Jan 13, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting

[1. Executive Session]

[00:00:05]

>> COUNSEL HAS COMPLETED EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE TIME IS 1:44.

>> WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING OUR PUBLIC MEETING HERE.

IT IS A BUSINESS MEETING THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONDUCT HERE TODAY.

WE'VE GOT SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WE WANT TO GET TO, SO WE WILL TRY TO BE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WITH YOUR TIME, AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION.

[2. Ceremonial Items ]

WE WILL COMMENCE WITH ITEM NUMBER 2, OUR CEREMONIAL ITEMS. WE'LL START BY HAVING AN INVOCATION FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGES.

IF EVERYONE WOULDN'T MIND, PLEASE STAND AS DAVID RICHIE IS LEADING OUR INVOCATION TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. LET'S BOW OUR HEARTS FORWARD TO PRAYER.

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING GOD.

WE GIVE THANKS TODAY FOR THE GIFT OF THIS CITY, FOR ITS PEOPLE, FOR ITS HISTORY, ITS WIDE HORIZONS, AND ITS SHARED HOPES.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN AMARILLO, TEXAS, AND FOR ALL WHO WORK EACH DAY TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY A PLACE WHERE LIFE CAN FLOURISH.

AS THIS NEW YEAR BEGINS, WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THESE LEADERS GATHERED HERE.

GRANT THEM WISDOM IN THEIR DECISIONS, INTEGRITY IN THEIR ACTIONS, AND COMPASSION AND THEIR CARE FOR ALL WHO CALL THIS CITY HOME.

MY THEY LISTEN WELL, THINK CLEARLY AND LEAD WITH HUMILITY AND COURAGE.

WE PRAY FOR A CITY MARKED BY PEACE AND COOPERATION, WHERE NEIGHBORS TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS, WHERE DIFFERENCES ARE HANDLED WITH PATIENCE AND WHERE THE COMMON GOOD IS ALWAYS HELD ABOVE PERSONAL GAIN.

WE ASK THAT AMARILLO BE A PLACE WHERE THE WEAK ARE LIFTED UP, WHERE THE STRUGGLING FIND SUPPORT, WHERE THE LEASE AMONG US ENCOUNTER DIGNITY AND A HELPING HAND, AND WHERE NO ONE HAS FORGOTTEN.

LORD DO WE BLESS THIS CITY WITH ECONOMIC VITALITY AND OPPORTUNITY, SO THAT FAMILIES MAY THRIVE HERE, BUSINESSES MAY GROW HERE, AND MEANINGFUL WORK MAY BE AVAILABLE TO ALL.

GUIDE OUR LEADERS IN THE WISE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.

WHAT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THEM IS USED CAREFULLY, FAIRLY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

LORD, I PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GRANT THESE LEADERS A BOLD AND HOPEFUL VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

A VISION THAT LOOKS BEYOND THE MOMENT AND SEEKS LONG TERM FLOURISHING FOR OUR SHARED LIFE TOGETHER.

MAY THIS NEXT YEAR BE ONE OF PROGRESS, COOPERATION, AND RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE WELL BEING OF ALL WHO LIVE IN AMARILLO, TEXAS.

WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

AMEN.

>> COUNSEL, WE HAVE ONE PROCLAMATION TO GET TO READ HERE FOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP.

IF YOU GUYS WILL JOIN ME DOWN THERE, WE'RE GOING TO HONOR THIS FINE GROUP OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN RIGHT HERE.

>> WHAT A GREAT GROUP. WHEREAS THE YOUNG MARINES IS A NATIONAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION EDUCATION AND SERVICE PROGRAM DEDICATED TO STRENGTHENING THE LIVES OF AMERICA'S YOUTH THROUGH LEADERSHIP, TRAINING, COMMUNITY SERVICE, CITIZEN DEVELOPMENT, AND DRUG DEMAND REDUCTION EDUCATION.

WHEREAS THE BAM CITY YOUNG MARINES OF AMARILLO, TEXAS DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO BUILDING STRONG CHARACTER, DISCIPLINE, RESPONSIBILITY, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AMONG THE YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE TEXAS PANHANDLE.

[00:05:04]

WHEREAS THE YOUNG MARINES PROGRAM IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN YOUTH LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP, AND STRENGTHENING AMERICAN FAMILIES.

WHEREAS YOUTH LEADERSHIP MONTH HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING CAPABLE, CONFIDENT, COMMUNITY MINDED YOUNG LEADERS WHO STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE FUTURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF AMARILLO, TEXAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2026 AS YOUTH LEADERSHIP MONTH IN AMARILLO AND RECOGNIZE THE BAM CITY YOUNG MARINES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE DEVELOPING YOUTH LEADERSHIP SERVICE AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY GIVEN UNDER OUR HANDS AND SEAL OF OFFICE THIS 13TH DAY OF JANUARY 2026. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

MY NAME IS YOUNG MARINE SERGEANT LAMBERT, AND I'M THE PLATOON SERGEANT FOR THIS UNIT, AND I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS PROCLAMATION OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP MONTH.

I HAVE BEEN IN THIS UNIT FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS NOW, AND I'VE MADE SOME GOOD FRIENDS AND GOOD MEMORIES HERE IN THIS UNIT, AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS PROCLAMATION.

WE HAVE REALLY WORKED HARD FOR IT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] SEE TOGETHER A BIT AND TAKE A PHOTO REAL T.

I GET EVERYBODY TO SO A LITTLE BIT FOR ACTION THAT.

ONE, TWO, THREE. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> DID WE HAVE ANY PARENTS AS ANY PHOTOS OR DID YOU GET? THANK YOU.

AS ALWAYS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS JOINING WITH US TO HONOR THESE YOUNG MARINES AND THE BOB CITY GROUP.

THEN ANYTIME WE CAN TAKE THE MICROPHONE AND SHARE IT FROM UP HERE AND CONTINUE TO BRING SOME ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO ALL THE GOOD SERVICE SELF THAT WE DO AS A PANHANDLE COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT SPEAKS. AT THIS TIME, WE'VE BEEN CALLED TO ORDER.

WE'RE MOVING INTO ANNOUNCEMENTS.

DO I HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE, MR. PATH?

>> NO, SIR.

>> PERFECT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

[4. Councilmember Remarks of Community Interest]

THE LINE OF SERVICE THAT I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO WALK OUT.

COUNCILMAN REED HAD SAID, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNE TIME TO ALLOW EACH COUNCIL MEMBER TO MAKE A FEW REMARKS IF THEY'D LIKE TO TO SPEAK REALLY ABOUT MAYBE WHAT THEIR INDEPENDENT ROLE LOOKS LIKE, AND THEIR VISION IS ON HOW THEY SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE COUNCILMAN REMARKS, AND I THINK WE'LL START WITH MR. REID DOWN HERE ON THE END.

>> WELL, THANKS, MAYOR.

I MAY HAVE MY OWN SELF TO BLAME FOR THIS SUGGESTION, BUT WE'LL FIND OUT.

I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING HERE.

[00:10:01]

I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COUNSEL AND STAFF HERE IN THE CITY SHOULD BE ONE OF NATURAL TENSION. THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.

AS WE EXAMINE THE CITY'S ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, WE BOTH WORK FOR YOU, OUR CITIZENS.

BUT WE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT ROLES IN WHAT WE DO.

THIS NATURAL TENSION DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE DON'T APPRECIATE THE WORK OF OUR CITY STAFF OR THAT WE DON'T TRUST THEM.

BUT IT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUALLY ASK A QUESTION, HOW DO WE KNOW? I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING AS WE GO INTO THIS NEW YEAR.

WE ARE REQUIRED TO ASK BECAUSE WE REPRESENT THOSE WHO ARE HERE IN ATTENDANCE, THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING TODAY, AND FOR THOSE WHO NEVER HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

AS WE BEGIN THE NEW YEAR, I THOUGHT IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZEN STAFF TO HEAR IN A PUBLIC FORUM, WHAT OUR INDIVIDUAL AREAS OF PRIORITY ARE FOR THE YEAR AS COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA FOR ME IS PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH INCLUDES POLICE, FIRE, ANIMAL AND MANAGEMENT, AND EVEN OUR HEALTH SERVICES.

WITHOUT A SAFE CITY, NOTHING ELSE WE TRY TO DO CAN BE EASILY ACCOMPLISHED.

THE OTHER AREA I WILL FOCUS ON IS OUR PARKS AND RECREATION.

OUR PARK SHOULD BE THE CROWNING JEWEL OF OUR CITY.

FOR TOO LONG, WE HAVEN'T MAINTAINED THESE AREAS TO THE STANDARDS THEY DESERVE.

WE NEED SAFE AND APPEALING SPACES FOR OUR FAMILIES TO PLAY, REST, AND EXERCISE.

WHEN PEOPLE CONSIDER A MOVE TO AMARILLO, THEIR VIEW OF OUR PUBLIC SPACES AND PARKS SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE PRIDE WE HAVE IN OUR CITY.

OUR PARKS SHOULD STAND OUT.

WE HAVE 52 PARKS THAT ENCOMPASS 2,400 ACRES AND ALL REQUIRE UPKEEP AND ARE IN NEED OF REPAIRS, RANGING FROM VERY MINOR REPAIRS TO MAJOR.

I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WILL RESPOND POSITIVELY IF A VISIBLE PROGRESS IS MADE AS OUTLINED IN OUR PARKS MASTER PLAN, WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN 2021.

THIS IS ABOUT PRIORITIES FOR OUR CITY.

AS COUNCIL AND STAFF, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE IN ORDER AND ALIGN WITH OUR CITIZENS AND WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM THEIR CITY GOVERNMENT.

I ANTICIPATE A ROBUST CIVIL DEBATE TO HELP GUIDE US IN OUR DECISION MAKING.

REMEMBER, AS CITIZENS, EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY, AND WE SHOULD TAKE PRIDE IN OUR CITY.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT THE CITY CAN DO, BUT ALSO WHAT WE INDIVIDUALLY CAN DO TO MAKE OUR CITY BETTER. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

>> YOU CAN DEFINITELY APPLAUD FOR THAT.

THANK YOU, COUNSEL MAN REID. WE APPRECIATE THOSE REMARKS.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SO MOVED. COUNCILMAN TIPS.

>> WELL, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS.

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THIS GUY'S IDEA.

MINE WILL NOT NEARLY BE AS PROFESSIONAL AS THAT OR MAYBE NOT AS WELL SPOKEN.

TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT TIM SAID, I MEAN, I THINK OUR ROLE HERE IS TO BE A PARTNER WITH YOU GUYS AS OUR CITIZENS.

IN FACT, I HAD A DISCUSSION YESTERDAY AND THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CITY, AND I SAID, WHY HAVEN'T YOU COME TO ME? I LIKE, WELL, WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT'S WHAT YOU DID. WE DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO BOTHER YOU.

I'M LIKE, WELL, THAT'S WHAT I AM AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF YOURS TO THE CITY.

I WOULD JUST REITERATE THAT AGAIN. I MEAN, THAT'S OUR JOB.

EVERY ONE OF US UP HERE, IF THERE'S AN ISSUE, IF THERE'S ANY A CONCERN AS A TAXPAYER, WE'RE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

ALSO WITH STAFF, TO CONTINUE TO BUILD GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH STAFF TO WALK ALONGSIDE AND HELP AND THESE GUYS PROVIDE GREAT RESOURCE TO US.

ALL OF US UP HERE HAVE OUR OWN PROFESSIONS.

WE DO OUR OWN THING, BUT WE'VE COMMITTED TO BE HERE FOR THE CITIZENS, BUT IT'S THE STAFF THAT WE REALLY THAT DOES A LOT OF THE WORK, A LOT OF THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR US TO COME TO AS A RESOURCE.

TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR STAFF.

ALSO, PUBLIC SAFETY, I MEAN, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST GOING ON THREE YEARS.

I THINK THAT GOES UNSAID.

I MEAN, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

AGAIN, LIKE TIM SAID, IF WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE CITY, WE JUST DON'T HAVE A CITY AT ALL.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE GET PEOPLE TO, FEEL SAFE, UNDERSTAND IT AND PROVIDE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR THESE GUYS TO PERFORM THEIR JOBS.

A FOCUS THAT I'M REALLY INVOLVED IN IS TOURISM, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO AMARILLO.

AND THE MAIN REASON FOR THAT IS IT RELIEVES THE TAX BURDEN OFF OF

[00:15:04]

THAT ALSO AFFECTS THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> THAT IS MONEY TO PAY WAGES.

IT'S MONEY TO DO ROAD WORK.

FOR ME, WHAT I'M REALLY TRYING TO FOCUS ON IS TO PREEMPTIVELY THINK, WHERE CAN WE GET THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE A CITY, TO EVEN GROW IT, AND THAT'S TOURISM.

OUR SALES TAX DOLLARS, OUR HOT TAX, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

IT'S EVEN BETTER BECAUSE THE BURDEN IS OFF OUR CITIZENS, AND IT'S OFF THOSE THAT COME TO AMARILLO.

I THINK WE'VE MADE GREAT HEADWAY.

BUT THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT WE DO BEHIND THE SCENES.

WHAT YOU SEE UP HERE IS JUST A SMALL PORTION.

WE'RE ALWAYS WORKING WITH STAFF, TALKING WITH CITIZENS, HAVING MEETINGS TO DO THESE THINGS, AND I GUESS MY COMMITMENT IS I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES, PLEASE REACH OUT.

BUT THAT'S MY COMMITMENT TO YOU GUYS FOR THIS COMING YEAR.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN. WE APPRECIATE YOU.

COUNCILMAN, YOU HAVE ANY REMARKS?

>> THANK YOU. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING.

MY HOUSE WAS HEATED.

I GOT IN THE SHOWER. THE WATER WORKED.

WENT TO THE RESTROOM. THE TOILET FLUSHED.

I LEFT MY HOUSE. MY HOUSE HADN'T BURNED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

IT WAS SAFE BECAUSE OF CODE.

THE POLICE KEPT ME SAFE.

I DROVE TO WORK, AND ALL THE STREET LIGHTS WORKED, WHERE THE ROADS PERFECT NOW.

THEY WEREN'T PERFECT, BUT THEY WERE ADEQUATE AND THEY WERE SAFE.

I GOT ON I 40, MADE IT INTO THE OFFICE.

ALL MY EMPLOYEES MADE IT INTO THE OFFICE THIS MORNING.

WE HAVE JOBS. WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY.

WE SAFE FOOD. ARE WE PERFECT? NO. YOU SHOW ME PERFECT AND SOMETHING'S HIDDEN BEHIND THE SCENES.

BUT ARE WE DOING A GOOD JOB? WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB, AND I APPLAUD ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS FOR THAT, AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING HARD EVERY DAY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS.

ARE THERE WEEDS IN THE GARDEN? THERE ARE.

IS THERE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO BETTER? THERE ARE, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE A TEAM.

THAT'S WHY WE WORK AS A PROFESSIONAL GROUP OF LEADERS AND STAFF TO GET THESE THINGS DONE.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME? I THINK WE MOVE THE BALL ON THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

I THINK THAT WE'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD PLAN.

WE'VE GOT AN EXCELLENT TEAM MOVING FORWARD THAT'S GOING TO HELP US SOLVE A DECADE LONG PROBLEM OF NOT GETTING IT UPDATED.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT TECHNOLOGY AND USE TECHNOLOGY AS A FORCE MULTIPLIER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE, AND THEN FINALLY, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

WE ALL WANT BETTER JOBS, AND JOBS WILL INCREASE THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THIS CITY.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU, AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY JUST TO SHARE A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND LOOKING AT THIS YEAR.

I THINK IF I HAD TO LOOK AT ONE THING, BECAUSE ALL OF THESE TOPICS THAT WE PRESENTED HERE ARE OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

BUT ONE THING I THINK THAT OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TO SERVE ON A COUNCIL IS AT ANY GIVEN TIME YOU SERVE FOR A TWO YEAR PERIOD, AND YOUR FOCUS IS RIGHTLY SO ON THAT TWO YEAR PERIOD.

YOU'RE FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT COME UP IN THIS MEETING, THE THINGS IN DEALING WITH THE BUDGET.

BUT ONE THING WITH A TWO YEAR TERM AND A CONSTANT TURNING OVER, POTENTIALLY OF EVERY TWO YEARS OF SOME OR SOMETIMES ALL OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, THERE REALLY SOMETIMES, I THINK IS A LACK OF OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LONGER TERM STRATEGIC DISCUSSION.

THAT IS WHAT ARE WE WANTING THIS COMMUNITY TO LOOK LIKE NOT JUST THIS YEAR OR THIS BUDGET CYCLE, BUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITIES? YOU SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND WE SOMETIMES HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS IN ONE OFF CONVERSATIONS OR A PLAN OR THAT TYPE OF THING.

BUT ONE THING, AND WHILE WE SPEND AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AS WE SHOULD, LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL, PART OF WHAT WE DO AND OVERSEE, I WOULDN'T MIND SPENDING A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, MAYBE LOOKING AT STRATEGICALLY NOT ONLY WHAT DO WE LOOK AT DOING THIS YEAR OR THIS BUDGET YEAR, BUT WHAT THINGS DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH OR IF WE COME FIVE OR 10 YEARS FROM NOW SAYING, THIS COMMUNITY NOW LOOKS DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THIS, BECAUSE OF THAT.

WHAT DO WE WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO LOOK LIKE? I THINK FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, A LOT OF HOW THIS OPERATES AND HOW GOVERNMENT OPERATES KEEPS US IN THE HERE AND NOW.

BUT WHAT I WOULD HOPE,

[00:20:01]

THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES THAT WE SEE NOW ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN REALLY DO.

WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THAT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A MATTER OF PRIORITIES.

EVERY MEETING THAT WE HAVE IS A MATTER ABOUT PRIORITIES.

BEFORE WE GET INTO THE FOCUS OF THE SPECIFIC DECISIONS, I THINK MAKING SURE THAT WE ALL KNOW STRATEGICALLY WHERE WE ARE ON THOSE PRIORITIES HELPS PROVIDE GUIDANCE, WE'LL COME TO THAT POINT THAT WE SAY, NO, WE'VE IDENTIFIED THIS TO BE A PRIORITY, WHICH IS WHY WE MOVE FORWARD, OR OTHERS MAY NOT BE A PRIORITY.

I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD MAYBE BE ABLE TO CARVE OUT SOME TIME AND MAYBE EARLIER THIS YEAR, JUST TALKING ABOUT A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT'S PRIORITIZING WHAT THIS COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY FEELS THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON, NOT ONLY THIS YEAR, BUT WHAT DO WE WANT TO SET THE PATH FOR GOING FORWARD 5, 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. THANK YOU.

>> WELL SAID TO EACH MEMBER.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP AND LENDING YOUR REMARKS.

I WILL CLOSE THIS OUT BY REMINDING US OF WHAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO REMAIN, AND WHAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN OUR MAIN GOAL, AND IT'S SUMMED UP PRETTY WELL IN JUST THREE LITTLE WORDS, SERVICE OVER SELF.

WE ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW POLITICS IS PART OF POLICY, AND HOW WHEN WE COME TOGETHER IN AN ATTRIBUTE OF SERVICE FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ABOUT ANY ONE PERSON OR ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT OR SOMEBODY'S WAY, AND WE LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND AND WE LOOK FOR PEACE, THAT BENEFITS EVERYBODY IN THE RIGHT WAY.

THEN WE AGREE AND WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE MOVE FORWARD VERY WELL.

WHEN WE COME TOGETHER IN DISAGREEMENT AND WE CRITICIZE POLICIES.

THAT'S FANTASTIC.

I THINK THAT BEING CRITICAL AND CRITICAL THINKING IS CRITICAL AND CRITICIZING POLICIES IS THE WAY THAT WE GET BETTER AND WE CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO EVERYONE, MAKE UP OUR OWN MINDS, AND TRY TO REPRESENT YOU ALL AS BEST WE CAN.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO CONTINUE TO BE GOOD LEADERS AND GOOD STEWARDS OVER OUR CITY AND TO AVOID CRITICIZING PEOPLE.

WHERE WE FALL APART IS WHERE WE BECOME CRITICAL OF A PERSON, AND WE TRY TO REMOVE THAT PERSON'S CREDIBILITY, TEAR THEM DOWN.

WE'RE NO LONGER FOCUSED ON A POLICY.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON SELF AT THAT TIME, AND IT BECOMES VERY, VERY OBVIOUS.

IT'S GLARINGLY OBVIOUS IN SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN OUR KIDS LOOK AT THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM ACTING LIKE CHILDREN, AND SO WE ARE DIFFERENT THAN MOST COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVEN'T SUCCUMBED TO THAT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE THAT WALK OUT THAT LOCAL HERO MENTALITY, AND THEY'RE RIGHT BACK HERE ON THE BACK OF THE ROOM.

THOSE MEN AND WOMEN BACK THERE THAT ARE BADGED OFFICERS, ALONG WITH THOSE CIVILIANS THAT RUN YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT, THESE MEN, RIGHT UP HERE ON THE FRONT, IT'S SERVICE OVER SELF, AND I THINK YOU GUYS CAN SEE THAT.

I HOPE YOU CAN SEE IT. WE'LL CONTINUE TO SET FORWARD GOOD POLICY, AND WE CONTINUE TO INVITE THE CRITICISM OF THAT POLICY, AND I THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS A VERY DYNAMIC GROUP OF MEN.

I THINK IT'S EASY TO SEE EXPERTISE TO MY LEFT AND MY RIGHT IN DIFFERENT AREAS, AND WE COMPLIMENT EACH OTHER EVEN WHEN WE DON'T AGREE, AND SO THAT WILL BE MY DIRECTION, MY REMARKS, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY.

I SIT ON A VERY STRONG TEAM.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING US DO THAT.

ITEM NUMBER 5. PUBLIC COMMENT.

[5. Public Comment]

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

YOUR INPUT AND YOUR OPINIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO US, AND WE ARE GLAD YOU'RE HERE TO SHARE THEM TODAY.

AT EACH POSTED MEETING, WE INVITE OUR FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ADDRESS CITY COUNCIL REGARDING POSTED AGENDA ITEMS OR TOPICS RELATED TO CITY POLICY.

DURING PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY, EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL.

AT THE END OF 2.5 MINUTES, A WARNING WILL SOUND TO ALERT YOU THAT YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT TO WRAP UP YOUR THOUGHTS.

WE DO HAVE ONE PUBLIC HEARING TODAY.

IF YOU'RE HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM, WE ASK THAT YOU MAKE YOUR COMMENT EITHER DURING PUBLIC COMMENT OR THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT NOT BOTH IN ORDER TO KEEP ACCURATE MINUTES.

IT'S YOUR DECISION AT WHICH TIME YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK.

WHEN YOU COME TO THE MICROPHONE TODAY, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIVE IN AMARILLO CITY LIMITS.

[00:25:05]

IF YOU ARE SPEAKING TO AN ITEM NOT ON TODAY'S AGENDA, THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT LIMITS HOW OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY RESPOND.

COUNSEL MAY RESPOND WITH A STATEMENT OF FACT.

THEY MAY ASK YOUR TOPIC BE PLACED TO A FUTURE AGENDA, OR THEY MAY REFER THE MATTER TO THE CITY MANAGER WHO CAN HAVE STAFF STEP OUT AND VISIT WITH YOU REGARDING YOUR TOPIC.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE WILL UTILIZE BOTH PODIUMS, AND SO WE WILL CALL UP A SPEAKER, AND THEN THE SPEAKER ON DECK WILL COME UP TO THE OTHER PODIUM.

WE WILL START TODAY'S SPEAKERS WITH LAVONDA MOSLEY, AND AS MISS MOSELEY GIVES HER COMMENTS, WE WOULD INVITE CRAIG BRUCKER TO COME UP TO THE OTHER PODIUM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. LAVONDA MOSLEY, I'M A RESIDENT IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ON TWO AGENDA ITEMS. ONE BEING YOUR DECORATIVE LIGHTS EXPENSE, AND THEN ALSO THE CLOSING OF THE CITY POOLS.

WHY AM I TALKING ABOUT THE DECORATIVE LIGHTS? I WAS HERE ANOTHER TIME AND I THOUGHT, DECORATIVE LIGHTS.

THERE WAS A BIG EXPENSE FOR THAT.

I WENT BACK JULY 11TH OF 2023.

IT WAS A $620,000 ITEM.

I DRIVE DOWNTOWN EVERY DAY.

I WAS LIKE, DID THAT PROJECT HAPPEN? AS I'M COMING TO WORK THIS MORNING AND I'M COMING HERE, I'M LIKE, SURE ENOUGH, THAT PROJECT HAPPENED, AND SO I LOOK AT THE AGENDA TODAY AND I SAID, WE'RE GOING TO SPEND $172,000 FOR 19 LIGHTS, WHICH AVERAGES TO ABOUT $9,082 PER LIGHT, AND SO THAT GIVES ME PAUSE BECAUSE THE POOLS ARE ON THE AGENDA, AND PUBLIC POOLS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.

I GREW UP IN THE PUBLIC POOLS.

I GREW UP ON THE NORTH SIDE OF AMARILLO, AND SO I KNOW THAT THE CITY OF AMARILLO AND AISD DOES NOT GO HAND IN HAND, BUT AISD RECENTLY SLAMMED THE DOORS ON THREE OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITIES NORTH AND SOUTH EAST AMARILLO, AND NOW THE CITY IS TALKING ABOUT CLOSING TWO OF OUR PUBLIC POOLS.

GIVES ME PAUSE THAT WE ARE LEAVING OUR NEXT GENERATION OF CHILDREN BEHIND.

WE'RE TAKING RESOURCES AWAY FROM THEM THAT THEY CAN ENJOY IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

AS I MOVED FORWARD, I WAS LIKE, CAN WE THINK ABOUT THESE DECORATIVE LIGHTS AND THE EXPENSES THAT PROBABLY ARE SPENT ON THE NICE THINGS AMARILLO NEEDS, AND I AGREE AMARILLO NEEDS NICE THINGS AND WE NEED OUR STREETS TO LOOK GOOD.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT OUR CHILDREN HAVE SOME PLACE TO GO, AND SO AS I LOOK AT THE DYNAMICS OF AMARILLO, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU GUYS TO KEEP SOUTHEAST POOL OPEN.

THERE IS NOT A POOL ON THE SOUTHWEST SECTOR OF AMARILLO THAT OUR CHILDREN CAN GO TO.

THOMPSON PARK IS NORTH SIDE.

THOUGH I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SOME COMMENT ON NORTH SIDE.

THE FEE IS TRIPLE OF WHAT IT IS FOR SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST POOL.

