAL COST, AND THEN PHASE 1'S SHARE IS UPWARDS OF 374,000.
PHASE 2 SHARES IS UPWARD $482,000.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT FOR PHASE 3? AGAIN, THE TOTAL COST ALLOCATION FOR THIS PID UPWARDS OF $2.9 MILLION WHICH PHASE 3 ACCOUNTING FOR ALLOCATION OF $603,317.
YOU WON'T SEE A CHANGE IN THE DESCRIPTIVE AMOUNTS, BUT YOU WILL SEE A CHANGE IN THE TOTAL COSTS.
A LOT OF THAT IS BASED ON TODAY'S DOLLARS, AND WHAT YOU BASICALLY SEE AS TIME GOES ON.
OUR ASSESSMENT RATE. AS YOU ALL AWARE, OUR PAY POLICY STATES THAT THE MAXIMUM PID ASSESSMENT PER $100 VALUATION WHEN ADDED TO THE CITY'S TOTAL TAX RATE MAY NOT EXCEED THE HIGHEST TOTAL TAX RATE IN EFFECT FOR ANY PROPERTY IN THE CITY.
I PUT TOGETHER A CHART WITH THE UPDATED ASSESSMENT RATES AND COMPARE THAT WITH THE 0.227 RATE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
WE LOOK AT THE HIGHEST RATE AT THE 0.227, AND THAT AMOUNT IS OVERALL LESS THAN THE HIGHEST OVERALL RATE IN THE CITY.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? ESSENTIALLY THE PID ASSESSMENT RATE IS STILL FINE FOR THIS PROJECT.
WITH THIS TAX CAP, WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS BEFORE, ESSENTIALLY, LIKE A SALARY CAP, IF YOU WILL IN SPORTS.
YOU LIMIT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ASSESSMENT THAT YOU CAN GET FROM THE PROJECT.
AS WE DISCUSSED WITH YOU BEFORE, WE'RE LOOKING AT EITHER MAKING SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE CURRENT PID POLICY OR DISSOLVING IN ITS ENTIRETY.
BUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS GET TO A CASE BY CASE BASIS FOR THE EVALUATION OF PIDS AS OPPOSED TO A BLANKET APPROACH OF THIS 0.227 ASSESSMENT RATE.
JUST AS A REMINDER, ONCE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IS DONE, WE'LL HAVE TO DETERMINE HOW TO FUND ONGOING MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR THESE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
THE EMPHASIS IS ON THE WORK PUBLIC.
THESE ARE NOT JUST ALLOCATED TO THE RESIDENTS OF PANCHASARP FARMS. THESE ARE CITYWIDE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ANYONE CAN ENJOY.
WE DO INTEND TO BRING A BRIEFING ON THIS NEXT MONTH TO THE POLICY EVALUATION COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
WHAT ARE WE HERE TO DO TONIGHT? IT'S TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, ACCEPTING THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE ASSESSMENT PLAN, OUR PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS.
FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE COST OF THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND APPROVAL OF THE FINAL SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN WILL BE SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC HEARING.
THAT PUBLIC HEARING, THE FIRST OF TWO WILL TAKE PLACE AUGUST 5TH FOR THE SAP OR SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, AND WE WILL HAVE A SECOND PUBLIC HEARING AT THE SUBSEQUENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 19TH, AND IT AUTHORIZES STAFF TO PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MAKE THE DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC, IN WHICH MY DEPARTMENT WILL COORDINATE WITH MS. CAMPOS' DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.
FUTURE COUNCIL ACTIONS AT YOUR AUGUST 5TH, DEPENDING ON ACTION AND NIGHT, AT YOUR AUGUST 5TH MEETING, WE'LL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN,
[02:10:03]
CONSIDER THE ORDINANCE, CONSIDER ASSESSMENT OF A PROPERTY WITHIN THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, AND THEN OVER THE COURSE OF THAT CONVERSATION, AUTHORIZE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT USING THE ASSESSMENT REVENUE.WE'RE GOING TO ESSENTIALLY PAY BACK THE DEVELOPER FOR THE UPFRONT INITIAL COSTS PUT IN FOR THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT.
YOUR OPTIONS TONIGHT ARE TO APPROVE OR DENY THE RESOLUTION.
STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT YOU APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF AUGUST 5TH, 2024.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, AND AGAIN, I HAVE MS. SLOAN FROM MINICAP TO ANSWER ANY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ON THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN.
>> TONY, I JUST HAVE A CLARIFICATION THAT I KNOW THERE'S EIGHT PHASES, BUT THREE HAS AN A AND A B.
WITH THIS COVERS BOTH A AND B?
>> YES. THIS IS THE ENTIRETY OF PHASE 3 SITE.
>> IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS? [LAUGHTER]
>> I'D LIKE MAKE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND THE RESOLUTION AND ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HEARING DATE OF AUGUST 5TH, 2024.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY LARRY AND A SECOND BY VICTORIA. PLEASE VOTE.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AT THIS TIME, IF I COULD ASK COUNCIL TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO SECTION 8, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS, MAYBE OF ABOUT 10 MINUTES.
>> I WOULD HAVE 10-MINUTE BREAK, 7:53.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 8, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS.
[8.A. Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide staff direction regarding Low Water Crossings.(Staff Contact: Michelle McCullough, Deputy Director of Development Services/City Engineer)]
EIGHT A IS TO RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION, AND PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING LOW-WATER CROSSINGS.THE STAFF PRESENTER THIS EVENING IS MICHELLE MCCULLOUGH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, CITY ENGINEER. MICHELLE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COUNCIL.
HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAVING A GOOD EVENING.
WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME LOW-WATER CROSSINGS AND DRAINAGE.
[BACKGROUND] MY FAVORITE SUBJECT.
[LAUGHTER] JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND.
AT THE JUNE 3RD MEETING, IT WAS REQUESTED THAT STAFF PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON FLOODING AND LOW-WATER CROSSINGS.
THIS PRESENTATION IS GOING TO GO OVER A FEW OF THE LOW-WATER CROSSINGS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PLANNED AND IDENTIFIED MEASURES TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY.
WHAT ACTIONS DO WE TAKE TODAY? FOR ROADWAYS, THERE'S A COUPLE OUT THERE THAT WE HAVE.
FULL ROAD CLOSURES, HULEN IS ONE OF THEM, THAT'S THE TOP PHOTO OF AN EXAMPLE.
THESE GATES ARE OPERATED EITHER BY POLICE OR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF, AND ONCE THE WATER RECEDES AND GOES DOWN, WE WILL REOPEN THE ROAD.
THERE ARE MANY GATES OUT THERE, AND THE MIDDLE ROW IS AN EXAMPLE OF THOSE.
THESE DO NOT CLOSE THE ROAD, BUT IT DOES WARN THE DRIVERS THAT THERE'S A POTENTIAL HAZARD OF FLOODING UP AHEAD.
THEN WE HAVE AREAS THAT JUST WARN YOU WITH A SIGN.
WE HAVE SOME FLIP-DOWN SIGNS THAT'S OVER THERE BY OPENDOOR CHURCH AT DOBSON.
THEN OUR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF DOES HAVE PORTABLE BARRICADES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANY OTHER AREAS THAT ARE FLOODING DURING ANY OF OUR RAIN EVENTS.
THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS FOR LOW-WATER CROSSINGS, BUT IN GENERAL, THEY ARE ROADWAYS THAT BECOME SUBMERGED AND IMPASSABLE DURING MODERATE RAIN EVENTS BY FLOWS FROM INTERSECTING CREEKS OR STREAMS THAT OTHERWISE FLOW BENEATH THE ROADWAY VIA CULVERT.
NOT A LOT OF, BUT WHAT I THINK OF LOW-WATER CROSSINGS IS MORE LIKE A DIP IN THE ROAD, AND THE CREEK RUNS OVER IT, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME WHEN IT'S NOT RAINING, YOU CAN PASS THEM.
WE CONSIDER THESE FOUR TRUE LOW-WATER CROSSINGS.
COUNTY ROAD 1019, THAT WAS ANNEXED IN WITH THE HOOPER BUSINESS PARK.
SOUTH FOX LANE, HULEN STREET, AND SOUTHEAST TARRANT AVENUE.
QUITE A FEW AREAS IN THE CITY DOES EXPERIENCE FLOODING, BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE LOW-WATER CROSSINGS, AND THEN I'VE GOT A COUPLE PHOTOS OF SOME OTHER FLOOD-PRONE AREAS.
THE FIRST ONE IS COUNTY ROAD 1019.
AS I SAID, WE ANNEXED THAT IN WITH THE HOOPER BUSINESS PARK.
YOU CAN SEE THE DIP IN THE ROAD.
IT DOES FLOOD IN MODERATE RAIN EVENTS,
[02:15:02]
AND OUR PLANNED SHORT-TERM IMPROVEMENT HERE IS WE'RE GOING TO REALIGN COUNTY ROAD 1019, ELIMINATING THAT LOW-WATER CROSSING WITH THE HOOPER BUSINESS PARK RETENTION PROJECT.THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT, TOTAL ESTIMATED, 700,000.
THE TOTAL PROJECT COST ESTIMATED AT 6.5 MILLION.
SOUTH FOX LANE, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE A DIP IN THE ROAD THERE, BUT I DO CONSIDER THIS A LOW-WATER CROSSING.
IT DOES FLOOD IN MODERATE RAIN EVENTS.
THERE IS A FLOOD GAUGE THERE INDICATING THE HEIGHT OF THE WATER WHEN IT DOES FLOOD.
THERE IS NO PUBLIC OUTLET FOR THIS ROADWAY.
IF IT DOES FLOOD AND THE ROAD IS BLOCKED, THOSE FOLKS, THEY'RE SHELTERED IN UNTIL THE WATER RECEDES.
WE LOOKED AT THAT IN A COUPLE FUTURE POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
WE COULD ADD ADDITIONAL SIGNS AND FLASHERS.
WE COULD EXPLORE CONNECTING FOX LANE TO HIDDEN CREEK PARKWAY.
IT CURRENTLY, LIKE I SAID, DOES NOT CONNECT.
THERE IS A GUARD RAIL AT THE END.
WHEN HIDDEN CREEK PARKWAY WAS PUT THROUGH, IT WAS NOT CONNECTED.
I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND GATES, UNLESS THAT CONNECTION IS MADE.
YOU'LL JUST EXASPERATE THE SITUATION.
HULEN STREET, I THINK EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH.
THIS ONE IS CLOSED IN MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EVENTS.
IT DOES HAVE SIGNS, WATCH FOR WATER, TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN SIGNS ON BOTH SIDES.
THERE ARE FLOOD GAUGES, AND THE GATES ARE MANUALLY CLOSED TO PREVENT VEHICLES FROM ACCESSING.
FUTURE IDENTIFIED IMPROVEMENT IS A BRIDGE IS REALLY THE BEST SOLUTION, JUST BECAUSE OF THE DRAINAGE.
THE ESTIMATED COST, 2024 DOLLARS, RANGES 20-25 MILLION RIGHT NOW.
IT'S CURRENTLY UNFUNDED, BUT THERE ARE GRANTS BEING EXPLORED.
SOUTHEAST TARRANT AVENUE IS ALSO ONE THAT I THINK EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH.
IT FLOODS IN MODERATE RAIN EVENTS.
THERE ARE LOW-WATER CROSSING SIGNS.
TEMPORARY BARRICADES ARE DEPLOYED BY PUBLIC WORKS STAFF.
BACK IN MAY OF 2024, THERE WAS A DESIGN CONTRACT APPROVED BY COUNCIL, AND THIS CONTRACT WILL ADDRESS EROSION THAT IS THREATENING SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE SEWER LINE AND EXISTING MANHOLES IN THE CREEK.
AS PART OF THAT DESIGN CONTRACT, WE'RE GOING TO EXPLORE IF WE CAN RAISE TARRANT.
NOW IT WILL NOT STOP IT FROM FLOODING.
BUT IF IT CAN BE RAISED AND THERE'S NO ADVERSE IMPACTS DOWNSTREAM, WHAT IT WILL DO IS LESSEN THE AMOUNT OF TIMES THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
WE DO HAVE A GRANT APPLICATION IN WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
THERE'S FOUR LOCATIONS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED, AND TARRANT AVENUE IS ONE OF THEM FOR SOME SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.
I DID GET WORD LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WE WERE NOT SELECTED FOR THE GRANT, BUT WE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 0% LOAN.
THIS IS NOT AN ALL-INCLUSIVE LIST OF THE ROADWAYS THAT CAN FLOOD, BUT THIS IS JUST A LIST OF ROADWAYS THAT FLOODS IN HEAVY OR PROLONGED RAIN EVENTS.
I THINK EVERYBODY HERE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEM, AND I'VE GOT A COUPLE PHOTOS.
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER SLIDE WITH A COUPLE MORE PHOTOS.
THESE ARE YOUR TYPICAL FLOOD WARNING SIGNS.
ROAD MAY FLOOD, WATER CROSSING, WHEN FLOODED TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN.
GUIDELINES AND MUTCD OF WHEN TO USE THEM.
WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW, WE RECENTLY REVIEWED ALL OF OUR LOW-WATER CROSSINGS, FLOOD-PRONE AREAS, AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS STAFF IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON INSTALLING, REPLACING SIGNAGE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS.
THEN WE JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE COST.
MANUAL GATES, AGAIN, STAFF HAS TO GO OUT THERE AND CLOSE THEM.
IT DEPENDS ON THE WIDTH, HOW WIDE IS YOUR ROAD? WHAT DOES THE GATE LOOK LIKE? BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN $12,000-24,000.
SENSOR-ACTIVATED AUTOMATIC GATES.
YOU'LL HAVE A SENSOR UPSTREAM AND WHEN THE CREEK GETS TO A CERTAIN DEPTH, THEN THAT WOULD TRIGGER THE GATES TO CLOSE.
SAME IDEA WITH THE SENSOR-ACTIVATED FLASHERS WITH SIGNS, SENSORS UPSTREAM.
THE NEXT STEPS IS TO HEAR COUNCIL FEEDBACK TONIGHT.
THE PLAN IS TO COMPLETE THE SIGNAGE REFRESH BY AUGUST, AND THEN I DID UPDATE AT THE PREVIOUS SLIDE THAT WE WERE NOT SELECTED FOR THE GRANT.
[02:20:01]
>> THE COUNTY'S GOT THEIR MASTER PLAN.
ARE THESE ZONED ON THE COUNTY MASTER PLAN?
>> FOR THE ROADWAY MASTER PLAN? I HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT PROBABLY WILL ALIGN WITH OUR MASTER PLAN.
>> DOES IT SHOW UP ON OUR MASTER PLAN? BECAUSE I KNOW THEY'LL CONNECT WITH OUR MASTER PLAN OFF OF THEIRS.
>> HULEN IS ON OUR MASTER PLAN FOR WIDENING, AND WE DO HAVE THE CAPITAL PROJECT FROM 174 TO CANDLER DRIVE NOW.
THAT IS ON THE MASTER PLAN TO BE IMPROVED.
>> LET ME GET ACROSS THE POINT THAT I'M HERE.
>> THE COUNTY'S MASTER PLAN IS PART OF A OVERALL PLAN, INCLUDING THE CITIES.
THERE IS MATCHING FEDERAL FUNDS ON THE BOND PACKAGE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR, AND IS MY UNDERSTANDING, AND VICTORIA MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS BETTER THAN MYSELF BECAUSE OF THE COG, THE FEDERAL FUNDS IS A 1-10 MULTIPLIER DEPENDING ON HOW FREESE AND NICHOLS SETS THIS UP.
THEY HAVE PACIFIC MONEY FOR BRIDGES.
THE FEDERAL MONEY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE TIED TO NEW ROADS.
IT CAN BE UPGRADING AND STUFF OF THAT NATURE.
THE SITUATION I'VE GOT ON HULEN IS THE FACT THAT [INAUDIBLE] DOESN'T WANT TO MESS WITH IT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE THE TRAFFIC COUNT.
WELL, WE DON'T HAVE THE TRAFFIC COUNT BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A CRAPPY RAILROAD, AND WE'RE SHUT DOWN.
WE NEED TO TAKE A REAL LOOK AT THIS, BUT THE OTHER SIDE I WANT TO GET A HOLD OF IS ADAM HAS ALREADY SET UP FOR US TO START GOING TO AUSTIN.
WE GOT TO GET THESE PEOPLE'S ATTENTION.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHY WE DIDN'T GET THE GRANT?
>> NO, I JUST LEARNED LATE FRIDAY.
>> I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHY AND WHO SAID NO, BECAUSE WE NEED TO GO TALK TO HIM.
>> YEAH. TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS THE ONE WHO REVIEWS IT, AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I HAVEN'T GOT ALL THE INFORMATION GATHERED YET, BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE 11 APPLICATIONS, AND OUT OF 11, NINE RECEIVED GRANTS.
TWO OF US DID NOT. GRAND PRAIRIE AND BURLESON DID NOT.
>> YOU ALL NEED TO LEAN ON US, ESPECIALLY ADAM AND VICTORIA ON THIS STUFF, AND WE'RE GOING TO GO.
THAT'S THE REASON WE UPGRADED THE ADVOCACY THING IS SO WE COULD GET NAMES AND WHO TO TALK TO.
WE'VE ALREADY MET WITH JOHN CORNYN'S BUNCH, TED CRUZ'S BUNCH, WHICH DOESN'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
BILL KING SIT DOWN WITH US AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE NEED. NOW IT'S TIME.
EVERYTHING'S IN PLACE. WE GOT TO GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION AND LET THEM KNOW WE'RE HERE.
>> MICHELLE, I'VE GOT A SUGGESTION, WHILE WE'RE WAITING ON LEGISLATION, GRANTS, AND FUNDING.
THE FOUR LOCATIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED, TO ME, IT WOULD LOOK LIKE THE BEST UTILIZATION OF FUNDS WOULD BE TO PUT IN FOUR HIGH-WATER DETECTORS FLOAT STYLE WITH FLASHING LIGHTS.
ALSO HAVE A CELLULAR UNIT INSTALLED TO GO TO A CENTRAL LOCATION THAT WILL ALERT THE CITY WHEN TO GO CLOSE THE GATES.
INSTEAD OF USING THE AUTOMATIC GATES, SAVE US OVER 100,000 EACH LOCATION.
BUT THAT WOULD BE A SOLUTION IN THE INTERIM TO PROTECT THOSE FOUR CROSSINGS, AND AS 1019 GETS STRAIGHTENED OUT, WE COULD REALLOCATE THE EQUIPMENT.
>> WELL, WE SHOULD BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THAT, SO THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE ELIMINATED PRETTY QUICKLY.
>> JUST IN TERMS OF DIRECTION THEN, AM I HEARING THE COUNCIL ASKED THAT WE BUDGET SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS NEXT YEAR FOR WHAT COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT HAS SUGGESTED OR SOME AUTOMATIC FLASHERS AT THE THREE REMAINING?
>> I WOULD VERY MUCH SUPPORT THAT.
>> BECAUSE MY FEAR IS IF WE CONTINUE WITH JUST THE MANUAL GATES, SOMETIMES PEOPLE GET THERE BEFORE THE PERSON WHO'S TASKED WITH CLOSING THAT GATE CAN GET THERE, AND THEN ACCIDENTS CAN STILL HAPPEN.
BUT IF IT'S LIKE A AUTOMATIC DETECTOR THAT FLASHES AND TELLS PEOPLE, THEN THAT NOTICE IS GETTING OUT TO THEM, THAT IT'S IMMEDIATE, LIKE THE WATER HAS RISEN.
HERE'S YOUR NOTICE. DON'T CROSS.
>> YOU'RE SAYING ALSO THAT IT'S MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TOO, RIGHT, LARRY?
>> YES, IT'S CONSIDERABLY MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN RUNNING BACK AND FORTH OUT THERE DURING A STORM, NOT KNOWING IF YOU NEED TO CLOSE THE GATE OR NOT, OR [OVERLAPPING] PUTTING UP AUTOMATIC GATES.
>> YEAH. ALSO SAFER FOR STAFF AND PERSONNEL NOT
[02:25:01]
GOING OUT THERE IN A STORM TO MANUALLY DO SOME OF THESE.THEY'RE PUTTING THEMSELVES AT RISK TOO.
>> WE'LL USE THE MANUAL GATE, BUT IT'LL BE IDENTIFIED THROUGH A CELLULAR UNIT, THROUGH A CENTRAL DISPATCHING CENTER.
>> THAT'S ONE THING THAT I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IN TERMS OF MEETING COUNCIL EXPECTATIONS.
WHAT COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT HAD SUGGESTED WAS AN AUTOMATIC NOTIFICATION THAT WOULD LET STAFF KNOW THEY NEEDED MANUALLY SHUT THE GATES, NOT AUTOMATIC GATES.
COUNCILMEMBER SCOTT, DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY?
>> BUT DOES IT HAVE LIGHTS ON THIS LOCATION?
>> IT'LL HAVE FLASHING LIGHTS, WHAT I'M RECOMMENDING, SO THAT IT'LL BE IMMEDIATE WARNING, AND THEN IT'LL ESSENTIALLY DISPATCH A CITY EMPLOYEE OUT TO CLOSE THE GATE.
THEN WHEN THE WATER RECEDES, THE FLOAT GOES DOWN, THE LIGHTS QUIT FLASHING, CITY'S NOTIFIED AGAIN THAT THE ALARM IS GONE AND THEY CAN GO OPEN THE GATES BACK UP.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. LARRY, IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO OF JOHNSON AVENUE.
[LAUGHTER] I LIKE THIS ONE, JUST BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN IT LIKE THIS SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[8.B. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and provide staff direction on the FY 2024-2025 budget supplemental requests, proposed rates or fee adjustments, five-year fund forecast, and receive additional direction from City Council regarding the annual budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. (Staff Contact: Tommy Ludwig, City Manager, and Harlan Jefferson, Deputy City Manager)]
RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST, PROPOSED RATES OR FEES ADJUSTMENTS, FIVE YEAR FUND FORECAST, AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025.IT'S A JOINT STAFF PRESENTATION WITH TOMMY LUDWIG, OUR CITY MANAGER AND HARLAN JEFFERSON, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS SIDE OF THE DIA, SO IT'S A NICE CHANGE OF EVENT. GET TO STRETCH MY LEG.
AS AMANDA SAID, HARLAN AND I ARE GOING TO TAG TEAM TO PRESENTATION.
I'M GOING TO TAKE THE FIRST PART TONIGHT.
SPECIFICALLY, WHAT I'M GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OUR SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS FOR OUR VARIOUS FUNDS.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE UPCOMING FORECASTED FEE INCREASES FOR FY24-25.
THEN, OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OUR FIVE YEAR FUND BALANCES.
AS ALWAYS, JUST IN TERMS OF ANY PRESENTATION, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM ME, STRONG FUND BALANCES IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE A MINIMUM FUND BALANCE PERCENTAGE OF 20% FOR OUR MAJOR FUNDS, WHICH INCLUDES THE GENERAL FUND WATER WASTE WATER 4A AND 4B.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'RE SUGGESTING, IT'S SUSTAINABLE.
IT'S NOT JUST A ONE YEAR THING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN IT AND MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE FUND BALANCES OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD.
WHILE THESE MAY BE MY RECOMMENDATIONS, AND WE'LL ULTIMATELY GET INCORPORATED IN MY RECOMMENDED BUDGET TO YOU ALL, THEY'RE NOT DONE IN A VACUUM, AND THEY'RE SUDDENLY NOT DONE WITHOUT THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNCIL IN TERMS OF WHAT ARE YOUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION? WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT YOU'RE WANTING TO ACCOMPLISH? WHEN HARLAN AND I WERE PUTTING THIS PRESENTATION TOGETHER, WE LOOKED AT OURSELVES AND SAID, WHY ARE WE PUTTING ALL THIS IN ONE BECAUSE IT IS A LITTLE BIT, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, JUST JOINTED, BUT ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE REALLY ARE TIED TOGETHER.
WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST, WITHOUT LOOKING AT OUR FIVE YEAR FUND BALANCES.
WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT RATES AND WHAT THOSE ARE GOING TO BE.
AGAIN, WITHOUT LOOKING AT OUR FIVE YEAR FORECAST.
WITHOUT DOING THESE TOGETHER, WE WOULD END UP WITH MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS.
I THINK THE OTHER THING TOO IS THAT, THIS IS THE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL REALLY TO WEIGH IN ON A NUMBER OF THESE ITEMS BEFORE I ULTIMATELY COME BACK WITH MY RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
WE WANT TO HAVE A ROBUST CONVERSATION WITH YOU ALL ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THESE ELEMENTS ARE.
BEFORE I REALLY GO IN AND I TOUCH ON GENERAL FUND FIRST, I WANT TO GO BACK A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND REMIND YOU ALL OF SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.
AS YOU RECALL, FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO, WE HAD HAD SOME CHALLENGES WITH OUR RADIO NETWORK AND SOME OUTAGES THAT WE HAD AND CONCERNS WITH REDUNDANCY.
I TALKED TO POLICE, FIRE, AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION COMMAND STAFF, AND IT WAS VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT THEIR MOST IMPORTANT ASK FOR THE YEAR WAS GOING TO BE LOOKING AT UPGRADING OUR RADIO NETWORK AND THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE.
WE WENT TO THE COUNCIL AT THAT TIME AND TALKED ABOUT ESSENTIALLY ADVANCED FUNDING FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST.
THE COUNCIL WAS VERY GRACIOUS AND ADVANCED THAT FUNDING, AND THAT'S ABOUT 1.9 MILLION DOLLAR, AND YOU'LL SEE THAT IN OUR DEBT ISSUANCE FOR THE YEAR.
BUT WHAT ALSO WAS A PART OF THAT DISCUSSION WAS THE FUNDING OF ESSENTIALLY A RADIO TECHNICIAN THAT WAS GOING TO HELP WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE, BUT ALSO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE RADIOS, ESSENTIALLY IN PERPETUITY FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF.
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT RADIOS ARE IN.
NOW IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GETTING SOMEBODY HIRED AND MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE ABOUT A SIX MONTH LEAD TIME ON THAT.
WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THAT WHEN WE GET INTO THE GENERAL FUND NEXT,
[02:30:03]
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT POSITION IN THE GENERAL FUND.THAT'S NOT BECAUSE IT'S NOT GENERALLY FUNDED.
YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT IN THE IT SUPPORT SERVICE FUND.
EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN THE IT FUND, THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE REALLY COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
THIS WAS BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY ADVANCED, AND BECAUSE THIS PUBLIC SAFETY WAS MY NUMBER ONE SUPPLEMENTAL, AND YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO ONE THANK YOU AND TO REMIND YOU OF THAT COMMITMENT.
IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL FUND, WE HAD 5.6 MILLION DOLLAR WORTH OF REQUESTS, 42 REQUESTS AND ACTUALLY 13 POSITIONS THAT WERE REQUESTED.
THERE IS A SMALL OFFSET THAT I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY SPEAK TO WHEN I GO THROUGH MY RECOMMENDATIONS, AND I DO WANT TO SAY THIS, AND I WANT TO COMMEND THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS.
AS I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT ITS AND SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS AND JUST OUR CAPITAL PLAN.
THERE ARE MORE NEEDS THAN DOLLARS, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE THAT MANY OF THESE REQUESTS TRULY ARE NEEDS, AND I SUSPECT THAT THEY'LL BE COMING FORWARD IN SUBSEQUENT BUDGET YEARS AS WE CONTINUE FORWARD WITH ALL THESE INITIATIVES.
WITH THAT SAID FOR THIS YEAR, WE REALLY BE TRYING TO BE COST EFFECTIVE IN HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS AND LOOKING AT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO ADD TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING A TOTAL OF EIGHT SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS AND 1.5 FULL TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS, AND I'LL GO THROUGH THOSE.
WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT ONE, WHICH IS ITS.
WITH THE COUNCIL APPROVING THAT, WE'LL BE INCORPORATING THAT INTO THE BUDGET.
THERE'S ONE TIME COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY EQUIPMENT AND A BUCKET TRUCK.
THEN THERE'S ONGOING PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT COSTS MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT.
THE SECOND ITEM THAT I WANT TO RECOMMEND IS A SLOPE MORE FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.
REALLY, IN MY MIND, THIS IS A SAFETY INITIATIVE.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT HELPS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT MOW ON GREATER INCLINES.
ONE WILL HELP US DO A BETTER JOB FROM A MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE AND TWO PROTECT US FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE.
REAL TIME CRIME CENTER, AS YOU ALL KNOW, CHIEF CORDELL HAS TALKED MANY TIMES WITH EACH OF YOU AND THE FULL COUNCIL ABOUT SOME OF THE SUCCESSES THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THAT, EITHER WITH PAN-TILT-ZOOM CAMERA AND FLOCK.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONTINUATION OF THAT INITIATIVE.
YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE'S AN ASTERISK HERE.
THE ASTERISK IS ESSENTIALLY SAYING THAT I'M RECOMMENDING FUNDING AN AMOUNT LESS THAN WHAT THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTED.
IN THE REQUEST, IT WAS FOR A TOTAL NUMBER OF 12 PAN-TILT-ZOOM AND 10 FLOCK.
I'M RECOMMENDING EIGHT PAN-TILT-ZOOM AND FOUR FLOCK.
THAT'S WHAT THESE BUDGET NUMBERS REPRESENT.
I THINK THAT CONTINUES OUR INITIATIVE, BUT IT KEEPS OUR COST IN MIND AS WELL.
WE HAVE A AXON TETHERED DRONE, AND IF YOU RECALL, FROM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET PRESENTATION, THERE WAS A SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST THAT WAS NOT FUNDED.
ESSENTIALLY WHEN WE HAVE SPECIAL EVENTS, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE SUMMER, WHEN WE HAVE DRONES THAT ARE RUNNING, THE BATTERIES RUN DOWN VERY QUICKLY, IS PARTICULARLY THE HOTTER IT GETS.
YOU'RE CONSTANTLY BRINGING IN A NEW DRONE, YOU'RE REPLACING BATTERIES, YOU'RE CHANGING BATTERIES.
WHAT THE TETHER DRONE ALLOWS IS FOR ESSENTIALLY DRONE TO STAY CONTINUOUSLY IN THE AIR BECAUSE IT'S TETHERED TO A POWER SOURCE.
THAT'S THAT ITEM THAT I'M RECOMMENDING.
YOU SEE AXON AIR STREAMING SOFTWARE.
OUR EXISTING DRONES ARE NOT CURRENTLY INTEGRATED WITH AXON.
THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THEIR INTEGRATION, SO WE COULD VIEW THE CAMERA FOOTAGE THROUGH AXON, BUT ALSO EXTRACT THAT FOOTAGE TO THE SAME PLATFORM AS WELL IN THE EVENT WE NEEDED TO DO THAT.
THE NEXT ITEM IS A PART TIME VETERINARIAN, AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A REVENUE SLASH OFFSET THERE.
TODAY, WE ACTUALLY CONTRACT WITH A VET ON A CONTRACT BASIS, AND WE ALSO HAVE A BUDGET THAT WE BUDGET FOR ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.
WHAT I'M PROPOSING TO DO THIS YEAR, AND WHAT STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED IS TO ACTUALLY TRY TO BRING A VET IN HOUSE.
IN THE EVENT, WE'RE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO DO THAT ON A PART TIME BASIS, THE AMOUNT THAT WE PAY TODAY TO OUR CONTRACT VET, WE JUST WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYMORE.
THAT'S A $7,500 DELTA INCREASE.
SAY THIS IS ONE I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO SEE GROW OVER TIME, POTENTIALLY BECOME A FULL TIME POSITION, NOT NECESSARILY TOMORROW.
BUT IN THE FUTURE, AND I THINK IT MAY BE A WAY THAT WE CAN OFFER LOW COST SPAN NEUTERING FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF BURLESON, WHICH ULTIMATELY WILL HOPEFULLY HELP REDUCE INTAKE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
THERE'S THAT. ON THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS TACTICAL GEAR, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR ABOUT 22 OFFICERS FOR SPECIALIZED EVENTS THAT MAY OCCUR WHICH LARGELY RESULT IN HEAD GEAR, EYE GEAR, RESPIRATORS THAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.
THEN THE LAST ITEM ON THE GENERAL FUND WOULD BE AN ITEM FOR THE BURLESON OPPORTUNITY FUND.
IF YOU RECALL, REALLY HISTORICALLY, THE COUNCILS FUNDED THAT AT ABOUT $60,000 ANNUALLY.
LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY FUNDED THAT AT $75,000.
THERE WAS A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING ON THE BOF.
[02:35:02]
SINCE THAT TIME, I THINK WE'VE MADE SOME TIGHTER ADJUSTMENTS ON OUR BUDGET.I'M RECOMMENDING TO DIAL THAT NUMBER BACK TO BE ESSENTIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH SOME OF THE BUDGETARY REDUCTIONS WE'VE MADE ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE.
THIS WAS A PRIOR ITEM THAT WAS FUNDED OUT OF 4A.
LAST YEAR WAS SHIFTED TO THE GENERAL FUND.
REALLY, ULTIMATELY, ALL OF THESE ARE REALLY UP TO COUNCIL IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO.
BUT ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, THESE ARE MY RECOMMENDATIONS.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THEM, OR IF THERE'S ANY ITEMS THAT ARE NOT SEEN HERE THAT YOU SAW IN THE FULL SUPPLEMENTAL PACKAGE THAT WAS RELEASED TO THE COUNCIL, EITHER MYSELF OR DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE.
>> TOMMY, ON THE ANIMAL SERVICES.
THE REVENUE YOU WERE SAYING IS THAT WE WOULD OFFER THE PART TIME T AS A SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS.
>> NO, AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
RIGHT NOW, ALL THIS IS ESSENTIALLY, IT'S A COST OFFSET.
IF THE EVENT WE WERE ABLE TO GET A PART TIME PERSON, THEN WE WOULD SHIFT OUR CONTRACT COST TO PART TIME WAGES.
THAT $56,000 THAT WE PAY NOW WE WOULD JUST BE PULLING FROM OTHER LINE ITEMS AND WE NEED ANOTHER $7,500.
I WOULDN'T, AT THIS TIME, RECOMMEND THAT IN THE EVENT, WE WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO HIRE PART TIME VET TO OFFER ANY LOW COST SPAY NEUTER.
I THINK WHAT WE HAVE AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER WOULD TAKE ALL OF THAT UP.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN INITIATIVE THAT WE WOULD WANT TO TRY TO GROW, AND I THINK IT COULD HELP OFFSET THE COST OF A PERMANENT VET, BECAUSE, PART TIME WAGES, WE DON'T AT THIS TIME, HAVE BENEFITS TIED TO THAT, SO A FULL TIME VET WOULD BE MORE COSTLY.
>> YEAH. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFICATION BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN THE SHELTER IS FULL, WE WAIVE THE FEES, SO THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY REVENUE COMING IN.
>> CORRECT. TO THAT END, I WILL SAY THIS IS THAT WE ACTUALLY ESSENTIALLY WAIVED THE FEES WHEN WE'RE AT, LIKE, 90% CAPACITY, WHICH WE PERPETUALLY ARE.
I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET WITH DIANA THIS YEAR.
THAT REVENUE, OFFSET ACTUALLY IS AN EXPENDITURE FOR THEM AS WELL, SO IT HURT THEIR BOTTOM LINE BUDGET.
IT'S SOMETHING WE KEEP IN MIND AND TRY TO TRY TO WATCH THAT.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GENERAL FUND?
>> I DO. I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING BACK TO OUR EARLIER CONVERSATION, THE TACTICAL GEAR? WELL, I DO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT.
IS IT GOING TO BE UTILIZED? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE IT BUDGETED FOR THE TRAINING IN ORDER TO USE THAT TACTICAL GEAR?
>> YEAH. I THINK THAT'S A VERY FAIR QUESTION.
>> IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO SIT ON A SHELF.
>> YEAH, SO WHAT I'D SAY ABOUT THIS AND OTHER TYPES OF EQUIPMENT THAT PD HAS, AND I'M SURE CHIEF CORDELL CAN SPEAK TO THIS IF THERE'S A NEED.
IT'S ALL A LITTLE BIT OF AN INSURANCE POLICY.
SOME OF THIS EQUIPMENT MAY NOT BE USED BECAUSE THERE MAY NOT BE A NEED FOR IT, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT AND YOU NEED IT.
NOW, THAT'S NOT A SCARE TACTIC FOR THE COUNCIL.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT THERE ARE NOT OTHER THINGS.
YOU COULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT, HEY, WHY DON'T YOU INCREASE FLOCK OR WHY DON'T YOU INCREASE OUR PAN-TILT-ZOOM? I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.
WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THAT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO UNDERSCORE THE NEED, I THINK FOR SOME OF THAT EQUIPMENT AS WELL.
BUT IT REALLY IS ULTIMATELY ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU CAN MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR EITHER ONE, AND IF WE HAD THE REQUISITE REVENUE, I'D BE RECOMMENDING THE FULLY FUND THE CRIME CENTER IN THIS, BUT IF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THIS IN ORDER TO SEE DOLLAR SHIFT SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEN WE'RE OPEN THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
DID YOU TELL CHIEF CORDELL WHAT HE WAS GETTING OR DID HE GET TO CHOOSE?
>> I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT. WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS, AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN VERY MINDFUL OF EACH OTHER'S NEEDS.
THEY'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY RESPECTFUL.
THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THIS AS THIS PERSON GETS THIS, AND I DON'T.
THEY LOOK AT IT AS A REALLY TEAM PERSPECTIVE, AND I'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT RESPECT FOR THE APPROACH AND HOW THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS HANDLED THAT THIS YEAR? BUT THERE'S LOTS OF NEEDS.
THERE WERE FOUR OFFICERS, A BUSINESS MANAGER, JUST FROM POLICE.
I THINK PUBLIC WORKS ASKED FOR TWO POSITIONS.
I KNOW THAT FIRE ASKED FOR TWO POSITIONS.
THERE'S LOTS OF POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT BEING FUNDED.
THERE'S COUNCIL MEMBER, BOEDEKER TO YOUR POINT, THERE'S ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE ALLOCATED OTHER PLACES THERE ARE ALL NEEDS.
[02:40:06]
THAT'S JUST HOW THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE FUNDS ALLOCATED.>> YEAH, CHRIS, THEY'VE MADE SOME GREAT REDUCTIONS TO GET DOWN TO THIS LEVEL HERE, AND AS FAR AS YOU'RE ASKING HOW WE'D LIKE IT.
I'M GOOD WITH WHAT THEY'VE DONE.
>> I LIKE THAT HALF OF THIS IS A ONE TIME COST.
YEAH, THE TECHNICAL GEAR I'M SURE IT HAS, LIKE, 100 YEAR SHELF LIFE, AS LONG AS IT'S NOT USED.
>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
YEAH, TO THAT END, WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT ADDING OTHER THINGS ONE TIME COSTS OR A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO FUND THAN ONGOING COST.
WITH THAT SAID, SOME OF THAT EQUIPMENT, COUNCILMEMBER RUSSELL WOULD HAVE 5-10 YEAR LIFESPAN, SOME OF IT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY INDEFINITE, SO LONG AS IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF AND STORED APPROPRIATELY.
BUT THERE WOULD BE OUTSIDE OF THE FIVE YEARS, SOME OF THAT COULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT.
WITH THAT SAID, I THINK HARLAN'S GOING TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF OUR GENERAL FUND FEES.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M GOING TO WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE FEES AND REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES.
THEN I'LL END UP BY DISCUSSING THE FIVE YEAR FORECAST FOR MOST OF THE FUNDS.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE BRIEF TONIGHT AND YIELD MOST OF MY TIME TO THE CITY MANAGER, AND HE CAN DISCUSS THE SUPPLEMENTALS.
THE FIRST ONE IS FOR SOLICITATION OF PERMITS.
CURRENTLY, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PERFORMS THIS SERVICE AND ISSUE PERMITS.
THEY DO A RECORDS CHECK ON LOCAL ARREST FOR THOSE VENDORS THAT ASK FOR PERMITS, AND CHECK FOR WARRANTS FOR THEM.
THEY CHECK THROUGH DPS ON THEIR BACKGROUND.
IF THEY ISSUE A PERMIT, IT'D BE VALID FOR A YEAR.
NOW, THEY DO NOT ISSUE THE PERMIT IF THEY FIND THAT ANY FELONIES, MISDEMEANORS, SEX OFFENSES, OR ANY CRIMES AGAINST PERSONAL PROPERTY COMMITTED DURING THE LAST PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS.
CURRENTLY, THE FEE IS $75 FOR THE FIRST FIVE PERMITS PER COMPANY, AND THEN $10 AFTER THAT AMOUNT.
>> ARE THEY'RE PROPOSING TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> DO WE GIVE ANY PAPER OR SOMETHING FOR THEM TO SHOW, CHIEF WHEN THEY ARE APPROVED?
>> OKAY BECAUSE MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS SOLICITORS FOR EVERYTHING FROM BUG SPRAYING TO LAWN CARE TO EVERYTHING.
I'VE ALWAYS WONDERED, HOW DO WE KNOW IF THEY'VE ACTUALLY APPLIED FOR A PERMIT AND BEEN APPROVED FOR THAT, AND SO THEY SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING WITH LIKE AN ID.
>> WELL, SOME OF THEM GET PUSHY, AND I'VE TOLD NEIGHBORS, ASK THEM BEFORE YOU EVEN GIVE ME YOUR SPILL, HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR A PERMIT? THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS STOP THEM, BUT YOU DO WANT TO KNOW WHO'S COMING TO YOUR DOOR, AND SOME OF THEM ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE, ABOUT WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE TRYING TO, SO I WAS REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT THAT, AND I APPRECIATE THAT TOO.
>> I THINK SOME COMMUNITIES, ALSO ISSUE VEST AND SO FORTH.
AS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE CHIEF TALKED ABOUT IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
I THINK HE'S GOING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON IT.
HE PROBABLY CAN HAVE DEEPER DISCUSSIONS ON THOSE TOPICS.
THIS IS A SURVEY OF OTHER CITIES AND FEES THEY CHARGE.
YOU CAN SEE THE PROPOSED FEE THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS RECOMMENDING IS $100 PER PERMIT FROM THE FIRST, AND THEN ON AS OPPOSED TO 75 AND FOR THE FIRST FIVE AND $10 AFTER THAT.
THAT'S CONSISTENT WITH WHAT BENBROOK DOES.
IT'S ALSO CONSISTENT WITH HALTON CITY OF MANSFIELD, AND NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, AND GRAND PRAIRIE HAS THE SAME STRUCTURE.
THE TWO THAT IT REALLY HAS ONE TIME FEE AND THEN DISCOUNTED AFTER THAT IS CURRENTLY BURLESON AND CLEVELAND.
HERE'S A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY.
>> HEY, HARLAN. WAS THERE ANY PUSHBACK FROM SOLICITORS OF PAYING THE SUBSEQUENT FEE, OR ARE WE JUST TRYING TO BE ON PAR WITH OTHER CITIES?
>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROBABLY CAN RESPOND TO IT BETTER, BUT I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO BE ON PART WITH OTHER CITIES.
IN MY EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST, THAT SOLICITORS DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A LOT OF PUSHBACK BECAUSE THEY COME IN FROM OUTSIDE YOUR COMMUNITY. I'M SORRY.
>> IT'S OKAY. GOEL RUSSELL, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, IN THIS CASE, THERE'S NOT BEEN A LOT OF OUTREACH ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.
THIS IS MORE BENCHMARK AGAINST WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING.
[02:45:01]
>> OKAY. WE'RE GETTING MORE 25 UP FRONT, BUT IF THEY HAVE MORE THAN FIVE, THEN YOU'RE CUTTING THEM A BREAK.
>> THAT'S THE CURRENT, BUT THE PROPOSED IS $100 PER [OVERLAPPING]
>> CORRECT. JUST IN TERMS OF OUTREACH TO, NOT KNOWING WHERE ALL THE SLISTS IS COMING FROM, OUTREACH IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.
THIS IS REALLY MORE OF A BENCHMARKING FUNCTION.
THERE WILL BE MORE REVENUE AS A RESULT OF THIS.
>> I THINK THERE'S MORE REVENUE BECAUSE IT'S $100 FOR EACH ONE AS OPPOSED TO 75 FOR THE FIVE.
>> IF THERE'S TWO, IT'S 200 BUCKS?
>> THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING. IT'S LOCATION TWO.
>> ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY UNDER THIS STRUCTURE IS THAT WE TAKE ALL THE INFORMATION, WE GO THROUGH ALL THE TEST PROCESS, WE RUN THEM, WE DO ALL OF THAT STUFF.
WE DO ALL THE WORK AND IF THEY FAIL IT FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY PAY NO FEES.
MANSFIELD AND A LOT OF THE OTHER AGENCIES, WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS YOU HAVE A $100 OR WHATEVER THEIR COST IS, BUT IT'S A $100 APPLICATION FEE NON-REFUNDABLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, BECAUSE WE'RE STILL PUTTING IN THE WORK AND USING THE SENIOR ADMIN AND OUR RECORD STAFF TO DO ALL THE WORK.
IF THEY DON'T PASS IT, PLUS, AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE GETTING A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHOWING UP NOW BECAUSE IT'S $75, AND THEN IT DROPS TO 10 FOR THE NEXT I THINK FIVE.
>> BUT THIS MEANS THERE'S A GROUP OF FIVE OF THEM.
>> YEAH, UNDER THE PROPOSED. I LIKE THAT. OKAY.
>> HOW LONG DOES THE PERMIT LAST?
>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION.
>> HOW MANY DAYS IS THE PERMIT, HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
>> ONE YEAR. IT'S VALID FOR ONE YEAR.
WHAT WE SEE A LOT OF IS ONE, DIFFERENT ALARM COMPANIES, I WON'T NAME THE SPECIFIC ONES, BUT DIFFERENT ALARM COMPANIES COME IN AND THEY'LL GO DOOR TO DOOR.
YOU'LL GET ROOFING CONTRACTORS OR DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS IF YOU HAVE THE HAIL COMING THROUGH AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
TO YOUR POINT, WE DO GET A LOT OF SOLICITORS THAT COME OUT AND THEY WILL GET AGGRESSIVE.
THEY'LL KNOCK ON DOORS. IT SAYS, NO SOLICITING.
WE USUALLY GET CALLED ON THAT.
IF WE CAN DETERMINE WHO IT IS, THEN WE MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT COMPANY AND TELL THEM THEY ARE NO LONGER WELCOME TO KNOCK ON OUR DOORS.
>> WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS IF YOU CATCH SOMEBODY SOLICITING, DOESN'T HAVE A PERMIT.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO?
>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYTHING IN ORDINANCE THAT ESTABLISHES A CITATION.
I'M LOOKING AT SOME OF MY OFFICERS.
WE DO. WE DO HAVE SOMETHING IN ORDINANCE THAT ESTABLISHES.
[LAUGHTER] WHAT I MEANT TO SAY IS, I'D LIKE TO PHONE A FRIEND HERE.
[LAUGHTER] WE DO HAVE AN OPTION THEN TO WRITE A CITATION, BUT A LOT OF TIMES IT'S EDUCATION.
IF THEY'VE NOT BEEN AGGRESSIVE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT'S EDUCATION THAT YOU'VE GOT A PERMIT PROCESS YOU GO THROUGH.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. NOW, THIS BRINGS US TO THE FIVE-YEAR FORECAST FOR THE GENERAL FUND.
I'LL JUST COMMENT ON A FEW OF THE ITEMS. THE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS BASED REALLY ON THE PRELIMINARY VALUE WE RECEIVED BY LAW.
IN THREE DAYS, WE SHOULD RECEIVE THE CERTIFIED VALUE, SO WE'LL KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE ESTIMATE OR HAVE A MUCH BETTER IDEA WHAT THE ESTIMATE OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS GOING TO BE FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
THEN AFTER THAT, WE HAVE A PROJECTION OF 5.5 PERCENT INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE.
