May 13, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

[1. Call to Order]

[00:00:05]

I AM GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OFFICIALLY CALL OURSELVES TO ORDER HERE TODAY.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT THERE. MAY 13TH, 2:00.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL CALLED SESSION HERE TO CANVAS THE RESULTS.

NOW THAT WE'RE CALLED TO ORDER I'M JUST GOING TO KIND OF TELL YOU WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE IT.

WE HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT WE CAN CANVAS AND VOTE FOR.

THEN WE'LL ALLOW FOR COUNCILMAN CRAFT TO GIVE SOME EXITING REMARKS.

AND THEN WE WILL COME DOWN AND WE'LL DO THE ACTUAL SWEARING IN PROCESS.

AFTER THAT, WE'LL ALL STEP OFF TO THE SIDE OVER HERE AND JUST TAKE A FEW PHOTOS.

AND THEN OUR REGULAR MEETING STARTS AT 3:00 THIS AFTERNOON.

SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TURN THE MEETING OVER TO OUR CITY SECRETARY AND ASK HER TO COME UP AND GIVE THE PRESENTATION.

OH, SORRY. THANK YOU. MAYOR. DO YOU WANT TO CHECK AND SEE IF YOU HAVE ANYONE THAT WISHES TO GIVE COMMENT? OH, I APOLOGIZE, THANK YOU. YES. SO PUBLIC COMMENT.

DO WE HAVE ANYONE HERE TODAY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? ALRIGHT. SEEING NO ONE, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PRESENTATION.

[3.A. CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO. 05-13-25-1 This item considers a resolution canvassing the returns and declaring the results for the regular election held in the City of Amarillo on the 3rd day of May 2025 for city offices; ordering the runoff election of the City of Amarillo to be conducted on the 7th day of June 2025 in the City of Amarillo, Texas; designating polling places; and providing for the conduct of such election.]

OKAY. THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT. MAYOR AND COUNCIL, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO CANVASS YOUR ELECTION FOR MAY 3RD.

WE HAD A TOTAL OF 16,834 BALLOTS CAST IN THIS ELECTION FOR THE PLACE OF MAYOR.

WE HAD COLE STANLEY RECEIVING A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES FOR PLACE ONE.

WE HAD TIM REID RECEIVING A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES.

FOR PLACE TWO DON TIPPS RECEIVED A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES.

FOR PLACE THREE. WE DID NOT HAVE A MAJORITY. TOM SCHERLEN AND DAVID PRESCOTT RECEIVED THE MOST VOTES OUT OF THE CANDIDATES.

AND SO WE WILL ALSO CALL A RUNOFF FOR JUNE 7TH AND PLACE FOUR, LES SIMPSON RECEIVED A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES.

THE RUNOFF ELECTION. THE DATE IS SET BY STATE LAW FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH.

WE WILL HAVE EARLY VOTING WITH BOTH POTTER AND RANDALL COUNTY FOR MAY 27TH THROUGH THE 30TH AND JUNE 2ND THROUGH JUNE 3RD.

AND YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION DRAFT IN FRONT OF YOU.

THAT INCLUDES THIS INFORMATION. IT ALSO INCLUDES THE POLLING PLACES FOR BOTH EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY, WHICH WE'LL PUT ON OUR WEBSITE IN THE COUNTY WE'LL PUT ON THEIRS.

AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION AND CANVASING, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE AT THIS TIME.

ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS COUNCIL? OKAY. I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION, PLEASE.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION. WE ACCEPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 05-13 - 25-1.

SECOND. EVEN ON HIS LAST DAY, DIDN'T EVEN LET HIM CALL THE MOTION.

HE'S MAD AT ME. SO I HAVE A MOTION FROM PLACE THREE, A SECOND FROM PLACE ONE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES WITH A5-0 VOTE.