IF YOU WANT TO SPEND YOUR ENTIRE DAY AT THE POOL, WHICH WHEN I GREW UP, I SPENT THE ENTIRE DAY AT THE POOL.

YOU HAVE KNOCKED OUT MOST OF THE NORTHSIDE SECTOR KIDS THAT WANT TO SPEND THEIR DAY AT THE POOL WITHOUT THAT FEE.

THINK ABOUT A COMMUNITY PASS FOR TRULY KIDS THAT LIVE IN THAT COMMUNITY AND CAN PROVE IT.

BRING THAT FEE DOWN.

SOUTHWEST, IT'S A NICE POOL.

KIDS GO THERE.

BUT THE SOUTH WEST SIDE OF TOWN HAS OTHER OPTIONS.

THEY HAVE VIDOR.

THEY HAVE AMARILLO TOWN CLUB.

EVEN THOUGH THOSE COME WITH MEMBERSHIPS, THERE ARE STILL POOLS IN THOSE AREAS.

BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE A DECISION TO PUT RESOURCES INTO THE SOUTHEAST POOL TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR THOSE CHILDREN TO DO IN THE SUMMERTIME, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

[APPLAUSE]

>> ON DECK FOR THE OTHER PODIUM, WILL BE BETH DUKE, AND CRAIG BRUCKER, YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> HI. MY NAME IS CRAIG BRUCKER.

I LIVE JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY OF AMARILLO, BUT I'M A PROPERTY OWNER AND BUSINESS OWNER OF THE CITY.

I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BEING SO TRANSPARENT AND BRING IN TO OUR ATTENTION THE POOLS.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU CONDUCT YOUR MEETINGS, WE WERE ABLE TO WATCH YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THE POOLS.

NOW WE KNOW WE HAVE PROBLEMS. THEY'RE REAL PROBLEMS, BUT I THINK THEY'RE A LOT MORE MANAGEABLE THAN WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TOLD.

WITH ME, I BROUGHT JOEL RAMIREZ OF LONE STAR LUXURY POOLS, AND DANIEL CHERYL OF DAN MAN PLUMBING.

BECAUSE OF YOUR VIDEOS, WE ARE ABLE TO ANALYZE THEM AND LOOK AT THEM.

THE ONE POOL THAT HAS A DROP IN WATER, WE BELIEVE THAT THAT IS A LOT LESS SIGNIFICANT THAN WHAT YOU THINK,

[00:30:02]

BETWEEN THOSE TWO GENTLEMEN ALONE, WE BELIEVE WE CAN BRING THE COST DOWN ON THE REPAIR OF THE POOLS.

WHILE OTHERS MAY SAY THAT THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO CLOSE THE POOLS BECAUSE OF MEMORIES AND FONDNESS AND THIS AND THAT, AND OTHERS ARE GOING TO SHAME YOU POSSIBLY, WE WANT TO HELP TRY TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION, AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT LEANING ON YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND YOUR BUSINESS OWNERS IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

THESE TWO GENTLEMEN OWN BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

THEY'RE WILLING TO STEP UP AND LOWER THAT COST FOR YOU AND SEE IF WE CAN'T GET AN ACCURATE NUMBER TO GET THIS SOLVED.

>> I'M GOING TO WRAP UP BY SAYING, EVERY PREDECESSOR OF YOURS SEEN THE VALUE OF THOSE POOLS.

EVERY ONE OF THEM. THIS IS SOMETHING THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE BELIEVE IN IT, AND I BELIEVE YOU'LL HAVE MORE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

TOGETHER, HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO GIVE YOU ACCURATE NUMBERS THAT AREN'T INFLATED, THAT TRULY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF AMARILLO BY BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, JUST AS MUCH AS YOU ARE.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME TO MISS STOKE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> ON DECK WILL BE CLAUDIA STRAVADO, AND BETH, YOU MAY BEGIN. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS.

WE'RE ALL TRYING TO MAKE OUR CITY BETTER.

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WHAT I SHARED WITH THE CENTER CITY TIERS MEETING LAST WEEK.

THAT IS CONCERNING THE HERRING HOTEL.

IN THE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN AT CENTER CITY, EVERY TIME I SPEAK TO A GROUP, BIG, SMALL, YOUNG, OR OLD, THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WHAT ABOUT THE HERRING HOTEL? I HAVE NOT STUDIED THE NUMBERS.

I DON'T KNOW ALL THE FINANCES, BUT I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SAVE AS A HISTORIC LANDMARK.

I GREW UP IN AMARILLO.

I'M A NATIVE OF AMARILLO.

I HAVE A STORY ABOUT ALMOST EVERY BUILDING DOWNTOWN.

MY FATHER WITH THE HELIUM ACTIVITY, HAD AN OFFICE IN THAT BUILDING WHEN IT WAS ON ITS LAST GASP WHEN THE GOVERNMENT RENTED IT FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND THE HELIUM ACTIVITY.

I'VE JUST WATCHED IT OVER THE YEARS.

I KNOW IT'S FINE HISTORY.

I KNOW THE ART THAT WAS IN THE TESCOSA ROOM.

I JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY TIME TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE THE BUILDING REALLY FALLS INTO EVEN MORE DISREPAIR.

I THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS.

THE TIERS MEETING WAS VERY INTERESTING, AND A LOT OF IDEAS, LOT OF GOOD VISION WAS EXPRESSED, AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THAT UNDER CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. ON DECK FOR THE OTHER PODIUM, WILL BE HOPE MCCOY.

AND MISS TRAVATO, YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> THANK YOU. I'M CLAUDI TRAVAO, AND I LIVE IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

I WANT TO START BY READING THE DEFINITION FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF WHAT WATER CONSERVATION IS.

IT'S THOSE PRACTICES, TECHNIQUES, PROGRAMS, AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL PROTECT WATER RESOURCES, REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION OF WATER.

REDUCE THE LOSS OF OR WASTE OF WATER.

IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE USE OF WATER OR INCREASE THE RECYCLING AND REUSE OF WATER SO THAT A WATER SUPPLY IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ALTERNATIVE USES.

I'M SPEAKING AGAIN TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

TO IMPLEMENT A FORMAL WATER CONSERVATION PLAN WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THAT THE CITY HAS WORKED WITH THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON CONSERVATION IN THE PAST, AND MOST RECENTLY, YOU'VE WORKED WITH THEM ON THE WASTEWATER CHALLENGE.

IN RECOGNITION OF THE BUILDING OF FIRMING IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE WATER WE HAVE CONTRACTED TO GIVE TO THEM, IT IS INCUMBENT THAT THE CITY IMPLEMENT A WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM TO PROTECT OUR WATER RESOURCES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN FOR AMARILLO MUST INCLUDE ODD EVEN LAWN WATERING DAYS AND DILIGENT MONITORING AND FINDING OF THOSE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO ALLOW WATER TO FLOW DOWN OUR STREETS WASTED FOREVER.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS THAT COULD IMPACT OUR WATER RESOURCES,

[00:35:05]

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DIRECT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT TO START WORKING WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO START A WATER CONSERVATION PLAN.

IT TAKES TIME, AND WE SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE IT WE SHOULD HAVE IT BEFORE THEY OPERATE, BUT CERTAINLY CONCURRENTLY WITH WHEN FERMI OPERATES. THANK YOU.

>> ON DECK FOR THE OTHER PODIUM WILL BE CRAIG GALTIER AND HOPE YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HOPE MCCOY, AMY CITIZEN, LIVE IN PLEASANT VALLEY.

I WANTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT PLEASANT VALLEY RIVER ROAD REVITALIZATION GROUP, INC IS NOW OFFICIALLY A NONPROFIT.

HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE, THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THEM FOR THE NEXT RECOGNIZED NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

THE MAIN THING I CAME HERE TO TALK TO IS WHEN I SIGNED IN, SHE ASKED ME, WHAT DID I WANT TO TALK TO TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT? I SAID, HARMONY.

I'M HOPING 2026 WE CAN END ON A BETTER NOTE BETWEEN THE DIAS AND THE PUBLIC.

AS YOU SAID, MAYOR SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A BEAST.

MR. REID, WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT NATURAL TENSION.

YES, THAT IS TRUE.

THERE IS TENSION, AND SOME OF IT IS NATURAL.

I THINK SOME OF IT IS UNNECESSARY.

MR. TIPS, YOU SAID THAT OPEN DOOR POLICY CONTACT YOU ANYTIME, AND I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I'VE E MAILED Y'ALL, AND Y'ALL ALWAYS E E MAIL ME BACK.

PRESCOTT, YOU TALKED ABOUT HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES.

NOT JUST ONES LIKE YOURSELF.

I'M I REFER TO EVEN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO A GROCERY SACKER THAT'S JUST STARTING HIS FIRST JOB.

MR. PRESCOTT, I LIKE WHAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IS STRATEGIC PLANNING.

WHEN I COME HERE TODAY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HARMONY BETWEEN YOU ALL, THE CITIZENS, CITY MANAGEMENT, WHY CAN'T WE HAVE THAT OPEN DIALOGUE AS A COMMITTEE, HAVE A MEDIATOR, LIKE, PARENTS ARE GETTING A DIVORCE.

THEY HAVE A MEDIATOR THAT HELPS THEM TALK OUT THEIR TALKING POINTS, THEIR FRUSTRATIONS.

WHAT AM I NOT GETTING? WHAT DO I WANT? I THINK THERE COULD BE MORE TRANSPARENCY.

CITIZENS. TALK BACK TO US.

YES, A STRATEGIC COMMITTEE, WITH SOME OTHER DIFFERENT CITIZENS, WITH MR. FISHER, MR. FORD THAT ALWAYS BRING OUT GOOD POINTS.

I UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SPEAK UP FOR THE PUBLIC.

I UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS.

Y'ALL HAVE A CIVIL DUTY TO DO.

I BROUGHT TODAY THE NEW USD FOOD CHART AS AN ANALOGY.

UP HERE, YOU GOT THE CHEESE, THE CHEDDAR, THE MEN WITH THE MONEY, THE ELITE.

THEN YOU'VE GOT THE BLUE COLLAR WORKERS AND THE WHITE COLLAR WORKERS.

AS I MENTIONED, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO LIKE THE LITTLE GROCERY SACKER.

FOR THIS FOOD GROUP TO WORK, FOR THIS CITY TO WORK.

WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND NOT JUST WORK IN TENSION BACK AND FORTH AND NAME CALLING.

WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE AMARILLO A CITY THAT WORKS COHESIVELY IN HARMONY THAT OTHER CITIES WILL BE ENVIOUS OF.

HOPEFULLY, THIS ANALOGY, I MEAN, I CALL MYSELF THE AVOCADO BECAUSE I LIKE [INAUDIBLE] THEN, LIKE YOU GUYS, Y'ALL ARE THE STEAKS, AND THEN WE HAVE SOME TURKEYS IN THE GROUP.

LET'S JUST TRY TO COME TOGETHER SOMEHOW. THANK YOU.

>> ON DECK, WILL BE ALAN FEINGOLD FOR THE OTHER PODIUM, AND CRAIG, YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> CRAIG HERE, I DO LIVE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

I CAME TO SPEAK OBVIOUSLY ABOUT THE POOL CLOSURES.

AS MANY PROBABLY IN THIS ROOM, PROBABLY ALL ALL UP THERE SPENT YOUR SUMMERS IN OUR POOLS.

I GUESS WHEN I START THINKING ABOUT WHAT MR. COUNCIL MEMBER REID BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE STATE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON SINCE 2021, I GOT ME TO REALLY THINKING AND I KNOW THAT I GET ACCUSED OF HAVING THIS TEN FOIL HAT ON, BUT I'LL LEAVE IT ON HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE FIX HAS BEEN IN.

I BELIEVE THE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS WANTED THE POOLS CLOSED FOR A LONG TIME, JUST LIKE THEY CLOSED ALL OUR SCHOOL PARK RESTROOMS, AND IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE CITY HAS A GREAT INTENTION OF BULLDOZING

[00:40:05]

MY POINT IS, IS WHEN I LOOK AND WHEN I WATCHED THE MEETING BEFORE IN REGARDS TO THE CLOSURE OF THE PARKS, THERE WERE SOME PICTURES PUT UP ABOUT THE, OBVIOUSLY THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THE MECHANICS OF THE POOLS.

AND I THOUGHT TO MYSELF BEING A BUSINESS OWNER FOR MANY YEARS, WHY WOULD I EVER LET MY ASSETS GET TO THAT POINT? IT IS LIKE ALMOST PURPOSEFUL, LIKE WE DID THIS ON PURPOSE.

YOU LOOK AT SOME NONE OF YOU WOULD EVER RUN YOUR BUSINESSES LIKE THAT TO ALLOW A PIECE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT TO GET TO THAT POINT UNLESS YOU WANTED IT TO FALL.

MY POINT IS ALONG HERE IS THAT THIS IS WE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD, AS FAR AS I KNOW, MAYBE THEY HAVE.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD A TRUE ENGINEERS OR MULTIPLE.

MULTIPLE PROFESSIONALS TO COME AND LOOK AT THE SYSTEM.

HAVE WE PUT OUT AN RFP, RFQ TO EVALUATE IT OTHER THAN CITY EMPLOYEES WHO'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR DECADES? I RESPECT THEIR OPINION, BUT, WHEN I HAVE HEALTH ISSUES, I ACTUALLY WENT TO ANOTHER PHYSICIAN.

I WANT A SECOND OPINION.

I THINK WE SHOULD INSTEAD OF TAKING A QUICK VOTE TO CLOSE OUR POOLS, LET'S STEP BACK, BREATHE, AND LET'S REALLY EVALUATE THIS BECAUSE THE REAL DISCUSSION SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE THAT WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THESE POOLS DOWN SHOULD HAVE TAKEN BACK AND DURING BUDGET.

I KNOW I ATTENDED A PARKS BOARD MEETING, AND WHEN COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHICH WAS OUR MAYOR, JUST WAS ELECTED THE VERY FIRST TIME.

THEY HAD A MEETING, AND THEY WANTED TO HOLD A VOTE TO CLOSE THE POOLS THEN AFTER ALL JUST DID THE BUDGET.

I'M LIKE, AND THEIR REASON BACK THEN WAS, IS THE USAGE NUMBERS FOR SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST POOL.

NOW IT'S MECHANICAL.

I WOULD REALLY WISH THAT Y'ALL WOULD TAKE A MOMENT AND LET'S EVALUATE THIS BEFORE WE'RE QUICK TO A VOTE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE YOU.

>> MR. FEINGOLD, YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> ALAN FEINGOLD, I LIVE IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

I AGREE WITH MR. GALT THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE A PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT OF THE CITY, EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF THOSE POOLS.

IF IT IS FOUND THAT THE POOLS ARE SIMPLY NOT REPAIRABLE WITHIN A SENSIBLE BUDGET, DON'T DESTROY THEM.

MAKE THEM INTO BOTANICAL GARDENS.

I COULD GIVE YOU A LONG LECTURE ON IT, BUT I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DISCUSS.

THEIR ITEMS 611, 614 AND 615, ALL RELATED TO WATER AND SEWER.

I WOULD CONSIDER 611 FIRST.

IT SAYS THAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO AWARD A CONTRACT FOR APPROXIMATELY $3.6 MILLION TO A COMPANY FOR WELL FIELD SERVICE AND SUPPLY FOR THE CARSON COUNTY WELL FIELDS AND THE POTTER COUNTY WELL FIELDS.

I THINK THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW THE CONDITION OF THOSE FIELDS.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A LOT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

I THINK YOU SHOULD ISSUE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE CONDITIONS OF THOSE FIELDS.

HOW MUCH WATER WE ARE DRAWING FROM THEM, AND WHAT YOU ANTICIPATE IN THE WAY OF FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE AND NEW EQUIPMENT.

SIMILARLY, ON 614, AND THIS IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.

AN AWARD FOR A MOTOR AND STARTER FOR A FLUENT PUMP AT RIVER ROAD, WE NEED TO KNOW JUST HOW MUCH NEEDS TO BE DONE AT RIVER ROAD.

WE KNOW THERE ARE PROBABLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF EXPENDITURES THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO BRING IT UP TO THIS STANDARD WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE.

YOU NEED TO ISSUE A REPORT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, SPECIFYING WHAT HAS TO BE DONE AT RIVER ROAD TO MAKE SURE THAT IT FUNCTIONS WELL IN THE FUTURE AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PLANT THAT CAUSED IT TO BE IN A CONDITION NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE THAT IT SHOULD BE DOING.

WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST TO BRING RIVER ROAD UP TO THE STANDARD THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AS WELL AS FOR THE GENERAL SAFETY OF THE PLANT, AND YOU SHOULD HAVE A SPECIFICATION FOR EACH MAJOR ITEM.

[00:45:01]

IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF THE CITY OF AMARILLO ISSUED A STATEMENT ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE COST FOR THAT AUTOMATED SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.

IN GENERAL, I THINK YOU SHOULD SEPARATE YOUR EXPENDITURES FROM EXPENDITURES ON THE WATER SYSTEM, FROM YOUR EXPENDITURES ON THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM.

THE REVENUES ARE SEPARATED.

YOU SHOULD HAVE A SEPARATE ACCOUNTING FROM HERE ON OUT AND NOT COMMINGLE THE FUNDS.

I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS STRONGLY ENOUGH.

YOU NEED A WASTEWATER ACCOUNT AND REVENUES FROM WASTEWATER THAT GOES ONLY INTO THAT ACCOUNT.

YOU NEED A SEPARATE ACCOUNT FOR WATER REVENUES AND WATER PROJECTS.

AGAIN, I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER SEPARATING THAT IN THE ACCOUNTING AND DO SO PROMPTLY.

>> THANK YOU, MR. FEINGOLD.

>> MAYOR, THAT CONCLUDES EVERYBODY THAT SIGNED UP TODAY.

>> AS WE ALWAYS DO, WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE FOR SIGNING UP.

I KNOW THAT MISS CITY SECRETARY HAS ASKED YOU GUYS TO GO AHEAD AND FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK.

WE'VE RAN SOME GOOD LONG MEETINGS.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT IN THE PAST, AND FROM TIME TO TIME, WE GET TO MOVING QUICKLY.

WE'RE NOT GETTING NAMES DOWN ACCURATELY AND RECORDING OUR MINUTES CORRECTLY.

WE ARE ASKING IF YOU GUYS WOULD CONTINUE TO FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK AS YOU COME UP.

I DO SEE ONE HAND IN THE BACK DO I HAVE ANYONE ELSE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT HASN'T SIGNED UP? TWO GENTLEMEN HERE TO MY LEFT.

IF YOU GUYS WOULDN'T MIND COMING UP FRONT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST FILL THE PAPERWORK OUT FOR FORMALITY SAKE, AND THEN TIM, IF YOU GO FIRST, AND THEN MIKE, YOU AS WELL NEXT.

AFTER IS GREAT, NOT THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

>> I AM. I'M GOING TO WING THIS ONE.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE FIRST THING IS THE HERRING.

YOU KNOW HOW I AM ABOUT THIS DEAL, BUT THERE IS MORE EVIDENCE COMING TO LIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO TABLE THIS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I CAN PROMISE YOU WHEN YOU SEE THIS EVIDENCE, IT'S GOING TO BLOW THE LID OFF THIS DEVELOPER.

YOU'RE GOING TO WISH YOU DID NOT GET INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THIS GUY.

THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY ON THAT.

THE OTHER ONE IS IS THE CHECK REGISTRY.

IT'S TIME. IT'S TIME TO OPEN IT UP.

IT'S TIME TO SHOW THE CITIZENS THE FULL BOOKS.

IT'S BEEN HIDDEN FOR YEARS.

IT'S TIME TO SHOW IT.

YOU GUYS GOT TO AGREE TO THIS.

IT'S TIME TO SHOW THIS.

LET THE CITIZENS SEE THE NUMBERS.

LET THEM SEE THE FACTS, AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. [APPLAUSE].

>> NAME IS MIKE FISHER, LIVE IN THE CITY OF LM SILO.

BEFORE IT MY TIME STARTS, I'D LIKE TO ASK COLE STANLEY FOR A STATEMENT OF FACT.

DURING A RECENT CONVERSATION, A CITIZEN TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE LOSING YOUR SUPPORTERS AS A STATEMENT OF FACT, IS IT OR FALSE THAT YOU TOLD THEM YOU DIDN'T CARE BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T RUNNING FOR REELECTION. ANYWAYS.

>> STATEMENT OF FACT, THAT'S FALSE STATEMENT, BUT GLAD TO SPEAK TO IT AT A LATER DATE WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE.

IF YOU WOULD GO AHEAD AND START, MR. FISHER'S TIME, ARE YOU READY, SIR?

>> YES, I AM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AS TIM JUST STATED, I'M STILL LOOKING FOR THAT CHECK REGISTER.

MAYBE NOW THAT WE HAVE YOUR CFO OUT OF THE WAY.

MAYBE WE CAN GET THE REST OF THE CHECK REGISTER POSTED.

I ASK THAT ONE OF YOU PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

WE'RE STILL MISSING ON THE CHECK REGISTER, NO DEPOSITS, NO ACH TRANSACTIONS, AND NO FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO THE AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE, SUCH AS THE ADC.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THEIR CHECKS, CREDITS, ANYTHING.

I'D LIKE FOR THAT TO BE PUT ON THE AGENDA IF ONE OF YOU GUYS WOULD PLEASE DO THAT.

REGARDING THIS PRESENTATION AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING WITH THE POOL, IF YOU JUST LOOK AT ONE THING THAT THEY SAID, FIRST OF ALL, THE GUY SAID, I'M NOT AN ENGINEER OR ANYTHING.

IT'S NO FAULT TO HIM THAT YOU DRUG UP A GUY THAT'S A MAINTENANCE GUY TO COME UP HERE AND ADVISE THE CITY TO CLOSE A POOL.

BUT IT'S THESE GUYS. THESE GUYS WITH THEIR AGENDAS.

MR. FREEMAN ACCUSING ME OF HAVING AN AGENDA.

YOU DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPERT,

[00:50:01]

YOU'RE IN THAT WORLD.

THEY TALKED ABOUT A LEAK.

I HAVE A PULL IN MY BACKYARD.

ON ANY GIVEN DAY, LIKE IF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT, IT'LL DROP AN INCH IN A DAY, LIKE OVERNIGHT.

THEY SAID THE GUY CAME UP AND SAID IT DROPPED 4.5 TO 5.5 ".

YOU CAN SEE ON MY DOCUMENT I GAVE YOU.

IT'S BACKED UP DATA THAT IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE BETWEEN OCTOBER, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, IT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO DROP 4.5 TO 5.5 ".

HE SAID 5.5 ".

HOW ON EARTH COULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER THIS? THEY GAVE YOU NOTHING IN THE PACKET.

THERE WASN'T ANY REAL EXPERTS THAT TOLD YOU THIS NEEDED TO BE CLOSED.

HOW CAN YOU CONSIDER ANYTHING THESE GUYS? DID PATH LOOK AT THIS? DID HE LOOK AT THIS? DID THEY TALK? BECAUSE WHY ON EARTH WOULD HE BRING UP A GUY THAT'S IN MAINTENANCE TO GIVE AN EXPERT OPINION THAT'S SAYING, THIS IS DANGEROUS, AND THAT WE NEED TO CLOSE IT, THAT IT'S CRUMBLING.

THAT'S AN AGENDA.

THAT'S A POLICY THING.

YOU'RE NOT DOING WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE CITY? LIKE CRAIG SAID, THERE'S AN AGENDA HERE TO CLOSE THE POOLS.

YOU KNOW WHAT? GINGER DIDN'T EVEN CLOSE OUR POOLS, MAN, COME ON.

COME ON, SERIOUSLY, COLE.

TWO OF YOU SAID YOU GREW UP POOR.

I WON'T POINT THOSE OUT. I'LL TALK TO YOU GUYS.

IF YOU GREW UP POOR, THEN A PULL IS CRAZY, IMPORTANT.

IT CAN DIVERT KIDS ON A DIFFERENT PATH AND MAYBE KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE.

MAYBE LIKE A LIFE CHANGING THING BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE POOR, YOU HAVE NOTHING.

THIS EAST SIDE OF TOWN IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS NUTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR. FISHER. [APPLAUSE] APPRECIATE EVERYONE FOR COMING HERE TODAY AND EVERYONE WHO OFFERED PUBLIC COMMENT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING DIALOGUE AS IT IS APPROPRIATE.

I KNOW THIS TIME IS JUST TO LISTEN TO YOU.

BUT WE ARE LISTENING, AND WE ARE HEARING SOME THINGS.

WE'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

BEFORE WE TAKE UP CONSENT AGENDA, AS AN EXAMPLE OF LISTENING AND HEARING FROM YOU, MISS TRAVATO, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND EACH OTHER IT FEELS LIKE QUITE SOME TIME, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN A FEW SHORT YEARS; THEY'VE BEEN ACTION PACKED.

I WOULD LIKE TO PUT A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM UP FOR NOT ONLY OUR LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE AND HOW WE REQUIRE NEW CONSTRUCTION TO IRRIGATE AND PUT OUT THINGS THAT CONSUME A LOT OF WATER AND REQUIRE LARGE AREAS TO BE WATERED WHERE THE WIND AROUND HERE DOES HAPPEN TO BLOW.

WE ARE SEEING THAT RUNOFF.

BUT THEN ALSO TO INCORPORATE MAYBE A WATER USAGE UNDERSTANDING AND START THERE.

NOW, WHETHER OR NOT IT ENDS UP AT THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD OR NOT, I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT'S OUR CURRENT POLICIES, AND ARE WE DRIVING THE CITY TOWARDS THAT CONSERVATIVE EFFORT? THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT. GLAD TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT, AND WE'LL PUT THAT TOGETHER.

MR. PATH, IF YOU'D PUT THAT AS A FUTURE AGENDA ITEM, DO I HAVE ANY REMARKS FROM COUNCIL? ANYBODY NEED TO SAY ANYTHING BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD? JUST GIVE YOU ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY AFTER HEARING YOUR PUBLIC.

THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL SPEAKING HERE TODAY.

[6. Consent Agenda]

I DO KNOW THAT ITEM 6.8 IS NOT READY.

PROCUREMENT OFFICE DOES A VERY GOOD JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT THOSE JOBS THAT ARE CONSTRUCTION JOBS ARE LET ACCORDINGLY AND THAT WE MEET ALL THAT CRITERIA.

WE DIDN'T QUITE HAVE EVERYTHING DOCUMENTED THE WAY IT NEEDED TO BE.

WE NEED TO REMOVE THAT ONE JUST BECAUSE IT'S NOT READY, WE WOULD ANTICIPATE IT COMING IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

DO I HAVE ANYTHING FROM COUNCIL THAT NEEDS TO COME OFF FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION?