THE SALES TAX REVENUE, WE'RE FORECASTING IT TO ONLY BE ONE PERCENT ABOVE LAST YEAR'S COLLECTION, AND THEN NEXT YEAR, IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS, WE'RE FORECASTING THREE PERCENT GROWTH ON SALES TAX REVENUE.
THE LARGEST REVENUE THERE THAT INFLUENCED THE NUMBER IS INTEREST INCOME.
AS THE FUND BALANCE DROPS, AND WE THINK INTEREST RATE IS GOING TO COME DOWN AS WELL.
WE'RE MODERATING THAT NUMBER OVER TIME.
OTHER THINGS YOU'LL NOTICE, I THINK, IN OTHER REVENUE IS THE FACT THAT WE INCLUDE $1.2 MILLION FOR LAND SALE OF PROPERTY TO THE FOUR A CORPORATION, AS WELL AS THE SAFER GRANT BEING PHASED OUT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU'LL SEE THE REVENUE START TO DECREASING THAT LINE ITEM.
THEN ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, WHICH IS PERSONNEL MAKES UP THE LION'S SHARE OF THAT REVENUE, AND WE'RE FORECASTING THREE PERCENT GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE FIVE-YEAR HORIZON.
YOU SEE THE RE-OCCURRING SUPPLEMENTAL AS WELL AS ONE TIME THAT TIES BACK TO THE NUMBER THAT THE CITY MANAGER JUST DISCUSSED RECENTLY OR A FEW MOMENTS AGO.
YOU NOTICE THE INCENTIVE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE LISTED THERE AS WELL.
[02:50:07]
WE HAVE SCHEDULES, IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF THOSE WE CAN PROVIDE THE COUNCIL.THE CASH FUND FUNDING PROJECT THAT'S FOR CITY HALL, SO IT WAS BUDGETED AT $1.4 MILLION THROUGH THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT PROCESS DURING THE SPRING.
WE'VE ADJUST THAT DOWN TO $600,000.
YOU'LL SEE WE STARTED OFF THE ADOPTED BUDGET PLANNING TO DRAW DOWN FUND BALANCE AT $4.3 MILLION.
WE REDUCED THAT DOWN TO NOW $2.1 MILLION.
NEXT YEAR, WE'LL ADD TO IT, AND THAT'S A STADY DRAWDOWN.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE FUND BALANCE AS A PERCENT OF ITS EXPENDITURE, THE LAST ROW, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'RE CONSISTENTLY WITHIN THE BANDWIDTH OF THE COUNCIL'S FINANCIAL POLICY.
REALLY, FOR THE MOST PART, WE'RE OVER THE 25 PERCENT AND GET WITHIN IT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
I DO WANT TO NOTE, THE ASTERISK AT THE BOTTOM, IT INDICATES THAT THE FUND BALANCE STARTING AT LEAST THE PROJECTION OF THE YEAR END COLUMN, THE 2023-'24 YEAR END NUMBER.
YOU CAN SEE IT AT $19.6 MILLION.
THAT'S $1.1 MILLION HIGHER THAN WHERE WE ENDED LAST FISCAL YEAR.
THAT'S BECAUSE THE AUDITORS WHEN THEY CLOSED THE BOOKS, THEY ACTUALLY HAD MOVED OVER $1.1 MILLION TO THE DEBT SERVICE FUND INCORRECTLY.
THAT WAS FOR THE SENIOR FREEZE REVENUE.
ALL OF IT, 100 PERCENT GOES TO THE GENERAL FUND, AND THEY ASSUMED THERE WAS A RATIO, BASED ON THE BREAKOUT OF THE SALES TAX.
THAT'S BEEN ADJUSTED IN OUR FIVE-YEAR FORECAST.
I'LL BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS ON THE FIVE YEAR FORECAST.
IF THERE ARE NOT ANY, WE HAD A REQUEST FROM THE COUNCIL TO TALK ABOUT THE MEDICAL TRANSPORT FUND.
REALLY, THE GOAL WAS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ADD ANOTHER EMS UNIT IN THE FIFTH YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE COUNCIL REQUESTED THAT WE SHOW THE FORECAST WITH 18 FIREFIGHTERS IN THE FUND AS OPPOSED TO 12 IS THE WAY WE PROPOSED THE BUDGET.
AS YOU GUYS KNOW, FROM PREVIOUS CONVERSATION WITH THE FIRE CHIEF, THE REVENUE WAS OFF THE PACE FROM WHAT WE HAD FORECAST WHEN WE PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE COMING IN AT THE $1.3 MILLION.
NEXT YEAR, WE'RE BACK ON PACE BASED ON THE MORE RECENT PROJECTIONS.
STILL NOT AS MANY DATA POINTS AS WE WANT, BUT THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS OF REVENUE PROBABLY HAS BEEN EXCEEDING WHAT WE STARTED OFF EXPECTING AT LEAST A YEAR AGO FROM NOW.
THAT'S TURNED AROUND. THE OTHER REVENUE IS LARGELY MADE UP WITH INTEREST INCOME.
THE WAY THE FORECAST IS SET UP, WE PLAN TO DRAW THE FUND BALANCE DOWN.
THE INTEREST INCOME WOULD GO DOWN AS WELL PLUS, LOWER INTEREST RATES OVER TIME.
THEN YOU SEE THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR PERSONNEL.
YOU'LL SEE THAT PHASING OUT OVER TIME.
THEN WE GET TO THE END WHERE REVENUE IS EXCEEDING EXPENDITURES UNTIL THAT PHASE OUT, AND THEN WE START DRAWING DOWN THE REST OF THE FUND BALANCE.
IT'S DOWN TO ZERO PERCENT BY FISCAL YEAR '27, IS WHAT YOU'LL NOTICE.
THEN THIS SHOWS THE ADDITIONAL EMS UNIT.
IT'S REALLY ALL THE SAME NUMBERS EXCEPT FOR THE LAST COLUMN OF NUMBERS.
IN THAT COLUMN, YOU'LL SEE THE FIFTH EMS UNIT ADDED EXPENSE FOR THAT 1,070,000.
WHAT THAT DOES IS DRIVE UP THE TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND BY AN EQUIVALENT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THAT'S ADDING THE ADDITIONAL SIX FIREFIGHTERS AND THAT'S THE REOCCURRING COST ONLY.
THE EMS UNIT ITSELF, THE PURCHASE SINCE WE'VE TRANSITIONED AND HAD CONVERSATION ABOUT PAYING FOR ONE TIME CAPITAL COSTS THROUGH DEBT.
THAT'S HOW WE PLAN TO PURCHASE THAT UNIT, AT LEAST THAT'S HOW THIS IS FORECAST.
THIS IS ALL THE STAFF AND REOCCURRING EXPENSES, O&M COSTS THAT GO ALONG WITH THEM FEW THINGS THAT THEY CONSUMED, THE MEDICINE AND THEY CONSUME ON THE UNIT OVER TIME.
WE WANTED TO BOOKMARK THAT BY SHOWING UPDATED GENERAL FUND FORECAST WITH ADDITIONAL UNITS, STILL ALL THE NUMBERS ARE THE SAME EXCEPT THE LAST COLUMN.
YOU'LL SEE THE TRANSFER TO THE FUND INCREASING.
IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE FOR THE GENERAL FUND IN THE FIFTH YEAR, THE LAST COLUMN, WE WERE ADDING 87,000 TO THE FUND BALANCE, IN THIS CASE.
NOW WE'RE REDUCING IT BY ADDITIONAL $1,070,000.
BUT YET THE FUND BALANCE STILL WITH OVERALL, AS A PERCENT IS STILL WITHIN THE BANDWIDTH.
[02:55:01]
THE COUNCIL HAS IN ITS POLICY OF 20-25 PERCENT.LAST THING I MENTIONED IS THAT WHEN WE DID FORECAST THE STAFFING FOR THE SIX FIREFIGHTERS IN CURRENT DOLLARS IS $623,000.
WE INFLATED IT THREE PERCENT A YEAR.
THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE 1,070,000.
WE RECEIVED THE QUESTION ABOUT THAT EARLY, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON TO THE WATER AND SEWER FUND?
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE WHEN THIS SLIDE COMES BACK UP AT THE BUDGET TIME TO PROJECT ANOTHER FIVE YEARS, BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT IT TO HIT 20 PERCENT.
IT'S HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION BY ADDING.
>> IF YOU HAD ANOTHER YEAR ON YEAR, YOU'D PROBABLY BE AT 20 PERCENT.
IT IS GOING TO GO IN THE WRONG DIRECTION TO YOUR POINT.
THIS CONVERSATION THAT HAR AND I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE TIMES.
I THINK WHAT I'D SAY IS, ONCE YOU GET OUT PAST TWO YEARS, THESE ARE ALL PROJECTIONS.
IF WE START SEEING THINGS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, WE'LL READJUST EXPENDITURES.
WHAT ALSO IS NOT ON HERE IS FUTURE STATION 4 OR OTHER FUTURE SUPPLEMENTALS.
THERE'S A LOT THAT'S NOT ON HERE.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU, AT LEAST, HISTORICALLY, WE'VE SEEN SALES TAX OF HOVERING 5-6 PERCENT THIS YEAR AT ONE PERCENT.
WHAT DOES GROWTH DO? ALL THOSE THINGS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.
WE CAN ABSOLUTELY RUN THAT OUT FURTHER, BUT WE LOSE CONFIDENCE WITH ANYTHING BEYOND FIVE YEARS.
WE'LL DO ANYTHING THAT THE COUNCIL ASK.
MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU WOULD BE IS THAT IT WOULDN'T HAVE A GREAT VALUE IN TERMS OF OUR LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE IN THOSE NUMBERS.
IT'S MORE FOR JUST LIKE DOING THE STRESS TESTS LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL DO AGAIN.
BUT JUST TO SEE, IT'S ALWAYS JUST UNDERSTOOD.
KNOWING THAT WE'LL ADJUST AND MAKE IT WORK.
>> WELL, FORTUNATELY, OUR ASSISTANT FINANCE DIRECTOR, MARIANNA DON IS A OVERACHIEVER, SO SHE ALREADY FORECAST OUT SIX YEARS, SO WE ALREADY HAVE THAT NUMBER IN HOUSE.
NEXT IS THE WATER AND SEWER FUND, SO THIS FUND DOESN'T HAVE ANY SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS.
WE JUST HAD SOME NON DISCRETIONARY FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER SERVICE, A COST INCREASE FOR OUR CONTRACT WITH FORT WORTH.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE OVER 16,000 CUSTOMERS ON THE WATER SIDE AND OVER 17,000 ON THE SEWER SIDE.
BACK IN MAY 28, WE HAD A PRESENTATION AND WILLDAN FINANCIAL SERVICES MADE A RECOMMENDATION FOR RATE INCREASES TO THE COUNCIL AND DAN JACKSON WITH US AGAIN TONIGHT, SO HE'S HERE TO HELP ME RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
AT THAT TIME, HE MADE A RECOMMENDATION FOR RATE INCREASES FOR THE FIRST YEAR RANGING ANYWHERE FROM 7.4%-8.4%, DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF WATER CUSTOMER USED.
THE COUNCIL HAD MADE A REQUEST TO CONSIDER USING OR REDUCING WORKING CAPITAL INCREASES TO REDUCE THE RATE INCREASES, TO MAKE THEM MORE REASONABLE AND SO FORTH.
DAN DID GO AND RERUN THE NUMBERS SO HE'S COMING BACK NOW, RECOMMENDING 5.9%-6.6% RATE INCREASES, AND WE STILL HAVE BUILT IN OUR FORECAST THE WHOLESALE WATER RATE INCREASES FROM FORT WORTH OF 4% ON THE WATERSIDE AND 5% ON THE WASTEWATER SIDE GOING OUT FOR THE FIVE YEAR HORIZON.
THEY DON'T GIVE US THOSE NUMBERS, BUT JUST BASED ON HISTORICAL TRENDS IS WHAT DAN USED.
WHEN DAN PRESENTED TO YOU BEFORE, WE HAD THESE SLIDES SHOWING OUR CURRENT RATES.
HE SHOWED YOU REALLY HOW OUR RATES COMPARED, SO WE HAVE BURLESON ON THE FAR LEFT SIDE, THE RED, AND YOU CAN SEE WE BEAT ACTUALLY THE STATE AVERAGE.
IF YOU REALLY LOOKED AT THESE NUMBERS, AND WE'RE REALLY PERFECTLY IN THE CENTER.
SEVEN OTHER CITIES SELECTED ON THE LOWER END OF US AND SEVEN ON THE HIGHER END OF US.
THE BLUE ONES ARE THE THREE MEMBERS THAT ARE ALSO WHOLESALE PURCHASERS OF FORT WORTH.
[03:00:05]
THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO THE WHOLESALE PROVIDER BECAUSE THEY'RE A LARGE DRIVER OF OUR COSTS RIGHT ALONG WITH CAPITAL COSTS.WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE WHOLESALE PROVIDERS WITH FORT WORTH, WE'RE STILL IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION.
THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEM HIGHER THAN US, INCLUDING THE STATE AVERAGE, AS WELL AS SEVEN LOWER THAN US, SO WE'RE VERY COMPETITIVE ON THAT END.
THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE ACTUAL GROWTH IN TERMS OF CUSTOMERS IN THE PAST AND ALL FORECASTS IN THE FUTURE, AND YOU CAN SEE IT SLOWS DOWN IN THE FUTURE, BECAUSE WE'RE BEING CONSERVATIVE IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH PACE, AND IF THAT PICKS UP BASED ON FORECAST DEVELOPMENTS, THEN WE HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF REDUCING RATE INCREASES IN THE FUTURE.
BUT IT'S SHOWING ANYWHERE FROM 202-215 ADDITIONAL CUSTOMERS.
THIS IS THE RATE INCREASE THAT DAN'S PROPOSED WITH THE NEW NUMBERS BASED ON WHAT THE COUNCIL ASKED FOR.
THIS DEMONSTRATES THE FIRST YEAR OF STARTING OCTOBER 1 OF 2024, AND YOU CAN SEE THE 5.9% ON THE LOWER END OF USAGE UP TO THE 6.6% ON THE HIGHER END OF THE USAGE.
THEN YOU SEE THE FORECAST OF RATE INCREASES GOING FORWARD FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AS WELL SO ALL OF THOSE WERE ADJUSTED.
WHEN I GET TO THE FIVE YEAR FORECAST FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND, THEN I'LL SUM UP WHY HE STOPPED, WHERE HE DID IN TERMS OF THE PERCENT RATE INCREASES, WHY I DIDN'T GO DOWN ANY FARTHER.
BEFORE I GET TO THAT, WELL, FIRST, LET ME ASK, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE RATE STRUCTURE THAT DAN OR MYSELF CAN RESPOND TO? THE NEXT SEGMENT REALLY WALKS THROUGH CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES.
AS YOU GUYS KNOW, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL GOING FAR BACK AS FEBRUARY AND SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT TRANSFERRING THE FEES.
WE SHOWED YOU THE SLIDES BEFORE, SO I WON'T BELABOR THOSE, BUT HISTORICALLY, THE COUNCIL HAS ASKED STAFF TO ABSORB THE FEES FOR CREDIT CARD FEES, AND WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATION EVEN OUTSIDE OF THIS YEAR AND WE HAD RICHARD ABERNETHY ALSO PRESENTED EARLY ON FEES AND GAVE YOU SOME OF THE HISTORY.
THIS IS THE PROCESSING FEES, AND WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DO IS SHIFT FROM, WITH PAYMENTS AND TITLE OF CASHIERING FROM THE CURRENT FEE STRUCTURE THAT THE CITY'S PAYING AND THE NEW RATES IS WHAT CUSTOMERS PAY WHEN WE OUTSOURCE THOSE.
THIS SHOWS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DELIVER ON WHAT THE COUNCIL ASKED FOR, AND THAT IS, THERE'S A STRUCTURE IF WE PASS THE FEES ALONG, THAT WE ONLY DO IT WHERE THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CUSTOMERS TO AVOID THE FEE BY USING ACH.
THEY CAN DO THAT BY DOING A ACH BANK DRAFT, THEY CAN ALSO DO IT BY ACH ONLINE PAYMENT THROUGH THEIR BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, AS WELL, SO THERE ARE A COUPLE OF AVENUES.
THE OTHER OPTIONS THEY HAVE, THEY WOULD INCUR THE FEES, BUT THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.
RICHARD AND DEANNA PHILLIPS HAS ALSO PUT TOGETHER AN OUTREACH PROGRAM TO NOTIFY RESIDENTS AS WELL IF THE COUNCIL GIVES THIS DIRECTION CONTINUUM ALONG THIS PATH.
THIS IS THE FIVE YEAR SUMMARY FOR THE WATER AND SEWER FUND, SO THE WATER REVENUE, AS WELL AS WASTEWATER IS BASED ON THE RATES THAT DAN HAS PUT TOGETHER FOR THE COUNCIL.
THEN ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, YOU'LL SEE THE DEBT SERVICE NUMBERS THAT'S LISTED THERE, AND YOU'LL SEE A DROP FROM THE YEAR END NUMBERS FOR THIS YEAR TO NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTION THE COUNCIL GAVE US THAT WE WOULD USE REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTIONS FOR THE CURRENT YEAR ITEMS AND ISSUE THE DEBT THE FOLLOWING YEAR INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT YEAR, SO WE DON'T HAVE THE CURRENT INCREASE IN A DEBT SERVICE FOR FISCAL YEAR 24/25.
YOU 'LL SEE IT DELAYED A YEAR IN ALL THESE SCHEDULES FOR THE FUTURE DEBT SERVICE.
THE BIG NEWS IS IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE, YOU NOTICE, IT DID COME DOWN, WE HIT A COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE WE HAD 1.6 MILLION GROWTH, I THINK IN FISCAL YEAR 26 AND 1.8 IN FISCAL YEAR 28 PREVIOUSLY, SO THOSE NUMBERS HAVE COME DOWN NOW.
BUT DAN'S CONCERN IF HE CONTINUES TO DROP THEM, THEN WHEN YOU GET TO FISCAL YEAR 28 AND 29, WHERE WE'RE PULLING DOWN THE FUND BALANCE, THOSE DECREASES WOULD BE GREATER, AND YOU NEED LARGER RATE INCREASES AS A RESULT.
[03:05:02]
HE'S TRYING TO AVOID US FROM HAVING TO HAVE DOUBLE DIGIT RATE INCREASES AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE WORKING CAPITAL OF THE NOTE THERE INDICATES THAT WE'RE GOING TO EXPLORE USING SOME OF THE WORKING CAPITAL TO SUPPLEMENT THE PROPRIETORY EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND.
WE THINK IT'S UNDERFUNDED, AND WE NEED TO GO THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO IDENTIFY HOW MUCH SHOULD BE ADDED TO IT, AS WELL AS WE WANT TO SEPARATE THE IMPACT FEES FROM THE WATER AND SEWER FUND AND PUT THEM IN THEIR OWN SEPARATE FUND THAT PUTS US IN THE BEST POSITION TO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE LAW QUICKLY THAT WE'RE SPENDING IMPACT FEES ON IMPACT FEE, ELIGIBLE FUNDS, AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED INTERESTS AND SO FORTH.
THEN IT WOULDN'T CLOUD THESE NUMBERS BY MAKING THE FUND BALANCE OR RESERVES LOOK HIGHER THAN THEY REALLY ARE IF YOU HAVE CERTAIN RESTRICTION IN THOSE NUMBERS.
WITH THAT, I'LL PAUSE AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT COUNCIL MAY HAVE.
>> HARLING, WITH THAT DELAY OF THE BOND ISSUE FOR ONE YEAR, YOU GOT THE 3-4% ANNUAL REDUCTION IN RATE ADJUSTMENTS.
IS THAT REFLECTED ON THIS SHEET AND THE IMPACT ON MONTHLY CHARGES? IS THAT ALREADY REFLECTED ON HERE OR IS THAT?
>> YOUR QUESTION IS DELAYING THE SAVINGS THAT WE GET BY DELAYING THE SALE OF BONDS, IF THAT'S ALREADY REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSED RATES?
>> I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED EARLIER, WE STARTED BY HAVING DAN PRESENT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BEFORE THE COUNCIL IN LATE MAY, AND THE RATES WERE EVEN HIGHER AT THAT POINT, SO WE KEPT IMPLEMENTING DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE THE NUMBER.
THERE WERE SOME STAFF INITIATED STRATEGIES, BUT THE LAST PIECE WAS THE COUNCIL INITIATED STRATEGY OF REDUCING THE ADDITION TO THE WORKING CAPITAL.
BUT DAN DID INCORPORATE YOUR NUMBERS OR THE DELAY IN THE ISSUING OF THE DEBT AND THE RATE INCREASE ADJUSTMENTS.
>> HARLING, WAS THERE A SLIDE ABOUT THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASES FOR THE CREDIT CARDS? BECAUSE ON THE AGENDA, THERE WAS ONE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF OKAY. THERE WE GO.
I GUESS I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT BASICALLY AN E CHECK AND ACH ARE ROUGHLY THE SAME THING AND PEOPLE USE A E CHECK FOR A ONE TIME TRANSACTION VERSUS AN ACH, WHICH IS YOU CAN SET THAT UP ON AN AUTOMATIC, BUT IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME THING.
MY THOUGHT PROCESS IS, LIKE, IS TYLER CASHIERING, DO THEY CHARGE US $1.95 IF SOMEBODY WERE TO DO AN E CHECK BECAUSE I WOULD BE NOT TRYING TO TAKE AWAY REVENUE.
BUT TO ME, LIKE I SAID, ACH AND E CHECK ARE THE SAME THING AND WOULD BE WILLING TO ABSORB THAT FEE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE PICKING UP 3.75% AS THE PASS THROUGH.
BUT THEN THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO COACH PEOPLE INTO SETTING UP THE ACTUAL ACH WHERE IT'S AUTOMATICALLY EVERY MONTH.
BUT I JUST THINK ABOUT AT THE BANK, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT USE TELEPHONE BANKING SURPRISINGLY, AND ALSO ADDING THE $0.50 FOR THE PAY BY PHONE, MAYBE THAT'D BE A GOOD TIME TO TRY TO GET THEM TO SIGN UP ONLINE, MAYBE.
IS OUR WEBSITE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE IT TO WHERE YOU CAN SET UP AN ACH, OR WE DO THEY HAVE TO CALL AND THEN THE UTILITY SET THEM UP ON THE ACH? I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT OUR OLDER POPULATION AND DON'T REALLY WANT TO PENALIZE THEM FOR HAVING TO CALL AND PAY BY PHONE.
>> WELL, I DON'T RECALL HAVING CONVERSATION TO SEE IF THEY WERE BABY SET UP ACH THROUGH THE WEBSITE. YES.
>> DIANA IS ABOUT TO HAVE A FIT.
I THINK SHE WAS TO COME. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THEY CAN SET UP THEIR ACH ON OUR WEBSITE.
>> WE DO HAVE THAT ABILITY, THEY CAN CALL AND SET IT UP, AND THEY CAN CALL AND DO IT OVER THE PHONE AS WELL, SO ALL THOSE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
>> OKAY. I JUST THINK AT LEAST FOR THE PAY BY PHONE, I'M FINE NOT CHARGING AN ADDITIONAL FOR THAT JUST BECAUSE, DOES TYLER MINUS CHARGE US OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO ADD IT AS AN EXTRA FEE?
>> I THINK CURRENTLY WHERE IT'S SET UP, IT'S NOT A CHARGE FOR US, BUT THERE'S A $0.50 IF WE HAVE THE CUSTOMER PAY IT.
YOUR REQUEST IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO COVER THAT FEE AS WELL AS THE E CHECK?
