>> WELCOME, I WANT TO SAY HELLO TO EVERYONE WHO'S
[00:00:04]
JOINING US TODAY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING.WE'RE FALLING OUT AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY'S FACES.
HOPEFULLY, YOU'RE RECOVERING FROM THE BIG STORM LAST WEEK.
I'M HERE TO START US WITH OUR MEETING INVOCATION
[INVOCATION]
TODAY IS GREG DOWELL FROM CENTRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.GREG, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
>>THANK YOU, MAYOR. IT IS ALWAYS AN HONOR TO LEAD A PRAYER FOR OUR CITY.
I'D LIKE TO OFFER A PRAYER THIS MORNING THAT FIRST CONSIDERS THOSE WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING, WHO ARE SUFFERING EITHER FROM COVID OR THIS RECENT WEATHER EVENT.
A PRAYER IN GRATITUDE FOR OUR CITY LEADERS, AND THEN, A PRAYER FOR THIS SEASON OF LENT.
IF YOU WOULD BOW WITH ME, PLEASE, FATHER, WE PRAY THAT YOU COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING, THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED ILLNESS, EXPERIENCED DEATH IN THEIR FAMILY, THOSE WHO ARE DEALING WITH ECONOMIC STRUGGLES, FATHER, OUR PRAYER IS FOR MERCY FOR THEM, PLEASE HAVE MERCY.
SPIRIT, WE REACH OUT TO YOU AND WE WANT TO LIFT UP OUR CITY OFFICIALS AND WE PRAY THAT YOU FILL THEM WITH COURAGE, DISCERNMENT, AND COMPASSION.
FATHER, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP, ESPECIALLY DURING THESE TIMES AND THEN JESUS, YOU'VE KNOWN AS FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME, YOU HAVE KNOWN US IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR DREAMS AND IN THE DARKNESS OF OUR SHAME.
YOU KNOW US AS YOUR BELOVED, HELP US TO OWN THIS CORE IDENTITY MORE AND MORE IN THIS SEASON OF REPENTANCE AND MERCY, GIVE US THE ROCK-SOLID ASSURANCE OF YOUR UNFAILING FAITH IN US AS WE SEEK THE SAME IN YOU, AMEN.
>> AMEN.THANK YOU. GREG, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR COMING TO START OUR MEETING OFF.
>>MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS
[ANNOUNCEMENT]
AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A NEW EMPLOYEE, MR. CITY MANAGER.>> ALL RIGHT MAYOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WE HAVE WITH US TODAY ON THE CALL, STEPHANIE RODARTE SUTO, SHE IS THE NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
SHE'S GOT A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS FROM WT.
SHE SPENT 17 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM TEACHING AND COACHING SPEECH AND DEBATE.
DURING THE SUMMER, SHE COORDINATED THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION EVENTS FOR THE CANYON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SHE'S A LOCAL PERSON. SHE KNOWS OUR PEOPLE, SHE'S GROWN UP HERE.
SHE'S EDUCATED HERE, AD SHE'S WORKED HERE BEYOND PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS.
SHE'S A PROPONENT FOR OTHERS THROUGH HER INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THROUGH COORDINATION OF, ADVOCACY EVENTS THAT ENGAGE, GIVE VOICE TO, AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT HUMAN ISSUES.
SHE BRINGS A PASSION FOR PEOPLE TO THE CITY OF AMARILLO, TO OUR ORGANIZATION, AND TO EVERY MISSION THAT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DOES.
IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE RESOURCE TO JASON REYNOLDS AND THE REST OF THE TEAM THERE SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY AND I'M, THERE SHE IS RIGHT THERE.
STEPHANIE, WELCOME TO THE ORGANIZATION.
COUNSEL, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SAY HI, AND STEPHANIE, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY BEFORE WE DO THAT?
>> JUST I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE.
I'M EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INTO MAKE A REALLY POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE CITY SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I WISH WE WERE REALLY WE WERE SCHEDULING IN PERSON MEETINGS BECAUSE WE DO ALL WANT YOU TO FEEL WELCOME HERE AND WE LOVE HAVING ANOTHER GRADUITY BACK ON STAFF.
THAT'S GREAT. THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IT, CDBG IS SO IMPORTANT AND WE DISAPPROVE THAT WORK AND WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU, STEPHANIE.
>> ALRIGHT. WELL, MOVING ON THEN TO THE PUBLIC ADDRESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING TODAY.
I'LL ASK THE CALL HOST STEPHANIE, DO WE HAVE ANYBODY WHO'S REGISTERED FOR PUBLIC ADDRESS?
>> NO, WE DID NOT HAVE ANYBODY SIGN UP TODAY.
>> MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM 18,
[1.A. Review agenda items for regular meeting and attachments;]
IS REVIEWING THE AGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING IN ANY OF YOUR ATTACHMENTS.COUNCIL, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS JUST ON THE FRONT END ABOUT ANYTHING THAT WAS IN YOUR PACKET?
>> I'VE GOT A QUESTION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S ON OUR CONSENT AGENDA WITH REGARD TO, WE'VE GOT A SECOND READING FOR THE ILLEGAL DUMPING ORDINANCE,
[00:05:04]
AND I'VE HAD A CITIZEN ASKED ME, WHAT WOULD BE OUR APPROACH IN ISSUING THOSE CITATIONS? THEIR CONCERN WAS IF THEY'RE ALLEY GETS DUMPED IN, ARE THEY AS THE HOMEOWNER NOW LIABLE TO BE CITED BECAUSE THE ALLEY IS DIRTY, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T DO THE DUMPING ILLEGALLY.I WONDER, JARED, DO YOU HAVE SOME RESPONSE TO THAT?
>>YES, MA'AM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS TO FACILITATE AND ENABLE THE CITY TO CITE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE DUMPING, NOT THE PERSON WITH THE WITH THE DUMPING THAT HAPPENS TO BE BEHIND THEIR HOUSE BECAUSE WE HAVE NO WAY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THAT PERSON DID IT.
ALL RIGHT, OUR ORDINATES IS ALREADY WOULD PROVIDE US THE ABILITY IF WE SO CHOSE TO CITE THOSE PEOPLE.
BUT WE KNOW THAT THEY DIDN'T DO THE ILLEGAL DUMPING IN ALMOST EVERY CASE.
WHAT THIS DOES IS ENABLE THE CITY TO ENFORCE AGAINST THE PERSON THAT ACTUALLY DOES THE DUMPING.
THAT'S WHY WE'VE INSTALLED IN A NUMBER OF OUR ALLEYS, CAMERAS THAT CAN PICK UP THAT ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE THOSE TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
BUT THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THIS ORDINANCE IS TO ENABLE THE CITY TO, ENFORCE ILLEGAL DUMPING ON THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, NOT THE PERSON THAT RECEIVES THE ILLEGAL DUMPING?
>> OKAY. THAT'S GOOD CLARIFICATION.
I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ANSWER, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GO AHEAD AND ADDRESS THAT.
>> MAYOR, I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE CITY HASN'T TAKEN STEPS IN THE PAST TO HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO ACTUALLY IMPOSE FINES BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO IDENTIFY WHO WAS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE AND NOT JUST THE LOCATION.
IT REALLY GOES HAND IN HAND WHERE THE IMPLEMENTATION ADDING THE CAMERAS, THAT MAKES US ABLE TO ACTUALLY IDENTIFY WHO THE LAWBREAKERS WERE AND ATTACH IT TO THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL.
OKAY. ANY OTHER, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE,
[1.B. Coronavirus Update;]
WE'LL MOVE ON THEN TO AGENDA ITEM 1B OF CORONAVIRUS UPDATE. MR. MILLER.>> HERE, WE'VE GOT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CASIE STOUGHTON TO GIVE US THE LATEST ON WHAT'S GOING ON AT PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR ALLOCATION OF BILL.
CASIE, WHY DON'T YOU TELL US EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AT PUBLIC HEALTH, I MEAN, WITH REGARDS TO CORONAVIRUS.
AS JARED WAS SAYING, WE HAVE RECEIVED OUR VACCINE ALLOCATION FOR THIS WEEK.
THIS MORNING WE RECEIVED ANOTHER 5000 FIRST DOSES AND THERE'RE 5000 SECOND DOSES THAT WE EXPECT.
WE WILL BE GIVING VACCINE TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY, SO IF YOU'RE IN 1A, 1B, PLEASE COME SEE US AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS AND EVERYTHING, WE HAVE A LOT OF NUMBERS TO TALK ABOUT SO GET READY.
LOT OF NUMBERS TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.
WE'LL TRY TO MAKE IT QUICK AND SMOOTH, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME NUMBERS.
AS OF THIS MORNING THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 39,933 TOTAL CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN POTTER AND RANDALL COUNTIES, 16,791 CASES IN POTTER COUNTY AND 16,142 CASES IN RANDALL COUNTY.
WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 31,406 RECOVERIES AND WE ARE UP TO 670 DEATHS REPORTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THAT LEAVES US WITH 857 ACTIVE CASES.
OUR ACTIVE CASES ARE NOW DOWN BELOW 1,000.
EACH OF THE CASES DO REPRESENT A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.
YESTERDAY OUR GA 32 HOSPITALIZATION PERCENTAGE WAS AT 6.1 PERCENT.
THAT MEANS THAT 6.1 PERCENT OF ALL HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS HAVE COVID-19.
OUR RACK REGION IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED AN AREA OF HIGH HOSPITALIZATION, AND WE HAVE LEAD TO STATUS LEVEL RANGE.
HOWEVER, TO MAINTAIN THESE LEVELS AND TO REMAIN AT THESE LEVELS, WE MUST REMAIN VIGILANT, WEARING OUR MASKS, SOCIALLY DISTANCING, AND STAYING HOME WHEN WE'RE SICK, GOOD HAND-WASHING, AND BEING VACCINATED WHEN YOUR GROUP IS CALLED, IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE WILL STAY AT THIS LEVEL.
LOCALLY, THERE ARE 46 PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.
ADULT BED UTILIZATION IS AT 73.5 PERCENT.
ICU UTILIZATION IS AT 65 PERCENT, AND VENTILATOR UTILIZATION IS AT 22.5 PERCENT.
THE ROLLING SEVEN-DAY POSITIVITY RATE IS CURRENTLY AT 4 PERCENT AND THE POSITIVITY RATE OF THE DRIVE THROUGH TESTING SITE WHICH IS A SUBSET OF THE TOTAL IS AT 22 PERCENT.
[00:10:02]
THE FIVE-DAY NEW CASE AVERAGE IS 49 NEW CASES PER DAY.THE NUMBERS ARE DEFINITELY TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
COULDN'T BE MORE PLEASED ABOUT THAT.
DEFINITELY CAN'T LET OUR GUARD DOWN.
MASKING IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS EVER AS WELL AS THOSE VACCINATIONS AND THE OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE.
AS FAR AS PUBLIC HEALTH OPERATIONS THOUGH, THE PUBLIC HEALTH DRIVE-THROUGH TESTING SITE DOES REMAIN OPERATIONAL, INDIVIDUALS CAN CALL 3786300 TO BE SCREENED AND DIRECT IT TO THE TEST SITE.
WE HAVE REDUCED THE HOURS AT THE TEST SITE, INSTEAD OF 8:00-3:00 WE'RE NOW RUNNING 8:00 TO NOON SO THAT WE CAN CALL THOSE STAFF OVER TO THE VACCINATION CLINIC TO HELP WITH STAFFING THERE.
THE OUTPATIENT [INAUDIBLE] INFUSION CENTER IS OPERATIONAL AND ACCEPTING REFERRALS FROM LOCAL PROVIDERS FOR PATIENTS WHO DO YOU NEED THAT E LIKE CRITERIA.
WE HAVE SEEN SO FAR 148 PATIENTS AND ONLY FOUR OF THOSE PATIENTS HAVE REQUIRED HOSPITALIZATION.
THE VACCINATION CLINIC IS ALSO OPERATIONAL AND TO DATE AMARILLO PUBLIC HEALTH HAS GIVEN 41,268 FIRST DOSES AND 19,823 SECOND DOSES OF THE RECEIVED 76,950 TOTAL DOSES.
TODAY WE WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 7:00, SO LIKE I SAID, IF YOU'RE IN ONE OF THOSE 1A, 1B GROUPS LIKE A HEALTH CARE WORKER, SOMEONE WHO'S 65 AND OLDER, OR SOMEONE WHO'S 18 AND OVER WITH A CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION, PLEASE COME SEE US.
IF SOMEONE'S COMING FOR THEIR SECOND DOSE, AS A REMINDER, PLEASE BRING THEIR CARD.
I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF NUMBERS SO FAR, BUT JUST A FEW MORE, SO HANG WITH ME.
WE HAVE SOME PROVISIONAL DATA ON OUR VACCINATION CLINICS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DATA SOURCES THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH AND OUR STAFF ARE DOING QI, SO PROVISIONALLY, 77 PERCENT OF THE VACCINE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A POTTER, RANDALL ADDRESS WHO LIVE IN POTTER OR RANDALL COUNTY, 93 PERCENT OF THE VACCINE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE, AND ONLY AROUND SIX PERCENT OF THE VACCINE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE.
DEFINITELY WE'RE VACCINATING PEOPLE WHO LIVE RIGHT HERE AT HOME.
AMARILLO WAS CERTAINLY THE CAPITAL OF THE PANHANDLE AND WE'RE REALLY GLAD TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF AMARILLO ITSELF, BUT CERTAINLY VACCINATING PEOPLE WHO LIVE RIGHT HERE AT HOME.
I EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO ADJUST SLIGHTLY AS ADDITIONAL DATA IS ADDED AND QI IS COMPLETED OR IS CONTINUOUS. WE ALWAYS DO QI.
WITH ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE IS THAT WE ARE THANKFUL.
WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY HAVE COME TO BE VACCINATED AND ARE SUPPORTING OUR TEAM IN BIG WAYS.
WE HAVE HAD INCREDIBLY GENEROUS DONATIONS, GIFTS OF GRATITUDE, SNACK PACK, YOUNG BLOODS, THE BIG TEXAN FAITH BUILDERS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS AT HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND OUR NATIONAL BANK, HAPPY STATE BANK, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PROVIDED DOUGHNUTS, AND WATER, AND SNACKS, BETWEEN THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR CITY STAFF, THAT'S WHAT MAKES OUR AMARILLO CLINICS SO SUCCESSFUL AND AMARILLO ITSELF SO SUCCESSFUL.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY.
DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE CAR.
LOTS OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENING.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> CASIE, ON THE TOPIC OF MASKS, WOULD YOU CLARIFY BECAUSE I HAVE HAD CITIZENS SAY WE'RE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS NOW THAT WE'RE IN YELLOW.
WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT THAT, I KNOW THE MESSAGE IS CONFUSING.