>> I'D LIKE TO BRING NUMBER 7 OFF, PLEASE.

>> SIX DOT SEVEN?

>> YES.

>> GOT IT. ANYTHING FURTHER, COUNCIL? OH. WE'D BE LOOKING FOR A MOTION TO PULL 6768, AND THEN THE REST IS PRESENTED, PLEASE.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA LESS.

ITEM 67 AND 68 AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND?

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

AS STATED, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

ITEM 68 WILL COME BACK.

PROBABLY NOT A NEED FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT AT THIS TIME.

ITEM 67. MR. PATH, WHAT DIRECTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THAT?

>> YES. COUNSELOR SIMPSON GAVE YOU QUESTIONS.

[00:55:02]

>> WELL, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AS TO EXACTLY HOW THIS PLAN IS GOING TO WORK, I HAD HAD SOME TALKS WITH RICH ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WELL, MAYBE JUST GIVE A OVERVIEW FOR THE PUBLIC OF WHAT THIS AGREEMENT IS ABOUT, WHY WE'RE DOING IT, THE BENEFIT OF IT, AND THEN MAYBE I CAN HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AS IT RELATES TO SPECIFICS OF IT FOR CIVIC CENTER CLIENTS THAT WOULD BE USING THE CIVIC CENTER AND USING THESE SOUND SERVICES.

>> SOUNDS GOOD. BUT IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN WHAT THIS ITEM IS, HOW WE USE IT, AND THEN GO FROM THERE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL. GLAD TO EXPLAIN THIS JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

THE CIVIC CENTER, OF COURSE, PUTS ON MANY TICKETED EVENTS EVERY YEAR.

SOME ARE STANDALONE EVENTS, NIGHTLY CONCERTS, SOME ARE ART GROUPS, SPORTING EVENTS THAT HAVE MULTIPLE EVENTS DURING THEIR SEASONS.

A LOT OF THE INDIVIDUAL NIGHTLY OR ONE NIGHT EVENTS THAT WE HAVE ARE ALSO SET UP AS CO PROS.

THAT IS WHERE THE PROMOTER AND THE CIVIC CENTER GO IN 50 50 ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THAT EVENT, SHARING IN THE COST, SHARING IN THE REVENUE.

IN THOSE CASES, MANY OF THOSE CASES, IT'S OUR OBLIGATION THEN IF THE SOUND AND VIDEO, THE AV NEEDS OF THAT EVENT, ARE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE CAN OFFER THROUGH THE CIVIC CENTER ITSELF, THEN WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO OUTSIDE VENDORS, EITHER HERE IN TOWN OR HERE WITH IN THE TRISTATE REGION TO GET QUOTES ON PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES FOR THAT EVENT.

OF COURSE, WE PASS THOSE QUOTES BACK TO THE PROMOTER THAT IS BRINGING THE SHOW IN, AND WE HAVE TO SELECT THE BEST OPTION, THE BEST FEASIBLE OPTION FOR THAT EVENT.

IT GETS PROBLEMATIC IN THE FACT THAT USUALLY THERE'S A SHORT TIME FRAME IN WHICH WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET MULTIPLE QUOTES BACK AND GET CLARITY ON WHAT IS SPECIFICALLY NEEDED OUT OF AN EVENT WRITER, WHICH DESCRIBES THE ELEMENTS THAT THEY NEED, AND TRY TO COME TO THAT AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT VENDOR WE'RE GOING TO USE FOR THEIR CONCERT.

THIS CONTRACT IS BASICALLY SET UP WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE AND THE TIME FRAME THAT IT'S TAKING TO GET THESE QUOTES FOR THESE EVENTS AND BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE CONTRACT PROPOSAL ON THOSE SHOWS.

THIS PARTICULAR RFP THAT WE PUT TOGETHER, WE SAW EITHER A DISCOUNT FORMAT, A REVENUE FORMAT FOR THE CIVIC CENTER OR A COMBINATION THEREOF.

WE HAD THREE RESPONDENTS TO THIS RFP.

ONE HAD SOME ISSUES THAT DID NOT MAKE IT ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED.

WE HAD TWO OTHERS THAT WERE VERY GOOD PROPOSALS AND A VERY STRONG PROPOSALS.

ALTHOUGH THEY WERE VERY CLOSE IN THE PRICE ASPECT, ONE WAS SOLELY DISCOUNT TO THE EVENT, ON THE COST OF THE EQUIPMENT.

ONE DID PROPOSE A 50/50 DISCOUNT ON THEIR EQUIPMENT, AS WELL AS REVENUE PERCENTAGE TO THE CITY.

ALL OF THE FEATURES THAT THEY OFFERED IN THEIR PROPOSAL WERE VERY BENEFICIAL TO BOTH US AND THE INCOMING CLIENTS FOR OUR EVENTS, AND THEY WERE SELECTED AS BEING THE BEST PROPOSAL THAT WE RECEIVED.

>> UNDER THIS, WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE AN EVENT AT THE CIVIC CENTER.

DO THEY HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHO DOES OR SOUND OR AUDIO, OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS VENDOR?

>> FOR THIS CONTRACT, THIS IS THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ONLY THOSE TICKETED EVENTS THAT TICKET THROUGH PANHANDLE TICKETS OR BOX OFFICE.

IT'S NOT FOR THE NON TICKETED EVENTS, THE BANQUETS, THE PARTIES, AND SO ON.

THEY CAN UTILIZE WHOEVER THEY WANT TO USE.

THIS IS JUST RELEGATING THIS BUSINESS TO THOSE TICKETED EVENTS THROUGH OUR BOX OFFICE.

THE ONLY EXCLUSIONS THERE AND IT'S WRITTEN INTO THE AGREEMENT THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED IS THAT IT WILL EXCLUDE OUR THREE ARTS GROUPS AND OUR THREE SPORTS GROUPS AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR SEASONS OR ARE ABOUT TO START THEIR SEASONS.

[01:00:02]

THIS VENDOR IS GOING TO COME IN WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT, SUPPLEMENT CITY EQUIPMENT, AND PROVIDE THE BEST OVERALL SERVICE PROCESS FOR THESE CONCERTS.

>> DO WE KNOW APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY EVENTS EACH YEAR THIS WOULD IMPACT OR AFFECT?

>> LOOK BACK TO 24 25 SEASON.

THERE WERE 37 POSSIBLE EVENTS THAT COULD HAVE UTILIZED OR WOULD HAVE UTILIZED THESE SERVICES.

IN ADDITION TO THE 16 ARTS EVENTS THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR AND 40 SPORTS EVENTS THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR, THOSE ARE EXCLUDED BY THE WORDING OF THE CONTRACT.

OUT OF THOSE 37 POSSIBLE EVENTS, WE HAD A LIST OF 14, TWO OF WHICH ACTUALLY DID HAVE TOURED WITH THEIR OWN SOUND AND LIGHTING GEAR AND DID NOT NEED THE OUTSIDE SERVICES OF A SOUND COMPANY.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA BETWEEN I GUESS THE DISCOUNTS AND THE REBATES? WHAT THAT CAN MEAN FROM A REVENUE STANDPOINT OR?

>> FOR THESE 12 EVENTS THAT WE HAD LISTED HERE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT, THE DISCOUNT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEWHERE IN THE $12,000 RANGE, AND THE REVENUE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $12,000.

THAT CAN GROW OR DECREASE A LITTLE BIT EACH YEAR BASED UPON THE NUMBER OF EVENTS THAT WE BRING IN.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> COUNSEL, OTHER QUESTIONS FOR BOTH.

JUST A FEW HERE FOR YOU, SIR.

CURRENTLY, WE DO A COMPETITIVE BID PROCESS FOR DIFFERENT PROMOTERS AND THEY CAN UTILIZE LOCAL SOUND AND AUDIO, OR THEY COULD MAYBE HAVE MANY OF THEM BRING SOMEBODY WITH THEM OR I'M THINKING LIKE ENTERTAINMENT.

>> TYPICALLY, OUR PRODUCTION MANAGERS ARE HAVING TO REACH OUT TO TWO OR THREE VENDORS TRYING TO GET QUOTES BASED UPON THE WRITER, WHAT THE WRITER SAYS THAT THEY NEED AND TRY TO GET QUOTES FROM THESE FOLKS.

THERE AND AGAIN, YOU ALSO HAVE THOSE SAME VENDORS THAT ARE DOING A LOT OF BUSINESS IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN THE STATE.

THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE AVAILABILITY ON THE DATES THAT YOU NEED? WELL, THIS CONTRACT THEN WILL ZERO IN ON ONE PROVIDER THAT HAS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SOURCES.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE BENEFIT IN THAT SINGLE SOURCE PROVIDER WHERE IT OBLIGATES THEM TO HANDLE THAT BUSINESS, MAYBE WHEN IF WE JUST REACHED OUT TO THE MARKET, YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VENDORS.

THAT WOULD BE ILLUSTRATING THAT POINT.

WHAT MECHANISM IN THE CONTRACT IS GOING TO CREATE THE COMPETITIVE CAPITALISM THAT YOU NEED TO SEE SO THAT WE'RE NOT SUFFERING THE CRITICISM, I GUESS, FROM A PROMOTER OR SOMEBODY BRING IN AN EVENT THAT SAYS, WELL, YOUR AUDIO VIDEO WASN'T AFFORDABLE.

THAT'S THREE TIMES THE COST OF WHAT WE'RE USED TO SEEING EVERYWHERE ELSE.

WHAT MECHANISM IS IN THERE?

>> WELL, THIS CONTRACT WITH THIS DISCOUNT STRUCTURE THAT'S IN PLACE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT COST DOWN TO WHERE THEY'RE NOT HAVING TO TRAVEL WITH THIS EQUIPMENT CONSTANTLY.

THEY'LL BE ABLE TO STORE SOME EQUIPMENT HERE.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME IN AND TAKE INVENTORY OF THE EQUIPMENT WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO SUPPLEMENT WITH, AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO MODIFY THEIR EXPENSE BASED UPON THAT.

>> MARKET AVAILABILITY ALWAYS JUSTIFIES PRICE, USUALLY, LIKE, HIGH DEMAND. YOU HAVE A HIGHER COST.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING IN HERE OR CAN WE ALLOW FOR SOMETHING THAT MAY COULD HELP US IN THE EVENT THAT YOU DO HAVE A PROMOTER OR SOMEBODY THAT'S BRINGING AN EVENT.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, EVEN WITH THE DISCOUNTED PRICE, IT'S WHAT THEY WOULD STATE AS EXCESSIVE.

ARE THEY ABLE THEN TO PROPOSE A PRICE THAT WE CAN ENFORCE BE HONORED, OR WOULD THERE BE ANY ABILITY ON YOUR BEHALF TO NEGOTIATE THE ONE-OFF ISSUE TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD, WHERE WE'RE CONTINUING TO ATTRACT, WE DON'T WANT TO PUSH PEOPLE FURTHER AWAY.

>> WELL, MOST DEFINITELY, YOU WANT TO HAVE THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE GROUP THAT YOU'RE BRINGING IN AND THEIR CAPABILITIES TO PERFORM.

THE COMPANIES THAT WE REACHED OUT TO CERTAINLY PRESENT THAT.

THE CONCEPT OF THIS CONTRACT AS WELL IS THAT THE COMPANY THAT'S GETTING THE CONTRACT WILL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH EACH ONE OF THE PROMOTERS WHENEVER THEY'RE SETTING UP THEIR CONTRACT AND WORKING ON

[01:05:05]

THEY CAN TRIM BACK THE COST THROUGH THAT NEGOTIATION AND PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.

>> COUNCILMAN TIPS YOU GOT ANYTHING ON THIS ONE? NO.

>> I GUESS I MEAN, THE PROBLEM WE SEE TO BE SOLVING HERE IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY ON CALL THAT WE KNOW THAT WE CAN DEPEND ON TO PROVIDE THE SOUND FOR THESE PARTICULAR EVENTS THAT WE HAVE HERE, BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF, I GUESS, CIVIC CENTER STAFF TIME TO BE ABLE TO WEED THROUGH THE NEEDS AS WELL AS WHO CAN PROVIDE IT.

THEY'VE SAID, WE'LL PUT YOU ON FIRST PRIORITY IF YOU NEED US, I GUESS THAT THIS COMPANY.

>> CORRECT.

>> THEN THE SECOND PROBLEM, I GUESS IT SOLVES FOR US IS A REVENUE OR EXPENSE SAVINGS PROBLEM THAT WE CAN EITHER GET A LITTLE BIT MORE REVENUE OR EXPENSE OUT OF THIS THAN WE COULD THE WAY THAT WE'RE FORMALLY HANDLING.

>> EXACTLY. IT'LL BE CHEAPER AND MORE PROFITABLE FOR US.

>> IT'S REALLY ONLY A HANDFUL OF EVENTS.

I WASN'T SURE BECAUSE WHEN I HAD THE INITIAL QUESTION OR CONVERSATION, WE DIDN'T KNOW AT THAT POINT.

I WASN'T TOLD WHETHER THE ARTS GROUPS AND OTHERS, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WILL STILL HAVE THE FREEDOM TO BE ABLE TO USE THE AUDIO VIDEO THEY WON'T.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE SOMEONE, THEN YOU CAN HELP THEM FIND THAT WITH THIS COMPANY, I'M GUESSING.

>> SURE. WE WILL PROPOSE THAT.

THERE WILL BE AN OPTION FOR THOSE NON TICKETED EVENTS THAT OCCUR IN OUR BUILDING.

THEY CAN ADVERTISE TO THEM, AND THEY CAN NEGOTIATE WITH THEM OR ANY OTHER VENDOR THAT THEY WANT TO USE.

>> GOOD. THANK YOU.

>> I DO.

>> COUNCILMAN.

>> YEAH. BOTH YOU REITERATED THAT IT'S NON TICKETED EVENTS.

BUT FOR TICKETED EVENTS, IF THEY USE PANHANDLE TICKETS, ARE THEY REQUIRED TO DO THEY HAVE THE OPTION IF IT'S A TICKETED EVENT, AND THEY USE PANHANDLE TICKETS?

>> I'M SORRY, ONE MORE TIME.

>> IF IT'S A TICKETED EVENT, AND THEY USE PANHANDLE TICKETS, WHICH IS OUR VENDOR, ARE THEY REQUIRED TO USE THIS SERVICE OR CAN THEY STILL SHOP IT?

>> THEY WOULD NEED TO USE THIS SURFACE IF THEY CANNOT PROVE THAT THEY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT AND THE ABILITY TO PUT THEIR SHOW ONE THEMSELVES, FULLY SELF CONTAINED.

SOME SHOWS COME IN AND THEY'VE GOT ALL OF THEIR SOUND AND LIGHTS GEAR AND SO ON LOADED IN THEIR TRUCK? THEY COME IN AND SET THE SHOW UP, RUN THE SHOW THEMSELVES.

>> WELL, HOW DO THEY PROVE THAT IF I MEAN, I DECIDED THAT I'M GOING TO BRING MY SHOW HERE, AND THAT'S EIGHT MONTHS FROM NOW? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS LIGHTING DEAL, AND YOU'RE LIKE, WELL, WE NEED PROOF THAT YOU GOT IT.

WELL, I'M NOT SHIPPING IT ALL THERE.

I MEAN, I'VE GOT SEVERAL OTHER SHOWS I GOT TO DO.

>> WELL, THE WRITER THAT'S PROVIDED FOR THAT SHOW WILL INDICATE WHAT EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED, WHAT EQUIPMENT THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING AND SO ON, AND THEIR CAPABILITY OF PRODUCING THEIR SHOW THEMSELVES.

>> YOU'LL JUST GO OFF THEIR WORD OF, LIKE, HEY, WE DO HAVE THIS EQUIPMENT.

THEN YOUR HANDS OFF, THEY DON'T HAVE TO USE THIS SERVICE.

>> CORRECT.

>> BUT IF THEY WANT TO, TO LESS THIS POINT, THEY'VE GOT PRIORITY.

THEY CAN USE IT. IT MIGHT BE AT A DISCOUNT, MAYBE LESS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BOTH. APPRECIATE YOU.

COUNCIL, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON ITEM 6.7? IT'S UP FOR CONSIDERATION.

>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM 6.7 AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND.

>> MOTION IN A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY.

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

WE WILL NOW MOVE OUT OF OUR CONSENT AGENDA INTO SECTION 7, OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS. WE'RE GOING TO START WITH AN UPDATE ON AMW FROM MS. MEDLEY.

>> MAYOR, IF I MAY, REAL QUICK.

>> YES.

>> I APOLOGIZE. WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH OUR VIDEO RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE AUDIO, AND PEOPLE CAN SEE THE SLIDES, BUT THEY CANNOT CURRENTLY SEE THE VIDEO OF WHO'S TALKING.

>> MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME FOR RECESS.

>> OPTION, COULD BE A RECESS SO WE CAN RESET THE SYSTEM. THAT'S WHAT I RECOMMEND.

>> GLAD TO DO IT. WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE IN 15 MINUTES. THANK YOU.

I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CALL US BACK INTO ORDER AND SESSION AND ASK IF MS. MEDLEY'S READY.

[7.1. Update on Animal Management and Welfare Spay/Neuter Voucher Program]

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I'M JUST HERE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE VOUCHER PILOT PROGRAM.

IT WAS ONE OF THE INITIATIVES OR SOMETHING AN INITIATIVE WE WERE DOING WITH THE MONEY THAT WAS SET ASIDE BY OUR COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES DEALING WITH ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND WELFARE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT WAS WE DID OUR VERY FIRST PILOT PROGRAM, WHAT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE TO PARTNER WITH OUR LOCAL VETERINARY SERVICES, AND SEE WHAT IT WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THE WHOLE IDEA OF WE'RE HAVING UNWANTED LITTERS,

[01:10:02]

WE HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT AREAS IN TOWN THAT WE'VE SEEN A HIGH INFLUX OF THAT.

AS WE WERE STARTING TO ADDRESS, THE PILOT PROGRAM CAME UP, AND WHAT IT IS IS IS A VOUCHER PROGRAM THAT WE PARTNERED WITH OUR DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING, AND WE FOCUSED ON OUR EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE EMPOWERMENT ZONES, WE'RE LIKE, HEY, WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT THE DATA THERE AND SAY, THIS IS WHERE OUR BIGGEST INCIDENTS ARE AND OUR HIGHEST RATE OF UNHAMED ANIMALS.

WITH THAT, WE STARTED WITH THE VOUCHER PROGRAM WHEN WE STARTED WITH THE SAN COSENO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.

IT'S REALLY A BUILT IN WITH OUR EMPOWERMENT ZONES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

WE DID OUR VERY FIRST ONE, AND WE REALLY HAD TO FOCUS IN ON HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THE WORD OUT AND HOW DO WE GET IT TO OUR TARGET POPULATION.

WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT TIMES JUST TO SEE WHAT WOULD WORK BETTER.

IS IT A MORNING THING? IS IT AN AFTERNOON THING? YOU'LL SEE THERE THAT WE DID IT ON JUNE 21, AT 10:00 A.M TO 2:00, AND THEN JULY 12, 5:00-8:00.

WE WERE ABLE TO ISSUE, AND IT WAS OUR VERY FIRST ONE.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, AND IF YOU GUYS RECOMMEND THAT WE CONTINUE DOING THIS, I THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER RESPONSE BECAUSE WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO IT IN A LONG TERM FASHION.

AS YOU'LL SEE THAT WE ISSUED 87 OF THEM, REDEEMED WERE 52%, WHICH IS ANYBODY THAT'S WORKING WHEN SOCIAL SERVICES WILL UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN GET IT OUT THERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY UP TO THE RESIDENT TO GET THEM TO THAT SERVICE.

ONE OF THE REASONS WE ALSO THINK THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IS THE BEST PLACE FOR US TO HAVE THESE VOUCHER EVENTS IS THAT THEY SUPPLIED US WITH INTERPRETERS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, MAYBE THE CITY OR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT WELFARE MIGHT NOT HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN TRANSLATE.

THAT WAS THERE. WE ALSO HAD WITH SANTO COSENO NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEY WERE TALKING TO PEOPLE AND IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE A RIDE TO ONE OF OUR PARTNER BUT THAT THEY WERE HELPING ARRANGE THE RIDES.

IT'S THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY'RE WORKING WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY WANTED IT ADDRESSED TOO, SO THAT WE SAW THAT AS A REAL WIN.

THIS FIRST ONE WAS A COST OF $8,400, AND BASICALLY, THAT WAS JUST FOR WHAT WE PAID OUR PARTNERS.

WE WERE ABLE TO ABSORB THE VACCINATIONS AND THE MICROCHIPPING THROUGH PREVIOUS DONATIONS THAT WE HAD GOT FROM PRIVATE PARTNERS.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS, YOU GET A VOUCHER, THAT VOUCHER, EVERYBODY GOES, WHY DON'T YOU JUST HAND THEM OUT? WELL, WE'VE GOT TO BE REALLY GOOD PARTNERS WITH OUR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS.

AT THAT TIME, WE DECIDED WE WILL, AS THE CITY, AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS TECH BET SCHOOL, IS THAT WE WILL HAVE THE ACTUAL CLINIC, AND SO THAT WE CAN ASSURE OUR PRIVATE PRACTICE PARTNERS THAT AT LEAST THEY'VE GOTTEN VACCINATED, THEY'RE MICROCHIPPED, AND BEFORE THEY EVER GET TO THEIR TO THEIR CLINIC.

THE OTHER THING IS, WE ALSO, AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT HAD DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT FRAUD.

HOW ARE WE GOOD STEWARDS OF THIS MONEY? HOW DO WE PUT IN THOSE CHECKS AND BALANCES? WHAT WE DID WITH THE VOUCHER IS EVERY ANIMAL THAT COMES TO THE CLINIC, GETS A MICROCHIP AND GETS VACCINATED.

WE HAVE AN ACTUAL VET, EITHER A CITY OF AMARILLO CONTRACTED VET OR A TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY VET SCHOOL, ONE OF THEIR DOCTORS, AND WE PUT OUR HANDS ON IT, THEY SEE IT.

IT'S JUST A REAL INITIAL, BUT THEY AT LEAST HAVE THE IDEA, THEY'RE VACCINATED AND THEY'RE MICROCHIP.

THAT MICROCHIP NUMBER IS THEN PUT ON THE VOUCHER, SO WE CAN TRACK IT.

IT'S WAYS THAT WE CAN TRY TO AVOID PEOPLE DUPLICATING OR ANY OF THOSE SUCH THINGS.

WE CAN ENSURE THAT IT'S ALSO BEING USED IN THOSE TARGETED AREAS THAT WE KNOW THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

WITH THAT, WE DID ALL THAT AND OUR LOCAL VETS.

WE HAD FOUR LOCAL VETS THAT WERE AMAZING THAT THEY WANTED TO BE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS, AND THEY WERE AMERAL VET CLINIC, CANYON ROAD, ANIMAL HOSPITAL, CADILLAC VET CLINIC, AND HIGH PLAINS VET CLINIC.

THEY WERE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT TOWN, AND THESE WERE JUST SUCH GOOD PARTNERS AND CAN RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WANTED TO BE PART OF THAT SOLUTION.

THEY WERE ABLE AND WORK THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

HOW DO WE REIMBURSE THEM? WHAT PROBLEMS DID WE SEE? SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES WAS SOME NO SHOWS, WHICH WE KNEW WOULD BE AN ISSUE, AND REALLY TALKING WITH THOSE VETS, THE LARGER THE ANIMAL IS, THAT $200 IS A TOUGH COVER.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT WITH THEM.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S $200.

WE WILL PAY OUR VET PARTNER, OUR PRIVATE PRACTICE, 200 FOR DOGS AND 100 FOR CATS.

ALL THE NUMBERS THAT I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU ON THIS NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE BASED ON IF WE DID ALL DOGS,

[01:15:01]

BUT FROM THIS, WE REALLY THOUGHT, WE CAN MAKE THIS PROGRAM WORK.

IN THE OCTOBER, ANIMAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING, WE DID PRESENT IT TO THEM, AND THE ADVISORY BOARD APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL CONTINUE WITH THIS PROGRAM ON A LARGER SCALE.

THIS IS OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE PATH FORWARD IS THAT WE HAVE THAT CURRENT FUNDING CAPACITY THAT FORTUNATELY CITY COUNCIL HAS GIVEN US IN THE PAST, AND IT'S THERE.

I THINK THAT'S A HUGE COMMITMENT.

WITH THAT, WE WOULD LOOKING AT HAVING A MINIMUM OF FOUR VOUCHER EVENTS PER YEAR, 150 VOUCHERS PER EVENT, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY 30,000 PER EVENT.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT A NUMBER RIGHT THERE, AT AT 120,000.

NOW, THAT'S IF WE JUST DO THE BARE MINIMUM.

THAT WOULD GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING AND CONSISTENTLY AVAILABLE TO OUR CITIZENS FOR FOUR YEARS.

IT ALSO BUILDS IN THIS MODEL THAT WE CAN START BUILDING IN THIS OPERATIONAL.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT IT'S REALLY COSTING.

MAYBE WE CAN ADD MORE LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE CLINICS.

THAT IS THE BARE MINIMUM THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO.

BUT THIS MORE WE WANT TO LOOK LONG TERM.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, AS I'VE SAID FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AMARILLO DIDN'T GET HERE OVERNIGHT.

WE ARE STARTING TO MAKE SOME REAL STRIDES ON CONSISTENT.

YES, IT'S NOT A JUST ONE TIME FLOOD THE MARKET AND EVERYBODY'S GETTING A VACCINE.

THIS IS MUCH MORE SUSTAINABLE, AND IT'S MUCH MORE LONG TERM TO ADDRESS OUR ISSUES.

IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE FIXING ANIMALS, BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE MICROCHIPPING.

WE'RE VACCINATING AND JUST THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION WORKING WITH THESE EMPOWERMENT ZONES REALLY PUTS US IN AN AREA THAT WE CAN START REALLY EDUCATING OUR PUBLIC ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNING AN ANIMAL.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE, AND WE WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THIS PATH FORWARD AND GO FORWARD WITH THE BACHELOR PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THAT'S A GOOD PRESENTATION, AND YOU GUYS HAVE RAN THAT PILOT FORWARD.

IT SURE SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE ALLEVIATED SOME OF THE PITFALLS, AND THEN THERE MAY JUST BE A FEW OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK AS YOU MOVE IT FORWARD TO ENSURE WE'RE GETTING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN OUT OF IT.

COUNCIL, DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING FROM MRS MEDLEY?