>> BECAUSE THAT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO HAVE A FREE OPTION TO PAY THEIR UTILITY BILL, OR THEY CAN GO KEEP USING A CREDIT CARD AND GET POINTS AND MILES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
[03:10:04]
BUT JUST TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR THOSE THAT LIKE I SAID, E CHECK, IT'S MORE OF A ONE TIME DEAL AND EVEN IF THEY CALL IN, MAYBE ASK THEM OVER THE PHONE, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE US TO HELP YOU GET IT SET UP TO DO IT AUTOMATICALLY? BUT JUST THOUGHTS, I'M OPENING IT UP TO EVERYBODY.>> I'LL JUST SAY I THINK THOSE ARE REALLY NOMINAL COST CONSIDERING THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID BY BY ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE MORE ECONOMICAL OPTIONS.
>> THANK YOU, DIANA. DON'T GO TOO FAR.
SOLID WASTE FEES, SO THERE'S NO SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST FOR THIS FUND, EITHER.
THE OPERATION IS OUTSOURCED TO A WASTE CONNECTION, AS THE COUNCIL KNOWS.
THE BEST PRACTICE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECEIVE ANY FEE INCREASES TO THE RESIDENTS.
THE COUNCIL HAS HAD A PRACTICE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THE CITY HAS OF NOT NECESSARILY DOING IT BECAUSE WE WERE DRAWING DOWN THE FUND BALANCE, SO WE'VE GOTTEN IT TO A POINT I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE NOW.
ONE OF THE THINGS THE COUNCIL GAVE US DIRECTION ON, AND THAT WAS TO REALLY TRANSITION THE LITTER ABATEMENT PROGRAM INTO THE SOLID WASTE FUND CONTRACT ABOUT $130,000.
WE'VE DONE THAT, SO THAT SHOULD BE ABOUT $1 A MONTH FEE ON THE CUSTOMERS BILL.
THIS SCHEDULE SHOWS THE COMPARISONS OUR SURVEY CITIES AND IN TERMS OF HOW OFTEN SOLID WASTE IS PICKED UP THE FREQUENCY, AS WELL AS WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE USING CARTS OR BAGS.
YOU'LL SEE THAT WE'RE THE SECOND HIGHEST ON THE LIST HERE AND THE ACTUAL PROPOSED RATES ARE LISTED HERE FOR THE RESIDENTIAL RATE GOING FORWARD.
THE CONTRACT WE HAVE CURRENTLY WITH OUR PROVIDER CALLS FOR A 6% RATE INCREASE OR THE CPI, SO WE'VE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THEM TODAY, AND WE HAVE TO VERIFY THE NUMBERS AND REVIEW IT WITH THEM, BUT WE'LL UPDATE THE COUNCIL WHEN WE PRESENT THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
HOPEFULLY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE NUMBERS TO DECREASE MODERATELY.
YOU LOOK AT THEM, AND THIS ISN'T AS DRASTIC AS A COUPLE OF OTHERS, BUT PART OF THE INCREASE THAT RESIDENTS WILL SEE WON'T SIMPLY BE THE 6% BECAUSE WE HADN'T BEEN PASSING ON THE TRUE COST TO THE RESIDENTS.
THESE ARE THE NUMBERS FOR THE SMALL COLLECTIONS AS WELL AS THE LARGE COLLECTIONS.
THEN FINALLY, THIS IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE FIVE YEAR FORECAST, SO THE RATES IN TERMS OF REVENUES BASED ON THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN OUR CONTRACT.
WE HAD A COUPLE OF YEARS OF 6% OR THE CPI THEN AFTER THAT IT WOULD GO TO THE CPI EXCLUSIVELY.
THE EXPENDITURES ARE MATCHED UP TO THE FORECAST OR RATE INCREASE IN THE CONTRACTS.
YOU CAN SEE WE ADD A MODERATE AMOUNT TO THE FUND BALANCE EACH OF THE YEARS, SO THE FUND BALANCE MOVES FROM 10% UP TO 13% OVER THE FIVE YEAR HORIZON.
>> WE PLAN TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE CONTRACTOR ON A COUPLE OF THINGS TO TRY TO GET THE RATES DECREASE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO USE A CONSULTANT FOR IS TO TRY TO LOCATE AND DO AN RFP FOR A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR THAT CAN DO A BRUSH AND WASTE REMOVAL IN EVENT OF A STORM.
YOU PROBABLY READ ABOUT A DALLAS INCIDENT IN THE LAST STORM.
ALMOST TWO MONTHS LATER IS STILL PICKING UP DEBRIS AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
YOU REALLY CAN'T USE YOUR CURRENT CONTRACTOR.
THEY WOULD BE INUNDATED ANYWAY.
BUT IF YOU USE A THIRD PARTY THAT SPECIALIZE IN THAT, A LOT OF TIMES THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO COME IN AND HELP.
WE WANT TO SEE IF IT'S REASONABLE TO IDENTIFY A PARTY TO DO THAT.
WHEN THESE STORM EVENTS HAPPEN TO COMMUNITIES, WE FOCUS A LOT ON PLANNING, DOING THE EVENT BECAUSE IT CAN DAMAGE PROPERTY AND LIVES.
BUT THE CITY SPENT THE LION'S SHARE OF ITS TIME AFTER STORMS CLEANING UP AFTERWARDS SO WE WANT TO EXPLORE A POSSIBILITY OF BEING BETTER PREPARED FOR THAT.
SOME OF THE THINGS WE THINK WE CAN USE TO REDUCE THE RATES IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE USE OF POLY CART FOR TRASH SERVICE.
NUMBER 1, LOOKING AT THE FREQUENCY OF PICKUP, CAN SAVE THE CONTRACTING MONEY, WHICH CAN BE PASSED ON TO RESIDENTS.
[03:15:01]
THEN FINALLY, IF WE FRANCHISE ALL THE NON-RESIDENTIAL PICKUP IN TOWN, BECAUSE OF THAT CONSOLIDATION ECONOMY SCALES, THEN VENDORS CAN GIVE YOU A DECREASE IN A CERTAIN PORTION OF YOUR RATE AS WELL.WE WANT TO EXPLORE THOSE AVENUES.
BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS ON SOLID WASTE.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT 4A.
THERE'S A SINGLE REQUEST IN THE 4A FUND.
AS FOR A POSITION, I'M GOING TO GET INTO THAT IN A MOMENT.
YOU'LL SEE A RECURRING COST HERE OF $103,000.
I DO WANT TO LET THE COUNCIL KNOW THAT'S NOT THE SALARY FOR THE POSITION.
THAT'S A FULLY COST-BURDENED PERSON, SO IT'D BE POSITION SALARY PLUS ABOUT 35% IN BENEFITS.
THIS POSITION WOULD BE ONE THAT'S GOING TO FOCUS A LOT ON THE ECONOMICS OF DEALS, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PURSUING DEALS THAT PAY DIVIDENDS.
THE OTHER THING TOO, IS I AM GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING THIS.
THIS DEPARTMENT IS SMALL BUT MIGHTY, IS WHAT I SAY.
THEY HAVEN'T HAD AN ADDITIONAL PERSON IN A LONG TIME.
THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S GOING TO THAT DEPARTMENT IS SIGNIFICANT.
I THINK THIS POSITION WILL HELP FROM A SUCCESSION PLANNING STANDPOINT AND A WORKLOAD STANDPOINT.
FRANKLY, IT'LL TAKE SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN THAT ALEX AND SOME OF HIS TEAM ARE DOING, FREE UP THEIR TIME.
THIS IS THE ONLY OTHER POSITION THAT I'M RECOMMENDING IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 4A FORECAST, WE MAINTAIN AN INCREDIBLY STRONG FUND BALANCE THROUGHOUT.
YOU'LL SEE IT DROP IN 24, 25, THAT'S A SHIFT IN TIMING OF OUR CRAFT MASTER'S INCENTIVES.
BEYOND THAT, IT BUILDS UP ESSENTIALLY THE NEXT YEAR.
WITH THAT SAID, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT POSITION.
>> WE DEFINITELY NEED THAT POSITION.
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT GOING ON, AND ALEX AND THE TEAM HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN BRINGING IN NEW DEVELOPMENT INTO THE CITY, AND I THINK THE POSITION WILL HELP US CONTINUE TO LOOK AT SMART WAYS OF DOING THAT.
>> PLUS, IT'LL GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT HOW THE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN.
>> CORRECT. I THINK AS WE LOOK AND WE FORECAST WHAT DEALS THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE, THERE'S PROBABLY SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY PENCILED VERSUS WHAT ACTUALLY DID.
THIS POSITION WILL BE GOING BACK AND LOOKING HISTORICALLY, BUT ALSO HELPING US WITH OUR PROFORMAS MOVING FORWARD AS WELL SO WE'RE PURSUING THE RIGHT DEALS.
>> ON THE 4B FUND, THERE WERE FIVE REQUESTS, AND I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING FOUR OF THOSE, AND I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THOSE AS YOU SAW WITH THE GENERAL FUND.
THERE IS A SMALL OFFSET, AND I'LL SPEAK TO THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.
I'M SURE MOST OF YOU ALL KNOW THAT JISD IS GOING TO BE TRANSITIONING TO A LARGELY FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK NEXT YEAR WITH MONDAYS BEING ESSENTIALLY AN OFF DAY.
THIS WOULD BE A DAY CAMP THAT WE WOULD OFFER FOR THOSE STUDENTS.
WHILE THERE IS A COST, THERE'S ACTUALLY AN ONGOING REVENUE, SO IT ACTUALLY IS A NET BENEFIT TO US AND OBVIOUSLY A NET BENEFIT TO THE RESIDENTS WITH STUDENTS AND JISD.
AT CHISENHALL, THERE'S ABOUT $20,000 ONE TIME COST OF CONCRETE REPAIR THAT WE NEED TO MAKE.
THERE'S JUST SAFETY-RELATED FUNCTIONS THAT WE NEED TO DO SIMILAR WITH THIS WIRELESS ALERT SYSTEM FOR THE BRICK.
THERE'S ESSENTIALLY PANIC BUTTONS INSTALLED AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS SO THAT WE CALL 911, AND ALSO HAVE TIED TO A LIGHTING COMPONENT WITHIN VARIOUS OFFICE AREAS SO THEY WOULD KNOW THAT THERE'S AN EMERGENCY GOING ON.
I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE.
AS SCOREBOARD CONTROLLERS, THIS IS ACTUALLY A PARTIAL FUNDING REQUEST, SO THE DEPARTMENT HAD REQUESTED $20,000, AND I'M RECOMMENDING PARTIAL WOULD GET ABOUT HALF THE SCOREBOARDS DONE.
AGAIN, WITH PARKS PERFORMANCE FUND BEING LARGELY SUBSIDIZED FROM 4B AND 4B REVENUE BEING DOWN THIS YEAR, I'M JUST TRYING TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND TRYING TO MAKE INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.
BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> AS YOU ALL KNOW, OUR PARKS PERFORMANCE FUND IS A PASS-THROUGH FUND.
THERE'S NOT A FUND BALANCE HERE, SO YOU'RE GOING TO SEE YOUR OPERATING REVENUES AND YOUR TRANSFERS IN FROM 4B, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY YOUR SUBSIDY.
ON HIDDEN CREEK, THERE WERE SIX REQUESTS THIS YEAR, TWO POSITIONS THEY WERE, LIKE, PART-TIME GROUND MAINTENANCE POSITIONS.
WHILE, AGAIN, HIDDEN CREEK HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.
[03:20:03]
JANE AND JAMES AND THEIR TEAM HAVE DONE AMAZING RECORD-BREAKING YEAR, YEAR OVER YEAR.THERE WAS A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE GOLF COURSE LAST YEAR WITH A NUMBER OF DRAINAGE-RELATED FUNCTIONS BEING DONE, SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS, TREE TRIMMING, AS WELL AS THE BUNKERS.
I'M NOT TRYING TO SHIFT AWAY FROM THAT, BUT AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE LARGELY SELF-SUSTAINING, THEY'RE STILL SUBSIDIZED BY OVER 20%, AND WITH THE 4B REVENUE BEING DOWN THIS YEAR, I'M TRYING TO BE MINDFUL THERE.
I'M ONLY GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING ONE SUPPLEMENTAL IN THIS CASE.
THIS IS A CHEMIGATION SYSTEM, ESSENTIALLY WHAT THAT IS, WATER PROVIDES FOR THE IRRIGATION AT THE COURSE, AND THERE'S A HIGH SALT CONTENT.
WHAT THIS IS GOING TO DO IS TREAT THAT SO THE WATER THAT WE'RE USING IRRIGATION FOR WILL BETTER HYDRATE THE COURSE AND HAVE BETTER TURF, ESSENTIALLY.
WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT THIS WOULD BE ONE AREA CAN SEND YOU TO SEE STRONG REVENUES.
I MAY COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND ASK FOR A MID-YEAR ADJUSTMENT TO DO SOME OF THESE OTHER ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENTALS THAT I'M NOT RECOMMENDING AT THIS TIME.
I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT JAMES AND HIS STAFF WILL DO PROBABLY ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OR OTHER ITEMS. HARLAN IS GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SOME FEES.
>> THANK YOU, TOMMY. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE GREEN FEE AND RANGE BALL PROPOSED INCREASE, WHERE THERE'S A WEEKEND GREEN FEES, WEEKDAY GREEN FEES, SENIOR GREEN FEES, AND SO FORTH, AND THEY REALLY INCREASES RANGE FROM $1-$3.
THIS SHOWS HOW THE CURRENT FEES REALLY STACK UP AGAINST THE PROPOSED FEES, THE MODERATE INCREASE, AND THEN HOW WE COMPARE TO SOUTHERN OAKS, AS WELL AS MANSFIELD NATIONAL.
YOU CAN SEE HOW FEES ARE VERY COMPETITIVE TO THOSE COURSES.
THE THOUGHT IS AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE COURSE, THEN THE FEES WILL PROBABLY ADJUST APPROPRIATELY, AND THEY'RE MORE REASONABLE.
I THINK THE WAY THE STRUCTURE WORKS IS THAT WHEN WE'RE AT FULL CAPACITY, THEN WE GO TO THIS FEE SCHEDULE THAT'S BEFORE YOU A PROPOSED FEE SCHEDULE, AND WHEN THE CAPACITY DROPS, THE COURSE IS NOT IN AS MUCH USE THEN, THEN JAMES HAS THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE FEES DOWNWARDS.
HE HAS SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THE FEE, IT'S NOT THE SAME YEAR-ROUND.
THEN GOLF COURSE OVERALL, THE REVENUE IS BASED ON THE FEES THAT'S PROPOSED BEFORE YOU.
YOU SEE THE BASIC SUBSIDY FROM THE 4B FUND, AND THEIR DEBT SERVICE IS DROPPING OFF AFTER THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO YOU SEE IT GOING AWAY.
AS A RESULT, UNDER OTHER EXPENDITURES, YOU SEE A DECREASE THERE BY A CORRESPONDING AMOUNT WITH THE ELIMINATION OF THE DEBT SERVICE.
YOU SEE THE ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENTALS THAT'S LISTED THERE AS WELL, THAT THE MANAGER JUST COVERED.
THEN THE NOTABLE THING IS, THEN HOW MUCH THE GOLF FUND IS SELF-SUPPORTING.
IT'S MOVING FROM 63% UP TO 77% OVER THE YEAR FIVE HORIZON.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE GOLF COURSE?
>> IF WE'RE GOING UP ON THE CLUBS, I DIDN'T SEE GOLD CLUBS, WE GO UP ON THAT ONE, TOO.
IS IT 6999, I THINK, IS WHAT IT IS.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO ASK JAMES ABOUT IT.
>> WE CAN TALK TO JAMES ABOUT MAKING THAT ADJUSTMENT.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS RECOMMENDED.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS BASED ON COMPARABLES TO OTHERS, AND THERE WASN'T A RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE THAT ONE, JUST TO INCREASE THESE. WELL, WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT ONE.
>> I KNOW WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE FOOD TOO AT SOME POINT. THANKS, HARLAN.
>> I'LL FOLLOW UP AND ASK WHY THAT WASN'T RECOMMENDED AND LET YOU KNOW.
>> YOU GUYS ARE STUCK WITH ME THE REST OF THE WAY.
ON 4B, THERE WERE TWO SUPPLEMENTAL REQUESTS.
I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING ONE OF THOSE, AND I'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT IS.
THIS IS ANOTHER ITEM THAT I'M RECOMMENDING TO PARTIALLY FUND.
ANYTIME THAT WE HAVE A TREE THAT IS DAMAGED OR THAT DIES, THIS WILL BE A REPLACEMENT FOR THAT AS WELL AS CORRESPONDING BUBBLERS FOR IRRIGATION.
IT'S POINTLESS TO PLANT A TREE WITH NO IRRIGATION TO ESTABLISH THE TREE.
[03:25:01]
THE DEPARTMENT DID REQUEST $20,000 FOR THIS, 10,000 FOR TREES, 10,000 FOR IRRIGATION.I'M RECOMMENDING 10,000 AT THAT INCREMENTALLY.
IF WE SEE AGAIN THAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH, AND WE'VE GONE THROUGH THAT MID-YEAR, THEN WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK, BUT AT THIS STAGE, I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND $10,000 FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL.
ANY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ONE? OVERALL 4B OPERATING, WE HAVE A DEBT FROM WHERE WE ARE, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY TIED TO OUR VERY STRONG AND ROBUST CAPITAL PROGRAM, BUT WE STAY WITHIN OUR FUND BALANCE MINIMUMS, AND EVEN IN THE FIFTH YEAR, WE'RE A LITTLE OVER 25%.
WE'RE STILL MAINTAINING STRONG FUND BALANCE.
HOPEFULLY, SALES TAX WILL COME BACK UP, THESE NUMBERS WILL IMPROVE AS WELL.
I BRIEFLY TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION, AT LEAST ONE OF THE ITEMS. THERE WERE FOUR REQUESTS THIS YEAR, ALL FOUR BEING POSITIONS.
I'M GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING ONE OF THOSE AND IT IS THE RADIO TECHNICIAN.
COUNCIL DID APPROVE TWO POSITIONS LAST YEAR FOR IT.
THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF NEEDS, A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT WHAT I'LL SAY TOO IS THAT WE APPROVED A NUMBER OF TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS LAST YEAR.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS YEAR IS NOT HEAVILY ON INFRASTRUCTURE.
I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE AT HAND WITH THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE AND THE RADIO TECHNICIAN WILL CERTAINLY HELP WITH THAT.
ON THE IT FORECAST, AGAIN, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE FUNDS THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE A MINIMUM FUND BALANCE.
IT JUST REALLY NEEDS TO BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR ITS OPERATION, BUT YOU SEE THAT IS SLIGHTLY GROWING OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS AND GETTING UP TO ABOUT 20% IN YEAR FIVE.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THE IT SIDE? JUST IN TERMS OF DIRECTIONS, YOU'VE GIVEN DIRECTIONS AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH, BUT IF THERE'S ANY SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST THAT I HAVEN'T COVERED, ANYTHING THAT I'VE RECOMMENDED THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH.
AGAIN, YOU'VE SEEN THE FULL SUPPLEMENTAL LIST SO IF THERE ARE ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN, I HEARD A DIRECTION ON THE LOW WATER CROSSINGS, SO WE'LL INCORPORATE THAT AS AN ADDITIONAL ITEM.
WHEN YOU SEE THE BUDGET AGAIN, WE'LL HAVE THAT INCORPORATED SO YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE NUMBERS CHANGE.
IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS, THE INTENTION IS TO FILE THE BUDGET ON THE FIFTH AND JUST HAVE A HIGH LEVEL DOCUMENT OF WHAT'S BEING FUNDED WHERE, WE'LL BE PRESENTING PRELIMINARY BUDGET TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THEN COMING BACK ON AUGUST 12 FOR A SPECIAL SESSION FOR ME TO MAKE THE CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
ANY QUESTIONS AS RELATES EITHER TO SUPPLEMENTALS, FEES, ANY OTHER ITEM WE DISCUSSED TONIGHT?
>> THIS QUESTION IS MORE FOR COACH.
YOU WERE WANTING TO GET MORE INVOLVED WITH THE YOUTH AT THE GOLF COURSE AND WITH THE SPONSORSHIP?
>> I KNOW THAT MAY BE A QUESTION FOR JAMES, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A STUDENT RATE.
>> I THINK WE APPROVED A SPONSORSHIP FOR THE SCHOOLS.
>> BUT THAT'S JUST FOR RANGE USE.
>> SORRY, THIS JUST POPPED IN MY HEAD IT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
>> LAST YEAR, WE WAIVED THE FEES FOR BOTH JISD AND BISD FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT USE THE COURSE FOR [INAUDIBLE] BUT AS FAR AS RANGE OR STUDENT RATE, WE HAVE NOT ESTABLISHED THAT.
THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD ESTABLISH.
>> THEN THAT INCLUDES THE GREEN FEES FOR THEM TO, IF THEY WANTED TO PLAY.
>> I WAS JUST THINKING, WHEN I WAS A KID, I KNOW THEY HAD LIKE UNDER 16 OR UNDER 18 RATE.
WELL, THERE'S NO NEEDS, BUT I THINK FOR SURE, I KNOW WE TALKED LAST YEAR ABOUT LOOKING AT THE FOOD WHEN RONNIE WAS STILL ON ABOUT BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD MAKE IT SOME ADJUSTMENTS THERE.
>> SURE. WE HAVE STARTED PROVIDING THE COST OF SALES.
YOU GET IT IN YOUR FRIDAY REPORT ONCE A MONTH AS PART OF THE PROGRAM UPDATES FOR PARKS AND RECREATION.
THAT COST OF SALES IS IN THERE.
BUT IF YOU WANT A BREAKDOWN OF THAT, BECAUSE IT'S ROLLED UP.
BUT IF YOU WANT A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT THOSE LINE ITEMS LOOK LIKE WE CAN ALWAYS PROVIDE THAT REPORT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANY DIRECTION?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
[NOISE] THAT BRINGS US TO 8C, RECEIVE A REPORT,
[8.C. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and provide staff direction regarding the proposed FY 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). (Staff Contact: Eric Oscarson, Deputy City Manager)]
HOLD A DISCUSSION AND PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2024,[03:30:03]
2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.THE STAFF PRESENTER IS ERIC OSCARSON, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER.
>> GOOD EVENING AGAIN, MAYOR AND COUNSEL.
HOPEFULLY. I'LL SCOOT THROUGH THIS P QUICKLY.
I'M GOING TO PRESENT TO YOU TONIGHT IN THE FINAL LOOK AT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM THAT WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET MOVING FORWARD.
PRESENTATION OBJECTIVE IS OBVIOUSLY TO REVIEW WHY WE DO CAPITAL PLANNING, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY REVIEW THE CIP ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THE BUDGETS FINALIZED.
WHY DO WE DO CAPITAL PLANNING? THE CAPITAL PLAN IS A FIVE YEAR PLAN.
WE USE THE FIRST YEAR AS PART OF BUDGETING, THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE THE PLAN.
IT ALLOWS US TO COMPLETE LONG TERM PLANNING.
THIS ALONE GOES ALONG WITH THE BUDGET AND ALLOWS US TO CREATE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY WITH REGARDS TO THE LONG RANGE PLANNING.
IT ALLOWS US AND COUNCIL TO LOOK AT PROJECTS, PRIORITIZE PROJECTS, WHAT WE FEEL ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT.
IT IDENTIFIES HOW WE'RE GOING TO USE OUR RESOURCES WITH A DIFFERENT FUNDING MECHANISMS. THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY.
IT DOES ALLOW US TO MANAGE SOME RISK BECAUSE WE KNOW WHAT'S COMING AND OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANNING.
THEN THE LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT ONE IS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF WHAT PROJECTS WE'RE DOING AND WHY WE'RE DOING THEM.
THE FIRST THING I'M GOING TO DO IS GO OVER THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL PLAN.
WE'VE SEEN THIS MULTIPLE TIMES.
MOST OF THESE PROJECTS SHOULD BE WELL KNOWN.
STUFF THAT'S AT THE TOP IS STUFF THAT'S PART OF THE GO BOND PROJECT BOND PROGRAM.
WE HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN '25 AND '26 OF THAT 750,000.
