[1. Call to Order]
[00:00:07]
AND START BY SAYING IF YOU AREN'T COMFORTABLE STANDING AND YOU'RE ONE OF THE FOLKS STANDING, THE ROOM 305 IS OPEN AND HAS SOME SEATING THERE AND THEY ARE STREAMING IT.
SO YOU CAN WATCH THE CEREMONY AND THE REMARKS FROM 305 IN A CHAIR, IF THAT'S YOUR PREFERENCE.
OTHERWISE, I WOULD INVITE BOB SCHROEDER FROM HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
THANK YOU, BOB, FOR BEING HERE TODAY TO DO OUR INVOCATION TO THE PODIUM.
AND WE'LL CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER.
LET'S STAND AND JOIN ME, PLEASE.
FATHER TODAY WE PAUSE AND WE RECOGNIZE WHO YOU ARE.
YOUR GRACIOUSNESS TO US, YOUR POWER OVER US.
AND WE'RE IMMEDIATELY GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU'VE SENT OUR WAY.
THE MOISTURE IS SO APPRECIATED.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS CITY, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED AND THOSE WHO WILL.
WE ASK YOUR BLESSING OF WISDOM AND LEADERSHIP TO BE ON EACH ONE.
FATHER, WE GIVE YOU THIS MEETING TODAY.
WOULD YOU JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE? AT THIS TIME I'LL PASS THE MICROPHONE TO OUR CITY SECRETARY TO MODERATE OUR PUBLIC ADDRESS.
[4. Public Address]
THANK YOU, MAYOR.THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
AT EACH POSTED MEETING, WE INVITE OUR FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL REGARDING POSTED AGENDA ITEMS. EVERY SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AT THE END OF 2.5 MINUTES A WARNING BEEP WILL SOUND TO ALERT YOU THAT YOU HAVE 30S LEFT TO WRAP UP YOUR THOUGHTS. WE ASK THAT YOU STAY WITHIN YOUR ALLOTTED THREE MINUTES.
SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO ITEMS ON TODAY'S POSTED AGENDA.
AND IF YOU'RE SPEAKING ON FOR OR AGAINST THE AGENDA ITEM THAT YOU'RE HERE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL ON.
FIRST, TODAY, WE'LL BE SCOTT LATHAM AND AFTER MR. LATHAM ON DECK IS CLAUDETTE SMITH.
HELLO, COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW MOMENTS TO SPEAK TODAY.
MY NAME IS SCOTT LATHAM AND I'VE BEEN A CITIZEN OF AMARILLO MY WHOLE LIFE.
I OWN SEVERAL SMALL BUSINESSES HERE AND PAY MY FAIR SHARE OF PROPERTY FRANCHISE AND SALES TAX.
I THINK THE OUTGOING COUNCIL DESERVES A THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF HELPING OUR CRIME RATE INCREASE.
I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT YOU COULDN'T FIND $365,000 IN THE BUDGET TO PROTECT THOSE THAT PROTECT US, BUT SOMEHOW HAD THE MONEY TO SPEND $2 MILLION ON GOLF CARTS AND BUILD A NEW $7.9 MILLION SWIMMING POOL THAT SITS MOSTLY EMPTY DAY AFTER DAY.
ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND GENEROUS CITIZENS OF AMARILLO, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
THIS WAS GREAT EXPOSURE FOR OUR CITY.
THANK YOU FOR SHUTTING DOWN ALL OF MY BUSINESSES DURING COVID WHILE KEEPING YOURS OPEN.
ON THAT NOTE, THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN PROJECT THAT FURTHER INCREASED YOUR WEALTH.
LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR LEAVING THE CITY IN A HOLE THAT WILL TAKE THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NEW LEADERSHIP YEARS TO DIG OUT OF NOT JUST FINANCIALLY BUT REPUTATIONALLY, RESPECTFULLY AND TRUSTWORTHINESS.
[00:05:06]
NOT ONLY HAVE YOU ILLEGALLY BROKEN MANY PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, BUT YOU'VE ALSO FOUND IT YOUR DUTY TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM OR DISSOLVE COMMITTEES AT YOUR WILL? IF YOU ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFICACY OR FINANCIAL STURDINESS OF THE COMMITTEE.FOR THE RECORD, NOT A SINGLE CENT OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION FUND THAT WAS SET UP TO ASSIST WITH FIRST RESPONDERS NEEDS WAS EVER RECEIVED BY OR USED FOR THE SWAT VEHICLE AS STATED BY THIS COUNCIL.