WE'VE CHANGED BACK TO YELLOW, BUT WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, AND WHAT SHOULD CITIZENS BE DOING IF THEY'RE INDOORS, WEAR A MASK OR NOT WEARING A MASK?
>> YES, AND I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, WE'RE IN ORANGE.
>> YEAH, SO WE'RE IN ORANGE AND SO YES, WE STILL DEFINITELY NEED TO WEAR A MASK.
IF YOU'RE INSIDE, DEFINITELY WEAR A MASK, IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE AND YOU'RE WITHIN SIX FEET WITH SOMEBODY ELSE, AND EVEN IF YOU'RE WITHIN IN A CLOSED SPACE, THAT DISTANCES IS SIX FEET BUT YOU'RE IN A CLOSED SPACE LIKE A ROOM, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO STILL HAVE YOUR MASK ON.
DEFINITELY YOU WANT TO WEAR YOUR MASK, SOCIALLY DISTANCING AND GOOD HAND WASHING ARE SUPER IMPORTANT.
BUT YES, THE MASK REQUIREMENT AND HAS CERTAINLY NOT GONE AWAY.
[00:15:03]
THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, I THINK IS GA 29, IS STILL IN EFFECT, SO WE STILL HAVE TO WEAR OUR MASKS.THEN WE STILL HAVE THE REQUIREMENTS IN PLACE TO WEAR OUR MASK.
>> THANK YOU. OTHER QUESTIONS FOR CASIE? ELAINE, I SEE YOU TALKING BUT WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.
>> IT'S STRANGE I CAN'T SEE LITTLE SPACEBAR TRACK THAT WASN'T WORKING.
BUT MY QUESTION, CASIE, WAS ON THE GA 29, THAT GOVERNOR'S ORDER, DID THEY HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO NUMBERS OR IS IT JUST A BLANKET STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE; ISN'T IT? IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR NUMBERS OR WHAT COLOR CODE WE MAY BE AT AS A CITY.
>> RIGHT [NOISE]. IT IS NOT TIED TO A METRIC, WHICH IS APPROPRIATE.
I MEAN, THE VIRUS DOESN'T KNOW WHAT NUMBER WE HAVE ASSIGNED TO IT, OR WHAT COLOR WE HAVE ASSIGNED TO IT.
WE STILL NEED TO WEAR OUR MASKS SO THAT WE DON'T MOVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OUR ASSIGNED NUMBERS AND COLORS.
I THINK THEY CERTAINLY GAVE US A SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY, SO WE CAN SO EASILY SLIP BACK INTO THOSE HIGHER LEVEL IF WE DON'T TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS.
>> THERE'S A QUESTION WITH OUR VACCINATION HOURS THIS WEEK.
TODAY IS TUESDAY, SO JUST FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK, DO YOU MIND RESTATING THE HOURS THAT THE SPECIFIC CENTER IS OPEN? I KNOW THAT DEPENDS UPON HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP.
WITH THE NUMBER WE HAVE OF THE 5,000 DOSES THAT ARRIVED FOR FIRST DOSES, DO YOU THINK THAT WILL LAST BASED ON WHAT YOU ALL HAVE SEEN ON-DEMAND THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK?
>> YES, 5000 DOSES, THAT'S JUST WHAT WE RECEIVED THIS MORNING, BUT WE STILL HAVE SOME DOSES LEFT OVER SO WE JUST ADDED THAT TO THE DOSES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAD IN OUR REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS.
WE ARE SITTING PRETTY WELL THIS WEEK.
TODAY, TUESDAY, WE'LL BE OPEN UNTIL 7:00, AND THEN THE REST OF THE WEEK, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY WE'LL BE OPEN FROM 9:00 UNTIL 5:00 PM HERE AT THE CIVIC CENTER.
YOU COME IN ENTRANCE-FREE, THAT'S THE VERY NORTH ENTRANCE.
>> CASIE [OVERLAPPING] I'M SORRY, EDDIE, GO AHEAD.
>> THE ONLY QUESTION THAT I HAVE, IS, AND IT'S QUESTION THAT I BET CASIE CAN ANSWER.
IF SHE CAN, AND SHE REALLY IS A ROCK STAR.
[LAUGHTER] I'M SORRY, CASIE [INAUDIBLE]
>> [LAUGHTER] MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED
>> WE'VE GOT 33,000 CASES IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO, OR IN POTTER-RANDALL COUNTY.
WE'VE GOT 41,268 FIRST TIME, THAT HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST VACCINATION.
AT THAT 33,000, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COME THROUGH THAT HAVE HAD COVID THAT HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINATION?
>> I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION EXACTLY.
YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT'S A TOUGH ONE.
WE'D HAVE TO DO SOME SERIOUS DATA OVERLAY.
BUT I DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME, SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION THAT PEOPLE HAVE ASKED US.
THEY'VE ASKED, WELL, I'VE HAD COVID, I DON'T NEED THE VACCINE, OR I'VE HAD COVID, CAN I GET THE VACCINE? THE ANSWER IS, YES.
THE CURRENT GUIDANCE SAYS THAT IF YOU HAVE HAD COVID, YOU CAN DEFER YOUR VACCINE FOR UP TO 90 DAYS.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO, SO YOU CAN BE VACCINATED IF YOU'RE IN THAT ONE A, OR ONE B GROUP.
YOU CAN BE VACCINATED AS SOON AS YOU HAVE RECOVERED, YOU'RE OUTSIDE OF YOUR ISOLATION QUARANTINE PERIOD, AND YOU'RE NO LONGER CONTAGIOUS.
THAT MINIMUM TIME IS JUST AFTER RECOVERING.
BUT YOU CAN DEFER FOR UP TO 90 DAYS, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE SOME OF THAT PROTECTION, THAT NATURAL PROTECTION LEFT, BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO.
>>WELL, THE ONLY REASON I'M ASKING THAT, IS BECAUSE THAT WHOLE THING ENDS UP COMING UP,
[00:20:04]
YOU START TALKING ABOUT HARD IMMUNITY.IF NO BODY THAT'S HAVE COVID IS GETTING VACCINATED, THEN THAT 41,000 PLUS 33,000 IS BASICALLY ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT 29 PERCENT OF THE POTTER-RANDALL POTENTIAL POPULATION OF 255,000.
I KNOW THAT THAT'S AN UNREALISTIC FIGURE.
BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S ALWAYS THAT TALK ABOUT WHEN DOES THAT POINT COME WHEN WE FINALLY REACHED HARD IMMUNITY, AND THAT'S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 70 AND 85 PERCENT.
I KNOW THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A PRETTY BIG QUESTION TO BE ASKING EVERYBODY THAT WALKED IN, THAT I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF YOU HAD ANY IDEAS.
>> YEAH, IT'S PROBABLY LIKE A VENN DIAGRAM.
THERE'S PROBABLY SOME OVERLAY OF THOSE TWO CIRCLES JUST DEPENDS ON HOW BIG THAT MIDDLE CIRCLE IS WHERE FOR THAT OVERLAY IS.
>> THAT WAS JUST A SPECULATIVE QUESTION.
THANKS FOR HUMORING ME FOR THE MOMENT.
>> CASIE, DO YOU KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF OUR POPULATION THAT FALLS IN THE HIGH-RISK CATEGORY HAS BEEN VACCINATED, AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT OUR FULL POPULATION, LOOKING AT THE BREAKDOWN PER AGE GROUP?
>> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE, AND GET ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAD BEEN VACCINATED WOULD BE IN THAT HIGH-RISK GROUP.
THEY'RE HEALTH CARE WORKERS, PEOPLE OVER 65, OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CHRONIC HEALTH CARE CONDITION.
THEY SHOULD ALL BE IN THAT HIGH-RISK GROUP.
>> I GUESS IF IN LIKE TWO WEEKS OF JUST GATHERING THAT NUMBER OF WHAT THAT IS ON THE PERCENTAGE OF THE WHOLE GROUP IN THAT.
IF YOU MAKE A GREAT POINT JUST LIKE RIGHT NOW 100 PERCENT OF THAT GROUP FALLS IN THE HIGH-RISK.
TO FIND OUT WHAT PERCENTAGE OF A HIGH-RISK GROUP, I'M HOPING IT'S PRETTY HIGH.
THE PERCENTAGE OF OUR HIGH-RISK GROUP WERE GETTING A PRETTY HIGH PERCENTAGE, THAT HAS BEEN HARD.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I THINK ALL WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO DATE, AND WITH REGARD TO ESTIMATING, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE HAVE IN TWO-COUNTY AREA, IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT FALL INTO CATEGORIES 1A AND 1B? THAT'S AN ESTIMATE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF THAT WE DON'T KNOW.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE, NOT 65 AND OLDER PRESENT WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
WE'VE ESTIMATED THE NUMBER OF 1AS, AND THE NUMBER OF 65 PLUS.
MA'AM I THINK WE'VE HAD ROUGHLY ABOUT 50,000.
>> I THINK IT'S IT'S 57,000 CAN BE [INAUDIBLE].WEBSITE.
WE CAN CALCULATE AS A FUNCTION OF THAT NUMBER, WHAT THE NUMBER OF FIRST VACCINATIONS THAT WE'VE GIVEN IS AS A PERCENTAGE.
>> I'LL LOOK TO SEE IF THEY'VE UPDATED ANY OF THAT INFORMATION.
>> A FOLLOW UP TO SOMETHING THAT THE EDDIE WAS BRINGING UP.
SOMETHING I LEARNED AT THE BLOOD DRIVE LAST WEEK WAS THAT, THEY ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD COVID, AND HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED YET.
THAT TO BE ABLE TO DONATE THE CONVALESCENT PLASMA, YOU HAVE TO FALL IN THAT CATEGORY TO HAVE HAD COVID, BUT NOT TAKEN YOUR VACCINE YET.
TO OUR COMMUNITY, IF YOU FALL IN THAT RANGE, IT'S A VERY NICHE AREA THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS.
>> IN CASE YOU WOULD JUST GIVE US AN UPDATE ON WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS, THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS CHOSEN TO SET UP A HUB MODEL FOR VACCINATING THE POPULATION? WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A HUB, AND HOW DOES THAT AFFECT WHO WE CAN TURN AWAY, OR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR VACCINES?
>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THE HUB PROVIDERS AGREE TO VACCINATE PEOPLE IN THAT 1A AND 1B CATEGORY.
THEY AGREE TO VACCINATE PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE, AND THEY VACCINATE EQUITABLY IN THE HARDEST HIT AREAS IN DEMOGRAPHICS, USE ALL OF THE DOSES EACH WEEK, AND PROMPTLY REPORT THE DOSES ADMINISTERED.
[00:25:02]
>> YES, MA'AM. WE ARE HUB CLINIC AND WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN DOING ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
I THINK IT'S AMAZING TO KNOW THAT PROMPTLY WE'RE REPORTING THE DOSES ADMINISTERED INTO IMMTRAC.
WE HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTERING ALL OF THAT DATA.
WE HAVE A 24-HOUR DEADLINE TO GET ALL OF THAT ENTERED.
THEY'RE REALLY KEEPING UP WITH IT.
THEY'RE GETTING EVERYTHING ENTERED, USUALLY WITHIN 24, AND SOMETIMES 36 HOURS.
BUT WE REALLY HAVE A FAST TURNAROUND TIME ON DATA ENTRY.
>> HAVE WE HAD TO WASTE ANY OF OUR VACCINES, JUST GETS TO BE THE END OF THE DAY, AND?
>> NO, WITH OUR BANDING SYSTEM, AND THE WAY THAT WE ARE COUNTING, AND ACCOUNTING, AND TRACKING EVERYTHING, WE DO USE EVERYTHING BEFORE THE END OF THE CLINIC DAY.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, WE HAVE NOT HAD TO THROW AWAY, OR WASTE ANY VACCINES THAT WE'VE BEEN SENT?
>> ONE MORE QUESTION ON THE RACK NURSES.
I KNOW THAT THAT NUMBER IS DROPPING, THE NUMBER OF RACK NURSES THAT WE HAVE.
BUT I KNOW EVERY MORNING WHEN I DRIVE, BASICALLY, I GO BY THE UA CINEMA, AND THERE'S 10 BUSES THAT ARE THERE THAT ARE BASICALLY FOR THE RACK NURSES, AND SO THERE'S NOT NEAR AS MANY BUSES AS THERE WERE BEFORE.
I ASSUME WE STILL HAVE SOME RACK NURSES HERE, IS THAT ABOUT TO GO AWAY? DO WE KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PLANNED ON THAT, OR IS HIS OFFICE IN CHARGE OF WHERE THOSE GO? HOW DOES ALL OF THAT END UP, OR WORKING, WHERE DO WE STAND WITH THAT?
>> THOSE ARE GREAT QUESTIONS TOO.
THESE NURSES ARE ASSIGNED TO US THROUGH BCFS, A DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM.
THEY'RE ASSIGNED THROUGH A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO THAN JUST STRAIGHT THROUGH THE RACK.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE STATE ON THEIR CONTINUED MOBILIZATION THROUGH US IS THAT WE HAVE THE 25, AND WE ANTICIPATE THEY'RE STAYING WITH US FOR AT LEAST A LITTLE WHILE.
THEY ARE ON TWO-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS, AND SO WE REQUEST THAT AT LEAST EVERY TWO WEEKS, IF NOT LONGER.
WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE STATE SUPPORT IN THAT AREA.
>> YOU GOT 25 THAT WORKED THE VACCINATION CLINIC, AND THEN THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER THAT ARE ACTUALLY WORKING IN THE HOSPITALS, RIGHT? DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT EXACTLY?
>> NO. THE RACK NURSES HAVE BEEN WORKING ON DEMOBILIZATION OF THAT GROUP.
I THINK THAT OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS THEY HAVE REACHED WHAT THEIR INTENDED TARGET WAS, AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT ON DEMOB.
THE NURSES THAT ARE ASSISTING US, IS THROUGH BCFS, AND SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT CHANNEL.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR CASIE? HOUR?
>> YES. I'LL TRY TO STUMP YOU LIKE ANY DID.
[LAUGHTER] WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT IS VOLUNTARY TO GET A VACCINE? YOU KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE NOT WANTING TO BE VACCINATED?
>> DON'T ARE REALLY ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS.
I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AS TIME MOVES ON, I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE HESITANT AT THE VERY BEGINNING LIKE AND MAYBE IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY ARE SEEING THE SUCCESS OF THE VACCINE AND IT'S SAFETY AND EFFICACY IS REALLY PLAYING OUT AND SO MY HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HESITANT WILL DECIDE WHEN THEIR GROUP IS CALLED OR NOW THAT THEIR GROUP HAS BEEN CALLED OR SINCE WE'RE IN THE 1B CATEGORY THAT THEY WILL CHOOSE TO BE VACCINATED.