IN '27 AND '28, ERIC THOMPSON PRESENTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE RISING COST OF CONSTRUCTION FOR US TO COMPLETE THE NEIGHBORHOOD STREET REBUILD PROGRAM, WE WOULD NEED THE ADDITIONAL ABOUT 3.5 MILLION.
EVERYTHING WE PROMISE TO THE VOTERS TO COMPLETE THAT, WE NEED THAT ADDITIONAL FUNDING, AND THAT'S BUILT INTO THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY.
ALSBURY PHASE 2, THAT'S THE BRIDGE PROJECT.
THAT'LL BE COMING FORWARD HOPEFULLY SHORTLY FOR BID IN CONSTRUCTION.
WE'RE FINISHING UP SOME PROPERTY ACQUISITION, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT TO CONSTRUCTION.
HOPEFULLY SOON, YOU'LL SEE THAT PROJECT COMING FORWARD.
YOU SEE THE PD EXPANSION NUMBERS IN THERE, YOU'LL SEE SOME NUMBERS FOR PD EXPANSION UP AT THE TOP, AND YOU'LL ALSO SEE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING DOWN BELOW AS RECOMMENDED BY COUNSEL TO BUILD OUT THAT PROJECT.
WE HAVE THE WIDENING OF SCHEMATIC, THE SCHEMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL FOR THE WIDENING OF 174.
THAT'S TO TAKE US ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CITY LIMITS.
YOU'LL SEE THE HULEN AND WILSHIRE INTERSECTION AND THE HULEN WIDENING ARE ALL COMBINED INTO ONE PROJECT FOR FUTURE AS FUTURE YEAR PROJECTS, AND WE HAVE ELK HILLSIDE.
WE ARE DOING SOME PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS THERE IN THE INTERIM TO GET SOME SIDEWALK COMING OFF OF 174 TOWARDS THE EXISTING BRIDGE.
FIRE STATION 4 IS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE OUT YEARS.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE $2.5 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR LAND ACQUISITION IF NEEDED IN DESIGN, 1902, PEDESTRIAN MOBILITY, AND THEN THE WILSHIRE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT.
THAT'S AGAIN, FOR THE LAST PHASE OF THAT PROJECT.
DOWN IN THE CO AREA, WE HAVE THE POLICE EXPANSION.
AGAIN, THOSE ARE THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS AS APPROVED BY COUNCIL.
AGAIN, MOST OF THESE OTHER PROJECTS, ALSBURY, PHASES 1B, 2 AND 3, ARE ALL THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO COMPLETE THOSE PROJECTS.
WE HAVE, AGAIN, THE REMAINING PART OF THE ELK HILLSIDE PROJECT.
THE NEXT LINE ITEM IS THE ADDITIONAL PAVEMENT REHAB, AS TOMMY MENTIONED, THAT'S THE ADDITIONAL FIVE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
WE DO HAVE THAT SET ASIDE AS ONE MILLION DOLLAR EACH YEAR.
AS WE BRING THIS BACK TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, YOU MIGHT SEE OUR RECOMMENDATION, MOVE IT AND BLOCK IT IN DOING 2.26 MILLION, AND THEN 3.29 MILLION, WE FEEL WITH ECONOMIES OF SCALE, WE COULD DO LARGER PROJECTS AND GET MORE WORK DONE.
YOU DID REQUEST THAT WE ADD THE ELLISON AND WILSON SIDEWALK, AS WELL AS OLD TOWN LIGHTING AND QUIET ZONE.
THE FIRST TWO ARE THE TIF FUNDED PROJECTS, AND I'LL GET TO THE TIF HERE IN A MINUTE.
THE QUIET ZONE AT A MILLION DOLLAR IS OUT IN 27.
OBVIOUSLY, IF THAT WERE TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE GET IT THROUGH THE PROCESS FASTER, WE COULD ADJUST THAT MONEY UP.
VILLAGE CREEK PARKWAY EXPANSION, THAT'S OUR TARRANT COUNTY BOND PROJECT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER DESIGN.
THEN AGAIN, AS HARLAN AND TOMMY MENTIONED, THE TWO FIRE ENGINES AND THE EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS THE STORM SIRENS HAVE BEEN MOVED OVER TO THE CAPITAL SIDE.
THIS INCORPORATES ALL THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS FULL COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CAPITAL PLAN AS IT SITS TODAY? ANYBODY? MOVE IT ON TO WATER AND WASTEWATER.
[03:35:01]
AGAIN, THESE PROJECTS ARE MOST OF THE ONES YOU'VE SEEN.NOTHING TOO MAJOR HAS CHANGED SINCE WE'VE LAST DISCUSSED IT.
WE'VE ADJUSTED THE WATER REHAB PROJECTS TO BE EVERY OTHER YEAR, SO DESIGN IN ONE YEAR, CONSTRUCT THE NEXT YEAR.
THE PUB STATION IS MOVING FORWARD, AND WE HAVE ADDITIONAL PROJECTS THAT WE'VE ADDED.
WITH REGARDS TO FUTURE MASTER PLAN PROJECTS, YOU'LL SEE IN THE YEARS IN '27, '28, WE HAVE FUNDING FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER.
MASTER PLAN PROJECTS THAT WE'VE UPDATED.
BIG ONE ON HERE IS THE 4.5 MILLION DOLLAR AND THREE MILLION DOLLAR IN THE WATER AND SEWER FUND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AMI PROGRAM.
IF WE'VE DISCUSSED, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT, TECHNOLOGY WISE TO OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THE WATER AND WASTEWATER CAPITAL PLAN? THIS IS ALL INCLUDED. THIS CAPITAL PLAN WAS INCLUDED IN THE FEES AND THE STRUCTURE AND EVERYTHING YOU SAW FROM TOMMY AND HARLAN.
MOVING ON TO 4A, 4A IS REALLY CONDENSED, SO IT'S EASY.
WE HAVE ALSBURY BOULEVARD WITH DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
THIS IS THE SECTION OF ALSBURY, THE LONG STRETCH FROM THE BRIDGE PROJECT THAT WE'RE ALREADY GOING TO BUILD ALL THE WAY TO FUTURE LAKEWOOD.
THAT'S THE CONNECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS.
THIS IS DESIGNED FOR DESIGN AND BUILD FOR A TWO LANE ROAD SECTION.
THE TWO OUTSIDE LANES BUILD IT OUT, AND AS WE SEE GROWTH, WE CAN BUILD INWARD.
WE'LL PUT THE MAIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN, WE'LL PUT CURBS IN, WE'LL PUT THE STORM SEWER IN.
THE INSIDE WILL BE A BIG MEDIUM, AND THEN AS WE GROW, WE CAN ADD THE INSIDE LANES.
THIS IS SIGNIFICANT, ESPECIALLY TALKING WITH THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HORSE TRAILERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
A NICE WIDE MEDIAN ALLOWS THEM TO MAKE THE U TURN AND GET BACK.
WE RECOGNIZE, TALKING WITH THE RESIDENTS THAT'S IMPORTANT.
LAKEWOOD DRIVE EXTENSION CONSTRUCTION.
THIS IS FOR THE PERMANENT CONNECTION AT LAKEWOOD AT 1902.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A COG AND SOME OTHER AND TEXT ABOUT TRYING TO GET SOME FUNDING, BUT WE HAVE FUNDING ALLOCATED IN HERE TO MAKE THAT PERMANENT CONNECTION.
THIS WAS A NEW AD FROM WHEN YOU LAST SEEN THIS.
IT'S $200,000 FOR SIGNAGE, JUST LIKE WE HAVE AT THE HIGH POINTS BUSINESS PARK, WE'LL HAVE A HOOPER BUSINESS PARK SIGN, AND THEN WE SET ASIDE APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION FOR FUTURE PROJECTS, DEPENDING ON WHAT COMES FORWARD.
AGAIN, THIS IS ALL INCLUDED IN THE 4A FIVE YEAR FORECAST.
TWO PROJECTS. THIS IS THE ADA.
THIS IS TO CORRECT THE ADA ISSUE WE HAVE AT THE CORNER OF ELLISON AND WILSON, WHEN WE INSTALLED THE LARGER ELECTRICAL POLE.
WE TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE ADA RAMPS, SO THIS WILL BE TO CORRECT THAT, AND THEN THE OLD TOWN LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS ALONG BRANSOM AND BUFFORD.
ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ONE? I AM GOING TO TURN OVER THE LAST ONE TO MISS BASHAM TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON 4B.
THIS IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME PLAN THAT YOU SAW WITH THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE DEBT BACK ON JUNE 17TH.
WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE REMOVED '23 AND '24, SO ALL OF OUR EXISTING PROJECTS THAT ARE EITHER STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN PRODUCTION.
YOU DON'T SEE THOSE, YOU JUST SEE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FORECASTED, AND YOU'LL SEE ON THIS NEXT SLIDE, WE'VE ALSO ADDED GREEN RIBBON DESIGN.
THAT IS OUR MATCH FOR THE GREEN RIBBON PROJECT THROUGH TEXTILE THAT WE WILL BE RECEIVING.
THAT'S TECHNICALLY A $490,000 PROJECT, HOWEVER, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN.
HOPEFULLY TO COUNCIL IN AUGUST, WE'RE JUST WAITING TO GET THAT AFA EXECUTED.
I DID WANT TO GIVE THE CAVEAT THAT PARK BOARD HAS SEEN THE MAY VERSION OF THIS, AND THEY'VE RECEIVED THIS ELECTRONICALLY, BUT WE WILL DO A FINAL REVIEW OF THIS WITH THEM IN AUGUST.
THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I THINK YOU'LL SEE IS THAT THAT 5% CONTINGENCY THAT WE USED TO PUT ON THE BOTTOM LINE HAS ROLLED UP INTO ALL OF THESE PROJECTS, BUT IT WAS SHOWED THAT WAY AS WELL IN JUNE. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> MAYOR, COUNSEL, BEFORE WE FINISH THIS ITEM, I'LL JUST SAY THIS OBVIOUSLY IS THE LAST TIME YOU'LL HAVE ANY FEEDBACK ASSOCIATED FROM THE FULL COUNCIL FOR OUR CFP.
ANY FEEDBACK YOU HAVE HERE WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINAL BUDGET. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THAT WILL BRING US TO ITEM 8D.
[8.D. Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding FY 2024-2025 compensation, employee policy updates, and employee benefits. (Staff Contact: Cheryl Marthiljohni, Director of Human Resources)]
RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION, AND GIVE STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 COMPENSATION, EMPLOYEE POLICY UPDATES, AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.THE STAFF PRESENTER IS DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES CHERYL MARTHILJOHNI.
[03:40:06]
>> WELL, HELLO AGAIN, AND GOOD EVENING.
I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF TALKING WITH YOU ABOUT COMPENSATION BENEFITS AND HANDBOOK UPDATES FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR, AND SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT WE ARE LOOKING INTO WITH REGARDS TO THESE THREE TOPICS.
FIRST, I JUST WANT TO GET US GROUNDED ON WHY WE'RE HERE AND BEING NEW TO BURLESON, I'LL BE GLAD TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, AND A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT.
MY FOCUS, ESPECIALLY WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND WORKING WITH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THE EMPLOYEES IS REALLY FOCUSING ON WHAT MAKES US AN EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AND KEEPING THAT FOCUS IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE WE DO WANT TO IDENTIFY OURSELVES ALREADY AND IMPROVE UPON THAT EMPLOYER OF CHOICE AND MAKE THIS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, AND THAT'S RETAINING OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS RECRUITING FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMPENSATION PLAN, THE NUMBERS THAT YOU SEE UP IN FRONT OF YOU ARE AS PRESENTED IN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET.
OUR COMPENSATION PLAN THIS YEAR, EFFECTIVE 101(24) INCLUDES A 3% AVERAGE MERIT PAY PROGRAM ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION.
IT ALSO INCLUDES POLICE AND FIRE STEP PLANS, AS WELL AS A FEW OTHER ADJUSTMENTS THAT TIE BACK TO FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT REQUIREMENTS WITH REGARDS TO THE SALARY THRESHOLD.
THE OVERALL TOTAL COMPENSATION PLAN BUDGET IS 1.41 MILLION WITH GENERAL FUND COMING IN ABOUT 1.06 MILLION.
AS A REMINDER FOR SOME OF YOU OUR COMPENSATION MERIT INCREASES.
THIS IS MERIT IS APPLIED BASED ON PAY FOR PERFORMANCE MATRIX.
AN EMPLOYEE'S ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION COMES IN AND BASED ON THEN THAT RATING IS THEN WHAT THE INCREASE WOULD BE FOR THEIR MERIT PAY.
AGAIN, THE AVERAGE IS 3% THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WITH REGARDS TO THAT.
THERE'S A SMALL CHART DOWN THERE THAT ALSO IDENTIFIES THAT THERE IS SOME CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES TO RECEIVE MERIT INCREASE, AND SO WE'LL BE APPLYING THAT AS WE CONTINUE APPLYING THE MERITS FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.
IN ADDITION, ON THE COMPENSATION PLAN, WE DID HAVE A FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT NEW OVERTIME RULE.
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS, IT HAS TO DO COMING BACK AND LOOKING AT THE SALARY THRESHOLD FOR EXEMPT PROFESSIONALS.
THERE'S ACTUALLY SEVEN DIFFERENT EXEMPTION CLASSIFICATIONS WITH FLSA.
YOU MUST MEET THE DUTIES REQUIREMENTS IN THE EXEMPTION CATEGORY, AND THEN YOU ALSO MUST MEET THAT MINIMUM PAY THRESHOLD.
CURRENTLY, IT'S ABOUT 35,568 A YEAR ON JULY 1ST.
THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THAT WENT UP TO 43,888 A YEAR, AND ON JANUARY 1 OF 2025, IT JUMPS UP TO 58,656.
STARTING THOUGH IN JULY 1 OF 2027, THE GOVERNMENT IS TELLING US THAT THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE THAT EVERY THREE YEARS BASED ON CURRENT WAGE DATA.
SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYE ON.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE CITY OF BURLESON? JULY 1ST, 2024, WE WERE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW OVERTIME RULE.
WE DON'T SEE OUR EXEMPT POSITIONS START COMING IN UNTIL PAY GRADE 27.
HOWEVER, ON JANUARY 1ST OF 2025, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RE-EVALUATE THAT PAY GRADE UP TO 29.
WE HAVE TWO EXEMPT EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE ACTUAL PAY BELOW THE NEW OVERTIME EARNINGS RATE, SO WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE TWO.
THEN WE HAVE TWO POSITIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DO A FURTHER PRIMARY DUTIES ANALYSIS ON TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT THEM CLASSIFIED CORRECTLY.
IN ADDITION TO THE COMPENSATION, I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND PREFACE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT STRATEGY, IF YOU WILL, GOING INTO THE FUTURE.
OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO BE MARKET COMPETITIVENESS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR WAGES AND OUR COMPENSATION, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.
TODAY'S STRATEGY IS WE LOOK AT THE TOP QUARTER OF PURE CITIES WHEN CONSIDERING PLACEMENT, AND WE TARGET 90% OF MIDPOINT PLACEMENT WITHIN SALARY, WHERE WE CAN AND WHERE POSSIBLE FOR POSITIONS.
RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 82% OF CITY POSITIONS THAT ARE AT OR ABOVE THAT 90% OF MIDPOINT IN THE PAY GRADE SALARY RANGE, SO THAT'S A REALLY GOOD PLACEMENT TO BE.
WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY GROUND, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.
OUR FUTURE STRATEGY WILL BE JUST LOOKING AT KEY POSITIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR PEER CITY DATA TO DETERMINE WHAT THOSE COMPENSATION TARGETS SHOULD BE.
FOCUS ON MARKET INDICATORS FOR POSITIONS.
SOME OF THESE MAY REQUIRE THAT WE FALL BELOW THAT 90TH PERCENTILE OF MIDPOINT.
[03:45:02]
IF THE MARKET IS REALLY AGGRESSIVE AND WE NEED TO STAY THERE, OTHERS MIGHT BE ABOVE THAT 90TH PERCENTILE OF MARKET.WE JUST NEED TO PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO WHAT THE MARKET IS TELLING US AND LOOK AT THOSE SKILL SETS NEEDED FOR WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND STAY COMPETITIVE WITH REGARDS TO THAT.
VERSUS THE STRATEGY OF JUST LOOKING AT EVERYBODY ACROSS THE BOARD AND MOVING THEM TO THE TOP QUARTILE.
WE'VE GOT OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US NEXT YEAR TO START LOOKING AT THIS STRATEGY AND LOOKING AT EACH PHYSICIAN AND JOB FAMILIES AND ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARKET DATA THAT WE HAVE.
>> I FORGOT TO MENTION. WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS BACK TO YOU ON A MORE FORMALIZED STRATEGIC DIRECTION SO THAT WE CAN GET YOUR INPUT ON THAT GOING FORWARD.
>> WHAT DROVE YOU TO THE 90% OF THE MID INSTEAD OF GOING MID?
>> I WILL LEAN ON THE HISTORIANS OF THAT.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER, SCOTT, I CAN SAY THAT THAT WAS ACTUALLY A STRATEGY THAT WAS IN PLACE EVEN BEFORE I GOT HERE, I THINK THE INTENTION OF THAT STRATEGY WAS SIMPLY TO BE COMPETITIVE AND BRING PEOPLE IN.
ALSO, TOO, I THINK THE HOPE WAS IS THAT PEOPLE GAIN CORE COMPETENCIES WITHIN ABOUT THREE YEARS IN A ROLE, AND THAT WITHIN THREE YEARS, ASSUMING THEY WERE GETTING MERIT BASED INCREASES, THAT THEY WOULD MAKE IT TO MIDPOINT.
I THINK THAT WAS LARGELY THE STRATEGY BEHIND THAT.
>> WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT TODAY'S MARKET 90%? GOOD.
>> WELL, I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT CHERYL'S ALLUDING TO IS THAT JUST A VERY AGGRESSIVE PAY MODEL, AND I THINK THAT WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF BEING ABLE TO ATTRACT TOP TALENT TO THE CITY.
I'M NOT TRYING TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO NOT BE ATTRACTING TOP TALENT TO THE CITY, BUT WHAT I'M ALSO SAYING IS IS THAT I DON'T KNOW IF LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THIS ACROSS ALL POSITIONS AND BE FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE.
>> WANDA BULLARD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HR, MENTIONED TO ME AS WELL THAT TYPICALLY WE'RE BRINGING IN FOLKS WITH NO EXPERIENCE AT THAT 90TH PERCENTILE MIDPOINT AND MORE EXPERIENCE IS MOVING INWARD ON THAT SALARY STRUCTURE.
WE MIGHT HAVE SOME OPPORTUNITY WITH REGARDS TO EXPERIENCE LEVEL AS WELL TO BE COMPETITIVE. IF THAT HELPS.
MOVING ON TO THE BENEFITS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING TO LOOK AT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
ONE OF THOSE IS ADDING ONE PERSONAL DAY FOR EMPLOYEES.
THIS UPDATE ALLOWS FOR ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY AND ALIGNS WITH PURE CITY DATA, WHICH I WILL REVIEW HERE IN A MINUTE.
CURRENTLY, THE CITY OFFERS 10 HOLIDAYS AND WHICH INCLUDES ONE PERSONAL HOLIDAY.
WE'RE LOOKING TO INCREASE THAT BY ONE.
WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WORK SCHEDULES TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THAT TO EMPLOYEES AS OPTIONS.
SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE ALREADY WORKING SOME SCHEDULES THAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO THE EIGHT BY FIVE TYPE SCHEDULES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
WE'RE MEETING THE DEMAND OF THE WORKFORCE WHEN IT LOOKS AT THESE SCHEDULES AND WHAT WE CAN DO FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
ALSO HAVE CHIEF DAVIS IS GOING TO BE SPEAKING TO YOU LATER ABOUT THE 48 96 WORK SCHEDULE FOR CERTIFIED FIRE PERSONNEL, SO WE'RE WANTING TO INTRODUCE THAT AS WELL.
FIRST RESPONDER HEALTH IS A BENEFIT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ALREADY LOOKED AT.
FIRE, I THINK, HAS GOT SOME MOVEMENT IN THIS DIRECTION.
WE WANT TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER AND WORK WITH THOSE AGENCIES TO REALLY GET IT AS PART OF OUR BENEFIT PACKAGE, AND REVIEW ADDING THAT IS FOCUSING ON OVERALL WELL BEING FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE POLICE, FIRE, AS WELL AS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE.
PET INSURANCE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
IT'S A HOT COMMODITY OUT THERE IN THE INSURANCE WORLD, SO WE'RE REVIEWING ADDING THAT AS PART OF OUR BENEFIT OFFERINGS.
IF ANY OF YOU HAVE PETS AND YOU'VE TAKEN THEM TO THE VET, THEN I THINK YOU CAN APPRECIATE HAVING SOME DISCOUNT OR INSURANCE PLAN TO HELP YOU WITH THE COST OF THAT.
I KNOW THAT THE WOULD PROBABLY BE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED, HAD SOMEONE APPROACHED ME AROUND WANTING TO DO SOME PAYROLL DEDUCTION TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER, AND I THOUGHT, WHAT A GREAT IDEA.
WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPLORING THAT.
IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO UNITED WAY DEDUCTIONS RIGHT NOW FOR EMPLOYEES, BUT IT WOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE CITY'S ANIMAL SHELTER AS AN OPTION FOR FOLKS TO DONATE.
WE'RE ALSO REVIEWING INCREASING WELLNESS POINTS AS WELL AS ADDING ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES GO TOWARD AN EMPLOYEES OVERALL POINTS.
THIS INCREASES THOSE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES MORE THAN WHAT WE DO TODAY.
WE'RE RE LOOKING AT THAT AND SEEING HOW WE CAN COMPLEMENT NOT ONLY THE WELLNESS ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON, BUT ALSO THE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES THAT ARE HAPPENING.
[03:50:03]
WE'RE FOCUSING ON TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.WE WANT TO REALLY FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ENHANCES THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, COMMUNICATION, AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, ESPECIALLY OUR FIRST LINE SUPERVISORS, AND SOME OF OUR MIDDLE MANAGEMENT TEAMS. THEN WE'RE RE LOOKING AT A LEAVE PROGRAM.
THIS ONE IS CATASTROPHIC POOL LEAVE DONATION, WHICH ALLOWS EMPLOYEES TO MAYBE DONATE SOME OF THEIR LEAVE HOURS TO HELP SUPPORT OTHER EMPLOYEES.
THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHO THOSE HOURS GO TO, BUT IT WOULD BE A PROGRAM THAT IF THEY WERE INTERESTED AND THEY HAVE LEAVE HOURS, THEY COULD DONATE TO A POOL, AND THEN WE HAVE A PROCESS IN WHICH A PERSON COULD APPLY FOR THOSE HOURS AND WE WOULD GO THROUGH WITH REGARDS TO LOOKING AT THE CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.
DO WE CURRENTLY OFFER SHORT AND LONG TERM DISABILITY?
>> GOOD. THAT'S IT. THANK YOU.
>> I REALLY LIKE THAT OPTION OF CATASTROPHIC POOL LEAD DONATION.
BUT IF WE HAD A FAMILY IN DISTRESS, WE WERE ABLE TO ISOLATE THE MONEY TO THAT FAMILY.
IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I SEE HERE, BUT IT'S A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO HELP.
>> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING IT BACK.
JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE PERSONAL PAID TIME OFF.
WE DID DO A COMPARISON OF OUR PEER CITIES, AND SO YOU CAN SEE NUMBER OF CITY HOLIDAYS, AND NUMBER OF PERSONAL DAYS.
SORRY, THE COLORS ARE A LITTLE LIGHT, BUT AVERAGE PAID TIME OFF, COMBINING THOSE TWO IS 11 DAYS.
ADDING THE ADDITIONAL PERSONAL DAY WILL GET US UP TO THOSE 11 AVERAGE DAYS COMPARED TO OUR PEER CITIES.