COLE WELCOME TO THE SEAT, SIR.
AMARILLO IS BEHIND YOU AND WE ARE EXCITED THAT AMARILLO CITIZENS HAVE A VOTE AGAIN.
AND ON DECK AFTER MISS SMITH WILL BE NOAH DAWSON.
ARE YOU IN THE ROOM? AND AGAIN AFTER MISS SMITH.
MR. DAWSON, YOU'LL BE ON DECK.
ALL RIGHT. SO I FIGURED TODAY WOULD BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SETTING.
SO I HAD A LITTLE SOMETHING ELSE PLANNED TO SAY, BUT I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND SPEAK.
UM, IT IS EVEN IN THE TIMES I'M TRYING TO THINK OF HOW TO SAY THIS, REALLY.
BUT IT'S A THANKLESS JOB IF YOU STAND TO GAIN NOTHING FROM IT.
AND SO A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW TOUGH THIS JOB IS.
IT'S A VERY TOUGH JOB AND IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO TAKE ON A TASK LIKE THIS.
SO I DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
BUT QUITE FRANKLY, I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU ALL GO.
AND ONCE YOU TAKE OVER, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THOSE THINGS.
I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
THE HOTELIERS AND THE ISSUES THAT THEY'VE SUFFERED AS WELL.
THOSE ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
AND I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS PUT THOSE AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST.
AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU'VE BEEN ELECTED AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL.
THAT'S IT. THANK YOU, MISS SMITH.
AND ON DECK AFTER MR. DAWSON, OUR LAST SPEAKER WILL BE MADELEINE NELSON.
TODAY I ADDRESSED THE COUNCIL MOSTLY ON BEHALF OF THE AMARILLO PIONEER.
I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPECTING THAT THE PIONEERS JOB IS DONE.
WE FINALLY GOT NELSON OUT TO ANYONE WHO'S THINKING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THEM THE PIONEER PREDATES GINGER NELSON'S MAYORSHIP AND WE PLAN TO STILL BE HERE LONG AFTER TODAY'S MEETING IS OVER.
ALL THREE OF THE NEW MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE SWORN IN TODAY.
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE AREN'T GOING TO BE HOLDING Y'ALL ACCOUNTABLE.
I'VE ENJOYED MANY OF THE VOTES YOU'VE HAD ON THIS COUNCIL, MR. STANLEY. BUT AGAIN, WE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP HOLDING ANYONE ACCOUNTABLE.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TO MANY EVENTS WHERE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND ALL DUE RESPECT, IT OFTEN FEELS LIKE I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT'S ACTUALLY ASKING ANY QUESTIONS.
I REMEMBER WHEN THE GROUNDBREAKING WAS HAPPENING FOR THE NEW CITY HALL PROJECT.
EVERYONE WAS ASKING ABOUT HOW COMFY THE NEW CHAIRS WILL BE AND HOW GREAT IT'S GOING TO BE.
WHY DOES THE CITY SEEM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHERE WE DON'T ADDRESS THINGS UNTIL THEY BECOME AN EMERGENCY? BECAUSE THAT WAS THE WHOLE PREMISE BEHIND THAT PROJECT AND TRYING TO RUSH IT THROUGH.
IT WAS THE WHOLE PREMISE BEHIND THE WAY THAT THE JOHNSON PARK POOL WAS DONE.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT? IF THAT KIND OF STUFF KEEPS HAPPENING.
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO REPORT ON IT.
BUT I DO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT CHANGES WILL HAPPEN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO [INAUDIBLE] AND WE AREN'T GOING TO BE ALL NEGATIVE.
WE'VE NEVER BEEN ALL NEGATIVE.
WE DO NOT EXAGGERATE, UNLIKE SOME FACEBOOK PAGES.
WE EVEN HAVE CALLED THEM OUT FOR DOING THAT.
SO I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW.
[00:10:02]
I'VE WORKED WITH TOM SEARLE ON VARIOUS THINGS BEFORE, BUT THIS IS JUST A WARNING.WE AREN'T GOING TO STOP HOLDING THE CITY ACCOUNTABLE.
THIS COUNCIL HAS LED OUR CITY WITH VISION, PASSION AND A GROWTH MINDSET.
EACH ONE OF YOU HAVE MADE DECISIONS FOR OUR CITY, NOT OUT OF A DESIRE FOR SELF GRATIFICATION OR ACCOLADES, BECAUSE THOSE CERTAINLY HAVEN'T COME BUT OUT OF A FORWARD THINKING AND VISIONARY DESIRE TO MAKE THE CITY OF AMARILLO THRIVE.