>> I JUST WANT TO I WAS IN THE MEETING OF THE BOARD THERE, AND THEY SAID, I THINK, BOY, WE SURE LIKE TO SEE MORE NUMBERS, BUT WHAT I THINK WE LEARNED IS THERE WERE A LOT OF DEVIL IN THE DETAILS ON THESE THINGS.

YES. BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE USED AND GOING THROUGH THAT PART OF IT.

ALSO THE VETERINARIANS OR THEY'RE USING THIS.

THIS IS NOT A BIG MONEY MAKER FOR THEM.

THEY'RE DOING THIS TO HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> ABSOLUTE.

>> AS WE'VE IDENTIFIED BEFORE, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ONE SOLUTION.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS, BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE WHERE I THINK, AS I LEARNED THROUGH THIS, WE REALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THIS MORE EFFECTIVELY GOING FORWARD, AND I THINK THE BOARD WAS SUPPORTIVE OF CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS, BUT IF YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE IF ONE ANIMAL GETS NEUTERED AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE LIFETIME, HOW MANY LITTERS THEY MAY HAVE HAD OR THAT TYPE OF THING, IT'S A WAY TO BEGIN TO SIGNIFICANTLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT WENT THROUGH DOING THIS, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE PRIVATE SECTOR VETERINARIANS THAT HELPED US WITH THIS.

I HOPE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN FIND THE SUPPORT AND CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND ROLL THIS OUT ON A MUCH LARGER SCALE.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT AND THEN I THINK THAT THIS IS THE BETTER LONG TERM SOLUTION.

I THINK BECAUSE IT HAS TAKEN YEARS TO GET HERE AND WE DO HAVE AN OVERPOPULATION, YOU HAVE LOOKED AT EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN? BARN CAT PROGRAM, YOU NAME IT AND SO WE CAN REDUCE THIS THROUGH SPAY AND NEUTER AND WORKING ALONGSIDE AND WITH THOSE PET OWNERS.

I THINK THE FINANCIAL BARRIER RIGHT THERE, $200, A LOT OF TIMES KEEPS THAT ANIMAL FROM GETTING THAT PROCEDURE, AND THEN THEY END UP WITH THE LITTER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER, AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT.

I THINK THIS MAY BE THE BEST IMPACT FOR OUR COMMUNITY LONG TERM.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT $120,000 A YEAR OF GETTING THAT OUT.

THIS IS A FOUR YEAR LOOK.

THE ONE QUESTION THAT I WOULD HAVE IS WITH THE LET'S SAY YOU ISSUED 87, YOU HAD ROUGHLY 45 REDEEMED.

CAN YOU PUT AN EXPIRATION ON THOSE.

>> THEY ALL DO HAVE A 60 DAY EXPIRATION.

[01:20:03]

THIS IS ALL THAT'S OUT. WE CAN BOOK IT.

IF WE JUST START OVER FLOODING THE MARKET, IT WOULD BE OVERWHELMING AND INVOICING WISE AND ALL THE MOVING PARTS THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR VET CLINICS.

WE DID IT AT 60 DAYS, AND THEN THERE HAVE BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, HEY, I WASN'T ABLE TO, I HAD AN EMERGENCY.

WE'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL AND SAY, AS SOON AS WE GET THE NEXT ONE, YOU'LL BE FIRST IN LINE FOR THE NEXT VOUCHER.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE DO ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THAT LIFE HAPPENS.

WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH THOSE CITIZENS, AND SANCENO, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HAS CONTACTED US ON A FEW THINGS GOING, HEY, WE FOUND THIS AND WE'RE LIKE, THAT MAKES SENSE.

THIS IS A BETTER TIME.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, WE WERE WORKING WITH THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS BEST TO ADDRESS THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIFICALLY.

>> THAT'S REALLY GOOD. IF YOU PUSH THIS FORWARD, FOUR EVENTS A YEAR, $30,000 PER EVENT, AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO GET $120,000 OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AT A 50% REDEMPTION RATE, THAT MONEY'S COMING BACK TO YOU ROUGHLY AFTER 60 DAYS.

YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW THOSE ARE EXPIRED.

HOPEFULLY, WE'RE RE-ISSUING THOSE.

>> YES, WE'LL BE RE-ISSUING THEM, AND THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO ALSO LOOK AT STRATEGICALLY, THESE FIRST TWO, THIS IS HOW MUCH.

CAN WE ADD SOME? CAN WE TALK TO OUR LOCAL VETS? ULTIMATELY, A GREAT CASE SCENARIO, WE WOULD HAVE MORE LOCAL PARTNERS.

WE COULD, INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF SERVICE PROVIDERS.

I THINK THIS PILOT PROGRAM WAS REALLY TO EASE THE FEARS THAT OUR LOCAL VETS HAD AND OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT IT DEFINITELY HAS THE ABILITY TO GROW.

THIS IS WHEN I SAY THAT THE 120,000 A YEAR, THAT IS REALLY JUST A BARE MINIMUM, BUT WE KNOW THAT WE CAN GROW WITHIN THAT.

>> REALLY, YOU START OFF WITH THEIR TRACKING FOR A YEAR, MAYBE 18 MONTHS.

IF YOU PUSH THAT OUT AND YOU'RE GETTING GOOD RESULTS.

HOPEFULLY, WORD OF MOUTH HELPS AS WELL.

THEN IF YOU BURNED THROUGH ALL 500K IN THREE YEARS, THEN THE INTENTION WOULD BE TO METRIC THIS, BRING IT BACK TO FUTURE COUNCIL AND REFUND THAT.

GO AHEAD AND PUT THE FUNDING BACK IN THERE AND DO IT AGAIN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DATA, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE STATISTICS TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE DID WITH IT, HOW IT WORKED.

IT ALSO GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT'S WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE CAN POSSIBLY PUT MONEY IN OUR BASE BUDGET, RECOGNIZING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO BUILD TOWARDS THE FUTURE THAT ISN'T GOING TO BE RELYING ON ONE TIME MONIES.

>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON IT.

TELL YOUR BOARD. THANK YOU FOR WORKING IT FORWARD AS WELL, COUNCIL, ANYTHING FURTHER?

>> WHAT QUESTION I DID HAVE, BECAUSE I NOTICED WE JUST RELEASED, I GUESS, TODAY THE INTAKE NUMBERS FOR 2025, AND I SAW I THINK THE TOTAL INTAKE OF ANIMALS WAS AROUND 8,600.

I KNOW TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE OVER 9,000.

LAST YEAR WENT DOWN. DID WE GO DOWN AGAIN THIS YEAR?

>> YES, WE DID. WE'VE SEEN AN OVERALL DECREASE IN ANIMALS INTAKES, AND WE CAN AFTER THREE YEARS, CONTRIBUTE THAT TO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH MICROCHIPPING.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY OF THOSE CLINICS THAT WE'RE SEEING THE FRUITS OF THAT THAT ARE RETURN TO OWNER BEFORE THEY EVER COME TO THE SHELTER HAS ALSO INCREASED.

THERE'S A CORRELATION THERE.

>> YEAH. THEN MICROCHIPPING IS PART OF THIS PROGRAM AS WELL.

>> EVERY ANIMAL THAT BEFORE, IT IS GOING TO BE WHAT IS TIED TO THAT VOUCHER.

FOR THE ANIMALS SAKE, FOR THE OWNER'S SAKE AND FISCALLY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TRACKING IT APPROPRIATELY.

>> WELL, WHEN YOU JUST LOOK AT THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS THAT ARE JUST COMING THROUGH THE DOOR, THAT'S A COST SAVINGS THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS OF ANIMALS THAT NEVER HAD TO GO THERE BECAUSE THEY WERE MICROCHIPPED AND YOU COULD TAKE THEM BACK TO THE OWNERS.

>> YES. WE'VE SEEN GREAT RESULTS ON OUR MICROCHIPPING CAMPAIGNS.

OUR OFFICERS HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF DOING THAT OUT IN THE FIELD BEFORE IT EVER COMES INTO THE SHELTER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, MA'AM. THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 7.2.

[7.2. Amarillo Economic Development Corporation quarterly update ]

WELCOME, MR. NELSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL.

I DO HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE FOR YOU TODAY.

JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

WITH SOME OF OUR CLIENTS.

WE DO HAVE THREE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN

[01:25:05]

WE HAVE ONE THAT IS GOING TO START CONSTRUCTION ACTUALLY THIS MONTH.

SAGE OIL BACK, THEIR EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE IS IN OCTOBER OF 2026.

THAT IS A $23 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

COST PACKING UNDER CONSTRUCTION, THEIR EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE IS DECEMBER OF 2026.

THAT'S $35 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

INJURIES ENTERPRISES, A $16 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

THEY'LL BE STARTING CONSTRUCTION IN CENTER PORT BUSINESS PARK THIS MONTH.

THEY EXPECT COMPLETION IN OCTOBER OF 2027, AND OF COURSE, PRODUCER OWN BEEF IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

THAT'S A $840 MILLION FACILITY.

THAT EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE IS STILL DECEMBER OF 2028.

JUST FOR Y'ALL'S EDIFICATION OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE ONGOING IN 2025, WE HAD 26 ACTIVE AGREEMENTS THAT REPORTED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE.

THERE WE HAVE QUITE A BREADTH OF COMPANIES THAT WE'VE ASSISTED THAT ARE STILL UNDER THEIR PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS, AND 26 OF THOSE REPORTED IN 2025.

TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF THE NEW ACTIVITY THAT'S OCCURRING AT AEDC ON THE RECRUITMENT FRONT.

IN 2025, STAFF RESPONDED TO 13 RFPS FOR SITE SELECTION.

WE ALSO HAD 61 RFPS THAT WE HAD NO RESPONSE TO FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR SOME REASON, POPULATION OR ANOTHER REASON.

MANY TIMES IT'S BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE AN EXISTING BUILDING THAT WOULD SUIT THE NEEDS OF THAT PROPOSAL.

WE DID HAVE 61 THAT WE DID NOT RESPOND TO.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE DID BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION VISITS WITH STAFF MADE 54 VISITS IN 2025.

WE CONTINUALLY OPERATE AND TRY TO VISIT WITH THE EXISTING BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT HAVE EXPANSION NEEDS.

BY GOING OUT AND VISITING THEM, WE CAN FIND MAYBE A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH THAT REALLY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

IN TOTAL IN 2025, WE ASSIGNED 26 PROJECT NUMBERS, TO GIVE YOU SOME BASIS OF WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS.

THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT WE BELIEVE HAVE A REAL CHANCE OF COMING TO FRUITION.

WE MEET THE CRITERIA, WE'VE RESPONDED.

WE'VE HAD ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS WITH EITHER THAT SITE SELECTOR OR THAT BUSINESS, SO 26 OF THOSE NUMBERS WERE ASSIGNED IN 2025.

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA IN 20242, PROJECT NUMBERS WERE ASSIGNED.

YOU CAN SEE THE VOLUME IS FAIRLY CONSISTENT, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DOWN, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2025.

JUST FOR FUN. LET'S TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE JUST FOR A MINUTE.

BECAUSE THE NUMBERS REALLY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HOW OUR COMMUNITY IS GROWING.

I LOOKED AT THE CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE NUMBERS FROM SEPTEMBER OF 2023 TO SEPTEMBER OF 2025, WHICH IS THE MOST RECENT THAT'S OUT THERE BY THE US BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

OUR CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE GREW BY 5,585 PEOPLE.

OUR EMPLOYED NUMBER OF PEOPLE GREW BY 5,197 PEOPLE.

ALMOST EVERY ADDITION TO OUR CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE WAS EMPLOYED.

VERY FEW THAT WERE NOT.

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2023, WE HAD A 3.1% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025, IT WAS 3.3.

SEPTEMBER OF 2024, IT WAS 3.1.

SO WE'VE BEEN VERY CONSISTENT, BUT WE'VE BEEN CONSISTENTLY GROWING OUR CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE, WHICH IS A GREAT SIGN FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[01:30:03]

>> DOUG, WE APPRECIATE IT. WE MAY.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. NELSON? NO. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE OUT IN THE SEARCH, WE'VE GOT SOME CANDIDATES THAT HAVE COME IN.

WE'VE GOT SOME STRONG INTERNAL AND STRONG EXTERNAL CANDIDATES.

WE WOULDN'T ASK YOU TO SPEAK ON ANYTHING IN DEPTH, BUT JUST AN OVERALL OF EXPECTATIONS ON THAT SEARCH, AND WHEN YOU THINK YOU MAY BE LOOKING OR THE EDC MAY BE LOOKING AT TRYING TO MOVE THAT ONE FORWARD FOR PRESENTATION?

>> YES, SIR. JUST FROM A TIMELINE PERSPECTIVE, OUR SEARCH FIRM CLOSED THE APPLICATIONS ON JANUARY 2ND.

THEY SENT APPLICATIONS TO QUALIFIED APPLICANTS IN THE APPLICANT POOL THAT THEY RECEIVED.

THEY WILL BEGIN AN INTERVIEW.

THE SEARCH FIRM WILL INTERVIEW APPLICANTS OVER THE COURSE OF THIS MONTH.

THEN WE EXPECT THAT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL INTERVIEW AND ULTIMATELY HIRE SOMEBODY IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, SO WE WOULD EXPECT THAT PERSON TO PROBABLY START IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.

>> REAL GOOD. WE APPRECIATE THAT.

I KNOW THAT'S A HIGH LEVEL UPDATE, BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR THAT THAT IS MOVING FORWARD.

THEN YOU GUYS ARE OFF TO A GREAT START FOR THIS YEAR.

I THINK YOU SAID IN A VERY POLITE WAY WE, AS COUNCIL, PREVIOUSLY DID, PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN.

IT SLOWED THINGS DOWN.

WE RESET, AND YOU GUYS HAVE SOME TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM MOVING FORWARD, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SEE THE GROWTH THAT YOU BRING, AND THEN THE GROWTH AROUND AMARILLO IS GOOD AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.

>> YES, SIR. I APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU.

>> GENTLEMEN, THAT BRINGS US TO ITEM 73,

[7.3. Request future agenda items and reports from City Manager]

>> YEAH. TO MY PREVIOUS COMMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAYBE LOOK AT THE IDEA OF HAVING SOME TYPE OF MEETING WHERE WE MAY BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT TOPICS MORE STRATEGICALLY AS A DISCUSSION ITEM AMONGST OURSELVES.

>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO SPEND AS MUCH TIME ON THAT AS THE BUDGET.

ALTHOUGH MAY BE AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME, MAY BE SOMETHING WHERE WE COULD MAKE THE MOST USE OUT OF THAT TIME TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT STRATEGIC ISSUES, LONG TERM ISSUES, EVEN ISSUES TO PUT SOME MEAT ON THE BONES TO PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF AS TO WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

ONE THING I WOULD THINK ABOUT IT, AND I WOULDN'T WANT IT TO BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE I MEAN, WE DON'T NEED TO MEET FOR DAYS.

BUT IF WE DO MEET, WE NEED TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE USE OF THE TIME THAT WE DO HAVE TOGETHER.

IF I KNOW ONE THING IS, WE CAN CHASE DOWN SOME RABBIT TRAILS, AND WE CAN TALK A LOT.

I THINK IF WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY, I THINK TO HELP FACILITATE THIS, TO KEEP US ON TRACK, TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT TO LIMIT THE DISCUSSION, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE X PERIOD OF TIME, WHETHER IT'S FOUR HOURS OR EIGHT HOURS, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT AND RIDE HERD ON US.

I WOULD SUGGEST THAT MAYBE GET YOUR INPUT, IF THERE'S SOME TYPE OF OUTSIDE FACILITATOR THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO HELP FACILITATE THE DISCUSSIONS TO KEEP US ON TRACK AND TO HELP GEAR THOSE DISCUSSIONS SO THAT WE'RE GETTING A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

ALSO, I REALLY DON'T THINK IT I THINK STAFF NEEDS TO BE LISTENING THOSE DISCUSSIONS, NOT NECESSARILY HAVING TO BE THE ONE TO RIDE HEARD OVER THEM.

THEY NEED TO BE HEARING THAT AND BEING THAT.

I WOULD JUST PROPOSE IF WE COULD TRY TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, MAYBE EVEN BEFORE WE GET INTO BUDGET SEASON, SO WE COULD AT LEAST SET THE TABLE WHAT MAYBE OUR PRIORITIES ARE SHORT TERM, LONG TERM FOR LONG TERM STRATEGIC LOOK.

>> COUNCILMAN, LET ME DRILL IN THERE AND MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING DEFINITIVE IN WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THERE.

WHAT I HEARD WAS STRATEGY.

THAT REPRESENTS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE HOW DO WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH, NOT THE WHAT?

>> PRIORITY MAY BE A BETTER WORD.

>> PRIORITY?

>> I MEAN, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE.

AGAIN, WE HAVE LOTS OF PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE LOTS OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO TODAY.

OUTSIDE, JUST LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY OUTSIDE OF THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT WHERE WE'RE VOTING ON WHETHER WE CONTINUE THIS SERVICE OR NOT CONTINUE THAT SERVICE OR WHATEVER, BUT TALKING ABOUT OVERARCHING, WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

[01:35:01]

HOW DOES THAT WEIGH AGAINST OTHER SERVICES THAT WERE PROVIDED? WHERE DO WE PRIORITIZE THAT? MAYBE NOT SO MUCH STRATEGIC.

OTHER THAN THE STRATEGY OF WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO AND WHERE DO WE WANT TO PUT PRIORITIES ON IN THE COMING YEARS?

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, LIKE WHAT WE DID A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT THAT WAS THE STRATEGIC PILLARS.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. SIMILAR TO THAT?

>> THAT MAY BE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.

JUST A CHANCE TO MAYBE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MORE I MEAN, THERE MAY BE SOME DETAIL THAT WE WOULD NEED TO PROVIDE ON PARKS AND REC, MOVING FORWARD.

BUT YEAH WHERE WE'RE DISCUSSING THE ISSUES NOT SPECIFICALLY TO THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AT A COUNCIL MEETING, BUT JUST GENERICALLY, WHAT DO WE SEE AS THESE MAJOR THINGS? WE TALKED ABOUT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. WHAT COULD THAT LOOK LIKE? BUT MAYBE YES, RE ADDRESSING THOSE PILLARS ARE PRIORITIES MOVING FORWARD, BUT THINKING OUT NOT ONLY JUST OUR TERM, BUT TRYING TO PUT A LITTLE BIT OF LONGER TERM THINKING AS TO WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD.

>> WHAT I'M NOT HEARING YOU SAY IS LIKE A RETREAT, COUNCIL RETREAT TYPE SETTING, WHERE IT IS MULTIPLE DAYS ON END, AND IT REALLY DRIVES MORE TOWARDS I MEAN, WE DO EVERYTHING FROM MAPPING PERSONALITY PROFILES TO MISSION AND VISION, STATEMENTS, AND THAT'S THAT WORKSHOP SETTING.

I'M NOT HEARING YOU SAY THAT.

I AM HEARING YOU SAY YOU WANT A TARGETED STRATEGIC AND PRIORITY CONVERSATION WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TALK OVERALL AND CONCEPTUALLY ABOUT THE DIRECTIONS WE'RE GOING AND THEN MAYBE TAKE THAT A STEP FORWARD FROM.

>> YES. NOW I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GET TOUCHY FEELY.

>> PERFECT.

>> BUT I THINK IT JUST WITHOUT, JUST TO BE ABLE TO TALK OVERALL ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT FACE US.

I THINK WE ALL KNOW OUR PERSONALITIES BY NOW, SO.

>> WE DEFINITELY ARE WORKING WELL TOGETHER AND WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF ACCOMPLISHED, PLUS.

I THINK THE STRATEGY AND PRIORITIES MEETING, IF WE LABEL THAT A WORKSHOP, HERE'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO.

GIVE THIS BODY ONE OPPORTUNITY AT IT BEFORE WE RUN IT THROUGH THE MACHINE, AND YOU TASK STAFF WITH AN ADDITIONAL PROJECT OF GOT TO GO OUT, FIND A CONSULTANT.

THEY'VE GOT TO BRING THE CONSULTANT IN.

THERE'S LOTS OF PHONE CALLS BACK AND FORTH.

THERE'S A COST ASSOCIATED TO THAT.

THEN YES, IT IS NICE TO HAVE THOSE ENTITIES REPRESENTED TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD.

HOWEVER, WHAT I THINK WE COULD DO IS WE COULD TEST OURSELVES JUST A LITTLE BIT, MAYBE PUT UP A THREE, FOUR HOUR MEETING TIME FRAME TO DO A STRATEGIC OR STRATEGY PRIORITY WORKSHOP.

LET'S TRY TO WORK IT FORWARD WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND WITH STAFF.

THEN OUT OF THAT, I WOULD TELL YOU, IF WE'RE RUNNING IN CIRCLES, IF WE'RE A LITTLE LOST, IF WE'RE NOT GETTING WHAT WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH, THEN I THINK WE COULD BRING THE CONSULTANT ON BOARD FOR STEP 2.

MR. PATH SEE YOU LIT UP.

>> MAY I MAY SUGGEST THAT MAYBE PERHAPS YOU, MYSELF, AND COUNSELOR SINCE WE MIGHT JUST TANGENT OFF THIS AND MEET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> SURE. YEAH, WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION, AND THEN WE COULD PUSH SOMETHING BACK OUT THROUGH YOUR OFFICE TO CHECK SCHEDULES.

THEN I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO OVERDO IT.

I THINK WE COULD EASILY SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP THAT PUTS US TOGETHER.

YOU THINK THREE, 4 HOURS WOULD GET YOU FAR ENOUGH INTO THOSE CONVERSATIONS?

>> WELL, MAYBE THE THREE OF US CO STRATEGIZE ON THIS A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE I'VE MET ALL OF US.

I MEAN, I JUST SAY IF WE DON'T FOCUS ON REALLY ACCOMPLISHING THE TASK, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY, WHAT'S THE FRAMEWORK THIS GOING TO LOOK LIKE SO THAT WE'RE EFFECTIVELY USING THAT TIME? BECAUSE, NO, I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MULTIPLE DAYS DOING THIS.

BUT ALSO, I DON'T WANT TO SPEND FOUR HOURS, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ONE TOPIC, AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN REALLY THAT MUCH FURTHER THAN WE ARE FOUR HOURS AGO.

IF WE COULD DO THAT ON OUR OWN, MAYBE THAT WOULD BE GREAT, BUT I KNOW WE HAVE ALL ROBUST OPINIONS, AND SO JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW THE BEST WAY IF WE'RE GOING TO SP IF WE'RE GOING TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER, HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE THAT SO THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND WE CAN PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT IS CONCRETE FOR THE STAFF TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, IT'S MAY BE SOMETHING THAT MAY CHANGE A LITTLE BIT AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

BUT, MAYBE WE CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT THIS MAY LOOK LIKE AND IF WE WANT TO START OUT WITH FOUR HOURS, I THINK AS LONG AS IT'S STRUCTURED AND WE STAY ON TARGET AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE WANT TO SET THAT WE COULD.

>> I THINK WE CAN EASILY TAKE A REVIEW OF OUR CURRENT PILLARS, SEE HOW WELL WE'RE PRIORITIZING THAT UP NEXT TO OUR BUDGETS, WHAT OUR METRICS LOOK LIKE IN OUTCOMES.

WE CAN BE CRITICAL OF, WHERE WE'RE NOT PERFORMING LIKE WE EXPECTED.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD ONE.

LET ME ASK IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE.

I DID WANT TO ASK YOU HAD BROUGHT UP GOVERNANCE AND ENDS A COUPLE OF TIMES, MAYBE GOING BACK AND REVIEWING THAT DOCUMENT AGAIN.

SEEING IF WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT SAYS,

[01:40:01]

THE GOVERNANCE AND ENDS DOCUMENT IS WHERE FOR US, I LIKE HAVING THAT PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK WHERE I'VE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD CONVERSATIONS PREVIOUS, MAYOR.

I MEAN, WE WERE READING SOME STUFF IN THE GOVERNANCE AND ENDS DOCUMENT, AND I ASKED THE CONSULTANT, DOES IT SAY THIS? THEY SAID, NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

IT WAS VERY GOOD AS A COUNCIL MEMBER TO GET THAT THIRD PARTY UNDERSTANDING.

>> LET ME SAY. I AM I GETTING?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY I DON'T SEE A NEED FOR A CONSULTANT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND ALL.

I DO SEE THE NEED TALK ABOUT A FACILITATOR, SOMEONE THAT COMES AND HELPS FACILITATE THE DISCUSSION AND KEEPS US ON TRACK AND BEING ABLE TO ALLOW IT.

BECAUSE ALSO THAT JUST RELIEVES THE MAYOR OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HAVING TO KEEP IT ON TRACK.

I MEAN, THAT WE'VE GOT SOMEBODY THAT'S SAYING, LET'S BE SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT EACH OF US ARE PROVIDING THAT INPUT THAT WE'RE DOING THAT.

BUT SOMEBODY'S MAKING SURE, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING ALL THESE TOPICS AND ISSUES ADDRESSED AND WE LEAVE WE LEAVE WITH SOMETHING CONCRETE AND DEFINITIVE THAT'S PROVIDING INSTRUCTION FOR MOVING FORWARD.

>> REALLY GOOD. I APPRECIATE THE REQUEST AND THE FEEDBACK.

I'M WATCHING MY SCREEN CLICK IN AND OUT.

CAN WE CONFIRM WE STILL LIVE STREAM, EVERYTHING GOOD BACK THERE? GREAT. LET ME KNOW IF WE HAVE ANOTHER INTERRUPTION.

COUNCILMAN, WHAT WERE YOU WE FOR?

>> GRAYSON, CAN WE GET THE CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON THE CHECK REGISTER? WHAT'S GOING ON? I THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS RECTIFIED AND THAT WE WERE MOVING FORWARD.

I KNEW THAT THERE WERE SOME TIMING ISSUES ON THE START OF THE YEAR.

BUT CAN WE GET AN UPDATE NEXT MEETING ON IF THERE ARE ANY DEFICIENCIES ON THAT.

>> SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE I KNOW MR. FISHER IS STILL HERE, AND I APPRECIATE YOU NOT GIVING A COMMENT AND THEN LEAVING BECAUSE COUNCILMAN PRESCOTT HERE IS ADDRESSING THIS SPECIFICALLY.

WHAT CAN WE NOT SEE? WHEN I SAY WE WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY NOT SEE THAT'S BEEN REDACTED OR HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCED?

>> IT WAS TIM, THOUGH, I THINK TIM BENSON BROUGHT THAT UP, DID HE?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS, TIM? I APOLOGIZE.

MR. BENSON, AND HE IS SOMEWHERE BACK THERE.

BUT, AS A FREQUENT REQUEST FROM FISHER AS WELL.