YOU MIGHT BE ASKING YOURSELF, WHY ADD A PERSONAL DAY AND NOT A HOLIDAY.
HOWEVER, WE FELT LIKE THE PERSONAL DAY WAS THE BEST PACE TO LAND.
WE DID GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS ON THAT.
IT AVOIDS CLOSING CITY OFFICES TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF CITY SERVICES.
IF WE ADDED ANOTHER HOLIDAY, WE WOULD BE CLOSING THE OFFICES.
PERSONAL DAY OFFERS FLEXIBILITY FOR FOLKS.
IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON, THEY CAN USE IT AS THEY NEED TO VERSES US FORCING ANOTHER HOLIDAY THAT THEY WOULD TAKE OFF.
THEN THERE WAS A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WOULD COME BACK TO THE CITY IF WE ADDED AN EXTRA HOLIDAY, AND IT'S HOW WE HAVE OUR PAYOUT FOR POLICY ON POLICE AND FIRE.
WE CHOSE TO COME FORWARD WITH A PERSONAL DAY VERSUS A HOLIDAY AND LOOK AT THAT AND GET UP TO, COMPARING OURSELVES WITH OUR PEER CITIES ON THOSE AVERAGE DAYS.
IN REGARDS TO REVIEWING ADDITIONAL FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES, I THOUGHT IT WAS HELPFUL TO PUT A GOAL IN PLACE WITH REGARDS TO WHY WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS, AND IT REALLY IS TO HELP MEET THE NEED OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE THAT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, NOT ONLY TO RETAIN WHO WE CURRENTLY HAVE, BUT ALSO ATTRACT FUTURE EMPLOYEES.
WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAINTAINING CONTINUITY AND CITY SERVICES WITH NO MATTER WHAT SCHEDULE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
TODAY, WE HAVE ROTATING SHIFTS IN PLACE.
WE HAVE FLEX SCHEDULES WE'RE WORKING WITH.
WE HAVE THE TRADITIONAL 58 SCHEDULES.
WE EVEN HAVE WORK FROM HOME ARRANGEMENTS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT FOR THE FUTURE IS 410 WORK SCHEDULES FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS.
THEN ALSO CERTIFIED FIRE PERSONNEL WOULD GO TO A 48/96 SCHEDULE.
WITH THAT SAID, I KNOW HE'S RIGHT BEHIND ME.
CHIEF CASEY IS GOING TO JUMP IN AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 48/96.
>> YES. THANK YOU, MARY COUNSEL FOR LETTING US PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
THE 48/96 SCHEDULE IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEFINITELY TAKEN OFF FROM THE FIRE SERVICE, AND YOU'RE SEEING IT IN LOTS OF ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT REALLY STARTED OUT ON THE WEST COAST WITH DEPARTMENTS AROUND LA AND BIG METRO CITIES WHERE A LOT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS LIVED VERY FAR AWAY FROM WHERE THEY ACTUALLY WORK.
THEY HAD TO COMMUTE IN, AND THIS WAS A CREATIVE WAY FOR THEM TO HAVE A SCHEDULE WHERE IT REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THEY WERE COMMUTING, BUT THEY STILL WORKED THE SAME AMOUNT OF HOURS THAT THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY.
NUMEROUS OTHER BENEFITS OF THE SCHEDULE BECOME EVIDENT TO BOTH LABOR AND MANAGEMENT.
WE'LL DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE HERE SHORTLY.
THE SCHEDULE HAS BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE THAT EVIDENT IN ANOTHER SLIDE THAT I'VE GOT COMING UP.
MANY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR A 24/48 REMAIN THE SAME FOR A 48/96.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IF A CREW HAS BEEN HEAVILY WORKED, ESPECIALLY IN THE LATE HOURS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GIVING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REST AND DOWNTIME AND THOSE THINGS.
[03:55:03]
WE'RE TAKING THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION.I THINK THE NICE THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT WE'RE NOWHERE NEAR THE FIRST IN THE METROPLEX TO BE LOOKING AT A 48/96 SCHEDULE.
A LOT OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE AREA HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THAT ON AND FIGURED A LOT OF THOSE THINGS OUT FOR OUR AREA.
WE'RE DEFINITELY LEANING ON OUR OTHER FRIENDS IN THE FIRE SERVICE TO GET POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND BEST PRACTICES FROM.
THIS SLIDE HERE, THE 48/96 WORK SCHEDULE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE 14 COMPARABLE CITIES THAT WE NORMALLY COMPARE OURSELVES TO, YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SCREEN THERE 48/96.
THIS IS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT EITHER HAVE GONE TO IT OR FIXING TO GO TO IT.
WE MADE A MISTAKE HERE. THE COLONY ACTUALLY IS A 48/96.
REALLY, ON THE 24/48 SCHEDULE, YOU HAVE ARLINGTON FORT WORTH, AND MIDLOTHIAN.
ARLINGTON AND FORT WORTH ARE UNIQUE THAT THEY'RE LARGE METRO CITIES.
48/96 SCHEDULE IS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT FOR A BIG METRO CITY TO TAKE ON BECAUSE THEY HAVE LOTS OF DIFFERENT AREAS WITH DIFFERENT CALL VOLUME TYPES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE ARE SOME BIG METRO CITIES THAT HAVE DONE IT.
BUT FOR DEPARTMENTS, OUR SIZE, WITH OUR CALL VOLUME, IT'S A LITTLE MORE SIMPLER TO IMPLEMENT THAN IT IS FOR THOSE CITIES.
THE BIG THING, I THINK THAT'S OF NOTE HERE IS, YOU SEE HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING TO THIS IN JANUARY OF 2025, THIS IS VERY MUCH A RECRUITING TOOL, AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE.
I'VE GOT THAT AND SOME SLIDES COMING UP, BUT THERE ARE SOME CANDIDATES NOW THAT AREN'T EVEN CONSIDERING DEPARTMENTS THAT AREN'T 48/96.
I'VE SPOKE TO, TRADITIONALLY, THERE'S SMALLER CITIES THAT DON'T PAY AS WELL AS WE ARE BLESSED TO BE PAID HERE IN BURLESON.
WHENEVER WE'RE RECRUITING, TALKING TO SOME OF THOSE HERE RECENTLY IN THE PAST.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT CAME UP, AND THEY PREFERRED TO STAY LESS PAID AT A 48/96 DEPARTMENT THAN THEY DID TO COME HERE FOR A 24/48.
IT IS DEFINITELY A RECRUITING TOOL THAT I THINK WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO, MARKET WISE AS WE TRY TO STAY COMPETITIVE THAT WAY.
HERE'S A BUNCH OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN OUR AREA.
ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE 24/48 OR ARE SOON TO BE THE ASTRIK DENOTES ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE AMBULANCES.
WE THOUGHT THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ALSO SHOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE 48/96 THAT ALSO HAVE AMBULANCES.
WE DIDN'T WANT THAT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT.
LIKE I SAID, THERE'S LOTS IN THE AREA THAT HAVE COMMITTED TO IT AND ARE CURRENTLY DOING IT.
HERE'S A SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON.
RIGHT NOW, WE WORK ON ABC SHIFT, AND 48/96 WOULD BASICALLY BE YOU WOULD SHOW UP FOR TWO DAYS, 48 HOURS, AND THAT WOULD BE THE 2A SHIFTS.
IT CHANGES SOME OF THE TERMINOLOGY THAT WE USE.
WE WOULD START TO CALL EACH INDIVIDUAL DAY A SHIFT, AND WHENEVER THEY SHOWED UP, THEY WOULD BE THERE FOR A TOUR IF THEY STAY FOR THE FULL 48.
THEY WOULD WORK A TOUR, WHICH WOULD BE 48 HOURS.
START TIME WOULD BE THE SAME, REALLY THE DURATION OF TIME THAT THEY'RE ON DUTY AND OFF DUTY IS REALLY WHAT CHANGES.
THEN THE ANNUAL HOURS THEY WORK STILL WORK OUT TO BE THE EXACT SAME NUMBER OF HOURS.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS HERE? INCREASED CONSECUTIVE DAYS OFF FOR WORK LIFE BALANCE FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
THERE'S EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT WHENEVER THEY GET THAT DOWNTIME AFTER THEY COME OFF OF THEIR SHIFT, THEIR SLEEP SCHEDULES CAN GET BACK MORE IN LINE, THEY CAN HAVE MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
IT WORKS OUT TO WHERE THEY GET MORE WEEKENDS OFF RIGHT NOW, THEY DON'T GET REALLY A FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO WORK ONE OF THOSE THREE.
THIS PROVIDES WHERE THEY GET A FULL WEEKEND OFF MORE THAN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE TIME OFF.
WE DO HAVE SOME OF OUR FOLKS THAT DON'T LIVE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
WE DO HAVE SOME THAT LIVE, TWO HOURS PLUS AWAY FROM HERE.
IT DOES OPEN UP OUR POOL OF CANDIDATES THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO COME TO A DEPARTMENT WITH 48/96.
OBVIOUSLY, IMPROVED MORALE AND JOB SATISFACTION.
THE LOCAL 4025 HAS BEEN ASKING FOR THIS AND DESIRES FOR IT.
I HAVE THEIR PRESIDENT CHUCK MARTINEZ HERE.
HE CAN SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE DESIRED FOR 48/96.
I THINK ENHANCED TRAINING AND PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES.
THIS IS A UNIQUE WAY TO LOOK AT THIS IS THAT WHEN THEY'RE THERE FOR TWO DAYS STRAIGHT, A LOT OF TIMES YOUR FIRST DAY OR ANY DAY CAN GET INTERRUPTED WITH CALLS AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT IF THEY'RE THERE FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS, TRAINING CAN TRY TO WORK WITH THEIR SCHEDULE TO GET BACK WITH THEM OR WORK WITH THEM.
IT WILL BE A SHIFT IN ADMIN OF HOW WE SCHEDULE THINGS AND LOOK AT THINGS BUT I THINK WE CAN MAKE IT A POSITIVE AND NOT GET FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGES OF IT.
THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES TO IT,
[04:00:01]
BUT I THINK IT'S A MINDSET THING.IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE TWO DAYS TOGETHER, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET WITH X NUMBER OF CREWS, WE'LL BREAK IT UP OVER THOSE TWO DAYS OR WHAT HAVE YOU.
THE HOPE THERE IS THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENHANCE OUR TRAINING BECAUSE OF THAT.
SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS THAT WE'VE SPOKEN TO.
THEY REPORT A DECREASE IN SICK LEAVE AND ABSENTEEISM, DUE TO WHENEVER THEY'RE THERE FOR THAT AND THEN THEY'RE GETTING FOUR DAYS OFF, AND IF THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE A SHIFT OF VACATION OR SOMETHING ALONG WITH THAT, THEN THEY'RE OFF FIVE DAYS OR SEVERAL DAYS IF THEY TAKE AN ENTIRE TOUR.
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, AGAIN, MORE TIME FOR TASK AND TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THEN THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS LIKE I'VE TALKED ABOUT, THERE ARE SOME STUDIES TO SUPPORT THAT IT'S BETTER OFF FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND THEIR WELLNESS.
RECRUITMENT RETENTION, AND I'VE ALREADY BEEN HITTING ON THIS, BUT THE MAJORITY OF CURRENT MEMBERS ARE EXCITED ABOUT MOVING TO THE 48/96.
LIKE I SAID, DURING INTERVIEWS LAST YEAR, LOTS OF THE CANDIDATES ASKED IF WE WERE MOVING TO THE 48/96.
THIS SCHEDULE EXPANDS THE POOL OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR 48/96, AND LIKE I SAID, TRYING TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN THIS MARKET TO THE POINT OF IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH SOME OF THE LARGER CITIES THAT HAVE MORE RESOURCES THAN WE DO ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS, AND WE'LL SHOW YOU A COUPLE OF THE RECRUITING POSTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
THIS IS A BIG THING THAT GETS ADVERTISED ON THOSE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE HERE. MANSFIELD. YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY ON THERE.
THEIR ADVERTISING IS A BIG BENEFIT IS THE 48/96 SCHEDULE.
SAME THING HERE WITH CAPEL AND HERST AS WELL.
YOU CAN PUT ANY OF THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT I SHOWED YOU UP HERE AND THEY WOULD HAVE A SIMILAR RECRUITING TOOL LIKE THIS THAT HIGHLIGHTS THAT THEY'RE DOING 48/96S.
COST ANALYSIS, THE ANNUAL WORK HOURS STAY THE SAME, SO THERE ISN'T ANY CHANGE TO BASE SALARY.
OVERTIME COSTS, THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE OVERTIME COSTS.
AGAIN, WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT AS A TOUR AND NOT IN THE INDIVIDUAL SHIFTS.
JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDS A DAY OFF ON THE BEGINNING OR THE END OF THAT TOUR DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO NEED BOTH OF THOSE DAYS OFF.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE TALKING TO STAFF ABOUT CULTURALLY AS WELL, SETTING SOME OF THOSE EXPECTATIONS THAT NOW, IF SOMEONE WANTS OFF, IT'S TYPICALLY IN A 24 HOUR BLOCK, SOMETIMES, 12 HOUR BLOCK, BUT IF SOMEONE JUST NEEDS TO GO TO THE DOCTOR OR GET A FAMILY MEMBER TO THE DOCTOR, THINGS LIKE THAT, FOR THE EMPLOYEE, THIS IS A BENEFIT FOR THEM, SO WE WANT TO HAVE A CULTURE WHERE THEY'RE RESPONSIVE TO, I DON'T NEED THE ENTIRE 48 OFF FOR THIS THING OVER HERE.
I'M GOING TO GO TAKE CARE OF THIS THING OVER HERE AND THEN COME BACK AND FINISH UP THE SHIFT.
WE DON'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE THAT IT'S GOING TO COST US MORE AND OVERTIME, EITHER.
>> NO ADDITIONAL OVERTIME OR BUDGET IMPACT IS EXPECTED.
IF WE MOVE TO THIS, WE'RE NOT EXPECTING TO CHANGE THAT.
WE'RE WORKING WITH CITY STAFF TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, SO WE'RE WORKING WITH FINANCE, WE'RE WORKING WITH HR.
WE WOULD LIKE TO IMPLEMENT IT BY THE 1ST OCTOBER JUST TO COINCIDE WITH THE FISCAL YEAR AND ALSO WE HAVE SOME OPEN POSITIONS NOW.
WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ADVERTISE THAT THAT WE'RE MOVING TO THAT SCHEDULE.
THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THAT AT THE MOMENT.
BUT ANY QUESTIONS ON 48/96 THAT I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU?
>> YES, CHIEF. IF YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE AND I'M NOT SURE HOW YOUR SYSTEM WORKS, THAT HAS A FAMILY EMERGENCY ON A 48/96 AND NEEDS TO LAY OFF FOR 24 HOURS TO TAKE CARE OF AN EMERGENCY.
DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH STAFF ON HAND TO COVER THAT ONE FTE, OR DO YOU HAVE TO BRING IN AN FTE ON OVERTIME TO COVER?
>> WE HAVE IT BUILT IN RIGHT NOW WHERE WE HAVE CAPACITY WITHIN OUR SHIFT.
IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY CREATE OVERTIME JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE GOES HOME.
IF WE DO, WE HAVE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN LIKE WE ALWAYS HAVE FOUR ON THE TRUCK COMPANY.
WE CAN DROP THAT DOWN TO THREE UNTIL WE PULL SOMEBODY ELSE IN IF WE ARE ALREADY ARE UP TO OVERTIME AT THAT POINT.
WE HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY IN HOW WE HANDLE THOSE SITUATIONS.
>> WELL, GOOD. WITH THAT BUILT IN, I CAN SEE HOW THIS WOULD WORK TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IN THE BUDGET ALSO.
>> IS EVERYBODY ON BOARD WITH IT?
>> NOT QUITE DONE WITH ME YET.
I'VE GOT ONE MORE SLIDE FOR YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF.
JUST TO WRAP UP MY PRESENTATION, I WANTED TO COME BACK AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE UPDATES THAT WE'RE DOING FOR OUR EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK.
[04:05:03]
ONE OF THOSE IS REPLACING AND DISPOSING OF TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, SO WE'RE GOING TO UPDATE OUR POLICY TO REPORT TO OUR IT DEPARTMENT REPLACEMENT AND OR DISPOSAL OF THE CITY TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT.THAT'S NOT VERY CLEAR IN THE POLICY TODAY, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UPDATE THAT ACCORDINGLY.
HOLIDAY. WE'RE JUST DOING SOME CLEAN UP HERE TO REFLECT THE PRACTICE THAT'S HAPPENING AND REMOVE A STATEMENT REGARDING RESCHEDULING A HOLIDAY FOR USE WITHIN 60 DAYS.
THAT'S NOT THE PRACTICE TODAY, SO THAT'S JUST A CLEANUP ITEM.
LONGEVITY IS ALSO A CLEANUP ITEM.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GOING TO REFLECT THE PRACTICE IN LISTING PER PAY PERIOD AS A METHOD OF PAYMENT UNLESS THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ALREADY GRANDFATHERED IN WITH THE LUMP SUM PAYMENT METHOD.
PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE IS JUST UPDATING TO REFLECT CURRENT PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER JEWELRY OR BODY ART.
WE HAD SOME DATED LANGUAGE IN THAT POLICY, SO WE'RE UPDATING THAT.
TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, WE ARE DOING AN UPDATE TO INCLUDE OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OR ACADEMIES THAT WILL ALSO HELP FOSTER OUR CURRENT EMPLOYEES CAREER GROWTH FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE MIGHT HAVE AN EMPLOYEE IN ONE DEPARTMENT THAT WANTS TO THEN BECOME A FIREFIGHTER, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP THAT TUITION REIMBURSEMENT TO INCLUDE MAYBE SOME REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE ACADEMY.
DISCIPLINE, JUST CHANGING SOME TERMINOLOGY HERE TO HELP BETTER WITH OUR CULTURE TO CORRECTIVE ACTION.
WE STILL HAVE OUR VERBAL WARNINGS AND OUR FINAL CORRECTIVE ACTION ITEMS. BUT WE WANT TO SET THE STAGE WITH OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE'RE APT TO MORE CORRECT BEHAVIOR THAN JUST DISCIPLINE IT AND SO THAT UPDATE TERMINOLOGY HOPEFULLY WILL MOVE US IN THAT DIRECTION.
ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY ENHANCES ACCEPTABLE USE PRACTICES FOR IT TO SAFEGUARD CONFIDENTIALITY, INTEGRITY, AND AVAILABILITY OF THE INFORMATION WE CREATE, COLLECT, AND MAINTAIN.
THEN SOME OF THE OTHER POLICIES ARE LINING UP WITH SOME OF THE BENEFITS THAT WE'VE BROUGHT YOU HERE TONIGHT.
ONE OF THOSE IS THE PERSONAL DAY TELECOMMUTE WORK ARRANGEMENTS.
WE HAVE THAT IN PLACE TODAY, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A POLICY WORK SCHEDULES IF WE ADOPT THE 410 AND THE 48/96, EXCUSE ME, THAT'S A TYPO, FOR CERTIFIED FIRE PERSONNEL, AND THEN ALSO A POLICY FOR THE CATASTROPHIC LEAVE DONATION.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> I JUST HAVE SOME COMMENTS, AND THAT'S ALL.
I DON'T MEAN TO BE CUTE HERE OR ANYTHING ELSE, BUT I DON'T LIKE YOUR PET INSURANCE. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> I DON'T LIKE WORK FROM HOME.
WHEN I CALL, I CAN TELL WHEN I GET AN ANSWER FROM SOMEBODY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE PROFESSIONAL, I HEAR A DOG BARKING, I HEAR KIDS YELLING.
I THINK SOMEBODY IN OUR SITUATION WITH THE CITY, I THINK THEY NEED TO BE WORKING IN HERE BECAUSE I THINK PRODUCTIVITY IS DOWN A LITTLE BIT, AND THAT'S JUST OLD FASHIONED. THAT'S MY THOUGHT.
I KNOW A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE LIKE TO DO IT NOWADAYS, BUT I JUST DON'T CARE FOR IT.
[LAUGHTER] ALL THE WAY BACK, WAY BACK.
I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT POLICE AND FIRE.
THERE WERE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENCES.
WAS IT THE PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE OF PAY? I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT.
THE FIRE STEP PLAN 236, POLICE STEP PLAN 286.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE THERE? WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE THERE?
>> I'M ASSUMING IT HAS TO DO WITH THEIR SALARY AMOUNTS WHEN WE LAID OVER THE AVERAGE 3% PAY INCREASE ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND THE OVERALL COST ASSOCIATED.
IT'S WHERE THOSE SALARIES ARE LINING.
PLUS PERSONNEL PROBABLY IN THE COUNT OF PERSONNEL HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT AS WELL.
YES, SIR. FOR BOTH POLICE AND FIRE. YES, SIR.
>> POLICE STEP. THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S ALL. THANKS.
>> COUNCIL MEMBER ANDERSON, I APPRECIATE THE COMMENT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WHY WE BRING THIS FORWARD TO COUNCIL TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATION.
CHAIR, WITH REGARD TO PET INSURANCE, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THAT'S REALLY OUT OF THE EMPLOYEES POCKETS, RIGHT?
>> THE CITY'S NOT PAYING FOR IT.
>> YEAH. [OVERLAPPING] IT'S JUST ADDITIONAL OFFERING FOR OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE IS ALL. YES, SIR.
>> THEN WITH REGARDS TO THE FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE, PARTICULARLY THE WORK FROM HOME.
I ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS THERE, AND I THINK WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, IS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRYING TO BE FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE.
I'M LOOKING AT OUR PAY SCHEDULE IN THE TOP QUARTILE AT 90%, AND WE MAY NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THAT.
AS A RESULT, I'M TRYING TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE FLEXIBLE WHERE WE CAN THAT ARE NOT COST PROHIBITIVE.
NOBODY WOULD EVER DO THINGS TO REDUCE CITY HOURS,
[04:10:02]
AT LEAST SO LONG AS I'M A CITY MANAGER.IT'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL TO THE RESIDENT AND THE EMPLOYEE.
BUT YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELL TAKEN, AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.
>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AT THE NEXT PRESENTATION IS GOING TO BE LONG.
WHY DON'T WE TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK? HERE WE GO.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
THAT WILL BRING US TO ITEM 8E.
[8.E. Receive a report, hold a discussion and provide staff direction regarding Burleson Fire/EMS delivery of ambulance transportation services. (Staff Contact: Casey Davis, Fire Chief)]
THAT'S TO RECEIVE A REPORT, HOLD A DISCUSSION, AND PROVIDE STAFF DIRECTION REGARDING BURLESON FIRE EMS DELIVERY OF AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.THE STAFF PRESENTER IS FIRE CHIEF CASEY DAVIS. CHIEF DAVIS?
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M HERE TO BRING YOU A EMS TRANSPORT UPDATE.
TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUR EMS CALL VOLUME, OUR INTER-FACILITY TRANSPORTS, GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON AMBULANCE BILLING.
AND THEN BRING BACK THE SUBSCRIPTION PLAN DISCUSSION THAT WE LAST SPOKE ABOUT BACK IN JANUARY.
JUST GETTING RIGHT INTO THE NUMBERS.
THIS IS FROM OCTOBER OF WHEN WE WENT LIVE THROUGH JUNE.
THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF RUNS. THIS ISN'T PATIENTS.
THIS IS THE NUMBER OF RUNS THAT WE'VE MADE.
I WANT TO CONTINUE AS WE GO THROUGH THESE UPDATES TO TRY TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NUMBER OF CALLS AND NUMBER OF PATIENTS.
ONE CALL COULD HAVE SEVERAL PATIENTS, OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU THINK OF LIKE A CAR WRECK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BURLESON AMBULANCES HAVE RESPONDED TO 3,921, SO THAT'S 78% OF THE TOTAL CALL VOLUME FOR EMS. CAREFLITE HAS RESPONDED TO 291 911 CALLS.
THEN INTER-FACILITY BURLESON AMBULANCES HAVE RESPONDED TO 141 OF THOSE.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT ONLY 10 OF THOSE HAVE OCCURRED IN 2024.