I KNOW I BREED A KIND OF A SIGH OF RELIEF WHENEVER I RECEIVED MY SECOND DOSE AND SO I'M STILL GOING TO WEAR MY MASK.
I DON'T SLEEP IN IT BUT IT'S CLOSE.
BUT I DID JUST BREATH A SIGH OF RELIEF WHENEVER I GOT MY SECOND DOSE AND SO I KNOW THAT I WANT THAT FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO FOR THEM TO BE PROTECTED BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT.
[00:30:03]
WE'VE LOST 670 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT IS 672 MINUTES AND SO I WANT THAT SAME PROTECTION FOR EVERYONE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.>> WELL, YOU DID GOOD ON HITTING THAT.
LET ME ASK YOU ANOTHER QUESTION.
AFTER WE GET 98 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE VACCINATED THERE IN 1A, 1B AND WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE OTHER PEOPLE BETWEEN LESS THAN 65.
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION TO THIS STATES THAT EVAP TEAM, THE EXPERT VACCINE ALLOCATION PANEL IS WORKING ON THAT NOW ON WHAT ONE FIELD WILL LOOK LIKE AND I THINK IT WILL LOOK MORE LIKE A WAVE AS OPPOSED TO LIKE A HARD STOP.
YOU ONCE, LIKE AT SOME POINT THEY'LL LOOK LIKE WAVES OF DIFFERENT, OF DIFFERENT GROUPS AS OPPOSED LIKE WE HAVE TO GET TO A CERTAIN POINT AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT GROUP.
THERE'S 8.4 MILLION TEXANS THAT ARE IN GROUP 1B AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT DO QUALIFY AND SO I KNOW THAT THE EVAP COMMITTEE IS WORKING ON THAT DEFINITION OF WHAT ONE SCENE WILL LOOK LIKE AND SO WHEN THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS READY TO MOVE ON TO THAT 1C CATEGORY.
I KNOW THAT WE'LL BE READY TO SERVE AND WE HOPE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THAT 1C GROUP WHO ARE READY TO BE VACCINATED.
>> SO THERE'S THIS GROUP THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU'RE ON THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE.
YOU REACHED UP IN THE PAPER ALL THE TIME OR I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD THE PAPER.
I DON'T KNOW THE LAST TIME I ACTUALLY SAW A PHYSICAL NEWSPAPER, BUT IN ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN READ.
I'VE SEEN THAT KENTUCKY AND OREGON BOTH ARE STARTING TO VACCINATE THEIR TEACHERS AND I KNOW THAT THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE 1B DEAL AND SO I ASSUMED THAT THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE 1C, BUT YOU GUYS WILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I SEE.
I SEE TEACHERS COMING INTO MY OFFICE ALL THE TIME AND TALKING ABOUT IT AND I KNOW THAT IF THEY'RE NOT, THEY DON'T HAVE A CO-MORBIDITY THAT GETS THEM IN THE DOOR.
I'VE GOT A NUMBER OF THEM THAT ARE CHOMPING AT THE BITS JUST WAITING FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE LIKE I WAS LIKE YOU WHEN I GOT MY SECOND ONE, I BREATHE THE SIGH OF RELIEF BECAUSE I NEED THAT I FELT RELATIVELY PROTECTED AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
I'M ACTUALLY BETTER THAN RELATIVELY PROTECTED.
I FELT REALLY GOOD ABOUT MY PROTECTION AND SO WHEN I KNOW THAT THEY'RE KIND OF WAITING FOR THAT.
SO ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO BE GIVEN OR YOU GUYS GIVEN THAT LEEWAY OF SAYING, OKAY, YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE FOR SURE THAT TEACHERS ARE LIKE AT THE TOP OF 1C JUST AS SOON AS WE GET THAT PART OF IT, THEY'RE GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE.
IS THAT THE THING THAT YOU ALL WILL HAVE CONTROL OVER?
>> THE DISCUSSIONS ARE VERY ROBUST.
EVERYONE ON THE TEAM HAS AN OPINION AND HAS THE ABILITY TO ADVOCATE AND TO SHARE THAT.
IT HAS BEEN A REALLY GREAT TEAM AND A GREAT COMMITTEE TO SERVE ON BECAUSE EVERYONE DOES HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHY THEY THINK AND WHY THEY BELIEVE THAT A CERTAIN DECISION SHOULD BE MADE.
IT ALSO WE COME TOGETHER AND WE VOTE AND WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IN A VERY FAIR AND DEMOCRATIC WAY AND SO IT'S NICE THAT THE COMMITTEE IS A LARGER GROUP.
IT'S NOT AND IT'S A VERY WIDE.
THERE'S A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE ON THAT COMMITTEE AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF PERSPECTIVE AND A LOT OF SCIENCE.
IT'S THE WERE TRYING TO VERY CLOSELY FOLLOW THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TEXAS AND WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SO REALLY TRYING TO FOLLOW ALL OF THAT SCIENCE AND THEN TO KNOW WHERE THAT SUPPLY NEEDS TO GO NEXT AND SO IT'S REALLY BEEN GOOD TO BE PART OF THAT GROUP AND TO BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT CAN ADVOCATE FOR DIFFERENT PIECES OF THAT PUZZLE.
IT'S NOT BEEN EASY, BUT IT HAS BEEN GOOD.
>> IN THAT LINE, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I AM SO GRATEFUL YOU'RE ON THAT COMMITTEE.
I LOVE YOUR HEART, YOUR MIND IN THE WAY THAT YOU ARE THINKING THROUGH THESE THINGS
[00:35:03]
IN YOUR COMPASSION AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU'RE ON THAT COMMITTEE AND IF EVERYBODY'S GOT THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ON, KNOW THAT OUR DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE REALLY WELL HANDLED AND SO CASE I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING.ANYTHING ELSE? OKAY, CASIE, THANK YOU.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT?
[1.C. Discuss Animal Management & Welfare Proposed Breeder’s Ordinance;]
TO DISCUSS ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE PROPOSED BREEDERS ORDINATES, MR. CITY MANAGER.>> RIGHT HERE. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A DRAFT BREEDERS ORDINATES THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH OUR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT BOARD ADVISORY BOARD.
WE HAVE NEW WELL, I'LL JUST CALL IT A DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL MANAGEMENT WELFARE, VICTORIA MEDLEY.
>> BECAUSE AT SOME POINT YOU GOT TO GET RID OF THE NEWS.
LET'S JUST DO IT NOW. [LAUGHTER] VICTORIA.
>> I THINK STEPHANIE HAS THE POWERPOINT.
WE HAVE MET TWICE AND OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR, ROB ZWANG, WAS WITH US ON BOTH OF THOSE INITIAL MEETS WITH [NOISE] OUR ADVISORY BOARD.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REVISE IT, LOOK AT IT, MAKE A MUCH MORE SIMPLIFIED, LESS PUNITIVE, TYPE ORDINANCE.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION, I THINK IN THE LAST FEW YEARS ABOUT IT.
I THINK IT'S FINALLY HIT THE MARK, WHAT WE WERE REALLY TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE WERE SAYING.
BASICALLY WITH A BREEDERS ORDINANCE, OR THE REASON THAT WE'RE NEEDING ONE IS, STATE LAW REGULATES LARGE BREEDING TYPE WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF ANIMALS OPERATIONS.
BUT NOTHING REGARDING SMALL BREEDING OPERATIONS.
THIS NEW ONE IS GOING TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE ANIMALS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ARE ADDRESSED THE SAME TIME.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT ONE PART IS A PERSON'S BUSINESS, AND THEY HAVE SOME RIGHTS AND THIS ORDINANCE ALSO IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING THE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH OF THE ANIMALS.
WHILE UNDERSTANDING THAT WELL, RESPECTING WHAT WAS THE EXPECTATIONS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
I THINK THE KEY THING HERE TO UNDERSTAND AND I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON WHAT THIS BREEDER ORDINANCE MEANT, THIS IS KEY TO WHO THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT.
THE DEFINITION AND THE ORDINANCES MEANS, A PERSON WHO BREEDS DOGS OR CATS, AND TRANSFER POSSESSION OF MORE THAN ONE LETTER, OR A PART THEREOF IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD.
I DO KNOW THAT OUR CITY HALL, A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH WAS GOING ON REGARDING WITH THIS EFFECT, LIKE RESCUES ARE FOSTERS.
THIS CLEARLY STATES; IT'S PEOPLE WHO BREED FOR A PURPOSE.
IT'S NOT FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOSTERING ANIMALS OR ARE PARTNERS IN THAT WAY.
WITH THAT, THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS NEW BREEDERS PERMIT IS THAT, THERE'LL BE AN ANNUAL FEE OF $100.
WITHIN THAT APPLICATION, IN THAT FEE PERMIT, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE [INAUDIBLE] GIVE US A PROPOSED LOCATION OF WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BREED IT.
IT'S THE ACTUAL LOCATION WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS.
THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT PLANS AND DESIGNS THAT ADDRESS INDOOR, OUTDOOR, CAGES, PENS, AND ENCLOSED OUTDOOR AREAS THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO REVIEW TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR THE ANIMALS THAT THEY PLAN ON BREEDING, AND THAT IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IT'S IN.
APPLICANTS CAN HAVE SURRENDERED ANY ANIMALS TO US IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THAT'S JUST ON THAT PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AND ACCOUNTABILITY LEVEL, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE PROCESS WITHIN THEIR OWN BUSINESS PLAN, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE TREATING THE ANIMALS CORRECTLY, AND HAVE MEDICAL CARE, AND THE SUCH.
YOU ALSO CANNOT RECEIVE NOT MORE THAN THREE VIOLATIONS UNDER CHAPTER 2 OF OUR CITY ORDINANCE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
I DO WANT TO CLARIFY THAT WE CAME UP WITH THE THREE, BASED ON THE IDEA THAT WE UNDERSTAND THERE COULD BE A CHANCE THAT SOMEBODY GOT THEIR OWN PERSONAL ANIMAL.
A LOT OF TIMES IF THOSE GET OUT, THOUGH, THAT CITATION CAN BE UP TO THREE VIOLATION, JUST BECAUSE MAYBE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR COLLAR ON, OR THEIR TAGS OFF, SO THEY GET THREE.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN AT ONE POINT,
[00:40:02]
BUT IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN THAT IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD, THERE IS SOME CONCERNS BEING RAISED.YOU ALSO HAVE TO PROVIDE THE VACCINE CERTIFICATIONS FOR ANIMAL.
IF YOU HAVE TWO ADULT ANIMALS IN YOUR BREEDING LOCATION, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE AND HAVE ALL THE PROPER MEDICAL CERTIFICATIONS.
IT'S NO LESS THAN WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT FOR OUR OWN LOCAL PET OWNERS.
OKAY, STAFF? THIS IS ONE THING AND I HIGHLIGHTED THE WORD HERE, IS BECAUSE THE CITY AND AMW, IS GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REVOKE A BREEDER'S PERMIT.
BUT WE SAY, IT'S REALLY CLEAR THAT OUR PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE PUT THE WORD, MAY.
THESE ARE THE REASONS THAT WE COULD REVOKE.
IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO REVOKE IT.
ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO FOCUS ON COMPLIANCE AND HELPING PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF BEING PUNITIVE IN NATURE.
IF A BREEDER FAILS TO UPDATE THE INFORMATION THEY'VE ADDED MORE ANIMALS, OR THEY TAKEN DOWN CERTAIN FENCING.
IF THEY HAVEN'T LET US KNOW, THEY COULD GET THEIR PERMIT REVOKED.
IF DOGS, CATS, BARK, HOWL CREATE NOISES THAT DISTURB THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER'S GOING TO HAVE THIS BREEDING SITUATION IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S FAIRLY ADDRESSED TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.
IF THE INDOOR OR OUTDOOR AREAS FOR THE DOGS, AND CATS ARE NOT MAINTAINED IN A SANITARY CONDITION.
THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT AMW, AND OUR OFFICERS, AND OUR COMPLIANCE MANAGER, LOOK AT.
WE HAVE TO ASSURE THAT IF THERE'S PUPPIES AND THOSE KINDS OF ANIMALS IN ANY PART WITHIN OUR CITY LIMITS, THAT THEY ARE MAINTAINED IN A SANITARY, CLEAN, AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.
IF ANY PERSON REPORTS BEING SCRATCHED A LITTLE BIT BY ANY OF THE DOG OR CATS WITHIN IT.
THAT ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A MAY, AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING ABLE TO REVIEW AND ADDRESS AND HELP ANY OTHER BREEDERS THAT MIGHT BE HAVING ISSUES.
THEN FINALLY, IF YOU VIOLATE ANY PROVISIONS OF OUR CHAPTER 8-2, WHICH INCLUDES EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH OUR ANIMALS, ONE OF THEM BEING DANGEROUS DOG.
IF SOMETHING GOT OUT AND BIT SOMEBODY, OR THE NEIGHBORS WERE HAVING SOME KINDS OF ISSUES THAT THE DOGS WERE LOOSE A NUMBER OF ANY OF THOSE VIOLATIONS THAT COULD ALSO CAUSE US TO REVOKE THE BREEDERS PERMIT.
WENT THROUGH THAT FAST, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS MEETING CAN GO ALONG, IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE REGARDING IT?
>> SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK. VICTORIA.
>> SITTING ON THE ADVISORY BOARD, [NOISE] HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT I WOULD WANT EVERYBODY ELSE TO TELL THEM CAN ALSO WORK FOR THOSE HERE IN AMARILLO.
TO HEAR OUT OF THIS DEAL IS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE ABOUT THIS BREEDERS ORDINANCE, IS JUST THE FACT THAT IF YOU REALLY READ THE ORDINANCE PRETTY CLOSE, YOU FIND OUT THAT REALLY, THE FOCUS IS ON THE ANIMALS, ACTUALLY.
WHAT I MEAN BY; THE FOCUS IS ON THE ANIMALS IS, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED TO SEE.
YOUR CAGES HAVE GOT TO BE A CERTAIN WAY, YOU'VE GOT TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF AREA, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A PLAN THAT SUBMITTED FOR HOW THESE ANIMALS ARE GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A BREEDER.
BASICALLY YOU'VE GOT TO SUBMIT A BUSINESS PLAN, IT MEANS THAT YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THE BREEDING, IT MEANS THAT IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE AN UP AND UP THING.
THE OTHERS THAT ARE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD, THAT SOME OF THEM ARE INVOLVED WITH SOME OF THE RESCUES AND DIFFERENT THINGS, THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT IS GOING ON.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE ANNUAL FEES STARTED AT $25, AND I DIDN'T SAY A WORD ABOUT IT AT ALL.