THESE SIX YEARS HAVE BEEN ANYTHING BUT EASY.
THIS OUTGOING COUNCIL HAS LED THE CITY THROUGH A PANDEMIC, AND I BELIEVE THE CITY OF AMARILLO'S RESPONSE TO COVID REFLECTS OUR COMMUNITY VALUES OF COMPASSION, KINDNESS AND EFFICIENCY. THIS COUNCIL PLAYED A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN THE CREATION OF THE CITYWIDE VACCINE CLINIC THAT VACCINATED 18,000 PEOPLE IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS THAT IT WAS OPEN. GOVERNOR ABBOTT CALLED IT A MODEL CLINIC FOR OTHER CITIES TO EMULATE.
THIS COUNCIL HAS PRIORITIZED PUBLIC SAFETY IN OTHER WAYS AS WELL.
THEY'VE INCREASED THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET EVERY YEAR OF THEIR TENURE.
THIS YEAR, COUNCIL APPROVED A PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET OF OVER $106 MILLION.
THEY CREATED THE STATE OF THE CITY EVENT TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION WITH CITIZENS.
THEY CREATED A CUSTOMER SERVICE POSITION IN THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO HELP BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS SOLVE PROBLEMS AND GET QUICKER ANSWERS, AMONG MANY, MANY OTHER THINGS.
THEY SUPPORTED THE THRIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
THEY DEVELOPED NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS AND INITIATED PROJECTS TO BUILD COVERED BUS STOPS.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I GENUINELY BELIEVE AS A YOUNG CITIZEN OF AMARILLO.
BEFORE I CLOSE, MAYOR NELSON, IF YOU'LL HUMOR ME FOR A MINUTE, I DID A LITTLE BIT OF MATH TODAY, ASSUMING THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN FIVE HOURS A DAY TO BEING MAYOR AND RECOGNIZING THAT MAYBE SOME DAYS YOU GAVE A LITTLE LESS AND A LOT OF DAYS YOU GAVE A LOT MORE.
YOU HAVE LOGGED 10,950 HOURS SERVING OUR CITY OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.
BY MALCOLM GLADWELL STANDARDS, I THINK THAT MAKES YOU AN EXPERT IN PUBLIC SERVICE.
I WISH BLESSINGS AND FAVOR OVER THE NEW COUNCIL AS YOU PROCEED TO LOVE THIS CITY AND SERVE US.
WE ALL HAVE A SHARED HEART AND LOVE FOR AMARILLO AND FOR THAT I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS NELSON.
MAYOR. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC ADDRESS.
THANK YOU. OKAY AT THIS TIME, MOVING TO THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS TO
[5.A. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 05-16-23-1]
CANVASS THE ELECTION AND CALL THE RUNOFF ELECTION.SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION WITH REGARD TO CANVASING THE RESULTS FROM OUR ELECTION? YES, MAYOR, WE DO.
ARE WE LOOKING AT ITEM FIVE? A YES. YES, MA'AM.
OKAY. SO I MOVE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER ZERO FIVE DASH 1623-1, CANVASING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTS FOR THE REGULAR ELECTION HELD IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO ON THE SIXTH DAY OF MAY 2023 FOR CITY OFFICES, ORDERING THE RUNOFF ELECTION OF THE CITY OF AMARILLO TO BE CONDUCTED ON THE 24TH DAY OF JUNE 2023, IN THE CITY OF
[00:15:01]
AMARILLO, TEXAS, DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES AND PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF SUCH ELECTION.SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.
AYE. ANYONE OPPOSED? OKAY. THAT MOTION PASSES WITH A 5-0 VOTE.
SO AT THIS TIME WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM SIX.
[5.B. REMARKS BY OUTGOING ELECTED OFFICIALS]
ON THE AGENDA WAS, WHICH IS REMARKS BY OUTGOING ELECTED OFFICIALS.AND I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH MISS FRIEDA POWELL, PLEASE.
OKAY. DO YOU MIND BEING OUR STARTER? NOT AT ALL. THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT.
TODAY I AM FILLED WITH MIXED EMOTIONS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, I'M SADDENED TO BE LEAVING THIS POSITION THAT HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
MY COLLEAGUES ON THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY STAFF, THE EMPLOYEES, AND THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND DEDICATION TO THIS CITY.
THE CITY STAFF AND THE EMPLOYEES ARE THE ONES THAT MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
I EXTEND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO COLE STANLEY.
AND THE NEWLY ELECTED CITY COUNCIL.