SO WHENEVER WE MADE THE CHANGE OVER IN DECEMBER OF HOW WE WERE OPERATING, THAT'S DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE NEED FOR BURLESON AMBULANCES TO BE ON THOSE.
CAREFLITE'S TAKEN CARE OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE, AND THAT'S WORKING OUT WELL.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE INTER-FACILITIES, THEY'VE DONE 650, AND THAT GETS US TO A TOTAL OF 5,003 CALLS FOR SERVICE SINCE WE WENT LIVE IN OCTOBER.
AVERAGE EMS RUNTIME, FROM THE MOMENT THAT THE UNITS NOTIFIED TO ENROUTE ON AVERAGE, THEY'RE GETTING OUT OF THE STATION IN 33 SECONDS.
I JUST WANT TO TAKE A QUICK MOMENT HERE TO REALLY BRAG ON OUR STAFF AND THE URGENCY THAT THEY HAVE FOR THIS.
THERE'S ONLY A FEW NUMBERS IN HERE THAT YOU CAN REALLY INFLUENCE AND GETTING OUT OF THE STATION IS ONE OF THE BIG ONES.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THERE ANY QUICKER.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL ANY FASTER, SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT THEY CAN MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON, AND THEY'RE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MAKING SURE THEY GET OUT OF THE STATION IN A TIMELY FASHION AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.
AFTER THEY'RE ENROUTE, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE THEM TO DRIVE THERE? THAT'S ON AVERAGE FOUR MINUTES AND 34 SECONDS.
THAT'S NOT TO ALL THE DISTRICTS IN THE AREA, OBVIOUSLY, BUT ON AVERAGE, WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE CALL VOLUME IS. THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT.
ONCE WE'RE ON SCENE, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE US TO TRIAGE THE PATIENT, START TO TREAT THEM, GET THEM TO THE AMBULANCE AND GET GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL? ON AVERAGE RIGHT NOW THAT'S 21:43.
WE LIKE THAT NUMBER TO BE AS CLOSE TO 20 AS POSSIBLE, BUT 21:43 IS NOT BAD.
THERE'S PROBABLY SOME AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT WE CAN DO THERE, AND WE CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR STAFF AS A BENCHMARK.
THEN ONCE WE'VE LEFT THE SCENE, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE US TO DRIVE TO THE HOSPITAL? ON AVERAGE RIGHT NOW, IT'S 16 MINUTES AND SEVEN SECONDS.
THEN AVERAGE PATIENT ONCE WE ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL TO WHERE CLEARS IS AROUND 24 MINUTES.
I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS DO A GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO TURN AROUND OUR CREWS.
WE DON'T REALLY EXPERIENCE WHAT WE CALL WALL TIMES IN THE INDUSTRY WHERE AN AMBULANCE CREW STAND THERE WAITING ON A PATIENT TO BE TRIAGED IN AND MOVED OVER TO A BED.
WE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THOSE, AND THOSE ARE SOME DECENT NUMBERS.
[04:15:01]
OVERALL, ON AVERAGE, AN AMBULANCE CALL THAT WE TRANSPORT TAKING US ABOUT AN HOUR AND SEVEN MINUTES TO TURN AROUND.I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD PLACE FOR US TO BE IN RIGHT NOW.
WE WOULD LOVE TO BE CLOSER TO AN HOUR, BUT AN HOUR AND SEVEN MINUTES IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF AT ALL.
SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY WITH THOSE NUMBERS.
THIS NEXT IS THE FIRST TIME I'M PRESENTING THIS TO YOU ABOUT UNIT HOUR UTILIZATION.
THIS IS SOMETHING I WANT TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF TIME EXPLAINING TO YOU.
THIS IS HOW YOU WANT TO GAUGE HOW BUSY YOUR AMBULANCE IS OR ANY OF YOUR APPARATUS, REALLY.
THE IMPORTANT THING HERE IS, YOU CAN LOOK AT NUMBER OF RESPONSES, YOU CAN LOOK AT NUMBER OF PATIENTS TAKEN CARE OF, BUT REALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO LOOK AT IS WHAT WE CALL THIS UNIT HOUR UTILIZATION.
WHAT THAT IS IS FROM THE TIME THAT UNIT GETS TONED OUT TO THAT UNIT IS BACK AVAILABLE TO RUN ANOTHER CALL.
THAT'S THE NUMBER WE'RE LOOKING AT.
IF YOU TAKE MEDIC 1, FOR INSTANCE, AND THIS HAS BEEN FROM JANUARY TO CURRENT.
THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE RUNNING FROM JANUARY TO CURRENT IS 1,282 RUNS.
THAT'S NOT PATIENTS, THAT'S RUNS.
DURING THAT TIMEFRAME, THEY'VE BEEN BUSY ON A CALL 41 DAYS, 23 HOURS, AND 10 MINUTES.
THAT'S PUTTING THEM AT 22.05% UNIT HOUR UTILIZATION. NOW WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD, THAT WOULD BE 100%.
IF THEY WERE BUSY THE ENTIRE TIME, THAT WOULD BE 100%.
INDUSTRY STANDARD SAYS, WE DON'T WANT A UNIT BUSIER THAN 30% OF THE TIME.
THAT'S SEVEN HOURS AND THAT'S BUSY ON A CALL.
BECAUSE WHENEVER THEY COME TO WORK, THERE'S LOTS OF OTHER WORK THAT THEY HAVE TO DO BESIDES JUST RUN THE CALL.
THEY HAVE TO CHECK OUT THEIR EQUIPMENT.
THEY HAVE TO DO TRAINING, THEY HAVE TO WRITE REPORTS.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE REST AND RECOVERY AND MEAL TIMES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
INDUSTRY STANDARD IS YOU DON'T WANT A UNIT BUSIER THAN 30% OF THE TIME ON A 24-HOUR SHIFT.
AS YOU CAN SEE WITH MEDIC 1, THEY'RE AT 22.05% OF THE TIME.
ABOUT FIVE AND A HALF HOURS, THEY'RE BUSY DURING A SHIFT ON AN ACTUAL CALL.
FITCH & ASSOCIATES, WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, THEY SAID, REALLY, WHENEVER YOU HIT 25%, YOU NEED TO START FIGURING OUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE UTILIZATION OF THAT UNIT.
ARE YOU GOING TO DOUBLE COMPANY? ARE YOU GOING TO DO A PEAK TRUCK? ARE YOU GOING TO CHANGE UP THE DISTRICTS? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AT THAT POINT? RIGHT NOW THAT'S THE BUSIEST UNIT AND IT'S RUNNING 22%.
CAREFLITE'S NOT FAR BEHIND THEM WITH MEDIC 42.
I THINK THE INTERESTING THING IS IF YOU LOOK HERE, THE NUMBER OF RUNS THAT THEY RUN ARE SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN MEDIC 1.
BUT THOSE INTER-FACILITY TRANSFERS TAKE A LOT MORE TASK TIME TO GET DONE BECAUSE TYPICALLY, IT'S FURTHER DRIVE, IT'S MORE PAPERWORK ON THE FRONTEND AND THE BACKEND, YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, DROPPING THE PATIENT OFF.
USUALLY, YOU HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT PART OF THE HOSPITAL.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO A FLOOR.
THE WAIT TIMES THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE IN THE ER AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE INTER-FACILITY WORK, YOU CAN SEE TAKES UP QUITE A BIT OF TASK TIME FOR THEM.
MEDIC 16 IS NEXT AT 17%, AND THEN MEDIC 3 IS AT 15%.
WE'RE GOING TO REALLY UTILIZE THIS GAUGE TO WATCH HOW BUSY OUR AMBULANCES ARE AND KEEP A THUMB ON WHEN WE NEED TO START RECOMMENDING, IF WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT RESPONSE WISE WITH HOW WE'RE HANDLING THE AMBULANCES.
>> SORRY, CHIEF. THESE NUMBERS WON'T CHANGE IF WE GO INTO THE NEW SCHEDULE.
>> NO. THIS SHOULD REMAIN THE SAME.
BECAUSE THIS IS AN AGGREGATE OVER FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE, ESSENTIALLY RIGHT NOW.
THIS TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE SHIFTS, 24 HOURS A DAY, ALL OF THOSE THINGS. GOOD QUESTION THERE.
THIS HERE'S A SNAPSHOT, BASICALLY FROM JANUARY THROUGH JUNE.
IT'S JUST THE WAY THE REPORT WRITER DOES TO THAT.
BUT I DID IT FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR THAT WE'RE IN CURRENTLY.
REALLY, WHAT THIS DOES IS THIS MEASURES DAY TO DAY CALL VOLUME.
WHENEVER IT SAYS VOLUME, IT'S TALKING ABOUT NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT WE'RE SEEING ON A DAY.
THAT'S NOT CALL VOLUME, THAT'S NUMBER OF PATIENTS.
ON AVERAGE RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BLACK LINE RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER OF ALL OF THAT, THAT'S A 16.5 PATIENTS TREATED PER DAY.
THEN IF YOU LOOK, IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE, BUT THERE'S AN ORANGE LINE RUNNING THROUGH THE CENTER OF THAT, ROLLING UP AND DOWN, NOT THE BIG ONES THAT ARE GOING UP AND DOWN, BUT YOU CAN SEE, AND IT'S A ROLLING 10 DAY AVERAGE.
WHAT THAT IS IS WE'RE TRANSPORTING ABOUT 10.5 PATIENTS A DAY.
WE'RE SEEING ABOUT 16.5 PATIENTS A DAY, AND THEN WE'RE TRANSPORTING ABOUT 10.5 PATIENTS A DAY.
[04:20:01]
THIS IS SOME NEW SOFTWARE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR IMAGE TREND THAT I CAN LOOK AT THIS FROM A WEEK, A MONTH, A QUARTER, A YEAR, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.THIS REALLY KEEPS A BENCHMARK OF WHERE WE'RE AT.
I THINK THAT YOU'LL UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE WHENEVER I GET DEEPER INTO THE NUMBERS ABOUT HOW MANY PATIENTS WE'RE TRANSPORTING A MONTH AND HOW MUCH WE'RE COLLECTING A MONTH AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TOOLS THAT WE'RE UTILIZING ON A REGULAR BASIS TO JUST SEE HOW DIFFERENT OUR CALL VOLUME IS.
BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT UPPER CONTROL LINE, THAT'S 30 PATIENTS A DAY, AND WE HIT THAT SOMETIMES AS YOU CAN SEE THERE.
OUR SYSTEM CAN BE LOW FROM ONE DAY TO WHERE WE'RE SEEING LESS THAN 10 PATIENTS A DAY TO AS HIGH AS SOMETIMES OVER 30 PATIENTS IN ONE DAY THAT WE'RE SEEING.
IT'S DIFFICULT FROM DAY TO DAY TO KNOW WHAT THE PATIENT COUNT'S GOING TO BE, BUT IT STARTS TO AVERAGE OUT, AND YOU CAN SEE SOME PRETTY CONSISTENT TRENDS WITH IT AS WE GO ALONG IN THE DATA HERE.
>> WE SHIFT GEARS ON YOU A LITTLE BIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT HOSPITALS WE TRANSPORT TO.
OBVIOUSLY, TEXAS HEALTH HUGULEY IS THE CLOSEST, MOST APPROPRIATE FACILITY MOST OF THE TIME, SO WE'RE GOING THERE A VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME.
THIS FLUCTUATES ANYWHERE FROM 70-75% MONTH TO MONTH.
BUT SINCE WE WENT LIVE, IT'S SETTING AT 70%.
TEXAS HEALTH FORT WORTH DOWNTOWN IS OUR NEXT ONE AT 14%, AND THEN JOHN PETER SMITH AT 6%, AND THEN COOKS AT 4%.
THEN AFTER THAT IT STARTS TO GO DOWN RELATIVELY QUICKLY TO THE OTHER HOSPITALS THAT WE TRANSPORT TO.
BUT THOSE ARE THE FOUR VAST MAJORITY THAT WE GO TO.
HUGULEY HANDLES THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR BUSINESS, THR DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH AND JOHN PETER SMITH, THAT'S OUR MORE HIGH PROFILE TRAUMATIC INJURIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THEN COOK CHILDREN'S OF COURSE IS FOR OUR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS.
>> IS EVERYBODY GOOD ABOUT GETTING YOU TURNED AROUND AND GET OUR GUYS COME IN?
>> YEAH. I GOT TO SAY ALL OF THE HOSPITALS HAVE GOT A GOOD CULTURE OF THAT, TRYING THEIR BEST TO GET US TURNED AROUND QUICKLY.
I THINK IT'S IN EVERYBODY'S BEST INTEREST TO DO THAT.
WHENEVER OUR FOLKS START EXPERIENCING A LONG WAIT TIME OR WHATEVER, THEY'LL CONTACT THE BATTALION CHIEF AND LET DISPATCH KNOW THAT THEY'RE DELAYED AT THE HOSPITAL.
DISPATCH CALLS AND CHECKS ON THEM IF THEY HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM, TRY TO PROMPT THEM, THE BATTALION CHIEFS WILL DO THE SAME THING.
WE TRY TO MONITOR THAT, BUT SO FAR WE DON'T FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT WITH IT.
>> CHIEF, AS FAR AS THE HOSPITALS, I KNOW HUGULEY IS THE CLOSEST, BUT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TWO SPECIALLY, I'D SAY COOKS AND JOHN PETER SMITH, IS THIS PATIENT OPTION, LIKE I WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN, AND THEN THAT'S WHEN YOU GO DOWNTOWN?
>> GOOD QUESTION. I'VE GOT THAT HERE ON THE NEXT SLIDE HERE.
OUR PATIENT TRANSPORT POLICY IS TO GO TO THE CLOSEST, MOST APPROPRIATE FACILITY WITH PATIENT CHOICE IN MIND.
PATIENT CHOICE IN MIND IS, THINK OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE FORT WORTH HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
THOSE ARE REASONABLY CLOSE ENOUGH.
IF A PATIENT HAS A CHOICE FOR ONE OF THOSE, WE TRY TO HONOR THAT THE BEST WE CAN.
NOW, IF A PATIENT IS CRITICAL WE'RE NOT GOING TO PASS UP A HOSPITAL THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THEM.
WE'LL GET THEM THERE, STABILIZE THEM.
THEN IF THEY WANT TO TRANSFER HOSPITALS FOR ANOTHER REASON, THEY CAN WORK THAT OUT WITH THE FACILITY.
BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT THEY WANT ONE HOSPITAL OVER ANOTHER, OUR STAFF ARE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH THOSE SITUATIONS.
THEY CAN CALL DR. CORDOVA, 24/7 TO HELP WORK THROUGH THOSE SITUATIONS, DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
I THINK HAVING THIS APPROACH TO WHERE WE ALLOW TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, WE'RE BLESSED IN OUR REGION TO HAVE LOTS OF HOSPITAL CHOICE, LOTS OF HEALTH CARE CHOICE RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PLACES THAT HAVE THAT.
WE DO TRY TO HONOR THAT, BUT I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS HERE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WERE TAKEN TO HUGULEY, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE A PREFERENCE OF A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.
WHEN WE FIRST STARTED OUT THE AMBULANCE SERVICE, WE WERE A LITTLE MORE RESTRICTIVE WITH THIS IN THE VERY BEGINNING.
I THINK JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD CAPACITY AND WE WEREN'T GOING LEVEL ZERO AND SOME OF THAT.
I THINK NOW THAT WE'VE GOT SOME MORE TIME UNDER OUR BELT, AND WE'VE EXPERIENCED IT A LOT LONGER.
IT'S VERY INTERESTING TO WATCH ON CAD.
YOU'LL SEE THE AMBULANCES GOING UP TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, AND THEN YOU'LL START WORRYING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HIT LEVEL ZERO, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU START SEEING THEM COME BACK DOWN.
>> CHIEF, IF YOU HAVE A PATIENT THAT DECIDES THEY WANT TO GO TO FORT WORTH HARRIS DOWNTOWN INSTEAD OF HUGULEY, DOES STAFF HAVE TO CALL DR. CORDOVA TO GET PERMISSION OR DO AN ANALYZATION, OR CAN THEY MAKE THAT CALL THEMSELVES?
>> NO, THEY CAN MAKE THAT CALL THEMSELVES.
>> I BROUGHT SOME UP HERE WITH ME THIS TIME.
[04:25:03]
YEAH. BUT NO, THEY DON'T HAVE TO CALL UNLESS WE'RE IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION.IF WE NEED TO STOP THERE AND THE PATIENT'S FAMILY WANTS US TO GO BEYOND THERE FOR SOME PARTICULAR REASON OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SO THEY CAN ALWAYS CALL AND HAVE THAT.
THEY CAN CALL THEIR BATTALION CHIEF AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AS WELL.
BUT TYPICALLY, WE'LL HONOR IF THEY WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN.
LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT THAT WAY IN EVERY SINGLE CASE, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE CASES, LIKE I'VE SAID, THIS IS EVOLVED FROM WHERE WE FIRST STARTED TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
WE TRY TO BE FLEXIBLE AND HONOR THE PATIENT'S WISHES WHEN IT COMES TO PATIENT HOSPITAL CHOICE.
THEN I THINK ANOTHER THING HERE TO NOTE IS, SOMETIMES WE'LL HAVE A PATIENT THAT HAS A VERY SPECIFIC NEED.
THEY NEED TO GO TO A VERY SPECIFIC HOSPITAL LIKE IN DALLAS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
IT'S NICE HAVING PARTNERSHIP WITH CAREFLITE, BECAUSE WE CAN CALL AND SET THAT UP IF THEY'RE NOT CRITICAL.
CAREFLITE CAN COME AND TAKE THAT LONGER TRANSPORT SO THAT WE CAN STAY HERE IN THE CITY AND STAY AVAILABLE WITH THAT AS WELL, SO THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION THAT WE'LL UTILIZE IN ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? OKAY. THIS IS SOME INFORMATION THAT I PROVIDED AT THE LAST UPDATE, AND JUST WANTED TO HIT THIS WITH EVERYBODY AGAIN, JUST REMINDING WHERE WE GOT STARTED WITH BILLING AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAD WHEN WE FIRST GOT STARTED.
WE STARTED PRIVATE PAY IN NOVEMBER OF 2023, AFTER THE NEW AMBULANCE SERVICE STARTED, OBTAINED OUR MEDICARE BILLING CAPACITY.
THAT WAS THE FIRST STEP TO GET THINGS GOING.
BUT IF YOU REMEMBER, WE DIDN'T GET OUR AMBULANCES UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER.
WE HAD TO HAVE THE AMBULANCES BEFORE WE COULD GET LICENSED.
YOU HAD TO BE LICENSED BEFORE YOU COULD APPLY FOR A NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFIER.
YOU HAD TO HAVE THAT TO APPLY FOR MEDICARE.
YOU HAD TO HAVE MEDICARE TO GET A LOT OF THE OTHER BILLERS, PAYERS ON.
WE DIDN'T GET TO DO THE TRADITIONAL ONBOARDING WITH EMERGICON.
IF WE HAD ALREADY BEEN EXISTING OR WE HAD GOTTEN OUR AMBULANCES IN A TIMELY FASHION LIKE WE HAD THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO.
BILLING REALLY DIDN'T GET TO GET OFF THE GROUND REALLY UNTIL LATE DECEMBER.
REALLY, WHENEVER YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER IT LOOKS LIKE WE GOT NO REVENUE, AND REALLY IT'S BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ABLE TO BUILD.
NOW, WE WERE ABLE TO GO BACK AND BACK BILL FOR THOSE THINGS, BUT THAT CAUSES CHALLENGES.
EMERGICON AT THAT POINT TOLD US, HEY, WE THINK YOU NEED SIX MONTHS OF DATA.
WE THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A POSITIVE TREND OVER THAT SIX MONTH PERIOD, AND THAT'S FIRING OUT, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU HERE.
CURRENT CASH COLLECTIONS HAS BEEN $898,000.
CASH PER TRANSPORT AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER TO CURRENT HAS BEEN 305.
NOW, OF COURSE, THAT'S WITH OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER THERE NOT REALLY BEING ANY BILLING GOING ON AT ALL AT THAT POINT. THAT'S THE AVERAGE.
NOW, WHENEVER YOU LOOK AT OUR PAST THREE MONTHS, IT'S AVERAGING ABOUT 453, AND WE REALLY THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO LIVE, WHERE THE TREND IS SHOWING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THAT 450 TO 500 RANGE MONTH TO MONTH.
YEAR TO DATE TRANSPORTS IS 2,987, AND OUR PROJECTED ANNUAL IS 3,971.
THOSE ARE BURLESON TRANSPORTS, I DIDN'T INCLUDE CARE FLIGHTS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BILLING FOR, ESSENTIALLY, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THAT WAY.
THAT 453 CASH PER TRANSPORT AVERAGE THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AND THE 3,971, BOTH OF THOSE ARE ABOVE WHERE EMERGICON THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE.
I THINK THAT'S A POSITIVE TREND AS WELL.
IF YOU LOOK HERE, YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR CASH COLLECTIONS MONTH OVER MONTH.
EMERGICON HAD SET A GOAL FOR 130,000 MONTH TO MONTH.
YOU CAN SEE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER ARE REALLY NOTHING.
JANUARY WE START TO PICK UP, AND YOU SEE REALLY IN ABOUT MARCH EVERYTHING STARTS TO PICK UP AND IT FLOWS FROM THERE.
WE REALLY BELIEVE APRIL WAS AN OUTLIER.
I THINK THAT WAS A LOT OF THE OLD STUFF PROBABLY CATCHING UP TO THAT POINT.
BUT IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THERE, ESPECIALLY AT THE CASH PER TRANSPORT COLLECTION, YOU START TO SEE A REAL TREND FROM MARCH ON, THAT 450 - $500 RANGE.
WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR THAT AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
AGAIN, I'LL POINT OUT THAT EMERGICON INITIALLY SAID THAT TO EXPECT 439.
WE'RE ABOVE THAT, WE'RE MEETING THAT.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT GROW. GROUND MILEAGE HERE.
THE AMBULANCES GET WAY MORE MILEAGE ON THEM THAN WHAT'S SHOWN UP HERE.
BILLABLE MILEAGE IS FROM WHEN WE PICK THE PATIENT UP AT THE HOUSE, WHEREVER WE PICK THEM UP FROM, AND WE DRIVE THEM TO THE HOSPITAL.
THOSE ARE ALL BILLABLE THROUGH THE BILLING SYSTEM, PER MILE.
[04:30:05]
THAT IS WHAT THIS IS TRACKING HERE.AGAIN, EMERGICON THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE AT 1479.
WE'RE BILLING DOUBLE THAT, SO THAT'S A POSITIVE TREND WITH THAT.
THEN SERVICE VOLUME, THEY THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO BE TRANSPORTING ABOUT 296 PATIENTS A MONTH.
AGAIN, OUR VOLUME IS WELL UP THERE.
I THINK IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING.
IT'S GOING TO BE AROUND THAT 330, 340 NUMBER.
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME MONTHS THAT ARE SLOWER AND BUSIER, BUT THAT'S WHERE THAT SEEMS TO FAR OUT.
I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, THAT'S WHEN WE WERE STILL DOING INTER-FACILITY TRANSFERS.
YOU SEE THAT VOLUME'S UP A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT NOT CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW.
IT WASN'T QUITE AS BIG OF A JUMP.
ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT AMBULANCE BILLING BEFORE WE MOVE INTO THE EMS SUBSCRIPTION CONVERSATION? I THINK THE MESSAGE HERE THOUGH IS, I THINK THAT WE'RE MEETING AND ABOVE THE BENCHMARKS THAT WERE SET OUT BY EMERGICON.
WE'RE SEEING SOME POSITIVE TRENDS HERE, AND I THINK THAT THAT'LL CONTINUE TO FARE OUT.
I THINK IT'LL BE NICE ONCE WE HAVE A FULL YEAR'S WORTH OF DATA WITHOUT THAT OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT FOR THE START UP.
EMS SUBSCRIPTION PLANS, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST, AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THIS BRIEFLY AGAIN HERE, JUST AS A REMINDER TO EVERYONE.