BUT VERY QUICKLY, THOSE THAT WERE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD SAID, "NO, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH." NUMBER ONE, WE NEED TO MAKE FOR SURE THAT WE'RE COVERING THE COSTS THAT'S REQUIRED, AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT QUICKLY MOVED IT UP TO 50, AND THEN ON UP TO A $100.
I THINK FROM EVERYBODY THAT I'VE TALKED TO AND I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH RESCUES THAT ARE IN MY PRACTICE, AND ONE OF THEM I TALKED TO WITHIN THE PAST TWO WEEKS,
[00:45:03]
AND ONE OF THEM, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE TALKED TO HER.BUT BOTH OF THEM THEY WERE SAYING THAT THIS IS A CORNERSTONE OR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GOT TO HAVE HERE IN AMARILLO.
BUTT WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE TAKING CARE OF OUR ANIMALS AND OVERPOPULATION, AND THIS IS A GREAT POINT [NOISE] WITH WHICH TO START.
I WAS INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED WITH THE FACT OF, DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN? IF YOU'RE GOING TO BREED DOGS OR CATS, DO YOU HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SET THIS UP? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ANIMALS? I THOUGHT, IT'S PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
IT REALLY SETS A STANDARD FOR WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING.
THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER CITIES HERE IN THE STATE THAT ALREADY HAVE A BREEDER'S OR ORDINANCE IN PLACE.
I THINK EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FROM LOOKING AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLANS.
I THINK, HONESTLY, WE'VE GOTTEN ONE OF THE BEST RESULTS OUT OF THIS, PERSONALLY.
>> THANK YOU. [NOISE] GO AHEAD, ELAINE.
>> VICTORIA, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UP TO THIS POINT? I KNOW EDDIE WAS TALKING ABOUT FROM THE BOARD AND IT SOUNDS LIKE DEFINITELY FROM THE ANIMAL SIDE.
WHERE ARE WE ON COMMUNICATION WITH THE BREEDERS? HAVE THEY HAD CONVERSATIONS IN INPUT INTO DEVELOPING THIS ORDINANCE AS WELL?
>> [BACKGROUND] IT DID HAVE TWO SEPARATE ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS THAT WERE VERY CLEAR.
THERE WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENTS, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE SIGN UP FOR THEM, AND THEY WERE POSTED.
AS I SAID, WE HAD BOTH OF THEM WITHIN THIS YEAR, SO THAT WE CAN REALLY KEEP THE MOMENTUM AND KEEP THE DISCUSSION.
KNOWING THAT ONCE YOU HEAR SOMETHING, SOMETIMES THINGS WILL FALL OFF IN A MONTH, OR TWO MONTHS.
WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS INSIDE OF OUR ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS.
I DO KNOW THAT WHEN WE MET WITH THE RESCUE PARTNERS, THAT IT WAS A DISCUSSION THAT CAME UP WITH A RESCUE PARTNER THAT ROB HAD HOSTED.
I WAS THERE, THAT IT CAME UP ABOUT HOW DO WE HANDLE PEOPLE WHO ARE BREEDING AND HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
THEY'RE NOT DOING IT OVER AND OVER IN A YEAR, AND NOT GETTING [INAUDIBLE] OR NEUTERED, AND COMING BACK INTO THE SHELTER.
I THINK THE RESCUE PARTNERS THAT WE HAD WERE REALLY CLEAR, AS DR. SAUER SAID A SAYING, "THIS IS JUST A FOUNDATIONAL THING THAT WE NEED FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY."
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MANY BREEDERS THIS MIGHT IMPACT? DO WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTIVE?
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY RIGHT NOW AT ALL TO TRACK IT.
WE DON'T HAVE A WAY, SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN.
NOW, WE DO HAVE PEOPLE WHO COULD HAVE PANELS, IF THEY'RE WITHIN OUR CITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE BREEDING.
THEY COULD JUST BE HAVING A BUSINESS THAT KEEPS ANIMALS OVER THE WEEKEND.
WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF KNOWING WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE UNTIL WE PUT THIS INTO PROCESS AND WILL GIVE US A BETTER IDEA AND A BETTER NUMBER.
IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP US STRATEGICALLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.
INSTEAD OF JUST SUPPOSING WE THINK THIS OUT OR THINKING THAT THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF OUR CULPRITS.
I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP US WITH THAT.
>> I THINK YOU OPENED YOUR PRESENTATION TALKING ABOUT LARGE VERSUS SMALL AND I THINK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LARGE OPERATIONS AND [OVERLAPPING] NOT BASICALLY LARGE ANIMALS AND SMALL ANIMALS.
JUST WANTED SOME CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
>> IF YOU ARE SAYING LARGE, HOW MANY LITERS THEY MIGHT HAVE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> RIGHT, NOW IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IF I RECALL RIGHT, FOR LARGE HIT WAS ONES THAT HAD 11 ANIMALS OR MORE THAT THEY WERE BREEDING AT A TIME THAT THE STATE LAW REFERS TO.
UNDER THAT THERE WAS REALLY NOTHING THERE.
THAT WAS WHY WHEN WE LOOKED AT BEST PRACTICES, HAD LOOKED AT OTHER CITIES AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF ORDINANCES FROM OTHER CITIES SO WE CAN LOOK AND ADJUST AND SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE DOING IN THE BEST PRACTICES AND SEEING WHAT WAS WORKING.
WE WERE ABLE TO CHERRY PICK AND FIT WHAT WAS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WHAT WAS BEST THAT OUR ADVISORY BOARD FELT GOOD WITH.
[00:50:02]
I THINK WHEN DR. SAUER WAS SAYING THAT, THAT WAS THE IDEA.>> VICTORIA, I REALLY EXPECT THAT THESE RESCUE GROUPS WILL BE PARTNERS IN HELPING US IDENTIFY BREEDERS AND HELPING US EDUCATE CITIZENS THAT THIS IS A TALKING POINT CHANGE.
IT'S NOT SO MUCH A REVENUE-GENERATING CHANGE FOR THE CITY.
IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR IT TO EVEN IMPACT OUR ANIMAL POPULATION.
BUT IT IS A GREAT PLATFORM FOR US TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING THEIR PETS.
BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT'S WORDED TOWARD PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE INTENTION OF BREEDING THEIR ANIMALS.
IT ALSO WILL TARGET ALL OF US THAT OWN ANIMALS, IF WE HAVEN'T SPAYED OR NEUTERED OUR ANIMALS, WE SHOULD ALSO DO THAT.
DO YOU AGREE THAT WITH THIS ORDINANCE, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND PARTNERING WITH THOSE ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS BETTER TO BEGIN TO IDENTIFY SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT COUNCIL-WOMAN HAYS WAS WISELY ASKING ABOUT?
>> YEAH, I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY THAT FIRST STEP AND JUST THE IDEA THAT YES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE WITH BUSINESS MODEL AND THEY COULD BE RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE THAT HAVE IT.
THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE PROCESSES.
IT'S THOSE ONES WHO HAVEN'T, WHERE WE'RE TALKING THREE OR FOUR LITERS IN A YEAR AND TRYING TO SELL THEM AND I CAN'T SELL THEM AND THEN IT SURRENDERING TO US.
I THINK IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPEN OUR EYES AND SEE AND GIVE US ANOTHER TOOL TO EDUCATE, AND TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS LET US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON TO WHERE WE'RE COMMUNICATING SO THAT WE CAN START REALLY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE THAT ANIMALS GOT TO BE SPAYED NEUTERED OR WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET OUT OF OUR ISSUES WITH ANIMALS.
>> VICTORIA, CAN YOU JUST TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT ARE CITIZENS AVENUES FOR GETTING THEIR ANIMAL SPAYED OR NEUTERED AND WHAT'S THE MOST AFFORDABLE? BECAUSE CERTAINLY THAT'S A BURDEN FOR ALL OF US THINKING ABOUT FAMILIES THAT WANT TO OWN A PET BUT MAYBE CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT SPAYED OR NEUTERED AND IS THAT A SERVICE THAT WE OFFER AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND HOW DO WE PRICE IT?
>> CURRENTLY WE DON'T OPERATE ACTUALLY AT THE SHELTER, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME LOCAL PARTNERS, VETERINARIANS THAT'LL GET THAT.
WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE A REDUCED FEE TO GET YOUR ANIMAL SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
THE OTHER THING IS, IF AN ANIMAL IS PICKED UP AND IT'S A STRAY OR YOUR DOG JUST GOT LOOSE AND YOU WANT TO RECLAIM IT.
WE DO HAVE SOME REQUIREMENTS REGARDING GETTING YOUR ANIMAL SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST, AND US GIVEN THEM A BETTER ABILITY TO GET THAT DONE WITHIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.
WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU, YOU CAN CALL A GOAL THAT'S TO FIND OUT THEIR PRICES ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE, YOU CAN GO TO OUR INFORMATION.
WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION IN THERE REGARDING AGENCIES AND VETS THAT CAN PROVIDE SERVICES NOT ONLY SPAYED NEUTERED SERVICES, BUT ALSO ANY SMALL MEDICAL NEEDS IN AN ANIMAL MIGHT NEED, AND A PERSON MIGHT BE STRUGGLING GETTING THEM THAT SERVICE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SHARE INFORMATION OR COMMENT ON THIS, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO READINGS OF THIS.
FIRST AND SECOND READING, IT'LL BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT TWO MEETINGS.
IF UNANIMOUS, IT WON'T NECESSARILY BE SOMETHING THAT COUNCIL DISCUSSES AT THE SECOND MEETING, BUT IT IS ON THE AGENDA AND THE PUBLIC CAN COMMENT ON IT ON EITHER ONE OF THOSE AGENDAS.
WE DEFINITELY WANT TO HEAR INPUT.
I KNOW COUNCIL WANTS TO HEAR THAT INPUT.
IF SOMEBODY HAS ITS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IF THERE'S ANY DESIRE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AND OR TO USE ALL OF THE OTHER MYRIAD OF WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN REACH OUT TO COUNSEL, EITHER THROUGH CALLS, INTERNET, EMAIL, OR ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM.
THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THIS WITH COUNCIL PRIOR TO COUNSEL TAKING ANY VOTES.
>> VICTORIA IS THE NEW SURGERY CENTER THAT WE'RE OPENING UP SOON.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE A VISION FOR THE FUTURE WOULD PROVIDE SPAY NEUTER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, OR THAT WOULD ONLY BE USED FOR ANIMALS THAT ARE PICKED UP AND BE ADOPTED BACK OUT.
>> CURRENTLY, AT THE BEGINNING OF OPENING THIS WE'RE REALLY DEFINITELY GOING TO FOCUS ON THE ONES THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR CUSTODY FOR THE LACK OF A BETTER TERM.
[00:55:06]
BEFORE WE RELEASE THEM, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT.BUT I CAN TELL YOU JUST FROM RESEARCHING AND LOOKING AT OTHER AGENCIES AND LOOKING AT BEST PRACTICES.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD PROBABLY REALLY HELP US AND WHERE WE HOPE TO HEAD TO IS THAT EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES OUT OF OUR SHELTER CAN BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
ONCE WE DO THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL VETS OR WITH TEXAS TECH VET SCHOOL, THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME OF THAT SPAYING AND NEUTERING TO OUR COMMUNITY OR OUR LOW INCOME COMMUNITY OR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST STRUGGLING, UNDERSTANDING HOW TO DO THAT.
WHERE DID YOU IT? YES, DEFINITELY LONG-TERM.
I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE COULD REALLY LOOK AT AND SEE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH, LIKE I SAID, OUR LOCAL AGENCIES AND THE TEXT IS SET BACK SCHOOL.
>> MR. CITY MANAGER, CAN YOU TELL US WHERE THIS ORDINANCE THE PUBLIC COULD GO TO REVIEW THAT, TO BE ABLE TO READ IT AND BE PREPARED FOR THOSE NEXT TWO MEETINGS WHERE THAT WOULD BE POSTED.
>> VICTORIA, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSTED ON THE MW WEBSITE OR NOT.
VICTORIA IS THAT IS THAT THE CASE RIGHT NOW?
>> IT IS NOT BUT IT CAN EASILY BE POSTED ONTO OUR WEBPAGE.
>> WE'LL GET THAT POSTED UP ON THAT MW WEBPAGE IMMEDIATELY TODAY AND WE'LL ALSO HAVE IT AVAILABLE ON THE PACKETS FOR BOTH THE UPCOMING MEETINGS.
>> VICTORIA, IF WE ADOPT THIS ORDINATE, WHAT WILL THIS ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE CITY? ONE YEAR FROM NOW, TWO YEARS, FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS FROM NOW.
>> HOPEFULLY, WHAT WE WOULD LOOK AT AND WHY WE WOULD WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS THAT WITHIN A YEAR TO TWO YEARS THAT WE HAVE THIS LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS BEING A BUSINESS MODEL AND THEN PEOPLE, JUST, FOR THE LACK OF A BETTER TERM, TRYING TO MAKE SOME QUICK MONEY AND DUMPING OUR COMMUNITY WITH UNWANTED COPIES.
AS WE DO THIS IS THAT WITHIN A YEAR, COULD I SAY WE'D SEE A COMPLETE TURNAROUND? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CREATED FOR A VERY LONG TIME HERE IN AMARILLO REGARDING OUR SPAYING AND NEUTERING.
THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE TOOLS TO THE STEP TOWARDS GETTING THE EDUCATION AND HOLDING SOME OF OUR LOCAL CITIZENS WERE ACCOUNTABLE.
>> IT ALSO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK LIKE VICTORIA SAID, FOR RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS TO CONTINUE DOING WE DON'T WANT THE TARGET IS NOT RESPOND TO.
IT DOES PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE ONE RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS TO WORK.
REALLY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE GIVES US THE TOOLS WE NEED TO GIVE IT AN ADDRESS.
THE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE SITUATIONS, WE FIND IN MANY BACKYARD BREEDING SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST LIKE A TORY SAID, BREEDING FOR A QUICK BUCK, NOT CARING ABOUT THE HEALTHY FUTURES OF THE ANIMALS.
NOT CARING ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THEY'RE HAVING ON OUR COMMUNITY OR THE CHALLENGES THAT, THAT UNRESTRICTED IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING HAS ON THE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE CENTER ITSELF.
>> NOW THAT I'VE SEEN THIS, IS IT'S WE'RE GOING DOWN THIS ROAD AND WE'VE HIT A Y, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHICH WAY WE'RE GOING TO GO AND BY DOING THIS ORDINATES, IT'S LIKE THAT WHY YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD NEXT TO YOU FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND IT TAKES A WHILE BEFORE THERE'S ENOUGH SEPARATION THAT YOU GO.
WE'RE GOING IN A COMPLETELY OTHER DIRECTION.
BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THESE MAJOR WISE, IT'S A MAJOR FORK IN THE ROAD THAT WE'RE COMING UP TO.
THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ANIMAL MANAGEMENT WELFARE GO BACK TO THAT POSITION WHERE WE NEED FOR THEM TO BE.
>> VICTORIA, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING YOU AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND IF POSSIBLE AT THAT TIME BEFORE WE WOULD BE VOTING ON THIS ORDINANCE, IF WE COULD GET AN UPDATE ON JUST THE NUMBERS OF THE R PER CAPITA.
I KNOW IN THE PAST WHEN WE FIRST BEGAN LOOKING AT [NOISE] THIS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, OUR SURRENDER OR NUMBERS FOR OUR POPULATION ARE JUST REALLY HIGH.
SO IF WE COULD JUST GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CURRENT DATA OF HOW OUR SURRENDER NUMBERS COMPARED TO OUR POPULATION NUMBERS TO OTHER CITIES?
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST REMIND TOO THE COUNCIL AT
[01:00:04]
ANY TIME OR OUR CITIZENS AT ANY TIME THEY CAN GO ON OUR WEBSITE.WE HAVE A DAILY REPORT CARD THAT SAYS EXACTLY HOW MANY SURRENDERS WE HAVE DAILY.
BE IT SURRENDERS THAT WE GET FROM OUT IN THE FIELD OR SURRENDERS THAT WE GET AT OUR PUBLIC ACCESS OFFICE THERE AT THE SHELTER.
SO WE CAN DEFINITELY PULL THOSE NUMBERS.
BUT LIKE I'D SAY, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT ANYBODY CAN VIEW ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR VICTORIA? WELL, IF SHE WAS NEW AND SHINY WHEN SHE STARTED TODAY, I THINK WE ARE BEGINNING TO BREAK HER IN AND VICTORIA, NONE OF US THINK OF YOU AS NEW AND SHINY.
WE THINK OF YOU AS EXPERIENCED AND DEPENDABLE BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN AT THE CITY FOR A LONG TIME AND YOUR LEADERSHIP IS STRONG AND WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE IT AT AMW.
IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY.
YOU'RE CASTING A VISION AND EXECUTING GREAT CHANGES OVER THERE.
SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS ORDINATES ON OUR AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING.
>> OKAY. NEXT ITEM THEN IS I-1D,
[1.D. Discuss Tri-State Master Plan;]
WHICH IS, DISCUSS TRI-STATE MASTER PLAN, MR. CITY MANAGER.>> MAYOR, WE HAVE ANDREW FREEMAN, ONE OF OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR [LAUGHTER] DEPARTMENT, TO DISCUSS THE TRI-STATE MASTER PLAN.
TELLS US WHERE WE'RE AT, AND WHERE WE'RE GOING, TIMELINES, THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE'VE HAD PRESENTATION TO YOU PREVIOUSLY.
SO THIS WILL REALLY BE MORE OF AN UPDATE AND YOU ALL CAN CERTAINLY ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE OF HIM.
I KNOW THE MAYOR IS A KEY PLAYER IN THIS AS WELL.
SO MAYOR, YOU MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD ON TOP OF WHAT ANDREW HAS TO SHARE. ANDREW.
>> YES, SIR. SO JUST A BRIEF UPDATE ON WHAT'S TAKEN PLACE SINCE LAST MONTH, WHEN CITY COUNCIL INITIALLY DISCUSSED THIS IDEA.
WE HAVE PRESENTED TO POTTER COUNTY AND AMARILLO ISD.
THOSE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY.
WE'VE ALSO HAD ADDITIONAL MEETINGS ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE POTTER COUNTY JUDGE TO DISCUSS THE IDEA.
BOTH MEETINGS WENT REALLY WELL.
WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK AND INTERESTS IN THE PROCESS AND PARTICIPATING.
WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE FOLLOWING UP WITH AN ADDITIONAL MEETING WITH POTTER COUNTY.
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THEY WANTED SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION ON FUNDING AND OTHER PLANNING EFFORTS TO CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION.
NEXT STEPS, WE WILL BE HAVING A FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH THE TRI-STATE EXPO BOARD IN POTTER VENUE DISTRICT BOARD JUST TO CONTAIN THAT DIALOGUE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT.
I'M ALSO WORKING WITH EMILY KOLLER AND MY STAFF TO GO AHEAD AND START DRAFTING AN INITIAL RFP, RFQ FOR US TO START REVIEWING.
ONCE WE GET THAT FINALIZED, WE'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO GET THAT OUT, FOR PEOPLE TO BID ON AND SHOW THEIR INTERESTS SO WE CAN CONTINUE DOWN THE PROCESS.
THAT WILL ALSO HELP US FINALIZE WHAT THE COSTS MIGHT ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE.
SO WE CAN THEN REGROUP WITH EACH ENTITY TO FORMALIZE A PARTICIPATION FINANCIALLY IN THAT PROJECT.
THINGS ARE MOVING VERY WELL AND WE'RE HOPING TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT PROCESS OVER THE NEXT MONTH.
>> I WOULD JUST ADD THAT, IN GOING TO DO THESE MEETINGS WITH THE PARTNERS, WE CLARIFY THAT THE CITY DOESN'T OWN ANY PROPERTY IN THAT FOOTPRINT.
BUT WE THINK IT IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN OUR CITY AND A VERY REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AROUND THAT AREA IN RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, HOTELS.
IT IS A TOURISM GENERATOR IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW.
OVER 300,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE FAIRGROUNDS EVERY YEAR WITH THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE PLANNED AND SCHEDULED THERE AND THE WORK THAT THE VENUE DISTRICT AND THE TRI-STATE FAIR EXPO DO.
SO THEY'RE ALREADY AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR IN OUR CITY.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM IN THE FUTURE BE EVEN MORE AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR, ESPECIALLY ATTRACTING TOURISM DOLLARS FOR HOT TAX AND SELF-TAX DOLLARS.
BECAUSE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ON PROPERTY OWNERS IN PAYING PROPERTY TAX IS HELPFUL TO US.
SO THE PROJECT IS THE CITY JUST SIMPLY FACILITATING AMONG ALL OF THESE PARTNERS AND ASKING THEM, CAN WE ALL INVEST, EVEN PUTTING SOME CITY DOLLARS TOWARD HAVING ONE PLAN THAT WOULD HELP COORDINATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS AREA OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS? THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN IN MIND.
WE JUST THINK THERE SHOULD BE A PLAN AND WE'RE WILLING TO
[01:05:01]
ACT AS THE HUB FOR ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS.EVEN PUT SOME CITY DOLLARS TOWARDS HIRING A PROFESSIONAL TO DEVELOP THAT PLAN OVER THE NEXT 12-18 MONTHS.
JUST TO CLARIFY, NOT SO MUCH FOR THE COUNCIL BECAUSE WE'VE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IT BUT FOR ANYBODY WHO'S WATCHING THE MEETING.
CITY DOESN'T OWN ANY PROPERTY THERE, BUT CITY SEES POTENTIAL THERE.
IF WE ALL HAD A PLAN, EACH ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITY PARTNERS WILL BE MAKING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AS TIME GOES ON, WHETHER IT'S THE FOOTBALL STADIUM OR THE POTTER COUNTY BASEBALL STADIUM, THE TRI-STATE FAIRGROUND, AND THE VENUE DISTRICT.
THEY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS EVERY YEAR TO THEIR BUILDINGS AND THINGS OUT THERE.
BUT IF THEY ALL HAD ONE PLAN AND THEY KNEW THEY WERE ALL GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, I THINK WE WOULD BENEFIT AS A COMMUNITY MORE ECONOMICALLY.
THAT'S REALLY THE IDEA BEHIND IT.
[OVERLAPPING] I JUST WANT TO BRAG ON ANDREW TOO, BY THE WAY, I HEARD HIS PRESENTATION TWICE YESTERDAY AT BOTH OF THOSE MEETINGS.
I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE ANDREW ON OUR STAFF, NOT JUST FOR HIS PODIUM PRESENTATION SKILLS, BUT FOR THE WORK THAT HE DOES BEHIND THE SCENES, IT'S 99 PERCENT HIS ABILITY TO EXECUTE AND GET THINGS DONE AND THEN BRING THEM AND DO A PRESENTATION.
SO I WAS VERY PROUD OF ANDREW AND HIS WORK AS WE WENT TO THOSE TWO DIFFERENT MEETINGS YESTERDAY.
>> OKAY. WHO ARE THE TWO ENTITIES THAT OWN PROPERTY OUT THERE?
>> REALLY THE MAIN TWO IS POTTER COUNTY AND AMARILLO ISD BUT POTTER COUNTY LEASES TO THE EXPO TO OPERATE THE MAJORITY OF THE LAND.
>> OKAY. WHEN DO YOU ALL ANTICIPATE MAYBE VISITING WITH THE BARRIO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS THE QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION?
>> SPEAKING ABOUT BARRIO, THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN INVOLVED IN THE INITIAL DISCUSSIONS THAT HELP JUST BRAINSTORM AND KICK OFF THIS IDEA.
I KNOW THE MAYOR HAS MET WITH AQHA AS WELL.
THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE ALREADY TAKING PLACE.
>> WOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS THAT WOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE THE BARRIO IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST ONE THAT'S CLOSEST TO THAT AREA, I WOULD THINK?
>> NOT THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED AT THIS POINT, BUT IT IS UNIQUELY SITUATED BETWEEN THE BARRIO AND THE EAST GATEWAY TIERS.
SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO IDENTIFY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS.
WE ALSO WANT TO INVOLVE THE NEIGHBORS AND THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT IN THAT AREA.
BECAUSE WE'RE REALLY LOOKING OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE AREAS OWNED BY POTTER COUNTY AND AISD TO GET A REALLY BIGGER VIEW OF WHAT COULD TAKE PLACE IN THAT AREA.
MAKE SURE WE HAVE WATER AND SEWER THAT CAN SERVE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROJECT.
I JUST REMEMBER GROWING UP THERE WAS A REFINERY ACROSS THE STREET.
I THINK IT'S PHILLIPS 66 REFINERY.
SO DOES PHILLIPS 66 STILL OWN THAT LAND? IS THAT LAND IN A STATE OF, IT NEEDS A LOT OF CLEAN UP BEFORE SOMETHING COULD BE DONE WITH IT? BECAUSE THAT'S A PRETTY BIG AMOUNT OF ACREAGE THAT COULD HAVE SOME SORT OF AN EFFECT OVER A LARGE PERIOD OF TIME.
>> I BELIEVE [OVERLAPPING] IT'S OWNED BY CHAKRA, NOW.
>> SORRY ANDREW. I JUST WANT TO IDENTIFY WHERE IT IS.
TO THE NORTHEAST, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, EDDIE?
>> I'M NOT SO SURE IT'S TO THE NORTHEAST BUT, YEAH, TO THE EAST.
>> YES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT STAGE IT IS, BUT THEY ARE DOING REMEDIATION AND SOME WORK ON THE SITE, RIGHT NOW.
>> YES. ANDREW IF I COULD, THERE IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM IN PROCESS ON THAT PROPERTY RELATED TO THAT REFINERY.
SO IT'S PRETTY MUCH A DIFFICULT SITUATION TO LOOK AT IN REGARDS TO DEVELOPMENT.
>> YEAH, THAT SAME QUESTION IN THESE [OVERLAPPING] GATEWAY TIERS BECAUSE A MAJORITY ARE OF THAT ZONE AS WELL. YES, MA'AM.
>> ANDREW JUST ONE OTHER QUESTION.
THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, IS THAT FOR A CONSULTANT? OKAY.
>> YES. THERE'S MANY OUT THERE THAT SPECIALIZE IN FAIRGROUNDS AND EXPO DISTRICTS.
SO I'VE ALREADY RECEIVED A COUPLE OF CALLS WITH PEOPLE INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING FOR IT.
[01:10:05]
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT? ITEM 1, EDEN, IS THE CANADIAN RIVER MUNICIPAL WATER AUTHORITY UPDATE,
[1.E. Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (CRMWA) Update; and]
AND I KNOW I SAW KENT ON THE CALL EARLIER. HI KENT.>> WELL, HELLO. [NOISE] ALL RIGHT.
>> IS THAT LAKE MEREDITH BEHIND YOU?
>> WELL, YEAH. IT'S COLD OUT THERE, I'M TELLING YOU.
LET ME SEE HERE JUST ONE SECOND.
OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU MAYOR AND CITY [OVERLAPPING]
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, DID THE LAKE FREEZE OVER ANYWHERE? I MEAN IS THAT WHAT THESE PICTURES ARE SHOWING US?
>> CAN YOU SEE THAT? [LAUGHTER] SO YEAH.
THE WHOLE UPPER END OF THE LAKE FROZE OVER, THE REST ARE SNARKY.
I'M SORRY, THERE'S SOME LATENCY IN MY COMPUTER FOR SOME REASON FROM MY NETWORK, SO I MAY BE TALKING OVER YOU SOME TIME, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR THAT.
BUT ANYWAY, DID IT GET COLD IN AMARILLO TOO?
>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY DID HERE.
IT'S ANOTHER VIEW OF THAT A LITTLE BIT CLOSER UP, BUT ON THE POWER SIDE OF THAT, WE HAVE AN [INAUDIBLE] POWER LAKE WITH SPS.
IT SAVES US A LOT OF MONEY ANNUALLY.
WE HAVE ABOUT AN $8 MILLION ELECTRIC BILL.
SO HAVING THAT INTERRUPTIBLE RATE HELPS US A LOT.
IT KEEPS [INAUDIBLE] LOVE IT THAT IF WE RUN OUT OF POWER AT THE RESERVOIR IN AMARILLO IS A HOTSPOT.
WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPLY WATER.
WE KEEP THOSE FULL JUST FOR TIMES LIKE THIS.
WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN A COUPLE OF TIMES DURING THIS LAST EVENT AND THAT WASN'T A PROBLEM FOR US AT ALL.
OUR LOAD IS SIGNIFICANT IF WE WERE RUNNING WIDE OPEN, WE'D USE THEM OUT AS MUCH POWER AS PAMPER AND BORDER COMBINED.
SO THE INNER CELL, IT CERTAINLY HELPS US A LOT TOO.
ANYTIME DURING THIS, IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO STOP ME.
OUR WATER SUPPLY IS SOLID, REALLY, BECAUSE OF THE WHALE FIELD.
THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE CHLORIDE CONTENT OF THE LAKE.
THIS GRAPH SHOWS THE CHLORIDE CONTENT OF THE LAKE.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S TRENDING UPWARD.
WE HAD A BIG, BIG SPIKE, AND DURING THE DROUGHT, PEAKED OUT IN 12 THERE NEARLY 1,900 PARTS PER MILLION CHLORIDES.
YOU CAN SEE THIS GRAPH, THE LINE AT THE BOTTOM IS OUR STATE STANDARD 300.
YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE TREND EVEN WHEN YOU DISCOUNT THAT, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE TREND IS GOING UPWARDS AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT'S GOING TO BE IN LAKE MEREDITH.
BECAUSE OF THAT, WE BLEND OUR WATER.
WE BLEND ABOUT, WELL IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE CHLORIDE CONTENT IN THE LAKE.
WHEN WE GOT UP TO OUR VERY HIGHEST POINT THAT 1,900 PARTS PER MILLION IN 2012, WE COULD HAVE ONLY PUT IN SEVEN PERCENT LAKE WATER.
WE DIDN'T PUT ANY BECAUSE STARTING AND STOPPING THOSE BIG MOTORS IS JUST TOO HARD ON THEM, AND JUST NOT WORTH IT FOR THAT WATER.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE ABOUT 700 PARTS PER MILLION IN THE LAKE.
WE'RE BLENDING ABOUT 20-25 PERCENT LAKE WATER.
IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE A BAD THING.
YOU CAN SEE, OOPS, GIVE ME A SECOND, I DIDN'T DO IT RIGHT.
YOU CAN SEE WE HAD A LITTLE ACCIDENT HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE COMPANY PUTTING IN GUARD RAIL ON TOP OF THE DAM DRILLED INTO OUR PIPELINE.
IT'S REALLY ONLY A THREE-INCH HOLE THERE, BUT THE WATER WAS BLOWING OUT ABOUT 150 FEET HIGH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WE JUST STARTED DELIVERING LAKE WATER AGAIN TODAY.
THE CONTRACTORS PAY ME A $180,000 BILL FOR THIS REPAIR, BUT WE ARE PUMPING A LOT AGAIN TODAY, THAT'S A GOOD THING.
I KNOW THAT WAS QUICK. I'VE ONLY COVERED A FEW ISSUES, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO TRY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ANYBODY HAD.
>> COUNCIL QUESTIONS FOR KENT.
>> THOSE PICTURES ARE FASCINATING, KENT.
I'M REALLY GLAD YOU BROUGHT PICTURES.
>> REMEMBER SEEING THE LAKE FROZEN AT ALL.
I'M SURE IT HAS BEEN BEFORE, BUT.
>> I'VE BEEN HERE 30 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN IT FROZEN TO THAT EXTENT.
I'VE SEEN UP IN THE BAY IS FROZEN A LITTLE BIT BUT NOT OUT ACROSS THE LAKE LIKE THAT. IT WAS JUST [OVERLAPPING].
[01:15:02]
>> RIGHT. YEAH. YEAH. I SNAPPED A PICTURE JUST SO I CAN SHOW MY PARENTS, MAKE SURE THEY SAW THAT.
>> [LAUGHTER] YEAH, IT WAS INTERESTING.
NOT ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT I'D LIKE TO PUBLICLY SAY, HOW GREAT OF A JOB AMARILLO HAS DONE IN GETTING THE COVID VACCINES OUT.
IT MAKES ME PROUD TO BE A PART OF IT, THIS AREA.
>> WELL, THANK YOU, MR. MANAGER, YOU SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE BIG TEAM THAT'S DONE THE WORK.
>> ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. BIG TEAM APPRECIATES THOSE KIND WORDS TO THE PUBLIC.
SAYING THOSE KIND WORDS ON BEHALF OF THAT TEAM THAT'S DOING SUCH GREAT, LONG, AND HARD WORK.
THANK YOU. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL WANT TO THROW KENT'S WAY? NO? OKAY. KENT, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
IT'S THE SLOW, PRODDING KIND OF WORK THAT WE SHOULD BE PATTING YOU ON THE BACK THAT SAYS THANK YOU FOR MANAGING ALL OF THAT.
WE HAVE BECAUSE OF THE GREAT FREEZE SEEN WHAT LIFE WOULD LOOK LIKE, NOT SO MUCH IN THE PANHANDLE, BUT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE WITHOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE RELY ON EVERY SINGLE DAY, LIKE ELECTRICITY AND WATER.
SO THANK YOU FOR STANDING WATCH ON OUR WALL THAT PROVIDES WATER FOR OUR REGION AND FOR OUR CITY, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
>> LAST THING ON THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA IS ITEM
[1.F. Request future agenda items and reports from City Manager.]
1F REQUESTING FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.YOU HAVE ANYTHING HERE COUNCIL?
>> ME I HAD A COUPLE OF ITEMS? ONE, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE TOO SOON, BUT I WANT TO GET IT ON THE RADAR FOR WHEN WE GET SOME INFORMATION BACK ON JUST ALL THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON, OR JUST WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR ELECTRIC GRID, AND AMARILLO WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE NEAR THE PROBLEMS THE REST OF THE STATE DID, BUT AS WE GATHER THAT INFORMATION TO HOLD A SPOT FOR GETTING INFORMATION BACK RIGHT FROM OUR STATE LEGISLATORS OR REPORTS FROM OUR UTILITY PROVIDERS TO JUST EXPLAIN EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN FOUND AND IDENTIFIED, AND CORRECTIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.
THEN NUMBER 2 IS I WANTED TO REQUEST JUST A WORK AGENDA ITEM TO LOOK AT OUR DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE REVENUE NUMBERS, AS WELL AS OUR ON-STREET PARKING, AND HAVE JUST A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THAT, LOOK AT THE TRENDS, LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.
>> GO AHEAD. ONE CLARIFICATION QUESTION ON THE FIRST ITEM, ON A CUSTOMER BASE.
WHAT I HAVE IS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AT SOME POINT ON THE ANALYSIS THAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE REGARDING FAILURES OR LAST WEEK WITH REGARD TO ELECTRIC POWER NOW, WHAT I WROTE DOWN WAS THE ANALYSIS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE REGARDING ERCOT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK AN ANALYSIS IS GOING TO BE DONE BY THE STATE ON SPP, WHICH IS OUR GRID OR ON, I THINK THERE'S ONE OR TWO OTHER GRIDS THAT TOUCHED SMALL PARTS OF THE STATE LIKE EL PASO AND THE FAR, FAR EAST TEXAS IS ON A DIFFERENT GRID.
SO YOU'RE WANTING AN UPDATE ON THE ANALYSIS, THE STATE IS GOING TO CONDUCT REGARDING ERCOT, IS THAT CORRECT?
>> WELL, I'D BE INTERESTED IN OTHER FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL IF THEY THINK THAT IT WOULD BE OF PUBLIC INTEREST ON THE WHOLE STATE, OR REALLY IF IT IS JUST SPECIFICS OF THINGS THAT AFFECTED US IN THE PANHANDLE.
>> I THINK FOR THE AREA IN REGARDS TO SOUTHWEST AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, WE ARE PART OF THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS, WHICH IS A GREAT DECISION THAT WE MADE I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE, BUT IT WAS PROBABLY MAYBE THE '80S OR '90S, SOMEWHERE IN THERE.
BUT I THINK THAT SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, XCEL ENERGY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB, ESPECIALLY LAST WEEK, AND HELPING US GET THROUGH THE WINTER STORM.
SO I THINK THE BIGGEST ISSUES ARE WITH ERCOT.
THAT'S JUST MY OPINION, THAT AFFECTED THE ENTIRE CELL OR THE ENTIRE STATE.
SO DO I SEE MR. RONNIE WALKER ON?
>> YES, YOU DO. YES. IF I COULD SAY A FEW THINGS [OVERLAPPING].
>> YOU GUYS AND I KNOW THIS IS, BUT I'M PROBABLY LOOKING AT BRIAN, WHO IS SAYING THIS IS NOT REALLY ON OUR AGENDA TO TALK ABOUT.
[01:20:01]
SO, RONNIE, I LOVE THAT YOU'RE ON OUR CALL BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM THAT'S NOT ERCOT SPECIFIC RELATING.>> YEAH. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY WORKING ON A PRESENTATION TO BE ABLE TO GO AROUND AND TO VISIT WITH COMPANIES, AND WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED AND WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ON THIS DEAL, WE LEARNED A LOT.
WHOEVER THOUGHT THE WHOLE 74 PERCENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS GOING TO FREEZE BELOW FREEZE IT FOR A WEEK IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS.
SO NOT A LOT OF THINGS, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD INFORMATION.
WE'RE GOING TO GET A PRESENTATION, I HOPE TO BRING IT TO THE COUNCIL.
>> I'D WANT RONNIE'S PRESENTATION FOR SURE.
>> BASED ON WHAT I'M HEARING, WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON ANALYSIS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR AREA THAT WE CAN HAVE EXCEL PRESENT OR RONNIE PRESENT OR WHOEVER, RONNIE, YOU WANT TO HAVE DO THAT.
BUT HAVE YOU ALL PRESENT THAT TO TELL US WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR AREA.
>> I'M SURE IT WILL TALK ABOUT, I MEAN, IT WILL TALK ABOUT STATEWIDE SUPPLY WHICH AFFECTED US HERE IN THE PANHANDLE AREA, BUT OKAY.
>> GREAT. GLAD YOU WERE ON FOR THIS, RONNIE, THAT WAS HELPFUL.
>> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE AGENDA ITEMS? LET'S TAKE A BATHROOM BREAK REAL QUICK AND TRY TO COME RIGHT BACK, AND FINISH UP THE REST OF OUR AGENDA BEFORE WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
I THINK WE'RE READY TO PICK BACK UP WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[2. CONSENT ITEMS]
ANYTHING ON THEIR COUNSEL THAT NEEDS TO COME OFF FOR QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? HEARING NOTHING. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?>> YES, MAYOR. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
>> THE MOVE BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SANER TO APPROVE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
OKAY. THAT PASSES WITH A 5-0 VOTE.
[3.A. CONSIDER RESOLUTION -- AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF AMARILLO TO SUBMIT THE FY2022 GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM (PROJECT 4088002)]
ITEM 3A IS TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF AMARILLO TO SUBMIT THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE PROJECT, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM.>> I'M HERE. THANK YOU. THIS IS THE FY22 PROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD APPLICATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR REGIONAL REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER.
IT'S AN APPLICATION THAT WOULD BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR.
YOU RECENTLY SAW IN FY21, 2021 APPLICATION, A RETROACTIVE APPLICATION FOR FUNDING THAT MADE AVAILABLE TO US JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO.
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THAT ONE.
THIS IS ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR FUNDS THAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO US THROUGH THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR AS ANOTHER COMPONENT OF PROJECTS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM.
WE HAVE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER KEVIN STARBUCK AND POLICE CHIEF MARTIN BIRKENFELD, AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS COUNCIL MIGHT HAVE.
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE HAVE ANY.
CHIEF THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THOUGH.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?
>> YES, MAYOR. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF AMARILLO TO SUBMIT PROJECT 4088002, REGIONAL REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 PROJECTS, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM AND THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,000 FOR EQUIPMENT.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SANER TO APPROVE THIS GRANT APPLICATION, ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
[3.B. CONSIDER RESOLUTION -- APPROVING THE SURCHARGE RELATED TO DOCKET NO. 49831 SUBMITTED BY SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY; AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN A COALITION OF SIMILARLY SITUATED CITIES KNOWN AS THE ALLIANCE OF XCEL MUNICIPALITIES; AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN RELATED RATE PROCEEDINGS]
ITEM 3B TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REGARDING WELL, I WON'T READ IT ALL.YOU GUYS CAN READ IT ALL, IT'S REALLY LONG THERE.
BUT IT'S ABOUT A RATE INCREASE AND FOR EXCEL UTILITY. MR. CITY MANAGER.
>> RIGHT THERE. I'M GOING TO WALK US THROUGH A PRETTY DETAILED EXPLANATION ON ITEM B, WHICH IS A SURCHARGE RELATED TO A EXCEL RATE CASE.
THE ITEM C IS ALSO DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT RATE CASE WITH EXCEL.
SO I WANT TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS.
RONNIE WALKER IS ON THE CALL AS WELL.
THE IMPORTANT TO NOTE, ANYTIME WE DEAL WITH EXCEL RATE CASES, WE'RE GOING TO WALK THROUGH THESE TYPES OF EXPLANATIONS.
WE ALWAYS HAVE RONNIE WALKER OR SOMEBODY ELSE FROM EXCEL WITH US ON THESE CALLS OR MEETINGS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE PARTNERS AND WE RECOGNIZE
[01:25:02]
EACH OTHER AS VITAL AND CRITICAL PARTNERS FOR EACH OTHER'S SUCCESS.THAT SAID, THE DISCUSSION ON RATES AND HOW YOU SET RATES IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY COMPLICATED.
WE USE CONSULTANTS TO HELP US THROUGH THAT AND BECAUSE WE ARE GOING THROUGH RATE CASES SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP OR ANYTHING UNTOWARD WITH REGARD TO HOW WE WORK WITH EXCEL, WE ARE VERY CRITICAL PARTNERS WITH EACH OTHER.
WE KNOW THAT, WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND NOTHING SAYS IT MORE THAN LAST WEEK.
LET ME WALK US THROUGH ITEM B.
ITEM B IS A SURCHARGE THAT'S AUTHORIZED AS A RESULT OF THE 2019 RATE CASE THAT WAS FILED BY EXCEL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019.
IT DIDN'T RECEIVE FINAL RESOLUTION THROUGH THE PUC UNTIL LATE IN AUGUST OF OR MAYBE SEPTEMBER FIRST OF 2020.
THE RATE THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE PUC ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2020 IS THEN RETROACTIVELY APPLIED THROUGH A REACH BACK, WHICH IS WHAT THIS SURCHARGE ALLOWS EXCEL TO RECOVER THE REVENUE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IF THEY HAD APPLIED THE RATE THAT WAS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020 THROUGHOUT THAT ENTIRE TIME FROM THE TIME THEY SUBMITTED THE RATE CHANGE REQUEST IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019.
THAT'S SOMEWHAT CONFUSING, BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH AND DOES NOT PAY FOR ANY PREVIOUS RATE CASE PROJECTS WHICH WOULD INCLUDE WIND FARMS AND OTHER THINGS, NOR DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR CURRENT RATE CASE, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING IN ITEM C. THAT'S SOMEWHAT CONFUSING.
RONNIE DOES A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING ANYTHING, ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
I'VE ALSO GOT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE CITY.
THEY HAD BEEN WORKING ON THESE PROJECTS, INCLUDING CITY ATTORNEY BRIAN MCWILLIAMS AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MOORE TORRES, MYSELF, AND ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S NEEDED FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS THAT I, RONNIE OR ANYBODY ELSE CAN ANSWER FOR YOU?
>> JUST TO CLARIFY THAT, LET ME RESTATE IT AND SEE IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY.
IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN A RATE PROPOSAL IS BROUGHT FORWARD AND THEN NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN THERE'S A MARKER PUT DOWN THAT SAYS, HERE'S THE STARTING POINT.