THERE IS THE ISSUE OF IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT OUT THE CHECK REGISTRY, WE NEED TO PUT OUT ENOUGH INFORMATION THAT THESE GUYS CAN SEE THE DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS.

IF WE AREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT, THEN WE'RE REALLY NOT HELPING OURSELVES AND SO WE FEEL THAT UP HERE BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUED POINT.

CAN WE GET WHAT HE'S ASKING FOR, BUT THEN IDENTIFY WHAT IS NOT BEING PRODUCED AND WHY?

>> WE CAN BRING THAT BACK TO YOU ALL AGAIN ANOTHER TIME FOR THE NEXT MEETING.

>> I KNOW IT'S COMPLEX AND I KNOW THAT WHEN IT'S LUMPED TOGETHER, BUT STILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT IF WE CAN.

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. APPRECIATE IT. WE'LL WORK ON THE GOVERNANCE AND ENDS AS WELL. COUNSELMAN.

>> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY ISSUE.

UNLIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TOP SECRETS AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

WE'RE IN A CITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE TOP SECRETS.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

I'M A LITTLE FRUSTRATED IN THIS THAT WE HAVE WHY CAN'T WE JUST GIVE EVERYTHING? I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A FEW THINGS BUT THAT SHOULD BE THE FEW THINGS THAT ARE REDACTED AS OPPOSED TO HERE'S WHAT WE'RE BRINGING IN AND HERE'S WHAT WE SPEND MONEY ON.

I THINK IT'S A SIMPLE EQUATION.

I'M A LITTLE FRUSTRATED.

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME, AND WE'VE ONLY BEEN ON THE COUNCIL FOR SEVEN MONTHS, AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING UP.

>> APPRECIATE THAT, SIR. COUNCILMAN TIPS, YOU GOOD.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP US MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, STAFF FOR UNDERSTANDING THOSE REQUESTS AND GETTING THEM WORKED IN OVER THIS MONTH AND THE NEXT MONTH.

[8.1. Consider Approval - Amendment No. 2 to the Amended Location Incentive Agreement between Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and Texas Tech University.]

WE WILL NOW MOVE INTO SECTION 8, OUR NON CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 81.

CONSIDER APPROVAL AMENDMENT TO A INCENTIVE AGREEMENT.

MR. NELSON, IF YOU'LL EXPLAIN TO US WHAT YOU HAVE SOMEWHAT RENEGOTIATED WITH OUR PARTNERS AT TEXAS TECH.

>> YES, SIR. BASICALLY, WE'RE SEEKING TO AMEND THE LOCATION AND INCENTIVE AGREEMENT THAT WAS DATED BACK IN 2018.

THE AMENDMENT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY WOULD ALTER THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE THAT IS IN THE AGREEMENT.

THE AMERAL EDC APPROACHED TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY TO INQUIRE IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING A LUMP SUM PAYMENT,

[01:45:03]

WE WENT BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE, BUT ULTIMATELY ENDED UP WITH OUR CURRENT OBLIGATION TO THEM IS THREE YEARS OF PAYMENTS THAT TOTAL $15.6 MILLION IN CHANGE.

WE'RE PROPOSING TO PAY THEM A LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF $13,653,467.33, WHICH BASICALLY IS A NET PRESENT VALUE CALCULATION TAKING A 7% DISCOUNT.

THAT DISCOUNT AMOUNTS TO A SAVINGS OF $1.95 MILLION.

IT IS LITERALLY A WIN WIN SITUATION FOR US, LESS TAXPAYER MONEY GOING OUT, AND TEXAS TECH CAN BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THAT CASH EARLY AND DEPLOYING IT IN THE UNIVERSITY.

I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> YES, SIR. COUNCILMAN.

>> DOUG, WE SPOKE, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THAT IF WE CARRIED THAT OUT THE THREE YEARS, CORRECT? I WAS 1.1 THAT WE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED AT A 3%, 4%?

>> 3.5%?

>> 3.5% RETURN. STILL, EVEN IF WE HOLD THE MONEY FOR THE THREE YEARS WITH THE INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE GETTING, WE'RE STILL GOING TO SEE WHAT 900,000 800,000?

>> $850,000 SAVINGS ON TOP OF WHAT WE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED IN INTEREST. YES, SIR.

>> WELL DONE ON THIS.

>> MR. NELSON, HOW OLD IS THAT AGREEMENT? HOW MANY YEARS?

>> IT WAS IN 2018,.

>> 2018, SO SEVEN YEARS YEARS, ANYWAY.

PREVIOUS PREVIOUS COUNCIL CAME TOGETHER AND ALONG WITH EDC, YOU WERE THERE AND SOME OTHER LEADERSHIP AND TEXAS TECH VET SCHOOL, YOU KNOW, WORKED ALONGSIDE THIS.

THE DEAL WAS MADE.

THEY HAVE SEEN SUCCESS OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

THEY'RE ACCREDITED.

THEY ARE TURNING OUT SOME OF THE BEST VETERINARIANS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THEY ARE COMPETITIVE WITH ANOTHER REALLY GOOD SCHOOL DOWN SOUTH.

THERE'S SOME METRICS THAT I KNOW EVERYBODY LOOKED AT THE PRICE TAG ON THAT ONE, AND I'M JUST SAYING IT OPENLY AND CANDIDLY.

WE ARE NOT BRINGING BACK THE DEAL TO TALK THROUGH, LIKE, DID, YOU KNOW, DID WE OR DID WE NOT? WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS IS THEY FULFILLED WHAT THEY NEEDED TO.

WE HAD AN OBLIGATION THROUGH THE EDC TO FULFILL THIS FINAL PAYMENT.

YOU TOOK IT UPON YOURSELF WITH THE HELP OF YOUR BOARD AND THE DIRECTION OF YOUR BOARD TO GO AND SEE IF WE GO AHEAD AND MAKE A LUMP SUM PAYMENT, WHAT ARE THEY WILLING TO TAKE THAT'S A REDUCTION? YOU'VE STEWARDED THOSE DOLLARS VERY WELL, AND YOU'VE KIND OF PUSHED THAT OVER THE EDGE.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING NEW THAT WE'VE DONE.

THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL.

IT'S NOT AN INCENTIVE AGREEMENT THAT WE'RE ENTERTAINING.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS NEGOTIATED AND MAPPED OUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.

>> YES, SIR. THAT'S CORRECT.

>> MR. NELSON, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU'RE DOING OVER THERE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE DO.

SO IT IS BEFORE YOU FOR CONSIDERATION OF AN APPROVAL.

>> MOVED.

>> I HAVE A MOTION.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A SECOND FROM PLACE ONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.

ON THE ITEM 8.2,

[8.2. Public Hearing and Consideration of Ordinance No. 8229.]

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

THIS ITEM 8.2 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 8229.

THIS IS TO A PUBLIC HEARING IN FIRST READING TO VACATE A 20-FOOT WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LOCATED WITHIN BLOCK 136 OF CLEMENS ADDITION, WHICH IS LOCATED IN PORTER COUNTY, TEXAS IN THE VICINITY OF SOUTHWEST 11TH AVENUE IN SOUTH VAN BERN STREET.

THE APPLICANT IS OJD ENGINEERING LLC FOR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AMARILLO.

THEY ARE REQUESTING VACATION OF THIS ALLEY WITHIN THIS BLOCK AS THEY OWN ALL THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE BLOCK AND HAVE SOME EXPANSION PLANS FOR A PARKING LOT AND OTHER ACCESSORY USES RELATED TO THE CHURCH THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE OVER THE COMING YEARS, SO THAT IS THE REASON FOR THEIR REQUEST SO THAT THEY CAN

[01:50:01]

THE CITY AND THE LOCAL UTILITY COMPANIES DID REVIEW THE REQUEST AND THERE ARE UTILITIES IN THIS ALLEY.

HOWEVER, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN IS GRANTING A PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT OVER THAT ALLEY AT NO COST TO THE CITY.

UTILITY RELOCATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

WITH THAT, THE CITY UTILITIES DEPARTMENTS AND THE FRANCHISE UTILITY COMPANIES DID NOT OBJECT TO THE REQUEST.

AS IT PERTAINS TO FAIR MARKET VALUE PAYMENT, SINCE THEY ARE DEDICATING THAT EASEMENT AT NO COST TO US, FAIR MARKET VALUE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

WE DID POST NOTICE AND SEND NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW, AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMENTS AS OF THE MEETING TODAY.

THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS WITH A 5-0 VOTE.

>> MR. KENDRICK, THANK YOU.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR BRADY? THANK YOU, SIR.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. NO PROBLEM.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING ON ITEM 8.2.

DO I HAVE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? WITH NO ONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WOULD CONSIDER A MOTION.

>> I MOVE TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 8229 AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSES.

[8.3. Consideration of Ordinance No. 8230.]

>> YES. 8.3 IS A CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 8230.

THIS IS TO CONSIDER VACATING A PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT THAT IS LOCATED WITHIN LOT 10, BLOCK 14, CITY PARK UNIT NUMBER 6.

THIS IS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF AMARILLO, IN THE VICINITY OF ANDOVER DRIVE AND SPENCER STREET, AND THE APPLICANT IS STEVE SATTERWHITE.

HE IS REQUESTING THE VACATION OF THIS EASEMENT TO CONSTRUCT A ACCESSORY BUILDING THAT WILL ENCUMBER PORTIONS OF THAT EASEMENT.

GIVEN THAT HE'S WANTED TO COVER IT WITH A STRUCTURE, TYPICALLY, THAT IS NOT ALLOWED UNLESS THE EASEMENT IS VACATED.

IN THIS INSTANCE, THE EASEMENT WAS DEDICATED BY PLATTE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE CITY IN 1985 WHEN THE DEVELOPER OF THE SUBDIVISION ORIGINALLY WAS CONSTRUCTING THE SUBDIVISION.

HOWEVER, UTILITIES WERE NEVER PLACED WITHIN THIS EASEMENT, SO IT'S ESSENTIALLY GONE ON UNUSED SINCE THE TIME IT WAS ORIGINALLY DEDICATED.

WITH THAT BEING THE CASE, THE CITY NOR FRANCHISE UTILITY COMPANIES OBJECT TO THIS REQUEST.

THE APPLICANT DID GET A THIRD PARTY APPRAISAL ON THE EASEMENT AND HAS MADE PAYMENT TO THE CITY FOR THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF WHAT THAT EASEMENT WOULD BE WORTH, SINCE THAT IS TECHNICALLY A PUBLIC ASSET, AND THAT WAS A VALUE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,800.

THEY HAVE MADE THAT PAYMENT TO THE CITY.

WITH THAT BEING THE CASE, THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM WITH A 7-0 VOTE.

>> GENTLEMEN, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON 8.3?

>> DID YOU HAVE TO SEND ANYTHING OUT FOR THIS TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> NO. THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN A PUBLIC STREET OR A ALLEY, FOR EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THAT'S AN ASSET THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN READILY USE.

THAT'S WHY THE STATE REQUIRES NOTICES FOR STREET AND ALLEY VACATIONS AS WELL AS OUR ORDINATES.

EASEMENTS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND ESSENTIALLY, THAT'S JUST FOR THE UTILITY COMPANIES IN THE CITY ITSELF.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S NOT A OBLIGATION TO SEND NOTICES ON A PUE VACATION VERSUS A STREET OR ALLEY.

>> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR BRADY? MAN, AS YOU CAN TELL, MR. KENDRICK, KNOWS HIS JOB VERY WELL OVER THERE.

I SEND A LOT OF PEOPLE HIS WAY, AND HE IS CONSTANTLY TAKING CARE OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL THAT DIDN'T GET HUNG UP IN THE SYSTEM.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE WHAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THANK YOU, BRADY.

>> NO PROBLEM.

>> GENTLEMEN, WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION ON 8.3.

>> MOVE TO ADOPT ORDER NUMBER 8230 AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES WITH A 5-0 VOTE.

[8.4. Consideration of Resolution No. 01-13-26-1.]

>> YES, SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

ITEM 8.4 IS A CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NUMBER 1-13-26-1.

THIS ITEM IS TO CONSIDER A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE TXDOT ROAD OFF SYSTEM RAIL GRADE SEPARATION STATE FUND PROGRAM.

THIS IS A 90/10 MATCHING GRANT.

THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION AMOUNT IS 22.5 MILLION.

WE DO HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM BNSF FOR 5% OF THAT 10%.

THE CITY'S OTHER 5% MATCH THERE WOULD BE THAT 1.125 MILLION.

WE HAVE HAD A AWARD OF THE FRA RAILROAD CROSSING ELIMINATION GRANT.

[01:55:07]

THAT GRANT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL AND THE RAIL RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION.

THIS PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE 2022 EAST RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN IMPLEMENTATION GOALS AND STRATEGIES, WHICH IT DID IMPLEMENT.

IT DID IDENTIFY THIS LOCATION AS A HAZARD FOR RAIL CROSSING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS GOING AND WALKING TO SCHOOL AND DIFFERENT THINGS.

I WILL SAY, DUE TO THE APPLICATION DEADLINE OF JANUARY 19TH, THIS IS WHY STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THE WAIVER FOR THE SECOND READING UNDER THAT SECTION 7 OF THAT RESOLUTION.

I DID INCLUDE A COUPLE OF PICTURES FROM OUR APPLICATION THERE.

THE IMAGE DOWN ON YOUR BOTTOM LEFT SCREEN YOUR SCREEN THERE IS ACTUALLY FROM OUR OE AND I GROUP.

THEY WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY CATCH A PHOTO OF THE TRAIN ACTUALLY BLOCKING THIS INTERSECTION, THE IMAGE THERE.

THE MAP THERE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE SOME OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT ROAD BEING ACTUALLY BLOCKED.

THAT RED LINE IS OUR EMERGENCY ROUTE BACK AROUND.

YOU ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE TO GO ALMOST A FULL SECTION AROUND THAT CROSSING IF YOU HAD AN EMERGENCY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.

I'LL GLADLY ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS RESOLUTION, THOUGH.

>> THANK YOU, CODY. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. BAZIN? THANK YOU. WITH THAT, COUNCIL WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION, INCLUDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE WAIVER OF THE SECOND READING.

>> MOVED.

>> A MOTION.

>> SECOND.

>> A SECOND FROM PLACE TWO.

ALL IN FAVOR ON ITEM 8.4, PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES.

NOT SURE WHO WE HAVE UP HERE.

I HAVE KASHUBA, BUT DONNA, YOU'RE LIT UP.

ITEM 8.5, WE DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THESE TWO POOLS, SO, MR. HOOPER.

[8.5. Consideration of Resolution No. 01-13-26-2.]

>> I WANT TO A POINT OF CLARIFICATION TO BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, AND WE HAVE A VIDEO.

WE WANT TO SHOW YOU AS WELL IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THERE WERE A LOT OF COMMENTS TODAY IN PUBLIC COMMENT REFERENCING THE LACK OF A PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE ON THESE POOLS, BUT I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY DISCUSSIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER MANY YEARS.

THIS HAS GONE THROUGH MANY POOL CYCLES EACH YEAR THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, RELATED TO HAVING A PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS DONE, IT'S AN ENGINEERING STUDY, IF YOU WILL, DONE FOR THESE POOLS.

THERE WAS ACTUALLY AN AGENDA ITEM THAT WAS CREATED IN AUGUST DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT DURING OUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH COUNCIL, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT IN GENERAL WITH EACH COUNCIL MEMBER ABOUT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WITH THAT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT.

IT WAS DETERMINED AT THAT TIME, COOPERATIVELY THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR STAFF TO GO AND DO AN ANALYSIS INITIALLY AND LOOK AT THIS AND SEE WHAT WE COULD UNCOVER UNDER THAT DECKING, BECAUSE WE KNEW WHAT A LOT OF THE ISSUES WERE MECHANICALLY.

WE HAD OUR STAFF GO OUT AND DO THAT, AND THAT WAS THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD AT THAT TIME.

THEN THE DECISION WAS FOR US TO COME BACK WITH OUR FINDINGS SO THAT WE COULD TAKE IT TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH WE DID AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT ALL OF THE FINDINGS THAT WE HAD INTERNALLY, MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL, AND THEN, OF COURSE, COME TO COUNCIL AND BRING THE SAME INFORMATION BACK TO YOU ALONG WITH THEIR RECOMMENDATION SO THAT THERE COULD BE A DECISION THAT WOULD BE MADE.

SECONDLY, WE PLAN TO BRING THE ITEM WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD HAD SO THAT YOU WERE ARMED WITH PLENTY OF INFORMATION TO MAKE A DECISION PUBLICLY OUT HERE IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC.

WE'VE SPOKEN WITH OUR POOL CONSULTANTS, WHICH THEIR NAME IS SUNBELT.

THEY DO SOME WORK FOR US.

WE'VE TALKED NOW, THESE ARE NOT THE ONES WE WERE GOING TO USE TO DO THE ACTUAL EVALUATION, BUT SUNBELT, WE USE FOR OUR POOL REPAIRS.

THEY'RE DOING SOME WORK AT THOMPSON RIGHT NOW.

THEY'VE ACTUALLY COME OUT AND LOOKED AT THE SOUTHEAST POOL WITH US BEFORE.

IN FACT, IT WAS PRIOR TO THE LAST SEASON THAT WE OPENED THE POOL TO LOOK AT THE VOIDS, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND SEE WHAT THEIR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE.

AT THAT TIME, I THINK THE RECOMMENDATION AND MICHAEL CAN SPEAK TO THIS BETTER THAN I CAN WAS THAT THIS POOL HAS RUN ITS COURSE.

IT'S OLD.

IT WAS BUILT A LONG TIME AGO.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN BOTH OF THESE POOLS WERE BUILT IN THE 60S AND 70S, THAT'S AN AWFUL LONG TIME.

THEIR RECOMMENDATION AT THE TIME WAS FOR US TO EVALUATE IT FURTHER.

THEY FELT LIKE WE COULD OPEN IT UP FOR THIS SEASON BECAUSE WE WERE BUMPED RIGHT UP ON THE TIME WHEN WE WERE GOING TO BE OPENING THOSE POOLS, AND IT WASN'T THE PROPER TIME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

FAST FORWARD TO AUGUST, WHEN WE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU AS COUNCIL, AND NOW THAT'S WHERE WE'VE ARRIVED AT TODAY IN MAKING THE DECISIONS.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE AND POINTED OUT THAT, AND HERE'S THE OTHER THING.

I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW AND YOU TO KNOW, AND I THINK YOU KNOW THIS BECAUSE WE'VE TALKED TO YOU ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

OUR ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT CLOSING POOLS.

[02:00:01]

I THINK WHEN WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE REACHED A POINT THAT PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER BE SAFE THERE, WE'VE GOT THE PUBLIC IN MIND.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT EITHER WAY, WHETHER WE GO AND RENOVATE THE POOLS THAT ARE THERE, OR WE PUT NEW INFRASTRUCTURE IN AND BUILD NEW THINGS THAT YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE TO EVALUATE AND LOOK AT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL, MOVING FORWARD, EITHER WAY, YOU'RE SPENDING MONEY.

I THINK THE WAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS IS, WHAT IS THE BEST USE OF THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, WHICH IS WHAT YOU CHARGE US WITH DOING EACH AND EVERY DAY.

IS IT BETTER TO EVALUATE AND REBUILD, OR IS IT BETTER TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO PROVIDE THE CITIZENS A SAFE PLACE TO GO FOR THOSE WATER FEATURES, POOLS, WATER PARKS, WHATEVER THAT MAY BE THAT WE DECIDE TO DO IN THE FUTURE MOVING FORWARD? THAT'S JUST THE PROCESS OF HOW THIS WORKS.

I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT AS WELL, THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THOUGHT THAT'S GONE INTO THIS, AND IT'S ALL GEARED TOWARD THAT ONE TOPIC AND THAT SAFETY.

WITH THAT, WE'VE GOT A VIDEO.

WE'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU THEN WE HAVE MR. KASHUBA'S HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEFORE YOU RENDER YOUR DECISION.

>> SOUTHEAST POOL IS ACTUALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1965, WHICH MAKES IT 60-YEARS-OLD THIS YEAR.

SOUTHWEST POOL IS A LITTLE BIT NEWER.

IT WAS ACTUALLY BUILT IN 1974, WHICH MAKES IT 51-YEARS-OLD.

YOU'VE GOT FACILITIES THAT ARE REALLY STARTING TO AGE.

YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF VEHICLES BEING DRIVEN AROUND FROM THE 1960S, AND THE SAME THING WITH THE POOL, A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S STARTING TO FAIL AT THOSE FACILITIES.

>> CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE SINCE LAST SUMMER WHEN THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF CAME TO US TO SAY THAT THERE WERE REAL ISSUES WITH THE SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST POOLS.

THE TWO MAIN ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH ARE ONE EQUIPMENT THAT IS OUTDATED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

A LOT OF THE EQUIPMENT IN BOTH THE POOLS IS DECADES OLD AND IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS LEAKS UNDERNEATH THE POOL THAT HAS CAUSED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EROSION, WHICH MAKES IT A REAL SAFETY ISSUE.

COUNCIL HAD REALLY BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS AND APPROVED THE PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF AND THE BOARD TO GO AHEAD AND LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND THEN COME BACK TO US WITH A PROPOSAL ON HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REMEDY THESE TWO ISSUES.

>> MAKEUP OF OUR BOARD, IT'S REALLY A CROSS-SECTION OF CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS.

WE'RE APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO THREE-YEAR TERMS. THE PROFESSIONALS OF THE PARK AND REC STAFF.

THEY BRING US IDEAS LIKE THE POOLS, THE PROBLEMS, THE SOLUTIONS.

THEY'RE LOOKING TO US TO GET INPUT FOR THE PUBLIC, TO LISTEN TO THINGS OVER TIME, AND THEN TO MAKE A DECISION OF WHAT WE SEE AS OUR OPINION, AND OUR VIEWPOINT AS A BOARD, AND THEN THOSE IDEAS FILTER OVER TO THE COUNCIL, AND THEY'RE PRESENTED, AND ULTIMATELY THE COUNCIL VOTES.

>> IF THE SHELL OF THE POOL IS SOLID AND YOU HAD SOME MECHANICAL STUFF, WE THINK THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SALVAGEABLE.

BUT WHEN YOU START TO SEE THE PUMPING SYSTEMS FAILING, THE FILTRATION SYSTEMS FAILING, AND THEN WE START TO SEE THESE VOIDS AND OTHER ISSUES AROUND THE ACTUAL STRUCTURE OF THE POOL, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE SOME MAJOR CONCERNS.

AS THE STRUCTURE OF THE POOL, THE WATER PUSHES AGAINST THAT THERE'S NOTHING SUPPORTING IT FROM THE BACK SIDE.

THE CONCERN IS THAT YOU START TO SEE CRACKING, YOU START TO SEE POOL FAILURE, YOU START TO SEE THAT STRUCTURE MOVING, WHICH THEN BECOMES A MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT FIX.

>> YOU START SEEING SAFETY CONCERNS WITH VOIDS THAT UNDERNEATH CONCRETE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT REALLY GETS OUR ATTENTION.

I THINK THAT AGAIN, THEY'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MAINTAINING IT TO THIS POINT AND MODERNIZING AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, BUT SAFETY IS JUST SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T WAVER ON.

IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME CHOICES, TIME TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.

>> I THINK THEY WERE LOOKING AT DOING ANYTHING THAT WE COULD TO KEEP THOSE TWO FACILITIES OPEN, BUT I'VE HAD SEVERAL PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MEMBERS TELL ME THAT ONCE THEY LOOKED AT THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE REHABILITATION OF THOSE, THAT REALLY THAT THEY FELT THAT APPROACHING $2 MILLION AND REINVESTMENT IN THOSE AREAS IS SOMETHING THAT WE JUST HAVE TO REALLY TAKE A HARD LOOK AT AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD TAKE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> WE HAVE REALIZED OVER TIME THAT THESE POOLS, WHICH ARE BOTH OF SOUTH EAST AND JOHN STIFF POOL, THEY'RE 50-YEARS-OLD. THEY'RE OLD.

THEY'VE OUTLASTED THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY.

WE COME TO THE CONCLUSION, IT'S TIME NOT TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO THOSE POOLS.

IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> THE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED WOULD BE ABOUT $2 MILLION TO GET BOTH SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST KEEP THEM AT AN OPERATIONAL LEVEL.

[02:05:02]

BUT REALLY, TO MAKE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT $10-$15 MILLION PER FACILITY.

THAT'S WHERE THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PARK BOARD AND COUNCIL REALLY OCCURRED IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE DIRECTION FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

OUR JOB OF STAFF IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, PROVIDE REPORTS, GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION.

BUT ULTIMATELY, THE DECISION MAKERS ARE THE COUNCIL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'VE GOT ACCURATE INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE MOST INFORMED AND BEST DECISION FOR THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO.

>> IT'S NOT A CONVERSATION THAT WE TAKE LIGHTLY.

ANYTIME THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AFFECT QUALITY OF LIFE WITH THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ASK FOR.

THAT'S A TOUGH DECISION ON A COUNCIL.

>> I THINK THE PARKS BOARD HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF EVALUATING THIS.

I THINK OUR STAFF HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB EVALUATING THIS.

NOW THE NEXT STEPS ARE, IT GOES TO COUNCIL.

COUNCIL GETS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

THEY GET TO HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS, THE PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC, AND ARE GOING TO BASICALLY DETERMINE WHAT COMES NEXT IN THIS PROCESS.

>> THE PLAN IS ON OUR FIRST MEETING IN JANUARY.

RIGHT NOW, THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA, AND WE WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THEY CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE AND OUR E MAIL ADDRESSES AND CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON THE CITY WEBSITE, AS WELL AS THEY'RE WELCOME TO COME AND SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

REALLY ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS WITH US.

WE'LL TAKE ALL THOSE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE LOOK AT, MAKING A FINAL DECISION ON WHETHER COUNCIL WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS OR NOT.

>> OF COURSE, WE INVITE ANYONE WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN OUR POOLS AND WHAT WE DO WITH OUR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO COME AND HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD OR REACH OUT TO YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LET THEM KNOW, REACH OUT TO STAFF, LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THOSE IDEAS AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AND WE CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISION BASED ON WHAT THE CITIZENS OF AMARILLO WANT.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TIME TO SHOW THAT IF YOU HADN'T SEEN THAT YET.

WITH THAT, WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY, AND MR. KASHUBA, IS HERE TO COME TO THE PODIUM AND TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> REALLY GOOD. YEAH. MR. KASHUBA, IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING UP, I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE SOME QUESTIONS HERE ON THIS DISCUSSION.

COUNSEL, DO I HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO LEAD ON?

>> I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE MICHAEL.