EMS SUBSCRIPTION PLANS, AMBULANCE SERVICES OFFER THESE AS A WAY FOR CUSTOMERS OR CITIZENS TO HAVE A WAY TO NOT GET AN UNEXPECTED AMBULANCE BILL.
NOBODY WANTS TO GET THAT BILL.
YOU THINK YOU HAVE INSURANCE, ALL OF THAT STUFF THAT PLAYS INTO THAT.
AMBULANCE BILLING IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S A COMPLICATED SUBJECT TO TALK ABOUT.
THERE'S A LOT OF NUANCE TO IT.
ALL AMBULANCE BILLING IS PRETTY MUCH OUT OF NETWORK FOR ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES ACROSS THE BOARD.
EVEN OUR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY THAT WE HAVE HERE FOR THE CITY, IT'S AN OUT OF NETWORK COST FOR OUR OWN INSURANCE COMPANY, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS OUR AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR OUR CITY.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST THAT'S THE INDUSTRY STANDARD, THAT'S THE WAY IT'S HANDLED.
REALLY, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SUBSCRIPTION PLANS WERE DEVELOPED TO TRY TO MITIGATE THAT OUT OF NETWORK PART WITH THE BALANCE BILLING THAT GOES ON WITH THAT.
YOU COULD PAY A STANDARD RATE FOR YOUR FAMILY, AND IF YOU GOT AN AMBULANCE TRANSPORT THAT YEAR, THE EMS BILLING SYSTEM WHICH BILL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY OR MEDICARE, AND THEY WOULD COLLECT WHAT THEY COULD, AND THEN THEY WOULDN'T BALANCE BILL YOU FOR ANYTHING ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT.
NOW, SOME OF THE THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH THAT IS THAT THIS IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE SERVICES FOR CITIZENS OR CUSTOMERS INVOLVED IN THAT.
HOWEVER, THIS IS A POLICY DECISION.
THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT SUGGEST THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GENERATE MORE MONEY FOR THOSE SUBSCRIPTION PLANS THAN WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WIND UP WRITING OFF FOR THOSE PATIENTS THAT ULTIMATELY UTILIZE THAT SERVICE.
SOME FOLKS THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN USING A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN WOULD BE SOMEONE THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THEY WOULD NEED TO UTILIZE AN AMBULANCE SERVICE, MORE SO THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
I WANT TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS AS A POLICY DECISION AS WE THINK THROUGH THE FINANCIAL PIECE OF IT AND I'VE GOT IT ON A LATER SLIDE HERE.
I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE TO THE POSITIVE REVENUE WISE FOR SUBSCRIPTION PLAN FOR US.
NOT SAYING WE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO IT BASED ON THAT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PROVIDED WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON WHICH DIRECTION WE SHOULD GO WITH THIS.
IF WE GO DOWN THIS ROAD, BASICALLY EMERGICON'S POLICY IS THAT WE WOULD DO AN OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD.
WE WOULD SIGN UP WHOMEVER WE WOULD CHOOSE TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM, AND THEN THEY WOULD GO ON A LIST, AND THEN ANYTIME AN AMBULANCE BILL COMES IN FOR US, EMERGICON WOULD LOOK AT THE LIST, AND IF THAT NAME WAS ON THE LIST AND THEY VERIFIED IT, THEN THEY WOULDN'T SEND ANY BILL TO THE PATIENT AT ALL.
THEY WOULD TRY TO COLLECT WHAT THEY COULD FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
THAT MEANS WE WOULDN'T GO AFTER THEIR DEDUCTIBLE, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THEY JUST TRY TO GET WHAT THEY CAN FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE STANDARD OF THE WAY IT HAPPENS WITH THOSE THINGS.
EMERGICON IS SAYING, BASICALLY WE'LL HONOR IF YOU HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO MANAGE THAT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AFTER DEDUCTIBLES AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS.
REALLY, BASICALLY WHAT THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO DO IS GAUGE IT AGAINST THE LIST OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP, IF THEY'RE ON THE LIST.
THEY GET NO BILL, REALLY NO COMMUNICATION FROM THEM WHATSOEVER UNLESS THERE'S SOME MISSING INFORMATION FOR THE INSURANCE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
[04:35:01]
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS THAT WHENEVER YOU DO SIGN SOMEONE UP, YOU GET ALL OF THEIR INSURANCE INFORMATION UP FRONT.HOPEFULLY, THAT'LL BE GOOD FOR THE NEXT YEAR.
SO YOU DO ALREADY HAVE THAT INFORMATION LOADED UP.
EMERGICON WILL HAVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THE POINT BEHIND THAT IS TO HOPEFULLY HELP WITH THE BILLING PROCESS WITH THAT.
NOW, AGAIN, LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BALANCE BILLING, THEY WOULD NOT DO BALANCE BILLING FOR ANYONE.
THERE'S A POTENTIAL OF LOSS OF REVENUE WITH THAT AS WELL.
I KNOW WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THE SENATE BILL 2476 IN THE PAST, AND THIS HAS BEEN TEXAS ATTEMPT AT TRYING TO ALLEVIATE BALANCE BILLING.
LIKE I SAID, I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE.
IF YOU LOOK AT HELICOPTER AMBULANCE SERVICES, THEY'VE MADE THAT ILLEGAL AT A FEDERAL LEVEL AT THIS POINT.
HELICOPTER AMBULANCE SERVICES CANNOT BALANCE BILL FOR THEIR SERVICES.
BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO HAVE MADE IT TO WHERE THE INSURANCE HAVE TO PAY A FAIR EQUITABLE RATE FOR ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
YOU NO LONGER HAVE THIS OUT OF NETWORK SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO BALANCE BILL TO OFFSET THE COST OF RUNNING THE SYSTEM.
TEXAS IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING WITH THIS SENATE BILL.
REALLY, IT'S ANY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT'S REGULATED BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, WHICH MAKES UP ABOUT 20% OF INSURED TEXANS TODAY.
IT'S NOT EVERYBODY. IT'S NOT A VAST MAJORITY.
I BELIEVE OUR INSURANCE FOR THE CITY IS NOT EVEN COVERED UNDER THAT.
I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOUR INSURANCE IS OUT OF, AND IF IT'S REGULATED BY TDA OR ANOTHER STATE AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.
THAT'S THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE WITH THE SENATE BILL.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL IN SOME SENSE, BUT IT'S REALLY I THINK A LITMUS TEST FOR WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE FOR THE HELICOPTER SERVICE.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN ATTEMPTS AND THAT CONVERSATION HAS COME UP ABOUT AMBULANCE BILLING, JUST IN GENERAL AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT IT HADN'T GOTTEN THERE QUITE YET.
>> IF WE GO DOWN THIS ROAD WITH A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, THEY REGULATE ALL OF OUR EMS ITEMS, AND THEY REGULATE THIS AS WELL.
WITH ANYTHING LIKE THIS, OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S RIPE FOR COMPLIANCE ISSUES WITH THINGS LIKE THIS.
THEY HAVE SOME VERY STRICT GUIDELINES.
FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FROM THE HIGHEST ELECTED OFFICIAL, WHICH WOULD BE THE MAYOR FOR US IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE TO SUBMIT COPIES OF WHAT THE ENROLLMENT CONTRACT WOULD BE TO THE STATE FOR THEIR APPROVAL.
ANY ADVERTISING THAT WE DO, WE HAVE TO SEND THAT TO THEM 30 DAYS PRIOR TO UTILIZING THAT ADVERTISING.
BILLING COMPLIANCE, WE HAVE TO ADHERE TO ALL STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SURETY BOND OR EVIDENCE OF SELF INSURANCE EQUAL TO THE SUBSCRIPTION FUNDS.
I'VE TALKED TO MATT ABOUT THAT, AND HE THINKS THAT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO.
THAT WOULDN'T BE INSURMOUNTABLE.
SERVICE PROVISIONS, DO NOT DENY ANY EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR NON SUBSCRIBERS, WHICH WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT.
IF SOMEONE CALLS 911 FOR OUR SERVICE, WE'RE GOING TO GO HERE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEIR BILLING STATUS IS.
THEN REVIEW REPORTING ANNUALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT, LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS, NAMES, ADDRESSES, ENROLLMENT, REPORT TOLL FUNDS COLLECTED EACH YEAR, PROVIDE THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF ENROLLMENT DATES.
THEN ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE STATE REGULATES MEDICAID, AND THEY DON'T ALLOW MEDICAID SUBSCRIBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EMS SUBSCRIPTION PLANS.
WHENEVER WE LOOK AT OUR 14 COMPARABLE CITIES, ARLINGTON IS RAN BY AMR, WHICH IS A PRIVATE AMBULANCE SERVICE, AND SO A LOT OF YOUR PRIVATE AMBULANCE SERVICES WILL OFFER A SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM.
BUT THEIR BILLING MODEL IS DIFFERENT THAN OUR BILLING MODEL, AND WE'LL GET A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO THAT WHEN WE REVISIT OUR BILLING POLICY.
THEY DO WHAT'S CALLED A HARD COLLECTIONS, WHERE THEY'LL SEND PEOPLE TO COLLECTION AGENCIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
THERE'S MORE OF A CHANCE FOR THERE TO BE AN OFFSET WRITE OFFS WHEN IT COMES TO A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN.
CEDAR HILL, THEY CHARGE FIVE DOLLARS A MONTH, $60 ANNUALLY.
THEY'RE NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW ENROLLMENTS BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT THE PLAN IS SUSTAINABLE FOR THEM AT THE MOMENT THEY'RE REVISITING THAT.
THE COLONY IS PROBABLY THE MOST UNIQUE OUT OF THIS.
THEY DO EIGHT DOLLARS A MONTH.
THE PLAN COVERS UP TO THREE TRANSPORTS A YEAR, AND THE CITIZENS CAN OPT IN AND OUT OF THE PROGRAM MONTH TO MONTH, BASICALLY.
OBVIOUSLY IN FORT WORTH, THE MEDSTAR SYSTEM IS STILL IN PLACE, AND THEY DO A TWO TIER SYSTEM.
THEY DO A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM LIKE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, BUT THEN THEY ALSO OFFER AN INCREASED PRICE TO ENCOMPASS
[04:40:04]
SOME COMMUNITY PARAMEDIC SERVICES FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED AND UTILIZE THOSE ON A REGULAR BASIS.GRAND PRAIRIE, THEY'RE CHARGING $100, AND THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW ENROLLMENTS WHILE THEY REVIEW THEIR PROGRAM.
THEY CURRENTLY ARE WRITING OFF MORE THAN WHAT THE PROGRAM IS WORKING FOR THEM.
HERST IS EVALUATING THEIR CURRENT RATES AND RECOMMENDING TO INCREASE TO 75 PER HOUSEHOLD.
THIS ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE CURRENT PLAN IS INCURRING HIGHER AMBULANCE BILL COSTS THAN REVENUE IS GENERATING.
THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS CHANGE ANOTHER YEAR TO DETERMINE IF THEY RECOMMEND ABANDONING THE PROGRAM.
THEN THE REST OF THESE CLEBURN COPPELL, EWAS, KELLER, MANSFIELD, MEN LOTHIA, NORTHICHON HILLS, AND WAXAHACHIE, NONE OF THEM OFFER ANY SUBSCRIPTION PLAN AT ALL.
OUT OF ALL OF THESE, REALLY, YOU HAVE ARLINGTON WHO'S PRIVATE AND YOU HAVE MEDSTAR WHO'S CURRENTLY A UNIQUE SYSTEM, BUT EVERYONE ELSE IS EITHER CONSIDERING MOVING AWAY FROM DOING THIS BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OR NOT DOING IT AT ALL.
FROM TALKING WITH MERGCON AND LOOKING AT OTHER SYSTEMS AND THINGS OUT THERE, WE WOULD ESTIMATE THAT WE WOULD HAVE MAYBE 1,200 SUBSCRIBERS.
IF WE CHARGED $100, THAT WOULD BE $120,000 IN REVENUE A YEAR.
BUT BASED ON MY DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS CITIES UTILIZING A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, IT APPEARS THAT THE REVENUE GENERATED MAY NOT SUFFICIENTLY OFFSET THE PROGRAMS WRITE OFF.
AGAIN, I GO BACK TO, THIS IS MORE OF A POLICY DECISION IF WE WANTED TO DO THIS OR NOT WHILE KEEPING THE FINANCIAL IMPACTS IN MIND TO THIS.
OUR CURRENT BILLING AMBULANCE PRACTICES, THESE ARE THE PRACTICES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED TO US THAT WAS ADOPTED BY COUNSEL THAT WE PUT INTO PLACE.
THEY DO RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO BALANCE BILLING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, WHERE APPLICABLE BY LAW.
WE AUTHORIZE THEM TO WRITE OFFS, SO THEY CAN WRITE OFF FEES FOR, LIKE, DISPOSABLE OXYGEN, THINGS OF THAT.
SPECIFIC AMOUNTS WRITTEN OFF ARE DETERMINED BY MERGCON THROUGH THEIR MATRIX.
THEY'RE PROHIBITED FROM DOING ANY HARD COLLECTIONS, SO NO ONE IS SENT TO COLLECTION AGENCIES OR CREDITS AFFECTED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
THAT'S ALREADY SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THE PRIVATE MODEL LIKE WE WERE DISCUSSING.
THEY DO INTEREST FREE PAYMENT PLANS, AND THEN THEY DO PROMPT PAY DISCOUNTS, WHERE THEY OFFER A DISCOUNT UP TO 25-45 PERCENT IF SOMEONE IS ABLE TO PAY THEIR BILL PROMPTLY.
LIKE I SAID, THOSE ARE THE BILLING PRACTICES THAT WE PUT IN FROM THE GET GO.
THAT WAS WHAT EMERGICON RECOMMENDED BECAUSE WE WERE USING MORE OF A SOFT COLLECTION MODEL THAN A HARD COLLECTION MODEL.
I REALLY THINK WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS BEFORE US.
OPTION 1 IS TO CONTINUE WITHOUT A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, OR OPTION 2 IS THAT WE COULD CHARGE $100 PER HOUSEHOLD, AND WHERE I CAME UP WITH THAT WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE OTHER ONES THAT WERE BENCHMARKING THAT WITH THE OTHER CITIES THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.
EVEN AT $100 SOME OF THEM WERE STRUGGLING TO MAKE THE FINANCES WORK WITH THAT.
THE SUBSCRIPTION PLAN MAY COVER THE COST OF AMBULANCE SERVICES, POTENTIALLY REDUCING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTS DURING EMERGENCIES.
IF WE DID AN ENROLLMENT PERIOD, WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE DID IS WE WOULD OPEN IT UP NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER, AND WE WOULD SECURE THE LIST OF BENEFICIARIES AND GIVE THAT TO EMERGICON AND GO LIVE JANUARY, AND THEN WE WOULD DO THAT ANNUALLY AND NOT HAVE AN ONGOING OPEN ENROLLMENT, BECAUSE ONE OF THE COMPLIANCE PIECES THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH WITH THIS IS MAINTAINING YOUR LIST AND UPDATING EMERGICON ON YOUR LIST AND UPDATING THE STATE ON THAT.
YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE FALLING OFF AND ON ON THAT.
THAT'S A BIG BURDEN ON STAFF TO CONTINUE TO KEEP UP WITH THAT AND MONITOR THAT.
I THINK BEST PRACTICES WITH THIS WOULD BE JUST LIKE AN INSURANCE PLAN.
WE HAVE AN OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD, WHOEVER IS GOING TO SIGN UP, SIGN UP.
OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD MARKET THIS HEAVILY IF WE WENT DOWN THAT ROAD AND TRY TO UTILIZE THAT.
ELIGIBILITY MUST BE A RESIDENT.
WE PUT IN HERE OR WORK WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
SOME DO ONLY RESIDENTS, SOME DO IF YOU WORK IN THE CITY LIMITS AS WELL.
SOME OF THE THOUGHT BEHIND THAT IS THAT PEOPLE OF WORKING AGE THAT ARE WORKING IN YOUR COMMUNITY, THEY COULD GET THE BENEFIT OF THAT, BUT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM USING THE AMBULANCE MIGHT BE SMALL.
AT LEAST YOU GET SOME POSITIVE REVENUE BENEFITS FROM THAT.
THEN THEY ALSO GET THAT OPTION IF THEY HAPPEN TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY IN THAT COMMUNITY, NOT NECESSARILY THAT THEY LIVE THERE.
YOU HAVE TO BE ENROLLED IN MEDICAL INSURANCE OR MEDICARE.
IF SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE INSURANCE OR THEY'RE NOT IN MEDICARE, THEN THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED FOR THIS BECAUSE THEN THERE WOULD BE NO ONE TO BILL AT ALL, SO YOU WOULD NOT GET ANY SUBSCRIPTION.
THAT WOULD BE FOR ALL OF THE FAMILY IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD UP TO,
[04:45:06]
SOMEONE THAT'S UNDER THE AGE OF 26, WHO'S A FULL TIME STUDENT.THEN OTHER DEPENDENTS THAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE GUARDIANSHIP ON, AS LONG AS THEY HAVE LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP, IF YOU THINK OF SOMEONE THAT HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION WHERE THEY'RE STILL TAKING CARE OF THEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE OLDER THAN 26.
MEDICARE RECIPIENTS, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, MEDICAID IS PROHIBITED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR THAT.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT DIRECTION YOU HAVE FOR US ON THIS.
>> WE'RE A SOFT COLLECTION COMPANY ANYWAY.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO AFTER ANYBODY.
BUT WHEN YOU WAS TALKING ABOUT THE REGULATIONS AND THE REPORTING AND STUFF OF THAT NATURE, THAT'S JUST PUTTING MORE OF A BURDEN ON US TO TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING THAT WE GIVE FOR FREE IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T HAVE ANYWAY.
I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF DOING A SUBSCRIPTION WHERE WE HAVE TO MANAGE ADVERTISING AND COLLECTIONS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY.
THAT'S FINE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I DON'T SEE THE BUSINESS MODEL IN THIS. ANYBODY ELSE?
>> YEAH, I'VE GOT SOMETHING, MR. MAYOR.
CHIEF, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR PUTTING TOGETHER EXTREMELY DETAILED PRESENTATION.
IT HAD ALL THE INFORMATION I BELIEVE WE NEED TO MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION.
AFTER REVIEWING THIS FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW, MY DIRECTION AND SUGGESTION ON THIS WOULD BE NO ON THE PRESCRIPTION OR SUBSCRIPTION.
>> MOST PEOPLE HAVE, NOT EVERYBODY.
BUT DON'T THEY HAVE THIS ALREADY PAID FOR THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE AND MEDICARE.
DON'T YOU BILL THEM THAT WAY? DON'T YOU GO THROUGH THEIR INSURANCE AND MEDICARE?
>> YES. WE'LL ALWAYS BILL INSURANCE AND MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, VA, WHATEVER INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT THEY HAPPENED TO HAVE.
I'M GOING TO TRY TO COLLECT THROUGH THAT WAY.
>> BECAUSE I HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE IN MEDICARE THAT WOULD PAY FOR THIS. I'M WITH YOU.
>> I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I FAILED TO MENTION IN MY PRESENTATION IS EVEN IF THEY HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE OR MEDICARE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IF MEDICARE OR MEDICAID OR THE INSURANCE DENIES IT, EMERGICON IS JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO WORK WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO THE PATIENT AND SAY, HEY, YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DENIED THIS.
HERE'S THE BILL FOR THIS BECAUSE SOMETIMES, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
MY STAFF CAN'T SHOW UP AND BE LIKE, WELL, THIS ISN'T AN AMBULANCE NEEDED SIT TYPE SITUATION.
THEY'RE ALWAYS GOING TO TRANSPORT THE PATIENT AND THE BILLING IS THE BILLING THAT'S WORKED OUT ON THE BACK END.
MEDICARE OR THE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY COME BACK AND SAY, THIS WASN'T REALLY A NEEDED SITUATION.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THAT BILL.
THAT NEEDS TO GO TO THE PATIENT.
IF THEY HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, THEN OF COURSE, THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO THE PATIENT.
THEN THERE WOULD BE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT THAT WOULD BE A WRITE OFF AT SOME POINT.
>> I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER SCOTT, THAT SINCE WE DO THE SOFT COLLECTIONS, IT DON'T SEE A POINT IN HAVING THIS.
>> I APPRECIATE THE VERY THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF IT, AND IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP EVERY TIME WE SPEAK ABOUT THIS IN PUBLIC.
IF IT'S A ROTARY MEETING, IF IT'S LIONS CLUB MEETING, WE GET ASKED ABOUT IT CONTINUOUSLY BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS OFFERED BEFOREHAND.
BUT AND IT'S HARD TO JUST UPFRONT BE LIKE, WELL, WE'RE NOT REALLY TRYING TO EXPLAIN SOMEONE ABOUT THE SOFT BILLING OR HARD BILLING, AND THAT OUR INTENTION IS NOT TO COME AFTER ANYONE.
BUT ULTIMATELY, THIS IS A BENEFIT TO OUR CITIZENS, AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE THAT GOES INTO HAVING A SUBSCRIPTION PLAN, THE ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD, THE ADDITIONAL UPKEEP, AND IT REALLY DOESN'T BALANCE ITSELF OUT FOR THE BENEFIT THAT IT DOES PROVIDE AND MAY NOT REALLY PROVIDE.
I THINK SOMETIMES IT'S JUST THAT SECURITY OF, WELL, WE USED TO HAVE THIS.
THEY DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT IT PAID OFF WHEN THEY HAD IT, EITHER.
I JUST APPRECIATE THAT WE EXAMINED IT, AND WE TRULY LISTED OUT THE PROS AND CONS AND THOUGHT THROUGH IT THOROUGHLY BECAUSE WE CAN AT LEAST TELL CITIZENS THAT REALLY BIG PICTURE, THIS IS HOW WE PROCEED.
THIS IS HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES AND THE BILLING AND BUSINESS ASPECT OF IT.
BUT ULTIMATELY, WE'RE HERE TO, LIKE YOU SAID, THERE'S NEVER GOING TO BE A TIME WHERE WE'RE GOING TO.
IF SOMEONE CALLS, WE'RE RESPONDING, AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE PAPERWORK ON THE BACK END, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST,
[04:50:01]
IT'S ABOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR CITIZENS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE UTMOST CARE, AND THAT THEY'RE TAKING WHERE THEY NEED TO GO IF THEY NEED THAT RIDE OR NOT.I THINK THAT HELPING TO EXPLAIN THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE PUSHY ABOUT IT.
THE FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE JUST WANT TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS.
I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORT AND THE PRESENTATION IS VERY THOROUGH AND THE EXAMINATION OF IT.
THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO REALLY IS WEIGH IT ALL.
>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, THAT BRINGS US TO SECTION 9, CITY COUNCIL REQUEST, FUTURE ITEMS, AND REPORTS.
>> OKAY. THAT'LL TAKE US TO ITEM 10, EXECUTIVE SESSION.
[10.RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION]
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 551 OF THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE CITY COUNCIL WORK ROOM IN CITY HALL TO CONDUCT A CLOSED MEETING TO DISCUSS ANY ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA, AND ALSO TO DISCUSS ANYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH SECTION 551.071, 551.072 AND 551.087.>> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONVENE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? MOTION BY ADAM AND SECOND BY ALEXA.
PLEASE VOTE. PASSES UNANIMOUS.
WE'RE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION OF 10:44.
[BACKGROUND] WELL, DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT WE JUST ADJOURN?
>> PUT ON THE RECORD THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL ISSUE WITH OUR BROADCAST EQUIPMENT.
>> BUT WE'VE BEEN UNABLE TO RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT, THE COUNCIL WILL BE TAKING NO FURTHER ACTION ON ANY BUSINESS ITEM.
>> I'VE GOT A MOTION BY RUSSELL AND JOHNSON.
ALL IN FAVOR. PASSES UNANIMOUS.
>> THAT'S WHAT I SAID, ADJOURN. WE'RE DONE.
[BACKGROUND]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.