AND WHILE WE WORK THROUGH ALL THESE ISSUES, IT ALLOWS THEM A POINT TO GO BACK, NOT BEFORE THAT, BUT AT THAT STARTING POINT OF WHEN NEGOTIATIONS HAD BEGUN ON THAT RATE REQUEST, SAY THIS IS WHAT WE SETTLED ON, THIS IS THE NEW RATE AND THIS IS WHEN IT BECOMES EFFECTIVE SO THAT IT BUILDS TIME IN FOR BOTH SIDES THAT YOU HAVE ACTUALLY WHEN THE RATES ARE AGREED UPON, THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO GO BACK AND APPLY IT RETROACTIVELY.
LET ME JUST SAY THAT THE 2019 CASE WE FILED IN AUGUST THE 8TH OF 2019, AND THEN 35 DAYS AFTER THE FILING DAY, WHICH WAS SEPTEMBER THE 12TH OF 2019, THAT IS THAT DATE WHERE WE MARK AS THE STARTING OF THIS REACH BACK PERIOD, SEPTEMBER THE 12TH.
WE ACTUALLY SETTLED IN AUGUST, WHEN THE NEW RATES WENT INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1ST OF 2020.
SO THAT PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER THE 12TH OF 2019 TO AUGUST THE 31ST OF 2020, WHICH IS ONE DAY BEFORE THE RATE WENT INTO EFFECT, THAT'S THE REACH BACK PERIOD.
THOSE RATES THAT ARE APPROVED ACTUALLY GOES TO THE KILOWATT-HOURS USED OVER THAT PERIOD OF TIME, PLUGGED-IN AND COMES UP WITH THAT NUMBER, WHICH IS 70, [INAUDIBLE] THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD STARTING ON APRIL 1ST, 2021 TO MARCH 31ST, 2022.
>> DEFINITELY A COMPLICATED PROCESS ABOUT A COMPLICATED SUBJECT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RIGHT.
>> THANKS. ONE THING I JUST WANT EXCEL.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS A CITY AND OUR MEDIA PARTNERS LAST WEEK WORKING THROUGH THAT STORM, THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS THAT WE ASK AND YOU GUYS DID AND IT WAS YELLOW CAMPUS.
IT KEPT US FROM HAVING SOME EXTENDED OUTAGES THAT WE WOULD HAVE.
WE COME OUT PRETTY GOOD ON THAT DEAL, BUT IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY STEP IN,
[01:30:03]
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS STEPPING UP, AND THAT'S WHAT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN YOU'RE NEVER ALONE, WHEN THERE'S TIME OF NEED, PEOPLE STEP UP [INAUDIBLE].>> WELL SAID, AND WE WOULD PATCH YOU GUYS ON THE BACK AS WELL.
ALL THOSE GUYS THAT GO OUT TO WORK THE LINES IN THE AWE HOURS OF THE NIGHT, IN THE MORNING, AND IN THE SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, AND THE HIGH WINDS, AND THE WET CONDITIONS AND ALL OF THAT, ALL WE DO IS WALK OVER AND FLIP ON THE SWITCH.
WE DON'T OFTEN STOP AND THANK YOU FOR THE DANGERS THAT THEY FACE IN MAKING OUR SWITCHES EFFECTIVE AND DEFINITELY THOSE CONDITIONS ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND YOU GUYS STEPPED UP AND WE'RE WORKING THAT SITUATION.
I'LL ALSO JUST THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP RELATIONALLY THAT OUR ORGANIZATION, THE CITY HAS WITH EXCEL AND I SAW THAT ON DISPLAY AND MULTIPLE MEETINGS LAST WEEK AS YOU'RE PROGRESSING THROUGH THE STORM BUT PART OF THE REASON WHY IT WAS AN EFFECTIVE ASK OUT TO THE COMMUNITY, TO DO THE GREAT JOB OF CONSERVING ENERGY WAS BECAUSE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WERE IN PLACE.
IF YOU ALL COULD TRANSPARENTLY, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION AND THEY WERE GOOD CONDUITS, THEREFORE IT AND WE COULD CONDUIT THAT INFORMATION OUT TO CITIZENS.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO TO BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP AND MAINTAIN THAT RELATIONSHIP BOTH WITH OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FOLKS AND CITY MANAGER AND KEVIN STARBUCK CAN EVERYBODY UNDER HIS WATCH IN THE CITY, THOSE RELATIONSHIPS HAVE TO BE THERE WHEN WE NEED THEM IN A CRISIS, BUT THEY DON'T JUST POP UP THEY ARE THERE BECAUSE YOU GUYS DO A GOOD JOB BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THEM WHEN IT WAS NOT.
>> IT'S PART OF THE CITY. THE CITY DOES ALSO AN AWESOME JOB.
I MEAN, DEFINITELY ARE FIVE PARTNER FOR SURE.
I MEAN, THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE WHEN WE NEED THEM OR WHATEVER THAT WAS CALLED AND SAME HERE.
>> WHERE I WANTED TO, IF I COULD ADD JUST A LITTLE BIT ON TOP OF WHAT YOU SAID THAT, IT'S NOT JUST RONNIE.
WE HAD BRAD BALDRIGE, WHO'S A KEY PERSON ON THE OPERATION SIDE FOR EXCEL IN OUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER FOR DAYS.
IN THE EVENING, SOMETIMES ON THE PHONE TEXTING US UPDATES ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE POWER GRID HERE.
WE ALSO HAD DAVID HUDSON PERSONALLY GIVEN US CALLS, WHO'S THE MAIN PERSON IN CHARGE OUT IN EXCEL HERE IN AMARILLO, AND AT EVERY LEVEL REALLY APPRECIATED IT.
THEN BEYOND THAT, WE ALL RECOGNIZE THE SACRIFICES THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN MAKE UP YOUR TEAM, MADE OUT IN DEADLY COLD WEATHER TAKING CARE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT FAILED AS A RESULT OF THE ICE AND IT WASN'T A LOT.
BUT THAT STUFF WORK. THANK YOU ALL.
>> COUNCIL, DO WE HAVE, GO AHEAD [INAUDIBLE] YES.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALSO.
I HAVE A SON IN DALLAS AT A TOTALLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN THEIR RURAL.
>> HAD TOTALLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE 40 DEGREES IN THE HOUSE FOR OVER 24 HOURS.
THAT GETS PRETTY TOUGH. THANK YOU.
>> YEAH, DEFINITELY. THEY HAVE SOME EXTENDED OUT AND JUST FOR SURE ON THIS LAB, WE DIDN'T WE LUCKED OUT ON THE ICE SITUATION.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ICE, WE HAVE EXTREME COLD IN A CAB.
IT JUST LIKE FLIPPING A SWITCH, YOU'VE GOT COLD.
THAT HELPED US MORE THAN ANYTHING BECAUSE ICE HEALS US, ICE CRIPPLES US, [INAUDIBLE] METHANOL, NOTHING WORSE.
WE LEARNED A LOT TOO AND WE WILL BE SHARING THAT WITH YOU GUYS. LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
>> THANK YOU, RONNIE. COULD WE HAVE A MOTION COUNCIL ON THIS ITEM?
>> YES, MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION, APPROVING THE THIRD CHARGE RELATED TO DOCKET NUMBER 49 831, SUBMITTED BY SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 18TH, 2020 AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION AND A CORRELATION OF SIMILARLY SITUATED CITY KNOWN AS THE ALLIANCE OF EXCEL MUNICIPALITY, AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION AND RELATED RIGHT PROCEEDING, REQUIRING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF MUNICIPAL RATE, CASE EXPENSES, AND AUTHORIZING THE RETENTION OF THE SPECIAL COUNSEL.
>> THEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH TO APPROVE ITEM 3B.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I SEE FIVE HANDS, THAT MOTION PASSES WITH THE 5 VOTES.
[3.C. CONSIDER RESOLUTION -- SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SOUTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY’S PROPOSED INCREASE IN RATES; DECLARING TEMPORARY RATES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY’S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER CITIES IN THE ALLIANCE OF XCEL MUNICIPALITIES (“AXM”)]
ITEM 3C MR. CITY MANAGER.>> SPS HAS FILED AND THIS IS REGARDING
[01:35:01]
OUR CURRENT RATE CASE THAT WAS FILED ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2021.WE HAVE 90 DAYS TO EITHER SUSPEND OR DENY.
OTHERWISE, THE READ REQUEST WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF AMARILLO AND THE PUC.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF CITIES THAT THIS RATE CASE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO IN ADDITION TO THE PUC, AND ADDITION TO THE CITY OF AMARILLO, WE HAVE OPTIONS TO EITHER DENY OR SUSPEND AS I MENTIONED, WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE SUSPEND THE RATE CASE APPLICATION, AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, TO RATE CASES INSIDE THEN HERE WORK WITH SPS IN THREE CONSULTANTS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE RATE CASE REQUEST AND NEGOTIATE THAT REQUEST TO BEST SERVE OUR RATE PAYERS HERE IN AMARILLO.
RONNIE, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO ADD THERE?
>> NO. JARED OF COURSE WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT TOO MUCH, BUT NOW THAT WAS FILED FEBRUARY THE 8TH.
IS THAT EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS?
WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE'LL SORT CHARGE ON IT LATER. WHEN IT SETTLES.
>> NOW, [OVERLAPPING] THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO SUSPEND.
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDATION THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO US BY OUR CONSULTANT WHO WORKS WITH US ON THESE ITEMS. IT IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE IN PREVIOUS RAPE CASES.
I OR ANYBODY ELSE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE UNDERSTANDING THAT RONNIE IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED IN WHAT HE CAN SAY BECAUSE OF HIS ROLE AT THIS POINT.
>> LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE DO HAVE 81 COMMUNITIES, 81 CITIES, AND I HAVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER THE RIGHTS, SPS RIGHTS.
EACH ONE OF THESE A1 CITIES HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.
I HAVE TO TAKE THIS BEFORE THE COUNCIL, AND THEN MOST OF THE TIME WE RECOMMEND THAT THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES WE RECOMMEND MAY DENIED.
BECAUSE OF THEM, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND DO ANYTHING ELSE.
IF YOU SUSPEND IT, IT GIVES YOU 90 DAYS, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO ACT ON IT 90 DAYS, YOU HAVE TO GO IN AND DENY YOU DON'T WANT TO PROVE IT.
IF YOU EVER PROVE IT, THEN THE RIGHTS AS SUBMITTED AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO EFFECT THE END.
HOPEFULLY, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANYBODY THAT'S DONE THAT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE HAVE A MOTION WITH REGARD TO ITEM THREE C?
>> YES, MAYOR. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF SOUTHWESTERN FOOD SERVICE COMPANIES PROPOSED INCREASE IN RATE AND ALLOWED BY STATUTE DECLARING TEMPORARY RATE AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S CONTINUED PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER CITIES IN THE ALLIANCE OF XM TO DIRECT THE ACTIVITIES OF LAWYERS AND CONSULTANTS.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH, TO APPROVE ITEM THREE C. DO WE HAVE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING WITH US RONNIE.
>> THANK YOU ALL. APPRECIATE IT.
[3.D. CONSIDER RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING THE CITY OF AMARILLO COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR)_FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2020]
>> ITEM THREE D IS A REPORT IN CONSIDERING THE RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT, MR. CITY MANAGER?
>> YES, MA'AM. WE HAD A PRESENTATION TO THE CITIES AUDIT COMMITTEE LAST WEEK ON THE 16TH FROM OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OUR AUDITORY.
JANIE ARNOLD IS ON THE CALL SO I'M GOING TO THROW IT TO LAURA STORRS FIRST, OUR ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO MAKE ANY INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS AND THEN TO HAND IT OVER TO JANIE.
LAURA? OR TO DO THE PRESENTATION YOURSELF WE'VE GOT JANIE HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH OF YOU ALL IS DOING THE PRESENTATION BUT IT WAS A LONG, VERY EXHAUSTIVE, AND EXTENSIVE, AND IN-DEPTH MEETING LAST WEEK TO GO THROUGH OUR FINANCIAL REPORT. LAURA?
>> THANK YOU, JARED. FIRST, I WANT TO START WITH A BIG THANK YOU TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
THEY VENTURED OUT IN THE SNOW AND THE COLD WEATHER TO COME UP TO CITY HALL AND SIT THROUGH ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF PRESENTATION RELATED TO OUR FINANCIALS SO DR. SAUER AND COUNCIL MEMBER HAYS, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL.
YOU ALL ARE SUCH TROOPERS FOR COMING OUT AND HELPING US MEET OUR DEADLINES RELATED TO THESE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THESE STATEMENTS ARE ABOUT A 300-PAGE DOCUMENT AND TO GO THROUGH THEM AND HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS, WE WERE MOVING VERY QUICKLY IN AN HOUR AND A HALF BUT I THINK THAT WE COVERED SOME GREAT GROUND AND ANSWERED A LOT OF VERY GOOD QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP THROUGH IT.
[01:40:04]
I'M GOING TO SHARE A QUICK PRESENTATION HERE AND WANTED JUST TO START OUT WITH MAYBE SOME MORE THANK YOUS RELATED TO OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.WE HAVE A LARGE TEAM THAT WORKS ON OUR FINANCIALS ALL YEAR LONG AND THEN, AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOW IN FEBRUARY TALKING ABOUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THAT ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH OF 2020.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH AUDITORS NONSTOP SINCE SEPTEMBER TRYING TO CLOSE OUT THE BOOKS, MAKE FINAL ADJUSTMENTS, AND PRESENT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SO A BIG THANK YOU TO DEBBIE REED WHO IS OUR NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR.
SHE CAME ACTUALLY RIGHT AT THE END OF OUR FISCAL YEAR THAT WAS INVOLVED IN OUR AUDIT PROCESS.
THANK YOU TO VALERIE CORNER WHO IS OUR CITY AUDITOR AND MATT POSTON WHO IS OUR ASSISTANT CITY AUDITOR.
THOSE TWO AND THEIR TEAM WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING TOGETHER ALL OF OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
WE HAVE ABOUT 12 DEGREED ACCOUNTANT POSITIONS AND INCLUDED IN THAT IS FOUR CPAS AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT.
HAVE A LOT OF EXPERTISE HERE AT THIS CITY WHICH REALLY HELPS THIS AUDIT GO SMOOTHLY.
WE ALSO WANT TO THANK JANIE ARNOLD SHE'S ON THIS CALL AS WELL.
SHE IS THE PARTNER WITH CMMS, CPAS OF ADVISERS, AND SHE IS IN CHARGE OF THE CITY'S AUDIT AND SHE HAD A LARGE TEAM THAT WORKED AS WELL.
THIS YEAR WAS DIFFERENT BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING REMOTELY BUT WE ALL FEEL LIKE IT WENT VERY WELL.