AS SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT HER ADULT LIFE SERVING THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT MY LOVE FOR THIS GREAT CITY CONTINUES. I WILL PRAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR NEW MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
AND I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO DO THE SAME.
OUR CITY FACES MANY, MANY CHALLENGES, BUT I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN OVERCOME THEM BY WORKING TOGETHER AND SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER WITH KINDNESS, GOODWILL AND RESPECT.
I AM HONORED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS COUNCIL AND TO HAVE WORKED WITH ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SAUER. OKAY.
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FIRST OFF, TO MY WIFE TINA TO MY FAMILY.
ACTUALLY, I REALLY OWE A HUGE DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO MY PATIENTS BECAUSE I PICKED UP AND LEFT THE OFFICE ON A MOMENT'S NOTICE AND EVERYBODY FOR THIS PAST SIX YEARS.
HAS BEEN VERY, VERY UNDERSTANDING.
TO MY TEAM AT SHEMAN DENTAL GROUP AND FOR ALL OF THE WILLINGNESS OF THEM TO.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I WOULD SAY THAT TO CONFORM TO WHAT MY NEW SCHEDULE WAS DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.
THIS WAS THE MOST EXCITING, EXHILARATING AND REWARDING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.
I'M SO HUMBLED BY THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO.
THAT THEY WOULD CHOOSE ME TO REPRESENT AND SERVE THEM ON CITY COUNCIL THIS PAST SIX YEARS.
THAT I. I CAN'T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS.
I'M SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE MET SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE FOR AMARILLO.
ANY OF YOU ALL WHO ARE SITTING OUT THERE EVER CONSIDERING IT? IT'S WORTH IT. AND I WOULD IF YOU COME TALK TO ME, I WOULD TELL YOU TO DO IT.
IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY.
[00:20:05]
TO MY FELLOW CITY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR.WE STARTED THIS THING TOGETHER.
WE SERVED TOGETHER THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
YOU EACH HAVE MY UTMOST RESPECT AND HONOR.
MAYOR, IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO SERVE UNDER YOU.
KNOW THAT. I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU GUYS.
I'LL BE ROOTING FOR YOUR SUCCESS.
THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT.
MAN. YOU GUYS ARE THE MOST PHENOMENAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU THAT I SEE OUT THERE THAT ARE IN THESE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.
YOU'RE SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST AND BEST IN AMARILLO.
AND I KNOW THAT I HAVEN'T TOLD YOU THAT ENOUGH.
I WILL DEFEND YOU AT ANY GIVEN DAY OR TIME.
YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN PHENOMENAL.
YOU PROVE OVER AND OVER THAT YOU HAVE AMARILLO'S BEST INTEREST IN YOUR MIND AND IN YOUR HEART.
AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU GUYS.
I'VE GOT A LIST OF NAMES HERE, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO READ THEM OFF BECAUSE I'LL LEAVE SOMEBODY OFF.
AND THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU GUYS THAT I'VE HAD THE ABILITY TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH, TO TALK WITH TO SUPPORT WITH. TO WORK WITH.
AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU GUYS.
AND I LOOK AT AMARILLO TODAY AND AMARILLO SIX YEARS AGO AND I'M PROUD TO SAY I WAS A PART OF THAT.
AND FOR YOU ALL THAT ARE COMING ON TO COUNCIL.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PLEASURE.
AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS SIX YEARS.
COUNCIL MEMBER SMITH MAY BE THE ONLY PERSON NOT GIVING REMARKS TODAY.
I ASSUME YOU'RE RESERVING YOUR TIME FOR YOUR LAST MEETING BECAUSE TODAY IS NOT YOUR LAST MEETING.
SO I'VE SERVED LIKE A LITTLE OVER 200 COUNCIL MEETINGS.
BUT YOU'RE HAVING ME TO MAKE UP.
YEAH, I LOVE IT. THAT'S GREAT.
FINAL THOUGHTS TODAY, EDDY AND TINA, JUST YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR COURAGE.
EVEN IF THE TRUTH WAS UNPOPULAR AND YOU'VE DONE IT.
I LOVE YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU.
IF I DIDN'T LOVE YOU PEOPLE SO MUCH, THIS MIGHT BE EASIER.
IT WAS KEVIN THAT COULDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH HIS WHILE MY DAD AND MY GRANDDAD WERE WEEPING ALSO.
[00:25:06]
SO I'M GOING TO CHANNEL THAT GINGER.UH, HOWARD AND CAROL, YOUR PERSISTENCE AND YOUR PRESENCE.