GIVE ME ATTENDANCE AGAIN ON SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHEAST. YOU GOT THAT?

>> YEAH. JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND.

I MAY ACTUALLY HAVE TO GET THAT FOR YOU.

I DON'T HAVE THAT ON THIS.

BUT I CAN GET IT FOR YOU.

>> BECKY'S GOT IT FOR YOU. [LAUGHTER]

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> FOR SOUTHEAST POOL, THE TOTAL ATTENDANCE WAS 10,414.

FOR SOUTHWEST, THAT NUMBER WAS 9,781.

THOMPSON WAS 31,017.

>> I KNOW WE HEARD FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE TODAY AND WE FELT WE'VE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE IN LOOKING AT THE POOLS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS FISHER WHO IT WAS THAT ASKED ABOUT IT, AN ENGINEER THAT'S LOOKED AT THIS.

HAVE WE HAD AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT IT? I DON'T KNOW.

>> NO WE HAVE NOT HAD AN ENGINEER.

WE DID BRING AN ITEM TO COUNSEL BACK IN AUGUST TO DO AN AQUATIC FEASIBILITY STUDY.

AT THAT TIME, WE WERE DIRECTED TO DO IT INTERNALLY, WHICH IS THE REPORT THAT WE PRESENTED LAST MINUTE.

>> TO SAVE THE MONEY.

>> CORRECT.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. AFTER THE NUMBERS AND I THINK THERE WERE SOME GOOD POINTS BROUGHT UP WITH SOUTHWEST POOL, I THINK THAT THERE'S SEVERAL OTHER CHOICES TO BE MADE OVER THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS OVER THERE.

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.

I THINK THAT SOUTHWEST I THINK THERE'S A GOOD ARGUMENT TO SHUT IT DOWN.

THERE'S JUST TOO MANY OTHER OPTIONS OVER THERE.

SOUTHEAST, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY TO ME.

WHAT I WOULD OR WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS, AND IF WE COULD GET THIS, A LOCAL POOL CONTRACTOR OR SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT, I NOT SAYING THAT OUR STAFF DOESN'T.

DON'T HEAR THEM SAY THAT. BUT TO GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AT IT MECHANICALLY AND SEE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET UP.

IF THEY'RE NOT CAPABLE, OR THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE PLASTER, THE VOIDS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

IS THIS POOL EMPTY RIGHT NOW?

>> YES, BOTH OF THEM ARE EMPTY.

JUST TO GO BACK FOR A SECOND.

THE INFORMATION WE PRESENTED LAST WEEK OR THE LAST MEETING, THOSE ESTIMATES,

[02:10:02]

WE ACTUALLY REACHED OUT TO A POOL COMPANY TO COME OUT AND GIVE US THOSE NUMBERS.

THOSE NUMBERS WE PRESENTED TO COUNSEL, THAT 450 FOR REPLASTERING, 300, ALMOST 400,000 FOR THE MECHANICAL, THOSE ARE ALL NUMBERS THAT CAME FROM A VENDOR THAT WE'VE USED IN THE PAST.

BEFORE WE BRING A BUDGETARY NUMBER TO COUNSEL, WE'RE GOING TO RUN THAT THROUGH A VENDOR, A CONTRACTOR TO GIVE US SOME BUDGETARY NUMBERS, SO WE KNOW THE SCOPE OF MAGNITUDE OF WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

THAT'S WHERE THOSE NUMBERS THAT WE PRESENTED LAST TIME CAME FROM, THAT APPROXIMATELY A MILLION PER FACILITY.

BUT AGAIN, THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL, THE DECKING, SOME OF THE BIGGER ISSUES.

>> THE VENDORS THAT WE'VE USED IN THE PAST ARE THEY LOCAL OR NOT?

>> NO. THEY'RE A NATIONAL FIRM.

>> WHY?

>> THEY DO THE STUFF ALL OVER.

LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE SCALE OF THE POOLS.

A LOT OF THE LOCAL VENDORS DON'T DO POOLS, THE SCALE OF WHAT WE DO WITH OUR PUBLIC POOLS.

>> A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE PUMPING SYSTEMS AND THE WAY THAT THEY'RE DESIGNED.

THEY'RE LARGER YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT SAME THING IN RESIDENTIAL POOLS.

>> SURE.

>> IT'S A LOT DIFFERENT. IT'S MORE ALONG THE LINES OF WATER WATER PLANT OR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WOULD HAVE IN THE MECHANICAL. YEAH, SECTIONS.

>> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING FROM CONSTITUENTS IS WE TALK ABOUT WHATEVER, BUT 1 BILLION OR $2 BILLION WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT WHEN WE THINK THAT REALLY THAT'S A CRAZY NUMBER.

WE THINK WE MIGHT COULD DO IT FOR LESS. WE DON'T KNOW.

TEARING DOWN A BATHROOM IS GOING TO COST $250,000.

STUFF LIKE THAT, IT MAKES US QUESTION OF, WHERE ARE THESE VENDORS COMING FROM? BECAUSE I FELT LIKE I COULD TEAR DOWN A BATHROOM FOR LESS THAN $250,000.

>> THE REST ROOM NUMBERS, THEY'RE ACTUALLY A LOT LESS TO TEAR IT DOWN TO REPLACE ONE IS ABOUT A QUARTER OF 1 MILLION.

>> OKAY. WHERE I'M LEANING, AND THIS IS AGAIN, JUST MY OPINION, IS IF WE HAD THOSE HARD NUMBERS, IF THERE'S SOMEBODY LOCAL THAT WE HAVE, I DON'T KNOW WHO THESE VENDORS ARE.

Y'ALL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHO THAT IS.

IF THEY'RE REASONABLE OR IF THESE ARE THE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT DEAL.

YOU GETTING A MUNICIPAL DISCOUNT, A JOKE, IF THEY'RE CHARGING US MORE.

IF THERE IS ANYBODY LOCAL THAT CAN DO IT THAT WE KNOW OF, THAT COULD GET US NUMBERS TO LOOK AT IT FOR SOUTHEAST, SO THAT WE DO HAVE A HARD NUMBER.

WHAT I HEAR FROM NOT JUST WHAT WAS SPOKEN TODAY, BUT SEVERAL E MAILS AND EVERYTHING.

I HAD THAT. WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION.

I THINK YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT WAS YOU AS CONCRETE.

MAYBE WE ALREADY HAVE IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS THAT THAT'S GIVEN US THOSE BIDS.

BUT I THINK IF WE HAD THAT BID TO LOOK AT IT, AND I THINK THAT WE'VE ALREADY PASSED THE POINT TO HAVE AN OPERATIONAL POOL THIS SUMMER, CORRECT? IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS AT ALL, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OPERATIONAL THIS SUMMER.

>> REALLY, THAT'S WHERE THIS CONVERSATION STARTED WAS THE REPLASTERING OF THE POOL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN LONG OVERDUE.

THAT WAS WHERE WE STARTED HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PARK BOARD OF, IS THIS MONEY WELL INVESTED IN STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS? WE'VE GOT THE BUDGETARY NUMBERS FROM VENDORS TO PROVIDE THE PLASTERING, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PUMP EQUIPMENTS.

WE'VE GOT THOSE NUMBERS.

THE NUMBERS WE DON'T HAVE ARE GOING TO BE THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES AROUND SOUTHWEST, THE DECKING.

SOUTHEAST POOL RIGHT BEFORE THE SEASON WAS WHEN WE IDENTIFIED THE LEAKS IN THE POOL, AND WE ACTUALLY HAD SUNBELT COME OUT AND ADDRESS THE VOID UNDERNEATH SOUTHEAST POOL.

BUT AGAIN, THAT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX TO TRY TO GET US THROUGH THE SEASON WHILE WE COULD EVALUATE SOME OF THOSE OPTIONS.

AGAIN, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE DID AS A STOP GAP TO GET US THROUGH THE SEASON.

>> I THINK WE CAN ENTERTAIN PUTTING SOMETHING TOGETHER ALONG THE LINES WITH WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME THAT I THINK OPENING THE POOLS THIS SPRING IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IF WE GO THAT DIRECTION TIME WE GET OUR FEES OUT OR WHATEVER PROCESS WE HAVE TO USE TO GET QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THAT. IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

>> I THINK WE'VE TALKED BEFORE, I THINK WE'RE ALREADY PAST THAT.

TO GET THEM OPERATIONAL AND SAFE, THAT'S THE BIGGEST DEAL.

YOU KEEP BRINGING UP, IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT IS AN AMENITY.

IT IS A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY FOR SOUTHEAST.

IF IT WAS POSSIBLE AND DOABLE, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT.

SOUTHWEST, I DON'T THINK THE NUMBERS THE NUMBERS JUST AREN'T THERE, IN MY OPINION, AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT IF WE COULD DO THAT, GET THOSE NUMBERS FOR SOUTHEAST, THE HARD NUMBERS.

DID WE VERIFY THERE IS A LEAK IN THAT POOL? LIKE THERE AS YOU SEE THE SUN THE SUNBELT.

>> YES, SIR. WE ACTUALLY STARTED WITH SOME LEAK DETECTION.

THERE WERE SOME LEAKS IN THE POOL.

THEY STARTED AT THE TOP END OF THE POOL.

THEY WOULD MAKE A REPAIR, WE'D FILL IT BACK UP.

WE WERE STILL DRAINING WATER, SO THEN THEY WOULD MAKE ANOTHER REPAIR.

[02:15:02]

DO YOU HAVE THE OLD PRESENTATION, STEPHANIE? AGAIN, BACK WHEN THEY DID THE VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER ACT, THEY ACTUALLY HAD TO REPAIR THOSE DRAINS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL.

WHEN THEY DID THAT, YOU CAN SEE THE OUTLINE OF, LET ME GRAB THIS ONE, I'M JUST GOING TO FLIP THROUGH TO.

THIS WAS WHAT WE OPENED IT UP THIS SPRING TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE LEAK.

THESE WERE THE IMAGES THAT WE FOUND WHEN WE GOT UNDERNEATH THERE.

THIS IS WHERE WE IDENTIFIED THE VOID UNDERNEATH THAT POOL.

[NOISE]

>> TO CLARIFY, MR. KASHUBA THIS WAS A YEAR AGO?

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SPRING OF 2025.

>> THESE REPAIRS, DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MUCH THEY COST?

>> I THINK IT WAS AROUND $50,000.

>> FIFTY THOUSANDS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> THAT'S IT?

>> BUT WITH THAT VOID, DID WE USE FLOW FILL?

>> WE USED FLOW FILL, AND I THINK IT TOOK 5 YARDS OF CONCRETE TO FILL IT UP, AND THAT'S WHERE IT STOPPED.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT ADDRESSED ALL OF THE ISSUES, BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT ADDRESSED THAT FOR A TEMPORARY FIX.

>> BUT YOU FEEL LIKE THE FIX IS LEAKING AGAIN OR WE VERIFIED THAT IT'S LEAKING AGAIN?

>> YES.

>> IT'S THE POOL, IT'S NOT THE PLUMBING.

PLUMBING IS EASY TO FIND.

WE CAN PRESSURE TEST SO IT'S FINE.

>> PRESSURE TEST. STAFF HAS BEEN MONITORING IT SINCE WE DID THESE REPAIRS AND OBVIOUSLY THIS FALL, AND YOU CAN SEE I THINK THAT WAS THE NUMBERS THAT BRAD PRESENTED.

BUT THIS IS SHOWS THE CUTOUT OF WHERE THOSE REPAIRS WERE DONE, AND THAT'S WHERE WE SAW THOSE VOIDS HAPPENING UNDERNEATH THE POOL WAS IN THOSE AREAS WHERE PREVIOUS WORK HAD BEEN DONE.

>> IN COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC, YOU CAN SEE THAT'S A LARGE REMOVAL THERE ON THE LEFT, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ON THE RIGHT.

CAN WE VALIDATE OR JUST CONFIRM THAT THAT COST IS ACCURATE? I DON'T WANT TO, MISSPEAK.

AS FAR AS, LIKE, $50,000 TO REPAIR IT FAR LESS THAN WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> WE'D BE HAPPY TO GET THOSE NUMBERS HERE.

>> I THINK THAT THE POINT IS THAT IT WAS IT WASN'T REALLY A REPAIR.

IT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX WITH FLOW FIELD TO GET IT OPERABLE. IT WASN'T A REPAIR.

>> COUNCIL MEMBER TIPS, JUST TO CONFIRM WHEN YOU SAY HARD NUMBERS, ARE YOU TALKING BID NUMBERS? ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BUDGETARY NUMBERS?

>> I THINK IF WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT DOING THIS, I THINK WE NEED BID NUMBERS, TO LOOK AND SEE, LIKE, WHAT IS THIS REALLY GOING TO TAKE?

>> TO DO BID, WE'D HAVE TO PROCURE THIS, WE'D HAVE TO GET AN ENGINEER TO DESIGN THE PROJECT, SO WE CAN DO A PROPER SCOPE, AND SO WE CAN GIVE IT TO CONTRACTORS TO PROPERLY BID.

IF THAT'S DIRECTION WE'D LIKE TO GO, WE CAN DEFINITELY WORK TOWARDS THAT DIRECTION?

>> AGAIN, THAT'S JUST ME TALKING.

YOU'VE GOT FOUR OTHER GUYS UP HERE.

SO I MEAN, I CAN'T DIRECT YOU TO DO THAT BUT I JUST THINK IT'S WORTH LOOKING AT.

I THINK OF VALUE AND VALUE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS WOULD BE, IN MY OPINION, THE ONE TO MAYBE LOOK AT AND SEE, ESPECIALLY IF WE SHUT DOWN SOUTHWEST, WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE NUMBERS OF SOUTHEAST? MY MAY NOT EVEN MOVE THE NEEDLE.

THEY MAY NOT EVEN MOVE AT ALL. BUT I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S JUST MY OPINION. I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE THOSE HARD NUMBERS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THOSE.

I THINK BEFORE WE MAKE THAT DECISION, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE. JUST MY OPINION.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMAN.

>> WE LOOK AT ATTENDANCE NUMBERS.

THAT REALLY ISN'T A GOOD BAROMETER.

ONE IS BECAUSE OF OPTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE POOLS IN THE SOUTH PART OF TOWN, WHETHER IT'S EAST OR WEST THAT ARE MAINTENANCE WISE, THEY'RE FALLING APART, WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS, AND YOU HAVE OTHER OPTIONS AS A FAMILY, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE OPTIONS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT AND CANYON JUST BUILT A GREAT WATER FACILITY, AND A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO CANYON, AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE DOWN THERE, AND IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM SOUTH AMARILLO THERE COMING DOWN BECAUSE IT HAS A GREAT FACILITY.

I THINK WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE FRUSTRATION IS WE'RE LOOKING TO CLOSE THESE POOLS BEFORE WE HAD A PLAN ON AT LEAST WHAT THEY'RE HEARING.

WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN TO HEAR THAT THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO BE CLOSED, BUT THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO PUT SOMETHING IN IN ITS PLACE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEIR BIG CONCERN IS THAT THESE POOLS ARE GOING TO CLOSE, AND THEN THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING THERE.

I AGREE WITH DON THAT THE SOUTHEAST IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT AS WE LOOK AT IT,

[02:20:02]

I DON'T THINK THOSE NUMBERS WHEN WE LOOK AT ATTENDANCE IS THE BEST BAROMETER TO LOOK AT.

WE CAN BUILD THE GREATEST COMPLEX WE HAVE, BUT IF WE DON'T MAINTAIN THOSE BUILDINGS AND THAT ASSET, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME PLACE 30, 40 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT IS THE INVESTMENT THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE IN THESE POOLS OVER THE YEARS? IT'S NOT OUR INVESTMENT AS THE CITY, OTHER THAN WE'RE ALL TAXPAYERS, AND WE'RE ALL PAYING INTO IT.

BUT WHAT IS THAT INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNCILS BACK IN THE '60S AND '70S WHEN THEY BUILT THOSE POOLS AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IN UPKEEP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK THEY'RE CORRECT.

OUR ATTEMPT AT MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN AVERAGE AT BEST IN KEEPING THAT ASSET GOING.

I COMMEND YOU FOR THAT ABILITY TO KEEP THEM GOING IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

BUT WE'VE GOTTEN TO THIS POINT.

WE LOOK AT THESE LEAKS.

WE'RE BUILT. YOU HAD SPACES IN THERE, BUT WE DON'T SEE ANY MOVEMENT OF THE POOL.

THE WALLS AREN'T MOVING OUT JUST BECAUSE THERE'S SPACE BEHIND THERE, WE DON'T SEE THAT THE POOL IS SINKING IN ANY WAY.

DO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS THAT IF WE SAY IT'S A LEAK, IS IT SOMETHING THAT IS NEW, OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION ON AND SAY, HEY, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT THE ISSUE WAS.

>> A LOT OF THAT IS JUST FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE.

WE WENT OUT AND DID AN ASSESSMENT BASED OFF OF WHAT WE COULD SEE.

WHEN STAFF WAS OUT THERE, THEY WERE TAPPING ON THE CONCRETE WITH A HAMMER AND YOU COULD HEAR A VOID.

THAT'S WHAT LED US TO OPEN UP THE DECK AT SOUTHWEST.

OBVIOUSLY WITH SOUTHEAST, THE VOID UNDERNEATH THE POOL IS WE COULD SEE THE WATER GOING DOWN.

NOW, WHERE THAT WATER IS GOING, WE STILL DON'T KNOW.

OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE'S A VOID AROUND SOUTHWEST, THAT WATER'S GOT TO BE GOING SOMEWHERE, THE VOID AT SOUTHEAST, AT LEAST WE'VE TEMPORARILY PATCHED, BUT AGAIN, THAT WATER COULD BE MOVING SOMEWHERE.

AGAIN, WE'RE NOT STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, WE'RE NOT ENGINEERS.

WE WERE ASKED TO GO DO A STAFF ASSESSMENT OF IT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE DONE.

WE'D BE HAPPY TO BRING BACK A FURTHER STUDY, IF THAT'S WHAT COUNSEL'S DIRECTION IS.

AGAIN, WHEN WE BROUGHT THAT FEASIBILITY BEFORE PART OF THAT WAS ALSO LOOKING AT THE MARKET DEMANDS, NOT ONLY ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF THE STRUCTURES, BUT THEN ALSO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DOES THE MARKET SUPPORT IN AMARILLO? LOOKING AT WHAT WOULD BE A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT.

WHERE WOULD THAT GO? WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE? AGAIN, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD ALWAYS GO BACK TO AND PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION OR GET A CONSULTANT TO HELP GUIDE THROUGH THAT PART OF IT.

>> ANYTHING FURTHER, COUNCILMAN?

>> NOT RIGHT NOW.

>> NOT RIGHT NOW. YES, SIR.

>> COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WHAT IS THE SWIMMING SEASON IN AMARILLO?

>> MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY.

>> WHAT ABOUT 75 DAYS, 90 DAYS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT? WHAT I REMEMBER HEARING LAST TIME WAS WE HAD 480,000 FOR PLASTER? SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> IT'S ABOUT 450,000.

>> THAT'S A TRUE VALIDATED NUMBER.

HOW MUCH WAS THE MECHANICAL REPAIR?

>> IT WAS ABOUT 385, I CAN ACTUALLY GO TO THOSE SLIDES.

>> WE'RE SOMEWHERE RIGHT AROUND 800,000 FOR THIS JUST ONE POOL.

WE'RE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY AND THE ENGINEERING PIECE.

WITH WHAT YOU'VE SEEN WITH THE FAILURE IN THE ENGINEERING COMPONENTS, NOT BEING AN ENGINEER, WOULD YOU LET YOUR KID SWIM THERE?

>> I WOULDN'T. NO.

>> I DON'T WANT IT ON MY CONSCIENCE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING HERE.

IF WE WANT A POOL, LET'S BUILD A NEW POOL THAT WE CAN TRUST THAT OUR GRANDKIDS AND OTHERS WILL BE SAFE.

SAFETY, NUMBER 1, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A VOID FAILED? WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE HAD 30 KIDS IN THERE SWIMMING AND THERE WAS A FAILURE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU'D HAVE A LOT OF WATER LOSS.

I DON'T KNOW. AGAIN, I'M NOT AN ENGINEER.

>> UNDERSTAND.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY AND LIFE SAFETY.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO TRY TO AVOID THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> I THINK THAT THE CITY, IF WE ARE COMMITTED, AND THIS COUNCIL IS COMMITTED TO A POOL ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE OF TOWN, WE DON'T PUT THEM IN A STATION WAGON THAT WAS BUILT IN 1974 WITH THE GAS TAKE UNDER HIM WITHOUT SAFETY BELTS.

WE MAKE A COMMITMENT AS A CITY TO BUILD THE RIGHT FACILITY THAT'S GOING TO PROTECT THESE KIDS, PERIOD.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT, COUNSEL.

BUT WE'VE GONE TO THE CITIZENS TO BUILD AN AQUATIC CENTER,

[02:25:01]

IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THIS, WE HAVE TO GO TO THE CITIZENS BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE IN THE BUDGET, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FINANCE IT SOMEHOW.

IF WE DON'T DO THE JOB ON THE FRONT END, COMMUNICATING TO PEOPLE, EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND WHAT THEY WANT FROM THE CITY, WHAT THEY WANT US TO BUILD.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO PASS THAT VOTE AGAIN.

IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A PLAN THAT IS REASONABLE AND WAS WITHIN THE PRICE TAG OF WHAT OUR CITIZENS ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR.

>> I'M GOING TO COMMENT ON THAT. YOU AND I HAD THIS DISCUSSION THE OTHER DAY, AND I THINK IT WAS A VERY FRUITFUL DISCUSSION, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE PLAN.

THE PLAN HAS TO BE STEP 1, FIRST, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE TWO EXISTING POOLS? WE'RE EITHER GOING TO REHAB THEM, MAKE THEM NEW AGAIN, OR WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THEM DOWN.

THAT'S STEP 1. ONCE PAST THAT PIECE.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE START DEVELOPING THAT PLAN.

THAT'S WHERE WE GET THE FEASIBILITY STUDY THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD BEFORE.

THAT'S WHERE WE START TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND FINDING OUT WHAT IS IT THAT THEY WANT AT SOUTHEAST OR AT SOUTHWEST, OR DO THEY WANT ANYTHING AT ALL? OR DO THEY WANT SOMETHING REALLY ELABORATE? THEN IT GOES THROUGH THAT PROCESS, BUT WE CAN'T START WITH THAT PLAN UNTIL WE DETERMINE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE EXISTING STRUCTURES.

BUT I THINK OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE NEXT STEP ON OUR PLATE, DEPENDING ON WHAT COUNCIL DECIDES HERE AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO NEXT.

I DON'T THINK THE DISCUSSION DIES TODAY AT ALL.

I THINK IT'S THE BEGINNING OF MORE DISCUSSION AS MUCH AS THE PUBLIC AND AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE AN APPETITE FOR.

>> I WOULD ADD, TOO IF WE LOOK AT REPAIRING OR IT'S NOT USING DUCT TAPE AND BALING WIRE. IT'S GOT TO BE SAFE.

IT HAS TO FILL THE VOIDS, DO ALL THE THINGS.

IT'S NOT JUST HALFWAY, AND WHETHER CHOICE, WOULD YOU TAKE YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS THERE? BUT IF WE MOVE FORWARD AND KEEP IT OPEN, IT'S GOT TO BE THE FULL DEAL.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT. WE'RE NOT TRYING TO JUST GET BY AND GET IT OPEN FOR THIS SEASON. TO ME, THAT'S PASSED.

>> NO, I WASN'T ALLUDING. I KNOW WE ALL WANT SAFETY, BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK ABOVE AND WE'RE GOING TO COMMIT.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD AQUATICS BOND PASS IN THIS CITY? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE PUT MONEY INTO AQUATICS IN THE CITY?

>> 1972.

THE LAST PARK BOND PASSED WAS 1972.

THE BONDS ARE ACTUALLY ISSUED IN '74 BECAUSE THE MARKET WAS BETTER.

THERE WAS $400,000 THAT WAS SET ASIDE FOR PARKS, AND THAT WAS THE FUNDING THAT WAS USED TO BUILD SOUTHWEST POOL.

THERE WERE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WERE DONE, BUT THAT WAS WHEN IT WAS BUILD.

>> BUT SPECIFICALLY $9 MILLION AT THOMPSON PARK.

LARGE IMPROVEMENT TO HAVE THAT POOL.

IMPORTANT TO KEEP THAT IN THE CONVERSATION.

WE'RE NOT GETTING OUT OF THE POOL BUSINESS.

WE HAVE A NEW ASSET THAT WE ARE MAINTAINING VERY WELL OVER ON THE THOMPSON SIDE OF TOWN.

GO BACK TO YOUR COMMENTS, SIR.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I THINK THERE'S ALL THE INTENT IN THE WORLD OF THIS COUNCIL OR MYSELF, AND WHAT I'VE HEARD OF GETTING A POOL, BUT WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AS A CITY TO DO THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION, AND IS THAT WHERE WE NEED TO PUT OUR MONIES?

>> COUNCILMAN SIMPSON.

>> MICHAEL, WHY DO YOU THINK OVER BOTH OF THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST, WHY DO TWO THIRDS MORE PEOPLE FROM EACH OF THOSE GO TO THOMPSON PARK RATHER THAN SOUTHEAST OR SOUTHWEST?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS JUST THE TRENDS IN AQUATICS.

SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST ARE JUST BIG RECTANGULAR POOLS, I THINK, WHICH WAS THE FAD BACK WHEN THEY WERE INSTALLED IN THE '60S AND '70S.

BUT A LOT OF CITIES HAVE GONE TO MORE OF AN AQUATIC FACILITY, LIKE A THOMPSON OR THE CAP AND CANYON.

THAT TENDS TO BE WHERE MOST FAMILIES WANT TO GO.

THEY DON'T WANT TO JUST GO TO A BIG WATER BODY LIKE WE HAVE AT SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE SEE THE ATTENDANCE DECLINE.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THOSE COST RECOVERY NUMBERS GO DOWN.

I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THOSE AQUATIC TYPE OF FACILITIES.

IF THE COUNCIL IS WILLING TO SPEND MONEY ON SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST WE'RE LOOKING AT JUST UNDER $1 MILLION TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS, BUT THAT STILL LEAVES YOU A RECTANGULAR POOL.

THAT DOESN'T ADDRESS ANY AMENITY CHANGES OR ANY STRUCTURAL CHANGES.

IT'S LEAVING IT THE WAY IT IS.

IT'S JUST FIXING THAT SHELL, ESSENTIALLY.

>> YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS RIGHT OFFHAND, BUT I MEAN, WHAT ARE THE TRENDS OF THESE THREE FACILITIES ON VISITOR? IF WE LOOK BACK FIVE YEARS AGO, ARE MORE PEOPLE USING THESE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, FEWER PEOPLE USING THESE?