THANK YOU, MR. SECRETARY. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED FROM US? OKAY. YOU KNOW, I WOULD. I WOULD TELL YOU THAT WITH, LIKE, MY SINCEREST APPRECIATION

[3.B. REMARKS BY OUTGOING ELECTED OFFICIALS Remarks will be shared by the outgoing Mayor and Councilmembers.]

SOMEBODY THAT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH I WAS GOING TO APPRECIATE HAVING HIM IN MY LIFE.

GETTING TO KNOW HIM AS A MAN AND AS A PERSON.

GETTING TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF HIM IN SOME OF THE TOUGHEST ARGUMENTS, SLASH CONVERSATIONS THAT I THINK YOU CAN HAVE.

YOU KNOW IN THIS CAPACITY. SO COUNCILMAN. YOU WILL BE SEVERELY MISSED.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT TIM REID, BUT IF WE COULD KEEP YOU WE DEFINITELY WOULD.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAND THE MICROPHONE OVER TO YOU AND JUST TELL YOU THANK YOU FOR THE TWO YEARS OF SERVICE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT, MAYOR. I'M EXCITED FOR TIM. I THINK HE'S GOING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

SO I JUST WANT TO LEAVE A FEW WORDS. YOU KNOW, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK GOD FOR BLESSING ME WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS REMARKABLE CITY. IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF MY LIFE.

[00:05:02]

WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE, I MADE A COMMITMENT TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY, TO LISTEN BEFORE SPEAKING, AND TO PUT AMARILLO FAMILIES FIRST IN EVERY DECISION THAT I MADE.

LOOKING BACK, I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER AS A COUNCIL. WE'VE MADE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS NOT JUST IN POLICY, BUT IN THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE'VE INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S BEEN LONG OVERDUE.

WE'VE STRENGTHENED PUBLIC SAFETY BY EXPANDING RESOURCES FOR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENHANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MODERNIZED EQUIPMENT TO ENSURE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS COULD CONTINUE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY.

AND I WAS ESPECIALLY PROUD TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT IMPROVED COORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS, BRINGING FASTER, SMARTER RESPONSES. WHILE THESE PROJECTS ARE VISIBLE SIGNS OF PROGRESS, WHAT IS MEANT MOST TO ME ARE THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH CITIZENS AT TOWN HALLS AND COFFEE SHOPS, AND AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS. I'VE LISTENED TO YOUR CONCERNS, YOUR HOPES, YOUR FRUSTRATIONS, AND YOUR DREAMS. THOSE VOICES SHAPED MY PRIORITIES AND GROUNDED EVERY VOTE THAT HAD CAST.

WE ALSO MADE GREAT STRIDES IN TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

WE OPENED MORE PATHWAYS FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK, IMPROVED OUR DIGITAL SERVICES, AND MADE CITY HALL MORE ACCESSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE.

WE MAY NOT HAVE GOTTEN EVERYTHING PERFECT, BUT WE TRIED EVERY DAY TO SERVE WITH HONESTY, CLARITY, AND HEART. TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COLLABORATION, YOUR DEBATE, YOUR DEDICATION. CITY GOVERNMENT IS NOT GLAMOROUS WORK.

IT'S OFTEN COMPLEX, THANKLESS AND SLOW, BUT IT IS VITAL.

AND IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. TO OUR INCREDIBLE CITY STAFF, YOUR BEHIND THE SCENES. WORK IS WHAT KEEPS AMARILLO RUNNING. YOU'RE THE QUIET ENGINE OF THE CITY'S PROGRESS, AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM, YOUR DEDICATION, BECAUSE IT NEVER WENT UNNOTICED.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

AND OF COURSE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN. THEY STOOD BESIDE ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, THROUGH LONG NIGHTS OF DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND THE PRESSURE THAT COMES WITH PUBLIC LIFE.

THEY'VE BEEN MY COMPASS AND THE ONES WHO REMINDED ME ALWAYS OF WHAT TRULY MATTERS.