HOWARD SERVED ON LGC, THE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY COMMITTEE, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE, THE CROSS BAR RANCH WORKGROUP, THE BROADBAND COMMITTEE, THE CIVIC CENTER, THE MLK STREET COMMITTEE.
BECAUSE HOWARD IS A COMMUNITY SERVANT.
AND HOWARD AND CAROL ARE SO GOOD AT THAT.
I LOVE YOU. FRIEDA AND DENNIS.
AND FRIEDA NEVER COMES INTO A MEETING WITHOUT HAVING DONE THE WORK TO BE THOROUGHLY PREPARED.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE QUIET STRENGTH OF YOUR LEADERSHIP.
YOU, MY FRIEND, ARE THE PERFECT MODEL OF RESPECTING OTHERS WITH KINDNESS AND CIVILITY.
STAFF. THE STRUGGLES THAT WE HAVE FELT TOGETHER ARE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO MAKE PROGRESS.
PROGRESS INVOLVES STRUGGLE, AND WE CAN DO IT WELL.
WE CAN DO IT WITH RESPECT, AND WE CAN DO IT WITH LOVE.
YOU ALL MODEL CIVILITY, RESPECT AND LOVE FOR EACH OF US SO WELL.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SAY YES.
THANK YOU. WE LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR MODELING PUBLIC SERVICE AND SUPPORTING US.
WE'VE SEEN YOU SERVE AS MAYOR.
WE'VE SEEN YOU SERVE ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
WE'VE SEEN YOU SERVE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
WE'VE SEEN YOU BE SELECTED AS CITIZENS OF THE YEAR OR SUPERFANS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
COMMUNITIES ARE BETTER PEOPLE.
WHEN PEOPLE GET OFF THE BENCH AND GET IN THE GAME OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
THANK YOU. TO MADELINE AND JACE WHO ARE WITH ME HERE TODAY, AND ALSO TO PIERCE.
YOU THREE HAVE SACRIFICED A LOT IN ORDER FOR OUR FAMILY TO SERVE.
MY PRAYER IS THAT YOU'VE LEARNED THE LESSON THAT LOVING PEOPLE CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT, BUT IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK THAT WE DO. AND KEVIN, THANK YOU FOR LEADING ME WITH WISDOM AND WITH TRUTH.
THAT WAS SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO SAY AND SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO HEAR.
BUT YOU'VE GIVEN MORE TO SERVING THE CITY THAN ANYONE ELSE I KNOW.
WELL, MAYBE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JENNY HARPOLE, JOE, BOB MCCARTT, CHARLOTTE SIZEMORE, NANCY SELIGER AND A FEW OTHERS ON THAT FIRST SPOUSE LIST, AND TWO MRS STANLEY, WE SPEAK A BLESSING OVER YOU AS WE WELCOME YOU TO THAT LIST OF SERVICE.
JUST IN CLOSING, MY DAD USED TO HAVE A 1957 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE.
WAS IT A 57 OR 59, DADDY? 59. OKAY.
HE HAD A 59 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE THAT WAS RED.
THE SHIFTING COLUMN WAS REAL TIGHT AND MAN, THAT CAR WAS FAST.
[00:30:04]
NOT THAT NOT THAT I KNEW HOW FAST IT WAS, BUT WE HAD A LOT OF FUN DRIVING THAT CAR FOR THE MOMENTS THAT MY DAD LOANED IT TO US.AND THIS SEASON IN OUR CITY IS KIND OF LIKE DRIVING A 1959 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE FOR AMARILLO.
WE'RE GROWING AND WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE.
AND AFTER COVID, WE DIDN'T COME OUT SURVIVING.
WE HAVE MORE JOBS, AND WE HAVE MORE EDUCATION THAN WE'VE EVER HAD BEFORE.
THE EYES OF THE NATION ARE ON US, AND IT IS OUR REPUTATION THAT WE'RE BUILDING.
WE HAVE A VISION FOR AMARILLO AS A GLOBAL FOOD HUB.
AMARILLO OUR ENGINE IS RUNNING AND OUR TANK IS FULL.
WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE LIVING IN AMARILLO, TEXAS.
FOR A MOMENT, OUR HEAVENLY DAD IS LOANING US HIS SUPER CAR.
I HAVE A LOT OF HOPE AND EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE JOURNEY THAT'S IN FRONT OF US AS A CITY, BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T LIKE DRIVING FAST CARS? OF COURSE, ALWAYS. WE'RE DRIVING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE WE GO AS A CITY, WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH IN OUR FUTURE TOGETHER.