>> OBVIOUSLY THOMPSON HAS GONE UP.

THOMPSON HAS DONE VERY WELL.

I THINK THE OTHER TWO POOLS WE'VE SEEN A STEADY DECLINE.

BUT I THINK THAT'S NOT JUST AN UMBRELLA THING.

I THINK THAT'S A NATIONAL THING WHERE YOU START LOOKING AT A LOT OF CITIES ARE HAVING TO EVALUATE WHAT THEY DO WITH POOL FACILITIES.

LEVITT CLOSED THEIR THREE AND TURN THEM INTO THREE LARGE SPLASH PADS.

[02:30:01]

ONE THING I FAILED TO MENTION IS WHAT WE'VE ALSO SEEN IS MORE OF A SIGNIFICANT DROP OFF IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SUMMER.

WE SEE REALLY GOOD NUMBERS AT THE START OF THE SUMMER.

BUT AS WE GET CLOSER TO AUGUST END OF THE YEAR, WE SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE DOING BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, WHETHER IT'S BAND OR FOOTBALL OR THINGS LIKE THAT, WHERE THEY'RE NOT ATTENDING OUR FACILITIES ANYMORE, THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING BACK.

WE SEE THE SAME CHALLENGE WITH STAFFING.

WE SEE MORE AND MORE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS THAT HAVE TO LEAVE EARLY BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

>> WELL, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE AERIAL VIEWS ON THE VIDEO OF THOSE TWO.

WHAT WE DID NOT HAVE IS AERIAL VIEWS OF THOMPSON PARK.

WE DIDN'T HAVE AERIAL VIEWS OF VADO.

WE DON'T HAVE AN AERIAL VIEW OF CANYON.

I GUESS THE QUESTION I THINK WE JUST NEED TO THINK ABOUT IS, IF THE TREND HAS BEEN IN A RECTANGULAR CONCRETE BOWL OF WATER, THAT WE'RE SEEING A DECREASE IS THERE A DEMAND FOR THAT? WILL THERE BE A DEMAND IN THE FUTURE? I THINK JUST AS IF WE WERE INVESTING IN A BUSINESS OR TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S CATERING TO PEOPLE.

IF THERE'S LESS AND LESS OF A DEMAND OF THIS, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT OVER TIME, IS IT PUTTING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD TO JUST PUT ANOTHER RECTANGLE POOL AND BRING IT BACK UP TO SPEED, IF THE DECLINE IS GOING TO CONTINUE IN ATTENDANCE, AND WE CAN'T PAY FOR IT, OR IS IT BETTER TO LOOK AT SOMETHING ELSE.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S ALL GOING TO BE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR.

BUT I DO THINK THE ATTENDANCE TRENDS GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF THE DEMAND OF WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

IF WE'VE BEEN SEEING THOMPSON PARK GO UP, AND THE OTHER TWOS GO DOWN, WELL NUMBER 1, THOMPSON PARK PAYS FOR ITSELF.

THE OTHER TWO HAVE TO BE SUBSIDIZED BY TAX MONEY.

I GUESS THE QUESTION I THINK WE NEED TO ASK IS IF WE REINVEST A MILLION, WHO KNOWS IF WE LOOK AT IT, IF IT'S TWO MILLION, IF IT'S $3 MILLION TO BRING SOUTHEAST BACK UP TO STANDARDS WHERE IT'S SAFE, IS THERE A DEMAND FOR THAT LONG TERM TO SAY, WOW, THAT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE ARE USING IT? WHAT EVIDENCE CAN WE SEE THAT SAYS, YES, BECAUSE I'M NOT SEEING A WHOLE LOT THAT SAYS, THERE'S A DEMAND FOR A RECTANGLE POOL.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEMAND FOR THINGS LIKE WE BUILT AT THOMPSON PARK, THINGS LIKE CANYON.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO WEIGH, IS THIS A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR PEOPLE TO USE? WILL THEY USE THAT? OR IS IT PUTTING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD, WHERE SEVERAL YEARS FROM NOW, WE'LL SAY, WE'RE NOT SEEING INTENDANTS UP, WE'RE STILL HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE IT.

I THINK THE QUESTION IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, IS THERE ENOUGH A DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF POOL THAT IT'S WORTH THAT TYPE OF INVESTMENT TO BRING IT BACK UP TO SPEED, SO IT'S SAFE, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANT TO USE.

>> COUNCILMAN, BEFORE, MR. KASHI WILL PROBABLY HAVE A MUCH BETTER ANSWER THAN I HAVE.

I WAS TALKING TO A CITIZEN THE OTHER DAY AND OUR CONVERSATION TURNED TO POOLS.

I'M A 1968 MODEL.

WHEN I WAS A KID GROWING UP, THAT WAS ONE OF OUR THINGS TO DO.

WE WENT TO A HOTEL OR ON A TRIP, AND THE POOLS WERE JUST PACKED WITH PEOPLE.

YOU SEE LESS AND LESS HOTELS THAT HAVE THAT RECTANGULAR POOL AT THEM NOW.

THEY HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, EITHER THEY INDOOR POOL THAT'S A LOT SMALLER OR THEY DO HAVE.

YOU CAN FIND A LOT OF HOTELS NOW THAT HAVE A LOT OF WATER FEATURES AT THEM THAT HAVE BECOME VERY POPULAR.

PEOPLE, IN FACT, MAKE THOSE VACATION DESTINATIONS.

I THINK THE TRENDS HAVE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS ALTOGETHER, NOT JUST IN MUNICIPAL POOLS, BUT ALTOGETHER.

>> I JUST HAVE A CONCERN IF WE JUST BRING SOUTHEAST BACK UP TO WHERE IT IS NOW, IS IT GOING TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF DEMAND, OR WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO SUBSIDIZE IT? OR IS THERE SOMETHING IN BETWEEN WHERE WE COULD ADD FEATURES THERE AT A FRACTION OF THE COST, IT WOULD TAKE TO BUILD A WHOLE NEW FACILITY, BUT MAYBE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE THINGS IF WE SAY, WE'D RATHER NOT GO TO JUST ONE THOMPSON PARK, BUT, WHAT WOULD BE THE COST? BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S WHAT'S THE COST? DO WE GET SOME TYPE OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT? BECAUSE WE'RE FOCUSING ON COST RECOVERY AND A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

THE BUDGET IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET TIGHTER.

HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS WORK? I THINK WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT, IS THIS GOING TO BE A GOOD INVESTMENT? IS IT GOING TO BE USED, ARE WE LOOKING AT STATUS QUO ON THE ATTENDANCE THERE LONGER TERM AND THEN WE'VE SPENT ON SOMETHING THAT THERE REALLY ISN'T A DEMAND FOR IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> JUMP IN THERE COUNCILMAN.

>> WHAT IS THE BURN RATE FOR THE 75 DAYS TO OPERATE THE FACILITY? LIKE SOUTHEAST? WHAT'S IT COST US TO OPERATE THAT FOR THE 75 DAYS OR 90 DAYS? WAS IT 60 A MONTH?

>> OUR EXPENSE FOR WHAT I'M SHOWING FOR SOUTHWEST WAS 122 FOR SOUTHEAST, THAT'S 154 FOR OPERATIONS.

>> FOR OPERATIONS. WE HAD HOW MANY KIDS OR HOW MANY SWIMMERS?

>> SOUTHEAST WAS JUST OVER 10,000 SOUTHWEST WAS JUST UNDER 10,000.

>> THEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A MILLION ON TOP OF THAT TO GET

[02:35:02]

WE'RE GETTING READY TO INVEST A MILLION ONE IN SOUTHEAST?

>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOUTHEAST.

JUST TO DO THE PLASTER AND THE MECHANICAL.

>> THEN THE BURN RATE FOR THE 90 DAYS FOR HOW MANY 10,000 PEOPLE?

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT'S YOUR PRICE?

>> WHAT'S YOUR PRICE? I MEAN, THAT BE AT 112 FOR 10,000 PEOPLE.

HOW MUCH IS PER SWIMMING IN EVENT?

>> PER PERSON YOU'RE LOOKING AT $5.

>> $5. WHAT'S THE FEE AT THOMPSON AGAIN?

>> $7 PER SESSION.

>> OKAY.

>> BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF WE HAVE 10,000 AT A MILLION AND TWO, A MILLION AND FOUR WHAT IS THAT PER SWIMMING EVENT THAT THE CITY IS PAYING FOR THAT SWIMMING EVENT AT THAT LOCATION? IS THAT A GOOD RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT IN BUSINESS?

>> IT'S A ONE-TIME DEAL.

IT'S NOT OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD WHERE YOU'D [INAUDIBLE]

>> CORRECT. I THINK WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE ASSET AND THE LIFE OF THE ASSET, YOU TREAT THAT SEPARATE, I'M SURE, THEN WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS A COST RECOVERY.

WE'VE DIRECTED CITY MANAGER IN A LOT OF WAYS TO AT LEAST ATTEMPT COST RECOVERY.

THAT'S HOW MR. PRESCOTT WAS PUSHING FOR IT'S ONE GOLF BALL OUT THERE.

RAISE A LITTLE BIT ON THE GREEN FEE.

ON THIS, I GUESS WE'RE LOOKING AT $5 ENTRY FEE AT SOUTHEAST.

WE CHARGE THE SAME OVER AT SOUTHWEST?

>> SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST ARE BOTH $5, AND THEN THOMPSON $7.

>> OKAY. THEN I THINK PROBABLY LIKE THE MARKET SHARE.

I WOULD ASSUME IF AND I'M JUST GOING TO SPECULATE THAT WE HAVE SOME PRIVATE COMPANY OR ENTERPRISE POOLS THAT ARE AROUND, THEY COMPETE VERY WELL AND OFFER DIFFERENT CONCESSIONS AND AMENITIES.

MAYBE IT'S $10, $12 PER PERSON DOWN THE STREET OVER THERE.

WE ARE SUBSIDIZING SOMETHING THERE FOR AFFORDABILITY.

I THINK THAT COMES IN IMPORTANTLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, LIKE, MAYBE A LARGER FAMILY, FOUR OR FIVE KIDS AND MOM AND DAD WORK, I MEAN, IT'S $100 TO GO TO THE POOL OR IT'S $40 TO GO TO THE POOL.

I THINK WE WANT TO KEEP THAT IN MIND.

THE OVERALL ORGANIZATION, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM NEEDS QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WE NEED TO BALANCE THAT SOMEWHERE WITH HOW WE SUBSIDIZE.

I THINK YOU CAN SEE SOME MARKET SHARE GO TO SOUTHEAST.

IF I WAS TO AGREE, WITH COUNCILMAN TIPS, THAT SOUTHWEST LOOKS TO BE IN A MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE MARKET.

IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS AS BUSINESS PEOPLE, THAT'S OUR LOCATION THAT WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE MARKET SHARE.

COULD WE STEP AWAY FROM THAT POOL, JUSTIFY THE SAVINGS OF THE COST, AND THEN GO AND POTENTIALLY UPDATE SOUTHEAST AND KEEP TWO POOLS OPEN, OR DO WE LOOK AT JUST THE ONE POOL OVER AT THOMPSON? A 110 SQUARE MILES.

THAT'S YOUR CORPORATE CITY LIMITS.

WALKABILITY IS A NICE WORD WE THROW AROUND WHEN WE HAVE MEETINGS, BUT WE DON'T REALLY DO THAT HERE.

I KNOW THAT'S OFFENSIVE TO SOME PEOPLE, AND THEY WANT BIKE LANES EVERYWHERE.

I LOVE IT. I THINK IT'S GREAT IF WE HAVE BIKE LANES, AND I LOVE BIKE SAFETY.

BUT THE SIMPLE FACT IS, THERE'S NOT A BUNCH OF 12 AND 13-YEAR-OLDS WALKING BACK AND FORTH TO GET TO AND FROM THE POOL AS OUR BUSINESS MODEL.

OUR BUSINESS MODEL SAYS, WE'RE A LARGE COMMUNITY WE DRIVE.

TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

COULD WE DO TRANSPORTATION FROM SOUTHEAST OR SOUTHWEST, BOTH TO THOMPSON, FOR THOSE 90 DAYS WHERE WE SEE HIGH DEMAND, WHERE IF WE DID HAVE A PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT CAN'T DRIVE BACK AND FORTH ACROSS TOWN, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING OBVIOUSLY WE COULD WORK WITH TRANSIT ON TO SEE WHAT OPTIONS THEY HAVE CURRENTLY, POSSIBLY SHARING THE EXISTING ROUTES THAT MAY BE IN PLACE THAT ALREADY SERVE THOSE AREAS.

BUT THEN, LOOKING AT MAYBE A PARTNERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO GET PEOPLE FROM THOSE LOCATIONS UP TO THOMPSON.

WE WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH TRANSIT TO SEE WHAT THOSE OPTIONS COULD BE.

>> OKAY. YES, SIR.

>> YOU'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH. JUST LOOKING AT THE SHORT AND THE LONG OF IT.

>> IF ENCLOSING BOTH POOLS, GIVING ACCESS TO THOMPSON PARK UNTIL THE DECISIONS MADE AND WE START BUILDING A NEW POOL? IF THAT'S THE WAY WE WOULD DECIDE TO GO.

>> IF I GO BACK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, MR. KASHUBA, YOU AND I HAD TALKED ABOUT ORIGINALLY, DO WE GO OUT AND DO WE HIRE A FIRM TO FIGURE ALL THIS OUT OR DOES YOUR STAFF INTERNALIZE THIS AND TRY TO BRING SOMETHING BACK TO COUNCIL.

WE DON'T ALWAYS NEED THAT CONSULTANT TO KNOW WHAT WE KNOW BETTER THAN THEY KNOW.

A LOT OF TIMES THOSE CONSULTING FIRMS COME TO TOWN AND ASK YOU TO TELL THEM WHAT THEY REPORT.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR STAFF KNOWING WHAT THE MARKET CONDITIONS

[02:40:03]

I WOULD SAY, MY UNDERSTANDING AT THAT MEETING WAS THAT WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT, WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE IN THE POOL ENVIRONMENT BEFORE WE DISCUSS CLOSING THEM DOWN.

THE ONLY THING THAT I SEE HERE IS THE STEP OF ONE CLOSE BOTH POOLS, TWO THEN GO OUT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO.

I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO, IDENTIFY MONIES, HOW THE AFFORDABILITY WOULD BE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO CLOSE THESE POOLS DOWN IF WE CHOOSE THIS, OR DO WE KEEP WHAT WE HAVE? BECAUSE WE'VE SHAPED IT IN THIS CONTEXT, I THINK WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

WE'RE AT LEAST HAVING A VERY CANDID CONVERSATION.

I WANT TO DISCUSS MONEY AND AVAILABLE MONEY HERE BRIEFLY.

I DON'T WANT TO LOOK BACK THREE MONTHS FROM NOW AND GO, OH, WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD THAT MONEY THERE.

IN A PREVIOUS CONVERSATION WITH MISS KATRINA, SHE WAS VERY HELPFUL IN LOOKING FOR SOME INTEREST EARNINGS.

WE'VE HAD, AND WE HOLD LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY AS AN ORGANIZATION.

WE EARNED INTEREST ON THAT.

WE PROJECT THAT.

I WENT BACK THROUGH MY BUDGET FOR 24/25.

WE PROJECTED THAT AT 12.5 MILLION, AND WE'RE VERIFYING THAT IT IS CLOSE TO THE 28 MILLION.

'26, YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD? DO WE HAVE A NUMBER?

>> [INAUDIBLE] THINK IT'S CLOSER TO THE 13?

>> TO THE 13 MILLION? OKAY. I LOOKED AT IT AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THOSE, AND I WANT TO GET THOSE.

COUNSEL, YOU MAY HAVE JUST INTEREST EARNINGS OUT THERE THAT WE HAVEN'T FACTORED INTO OUR BUDGET.

I THINK THAT IN MAKING A DECISION LIKE THIS, WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO IS, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A DECISION TO CLOSE DOWN SOME POOLS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY AND THEN FIND AVAILABLE MONIES.

THE INTERESTING MATH ON IT IS, IS 4% INTEREST EARNINGS IS WHAT WE AVERAGED LAST YEAR.

IT AVERAGED OVER THE 600 MILLION MARK.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WOULD ONLY HAVE THE 13 FOR THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE.

MAYBE YOU'RE REFERENCING JUST THE GENERAL FUND, MISS KATRINA?

>> [INAUDIBLE] ALL OF THE ACCOUNTS THAT [INAUDIBLE].

WE HAVE THIS TOPIC.

WE ALSO HAVE NEIL AND, DONNIE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOKING THROUGH OUR CIP PROJECTS THAT WE'VE CLOSED OUT.

DO WE HAVE POTENTIAL SAVINGS? I WANT COUNSEL TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION HERE BASED ON WHAT DOES THE MARKET LOOK LIKE, WHAT'S THE VALUE RETURN, BUT ALSO WHAT ARE OUR CURRENT FINANCES LOOK LIKE? I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THOSE CIP PROJECTS, KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE, AND IF WE DO HAVE ANY AVAILABLE FUNDING, ALONG WITH INTEREST EARNINGS AND BEING ABLE TO VERIFY THOSE, BECAUSE I STILL FEEL WE ARE LOOKING AT A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE THAT WE HAVE SOME AVAILABLE FUNDS WHERE STAFF HAS DONE A GOOD JOB CLOSING OUT PROJECTS, AND THEN WE'VE MANAGED PROJECTS WELL TO BRING THEM IN WITHIN BUDGET OR UNDER BUDGET.

THEN THIS COUNCIL OBVIOUSLY HAS SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE OLD.

THEY'VE BEEN IDENTIFIED SEVERAL YEARS OLD.

THERE'S NOT A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS ON THOSE PROJECTS.

IF YOU BRING ME A PROJECT FROM 2018, THEN WE DON'T HAVE A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR THAT.

THOSE PROJECTS NEED TO BE HELD IN REVERENCE TO OUR CURRENT NEEDS.

WITH ALL THAT, I DON'T KNOW IF COUNSEL WOULD BE WILLING TO REFER THIS BACK TO THE BOARD SO THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING IT ON US TO GO AND FIGURE THIS OUT.

WE HAVE A GOOD BOARD DOWN AT PARKS AND REC THAT DOESN'T MIND WORKING HARD, AND THEY'VE COME TO A CONCLUSION RIGHT HERE.

BUT COUNCILMAN TIPS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT A RE-EVALUATION AND A STUDY TO REALLY GET SOME NUMBERS BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION.

I HEARD YOU SAY EARLIER, YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY COMFORTABLE CLOSING BOTH POOLS DOWN WITH WHAT YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW.

[BACKGROUND] COUNCILMAN REED, WHERE ARE YOU AT? I'M RIGHT WITH DON. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE.

ANYTIME WE START CLOSING THINGS IN THE CITY THAT THE CITY DEPENDS ON FOR THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, THAT'S NOT A GOOD DIRECTION TO GO.

UNLESS YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD PLAN, ON HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MEET THAT NEED.

I AGREE WITH DON AND WOULD RATHER TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME LOOKING AT THIS.

COUNCILMAN SIMPSON, I SAW YEARS LID UP FIRST, AND THEN WE'LL JUMP BACK TO YOU PRESS.

WELL, I THINK WE'RE DEALING WITH TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES HERE.

THE POOL AND A POT OF MONEY THAT'S OUT THERE.

WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THOSE DISCUSSIONS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

I'M NOT TOO ENCOURAGED THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AGAIN AND FIND ALL THIS MONEY,

[02:45:03]

THE QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? HOW MUCH DO IT DOES IT COST? DO WE NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL STUDY TO SAY, ARE WE NOW SAYING WE WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT IT COSTS TO RENOVATE BOTH OF THEM? WE DON'T WANT TO CLOSE DOWN ANY OF THEM.

YOU SAID, ANYTIME WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING CLOSING DOWN, WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED.

TO ME, IF WE LOOK AT MAYBE THE POTENTIAL OF MAYBE DOING MORE DUE DILIGENCE TO SAY, A, HOW MUCH DOES IT, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO A STUDY OF WHAT'S UNDERNEATH, THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL WORK, CORRECT? WE DON'T KNOW THAT. THAT'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE.

BUT I THINK IF WE'RE LOOKING AT SOUTHEAST, WHAT DOES IT COST JUST TO GET IT BACK WHERE IT'S SAFE TO USE.

BUT I STILL GO TO, I'M GOING TO NEED SOME EVIDENCE THAT SAYS, WOW, THERE'S REALLY GOOD, OR FOR EXTRA MILLION, COULD WE ADD AMENITIES LIKE WE HAVE AT THOMPSON PARK TO BE ABLE TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, WE CAN PROBABLY GET MORE PEOPLE USING THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE NEXT SUMMER? MAYBE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GO TO THOMPSON PARK.

DO WE NEED TO HAVE THIS? WHERE IS THE DEMAND? I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, BUT IS THE QUALITY THAT PEOPLE ARE WANTING, THE PLACE OF WHERE THEY ARE GOING, SPENDING THEIR MONEY? I JUST THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE INVESTMENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THE LONG-TERM.

THAT'S GOT TO BE WE'RE RE-KEEPING MONEY BECAUSE THERE'S A DEMAND FOR IT.

THERE'S A DEMAND FOR WHATEVER WE'RE PUTTING OUT THERE BECAUSE THERE'S NO SENSE IN INVESTING $3 MILLION IF PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO USE IT.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE AMENDED MOTION.

CAN WE MAKE AMENDED MOTION? LET ME MAKE A COMMENT REAL QUICK IF YOU DON'T MIND BEFORE YOU DOING THAT.

I THINK IF IT'S A BUSINESS DECISION, IT'S EASY.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

BUT WE'RE SITTING UP HERE REPRESENTING OUR CITIZENS.

THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER ASPECT OF THIS, BECAUSE EVERYONE OF US WOULD LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND SAY, IT'S CLOSE, 100%.

IT MAKES ZERO SENSE.

DOESN'T COST RECOVERED, CERTAINLY DOESN'T MAKE MONEY, DOESN'T MAKE A PROFIT.

BUT THERE'S JUST THAT WHOLE OTHER ASPECT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

WHAT DO TAXPAYERS EXPECT, WHAT DO THEY DESERVE, THAT THING.

I THINK THAT'S THE DIFFICULT DECISION.

BUT I THINK THAT WITH THIS ADDED A LITTLE BIT MORE TO COME BACK WITH THOSE NUMBERS, I THINK THAT HELPS US MAKE THAT DECISION.

BECAUSE IF IT'S JUST STRAIGHT NUMBERS, IT'S EASY.

WE CLOSE THEM BOTH DOWN. THAT'S SO EASY.

BUT THERE'S THAT WHOLE OTHER ASPECT THAT, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, DEMAND.

I DON'T KNOW. RECTANGULAR POOL IS TERRIBLE.

ACTUALLY, A REALLY DEEP RECTANGULAR POOL IS NO GOOD.

BUT I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU TOO, FOR AN EXTRA MILLION, COULD WE DO SOMETHING, THAT'S MORE IN DEMAND? I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE LOOK AT.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CLOSE SOUTHWEST POOL, AND THEN WE SEND SOUTHEAST POOL BACK TO PARKS AND REC AND THE BOARD TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, AND THEN WE REALLY DIVE INTO WHAT THOSE SOLUTIONS MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

I WOULD SECOND THAT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

WE'RE GOING TO PAUSE FOR JUST A SECOND, SEE IF THERE'S ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION.

I THINK I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR SO WE HAVE SOME GOOD DEFINITIVE DIRECTION AS TO WHAT THE COUNCIL IS ASKING US AND AUTHORIZING US TO DO.

I THINK WE ARE BEING OKAY TO SPEND MONEY TO STUDY THIS FURTHER, IS THAT OKAY? COUNCIL, THE CONSIDERATION OF REFERRAL BACK TO PARKS AND REC? CAN YOU GIVE A COMFORT OF SAY, LESS THAN $50,000 TO BE SPENT ON A STUDY AND AN EVAL? I THINK WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TAKE BACK TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN WE'VE HAD BEFORE? WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO GIVE THEM TO MAKE OTHER DECISIONS ON.

YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE NEED SOME CLEAR DIRECTION ON WHAT ARE WE PRESENTING TO THEM? CAN WE ON THE MOTION AMEND THE MOTION TO ALLOW FOR AN ENGINEERING TO GO OUT FOR AN ENGINEERING STUDY PROPOSAL TO SEE WHAT THAT ENGINEERING STUDY WOULD COST AND BRING THAT BACK TO COUNCIL.

I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO TAKE SOMETHING TO PARKS AND REC FOR THEM TO EVALUATE.

I AGREE. I THINK THE MISSING COMPONENT HERE IS THE COST FOR WHAT WE DON'T SEE AND WHAT'S UNDERNEATH THERE.

MAYBE IT COMES BACK AND IT'S $100,000 TO FIX, AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

BUT MAYBE, THE PARKS AND REC BOARD, I JUST THINK I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE, BUT THERE'S NO SENSE IN BUILDING SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO USE IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WOULD SKYROCKET UP IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND WE'D ALL BE SURPRISED AND PEOPLE ARE USING IT.

[02:50:03]

BUT I THINK AT THIS POINT, FIGURING OUT, IF WE'RE GOING TO REVAMP THIS TO MAKE IT SAFE AS IS, AND WHAT THINGS CAN WE PUT IN THAT THAT ARE GOING TO BOOST ATTENDANCE TO HELP US TO PROVIDE AN AMENITY, NOT JUST THAT STANDARD, BUT AN AMENITY THAT WE THINK PEOPLE WOULD ACTUALLY USE.

I THINK THE COST SAVINGS, IF WE DO ELIMINATE A POOL, THAT DOES, THERE'S SOME COST SAVINGS THERE.

IF WE LOOKED AT TO YOUR POINT, PUTTING THOSE DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT TO DO SOME OTHER AMENITIES.

NOW I KNOW IT'S NOT HUGE, WE'RE NOT PUT SPLASH PADS OR WHATEVER, BUT EVEN JUST COVERED AREAS, JUST DIFFERENT WATER FEATURES.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE LOOK AT THAT, MAYBE THAT'S FOR PARTIAL RATE BOARD TO LOOK AT THE SAVINGS OF, WITH THAT SAVINGS, WHAT COULD WE DO TO POUR INTO ANOTHER ONE? I THINK WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK AT IT.

I THINK THE ONE CHALLENGE HERE IS NOW WE'RE LANDLOCKED TO THE NORTH.

YOU'VE GOT A FAIRLY SMALL PARKING LOT, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE EXPANSIONS COULD LOOK LIKE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE FAIRLY TIGHT ON THAT SITE.