THEY'VE BEEN THEIR GREAT STRENGTH AND SACRIFICE HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY, AND I'LL NEVER STOP BEING GRATEFUL. AS I STEP AWAY FROM THIS ROLE, I DO SO WITH CONFIDENCE IN AMARILLO'S FUTURE.

THE CITY IS STRONG, RESILIENT, AND FULL OF PROMISE.

WE'VE PLANTED SEEDS TOGETHER, AND THOUGH I WON'T BE AT THE DAIS AS THEY GROW, I KNOW IT'S ON A CONTINUED STRONG PATH FOR YEARS TO COME UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF TIM REID AS WELL. THANK YOU, AMARILLO, FOR YOUR TRUST, YOUR KINDNESS, AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SERVE YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR. ANY REMARKS FROM YOUR COLLEAGUES? THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR ADVICE, YOUR INPUT.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF HARD DISCUSSIONS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS ALL GOOD.

THANK YOU. I WOULD ECHO THAT IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH YOU AND WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN THE FUTURE.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CITY AND TO THIS COUNCIL.

APPRECIATE IT JOSH. YEAH, I'D SAY THE SAME. I THINK WHEN MAYOR AND I MET WITH YOU AT THAT LITTLE SHOP ON 66, I WAS THINKING, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS KID HAS WHAT IT TAKES.

I THINK I TOLD MAYOR THAT WE GOT OUT, WE TALKED, AND I'M TELLING YOU, YOU SURPRISED ME.

LIKE THE LEADERSHIP, YOU KNOW, MAN OF PRINCIPLE THAT YOU'VE STATED YOU A FEW TIMES YOU'VE STAYED STRONG, YOU'VE DONE A GOOD JOB. IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO SERVE WITH YOU.

YEAH. SO JUST TO WRAP UP, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN, IF IT WAS YOUR QUIET ONE LINE ANSWERS YOUR SIMPLE, DIRECT QUESTIONS, YOU'RE YES BEING YES, OR THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD JUST SET YOUR FACE LIKE FLINT IN THE DIRECTION ONCE YOU HAD DECIDED THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. WE FOUND A BROTHER AND A FRIEND ON THIS, AND WE'RE HONORED TO STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH YOU.

I THINK I AM MOST EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS FOR YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

LIKE A MAN OF YOUR INTEGRITY, TALENTS AND ABILITIES AND THE WILLINGNESS TO SERVE GOD.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT HE CHOOSES TO PUT YOUR HAND TO NEXT.

THANK YOU. BROTHER. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE OUR OATH OF OFFICE NOW.

[3.C. OATH OF OFFICE This item is to conduct the Oath of Office for the Mayor and Councilmembers elected on May 3, 2025.]

[00:10:49]

SOMETHING TO SET ON THE SHELF IN THE NEW OFFICE.

SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, BROTHER. WE LOVE YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU. AND THIS IS CRAFTY WAY, I BELIEVE.

YEAH. HOLD THAT UP.

YEAH. CRAFTY WAY COMES WITH SPEED BUMPS, SPEED CUSHIONS AND A 15 MILE AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT.

CARE OF NAVY. YEAH. HEY, THANK YOU AGAIN. WE REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. JUDGE. IF WE COULD HAVE YOU COME UP AND YOU TELL US HOW YOU WANT TO DIRECT THIS, IF YOU WOULD.

YOU'RE GOING TO REPEAT AFTER ME. I COLE STANLEY DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

I COLE STANLEY DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, STATE OF TEXAS, STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF THE UNITED STATES, AND OF THIS STATE AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. [APPLAUSE] I TIM REID, I TIM REID DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.

[00:15:04]

MEMBER PLACE ONE. CITY OF AMARILLO. STATE OF TEXAS.

CITY OF AMARILLO. STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD.

SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] I DON TIPPS. I DON TIPPS DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PLACE TWO.

OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL. MEMBER PLACE TWO.

CITY OF AMARILLO. STATE OF TEXAS. CITY OF AMARILLO.

STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THIS STATE AND THE LAWS.