LET'S DO IT WITH KINDNESS AND LET'S DO IT WITH TREATING OTHERS THE WAY WE WANT TO BE TREATED.
I'D LIKE FOR MY FINAL WORDS SPOKEN FROM THE MAYOR'S CHAIR.
TO BE GOD'S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO US.
AND THEY CERTAINLY REFLECT MY HEART AND MY PRAYER FOR EACH ONE OF US WHO HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF NOT JUST SERVING IN OUR CITY, BUT LIVING IN OUR CITY.
MAY WE SHOW FAMILY AFFECTION TO ONE ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY LOVE? AND MAY WE OUTDO ONE ANOTHER IN SHOWING HONOR? THANK YOU.
NOW THAT THE MASCARA IS RUNNING EVERYWHERE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE PICTURES.
SO IF THOSE IF HOWARD, IF YOU DON'T MIND JOINING US DOWN HERE, BUT I'D ASK THE THREE OUTGOING MEMBERS JUST TO STEP DOWN AND WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY.
[00:37:37]
SO I THINK AT THIS TIME, IF THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL JOIN AT THE FRONT AND I KNOW I SAW THE[5.C. OATH OF OFFICE]
JUDGE, JUDGE HAMILTON AND JUDGE DENNY BOTH ARE HERE.SO, JUDGE HAMILTON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE, MA'AM? THANK YOU. FOR THOSE THAT WE ARE SWEARING IN TODAY, YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING YOUR SPOUSE OR YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR FAMILY UP HERE TO STAND WITH YOU WHILE YOU GIVE YOUR OATH.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.
AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS.
THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
DO YOU WANT TO GIVE. WHY DON'T YOU SIGN THIS FIRST? SO IT'S OFFICIAL. OFFICIAL AND THEN.
YES, SIR. SO, SO MUCH ARE WE GIVING REMARKS RIGHT NOW? I SAID, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.
AFTER YOU ALL ARE ALL SWORN IN, YOU CAN SIT AT THE DAIS AND GIVE YOUR.
SO, JUDGE DENNY, I THINK YOU'RE NEXT.
AND MR. SHERLOCK. STAY RIGHT THERE.
[00:40:11]
REPEAT AFTER ME.I, TOM SCHERLEN, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CITY OF AMARILLO OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CITY OF AMARILLO STATE OF TEXAS STATE OF TEXAS.
AND WILL THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS.
SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.
IT'S YOUR TURN. ARE YOU? YOU'RE RIGHT. YOU'RE RIGHT. ONE OF THEM WILL HOLD IT AND YOU PUT YOUR HOLD ON.
I, COLE STANLEY, I COLE STANLEY, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.
THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AMARILLO.
AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
PRESERVE, PRESERVE, PROTECT, PROTECT AND DEFEND AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.
[00:45:19]
THANK YOU. THANK YOU.THANK YOU, AMARILLO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOR THE ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY.
UM, CAN WE DO ONE THING BEFORE WE DO INCOMING REMARKS BY PLACE TWO AND THREE.
[5.D. REMARKS BY INCOMING ELECTED OFFICIALS]
ABSOLUTELY. MR. SCHANKE SPEAKING TO MY MY MIC HERE FOR YOU.SO I'M GOING TO READ THIS ONE OF ONE.
THANK YOU TO FOR ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE COME OUT, ALL OF YOU THAT SUPPORTED THE CAMPAIGN AND WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR ME OR YOU DIDN'T, WE JUST WE APPRECIATE THE COMMUNITY BEING INVOLVED.
SO TODAY I STAND BEFORE YOU WITH INTENSE GRATITUDE AND A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AS YOUR NEWLY SWORN IN CITY COUNCILMAN IT'S A GREAT HONOR TO SERVE THIS INCREDIBLE CITY THAT WE CALL HOME.
TODAY MARKS A NEW BEGINNING OR A BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY.
AND TOGETHER WE WILL EMBRACE THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD.
EACH OF THESE CHALLENGES PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BUILD A BETTER AMARILLO TOGETHER.
MY VISION FOR OUR CITY IS ONE OF UNITY, COLLABORATION, AND PROGRESS.
I BELIEVE BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ACHIEVE REMARKABLE THINGS.
I WILL ACTIVELY SEEK INPUT FROM ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY BUSINESS LEADERS, PASTORS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, RESIDENTS AND ANYONE ELSE WILLING TO PUT FORTH THEIR OPINION TO ENSURE OUR DECISIONS ARE INFORMED BY THE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.
ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES IS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AMARILLO.
I WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS AND DEVELOPERS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES GROWTH AND JOB CREATION BY ATTRACTING NEW INDUSTRIES, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES, AND INVESTING IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE CAN BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR OUR CITY'S FUTURE AND PROSPERITY.
WE NEED TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION.
AS YOUR COUNCILMAN. I WILL ALSO COMMIT TO PRIORITIZING, PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY.
OUR CITIZENS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC SPACES.
I WILL COLLABORATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS CRIME AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY POLICING. I JUST ASKED.
LET US WORK HAND IN HAND TO CREATE A CITY THAT WE ARE ALL PROUD TO CALL HOME.
YOU YOUR SHOULDERS ARE BROAD AND YOU ARE STRONG AND WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS WITH YOU HERE IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO AND I AM EXCITED FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND AND THE STRONG LEADER THAT YOU ARE.
[00:50:04]
I KNOW YOU DID GET MORE VOTES THAN I DID, BUT I'M I'M SLOWLY GETTING OVER IT AT THIS TIME.WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF COUNCILMAN SCHERLEN WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REMARK.
DEFINITELY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I WANTED TO TALK FROM MY HEART TO YOU, THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M HERE TO SERVE YOU.
TO REPRESENT YOU EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
I'M ALWAYS OPEN MY PHONE, I WILL ANSWER MY EMAILS, I WILL RETURN.
I WILL SPEAK TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
I KNOW I MAY NOT BE THE BRIGHTEST BULB IN THE PACK, BUT WITH ALL OF Y'ALL, I'LL BE ONE.
I FELT THE CHALLENGES DELIVERED TODAY BY THE OUTGOING COUNCIL.
THEY CHALLENGED US TO AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW UPON WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.
AND I TAKE THAT CHALLENGE SERIOUSLY.
BECAUSE AS A COUNCILMAN, WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING.
WE WANT A GREAT COMMUNITY, WE WANT A GREAT AMARILLO BECAUSE WE HAVE GREAT CITIZENS.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU ALL THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
I ASK ONE IMPORTANT THING YOU PRAY FOR ME EVERY DAY.
PRAY FOR WISDOM BECAUSE I KNOW ALL OF US HERE ARE GOING TO NEED IT.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME GOOD DECISIONS.
WE'LL MAKE SOME BAD DECISIONS.
BUT I'M SURE I WILL LIVE WITH ANY DECISION I MAKE.
AND THANK YOU FOR ENTRUSTING YOUR VOTE TO ME TO REPRESENT YOU.
YOU HAVE SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE WISDOM AND THE SEASONED VETERAN THAT YOU ARE ALL OF THE YEARS OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE THAT YOU BRING AND THE MINDSET THAT YOU BRING AND WHAT WHAT AN ASSET YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE CITY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, SIR.
COUNCILMAN SMITH I KNOW WE GET TO WORK TOGETHER FOR SIX MORE WEEKS.
THAT'S 3 OR 4 MORE MEETINGS DEPENDING ON HOW THAT FALLS, I GUESS.
AND I AM EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU AND THEN HEAR YOUR YOUR REMARKS AT THAT TIME.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY HERE THIS THIS AFTERNOON? THANK YOU, SIR.
AND I KNOW FROM THE PUBLIC AND THE OPTICS THAT IT LOOKS DIFFERENT OUT THERE.
BUT I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR HOW THE LORD HAS USED YOU IN MY LIFE FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH I HAVE LEARNED, FOR THE THINGS IN WHICH WE'VE STRUGGLED THROUGH THAT MADE ME STRONGER. I RESPECT YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT FOR OUR PREVIOUS MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS TRULY FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE SACRIFICED.
MATTHEW 633 SEEMS FITTING, BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. IF WE STOP.
IF WE STOP AND WE LOOK INTO OURSELVES AND I LOOK AT MY 25 YEARS OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, LIMITED CAPACITY TO REMEMBER THINGS, OVERWHELMING URGE TO NEED TO BE 50 DIFFERENT PLACES AT ONCE.
YOU KNOW I CAN'T SERVE YOU AND I CAN'T HELP YOU.
BUT IF WE LOOK OUTSIDE OF OURSELVES, IF WE LOOK TO THE KING OF KINGS AND IF WE LOOK TO THE CROSS AND IF WE LOOK TO OUR FATHER GOD WHO'S NEVER DISAPPOINTED US, THERE'S NOT ONE DAY HE'S BEEN LATE IN MY LIFE, I CAN SEEK HIM FIRST AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT TO BE A GOOD LEADER, YOU MUST FIRST BE A GOOD FOLLOWER.