YOU HAVE TO ALSO LOOK TO ME.

THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, IS THAT THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR A POOL OR AQUATIC FACILITY OR WHATEVER WE DO.

THERE'S BEEN TALK OF RECLINE.

THERE'S BEEN OF TALKS HERE. THAT'S WHERE THIS COULD BE EXPANDED.

TO GET BACK TO THE MOTION, AS I UNDERSTAND, THE MOTION WOULD BE TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE SOUTHWEST, BUT TEMPORARILY CLOSE SOUTHEAST CAUSE ANY STUDY WE DO, WE WILL NOT GET THIS THING DONE IN TIME TO OPEN SOUTHEAST, BECAUSE WE NEED TO START THAT IMMEDIATELY, AND YOU CANNOT UNKNOW THE DANGERS YOU ALREADY KNOW.

THAT'S A LIABILITY WE NOW HAVE.

THAT'S AN ISSUE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY EXPECTS IT TO BE OPEN THIS YEAR. NO WAY.

BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY START THE PROCESS.

BUT I THINK THE COUNCILMAN, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO, I THINK WE LOOK AT, IS THERE, IN FACT, THE NEF MARKED COMMUNITY FOR A SOUTHEAST AQUATIC TYPE FACILITY, WHETHER IT'S A RECTANGULAR POOL OR A SPLASH POOL, WHATEVER? DO WE GO THAT ROUTE, OR DO WE GO THE ROUTE OF REPLACING, REPAIRING THE EXISTING RIGHT NOW? BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND MONEY EITHER WAY.

DO YOU SPEND MONEY ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER DIRECTION, OR DO WE GO BOTH DIRECTION? SPEND MONEY TWICE? I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE NEED TO DECIDE.

LET ME CLEAN THIS UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

LET'S GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF.

STAFF IS BEING DIRECTED TO GO OUT AND GET AN EVALUATION AND THE STUDY PUT TOGETHER ON SOUTHEAST POOL.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO LOOK AT TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION FROM THOSE TWO LOCATIONS AS WE MOVE INTO A TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SOUTHEAST AND A PERMANENT CLOSURE OF SOUTHWEST POTENTIALLY.

LET'S SEE IF THERE IS ANY DEMAND AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THAT SO THAT WHEN SUMMERTIME GETS HERE, IF WE HAVE FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO THOMPSON, WE COULD HELP ACCOMMODATE THAT AND HOW MUCH MAYBE THAT WOULD COST.

THEN WE HAVE OUR MOTION ON THE OTHER SIDE.

WE NOW HAVE A MOTION THAT I WOULD ASK COUNCILMAN PRESCOTT TO JUST RESTATE THAT HE'S PROPOSING TO CLOSE SOUTHWEST POOL, LEAVE SOUTHEAST POOL TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

[BACKGROUND] FOR THIS SEASON AND REQUEST THE EVALUATION ALONG WITH IT BEING REFERRED BACK TO PARKS AND REC BOARD.

TO GIVE ME CLOSE OF THE SEASON, TO GIVE US THE TIME NEEDED TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, WITH A PROPOSAL ON THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT OF OUR COMMUNITY AS TO WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY? WHETHER IT'S THAT LOCATION OR A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE IF WE WANT TO PURSUE THAT ROUTE.

IF THE ENGINEERING IS NOT SOUND, THEN ALL THE REST OF THE STUFF DOESN'T MATTER.

IF WE DO NOT HAVE A STRUCTURALLY SAFE CONCRETE STRUCTURE, THEN THIS IS OFF OR NOT.

WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE DIRECTION.

ONCE WE DETERMINE THAT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE TO STEP 2.

BUT UNTIL WE CAN DETERMINE IF IT IS STRUCTURALLY SAFE, THEN THERE'S NO REASON TO LOOK AT ANYTHING ELSE. THAT'S THIS BOTTOM LINE.

WE HAVE A MOTION WITH A SECOND ON THE ORIGINAL.

THEN WE HAVE YOUR AMENDED MOTION THAT WE'VE RESTATED.

I DO NEED A SECOND ON THAT.

IS THAT CORRECT? SECOND ON THE AMENDMENT.

SECOND. TIPS DID A SECOND.

TECHNICALLY YOU WOULD MAKE A SECOND ON THE AMENDMENT AND VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.

THEN GO BACK TO THE MAIN MOTION WITH THAT AMENDMENT.

I THINK IF YOU COULD RESTATE THE AMENDMENT, THAT WAY, EVERYONE'S CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE AMENDMENT IS, AND THEN THAT GOES BACK TO THE MOTION OF SOUTHEAST TEMPORARY CLOSE.

LET'S DO THIS. COUNCILMAN, WILL YOU WITHDRAW YOUR MOTION? MY MOTION IS WITHDRAWN.

THERE'S NO MOTION ON THE TABLE AT THIS TIME.

AFTER ALL OF THE DISCUSSION, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

[02:55:02]

HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE SIDE? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY, AYE.

AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, SIR.

ITEM 8.6, AN APPOINTMENT.

[8.6. Consider Appointment to fill vacancy on Amarillo Hospital District Board of Managers.]

DO WE HAVE MS. CITY SECRETARY COMING UP? YES. HANG ON. I'M WRITING THAT. PER DOWN STILL.

TAKE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, MAR AND COUNSEL.

ON DECEMBER 19, WE RECEIVED NOTICE FROM DARRYL WERTZ OF HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD DUE TO SOME PERSONAL REASONS.

WE'RE BRINGING THIS ONE BACK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT.

ON THE BOARD IS YOUR LIST OF MEMBERS.

MR. WERTZ WILL GO THROUGH THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND SO WE WOULD LOOK TO FILL HIS POSITION FOR THAT REMAINING.

JUST A REMINDER ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD.

THESE ARE ACTUALLY TWO YEAR TERMS. WE'VE GOT A LIST OF APPLICANTS TO THE RIGHT THERE.

THERE IS ONE APPLICANT NOT ON THIS LIST BECAUSE IN HER APPLICATION, SHE ACTUALLY CHECKED THAT SHE COULD NOT MAKE THE TIME REQUIREMENTS TO MEET, WHICH IS QUARTERLY AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOARD.

ONE OTHER NOTE, YOU HAVE THOMAS WARREN III ON YOUR LIST OF APPLICANTS.

HE'S GOT AN ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGE THERE JUST BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY DID SERVE ON THIS BOARD THROUGH THE END OF 2025.

THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER? NO, THAT I KNOW OF.

LET ME ASK. I DO HAVE A STATEMENT.

DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION, COUNCIL? NO. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THOMAS WARREN III.

>> IN TALKING ABOUT THAT, I THINK THEY HELD TEN MEETINGS, AND HE MISSED TWO OUT OF THE TEN OR MAYBE THREE.

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT A DISCREPANCY THERE ON A MEETING TIME CHANGE AND SOMETHING ELSE, BUT IN THE ATTENDANCE ISSUE, I ALSO KNOW WE VOTED ON THIS EARLIER IN ALL OF THE BOARDS, WHEN WE WERE PRETTY RIGID ON SORRY, IF IT'S UNDER 75%, IT'S UNDER 75%.

I DID ASK HIM.

I REACHED OUT TO HIM AND I ASKED HIM.

I SAID IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO PUT SOMEBODY ON THIS BOARD THAT STILL WANTS TO SERVE.

I KNOW IT STINGS WHENEVER YOU DON'T GET ASKED BACK, BUT HE HAS BEEN TRAINED.

HE IS UP AND RUNNING, AND SO WITH IT BEING A VACANCY LIKE THIS AND US NEEDING TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY, I JUST ASKED COUNSEL IF THOMAS WARREN THIRD MIGHT BE AN EASY ONE THERE WITH A COMMITMENT TO HIM THAT HE WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM FILLING THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE PUT IN PLACE AFTER HE HAD MISSED THOSE MEETINGS.

HE DEFINITELY UNDERSTOOD THE NEED TO BE THERE.

COUNSEL, QUESTIONS ON THAT?

>> I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THOMAS WARREN AS WELL, AND THAT WAS SIMILAR, SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

>> WELL I GOT A QUESTION, 62% THAT DOESN'T ADD UP TO THREE OUT OF TEN. MAKE SENSE?

>> CORRECT.

>> I MEAN, SO THEY ONLY HAD TEN MEETINGS.

>> THEY HAD EIGHT MEETINGS.

DURING HIS DURING HIS TENURE, THEY HAD EIGHT MEETINGS. THEY HAVE FOUR YEAR.

IN 2024, HE ATTENDED THREE OF FOUR MEETINGS, AND IN 2025, HE ATTENDED TWO OF FOUR MEETINGS.

>> IN THE DISCREPANCY HE HAD TOLD ME HE MISSED TWO MEETINGS.

IS THAT CORRECT? HE MISSED THREE MEETINGS, NOT TWO?

>> HE MISSED THREE DURING HIS TERM OF EIGHT, WHICH IS YOUR 62%.

>> REGARDLESS, I KNOW WE HAD A FEW OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE DID ALLOW TO REMAIN AND SERVE ON A BOARD THAT ALSO HAD SOME ATTENDANCE ISSUES.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WITH HIS COMMITMENT OF AT LEAST HAVING THE CONVERSATION WITH ME AND ALSO PRESCOTT, THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE MEETING ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS.

I WOULD NOMINATE CLARENCE THOMAS WARREN THIRD TO FILL THE VACANCY.

[03:00:01]

>> SECOND.

>> MOTION IN A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION?

>> NO, BUT I MEAN, WE DIDN'T GO BACK AND TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE BUBBLE.

I MEAN, WE KIND OF SAID, HERE'S WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS.

MAYBE THERE WAS SOMEBODY THAT WAS AT 72%.

I CAN'T REMEMBER, BUT 62% DIDN'T ATTEND THE MEETINGS.

WE'VE GOT OTHER PEOPLE HERE WHO SIGNED OFF THAT SAID THAT THEY COULD ATTEND THE MEETINGS.

I JUST THINK I THINK IT'S A GOOD POLICY TO HAVE.

I MEAN, BUT WE DIDN'T GO BACK AND INTERVIEW THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THERE WHEN WE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO RENEW IT.

>> I WOULD SAY THIS, CONSISTENCY MATTERS, AND WE HAVE WAVERED A LITTLE BIT IN TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THIS NEW POLICY.

I THINK WE ALL WERE ON BOARD WITH IT.

IF WE WANT TO REMAIN ON BOARD WITH IT, MAYBE WE NEED TO TAKE A POSITION MOVING FORWARD THAT EVERYBODY NOW IS INFORMED, WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF INFORMING THEM AS THEY ARE SERVING THAT ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.

THEN WE NEED TO HOLD TO THAT, WHICH WOULD MEAN? YOU ARE GOING TO PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE YOU HAVE A REALLY GOOD BOARD MEMBER THAT HAS A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT SHOULD ALLOW FOR SOME GRACE, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO.

>> WE DIDN'T SAY THAT. I MEAN, WHAT WE SAID WAS, IF FOR SOME REASON THAT THEY MISSED TWO CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS, WE'RE GOING TO TALK WITH THEM.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY OUT.

I MEAN, I THINK WHAT WE SAID IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE, IF THEY MISSED TWO CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE WARNED, HEY, YOU CAN'T I MEAN, MAYBE IF BY SOME CHANCE, THERE'S TWO EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS THAT JUST HAPPENED TO COINCIDE, BUT I DON'T THINK IT I DON'T THINK IT MEANS NECESSARILY ALL NO, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CUT IT.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S VERY HELPFUL THEN BECAUSE THOMAS DIDN'T MISS TWO CONSECUTIVE MEETINGS.

HE JUST MISSED ONE.

WELL, NO, THAT WAS PREVIOUS YEAR, CORRECT?

>> HE MISSED HE'S MISSED THE TWO LAST MEETINGS IN 2025.

>> DO WE KNOW THE REASON HE MISSED? YOU GUYS TALKED TO HIM. WHY DID HE MISS? WHAT WAS THE REASON?

>> I UNDERSTOOD THAT WE RESCHEDULED A MEETING.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO. DO YOU REMEMBER KATRINA?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE RESCHEDULED ANY OF THEM.

THOSE ARE SET THREE MONTHS OUT.

>> I GUESS I'M JUST HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE ATTENDANCE, AND I GET IT OUT. TALK ABOUT MY MPO.

IT'S FINE. THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN.

I KNOW HE SERVES ON SEVERAL, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> BOARDS FOR US. NO, I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY BOARD HE IS THE ONLY ONE.

>> BUT HE DIDN'T YOU DON'T KNOW WHY HE MISSED.

>> HE SERVES ON THE PROUD BOARD, BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE HE IS THE TAX ASSESSOR. THANK YOU HONOR.

>> GOING BACK TO THE MOTION AND THE SECOND THAT WE HAVE.

I MEAN, HE IS QUALIFIED, HE'S TRAINED AND HE'S WILLING TO JUMP RIGHT BACK IN.

I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD PRETTY TRUE TO WHAT COUNCILMAN SIMPSON SAID.

IF YOU MISS TWO, WE REACH OUT TO YOU AND WE TALK TO YOU, AND THEN WE MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND YOU'RE ON THE BUBBLE.

YOU CAN'T MISS THE THIRD ONE.

WE DIDN'T DO THAT FOR MR. WARREN.

HE MISSED THE TWO. WE DIDN'T REACH OUT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT UNDERSTANDING.

THERE COULD BE A LITTLE GRACE ALLOWED HERE IN KIND OF HOW WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS.

>> WELL, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, MAYOR, IF HE IS REAPPOINTED, WE WILL REACH OUT TO LET HIM KNOW THAT HE CANNOT MISS THE NEXT MEETING.

>> YES. I THINK THAT WOULD BE FINE.

>> HEY, STEPHANIE, HOW ARE WE NOTIFIED? ARE YOU GOING TO NOTIFY US OF THESE JUST SO THAT WE CAN REACH OUT?

>> YES. WE'LL WORK WITH OUR BOARD LIAISONS ON THAT.

WE'RE WATCHING ATTENDANCE.

IF WE HAVE ONE THAT MISSES TWO, WE WILL REACH OUT TO THEM WITH A LETTER, AND WE WILL ALSO NOTIFY COUNSEL SO THAT YOU CAN REACH OUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO AND SO THAT YOU CAN BE THINKING, BECAUSE IF THEY MISS A THIRD, AND COUNCIL MEMBER SIMPSON IS CORRECT, THE WAY THAT WE DRAFTED THAT ORDINANCE, IT'S A MAY.

COUNCIL MAY REPLACE THEM IF THEY MISS THREE.

WE DID THAT BECAUSE SOME OF OUR BOARDS, LIKE PLANNING AND ZONING, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY EVERY TWO WEEKS.

IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE OUT FOR AN EIGHT WEEK SURGERY, IT'S VERY LIKELY THEY COULD MISS THREE MEETINGS, BUT HAVE GREAT ATTENDANCE THE REST OF THE TIME.

THE 75% ROLE IS ALSO AT COUNSEL'S DISCRETION.

YOU MAY REPLACE SOMEBODY THAT DOES NOT MEET 75% ATTENDANCE, AND THAT HAS BEEN IN OUR CODE FOR MANY YEARS.

>> WELL, I LIKE THE DISCUSSION.

I THINK I'M MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE AFTER HEARING COUNCILMAN SIMPSON AND YOU GET THE TWO.

IF YOU MISSED THE TWO FOR WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES, WE'RE REACHING OUT TO YOU AND THEN YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T MISS THE THIRD.

I UNDERSTOOD IT DIFFERENT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST IF YOU DIDN'T HIT THE ATTENDANCE, THAT WAS IT.

YOU WERE MANDATORILY NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE.

MOTION IS BEFORE YOU. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION, GENTLEMEN? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE. [OVERLAPPING].

>> ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO.

>> MOTION PASSES WITH A 41 VOTE.

WELCOME BACK, MR. WARREN.

[8.7. Presentation and Confirmation of Thomas Hover as Chief of Police for the City of Amarillo in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143.013(a)(1).]

[03:05:01]

WE HAVE MR. FREEMAN HERE TO WALK THIS ONE FORWARD.

>> YES, SIR. HOPEFULLY, WE SAVE THE BEST ITEM FOR LAST.

THIS EVENING, THE ITEM BEFORE YOU IS CONFIRMATION OF THE CITY'S OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT TO THOMAS HOVER AS THE NEXT CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

THIS MARKS THE CULMINATION OF A NATIONAL SEARCH, AN EXTENSIVE LOCAL ENGAGEMENT PROCESS DESIGNED TO REFLECT WHAT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR OFFICERS TOLD US THEY'D LIKE TO SEE IN THEIR NEXT CHIEF.

OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS, THE CITY CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE RECRUITMENT EFFORT.

THIS INCLUDED COMMUNITY INPUT SESSIONS, SURVEYS, LISTENING MEETINGS WITH APDS STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS.

THE FEEDBACK WE GOT WAS CLEAR.

AMARILLO WANTED A CHIEF WHO DEMONSTRATES INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS, COMMUNICATES TRA TRANSPARENTLY.

BUILDS CULTURE AND MORALE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE DEEPLY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THE PROCESS ALSO INCLUDED MULTIPLE INTERVIEW PANELS AND CAREFUL EVALUATION OF EACH FINALISTS LEADERSHIP STYLE, TRACK RECORD AND FIT FOR APD.

FROM THIS WORK, MR. HOVER EMERGED AS A CANDIDATE WHO MOST CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH THOSE EXPECTATIONS.

HE BRINGS MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF PROGRESSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE, CURRENTLY SERVING AS AN ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF WITH THE IRVING POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE OVERSEES FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU.

THIS INCLUDES PATROL AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

HE'S ALSO BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR A BROAD PORTFOLIO OF OPERATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS RANGING FROM PATROL AND INVESTIGATIONS TO SPECIAL UNITS, CRISIS RESPONSE, AND MAJOR EVENT MANAGEMENT.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST THEMES FROM THE APD STAFF IN THE COMMUNITY WAS THE NEED FOR A CULTURE BUILDER, A CHIEF WHO WILL ADDRESS MORALE ENSURE FAIRNESS AND REINFORCE ACCOUNTABILITY WHILE RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE AMARILLO.

HIS LEADERSHIP STYLE IS ROOT IN SERVANT LEADERSHIP, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF FUTURE LEADERS.

HE'S ALSO KNOWN FOR BEING COLLABORATIVE, DISCIPLINED, AND MISSION FOCUSED.

HE'S LED MANY DIFFERENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THOSE THAT SUPPORT OFFICER WELLNESS AND PEER SUPPORT, AND HE HAS A REPUTATION FOR LISTENING, COMMUNICATING OPENLY AND SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.

OUR RESIDENTS ALSO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF A CHIEF WHO IS HIGHLY VISIBLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITY, SOMEONE WHO WILL BUILD TRUST WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR BUSINESSES, FAITH COMMUNITIES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.

MR. HOVER HAS LED COMMUNITY ORIENTED EFFORTS, INCLUDING A COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESSNESS STRATEGY THAT COMBINED OUTREACH WITH FAIR ENFORCEMENT, PARTNERSHIPS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND POLICIES DESIGNED TO CONNECT VULNERABLE RESIDENTS WITH RESOURCES.

FOR ONE EXAMPLE, ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR BOTH APD AND THE COMMUNITY WAS A CRIME REDUCTION LEADER WHO EMBRACES PROACTIVE EVIDENCE BASED POLICING.

MR. HOVER HAS IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS SUCH AS A REAL TIME CRIME CENTER, A DRONE FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM, ALL LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY, DATA, AND THOSE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE RESPONSE TIMES, ENHANCE OFFICER AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS DURING THOSE IN PROGRESS CALLS.

THIS BACKGROUND, OF COURSE, ALIGNS WELL WITH INITIATIVES WE ALREADY HAVE WELL UNDERWAY IN AMARILLO AND WAS CRITICAL EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR OUR NEXT CHIEF OF POLICE.

CITY ALSO SOUGHT A CHIEF WHO COULD BE A STRONG PARTNER TO CITY MANAGEMENT AND CITY COUNCIL WITH SOUND FISCAL STEWARDSHIP AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF OPERATING WITHIN A COMPLEX CIVIL SERVICE ENVIRONMENT.

MR. HOVER HAS OVERSEEN SIZABLE BUDGETS, MANAGED STAFFING CHALLENGES AND ALIGN TECHNOLOGY AND DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS AND RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS THAT WE WILL ALSO HAVE HERE, AMARILLO.

HIS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN A LARGE DIVERSE CITY IN IRVING WITH MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS POSITIONS HIM WELL TO COLLABORATE WITH OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM AND REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS ON A SHARED PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES.

FINALLY, IN TERMS OF QUALIFICATIONS, MR. HOVER MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS THAT WE ADVERTISE FOR.

HE HOLDS A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND A MASTER OF APPLIED LIBERAL ARTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE'S ALSO A GRADUATE OF MULTIPLE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY, THE POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM, SENIOR MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE FOR POLICE, AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE OF TEXAS LEADERSHIP COMMAND COLLEGE.

TAKING ALL THIS TOGETHER, HIS EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP STYLE, AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND RECORD OF INNOVATION ALIGNED CLOSELY WITH AMARILLO RESIDENTS, APD EMPLOYEES, AND THIS ORGANIZATION SAID THEY WANTED IN THEIR NEXT CHIEF OF POLICE.

NIGHT'S ITEM ASKS THE COUNCIL AS A CITY'S GOVERNING BODY UNDER CHAPTER 143 TO CONFIRM THE CITY'S OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT TO MR. HOVER AS CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF AMARILLO.

THIS INCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, MR. HOVER IS ALSO PRESENT, HE'S HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR LISTEN TO ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION.

>> THANK YOU, DEPUTY FREEMAN.

LET'S CLARIFY. OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN MADE?

>> YES, SIR.

>>OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED.

>> YES, SIR.

>> COUNSEL, ANY QUESTIONS FOR DEPUTY FREEMAN BEFORE WE WOULD ASK FOR THE NEW CHIEF TO GIVE A FEW REMARKS, I BELIEVE.

>> NO.

>> CHIEF HOVER, WOULD YOU MIND COMING UP, PLEASE? I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU THE MICROPHONE, TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND ADDRESS THE CITY BEFORE WE FORMALIZE VOTE.

[03:10:03]

>> COUNCIL, MAYOR, MR. PATH, MR. FREEMAN.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

MOVING FORWARD, I'M EXCITED TO LISTEN AND LEARN THE AMARILLO WAY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THIS ORGANIZATION.

AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A FANTASTIC GROUP OF OFFICERS.

THEY'RE PASSIONATE AND DRIVEN, AND I'M JUST EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE TEAM.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. COUNSEL, YOU MAY HAVE A FEW REMARKS.

I WOULD JUST OFFER FULL SUPPORT.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND YOUR OTHER LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE STAFF.

I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF YOUR CITY COUNCILMAN THAT UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TO REMAIN PARAMOUNT AND FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE FORWARD IN THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING.

I SAY ALL THIS, RECOGNIZING CHIEF JOHNSON BACK THERE, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE HIS FULL SUPPORT AND THAT WE ARE NOT LOSING THE VALUE AND THE ASSET THAT WE HAVE IN CHIEF JOHNSON, WE ARE ADDING THE VALUE AND THE ASSET THAT I THINK AMARILLO LOOKS FORWARD TO TO HAVE CHIEF HOVER AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IN THE APPLICATION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU.

>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN I HELP CONGRATULATE FOR THE TIME THAT CHIEF JOHNSON SPENT WITH US AS THE INTERIM? [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT, AND I DO KNOW THAT IT'S BEEN A LONG PROCESS TO GET THERE.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE A BRAND NEW YEAR AND A GOOD OUTLOOK AND ALL THINGS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS.

COUNSEL, I WOULD JUST OFFER THE MICROPHONE BACK TO YOU IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING FURTHER.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY THANK YOU AGAIN, CHIEF JOHNSON FOR HOLDING IT TOGETHER.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON AND LEADING WITH.

WE APPRECIATE THAT. I'D LIKE TO AGAIN, THANK CHIEF JOHNSON AND WELCOME THE NEW CHIEF TODAY AS WELL.

I DO WANT TO THANK DEPUTY CITY MANAGER FREEMAN AND CITY MANAGER GRAYSON PATH, WHO DID THIS WITH ALL DUE DILIGENCE TO THOROUGHLY LOOK EVERYWHERE AND DO THIS SEARCH.

I THINK WE COMPLETED A GREAT SEARCH, VERY THOROUGH, AND APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT YOU GUYS PUT INTO IT.

YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS POSITION IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKED HARD TO FIND THE BEST PERSON, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> I WOULD ECHO THE SAME REMARKS.

CHIEF, JOHNSON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MR. HOVER, WELCOME ABOARD.

BIG RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU KNOW, THIS COUNCIL IS DEFINITELY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, AND YOU BEING THE HEAD OF THAT. IT'S A BIG DEAL.

WELCOME ABOARD, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU GUYS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IT WAS TOUGH. HAD SOME GOOD CANDIDATES, AND THINK YOU MADE A GOOD DECISION, BUT APPRECIATE IT.

>> JIMMY, IT'S A TOUGH ONE, AND I UNDERSTAND IT.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB LEADING THIS CITY FOR THE LAST YEAR, AND WE ALL APPRECIATE THAT.

I ALSO APPRECIATE THE CITIZENS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN HELPING MAKE THIS PICK.

I THINK THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART.

THE ONLY ASK OF A CITY, WHO'S YOUR MAYOR AND WHO'S YOUR CHIEF POLICE? IT WAS AN IMPORTANT THING TO INVOLVE THE CITIZENS AND TOM, WELCOME ABOARD.

THERE WERE TIMES IN MY CAREER THAT I THOUGHT I WAS MORE OF THE APD THAN I WAS THE FBI.

THERE'S A LOVE IN MY HEART FOR THE DEPARTMENT, AND I JUST WANT TO SEE IT CONTINUE BEING A DEPARTMENT THAT IT IS. THANKS.

>> VERY WELL SAID, COUNSEL.

ITEM 8.7 IS BEFORE YOU FOR CONFIRMATION.

>> I MOVE APPROVE THE CONFIRMATION OF THOMAS HOVER AS CHIEF OF POLICE.

>> SECOND.

>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF CHIEF HOVER.

AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE. ALL IN FAVOR. PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE [OVERLAPPING].

>> ANY OPPOSED? WELCOME TO THE CITY OF AMARILLO CHIEF HOVER.

[APPLAUSE] A. GENTLEMEN, CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN?

>> MOTION TO ADJOURN.

>> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. YOU'RE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU, GUYS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.