I'M SORRY I GAVE YOU A LOT. SO HELP ME GOD. SO HELP ME GOD.

OKAY, PERFECT. GOT TO DO IT ALL. [APPLAUSE] I LES SIMPSON I LES SIMPSON DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES, THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER. PLACE FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBER PLACE FOR CITY OF AMARILLO. STATE OF TEXAS.

CITY OF AMARILLO. STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL, TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND, PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS, THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE. SO HELP ME GOD. OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IF YOU DON'T MIND TO GIVE THE HONORABLE MISS LAURA HAMILTON ONE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL THAT SHE DOES FOR YOUR CITY PLEASE.

[APPLAUSE] THIS IS OUR MUNICIPAL OR OUR MUNICIPAL JUDGE.

AND SHE TAKES CARE OF SO MANY THINGS ON THE DAY TO DAY OVER THERE.

AND SO SHE RUNS A GREAT TEAM. WE'RE HONORED TO HAVE HER.

AND IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND DOING THAT. THANK YOU.

YOU GUYS, IF YEAH. ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR COUNSEL AND THE JUDGE.

[00:20:01]

OKAY. MISS CITY SECRETARY, EVERYTHING GOOD ON YOUR END? I DIDN'T SKIP A STEP, DID I? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

[3.D. REMARKS BY INCOMING ELECTED OFFICIALS Remarks will be shared by the new Mayor and Councilmembers]

SEEMS VERY FITTING. IF COUNCILMAN REID WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST.

WE WOULD LOVE TO JUST HAVE YOU GIVE A FEW OPENING REMARKS, IF YOU WOULD.

AND TAKE IT FROM THERE. I PROBABLY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THANK FOR THIS.

YEAH. PUSH THAT. THERE WE GO. I GOT TO LEARN EVERYTHING FIRST.

I DO WANT TO THANK GOD FOR PUTTING ME IN THIS POSITION, BUT ALSO FOR THE SUPPORT THAT I GOT FOR MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY.

IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT CAMPAIGN. AND YOU. I THINK YOU GUYS FOUND OUT THAT I'M A LITTLE DIFFERENT PERSON.

I'D LIKE TO DO THINGS MY WAY. AND WE DID THAT, AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL.

AND I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN UP HERE. AND I HOPE THAT THE SERVICE TO OUR CITY AND TO OUR CITIZENS IS WHAT THEY EXPECT. AND I JUST PRAY THAT I SERVE THEM WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. WELL, I, TOO AM GRATEFUL.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT FROM OUR CITY AND OUR CITIZENS.

GRATEFUL TO THE LORD WHO PUT ME HERE. THAT I MIGHT SIMPLY.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ASK WHY I'M SERVING. IT WAS SIMPLY A CALL, AND AN ANSWER IS ALL IT WAS.

BUT IT'S THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT. IT'S BEEN GREAT MEETING WITH YOU, TALKING WITH YOU CONTINUING THAT JOURNEY.

SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY WIFE, WHO ABSOLUTELY ABHORS PUBLIC BEING IN THE PUBLIC.

SO FOR HER TO GET UP HERE AND STAND AND EVEN HOLD THE BIBLE IS A BIG DEAL. BUT SHE'S TAKEN A LOT OF FLACK TOO AND AGAIN TO EVERYBODY UP HERE, YOU KNOW, OUR FAMILIES THAT BEING, YOU KNOW, SERVING IN PUBLIC IS A BIG DEAL.

YOU TAKE A LOT OF FLACK AND I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THEM FOR STEPPING UP AND WILLING TO DO THAT AND GO ON THIS JOURNEY WITH ME AS WELL.

MY GOAL OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS TO CONTINUE TO HELP PASS POLICY, LEAD THIS CITY, LISTEN TO THE CITIZENS, LISTEN. WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU GUYS? WE'RE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES. I KNOW WE KEEP SAYING THAT, BUT IT'S AMAZING TO ME HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE ISSUES. I'M LIKE, WELL, JUST COME TO US. WE ARE YOUR VOICE.