AND I DEDICATE THE NEXT TWO YEARS OF MY TIME IN THIS CHAIR TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST, TO LOOK TO HIM FOR THE WISDOM THAT I NEED, THE ANSWERS THAT I NEED, THE HUMILITY THAT IT WILL TAKE AND THE ENDURANCE TO, TO PULL THIS CART FORWARD.
[00:55:04]
I BELIEVE IT WILL BE A GOOD TWO YEARS.I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT AMARILLO HAS TO OFFER.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE WORK.
THAT'S AHEAD. AND WE HAVE SOME LARGE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE SOME BIG ISSUES.
WE'RE A BIG TOWN AND WE'RE GROWING REALLY FAST.
AND WITH GROWTH COMES GROWTH PAINS.
AND I PRAY AND I ASK THAT YOU GUYS WOULD BE PATIENT IN LETTING US LEARN ALONGSIDE OF YOU.
LET US BE HUMBLE AS WE COME OUT HERE AND WE TRY TO DO BUSINESS IN FRONT OF YOU AND LET US BE REAL WITH EACH OTHER AND BE CAUTIOUS WITH OUR WORDS AND THE WAY IN WHICH WE USE THEM TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER.
AND LET US DO THIS IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT AND IN THE RIGHT WAY AND LET US HAVE FUN WITH IT.
AND SO TO THAT, I SAY THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO.
[6. Benediction Trent Sisemore]
YOU PLEASE, COME FORWARD.THANK. THANK YOU FOR THAT, GRACE.
MY GOODNESS. I DO WANT TO SAY JUST A WORD.
I WAS JUST GOING TO PRAY AND GO.
BUT TO OUR OUTGOING COUNCIL, I JUST WANT TO SAY FREDA, THANK YOU, GINGER.
THANK YOU. AND HOWARD, I KNOW YOU'LL BE HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER.
I TELL YOU, THERE WAS I WAS EXCITED THE DAY I WAS ELECTED AND I WAS EXCITED THE DAY THAT I FINISHED.
IT WAS NO, IT WAS GOOD ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
I KNOW YOU ARE. AND DON, COUNCILMAN SCHERLEN AND YOU'RE GOING TO THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES AND ONE OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES THAT YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE. IT'S A BLESSING IN THE TIME WILL GO BY SO QUICK, YOU'LL BE SO SURPRISED.
AND SO WITH THAT, LET'S GO TO THE LORD WHO WE SERVE.
FATHER, YOU ARE SOVEREIGN OVER ALL.
WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF CONSTANT CHANGE.
FATHER, I JUST THANK YOU TODAY.
FOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN THAT HAVE SERVED OUR COMMUNITY THESE LAST SIX YEARS.
FATHER, THEY'VE GIVEN THEIR TIME AND THEIR EFFORT, AND I PRAY THAT YOU'LL GIVE IT BACK.
THANK YOU FOR THEIR SERVICE AND TO OUR INCOMING COUNCIL.
AND I JUST PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THEM.
GOD, I PRAY THAT YOU'LL GIVE THEM SUPERNATURAL WISDOM IN THE HARD DECISIONS.
RICH AND POOR. BROWN AND WHITE.
THOSE WITH A VOICE AND THOSE WITHOUT A VOICE.
THAT THEY ARE YOUR STEWARDS AND YOUR SERVANTS.
AND LET THEM ENJOY THAT TIME OF SERVANTHOOD.
SEND THESE THE HOPELESS, THE HELPLESS TOSSED TO THEE.
I LIFT MY LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN SHORE.
I KNOW HOW MUCH THEY LOVE YOU.
AND I JUST THANK YOU THAT JESUS, TODAY YOU'RE EXALTED IN THIS ROOM.
[01:00:05]
AND WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME.THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THE KING OF KINGS, THE LORD OF LORDS, THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA.
SO I'M JUST GOING TO GET A BLESSING OVER Y'ALL.
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU.
MAY THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU.
MAY THE LORD BE GRACIOUS TO YOU.
AND MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU AND ALL OF YOU HIS SHALOM, HIS PEACE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR SIZEMORE.
THANK YOU, SIR. I DO WANT TO SAY IS THAT ROOM 306? YES, SIR.
WE HAVE A RECEPTION IN ROOM 306.
EVERYONE'S WELCOME TO GO DOWN THERE, SHAKE HANDS, TAKE PHOTOS, ENJOY A REFRESHMENT AND HANG OUT.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS.
THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.