IT WAS A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR US.
WE LEARNED A LOT AND LEARNED A LOT OF EFFICIENCIES THAT CAN EVEN BE ACHIEVED WITH THEM WORKING REMOTELY AND US JUST SENDING MORE THINGS THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC MEANS.
IT WAS CERTAINLY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR.
THE CAFR AND EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE A COPY OF THE CAFR.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS IN IT THAT I WANT TO GO OVER.
WE DID TAB THESE DRAFTED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THEN THERE IS ITS LIKE A CHEAT SHEET INSIDE YOUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THERE.
IT GIVES YOU SOME HIGHLIGHTS ON EACH OF THOSE NUMBERED TABS THROUGHOUT YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
ONCE THESE ARE APPROVED BY COUNCIL, WE WILL PUT AN ELECTRONIC COPY ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND HAVE A LINK OUT THERE THAT THE CITIZENS CAN GO AND LOOK THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT AS WELL.
THERE'S SOME GREAT INFORMATION IN IT.
THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO COVER IS THAT OUR CAFR RECEIVES THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT IN EXCELLENCE AND FINANCIAL REPORTING FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.
WE HAVE RECEIVED IT 44 YEARS IN A ROW.
WE'VE HAD A LONG SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE WITH OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN MEETING THE STANDARDS PUT OUT BY THE GFOA.
WE WILL BE SUBMITTING THIS CAFR AS WELL FOR THAT SAME AWARD.
INSIDE YOUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, THERE IS ON THE FIRST PAGE IN THE ACTUAL DOCUMENT, PAGE ONE, THERE IS A FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPINION AND THAT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS RELATED TO THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
WE RECEIVED AN UNMODIFIED WHICH IS A CLEAN OPINION; THAT IS THE BEST OPINION THAT YOU CAN RECEIVE FROM YOUR AUDITORS SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO REPORT THAT.
THERE'S ALSO A LETTER THAT WAS INCLUDED IN YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THAT FRONT COVER AS WELL.
IT'S A REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING.
IT DISCLOSES THAT THERE IS NO FINDINGS OF NONCOMPLIANCE THAT THE AUDITORS FOUND.
AT THE VERY BACK OF YOUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WE INCLUDED A COPY OF OUR SINGLE AUDIT REPORT.
THERE IS A SEPARATE AUDIT THAT'S DONE OVER ALL OF OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT AWARDS.
YOU WILL NOTICE AS YOU FLIP THROUGH THIS, WE RECEIVED OR WE SPENT 45.7 MILLION DOLLARS LAST FISCAL YEAR IN FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT EXPENDITURES.
THE AUDITORS HAVE SEPARATE AUDIT PROCESSES THAT ARE PUT IN PLACE TO AUDIT THOSE EXPENDITURES.
YOU WILL SEE THERE'S ALSO A REPORT ON COMPLIANCE AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER THE MAJOR PROGRAMS. WE ALSO RECEIVED AN UNMODIFIED WHICH IS A CLEAN OPINION ON OUR SINGLE AUDIT.
WITH THAT AGAIN, A VERY HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW OF OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
I WILL STOP SHARING MY SCREEN NOW AND ASK COUNCIL,
[01:45:02]
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US OR IF YOU ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR JANIE ARNOLD SHE IS ALSO ON THIS CALL WITH US AS WELL.>> COUNCIL. QUESTIONS? [NOISE] NO, IT'S MEMBER HAYS, COMMENTS?
>> DR. SAUER AND I GOT TO MEET DEBBIE REALLY IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THAT WAS NICE, WITH ALL THE COVID WE JUST HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO OFFICIALLY FACE TO FACE WELCOME HER, AND SHE WAS A GREAT PART OF THE TEAM HAVING THERE AT THE TABLE AND JUST HEARING HER FOR FEEDBACK AS WELL.
JUST ALSO BEING ABLE TO COMPARE TO SOME OTHER CITIES AND IT WAS VERY ENCOURAGING HEARING HER TAKE ON HOW OUR FINANCIALS COMPARE TO A LOT OF OTHER CITIES.
OUR FINANCES ARE JUST REALLY STRONG, OUR DEBT RATIOS, OUR UNFUNDED LIABILITIES, THEY JUST ARE SO AND SUCH EXCELLENT FINANCIAL POSITION THAT HELPED US KEEP THAT BOND RATING DURING VERY UNCERTAIN TIMES AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT, MARY, YOU TALK SO MUCH ABOUT LOOKING LONG-TERM AND SETTING POLICIES IN PLACE AND THESE ARE POLICIES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE IN OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR DECADES AND IT PAID OFF IN A CRISIS.
IT'S VERY COMFORTING SEEING THE TEAM AND WHO JARED HAS BUILT BACK AND PUT BACK TOGETHER, THERE'S NEW TEAM GOING FORWARD TO CONTINUE ON THE SAME TRACK.
>> DR. SAUER, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD ADD TO THAT WAS THAT I WOULD PIGGYBACK OFF REALLY WHAT ELAINE SAID WAS, THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT HOT TAX, AND ABOUT HOW THE HOT TAX HAD DROPPED OFF SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE HOTEL OCCUPANCY BASICALLY PLUMMETED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID THING DURING LAST YEAR.
BUT THE INTERESTING THING IS, EVEN AT OUR WORST, THE DEBT COVERAGE DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO WHAT WAS CONSIDERED THE MINIMUM.
OUR DEBT COVERAGE IS ANOTHER PRECEDENT OR IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO SAY THAT THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT THAT THE CITY HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLY GOOD JOB.
YES, WE MADE THIS INVESTMENT IN [INAUDIBLE] TOWN AND WE WOULD SAY THAT WE WOULD DO WELL EVEN IF THINGS GOT BAD, AND SO GUESS WHAT? THINGS GOT BAD AND WE DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO WHAT THE MINIMUM WOULD BE REQUIRED IN AN EFFORT FOR US TO KEEP UP OUR AAA BOND RATING.
WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD, THE SKY IS GOING TO BE THE LIMIT AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
I JUST LIKE SEEING THE FACT THAT WE HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES THAT WE FACED, OUR FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY HERE AT THE CITY, THEY HAD THINGS ALREADY IN PLACE THAT HAD EVERYTHING IN PLACE SO THAT WE DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I DON'T WANT THE CITIZENS TO REALIZE YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY, IS THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING TAKEN IN PLACE, TAKING CARE OF, AND WE ARE VERY MUCH IN THE BLACK AND WE ARE VERY MUCH MOVING FORWARD.
I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH SETTING THROUGH THIS.
MY HEAD SWIM FOR A LITTLE BIT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ALL THE STUFF THAT THEY WERE SAYING.
BUT THE END RESULT WAS VERY COMFORTING TO FIND OUT THAT WE ARE IN AN INCREDIBLY STRONG POSITION COMING OUT OF COVID AND STARTED 2021, AND IT WILL BE A VERY PRODUCTIVE YEAR FOR THE CITY.
>> NOW, THAT OUR POLICIES ARE STRONG, OUR SYSTEMS ARE STRONG AND INDIVIDUALS, BUT THEN ALSO WE JUST REFLECT TO THE STRENGTH OF OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
THAT WASN'T VERY ENCOURAGING, JUST SEEING HOW WE HAD REBOUNDED SO QUICKLY AND HOW SOME OF OUR NUMBERS CAME BACK UP.
I REMEMBER, THERE WAS ONE OTHER THING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME THAT THERE IS A ROTATION PROCESS TO HAVE WHERE THEY DO ON JUST A ROTATING BASIS EACH YEAR.
THEY DO A DEEP DIVE ON TOP OF ALL THE OTHER AUDIT AND JUST REALLY HAVE WITH FINE TO GOING THROUGH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
I LIKE THE SYSTEM, I LIKE THE ROTATION AND THE FACT THAT ABOVE AND BEYOND ALREADY THE AUDIT PROCESS WE'RE DOING, AND HOW THAT ROTATION WORKS, SO LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS IN A CYCLE.
[01:50:07]
>> [NOISE] GOOD COMMENTS. I WILL ECHO WHAT LAURA SAID.
THE REST OF THE COUNCIL APPRECIATES THE WORK THAT THE TWO OF YOU DID TO SERVE ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, WE APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE, BOTH OF YOU GUYS ENJOY WORKING WITH NUMBERS, AND SO WE'RE THANKFUL THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DO THIS DUTY FOR US.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL? OR QUESTIONS FOR JANIE? JANIE, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY AND WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU AND YOUR FIRM TAKE THIS ON FOR US EVERY YEAR AND DO A GREAT JOB EVEN A MYTH THAT YOU ARE CHANGING AND DOING THINGS VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR.
>> NOW, I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT ASSISTED US WITH THE AUDIT.
>> IT'S A TEAM EFFORT, ISN'T IT.
>> COUNCILMEMBER SAUER OR COUNCILMEMBER HAYES, EITHER ONE OF YOU WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?
>> ELAINE YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD? [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT SITTING IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW, I'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I LEFT THAT.
>> OKAY, [OVERLAPPING] GO AHEAD FREDA
>> THAT'S HOW TO DO THAT, YOU ARE JUST FREE TO JUMPING IN, IT'S LIKE, WAIT, I NEED TO READ HIS PAPER. [LAUGHTER]
>> I'LL GO AHEAD THEN [OVERLAPPING] [INAUDIBLE] I DON'T KNOW.
MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE, RECEIVING, AND ACCEPTING THE CITY OF AMARILLO COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2020.
>> IT'S BEEN MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER POWELL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HAYS TO APPROVE, AND TO RECEIVE, AND EXCEPT THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE YEAR ENDING 2020.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MOTION? HEARING THEN, IF YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME YOU TAKE OFF BEFORE YOU START WORKING ON IT AGAIN, BUT PROBABLY NOT MUCH, GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT.
>> LAURA, WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND DEBBIE, MATT, EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO TO KEEP US ON TRACK.
WHAT COUNCILWOMAN HAYS SAID ABOUT HOW IT SAVES US MONEY AND WHAT DR. SAUER SAID ABOUT HOW IT BUILDS TRUST WITH OUR CITIZENS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
THE AAA BOND RATING SAVED CITIZENS ALMOST $2 MILLION JUST IN OUR 2016 BOND ISSUANCES.
WE'RE ABLE TO GET PROJECTS DONE FOR LESS MONEY BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND YEAR OVER YEAR, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. APPRECIATE THAT.
I KNOW THE TEAM TAKES A LOT OF PRIDE IN THE WORK THEY DO AND IT MAKES ME VERY HONORED TO BE A PART OF THAT TEAM.
>> THEY SHOULD, WE'RE PROUD OF THEM [BACKGROUND] TOO.
ITEM 3E IS TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT
[3.E. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER SALE -- REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT FARMERS AVENUE AND SOUTH GEORGIA STREET TO XCEL ENERGY]
FARMERS AVENUE AND SOUTH GEORGIA STREET TO EXCEL ENERGY. MR. [INAUDIBLE].>> MAYOR, THANK YOU. AS YOU SAID, THIS IS TO CONSIDER THE APPROVAL SALE OF EDC LAND THAT'S ADJACENT TO A LARGER TRACT OF LAND OWNED BY EDC.
THIS SALE IS GOING TO FACILITATE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS AREA.
WE HAVE PRESIDENT AND CEO EDC, KEVIN CARTER WITH US.
KEVIN TAKE IT AWAY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, COUNCIL. THANK YOU, JARED.
THIS'S AGENDA ITEM WITH, BE TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE LOCATED AT FARMERS AVENUE AND SOUTH GEORGIA STREET TO EXCEL ENERGY.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE PROPERTY, GIVES YOU AN OVERVIEW.
THIS IS OUR SOUTH GEORGIA BUSINESS PARK IN RANDALL COUNTY.
WE PURCHASED THAT LAND IN 2019 AT A PRICE OF $19,724 PER ACRE.
EXCEL CAME TO US A FEW MONTHS BACK AND ASK ABOUT PURCHASING A COUPLE OF ACRES TO EXPAND THE SUBSTATION THAT CURRENTLY IS IN THE GREEN SHADED AREA.
THE PIECE OF LAND THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, THAT THEY WOULD PURCHASE IS THE BLUE-SHADED AREA.
THAT WOULD GIVE EXCEL THE CAPACITY TO EXPAND CAPACITY TO THAT BUSINESS PARK AND ALSO TO THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE AROUND THAT AREA.
EXCEL WE WILL [INAUDIBLE] OF $20,000 PER ACRE, SO $40 THOUSAND TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE FOR THE TWO ACRES THAT EXCEL IS PROPOSING TO BUY.
>> ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT COUNCIL?
[01:55:03]
>> MAYOR, THE EDC BOARD VOTED YESTERDAY ON FIVE VOTE TO APPROVE THE SALE.
>> OKAY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE EDC TEAM.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM?
I MOVE TO AUTHORIZE THE AMARILLO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT IN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS FOR THE SALE OF APPROXIMATELY TWO ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT FARMERS AVENUE AND SOUTH GEORGIA STREET IN AMARILLO, TEXAS TO EXCEL ENERGY EXPAND THEIR SUBSTATION.
AND THAT WOULD BE IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 PLUS CLOSING COST AND RELATED EXPENSES.
>> MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER POWELL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER SAUER TO APPROVE ITEM 3E.
ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ON THE MOTION? OKAY. HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE'LL SEE YOU OVER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THIS TIME.
[4. EXECUTIVE SESSION]
THIS COMPLETES OUR AGENDA FOR NON-EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, AND I WOULD REQUEST THE CITY ATTORNEY TO READ OUR SPECIAL LANGUAGE.>> GLAD TO LAYER UP TEXTURAL MEANS THAT CLOSED SESSION WITH THE AMARILLO CITY COUNCIL WAS ANNOUNCED ON FEBRUARY 23RD, 2021 AT 3:06 PM UNDER THE FOLLOWING AUTHORITY, SECTION 55 1.07 TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE EXCHANGE, RESELL A VALUABLE PROPERTY.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF SUCH WOULD NOT BE THE BEST INFLUENCE CITY'S BARGAINING POSITION.
SECTION 55 1.07 DISCUSSED THE APPOINTMENT OF FORMATIVE EVALUATION DUTIES OF PUBLIC OFFICE EMPLOYEE.
SECTION 55 1.087 DISCUSS COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM EXISTING BUSINESS OR BUSINESS PROSPECT IN WHICH THE CITY IS NEGOTIATING FOR LOCATION, RETENTION OF A FACILITY, OR FOR INCENTIVES THE CITY IS WILLING TO EXTEND OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION [INAUDIBLE] SAYING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BRIAN. WE APPRECIATE YOU'RE TUNING IN FOR OUR MEETING TODAY, AND WE'RE JOINED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.