TO THE CITY. WE'RE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, AND I JUST MAKE THAT COMMITMENT TO YOU AGAIN, THAT THAT'S WHO I AM.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR UNITY IN OUR CITY, YOU KNOW, GET SOME PARTIES TOGETHER AND WORK TOWARDS WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU, SIR. [APPLAUSE] WELL, I'M HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE AGAIN ON THIS COUNCIL FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

AND IT IS HUMBLING WHEN YOU PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE TO THE COMMUNITY AND, AND PEOPLE SUPPORT YOU.

I THINK FOR ME, WHAT REALLY MEANS THE MOST IS I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE FAMILY HERE AND FRIENDS HERE.

AND WHEN YOU GET INTO THE TRENCHES OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND DOING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THERE'S NO WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT THROUGH A CAMPAIGN WITHOUT HAVING FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT'S BEEN GIVEN TO ME.

IT MEANS A LOT TO ME AND TO MY FAMILY THAT THE FRIENDSHIPS AND THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO WORK. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO, AND I KNOW THAT WE'LL GET A LOT ACCOMPLISHED IN THESE NEXT TWO YEARS. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. [APPLAUSE] SO COUNCIL MEMBER SCHERLEN WE WILL POSTPONE TILL JUNE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME REMARKS FROM YOU, SIR.

IT IS AN HONOR TO SIT NEXT TO YOU HERE. IT TRULY IS AN HONOR TO SIT NEXT TO ALL OF THESE GENTLEMEN.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO WORK WITH TIM REID, BUT I'VE SO ENJOYED SITTING ON THE STRONGEST COUNCIL THAT I COULD HAVE ASKED FOR.

WHEN I GOT ELECTED TWO YEARS AGO, I TOLD YOU I'D BE.

I WOULD OUTWORK EVERYBODY WHO CAME BEFORE ME.

AND THAT WAS MY GOAL. YOU CAN CRITICIZE THE PERFORMANCE, AND I THINK YOU SHOULD NOBODY IS PERFECT, AND THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE.

BUT THEN THE WORK ETHIC AND THE WILLINGNESS TO SHOW UP AND TO GRIND AND TO PUT IN THE LONG HOURS AND TO TRULY TRY TO HEAR THOSE PEOPLE THAT WE SAY WE

[00:25:07]

THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP BECAUSE OF THIS BODY, NOT BECAUSE OF ANY ONE LEADER.

IT'S US HOLDING EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE. COUNCILMAN REID, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND OUT REAL QUICK THAT ALL THE SIMPLE PROBLEMS GOT TAKEN CARE OF ON THE OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL, AND THAT ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAD EASY ANSWERS THAT EVERYBODY COULD AGREE UPON GOT TAKEN CARE OF DOWN ON THE FIRST FLOOR OR THE SECOND FLOOR. AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT UP HERE TO YOU, IT WAS COMPLEX.

AND AT TIMES IT'S COMPLICATED. AND SOMETIMES CONVOLUTED.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP RIGHTLY DECIPHER TRUTH AND TO SET THINGS IN THE LIGHT AND TO PROPOSE THINGS TO THE PUBLIC AND TO TRY TO LISTEN FOR WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR YOUR OVERALL COMMUNITY ACCORDING TO YOUR PRINCIPLES AND YOUR VALUES.

AND NO MATTER HOW HARD ANYBODY WITH AN AGENDA TRIES TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THOSE PRINCIPLES THAT GOT YOU HERE, AND FROM THOSE VALUES THAT YOU'RE LEANING ON, YOU'LL STAY TRUE TO THOSE.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT IS INTEGRITY. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT, ABOUT HAVING YOU FILL SOME VERY LARGE SHOES FOR COUNCILMAN.

CRAFT. SO I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS AGAIN FOR TWO MORE YEARS.

I AM UP FOR THE TASK. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE.

I WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT IT'LL BE EASY BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND MY ROLE.

MY ROLE IS TO TURN THE LIGHTS ON. MY ROLE IS TO DO BUSINESS IN PUBLIC.

MY ROLE IS TO PUT EVERYTHING OUT INTO DISCUSSION, NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OR WHAT OTHERS MAY WANT TO MAKE IT APPEAR TO BE.

SO MY ROLE IS NOT TO THINK THAT WE KNOW BETTER THAN YOU.

MY ROLE IS TO CONTINUE TO SET AN EXAMPLE OF SERVICE OVER SELF, THOSE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE OUR LOCAL HEROES, THAT PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE WHEN THEY RUN INTO A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A BURNING VEHICLE OR INTO A BUILDING, OR WHEN THEY APPROACH A DOOR AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.

WE DON'T TAKE WHAT THEY DO LIGHTLY. AND SO WE DON'T TAKE THIS OBLIGATION LIGHTLY FOR US TO SET THE EXAMPLE OF SERVICE OVER SELF.

AND AS LONG AS WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE YOU OVER US, YOUR NEEDS, OVER MY IMMEDIATE NEEDS, YOUR DESIRES AND YOUR THOUGHTS, WHAT YOU WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I CAN'T EXPERIENCE HAS TO CONTINUE TO COME BEFORE ANY PERSONAL AGENDA OR ANYTHING THAT WE CAN GET TO.

AND SO IF WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THAT, I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO WALK THIS OUT IN THE RIGHT MANNER.

YOU'LL SEE IT. AND ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO PUT YOUR TRUST IN US.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO PUT YOUR TRUST IN THOSE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE PROVIDING THOSE CORE SERVICES THAT ARE SHOWING UP AT 2 A.M.

AND GETTING THE WATER RUNNING AGAIN AFTER THEY FIX THE LEAK.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD.

WHOM WE HAVE ALL PRAYED TO AND SAID, WE WANT YOU TO LEAD OUR MEETING.

WE WANT YOUR WISDOM. WE WANT YOU TO TELL US THE NEXT LITTLE THING THAT YOU HAVE FOR US TO GO AND DO.

AND THROUGH THAT, WE WANT YOU TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE WE REALLY MEAN WHAT WE'RE SAYING HERE.

AND SO IT'S MY GREAT HOPE THAT WE CAN PUT POLITICS TO THE SIDE FOR AT LEAST A SECOND, AND THAT WE CAN PUT POLICY BACK ON THE TABLE, AND THAT WE CAN ALLOW PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK TO GET OUT THERE AND WORK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, HAND IN HAND, SIDE BY SIDE IN THE TRENCHES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE WORK GETS DONE.

SO ANYONE WHO HAS A CRITICISM AND A COMPLAINT, BUT AN INABILITY TO WORK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOU.

I CAN LISTEN TO YOU, BUT YOU PROVIDE NO SOLUTION.

BUT THAT PERSON WHO SAYS, NO, I HAVE A CRITICISM OF YOU.

I HAVE A COMPLAINT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT AND I'D LIKE TO SEE IT FIXED.

AND HERE'S MY IDEA, OR HERE'S WHAT I'D LOVE TO SEE.

OR LET'S SIT DOWN AND FIGURE THIS OUT TOGETHER.

I HAVE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOU, AND YOU HAVE MY TIME, AND YOU HAVE MY DEVOTION, AND YOU HAVE MY WILLINGNESS AND MY COMMITMENT TO WALK THAT OUT FOR TWO MORE YEARS. AND SO WITH THAT, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AND BE A PART OF THIS.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME LEAD. I AM AMARILLO'S LEAD VOLUNTEER AND WILL CONTINUE TO SIT ON A VERY STRONG TEAM FOR TWO MORE YEARS.

THANK YOU ALL. COUNCILMAN REID, CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN? I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADJOURN.

SORRY. I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE ADJOURN AT THIS TIME.

[00:30:01]

THANK YOU ALL.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.